Right one more book after this one to review and then I'm all caught up on these. Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham is a Forgotten Realms novel and is the sequel to her earlier book Elfshadow. As with that earlier book, this one is part of the Harpers series of stories that focuses on the agents of that semi-secret organisation. In this case the Harper agent is Danilo Thann, a nobleman and dandy of Waterdeep and both amateur wizard and bard. This is his story and his partner from the first novel (Arilyn Moonblade) makes only the briefest of appearances near the start of the book.
Danilo is called upon by his uncle Khelben 'Blackstaff' Arunsun, Archmage of Waterdeep and a senior Harper to investigate why the bards of the northlands are suddenly telling tales that are wrong and even ones of events that have never happened at all! Danilo is joined in this quest by the elf bard Wyn and a dwarven artist named Morgalla. Together they set out to confront the green dragon Grimnoshtadrano, as one of the new tales that has suddenly appeared in the minds of the bards is clearly intended to lure people to the dragons lair for a riddle challenge.
Deciding that having a riddlemaster with them would be very wise, Danilo seeks to hire one Vartain of Calimport, only to find that he is already employed in the service of one of Danilo's worst enemies, the rogue elf Elaith Craulnober. Elaith is searching for the Morninglark Harp, an ancient elven instrument of great power which is reputed to be in the green dragons possession. Meeting up and on the brink of fighting each other, the two groups (Elaith has a half dozen mercenaries with him too), are attacked by a large band of harpies which they barely fend off. Agreeing to travel together for mutual protection the group head for the dragon's lair.
What neither of them know is that the harp isn't there anymore, having been given by the dragon to the bard Garnet in return for the song that will lure bards to him. Garnet seeks revenge on Khelben for what has happened to the Harpers, a group originally founded to preserve the history and lore of the world but now almost exclusively concerned with furthering the political aims of its leaders. Garnet seeks to use the power of the harp and song in general to teach the world a lesson that it ignores history at its peril.
Further complicating matters are the Knights of the Shield, a group of ruthless southern merchant lords with an eye on taking control of Waterdeep itself. Waterdeep is ruled by the masked Lords, all but one of them anonymous to the general public. But anonymity can be as much a hindrance as a help if the right rumours are started, especially as Garnet's influence in altering the songs helps to undermine the legitimacy of Waterdeep's unknown rulers.
The book is very well written as I would usually expect from Elaine Cunningham, one of the best loved authors of the Realms (just don't get me started on her awful Counsellors & Kings trilogy!), with truly wonderful repartee between Elaith and Danilo, two men who despise each other and yet have a mutual grudging respect for one another. This is very much their book, though all the secondary characters get plenty of moments to shine. Elaine writes very good ensemble stories and this is no exception.
There is a lot of humour too, mostly provided by Danilo, who acts the fop and dandy, but in truth is anything but. Morgalla has a wonderful sense of wit too (especially in her satirical portraits), and also Laeral, Khelben's long suffering wife who has a mischievous streak a mile long! The plot twists and turns, and covers a great deal of the northlands too before it is done. I'm going to award this novel 4/5 though, as while it is very good, Danilo as a character does work best when he has Arilyn to complement him, a role that Elaith, Morgalla and Wyn just cannot completely fill in her absence.
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