{"id":21720,"date":"2025-04-23T17:03:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=21720"},"modified":"2025-04-23T17:03:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:03:18","slug":"war-of-the-spider-queen-4-extinction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=21720","title":{"rendered":"war of the spider queen 4 extinction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Book\u30004\u3000of\u3000War\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000series
\nA\u3000Forgotten\u3000Realms\u3000novel
\nBy\u3000Lisa\u3000Smedman
\n
\nChapter\u3000One
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000angry\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000five\u3000hissing\u3000serpents\u3002\u3000Their\u3000fangs\u3000bared\u3000and\u3000dripping\u3000with\u3000poison\uff1b\u3000their\u3000mouths\u3000open\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000the\u3000red\u2026and\u2026black\u2026banded\u3000vipers\u3000strained\u3000against\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000handle\u3000from\u3000which\u3000they\u3000grew\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000with\u3000tightly\u3000contained\u3000rage\u3002\u3000Taller\u3000and\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000an\u3000imposing\u3000figure\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3000her\u3000face\u2026the\u3000bright\u3000light\u3000streaming\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000above\u3000flooded\u3000his\u3000vision\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000into\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000silhouette\u3000with\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000hair\u2026but\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000as\u3000venomous\u3000as\u3000her\u3000serpents’\u3000hisses\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000stepped\u3000on\u3000that\u3000spider\u3000on\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000spat\u3000back\uff1b\u3000wincing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000slush\u3000that\u3000was\u3000soaking\u3000through\u3000his\u3000elegant\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000chilling\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000the\u3000other\u3000members\u3000of\u3000their\u3000group\u3000had\u3000scattered\u3000in\u3000different\u3000directions\u3000to\u3000search\u2026that\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000there\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000him\u3000in\u3000such\u3000an\u3000undignified\u3000pose\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000see\u3000a\u3000gods\u2026cursed\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000this\u3000wretched\u3000light\u3002\u3000Would\u3000I\u3000have\u3000let\u3000my\u3000trousers\u3000get\u3000into\u3000such\u3000a\u3000state\u3000if\u3000I\u3000could\u3000see\u3000well\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000step\u3000around\u3000the\u3000brambles\u3000that\u3000tore\u3000them\uff1f\u3000If\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000on\u3000the\u3000path\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000it\u3000was\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000indicated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000out\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u2026serpents\u3000hissed\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000its\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000The\u3000moment\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000word\u3000that\u3000awoke\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Instantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000steel\u3000band\u3000around\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000unfurled\uff1b\u3000elongating\u3000and\u3000expanding\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Quick\u3000as\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000it\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026air\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000narrowly\u3000escaping\u3000the\u3000scything\u3000blade\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000leaped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mail\u3000tunic\u3000clinking\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u3000whirling\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dodged\u3000the\u3000dancing\u3000sword\u3002\u3000\u3003Defend\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000whipped\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000powdered\u3000diamond\u3002\u3000Flicking\u3000the\u3000sparkling\u3000powder\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000whirling\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000circle\u3000to\u3000scatter\u3000the\u3000powder\u3002\u3000A\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000force\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000shimmering\u3000like\u3000an\u3000inverted\u3000bowl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000not\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000too\u3000soon\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000after\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000dome\u3000had\u3000materialized\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vaguely\u3000drow\u2026shaped\u3000form\u3000hurtled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000leaped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000dome\uff1b\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000on\u3000his\u3000oversized\u3000fighting\u3000hands\u3000screeching\u3000like\u3000the\u3000shrieks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000damned\u3000as\u3000they\u3000scrabbled\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000the\u3000diamond\u2026hard\u3000surface\u3002\u3000The\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000jumped\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000dome\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000last\u3000giving\u3000up\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000crouched\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000barrier\uff1b\u3000his\u3000smaller\u3000set\u3000of\u3000hands\u3000balled\u3000into\u3000fists\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000while\u3000his\u3000larger\u3000hands\u3000flexed\u3000claws\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000He\u3000glared\u3000with\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000eyes\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000then\u3000jerked\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000in\u3000defiance\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000ripple\u3000through\u3000the\u3000coarse\u3000mane\u3000of\u3000yellow\u2026white\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000cloaked\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000winced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000barrier\u3000was\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000blocking\u3000odors\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000that\u3000hovered\u3000just\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000shielding\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000buckler\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000The\u3000serpents\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000hissed\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000straining\u3000upward\u3000in\u3000a\u3000futile\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000snap\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000started\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000the\u3000tube\u3000at\u3000her\u3000hip\u3000that\u3000held\u3000her\u3000scrolls\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000waste\u3000the\u3000little\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000on\u3000such\u3000a\u3000petty\u3000quarrel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Call\u3000off\u3000your\u3000nephew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let’s\u3000talk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000suggested\u3002\u3000Squinting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000blue\u3000sky\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000before\u3000it\u3000turns\u3000that\u3000pretty\u3000adamantine\u3000buckler\u3000you’re\u3000wearing\u3000to\u3000dust\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000in\u3000fury\u3000at\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000insubordination\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000she\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000though\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000male\u3000he\u3000should\u3000remember\u3000his\u3000place\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000certainly\u3000lusted\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000once\u3000granted\u3000her\u3000by\u3000Lolth\u3000to\u3000pin\u3000Pharaun\u3000in\u3000a\u3000web\u3000and\u3000subject\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000slow\u3000torments\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000silent\u3002\u3000Save\u3000for\u3000her\u3000scrolls\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000no\u3000more\u3000spells\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Withdraw\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Reluctantly\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000more\u3000like\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000extended\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000mand\u3000word\u3002\u3000His\u3000sword\u3000shrank\uff1b\u3000then\u3000streaked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000coiled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000He\u3000started\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3000that\u3000would\u3000lower\u3000the\u3000barrier\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Jeggred\u3000tense\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000remind\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000that\u3000I\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000this\u3000demon\u3000spawn\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000word\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cautioned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\u3000knows\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000indifference\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000beautiful\u3000face\u3000into\u3000an\u3000expressionless\u3000mask\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000makes\u3000his\u3000own\u3000choices\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000growled\u2026whether\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3000or\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000clear\u2026and\u3000spat\u3000against\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000dome\u3002\u3000Rising\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stalked\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000let\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000fall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000straightening\u3000his\u3000elegant\u3000but\u3000travel\u2026worn\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000smoothing\u3000back\u3000an\u3000errant\u3000lock\u3000of\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000from\u3000his\u3000high\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000stepping\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000children\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\u3000it\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000an\u3000accident\u3002\u3000The\u3000sooner\u3000we\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000Lands\u3000of\u3000Light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000did\u3000we\u3000just\u3000stir\u3000up\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Minauthkeep\u3000by\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priest\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000not\u3000mine\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000spat\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Though\u3000Tzirik\u3000did\u3000deserve\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000hissed\u3000their\u3000assent\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000agreement\u3000that\u3000the\u3000death\u3000had\u3000been\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000Tzirik’s\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000their\u3000group\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Astral\u3000Plane\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\uff1b\u3000domain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000Quenthel\u3000served\u2026a\u3000goddess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000alarmingly\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000of\u3000late\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000why\u3000Lolth’s\u3000priestesses\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000draw\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000magic\uff1a\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000Her\u3000temple\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000abandoned\uff1b\u3000its\u3000door\u3000sealed\u3000with\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000black\u3000stone\u3000carved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000likeness\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000had\u3000been\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000whether\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000own\u3000choosing\u3002\u3000As\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000Tzirik\u3000betrayed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000using\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000gate\u3000in\u3000the\u3000god\u3000he\u3000served\u3002\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000had\u3000attacked\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000face\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000breaching\u3000it\u3000when\u3000Lolth’s\u3000champion\u2026the\u3000god\u3000Selvetarm\u2026appeared\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Realizing\u3000that\u3000Tzirik\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000them\u3000return\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000ordered\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Tzirik\u2026telling\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000the\u3000order\u3000came\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000The\u3000priest’s\u3000death\u3000had\u3000ejected\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000group\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000behind\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000Selvetarm\u3000and\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000were\u3000battling\u3000there\u3000still\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000won\u3000and\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000destroying\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000a\u3000new\u3000era\u3000for\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002\u3000The\u3000Masked\u3000Lord\u3000favored\u3000males\u3000opposed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matriarchy\uff1b\u3000his\u3000victory\u3000would\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000spur\u3000the\u3000disenchanted\u3000males\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000to\u3000an\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000insurrection\u3000than\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000city\u3000had\u3000recently\u3000seen\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000Selvetarm\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000defending\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000Lolth\u3000might\u3000one\u3000day\u3000return\u3000and\u3000restore\u3000her\u3000web\u3000of\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000lending\u3000power\u3000to\u3000her\u3000priestesses’\u3000spells\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000on\u3000the\u3000winning\u3000side\u2026or\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000be\u3000serving\u3000its\u3000interests\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000only\u3000is\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u3000seeking\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000forest\u3000is\u3000infested\u3000with\u3000wood\u3000elves\u3002\u3000The\u3000sooner\u3000we\u3000get\u3000below\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000bounced\u3000harshly\u3000off\u3000the\u3000white\uff1b\u3000slushy\u3000snow\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000ground\u3000alike\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000regretted\u3000his\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000teleport\u3000the\u3000group\u3000there\u3002\u3000His\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000them\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000House\u3000Jaelre’s\u3000keep\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000he’d\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000use\u3000to\u3000put\u3000even\u3000more\u3000distance\u3000between\u3000them\u3000only\u3000functioned\u3000in\u3000one\u3000direction\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000trapped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shallow\uff1b\u3000dead\u2026end\u3000cave\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000have\u3000found\u3000a\u3000way\u3000down\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000muttered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000in\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u3000appeared\u3000from\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000a\u3000tangled\u3000clump\u3000of\u3000underbrush\u3000with\u3000a\u3000silence\u3000that\u3000was\u3000only\u3000in\u3000part\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000wore\u3002\u3000A\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000curved\u3000kukri\u3000daggers\u3000hung\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000his\u3000vest\u3000was\u3000pinned\u3000a\u3000miscellany\u3000of\u3000enchanted\u3000talismans\u3000fashioned\u3000by\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000Underdark\u3000race\u3002\u3000The\u3000mercenary\uff1b\u3000his\u3000amber\u3000eyes\u3000watering\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000squinted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000had\u3000a\u3000squared\u2026off\u3000jaw\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000permanently\u3000clenched\u3002\u3000He\u3000habitually\u3000held\u3000himself\u3000tensed\u3000and\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000punch\u3002\u3000His\u3000ebony\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000crisscrossed\u3000with\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000faint\u3000gray\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000fading\u3000legacies\u3000of\u3000two\u3000centuries’\u3000worth\u3000of\u3000battles\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000jerked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000e\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000ruined\u3000temple\u3000a\u3000short\u3000distance\u3000away\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000built\u3000around\u3000a\u3000cave\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyes\u3000glittered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000froze\u3000in\u3000rapt\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Does\u3000it\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000Below\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000does\uff1b\u3000Mistre \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Does\u3000it\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000Below\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000does\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000bow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000strode\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000clapped\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000the\u3000scout’s\u3000shoulders\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hearty\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000always\u3000said\u3000you\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\u3002\u3000Lead\u3000on\uff01\u3000We’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000in\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000quenching\u3000our\u3000well\u2026earned\u3000thirst\u3000with\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000wines\u3000that\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000not\u3002\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hips\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000matching\u3000her\u3000venomous\u3000stare\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000goddess\u3000is\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000under\u3000attack\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000find\u3000her\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000not\u3000suggesting\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000that\u3000we\u3000turn\u3000our\u3000backs\u3000on\u3000Lolth\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000will\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000you\u3000receive\u3000proper\u3000punishment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000between\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000took\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000step\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000dislodging\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000arm\u3000from\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Turn\u3000my\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Lolth\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000his\u3000nervousness\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000merely\u3000suggesting\u3000we\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000orders\u3002\u3000She\u3000bade\u3000us\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what’s\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000have\u3002\u3000We\u3000may\u3000not\u3000have\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000answers\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000have\u3000some\u3000pretty\u3000important\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puzzle\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000will\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000want\u3000us\u3000to\u3000report\u3000what\u3000we’ve\u3000found\u3000out\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000answering\u3000my\u3000sendings\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000certain\u3000he’s\u3000receiving\u3000our\u3000reports\u3002\u3000I\u3000assumed\u3000we\u3000would\u3000report\u3000in\u3000person\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Only\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\u3000need\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000you\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000other\uff1b\u3000more\u3000important\u3000things\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000doing\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000raised\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000summoning\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000what\u3000does\u3000that\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000w\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u2026in\u3000the\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000answered\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000with\u3000a\u3000more\u3000trustworthy\u3000guide\u3000than\u3000Tzirik\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000demon\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000normally\u3000taciturn\u3000scout\u3000saw\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000suddenly\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000he’d\u3000spoken\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bowed\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Assuming\u3000I\u3000do\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000how\u3000can\u3000we\u3000possibly\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000it\u3000from\u3000tearing\u3000us\u3000limb\u3000from\u3000limb\uff1b\u3000let\u3000alone\u3000coerce\u3000it\u3000into\u3000being\u3000a\u3000tour\u3000guide\u3000for\u3000some\u3000little\u3000jaunt\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000Archmage\u3000Gromph\u3000wouldn’t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000whistling\u3000up\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000without\u3000a\u3000golden\u3000pentacle\u3000to\u3000bind\u3000it\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilderness\u2026in\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000of\u3000Sunlight\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000you\u3000hadn’t\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000Where\u3000am\u3000I\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000ponents\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000heard\u3000Quenthel\u3000correctly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000repeated\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000use\u3000his\u3000blood\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000summoning\u3000diagram\u3000with\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ah\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cursed\u3000silently\u3000as\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\uff1b\u3000unfortunately\uff1b\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000a\u3000draegloth\u3000could\u3000indeed\u3000bind\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000one\uff1a\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000who\u3000had\u3000sired\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre’s\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000son\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000father\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000him\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000or\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000he\u3000had\u3000little\u3000choice\u3000in\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Not\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000his\u3000delicate\u3000balancing\u3000act\u3000of\u3000apparent\u3000loyalty\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u2026necessary\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000position\u3000as\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000bowed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u2026with\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sarcastic\u3000twist\u3000on\u3000the\u3000final\u3000word\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000her\u3000that\u3000her\u3000title\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000one\u3002\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000she\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000quivering\u3000initiates\u3002\u3000He\u3000swept\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000indicated\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000do\u3000the\u3000spellcasting\u3000below\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000we\uff1f\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000wretched\u3000sunshine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000set\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000twig\uff1b\u3000and\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\u3000from\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000might\u3000be\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000nets\u3000woven\u3000by\u3000her\u3000children\u3000were\u3000still\u3000useful\uff1b\u3000spiderweb\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ponent\u3000in\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spells\u3002\u3000Tucking\u3000the\u3000web\u2026coated\u3000twig\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000after\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Two
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bluff\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000across\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Snow\u2026blanketed\u3000trees\u3000stretched\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000could\u3000see\u3000in\u3000every\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000dimpled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000lake\u3000of\u3000an\u3000impossibly\u3000bright\u3000blue\u3000or\u3000divided\u3000by\u3000a\u3000road\u3000as\u3000neat\u3000and\u3000straight\u3000as\u3000a\u3000part\u3000through\u3000hair\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000understood\u3000what\u3000the\u3000word\u3000\u3003horizon\u3003\u3000meant\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000that\u3000distant\u3000line\u3000where\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000green\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000met\u3000the\u3000eye\u2026hurting\uff1b\u3000white\u2026streaked\u3000blue\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000shivered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000it\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000shade\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000makes\u3000me\u3000feel\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000exposed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000trickling\u3000down\u3000Ryld’s\u3000ebony\u3000temple\u3000and\u3000shivered\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000the\u3000chill\u3000winter\u3000wind\u3000blew\u3000against\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000climb\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000hot\u3000one\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000age\u2026worn\u3000stairs\u3000they’d\u3000found\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000at\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000explain\u3000what\u3000had\u3000pelled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000Ryld\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000could\u3000she\u3000explain\u3000why\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000apprehensions\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000did\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000anxiety\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u2026who\u3000stood\u3000fully\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000male\u2026was\u3000in\u3000every\u3000respect\u3000a\u3000warrior\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000greatsword\u3000strapped\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000a\u3000cuirass\u3000with\u3000a\u3000breastplate\u3000wrought\u3000of\u3000dwarven\u3000bronze\uff1b\u3000and\u3000vambraces\uff1b\u3000articulated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000elbows\uff1b\u3000that\u3000sheathed\u3000his\u3000lean\uff1b\u3000muscled\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000heavy\u3000steel\u3002\u3000A\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000for\u3000fighting\u3000at\u3000close\u3000quarters\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000a\u3000scabbard\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hip\u3002\u3000His\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000cut\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3000so\u3000that\u3000enemies\u3000could\u3000not\u3000grab\u3000it\u3000during\u3000bat\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000stubble\u3000remained\uff1a\u3000hair\u3000as\u3000white\u3000as\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000own\u3000shoulder\u2026length\u3000locks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000surface\u3000dweller\u2026a\u3000human\u3000mage\u2026who\u3000dwelt\u3000for\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000vastness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000above\u3000them\u3000made\u3000her\u3000speak\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000were\u3000lurking\u3000up\u3000there\u3000just\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000watching\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000spoke\u3000of\u3000how\u3000our\u3000city\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000living\u3000in\u3000a\u3000room\u3000with\u3000too\u3000low\u3000a\u3000ceiling\u2026that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000always\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000I\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000anyone\u3000feel\u3000enclosed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000city\u3000that\u3000was\u3000so\u3000loosely\u3000woven\u2026a\u3000city\u3000balanced\u3000on\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000a\u3000calcified\u3000web\uff1f\u3000But\u3000now\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000he\u3000meant\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gestured\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000all\u3000feels\u3000so\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000open\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000grunted\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000seen\u3000enough\uff1f\u3000We’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000an\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000up\u3000here\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000climb\u3000back\u3000down\u3000and\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000wind\u3000found\u3000its\u3000way\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000she\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000even\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thickly\u3000padded\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000tunic\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000her\u3000from\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000elbows\u3002\u3000A\u3000silver\u3000plate\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunic’s\u3000chest\u3000was\u3000embossed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000point\u2026up\u3000across\u3000a\u3000full\u3000moon\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000nimbus\u3000of\u3000silvery\u3000filaments\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000holy\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\u2026dwelling\u3000drow\u3002\u3000The\u3000padding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000still\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000blood\u2026that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000dispatched\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000haunted\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lingering\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000several\u3000days\u3000old\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000not\u3000only\u3000claimed\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000from\u3000Seyll\u3000after\u3000her\u3000own\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000stolen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000also\u3000Seyll’s\u3000shield\u3000and\u3000weapons\u2026including\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000hilt\u3000that\u3000had\u3000holes\u3000running\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000it\u2026a\u3000hilt\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000played\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flute\u3002\u3000A\u3000beautiful\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000helped\u3000Seyll\u3000any\u2026she’d\u3000died\u3000before\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000it\u3002\u3000Lulled\u3000by\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000feigned\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000her\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000been\u3000utterly\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000sudden\u3000attack\u3002\u3000And\u3000despite\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000treachery\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000you\u3000still\u3002\u3003\u3000She’d\u3000said\u3000it\u3000with\u3000such\u3000certainty\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000her\u3000final\uff1b\u3000dying\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000she\u3000expected\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000no\u3000more\u3000get\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000dying\u3000words\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000than\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000out\u3000or\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000she’d\u3000claimed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000this\u3000what\u3000guilt\u3000felt\u3000like\uff1a\u3000a\u3000lingering\u3000stench\u3000that\u3000wouldn’t\u3000go\u3000away\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Angered\u3000by\u3000her\u3000own\u3000weakness\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000deserved\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000stupid\u3000to\u3000have\u3000trusted\u3000a\u3000person\u3000who\u3000was\u3000not\u3000of\u3000her\u3000faith\u2026even\u3000more\u3000foolish\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000a\u3000fellow\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Ryld\u3000descend\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000been\u3000right\u3000about\u3000one\u3000thing\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000nice\u3000not\u3000to\u3000always\u3000have\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000your\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000descended\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000in\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000clink\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000trying\u3000in\u3000vain\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shapely\u3000legs\u3000he\u3000would\u3000see\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000just\u3000turn\u3000around\u3002\u3000Where\u3000was\u3000his\u3000concentration\uff1f\u3000As\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000have\u3000more\u3000control\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000ensnared\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000web\u3000of\u3000desire\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000Lolth’s\u3000magic\u3000could\u3000spin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chilling\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000the\u3000open\u3000bluff\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000finger\u3000a\u3000crescent\u3000shape\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000was\u3000a\u3000holy\u3000place\uff1b\u3000once\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000the\u3000scatter\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000columns\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000among\u3000the\u3000snow\u2026shrouded\u3000trees\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000vegetation\u3000covered\u3000everything\u3000like\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000mold\u3002\u3000He\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000clean\u3000rock\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000caverns\uff1b\u3000empty \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ean\u3000rock\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000caverns\uff1b\u3000empty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000loam\u3000and\u3000leaf\u3000that\u3000choked\u3000his\u3000nose\u3002\u3000He\u3000scuffed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000with\u3000his\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000uncovering\u3000a\u3000cracked\u3000marble\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000tell\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000crescent\u3000moon\u2026it’s\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Corellon\u3000Larethian\u3002\u3000The\u3000elves\u3000who\u3000once\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000these\u3000woods\u3000must\u3000have\u3000worshiped\u3000here\u3002\u3000Their\u3000priests\u3000probably\u3000climbed\u3000these\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000work\u3000their\u3000magic\u3000under\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000squinted\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000moon’s\u3000not\u3000as\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sun\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003at\u3000least\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000casts\u3000a\u3000softer\u3000light\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000this\u3000is\u3000because\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000who\u3000claim\u3000it\u3000as\u3000their\u3000symbol\u3000are\u3000kinder\u3000to\u3000those\u3000who\u3000worship\u3000them\u2026but\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000that’s\u3000true\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stared\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000masonry\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000gods\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000very\u3000strong\u3002\u3000Corellon\u3000let\u3000this\u3000temple\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000disrepair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Seyll’s\u3000goddess\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3000from\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000true\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000when\u3000Lolth\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000overthrow\u3000Corellon\u3000and\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000new\u3000coronal\u3000in\u3000his\u3000place\u3000all\u3000those\u3000millennia\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000defeated\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000Academy\u3000teaches\u3000that\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000left\u3000Arvandor\u3000willingly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000of\u3000a\u3000strategic\u3000retreat\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000mused\u3002\u3000\u3003Still\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000think\u3000that\u3000what\u3000we\u3000saw\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u2026that\u3000black\u3000stone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000face\u2026was\u3000a\u3000lock\uff1b\u3000a\u3000seal\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Lolth’s\u3000own\u3000temple\u3000a\u3000prison\u3002\u3000A\u3000prison\u3000fashioned\u3000by\u3000some\u3000other\u3000god’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Will\u3000Lolth\u3000eventually\u3000emerge\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000it\u2026or\u3000will\u3000she\u3000remain\u3000trapped\u3000for\u3000eternity\uff1b\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000forever\u3000stilled\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000means\u3000to\u3000discover\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000do\u3000I\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000for\u3000different\u3000reasons\u3002\u3000If\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000or\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000eternal\u3000Reverie\uff1b\u3000what\u3000point\u3000is\u3000there\u3000in\u3000following\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000orders\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000point\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000dangerous\u3000fork\u3000in\u3000the\u3000road\u3000down\u3000which\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000musings\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\u3000this\uff1a\u3000spells\u3000or\u3000no\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000is\u3000both\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000and\u3000First\u3000Sister\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Were\u3000I\u3000to\u3000defy\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000lose\u3000my\u3000position\u3000as\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000The\u3000moment\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000my\u3000treachery\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000would\u3000have\u3000their\u3000daggers\u3000out\u3000and\u3000be\u3000thirsting\u3000for\u3000my\u3000blood\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000true\u3002\u3000But\u3000perhaps\u3000in\u3000another\u3000city\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000beg\u3000for\u3000scraps\u3000at\u3000someone\u3000else’s\u3000table\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3000bluntly\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000only\u3000city\u3000in\u3000which\u3000I\u3000might\u3000have\u3000made\u3000a\u3000home\u3000for\u3000myself\u2026with\u3000the\u3000sponsorship\u3000of\u3000your\u3000House\u2026has\u3000been\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000With\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000no\u3000home\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000more\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000good\u3000favor\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000when\u3000we\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000you\u3000can\u3000find\u3000a\u3000new\u3000home\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000I\u3000don’t\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000hemmed\u3000them\u3000in\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000the\u3000solid\uff1b\u3000silent\u3000tunnels\u3000he\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000underbrush\u3000was\u3000porous\uff1b\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000rustling\u3000and\u3000creaking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000tiny\u3000movements\u3000of\u3000animals\u3000flitting\u3000from\u3000branch\u3000to\u3000branch\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000couldn’t\u3000decide\u3000which\u3000was\u3000worse\uff1a\u3000the\u3000shrinking\u3000feeling\u3000he’d\u3000experienced\u3000under\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000he\u3000had\u3000then\u2026as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000mad\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000never\u3000survive\u3000out\u3000here\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000without\u3000spells\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000anger\u3000blazed\u3000in\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000suddenly\u3000regretted\u3000his\u3000rash\u3000words\u3002\u3000With\u3000all\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000surface\u3000gods\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000forgotten\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000and\u3000a\u3000female\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\uff1b\u3000He\u3000started\u3000to\u3000bow\u3000deeply\u3000and\u3000beg\u3000her\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000surprised\u3000him\u3000by\u3000laying\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000said\u3000something\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000murmur\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000strain\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1a\u3000\u3003Together\u3000we’d\u3000survive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000were\u3000playing\u3000tricks\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000overwhelmingly\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000upon\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000The\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000was\u3000light\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000his\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000flushing\u3000him\u3000with\u3000warmth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000might\u3000survive\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000admitted\uff1b\u3000then\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000spoken\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000gleam\u3000in\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000alliance\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000unintentionally\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000solid\u3000than\u3000his\u3000friendship\u3000with\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000maintain\u3000it\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000it\u3000furthered\u3000her\u3000goals\uff1b\u3000then\u3000would\u3000drop\u3000it\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000it\u3000became\u3000inconvenient\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000abandoned\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000him\u3000to\u3000face\u3000impossible\u3000odds\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000stalactite\u3000fortress\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld’s\u3000meditative\u3000skills\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000his\u3000life\u3000then\u3000and\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000his\u3000way\u3000free\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he’d\u3000met\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Pharaun\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000clapped\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000and\u3000pretended\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000fully\u3000anticipated\uff1b\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000survive\u3002\u3000Why\u3000else\u3000would\u3000he\u3000have\u3000abandoned\u3000his\u3000\u3003dearest\u3000friend\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000made\u3000her\u3000look\u3000both\u3000cunning\u3000and\u3000beautiful\u3000in\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003Here’s\u3000what\u3000we’ll\u3000do\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000she\u3000began\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Inwardly\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000winced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000word\u3000\u3003we\uff1b\u3003\u3000but\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000face\u3000neutral\u3000as\u3000he\u3000listened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000watched\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000talking\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000they\u3000were\u3000plotting\u3000something\u3002\u3000Their\u3000voices\u3000were\u3000pitched\u3000too\u3000low\u3000for\u3000Danifae\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000toward\u3000one\u3000another\u3000like\u3000conspirators\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000also\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000quick\u3000kiss\u3000Ryld\u3000gave\u3000Halisstra\u3000as\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000bee\uff1b\u3000or\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000bee\uff1b\u3000lovers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Watching\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000still\u3000anger\u3002\u3000Not\u3000jealousy\u2026she\u3000cared\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000either\u3000Ryld\u3000or\u3000Halisstra\u2026but\u3000frustration\u3000born\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seduced\u3000Ryld\u3000first\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000more\u3000beautiful\u3000than\u3000her\u3000former\u3000mistress\u3000by\u3000far\u3002\u3000Where\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000lean\uff1b\u3000with\u3000small\u3000breasts\u3000and\u3000slim\u3000hips\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000sensuously\u3000curvaceous\u3002\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000white\uff1b\u3000whereas\u3000Danifae’s\u3000had\u3000lustrous\u3000silver\u3000tones\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000for\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000slightly\u3000snubbed\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000mon\uff1b\u3000coal\u2026red\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000skin\u3000softer\u3000than\u3000the\u3000blackest\u3000velvet\uff1b\u3000lips\u3000that\u3000curled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000perpetual\u3000pout\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eyebrows\u3000that\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000white\u3000arch\u3000over\u3000each\u3000of\u3000her\u3000strikingly\u3000colored\uff1b\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000An\u3000advantage\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000used\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000display\u3000of\u3000mawkish\u3000sentimentality\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000stumbled\u3000upon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000already\u3000in\u3000play\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000older\uff1b\u3000more\u3000experienced\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000not\u3000wholly\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000Danifae’s\u3000immediate\u3000desires\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000a\u3000genius\u3000to\u3000see\u3000why\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000seduced\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000to\u3000be\u3000expected\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000anticipated\u3000a\u3000more\u3000plicated\u3000time\u3000of\u3000it\u3000when\u3000she’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000was\u3000wily\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000be\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000fool\u3000once\u3000things\u3000began\u3000to\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000open\u3000dislike\u3000of\u3000Quenthel\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000something\u3000to\u3000use\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000bought\u3000and\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000by\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000gold\u3000was\u3000something\u3000Danifae\u3000wouldn’t\u3000likely\u3000happen\u3000upon\u3000anytime\u3000soon\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000delicate\u3002\u3000And\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000well\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000with\u3000this\u3000strange\u3000infatuation\u3000with\u3000her\u3000soon\u2026to\u2026be\u2026former\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000tougher\u3000nut\u3000to\u3000crack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000good\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000sava\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000control\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000game\u3000pieces\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000strode\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000loping\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000The\u3000false\u3000smile\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Ryld\u3000deliberately\u3000met\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000confirmed\u3000Danifae’s\u3000suspicions\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000her\u3000fellow\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000his\u3000former\u3000friend\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000up\u3000to\u2026yet\u2026but\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000joining\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Valas\u3000has\u3000found\u3000an\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000announced\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000we’re\u3000safely\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000will\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000you\u3000will\u3000carry\u3000a\u3000message\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyes\u3000ranged\u3000over\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000indecision\u3000they\u3000held\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000uncertain\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000could\u3000spare\u2026or\u3000trust\u3002\u3000Seizing\u3000her\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000prostrated\u3000herself\u3000before\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000do\u3000your\u3000bidding\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000serve\u3000you\u3000as\u3000faithfully\u3000as\u3000I\u3000have\u3000served\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000baleful\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000take\u3000her\u3000point\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000acted\u3000blasphemously\u3000during\u3000their\u3000recent\u3000journey\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3000and\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000trusted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Or\u3000course\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000was\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000or\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000chosen\u3002\u3000Not\u3000when\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000in\u3000Sschindylryn\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3000to\u3000free\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000odious\u3000Binding\u3000that\u3000tied\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000felt\u3000Quenthel\u3000touch\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000expectantly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000touch\u3000turning\u3000into\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000groun \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000felt\u3000Quenthel\u3000touch\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000expectantly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000touch\u3000turning\u3000into\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000ground\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000done\u3000too\u3000good\u3000a\u3000job\u3000of\u3000seducing\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u2026and\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Danifae’s\u3000astonishment\uff1b\u3000also\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000carry\u3000the\u3000message\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000I\u3000failed\u3000you\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000own\u3000temple\u3002\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000of\u3000you\u3000now\u3002\u3000Please\u3000let\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000redeem\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\u3002\u3000She\u3000has\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000She\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000just\u3000where\u3000would\u3000I\u3000go\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000lies\u3000in\u3000ruins\u3002\u3000I\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000have\u3000a\u3000House\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000new\u3000home\u3000for\u3000myself\u2026in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000better\u3000way\u3000to\u3000start\u3000than\u3000by\u3000braving\u3000the\u3000dangers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000a\u3000vital\u3000message\u3000to\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000travel\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000spitting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000word\u3002\u3000\u3003Alone\uff1f\u3000Through\u3000woods\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\uff1f\u3000You’d\u3000be\u3000captured\u3000again\u3000before\u3000night\u3000fell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodding\u2026she\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000about\u3000to\u3000reject\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000foolish\u3000notion\u3000and\u3000send\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000lips\u3000quirked\u3000into\u3000a\u3000smile\u2026and\u3000Danifae\u3000realized\u3000that\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000unwittingly\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000just\u3000played\u3000right\u3000into\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000will\u3000see\u3000me\u3000through\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000patting\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000case\u3000that\u3000held\u3000her\u3000lyre\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000a\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000song\u3000that\u3000will\u3000allow\u3000me\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000on\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Using\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tenday\uff1b\u3000at\u3000most\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000you\u3000use\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000use\u3000would\u3000it\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shrug\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000wind\u2026and\u3000if\u3000there\u3000were\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000only\u3000walk\u3000straight\u3000into\u3000a\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Regardless\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000been\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000am\u3000I\u3000now\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000justifying\u3000myself\u3000to\u3000a\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3002\u3000Our\u3000situation\u3000has\u3000changed\u3000some\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000grasped\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000knee\u3000and\u3000pleaded\uff1b\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000send\u3000her\u3002\u3000Send\u3000me\u3002\u3000If\u3000Halisstra\u3000dies\uff1b\u3000I\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000be\u3000very\uff1b\u3000very\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000well\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000particulars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Binding\u3002\u3000\u3003Halisstra\u3000will\u3000go\u3002\u3000With\u3000you\u3000here\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000trace\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000least\u3000know\u3000that\u3000she\u3000still\u3000lives\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000Houseless\u3000wretches\u3000are\u3000the\u3000most\u3000expendable\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000acquiescence\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000inwardly\u3000she\u3000burned\u3000with\u3000impotent\u3000anger\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000would\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000be\u3000killed\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000only\u3000be\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000when\u3000she\u3000died\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Binding\u3000would\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000died\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Three
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000knot\u3000of\u3000tension\u3000between\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000relax\u2026just\u3000a\u3000little\u2026as\u3000familiar\u3000darkness\u3000enveloped\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000harsh\u3000sunlight\u3000had\u3000been\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000after\u3000the\u3000third\u3000bend\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000still\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000earthy\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000leaves\u3000that\u3000told\u3000him\u3000the\u3000Surface\u3000Realms\u3000were\u3000just\u3000above\u3000their\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000already\u3000felt\u3000cleaner\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000descended\u3000the\u3000twisting\u3000fissure\u3000that\u3000led\u3000ever\u3000downward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000adjusting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Gone\u3000was\u3000the\u3000itching\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000fully\u3000open\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000use\u3000his\u3000darkvision\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000in\u3000too\u3000many\u3000days\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000followed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000line\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000fallen\u3000quiet\u3000instinctively\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they’d\u3000left\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000Underdark\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000place\u3000for\u3000the\u3000unwary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000tunnel\u3000was\u3000unknown\u3000territory\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hardly\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000silence\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000scrape\u3000of\u3000armor\u3000against\u3000stone\u3000as\u3000someone\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000squeezed\u3000through\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000had\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000them\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000sideways\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000through\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000scuff\u3000of\u3000a\u3000boot\u3000and\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000females\u3000missed\u3000her\u3000footing\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000angrily\u3000started\u3000to\u3000sign\u3000Move\u3000more\u3000quietly\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000when\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000not\u3000Danifae\u3000who\u3000had\u3000slipped\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000once\u3000again\u3000positioned\u3000herself\u3000near\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000just\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u2026not\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000potential\u3000dangers\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Halisstra\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000her\u3000panions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000stopped\u3000for\uff1f\u3000Quenthel\u3000signed\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000moving\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000hiss\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nodding\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000led\u3000the\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000As\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000close\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000continually\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000Valas’s\u3000shoulder\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000something\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000was\u3000constantly\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000Valas\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000would\u3000signal\u3000that\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000following\u3000them\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000so\u3000jumpy\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000two\u3000times\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000done\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000doubled\u3000back\u3000to\u3000check\u3000for\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000nothing\uff1a\u3000no\u3000sounds\uff1b\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000pursuit\u3002\u3000Thereafter\u3000he\u3000ignored\u3000Ryld’s\u3000anxious\u3000glances\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Since\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sent\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000there\u3000were\u3000only\u3000six\u3000of\u3000them\u3000left\u3002\u3000Personally\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000foolish\u3000decision\u3000on\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000part\u3002\u3000He\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000without\u3000Lolth’s\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000She\u3000probably\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000a\u3000rival\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000might\u3000claim\u3000credit\u3000for\u3000discovering\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u2026assuming\u3000that\u3000a\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3000was\u3000even\u3000possible\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000the\u3000hundredth\u3000time\u3000since\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000announced\u3000her\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000have\u3000Pharaun\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000that\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3000In\u3000all\u3000likelihood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000them\u3000and\u3000swallow\u3000them\u3000whole\u3000without\u3000guiding\u3000them\u3000a\u3000single\u3000step\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000the\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mercenary\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000question\u3000how\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000do\u2026and\u3000bow\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000he\u3000led\u3000them\u3000on\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000cautiously\u3000ahead\u3000into\u3000the\u3000unknown\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000still\u3000crowding\u3000close\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000fingered\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000amulets\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\u2026his\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000double\u2026headed\u3000coin\u2026and\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000would\u3000give\u3000him\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000he’d\u3000need\u3000when\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000eventually\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000them\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000it\u3000would\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3000that\u3000overlooked\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3002\u3000The\u3000others\u3000had\u3000descended\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000some\u3000time\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000slowly\u3000sinking\u3000below\u3000the\u3000horizon\uff1b\u3000painting\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000shades\u3000of\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000gold\u3002\u3000Though\u3000it\u3000made\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000water\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sunset\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000fascination\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000shift\u3000into\u3000ever\u3000darker\u3000shades\u3000of\u3000orange\uff1b\u3000then\u3000red\uff1b\u3000then\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000as\u3000new\u3000patterns\u3000formed\u3000each\u3000time\u3000the\u3000sun’s\u3000slanting\u3000rays\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000at\u3000a\u3000different\u3000angle\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000dwellers\u3000spoke\u3000in\u3000such\u3000rapturous\u3000tones\u3000about\u3000sunsets\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000below\u3000darkened\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sight\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000toward\u3000darkvision\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000birds\u3000flitting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000below\u3000and\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000thrumming\u3000of\u3000numerous\u3000wings\u3000as\u3000a\u3000flock\u3000of\u3000birds\u3000moved\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000surface\u2026dwelling\u3000creatures\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000cycles\u3000of\u3000day\u3000and\u3000night\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad’s\u3000magic\u2026controlled\u3000lighting\u3000and\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000famous\u3000pillar\u3000Narbondel\u2026used\u3000for\u3000marking\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000of\u3000\u3003day\u3003\u3000and\u3000\u3003night\u3003\u2026must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000holdovers\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000time\u3000when\u3000drow\u3000still\u3000dwelt\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Had\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u3000simply\u3000been\u3000following\u3000a\u3000call\u3000that\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000heard\u3000when\u3000they\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000forsaking\u3000the\u3000worship\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000flock\u3000of\u3000birds\u3000had\u3000e\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000treetops\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3000with\u3000strange\u3000whistling\u3000cries\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000them\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000the\u3000treetops\uff1b\u3000its\u3000wings\u3000beating\u3000so\u3000quickly\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000blur\u3002\u3000Only\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000within\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000of\u3000her\u3000did\u3000Halisstra\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000\u3003bird\u3003\u3000for\u3000what\u3000it\u3000truly\u3000was\u3002\u3000The\u3000furry\u3000body\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eight\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000needle\u2026shaped\u3000proboscis\u2026all\u3000added\u3000up\u3000to\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000realized\u3000was\u3000also\u3000a\u3000danger\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000when\u3000there\u3000was\u3000not\u3000just\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000flying\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000at\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000an\u3000arrow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000dozens\uff1a\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000flock\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003Stirges\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000were\u3000too\u3000close\u3000for\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000shot\u3002\u3000Whipping\u3000out\u3000Seyll’s\u3000long\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000braced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000threat\u3002\u3000Grimly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000any\u3000help\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stirges’\u3000needle\u2026thin\u3000noses\u3000would\u3000slip\u3000between\u3000its\u3000links\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000first\u3000surge\u3000dived\u3000in\u3000to\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000long\u3000sword\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000awkward\u3000in\u3000her\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000heavier\u3000than\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000used\u3000to\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000her\u3000blow\u3000connected\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000the\u3000stirge\u3000cleanly
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000were\u3000on\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000several\u3000frantic\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000fended\u3000them\u3000off\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000two\u3000more\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000crumpling\u3000the\u3000proboscis\u3000of\u3000a\u3000third\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000from\u3000the\u3000small\u3000steel\u3000shield\u3000she\u3000wore\u3000on\u3000her\u3000left\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000piercing\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000her\u3000right\u3000shoulder\u3000as\u3000a\u3000stirge\u3000struck\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000another\u3000plunged\u3000its\u3000proboscis\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000left\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000just\u3000beh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n behind\u3000the\u3000knee\u3002\u3000The\u3000force\u3000of\u3000it\u3000caused\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stagger\u3002\u3000Only\u3000by\u3000ducking\u3000frantically\u3000was\u3000she\u3000able\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000stirge\u3000lancing\u3000in\u3000at\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Whirling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000struck\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000it\u3000flew\u3000past\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000still\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000dived\u3000at\u3000her\u2026nearly\u3000two\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000them\u2026Halisstra\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000with\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000stirge\u3000that\u3000had\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000knee\u3002\u3000She\u3000squeezed\u2026and\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000satisfying\u3000pop\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000bloated\u3000midriff\u3000burst\u3002\u3000Yanking\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000its\u3000body\u3000away\uff1b\u3000dimly\u3000noticing\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000had\u3000soaked\u3000her\u3000gloved\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stirge\u3000in\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000continued\u3000draining\u3000her\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000flock\u3000dived\u3000en\u3000masse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000four\u3000more\u3000stirges\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000One\u3000bit\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000her\u3000left\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000two\u3000into\u3000her\u3000right\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000into\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000already\u3000greedily\u3000sucking\u3000away\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000killed\u3000two\u3000more\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\u2026which\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000air\u3000rushing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000its\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000was\u3000making\u3000constant\uff1b\u3000discordant\u3000noises\u3000like\u3000a\u3000badly\u3000played\u3000flute\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000rapidly\u3000losing\u3000strength\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stirges\u3000drained\u3000her\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000shivered\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000might\u3000very\u3000well\u3000die\u3000there\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000watching\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000blessing\u3000her\u3000with\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000foul\u3000creatures\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000darksong\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000affect\u3000so\u3000many\u3000creatures\u3000at\u3000once\u3000required\u3000a\u3000musical\u3000instrument\u3000as\u3000its\u3000arcane\u3000focus\u2026and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000pluck\u3000out\u3000a\u3000tune\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lyre\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000something\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000another\u3000instrument\u3000she\u3000could\u3000use\uff1b\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Abandoning\u3000her\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000stirges\u2026there\u3000were\u3000too\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u2026Halisstra\u3000reversed\u3000Seyll’s\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000its\u3000hilt\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Closing\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000blew\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000fingering\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000so\u3000the\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000air\u3000escaped\u3000through\u3000a\u3000single\u3000hole\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000sagged\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000as\u3000blood\u3000loss\u3000weakened\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000magic\u3000flow\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000a\u3000piercing\u3000blast\u3002\u3000Her\u3000own\u3000ears\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000numb\u3000as\u3000a\u3000single\u3000note\u2026sweet\uff1b\u3000high\uff1b\u3000and\u3000impossibly\u3000strong\u2026shattered\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000All\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000stirges\u3000tumbled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000a\u3000magic\u3000blast\u3000hit\u3000them\u3002\u3000Those\u3000on\u3000her\u3000body\u3000wilted\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slowly\u3000slipped\u3000free\u3000of\u3000her\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000around\u3000her\u3000with\u3000soft\u3000thuds\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000that\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000only\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000breathing\u3002\u3000Opening\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000stirges\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000still\u3000twitching\u3002\u3000She\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000one\u3000and\u3000squeezed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Its\u3000blood\u2026her\u3000blood\u2026soaked\u3000her\u3000gloves\u3000as\u3000its\u3000body\u3000burst\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000from\u3000one\u3000stirge\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000them\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000off\u3000her\u3000blood\u2026soaked\u3000gloves\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000them\u3000aside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000place\u3000of\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000something\u3000had\u3000disturbed\u3000the\u3000stirges\u2026something\u3000that\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bluff\u3000where\u3000she\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Hunkering\u3000down\uff1b\u3000she\u3000crept\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000signaled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000party\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000when\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000twisting\u3000its\u3000way\u3000ever\u3000deeper\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000into\u3000a\u3000jumble\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000led\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000medium\u2026sized\u3000cavern\u3000whose\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000low\u3000chuckle\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000the\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perfect\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000breathed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Keep\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000chastised\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000only\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000loud\u3000enough\u3000in\u3000here\u3000in\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wink\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000called\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000higher\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000up\u3000beyond\u3000where\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000see\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000found\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000that\u3000will\u3000do\u3000nicely\u3002\u3000Get\u3000Jeggred\u3000ready\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000heard\u3000Quenthel\u3000ordering\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000to\u3000kneel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drawn\u3000dagger\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000Valas’s\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Excuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000by\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000still\u3000wasn’t\u3000certain\u3000what\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000flattened\u3000obediently\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000past\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000glass\u3002\u3000Rolling\u3000up\u3000his\u3000sleeve\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000the\u3000cone\u3000at\u3000the\u3000water\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Chalthinsil\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000his\u3000shout\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000a\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000air\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000cone\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000swirling\u3000frost\u3002\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000cold\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000instantly\u3000turning\u3000it\u3000to\u3000solid\u3000ice\u3002\u3000Frost\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000roil\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000more\uff1b\u3000coating\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000with\u3000sparkling\u3000white\u3000ice\u3000crystals\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000vanished\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Valas\u3000shiver\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000glass\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perfect\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000again\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000ice\u3002\u3000\u3003Nice\u3000and\u3000smooth\u3002\u3000Just\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000on\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000\u3003Quenthel\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000ready\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000anticipation\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000he\u3000smelled\u3000the\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000freshly\u3000spilled\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000appeared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000cup\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000clambered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000so\u3000its\u3000contents\u3000wouldn’t\u3000spill\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000crowded\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000Valas\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000past\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\u3000her\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000stalked\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000panting\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000breath\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ice\u2026cold\u3000air\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000fighting\u3000hands\u3000was\u3000clamped\u3000around\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wrist\u3000of\u3000his\u3000smaller\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000welled\u3000out\u3000between\u3000the\u3000clamped\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000dripped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000joined\u3000them\uff1b\u3000having\u3000at\u3000last\u3000given\u3000up\u3000his\u3000cautious\u3000watch\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000already\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000across\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000skating\u3000slide\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000others\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000and\u3000traced\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000hexagonal\u3000star\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000carving\u3000its\u3000lines\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000like\u3000troughs\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000imperfections\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000frowned\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000\u3003Six\u3000sides\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\u3000a\u3000standard\u3000pentagram\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Anyone\u3000can\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pentagram\u3002\u3000I\u3000like\u3000to\u3000do\u3000things\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000panache\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000around\u3000the\u3000diagram\uff1b\u3000dribbling\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000he’d\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000beckoned\u3002\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3000e\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u2026who\u3000nodded\u3000her\u3000permission\u2026the\u3000draegloth\u3000loped\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000dislodging\u3000rocks\u3000that\u3000tumbled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000to\u3000skitter\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000He\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000surface\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000and\u3000obediently\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000his\u3000bloody\u3000arm\u3000when\u3000Pharaun\u3000gestured\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000that\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000held\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000under\u3000the\u3000slashed\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000was\u3000once\u3000again\u3000full\uff1b\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000re\u2026clamp\u3000the\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000then\u3000continued\u3000limning\u3000the\u3000diagram\u3000in\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000to\u3000repeat\u3000the\u3000process\u3000twice\u3000more\u3000before\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000was\u3000plete\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000remained\u3000impassive\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000procedure\u3002\u3000When\u3000Pharaun\u3000at\u3000last\u3000dismissed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000loped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stretched\uff1b\u3000\u3003for\u3000the\u3000difficult\u3000part\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000a\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000candle\u3002\u3000He\u3000cut\u3000it\u3000into\u3000six\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000trimming\u3000each\u3000back\u3000to\u3000expose\u3000the\u3000wick\u3002\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000star\uff1b\u3000boring\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000at\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000points\u3000and\u3000pushing\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000candies\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000back\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000Six\u3000flames\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000life\u3000as\u3000the\u3000candles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000burn\u3002\u3000Their\u3000meager\u3000heat\u3000magically\u3000spread\u3000through\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000had\u3000frozen\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000troughs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000The\u3000blood\u3000melted\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000circulate\uff1b\u3000pumping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000veins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hexagram\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000squinted\u3000as\u3000the\u3000flickering\u3000yellow\u3000light\u3000disrupted\u3000his\u3000darkvision\u3002\u3000The\u3000frosted\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000illumination\u3000and\u3000sparkled\u3000like\u3000a\u3000million\u3000tiny\u3000diamonds\u3002\u3000The\u3000candles\u3000flickered\uff1b\u3000their\u3000flames\u3000guttering\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000cavern\u3000wasn’t\u3000pletely\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3002\u3000There\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000some\u3000tiny\u3000fissure\uff1b\u3000hidden\u3000from\u3000view\uff1b\u3000through\u3000which\u3000air\u3000was\u3000circulating\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Standing\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000extended\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hexagram\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3000to\u3000chant\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000words\u3000echoed\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000confined\u3000space\uff1b\u3000the\u3000candles\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000a\u3000terrific\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000melting\u3000down\u3000to\u3000puddles\u3000of\u3000wax\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000still\u3000the\u3000wicks\u3000burned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000blue\u3002\u3000The\u3000flame\u3000pulsed\u3000out\u3000along\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000and\uff1b\u3000mixing\u3000with\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000ghastly\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000purple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000chant\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crescendo\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000clapped\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000together\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000boom\u3000of\u3000thunder\u3000that\u3000resulted\u3000all\u3000but\u3000obliterated\u3000Valas’s\u3000gasp\u3000and\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000harsh\u3000grunt\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frigid\u3000air\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000wrench\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000split\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000roiling\u3000red\u2026black\u3000clouds\u3000and\u3000furnace\u2026hot\u3000flames\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3000Then\u3000came\u3000a\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000utter\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000indignation\u3000as\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000humanoid\u3000figure\u3000hurtled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000between\u3000the\u3000planes\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pushed\u3000by\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000step\u3000or\u3000two\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000then\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000posure\u3002
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n invisible\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000step\u3000or\u3000two\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000then\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000posure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000done\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000he\u3000has\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sounded\u3000impressed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gripping\u3000his\u3000lucky\u3000coin\u3000amulet\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000moved\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u2026a\u3000glabrezu\u2026was\u3000nearly\u3000three\u3000times\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000powerfully\u3000muscled\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000four\u3000arms\u2026two\u3000with\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000with\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000pincers\u2026and\u3000a\u3000doglike\u3000head\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000stench\u3000that\u3000smelled\u3000like\u3000putrid\u3000corpses\u3000roasting\u3000over\u3000a\u3000sulfur\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Its\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000so\u3000utterly\u3000black\u3000it\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000see\u3000its\u3000features\u3000clearly\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000truncated\u3000snout\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000gnashing\u3000yellow\u3000fangs\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000penetrating\u3000intensity\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000swirled\u3000within\u3000their\u3000violet\u3000depths\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000dare\u3000summon\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000it\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000loose\u3000small\u3000stones\u3000that\u3000tumbled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000dare\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000mockery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000used\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000flung\u3000its\u3000hands\u3000above\u3000its\u3000head\u3002\u3000Intensely\u3000bright\u3000flame\u3000erupted\u3000between\u3000the\u3000outspread\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000light\u3002\u3000Leering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000thrust\u3000its\u3000hands\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000horizontal\u3000wave\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000washing\u3000over\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000was\u3000contained\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hexagram\u3002\u3000It\u3000licked\u3000along\u3000the\u3000veins\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000roaring\u3000from\u3000point\u3000to\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000star\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dizzying\u3000blur\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gradually\u3000began\u3000to\u3000slow\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000melting\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000freeze\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000shattered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tinkling\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000like\u3000breaking\u3000crystal\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000mouth\u3000twitched\u3000up\u3000into\u3000a\u3000half\u2026smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000quite\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000dryly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000my\u3000name\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\uff1b\u3000its\u3000voice\u3000dropping\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000rumble\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000be\u3000trapped\u3000inside\u3000that\u3000hexagram\u3000for\u3000all\u3000eternity\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000where\u3000we\u3000can\u3000find\u3000a\u3000gate\u3000that\u3000leads\u3000from\u3000this\u3000realm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000us\u3000that\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000will\u3000dismiss\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000its\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000sniffed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000fastened\u3000on\u3000Jeggred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Draegloth\u3000blood\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000growled\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000that\u3000was\u3000why\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000bitch\u3000mated\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000her\u3000name\uff1f\u3000Tral\uff1f\u3000Tull\uff1f\u3000No\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Triel\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000spat\u3000a\u3000gob\u3000of\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000phlegm\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000disdainful\u3000rumble\uff1b\u3000\u3003That\u3000whore\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000stared\u3000past\u3000Pharaun\u3000at\u3000the\u3000group\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000above\uff1b\u3000its\u3000violet\u3000eyes\u3000burning\u3000with\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000challenge\u3000that\u3000caused\u3000Valas\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000in\u3000readiness\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000growl\u3002\u3000Tensing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hunched\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000hand\u3000darted\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000clenched\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000tangled\u3000mane\u3002\u3000She\u3000jerked\u3000Jeggred\u3000back\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000spring\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000beside\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000plied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000sigh\u3000of\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000glad\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000hadn’t\u3000sprung\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000his\u3000father\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Jeggred\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000single\u3000step\u3000across\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wrought\u3000with\u3000his\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000force\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000have\u3000stretched\u2026and\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000Which\u3000was\u3000what\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000intended\uff1b\u3000all\u3000along\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000returned\u3000its\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000Where’s\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000gate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000bared\u3000yellowed\u3000fangs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000as\u3000if\u3000contemplating\u3000which\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000limbs\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3000first\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Right\u3000here\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000rumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000beneath\u3000my\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000show\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Summoning\u3000its\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000directed\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000from\u3000its\u3000hands\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000at\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Because\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000not\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000hexagram\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000took\u3000effect\u3002\u3000Enormous\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000steam\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000melting\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000obscuring\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000stood\u3002\u3000A\u3000crater\u3000appeared\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000melt\u3000water\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\u3000plunged\u3000flaming\u3000hands\u3000into\u3000the\u3000water\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000aboil\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000intensely\u3000curious\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000promised\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000still\u3000flexing\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000in\u3000barely\u3000suppressed\u3000anger\u3000at\u3000the\u3000insult\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mother\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000stood\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000were\u3000talking\u3000in\u3000rapid\u3000sign\u3002\u3000Their\u3000backs\u3000were\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000saying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000suddenly\u3000tensed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pharaun\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000Belshazu\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000trying\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000order\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000furious\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000steam\u3000and\u3000the\u3000loud\u3000bubbling\u3000of\u3000boiling\u3000water\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000himself\u3000could\u3000only\u3000hear\u3000Quenthel\u3000because\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000right\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000pointing\u3000to\uff1a\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crater\u3000of\u3000knee\u2026deep\u3000water\u3000Belshazu\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000was\u3000crumbling\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hexagram\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000awakening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000too\u2026but\u3000too\u3000late\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000hissing\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000flowing\u3000blood\u3000tumbled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000boiling\u3000water\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000hexagram\u3000was\u3000broken\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wizard\u2026you\u3000are\u3000mine\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Roaring\u3000his\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\u3000waded\u3000through\u3000the\u3000boiling\u3000water\u3000toward\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000blazing\u3000violet\u3000fury\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000who\u3000had\u3000so\u3000foolishly\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000bind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Four
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000bag\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000it\u3000on\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000wall\u3000at\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000forked\uff1b\u3000then\u3000carefully\u3000balanced\u3000a\u3000large\u3000stone\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000quiver\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3000bolts\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000and\u3000checked\u3000its\u3000barbed\u3000head\u3000for\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000poison\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000none\uff1b\u3000he\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002\u3000He\u3000smeared\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000then\u3000snapped\u3000the\u3000point\u3000off\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000bolt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000nervously\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000fork\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000might\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Silence\u3002\u3000The\u3000noise\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000balled\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000around\u3000a\u3000rag\u3000to\u3000staunch\u3000the\u3000flow\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000crossbow\u3000bolt\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000portable\u3000hole\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000the\u3000folded\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000phase\u2026spider\u3000silk\u3000open\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000sand\u2026filled\u3000bag\u3002\u3000Carefully\uff1b\u3000he\u3000loosened\u3000the\u3000bag’s\u3000drawstrings\u3000until\u3000just\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000from\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000portable\u3000hole\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steeply\u3000sloping\u3000corridor\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000where\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000Jeggred\u3000would\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000his\u3000palm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000doing\u3000a\u3000little\u3000bloodletting\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Danifae\u3000who\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000returned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000paid\u3000little\u3000attention\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000summoned\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000instead\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000count\u3000he’d\u3000begun\u3000after\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000bag\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000glance\u3000down\u3000in\u3000alarm\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000told\u3000Pharaun\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000directly\u3000under\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000pond\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000ploy\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000question\u3000it\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000hands\u3000flared\u3000with\u3000fire\u3000for\u3000the\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000merely\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000curious\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000his\u3000count\uff1a\u3000fifteen\uff1b\u3000fourteen\uff1b\u3000thirteen\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000almost\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000Danifae’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000suspicious\u3000look\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000from\u3000farther\u3000up\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000or\u3000a\u3000dislodged\u3000stone\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000rolling\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000slightly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000is\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000words\u3000were\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000by\u3000a\u3000violent\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000steam\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000below\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000melting\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000shout\u3000a\u3000warning\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026then\u3000he\u3000pursed\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000shut\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000problem\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000shifted\u3000to\u3000sign\u3000language\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hissing\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000boiling\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Whoever\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000them\u3000sorry\u3000they\u3000followed\u3000us\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000Quenthel\u3000where\u3000I’ve\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You’re\u3000running\u3000off\u3000after\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000accused\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000startled\uff1b\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000her\u3000bluntness\u2026and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000approval\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Was\u3000she\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000would\u3000have\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000his\u3000bluff\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3002\u3000As\u3000proof\u3000you\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000this\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000of\u3000his\u3000two\u3000magical\u3000rings\u3000from\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000intentionally\u3000dropping\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000ring\u3000bounced\u3000off\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000roll\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000toward\u3000where\u3000the\u3000others\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000scrambled\u3000after\u3000it\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000before\u3000Quenthel\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000claimed\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000Valas\u3000shoot\u3000him\u3000a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000questioning\u3000glance\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Quenthel\u3000shouted\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000a\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000triumph\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000free\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000already\u3000several\u3000paces\u3000away\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000swiftly\u3000up\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000had\u3000led\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000him\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000more\u3000roaring\uff1b\u3000violent\u3000splashing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000terrified\u3000shouts\u3002\u3000An\u3000explosive\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000air\u3000whooshed\u3000past\u3000him\u2026the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n oaring\uff1b\u3000violent\u3000splashing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000terrified\u3000shouts\u3002\u3000An\u3000explosive\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000air\u3000whooshed\u3000past\u3000him\u2026the\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u2026or\u3000one\u3000cast\u3000by\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000male\u3000voice\u3000screamed\u3000in\u3000mortal\u3000agony\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000he\u3000actually\u3000considered\u3000turning\u3000around\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000against\u3000it\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000deserved\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000count\u3000on\u3000a\u3000friend\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000climbed\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000until\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000flattened\u3000bag\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000plucked\u3000from\u3000its\u3000ledge\u3002\u3000He\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000portable\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000then\u3000folded\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000shut\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000shake\u3000it\u3000out\u3000later\u3000when\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000others\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000came\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000clues\u3000to\u3000alert\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trick\u3000he’d\u3000played\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000pressed\u3000on\uff1b\u3000retracing\u3000the\u3000route\u3000they’d\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000taken\u3000careful\u3000mental\u3000notes\u3000as\u3000they\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000pausing\u3000several\u3000times\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000around\u3000to\u3000view\u3000landmarks\u3000from\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000crawl\u3000over\u3000a\u3000jumble\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000because\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000had\u3000partially\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000narrow\u3000cavern\u3000where\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000water\u3000had\u3000encouraged\u3000a\u3000faintly\u3000glowing\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000lichen\u3000to\u3000grow\u3002\u3000Next\u3000came\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000chimney\u3000that\u3000rose\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000paces\u3000above\u3000and\u3000below\u3000to\u3000dead\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000with\u3000several\u3000narrow\u3000tunnels\u3000opening\u3000onto\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Reaching\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3000and\u3000counted\u3002\u3000The\u3000third\u3000tunnel\u3000above\u3000and\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000they’d\u3000e\u3000through\u3002\u3000Touching\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000brooch\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3000and\u3000levitated\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000clink\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000inside\u3000it\u3002\u3000Instantly\u3000recognizing\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000links\u3000clinking\u3000against\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000he\u3000whipped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000up\u3000under\u3000its\u3000hem\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000enfolded\u3000him\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000his\u3000body\u3000into\u3000shadow\u3002\u3000He\u3000drifted\u3000past\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000heading\u3000for\u2026to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000person\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000heard\u3000wouldn’t\u3000spot\u3000the\u3000movement\u3000of\u3000shadowed\u3000gray\u3000against\u3000shadowed\u3000gray\u2026then\u3000he\u3000halted\u3000the\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000above\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000He\u3000hung\u3000there\uff1b\u3000carefully\u3000controlling\u3000his\u3000breathing\u3000so\u3000that\u3000not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000of\u3000sound\u3000escaped\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000He\u3000waited\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000face\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000The\u3000strange\u3000drow’s\u3000ebony\u3000skin\u3000blended\u3000with\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000the\u3000black\u3000mask\u3000that\u3000hid\u3000his\u3000lower\u3000face\u2026the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cleric\u3000of\u3000Vhaeraun\u2026but\u3000his\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000faintly\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000stood\u3000out\u3000in\u3000sharp\u3000relief\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000up\u3000at\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000floated\u3002\u3000A\u3000chimney\u3000was\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000place\u3000to\u3000expect\u3000an\u3000ambush\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000slid\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3000that\u3000was\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000didn’t\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000have\u3000spotted\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000scan\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3000above\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000downward\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000a\u3000forked\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grasped\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thumb\u3000and\u3000forefinger\u3000of\u3000each\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000over\u3000the\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000then\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000bone\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000purple\u3000light\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000light\u3000coalesced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000V\u2026shaped\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000then\u3000erupted\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sizzling\u3000purple\u3000spark\u3002\u3000The\u3000spark\u3000began\u3000to\u3000drift\u3000up\uff1b\u3000then\u3000hesitated\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000steadily\u3000downward\u3002\u3000It\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000just\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000before\u3000it\u3000winked\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000priest\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000signed\u3000to\u3000someone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000They\u3000went\u3000this\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000suspicions\u3000were\u3000confirmed\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleric\u3000was\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u3000and\u3000was\u3000seeking\u3000vengeance\u3000for\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000his\u3000high\u3000priest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000watched\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000and\u3000two\u3000well\u2026armed\u3000males\u3000descended\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleric\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000simply\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000magically\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000second\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000down\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000his\u3000back\u3000braced\u3000against\u3000one\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000against\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000Tactically\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000for\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000strike\u2026or\u3000to\u3000flee\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000grunts\u3000and\u3000scuffing\u3000noises\u3000the\u3000climbing\u3000male\u3000was\u3000making\u3000would\u3000cover\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000him\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000they’d\u3000just\u3000left\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3000about\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000acpanied\u3000her\u3000because\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000from\u3000another\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000concern\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3002\u3000But\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000with\u3000a\u3000demon\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000pickings\u3000for\u3000those\u3000three\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Flipping\u3000back\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000shot\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3002\u3000The\u3000tiny\u3000bolt\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000plowing\u3000a\u3000furrow\u3000of\u3000red\u3000across\u3000it\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000poison\u3000on\u3000the\u3000barb\u3000entered\u3000his\u3000bloodstream\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000sagged\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026air\u3000and\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000as\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000magic\u3000failed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Crawling\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lay\u3000trembling\u3000on\u3000its\u3000stone\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000whispered\u3000prayer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stone\u3002\u3000He\u3000twisted\u3000as\u3000he\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000simultaneously\u3000drawing\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000lashing\u3000out\u3000with\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000as\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000climbing\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Braced\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000close\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000against\u3000the\u3000kick\u3000Ryld\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000rocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000crack\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000his\u3000unconscious\u3000body\u3000tumbled\u3000after\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pushing\u3000off\u3000from\u3000a\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000his\u3000fall\u3002\u3000The\u3000unconscious\u3000drow\u3000tumbled\u3000past\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bone\u2026snapping\u3000thud\u3000against\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000far\u3000below\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000meantime\uff1b\u3000the\u3000levitating\u3000warrior\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000his\u3000weapon\uff1a\u3000a\u3000spiked\u3000mace\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3002\u3000His\u3000opponent\u3000shouted\u3000something\u2026a\u3000mand\u3000word\u2026and\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mace\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000bright\uff1b\u3000magical\u3000light\u3002\u3000Blinded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000brilliance\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000instinctively\u3000twisted\u3000aside\u2026and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000mace\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000shattering\u3000blow\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000His\u3000foot\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000but\u3000missed\u3000its\u3000target\u3002\u3000The\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000fighting\u3000in\u3000sunlight\u3000and\u3000had\u3000easily\u3000avoided\u3000the\u3000kick\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Cursing\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000summoned\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000darkness\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000so\u3000both\u3000had\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000carefully\u3000over\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cleric’s\u3000prayers\u3000for\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000shifts\u3000of\u3000fabric\u3000and\u3000armor\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000his\u3000opponent\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000air\u3000warned\u3000Ryld\u3000of\u3000a\u3000second\u3000mace\u3000blow\u3002\u3000He\u3000twisted\u3000violently\u3000back\uff1b\u3000inadvertently\u3000falling\u3000a\u3000little\u3000as\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000interrupted\u3002\u3000His\u3000sword\u3000arm\u3000brushed\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3000wall\u2026and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000mace\u3000smashed\u3000into\u3000his\u3000elbow\uff1b\u3000numbing\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fingertips\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000swing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000slipped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mace\u3000smashed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000breastplate\u3000stopped\u3000the\u3000spikes\u3000from\u3000penetrating\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000made\u3000him\u3000grunt\u3002\u3000His\u3000opponent\u3000was\u3000better\u3000than\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000expected\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000clatter\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000far\u3000below\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cleric’s\u3000prayer\u3000had\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000volume\u3000from\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000to\u3000a\u3000chant\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleric\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000using\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000neutralize\u3000the\u3000poison\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000have\u3000two\u3000threats\u3000to\u3000face\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\u3000was\u3000useless\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000Splitter\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002\u3000That\u3000meant\u3000close\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000Very\u3000close\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kicking\u3000off\u3000from\u3000a\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000horizontally\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000opponent’s\u3000breathing\u3002\u3000His\u3000fingers\u3000brushed\u3000against\u3000a\u3000mail\u3000tunic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mace\u3002\u3000He\u3000twisted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000saved\u3000from\u3000injury\u3000by\u3000the\u3000dragon\u2026shaped\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\u2026the\u3000ring\u3000that\u3000marked\u3000Ryld\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026for\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000made\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000flesh\u3000as\u3000tough\u3000as\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dragon\u3002\u3000The\u3000spikes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mace\u3000bent\u3000as\u3000they\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000glanced\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000clawed\u3000his\u3000way\u3000up\u3000his\u3000opponent’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000stabbing\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000pressure\u3000points\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000gasped\u2026then\u3000made\u3000a\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000choking\u3000gurgle\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000found\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000crushed\u3000his\u3000windpipe\u3002\u3000His\u3000body\u3000went\u3000limp\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000too\u3000tumbled\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000losing\u3000elevation\u3000during\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000darkness\u3000and\u3000could\u3000see\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shouting\u3000an\u3000invocation\u3000to\u3000his\u3000god\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tore\u3000the\u3000mask\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000it\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000twisted\u3000and\u3000dropped\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000mask\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000swooping\u3000bat\u3002\u3000It\u3000slapped\u3000against\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000adhered\u3000tightly\u3000against\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000mouth\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wet\u3000sucking\u3000sound\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000the\u3000mask\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000like\u3000fungus\u3000to\u3000a\u3000rock\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000breathe\u2026a\u3000single\u3000indrawn\u3000breath\u3000would\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000contagion\u3000the\u3000mask\u3000carried\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000his\u3000lungs\u2026Ryld\u3000did\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000drawing\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000where\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000stood\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000still\u3000as\u3000he\u3000wrenched\u3000his\u3000head\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000level\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ledge\uff1b\u3000then\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000graceful\u3000leap\u3002\u3000The\u3000mental\u3000discipline\u3000taught\u3000to\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000sustained\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000startled\u3000cleric\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000strike\u3002\u3000Dark\u3000sparkles\u3000danced \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000sustained\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000startled\u3000cleric\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000strike\u3002\u3000Dark\u3000sparkles\u3000danced\u3000before\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000limits\u3000of\u3000what\u3000his\u3000body\u3000could\u3000do\u3000without\u3000air\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000it\u2026and\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000those\u3000limits\uff1b\u3000still\u3000rushing\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000cleric\uff1b\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000danced\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000avoiding\u3000Ryld’s\u3000charge\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000nerve\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fled\uff1b\u3000screaming\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000A\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000just\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hurled\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mask\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000Ryld’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000Able\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000shuddering\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000steadied\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000one\u3000wall\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleric\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000having\u3000spirited\u3000him\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u3000who\u3000had\u3000acpanied\u3000him\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000did\u3000find\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000greatly\u3000improved\u3000the\u3000odds\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000meantime\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000dead\u3000bodies\u3000would\u3000give\u3000his\u3000excuse\u3000about\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000was\u3000following\u3000them\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000truth\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000others\u3000came\u3000that\u3000way\u3000they\u3000would\u3000find\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tracks\u3000that\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000third\u3000man\uff1b\u3000and\u3000would\u3000assume\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000captured\u3000and\u3000dragged\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Minauthkeep\u3002\u3000Perfect\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stepping\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000levitated\u3000down\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000he’d\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000The\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000warriors\u3000he’d\u3000killed\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tangled\u3000heap\uff1b\u3000wedged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld’s\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000sandwiched\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Flipping\u3000the\u3000top\u3000corpse\u3000over\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000sword\u2026then\u3000gasped\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000leather\u3000gloves\u3000that\u3000had\u3000spilled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000torn\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000He\u3000recognized\u3000them\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000by\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000embossed\u3000onto\u3000their\u3000wide\u3000cuffs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000were\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000gloves\u2026and\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000leather\u3000was\u3000stiff\u3000with\u3000dried\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Fear\u3000washed\u3000through\u3000Ryld\u3000like\u3000an\u3000icy\u3000river\u3002\u3000Did\u3000that\u3000mean\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000killed\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000logical\u3000thing\u3000for\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000do\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u2026assuming\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000demon\u3000meat\u3000by\u3000then\u2026and\u3000give\u3000up\u3000the\u3000insane\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000remaining\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000all\u3000been\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000point\u3000in\u3000him\u3000continuing\u3000alone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000if\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000dead\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000at\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000owe\u3000Halisstra\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000Going\u3000after\u3000her\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000insane\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000fist\u3000tightened\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000gloves\u3002\u3000Stuffing\u3000them\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000he\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000and\u3000levitated\u3000up\u3000the\u3000chimney\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Five
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000smirked\u3000as\u3000Belshazu\u3000surged\u3000across\u3000the\u3000boiling\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Demons\u3000are\u3000so\u3000predictable\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tsk\u3000tsking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000glass\u3000he’d\u3000palmed\u3000earlier\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000mand\u3000word\u3002\u3000A\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000freezing\u3000air\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cone\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000Sweat\u3000crystallized\u3000to\u3000sparkling\u3000ice\u3000on\u3000Belshazu’s\u3000broad\u3000chest\u3000but\u3000cracked\u3000and\u3000melted\u3000away\u3000under\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000and\u3000motion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000charge\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000knee\u2026deep\u3000water\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000Belshazu\u3000the\u3000pool\u3000instantly\u3000froze\u3000solid\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000himself\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000knee\u2026deep\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000directed\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000did\u3000not\u3000melt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000smirk\u3000grew\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000worked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thanks\u3000for\u3000stirring\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pool\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mixed\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000blood\u3000into\u3000it\u3000quite\u3000nicely\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000here’s\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000trivia\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\u3000ice\u3000crystals\u3000always\u3000have\u3000six\u3000sides\uff1f\u3000So\u3000do\u3000crystals\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000since\u3000blood\u3000is\u3000mostly\u3000water\u3002\u3000They\u3000always\u3000form\u3000perfect\u3000little\u3000hexagrams\u3002\u3000Millions\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000took\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000for\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000what\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000it\u3000roared\u3000even\u3000louder\u3000than\u3000before\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000its\u3000pincers\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000it\u3002\u3000While\u3000the\u3000blows\u3000were\u3000hard\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000with\u3000booming\u3000crashes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000neither\u3000cracked\u3000nor\u3000splintered\u3002\u3000The\u3000effort\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000tax\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000After\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000blows\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000panting\u3000in\u3000great\uff1b\u3000wheezing\u3000gasps\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000where\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000gate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000can\u3000be\u3000fou\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000lurch\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000bile\u3000rushing\u3000into\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000fell\u3000upward\u3000as\u3000gravity\u3000suddenly\u3000reversed\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Bound\u3000in\u3000ice\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000could\u3000work\u3000his\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Taken\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000disoriented\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000gravity\u3000shift\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000counter\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000with\u3000levitation\u3000magic\u3002\u3000He\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000with\u3000catlike\u3000grace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000before\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000rocks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000lunged\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000stretching\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000his\u3000icebound\u3000feet\u3000would\u3000allow\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pincers\u3000clamped\u3000onto\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000scissored\u3000down\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000through\u3000boot\u3000leather\u3000and\u3000flesh\u3000until\u3000it\u3000grated\u3000against\u3000bone\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000screamed\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rocks\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000handhold\u3000as\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000wizard\u3000toward\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000something\u3000flashed\u3000past\u3000him\uff1a\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000Magic\u3000lending\u3000him\u3000unnatural\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000had\u3000sprinted\u3000across\u3000the\u3000jagged\u3000rock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000in\u3000either\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000slash\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000blades\u3000bit\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000Belshazu’s\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000spitting\u3000blue\u3000sparks\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000as\u3000it\u3000cleanly\u3000severed\u3000the\u3000bone\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000wounded\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000flailed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000remaining\u3000pincer\u3000at\u3000his\u3000new\u3000target\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Valas\u3000darted\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000severed\u3000pincer\u3000fall\u3000away\u3000from\u3000his\u3000bloodied\u3000foot\u3000he\u3000levitated\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000himself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000Still\u3000roaring\uff1b\u3000with\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000black\u3000blood\u3000pumping\u3000from\u3000its\u3000severed\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\u3000reversed\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000at\u3000once\u3000clambering\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000menace\u3000Belshazu\u3000with\u3000his\u3000dagger\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000after\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000favoring\u3000his\u3000mangled\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000pond\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000squelched\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000torn\u3000boot\u3000and\u3000spread\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000freezing\u3000to\u3000pink\u3000on\u3000the\u3000intensely\u3000cold\u3000surface\u3002\u3000He\u3000fumbled\u3000a\u3000small\u3000metal\u3000flask\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000uncorked\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drained\u3000the\u3000contents\u3002\u3000The\u3000healing\u3000potion\u3000took\u3000effect\u3000almost\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000numbing\u3000his\u3000pain\u3000like\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000lace\u2026fungus\u3000brandy\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000his\u3000wounded\u3000foot\u3000was\u3000whole\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000tested\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000tingling\u3000feeling\u3000remained\u3002\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tear\u3000in\u3000his\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000never\u3000have\u3000been\u3000wounded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000where\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000came\u3000the\u3000low\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3002\u3000Their\u3000mistress’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000impatient\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pharaun\uff01\u3000Stop\u3000wasting\u3000time\u3002\u3000pel\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000bow\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000sagged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\u3000on\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000pond\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000still\u3000bound\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000wheezing\u3000from\u3000his\u3000exertions\u3000and\u3000held\u3000his\u3000severed\u3000wrist\u3000tight\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000He\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sulking\u2026but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blaze\u3000in\u3000his\u3000violet\u3000eyes\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000tamed\u3002\u3000Yet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000grand\u3000master\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000put\u3000his\u3000final\u3000piece\u3000into\u3000play\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Here’s\u3000something\u3000else\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000should\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000spell\u3000not\u3000only\u3000froze\u3000the\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000but\u3000also\u3000crystallized\u3000the\u3000water\u3000vapor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000what\u3000you\u3000can\u3000feel\u3000inside\u3000your\u3000lungs\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000hexagrams\uff1b\u3000sawing\u3000away\u3000at\u3000your\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000we\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000release\u3000you\u3000before\u3000they\u3000do\u3000any\u3000further\u3000damage\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000stalling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Belshazu\u3000considered\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000carefully\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000face\u3000posed\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000crystals\u3000inside\u3000Belshazu’s\u3000lungs\u3000could\u3000actually\u3000harm\u3000the\u3000demon\u2026but\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000good\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wheeze\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000gave\u3000Pharaun\u3000a\u3000pained\u3000look\uff1b\u3000then\u3000grudgingly\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3000of\u3000any\u3000gate\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000frustration\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000from\u3000this\u3000plane\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000ship\u3000that\u3000will\u3000carry\u3000you\u3000there\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000demon\u3000ship\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000echoed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Blood\u3000War\uff1f\u3003\u3000Belshazu\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000heavy\u3000with\u3000scorn\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ignorant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doings\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000contest\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u2026a\u3000glorious\u3000war\u3000that\u3000has\u3000raged\u3000for\u3000millennia\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Glorious\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000scoffed\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000like\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000sloppy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pointless\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000side\u3000remembers\u3000what\u3000they’re\u3000fighting\u3000about\u2026let\u3000alone\u3000has\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000winning\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000devils\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3000will\u3000be\u3000defeated\uff01\u3003\u3000Belshazu\u3000bellowed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000due\u3000time\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000interjected\u3000dryly\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000you\u3000were\u3000telling\u3000us\u3000about\u3000a\u3000ship\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000snarling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000wrenched\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000addressed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000ages\u3000past\uff1b\u3000my\u3000kind\u3000found\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000way\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000our\u3000attacks\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3002\u3000We\u3000built\u3000ships\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000bound\u3000with\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000spirit\u3000stripped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000manes\u3000who\u3000serv \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000ages\u3000past\uff1b\u3000my\u3000kind\u3000found\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000way\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000our\u3000attacks\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3002\u3000We\u3000built\u3000ships\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000bound\u3000with\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000spirit\u3000stripped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000manes\u3000who\u3000serve\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hung\u3000with\u3000sails\u3000of\u3000flayed\u3000skin\u3002\u3000These\u3000ships\u3000sail\u3000between\u3000the\u3000planes\uff1b\u3000blown\u3000by\u3000the\u3000winds\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Centuries\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000ships\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000set\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000a\u3000new\u3000route\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3002\u3000It\u3000sailed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000River\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000to\u3000a\u3000place\u3000where\u3000that\u3000river\u3000touches\u3000upon\u3000this\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lost\u3002\u3000Of\u3000its\u3000crew\u3000of\u3000thirteen\uff1b\u3000only\u3000one\u3000returned\uff1a\u3000a\u3000groveling\u3000mane\u3002\u3000It\u3000babbled\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000uridezu\u3000who\u3000captained\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000being\u3000overe\u3000and\u3000of\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000storm\u3002\u3000We\u3000subjected\u3000the\u3000mane\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000lash\u3000and\u3000the\u3000torments\u3000of\u3000boiling\u3000oil\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000give\u3000us\u3000only\u3000one\u3000useful\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000information\u3002\u3000Just\u3000before\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000visited\u3000a\u3000city\u3000of\u3000your\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000city’s\u3000name\u3000meant\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\u3000you\u3000will\u3000know\u3000it\u2026Zanhoriloch\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Unlike\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000listening\u3000avidly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000seemed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000listening\uff1b\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000cleaning\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000black\u3000streaks\u3000of\u3000demon’s\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000his\u3000dagger\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000stood\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000an\u3000openly\u3000skeptical\u3000look\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000toying\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000bored\uff1b\u3000was\u3000licking\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000on\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000information\u3000is\u3000useless\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000are\u3000we\u3000to\u3000find\u3000this\u3000ship\u2026assuming\u3000it\u3000exists\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000a\u3000city\u3000by\u3000that\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000others\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mercenary\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000final\u3000polish\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kukri\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000an\u3000aboleth\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000just\u3000gets\u3000better\u3000and\u3000better\uff1b\u3000doesn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Those\u3000fish\u2026folk\u3000are\u3000the\u3000last\u3000creatures\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000suddenly\u3000stirred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Pharaun’s\u3000right\u3002\u3000Shouldn’t\u3000we\u3000be\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Silence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000noted\u3000your\u3000cowering\u2026how\u3000you\u3000kept\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000whimpering\u3000male\u2026and\u3000am\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000want\u3000your\u3000opinion\uff1b\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000did\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000told\uff1b\u3000pursing\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000shut\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000line\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Zanhoriloch\u3000isn’t\u3000far\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000in\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Aboleths\u3000live\u3000underwater\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000far\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000can\u3000find\u3000the\u3000right\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000journey\u3000would\u3000take\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000it\u3000would\u3000for\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000through\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000considered\u3000that\uff1b\u3000then\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000big\u3000is\u3000this\u3000lake\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enormous\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Big\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000a\u3000city\uff1b\u3000at\u3000any\u3000rate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Or\u3000a\u3000ship\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000mused\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000had\u3000just\u3000left\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000when\u3000it\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000it\u3000may\u3000be\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000ones\u3000who\u3000would\u3000know\u3000of\u3000its\u3000existence\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000aboleths\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000expression\u3000hardened\u3002\u3000\u3003Assuming\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000is\u3000still\u3000intact\u3002\u3000You\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000’lost’\u3000in\u3000a\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\uff1f\u3000How\u3000badly\u3000damaged\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000mane\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000intact\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000didn’t\u3000the\u3000demons\u3000try\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu’s\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Weren’t\u3000you\u3000listening\uff1b\u3000drow\uff1f\u3000I\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lost\u2026on\u3000this\uff1b\u3000the\u3000foulest\u3000of\u3000planes\u3002\u3000How\u3000were\u3000we\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000shifted\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000had\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000behind\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demons\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000city\u3000is\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000minute\u3000you\u3000release\u3000this\u3000one\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1a\u3000Yes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000More\u3000than\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000offer\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\u3000could\u3000read\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000speech\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000as\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000who\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000practical\u3000question\uff1b\u3000\u3003Once\u3000we\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000and\u3000raise\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000how\u3000do\u3000we\u3000sail\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000sly\u3000grin\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000ship\u3000has\u3000a\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000All\u3000you\u3000need\u3000do\u3000is\u3000feed\u3000it\u3000a\u3000soul\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000matched\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000lascivious\u3000smile\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000her\u3000glance\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000whatsoever\u3000about\u3000whom\u3000she’d\u3000most\u3000like\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000into\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000ship’s\u3000gullet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\uff1f\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000still\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000practicalities\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000been\u3000fed\uff1b\u3000what\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\u3000next\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sail\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Belshazu\u3000answered\u3000derisively\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000has\u3000sails\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tiller\u3002\u3000Catch\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000go\u3002\u3000Continue\u3000up\u3000the\u3000River\u3000of\u3000Shadows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sail\u3000the\u3000breadth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Shadow\u3000Deep\u3002\u3000The\u3000river\u3000branches\u3000as\u3000it\u3000reaches\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3000Smaller\u3000streams\u3000empty\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pits\u3000that\u3000pock\u3000the\u3000Plain\u3000of\u3000Infinite\u3000Portals\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000those\u3000portals\u3000leads\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sixty\u2026sixth\u3000layer\u3002\u3000Follow\u3000the\u3000right\u3000branch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000will\u3000carry\u3000you\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000It\u3000all\u3000sounded\u3000highly\u3000doubtful\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000had\u3000a\u3000gleam\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002\u3000The\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000lashed\u3000in\u3000apparent\u3000eagerness\u3000for\u3000their\u3000mistress\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000the\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u2026at\u3000once\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Our\u3000thanks\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000a\u3000purring\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000my\u3000apologies\u3000for\u3000the\u3000indignities\u3000this\u3000mage\u3000has\u3000subjected\u3000you\u3000to\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000coldly\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000terse\u3000order\uff1a\u3000\u3003Release\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000gestured\u3000rapidly\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000No\uff01\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000will\u3000only\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000when\u3000we\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000serpents\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000turned\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000one\u3000smooth\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Hissing\u3000with\u3000glee\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000at\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000ordered\u3000you\u3000not\u3000to\u3000speak\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000shrieked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Caught\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000slow\u3000to\u3000react\u3002\u3000She\u3000reared\u3000back\u2026but\u3000not\u3000before\u3000the\u3000longest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000grazed\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3000with\u3000its\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Its\u3000work\u3000done\uff1b\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000curled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000livid\u3000red\u3000lines\u3000it\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000soft\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000As\u3000its\u3000venom\u3000flowed\u3000through\u3000Danifae’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sagged\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000already\u3000gasping\u3000for\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stood\u3000staring\u3000coldly\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000that\u3000had\u3000inflicted\u3000the\u3000near\u2026fatal\u3000kiss\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000\u3003Zinda\u3000may\u3000be\u3000the\u3000largest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000poison\u3000is\u3000the\u3000least\u3000venomous\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000live\u2026if\u3000you’re\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3002\u3003\u3000Ignoring\u3000Danifae’s\u3000choking\u3000sobs\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Well\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000bowed\u2026a\u3000little\u3000deeper\u2026and\u3000he\u3000addressed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000more\u3000pressing\u3000issue\u3002\u3000Carefully\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000speak\u3000the\u3000word\u3000that\u3000will\u3000release\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000until\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000melts\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000speed\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000spat\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Fill\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000cocked\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000we\u3000would\u3000be\u3000underground\u3000in\u3000confined\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000prepare\u3000that\u3000spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000offered\uff1b\u3000resisting\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000say\u3000what\u3000he\u3000truly\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000being\u3000even\u3000more\u3000stupid\u3000than\u3000usual\u2026why\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000did\u3000the\u3000others\u3000persist\u3000in\u3000obeying\u3000her\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000mindlessly\uff1b\u3000slavishly\u3000loyal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000nearest\uff1b\u3000highest\u2026ranking\u3000female\u3000of\u3000his\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000paid\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3002\u3000But\u3000Danifae\u3000must\u3000surely\u3000have\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000her\u3000unfailing\u3000loyalty\u3000would\u3000go\u3000unrewarded\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000with\u3000Lolth\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000presumably\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000actions\u3000of\u3000her\u3000servants\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000ice\u3000will\u3000melt\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000observed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000neutral\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000a\u3000day\u3000or\u3000two\u3000of\u3000delay\u2026to\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Quenthel\u3000rounded\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000sputtering\u3000indignation\u3000at\u3000his\u3000\u3003insolence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000at\u3000last\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000curry\u3000favor\u3000with\u3000Belshazu\u3002\u3000Like\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000into\u3000unholy\u3000union\u3000with\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000one\u3000day\u3002\u3000And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000any\u3000demon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who\u3000squatted\u3000at\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000bared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000snarl\u3002\u3000Blessed\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000creature\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000another\u3000draegloth\u3002\u3000One\u3000fouling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000its\u3000putrid\u3000breath\u3000was\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000Belshazu\u3000will\u3000remember\u3000that\u3000you\u3000spoke\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000reassured\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000equally\u3000sure\u3000he’ll\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000look\u3000favorably\u3000upon\u3000you\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000when\u3000the\u3000time\u3000es\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000leer\uff1b\u3000tongue\u3000lolling\u3000as\u3000it\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Its\u3000goatlike\u3000horns\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000a\u3000satyr\u2026if\u3000one\u3000discounted\u3000the\u3000misshapen\u3000body\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000remaining\u3000pincer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shuddered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003Speak\u3000the\u3000release\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let\u3000Belshazu\u3000find\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000in\u3000his\u3000own\u3000time\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000melts\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u2026as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000you\u3000are\u3000safely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000Careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000get\u3000within\u3000range\u3000of\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000pincer\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000skated\u3000around\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000back\u3000up\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000others\u3000stood\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000then\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Where’s\u3000Ryld\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000already\u3000fought\u3000off\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000and\u3000risen\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000heard\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000noise\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000behind\u3000us\u3002\u3000Just\u3000before\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000freed\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000went\u3000to\u3000see\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000should\u3000have\u3000e\u3000back\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000worry\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000loped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000crossbow\u3000bolt\u3002\u3000He\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000his \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ded\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000twitching\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Blood\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000grunted\u3002\u3000\u3003Ryld’s\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000go\u3000after\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000started\u3000up\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000finished\u3000here\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000point\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000will\u3000either\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000to\u3000us\u3000or\u3000he\u3000won’t\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000or\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000this\u3000dead\u3000end\u3002\u3000That\u3000bolt\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000surface\u3000elf\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grudgingly\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Even\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000to\u3000them\u3000eventually\u3002\u3000Yet\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000absence\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pointed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000keenly\u3002\u3000With\u3000Ryld\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000group\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Or\u3000to\u3000banter\u3000with\u3002\u3000If\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000miss\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000for\u3000days\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000quite\u3000finished\u3000lolling\u3000about\uff1b\u3000then\u3000get\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000find\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000hissing\u3000with\u3000derisive\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000followed\u3000Valas\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000growled\u3000one\u3000last\u3000time\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3000then\u3000loped\u3000after\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000see\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000bent\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000Danifae\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000calculating\u3000look\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000deciding\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000vent\u3000her\u3000pent\u2026up\u3000anger\u3000upon\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3000rise\u3002\u3000He\u3000supported\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000before\u3000hurrying\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belshazu\u3000shook\u3000its\u3000remaining\u3000pincer\u3000at\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000see\u3000you\u3000again\uff1b\u3000mage\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000roared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000chuckled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000scrambled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003When\u3000Hell\u3000unfreezes\uff1b\u3000Belshazu\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Which\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unlikely\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000since\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000just\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000permanency\u3000spell\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000ice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Six
