{"id":2853,"date":"2025-04-21T22:19:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=2853"},"modified":"2025-04-21T22:19:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:19:02","slug":"war-of-the-spider-queen-1-dissolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=2853","title":{"rendered":"war of the spider queen 1 dissolution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \u3000shadowy\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000where\u3000nothing\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000what\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000inevitably\u3000more\u3000treacherous\u3000and\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crystalline\u3000glimmer\u3000of\u3000a\u3000single\u3000silken\u3000strand\uff1b\u3000shone\u3000brightly\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000showed\u3000her\u3000all\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000and\u3000all\u3000that\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000and\u3000all\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3002
\nThe\u3000glimmer\u3000of\u3000light\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000Abyss\u3000promised\u3000renewal\u3000and\u3000greater\u3000glory\u3000and\u3000made\u3000that\u3000promise\u3000all\u3000the\u3000sweeter\u3000with\u3000its\u3000hints\u3000of\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000mortal\u3000danger\u3000for\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000immortal\u3000by\u3000nature\u3002\u3000That\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000allure\uff1b\u3000was\uff1b\u3000in\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000joy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000growth\u3002\u3000The\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000not\u3000evil\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000enjoyment\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000the\u3000continual\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unknown\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shiftnoting\u3000foundation\u3000of\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000every\u3000twist\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000could\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000disaster\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000something\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000never\u3000e\u3000to\u3000fully\u3000understand\u3000and\u3000apnotpreciate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000preferred\u3000that\u3000ignorance\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000was\u3000a\u3000means\u3000for\u3000personal\u3000gain\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000straight\u3000ladders\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tumult\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000life\u3000for\u3000one\u3000to\u3000climb\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000beauty\u3000was\u3000not\u3000the\u3000ascent\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000beauty\u3000was\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000every\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000of\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unknown\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whirlpool\u3000of\u3000true\u3000chaos\u3002
\nSo\u3000this\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000movement\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000within\u3000that\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gamble\uff1b\u3000a\u3000risk\u3000that\u3000could\u3000launch\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000of\u3000her\u3000world\u3000to\u3000greater\u3000heights\u3000and\u3000surprises\u3002\u3000She\u3000wished\u3000she\u3000could\u3000remain\u3000more\u3000fully\u3000conscious\u3000to\u3000witness\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000to\u3000bask\u3000in\u3000it\u3000all\u3002
\nBut\u3000no\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Even\u3000within\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hunger\u3000of\u3000their\u3000ambition\u3002
\nThat\u3000glimmer\u3000of\u3000the\u3000silk\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000perpetual\u3000fog\u3000of\u3000the\u3000swirling\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000singular\u3000purpose\u3000to\u3000this\u3000creature\u3000of\u3000shifting\u3000whims\u3000and\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\uff1b\u3000was\u3000past\u3000time\u3002
\nNever\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000off\u3000that\u3000glimmer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000turned\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000windnoting\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000single\u3000strand\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000millions\u3002
\nThe\u3000start\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metamorphosis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000promise\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
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\nO\u3000N\u3000E
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\nGromph\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000flicked\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000obsidian\u2026skinned\u3000finger\u3002\u3000His\u3000office\u3000door\uff1b\u3000a\u3000black\u3000marble\u3000rectangle\u3000incised\u3000all\u3000over\u3000with\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000runes\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000noiselessly\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000locked\u3000its\u3000self\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000could\u3000see\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000wizard\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000white\u3000bone\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000faced\u3000the\u3000back\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swirled\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000pattern\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000doorway\u3000opened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stippled\u3000calcite\u3000surface\u3002
\nHis\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000vision\u3000unimpaired\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blackness\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000new\u3000exit\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000floor\u3000there\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000his\u3000tread\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000invoked\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000levitation\u3000granted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000insignia\u3000brooch\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000never\u3000withnotout\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000up\u3000a\u3000featureless\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000The\u3000cool\u3000air\u3000tingled\u3000and\u3000prickled\u3000against\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000as\u3000it\u3000always\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000also\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000rank\uff1b\u3000unnotpleasant\u3000smell\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000native\u3000to\u3000this\u3000peculiar\u3000pseudoplane\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000had\u3000been\u3000nosing\u3000around\u3000the\u3000conduit\u3002
\nSure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000something\u3000rattled\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000rank\u3000smell\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000stronger\uff1b\u3000pungent\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000scarlet\u3000eyes\u3000water\u3000and\u3000sting\u3000his\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000he\u3000discerned\u3000a\u3000vague\u3000ovoid\u3000shape\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002
\nThe\u3000Archmage\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000before\u3002\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000torn\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000oozed\u3000through\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ghost\uff1b\u3000or\u3000done\u3000something\u3000stranger\u3000still\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u2026
\nIt\u3000plummeted\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000his\u3000speculations\u3002
\nGromph\u3000could\u3000have\u3000effortlessly\u3000blasted\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000wands\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000to\u3000conserve\u3000their\u3000power\u3000for\u3000genuine\u3000threats\u3002\u3000Innotstead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000coolly\u3000dismissed\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000levitation\u3000lifting\u3000his\u3000body\u3000and\u3000alnotlowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000The\u3000fall\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000for\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000ground\u3002
\nThe\u3000bejeweled\u3000and\u3000sigil\u2026adorned\u3000Robes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000flapping\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000venom\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000set\u3000it\u3000alight\u3000with\u3000a\u3000spurt\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000recited\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000final\u3000syllable\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thrust\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000at\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000glob\u3000of\u3000black\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000liquid\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertips\u3002
\nPropelled\u3000by\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blazing\u3000fluid\u3000hurtled\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000to\u3000splash\u3000against\u3000the\u3000descending\u3000predator\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000piercing\u3000buzz\u3000that\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000a\u3000cry\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000It\u3000floundered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000bouncing\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000against\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000as\u3000it\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Its\u3000body\u3000sizzled\u3000and\u3000bubbled\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spattered\u3000acid\u3000ate\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000resumed\u3000diving\u3000in\u3000a\u3000controlled\u3000manner\u3002
\nGromph\u3000was\u3000mildly\u3000 \n
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\n diving\u3000in\u3000a\u3000controlled\u3000manner\u3002
\nGromph\u3000was\u3000mildly\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000A\u3000venom\u3000bolt\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000most\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000petty\u3000vermin\u3000one\u3000encountered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000places\u3000between\u3000the\u3000worlds\u3002
\nManipulating\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000cocoon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000another\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000beast’s\u3000body\u3000crumpled\u3000and\u3000folded\u3000into\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000helpnotlessly\u3000tumbling\u3000mouse\u2026then\u3000it\u3000swelled\u3000and\u3000rippled\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000natural\u3000form\u3002
\nAll\u3000right\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I’ll\u3000cut\u3000you\u3000up\u3002
\nHe\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000a\u3000hail\u3000of\u3000blades\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creanotture\u3000accelerated\u3002
\nGromph\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000could\u3000descend\u3000any\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000it\u3000had\u3000hitherto\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000speed\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000between\u3000them\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hovering\u3000right\u3000in\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\nIt\u3000had\u3000the\u3000melted\u3000or\u3000unfinished\u3000look\u3000mon\u3000to\u3000many\u3000such\u3000beings\u3002\u3000Rows\u3000of\u3000blank\u3000little\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000a\u3000writhing\u3000proboscis\u3000sat\u3000off\u3000center\u3000in\u3000its\u3000bump\u3000of\u3000a\u3000head\uff1b\u3000only\u3000vaguely\u3000differentiated\u3000from\u3000its\u3000rubbery\u3000blob\u3000of\u3000a\u3000body\u3002\u3000The\u3000monster\u3000possessed\u3000no\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000flying\u2026the\u3000goddess\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000how\u3002\u3000Its\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000the\u3000most\u3000articulate\u3000part\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000segnotmented\u3000members\u3000terminated\u3000in\u3000barbed\u3000hooks\uff1b\u3000which\u3000lashed\u3000at\u3000Gromph\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frenzied\u3000scratching\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000harm\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000ennotchantments\u3000woven\u3000into\u3000Gromph’s\u3000piwafwi\u2026not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000and\u3000an\u3000amulet\u2026armored\u3000him\u3000at\u3000least\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000a\u3000suit\u3000of\u3000plate\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000irked\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000to\u3000get\u3000so\u3000close\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000more\u3000irritated\u3000still\u3000when\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000exertions\u3000were\u3000flinging\u3000tiny\u3000smoking\u3000droplets\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000conjured\u3000acid\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000person\u3002
\nHe\u3000growled\u3000a\u3000final\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000malodorous\u3000predator\uff1b\u3000seizing\u3000handfuls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blubber\u3000on\u3000its\u3000torso\u3002\u3000Instantly\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000began\u3000its\u3000work\u3002\u3000Strength\u3000and\u3000vitality\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000shocknoting\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\nHe\u3000was\u3000drinking\u3000his\u3000adversary’s\u3000very\u3000life\uff1b\u3000much\u3000as\u3000a\u3000vampire\u3000might\u3000have\u3000done\u3002\u3000The\u3000flying\u3000creature\u3000buzzed\uff1b\u3000thrashed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000became\u3000still\u3002\u3000It\u3000withered\uff1b\u3000cracked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rotted\u3000in\u3000his\u3000grasp\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000he’d\u3000sucked\u3000out\u3000every\u3000vestige\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\nFocusing\u3000his\u3000will\uff1b\u3000he\u3000arrested\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000upward\u3000again\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spied\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002\u3000He\u3000floated\u3000through\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000convenient\u3000handrail\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000himself\u3000over\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000workroom\uff1b\u3000then\u3000allowed\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000return\u3002\u3000His\u3000vestments\u3000rustled\u3000as\u3000they\u3000settled\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000large\u3000circular\u3000chamber\u3000was\u3000in\u3000most\u3000respects\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u2026the\u3000school\u3000of\u3000wizardry\u3000over\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000presided\u2026but\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000reasonably\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000susnotpected\u3000its\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000secret\u3000and\u3000magical\u3000architecture\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000everlasting\u3000candles\u3000like\u3000the\u3000office\u3000below\uff1b\u3000was\u3000well\u3000nigh\u3000undetectable\uff1b\u3000even\u3000unguessable\uff1b\u3000because\u3000its\u3000tenant\u3000had\u3000set\u3000it\u3000a\u3000little\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000normal\u3000space\u3000and\u3000conventional\u3000time\u3002\u3000In\u3000some\u3000subtle\u3000renotspects\u3000it\u3000existed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000past\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000days\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000the\u3000Kinless\uff1b\u3000founder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000another\u3000way\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000remote\u3000and\u3000unknowable\u3000future\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000level\u3000of\u3000gross\u3000mortal\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000it\u3000sat\u3000firmly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000presnotent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000work\u3000his\u3000most\u3000clandestine\u3000magic\u3000there\u3000secure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000affect\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000of\u3000today\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000neat\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000he\u3000almost\u3000regretted\u3000killing\u3000the\u3000seven\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000master\u3000mages\u3000all\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000him\u3000build\u3000the\u3000place\u3000in\u3000exchange\uff1b\u3000they\u3000imagined\uff1b\u3000for\u3000their\u3000freedom\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000been\u3000genuine\u3000artists\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000point\u3000in\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000refuge\u3000unless\u3000one\u3000ensured\u3000it\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000hidden\u3002
\nDusting\u3000a\u3000few\u3000specks\u3000and\u3000smears\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000vermin\u3000from\u3000his\u3000nimble\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000containing\u3000an\u3000extensive\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000wizard’s\u3000tools\u3002\u3000Humming\uff1b\u3000he\u3000selected\u3000a\u3000spiral\u2026carved\u3000ebony\u3000staff\u3000from\u3000a\u3000wyvern’s\u2026foot\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000an\u3000onyx\u2026studded\u3000iron\u3000amulet\u3000from\u3000its\u3000velvet\u2026lined\u3000box\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wickedly\u3000curved\u3000athame\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rack\u3000of\u3000similar\u3000ritual\u3000knives\u3002\u3000He\u3000sniffed\u3000several\u3000ceramic\u3000pots\u3000of\u3000incense\u3000before\u3000finally\u3000senotlecting\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000often\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000black\u3000lotus\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000murmured\u3000an\u3000invocation\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyssal\u3000powers\u3000and\u3000lit\u3000a\u3000brazen\u3000censor\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tame\u3000little\u3000flame\u3000he\u3000could\u3000conjure\u3000at\u3000will\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000truly\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000proceed\u3002
\nMenzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000in\u3000desperate\u3000straits\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000citinotzens\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000realized\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000Gromph’s\u3000place\uff1b\u3000many\u3000another\u3000wizard\u3000would\u3000embrace\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000as\u3000an\u3000unparalleled\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000enhance\u3000his\u3000own\u3000power\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000saw\u3000deeper\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000had\u3000experienced\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n the\u3000Archmage\u3000saw\u3000deeper\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000had\u3000experienced\u3000too\u3000many\u3000shocks\u3000and\u3000setbacks\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000years\u3002\u3000Another\u3000upheaval\u3000could\u3000cripple\u3000or\u3000even\u3000destroy\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000fancy\u3000life\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000that\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000mockery\u3000of\u3000its\u3000former\u3000glory\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000he\u3000see\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000homeless\u3000wanderer\u3000begging\u3000sanctuary\u3000and\u3000employment\u3000from\u3000the\u3000indiffernotent\u3000rulers\u3000of\u3000some\u3000foreign\u3000realm\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000resolved\u3000to\u3000correct\u3000the\u3000current\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000not\u3000exploit\u3000it\u3002
\nExcept\u3000I\u3000am\u3000about\u3000to\u3000exploit\u3000it\u3000in\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000limited\u3000way\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000I\uff1f\u3000He\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Give\u3000in\u3000to\u3000temptation\u3000and\u3000seize\u3000the\u3000advantage\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000so\u3000doing\u3000further\u3000destabilizes\u3000the\u3000already\u3000precarious\u3000status\u3000quo\u3002
\nGromph\u3000snorted\u3000his\u3000momentary\u3000and\u3000uncharacteristic\u3000misgivings\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000were\u3000children\u3000of\u3000chaos\u2026of\u3000paradox\uff1b\u3000contradiction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000perversity\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000their\u3000strength\u3002\u3000So\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\uff1b\u3000why\u3000not\u3000walk\u3000in\u3000two\u3000opposite\u3000directions\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1f\u3000When\u3000would\u3000he\u3000get\u3000annotother\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000so\u3000alter\u3000his\u3000circumstances\uff1f
\nHe\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plex\u3000pentacles\u3000inlaid\u3000in\u3000gold\u3000on\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000traced\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\u3000staff\u3000along\u3000its\u3000curves\u3000and\u3000angles\uff1b\u3000sealnoting\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000done\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000athame\u3000in\u3000ritual\u3000passes\u3000and\u3000chanted\u3000a\u3000rhyme\u3000that\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000its\u3000own\u3000beginning\u3000like\u3000a\u3000serpent\u3000swallowing\u3000its\u3000tail\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloying\u3000sweetness\u3000of\u3000black\u3000lotus\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000narcotic\u3000vapors\u3000lifting\u3000his\u3000consciousness\u3000into\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000almost\u3000painful\u3000connotcentration\u3000and\u3000lucidity\u3002
\nHe\u3000lost\u3000all\u3000track\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000whether\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000reciting\u3000for\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3000or\u3000an\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000finally\u3000came\u3000when\u3000he’d\u3000recited\u3000long\u3000enough\u3002\u3000The\u3000nether\u3000spirit\u3000Beradax\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000jerk\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fish\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000an\u3000angler’s\u3000line\u3002
\nHis\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000wizardry\u3000had\u3000rendered\u3000Gromph\u3000about\u3000as\u3000indifferent\u3000to\u3000ugliness\u3000and\u3000grotesquerie\u3000as\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000his\u3000callous\u3000race\u3000could\u3000get\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000even\u3000he\u3000found\u3000Beradax\u3000an\u3000unpleasant\u3000spectacle\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000apnotproximate\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000female\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000human\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000body\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000wet\uff1b\u3000glistening\u3000eyeballs\u3000adhering\u3000together\u3002\u3000About\u3000half\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000the\u3000crimson\u3000irises\u3000characteristic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000were\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000brown\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000gray\u2026a\u3000miscellany\u3000of\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000monly\u3000found\u3000in\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3002
\nHer\u3000body\u3000flowing\uff1b\u3000her\u3000shape\u3000warping\uff1b\u3000Beradax\u3000flung\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000her\u3000summoner\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000pass\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3002\u3000She\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000an\u3000unseen\u3000barrier\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wet\uff1b\u3000slapping\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000then\u3000renotbounded\u3002
\nUndeterred\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lunged\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000success\u3002\u3000Her\u3000resentment\u3000and\u3000malice\u3000infinite\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000spring\u3000a\u3000million\u3000times\u3000if\u3000left\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000devices\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000her\uff1b\u3000trapped\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000something\u3000more\u3000was\u3000needed\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000converse\u3002\u3000He\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000dagger\u3000into\u3000his\u3000belly\u3002
\nBeradax\u3000reeled\u3002\u3000The\u3000eyeballs\u3000prising\u3000her\u3000own\u3000stomach\u3000churned\u3000and\u3000shuddered\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000central\u3000mass\u3000to\u3000fade\u3000and\u3000vanish\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n”Kill\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000shrill\u3000voice\u3000unnaturally\u3000loud\uff1b\u3000her\u3000gaping\u3000mouth\u3000affording\u3000a\u3000shadowy\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eyeball\u3000bumps\u3000lining\u3000the\u3000intenotrior\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000kill\u3000you\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000slave\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000chanting\u3000and\u3000incense\u3000had\u3000parched\u3000his\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000dryness\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000serve\u3000me\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000calm\u3000yourself\u3000and\u3000submit\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000want\u3000another\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Kill\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\nBeradax\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000him\u3000again\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000springing\u3000while\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000athame\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000through\u3000his\u3000abdomen\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000she\u3000collapsed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000submit\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000growled
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000extracted\u3000the\u3000athame\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000tear\u3000in\u3000his\u3000robes\u3000or\u3000in\u3000his\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000the\u3000knife’s\u3000enchantments\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000prenotcisely\u3000as\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000hurting\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000him\u3002
\nBeradax’s\u3000belly\u3000stopped\u3000heaving\u3000and\u3000shaking\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\uff1b\u3000drow\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Information\uff1f\u3000Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000can\u3000discharge\u3000my\u3000errand\u3000and\u3000depart\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000information\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000said\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000summoned\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000nether\u2026spirits\u3000over\u3000the\u3000past\u3000month\uff1b\u3000and\u3000none\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000what\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000Beradax\u3000was\u3000no\u3000wiser\u3000than\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000my\u3000sister\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000had\u3000hated\u3000Quenthel\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000She\u3000always\u3000treated\u3000him\u3000like\u3000some\u3000retainer\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000too\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000greatest\u3000wizard\u3000besides\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000only\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000deserved\u3000respect\u3002
\nHis\u3000antipathy\u3000only\u3000intensified\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000advise\u3000their\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000the\u3000uncrowned\u3000queen\u3000of\u3000Mennotzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Predictably\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000disagreed\u3000on\u3000every\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000policy\u3000from\u3000trade\u3000to\u3000war\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n
\n greed\u3000on\u3000every\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000policy\u3000from\u3000trade\u3000to\u3000war\u3000to\u3000mining\u3000and\u3000had\u3000vexed\u3000one\u3000another\u3000no\u3000end\u3002
\nGromph’s\u3000animus\u3000intensified\u3000still\u3000further\u3000when\u3000Quenthel\u3000became\u3000Misnottress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000the\u3000school\u3000for\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000The\u3000mistress\u3000governed\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000Sorcere\u3000included\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000found\u3000himnotself\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000contend\u3000with\u3000her\u2026indeed\uff1b\u3000to\u3000suffer\u3000her\u3000oversight\u2026in\u3000this\u3000one\u2026time\u3000haven\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000endured\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000arrogance\u3000and\u3000meddling\u3000indefnotinitely\uff1b\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000their\u3000mother’s\u3000sudden\u3000and\u3000unexpected\u3000death\u3002
\nCounseling\u3000the\u3000former\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000been\u3000more\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000than\u3000a\u3000treat\u3002\u3000She\u3000generally\u3000ignored\u3000advice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000deputies\u3000were\u3000lucky\u3000if\u3000she\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\u3000at\u3000that\u3002\u3000Often\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000she\u3000responded\u3000to\u3000their\u3000suggestions\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tornotrent\u3000of\u3000abuse\u3002
\nBut\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000Gromph’s\u3000other\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000the\u3000new\u3000head\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000had\uff1b\u3000over\u3000time\uff1b\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000different\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000sovereign\u3002\u3000Indecisive\uff1b\u3000overnotwhelmed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000responsibilities\u3000of\u3000her\u3000new\u3000office\uff1b\u3000she\u3000relied\u3000heavily\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opinions\u3000of\u3000her\u3000siblings\u3002
\nThat\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000Archmage\uff1b\u3000though\u3000a\u3000\u3003mere\u3000male\uff1b\u3003\u3000could\u3000theoretically\u3000rule\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000long\u3000last\u3000order\u3000all\u3000things\u3000to\u3000please\u3000himself\u3002\u3000But\u3000only\u3000if\u3000he\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matron’s\u3000other\u3000counselor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000damnably\u3000persuasive\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000oppose\u3000him\u3000on\u3000virtually\u3000every\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000been\u3000contemplating\u3000her\u3000assassination\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000present\u3000situation\u3000afforded\u3000him\u3000an\u3000irresistible\u3000opnotportunity\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000send\u3000me\u3000to\u3000my\u3000death\uff01\u3003\u3000Beradax\u3000protested\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000life\u3000or\u3000death\u3000are\u3000of\u3000no\u3000importance\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003only\u3000my\u3000will\u3000matters\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000survive\u3002\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000has\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000know\u3000very\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000is\u3000warded\u3000by\u3000all\u3000the\u3000old\u3000enchantments\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000dissolve\u3000the\u3000barriers\u3000for\u3000you\u3002
\n1\u3000won\u3000t\u3000go\uff01
\n\u3003Nonsense\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000submitted\u3000and\u3000must\u3000obey\u3002\u3000Stop\u3000blathering\u3000before\u3000I\u3000lose\u3000my\u3000patience\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000hefted\u3000the\u3000athame\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Beradax\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000slump\u3002
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000send\u3000me\u3000and\u3000be\u3000damned\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000as\u3000I\u3000will\u3000one\u3000day\u3000butcher\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000go\u3000quite\u3000yet\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000your\u3000bluster\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000lowliest\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000nether\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000a\u3000grub\u3000crawling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000Hell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000tonight\u3000you’ll\u3000wear\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000genuine\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000impression\u3000on\u3000the\u3000resinotdents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3000
\nGromph\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000words\u3000of\u3000power\u3002\u3000Benotradax\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000as\u3000her\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000eyeballs\u3000flowed\u3000and\u3000humped\u3000into\u3000something\u3000quite\u3000different\u3002
\nAfterward\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000descended\u3000to\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000an\u3000appointment\u3000with\u3000a\u3000different\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000agent\u3002\u3000
\n
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\nAs\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\u3000strolled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000air\uff1b\u3000fresher\u3000than\u3000that\u3000pent\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000bothered\u3000to\u3000set\u3000foot\u3000outside\u3000in\u3000days\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rather\u3000wondered\u3000why\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000view\u3000was\u3000as\u3000spectacular\u3000as\u3000ever\u3002
\nTier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000home\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000since\u3000that\u3000institution’s\u3000founding\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\u3000cavern\u3000where\u3000the\u3000labor\u3000of\u3000countless\u3000spell\u3000casters\uff1b\u3000artisans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slaves\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000enormous\u3000stalagmites\u3000and\u3000other\u3000masses\u3000of\u3000rocks\u3000into\u3000three\u3000exnottraordinary\u3000citadels\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000east\u3000rose\u3000pyramidal\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000others\u3000like\u3000him\u3000turned\u3000callow\u3000young\u3000drow\u3000into\u3000warriors\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000western\u3000wall\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000many\u2026spired\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000colleagues\u3000taught\u3000wizardry\uff1b\u3000while\u3000to\u3000the\u3000north\u3000crouched\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000and\u3000most\u3000imposing\u3000school\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000a\u3000temple\u3000built\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eight\u2026limbed\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Inside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000goddess\u3000of\u3000arachnotnids\uff1b\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000assassins\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000race\uff1b\u3000trained\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000maidens\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000the\u3000deity\u3000in\u3000their\u3000turn\u3002
\nAnd\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000magnificent\u3000as\u3000was\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000considered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000connottext\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000detail\u3000in\u3000a\u3000scene\u3000of\u3000far\u3000greater\u3000splendor\u3002\u3000The\u3000Academy\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000side\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000nook\u3000opening\u3000partway\u3000up\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000a\u3000truly\u3000prodigious\u3000vault\u3002\u3000The\u3000primary\u3000chamber\u3000was\u3000two\u3000miles\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thounotsand\u3000feet\u3000high\uff1b\u3000and\u3000filling\u3000all\u3000that\u3000space\u3000was\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000castles\uff1b\u3000hewn\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000from\u3000natural\u3000pronottrusions\u3000of\u3000calcite\uff1b\u3000shone\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000and\u3000violet\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000The\u3000phosphorescent\u3000mansions\u3000served\u3000to\u3000delineate\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000of\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000those\u3000Houses\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000powerful\u3000made\u3000their\u3000homes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000West\u3000Wall\u3000district\uff1b\u3000where\u3000lesser\u3000but\u3000still\u3000well\u2026established\u3000noble\u3000families\u3000schemed\u3000how\u3000to\u3000supplant\u3000the\u3000dwellers\u3000on\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3000where\u3000parvenus\u3000plotted\u3000to\u3000replace\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000of\u3000West\u3000Wall\u3002\u3000Still\u3000other\u3000palaces\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000stalactites\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lofty\u3000ceiling\u3002
\nThe\u3000nobles\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000set\u3000their\u3000homes\u3000glowing\u3000to\u3000display\u3000their\u3000immensity\uff1b\u3000their\u3000graceful\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ornamentation \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nsity\uff1b\u3000their\u3000graceful\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ornamentation\u3000sculpted\u3000about\u3000their\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3000featured\u3000spiders\u3000and\u3000webs\uff1b\u3000scarcely\u3000surprising\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000realm\u3000where\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000deity\u3000anyone\u3000worshiped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000clergy\u3000ruled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000temporal\u3000sense\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spiritual\u3000one\u3002
\nFor\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000found\u3000the\u3000persistence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000motif\u3000vaguely\u3000opnotpressive\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000other\u3000details\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000good\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000frigid\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000called\u3000Donigarten\u3000at\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000eastern\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\u3002\u3000Cattle\u2026like\u3000beasts\u3000called\u3000rothe\u3000and\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000slaves\u3000who\u3000herded\u3000them\u3000lived\u3000on\u3000an\u3000island\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002
\nAnd\u3000there\u3000was\u3000Narbondel\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000un\u2026worked\u3000stone\u3000remaining\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000irregular\u3000column\u3000exnottending\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000every\u3000day\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000into\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000heating\u3000it\u3000until\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000glowed\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000radiance\u3000rose\u3000through\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000at\u3000a\u3000constant\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000its\u3000progress\u3000enabled\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000time\u3002
\nIn\u3000their\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000were\uff1b\u3000if\u3000nowhere\u3000near\u3000as\u3000grand\u3000a\u3000sight\u3000as\u3000the\u3000vista\u3000before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000peculiar\u3000one\u3000by\u3000virtue\u3000of\u3000the\u3000contrasts\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000With\u3000his\u3000slender\u3000build\uff1b\u3000graceful\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000foppish\uff1b\u3000elegant\u3000attire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000intricate\u3000coiffure\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000mage\u3000epitomized\u3000what\u3000a\u3000sophisticated\u3000noble\u3000and\u3000wizard\u3000should\u3000be\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000an\u3000oddity\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000huge\u3000for\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sex\uff1b\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000many\u3000females\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000burly\uff1b\u3000broad\u2026shouldered\u3000frame\u3000better\u3000suited\u3000to\u3000a\u3000brutish\u3000human\u3000than\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3002\u3000He\u3000pounded\u3000his\u3000strangeness\u3000by\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000dwarven\u3000breastplate\u3000and\u3000vambraces\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000light\uff1b\u3000supple\u3000mail\u3002\u3000The\u3000armor\u3000sometimes\u3000caused\u3000others\u3000to\u3000eye\u3000him\u3000askance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’d\u3000found\u3000that\u3000it\u3000maximized\u3000his\u3000effectiveness\u3000as\u3000a\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000always\u3000believed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000what\u3000really\u3000mattered\u3002
\nRyld\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000with\u3000their\u3000legs\u3000dangling\u3000over\u3000the\u3000sheer\u3000drop\u2026off\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3000that\u3000connected\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000with\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000those\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000pillars\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000sennottries\u2026last\u2026year\u3000students\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026stood\u3000watch\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000were\u3000distant\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000privacy\u3000if\u3000they\u3000kept\u3000their\u3000voices\u3000low\u3002
\nLow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\u3002\u3000Ever\u3000the\u3000sensualist\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000sat\u3000savoring\u3000the\u3000panorama\u3000below\u3000him\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000prolonging\u3000his\u3000contemplation\u3000well\u3000past\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000Ryld’s\u3000mouth\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000tighten\u3000with\u3000impatience\uff1b\u3000and\u3000never\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walk\u3000up\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000admired\u3000the\u3000view\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000drow\u3000don’t\u3000love\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000except\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carnal\u3000sense\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000remarked\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000one\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000love\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000take\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000sound\u3000less\u3000than\u3000rhapsodic\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000morose\u3000again\u3000today\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000Better\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000assumed\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000executed\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Does\u3000my\u3000offense\u3000seem\u3000so\u3000grievous\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000never\u3000annihilated\u3000a\u3000single\u3000specimen\u3000of\u3000our\u3000tender\u3000young\u3000cadets\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000depends\u3000on\u3000how\u3000you\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003bat\u3000training\u3000is\u3000inherently\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000Accidents\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000questioned\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000accidents\u3000occurring\u3000during\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere’s\u3000legitimate\u3000business\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000I\u3000never\u3000lost\u3000seven\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000from\u3000Houses\u3000with\u3000seats\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Council\u3002\u3000How\u3000does\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000needed\u3000seven\u3000assistants\u3000with\u3000a\u3000degree\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000expertise\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000summoning\u3000ritual\u3002\u3000Had\u3000I\u3000called\u3000upon\u3000full\u2026fledged\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000experiment\u3000as\u3000equal\u3000partners\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000have\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ritual\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000newly\u3000discovered\u3000secrets\u3000as\u3000myself\uff1b\u3000equally\u3000able\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000and\u3000control\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\u3002\u3000Naturally\u3000I\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sharing\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000use\u3000apprentices\u3000instead\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003In\u3000retrospect\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000it\u3000may\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3002\u3000The\u3000fiend\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000require\u3000seven\u3000heartnotbeats\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\nAn\u3000updraft\u3000wafted\u3000past\u3000Ryld’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000constant\u3000murmur\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metropolis\u3000below\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000its\u3000scent\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000odor\u3000made\u3000of\u3000cooking\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000incense\uff1b\u3000perfume\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000unwashed\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000other\u3000things\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000perform\u3000such\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000ritual\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000silly\u3000question\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3003To\u3000bee\u3000more\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000presnotent\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thirty\u3000most\u3000puissant\u3000mages\u3000in\u3000the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thirty\u3000most\u3000puissant\u3000mages\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000controlled\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000five\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000even\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000mightier\u3000than\u3000dreary\u3000old\u3000Gromph\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\nI\u3000see\u3002
\nAmbition\u3000was\u3000an\u3000essential\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000character\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000somenottimes\u3000envied\u3000Pharaun\u3000his\u3000still\u2026passionate\u3000investment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000struggle\u3000for\u3000status\u3002\u3000The\u3000warrior\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000himself\u3000had\u3000achieved\u3000the\u3000pinnacle\u3000of\u3000his\u3000ambitions\u3000when\u3000he\u3000became\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000for\u3000certainly\u3000he\uff1b\u3000born\u3000a\u3000moner\uff1b\u3000could\u3000never\u3000climb\u3000any\u3000higher\u3002\u3000From\u3000that\u3000day\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000stopped\u3000peering\u3000hungrily\u3000upward\u3000and\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000looking\u3000down\uff1b\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000against\u3000all\u3000those\u3000who\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000in\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000ascending\u3000to\u3000his\u3000position\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000being\u3000of\u3000noble\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000really\u3000did\u3000aspire\u3000to\u3000assassinate\u3000the\u3000formidable\u3000Gromph\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000seize\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000their\u3000intricate\u3000and\u3000clandestine\u3000art\uff1b\u3000maintained\u3000a\u3000rivalry\u3000that\u3000enpassed\u3000more\u3000than\u3000who\u3000was\u3000a\u3000master\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000chief\u3000wizard\u3000in\u3000a\u3000great\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000who\u3000was\u3000neither\u3002\u3000They\u3000also\u3000cared\u3000about\u3000such\u3000things\u3000as\u3000who\u3000could\u3000know\u3000the\u3000most\u3000esoteric\u3000secrets\uff1b\u3000could\u3000conjure\u3000the\u3000deadliest\u3000specter\uff1b\u3000or\u3000see\u3000most\u3000clearly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000future\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000they\u3000cared\u3000so\u3000deeply\u3000that\u3000they\u3000occasionally\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000plunder\u3000one\u3000another’s\u3000spell\u3000books\u3000even\u3000when\u3000such\u3000hostilities\u3000ran\u3000counter\u3000to\u3000the\u3000interests\u3000of\u3000their\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000severing\u3000an\u3000alliance\u3000or\u3000disruptnoting\u3000a\u3000negotiation\u3002
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000elegant\u3000folds\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000producing\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000flask\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000my\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000behemoth\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000lonely\u3000without\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000unscrewed\u3000the\u3000bottle\uff1b\u3000took\u3000a\u3000sip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000container\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nRyld\u3000hoped\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000didn’t\u3000contain\u3000wine\u3000or\u3000an\u3000exotic\u3000liqueur\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000forever\u3000pressing\u3000such\u3000libations\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000insisting\u3000that\u3000he\u3000try\u3000to\u3000recnotognize\u3000all\u3000the\u3000elements\u3000that\u3000allegedly\u3000blended\u3000together\u3000to\u3000create\u3000the\u3000taste\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000demonstrated\u3000time\u3000and\u3000again\u3000that\u3000his\u3000palate\u3000was\u3000innotcapable\u3000of\u3000such\u3000a\u3000dissection\u3002
\nHe\u3000drank\u3000and\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000find\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000change\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000contained\u3000simple\u3000brandy\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000imported\u3000at\u3000some\u3000expense\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inhospitable\u3000world\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rind\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000baking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000excruciating\u3000sunlight\u3002\u3000The\u3000liquor\u3000burned\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000kindled\u3000a\u3000warm\u3000glow\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002
\nHe\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000brandy\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000effect\u3002\u3000He\u3000assigned\u3000me\u3000another\u3000task\u3000to\u3000occupy\u3000my\u3000time\u3002\u3000Should\u3000I\u3000succeed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000will\u3000forgive\u3000me\u3000my\u3000transgressions\u3002\u3000Should\u3000I\u3000fail\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000well\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000beheading\u3000or\u3000garroting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000so\u3000unrealistic\u3000as\u3000to\u3000expect\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000quick\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000task\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000number\u3000of\u3000males\u3000have\u3000eloped\u3000from\u3000their\u3000families\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000to\u3000a\u3000mernotchant\u3000clan\u3000or\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000either\u3000but\u3000to\u3000an\u3000unknown\u3000destination\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000find\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000took\u3000another\u3000sip\uff1b\u3000then\u3000offered\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000did\u3000they\u3000steal\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000off\u3000the\u3000drink\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000guess\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you’re\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000walked\u3000off\u3000with\u3000anything\u3000important\u3002\u3000You\u3000see\uff1b\u3000it\u3000isn’t\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000fellows\u3000from\u3000one\u3000particular\u3000House\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000them\u3000from\u3000any\u3000number\u3000of\u3000homes\uff1b\u3000noble\u3000and\u3000mon\u3000alike\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000what\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000does\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000care\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000He\u3000offered\u3000some\u3000vague\u3000excuse\u3000of\u3000an\u3000explanation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there’s\u3000something\u2026several\u3000somethings\uff1b\u3000belike\u2026that\u3000he’s\u3000not\u3000telling\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000make\u3000your\u3000job\u3000any\u3000easier\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000true\u3002\u3000The\u3000old\u3000tyrant\u3000did\u3000condescend\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000he\u3000isn’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fugitives’\u3000whereabouts\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestesses\u3000are\u3000equally\u3000connotcerned\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000emphatically\u3000did\u3000not\u3000make\u3000them\u3000want\u3000to\u3000join\u3000forces\u3000with\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\u3000herself\u3000ordered\u3000him\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Matron\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000like\u3000this\u3000less\u3000with\u3000every\u3000word\u3000you\u3000speak\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000Just\u3000because\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3000rules\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000about\u3000to\u3000flout\u3000her\u3000express\u3000wishes\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000says\u3000he\u3000can\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000disappearances\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Seems\u3000the\u3000ladies\u3000have\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000lucky\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000so\u3000burdened\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000doesn’t\u3000mean\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000males\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000fled\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000anywhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000me\u3000up\u3002\u3000Actually\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000start\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000Eastmyr\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000Apnotparently\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000were\u3000last\u3000sighted\u3000in\u3000those\u3000d\u958flass\u6924\ue4fcicinities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000linger\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ose\u3000d\u958flass\u6924\ue4fcicinities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000linger\u3000there\u3000still\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000they\u3000do\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000depart\u3000Mennotzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000they\u3000may\u3000still\u3000be\u3000making\u3000preparations\u3000for\u3000the\u3000journey\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000they’ve\u3000already\u3000decamped\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000might\u3000at\u3000least\u3000find\u3000a\u3000witnotness\u3000who\u3000can\u3000at\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000what\u3000tunnel\u3000they\u3000took\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000sensible\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000can\u3000think\u3000of\u3000another\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000reckless\u3000to\u3000gamble\u3000your\u3000life\u3000when\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000game\u3002\u3000You\u3000could\u3000flee\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000With\u3000your\u3000wizardry\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000people\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000undertaking\u3000such\u3000a\u3000dannotgerous\u3000trek\u3000alone\u3002\u3003\u3000
\n\u3003I\u3000could\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000Gromph\u3000would\u3000track\u3000me\u3000down\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000home\u3000and\u3000forfeited\u3000the\u3000rank\u3000I\u3000worked\u3000my\u3000whole\u3000life\u3000to\u3000earn\u3002\u3000Would\u3000you\u3000give\u3000up\u3000being\u3000a\u3000master\u3000just\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000of\u3000danger\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000my\u3000predicament\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000you’ve\u3000also\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000why\u3000I\u3000called\u3000on\u3000you\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000you\u3000have\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000it\u3000is\u3000that’s\u3000truly\u3000transpiring\uff1b\u3000my\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000survival\u3000improve\u3000if\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000rade\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000my\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rade\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000defy\u3000the\u3000express\u3000will\u3000of\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000risk\u3000running\u3000afoul\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Quite\uff1b\u3000and\u3000by\u3000a\u3000happy\u3000coincidence\u3000you\u3000have\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000in\u3000need\u3000of\u3000a\u3000break\u3000from\u3000his\u3000daily\u3000routine\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000you’re\u3000bored\u3000to\u3000death\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000painful\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000you\u3000grouch\u3000your\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000day\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000pondered\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000we’ll\u3000find\u3000out\u3000something\u3000we\u3000can\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000our\u3000advantage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3000I\u3000owe\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000held\u3000out\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000only\u3000a\u3000swallow\u3000left\u3002\u3000We\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000have\u3000guzzled\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000pint\u3000in\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000though\u3000that\u3000scarcely\u3000seems\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000refined\uff1b\u3000genteel\u3000fellows\u3000that\u3000we\u2026\u3003
\nSomething\u3000crackled\u3000and\u3000sizzled\u3000above\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002\u3000Waves\u3000of\u3000pressure\u3000beat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000wishing\u3000he’d\u3000strapped\u3000on\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000before\u3000stepping\u3000outside\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000rose\u3000in\u3000a\u3000more\u3000leisurely\u3000fashion\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003this\u3000is\u3000interesting\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
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\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\nTWO
\nScourge\u3000of\u3000vipers\u3000writhing\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000gown\u3000whispering\uff1b\u3000Quennotthel\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000prowled\u3000about\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000females\u3000standing\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000candlelit\uff1b\u3000marble\u2026paneled\u3000room\u3002\u3000She\u3000always\u3000had\u3000a\u3000knack\u3000for\u3000striking\u3000fear\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hearts\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000displeased\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000these\u3000students\u3000were\u3000no\u3000exception\u3002\u3000Some\u3000trembled\u3000or\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000biting\u3000back\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000sullen\uff1b\u3000fractious\u3000ones\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000look\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002
\nEnjoying\u3000their\u3000apprehension\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000prolonged\u3000her\u3000silent\u3000inspection\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000surely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000being\u3000unbearable\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000cracked\u3000the\u3000whip\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000her\u3000startled\u3000pupils\u3000gasped\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000five\u3000long\u3000black\u2026\u3000and\u3000crimson\u2026banded\u3000vipers\u3000that\u3000prised\u3000the\u3000lashes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000rose\u3000twisting\u3000and\u3000probing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000adamantine\u3000handle\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000your\u3000lives\uff1b\u3000your\u3000mothers\u3000have\u3000told\u3000you\u3000that\u3000when\u3000a\u3000stunotdent\u3000ascends\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000she\u3000remains\u3000here\uff1b\u3000sequestered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\uff1b\u3000for\u3000ten\u3000years\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000day\u3000you\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000stalked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000students\u3000trapped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000Gaussra\u3000Kenafm\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000plump\u3000and\u3000round\u2026faced\uff1b\u3000with\u3000teeth\u3000as\u3000black\u3000as\u3000her\u3000skin\u3002\u3000Responding\u3000to\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000unspoken\u3000will\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000snakes\u3000exnotplored\u3000the\u3000novice’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000gliding\u3000over\u3000its\u3000contours\uff1b\u3000tongues\u3000flickering\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Gaussra\u3000straining\u3000mightily\u3000not\u3000to\u3000recoil\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000provoke\u3000the\u3000reptiles\u3000into\u3000striking\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000you\u3000did\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000purred\uff1b\u3000\u3003didn’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gaussra\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000take\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000away\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000impertinent\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000these\u3000others\u3000have\u3000forfeited\u3000the\u3000right\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000for\u3000anything\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000kiss\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000last\u3000statement\u3000was\u3000addressed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000serpents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000responded\u3000instantly\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000their\u3000long\u3000fangs\u3000into\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000breast\u3002\u3000Gaussra\u3000collapsed\u2026fully\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000a\u3000seizure\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000foaming\uff1b\u3000her\u3000own\u3000blackened\u3000incisors\u3000chewing\u3000her\u3000purple\u3000tongue\u3002
