Elaith held the sword at arm’s length, glaring as if it were an ill-trained puppy that had just puddled his best boots. He had little choice but to continue wielding the weapon, though, and he slashed viciously at the first harpy to venture within range. The stroke cut deep into the creature’s arm, nearly severing the filthy gray limb. Shrieking with pain and rage, the harpy flapped out of the elf’s reach and circled back for a second attack. Its teeth bared, it dove, screaming, toward the elf. Elaith pulled a knife from the sleeve of his sword arm and threw it at the oncoming monster. It caught the harpy in the throat, abruptly cutting off its screams. The creature plummeted straight toward its killer. Elaith threw himself to one side and rolled, taking care not to lose his hold on the magical sword.
Again the sword went into the chorus, admonishing the fighters in jovial tones to beware of wishes lightly made. The harpies, too, seemed to take this advice to heart Perhaps the creatures recalled their last battle with these fighters, or at least had learned to be wary of prey who wouldn’t obligingly hold still. The harpies circled the clearing, keeping carefully out of reach of the flashing swords as they sang their deadly, beautiful song. Clearly audible above the harpies’ charm song was the sword’s cheerful baritone:
Morgalla chuckled briefly, then her brow furrowed in frustration. This fight was not going to the dwarf’s liking, for her opponents stayed out of reach. Using her spear like a javelin, she hurled the weapon at a low-flying harpy. The point tore through the creature, and the sheer force of the dwarf’s throw carried it along for the flight. The spear struck a tree trunk and bit deep. Impaled upon the spear, the dying harpy writhed and shrieked. Morgalla nodded with satisfaction and drew her axe in readiness for the next attack.
“Shoot them down!” Danilo shouted, taking the dwarf’s lead. He put away his sword and snatched up a bow. The Harper’s first arrow missed. He grimaced and nocked another, noting that Elaith gritted his teeth in helpless frustration as he continued to slash ineffectually at any monster that came close. Elaith’s mercenaries sent volley after volley of arrows into the sky. By the end of the chorus all of the remaining harpies had been downed, some of them still alive despite the arrows jutting from their rank bodies.
One of the wounded harpies flung itself at Mange. The canny mercenary grabbed the creature’s flailing wrists, knowing that a scratch from its talons would render him immobile. At the same moment he kicked its hideous face with a heavy-booted foot. The creature reeled backward, pawing at its shattered nose.
The furious Elaith dove at the wounded harpy, burying the magical sword up to the hilt in its throat The expression on the elf’s face suggested that he strove to quench the sword’s song with blood. Undaunted, the sword sang on:
Morgalla’s axe flashed as she battled a club-wielding harpy. She feigned a stumble, going down onto one knee. The harpy raised its bone club and flung itself forward for a killing blow. At the last moment, the nimble dwarf dove to the side. She leaped up, coming behind the off-balance harpy and burying her axe deep into the back of the creature’s neck. Dark blood spurted through the thick mat of tangled hair, and the creature dropped onto its face. At that moment, Elaith gutted the final monster. With the death of the last harpy, the deadly song charm faded into silence. The singing sword, however, continued merrily:
Elaith hurled the sword to the ground; its song broke off with a choked “Erp!” that suggested the magical singer had been throttled by unseen hands. The moon elf stalked over to Danilo. Shaking with barely contained rage, he thrust a finger into the Harper’s chest
“You fool!” he thundered. “No one, no one but you would wield such a ridiculous weapon!”
Danilo crossed his arms and leaned back against a tree. “Oh, I don’t know. I thought you did rather well.”
A silver dagger flashed in the elf’s hand. With a quicksilver motion, Elaith lunged forward and held the point against the Harper’s throat Danilo merely cocked an eyebrow.
“Now really, my dear Elaith. I should hate to see you change your methods at this late hour. Wouldn’t you rather I turned my back first?”
“Might I remind you both that we have business in Waterdeep?” Vartain’s emotionless voice broke in. “Our foe is bound there and will strike on Shieldmeet That is three days from now.”
The elf glared at Danilo with undisguised hatred, but with a visible effort he eased the dagger away. “We made an adventurer’s pact. I will honor it. Once the harp is recovered, though, I make no guarantees.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.” Danilo picked up his singing sword and tucked it back into its scabbard. “I’m off for Waterdeep. I can take two people with me now and return after sunset for two more. Vartain, you should come now. Perhaps if you and Khelben Arunsun were to put your resources together, you might be able to come up with the identity of our bardic foe.”
The riddlemaster bowed. “It would be my honor.”
“I’m coming, too,” Elaith stated. “I have information sources in Waterdeep that the archmage himself would envy.”
“Modestly put,” Danilo said dryly. He studied those who would remain behind. There were Wyn and Morgalla, the elven hermit, Balindar, Mange, and Cory, a dark-skinned youth who was the youngest of Elaith’s sell-swords. “First off, try to find the other horses, then head toward the Goldenfield temple farms. Once you find the stream, follow it to a calm, deep pool and set up camp. I’ll meet you there shortly after sunset”
Danilo motioned Vartain and Elaith to his side and set in motion the spell of teleportation. Swirling white light filled their vision, solidifying into solid black granite.
The trio stood in a courtyard before the tall, smooth cone of Blackstaff Tower. A twenty-foot wall loomed behind them. Neither structure had any visible doors, gates, or windows. Both of the Harper’s companions surveyed the archmage’s home with intense interest.
The solid wall of the tower blurred for a moment, and the archmage stepped out to greet his visitors. Danilo sped through the introductions. Khelben Arunsun proved himself a master of diplomacy when he received the news that the rogue elf Elaith Craulnober was his nephew’s partner.
“Welcome to Blackstaff Tower. Please join my lady and me for midday meal. We have much to discuss, and can talk while we eat.”
Elaith responded with a cryptic smile. “A pleasure deferred, Lord Arunsun. If you’ll show me the way out, I have inquiries to make.” After promising to meet Danilo at a tavern the following day at highsun, Elaith slipped through the wall’s invisible door.
“It’s a long story,” Danilo said dryly, nodding his head in the direction the elf had taken.
“It’ll wait Now, what have you two got?”