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000surface\u3000world\u3000was\u3000cloaked\u3000in\u3000darkness\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Ryld\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000traveled\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000after\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000A\u3000full\u3000moon\u3000hung\u3000above\u3000the\u3000tree\u2026tops\uff1b\u3000half\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000clouds\u3000but\u3000still\u3000casting\u3000so\u3000much\u3000light\u3000that\u3000it\u3000impeded\u3000his\u3000darkvision\u3002\u3000The\u3000snow\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000temple\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000footprints\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000out\u3000those\u3000belonging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000and\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Jaelre\u3002\u3000They\u3000led\u3000in\u3000one\u3000direction\u3000only\u2026into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000The\u3000escaped\u3000cleric\u3000hadn’t\u3000returned\u3000that\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000more\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Jaelre’s\u3000warriors\u3000might\u3000be\u3000lurking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000none\uff1b\u3000he\u3000crept\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000melodic\u3000whistle\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tune\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000negated\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000had\u3000rendered\u3000her\u3000invisible\u3000and\u3000rushed\uff1b\u3000over\u3000to\u3000embrace\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000weren’t\u3000ing\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000why\u3000she’d\u3000doubted\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000against\u3000his\uff1b\u3000kissing\u3000him\u3002\u3000For\u3000several\u3000long\u3000moments\u3000he\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000embrace\uff1b\u3000feverishly\u3000drinking\u3000in\u3000her\u3000scent\u3000and\u3000taste\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000alive\uff01\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000he’d\u3000killed\u2026and\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000who\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000stay\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003House\u3000Jaelre\u3000is\u3000on\u3000our\u3000trail\u3002\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000scouting\u3000parties\u3000below\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000surprising\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000just\u3000after\u3000sunset\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000some\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000drawn\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000find\u3000me\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000they\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000after\u3000finding\u3000my\u3000gloves\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000whispered\u3000fiercely\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000need\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000them\u3000now\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000draw\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000reacting\u3000to\u3000his\u3000words\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000that\u3000had\u3000prompted\u3000the\u3000gasp\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000Turning\u3000her\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000puncture\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000ended\u3002\u3000The\u3000wound\u3000had\u3000been\u3000healed\u2026probably\u3000by\u3000magic\u2026but\u3000freshly\u3000so\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000still\u3000pained\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000got\u3000your\u3000gloves\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stirges\u3002\u3000Dozens\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they’re\u3000dead\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000blasted\u3000them\u3000with\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000then\u3000made\u3000myself\u3000invisible\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003With\u3000your\u3000lyre\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000grinned\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000blinked\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Has\u3000Lolth\u3000reawakened\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000laughed\u3000scornfully\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000check\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000awake\uff1b\u3000Lolth\uff1f\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000see\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Smiling\u3000fiercely\uff1b\u3000she\u3000made\u3000a\u3000blasphemous\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000flipping\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000palm\u2026up\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000curled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000spider\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000cringed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000several\u3000heartbeats\u3000later\uff1b\u3000when\u3000nothing\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slowly\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000relax\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000she’d\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000cleric\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000found\u3000a\u3000new\u3000way\u3000to\u3000work\u3000my\u3000magic\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000my\u3000lyre\u2026or\u3000Lolth\u2026any\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000disturbed\u3000not\u3000so\u3000much\u3000by\u3000her\u3000blasphemy\u3000but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000what\u3000would\u3000follow\u3002\u3000Above\u3000them\u3000hung\u3000the\u3000moon\u2026symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000god\u3000who\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000Lolth\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Arvandor\u3002\u3000Was\u3000Halisstra\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000claimed\u3000by\u3000Corellon\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000surface\u3000gods\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Trying\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000his\u3000own\u3000question\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creator\u3000god’s\u3000temple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000get\u3000moving\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000more\u3000harshly\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000intended\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000place\u3000is\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000motion\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000caught\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Be\u3000still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000that\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000had\u3000walked\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000without\u3000hearing\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pattering\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000that\u3000was\u3000melting\u3000the\u3000slush\u3000underfoot\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000ahead\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000an\u3000animal’s\u3000howl\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000answered\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000later\u3000by\u3000a\u3000second\u3000howl\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000that\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000brief\uff1b\u3000excited\u3000yips\u3002\u3000The\u3000yips\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pattern\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000like\u3000that\u3000of\u3000speech\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There’re\u3000at\u3000least\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000signed\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000but\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rising\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000slanting\u3000in\u3000through\u3000a\u3000crack\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000cloud\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000was\u3000ruining\u3000his\u3000darkvision\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000she\u3000signaled\uff1b\u3000They’re\u3000ing\u3000our\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\u3002\u3000And\u3000they’re\u3000moving\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000but\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000He\u3000listened\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000high\u2026pitched\u3000yelp\u3000of\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000not\u3000hunting\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000fleeing\u3000from\u3000something\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000grim\u3000look\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000wet\u3000hair\u3000dripping\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3000of\u3000her\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Curiously\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000ready\u3000it\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000reversed\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Levitate\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000with\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Hide\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000and\u3000blew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000haunting\u3000music\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000she\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000there\u3000was\u3000by\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000no\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000marked\u3000where\u3000she\u3000stood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000howls\u3000and\u3000yips\u3000drew\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3002\u3000He\u3000rose\u3000silently\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000through\u3000sodden\u3000tree\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3000at\u3000a\u3000height\u3000of\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000paces\u3000and\u3000readied\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000or\u3000two\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000rustling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000underbrush\u3002\u3000An\u3000enormous\u3000gray\u2026furred\u3000animal\u3000that\u3000walked\u3000on\u3000four\u3000spindly\u3000legs\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000running\u3000full\u3000out\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tongue\u3000lolling\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3002\u3000It\u3000glanced\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\u3000as\u3000it\u3000ran\u2026not\u3000with\u3000the\u3000terror\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000creature\u3000but\u3000with\u3000a\u3000keen\u3000intelligence\u3000as\u3000if\u3000seeking\u3000somewhere\u3000to\u3000hide\u3002\u3000It\u3000yipped\u3000once\uff1b\u3000was\u3000answered\u3000by\u3000a\u3000panion\u3000still\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000away\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000then\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000have\u3000shot\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000but\u3000had\u3000not\u3002\u3000He\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000bolt\u3000for\u3000whatever\u3000was\u3000chasing\u3000the\u3000carnivore\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000long\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000something\u3000big\u3000crashing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000with\u3000stumbling\u3000steps\u3002\u3000From\u3000its\u3000gait\uff1b\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000human\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000branches\u3000and\u3000the\u3000huffing\u3000grunts\u3000Ryld\u3000guessed\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000much\u3000larger\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000tree\u3000in\u3000half\u3000with\u3000one\u3000careless\u3000swipe\u3000of\u3000its\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000troll\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Twice\u3000the\u3000height\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000five\u3000times\u3000as\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000had\u3000a\u3000mottled\uff1b\u3000gray\u2026green\u3000hide\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000splotchy\u3000gray\u3000lumps\u3002\u3000It\u3000loped\u3000along\u3000on\u3000misshapen\uff1b\u3000three\u2026toed\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000its\u3000rubbery\u3000arms\u3000so\u3000long\u3000that\u3000its\u3000knuckles\u3000made\u3000drag\u3000marks\u3000through\u3000the\u3000slush\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Greenish\u2026black\u3000hair\u3000grew\u3000from\u3000its\u3000sloping\u3000forehead\u3000down\u3000its\u3000back\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tangled\uff1b\u3000dirty\u3000mane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000steady\u3000rain\u3000its\u3000body\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000smell\u3000somewhere\u3000between\u3000human\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000or\u3000rothe\u3000manure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000as\u3000it\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000streams\u3000of\u3000drool\u3000sliding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000a\u3000panting\u3000mouth\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000broken\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000refrained\u3000from\u3000shooting\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000The\u3000bolt\u3000would\u3000do\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000annoy\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000and\u3000alert\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000having\u3000caught\u3000its\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000got\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000run\u3000again\u3002\u3000Then\u3000its\u3000head\u3000suddenly\u3000whipped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000nostrils\u3000flared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff01\u3000Watch\u3000out\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000shouted\u2026more\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000attention\u3000than\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000fired\u3002\u3000The\u3000bolt\u3000whizzed\u3000toward\u3000its\u3000target\u3000but\u3000glanced\u3000off\u3000a\u3000branch\u3000just\u3000before\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000burying\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000monst \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000fired\u3002\u3000The\u3000bolt\u3000whizzed\u3000toward\u3000its\u3000target\u3000but\u3000glanced\u3000off\u3000a\u3000branch\u3000just\u3000before\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000burying\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000intended\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000sliced\u3000a\u3000furrow\u3000across\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000graze\u3000mended\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000troll\uff1b\u3000having\u3000scented\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000raked\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3000with\u3000long\u3000sweeps\u3000of\u3000its\u3000clawed\u3000hands\u3002\u3000It\u3000must\u3000have\u3000e\u3000unfortably\u3000close\uff1b\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000Halisstra\u3000became\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000her\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000slashing\u3000forward\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Stupidly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000parried\u3000with\u3000its\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000of\u3000its\u3000fingers\u3000went\u3000flying\u3002\u3000They\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000wriggling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slush\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000struck\u3000with\u3000its\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000raking\u3000it\u3000across\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000stopped\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000from\u3000penetrating\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000sent\u3000Halisstra\u3000stumbling\u3000backward\u3002\u3000She\u3000slipped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slushy\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000went\u3000down\u3002\u3000Sensing\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000lunged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3000did\u3000Halisstra\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000troll’s\u3000teeth\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shield\uff1b\u3000crumpling\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000shook\u3000its\u3000head\uff1b\u3000wrenching\u3000the\u3000shield\u3000from\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Pinned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000by\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000kneeling\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000into\u3000play\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Negating\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000plunged\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000branches\u3002\u3000He\u3000landed\u3000perfectly\u3000braced\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ready\u3000posture\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000Splitter\u3000in\u3000one\u3000smooth\u3000motion\u3000from\u3000the\u3000scabbard\u3000at\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Putting\u3000all\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000his\u3000will\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000slice\u3000cleanly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000cleaving\u3000it\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000flew\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000blinking\u3000stupidly\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000landed\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000headless\u3000body\u3000reared\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000opened\u3000its\u3000stomach\u3000with\u3000a\u3000second\u3000sword\u3000swing\uff1b\u3000spilling\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000entrails\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000headless\uff1b\u3000disemboweled\u3000troll\u3000finally\u3000stumbled\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000gasping\uff1b\u3000rain\u3000spattering\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Worried\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000be\u3000in\u3000immediate\u3000need\u3000of\u3000healing\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026and\u3000was\u3000slammed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000by\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000he\u3000should\u3000have\u3000anticipated\u3002\u3000Rolling\u3000quickly\u3000away\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000was\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000stumbled\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000holding\u3000its\u3000head\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stump\u3000of\u3000its\u3000severed\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000rake\u3000Ryld\u3000with\u3000its\u3000claws\u3002\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000flipped\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000those\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000flaps\u3000of\u3000sinew\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ropy\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000quest\u3000up\u3000like\u3000sentient\u3000worms\u3000to\u3000hook\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000Swifter\u3000almost\u3000than\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000could\u3000follow\uff1b\u3000they\u3000stitched\u3000the\u3000head\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000body\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000entrails\u3000that\u3000had\u3000spilled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000slashed\u3000belly\u3000sucked\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000stomach\u3000wound\u3002\u3000Already\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000that\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000blow\u3000had\u3000sliced\u3000off\u3000earlier\u3000were\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000back\u3002\u3000Knobs\u3000of\u3000pinkish\u2026gray\u3000flesh\u3000pulsed\u3000outward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000severed\u3000digits\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Leaping\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000neck\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000monster\uff1b\u3000unlike\u3000him\uff1b\u3000anticipated\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000It\u3000ducked\u2026startlingly\u3000fast\u2026then\u3000lunged\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000wrapped\u3000a\u3000rubbery\u3000hand\u3000around\u3000Ryld’s\u3000own\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000bone\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crack\u3000and\u3000gasped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000incredible\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000was\u3000missing\u3000two\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000its\u3000fist\u3000was\u3000crushing\u3000his\u3002\u3000The\u3000troll\u3000jerked\u3000Splitter\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000was\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000broad\u3000back\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000making\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000flutelike\u3000noises\u3000as\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000monster\u3000grunted\u3000with\u3000each\u3000stroke\u3000like\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000under\u3000the\u3000lash\u3000but\u3000otherwise\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000cuts\u3000in\u3000its\u3000back\u3002\u3000Whirling\uff1b\u3000it\u3000backhanded\u3000her\u3000away\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000staggering\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000heart\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000buried\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000rubbery\u3000chest\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000was\u3000not\u3000slowed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000hand\u3000whipped\u3000out\u3000with\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000and\u3000wrapped\u3000itself\u3000around\u3000Ryld’s\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Powerful\u3000fingers\u3000tightened\u3000against\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000choking\u3000off\u3000his\u3000breathing\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000flowing\u3000into\u3000his\u3000body\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dragon\u2026shaped\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000hardened\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3000against\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000claws\u2026but\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000His\u3000windpipe\u3000had\u3000already\u3000squeezed\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Abandoning\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000still\u3000hilt\u2026deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drove\u3000stiffened\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000what\u3000would\u3000have\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000been\u3000a\u3000crippling\u3000pressure\u3000point\u2026then\u3000he\u3000winced\u3002\u3000He\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000have\u3000driven\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000solid\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000charged\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fray\u3000and\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000slice\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000its\u3000ankle\u3002\u3000It\u3000stumbled\u3000but\u3000quickly\u3000found\u3000its\u3000footing\uff1b\u3000balancing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stump\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000rewarded\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rake\u3000of\u3000claws\u3000that\u3000snagged\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000a\u3000link\u3000from\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000shouted\u3000at\u3000her\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000he\u3000could\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Flee\uff01\u3000I\u3000am\u3000finished\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000leave\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000lunged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000attacking\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000with\u3000a\u3000furious\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000blows\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000observing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000a\u3000master\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000stance\uff1b\u3000inadvertently\u3000exposing\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000what\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000fatal\u3000rake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000claws\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Though\u3000Ryld\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000watching\u3000with\u3000the\u3000detachment\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000knows\u3000he\u3000is\u3000about\u3000to\u3000die\u3000and\u3000can\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000emotion\u3000fill\u3000him\u3000in\u3000that\u3000impossibly\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000between\u3000two\u3000fading\u3000heartbeats\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sadness\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000infinite\u3000loss\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000because\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000but\u3000because\u3000her\u3000death\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000something\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000only\u3000just\u3000discovered\uff1a\u3000true\u3000friendship\u2026perhaps\u3000even\u3000love\u3002\u3000The\u3000kind\u3000that\u3000would\u3000cause\u3000a\u3000person\u3000to\u3000willingly\u3000sacrifice\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hopeless\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000save\u3000another\u3002\u3000As\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000met\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3000the\u3000same\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u2026and\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000he’d\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1a\u3000trust\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000female\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000her\u3000silver\u2026white\u3000hair\u3000plastered\u3000against\u3000her\u3000face\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rain\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000that\u3000was\u3000hung\u3000with\u3000a\u3000large\u3000silver\u3000disk\u3000and\u3000a\u3000curved\u3000hunter’s\u3000horn\u3002\u3000She\u3000moved\u3000at\u3000a\u3000full\u2026out\u3000sprint\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000above\u3000her\u3000head\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000whose\u3000blade\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000leaping\u3000silver\u3000flames\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000piercing\uff1b\u3000high\u2026pitched\u3000shout\u3000that\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000single\u3000note\u3000in\u3000a\u3000song\uff1b\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000true\uff1b\u3000she\u3000slashed\u3000down\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000bit\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000flared\u3002\u3000Silver\u3000fire\u3000spread\u3000instantly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000He\u3000winced\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000burned\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000heat\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000anticipating\u3000never\u3000came\u3002\u3000The\u3000flames\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000emit\u3000song\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000to\u3000their\u3000own\u3000rhythm\u3000as\u3000they\u3000licked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000rubbery\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Bellowing\uff1b\u3000its\u3000flesh\u3000blackening\u3000under\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000sagged\u3000to\u3000its\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000able\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000again\u3000as\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000hand\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000from\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000gasped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lungful\u3000of\u3000air\u3002\u3000Though\u3000fouled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000tasted\u3000so\u3000sweet\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000dumbfounded\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000troll’s\u3000body\u3000crumpled\u3000in\u3000on\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000silvery\u3000flames\u3000destroying\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000heartbeats\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000drow\u2026obviously\u3000a\u3000mage\u3000or\u3000a\u3000cleric\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000one\u3002\u3000He\u3000bowed\u3000deeply\u3000before\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000saved\u3000both\u3000our\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000trailed\u3000off\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3000with\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000surprise\u2026and\u3000bitter\u3000anger\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000finally\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000disk\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000at\u3000her\u3000waist\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000set\u3000against\u3000a\u3000haloed\u3000circle\u3002\u3000The\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Seyll’s\u3000armor\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000cleric\u3000said\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000blazing\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000stranger\u3000wrenched\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000a\u3000single\uff1b\u3000prolonged\u3000note\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000horns\u3000of\u3000her\u3000fellow\u3000hunters\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Seven
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000leaned\u3000over\u3000the\u3000map\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mine\uff1b\u3000its\u3000corners\u3000weighted\u3000with\u3000jagged\uff1b\u3000fist\u2026sized\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000silver\u3002\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000with\u3000his\u3000rapier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000spider\u3000we\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000has\u3000two\u3000heads\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000told\u3000the\u3000five\u3000others\u2026three\u3000duergar\u3000and\u3000two\u3000demons\u2026that\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3000\u3003Cut\u3000off\u3000either\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000body\u3000dies\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000point\u3000of\u3000his\u3000blade\u3000pricked\u3000the\u3000southern\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000head\u3000is\u3000here\uff1a\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\uff1b\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000where\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3000stands\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000rapier\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000where\u3000a\u3000smaller\u3000cavern\u3000bulged\u3000off\u3000the\u3000main\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000other\u3000is\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000houses\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000important\u3000institutions\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1a\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000most\u3000importantly\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000great\u3000temple\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tough\u3000stones\u3000to\u3000crack\uff1b\u3000both\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Horgar\uff1b\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000Nimor’s\u3000left\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000prince\u3000came\u3000barely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000draw’s\u3000waist\u3000but\u3000had\u3000wider\u3000shoulders\u3000than\u3000the\u3000slender\u3000Nimor\u3002\u3000He\u3000scowled\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000absently\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000bald\u3000head\u3000with\u3000stubby\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000His\u3000two\u3000guards\u2026duergar\u3000like\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scar\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000from\u3000chin\u3000to\u3000ear\u3000along\u3000the\u3000cheekbone\u2026kept\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000ey \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n g\u3000the\u3000cheekbone\u2026kept\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000half\u2026demons\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000map\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quite\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Crown\u3000Prince\uff1b\u3003\u3000replied\u3000Nimor\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000is\u3000why\u3000I\u3000want\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000A\u3000frontal\u3000assault\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000from\u3000the\u3000north\u3002\u3000Your\u3000troops\u3000will\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000siege\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000use\u3000catapults\u3000to\u3000lob\u3000stonefire\u3000bombs\u3000into\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000reducing\u3000them\u3000to\u3000a\u3000smoking\u3000ruin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Easily\u3000said\uff1b\u3003\u3000Horgar\u3000challenged\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000not\u3000easily\u3000done\u3002\u3000That\u3000tunnel\u3000will\u3000be\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000jade\u3000spiders\u3002\u3000We\u3000may\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000our\u3000way\u3000through\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000but\u3000not\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Chuckling\uff1b\u3000Nimor\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000flat\u3000ovals\u3000of\u3000green\u3000jade\uff1b\u3000each\u3000pierced\u3000by\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000through\u3000which\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000had\u3000been\u3000threaded\u3000and\u3000inscribed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000name\u3002\u3000Holding\u3000them\u3000by\u3000their\u3000chains\uff1b\u3000Nimor\u3000jiggled\u3000them\u3000so\u3000they\u3000tinkled\u3000together\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thanks\u3000to\u3000an\u3000associate\u3000who’s\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000able\u3000to\u3000guarantee\u3000you\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000problem\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scarred\u3000prince\u3000snorted\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003And\u3000where\u3000will\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000be\u3000while\u3000we’re\u3000making\u3000our\u3000attack\uff1f\u3000Bravely\u3000bringing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000elicited\u3000a\u3000growl\u3000from\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1b\u3000who\u3000bared\u3000perfect\u3000teeth\u3000and\u3000thumped\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rune\u2026inscribed\u3000sword\u3000he\u3000held\u3000against\u3000his\u3000golden\u3000breastplate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000Scoured\u3000Legion\u3000could\u3000outfight\u3000your\u3000mushroom\u2026men\u3000any\u3000day\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000angrily\u3000across\u3000the\u3000map\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scarred\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\uff1b\u3000even\u3000our\u3000orcs\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000tug\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000from\u3000Aliisza\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3000in\u3000mid\u3000bluster\u3002\u3000He\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000but\u3000listened\u3000as\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slowly\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Gentlemen\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Hear\u3000me\u3000out\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Vhok\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Scoured\u3000Legion\u3000will\u3000indeed\u3000be\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000rake\u3000Donigarten\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000food\u3000and\u3000water\u3000supply\uff1b\u3000then\u3000fall\u3000upon\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000from\u3000the\u3000east\u3002\u3000That\u3000will\u3000cause\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000their\u3000defenders\u3000south\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000to\u3000take\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000north\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000One\u3000pany\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000must\u3000march\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000spread\u3000amongst\u3000their\u3000ranks\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000that\u3000our\u3000force\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000is\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000First\u3000House\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Vhok\u3000narrowed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000distraction\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000assured\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000twinkle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000also\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000at\u3000victory\u2026an\u3000excellent\u3000chance\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000taken\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000take\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000with\u3000a\u3000little\u3000surprise\u3000that\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000planned\u3000for\u3000its\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3000Once\u3000Triel\u3000is\u3000eliminated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000females\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000will\u3000begin\u3000vying\u3000for\u3000her\u3000throne\u3002\u3000The\u3000panies\u3000each\u3000mands\u3000will\u3000begin\u3000fighting\u3000each\u3000other\u2026which\u3000will\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000about\u3000something\u3000so\u3000insignificant\u3000as\u3000defending\u3000their\u3000city\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003When\u3000the\u3000other\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000see\u3000Baenre\u3000in\u3000disarray\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000sense\u3000its\u3000weakness\u3000and\u3000strike\u3002\u3000One\u3000or\u3000more\u3000of\u3000them\u3000will\u3000try\u3000to\u3000usurp\u3000Baenre’s\u3000position\u3000as\u3000First\u3000House\u3002\u3000While\u3000they’re\u3000busy\u3000fighting\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000Vhok’s\u3000troops\u3000can\u3000swoop\u3000in\u3000and\u3000seize\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Vhok\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003An\u3000interesting\u3000theory\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000just\u3000theory\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000countered\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000brushed\u3000rock\u3000dust\u3000off\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000his\u3000immaculately\u3000tailored\u3000gray\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000drow\u3000nature\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000like\u3000spiders\u3000reacting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000twitching\u3000of\u3000a\u3000web\u3002\u3000When\u3000we\u3000think\u3000we\u3000have\u3000our\u3000prey\u3000at\u3000our\u3000mercy\uff1b\u3000we\u3000strike\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Only\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000prey\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000will\u3000fall\u3002\u3000I\u3000guarantee\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000coldly\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000brought\u3000before\u3000her\uff1a\u3000a\u3000young\u3000male\u3000drow\u3002\u3000He\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000her\u3000audience\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000wrists\u3000bound\u3000tightly\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000ankles\u3000likewise\u3000tied\u3000above\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3002\u3000His\u3000black\u3000pants\u3000and\u3000shirt\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000tatters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slashes\u3000revealing\u3000a\u3000myriad\u3000of\u3000lacerations\u3000that\u3000dribbled\u3000blood\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000hair\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000had\u3000been\u3000burned\u3000down\u3000to\u3000stubble\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000face\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000blisters\u3002\u3000One\u3000eye\u3000was\u3000fused\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000its\u3000eyelid\u3000blistered\u3000and\u3000weeping\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000other\u3000glared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Triel\u3000with\u3000undiminished\u3000defiance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000crinkled\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000burned\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000toyed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000perfectly\u3000balanced\u3000throwing\u3000dagger\u2026the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fellow’s\u3000bandoleer\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000captured\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tingle\u3000it\u3000sent\u3000through\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000magic\u2026as\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000blades\u3000that\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000four\u3000of\u3000her\u3000elite\u3000guard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000an\u3000assassin’s\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000observed\uff1b\u3000handing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000females\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\uff1a\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000who\u3000attended\u3000her\u3000at\u3000all\u3000times\uff1b\u3000magical\u3000shields\u3000and\u3000maces\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000third\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guard\u2026an\u3000officer\u2026stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000conclude\u3000her\u3000report\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000intruder\u3000was\u3000captured\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000level\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000your\u3000private\u3000quarters\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000happening\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000freshly\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000for\u3000inspection\u3002\u3000Her\u3000adamantine\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000was\u3000a\u3000glossy\u3000black\uff1b\u3000her\u3000long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000neatly\u3000braided\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000rigid\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000a\u3000polished\u3000mace\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000each\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000Five\u3000black\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000embroidered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000of\u3000her\u3000silver\u3000tunic\uff1b\u3000proclaimed\u3000her\u3000rank\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000he\u3000get\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000let\u3000the\u3000sentence\u3000trail\u3000off\uff1b\u3000an\u3000obvious\u3000invitation\u3000for\u3000a\u3000name\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Captain\u3000Maignith\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000Triel’s\u3000eyes\u3000for\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000time\u3000that\u3000was\u3000appropriate\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000in\u3000through\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000doors\u3002\u3000I\u3000questioned\u3000the\u3000guards\u2026thoroughly\u3002\u3000All\u3000were\u3000at\u3000their\u3000posts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000are\u3000still\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000slip\u3000past\u3000us\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000in\u3000from\u3000above\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000said\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Maignith\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000a\u3000second\u3000officer\u2026a\u3000lieutenant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lizard\u3000riders\u2026who\u3000stood\u3000several\u3000paces\u3000farther\u3000back\uff1b\u3000as\u3000befitted\u3000a\u3000male\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000tight\u2026fitting\uff1b\u3000padded\u3000leather\u3000breeches\u3000and\u3000a\u3000piwafwi\u3000trimmed\u3000in\u3000silver\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000his\u3000plumed\u3000silver\u3000helmet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crook\u3000of\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000looking\u3000Triel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000I\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000My\u3000riders\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000wall\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000stammered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000shift\u3000of\u3000words\u3000with\u3000amusement\u3002\u3000A\u3000magic\u3000earring\u3000told\u3000her\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000the\u3000truth\u2026as\u3000he\u3000believed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000echoing\u3000quaver\u3000that\u3000acpanied\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000toyed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000handle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000twin\u3000to\u3000the\u3000one\u3000carried\u3000by\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000hissed\u3000softly\u3000in\u3000anticipation\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000her\u3000desire\u3002\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u3000deserved\u3000punishment\u2026and\u3000would\u3000receive\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000due\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\u3000and\u3000fetch\u3000your\u3000lizard\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u3000hesitated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000too\u3000long\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mix\u3000of\u3000relief\u3000and\u3000puzzlement\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000remembering\u3000his\u3000place\uff1b\u3000he\u3000bowed\u3000deeply\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captive\u3000smirked\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000the\u3000concern\u3000his\u3000intrusion\u3000had\u3000caused\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000liking\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000braided\u3000iron\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000The\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000was\u3000set\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000white\u3000feather\uff1b\u3000which\u3000she\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000captive\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000mand\u3000word\uff1b\u3000No\u3000visible\u3000force\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000instantaneous\u3002\u3000The\u3000captive\u3000screamed\u2026a\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000acute\u3000terror\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u2026and\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Had\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000been\u3000free\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000have\u3000wrapped\u3000them\u3000around\u3000his\u3000legs\u3002\u3000He\u3000rocked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000whimpering\u3002\u3000When\u3000Maignith\u3000nudged\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000toe\u3000of\u3000her\u3000boot\u3000he\u3000screamed\u3000anew\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000away\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000stain\u3000of\u3000pungent\u3000urine\u3000among\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000spatters\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000wasting\u3000her\u3000time\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000other\u3000matters\u3000in\u3000need\u3000of\u3000her\u3000attention\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000tanarukks\u3000and\u3000other\uff1b\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3000were\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000assault\u3000the\u3000city\u3000proper\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000her\u3000war\u3000room\uff1b\u3000municating\u3000with\u3000the\u3000officers\u3000who\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000invaders\u3000at\u3000bay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000assassination\u3000attempt\u3000on\u3000her\u2026not\u3000nearly\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u2026and\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000who\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sisters\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000a\u3000better\u3000job\u3000as\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000Triel\u3000need\u3000to\u3000strengthen\u3000her\u3000defenses\u3000from\u3000within\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000had\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000been\u3000sent\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000noble\u3000Houses\uff1f\u3000House\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3000That\u3000seemed\u3000unlikely\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000second\u2026ranking\u3000House\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000badly\u3000off\u3000as\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000just\u3000then\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000disastrous\u3000battle\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Pillars\u3000of\u3000Woe\uff1b\u3000Mez’Barris\u3000Armgo\u3000had\u3000e\u3000straggling\u3000back\u3000with\u3000what\u3000remained\u3000of\u3000her\u3000forces\u2026and\u3000the\u3000sorry\u3000tale\u3000of\u3000how\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000up\u3000a\u3000side\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000one\u2026quarter\u3000of\u3000their\u3000forces\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000their\u3000wagon\u3000trains\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000to\u3000return\u3000with\u3000his\u3000lizard\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thronelike\u3000chair\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3002\u3000Shaped\u3000like\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000spider\u3000and\u3000forged\u3000from\u3000solid\u3000adamantine\uff1b\u3000it\u3000balanced\u3000on\u3000eight\u3000curved\u3000legs\u3002\u3000The\u3000chair\u3000had\u3000been\u3000imbued\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000least\u3000of\u3000which\u3000was\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000symbol\u3000that\u3000would\u3000instantly\u3000turn\u3000any\u3000attack\u3000directed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000back\u3000upon\u3000whomever\u3000had\u3000been\u3000foolish\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000initiate\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000chair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000disturbingly\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000stil \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ir\u3000was\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000disturbingly\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000still\u3000functioned\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000was\u3000powered\u3000by\u3000wizardry\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Triel\u3000settled\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000chair\u2026her\u3000two\u3000personal\u3000guards\u3000shifting\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u2026she\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000archmage\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3000to\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000musty\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000lizard\u3000wafted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u3000walked\u3000in\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000his\u3000mount\u3000by\u3000the\u3000reins\u3002\u3000The\u3000lizard\u3000squeezed\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000pads\u3000on\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000making\u3000faint\u3000sucking\u3000noises\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000body\u3000twice\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000a\u3000drow\u2026three\u3000times\u3000as\u3000long\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000lashing\u3000tail\u3000was\u3000counted\u2026it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000formidable\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Its\u3000leathery\u3000skin\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sparkling\u3000blue\u3000luminescence\u3000that\u3000faintly\u3000illuminated\u3000the\u3000otherwise\u3000dark\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000it\u3000scuttled\u3000past\u3000the\u3000captive\uff1b\u3000tongue\u3000flickering\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\uff1b\u3000it\u3000twitched\u3000its\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000inhaling\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000scent\u3002\u3000The\u3000assassin\uff1b\u3000still\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000Triel’s\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000whimpered\u3000and\u3000cringed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000drummed\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000metal\u3000of\u3000the\u3000throne\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000making\u3000her\u3000observations\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000assassin\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalagmite\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000had\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lizards\u3000would\u3000have\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000his\u3000spoor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000relief\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Which\u3000begs\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000he\u3000get\u3000in\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lizard’s\u3000tongue\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000flicker\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\uff1b\u3000licking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000smeared\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Its\u3000round\uff1b\u3000black\u3000eyes\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000unblinking\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000captive\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000mount\u3000appears\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000observed\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000slip\u3000the\u3000muzzle\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000feed\u2026on\u3000a\u3000non\u2026essential\u3000part\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grinning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000did\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lizard\u3000twitched\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000in\u3000anticipation\uff1b\u3000its\u3000luminescent\u3000skin\u3000darkening\u3000momentarily\u3000to\u3000a\u3002\u3000deeper\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000waited\u3000tor\u3000its\u3000master’s\u3000hand\u3000signal\u3000before\u3000it\u3000sprang\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Teeth\u3000cracked\u3000through\u3000bone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000crunch\uff1b\u3000severing\u3000the\u3000assassin’s\u3000bound\u3000legs\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ankles\u3002\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000screamed\u3000once\u3000as\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000disappeared\u3000down\u3000the\u3000lizard’s\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000fainted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grabbing\u3000the\u3000lizard’s\u3000reins\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000looked\u3000dispassionately\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000was\u3000pumping\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Staunch\u3000those\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Obediently\uff1b\u3000Maignith\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassin’s\u3000severed\u3000ankles\u3000with\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mace\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000possessed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000head\u3000to\u3000flare\u3000brightly\uff1b\u3000cauterizing\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3000sizzling\uff1b\u3000Maignith\u3000grabbed\u3000what\u3000remained\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassins\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000bent\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000slapped\u3000him\u3000awake\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000assassin’s\u3000one\u3000functional\u3000eyelid\u3000fluttered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000opened\u3002\u3000His\u3000burned\u3000face\uff1b\u3000once\u3000a\u3000throbbing\u3000red\uff1b\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000gray\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000live\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000recovered\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000what\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000croaked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000necessarily\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000obviously\u3000have\u3000some\u3000talent\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000as\u3000close\u3000to\u3000my\u3000quarters\u3000as\u3000you\u3000did\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000I’ll\u3000recruit\u3000you\u3000for\u3000my\u3000House\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003With\u3000no\u3000feet\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000regenerative\u3000magic\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000any\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000said\uff1b\u3000wincing\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000yanking\u3000out\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shrieked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Blasphemer\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000lashed\uff1b\u3000hissing\u3000their\u3000fury\u3002\u3000How\u3000dare\u3000this\u3000male\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000her\u3000like\u3000that\uff1f\u3000She\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000first\u3000in\u3000Lolth’s\u3000favor\u3000and\u3000who\u3000was\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000A\u3000distant\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000recognized\u3000that\u3000fear\u3000was\u3000driving\u3000her\u3000fury\u3002\u3000The\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000a\u3000report\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000filling\u3000her\u3000with\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000increasing\u3000as\u3000each\u3000cycle\u3000passed\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000Lolth\u3000awoke\u3000from\u3000her\u3000silence\u3000and\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000not\u3000punished\u3000the\u3000male\u3000for\u3000his\u3000insolence\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000Triel\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000being\u3000goaded\u3002\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000her\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000what\u3000attack\u3000he\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000mount\uff1b\u3000wounded\u3000and\u3000bound\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000rope\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000survived\u3000so\u3000many\u3000centuries\u3000by\u3000underestimating\u3000her\u3000foes\u3002\u3000She\u3000stroked\u3000each\u3000or\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000soothe\u3000them\u2026and\u3000herself\u2026then\u3000she\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lolth’s\u3000grace\u3000might\u3000be\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Triel’s\u3000reach\u2026for\u3000the\u3000moment\u2026but\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000other\u3000magical\u3000abilities\u3000at\u3000her\u3000disposal\u3002\u3000She\u3000used\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000into\u3000a\u3000husky\uff1b\u3000seductive\u3000tone\u3000that\u3000vibrated\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000planting\u3000a\u3000suggestion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000captives\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000who\u3000sent\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000another\u3000House\uff1b\u3000she’s\u3000safe\u3000enough\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000about\u3000to\u3000waste\u3000my\u3000troops\u3000in\u3000striking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000this\u3000siege\u3000on\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000my\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000as\u3000much\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000serving\u3000me\u3000as\u3000you\u3000do\u3000by\u3000serving\u3000her\u3002\u3000So\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000who\u3000hired\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000no\u3000mere\u3000hireling\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000gritted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ah\uff1b\u3000pride\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000work\u3000with\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000who\u2026and\u3000what\u2026you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000share\u3000this\u3000information\u3000with\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Surely\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000about\u3000yourself\u3000won’t\u3000betray\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000who\u3000sent\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000serve\u3000no\u3000female\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003Nor\u3000will\u3000any\u3000male\uff1b\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3002\u3000The\u3000Masked\u3000Lord\u3000will\u3000see\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000ripple\u3000of\u3000tension\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000room\u3000as\u3000the\u3000officers\u3000and\u3000guards\u3000reacted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000name\u3002\u3000With\u3000an\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000information\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000let\u3000slip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Vhaeraun’s\u3000worship\u3000was\u3000strictly\u3000forbidden\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Admitting\u3000to\u3000it\u3000was\u3000tantamount\u3000to\u3000suicide\u2026slow\u3000suicide\uff1b\u3000since\u3000its\u3000worshipers\u3000were\u3000typically\u3000tortured\u3000to\u3000death\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000root\u3000out\u3000the\u3000names\u3000of\u3000other\u3000blasphemers\u3002\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000had\u3000just\u3000signed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000death\u3000warrant\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000any\u3000promises\u3000Triel\u3000made\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000his\u3000life\u3000would\u3000be\u3000ineffective\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000And\u3000slowly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rewarded\u3000by\u3000Vhaeraun\uff1b\u3000think\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000failed\u3000in\u3000your\u3000mission\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000be\u3000lucky\u3000if\u3000your\u3000god\u3000lifts\u3000his\u3000mask\u3000to\u3000spit\u3000upon\u3000you\u3002\u3000And\u3000your\u3000fellow\u3000conspirators\u3000are\u3000feeble\u3000and\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000just\u3000look\u3000what\u3000they\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000job\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000boy\uff1f\u3000They’re\u3000not\u3000even\u3000worth\u3000my\u3000contempt\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000assassin’s\u3000good\u3000eye\u3000blazed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Laugh\u3000while\u3000you\u3000can\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000spat\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000be\u3000weeping\u3000soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Jaezred\u3000Chaulssin\u3000e\u3000to\u3000call\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pondered\u3000the\u3000name\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000an\u3000organization\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u2026perhaps\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000arisen\u3000during\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000rebellion\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000recently\u3000put\u3000down\u3002\u3000Could\u3000they\u3000be\u3000some\u3000ragged\u3000refugees\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000called\u3000Chaulssin\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000this\u3000Jaezred\u3000Chaulssin\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000disdainfully\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000obviously\u3000as\u3000inconsequential\u3000as\u3000they\u3000are\u3000ineffective\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captive\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000croaking\u3000laugh\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hardly\u3000ineffective\u3002\u3000My\u3000master\u3000brought\u3000an\u3000army\u3000to\u3000your\u3000doorstep\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000seized\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000information\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000master\u3000is\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3000then\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\uff1f\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000Much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\u3000mercenary\u3000Vhok\u3002\u3000My\u3000master\u3000has\u3000powers\u3000that\u3000you\u3000could\u3000only\u3000dream\u3000of\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000he\u3000who\u3000engineered\u3000your\u3000army’s\u3000defeat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pillars\u3000of\u3000Woe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000raised\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000did\u3000he\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000who\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000was\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000but\u3000needed\u3000confirmation\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000he’d\u3000like\u3000me\u3000to\u3000know\u3000his\u3000name\u2026to\u3000know\u3000which\u3000male\u3000dared\u3000attack\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000home\u3002\u3000Or\u3000is\u3000he\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000as\u3000all\u3000good\u3000little\u3000drow\u3000males\u3000should\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000goad\uff1b\u3000bined\u3000with\u3000Triel’s\u3000magical\u3000suggestion\uff1b\u3000tipped\u3000the\u3000balance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000master\u3000is\u3000no\u3000mere\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nimor\u3000is\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000bit\u3000off\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000revealed\u3000too\u3000much\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\uff1f\u3000Triel\u3000growled\u3002\u3000The\u3000name\u3000was\u3000unfamiliar\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000who\u3000it\u3000must\u3000be\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000Captain\u3000Zhayemd\u3000of\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3000The\u3000traitor\u3000who\u3000led\u3000the\u3000army\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000to\u3000our\u3000very\u3000doorstep\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000prisoner\u3000nodded\u3000defiantly\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Your\u3000master\uff1b\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Zhayemd\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000an\u3000assumed\u3000name\u2026had\u3000the\u3000assassin’s\u3000leader\u3000also\u3000assumed\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sixth\u3000House\uff1f\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000deeply\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr’s\u3000treachery\u3000truly\u3000lay\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Nimor\u3000persuaded\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000their\u3000allies\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000or\u3000had\u3000he\u3000the\u3000backing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000itself\uff1f\u3000An\u3000important\u3000question\uff1b\u3000since\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr’s\u3000household\u3000was\u3000under\u3000siege\u3000by\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000that\u3000could\u3000better\u3000be\u3000used\u3000to\u3000battle\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000and\u3000tanarukks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000bluff\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000your\u3000master\u3000was\u3000not\u3000an\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000before\u2026and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senior\u3000officers\u3000of\u3000that\u3000House\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Yasraena\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000allies\u3002\u3000As\u3000much\u3000as\u3000any\u3000two\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000can\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yasraena\u3000Dyrr\u3000is\u3000of\u3000no\u3000consequence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000stiffened\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000male\u3000rules\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u2026the\u3000lichdrow\u3002\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000has\u3000re\u2026established\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000order\u3000of\u3000things\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000will\u3000in\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000once\u3000this\u3000war\u3000is\u3000won\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000remembered\u3000her\u3000lieutenant\u3002\u3000Quick\u3000as\u3000a\u3000striking\u3000snake\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cracked\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000in\u3000his\u3000di \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000remembered\u3000her\u3000lieutenant\u3002\u3000Quick\u3000as\u3000a\u3000striking\u3000snake\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cracked\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Gleefully\u3000hissing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000five\u3000vipers\u3000sank\u3000their\u3000fangs\u3000into\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000The\u3000male\u3000officer\u3000stiffened\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gurgled\u3000faintly\u3000as\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000rolled\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000crashed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000stalactite\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000lizard\u3000sniffed\u3000him\u3000once\uff1b\u3000then\u3000immediately\u3000began\u3000to\u3000feed\uff1b\u3000chewing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3000with\u3000loud\u3000crunching\u3000noises\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Maignith\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000word\u3000of\u3000this\u3000to\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000hissed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Maignith\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stared\u3000meaningfully\u3000at\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000count\u3000on\u3000our\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000captive\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000delighted\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000at\u3000last\u3000succumbed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000magical\u3000suggestion\u2026he\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000even\u3000more\u3000information\u3000than\u3000she’d\u3000dared\u3000hope\u3000for\u3002\u3000Wetting\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3000scenting\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000she\u3000probed\u3000further\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Was\u3000it\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000who\u3000sent\u3000you\u3000here\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000got\u3000you\u3000inside\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000no\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Who\u3000got\u3000you\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nimor\u3000himself\u3002\u3000And\u3000though\u3000I\u3000have\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000not\u3002\u3000Your\u3000defenses\u3000are\u3000as\u3000weak\u3000as\u3000cobwebs\u3000against\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000escorted\u3000me\u3000through\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000into\u3000your\u3000’stronghold’\u3000with\u3000ease\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nimor\u3000is\u3000within\u3000these\u3000walls\uff1f\u3003\u3000Maignith\u3000gasped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000smirked\u3000and\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000Not\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Nimor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000creep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u2026the\u3000massive\u3000stalagmite\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hollowed\u3000out\u3000to\u3000form\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u2026but\u3000that\uff1b\u3000having\u3000acplished\u3000such\u3000a\u3000feat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000Why\u3000hadn’t\u3000he\u3000stayed\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000her\u3000himself\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000weaker\u3000vassal\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000do\u3000his\u3000bidding\uff1f\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000known\u3000that\u3000this\u3000man\u3000would\u3000be\u3000caught\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000assassin\u3000interrupted\u3000her\u3000musings\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pained\u3000laugh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000see\u3000Nimor’s\u3000power\u3000and\u3000majesty\u3000yourself\u3000soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000leads\u3000the\u3000final\u3000assault\u3000against\u3000this\u3000House\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000live\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000defiance\u2026and\u3000self\u2026will\u2026had\u3000never\u3000left\u3000the\u3000assassin’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000time\u3000he\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3002\u3000And\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000had\u3000slid\u3000down\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chair\u3000more\u3000than\u3000once\u2026but\u3000only\u3000when\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Guards\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Shields\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000women\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sprang\u3000into\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000thrusting\u3000their\u3000shields\u3000between\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000only\u3000visible\u3000threat\uff1a\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000shields\u3000clanged\u3000together\uff1b\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3002\u3000Searingly\u3000hot\u3000flame\u3000exploded\u3000outward\u3000from\u3000where\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000it\u3000slamming\u3000against\u3000Triel’s\u3000eardrums\u3000with\u3000such\u3000volume\u3000that\u3000it\u3000nearly\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000screams\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000whose\u3000bodies\u3000were\u3000blackening\u3000like\u3000overcooked\u3000meat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000their\u3000shields\u3000held\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000was\u3000deflected\u3000over\uff1b\u3000under\uff1b\u3000and\u3000around\u3000the\u3000chair\u3000on\u3000which\u3000Triel\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000its\u3000heat\u3000as\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000flush\u3000of\u3000warmth\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000its\u3000blast\u3000save\u3000for\u3000the\u3000shields\u3000that\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000back\u3000against\u3000her\u3000chair\u3002\u3000The\u3000throne\u3000itself\u3000had\u3000not\u3000reacted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fireball\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000within\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000the\u3000reason\u3002\u3000The\u3000attack\u3000was\u3000directed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000who’d\u3000carried\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000not\u3000at\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Nimor’s\u3000information\u2026and\u3000his\u3000guess\u3000as\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000question\u3000the\u3000failed\u3000assassin\u2026had\u3000been\u3000flawless\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000this\u3000Triel\u3000realized\u3000in\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000ear\u2026ringing\u3000silence\u3000that\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Maignith\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000guards\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000beyond\u3000recognition\u3002\u3000The\u3000lizard\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000curled\u3000and\u3000immobile\u3000in\u3000one\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000its\u3000skin\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000glowing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000assassin’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000remained\u3000but\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3000like\u3000coats\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000up\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000oily\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3000within\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000fear\u3002\u3000No\u3000wonder\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000talk\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000within\u3000range\u3000until\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000went\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000heard\u3000running\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000room\u3000door\u3002\u3000She\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000legs\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000clenching\u3000tightly\u3000to\u3000subdue\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000over\u3000the\u3000blackened\u3000husk\u3000of\u3000her\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000wincing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000burned\u2026meat\u3000smell\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000her\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000at\u3000once\u3000as\u3000she\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blackened\u3000bodies\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000panting\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she’d\u3000run\u3000some\u3000distance\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000approaches\u3000the\u3000city\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003From\u3000which\u3000direction\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Through\u3000the\u3000caverns\u3000to\u3000the\u3000southeast\u3002\u3000Our\u3000patrols\u3000have\u3000skirmished\u3000with\u3000them\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Cavern\u3000of\u3000Severed\u3000Tentacles\u3000and\u3000at\u3000Ablonsheir’s\u3000Cave\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Was\u3000it\u3000tanarukks\u3000the\u3000patrols\u3000encountered\u3000or\u3000duergar\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Both\uff1b\u3000but\u3000most\u3000tanarukks\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000what\u3000numbers\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Impossible\u3000to\u3000tell\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000armies\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000have\u3000bined\u3000and\u3000are\u3000making\u3000their\u3000way\u3000swiftly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000ground\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000a\u3000feint\u2026or\u3000an\u3000assault\u3000in\u3000force\uff1f\u3000Judging\u3000by\u3000their\u3000approach\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000and\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000aiming\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nine\u3000tunnels\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000between\u3000Donigarten\u3000Lake\u3000and\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\uff1b\u3000but\u3000which\u3000would\u3000they\u3000emerge\u3000from\uff1f\u3000And\uff1b\u3000should\u3000they\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000their\u3000target\u3000be\uff1f\u3000Under\u3000ordinary\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000have\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000attackers\u3000to\u3000push\u3000north\u3000across\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000off\u3000Donigarten\u3000and\u3000the\u3000moss\u3000beds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000main\u3000water\u3000and\u3000food\u3000sources\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000would\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000it\u3000during\u3000their\u3000siege\u3002\u3000But\u3000given\u3000the\u3000timing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassination\u3000attempt\u2026which\uff1b\u3000had\u3000it\u3000succeeded\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thrown\u3000her\u3000House\u3000into\u3000chaos\u2026perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000another\u3000target\u3002\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000stepping\u3000stone\u3000to\u3000an\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000itself\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000the\u3000main\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000would\u3000e\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000closest\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000there\u3000still\u3000time\u3000to\u3000plug\u3000the\u3000gap\uff1f\u3000She\u3000dared\u3000not\u3000mit\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000pound\u3000if\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000made\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000one\u3000other\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000pany\u3000close\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pull\u3000our\u3000troops\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003Send\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000caverns\u3000immediately\u3000below\u3000the\u3000eastern\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002\u3000Order\u3000them\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000them\u3000at\u3000all\u3000cost\u3002\u3000And\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Houses\u3000to\u3000send\u3000their\u3000troops\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000the\u3000other\u3000caverns\u3000leading\u3000into\u3000Narbondellyn\u3002\u3000House\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000especially\u3002\u3000Our\u3000troops\u3000will\u3000be\u3000first\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000the\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assault\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000must\u3000reinforce\u3000us\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Xorlarrin\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000order\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000hurried\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000chewed\u3000her\u3000lip\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000she’d\u3000made\u3000the\u3000right\u3000decision\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Where\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3000was\u3000Gromph\u3000when\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000needed\u3000him\u3000most\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Eight
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Curved\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000outside\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gray\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tunnel\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Close\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Outside\u3000curved\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000unblinking\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rough\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000his\u3000prison\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000inside\u3000curved\u3000glass\u3002\u3000In\u3000utter\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000sphere\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000an\u3000unknown\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000only\u3000sluggishly\u3000able\u3000to\u3000think\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000his\u3000own\u3000reflection\uff1b\u3000distorted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000concave\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002\u3000His\u3000face\u3000was\u3000coarse\u3000but\u3000unlined\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000seven\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000of\u3000eternal\u3000youth\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000silver\u2026white\u3000hair\u3000floated\u3000loosely\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000unaffected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000gravity\u3000that\u3000existed\u3000only\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000open\u3000and\u3000unblinking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Growing\u3000weary\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000face\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000walls\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000noticing\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000vein\u3000of\u3000quartz\u3002\u3000Noticing\u3000how\u3000wide\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000how\u3000large\u3000the\u3000crystals\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Time\u3000passed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000while\u3000later\u2026ten\u3000cycles\uff1b\u3000a\u3000year\uff1f\u2026Gromph\u3000felt\u3000something\u3000tickle\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000An\u3000awareness\u3002\u3000A\u3000presence\u3002\u3000Turning\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000toward\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000sought\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3000Struggling\u3000like\u3000an\u3000exhausted\u3000man\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000he\u3000concentrated\u3000his\u3000will\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000More\u3000time\u3000passed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000vein\u3000of\u3000quartz\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000out\u3000a\u3000crystal\u3000within\u3000it\u3002\u3000By\u3000concentrating\u3000on\u3000its\u3000facets\u2026blurred\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000by\u3000the\u3000concave\u3000glass\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\u2026he\u3000could\u3000focus\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000sphere\u3000of\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000the\u3000product\u3000of\u3000an\u3000imprisoning\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000spell\u3000cast\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000Dyrr\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000far\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unknown\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000encased\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000prevented\u3000even\u3000divination\u3000magic\u3000from\u3000finding\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Trapped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000More\u3000time\u3000passed\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000trickled\u3000by\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000open\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000to\u3000force\u3000his\u3000eyelids\u3000to\u3000blink\uff1b\u3000to\u3000twitch\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000a\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000move\u3000and\u3000speak\u2026to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u2026it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000helped\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000him\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gromph\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000reversed\u3000was\u3000if\u3000a\u3000counterspell\u3000of\u3000equal\u3000power\u3000was\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000And\u3000tha \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nterspell\u3000of\u3000equal\u3000power\u3000was\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000spell\u3000could\u3000only\u3000be\u3000cast\u3000from\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000by\u3000someone\u3000else\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000difficult\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000would\u3000only\u3000work\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000cast\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000location\u3000that\u3000the\u3000original\u3000imprisonment\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000recoiled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000irony\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000wizard\u3000in\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spiders\uff1b\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arcane\u3000workings\u3000of\u3000more\u3000spells\u3000than\u3000most\u3000mages\u3000dared\u3000dream\u3000of\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000wish\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000done\u3000him\u3000any\u3000good\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000another\u3000length\u3000of\u3000measureless\u3000time\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000by\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000tickle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000return\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000more\u3000insistent\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000before\uff1b\u3000it\u3000took\u3000an\u3000excruciating\u3000effort\u3000for\u3000Gromph\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000his\u3000will\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1f\u3000he\u3000sent\u3002\u3000Help\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mind\u2026tickle\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000Had\u3000his\u3000body\u3000been\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph’s\u3000shoulders\u3000would\u3000have\u3000slumped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000at\u3000once\u3000the\u3000world\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000a\u3000crazy\u3000arc\u3002\u3000The\u3000vein\u3000of\u3000quartz\u3000disappeared\u3000and\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000reversed\u2026though\u3000in\u3000his\u3000state\uff1b\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000were\u3000concepts\u3000that\u3000had\u3000little\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000He\u3000round\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000or\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000brown\u3000rat\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000its\u3000face\u3000distorted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000curvature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002\u3000Pink\u3000paws\u3000rested\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whiskers\u3000twitched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000sniffed\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000sluggish\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000error\u3000in\u3000perception\u3002\u3000The\u3000rat\u3000wasn’t\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000was\u3000tiny\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000shrunk\u3000him\u3000to\u3000less\u3000than\u3000rat\u3000size\u3002\u3000His\u3000thoughts\u3000still\u3000sluggish\uff1b\u3000he\u3000at\u3000last\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000kink\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000hairless\u3000tail\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff01\u3000Help\u3000me\u3002\u3000Take\u3000me\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Go\uff1f\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000than\u3000a\u3000word\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000go\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Go\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000world\u3000spun\u3000crazily\u3000by\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\u3000stone\u3000walls\u3000spinning\u3000past\uff1b\u3000could\u3000see\u3000them\u3000bump\u3000crazily\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000propelled\u3000by\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000paws\uff1b\u3000rolled\u3000along\u3000the\u3000uneven\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000but\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000fissure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000No\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000rat\u2026sized\u3000crack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000past\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000into\u3000looming\u3000darkness\u3000as\u3000Kyorli\u3000rolled\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000lavender\u3000light\uff1a\u3000the\u3000visible\u3000spectrum\u3000of\u3000a\u3000faerzress\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000radiation\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000swallowed\u3000by\u3000darkness\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000sphere\u3000rattled\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000suspended\u3000unmoving\u3000at\u3000its\u3000center\uff1b\u3000enclosed\u3000in\u3000absolute\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000short\u3000time\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000bounced\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3000Gromph\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000paws\u3000scrabbled\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000it\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000where\u2026several\u3000paces\u3000overhead\u2026the\u3000tunnel\u3000continued\u3000through\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000crack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Up\uff01\u3000Kyorli\u3000\u3003said\u3002\u3003\u3000City\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000rat\u3000scurried\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000then\u3000down\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000world\u3000tilted\u3000wildly\u3000as\u3000paws\u3000scrabbled\u3000uselessly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000spinning\u3000it\u3000around\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Kyorli\u3000scrambled\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000briefly\uff1b\u3000then\u3000came\u3000down\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000realized\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000overestimating\u3000his\u3000familiar\u3002\u3000Kyorli\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000rat\u2026with\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000rat’s\u3000intelligence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Try\u3000a\u3000different\u3000way\uff1b\u3000he\u3000suggested\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000whiskers\u3000twitching\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000bobbing\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rat’s\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000again\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000rolled\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000they’d\u3000just\u3000e\u3000along\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000faerzress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000down\u3000another\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000stopped\u3000rolling\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000a\u3000river\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000wide\u3000but\u3000swiftly\u3000flowing\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000hopes\u3000rose\u3000as\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000traveled\u3000through\u3000that\u3000tunnel\u3000once\u3000before\uff1b\u3000years\u3000past\u3002\u3000The\u3000waterway\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000tributaries\u3000of\u3000the\u3000River\u3000Surbrin\u3002\u3000It\u3000eventually\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000Donigarten\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000water\u3000supply\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000it\u3000flowed\u3000through\u3000an\u3000airless\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000If\u3000Kyorli\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000drown\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000roll\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000water\u3000carry\u3000Gromph\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000she\u3000found\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000again\uff1b\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river’s\u3000lower\u3000reaches\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000might\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000in\u3000an\u3000even\u3000worse\u3000position\u3000than\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000though\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000His\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000still\u3000a\u3000near\u2026stagnant\u3000puddle\u3002\u3000After\u3000several\u3000long\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000during\u3000which\u3000Kyorli\u3000disappeared\u3000from\u3000sight\u3000and\u3000reappeared\u3000again\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000times\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thought\u3000came\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000faerzress\u3002\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000energies\u3000emitted\u3000by\u3000a\u3000faerzress\u3000were\u3000unstable\uff1b\u3000unpredictable\u3000in\u3000their\u3000effect\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000do\u3000strange\u3000things\u3000to\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000even\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000if\u3000luck\u3000was\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000first\u3000mutate\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Take\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000world\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000him\u3000as\u3000Kyorli\u3000plied\u3002\u3000The\u3000glow\u3000reappeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000rolled\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lavender\u3000glow\u3000grew\u3000larger\uff1b\u3000brighter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000glow\u3000expanded\u3000until\u3000it\u3000filled\u3000Gromph’s\u3000peripheral\u3000vision\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000nose\u3000twitching\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danger\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sent\u3002\u3000Too\u3000bright\u3002\u3000Hurts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000his\u3000thought\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000authority\u3000of\u3000his\u3000will\uff1b\u3000he\u3000added\u3000one\u3000word\u3000more\uff1a\u3000Closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000a\u3000final\u3000shove\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scampered\u3000away\uff1b\u3000terrified\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000rolled\u3000and\u3000bumped\u3000along\u3000the\u3000uneven\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000spun\u3000closer\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000surrounded\u3000it\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\u3002\u3000Still\u3000rigid\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000basked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000radiation\u3002\u3000The\u3000faerzress\u3000would\u3000either\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000or\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000muscles\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000agony\u3000as\u3000sensation\u3000and\u3000movement\u3000returned\u3002\u3000Chuckling\u3000with\u3000delight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000sphere\u3000rocked\u3000beneath\u3000him\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000small\u3000chip\u3000of\u3000mica\u3002\u3000Tossing\u3000it\u3000casually\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000word\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000activated\u3000a\u3000shattering\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000He\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000move\u3000and\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000but\u3000spellcasting\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000within\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000rely\u3000upon\u3000brute\u3000force\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000where\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Experimenting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000forward\u3000against\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000surface\u2026and\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000tumbling\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clumsy\u3000somersault\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000rolled\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000took\u3000some\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000last\u3000Gromph\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000coordinate\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000forward\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000and\u3000maintaining\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000rolled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000once\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bump\u3000or\u3000crack\u3000in\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000spinning\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000gradually\uff1b\u3000acquiring\u3000several\u3000painful\u3000bruises\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000he\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000river\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000having\u3000overe\u3000her\u3000fear\u3000now\u3000that\u3000her\u3000master\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000the\u3000faerzress\uff1b\u3000scampered\u3000along\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\u3000correcting\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nudge\u3000of\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000or\u3000paws\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000swiftly\u3000flowing\u3000river\uff1b\u3000she\u3000fretted\uff1b\u3000running\u3000hack\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000on\u3000its\u3000bank\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Master\u3002\u3000Deep\u3000water\u3002\u3000Swim\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Kyorli\u3002\u3000Only\u3000I\u3000will\u3000swim\u3002\u3000You\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000the\u3000way\u3000you\u3000came\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000leads\u3000up\u3002\u3000Go\u3000to\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000fetch\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lead\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shore\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000rat\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000that\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000whiskers\u3000twitching\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000lightly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000inner\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000Kyorli\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000briefly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000plunge\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000No\u3000need\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000his\u3000breath\u2026the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000still\u3000sustaining\u3000him\uff1b\u3000or\u3000he’d\u3000have\u3000suffocated\u3000long\u3000ago\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000confined\u3000space\u3002\u3000Rocking\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\u3000the\u3000world\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000there\u3000was\u3000water\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bump\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000walls\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000reeling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000occasional\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000a\u3000luminescent\u3000fish\u3002\u3000After\u3000some\u3000time\u3000underwater\u2026how\u3000long\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000still\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000measuring\uff1b\u3000but\u3000several\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000tunnel\u3000must\u3000have\u3000swept\u3000past\u2026he\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000rising\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bubble\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000burst\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000bobbing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000a\u3000large\u3000lake\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000done\u3000it\uff01\u3000He’d\u3000reached\u3000Donigarten\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Righting\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000before\uff1b\u3000by\u3000rolling\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000across\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000only\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000Realizing\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000made\u3000a\u3000potentially\u3000fatal\u3000error\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000cursed\u3002\u3000Unless\u3000Kyorli\u3000made\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000in\u3000time\u3000and\u3000swam\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mercy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000current\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000sent\u3000out\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000call\u3000but\u3000heard\u3000no\u3000answering\u3000voice\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000sigh\uff1b\u3000he\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000rocking\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000where\u3000the\u3000current\u3000would\u3000carry\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000surfaced\u3000near\u3000the\u3000northeastern\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000island\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000Herds\u3000of\u3000rothe\u3000milled\u3000aimlessly\u3000on\u3000its\u3000banks\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000spire\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000had\u3000been\u3000casting\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000into\u3000the\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000natural\u3000rock\u3000pillar\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000absence\u3000to\u3000mark\u3000the\u3000start \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n en\u3000casting\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000into\u3000the\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000natural\u3000rock\u3000pillar\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000absence\u3000to\u3000mark\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000\u3003day\uff1b\u3003\u3000but\u3000for\u3000how\u3000long\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000gone\u3000for\u3000a\u3000month\uff1b\u3000a\u3000year\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000drifted\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000once\u3000again\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000Kyorli\u3000but\u3000without\u3000success\u3002\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000simply\u3000not\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000city\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000delaying\u3000her\uff1f\u3000When\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000had\u3000imprisoned\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000augmented\u3000by\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000marching\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Did\u3000Gracklstugh’s\u3000forces\u3000block\u3000the\u3000approaches\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000surely\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000could\u3000slip\u3000through\u3000their\u3000lines\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000tried\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff01\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000there\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000somewhere\u3000close\u3000at\u3000hand\u3000came\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000tickle\u3000of\u3000thought\u2026Kyorli\uff1b\u3000swimming\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1f\u3000Gromph\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Something\u3000nudged\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000rocking\u3000it\u3000gently\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000break\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Enormous\u3000purplish\u3000fingers\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000underwater\u3002\u3000The\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000coated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000slime\uff1b\u3000smudged\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streaks\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000bulbous\u3000face\u3000with\u3000four\u3000writhing\u3000tentacles\u3000where\u3000a\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000mouth\u3000should\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000white\u3000and\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000pupils\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000it\u3000sculled\u3000gently\u3000with\u3000its\u3000free\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000a\u3000position\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Its\u3000voice\u3000forced\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000probing\u3000like\u3000an\u3000infestation\u3000of\u3000roots\u3000through\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000unresisting\u3000soil\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000it\u3000observed\u3002\u3000How\u3000delicious\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Nine
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000first\u3000impulse\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000blew\u3000her\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000was\u3000to\u3000thrust\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000but\u3000something\u3000made\u3000her\u3000hesitate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000quicker\u3000to\u3000act\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000still\u3000sizzling\u3000body\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troll\uff1b\u3000yanked\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sprinted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000stranger\u3000was\u3000quicker\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000the\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sang\u3000out\u3000a\u3000single\u3000note\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000together\u3002\u3000As\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000interlocked\uff1b\u3000branches\u3000whipped\u3000into\u3000place\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000themselves\u3000together\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000crashed\u3000headlong\u3000into\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000and\u3000was\u3000hurled\u3000back\u3000by\u3000it\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000a\u3000controlled\u3000roll\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Ryld\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000heard\u3000another\u3000woman’s\u3000voice\u3000sing\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000spun\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000new\u3000threat\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000someone\u3000moving\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000crescent\u2026shaped\u3000blades\u3000appeared\u3000from\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3000and\u3000began\u3000flashing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000her\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000The\u3000chest\u2026high\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000spinning\u3000steel\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whir\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stirges’\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000overlaid\u3000by\u3000wet\u3000thwacks\u3000and\u3000snaps\u3000as\u3000rain\u2026soaked\u3000branches\u3000and\u3000leaves\u3000were\u3000scythed\u3000down\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000bare\u3000ground\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000four\u3000paces\u3000from\u3000where\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000stood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000ankles\u3000were\u3000immediately\u3000caught\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bushes\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000animated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000first\u3000priestess’s\u3000spell\u3002\u3000He\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000but\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000bush\u3000was\u3000growing\uff1b\u3000sprouting\u3000new\u3000branches\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sever\u3000them\u3002\u3000For\u3000every\u3000branch\u3000he\u3000slashed\u3000through\uff1b\u3000three\u3000more\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000to\u3000take\u3000its\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000spinning\u3000blades\u3000closed\u3000in\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000force\u3000away\u3000through\u3000it\u3000using\u3000Seyll’s\u3000shield\uff1b\u3000but\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blades\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000shield\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000ripping\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000A\u3000third\u3000jarred\u3000into\u3000her\u3000elbow\uff1b\u3000grating\u3000against\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000sleeve\u3002\u3000She\u3000yanked\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000back\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000numbed\u3000fingers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u3000Halisstra\u3000caught\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000slain\u3000the\u3000troll\u2026and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000others\u3000who\u3000had\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3002\u3000Each\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000them\u2026the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000was\u3000sustaining\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u2026was\u3000small\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000female\u3000and\u3000had\u3000dark\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000Halisstra\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000under\u3000the\u3000black\u3000dye\u3000she’d\u3000rubbed\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000skin\u2026dye\u3000that\u3000had\u3000started\u3000to\u3000run\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rain\u2026but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cursed\u3000her\u3000ill\u3000luck\u3002\u3000There\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000way\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000convince\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000she\u3000was\u3000an\u3000innocent\u3000who\u3000had\u3000\u3003found\u3003\u3000Seyll’s\u3000armor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moon\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Seyll\u3000die\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000charm\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000upon\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000readily\u3000believed\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000story\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000stabbed\u3000Seyll\u3000by\u3000accident\uff1b\u3000after\u3000slipping\u3000on\u3000a\u3000wet\u3000rock\u3002\u3000But\u3000once\u3000that\u3000charm\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Feliane\u3000would\u3000have\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bush\u3000that\u3000held\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000longingly\u3000at\u3000his\u3000greatsword\uff1b\u3000which\u3000lay\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000whirling\u3000blades\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000winced\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000finish\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000he\u3000meant\u3002\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000greatsword\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000then\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000Seyll\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000over\u3000the\u3000whir\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spinning\u3000blades\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000you’re\u3000making\u3000a\u3000mistake\u3000in\u3000killing\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000laid\u3000Seyll’s\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000crossbow\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000then\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000tunic\u3000up\u3000and\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Tossing\u3000it\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000she\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000final\u3000thing\u3000she’d\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000Seyll’s\u3000body\uff1a\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000magic\u3000ring\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Avoiding\u3000the\u3000advancing\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\uff1b\u3000she\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000as\u3000well\u3000and\u3000addressed\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000Feliane\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000Seyll\u3000lay\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000me\u3000still\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000guilt\u3000would\u3000force\u3000me\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000myself\u3000for\u3000the\u3000treachery\u3000I\u3000had\u3000mitted\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000came\u3000back\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000to\u3000beg\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000forgiveness\u3000for\u3000what\u3000I’ve\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000whirling\u3000blades\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000Seyll’s\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000without\u3000harming\u3000them\u3000and\u3000had\u3000e\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000force\u3000Halisstra\u3000back\u3000into\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000pletely\u3000entangled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bush\u3000that\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000twisted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000Halisstra\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000look\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000sounded\u3000very\u3000convincing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000ignored\u3000him\uff1b\u3000concentrating\u3000instead\u3000on\u3000Feliane\u3002\u3000Could\u3000she\u3000use\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000overe\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000resistance\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000whirling\u3000blades\u3000paused\u3000in\u3000their\u3000advance\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000so\u3000close\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000them\u3000passing\uff1b\u3000one\u3000step\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Prove\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Swear\u3000to\u3000e\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000Eilistraee\u3000and\u3000forsake\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Swear\u3000it\u2026by\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000considered\u2026but\u3000only\u3000briefly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000harm\u3000could\u3000it\u3000do\uff1f\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000dead\u2026or\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000death\u3000that\u3000it\u3000makes\u3000little\u3000difference\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000did\u3000rise\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000appreciated\u3000and\u3000rewarded\u3000treachery\u2026especially\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000directed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000who\u3000was\u3000her\u3000chief\u3000rival\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000always\u3000turn\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Eilistraee\u3000and\u3000be\u3000weled\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fold\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000held\u3000out\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Loan\u3000me\u3000your\u3000sword\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000look\uff1b\u3000then\u3000plied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000took\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000from\u3000him\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000its\u3000point\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000followers\u3000do\uff1b\u3000she\u3000circled\u3000it\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000with\u3000her\u3000left\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u3000didn’t\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000much\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000keen\u3000was\u3000Ryld’s\u3000blade\u3000that\u3000when\u3000Halisstra\u3000brushed\u3000against\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000steel\u3000nicked\u3000her\u3000knee\u3002\u3000She\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000wound\u3000and\u3000pleted\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000so\u3000swear\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Feliane\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hunting\u3000horn\u3002\u3000Another\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000belatedly\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000others\uff1f\u3000The\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000also\u3000having\u3000heard\u3000it\uff1b\u3000exchanged\u3000nods\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000abrupt\u3000silence\u3000that\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000a\u3000branch\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000priestess\u3000negated\u3000her\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000loosening\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000that\u3000entwined\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000Angrily\u3000yanking\u3000himself\u3000free\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000shortsword\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000assumed\u3000a\u3000ready\u3000stance\u3000as\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000approached\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000now\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000sign\u3000language\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000surrender\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000suicide\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000signed\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000let\u3000you\u3000do\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000flush\u3000of\u3000warmth\u3000and\u3000affection\u3000that\uff1b\u3000until\u3000recently\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000described\u3000as\u3000weakness\u3002\u3000To\u3000hide\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000let\u3000her\u3000expression\u3000grow\u3000ice\u3000cold\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000male\uff1f\u3000You’ve\u3000not\u3000only\u3000overstepped\u3000your\u3000place\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000just\u3000proven\u3000you’re\u3000of\u3000no\u3000further\u3000use\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000lay\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\u3000fetch\u3000your\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000and\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000where\u3000you\u3000belong\u3002\u3000Go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000stricken\u3000expression\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000he\u3000was\u3000blinking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000crying\u2026though\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000was\u3000something\u3000the\u3000hardened\u3000warrior\u3000would\u3000never\u3000do\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Ryld\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Splitter\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000tensing\u3000as\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000told\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\uff1b\u3000and\u3000do\u3000not\u3000follow\u3000us\uff1b\u3000or\u3000you\u3000will\u3000invoke\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000wrath\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000grunted\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000without\u3000a\u3000single\u3000glance\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000watchi \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000briefly\u3000considered\u3000making\u3000a\u3000bolt\u3000for\u3000freedom\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000decided\u3000against\u3000it\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000as\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000gathered\u3000up\u3000Seyll’s\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000armor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000will\u3000be\u3000better\u3000off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000up\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Surrendering\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000his\u3000safety\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\u3000unfastened\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000at\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000out\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000came\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000itself\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000her\u3000wrists\u3002\u3000Her\u3000strength\u3000seeped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000body\u3000and\u3000flowed\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000links\u3000of\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000as\u3000weak\u3000as\u3000sun\u2026rotted\u3000adamantine\u3002\u3000She\u3000staggered\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000down\u3000the\u3000panic\u3000that\u3000was\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000What\u3000had\u3000she\u3000just\u3000done\uff1f\u3000She\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000she\u3000still\u3000had\u3000one\u3000weapon\u3000left\u3002\u3000The\u3000time\u3000would\u3000e\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000far\u3000away\u3000and\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000use\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bae’qeshel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Staring\u3000at\u3000Feliane’s\u3000youthful\uff1b\u3000guileless\u3000face\u3000further\u3000reassured\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000In\u3000Feliane\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000softness\u2026a\u3000weakness\u3000she\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000her\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000used\u3000her\u3000once\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Feliane\u3000actually\u3000believed\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000pledge\u2026that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3000back\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000herself\u3002\u3000All\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000was\u3000a\u3000friendly\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000words\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000parted\u3000her\u3000lips\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026but\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000slain\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000strode\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000her\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000Belatedly\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000humming\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000but\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000make\u3000even\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000noise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000take\u3000this\u3000one\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000myself\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\u3000will\u3000decide\u3000her\u3000fate\uff1a\u3000the\u3000song\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000fumed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000strode\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000wet\u3000ferns\u3000squelching\u3000under\u3000his\u3000boots\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000done\u3000what\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000wanted\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000walked\u3000away\u3002\u3000Why\u3000then\u3000did\u3000he\u3000feel\u3000so\u3000impotent\uff1b\u3000so\u3000angry\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Because\u3000he’d\u3000saved\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000left\u3000her\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000himself\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\uff1b\u3000a\u3000good\u3000male\uff1b\u3000always\u3000obeyed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000former\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000corrected\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Perhaps\u3000that\u3000was\u3000why\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000before\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000bitterly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000curled\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blasphemous\u3000gesture\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000used\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000let\u3000them\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000you\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000what\u3000she\u3000wanted\uff1f\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000face\u3000had\u3000been\u3000as\u3000frozen\u3000and\u3000expressionless\u3000as\u3000the\u3000black\u3000stone\u3000face\u3000that\u3000sealed\u3000the\u3000temple\u2026or\u3000was\u3000it\u3000the\u3000tomb\uff1f\u2026of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000But\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000emotions\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000that\u3000cold\u3000surface\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000proven\u3000that\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002\u3000If\u3000all\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000doing\u3000was\u3000using\u3000him\uff1b\u3000all\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000saved\u3000her\u3000own\u3000life\u3000simply\u3000by\u3000fleeing\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000him\u3000to\u3000die\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000thought\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000then\u2026a\u3000notion\u3000that\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000inconceivable\uff1b\u3000so\u3000foreign\u3000was\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000creed\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Halisstra\u3000deliberately\u3000sacrificed\u3000herself\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000might\u3000live\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000that\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000possible\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000one\u3000final\u3000trick\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u2026some\u3000hidden\u3000weapon\u3000or\u3000scroll\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000her\u3000to\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000to\u3000rejoin\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000so\uff1b\u3000why\u3000hadn’t\u3000she\u3000given\u3000him\u3000some\u3000clue\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000was\u3000it\u3000because\u3000she\u3000expected\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\uff1f\u3000To\u3000help\u3000her\u3000escape\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slowing\u3000his\u3000pace\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000pattering\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000him\u3002\u3000With\u3000all\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000making\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000constant\u3000dribble\u3000of\u3000water\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000It\u3000trickled\u3000down\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000squint\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000into\u3000a\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000wet\u3000blanket\u3000that\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000his\u3000thighs\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000making\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000squeak\u3000and\u3000would\u3000eventually\u3000cause\u3000his\u3000swords\u3000to\u3000rust\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000waterfall\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000step\u3000out\u3000of\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000it\u2026just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000webs\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000woven\u3000around\u3000him\u3000with\u3000her\u3000smiles\u3000and\u3000kisses\u3000and\u3000sighs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pulling\u3000his\u3000wet\u3000piwafwi\u3000closer\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000enveloped\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000its\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000being\u3000just\u3000another\u3000shadow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000overcast\u3000and\u3000dripping\u3000forest\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000they’d\u3000fought\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000circled\u3000the\u3000area\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000the\u3000rapidly\u3000melting\u3000slush\u3000for\u3000footprints\u3000to\u3000see\u3000which\u3000way\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000found\u3000none\u3002\u3000Cautiously\u3000he\u3000crept\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000swath\u3000of\u3000chopped\u3000vegetation\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000blades\u3000had\u3000cleared\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blackened\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000ground\u3000where\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000had\u3000died\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000Splitter\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000that\u3000would\u3000activate\u3000its\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000assuring\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000weren’t\u3000using\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3000or\u3000invisibility\u3000to\u3000cloak\u3000themselves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Satisfied\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000strode\u3000into\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000Squatting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000footprints\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slush\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000here\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000there\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000that\u3000was\u3000where\u3000the\u3000footsteps\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestesses\u3000hadn’t\u3000left\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000used\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000spirit\u3000themselves\u3000away\u2026and\u3000Halisstra\u3000with\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000trail\u3000to\u3000follow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Unless\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000just\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000a\u3000footprint\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slush\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000track\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000animal\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fleeing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000The\u3000beasts\u3000had\u3000been\u3000municating\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000and\u3000might\u3000just\u3000municate\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000sheathed\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Ten