\nShaking\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bites\uff1b\u3000Gaussra\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000very\u3000much\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000her\u3000terror\u3000was\u3000apparent\uff1b\u3000her\u3000humiliation\u3000plete\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000your\u3000House\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000relishing\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Gaussra’s\u3000face\u3000as\u3000the\u3000true\u3000meaning\u3000of\u3000that\u3000statement\u3000sank\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000e\u3000that\u3000close\u3000to\u3000my\u3000scourge\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000will\u3000allow\u3000their\u3000venom\u3000to\u3000flow\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000stepped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Gaussra\uff1b\u3000who\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000all\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000was\u3000expected\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000no \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003You\u3000all\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000was\u3000expected\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000novices\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000you\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000home\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000In\u3000so\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000ofnotfered\u3000an\u3000affront\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000to\u3000your\u3000own\u3000families\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3000herself\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000just\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3000for\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Halavin\u3000Symrywin\uff1b\u3000who\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000half\u3000of\u3000her\u3000insignificant\u3000House’s\u3000paltry\u3000wealth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gaudy\uff1b\u3000gold\u3000ornaments\u3000hanging\u3000about\u3000her\u3000person\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000would\u3000have\u3000e\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Liar\uff01\u3003\u3000shouted\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000eliciting\u3000a\u3000flinch\u3002
\nRearing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000echoed\u3000the\u3000cry\u3002
\n\u3003Liar\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Liar\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Liar\uff01\u3003
\nIn\u3000other\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000might\u3000have\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000was\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Many\u3000priestesses\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000hers\u3000was\u3000something\u3000special\u3002\u3000The\u3000snakes\u3000were\u3000venomous\u3000and\u3000likewise\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000denotmonic\u3000intelligence\u3000and\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000speech\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000magical\u3000tool\u3000she’d\u3000crafted\u3000before\u3000everything\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000dung\u3002
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000would\u3000have\u3000returned\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000only\u3000because\u3000your\u3000mothers\u3000would\u3000have\u3000sent\u3000you\u3000back\u3000or\u3000else\u3000killed\u3000you\u3000for\u3000shaming\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000sense\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cleave\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000traditions\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000even\u3000if\u3000their\u3000degenerate\u3000offspring\u3000do\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000mothers\u3000wouldn’t\u3000mind\u3000if\u3000I\u3000slaughtered\u3000you\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000thank\u3000me\u3000for\u3000wiping\u3000clean\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000their\u3000Houses\u3002\u3000But\u3000Lolth\u3000desires\u3000new\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000appearances\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000remotely\u3000posnotsible\u3000that\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000are\u3000worthy\u3000to\u3000serve\u3002\u3000Therefore\u3000I\u3000will\u3000give\u3000you\u3000one\u3000more\u3000chance\u3002\u3000You\u3000won’t\u3000die\u3000today\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000you\u3000will\u3000sever\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000from\u3000each\u3000of\u3000your\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000burn\u3000them\u3000before\u3000the\u3000altar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000to\u3000beg\u3000her\u3000forgiveness\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000ring\u3000for\u3000a\u3000cleaver\u3000and\u3000a\u3000chopping\u3000block\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000surveyed\u3000their\u3000stricken\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000sickly\uff1b\u3000shrinking\u3000fear\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000enjoy\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000actual\u3000mutilations\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000amusing\u3000part\u3000might\u3000be\u3000when\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000had\u3000already\u3000cut\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000to\u3000employ\u3000it\uff1b\u3000throbbing\u3000and\u3000streaming\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000to\u3000maim\u3000the\u3000other\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003
\nSurprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000outburst\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000peered\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3002\u3000The\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000would\u2026be\u3000truants\u3000obliged\u3000her\u3000by\u3000dividing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000a\u3000lane\u3000to\u3000the\u3000willowy\u3000female\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Drisinil\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1b\u3000she\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000green\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000from\u3000the\u3000first\u3000suspected\u3000of\u3000instigating\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000elopement\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000the\u3000long\u2026legged\u3000novice\u3000had\u3000smuggled\u3000a\u3000sizable\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000really\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000disciplinary\u3000session\u3002\u3000She\u3000held\u3000it\u3000ready\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000guard\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000reacted\u3000as\u3000would\u3000any\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000situation\u3002\u3000She\u3000yearned\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000other\u3000female\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000need\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sensual\u3000tension\u3000pressing\u3000for\u3000an\u3000explosive\u3000release\u3002\u3000Either\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000her\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000emotion\u3000or\u3000else\u3000themselves\u3000vexed\u3000by\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000temerity\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000reared\u3000and\u3000hissed\u3002
\nThe\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000that\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000assertions\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000the\u3000students\u3000were\u3000not\u3000altogether\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000importance\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000the\u3000raw\u3000but\u3000valuable\u3000ore\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000to\u3000be\u3000refined\u3000and\u3000hammered\u3000into\u3000useful\u3000implements\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000would\u3000fret\u3000over\u3000a\u3000few\u3000amputated\u3000pinkies\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000did\u3000expect\u3000that\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000their\u3000children\u3000would\u3000survive\u3000their\u3000education\uff1b\u3000an\u3000assumption\u3000the\u3000idiot\u3000Mizzrym\u3000renegade\u3000had\u3000alnotready\u3000called\u3000into\u3000question\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000only\u3000lost\u3000males\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\uff1b\u3000by\u3000any\u3000sensible\u3000reckoning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000used\u3000up\u3000the\u3000school’s\u3000quota\u3000of\u3000allowable\u3000deaths\u3000for\u3000several\u3000years\u3000to\u3000e\u3002
\nAt\u3000this\u3000juncture\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000idea\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000any\u3000stunotdent\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000a\u3000scion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000stir\u3000up\u3000discord\u3000between\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000and\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000when\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000already\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000dissolution\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000concerned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000other\u3000failed\u3000runaways\u3000might\u3000take\u3000it\u3000into\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000on\u3000their\u3000ringleader’s\u3000side\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000quieted\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000fixed\u3000Drisinil\u3000with\u3000her\u3000steeliest\u3000stare\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Think\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000thought\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000retorted\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000why\u3000should\u3000we\u3000spend\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000of\u3000our\u3000lives\u3000cooped\u3000up\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000when\u3000there’s\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000us\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003There\u3000is\u3000everything\u3000for\u3000you\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000of\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000where\u3000you\u3000learn\u3000to\u3000be\u3000all\u3000that\u3000a\u3000lady\u3000of\u3000Mennotzoberranzan\u3000must\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3000What\u3000am\u3000I\u3000learning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000patience\u3000and\u3000submission\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000what\u3000I\u3000came\u3000for\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Evidently\u3000not\u3002\u3000Consider\u3000this\uff1b\u3000then\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberrannotzan\u3000are\u3000currently\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000game\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000the\u3000game\u3000is\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000others\u3000that\u3000nothing\u3000is\u3000amiss\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000student\u3000leaves\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000premanotturely\uff1b\u3000as\u3000none\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000done\u3000since\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cit \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n since\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000that\u3000will\u3000seem\u3000peculiar\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000that\u3000all\u3000is\u3000not\u3000as\u3000it\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000about\u3000the\u3000game\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000mother\u3000does\u3002\u3000She\u3000plays\u3000as\u3000diligently\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000she\u3000will\u3000wele\u3000you\u3000home\u3000if\u3000you\u3000jeopardize\u3000her\u3000efforts\uff1f\u3003
\nDrisinil’s\u3000emerald\u3000eyes\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000stare\u3000was\u3000unsettling\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000she\u3000would\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003You\uff1b\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000to\u3000your\u3000House\uff1b\u3000your\u3000city\uff1b\u3000your\u3000sex\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000hernotself\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000goddess\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000say\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000your\u3000life\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000soul\u3000is\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000torment\u3000forevermore\u3002\u3000I\u3000speak\u3000not\u3000only\u3000as\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000You\u3000remember\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1f\u3000We\u3000are\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\uff1b\u3000merely\u3000the\u3000Second\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000you\u3000should\u3000sucnotceed\u3000in\u3000departing\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000your\u3000gross\u3000and\u3000uncouth\u3000dam\u3000should\u3000be\u3000so\u3000unwise\u3000as\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000you\u3000back\u3000into\u3000that\u3000hovel\u3000you\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000call\u3000a\u3000home\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000not\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000month\u3002\u3000My\u3000sister\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000will\u3000personally\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000your\u3000destruction\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000was\u3000no\u3000less\u3000than\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000love\u3000lost\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Baenre\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000supremacy\u3000of\u3000their\u3000House\uff1b\u3000they\u3000supported\u3000one\u3000another\u3000absolutely\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000swallowed\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000a\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000no\u3000disnotrespect\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000mutilate\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000will\uff1b\u3000novice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000without\u3000any\u3000further\u3000delay\u3002\u3000You\u3000really\u3000have\u3000no\u3000other\u3000option\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000isn’t\u3000it\u3000convenient\uff1b\u3000you\u3000already\u3000have\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000your\u3000grasp\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000swallowed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000her\u3000dagger\u3000hand\u3000shaking\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000into\u3000position\u3000to\u3000saw\u3000at\u3000her\u3000little\u3000finger\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000procedure\u3000might\u3000go\u3000easier\u3000if\u3000the\u3000novice\u3000walked\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000braced\u3000her\u3000pinkie\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000table\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000she\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000\u3003without\u3000any\u3000further\u3000delay\u3003\u3000quite\u3000literally\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000fine\u3000with\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000imagination\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000already\u3000savoring\u3000the\u3000first\u3000slice\u3000when\u3000a\u3000blare\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000note\u3000blasted\u3000from\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000glaur\u3000horns\u3000split\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000faltered\uff1b\u3000not\u3000frightened\u3000but\u3000disoriented\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000told\u3000what\u3000this\u3000ugly\u3000noise\u3000was\u3000but\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000never\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000best\u3000of\u3000her\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000ever\u3000had\u3002
\nThe\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000enjoyed\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000relationship\u3000with\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3000Some\u3000infernal\u3000entities\u3000were\u3000the\u3000knights\u3000or\u3000handmaidens\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000during\u3000worship\u3000were\u3000venerated\u3000as\u3000such\uff1b\u3000but\u3000on\u3000other\u3000occasions\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3000did\u3000not\u3000scruple\u3000to\u3000snare\u3000spirits\u3000with\u3000their\u3000sumnotmoning\u3000spells\u3000and\u3000pel\u3000them\u3000to\u3000do\u3000their\u3000bidding\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000the\u3000creanottures\u3000stalked\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000plane\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000volition\uff1b\u3000slaughtering\u3000any\u3000mortal\u3000who\u3000crossed\u3000their\u3000path\uff1b\u3000not\u3000excepting\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000by\u3000some\u3000accounts\u3000their\u3000kindred\u3002
\nThe\u3000founders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000had\u3000shielded\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000in\u3000general\u3000and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000in\u3000particular\u3000with\u3000enchantments\u3000devised\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000out\u3000any\u3000spirit\u3000save\u3000those\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000saw\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000wele\u3002\u3000Countless\u3000generations\u3000of\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000deemed\u3000those\u3000wards\u3000impregnable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ear\u2026splitting\u3000alarm\u3000told\u3000true\uff1b\u3000the\u3000barriers\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002
\nThe\u3000blare\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000south\u3002\u3000The\u3000pleasures\u3000of\u3000chasnottisement\u3000forgotten\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000ran\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3000past\u3000countless\u3000chapels\uff1b\u3000altars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000icons\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000in\u3000both\u3000her\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000and\u3000spider\u3000forms\uff1b\u3000past\u3000the\u3000classrooms\u3000where\u3000the\u3000faculty\u3000gave\u3000instruction\u3000in\u3000dogma\uff1b\u3000ritual\uff1b\u3000divine\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000torture\uff1b\u3000sacrifice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000other\u3000arts\u3000the\u3000novices\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000learn\u3002\u3000Their\u3000books\uff1b\u3000chalkboards\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whimpering\uff1b\u3000half\u2026dissected\u3000slave\u3000victims\u3000forgotten\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000teachers\u3000and\u3000students\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000vennotturing\u3000out\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000alarm\uff1b\u3000while\u3000others\u3000still\u3000looked\u3000startled\u3000and\u3000confused\u3002
\nThe\u3000blaring\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Either\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000given\u3000up\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000force\u3000its\u3000way\u3000in\uff1b\u3000or\u3000else\u3000it\u3000had\u3000breached\u3000every\u3000single\u3000ward\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000susnotpected\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000was\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000started\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000breaking\u3000through\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000panted\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000hissed\u3000Yngoth\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000wisest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000innottruder\u3000has\u3000shielded\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Sight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Wonderful\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000echoing\u3000cries\u3000led\u3000Quenthel\u3000into\u3000a\u3000spacious\u3000candlelit\u3000hall\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000towering\u3000black\u3000marble\u3000sculptures\u3000of\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000set\u3000there\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000temple’s\u3000entryway\u3000as\u3000impressive\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000The\u3000battered\u3000valves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000adamantine\u3000double\u3000door\u3000in\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000south\u3000wall\u3000gaped\u3000crookedly\uff1b\u3000half\u3000off\u3000their\u3000hinges\uff1b\u3000affording\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Several\u3000priestesses\u3000lay\u3000battered\u3000and\u3000insensible\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000what\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000culprit\u3000scuttled\u3000across\u3000her\u3000field\u3000of\u3000vision\u3000toward\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n lprit\u3000scuttled\u3000across\u3000her\u3000field\u3000of\u3000vision\u3000toward\u3000another\u3000hapless\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002
\nThe\u3000intruder\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gigantic\u3000spider\u3000bearing\u3000a\u3000close\u3000resemblance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gleaming\u3000black\u3000effigies\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000upon\u3000seeing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000an\u3000unfamiliar\u3000and\u3000unwele\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000doubt\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000it\u3000truly\u3000was\uff1b\u3000was\u3000attacknoting\u3000her\u3000pupils\u3000and\u3000staff\uff1b\u3000but\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000sacred\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000even\u3000her\u3000emissary\uff1b\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000heretical\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Quenthel\u3000should\u3000simply\u3000step\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000permit\u3000it\u3000to\u3000connottinue\u3000its\u3000rampage\u3002
\nIt\u3000sensed\u3000her\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rushed\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000her\u3000all\u3000along\u3002\u3000Though\u3000many\u3000spiders\u3000possessed\u3000several\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000she\u3000observed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000exceptional\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000deformity\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000jagged\u3000mandibles\u3000was\u3000virtually\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000bulging\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000scatter\u3000of\u3000others\u3000opened\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000about\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000shiny\u3000black\u3000bulb\u3000of\u3000a\u3000body\u3002
\nIts\u3000peculiarities\u3000notwithstanding\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000manifest\u3000hostile\u3000intent\u3000renotsolved\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000uncertainty\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000freakish\u3000thing\u3002
\nThe\u3000question\u3000was\uff1b\u3000how\uff1f\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000feel\u3000weak\u2026she\u3000never\u3000had\u3000and\u3000never\u3000would\u2026but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000the\u3000optimal\u3000time\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000such\u3000a\u3000battle\u3002\u3000On\u3000top\u3000of\u3000any\u3000other\u3000disadvantages\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000wearing\u3000her\u3000mail\u3000tunic\u3000or\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000She\u3000rarely\u3000did\u3000within\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000feared\u3000her\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000atnottempt\u3000an\u3000assassination\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000confident\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000need\u3000armor\u3000to\u3000disappoint\u3000any\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3002
\nAs\u3000she\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000charging\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000her\u3000slim\uff1b\u3000gleaming\u3000obsidnotian\u3000hands\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000pouch\u3000at\u3000her\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000extracted\u3000a\u3000roll\u3000of\u3000vellum\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unnotrolled\u3000it\u3000for\u3000her\u3000scrutiny\uff1b\u3000all\u3000with\u3000practiced\u3000ease\u3000and\u3000likewise\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000annoyance\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000scroll\u3000was\u3000a\u3000treasure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000parchment\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000the\u3000only\u3000magnotical\u3000implement\u3000hoarded\u3000within\u3000those\u3000walls\u3002
\nRapidly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000perfect\u3000rhythm\u3000and\u3000pronunciation\uff1b\u3000she\u3000read\u3000the\u3000verses\uff1b\u3000the\u3000golden\u3000characters\u3000vanishing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000page\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000Dark\uff1b\u3000heatless\u3000flame\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000vellum\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000across\u3000that\u3000polished\u3000surface\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000a\u3000wildfire\u3000propagating\u3000itself\u3000across\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000of\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000dry\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000defining\u3000a\u3000path\u3000that\u3000led\u3000from\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002
\nThe\u3000black\u3000conflagration\u3000washed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000dainty\u3000bladed\u3000feet\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000also\u3000have\u3000driven\u3000the\u3000many\u2026eyed\u3000creature\u3000helplessly\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000The\u3000arachnid\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3000nimbly\u3000as\u3000before\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000considerably\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000the\u3000best\u3000effort\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000spirit\u3000has\u3000defenses\u3000against\u3000the\u3000magic\uff01\u3003\u3000cried\u3000K’Sothra\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000least\u3000intelligent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000the\u3000one\u3000most\u3000inclined\u3000to\u3000belabor\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000attempt\u3000another\u3000spell\u3000before\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000reached\u3000her\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000could\u3000she\u3000outrun\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000outmaneuver\u3000it\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Dropping\u3000the\u3000useless\u3000sheet\u3000of\u3000parchment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000dived\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000statues\u3002\u3000Unless\u3000it\u3000had\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000shrink\u3000or\u3000shape\u3000shift\uff1b\u3000the\u3000invader\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000negotiate\u3000the\u3000same\u3000low\u3000space\u3002
\nShe\u3000slid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000her\u3000elbows\u3000hot\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000cursed\u3000foully\u3000when\u3000its\u3000scaly\uff1b\u3000wedge\u2026shaped\u3000head\u3000rapped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3000She\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000bought\u3000herself\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000couldn’t\u3000slip\u3000under\u3000the\u3000statue\u3000but\uff1b\u3000clustered\u3000eyes\u3000glaring\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000rapnotidly\u3000clambering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000a\u3000foul\uff1b\u3000carrion\u3000smell\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000permitted\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000to\u3000pounce\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000her\u3000down\u3000and\u3000snip\u3000her\u3000apart\u3000with\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3002\u3000She\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002
\nThe\u3000vipers\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000flight\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000their\u3000fangs\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002\u3000Those\u3000poisonnotous\u3000spikes\u3000plunged\u3000deep\u3000and\u3000ripped\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000gashes\u3000in\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000bulging\uff1b\u3000clustered\u3000eyes\u3000before\u3000yanking\u3000free\u3002\u3000The\u3000organs\u3000gushed\u3000fluid\u3000and\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000thrashed\u3000in\u3000joy\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000their\u3000exultation\u3000through\u3000the\u3000psionic\u3000link\u3000they\u3000shared\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000premature\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000other\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3000had\u3000only\u3000balked\u3000it\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000going\u3000to\u3000spring\u3002
\nThough\u3000caught\u3000without\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000her\u3000protections\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000at\u3000least\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000necklace\u3000of\u3000dull\u3000black\u3000pearls\u3002\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000up\uff1b\u3000slipped\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000beads\u3000from\u3000the\u3000specially\u3000crafted\u3000fine\u3000gold\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\u3002
\nWhite\u3000light\u3000blazed\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000emanating\u3000from\u3000all\u3000directions\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000be\u3000to\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000an\u3000effect\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000slipped\u3000and\u3000floun \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000magic\u3000had\u3000an\u3000effect\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000slipped\u3000and\u3000floundered\u3002\u3000Encased\u3000in\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000sphere\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000force\u3000it\u3000thrashed\u3000about\u3000in\u3000panic\u3002\u3000The\u3000explosion\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000horrid\u3000sores\u3000that\u3000specknotled\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000able\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000whatever\u3000pain\u3000those\u3000wounds\u3000caused\u3000it\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000scratching\u3000at\u3000the\u3000restraining\u3000sphere\u3002\u3000Blue\u2026white\u3000sparks\u3000flashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000its\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000using\u3000more\u3000than\u3000brute\u3000force\u3000and\u3000panic\u3000to\u3000break\u3000free\u3002
\nSpeak\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000words\u3000would\u3000be\u3000heard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000mind\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000connection\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000tenuous\u3000one\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000attenunotated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sphere\u3000of\u3000force\u3002
\nThe\u3000sphere\u3000faded\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000again\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000smash\u3000through\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000hideous\u3000visage\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000brain\u3000that\u3000presumably\u3000lay\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000
\nThe\u3000spider\u3000sprang\u3000away\u3000as\u3000explosively\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000tiny\u3000jumping\u3000cousins\uff1b\u3000arcing\u3000high\u3000and\u3000landing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000sculptures\u3002\u3000The\u3000spirit\u3000scuttled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000intently\uff1b\u3000in\u3000another\u3000second\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\nWhere\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3000she\u3000sent\u3002
\nThe\u3000reply\u3000was\u3000a\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000anger\u3000from\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000no\u3000mere\u3000words\u3000could\u3000convey\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000municate\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000respond\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000could\u3000get\u3000out\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Hsiv\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000imp\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000bound\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000whip\u3000viper\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000reach\u3000you\u3000before\u3000you\u3000run\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Nonsense\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000brute\u3000disrupted\u3000my\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000threatnotened\u3000my\u3000person\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000have\u3000my\u3000vengeance\u3002\u3003
\nInfected\u3000with\u3000her\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000the\u3000banded\u3000vipers\u3000reared\u3000and\u3000hissed\u3000until\u3000she\u3000silenced\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000mand\u3002
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000sprawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000moaning\u3000in\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000stalked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000victim\u3000and\u3000kicked\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000sinotlencing\u3000her\u3000instantly\u3002
\nThe\u3000drow\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000eliminated\u3000all\u3000extraneous\u3000sounds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3000her\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Save\u3000for\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000breathnoting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000was\u3000silent\u3002
\nTurning\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000heart\u3000pounding\uff1b\u3000she\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000arachnid\u3000effigies\u3000all\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Did\u3000that\u3000jointed\u3000spindle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000leg\u3000just\u3000twitch\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000that\u3000head\uff1b\u3000coyly\u3000turned\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000get\u3000an\u3000adequate\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000possess\u3000too\u3000many\u3000eyes\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3000shifted\u3000a\u3000hair\u3000closer\u3000when\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000looking\uff1f
\nNo\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000her\u3000imagination\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000supply\u3000what\u3000obnotservation\u3000had\u3000not\u3002
\nShe\u3000sniffed\u3000repeatedly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000help\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider’s\u3000stink\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000no\u3000stronger\u3000in\u3000one\u3000direction\u3000than\u3000another\u3002
\nCurse\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000somewhere\uff01
\nYes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000still\u3000be\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000not\u3000if\u3000it\u3000could\u3000skitter\u3000up\u3000vertical\u3000surfaces\u3000like\u3000its\u3000smaller\u3000kindred\u3002
\nAssuming\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000walls\u3000or\u3000ceiling\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000it\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000off\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flare\u3000and\u3000its\u3000ugly\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surely\u3000it\u3000was\u3000creeping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000best\u3000position\u3000from\u3000which\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000down\u3000on\u3000its\u3000adversary\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000peered\u3000upward\u3002\u3000The\u3000artists\u3000had\u3000decorated\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000highnotest\u3000reaches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000ceiling\u3000was\u3000an\u3000octagonal\u3000web\u3000a\u3000crawl\u3000with\u3000painted\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000providing\u3000splendid\u3000camouflage\u3000for\u3000the\u3000creanotture\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000crouching\u3000in\u3000their\u3000midst\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000it\u3002
\nStill\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000keeping\u3000watch\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000backed\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000sconces\u3000and\u3000read\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3000from\u3000another\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000the\u3000candle\u3000flame\u3000leaped\u3000up\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000roiling\u3000black\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000flowing\u3000gossamer\u3000sleeve\u3000caught\u3000instantly\u3002
\nThough\u3000they\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000the\u3000non\u2026burning\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000coiled\u3000in\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000to\u3000heel\u3000with\u3000a\u3000brutal\u3000thrust\u3000of\u3000her\u3000will\u3002\u3000Feeling\u3000naught\u3000but\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000warmth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000silently\u3000manded\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000fire\u3002\u3000A\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000stuff\u3000flowed\u3000down\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000congealed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000semisolid\u3000ball\u3000in\u3000her\u3000palm\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000shot\u3000it\u3000up\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sling\u3000bullet\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000fresco\u3000where\u3000it\u3000splashed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000great\u3000gout\u3000of\u3000murky\u3000flame\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000followed\u3000that\u3000first\u3000missile\u3000with\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000barrage\u3002\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000fire\u3000had\u3000kissed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fresco\u3000began\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000with\u3000ordinary\u3000yellow\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000suffusing\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000eye\u2026stinging\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000a\u3000vile\u3000stink\u3000that\u3000was\u3000also\u3000a\u3000sickening\uff1b\u3000throat\u2026clenching\u3000taste\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002
\nShe\u3000was\u3000throwing\u3000blindly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blaze\u3000above\u3000spreading\uff1b\u3000it\u3000shouldn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000wouldn’t\u3000simply\u3000sit\u3000still\u3000and\u3000allow\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000burn\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000spur\u3000it\u3000into\u3000motion\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000into\u3000visibility\u3002
\nUnless\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000on\u3000the\u3000 \n
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\n Unless\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000a\u3000real\u3000possibility\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000hiding\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000even\u3000be\u3000creepnoting\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000while\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000painting\u3000and\u3000the\u3000nervous\u3000vipers\u3000worried\u3000more\u3000about\u3000their\u3000proximity\u3000to\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000fire\u3000than\u3000about\u3000keepnoting\u3000watch\u3002
\nNo\uff1b\u3000her\u3000intuition\u3000had\u3000pointed\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000right\u3000direction\u3002\u3000She\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000as\u3000it\u3000gathered\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000spring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000having\u3000flushed\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000she\u3000need\u3000only\u3000survive\u3000its\u3000renewed\u3000attack\u3002
\nShe\u3000dived\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000its\u3000plummeting\u3000form\u3000and\u3000rolled\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000black\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000cloth\u3000behind\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tattered\uff1b\u3000oozing\u3000eyes\u3000landed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thump\uff1b\u3000its\u3000eight\u3000legs\u3000flexing\u3000to\u3000absorb\u3000the\u3000impact\u3002\u3000
\nQuenthel\u3000scrambled\u3000up\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000Her\u3000whole\u3000gown\u3000was\u3000aflame\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000her\u3000entire\u3000body\u3000shrouded\u3000in\u3000dark\u3000fire\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000another\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000which\u3000spattered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000back\u3000and\u3000streamed\u3000down\u3000its\u3000flanks\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000delight\uff1b\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000affected\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000too\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000mantle\u3000of\u3000shadowy\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000rippling\u3000the\u3000air\u3000above\u3000it\u3002
\nThat\u3000meant\u3000it\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000drop\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000flounder\u3000about\u3000in\u3000helpnotless\u3000agony\uff1f\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000surely\u3000damaging\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000its\u3000flesh\u3000charring\u3000even\u3000through\u3000the\u3000omnipresent\u3000reek\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000paint\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000scuttled\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000next\u3000burning\u3000missile\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000in\u3000some\u3000indefinable\u3000way\u3000to\u3000constitute\u3000the\u3000very\u3000core\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000did\u3000lurch\u3000and\u3000falter\u3000when\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000darkness\u3000splashed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000orbs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3002
\nUnable\u3000to\u3000outrun\u3000it\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000she’d\u3000at\u3000least\u3000softened\u3000it\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000Quennotthel\u3000shouted\u3000her\u3000goddess’s\u3000name\u3000and\u3000lunged\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000it\u3002\u3000Sheathed\u3000in\u3000dark\u2026fire\uff1b\u3000her\u3000whole\u3000body\u3000was\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000would\u3000burn\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000touched\u3002\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000black\u3000flame\u3000on\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000limbs\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000yellow\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000burn\u3000her\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000if\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000let\u3000it\u3002\u3000Their\u3000natural\u3000savnotagery\u3000overing\u3000their\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000lashed\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000in\u3000a\u3000frenzy\u3000of\u3000bloodlust\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000the\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000and\u3000dodging\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000hernotself\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000mandibles\u3002\u3000She\u3000shifted\u3000left\u3000when\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000jumped\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000razor\u2026sharp\u3000pincers\u3000snapped\u3000shut\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
\nThey\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3000of\u3000piercing\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000Loath\u3000to\u3000clasp\u3000her\u3000blazing\u3000body\u3000and\u3000be\u3000seared\u3000thereby\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000faltered\u3000for\u3000just\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000Before\u3000it\u3000could\u3000muster\u3000the\u3000will\u3000to\u3000proceed\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000final\u3000blow\u3002
\nThe\u3000ophidian\u3000lashes\u3000crashed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000charred\u3000and\u3000tattered\u3000visage\u3000and\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000beneath\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000jerked\uff1b\u3000froze\uff1b\u3000twitched\u3000two\u3000of\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000purposeless\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000hulk\u3000of\u3000it\u3000slowly\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000spell\u3000elapsed\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000fire\u3000still\u3000cracknotling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\nShe\u3000shouted\u3000in\u3000exultation\u3002\u3000Equally\u3000ecstatic\uff1b\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000singed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000danced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scourge\u3002\u3000Everyone’s\u3000good\u3000mood\u3000lasted\u3000just\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000it\u3000took\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000clad\u3000primarily\u3000in\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000ash\uff1b\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000
\nThough\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000far\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000hitherto\uff1b\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000teachers\u3000and\u3000students\u3000had\u3000evidently\u3000crowded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000space\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000battle\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000Quenthel\u3000still\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000faces\u3000uncertain\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000desecration\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000mockery\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000haughty\u3000expectation\u3002
\nThey\u3000peered\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000folded\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000bowed\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000in\u3000obeisance\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
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\nT\u3000H\u3000R\u3000E\u3000E
\nTall\u3000and\u3000lithe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3000otherwise\u3000handsome\u3000face\u3000creased\u3000with\u3000an\u3000old\u3000battle\u3000scar\u3000of\u3000which\uff1b\u3000she\u3000recognized\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000rather\u3000foolishly\u3000proud\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000Mizzrym\u3000entered\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000presence\u3000dirty\uff1b\u3000sweaty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000still\u3000clad\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mail\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000knew\u3000Mother\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000for\u3000her\u3000daughters\u3000and\u3000other\u3000chattels\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000with\u3000her\u3000fully\u3000armed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000just\u3000returned\u3000from\u3000an\u3000inspection\u3000tour\u3000of\u3000Mizzrym\u3000operations\u3000in\u3000Bauthwaf\u2026\u3003around\u2026cloak\uff1b\u3003\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dangerous\u3000network\u3000of\u3000tunnels\u3000imnotmediately\u3000surrounding\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000called\u2026only\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000from\u3000a\u3000frantic\u3000functionary\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000marks\u3000of\u3000a\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\u3000that\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002
\nActually\uff1b\u3000even\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000articles\u3000likely\u3000wouldn’t\u3000save\u3000her\u3000if\u3000things\u3000went\u3000horribly\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000rather\u3000liked\u3000having\u3000a\u3000justification\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000in\u3000on\u3000her\u3000parent\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000on\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000any\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000Mother\u3000would\u3000have\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000at\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000point\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000cou \n
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\n her\u3000at\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000point\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000could\u3000never\u3000be\u3000altogether\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000could\u3000one\uff1f\u3000
\nCertainly\u3000not\u3000with\u3000Miz’ri\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000a\u3000female\u3000regarded\u3000even\u3000by\u3000other\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000as\u3000excessively\u3000and\u3000capriciously\u3000cruel\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000enthroned\u3000in\u3000her\u3000temple\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000her\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000protections\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000six\u2026headed\u3000whip\u3000and\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000rod\u3000of\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000rings\u3000gleamnoting\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000considered\u3000ely\u3000even\u3000by\u3000the\u3000exacting\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000her\u3000exquisite\u3000race\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000drew\u3000down\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ugly\u3000and\u3000all\u3000but\u3000perpetual\u3000scowl\u3002\u3000She\u3000regarded\u3000her\u3000daughter’s\u3000martial\u3000appointments\u3000coldly\u3000but\u3000without\u3000ment\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000obeisance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000You\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000see\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3000yesterday\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000off\u3000conducting\u3000family\u3000business\u3002\u3003\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000our\u3000duties\u3000even\u3000now\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000now\u2026as\u3000you\u3000yourself\u3000have\u3000observed\u3000on\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000occasion\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Watch\u3000your\u3000insolent\u3000tongue\uff01\u3003
\nGreyanna\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000I\u3000apologize\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000out\u3000of\u3000turn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003See\u3000that\u3000you\u3000refrain\u3000from\u3000doing\u3000so\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\nMiz’ri\u3000fell\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000her\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000simply\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000rattle\u3000her\u3000daughter’s\u3000nerves\u3002\u3000Such\u3000petty\uff1b\u3000pointless\u3000attempts\u3000at\u3000innottimidation\u3000were\u3000virtually\u3000a\u3000reflex\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000had\u3000been\u3000instructed\u3000to\u3000fetch\u3000her\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000for\u3000the\u3000remainder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000interview\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000typical\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000brother\u3000Pharaun\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Miz’ri\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002
\nGreyanna’s\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000it\u3000might\u3000finally\u3000be\u3000time\u3000for\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000get\u3000reacquainted\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000held\u3000her\u3000scarred\u3000features\u3000calm\u3000and\u3000posed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000rarely\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000show\u3000strong\u3000emotion\u3000to\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000particularly\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000showed\u3000her\u3000that\u3000something\u3000mattered\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000you\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000suppress\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000of\u3000anticipation\u3002
\nShe\u3000and\u3000her\u3000twin\u3000sister\u3000Sabal\u3000had\u3000loathed\u3000one\u3000another\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cradle\u3000onward\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000rivalry\u3000benottween\u3000sisters\u3000was\u3000expected\u3000and\u3000encouraged\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000Miz’ri\u3000encouraged\u3000it\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000simply\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000amusement\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u2026perhaps\u3000it\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000outwardly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000identical\u2026\u3000her\u3000daughters’\u3000enmity\u3000far\u3000transcended\u3000even\u3000her\u3000expectations\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000more\u3000bitter\u3000and\u3000more\u3000personal\u3002\u3000Each\u3000yearned\u3000to\u3000injure\u3000and\u3000thwart\u3000the\u3000other\u3000for\u3000its\u3000own\u3000sake\u3000at\u3000least\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000to\u3000improve\u3000her\u3000own\u3000relative\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000family\u3002
\nAll\u3000but\u3000choking\u3000on\u3000their\u3000loathing\u3000of\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fought\u3000a\u3000duel\u3000that\u3000lasted\u3000decades\u3000and\u3000enpassed\u3000every\u3000facet\u3000of\u3000their\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gradunotally\uff1b\u3000on\u3000every\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000began\u3000to\u3000prevail\u3002\u3000She\u3000sabotaged\u3000many\u3000of\u3000Sabal’s\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000enhance\u3000the\u3000fortunes\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000and\u3000found\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000take\u3000credit\u3000for\u3000those\u3000that\u3000succeeded\u3002\u3000By\u3000secretly\u3000tainting\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000articles\u3000in\u3000this\u3000very\u3000shrine\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ensured\u3000that\u3000her\u3000twin’s\u3000public\u3000ritnotuals\u3000would\u3000fail\u3000to\u3000produce\u3000even\u3000the\u3000feeblest\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000found\u3000her\u3000worship\u3000acceptable\u3002\u3000She\u3000sowed\u3000doubt\u3000about\u3000Sabal’s\u3000petence\u3000and\u3000loyalty\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ears\u3000of\u3000everyone\u3000who\u3000would\u3000listen\u3002
\nOver\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000most\u3000valued\u3000aide\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Sabal\u3000was\u3000seen\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dolt\u3000fit\u3000only\u3000for\u3000the\u3000simplest\u3000of\u3000tasks\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000fornotbidden\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000her\u3000family’s\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000magical\u3000artifacts\uff1b\u3000lest\u3000she\u3000break\u3000them\u3000or\u3000turn\u3000them\u3000to\u3000some\u3000ill\u2026conceived\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000From\u3000kin\u3000to\u3000slave\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000any\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000household\u3000who\u3000might\u3000once\u3000have\u3000supported\u3000her\u3000aspirations\u3000shunned\u3000her\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000diseased\u3002\u3000At\u3000that\u3000point\uff1b\u3000Greynotanna\u3000could\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000her\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000expected\u3000she’d\u3000get\u3000around\u3000to\u3000it\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sabal’s\u3000misery\u3000was\u3000so\u3000satisfying\u3000that\u3000she\u3000put\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\nPut\u3000if\u3000off\u3000until\u3000Pharaun\u3000came\u3000home\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\u3002
\nBefore\u3000her\u3000little\u3000brother\u3000departed\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000noticed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000pay\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000young\u3000males\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000were\u3000unlucky\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000be\u3000put\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000little\u3000shadows\u3000creeping\u3000about\u3000the\u3000house\uff1b\u3000cleaning\uff1b\u3000ever\u3000cleaning\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000master\u3000their\u3000inherent\u3000magical\u3000abilities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000learning\u3000their\u3000subnotordinate\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000all\u3000under\u3000the\u3000impatient\u3000eyes\u2026and\u3000whips\u2026of\u3000their\u3000minders\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000been\u3000as\u3000cowed\u3000and\u3000pathetic\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\nThe\u3000Academy\u3000transformed\u3000him\u3000into\u3000something\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000innotteresting\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000to\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000mastering\u3000the\u3000formidable\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000wizardry\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000it\u3000was\u3000immersion\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ennotclave\u3000prised\u3000entirely\u3000of\u3000males\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000he\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000hi \n
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\n
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\n \u3000entirely\u3000of\u3000males\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000he\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000his\u3000schooling\u3000polished\uff1b\u3000clever\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bold\uff1b\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000wit\u3000and\u3000glib\u3000tongue\u3000that\u3000frequently\u3000danced\u3000him\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000chastisement\u3000and\u3000safely\u3000back\u3000again\u3002
\nAmazingly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000in\u3000with\u3000Sabal\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000all\u3000but\u3000abandoned\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000ever\u3000climbing\u3000higher\u3000than\u3000her\u3000current\u3000degraded\u3000estate\u3002\u3000To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000could\u3000only\u3000explain\u3000his\u3000decision\u3000by\u3000positing\u3000a\u3000perverse\u3000and\u3000unnatural\u3000bond\u3000between\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000whatever\u3000his\u3000reasons\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000help\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000ideas\uff1b\u3000advocacy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000Sabal\u3000essayed\u3000new\u3000ventures\uff1b\u3000succeeded\u3000brilnotliantly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000scale\u3000the\u3000ladder\u3000of\u3000status\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000so\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3000than\u3000Greyanna\u3000could\u3000have\u3000imagined\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000family\u3000came\u3000once\u3000more\u3000to\u3000regard\u3000the\u3000twins\u3000as\u3000peers\uff1b\u3000equal\u3000in\u3000merit\u3000and\u3000promise\u3002\u3000Accordingly\uff1b\u3000their\u3000private\u3000war\u3000resumed\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000vicious\u3000and\u3000murderous\u3000than\u3000before\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000Sabal\u2026say\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000rather\u2026proved\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u3000her\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000stalemate\u3000by\u3000convincing\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000change\u3000sides\u3002\u3000She\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\u3000work\uff1b\u3000for\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Sabal\u3000looked\u3000exactly\u3000alike\u3000and\u3000shared\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000prospects\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000should\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000not\u3000throw\u3000in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000stronger\uff1b\u3000shrewder\u3000sister\u3000who\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000without\u3000his\u3000help\uff1f\u3000Think\u3000of\u3000the\u3000triumphs\u3000they\u3000could\u3000acplish\u3000together\uff01\u3000Though\u3000inwardly\u3000sickened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000prospect\uff1b\u3000she\u3000even\u3000smiled\u3000lasciviously\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000him\u3000the\u3000inducement\u3000she\u3000believed\u3000Sabal\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3002
\nHer\u3000brother\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000at\u3000that\u3000instant\u3000that\u3000Greyanna\u3000came\u3000to\u3000hate\u3000him\u3000just\u3000as\u3000savagely\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3000her\u3000sister\u3002
\nPerhaps\u3000she\u3000owed\u3000him\u3000a\u3000debt\u3000for\u3000his\u3000cutting\u3000mockery\u3002\u3000Conceivably\uff1b\u3000it\u3000goaded\u3000her\u3000to\u3000new\u3000heights\u3000of\u3000ingenuity\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000was\u3000shortly\u3000afterward\u3000that\u3000she\u3000hit\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stratagem\u3000that\u3000would\u3000destroy\u3000Sabal\u3002
\nA\u3000band\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000had\u3000been\u3000raiding\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000southeast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sabal\u3000was\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000force\u3000endeavoring\u3000to\u3000hunt\u3000the\u3000bandits\u3000down\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000extraordinary\u3000measures\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000her\u3000agents\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000mortal\uff1b\u3000elemental\uff1b\u3000or\u3000demonic\uff1b\u3000relentlessly\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000located\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000in\u3000adnotvance\u3000of\u3000her\u3000twin\u3002\u3000Then\u3000came\u3000the\u3000hard\u3000part\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000her\u3000helpers\u3000had\u3000to\u3000abduct\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slate\u2026colored\u3000little\u3000males\u3000without\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fellows\uff1b\u3000equip\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000platinum\u3000amulet\u3000that\u3000her\u3000subordinate\u3000clerics\uff1b\u3000mages\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000personal\u3000jeweler\u3000had\u3000created\u3000in\u3000an\u3000amazingly\u3000brief\u3000time\uff1b\u3000bind\u3000the\u3000marauder\u3000with\u3000spells\u3000of\u3000forgetfulness\u3000and\u3000persuasion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slip\u3000him\u3000back\u3000among\u3000his\u3000friends\u3002
\nSabal\u3000found\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000two\u3000days\u3000later\u3002\u3000After\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000exterminated\u3000the\u3000brigands\uff1b\u3000they\u3000looted\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000and\u3000found\u3000the\u3000brooch\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000valuable\uff1b\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000those\u3000wizards\u3000who\u3000were\u3000present\u3000soon\u3000discovnotered\uff1b\u3000conferred\u3000several\u3000useful\u3000magical\u3000abilities\u3002\u3000It\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Sabal\u3000that\u3000a\u3000treasure\u3000plundered\u3000from\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000dwarf\u3000might\u3000constitute\u3000a\u3000trap\u3000laid\u3000by\u3000a\u3000sister\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000happily\u3000laid\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000that\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spoils\u3002
