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."He is correct, Madame," Heraclos added, sounding eager to redeem himself."That place caters to the lowest sort, mostly drunks and cripples, and they would be of no use.I think you would be well advised to check both Laeril's Arms and The Black Unicorn.''"Really?" she drawled."And why is that?""It seems that Tharchion Nymia Focar has raised the price of her little venture, and it's attracting sturdier, more adventurous types into Thay," he finished, seemingly pleased to have that bit of information to give her.Naglatha was silent for a moment.She was well aware that the tharchions from here, Surthay, Gauros and Thazalhar had believed that there might exist asecret passage—buried somewhere in the nearby mountains—that led to the Endless Wastes beyond.Most thought it was only a foolish dream; not even a legend.Obviously, if such a passage did exist, trade might be diverted from the Golden Way, and whoever held that information would be powerful indeed.But Naglatha thought they had abandoned the search.If Nymia Focar was offering another reward, then she must have discovered a new piece of information.The woman loved the clink of coins and hated to part with them unless absolutely necessary or unless there was a sure thing.Naglatha decided this would bear watching, but also felt that the influx of outsiders here in Pyrados was most fortuitous.One more bit of information that Naglatha took as a favorable sign."Well then," she told her servants, "I'm suddenly very thirsty.Let's be on our way."As she motioned to the eunuchs and followed them out, Naglatha felt her pulse quicken.Today is the day, she thought to herself, more certain than ever.nIf (*14,: IICHAPTER THREELater That AfternoonTazi sipped at her ale.As was her habit, she had managed to secure a table toward the back of the tavern.The strategy afforded her two things: a certain amount of privacy and the ability to observe almost everyone else in the room.It was something she picked up from the man she could only think of as her mentor; there was no other word to describe him adequately.She had learned many lessons in her life and most had come at a cost.However, Tazi valued all of them.For only having lived twenty-four years, she had already paid a high price for her life.Located on the outskirts of Pyrados, the tavern catered mostly to outsiders like her.Tazi, who had secured a room upstairs after her return from the Sunrise Mountains, had spent little time in Thay proper and was noweager to return home.When she arrived in the country, she only lingered in the city long enough to obtain the appropriate permits for her foray into the mountains.Tazi hadn't wanted to pay, but she had received information from a reliable source that her trip would go that much smoother if she played by the rules.She had grudgingly handed over a fee that was practically thievery in itself for the authorization.But Tazi had passed through the garrison stationed in the foothills of the Sunrise Mountains with little trouble once she showed them her officially endorsed traveling permit."Coin always smoothes the way," her father had liked to say.Sometimes he had been right.Since returning, Tazi had packed away her woolen mountaineering clothes for more familiar ones.Upon entering Pyrados, the mild temperatures made her other attire heavy, itchy and unnecessary.She now sported snug black pants with a matching vest, and boots laced up to her calves—all made from the finest leathers.Her hair hung loose, brushing her shoulders.She left her arms bare but wore short gloves and an armband that had her favorite lock pick secreted inside.From a wealthy family, Tazi only dressed like this in the seediest quarters around Selgaunt.Where she found herself now fit that bill adequately.Surreptitiously peering over the rim of her mug, Tazi scanned the room and its patrons.Laeril's Arms, as the tavern was named, had a motley crew of customers.Though Tazi had studied only the bare necessities of Thay's customs andhistory, she definitely got the sense that Thayans didn't tolerate foreigners very much or for very long.The Tharchion of Pyrados, to Tazi's good fortune, didn't hold the same prejudices.Or if she did, Tazi surmised, gold helped her look past them, and that went for the store owners as well.Tazi had nearly screamed at the price she was quoted at a local shop to replace the coil of rope she had been forced to abandon on her most recent escapade.Coming from a city of trade, she was used to bartering, but that was not an option here.The shopkeepers knew they were the only game in town and happily fleeced everyone who needed to purchase supplies.She had paid the fee, hating to be without her usual equipment, but had muttered some choice oaths while she handed over the coin.The sallow-faced shop keeper simply smiled and took her gold.He had obviously heard worse.To her left, two women were deep in discussion [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]