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000water\u3000below\u3000him\u3002\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u3000was\u3000even\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000told\u2026so\u3000wide\u3000that\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000It\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000Anauroch\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desert\u3000they’d\u3000recently\u3000visited\u3002\u3000The\u3000difference\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000had\u3000steep\u3000cliffs\u3000hemming\u3000it\u3000in\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\uff1b\u3000a\u3000waterfall\u3000that\u3000thundered\u3000into\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000where\u3000Valas\u3000perched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000domed\u3000ceiling\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000Enormous\u3000stalactites\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000that\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Some\u3000had\u3000points\u3000that\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000others\u3000were\u3000broken\u3000off\u3000like\u3000jagged\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000look\u3000like\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000ranged\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000an\u3000omen\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000e\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000hand\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nothing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000from\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000chilled\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000scrambled\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u2026who\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000one\u3000wary\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000crouching\u3000to\u3000negotiate\u3000the\u3000low\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000spread\u3000wide\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000balance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slippery\u3000rocks\u3002\u3000That\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hungry\u3000gleam\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000made\u3000her\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000one\u3000pace\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000as\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000nimbly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000uneven\u3000ledge\uff1b\u3000his\u3000second\uff1b\u3000smaller\u3000set\u3000of\u3000arms\u3000held\u3000out\u3000for\u3000balance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000cavern\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Have\u3000we\u3000reached\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000audible\u3000over\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000below\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000answered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003About\u3000fifty\u3000paces\u3000straight\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000see\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u2026or\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Both\u3000are\u3000probably\u3000far\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000which\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1f\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000all\u3000Valas\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000only\u3000approach\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000was\u3000to\u3000exhibit\u3000any\u3000weakness\u3000or\u3000uncertainty\uff1b\u3000even\u3000after\u3000they\u3000found\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u2026and\u3000his\u3000expertise\u2026behind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000hand\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000rock\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000leaned\u3000as\u3000far\u3000out\u3000as\u3000he\u3000dared\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000tunnel\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000following\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000one\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000ledge\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000provided\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000shortcut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000trek\u3000after\u3000their\u3000long\uff1b\u3000weary\u3000journey\u3002\u3000But\u3000from\u3000there\uff1b\u3000things\u3000got\u3000tricky\u3002\u3000The\u3000river\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000like\u3000a\u3000horizontal\u3000fountain\uff1b\u3000its\u3000spray\u3000soaking\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000for\u3000a\u3000great\u3000distance\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000mist\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000see\u3000faintly\u3000glowing\u3000streaks\u3000of\u3000green\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1a\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000water\u2026soaked\uff1b\u3000slippery\u3000fungi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000felt\u3000someone\u3000looming\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fetid\u3000breath\u3000told\u3000him\u3000who\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000his\u3000monstrous\u3000body\u3000crowding\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000forcing\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Elbowing\u3000Jeggred\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000shouted\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3000over\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000scout\u3000ahead\u3000before\u3000we\u3000go\u3000any\u3000farther\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000need\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000yours\u3000that\u3000will\u3000allow\u3000me\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000underwater\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000going\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Shouldn’t\u3000you\u3000take\u3000someone\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000past\u3000Quenthel\u3000as\u3000if\u3000anticipating\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000to\u3000materialize\u3000behind\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000going\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Shouldn’t\u3000you\u3000take\u3000someone\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000past\u3000Quenthel\u3000as\u3000if\u3000anticipating\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000to\u3000materialize\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000Jeggred\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000barked\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000lashing\u3002\u3000\u3003Jeggred\u3000stays\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sensing\u3000her\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000scrambled\u3000over\u3000to\u3000crouch\u3000at\u3000her\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000can\u3000take\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000shake\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000protest\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000butted\u3000in\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Danifae\u3000will\u3000only\u3000slow\u3000him\u3000down\u2026and\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000waste\u3000my\u3000time\u3000and\u3000talents\u3000preparing\u3000the\u3000same\u3000spells\u3000twice\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000between\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000to\u3000tread\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000so\u3000as\u3000not\u3000to\u3000tip\u3000the\u3000scales\u2026a\u3000balancing\u3000act\u3000that\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000wearisome\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000relief\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000go\u3000alone\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000scout\u3000took\u3000off\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000then\u3000set\u3000his\u3000haversack\uff1b\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quiver\u3000beside\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000shed\u3000his\u3000chain\u3000mail\u2026its\u3000weight\u3000would\u3000only\u3000drag\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u2026and\u3000his\u3000boots\u3002\u3000He\u3000carefully\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000vest\u3000any\u3000of\u3000his\u3000many\u3000talismans\u3000that\u3000might\u3000be\u3000harmed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000then\u3000put\u3000the\u3000vest\u3000back\u3000on\u3002\u3000Next\u3000he\u3000lashed\u3000his\u3000daggers\u3000into\u3000their\u3000sheaths\u3002\u3000The\u3000thread\u3000he\u3000used\u3000would\u3000prevent\u3000them\u3000from\u3000falling\u3000out\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000underwater\u3000but\u3000was\u3000thin\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000be\u3000broken\u3000easily\u3000in\u3000an\u3000emergency\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Ready\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000small\u3000sheet\u3000of\u3000mushroom\u2026skin\u3000paper\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000Unfolding\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000its\u3000contents\u3000to\u3000Valas\uff1a\u3000a\u3000small\u3000blob\u3000of\u3000a\u3000black\uff1b\u3000tarry\u3000substance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eat\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000instructed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Without\u3000asking\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000popped\u3000it\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000a\u3000bitter\u3000taste\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000With\u3000an\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000jaws\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000unsticking\u3000his\u3000molars\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000chew\u3000it\u3002\u3000Just\u3000swallow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000substance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stood\u3000waiting\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000chanted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000ended\u3000by\u3000fluttering\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000against\u3000Valas’s\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mother\u3000imitating\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000in\u3000a\u3000child’s\u3000nursery\u3000rhyme\u3002\u3000When\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scout’s\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000toes\u3000felt\u3000gummy\u3002\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sticky\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000web\u3000followed\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000short\u3000length\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000dried\u3000surface\u3000plant\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ready\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Then\u3000rake\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000blow\u3000through\u3000the\u3000stick\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pleting\u3000his\u3000second\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas’s\u3000chest\u3000felt\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000water\u3000trickled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000shouted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000any\u3000urging\u3002\u3000The\u3000pressure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000was\u3000incentive\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Scrambling\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000he\u3000scurried\u3000down\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sticky\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000allowing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000crawl\u3000along\u3000the\u3000sheer\u3000cliff\u3000face\u3002\u3000Head\u2026down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000squinted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000spray\u3002\u3000Above\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000arced\u3000out\u3000and\u3000over\uff1b\u3000obscuring\u3000his\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000left\uff1b\u3000it\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000water\u3000below\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thundering\u3000roar\u3000that\u3000grew\u3000louder\u3000as\u3000he\u3000descended\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\u3000above\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000when\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000overcame\u3000him\u3002\u3000Expelling\u3000the\u3000water\u3000in\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000like\u3000a\u3000vomiting\u3000man\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000air\u2026and\u3000nearly\u3000drowned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sputtering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000at\u3000last\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000head\u3000plunged\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000choppy\u3000surface\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000in\u3000a\u3000great\u3000lungful\u3000of\u3000water\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000relief\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000continued\u3000down\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000until\u3000the\u3000churning\u3000water\u3000washed\u3000the\u3000stickiness\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Pushing\u3000off\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swam\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000current\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000him\u3000deeper\u3002\u3000The\u3000water\u3000was\u3000cold\u2026and\u3000dark\u3002\u3000He\u3000swam\u3000through\u3000it\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000without\u3000seeing\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000relying\u3000on\u3000his\u3000keen\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000direction\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000oriented\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000spell\u3000would\u3000enable\u3000him\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000breathing\u3000water\u3000for\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000cycle\u2026he\u3000could\u3000rest\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u2026but\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000take\u3000him\u3000that\u3000long\u3000to\u3000find\u3000some\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000where\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000city\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000he\u3000swam\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rested\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swam\u3000a\u3000while\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000glow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000water\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000resolved\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000tightly\u3000clustered\uff1b\u3000greenish\u2026yellow\u3000globes\u3000that\u3000brightened\u3000and\u3000dimmed\uff1b\u3000brightened\u3000and\u3000dimmed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Are\u3000those\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000Zanhoriloch\uff1f\u3000Valas\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stroked\u3000toward\u3000them\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000be\u3000disappointed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000near\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000more\u3000clearly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000glowing\u3000globes\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000city\u3000but\u3000a\u3000school\u3000of\u3000luminescent\u3000jellyfish\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000each\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000Valas’s\u3000palm\u3002\u3000They\u3000moved\u3000together\uff1b\u3000their\u3000tendrils\u3000contracting\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pulsing\u3000in\u3000unison\uff1b\u3000each\u3000pulse\u3000pumping\u3000up\u3000their\u3000light\u3000from\u3000greenish\u2026yellow\u3000to\u3000yellow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000started\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\uff1b\u3000disappointed\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000silhouette\u3000swimming\u3000between\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000jellyfish\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000froze\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000movement\u3002\u3000Drifting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000current\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000watching\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000silhouette\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000size\u3000as\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000had\u3000two\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000two\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000each\u3000of\u3000which\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000webbed\u3000hand\u3000or\u3000foot\u3002\u3000It\u3000also\u3000had\u3000a\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u2026but\u3000no\u3000tentacles\u3002\u3000Definitely\u3000not\u3000an\u3000aboleth\u3000then\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000but\u3000what\u3000race\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000swam\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000jellyfish\uff1b\u3000herding\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000staff\u3000it\u3000held\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000emitted\u3000crackling\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000light\u3000whose\u3000frequency\u3000matched\u3000the\u3000pulsing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jellyfish\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000just\u3000barely\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000came\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000low\u2026pitched\u3000thum\uff1b\u3000thum\uff1b\u3000thum\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000muted\u3000drum\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Intent\u3000upon\u3000its\u3000glowing\u3000flock\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000hadn’t\u3000spotted\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000which\u3000left\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000with\u3000a\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000approach\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000municate\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000would\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000where\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000was\uff1b\u3000or\u3000exercise\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000caution\u3000and\u3000swim\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000star\u2026shaped\u3000talisman\uff1b\u3000reassuring\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000If\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000always\u3000use\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000escape\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000swam\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000creature\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000nearer\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000skin\u3000as\u3000dark\u3000as\u3000a\u3000drow’s\u3002\u3000Its\u3000head\u3000was\u3000bald\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000body\u3000glistened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jellyfish\u3002\u3000A\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000greenish\u3000slime\u3000covered\u3000its\u3000skin\u3002\u3000When\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000perhaps\u3000ten\u3000paces\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000must\u3000have\u3000sensed\u3000his\u3000presence\u3002\u3000It\u3000turned\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000whiplike\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000its\u3000tail\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000its\u3000face\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000The\u3000high\u3000cheekbones\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000jaw\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000a\u3000distinctively\u3000drow\u3000appearance\u3002\u3000It\u3000even\u3000had\u3000red\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000ears\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000only\u3000gnarled\u3000ridges\u3000around\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000its\u3000head\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000the\u3000melted\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000ears\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing’s\u3000hands\u2026one\u3000sculling\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000staff\u2026had\u3000a\u3000thumb\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000two\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000web\u3000of\u3000skin\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000then\u3000remembered\u3000he\u3000was\u3000breathing\u3000water\u3000and\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000On\u3000a\u3000whim\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000drow\u3000sign\u3000language\u3000instead\u3002\u3000He\u3000chose\u3000a\u3000carefully\u3000neutral\u3000message\u3002\u3000He\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000a\u3000friend\u3000or\u3000foe\u3000of\u3000either\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000or\u3000the\u3000aboleths\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aboleth\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\u3000not\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000Is\u3000their\u3000city\u3000nearby\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000expect\u3000an\u3000answer\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000who’d\u3000told\u3000him\u3000about\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u3000had\u3000said\u3000that\u3000only\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000ventured\u3000that\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000shocked\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000replied\u3000in\u3000sign\u2026albeit\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000was\u3000made\u3000clumsy\u3000by\u3000his\u3000awkward\uff1b\u3000webbed\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000You\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000aboleth\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000insane\uff1f\u3000Go\u3000back\uff1b\u3000before\u3000they\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3000convulsed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Releasing\u3000its\u3000staff\u3000it\u3000curled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fetal\u3000position\uff1b\u3000webbed\u3000hands\u3000clutching\u3000its\u3000head\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000open\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000scream\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000twisted\u3000around\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000his\u3000daggers\u3000as\u3000he\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000the\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000draw\u3000them\u3000a\u3000high\u2026pitched\u3000scream\u3000pounded\u3000in\u3000through\u3000his\u3000skull\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Louder\u3000than\u3000any\u3000noise\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000experienced\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scream\u3000shattered\u3000thought\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000body\u3000into\u3000spastic\u3000jerks\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000curled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fetal\u3000position\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000squeezed\u3000shut\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pained\u3000grimace\u3000and\u3000hands\u3000pressed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3002\u3000The\u3000scream\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skull\u3000until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000bone\u3000would\u3000shatter\u3000like\u3000crystal\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000mercifully\uff1b\u3000silence\u3000and\u3000darkness\u3000claimed\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Eleven
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sat\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cave\u3000whose\u3000only\u3000exit\u3000was\u3000far\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000were\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000pictures\uff1b\u3000the\u3000paint\u3000daubed\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000following\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000contours\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000Life\u2026size\u3000figures\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000strained\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000extended\u3000overhead\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000glowing\u3000with\u3000rapturous\u3000desire\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000figures\u3000were\u3000adult\uff1b\u3000but\u3000each\u3000had\u3000an\u3000umbilical\u3000cord\u3000that\u3000snaked\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000like\u3000a\u3000root\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000wrists\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000bound\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000no\u3000more\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000than\u3000the\u3000painted\u3000figures\u3000could\u3000step\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rocky\u3000canvas\u3000that\u3000held\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000three\u3000times\u3000her\u3000height\u3000and\u3000curved\u3000inward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000making\u3000climbing\u3000impossible\u3000without\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carefully\u3000and\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carefully\u3000and\u3000thoroughly\u3000stripped\u3000of\u3000all\u3000magical\u3000devices\u3000and\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000curse\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\u3000prevented\u3000her\u3000from\u3000singing\u3000or\u3000even\u3000humming\u2026from\u3000using\u3000any\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who’d\u3000slain\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000teleported\u3000Halisstra\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000then\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000First\u3000Daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000there\u3000for\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000day\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\u3000restlessly\u3000pacing\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000finally\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trapped\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sank\uff1b\u3000cross\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000into\u3000Reverie\u3002\u3000Once\u3000she’d\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000her\u3000meditations\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000sky\u3000above\u3000grow\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000then\u3000black\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000still\u3000overcast\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000the\u3000stars\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u2026that\u3000above\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000or\u3000passage\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000earth\u2026and\u2026bark\u2026scented\u3000breeze\u3000blowing\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000destroyed\u3000that\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000the\u3000low\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000thunder\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000So\u3000too\u3000did\u3000the\u3000ferns\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fringe\u3000of\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Beads\u3000of\u3000rain\u3000dripped\u3000from\u3000their\u3000sodden\u3000stems\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000outside\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000singing\u3002\u3000The\u3000voices\u3000were\u3000those\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000who’d\u3000gathered\u3000to\u3000decide\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000fate\u3002\u3000Their\u3000song\u3000was\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000the\u3000silvery\u3000tones\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flute\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rapid\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000a\u3000staccato\u3000of\u3000metallic\u3000clangs\u3000marking\u3000the\u3000beat\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000might\u3000just\u3000be\u3000her\u3000imagination\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000sounded\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000song\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000a\u3000crescendo\u3002\u3000She\u3000assumed\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000followers\u3000would\u3000appear\u3000in\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000announce\u3000how\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000braced\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u3002\u3000One\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\u2026by\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000their\u3000traitor\u3000goddess\u3000or\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000steel\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sword\u2026she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000put\u3000to\u3000death\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestesses\u3000would\u3000have\u3000e\u3000to\u3000their\u3000senses\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000only\u3000been\u3000buying\u3000time\u3000when\u3000she\u3000swore\u3000fealty\u3000to\u3000Eilistraee\u3002\u3000The\u3000time\u3000had\u3000e\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000pray\u3000and\u3000prepare\u3000for\u3000entry\u3000into\u3000the\u3000next\u3000realm\u2026but\u3000pray\u3000to\u3000which\u3000god\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000prayers\u3000to\u3000supplicate\u3000Lolth\u2026prayers\u3000she\u3000could\u3000recite\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000using\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000speech\u2026but\u3000they\u3000would\u3000go\u3000unheard\uff1b\u3000unseen\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000vanished\u3000and\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000prayers\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000punishing\u3000blasphemers\u3002\u3000The\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3000had\u3000been\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000souls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000to\u3000presume\u3000that\u3000Lolth’s\u3000faithful\u3000were\u3000disappearing\u3000into\u3000oblivion\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000their\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Should\u3000Halisstra\u3000pray\u3000instead\u3000to\u3000Selvetarm\uff1b\u3000Lolth’s\u3000champion\uff1f\u3000For\u3000all\u3000she\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000still\u3000and\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000her\u2026or\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000slain\u3002\u3000Was\u3000there\u3000any\u3000god\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000listening\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000up\u3000against\u3000her\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000them\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Her\u3000surrender\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000started\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000then\u3000winced\u3000as\u3000it\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000Ryld’s\u3000sword\u3002\u3000The\u3000wound\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000one\uff1b\u3000no\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000the\u3000crescent\u3000of\u3000her\u3000thumbnail\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000burned\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000brand\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000open\u3000and\u3000was\u3000bleeding\u3000again\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000chin\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000touched\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Outside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000singing\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000rustling\u3000above\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000kneeling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ferns\u3000and\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000scrubbed\u3000her\u3000face\u3000clean\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\u3000dye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000an\u3000unhealthy\u3000looking\u3000mushroom\u2026white\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000decided\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000wrong\u3000about\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000being\u3000overcast\uff1b\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000peeking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000because\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000a\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000silvery\u3000radiance\u3000illuminated\u3000Feliane\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000face\u3000clearly\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Well\uff1f\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000sign\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000my\u3000fate\u3000to\u3000be\uff1f\u3000The\u3000song\u2026or\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000song\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000grimly\u3000and\u3000stood\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000death\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I’m\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000she\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000tense\uff1b\u3000sharp\u3000jerks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane’s\u3000round\u3000face\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002\u3000On\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000gloat\u3000of\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000innocent\u3000and\u3000naive\u3000looking\u3000was\u3000Feliane\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000like\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000pushed\u3000that\u3000foolish\u3000notion\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000rigid\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sing\u3000in\u3000High\u3000Drow\u3002\u3000From\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000a\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000women’s\u3000voices\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Feliane’s\u3000was\u3000the\u3000strongest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Climb\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000rise\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Turn\u3000your\u3000face\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000your\u3000elf\u3000birthright\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000sing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000breeze\uff1b
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Claim\u3000your\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3000among\u3000flowers\u3000and\u3000trees\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lend\u3000your\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000the\u3000needy\uff1b\u3000battle\u3000evil\u3000with\u3000steel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Join\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000to\u3000no\u3000other\u3000gods\u3000kneel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Purge\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000within\u3000and\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000without\uff1b
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Their\u3000blood\u3000washes\u3000you\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000of\u3000this\u3000have\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Trust\u3000in\u3000your\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000lend\u3000your\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000their\u3000song\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000joining\u3000the\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000are\u3000made\u3000strong\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\u3000extended\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000inviting\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3002\u3000Her\u3000pale\u3000skin\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000on\u3000a\u3000moonlit\u3000glow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000took\u3000Halisstra\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000the\u3000import\u3000of\u3000the\u3000song\u3000and\u3000gesture\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000an\u3000execution\u3000but\u3000an\u3000invitation\u3002\u3000And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000to\u3000life\uff1b\u3000bur\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002\u3000To\u3000join\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Trust\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u2026out\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000that\u3000her\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000had\u3000returned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000scorn\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000creep\u3000into\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000already\u3000held\u3000a\u3000negative\u3000connotation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3000implying\u3000weakness\uff1b\u3000naivete\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alliances\u3000she’d\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000build\u3000among\u3000her\u3000own\u3000sisters\u3000and\u3000how\u3000those\u3000alliances\u3000had\u3000been\u3000betrayed\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Norendia\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000about\u3000the\u3000bard\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000teaching\u3000her\u3000darksong\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000cycles\u3000later\uff1b\u3000that\u3000bard\u3000had\u3000\u3003fallen\u3003\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000walkways\u3000to\u3000her\u3000death\u3002\u3000Later\u3000that\u3000same\u3000cycle\uff1b\u3000Jawil\uff1b\u3000second\u3000oldest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000daughters\u3000after\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000had\u3000made\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000on\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000life\u3002\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000Norendia\u3000for\u3000help\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stabbed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000Literally\u3002\u3000Thankfully\uff1b\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000proved\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u2026and\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000two\u3000sisters\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Trust\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000muttered\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000slain\u3000the\u3000troll\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000looked\u3000down\uff1b\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ideas\u3000flashed\u3000through\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000quick\u3000as\u3000lightning\u3000strikes\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000use\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000charm\u3000Feliane\u3000into\u3000lowering\u3000her\u3000a\u3000rope\u3000then\u3000stun\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\u3000with\u3000a\u3000painful\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000escape\u3002\u3000But\u3000each\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000inspiration\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000it\u3000a\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000disturbing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000thunder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000escape\u3000really\u3000what\u3000Halisstra\u3000wanted\u2026or\u3000had\u3000there\u3000been\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000echo\u3000of\u3000truth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000oath\u3000she’d\u3000sworn\u3000earlier\uff1f\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000articulate\u3000the\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000either\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000or\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000she\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000treachery\u3000and\u3000selfishness\u3000to\u3000be\u3000indelible\u3000hallmarks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000there\u3000could\u3000be\u3000another\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000lived\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000not\u3000only\u3000trusted\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000also\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000extend\u3000that\u3000trust\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Even\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000priestesses\u2026that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Their\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000her\u3000capacity\u3000for\u3000redemption\u3000was\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000word\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dying\u3000priestess\u3000to\u3000base\u3000it\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Or\u3000was\u3000there\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000somewhere\u3000above\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flute\uff1b\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000few\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000tentative\u3000notes\u3002\u3000It\u3000reminded\u3000Halisstra\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000Seyll’s\u3000sword\u3000had\u3000made\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000stirges\u3002\u3000And\u3000of\u3000that\u3000single\uff1b\u3000piercing\u3000note\u3000that\u3000had\u3000at\u3000last\u3000knocked\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Had\u3000that\u3000been\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000magic\u3000at\u3000work\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000Halisstra\u3000already\u3000been\u3000accepted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000even\u3000then\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\u3000waited\u3000patiently\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000still\u3000extended\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000wrestled\u3000with\u3000her\u3000doubts\u3002\u3000The\u3000elf\u3000priestess’s\u3000entire\u3000body\u3000was\u3000glowing\u3000silver\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hair\u3000seemed\u3000alive\u3000with\u3000sparkling\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000her\u3000smile\u3000was\u3000as\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000a\u3000crescent\u3000moon\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000her\uff1b\u3000transformed\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mother’s\u3000love\uff1b\u3000urging\u3000her\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Trembling\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000above\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000figures\u3000painted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000accept\uff1b\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000serve\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000tear\u3000streaking\u3000down\u3000her\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000and\u3000angrily\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000drip\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ferns\u3000above\u2026then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000weeping\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000elf\u3000priestess\u3000began\u3000to\u3000chant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000body\u3000grow\u3000lighter\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000dropped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000she\u3000floated\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000drawn\u3000by\u3000Feliane’s\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000fringe\u3000of\u3000ferns\u3000made\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000look\u3000too\u3000narrow\u3000to\u3000fit\u3000through\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Halisstra\u3000crossed\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000tightly\u3000against\u3000her\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000making\u3000herself\u3000smaller\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000rose\u3000through\u3000the\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000wet\u3000ferns\u3000brushed\u3000against\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000close\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Her\u3000body\u3000squeezed\u3000through\u3000them\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000hands\u3000touching\u3000her\uff1b\u3000guiding\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000all\u3000around\u3000the\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000her\uff1b\u3000singing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Climb\u3000out \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n sses\u3000were\u3000all\u3000around\u3000the\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000her\uff1b\u3000singing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Climb\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000rise\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Opening\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000full\u3000moon\u3000through\u3000a\u3000break\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess’s\u3000face\u3000smiled\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000weeping\u3000raindrops\u3000of\u3000joy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000yours\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000goddess\u3000weles\u3000you\u3000into\u3000her\u3000embrace\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000you\u3000must\u3000prepare\u3000yourself\u3000for\u3000the\u3000trial\u3000she\u3000has\u3000set\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000puzzled\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000footprints\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slush\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000animal’s\u3000trail\u2026he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000that\u2026but\u3000its\u3000footprints\u3000had\u3000suddenly\u3000changed\u3002\u3000In\u3000one\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000had\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000the\u3000track\u3000became\u3000more\u3000like\u3000the\u3000print\u3000a\u3000bare\u3000drow\u3000foot\u3000would\u3000make\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000deep\u3000gouges\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000each\u3000toe\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000claw\u3000marks\u3002\u3000They\u3000reminded\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000footprints\u3000of\u3000an\u3000orc\u3000but\u3000the\u3000stride\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000had\u3000continued\u3000from\u3000that\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000was\u3000all\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000The\u3000beast\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000on\u3000two\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000not\u3000four\u3002\u3000The\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000its\u3000footprints\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000still\u3000more\u3000like\u3000the\u3000lope\u3000of\u3000a\u3000quadruped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Short\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000continued\u3000following\u3000the\u3000tracks\u3002\u3000The\u3000animal\u2026thing\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000its\u3000trail\u3000by\u3000walking\u3000along\u3000rocks\u3000or\u3000logs\u3000and\u3000wading\u3000up\u3000a\u3000stream\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000following\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000tracking\u3000opponents\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000caverns\u3000and\u3000tunnels\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000it\u3000melting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slush\u3000made\u3000tracking\u3000anything\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000a\u3000child\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eventually\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000small\u3000structure\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Made\u3000from\u3000rough\u2026hewn\u3000logs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u2026room\u3000building\u3000had\u3000a\u3000slumped\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000collapse\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Its\u3000door\u3000hung\u3000at\u3000an\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000the\u3000frame\u3000by\u3000a\u3000single\u3000rusted\u3000hinge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000was\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000moss\u3000and\u3000larger\uff1b\u3000leafy\u3000surface\u3000plants\u3000sprouted\u3000from\u3000it\u3000in\u3000spots\u3002\u3000Firewood\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000stacked\u3000against\u3000one\u3000wall\u3000lay\u3000tumbled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sprouting\u3000of\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000building’s\u3000roof\u3000marked\u3000where\u3000a\u3000chimney\u3000had\u3000once\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Surrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000litter\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000bottles\u3000and\u3000rusted\u3000pots\u3000that\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000dragged\u3000out\u3000by\u3000scavengers\u3000long\u3000before\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000looked\u3000utterly\u3000abandoned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000something\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000inside\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000around\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000crept\u3000closer\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000something\u3000soft\u3000under\u3000his\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000fresh\u3000excrement\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000His\u3000lip\u3000curled\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warrens\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000people\u3000didn’t\u3000defecate\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000was\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000little\u3000shelter\u3000was\u3000no\u3000better\u3000than\u3000an\u3000animal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000angrily\u3000scraping\u3000his\u3000boot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000small\u3000black\u3000shape\u3000streaking\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cabin\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000animal\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000tracking\u2026but\u3000not\u3000the\u3000same\u3000one\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000sank\u3000its\u3000teeth\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wrist\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000warrior’s\u3000instincts\u3000took\u3000over\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000by\u3000the\u3000scruff\u3000of\u3000the\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000his\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000used\u3000its\u3000own\u3000momentum\u3000to\u3000slam\u3000it\u3000into\u3000a\u3000tree\u3002\u3000Dazed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000staggered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000its\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000whipped\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000around\u3000in\u3000a\u3000slash\u3000at\u3000the\u3000animal’s\u3000throat\u2026but\u3000it\u3000proved\u3000quicker\u3000than\u3000he\u3000expected\u3002\u3000His\u3000blade\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000behind\u3000it\u3000as\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000rolled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yanking\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000free\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000rounded\u3000on\u3000the\u3000creature\u2026only\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3000rearing\u3000up\u3000on\u3000two\u3000legs\u3002\u3000It\u3000held\u3000its\u3000forepaws\u3000out\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unmistakable\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000surrender\u3002\u3000Its\u3000mouth\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000forming\u3000words\u3000that\u3000were\u3000half\u3000yip\uff1b\u3000half\u3000speech\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000it\u3000gasped\u3000in\u3000oddly\u2026accented\u3000Low\u3000Drow\u3002\u3000\u3003Friend\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000ready\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000speak\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000nodded\u3000urgently\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000closed\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000a\u3000shudder\u3000coursed\u3000through\u3000it\u3002\u3000Bald\u3000patches\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000its\u3000fur\u3000and\u3000spread\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000pale\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000muzzle\u3000shrank\u3000and\u3000flattened\u3002\u3000The\u3000quadruped\u3000legs\u3000rearticulated\u3000themselves\u3000with\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000crackle\u3000of\u3000cartilage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000paws\u3000transformed\u3000into\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000transformation\u3000was\u3000plete\uff1b\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000human\u3000youth\u3000stood\u3000where\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000Were\u3000he\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000have\u3000guessed\u3000his\u3000age\u3000at\u3000about\u3000twenty\uff1b\u3000but\u3000humans\u3000matured\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000years\u3000old\u3002\u3000His\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000black\u3000and\u3000tangled\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000filthy\u3000as\u3000those\u3000of\u3000an\u3000urchin\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000creature\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000uttered\u3000a\u3000word\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000languages\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000Low\u3000Drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000wolf\u3000and\u3000human\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000shift\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wolf\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000furred\u3000animal\u3000that\u3000walks\u3000on\u3000four\u3000legs\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000human\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wolf\u2026human\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000gray\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000structure\u3000and\u3000surrounding\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000furious\u3000at\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000having\u3000let\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000wane\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000one\u3000here\u3000but\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Liar\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000spat\u3002\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000menacing\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000one\u3000your\u3000parent\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000why\u3000you’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000parents\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000killed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hunt\u3000the\u3000year\u3000I\u3000was\u3000born\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000explained\u3002\u3000He\u3000not\u3000only\u3000stood\u3000his\u3000ground\u3000but\u3000glared\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000an\u3000amazing\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000mettle\u3000for\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000boy\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000were\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000your\u3000people\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000considered\u3000that\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000how\u3000you\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000Drowic\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000you\u3000a\u3000slave\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000grandfather\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000fought\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000gray\u3000wolf\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000guessed\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000your\u3000grandfather\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000not\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000building\uff1b\u3000though\u3000too\u3000casually\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000look\u3000told\u3000Ryld\u3000what\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000The\u3000lie\u3000was\u3000as\u3000transparent\u3000as\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000half\u2026dragged\uff1b\u3000half\u2026marched\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pausing\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000squirming\u3000boy\u3000and\u3000called\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000want\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000to\u3000live\uff1b\u3000show\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Give\u3000me\u3000some\u3000information\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000spare\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yours\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000answer\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000shelter\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000low\u3000groan\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000sounded\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000Ryld’s\u3000grasp\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000squirm\u3000free\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000hurled\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000a\u3000boot\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000too\u3000furious\u3000to\u3000care\u3000about\u3000getting\u3000information\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stop\uff01\u3003\u3000a\u3000male\u3000voice\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000want\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000human\u3000with\u3000gray\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000a\u3000beard\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dirty\u3000blanket\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000His\u3000face\u3000had\u3000a\u3000haggard\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000right\u3000calf\u3000was\u3000bruised\u3000and\u3000swollen\u3000to\u3000twice\u3000its\u3000normal\u3000size\u3002\u3000The\u3000foot\u3000below\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shredded\uff1b\u3000bloody\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000impaled\u3000on\u3000spikes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000torn\u3000free\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000screamed\u3000something\u3000at\u3000his\u3000grandfather\u3000in\u3000a\u3000language\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000gestures\u3000made\u3000it\u3000obvious\u3000he\u3000was\u3000urging\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000to\u3000flee\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000gray\u2026haired\u3000man\u2026he\u3000looked\u3000several\u3000centuries\u3000old\uff1b\u3000but\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000less\u3000than\u3000fifty\u2026glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000ruined\u3000foot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Run\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000boy\u2026speaking\u3000in\u3000Drowic\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000for\u3000Ryld’s\u3000benefit\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000I\uff1f\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000met\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000to\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000they\u3000have\u3000a\u3000temple\u3000in\u3000this\u3000wood\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000suddenly\u3000stopped\u3000squirming\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hunt\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000grim\u3000smile\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000the\u3000older\u3000man’s\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000not\u3002\u3000Or\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000asking\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let\u3000my\u3000grandson\u3000go\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000where\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000from\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Instantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000warily\uff1b\u3000hunched\u3000over\u3000slightly\u3000with\u3000arms\u3000bent\u3000as\u3000if\u3000contemplating\u3000a\u3000shift\u3000into\u3000wolf\u3000form\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000gray\u2026haired\u3000man\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000waved\u3000at\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yarno\uff1b\u3000leave\u3000him\u3000be\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000see\u3000by\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000of\u3000our\u3000enemy\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000your\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000pleted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000old\u3000man\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000any\u3000healing\u3000magic\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000friend\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Answer\u3000my\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000first\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I’ll\u3000see\u3000about\u3000healing\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000old\u3000man\u3000surprised\u3000him\u3000by\u3000chuckling\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000you\u3002\u3000Your\u3000wrist\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000bitten\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy’s\u3000incisors\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000only\u3000a\u3000scratch\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000old\u3000man\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Yarno\u3002\u3000He\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000he\u3000doesn’t\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000suspicious\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000werewolves\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000we\u3000shift\u3000forms\u3000because\u3000we\u3000want\u3000to\uff1b\u3000but\u3000whenever\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000full\u3000moon\u3000we\u3000bee\u3000wolves\u3000whether\u3000we\u3000want\u3000to\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000control\u3000ourselves\u3000when\u3000that\u3000happens\u3002\u3000We\u3000attack\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000Even\u3000our\u3000friends\u3002\u3000When\u3000we\u3000wake\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000we’ve\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000family\u3000is\u3000cursed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000inquire\u3000as\u3000to\u3000what\u3000a\u3000\u3003full\u3000moon\u3003\u3000might\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3003\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000family\u3000is\u3000cursed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000inquire\u3000as\u3000to\u3000what\u3000a\u3000\u3003full\u3000moon\u3003\u3000might\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Diseased\u3002\u3000And\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000disease\u3000that\u3000can\u3000be\u3000spread\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000through\u3000bites\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000call\u3000us\u3000’monsters\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000added\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pained\u3000whisper\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000hunt\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000understanding\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Life\u3000as\u3000a\u3000werewolf\u3000in\u3000that\u3000forest\u3000would\u3000be\u3000much\u3000like\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slums\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000his\u3000own\u3000childhood\uff1b\u3000always\u3000dreading\u3000the\u3000next\u3000group\u3000of\u3000drunken\u3000nobles\u3000who\u3000round\u3000sport\u3000in\u3000raging\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000blasting\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000wretches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000with\u3000bolts\u3000of\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000as\u3000they\u3000rode\u3000past\u3000on\u3000their\u3000lizards\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000their\u3000victims\u3000to\u3000bleed\u3000to\u3000death\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dirty\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000an\u3000alley\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000Yarno\uff1b\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000intensely\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lingering\uff1b\u3000unsalved\u3000hurt\u3002\u3000Human\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000looking\u3000into\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000was\u3000like\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000a\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000lips\u3000parted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000nearly\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000aloud\uff1a\u3000I\u3000was\u3000hunted\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000I\u3000understand\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000grandfather\u3000interrupted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000belladonna\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Yarno’s\u3000parents\u3000planted\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000it\u3000would\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000spare\u3000their\u3000son\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000once\u3000their\u3000home\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000his\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000herb\u3000will\u3000make\u3000you\u3000sick\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000eat\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000you\u3000might\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000disease\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000sheathed\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000is\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000see\u3000what\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3000to\u3000clean\u3000your\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000and\u3000set\u3000those\u3000bones\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I’ll\u3000think\u3000about\u3000trying\u3000that\u3000belladonna\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twelve
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000awoke\u3000to\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000something\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000slimy\u3000stroking\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Jerking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tentacle\u2026one\u3000of\u3000four\u3000that\u3000grew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000fishlike\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000three\u3000slitted\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Thrashing\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3000through\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000found\u3000his\u3000back\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cage\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enclosure\u3000at\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000that\u3000was\u3000lazily\u3000withdrawing\u3000its\u3000tentacle\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000a\u3000body\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000long\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u3002\u3000Its\u3000rubbery\u3000looking\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000blue\u2026green\u3000with\u3000gray\u3000splotches\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000coating\u3000of\u3000slime\u3002\u3000Its\u3000belly\u3000was\u3000greenish\u2026pink\uff1b\u3000with\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000mouth\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000like\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fish\u3002\u3000Three\u3000eyes\u2026red\u3000and\u3000slitted\u2026were\u3000lined\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000vertical\u3000row\u3000on\u3000its\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000The\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000each\u3000half\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000body\uff1b\u3000sprouted\u3000from\u3000a\u3000point\u3000just\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000They\u3000drifted\u3000lazily\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000smudge\u3000of\u3000slime\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000where\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000clot\u3000of\u3000it\u3000that\u3000clogged\u3000his\u3000left\u3000nostril\u3002\u3000He\u3000exhaled\u3000through\u3000his\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000it\u3000violently\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000were\u3000still\u3000in\u3000their\u3000sheaths\u3002\u3000A\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000told\u3000him\u3000his\u3000talismans\u3000were\u3000still\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000Reassured\u3000and\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000his\u3000prison\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000cage\u3000was\u3000made\u3000from\u3000stout\u3000iron\u3000and\u3000had\u3000no\u3000door\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3002\u3000Its\u3000floor\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000waist\u2026high\u3000kelp\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mashed\u3000flat\u3000by\u3000its\u3000weight\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000tiny\u3000glowing\u3000fish\u3000darted\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gently\u3000waving\u3000strands\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000stalagmites\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000high\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000those\u3000rock\u3000formations\u3000were\u3000punctuated\u3000by\u3000round\u3000openings\u3000through\u3000which\u3000aboleth\u3000swam\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000stalagmites\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000of\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000was\u3000making\u3000no\u3000move\u3000to\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000it\u3000simply\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000at\u3000a\u3000zoo\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000it\u3000in\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000it\u3000would\u3000understand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Why\u3000am\u3000I\u3000a\u3000prisoner\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000came\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000bubbles\u3000erupting\u3000into\u3000water\uff1a\u3000\u3003You\u3000trespass\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000words\u3000were\u3000spoken\u3000in\u3000Undermon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000language\u3000prised\u3000of\u3000a\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000simple\u3000words\u3000and\u3000phrases\u3000from\u3000several\u3000different\u3000Underdark\u3000tongues\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000good\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000signed\u3000back\u3002\u3000With\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000water\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000couldn’t\u3000speak\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000something\uff1b\u3000A\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000made\u3000by\u3000demons\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000hunger\u3000for\u3000this\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000seen\u3000such\u3000a\u3000ship\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000consumed\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000puzzled\u3002\u3000The\u3000slime\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000had\u3000smeared\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\u3000was\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\u3000nostril\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000pinched\u3000the\u3000other\u3000one\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000blew\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000ship\u2026but\u3000not\u3000eaten\u3000it\uff1f\u3000he\u3000signed\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000fluttered\u3000its\u3000tentacles\u3000in\u3000what\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000irritation\u2026or\u3000the\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000shrug\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000it\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000have\u3000I\u3000consumed\u3000any\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Consumed\uff1f\u3000Valas\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000consume\u3000knowledge\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003From\u3000our\u3000parents\uff1b\u3000after\u3000we\u3000hatch\u3002\u3000From\u3000other\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000such\u3000as\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000We\u3000consume\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000eat\u3000them\uff1f\u3000Valas\u3000asked\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000going\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000me\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\u3000not\u3000my\u3000privilege\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000this\u3000ship\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000quickly\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000it\u3000up\u3000with\u3000an\u3000emphatic\u3000sign\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000told\u3000that\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000such\u3000a\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000came\u3000here\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000real\u3000or\u3000rumor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000you\u3000from\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000e\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000considered\u3000how\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000that\u3002\u3000Was\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000whether\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u3000alone\u2026or\u3000was\u3000it\u3000weighing\u3000the\u3000potential\u3000information\u3000stored\u3000in\u3000Valas’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000prior\u3000to\u3000devouring\u3000him\uff1f\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000that\u3000wouldn’t\u3000make\u3000him\u3000sound\u3000like\u3000an\u3000appealing\u3000snack\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000sizing\u3000up\u3000his\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000escape\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cage\u2026that\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000hadn’t\u3000consumed\u3000him\u3000immediately\u2026was\u3000promising\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000perhaps\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000saved\u3000for\u3000some\u3000other\u3000aboleth\uff1b\u3000one\u3000with\u3000more\u3000\u3003privilege\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000was\u3000true\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000left\u3000to\u3000report\u3000the\u3000results\u3000of\u3000its\u3000initial\u3000questioning\u3000to\u3000its\u3000superior\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000use\u3000the\u3000star\u2026shaped\u3000amulet\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3000to\u3000escape\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000am\u3000from\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000signed\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000service\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000that\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000used\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000send\u3000me\u3000here\uff1b\u3000to\u3000inquire\u3000about\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Shortly\u3000she\u3000will\u3000use\u3000that\u3000same\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000me\u3000home\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Thus\u3000explaining\u3000my\u3000impending\u3000disappearance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000thought\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000hopefully\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000any\u3000search\u3000for\u3000me\u3000will\u3000be\u3000futile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000his\u3000nostril\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000mucus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000blew\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3000He\u3000scrubbed\u3000his\u3000face\u3000furiously\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sleeve\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000only\u3000served\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000slime\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Growing\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000stopped\u3000scrubbing\u3002\u3000The\u3000image\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000herding\u3000the\u3000jellyfish\u3000loomed\u3000large\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Was\u3000his\u3000left\u3000ear\u3000tingling\uff1f\u3000He\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000up\u3000and\u3000touch\u3000it\uff1b\u3000fearful\u3000that\u3000it\u3000might\u3000already\u3000be\u3000melting\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000return\u3000to\u3000your\u3000city\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shuddered\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000down\u3000the\u3000sick\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Am\u3000I\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000a\u3000slave\uff1f\u3000Does\u3000your\u3000city\u3000have\u3000no\u3000matron\u3000mother\u2026\u3000no\u3000ruler\u3000whom\u3000I\u3000can\u3000appeal\u3000to\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000ripple\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000aboleth’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000wondered\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000annoyance\u3000or\u3000pleasure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000has\u3000been\u3000many\u3000flows\u3000since\u3000Oothoon\u3000met\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dry\u3000folk\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000among\u3000your\u3000people\u3000and\u3000do\u3000not\u3000warrant\u3000her\u3000attention\u3002\u3000As\u3000for\u3000your\u3000question\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\u3000already\u3002\u3000When\u3000your\u3000transformation\u3000is\u3000plete\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000did\u3000touch\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000Its\u3000tip\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000tingling\uff1b\u3000as\u3000was\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000The\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000that\u3000hand\u3000felt\u3000sticky\u3002\u3000Trying\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000them\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000that\u3000his\u3000forefinger\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000fuse\u3000with\u3000the\u3000one\u3000beside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000little\u3000finger\u3000with\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000beside\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000web\u3000of\u3000grayish\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000malformed\u3000digits\u3000and\u3000was\u3000already\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000knuckle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000How\u3000long\u3000will\u3000the\u3000transformation\u3000take\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000already\u3000clumsy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000three\u3000boorms\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000it\u3000is\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000release\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000its\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000it\u3000swam\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000long\u3000a\u3000\u3003boorm\u3003\u3000was\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000one\u3000cycle\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u2026in\u3000which\u3000case\uff1b\u3000he\u3000still\u3000might\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3000if\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000spell\u3000didn’t\u3000run\u3000out\u3000first\u3002\u3000Or\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000a\u3000boorm\u3000might\u3000be\u3000as\u3000short\u3000as\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000at\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shuddered\u3002\u3000The\u3000sooner\u3000he\u3000started\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000was\u3000swimming\u3000strongly\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000nine\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3000on\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000wrench\u3000of\u3000its\u3000magic\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000he’d\u3000chosen\u2026a\u3000good\u3000hundred\u3000paces\u3000away\u2026but\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000had\u3000been\u3000transported\u3000there\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000kelp\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000a\u3000knee\u2026high\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000scattering\u3000a\u3000school\u3000of\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000frightened\u3000fish\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000part\u3000or\u3000his\u3000body\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000cage\u2026was\u3000that\u3000why\u3000it\u3000had\u3000slid\u3000sideways\u3000between\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3000with\u3000him\uff1f\u3000The\u3000cage\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000included\u3000in\u3000the\u3000talisman’s\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000explanation\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sculling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000positioned\u3000himself\u3000exactly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000again\u2026a\u3000shorter\u3000hop\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000came\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Sculling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000positioned\u3000himself\u3000exactly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000again\u2026a\u3000shorter\u3000hop\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000came\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000The\u3000cage\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000somehow\u3000enchanted\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000him\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000where\u3000he\u3000went\u3002\u3000If\u3000his\u3000brooch\u3000had\u3000been\u3000more\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000used\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000transport\u3000himself\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000short\u3000hops\u2026following\u3000the\u3000predominant\u3000current\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000that\u3000must\u3000be\u3000its\u3000source\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000brooch’s\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000limited\u3002\u3000After\u3000two\u3000more\u3000hops\u3000like\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000fall\u3000dormant\u3000for\u3000a\u3000full\u3000cycle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000left\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000was\u3000creeping\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000up\u3000his\u3000left\u3000arm\u3002\u3000He\u3000breathed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000lungful\u3000of\u3000water\uff1b\u3000then\u3000blew\u3000it\u3000out\u3000through\u3000his\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000clearing\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000How\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000did\u3000he\u3000have\uff1f\u3000As\u3000least\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000still\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000retain\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3000had\u3000exhibited\u3000free\u3000will\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000Valas\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Zanhoriloch\u2026for\u3000all\u3000the\u3000good\u3000that\u3000had\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Time\u3000to\u3000try\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000plucked\u3000another\u3000of\u3000his\u3000magical\u2026items\u3000from\u3000his\u3000shirt\uff1a\u3000a\u3000short\u3000mithral\u3000tube\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000his\u3000finger\u3002\u3000Sculling\u3000with\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u2026the\u3000webs\u3000had\u3000already\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000second\u3000knuckle\u2026he\u3000tapped\u3000the\u3000tube\u3000against\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3002\u3000A\u3000bright\uff1b\u3000clear\u3000note\u3000carried\u3000through\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000door\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000was\u3000not\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chime’s\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Slipping\u3000the\u3000chime\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000last\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brooch\u3000set\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000gray\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000was\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000uncut\u3000gems\u3002\u3000Made\u3000by\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000had\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000wrap\u3000its\u3000wearer\u3000in\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000whatever\u3000appearance\u3000he\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000actually\u3000transform\u3000the\u3000wearer\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000did\u3000it\u3000have\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000manifest\u3000more\u3000plicated\u3000illusions\u2026like\u3000making\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000aboleth\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\u2026but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000Valas\u3000to\u3000create\u3000subtle\u3000changes\u3000in\u3000his\u3000appearance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000gem\u3000in\u3000its\u3000facing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000shiver\u3000run\u3000through\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000\u3003saw\u3003\u3000webbed\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u3002\u3000The\u3000brooch’s\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Everything\u3000depended\u3000on\u3000his\u3000guess\uff1a\u3000that\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000would\u3000be\u3000negated\uff1b\u3000once\u3000his\u3000transformation\u3000was\u3000plete\u3002\u3000Kicking\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000he\u3000propelled\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000disappear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000head\u3000struck\u3000bars\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crack\u3000that\u3000made\u3000sparks\u3000dance\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Grimacing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drifted\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000was\u3000it\u3000then\u3002\u3000The\u3000brooch\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000final\u3000hope\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000that\u3000held\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000his\u3000body\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000created\u3002\u3000Until\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000it\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000I\u3000deserve\u3000a\u3000good\u3000clean\u3000death\u3002\u3000A\u3000soldier’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000Not\u3000this\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000yanked\u3000out\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kukris\u2026the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000through\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000struck\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000wouldn’t\u3000affect\u3000him\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000dagger\u2026a\u3000precaution\u3000against\u3000accidental\u3000wounds\u2026but\u3000if\u3000he\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000impale\u3000himself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000upturned\u3000blade\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000down\u3000for\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000that\u3000made\u3000up\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000used\u3000the\u3000dagger\u3000to\u3000prod\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000was\u3000too\u3000hard\u3002\u3000The\u3000cage\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000stone\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000move\u3000it\u3000somewhere\u3000else\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sculling\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000had\u3000rested\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\uff1b\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000only\u3000a\u3000gently\u3000waving\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000kelp\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000flattened\u3000parch\u3000he’d\u3000expected\u3002\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000somehow\u3000gotten\u3000turned\u3000around\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000His\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000direction\u3000hadn’t\u3000failed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000either\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000had\u3000just\u3000rested\u3000or\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000when\u3000he\u3000first\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000inside\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000should\u3000have\u3000crushed\u3000the\u3000kelp\u3000flat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ah\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000square\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000kelp\u3000about\u3000thirty\u3000paces\u3000away\u2026which\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000just\u3000been\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000that\u3000spot\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000spread\u3000over\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000blurring\u3000them\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000still\u3000see\u3000as\u3000clearly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000ever\u3000could\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000answer\uff1a\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000was\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000An\u3000incredibly\u3000powerful\u3000illusion\u2026one\u3000that\u3000manifested\u3000in\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senses\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000were\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000felt\u3000real\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000even\u3000caused\u3000his\u3000chime\u3000to\u3000ring\u3000when\u3000he\u3000struck\u3000it\u3000against\u3000them\u2026or\u3000so\u3000he’d\u3000thought\u3002\u3000But\u3000by\u3000closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\u2026by\u3000concentrating\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000it\u3000almost\u3000hurt\u2026he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000rocky\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Sculling\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000himself\u3000down\u3000against\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000along\u3000the\u3000ground\u2026and\u3000encountered\u3000no\u3000resistance\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000striking\u3000a\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000it\u3000slid\u3000along\u3000rough\uff1b\u3000bare\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000concentrating\uff1b\u3000he\u3000continued\u3000sliding\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000along\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000until\u3000they\u3000encountered\u3000resistance\uff1a\u3000a\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000kelp\u3002\u3000Its\u3000touch\u3000nearly\u3000broke\u3000his\u3000focus\uff1b\u3000so\u3000close\u3000was\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000to\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000that\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000of\u3000its\u3000foul\u3000touch\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Shuddering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pressed\u3000on\u3000until\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000kelp\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000done\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000illusionary\u3000cage\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000free\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000for\u3000how\u3000long\uff1f\u3000He\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000move\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000properly\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000only\u3000two\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000web\u3000of\u3000skin\u3000growing\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000His\u3000left\u3000ear\u3000felt\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000his\u3000left\u3000eye\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000squint\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000through\u3000it\u3000were\u3000somehow\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000Further\u3000confirmation\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fate\u3000came\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000clump\u3000or\u3000something\u3000lacy\u3000and\u3000white\u3000drifting\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000of\u3000that\u3000city\u3000were\u3000still\u3000going\u3000about\u3000their\u3000business\uff1b\u3000swimming\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000between\u3000their\u3000stalagmite\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000his\u3000escape\u3002\u3000No\u3000alarm\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000and\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000came\u3000swimming\u3000out\u3000to\u3000intercept\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000joy\u3000filled\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000short\u2026lived\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sinking\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000his\u3000escape\u3000was\u3000only\u3000temporary\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000drow\u2026thing\uff1b\u3000transformed\u3000forever\u3000into\u3000a\u3000water\u2026breathing\u3000creature\u3002\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000lake\u3000would\u3000be\u3000his\u3000prison\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hopeless\uff1b\u3000since\u3000none\u3000of\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000had\u3000healing\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000since\u3000they’d\u3000probably\u3000mistake\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000monster\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000tied\u3000his\u3000kukri\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3000and\u3000began\u3000swimming\u3000against\u3000the\u3000current\uff1b\u3000He’d\u3000pleted\u3000the\u3000first\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000duty\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mercenary\uff1a\u3000he’d\u3000escaped\u3002\u3000Next\u3000he\u3000would\u3000carry\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000his\u3000report\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000contained\u3000woefully\u3000little\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000at\u3000all\u3000cost\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000report\u3000delivered\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000get\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000refused\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000do\u3000the\u3000job\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000directing\u3000his\u3000troops\u3002\u3000Runners\u3000continually\u3000came\u3000and\u3000went\u3000through\u3000the\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000tunnels\u3000that\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000news\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000for\u3000the\u3000approaches\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Soldiers\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000were\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000exit\u3000from\u3000Ablonshier’s\u3000Cave\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faintly\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000connecting\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000steel\u3000on\u3000steel\u3000as\u3000drow\u3000sword\u3000met\u3000tanarukk\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3002\u3000A\u3000group\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000force\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000circled\u3000past\u3000that\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000tangled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000webs\u3000cast\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000pany\u3002\u3000The\u3000latest\u3000report\u3000indicated\u3000that\u3000the\u3000webs\u3000were\u3000on\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000half\u2026orc\uff1b\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000apparently\uff1b\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u2026at\u3000the\u3000expense\u3000of\u3000their\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000allies\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000strands\u3002\u3000The\u3000reek\u3000of\u3000burned\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000flesh\u3000drifted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000the\u3000caves\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\u3000of\u3000where\u3000Andzrel\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000Baenre\u3000troops\u3000had\u3000forced\u3000a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000faerzress\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000light\u3000pellets\u3000in\u3000after\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000resulting\u3000pyrotechnic\u3000display\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000been\u3000quite\u3000spectacular\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000slingers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000triggered\u3000it\u2026slingers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000struck\u3000blind\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3002\u3000More\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wings\u3000around\u3000a\u3000bend\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000had\u3000rushed\u3000past\u3000the\u3000slingers\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000the\u3000coup\u3000de\u3000grace\u3000to\u3000the\u3000blinded\u3000duergar\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000itched\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000crawling\u3000the\u3000jagged\u3000twists\u3000and\u3000turns\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion’s\u3000narrow\u3000passageways\uff1b\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000his\u3000enemy\u3000face\u2026to\u2026face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tight\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000was\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000a\u3000column\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000stalagmite\uff1b\u3000directing\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000that\u3000flowed\u3000past\u3000him\u3000into\u3000battle\u3000while\u3000he\u3000remained\u3000behind\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000picturing\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u2026sensitive\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vibrations\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000all\u3000directions\u3000and\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000them\u2026but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3002\u3000He\u3000wanted\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Lolth’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000in\u3000glorious\u3000battle\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Pillars\u3000of\u3000Woe\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he’d\u3000snatched\u3000victory\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fangs\u3000of\u3000deceit\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000the\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000was\u3000going\u3000too\u3000well\u3002\u3000Alerted\u3000by\u3000Triel’s\u3000warning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000had\u3000poured\u3000troops\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominions\u3000southeast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000advance\u3000to\u3000grind\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000withdrawn\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000th \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n have\u3000withdrawn\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002\u3000And\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Scoured\u3000Legion\u3000might\u3000have\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000an\u3000army\u3000through\u3000those\u3000narrow\u3000tunnels\u3000was\u3000like\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000a\u3000melon\u3000through\u3000the\u3000neck\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000they\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000send\u3000troops\u3000forward\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they’d\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000to\u3000be\u3000undefended\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000allowed\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000wander\u3002\u3000His\u3000eye\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000that\u3000had\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drifting\u3000in\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\u3002\u3000It\u3000rose\u3000steadily\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000drawn\u3000by\u3000air\u3000currents\u3000that\u3000were\u3000surprisingly\u3000swift\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000crack\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000slipped\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000crack\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000by\u3000another\u3000drift\u3000of\u3000smoke\u2026one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000curiously\u3000shaped\uff1b\u3000with\u3000tendrils\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3002\u3000It\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000vanished\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crack\u3002\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000third\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000one\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bulge\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3000that\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000shaggy\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\u3000realizing\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000barked\u3000an\u3000order\u3000at\u3000the\u3000junior\u3000officer\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\uff01\u3000The\u3000smoke\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000shoot\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000swiftness\u3000born\u3000of\u3000strict\u3000training\u3000and\u3000absolute\u3000obedience\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000whipped\u3000up\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3000crossbow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000indicated\u3002\u3000A\u3000poisoned\u3000bolt\u3000whizzed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000its\u3000target\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000passing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000\u3003smoke\u3003\u3000and\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000something\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000thud\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3000materialized\u3000out\u3000of\u3000thin\u3000air\u3002\u3000It\u3000tumbled\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000thrashing\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000landing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000clang\u3000beside\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000tanarukk\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000even\u3000before\u3000it\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000virulent\u3000drow\u3000poison\u3000having\u3000done\u3000its\u3000work\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u3000immediately\u3000fitted\u3000another\u3000bolt\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3000at\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Master\u3000Andzrel\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000croaked\uff1b\u3000\u3003where\u3000did\u3000it\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000two\u2026dimensional\u3000tanarukk\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000No\u3000more\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000\u3003smoke\u3003\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000dead\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000bringing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Short\u3000and\u3000stocky\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000lower\u3000jaw\u3000and\u3000curving\u3000tusks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tanarukk\u3000had\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000of\u3000horn\u3000across\u3000its\u3000forehead\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000unintelligent\u3000look\u3002\u3000The\u3000trick\u3000it\u3000and\u3000its\u3000fellows\u3000had\u3000played\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000stupid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000mote\u3000important\u3000question\uff1b\u3000lieutenant\uff1b\u3000is\u3000where\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000were\u3000headed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000how\u3000many\u3000have\u3000slipped\u3000past\u3000us\u3000already\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000my\u3000geography\u3000correctly\uff1b\u3000that\u3000crack\u3000leads\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000runner\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000a\u3000side\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Good\u3000news\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000panted\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000only\u3000holding\u3000them\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000they\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000falling\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000enemy\u3000has\u3000all\u3000but\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Andzrel\u3000cursed\u2026surprising\u3000the\u3000runner\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000obviously\u3000expected\u3000elation\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mander’s\u3000part\u2026the\u3000forefront\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000trotted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000reinforcements\u3000sent\u3000in\u3000at\u3000last\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000House\uff1b\u3000only\u3000after\u3000House\u3000Baenre’s\u3000troops\u3000had\u3000secured\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Leaping\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000stalagmite\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000strode\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000who\u3000manded\u3000them\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000female\u3000in\u3000adamantine\u3000armor\u3000with\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000drawn\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000topknot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Captain\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000barked\uff1b\u3000foregoing\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000bow\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ranking\u3000officer’s\u3000due\u2026and\u3000the\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000captain\uff1b\u3000being\u3000female\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000did\u3000outrank\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Turn\u3000your\u3000pany\u3000around\u3002\u3000March\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captain’s\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3000an\u3000even\u3000deeper\u3000red\u3000as\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3000flushed\u3000with\u3000anger\u3002\u3000She\u3000jerked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000following\u3000her\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Who\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Nine\u3000Hells\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000are\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3000be\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you’re\u3000only\u3000a\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000isn’t\u3000the\u3000time\u3000for\u3000arguments\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tense\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000his\u3000intensity\u3000making\u3000up\u3000for\u3000his\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000height\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000has\u3000slipped\u3000past\u3000us\u3000and\u3000are\u3000about\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000House\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000lies\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000their\u3000path\u3002\u3000Is\u3000your\u3000pride\u3000really\u3000worth\u3000your\u3000House\uff1b\u3000captain\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000captain\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000sword\u3000gripped\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000spun\u3000on\u3000her\u3000heel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Turn\u3000about\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000barked\u3002\u3000\u3003Back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Double\u3000speed\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000look\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000Andzrel\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000as\u3000she\u3000sped\u3000away\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000pany\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000as\u3000sharp\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000point\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000and\u3000duergar\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000win\u3000or\u3000lose\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000second\u3000battle\u3000to\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000lieutenant\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000in\u3000charge\u3002\u3000Order\u3000half\u3000of\u3000our\u3000pany\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lieutenant’s\u3000white\u3000eyebrows\u3000lifted\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000will\u3000you\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000his\u3000impertinence\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000captain\u3000follows\u3000her\u3000orders\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000hopefully\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000a\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000flanked\u3000by\u3000her\u3000House\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000currently\u3000serving\u3000as\u3000her\u3000personal\u3000attendant\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000that\u3000encircled\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000at\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000stalagmite\u3000and\u3000stalactite\u3000met\u3002\u3000From\u3000far\u3000below\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000plateau\uff1b\u3000came\u3000the\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000troops\u3000in\u3000battle\u3002\u3000A\u3000band\u3000of\u3000tanarukks\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000slipped\u3000past\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000she’d\u3000ordered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000and\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000mushroom\u3000forest\u3002\u3000The\u3000wide\u3000caps\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mushrooms\u3000prevented\u3000Triel\u3000from\u3000seeing\u3000much\uff1b\u3000but\u3000every\u3000now\u3000and\u3000then\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puffballs\u3000would\u3000explode\u3000as\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000or\u3000axe\u3000struck\u3000it\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000luminescent\u3000blue\u3000spores\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Among\u3000the\u3000batants\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000pick\u3000out\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000uniforms\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000troops\u3002\u3000The\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000pany\u3000under\u3000Andzrel\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1b\u3000were\u3000fighting\u3000a\u3000containing\u3000action\uff1b\u3000preventing\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000from\u3000advancing\u3000farther\u3000into\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000soldiers\u3000repeatedly\u3000charged\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000them\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fence\uff1b\u3000two\u3000squadrons\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre’s\u3000mounted\u3000troops\u3000made\u3000an\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000flanks\uff1b\u3000their\u3000lizards\u3000scurrying\u3000along\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000gradually\u3000forced\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000when\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000would\u3000either\u3000be\u3000shoved\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cork\u3000into\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3000or\u3000smashed\u3000flat\u3000where\u3000they\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000closest\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3000parted\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000strained\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3000general\u3000stride\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gap\u3000in\u3000their\u3000ranks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000emerged\u3000instead\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3000made\u3000her\u3000chuckle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Three\u3000times\u3000the\u3000height\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000construct\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000that\u3000guarded\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entrances\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Made\u3000from\u3000magically\u3000treated\u3000jade\uff1b\u3000it\u3000moved\u3000with\u3000fluid\u3000grace\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000captivating\u3000in\u3000its\u3000beauty\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000deadly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000some\u3000fun\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000plump\u3000wizard\u3000standing\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000acknowledged\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000curt\u3000nod\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000much\u3000care\u3000for\u3000Nauzhror\uff1b\u3000her\u3000first\u3000cousin\u3000once\u3000removed\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000only\u3000been\u3000promoted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000because\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000archmage’s\u3000robes\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stuck\u2026up\u3000snobbishness\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000earned\u3000them\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000instead\u3000directed\u3000her\u3000ment\u3000to\u3000Wilara\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000her\u3000left\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000spiders\u3000will\u3000put\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000into\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000chuckled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wilara\u3000laughed\u3000politely\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000Her\u3000laughter\u3000ended\u3000abruptly\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000attacking\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000strode\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gap\u3000they’d\u3000created\u3000in\u3000their\u3000ranks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen’s\u3000name\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wilara’s\u3000unfinished\u3000question\u3000was\u3000answered\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000crashed\u3000headlong\u3000into\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000Plucking\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000with\u3000its\u3000mandibles\uff1b\u3000it\u3000scissored\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000half\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000fall\u3000to\u3000either\u3000side\uff1b\u3000it\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000race\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000its\u3000way\u3000through\u3000mushrooms\u3000and\u3000drow\u3000alike\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000help\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nauzhror\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strangled\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003They’ve\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000control\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000constructs\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000One\u3000or\u3000two\u3000prostrated\u3000themselves\u3000before\u3000it\u2026only\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000same\u3000treatment\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000soldier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000continued\u3000its\u3000relentless\u3000advance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000several\u3000drow\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000bloody\u3000heaps\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000Within\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000carved\u3000a\u3000gap\u3000through\u3000both\u3000the\u3000mushroom\u3000forest\u3000and\u3000the\u3000troops\u2026a\u3000gap\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000were\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000exploit\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Attack\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000cried\u3000as\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000surged\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000soldiers\u3000were\u3000too\u3000far\u3000away\u3000to\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000thankfully\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000officers\u2026probably\u3000Andzrel\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000black\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000cloak\u2026rallied\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000fell\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000from\u3000either\u3000side\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000gap\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000opened\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000as\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000once\u3000more\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000advance\u3002\u3000Leaving\u3000the\u3000struggling\u3000foes\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mushroom\u3000forest\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000it\u3000scaled\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000that\u3000led\u3000from\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000pound\u3002\u3000It\u3000moved\u3000swiftly\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000more\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000hesitated\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000high\u3000fence\u3000that\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000more\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000hesitated\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000high\u3000fence\u3000that\u3000enclosed\u3000the\u3000pound\u3000as\u3000if\u3000contemplating\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000flowed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000barrier’s\u3000glowing\u3000silver\u3000strands\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalagmites\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000fence\u3000was\u3000attached\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000on\u3000the\u3000balconies\u3000above\u3000watched\u3000in\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000construct\u3000scaled\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000a\u3000living\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000point\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000fence\u3002\u3000It\u3000leaped\u3000down\u3000over\u3000the\u3000barrier\uff1b\u3000then\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pound\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\u3000headed\u3002\u3000The\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000making\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Baenre’s\u3000central\u3000structure\u2026the\u3000great\u3000domed\u3000temple\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wilara\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000she\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000calculated\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000course\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000dare\u3000attack\u3000our\u3000temple\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nauzhror\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sidelong\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000appropriate\u3000rage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000insolence\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000interim\u3000archmage\u3000fumed\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000Lolth’s\u3000webs\u3000strangle\u3000them\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000familiar\u2026a\u3000fist\u2026sized\uff1b\u3000hairy\u3000brown\u3000spider\u2026scuttled\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000disturbed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000violent\u3000motion\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000temple\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000target\uff1b\u3000but\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000chief\u3000aim\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000little\u3000a\u3000single\u3000jade\u3000spider\u2026or\u3000even\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000them\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u2026could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000harm\u3000the\u3000building\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000incursion\u3000was\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000demonstration\uff1b\u3000made\u3000where\u3000all\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000face\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000people\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000stopped\u2026but\u3000anyone\u3000doing\u3000so\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000of\u3000a\u3000building\u3000consecrated\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000incur\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000wrath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000ordinary\u3000times\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000to\u3000plead\u3000for\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000would\u3000be\uff1a\u3000silence\u3002\u3000The\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u2026and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000wasn’t\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000weakness\u3000would\u3000be\u3000plain\u3000for\u3000all\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000The\u3000males\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000so\u3000valiantly\u3000to\u3000force\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnels\uff1b\u3000might\u3000falter\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000became\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000ranking\u3000females\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000Lolth’s\u3000favor\u3000for\u3000some\u3000fault\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000or\u3000that\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000all\u3000drow\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000even\u3000turn\u3000against\u3000their\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000knows\u3000our\u3000weakness\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tense\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000must\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000has\u3000fallen\u3000silent\u3000forever\u3000and\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000plain\u3000for\u3000all\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Wilara\u3000stiffened\u3002\u3000Then\u3000amazingly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000contradicted\u3000her\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000long\u3000braid\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000down\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000ripple\u3000like\u3000a\u3000snake\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000goddess\u3000will\u3000answer\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Triel’s\u3000whip\u3000hissed\u3000their\u3000annoyance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Triel\u3000ignored\u3000them\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000allow\u3000Wilara’s\u3000outspokenness\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000may\u3000awaken\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000as\u3000much\u3000to\u3000steady\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000priestess’s\u3000benefit\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000sister\u3000Quenthel\u3000has\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000given\u3000up\uff1b\u3000so\u3000neither\u3000should\u3000we\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meantime\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000rely\u3000upon\u3000ourselves\u3002\u3000And\u3000upon\u3000other\u3000forms\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Nauzhror\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000will\u3000transform\u3000stone\u3000to\u3000flesh\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000if\u3000we\u3000transform\u3000it\u3000to\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000statue\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000living\u3000spider\u3002\u3000The\u3000problem\u3000remains\u3002\u3000We\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000kill\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quite\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000she\u3000unfastened\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000cases\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000we’re\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000spider\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000out\u3000a\u3000slender\u3000iron\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000tipped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000amber\u3000whose\u3000depths\u3000held\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000a\u3000desiccated\u3000moth\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000you\u3000cast\u3000your\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000polymorph\u3000it\u3000into\u3000something\u3000else\u2026something\u3000large\u3000and\u3000dangerous\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000torn\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000through\u3000our\u3000ranks\u3002\u3000Something\u3000our\u3000troops\u3000won’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000problem\u3000attacking\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nauzhror\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000deceitful\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000One\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000herself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glancing\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000nearly\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quit\u3000fawning\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003Teleport\u3000us\u3000down\u3000there\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nauzhror\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000lurch\u3000sideways\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000squeezed\u3000between\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000they\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000great\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Two\u3000dozen\u3000House\u3000guards\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000milling\u3000about\u3000uncertainly\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000their\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000suddenly\u3000appeared\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000Some\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000others\u3000glanced\u3000between\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000that\u3000was\u3000rapidly\u3000approaching\uff1b\u3000its\u3000stone\u3000legs\u3000click\u2026clicking\u3000as\u3000it\u3000scurried\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Nauzhror\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000paling\u3000to\u3000gray\u3000as\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000stone\u3000spider\u3000rapidly\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000gap\uff1b\u3000began\u3000chanting\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000a\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000an\u3000intense\uff1b\u3000narrow\u3000beam\u3000or\u3000red\u3000light\u3000sprang\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000or\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000made\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000waver\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000miss\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000by\u3000several\u3000paces\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000grabbed\u3000Nauzhror’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000beam\u3000connected\u2026and\u3000jade\u3000became\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000activated\u3000her\u3000wand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000shifted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000form\u3000she\u3000held\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000a\u3000two\u2026legged\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000muscles\uff1b\u3000enormous\u3000claws\u3000and\u3000mandibles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000rounded\uff1b\u3000insectoid\u3000head\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000chitinous\u3000plates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000feelers\u3000sprouted\u3000from\u3000cracks\u3000near\u3000its\u3000head\u3000where\u3000the\u3000sections\u3000met\u3002\u3000Startled\u3000by\u3000its\u3000sudden\u3000transformation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000stumbled\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000feelers\u3000waving\u3000frantically\u3000as\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000clacked\u3000shut\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nauzhror\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003An\u3000umber\u3000hulk\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Convincing\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wry\u3000smile\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dozen\u3000or\u3000so\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000gaping\u3000nearby\u3000and\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Soldiers\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000been\u3000fooled\u3000by\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000Defend\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000a\u3000man\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000swords\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000transformed\u3000statue\u3000fought\u3000back\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000tearing\u3000one\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000half\u3000and\u3000neatly\u3000scissoring\u3000the\u3000head\u3000off\u3000another\u3002\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000lieutenant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u2026a\u3000small\u3000male\u3000with\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000plaited\u3000in\u3000two\u3000braids\u3000that\u3000were\u3000tucked\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000pointed\u3000ears\u2026leaped\u3000directly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000umber\u3000hulk\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000no\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000only\u3000weapon\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000crossbow\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000left\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000He\u3000aimed\u3000deliberately\u3000as\u3000the\u3000umber\u3000hulk\u3000staggered\u3000toward\u3000him\u2026still\u3000uncertain\u3000of\u3000its\u3000footing\u3000with\u3000only\u3000two\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000eight\u2026and\u3000he\u3000fired\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000bolt\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000umber\u3000hulk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000two\u3000of\u3000its\u3000armor\u3000plates\u3000met\u3002\u3000It\u3000buried\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fletching\u3000in\u3000soft\u3000flesh\u2026then\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3002\u3000Sparks\u3000raced\u3000in\u3000brilliant\u3000streaks\u3000across\u3000the\u3000umber\u3000hulk’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shot\u3000up\u3000its\u3000feelers\uff1b\u3000sizzling\u3000them\u3000like\u3000burned\u3000hair\u3002\u3000The\u3000umber\u3000hulk\u3000faltered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000fell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lieutenant\u2026whom\u3000Triel\u3000belatedly\u3000recognized\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000nephews\uff1b\u3000a\u3000male\u3000named\u3000Vrellin\u2026dropped\u3000to\u3000one\u3000knee\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000never\u3000once\u3000lifting\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000threat\u3002\u3000My\u3000life\u3000is\u3000yours\uff1b\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000baring\u3000his\u3000exposed\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000noise\u3000startled\u3000Vrellin\u3002\u3000Uncertain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000up\u2026but\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000into\u3000Triel’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Vrellin\u3000was\u3000a\u3000male\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mock\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strained\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000my\u3000life\u3000worth\u3000so\u3000little\u3000you\u3000deem\u3000it\u3000not\u3000worth\u3000taking\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000them\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lieutenant’s\u3000head\u2026a\u3000touch\u3000as\u3000light\u3000as\u3000a\u3000spiderweb\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003For\u3000what\u3000you\u3000have\u3000done\uff1b\u3000lieutenant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000will\u3000reward\u3000you\u2026in\u3000this\u3000life\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000Then\u3000something\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\uff1a\u3000streaks\u3000of\u3000dull\u3000red\u3000light\uff1b\u3000arcing\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000down\u3000again\u3002\u3000They\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000between\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000swore\u3000softly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000their\u3000point\u3000of\u3000origin\u2026the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000access\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000from\u3000outside\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026and\u3000what\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\uff1a\u3000pots\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000even\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000like\u3000those\u3000that\u3000had\u3000destroyed\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stonefire\u3000bombs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000under\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000a\u3000second\u3000front\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000pinpoints\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000blossoming\u3000on\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stonefire\u3000bombs\u3000were\u3000being\u3000used\u3000to\u3000good\u3000effect\u3000against\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000three\u3000most\u3000cherished\u3000institutions\uff1a\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000holy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temples\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tearing\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000plateau\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000beaten\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000was\u3000visible\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conflict\u3000were\u3000a\u3000few\u3000scattered\u3000corpses\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Abyss\u3000take\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000swore\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000feint\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000lounged\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plush\u3000carpets\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thrown\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000and\u3000sipped\u3000her\u3000glass\u3000of\u3000lacefungus\u3000wine\u3002\u3000Kaanyr\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pacing\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000served\u3000as\u3000his\u3000quarters\u3000in\u3000the\u3000field\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000next\u3000to\u3000his\u3000\u3003throne\u3003\u2026an\u3000enormous\u3000chair\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lashed\u3000together\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bones\u3000of\u3000his\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hideous\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000furniture\u3000he’d\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000carrying\u3000with\u3000him\u3000on\u3000campaign\u3002\u3000Snarling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kicked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000brazier\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000next\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ed\u3000on\u3000carrying\u3000with\u3000him\u3000on\u3000campaign\u3002\u3000Snarling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kicked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000brazier\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000next\u3000to\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Abyss\u3000take\u3000Nimor\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000blazing\u3000with\u3000radiant\u3000heat\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000promised\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000disarray\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000a\u3000coherent\u3000defense\u3002\u3000Now\u3000my\u3000army\u3000sits\u3000stalled\u3000and\u3000impotent\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000claim\u3000all\u3000the\u3000glory\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glowing\u3000red\u3000coals\u3000scattered\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rugs\uff1b\u3000which\u3000began\u3000smoldering\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000coals\u3000and\u3000juggled\u3000it\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000her\u3000palm\u3002\u3000Its\u3000heat\u3000tickled\u3000her\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000why\u3000not\u3000march\u3000your\u3000troops\u3000north\u3000and\u3000join\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000attack\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000suggested\uff1b\u3000her\u3000black\u3000wings\u3000framing\u3000the\u3000question\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shrug\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000give\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000us\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000territory\u3000they\u3000know\u3000well\uff1f\u3003\u3000Vhok\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Your\u3000grasp\u3000of\u3000tactics\u2026or\u3000lack\u3000thereof\u2026astounds\u3000me\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3000just\u3000whose\u3000side\u3000you’re\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Setting\u3000her\u3000glass\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000tiptoe\u3000and\u3000locked\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000behind\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Drawing\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000down\u3000to\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000on\u3000your\u3000side\uff1b\u3000darling\u3000Kaanyr\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000murmured\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000the\u3000kiss\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000Nimor\u3000begins\u3000to\u3000annoy\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000grumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000promised\u3000us\u3000the\u3000spoils\u3000of\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u2026an\u3000empty\u3000promise\u3002\u3000Even\u3000without\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000proving\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Horgar\u3000so\u3000aptly\u3000noted\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tough\u3000stone\u3000to\u3000crack\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000Lolth\u3000suddenly\u3000returns\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000small\u3000fires\u3000that\u3000had\u3000erupted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carpet\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000group\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000you\u3000were\u3000spying\u3000on\uff1b\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000was\u3000busy\u3000nuzzling\u3000the\u3000cambion’s\u3000coal\u2026hot\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mmm\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000purred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000were\u3000they\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000pouted\u3000but\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Does\u3000it\u3000matter\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000might\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vhok\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000is\u3000why\u3000I\u3000have\u3000another\u3000little\u3000job\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000find\u3000them\u2026and\uff1b\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000they’re\u3000up\u3000to\u3002\u3000If\u3000I’m\u3000right\uff1b\u3000we\u3000may\u3000need\u3000to\u3000rethink\u3000our\u3000alliance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000cocked\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000smiled\u2026not\u3000at\u3000the\u3000treachery\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\u3000was\u3000hinting\u3000at\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000Pharaun\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000certainty\u3000was\u3000delicious\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Fourteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000drain\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000horrified\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3002\u3000Were\u3000he\u3000not\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gods\u2026cursed\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000in\u3000a\u3000summary\u3000fashion\uff1b\u3000casually\u3000flicking\u3000a\u3000death\u2026dealing\u3000spell\u3000in\u3000its\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000was\u3000at\u3000its\u3000mercy\u3002\u3000Every\u3000fleeting\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mind\u3000would\u3000be\u3000heard\u3000by\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000as\u3000if\u3000spoken\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000secrets\u2026or\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u2026were\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000he\u3000could\u3000deliberately\u3000not\u3000think\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000That\u3000effort\u3000would\u3000only\u3000cause\u3000them\u3000to\u3000e\u3000bubbling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000good\u3000thing\u3000about\u3000his\u3000situation\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer’s\u3000gently\u3000waving\u3000tentacles\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid\u3000could\u3000no\u3000more\u3000reach\u3000in\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000Gromph\u3000than\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000send\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000out\u3000to\u3000blast\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mind\u3000flayer’s\u3000telepathic\u3000speech\u3000was\u3000another\u3000matter\u3002\u3000It\u3000penetrated\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000with\u3000ease\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sorcere\uff1f\u3000Which\u3000building\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000fleeting\u3000image\u3000formed\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mind\uff1a\u3000Sorcere’s\u3000sculpted\u3000stalagmite\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000proudly\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000edifices\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1a\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000eight\u2026legged\u3000temple\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000fixed\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000on\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid\u3000swam\u3000up\u3000until\u3000its\u3000head\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000It\u3000glanced\u3000to\u3000its\u3000right\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000blank\u3000white\u3000eyes\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000raised\u3000grotto\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000off\u3000the\u3000main\u3000cavern\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Its\u3000tentacles\u3000lifted\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000bright\u3000sparkle\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000enveloped\u3000the\u3000illithid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000and\u3000shore\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sinking\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000things\u3000were\u3000even\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000thought\u3002\u3000His\u3000captor\u3000was\u3000no\u3000ordinary\u3000illithid\u3000but\u3000one\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000sorcery\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000immediately\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000that\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000them\u3000to\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000led\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominions\u3000into\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000Exhausted\u3000duergar\u3000sprawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000Others\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000enormous\u3000axes\u3000and\u3000battle\u2026chewed\u3000shields\uff1b\u3000hurried\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000their\u3000officers\u3000urging\u3000them\u3000toward\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000exploding\u3000spells\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000other\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000busied\u3000themselves\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000hurriedly\u3000assembling\u3000siege\u3000engines\u3000and\u3000shelters\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000labored\u3000without\u3000ceasing\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000an\u3000occasional\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000or\u3000ice\u3000or\u3000crackling\u3000electricity\u3000arced\u3000over\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000near\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000walls\u3000they\u3000had\u3000set\u3000up\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000Glowing\u3000pits\u3000of\u3000molten\u3000rock\u3000or\u3000ice\u2026shattered\u3000stone\u3000attested\u3000to\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000those\u3000blasts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\u3000everything\u3000but\u3000could\u3000not\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000shouts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u2026who\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000newly\u3000arrived\u3000illithid\u2026nor\u3000could\u3000he\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000sulfurous\u3000explosions\u3002\u3000The\u3000sphere\u3000enclosed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000world\u3000filled\u3000only\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000breathing\u2026which\u3000became\u3000rapid\u3000as\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Gracklstugh’s\u3000army\u3000had\u3000not\u3000only\u3000reached\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000but\u3000had\u3000established\u3000a\u3000foothold\u3000inside\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000attacking\u3000the\u3000three\u3000buildings\u3000that\u3000were\u3000the\u3000most\u3000heavily\u3000fortified\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000themselves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hands\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000his\u3000prison\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000strained\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spiders\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000serve\u3000a\u3000different\u3000master\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3002\u3000As\u3000will\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3002\u3000The\u3000army\u3000is\u3000already\u3000inside\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Whose\u3000army\uff1f\u3000Gromph\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Not\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000illithids\uff1b\u3000surely\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000carried\u3000him\u3000would\u3000have\u3000said\u3000\u3003our\u3000army\u3002\u3003\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000of\u3000Gracklstugh\u3000reached\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000came\u3000swiftly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\u3002\u3000And\u3000tanarukks\u3000march\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000cannot\u3000stand\u3000against\u3000their\u3000bined\u3000might\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000knowing\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000that\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000he\u3000could\u3000use\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000back\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000free\u3000himself\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000precise\u3000spell\u3000required\uff1b\u3000And\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000inside\u3000Sorcere\u2026specifically\uff1b\u3000to\u3000his\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000imprisonment\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000both\u3000those\u3000things\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000siege\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000and\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000Or\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Deliberately\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000let\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000dwell\u3000upon\u3000that\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000reply\u3000was\u3000tinged\u3000with\u3000arrogance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000why\u3000should\u3000I\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000set\u3000you\u3000free\uff1f\u3000All\u3000of\u3000your\u3000secrets\u3000will\u3000be\u3000mine\uff1b\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000flay\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000layer\u3000by\u3000layer\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000of\u3000a\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000illithid\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026sentence\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000was\u3000approaching\u3002\u3000Long\uff1b\u3000purple\u3000fingers\u3000closed\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid\u3000held\u3000it\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000hiding\u3000what\u3000it\u3000contained\u3002\u3000It\u3000rubbed\u3000its\u3000fingers\u3000deliberately\u3000against\u3000the\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000smearing\u3000its\u3000surface\u3000with\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000that\u3000coated\u3000its\u3000palms\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000tumbled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u3000as\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000to\u3000its\u3000side\u3002\u3000He\u3000scrambled\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000look\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000only\u3000clear\u3000spot\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000illithid\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000others\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dwarf\u3000had\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000a\u3000snub\u3000nose\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000flattened\u3000by\u3000a\u3000mace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bald\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000mottled\u3000gray\u2026and\u2026black\u3000clothing\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000but\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000bronze\u3000breastplate\u3000so\u3000untarnished\u3000and\u3000free\u3000of\u3000dents\u3000that\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000bet\u3000it\u3000was\u3000magical\u3002\u3000He\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000greataxe\u3000whose\u3000double\u2026bladed\u3000head\u3000swirled\u3000with\u3000ghostly\u3000patterns\u2026likely\u3000the\u3000trapped\u3000souls\u3000of\u3000those\u3000it\u3000had\u3000slain\uff1b\u3000or\u3000so\u3000Gromph\u3000guessed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000his\u3000head\u3000tilted\u3000up\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000but\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer’s\u3000waist\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarf’s\u3000gaze\u3000occasionally\u3000creeped\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000gestured\u3000repeatedly\u3000at\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glancing\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000illichid’s\u3000tentacles\u3000ripple\u3000as\u3000it\u3000shook\u3000its\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\uff1b\u3000who\u3000obviously\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000addressing\u3000another\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000suddenness\u3000that\u3000surprised\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000bent\u3000over\u3000the\u3000dwarf\u3002\u3000Its\u3000four\u3000tentacles\u3000lashed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000themselves\u3000around\u3000the\u3000duergar’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000dwarf\u3000flailed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000that\u3000move\u3000and\u3000countered\u3000it\u3000with\u3000magic\u3002\u3000The\u3000dwarf’s\u3000body\u3000went\u3000suddenly\u3000rigid\uff1b\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000poised\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Tentacles\u3000flexed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000duergar’s\u3000head\u3000split\u3000open\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ripe\u3000fungus\u3000ball\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000three\u3000held\u3000the\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000vicelike\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000it\u3000began\u3000scooping\u3000pinkish\u3000gobs\u3000of\u3000brain\u3000into\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000sickened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000face\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000glass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000duergar\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000shocked\u3000looks\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000One\u3000or\u3000two\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000their\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000took\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000blank\u3000white\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000suddenly\u3000relaxed\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000only\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000easy\u3000it\u3000was\u3000for\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000to\u3000cloud\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000minds\u3000of\u3000a\u3000g \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n relaxed\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000only\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000easy\u3000it\u3000was\u3000for\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000to\u3000cloud\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000minds\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gang\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000saw\u3000when\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000illithid\u2026one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\u2026and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000pelled\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000their\u3000dead\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000his\u3000broken\u3000skull\uff1b\u3000or\u3000his\u3000half\u2026eaten\u3000brain\u3002\u3000One\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u2026addled\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000simply\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000doing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finished\u3000with\u3000its\u3000meal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000plucked\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dwarf’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000then\u3000let\u3000the\u3000body\u3000drop\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000said\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000how\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000Sorcere\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000greataxe\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000cared\u3000less\u3000about\u3000the\u3000war\u3000than\u3000it\u3000did\u3000about\u3000personal\u3000gain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000want\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000inside\u3000Sorcere\u3000before\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000illithid’s\u3000next\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000more\u3000tentative\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000admitting\u3000a\u3000guilty\u3000secret\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000it\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000if\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000back\u3000door\u3000into\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000that\u3000information\u3000from\u3000me\u3000by\u3000force\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000take\u3000too\u3000long\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000you\u3000find\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000will\u3000be\u3000inside\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000be\u3000left\u3000with\u3000whatever\u3000scraps\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000destroy\u3000or\u3000loot\u3000for\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000can\u3000offer\u3000another\u3000alternative\u3002\u3000Help\u3000me\u3000to\u3000get\u3000free\u3000of\u3000this\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000reward\u3000you\u3000well\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000willingly\u3000give\u3000you\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000you\u3000crave\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000magic\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000my\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000experimentation\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000developed\u3000powerful\u3000spells\u3000that\u3000other\u3000mages\u3000and\u3000wizards\u3000have\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000even\u3000imagine\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000tendrils\u3000of\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000mind\u2026probing\u3000magic\u3000root\u3000even\u3000deeper\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Those\u3000spells\u3000are\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000in\u3000my\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000it\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000in\u3000my\u3000private\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000In\u3000these\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000let\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000dwell\u3000on\u3000his\u3000office\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000desk\u3000that\u3000dominated\u3000the\u3000windowless\u3000room\u3002\u3000Made\u3000of\u3000polished\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000drawers\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000onto\u3000extra\u2026dimensional\u3000spaces\u3002\u3000The\u3000front\u3000of\u3000each\u3000drawer\u3000was\u3000inlaid\u3000with\u3000a\u3000different\u3000skull\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000pictured\u3000himself\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000and\u3000reaching\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000skull\uff1b\u3000then\u3000placing\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000in\u3000its\u3000eye\u3000sockets\u3002\u3000The\u3000drawer\u3000slid\u3000open\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000a\u3000rack\u3000that\u3000held\u3000two\u3000bottles\u3002\u3000Each\u3000was\u3000of\u3000cast\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000its\u3000sides\u3000set\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sigil\u2026shaped\u3000\u3003window\u3003\u3000of\u3000moss\u2026green\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000through\u3000which\u3000came\u3000a\u3000glow\u3000that\u3000originated\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000Each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sigils\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000script\uff1b\u3000represented\u3000the\u3000same\u3000word\uff1a\u3000\u3003remember\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000call\u3000them\u3000\u3003thought\u3000bottles\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000Each\u3000contains\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000spell\u2026and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thoughts\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000its\u3000creation\u3002\u3000Spells\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3000even\u3000I\u3000dared\u3000not\u3000use\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000unique\u3000that\uff1b\u3000once\u3000created\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000not\u3000risk\u3000losing\u3000them\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000temptation\uff1b\u3000I\u3000created\u3000these\u3000bottles\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000them\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000who\u3000consumes\u3000their\u3000contents\u3000will\u3000gain\u3000not\u3000only\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000itself\u3000but\u3000every\u3000stage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000process\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000its\u3000creation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000I\u3000am\u3000inside\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000take\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000free\u3000me\uff1b\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000drawer\u3000will\u3000only\u3000open\u3000to\u3000my\u3000touch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000let\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000dwell\u3000on\u3000an\u3000experiment\u3000he’d\u3000conducted\u3000back\u3000when\u3000he’d\u3000first\u3000constructed\u3000and\u3000ensorcelled\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000deliberately\u3000left\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000his\u3000office\u3000lightly\u3000warded\uff1b\u3000then\u3000observed\u3000with\u3000clairvoyant\u3000magic\u3000as\u3000an\u3000apprentice\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000office\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002\u3000No\u3000sooner\u3000had\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000placed\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000sockets\u3000than\u3000he\u3000stiffened\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000scream\u3002\u3000No\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000hoarse\u3000croak\u3000came\u3000from\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000before\u3000a\u3000horrible\u3000wilting\u3000began\u3002\u3000White\u3000hair\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000in\u3000clumps\u3000from\u3000his\u3000head\u3000like\u3000dried\u3000straw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shriveled\u3000in\u3000upon\u3000themselves\u3000like\u3000heat\u2026cured\u3000fungus\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000their\u3000sockets\u3002\u3000His\u3000skin\u3000chafed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000erupted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000cracks\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000brown\u3000dust\u2026dried\u3000blood\u2026trickled\u3002\u3000Slowly\u3000he\u3000crumpled\uff1b\u3000shrinking\u3000in\u3000upon\u3000himself\u3000until\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000left\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000dusty\u3000clothes\u3000where\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000once\u3000stood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Impressive\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yet\u3000another\u3000fireball\u3000arced\u3000over\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000landed\u3000a\u3000short\u3000distance\u3000away\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000gobs\u3000of\u3000molten\u3000lava\u3002\u3000The\u3000liquid\u3000rock\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000like\u3000water\u3000running\u3000down\u3000glass\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000cloaked\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Do\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3000Gromph\u3000asked\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000free\u3000me\u3000and\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000bottles\u3000as\u3000payment\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000must\u3000show\u3000me\u3000a\u3000way\u3000into\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000said\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000wards\u3000that\u3000prevent\u3000magical\u3000entry\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\u3000not\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000sent\uff1b\u3000A\u3000good\u3000guess\u3002\u3000But\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000that\u3000is\u3000not\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000these\u3000wards\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000exists\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000pseudoplane\uff1a\u3000a\u3000vertical\u3000shaft\u3000that\u3000gives\u3000access\u3000to\u3000my\u3000office\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000could\u3000gate\u3000us\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000show\u3000you\u3000how\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Bring\u3000it\u3000to\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000fought\u3000down\u3000his\u3000irritation\u3000at\u3000being\u3000ordered\u3000about\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Ah\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000what\u3000is\u3000your\u3000name\uff1b\u3000anyway\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sluuguth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Assuming\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000he\u3000could\u3000use\u3000against\u3000the\u3000creature\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000too\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000Sluuguth\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000Gromph\u3000live\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mind\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fleeting\u3000thought\u2026hopefully\u3000too\u3000fleeting\u3000for\u3000Sluuguth\u3000to\u3000notice\u2026then\u3000Gromph\u3000began\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000access\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000Sluuguth\u3000mentally\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000they\u3000were\u3000about\u3000to\u3000gate\u3000to\u3000with\u3000great\u3000care\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000purple\u3000light\u3000shimmered\u3000into\u3000being\u3000next\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Sluuguth\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000it\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000was\u3000levitating\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000extend\u3000infinitely\u3000upward\u3000and\u3000downward\u3000and\u3000had\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000utter\u3000blackness\u3000that\u3000had\u3000a\u3000somehow\u3000palpable\u3000look\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Gromph\u3000not\u3000been\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000assaulted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rank\uff1b\u3000foul\u3000odor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pseudoplane\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000the\u3000malformed\u3000creatures\u3000that\u3000called\u3000it\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000the\u3000door\uff1f\u3000asked\u3000Sluuguth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000indicated\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000solid\u3000than\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000and\u3000sent\uff1b\u3000Dispel\u3000its\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000then\u3000push\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sluuguth\u3000did\u3000as\u3000instructed\u3002\u3000Previously\u3000invisible\u3000runes\u3000sparkled\u3000as\u3000light\u3000burst\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000diamond\u3000dust\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000used\u3000to\u3000inscribe\u3000them\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000light\u3000vanished\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth\u3000pushed\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000Gromph’s\u3000office\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000chamber\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mess\u2026the\u3000aftermath\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000Dyrr\u3002\u3000The\u3000enormous\u3000desk\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000gouged\u3000in\u3000several\u3000places\u3000by\u3000the\u3000whirling\u3000blades\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000had\u3000conjured\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000flagstone\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000cracked\u3000where\u3000Dyrr’s\u3000staff\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000it\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bookshelves\u3000was\u3000a\u3000smashed\u3000ruin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scrolls\u3000that\u3000had\u3000tumbled\u3000from\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trampled\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000his\u3000disdain\u3000for\u3000the\u3000archmage’s\u3000wizardry\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000had\u3000left\u3000them\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\u3000after\u3000trapping\u3000Gromph\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000perpetually\u3000burning\u3000red\u3000candles\uff1b\u3000set\u3000into\u3000wall\u3000sconces\u3000made\u3000from\u3000skeletal\u3000fists\uff1b\u3000still\u3000provided\u3000illumination\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000plushly\u3000upholstered\u3000chair\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000relatively\u3000unscathed\u3002\u3000A\u3000harder\u3000wooden\u3000chair\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000visitor\u3000would\u3000sit\uff1b\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000splintered\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000door\u3000of\u3000black\u3000marble\uff1b\u3000incised\u3000with\u3000glowing\u3000silver\u3000runes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000for\u3000the\u3000spiderstone\u3000golem\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000left\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000severed\u3000stone\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000forlornly\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corner\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shaft\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth\u3000pointed\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000one\u3000finger\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Immediately\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000office\u3000walls\u3000erupted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000triangle\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000as\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000sigil\u3000released\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3002\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000swifter\u3002\u3000A\u3000bolt\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertip\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000elemental\uff1b\u3000freezing\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3000hung\uff1b\u3000trapped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000waist\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000its\u3000arms\u3000extended\u3000over\u3000its\u3000head\u3002\u3000Only\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000moved\u3002\u3000White\u2026hot\u3000flames\u3000blazed\u3000at\u3000Sluuguth\u3000as\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000at\u3000last\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000didn’t\u3000warn\u3000me\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tentacles\u3000waving\u3000as\u3000it\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000elemental\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3000need\uff1b\u3000obviously\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Now\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000down\u3000to\u3000business\u3002\u3000Free\u3000me\u3002\u3000Place\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chair\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tentacles\u3000twitching\u3000as\u3000its\u3000face\u3000grimaced\u3000into\u3000what\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chair\u3000cushion\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000without\u3000further\u3000ado\uff1b\u3000it\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Its\u3000three\u2026fingered\u3000hands\u3000began\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000gestures\u2026Gromph\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000imprisonment\u2026negating\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000somatic\u3000ponent\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000plicated\u3000than\u3000it\u3000need\u3000have\u3000been\u2026and\u3000sound\u3000crashed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Gromph\u3000from\u3000all\u3000sides\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000broke\u3000apart\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000was\u3000twisting\u3000between\u3000dimensions\uff1b\u3000his\u3000body\u3000bursting\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000had\u3000confined\u3000it\uff1b\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000ringing\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000a\u3000clapper\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000bell\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Eyes\u3000gleaming\u3000in\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000he\u3000started\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000in\u3000the\u3000minute\u3000gesture\u3000required\u3000to\u3000activate\u3000a\u3000second\u3000invisible\u3000sigil\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Interlocked\u3000ellipses\u3000would\u3000suck\u3000Sluuguth\u3000into\u3000a\u3000two\u2026dimensional\u3000prison\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stop\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000finger\u3000wouldn’t\u3000move\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000could\u3000he\u3000even\u3000imagine\u3000moving\u3000it\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Something\u3000had\u3000a\u3000vicelike\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000was\u3000crushing\u3000his\u3000will\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000f \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Stop\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000finger\u3000wouldn’t\u3000move\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000could\u3000he\u3000even\u3000imagine\u3000moving\u3000it\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Something\u3000had\u3000a\u3000vicelike\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000was\u3000crushing\u3000his\u3000will\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000foul\u2026feeling\uff1b\u3000tentacled\u3000presence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Heart\u3000suddenly\u3000beating\u3000faster\uff1b\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000must\u3000have\u3000happened\u3002\u3000In\u3000casting\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000Gromph\u3000his\u3000freedom\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000woven\u3000in\u3000a\u3000second\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000slowed\u3000Gromph’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Sluuguth\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000mind\u2026dominating\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000held\u3000Gromph\u3000in\u3000thrall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000sat\u3000motionless\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000awaiting\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000next\u3000mand\u3002\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000groaned\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000the\u3000sigils\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000one\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Sluuguth\u3000a\u3000false\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000security\u3000after\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000so\u3000summarily\u3000defeated\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u2026as\u3000Gromph\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000would\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000trap\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000after\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000free\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000archmage’s\u3000careful\u3000plan\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000as\u3000broken\u3000as\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000that\u3000littered\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000at\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sluuguth\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000a\u3000position\u3000behind\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Open\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000bent\uff1b\u3000inserted\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000skull’s\u3000eye\u3000sockets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3002\u3000The\u3000drawer\u3000slid\u3000open\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000the\u3000two\u3000thought\u3000bottles\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Take\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drawer\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000did\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000told\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000both\u3000bottles\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000would\u3000either\u3000end\u3000his\u3000life\u3000or\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\u3000imprison\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desk’s\u3000protective\u3000magic\u3000having\u3000been\u3000thwarted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000Sluuguth\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000further\u3000mand\uff1a\u3000Choose\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000fingers\u3000closed\u3000around\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000closest\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000they\u3000sprang\u3000open\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000second\u3000bottle\u3000instead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Consume\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000those\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000second\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000plan\u2026which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000unsuccessful\u3000in\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000about\u2026had\u3000also\u3000failed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Decades\u3000past\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000created\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000bottles\u3000as\u3000a\u3000contingency\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000he\u3000ever\u3000became\u3000the\u3000captive\u3000of\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000who\u3000could\u3000read\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000when\u3000he\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bottles\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’d\u3000left\u3000one\u3000tiny\u3000sliver\u3000of\u3000information\u3000within\u3000his\u3000own\u3000mind\uff1a\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000that\u3000if\u3000such\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000arose\uff1b\u3000he\u3000should\u3000offer\u3000them\u3000to\u3000his\u3000captor\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000board\u3000had\u3000been\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000his\u3000traitorous\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000even\u3000then\u3000uncorking\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000unleashed\u3000on\u3000Gromph\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mind\u3000screamed\u3000in\u3000protest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000trapped\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000unheard\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000inexorably\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drank\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Fifteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000sculled\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000turbulent\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000water\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000Fully\u3000transformed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000breathing\u3000air\u3002\u3000His\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000webbed\u3000paws\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000tailbone\u3000had\u3000elongated\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000out\uff1b\u3000a\u3000grayish\u2026green\u3000membrane\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000over\u3000his\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000which\u3000secreted\u3000a\u3000slimy\u3000coating\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000out\u3000the\u3000water’s\u3000chill\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000underwater\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000back\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000where\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000waited\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000least\u3000he\u3000still\u3000had\u3000all\u3000of\u3000his\u3000equipment\u3002\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000leather\u3000belt\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000steel\u3000buckle\u3000shaped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rothe’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000strength\u3000it\u3000lent\u3000him\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000increased\u3000nimbleness\u3000afforded\u3000by\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000chain\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000climb\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000against\u3000its\u3000pounding\u3000force\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000he\u3000swam\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\uff1b\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000arced\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000above\u3002\u3000For\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000climb\uff1b\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000water\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000paces\u3000distant\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cliff\u2026too\u3000far\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000duck\u3000his\u3000head\u3000into\u3000it\u3000while\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Disappointed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000sink\u3000back\u3000under\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000backpack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shrugging\u3000it\u3000off\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000it\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000straps\u3000on\u3000backward\u3000and\u3000cinching\u3000them\u3000tight\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000its\u3000main\u3000flap\u3002\u3000Water\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000nondimensional\u3000space\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000pack\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000was\u3000full\u2026holding\u3000the\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000perhaps\u3000thirty\u3000waterskins\u2026he\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000flap\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000items\u3000the\u3000backpack\u3000held\u3000would\u3000be\u3000damaged\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sacrifice\u3000that\u3000mattered\u3000little\u3000against\u3000his\u3000survival\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000swam\u3000directly\u3000under\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000current\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000strokes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tail\u3002\u3000The\u3000water\u3000falling\u3000from\u3000above\u3000thundered\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000him\u3000down\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000last\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000more\u3000solid\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000ahead\uff1a\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3002\u3000The\u3000current\u3000slammed\u3000him\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000before\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000but\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000he\u3000found\u3000a\u3000handhold\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000claws\u3000emerge\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000thumb\u3000that\u3000helped\u3000him\u3000hold\u3000on\u3002\u3000Muscles\u3000straining\uff1b\u3000he\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000current\u3000that\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000him\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000face\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000began\u3000to\u3000climb\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000closer\u3000he\u3000got\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stronger\u3000the\u3000pounding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3000became\u3002\u3000Twice\u3000he\u3000slipped\u3000and\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000swept\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000on\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3002\u3000By\u3000thrashing\u3000his\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000he\u3000forced\u3000himself\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000each\u3000time\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000his\u3000head\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000heaved\u3000himself\u3000up\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000for\u3000handholds\u3000and\u3000toeholds\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slippery\u3000cliff\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000climbed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000his\u3000breath\u2026or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000held\u3000water\u3000in\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3002\u3000When\u3000at\u3000last\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hold\u3000it\u3000no\u3000more\uff1b\u3000he\u3000exhaled\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mouth\u2026a\u3000process\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000vomiting\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000underwater\u2026then\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000flap\u3000of\u3000his\u3000backpack\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000his\u3000head\u3000inside\u3002\u3000He\u3000inhaled\u3000deeply\uff1b\u3000then\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000flap\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000climb\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gradually\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000near\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\u3000below\u3000its\u3000lip\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000peeked\u3000out\u3000from\u3000above\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000alerted\u3000by\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000Valas’s\u3000presence\u2026there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000someone\u3000climbing\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000over\u3000the\u3000thunder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000falls\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u2026to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3000a\u3000\u3003monster\u3003\u3000rising\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lake\u2026waved\u3000a\u3000webbed\u3000paw\u3000in\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000whatever\u3000magical\u3000attack\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000be\u3000launched\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kukris\u3000sheathed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000oblivious\uff1b\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000forefingers\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000them\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000tingle\u3000through\u3000his\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000Flexing\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000still\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crevices\u3000to\u3000which\u3000he\u3000clung\uff1b\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000death\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Above\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lifting\u3000a\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff01\u3000It\u3000is\u3000you\u3002\u3000What\u3000happened\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\u3000water\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000over\u3000his\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reprieved\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000recognized\u3000him\u3000by\u3000his\u3000kukris\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u2026the\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000one\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000see\u3000through\u3000the\u3000misshapen\u3000form\u3000Valas\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000the\u3000mercenary’s\u3000identity\u3002\u3000He\u3000signed\u3000one\u3000brief\u3000word\u2026Wait\u2026and\u3000inhaled\u3000once\u3000again\u3000from\u3000his\u3000bag\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000heaved\u3000himself\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Slipping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000current\u3000that\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000waterfall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000Jeggred\u3000were\u3000all\u3000still\u3000waiting\u3000by\u3000the\u3000river’s\u3000edge\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000lifted\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000and\u3000quivered\u3000in\u3000alarm\u3000as\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000sniffed\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000bared\u3000his\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000them\u3000that\u3000the\u3000drow\u2026thing\u3000was\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000their\u3000panion\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Valas\u3000with\u3000an\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000open\u3000disgust\uff1b\u3000her\u3000perfect\u3000lips\u3000slightly\u3000curled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Using\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000his\u3000story\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000underwater\u3000each\u3000time\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000listened\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000grim\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000told\u3000of\u3000his\u3000capture\uff1b\u3000then\u3000giving\u3000a\u3000congratulatory\u3000nod\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000described\u3000his\u3000escape\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000had\u3000not\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Her\u3000lips\u3000remained\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000while\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000writhing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Your\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000lying\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000isn’t\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000raised\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000demon\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000no\u3000farther\u3000ahead\u3000than\u3000when\u3000we\u3000started\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000should\u3000have\u3000kept\u3000questioning\u3000Belshazu\u3000about\u3000gates\u3002\u3000This\u3000rothe\u2026dung\u3000story\u3000about\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000just\u3000a\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000us\u3000off\u3000the\u3000track\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Off\u3000the\u3000track\u3000of\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000only\u3000gate\u3000around\u3000here\u3000is\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000your\u3000imagination\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000your\u3000bright\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000have\u3000me\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000blows\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000let\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000drift\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000had\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000flexed\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000crouched\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000aunt\uff1b\u3000clearly\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000at\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000throat\u3000if\u3000any\u3000suspicious\u3000move\u3000was\u3000made\u3002\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000folded\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000across\u3000her\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000defiantly\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u2026while\u3000simult \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ltaneously\u3000edging\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000whatever\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000their\u3000endless\u3000bickering\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000die\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000having\u3000delivered\u3000his\u3000report\uff1b\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dagger\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Sparks\u3000exploded\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000like\u3000ripples\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000hurled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pond\uff1b\u3000crackling\u3000against\u3000both\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000and\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Each\u3000jumped\u3000back\u2026Quenthel\u3000immediately\u3000drawing\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Insolent\u3000male\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000sneered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000their\u3000fangs\u3000dripping\u3000venom\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000see\u3000she\u3000was\u3000itching\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000against\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Please\u3000do\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000swiftest\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000confused\u3000by\u3000his\u3000reply\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000mind\u3000proved\u3000the\u3000quicker\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000need\u3000for\u3000that\uff1b\u3000valued\u3000mercenary\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000restore\u3000you\u3000to\u3000your\u3000proper\uff1b\u3000air\u2026breathing\uff1b\u3000drow\u3000form\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000all\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000whip\u3000driven\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000can\uff1f\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000signed\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000healing\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000true\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000can\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000spun\u2026an\u3000awkward\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000crouch\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000by\u3000the\u3000low\u3000ceiling\u2026and\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000and\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’ll\u3000only\u3000be\u3000captured\u3000if\u3000you\u3000send\u3000him\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000objected\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000has\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000will\u3000eat\u3000him\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thoughtful\u3000look\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Just\u3000as\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000went\u3000on\uff1b\u3000\u3003they\u3000have\u3000eaten\u3000others\u3000who\u3000dared\u3000trespass\u3000in\u3000their\u3000waters\u3002\u3000Including\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000any\u3000manes\u3000who\u3000survived\u3000after\u3000the\u3000shipwreck\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\u3000eat\u3000any\u3000of\u3000these\u3000petty\u3000demons\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000acquired\u3000their\u3000memories\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000at\u3000last\u3000understood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000aboleth\u3000would\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000sank\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000finished\u3000for\u3000him\u3000even\u3000as\u3000her\u3000vipers\u3000writhed\u3000in\u3000anticipation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000matriarch\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Using\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000spelled\u3000the\u3000name\u3000out\u3000phonetically\u3002\u3000O\u2026o\u2026t\u2026h\u2026o\u2026o\u2026n\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3000what\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000Zanhoriloch’s\u3000matriarch\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000her\u3000for\u3000information\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000powerful\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000including\u3000one\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000confident\u3000would\u3000shield\u3000him\u3000against\u3000the\u3000aboleth’s\u3000mind\u3000magic\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000could\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000same\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000came\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000go\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000started\u3000to\u3000object\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000look\u3002\u3000After\u3000one\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000uncertain\u3000motions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000the\u3000questions\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000Danifae\u3000offering\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000he\u3000remained\u3000loyal\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000regaining\u3000her\u3000superior’s\u3000favor\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000did\u3000she\u3000have\u3000some\u3000ulterior\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000selfish\u3000motive\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000In\u3000the\u3000end\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000ducked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000for\u3000another\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000boot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000said\u3000you\u3000had\u3000something\u3000other\u3000than\u3000healing\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000could\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000lips\u3000parted\u3000in\u3000an\u3000\u3003ah\uff1b\u3003\u3000and\u3000he\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000small\u3000brown\u3000cocoon\u3002\u3000Crumbling\u3000it\u3000between\u3000thumb\u3000and\u3000forefinger\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000the\u3000fragments\u3000drift\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000Valas’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000over\u3000the\u3000flakes\u3000that\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mercenary’s\u3000wet\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kneeling\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000leaned\u3000over\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000\u3003Exhale\uff01\u3000Quickly\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000did\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000wrench\u3000shudder\u3000through\u3000his\u3000body\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000took\u3000effect\u3002\u3000His\u3000tail\u3000sucked\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000rear\u3000like\u3000a\u3000snail\u3000retreating\u3000into\u3000its\u3000shell\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fused\u3000fingers\u3000sprang\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000the\u3000webs\u3000disappearing\u3002\u3000Hair\u3000erupted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000chest\u3000tingled\u3000as\u3000the\u3000membrane\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cloaking\u3000his\u3000body\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000coughing\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000retching\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000water\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000hurt\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000relief\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000restored\u3000him\u3000to\u3000drow\u3000form\u2026his\u3000body\u3000was\u3000his\u3000own\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000one\u3000small\u3000detail\u3002\u3000Staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000scars\u3000were\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000places\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000wheezed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000\u3003did\u3000you\u3000just\u3000cast\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000still\u3000kneeling\uff1b\u3000was\u3000directing\u3000a\u3000second\u3000spell\u3000upon\u3000him\uff1b\u3000one\u3000that\u3000requited\u3000no\u3000arcane\u3000material\u3000ponent\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000shoulders\u3000slump\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pleted\u3000it\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000had\u3000cost\u3000Pharaun\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000polymorphed\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000shaped\u3000your\u3000body\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000likeness\u3000of\u3000its\u3000old\u3000self\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000do\u3000say\u3000so\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Until\u3000something\u3000dispels\u3000it\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3002\u3000Be\u3000thankful\u3000that\u3000Ryld’s\u3000not\u3000around\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000that\u3000greatsword\u3000of\u3000his\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000still\u3000standing\u3000chest\u2026deep\u3000in\u3000water\uff1b\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000to\u3000admire\u3000their\u3000shape\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000thankful\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000aloud\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000met\u3000Pharaun’s\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000he\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000not\u3000about\u3000the\u3000absence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000but\u3000of\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gave\u3000Quenthel\u3000a\u3000bow\u3000that\u3000just\u3000bordered\u3000on\u3000insolence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003With\u3000your\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000begin\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000I\u3000need\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I\u2026then\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000I\u2026will\u3000set\u3000out\u3000for\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000and\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000this\u3000Oothoon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Sixteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000shivered\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Night\u3000was\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000it\u3000came\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000His\u3000piwafwi\u3000was\u3000still\u3000damp\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000full\u3000day\u3000of\u3000steady\u3000walking\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000dry\u3000it\u3002\u3000Overhead\uff1b\u3000above\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000that\u3000crowded\u3000Ryld\u3000close\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000cover\u3000was\u3000breaking\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mottled\u3000grayish\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000an\u3000old\u3000bruise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000darkened\u3000as\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000faded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000noticed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000brighter\u3000again\u3002\u3000His\u3000dark\u2026vision\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000light\u3000that\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000world\u3000at\u3000dusk\u3000and\u3000dawn\u2026even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000off\u3002\u3000Confused\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lacework\u3000of\u3000branches\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000full\u3000moon\u3000was\u3000rising\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000it\u3000peeked\u3000above\u3000the\u3000treetops\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000silvery\u3000light\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000cold\u3002\u3000A\u3000flush\u3000warmed\u3000his\u3000cheeks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000blood\u3000quicken\u3002\u3000The\u3000hairs\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000stood\u3000erect\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000hot\u3000with\u3000fever\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000protect\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strangled\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000down\u3000nervously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bite\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000brat\u3000did\u3000infect\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000moonlight\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000brighter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000anxiety\u3000rose\u3002\u3000Flashes\u3000of\u3000red\u3000swam\u3000before\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000pulse\u3000pounded\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002\u3000Already\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000his\u3000control\u3000slipping\u3002\u3000His\u3000clothing\u3000felt\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000constricting\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000able\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000it\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000wildly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000him\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000plunge\u3000into\u3000it\u3000and\u3000run\u3000and\u3000run\u3000and\u3000run\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Struggling\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000control\uff1b\u3000he\u3000plunged\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000into\u3000the\u3000breast\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sprig\u3000of\u3000belladonna\u3000that\u3000Yarno’s\u3000grandfather\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000dull\u3000green\u3000leaves\u3000and\u3000a\u3000single\uff1b\u3000bell\u2026shaped\u3000flower\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000ripped\u3000off\u3000a\u3000leaf\uff1b\u3000stuffed\u3000it\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000chewed\u3002\u3000A\u3000bitter\u3000taste\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000tongue\u3000went\u3000dry\u3002\u3000He\u3000followed\u3000it\u3000with\u3000another\u3000leaf\uff1b\u3000then\u3000another\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000flower\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000then\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000twig\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000waited\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000urge\u3000he’d\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u2026the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000off\u3000his\u3000clothing\u3000and\u3000run\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u2026disappeared\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000lightheaded\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000step\uff1b\u3000stumbled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000fell\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000for\u3000balance\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000was\u3000being\u3000brighter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3000flooding\u3000his\u3000vision\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pulling\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000clumsily\u3000from\u3000its\u3000sheath\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000its\u3000polished\u3000surface\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000pupils\u3000had\u3000dilated\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000the\u3000red\u3000of\u3000the\u3000iris\u3000had\u3000all\u3000but\u3000vanished\u3002\u3000Grimacing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000remembered\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000sheathed\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3000but\u3000missed\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000shoving\u3000it\u3000point\u2026first\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stumbled\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000himself\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000flat\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000soggy\u3000ground\u3000beside\u3000it\u3002\u3000Above\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000wavering\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000as\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000under\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lying\u3000there\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000spiral\u3000in\u3000circles\u3000above\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000The\u3000belladonna\u3000had\u3000halted\u3000his\u3000transformation\u3000into\u3000a\u3000werewolf\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000what\u3000cost\uff1f\u3000His\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000pounding\u3000at\u3000an\u3000alarming\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000felt\u3000dry\u3000and\u3000hot\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000wet\u3000his\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000that\u3000effort\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000lie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000inhaling\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000rotting\u3000leaf\u3000with\u3000each\u3000halting\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000breath\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000still\u3000could\u3000control\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000training\u3000at\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tests\u3000initiates\u3000had\u3000been\u3000required\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000involved\u3000maintaining\u3000conce \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000training\u3000at\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tests\u3000initiates\u3000had\u3000been\u3000required\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000involved\u3000maintaining\u3000concentration\u3000in\u3000times\u3000of\u3000physical\u3000duress\u3002\u3000The\u3000initiates\u3000had\u3000been\u3000instructed\u3000to\u3000strip\u3000off\u3000their\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000sit\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000practice\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000their\u3000breathing\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000test\u3000was\u3000designed\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000them\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u2026but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000strolled\u3000between\u3000the\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000meditating\u3000pupils\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000centipedes\u3000onto\u3000their\u3000skin\u3002\u3000The\u3000insects\u3000were\u3000each\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000bit\u3000immediately\u3000when\u3000they\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000injecting\u3000a\u3000venom\u3000that\u3000raced\u3000like\u3000fire\u3000through\u3000the\u3000students’\u3000veins\u3002\u3000Those\u3000initiates\u3000who\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000or\u3000gasped\u3000were\u3000given\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000rap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000they\u3000were\u3000hit\u3000harder\u3002\u3000A\u3000third\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000told\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000never\u3000return\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dimly\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000student\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000gasping\u3000a\u3000third\u3000time\u3000and\u3000listened\u3000with\u3000only\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000choked\u3000sob\u3000he\u3000made\u3000as\u3000he\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000meditation\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000bracing\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000what\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000next\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000centipede\u3000fell\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000thigh\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000flinch\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000centipede\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3000like\u3000the\u3000stab\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fire\u2026heated\u3000skewer\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000in\u3000through\u3000his\u3000left\u3000nostril\uff1b\u3000out\u3000through\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000in\u3000through\u3000his\u3000left\u3000nostril\uff1b\u3000out\u3000through\u3000his\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000centipede\u3000scurried\u3000across\u3000his\u3000groin\uff1b\u3000its\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000legs\u3000tickling\uff1b\u3000its\u3000head\u3000moving\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000spot\u3000to\u3000bite\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000space\u3000between\u3000two\u3000heartbeats\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000nearly\u3000forgot\u3000how\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000race\uff1b\u3000while\u3000instinct\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000him\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000to\u3000brush\u3000the\u3000foul\u3000insect\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000his\u3000life\u3000before\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026his\u3000life\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000nobles\u3000had\u3000e\u3000on\u3000their\u3000hunt\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000only\u3000six\u3000years\u3000old\u3000then\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000lying\u3000there\uff1b\u3000blistered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fireball\u3000that\u3000had\u3000left\u3000corpses\u3000strewn\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000survive\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000utterly\u3000still\uff1b\u3000to\u3000play\u3000dead\u3000while\u3000the\u3000hunters\u3000claimed\u3000their\u3000trophies\uff1a\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000occasionally\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000head\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000then\u3000to\u3000control\u3000his\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000shallow\u3000and\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000inaudible\u3000above\u3000the\u3000sawing\u3000of\u3000blades\u3000through\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Thankfully\uff1b\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000deem\u3000any\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000scrawny\u3000boy\u3000worth\u3000taking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Remembering\u3000that\u3000trial\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000tickle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000centipede\u3000and\u3000its\u3000second\u3000painful\u3000bite\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ordeal\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000acknowledging\u3000the\u3000fortitude\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000five\u3000students\u3000who\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000test\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000almost\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000for\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000tenday\u3000afterward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000the\u3000waves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3000between\u3000the\u3000belladonna\u3000and\u3000the\u3000disease\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000used\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000Focusing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3000in\u3000of\u3000air\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slow\u3000filling\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lungs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000slow\u3000exhalation\u3000that\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slowed\u3000his\u3000racing\u3000pulse\u3002\u3000He\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000from\u3000his\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000imagining\u3000it\u3000flowing\u3000from\u3000him\u3000with\u3000each\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000his\u3000body\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000normal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000shivered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000fantastic\u3000images\u3000the\u3000belladonna\u3000had\u3000limned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000trees\u3000remained\u3000grayish\u2026white\u3000against\u3000a\u3000sky\u3000studded\u3000with\u3000impossibly\u3000bright\u3000stars\u3002\u3000The\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000brighter\u3000stars\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\uff1b\u3000hurt\u3000to\u3000even\u3000glance\u3000at\u3002\u3000Wavering\u3000shadows\u3000danced\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000those\u3000shadows\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000others\u3000and\u3000coalesced\u3000into\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000woman\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000breathed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000mistaken\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000but\u3000was\u3000not\u3000Halisstra\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000her\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000hanging\u3000well\u3000past\u3000her\u3000hips\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fevered\u3000eyes\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000evening\u3000dew\u3002\u3000Drops\u3000of\u3000it\u3000covered\u3000her\u3000body\uff1b\u3000sparkling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3000like\u3000stars\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sky\u2026black\u3000of\u3000her\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000before\u3000him\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000reflected\u3000the\u3000light\u3000like\u3000twin\u3000crescent\u3000moons\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000he’d\u3000accidentally\u3000speared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Slender\u3000fingers\u3000traced\u3000a\u3000lazy\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000the\u3000leather\u2026wrapped\u3000hilt\u3002\u3000To\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eyes\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000dancing\u3002\u3000Her\u3000lips\u3000parted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000speech\u3000Ryld\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000notes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flute\u3002\u3000Its\u3000tune\u3000was\u3000somehow\u3000both\u3000weling\u3000and\u3000harsh\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000flautist\u3000was\u3000of\u3000two\u3000minds\u3000about\u3000what\u3000tune\u3000to\u3000play\u3000and\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000play\u3000both\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000stared\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000into\u3000his\u3000soul\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000closed\u3000around\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Something\u3000crackled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Startled\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000a\u3000small\u3000black\u3000wolf\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000the\u3000underbrush\u3002\u3000Teeth\u3000bared\uff1b\u3000snarling\uff1b\u3000it\u3000leaped\u3000for\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000exploded\u3000into\u3000a\u3000million\u3000motes\u3000of\u3000starlight\u3002\u3000The\u3000wolf\u3000continued\u3000its\u3000leap\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000there\u3002\u3000Watching\u3000it\u3000disappear\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000confirmed\u3000his\u3000earlier\u3000thought\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000just\u3000an\u3000hallucination\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wolf\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000neither\u3000were\u3000truly\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Something\u3000warm\u3000and\u3000moist\u3000nuzzled\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000furry\u3000body\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000tongue\u3000licked\u3000his\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000his\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000move\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000speak\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000his\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000belladonna’s\u3000poison\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3000with\u3000each\u3000slow\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eventually\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000Reverie\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000he\u3000became\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000his\u3000surroundings\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000daylight\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000crackling\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000smelled\u3000roasting\u3000meat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Yarno\u3000squatting\u3000beside\u3000a\u3000small\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000on\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000impaled\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000four\u2026legged\u3000animal\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000gutted\u3000and\u3000neatly\u3000skewered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000identify\u3000it\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tail\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rat\u3002\u3000Yarno\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000stick\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flames\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000need\u3000strength\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Eat\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000away\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lethargy\u3002\u3000Rising\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000All\u3000were\u3000in\u3000working\u3000order\uff1b\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000He\u3000squatted\u3000and\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000rat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000haven’t\u3000eaten\u3000rat\u3000since\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000studied\u3000him\u3000through\u3000narrowed\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000decide\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000mocked\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fire\u2026seared\u3000meat\uff1b\u3000chewing\u3000it\u3000with\u3000gusto\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000flicked\u3000back\u3000the\u3000lock\u3000of\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000across\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000good\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000wiping\u3000grease\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000with\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000scuffed\u3000soil\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dirty\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000scraping\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dog\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Grandfather\u3000is\u3000feeling\u3000better\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000masters\u3000taught\u3000me\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u2026and\u3000I’ve\u3000had\u3000lots\u3000of\u3000practice\u3000binding\u3000wounds\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000smudges\u3000of\u3000dirt\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000Yarno’s\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000body\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wound\u3000is\u3000clean\u3000it\u3000with\u3000hot\u3000water\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000did\u3000for\u3000your\u3000grandfather\u3002\u3000Then\u3000bind\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000boiled\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000Remember\u3000that\u2026it\u3000could\u3000save\u3000your\u3000life\u3000someday\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000remember\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000wrinkled\u3000his\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000doubting\u3000it\u3002\u3000Yarno\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000attract\u3000dirt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gutter\u3000attracted\u3000night\u3000soil\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fleas\u2026as\u3000Ryld\u3000found\u3000out\u3000to\u3000his\u3000disgust\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000when\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000needle\u2026sharp\u3000twinge\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vermin\u3000biting\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000His\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000werewolf\u3000sleeping\u3000beside\u3000him\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000accurate\u3002\u3000How\u3000much\u3000else\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000night\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000real\u2026and\u3000how\u3000much\u3000hallucination\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000paw\u3000prints\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000wolf\u3000and\u3000the\u3000footprints\u3000of\u3000a\u3000barefoot\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000no\u3000other\u3000tracks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yarno\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003when\u3000you\u3000found\u3000me\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000was\u3000there\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000standing\u3000next\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000shrugged\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000leap\u3000at\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000remember\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000shrugging\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000never\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000understanding\u3002\u3000Driven\u3000into\u3000a\u3000frenzy\u3000by\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000full\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000in\u3000control\u3000of\u3000his\u3000actions\u2026or\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Strange\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000sought\u3000Ryld\u3000out\u3000and\u3000protected\u3000him\u2026his\u3000bloodlust\u3000should\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000him\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000Ryld’s\u3000throat\u3000out\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000belladonna\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000him\u3000back\u2026but\u3000why\u3000then\u3000did\u3000Ryld\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000lying\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000him\u3000warm\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000night\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000cleaned\u3000the\u3000mud\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\uff1b\u3000then\u3000re\u2026sheathed\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Which\u3000way\u3000is\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000met\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eye\u3000in\u3000what\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000as\u3000a\u3000challenge\uff1b\u3000had\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000been\u3000a\u3000trained\u3000swordsman\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000will\u3000you\u3000do\u3000when\u3000you\u3000reach\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Rescue\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000she’s\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000she\u3000isn’t\uff1f\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Will\u3000you\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000to\u3000avenge\u3000her\u3000death\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000considered\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000smiled\u3000grimly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000many\u3000as\u3000I\u3000can\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I’m\u3000slain\u3000my \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000considered\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000smiled\u3000grimly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000many\u3000as\u3000I\u3000can\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I’m\u3000slain\u3000myself\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy’s\u3000head\u3000lifted\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000heard\u3000something\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000pointed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blare\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000or\u3000more\u3000hunting\u3000horns\uff1b\u3000muffled\u3000by\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000better\u3000get\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000said\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003Grandfather\u3000needs\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000shifted\u3000into\u3000wolf\u3000form\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\u2026toward\u3000the\u3000sound\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000wove\u3000his\u3000way\u3000between\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000roughly\u3000shouldering\u3000branches\u3000aside\u3000in\u3000his\u3000haste\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000thought\u3000echoed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000confessed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000murder\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000priestesses\u2026and\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000certain\u3000to\u3000be\u3000punished\u3000for\u3000her\u3000crime\u3002\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000Halisstra\u3000who\u3000was\u3000being\u3000hunted\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Seventeen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000followed\u3000Pharaun\u3000through\u3000the\u3000round\u3000doorway\u3000in\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalagmite\uff1b\u3000into\u3000a\u3000corridor\u3000that\u3000spiraled\u3000upward\u3002\u3000The\u3000water\u3000she\u3000swam\u3000through\u3000was\u3000fouled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000slime\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000that\u3000led\u3000them\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000could\u3000taste\u3000it\u3000each\u3000time\u3000she\u3000inhaled\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000aboleth\u3000followed\u3000close\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000crowding\u3000her\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000corridor\u3000through\u3000which\u3000they\u3000swam\u3000was\u3000grayish\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000as\u3000shiny\u3000as\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pearl\u3002\u3000Deep\u3000lines\u3000were\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000gray\u3000stone\u3000underneath\u3002\u3000Most\u3000were\u3000spirals\u3000or\u3000wavy\u3000lines\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000form\u3000of\u3000written\u3000language\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000had\u3000no\u3000need\u3000for\u3000written\u3000texts\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000knowledge\u3000their\u3000minds\u3000contained\u3000was\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000to\u3000future\u3000generations\u3000when\u3000their\u3000hatchlings\u3000swarmed\u3000over\u3000them\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000them\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3000ruefully\uff1b\u3000sorry\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000hadn’t\u3000given\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000consume\u3000knowledge\u3000in\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000other\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000one\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000corridor\u3000wound\u3000past\u3000several\u3000round\u3000doorways\uff1b\u3000then\u3000opened\u3000at\u3000last\u3000on\u3000a\u3000room\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000near\u3000the\u3000stalagmite’s\u3000core\u3002\u3000Swimming\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000halted\u3000near\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000pull\u3000her\u3000to\u3000a\u3000standing\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000following\u3000her\u3000swam\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hovered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000just\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000it\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000her\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000chose\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000first\u3000aboleth\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000up\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000On\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000enthroned\u3000within\u3000a\u3000niche\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000was\u3000an\u3000aboleth\u3000Danifae\u3000guessed\u3000was\u3000Oothoon\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000nest\u3000of\u3000spongy\u3000kelp\uff1b\u3000occasionally\u3000using\u3000a\u3000tentacle\u3000to\u3000rip\u3000off\u3000a\u3000chunk\u3000and\u3000stuff\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000in\u3000its\u3000belly\u3002\u3000Its\u3000bluish\u2026green\uff1b\u3000rubbery\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000white\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000freshwater\u3000barnacles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000belly\u3000was\u3000a\u3000darker\u3000pink\u3000than\u3000those\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000that\u3000had\u3000acpanied\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000searched\u3000in\u3000vain\u3000for\u3000a\u3000clue\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000sex\u3000but\u3000found\u3000none\u2026she\u3000thought\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000male\u3000and\u3000female\u3000in\u3000one\u2026though\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000aboleths’\u3000\u3003matriarch\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000tickle\u3000against\u3000her\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000a\u3000sparkle\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000crackled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000the\u3000tickle\u3000back\u3000as\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000earlier\u3000was\u3000triggered\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000nod\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000His\u3000boast\u3000had\u3000proved\u3000true\u3002\u3000His\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000aboleth’s\u3000mind\u3000probing\u3000at\u3000bay\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon\u3000stirred\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000slightly\u3000from\u3000the\u3000kelp\u3000nest\u3002\u3000A\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000something\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trapped\u3000under\u3000the\u3000aboleth’s\u3000massive\u3000body\u2026it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000fresh\u3000meat\u3000but\u3000left\u3000a\u3000smudge\u3000of\u3000green\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000red\u2026swirled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000current\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000gently\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Aboleth\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000noting\u3000its\u3000mottled\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ignoring\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Oothoon\u3000let\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000tentacles\u3000drift\u3000out\u3000toward\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000hover\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000hand’s\u3000breadth\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Another\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000hand\u3000drifted\u3000slightly\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Oothoon\u3000wouldn’t\u3000see\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Steady\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000taunting\u3000tentacle\uff1b\u3000tasting\u3000the\u3000rancid\u2026grease\u3000odor\u3000that\u3000clouded\u3000the\u3000water\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000Fearing\u3000that\u3000even\u3000that\u3000slight\u3000exposure\u3000to\u3000it\u3000might\u3000transform\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000held\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000the\u3000clouded\u3000water\u3000in\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Oothoon\u3000withdrew\u3000first\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000that\u3000was\u3000menacing\u3000Pharaun\u2026then\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Danifae\u3000began\u3000to\u3000see\u3000spots\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000inhale\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000tentacle\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature’s\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Danifae\u3000took\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000catlike\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000have\u3000you\u3000e\uff1f\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000like\u3000rumbling\u3000bubbles\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000let\u3000Pharaun\u3000do\u3000the\u3000talking\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000used\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000silent\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Oothoon\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000must\u3000have\u3000consumed\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000or\u3000two\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\u3000in\u3000the\u3000past\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Centuries\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000ship\u3000visited\u3000your\u3000city\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3002\u3000After\u3000it\u3000left\u3000Zanhoriloch\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000and\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000this\u3000plane\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Our\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000wishes\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000her\u3000goddess\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000glanced\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000a\u3000frown\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000form\u3000on\u3000her\u3000brow\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000specifically\u3000ordered\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000herself\u2026or\u3000of\u3000their\u3000quest\u3002\u3000Was\u3000he\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000all\u3000that\u3000just\u3000to\u3000spite\u3000her\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000narrowing\u3000as\u3000she\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000answer\u3000was\u3000a\u3000question\uff1a\u3000\u3003Why\u3000does\u3000your\u3000leader\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000expression\u3000grew\u3000troubled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000She\u3000wants\u3000to\u3000consume\u3000Lolth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000four\u3000of\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000tentacles\u3000began\u3000twitching\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000So\u3000too\u3000did\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000of\u3000their\u3000guards\u3002\u3000Shared\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000humor\u3000at\u3000so\u3000audacious\u3000a\u3000statement\uff1f\u3000Danifae\u3000didn’t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000dwell\u3000on\u3000the\u3000question\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000say\u3000next\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000leader\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fool\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003Her\u3000goddess\u3000will\u3000devour\u3000her\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Our\u3000leader\u3000is\u3000no\u3000inexperienced\u3000novice\u3000but\u3000a\u3000most\u3000high\u2026ranking\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\u3002\u3000She\u3000knows\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000makes\u3000it\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000a\u3000god\u3002\u3000Any\u3000god\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hearing\u3000that\u3000outrageous\u3000lie\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000face\u3000posed\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000mad\u3000scheme\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000at\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000spoil\u3000it\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000crafty\u3000in\u3000his\u3000dealings\u3000with\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000Belshazu\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000up\u3000to\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000this\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000yours\uff1f\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000when\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3000to\u3000spell\u3000out\u3000a\u3000word\u2026Q\u2026u\u2026e\u2026n\u2026\u3000Danifae\u3000felt\u3000pelled\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000nudge\uff1b\u3000disguising\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000swimming\u3000motion\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Don’t\uff01\u3000she\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000motion\u3000between\u3000strokes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000continued\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026t\u2026h\u2026e\u2026l\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000said\uff1b\u3000repeating\u3000it\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000then\u3000smacking\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000itself\u3000tasted\u3000sweet\u3002\u3000Her\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000blinked\u3000rapidly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000e\u3000from\u3000a\u3000city\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000that\u3000is\u3000many\u3000leagues\u3000from\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Menzoberranzan\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Oothoon\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3000and\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000You’ve\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000one\u3000who\u3000escaped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000told\u3000Jooran\u3000the\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000that\u3000aboleth\u3000reported\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000concluded\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000Danifae\u3000off\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000question\u3000Oothoon\u3000further\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I\u3000found\u3000it\u3000within\u3000Jooran’s\u3000mind\u3000when\u3000I\u3000ate\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000Oothoon\u3000made\u3000a\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000eating\u3000everyone\u3000who\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000room\u3002\u3000She\u3000let\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000drift\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000morningstar\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000made\u3000a\u3000lunge\u3000at\u3000her\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000use\u3000her\u3000weapon’s\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000beat\u3000them\u3000back\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000reconsidered\u3000and\u3000let\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000fall\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mace\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch’s\u3000throne\u3000room\u3000with\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3000wasn’t\u3000very\u3000reassuring\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000obviously\u3000didn’t\u3000fear\u3000magical\u3000weapons\u2026or\u3000even\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000brief\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000apprehension\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000Was\u3000she\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\u3000alive\uff1f\u3000She\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000depending\u3000upon\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000despised\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000signing\u3000again\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000been\u3000distracted\u3000and\u3000so\u3000just\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000where\u3000it\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000arrange\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000told\u3000Oothoon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch’s\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000blinked\u3000rapidly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003To\u3000what\u3000purpose\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nudged\u3000the\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000aboleth\u3000flesh\u3000with\u3000his\u3000toe\uff1b\u3000then\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000eat\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000bluntly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000bluffing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000tentacles\u3000writhed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eat\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000priestess\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000a\u3000god\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000burbled\u3000with\u3000mirth\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mock\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000spells\u3000are\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000but\u3000each\u3000takes\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002\u3000She\u3000is\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000physically\u2026as\u3000weak\u3000as\u3000any\u3000other\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000this\uff1b\u3000she\u3000keeps\u3000a\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000at\u3000her\u3000side\u3000at\u3000all\u3000times\u3000for\u3000protection\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000can\u3000be\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000this\u3000demon\u2026perh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n tion\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000can\u3000be\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000this\u3000demon\u2026perhaps\u3000by\u3000some\u3000trick\u2026she\u3000will\u3000be\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000herself\u3002\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000items\u3000she\u3000carries\u3000are\u3000paltry\u3000ones\uff1a\u3000her\u3000only\u3000dangerous\u3000weapons\u3000are\u3000her\u3000hammer\u2026which\u3000is\u3000magical\u3000and\u3000can\u3000smite\u3000at\u3000a\u3000distance\u2026and\u3000her\u3000snake\u2026headed\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000vipers\u3000have\u3000a\u3000poisonous\u3000bite\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000in\u3000shock\uff1b\u3000astounded\u3000by\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000audacity\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000just\u3000told\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000detail\u3000he’d\u3000left\u3000out\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000had\u3000access\u3000to\u3000Lolth’s\u3000magic\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000baited\u3000his\u3000hook\u3000with\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000supposed\u3000god\u2026slaying\u3000capabilities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000anticipating\u3000the\u3000acquisition\u3000of\u3000such\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000was\u3000practically\u3000salivating\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3002\u3000Strangest\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000done\u3000it\u3000all\u3000in\u3000Danifae’s\u3000presence\u3002\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000betray\u3000him\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u2026was\u3000he\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000deeper\u3000game\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000at\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000guessing\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000matched\u3000wits\u3000with\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000and\u3000won\u3002\u3000She\u3000made\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000hand\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000indicated\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000private\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000addressed\u3000Oothoon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000sustaining\u3000my\u3000panion\u3000is\u3000waning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000To\u3000recast\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000will\u3000conjure\u3000up\u3000a\u3000small\u3000black\u3000cloud\u3000around\u3000our\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000be\u3000alarmed\u3000by\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000is\u3000harmless\u3002\u3000Do\u3000I\u3000have\u3000your\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000proceed\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth’s\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u2026an\u3000expression\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000doubtless\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000may\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000two\u3000guards\u3000tensed\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Pharaun\u3000closely\u3000as\u3000he\u3000took\u3000both\u3000of\u3000Danifae’s\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000his\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sphere\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000just\u3000large\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000appeared\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000finger\u2026speech\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000rapid\u3000series\u3000of\u3000taps\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spelled\u3000out\u3000words\u3000against\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000seriously\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000sacrifice\u3000Quenthel\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000hangs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000tapped\u3000back\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\u3000would\u3000consider\u3000it\u3000a\u3000worthy\u3000sacrifice\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000my\u3000place\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000that\u3000logic\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000more\u3000pressing\u3000matter\uff1a\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You’re\u3000asking\u3000me\u3000to\u3000take\u3000your\u3000side\u3002\u3000To\u3000betray\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\u3000faith\u3002\u3000Why\u3000should\u3000I\uff1f\u3000I\u3000care\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000of\u3000Eryndlyn\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000tapped\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000one\u3000day\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000made\u3000Danifae\u3000pause\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000have\u3000visited\u3000Eryndlyn\u3000more\u3000than\u3000once\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000tapped\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000that\u3000surrounds\u3000the\u3000Five\u3000Pillars\u3000very\u3000well\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000incantation\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000send\u3000you\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000is\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3000for\u3000me\u3000in\u3000Eryndlyn\uff1b\u3000she\u3000replied\u3002\u3000No\u3000House\uff1b\u3000no\u3000family\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000where\u3000else\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000never\u3000permit\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tapped\u3000out\u3002\u3000Not\u3000after\u3000losing\u3000Halisstra\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000not\u2026but\u3000I\u3000would\u3002\u3000So\u3000the\u3000question\u3000remains\uff1b\u3000if\u3000not\u3000Eryndlyn\u2026and\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u2026where\u3000would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u3000go\uff1f\u3000Llacerellyn\uff1f\u3000Sschindylryn\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Despite\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000Sschindylryn\u3000was\u3000a\u3000city\u3000known\u3000for\u3000its\u3000many\u3000portals\u3000and\u3000known\u3000to\u3000Danifae\u3000as\u3000the\u3000adopted\u3000home\u3000of\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000only\u3000drow\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\uff1b\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000undo\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000If\u3000indeed\u3000he\u3000could\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000studying\u3000her\u3000face\u2026and\u3000irritated\u3000at\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000betraying\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u2026Danifae\u3000posed\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000almost\u3000believed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000hope\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000experience\uff1b\u3000promises\u2026especially\u3000those\u3000made\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fellow\u3000drow\u2026were\u3000seldom\u3000kept\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3000During\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000risked\u3000his\u3000life\u3000to\u3000rescue\u3000her\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000puzzle\u3000out\u3000why\u3002\u3000What\u3000advantage\u3000had\u3000that\u3000gained\u3000him\uff1f\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000been\u3000an\u3000impulse\uff1b\u3000a\u3000product\u3000of\u3000lust\u3002\u3000That\u3000emotion\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000driving\u3000him\u3000still\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000e\u3000to\u3000switch\u3000her\u3000allegiance\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1f\u3000Danifae\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000over\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000cultivated\u3000an\u3000alliance\u3000with\u3000Quenthel\u3000because\u3000finding\u3000out\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000offered\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000regain\u3000her\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000special\u3000favor\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000goddess\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000ranking\u3000drow\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000doomed\u3000to\u3000serve\uff1b\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000serving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000level\u3000possible\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000a\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3000was\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Houseless\u3000refugee\u3000from\u3000a\u3000crumbled\u3000city\u3000was\u3000another\u3002\u3000Danifae’s\u3000serving\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000stymied\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000The\u3000First\u3000Daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000could\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000Danifae\u3000on\u3000a\u3000whim\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000her\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3000became\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000plaything\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000be\u3000answerable\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000so\u3000many\u3000years\u3000of\u3000demurely\u3000bowing\u3000and\u3000murmuring\u3000acquiescence\u3000to\u3000others\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000able\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000her\u3000own\u3000path\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000able\u3000to\u3000act\u2026but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000free\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000still\u3000the\u3000Binding\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000still\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000unbreakable\u3000connection\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3000Melarn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000ally\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000Danifae\u3000played\u3000her\u3000sava\u3000pieces\u3000correctly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000even\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000if\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Lolth\u3000succeeded\u3002\u3000Of\u3000which\uff1b\u3000given\u3000their\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000success\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000less\u3000than\u3000certain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000in\u3000Sschindylryn\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000old\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000be\u3000free\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000Free\u3000to\u2026what\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000would\u3000she\u3000go\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000assuming\u3000Eryndlyn\u3000hadn’t\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fate\u3000as\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3000for\u3000her\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000or\u3000some\u3000other\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000what\uff1f\u3000A\u3000free\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000without\u3000alliances\uff1b\u3000without\u3000a\u3000House\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000sponsor\uff1b\u3000a\u3000matron\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000someone\u3000like\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000for\u3000instance\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000she\u3000might\u3000find\u3000a\u3000home\u3000at\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000play\u3000her\u3000pieces\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I’ll\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000signed\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000will\u3000hear\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000this\u3000from\u3000me\u3002\u3000But\u3000make\u3000certain\uff1b\u3000first\uff1b\u3000that\u3000they\u3000really\u3000do\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000is\u2026and\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000still\u3000seaworthy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000slightly\u3000in\u3000a\u3000token\u3000bow\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000dispelled\u3000the\u3000globe\u3000of\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000dropped\u3000Danifae’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Well\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000my\u3000offer\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000flicked\u3000a\u3000tentacle\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000raised\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000nod\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000obviously\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000had\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000e\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000Valas\u3000might\u3000have\u3000done\u3000so\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Describe\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\u3002\u3000Convince\u3000us\u3000that\u3000you\u3000know\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000closed\u3000its\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000calling\u3000up\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000memory\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000The\u3000creatures\u3000that\u3000inhabited\u3000it\u3000were\u3000shaped\u3000as\u3000you\u3000are\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000alive\u3000but\u3000were\u3000pale\u3000and\u3000bloated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tasted\u3000of\u3000death\u2026and\u3000of\u3000insects\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000that\u3000she\u2026who\u2026spawned\u2026my\u2026mothers\u3000consumed\u3000was\u3000infested\u3000with\u3000white\uff1b\u3000wriggling\u3000things\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Maggots\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000showing\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000revulsion\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000was\u3000written\u3000plain\u3000across\u3000her\u3000own\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000An\u3000unfortable\u3000experience\u2026especially\u3000when\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000disincorporated\u3000into\u3000acidic\u3000vapor\u3000within\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000She\u2026who\u2026spawned\u2026my\u2026mothers\u3000nearly\u3000died\u3000and\u3000would\u3000not\u3000willingly\u3000eat\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000creatures\u3000again\uff1b\u3000had\u3000its\u3000mind\u3000held\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000themselves\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000seized\u3000upon\u3000that\u3000important\u3000point\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000did\u3000your\u3000ancestor\u3000consume\u3000the\u3000mane\uff1f\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000first\u3000visited\u3000your\u3000city\u2026or\u3000after\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lost\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003After\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000foolish\u3000creature\u3000came\u3000swimming\u3000back\u3000here\u3000when\u3000its\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000overe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Describe\u3000the\u3000captain\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000land\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000with\u3000two\u3000walking\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000two\u3000holding\u3000legs\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000a\u3000long\u3000tail\u3000that\u3000constantly\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000kelp\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shifting\u3000current\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000was\u3000without\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000its\u3000snout\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon’s\u3000face\u3000resembled\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000land\u3000creatures\u3000that\u3000scurry\u3000through\u3000the\u3000caverns\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000snout\u3000that\u3000was\u3000always\u3000tasting\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000An\u3000uridezu\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Belshazu\u3000told\u3000us\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000have\u3000mentioned\u3000that\u3000detail\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aboleth\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000signed\u3000quickly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000doesn’t\u3000know\u3000one\u3000demon\u3000from\u3000another\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000recognize\u3000an\u3000uridezu\u3000if\u3000one\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000would\u3000he\u3000remember\u3000a\u3000demonic\u3000species\u3000Belshazu\u3000mentioned\u3000only\u3000in\u3000passing\u3002\u3000Oothoon\u3000is\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ancestor\u3000did\u3000indeed\u3000consume\u3000the\u3000mane\u2026and\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000foundered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000We\u3000know\u3000that\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000storm\u3002\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000destroyed\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003When\u3000the\u3000mane\u3000swam\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000whole\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000storm\u3000immobilized\u3000it\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000crew\u3000but\u3000did\u3000not\u3000damage\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000itself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000As\u3000if\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000would\u3000give\u3000them\u3000any\u3000other\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000after\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000revealed\u3000their\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000sail\u3000it\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000what\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000raise\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000sail\u3000it\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000what\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000immobilized\u3000by\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000thought\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000satisfied\u3000with\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000replies\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000arrange\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000you\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000glowering\u2026and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000frightening\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bargain\u3000was\u3000off\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000them\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000priestess\u2026and\u3000after\u3000I\u3000have\u3000consumed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000Impasse\u3002\u3000But\u3000to\u3000her\u3000astonishment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000accept\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Oothoon\u3000gurgled\u3000in\u3000delight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000guards\u3000nudged\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000audience\u3000was\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Eighteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000gurgle\u3000of\u3000fluid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000slid\u3000over\u3000his\u3000tongue\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000fine\u3000sand\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000swallowed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000curious\u3000taste\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000mouth\u2026a\u3000strange\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000ancient\uff1b\u3000desiccated\u3000insect\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000ground\u3000amber\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Memories\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000with\u3000the\u3000suddenness\u3000or\u3000spores\u3000exploding\u3000from\u3000an\u3000overripe\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000Included\u3000among\u3000them\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spell\u2026one\u3000that\u3000needed\u3000no\u3000verbal\u3000ponent\uff1b\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000somatic\u3000one\uff1a\u3000the\u3000act\u3000of\u3000swallowing\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bottle’s\u3000contents\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000illithid\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000one\u3000misshapen\u3000hand\u3000lashing\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000already\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bottle’s\u3000contents\u3000slid\u3000across\u3000Gromph’s\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000was\u3000swallowed\uff1b\u3000triggering\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000ripple\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000room\u3000quicker\u3000than\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Sluuguth\u3000frozen\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000bulging\u3000in\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000tentacles\u3000halted\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026lash\u3000a\u3000finger’s\u3000breadth\u3000from\u3000Gromph’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026air\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000knocked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000axe\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000between\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000outstretched\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000Gromph’s\u3000thoughts\u3000told\u3000him\u3000what\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000desk\u3000as\u3000the\u3000room\u3000blurred\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000Unsticking\u3000oneself\u3000in\u3000time\u3000was\u3000always\u3000disorienting\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000dizzy\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000off\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000world\u3000was\u3000solid\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000his\u3000memories\u3000restored\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000So\u3000that\u3000was\u3000why\u3000I\u3000erased\u3000everything\u3000but\u3000a\u3000single\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000that\u3000I\u3000should\u3000offer\u3000these\u3000bottles\u3000to\u3000any\u3000creature\u3000who\u3000could\u3000dominate\u3000my\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000because\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000trick\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000into\u3000drinking\u3000their\u3000contents\u3000but\u3000because\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\u3000read\u3000that\u3000thought\u3000and\u3000make\u3000him\u3000drink\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bottles\u3000first\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000safety\u3000precaution\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Sluuguth\u3000had\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000basking\u3000in\u3000his\u3000foresight\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000move\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000The\u3000time\u2026stopping\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000brief\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000for\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000heartbeats\u3002\u3000Bending\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000tug\u2026inertia\u3000made\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000mud\u2026Gromph\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000firmly\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000swung\u3002\u3000Its\u3000blade\u3000bit\u3000cleanly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000severing\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000Pulled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000blood\u3000bulged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000head\u3000itself\u3000remained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Gromph\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000on\u3000his\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000ended\u3000and\u3000time\u3000lurched\u3000forward\u3000again\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000sprayed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000head\u3000flew\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3000crumpled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heap\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3000thumped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000clattered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Looking\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000the\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000frenzied\u3000swirling\u3000as\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000blade\u3000added\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000soul\u3000to\u3000those\u3000it\u3000had\u3000already\u3000stolen\u3002\u3000The\u3000illithid’s\u3000face\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000in\u3000horror\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000tentacles\u3000lashing\u3002\u3000Eventually\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000transparent\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000a\u3000useful\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\uff1b\u3000setting\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3000down\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000I\u3000should\u3000hang\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000as\u3000a\u3000souvenir\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kneeling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000over\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3002\u3000His\u3000palms\u3000tingled\u3000when\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000out\u2026flung\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000gold\u3000signet\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000middle\u3000finger\u3000was\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000imbued\u3000with\u3000protective\u3000enchantments\u3002\u3000He\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000off\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000on\u3000his\u3000desk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000hands\u3000tingled\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000as\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000an\u3000elongated\u3000leather\u3000carrying\u3000case\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000at\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Opening\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000tube\u3000inside\u3002\u3000He\u3000eased\u3000out\u3000the\u3000tube\u2026a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000hollow\u3000bone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000plug\u3000of\u3000wood\u3000at\u3000either\u3000end\u2026and\u3000shook\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000rustle\u3000of\u3000paper\u3002\u3000Scrolls\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3000He\u3000would\u3000study\u3000them\u3000later\uff1b\u3000after\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000appropriate\u3000precautions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Laying\u3000the\u3000tube\u3000down\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000pass\u3000over\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pockets\u3000in\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000robe\u3000made\u3000his\u3000palms\u3000tingle\u3000a\u3000third\u3000time\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000inside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000finger\u2026length\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000quartz\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000a\u3000prism\u3002\u3000Tiny\u3000yellow\u3000sparks\u3000danced\u3000in\u3000its\u3000depths\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000similar\u3000devices\u3000before\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000magical\u3000constructs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000who\u3000needed\u3000light\u3000to\u3000find\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000He\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000word\u3000in\u3000their\u3000tongue\u2026the\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000were\u3000so\u3000predictable\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000always\u3000used\u3000the\u3000same\u3000mand\u3000words\u2026and\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000reacted\u3000as\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\uff1b\u3000shedding\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000candle\u2026bright\u3000light\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000mand\u3000word\u3000shaped\u3000the\u3000light\u3000into\u3000an\u3000eye\u2026hurting\uff1b\u3000wand\u2026thin\u3000beam\u3000of\u3000intensely\u3000white\u3000light\u3002\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000not\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000office\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000shone\u3000for\u3000some\u3000distance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Squeezing\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shut\u3000against\u3000the\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000third\u3000mand\u3000word\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000harsh\u3000light\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000prism\u3000was\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000before\uff1b\u3000still\u3000cool\u3000as\u3000stone\u3000against\u3000Gromph’s\u3000palm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000useful\u3000trinket\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000it\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000\u3003Handy\u3000to\u3000read\u3000scrolls\u3000by\uff1b\u3000if\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000almost\u3000ended\u3000his\u3000search\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000a\u3000final\u3000time\u3000over\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000corpse\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000tingle\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000tucked\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000from\u3002\u3000Digging\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flat\u3000oval\u3000of\u3000green\u3000jade\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spiders\u3000disappeared\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000it\u3000into\u3000his\u3000own\u3000pocket\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Standing\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000used\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000head\u2026no\u3000sense\u3000touching\u3000those\u3000limp\uff1b\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000tentacles\u3000if\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u2026and\u3000positioned\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000sprinkled\u3000it\u3000over\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000He\u3000chanted\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000a\u3000finger\u3002\u3000A\u3000harsh\u3000sizzling\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000a\u3000beam\u3000of\u3000green\u3000energy\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\u3002\u3000It\u3000washed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000corpse\uff1b\u3000illuminating\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000crackling\u3000light\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000Sluuguth\u3000was\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000smudge\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Crossing\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000its\u3000sides\u3000was\u3000dented\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sigil\u2026shaped\u3000pane\u3000of\u3000glass\u3000was\u3000still\u3000intact\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000be\u3000reused\u3002\u3000He\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000dent\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mending\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000then\u3000set\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000second\u3000bottle\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000to\u3000dry\u3000to\u3000dark\u3000brown\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000blew\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000unopened\u3000bottle\u3000carefully\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drawer\uff1b\u3000then\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000uncorked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000released\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3000that\u3000Sluuguth’s\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000frozen\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000elemental\u3000rushed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000room\u3000with\u3000heat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wherrre\u3000is\u3000he\uff1f\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\uff1b\u3000flaring\u3000as\u3000it\u3000twisted\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000vanished\u3000illithid\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000must\u3000burrrn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000illithid\u3000is\u3000gone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000elemental\u3000flared\u3000white\u2026hot\u3000with\u3000anger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000I\u3000had\u3000only\u3000to\u3000burrrn\u3000an\u3000intruder\u3000to\u3000be\u3000free\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000growled\u3002\u3000It\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000soot\u2026smudged\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000where\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000sigil\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000\u3003Am\u3000I\u3000then\u3000to\u3000be\u3000put\u3000back\u3000in\u3000bondage\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shielding\u3000his\u3000face\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000Your\u3000task\u3000has\u3000been\u3000altered\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3002\u3000After\u3000you\u3000perform\u3000it\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000free\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000showed\u3000the\u3000elemental\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000use\u3000this\u3000magical\u3000device\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000am\u3000done\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000relay\u3000the\u3000following\u3000information\u3000to\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000seated\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000corked\u3000bottle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000A\u3000drawer\u3000containing\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000it\u3000was\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3000hovered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sigil\u3000that\u3000had\u3000held\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000activated\u3002\u3000An\u3000intruder\u3000must\u3000have\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000office\u2026Gromph\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000detection\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000revealed\u3000no\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000any\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000living\u3000or\u3000undead\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000or\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000ring\u3000and\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000tube\u3000on\u3000Gromph’s\u3000desk\u2026and\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000battle\u2026axe\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000could\u3000remember\u3000was\u3000being\u3000trapped\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000made\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Sorcere\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000found\u3000his\u3000way\u3000into\u3000his\u3000study\uff1b\u3000and\u3000escaped\u3000the\u3000imprisonment\u3000spell\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000? \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n o\u3000Sorcere\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000found\u3000his\u3000way\u3000into\u3000his\u3000study\uff1b\u3000and\u3000escaped\u3000the\u3000imprisonment\u3000spell\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000golden\u3000bottle\u3000he\u3000held\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u2026one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thought\u3000bottles\u3002\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000must\u3000be\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Masterrr\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3000said\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000his\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000Gracklstugh\u3000army\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000tanarukk\uff1b\u3000arrre\u3000attacking\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000elemental\u3000announced\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tongue\u3000of\u3000bright\u3000red\u3000flame\u3000licking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000as\u3000it\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000duerrrgar\u3000have\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000siege\u3000wall\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000and\u3000are\u3000attacking\u3000Sorcerrre\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000one\u3000illithid\u3000was\u3000among\u3000their\u3000number\u2026a\u3000sorrrcerer\u3000by\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000Sluuguth\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000in\u3000his\u3000possession\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000amulets\u3000that\u3000contrrrols\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spiders\u3002\u3000You\u3000defeated\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000elemental\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000triumph\u3000as\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000magical\u3000bonds\u3000that\u3000had\u3000held\u3000it\u3000fell\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000disappeared\u3000as\u3000abruptly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000blown\u2026out\u3000candle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003An\u3000illithid\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000why\u3000he\u3000held\u3000a\u3000thought\u3000bottle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000A\u3000tickle\u3000of\u3000memory\u3000returned\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000created\u3000the\u3000thing\u2026and\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000that\u3000matched\u3000it\u2026for\u3000use\u3000in\u3000the\u3000event\u3000of\u3000his\u3000capture\u3000by\u3000a\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3002\u3000His\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\uff1b\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000faded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shrugging\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000carefully\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000other\u3000one\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000shut\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sorcere\u3000is\u3000under\u3000attack\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000see\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000strode\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000where\u3000two\u3000of\u3000his\u3000students\u3000stood\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000Norulle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fifth\u2026year\u3000student\u3000who\u3000had\u3000used\u3000a\u3000hair\u2026growth\u3000cantrip\u3000to\u3000cause\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000dwarflike\u3000beard\u3000to\u3000sprout\u3000from\u3000his\u3000chin\u2026hardly\u3000an\u3000appropriate\u3000affectation\uff1b\u3000given\u3000whom\u3000they\u3000were\u3000fighting\u2026and\u3000Prath\uff1b\u3000a\u3000first\u2026year\u3000student\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000only\u3000in\u3000his\u3000thirties\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whose\u3000stocky\u3000build\u3000and\u3000bulging\u3000biceps\u3000should\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000his\u3000House\u3000to\u3000enroll\u3000him\u3000in\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Both\u3000had\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000down\u3000which\u3000Gromph\u3000hurried\u3000and\u3000were\u3000sheltering\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000ghostly\u3000image\u3000of\u3000a\u3000turtle\u3000shell\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000table\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Norulle\u3000flinched\u3000as\u3000a\u3000hail\u3000of\u3000arrows\u3000struck\u3000it\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000exploding\u3000to\u3000splinters\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000destroyed\u3000them\u3002\u3000One\u3000arrow\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000sparkled\u3000with\u3000arcane\u3000energy\u3002\u3000It\u3000pierced\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000barrier\u3000and\u3000snagged\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000Prath’s\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000Barely\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Prath\u3000yanked\u3000it\u3000free\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000it\u3000aside\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000dripped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000outside\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1a\u3000the\u3000shouted\u3000orders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000below\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creak\u2026and\u2026thump\u3000of\u3000catapults\u3000being\u3000winched\u3000and\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crackling\uff1b\u3000explosive\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000frantic\u3000chanting\u3000of\u3000mages\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000retaliatory\u3000spells\u3000from\u3000the\u3000balconies\u3000above\u3000and\u3000below\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Norulle\uff1b\u3000Prath\u2026what’s\u3000happening\uff1f\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000asked\u3000as\u3000he\u3000strode\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000your\u3000instructors\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Norulle\u3000whirled\u3000around\u3000in\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Master\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Diamond\u3000dust\u3000glittered\u3000in\u3000Norulle’s\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000beard\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3000upon\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Prath\u3000who\u3000answered\u3000Gromph’s\u3000question\uff1b\u3000\u3003Leandran’s\u3000gone\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000hit\u3000square\u3000on\u3000by\u3000magic\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000farther\u3000along\u3000the\u3000balcony\u2026a\u3000smoldering\u3000crater\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Through\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000below\u3002\u3000Smaller\u3000craters\uff1b\u3000also\u3000still\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000pitted\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000that\u3000spot\u3000like\u3000splash\u3000marks\u3002\u3000Each\u3000was\u3000ringed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000frost\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000students\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000used\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000extinguish\u3000the\u3000blaze\u3002\u3000Of\u3000Leandran\uff1b\u3000the\u3000school’s\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Abjurative\u3000Magic\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000trace\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lingering\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000burned\u3000flesh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000whistling\u3000sound\u3000drew\u3000Gromph’s\u3000attention\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000clay\u3000pot\u3000arc\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalagmite\uff1b\u3000several\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000broke\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000splashing\u3000liquid\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000poured\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\uff1a\u3000stone\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000a\u3000decorative\u3000arch\u3000of\u3000wrought\u3000iron\u3000above\u3000the\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Figures\u3000on\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000scurried\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000flame\u2026one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000a\u3000little\u3000too\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000As\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000poured\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000his\u3000agonized\u3000screams\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000when\u3000the\u3000wrought\u2026iron\u3000arch\uff1b\u3000weakened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000collapsed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000squeal\u3000of\u3000metal\u3002\u3000Above\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mounted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000burn\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000soon\u3000ate\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000through\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000pot\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000had\u3000e\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000barrier\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000erected\u3002\u3000It\u3000stood\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000access\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion\u3002\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\u3000of\u3000square\u2026hewn\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000fungus\u3000stem\uff1b\u3000stacked\u3000horizontally\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000but\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000magically\u3000strengthened\u3002\u3000The\u3000lightning\u3000bolts\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000on\u3000a\u3000balcony\u3000above\u3000fired\u3000down\u3000into\u3000them\u3000did\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000chip\u3000off\u3000tiny\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hailstones\u3000raining\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000storm\u3000another\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000to\u3000materialize\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000were\u3000melting\u3000before\u3000they\u3000struck\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yet\u3000another\u3000mage\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000acid\u3000billowing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002\u3000The\u3000yellowish\u3000vapor\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fungus\u2026log\u3000blockade\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000on\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000beyond\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000remained\u3000intact\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000and\u3000clay\u3000pots\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000from\u3000the\u3000catapults\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000whistling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000blast\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000with\u3000alchemical\u3000flame\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000as\u3000though\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000was\u3000faring\u3000any\u3000better\u3000than\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\u2026shaped\u3000temple\u3000were\u3000also\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000gouts\u3000of\u3000white\u2026hot\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000was\u3000strewn\u3000with\u3000corpses\u3002\u3000Many\u3000were\u3000squat\u3000and\u3000bald\u2026duergar\u2026but\u3000many\u3000more\u3000were\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Dark\u3000elf\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000given\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3002\u3000Like\u3000their\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000retreated\u3000behind\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000others\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Farther\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000third\u3000building\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u2026the\u3000pyramid\u2026shaped\u3000warrior\u3000training\u3000school\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026remained\u3000unscathed\u3002\u3000The\u3000catapults\u3000could\u3000not\u3000reach\u3000that\u3000far\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Norulle\u3000leaned\u3000over\u3000the\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000directing\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000at\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000Pea\u2026sized\u3000gobs\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\uff1b\u3000enlarging\u3000as\u3000they\u3000streaked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000fortifications\u3000below\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000fungus\u2026log\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000several\u3000paces\u3000in\u3000diameter\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000even\u3000though\u3000each\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000a\u3000roar\u3000that\u3000was\u3000audible\u3000even\u3000over\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000remained\u3000firm\uff1b