\nFrom\u3000that\u3000day\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Sabal\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000subtly\u3000sickened\u3000in\u3000body\uff1b\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000struggling\u3000pathetically\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000any\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000weaknotness\u3000from\u3000all\u3000who\u3000might\u3000discern\u3000it\u3000and\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000exploit\u3000it\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3000tornotment\u3000her\uff1b\u3000or\u3000strip\u3000her\u3000of\u3000her\u3000rank\u3002\u3000Which\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000probably\u3000recognized\u3000her\u3000deterioration\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000arrest\u3000it\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000she\u3000was\u3000constantly\u3000carrying\u3000an\u3000unnotusual\u3000new\u3000magical\u3000device\u3000about\u3000her\u3000person\u3002\u3000The\u3000curse\u3000that\u3000was\u3000poisoning\u3000her\uff1b\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000insidiously\u3000threaded\u3000among\u3000all\u3000the\u3000benign\u3000enchantments\uff1b\u3000made\u3000her\u3000cling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000amulet\u3000with\u3000an\u3000obsessive\u3000fascination\u3000and\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000others\u3000would\u3000steal\u3000it\u3000if\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000hidden\u3002
\nDuring\u3000the\u3000several\u3000months\u3000of\u3000Sabal’s\u3000malaise\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000sometimes\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000ally\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000her\u3000if\u3000asked\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000She\u3000just\u3000watched\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000her\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000Sabal\u3000off\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000learned\u3000her\u3000lesson\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000unlikely\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000not\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000twin\u3000alive\u3000to\u3000recoup\u3000her\u3000fortunes\u3000yet\u3000again\u3002
\nOne\u3000night\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000left\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000either\u3000on\u3000some\u3000errand\u3000or\u3000simply\u3000benotcause\u3000he\u3000was\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000inside\u3000oppressive\u3002\u3000Later\u3000on\uff1b\u3000the\u3000suspinotcious\uff1b\u3000insomniac\u3000Sabal\u3000somehow\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000guards\u3000and\u3000servants\u3000and\u3000began\u3000aimlessly\u3000wandering\u3000the\u3000citadel\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000and\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000of\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000confronted\u3000Sabal\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fungus\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000topiarist\u3000had\u3000trimmed\u3000the\u3000phosphorescent\u3000growths\u3000into\u3000fanciful\u3000shapes\uff1b\u3000fertilized\u3000in\u3000some\u3000cases\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ripe\uff1b\u3000diced\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000expired\u3000slaves\u3002\u3000Sabal’s\u3000final\u3000moments\u3000might\u3000have\u3000seemed\u3000pitinotful\uff1b\u3000had\u3000Greyanna\u3000been\u3000susceptible\u3000to\u3000that\u3000crippling\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000Her\u3000addled\uff1b\u3000desperate\u3000twin\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000platinum\u3000amulet\u3000agai \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n sperate\u3000twin\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000platinum\u3000amulet\u3000against\u3000its\u3000maker\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Greyanna\u3000dispelled\u3000its\u3000powers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Sabal\u3000endeavored\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000recite\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000with\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000cadence\u3000or\u3000exnotecute\u3000the\u3000gestures\u3000with\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000precision\u3002
\nLaughing\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000waylayers\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000their\u3000victim\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Their\u3000mere\u3000proximity\u3000made\u3000Sabal\u3000wail\uff1b\u3000clutch\u3000at\u3000her\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000over\u3000dead\u3000as\u3000a\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Weak\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000cheated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000off\u3002\u3000Sabal\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000main\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000still\u3000have\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000torture\u3002
\nChanting\u3000words\u3000that\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000charnel\u3000breeze\u3000moaning\u3000through\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reanimated\u3000Sabal’s\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000use\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000first\u3000as\u3000a\u3000lure\u3000then\u3000as\u3000an\u3000instrument\u3000of\u3000humiliation\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000before\u3000his\u3000extermination\uff1b\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000might\u3000be\u3000induced\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000one\u3000more\u3000tender\u3000interlude\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Pharaun\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000later\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000garments\u3000were\u3000as\u3000immaculate\u3000as\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000reeked\u3000of\u3000wine\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000with\u3000a\u3000slightly\u3000weaving\u3000and\u3000excessively\u3000careful\u3000tread\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000drinking\u3000his\u3000troubles\u3000away\u3002\u3000Perfect\u3002
\nAs\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000instructed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000zombie\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000Its\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000extended\u3000in\u3000a\u3000beseeching\u3000gesture\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000it\u3000and\u3000faltered\u3002\u3000Drunk\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000noticed\u3000that\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000stiffly\uff1b\u3000awkwardly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Sabal\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000throes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000illness\uff1b\u3000never\u3000had\u3002\u3000But\u3000he’d\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000anomaly\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000already\u3000advanced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000very\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trap\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000paralysis\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000staggered\u3000as\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000all\u3000clenched\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighters\u3000swarmed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000hiding\u3000places\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000him\uff1b\u3000clubbed\u3000him\u3000repeatedly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000him\u3000down\u3000benotneath\u3000them\u3002
\nShe\u3000laughed\u3000with\u3000delight\u3002\u3000Then\u3000her\u3000henchmen\uff1b\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000clumped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3000and\u3000consternation\u3002\u3000They\u3000started\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000did\u3000not\u3000lie\u3000crushed\uff1b\u3000bloody\uff1b\u3000and\u3000helpnotless\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3002\u3000Impossible\u3000as\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3000he’d\u3000renotsisted\u3000the\u3000paralysis\uff1b\u3000then\u3000used\u3000his\u3000wizardry\u3000to\u3000extricate\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000his\u3000attackers\u3002
\nKnowing\u3000that\u3000Sabal\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000must\u3000likewise\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000withnotout\u3000the\u3000aegis\u3000of\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000he\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000survive\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Miznotzrym\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000count\u3000on\u3000his\u3000vicious\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000who\u3000hadn’t\u3000bestirred\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000save\u3000one\u3000daughter\u3000from\u3000another\uff1b\u3000to\u3000do\u3000more\u3000for\u3000a\u3000paltry\u3000son\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000surely\u3000running\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000exit\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000way\uff01\u3000Fast\uff01\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000pointing\uff1b\u3000goading\u3000her\u3000agents\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000Pharaun\u3000sprinting\u3000along\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000billowing\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000weaving\u3000or\u3000stumbling\u2026evidently\u3000desperation\u3000had\u3000cured\u3000his\u3000intoxication\u2026but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000bloody\u3000drops\u3000on\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000all\u3000the\u3000bludgeoning\u3000had\u3000done\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000little\u3000good\u3002
\nGreyanna’s\u3000minions\u3000shot\u3000their\u3000hand\u3000crossbows\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000darts\u3000bounced\u3000off\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000been\u3000enchanted\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000armor\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000running\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000a\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000under\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Her\u3000assassins\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000shielded\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000against\u3000the\u3000glare\u3002\u3000Though\u3000surely\u3000burned\uff1b\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000stayed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000going\u3002\u3000The\u3000flames\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000as\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000they’d\u3000appeared\u3002
\nThe\u3000chase\u3000rounded\u3000another\u3000corner\u3002\u3000Ahead\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000an\u3000adamannottine\u3000double\u3000door\uff1b\u3000which\u3000swung\u3000open\u3000seemingly\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\u3002\u3000In\u3000realnotity\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000used\u3000his\u3000silver\u2026and\u2026jet\u3000Mizzrym\u3000House\u3000token\u3000to\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000use\u3000her\u3000own\u3000insignia\u3000to\u3000slam\u3000it\u3000shut\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000plunged\u3000through\u3000the\u3000exit\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000balnotcony\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalactite\u3000castle\u3000that\u3000was\u3000House\u3000Miznotzrym\u3000could\u3000look\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000As\u3000was\u3000the\u3000custom\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000guards\u3000stood\u3000watch\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Greyanna\u3000screamed\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002
\nThey\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000be\u3000obey\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000he\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000male\uff1b\u3000and\u3000manifestly\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3000to\u3000boot\u3002\u3000But\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000since\u3000their\u3000primary\u3000function\u3000was\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000miscreants\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000Phanotraun\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000them\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000hindering\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000dash\u3000on\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Greyanna\u3000made\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000manner\u3000of\u3000hindrance\u3000the\u3000fugitive\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3002\u3000The\u3000guards\u3000were\u3000all\u3000bewildered\uff1b\u3000some\u3000standing\u3000stupefied\u3000or\u3000milling\u3000aimlessly\uff1b\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000fighting\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\u3002
\nA\u3000clattering\uff1b\u3000followed \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000fighting\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\u3002
\nA\u3000clattering\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000later\u3000by\u3000grunts\u3000and\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000snapped\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000sentries\u3000also\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000least\u3000temporarily\u3000incapacinottated\uff1b\u3000these\u3000because\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000pelted\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000conjured\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000ice\u3002\u3000He\u3000disappeared\u3000down\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000guarding\uff1b\u3000the\u3000winding\u3000crysnottal\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000gorgeous\u3000with\u3000magical\u3000luminescence\uff1b\u3000which\u3000connected\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000floor\u3000below\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000twinge\u3000of\u3000annoyance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000that\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000torture\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unquestionnotably\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000He\u3000really\u3000had\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000run\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000wretch\u3000weren’t\u3000mired\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blind\u3000panic\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000know\u3000it\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000she\u3000could\u3000deliver\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3000that\u3000would\u3000seal\u3000his\u3000doom\u3002\u3000She\u3000hurnotried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000blistered\uff1b\u3000bloody\u2026headed\u3000fool\u3000was\u3000better\u3000than\u3000halfway\u3000down\u3000the\u3000radiant\u3000diamond\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pronotnounced\uff1b\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000awkward\u3000arcane\u3000word\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3000vanish\u3002\u3000That\u3000alone\u3000wouldn’t\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000unless\u3000he\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000granted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000same\u3000brooch\u3000that\u3000alnotlowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000doors\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000from\u3000falling\u3002\u3000Limited\u3000to\u3000strictly\u3000vertical\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000make\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000mark\u3000for\u3000spells\u3000and\u3000arrows\u3002
\nShe\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000final\u3000syllable\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000pop\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bubble\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000leaped\uff1b\u3000his\u3000long\u3000legs\u3000making\u3000him\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000scisnotsors\u3000spread\u3000to\u3000the\u3000maximum\u3000possible\u3000width\u3002\u3000He\u3000barely\u3000made\u3000it\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000flattened\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gigantic\u3000stalagmite\u3000that\u3000served\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stair’s\u3000lower\u3000ternotminus\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000That\u3000jump\u3000was\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000display\u3000of\u3000athleticism\u3000for\u3000a\u3000battered\u3000scholar\u3000of\u3000hedonistic\u3000habits\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000do\u3000him\u3000any\u3000good\u3002\u3000He\u3000really\u3000had\u3000run\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\u3002\u3000She\u3000leaned\u3000out\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000for\u3000the\u3000foulwings\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000Winded\uff1b\u3000still\u3000stumbling\u3000off\u2026balance\u3000from\u3000hurdling\u3000across\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000space\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000surely\u3000couldn’t\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\nGrotesque\u3000winged\u3000predators\u3000that\u3000monly\u3000reeked\u3000of\u3000their\u3000caustic\u3000amnotmonia\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000the\u3000foulwings\u3000bespoke\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000power\u3000and\u3000magical\u3000prowess\u3000and\u3000lent\u3000the\u3000first\u3000step\u3000on\u3000the\u3000path\u3000to\u3000their\u3000citadel\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000style\u3000that\u3000mere\u3000soldiers\u3000could\u3000not\u3000match\u3000They\u3000also\u3000made\u3000terrifying\u3000watch\u3000beasts\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000their\u3000clawed\uff1b\u3000bat\u3000like\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000in\u3000no\u3000wise\u3000hindered\u3000by\u3000their\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000they\u3000spun\u3000their\u3000long\u2026necked\u3000bodies\u3000around\u3000to\u3000loom\u3000over\u3000Phanotraun\u3002\u3000Forked\u3000snouts\u3000with\u3000fanged\u3000jaws\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000either\u3000branch\u3000came\u3000questing\u3000hungrily\u3000down\u3002\u3000From\u3000her\u3000perch\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ranotpacity\u3000no\u3000less\u3000keen\u3000than\u3000theirs\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000a\u3000rapacity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soul\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000shouted\u3000something\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000make\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000word\uff1b\u3000just\u3000a\u3000cry\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000or\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000plea\u3000for\u3000mercy\u2026a\u3000plea\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000beasts\u3000would\u3000not\u3000heed\u3002
\nExcept\u3000that\u3000they\u3000did\u3002\u3000They\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Their\u3000deadly\u3000jaws\u3000played\u3000delicately\u3000about\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000his\u3000scent\u3002
\nShe\u3000cried\u3000again\u3000for\u3000the\u3000brutes\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000They\u3000twisted\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000them\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000ignored\u3000her\u3000mand\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000stared\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000had\u3000some\u3000limnotited\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000foulwings\uff1b\u3000for\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000castle\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000he’d\u3000never\u3000ridden\u3000one\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000females\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000enjoyed\u3000that\u3000privilege\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000by\u3000riding\u3000that\u3000you\u3000established\u3000genuine\u3000mastery\u3000over\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3002\u3000How\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000could\u3000he\u3000posnotsibly\u3000enjoy\u3000a\u3000rapport\u3000with\u3000them\u3000deeper\u3000than\u3000her\u3000own\uff1f
\nPharaun\u3000scrambled\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000foulwing’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000both\u3000it\u3000and\u3000its\u3000fellow\u3000sprang\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Obviously\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000dissolve\u3000the\u3000ennotchantment\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000beasts\u3000want\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000contentedly\u3000at\u3000their\u3000post\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000managed\u3000his\u3000mount\u3000more\u3000deftly\u3000than\u3000Greyanna\u3000herself\u3000could\u3000have\u3000done\u3000without\u3000benefit\u3000of\u3000saddle\uff1b\u3000bridle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000goad\u3002\u3000He\u3000shot\u3000her\u3000a\u3000mocking\u3000grin\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000flee\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\uff1b\u3000rider\u3000less\u3000foulwing\u3000soared\u3000and\u3000swooped\u3000aimlessly\uff1b\u3000enjoying\u3000its\u3000liberty\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000her\u3000stunned\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000desperately\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000how\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000the\u3000creatures\u2026probably\u3000Sabal\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000how\u3000had\u3000they\u3000managed\u3000it\u3000without\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000findnoting\u3000out\uff1f\u2026but\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000there\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000question\u3002\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000was\u3000less\u3000important\u3000than\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000Those\u3000guards\u3000whom\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000addled\u3000were\u3000disoriented\u3000still\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000he’d\u3000battered\u3000with\u3000hailstones\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000regained\u3000their\u3000posure\u3002
\n\u3003Shoot\u3000him\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rapidly\u3000receding\u3000target\u3002\u3000\u3003Shoot\uff01\u3003
\nWith\u3000m \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Shoot\u3000him\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rapidly\u3000receding\u3000target\u3002\u3000\u3003Shoot\uff01\u3003
\nWith\u3000mendable\u3000haste\uff1b\u3000they\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000They\u3000took\u3000up\u3000their\u3000crossbows\uff1b\u3000aimed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000leaped\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000clatter\u3002
\nPharaun’s\u3000foulwing\u3000lurched\uff1b\u3000then\u3000plummeted\u3000down\u3000and\u3000down\u3000and\u3000down\uff1b\u3000crashing\u3000to\u3000earth\u3000somewhere\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000hollowed\u3000stalagmite\u3000edifices\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\n\u3003Got\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guard\u3002
\nBigger\u3000and\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000he\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000male\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000got\u3000the\u3000foulwing\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000you\u3000hit\u3000Pharaun\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000use\u3000his\u3000wizardry\u3000or\u3000his\u3000levitation\u3000to\u3000cushion\u3000his\u3000fall\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000he\u3000isn’t\u3000down\u3000there\u3000alive\u3000and\u3000well\u3000laughing\u3000at\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000see\u3000his\u3000corpse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000way\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000fetch\u3000it\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000Turn\u3000out\u3000every\u3000available\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000warrior\u2026\u3000drow\u3000or\u3000slave\u3002\u3000Jump
\nJump\u3000he\u3000did\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000satisfaction\u3000that\u3000was\u3000to\u3000e\u3000her\u3000way\u3002
\nHer\u3000mortal\u3000agents\u3000flooded\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000remained\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pernotsonal\u3000sanctum\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000summoning\u3000spirits\u3000and\u3000casting\u3000divinanottions\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000the\u3000search\u3002\u3000Astonishingly\uff1b\u3000maddeningly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000to\u3000no\u3000avail\u3002\u3000When\u3000light\u3000flowered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\uff1b\u3000signaling\u3000the\u3000advent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000new\u3000day\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000eluded\u3000her\u3002
\nA\u3000month\u3000later\uff1b\u3000she\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000and\u3000begged\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000a\u3000place\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000the\u3000wizardly\u3000talent\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000male\u3000had\u3000demonstrated\u3000throughout\u3000his\u3000training\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3000in\u3002
\nThe\u3000news\u3000came\u3000as\u3000a\u3000considerable\u3000relief\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000feared\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000fled\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000himself\u3000permanently\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000reach\u3002\u3000Innotstead\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000simply\u3000hopped\u3000up\u3000on\u3000a\u3000shelf\u3000above\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000hop\u3000down\u3000again\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000him\u3002
\nOr\u3000so\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000until\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000sent\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Possessed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000intelligence\u3000concerning\u3000her\u3000fugitive\u3000son’s\u3000whereabouts\uff1b\u3000Miz’ri\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000very\u3000different\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000what\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3000about\u3000it\uff1a\u3000Nothing\u3002
\nEven\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000only\u3000males\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000possessed\u3000both\u3000a\u3000degree\u3000of\u3000practical\u3000autonomy\u3000and\u3000an\u3000abundance\u3000of\u3000mystical\u3000power\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000always\u3000weaving\u3000her\u3000labyrinthine\u3000schemes\u3000to\u3000elevate\u3000the\u3000status\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000unnecessarily\u3000provoke\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000Which\u3000was\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000obtained\u3000a\u3000place\u3000in\u3000that\u3000cloisnottered\uff1b\u3000many\u2026spired\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000more\u3000significant\u3000in\u3000exile\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000at\u3000home\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Greyanna\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000live\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000achieved\u3000what\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000her\u3000primary\u3000goal\uff1b\u3000preeminence\u3000among\u3000her\u3000sisters\u3000and\u3000cousins\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000vengeance\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000unfinished\u3002
\nThrough\u3000all\u3000the\u3000decades\u3000that\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000galled\u3000her\u3002\u3000A\u3000hundred\u3000times\u3000she\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000defy\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000mand\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000Pharaun\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000her\u3000stratagems\u3000just\u3000short\u3000of\u3000implementation\u3002\u3000As\u3000fiercely\u3000as\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000feared\u3000Miz’ri’s\u3000displeasure\u3000even\u3000more\u3002
\nWas\u3000it\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000at\u3000long\u3000last\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000was\u3000this\u3000some\u3000new\u3000cruelty\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Miz’ri\u3000perhaps\u3000going\u3000to\u3000somenothow\u3000force\u3000Greyanna\u3000into\u3000an\u3000odious\u3000proximity\u3000with\u3000a\u3000brother\u3000who\u3000was\u3000still\u3000untouchable\uff1f
\n\u3003It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000nice\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Pharaun\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000said\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blandest\u3000tone\u3000she\u3000could\u3000muster\u3002
\nMiz’ri\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000it\u3000would\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000him\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000him\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000our\u3000history\u3002\u3000We\u3000played\u3000out\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000sava\u3000game\u3000under\u3000your\u3000nose\u3002\u3003\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000you\u3000relished\u3000every\u3000minute\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000you\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000I\u3000know\u3000this\u3000will\u3000interest\u3000you\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000has\u3000arisen\u3000that\u3000even\u3000supercedes\u3000my\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000get\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000While\u3000you\u3000were\u3000away\uff1b\u3000males\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000desert\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Pharaun\u3000ran\u3000off\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\uff1f\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000interrupted\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000\u3003Were\u3000they\u3000finally\u3000going\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000him\u3000for\u3000getting\u3000those\u3000novices\u3000killed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\uff01\u3000Shut\u3000your\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000let\u3000me\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000tale\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000e\u3000to\u3000your\u3000little\u3000obsession\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Males\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000elope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000our\u3000warning\u3000him\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000still\u3000intends\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Hoping\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000our\u3000notice\u3000and\u3000disnotpleasure\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3000by\u3000proxy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000summoned\u3000a\u3000suitable\u3000agent\u3000to\u3000his\u3000office\u3000to\u3000discuss\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Happily\uff1b\u3000we\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000posnotsess\u3000a\u3000scrying\u3000crystal\u3000with\u3000which\u3000we\u3000recently\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000pierce\u3000the\u3000obnotscuring\u3000enchantments\u3000shrouding\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000We\u3000still\u3000can’t\u3000see\u3000in\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000can\u3000hear\u3000what\u3000goes\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000sufficed\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000arch\u3000mage\u3000s\u3000plan\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000identity\u3000of\u3000his\u3000minion\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000must\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000excitedly\u3000b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n u\u3000may\u3000excitedly\u3000babble\u3000your\u3000brother’s\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000imagine\u3000Gromph\u3000told\u3000him\u3000this\u3000is\u3000his\u3000one\u3000big\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000redeem\u3000himself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000is\uff1b\u3000how\u3000shall\u3000we\u3000priestesses\u3000respond\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000gather\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000reason\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000just\u3000tell\u3000Gromph\u3000you’re\u3000on\u3000to\u3000his\u3000plan\u3002\u3003\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000several\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\uff1b\u3000our\u3000first\u3000confrontation\u3000with\u3000him\u3000was\u3000cournotteous\u3000and\u3000mild\uff1b\u3000but\u3000who\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000might\u3000be\u3000less\u3000so\u3002\u3000As\u3000things\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000we\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000push\u3000him\u3000very\u3000hard\u3002\u3000For\u3000another\uff1b\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000him\u3000to\u3000know\u3000we\u3000can\u3000eavesdrop\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000either\u3000block\u3000us\u3000out\u3000or\u3000hatch\u3000his\u3000plots\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000better\u3000all\u3000around\u3000simply\u3000to\u3000take\u3000his\u3000pawn\u3000out\u3000of\u3000play\u3002\u3000Given\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000is\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000operative\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000may\u3000befall\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000can\u3000hardly\u3000take\u3000exception\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000catch\u3000being\u3000that\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000your\u3000brother\u3000is\u3000a\u3000formidable\u3000undertaking\uff1b\u3000arguably\u3000on\u3000any\u3000occasion\u3000but\u3000cernottainly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\nGreyanna\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000he’s\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000are\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000what\u3000we\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000where\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000can\u3000we\u3000find\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000so\u3000bold\uff1b\u3000so\u3000motivated\uff1b\u3000that\u3000even\u3000now\u3000she’ll\u3000be\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000hunt\u3000the\u3000male\u3000when\u3000he\u3000denotscends\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000I\u3000told\u3000the\u3000others\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000a\u3000candidate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000were\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000it\u3000is\u3000that\u3000you\u3000do\u3000have\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000score\u3000to\u3000settle\u3002\u3000If\u3000people\u3000see\u3000you\u3000do\u3000something\u3000unpleasant\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000what\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000see\u3000that\u3002\u3000May\u3000I\u3000draw\u3000on\u3000all\u3000the\u3000resources\u3000of\u3000our\u3000House\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000me\u3000in\u3000my\u3000efforts\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can\u3000only\u3000give\u3000you\u3000a\u3000few\u3000helpers\u3002\u3000If\u3000people\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000descend\u3000on\u3000the\u3000city\u3000with\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000entire\u3000army\u3000at\u3000your\u3000back\uff1b\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000assume\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000personal\u3000matter\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000have\u3000your\u3000pick\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000weapons\u3000from\u3000the\u3000armory\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000waste\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Expend\u3000only\u3000what\u3000you\u3000need\u3002\u3003
\nGreyanna\u3000inclined\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000start\u3000preparing\u3000right\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\nMiz’ri\u3000finally\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000in\u3000defiance\u3000of\u3000any\u3000reasonable\u3000exnotpectation\uff1b\u3000it\u3000made\u3000her\u3000face\u3000more\u3000threatening\uff1b\u3000not\u3000less\u3002
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
\n
\nF\u3000O\u3000U\u3000R
\nThe\u3000Silken\u3000Rack\u3000was\u3000not\uff1b\u3000as\u3000visitors\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000sometimes\u3000asnotsumed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000cloth\u3000emporium\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\uff1b\u3000technically\uff1b\u3000a\u3000massage\u3000parlor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000a\u3000vulgarian\u3000would\u3000call\u3000it\u3000that\u3002\u3000Rather\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000palace\u3000of\u3000delight\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000most\u3000skilled\u3000body\u3000servants\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000provided\u3000what\u3000many\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000considered\u3000to\u3000be\u3000most\u3000exquisite\u3000of\u3000all\u3000pleasures\u3002
\nWaerva\u3000Baenre\u3000was\u3000herself\u3000of\u3000that\u3000opinion\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000already\u3000soaked\u3000her\u3000pampered\uff1b\u3000voluptuous\u3000form\u3000in\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000scented\u3000oil\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3000nothing\u3000better\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000herself\u3000utterly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000her\u3000masseur\u3002
\nBut\u3000that\uff1b\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000was\u3000not\u3000possible\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000e\u3000to\u3000this\u3000shrine\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senses\u3000on\u3000business\uff1b\u3000business\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3000conducted\u3000far\u3000more\u3000safely\u3000and\u3000discreetly\u3000there\u3000than\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000citadel\u3000or\u3000the\u3000ambassador’s\u3000residence\u3000in\u3000West\u3000Wall\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000why\u3000she\uff1b\u3000by\u3000nature\u3000gregarious\uff1b\u3000had\u3000hired\u3000a\u3000cozy\u3000private\u3000room\u3000connottaining\u3000only\u3000two\u3000contoured\u3000couches\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000hulking\u3000deaf\u2026mute\u3000human\u3000masseurs\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000her\u3000supremely\u3000gifted\u3000Tluth\u3002
\nHappily\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tongueless\u3000slave\u3000she’d\u3000chosen\u3000for\u3000herself\u3000was\u3000also\u3000highly\u3000notpetent\u3002\u3000He\u3000kneaded\u3000her\u3000neck\u3000muscles\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000was\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000bliss\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000wringing\u3000a\u3000groan\u3000of\u3000sweet\u3000release\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000Naturally\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000at\u3000this\u3000somewhat\u3000undignified\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000Umrae\u3000came\u3000though\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000Waerva’s\u3000momentary\u3000disposure\u3000made\u3000Umrae\u3000smile\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000couldn’t\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000to\u3000acplish\u3000that\u3002\u3000A\u3000rather\u3000gaunt\uff1b\u3000homely\u3000female\uff1b\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000the\u3000unhealthy\u3000dull\u3000gray\u2026black\u3000color\u3000of\u3000charcoal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cut\u3000of\u3000her\u3000nondescript\u3000garments\u3000subtly\u3000divergent\u3000from\u3000the\u3000styles\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000always\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000these\u3000clandestine\u3000meetnotings\u3000stiff\u3000and\u3000awkward\u3000with\u3000nervous\u3000tension\u3002\u3000Waerva\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000difference\u3000between\u3000moners\u3000and\u3000nobles\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000perilous\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000an\u3000aristocrat\u3000always\u3000managed\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000grace\u3002
\n\u3003She’s\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000maps\uff01\u3003\u3000declared\u3000Umrae\u3002\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000matched\u3000her\u3000apnotpearance\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000music\u3000in\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3003\u3000Waerva\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000mistress\u3000is\u3000reasonably\u3000clever\u3002\u3000I\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000placent\u3000forever\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000body\u3000servant\u3000dug\u3000his\u3000fingertips\u3000into\u3000Waerva’s\u3000upper\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000shivered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000first\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3000set\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000at\u3000ease\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000who\u3000matters\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000enter\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nUmrae\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000irked\u3000by\u3000the\u3000very\u3000suggestion\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000for\u3000pity’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000take\u3000off\u3000your\u3000clothes\u3002\u3000You\u3000supposedly\u3000came\u3000here\u3000for\u3000a\u3000deepstroke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000you’ve\u3000had\u3000one\u3000when\u3000you\u3000get\u3000back\u3000home\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000these\u3000fellows\u3000are\u3000worth\u3000the\u3000rent\u3002\u3003
\nStill\u3000frowning\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000suspected\u3000Waerva\u3000was\u3000perpetrating\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000joke\u3000at\u3000her\u3000expense\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000gestured\u3000brusquely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000human\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000smaller \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000gestured\u3000brusquely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000human\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000smaller\u3000and\u3000less\u3000muscular\u3000than\u3000his\u3000patriot\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000left\u3000for\u3000her\u3000use\u3002\u3000Careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000make\u3000eye\u3000contact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000began\u3000to\u3000undress\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hang\u3000her\u3000garments\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hooks\u3000set\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000what\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000moner\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000guarded\u3002\u3000Even\u3000with\u3000the\u3000resource\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000I\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000and\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surely\u3000you\u3000have\u3000skilled\u3000assassins\u3000at\u3000your\u3000disposal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003\u3000Waerva\u3000had\u3000to\u3000close\u3000her\u3000slanted\u3000ruby\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000her\u3000body\u3000sernotvant\u3000squeezed\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000another\u3000clenched\u3000muscle\u3000into\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000limp\u3000subnotmission\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000remarkable\u3000how\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000realize\u3000they\u3000were\u3000tight\u3000until\u3000the\u3000masseur\u3000got\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Murder\u3000would\u3000have\u3000its\u3000advantages\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000take\u3000her\u3000off\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000board\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000we’re\u3000agreed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000asked\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000couch\u3002\u3000Her\u3000body\u3000servant\u3000gently\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000mane\u3000of\u3000coarse\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000to\u3000expose\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000beneath\u3002
\nWaerva\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000sound\u3000so\u3000eager\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000admit\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003\u3000Umrae’s\u3000human\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000white\u3000porcenotlain\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000unguent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000scent\u3000tinged\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000is\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000us\u3000all\u3000for\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000we\u3000need\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000quite\u3000agree\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000my\u3000concern\u3000is\u3000that\u3000an\u3000assassination\u3000could\u3000prove\u3000counterproductive\u3002\u3000Might\u3000it\u3000not\u3000call\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000your\u3000misnottress’s\u3000suspicions\uff1f\u3000Might\u3000it\u3000not\u3000lend\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000them\uff1f\u3000Does\u3000she\u3000not\u3000have\u3000a\u3000deputy\u3000of\u3000like\u3000mind\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000take\u3000over\u3000in\u3000the\u3000event\u3000of\u3000her\u3000demise\uff1f\u3003
\nUrnrae\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000plainly\u3000not\u3000enjoying\u3000it\u3000much\u3002\u3000Her\u3000slave\u3000spread\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000coat\u3000of\u3000amber\u3000oil\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000back\u3002
\nFrom\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000building\u3000echoed\u3000the\u3000faint\uff1b\u3000distorted\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000shouting\uff1b\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000splashing\u3002\u3000Waerva\u3000guessed\u3000it\u3000must\u3000be\u3000males\u3000amusnoting\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bathing\u3000pools\u3002\u3000The\u3000females\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000were\u3000scarcely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000boisterous\u3000horseplay\u3002
\nAt\u3000last\u3000Umrae\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000what\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Counter\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000subtler\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u3000can’t\u3000injure\u3000us\u3000if\u3000she’s\u3000never\u3000afnotforded\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000her\u3000suspicions\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000will\u3000you\u3000ensure\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Umrae’s\u3000voice\u3000quavered\u3000as\u3000her\u3000thrall\u3000began\u3000to\u3000lightly\u3000pummel\u3000her\u3000gleaming\u3000back\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bottoms\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fists\u3002
\nGood\u3000luck\u3000loosening\u3000up\u3000those\u3000petrified\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000Waerva\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000am\u3000I\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000least\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000insolent\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3003\u3000Waerva\u3000tensed\u3000with\u3000annoyance\u3000until\u3000her\u3000masseur’s\u3000hands\u3000rebuked\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000only\u3000meant\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you\u3000meant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000deny\u3000it\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000here\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000consider\u3000this\uff1a\u3000My\u3000aunt\u3000Triel\u3000has\u3000always\u3000depended\u3000on\u3000the\u3000advice\u3000of\u3000two\u3000people\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000She\u3000can’t\u3000really\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000anymore\u3000because\u3000she’s\u3000keeping\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000males\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000she’ll\u3000see\u3000much\u3000of\u3000Quenthel\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000The\u3000tiny\u3000she\u2026demon\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000busy\u3000contending\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3000problems\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000endured\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000mishap\u3000up\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3003
\nUmrae\u3000twisted\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000conspirator\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\u3000rumors\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3000What\u3000actually\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u2026\u3003\u3000Though\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u2026\u3000\u3003but\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000works\u3000to\u3000our\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000We\u3000want\u3000Triel\u3000to\u3000suffer\u3000a\u3000dearth\u3000of\u3000counselors\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000about\u3000her\u3000magical\u3000new\u3000son\uff1f\u3000They\u3000say\u3000he\u3000acpanies\u3000her\u3000everynotwhere\u3002\u3003
\nWaerva\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Jeggred’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000factor\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000a\u3000magnificent\u3000specimen\u3000but\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000font\u3000of\u3000sage\u3000advice\u3002\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\u3000poor\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000Triel\u3000will\u3000be\u3000abnotsolutely\u3000frantic\u3000for\u3000plausible\u3000insights\u3000from\u3000other\u3000Baenre\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000even\u3000the\u3000lowlier\u3000ones\u3000like\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000buy\u3000our\u3000friends\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000need\u3000to\u3000work\u3000free\u3000of\u3000outside\u3000interference\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000if\u3000Triel\u3000trusts\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000this\uff1b\u3000she\u3000will\u3002\u3000We\u3000Baenre\u3000are\u3000proud\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000be\u3000inconceivable\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000females\u3000would\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3000in\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000born\u3000at\u3000the\u3000absolute\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000internal\u3000hierarchy\uff1b\u3000was\u3000she\uff1b\u3000with\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000older\u3000sisters\u3000and\u3000cousins\u3000taking\u3000precedence\u3000over\u3000her\u3000and\u3000holding\u3000all\u3000the\u3000important\u3000offices\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000I\u3000started\u3000recklessly\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000them\u3000off\u3000whenever\u3000one\u3000lowers\u3000her\u3000guard\u3000even\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000still\u3000take\u3000me\u3000centuries\u3000to\u3000ascend\u3000to\u3000a\u3000position\u3000of\u3000gennotuine\u3000power\u3000within\u3000the\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000that\u3000makes\u3000sense\u3002\u3000What\u3000will\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000her\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000obvious\u3002\u3003\u3000Waerva\u3000sighed\u3000shakily\u3000as\u3000her\u3000human\u3000went\u3000to\u3000work\u3000on\u3000her\u3000sacroiliac\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000all\u3000we\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it\u3000may\u3000even\u3000be\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003
\nUmrae\u3000lapsed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sullen\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Her\u3000body\u3000servant’s\u3000hands\u3000made\u3000slapnotping\u3000and\u3000sucking\u3000sounds\u3000as\u3000they\u3000played\u3000about\u3000her\u3000slick\uff1b\u3000moist\uff1b\u3000bony\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003By\u3000the\u3000six\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000sixty\u2026six\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000ails\u3000you\uff1f\u3000If\u3000you’re\u3000having\u3000seconds \n
\n \n
\n
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\n d\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000ails\u3000you\uff1f\u3000If\u3000you’re\u3000having\u3000seconds\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000the\u3000time\u3000for\u3000that\u3000is\u3000well\u3000past\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000something\u3000better\u3000than\u3000milady’s\u3000secretary\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000a\u3000surname\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000a\u3000noble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000will\u3002\u3000When\u3000your\u3000cabal\u3000crushes\u3000the\u3000established\u3000order\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000reward\u3000me\u3000for\u3000my\u3000help\u3000by\u3000making\u3000me\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000a\u3000new\u3000but\u3000exalted\u3000House\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000I\u3000will\u3000adopt\u3000you\u3000as\u3000my\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000appear\u3000so\u3000morose\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000just\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000This\u3000silence\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000a\u3000boon\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000calamity\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000we\u3000seizing\u3000a\u3000great\u3000opportunity\u3000or\u3000madly\u3000rushing\u3000to\u3000our\u3000doom\uff1f\u3003\u3000How\u3000much\u3000better\u3000I’d\u3000rest\u3000if\u3000only\u3000I\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Waerva\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000ask\u3000a\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000priestess\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Deep\u3000down\u3000in\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000hearts\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000serve\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reverence\u3000or\u3000fear\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000served\u3000for\u3000power\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003e\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000So\u3000let\u3000us\u3000seize\u3000the\u3000power\u3000that\u3000still\u3000sparkles\u3000within\u3000our\u3000reach\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u2026\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000moaned\u3000and\u3000curled\u3000her\u3000toes\u3000as\u3000her\u3000human\u3000finally\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000pleasure\u3000singing\u3000along\u3000her\u3000nerves\u3002\u3000Waerva\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000sign\u3002
\n
\n
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\n
\n
\n
\nPharaun\u3000drank\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spectacle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3002\u3000Born\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000Menzoberranyr\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000of\u3000course\u3000visited\u3000this\u3000bustling\u3000place\u3000countless\u3000times\u3000before\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000several\u3000tendays\u3000of\u3000house\u3000arrest\u3000spent\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000his\u3000life\u3000was\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000rather\u3000wonderful\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\nMany\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalls\u3000shone\u3000with\u3000light\uff1b\u3000be\u3000it\u3000phosphorescent\u3000fungus\u3000posinottioned\u3000to\u3000flatter\u3000the\u3000vendor’s\u3000wares\uff1b\u3000magical\u3000illumination\u3000cast\u3000for\u3000the\u3000same\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000or\u3000merely\u3000the\u3000incidental\u3000fallout\u3000of\u3000some\u3000other\u3000enchantment\u3002\u3000The\u3000gleaming\u3000was\u3000never\u3000so\u3000fierce\u3000as\u3000to\u3000offend\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000citnotizens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000wended\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000aisles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nurturing\u3000darknotness\u3000that\u3000was\u3000their\u3000natural\u3000habitat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000an\u3000interesting\u3000lot\u3000those\u3000citizens\u3000were\u3002
\nA\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Fey\u3000Branche\u3000judging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000livery\u3000of\u3000her\u3000retainers\uff1b\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000her\u3000curtained\u3000litter\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000riding\u3000lizards\u3000with\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000as\u3000knowledgeable\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000steady\u3000as\u3000any\u3000groom’s\u3002\u3000A\u3000somewhat\u3000seedy\u3000looking\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000disfavored\u3000son\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000engaged\u3000a\u3000cobbler\u3000in\u3000conversation\u3000while\u3000a\u3000confederate\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000voluminous\u3000mantle\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000an\u3000expensive\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000snakeskin\u3000boots\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Male\u3000moners\uff1b\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000lower\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000every\u3000female\u3000and\u3000step\u3000aside\u3000for\u3000every\u3000noble\u3000of\u3000either\u3000gender\uff1b\u3000pensated\u3000by\u3000sneering\u3000and\u3000swaggering\u3000their\u3000way\u3000among\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000less\u3000exalted\u3000than\u3000any\u3000drow\u3002\u3000These\u3000latter\u3000were\u3000a\u3000motley\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000beings\u2026gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goggle\u2026eyed\u3000fish\u2026men\u3000called\u3000kuotoas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000horned\u3000ogre\u3000mage\u3000from\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u2026bold\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000trade\u3000or\u3000even\u3000dwell\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000city\u3002\u3000Lowliest\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000as\u3000numerous\u3000as\u3000the\u3000free\u3000but\u3000in\u3000their\u3000utter\u3000insignificance\u3000far\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000overlook\uff1b\u3000were\u3000the\u3000slaves\u3002\u3000Orc\uff1b\u3000gnoll\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bugnotbear\u3000warriors\u3000guarded\u3000their\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000mistresses\uff1b\u3000harried\uff1b\u3000starveling\u3000goblins\u3000fetched\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000for\u3000the\u3000merchants\uff1b\u3000and\u3000little\u3000reptilian\u3000kobolds\u3000collected\u3000litter\u3000and\u3000hauled\u3000it\u3000away\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000knew\u3000from\u3000occasional\u3000errands\u3000there\u3000that\u3000if\u3000this\u3000hub\u3000of\u3000notmerce\u3000had\u3000existed\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lands\u3000that\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000exceptionally\u3000noisy\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000cavern\u3000from\u3000roaring\u3000with\u3000a\u3000constant\u3000echoing\u3000clamor\uff1b\u3000had\u3000laid\u3000subtle\u3000enchantments\u3000about\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Sounds\u3000close\u3000at\u3000hand\u3000were\u3000as\u3000audible\u3000as\u3000was\u3000natural\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000farther\u3000away\u3000faded\u3000and\u3000blended\u3000to\u3000the\u3000faint\u3000drone\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000while\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000buffers\u3000operated\u3000in\u3000close\u3000proximity\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000To\u3000newers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000little\u3000disconcerting\u3000as\u3000a\u3000single\u3000step\u3000sufficed\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000them\u3000from\u3000whispering\u3000quiet\u3000to\u3000raucous\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000full\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000an\u3000auctioneer’s\u3000shout\u3000or\u3000a\u3000piper’s\u3000skirling\u3002
\nHappily\uff1b\u3000no\u3000such\u3000enchantments\u3000existed\u3000to\u3000suppress\u3000the\u3000smells\u3000of\u3000the\u3000marketplace\uff1b\u3000a\u3000glorious\u3000olfactory\u3000tapestry\u3000redolent\u3000of\u3000spice\uff1b\u3000exotic\u3000produce\u3000imported\u3000from\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000world\u3000and\uff1b\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000past\u3000its\u3000prime\uff1b\u3000mulled\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000leather\uff1b\u3000burned\u3000frying\u3000oil\uff1b\u3000rothe\u3000dung\uff1b\u3000freshly\u3000spilled\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000other\u3000things\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000breathed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scent\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000always\u3000grand\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3003\u3000answered\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nFor\u3000his\u3000excursion\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000tossed\u3000a\u3000piwafwi\u3000around\u3000his\u3000burly\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloak\u3000covered\u3000his\u3000dwarf\u2026made\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000short\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000cowl\u3000obscured\u3000his\u3000features\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000garment\u3000could\u3000have\u3000hidden\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000weapon\u3000sheathed\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000called\u3000the\u3000great\u3000sword\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000while\u3000Pharaun\u3000deplored\u3000the\u3000name\u3000as\u3000ugly\u3000and\u3000prosaic\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000apt\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000capable\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000co \n
\n \n
\n
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\n is\u3000friend’s\u3000capable\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000could\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000swing\u3000cleave\u3000almost\u3000anything\u3000in\u3000two\u3002
\nRyld\u3000looked\u3000entirely\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000was\u3000in\u3000one\u3000sense\u3000deceptive\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000was\u3000reflexively\u3000scrutinizing\u3000their\u3000surroundings\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000danger\u3000with\u3000a\u3000facility\u3000that\u3000even\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000regarded\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000observant\u3000than\u3000most\uff1b\u3000could\u3000never\u3000match\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000repeated\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000just\u3000your\u3000usual\u3000glumness\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000or\u3000do\u3000you\u3000find\u3000something\u3000lacking\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000He\u3000waved\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000that\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dinotverse\u3000throng\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stalls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000paths\u3000snaking\u3000among\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000could\u3000use\u3000some\u3000order\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Careful\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000report\u3000you\u3000for\u3000blasnotphemy\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000chaos\u3000that\u3000made\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000us\u3000what\u3000we\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Right\u3002\u3000Chaos\u3000is\u3000life\u3002\u3000Chaos\u3000is\u3000creativity\u3002\u3000Chaos\u3000makes\u3000us\u3000strong\u3002\u3000I\u3000renotmember\u3000the\u3000creed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000a\u3000practical\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000see\u3000that\u3000all\u3000this\u3000confunotsion\u3000could\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mask\u3000for\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000enemies\uff1f\u3000They\u3000could\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000smuggle\u3000their\u3000spies\u3000and\u3000assassins\u3000in\u3000and\u3000to\u3000smuggle\u3000stolen\u3000secrets\u3000and\u3000treasure\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000do\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000certainly\u3000the\u3000way\u3000our\u3000agents\u3000operate\u3000in\u3000marnotketplaces\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3003
