Mirabar, part two

	“I cannot cast that spell,” Goldspinner protested.

	Cavria quirked an eyebrow.  “You suspected you had a devil infiltrator and DIDN’T arrange for a cleric to come help you?”

	“If you need more proof, then see,” Axio said, grabbing Cavria’s hand.  He pressed her bare palm to his.  Nothing happened.  “See?  Her touch doesn’t burn.  I vow she is no threat to you or this community.”

	Lank stared at the tableau as Goldspindle slowly sat back down.  “Ye trust her, then?  Devil though she is?” Goldspindle demanded, suddenly sounding tired.

	“I do,” Axio said firmly.

	Goldspindle sighed and massaged her eyes.  “Fine.  Khaza, brokis.”

	The Axe lowered their weapons as Axio released a furiously blushing Cavria’s hand.  “We’ll not kill her, Paladin, but know ye this: her presence is an affront we will not tolerate,” Goldspindle said.  “If ye stay in this city, she does not.”

	Axio’s hand visibly sparked.  The Axes flinched, as did the two Councilors, and his eyes glowed faint blue.  The room was so quiet that even the fireplace’s faint crackles sounded like hail.  After a long moment of tension, Axio forced his hand to relax.  “…I ask that you reconsider.”  He skewered Goldspindle with his eyes.  “I ask that you allow us to search your library for the knowledge of the giant labs that we need, and reside within your walls as we do so.”

	“There is nothing else to consider.  Philosophical concerns aside, it is not unknown for Luskan and others to infiltrate our city with the use of fiends,” Lank said.

	“Fiends wearing the symbol of Ryaire?  Fiends who are Paladins and accompany a cleric?” Cavria pressed.  “Fiends who saved the lives of hundreds of kidnapped children?  Don’t think me some common Asmodean slave, Master Lank.  I am a warrior of the Heavens.”

	“That is physically impossible,” Goldspindle insisted.  “Enough.  If ye wish to examine our library, fine.  That is the acknowledgement of our debt to ye.  If ye wish to stay in our city, fine.  She does not.  That is the way this goes.  We will not allow fiends to walk our streets, not after the ravages they laid upon us before.”  She sat in her chair and clutched her robes tighter.  “Ye may go.”


	Verashon and Suivi were wandering the streets, getting a feel for the place, when the front doors of the Diamond Hall blew open.  Both men turned to see Axio stomping out with an expression of pure rage on his face.  Both men recoiled as he strode past them, kicking up chimney dust with each step.  Cavria scurried along in his wake, looking profoundly embarrassed by something.  Verashon’s eyes widened as he saw half a platoon of armored dwarves glowering at Axio’s back from inside the darkened chambers beyond.

	Verashon walked up beside his companion.  “Axio, what happened?” he demanded.

	“The Marchioness demanded that Cavria stay outside the walls the whole time,” Axio snarled.  “They could tell what she is.”

	“Axio, there was no reason to get so angry,” Cavria said, breaking into a jog to catch up.  “We can just…”

	“Just what?  Force the hero of Waterdeep to sleep in the rain because the town’s run by a hidebound idiot?” Axio snapped.  “No.”  He rounded a corner and walked into the inn, blowing past Kyria as she ambled out of the stairwell.

	“Whoa, Axio, what’s wrong?” Kyria demanded.  Axio ignored her and walked up to the counter.

	The elderly human behind the till stared at Axio with eyes wide, clutching her symbol of Tymora around her throat.  Axio forced himself to relax as he approached; clearly, he was frightening the poor woman to death.  “Miss, how many beds are there per room?” he asked levelly, though his cheeks were still flushed with rage.

	She managed to wet her throat.  “Uh, two or three, depending on size,” she said.

	“We booked four rooms, Axio,” Kyria said, following the other party members up.  “Is something wrong?”

	“No,” Axio said.  To the innkeeper, he said “and have the horses been stabled?”

	“Yes, your Grace,” the human squeaked.

	“I’m not an angel, I… ugh,” Axio said.  He ground his palm into his eyes.  “I’m just pissed off.”  He turned and stomped up the stairs.