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000The\u3000seeming\u3000invulnerability\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000he\u3000could\u3000understand\u2026the\u3000duergar\u3000must\u3000have\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000lightweight\uff1b\u3000fungus\u2026stem\u3000logs\u3000with\u3000them\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000their\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000then\u3000used\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000them\u3000to\u3000stone\u3000once\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000was\u3000why\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000were\u3000still\u3000able\u3000to\u3000work\u3000their\u3000catapults\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000searing\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000Norulle’s\u3000fireballs\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000acidic\u3000vapor\u3000that\u3000had\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senior\u3000students\u3000appeared\u3000suddenly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000field\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000below\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000barrier\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000Gromph\u3000himself\u3000taught\u2026the\u3000great\u3000shout\u3002\u3000A\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000noise\u3000crashed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000positions\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000logs\u3000that\u3000made\u3000up\u3000the\u3000fortification\u3000to\u3000visibly\u3000tremble\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000still\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fatter\u3002\u3000Arrows\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000slits\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000student\u3000through\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000teleported\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Master\uff1b\u3003\u3000Prath\u3000shouted\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ringing\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000Gromph’s\u3000attention\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003Should\u3000we\u3000perhaps\u3000send\u3000a\u3000swarm\u3000of\u3000vermin\u3000against\u3000them\uff1f\u3000Insects\u2026or\u3000perhaps\u3000rats\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000ridicule\u3000that\u3000suggestion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000stopped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u3000’Out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mouths\u3000of\u3000novices\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000he\u3000instead\u3000quoted\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000saying\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chuckle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spark\u3000of\u3000hope\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000right\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000suggest\uff1b\u3000Master\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it’s\u3000given\u3000me\u3000an\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Continue\u3000the\u3000fight\u2026and\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000head\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stepping\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000down\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000hurried\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000only\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000Kyorli\u3002\u3000Pouring\u3000his\u3000awareness\u3000into\u3000his\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000legs\u3000swiftly\u3000running\u3000and\u3000whiskers\u3000twitching\u3000as\u3000they\u3000sniffed\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000across\u3000which\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000was\u3000running\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000sent\u3002\u3000Where\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Running\u3002\u3000Running\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000Sorcere\uff01\u3000But\u3000the\u3000way\u3000is\u3000blocked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000able\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000or\u3000concentration\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Kyorli\u3000was\u3000running\u3000through\u3000a\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000through\u3000a\u3000forest\u3000of\u3000moving\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000feet\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000working\u3000in\u3000pairs\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000away\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fellow\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000Two\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000or\u3000a\u3000slain\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000a\u3000side\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000manded\u3002\u3000That\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Look\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000scurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000in\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000through\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1a\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000hooded\u3000mantle\u3000and\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000staff\u3000set\u3000w \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000scurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000in\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000through\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1a\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000hooded\u3000mantle\u3000and\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000staff\u3000set\u3000with\u3000an\u3000egg\u2026sized\u3000gem\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000crack\u3000running\u3000down\u3000its\u3000center\uff1b\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000god\u3000Laduguer\u3002\u3000The\u3000cleric\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000bodies\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000heaped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000over\u3000them\u3000as\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000began\u3000to\u3000stir\u3002\u3000As\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000soldiers\u2026animated\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gruesome\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000life\u2026rose\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000filed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Follow\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000Watch\u3000where\u3000they\u3000go\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\u3000did\uff1b\u3000from\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000distance\u3002\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000duergar\u3000marched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000jerking\u3000line\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000it\uff1b\u3000they\u3000cook\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000wail\uff1b\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000acidic\u3000vapor\u3000that\u3000boiled\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000above\uff1b\u3000blistering\u3000their\u3000undead\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000clever\u3002\u3000With\u3000Lolth’s\u3000priestesses\u3000bereft\u3000of\u3000their\u3000magic\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000an\u3000undead\u3000army\u3000back\u2026or\u3000seize\u3000control\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000had\u3000done\u3000its\u3000work\u3000they\u3000would\u3000march\uff1b\u3000unmolested\uff1b\u3000on\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u2026then\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000proper\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000only\u3000mage\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000them\u3000was\u3000imprisoned\u3000far\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000city\u2026or\u3000so\u3000their\u3000manders\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000view\u3000through\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyes\u3000shifted\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000scurry\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000a\u3000running\u3000soldier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000will\u3000do\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000his\u3000familiar\u3002\u3000Find\u3000yourself\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000join\u3000me\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Returning\u3000his\u3000awareness\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000body\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000strode\u3000with\u3000confidence\u3000to\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000a\u3000small\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000engraved\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000students\u3000who\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000a\u3000small\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000raw\u3000meat\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Norulle\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000Master\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000none\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000met\u3000Gromph’s\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000slowly\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Drawing\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hidden\u3000up\u3000a\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000he\u3000placed\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rail\u3000of\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000and\u3000sliced\u3000off\u3000the\u3000fleshy\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000his\u3000little\u3000finger\u3002\u3000Picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000piece\u2026and\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000grimace\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000student\u2026he\u3000offered\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000with\u3000his\u3000good\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\uff1b\u3000apprentice\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000go\u3000far\u3002\u3000What\u3000House\u3000are\u3000you\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000way\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000smiled\u3000through\u3000his\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000clenching\u3000the\u3000stub\u3000of\u3000his\u3000severed\u3000finger\u3000against\u3000his\u3000palm\u3000to\u3000staunch\u3000the\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Master\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ah\u3002\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000never\u3000met\u3000the\u3000lad\u3000before\u2026he\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000child\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lowest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000ranks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000wasn’t\u3000quick\u2026witted\u2026any\u3000other\u3000student\u3000might\u3000have\u3000used\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000creature\u3000into\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000killed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000Gromph\u3000its\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000instead\u2026but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000loyal\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000use\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Smearing\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurled\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000that\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000positions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000his\u3000mand\uff1a\u3000\u3003Break\u3000off\u3000your\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Turn\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000instead\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Spells\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000rain\u3000down\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000fungus\u2026stem\u3000wall\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mages\u3000several\u3000moments\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000the\u3000catapults\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000firing\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000duergar\u3000soldiers\u3000turned\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000With\u3000unsteady\uff1b\u3000mindless\u3000motions\u3000they\u3000trotted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000echoed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000engaged\u3000their\u3000still\u2026living\u3000panions\u3000in\u3000mortal\u3000bat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000burst\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000Rushing\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000swords\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000they\u3000clambered\u3000over\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000began\u3000tearing\u3000both\u3000it\u3000and\u3000the\u3000catapults\u3000apart\u3002\u3000Others\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stonefire\u3000bombs\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000and\u3000heaved\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000grimly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3002\u3000Eventually\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000beyond\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000toehold\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000gained\u2026and\u3000lost\u2026in\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000seemed\u3000untouched\u3000by\u3000war\u3002\u3000The\u3000stalactites\u3000and\u3000stalagmites\u3000of\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000manors\u3000still\u3000sparkled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000creeping\u3000up\u3000the\u3000great\u3000spire\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000which\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000been\u3000keeping\u3000it\u3000going\u3000in\u3000his\u3000absence\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000as\u3000irreplaceable\u3000as\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3000about\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000making\u3000his\u3000report\u3000to\u3000his\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000see\u3000what\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000put\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000the\u3000siege\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Nineteen
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000priestesses\u3000raised\u3000horns\u3000to\u3000their\u3000lips\u3000to\u3000signal\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night’s\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000rush\u3000through\u3000her\u3000body\u3002\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3002\u3000The\u3000wind\u3000was\u3000picking\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000flakes\u3000of\u3000snow\u3000had\u3000started\u3000to\u3000fall\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wore\u3000nothing\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000with\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000disk\u3000that\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tipping\u3000her\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000hunting\u3000horn\u3000they’d\u3000given\u3000her\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000past\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000blew\uff1b\u3000adding\u3000her\u3000horn’s\u3000strident\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000raw\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horns\u3000found\u3000its\u3000own\u3000note\uff1b\u3000then\u3000held\u3000it\u3000in\u3000perfect\u3000harmony\u3000with\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000air\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000for\u3000several\u3000heartbeats\u3000was\u3000still\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000resumed\uff1b\u3000stirring\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000branches\u3000overhead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000given\u3000her\u3000a\u3000signal\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000suddenly\u3000cut\u3000short\u3000her\u3000note\u3000at\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000the\u3000other\u3000women\u3000did\u3002\u3000She\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000horn\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000expectantly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hunt\u2026Uluyara\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000troll\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000night\u2026drew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dancing\u3000around\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002\u3000Holding\u3000it\u3000straight\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000slowly\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Like\u3000Uluyara\uff1b\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000only\u3000weapon\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000Seyll’s\u3000long\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000gripped\u3000its\u3000hilt\u3000tightly\uff1b\u3000covering\u3000all\u3000but\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\u3002\u3000Through\u3000that\u3000single\u3000hole\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000blew\uff1b\u3000producing\u3000a\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000insistent\u3000note\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000stayed\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000dance\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Use\u3000it\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000at\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3002\u3000The\u3000moon\u3000elf\u3000had\u3000dyed\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000black\uff1b\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000the\u3000night’s\u3000hunt\u3002\u3000Too\u3000small\u3000and\u3000innocent\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000taken\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000at\u3000close\u3000range\u2026especially\u3000with\u3000her\u3000brown\u3000hair\u2026Feliane\u3000nonetheless\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000own\u3000sword\u3000like\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000wield\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000we\u3000hunt\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000monster\u3000Eilistraee\u3000causes\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000our\u3000path\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000an\u3000enigmatic\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000began\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000faster\u3002\u3000Her\u3000sword\u3000flashed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3000as\u3000she\u3000whirled\u3000in\u3000tight\u3000circles\uff1a\u3000once\uff1b\u3000twice\uff1b\u3000three\u3000times\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000then\u3000she\u3000jerked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000her\u3000blade\u3000quivering\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000way\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000hunting\u3000lizard\u3000suddenly\u3000unleashed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sprinted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000Halisstra\u3000as\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000and\u3000just\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Feliane\u3000running\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000eager\u3000and\u3000bright\u3002\u3000Urged\u3000on\u3000by\u3000an\u3000emotion\u3000that\u3000was\u3000part\u3000elation\uff1b\u3000part\u3000lust\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000wove\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000over\u3000snow\u2026dappled\u3000logs\u3000and\u3000clumps\u3000of\u3000fern\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shouldering\u3000her\u3000way\u3000through\u3000branches\u3000whose\u3000pine\u3000needles\u3000slapped\u3000her\u3000skin\u3002\u3000She\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000after\u3000them\u3000down\u3000a\u3000gully\u3002\u3000She\u3000splashed\u3000through\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000stream\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000that\u3000crusted\u3000the\u3000river\u3000stones\u3000under\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000scrambling\u3000up\u3000the\u3000far\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000balance\u3000as\u3000she\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000slope\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000a\u3000horn\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000top\u3000she\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000which\u3000way\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000sound\u3000was\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000of\u3000Feliane\u3000scrambling\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\u3000and\u3000to\u3000her\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Uluyara\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000found\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000didn’t\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000what\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000found\u3002\u3000Panting\uff1b\u3000sweating\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000air\u3000was\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000she\u3000plunged\u3000on\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000running\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000she\u3000noted\u3000to\u3000her\u3000disgust\u3000that\uff1b\u3000unlike\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Feliane\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000breathing\u3000hard\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000Feliane\u3000was\u3000swift\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000her\u3000footing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000noble’s\u3000life\u3000in\u3000a\u3000city\u3000where\u3000one\u3000strolled\u3000along\u3000smooth\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000levitated\u3000from\u3000one\u3000avenue\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000had\u3000never\u3000had\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000run\u3000and\u3000climb\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000or\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000\u3003trial\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000of\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000she’s\u3000holding\u3000herself\u3000back\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000my\u3000every\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Determined\u3000not\u3000to\u3000show\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000be\u3000wanting\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000Eilistraee\u3000herself\u3000might\u3000be\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000ran\u3000on\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000that\u3000was\u3000pinching\u3000her\u3000side\u3000like\u3000a\u3000centipede’s\u3000jaws\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000least\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000provided\u3000ample\u3000light\u3000to\u3000run\u3000by\u2026to\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000appeared\u3000brilliantly\u3000lit\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000were\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spaces\u3000between\u3000them\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000low\u3000bushes\u3000and\u3000ferns\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000long\u3000sin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n alisstra\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000lost\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000save\u3000Feliane\u3002\u3000When\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000horn\u3000sounded\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000immediately\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000the\u3000closeness\u3000of\u3000it\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000burst\u3000through\u3000a\u3000tangle\u3000of\u3000tree\u3000branches\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000strangely\u3000sticky\uff1b\u3000into\u3000a\u3000moonlit\u3000clearing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000spotted\u3000Uluyara\uff1b\u3000hunting\u3000horn\u3000still\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000pursed\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000could\u3000she\u3000hear\u3000them\u3002\u3000Lowering\u3000the\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000Uluyara\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000backed\u3000slowly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Tree\u3000branches\u3000closed\u3000after\u3000her\u3000like\u3000curtains\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Uluyara\u3000had\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000only\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Feliane\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000I\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000trailed\u3000off\u3000as\u3000she\u3000discovered\u3000that\u3000Feliane\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000behind\u3000Halisstra\u3000but\u3000tree\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000sighing\u3000against\u3000one\u3000another\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000blew\u3000across\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Uluyara\u3000had\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000breeze\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000musky\u3000smell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Whirling\u3000back\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000sword\u2026and\u3000not\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000too\u3000soon\u3002\u3000In\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000crouched\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000easily\u3000half\u3000again\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mottled\u3000gray\u3000and\u3000black\u2026perfect\u3000camouflage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u2026dappled\u3000wood\u3002\u3000Glossy\u3000black\u3000eyes\u3000reflected\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000reared\u3000up\uff1b\u3000jaws\u3000dripping\u3000venom\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000the\u3000space\u3000of\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000uncertainty\u3000making\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000waver\u3002\u3000Years\u3000of\u3000subservience\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000to\u3000grovel\u3000before\u3000the\u3000holy\u3000creature\u3000and\u3000selflessly\u3000offer\u3000unto\u3000it\u3000whatever\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000claim\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000hungry\u3000spider\u3000must\u3000feed\uff1b\u3003\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000things\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taught\u3000after\u3000being\u3000accepted\u3000as\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000at\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000it\u3000joyfully\uff1b\u3000for\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3000Lolth\u3000will\u3000consume\u3000us\u3000all\u3002\u3000Better\u3000to\u3000suffer\u3000the\u3000torments\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000now\u3000than\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000later\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000have\u3000punished\u3000a\u3000priestess\u2026especially\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spurned\u3000her\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u2026for\u3000so\u3000grave\u3000a\u3000transgression\u3002\u3000But\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000not\u3000watching\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000moonlight\u3000reflected\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000eyes\u3000reminded\u3000Halisstra\u3000of\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000more\uff1a\u3000Eilistraee\u3000was\u3000watching\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000smiled\u3000grimly\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000realizing\u3000why\u3000Uluyara\u3000and\u3000Feliane\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000her\u3000trial\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000lunged\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000all\u3000her\u3000strength\u3002\u3000Flashing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000described\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000arc\uff1b\u3000its\u3000blade\u3000exactly\u3000in\u3000line\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000bulging\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000connecting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000meaty\u3000thunk\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000whistle\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000until\u3000it\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000suddenly\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000Thrown\u3000off\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000pitched\u3000forward\u3002\u3000She\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000land\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000by\u3000dropping\u3000the\u3000hunting\u3000horn\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000reappeared\u2026directly\u3000above\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000rolled\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000into\u3000an\u3000upright\u3000position\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000thrust\u3000upward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000done\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000it\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Goddess\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000groaned\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000predict\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000would\u3000appear\u3000next\u2026but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000safely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Ethereal\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000rolled\u3000violently\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000across\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000chosen\u3000correctly\u2026that\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000its\u3000ethereal\u3000legs\u3000passing\u3000right\u3000through\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000guess\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000lucky\u3000one\u3002\u3000The\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3000re\u2026entered\u3000the\u3000material\u3000plane\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\u3000away\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000her\u3000the\u3000briefest\u3000instant\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000rushed\u3000forward\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grimly\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000it\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000win\u2026not\u3000even\u3000with\u3000Seyll’s\u3000magic\u3000sword\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000wait\u3000her\u3000out\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000into\u3000ethereal\u3000form\u3000each\u3000time\u3000she\u3000attacked\uff1b\u3000then\u3000skittering\u3000invisibly\u3000away\u3000to\u3000reappear\u3000somewhere\u3000else\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000those\u3000times\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000guess\u3000wrong\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Unseen\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000inject\u3000its\u3000deadly\u3000poison\u3000and\u3000take\u3000its\u3000time\u3000as\u3000it\u3000sucked\u3000her\u3000dry\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000could\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000on\uff1a\u3000her\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000shaking\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000chanted\u3000a\u3000song\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000have\u3000charmed\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000rooting\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000fascination\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000attacked\uff1b\u3000then\u3000disappeared\u3000again\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000constantly\u3000whirl\u3000and\u3000defend\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002\u3000She\u3000cursed\u3000her\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000mispronounced\u3000a\u3000word\u2026or\u3000were\u3000phase\u3000spiders\u3000simply\u3000resistant\u3000to\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000enchantment\u3000she’d\u3000attempted\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Dodging\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000once\u3000more\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000on\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000snowy\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000stepped\u3000on\u3000her\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000roll\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000its\u3000jaws\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000disappeared\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000up\u3000again\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000dismay\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000had\u3000been\u3000snapped\u3000off\uff1b\u3000rendering\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000useless\u3000as\u3000a\u3000thrusting\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000But\u3000perhaps\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hope\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Remembering\u3000how\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000to\u3000augment\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000had\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000stirges\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000she\u3000quickly\u3000reversed\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stun\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000she\u3000could\u3000try\u3002\u3000Her\u3000fingers\u3000found\u3000the\u3000same\u3000holes\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000blew\u2026hard\u3000and\u3000long\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000the\u3000same\u3000shrill\u3000note\u2026but\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000sound\u3000the\u3000hilt\u2026flute\u3000emitted\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000phht\u3002\u3000Slushy\u3000mud\u3000sprayed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000lunged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000leaped\u3000away\u2026but\u3000more\u3000clumsily\u3002\u3000Frightened\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000tiring\u3002\u3000The\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000felt\u3000heavy\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000its\u3000hilt\u3000gritty\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sweating\u3000palm\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000time\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000lunged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000able\u3000to\u3000twist\u3000aside\u3002\u3000Its\u3000jaws\u3000caught\u3000and\u3000held\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000symbol\uff1b\u3000yanking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000disk\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000tight\u3000around\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000waist\u3002\u3000Dragged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000she\u3000flailed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000became\u3000ethereal\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stagger\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000only\u3000she\u3000still\u3000had\u3000her\u3000clerical\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000blasted\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000a\u3000column\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000or\u3000held\u3000it\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000wind\u3002\u3000But\u3000those\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000charm\u3000she’d\u3000already\u3000tried\uff1b\u3000would\u3000in\u3000all\u3000likelihood\u3000also\u3000have\u3000failed\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000hardly\u3000have\u3000granted\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000beloved\uff1b\u3000arachnid\u3000children\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000without\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000qualm\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026as\u3000Uluyara\u3000and\u3000Feliane\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000were\u2026she\u3000just\u3000might\u3000grant\u3000her\u3000most\u3000recent\u3000convert\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3000own\u3000life\u3000by\u3000restoring\u3000her\u3000spells\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Swept\u3000up\u3000in\u3000that\u3000revelation\uff1b\u3000that\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000nearly\u3000missed\u3000spotting\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3000when\u3000it\u3000re\u2026appeared\u3000suddenly\u3000on\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000branch\u3000above\u3000her\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000silently\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000line\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000creak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000branch\u3000warned\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000scrambled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000on\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000tiring\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000slowly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3000toward\u3000her\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000its\u3000time\u3002\u3000Venom\u3000dripped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000between\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000its\u3000jaws\u3000opened\u3000and\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000anticipating\u3000the\u3000meal\u3000it\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000have\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Knowing\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000her\u3000only\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000Seyll’s\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000above\u3000her\u3000head\u2026not\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000to\u3000swing\u3000it\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000to\u3000point\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000hear\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000this\u3000night\u3000on\uff1b\u3000I\u3000forsake\u3000Lolth\u3000and\u3000swear\u3000to\u3000be\u3000your\u3000humble\u3000servant\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000deem\u3000me\u3000worthy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000beseech\u3000you\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000have\u3000me\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000of\u3000my\u3000words\u3000by\u3000slaying\u3000this\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000spells\u3000in\u3000your\u3000name\u2026and\u3000to\u3000your\u3000everlasting\u3000glory\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000words\u3000rang\u3000out\u3000with\u3000the\u3000power\u3000and\u3000clarity\u3000of\u3000a\u3000song\u3000that\u3000was\u3000perfectly\u3000in\u3000tune\u3000and\u3000in\u3000harmony\u3000with\u3000her\u3000heart\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000she\u3000was\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000Eilistraee\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000Lolth’s\u3000flame\u3000strike\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000the\u3000vertical\u3000column\u3000of\u3000divine\u3000energy\u3000was\u3000silvery\u2026white\u3000in\u3000color\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000rush\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000itself\u3002\u3000It\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3000when\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000enveloping\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000beam\u3000of\u3000blindingly\u3000bright\uff1b\u3000absolutely\u3000silent\u3000light\u3002\u3000One\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000rearing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000rake\u3000impotently\u3000at\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000enveloped\u3000in\u3000flickering\u3000white\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000a\u3000crumpled\u3000heap\uff1b\u3000bleached\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000by\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000nudged\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000instantly\u3000to\u3000ash\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000magical\u3000moonfire\uff1b\u3000broke\u3000apart\u3000into\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000which\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000an\u3000outline\u3000of\u3000ash\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000blew\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sensing\u3000someone\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000expectin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000blew\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sensing\u3000someone\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000up\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000either\u3000Uluyara\u3000or\u3000Feliane\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Ryld\u3000who\u3000gaped\u3000at\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000its\u3000blade\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000how\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000open\u3000and\u3000panting\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000obviously\u3000e\u3000at\u3000the\u3000run\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000how\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000done\uff1f\u3000You\u3000can\u3000never\u3000go\u3000back\u3000now\u3002\u3000Never\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000across\u3000the\u3000space\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000just\u3000died\uff1b\u3000conflicting\u3000emotions\u3000warring\u3000within\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000irritation\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000disobeyed\u3000her\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000her\u2026and\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000joy\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000cared\u3000about\u3000her\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000last\u3000she\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000true\uff1b\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000can\u3000go\u3000back\u3002\u3000You\u3000still\u3000have\u3000a\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000a\u3000choice\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000and\u3000Lolth\u2026who\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000as\u3000dead\u3000as\u3000this\u3000spider\u2026and\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000who\u3000smiles\u3000down\u3000upon\u3000us\u3000now\u3002\u3000Which\u3000will\u3000you\u3000choose\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stood\u3000silently\u3000for\u3000several\u3000long\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000choose\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000will\u3000have\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000Uluyara\u3000and\u3000Feliane\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Feliane\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000rapturous\u3000joy\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Uluyara\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000keen\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000watching\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000Eilistraee\u3000will\u3000have\u3000you\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000are\u3000wele\u3000among\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3003\u3000A\u3000wry\u3000smile\u3000played\u3000about\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Permanently\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Understood\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\uff1b\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000much\uff1b\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000must\u3000learn\u3002\u3000And\u3000much\u3000that\u3000you\u3000must\u3000do\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000only\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trials\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000has\u3000ordained\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000acknowledging\u3000her\u3000new\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000whirled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wonder\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000fled\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000as\u3000a\u3000homeless\u3000refugee\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000her\u3000goddess\u3000was\u3000alive\u3000or\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000have\u3000her\u3000hopes\u3000dashed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000black\u3000stone\u3000monolith\u3000that\u3000sealed\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000forests\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000found\u3000something\u3000entirely\u3000unexpected\uff1b\u3000a\u3000new\u3000home\u2026and\u3000a\u3000new\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000In\u3000gratitude\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000Eilistraee\u3000faithfully\u3000from\u3000that\u3000night\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000asked\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000give\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rising\u3000from\u3000her\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000contemplating\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3002\u3000Would\u3000he\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000would\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000into\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000light\u3000prove\u3000too\u3000much\u3000for\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000too\u3000far\u3000at\u3000odds\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ways\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000known\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Only\u3000time\u3000would\u3000tell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stared\u3000thoughtfully\u3000at\u3000Danifae’s\u3000submissively\u3000bowed\u3000back\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000believed\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000at\u3000last\u3000making\u3000his\u3000move\u3002\u3000After\u3000endless\u3000petty\u3000insubordination\uff1b\u3000the\u3000infuriating\u3000male\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000worked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000inflict\u3000the\u3000killing\u3000bite\u3002\u3000Except\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000will\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Quenthel\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000let\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000do\u3000her\u3000in\u3002\u3000That\u3000way\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000report\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u2026honestly\u2026that\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000died\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000another\uff1b\u3000hostile\u3000race\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pursuit\u3000of\u3000her\u3000quest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000quest\u3000he\u3000obviously\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000what\u3000should\u3000rightfully\u3000be\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000glory\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stroked\u3000the\u3000sinuous\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000her\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000which\u3000shuddered\u3000softly\u3000as\u3000they\u3000shared\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000must\u3000be\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000said\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000fixedly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000Danifae’s\u3000lowered\u3000head\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000make\u3000up\u3000such\u3000a\u3000story\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nor\u3000can\u3000I\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000is\u3000your\u3000loyal\u3000servant\u3002\u3000Mistress\uff01\u3000said\u3000K’Sothra\uff1b\u3000squirming\u3000with\u3000delight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000stroked\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000viper’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000K’Sothra\u3000was\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000very\u3000bright\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000everything\u3000at\u3000face\u3000value\uff1b\u3000pletely\u3000missing\u3000the\u3000subtle\u3000nuances\u3000of\u3000deceit\u3000that\u3000usually\u3000lay\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000so\u3000blatant\u3000a\u3000betrayal\u3002\u3000But\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000the\u3000naive\u3000snake\u3000might\u3000actually\u3000be\u3000correct\u3002\u3000Danifae’s\u3000motivation\u3000seemed\u3000clear\u3000as\u3000quartz\u3000crystal\u3002\u3000The\u3000lesser\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000betraying\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002\u3000When\u3000Lolth\u3000reawakened\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000would\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000place\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000shifted\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000to\u3000her\u3000left\u3000hand\u2026smiling\u3000when\u3000Danifae\u3000flinched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000passed\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u2026and\u3000she\u3000curled\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000her\u3000right\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000rested\u3000her\u3000fingertips\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000Danifae’s\u3000bowed\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000be\u3000rewarded\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000go\u3002\u3000Return\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000before\u3000he\u3000suspects\u3000what\u3000you’ve\u3000been\u3000doing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hunkered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000time\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000beyond\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000flexed\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000shake\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000flattened\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Danifae\u3000pass\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000growled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000had\u3000risen\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000listened\u3000carefully\u3000to\u3000everything\u3000Danifae\u3000said\u3000and\u3000was\u3000balanced\u3000on\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000rages\u3002\u3000The\u3000slightest\u3000word\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000send\u3000him\u3000into\u3000violent\u3000motion\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000sat\u3000by\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000his\u3000spellbooks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000him\u3000myself\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Later\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000growling\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000his\u3000smaller\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Red\u3000eyes\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slowly\u3000his\u3000hackles\u3000smoothed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000sat\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000brooding\u3002\u3000The\u3000cavern\u3000she’d\u3000chosen\u3000for\u3000her\u3000Reverie\u3000was\u3000no\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000a\u3000servant’s\u3000room\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000a\u3000high\u3000ceiling\u3000that\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000fissure\u3002\u3000Water\u3000seeped\u3000down\u3000one\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000puddle\u3000near\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000It\u3000trickled\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000where\u3000Jeggred\u3000squatted\uff1b\u3000eventually\u3000joining\u3000the\u3000river\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000flowing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000outside\u3002\u3000A\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000faintly\u3000luminescent\uff1b\u3000round\u3000fungi\u3000grew\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000wall\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000dim\u3000greenish\u3000light\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000popped\u3000one\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fingernail\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000a\u3000sparkle\u3000of\u3000spores\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000contemplated\u3000her\u3000glowing\u3000fingertip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Useful\u3000as\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000spells\u3000were\uff1b\u3000his\u3000latest\u3000treachery\u3000had\u3000tipped\u3000the\u3000scales\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000him\u3000into\u3000a\u3000liability\u2026one\u3000that\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000eliminated\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000killing\u3000him\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000solution\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000a\u3000key\u3000player\u3000in\u3000the\u3000politics\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000was\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000face\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000patron\uff1b\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000sister\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000pleased\u3000at\u3000having\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000sides\u3000between\u3000her\u3000siblings\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000weakened\u3000by\u3000Lolth’s\u3000inattention\u3002\u3000By\u3000all\u3000accounts\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000own\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000Miz’ri\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000after\u3000all\u3000and\u3000still\u3000an\u3000important\u3000part\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000modest\u3000assets\u2026and\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000was\u3000a\u3000close\u3000ally\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000wizards\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000would\u3000likewise\u3000be\u3000displeased\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u2026especially\u3000one\u3000important\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000chosen\u3000for\u3000the\u3000expedition\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3000Killing\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000indeed\u3000be\u3000difficult\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000over\u3000what\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026captive\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000would\u3000only\u3000reveal\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000consume\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000spellcaster\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000gambling\u3000that\u3000Oothoon\u3000would\u3000fail\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000spells\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000useful\u2026that\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000before\u3000his\u3000trickery\u3000was\u3000discovered\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000believed\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000simply\u3000consumed\u3000Pharaun\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000to\u3000acquire\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000carried\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000own\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000should\u3000turn\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000board\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000suggested\u3002\u3000Offer\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Easily\u3000said\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000done\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Oothoon\u3000in\u3000person\u3000and\u3000first\u3000persuade\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000not\u3000worth\u3000eating\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tell\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Zinda\u3000said\u3002\u3000Your\u3000spells\u3000are\u3000useless\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000cried\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000lives\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000sharp\u3000glance\u3000in\u3000her\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shut\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000must\u3000live\uff1b\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000silently\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000believe\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\uff1f\u3000Yngoth\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000cracking\u3000Quenthel\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000despair\u3002\u3000Give\u3000up\uff1f\u3000Embrace\u3000death\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3000What\u3000god\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000would\u3000claim\u3000your\u3000soul\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Anger\u3000making\u3000her\u3000steadier\u2026she\u3000hated\u3000it\u3000when\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000her\u3000innermost\u3000fears\u2026Quenthel\u3000spat\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000back\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3002\u3000Never\u3000that\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000just\u3000that\u3000revealing\u3000what\u3000has\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000bargaining\u3000from\u3000a\u3000position\u3000of\u3000weakness\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000would\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000even\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000as \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000would\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000even\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000other\u3000races\u3000have\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hsiv\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000debate\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chuckle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000imps\u3000to\u3000be\u3000bound\u3000into\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000often\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000helped\u3000guide\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000thoughts\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000truer\u3000course\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleths\u3000are\u3000an\u3000aquatic\u3000race\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000can’t\u3000leave\u3000their\u3000lake\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000retorted\uff1b\u3000not\u3000caring\u3000that\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000would\u3000see\u3000through\u3000her\u3000lie\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000aboleths\u3000might\u3000tell\u3000other\u3000races\u3000about\u3000Lolth’s\u3000silence\u3002\u3000If\u3000word\u3000of\u3000our\u3000weakness\u3000spreads\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000doomed\u3002\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000has\u3000fallen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000Pharaun\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000able\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000we\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000far\u3000from\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\uff1b\u3000Hsiv\u3000gently\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000little\u2026visited\u3000region\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000might\u3000tell\u3000would\u3000attack\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000city\u3000that\u3000is\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000barely\u3000heard\u3000him\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fears\u3000and\u3000doubts\u3000she’d\u3000kept\u3000bound\u3000tightly\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000the\u3000group\u3000had\u3000fled\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000erupted\u3000like\u3000spiders\u3000from\u3000a\u3000cocoon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000that’s\u3000just\u3000it\uff01\u3000she\u3000wailed\u3002\u3000Who\u3000knows\u3000how\u3000many\u3000of\u3000our\u3000cities\u3000have\u3000been\u3000destroyed\u2026or\u3000how\u3000many\u3000will\u3000yet\u3000be\u3000destroyed\u3000before\u3000this\u3000crisis\u3000is\u3000done\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Lolth\u2026to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000are\u3000all\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Leave\u3000that\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000hissed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000wasn’t\u3000listening\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000every\u3000drow\u3000city\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000is\u3000on\u3000my\u3000head\uff1b\u3000she\u3000moaned\u3002\u3000Things\u3000are\u3000hard\u3000enough\u3000without\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000stupid\uff1b\u3000petty\u3000power\u3000games\u3002\u3000Doesn’t\u3000he\u3000realize\u3000what’s\u3000at\u3000stake\uff1f\u3000This\u3000could\u3000result\u3000in\u3000the\u3000extinction\u3000of\u3000our\u3000race\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000could\uff1b\u3000Zinda\u3000agreed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yngoth\u3000quickly\u3000hissed\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000viper\u3000to\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000must\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000at\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000find\u3000out\u3000from\u3000Oothoon\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000is\u2026a\u3000task\u3000that\u3000will\u3000be\u3000easier\u3000than\u3000you\u3000think\u3002\u3000The\u3000sava\u3000board\u3000has\u3000already\u3000been\u3000set\u3000up\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000are\u3000already\u3000in\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000brought\u3000Quenthel\u3000up\u3000short\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000They\u3000are\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yngoth’s\u3000tongue\u3000flickered\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000learn\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000is\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000must\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000Oothoon\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000thinks\u3000you\u3000have\u3000been\u3000consumed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000may\u3000lower\u3000his\u3000guard\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000may\u3000be\u3000his\u3000downfall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000frowned\u3000and\u3000sent\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Listen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000will\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000continued\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000Oothoon\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000dead\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon\u3000won’t\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000interrupted\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000myself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Your\u3000ring\u3000will\u3000prevent\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000from\u3000hearing\u3000your\u3000thoughts\u3000or\u3000from\u3000detecting\u3000your\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000Hsiv\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000once\u3000Oothoon\u3000has\u3000deemed\u3000you\u3000unworthy\u3000of\u3000eating\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000offer\u3000her\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000that\u3000in\u3000return\u3000for\u3000her\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000convince\u3000Pharaun\u3000that\u3000you\u3000have\u3000been\u3000eaten\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000tricked\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000swim\u3000willingly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000jaws\u3000of\u3000death\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000will\u3000eat\u3000him\uff01\u3000K’Sothra\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000Zinda\u3000added\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000even\u3000Triel\u3000won’t\u3000find\u3000fault\u3000with\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000How\u3000will\u3000I\u3000convince\u3000Pharaun\u3000I’m\u3000dead\uff1f\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000won’t\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Twisting\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000fixed\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000He\u3000will\u3002\u3000Take\u3000Jeggred\u3000with\u3000you\u2026and\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000your\u3000plans\u3002\u3000That\u3000way\uff1b\u3000his\u3000grief\u3000will\u3000be\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000convincing\u3002\u3000Give\u3000him\u3000an\u3000order\uff1b\u3000and\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000fixes\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000that\u3000if\u3000you\u3000should\u3000be\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3000not\u3000to\u3000take\u3000his\u3000revenge\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000He\u3000instead\u3000must\u3000fight\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000what\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000so\u3000the\u3000others\u3000may\u3000carry\u3000word\u3000of\u3000your\u3000death\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000Jeggred\u3000that\u3000he\u3000must\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000doing\u3000this\u2026at\u3000all\u3000costs\u2026or\u3000the\u3000life\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3000will\u3000have\u3000been\u3000forfeited\u3000for\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000somehow\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000stirred\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000obeyed\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000sharp\u3000gesture\u3000instantly\uff1b\u3000returning\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000was\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dilemma\u2026one\u3000that\u3000would\u3000finally\u3000pay\u3000Pharaun\u3000back\u3000for\u3000his\u3000intolerable\u3000insubordination\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Yngoth\u3000expectantly\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000How\u3000am\u3000I\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000being\u3000eaten\u3000by\u3000the\u3000aboleth\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000viper\u3000bared\u3000its\u3000fangs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000menacing\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000still\u3000have\u3000your\u3000rod\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000that\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000lace\u3000fungus\u3000wine\u3000you’ve\u3000been\u3000saving\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000are\u3000those\u3000going\u3000to\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Listen\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000said\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000will\u3000explain\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000listened\u3000avidly\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Yngoth\u3000was\u3000finished\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000were\u3000parted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000feral\u3000grin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000might\u3000just\u3000work\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000the\u3000snake\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000grimmer\u3000note\uff1b\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000It\u3000must\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000maintained\u3000a\u3000respectful\u3000silence\u3000as\u3000Yngoth\u3000outlined\u3000the\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000writhed\u3000in\u3000anticipation\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3000carried\u3000out\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Qorra\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serpent\u3000who\u3000almost\u3000never\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000contain\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oh\uff01\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000This\u3000will\u3000be\u3000such\u3000fun\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000waited\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000room\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000with\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\uff1b\u3000every\u3000muscle\u3000in\u3000his\u3000body\u3000tense\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000in\u3000there\uff1b\u3000atone\uff1b\u3000with\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000let\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u2026the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000Oothoon\u2026move\u3000into\u3000a\u3000position\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Why\u3000had\u3000she\u3000allowed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000bloated\u3000fish\u2026folk\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000trusted\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000water\u3000filling\u3000his\u3000nostrils\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000deceit\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000third\u3000aboleth\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000by\u3000its\u3000matriarch\u3000when\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000itched\u3000to\u3000rend\u3000its\u3000rubbery\u3000looking\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000its\u3000blood\u3000ran\u3000red\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000picture\u3000it\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000would\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000water\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000heady\u3000feast\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u2026to\u3000inhale\u3000blood\u3000with\u3000each\u3000breath\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trailing\u3000tentacles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000guarding\u3000him\u3000drifted\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000lashed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000clawing\u3000a\u3000furrow\u3000in\u3000its\u3000flesh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Its\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000blinking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000burbling\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\u3000not\u3000attack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pulse\u3000pounding\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000hurl\u3000himself\u3000after\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000close\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000turned\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000signing\u3000at\u3000him\u3000furiously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hold\u3000your\u3000temper\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000their\u3000guests\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000been\u3000a\u3000male\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spoken\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000would\u3000have\u3000snarled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000defiance\u2026then\u3000torn\u3000him\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000bowed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000you\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000snuck\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000he’d\u3000wounded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000wrong\u3000about\u3000aboleth\u3000blood\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000green\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000flow\u3000freely\u3000but\u3000oozed\u3000out\u3000like\u3000sap\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Satisfied\u3000the\u3000stupid\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000retaliate\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000returned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000have\u3000guarded\u3000her\u3000better\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000at\u3000her\u3000side\uff1b\u3000but\u3000an\u3000order\u3000was\u3000an\u3000order\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000obeyed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000always\u3000did\uff1b\u3000without\u3000question\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000result\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000understand\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conversation\u2026Oothoon’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000pitched\u3000too\u3000low\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000signing\uff1b\u3000since\u3000her\u3000back\u3000was\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000though\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000was\u3000being\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000read\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000emotions\u3000by\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000held\u3000her\u3000body\u3002\u3000That\u3000stiffening\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000was\u3000tension\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000furtive\u3000drift\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000wand\u3000was\u3000caution\u2026perhaps\u3000even\u3000fear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Strangely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000were\u3000drifting\u3000lazily\u3000with\u3000the\u3000current\uff1b\u3000pletely\u3000relaxed\u3002\u3000They\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000than\u3000Jeggred\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000should\u3000have\u3000sensed\u3000her\u3000rising\u3000tension\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\u3000the\u3000stupid\u3000things\u3000were\u3000off\u3000guard\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000to\u3000put\u3000such\u3000stock\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bound\u3000imps\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000little\u3000better\u3000than\u3000slaves\u3002\u3000Always\u3000asking\u3000their\u3000opinions\u2026instead\u3000of\u3000trusting\u3000her\u3000own\u3000heart\u2026\u3000made\u3000her\u3000weak\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000that\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000his\u3000aunt\uff1b\u3000sister\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000the\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000was\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000weak\uff1f\u3000He\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000found\u3000it\u3000quickly\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000unease\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Growling\u3000low\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throat\u2026a\u3000low\u3000gurgle\u3000of\u3000water\u2026Jeggred\u3000readied\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002\u3000He\u3000braced\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u2026one\u3000kick\u3000would\u3000send\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u2026and\u3000flexed\u3000his\u3000claws\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000swift\u3000motion\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000A\u3000sticky\u3000glob\u3000shot\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000expanding\u3000swiftly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000raced\u3000through\u3000the\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Simultaneously\u3000raking\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000beside\u3000him\u3000with\u3000one\u3000clawed\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000kicked\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026only\u3000to\u3000find\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000tangled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sticky\u3000mass\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000shot\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000ducked\u3000swiftly\u3000aside\u3002\u3000The\u3000viscous\u3000glob\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000instead\u3000and\u3000pletely\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Roaring\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000twisted\u3000his\u3000body\u3000around\u3000and\u3000braced\u3000both\u3000feet\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000Heaving\uff1b\u3000calf\u3000and\u3000thigh\u3000muscles\u3000nearly\u3000bursting\u3000from \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Roaring\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000twisted\u3000his\u3000body\u3000around\u3000and\u3000braced\u3000both\u3000feet\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000Heaving\uff1b\u3000calf\u3000and\u3000thigh\u3000muscles\u3000nearly\u3000bursting\u3000from\u3000the\u3000strain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tore\u3000his\u3000head\u3000free\uff1b\u3000then\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000Ignoring\u3000the\u3000sting\u3000where\u3000hair\u3000had\u3000torn\u3000from\u3000his\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000he\u3000clawed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000barrier\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000hand\u3002\u3000It\u3000got\u3000stuck\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000corrected\u3000her\u3000aim\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000glob\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000guard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000just\u3000as\u3000its\u3000teeth\u3000were\u3000about\u3000to\u3000close\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Gurgling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000spit\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000ball\u3000but\u3000could\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000with\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000been\u3000motionless\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000soon\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000attack\u3002\u3000It\u3000reared\u3000above\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000its\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000bite\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000raked\u3000its\u3000belly\u3000with\u3000his\u3000free\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000slash\u3002\u3000Green\u3000blood\u3000oozed\u3000out\u2026lots\u3000of\u3000blood\u2026clouding\u3000the\u3000water\u3000Jeggred\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000It\u3000tasted\u3000vile\uff1b\u3000like\u3000pungent\u3000seaweed\u2026not\u3000at\u3000all\u3000as\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000bolted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000retreating\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000strokes\u3000of\u3000its\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000it\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fish\u2026folk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000continued\u3000ripping\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000ball\u3000that\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Each\u3000time\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000got\u3000stuck\u2026but\u3000each\u3000time\u3000he\u3000ripped\u3000off\u3000a\u3000few\u3000strands\u3002\u3000Smelling\u3000real\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pant\u2026then\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000his\u3000own\u3002\u3000His\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000raw\u3000where\u3000skin\u3000had\u3000been\u3000torn\u3000from\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000held\u3000Oothoon\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000with\u3000her\u3000rod\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000stared\u3000for\u3000several\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000her\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000unblinking\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000launched\u3000herself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000niche\u3002\u3000Mouth\u3000gaping\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sped\u3000across\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000that\u3000Jeggred\u3000could\u3000not\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000making\u3000her\u3000rod\u3000work\u3002\u3000Only\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3000did\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000e\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3000A\u3000glob\u3000streaked\u3000toward\u3000Oothoon\u2026and\u3000missed\u3002\u3000As\u3000Quenthel\u3000flailed\u3000back\u3000in\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000closed\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\u3000in\u3000horror\u3002\u3000His\u3000mistress\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Eaten\u3002\u3000Dead\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Fury\u3000seized\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000mess\u3000that\u3000held\u3000him\uff1b\u3000heedless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000that\u3000was\u3000being\u3000ripped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Panting\u3000water\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lungs\u2026or\u3000perhaps\u3000vomiting\u3000it\u3000up\u3000and\u3000swallowing\u3000it\u3000again\u2026he\u3000thrashed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fish\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000net\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000Oothoon\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000mockingly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000tentacle\u3000stroking\u3000a\u3000bulge\u3000in\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000sticky\u3000mass\u3000blocking\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000tore\u3000but\u3000did\u3000not\u3000e\u3000free\u3002\u3000Tipping\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\u3000in\u3000frustration\u2026and\u3000tearing\u3000out\u3000yet\u3000more\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000viscous\u3000glob\u2026Jeggred\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000sorrow\u3000but\u3000at\u3000last\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000senses\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Mistress\u3000was\u3000wise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000foreseen\u3000this\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000an\u3000order\u2026a\u3000final\u3000order\u3000that\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000aboleth\u3000returned\u3000with\u3000reinforcements\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wrenching\u3000himself\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000swam\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026one
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000listened\u3000dispassionately\u3000as\u3000Jeggred\u3000gasped\u3000out\u3000his\u3000story\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000was\u3000dripping\u3000wet\u3000and\u3000still\u3000making\u3000the\u3000transition\u3000to\u3000breathing\u3000air\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000great\uff1b\u3000gurgling\u3000breaths\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000construed\u2026were\u3000they\u3000made\u3000by\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000that\u3000was\u3000not\u3000demon\u2026spawned\u2026to\u3000be\u3000sobs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000been\u3000eaten\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jeggred\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000low\u3000and\u3000all\u3000four\u3000arms\u3000hanging\u3000dejectedly\u3000at\u3000his\u3000sides\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3000Quenthel\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000coldly\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Thanks\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ment\u3000normally\u3000would\u3000have\u3000caused\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000for\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000as\u3000quietly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000rothe\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000slaughter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000even\u3000possible\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000without\u3000her\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000defeating\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000Her\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000enchantments\u3000alone\u3000should\u3000have\u3000protected\u3000her\u3000from\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000said\u3000she\u3000was\u3000swallowed\u3000whole\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000interjected\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000never\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000mercenary’s\u3000blunt\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000shoulders\u3000slumped\u3000still\u3000lower\u3002\u3000Hunkering\u3000down\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000wrapped\u3000his\u3000smaller\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000blankly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000river\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000As\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000been\u3000relating\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000city\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000grew\u3000increasingly\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000truly\u3000believed\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000lightly\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000should\u3000we\u3000do\u3000next\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Pharaun\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000now\u2026it’s\u3000your\u3000decision\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000noted\u3000how\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Valas\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000for\u3000any\u3000challenge\u3000to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000leadership\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000having\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shrugged\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000now\uff1f\u3000Continue\u3000the\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u2026or\u3000make\u3000our\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000answer\u3000was\u3000immediate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000still\u3000under\u3000orders\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3000briskly\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I\u3000am\u3000still\u3000under\u3000orders\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Until\u3000we\u3000hear\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000we\u3000continue\u3000our\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what’s\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000means\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000met\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Since\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bargain\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000for\u3000Danifae’s\u3000reaction\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000reason\u3000do\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000mine\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000control\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u3000you\u3000promised\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000spat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000tension\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000growled\u3000softly\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000between\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Promised\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000question\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000made\u3000a\u3000promise\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000reminded\u3000Danifae\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000voice\u3002\u3000He\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000spellbook\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000reading\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000you\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000honestly\u3000think\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000listen\u3000in\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae’s\u3000hands\u3000curled\u3000into\u3000fists\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sides\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000almost\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stamp\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000slowly\u3000uncurled\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000if\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000guess\u3000his\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000her\u3000long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000sulky\u3000pout\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000meant\u3000me\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000you\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000Quenthel\u3000more\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000not\u3000have\u3000met\u3000with\u3000Oothoon\u3000if\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000interrupted\u3000her\u3000by\u3000clearing\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000He\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000crouch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000saying\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000growled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nothing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000said\u3000smoothly\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000Jeggred\u3000a\u3000seductive\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Oothoon\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000and\u3000learned\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000succeed\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000he\u3000was\u3000jealous\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000discredit\u3000your\u3000mistress\u2026to\u3000tell\u3000your\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000if\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000succeeds\u3000in\u3000making\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000again\u2026that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000found\u3000out\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000is\uff1b\u3000not\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Then\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000parted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000snarl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000would\u3000have\u3000lied\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000understanding\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\u3000would\u3000have\u3000made\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000look\u3000bad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000waved\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000dismissively\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000concealing\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000that\u3000activated\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3000whose\u3000incantation\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000angry\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000politics\u3002\u3000You’d\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000in\u3000my\u3000shoes\u3002\u3000Any\u3000drow\u3000would\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000unmollified\uff1b\u3000snarled\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000hands\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3000was\u3000half\u2026hearted\u3002\u3000His\u3000claws\u3000remained\u3000unflexed\u3002\u3000The\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000shimmered\u3000only\u3000faintly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000easily\u3000soaked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3002\u3000The\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000foul\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000panted\u3000into\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000face\u3000for\u3000several\u3000long\u3000moments\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000dropped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000resume\u3000his\u3000sulk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000silently\u3000into\u3000position\u3000behind\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000sheathing\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000raised\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000thanks\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000neither\u3000seen\u3000nor\u3000heard\u3000Valas\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000daggers\u2026he\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000scout\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000to\u3000back\u3000him\u3000and\u3000not\u3000Jeggred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000for\u3000the\u3000offer\u3000I\u3000made\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000\u3003it\u3000still\u3000stands\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000just\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000expedient\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000us\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000With\u3000our\u3000numbers\u3000reduced\uff1b\u3000I\u3000may\u3000need\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hips\uff1b\u3000an\u3000invitation\u3000and\u3000a\u3000challenge\u3000in\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Interesting\u3000how\u3000quickly\u3000she\u3000begins\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000up\u3000her\u3000enticements\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000question\u3000still\u3000remains\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000information\u3000we\u3000need\u3000from\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000stooping\u3000to\u3000tuck\u3000his\u3000spellbook\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pack\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000I\u3000continue\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3002\u3000Alone\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000mad\uff1f\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000vanish\u3000down\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000gullet\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000did\u3002\u3000Then\u3000where\u3000w \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000mad\uff1f\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000vanish\u3000down\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000gullet\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000did\u3002\u3000Then\u3000where\u3000will\u3000we\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Free\u3000to\u3000do\u3000as\u3000you\u3000wish\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000winked\u3000at\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Which\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000you’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000to\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000where\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000your\u3000own\u3000mistress\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000you\u3000again\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000our\u3000valiant\u3000mercenary\u3000would\u3000escort\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000patted\u3000his\u3000backpack\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000prepared\u3000a\u3000little\u3000magical\u3000surprise\u3000for\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000My\u3000memories\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000added\u3000to\u3000Oothoon’s\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000mock\u3000pout\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003See\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000they\u3000aren’t\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000in\u3000making\u3000his\u3000preparations\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000leather\u3000glove\u3000onto\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000would\u3000cast\u3000once\u3000he\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000and\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000wands\u3000were\u3000close\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000then\u3000cast\u3000two\u3000protective\u3000spells\u3000in\u3000quick\u3000succession\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000would\u3000shield\u3000him\u3000from\u3000any\u3000attempts\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000made\u3000to\u3000dominate\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000created\u3000eight\u3000illusionary\u3000images\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000mirrored\u3000his\u3000every\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000nine\u3000Pharauns\u3000nodded\u3000their\u3000farewell\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000saluted\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000second\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u2026the\u3000real\u3000Pharaun\u2026cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000water\u3002\u3000Mirrored\u3000by\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000water\u3000closed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000word\u3000that\u3000would\u3000teleport\u3000him\u3000to\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000arrival\u3000took\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000pletely\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Oothoon\u3000was\u3000resting\u3000in\u3000her\u3000niche\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000a\u3000large\u3000black\u3000pearl\u3000held\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tentacle\u3002\u3000As\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000eight\u3000illusionary\u3000doubles\u3000materialized\u3000suddenly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000she\u3000startled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000coiled\u3000her\u3000tentacle\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000pearl\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000the\u3000precious\u3000object\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000her\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000aboleth\u3000was\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spiraling\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000It\u3000blinked\u3000its\u3000three\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000startled\u3000surprise\u3000to\u3000see\u3000nine\u3000drow\u3000suddenly\u3000appear\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000but\u3000reacted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000swiftness\u3000of\u3000a\u3000trained\u3000soldier\u3002\u3000A\u3000powerful\u3000stroke\u3000of\u3000its\u3000fluked\u3000tail\u3000propelled\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000illusionary\u3000Pharauns\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sparkle\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000as\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000it\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000as\u3000savage\u3000and\u3000swift\u3000as\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shark\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000guard\u3000turned\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000attack\u3000Pharaun\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000gloved\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000flexed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000swiftly\u3000fingering\u3000an\u3000evocation\u3000with\u3000his\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000speech\u3002\u3000An\u3000enormous\u3000ebony\u2026skinned\u3000hand\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3000Fingers\u3000open\uff1b\u3000it\u3000met\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000head\u2026on\uff1b\u3000then\u3000wrapped\u3000itself\u3000around\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000It\u3000squeezed\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000the\u3000aboleth’s\u3000tentacles\u3000against\u3000its\u3000body\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000two\u3000of\u3000its\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000gurgled\u3000with\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000gnawed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000palm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000pressed\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000in\u3000its\u3000belly\u3002\u3000The\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000not\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000guard’s\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000it\u3000were\u3000futile\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000thrashed\u3000helplessly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hand’s\u3000firm\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000slime\u3000from\u3000its\u3000body\u3000clouding\u3000the\u3000water\u3000around\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000mental\u3000push\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000that\u3000happened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000space\u3000of\u3000a\u3000few\u3000heartbeats\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000after\u3000shoving\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u2026together\u3000with\u3000his\u3000mirror\u3000images\u2026and\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000enchantment\u3000at\u3000Oothoon\u3002\u3000A\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000stirred\u3000the\u3000water\u3000around\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000tentacles\u3000relax\u3002\u3000Still\u3000wary\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\u3000in\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000testing\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000his\u3000charm\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000not\u3000just\u3000willing\u3000but\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000chat\u3000with\u3000her\u3000\u3003old\u3000friend\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000the\u3000abrupt\u3000intrusion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000how\u3000our\u3000little\u3000plan\u3000went\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000came\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000you\u3000consumed\u3000her\u3002\u3000Now\u3000will\u3000you\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bargain\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000lies\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000bereft\u3000of\u3000its\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000then\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000’priestess’\u3000had\u3000no\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000that\u3000response\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000learned\u3000from\u3000her\u3000memories\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000unavailable\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002\u3000In\u3000time\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000will\u3000awaken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000will\u3000have\u3000full\u3000use\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000you\u3000just\u3000acquired\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000consume\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000not\u3000worth\u3000eating\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000blinked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000acpanied\u3000her\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000us\u3000and\u3000told\u3000us\u3000you\u3000consumed\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000swallow\u3000her\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000four\u2026armed\u3000one\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000him\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000Oothoon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tentacles\u3000quivering\u3000and\u3000mouth\u3000open\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000grin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000made\u3000Pharaun\u3000pause\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000aboleths\u3000had\u3000mind\u3000magic\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000creating\u3000illusions\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000Oothoon\u3000had\u3000used\u3000just\u3000that\u3000talent\u3000on\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000Was\u3000she\u3000dulling\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000senses\u3000with\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3000even\u3000then\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000and\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000beyond\u3000not\u3000as\u3000empty\u3000of\u3000guards\u3000as\u3000they\u3000seemed\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000with\u3000him\u3000a\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000ointment\u3000that\uff1b\u3000when\u3000rubbed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000would\u3000instantly\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000once\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000activated\u3000its\u3000potency\u3000were\u3000spoken\u2026but\u3000using\u3000it\u3000meant\u3000reaching\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000briefly\u3002\u3000If\u3000there\u3000were\u3000illusion\u2026cloaked\u3000guards\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000ideal\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000overpower\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000rely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000he’d\u3000already\u3000protected\u3000himself\u3000with\u3002\u3000Seven\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3000images\u3000he’d\u3000created\u3000were\u3000still\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000attack\u3000came\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000one\u2026in\u2026eight\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000was\u3000targeted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000relaxed\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000rested\u3000easily\u3000in\u3000the\u3000niche\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000unease\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pearl\u3000was\u3000cupped\u3000protectively\u3000against\u3000her\u3000belly\u3002\u3000Oothoon\u3000hadn’t\u3000called\u3000for\u3000more\u3000guards\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000incapacitated\u3000and\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000any\u3000threatening\u3000moves\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000worrying\u3000needlessly\u3002\u3000His\u3000charm\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000taken\u3000hold\u3002\u3000He\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000test\u3000it\u3000further\u3000by\u3000asking\u3000a\u3000question\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000wouldn’t\u3000answer\u3000unless\u3000charmed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000Quenthel\u3000now\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Gone\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000told\u3000her\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000just\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u2026but\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000was\u3000answer\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000glanced\u3000quickly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000and\u3000at\u3000last\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puzzle\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000sticky\u3000strands\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000web\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000spotted\uff1b\u3000peeking\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000kelp\u3000on\u3000which\u3000Oothoon’s\u3000belly\u3000rested\uff1b\u3000the\u3000neck\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wine\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000Not\u3000everything\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000had\u3000been\u3000an\u3000illusion\uff1a\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000used\u3000her\u3000wand\u2026deliberately\u2026to\u3000block\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000after\u3000she’d\u3000gotten\u3000the\u3000information\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000from\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000dissolved\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000with\u3000alcohol\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Together\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Oothoon\u3000had\u3000played\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000and\u3000illusion\u2026enhanced\u3000ruse\u3000on\u3000Jeggred\u2026and\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Oothoon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000reward\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000\u3003death\uff1b\u3003\u3000would\u3000return\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000hands\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000plete\u3000his\u3000incantation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pearl\u3000Oothoon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000holding\u3000appeared\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u2026the\u3000real\u3000him\uff1b\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mirror\u3000images\u2026as\u3000if\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000before\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000must\u3000have\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000had\u3000put\u3000it\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000had\u3000spat\u3000it\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000masking\u3000the\u3000action\u3000with\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000pearl\u3000struck\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000water\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000and\u3000made\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Stunned\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000gesture\u3000or\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hung\u3000limp\u3000and\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mirror\u3000images\u3000dissipated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002\u3000Though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000dizzy\uff1b\u3000too\u3000stunned\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000still\u3000able\u3000to\u3000note\u3000the\u3000irony\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000just\u3000happened\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000about\u3000to\u3000stun\u3000Oothoon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000have\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000lay\u3000him\u3000low\u3000with\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000form\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3000What\u3000he’d\u3000mistaken\u3000for\u3000a\u3000\u3003pearl\u3003\u3000was\u3000none\u3000other\u3000than\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000magical\u3000beads\u3000of\u3000power\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000Oothoon\u3000hadn’t\u3000succumbed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000charm\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000had\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000been\u3000fooled\u3000by\u3000his\u3000mirror\u3000images\u2026an\u3000illusion\u3000Oothoon\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000seen\u3000through\uff1b\u3000since\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000the\u3000right\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000spit\u3000the\u3000bead\u3000of\u3000power\u3000at\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000teasing\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000he’d\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000as\u3000helpless\u3000as\u3000a\u3000flutter\u3000lizard\u3000in\u3000a\u3000web\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Launching\u3000herself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000niche\uff1b\u3000Oothoon\u3000streaked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000hung\u3000helpless\uff1b\u3000jaws\u3000open\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sucked\u3000Pharaun\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Still\u3000stunned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bead\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000scream\u3000as\u3000the\u3000jaws\u3000snapped\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Darkness\u3000enveloped\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000razor\u2026sharp\u3000teeth\u3000sawed\u3000into\u3000his\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026two
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000near\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trophy\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000After\u3000she’d\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3000two\u3000nights\u3000before\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000let\u3000her\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000Seyll’s\u3000shield\u3000and\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000also\u3000given\u3000her\u3000back\u3000her\u3000House\u3000insignia\u2026which\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000pinning\u3000to\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u2026and\u3000her\u3000other\u3000enchanted\u3000rings\u3000and\u3000devices\u3002\u3000She\u3000also\u3000still\u3000had\u3000her\u3000magical\u3000lyre\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000d \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n he\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000disinclined\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000as\u3000the\u3000other\u3000things\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000she\u3000had\u3000set\u3000aside\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000practiced\u3000on\u3000the\u3000songsword\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000dancing\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000create\u3000a\u3000tune\u3000to\u3000suit\u3000the\u3000mood\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snow\u2026dappled\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000drifting\u3000lazily\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000as\u3000white\u3000and\u3000fine\u2026spun\u3000as\u3000hair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000sat\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000a\u3000log\u3000a\u3000short\u3000distance\u3000away\uff1b\u3000sharpening\u3000his\u3000shortsword\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000squinted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000sunlight\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he’d\u3000chosen\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000shade\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3000a\u3000large\u3000boulder\uff1b\u3000under\u3000a\u3000canopy\u3000of\u3000tree\u3000branches\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000handspan\u3000above\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000still\u3000struggling\u3000with\u3000his\u3000unease\u3000of\u3000open\u3000spaces\uff1b\u3000of\u3000having\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arrhythmic\u3000rasp\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000rasp\u3000rasp\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000rasp\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000sharpening\u3000stone\u3000grated\u3000on\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000nerves\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000lower\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000exasperation\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\u3000here\uff1b\u3000could\u3000you\u3000at\u3000least\u3000work\u3000in\u3000time\u3000with\u3000my\u3000music\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Startled\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Fine\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000crawled\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000the\u3000overhanging\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000shortsword\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3002\u3000Scowling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000long\u3000do\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000tenday\uff1b\u3000a\u3000month\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000year\uff1b\u3000if\u3000need\u3000be\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Until\u3000I\u3000learn\u3000everything\u3000I\u3000can\u3000about\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000worship\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000lifetime\uff1b\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3000sourly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shrug\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000one\u3000forcing\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stay\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3002\u3000You\u3000could\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000or\u3000try\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u2026or\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000like\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000stubborn\u3000look\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u2026a\u3000human\u3000might\u3000have\u3000called\u3000it\u3000\u3003love\u3003\u2026\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000temper\u3000cooled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000for\u3000my\u3000own\u3000sake\u3000but\u3000for\u3000yours\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000Dark\u3000Maiden\u3000will\u3000embrace\u3000you\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000only\u3000let\u3000her\u3002\u3000Eilistraee\u3000can\u3000show\u3000you\u3000a\u3000joy\u3000you’ve\u3000never\u3000known\u3002\u3000We\u3000drow\u3000have\u3000been\u3000confined\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000for\u3000too\u3000long\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000we\u3000took\u3000our\u3000rightful\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u2026and\u3000held\u3000it\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000our\u3000swords\u3000if\u3000need\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000answer\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000trophy\u3000tree\u3002\u3000Following\u3000his\u3000gaze\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000a\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000sword\u2026shaped\u3000niche\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trunk\u3000in\u3000which\u3000two\u3000heads\u3000rested\uff1b\u3000one\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000skeletal\uff1b\u3000with\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000clumps\u3000of\u3000black\u3000hair\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000jawbone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000top\u3000skull\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000away\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000human\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000jaw\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000skull\u3000protruded\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000canine\u3000teeth\u3000were\u3000overly\u3000large\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000them\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000making\u3000the\u3000hardened\u3000warrior\u3000uneasy\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000since\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000undoubtedly\u3000seen\u3000far\u3000more\u3000gruesome\u3000sights\u3000in\u3000his\u3000career\u3000as\u3000a\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000wrenched\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000Eilistraee\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\u3000worship\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Kiaransalee\uff1b\u3000or\u3000Selvetarm\uff1f\u3000His\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000had\u3000some\u3000part\u3000in\u3002\u3000Or\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000Lolth’s\u3000champion\u3000has\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fate\u3000as\u3000his\u3000mistress\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Selvetarm\u3000guards\u3000Lolth\u3000still\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Vhaeraun\u3000did\u3000not\u3000defeat\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000and\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000Uluyara\u3000led\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spell\u2026song\u3002\u3000The\u3000scrying\u3000they\u3000performed\u3000penetrated\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Uluyara\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000look\u3000briefly\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000sealed\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Selvetarm\u3000was\u3000squatting\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000spider\u3000form\uff1b\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000mace\u3000still\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000may\u3000have\u3000defeated\u3000Vhaeraun\u2026or\u3000perhaps\u3000just\u3000temporarily\u3000driven\u3000the\u3000other\u3000god\u3000off\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000was\u3000only\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000briefest\u3000of\u3000glimpses\u3000before\u3000the\u3000water\u3000in\u3000her\u3000font\u3000boiled\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000cursed\u3000softly\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Last\u3000night\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000all\u3000the\u3000singing\u3000was\u3000about\u3002\u3000Why\u3000didn’t\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000this\u3000sooner\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000difference\u3000would\u3000it\u3000have\u3000made\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000reporting\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000couldn’t\u2026even\u3000if\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003She’d\u3000brand\u3000me\u3000a\u3000deserter\u3000and\u3000have\u3000those\u3000vipers\u3000of\u3000hers\u3000sink\u3000their\u3000fangs\u3000into\u3000me\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000dead\u3000before\u3000I\u3000could\u3000get\u3000a\u3000single\u3000word\u3000out\u3000in\u3000my\u3000defense\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000wish\u3000you\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000me\u3000informed\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000then\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000Uluyara\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3000was\u3000sealed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000her\u3000everything\u3002\u3000About\u3000our\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000in\u3000astral\u3000form\uff1b\u3000about\u3000Lolth’s\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000about\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000between\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000and\u3000Selvetarm\u2026I\u3000even\u3000told\u3000her\u3000about\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Everything\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000given\u3000your\u3000conversion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000am\u3002\u3000Revealing\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000priestesses\u3000who\uff1b\u3000until\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000you\u3000would\u3000have\u3000counted\u3000as\u3000your\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000seems\u3000like\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Perhaps\u3000realizing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000a\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000either\u3000uncertain\u3000how\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000his\u3000sentence\u3000or\u3000else\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000guessed\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Like\u3000a\u3000betrayal\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000traitorous\u3000act\uff1f\u3000Well\u3000so\u3000be\u3000it\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000dead\u2026or\u3000will\u3000soon\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’ve\u3000aligned\u3000yourself\u3000with\u3000what\u3000you\u3000think\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000winning\u3000side\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000that’s\u3000a\u3000sensible\u3000move\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000why\u3000Ryld\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000more\u3000than\u3000mere\u3000tactics\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000explain\u3002\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\u3000is\u3000the\u3000only\u3000deity\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000any\u3000hope\u3002\u3000With\u3000Lolth\u3000missing\u3000and\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000a\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000hundreds\u2026if\u3000not\u3000thousands\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000tens\u3000of\u3000thousands\u2026of\u3000drow\u3000will\u3000e\u3000streaming\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000refuge\u3002\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\u3000will\u3000offer\u3000it\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000help\u3000guide\u3000our\u3000people\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000teach\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000to\u3000take\u3000their\u3000rightful\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u2026to\u3000not\u3000just\u3000survive\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000thrive\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000reclaim\u3000our\u3000birthright\u3002\u3000Just\u3000look\u3000how\u3000much\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Ladies\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000have\u3000done\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000in\u3000terms\u3000of\u3000clearing\u3000this\u3000forest\u3000of\u3000monsters\u3000and\u3000making\u3000it\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000live\u3000in\u3000again\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000new\u3000home\u3000on\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000one\u3000in\u3000which\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000can\u3000live\u3000in\u3000harmony\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000A\u3000home\u3000we’ll\u3000defend\u3000with\u3000our\u3000magic\u2026and\u3000our\u3000swords\u3002\u3000What\u3000more\u3000noble\u3000cause\u3000can\u3000there\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000than\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000trophy\u3000tree\u3000again\uff1b\u3000muttered\u3000something\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000words\u3000\u3003just\u3000like\u3000clearing\u3000the\u3000slums\uff1b\u3003\u3000then\u3000decided\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000phrase\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000\u3003are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000you\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quiet\uff01\u3000Ryld\u3000warned\uff1b\u3000switching\u3000suddenly\u3000to\u3000silent\u3000speech\u3002\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000voices\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Human\u3000voices\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000ing\u3000this\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000on\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Should\u3000she\u3000sound\u3000it\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000the\u3000priestesses\uff1f\u3000That\u3000was\u3000what\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000sent\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000grounds\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1a\u3000stand\u3000guard\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000had\u3000warned\u3000her\u3000that\u3000human\u3000adventurers\u3000sometimes\u3000ventured\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Velarswood\u2026adventurers\u3000who\u3000made\u3000no\u3000distinction\u3000between\u3000the\u3000worshipers\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000Humans\u3000slew\u3000any\u3000ebony\u2026skinned\u3000elf\u3000they\u3000met\u3000on\u3000sight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000blowing\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000would\u3000also\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000to\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000presence\u2026and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000close\u3002\u3000Better\u3000to\u3000assess\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000from\u3000hiding\u3000and\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000back\u3000her\u3000up\u2026and\u3000provide\u3000an\u3000additional\u3000element\u3000of\u3000surprise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Take\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000she\u3000signed\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000challenge\u3000them\u3002\u3000You\u3000wait\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nodding\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000slid\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000silently\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000sheath\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000flipping\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000utterly\u3000still\uff1b\u3000being\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000another\u3000shadow\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000quickly\u3000sang\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000rendered\u3000her\u3000invisible\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000songsword\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000either\u3000bold\u2026or\u3000stupid\u3002\u3000They\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000with\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000snow\u2026crunching\u3000footsteps\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000lower\u3000their\u3000voices\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000finally\u3000hear\u3000them\u3000clearly\uff1b\u3000sounded\u3000strained\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000they\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000load\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trophy\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000came\u3000into\u3000sight\u3000through\u3000the\u3000underbrush\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000saw\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000both\u3000human\u3000males\u3000with\u3000axes\u3000in\u3000sheaths\u3000on\u3000their\u3000backs\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000body\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cloak\u3000they\u3000held\u3000stretched\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000body\u3000of\u3000a\u3000female\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000any\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000who\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000moon\u2026and\u2026sword\u3000emblem\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000miniature\u3000swords\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000like\u3000keys\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Who\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000invisibility\u3000spell\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000this\u3000priestess\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000held\u3000her\u3000songsword\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u2026not\u3000because\u3000the\u3000men\u3000looked\u3000threatening\u3000but\u3000because\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000healing\u3000magic\u3000might\u3000be\u3000needed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000Stepping\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3000for\u3000any\u3000spells\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000offered\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess’s\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rhythm\u3000of\u3000life\u3000had\u3000stilled\u3002\u3000Her\u3000closed\u3000eyes\u3000would\u3000see\u3000no\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Both\u3000of\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000thin\u3000and\u3000muscular\uff1b\u3000with\u3000pale\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000darker\u3000skin\u3000than\u3000most\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000suggesting\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000somewhere\u3000among\u3000their\u3000ancestors\u3002\u3000The\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Both\u3000of\u3000the\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000thin\u3000and\u3000muscular\uff1b\u3000with\u3000pale\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000darker\u3000skin\u3000than\u3000most\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000suggesting\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000somewhere\u3000among\u3000their\u3000ancestors\u3002\u3000The\u3000older\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bow\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3000manage\u3000while\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000that\u3000sagged\u3000with\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000weight\u3002\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000back\u3000in\u3000acknowledgement\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000gently\u3000eased\u3000their\u3000burden\u3000to\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000ground\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000two\u3000are\u3000from\u3000Velarsburg\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000older\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000lumberman\u3000Rollim\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000is\u3000my\u3000son\u3000Baeford\u3002\u3000We\u3000were\u3000cutting\u3000timber\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Howling\u3000Hills\u3000when\u3000we\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000calling\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000We\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000voice\u2026some\u3000ways\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000I\u3000figure\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000sending\u2026and\u3000found\u3000this\u3000Dark\u3000Lady\u3000outside\u3000a\u3000cave\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000near\u3000death\u2026she\u3000was\u3000breathing\u3000shallow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fast\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000still\u3000sign\u3002\u3000She\u3000said\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000attacked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000Below\u3000and\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000contemplated\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stranger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000her\u3000mission\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000swords\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000who\u3000traveled\u3000as\u3000missionaries\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000faith\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000dwelled\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000tiny\u3000swords\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000handed\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000faithful\uff1b\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000\u3003keys\u3003\u3000that\u3000would\u3000ensure\u3000them\u3000safe\u3000passage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Did\u3000she\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000what\u3000attacked\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rollim\u3000frowned\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Not\u3000’what\uff1b’\u3000Lady\uff1b\u3000but\u3000who\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000story\uff1b\u3000she\u3000used\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000for\u3000’she\u3002’\u3000The\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000means\u3000’drow\u3000female\u3002’\u3000\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000winced\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000see\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000this\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003None\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rollim\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Lady’s\u3000footprints\u2026and\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\u3000go\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cave\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000must\u3000still\u3000be\u3000below\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stabbed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000typical\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u2026both\u3000had\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000hidden\u2026she\u3000saw\u3000dark\u3000hands\u3000briefly\u3000flash\uff1a\u3000Or\u3000else\u3000abandoned\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000alone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000Ryld’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3000under\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000see\u3000he\u3000was\u3000scowling\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000stabbed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Baeford\u3000interjected\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000apprehensively\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000killed\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rollim\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000heavily\u3000callused\u3000hand\u3000through\u3000his\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000damp\u3000with\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000sawdust\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000normal\u3000injury\uff1b\u3000we\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000do\u3000something\u3000about\u2026we\u3000could\u3000have\u3000splinted\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000bone\u3000or\u3000stanched\u3000the\u3000bleeding\u3000of\u3000an\u3000axe\u3000cut\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u2026\u3003\u3000he\u3000shuddered\u2026\u3003She\u3000died\u3000as\u3000we\u3000were\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000did\u3000well\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000will\u3000reward\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000already\u3000have\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rollim\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000up\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000in\u3000a\u3000reverential\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000then\u3000let\u3000it\u3000drop\u3000to\u3000his\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Ladies\uff1b\u3000Baeford\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000alive\u3000today\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000pox\u3000soon\u3000after\u3000his\u3000birth\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000died\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Eilistraee\u3000healed\u3000him\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000grew\u3000grim\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000only\u3000wish\u3000we’d\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000repay\u3000that\u3000kindness\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Baeford\u2026whose\u3000face\u3000did\u3000have\u3000pock\u3000marks\u2026shuffled\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000nervously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000Baeford\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003shall\u3000we\u3000carry\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000circle\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000body\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000take\u3000her\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000carry\u3000her\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rollim\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000eyebrow\u3000raised\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000bowed\u3000hurriedly\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000frown\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000appreciate\u3000a\u3000male\u3000questioning\u3000her\u3000authority\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000wish\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rollim\u3000quickly\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000his\u3000son\uff1b\u3000\u3003e\uff1b\u3000Baeford\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000done\u3000all\u3000we\u3000can\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000they\u3000left\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000slid\u3000silently\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000branches\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Should\u3000I\u3000follow\u3000them\uff1f\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000something\u3000amiss\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000though\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000one\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000doesn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000knelt\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000body\u3000and\u3000studied\u3000it\uff1b\u3000shifting\u3000it\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000As\u3000Baeford\u3000had\u3000said\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000obvious\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000injury\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess’s\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000unbroken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000tunic\u3000and\u3000boots\u3000showed\u3000only\u3000normal\u3000travel\u3000wear\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\u3000did\u2026especially\u3000when\u3000venturing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u2026she\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000Its\u3000links\u3000were\u3000undamaged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000On\u3000an\u3000impulse\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000and\u3000tugged\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000slid\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000its\u3000blade\u3000keen\u3000and\u3000bright\u2026had\u3000it\u3000been\u3000used\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000sticky\u3000with\u3000blood\u3002\u3000As\u3000Halisstra\u3000reached\u3000once\u3000again\u3000over\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000resheath\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000came\u3000close\u3000to\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Detecting\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000but\u3000acrid\u3000odor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000bent\u3000closer\u3000and\u3000sniffed\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000was\u3000a\u3000distinctive\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sulfuric\u3000fires\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000bined\u3000with\u3000rotten\u3000spiderweb\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000swore\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\u3000protect\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000tense\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000was\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000yochlol\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000smell\u3000its\u3000stink\u3000on\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000hair\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Silver\u3000flashed\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000He\u3000assumed\u3000a\u3000ready\u3000position\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000darting\u3000around\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000it\u3000followed\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000pried\u3000open\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000woman’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess’s\u3000jaw\u3000opened\u3000easily\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000dead\u3000long\u3002\u3000As\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000was\u3000stronger\u3000when\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000open\u3002\u3000The\u3000yochlol\u3000must\u3000have\u3000assumed\u3000gaseous\u3000form\u3000and\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000lungs\uff1b\u3000choking\u3000her\u3000and\u3000rendering\u3000her\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000retaliate\u3000with\u3000either\u3000sword\u3000or\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000the\u3000yochlol\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u2026close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000pletely\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000done\u3000so\u3000either\u3000by\u3000using\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000dominate\u3000her\uff1b\u3000or\u3000by\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000subterfuge\u3000of\u3000assuming\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000most\u3000innocent\u2026looking\u3000forms\uff1b\u3000that\u3000of\u3000a\u3000female\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000\u3003drow\u3003\u3000who\u3000had\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000guessed\uff1b\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000petitioner\u3000seeking\u3000to\u3000join\u3000in\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000worship\u3002\u3000The\u3000yochlol\u3000must\u3000have\u3000toyed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000secretly\u3000gloating\u3000at\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000e\u3000while\u3000acpanying\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000led\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000struck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000was\u3000no\u3000random\u3000attack\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000concluded\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000yochlol\u3000chose\u3000its\u3000victim\u3000deliberately\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000summoned\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000his\u3000brow\u3000creased\u3000in\u3000a\u3000worried\u3000frown\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000warrior\u3000didn’t\u3000finish\u3000his\u3000question\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000full\u3000well\u3000what\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000yochlol\u3000were\u3000demonic\u3000creatures\u3000that\u3000served\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000The\u3000handmaidens\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000could\u3000only\u3000appear\u3000on\u3000the\u3000prime\u3000material\u3000plane\u3000if\u3000summoned\u3000by\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000that\u3000one\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000on\u3000the\u3000prime\u3000when\u3000Lolth\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000had\u3000subsequently\u3000broken\u3000free\u3000of\u3000its\u3000mistresses\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000also\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000from\u3000wherever\u3000she’d\u3000gone\u3000to\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000once\u3000again\u3000able\u3000to\u3000use\u3000their\u3000spells\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Uluyara\u3000will\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000She\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000on\u3000which\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000its\u3000two\u3000corners\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000the\u3000body\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\u2026at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026three
