Free Temple Hill by Drew Karpyshyn Page B

chambers.
    He knew the chances of anything happening were low. It was still too soon. But he wanted to get used to staying up nights, and sleeping when it was light. Lhasha should be safe during the daylight hours, as long as she didn’t stray beyond the relatively secure walls of the Golden Staff.
    When he heard signs of life in the room beside him, he went over and knocked on the door.
    “Just a minute,” Lhasha called out. It was closer to five minutes when she finally opened the door. Corin wasn’t thrilled to see she had again chosen a bright, eye catching outfit.
    “Don’t you have anything less conspicuous you could wear?”
    “No,” Lhasha said, “so don’t even waste your breath asking again.”
    Before Corin could come up with a suitable reply, Lhasha asked him a question of her own.
    “Didn’t you get any sleep? You look terrible.”
    The warrior shook his head. “When you sleep, I stand guard. Ill get some sleep now, as long as you promise not to leave the inn without coming to get me first.”
    Resigning herself to the situation, Lhasha said, “I guess that’s a sacrifice I have to make, isn’t it? Well, at least I can go down to the tavern to pass the time.”
    Corin would have preferred her to stay upstairs, but he already knew his charge well enough to realize that wasn’t an option.
    “IH meet you for supper,” Corin said. “The same time as last night.”
    “Sleep tight,” Lhasha said, closing the door between their rooms.
    ŚŠ•
    “Many of the young men are asking about you,” Tebia, the halfling waitress, told Lhasha as she cleared away the supper plates. With a mischievous smile she added, They want me to find out if you’re going to be dancing with anyone in particular this evening.”
    “Not tonight,” the half-elf answered. “I think 111 just turn in early.” Seeing the sour, accusing look the young server shot Corin, Lhasha quickly added, Tm just a little tired. I’ll be back out on the dance floor tomorrow—I promise.”
    Seemingly satisfied, the halfling finished clearing the table. “Sleep well, Lhasha,” she said as the half-elf went up the stairs to her room, Corin only a few steps behind.
    Tm glad to see you showing some restraint,” the warrior said as they climbed the steps.
    “Well, I’ve got to work sometime,” Lhasha explained. “If I don’t go out and earn some gold, we won’t be able to stay here very long.”
    Corin waited until they had reached the rooms before responding to her comment. He followed Lhasha into her chambers and closed the door behind him before saying, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should keep a low
    profile for a while. Maybe the Masks will forget about you if you disappear for a month or two.”
    Lhasha shook her head with a rueful smile.
    “We both know they won’t forget, no matter how long I wait. And I need to earn some coin. Don’t worry. Ill be careful.”
    The warrior could only hope she spoke the truth. He wouldn’t be able to follow her on her mission. He lacked the skills, and limbs, necessary to scale walls, climb through windows, and sneak silently through the shadows. If he went with her, he’d only attract attention, and increase the likelihood of her getting caught in the act.
    “I’ll be waiting here for you when you get back,” he said, taking a seat on the chair by her bed.
    “I don’t mind you waiting in my room for me to return,” Lhasha told him, “but do you mind stepping out for a minute while I change clothes? Unless you want me to go out wearing this.”
    Hopping to his feet, Corin silently cursed himself for his stupidity. Of course Lhasha had no intention of leaving the building clad in the eye catching ensemble she had worn down to supper.
    “Ill let you back in when I’m ready to go,” the half-elf assured him as he marched back to his own room.
    Twenty minutes later Lhasha knocked at the door separating their adjoining rooms. After a brief pause, she opened it and