\nAn\u3000orc\u3000female\u3000came\u3000scurrying\u3000through\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3000down\u3000and\u3000a\u3000parchment\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000her\u3000master\u3000had\u3000threatened\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000whipping\u3000if\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000deliver\u3000a\u3000message\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000space\u3000between\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000another\u3000pedestrian\uff1b\u3000misstepped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bumped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002
\nThe\u3000pig\u2026faced\u3000slave\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000just\u3000jostled\u3000an\u3000elenotgantly\u3000and\u3000expensively\u3000dressed\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mouth\u3000with\u3000its\u3000prominent\u3000lower\u3000canines\u3000fell\u3000open\u3000in\u3000terror\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000bade\u3000her\u3000begone\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000ran\u3002
\n\u3003Then\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000should\u3000control\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000properly\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000just\u3000send\u3000the\u3000occasional\u3000patrol\u3000marching\u3000through\u3000to\u3000discourage\u3000thievery\u3002\u3000License\u3000the\u3000merchants\u3002\u3000Conduct\u3000routine\u3000searches\u3000of\u3000their\u3000pack\u3000animals\uff1b\u3000tents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kiosks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003From\u3000what\u3000I\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000been\u3000tried\uff1b\u3000and\u3000every\u3000time\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000became\u3000less\u3000profitable\u3000and\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000pouring\u3000fewer\u3000coins\u3000into\u3000the\u3000coffers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3002\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000today\u3002\u3000Regulation\u3000would\u3000also\u3000inconvenience\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000who\u3000are\u3000themselves\u3000running\u3000illicit\u3000operations\u3000hereabouts\u3002\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000a\u3000goodly\u3000number\u3000of\u3000them\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000should\u3000know\u3002\u3000Before\u3000his\u3000exile\u3000from\u3000his\u3000own\u3000family\uff1b\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Sabal\u3000had\u3000played\u3000a\u3000substantial\u3000role\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000covert\u3000and\u3000highly\u3000illegal\u3000trade\u3000with\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\uff1b\u3000or\u3000svirfneblin\uff1b\u3000arguably\u3000the\u3000deadliest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves’\u3000many\u3000foes\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000being\u3000a\u3000noble\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000know\u3000about\u3000things\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000true\uff1b\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000about\u3000as\u3000humbly\u3000born\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000could\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000during\u3000his\u3000climb\u3000to\u3000his\u3000present\u3000eminence\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000perforce\u3000bee\u3000fully\u3000acquainted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ways\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aristocracy\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000that\u3000at\u3000odd\u3000moments\u3000he\u3000took\u3000an\u3000obscure\u3000satisfaction\u3000in\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000a\u3000peasant\u3000like\u3000ignorance\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000rejoice\u3000that\u3000you\u3000remain\u3000so\u3000close\u3000to\u3000your\u3000roots\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000your\u3000familiarity\u3000with\u3000the\u3000slums\u3000to\u3000see\u3000me\u3000safely\u3000through\u3000my\u3000encounters\u3000with\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000wondering\u3000when\u3000that’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002\u3000Shouldn’t\u3000we\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000Eastmyr\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000straightaway\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000point\u3000going\u3000there\u3000blind\u3000if\u3000we\u3000can\u3000acquire\u3000some\u3000intelligence\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000better\u3000collect\u3000it\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pity\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000have\u3000used\u3000some\u3000idle\u3000time\u3000drifting\u3000through\u3000emporia\u3000like\uff1b\u3000for\u3000instance\uff1b\u3000Daelein\u3000Shimmerdark’s\u3000Decanter\u3000with\u3000its\u3000astonishing\u3000collecnottion\u3000of\u3000wines\uff1b\u3000liquors\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000those\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000potions\u3000and\u3000poisons\u3000from\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000would\u3000clear\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\nOr\u3000maybe\u3000it\u3000would\u3000only\u3000give\u3000him\u3000another\u3000enigma\u3000to\u3000ponder\uff1b\u3000for\u3000though\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000plenty\u3000to\u3000buy\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000him\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000was\u3000offering\u3000fewer\u3000goods\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002\u3000Why\u3000was\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000possibly\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000runaway\u3000males\uff1f
\nAnd\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000spider\u3000that\u3000had\u3000materialized\u3000above\u3000him\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000and\u3000proceeded\u3000to\u3000break\u3000into\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000that\u3000tie\u3000in\uff1b\u3000or\u3000was\u3000it\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000gambit\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000innumerable\u3000secret\u3000feuds\u3000that\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000his\u3000concerns\uff1f
\nHe\u3000had\u3000to\u3000grin\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000so\u3000little\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000little\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gleaned\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000source\u3000of\u3000reassurance\u3002
\n\u3003There\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3003
\nCarved\u3000from\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000relatively\u3000low\u3000protrusion\u3000of\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000sat\u3000just\u3000inches\u3000beyond\u3000what\u3000custom\u3000decreed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000limit \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000inches\u3000beyond\u3000what\u3000custom\u3000decreed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000limits\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000where\u3000all\u3000traders\u3000were\u3000required\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000their\u3000stalls\u3000to\u3000a\u3000different\u3000spot\u3000every\u3000sixty\u2026six\u3000days\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000its\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000a\u3000signboard\u3000or\u3000other\u3000external\u3000advertisenotment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000establishment\u3000had\u3000always\u3000attracted\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000shoppers\u3000and\u3000merchants\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000descended\u3000the\u3000stair\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000street\u3000level\u3000to\u3000the\u3000limestone\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000revelry\u3000that\u3000usual\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000animated\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000longhorn\uff1b\u3000yarting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hand\u2026drum\u3000trio\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000lively\u3000tune\u3002\u3000The\u3000third\u3000string\u3000of\u3000the\u3000yarting\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000flat\u3002
\nRyld\u3000knocked\u3000with\u3000the\u3000brass\u3000knocker\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000a\u3000little\u3000panel\u3000slid\u3000open\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000A\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000eyes\u3000peered\u3000out\uff1b\u3000then\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000swung\u3000open\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000In\u3000all\u3000his\u3000visits\u3000there\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anyone\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000business\u3000with\u3000the\u3000peephole\u3000was\u3000just\u3000an\u3000agreenotable\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000nonsense\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000seem\u3000even\u3000more\u3000piquantly\u3000criminal\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000doorman\u3000actually\u3000would\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000dissuade\u3000a\u3000female\u3000if\u3000one\u3000had\u3000sought\u3000admittance\u3002
\nThe\u3000low\u2026ceilinged\u3000room\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000and\u3000mildly\u3000intoxicating\u3000incense\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000musicians\u3000had\u3000crowded\u3000themselves\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000platform\u3000against\u3000the\u3000west\u3000wall\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000of\u3000the\u3000patrons\u3000were\u3000atnottending\u3000to\u3000the\u3000performance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000most\u3000had\u3000elected\u3000to\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000other\u3000pleasnotures\u3002\u3000At\u3000one\u3000table\uff1b\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000disheveled\u3000fellows\u3000tossed\u3000back\u3000their\u3000liquor\u3000simultaneously\u3000in\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000drinking\u3000contest\u3002\u3000Other\u3000males\u3000threw\u3000daggers\u3000at\u3000the\u3000target\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blithe\u3000disregard\u3000for\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000those\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\u3000of\u3000their\u3000mark\u3002\u3000Dice\u3000clattered\uff1b\u3000cards\u3000rustled\u3000and\u3000slapped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000coins\u3000scraped\u3000across\u3000tabletops\u3000as\u3000the\u3000lucknotier\u3000gamblers\u3000raked\u3000in\u3000their\u3000winnings\u3002
\nRyld\u3000studied\u3000his\u3000surroundings\u3000with\u3000his\u3000customary\u3000unobtrusive\u3000viginotlance\uff1b\u3000surreptitiously\u3000cataloging\u3000every\u3000potential\u3000threat\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000amused\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000eyes\u3000lingered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000web\u2026shaped\u3000sava\u3000boards\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he\u3000required\u3000to\u3000analyze\u3000the\u3000four\u3000contests\u3000in\u3000progress\u3002
\nSava\u3000was\u3000an\u3000intricate\u3000game\u3000representing\u3000a\u3000war\u3000between\u3000two\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u2026at\u3000least\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000it\u3000currently\u3000represented\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000an\u3000antique\u3000set\u3000that\u3000recapitulated\u3000in\u3000miniature\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000eternal\u3000struggle\u3000with\u3000another\u3000race\uff1b\u3000but\u3000such\u3000pieces\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000out\u3000of\u3000fashion\u3000long\u3000before\u3000his\u3000birth\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000because\u3000no\u3000player\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000dwarves\u3002
\nWith\u3000its\u3000grid\u3000like\u3000board\u3000regulating\u3000movement\u3000and\u3000its\u3000playing\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000varying\u3000capacities\uff1b\u3000sava\u3000resembled\u3000games\u3000devised\u3000by\u3000many\u3000cultures\uff1b\u3000but\u3000celebrating\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000in\u3000their\u3000blood\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000intronotduce\u3000an\u3000element\u3000of\u3000randomness\u3000into\u3000what\u3000would\u3000otherwise\u3000unfold\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mechanical\u3000precision\u3002\u3000Once\u3000per\u3000game\uff1b\u3000each\u3000player\u3000could\u3000forgo\u3000his\u3000normal\u3000move\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000dice\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000came\u3000up\u3000on\u3000each\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000move\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000opponent’s\u3000pieces\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000any\u3000man\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000color\u3000within\u3000its\u3000normal\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rule\u3000that\u3000acknowledged\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves’\u3000propensity\u3000for\u3000doing\u3000down\u3000their\u3000kin\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000a\u3000serious\u3000external\u3000threat\u3002
\nPharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000privately\u3000considered\u3000himself\u3000cleverer\u3000than\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000a\u3000little\u3000chagrinned\u3000that\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000defeat\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000at\u3000sava\uff1b\u3000but\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000wielded\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000orc\u3000slave\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dice\u3000as\u3000brilliantly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\u3000a\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000claimed\u3000that\u3000fighting\u3000and\u3000sava\u3000were\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000never\u3000quite\u3000understood\u3000what\u3000the\u3000assertion\u3000meant\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000clapped\u3000Ryld\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Play\u3002\u3000Amuse\u3000yournotself\u3002\u3000Win\u3000their\u3000gold\u3002\u3000Just\u3000remember\u3000to\u3000make\u3000conversation\u3000while\u3000you’re\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000See\u3000what\u3000you\u3000can\u3000learn\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000try\u3000my\u3000luck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cellar\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000nodded\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000navigated\u3000his\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000crowded\u3000room\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000it\u3000on\u3000a\u3000stool\u3000sat\u3000wizened\uff1b\u3000one\u2026legged\u3000Nym\uff1b\u3000an\u3000elderly\u3000male\u3000who\u3000for\u3000sheer\u3000surly\uff1b\u3000unwavering\u3000misanthropy\u3000rivaled\u3000any\u3000demon\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000conjured\u3002\u3000The\u3000old\u3000retired\u3000battle\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000happily\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000snarling\u3000threats\uff1b\u3000obscenities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000orders\u3000at\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000thralls\u3000pouring\u3000drinks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000grudgingly\u3000suspended\u3000the\u3000harassment\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000gold\u3002\u3000In\u3000return\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tendered\u3000a\u3000worn\uff1b\u3000numbered\u3000leather\u3000tab\u3000with\u3000several\u3000keys\u3000attached\u3002
\nThus\u3000equipped\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000arch\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000and\u3000down\u3000another\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000steps\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000waited\u3000the\u3000real\u3000business\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000and\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000Nym\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000a\u3000placard\u3000outside\u3002
\nIn\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000goddess\u3000and\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000reigned\u3000supreme\uff1b\u3000few\u3000female\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000ever\u3000fou \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n es\u3000reigned\u3000supreme\uff1b\u3000few\u3000female\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000ever\u3000found\u3000it\u3000necessary\u3000to\u3000sell\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000infirm\uff1b\u3000dwelling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000abject\u3000need\uff1b\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000such\u3000a\u3000degradation\u3002\u3000Accordingly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000might\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000any\u3000male\u3000wishing\u3000to\u3000purchase\u3000intimate\u3000panionship\u3000would\u3000find\u3000his\u3000choice\u3000limited\u3000to\u3000these\u3000rare\u3000unappealing\u3000specimens\u3000or\u3000the\u3000females\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inferior\u3000species\u3002
\nBut\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000if\u3000a\u3000male\u3000had\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000purse\u3002\u3000The\u3000reason\u3000was\u3000that\uff1b\u3000while\u3000they\u3000generally\u3000devoted\u3000their\u3000military\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000fighting\u3000cloakers\uff1b\u3000svirfneblin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000peting\u3000civilizations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000drow\u3000cities\u3000on\u3000rare\u3000occasions\u3000waged\u3000war\u3000on\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000Once\u3000in\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000such\u3000conflicts\u3000yielded\u3000female\u3000prisoners\u3002
\nThe\u3000prudent\uff1b\u3000legitimate\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000such\u3000potentially\u3000dangerous\u3000captives\u3000was\u3000interrogate\uff1b\u3000torture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000them\u3002\u3000That\u3000fact\u3000notwithstanding\uff1b\u3000Nym\u3000had\u3000on\u3000several\u3000occasions\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000bribe\u3000officers\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000their\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000he\u3000then\u3000smuggled\u3000into\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cellar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3002
\nNym\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000all\u3000this\u3000trouble\u3000based\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shrewd\u3000and\u3000well\u2026proven\u3000assumption\u3000that\u3000a\u3000goodly\u3000number\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000males\u3000would\u3000pay\u3000handsomely\u3000for\u3000the\u3000privilege\u3000of\u3000dominating\u3000a\u3000female\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000his\u3000establishnotment\uff1b\u3000one\u3000could\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000one\u3000wanted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000captive\u3002\u3000Nym\u3000would\u3000even\u3000provide\u3000a\u3000customer\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bastinado\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brazier\u3000of\u3000coals\uff1b\u3000thumbscrews\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000his\u3000only\u3000stipulation\u3000being\u3000that\u3000one\u3000must\u3000pay\u3000a\u3000surcharge\u3000if\u3000one\u3000left\u3000a\u3000pernotmanent\u3000mark\u3002
\nSince\u3000the\u3000brothel’s\u3000existence\u3000was\u3000an\u3000open\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000why\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000hadn’t\u3000shut\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000certainly\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000encourage\u3000disrespect\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ruling\u3000gender\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000if\u3000a\u3000male\u3000had\u3000a\u3000refuge\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000act\u3000out\u3000his\u3000resentments\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000deferential\u3000to\u3000the\u3000females\u3000in\u3000his\u3000home\u3002\u3000More\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000Nym\u3000was\u3000slipping\u3000them\u3000a\u3000substantial\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000take\u3002
\nAt\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000reasonable\u3000place\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000informanottion\u3000concerning\u3000rogue\u3000males\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000if\u3000one\u3000had\u3000a\u3000spy\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000wasn’t\u3000confident\u3000that\u3000he\u3000did\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000never\u3000knew\u3002
\nThe\u3000stairs\u3000emptied\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hallway\u3000of\u3000numbered\u3000doors\u3002\u3000Moans\u3000of\u3000pasnotsions\u3000and\u3000grunts\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000sounded\u3000faintly\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000several\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000busier\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002
\nThe\u3000mage\u3000strolled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000until\u3000he\u3000found\u3000number\u3000fourteen\u3002\u3000He\u3000hesitated\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000keys\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lock\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000swung\u3000open\u3002
\nSeated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000shackles\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000wrists\u3000and\u3000ankles\uff1b\u3000Pellanistra\u3000looked\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he\u3000remembered\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000shapely\u3000limbs\u3000and\u3000heart\u2026shaped\u3000face\uff1b\u3000with\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000scars\u3000where\u3000one\u3000or\u3000another\u3000of\u3000her\u3000visitors\u3000had\u3000pressed\u3000down\u3000two\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000a\u3000split\u3000lip\u3000and\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000puffy\u3000eye\u3000where\u3000a\u3000more\u3000recent\u3000caller\u3000had\u3000beaten\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000charged\u3000with\u3000her\u3000long\u2026nailed\u3000hands\u3000outstretched\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000staggered\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000governing\u3000enchantments\u3000riddled\u3000her\u3000body\u3000with\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chains\u3000securing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000She\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000balance\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000her\u3000rump\u3002
\n\u3003Hello\uff1b\u3000Pellanistra\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nShe\u3000spat\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000screwed\u3000up\u3000her\u3000face\u3000at\u3000another\u3000flare\u3000of\u3000punishnotment\u3002\u3000The\u3000gobbet\u3000of\u3000saliva\u3000fell\u3000well\u3000short\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000high\u3000boots\u3002
\n\u3003Much\u3000as\u3000I\u3000dislike\u3000descending\u3000to\u3000the\u3000obvious\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000feel\u3000pelled\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000only\u3000hurting\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000fornotward\u3000and\u3000extended\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000sit\u3000and\u3000have\u3000a\u3000talk\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000in\u3000the\u3000old\u3000days\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000even\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000shackles\u3000if\u3000you\u3000wish\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000have\u3000an\u3000extended\u3000conversation\u3000with\u3000someone\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000It\u3000promises\u3000my\u3000dignity\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000it\u3000does\u3000yours\u3002\u3000e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000be\u3000sensible\u3002\u3000Take\u3000my\u3000hand\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000didn’t\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000chains\u3000clinking\uff1b\u3000she\u3000did\u3000clamber\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3000unassisted\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000some\u3000flowery\u3000scent\u3000that\u3000Nym\u3000had\u3000forced\u3000her\u3000to\u3000wear\u3002
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000better\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000the\u3000manacles\u3000off\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000up\u3000my\u3000end\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000you’d\u3000invite\u3000me\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000abandoned\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000slender\uff1b\u3000long\u2026fingered\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000think\u3000it\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000belabor\u3000the\u3000self\u2026evident\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000recruited\u3000you\u3000into\u3000my\u3000service\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000you\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000splennotdidly\u2026well\u3000on\u3000your\u3000way\u3000to\u3000earning\u3000your\u3000liberation\u2026but\u3000my\u3000circumnotstances\u3000changed\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000you\u3000heard\u3000something\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000You\u3000backed\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Greyanna\u3000made\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000She\u3000killed\u3000her\u3000twin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000were\u3000powerless\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000it\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000hadn’t\u3000turned\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000run\u3000away\u3000to\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000slain\u3000you\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3000cro \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000slain\u3000you\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3000crookedly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000I’ll\u3000encourage\u3000the\u3000bards\u3000to\u3000put\u3000it\u3000quite\u3000that\u3000way\u3000when\u3000they\u3000pose\u3000the\u3000epic\u3000story\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000after\u3000you\u3000established\u3000yourself\u3000up\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000after\u3000you\u3000were\u3000free\u3000to\u3000e\u3000and\u3000go\u3000as\u3000you\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000you\u3000could\u3000have\u3000returned\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\uff1b\u3000on\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000just\u3000not\u3000to\u3000call\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000little\u3000awkward\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000helped\u3000you\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000before\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000After\u3000my\u3000withdrawal\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000I\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000had\u3000a\u3000stake\u3000in\u3000the\u3000power\u3000struggles\u3000within\u3000my\u3000family\u3000or\u3000among\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000I\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000needed\u3000intelligence\u3000about\u3000such\u3000matters\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000rivalry\u3000that\u3000concerned\u3000me\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000among\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000if\u3000you\u3000number\u3000the\u3000foremost\u3000practitioners\u3000of\u3000my\u3000art\u3000among\u3000your\u3000guests\uff1b\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000they\u3000whisper\u3000the\u3000esoterica\u3000of\u3000their\u3000newly\u3000invented\u3000spells\u3000in\u3000your\u3000ears\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000es\u3000to\u3000our\u3000discoveries\uff1b\u3000we\u3000wizards\u3000are\u3000a\u3000closemouthed\u3000breed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000like\u3000for\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000is\u3000like\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000abused\u3000and\u3000degraded\u3000by\u3000my\u3000inferiors\uff1b\u3000constrained\u3000in\u3000body\uff1b\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soul\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000mune\u3000with\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000embarrassing\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000You\u3000sound\u3000like\u3000a\u3000whining\u3000human\uff1b\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000foul\u3000cousins\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000Cease\u3000this\u3000tirade\uff1b\u3000take\u3000a\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000think\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000will\u3000realize\uff1b\u3000enemy\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000that\u3000my\u3000concern\u3000for\u3000your\u3000well\u2026being\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\uff1b\u3000at\u3000best\uff1b\u3000limited\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000otherwise\uff1f\u3000Sentiment\u3000cernottainly\u3000wasn’t\u3000strong\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000spend\u3000a\u3000fortune\u3000buying\u3000you\u3000free\u3000of\u3000Nym\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000and\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000deal\uff1b\u3000break\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3000Not\u3000when\u3000you\u3000hadn’t\u3000fulfilled\u3000the\u3000terms\u3000of\u3000our\u3000covenant\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000recall\uff1b\u3000you\u3000were\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000me\u3000useful\u3000information\u3000over\u3000the\u3000full\u3000course\u3000of\u3000twenty\u3000years\u3002\u3000I\u3000admit\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000your\u3000fault\u3000that\u3000you\u3000couldn’t\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000just\u3000the\u3000way\u3000things\u3000fell\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fine\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000gritted\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000being\u3000ridiculous\u3002\u3000In\u3000forsaking\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000simply\u3000behaved\u3000as\u3000any\u3000sensible\u3000drow\u3000would\u3002\u3000Now\u3000what\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000nodded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003May\u3000we\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000curt\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000seated\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000she\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mattress\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wide\u3000octagonal\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000he\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cushioned\u3000granite\u3000chair\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000much\u3000nicer\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000me\u3000to\u3000send\u3000for\u3000some\u3000wine\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000my\u3000plight\u3000will\u3000amuse\u3000you\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000knows\u3000how\u3000many\u3000years\u3000breathing\u3000the\u3000rarefied\u3000and\u3000dispassionate\u3000air\u3000of\u3000scholarship\uff1b\u3000imparting\u3000knowledge\u3000to\u3000eager\u3000young\u3000minds\uff1b\u3000advancing\u3000the\u3000frontiers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mystic\u3000arts\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Murdering\u3000other\u3000wizards\u3000for\u3000their\u3000talismans\u3000and\u3000grimoires\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000implied\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000find\u3000myself\u3000again\u3000embroiled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000more\u3000mundane\u3000aspects\u3000of\u3000life\u3000in\u3000our\u3000noble\u3000metropolis\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000a\u3000puzzle\u3000I\u3000must\u3000solve\u3000on\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage’s\u3000severe\u3000displeasure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000grateful\u3000unto\u3000death\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000if\u3000you\u3000help\u3000me\u3000unravel\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000would\u3000I\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000disingenuous\u3002\u3000It\u3000doesn’t\u3000suit\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000way\u3000as\u3000always\u3002\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000foolish\u3000boys\u3000still\u3000sometimes\u3000gossip\u3000and\u3000boast\u3000to\u3000their\u3000hired\u3000females\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000if\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000remember\u3000you\u3000loathe\u3000them\u3000and\u3000wish\u3000them\u3000only\u3000ill\u3002\u3000I\u3000likewise\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000you\u3000still\u3000sometimes\u3000find\u3000yourself\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000entertain\u3000at\u3000gatherings\u3000where\u3000such\u3000idiots\uff1b\u3000unnotmindful\u3000of\u3000your\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000discuss\u3000their\u3000most\u3000secret\u3000affairs\u3000with\u3000one\u3000annotother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000other\u3000words\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000resume\u3000our\u3000old\u3000arrangement\u3002\u3000Which\u3000still\u3000had\u3000four\u3000years\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000assist\u3000you\u3000with\u3000your\u3000current\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000concern\u3000yourself\u3000with\u3000’mundane’\u3000affairs\uff1b\u3000or\u3000will\u3000you\u3000lock\u3000yournotself\u3000away\u3000in\u3000your\u3000tower\u3000once\u3000more\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000considered\u3000lying\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000instincts\u3000told\u3000him\u3000she’d\u3000see\u3000through\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I’m\u3000successful\uff1b\u3000I\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000reestablished\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\u3000with\u3000all\u3000my\u3000transgressions\u3000forgiven\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000some\u3000murky\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000something\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000yet\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000powers\u3000know\u3000where\u3000it\u3000will\u3000lead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\u3000my\u3000help\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000set\u3000me\u3000free\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Impossible\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000the\u3000requisite\u3000funds\u3000on\u3000my\u3000person\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000leisure\u3000to\u3000dicker\u3000with\u3000Nym\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000he’d\u3000stretch\u3000any\u3000nenotgotiation\u3000out\u3000for\u3000days\uff1b\u3000just\u3000to\u3000be\u3000annoying\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000do\u3000I\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000arrange\u3000an\u3000escape\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000only\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000understood\u3002
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000if\u3000you\u3000actually\u3000give\u3000me\u3000some\u3000help\u3002\u3000My\u3000problem\u3000is\u3000this\uff1a\u3000An\u3000unusual\u3000number\u3000of\u3000males\u3000have\u3000run\u3000away\u3000from\u3000home\u3000of\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000your\u3000errand\uff1f\u3000To\u3000find\u3000some\u3000rogues\uff1f\u3000What\u3000makes\u3000it\u3000important\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000S \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003That’s\u3000your\u3000errand\uff1f\u3000To\u3000find\u3000some\u3000rogues\uff1f\u3000What\u3000makes\u3000it\u3000important\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000much\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Frankly\uff1b\u3000any\u3000crumb\u3000of\u3000genuine\u3000information\u3000will\u3000put\u3000me\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000where\u3000I\u3000am\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000heard\u3000only\u3000the\u3000vaguest\u3000hints\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000suggest\u3000this\u3000isn’t\u3000just\u3000a\u3000case\u3000of\u3000an\u3000unusual\u3000number\u3000of\u3000males\u3000deciding\u3000independently\u3000to\u3000elope\u3002\u3000They\u3000all\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000same\u3000place\u3000for\u3000the\u3000same\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000that\u3000reason\u3000may\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000as\u3000much\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003Otherwise\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000Gromph\u3000be\u3000interested\uff1f\u3000But\u3000it’s\u3000reassuring\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000your\u3000own\u3000agile\u3000mind\u3000has\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000conclusion\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000sneered\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000absently\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000fingertip\u3000along\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000swirling\u3000lines\u3000woven\u3000into\u3000his\u3000robe\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000would\u3000suffice\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000so\u3000many\u3000boys\u3000away\u3000from\u3000home\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000would\u3000have\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000defy\u3000the\u3000threatener\u3000or\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000appeal\u3000to\u3000their\u3000kin\u3000for\u3000protection\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000would\u3000a\u3000hypnotic\u3000charm\u3000do\u3000the\u3000trick\u3002\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000natural\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000such\u3000effects\u3000that\u3000all\u3000we\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000possess\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000males\u3000would\u3000have\u3000carried\u3000wards\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000amulets\u3000and\u3000such\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000sneaked\u3000away\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000volition\u3000to\u3000acplish\u3000some\u3000positive\u3000end\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They’re\u3000organizing\u3000a\u3000new\u3000merchant\u3000clan\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Gromph\u3000says\u3000no\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000he’s\u3000correct\u3002\u3000For\u3000if\u3000that\u3000were\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000then\u3000why\u3000the\u3000secrecy\uff1f\u3000Since\u3000trade\u3000is\u3000important\u3000to\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000people\u3000don’t\u3000generally\u3000object\u3000when\u3000a\u3000male\u3000bees\u3000a\u3000merchant\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3000legitimate\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000distance\u3000oneself\u3000from\u3000Mother’s\u3000harsh\u3000and\u3000arbitrary\u3000hand\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000offense\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000in\u3000happier\u3000times\uff1b\u3000the\u3000males\u3000under\u3000your\u3000authority\u3000had\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000plain\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000bet\u3000I\u3000would\u3000give\u3000them\u3000reason\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Given\u3000your\u3000more\u3000recent\u3000experiences\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000understandable\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000aren’t\u3000putting\u3000together\u3000a\u3000caravan\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000they\u3000doing\uff1f\u3000Preparing\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\uff1f\u3000Or\uff1b\u3000goddess\u3000forbid\uff1b\u3000have\u3000they\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000already\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000so\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000precisely\u3000where\u3000they\u3000are\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000they’re\u3000still\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000proper\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mantle\uff1b\u3000or\u3000conceivably\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bauthwaf\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000truly\u3000is\u3000good\u3000news\u3002\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000keen\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hunt\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wilds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000is\u3000there\u3000a\u3000general\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000amenities\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wine\u2026makers\u3000are\u3000uncorking\u3000the\u3000new\u3000vintages\u3000the\u3000tenday\u3000after\u3000next\u3002\u3003
\nPellanistra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000haven’t\u3000changed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000that\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pliment\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crux\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000we\uff1f\u3000I\u3000require\u3000names\u3002\u3000Which\u3000of\u3000your\u3000visitors\u3000dropped\u3000these\u3000Vaguest\u3000hints’\u3000which\u3000you\u3000have\u3000so\u3000sagaciously\u3000interpreted\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000radiant\u3000with\u3000spite\u3002\u3000\u3003Alton\u3000Vandree\u3000and\u3000Vuzlyn\u3000Freth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000themselves\u3000subsequently\u3000disappeared\u3000and\u3000are\u3000thus\u3000unavailable\u3000for\u3000questioning\u3002\u3000It\u3000makes\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000unfortunate\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000given\u3000you\u3000everything\u3000I\u3000have\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000fulfill\u3000your\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deal\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000frowned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000dear\u3000collaborator\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000devastate\u3000me\u3000to\u3000disappoint\u3000you\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000I\u3000stipulated\u3000that\u3000you’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000me\u3000infornotmation\u3000of\u3000some\u3000significance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000frankly\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000you’ve\u3000delivered\u3002\u3000I\u3000really\u3000know\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000I\u3000did\u3000before\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000every\u3000soul\u3000who\u3000es\u3000into\u3000this\u3000cell\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000looknoting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000that\u3000will\u3000have\u3000some\u3000’significance’\u3000for\u3000your\u3000mission\u3002\u3000I\u3000assume\u3000it\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002\u3000Things\u3000usually\u3000are\u3000where\u3000you’re\u3000involved\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000mentioned\u3000a\u3000legion\u3000of\u3000assistants\u3000following\u3000you\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000played\u3002\u3000I\u3000surrender\u3002\u3000How\u3000shall\u3000we\u3000do\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000Burn\u3000me\u3000with\u3000your\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Stick\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000in\u3000me\u3002\u3000Break\u3000my\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000those\u3000long\uff1b\u3000clever\u3000fingers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Interesting\u3000suggestions\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’d\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000that\u3000Nym\u3000didn’t\u3000bill\u3000me\u3000for\u3000your\u3000demise\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000can\u3000make\u3000it\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000just\u3000stopped\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\u3000sometime\u3000after\u3000I\u3000look\u3000my\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000cast\u3000about\uff1b\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000fluffy\u3000pillow\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000picked\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000experimentally\u3000gripped\u3000it\u3000at\u3000both\u3000ends\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000good\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000work\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000could\u3000oblige\u3000me\u3000by\u3000lying\u3000down\uff1f\u3003
\n
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
\n
\nF\u3000I\u3000V\u3000E
\nRyld\u3000sipped\u3000his\u3000chilled\uff1b\u3000tart\u3000wine\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000satisfaction\uff1b\u3000secure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000the\u3000game\uff1b\u3000though\u3000technically\u3000still\u3000in\u3000progress\uff1b\u3000was\u3000already\u3000won\u3002\u3000In\u3000three\u3000more\u3000moves\uff1b\u3000his\u3000onyx\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000orc\u3000would\u3000trap\u3000and\u3000mate\u3000his\u3000opponent’s\u3000carnelian\u3000mother\u3002
\nAs\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000acplished\u3000his\u3000victory\u3000without\u3000recourse\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dice\u3002\u3000Truth\u3000to\u3000tell\uff1b\u3000those\u3000clattering\u3000ivory\u3000cubes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000magically\u3000warmed\u3000images\u3000inc \n
\n \n
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\n es\u3000incised\u3000on\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000were\u3000the\u3000one\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000suva\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3002\u3000They\u3000interjected\u3000blind\u3000luck\u3000into\u3000what\u3000should\u3000be\u3000a\u3000contest\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000cunning\u3002
\nRyld’s\u3000adversary\uff1b\u3000a\u3000scrawny\u3000young\u3000merchant\u3000clansman\u3000with\u3000an\u3000uncouth\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000drops\u3000of\u3000liquor\u3000slide\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000as\u3000he\u3000guzzled\uff1b\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000the\u3000dice\u3000early\u3000on\u3000and\u3000gloated\u3000when\u3000chance\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000older\u3000male’s\u3000priestesses\u3002
\nShoulders\u3000hunched\uff1b\u3000brow\u3000sweaty\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000board\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000his\u3000soul\u3000were\u3000being\u3000decided\u3000thereupon\u3002\u3000A\u3000truly\u3000petent\u3000player\u3000would\u3000have\u3000recognized\u3000almost\u3000instantly\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000one\u3000move\u3000he\u3000could\u3000make\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000foreseen\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u3000mate\u3000just\u3000three\u3000moves\u3000hence\u3000and\u3000resigned\u3002
\nMindful\u3000of\u3000his\u3000true\u3000purpose\u3000for\u3000visiting\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\uff1b\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000only\u3000casually\u3000interested\uff1b\u3000took\u3000up\u3000the\u3000thread\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conversanottion\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000the\u3000slightly\u3000tipsy\u3000trader\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000on\u3000in\u3000fits\u3000and\u3000starts\u3002
\n\u3003Did\u3000your\u3000cousin\u3000give\u3000you\u3000any\u3000warning\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000clansman\u3000answered\u3000curtly\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000he\uff1f\u3000We\u3000despised\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Now\u3000shut\u3000up\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000break\u3000my\u3000concentration\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000spindly\uff1b\u3000flimsy\u2026looking\u3000limestone\u3000chair\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000he\u3000glimpsed\u3000something\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000sit\u3000up\u3000straighter\uff1b\u3000double\u2026check\u3000the\u3000precise\u3000position\u3000of\u3000Splitter\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stealthily\u3000loosen\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000its\u3000oiled\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002
\nHe\u3000himself\u3000didn’t\u3000quite\u3000know\u3000what\u3000had\u3000alerted\u3000him\u3002\u3000These\u3000weren’t\u3000the\u3000first\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000revelers\u3000he’d\u3000watched\u3000rise\u3000from\u3000their\u3000seats\u3000and\u3000draw\u3000their\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000either\u3000to\u3000play\u3000at\u3000fencing\u3000or\u3000to\u3000settle\u3000a\u3000quarrel\u3000that\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000at\u3000all\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hooded\u3000male\u3000defeating\u3000all\u3000ers\u3000at\u3000sava\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000within\u3000the\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\uff1b\u3000blades\u3000rasped\u3000from\u3000their\u3000scabbards\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000regularity\u3002\u3000Superficially\uff1b\u3000this\u3000new\u3000quartet\u3000was\u3000no\u3000different\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000Ryld\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000they\u3000stalked\u3000straight\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000oblivious\u3000opponent\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fragrant\u3000haze\u3000of\u3000innotcense\u3002\u3000Other\u3000patrons\uff1b\u3000likewise\u3000sensing\u3000the\u3000swordsmen’s\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000made\u3000haste\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\nA\u3000blade\u3000with\u3000a\u3000glowing\u3000redness\u2026an\u3000imprisoned\u3000spirit\u3000perhaps\u2026oozing\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000adamantine\uff1b\u3000flicked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000horizontal\u3000sweep\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tabletop\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3000it\u3000away\u3000before\u3000it\u3000could\u3000upset\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000pieces\u3000or\u3000his\u3000neatly\u3000stacked\u3000winnings\u3002\u3000The\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000as\u3000sharp\u3000as\u3000only\u3000an\u3000ennotchanted\u3000weapon\u3000could\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000the\u3000grab\u3000without\u3000cutting\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000startled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000reverie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scrawny\u3000boy\u3000looked\u3000wildly\u3000about\u3002
\n\u3003May\u3000we\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000owner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000long\u3000sword\u3002
\nThough\u3000not\u3000so\u3000big\u3000as\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000nonetheless\u3000husky\u3000and\u3000tall\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000male\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000points\u3000of\u3000his\u3000prominent\u3000ears\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000above\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bat’s\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\u3000dressed\u3000and\u3000plainly\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000the\u3000foursome\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000his\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000sullen\u3000face\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000mottled\u3000bruises\u3000of\u3000a\u3000beating\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000assumed\u3000that\u3000some\u3000noble\u3000female\u3000must\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000male\u3000a\u3000pummeling\u3002\u3000His\u3000panions\u3000would\u3000think\u3000none\u3000the\u3000less\u3000of\u3000him\u3000for\u3000that\u3002
\nEspecially\u3000since\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000noted\uff1b\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000hurt\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000a\u3000trifle\u3000stiffly\u3000or\u3000slightly\u3000favoring\u3000one\u3000leg\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000kinsmen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000in\u3000their\u3000House\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000on\u3000a\u3000regular\u3000tear\u3002
\n\u3003You’ve\u3000been\u3000asking\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000questions\u3000about\u3000runaways\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000a\u3000threatening\u3000drawl\u3002
\n\u3003Have\u3000I\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002
\nHe\u3000reflected\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000the\u3000three\u3000musicians\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000eavesdrop\u3000on\u3000his\u3000conversations\u3000while\u3000the\u3000longhorn\u3000was\u3000shrilling\u3000away\u3002
\nThe\u3000other\u3000male\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000making\u3000conversation\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rogues\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000it\u3000when\u3000people\u3000are\u3000too\u3000curious\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000them\u3000hunting\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000them\u3000lisnottening\u3000to\u3000every\u3000private\u3000thing\u3000we\u3000say\u3000and\u3000reporting\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mothers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000a\u3000spy\u3002\u3003
\nMaybe\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000confessing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000this\u3000fool\u3002
\n\u3003Ha\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000scoffed\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000were\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000admit\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Be\u3000that\u3000as\u3000it\u3000may\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000friends\u3000return\u3000to\u3000your\u3000table\u3000and\u3000let\u3000this\u3000boy\u3000and\u3000I\u3000finish\u3000our\u3000game\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000male\u3000with\u3000the\u3000red\u3000sword\u3000swelled\u3000like\u3000an\u3000inflated\u3000bladder\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000bursting\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000dismiss\u3000me\u3000like\u3000a\u3000servant\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Tathlyn\u3000Godeep\u3002\u3000I\u3000trained\u3000you\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000remember\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000pushed\u3000back\u3000his\u3000cowl\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000his\u3000hitherto\u3000shadowed\u3000features\u3002
\nTathlyn\u3000and\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000goggled\u3000at\u3000their\u3000former\u3000teacher\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n Tathlyn\u3000and\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000goggled\u3000at\u3000their\u3000former\u3000teacher\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000revealed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000be\u3000some\u3000ancient\u3000and\u3000legendary\u3000dragon\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3000So\u3000I’ll\u3000bid\u3000you\u3000good\u3000day\u3002\u3003
\nTathlyn\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000groping\u3000for\u3000a\u3000ment\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000to\u3000terminate\u3000this\u3000confrontation\u3000with\u3000his\u3000dignity\u3000intact\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000onnotlookers\u3000started\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000His\u3000fear\u3000less\u3000pelling\u3000than\u3000his\u3000pride\uff1b\u3000he\u3000screwed\u3000the\u3000sneer\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000the\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000me\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000person\u3000I\u3000have\u3000bee\u3002\u3000Today\u3000I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Godeep\u3002\u3003
\nHouse\u3000Godeep\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000petty\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000frantic\u3000rivalries\u3000on\u3000the\u3000very\u3000bottom\u3000rungs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ladder\u3000of\u3000status\u3000were\u3000almost\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nobles\u3000farther\u3000up\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000doubted\u3000the\u3000Godeeps\u3000would\u3000rise\u3000much\u3000higher\u3000with\u3000Tathlyn\u3000leading\u3000their\u3000warriors\u3002\u3000During\u3000his\u3000training\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000swing\u3000a\u3000sword\u3000with\u3000reasonable\u3000skill\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000demonstrated\u3000extraordinary\u3000recklessness\u3000and\u3000gennoteral\u3000poor\u3000judgment\u3000when\u3000placed\u3000in\u3000mand\u3000of\u3000a\u3000squad\u3002
\n\u3003Congratulations\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000if\u3000you’d\u3000known\u3000I\u3000would\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000such\u3000an\u3000eminence\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000such\u3000delight\u3000in\u3000smashing\u3000my\u3000knuckles\u3000and\u3000beating\u3000my\u3000shoulnotder\u3000to\u3000pulp\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3000for\u3000sport\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000you\u3000to\u3000close\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000line\u3000and\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000up\u3000straight\u3002\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000simply\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000adjustments\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000heed\u3000me\u3002
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000explained\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000tattling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3000about\u3000anything\u3000I\u3000might\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000in\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3000Is\u3000my\u3000word\u3000good\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000you\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000we\u3000should\u3000have\u3000no\u3000quarrel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Lad\u2026excuse\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Weapons\u3000Master\uff1b\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000reflect\u3002\u3000I\u3000sense\u3000you’re\u3000feeling\u3000angry\u3000over\u3000your\u3000aches\u3000and\u3000bruises\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3000out\u3000on\u3000someone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000the\u3000person\u3000who\u3000administered\u3000the\u3000beating\u3002\u3003
\nTathlyn\u3000stood\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000not\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000all\u3000the\u3000punishment\u3000during\u3000training\u3000was\u3000for\u3000my\u3000own\u3000good\u3002\u3000No\u3000hard\u3000feelings\uff1b\u3000Weapons\u3000Master\u3002\u3000Enjoy\u3000your\u3000match\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000started\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whirled\u3000back\u3000around\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000red\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000streaked\u3000at\u3000Ryld’s\u3000neck\u3002
\nBefore\u3000the\u3000four\u3000panions\u3000had\u3000even\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000table\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000inconspicuously\u3000centered\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000planted\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000He\u3000simultaneously\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000aside\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000strike\u3000it\u3000at\u3000quite\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000angle\u3002\u3000The\u3000wicked\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000red\u3000sword\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000little\u3000blood\u3002
\nRyld\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000his\u3000first\u3000real\u3000fight\u3000in\u3000the\u3000better\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000year\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000go\u3000out\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000panies\u3000patrolling\u3000Bauthwaf\uff1b\u3000slaughter\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000few\u3000of\u3000the\u3000predators\u3000that\u3000were\u3000always\u3000wandering\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000caverns\u3000farther\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000bestirred\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\u3000no\u3000problem\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000rusty\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000that\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000his\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000motivation\u3002
\nAll\u3000these\u3000thoughts\u3000flashed\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000and\u3000without\u3000slowing\u3000his\u3000reactions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3002
\nTathlyn\u3000jumped\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000was\u3000lungnoting\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000they\u3000all\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000which\u3000probably\u3000meant\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000kin\u3000and\u3000subordinates\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000one\u3000or\u3000more\u3000of\u3000them\u3000might\u3000have\u3000stayed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quarrel\u3002
\nRyld\u3000twitched\u3000himself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000his\u3000attacker’s\u3000wild\u3000head\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000leaf\u2026bladed\u3000short\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3002\u3000The\u3000onrushing\u3000Godeep’s\u3000momentum\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000strength\u3000and\u3000skill\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000keenness\u3000of\u3000his\u3000point\u3000served\u3000to\u3000bury\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crook\u3000of\u3000his\u3000assailant’s\u3000fightnoting\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Though\u3000not\u3000his\u3000favored\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u2026enchanted\u3000to\u3000wound\u3000even\u3000incorporeal\u3000spirits\u2026was\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000blade\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000started\u3000from\u3000the\u3000puncture\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000staggering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Godeep\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000falchion\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000acnottually\u3000have\u3000been\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000dolt\u3000than\u3000merely\u3000incapacitate\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000on\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000and\u3000outright\u3000homicide\u3000was\u3000far\u3000more\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000attract\u3000attention\u3000than\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000tavern\u3000brawl\u3002
\nTathlyn\u3000and\u3000his\u3000other\u3000two\u3000friends\u3000saw\u3000their\u3000chance\u3000and\u3000rushed\u3000in\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000embedded\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000victim’s\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000tried\uff1b\u3000his\u3000other\u3000enemies\u3000would\u3000have\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000cloaked\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000Godeep\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000bulb\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000him\u3000at\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\nRyld\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000through\u3000the\u3000obscuring\u3000field\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000his\u3000advernotsaries\u3000could\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000Godeep\u3000reel\u3000into\u3000his\u3000fellows\u3000and\u3000stagger\u3000them\uff1b\u3000startle\u3000them\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000unexpected\u3000impediment\u3000to\u3000their\u3000sight\u3002\u3000That \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n iment\u3000to\u3000their\u3000sight\u3002\u3000That\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000whirl\uff1b\u3000take\u3000in\u3000the\u3000obstructive\u3000clutter\u3000of\u3000furnotniture\u3000and\u3000gawking\u3000sava\u3000players\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leap\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000table\u3000where\u3000his\u3000own\u3000game\u3000sat\u3000waiting\u3002\u3000His\u3000racing\u3000feet\u3000annihilated\u3000the\u3000snare\u3000he’d\u3000so\u3000cunningly\u3000laid\u3000for\u3000the\u3000merchant\uff1b\u3000hurling\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000rattling\u3000across\u3000the\u3000board\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nHe\u3000jumped\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000back\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000his\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000In\u3000one\u3000smooth\u3000blur\u3000of\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000yanked\u3000this\u3000most\u3000trusted\u3000of\u3000all\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000from\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000and\u3000came\u3000on\u3000guard\u3002\u3000Denotspite\u3000its\u3000hugeness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000great\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000so\u3000perfectly\u3000balanced\u3000that\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000light\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000in\u3000his\u3000grasp\u3002