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sculling\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000herself\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3000water\u3000ended\u3002\u3000When\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3000began\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000tight\u3000and\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000she\u3000exhaled\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000water\u3000from\u3000them\u3000and\u3000let\u3000her\u3000head\u3000break\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000treading\u3000water\u3000and\u3000coughing\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000on\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002\u3000She\u3000rose\u3000smoothly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spray\u2026filled\u3000air\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\u3000drawing\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000it\u3000brooding\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000out\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002\u3000Letting\u3000out\u3000a\u3000howl\u3000of\u3000delight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000low\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000splitting\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3002\u3000Oblivious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000flowed\u3000freely\u3000through\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000white\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000he\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000gulping\u3000laughter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000barked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000landed\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Crouching\u3000low\uff1b\u3000she\u3000scrambled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000fighting\u3000arms\u3000wide\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000about\u3000to\u3000embrace\u3000her\uff1b\u3000of\u3000all\u3000things\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000stern\u3000look\u2026and\u3000the\u3000twitching\u3000of\u3000her\u3000vipers\u2026warned\u3000him\u3000off\uff1b\u3000and\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000groveled\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Not\u3000daring\u3000to\u3000couch\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kissed\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000whimpering\u3000softly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000half\u2026hoped\u3000Jeggred\u3000would\u3000ask\u3000how\u3000she’d\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000relished\u3000relating\u3000how\u3000clever\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000being\u3000a\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000literal\u2026minded\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000His\u3000mistress\u3000had\u3000been\u3000eaten\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alive\u3000again\u3002\u3000That\u3000much\u3000was\u3000enough\u3002\u3000That\u2026and\u3000the\u3000fort\u3000of\u3000having\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000mands\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Curling\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spider’s\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000them\u3000momentarily\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000his\u3000mane\u3000ripple\u3000as\u3000he\u3000writhed\u3000with\u3000pleasure\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000more\u3000pressing\u3000matters\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000the\u3000others\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000pointed\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003In\u3000another\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000That\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000pointed\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003In\u3000another\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000That\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stooping\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000low\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000set\u3000off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000indicated\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000trailed\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000subserviently\u3000and\u3000silently\u3000pointing\u3000each\u3000time\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000directions\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000became\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000able\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000upright\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\uff1b\u3000still\u3000following\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Up\u3000ahead\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000voices\uff1b\u3000one\u3000male\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000recognizable\u3000as\u3000Danifae’s\u3000by\u3000the\u3000audible\u3000pout\u3000of\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000remembered\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000just\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000echo\u3000of\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000she\u3000guessed\u3000they\u3000were\u3000probably\u3000standing\u3000inside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000talking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000were\u3000you\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000others\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000behind\u3000after\u3000Pharaun\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000return\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000Jeggred\u3000didn’t\u3000answer\u3000immediately\uff1b\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000had\u3000a\u3000confused\u3000frown\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000wizard\u3000did\u3000return\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000ground\u3000her\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000irritated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000whip\u2026vipers\u3000writhing\u3000against\u3000her\u3000hip\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000her\u3000nephew\u3000could\u3000be\u3000so\u3000thickheaded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000he\u3000came\u3000back\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000he\u3000went\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000second\u3000time\u3000he\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hearing\u3000a\u3000third\u3000voice\u2026one\u3000she\u3000recognized\u2026Quenthel\u3000stopped\u3000so\u3000abruptly\u3000that\u3000Jeggred\u3000bumped\u3000into\u3000her\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002\u3000So\u3000surprised\u3000was\u3000she\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000think\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000and\u3000lash\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000for\u3000this\u3000transgression\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000swore\u3000softly\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\u2026a\u3000curse\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000invoked\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000had\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u2026then\u3000she\u3000rushed\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000up\u3000the\u3000incline\u3000that\u3000led\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000river\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000voices\u3000came\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000was\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000past\u3000a\u3000mushroom\u2026shaped\u3000stalagmite\u3000to\u3000get\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000shelf\u3000of\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000sharing\u3000a\u3000bricklike\u3000loaf\u3000of\u3000pressed\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000third\u3000speaker\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000a\u3000little\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000them\u3000and\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000small\u3000spherical\u3000object\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000as\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000ears\u3000hadn’t\u3000lied\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000whole\uff1b\u3000and\u3000without\u3000a\u3000single\u3000aboleth\u3000tooth\u3000mark\u3000anywhere\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stopping\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026incantation\u3000and\u3000lowering\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\u3000look\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stood\u3000frozen\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000hanging\u3000open\u3002\u3000Even\u3000her\u3000serpents\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000their\u3000usual\u3000writhing\u3000and\u3000were\u3000rigid\u3000with\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000staring\uff1b\u3000unblinking\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000looked\u3000up\u2026and\u3000gaped\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u2026Quenthel\u3000realized\u3000how\u3000foolish\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000looked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000wondering\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000addressing\u3000the\u3000question\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000answer\u3000is\u3000simple\uff1a\u3000a\u3000contingency\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000I\u3000prepared\u3000before\u3000visiting\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000expecting\u3000something\u3000like\u3000that\u3000little\u3000surprise\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\uff1b\u3000though\u3000I’m\u3000surprised\u3000you\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000part\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000beads\u3000of\u3000force\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000served\u3000its\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000contingency\u3000spell\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000still\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000having\u3000quickly\u3000recovered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000Quenthel\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000bit\u3000off\u3000a\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000fungus\u3000loaf\u3000and\u3000chewed\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000clambered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000shelf\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000toward\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000exclaiming\u3000her\u3000relief\u3000and\u3000joy\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000was\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000both\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000priestess\u2026who\u3000was\u3000kneeling\u3000before\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bow\u2026and\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000crowding\u3000close\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000see\uff1f\u3003\u3000Jeggred\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000his\u3000foul\u3000breath\u3000hot\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000came\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Before\u3000teleporting\u3000to\u3000Zanhoriloch\u3000I\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000spells\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000explained\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000a\u3000contingency\u3000that\u3000would\u3000teleport\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000these\u3000tunnels\u3000if\u3000certain\u3000events\u3000occurred\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000the\u3000condition\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000and\u3000specific\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000triggered\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000an\u3000aboleth\u2026Oothoon\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\u2026tried\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Oothoon\u3000ate\u3000him\uff1f\u3000K’Sothra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Be\u3000silent\uff01\u3000Yngoth\u3000shot\u3000back\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000said\uff1b\u3000Tell\u3000him\u3000you\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000would\u3000happen\u2026that\u3000you\u3000were\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000resourcefulness\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000expected\u3000no\u3000less\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000truly\u3000resourceful\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000just\u3000as\u3000cold\u3000as\u3000Quenthel’s\u3002\u3000The\u3000looks\u3000they\u3000exchanged\u3000made\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000that\u3000knives\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u2026and\u3000would\u3000be\u3000plunged\u3000home\u3000when\u3000the\u3000time\u3000was\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000acknowledging\u3000her\u3000false\u3000pliment\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000wiser\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Mistress\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000than\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3000How\u3000clever\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3002\u3000Your\u3000’death’\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000a\u3000ruse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000order\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000the\u3000very\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it\u3000es\u3000to\u3000trickery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000mend\u3000you\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000you\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Oothoon\uff1b\u3000in\u3000return\u3000for\u3000my\u3000life\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000deliberately\u3000hissed\u3000when\u3000using\u3000her\u3000title\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000her\u3000serpents\u3000all\u3000along\u3002\u3000Which\u3000it\u3000only\u3000partially\u3000had\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000few\u3000suggestions\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000true\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Quenthel\u3000who\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000everything\u3000together\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000those\u3000suggestions\u3000wove\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000it\u3000was\u3000your\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000Hsiv\u3000soothed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000We\u3000are\u3000but\u3000your\u3000servants\uff1b\u3000added\u3000Yngoth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000bow\u3000to\u3000your\u3000wisdom\u3000in\u3000all\u3000things\uff1b\u3000Zinda\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000absently\u3000stroked\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000viper’s\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000K’Sothra\u3000twisted\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Hsiv\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000But\u3000she\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Silence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000elder\u3000viper\u3000interrupted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000her\u3000irritation\u3000rising\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000barely\u3000hear\u3000myself\u3000think\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000squeezed\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000following\u3000close\u3000behind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\u3000discover\u3000the\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000went\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000you’ve\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000this\u3000lake\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000scout\u3000chewed\u3000a\u3000moment\u2026annoying\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000more\u3000prompt\u3000answers\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000handle\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000it\u3000and\u3000threaten\u3000to\u3000flog\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000wiping\u3000the\u3000last\u3000crumbs\u3000of\u3000fungus\u3000loaf\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Why\u3000couldn’t\u3000he\u3000be\u3000like\u3000Danifae\u3000who\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000had\u3000scurried\u3000back\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\uff1f\u3000The\u3000lesser\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000suitably\u3000cowed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000nearly\u3000spitting\u3000in\u3000anticipation\u3000of\u3000tasting\u3000flesh\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000large\u3000lake\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000sensing\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000impatience\uff1b\u3000\u3003about\u3000the\u3000same\u3000size\u3000as\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000are\u3000connected\u3000by\u3000an\u3000underground\u3000river\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Flowing\u3000in\u3000which\u3000direction\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Toward\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000far\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003About\u3000the\u3000same\u3000distance\u3000away\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Fireflow\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharauns\u3000eyes\u3000lit\u3000with\u3000recognition\u3002\u3000\u3003By\u3000surface\u3000and\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000about\u3000a\u3000tenday’s\u3000march\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3000The\u3000river\u3000might\u3000be\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000moving\u3000upstream\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000see\u3000they\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000somewhere\u3000at\u3000last\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Turning\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000set\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Prepare\u3000your\u3000water\u2026breathing\u3000spells\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000intend\u3000that\u3000we\u3000swim\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000won’t\u3000work\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000squeezed\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000handle\u3000so\u3000tightly\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000spat\u3000venom\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003For\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we\u3000use\u3000an\u3000underwater\u3000route\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000will\u3000follow\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000too\u3000tasty\u3000a\u3000treat\u3000to\u3000let\u3000go\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’d\u3000end\u3000up\u3000fighting\u3000them\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000For\u3000another\uff1b\u3000as\u3000our\u3000able\u3000scout\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000connecting\u3000river\u3000flows\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000to\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000swimming\u3000against\u3000the\u3000current\u3002\u3000That\u3000could\u3000make\u3000the\u3000journey\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000a\u3000tenday\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000will\u3000be\u3000no\u3000place\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000re\u2026study\u3000my\u3000spell\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000When\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000runs\u3000out\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000all\u3000drown\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000furious\u2026but\u3000even\u3000through\u3000her\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Why\u3000didn’t\u3000you\u3000think\u3000of\u3000this\uff1f\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000furiously\u3000at\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000hissing\u3000match\u3000ensued\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000berated\u3000the\u3000other\u3000four\u3000for\u3000not\u3000realizing\u3000something\u3000so\u3000obvious\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000last\uff1b\u3000Hsiv\u3000answered\u3002\u3000Our\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000not\u3000happen\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000approach\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3002\u3000Chosing\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000one\uff1b\u3000farther\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000could\u3000cost\u3000us\u3000days\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000even\u3000tendays\u3002\u3000Did\u3000Oothoon\u3000mention\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1f\u3000Anything\u3000that\u3000might\u3000help\u3000me\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000large\u3000body\u3000of\u3000water\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000still\u3000glaring\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000started\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000a\u3000passing\u3000ment\u3000the\u3000aboleth\u3000matriarch\u3000had\u3000made\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Only\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000the\u3000air\u3000above\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000was\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000bats\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000what\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000its\u3000name\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000they\u3000make\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reaso \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000oddities\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000said\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000gateway\u3000of\u3000sorts\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\u3002\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000is\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000of\u3000two\u3000different\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000it\u3000that\u3000are\u3000reasonably\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000then\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000lake\u3000is\u3000connected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000by\u3000natural\u3000chimneys\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\u2026that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Surface\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000lies\u3000just\u3000above\u3000it\u3000is\u3000known\u3000for\u3000the\u3000bats\u3000that\u3000fly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000every\u3000night\u3002\u3000We\u3000could\u3000descend\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chimneys\u2026but\u3000that\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000climbing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000again\u3000and\u3000traveling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000considered\u3000that\u2026briefly\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000subject\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000a\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000snowy\u3000trudge\u3000through\u3000bright\u3000sunlight\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000decided\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000wise\uff1b\u3000Hsiv’s\u3000voice\u3000breathed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000House\u3000Jaelre’s\u3000warriors\u3000will\u3000still\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000us\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000want\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000House\u3000Jaelre’s\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000either\u3000killed\u3000or\u3000captured\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000the\u3000best\u3000warrior\u3000we\u3000had\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000silently\u3000questioning\u3000her\u3000order\u3002\u3000To\u3000remind\u3000him\u3000or\u3000his\u3000place\uff1b\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000whip\u2026but\u3000held\u3000it\u3000by\u3000her\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ha\uff01\u3000K’Sothra\u3000chortled\u3002\u3000That\u3000pricked\u3000his\u3000pride\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000acquiesced\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000keep\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000leaves\u3000only\u3000one\u3000other\u3000means\u3000of\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u2026and\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000prompted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000portal\u3000that\u3000gives\u3000access\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lake\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000march\u3000of\u3000about\u3000four\u3000cycles\u3000from\u3000here\uff1b\u3000northward\u3000through\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000connecting\u3000tunnels\u3000and\u3000caverns\u3002\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000was\u3000constructed\u3000centuries\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000a\u3000reliable\u3000source\u3000that\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000is\u3000still\u3000active\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000it\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000might\u3000prove\u3000difficult\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000unperturbed\u3000by\u3000Valas’s\u3000grim\u3000tone\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000in\u3000life\u3000was\u3000difficult\u2026only\u3000those\u3000who\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000difficulties\u3000were\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000favors\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000make\u3000for\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3002\u3000\u3003Pack\u3000your\u3000things\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000set\u3000out\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000portal\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000makes\u3000it\u3000so\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000reach\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000lies\u3000directly\u3000under\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Myth\u3000Drannor\u3002\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000more\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000explanation\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Myth\u3000Drannor\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000groaned\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000again\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000down\u3000a\u3000beholder\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000facing\u3000a\u3000beholder\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000just\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000since\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000our\u3000’best\u3000warrior’\u3000here\u3000to\u3000dispatch\u3000it\uff1b\u3000like\u3000he\u3000did\u3000the\u3000last\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000would\u3000we\u3000be\u3000facing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000muttered\u3000something\u3000too\u3000low\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000reply\u3000was\u3000loud\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000to\u3000catch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Too\u3000bad\u3000our\u3000spiders\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000venom\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3000gravely\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Furious\u3000at\u3000the\u3000deliberate\u3000slight\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000She\u3000snapped\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000hissed\u3000loudly\uff1b\u3000splattering\u3000venom\u3000on\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hastily\u3000vacated\u3000by\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000address\u3000your\u3000answers\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000\u3003House\u3000Baenre\u3000has\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000your\u3000services\uff1b\u3000mercenary\uff1b\u3000not\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000deeply\u3000and\u3000addressing\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000suitably\u3000chastised\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000what\u3000was\u3000your\u3000question\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000abruptly\u3000away\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000placing\u3000his\u3000spellbooks\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000creatures\u3000might\u3000we\u3000face\uff1f\u3000Hsiv\u3000prompted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quiet\uff01\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000back\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000ask\u3000my\u3000own\u3000questions\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000out\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000will\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rising\u3000from\u3000his\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000met\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wraiths\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Dozens\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000made\u3000Quenthel\u3000pause\u3002\u3000Wraiths\u3000were\u3000dangerous\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000shadowy\uff1b\u3000incorporeal\u3002\u3000Their\u3000slightest\u3000touch\u3000could\u3000drain\u3000a\u3000living\u3000creature’s\u3000vitality\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000magical\u3000healing\u3000would\u3000not\u3000restore\u3000it\u3002\u3000Those\u3000drained\u3000entirely\u3000by\u3000wraiths\u3000became\u3000undead\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000as\u3000twisted\u3000caricatures\u3000of\u3000their\u3000former\u3000selves\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\u3000kind\u3002\u3000Few\u3000ordinary\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000wraith\u2026let\u3000alone\u3000several\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000creatures\u2026and\u3000survived\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000an\u3000ordinary\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Lolth\u3000not\u3000been\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000have\u3000used\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000back\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000them\u3000away\u3000like\u3000rags\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000without\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000as\u3000powerless\u3000against\u3000them\u3000as\u3000any\u3000other\u3000drow\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000facing\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000without\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000them\u3000made\u3000her\u3000shiver\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000reminded\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000race\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000balance\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u2026it\u3000offered\u3000her\u3000the\u3000only\u3000chance\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000and\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000meant\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000once\u3000Lolth\u3000restored\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000in\u3000triumph\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000even\u3000depose\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000claim\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000House\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Hsiv\u3000thought\u3002\u3000You\u3000were\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000rule\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000succeed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ignoring\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000more\u3000about\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000it\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rogue\u2026an\u3000odd\u3000little\u3000fellow\u3000who\u3000hailed\u3000from\u3000Gracklstugh\u3002\u3000He\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000a\u3000vault\u3000under\u3000Myth\u3000Drannor\u3000that\u3000supposedly\u3000had\u3000treasure\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000during\u3000their\u3000Retreat\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000was\u3000empty\u2026except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3002\u3000They\u3000killed\u3000his\u3000four\u3000panions\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000killed\u3000him\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000escaped\u3000by\u3000leaping\u3000into\u3000a\u3000portal\u3002\u3000It\u3000led\u3000to\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000ledge\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u2026otherwise\u3000he’d\u3000be\u3000there\u3000still\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Did\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000follow\u3000him\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rogue\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000admit\u3000only\u3000living\u3000creatures\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000then\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Did\u3000he\u3000see\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000that\u3000he\u3000mentioned\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000is\u3000wide\u2026as\u3000large\u3000across\u3000as\u3000Lake\u3000Thoroot\u2026and\u3000deep\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000sank\uff1b\u3000there’d\u3000be\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000rogue\u3000told\u3000you\u3000there\u3000were\u3000’dozens’\u3000of\u3000wraiths\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Those\u3000were\u3000his\u3000very\u3000words\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003An\u3000exaggeration\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3002\u3000What\u3000race\u3000was\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000frowned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000rogue\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000human\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000no\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Humans\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000cowardly\u3000race\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000probably\u3000less\u3000than\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3000all\u3000told\u3002\u3000With\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000spells\u2026and\u3000our\u3000magical\u3000weapons\u2026we’ll\u3000easily\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000our\u3000way\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u2026perhaps\u3000to\u3000protest\u3000that\u3000even\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000wraiths\u3000were\u3000too\u3000many\u2026but\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000it\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000took\u3000mental\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000resources\u3000she\u3000had\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000speed\u3000and\u3000stealth\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000to\u3000get\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000and\u3000dispatch\u3000them\u3000with\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000daggers\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arsenal\u3000of\u3000powerful\u3000protective\u3000spells\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who\u3000would\u3000protect\u3000Quenthel\u3000at\u3000any\u3000cost\uff1b\u3000hurling\u3000himself\u3000headlong\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000need\u3000arose\u3002\u3000And\u3000Danifae\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000considering\u3002\u3000What\u3000good\u3000was\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026captive\uff1b\u3000really\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000groveled\u3000sweetly\u3000when\u3000threatened\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000pleasure\u3000readily\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000sometimes\u3000noticed\u3000a\u3000look\u3000in\u3000Danifae’s\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3002\u3000Not\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000a\u3000petent\u3000enough\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000morningstar\u3000she\u3000carried\u3000was\u3000no\u3000mere\u3000boy’s\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000could\u3000be\u3000abandoned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000need\u3000arose\u3000to\u3000sacrifice\u3000someone\u3002\u3000Truth\u3000be\u3000told\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u2026though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000his\u3000expertise\u3000with\u3000demons\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000handy\uff1b\u3000once\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000located\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000encounter\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3002\u3000Which\u3000meant\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Danifae’s\u3000life\u3000was\u3000threatened\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000didn’t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000get\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000so\u3000only\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000could\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000us\u3000will\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026four
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000strode\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000closely\u3000by\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000who\u3000scurried\u3000along\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Prath\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000under\u3000a\u3000load\u3000of\u3000spellbooks\u3000that\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000hastily\u3000assembled\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000sealed\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000students\u3000were\u3000heeding\u3000the\u3000call\u3000of\u3000their\u3000respective\u3000Houses\u3002\u3000Apprentice\u3000mages\u3000ran\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000laden\u3000with\u3000spellbooks\u3000and\u3000magical\u3000devices\uff1b\u3000bleating\u3000like\u3000a\u3000milling\u3000herd\u3000of\u3000rothe\u3000as\u3000walking\u3000chests\u3000scuttled\u3000along\u3000on\u3000spider\u3000legs\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000along\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000held\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000copper\u3000wire\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wizards\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000wire\u3002\u3000\u3003Attend\u3000me\u3000at\u3000once\u3000in\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000along\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000held\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000copper\u3000wire\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wizards\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000wire\u3002\u3000\u3003Attend\u3000me\u3000at\u3000once\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scrying\u3000chamber\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wire\u3000hummed\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000tingle\u3000through\u3000Gromph’s\u3000fingertips\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000glowed\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000red\u3000and\u3000crumbled\u3002\u3000Flicking\u3000flakes\u3000of\u3000copper\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000pushed\u3000open\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000double\u3000doors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scrying\u3000chamber\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000large\uff1b\u3000circular\u3000chamber\u3000were\u3000lined\u3000with\u3000lead\u3000sheeting\u3000and\u3000plastered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stucco\u3000made\u3000from\u3000gorgon’s\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000spellstone\u3000dust\u3002\u3000Runes\u3000had\u3000been\u3000embossed\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000and\u3000limned\u3000in\u3000gold\u3000to\u3000further\u3000prevent\u3000against\u3000unwanted\u3000intrusion\u3000or\u3000observation\u3002\u3000No\u3000spellcaster\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000could\u3000teleport\u3000past\u3000them\u3000or\u3000probe\u3000the\u3000minds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000students\u3000and\u3000masters\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000out\u3000from\u3000there\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3000that\u3000floated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Into\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000had\u3000been\u3000magically\u3000bound\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eagle\u3000that\u3000resided\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gilded\u3000cage\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000As\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000Prath\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eagle\u3000flapped\u3000its\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000screee\u3000of\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000blinking\u3000its\u3000one\u3000remaining\u3000eye\u3002\u3000The\u3000sphere\u3000above\u3000it\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000rotating\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\u3002\u3000The\u3000eagle’s\u3000second\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000which\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\uff1b\u3000fixed\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hungry\u3000stare\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000it\u3000fixed\u3000upon\u3000Kyorli\u3002\u3000Snapping\u3000its\u3000beak\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eagle\u3000screeed\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000itself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000of\u3000its\u3000cage\u3002\u3000The\u3000rat\uff1b\u3000taunting\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000on\u3000her\u3000haunches\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000and\u3000groomed\u3000her\u3000whiskers\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000frenzied\u3000wing\u3000flapping\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eagle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000e\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Obeying\u3000the\u3000telepathic\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Kyorli\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000all\u3000fours\u3000and\u3000scurried\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000master\u3002\u3000Climbing\u3000swiftly\u3000up\u3000Gromph’s\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000she\u3000settled\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000tickling\u3000his\u3000ear\u3000with\u3000her\u3000whiskers\u3002\u3000Prath\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000place\u3000the\u3000spellbooks\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000eagle\u3000is\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000Prath\u3002\u3000\u3003Find\u3000it\u3000some\u3000raw\u3000meat\u2026but\u3000don’t\u3000go\u3000slicing\u3000off\u3000any\u3000more\u3000fingertips\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000need\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000grinned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might\u3000need\u3000more\uff1b\u3000Archmage\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bags\u3000that\u3000was\u3000slung\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000I\u3000stopped\u3000by\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ponents\u3000storeroom\u3002\u3000The\u3000cook\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pulling\u3000out\u3000a\u3000waxed\u3000rag\uff1b\u3000he\u3000unwrapped\u3000a\u3000fist\u2026sized\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000meat\u3002\u3000At\u3000Gromph’s\u3000approving\u3000nod\u3000he\u3000held\u3000it\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3002\u3000The\u3000eagle\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000it\u3000greedily\uff1b\u3000ripping\u3000off\u3000bloody\u3000chunks\u3000with\u3000its\u3000hooked\u3000beak\u3000and\u3000eventually\u3000wrenching\u3000a\u3000large\u3000piece\u3000inside\u3002\u3000It\u3000settled\u3000upon\u3000that\u3000portion\uff1b\u3000content\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000reduced\u3000it\u3000to\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000smear\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000greeted\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000wizards\u3000who\u3000straggled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000directing\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000chairs\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Julani\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Evocation\u3002\u3000His\u3000fellow\u3000instructor\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000long\uff1b\u3000supple\u3000fingers\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000two\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3000were\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000tenth\u2026year\u3000students\u3002\u3000Grendan\u3000was\u3000a\u3000handsome\u3000male\u3000with\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000flair\u3000for\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000much\u3000of\u3000his\u3000good\u3000looks\u3000were\u3000natural\u3000and\u3000how\u3000much\u3000had\u3000been\u3000augmented\u3000by\u3000magic\u2026especially\u3000since\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000singed\u3000hair\u3000still\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000burns\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000the\u3000student\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000splattered\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar’s\u3000incendiary\u3000missiles\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000Noori\uff1b\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000beautiful\u2026naturally\u3000so\u2026with\u3000arched\u3000eyebrows\u3000and\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000cascaded\u3000past\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000in\u3000soft\u3000waves\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000high\u2026born\uff1b\u3000a\u3000cousin\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000eschewed\u3000the\u3000worship\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000study\u3000divination\u3000magic\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Remembering\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000wondered\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000Noori\u3000might\u3000have\u3000had\u3000a\u3000premonition\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000demise\u3002\u3000She\u3000certainly\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000any\u3000harm\u3000during\u3000the\u3000recent\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000her\u2026not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000soot\u3000smudge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000final\u3000mage\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000Zoran\uff1b\u3000an\u3000irritating\uff1b\u3000second\u2026year\u3000student\u3000who\u3000was\u3000continually\u3000making\u3000poor\u3000choices\u3000in\u3000class\uff1b\u3000using\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000frivolous\uff1b\u3000inappropriate\u3000ways\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000winced\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000him\u2026especially\u3000when\u3000he\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000wonder\u3000in\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Zoran\u3000was\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000even\u3000for\u3000a\u3000male\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000a\u3000receding\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000made\u3000more\u3000pronounced\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000pulled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000topknot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crown\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000injured\u3000in\u3000the\u3000recent\u3000battle\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000didn’t\u3000remember\u3000him\u3000walking\u3000with\u3000a\u3000limp\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000four\u3000mages\u3000settled\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000chairs\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000quietly\u3000for\u3000his\u3000instruction\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000opened\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scrying\u3000chamber\u3000doors\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000each\u3000way\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slowly\u3000closed\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000all\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000Julani\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000there\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000from\u3000our\u3000House\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Evocation\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Only\u3000Nauzhror\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003who\u3000sends\u3000his\u3000regrets\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000attend\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000are\u3000dead\u2026or\u3000badly\u3000injured\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000for\u3000healing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000slight\u3000tightening\u3000of\u3000Julani’s\u3000eyes\u3000told\u3000Gromph\u3000that\u3000he\u3000too\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000little\u3000\u3003healing\u3003\u3000there\u3000was\u3000left\u3000to\u3000go\u3000around\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000So\u3000few\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000mages\u3000left\u2026and\u3000only\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000a\u3000master\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000lock\u3000spell\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000motioned\u3000Prath\u3000to\u3000also\u3000take\u3000a\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000then\u3000seated\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thronelike\u3000chair\u3000that\u3000controlled\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000invite\u3000you\u3000to\u3000join\u3000me\u3000in\u3000looking\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000\u3003Observe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nudged\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unseen\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000south\u3000wall\u3002\u3000The\u3000bird\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cage\u3000below\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3000and\u3000still\uff1b\u3000wings\u3000folded\u3000and\u3000talons\u3000gripping\u3000its\u3000perch\u3002\u3000Concentrating\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000eagle’s\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000melt\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000His\u3000penetrating\u3000gaze\u3000swept\u3000past\u3000its\u3000spider\u2026shaped\u3000bulk\u3000and\u3000on\u3000through\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000through\u3000stone\u3000and\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000stone\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cavern\u3000in\u3000which\u3000four\u3000individuals\u3000stood\u3002\u3000One\u3000was\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000male\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000immaculate\u3000gray\u3000clothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000fellow\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cambion\u3000known\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000by\u3000reputation\uff1b\u3000to\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000were\u3000both\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000squat\u3000and\u3000gray\u2026one\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scar\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000cradling\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000scepter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Leaving\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000that\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000awareness\u3000back\u3000into\u3000this\u3000own\u3000body\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000the\u3000figures\u3000gestured\u3000and\u3000talked\u2026in\u3000angry\u3000tones\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000way\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000tapped\u3000the\u3000scepter\u3000against\u3000one\u3000palm\u3000as\u3000the\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000his\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000sharklike\u3000teeth\u3000exposed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000snarl\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000turning\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000between\u3000the\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000duergars\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000rapidly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000placating\u3000gestures\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000wizards\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000scrying\u3000device\uff1b\u3000their\u3000expressions\u3000thoughtful\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003These\u3000are\u3000the\u3000leaders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000army\u3000that\u3000has\u3000besieged\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Julani\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000had\u3000rested\u3000his\u3000elbows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000steepled\u3000fingers\u3000were\u3000laced\u3000with\u3000angry\u3000sparks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000recognize\u3000Crown\u3000Prince\u3000Horgar\u3000of\u3000Gracklstugh\u3000and\u3000his\u3000bodyguard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000is\u3000that\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1f\u3003\u3000Grendan\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000same\uff1b\u3003\u3000Noori\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000tanarukks\u3000that\u3000harry\u3000our\u3000southern\u3000approaches\u3000are\u3000his\u3000Scoured\u3000Legion\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000leaves\u3000but\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u2026the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3003\u3000Prath\u3000said\uff1b\u3000clenching\u3000his\u3000fists\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Zhayemd\u2026the\u3000bastard\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000who\u3000betrayed\u3000us\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Pillars\u3000of\u3000Woe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003His\u3000real\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Nimor\u3000Imphraezl\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000he\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1f\u3003\u3000Julani\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Though\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000aura\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000about\u3000him\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000he’s\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000certainly\u3000has\u3000enough\u3000magical\u3000devices\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000detect\u3000an\u3000aura\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000on\u3000his\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000several\u3000items\u3000of\u3000his\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000his\u3000rings\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000contemplating\u3000the\u3000two\u3000rings\u3000the\u3000man\u3000wore\u3002\u3000One\u3000Gromph\u3000recognized\u3000as\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000device\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000other\u2026the\u3000slim\u3000black\u3000ring\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000no\u3000more\u3000substantial\u3000than\u3000a\u3000band\u3000of\u3000shadow\u2026was\u3000quite\u3000unusual\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anything\u3000quite\u3000like\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\u3000Gromph\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000it\u3000must\u3000be\u3002\u3000Ever\u3000since\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Nimor\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000spirited\u3000an\u3000assassin\u3000into\u3000the\u3000inner\u3000most\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre’s\u3000great\u3000mound\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000been\u3000puzzling\u3000over\u3000how\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000acplished\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000black\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000Nimor’s\u3000finger\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000device\u3000that\u3000conveyed\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000shadow\u3000walk\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000character\u3000to\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000indeed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000thing\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3000were\u3000striking\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000unseen\u2026otherwise\u3000Nimor\u3000might\u3000have\u3000just\u3000shadow\u3000walked\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Our\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000has\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000Nimor\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000an\u3000organization\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Jaezred\u3000Chaulssin\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\u3000we\u3000know\u3000little\u3000about\u3000this\u3000group\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000its\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Zoran\u3000toyed\u3000idly\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000spinning\u3000it\u3000between\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000we\u3000know\u3000his\u3000name\u3002\u3000So\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000insolently\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000fry\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000where\u3000he\u3000sat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000name\u3000is\u3000power\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000othe \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000name\u3000is\u3000power\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000helps\u3000us\u3000to\u3000define\u3000our\u3000target\u3002\u3000A\u3000target\u3000that\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000lynchpin\u3000holding\u3000two\u3000otherwise\u3000unfriendly\u3000armies\u3000together\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000at\u3000the\u3000figures\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000e\u3000to\u3000blows\u3000but\u3000were\u3000still\u3000arguing\u3002\u3000\u3003Remove\u3000the\u3000lynchpin\u2026and\u3000the\u3000alliance\u3000will\u3000e\u3000apart\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000and\u3000tanarukk\u3000will\u3000fall\u3000upon\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000and\u3000victory\u3000for\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000will\u3000be\u3000assured\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Julani\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000suggest\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000concerted\u3000attack\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000our\u3000deadliest\u3000spells\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Nimor\u3000will\u3000undoubtedly\u3000resist\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\uff1b\u3000certainly\uff1b\u3000will\u3000get\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Prath\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000unlacing\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000case\u3000at\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000teleport\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000the\u3000impetuous\u3000young\u3000mage\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000seat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000teleport\u3000anywhere\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can\u3000cast\u3000our\u3000spells\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grendan\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Through\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3002\u3000\u3003Since\u3000its\u3000creation\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000imbued\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000extras\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000which\u3000you\u3000must\u3000swear\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3003\u3000Julani\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000you\u3000summoned\u3000only\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000mages\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000curled\u3000fingers\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000over\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000Lolth’s\u3000poison\u3000consume\u3000me\uff1b\u3000should\u3000I\u3000divulge\u3000whatever\u3000I\u3000am\u3000about\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000in\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3000they\u3000nodded\u3000their\u3000agreement\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000oaths\u3000of\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000not\u3000just\u3000a\u3000scrying\u3000device\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000primed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000can\u3000be\u3000used\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000spells\u3000at\u3000a\u3000particular\u3000target\u2026in\u3000this\u3000case\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Nimor\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000work\u3000not\u3000only\u3000for\u3000spelts\u3000that\u3000can\u3000carry\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000can\u3000see\u3000but\u3000also\u3000for\u3000those\u3000that\u3000are\u3000limited\u3000by\u3000distance\u3002\u3000Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3000which\u3000spells\u3000are\u3000your\u3000most\u3000potent\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mages\u3000described\u3000which\u3000spells\u3000they\u3000would\u3000cast\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000rejected\u3000some\u3000suggestions\u3000and\u3000approved\u3000others\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Noori’s\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000my\u3000spells\u3000will\u3000be\u3000any\u3000use\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000humbly\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000tend\u3000to\u3000be\u3000divinations\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003On\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000Noori\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000contribute\u3000the\u3000most\u3000useful\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000all\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000first\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000will\u3000pinpoint\u3000the\u3000individual\u3000we\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Which\u3000is\u3000where\u3000you\u3000e\u3000in\u3002\u3000Please\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000location\u3000spell\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000bow\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000quite\u3000hide\u3000her\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000Noori\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000fur\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000polish\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Nimor\u3000loomed\u3000larger\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000chest\u3000filling\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000a\u3000nod\u3000from\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000Noori\u3000resumed\u3000her\u3000seat\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Nimor\u3000follow\u3000her\u3000with\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000scrying\u3000him\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000source\uff1f\u3000Little\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3000he’d\u3000be\u3000ducking\u3000spells\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000chanting\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000creation\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000tiny\u3000hourglass\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eagle’s\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000inside\u3000its\u3000uppermost\u3000globe\u3000began\u3000trickling\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Cast\u3000your\u3000spells\u3000when\u3000the\u3000last\u3000grain\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000fells\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003Make\u3000sure\u3000your\u3000conjurations\u3000all\u3000end\u3000at\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000protective\u3000devices\u3000were\u3000still\u3000on\u3000his\u3000person\u3000and\u3000tucking\u3000Kyorli\u3000safely\u3000into\u3000his\u3000sleeve\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000began\u3000his\u3000own\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000chose\u3000a\u3000necromantic\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arsenal\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hourglass\uff1b\u3000he\u3000rasped\u3000out\u3000words\u3000whose\u3000raw\u3000power\u3000scratched\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000bleed\u3002\u3000Dimly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000conjurations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wizards\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Julani\u3000held\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000fingers\u3000forked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3000that\u3000would\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000lightning\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Grendan\u3000was\u3000kneading\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000hypnotic\u3000weave\u3000of\u3000shifting\u3000color\uff1b\u3000Prath\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000an\u3000evocation\u3000that\u3000would\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000magic\u3000missile\u2026a\u3000feeble\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000probably\u3000the\u3000best\u3000the\u3000first\u2026year\u3000student\u3000could\u3000manage\u3002\u3000Zoran\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000slumped\u3000lazily\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000a\u3000grin\u3000tweaking\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000insolent\u3000boy\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000thrashing\u2026but\u3000dared\u3000not\u3000interrupt\u3000his\u3000own\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000hourglass\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000empty\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000trickled\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000final\u3000word\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spell\u2026and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000others\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000His\u3000pointing\u3000forefinger\u3000turned\u3000momentarily\u3000skeletal\u3000as\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\u3000and\u3000lanced\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000streaking\u3000toward\u3000Nimor’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000lightning\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000Julani’s\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000the\u3000boom\u3000of\u3000thunder\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000ozone\u3002\u3000Grendan’s\u3000hypnotic\u3000pattern\u3000rushed\u3000toward\u3000its\u3000target\u3002\u3000Zoran\u3000had\u3000said\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000send\u3000Nimor\u3000into\u3000fits\u3000of\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000incapacitating\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000A\u3000useless\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000gems\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\u3000the\u3000three\u3000magic\u3000missiles\u3000Prath\u3000had\u3000conjured\u3000up\u3000glanced\u3000harmlessly\u3000off\u3000some\u3000magical\u3000defense\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000expected\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000they\u3000ricocheted\u2026straight\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002\u3000Which\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000shout\u3000a\u3000warning\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000was\uff1b\u3000\u3003Ward\u3000yourselves\uff01\u3000The\u3000spells\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000his\u3000own\u3000death\u3000spell\u3000came\u3000hurtling\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000ray\uff1b\u3000chill\u3000as\u3000the\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000struck\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000the\u3000precise\u3000spot\u3000he’d\u3000aimed\u3000for\u3000on\u3000Nimor\u3002\u3000His\u3000enchanted\u3000piwafwi\u3000soaked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000its\u3000hood\uff1b\u3000cuffs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hem\u3000instantly\u3000crumbling\u3000away\u3000like\u3000ancient\uff1b\u3000rotted\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000rocked\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000kicked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000head\u3000by\u3000a\u3000rothe\u3002\u3000He\u3000tumbled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000winding\u3000up\u3000in\u3000an\u3000undignified\u3000heap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Prath\u3000grunt\u3000as\u3000his\u3000three\u3000magic\u3000missiles\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000punching\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000bloody\u3000holes\u3000into\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000twin\u3000lightning\u3000bolts\u3000struck\u3000Julani\uff1b\u3000passing\u3000through\u3000his\u3000body\u3000in\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000to\u3000explode\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000him\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000Grendan\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000went\u3000slack\u2026jawed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hypnotic\u3000pattern\u3000he’d\u3000conjured\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Zoran\u3000flung\u3000up\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000gems\u3000from\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000rushed\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000thudding\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000One\u3000caught\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000what\u3000little\u3000sense\u3000he\u3000had\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000unconscious\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lifting\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000ball\u3000turn\u3000a\u3000solid\u3000white\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crash\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000eagle’s\u3000cage\u3000over\u3000and\u3000cracking\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eagle\u3000screeed\u3000in\u3000anguish\u3000as\u3000its\u3000missing\u3000eyeball\u2026split\u3000in\u3000two\u3000and\u3000weeping\u3000blood\u2026returned\u3000to\u3000its\u3000socket\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000his\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000wrought\u3000and\u3000was\u3000furious\u3000with\u3000himself\u3002\u3000His\u3000experiment\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000most\u3000disastrously\u3000for\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Julani\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Prath\u2026judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000labored\uff1b\u3000gurgling\u3000breathing\u2026would\u3000soon\u3000die\u3000without\u3000magical\u3000intervention\u3002\u3000Grendan\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000drooling\u3000idiot\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000to\u3000e\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Zoran\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000well\uff1b\u3000being\u3000knocked\u3000unconscious\u3000was\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000he\u3000deserved\u3000for\u3000using\u3000so\u3000whimsical\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000in\u3000such\u3000dire\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000Noori\u3000was\u3000unscathed\u3000but\u3000had\u3000only\u3000divination\u3000magic\u3000at\u3000her\u3000disposal\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000fussing\u3000over\u3000her\u3000lover\u3000to\u3000be\u3000of\u3000any\u3000use\uff1b\u3000even\u3000were\u3000her\u3000spells\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000half\u3000expected\u3000Nimor\u3000to\u3000have\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000would\u3000protect\u3000him\u3000from\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000turned\u2026not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000those\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000hypnotic\u3000pattern\uff1b\u3000which\u3000targeted\u3000the\u3000air\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000device\u3000or\u3000spell\u3000protected\u3000Nimor\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000result\u3000of\u3000a\u3000unique\u3000enchantment\u2026one\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000capabilities\u3000of\u3000most\u3000mortal\u3000wizards\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000only\u3000one\u3000spellcaster\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000such\u3000powerful\u3000magic\uff1a\u3000the\u3000lichdrow\u3000Dyrr\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Easing\u3000himself\u3000off\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Kyorli\uff1b\u3000unhurt\uff1b\u3000scurry\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sleeve\u3002\u3000As\u3000Gromph\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sitting\u3000position\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000object\u3000dug\u3000into\u3000his\u3000hip\u3002\u3000He\u3000assumed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Zoran’s\u3000useless\u3000gems\u3000but\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hip\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u2026and\u3000to\u3000his\u3000surprise\u3000found\u3000a\u3000prism\u3000of\u3000quartz\u3002\u3000Tiny\u3000yellow\u3000sparks\u3000as\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000miniature\u3000suns\u3000danced\u3000inside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\u2026producing\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000its\u3000depths\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000How\u3000had\u3000it\u3000gotten\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000it\u3000absently\uff1b\u3000half\u2026listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gurgling\uff1b\u3000bloody\u3000breathing\u3000of\u3000Prath\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000furiously\u3002\u3000He\u3000alone\u3000must\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000Nimor\u2026but\u3000how\uff1f\u3000Any\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000targeted\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000drow\u3000would\u3000only\u3000bounce\u3000back\u3000at\u3000its\u3000caster\u2026even\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000affected\u3000an\u3000area\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000Nimor\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000take\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000Nimor\u3000must\u3000have\u3000a\u3000weak\u3000spot\u3002\u3000One\u3000that\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000his\u3000chief\u3000strength\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shadow\u3000walking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glancing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000prism\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000began\u3000to\u3000smile\u3002\u3000Carefully\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tucked\u3000it\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000The\u3000insignificant\u3000little\u3000magical\u3000device\u2026a\u3000trivial\u3000construct\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Surface\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000was\u3000designed\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000no\u3000more\u3000noble\u3000purpose\u3000than\u3000to\u3000illuminate\u3000darkened\u3000corridors\u2026would\u3000rid\u3000them\u3000all\u3000of\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n to\u3000illuminate\u3000darkened\u3000corridors\u2026would\u3000rid\u3000them\u3000all\u3000of\u3000Nimor\u3000Imphraezl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Without\u3000having\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000any\u3000spells\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026five
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000nearly\u3000fifty\u3000voices\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000seated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000a\u3000waist\u2026high\uff1b\u3000rust\u2026red\u3000boulder\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000worship\u3000to\u3000their\u3000goddess\u3000through\u3000evensong\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000sat\u3000among\u3000them\u3000on\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crater\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000formed\u3000when\u3000a\u3000boulder\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000centuries\u3000gone\u3000by\u3002\u3000The\u3000crater\u3000was\u3000bowl\u2026shaped\u3000and\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000paces\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000its\u3000sides\u3000smoothed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000dusting\u3000of\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000evensong\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000thanksgiving\u3000for\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000sustained\u3000them\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000that\u3000even\u3000then\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000with\u3000rosy\u3000pink\u3000light\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000that\u3000would\u3000illuminate\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000that\u3000even\u3000at\u3000night\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000still\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000children\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000which\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000its\u3000iron\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000forge\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Ladies’\u3000swords\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000earth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flame\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000sang\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000temper\u3000my\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000evensong\u3000was\u3000a\u3000joyful\u3000one\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000an\u3000undercurrent\u3000of\u3000rage\u3000that\u3000night\u3002\u3000Upon\u3000hearing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000their\u3000faith\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000a\u3000yochlol\uff1b\u3000priestesses\u3000from\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000tribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3002\u3000More\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000still\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000to\u3000join\u3000in\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002\u3000Clad\u3000in\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000bearing\u3000shields\u3000they\u3000sank\u3000down\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000with\u3000drawn\u3000swords\u3000placed\u3000across\u3000their\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000joined\u3000in\u3000the\u3000song\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000it\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Uluyara\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3002\u3000Placing\u3000her\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000she\u3000held\u3000in\u3000her\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000invoking\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000hear\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u3003Breena’s\u3000death\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000avenged\u3002\u3000We\u3000shall\u3000hunt\u3000down\u3000the\u3000servants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000and\u3000put\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sword\uff01\u3000Dark\u3000Maiden\uff1b\u3000give\u3000us\u3000strength\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000seated\u3000priestesses\u3000raised\u3000their\u3000own\u3000swords\u3000and\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Belatedly\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000joined\u3000them\uff1b\u3000thrusting\u3000her\u3000own\u3000sword\u3000at\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3002\u3000She\u3000glanced\uff1b\u3000nervously\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000they\u3000might\u3000think\u3000her\u3000tardiness\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000faith\u2026or\u3000that\u3000they\u3000might\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000critical\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blade’s\u3000missing\u3000tip\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000sighting\u3000along\u3000their\u3000own\u3000blades\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000above\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Whether\u3000they\u3000try\u3000to\u3000run\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000or\u3000hide\u3000in\u3000Lolth’s\u3000dark\u3000depths\uff1b\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000hunt\u3000them\u3000down\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000her\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000matching\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000setting\u3000sun\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000will\u3000have\u3000our\u3000vengeance\u3000upon\u3000them\u3000and\u3000will\u3000dance\u3000in\u3000delight\u3000as\u3000they\u3000fall\u3002\u3000Lady\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dance\uff1b\u3000give\u3000us\u3000strength\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000ready\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000thrusting\u3000her\u3000songsword\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000the\u3000others\u3000did\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000will\u3000tear\u3000through\u3000their\u3000web\u3000of\u3000lies\u3000and\u3000deceit\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000all\u3000who\u3000prevent\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000children\u3000from\u3000claiming\u3000their\u3000rightful\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Lady\u3000Silverhair\uff1b\u3000give\u3000us\u3000strength\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000they\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000join\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000will\u3000be\u3000defeated\uff01\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000cried\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000glowing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000white\u3000light\u3002\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000give\u3000us\u3000strength\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000their\u3000swords\u3000a\u3000fourth\u3000and\u3000final\u3000time\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000reversing\u3000their\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000they\u3000drove\u3000them\u3000point\u2026first\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000must\u3000die\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000shouted\u3000the\u3000first\u3000response\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000but\u3000was\u3000taken\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3000when\u3000they\u3000thrust\u3000their\u3000swords\u3000down\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000up\u3002\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thrust\u3000Seyll’s\u3000songsword\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000its\u3000blunted\u3000tip\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000must\u3000die\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u2026suddenly\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000all\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000abrupt\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000and\u3000found\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u2026especially\u3000Uluyara\u3002\u3000The\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000sword\u3000not\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000but\u3000into\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000beside\u3000her\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000reminded\u3000Halisstra\u3000of\u3000a\u3000slain\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000the\u3000red\u3000streaks\u3000of\u3000rust\u3000emulating\u3000blood\u3002\u3000As\u3000Uluyara\u3000tossed\u3000back\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000radiance\u3000cast\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000caught\u3000it\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000sparkle\u3000like\u3000moonlight\u3002\u3000She\u3000beckoned\u3000Halisstra\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Deciding\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment’s\u3000hesitation\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000where\u3000she’d\u3000thrust\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000reached\u3000our\u3000for\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000placed\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000one\u3000holds\u3000a\u3000special\u3000place\u3000in\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000has\u3000but\u3000recently\u3000renounced\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000the\u3000Lady\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dance\u3000bless\u3000her\u3000and\u3000guide\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000well\u3002\u3000Eilistraee\u3000give\u3000her\u3000strength\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000her\u3000palm\u3000damp\u3000with\u3000nervous\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000response\uff1a\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000said\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000she\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000quivered\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\uff1b\u3000it\u3000slid\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000its\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000it\u3000down\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000until\u3000its\u3000hilt\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000clank\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000song\u3000and\u3000sword\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000song\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000their\u3000swords\u3000above\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000dancing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000still\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000tightly\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000Uluyara\u3000place\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000hers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Join\u3000the\u3000dance\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000is\u3000done\uff1b\u3000there\u3000is\u3000something\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000allowed\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000be\u3000led\u3000into\u3000the\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000dancers\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000plucked\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000waved\u3000it\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000gracefully\u3000among\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000sword\u3000flashing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000Eilistraee\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3002\u3000Not\u3000just\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000personally\u3002\u3000Filled\u3000with\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000something\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000something\u3000momentous\u3002\u3000Would\u3000she\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000the\u3000challenge\uff1f\u3000She\u3000who\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000yochlol\uff1b\u3000had\u3000so\u3000treacherously\u3000betrayed\u3000and\u3000slain\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000danced\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000another\u3000set\u3000of\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3002\u3000Not\u3000those\u3000of\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000but\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3002\u3000She\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000that\u3000fringed\u3000the\u3000crater\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000too\u2026deep\u3000shadow\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000white\u3000that\u3000would\u3000mark\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000were\u3000observing\u3000her\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000she\u3000found\u3000it\uff1b\u3000high\u3000among\u3000the\u3000branches\uff1b\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000levitating\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000him\u2026or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000subtle\u3000signs\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000there\u2026Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000chill\u3000course\u3000through\u3000her\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Males\u3000were\u3000forbidden\u3000from\u3000observing\u3000the\u3000evensong\u3000ritual\u3002\u3000Spying\u3000on\u3000one\u3000so\u3000emotionally\u3000charged\u3000was\u3000to\u3000court\u3000disaster\u3002\u3000Any\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000might\u3000spot\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000and\u3000punish\u3000his\u3000transgression\u3000by\u3000striking\u3000him\u3000blind\uff1b\u3000deaf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dumb\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000Eilistraee\u3000herself\u3000might\u3000punish\u3000him\uff1b\u3000smiting\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Those\u3000grim\u3000thoughts\u3000filled\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000mind\u3000as\u3000she\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000dancing\u3000women\u3000in\u3000their\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000losing\u3000track\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u3000as\u3000her\u3000back\u3000was\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000came\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000she\u3000snuck\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\u2026carefully\uff1b\u3000so\u3000as\u3000not\u3000to\u3000attract\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lost\u3000in\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000he\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000cabin\u3000in\u3000which\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000quartered\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000react\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000musky\u3000odor\u3000that\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000nostrils\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000shifted\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dance\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000spying\u3000on\u3000and\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000conversion\uff1b\u3000heart\u3000and\u3000soul\uff1b\u3000to\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000who\u3000would\u3000condemn\u3000her\u3000to\u3000forever\u3000live\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000Only\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000instant\u2026as\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bushes\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\u3000suddenly\u3000shifted\u2026did\u3000he\u3000jerk\u3000back\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000Splitter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000a\u3000black\u3000wolf\u3000had\u3000leaped\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000blocking\u3000it\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000attacking\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000it\u3000cocked\u3000its\u3000head\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000sly\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000tongue\u3000lolling\u3000from\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000A\u3000ripple\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000its\u3000body\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000wolf\u3000to\u3000stagger\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000cracking\u3000cartilage\u3000as\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000became\u3000a\u3000dirt\u2026smudged\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000hadn’t\u3000shifted\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000have\u3000had\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yarno\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000grinned\u3000in\u3000acknowledgement\u3000and\u3000sheathed\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000female\u3000voices\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000frowned\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Yarno\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000find\u3000you\u3000within\u3000their\u3000sacred\u3000grove\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000many\u3000have\u3000you\u3000killed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000took\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000what\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000asking\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000was\u3000one\u3000he\u3000was\u3000often\u3000asked\u3000by\u3000the\u3000students\u3000at\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026and\u3000one\u3000he\u3000always\u3000declined\u3000to\u3000answer\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000proud\u3000spider\u3000gets\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000Its\u3000own\u3000web\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000would\u3000quote\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000them\u3000that\u3000hidden\u3000prowess\u3000with\u3000weapons\u3000was\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000in\u3000and\u3000of\u3000itself\u3002\u3000But\u3000Yarno\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u2026which\u3000reminded\u3000Ryld\u3000of\u3000his\u3000promise\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000didn’t\u3000kill\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Yarno\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n se\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000didn’t\u3000kill\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Yarno\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000rescued\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000still\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hearing\u3000footsteps\u3000approaching\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000shoo\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Hurry\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000find\u3000you\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000Yarno\u3000tense\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000whirled\u3000around\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000Splitter\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000Relief\u3000flooded\u3000through\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000Halisstra\u2026whichever\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000talking\u3000with\u3000must\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000down\u3000a\u3000different\u3000trail\u3002\u3000She\u3000halted\u3000abruptly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Yarno\u3000and\u3000frowned\u2026and\u3000Ryld\u3000groaned\u3000as\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3002\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000shifting\u3000back\u3000into\u3000wolf\u3000form\u2026the\u3000worst\u3000thing\u3000Yarno\u3000could\u3000have\u3000done\u3000in\u3000that\u3000moment\u3002\u3000If\u3000he’d\u3000stayed\u3000in\u3000human\u3000form\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000might\u3000have\u3000passed\u3000him\u3000off\u3000as\u3000a\u3000scattering\uff1b\u3000but\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Monster\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000gasped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Yarno\u3000leaped\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000swifter\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000werewolf\u3000by\u3000his\u3000haunches\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stop\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000grunted\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Yarno\u3000wriggled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000bared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000threatening\u3000growl\u3000as\u3000he\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000snap\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000Mistress\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000I\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rescue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000yanked\u3000her\u3000hunting\u3000horn\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Still\u3000hanging\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000struggling\u3000Yarno\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000twisted\u3000his\u3000body\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eel\u3000and\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000tripping\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000the\u3000horn\u3002\u3000She\u3000scrambled\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000blow\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000she\u3000recovered\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3000of\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000mad\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000as\u3000she\u3000climbed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000shapeshifter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000won’t\u3000hurt\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000gritted\u3002\u3000To\u3000prove\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000released\u3000Yarno\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003Flee\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Without\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000Yarno\u3000obeyed\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000whirled\u3000toward\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000her\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yarno\u3000stood\u3000panting\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000between\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000Then\u2026with\u3000one\u3000final\u3000snarl\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestess\u2026he\u3000leaped\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bushes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000yanked\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000grasp\u3000and\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000distrust\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000boy\u3000was\u3000a\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000an\u3000animal\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yarno\u3000is\u3000harmless\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000returning\u3000Splitter\u3000to\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000a\u3000monster\u3002\u3000Eilistraee\u3000has\u3000manded\u3000us\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000this\u3000wood\u3000of\u3000vermin\u3000like\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000winced\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000a\u3000boy\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000a\u3000boy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000care\u3000if\u3000he\u3000lives\u3000or\u3000dies\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Because\u3000he\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000fumbled\uff1b\u3000confused\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000reminds\u3000me\u3000of\u3000myself\u3000at\u3000that\u3000age\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000is\u3000that\u3000possible\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he’s\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000what\u3000to\u3000call\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000a\u3000’werewolf\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000supplying\u3000her\u3000with\u3000the\u3000word\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000hunted\u3002\u3000And\u3000frightened\u3002\u3000Just\u3000like\u3000I\u3000was\uff1b\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000had\u3000understood\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000horn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000may\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’s\u3000a\u3000monster\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000First\u3000Daughter\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Always\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hunters\u2026never\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hunted\u3002\u3000You\u3000never\u3000had\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000might\u3000not\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000drow\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Aren’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000House\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000never\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000Was\u3000he\u3000really\u3000choosing\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000against\u3000Halisstra\u2026the\u3000woman\u3000he\u3000loved\u2026for\u3000the\u3000sake\u3000of\u3000a\u3000boy\u3000he’d\u3000only\u3000just\u3000met\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000werewolf\uff1f\u3000What\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000he\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000kind\u3000who\u3000remembered\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000like\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000small\u3000boy\u3000and\u3000frightened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000let\u3000go\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Summon\u3000the\u3000hunt\u3000then\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000must\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000do\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000leaving\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000mouth\u3000gaped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000asking\u3000me\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000between\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000my\u3000sacred\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000asking\u3000you\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000between\u3000what\u3000is\u3000wrong\u3000and\u3000what\u3000is\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Strange\u3000words\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000off\u3000into\u3000the\u3000moonlit\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000hefting\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lowered\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Relieved\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000took\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3000over\u3000it\uff1b\u3000brushing\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000it\u3000with\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000yanked\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000free\u2026and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000moment\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000chastised\u2026but\u3000instead\u3000Halisstra\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000and\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000fiercely\u3002\u3000She\u3000wrapped\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000him\u3000close\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Closing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000brush\u3000his\u3000ear\u2026and\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000so\u3000faint\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000love\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000she\u3000led\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000ruin\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000set\u3000aside\u3000as\u3000their\u3000shelter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3000Her\u3000lips\u3000pressed\u3000into\u3000his\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fierceness\u3000uncharacteristic\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000kissed\u3000before\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000true\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000All\u3000she\u3000had\u3000permitted\u3000him\uff1b\u3000before\u3000that\u3000night\uff1b\u3000were\u3000brief\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000chaste\u3000brushes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000against\u3000hers\u3002\u3000Obedient\u3000male\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000dared\u3000ask\u3000for\u3000more\u3002\u3000Bur\u3000that\u3000kiss\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000kiss\u3000his\u3000fantasies\u3000had\u3000been\u3000filled\u3000with\u3002\u3000Eagerly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000returned\u3000it\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000keeping\u3000in\u3000check\u3000the\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000insistent\u3000heat\u3000that\u3000was\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000kiss\u3000just\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000gasp\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000take\u3000you\u3002\u3000Here\u3002\u3000Now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000these\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000self\u2026control\u3000slide\u3000pletely\u3000from\u3000his\u3000grasp\u3002\u3000Breathing\u3000rapidly\u2026where\u3000had\u3000his\u3000warrior’s\u3000training\u3000fled\u3000to\uff1f\u2026he\u3000slid\u3000Splitter\u3000from\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000then\u3000rapidly\u3000began\u3000shucking\u3000his\u3000armor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000stripping\u3000off\u3000her\u3000own\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000kissing\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000pressing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000snaking\u3000tight\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000undressing\u3000even\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\u3000panicked\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000a\u3000vision\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000fly\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spider’s\u3000web\u3002\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000tight\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000him\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000devouring\u3000him\u3002\u3000Her\u3000teeth\u3000bit\u3000passionately\u3000into\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000then\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000muscle\u3000of\u3000his\u3000stomach\uff1b\u3000and\u3000onward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000several\u3000long\uff1b\u3000dizzy\u3000moments\u3000Ryld\u3000flung\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000sightlessly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sagging\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ruin\u3002\u3000Dimly\u3000he\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rough\u3000floor\u3000rushing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000of\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000vambrace\u3000digging\u3000with\u3000blissful\u3000pain\u3000into\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000For\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000seemed\u3000streaked\u3000with\u3000silver\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3000back\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000reminded\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belladonna\u2026induced\u3000fever\u3000dream\u3002\u3000Sparkles\u3000of\u3000moonlight\u3000rushed\u3000down\u3000and\u3000exploded\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000obliterating\u3000everything\u3000else\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Much\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Ryld\u3000\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000in\u3000Reverie\uff1f\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3000about\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000by\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000tone\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000like\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000she\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000She\u3000sounded\u3000formal\u3000and\u3000firm\uff1b\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000reminiscent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000a\u3000priestesses\u3000would\u3000address\u3000a\u3000male\u3002\u3000He\u3000braced\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whiplike\u3000reprimand\u3000that\u3000must\u3000soon\u3000e\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000spotted\u3000him\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000spying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000song\u3000and\u3000dance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000chastise\u3000him\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000and\u3000rejoin\u3000their\u3000quest\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Startled\u2026but\u3000not\u3000showing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000test\u2026he\u3000stared\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000like\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000was\u3000perfectly\u3000neutral\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000not\u3000pletely\u3002\u3000Something\u3000shone\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u2026something\u3000more\u3000than\u3000reflected\u3000starlight\u3002\u3000An\u3000echo\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passion\u3000they’d\u3000shared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000visibly\u3000relaxed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Uluyara\u3000has\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000go\u3000back\u3000there\u3002\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000if\u3000Lolth\u3000truly\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002\u3000The\u3000information\u3000is\u3000vital\u3000to\u3000their\u3000cause\u2026and\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000can\u3000obtain\u3000it\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000warrior\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000acknowledged\u3000the\u3000wisdom\u3000of\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000mand\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000make\u3000an\u3000excellent\u3000spy\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000order\u3002\u3000If\u3000Quenthel\u3000killed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000barely\u3000be\u3000missed\u3002\u3000The\u3000traitor\u3000priestesses’\u3000war\u3000against\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000continue\u3000with\u3000barely\u3000a\u3000ripple\u3002\u3000Deep\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000boiled\u3000with\u3000anger\u3000at\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000willingness\u3000to\u3000sacrifice\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000asking\u3000you\u3000to\u3000e\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Realizing\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000let\u3000his\u3000anger\u3000show\u2026and\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000misread\u3000it\u2026Ryld\u3000said\u3000what\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003One\u3000tiny\u3000slip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000will\u3000kill\u3000you\uff1b\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000a\u3000striking\u3000serpent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000something\u3000I’m\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000risk\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Later\u3000still\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000slipped\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Later\u3000still\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000Reverie\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000cross\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000closed\u3002\u3000His\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000crossed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scabbarded\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000otherwise\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000vanquished\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000strewn\u3000about\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000cast\u3000aside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000leaned\u3000back\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ruin\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000Reverie\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Her\u3000muscles\u3000were\u3000already\u3000loose\u3000and\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000it\u3000took\u3000but\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000for\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000memories\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000drifted\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000observing\u3000with\u3000detachment\u3000as\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000skipped\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000skipping\u3000on\u3000water\u3002\u3000Memories\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000day\u3000of\u3000her\u3000service\u3000in\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000and\u3000her\u3000instructors\u3000caning\u3000her\u3000palms\u3000until\u3000they\u3000bled\u3000after\u3000she\u3000mispronounced\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000the\u3000daily\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000And\u3000of\u3000the\u3000satisfaction\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000next\u3000day\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000called\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000prayer\u2026and\u3000did\u3000so\u3000with\u3000a\u3000precision\u3000that\u3000earned\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000smile\u3000from\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000had\u3000beaten\u3000her\u3002\u3000Memories\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000footraces\u3000she\u3000and\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000Jawil\u3000had\u3000run\uff1b\u3000as\u3000children\uff1b\u3000along\u3000the\u3000roads\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u2026and\u3000the\u3000terrifying\u3000plunge\u3000after\u3000Jawil\u3000had\u3000pushed\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000in\u3000retaliation\u3000when\u3000Halisstra\u3000at\u3000last\u3000won\u3000a\u3000race\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000\u3003borrowed\u3003\u3000an\u3000aunt’s\u3000House\u3000insignia\u2026one\u3000that\u3000provided\u3000levitation\u3000magic\u2026had\u3000saved\u3000her\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000Jawil\u3000had\u3000said\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000known\u3000about\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000all\u3000along\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Those\u3000older\uff1b\u3000well\u2026visited\u3000memories\u3000jostled\u3000against\u3000newer\uff1b\u3000fresher\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3000cleaner\u3000ones\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000and\u3000embraced\u3000by\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000fierce\u3000joy\u3000she’d\u3000felt\u3000after\u3000defeating\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u3000even\u3000drifted\u3000over\u3000brand\u2026new\u3000memories\u3000that\u3000were\u3000only\u3000then\u3000being\u3000engraved\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000soul\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000males\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000lain\u3000with\u3000had\u3000been\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000an\u3000undercurrent\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000ran\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000their\u3000lust\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000were\u3000being\u3000taken\u3000by\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000and\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000she\u3000held\u3000sacred\uff1b\u3000might\u3000casually\u3000kill\u3000them\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000them\u3000aside\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000had\u3000first\u3000started\u3000kissing\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000fleeting\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000that\u3000fear\u3000in\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000it\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000At\u3000some\u3000point\u3000during\u3000their\u3000lovemaking\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000surrendered\u2026not\u3000to\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000something\u3000larger\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000him\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000realization\u3000acquired\uff1b\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000mind\u3000drifted\u3000on\u3000to\u3000other\u3000recent\u3000memories\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000harsh\u3000and\u3000insistent\uff1b\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fore\uff1a\u3000Seyll\u3002\u3000Or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000her\u3000death\u3000at\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Strangely\uff1b\u3000that\u3000image\u3000was\u3000garbled\u3002\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000Seyll\uff1b\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000blood\u3000leaking\u3000from\u3000her\u3000side\u3000into\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000in\u3000which\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000bee\u3000confused\u3000with\u3000that\u3000of\u3000Seyll\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000just\u3000before\u3000she\u3000died\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000out\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Halisstra\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000stream\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000false\u3000recollection\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000speaking\u2026whereas\u3000in\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000been\u3000lying\u3000so\u3000still\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000already\u3000dead\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000words\u3000were\u3000wrong\u2026they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000offered\u3000after\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000dragged\u3000her\u3000\u3003body\u3003\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000and\u3000begun\u3000stripping\u3000it\u3000of\u3000its\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000message\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000still\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000Reverie\uff1b\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000will\u3000need\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000still\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000broken\u2026tipped\u3000songsword\uff1b\u3000nested\u3000in\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000aloud\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dream\u2026memory\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000one\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000bubbled\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000Only\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000can\u3000you\u3000defeat\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Defeat\u3000who\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\uff1b\u3000Seyll\u3000interrupted\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000gurgling\u3000as\u3000her\u3000breathing\u3000became\u3000ragged\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000close\u3000to\u3000death\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000was\u3000slain\u3002\u3000The\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000worm\u3000has\u3000it\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000puzzled\u3000over\u3000that\u3000one\uff1a\u3000was\u3000it\u3000\u3003worm\u3003\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000said\u2026or\u3000\u3003wyrm\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000wyrm\u3002\u3000Dragons\u3000were\u3000known\u3000to\u3000covet\u3000treasure\u2026especially\u3000magical\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000And\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000reverential\u3000way\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Seyll\u3000had\u3000said\u3000the\u3000words\u3000\u3003Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000magical\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seyll\u3000was\u3000still\u3000speaking\u2026so\u3000faintly\u3000chat\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000hear\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Defeat\u3000who\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000came\u3000a\u3000swift\uff1b\u3000rustling\u3000noise\u3002\u3000Her\u3000Reverie\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Ryld\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ready\u3000crouch\uff1b\u3000Splitter\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000swiftly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000room\uff1b\u3000then\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000question\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Reverie\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000relaxed\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000lingered\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000naked\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000not\u3000look\u3000respectfully\u3000away\uff1b\u3000as\u3000was\u3000the\u3000custom\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000male\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000his\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000danced\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Later\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000Uluyara\u3000about\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Leaping\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hurriedly\u3000clothed\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slipped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026six
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000strode\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000surveying\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000across\u3000his\u3000blackened\u3000mithral\u3000plate\u3000mail\u3002\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000eyes\u3000held\u3000a\u3000satisfied\u3000glint\u3000as\u3000he\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000mushroom\u3000forest\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tanarukk\u3000corpses\u3000that\u3000littered\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000like\u3000felled\u3000stems\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Drag\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000corrals\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000told\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000were\u3000inspecting\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000tanarukks\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can\u3000feed\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lizards\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cleaned\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000He\u3000inspected\u3000his\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000scabbard\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hip\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000put\u3000that\u3000away\u3000just\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000be\u3000needing\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000a\u3000surprised\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Archmage\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000have\u3000you\u3000been\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000quite\u3000as\u3000deep\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000but\u3000close\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000quipped\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000all\u3000about\u3000it\u3000later\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000things\u3000fare\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Everything\u3000is\u3000under\u3000control\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000reported\u3002\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000In\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000heap\u3000of\u3000tanarukk\u3000dead\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000driven\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominions\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000pulling\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000regrouping\u3002\u3000And\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quiet\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000enemy\u3000has\u3000also\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000back\u3000on\u3000that\u3000front\u3000and\u3000the\u3000approach\u3000well\u3000sealed\u3002\u3000I\u3000expect\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000will\u3000eventually\u3000rally\uff1b\u3000rebine\u3000with\u3000other\u3000units\u3000somewhere\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000resume\u3000their\u3000siege\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3000Before\u3000they\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000your\u3000help\u3000with\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Something\u3000other\u3000than\u3000corpse\u3000disposal\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Name\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000Part\u3000orc\uff1b\u3000part\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tanarukk\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stocky\u3000monstrosity\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000coarse\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000scabby\u2026looking\u3000scales\u3002\u3000A\u3000long\u3000jaw\u3000jutted\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000its\u3000abbreviated\u3000snout\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tusks\u3000that\u3000curled\u3000over\u3000its\u3000upper\u3000lip\u3000were\u3000chipped\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3002\u3000Its\u3000low\uff1b\u3000sloped\u3000forehead\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000stupid\u3000appearance\u2026accentuated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000glaze\u3000of\u3000death\u3000in\u3000its\u3000dull\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000lines\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I’ll\u3000need\u3000an\u3000escort\u3002\u3000A\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mage\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000nudged\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000tanarukk\u3000with\u3000his\u3000foot\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\uff1b\u3000have\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000polymorphed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Once\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000into\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000joke\uff1b\u3000by\u3000a\u3000prideful\u3000upstart\u3000who\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000saddling\u3000me\u3000up\u3000and\u3000riding\u3000me\u3000would\u3000teach\u3000me\u3000my\u3000place\u3002\u3000After\u3000I\u3000took\u3000a\u3000bite\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000it\u3000was\u3000so\u3000amusing\u3000anymore\u3000and\u3000changed\u3000me\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000He\u3000remembered\u3000well\u3000the\u3000day\u3000that\u3000Nauzhror\u3000had\u3000limped\u3000into\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000demanding\u3000a\u3000cushion\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\u3002\u3000A\u3000\u3003riding\u3000accident\u3003\u3000he’d\u3000called\u3000it\u2026until\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000students\u3000had\u3000used\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000through\u3000his\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000bite\u3000wound\u3000on\u3000the\u3000buttocks\u3002\u3000The\u3000pompous\u3000young\u3000Nauzhror\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000butt\u3000of\u3000many\u3000a\u3000joke\u3000after\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000try\u3000not\u3000to\u3000give\u3000you\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000use\u3000your\u3000tusks\u3000on\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000Andzrel\u3000with\u3000mock\u3000gravity\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000tanarukk\u3000soldiers\u3000retreated\u3000in\u3000disarray\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnels\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000and\u3000nipping\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000whenever\u3000a\u3000narrowing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000caused\u3000a\u3000bottleneck\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000clank\u3000of\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tang\u3000or\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rudely\u3000shoved\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000abandoned\u3000to\u3000die\u2026and\u3000with\u3000the\u3000shouts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sergeants\u3000who\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000order\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Two\u3000tanarukks\u3000shuffled\u3000along\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000the\u3000jostling\u3000masses\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000giving\u3000provocation\u3000nor\u3000accepting\u3000it\u3002\u3000One\u3000had\u3000a\u3000more\u3000pronounced\u3000forehead\u3000than\u3000his\u3000fellows\u3000and\u3000bristle\u2026stiff\u3000patc \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ff\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000white\u3000hair\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000was\u3000broader\u3000across\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000clad\u3000in\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000slightly\u3000stiff\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3000he\u3000carried\u3000was\u3000streaked\u3000with\u3000blood\u3002\u3000The\u3000white\u2026haired\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000small\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000fur\u2026a\u3000trophy\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000to\u3000all\u3000appearances\u2026in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000marching\u3000hordes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000while\u3000twisting\u3000the\u3000fur\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000fissure\u3000to\u3000their\u3000left\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000down\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000ago\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000lost\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000does\u3000he\u3000keep\u3000disappearing\u3000to\uff1f\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000irritated\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000stoop\u2026shouldered\u3000posture\u3000of\u3000his\u3000tanarukk\u3000body\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000backache\u3002\u3000He\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\u3000mission\u3000over\u3000with\u3000and\u3000be\u3000back\u3000in\u3000drow\u3000form\u3002\u3000And\u3000his\u3000tanarukk\u3000body\u3000stank\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000no\u3000such\u3000problems\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000used\u3000a\u3000glamer\u3000to\u3000change\u3000his\u3000appearance\u3002\u3000If\u3000he’d\u3000polymorphed\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000material\u3000ponents\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000work\u3000his\u3000spells\u2026like\u3000that\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000bloodhound\u3000fur\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\u2026would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000changed\u3000into\u3000items\u3000more\u3000suitable\u3000to\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Andzrel\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000that\u3000Gromph\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000tanarukk\u3000sweat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000Nimor’s\u3000up\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Reporting\u3000to\u3000his\u3000masters\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000keeps\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000this\u3000spot\u3002\u3000It\u3000must\u3000be\u3000one\u3000he\u3000knows\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Slipping\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000squeezed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000It\u3000extended\u3000horizontally\u3000for\u3000some\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sloped\u3000up\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000one\u3000whose\u3000entrance\u3000was\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000axe\u3000as\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000approached\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000urgent\u3000message\u3000for\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\uff1b\u3000adopting\u3000the\u3000low\u3002\u3000grunting\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\u3000yeah\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000does\u3000every\u3000other\u3000bloody\u3000tanarukk\u3000in\u3000Vhok’s\u3000useless\u3000excuse\u3000for\u3000an\u3000army\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000Nimor’s\u3000not\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000taunt\u3002\u3000He\u3000sniffed\u3000loudly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000apparently\u3000empty\u3000cavern\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000disguised\u3000archmage\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000smell\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000he’s\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000replied\u3000with\u3000a\u3000frown\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000your\u3000ranks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000balled\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000with\u3000knuckles\u3000that\u3000were\u3000ridged\u3000with\u3000scales\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000under\u3000the\u3000duergar’s\u3000nose\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000know\u3000he’s\u3000in\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000us\u3000by\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000suddenly\u3000grew\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000broader\u2026until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000half\u3000again\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000tanarukk\u3000form\u3002\u3000He\u3000squeezed\u3000the\u3000handle\u3000of\u3000his\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000a\u3000shimmer\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000to\u3000pulse\u3000through\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000make\u3000me\u3000use\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000warned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nimor\u3000will\u3000want\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000this\u3000message\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000him\u3000it’s\u3000from\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000he\u3000sent\u3000into\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000spy\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sluuguth\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000other\u3000tanarukk\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000duergar’s\u3000face\u3000paled\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lighter\u3000shade\u3000of\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Oh\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000the\u3000illithid\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000frowned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sluuguth\u3000doesn’t\u3000like\u3000it\u3000when\u3000his\u3000messengers\u3000get\u3000delayed\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000silver\u3000chain\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3000hung\u3000an\u3000oval\u3000of\u3000jade\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000told\u3000us\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000this\u3000to\u3000Nimor\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000we\u3000could\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000said\u3000it’s\u3000important\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000last\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Shrinking\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000size\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000aside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Go\u3000on\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000Andzrel\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000follow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003But\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000your\u3000weapon\u3000outside\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000Andzrel\u3000exchanged\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000\u3003battle\u2026axe\u3003\u3000left\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000it\u3000would\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000be\u3000affected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000polymorph\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000would\u3000turn\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000deliver\u3000the\u3000message\u3000on\u3000my\u3000own\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000Andzrel\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000wait\u3000out\u3000here\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000until\u3000I’m\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Andzrel\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Once\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000space\u3000was\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000high\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Up\u3000near\u3000the\u3000top\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ledge\u3000on\u3000which\u3000Nimor\u3000squatted\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000in\u3000Reverie\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unusual\u3000pose\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000drawn\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fists\u3000touching\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000hunched\u3002\u3000His\u3000posture\u3000reminded\u3000Gromph\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sleeping\u3000bat\u3000turned
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wondering\u3000if\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000cloaked\u3000in\u3000an\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000for\u3000the\u3000small\u3000stone\u3000jar\u3000he\u3000carried\u3000there\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000to\u3000scoop\u3000out\u3000a\u3000little\u3000of\u3000the\u3000paste\u3000it\u3000held\u3000when\u3000Nimor’s\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3002\u3000They\u3000immediately\u3000locked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000oval\u3000of\u3000jade\u3000that\u3000spun\u3000gently\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000was\u3000still\u3000potent\u2026though\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000it\u3000had\u3000once\u3000manded\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000a\u3000heap\u3000of\u3000rubble\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Gromph’s\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000before\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Andzrel\u3000set\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000stepped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ledge\uff1b\u3000levitating\u3000down\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000withdrew\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000abandoning\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000about\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000true\u3000seeing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000mount\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000defense\u3000if\u3000one\u3000was\u3000required\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000did\u3000you\u3000get\u3000that\uff1b\u3000soldier\uff1f\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000demanded\u3000as\u3000he\u3000landed\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000illusion\u3000was\u3000holding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003From\u3000Sluuguth\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000up\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000spider\u3000amulet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000item\u3000it\u3000contained\u2026the\u3000prism\u2026by\u3000the\u3000end\u3000that\u3000protruded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000oiled\u3000sheath\u3000he’d\u3000constructed\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000made\u3000some\u3000magical\u3000alterations\u3000to\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000before\u3000embarking\u3000on\u3000his\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000new\u3000spells\u3000into\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000the\u3000device\u3000already\u3000contained\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sluuguth\u3000got\u3000busy\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000sent\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000continued\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000started\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stopped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000eyed\u3000Gromph\u3000warily\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Busy\u3000with\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000wizard\u3000that\u3000Lord\u3000Dyrr\u3000captured\u2026the\u3000one\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000He\u3000escaped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Gromph\uff1f\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000waved\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000dismissively\u3002\u3000\u3003Old\u3000news\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000dead\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000vigorously\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000not\u3002\u3000Sluuguth\u3000says\u3000he’s\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\u3000that\u3000could\u3000hurt\u3000our\u3000army\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000some\u3000spell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000he\uff1f\u3003\u3000Nimor\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000scratched\u3000the\u3000bristles\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000Fortunately\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000any\u3000help\u3000looking\u3000stupid\u3000with\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3000cloaking\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Who\uff1f\u3000Sluuguth\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000Gromph\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000in\u3000irritation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Gromph\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000yeah\u3002\u3000Sluuguth\u3000said\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000just\u3000remembering\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000The\u3000prism\u3000he\u3000held\u3000came\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000oiled\u3000sheath\u3000with\u3000a\u3000jerk\u3000and\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000without\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sovereign\u3000glue\u3000that\u3000coated\u3000it\u3000sticking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fabric\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000So\u3000far\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000so\u3000good\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000prism\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000gamble\u3000was\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000up\u3002\u3000Like\u3000most\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000Nimor\u3000was\u3000unfamiliar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000items\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000scrying\u3000device\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Nimor\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000see\u3000Gromph\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000folded\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000across\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000look\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000he\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shrug\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000going\u3000according\u3000to\u3000plan\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000factored\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000suspicious\u3000nature\u3000into\u3000his\u3000plans\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000prism\uff1b\u3000angling\u3000it\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can’t\u3000see\u3000anything\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000suddenly\u3000held\u3000it\u3000still\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000there\u3000he\u3000is\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000but\u3000is\u3000Gromph\u3000the\u3000skeleton\u3000or\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000see\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000moment\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000As\u3000Nimor’s\u3000fingers\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000prism\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000let\u3000go\u3000of\u3000the\u3000end\u3000he\u3000held\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Andzrel\uff01\u3000Now\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000thud\u3000and\u3000a\u3000grunt\u2026the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000door\u3000being\u3000felled\u3000by\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3000Nimor\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000rid\u3000it\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000that\u3000was\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000it\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000glue\u3000and\u3000drawing\u3000his\u3000rapier\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Andzrel\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3000held\u3000high\u3002\u3000Unused\u3000to\u3000his\u3000tanarukk\u3000form\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000awkwardly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000so\u3000his\u3000charge\u3000looked\u3000formidable\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nimor\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000cornered\uff1b\u3000did\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000him\u3000to\u3002\u3000He\u3000shadow\u3000walked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000even\u3000as\u3000Nimor\u3000began\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\uff1b\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000the\u3000contingency\u3000spell\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000woven\u3000into\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000was\u3000triggered\u3002\u3000It\uff1b\u3000in\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000triggered\u3000the\u3000prism’s\u3000tertiary\u3000power\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000to\u3000flare\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000had\u3000been\u3000teleported\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000bathing\u3000its\u3000walls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000intense\u3000light\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000experienced\u3002\u3000Nimor\u3000screamed\u2026a\u3000howl\u3000of\u3000anguish\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bellow\u3000of\u3000rage\u3000in\u3000one\u3002\u3000Then\u3000both\u3000the\u3000light\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000Nimor’s\u3000voice\u3000winked\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000swoosh\u3000of\u3000a\u3000blade\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000the\u3000clang\u3000of\u3000metal\u3000against\u3000stone\u3000as\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3000split\u3000the\u3000air\u3000where\u3000Nimor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000blink\u3000away\u3000the\u3000aftereffects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brilliant\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000His\u3000outstretched\u3000hands\u3000encountered\u3000only\u3000air\u3002\u3000Nimor\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000\u3003escape\u3003\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Shadow\u3000Pl \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n outstretched\u3000hands\u3000encountered\u3000only\u3000air\u3002\u3000Nimor\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000\u3003escape\u3003\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Shadow\u3000Plane\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Andzrel\uff01\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3000Where’s\u3000Nimor\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Someone\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000gnarled\u3000hand\u3000touched\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000see\u3000very\u3000well\u3002\u3003\u3000Andzrel’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000from\u3000right\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000my\u3000darkvision’s\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000e\u3000back\u3002\u3000Nimor’s\u3000gone\u3002\u3000What\u3000about\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000streaming\u3000with\u3000tears\u3002\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000seeing\u3000Andzrel\u2026seeing\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000still\u3000blind\u3002\u3000That\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000have\u3000had\u3000a\u3000greater\u3000effect\u3000on\u3000me\u3000than\u3000it\u3000did\u3000you\u2026perhaps\u3000because\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000protecting\u3000Nimor\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000prism\u3000as\u3000mine\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\u3000me\u3000directly\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000be\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000matter\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000my\u3000sight\uff1b\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000each\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000dispelled\u3000his\u3000blindness\u2026but\u3000though\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000under\u3000his\u3000eyelids\uff1b\u3000his\u3000darkvision\u3000did\u3000not\u3000return\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000as\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000see\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000cavern\u3000as\u3000any\u3000creature\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Surface\u3000Realms\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000that\u3000worried\u3000him\u3002\u3000With\u3000Lolth’s\u3000priestesses\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000their\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000restorative\u3000spell\u3000would\u3000be\u3000difficult\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000where\u3000is\u3000Nimor\u3000now\uff1f\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000the\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000that\u3000means\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000Archmage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000chuckled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000means\u3000he’s\u3000stuck\u3000there\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000his\u3000shadow\u3000walk\uff1b\u3000Nimor\u3000needs\u3000either\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000shadow\u2026if\u3000you’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u2026or\u3000darkness\u3000to\u3000step\u3000into\u3002\u3000A\u3000deep\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000something\u3000he\u3000isn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000any\u3000time\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000prism\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000glows\u3000with\u3000the\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\u3000that’s\u3000one\u3000piece\u3000gone\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000game\uff1b\u3003\u3000Andzrel\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000satisfied\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000next\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Back\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000follow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000pillar’s\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3002\u3000It\u3000loomed\u3000large\u3000in\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000rat\u3000peered\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000pillar\u3000from\u3000her\u3000perch\u3000on\u3000Gromph’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000whiskers\u3000tickling\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000Nauzhror\u3000muttering\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000younger\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000relinquished\u3000the\u3000archmage’s\u3000robes\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000with\u3000great\u3000reluctance\u3000and\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000being\u3000present\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lighting\u3000ritual\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000a\u3000weakness\u2026even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000discovered\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000yet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Turning\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000pillar\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000lifted\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000tingling\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000power\u3000flow\u3000into\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000reached\u3000its\u3000zenith\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slapped\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000against\u3000Narbondel\uff1b\u3000directing\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3000warmed\u3000under\u3000his\u3000palms\u3000and\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000crackling\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Like\u3000flames\u3000climbing\u3000a\u3000burning\u3000curtain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000heat\u3000and\u3000light\u3000slowly\u3000began\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000through\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000it\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000through\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000muted\u3000version\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000light\u3000emitting\u3000sparks\u3000of\u3000every\u3000color\u3000from\u3000deepest\u3000red\u3000to\u3000brightest\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000slowly\u3000against\u3000black\u3000stone\u3002\u3000A\u3000beautiful\u3000sight\u2026and\u3000one\u3000that\u3000would\u3000inspire\u3000hope\u3000in\u3000those\u3000who\u3000yet\u3000held\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Dominion\uff1b\u3000when\u3000they\u3000returned\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000By\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000see\u3000that\uff1b\u3000lichdrow\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000escaped\u3000your\u3000imprisonment\u3002\u3000Soon\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000his\u3000private\u3000office\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000drumming\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Kyorli\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000still\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000consumed\u3000a\u3000potion\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000restored\u3000his\u3000eyesight\u3000fully\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000was\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000blurs\u3002\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000been\u3000a\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000permanency\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000protected\u3000Nimor\u3000that\u3000had\u3000wreaked\u3000such\u3000destruction\uff1f\u3000With\u3000time\u3000and\u3000research\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000know\u3000the\u3000answers\u2026but\u3000with\u3000two\u3000armies\u3000still\u3000hovering\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000time\u3000was\u3000a\u3000luxury\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000tickling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000alerted\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000him\u2026something\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000impossible\u3000within\u3000the\u3000magically\u3000warded\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000he’d\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u2026the\u3000one\u3000his\u3000forgotten\u3000illithid\u3000visitor\u3000had\u3000left\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000wondered\u3000it\u3000the\u3000observer\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000souls\u3000trapped\u3000within\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000bade\u3000Kyorli\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000no\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000blade\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000voice\u3000whispered\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000air\u2026the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000one\u3000drow\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000ensured\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000of\u3000his\u3000office\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Going\u3000to\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000voice\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Aboleth\u3000said\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000is\u3000sunk\u3000there\u3000with\u3000uridezu\u3002\u3000Will\u3000sail\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000Abyss\u3000and\u3000appeal\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000directly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000words\uff1b\u3000the\u3000message\u3000was\u3000precisely\u3000at\u3000the\u3000limit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sending\u3000spell\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000used\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000contemplating\u3000his\u3000reply\u3002\u3000It\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000equally\u3000brief\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000informative\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000mission\u3000is\u3000more\u3000urgent\u3000now\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Duergar\u3000and\u3000tanarukks\u3000besiege\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Lichdrow\u3000Dyrr\u3000is\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3002\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wry\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003An\u3000uridezu\uff1f\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000you\u3000luck\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000being\u3000watched\u3000vanished\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Gromph\u3000sitting\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\u3000he’d\u3000ever\u3000hear\u3000from\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026seven
