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."Under the circumstances, that might not be easy."Arilyn caught the underlying warning in her companion's voice."Do you still have any of thatgoldleaf tea, Dan?"Hasheth brightened."I would be happy to prepare it.No northerner has the ability to brew a decentcup.""Who could refuse such a gracious offer?" Danilo rummaged in his bag again, found an oddlyshaped covered pot and a package of tea leaves, then tossed them to the boy.Hasheth took up thewater flask and busied himself with the task.When the tea was ready, Hasheth filled Arilyn's mug and handed it to her with a courtly bow.Then, almost as an afterthought, he poured another cup for Danilo.Before sipping, Arilyn inhaleddeeply, and her sharp elven senses picked up a foreign note in the fragrant steam.She caught Danilo'seye, glanced down at his mug, and gave a subtle shake of her head.The mage raised his eyebrows andpainted an "I told you so" smirk on his countenance."Would you be offended if I didn't drink first?" she asked Hasheth."Of course not.Only the prudent live to old age," the lad replied graciously.He reached for hercup, offering, "I myself shall taste it for you."The half-elf had anticipated that response, and the faint gleam in Hasheth's eyes confirmed hersuspicions.Without doubt, he had an immunity to whatever poison he'd slipped into the tea.It was acommon trick in an assassin's repertoire."I would not dishonor you with such a task," Arilyn said with grave formality."Actually, I'dthought of feeding the tea to your horse."Hasheth's smug expression melted into the slack frustration of defeat, and he pounded the groundwith balled fists."Why have the gods sent you to torment me?"The half-elf waited until the boy's rage was spent."Why would your masters want you dead,Hasheth?""Apart from the obvious reasons, of course," Danilo added.Hasheth turned furious eyes on his captors."Can you not hear? My masters decreed that you mustdie, elf-woman.Then I can advance to the next sash level.""Let's step into reality for a moment, shall we?" Danilo suggested."Our home is many days to thenorth.Didn't it occur to you that an assassin whose reputation had traveled so far might prove a bit ofa handful to someone your age?"Before the young man could respond, Arilyn broke in."How old do you think I am?"Hasheth blinked, clearly puzzled by her question.His eyes traveled over her delicate features,curly raven hair, and slender form."Three-and-twenty rains," he guessed.Arilyn shook her head."Try three-and-forty.""It is not possible," Hasheth protested, his brow furrowed in disbelief."You are young and mostbeautiful."She brushed back her thick curls to display pointed ears."I'm a half-elf, remember? I'll probablyoutlive your grandchildren.When I started sword training, your mother was no doubt an infant.Howold was she when she came to your father's harem?""Fourteen," he answered absently."For as many years as you and your mother have lived, I've been a hired warrior.I fought for theAlliance in the war against the Tuigan barbarians.I have earned a place of honor among the Harpers.Knowing this, do you still think you were sent to fight an equal?"Arilyn softened her harsh words with a smile."In a few years, this may change.You have muchtalent, Hasheth, and one day we may well meet on an even field.But that day has not yet come." Shepaused, and her expression hardened."No one uses me or my sword against my will.I don't intend tobe the instrument of your death, despite your masters' best-laid plans.""You lie," Hasheth said, but his face betrayed a touch of uncertainty."Someone wants you dead," Arilyn repeated."That's easy enough to prove.Since I won't take thejob, it will go to another."Hasheth stared at her for a long moment."I will think about your words."The three travelers turned their attention to Danilo's fragrant stew.Hasheth scorned the offer of aspoon, instead using pieces of flat, hard travel bread to scoop up bits of fish and mushrooms.The ladate hungrily, but with a nimble delicacy that struck Danilo as oddly familiar.He resolved to mentionhis suspicious to Arilyn as soon they could speak privately.After their meal, at Danilo's insistence, Arilyn tied a length of rope around Hasheth's ankle andsecured the end to her own saddle.The boy submitted to the indignity calmly, and not until they leftthe forest behind them did he speak to her again."I have heard of the Harpers," Hasheth stated casually, but his tone clearly implied that he hadheard nothing good.He wheeled his horse aside and placed as much distance between himself and hiscaptors as the tether rope allowed.Danilo reined his horse close to the half-elf's mare."Mind if I borrow your bow? I've never had anurge to shoot someone before, so I don't have one of my own."Arilyn smirked."I can see the temptation, but try to resist.""Why? You'd be surprised how much time I save by giving in to temptation immediately.""Ease off, Dan.He's just a boy.""Perhaps so, but he is not your average student assassin.Noblemen in Tethyr seldom use forks orspoons.It's supposed to be uncouth.Another of the pasha's notions about northern barbarities, Ibelieve.Then there's the matter of that horse he's riding.I'm an excellent judge of horseflesh, and Ican assure that only the very wealthy could afford such a mount.And have you noticed the boy'sring?""I was wondering when you'd get around to that ring," Arilyn murmured."So Hasheth has money.""He's clearly both noble and wealthy, but he disdains such things in others.He positively despiseswhat he sees in me—""For that he needs a reason?"Danilo reached over and took Arilyn's chin between his fingers, turning her face to his."You'reenjoying this far too much," he observed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]