The Lost Library of Cormanthyr (43 page)

“So where do you go now?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Baylee said. “I’ve got some leads that I want to follow up in my journal. And there are those books I sent to Candlekeep from the shipwreck. Maybe they’ll offer a direction.”

She was quiet for a time. “There remain things to be taken care of in Waterdeep. Fannt Golsway’s will, among others. Lord Piergeiron would probably appreciate the chance to talk with you.”

She is right, Xuxa put in from her branch. She held the journeycake in her front claws.

For some reason, the memory of Cordyan’s soft lips against his returned to Baylee with an intensity he couldn’t remember ever experiencing. He shot a look at the azmyth bat, wondering if Xuxa was deliberately triggering the experience.

The bat contentedly ate her journeycake and responded with not a thought.

“But if you chose to go on from here,” Cordyan said quickly into the silence that followed, “as a member of the Waterdhavian Watch, I no longer have reason to ask you to accompany me back.”

Baylee nodded. “I think going back would be a good idea. There are some things I need to have put in order.”

“Golsway’s home in its present condition may not be a proper place to stay while you’re there. Do you have anywhere else?”

“There are some acquaintances,” Baylee admitted.

“I see.”

“Unless you have somewhere else in mind?”

The civilar looked flustered. She glanced away again, running her fingers through her hair. “I was going to suggest the rooming house where I stay. The food is good, the beds are decent, and the rent is reasonable.”

“That sounds good.”

“We’ll talk about it on the way back.” Still acting self-conscious, Cordyan pushed herself to her feet and walked toward the group of watch members.

As he watched her walk away, Baylee felt the disappointment of losing the library after such a hard chase lift slightly. A few days in Waterdeep to settle affairs, and dinners with old companions to remember Golsway were in order. The thought warmed him. And he had lost the library after finding it. Finding something, as Golsway had always pointed out, was half the joy of the hunt.

He said a quick prayer for his mentor, asking Mielikki’s blessing for the old mage, then pushed himself to his feet and trotted after the watch lieutenant. “Hey.”

Cordyan turned to face him and Baylee fell into step beside her. “Well, getting back to our discussion about the rooming house….”

She waited, not making it easy for him.

“You mentioned the beds and the meals,” Baylee said, “but you said nothing at all about the company.”

She held her features straight for a moment, then let a smile curl her lips. “Actually, the company can be quite charming. When properly inspired, of course.”

And Baylee smiled back at her, thinking of the future instead of the past for the first time in a long, long time. It was a good feeling.