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000listened\u3000in\u3000silence\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000described\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000Reverie\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000Uluyara\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000prayer\uff1b\u3000then\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000reverently\u3000to\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Lowering\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000her\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000reflecting\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lost\uff1b\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000best\u3000scryers\uff1b\u3000joined\u3000in\u3000spell\u2026song\uff1b\u3000could\u3000not\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u2026and\u3000now\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000thinks\u3000she\u3000can\u3000succeed\u3000where\u3000they\u3000failed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000a\u3000tone\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000in\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000bristled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000only\u3000repeating\u3000what\u3000Seyll\u3000said\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000was\u3000no\u3000hallucination\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000was\u3000her\u3000spirit\u3000who\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000that\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000face\u3000down\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000in\u3000bat\u3000and\u3000that\u3000I’ll\u3000need\u3000this\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u2026whatever\u3000it\u3000is\u2026to\u3000defeat\u3000her\u3000when\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000weighing\u3000her\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000this\u3000is\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000delay\u3000rejoining\u3000your\u3000former\u3000panions\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000might\u3000have\u3000picked\u3000something\u3000a\u3000little\u3000less\u3000dramatic\u3000than\u3000a\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000rather\u3000you\u3000were\u3000honest\u3000with\u3000me\u3000and\u3000simply\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000ready\u3000yet\u3002\u3000If\u3000you’ve\u3000changed\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000or\u3000are\u3000afraid\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Afraid\uff1f\u3000How\u3000dare\u3000you\uff01\u3000I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Daughter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000spat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000who\u3000she\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000to\u2026and\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000her\u3000House\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u2026and\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000at\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000Dark\u3000Lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000tensing\u3000in\u3000expectation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lash\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000immediately\u3000scoured\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000had\u3000it\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000to\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000so\u3000boldly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\u3000and\u3000am\u3000not\u3000used\u3000to\u3000having\u3000my\u3000courage\u3000questioned\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000taught\uff1b\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cocoon\u3000my\u3000fear\u3000up\u3000tight\u3000and\u3000never\u3000let\u3000it\u3000unravel\u3002\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\u3000that\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000afraid\u2026and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000making\u3000this\u3000up\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000is\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000enlighten\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Rise\uff1b\u3000priestess\u3002\u3003\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\uff1b\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003This\u3000past\u3000day\u3000has\u3000been\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000one\u3000for\u3000both\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000first\u3000brought\u3000Breena\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000daughter\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Her\u3000death\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000woods\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000yearned\u3000toward\u3000came\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000women\u3000singing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voices\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000priestesses\u3000who\u3000were\u3000laying\u3000out\u3000Breena’s\u3000corpse\u3000on\u3000a\u3000bier\u3000high\u3000above\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000floor\u3000where\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000washed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002\u3000The\u3000death\u3000song\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000float\u3000on\u3000the\u3000breeze\uff1b\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000the\u3000clean\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000freshly\u3000fallen\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000last\u3000Uluyara\u3000tore\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3000and\u3000began\u3000her\u3000story\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000was\u3000forged\u3000centuries\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000after\u3000Eilistraee\u3000plucked\u3000a\u3000pebble\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000below\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000to\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000boulder\u3000and\u3000was\u3000glowing\u3000as\u3000brightly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000forge\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000so\u3000hot\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000could\u3000approach\u3000it\u3000without\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000boulder\u3000was\u3000weeping\u3000metal\u2026moon\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000was\u3000where\u3000it\u3000came\u3000from\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000look\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\u3000a\u3000hole\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000from\u3000which\u3000Eilistraee\u3000plucked\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000peered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000just\u3000risen\u3000above\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000Its\u3000face\u3000was\u3000pocked\u3000with\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000circular\u3000holes\u3002\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000which\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000smaller\u3000hole\u3000within\u3000that\u3000larger\uff1b\u3000darker\u3000one\u3002\u3000See\u3000how\u3000what\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000hole\u3000forms\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000crescent\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000closed\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000sighted\u3000along\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spotted\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000moon\u3000metal\u3000shed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000was\u3000collected\u3000and\u3000forged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crescent\u2026shaped\u3000blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000continued \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000moon\u3000metal\u3000shed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000was\u3000collected\u3000and\u3000forged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crescent\u2026shaped\u3000blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000each\u3000heating\uff1b\u3000with\u3000each\u3000hammer\u3000stroke\u3000against\u3000the\u3000anvil\uff1b\u3000with\u3000each\u3000quenching\uff1b\u3000enchantments\u3000were\u3000laid\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000blade\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000made\u3000holy\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000it\u3000a\u3000keener\u3000edge\u3000against\u3000evil\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000made\u3000quick\u3000as\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000twice\u3000for\u3000each\u3000stroke\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000blade\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000enchanted\u3000with\u3000moonlight\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000my\u3000own\u3000sword\u3000is\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000armor\u2026or\u3000even\u3000stone\u2026as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000through\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000blessing\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000it\u3000can\u3000also\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000evil\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000protective\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000holds\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000final\u3000enchantment\u3000laid\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000of\u3000all\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000wielding\u3000it\u3000is\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000her\u3000aim\u3000is\u3000true\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000will\u3000sever\u3000the\u3000neck\u3000of\u3000any\u3000creature\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000bored\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000Halisstra’s\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Any\u3000creature\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000repeated\u3002\u3000\u3003Be\u3000it\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000even\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000understood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000Seyll\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000not\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000but\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Lolth\u3000herself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000before\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Impossible\u3000as\u3000it\u3000sounds\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Overe\u3000by\u3000the\u3000enormity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000unable\u3000even\u3000to\u3000protest\u3002\u3000She\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u2026a\u3000former\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000only\u3000recently\u3000brought\u3000into\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000light\u2026was\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000deity\u3000known\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1f\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sword\uff1f\u3000The\u3000notion\u3000was\u3000insane\u3002\u3000Laughable\uff1b\u3000even\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000witnessed\u3000first\u3000hand\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000between\u3000gods\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000and\u3000Selvetarm\u3000confronted\u3000each\u3000other\u3000outside\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mortals\u3000present\u2026even\u3000Pharaun\u2026could\u3000have\u3000affected\u3000the\u3000oute\u3000of\u3000that\u3000battle\u3000if\u3000they\u3000tried\u3002\u3000But\u3000Halisstra\u3000supposed\u3000Eilistraee\u3000must\u3000know\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u2026that\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000chosen\u3000Halisstra\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Though\u3000really\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000why\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000only\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000spells\u2026mostly\u3000simple\u3000healing\u3000magic\u2026and\u3000was\u3000still\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000relearn\u3000the\u3000clerical\u3000spells\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000once\u3000granted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000Eilistraee\u3000was\u3000slowly\u3000revealing\u3000to\u3000her\u3000in\u3000new\u3000forms\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000like\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laid\u3000low\u3000by\u3000an\u3000illness\u3000and\u3000who\u3000was\u3000only\u3000slowly\u3000learning\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000Eilistraee\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000not\u3000just\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000but\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000To\u3000fly\uff1b\u3000even\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Uluyara\u3000had\u3000said\uff1b\u3000impossible\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Or\u3000was\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Lolth\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000inactive\u2026and\u3000inattentive\u3002\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000blasphemed\u3000against\u3000her\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002\u3000Even\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000phase\u3000spider\u3000by\u3000invoking\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000moonfire\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000arouse\u3000her\u3000wrath\u3002\u3000Lolth’s\u3000yochlol\u3000handmaidens\u3000might\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000herself\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000no\u3000direct\u3000sign\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000scrying\uff1b\u3000Lolth’s\u3000temple\u3000was\u3000still\u3000sealed\u3000by\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000black\u3000stone\u3002\u3000A\u3000stone\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000face\u2026and\u3000had\u3000a\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000neck\u3000made\u3000of\u3000stone\u2026a\u3000material\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000could\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000blade\u3000through\u3000bare\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000single\uff1b\u3000well\u2026aimed\u3000stroke\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3000that\u3000neck\u3000could\u3000be\u3000severed\u3002\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000was\u3000struck\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000faithful\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Would\u3000that\u3000really\u3000kill\u3000Lolth\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000Uluyara\u3002\u3000\u3003Surely\u3000Eilistraee\u3000could\u3000have\u3000found\u3000a\u3000more\u3000worthy\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000You\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000not\u3000I\u3000who\u3000was\u3000chosen\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment’s\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000all\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000worship\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000are\u3000unique\u3000for\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000reason\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000will\u3000trust\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000do\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000reaching\u3000Lolth’s\u3000domain\u3000and\u3000you\u3000are\u3000among\u3000them\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000position\u3000to\u3000end\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen’s\u3000dark\u3000reign\u3000and\u3000release\u3000her\u3000children\u3000from\u3000the\u3000clinging\u3000webs\u3000that\u3000hold\u3000them\u3000back\u3000from\u3000their\u3000birthright\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000truly\u3000is\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000will\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000first\u3000step\u3000in\u3000her\u3000monumental\u3000quest\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000taken\u3002\u3000\u3003Seyll\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3002\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000lies\u3000about\u3000three\u3000days’\u3000march\u3000to\u3000the\u3000southeast\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000wood\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000place\u3002\u3000Centuries\u3000ago\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000foul\u3000magic\u3000once\u3000unleashed\u3000there\u3000permeates\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000ghosts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000once\u3000fought\u3000there\u3000roam\u3000it\u3000still\u2026and\u3000are\u3000at\u3000their\u3000most\u3000dangerous\u3000in\u3000winter\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000chill\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3000matches\u3000the\u3000chill\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grave\u3000they\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000again\u2026and\u3000sweep\u3000away\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000their\u3000path\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000going\u3000over\u3000Seyll’s\u3000message\u3000again\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000was\u3000only\u3000half\u3000listening\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000home\u3000to\u3000a\u3000dragon\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000the\u3000warning\u3000about\u3000a\u3000wyrm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003None\u3000has\u3000been\u3000sighted\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000is\u3000possible\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000was\u3000said\u3000to\u3000involve\u3000dragons\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000was\u3000scoured\u3000by\u3000their\u3000magical\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000soil\u3000remains\u3000infertile\u3000to\u3000this\u3000day\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000these\u3000dragons\u3000might\u3000have\u3000laired\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000centuries\u3000since\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000e\u3000to\u3000be\u3000lost\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Seyll\u3000said\u3000’she’\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3000it\u3002\u3000Who\uff1f\u3000A\u3000priestess\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000look\u3000Uluyara\u3000gave\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000a\u3000peculiar\u3000one\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she’d\u3000suddenly\u3000realized\u3000something\u3000about\u3000Halisstra\u2026something\u3000of\u3000import\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000who\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000was\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000rank\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Sword\u3000Dancers\u3002\u3000She\u3000came\uff1b\u3000originally\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000same\u3000city\u3000as\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000She\u3000came\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000city\u3000had\u3000also\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000at\u3000that\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000so\u3000far\u3000from\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000House\u3000was\u3000she\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000what\u3000was\u3000her\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mathira\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000name\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\u2026but\u3000then\u3000a\u3000memory\u3000bubbled\u3000up\u3000from\u3000her\u3000childhood\u3002\u3000A\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000she’d\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000portrait\u3000busts\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Melarn’s\u3000great\u3000hall\u3000was\u3000\u3003broken\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000chisel\u3000work\u3000that\u3000obliterated\u3000the\u3000features\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000head\u3000and\u3000the\u3000name\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000its\u3000base\u3000had\u3000been\u3000roughly\u3000done\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000possible\u3000to\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000first\u3000letter\uff1a\u3000an\u3000M\u3002\u3000When\u3000Halisstra\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000damage\uff1b\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000whose\u3000bust\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000and\u3000how\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000be\u3000broken\u3002\u3000Her\u3000answer\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stinging\u3000slap\u3000across\u3000the\u3000face\u2026a\u3000slap\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000it\u3000had\u3000split\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000upper\u3000lip\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000still\u3000remember\u3000her\u3000surprise\u2026and\u3000the\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Some\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000learned\uff1b\u3000were\u3000better\u3000not\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Which\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000all\u3000that\u3000much\u3000more\u3000keen\u3000to\u3000have\u3000an\u3000answer\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\uff1b\u3000years\u3000later\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000granted\u3000by\u3000Lolth\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000her\u3000curiosity\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000spell’s\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000the\u3000name\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000bust\u3000had\u3000blazed\u3000clearly\uff1a\u3000Mathira\u3002\u3000Discreet\u3000inquiries\u3000had\u3000uncovered\u3000a\u3000sliver\u3000of\u3000information\u3000about\u3000the\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000into\u3000disgrace\u3000and\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000a\u3000decade\u3000before\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000born\u3002\u3000What\u3000her\u3000\u3003traitorous\u3000act\u3003\u3000had\u3000been\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000discover\u3002\u3000Eventually\uff1b\u3000having\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thread\u3000of\u3000family\u3000scandal\u3000she\u3000grew\u3000bored\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000drop\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000half\u3000whispering\uff1b\u3000\u3003Mathira\u3000must\u3000have\u3000fled\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000because\u3000she’d\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000worship\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000she\u3000came\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000finished\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000rose\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000faithful\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000Sword\u3000Dancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000who\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u2026and\u3000lost\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3000and\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000as\u3000Eilistraee\u3000intended\uff1b\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Lolth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mere\u3000coincidence\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000in\u3000every\u3000step\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Who\u3000else\u3000but\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000could\u3000guide\u3000the\u3000lives\u3000of\u3000mortals\u3000in\u3000so\u3000subtle\u3000a\u3000fashion\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000together\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000that\u3000spanned\u3000centuries\uff1f\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000that\uff1b\u3000were\u3000she\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quest\uff1b\u3000Eilistraee\u3000would\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000steer\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000ordained\u3000path\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000terrified\u3000her\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000it\u3000also\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000succeed\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000in\u3000the\u3000goddess\u2026even\u3000though\u3000trust\u3000was\u3000something\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000just\u3000learned\u3002\u3000It\u3000still\u3000came\u3000only\u3000with\u3000difficulty\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000question\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000remained\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000I\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uluyara\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000and\u3000for\u3000several\u3000lone\u3000moments\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Then\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000words\u3000came\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000we\u3000do\u3000not\u2026’dark\u3000song\u3000magic\uff1b’\u3000you\u3000called\u3000it\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000that\u3000is\u3000what\u3000is\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000I\u3000was\u3000learning\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I\u3000left\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000before\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000was\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000The\u3000bard\u3000who\u3000was\u3000teaching\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3000said\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000used\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000any\u3000object\u3000I\u3000could\u3000visualize\u3002\u3000If\u3000I’m\u3000able\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000might\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002\u3000If\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000you\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000I\u3000should\u3000begin\u3000my\u3000search\u3002\u3000Where\u3000was\u3000Mathira\u3000when\u3000she\u3000disappeared\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000was\u3000last\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000Harrowdale\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000there\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000south\u3000to\u3000Scardale\uff1b\u3000then\u3000on\u3000to\u3000Blackfeather\u3000Bridge\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000go\u3000missing\u3000along\u3000so\u3000well\u3000traveled\u3000a\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000we\u3000assumed\u3000she\u3000veered\u3000from\u3000it\u3000and\u3000becam \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000so\u3000well\u3000traveled\u3000a\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000we\u3000assumed\u3000she\u3000veered\u3000from\u3000it\u3000and\u3000became\u3000lost\u3002\u3000Mathira’s\u3000business\u3000was\u3000urgent\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000caused\u3000her\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000a\u3000shorter\u3000route\u2026to\u3000travel\u3000to\u3000Blackfeather\u3000Bridge\u3000in\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000line\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000circling\u3000around\u3000it\u3000by\u3000road\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Already\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000deciding\u3000how\u3000to\u3000use\u3000her\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000best\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000travel\u3000to\u3000Harrowdale\uff1b\u3000orient\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000Feather\u3000Falls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000march\u3000in\u3000as\u3000straight\u3000a\u3000line\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000her\u3000spell\u3000every\u3000eight\u3000hundred\u3000paces\u2026the\u3000limit\u3000of\u3000its\u3000range\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000big\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000picturing\u3000something\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000large\u3000cavern\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000is\u3000widest\u3000from\u3000northeast\u3000to\u3000southwest\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000open\u3000ground\u2026so\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000two\u2026day\u3000march\u3000at\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000pace\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3000far\u3000from\u3000easy\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000be\u3000lucky\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000it\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Luckier\u3000still\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ghosts\u3000that\u3000inhabit\u3000that\u3000bleak\u3000place\u3000haven’t\u3000driven\u3000you\u3000mad\u3000long\u3000before\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Won’t\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000with\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Most\u3000have\u3000already\u3000left\u3000to\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000yochlol\u3000that\u3000killed\u3000Breena\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000who\u3000remain\u3000have\u3000other\uff1b\u3000equally\u3000pressing\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000they\u3000can\u3000be\u3000spared\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000really\u3000expect\u3000me\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000isn’t\u3000that\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3003\u3000Uluyara\u3000answered\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000that\u3000some\u3000journeys\u3000must\u3000be\u3000taken\u3000alone\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000gaze\u3000drifted\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tree\u2026tops\u3002\u3000The\u3000singing\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Breena’s\u3000body\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laid\u3000to\u3000rest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000night\u3000air\u3000was\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000smolder\u3000inside\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000vowed\u3002\u3000\u3003On\u3000my\u3000own\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000help\u3000from\u3000anyone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000she\u3000shared\u3000with\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000might\u3000not\u3000have\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000one\u3000greater\u3000who\u3000did\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026eight
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kukri\u3000in\u3000each\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000bored\u3000through\u3000solid\u3000stone\u3000with\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002\u3000Perfectly\u3000smooth\u3000and\u3000slightly\u3000oval\u3000in\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000was\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Valas\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000fully\u3000upright\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000shoulders\u3000hunched\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000brushing\u3000the\u3000magic\u2026warmed\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000chanted\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000seeds\u3000that\u3000were\u3000the\u3000spell’s\u3000material\u3000ponent\u3000between\u3000forefinger\u3000and\u3000thumb\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000had\u3000prepared\u3000well\u3000over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000four\u3000days\u3000it\u3000took\u3000them\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000beneath\u3000Myth\u3000Drannor\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000already\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000several\u3000times\uff1b\u3000extending\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000paces\u3000long\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000who’d\u3000told\u3000Valas\u3000about\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000had\u3000been\u3000accurate\u3000in\u3000his\u3000estimates\uff1b\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000between\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000they\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000was\u3000close\u3000to\u3000that\u3000figure\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000spell\u3000should\u3000see\u3000them\u3000through\u3000the\u3000intervening\u3000rock\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Pharaun\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000the\u3000seeds\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tunnel’s\u3000end\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000pointing\u3000with\u3000his\u3000forefinger\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000before\u3000him\u3000shimmered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000melt\u3000away\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000a\u3000large\u3000room\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000paces\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000A\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000stale\u3000air\u3000came\u3000back\u3000along\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000with\u3000it\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000desiccated\u3000flesh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quiet\u3000as\u3000a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000crept\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000treasure\u3000vault\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000had\u3000described\uff1b\u3000immense\u3002\u3000Circular\u3000in\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000fifty\u3000paces\u3000across\u3000and\u3000fifty\u3000paces\u3000high\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000domed\u3000roof\u3000whose\u3000ceiling\u3000was\u3000inlaid\u3000with\u3000intricate\u3000mosaics\u3002\u3000Those\uff1b\u3000wrought\u3000in\u3000polished\u3000pebbles\u2026many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000semiprecious\u3000stones\u2026depicted\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves’\u3000gods\uff1b\u3000bows\u3000in\u3000hand\u3000with\u3000arrows\u3000nocked\u3002\u3000Portions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mosaic\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000away\u3000in\u3000spots\u3000where\u3000tree\u3000roots\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000bulging\u3000its\u3000masonry\u3000inward\u3002\u3000Chunks\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000and\u3000a\u3000scattering\u3000of\u3000earth\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000gods\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mosaic\u3000frowned\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000room\u3000as\u3000if\u3000angered\u3000by\u3000its\u3000decrepit\u3000state\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000floor\u3000level\u2026about\u3000five\u3000paces\u3000below\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Valas\u3000crouched\u2026were\u3000three\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000set\u3000at\u3000equal\u3000distances\u3000from\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000immediately\u3000below\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blasted\u3000off\u3000its\u3000hinges\u3002\u3000Thar\u3000was\u3000how\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000had\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000after\u3000negotiating\u3000a\u3000corridor\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000more\u3000traps\u3000than\u3000a\u3000spider’s\u3000nest\u3000had\u3000eggs\u3002\u3000Wisely\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u2026or\u3000rather\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000subtly\u3000persuaded\u3000her\u2026had\u3000chosen\u3000not\u3000to\u3000try\u3000that\u3000route\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000room\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000intently\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000not\u3000unusual\u3002\u3000Wraiths\u3000could\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000might\u3000appear\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000was\u3000there\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rogue’s\u3000panions\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000not\u3000surprising\u3002\u3000Risen\u3000again\u3000as\u3000wights\uff1b\u3000they\u3000probably\u3000left\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000door\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000fresh\u3000meat\u2026only\u3000to\u3000be\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000traps\u3000that\u3000lined\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000Their\u3000stench\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000lingered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000still\u3000air\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000did\u3000it\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glancing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000skull\u3000nested\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tangles\u3000of\u3000tree\u3000root\u3000that\u3000bulged\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000vault\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000built\u3000under\u3000a\u3000graveyard\u3002\u3000The\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000were\u3000known\u3000for\u3000planting\u3000trees\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000graves\u3000of\u3000their\u3000dead\u3002\u3000With\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moldering\u3000corpses\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000wonder\u3000wraiths\u3000were\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000crept\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000See\u3000anything\uff1f\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Transferring\u3000both\u3000daggers\u3000into\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000I\u3000see\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u2026or\u3000of\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000it’s\u3000here\uff1b\u3000you\u3000soon\u3000will\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000began\u3000whispering\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000He\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000began\u3000to\u3000glow\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000purple\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000note\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000then\u3000continued\u3000watching\u3000and\u3000waiting\u3002\u3000Since\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000disturbed\u3000the\u3000air\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000appear\u3000that\u3000much\u3000sooner\u3002\u3000Assuming\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000story\u3000had\u3000been\u3000accurate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000fellow\u3000had\u3000claimed\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000still\u3000held\u3000treasure\u2026something\u3000Valas\u3000hadn’t\u3000told\u3000his\u3000panions\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000distracted\u3000them\u3000from\u3000their\u3000mission\u2026but\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000empty\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lying\u3000about\u3000the\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000magic\u2026hewn\u3000tunnel\u3000in\u3000one\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000divination\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000just\u3000cast\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3002\u3000If\u3000wraiths\u3000had\u3000once\u3000haunted\u3000that\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000frowned\u3000in\u3000stony\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000Valas\u3000wouldn’t\u3000take\u3000precautions\u3002\u3000Hanging\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000on\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000gold\u3000chain\u3000was\u3000an\u3000amulet\u3000crafted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000and\u3000shaped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000golden\u3000sun\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000kissed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000let\u3000it\u3000hang\u3000free\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000raised\u3000eyebrows\u3002\u3000If\u3000any\u3000wraiths\u3000did\u3000turn\u3000up\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000protect\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000should\u3000make\u3000a\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000running\u3000start\u3000and\u3000a\u3000leap\uff1b\u3000you\u3000should\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000without\u3000touching\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000use\u3000my\u3000amulet\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000jump\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u2026if\u3000there\u3000are\u3000any\u2026won’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000we’re\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You’re\u3000forgetting\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000can’t\u3000levitate\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000groaned\u2026softly\u3002\u3000Was\u3000he\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000tactical\u3000thinking\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Use\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000spells\u3000on\u3000her\u2026the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000enables\u3000you\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000around\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flea\u3002\u3000She’ll\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000in\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000jumps\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000Just\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000goes\u3000last\u3002\u3000She’ll\u3000be\u3000the\u3000clumsiest\u2026if\u3000there\u3000are\u3000wraiths\u3000here\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3000her\u3000noise\u3000that\u3000attracts\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000frowned\u3000at\u3000that\u3000but\u3000made\u3000no\u3000ment\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000waited\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000through\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000breathed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000carrying\u3000his\u3000whispered\u3000words\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000portal\u3000looks\u3000clear\u2026and\u3000active\u3002\u3000e\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000quietly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000still\u3000intently\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000room\u3000below\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000clink\u3000of\u3000armor\u3000from\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u2026Danifae\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000moving\u3000along\u3000it\u2026and\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000click\u2026click\u3000of\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000elongated\u3000toe\u2026nails\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3000He\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000would\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000value\u3000of\u3000moving\u3000silently\u2026and\u3000learn\u3000it\u3000soon\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000clicking\u3000pause\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000low\u3000growl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000patience\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000Quenthel\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000others\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000just\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000lagging\u3000several\u3000paces\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000and\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000still\u3000growling\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Mistress\uff01\u3000Valas\u3000signed\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000keep\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000finish\uff1b\u3000the\u3000relative\u3000silence\u3000was\u3000split\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000roar\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000bellowing\u3000his\u3000battle\u3000howl\u3000as\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000scrambled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000had\u3000triggered\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000attack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Two\u3000twisted\u3000caricatures\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000with\u3000claws\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000own\u3000and\u3000mouths\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000needle\u2026sharp\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000were\u3000stalking\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Rotte \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Two\u3000twisted\u3000caricatures\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000with\u3000claws\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000own\u3000and\u3000mouths\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000needle\u2026sharp\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000were\u3000stalking\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Rotted\u3000clothing\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000them\u3000in\u3000tatters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tangled\u3000mass\uff1b\u3000crusted\u3000with\u3000dirt\u3002\u3000Their\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000malevolence\u3000with\u3000which\u3000all\u3000undead\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000living\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000stalking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000wights\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000utter\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000spotted\uff1b\u3000they\u3000ran\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000charge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000crashed\u3000headlong\u3000into\u3000the\u3000first\u3000wight\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000it\u3000against\u3000one\u3000wall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000powerful\u3000swipe\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000then\u3000ripping\u3000its\u3000belly\u3000open\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000on\u3000one\u3000foot\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stomped\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000pungent\u3000odor\u3000of\u3000death\u3000and\u3000rot\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000wight\u3000darted\u3000under\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000other\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000casually\u3000slapped\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000grunted\u3000and\u3000clutched\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lesser\u3000hands\u3000against\u3000him\u2026the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000express\u3000pain\u3000aloud\u2026and\u3000he\u3000staggered\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000recovered\u3002\u3000Roaring\u3000fiercely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000wight’s\u3000face\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000hand\u3000and\uff1b\u3000wrenching\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000tore\u3000the\u3000head\u3000from\u3000its\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000wight\u3000was\u3000still\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000crawling\u3000furiously\u3000after\u3000Jeggred\u3000with\u3000its\u3000rotted\u3000entrails\u3000dragging\u3000along\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000Before\u3000it\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000rushed\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000morningstar\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000room\u3000to\u3000swing\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000low\u2026ceilinged\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000an\u3000abbreviated\u3000downward\u3000smash\u3002\u3000The\u3000spiked\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000the\u3000morningstar\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wight’s\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000sparks\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000ozone\u3000tang\u3002\u3000The\u3000wight\u3000dropped\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000still\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Danifae\u3000with\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000open\u3000admiration\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000leather\u3000pouch\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000drawn\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wights\u3000attacked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tucking\u3000it\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000looked\u3000past\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Are\u3000there\u3000more\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000Jeggred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000stood\u3000panting\uff1b\u3000head\u3000turning\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\u3000as\u3000he\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000the\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000additional\u3000foes\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000the\u3000wight\u3000had\u3000inflicted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000little\u3000deeper\u3000than\u3000a\u3000scratch\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000causing\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000wheeze\u3000as\u3000if\u3000each\u3000breath\u3000was\u3000painful\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000concluded\uff1b\u3000\u3003just\u3000these\u3000two\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wights\u3000are\u3000the\u3000least\u3000of\u3000our\u3000worries\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000reminded\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000get\u3000moving\u3002\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000is\u3000just\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000about\u3000seventy\u2026five\u3000paces\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000marked\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002\u3000Take\u3000a\u3000run\u3000and\u3000leap\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000levitate\u3000down\u3002\u3000Touch\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000You\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Pharaun\u3000casts\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000on\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000go\u3000last\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000said\uff1b\u3000he\u3000flattened\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000the\u3000others\u3000forward\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000he\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000one\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000any\u3000wights\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000it\u3000while\u3000his\u3000back\u3000was\u3000turned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000hadn’t\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000moved\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000muning\u3000silently\u3000with\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000backed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sprinted\u3000past\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000leaped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\u3000Jeggred\u3000rushed\u3000after\u3000her\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000flailing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000drifted\u3000down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000room\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Were\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mural\u3000scowling\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000fiercely\uff1f\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000at\u3000them\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000his\u3000imagination\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000ignored\u3000his\u3000instructions\u3000and\u3000was\u3000hovering\u3000above\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000glancing\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000between\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3000and\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000a\u3000confused\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000Pharaun\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000delaying\u3000the\u3000pair\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000just\u3000pleting\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000on\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000tracing\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000each\u3000of\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000with\u3000something\u3000he\u3000held\u3000pinched\u3000in\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000Finishing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000Danifae\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000smile\u3000of\u3000encouragement\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000sprinted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000past\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000levitated\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000just\u3000above\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000furiously\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000go\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000first\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000folded\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000across\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000all\u3000waiting\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000scuffle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wights\u3000had\u3000already\u3000caused\u3000enough\u3000noise\u3000to\u3000wake\u3000the\u3000undead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000shouting\u3000they’d\u3000never\u3000hear\u3000if\u3000more\u3000approached\u3002\u3000Impatiently\uff1b\u3000he\u3000beckoned\u3000Danifae\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000articulated\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u3000leaped\u2026in\u3000a\u3000jump\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000her\u3000halfway\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000confident\u3000and\u3000to\u3000all\u3000appearances\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000land\u3000easily\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000floor\u2026but\u3000then\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000about\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000above\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000suddenly\u3000stumbled\u3000and\u3000pitched\u3000over\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000noise\u3000that\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000pebbles\u3000shifting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u2026but\u3000not\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000something\u3000that\u3000held\u3000her\u3000at\u3000arm’s\u3000length\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000Something\u3000invisible\u2026or\u3000something\u3000cloaked\u3000by\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000Something\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000shifting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000stumble\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000whipped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000he\u3000was\u3000smearing\u3000something\u3000across\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000As\u3000Danifae\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shifting\u3000surface\u2026causing\u3000that\u3000pebble\u3000noise\u3000again\u2026Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Danifae\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rotted\u3000chest\u3000that’s\u3000spilling\u3000gems\u2026but\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000just\u3000to\u3000your\u3000right\u3002\u3000Grab\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000wand\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000began\u3000patting\u3000the\u3000still\u2026invisible\u3000pile\u3000on\u3000which\u3000she\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000unease\u3002\u3000Someone\uff1b\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3000was\u3000watching\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000flicked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000intuition\u3000had\u3000been\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mural\u3000were\u3000different\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000been\u3000dull\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000stones\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3000before\uff1b\u3000but\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000too\u3000glow\u3000red\uff1b\u3000like\u3000angry\u3000coals\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000blinked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Venom’s\u3000kiss\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000swore\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000two\u3000pairs\u3000of\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000detached\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\uff01\u3000Quenthel\uff01\u3000Above\u3000you\u2026wraiths\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000react\u3002\u3000Grasping\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000shove\u3000that\u3000forced\u3000her\u3000down\u3000into\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Her\u3000feet\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000and\u3000she\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000but\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000twisted\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000grasp\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000forced\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000into\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000too\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000actions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000too\u3000deliberate\u2026and\u3000too\u3000disrespectful\u2026to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000orders\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000briefed\u3000him\u3000well\u3000in\u3000advance\u3000about\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000should\u3000wraiths\u3000attack\u2026and\u3000her\u3000tactics\u3000were\u3000sound\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000were\u3000vital\u3000to\u3000the\u3000quest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000others\u3000could\u3000be\u3000sacrificed\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000had\u3000guessed\u3000what\u3000was\u3000ing\u2026and\u3000had\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000wisely\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000fight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000yanked\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000pouch\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000reaching\u3000into\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000serpent\u2026fast\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000it\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000diamond\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000wraiths\u3000swooped\u3000in\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000him\u2026their\u3000location\u3000revealed\u3000only\u3000by\u3000their\u3000glowing\u3000eyes\u2026Pharaun\u3000shouted\u3000his\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000wraiths\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000diamond\u3000dust\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000struck\u3000it\u3000they\u3000wailed\u2026a\u3000hollow\uff1b\u3000anguished\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000Valas’s\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Their\u3000eyes\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000as\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000spell\u3000snuffed\u3000out\u3000the\u3000necromantic\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000had\u3000sustained\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000had\u3000correctly\u3000warned\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000just\u3000those\u3000two\u3002\u3000Dozens\u3000of\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000descended\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000like\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000paired\u3000embers\u3000falling\u3000from\u3000a\u3000burning\u3000building\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seeing\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000glanced\u3000quickly\u3000between\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000written\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Should\u3000he\u3000save\u3000his\u3000own\u3000skin\u3000by\u3000escaping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\u2026or\u3000should\u3000he\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000protect\u3000her\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000began\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000down\u3000coward\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3000abruptly\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000hard\u2026not\u3000at\u3000Danifae\u3000but\u3000at\u3000something\u3000near\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000fleeing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pouch\u3000for\u3000another\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000dust\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000hesitation\u3000nearly\u3000cost\u3000him\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3000Unseen\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000swooped\u3000down\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hollow\u3000death\u2026rattle\u3000of\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000As\u3000its\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000erupted\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000chest\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000shuddered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000slate\u3000gray\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Three\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000descended\u3000with\u3000murderous\u3000purpose\u3000toward\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000Raising\u3000her\u3000morningstar\uff1b\u3000she\u3000braced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000them\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000known\u3000the\u3000futility\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000weapon\u3000might\u3000account\u3000for\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ghostly\u3000undead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000would\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Acting\u3000purely \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Acting\u3000purely\u3000on\u3000his\u3000soldier’s\u3000instincts\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000nine\u2026pointed\u3000star\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000between\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3002\u3000He\u3000materialized\u3000beside\u3000Danifae\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000whistled\u3000past\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000exploding\u3000with\u3000sparks\u3000as\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000wraith\u3002\u3000Losing\u3000her\u3000balance\u3000as\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000met\u3000no\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000stumbled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Seizing\u3000the\u3000opportunity\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000wraiths\u3000rushed\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000close\u3000with\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000leaped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000boots\u3000propelling\u3000him\u3000upward\u3002\u3000Arms\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000points\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3002\u3000As\u3000Danifae’s\u3000mace\u3000had\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blades\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000without\u3000stopping\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000in\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000exploded\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000his\u3000left\u3000merely\u3000tore\u3000a\u3000rent\u3000in\u3000the\u3000keening\u3000wraith’s\u3000mistlike\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000following\u3000through\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knife\u3000thrusts\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000found\u3000both\u3000arms\u3000engulfed\u3000by\u3000wraiths\u3002\u3000A\u3000shudder\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000a\u3000barely\u3000controlled\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000stumbling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000invisible\uff1b\u3000shifting\u3000gems\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000falter\u3000and\u3000stop\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ache\u3000that\u3000chilled\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bone\u3000was\u3000drawn\u3000upward\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000absorbed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000which\u3000suddenly\u3000felt\u3000much\u3000heavier\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Having\u3000driven\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000escape\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000she\u3000was\u3000smart\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000paused\u3000not\u3000for\u3000her\u3000but\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000which\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3002\u3000Three\u3000more\u3000wraiths\u3000were\u3000nearly\u3000on\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000others\u3000were\u3000descending\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000every\u3000instant\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000fleeing\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000began\u3000patting\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Protect\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000barked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000considered\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u2026battle\u2026captive\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000word\u3000was\u3000his\u3000mand\u2026then\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000bellowed\u3002\u3000\u3003Jump\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ducking\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wraith\u3000swooped\u3000past\uff1b\u3000he\u3000called\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000his\u3000star\u2026shaped\u3000amulet\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000between\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000arriving\u3000at\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000just\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000Danifae\u3000suffer\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fate\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000blanching\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000her\u3000body\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000dispatch\u3000another\u3000wraith\u3000with\u3000his\u3000dust\u2026leaving\u3000his\u3000pouch\u3000empty\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Glancing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000wraith\u3000descending\u3000through\u3000a\u3000tangle\u3000of\u3000exposed\u3000tree\u3000root\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000suddenly\u3000realized\u3000something\u3002\u3000The\u3000surface\u3000could\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000calculation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000had\u3000overlooked\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000weapons\u3000of\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000daggers\u2026goring\u3000a\u3000low\u2026flying\u3000wraith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u2026and\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000daylight\u3000above\u2026use\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ah\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000understanding\u3000instantly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000hand\u3000darted\u3000to\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000He\u3000barked\u3000out\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000seeds\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000six\u3000wraiths\u3000dived\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000and\u3000another\u3000four\u3000at\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000blazing\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cork\u3000being\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000a\u3000wine\u3000bottle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000disappeared\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000bored\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000through\u3000it\u3002\u3000Daylight\u3000streamed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000red\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000streaking\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000palm’s\u3000breadth\u3000away\u2026and\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Squinting\u3000against\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002\u3000The\u3000wraiths\uff1b\u3000driven\u3000off\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000had\u3000vanished\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000breathed\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sigh\u3000of\u3000relief\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000sun\u3000amulet\u3002\u3000The\u3000metal\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000its\u3000bright\u3000gold\u3000sheen\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000left\u3000a\u3000dull\uff1b\u3000lead\u3000gray\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rays\u3000were\u3000drooping\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000tunic\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000done\u3000its\u3000duty\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000So\u3000had\u3000he\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000two\u3000can\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000fill\u3000your\u3000pockets\u3000with\u3000treasure\u3000if\u3000you\u3000like\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000had\u3000limned\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000in\u3000light\u3000had\u3000faded\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vault\u2026and\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000was\u3000glaring\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000blazed\u3000more\u3000furiously\u3000than\u3000the\u3000wraiths’\u3000had\u2026all\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000air\u3000around\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000cooler\u3000and\u3000more\u3000humid\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000change\u3000from\u3000the\u3000vault’s\u3000oppressive\u3000atmosphere\u3000of\u3000death\u3000and\u3000dust\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000distance\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3000and\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000wall\u3000at\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000dizziness\u3000that\u3000traveling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000had\u3000produced\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000standing\u3000nearby\u3000on\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000shelf\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000that\u3000was\u3000splattered\u3000with\u3000bat\u3000guano\u3002\u3000Far\u3000below\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000a\u3000vast\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000lake\u3000stretched\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000illuminated\u3000by\u3000beams\u3000of\u3000winter\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000shone\u3000in\u3000through\u3000crevices\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000above\u3002\u3000The\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000was\u3000high\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\u3000Valas\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000bats\u3000that\u3000clung\uff1b\u3000sleeping\uff1b\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000dusk\u3000fell\u3000the\u3000air\u3000would\u3000be\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where’s\u3000Pharaun\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3000urgently\uff1b\u3000confirming\u3000Valas’s\u3000earlier\u3000guess\u3000about\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000being\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000wraith\u3000fodder\uff1b\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000sniffed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000face\uff1b\u3000prodding\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000finger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000go\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000follow\u3000us\u2026and\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000go\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pharaun’s\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000told\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000gave\u3000Valas\u3000a\u3000baleful\u3000look\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000left\u3000him\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000spat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000The\u3000wraiths\u3000are\u3000defeated\u2026no\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000grumbled\u2026then\u3000realized\u3000he’d\u3000spoken\u3000out\u3000loud\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stepping\u3000back\u3000a\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000reprimand\u3000he’d\u3000expected\u3000did\u3000not\u3000e\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000her\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Her\u3000body\u3000radiated\u3000tension\u3000as\u3000she\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000willing\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000step\u3000through\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000obliged\u3000by\u3000emerging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000articulated\u3000normally\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000spell\u3000having\u3000ended\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000growled\u3000softly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000silenced\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000curt\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000object\u3000Danifae\u3000held\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Valas’s\u3000unschooled\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000forked\u3000twig\uff1b\u3000plated\u3000in\u3000silver\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000it\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000location\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000out\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000silent\u3000demand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000expressionless\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000rogues\u3000who\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000before\u3000us\u3000must\u3000have\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stroked\u3000Danifae’s\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000had\u3000he\u3000not\u3000known\u3000Quenthel\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000affection\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003At\u3000last\uff1b\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000proven\u3000your\u3000usefulness\u3002\u3000This\u3000will\u3000make\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000much\u3000easier\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000So\u3000fixated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000was\u3000Quenthel\u3000that\u3000she\u3000missed\u3000something\u3000that\u3000Valas\u3000did\u3000not\uff1a\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000was\u3000plotting\u3000something\u3002\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000know\u3000nor\u3000caring\u3000what\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000and\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000brooding\uff1b\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000spotting\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000with\u3000his\u3000keen\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stiffened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000direction\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000wraiths\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000bats\u3000were\u3000frantically\u3000circling\u3000above\u3000a\u3000disturbance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Something’s\u3000stirring\u3000up\u3000the\u3000bats\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000something\u3000big\u3002\u3000And\u3000it’s\u3000headed\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Twenty\u2026nine
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000trudged\u3000along\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000treeless\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000following\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000trail\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000forbidden\u3000him\u3000from\u3000acpanying\u3000her\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000the\u3000quest\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000was\u3000something\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000undertake\u3000alone\u2026but\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000forbidden\u3000him\u3000from\u3000following\u3000her\u3002\u3000Not\u3000in\u3000so\u3000many\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000so\u3000he’d\u3000bade\u3000her\u3000farewell\u3000when\u3000she\u3000left\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000then\u3000set\u3000out\u3000after\u3000her\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000trail\u3000her\u3000closely\u3000during\u3000the\u3000three\u3000days\u3000she’d\u3000traveled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000struck\u3000out\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000and\u3000follow\u3000only\u3000under\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000piwafwi\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000on\u3000the\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000featureless\u3000plain\u3000in\u3000full\u3000daylight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000passage\uff1a\u3000a\u3000blank\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000frosted\u3000ground\u3000where\u3000a\u3000pebble\u3000had\u3000been\u3000kicked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000place\uff1b\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000lichen\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000scuffed\u3000off\u3000a\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000concave\u3000fragment\u3000of\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000recently\u3000kicked\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000dirt\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000its\u3000underside\u3000still\u3000fresh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Flicking\u3000the\u3000fragment\u3000of\u3000skull\u3000aside\u3000with\u3000the\u3000toe\u3000of\u3000his\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000stared\u3000across\u3000the\u3000desolate\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000frozen\u3000ground\u3000was\u3000studded\u3000with\u3000crumbling\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000rusted\u3000lance\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000shield\u3000bosses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000so\u3000rusted\u3000the\u3000links\u3000had\u3000fused\u3000into\u3000a\u3000single\uff1b\u3000solid\u3000mass\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armies\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000there\u3000centuries\u3000past\u3000had\u3000been\u3000seeded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000one\u3000day\u3000rise\u3000again\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000nothing\u3000grew\u3000there\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000faint\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000lichen\u3000on\u3000those\u3000rocks\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000melted\u3000to\u3000slag\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000breath\u3000of\u3000dragons\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000began\u3000to\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000plu \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n t\u3000been\u3000melted\u3000to\u3000slag\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000breath\u3000of\u3000dragons\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000began\u3000to\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000plucking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000piwafwi\u3000like\u3000the\u3000ghosts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Shivering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gloom\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000still\u3000been\u3000far\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000her\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000had\u3000swallowed\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000armies\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000nerves\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000better\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moldering\u3000death\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vastness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000above\u3000him\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000vulnerable\uff1b\u3000exposed\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000truly\u3000did\u3000walk\u3000that\u3000barren\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000against\u3000them\u2026no\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000place\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Running\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000across\u3000the\u3000crown\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u2026his\u3000close\u2026cropped\u3000hair\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000grown\u3000out\u3000and\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000need\u3000to\u3000be\u3000shaved\u3000back\u3000again\u2026he\u3000trudged\u3000onward\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000constantly\u3000flicking\u3000down\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000for\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000trail\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000heading\u2026was\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000moving\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000someone\u2026something\u3002\u3000The\u3000figure\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000drow\u2026shaped\u3000but\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000lacking\u3000its\u3000lower\u3000half\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000clearly\u3000see\u3000a\u3000head\uff1b\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000and\u3000arms\u3000silhouetted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000where\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000was\u3000rising\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000below\u3000the\u3000waist\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000fog\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000like\u3000smoke\u3000from\u3000an\u3000extinguished\u3000candle\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000see\u3000its\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000which\u3000direction\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000in\u3002\u3000It\u3000sped\u3000briskly\u3000along\uff1b\u3000stopping\u3000every\u3000now\u3000and\u3000then\u3000to\u3000stoop\u3000down\u3000low\u3000over\u3000the\u3000earth\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000shudder\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000too\u3000was\u3000following\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000Splitter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000sprinted\u3000forward\u3002\u3000The\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000blurred\u3000as\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000boots\u3000propelled\u3000him\u3000along\u3000at\u3000several\u3000times\u3000his\u3000normal\u3000running\u3000speed\u3002\u3000To\u3000attempt\u3000stealth\u3000on\u3000the\u3000featureless\u3000plain\u3000was\u3000futile\u3002\u3000All\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000count\u3000on\u3000to\u3000tip\u3000the\u3000balance\u3000in\u3000his\u3000favor\u3000was\u3000speed\u3002\u3000That\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Within\u3000moments\u3000he\u3000was\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3000clearly\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000human\u3002\u3000It\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000soldier’s\u3000surcoat\u3000over\u3000chain\u3000mail\u2026the\u3000surcoat\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stylized\u3000tree\u2026and\u3000an\u3000ornate\u3000silver\u3000helmet\u3000topped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000plume\u3000of\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000spilled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000marking\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000as\u3000an\u3000officer\u3002\u3000The\u3000helmet\u3000shone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cloud\u2026shrouded\u3000moonlight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000links\u3000of\u3000the\u3000officer’s\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000still\u3000clinked\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000corporeal\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000doubtful\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000wounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000he\u3000had\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000its\u3000enchantments\u3000would\u3000help\u3000even\u3000the\u3000odds\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000still\u3000two\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000away\u2026and\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000swifter\u3000than\u3000a\u3000charging\u3000rothe\u2026when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000low\u3000muttering\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000emotion\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000them\u3000made\u3000him\u3000stagger\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000run\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000chest\u2026high\u3000water\u3002\u3000Waves\u3000of\u3000disappointment\uff1b\u3000sorrow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000loss\u3000crashed\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000slowing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stumbling\u3000walk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000officer\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slowly\u3000turned\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000human\u3000male\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000mustache\u3000that\u3000framed\u3000a\u3000drooping\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000creased\u3000with\u3000sorrow\u3002\u3000Every\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000apparition\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000despair\uff1b\u3000from\u3000its\u3000drooping\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000the\u3000listless\u3000way\u3000it\u3000held\u3000its\u3000dagger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000dagger\u3000that\u3000was\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000hilt\u2026deep\uff1b\u3000into\u3000its\u3000own\u3000chest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000officer\u3000met\u3000Ryld’s\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000emotions\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000drowning\u3000him\u3000in\u3000despair\u3002\u3000With\u3000it\u3000came\u3000a\u3000voice\u2026a\u3000telepathic\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000was\u3000still\u3000muttering\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000movements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ghost’s\u3000mouth\u3000bore\u3000no\u3000relation\u3000to\u3000the\u3000words\u3000that\u3000pounded\u3000into\u3000Ryld’s\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000is\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000moaned\u3002\u3000Our\u3000army\u3000is\u3000defeated\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000our\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000die\u3000in\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000we\u3000few\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fall\u3002\u3000We\u3000cannot\u3000return\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000disgrace\u3002\u3000Only\u3000one\u3000course\u3000remains\u3000open\u3000to\u3000us\u2026one\u3000path\u3000that\u3000leads\u3000to\u3000honor\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000take\u3000our\u3000place\u3000beside\u3000those\u3000who\u3000have\u3000already\u3000fallen\u3002\u3000Like\u3000them\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000words\u3000echoed\u3000in\u3000Ryld’s\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Die\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000die\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000die\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000die\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000take\u3000our\u3000place\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000your\u3000duty\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000die\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rooted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000by\u3000the\u3000intensity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000obey\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000placing\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000between\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000lean\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000agony\u3000would\u3000be\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\u3002\u3000His\u3000honor\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000in\u3000tatters\u3000like\u3000the\u3000banners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fallen\u3000army\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000restored\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Letting\u3000his\u3000head\u3000droop\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000hands\u2026and\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000he\u3000held\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000until\u3000the\u3000magically\u3000keen\u3000blade\u3000punched\u3000through\u3000his\u3000breastplate\u3000to\u3000prick\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000manding\u3000officer\u3000watching\u3000him\u3000approvingly\u3002\u3000All\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000allow\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000defeat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000army\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\u3000would\u3000be\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld’s\u3000eye\u3000was\u3000caught\u3000by\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000left\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Shaped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000dragon\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000an\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000The\u3000army\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laid\u3000low\u3000by\u3000dragons\u2026what\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000shaped\u3000like\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000foul\u3000creatures\u3000doing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000plain\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000It\u3000marked\u3000Ryld\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000triggered\u3000in\u3000him\u3000a\u3000realization\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000not\u3000an\u3000officer\u3000in\u3000some\u3000army\u3000that\u3000was\u3000defeated\u3000centuries\u3000before\u3000he\u3000was\u3000born\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000Weapons\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000citizen\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000threw\u3000off\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000pulsion\u3002\u3000He\u3000let\u3000Splitter\u3000fall\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000shortsword\u2026a\u3000weapon\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000enchanted\u3000with\u3000just\u3000such\u3000a\u3000foe\u3000as\u3000this\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000plunging\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000officer’s\u3000chest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000blade\u3000met\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thrusting\u3000into\u3000solid\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000living\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thrust\u3000did\u3000the\u3000job\u3002\u3000Glancing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000that\u3000was\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000its\u3000heart\u2026beside\u3000its\u3000own\u3000dagger\u2026the\u3000undead\u3000officer\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000groan\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000yanked\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000free\u3000and\u3000danced\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000mist\u3000spurted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000puncture\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000had\u3000made\u3000in\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000officer’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000smokelike\u3000substance\u3000that\u3000was\u3000its\u3000lower\u3000body\u3000began\u3000to\u3000swirl\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000space\u3000of\u3000a\u3000few\u3000heartbeats\u3000its\u3000stomach\uff1b\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000neck\u3000dissolved\u3000into\u3000dark\u3000mist\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000head\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000disappear\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000officer’s\u3000lips\u3000curled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000brightened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000it\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shuddering\u3000at\u3000his\u3000close\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000was\u3000unblemished\uff1b\u3000its\u3000plunge\u3000into\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000officer\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000have\u3000tarnished\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000carefully\u3000in\u3000each\u3000direction\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000foul\u3000creatures\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000none\uff1b\u3000he\u3000returned\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000to\u3000its\u3000sheath\uff1b\u3000then\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000Splitter\u3000and\u3000sheathed\u3000it\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000He\u3000resumed\u3000his\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000following\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000trail\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000sooner\u3000she\u3000finds\u3000this\u3000sword\u3000she’s\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000and\u3000leaves\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sank\uff1b\u3000exhausted\uff1b\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000crunching\u3000the\u3000dusting\u3000of\u3000snow\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000just\u3000after\u3000the\u3000moon\u3000rose\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000a\u3000night\u3000and\u3000a\u3000day\u2026and\u3000on\u3000into\u3000a\u3000second\u3000night\u2026without\u3000pausing\u3000for\u3000rest\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000help\u3000her\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000several\u3000times\uff1b\u3000but\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000she’d\u3000mitted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000the\u3000song\u3000to\u3000memory\u3000correctly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000confused\u3000the\u3000melody\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000Either\u3000that\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000darksong\u3000was\u3000still\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000limited\u3000reach\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000felt\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tingling\u3000certainty\u3000that\u3000should\u3000have\u3000led\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000object\u3000she\u3000was\u3000seeking\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000she’d\u3000felt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000incessant\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000sweeping\u3000across\u3000the\u3000desolate\u3000plain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gloom\u3000at\u3000the\u3000object\u3000she’d\u3000just\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000breast\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\uff1a\u3000her\u3000House\u3000medallion\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000converted\u3000to\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000set\u3000it\u3000aside\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000her\u3000past\uff1b\u3000but\u3000something\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000hesitate\u3002\u3000The\u3000brooch\u3000was\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000levitate\u2026but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000more\u3000to\u3000it\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000a\u3000link\u3000with\u3000her\u3000past\u3000but\u3000with\u3000her\u3000future\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Setting\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000on\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000Seyll’s\u3000songsword\u3000from\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000How\u3000did\u3000that\u3000melody\u3000go\u3000again\uff1f\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000strange\u3000to\u3000be\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000song\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000tradition\u3000on\u3000an\u3000instrument\u3000forged\u3000for\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lady\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dance\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000did\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Wasn’t\u3000the\u3000raising\u3000of\u3000the\u3000skills\u3000and\u3000talents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000to\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000the\u3000very\u3000end\u3000for\u3000which\u3000Eilistraee\u3000strove\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fingering\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000the\u3000melody\u3000in\u3000different\u3000keys\u3000and\u3000pausing\uff1b\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\uff1b\u3000to\u3000warm\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000by\u3000blowing\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000Though\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000concentrate\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000kept\u3000drifting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyelids\u3000felt\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000After\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000cycle\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u3000of\u3000constant\u3000searching\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000desperately\u3000in\u3000need\u3000of\u3000the\u3000release\u3000that\u3000Reverie\u3000could\u3000give\u3002\u3000She\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000let\u3000it\u3000claim\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000drift\u3000among\u3000her\u3000memories\u3000until\u3000they\u3000soothed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000could\u3000give\u3002\u3000She\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000let\u3000it\u3000claim\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000drift\u3000among\u3000her\u3000memories\u3000until\u3000they\u3000soothed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000give\u3000up\u3000her\u3000search\u3002\u3000Exhausted\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000master\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000before\u3000she\u3000rested\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000snatch\u3000away\u3000the\u3000notes\u3000and\u3000fling\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000her\u3000efforts\u3000like\u3000dead\u3000leaves\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lowering\u3000the\u3000songsword\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000rusted\u3000metal\u3000that\u3000protruded\u3000through\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000all\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Centuries\u3000before\u3000an\u3000army\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000field\u3000against\u3000a\u3000foe\u3000who\u3000counted\u3000dragons\u3000among\u3000their\u3000allies\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000be\u3000defeated\uff1b\u3000those\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000nonetheless\u3000marched\u3000bravely\u3000into\u3000battle\u2026and\u3000been\u3000slain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Centuries\u3000later\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000urging\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000face\u3000even\u3000more\u3000impossible\u3000odds\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000madness\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000defeat\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Even\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u2026assuming\u3000she\u3000could\u3000find\u3000it\u2026Halisstra\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000be\u3000defeated\u3002\u3000Lolth’s\u3000power\u3000was\u3000unimaginably\u3000vast\u3000and\u3000all\u3000enpassing\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000could\u3000escape\u3000her\u3000web\u3000of\u3000destruction\u3000and\u3000vengeance\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000foolish\u3000to\u3000even\u3000think\u3000of\u3000trying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000if\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\u3000Halisstra\u3000sensed\u3000someone\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000whose\u3000breath\u3000came\u3000in\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000chill\u3000gasps\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Startled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000songsword\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000whirled\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000one\u3002\u3000Quickly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sang\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000her\u3000to\u3000see\u3000invisible\u3000creatures\u3002\u3000The\u3000few\u3000flakes\u3000of\u3000snow\u3000sharpened\u3000as\u3000the\u3000air\u3000took\u3000on\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000shimmer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000a\u3000ghostly\u3000figure\u3000materialized\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000female\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000horribly\u3000disfigured\u3002\u3000Long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000clung\u3000in\u3000straggling\u3000clumps\u3000to\u3000a\u3000scalp\u3000that\u3000was\u3000puckered\u3000with\u3000deep\u3000pits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000terribly\u3000burned\u3002\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000nose\u3000had\u3000been\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000gaping\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000likewise\u3000missing\u3002\u3000Skin\u3000had\u3000bubbled\u3000in\u3000enormous\u3000blisters\u3000on\u3000the\u3000face\u3000and\u3000on\u3000those\u3000portions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000that\u3000were\u3000bare\u3002\u3000The\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000thankfully\uff1b\u3000was\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000tunic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000links\u3000were\u3000corroded\u3000and\u3000loose\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hurled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000lake\u3000of\u3000acid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000songsword\uff1b\u3000heart\u3000pounding\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000desperately\u3000that\u3000she\u3000held\u3000a\u3000better\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000The\u3000ghostly\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000made\u3000no\u3000threatening\u3000moves\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000it\u3000stooped\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000something\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1a\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000brooch\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000a\u3000medallion\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000its\u3000waist\u3000by\u3000a\u3000metal\u3000chain\u3000swung\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000the\u3000medallion\u3000was\u3000blackened\u3000and\u3000pitted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000the\u3000design\u3000it\u3000once\u3000bore\uff1a\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000symbol\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corroded\u3000sheath\u3000at\u3000the\u3000figure’s\u3000hip\u2026a\u3000sheath\u3000that\u3000was\u3000curved\u3000like\u3000a\u3000crescent\u3000moon\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000Mathira\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000told\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3002\u3000\u3003Will\u3000you\u3000help\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000mournful\u3000nod\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000opened\u3000its\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000that\u3000came\u3000out\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gurgling\u3000groan\u3002\u3000The\u3000tongue\u3000was\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000away\u3000by\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000that\u3000had\u3000consumed\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000The\u3000wyrm\u3000that\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000her\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000black\u3000dragon\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000shuddered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000agonies\u3000its\u3000acid\u3000spittle\u3000must\u3000have\u3000wrought\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moments\u3000just\u3000before\u3000her\u3000death\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000sign\uff1f\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000let\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000medallion\u3000fall\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000hands\u3000that\u3000were\u3000lumps\u3000of\u3000pitted\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000burned\u3000away\u3000to\u3000skeletal\u3000stubs\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000stiffly\u3000as\u3000if\u3000still\u3000suffering\u3000the\u3000agonies\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000she\u3000motioned\u3000with\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000whose\u3000meaning\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000enough\uff1a\u3000e\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000her\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000ghost’s\u3000touch\u3000had\u3000left\u3000it\u3000pitted\u3000and\u3000blackened\u3002\u3000Not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000left\u3000the\u3000medallion\u3000where\u3000it\u3000lay\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000object\u3000peeking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000another\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000battlefield\u3000debris\u3002\u3000Corroded\u3000and\u3000pieced\u3000with\u3000black\u3000spots\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000looked\u3000centuries\u3000old\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000the\u3000piece\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3000he\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000then\u3000winced\u3000as\u3000something\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000stung\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Holding\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000by\u3000the\u3000edges\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sniffed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000an\u3000acrid\u3000odor\u3002\u3000Acid\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Turning\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000over\u3000confirmed\u3000his\u3000guess\u3002\u3000Only\u3000portions\u3000of\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000ancient\u3002\u3000The\u3000clasp\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000was\u3000undamaged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000were\u3000still\u3000brightly\u3000polished\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000no\u3000battlefield\u3000remnant\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000at\u3000it\u3000more\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000out\u3000what\u3000design\u3000had\u3000been\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000at\u3000last\u3000confirmed\u3000his\u3000guess\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shuddered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000brooch\u2026the\u3000insignia\u3000that\u3000marked\u3000her\u3000as\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000Something\u3000must\u3000have\u3000surprised\u3000her\uff1b\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wind\u2026blasted\u3000plain\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000been\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000on\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000injured\u3000when\u3000whatever\u3000had\u3000aged\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Searching\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000struggle\u3002\u3000Two\u3000deep\u3000footprints\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mark\u3000made\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000a\u3000piwafwi\u3000showed\u3000where\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000squatted\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000confused\u3000overlapping\u3000of\u3000footprints\u3000showed\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000whirled\u3000rapidly\u3000around\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000other\u3000prints\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000been\u3000attacked\u3000from\u3000above\uff1f\u3000Ryld\u3000imagined\u3000a\u3000black\u3000dragon\u3000swooping\u3000down\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000blasting\u3000her\u3000with\u3000its\u3000acid\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shuddered\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000footprints\uff1b\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000was\u3000undisturbed\u3002\u3000Flapping\u3000wings\u3000would\u3000have\u3000stirred\u3000it\u3000up\u3000with\u3000their\u3000downdraft\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000black\u3000dragon’s\u3000breath\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000spray\u3000marks\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000ghost\u2026perhaps\u3000one\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000encountered\u2026or\u3000some\u3000other\u3000noncorporeal\u3000creature\u3000that\u3000had\u3000startled\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000done\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000destroy\u3000her\u3000brooch\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000away\u3000at\u3000a\u3000walking\u3000stride\u3000in\u3000a\u3000straight\u3000line\u3000to\u3000the\u3000south\u3002\u3000The\u3000trail\u3000she’d\u3000left\u3000was\u3000as\u3000before\uff1b\u3000normal\u3000and\u3000unremarkable\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000not\u3000quite\u3002\u3000About\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000footprints\u3000was\u3000an\u3000irregular\u3000line\u3000of\u3000dimples\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000something\u3000had\u3000dripped\u3000onto\u3000it\u2026but\u3000not\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000with\u3000relief\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000red\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000droplets\u3000were\u3000very\u3000small\u3002\u3000Bending\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sniffed\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000same\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000acrid\u3000odor\u3002\u3000Cautiously\uff1b\u3000he\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000callused\u3000fingertip\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\uff1b\u3000held\u3000it\u3000there\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000jerked\u3000it\u3000back\u3000when\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000sting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Acid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wiping\u3000his\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000he\u3000considered\u3002\u3000If\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000run\u3000into\u3000a\u3000malevolent\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000it\u3000certainly\u3000had\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000way\u3000of\u3000manifesting\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000once\u3000encountered\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3000that\u3000left\u3000smears\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000walked\u2026the\u3000ghost\u3000of\u3000a\u3000man\u3000whose\u3000throat\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slit\u3002\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000that\u3000confronted\u3000Halisstra\u2026assuming\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u2026been\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000acid\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Whatever\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000droplet\u3000trail\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Her\u3000footprints\u3000overlaid\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000several\u3000places\u3002\u3000Grimly\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000lead\u3000far\u3002\u3000After\u3000about\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000black\uff1b\u3000gaping\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000ground\u3002\u3000About\u3000three\u3000paces\u3000across\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000punched\u3000open\u3000from\u3000below\u3002\u3000A\u3000scatter\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000loose\u3000earth\u3000encircled\u3000it\u3002\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000footprints\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000paused\u2026then\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000descended\u3000into\u3000its\u3000depths\u3002\u3000The\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000droplets\u3000also\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hole’s\u3000edge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Drawing\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000crept\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000hole\u3000sloped\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000at\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000angle\u3002\u3000Scuffs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000showed\u3000where\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slope\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000droplets\u3000ended\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hole’s\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000had\u3000led\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000hadn’t\u3000gone\u3000inside\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Squatting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000used\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000to\u3000prod\u3000the\u3000debris\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thrown\u3000up\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000soil\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000solid\u3002\u3000The\u3000pit\u3000had\u3000been\u3000created\u3000some\u3000time\u3000ago\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Cocking\u3000an\u3000ear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000around\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000black\u3000depths\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000near\u3000her\u3000above\u3000the\u3000moan\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Snow\u3000had\u3000started\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000flakes\u3000landed\u3000feather\u2026light\u3000upon\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000melted\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000trickles\u3000of\u3000icy\u3000water\u3000down\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002\u3000His\u3000breastplate\u3000was\u3000cold\u3000even\u3000through\u3000the\u3000padded\u3000tunic\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000and\u3000his\u3000vambraces\u3000creaked\u3000each\u3000time\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000shelter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Clambering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000cautiously\u3000descended\u3000the\u3000slope\u3002\u3000Frost\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000made\u3000the\u3000footing\u3000tricky\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000dozen\u3000paces\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000that\u3000it\u3000widened\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000clear\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000eyesight\u3000adjusted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000forked\u3002\u3000One\u3000path\u3000led\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000another\u3000straight\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Knowing\u3000that\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000only\u3000means\u3000of\u3000levitating\u3000had\u3000been\u3000her\u3000brooch\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000chose\u3000the\u3000left\u3000fork\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000six\u3000pebbles\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000to\u3000form\u3000a\u3000triangle\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000gone\u3000that\u3000way\u2026and\u3000she’d\u3000left\u3000a\u3000marker\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n unnel\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000gone\u3000that\u3000way\u2026and\u3000she’d\u3000left\u3000a\u3000marker\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000walked\u3000briskly\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\uff1b\u3000following\u3000a\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000horizontal\u3000course\u3000for\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000but\u3000not\u3000in\u3000a\u3000straight\u3000line\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000the\u3000tube\u3000snaked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000gentle\u3000turns\uff1b\u3000often\u3000doubling\u3000back\u3000over\u3000itself\u3000again\u3002\u3000At\u3000each\u3000of\u3000those\u3000junctions\u3000Ryld\u3000paused\u3000and\u3000searched\u3000carefully\u3000and\u3000found\u3000a\u3000triangle\u3000of\u3000pebbles\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000marks\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000make\u3000good\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eventually\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000veered\u3000off\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fairly\u3000straight\u3000line\u3000for\u3000nearly\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000abruptly\u3000bend\u3000downward\u3000at\u3000a\u3000steep\u3000angle\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000paused\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000decide\u3000what\u3000would\u3000have\u3000created\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sinuously\u3000curved\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000once\u3000seen\u3000Pharaun\u3000use\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000bore\u3000a\u3000path\u3000through\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000end\u3000result\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lance\u2026straight\u3000and\u3000oval\uff1b\u3000with\u3000walls\u3000whose\u3000stone\u3000looked\u3000highly\u3000polished\u3002\u3000The\u3000tunnel\u3000he’d\u3000followed\u3000Halisstra\u3000into\u3000was\u3000round\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rougher\uff1b\u3000with\u3000occasional\u3000jagged\u2026edged\u3000niches\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000something\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000bite\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000littered\u3000with\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000loose\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Bending\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000stones\u3000were\u3000rounded\uff1b\u3000like\u3000river\u3000stones\uff1b\u3000but\u3000pitted\u3002\u3000Mixed\u3000in\u3000with\u3000them\u3000were\u3000fragments\u3000of\u3000metal\u2026scraps\u3000of\u3000armor\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3000above\u2026that\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tumbled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000stone\u2026polishing\u3000drum\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000acid\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000The\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000were\u3000smooth\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000itself\u3000was\u3000deeply\u3000pitted\u3000and\u3000crumbled\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000on\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stood\u3000again\u3000and\u3000tightened\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000The\u3000cave\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000created\u3000by\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000bored\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000by\u3000a\u3000living\u3000creature\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000pathway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000freshly\u3000made\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000lingering\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000acid\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000told\u3000him\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000odor\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000stronger\u3000the\u3000farther\u3000along\u3000he\u3000went\u3000didn’t\u3000bode\u3000well\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000right\u3000in\u3000his\u3000guess\u3000about\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000shouldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000facing\u3000it\u3000alone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Cautiously\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000picked\u3000his\u3000way\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000slowly\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000any\u3000tiny\u3000avalanche\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000a\u3000misstep\u3000could\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000below\u3000to\u3000his\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000halfway\u3000down\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000noise\uff1a\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000singing\u3002\u3000His\u3000heartbeat\u3000quickened\u3000as\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000Halisstra’s\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bardic\u3000spells\u2026but\u3000why\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000merely\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000e\uff1b\u3000or\u3000was\u3000she\u3000already\u3000under\u3000attack\uff1f\u3000Grimly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurried\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000not\u3000caring\u3000that\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000were\u3000skidding\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ever\u2026steepening\u3000slope\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ahead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000opened\u3000into\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000space\uff1b\u3000a\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000formed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000coiling\u3000back\u3000upon\u3000itself\u3000several\u3000times\u3000in\u3000succession\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000created\u3000a\u3000nest\u3000for\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000floor\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000see\u3000was\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000puddles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000smell\u3000was\u3000strong\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000guess\u3000had\u3000been\u3000correct\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000was\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000purple\u3000worm\uff1b\u3000larger\u3000even\u3000than\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000expected\u2026perhaps\u3000thirty\u3000paces\u3000long\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000coiled\u3000like\u3000a\u3000snake\uff1b\u3000its\u3000head\u3000lifted\u3000and\u3000mouth\u3000gaping\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000acid\u3000dripping\u3000between\u3000teeth\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000daggers\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000songsword\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000charm\u3000spell\u3000she\u3000was\u3000singing\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000working\u3002\u3000The\u3000worm\u3000swayed\u3000in\u3000time\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tune\uff1b\u3000its\u3000tiny\u3000eyes\u3000fixed\u3000and\u3000staring\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000admiration\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000the\u3000epitome\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000female\uff1a\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000fearless\uff1b\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000handling\u3000any\u3000threat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wary\u3000of\u3000disturbing\u3000her\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000halted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slope\u3002\u3000He\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3000without\u3000making\u3000any\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3000his\u3000ankle\u3000twisted\u3000as\u3000an\u3000acid\u2026weakened\u3000stone\u3000crumbled\u3000underfoot\u3002\u3000His\u3000foot\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000puddle\u3000of\u3000fresh\u3000acid\u2026fortunately\uff1b\u3000his\u3000boot\u3000leather\u3000protected\u3000him\u2026but\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000splash\u3000alerted\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000Her\u3000head\u3000jerked\u3000quickly\u3000around\u2026just\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000it\u3000was\u2026and\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000look\u3000passed\u3000across\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000while\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000sing\u3000without\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000momentary\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000eye\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000worm\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Whipping\u3000its\u3000head\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000acidic\u3000spittle\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000it\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000charm\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000struck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lunging\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000gaping\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000descended\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000She\u3000barely\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000her\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000upward\u3000with\u3000it\u3000as\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000shoulders\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000shouting\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000attention\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000thrust\u3000jaggedly\u3000out\u3000at\u3000an\u3000angle\u3000through\u3000the\u3000worms\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000just\u3000below\u3000one\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000seemed\u3000unaffected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wound\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000Ryld\u3000ran\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000boots\u3000were\u3000capable\u3000of\uff1b\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000was\u3000quicker\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000falling\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000descend\u3000upon\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000engulfing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000purple\u2026black\u3000jaws\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000boots\u2026and\u3000clamped\u3000shut\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000closed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\u3002\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000Splitter\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000his\u3000sinewy\u3000arms\u3000could\u3000muster\uff1b\u3000intending\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000the\u3000monsters\u3000head\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000that\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000muffled\u3000scream\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000gullet\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000bulge\u3000moving\u3000down\u3000its\u3000throat\u3002\u3000Worried\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000slice\u3000Halisstra\u3000in\u3000two\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000he\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000aside\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026swing\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000coil\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000its\u3000purple\u3000hide\u3000and\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000pinker\u3000flesh\u3000beneath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000worm\u3000writhed\u3000in\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000uncoiling\u3000with\u3000such\u3000swiftness\u3000that\u3000it\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000hurling\u3000him\u3000backward\u3002\u3000Anyone\u3000other\u3000than\u3000a\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000knocked\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trained\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000footing\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000things\u3000he’d\u3000learned\u3000as\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000was\u3000how\u3000to\u3000roll\u3000his\u3000body\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000and\u3000use\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000elbows\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000upright\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000thrash\u3000he\u3000rolled\u3000nimbly\u3000back\uff1b\u3000then\u3000leaped\u3000forward\u3000again\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000second\u3000blow\u3000in\u3000another\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000head\u3000whipped\u3000around\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000did\u3000the\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaped\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000levitated\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000worm’s\u3000mouth\u3000crashed\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000splintering\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000head\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000again\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000gaping\u3000as\u3000it\u3000lunged\u3000upward\u3002\u3000Instantly\u3000negating\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000plummeted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000lightly\u3000on\u3000bent\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000bounding\u3000aside\u3002\u3000That\u3000brief\u3000glimpse\u3000into\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000throat\u2026which\u3000were\u3000empty\u2026told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000his\u3000fears\u3000had\u3000been\u3000realized\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000monster\u3000had\u3000swallowed\u3000Halisstra\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rage\u3000seized\u3000him\u3000then\uff1b\u3000stronger\u3000and\u3000fiercer\u3000than\u3000any\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000provoked\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000howling\u3000in\u3000an\u3000anguished\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000hot\u3000with\u3000tears\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rushing\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000throat\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000it\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000might\u3000still\u3000be\u3000time\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000Halisstra\u3000free\u3000before\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000digestive\u3000acids\u3000killed\u3000her\u2026she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000disfigured\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000would\u3000live\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000that\u3000mattered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Howling\u3000with\u3000each\u3000sword\u3000stroke\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000slashed\u3000deep\u3000rents\u3000in\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000intelligence\u2026instinct\u3000at\u3000least\u2026to\u3000jerk\u3000its\u3000head\u3000and\u3000neck\u3000back\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000each\u3000fresh\u3000wound\u3000to\u3000its\u3000side\u3000it\u3000slowed\u3002\u3000Encouraged\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000pressed\u3000his\u3000attack\u3000home\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000each\u3000passing\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000lessening\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000chances\u3002\u3000Stupidly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000lowered\u3000its\u3000head\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000swing\u3000at\u3000its\u3000throat\u3002\u3000Moving\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000obliged\u3000it\u2026then\u3000realized\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000clever\u3000feint\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000leaped\u3000in\u3000to\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000whipped\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000a\u3000stinger\u3000in\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000stinger\u3000glanced\u3000off\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000breastplate\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3000with\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000burying\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\u3002\u3000Nearly\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000he\u3000flailed\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000himself\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deadly\u3000barb\u3002\u3000For\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3000staggering\u3000steps\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000onto\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000came\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000agony\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000sweeping\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000from\u3000his\u3000wounded\u3000gut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000toes\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000terrible\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000poisoned\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000his\u3000greatsword\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000it\u3000fall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000clank\u3000of\u3000metal\u3000striking\u3000stone\u3000dimly\uff1b\u3000through\u3000ears\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000labored\uff1b\u3000pounding\u3000heart\u3002\u3000The\u3000pain\u3000was\u3000as\u3000intense\u3000as\u3000if\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000gut\u3000with\u3000boiling\u3000water\u3002\u3000He\u3000crashed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000managing\u3000to\u3000break\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000with\u3000one\u3000outstretched\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Clenching\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3000with\u3000his\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000he\u3000slowly\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000head\u3000up\uff1b\u3000intending\u3000to\u3000look\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000before\u3000it\u3000swallowed\u3000him\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000pounded\u3000in\u3000his\u3000temples\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000pay\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000life\u3000for\u3000having\u3000caused\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000hers\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000die\u3000beside\u3000her\u2026a\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000painful\u3000death\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000he\u3000deserved\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000was\u3000not\u3000pressing\u3000its\u3000attack\u3000but\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000wounded\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000was\u3000not\u3000pressing\u3000its\u3000attack\u3000but\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000wounded\u3000it\u3000more\u3000grievously\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000to\u3000his\u3000horror\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000bulge\u3000form\u3000in\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000side\u2026and\u3000disappear\u3002\u3000A\u3000bulge\u3000that\u3000could\u3000only\u3000have\u3000been\u3000made\u3000by\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000moving\u3000inside\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff01\u3000She\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000songsword\u3000was\u3000still\u3000protruding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000cheek\u3000and\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000save\u3000herself\u3000with\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000feebly\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000found\u3000that\u3000his\u3000body\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000obeyed\u3000his\u3000will\u3002\u3000Each\u3000breath\u3000only\u3000increased\u3000the\u3000roiling\u3000agony\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000bee\u3000tinged\u3000with\u3000gray\u3002\u3000The\u3000arm\u3000he\u3000was\u3000using\u3000to\u3000support\u3000himself\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000rushed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000dully\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000cool\u3000against\u3000his\u3000burning\u3000cheek\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026one
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000peered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000pointing\u3000and\u3000at\u3000last\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000had\u3000prompted\u3000the\u3000mercenary’s\u3000warning\u3002\u3000Far\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\uff1b\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000churning\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000The\u3000water\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000flowing\u3000down\u3000a\u3000drain\u3002\u3000Above\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000was\u3000a\u3000waterspout\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000paces\u3000high\u3002\u3000The\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\u3000bobbed\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000bats\u3000with\u3000each\u3000touch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000still\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000away\u3000but\u3000was\u3000approaching\u3000rapidly\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000measured\u3000its\u3000progress\u3000as\u3000it\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000beams\u3000of\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000estimated\u3000its\u3000advance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000riding\u3000lizard\u3000running\u3000full\u3000out\u3002\u3000Already\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000low\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000spinning\u3000water\u3002\u3000That\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000magical\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3002\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000always\u3000been\u3000there\u2026or\u3000had\u3000something\u3000triggered\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Their\u3000use\u3000of\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000others\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000it\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clenched\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000at\u3000her\u3000hip\u3000softly\u3000swaying\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000head\u3000from\u3000side\u3000to\u3000side\uff1b\u3000sniffing\u3000the\u3000humid\u3000air\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000took\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000then\u3000glanced\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000in\u3000turn\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000noted\u3000where\u3000those\u3000glances\u3000lingered\uff1a\u3000on\u3000the\u3000amulets\u3000each\u3000wore\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000them\u3000to\u3000either\u3000levitate\u3000up\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\u3000or\u2026in\u3000Valas’s\u3000case\u2026step\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dimensions\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Catching\u3000her\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000held\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000reassuring\u3000gesture\u3000and\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000Wait\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000who\u3000told\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000mention\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000didn’t\u3000linger\u3000here\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000he\u3000levitated\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000and\u3000out\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u2026limned\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000as\u3000if\u3000measuring\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000resigned\u3000sigh\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000grimly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000approaching\u3000storm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000recovered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000treasure\u3000vault\u3000and\u3000was\u3000experimenting\u3000with\u3000different\u3000mand\u3000words\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000crouching\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000pawed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sleeve\u3000and\u3000muttered\u3000something\u2026and\u3000received\u3000a\u3000backhanded\u3000slap\u3000for\u3000disturbing\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000prostrated\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000whimpering\u3000his\u3000apologies\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000ignored\u3000him\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000wand’s\u3000mand\u3000word\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000a\u3000more\u3000pressing\u3000problem\u3000than\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000muttering\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000nerves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000word\u3000in\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Try\u3000’treasure\uff1b’\u3000or\u3000’seek’\u3000or\u3000something\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000And\u3000turn\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000around\u2026you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000forked\u3000end\u3000for\u3000it\u3000to\u3000work\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000serpents\u3000hissed\u3000with\u3000irritation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000as\u3000he\u3000suggested\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000and\u3000switching\u3000to\u3000the\u3000guttural\u3000tongue\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000whirled\u3000ever\u3000closer\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000it\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000loud\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000breeze\u3000stirred\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000hair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000shifted\u3000nervously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000we’re\u3000still\u3000here\u3000when\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000hits\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000smashed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rocks\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Or\u3000drowned\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000below\u3000at\u3000the\u3000waves\u3000that\u3000were\u3000already\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000lap\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000forgetting\u3000my\u3000teleport\u3000spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000quick\u3000incantation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000question\u3000is\uff1b\u3000where\u3000to\u3000go\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000squinted\u3000against\u3000the\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000mist\u3000that\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003anywhere\u3000is\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000better\u3000than\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000gasp\u3000of\u3000satisfaction\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000came\u3000to\u3000life\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000The\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3000trembled\u3000and\u3000jerked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000like\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3000that\u3000smelled\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000whine\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000As\u3000Quenthel\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000horizontal\u3000arc\u3000the\u3000whining\u3000noise\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000then\u3000fell\u2026then\u3000rose\u3000again\u3000as\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000so\u3000that\u3000it\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000waterspout\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000grew\u3000nearer\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000a\u3000spray\u3000of\u3000water\u3000and\u3000an\u3000even\u3000louder\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3000exultantly\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\uff01\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000is\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000squinted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000it\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000And\u3000there\u3000really\u3000was\u3000something\u3000there\u2026a\u3000dim\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000shape\u3000at\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000For\u3000once\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000something\u3000right\u3002\u3000Belshazu\u3000had\u3000told\u3000them\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000\u3003terrible\u3000storm\u3003\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000just\u3000that\u2026a\u3000storm\u3000that\u3000had\u3000raged\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000whole\u3000when\u3000the\u3000surviving\u3000demon\u3000swam\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000being\u3000buffeted\u3000by\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000water\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000intact\u3002\u3000The\u3000storm\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000hit\u3000them\u3000fully\uff1b\u3000but\u3000already\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000tearing\u3000at\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000pelting\u3000him\u3000with\u3000spray\u3002\u3000Just\u3000being\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000like\u3000being\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000repeatedly\uff1b\u3000by\u3000water\u3000thrown\u3000from\u3000a\u3000bucket\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000tighter\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000backpack\u3000in\u3000which\u3000his\u3000spellbooks\u3000were\u3000stored\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000look\u3000inside\u3000that\u3000whirlpool\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drops\u3000of\u3000water\u3000striking\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000how\u3000do\u3000you\u3000propose\u3000we\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Dig\u3000our\u3000claws\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000hang\u3000on\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dive\u3000into\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000nodded\u3000vigorously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Valas\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mercenary’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dispel\u3000your\u3000polymorph\u3000spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000shouted\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Valas\u3000can\u3000swim\u3000into\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000and\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000rose\u3000even\u3000higher\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Swim\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000protested\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000violently\u3000spiraling\u3000water\u3002\u3000\u3003Through\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000folded\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000across\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000angry\u3000twitching\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000serpents\u3000as\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u2026which\u3000for\u3000once\u3000he\u3000did\u3000not\u3000lower\u3000under\u3000her\u3000glare\u2026said\u3000it\u3000all\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000rather\u3000die\u3000by\u3000her\u3000lash\u3000than\u3000embark\u3000on\u3000such\u3000a\u3000suicidal\u3000mission\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000gripped\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000wasting\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000these\u3000fools\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Cast\u3000your\u3000teleportation\u3000spell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000plucked\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000free\u2026earning\u3000a\u3000wrathful\u3000glare\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026captive\u2026and\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000out\u3000his\u3000last\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000seeds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000them\u3000tightly\u3000between\u3000thumb\u3000and\u3000forefinger\uff1b\u3000wary\u3000lest\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000pluck\u3000them\u3000away\u3002\u3000Squeezing\u3000past\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000ledge\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000he\u3000judged\u3000to\u3000be\u3000well\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000better\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Releasing\u3000the\u3000seeds\uff1b\u3000he\u3000barked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000stabbed\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000A\u3000tunnel\u3000opened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u2026at\u3000an\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000running\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000his\u3000seeds\u3002\u3000Stepping\u3000inside\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000join\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000needed\u3000no\u3000urging\u3002\u3000The\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000upon\u3000them\uff1b\u3000whipping\u3000their\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000piwafwis\u3000and\u3000soaking\u3000them\u3000with\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000Stumbling\u3000along\u3000the\u3000slippery\u3000ledge\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hurried\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000shoving\u3000their\u3000way\u3000past\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000causing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bat\u3000guano\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000soaked\u3000by\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000steady\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000quicker\u3002\u3000Grabbing\u3000Danifae’s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shoved\u3000her\u3000forward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000his\u3000apologies\u3000in\u3000a\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Danifae\u3000ignored\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000waved\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000his\u3000cone\u3000of\u3000glass\u3002\u3000Pointing\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000open\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hurriedly\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000second\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000air\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000cone\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000water\u3000that\u3000was\u3000spraying\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000into\u3000pellets\u3000of\u3000hail\u3002\u3000A\u3000sheet\u3000of\u3000water\u3000crashed\u3000full\u2026on\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000outside\u2026and\u3000was\u3000instantly\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000solid\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000sealing\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000held\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000or\u3000two\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000wall\u3000had\u3000thickened\u3000sufficiently\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Turning\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000swept\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plug\u3000of\u3000ice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Won’t\u3000you\u3000step\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000viewing\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000will\u3000be\u3000along\u3000directly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000if\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000decide\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000she\u3000was\u3000being\u3000mocked\u3002\u3000Her\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000then\u3000relaxed\u3002\u3000Nose\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000strode\u3000past\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000leanin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n enthel\u3000strode\u3000past\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000see\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000water\u3000that\u3000crashed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000was\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000misted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000She\u3000shivered\u3000in\u3000her\u3000wet\u3000clothes\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000peered\u3000with\u3000rapt\u3000attention\u2026then\u3000stiffened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000others\u3000crowded\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Jeggred\u3000loped\u3000up\u3000to\u3000crouch\u3000and\u3000peer\u3000out\u3000past\u3000his\u3000mistress’s\u3000legs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000figure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000look\u3002\u3000The\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000he\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000through\u3000was\u3000half\u3000as\u3000thick\u3000as\u3000his\u3000forearm\u3000was\u3000long\uff1b\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000waterspout\uff1b\u3000several\u3000paces\u3000thick\u3000at\u3000that\u3000point\u3000and\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000whirling\u3000spray\u3002\u3000Dimly\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000twisting\u3000shape\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000proportioned\u3000like\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000head\uff1b\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000height\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tallest\u3000female\u3000and\u3000with\u3000a\u3000whiplike\u3000tail\u3002\u3000It\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000its\u3000skin\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000flailing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000raking\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000it\u3000with\u3000wide\u3000sweeps\u3000of\u3000its\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000spinning\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000itself\u3000wasn’t\u3000moving\u2026not\u3000a\u3000muscle\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rendered\u3000immobile\u3000by\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000by\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000cast\u3000centuries\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000gasped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000uridezu\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000ship\uff01\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000tiptoes\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000down\u3000over\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000outside\u3000and\u3000pointing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000the\u3000waterspout\u3000met\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000there\uff1b\u3000its\u3000hull\u3000stuck\u3000fast\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000that\u3000formed\u3000the\u3000inner\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000and\u3000its\u3000masts\u3000angled\u3000in\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000make\u3000out\u3000details\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000whipping\u3000horizontally\u3000past\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000that\u3000it\u3000must\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000be\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000hull\u3000was\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000in\u3000color\uff1b\u3000as\u3000were\u3000the\u3000three\u3000masts\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000hung\u3000tattered\u3000sails\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000shattering\u3000the\u3000tense\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000done\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000is\u3000mine\u3002\u3003\u3000Abruptly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003Prepare\u3000a\u3000binding\u3000spell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000demon\u3000already\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3000’bound\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000observed\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000wall\u3002\u3000\u3003Albeit\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000conventional\u3000manner\u3002\u3000My\u3000guess\u3000is\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000temporal\u3000stasis\u3000spell\u2026a\u3000powerful\u3000one\u3000that\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000break\u3000once\u3000I’ve\u3000imposed\u3000a\u3000binding\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\u3002\u3000And\u3000there’s\u3000the\u3000little\u3000problem\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000flicked\u3000wet\u3000hair\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000then\u3000glowered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000still\u3000whipping\u3000around\u3000in\u3000circles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000teleporting\u3000away\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000light\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000now\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we’re\u3000so\u3000close\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000not\u3002\u3000But\u3000to\u3000be\u3000quite\u3000frank\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000next\u3002\u3000The\u3000storm’s\u3000obviously\u3000magical\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000created\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000incantation\u3000was\u3000powerful\u2026and\u3000permanent\u3002\u3000Even\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000control\u3000that\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000water\u2026which\u3000means\u3000any\u3000spell\u3000I\u3000cast\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thoughtful\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003Could\u3000we\u3000sail\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Possibly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000the\u3000uridezu\u3000could\u3002\u3000But\u3000assuming\u3000I’m\u3000able\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000froze\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000time\u3000there’s\u3000still\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000binding\u3000it\u3000to\u3000my\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000easy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000out\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000grasping\u2026hand\u3000spells\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000was\u3000unnecessary\u3002\u3000The\u3000binding\u3000spell\u3000itself\u3000would\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000The\u3000problem\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000pictured\u3000it\u3000wrecked\u3000on\u3000shore\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000resting\u3000quietly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u2026not\u3000half\u3000awash\u3000and\u3000buffeted\u3000by\u3000spray\u3000and\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Drawing\u3000a\u3000pentagram\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000would\u3000be\u3000an\u3000impossible\u3000task\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000alternative\u3000to\u3000using\u3000a\u3000magic\u3000diagram\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000presented\u3000its\u3000own\u3000problems\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000render\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000image\u3000in\u3000miniature\uff1b\u3000either\u3000on\u3000vellum\u3000or\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000statuette\u3002\u3000The\u3000latter\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000be\u3000done\u2026he\u3000had\u3000wax\u3000and\u3000an\u3000opal\u3000in\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000pockets\u2026but\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000statuette\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000one\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000would\u3000wash\u3000it\u3000overboard\u3002\u3000And\u3000how\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000was\u3000he\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000that\u3000had\u3000protected\u3000Valas\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3002\u3000Its\u3000chain\u2026having\u3000faded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000a\u3000most\u3000suitable\u3000material\u3000indeed\u2026still\u3000hung\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000I’m\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000in\u3000assuming\u3000your\u3000amulet\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000functional\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000gave\u3000Pharaun\u3000a\u3000wary\u3000frown\u3000but\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000it’s\u3000hung\u3000on\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000out\u3000a\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000plied\u2026taking\u3000care\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000hidden\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000tunic\u3000as\u3000he\u3000slid\u3000it\u3000off\u3000the\u3000chain\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000guess\u3000why\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000by\u3000its\u3000sun\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000created\u3000by\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3002\u3000And\u3000not\u3000just\u3000any\u3000surface\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000who\u3000worshiped\u3000Labelas\u3000Enoreth\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000of\u3000Longevity\u3002\u3000If\u3000Quenthel\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000wearing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000her\u3000fury\u3000would\u3000be\u3000unbounded\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000rather\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000valuable\u3000ally\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wraiths\u3000than\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000an\u3000amulet\u3000created\u3000by\u3000\u3003sunspit\u3003\u3000was\u3000anything\u3000other\u3000than\u3000an\u3000abomination\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Valas\u3000handed\u3000Pharaun\u3000the\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000leaned\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000fogging\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chilled\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Careful\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cautioned\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000touch\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000with\u3000your\u3000tongue\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000disdainful\u3000look\uff1b\u3000then\u3000indicated\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000outside\u3000with\u3000a\u3000jerk\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000bind\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000you’d\u3000better\u3000get\u3000started\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000whirlpool\u3000is\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000move\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nodding\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000squatted\u3000and\u3000began\u3000his\u3000preparations\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000he\u3000took\u3000a\u3000lump\u3000of\u3000beeswax\u3000he’d\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000months\u3000before\uff1b\u3000from\u3000a\u3000trader\u3000from\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000black\u3000opal\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000his\u3000little\u3000fingernail\uff1b\u3000shot\u3000through\u3000with\u3000veins\u3000of\u3000red\u3002\u3000He\u3000warmed\u3000the\u3000beeswax\u3000by\u3000working\u3000it\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000sculpted\u3000the\u3000softened\u3000lump\uff1b\u3000modeling\u3000the\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000snout\u3000of\u3000an\u3000uridezu\u3000demon\u3002\u3000The\u3000statuette\u3000was\u3000crude\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000suffice\u3002\u3000Slicing\u3000open\u3000its\u3000chest\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fingernail\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000opal\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pinched\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000shut\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrapped\u3000Valas’s\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000statuette’s\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000securing\u3000it\u3000there\u3000by\u3000joining\u3000two\u3000links\u3000together\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3000in\u3000satisfaction\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000bit\u3000slightly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wax\u3000statuette’s\u3000ankle\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000should\u3000hold\u3000him\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000get\u3000us\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026two
