"Sorry, Kit. I didn't mean anything by it."
Kitiara released him. He rubbed his neck where the drawstring had exit into it. "How did you get away tonight?"
"I told him I was spending the evening with my brothers. I'll have my money now."
The man reached beneath his cloak, brought out a purse, and handed it over.
Kitiara opened the bag, held it to the light, and estimated the amount of the money quickly by eye. She held up a large coin, studied it, then tucked the coin into the palm of her glove. Pleased, she tied the purse to her belt.
"There's more where that came from if you happen to pick up any additional information about Qualinesti and the elves. Information that you just happen to find 'lying around.' "
Kitiara chuckled. The money had put her in a good mood. "How do I contact you?"
"Leave a message at The Trough. I'll stop by whenever I'm passing this way. But won't you be traveling north soon?" he asked.
Kit shrugged. "I don't think so. I'm happy enough where I am for the time being. There's my little brothers to think of."
"Uh-huh," the man grunted.
"They're getting to the age where they could be of some use to us," Kit continued, ignoring him.
"I've seen them around town. The big one we could use as a soldier maybe, though he's clumsy as a kobold and looks about as bright. The other, though-the magic-user. Rumor has it that he's quite talented. My lord would be pleased to have him join his ranks."
"Rumor has it wrong! Raistlin can pull a coin out of his nose. That's about it. But I'll see what I can do." Kit held out her hand.
The man took hold of her hand, shook it, but didn't immediately let go. "Lord Ariakas would be pleased to have you join us as well, Kit. On a permanent basis. You'd make a fine commander. He said so."
Kit removed her hand from the man's grasp, placed it on the hilt of her sword. "I didn't know His Lordship and I were on such familiar terms," she said archly. "I've never met the man."
"He knows you, Kit. By sight and by reputation. He's impressed, and this"-the man indicated the map case-"will impress him further. He's prepared to offer you a place in his new army. It's a great opportunity. One day he will rule all of Ansalon, and after that all of Krynn."
"Indeed?" Kit lifted her eyebrow. She appeared impressed. "He doesn't think small, does he?"
"Why should he? He has powerful allies. Which reminds me. How do you feel about dragons?"
"Dragons!" Kit was amused. "I think they are fine for scaring the wits out of little children, but that's about all. What do you mean?"
"Nothing in particular. You wouldn't be fearful of them, would you?"
"I fear nothing in this world or the next," Kit said, a dangerous edge to her voice. "Does any man say different?"
"No one says different, Kit," the man responded. "My lord has heard us all speak of your courage. That's why he wants you to join us."
"I'm happy here," Kit said, shrugging off the offer. "For the time being, at least." "Suit yourself. The offer- By Takhisis, I heard that!"
Uncomfortable prickling sensations had been shooting up the backs of Raistlin's legs. He had tried to shift his foot, wiggle his toes, and he'd tried to do it silently. Unfortunately the board on which he stood was loose and creaked loudly when his foot moved.
"Spy!" the man said in his cold voice.
A flutter of black cloak, a leap, and a bound, and he was standing in front of Raistlin, his strong hand gripping Raistlin's cloak. Words of magic flew out of the young mage's head on wings of terror.
The man dragged Raistlin out from behind the tree. Forcing him to his knees, the man yanked off the hood of Raistlin's cloak. He grabbed a handful of Raistlin's hair, jerked his head back. Steel flashed red in the moonlight.
"This is what we do to spies in Neraka."
"You fool! Stop!" Kitiara's arm slammed into the man's hand, knocking the arm backward and the knife to the boardwalk.
The man turned on her in fury, his lust for blood hot. The point of her sword at his throat cooled him.
"Why did you stop me? I wasn't going to kill him. Not yet, anyhow. He'll talk first. I need to know who's paying him to spy on me."
"No one's paying him to spy on you," said Kitiara scornfully. "If he's spying on anyone, he's spying on me."
"You?" The man was skeptical. "He's my brother," said Kitiara.
Raistlin crouched on his knees, his head bowed. Shame and embarrassment overwhelmed him. He could have wished to die rather than face his sister's wrath and, worse, her disdain.
"He's always been a little snoop," said Kitiara. "We call him the Sly One. Get up!"
She cuffed Raistlin across the face hard. He tasted blood.
To his astonishment, after she'd struck him, Kitiara put her arm around his neck, hugged him close.
"There, that was for being bad," she said to him playfully. "Now that you're here, Raist, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. Balif is his name. He's sorry he scared you like that. He thought you were a thief. Aren't you, sorry, Balif?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry," said the man, eyeing Raistlin.
"And you were acting like a thief, skulking around in the night. What are you doing out this late, anyway? Where were you?"
"I was with Weird Meggin," said Raistlin, wiping blood from his split lip. "She had found a dead fox. We were dissecting it."
Kit wrinkled her nose and frowned. "That woman's a witch. You should stay away from her. So, little brother," Kit said offhandedly, "what did you think about what Balif and I were discussing?"
Raistlin looked stupid, copying his twin's blank stare and dumbfounded expression. "Nothing." He shrugged. "I didn't hear that much of it. I was just walking by, and-"
"Liar," growled the man. "I heard a noise when we first started talking, Kit. He's been there the whole time."
"No, I haven't, sir." Raistlin spoke in conciliatory tones. "I was going to walk past, but I heard you mention dragons. I stopped to listen. I couldn't help myself. I have always been interested in stories of the old days. Particularly dragons."
"That's true," said Kitiara. "He's always got his nose in a book. He's harmless, Balif. Quit worrying. Run along home, Raist. I won't mention the fact that you've been with that witch woman to anyone."
His gaze met hers.
And I won't mention to Tanis the fact that you've been out in the night with another man, Raistlin promised her silently.
She smiled. They understood each other perfectly sometimes. "Go along!" She gave him a shove.
Muscles stiff and aching, fear and blood leaving a bitter taste in his mouth, a taste that sickened him, he made his way across the boardwalk. Hearing sounds of footsteps and afraid that Balif was coining after him, Raistlin glanced back.
Balif was leaving by the stairs, his cloak swirling around him.
Kitiara had fished the coin out of her glove. She flipped it into the air, caught it. Leaning over the rail, she called after him, "I'll keep in touch!"
Raistlin heard the man's brief, cold laughter. Footsteps continued on the stairs and then died away as the man reached ground level.
Kitiara remained standing by the water barrel, her head lowered, her arms crossed over her chest. She was deep in thought. After a moment, she shook herself all over, as if shaking off all doubt and questions. Drawing her hood close to conceal her face, she set off at a brisk pace.
Raistlin took a circuitous route home, one that was longer but would insure he did not cross his sister's path. He mulled over Kit's conversation, trying to ferret out a meaning, but he was too stupid with fatigue to make any sense of it. His body was drained. It was all he could do to force himself to place one foot in front of the other, trudge the weary way back home.