\nHe\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000nonbatants\u3000in\u3000the\u3000taproom\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000shoutnoting\u3000encouragement\u3000and\u3000insults\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fighters\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000quick\u2026thinking\u3000gamblers\u3000were\u3000giving\u3000odds\u3002
\nRyld’s\u3000three\u3000remaining\u3000adversaries\u3000manhandled\u3000their\u3000shadow\u2026shrouded\u3000kinsman\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000way\u3000and\u3000stalked\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000manifestly\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000pin\u3000the\u3000fencing\u3000teacher\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3000hung\u3000back\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000none\u3000too\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000actually\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000run\u3000unless\u3000Tathlyn\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\uff1b\u3000or\u3000else\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000himself\u3000go\u3000down\u3000under\u3000Splitter’s\u3000razor\u3000edge\u3002
\nRyld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000himself\u3000be\u3000trapped\u3002\u3000He\u3000moved\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000he’d\u3000moved\u3000up\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000springing\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000charging\u3000across\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000far\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000he\u3000discovered\u3000a\u3000rapier\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000skewer\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vitals\u3000when\u3000he\u3000plunged\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000Godeep\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u2026the\u3000bolder\u3000of\u3000Tathlyn’s\u3000two\u3000kinsmen\u2026was\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he’d\u3000connotceived\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000tactic\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000impetus\u3000was\u3000such\u3000that\u3000he\u3000probably\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000hurtling\u3000right\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000Godeep’s\u3000point\u3002
\nBut\u3000he\u3000could\u3000whirl\u3000Splitter\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sweeping\u3000low\u2026line\u3000parry\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000sword\u3000clanked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000other\u3000male’s\u3000lighter\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000the\u3000last\u3000six\u3000inches\u3000off\u3002
\nRyld\u3000jumped\u3000down\u3000almost\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000so\u3000close\u3000it\u3000would\u3000require\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000Splitter’s\u3000blade\u3000to\u3000bear\uff1b\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Godeeps\u3000might\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000good\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000bashed\u3000the\u3000great\u3000sword’s\u3000heavy\u3000steel\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pommel\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapier\u2026wielder’s\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000The\u3000impact\u3000thudded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000male\u3000fell\u3000backward\u3002
\nSomething\u3000clacked\u3000hard\u3000but\u3000harmlessly\u3000against\u3000Ryld’s\u3000breastplate\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spectators\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000who’d\u3000bet\u3000on\u3000his\u3000opponents\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000had\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000at\u3000him\u2026but\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000the\u3000culprit\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000pivot\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000swordsmen\u3002
\nPredictably\uff1b\u3000Tathlyn\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lead\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000erstwhile\u3000student\u3000instantly\u3000backpedaled\uff1b\u3000retreating\u3000just\u3000far\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000learned\u3000good\u3000footwork\u3000somewhere\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000better\u3000than\u3000Ryld\u3000remembered\u3002
\nSlipping\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000Tathlyn\u3000feinted\u3000and\u3000invited\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000show\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Godeep\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wary\u3000one\uff1b\u3000circled\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000behind\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000allowed\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000to\u3000creep\u3000part\u3000way\u3000round\u3000to\u3000his\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000Tathlyn\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000wildly\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000off\u2026balance\u3000and\u3000over\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002
\nThe\u3000other\u3000Godeep\u3000had\u3000Ryld’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000at\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000the\u3000teacher\u3000looked\u3000entirely\u3000incapable\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000defending\u3002\u3000Reluctant\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000couldn’t\u3000pass\u3000up\u3000such\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3002\u3000He\u3000charged\u3002
\nRyld\u3000whirled\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000Splitter\u3000around\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sweeping\u3000horizontal\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000The\u3000greatsword\u3000with\u3000its\u3000superior\u3000length\u3000struck\u3000one\u3000step\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Godeep\u3000would\u3000have\u3000initiated\u3000his\u3000own\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000Ryld’s\u3000deftness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000preternaturally\u3000sharp\u3000blade\u3000merely\u3000gashed\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000wrist\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000lopnotping\u3000off\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000petty\u3000noble\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000broadsword\uff1b\u3000then\u3000had\u3000the\u3000bad\u3000judgment\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000his\u3000dagger\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000slashed\u3000his\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000tumbling\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nRyld\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000by\u3000spinning\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Godeep\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000given\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Tathlyn\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000surely\u3000driving\u3000in\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000teacher\u3000whirled\u3000back\u3000around\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Tathlyn\u3000had\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000and\u3000was\u3000cutting\u3000at\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000parried\u3000with\u3000Splitter’s\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000snap\u3000the\u3000Godeep\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3002\u3000The\u3000crimson\u3000blade\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000great\u3000sword\u3000on\u3000the\u3000forte\uff1b\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000parrynoting\u3000hook\uff1b\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rebounded\uff1b\u3000still\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000good\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000well\u3000forged\uff1b\u3000with\u3000strengthening\u3000enchantments\u3000woven\u3000in\u3002
\nBut\u3000its\u3000virtues\u3000alone\u3000couldn’t\u3000save\u3000its\u3000master\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000feinted\u3000low\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000red\u3000sword\u3000down\uff1b\u3000then\u3000cut\u3000high\u3002\u3000Splitter\u3000sliced\u3000Tathlyn’s\u3000brow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blood\u3000poured\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Godeep\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000reeled\u3000backward\u3002
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\n odeep\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000reeled\u3000backward\u3002
\nRyld\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000none\u3000of\u3000his\u3000adversaries\u3000had\u3000any\u3000fight\u3000left\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000surveying\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000had\u3000shot\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fellow\u3000had\u3000prudently\u3000put\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3003Nicely\u3000done\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000lounging\uff1b\u3000goblet\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000long\u3000have\u3000you\u3000been\u3000there\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Its\u3000victim\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000free\u3000and\u3000left\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000could\u3000have\u3000helped\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000wagering\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000purse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000grumbling\u3000losers\u3000dropped\u3000coins\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000need\u3000help\u3000against\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000drunks\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000wiped\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000on\u3000a\u3000handy\u3000bar\u3000rag\uff1b\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000that\u3000red\u3000sword\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000a\u3000Godeep\u3000family\u3000heirnotloom\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000they\u3000acquired\u3000it\u3000when\uff1b\u3000last\u3000tenday\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000would\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000caster\u3000do\u3000with\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000stretch\u3000and\u3000chafe\u3000my\u3000clothes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Suit\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000sauntered\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000then\u3000spoke\u3000far\u3000more\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000about\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000go\uff1f\u3000I’d\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000take\u3000my\u3000leave\u3000before\u3000Nym\u3000wanders\u3000downstairs\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000mischief\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000had\u3000mitted\u3002\u3000\u3003Almost\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000Nym\u3000something\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cleanup\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sava\u3000tables\uff1b\u3000retrieved\u3000Splitter’s\u3000scabbard\u3000and\u3000his\u3000own\u3000winnings\uff1b\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000for\u3000the\u3000trader\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000hasty\u3000withdrawal\u3000from\u3000the\u3000table\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000began\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000gone\u3000far\u3002\u3000Most\u3000every\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000a\u3000taste\u3000for\u3000blood\u3000sport\u3002
\nRyld\u3000tossed\u3000him\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000coin\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000emblem\u3000stamped\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\u3000are\u3000your\u3000winnings\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000young\u3000merchant\u3000looked\u3000puzzled\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000drink\u3000was\u3000to\u3000blame\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000a\u3000player\u3000disturbs\u3000the\u3000arrangement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000board\uff1b\u3000he\u3000loses\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000exnotplained\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rules\u3002\u3003
\n
\n*\u3000
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000gratifying\u3000to\u3000e\u3000upstairs\u3000and\u3000observe\u3000you\u3000handling\u3000our\u3000confinotdential\u3000inquiries\u3000with\u3000your\u3000usual\u3000light\u3000touch\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nHe\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000let\u3000a\u3000float\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000attended\u3000by\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000merchant\u3000and\u3000six\u3000hulking\u3000bugbear\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000drift\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lane\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000box\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sarcophagus\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shopper\u3000could\u3000purchase\u3000nearly\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000including\u3000cadavers\u3000and\u3000mummies\u3000once\u3000embalmed\u3000with\u3000strange\u3000spices\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000with\u3000mystic\u3000rites\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000such\u3000wares\u3000were\u3000available\u3000either\u3000whole\u3000or\u3000by\u3000the\u3000desiccated\u3000piece\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000my\u3000fault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000provoke\u3000that\u3000fight\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000brusque\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Godeeps\u3000first\u3000stalked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\uff1f\u3000Never\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Spare\u3000me\u3000your\u3000japes\u3002\u3000Why\u3000do\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000question\u3000people\u3000anyway\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000ducked\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000a\u3000low\u2026hangnoting\u3000rothe\u2026hide\u3000awning\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000look\u3000in\u3000a\u3000scrynoting\u3000pool\u3000and\u3000find\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000fun\u3000in\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Now\u3000seriously\uff1b\u3000why\u3000did\u3000the\u3000Godeeps\u3000take\u3000exception\u3000to\u3000your\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000impeccably\u3000subtle\u3000quesnottions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000they\u3000in\u3000league\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rogues\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000anything\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000they\u3000were\u3000merely\u3000sympanotthetic\u3000to\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000eloping\u3000and\u3000generally\u3000in\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000mood\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000females\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Godeep\u3000had\u3000disciplined\u3000them\u3000with\u3000her\u3000fists\u3000or\u3000a\u3000cudgel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000only\u3000needed\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000try\u3000and\u3000take\u3000their\u3000resentnotment\u3000out\u3000on\u3000someone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000hypothetical\u3000priestess\u3000beat\u3000the\u3000House\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000a\u3000thrall\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000best\uff1b\u3000the\u3000least\u3000useful\u3000of\u3000her\u3000male\u3000kin\uff1f\u3000Doesn’t\u3000that\u3000strike\u3000you\u3000as\u3000odd\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000you\u3000mention\u3000it\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000was\u3000unusually\u3000crowded\u3000today\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000noticed\u3000a\u3000blindfolded\u3000orc\u3000juggling\u3000daggers\u3000for\u3000the\u3000amusement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000paused\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000show\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000sigh\uff1b\u3000signaling\u3000his\u3000impatience\u3000at\u3000the\u3000interruption\u3000in\u3000their\u3000deliberations\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000counted\u3000five\u3000sharp\u3000knives\uff1b\u3000which\u3000the\u3000slave’s\u3000scarred\u3000hands\u3000caught\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000with\u3000flawless\u3000accuracy\u3002\u3000A\u3000laudable\u3000performance\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000lacked\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000elan\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000tossed\u3000a\u3000coin\u3000to\u3000the\u3000orc’s\u3000owner\uff1b\u3000then\u3000strolled\u3000on\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000tramped\u3000along\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003So\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000\u3003Tathlyn\u3000gets\u3000a\u3000thrashing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brothel\u3000enjoys\u3000a\u3000glut\u3000of\u3000patrons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000see\u3000a\u3000connection\u3002\u3000What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000if\u3000all\u3000those\u3000boys\u3000endured\u3000a\u3000beating\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000unnotpleasantness\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000their\u3000female\u3000relations\uff1f\u3000What\u3000if\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000they\u3000flocked\u3000to\u3000their\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000sanctuary\uff1b\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000low\uff1b\u3000lick\u3000their\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kick\u3000around\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Nym’s\u3000captives\u3000in\u3000their\u3000turn\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000notion\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000guessing\u3000that\u3000priestesses\u3000in\u3000a\u3000diversity\u3000of\u3000Houses\u3000have\u3000grown\u3000more\u3000harsh\u3000and\u3000unreasonable\u3002\u3000Obvinotously\uff1b\u3000that\u3000could\u3000provoke\u3000a\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000unreasonable\u3002\u3000Obvinotously\uff1b\u3000that\u3000could\u3000provoke\u3000a\u3000spate\u3000of\u3000runaway\u3000males\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000could\u3000make\u3000the\u3000dispositions\u3000of\u3000all\u3000those\u3000priestesses\u3000curdle\u3000in\u3000unison\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000hunch\u3000that\u3000when\u3000we\u3000figure\u3000that\u3000out\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000getting\u3000somenotwhere\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000circled\u3000around\u3000a\u3000colossal\u3000snail\u3000pulling\u3000a\u3000dozen\u2026wheeled\u3000cart\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature’s\u3000mouth\u3000opened\u3000into\u3000an\u3000O\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u2026who\u3000had\u3000once\u3000only\u3000narrowly\u3000survived\u3000an\u3000encounter\u3000with\u3000such\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000mollusk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wild\u2026nearly\u3000sacrificed\u3000his\u3000dignity\u3000by\u3000flinching\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000specimen\u3000had\u3000undoubtedly\u3000been\u3000divested\u3000of\u3000its\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000spew\u3000a\u3000caustic\u3000sludge\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000flew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000draft\u3000creature’s\u3000maw\u3000except\u3000a\u3000few\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000harmless\u3000droplets\u3002\u3000The\u3000Wagoner\u3000lashed\u3000the\u3000hostile\u3000snail\u3000with\u3000his\u3000long\u2026handled\u3000whip\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000learn\u3000downstairs\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003Nothing\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003nothing\u3000we\u3000hadn’t\u3000already\u3000inferred\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000oblige\u3000an\u3000old\u3000rade\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000pleasant\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000us\u3000discovered\u3000anything\u3000substantial\uff1b\u3000our\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000was\u3000a\u3000waste\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000bloodshed\u3000perked\u3000you\u3000up\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000You’ve\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000been\u3000smiling\u3000ever\u3000since\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000ridiculous\u3002\u3000I\u3000admit\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000interesting\u3000little\u3000scuffle\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000began\u3000to\u3000recount\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000one\u3000action\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000with\u3000prehennotsive\u3000analysis\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alternative\u3000options\u3000and\u3000underlying\u3000strategy\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000look\u3000interested\u3002
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nTriel\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000a\u3000diminutive\u3000ebony\u3000doll\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000marched\u3000briskly\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000covering\u3000ground\u3000rapidly\u3000denotspite\u3000her\u3000short\u3000stride\u3002\u3000Eight\u3000feet\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000his\u3000two\u3000goat\u3000like\u3000legs\u3000more\u3000nimble\u3000even\u3000than\u3000most\u3000drow’s\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000keeping\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000mother\u3002\u3000The\u3000scurrying\uff1b\u3000frazzled\u3000drow\u3000secretary\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000imminent\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000armload\u3000of\u3000parchment\u3002\u3000When\u3000Triel\u3000heard\u3000voices\u3000conversing\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000move\u3000faster\u3000still\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000a\u3000female\u3000in\u3000her\u3000august\u3000position\u3000ought\u3000not\u3000to\u3000promise\u3000her\u3000dignity\u3000by\u3000running\u3000held\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000in\u3000check\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000test\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000one\u3000soft\u3000female\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000worry\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000disfavor\uff1b\u3003\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hair\u3000deeper\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000nasal\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000we’ve\u3000done\u3000something\u3000to\u3000offend\u2026\u3003
\nTriel\u3000and\u3000her\u3000panions\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000corner\u3002\u3000There\u3000before\u3000them\u3000loitered\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000her\u3000cousins\u3002\u3000Their\u3000mouths\u3000fell\u3000open\u3000when\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000her\u3002
\nTriel\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000son’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000slightly\u3000elongated\u3000muzzle\uff1b\u3000mouthful\u3000of\u3000long\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000slanted\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000blend\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000wolf\u3002\u3000That\u3000wordless\u3000glance\u3000sufficed\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000her\u3000will\u3002
\nJeggred\u3000pounced\uff1b\u3000his\u3000long\uff1b\u3000coarse\u3000mane\u3000streaming\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000With\u3000each\u3000of\u3000his\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000clawed\u3000fighting\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000cousin\u3000by\u3000the\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000hoisted\u3000her\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000wall\u3002\u3000His\u3000two\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000drow\u2026like\u3000hands\u3000flexed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000too\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000violence\u3002
\nPerhaps\u3000they\u3000did\u3002
\nTriel\u3000had\u3000conceived\u3000a\u3000child\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ritual\u3000coupling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glabrezu\u3000demon\u3000Belshazu\u3002\u3000The\u3000result\u3000was\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000a\u3000half\u2026fiend\u3000known\u3000as\u3000a\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000a\u3000prenotcious\u3000gift\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000His\u3000mother\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000cruelty\u3000and\u3000bloodlust\u3000burned\u3000in\u3000every\u3000mote\u3000and\u3000particle\u3000of\u3000his\u3000being\u3002\u3000Only\u3000his\u3000reflexive\u3000subservience\uff1b\u3000tendered\u3000not\u3000because\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000borne\u3000him\u3000but\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000first\u3000among\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000from\u3000immediately\u3000slaughtering\u3000his\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000with\u3000whom\u3000he\u3000came\u3000in\u3000contact\u3002
\nOccasionally\u3000Triel’s\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000height\u3000was\u3000an\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000awknotward\u3000or\u3000claustrophobic\u3000to\u3000step\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000two\u3000longer\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000stand\u3000before\u3000the\u3000cousins\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fear\u3000just\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000little\u3000choking\u3000sounds\u3000they\u3000were\u3000making\u3000or\u3000the\u3000thuds\u3000as\u3000their\u3000heels\u3000bumped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000carved\u3000surface\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000forbade\u3000you\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000in\u3000public\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000snarled\u3002
\nThe\u3000cousin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3000started\u3000making\u3000more\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tortured\u3000gargling\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000one\u3000had\u3000been\u3000alone\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000public\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Anyone\uff1b\u3000any\u3000male\u3000might\u3000have\u3000e\u3000along\u3000and\u3000overheard\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000low\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000accidennottally\u3000lash\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000hands\u3000or\u3000arms\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u3000writhing\u3000adders\u3000gashed\u3000their\u3000targets\u3000but\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000their\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000She\u3000struck\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3002\u3000Her\u3000anger\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000rose\u3000until\u3000it\u3000became\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000rapture\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000simnotplicity\u3000in\u3000which\u3000nothing\u3000existed\u3000but\u3000the\u3000cousins’\u3000thrashing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000and\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000their\u3000blood\u3000spattering\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pleasant\u3000exertion\u3000of\u3000her\u3000snapping\u3000arm\u3002
\nShe\u3000never\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000brought\u3000he \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000her\u3000snapping\u3000arm\u3002
\nShe\u3000never\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000that\u3000joyous\u3000condition\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000winded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000senses\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000babblers\u3000were\u3000dangling\u3000limp\u3000and\u3000silent\u3000in\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000grip\u3002
\nBoth\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scribe\u3000were\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000thoroughly\u3000ennotjoyed\u3000the\u3000cousins’\u3000excruciating\u3000torture\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000things\u3000still\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she’d\u3000wasted\u3000time\u3000losing\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002
\nWhich\u3000was\u3000bad\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000de\u3000facto\u3000ruler\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000city\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000should\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000govern\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nTriel’s\u3000emotional\u3000volatility\u3000was\u3000of\u3000paratively\u3000recent\u3000origin\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000calm\u3000and\u3000petent\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3000she\u3000served\u3000as\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000That\u3000role\uff1b\u3000arguably\u3000second\u3000only\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000in\u3000prestige\uff1b\u3000had\u3000suited\u3000her\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she’d\u3000never\u3000aspired\u3000to\u3000anything\u3000more\u3002
\nNor\u3000had\u3000she\u3000truly\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000more\u3000was\u3000even\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mother\u3000seemed\u3000immortal\u3002\u3000Indestructible\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\uff1b\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ambition\u3000that\u3000at\u3000one\u3000time\u3000or\u3000another\u3000goaded\u3000every\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000awoke\u3000in\u3000Triel’s\u3000breast\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000she\u3000not\u3000strive\u3000to\u3000ascend\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000throne\uff1f\u3000How\u3000could\u3000she\u3000let\u3000Quenthel\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000other\u3000kin\u3000climb\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3000to\u3000order\u3000her\u3000about\u3000forever\u3000after\uff1f
\nShe\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000the\u3000title\u3000of\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000she\u3000soon\u3000came\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000somewhat\u3000overwhelmed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000scope\u3000and\u3000intricacies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000position\uff1b\u3000at\u3000first\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000bad\u3002\u3000Things\u3000were\u3000relatively\u3000normal\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000require\u3000some\u3000dramatic\u3000intervention\u3000from\u3000on\u3000high\u3000to\u3000set\u3000them\u3000right\u3002
\nMoreover\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Gromph\u3000to\u3000advise\u3000her\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000brother\u3000invariably\u3000disagreed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000review\u3000their\u3000peting\u3000proposals\u3000and\u3000pick\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000suited\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000considerably\u3000easier\u3000than\u3000having\u3000to\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ideas\u3000herself\u3002
\nBut\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000crisis\u3000to\u3000manage\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000crisis\u3000in\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hisnottory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000apparently\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000alone\u3002\u3000She\u3000obviously\u3000couldn’t\u3000confide\u3000in\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000and\u3000insolent\u3000Quenthel\u3000claimed\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000security\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000anynotthing\u3000else\u3002
\nTriel\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000head\u3000a\u3000shake\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000dislodge\u3000her\u3000doubts\u3000and\u3000worries\u3002
\n\u3003Let\u3000them\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\nJeggred\u3000obeyed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000secretary\u3002
\n\u3003When\u3000you\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000over\u3000the\u3000choking\u3000gasps\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000cousins\uff1b\u3000\u3003have\u3000somebody\u3000haul\u3000them\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000to\u3000be\u3000patched\u3000back\u3000together\uff1b\u3000and\u3000have\u3000someone\u3000wash\u3000away\u3000the\u3000blood\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000we’d\u3000best\u3000get\u3000moving\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000trio\u3000moved\u3000on\u3002\u3000A\u3000final\u3000turn\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000dais\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000A\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000sentries\u3000guarded\u3000the\u3000entry\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000would\u3000sneak\u3000through\u3000to\u3000stab\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000They\u3000snapped\u3000to\u3000attention\u3000when\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000ing\u3002
\nTriel\u3000swept\u3000on\u3000through\u3000the\u3000entry\u3000with\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000the\u3000clerk\u3000in\u3000tow\u3002\u3000The\u3000hall\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000soft\u3000magical\u3000light\u3000to\u3000facilitate\u3000the\u3000exnotamination\u3000of\u3000documents\u3002\u3000A\u3000sweet\u3000perfume\u3000scented\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fresco\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000adorned\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000The\u3000guards\u3000along\u3000the\u3000walls\u2026dark\u3000elves\u3000near\u3000the\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000ogre\u3000and\u3000minotaur\u3000slaves\u3000farther\u3000down\u2026saluted\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000supplinotcants\u3000and\u3000petitioners\u3000made\u3000the\u3000obeisance\u3000proper\u3000to\u3000their\u3000stations\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000from\u3000a\u3000dignified\u3000inclination\u3000of\u3000the\u3000head\u3000and\u3000spreading\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000an\u3000abject\u3000grovel\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nLooking\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000elevated\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000reflected\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000astonishing\u3000just\u3000how\u3000many\u3000such\u3000folk\u3000turned\u3000up\u3000each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000tenday\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000thought\u3000people\u3000were\u3000always\u3000demanding\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000when\u3000she\u3000ruled\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000had\u3000no\u3000conception\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hordes\u3000of\u3000idiots\u3000who\u3000constantly\u3000sought\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre’s\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000often\u3000to\u3000resolve\u3000trivial\u3000if\u3000not\u3000nonsensical\u3000concerns\u3002
\nShe\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000an\u3000empress’s\u3000ransom\u3000in\u3000gold\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flaring\u3000back\u3000shaped\u3000to\u3000resemble\u3000an\u3000arc\u3000of\u3000spider\u3000web\u3002\u3000Her\u3000predecessor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000relatively\u3000large\u3000female\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000successor\u3000always\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000childlike\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chair\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000irony\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3000the\u3000accidental\u3000symbolism\u3002
\nShe\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3000throng\u3000and\u3000discovered\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000front\u3000with\u3000some\u3000long\uff1b\u3000bulky\u3000rolled\u3000papers\u3000tucked\u3000under\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000for\u3000at\u3000least\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000this\u3000one\u3000particular\u3000petitioner\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000blessed\u3000change\uff1b\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000fenotmales\u3000of\u3000her\u3000House\uff1b\u3000had\u3000made\u3000herself\u3000useful\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000some\u3000significant\u3000information\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sensible\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\nTriel\u3000decided\u3000she\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000start\u3000out\u3000feeling\u3000dominant\u3000and\u3000shrewd\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000would\u3000set\u3000the\u3000tone\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000session\u3002\u3000She\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000herald\u3000to\u3000conclude\u3000the\u3000ceremonials\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n herald\u3000to\u3000conclude\u3000the\u3000ceremonials\u3000and\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000to\u3000rise\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000still\u3000spatnottered\u3000with\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000Jeggred\u3000looming\u3000reassuringly\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000she\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000Faeryl\u3000to\u3000step\u3000forward\u3002
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nS\u3000I\u3000X
\nFaeryl\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000be\u3000chosen\u3000first\u3002\u3000In\u3000retrospect\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000would\u3000have\u3000occurred\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000a\u3000position\u3000imnotmediately\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dais\u3002\u3000The\u3000haughty\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000often\u3000feigned\u3000disinterest\u3000in\u3000their\u3000client\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000impornottance\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hurry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000forced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000approach\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stately\u3000tread\u3000consonant\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dignity\u3000of\u3000her\u3000position\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stature\u3000of\u3000her\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000grandeur\u3000of\u3000her\u3000homeland\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000also\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000a\u3000second\u3000graceful\u3000obeisance\u3000without\u3000dropping\u3000her\u3000roll\u3000of\u3000maps\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000acplished\u3000that\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3003Ambassador\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Triel\u3000without\u3000any\u3000extraordinary\u3000warmth\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000considered\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000presence\u3000inappropriate\u3002
\n\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\u3002\u3000Tall\uff1b\u3000broad\u2026shouldered\u3000and\u3000thick\u3000waisted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000her\u3000slender\u3000race\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000dwarfed\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000we\u3000sometimes\u3000meet\u3000in\u3000private\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000tendays\u3000of\u3000deliberation\u3000I\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000a\u3000conclusion\uff1b\u3000one\u3000that\u3000pelled\u3000me\u3000to\u3000confer\u3000with\u3000you\u3000at\u3000the\u3000earliest\u3000opportunity\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000conclusion\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\u3002
\nShe\u3000still\u3000seemed\u3000unconcerned\u3000if\u3000not\u3000downright\u3000cold\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000was\u3000preoccupied\u3000with\u3000her\u3000affliction\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000had\u3000of\u3000course\u3000fallen\u3000prey\u3000to\u3000the\u3000same\u3000malaise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000surnotprise\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000discovered\u3000she\u3000was\u3000at\u3000least\u3000as\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000something\u3000else\uff1a\u3000the\u3000well\u2026being\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magnificent\u3000city\u3000in\u3000which\u3000it\u3000amassed\u3000its\u3000wealth\uff1b\u3000fought\u3000its\u3000covert\u3000battles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000worked\u3000its\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000keep\u3000track\u3000of\u3000the\u3000caravans\u3000arriving\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassanotdor\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000past\u3000six\u3000tendays\uff1b\u3000none\u3000has\u3002\u3000None\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000is\u3000undoubtedly\u3000aware\uff1b\u3000several\u3000major\u3000trade\u3000routes\u3000converge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\uff1b\u3000which\u3000then\u3000funnels\u3000the\u3000merchants\u3000on\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000half\u3000the\u3000goods\u3000that\u3000reach\u3000your\u3000cavern\u3000e\u3000through\u3000us\u3002\u3000Exnotcept\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u3000they\u3000aren’t\u3000reaching\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000steady\u3000flow\u3000has\u3000dried\u3000up\u3002\u3000Except\u3000in\u3000time\u3000of\u3000war\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000unprecedented\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3000certainly\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000merchant\u3000clansmen\u3000choosing\u3000other\u3000destinations\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000they’ll\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000head\u3000for\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000next\u3000trip\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000after\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000conscious\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000pose\u3000her\u3000features\u3002\u3000Othernotwise\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000known\u3000better\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000being\u3000deliberately\u3000obtuse\u3002
\n\u30031\u3000suspect\u3000it\u3000may\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000thousand\u3000thousand\u3000dangers\u3000haunt\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000philosophers\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000are\u3000spawning\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000What\u3000if\u3000something\u3000has\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000route\u3000between\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1f\u3000What\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000killing\u3000everyone\u3000who\u3000tries\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000through\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003More\u3000than\u3000one\u3000tunnel\u3000connects\u3000the\u3000cities\uff1b\u3003\u3000rumbled\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000unnotexpectedly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000perfume\u3000wafting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000putrid\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000not\u3000so\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\uff01\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000reached\u3000back\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000her\u3000golden\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000half\u2026fiend\u3000an\u3000approving\u3000pat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000leg\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000theory\u3000doesn’t\u3000stand\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Ambassador\u3002\u3003
\nNot\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000wished\u3000that\u3000Triel’s\u3000mother\u3000was\u3000still\u3000leading\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000The\u3000greedy\uff1b\u3000vicious\u3000old\u3000autocrat\u3000could\u3000be\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000contend\u3000with\uff1b\u3000but\u3000though\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000cherished\u3000a\u3000draegloth\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mark\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000
\napproval\u3000and\u3000delighted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000demidemon’s\u3000gift\u3000for\u3000slaughter\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000tolerated\u3000it\u3000speaking\u3000unbidden\u3000at\u3000a\u3000formal\u3000conference\uff1b\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000borne\u3000such\u3000disrespect\u3000from\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000consists\u3000of\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000beast\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000emissary\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000manifestation\u3000of\u3000a\u3000phenomenon\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000cut\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000passage\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000hesitate\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000\u3003lest\u3000I\u3000be\u3000thought\u3000an\u3000alarmist\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000even\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000some\u3000misfortune\u3000has\u3000befallen\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000itself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000misfortune\u3000so\u3000abrupt\u3000and\u3000all\u2026enpassing\u3000that\u3000your\u3000folk\u3000never\u3000even\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000dispatch\u3000a\u3000messenger\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Nonsense\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Golothaer\uff1b\u3000home\u3000of\u3000our\u3000ancestors\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000perish\u3000in\u3000an\u3000hour\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000personally\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000several\u3000muniqu\u959f\u3000having\u3000reached\u3000here\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000in\u3000only\u3000the\u3000past\u3000few\u3000days\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000received\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000sendings\u3000myself\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000find\u3000their\u3000excuses\u3000suspicious\u3000at\u3000best\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dearth\u3000of\u3000traffic\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000warrants\u3000investigation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000my\u3000city’s\u3000representative\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000task\u3000is\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n y’s\u3000representative\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000task\u3000is\u3000my\u3000responsibility\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000one\u3000has\u3000charged\u3000you\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000take\u3000it\u3000upon\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000I’m\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000venture\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000with\u3000merely\u3000my\u3000own\u3000little\u3000entourage\u3000for\u3000protection\u3002\u3000Traders\u3000guard\u3000their\u3000caravans\u3000very\u3000well\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000that\u3000could\u3000destroy\u3000all\u3000those\u3000mernotchant\u3000trains\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000put\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000end\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000case\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000would\u3000know\u3000no\u3000more\u3000about\u3000the\u3000new\u3000menace\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000borders\u3000than\u3000they\u3000do\u3000now\u3002\u3000Accordnotingly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000me\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sizable\u3000escort\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000march\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000and\u3000back\u3000again\u3000and\u3000see\u3000what\u3000befalls\u3000me\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000an\u3000enterprising\u3000nature\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Triel\u3000\u3003It\u3000does\u3000you\u3000credit\u3002\u3000Alas\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000can’t\u3000spare\u3000any\u3000troops\u3002\u3000Not\u3000at\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3000Our\u3000forces\u3000are\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000training\u3000exercises\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000fancied\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000real\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000was\u3000at\u3000present\u3000relucnottant\u3000to\u3000divest\u3000herself\u3000of\u3000any\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000her\u3000military\u3000strength\u3002\u3000Her\u3000caution\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3000on\u3000its\u3000own\u3000terms\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surely\u3000it\u3000must\u3000yield\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gravnotity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000envoy’s\u3000concerns\uff01
\n\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000if\u3000trade\u3000with\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000does\u3000not\u3000resume\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000will\u3000find\u3000themselves\u3000bereft\u3000of\u3000countless\u3000amenities\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000your\u3000craftsmen\u3000will\u3000lack\u3000the\u3000raw\u3000materials\u3000they\u3000need\u3000for\u3000their\u3000work\u3002\u3000Your\u3000own\u3000merchant\u3000clans\u3000will\u3000endeavor\u3000to\u3000send\u3000caravans\u3000to\u3000my\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000those\u3000expeditions\u3000will\u3000probably\u3000not\u3000return\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000imagine\u3000some\u3000clever\u3000male\u3000will\u3000import\u3000the\u3000same\u3000goods\u3000via\u3000a\u3000different\u3000route\u3000if\u3000he\u3000can\u3000reap\u3000a\u3000profit\u3000thereby\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000mired\u3000in\u3000some\u3000lunatic\u3000dream\u3002
\n\u3003Matron\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000serious\u3002\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000is\u3000the\u3000single\u3000greatest\u3000source\u3000of\u3000wealth\u3000your\u3000people\u3000possess\u3002\u3003
\nDemons\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Web\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000half\u3000again\u3000as\u3000populous\u3000as\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000realms\u3000had\u3000long\u3000been\u3000equals\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000notparatively\u3000recent\u3000happenstance\u3000that\u3000had\u3000reduced\u3000the\u3000once\u3000independent\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\u3000to\u3000vassalage\u3002
\nTriel\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000dainty\uff1b\u3000obsidian\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000helpless\u3000resignanottion\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wealth\u3000that\u3000is\u3000as\u3000much\u3000ours\u3000when\u3000stored\u3000in\u3000our\u3000trading\u3000costers\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000as\u3000in\u3000our\u3000own\u3000vaults\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000else\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000No\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000however\u3000cogent\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000piercing\u3000Triel’s\u3000shield\u3000of\u3000bland\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000mocking\u3000placency\u3002
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000said\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000must\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000manage\u3000without\u3000your\u3000help\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000exhaust\u3000my\u3000purse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\u3000I\u3000can\u3000hire\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sell\u3000swords\u3000of\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000that\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000necessary\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000cannot\u3000give\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000to\u3000depart\u3000so\u3000precipitously\u3002\u3000Who\u3000then\u3000would\u3000speak\u3000on\u3000behalf\u3000of\u3000your\u3000people\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000may\u3000be\u3000right\u3002\u3000Some\u3000new\u3000peril\u3000may\u3000be\u3000lurking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000and\u3000massacring\u3000drow\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000it\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000I\u3000hold\u3000you\u3000in\u3000too\u3000high\u3000an\u3000esteem\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000certainly\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000other\u3000nobles\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000I\u3000blithely\u3000sent\u3000you\u3000to\u3000your\u3000doom\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000infer\u3000that\u3000I\u3000have\u3000little\u3000regard\u3000for\u3000even\u3000the\u3000most\u3000exalted\u3000officers\u3000of\u3000your\u3000splendid\u3000city\uff1b\u3000when\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000could\u3000be\u3000farther\u3000from\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000honor\u3000me\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000considering\u3000what’s\u3000at\u3000stake\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Nothing\u3000is\u3000more\u3000important\u3000than\u3000your\u3000safety\u3002\u3000Anything\u3000could\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000you\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000traverse\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000at\u3000this\u3000unsettled\u3000time\u3002\u3000You\u3000might\u3000not\u3000even\u3000make\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Bauthwaf\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000own\u3000patrols\uff1b\u3000weary\u3000from\u3000too\u3000much\u3000duty\uff1b\u3000imagining\u3000a\u3000dwarf\u3000crouched\u3000behind\u3000every\u3000stalagmite\uff1b\u3000might\u3000mistake\u3000your\u3000band\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hostile\u3000force\u3000and\u3000loose\u3000a\u3000volley\u3000of\u3000poison\u3000darts\u3000at\u3000you\u3002\u3000You\u3000might\u3000die\u3000an\u3000agonizing\u3000death\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000your\u3000own\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000case\u3000I\u3000would\u3000never\u3000forgive\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000chill\u3000crept\u3000up\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000spine\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000understood\u3000what\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000really\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000just\u3000forbidden\u3000her\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000on\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000death\u3002
\nBut\u3000why\uff1f\u3000What\u3000accounted\u3000for\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre’s\u3000sudden\u3000hostility\uff1f\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000until\u3000she\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000Somenothow\u3000the\u3000half\u2026fiend’s\u3000leer\u3000suggested\u3000an\u3000explanation\u3002
\nTriel\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000less\u3000diplomat\u3000than\u3000spy\uff1b\u3000an\u3000agent\u3000for\u3000some\u3000power\u3000inimical\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000concocted\u3000this\u3000business\u3000of\u3000missnoting\u3000traders\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000good\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000city\u3000and\u3000report\u3000to\u3000her\u3000superiors\u3002
\nMatron\u3000Baenre\u3000couldn’t\u3000allow\u3000it\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000permit\u3000a\u3000spy\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000along\u3000the\u3000tale\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000newfound\u3000weakness\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000not\u3000all\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000enclaves\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000same\u3000calamity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000illithids\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n the\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000illithids\u3000had\u3000not\u3002
\nWhat\u3000remained\u3000unclear\u3000was\u3000why\u3000Triel\u3000believed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3002\u3000Who\u3000had\u3000put\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000in\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000did\u3000that\u3000person\u3000have\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000holding\u3000Faeryl\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\uff1f
\nJaw\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000emissary\u3000stifled\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000Triel\u3000about\u3000the\u3000latter’s\u3000true\u3000concerns\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000into\u3000an\u3000genuine\u3000consideration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000allegations\u3000against\u3000her\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000a\u3000manotlicious\u3000pleasure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000play\u2026acting\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000feign\u3000shock\u3000that\u3000Faeryl\u3000doubted\u3000her\u3000trust\u3000and\u3000good\u3000will\u3002
\nIndeed\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Faeryl\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000further\u3000humiliation\uff1b\u3000all\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000go\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pretense\u3002
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000said\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000your\u3000concern\u3000honors\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000of\u3000course\u3000obey\u3000you\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000remain\u3000in\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spinotders\u3000and\u3000savor\u3000its\u3000many\u3000delights\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000imagined\u3000the\u3000words\u3000that\u3000remained\u3000unnotspoken\uff1a\u3000We’ll\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000find\u3000you\u3000when\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000your\u3000arrest\u3002
\n\u3003May\u3000I\u3000have\u3000your\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000withdraw\uff1f\u3000I\u3000see\u3000there\u3000are\u3000many\u3000others\u3000seeking\u3000the\u3000benefit\u3000of\u3000your\u3000wisdom\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Go\uff1b\u3000with\u3000my\u3000blessing\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000offered\u3000her\u3000obeisance\uff1b\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000great\u3000mound\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000citadel\u3000until\u3000she\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000unobserved\u3000in\u3000a\u3000short\u3000connecting\u3000passageway\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000the\u3000rolled\u3000maps\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000the\u3000charts\u3000she\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000might\u3000connotsult\u3000together\uff1b\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Teeth\u3000bared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000snarl\uff1b\u3000she\u3000smashed\u3000them\u3000repeatedly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000until\u3000the\u3000stiff\u3000parchment\u3000cylinder\u3000flopped\u3000limp\u3000and\u3000battered\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nGromph\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000strolled\u3000about\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000apprennottices\u3000and\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000rituals\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000chanting\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pungent\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000incense\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000various\u3000conjured\u3000phenomena\uff1a\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000demonic\u3000faces\u3000appearing\u3000and\u3000disappearing\uff1b\u3000moaning\u3000and\u3000crackling\u3002\u3000All\u3000to\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000new\u3000set\u3000of\u3000wards\u3000about\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002
\nGromph\u3000was\u3000mildly\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000By\u3000and\u3000large\uff1b\u3000his\u3000minions\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000a\u3000good\u3000job\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000laying\u3000any\u3000enchantments\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000pierce\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000since\u3000he\u3000was\u3000supervising\u3000them\u3000at\u3000their\u3000labors\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000past\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000all\u3000this\u3000will\u3000actually\u3000protect\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000scowling\uff1b\u3000her\u3000long\u3000skirt\u3000rippling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stray\u3000breeze\u3000kicked\u3000up\u3000by\u3000someone’s\u3000incantation\u3002
\nGromph\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000even\u3000after\u3000Beradax’s\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000donned\u3000a\u3000suit\u3000of\u3000mail\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000frightened\u3000novices\u3000and\u3000priestesses\u3000required\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000confidence\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000didn’t\u3000protect\u3000us\u3000before\uff1b\u3003\u3000hissed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000annoyingly\u3000vocal\u3000snakes\u3000prising\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002
\nFour\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000twisting\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000for\u3000danger\u3002\u3000The\u3000fifth\u3000kept\u3000its\u3000cold\u3000eyes\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000not\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000was\u3000convinced\uff1b\u3000because\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000suspected\u3000him\u3000of\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000her\u3002\u3000Or\u3000rather\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000specifically\u3002\u3000She\u3000simply\u3000had\u3000too\u3000many\u3000viable\u3000suspects\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000subordinates\u3000who\u3000aspired\u3000to\u3000be\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000myriad\u3000foes\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000even\u3000Triel\u3000seeking\u3000to\u3000forestall\u3000the\u3000all\u3000but\u3000inevitable\u3000day\u3000when\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000challenge\u3000her\u3000for\u3000preeminence\u3002
\n\u3003Enchantments\u3000can\u3000attenuate\u3000with\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000honestly\u3000enough\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000will\u3000be\u3000stronger\u3002\u3000Strong\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000I\u3000trust\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000isn’t\u3000just\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000at\u3000risk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Next\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000could\u3000attack\u3000Sorcere\u3000or\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3003
\nDon’t\u3000count\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000seen\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000her\u3000scowl\u3000deepening\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000let\u3000your\u3000males\u3000slack\u3000off\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000the\u3000defenses\u3000plete\u3000before\u3000you\u3000leave\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000your\u3000spell\u3000into\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Consider\u3000it\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000The\u3000primary\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000imposing\u3000spider\u2026shaped\u3000temple\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000merely\u3000an\u3000odd\u2026looking\u3000hole\u3002\u3000The\u3000artisans\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000finished\u3000repairing\u3000the\u3000crumpled\u3000adamantine\u3000leaves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gate\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000think\u3000how\u3000that\u3000must\u3000annoy\u3000his\u3000sister\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000her\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000unfortunotnate\u3000metalworkers\u3000had\u3000already\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000displeasure\u3002
\nWell\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000it\u3000for\u3000much\u3000longer\u3002\u3000He\u3000finnotgered\u3000a\u3000small\u3000ornament\uff1b\u3000a\u3000black\u3000stone\u3000clasped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000claw\u3000dangling\u3000over\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000hadn’t\u3000asked\u3000about\u3000the\u3000trinket\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000had\u3000Gromph\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000to\u3002\u3000He\u3000always\u3000wore\u3000his\u3000amulet\u3000of\u3000eternal\u3000youth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000that\u3000helped\u3000him\u3000imbue\u3000Narbondel\u3000with\u3000radiant\u3000warmth\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000those\u3000two\u3000staples\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tended\u3000to\u3000adorn\u3000the\u3000Robes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000with\u3000a\u3000constantly\u3000changing\u3000array\u3000of\u3000charms\u3000and\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000his\u3000whim\u3000and\u3000the\u3000particular\u3000magic \n
