Chapter 125: Dance with the Devil
Aran Linvail, the Shadowmaster of Amn, wrapped a towel around his waist as he emerged from the steaming pool of hot water in his private chambers, deep in the bowels of the Shadow Thieves' Headquarters. Although he'd gone to various lengths to ensure his room was hard to get to if one didn't know what they were looking for, even through several thick walls and heavy wooden doors the shouts of the young rogues and bellows of their instructors as the inexperienced were taught in the gauntlet of trials not too far away still managed to reach his ears.
Linvail's assistant, a small weasel of a man who had been a successful thief for about two weeks until he'd lost his hand on his fourth job, scurried over. "Shadowmaster, the adventurers Guildmaster Bloodscalp told you about yesterday are back, and wanting to see you," he explained respectfully, carrying a set of clean clothes in his arms as best he could for the Shadowmaster's use.
Linvail nodded, drying himself then shamelessly discarding the towel as he took the clothes from his assistant, moving a little away from the pool to dress himself. "Thank you, Pelhan," he replied easily, his hand running evaluatingly over the soft fabric of the tunic he'd been given. It would probably be best if he greeted them as fully armed and equipped as they would be. A gesture to one of the rogues by the door sent the man scampering off to collect Linvail's suit of elven chain. "I'll presume you're referring to Corias, as there is nobody else I have the patience to see."
Pelhan smirked slightly, giving a nod which was almost a bow. "Of course, Shadowmaster. Corias and his companions. I shall have them brought to you," he assured his boss, before turning and hurrying out the door.
As assistants went, Pelhan was not necessarily the most suitable. But he had a loyalty which was unquestionable, a most useful attribute in the Shadow Thieves. His disability meant that he would never become a great rogue, and he didn't have the ambition to achieve the status of Guildmaster, but he suited Linvail's needs. He was efficient and intelligent, and after many years of service was attuned enough to the Shadowmaster's needs for it to be quite disconcerting if anyone else attempted to do the job. And although Linvail had many bodyguards, Pelhan was still a dangerous enough man – even with a wooden left hand – to be a last line of defence, if needed.
Of course, if he showed any signs of betrayal, Linvail wouldn't hesitate to have him killed… but he was one of the few people he might regret eliminating.
As the Shadowmaster pulled the fine tunic over his head, the rogue he had sent out stepped back in with his elven chainmail. It was a little heavier than the leathers Linvail preferred, and less comfortable, but it gave him an impressive image, and if an attack in his own chambers took place, protection would be of the highest value. This mattered a little more over comfort.
Besides, he had other ways to indulge his fondness for luxuries, Linvail reasoned as he turned back to the pool, where two of his private concubines were still lounging. He clapped his hands together authoritatively. "You two! Out. I have business to attend to, and this isn't a guest I want you to pleasure." He rolled his eyes as they let out vague protests, but nodded indulgently. "Afterwards, yes, I'll find the time. Now off with you," he instructed.
He ignored the pair as they climbed out of the pool, collecting their discarded robes from the floor and heading for the back door in the chamber. They weren't relevant at that moment. He had more important issues to be concerned with.
Just why in the Nine Hells would Corias be coming to see him with anything other than a sword? They had not met before but most certainly knew of each other, and Linvail was quite aware of the Bhaalspawn's distaste for the Shadow Thieves. He himself was fairly neutral in regards to the man, and had treated him with only mild curiosity since Bayle's approach had been rejected two months ago.
His sources told him that one of Corias' companions, the Helmite, had gone to the paladin headquarters to ask for their assistance in… something. Just what, exactly, Linvail had been unable to find out, and this left him both annoyed and curious. It would be odd if the Bhaalspawn needed the aid of two of the most powerful factions in the city for completely different purposes – but for what single purpose could a man need an order of paladins and a guild of thieves?
"Speak of the devil," the Shadowmaster murmured as his door was opened and Pelhan stepped in obsequiously, making a grand gesture of ushering in the four adventurers behind him, Corias himself at the head. "My, my, my," Linvail continued under his breath as he sat down in a large, overstuffed armchair and eyed the new, shining sword at the Bhaalspawn's waist.
"You would be Linvail, would you not?" Corias demanded the instant the door was closed behind him, quite evidently not in a mood to beat about the bush. He'd been labelled as 'impetuous' by some of the Shadowmaster's men up north, and this sort of greeting was what he had expected.
