Elfshadow

Elfshadow is the first book in the Songs and Swords series by Elaine Cunningham. It was originally released as the second book in The Harpers series. Elfshadow introduced the popular characters of Arilyn Moonblade, Danilo Thann, and Elaith Craulnober.

"Arilyn Moonblade is one of the two best assassins in the Realms. Maybe both. From Cormyr to Waterdeep, Harpers are being murdered. The trail leads to the half-elven adventurer, Arilyn Moonblade.  Is she guilty, or is she the next target? Tormented by strange dreams and stalked by shadows, Arilyn must uncover the ancient secret of her sword's power in order to find and face the Harper assassin."

Summary
The story begins in a flashback to 1321 DR, with the death of the King of Evermeet, Zaor, and jumps forward 25 years to Arilyn mourning the death of her mother, Z'Beryl, at a statue of Hanali Celanil in Evereska. The relatives have gathered, not to comfort the grieving half-elf, but to discover the disposition of Z'Beryl's only legacy, her sword. None will touch it, and when Arilyn claims it as her own, they leave without contest.

A Gold elf, Kymil Nimesin, is impressed with Arilyn, and takes her under his wing. She is unable to answer his questions regarding her knowledge of her human father or the sword she has inherited from her mother. He arranges to teach her at the Academy of Arms and to replace the missing gem in her sword.

Once more, the story moves ahead, this time 25 years, and Arilyn is an accomplished adventurer who has taken the name of her sword, Moonblade, for her own surname. Now an agent of the Harpers, she has the reputation of an assassin, though she has never killed an innocent or an unarmed person. Arilyn is discovering that many Harpers with whom she has associations are being murdered.

The murders attract the attention of the powerful Archmage Khelben Arunsun and he enlists the help of his nephew to follow and spy upon Arilyn in order to try and discover the murderer and his reasons. Danilo Thann is to all intents and purposes, a dandy and a dilettante, but his rather foolish exterior hides a quick mind, excellent sword skills and a true talent for magic.