Teldin glanced to his right. Estriss was halfway to his feet, apparently intending to pursue the arcane, for whatever reason. Only Aelfred's hand on the creature's arm restrained him. Teldin could imagine what the illithid must be feeling, and he had to grin. He knew what one of Aelfred's "gentle, restraining grips" felt like. The mind flayer wouldn't be going anywhere. Estriss recognized the reality of that, too. Grudgingly, he sat down again.
Rianna was looking at Teldin, her eyebrow raised in question. "Poor Estriss," he told her. "That sword was the major reason for coming here."
"Why's it so important?" she whispered back. "Ten thousand gold pieces?"
"Something to do with his life work," Teldin explained. "I'll tell you about it later."
With the arcane's departure, the suction returned to at least a semblance of normalcy. The next item-another old portrait-was displayed and bidding commenced in an orderly manner. With the blue-skinned giant gone, it was obvious that nobody really expected any further fireworks. In fact, in the minutes after T'k'Pek's departure, more than a few spectators and participants quietly left the hall. Probably, in contrast to the short but very sharp bidding war, the rest of the auction was seeming intolerably dull.
Estriss had settled down a little. The loss of the weapon had hit him hard, that was obvious, but he was still confident that other pieces of interest would come up for bid before the auction ended.
Bidding on the portrait quickly settled into a contest between two affluent gentlemen in the front row… who obviously hated each other. Already, pride and a refusal to let the other "win" had forced the price up into the low hundreds of gold pieces, and there was no indication the contest would slow soon. Even though the outcome was irrelevant to him- or maybe because of that fact-Teldin was enjoying the acrimonious struggle.
Without warning, he felt a light touch on his shoulder. He turned quickly.
Barrab, the arcane's human representative, was standing behind him. The large man's cherubic smile was back in place. "Milord Brewer," Barrab whispered. "My employer, T'k'Pek, would like to meet with you again. Now, if that's convenient."
Both Rianna and Aelfred had heard Barrab. The big warrior shook his head subtly.
Teldin hesitated. He knew that Aelfred didn't trust Barrab-and, to tell the truth, he didn't trust the man himself-but maybe the arcane had some new information, something to help him make the decision that still weighed on his mind. He couldn't dismiss that possibility.
"It's very important, milord Brewer," Barrab whispered. "My employer says to tell you specifically that something new has come to light, something you should know immediately. Will you meet with T'k'Pek?"
Aelfred and Rianna were still listening, and even Estriss was paying attention. Teldin glanced at his friends. "Give me a moment," he whispered to Barrab. "I have to talk with my… assistants."
Barrab nodded and withdrew, but not far. At least he was out of earshot if Teldin kept his voice down.
"Don't do it," Aelfred whispered sharply as soon as Barrab had stepped away. "If you want to talk to the arcane again, set up an official meeting."
"You don't trust Barrab," Teldin said.
"Less than I trust T'k'Pek, and that's saying something." Aelfred was silent for a moment. "I don't like this," he whispered finally. There was urgency in his eyes.
He was right, Teldin thought. But… "It could be important," Teldin answered. "I think I have to go."
Aelfred cursed under his breath. "All right, if you have to." He started to stand. "I'll come with you."
No. For the first time, Estriss joined the conversation. The creature's mental "voice" was sharp. No, he said again. Aelfred, you must stay, to bid for me on the items I want.
The first mate hesitated. Teldin could see the conflict on his face. Even though it was Aelfred who really commanded the Probe, Estriss was still his superior officer. The illithid hadn't given an order, but Teldin knew that was next. Then the warrior would have to decide whether it was an order he could obey.
"Aelfred…" Teldin began.
"I'll go with him," Rianna put in quickly. She grinned as Aelfred looked at her with surprise. "I'm used to taking care of myself. I can take care of him, too. I've got a good reason: I'm not done with my little playmate yet."
Aelfred hesitated, then he smiled as well. "Thanks," he said, and he meant it.
Barrab was shifting from foot to foot in nervousness-a rather amusing sight in someone so large and usually so controlled. As Teldin and Rianna left their seats, he smiled with relief. "Thank you," he said. "I was worried-"
"Where are we going?" she asked, cutting him off.
"Not far," the representative replied. "My employer wishes to avoid the crowds when he talks to milord Brewer."
That wasn't an answer, Teldin realized, as Barrab led them from the rotunda. From the first, he'd felt apprehension about this meeting, even though he knew he couldn't refuse. Now the anxiety had doubled. He looked at Rianna.
The woman's face was grim. She was taking this seriously, Teldin could see. Her right hand hovered near the hilt of her belt knife. He'd never seen Rianna under pressure or in danger, Teldin realized, but there was something about her manner that reassured him. He was glad to have her along.
Barrab led them toward a door to the outside-not the main lobby through which Teldin and friends had entered the Merchants' Rotunda, but a smaller portal at the rear of the building. "T'k'Pek has a carriage in the alley," Barrab answered Teldin's unspoken question. "We thought it would be more private." The representative led the way out through the door. Teldin followed, Rianna on his heels.
He stopped suddenly. There was no carriage, and Barrab had turned to face him. The large man's smile was predatory rather than cherubic now, and cold steel glittered in his right hand. Flanking him were three men that Teldin didn't know. He did recognize them by their wiry strength and the easy manner in which they held their unsheathed swords. These were hired bravos-"city wolves," his grandfather had called them. He and Rianna had been led-neatly and efficiently- into a trap.
Chapter Fourteen
Teldin glanced over his shoulder at Rianna. She had her blade drawn and stood in the same knife-fighter's crouch as the bravos. He saw her eyes flick from enemy to enemy and could almost sense her thoughts. Four on two: lousy odds. Or four on one, since she'd have no reason to believe Teldin could defend himself. But they were only a few paces from the door, and none of the hired blades was close enough to stop them from bolting back inside the Merchants' Rotunda.
As if on cue, the door opened behind Rianna. Another figure slipped into the alley; another blade glittered in the sunlight. Rianna spun, trying to keep everyone in her field of vision, but it was impossible. She and Teldin were surrounded.
Barrab chuckled, grinning hugely. He was thoroughly enjoying this, Teldin realized. "Sorry," Barrab said, "no easy escapes. Where would be the fun in that?" His expression sobered a little. "I suggest you drop your weapon, milady," he said quietly, "and that neither of you try anything untoward. Some of my… colleagues would be as happy to rip you as look at you."
Teldin looked from face to face. His attention was fixed immediately by the bravo nearest him. The man was as thin as a whip. His eyes made Teldin think of a rabid ferret and he smelled of violence, of death. While Barrab might warn him and Rianna not to try anything, this one was hoping they would. Then he'd be justified in cutting them down. Teldin's hand had strayed near the hilt of his short sword. Now he moved it, very obviously, away from the weapon.