Linvail paused for a moment, eyeing the quartet. Corias kept shifting slightly under his scrutiny, clearly wanting to be gripping his sword hilt but knowing that it was possibly not the best course of action. "That would be me," the Shadowmaster replied, his voice like silk wrapped around a dagger. "And you would be Harrian Corias, renowned Bhaalspawn and rogue. Not to mention the hero of Baldur's Gate, Nashkel, Gullykin, Trademeet…"
"Well done. You've heard of me. Considering the contacts and informants at your command, I'm surprised you can't tell me what I had for breakfast," Corias replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
Linvail smiled tightly. This might actually be amusing. "Eggs, bacon, and some bread. But the bread was stale, so you didn't eat it," he replied, without missing a beat, and gave an exaggerated yawn as Corias scowled before glancing at his companions. "And of course, the lovely Lady Jaheira, of one of the many sadly exterminated noble houses of Tethyr; esteemed Harper and technically your guardian, Mr Corias, but… let's not go there." The smile turned into a smirk as he glanced onwards. "Haer'Dalis, master of the arts from across the planes, former member of the Sigil troupe of Raelis Shae. I've heard some of your work before, especially your ballads regarding Mr Corias here. Some impressive work."
Corias scowled again as Haer'Dalis smirked and bowed theatrically, but Linvail ignored them both as his eyes continued to move, settling on the last member of the group. "As for you… I know your name, Miss Aerie, and I know you to be Avariel, but apart from some unfortunate encounters with slavers, I fear I have very little of your past to toss around," the Shadowmaster commented casually, trying not to frown.
The elf's eyes narrowed, and her chin tilted a little defiantly. "Good."
Once more, Linvail ignored Corias' party members as his eyes settled on the leader once more. "I would ask what has happened to your childhood companion, your Rashemani berserker and that Helmite of yours, but they have been spotted down in the Bridge District this morning, so do not trouble yourself."
Corias frowned, looking confused. "What in the hells are they doing in the Bridge District?" he mumbled, more to himself than to Linvail, but the Shadowmaster overheard anyway. There was a pause, then the Bhaalspawn rose his head. "I'll assume you know why we're here," he continued.
Linvail shook his head, curiosity overcoming the slight shame of that fact. "I fear not. I know that you have recently emerged from disappearing to the Underdark. I know that you cast a mage out of your services who had been very useful to the Shadow Thieves in the past. And I know that you have requested the assistance of the paladins in the northern side of the city. But I cannot fathom what you expect the Shadow Thieves and the Radiant Heart to work together on."
"The destruction of Bodhi's cult of vampires?" Corias asked victoriously, playing his trump card with a smirk of superiority which actually annoyed Linvail more than anything else.
The Shadowmaster raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. Why would you wish to do that? If it's vengeance, you certainly take your time. A dish best served cold, I know, but by now it has practically congealed…"
"That is not your concern," Corias snapped, his expression closing up.
Linvail rolled his eyes. "Things have changed since a year ago; you are no longer the inconsequential player you were before, and neglecting to kill you would not create a very dangerous enemy for the expanding Shadow Thieves. You want to have Bodhi's guild destroyed; so do we. We can see eye to eye on this, as long as your paladins don't turn on us once the deed is done." A sneer crossed his face. "We wouldn't want to destroy the market for armour polish, after all."
The corner of Corias' mouth twitched; Linvail didn't know if it was with irritation or mirth. The Bhaalspawn paused for a moment, then straightened up. "She has something we want. Something you could make no use of anyway. And vengeance is always worth revisiting, don't you feel?"
Linvail considered this for a moment as he stood up. "Indeed. I think I have many of my thieves I would like to see avenged. That vampire has much to pay for." He stretched slightly, his chainmail tinkling a little. "I can supply stakes, holy water, and a dozen of my best rogues. Your paladins can do the wanton destruction, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. I think you'll find my men can help you."
Corias paused, visibly considering this. "How long will you need to assemble your men? The Order asked for several days, so you have at least that."
"No more than five nights," Linvail assured him. "And then, it is about time we redressed the balance in this city. At least we Shadow Thieves do not drink the bloody of those we rob," he pointed out, extending his hand towards Corias.
The Bhaalspawn hesitated, then shook it firmly. "You're a means to an end, Linvail. Don't think that this makes an alliance of any permanent sort between the two of us."
"I wouldn't know about that, Corias," the Shadowmaster replied cheerfully. "You're a resourceful man. You could go far." He shrugged. "Evidently, you have your own problems to deal with, but if you ever find yourself in need of work, then someone of your skills might be needed." He pause for a moment, a smirk hovering on his lips again. "Besides, you've increased in power since our last clash. It would be more trouble than it is worth to have you killed… as long as you present no outright threat, that is," Linvail continued, his words laced with warning.
"As long as you do not threaten me or my friends, then I will leave you to your own devices," Corias told him bluntly. "I would not have come here if I had the choice. But there are times when pride must be swallowed, and if a solution to a problem presents itself when the only barriers are my own misgivings, then that solution should be pursued. Bodhi will be dead by the end of the week."