\n \n
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\n ns\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000his\u3000whim\u3000and\u3000the\u3000particular\u3000magical\u3000tasks\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000His\u3000sister\u3000had\u3000had\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000trinket\u3000was\u3000of\u3000any\u3000particular\u3000significance\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002
\nIf\u3000she\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000it\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u3000probably\u3000assumed\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000was\u3000onyx\uff1b\u3000ebony\uff1b\u3000or\u3000jet\u3002\u3000In\u3000actuality\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000polished\u3000ivory\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000a\u3000unicorn’s\u3000horn\u3000after\u3000Gromph\u3000slew\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000equine\u2026sacred\u3000to\u3000the\u3000despicable\u3000elves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u2026in\u3000a\u3000necromantic\u3000rite\u3002\u3000The\u3000orb\u3000was\u3000only\u3000black\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000he\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000inside\u3000it\u3000only\u3000two\u3000hours\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000was\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000murmured\uff1b\u3000too\u3000softly\u3000for\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000casters\u3000bustling\u3000about\u3000him\u3000to\u3000overhear\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000take\u3000her\u3000scent\uff1f\u3003
\nYes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000its\u3000silent\u3000voice\u3000like\u3000a\u3000nail\u3000scratching\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unnecessary\u3002\u3000I\u3000may\u3000not\u3000possess\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000has\u3000never\u3000hindered\u3000me\u3000as\u3000I\u3000sought\u3000my\u3000prey\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000making\u3000sure\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000can\u3000you\u3000succeed\u3000where\u3000Beradax\u3000failed\uff1f\u3003
\nOf\u3000course\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000world\u3000has\u3000ever\u3000escaped\u3000me\u3002\u3000Afterward\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000feast\u3000on\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000soul\uff1b\u3000one\u3000tiny\u3000morsel\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002
\nMost\u3000likely\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000would\u3000do\u3000exactly\u3000that\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000six\u3000more\u3000waiting\u3000in\u3000line\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000where\u3000it\u3000left\u3000off\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000even\u3000e\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000manipulated\u3000events\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000way\u3000as\u3000to\u3000inspire\u3000more\u3000mundane\u3000assassins\u3002
\nA\u3000third\u2026year\u3000student\u3000came\u3000scurrying\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stubby\u3000chalcedony\u3000wand\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Recalled\u3000to\u3000more\u3000immediate\u3000concerns\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000the\u3000youth\u3000how\u3000the\u3000device\u3000worked\u3002
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\nPretending\u3000to\u3000take\u3000an\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000an\u3000itinerant\u3000vendor’s\u3000rack\u3000of\u3000cheaply\u3000forged\u3000and\u3000poorly\u3000balanced\u3000daggers\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000surreptitiously\u3000surnotveyed\u3000the\u3000intersection\u3002
\nA\u3000fellow\u3000with\u3000what\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000suspected\u3000were\u3000self\u2026inflicted\u3000sores\u3000on\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000chanted\u3000for\u3000alms\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000a\u3000ceramic\u3000bowl\u3002\u3000Since\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rare\u3000if\u3000not\u3000demented\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000who\u3000ever\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000tug\u3000of\u3000pity\uff1b\u3000the\u3000beggar\u3000sat\u3000near\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000a\u3000shabby\u3000boarding\u3000house\u3000catering\u3000to\u3000non\u2026drow\u3002
\nA\u3000female\u3000hurried\u3000by\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hooked\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000pole\u2026virtually\u3000a\u3000pike\uff1b\u3000when\u3000one\u3000really\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000it\u2026on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000weasel\u3000on\u3000a\u3000leash\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000an\u3000exterminator\u3000headed\u3000out\u3000to\u3000rid\u3000a\u3000household\u3000of\u3000some\u3000substantial\u3000infestation\u3002
\nA\u3000snarling\u3000noble\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Hunzrin\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000rapier\u3000and\u3000lashed\u3000a\u3000moner\u3000with\u3000the\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000because\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000trifle\u3000slow\u3000stepping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000Hunzrins\u3000were\u3000notorious\u3000for\u3000their\u3000virulent\u3000arnotrogance\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000stemmed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they\u3000controlled\u3000the\u3000greater\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000agriculture\u3002\u3000Or\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000were\u3000pensating\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000wealth\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000stuck\u3000living\u3000in\u3000\u3003mere\u3000East\u3002\u3003
\nAny\u3000number\u3000of\u3000other\u3000rather\u3000drab\u3000and\u3000hungry\u2026looking\u3000souls\u3000rushed\u3000on\u3000about\u3000their\u3000business\u3002
\n\u3003Reliving\u3000childhood\u3000memories\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000forget\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000born\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000work\u3000my\u3000way\u3000up\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000Eastmyr\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000daresay\u3000you\u3000took\u3000one\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000then\u3000kept\u3000right\u3000on\u3000climbing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000right\u3002\u3000Just\u3000now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000checking\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000someone’s\u3000tailing\u3000us\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000a\u3000pity\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000if\u3000we\u3000asked\u3000enough\u3000questions\u3000in\u3000diverse\u3000male\u3000gatherings\uff1b\u3000some\u3000more\u3000friends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000would\u3000try\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000us\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000seek\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000we’re\u3000about\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000are\u3000too\u3000canny\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Visit\u3000the\u3000next\u3000vile\u3000tavern\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000started\u3000walking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Say\uff1b\u3000did\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000how\uff1b\u3000two\u3000days\u3000into\u3000my\u3000first\u3000mission\u3000to\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000having\u3000to\u3000tail\u3000a\u3000human\u3000mage\u3000while\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000blazing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1f\u3000I\u3000was\u3000blind\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000my\u3000eyes\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000told\u3000this\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000story\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you’ll\u3000enjoy\u3000hearing\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000There\u3000I\u3000was\uff1b\u3000blind\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000the\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000strolled\u3000on\uff1b\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000sealed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000curnottain\u3000of\u3000spider\u3000web\u3002\u3000Forbidden\u3000by\u3000sacred\u3000law\u3000to\u3000disturb\u3000the\u3000silken\u3000trap\u3000until\u3000such\u3000time\u3000as\u3000its\u3000builder\u3000ceased\u3000to\u3000occupy\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000luckless\u3000occupant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000a\u3000box\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000front\u3000window\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000a\u3000makeshift\u3000step\u3002
\nAcross\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000half\u2026breed\u3000child\uff1b\u3000part\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000part\u3000human\u3000by\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000brushed\u3000past\u3000a\u3000drunken\u3000laborer\uff1b\u3000then\u3000quickened\u3000her\u3000pace\u3000a\u3000trifle\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000hadn’t\u3000actually\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000lift\u3000the\u3000tosspot’s\u3000purse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000she\u3000had\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000halt\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\nRyld\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000fortable\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000Splitter\u3000shifting\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000On\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000an\u3000alley\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000clumsily\u3000daubed\u3000a\u3000rudimentary\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000a\u3000clawed\u3000hand\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000flames\u3002\u3000Though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000small\u3000 \n
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\n ed\u3000hand\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000flames\u3002\u3000Though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000small\u3000and\u3000smeared\u3000in\u3000paint\u3000that\u3000barely\u3000contrasted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000chagrined\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000nonotticed\u3000it\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000supposed\u3000wizards\u3000had\u3000a\u3000nose\u3000for\u3000glyphs\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000is\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3003An\u3000emblem\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Skortchclaw\u3000horde\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000tribes\u3000of\u3000ores\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000See\u3000the\u3000Sun\u3000a\u3000time\u3000or\u3000two\u3000myself\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000confirm\u3000my\u3000identification\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000it\u3000doing\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000took\u3000a\u3000reflexive\u3000glance\u3000around\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000potential\u3000threats\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000some\u3000orc\u3000painted\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000my\u3000supposition\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000have\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000known\u3000a\u3000thrall\u3000to\u3000do\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000What\u3000slave\u3000would\u3000dare\u3000deface\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000drow\u3000takes\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000its\u3000perfection\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000crazy\u3000one\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000all\u3000seen\u3000them\u3000go\u3000mad\u3000under\u3000the\u3000lash\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Whereupon\u3000they\u3000attack\u3000their\u3000handlers\u3002\u3000They\u3000don’t\u3000creep\u3000about\u3000scrawlnoting\u3000on\u3000walls\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000questions\u3000the\u3000people\u3000in\u3000these\u3000houses\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000someone\u3000can\u3000shed\u3000some\u3000light\u3000on\u3000this\u3000occurrence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000get\u3000curious\u3000about\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000things\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Sometimes\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000little\u3000mad\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Genius\u3000is\u3000so\u3000often\u3000misperceived\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000this\u3000puzzle\u3000is\u3000going\u3000to\u3000nag\u3000at\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’re\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000and\u3000so\u3000save\u3000your\u3000life\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000stick\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000wizard\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000walked\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003But\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000\u3003when\u3000we’ve\u3000located\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000ourselves\u3000in\u3000glory\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000convinced\u3000Gromph\u3000to\u3000let\u3000me\u3000continue\u3000breathing\u2026I\u3000am\u3000going\u3000to\u3000inquire\u3000into\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000traveled\u3000another\u3000block\uff1b\u3000then\u3000a\u3000column\u3000of\u3000roaring\u3000yellow\u3000fire\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000engulfing\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Wings\u3000beat\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3000streaked\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000
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\nThe\u3000netherspirit\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000the\u3000new\u3000enchantments\u3000surrounding\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000the\u3000uttermost\u3000attenuated\u3000projection\u3000of\u3000its\u3000substance\u3000washed\u3000over\u3000them\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000them\u3002
\nMetaphorically\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000were\u3000not\u3000unlike\u3000a\u3000castle\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000the\u3000motte\uff1b\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000slopes\u3000of\u3000which\u3000would\u3000slow\u3000an\u3000enemy’s\u3000approach\u3000while\u3000the\u3000defenders\u3000rained\u3000missiles\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000Atop\u3000that\u3000loomed\u3000the\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000high\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000virtually\u3000unbreachable\u3000and\u3000un\u3000climbable\u3002\u3000Amid\u3000those\u3000was\u3000the\u3000renotcessed\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000defensible\u3000by\u3000spears\u3000and\u3000arrows\u3000loosed\u3000from\u3000three\u3000directions\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000murder\u3000holes\u3000gaped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000to\u3000rain\u3000burnnoting\u3000oil\u3000on\u3000the\u3000invaders’\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000while\u3000beyond\u3000it\u3000rose\u3000a\u3000gatehouse\u3000with\u3000batnottlements\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000another\u3000barrier\u3000to\u3000enclose\u3000the\u3000first\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000it\u3000into\u3000a\u3000killing\u3000pit\u3002
\nGromph’s\u3000first\u3000counter\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000admitted\u3000the\u3000late\u3000and\u3000unlamented\u3000Beradax\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000had\u3000stormed\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ramnotpaging\u3000army\u3000equipped\u3000with\u3000catapults\uff1b\u3000rams\uff1b\u3000and\u3000siege\u3000towers\u3002\u3000The\u3000arch\u2026mage’s\u3000second\u3000effort\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000mine\u3000sappers\u3000had\u3000excavated\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000unobtrusively\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Except\u3000that\u3000this\u3000hole\u3000ran\u3000though\u3000extra\u3000dimensional\u3000space\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000understood\u3000it\uff1b\u3000this\u3000method\u3000of\u3000egress\u3000was\u3000arranged\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000elder\u3000male\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000would\u3000expenotrience\u3000another\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000terror\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000already\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000dread\u3000of\u3000a\u3000screaming\u3000alarm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000came\u3000when\u3000death\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000their\u3000midst\u3000without\u3000any\u3000warning\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nPulling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000longer\u3000tendrils\u3000of\u3000its\u3000ectoplasmic\u3000substance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entity\u2026\u3000it\u3000and\u3000its\u3000kind\u3000had\u3000no\u3000names\uff1b\u3000an\u3000advantage\u3000in\u3000that\u3000most\u3000wizards\u3000therefore\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000them\u2026poured\u3000its\u3000formless\u3000form\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000not\u3000without\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000trepidation\u3002\u3000If\u3000Gromph’s\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000neutralize\u3000the\u3000conjurations\u3000of\u3000his\u3000minions\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000would\u3000discover\u3000it\u3000in\u3000some\u3000unpleasant\u3000way\u3002
\nAs\u3000it\u3000crept\u3000down\u3000the\u3000mine\uff1b\u3000it\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000poised\u3000above\u3000and\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000enchantments\u3000like\u3000hanging\u3000axes\uff1b\u3000precariously\u3000balanced\u3000and\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000or\u3000taut\u3000tripwires\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000crossbows\uff1b\u3000or\u3000caltrops\u3000strewn\u3000lavishly\u3000undernotfoot\u3002\u3000The\u3000constructs\u3000of\u3000mystical\u3000force\u3000fairly\u3000quivered\u3000like\u3000living\u3000things\u3000with\u3000their\u3000pulsion\u3000to\u3000slay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000detected\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3002
\nThe\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000not\u3000exist\u3000for\u3000mortal\u3000eyes\u3000unless\u3000they\u3000were\u3000magically\u3000augmented\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000on\u3000a\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000The\u3000nether\u2026spirit\u3000climbed\u3000out\u3000and\u3000took\u3000its\u3000bearings\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000leg\u3000annexes\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000suite\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000that\u3000nothing\u3000could\u3000bar\u3000its\u3000path\u3000to\u3000its\u3000target\u3002
\nThe\u3000intruder\u3000hunched\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000around\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000standing\u3000watch\u3002\u3000Happily\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000fe \n
\n \n
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\n \u3000a\u3000novice\u3000standing\u3000watch\u3002\u3000Happily\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000female\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\u3000that\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000For\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000fully\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000of\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000of\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000indistinguishable\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ordinary\uff1b\u3000empty\u3000gloom\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000netherspirit\u3000yearned\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000mortal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000forbidden\u3000it\u3000to\u3000do\u3000harm\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000unless\u3000she\u3000was\u3000fool\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000between\u3000it\u3000and\u3000its\u3000appointed\u3000prey\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000regret\uff1b\u3000it\u3000slipped\u3000past\u3000the\u3000sentry\u3000and\u3000on\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000it\u3000came\u3000upon\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000cells\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000square\u3000little\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000students\u3000recited\u3000their\u3000devotions\u3002
\nSo\u3000eager\u3000for\u3000bloodshed\u3000was\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000last\u3000fornotever\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000cephalothoraxes\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000round\uff1b\u3000firelit\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000home\u3000to\u3000the\u3000grandest\u3000chapels\uff1b\u3000the\u3000holiest\u3000of\u3000altars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000quarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple’s\u3000senior\u3000priestnotesses\u3002
\nThe\u3000intruder\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000spacious\u3000and\u3000largely\u3000empty\u3000octagonal\u3000chamnotber\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000air\u3000was\u3000perceptibly\u3000cooler\u3000than\u3000in\u3000the\u3000surrounding\u3000rooms\u3000and\u3000hallways\u3002\u3000Statues\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000stood\u3000between\u3000the\u3000eight\u3000open\u3000rectangular\u3000doorways\uff1b\u3000and\u3000inlaid\u3000lines\u3000and\u3000curves\u3000of\u3000gold\u3000defined\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000magical\u3000sigil\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pentacle\u3000seemingly\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000a\u3000nexus\u3000of\u3000power\u3000at\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000same\u3000figure\u3000adorned\u3000the\u3000lofty\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000renotinforcing\u3000the\u3000enchantment\u3002
\nThe\u3000netherspirit\u3000had\u3000no\u3000particular\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000what\u3000that\u3000ennotchantment\u3000was\u3002\u3000It\u3000crawled\u3000along\u3000the\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000not\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000design\u3002
\nWaves\u3000of\u3000power\u3000beat\u3000from\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000as\u3000something\u3000woke\u3000or\u3000became\u3000more\u3000real\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000A\u3000sharpness\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spirit’s\u3000vapor\u3000like\u3000body\uff1b\u3000stunning\u3000it\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000with\u3000a\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000unexpected\u3000pain\u3002
\nSomething\u3000jerked\u3000the\u3000living\u3000darkness\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamnotber\u3002\u3000It\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000despite\u3000its\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000solidity\uff1b\u3000something\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hook\u3000and\u3000line\u3002\u3000It\u3000also\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000simply\u3000avoiding\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000good\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000when\u3000one\u3000ennottered\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000one\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000say\u3000a\u3000password\u3000or\u3000something\u3002
\nThe\u3000pulling\u3000ended\u3000abruptly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000diminished\u3002\u3000Shaking\u3000off\u3000its\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000disorientation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000cast\u3000about\u3000and\u3000discerned\u3000the\u3000being\u3000crouching\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000attacker\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000amorphous\u3000as\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000fixed\uff1b\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000knobs\u3000and\u3000angles\u3002
\nThe\u3000attacker\u3000extruded\u3000additional\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000transfix\u3000the\u3000darknotness\u3002\u3000The\u3000piercing\u3000burned\uff1b\u3000made\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000shake\u3000uncontrollably\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000leeching\u3000out\u3000its\u3000strength\u3002
\nThis\uff1b\u3000Gromph’s\u3000agent\u3000realized\u3000with\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000that\u3000could\u3000extinguish\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3000life\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3002\u3000The\u3000intruder\u3000had\u3000never\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000sensation\u3000before\u2026not\u3000in\u3000a\u3000painful\u3000way\u2026and\u3000shouldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000feelnoting\u3000it\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000wasn’t\u3000just\u3000cold\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pure\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000given\u3000life\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000to\u3000some\u3000degree\u3000embodied\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3002
\nBits\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000began\u3000to\u3000clot\uff1b\u3000to\u3000gum\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000harden\u3000to\u3000a\u3000brittle\u3000rigidity\uff1b\u3000at\u3000which\u3000point\u3000they\u3000broke\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000truly\u3000injured\u3000as\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000it\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000it\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000had\u3000better\u3000strike\u3000back\u3000at\u3000its\u3000assailant\u3002
\nIt\u3000washed\u3000its\u3000leading\u3000edge\u3000over\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000discovered\u3000stress\u3000points\uff1b\u3000hairline\u3000cracks\uff1b\u3000imperfect\u3000junctures\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u2026the\u3000prisoner’s\u3000structure\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000ice\u3002
\nGromph’s\u3000agent\u3000materialized\u3000members\u3000like\u3000hammers\uff1b\u3000which\u3000pounded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000spots\u3002\u3000It\u3000slid\u3000thin\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fissures\uff1b\u3000then\u3000thickened\u3000them\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000apart\u3002
\nThe\u3000cold\u3000spirit\u3000snatched\u3000its\u3000frigid\u3000claws\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000foe\u3002\u3000Its\u3000mind\u3000babbled\u3000a\u3000psionic\u3000offer\u3000of\u3000surrender\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000ignored\u3000it\u3000and\u3000continnotued\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002
\nThe\u3000freezing\u3000prisoner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sigil\u3000exploded\u3000into\u3000motes\u3000of\u3000frost\u3002\u3000They\u3000peppered\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000then\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002
\nPleased\u3000with\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000victor\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doorways\u3000in\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000anyone’s\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000not\uff1b\u3000and\u3000actually\uff1b\u3000that\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002\u3000The\u3000struggle\u3000had\u3000been\u3000relatively\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000conducted\u3000largely\u3000on\u3000another\u3000level\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\nThe\u3000darkness\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000suite\u3000without\u3000further\u3000incident\u3002\u3000Another\u3000sentry\u3000waited\u3000there\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spiked\u3000mace\u3000all\u3000but\u3000crackling\u3000with\u3000mystic\u3000force\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Left\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000devices\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000sunotperior’s\u3000distress\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000intervene\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000such\u3000an\u3000occurrence\u3002\u3000It\u3000rose\u3000around\u3000the\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000her\uff1b\u3000thickened\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whipped\u3000it\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002
\nTh \n
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\n gth\u3000of\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whipped\u3000it\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002
\nThe\u3000female\u3000thrashed\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000then\u3000passed\u3000out\u3000for\u3000want\u3000of\u3000air\u3002\u3000Her\u3000assailnotant\u3000laid\u3000her\u3000down\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nScores\u3000of\u3000costly\u3000icons\u3000decorated\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000private\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000so\u3000many\u3000that\u3000the\u3000place\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000temple\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000right\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000that\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000suite\u3000was\u3000sparsely\u3000furnished\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000with\u3000exquisite\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000practiced\u3000an\u3000asceticism\u3000at\u3000odds\u3000with\u3000the\u3000habits\u3000of\u3000the\u3000average\u3000sybaritic\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3002
\nThe\u3000darkness\u3000sent\u3000an\u3000intangible\u3000ripple\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000probing\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000At\u3000once\u3000it\u3000discovered\u3000an\u3000element\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000personal\u3000defenses\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000might\u3000have\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000mantrap\u3000woven\u3000of\u3000potent\u3000divine\u3000magic\u3000but\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000set\u3000of\u3000crystal\u3000wind\u3000chimes\u3000rendered\u3000invisible\u3000and\u3000hung\u3000at\u3000a\u3000point\u3000where\u3000any\u3000oblivious\u3000intruder\u3000would\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000to\u3000bump\u3000his\u3000head\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000priestess\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000so\u3000long\u3000as\u3000an\u3000assasnotsin\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000second’s\u3000warning\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000her\u2026self\u3002
\nMaybe\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000The\u3000netherspirit\u3000would\u3000never\u3000know\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000informing\u3000her\u3000of\u3000its\u3000ing\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000ironic\u3000amusenotment\u3000in\u3000sliding\u3000its\u3000smoke\u3000like\u3000form\u3000directly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dangling\u3000crystals\u3000without\u3000disturbing\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3002
\nEyes\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Reverie\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000sat\u3000straight\u2026backed\u3000and\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rug\u3002\u3000Along\u3000the\u3000back\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000pulses\u3000of\u3000mystical\u3000force\u3000throbbed\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000iron\u3000chests\u3000and\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000theoretically\u3000secret\u3000door\u3002\u3000The\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000invoked\u3000some\u3000formidable\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\u3000valuables\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000similarly\u3000careful\u3000with\u3000her\u3000life\u3002
\nGromph’s\u3000agent\u3000flowed\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000reared\u3000hissing\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000round\u3000little\u3000table\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000five\u3000vipers\u3000prising\u3000an\u3000enchanted\u3000whip\u3002\u3000Distracted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000power\u3000blazing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000emanations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3002
\nFortunately\uff1b\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000The\u3000animate\u3000darkness\u3000had\u3000skulked\u3000too\u3000close\u3000to\u3000its\u3000prey\u3000for\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000balk\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000solidified\u3000a\u3000twisting\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000the\u3000table\u3000over\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000flying\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000it\u3000darted\uff1b\u3000stretching\uff1b\u3000to\u3000pounce\u3000on\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\nHer\u3000slanted\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3000but\u3000of\u3000course\u3000saw\u3000only\u3000blackness\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000or\u3000shout\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000shoved\u3000a\u3000tendril\u3000inside\u3002
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\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
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\nS\u3000E\u3000V\u3000E\u3000N\u3000
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000blazed\u3000bright\u3000and\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000searing\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000skin\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000it\u3000left\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000tactile\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Gasping\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000took\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000blister\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000Some\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000enchantments\u3000woven\u3000into\u3000both\u3000his\u3000vest\u3000and\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000his\u3000innate\u3000drow\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000hostile\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000him\u3000from\u3000fatal\u3000burns\u3002
\nRyld\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000An\u3000arrow\u3000whizzed\u3000down\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rooftop\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000swordsman\u3000batted\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000huge\u3000flying\u3000mount\u3000wheeled\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000vanishing\u3000from\u3000view\u3000before\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000get\u3000a\u3000good\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Just\u3000singed\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3003Here\u3000are\u3000your\u3000rogues\uff1b\u3000not\u3000so\u3000canny\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000either\u3000have\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000after\u3000them\u3000or\u3000pull\u3000them\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000do\u3000neither\u3002\u3000Follow\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Run\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000swatting\u3000away\u3000another\u3000arrow\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000we\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000follow\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000peering\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000his\u3000attackers\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000scowled\u3000but\u3000trailed\u3000along\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000glimpsed\u3000a\u3000swirling\u3000motion\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000He\u3000pivoted\u3002\u3000Crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000caster\u3000spun\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000fluid\u3000mystic\u3000passes\u3002
\nGesturing\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000rapidly\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000rattled\u3000off\u3000his\u3000own\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000racing\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000finished\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000first\u3002\u3000Five\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000azure\u3000light\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertips\uff1b\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000caster\uff1b\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000From\u3000that\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000how\u3000badly\u3000he’d\u3000hurt\u3000his\u3000colleague\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000the\u3000least\u3000his\u3000foe\u3000flailed\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000pain\u3002\u3000The\u3000Acanotdemician’s\u3000attack\u3000had\u3000disrupted\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002
\nRyld\u3000knocked\u3000another\u3000arrow\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000then\u3000did\u3000Pharaun\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hurtling\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000studnotded\u3000mace\u3000seemingly\u3000made\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000flew\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000itself\u3000at\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Splitter\u3000flicked\u3000over\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000that\u3000manifestation\u3002\u3000As\u3000connotjured\u3000objects\u3000often\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000war\u3000club\u3000vanished\u3000at\u3000the\u3000great\u3000sword’s\u3000touch\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nThe\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arched\u3000sandstone\u3000door\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000modest\u3000houses\u3000o \n
\n \n
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\n The\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arched\u3000sandstone\u3000door\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000modest\u3000houses\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tenants\u3000had\u3000locked\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000first\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000and\u3000evidently\u3000Ryld\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000trying\u3000the\u3000handle\u3002\u3000He\u3000simply\u3000booted\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000latch\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000scrambled\u3000inside\u3002
\nThe\u3000front\u3000room\u3000of\u3000the\u3000home\u3000was\u3000crowded\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000might\u3000have\u3000exnotpected\u3000that\u3002\u3000The\u3000population\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000considerably\u3000since\u3000its\u3000founding\u3000but\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000stalagmite\u3000buildings\u3000was\u3000of\u3000necessity\u3000fixed\u3002\u3000The\u3000poor\u3000had\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000in\u3000wherever\u3000they\u3000could\u3002
\nThus\uff1b\u3000an\u3000abundance\u3000of\u3000paupers\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hovel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000goodly\u3000number\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000in\u3000this\u3000mon\u3000space\uff1b\u3000either\u3000to\u3000relax\u3000or\u3000to\u3000dip\u3000rothe\u3000stew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000caldron\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trestle\u3000table\u3002\u3000Surprisingly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000meal\u3000actually\u3000smelled\u3000appetizing\u3002\u3000The\u3000aroma\u3000made\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000mouth\u3000water\u3000and\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000dined\u3000in\u3000several\u3000hours\u3002
\nRyld\u3000brandished\u3000Splitter\u3000at\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flashy\u3000facility\u3000calculated\u3000to\u3000quell\u3000aggressive\u3000impulses\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000the\u3000intrusion\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000glowered\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000we\u3000running\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000divine\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000not\u3000arcane\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000displaying\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000Sorcere\u3000ring\u3000and\u3000reminding\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000its\u3000power\u3000to\u3000identify\uff1b\u3000not\u3000just\u3000protect\u3000him\u3000from\uff1b\u3000magic\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000priestesses\u3000atnottacking\u3000us\u3002\u3000Killing\u3000them\u3000would\u3000call\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000make\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000even\u3000more\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000our\u3000inquiry\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000even\u3000make\u3000them\u3000want\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\u3000irrespective\u3000of\u3000how\u3000our\u3000mission\u3000turns\u3000out\u3000or\u3000of\u3000what\u3000Gromph\u3000decides\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000I\u3000promised\u3000you\u3000glorious\u3000mayhem\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000away\u3000from\u3000foes\u3000who\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000high\u3000ground\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000an\u3000inexhaustible\u3000font\u3000of\u3000tricks\uff1b\u3000haven’t\u3000you\u3000noticed\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000beamed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000assembled\u3000paupers\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000would\u3000you\u3000all\u3000like\u3000to\u3000assist\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mission\u3000of\u3000vital\u3000impornottance\uff1f\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Archmage\u3000Baenre\u3000himself\u3000will\u3000wax\u3000giddy\u3000with\u3000gratinottude\u3000when\u3000I\u3000inform\u3000him\u3000of\u3000your\u3000aid\u3002\u3003
\nHis\u3000audience\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000fear\u3000in\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000female\u3000moners\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000bone\u2026handled\uff1b\u3000granite\u2026headed\u3000mallet\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000it\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000caught\u3000it\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000makeshift\u3000weapon\u3000thudded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000laborer’s\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000collapsed\u3002
\n\u3003Would\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000care\u3000to\u3000express\u3000a\u3000reservation\u3000of\u3000any\u3000sort\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000He\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000beat\u3002\u3000\u3003Splendid\uff1b\u3000then\u3000just\u3000stand\u3000still\u3002\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000this\u3000won’t\u3000hurt\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000fleece\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000recited\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000hissing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000force\u3000shimmered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000paupers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000each\u3000into\u3000a\u3000facsimile\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u3000or\u3000Pharaun\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000single\u3000child\u3000remained\u3000unnotaffected\u3002
\n\u3003Excellent\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000all\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000go\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000at\u3000which\u3000point\uff1b\u3000I\u3000remend\u3000you\u3000scatter\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000many\uff1b\u3000if\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000will\u3000survive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000cried\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000doubles\u3000in\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000agitated\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000make\u3000us\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000can\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000house\u3000with\u3000a\u3000poisonous\u3000vapor\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000can\u3000start\u3000chopping\u3000you\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000So\u3000please\uff1b\u3000be\u3000sennotsible\uff1b\u3000go\u3000now\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000breaks\u3000in\u3000here\uff1b\u3000your\u3000chances\u3000will\u3000be\u3000signifinotcantly\u3000worse\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000looked\u3000sullenly\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000hefted\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000The\u3000moners\u3000began\u3000to\u3000scurry\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nThe\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000chivvy\u3000folk\u3000along\u3000as\u3000necessary\u3002
\n\u3003Shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pit\uff1b\u3003\u3000murmured\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000wasn’t\u3000at\u3000all\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000would\u3000actually\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000a\u3000persuasive\u3000devil\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000I\uff1f\u3000It\u3000must\u3000be\u3000my\u3000honest\u3000face\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Decoys\u3000aren’t\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000now\u3000that\u3000I\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000why\u3000not\u3000just\u3000turn\u3000us\u3000invisible\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000which\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000to\u3000grip\uff1f\u3000Invisnotibility’s\u3000too\u3000mon\u3000a\u3000trick\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000our\u3000foes\u3000are\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000counter\u3000it\u3002\u3000Whereas\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000may\u3000work\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000my\u3000personal\uff1b\u3000private\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000Mizzrym\u3000are\u3000famously\u3000deft\u3000with\u3000phantasm\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we\u3000get\u3000outnotside\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000lose\u3000track\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000skipping\u3000off\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3003
\nMost\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moners\u3000had\u3000vacated\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000steadying\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000plunged\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3002
\nThe\u3000moners\u3000were\u3000scattering\u3000as\u3000directed\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000tell\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000attacked\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he’d\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000flummoxed\u3002
\nThe\u3000masters\uff1b\u3000fleeing\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000one\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000another\u3002\u3000Phanotraun\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000smugness\u3000that\u3000es\u3000from\u3000outwitting\u3000an\u3000adversary\u3000when\u3000something\u3000rattled\u3000and\u3000rustled\u3000above\u3000his\u3000 \n
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\n and\u3000rustled\u3000above\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000in\u3000time\u3000for\u3000it\u3000to\u3000slam\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000and\u3000knock\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000Dropped\u3000from\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000height\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000coarse\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000rope\u3000prising\u3000the\u3000net\u3000struck\u3000with\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000a\u3000club\u3002
\nAlso\u3000trapped\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000language\u3000vulgar\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000proud\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000second\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000off\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000current\u3000situation\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000unfortunate\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000initially\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000net\uff1b\u3000woven\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000web\u3000pattern\uff1b\u3000was\u3000animate\u3002\u3000Scraping\u3000his\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000striving\u3000to\u3000render\u3000him\u3000pletely\u3000immobile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000mesh\u3000shifted\u3000and\u3000tightened\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\nA\u3000foulwing\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000saddle\u3000sat\u3000an\u3000otherwise\u3000handnotsome\u3000priestess\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scarred\u3000face\u2026a\u3000Mizzrym\u3000face\uff1b\u3000lean\uff1b\u3000intelligent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sardonic\u3002\u3000Strangely\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000domino\u3000mask\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000suspected\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000why\u3002
\nGrinning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000female\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000you’d\u3000try\u3000to\u3000trick\u3000me\u3000with\u3000illusions\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000talisman\u3000of\u3000true\u3000seeing\u3002\u3003
\nThough\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3000from\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000net\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000made\u3000it\u3000a\u3000point\u3000to\u3000smile\u3000back\u3000when\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000were\u3000correct\u3002\u3000Hello\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3003
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\nQuenthel\u3000was\u3000immune\u3000to\u3000fear\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\uff1b\u3000could\u3000not\uff1b\u3000panic\u3002\u3000Or\u3000so\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000believed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000panicking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000as\u3000desnotperate\u3000and\u3000bewildered\u3000as\u3000any\u3000ill\u2026wisher\u3000could\u3000desire\u3002
\nShe\u3000wasn’t\u3000certain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000vipers’\u3000hissing\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bump\u3000and\u3000clatter\u3000had\u3000roused\u3000her\u3000from\u3000her\u3000trancelike\u3000state\u3000of\u3000repose\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000seen\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000conjured\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000darknotness\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000or\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000cursed\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blindness\u3000spell\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000snakes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000thick\u3000jammed\u3000itself\u3000inside\u3002
\nHer\u3000throat\u3000clogged\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000suffocating\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000something\u3000that\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000the\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000dexterous\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000a\u3000demon’s\u3000tentacle\uff1b\u3000slid\u3000around\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3002
\nShe\u3000yanked\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000away\u3000just\u3000before\u3000the\u3000unseen\u3000member\u3000could\u3000lock\u3000around\u3000it\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000limbs\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000tendrils\u3000that\u3000began\u3000to\u3000grope\u3000after\u3000them\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000it\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000breathe\u3002
\nShe\u3000battered\u3000furiously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000space\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Logic\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000her\u3000attacker\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000fists\u3000merely\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000empty\u3000space\u3002\u3000Her\u3000chest\u3000ached\u3000with\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000unconsciousness\u3000nibnotbling\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\nShe\u3000did\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000left\u3002\u3000She\u3000bit\u3000down\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000penetrate\u3000the\u3000mass\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000strained\uff1b\u3000snarled\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000with\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000something\u3000leathery\u3000and\u3000oily\u3002
\nIn\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000it\u3000vanished\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000yank\u3000itself\u3000free\uff1b\u3000it\u3000just\u3000melted\u3000away\u3002
\nQuenthel’s\u3000teeth\u3000snapped\u3000together\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clack\u3002
\nScrambling\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000deep\u3000breaths\uff1b\u3000then\u3000called\uff1b\u3000\u3003Whip\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Here\uff01\u3003\u3000Yngoth\u3000cried\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000until\u3000the\u3000last\u3000second\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\nAt\u3000least\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000blind\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000demons\u3000made\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000had\u3000occasion\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000one\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000said\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000and\u3000even\u3000harder\u3000to\u3000bind\u3002
\n\u3003Guard\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3002
\nThis\u3000time\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000hear\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000and\u3000wasn’t\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000The\u3000invader’s\u3000presence\u3000suggested\u3000the\u3000sentry\u3000was\u3000either\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000or\u3000dead\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000sensed\u3000something\u3000rushing\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000flung\u3000herself\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000crashed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000wall\u3000immediately\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000space\u3000she’d\u3000just\u3000vacated\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000chilled\u3000her\u3000through\u3000her\u3000gauzy\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000a\u3000chemise\u3002
\nAs\u3000planned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000fetched\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stand\u3000where\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000certain\u3000small\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000her\u3000regalia\u3002\u3000She\u3000leaped\u3000up\u3000and\u3000groped\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rectangunotlar\u3000stone\u3000tabletop\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000disgust\uff1b\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000items\u3000rattled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000closed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000medallion\u3000of\u3000beautifully\u3000cut\u3000glass\u3002
\nSquinting\uff1b\u3000she\u3000invoked\u3000the\u3000trinket’s\u3000power\u3002\u3000A\u3000dazzling\u3000glare\u3000blazed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000own\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000ternotrible\u3000light\u3000would\u3000destroy\u3000a\u3000living\u3000darkness\u3000altogether\u3002
\nThe\u3000magic\u3000light\u3000and\u3000the\u3000equally\u3000supernatural\u3000darkness\u3000made\u3000for\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000when\u3000the\u3000lighting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000before\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000entered\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000open\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\nHer\u3000assailant\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000unaffected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000central\u3000blot\u3000with\u3000long\uff1b\u3000tattered\u3000arms\u3000snaking\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000ubiquitous\u3000as\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000Drinking\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000glow\uff1b\u3000reflecting\u3000none\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dead\u3000black\u3000and\u3000deceptively\u3000flat\u2026looking\u3002\u3000It\u3000thrust\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000probe\u3000at\u3000the\u3000medalnotlion\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000jerked\u3000the\u3000token\u3000aside\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000blackness\u3000veered\uff1b\u3000pensating\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000medallion\u3000hard\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000knock\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000light\u3000died\u3000instantly\u3000when\u3000the\u3000glass\u3000medallion\u3000shattered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nFortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illumination\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n red\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nFortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illumination\u3000had\u3000lasted\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000note\u3000the\u3000locations\u3000of\u3000several\u3000other\u3000objects\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stand\u3002\u3000She\u3000instinctively\u3000ducked\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000tousled\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000grabbed\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000As\u3000before\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000regret\u3000expending\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000contained\u3000therein\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000regret\u3000dying\u3000even\u3000more\u3002
\nConversant\u3000with\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000parchment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3000to\u3000\u3003read\u3003\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000recited\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000yellow\u3000flame\u3000roared\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000core\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000been\u3000floating\u3002\u3000The\u3000firelight\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000there\u3002\u3000The\u3000blaze\u3000passed\u3000right\u3000through\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000its\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000streamers\u3000of\u3000murk\u3000convulsed\u3002
\nThe\u3000column\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000vanished\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000care\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000a\u3000haze\u3000of\u3000afterimage\u3000bisecting\u3000her\u3000vision\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000her\u3000a\u3000second\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000dull\uff1b\u3000wavering\u3000stripe\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3002\u3000The\u3000darkness\u3000had\u3000survived\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000clotted\u3000its\u3000essence\u3000around\u3000her\u3000to\u3000seal\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\nYou’re\u3000a\u3000tough\u3000one\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000unspoken\u3000words\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000as\u3000she\uff1b\u3000a\u3000divine\u3000emissary\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000was\u3000trained\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\nThere\u3000was\u3000no\u3000response\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000felt\u3000no\u3000connection\u3000made\u3000between\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000the\u3000consciousness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000no\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3002
\nAlive\u3000and\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000grab\u3000or\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000time\u3000intuition\u3000was\u3000failing\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000from\u3000where\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000would\u3000e\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000which\u3000way\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000simply\u3000had\u3000to\u3000guess\uff1b\u3000jump\u3000somewhere\u3000and\u3000not\u3000let\u3000blindness\u3000and\u3000innotdecision\u3000delay\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000pivoted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000struck\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000startling\u3000jolt\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pain\u3000burned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wet\u3000blood\u3000flowed\u3002\u3000Either\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000could\u3000harden\u3000its\u3000memnotbers\u3000into\u3000claws\u3000or\u3000else\u3000it\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000blade\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000her\u3000teachers\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000to\u3000suffer\u3000a\u3000wound\u3000withnotout\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000it\u3000freezing\u3000her\u3000in\u3000her\u3000tracks\uff1b\u3000helpless\u3000to\u3000avert\u3000her\u3000advernotsary’s\u3000follow\u2026up\u3000attack\u3002\u3000She\u3000kept\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000making\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000a\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3000target\u3002
\nSomething\u3000hissed\u3002\u3000The\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000under\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Evidently\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000handle\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000her\u3000vipers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slithering\u3000about\u3000endeavoring\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3000She\u3000stooped\uff1b\u3000fumbled\u3000about\u3000their\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000sinuous\u3000lengths\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000achieved\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002
\nThe\u3000serpents\u3000reared\uff1b\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000peered\uff1b\u3000each\u3000in\u3000a\u3000different\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000realized\u3000they\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3002\u3000The\u3000darkness\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000attack\u3002
\nThe\u3000priestess\u3000deepened\u3000her\u3000psionic\u3000link\u3000with\u3000her\u3000snake\u2026demon\u3000servants\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000where\u3000her\u3000adversary’s\u3000tentacles\u3000were\u3000poised\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\nThe\u3000darkness\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000turning\uff1b\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000repeatedly\u3002\u3000Her\u3000aim\u3000was\u3000inexact\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000correct\u3000it\u3002
\nToward\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000breathing\u3000harder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000actions\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000bigger\uff1b\u3000slower\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wilder\uff1b\u3000as\u3000any\u3000batant’s\u3000will\u3000if\u3000she\u3000performs\u3000too\u3000many\u3000without\u3000a\u3000pause\u3002\u3000Then\u3000something\u3000long\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000thigh\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000knew\u3000at\u3000once\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flare\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gush\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000this\u3000puncture\u3000wound\u3000was\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000the\u3000gash\u3000in\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000She\u3000stagnotgered\u3000a\u3000step\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000leg\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fold\u3002\u3000The\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000hissed\u3000in\u3000alarm\u3002
\nShe\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000focus\u3000her\u3000will\u3000and\u3000quell\u3000the\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000to\u3000force\u3000the\u3000limb\u3000to\u3000obey\u3002\u3000Throbbing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000straightened\u3002
\nShe\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tentacle\u3000that\u3000had\u3000stabbed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000lashing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3000before\u3000it\u3000could\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3000again\u3002\u3000At\u3000that\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000her\u3000serpent\u3000familiars\u3000detected\u3000hands\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000She\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000destroyed\u3000those\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000last\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000stopped\u3000attacking\u3002