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000mouth\u3000closed\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000squeezed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000shut\u3002\u3000She\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000acid\u3000splattered\u3000against\u3000the\u3000exposed\u3000portions\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\u2026her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hands\u2026then\u3000regretted\u3000it\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000acid\u3000filled\u3000her\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000Rivulets\u3000of\u3000agony\u3000trickled\u3000through\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000down\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000searing\u3000her\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000back\u3000as\u3000they\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000padded\u3000tunic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Clinging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000songsword\uff1b\u3000she\u3000twisted\u3000violently\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rippling\uff1b\u3000sucking\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000her\u3000down\u3002\u3000She\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000braced\u3000against\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000lower\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lever\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000open\u3000her\u3000boots\u3000slipped\u3002\u3000The\u3000worm\u3000swallowed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000wrenching\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000throat\u3000muscles\u3000constricted\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000down\u3000its\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pray\u3002\u3000To\u3000open\u3000her\u3000burning\u3000lips\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000swallowing\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000further\u3000increase\u3000her\u3000torment\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000fervently\uff1b\u3000begging\u3000Eilistraee\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000erupting\u3000into\u3000blisters\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000attempt\u3000a\u3000curative\u3000spell\u2026that\u3000would\u3000only\u3000delay\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u2026instead\u3000she\u3000pleaded\u3000for\u3000something\u3000that\u3000would\u3000help\u3000her\u3000to\u3000escape\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000worm\u3000thrashed\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000bending\u3000Halisstra\u3000violently\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000dull\uff1b\u3000muffled\u3000thuds\u3000that\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000Ryld\u3000hacking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000twisted\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000The\u3000motion\u3000forced\u3000the\u3000air\u3000from\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000lungs\u2026and\u3000she\u3000dared\u3000not\u3000try\u3000to\u3000inhale\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000forced\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000down\uff1b\u3000scraping\u3000it\u3000against\u3000her\u3000acid\u2026slimed\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\u3000empty\u3000sheath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000Help\u3000me\u3002\u3000Send\u3000me\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Something\u3000nudged\u3000against\u3000her\u3000hand\u2026something\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000smooth\u3002\u3000Grasping\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sword\u2026obviously\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000some\u3000other\u3000unfortunate\u3000victim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000in\u3000using\u3000what\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000had\u3000provided\u3002\u3000Forcing\u3000her\u3000elbow\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000pulsing\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000she\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000slide\u3000into\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000saw\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000entire\u3000body\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000acid\u3002\u3000The\u3000worm’s\u3000digestive\u3000juices\u3000had\u3000seeped\u3000under\u3000her\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000clothing\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000skin\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000blisters\u3000erupting\u3000and\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000flowing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rupturing\u3000skin\u3000with\u3000each\u3000move\u3000that\u3000she\u3000made\u3002\u3000Head\u3000pounding\u3000from\u3000a\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000air\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sawed\u3000desperately\uff1b\u3000her\u3000movements\u3000made\u3000short\u3000and\u3000jerky\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000gut\u3000was\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000against\u3000her\u3000side\u3002\u3000Flashes\u3000of\u3000red\u3000danced\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000she\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ‘s\u3000gut\u3000was\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000against\u3000her\u3000side\u3002\u3000Flashes\u3000of\u3000red\u3000danced\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000saw\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000either\u3000that\u3000or\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000gut\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000ruptured\u3002\u3000Riding\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000fell\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3000She\u3000lay\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000shuddering\u3000breaths\u3000and\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000thrash\u3000itself\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000wounded\u3000in\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000places\uff1a\u3000deep\u3000gashes\u3000that\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000been\u3000made\u3000by\u3000Ryld’s\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000at\u3000last\u3000died\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000rolled\u3000feebly\u3000over\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000puddle\u3000of\u3000acid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000sighting\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000her\u3000pain\u2026dulled\u3000mind\u3000registered\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000forced\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sitting\u3000position\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000fainting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000her\u3000heavy\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000as\u3000it\u3000rubbed\u3000against\u3000her\u3000acid\u2026burned\u3000flesh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000cracking\u3002\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000chest\u3000still\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000breastplate\u3000he\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000breaths\u3000were\u3000shallow\u3002\u3000Just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000breastplate\u3000his\u3000tunic\u3000was\u3000torn\u2026a\u3000round\u3000bloodstain\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000puncture\u3000wound\u3002\u3000The\u3000worm\u3000had\u3000injected\u3000him\u3000with\u3000its\u3000venom\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000needed\u3000her\u3000magic\u2026and\u3000quickly\u2026but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000aid\u3000him\u3000without\u3000first\u3000healing\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Time\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000essence\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000used\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000a\u3000darksong\u3000that\u3000would\u3000close\u3000her\u3000wounds\u3002\u3000The\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000her\u3000pain\u3000was\u3000relieved\u2026though\u3000it\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000in\u3000lesser\u3000form\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000as\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000that\u3000had\u3000soaked\u3000into\u3000her\u3000clothing\u3000began\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000at\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000again\u3002\u3000As\u3000rapidly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stripped\u3000off\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000off\u3000her\u3000soggy\u3000tunic\u3000and\u3000boots\u3002\u3000Her\u3000tunic\u3000came\u3000off\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000peeling\u3000away\u3000in\u3000wet\uff1b\u3000rotted\u3000chunks\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stripped\u3000down\uff1b\u3000she\u3000noted\u3000that\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000knitted\u3000her\u3000ruptured\u3000skin\u3000back\u3000together\u3000but\u3000had\u3000left\u3000a\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000overlapping\u3000burn\u3000marks\u3002\u3000Startled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000face\u2026then\u3000immediately\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3000as\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000Ryld\u3000softly\u3000moan\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000vanity\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Scrambling\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000his\u3000wound\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000shudder\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000under\u3000the\u3000blood\u2026soaked\u3000tunic\u3002\u3000Closing\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000chanted\u3000her\u3000prayer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000aid\u3000him\u3002\u3000Slow\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000that\u3000rushes\u3000through\u3000his\u3000veins\u3002\u3000Grant\u3000him\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\u3000time\uff1b\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000to\u3000live\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000imagining\u3000herself\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000under\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000familiar\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000swept\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000down\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000her\u3000palm\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000still\u3000covered\u3000Ryld’s\u3000wound\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000flow\u3000through\u3000her\u3000and\u3000into\u3000Ryld\u2026energy\u3000as\u3000cool\u3000and\u3000as\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000the\u3000moon\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000it\u3000drained\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000she\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000exhausted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000anxiously\u3000watching\u3000Ryld’s\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000labored\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000her\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000worked\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000had\u3000been\u3000right\u2026Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mad\u3000to\u3000think\u3000she\u3000could\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000bined\u3000efforts\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee’s\u3000faithful\u3000had\u3000failed\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000that\u3000had\u3000led\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000hole\u3000had\u3000truly\u3000been\u3000Mathira\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000some\u3000malevolent\u3000spirit\u3000seeking\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000others\u3000to\u3000experience\u3000the\u3000same\u3000gruesome\u3000death\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3002\u3000Stupidly\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rothe\u3000being\u3000led\u3000to\u3000slaughter\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000hole\uff1b\u3000then\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000her\u3000realization\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000purple\u3000worm\u3000she’d\u3000be\u3000confronting\u3000and\u3000not\u3000a\u3000dragon\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000proceeded\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000blind\u3000faith\u3000causing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000would\u3000be\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000lair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000moments\u3000before\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000startled\u3000her\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000her\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000a\u3000good\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000even\u3000gotten\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000enabling\u3000her\u3000to\u3000search\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She’d\u3000seen\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000In\u3000pursuing\u3000her\u3000quest\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000e\u3000close\u3000to\u3000forfeiting\u3000her\u3000own\u3000life\u3002\u3000That\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000quarrel\u3000with\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000former\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000such\u3000sacrifices\u3000being\u3000demanded\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000all\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000consumed\u3000her\u3000followers\u3000like\u3000flies\uff1b\u3000then\u3000cast\u3000their\u3000empty\u3000husks\u3000away\u3002\u3000But\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000more\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000mercy\u2026if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000for\u3000innocents\u3000like\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000cost\u3000him\u3000his\u3000life\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000change\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000swiftly\u3000draining\u3000of\u3000color\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moment\u3000before\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000slightly\u3000darker\uff1b\u3000less\u3000gray\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000his\u3000breathing\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000steady\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000still\u3000sounded\u3000wet\u3000and\u3000tight\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000worked\u2026there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hope\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000quickly\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003Forgive\u3000me\u3000for\u3000doubting\u3000your\u3000mercy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Squatting\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hooked\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000under\u3000Ryld’s\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000under\u3000his\u3000hips\uff1b\u3000intending\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000him\uff1b\u3000if\u3000need\u3000be\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000then\u3000back\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000to\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000town\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\u3000willing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u2026someone\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000a\u3000healing\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000flush\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000pletely\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u2026before\u3000the\u3000poison\u2026delaying\u3000spell\u3000she’d\u3000cast\u3000ran\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000started\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000Ryld\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000flickered\u3000open\uff1b\u3000startling\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000confused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000slowly\u3000recognition\u3000dawned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000croaked\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000first\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000groggy\u3000from\u3000the\u3000poison\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000way\u3000he\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000truly\u3000did\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000touched\u3000her\u3000face\u3000and\u3000found\u3000it\u3000cratered\u3000with\u3000overlapping\u3000scars\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000trembling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000still\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000that\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000out\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000ragged\u3000strands\u3000remained\u3002\u3000The\u3000bae’qeshel\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000her\u3000burns\u2026but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000with\u3000terrible\u3000scars\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000not\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000it\u2026the\u3000priestesses\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000have\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000smooth\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000restore\u3000her\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Getting\u3000Ryld\u3000back\u3000was\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000walk\uff1f\u3000Otherwise\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000you\u3000back\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000walk\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000if\u3000you\u3000help\u3000me\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003Splitter\u2026where\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000poison\u3000having\u3000been\u3000slowed\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u2026still\u3000shaky\u3000but\u3000looking\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000no\u3000sooner\u3000leave\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000greatsword\u3000behind\u3000than\u3000he\u3000would\u3000sacrifice\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000or\u3000a\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000weak\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000find\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000stay\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000save\u3000your\u3000strength\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000it\u3000might\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000be\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000was\u3000unmoving\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000coiled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000limp\u3000tangle\u3002\u3000Easing\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000open\uff1b\u3000she\u3000yanked\u3000Seyll’s\u3000songsword\u3000from\u3000its\u3000cheek\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000drain\u3000from\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000weapon’s\u3000hilt\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000Splitter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000greatsword\u3000lay\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000hacked\u3000her\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000belly\uff1b\u3000its\u3000hilt\u3000protruding\u3000from\u3000under\u3000a\u3000coil\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worm\u3002\u3000She\u3000stooped\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000it\u3000free\u2026then\u3000spotted\u3000something\u3000lying\u3000half\u3000in\u3000and\u3000half\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wound\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000herself\u3000free\u3002\u3000Its\u3000blade\u3000was\u3000bright\u3000and\u3000untarnished\u2026obviously\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000protected\u3000from\u3000the\u3000acid’s\u3000corrosive\u3000effects\u2026and\u3000curved\u3002\u3000Curved\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000weapon\u3000it\u3000must\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000awe\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000acid\u3000that\u3000was\u3000stinging\u3000the\u3000soles\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000then\u3000backed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000acid\u3002\u3000The\u3000hilt\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000slippery\u3000with\u3000the\u3000worm’s\u3000digestive\u3000juices\u3000but\u3000its\u3000leather\u3000wrapping\u3000felt\u3000dry\u3000and\u3000clean\u2026further\u3000evidence\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Silver\u3000had\u3000been\u3000inlaid\u3000along\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000its\u3000sheen\u3002\u3000The\u3000inlay\u3000spelled\u3000out\u3000words\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000tongue\u3000that\u3000began\u3000to\u3000glow\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000held\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000unsteadily\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000read\u3000the\u3000inscription\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u3000’Be\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000light\u3000and\u3000your\u3000cause\u3000be\u3000true\uff1b\u3000I\u3000shall\u3000not\u3000fail\u3000you\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000she\u3000recited\u3002\u3000Her\u3000brows\u3000puckered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000doubtful\u3000frown\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Ryld\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Lolth\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000something\u3000even\u3000Vhaeraun\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000succeed\u3000where\u3000a\u3000god\u3000has\u3000failed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000answered\u3000honestly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000felt\u3000manipulated\u2026despite\u3000nearly\u3000being\u3000devoured\u3000by\u3000the\u3000worm\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000had\u3000just\u3000fallen\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000That\u3000made\u3000her\u3000wary\uff1b\u3000uneasy\u3002\u3000But\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000another\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000felt\u3000elation\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000on\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000board\uff1b\u3000being\u3000moved\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3000by\u3000an\u3000unseen\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000hand\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000for\u3000good\u3000or\u3000ill\uff1b\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000her\u2026something\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000never\u3000done\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000filled\u3000Halisstra\u3000with\u3000a\u3000heady\u3000pride\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\u3000is\u3000watching\u3000over\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000feels\u3000as\u3000if\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000has\u3000been\u3000preordained\u2026and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000my\u3000destiny\u3000to\u3000at\u3000least\u3000try\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000path\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000has\u3000set\u3000me\u3000on\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000do\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000killing\u3000Lolth \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n stiny\u3000to\u3000at\u3000least\u3000try\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000path\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000has\u3000set\u3000me\u3000on\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000do\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000killing\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000at\u3000last\u3000be\u3000free\u3000of\u3000her\u3000clinging\u3000webs\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000can\u3000e\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000without\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000her\u3000retaliation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000if\u3000you\u3000fail\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000began\uff1b\u3000then\u3000weakly\u3000coughed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000took\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000helped\u3000to\u3000steady\u3000him\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000there\u3000contemplating\u3000her\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000success\u3002\u3000Not\u3000with\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000only\u3000temporarily\u3000held\u3000at\u3000bay\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000spare\u3000clothing\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000backpack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003In\u3000there\u3002\u3000A\u3000tunic\u3000and\u3000some\u3000boots\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000tunic\u3000and\u3000boots\u3000alone\u3000would\u3000be\u3000little\u3000protection\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bitter\u3000winds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000could\u3000use\u3000her\u3000spells\u2026if\u3000sparingly\u2026to\u3000gain\u3000temporary\u3000respite\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cold\u3002\u3000She\u3000dug\u3000out\u3000the\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000put\u3000them\u3000on\uff1b\u3000helped\u3000Ryld\u3000slide\u3000Splitter\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000sheath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000strapped\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000and\u3000songsword\u3000across\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000backpack\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000arms\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000sooner\u3000we\u3000get\u3000you\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3000your\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000living\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000me\u3000die\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026three
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ready\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000drawing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000powdered\u3000amber\u3000remained\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pouch\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u2026just\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000stood\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000were\u3000crowded\u3000close\u3000together\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000stroking\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000tangled\u3000mane\u3000in\u3000a\u3000calming\u3000gesture\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000stood\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000back\u3000where\u3000the\u3000water\u3000dripping\u3000from\u3000their\u3000soaked\u3000piwafwis\u3000wouldn’t\u3000mar\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3002\u3000Without\u3000levitation\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000land\u3000safely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000storm\u2026tossed\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000task\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000didn’t\u3000disturb\u3000the\u3000powder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000crouched\u3000to\u3000sprinkle\u3000the\u3000last\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000amber\u3000that\u3000would\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Standing\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000our\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ice\u3000wall\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000locking\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000its\u3000upper\u3000deck\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Faer\u3000z’hind\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000took\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000under\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000he\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapidly\u3000moving\u3000ship\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000descent\u3000by\u3000levitating\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000water\u3000stinging\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000made\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000aimed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\u3000above\u3000the\u3000deck\u2026the\u3000only\u3000sane\u3000option\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000rising\u3000and\u3000falling\u3000so\u3000violently\u3000and\u3000listing\u3000at\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000angle\u2026but\u3000without\u3000anything\u3000solid\u3000under\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000being\u3000hurled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000He\u3000floundered\u3000about\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000with\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000sprays\u3000of\u3000water\u3000lashed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000strangling\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000gust\u3000of\u3000wind\u3000caught\u3000him\uff1b\u3000slamming\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000main\u3000mast\u3000and\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000air\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lungs\uff1b\u3000Desperately\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000grabbed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1a\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000that\u3000formed\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000rigging\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000line\u3000pressed\u3000as\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000tightened\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000line\u3000was\u3000something\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000wet\u2026and\u3000warm\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000something\u3000pulsed\u3000through\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000line\u3000was\u3000made\u3000not\u3000of\u3000rope\u3000but\u3000of\u3000a\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000intestine\u3002\u3000He\u3000curled\u3000his\u3000lip\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000line\u3000wouldn’t\u3000rupture\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000relish\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000being\u3000spattered\u3000by\u3000its\u3000contents\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000wedged\u3000one\u3000foot\u3000against\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mast\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000against\u3000the\u3000tilted\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000halted\u3000their\u3000fall\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000or\u3000two\u3000above\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000had\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000mast\u3000and\u3000was\u3000hugging\u3000it\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Rigid\u3000as\u3000a\u3000statue\uff1b\u3000muscles\u3000bulging\uff1b\u3000he\u3000easily\u3000held\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000place\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000that\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000his\u3000mane\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000supported\u3000by\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000smaller\u3000arms\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000writhing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000like\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000that\u3000thrashed\u3000furiously\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000She\u3000shouted\u3000something\uff1b\u3000jerking\u3000her\u3000head\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000that\u3000floated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000far\u3000above\u3000the\u3000mast\u3000to\u3000which\u3000they\u3000clung\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000urgency\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000clear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000securely\u3000braced\uff1b\u3000he\u3000released\u3000the\u3000line\u3000with\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000for\u3000the\u3000twig\u3000he’d\u3000used\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000a\u3000spiderweb\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000days\u3000before\u3002\u3000Pointing\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000spray\u3000of\u3000web\u3000filaments\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000twig\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000Several\u3000twisted\u3000away\u3000in\u3000the\u3000howling\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000majority\u3000of\u3000them\u3000stuck\u3002\u3000They\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000sticky\u3000smear\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000deck\u2026a\u3000smear\u3000that\u3000gradually\u3000built\u3000in\u3000thickness\u3000as\u3000yet\u3000more\u3000web\u3000pulsed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000twig\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000spent\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000half\u3000a\u3000pace\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000mounded\u3000in\u3000an\u3000oval\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000cocoon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Letting\u3000the\u3000twig\u3000go\u2026it\u3000was\u3000instantly\u3000snatched\u3000away\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wind\u2026Pharaun\u3000fished\u3000a\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000bitumen\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000popped\u3000it\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000He\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000gummy\u3000mass\u3000down\uff1b\u3000gagging\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000hairs\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bitumen\u3000scratched\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000curled\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000fingertips\u3000lightly\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000grew\u3000sticky\u2026gummy\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000pluck\u3000at\u3000his\u3000sodden\u3000piwafwi\u3000when\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tentatively\uff1b\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000intestine\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000moved\u3000one\u3000foot\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mast\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000boot\u3000stick\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000tilting\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000he\u3000worked\u3000his\u3000way\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000web\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Standing\u3000erect\u3000was\u3000impossible\u2026the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000canted\u3000at\u3000an\u3000acute\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000sailing\u3000in\u3000crazy\u3000circles\u3000around\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000with\u3000its\u3000hull\u3000half\u3000in\u3000and\u3000half\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000and\u3000its\u3000masts\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000The\u3000deck\u3000shuddered\u3000under\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000feet\u3000like\u3000a\u3000live\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000twisted\u3000around\u3000and\u3000around\u3000in\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\uff1b\u3000its\u3000planks\u3000groaning\u3000like\u3000a\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000undead\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000heard\u3000what\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000weight\u3000shifting\u3000in\u3000a\u3000space\u3000under\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000more\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000put\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Forced\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000at\u3000an\u3000angle\u3000that\u3000made\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000ankles\u3000ache\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000fought\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002\u3000To\u3000fall\u3000then\u3000would\u3000ruin\u3000everything\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000howling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000above\u3000added\u3000a\u3000ghastly\u3000harmony\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000flap\u2026flap\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002flap\u2026flap\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002flap\u2026flap\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tattered\u3000sails\u3000pounded\u3000like\u3000an\u3000off\u2026kilter\u3000heartbeat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000pouch\u3000he’d\u3000hung\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002\u3000The\u3000statuette\u3000inside\u3000it\u3000had\u3000held\u3000up\u3000well\u3000under\u3000the\u3000buffeting\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000pouch\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000damage\u3000was\u3000that\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000had\u3000been\u3000bent\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000The\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000provided\u3000was\u3000still\u3000fastened\u3000securely\u3000around\u3000one\u3000ankle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pin\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000place\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Working\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000reached\u3000down\u2026nearly\u3000falling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000web\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000bucked\u3000on\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000and\u3000only\u3000recovering\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u2026and\u3000mired\u3000the\u3000statue’s\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\uff1b\u3000sticking\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000pin\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000It\u3000slid\u3000home\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000boards\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000piercing\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000chalk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3000the\u3000binding\u3002\u3000Staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000far\u3000above\u3000the\u3000mast\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000raised\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3000with\u3000thumbs\u3000and\u3000forefingers\u3000forming\u3000interlocking\u3000circles\u3002\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000deck\u2026and\u3000chuckled\u3000with\u3000delight\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000descend\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000pelled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pulled\u3000down\u3000past\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mast\uff1b\u3000down\u3000past\u3000where\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000clung\uff1b\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Still\u3000twisting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fierce\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000more\u3000fearsome\u3000as\u3000it\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000product\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unholy\u3000aura\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000Pharaun\u3000himself\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000powerfully\u3000muscled\uff1b\u3000with\u3000claws\u3000like\u3000yellowed\u3000daggers\u3000on\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tail\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000a\u3000stalagmite\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000Its\u3000face\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000rat’s\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mottled\uff1b\u3000dead\u2026looking\u3000gray\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000descended\u3000to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eye\u3000level\uff1b\u3000guided\u3000by\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000statue\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000noted\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000ears\u3000had\u3000a\u3000half\u2026circle\u3000bitten\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000wound\u3000had\u3000festered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000maggot\u3000protruded\uff1b\u3000unmoving\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rotten\u3000flesh\u2026another\u3000victim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000had\u3000frozen\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Squatting\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000statuette\uff1b\u3000then\u3000ripped\u3000the\u3000finger\u2026and\u2026thumb\u3000links\u3000apart\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000symbolic\u3000chain\u3000parted\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000multicolored\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000exploded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000opal\uff1b\u3000melting\u3000the\u3000statuette\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000blinded\u2026but\u3000the\u3000sweet\u3000tang\u3000of\u3000melted\u3000beeswax\u3000told\u3000him\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000succeeded\u3002\u3000Blinking\u3000away\u3000the\u3000spots\u3000of\u3000light\u3000that\u3000dazzled\u3000his\u3000vision\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000its\u3000ankle\u3000secured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000by\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000length\u3000of\u3000lead\u3000chain\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000still\u3000frozen\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000its\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000fury\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000stasis\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000held\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000bound\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Phar \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n fury\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000stasis\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000held\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000bound\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000waved\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000join\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000At\u3000a\u3000nod\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaped\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mast\u3000and\u3000anchored\u3000himself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steeply\u3000sloping\u3000deck\u3000by\u3000thrusting\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000web\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000immediately\u3000cast\u3000another\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000ground\u3000diamond\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000force\u3000shut\u3000out\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000enclosing\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000in\u3000wele\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Sprays\u3000of\u3000water\u3000crashed\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000barrier\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000it\u3000in\u3000streams\uff1b\u3000but\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000clambered\u3000off\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000mane\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000herself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000tasting\u3000the\u3000air\u3000next\u3000to\u3000it\u3000with\u3000flickering\u3000tongues\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wrinkled\u3000her\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000its\u3000body\u3000held\u3000in\u3000stasis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000stank\u3000of\u3000sulfur\u3000and\u3000rot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000small\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000noted\u3000derisively\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000mired\u3000in\u3000the\u3000web\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000elbows\uff1b\u3000grunted\u3000his\u3000agreement\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000let\u3000its\u3000size\u3000fool\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cautioned\uff1b\u3000wrinkling\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000at\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000panting\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000bad\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000from\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000bite\u3000from\u3000those\u3000needle\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’d\u3000be\u3000paralyzed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000back\u3000up\u3000a\u3000step\u3000but\u3000a\u3000lurch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000caused\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000to\u3000land\u3000squarely\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000sticky\u3000web\u3002\u3000She\u3000fell\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000flailing\u3002\u3000She\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000an\u3000undignified\u3000sprawl\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thicker\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000web\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000erupted\u3000into\u3000muffled\u3000cursing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dispel\u3000this\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tilting\u3000deck\u3000and\u3000only\u3000getting\u3000herself\u3000further\u3000mired\u3002\u3000\u3003Dispel\u3000it\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000serpents\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000were\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000web\u3000and\u3000spat\u3000violently\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000help\uff1b\u3000but\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000free\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000from\u3000the\u3000web\u3002\u3000Frustrated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000growl\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000an\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000fought\u3000down\u3000his\u3000mirth\u3002\u3000It\u3000wouldn’t\u3000do\u3000to\u3000laugh\uff1b\u3000not\u3000with\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000hackles\u3000raised\u2026even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000being\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000a\u3000web\u3000was\u3000too\u3000good\u3000to\u3000be\u3000true\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000wish\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3000But\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000need\u3000something\u3000else\u3000to\u3000anchor\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000or\u3000you’ll\u3000slide\u3000right\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Allow\u3000me\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000will\uff1b\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000an\u3000alternative\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000second\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000bitumen\u3000and\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000gummy\u3000mass\u3000in\u3000half\u3002\u3000He\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000each\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000swallowed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000them\u3000to\u3000cling\u3000like\u3000spiders\u3000to\u3000anything\u2026even\u3000a\u3000spray\u2026sodden\u3000deck\u3002\u3000He\u3000then\u3000dispelled\u3000the\u3000web\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Clambering\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000purple\u2026faced\u3000with\u3000suppressed\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3000no\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003Belshazu\u3000lied\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000wouldn’t\u3000surprise\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000dryly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000having\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000deck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000a\u3000flat\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000board\uff1b\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cabin\u3000or\u3000any\u3000raised\u3000structure\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000rails\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000its\u3000deck\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000crew\u3000from\u3000falling\u3000overboard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000only\u3000other\u3000thing\u3000rising\u3000above\u3000the\u3000desolate\u3000flatness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000besides\u3000the\u3000three\u3000masts\u3000with\u3000their\u3000tattered\uff1b\u3000patchwork\u3000sails\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tiller\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stern\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Seeing\u3000no\u3000hatches\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hold\u2026or\u3000if\u3000its\u3000hull\u3000was\u3000solid\u3000bone\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\uff1b\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000cargo\u3000shifting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000just\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000uridezu\u3000where\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000just\u3000hope\u3000I\u3000can\u3000dispel\u3000the\u3000stasis\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000said\uff1b\u3000he\u3000set\u3000to\u3000work\u3002\u3000Dispellings\u3000were\u3000among\u3000the\u3000first\u3000spells\u3000wizards\u3000learned\u3000at\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000incantation\u3000and\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000gesture\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000simple\u3000spells\u3002\u3000But\u3000a\u3000temporal\u3000stasis\u3000was\u3000tricky\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000mages\u3000could\u3000cast\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000held\u3000by\u3000such\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000readily\u3000apparent\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000into\u3000its\u3000open\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000red\uff1b\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000green\u3000glitters\u3000on\u3000its\u3000tongue\u2026a\u3000dusting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000powdered\u3000gems\u3000that\u3000had\u3000triggered\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000greater\u3000dispelling\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000needed\u2026one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000tightly\u3000focused\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000negate\u3000the\u3000binding\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3000his\u3000incantation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000must\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000unease\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000absently\u3000picked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000deck’s\u3000caulking\u3000with\u3000a\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000scratching\u3000out\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000black\uff1b\u3000congealed\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Extending\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000on\u3000which\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000signet\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000between\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000ring\u3000flashed\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000silver\u3000as\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000activated\uff1b\u3000lending\u3000its\u3000power\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000dispelling\u3000took\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shudder\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000jerked\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000back\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000also\u3000tensed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000several\u3000long\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000sounds\u3000were\u3000the\u3000muted\u3000splash\u3000of\u3000water\u3000against\u3000the\u3000dome\u3000that\u3000still\u3000held\u3000the\u3000elements\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000and\u3000the\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000curious\u3000hissing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000dispelling\u3000had\u3000failed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Try\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Repeating\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000won’t\u3000help\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000her\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000more\u3000closely\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000mage\u3000who\u3000froze\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000time\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000an\u3000extremely\u3000powerful\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’d\u3000half\u3000turned\u3000as\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000blink\u2026and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000saved\u3000him\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000shriek\u3000of\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000pent\u2026up\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000leaped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000claws\u3000lashing\u3000at\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000throat\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000boots\u3000were\u3000still\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000He\u3000crashed\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000banging\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Blinking\u3000away\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000focus\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000at\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000a\u3000full\u2026out\u3000leap\u3002\u3000Still\u3000confused\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000to\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000he\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000had\u3000jerked\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000our\u3000of\u3000his\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sliding\u3000rapidly\u3000down\u3000the\u3000sloping\u3000deck\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000jerked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026air\uff1b\u3000then\u3000crashed\u3000facefirst\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000lying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Groggily\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000its\u3000ankle\u3000had\u3000tripped\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000also\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000sliding\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tilting\u3000deck\u3002\u3000He\u3000slapped\u3000sticky\u3000hands\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000boards\uff1b\u3000jerking\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000just\u3000before\u3000he\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000force\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000slender\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000held\u3000its\u3000ankle\uff1b\u3000gnashing\u3000at\u3000it\u3000with\u3000yellowed\u3000teeth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000held\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3000and\u3000an\u3000undecided\u3000look\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000chuckle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000gnawing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000to\u3000glare\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000dare\u3000laugh\uff1f\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000squeaked\u3000like\u3000twisting\u3000chains\uff1b\u3000its\u3000tiny\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000bulging\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000feed\u3000you\u3000to\u3000the\u3000maw\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000a\u3000tender\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000just\u3000what\u3000we’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\u3000about\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000ship’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000us\u3000where\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000never\u3000got\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000finish\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000hackles\u3000raised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000insult\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000chose\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Howling\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raked\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000deep\u3000slashes\u3000in\u3000its\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000thighs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000feet\u2026which\uff1b\u3000thankfully\uff1b\u3000were\u3000still\u3000sticky\u3000from\u3000his\u3000earlier\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3000stop\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000it\u3000wants\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Already\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000doing\u2026it\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000under\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000attack\u3000in\u3000a\u3000move\u3000that\u3000left\u3000its\u3000bound\u3000leg\u3000exposed\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000could\u3000neither\u3000harm\u3000nor\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000its\u3000ankle\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000a\u3000careless\u3000swipe\u3000of\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000claws\u3000did\u3000the\u3000job\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000for\u3000once\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000She\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000her\u3000whip\u2026not\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000immune\u3000to\u3000her\u3000serpents’\u3000poison\u2026but\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Her\u3000vipers\u3000snapped\u3000a\u3000hand’s\u3000breath\u3000over\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000back\uff1b\u3000splattering\u3000his\u3000mane\u3000with\u3000their\u3000venom\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3000was\u3000angry\u3002\u3000Instantly\u3000he\u3000cowered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000raking\u3000kick\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000gave\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Foiled\u3000in\u3000its\u3000escape\u3000bid\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000hunkered\u3000down\uff1b\u3000whiskers\u3000twitching\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000clambered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steeply\u3000sloping\u3000deck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3000demon\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000my\u3000question\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000where\u3000it\u3000is\u3000and\u3000what\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\u3000ship\u3000going\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000whirlpool\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000will\u3000free\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000its\u3000watery\u3000eyes\u3000blinking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000lied\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000we\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon’s\u3000whiskers\u3000twitched\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000mouth\u3000is\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000the\u3000hold\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000we\u3000reach\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Use\u3000her\u3000wand\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forked\u3000wand\u3000in\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000belt\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000hatch\u3000is\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000will\u3000show\u3000you\u3000its\u3000location\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sly\u3000smirk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000d \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000will\u3000show\u3000you\u3000its\u3000location\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sly\u3000smirk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000eye\u3002\u3000A\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000location\u3000was\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000by\u3000its\u3000distinctive\u3000forked\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000wanted\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3000Was\u3000there\u3000some\u3000additional\u3000property\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000missed\u2026something\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000its\u3000advantage\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Just\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000use\u3000my\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Reaching\u3000into\u3000the\u3000slender\u3000case\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000his\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000four\u3000wands\u3000and\u3000waved\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000pass\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000A\u3000hatch\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000previously\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000magic\u3000suddenly\u3000became\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000its\u3000edges\u3000limned\u3000with\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000purple\u3000glow\u3002\u3000The\u3000ring\u2026latch\u3000that\u3000would\u3000open\u3000it\u3000was\u3000recessed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000flush\u3000with\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000Nodding\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000back\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000case\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000chuckled\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000latch\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3000as\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000hissed\u3000a\u3000warning\u3002\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000parted\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000then\u3000decided\u3000against\u3000whatever\u3000order\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000about\u3000to\u3000give\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000\u3003Open\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Obediently\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000bent\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3000wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000barked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000love\u3000for\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000still\u3000suspicious\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000motives\u3002\u3000Waving\u3000Jeggred\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000within\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000reach\u3002\u3000By\u3000straining\uff1b\u3000the\u3000uridezu\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000hook\u3000its\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000latch\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Be\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000signed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000a\u3000different\u3000wand\u3002\u3000Somethings\u3000going\u3000to\u3000e\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000yanked\u3000open\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000rats\u3000scurried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000tittering\u3000and\u3000squeaking\u3002\u3000And\u3000no\u3000ordinary\u3000rats\u3000but\u3000gaunt\uff1b\u3000half\u2026rotted\u3000caricatures\u3000of\u3000life\u2026a\u3000swarm\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000undead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000speed\u3000born\u3000of\u3000long\u3000practice\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000fired\u3000his\u3000wand\u3002\u3000A\u3000lightning\u3000bolt\u3000exploded\u3000from\u3000it\u3000and\u3000careered\u3000along\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000nearly\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000instantly\u3000to\u3000charred\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000blackened\u3000bone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000were\u3000equally\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000react\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000lashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rats\u3000with\u3000quick\u3000flicks\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000batted\u3000whole\u3000handfuls\u3000of\u3000them\u3000away\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000sweeps\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fighting\u3000arms\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000chuckled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000blasted\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000swarm\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wand\u3002\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000best\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000could\u3000do\u2026summon\u3000up\u3000a\u3000few\u3000undead\u3000rats\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000laughter\u3000died\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000a\u3000plicated\u3000trick\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000master\u3000and\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000somewhat\u3000disappointed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000done\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000send\u3000a\u3000swarm\u3000or\u3000undead\u3000rats\u3000against\u3000them\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000demons\u3000real\u3000plan\u2026one\u3000so\u3000simple\u3000it\u3000had\u3000slipped\u3000under\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000guard\u3002\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000rats’\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000diversion\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000for\u3000a\u3000single\u3000rat\u3000to\u3000survive\u3002\u3000That\u3000animal’s\u3000true\u3000target\uff1b\u3000as\u3000directed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000imperative\u3000telepathic\u3000mands\u3000of\u3000its\u3000demonic\u3000master\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000chain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000soft\u3000lead\u3000chain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000sharp\u3000teeth\u3000parted\u3000the\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000free\u3002\u3000Whirling\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000it\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000once\u2026knocking\u3000Jeggred\u3000headlong\u3000down\u3000the\u3000slanting\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dome\u3000of\u3000force\u3000and\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000whirling\u3000sea\u2026then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000Quenthel\u3000tumbling\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000face\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000whiskers\u3000quivering\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wizard\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000squeaked\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000mine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000made\u3000no\u3000answer\u3000as\u3000his\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000whipping\u3000out\u3000a\u3000glove\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000bared\u3000its\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000then\u3000leaped\u3000for\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000silently\u3000thankful\u3000it\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000frontal\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000to\u3000use\u3000its\u3000magic\u2026it\u3000would\u3000give\u3000him\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Demons\u3000really\u3000were\u3000predictable\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sometimes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026four
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3002\u3000Fresh\u3000snow\u3000lay\u3000ankle\u2026deep\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000that\u3000led\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000and\u3000enormous\u3000flakes\u3000of\u3000white\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000so\u3000thickly\u3000it\u3000was\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000see\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000How\u3000were\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000ever\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000their\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000in\u3000that\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000white\uff1f\u3000Without\u3000landmarks\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000wander\u3000in\u3000circles\u3000until\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000finally\u3000claimed\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Over\u3000and\u3000above\u3000that\u3000small\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000already\u3000tiring\u3002\u3000His\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000levitate\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000could\u3000tow\u3000him\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000like\u3000a\u3000child’s\u3000floater\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000concentration\u3000required\u3000to\u3000sustain\u3000the\u3000brooch’s\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000wearying\u3000him\u3002\u3000Allowing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000lapse\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sank\u3000gently\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000contemplated\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000falling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000just\u3000how\u3000woefully\u3000inadequate\u3000her\u3000clothes\u3000were\u3000to\u3000ward\u3000off\u3000winter’s\u3000bitter\u3000chill\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000will\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000warm\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Eilistraee\u3000will\u3000grant\u3000me\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000will\u3000help\u3000me\u3000resist\u3000the\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000but\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000prompted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000only\u3000lasts\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000recast\u3000it\u2026several\u3000times\u2026to\u3000keep\u3000warm\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000not\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000recast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000that’s\u3000keeping\u3000you\u3000alive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000leave\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000look\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000needed\u3000no\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000long\u3000do\u3000I\u3000have\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000arguing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000spell\u3000I\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000you\u3000should\u3000last\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u2026until\u3000just\u3000after\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000rises\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000use\u3000my\u3000magic\u3000sparingly\u3000until\u3000then\u3000and\u3000count\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000me\u3000warm\u3000afterward\u3002\u3000That\u3000should\u3000leave\u3000enough\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000know\u2026immediately\u2026if\u3000your\u3000pain\u3000worsens\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell’s\u3000duration\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000precise\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000wear\u3000off\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000without\u3000warning\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000returns\u3000full\u3000force\u3000to\u3000your\u3000body\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000fewer\u3000times\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000recast\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000moving\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000warmer\u3000if\u3000I’m\u3000walking\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000again\u3000Ryld\u3000levitated\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000trudged\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slope\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000open\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000boots\u3000squeaking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000towing\u3000him\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000jog\u3002\u3000After\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000steps\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000worm\u3000hole\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Ahead\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000veil\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3000that\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3000from\u3000sight\u3002\u3000No\u3000stars\u3000or\u3000moon\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000a\u3000solid\uff1b\u3000sullen\u3000gray\u3002\u3000Thick\u3000flakes\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000close\u2026shaved\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000melted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000froze\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rapid\u3000pace\u3000Halisstra\u3000set\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000warm\u3002\u3000But\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000had\u3000deepened\u3000to\u3000calf\u3000level\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000shivering\u3002\u3000She\u3000pressed\u3000on\u3000until\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000began\u3000to\u3000chatter\uff1b\u3000then\u3000at\u3000last\u3000she\u3000paused\u3000and\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000prayer\u3000to\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000her\u3000breath\u3000fogging\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bitterly\u3000cold\u3000air\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000was\u3000done\u3000she\u3000breathed\u3000easier\u3002\u3000Gradually\u3000her\u3000shivers\u3000subsided\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she’d\u3000predicted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soothing\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000didn’t\u3000last\u3000long\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000more\uff1b\u3000her\u3000jog\u3000slowed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000walk\u3000by\u3000the\u3000deepening\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shiver\u3000again\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000to\u3000his\u3000dismay\u3000that\u3000her\u3000fingertips\u3000had\u3000a\u3000grayish\u3000tinge\u3002\u3000The\u3000surface\u3000elves\u3000had\u3000a\u3000word\u3000for\u3000it\uff1a\u3000frostbite\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000they’d\u3000chosen\u3000such\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000term\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000toes\u2026and\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000his\u3000nose\u2026felt\u3000raw\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000invisible\u3000creatures\u3000were\u3000gnawing\u3000on\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000spell\u3000doesn’t\u3000last\u3000long\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000observed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000chatter\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000doesn’t\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000squinted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thickly\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3000that\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\u3002\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000lighter\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000see\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3000debris\u3000that\u3000littered\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000boot\u3000crunched\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000frozen\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000it\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000him\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000without\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000as\u3000pain\u3000twisted\u3000his\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000gasp\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000ending\u2026it’s\u3000too\u3000soon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000sink\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thighs\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000away\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000steady\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000her\u3000question\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000of\u3000levitating\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000weak\u3002\u3000Your\u3000spell\u3000delayed\u3000the\u3000poison\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000then\u3000the\u3000venom\u3000had\u3000already\u3000done\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000damage\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000backpack\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000expendable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000job\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000If\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000off\u3000this\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000save\u3000your\u3000magic\u3000for\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000didn’t\u3000argue\u3002\u3000She\u3000merely\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000watering\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lips\u3000pressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000line\uff1b\u3000she\u3000took\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000squeezed\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000encouraging\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000started\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000stopped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000way\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000think\u3002\u3000There\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000I\u3000can\u3000use\u2026something\u3000that\u3000will\u3000help\u3000me\u3000to\u3000move\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000dully\u3000at\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3002\u3000The\u3000flakes\u3000drifted\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000of\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Strange\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000dully\u3000at\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3002\u3000The\u3000flakes\u3000drifted\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000of\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Strange\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000swirling\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000vague\u3000shape\u3000and\u3000breaking\u3000apart\u3000again\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000start\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000he\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000not\u3000daring\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000out\u3000loud\u3002\u3000Ghosts\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000them\uff1b
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000m\u2026m\u2026may\u3000be\u3000among\u3000them\uff1b\u3000s\u2026s\u2026soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000through\u3000chattering\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000nearly\u3000d\u2026d\u2026dawn\u3002\u3000C\u2026e\u3000closer\u3000s\u2026so\u3000I\u3000can\u3000c\u2026c\u2026cast\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quiet\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000signed\u3002\u3000They\u3000can\u3000hear\u3000you\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ghosts\u3000had\u3000glanced\u3000briefly\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000solidify\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000so\u3000smudged\u3000with\u3000soot\u3000it\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000dark\u3000as\u3000Ryld’s\u3000own\u3002\u3000The\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000wooden\u3000shield\u3000was\u3000burned\u3000nearly\u3000to\u3000charcoal\u3002\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000remained\u3000corporeal\u3000just\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000emblem\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000its\u3000tunic\u2026the\u3000tree\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Velar’s\u3000army\u2026then\u3000it\u3000dissolved\u3000into\u3000a\u3000swirl\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000snowflakes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000see\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ghostly\u3000figures\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000direction\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000only\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000them\u2026like\u3000the\u3000first\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000shifting\u3000between\u3000solid\u3000and\u3000mistlike\u3000form\u2026but\u3000those\u3000glimpses\u3000were\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000army\u3000in\u3000retreat\u3002\u3000Shoulders\u3000slumped\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000staring\u3000dully\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000listlessly\u3000dragged\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Every\u3000now\u3000and\u3000then\u3000a\u3000ghostly\u3000animal\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Surface\u3000Realms\u3000would\u3000race\u3000past\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rider\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\u3000whipping\u3000it\u3000frantically\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000that\u3000happened\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000soldiers\u3000would\u3000glance\u3000fearfully\u3000over\u3000their\u3000shoulders\u3000as\u3000if\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000pursuing\u3000the\u3000rider\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000would\u3000break\u3000into\u3000a\u3000run\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000stumbling\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000they\u3000slowed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000trudge\u3000again\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000falling\u3000and\u3000failing\u3000to\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000their\u3000ghostly\u3000forms\u3000sinking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000army\u3000of\u3000ghosts\u3000took\u3000little\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000The\u3000soldiers\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000were\u3000also\u3000walking\u3000wounded\u2026that\u3000they\u3000too\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000retreat\u3000from\u3000that\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000lifeless\u3000plain\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u2026a\u3000standard\u2026bearer\u3000who\u3000still\u3000carried\u3000an\u3000iron\u3000pole\u3000topped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pennant\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000emblem\u2026crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000no\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000pennant\u3000brushed\u3000Ryld’s\u3000arm\u3000as\u3000it\u3000fell\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pole\u3000itself\u3000made\u3000no\u3000mark\u3000in\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000white\u3000surface\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000standard\u2026bearer’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000it\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000without\u3000a\u3000trace\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000humped\u3002\u3000Curious\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000its\u3000cold\u3000depths\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000skeleton\uff1b\u3000and\u3000beside\u3000it\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000metal\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000its\u3000surface\u3000flaked\u3000with\u3000rust\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000ghostly\u3000officer\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000met\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000had\u3000acted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000final\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000crumpling\u3000once\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000died\uff1b\u3000centuries\u3000gone\u3000by\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\u3000start\u3000to\u3000grow\uff1b\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000join\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000Eilistraee\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000s\u2026s\u2026spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000then\u3000switching\u3000to\u3000sign\u3000language\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000cast\u3000it\u3000soon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld’s\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000a\u3000ghostly\u3000rider\u3000racing\u3000toward\u3000them\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000mounts\u2026a\u3000\u3003horse\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000suddenly\u3000remembered\u3000it\u3000was\u3000called\u3002\u3000The\u3000horse’s\u3000feet\u3000did\u3000not\u3000disturb\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000hear\u2026faintly\u2026the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000hooves\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000horse\u3000was\u3000still\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000still\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000running\u3000swiftly\u2026and\u3000was\u3000corporeal\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000an\u3000idea\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grasping\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000standard\u2026bearer’s\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wrenched\u3000it\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000as\u3000straight\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wracking\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\u3000would\u3000allow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003In\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\uff1b\u3000halt\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000bear\u3000a\u3000message\u3000that\u3000must\u3000reach\u3000your\u3000mander’s\u3000ears\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000an\u3000anxious\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000his\u3000ruse\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000work\u3002\u3000The\u3000standard\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000was\u3000ancient\u3000and\u3000rusted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pennant\u3000long\u3000since\u3000rotted\u3000away\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000officer\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3000as\u3000it\u3000once\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000Immediately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000its\u3000mount\u3002\u3000Fully\u3000corporeal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000man\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000Its\u3000horse\u3000mirrored\u3000the\u3000ghost’s\u3000apprehension\u3000as\u3000it\u3000flared\u3000its\u3000nostrils\u3000and\u2026perhaps\u3000catching\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dragon\u3000that\u3000was\u3000long\u2026since\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000Ryld’s\u3000time\u2026whinnied\u3000nervously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000officer’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000glanced\u3000between\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000aren’t\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000even\u3000human\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000drow\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000his\u3000race\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000at\u3000war\u3000with\u3000those\u3000humans\u3000in\u3000their\u3000day\u3002\u3000\u3003Dark\u3000elves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000Below\u3000who\u3000have\u3000e\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000beside\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Look\u3000around\u3000you\u3002\u3000Lord\u3000Velar’s\u3000army\u3000is\u3000defeated\u3002\u3000The\u3000dragons\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000shuddered\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000the\u3000officer’s\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dragon\u2026shaped\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000on\u3000his\u3000finger\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000quite\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000dragons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000know\u3000how\u3000terrible\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000they\u3000can\u3000be\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000can\u3000help\u3000Lord\u3000Velar\u3000defeat\u3000them\u2026if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000reach\u3000him\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000Loan\u3000me\u3000your\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000defeat\u3000may\u3000yet\u3000be\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000victory\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000stood\u3000shivering\uff1b\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000tucked\u3000tight\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000officer\u3000gave\u3000one\u3000last\u3000nervous\u3000glance\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000swung\u3000down\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000saddle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Take\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000apparition\u3000said\uff1b\u3000thrusting\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000into\u3000Ryld’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000drew\u3000its\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000it\u3000had\u3000ridden\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000’Better\u3000to\u3000die\u3000proud\u3000than\u3000live\u3000in\u3000shame\uff1b’\u3000\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reciting\u3000the\u3000words\u3000like\u3000a\u3000quote\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ghost\u3000officer\u3000strode\u3000away\uff1b\u3000dissolving\u3000into\u3000a\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000mist\u3000amidst\u3000the\u3000thickly\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000remained\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000shifted\u3000its\u3000weight\uff1b\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000ploughed\u3000a\u3000furrow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000up\u3000to\u3000stroke\u3000its\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000steady\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000found\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000dust\u3000that\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000its\u3000hair\u3002\u3000The\u3000animal’s\u3000body\u3000gave\u3000off\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000heat\u2026one\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000could\u3000use\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000alive\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000ride\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000her\u2026a\u3000bit\u3000belatedly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000r\u2026r\u2026ridden\u3000lizards\u3002\u3000This\u3000beast\u3000sh\u2026shouldn’t\u3000b\u2026b\u2026be\u3000any\u3000more\u3000d\u2026difficult\u3002\u3000Wh\u2026what\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000called\u3000a\u3000horse\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000one\u3000for\u3000sale\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Heard\u3000it\u3000fetched\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000penny\u3000but\u3000only\u3000lived\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000days\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000again\u3000that\u3000time\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000essence\u3002\u3000\u3003Sit\u3000in\u3000the\u3000saddle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000flowed\u3000through\u3000Ryld’s\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000gasp\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000worried\u3000look\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000irritated\u3000by\u3000his\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000control\uff1b\u3000forced\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000awareness\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000Halisstra\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000smile\u3000as\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000her\u3000the\u3000reins\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000ride\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I’ll\u3000hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3000levitating\u3000behind\u3002\u3000The\u3000animal\u3000will\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000move\u3000faster\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000and\u3000make\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000before\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000you\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000me\u3000runs\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000luck\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000chastised\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000the\u3000b\u2026blessing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000g\u2026g\u2026goddess\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000kiss\u2026with\u3000lips\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000cold\u3000as\u3000those\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\u2026then\u3000she\u3000climbed\uff1b\u3000still\u3000shivering\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000saddle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026five
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000before\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000reached\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000activated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000glowing\u3000hand\u3000interposed\u3000itself\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000hand\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000smashing\u3000it\u3000down\u3000against\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000and\u3000dragging\u3000it\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bone\u2026white\u3000boards\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Squeaking\u3000with\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000squirm\u3000free\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000too\u3000strong\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000uridezu\u3000struggled\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000cautiously\u3000approached\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000two\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000chain\u3002\u3000Holding\u3000them\u3000together\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000cantrip\uff1b\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000use\u3000that\u3000form\u3000of\u3000binding\u3002\u3000A\u3000pentagram\uff1b\u3000once\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000redrawn\u3000entirely\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000used\u3000in\u3000a\u3000binding\u3000spell\u3000could\u3000always\u3000be\u3000restored\u3000with\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000mending\u2026assuming\u3000one\u3000had\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000restrain\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000first\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000instant\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000mended\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000and\u3000dispelled\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000slitted\u3000with\u3000fury\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000yanked\uff1b\u3000futilely\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000He\u3000spotted\u3000them\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u2026they’d\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000by\u3000levitating\u3000and\u3000were\u3000floating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000rapidly\u3000being\u3000left\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000shouted\u3000something\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000of\u3000waves\u3000and\u3000the\u3000howl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Her\u3000message\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000waving\u3000of\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000use\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000fetch\u3000them\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000made\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000cupping\u3000his\u3000ear\u3000and\u3000shrugged\u3000theatrically\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000which\u3000once\u3000again\u3000had\u3000lapsed\u3000into\u3000surly\u3000submission\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\u3000then\uff1b\u3000demon\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000hold\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000snarled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Go\u3000see\u3000for\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000open\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000tensed\u3000expectantly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000paused\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000the\u3000jar\u3000of\u3000ointment\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000the\u3000jar\u3000of\u3000ointment\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000of\u3000it\u3000on\u3000his\u3000eyelids\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000caution\u3000had\u3000been\u3000well\u3000founded\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000a\u3000hatch\u3000on\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000open\u3000onto\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000a\u3000darkened\u3000hold\u3002\u3000The\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000a\u3000wet\u3000pucker\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3000resembling\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Inside\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000were\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000jagged\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000those\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hold\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000bones\u3000and\u3000skulls\u3002\u3000Red\u3000light\u3000flickered\u3000around\u3000them\uff1b\u3000shining\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000sockets\u3000like\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000angry\u3000coals\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000exhaling\u3000a\u3000rank\u3000smell\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000burned\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000charred\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000overlaid\u3000by\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000rot\u2026worse\uff1b\u3000even\uff1b\u3000than\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Wincing\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000pinched\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000carefully\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000had\u3000the\u3000good\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000have\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000open\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000opened\u3000it\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000sucked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000consumed\u2026utterly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Too\u3000bad\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000instructed\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000hatch\uff1b\u3000instead\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000not\u3000only\u3000have\u3000produced\u3000an\u3000amusing\u3000result\u2026but\u3000also\u3000a\u3000practical\u3000one\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000for\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fed\u3000something\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000paused\u3002\u3000Or\u3000did\u3000it\uff1f\u3000For\u3000all\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000could\u3000sail\u3000for\u3000years\u3000on\u3000a\u3000single\u3000meal\u3002\u3000Centuries\uff1b\u3000even\u3002\u3000But\u3000could\u3000it\u3000sail\u3000from\u3000one\u3000plane\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000without\u3000feeding\uff1f\u3000That\u3000was\u3000something\u3000he’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3002\u3000A\u3000bluff\u3000was\u3000in\u3000order\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000folded\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000wasted\u3000enough\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000under\u3000way\u3002\u3000Set\u3000sail\u3000for\u3000Plane\u3000of\u3000Shadow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000mirrored\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000action\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000its\u3000own\u3000arms\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stupid\u3000mortal\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000disdainful\u3000smirk\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000We\u3000can\u3000not\u3000travel\u3000that\u3000far\u3002\u3000Before\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000can\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000Shadow\uff1b\u3000it\u3000must\u3000feed\u3002\u3000Permit\u3000me\u3000to\u3000gate\u3000in\u3000a\u3000worthless\u3000mane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000stoke\u3000its\u3000fires\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000smile\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000unwittingly\u3000told\u3000him\u3000what\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000it\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000any\u3000spells\u2026\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000manes\u3000stepping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000another\u3000uridezu\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000fires\u3000are\u3000stoked\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000sail\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000storm\u3000first\u3000and\u3000see\u3000about\u3000feeding\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Remember\u2026the\u3000sooner\u3000you\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000task\u3000I’ve\u3000set\u3000for\u3000you\u3000and\u3000get\u3000us\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sooner\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000free\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000few\u3000heartbeats\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000Pharaun\u3000down\u3002\u3000Then\u3000its\u3000whiskers\u3000twitched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000lifted\u3000its\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000must\u3000take\u3000the\u3000tiller\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000get\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000moving\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000noticing\u3000the\u3000sly\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003And\u3000no\u3000tricks\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000smooth\u3000sailing\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000as\u3000smooth\u3000as\u3000possible\u3000in\u3000this\u3000storm\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000paused\u3000as\u3000spray\u3000from\u3000a\u3000breaking\u3000wave\u3000crashed\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000re\u2026drenching\u3000his\u3000already\u3000sodden\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000still\u3000stuck\u3000firmly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sloping\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000wash\u3000overboard\u3000easily\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000spray\u2026one\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000sticky\u3000step\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u2026to\u3000the\u3000stern\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000The\u3000tiller\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\uff1b\u3000was\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000test\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000made\u3000of\u3000bone\u3002\u3000Not\u3000of\u3000powdered\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000boards\u3000that\u3000made\u3000up\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000a\u3000single\u3000bone\u2026an\u3000enormous\u3000radius\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000ten\u3000paces\u3000long\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000slender\u3000and\u3000light\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hollow\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000twisted\u3000it\u3000in\u3000its\u3000socket\u3002\u3000It\u3000probably\u3000came\u3000from\u3000a\u3000dragon’s\u3000wing\u3002\u3000Gripping\u3000the\u3000handle\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000over\u3000the\u3000stern\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rudder\u3000was\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000sickle\u3000blade\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Get\u3000us\u3000under\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000uridezu\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000raised\u3000clawed\u3000hands\u3000above\u3000its\u3000head\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000swept\u3000its\u3000hands\u3000forward\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tattered\u3000skin\u3000sails\u3000above\u3000stopped\u3000luffing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000belled\u3000out\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000at\u3000their\u3000lines\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3000more\u3000rapidly\u3000in\u3000its\u3000circuit\u3000around\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000move\u3000its\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000plucking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000its\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000each\u3000motion\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000that\u3000controlled\u3000the\u3000sails\u3000either\u3000tightened\u3000or\u3000loosened\uff1b\u3000trimming\u3000the\u3000sails\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Experimentally\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000tiller\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3000A\u3000lurch\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000rocking\u3000backward\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002\u3000He\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tiller\u3000as\u3000the\u3000bow\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pointing\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Sails\u3000straining\u3000and\u3000boards\u3000creaking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000began\u3000climbing\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000the\u3000bow\u3000came\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000and\u3000began\u3000climbing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000waterspout\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000teetered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pitched\u3000violently\u3000forward\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000few\u3000terrible\u3000moments\u3000Pharaun\u3000fought\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tiller\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000water\u3000smashed\u3000into\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000waterspout\u3000and\u3000floating\uff1b\u3000level\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000Shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000free\u3000his\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sodden\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000grinned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000still\u3000fastened\u3000securely\u3000by\u3000its\u3000chain\u3000to\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Smooth\u3000sailing\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000glided\u3000across\u3000the\u3000choppy\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000flicked\u3000wet\u3000hair\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000where\u3000they’d\u3000first\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000cavern\u2026some\u3000distance\u3000away\u2026and\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000collect\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000first\u3000and\u3000retrieve\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000from\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000fun\u3000of\u3000deciding\u3000what\u2026or\u3000who\u2026to\u3000feed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000would\u3000begin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000clung\u3000grimly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000as\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000galloped\u3000across\u3000the\u3000open\u3000plain\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000little\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thickly\u3000falling\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000prayed\u3000the\u3000animal\u3000would\u3000neither\u3000slip\u3000nor\u3000plunge\u3000its\u3000foot\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hole\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000apparent\u3000just\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000how\u3000fragile\u3000the\u3000swift\u3000mounts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000were\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000the\u3000riding\u3000lizards\u3000of\u3000the\u3000draw\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000but\u3000one\u3000little\u3000twist\u3000could\u3000snap\u3000a\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000rider\u3000tumbling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Should\u3000that\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000be\u3000protected\u3000from\u3000injury\u3000by\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000spell\u3002\u3000He\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cloak\u3000as\u3000she\u3000rode\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000lighter\u3000by\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Dawn\u3000had\u3000e\u3000and\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000rising\u3000steadily\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u2026a\u3000faint\u3000glow\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000sullen\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000gray\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000light\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000see\u3000for\u3000some\u3000distance\u2026at\u3000least\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rare\u3000moments\u3000when\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000lessened\u3000and\u3000anything\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Which\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000fully\u3000risen\u3000sun\u3000marked\u3000the\u3000time\u3000that\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000end\u3002\u3000Any\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000might\u3000rush\u3000back\u3000upon\u3000him\u3000full\u3000force\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tide\u3000overing\u3000an\u3000already\u3000drowning\u3000man\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stiffened\u3002\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000dark\u3000line\u3000up\u3000ahead\u3000the\u3000forest\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cold\u3000Field\u3000at\u3000last\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Twisting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000saddle\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000reassuring\u3000grin\u2026only\u3000to\u3000have\u3000that\u3000grin\u3000falter\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000set\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000concentration\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000lines\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000mouth\u3000the\u3000only\u3000hints\u3000of\u3000the\u3000effort\u3000he\u3000must\u3000be\u3000making\u3000to\u3000push\u3000away\u3000his\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000a\u3000grim\u3000smile\u3000in\u3000return\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u2026\u3003\u3000he\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000shuddered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000his\u3000body\u3000sagged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000with\u3000a\u3000visible\u3000effort\u3000he\u3000regained\u3000control\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000levitating\u3002\u3000Alarmed\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000fumbled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000reins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000with\u3000near\u2026frozen\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000groaned\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000\u3003Halisstra\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000released\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000into\u3000swirling\u3000mist\uff1b\u3000being\u3000non\u2026corporeal\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000flying\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Snow\u2026covered\u3000branches\u3000whipped\u3000at\u3000her\u3000face\u3000as\u3000she\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000She\u3000landed\u3000heavily\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000air\u3000from\u3000her\u3000lungs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000too\u3000stunned\u3000to\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000gasp\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000they’d\u3000done\u3000it\u2026they’d\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Scrambling\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000she\u3000staggered\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000feet\u2026they\u3000were\u3000like\u3000lumps\u3000of\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000her\u3000legs\u2026but\u3000somehow\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000walk\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000relieved\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Ryld\u3000sitting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000unharmed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fall\u3002\u3000She\u3000knelt\u3000beside\u3000him\u3000and\u3000draped\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000across\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000walk\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Looking\u3000more\u3000closely\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000alarmed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000grayish\u3000tinge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skin\u3002\u3000She\u3000hurriedly\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000pray\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pray\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000then\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000he\u3000sank\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000gasped\u3000in\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000Was\u3000he\u3000dead\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000chest\u3000still\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Leaning\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000she\u3000placed\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000upon\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000frozen\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000crescent\u3000moon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Eilistraee\uff1b\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3000silently\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000the\u3000words\u3000aloud\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000Help\u3000me\u3002\u3000Send\u3000me\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000I\u3000\u3000need\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000not\u3000sing\u3000your\u3000praises\u3000this\u3000morning\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000of\u3000you\u2026let\u3000me\u3000do\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3000Bestow\u3000your\u3000bounty\u3000upon\u3000your\u3000serva \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n your\u3000servant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000blessings\u3000I\u3000need\u3000so\u3000that\u3000I\u3000can\u3000save\u3000the\u3000life\u3000of\u3000this\u3000male\u3000who\u3000serves\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000She\u3000paused\u3000then\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sobbed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000corrected\u3000herself\u3002\u3000This\u3000man\u3000that\u3000I\u3000love\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000done\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000humming\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000prayer\u3002\u3000Singing\u3000the\u3000words\u3000was\u3000impossible\u2026she\u3000was\u3000shivering\u3000violently\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000working\u3000properly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000crackle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000breaking\u3000twig\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Continue\u3000the\u3000song\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Teeth\u3000chattering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000resumed\u3000her\u3000humming\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3002\u3000The\u3000fiery\u3000tingling\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000forting\u3000numbness\u3002\u3000All\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000lie\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000beside\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000calling\u3000her\u3000name\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hallucinating\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Keep\u3000humming\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000praying\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000life\u3000depends\u3000on\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000what\u3000song\u3000had\u3000she\u3000been\u3000humming\uff1f\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000had\u3000at\u3000last\u3000stopped\u3000chattering\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000shivering\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000melody\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000staring\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000Was\u3000he\u3000even\u3000alive\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000None\u3000of\u3000it\u3000mattered\u3002\u3000Not\u3000any\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000prayer\u3000unfinished\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Strangely\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000was\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000not\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000forting\u3000blanket\u3002\u3000She\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000flakes\u3000drift\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000gray\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Funny\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000never\u3000dreamed\u3000she’d\u3000die\u3000with\u3000so\u3000much\u3000space\u3000above\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3002\u3000That\u3000dark\u3000patch\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cavern\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000wasn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000why\u3000was\u3000it\u3000moving\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000was\u3000it\u3000bending\u3000down\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000Uluyara’s\u3000face\u3000swam\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000hers\u3002\u3000Fragments\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sentence\u3000drifted\u3000down\u3000into\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000like\u3000falling\u3000snow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000scrying\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000found\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000felt\u3000hands\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000Uluyara\u3000was\u3000shifting\u3000her\u3000body\u3000so\u3000she\u3000could\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3000and\u3000songsword\u3000from\u3000her\u3000backpack\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000melody\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prayer\u2026that\u3000was\u3000Feliane’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000here\uff1b\u3000too\u2026and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000tingle\u3000of\u3000warmth\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000her\u3000pack\u3000was\u3000being\u3000removed\u3000so\u3000Feliane\u3000could\u3000hold\u3000her\uff1b\u3000warm\u3000her\u3000with\u3000her\u3000body\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000her\u3000magic\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000she\u3000was\u3000shocked\u2026then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000thinking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000saved\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cried\u3000in\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000being\u3000selfish\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Feliane\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000growing\u3000more\u3000intelligible\u3000as\u3000magic\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000warming\u3000her\u3000and\u3000driving\u3000away\u3000the\u3000icy\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Uluyara\u3000is\u3000driving\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3000even\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000allowed\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000relax\uff1b\u3000to\u3000drink\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warmth\u3000of\u3000Feliane’s\u3000spell\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000done\u3000it\u2026she’d\u3000gotten\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000And\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000even\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000the\u3000Crescent\u3000Blade\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Now\u3000all\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000kill\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\nChapter\u3000Thirty\u2026six
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000waited\u3000in\u3000the\u3000great\u3000chamber\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre’s\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000through\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000dragged\u3000in\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000bound\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ankle\u3000and\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000for\u3000execution\u3002\u3000A\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000had\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000break\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000pound\u3000after\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000pulled\u3000its\u3000troops\u3000away\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000fortunately\u3000soldiers\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Xorlarrin\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000capture\u3000them\u3002\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000claimed\u3000its\u3000share\u3000of\u3000the\u3000resulting\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000being\u3000\u3003sacrificed\u3003\u3000in\u3000the\u3000temple\u2026for\u3000all\u3000the\u3000good\u3000it\u3000would\u3000do\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000did\u3000it\u3000really\u3000matter\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000captive\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000was\u3000hustled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000temple\u2026one\uff1b\u3000unlike\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000not\u3000too\u3000badly\u3000damaged\u2026Gromph\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000who\u3000was\u3000dragging\u3000him\u3000in\u3000and\u3000held\u3000up\u3000a\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000came\u3000to\u3000an\u3000immediate\u3000and\u3000obedient\u3000halt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Archmage\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000squatted\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000Kyorli\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000level\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3002\u3000Using\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000eyesight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000captive\uff1b\u3000who\u3000glared\u3000defiantly\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Yes\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000just\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000captive\u3000is\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000exec\u2026sacrificed\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000guard\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000him\u3000to\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000deliver\u3000him\u3000to\u3000Master\u3000Nauzhror\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000the\u3000master\u3000that\u3000I\u3000require\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026captive\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000for\u3000my\u3000own\u3000purposes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000deeper\u3000in\u3000the\u3000temple\u2026behind\u3000the\u3000adamantine\u3000doors\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000Lolth’s\u3000inner\u3000temple\u2026came\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000sharp\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000voice\u3000pleading\u3002\u3000Slaves\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000body\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000soldier\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000executed\u3000past\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000it\u3000outside\u3000at\u3000the\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000a\u3000riding\u3000lizard\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000Gromph\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000crunching\uff1b\u3000gulping\u3000noise\u2026the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lizard\u3000enjoying\u3000its\u3000victory\u3000feast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000prisoner\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000between\u3000the\u3000body\u3000being\u3000consumed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lizard\u3000and\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000decide\u3000which\u3000was\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000evil\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Archmage\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Dyrr\u3000cousin\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000serve\u3000you\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000will\u3002\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000addressed\u3000the\u3000guard\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000him\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000\u3003sacrifices\u3003\u3000to\u3000end\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000craned\u3000his\u3000head\u3000back\u3000and\u3000squinted\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Using\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyesight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000movement\u2026the\u3000quick\u3000scurrying\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000whose\u3000webs\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000great\u3000dome\u3000above\u2026but\u3000no\u3000detail\u3002\u3000The\u3000webs\u3000were\u3000a\u3000white\u3000haze\uff1b\u3000their\u3000lines\u3000indistinct\u3002\u3000Kyorli\u3000could\u3000see\u3000only\u3000a\u3000limited\u3000distance\u3002\u3000Rats\u3000relied\u3000more\u3000upon\u3000smell\u3000and\u3000whisker\u3000touch\u3000than\u3000they\u3000did\u3000on\u3000eyesight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000careful\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000from\u3000Andzrel\u3000about\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fooled\u3000by\u3000Gromph’s\u3000assurance\u3000that\u3000the\u3000potions\u3000had\u3000fully\u3000restored\u3000his\u3000vision\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000other\u3000nobles\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000she\u3000took\u3000no\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000Kyorli\u2026the\u3000familiar\u3000often\u3000rode\u3000on\u3000Gromph’s\u3000shoulder\u2026but\u3000if\u3000she\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000blind\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000deem\u3000him\u3000weak\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000weak\u2026in\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000as\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026were\u3000swiftly\u3000dispensed\u3000with\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Keeping\u3000that\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000turned\u3000as\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000footsteps\u3000approaching\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000adamantine\u3000doors\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000through\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000picked\u3000Triel\u3000out\u3000from\u3000among\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000who\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000great\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3000deeply\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000news\u3002\u3000Good\u3000news\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000strode\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000he\u3000stood\u3002\u3000Whiskers\u3000tickled\u3000Gromph’s\u3000cheek\u3000as\u3000Kyorli\u3000strained\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000sniffing\u3000eagerly\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000lines\u3000or\u3000red\u3000crisscrossing\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000sprays\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flayings\u3000she’d\u3000recently\u3000inflicted\u3002\u3000The\u3000serpents\u3000in\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000swayed\u3000gently\uff1b\u3000tongues\u3000dabbing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000had\u3000stained\u3000a\u3000weblike\u3000pattern\u3000across\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000white\u3000tunic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000Quenthel\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ever\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000political\u3000web\u3000and\u3000his\u3000place\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000omitted\u3000any\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000underling\u3000would\u3000be\u3000spoken\u3000of\u3000only\u3000if\u3000specifically\u3000asked\u3000about\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000have\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000whereabouts\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000and\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Triel\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000they\u3000will\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Our\u3000troubles\u3000will\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\u3002\u3000Assuming\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000that\u3000our\u3000sister\u3000proves\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000task\u3000you\u3000have\u3000set\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000hoped\u3000she\u3000would\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000barb\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000tossed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Our\u3000sister\u3000is\u3000less\u3000brilliant\u3000than\u3000some\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000is\u3000loyal\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000when\u3000it\u3000suits\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000conceded\u3002\u3000\u3003Especially\u3000in\u3000matters\u3000concerning\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000swore\u3000silently\u3000as\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000attention\u3000wandered\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000that\u3000had\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Triel’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000a\u3000blur\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000read\u3000it\u2026but\u3000causing\u3000Kyorli\u3000to\u3000whip\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000suddenly\u3000could\u3000reveal\u3000his\u3000weakness\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000nodded\u3000thoughtfully\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000indeed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000mocking\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Thankfully\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000Kyorli\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000swung\u3000behind\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rat’s\u3000field\u3000of\u3000view\u3002\u3000Staring\u3000out\u3000through\u3000Kyorli’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000saw\u3000Triel’s\u3000fingers\u3000moving\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000has\u3000been\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000more\u3000than\u3000once\uff1b\u3000she\u3000signed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3000smoothly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000covered\u3000up\u3000her\u3000death\u3000quite\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000have\u3000my\u3000methods\u3000of\u3000learning\u3000our\u3000House’s\u3000darkest\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000Where\u3000else\u3000would\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000soul\u3000have\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000during\u3000those\u3000four\u3000years\u3000that\u3000elapsed\u3000between\u3000her\u3000death\u3000and\u3000eventual\u3000resurrection\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000her\u3000goddess\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000why\u3000you\u3000chose\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000only\u3000wonder\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000snapped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Quenthel\u3000certainly\u3000was\u3000a\u3000loyal\u3000servant\u3002\u3000Wouldn’t\u3000Lolth\u3000have\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000close\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000she\u3000had\u3000other\u3000plans\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Assuming\u3000the\u3000leadership\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\uff1b\u3000which\u3000is\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000happened\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Or\u3000carrying\u3000out\u3000her\u3000current\u3000mission\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000certainly\u3000within\u3000the\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000to\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000crisis\u3000ing\u3000and\u3000have\u3000prepared\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000better\u3000than\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000terrain\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000an\u3000expedition\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000paused\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000all\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000report\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000let\u3000you\u3000know\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000I\u3000receive\u3000another\u3000report\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Dismissing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Trie \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000let\u3000you\u3000know\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000I\u3000receive\u3000another\u3000report\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Dismissing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000strode\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\u3000his\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000If\u3000Triel\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000blind\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000pass\u3002\u3000If\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000been\u3000granting\u3000her\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000any\u3000number\u3000of\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000could\u3000have\u3000restored\u3000his\u3000eyesight\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000could\u3000do\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000another\u3000reminder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000powers\u3000they\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000manded\u3002\u3000Leaving\u3000him\u3000his\u3000pretense\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000would\u3000only\u3000help\u3000Triel\u3000maintain\u3000her\u3000own\u3000pretense\u3000of\u3000power\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000find\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000Pits\u3000and\u3000why\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000all\u3000those\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000an\u3000expedition\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000afterlife\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000been\u3000tapped\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000for\u3000some\u3000higher\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000the\u3000balance\u3000of\u3000power\u3000could\u3000shift\u3000in\u3000her\u3000favor\u2026certainly\u3000would\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000successful\u3000in\u3000her\u3000quest\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000So\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000below\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000of\u3000demonic\u3000manufacture\u2026that\u3000much\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000living\u3000tissue\u3000that\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000into\u3000its\u3000construction\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000stood\u3000four\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000a\u3000draegloth\u2026Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000Quenthel\u3000were\u3000arguing\u2026just\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000when\u3000Aliisza\u3000had\u3000first\u3000encountered\u3000them\u3000near\u3000Ammarindar\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000taunted\u3000an\u3000uridezu\u3000demon\u3000that\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000bound\u3000in\u3000place\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\u3002\u3000The\u3000uridezu\u3000strained\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000gnashing\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000held\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000out\u3000by\u3000the\u3000tail\u2026then\u3000bit\u3000its\u3000head\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000drow\u2026the\u3000mercenary\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000little\u3000female\u3000that\u3000irritated\u3000Aliisza\u3000so\u2026seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000keeping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000patiently\u3000for\u3000it\u3000to\u3000end\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza’s\u3000eyes\u3000lingered\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\u3000who\u3000was\u3000dressed\u3000elegantly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000always\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000that\u3000lovely\u3000long\u3000white\u3000hair\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000have\u3000found\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000timing\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000off\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000snatches\u3000of\u3000argument\u3000that\u3000drifted\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Aliisza’s\u3000perch\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000group\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000departing\u2026though\u3000there\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000some\u3000question\u3000about\u3000how\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000would\u3000make\u3000the\u3000journey\u3002\u3000Someone\u2026or\u3000something\u2026had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fed\u3000first\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Ah\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000of\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000said\uff1b\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000then\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000is\u3000a\u3000detail\u3000Kaanyr\u3000will\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000do\u3000you\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000sail\u3000it\u3000to\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\u3000Pharaun\uff1f\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000mused\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Abyss\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000her\u3000curly\u3000black\u3000hair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Surely\u3000you’d\u3000rather\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000spend\u3000some\u3000time\u3000with\u3000me\u3000than\u3000visit\u3000that\u3000nasty\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000yours\u3002\u3000I\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000am\u3000alive\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000responsive\u3000to\u3000your\u3000prayers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Chuckling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000delay\u3000her\u3000report\u3000to\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\u2026who\u3000was\u3000all\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000with\u3000that\u3000dreary\u3000siege\u3000of\u3000his\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000she’d\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Lake\u3000of\u3000Shadows\u3000and\u3000have\u3000some\u3000fun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pleasure\uff1b\u3000she\u3000mused\uff1b\u3000should\u3000e\u3000before\u3000business\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Always\u3002
\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book\u30004\u3000of\u3000War\u3000of\u3000the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-21720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-12","comments-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}