\nFeeling\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000stream\u3000down\u3000her\u3000leg\u3000to\u3000pool\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000racing\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000considered\u3000her\u3000situation\u3002\u3000She\u3000must\u3000be\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000pain\u2026if\u3000not\u3000it\u3000would\u3000attack\u3000relentlessly\uff1b\u3000never\u3000faltering\u3000until\u3000she\u3000fell\u2026but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000necessarily\u3000mean\u3000she\u3000was\u3000well\u3000on\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000killing\u3000it\u3002\u3000From\u3000what\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000such\u3000entities\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000entirely\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000more\u3000harm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000nucleus\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tendrils\u3000to\u3000acnotplish\u3000that\u3002\u3000Assuming\u3000she\u3000could\u3000reach\u3000or\u3000even\u3000locate\u3000it\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000obfuscatnoting\u3000gloom\u3002
\nIt\u3000might\u3000be\u3000better\u3000not\u3000to\u3000try\uff1b\u3000to\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000this\u3000momentary\u3000respite\u3000and\u3000make\u3000a\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000move\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000she’d\u3000still\u3000be\u3000scurrying\u3000sightnotlessly\u3000along\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000suite\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000problem\u2026she\u3000knew\u3000every\u3000inch\u3000of\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n wasn’t\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000problem\u2026she\u3000knew\u3000every\u3000inch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000space\u3000by\u3000heart\u2026but\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000take\u3000a\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000incapacitating\u3000fall\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000happened\u3000or\u3000if\u3000her\u3000leg\u3000gave\u3000out\u3000before\u3000she\u3000found\u3000help\uff1b\u3000her\u3000foe\u3000would\u3000have\u3000little\u3000difficulty\u3000finishing\u3000her\u3000off\u3002
\nNo\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000cursed\u3000thing\u3000by\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000question\u3000was\uff1b\u3000how\uff1f
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hidden\u3000closet\u3000might\u3000do\u3000the\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000reaching\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000slay\u3000her\u3000while\u3000she\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000to\u3000manipulate\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000lock\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000make\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000resources\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000using\u3000another\u3000scroll\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000gamble\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nThe\u3000demon\u3000renewed\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000struck\u3000and\u3000deflected\u3000a\u3000tennottacle\u3000with\u3000sawlike\u3000teeth\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Next\u3000came\u3000an\u3000arm\u3000terminating\u3000in\u3000a\u3000studded\u3000bulb\u3000like\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mace\u3002\u3000Poised\u3000to\u3000beat\u3000her\u3000skull\u3000in\uff1b\u3000that\u3000one\u3000was\u3000no\u3000use\u3000either\u3002\u3000She\u3000sidestepped\u3000the\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000the\u3000limb\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000living\u3000darkness\u3000snatched\u3000it\u3000back\u3002
\nA\u3000simple\u3000tentacle\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000blades\u3000or\u3000bludgeons\u3000sprouting\u3000from\u3000its\u3000end\uff1b\u3000snaked\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000and\u3000restrain\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000arm\u3002\u3000She\u3000pretended\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3002
\nThe\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000dipped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000hooked\u3000around\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000ankle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000good\u3000leg\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000change\u3000of\u3000target\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000fell\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000banging\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000shooting\u3000pain\u3000through\u3000her\u3000wounded\u3000limbs\u3002
\nIt\u3000took\u3000her\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000off\u3000the\u3000shock\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000other\u3000limbs\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000slash\u3000and\u3000pound\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000out\u3000of\u3000time\u3000to\u3000recite\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3002
\nBut\u3000not\u3000quite\u3002
\nShe\u3000rattled\u3000off\u3000the\u3000three\u3000words\uff1b\u3000and\u3000power\u3000seethed\u3000and\u3000tingled\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000She\u3000discharged\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000living\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000an\u3000easy\u3000task\u3000since\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000onto\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000held\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3002
\nLike\u3000allowing\u3000her\u3000adversary\u3000to\u3000seize\u3000her\uff1b\u3000this\u3000too\u3000was\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gamble\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000had\u3000just\u3000unleashed\u3000would\u3000weaken\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000or\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000any\u3000other\u3000mortal\u3000being\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000denotpending\u3000on\u3000its\u3000precise\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u2026or\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u2026might\u3000simply\u3000shrug\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000even\u3000feed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000force\u3000and\u3000grow\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000before\u3002
\nThe\u3000ploy\u3000worked\u3002\u3000The\u3000fiend\u3000was\u3000susceptible\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000to\u3000some\u3000degree\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000when\u3000the\u3000entity’s\u3000limbs\u3000flailed\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3000in\u3000spasms\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000on\u3000her\u3000ankle\u3000releasing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000twist\u3000and\u3000flop\u3000about\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambient\u3000darkness\u3000blinked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000its\u3000surnotroundings\u3000wavered\u3002
\nOne\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000vision\u3000was\u3000all\u3000Quenthel\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000mark\u3000where\u3000her\u3000enemy’s\u3000ragged\u3000core\u3000was\u3000floating\u3002\u3000She\u3000scrambled\u3000up\uff1b\u3000charged\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hobbling\uff1b\u3000every\u3000other\u3000stride\u3000triggering\u3000a\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000let\u3000the\u3000disfort\u3000slow\u3000her\u3000down\u3002
\nThe\u3000creature\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000was\u3000recovering\u3002\u3000Two\u3000tendrils\u3000squirmed\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000She\u3000ducked\u3000one\u3000and\u3000lashed\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000which\u3000flinched\u3000back\u3002
\nAfter\u3000two\u3000more\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000she\u3000judged\uff1b\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000limped\u3000within\u3000striknoting\u3000distance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entity’s\u3000formless\u3000heart\u3002\u3000She\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000in\u3000satisfaction\u3000when\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000vipers’\u3000fangs\u3000rip\u3000something\u3000more\u3000resistant\u3000than\u3000empty\u3000air\u3002
\nShe\u3000struck\u3000as\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000grunting\u3000with\u3000every\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000Her\u3000snakes\u3000warned\u3000her\u3000of\u3000tendrils\u3000looping\u3000around\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000ignotnored\u3000the\u3000threat\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000left\u3000off\u3000attacking\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000not\u3000get\u3000another\u3000chance\u3002
\nThe\u3000darkness\u3000obscuring\u3000the\u3000room\u3000started\u3000rapidly\u3000oscillating\u3000between\u3000presence\u3000and\u3000absence\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000motions\u3000looked\u3000oddly\u3000jerky\u3000in\u3000the\u3000disnotjointed\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000vision\u3002
\nTentacles\u3000grabbed\u3000and\u3000dragged\u3000her\u3000backward\u3002\u3000She\u3000shouted\u3000in\u3000rage\u3000and\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000As\u3000if\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000her\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000dissolved\uff1b\u3000dumping\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000about\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000any\u3000impediment\u3000to\u3000sight\u3002\u3000The\u3000murderous\u3000darkness\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Her\u3000last\u3000blow\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000mortal\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000just\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000another\u3000second\u3000or\u3000two\u3000to\u3000succumb\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000dead\uff01\u3003\u3000hissed\u3000Hsiv\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003First\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000and\u3000tend\u3000my\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000look\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000for\u3000my\u3000sentry\uff1b\u3003\u3000panted\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000attenuating\u3000her\u3000rapport\u3000with\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3002\u3000In\u3000too\u3000deep\u3000and\u3000prolonged\u3000a\u3000munion\uff1b\u3000shades\u3000of\u3000identity\u3000could\u3000bleed\u3000in\u3000one\u3000direction\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000she’s\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000she’s\u3000already\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000wished\u3000she\u3000were\u3000as\u3000undaunted\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000apnotpeared\u3000that\u3000demonic\u3000assassins\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000ing\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000demon\u3000might\u3000be\u3000an\u3000isolated\u3000inci\u2026dent\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000if\u3000any\u3000more\u3000such\u3000fiends\u3000did\u3000appear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000renewed\u3000wards\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n ny\u3000more\u3000such\u3000fiends\u3000did\u3000appear\uff1b\u3000the\u3000renewed\u3000wards\u3000would\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000out\u3002\u3000Plainly\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000too\u3000optimistic\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000was\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000her\u3000power\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000deploy\u3000a\u3000small\u3000army\u3000of\u3000retainers\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hoard\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000devices\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000resources\u3000hadn’t\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000against\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000many\u3000hostile\u3000visitations\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000her\u3000condition\u3000could\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000survive\u3002
\n
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\n
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\n
\nE\u3000I\u3000G\u3000H\u3000T
\n
\nGreyanna’s\u3000henchmen\u3000came\u3000floating\u3000down\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Two\u3000were\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000one\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000third\u3000was\u3000another\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000All\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000half\u3000masks\u3000of\u3000true\u3000seeing\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000them\u3000the\u3000deceptively\u3000foolish\u3000look\u3000of\u3000actors\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pannottomime\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000levitate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000net\u3000was\u3000too\u3000heavy\u3002\u3000He\u3000willed\u3000his\u3000aninotmate\u3000rapier\u3000into\u3000existence\u3002\u3000The\u3000steel\u3000ring\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000his\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000slim\u3000sword\u3000materialized\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000started\u3000slicing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000ropes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000little\u3000effect\u3002\u3000A\u3000rapier\u3000was\u3000a\u3000thrusting\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000not\u3000suited\u3000to\u3000sawing\u3002\u3000Tensing\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000against\u3000the\u3000remorseless\u3000pressure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tightening\u3000web\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000floating\u3000sword\u3000around\u3000to\u3000threaten\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000representatives\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000one\u3000little\u3000bodkin\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000us\u3000all\u3000at\u3000bay\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Possibly\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000work\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000instructed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\uff1b\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\nHis\u3000sister\u3000motioned\u3000her\u3000warriors\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Twin\u3000brothers\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000slightly\u3000yellowish\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000deeply\u3000cleft\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000they\u3000carried\u3000pale\u3000bone\u3000longbows\u3000slung\u3000over\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000more\u3000mon\u3000crossbows\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000herself\u3000remained\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mount\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000from\u3000within\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000his\u3000remaining\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000from\u3000the\u3000plex\u3000corona\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000force\u3000shining\u3000around\u3000the\u3000rolled\u3000parchment\u3000that\u3000it\u3000contained\uff1b\u3000among\u3000others\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000disrupt\u3000the\u3000other\u3000fellow’s\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000render\u3000the\u3000dancing\u3000rapier\u3000inert\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000break\u3000or\u3000immobilize\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000wretched\u3000ropes\u3000were\u3000digging\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000flesh\u3000like\u3000knives\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000hardly\u3000have\u3000been\u3000surprised\u3000if\u3000they\u3000drew\u3000blood\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000certainly\u3000cutting\u3000off\u3000his\u3000circulation\u3000and\u3000numbing\u3000his\u3000extremities\u3002\u3000Trembling\u3000with\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000another\u3000inch\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000panion\u3000is\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000never\u3000done\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000will\u3000place\u3000yourself\u3000in\u3000debt\u3000to\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000by\u3000killing\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\nEntangled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000turn\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000Ryld\u3000grunting\u3000and\u3000swearing\u3000and\u3000feel\u3000him\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000The\u3000swordsman\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000free\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000even\u3000his\u3000extraordinary\u3000strength\u3000would\u3000be\u3000enough\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000blades\u3000to\u3000bear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000apparently\u3000such\u3000was\u3000the\u3000case\u3002
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000kept\u3000tabs\u3000on\u3000you\u3000through\u3000the\u3000years\u3002\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000is\u3000your\u3000most\u3000valued\u3000rade\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000him\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000libnoterate\u3000or\u3000avenge\u3000you\u3002\u3000Our\u3000mother\u3000will\u3000handle\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3003
\nOn\u3000further\u3000inspection\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000observed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000subordinate\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000readied\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000That\u3000struck\u3000him\u3000as\u3000vaguely\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000supnotposed\u3000this\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000ponder\u3000the\u3000possible\u3000significance\u3002
\nThe\u3000warriors\u3000were\u3000approaching\u3000steadily\u3000but\u3000warily\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000merely\uff1b\u3000he\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hovering\u3000rapier\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000could\u3000neutralize\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000work\u3000some\u3000terrible\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000only\u3000required\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000not\u3000gestures\u3000or\u3000a\u3000focal\u3000object\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000sorry\u3000to\u3000disappoint\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000have\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000such\u3000spells\u3000in\u3000his\u3000memory\u3000but\u3000none\u3000that\u3000could\u3000annihilate\u3000all\u3000five\u3000of\u3000these\u3000unpleasant\u3000folk\u3000at\u3000a\u3000single\u3000stroke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000once\u3000he\u3000conjured\u3000some\u3000devastating\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000abandon\u3000any\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000taking\u3000him\u3000alive\u3000for\u3000a\u3000demise\u3000by\u3000torture\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000strike\u3000back\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000murderously\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000and\u3000immonotbilized\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mesh\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000little\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000defending\u3000against\u3000their\u3000efforts\u3002
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000you\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000think\u3000twice\u3000about\u3000harming\u3000either\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000further\u3000conversation\u3000would\u3000slow\u3000the\u3000fighters’\u3000advance\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Be\u3000assured\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000thousand\u3000times\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000archmage\u3000won’t\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000acting\u3000on\u3000behalf\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Council\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000he’ll\u3000deem\u3000it\u3000politic\u3000to\u3000retaliate\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000won’t\u3000sign\u3000his\u3000name\u3000to\u3000your\u3000cadaver\uff1b\u3000but\u3000someday\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun’s\u3000fingers\u3000finally\u3000jerked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000around\u3000a\u3000small\u3000but\u3000sturdy\u3000leather\u3000glove\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000net\u3000still\u3000tightening\u3000every\u3000second\uff1b\u3000it \n
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\n
\n ve\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000net\u3000still\u3000tightening\u3000every\u3000second\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3000the\u3000article\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000exnotperimented\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000fumble\u3000it\u3000through\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000mysnottical\u3000pass\u3002
\nSuch\u3000a\u3000cramped\uff1b\u3000tiny\u3000motion\u3000was\u3000neither\u3000easy\u3000nor\u3000natural\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000flair\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sweeping\uff1b\u3000dramatic\u3000gestures\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000on\u3000occasion\u3000practiced\u3000making\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000as\u3000small\u3000as\u3000posnotsible\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000good\u3000for\u3000his\u3000control\u3000and\u3000had\u3000a\u3000few\u3000times\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000without\u3000an\u3000adversary\u3000realizing\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3002\u3000So\u3000he\u3000had\u3000some\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000properly\u3000manipulating\u3000the\u3000glove\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000the\u3000web\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000con\u2026strictive\u3000or\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000so\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000awkward\u3002
\n\u3003Excuse\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000said\uff1b\u3000then\u3000suspended\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000to\u3000read\u3000from\u3000her\u3000scroll\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000of\u3000course\u3000divine\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000not\u3000arcane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000all\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000The\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000unmistakable\u3002\u3000The\u3000rapier\u3000jerked\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clank\u3002\u3000The\u3000masked\u3000wizard\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000scooped\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000content\u3000at\u3000least\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rapier’s\u3000peculiar\u3000enchantment\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000for\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000henchman\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000on\u3000him\u2026at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000for\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000so\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000high\uff1b\u3000wide\u3000forehead\u3000and\u3000small\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000chin\u3000were\u3000unmistakable\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000made\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mage’s\u3000head\u3000look\u3000like\u3000an\u3000egg\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000Relonor\u3000Vrinn\uff1b\u3000an\u3000able\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000longtime\u3000Mizzrym\u3000retainer\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000still\u3000wearing\u3000his\u3000silk\u3000sash\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000foci\u3000tucked\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000an\u3000eight\u2026pointed\u3000gold\u3000brooch\u3000securnoting\u3000it\u3002
\nScimitars\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000from\u3000their\u3000smiles\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000decided\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000beating\u3000the\u3000two\u3000prisoners\u3000unconscious\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000was\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000satisfied\u3000with\u3000his\u3000employment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glove\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000rather\u3000clearly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000try\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000and\u3000see\u3000if\u3000it\u3000worked\u3002\u3000He\u3000shifted\u3000the\u3000focus\u3000one\u3000more\u3000time\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000reciting\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\nA\u3000giant\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000radiant\u3000and\u3000translucent\uff1b\u3000appeared\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000The\u3000instantaneous\u3000addition\u3000of\u3000another\u3000object\u3000lodged\u3000inside\u3000jerked\u3000the\u3000mesh\u3000even\u3000tighter\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000jolt\u3000was\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000anyway\u3002
\nThe\u3000pain\u3000only\u3000intensified\u3000when\uff1b\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000unspoken\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000hurtled\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000feet\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000net\u3000and\u3000its\u3000prisoners\u3000along\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000feared\u3000he\u3000would\u3000black\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000eased\u3002\u3000As\u3000he’d\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000best\u3000sliding\uff1b\u3000bunchnoting\u3000efforts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u3000of\u3000ropes\uff1b\u3000his\u3000own\u3000weight\u3000was\u3000dragging\u3000him\u3000free\u3002\u3000He\u3000shoved\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3000to\u3000speed\u3000the\u3000process\u3000along\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000The\u3000hulking\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000wrestling\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000net\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000lost\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000Splitter\u3000doing\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000sword\u3000fell\u3000point\u3000first\uff1b\u3000narrowly\u3000missed\u3000plunging\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stuck\u3000pommel\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000stone\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000to\u3000fall\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000just\u3000float\u3000here\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000shoot\u3000and\u3000magic\u3000us\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000released\u3000their\u3000holds\u3000and\u3000plummeted\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000hit\u3000Ryld\u3000with\u3000an\u3000arrow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000his\u3000armor\u3002\u3000A\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Relonor\u3000had\u3000aimed\u3000too\u3000high\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000only\u3000made\u3000his\u3000targets\u3000flinch\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000used\u3000his\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000his\u3000descent\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000otherwise\u3000he’d\u3000break\u3000his\u3000legs\u3002
\nAs\u3000a\u3000result\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Ryld\u2026who\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000levitating\u3000talisman\uff1b\u3000his\u3000bearing\u3000the\u3000sigil\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u2026reach\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000a\u3000ball\uff1b\u3000rolled\uff1b\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000with\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lunged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000who’d\u3000loosed\u3000the\u3000arrow\u3002\u3000The\u3000masked\u3000male\u3000leaped\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whipped\u3000his\u3000scimitar\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000again\u3002\u3000While\u3000he\u3000was\u3000so\u3000ennotgaged\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000yanked\u3000Splitter\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000landed\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000cushion\u3000the\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000it\u3000slammed\u3000up\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000staggering\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000fought\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000Relonor\u3000swirling\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000a\u3000star\u2026shaped\u3000pattern\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000lurched\u3000upright\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mage\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000A\u3000long\uff1b\u3000angular\u3000reptilian\u3000thing\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000palms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000older\u3000drow’s\u3000outstretched\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000to\u3000another\u3000world\u3002\u3000Wreathed\u3000in\u3000flowing\u3000blue\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000charged\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\nRelonor\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gifted\u3000mage\u3000but\u3000no\u3000marvel\u3000as\u3000a\u3000tactician\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000excitenotment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000reflexively\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000favorite\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000characternotistically\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Mizzrym\u3000retainer\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000forgotten\u3000that\u3000his\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000born\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000House\uff1b\u3000might\u3000well\u3000recognize \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000foe\uff1b\u3000born\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000House\uff1b\u3000might\u3000well\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000sequence\u3000of\u3000mystic\u3000passes\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000Pharaun\u3000hadn’t\uff1b\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3000would\u3000have\u3000shown\u3000him\u3000what\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000the\u3000other\u3000male\u3000was\u3000creating\u3002
\nHe\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000phantasm\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000to\u3000snatch\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000crystal\u3000and\u3000mence\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000He\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000apparition\u3000even\u3000when\u3000it\u3000lunged\u3000so\u3000close\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000imaginary\u3000but\u3000searing\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000its\u3000halo\u3000of\u3000flame\u3002
\nAn\u3000intense\u3000coldness\uff1b\u3000visible\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fan\u3000of\u3000drifting\u3000ice\u3000crystals\u3000it\u3000instantly\u3000created\uff1b\u3000exploded\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000It\u3000passed\u3000right\u3000through\u3000the\u3000reptile\uff1b\u3000dissinotpating\u3000the\u3000illusion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\uff1b\u3000and\u3000washed\u3000over\u3000Relonor\u3002\u3000It\u3000painted\u3000him\u3000with\u3000rime\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000backward\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000to\u3000accost\u3000him\u3000with\u3000so\u3000few\u3000renottainers\u3000in\u3000her\u3000train\u3002\u3000Didn’t\u3000she\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000were\u3000more\u3000than\u3000equal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000her\u3000four\u3000dolts\u3000could\u3000do\uff1f
\nThe\u3000foulwing\u3000flapped\u3000its\u3000bat\u3000like\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000hopped\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000melee\u3002\u3000As\u3000its\u3000legless\u3000body\u3000pounded\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000leather\u3000bag\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000its\u3000contents\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\nThe\u3000falling\u3000motes\u3000flared\u3000with\u3000greenish\u3000light\u3000when\u3000they\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Each\u3000seethed\u3000and\u3000sparkled\u3000upward\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spore\u3000instantaneously\u3000growing\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000In\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000animate\u3000skeletons\u3000stood\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000They\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000miscellany\u3000of\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000shields\u3000but\u3000shared\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000purnotpose\u3002\u3000As\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000oriented\u3000on\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000advanced\u3002
\nShifting\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000creatures\u3000down\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000momentary\u3000shelter\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000staggered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000guard\u3002\u3000The\u3000skeletons\u3000surged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000twins\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000hovering\u3000at\u3000the\u3000periphery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000darted\u3000in\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nCaught\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000only\u3000just\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000a\u3000dazzling\uff1b\u3000crackling\u3000fork\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3002\u3000The\u3000power\u3000held\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000back\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000chopped\u3000a\u3000spear\u2026wielding\u3000skeleton’s\u3000legs\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Something\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tamper\u3000with\u3000my\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000gone\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000won’t\u3000stay\u3000gone\u3000unless\u3000I\u3000confront\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000casters\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000floated\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000skeletons’\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000absence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000surround\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000helped\u3002
\nSurveying\u3000the\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Relonor\u3000was\u3000still\u3000lying\u3000motionless\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000Positioned\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000melee\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000priestess\u3000were\u3000reading\u3000from\u3000scrolls\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000thoughts\u3000exploded\u3000into\u3000a\u3000terrifying\u3000madness\uff1b\u3000but\u3000reason\u3000quickly\u3000reasserted\u3000itself\u3002\u3000He\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000quell\u3000the\u3000residual\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000second\u3000assault\u3000wracked\u3000his\u3000body\u3002\u3000He\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000agony\u3000passed\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000he’d\u3000weathered\u3000both\u3000spells\u3002
\nHe\u3000threw\u3000a\u3000seething\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000lighting\u3000at\u3000Greyanna\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000halfway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000target\uff1b\u3000unmade\u3000by\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000defenses\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000cleric\u3000employed\u3000their\u3000scrolls\u3000again\u3002
\nA\u3000dazzling\uff1b\u3000searing\u3000beam\u3000of\u3000light\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000It\u3000slashed\u3000across\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000from\u3000blinding\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000painful\u3000nonetheless\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000own\u3000defenses\u3000kept\u3000it\u3000from\u3000burning\u3000his\u3000face\u3000off\u3002
\nThe\u3000other\u3000priestess\u3000flailed\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sizzling\u3000bolt\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000favorite\u3000forces\u3000to\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000it\u3000hardly\u3000seemed\u3000fair\u3002\u3000He\u3000stiffened\u3000with\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000lost\u3000its\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\nHe\u3000feared\u3000the\u3000spasm\u3000had\u3000cost\u3000him\u3000precious\u3000time\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000surely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000casting\u3000new\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000creating\u3000any\u3000magic\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000suddenly\u3000blank\u3000scroll\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000was\u3000rooting\u3000in\u3000her\u3000leather\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000presumably\u3000for\u3000another\u3000means\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000attack\u3002
\nClasping\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000coal\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000dried\u3000eyeball\u3000held\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000vial\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000created\u3000an\u3000effect\u3002\u3000Power\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000rippled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000appeared\u3000around\u3000the\u3000female’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000her\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard’s\u3000thoughts\u3000flew\u3000apart\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000then\u3000reassembled\u3000themnotselves\u3002\u3000He\u3000rounded\u3000on\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000still\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000evinotdently\u3000still\u3000casting\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000conjure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000uncertain\u3000of\u3000the\u3000parchment’s\u3000power\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000her\uff1b\u3000tore\u3000open\u3000the\u3000bag\u3002
\nIt\u3000had\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sack\u3000might\u3000have\u3000more\u3000spores\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’d\u3000assumed\u3000they\u3000would\u3000produce\u3000more\u3000skeletons\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glittering\u3000motes\u3000burst\u3000in\u3000midair\uff1b\u3000swelling\u3000into\u3000ugly\u3000little\u3000beasts\u3000resemnotbling\u3000a\u3000cross\u3000between\u3000a\u3000bat\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mosquito\u3002
\nThe\u3000stirges\u3000swir \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ss\u3000between\u3000a\u3000bat\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mosquito\u3002
\nThe\u3000stirges\u3000swirled\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000jabbing\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000their\u3000proboscises\uff1b\u3000striving\u3000to\u3000drink\u3000his\u3000blood\u3002\u3000They\u3000interfered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000motion\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000so\u3000spoiled\u3000his\u3000conjuration\u3002\u3000He\u3000restored\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000beset\u3000by\u3000clinking\u3000skeletons\u3000on\u3000all\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000beheaded\u3000one\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000cut\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000twins\u3000edged\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000but\u3000balked\u3000when\u3000the\u3000big\u3000male\u3000pivoted\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000slammed\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Trailing\u3000chattering\u3000stirges\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sprinted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000Relonor\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000skeletons\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000hack\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000too\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000killing\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000him\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000the\u3000things\u3000stank\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000must\u3000still\u3000have\u3000some\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000rotting\u3000flesh\u3000about\u3000them\u3000somewhere\u3002
\nJust\u3000as\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000unconscious\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000foulwing\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000body\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ground\u2026shaking\u3000thump\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000roared\u3000out\u3000a\u3000painfully\u3000loud\u3000magical\u3000shout\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000its\u3000rider\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000stooped\uff1b\u3000ripped\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000off\u3000Relonor’s\u3000sash\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ran\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000screamed\u3000in\u3000rage\u3002\u3000The\u3000foulwing\u3000roared\u3000its\u3000strange\u3000double\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000sets\u3000of\u3000jaws\u3000clashed\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000fleeing\u3000male\u3002
\nA\u3000stirge’s\u3000proboscis\u3000jabbed\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000Another\u3000spell\u3000rattled\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000but\u3000with\u3000no\u3000permanent\u3000ill\u3000effects\u3002\u3000A\u3000skeleton\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000his\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000a\u3000notched\uff1b\u3000rusty\u3000axe\u3000at\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Splitter\u3000flashed\u3000in\u3000an\u3000arc\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000thing\u3000into\u3000tiny\u3000pieces\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000caught\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000at\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000a\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000away\u3000her\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000blank\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000high\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000long\u3000staff\u3000materializing\u3000from\u3000some\u3000extra\u3000dimensional\u3000storage\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000why\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000instrunotment\u3002\u3000It\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000mystic\u3000power\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000also\u3000slow\u3000in\u3000attaining\u3000tanginotbility\u3002\u3000Some\u3000chance\u3000interaction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000energies\u3000playing\u3000about\u3000the\u3000battleground\u3000was\u3000retarding\u3000its\u3000transition\u3000to\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000plane\u3002
\nWhy\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000she\u3000leave\u3000off\u3000summoning\u3000it\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000in\u3000some\u3000other\u3000manner\uff1f\u3000Why\u2026
\nIn\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000inspiration\uff1b\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000came\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000astonishing\u3002
\nBut\u3000he\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000in\u3000a\u3000place\u3000conducive\u3000to\u3000contemplation\u3000of\u3000his\u3000disnotcovery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000remedy\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000he’d\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000Relonor\uff1b\u3000found\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000word\u3000implicit\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kaleidoscopic\u3000pattern\u3000shining\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3002
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\nGreyanna\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000open\u3000space\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000aimlessly\u3000milling\u3000skeletons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stirges\u3000swooping\u3000and\u3000wheeling\u3000above\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hulking\u3000acplice\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3000If\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000not\u3000deceived\u3000her\uff1b\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000flashed\u3000her\u3000that\u3000old\u3000familiar\u3000mocking\u3000grin\u3000as\u3000he\u3000vanished\u3002\u3000How\u3000dare\u3000he\u3000smirk\u3000at\u3000her\u3000like\u3000that\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000she\u3000who\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000him\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff01
\nShe\u3000regarded\u3000her\u3000iron\u3000staff\uff1b\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000square\u3000in\u3000cross\u2026section\uff1b\u3000graven\u3000with\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000runes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000as\u3000blood\u3000to\u3000the\u3000touch\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapon\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000trembled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000swing\u3000it\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000smash\u3000it\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000defaced\uff1b\u3000deformed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000useless\u3002
\nShe\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000escape\u3000was\u3000really\u3000her\u3000fault\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000staff’s\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000have\u3000summoned\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000sooner\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000more\u3000aggressive\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sack\u3002\u3000Damn\u3000this\u3000degrading\u3000and\u3000inexnotplicable\u3000season\uff01\u3000Because\u3000of\u3000its\u3000vicissitudes\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000instructed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000play\u3000the\u3000miser\u3000with\u3000every\u3000personal\u3000resource\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\u3000fightnoting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000welfare\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000and\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\nWell\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000make\u3000the\u3000same\u3000mistake\u3000next\u3000time\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000her\u3000renotsponsibility\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000return\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000castle\u3002\u3000She\u3000dismounted\uff1b\u3000squared\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000manding\u3000expresnotsion\uff1b\u3000and\u3000proceeded\u3000with\u3000the\u3000business\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002
\nNeither\u3000of\u3000the\u3000twins\u3000were\u3000hurt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000cousin\u3000Aunrae\u3000merely\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000around\u3000her\u3000head\u3000dispelled\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Relonor\u3000who\u3000connotcerned\u3000Greyanna\uff1b\u3000but\u3000fortunately\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000A\u3000healing\u3000potion\u3000mended\u3000him\u3000sufficiently\u3000to\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000sash\u3000so\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000slip\u3000off\u3000and\u3000shrugging\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000ice\u2026encrusted\u3000cloak\u3002
\nWhile\u3000the\u3000twins\u3000helped\u3000Relonor\u3000hobble\u3000about\u3000and\u3000so\u3000restore\u3000his\u3000circunotlation\uff1b\u3000Aunrae\u3000came\u3000sidling\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000cousin’s\u3000admittedly\u3000jaundiced\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000in\u3000Aunrae\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000Mizzrym\u3000tendency\u3000to\u3000leanness\u3000had\u3000run\u3000to\u3000a\u3000grotesque\u3000extreme\u3002\u3000The\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000insect\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000miseration\u3000on\u3000your\u3000failure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aunrae\u3000said\u3002
\nHer\u3000expression\u3000was\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000lurking\u3000underneath\u3002 \n
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\n Her\u3000expression\u3000was\u3000grave\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000lurking\u3000underneath\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000realize\u3000just\u3000how\u3000powerful\u3000Pharaun\u3000has\u3000bee\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000adnotmitted\u3002\u3000\u3003Before\u3000his\u3000exile\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000petent\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000extraordinotnary\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000his\u3000cunning\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000so\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000I\u3000see\u3000that\u3000all\u3000the\u3000decades\u3000in\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000him\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000formidable\u3000wizards\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000That\u3000plicates\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ll\u3000manage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000will\u3000forgive\u3000you\u3000your\u3000ignorance\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aunrae\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000wasted\u3000so\u3000much\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000no\u3000effect\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000conjured\u3000skeletons\u3000and\u3000stirges\u3000began\u3000to\u3000wink\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000leavnoting\u3000a\u3000residue\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000energy\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000tingle\u3000and\u3000buzz\uff1b\u3000though\u3000if\u3000a\u3000person\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000it\u3000really\u3000wasn’t\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000how\u3000you\u3000see\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000asked\u3002
\nAunrae\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000just\u3000worried\u3000she’ll\u3000feel\u3000you\u3000bungled\u3000things\uff1b\u3000that\u3000your\u3000hatred\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3000made\u3000you\u3000blind\u3000and\u3000clumsy\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000even\u3000decide\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000is\u3000more\u3000deserving\u3000of\u3000the\u3000preeminence\u3000you\u3000currently\u3000possess\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000not\uff01\u3000You\u3000know\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000you\u3000well\u3002\u3000My\u3000plan\u3000for\u3000my\u3000future\u3000has\u3000always\u3000been\u3000to\u3000support\u3000you\u3000and\u3000prosper\u3000as\u3000your\u3000aide\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Cousin\uff1b\u3000your\u3000words\u3000move\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000said\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000staff\u3002
\nNo\u3000one\u3000could\u3000heave\u3000such\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3000implement\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000posinottion\u3000without\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000opponent\u3000an\u3000instant’s\u3000warning\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Aunrae\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000e\u3000on\u3000guard\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000unleash\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000within\u3000her\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000wielding\u3000it\u3000like\u3000an\u3000ordinary\u3000quarterstaff\uff1b\u3000Greynotanna\u3000bashed\u3000the\u3000mace\u3000from\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000priestess’s\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000knocked\u3000her\u3000flat\u3000with\u3000a\u3000ringing\u3000blow\u3000to\u3000her\u3000armored\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dug\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000rod\u3000into\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002
\n\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000confer\u3000on\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000matters\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1f\u3003
\nAunrae\u3000made\u3000a\u3000liquid\uff1b\u3000strangling\u3000sound\u3002
\n\u3003Excellent\u3002\u3000Listen\u3000and\u3000grow\u3000wise\u3002\u3000Today’s\u3000little\u3000fracas\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000vain\u3002\u3000It\u3000proved\u3000that\u3000Relonor\u3000can\u3000locate\u3000Pharaun\u3000with\u3000his\u3000divinations\u3002\u3000Even\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000enabled\u3000me\u3000to\u3000take\u3000our\u3000brother’s\u3000measure\u3002\u3000When\u3000we\u3000track\u3000him\u3000down\u3000again\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000crush\u3000him\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000see\u3000that\u3000I\u3000have\u3000this\u3000venture\u3000well\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1f\u3003
\nDeprived\u3000of\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000Aunrae\u3000nodded\u3000enthusiastically\u3002\u3000Her\u3000chin\u3000bumped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000butt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staff\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000a\u3000sensible\u3000girl\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000also\u3000bear\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000we\u3000aren’t\u3000hunting\u3000Pharaun\u3000simply\u3000for\u3000my\u3000own\u3000personal\u3000gratification\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000for\u3000the\u3000benefit\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000including\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000this\u3000isn’t\u3000an\u3000ideal\u3000time\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000to\u3000discredit\u3000and\u3000supplant\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000betters\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000time\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000our\u3000mutual\u3000distaste\u3000and\u3000work\u3000together\u3000until\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000remember\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\nAunrae\u3000kept\u3000nodding\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000shaking\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000terror\u3002\u3000Small\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000running\u3000short\u3000of\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000not\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000and\u3000jerk\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000she\u3000tried\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000happen\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Aunrae’s\u3000submission\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000pleasure\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000fierce\u3000satisfaction\u3000that\u3000would\u3000e\u3000from\u3000ramming\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000into\u3000the\u3000helpless\u3000female’s\u3000windpipe\u3002\u3000The\u3000urge\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000tightness\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000a\u3000throbbing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scar\u3000across\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\nBut\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000relative\u3000she\u3000truly\u3000hated\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000annotnoying\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Aunrae\u3000was\u3000game\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wielded\u3000magic\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000fanotcility\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000practical\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000her\u3000another\u3000day\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000could\u3000manage\u3000it\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000chose\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000her\u3000ambitions\uff1b\u3000Aunrae\u3000was\u3000no\u3000threat\u3002\u3000She\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000intelligence\u3002
\nFeeling\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000nostalgia\u3000for\u3000Sabal\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000at\u3000least\u3000been\u3000a\u3000rival\u3000worth\u3000destroying\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000cousin’s\u3000throat\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000whisper\u3000no\u3000poison\u3000words\u3000in\u3000Mother’s\u3000ears\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Daughnotter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000leave\u3000off\u3000plotting\u3000against\u3000me\u3000or\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000devote\u3000your\u3000every\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000finding\u3000our\u3000truant\u3000brother\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000put\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
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\nRyld\u3000had\u3000never\u3000experienced\u3000instantaneous\u3000travel\u3000before\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000conscious\u3000of\u3000the\u3000split\u3000second\u3000of\u3000teleportation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000found\u3000it\u3000rather\u3000unpleasant\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000speeding\u3000through\u3000the\u3000world\u3000but\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000world\u3000were\u3000hurtling\u3000at\u3000and\u3000through\u3000him\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000painlessly\u3002
\nThen\u3000it\u3000was\u3000over\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000unconsciously\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000pensate\u3000for\u3000the\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000absence\u3000of\u3000any\u3000such\u3000sensation\u3000rocked\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\nBy\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\u3002\u3000A\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000dung\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000and\u3000confirmed\u3000the\u3000suspicion\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000disused\u3000sentry\u3000post\u3000on\u3000a\u3000natnotural\u3000balcony\u3002\u3000The\u3000ledge\u3000overlooked\u3000Donigarten\u3000w \n
\n \n
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\n
\n garten\u3000with\u3000its\u3000moss\u3000fields\uff1b\u3000grove\u3000of\u3000giant\u3000mushrooms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fungus\u3000farms\u3000fertilized\u3000with\u3000night\u3000soil\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Hordes\u3000of\u3000ore\u3000and\u3000goblin\u3000slaves\u3000either\u3000tended\u3000the\u3000malodorous\u3000cropnotlands\u3000or\u3000speared\u3000fish\u3000from\u3000rafts\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000while\u3000rothe\u3000lowed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000island\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3000Overseers\u3000and\u3000an\u3000armed\u3000patrol\u3000wandered\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000thralls\u3000in\u3000line\u3002\u3000Additional\u3000guards\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000from\u3000other\u3000high\u3000perches\u3000about\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3002
\nRyld\u3000knew\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000transported\u3000them\u3000about\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000was\u3000possible\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000See\u3000the\u3000Sun\uff1b\u3000teleportation\u3000could\u3000carry\u3000folk\u3000around\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000the\u3000disruptive\u3000radiance\u3000of\u3000certain\u3000elements\u3000present\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000limited\u3000the\u3000range\u3000to\u3000about\u3000half\u3000a\u3000mile\u2026far\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000pack\u3000off\u3000the\u3000scent\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000held\u3000the\u3000pilfered\u3000golden\u3000ornament\u3000up\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000only\u3000holds\u3000one\u3000teleportation\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Even\u3000after\u3000all\u3000his\u3000exertions\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000panting\u3000as\u3000hard\u3000as\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bad\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sybarite\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Ryld\u3000as\u3000he\u3000set\u3000down\u3000his\u3000bloody\u3000great\u2026sword\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000useless\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000dancing\u3000rapier\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000too\u3000disconsol\u2026\u3003
\nRyld\u3000grabbed\u3000Pharaun\u3000by\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000him\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000him\u3000down\u3000hard\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000a\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sculpted\u3000hair\u3000back\u3000into\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000you’d\u3000told\u3000me\u3000you\u3000craved\u3000more\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000left\u3000you\u3000behind\u3000with\u3000my\u3000kin\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000hunters\uff1b\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000\u3003who\u3000found\u3000us\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000we\u3000asked\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000number\u3000of\u3000questions\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000number\u3000of\u3000places\u3002\u3000We\u3000even\u3000wanted\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000find\u3000us\uff1b\u3000just\u3000not\u3000that\u3000lot\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000stood\u3000back\u3000up\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000at\u3000his\u3000garments\uff1b\u3000adding\uff1b\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000something\u3000extraornotdinary\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Save\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Back\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000net\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Greyanna\u3000were\u3000chatting\uff1b\u3000I\u3000got\u3000the\u3000strong\u3000impression\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000weren’t\u3000just\u3000hunting\u3000some\u3000faceless\u3000agent\u3002\u3000They\u3000knew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3000their\u3000target\u3000was\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000knew\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn\u3000t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3000would\u3000choose\u3000Greyanna\u3000to\u3000discourage\u3000our\u3000efforts\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000a\u3000somewhat\u3000disconcerting\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Yes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Gromph\u3000has\u3000invisible\u3000glyphs\u3000scribed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000his\u3000office\u3002\u3000Invisible\u3000to\u3000most\u3000people\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000They\u3000protect\u3000him\u3000in\u3000various\u3000ways\u3002\u3000One\uff1b\u3000a\u3000black\u3000sigil\u3000shaped\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000servers\u3000and\u3000spell\u3000casters\u3000from\u3000eavesdropping\u3000on\u3000his\u3000private\u3000conversations\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000and\u3000I\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000drawn\u3000imperfectly\u3002\u3000It\u3000still\u3000would\u3000have\u3000balked\u3000many\u3000a\u3000spy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000someone\u3000with\u3000the\u3000resources\u3000and\u3000expertise\u3000of\u3000oh\u3002\u3000say\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sisters\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Council\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Gromph\u3000botched\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000inpetent\uff1f\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000it\u3000precisely\u3000as\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000spy\u3000on\u3000him\u2026they\u3000surely\u3000always\u3000have\u3000and\u3000doubtless\u3000always\u3000will\u2026and\u3000he\u3000intended\u3000them\u3000to\u3000overhear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000you\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Now\u3000you’re\u3000getting\u3000it\u3002\u3000While\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3000stay\u3000busy\u3000seeking\u3000me\uff1b\u3000the\u3000decoy\uff1b\u3000my\u3000illustrious\u3000chief\u3000will\u3000undertake\u3000another\uff1b\u3000more\u3000discreet\u3000inquiry\u3000undisturbed\uff1b\u3000by\u3000performing\u3000divinations\u3000and\u3000interrogating\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000probnotably\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000undertook\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000knowing\u3000doesn’t\u3000change\u3000my\u3000fundamental\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000retain\u3000my\u3000rank\u3000and\u3000quite\u3000possibly\u3000my\u3000life\uff1b\u3000I\u3000still\u3000have\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000task\u3000the\u3000archwizard\u3000set\u3000me\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000me\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fool\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000Greyanna\u3000striving\u3000to\u3000hinder\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Besides\uff1b\u3000where\u3000did\u3000all\u3000those\u3000runaways\u3000go\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000do\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000folk\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000care\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000fascinating\u3000puzzle\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000so\u3000now\u3000that\u3000I’ve\u3000inferred\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Did\u3000I\u3000leave\u3000it\u3000unsolved\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000haunt\u3000me\u3000forevermore\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000played\u3000me\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fool\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Granted\uff1b\u3000you\u3000warned\u3000me\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000might\u3000interfere\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000greatly\u3000understated\u3000the\u3000danger\u3002\u3000You\u3000didn’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000you\u3000were\u3000marked\u3000before\u3000we\u3000even\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000think\u3000I’d\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000acpany\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nMost\u3000uncharacteristically\uff1b\u3000the\u3000glib\u3000wizard\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000Far\u3000below\u3000the\u3000shelf\uff1b\u3000a\u3000whip\u3000snapped\u3000and\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3000screamed\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000really\u3002\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000it’s\u3000just\u3000that\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000are\u3000jealous\u3000of\u3000their\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000So\u3000are\u3000the\u3000nobly\u3000born\u3002\u3000So\u3000are\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000And\u3000I’m\u3000all\u3000three\uff01\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000pardon\u3000me\uff1f\u3000It\u3000isn’t\u3000as\u3000if\u3000you’ve\u3000never\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000from\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003When\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003During\u3000the\u3000first\u3000three\u3000years\u3000of\u3000our\u3000acquaintance\uff1b\u3000whenever\u3000we\u3000fraternotnized\uff1b\u3000you\u3000kept\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000specially\u3000charmed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000killing\u3000of\u3000mages\u3000ever\u3000close\u3000to\u3000your\u3000hand\u3002\u3000You\u3000suspected\u3000I\u3000was\u3000only\u3000seeking\u3000your\u3000pany\u3000benotcause\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000rivals\u3000in\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000had\u3000engaged\u3000me\u3000to\u3000m \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000your\u3000rivals\u3000in\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000had\u3000engaged\u3000me\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000you\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000arose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000discover\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Never\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000it\u3000was\u3000your\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000back\u3000then\u3002\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000not\u3000the\u3000same\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000secret\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000it\u3000isn’t\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000regret\u3000my\u3000reticence\u3000but\u3000I\u3000do\u3000propose\u3000to\u3000make\u3000up\u3000for\u3000it\u3000by\u3000sharing\u3000the\u3000most\u3000astonishing\u3000confidence\u3000you’ve\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000pardon\u3000you\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000understandnoting\u3000that\u3000if\u3000you\u3000withhold\u3000any\u3000other\u3000pertinent\u3000information\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000knock\u3000you\u3000over\u3000the\u3000head\u3000and\u3000deliver\u3000you\u3000to\u3000your\u3000bitch\u3000sister\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Point\u3000taken\u3002\u3000Shall\u3000we\u3000sit\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bench\u3000hewn\u3000from\u3000the\u3000limestone\u3000wall\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000discourse\u3000may\u3000take\u3000a\u3000little\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000we\u3000could\u3000use\u3000a\u3000rest\u3000after\u3000our\u3000exertions\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000molded\u3000rock\u3000rampart\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cracking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000down\uff1b\u3000two\u3000goblins\u3000were\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000of\u3000a\u3000third\uff1b\u3000hauling\u3000it\u3000somewhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000chopped\u3000apart\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000some\u3000useful\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000Possibly\u3000chow\u3000for\u3000other\u3000thralls\u3002
\nThe\u3000fencing\u3000teacher\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000a\u3000cloth\uff1b\u3000a\u3000whetstone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000oil\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000his\u3000garments\u3002\u3000He\u3000unfastened\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000from\u3000his\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000little\u3000spitting\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000disnotpleasure\u3000when\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000put\u3000away\u3000bloody\uff1b\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scabbard\u3002\u3000He\u3000yanked\u3000more\u3000forcefully\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000came\u3000free\u3002
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000regarding\u3000with\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000quizzical\u3000exasperation\u3002
\n\u3003Talk\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000care\u3000for\u3000my\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000listen\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000how\u3000you\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000mind\u2026boggling\u3000revelations\uff1f\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000I’m\u3000lucky\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000Jakes\u3002\u3000All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000here\u3000it\u3000is\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000not\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000unavailable\u3000at\u3000least\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000her\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000clerics\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000spells\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000he’d\u3000misheard\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000that’s\u3000a\u3000joke\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000it\u3000while\u3000we\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000point\u3000pounding\u3000our\u3000crimes\u3000with\u3000blasphemy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Blasphemy\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\nRag\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000scrubbed\u3000tacky\u3000blood\u3000off\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000suggesting\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003another\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\uff1f\u3000Could\u3000there\u3000be\u3000two\u3000such\u3000upheavals\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Possibly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000not\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000inhabit\u3000the\u3000mortal\u3000world\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arcane\u3000forces\u3000we\u3000wizards\u3000notmand\u3000fluctuated\u3000unpredictably\u3002\u3000One\u3000day\uff1b\u3000we\u3000could\u3000mold\u3000the\u3000world\u3000like\u3000clay\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\uff1b\u3000we\u3000couldn’t\u3000turn\u3000ice\u3000to\u3000water\u3002\u3000That\u3000isn’t\u3000happening\u3000now\u3002\u3000My\u3000powers\u3000remain\u3000constant\u3000as\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000I\u3000tentatively\u3000infer\u3000this\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\u3000e\u3000again\u3000but\u3000a\u3000different\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000occurrence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000sort\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000am\u3000I\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000already\uff1f\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000rather\u3000well\u3000to\u3000detect\u3000the\u3000occurrence\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Only\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000really\u3000happening\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000short\u3000stabbing\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000then\u3000took\u3000the\u3000hone\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Bemused\u3000by\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000contention\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000his\u3000canny\u3000friend\u3000could\u3000credit\u3000such\u3000a\u3000ludicrous\u3000idea\u3002\u3000
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000think\u3000back\u3000over\u3000the\u3000confrontation\u3000from\u3000which\u3000we\u3000just\u3000emerged\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000even\u3000once\u3000see\u3000Greyanna\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestess\u3000cast\u3000divine\u3000magic\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000inner\u3000strength\u3000as\u3000opposed\u3000to\u3000off\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000or\u3000out\u3000of\u3000some\u3000device\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000skeletons\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000keep\u3000track\u3000of\u3000every\u3000foe\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battleground\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000see\u3000them\u3000casting\u3000spells\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000innate\u3000power\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000of\u3000course\u3000he\u3000had\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000does\u3000that\u3000suggest\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000have\u3000no\u3000spells\u3000left\u3000in\u3000their\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000or\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\uff1b\u3000which\u3000they’re\u3000hoarding\u3000desperately\u3000because\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000solicit\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000from\u3000their\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000has\u3000withdrawn\u3000her\u3000favor\u3000from\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000or\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000she\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Would\u3000she\u3000need\u3000a\u3000reason\u2026or\u3000at\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000one\u3000her\u3000mortal\u3000children\u3000can\u3000prehend\uff1f\u3000She\u3000is\u3000a\u3000deity\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she’s\u3000testing\u3000us\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000or\u3000else\u3000she’s\u3000angry\u3000and\u3000deems\u3000us\u3000unworthy\u3000of\u3000her\u3000patronage\u3002
\n\u3003Or\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000suggested\u3000before\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000her\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000if\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000she\u3000is\u3000mute\u3000when\u3000her\u3000clerics\u3000pray\u3000to\u3000her’and\u3000not\u3000just\u3000uncooperative\uff1b\u3000may\u3000be\u3000something\u3000else\u3000altogether\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000even\u3000another\u3000happenstance\u3000involving\u3000all\u3000the\u3000gods\u3002\u3000Since\u3000we\u3000have\u3000only\u3000one\u3000faith\u3000and\u3000clergy\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000judge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000He\u3000unstoppered\u3000his\u3000little\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000oil\u3002\u3000The\u3000sharp\u3000smell\u3000provided\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000counterpoint\u3000to\u3000the\u3000moist\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dung\u3000fields\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000Greyanna\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000priestesses\u3000worknotin \n
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\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000did\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000under\u3000normal\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000expect\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000spell\u3000casters\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3000every\u3000single\u3000manifestation\u3000that\u3000way\uff1f\u3000Just\u3000before\u3000our\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000Greyanna\u3000groping\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ether\u3000for\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000that\u3000was\u3000slow\u3000in\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000sister\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000would\u3000have\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Hells\u3000with\u3000it\u3000and\u3000dumped\u3000some\u3000other\u3000magic\u3000on\u3000our\u3000heads\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000something\u3000had\u3000circumscribed\u3000her\u3000options\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3000what\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000conceded\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000when\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000powers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\uff1b\u3000it\u3000destabilized\u3000the\u3000balance\u3000of\u3000power\u3000among\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3002\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000change\u3000made\u3000them\u3000stronger\u3000in\u3000relative\u3000terms\u3000struck\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000supplant\u3000their\u3000rivals\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000that\u3000isn’t\u3000happening\u3000now\uff1b\u3000just\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000level\u3000of\u3000controlled\u3000enmity\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000Splitter\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000recall\u3000that\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000atnottempting\u3000to\u3000exploit\u3000the\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\u3000ultimately\u3000profited\u3000thereby\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000others\u3000punished\u3000them\u3000for\u3000their\u3000temerity\u3002\u3000Pernothaps\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000took\u3000the\u3000lesson\u3000to\u3000heart\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000hatching\u3000schemes\u3000to\u3000topple\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000they\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000what\uff1f\u3000Enlisted\u3000every\u3000single\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000conspiracy\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000their\u3000fall\u3000from\u3000grace\uff1f\u3000If\u3000your\u3000mad\u3000idea\u3000is\u3000right\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000they\u3000must\u3000have\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000is\u3000that\u3000implausible\uff1f\u3000Picture\u3000the\u3000day\u2026a\u3000few\u3000tendays\u3000past\uff1f\u2026when\u3000they\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000power\u3000from\u3000their\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Clerics\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000routinely\u3000collaborate\u3000in\u3000magical\u3000rituals\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000discovered\u3000fairly\u3000quickly\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000similarly\u3000afflicted\u3002\u3000Apprised\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scope\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000in\u3000hurried\u3000consultation\u3000with\u3000our\u3000esnotteemed\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Council\uff1b\u3000might\u3000well\u3000have\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000the\u3000priesthood’s\u3000debility\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000word\u3000round\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000anyone\u3000from\u3000blabbing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000word\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000pretty\u3000damn\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000examnotining\u3000Splitter’s\u3000edge\u3002\u3000As\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000the\u3000bone\u3000it\u3000had\u3000just\u3000bitten\u3000through\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000preternaturally\u3000keen\u3000and\u3000free\u3000of\u3000notches\u3000and\u3000chips\u3000as\u3000ever\u3002
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000your\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000be\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000announce\u3000it\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000news\u3000would\u3000find\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000everyone\u3000who’d\u3000ever\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000dislike\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Anyway\uff1b\u3000since\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000first\u3000we’ve\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000the\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000the\u3000deception\u3000obviously\u3000did\u3000ornotganize\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Or\u3000else\u3000everything\u3000is\u3000as\u3000it\u3000always\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plot\u3000exists\u3000only\u3000in\u3000your\u3000imagination\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000real\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000Triel\u3000deemed\u3000the\u3000ruse\u3000necessary\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000no\u3000visitor\u3000would\u3000discern\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000sudden\u3000weakness\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003And\u3000to\u3000fix\u3000it\u3000so\u3000we\u3000poor\u3000males\u3000wouldn’t\u3000swoon\u3000with\u3000terror\u3000upon\u3000learning\u3000that\u3000our\u3000betters\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000their\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000and\u3000protect\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000an\u3000amusing\u3000fancy\u3002\u3003\u3000
\n\u3003Fire\u3000and\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000boy\u3000to\u3000convince\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000cursed\u3000if\u3000I\u3000know\u3000why\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000already\u3000lived\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\uff1b\u3000the\u3000previnotous\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre’s\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000defeat\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000by\u3000a\u3000gaggle\u3000of\u3000wretched\u3000dwarves\u3002\u3000Why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000assume\u3000our\u3000world\u3000cannot\u3000have\u3000altered\u3000in\u3000some\u3000fundamental\u3000way\u3000when\u3000you’ve\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000change\u3000so\u3000many\u3000times\u3000before\uff1f\u3000Open\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000see\u3000my\u3000hypothesis\u3000makes\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000all\u3000that\u3000has\u3000puzzled\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Whatever\u3000they’re\u3000up\u3000to\uff1b\u3000how\u3000is\u3000it\u3000that\u3000for\u3000the\u3000past\u3000month\u3000an\u3000unusual\u3000number\u3000of\u3000males\u3000have\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000elope\u3000from\u3000their\u3000families\uff1f\u3000Because\u3000they\u3000somehow\u3000tumbled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000a\u3000priestess’s\u3000wrath\u3000now\u3000constitutes\u3000less\u3000of\u3000a\u3000threat\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003While\u3000the\u3000clerics\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000thread\u3000of\u3000the\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000\u3003are\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000them\u3000because\u3000they\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000how\u3000the\u3000males\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Silence\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000call\u3000it\u3000that\u3002\u3000Hells\uff1b\u3000if\u3000all\u3000those\u3000males\u3000had\u3000the\u3000nerve\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000even\u3000know\u3000more\u3000about\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000than\u3000the\u3000females\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Conceivably\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000can’t\u3000rule\u3000it\u3000out\u3000until\u3000they\u3000strap\u3000a\u3000few\u3000of\u3000them\u3000to\u3000torture\u3000racks\uff1b\u3000can\u3000they\uff1f\u3000But\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000Gromph\u3000involved\u3000with\u3000capturing\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000because\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000him\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000know\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000already\u3000knows\u3000the\u3000divines\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000magic\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000bet\u3000your\u3000left\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’s\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000cart\u3000as\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestnotesses\u3002\u3000He\u3000posits\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fugitives\u3000might\u3000know\u3000even\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000a\u3000war\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000crisis\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000every\u3000possibi \n
\n \n
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\n\u3003The\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Silence\u3000even\u3000explains\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Jewel\u3000Box\u3000was\u3000so\u3000crowded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000patrons\u3000were\u3000in\u3000a\u3000belligerent\u3000humor\u3000or\u3000even\u3000bruised\u3000and\u3000battered\u3002\u3000Females\u3000divested\u3000of\u3000their\u3000magic\u3000might\u3000well\u3000feel\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000vulnerable\u3002\u3000Consciously\u3000or\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000losing\u3000connottrol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000folk\u3000in\u3000their\u3000household\u3000and\u3000pensate\u3000by\u3000instituting\u3000a\u3000harsher\u3000discipline\u3000than\u3000usual\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3000As\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000hypothesis\u3000accounts\u3000for\u3000every\u3000anomaly\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000we\u3000can\u3000be\u3000confident\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000is\u3000valid\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000does\u3000it\u3000account\u3000for\u3000the\u3000relative\u3000paucity\u3000of\u3000goods\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000narrowed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000genius\u3000to\u3000soar\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000these\u3000carping\u3000little\u3000irrelevancies\u3002\u3000Actually\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000right\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Silence\u3000doesn’t\u3000exnotplain\u3000the\u3000marketplace\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000explains\u3000so\u3000much\u3000else\u3000that\u3000I\u3000still\u3000believe\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000correct\u3002\u3000Have\u3000I\u3000persuaded\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000maybe\u3002\u3000You\u3000do\u3000make\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000twisted\u3000sense\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000just\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000take\u3000in\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000truth\u3000our\u3000people\u3000have\u3000never\u3000questioned\u3000is\u3000that\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000is\u3000as\u3000it\u3000is\u3000benotcause\u3000she\u3000willed\u3000it\u3000so\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000might\u3000of\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000is\u3000the\u3000primary\u3000force\u3000maintaining\u3000all\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000and\u3000are\u3002\u3000If\u3000she’s\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000face\u3000from\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000city\uff1b\u3000or\u3000is\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000us\u3000in\u3000some\u3000other\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3000unsettling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000just\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000it\u3000affords\u3000us\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000extended\u3000a\u3000telescoping\u3000metal\u3000probe\uff1b\u3000attached\u3000a\u3000cloth\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hook\u3000on\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000swamping\u3000out\u3000the\u3000blood\u2026clogged\u3000scabbard\u3002
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000for\u3000fun\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000make\u3000the\u3000same\u3000leap\u3000of\u3000faith\u2026or\u3000fear\u2026that\u3000Gromph\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000did\u3002\u3000Assume\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000males\u3000can\u3000explain\u3000the\u3000cessation\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000beneficence\u3002\u3000Assume\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000find\u3000them\u3000and\u3000extract\u3000the\u3000innotformation\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000assume\u3000we\u3000can\u3000somehow\u3000employ\u3000it\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000the\u3000status\u3000quo\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000assuming\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000is\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000letting\u3000my\u3000imagination\u3000run\u3000amok\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000hunch\u2026only\u3000a\u3000hunch\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u2026that\u3000if\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000could\u3000acplish\u3000such\u3000a\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000thereby\u3000win\u3000enough\u3000power\u3000to\u3000make\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\u3000look\u3000like\u3000small\u3000beer\u3002\u3000You\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000find\u3000something\u3000to\u3000our\u3000advantage\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000recall\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000sister\u3000may\u3000find\u3000us\u3000first\u3002\u3000She\u3000tracked\u3000us\u3000once\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000still\u3000think\u3000we\u3000shouldn’t\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3000or\u3000her\u3000vassals\u3000either\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000attacking\u3000us\u3000with\u3000potent\u3000magic\u3002\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000that\u3000leather\u3000bag\u3000holds\u3000nine\u3000sets\u3000of\u3000servant\u3000creanottures\uff1b\u3000each\u3000deadlier\u3000than\u3000the\u3000one\u3000before\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000that\u3000case\uff1b\u3000why\u3000didn’t\u3000she\u3000chuck\u3000them\u3000all\u3000at\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000absence\u3000of\u3000her\u3000innate\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000connotserve\u3000her\u3000other\u3000resources\u3002\u3000Alas\uff1b\u3000she\u3000may\u3000not\u3000be\u3000so\u3000parsimonious\u3000next\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000what\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I\u3000truly\u3000do\u3000want\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000I\u3000always\u3000have\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000the\u3000prudent\u3000course\u3000is\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000our\u3000hunters\u3000if\u3000possible\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000do\u3000what\u3000we\u3000must\u3000to\u3000survive\u3002\u3000I\u3000may\u3000at\u3000least\u3000make\u3000a\u3000point\u3000of\u3000disposing\u3000of\u3000Relonor\u3002\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000he\u3000located\u3000us\u3000with\u3000divinatory\u3000magic\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000always\u3000good\u3000at\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000shield\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3002\u3000I\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000try\u3002\u3000Stay\u3000right\u3000where\u3000you\u3000are\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don’t\u3000speak\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000Out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000something\u3000big\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000Noticing\u3000the\u3000splash\uff1b\u3000an\u3000ore\u3000on\u3000a\u3000raft\u3000grunted\u3000to\u3000his\u3000fellows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000readied\u3000their\u3000barb\u2026headed\u3000lances\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
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\nN\u3000I\u3000N\u3000E
\n
\nAs\u3000Drisinil\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\u3000handle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stump\u3000of\u3000her\u3000little\u3000finger\u3000throbbed\u3000beneath\u3000its\u3000dressing\u3002\u3000The\u3000novice\u3000still\u3000found\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\uff1b\u3000after\u3000fighting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000life\u3000against\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000immediately\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000would\u2026be\u3000truants\u3000and\u3000their\u3000self\u2026inflicted\u3000punishment\u3002\u3000It\u3000bespoke\u3000a\u3000calm\u3000and\u3000meticulous\u3000nature\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000admired\u3000those\u3000qualities\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000her\u3000hate\u3000their\u3000exemplar\u3000any\u3000less\u3002
\nShe\u3000took\u3000a\u3000final\u3000glance\u3000around\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000was\u3000about\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000that\u3000length\u3000of\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000wing\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000at\u3000that\u3000hour\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\nShe\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sandstone\u3000door\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000no\u3000lamps\uff1b\u3000torches\uff1b\u3000or\u3000candles\u3000burned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000by\u3000design\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000telltale\u3000gleam\u3000from\u3000leaking\u3000out\u3000under\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nDrisinil’s\u3000sister\u3000conspirators\u3000awaited\u3000her\u3002\u3000Some\u3000were\u3000novices\u3000with\u3000bandnotaged\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Others\u3000were\u3000instructors\u3002\u3000Those\u3000high\u3000priestnotesses\uff1b\u3000ham \n
\n \n
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\n
\n Those\u3000high\u3000priestnotesses\uff1b\u3000hampered\u3000by\u3000their\u3000dignity\uff1b\u3000were\u3000having\u3000some\u3000difficulty\u3000making\u3000themselves\u3000fortable\u3000among\u3000the\u3000haphazardly\u3000stacked\u3000boxes\u3000and\u3000tangles\u3000of\u3000furniture\u3000littering\u3000the\u3000half\u2026forgotten\u3000storeroom\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3000that\u3000they\u3000hesitated\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000away\u3000the\u3000shrouds\u3000of\u3000filthy\u3000cobwebs\u3000dangling\u3000everywhere\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000a\u3000living\u3000spider\u3000remained\u3000within\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000prohibition\u3000made\u3000sense\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000spiders\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000sacred\u3002
\nThen\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000at\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000blasphemous\u3000thought\u3000away\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000abided\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000question\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000chastise\u3000those\u3000who\u3000even\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000imagined\u3000otherwise\u3002
\nOnce\u3000she\u3000wrenched\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000back\u3000to\u3000immediate\u3000concerns\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000was\u3000momentarily\u3000nonplussed\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000regarding\u3000her\u3000expectantly\u3002\u3000Did\u3000they\u3000expect\u3000her\u3000to\u3000preside\u3000over\u3000the\u3000meeting\uff1f
\nBut\u3000then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000She\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000novice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000breeding\u3000mattered\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000when\u3000even\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000running\u3000out\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000gathering\u3000had\u3000been\u3000her\u3000idea\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000evening\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000all\u3000for\u3000attending\uff1b\u3003\u2026she\u3000smiled\u3000wryly\u2026\u3003and\u3000for\u3000not\u3000reporting\u3000me\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000still\u3000could\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Vlondril\u3000Tuin’Tarl\uff1b\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000her\u3000wrinnotkled\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000task\u3000is\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000us\u3000we\u3000shouldn’t\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000teacher\u3000was\u3000so\u3000old\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000wither\u3000like\u3000a\u3000human\u3000crone\u3002\u3000Most\u3000folk\u3000believed\u3000her\u3000mystical\u3000contemplations\u3000of\u3000ultimate\u3000chaos\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000a\u3000little\u3000mad\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000another\u3000instructor\uff1b\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000in\u3000her\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\u3002
\n\u3003With\u3000respect\uff1b\u3000Holy\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003isn’t\u3000that\u3000self\u2026evident\uff1f\u3000The\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000who\u3000nurtured\u3000and\u3000exalted\u3000our\u3000city\u3000since\u3000its\u3000founding\uff1b\u3000has\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nOnce\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000other\u3000possibilities\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she’d\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000point\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000them\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000would\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000her\u3000present\u3000pany\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000Quenthel\u3000is\u3000to\u3000blame\uff1b\u3003\u3000added\u3000Molvayas\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3002
\nThough\u3000stockier\u3000and\u3000shorter\u3000than\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000her\u3000aunt\u3000had\u3000the\u3000same\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000sharp\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000unmon\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Richly\u3000clad\uff1b\u3000the\u3000elder\u3000scion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000carried\u3000an\u3000enemy’s\u3000soul\u3000imprisoned\u3000in\u3000a\u3000jade\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000quiet\u3000moments\u3000one\u3000could\u3000occasionally\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000weeping\u3000and\u3000pleading\u3000for\u3000release\u3002\u3000Second\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000as\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000was\u3000ever\u3000second\u3000to\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000Molvayas\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000niece\u3000pass\u3000word\u3000of\u3000the\u3000meeting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000support\u3000lent\u3000it\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000credibility\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000T’risstree\u3000T’orgh\u3002
\nDeceptively\u3000slender\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fully\u3000trained\u3000warrior\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000a\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000notorious\u3000for\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000falchion\u3000about\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000mace\u3000or\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gashing\u3000the\u3000exposed\u3000flesh\u3000of\u3000any\u3000student\u3000who\u3000displeased\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fast\u3000but\u3000precisely\u3000controlled\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000short\uff1b\u3000curved\u3000blade\u3000lay\u3000across\u3000her\u3000knees\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000beat\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000Molvayas\u3000intended\u3000her\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000the\u3000question\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rightly\u3000so\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000who\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000conceived\u3000the\u3000argument\u3002
\n\u3003When\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000mistress\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000novice\uff1b\u3000\u3003all\u3000was\u3000well\u3002\u3000Shortly\u3000after\u3000Quenthel\u3000assumed\u3000the\u3000office\uff1b\u3000Lolth\u3000rejected\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003\u3000’Shortly’\u3000being\u3000a\u3000relative\u3000term\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000sardonic\u3000voice\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3003Shortly\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000retorted\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000gave\u3000us\u3000time\u3000to\u3000rectify\u3000the\u3000error\u3002\u3000We\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\uff1b\u3000so\u3000now\u3000she’s\u3000punishing\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She’s\u3000afflicting\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000T’risstree\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000just\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Surely\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000didn’t\u3000expect\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fair\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000a\u3000priestnotess\u3000knows\u3000Lolth’s\u3000ways\u3000better\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3000Her\u3000wrath\u3000is\u3000as\u3000boundless\u3000as\u3000her\u3000might\u3002\u3000Besides\u3000which\uff1b\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000is\u3000the\u3000repository\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deepest\u3000mysnotteries\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000the\u3000mystic\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000It\u3000makes\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000whatever\u3000befalls\u3000us\u3000here\u3000should\u3000touch\u3000the\u3000city\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000novice\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000has\u3000shown\u3000us\u3000her\u3000intent\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000our\u3000safeguards\uff1b\u3000two\u3000spirits\u3000invaded\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000in\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000a\u3000living\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Spider\u3000and\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000reflecnottions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000The\u3000demons\u3000injured\u3000those\u3000who\u3000got\u3000in\u3000their\u3000way\u3002\u3000They\u3000bruised\u3000them\u3000and\u3000broke\u3000their\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000any\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000did\u3000they\uff1f\u3000They\u3000were\u3000plainly\u3000seeking\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\nSome\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestesses\u3000frowned\u3000or\u3000nodded\u3000thoughtfully\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000did\u3000seem\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Vlondril\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000what\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000is\u3000unacnotceptable\u3000about\u3000Quenthel\uff1f\u3000Isn’t\u3000she\u3000doing\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3000things\u3000Triel\u3000did\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000does\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000she\u3000thinks\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000does\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000yo \n
\n \n
\n
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\n \u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000she\u3000thinks\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000does\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000she\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000demons\uff1b\u3003\u3000T’risstree\u3000said\u3002\u3000Born\u3000a\u3000notmoner\u3000but\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000level\u3000of\u3000power\u3000and\u3000prestige\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000evidently\u3000shed\u3000the\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000deference\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aristocracy\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000mortal\u3000enemies\u3000sent\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000mortal\u3000possesses\u3000a\u3000magic\u3000potent\u3000and\u3000cunning\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000penenottrate\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000wards\uff1f\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000archmage\uff1f\u3003\u3000Vlondril\u3000offered\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Her\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000light\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000in\u3000jest\u3002
\n\u3003Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000does\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Gromph\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000serving\u3000as\u3000mistress\u3000strengthens\u3000his\u3000House\u3002\u3000He\u3000has\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u3000isn’t\u3000he\uff1b\u3000then\u3000who\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000but\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Quenthel\u3000is\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Xorlarrin\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000worn\u3000a\u3000long\u3000veil\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conclave\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000so\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000noticed\u3000her\u3000walking\u3000the\u3000halls\u3000would\u3000assume\u3000she\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000necromantic\u3000meditation\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000we\u3000think\u3000Lolth\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000and\u3000failed\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000her\u3000audience\u3000scowled\u3000or\u3000stiffened\u3000at\u3000what\u3000could\u3000be\u3000construed\u3000as\u3000blasphemy\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000is\u3000all\u2026powerful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000agents\u3000are\u3000not\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000she\u3000intended\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000assassins\u3000to\u3000fail\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000ponder\u3000what’s\u3000happening\u3002\u3000To\u3000prenothend\u3000her\u3000will\uff1b\u3000perform\u3000our\u3000appointed\u3000task\uff1b\u3000and\u3000earn\u3000her\u3000favor\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\nVlondril\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000we\u3000do\u3000that\u3000by\u3000murdering\u3000Quenthel\u3000ourselves\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000good\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000very\u3000good\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000ourselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that\u3000isn’t\u3000feasible\uff1b\u3000we\u3000at\u3000least\u3000assist\u3000the\u3000next\u3000demonic\u3000assassin\u3000in\u3000whatever\u3000way\u3000we\u3000can\u3002\u3003
\nT’risstree\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000sheer\u3000speculation\u3002\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000mistress’s\u3000death\u3000will\u3000bring\u3000Lolth\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000worth\u3000a\u3000chance\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we\u3000give\u3000the\u3000demons\u3000what\u3000they\u3000want\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000stop\u3000invading\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000They\u3000haven’t\u3000slain\u3000any\u3000of\u3000us\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000help\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000lives\u3000on\uff1b\u3000they\u3000may\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000us\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000demon’s\u3000nature\u3000to\u3000kill\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000demons\u3000may\u3000be\u3000less\u3000dangerous\u3000than\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000T’risstree\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Baenre\u3000won’t\u3000know\u3000who\u3000facilitated\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000demise\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000what\u3000will\u3000they\u3000do\uff1b\u3000wreak\u3000their\u3000vengeance\u3000on\u3000every\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1f\u3000They\u3000can’t\u3002\u3000They\u3000need\u3000us\u3000to\u3000educate\u3000their\u3000daughters\u3000and\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000rites\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000Quenthel\u3000dies\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000\u3003Molvayas\u3000has\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000being\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u2026but\u3000how\u3000do\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000stand\u3000to\u3000gain\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000niece\u3000has\u3000explained\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Molvayas\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000we’ll\u3000all\u3000renew\u3000our\u3000bond\u3000with\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000and\u3000replenish\u3000our\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\u3000that\u3000if\u3000I\u3000bee\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000remember\u3000those\u3000who\u3000lifted\u3000me\u3000up\u3002\u3000High\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000be\u3000my\u3000lieutenants\uff1b\u3000ranking\u3000higher\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000instructor\u3002\u3000Novices\uff1b\u3000your\u3000time\u3000at\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000will\u3000be\u3000spent\u3000far\u3000more\u3000pleasantly\u3000than\u3000is\u3000the\u3000rule\u3002\u3000You\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000will\u3000exercise\u3000authority\u3000over\u3000your\u3000peers\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000enjoy\u3000luxuries\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000excuse\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000more\u3000onerous\u3000ordeals\u3000and\u3000teach\u3000you\u3000secrets\u3000most\u3000pupils\u3000never\u3000learn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000hold\u3000you\u3000to\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000another\u3000voice\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000expose\u3000you\u3000if\u3000you\u3000renege\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Molvayas\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ll\u3000always\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000position\u3000to\u3000inform\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000of\u3000my\u3000guilt\u3002\u3000Your\u3000numbers\u3000are\u3000too\u3000great\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000you\u3000know\u3000you\u3000can\u3000trust\u3000me\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000my\u3000pledge\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000stupid\u3000to\u3000play\u3000you\u3000false\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000that\u3000I’ll\u3000always\u3000need\u3000loyal\u3000supporters\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000tempting\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000veiled\u3000Xorlarrin\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000take\u3000almost\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000win\u3000my\u3000magic\u3000back\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Damn\u3000the\u3000Baenre\uff01\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000killing\u3000Quenthel\u3000is\u3000the\u3000first\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cave\u2026in\u3000that\u3000will\u3000bury\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000clan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000cave\u2026in\uff1f\u3003\u3000T’risstree\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000exactly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003Still\uff1b\u3000consider\u3000this\uff1a\u3000Houses\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000will\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000has\u3000been\u3000the\u3000exception\uff1b\u3000perching\u3000on\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heap\u3000for\u3000century\u3000after\u3000century\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000old\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000death\uff1b\u3000the\u3000family\u3000has\u3000finally\u3000forfeited\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000regard\u3002\u3000Why\u3000not\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000everynotone\u3000knows\u3000Triel\u3000is\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000depth\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000at\u3000last\u3000for\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000to\u3000honor\u3000the\u3000universal\u3000law\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000it\u3000be\u3000glorious\u3000to\u3000notmence\u3000the\u3000decline\u3000in\u3000their\u3000fortunes\u3000here\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000this\u3000very\u3000minute\u3000in\u3000this\u3000very\u3000room\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000T’risstree\u3000declared\u3002
\nSurprised\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000face\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000agree\uff1f\u3003
\nSetting\u3000her\u3000razor\u2026edged\u3000falchion\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000T’risstree\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000dubious\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000convinced\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000Quenthel\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000So\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000usher\u3000her\u3000into\u3000her\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000regain\u3000the\u3000g \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n o\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000usher\u3000her\u3000into\u3000her\u3000tomb\uff1b\u3000regain\u3000the\u3000godnotdess’s\u3000approval\uff1b\u3000and\u3000run\u3000the\u3000academy\u3000as\u3000we\u3000please\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000extended\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000clasped\u3000them\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000shooting\u3000pains\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000produced\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000females\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000with\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nThey\u3000tendered\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000assent\u3002\u3000She\u3000guessed\u3000that\u3000those\u3000who\u3000doubted\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hit\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000propitiate\u3000Lolth\u3000were\u3000nonetheless\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000move\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000hierarchy\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000disliked\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they\u3000were\u3000simply\u3000indulging\u3000the\u3000innate\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000taste\u3000for\u3000bloodshed\u3000and\u3000benottrayal\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000herself\u3000truly\u3000did\u3000believe\u3000she’d\u3000contrived\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000metaphysinotcal\u3000remedy\u3000for\u3000their\u3000woes\u3000but\u3000deep\u3000down\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000excited\u3000at\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000avenging\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000her\u3000torturer\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000otherwise\uff1f\u3000For\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\uff1b\u3000her\u3000self\u2026mutilated\u3000hands\u3000would\u3000announce\u3000to\u3000any\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000once\u3000defeated\u3000and\u3000humiliated\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000clerics\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000put\u3000our\u3000heads\u3000tonotgether\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000much\u3000to\u3000plan\u3000and\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3000time\u3000before\u3000others\u3000will\u3000start\u3000to\u3000miss\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nAnd\u3000plan\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000whispering\uff1b\u3000bickering\uff1b\u3000occasionally\u3000grinning\u3000at\u3000some\u3000particularly\u3000inventive\u3000and\u3000vicious\u3000suggestion\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000some\u3000if\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scheming\u3000would\u3000e\u3000to\u3000nothing\u2026it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000connottingent\u3000on\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000doing\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3000wanted\u3000exactly\u3000when\u3000and\u3000where\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000it\u3000done\u2026but\u3000the\u3000effort\u3000served\u3000to\u3000cement\u3000their\u3000mitment\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conspiracy\u3000and\u3000to\u3000limn\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000bones\u3000of\u3000a\u3000strategy\u3002
\nFinally\u3000it\u3000was\u3000done\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestesses\u3000started\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000out\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they’d\u3000e\uff1b\u3000one\u3000and\u3000two\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000restless\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clump\u3000around\u3000the\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000awaiting\u3000their\u3000turns\u3002\u3000T’risstree\u3000was\u3000among\u3000them\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000as\u3000relaxed\u3000and\u3000casual\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000affect\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000her\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000react\u3000in\u3000some\u3000audible\u3000way\u3002
\nNo\u3000one\u3000did\u3002\u3000All\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000were\u3000actors\u3000in\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000liars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pernothaps\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000better\u3000dissembler\u3000than\u3000most\u3002\u3000She\u3000sauntered\u3000within\u3000arm’s\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000T’risstree\uff1b\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dirk\u3000concealed\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000long\uff1b\u3000fringed\u3000shawl\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000into\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000spine\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000for\u3000whatever\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stumps\u3000of\u3000her\u3000severed\u3000pinkies\u3000didn’t\u3000hurt\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000T’risstree’s\u3000back\u3000arched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spasm\u3000of\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000her\u3000teacher\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000flounder\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000arm\u3000shaking\uff1b\u3000T’ris\u2026stree\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000falchion\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000turned\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000grabbed\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000T’risstree’s\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sliced\u3000open\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000The\u3000instructor\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000slipped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000clanked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nThe\u3000onlookers\u3000gawked\u3002
\n\u3003T’risstree\u3000T’orgh\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000when\u3000I\u3000took\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000We\u3000can\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000carcass\u3000here\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000will\u3000discover\u3000it\u3000until\u3000after\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000death\u3002\u3003
\nEither\u3000the\u3000other\u3000conspirators\u3000believed\u3000her\u3000explanation\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000more\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000murdered\u3000the\u3000teacher\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000congratulated\u3000her\u3000on\u3000her\u3000finesse\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000utterly\u3000indifferent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000sprawled\u3000in\u3000their\u3000midst\uff1b\u3000renotsumed\u3000their\u3000departures\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000falchion\u3002\u3000Once\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000slain\uff1b\u3000it\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000look\u3000nice\u3000on\u3000her\u3000wall\u3002
\n
\n*
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\n
\nFaeryl\u3000prowled\u3000the\u3000rounded\uff1b\u3000treacherous\u3000surfaces\u3000at\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000the\u3000amnotbassadorial\u3000residence\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000monitor\u3000all\u3000four\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000her\u3000home\uff1b\u3000which\u3000entailed\u3000clambering\u3000about\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000celerity\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000from\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000peering\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\u3000of\u3000a\u3000neighboring\u3000mansion\u3000or\u3000up\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000residential\u3000boulevards\u3000of\u3000prosperous\u3000West\u3000Wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000faster\u3000she\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000problematic\u3000stealth\u3000became\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000sneaked\u3000up\u3000there\u3000two\u3000hours\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000when\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bundling\u3000or\u3000burning\u3000documents\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000still\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000she’d\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000balance\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000necessities\u3002
\nShe\u3000wished\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000ordered\u3000a\u3000retainer\u3000or\u3000two\u3000up\u3000there\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000vigil\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000ill\u2026advised\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000that\u3000any\u3000of\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hunt\u3002
\nShe\u3000also\u3000wished\u3000she\u3000had\u3000more\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000token\u3000walkways\u3000and\u3000crenellations\u3000so\u3000small\u3000as\u3000to\u3000be\u3000essentially\u3000ornamental\uff1b\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalagmite\u3000keep\u3000was\u3000bare\u3000of\u3000fortifications\u3000or\u3000even\u3000level\u3000places\u3000to\u3000stand\u3002\u3000If\u3000Faeryl\u3000looked\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000subtle\u3000signs\u3000that\u3000at\u3000one\u3000time\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000keep\u3000had\u3000served\u3000another\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000such\u3000defenses\u3000had\u3000existed\u3000in\u3000abundance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000subsequently\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000melted\u3000the\u3000ramparts\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002\u3000T \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ack\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002\u3000The\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000would\u3000see\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000gift\u3000an\u3000outsider\u3000with\u3000any\u3000notable\u3000capacity\u3000to\u3000resist\u3000a\u3000siege\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000northeast\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002\u3000Outlined\u3000in\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000or\u3000violent\u3000phosphorescence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000homes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wealthier\u3000neighbors\u3000glowed\u3000all\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000observed\u3000her\u3000own\u3000residence\u3000shining\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lunotminescence\u3000only\u3000defined\u3000the\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000and\u3000picked\u3000out\u3000several\u3000spiders\u3000sculpted\u3000in\u3000bas\u2026relief\u3002\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stayed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000images\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000enjoyed\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000it\u3000shouldn’t\u3000reveal\u3000her\u3000presence\u3002
\nA\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000indefinable\u3000sound\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3002\u3000Grateful\u3000that\u3000she\u3000at\u3000least\u3000still\u3000had\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000her\u3000weightless\uff1b\u3000she\u3000scuttled\u3000quickly\u3000along\u3000the\u3000sloping\u3000pitch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000fearless\u3000in\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000footing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000needn’t\u3000fall\u3002
\nIn\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000northwest\u3000aspect\u3002\u3000She\u3000peered\u3000over\u3000the\u3000drop\u3000and\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000below\u3002
\nBare\u3000to\u3000the\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000rapiers\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000parrying\u3000daggers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000two\u3000males\u3000circled\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000They\u3000stood\u3000straight\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000lightly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000manner\u3000of\u3000well\u2026trained\u3000fencers\u3002\u3000Their\u3000discarded\u3000piwafwi\u3000s\uff1b\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shirts\u3000lay\u3000where\u3000they’d\u3000tossed\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000along\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000empty\u3000wineskins\u3002\u3000A\u3000third\u3000male\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000an\u3000overhanging\u3000balcony\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000away\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000batants\u3000quite\u3000possibly\u3000hadn’t\u3000noticed\u3000him\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000This\u3000little\u3000tableau\u3000was\u3000mildly\u3000intriguing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000clearly\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3000situation\u3002
\nAfter\u3000her\u3000frustrating\u3000interview\u3000with\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000realnotized\u3000she\u3000had\u3000an\u3000opponent\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000who’d\u3000traduced\u3000her\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000from\u3000departing\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000imagine\u3000why\u3002\u3000From\u3000that\u3000inference\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000step\u3000to\u3000the\u3000suspicion\u3000that\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000an\u3000agent\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000household\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000what\u3000any\u3000intelligent\u3000foe\u3000would\u3000try\u3000to\u3000arrange\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000arguably\u3000explained\u3000how\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000intention\u3000to\u3000go\u3000home\u3000had\u3000been\u3000discerned\u3000and\u3000countered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000word\u3000in\u3000Triel’s\u3000ear\u3002
\nSeething\u3000with\u3000the\u3000need\u3000to\u3000outwit\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000devised\u3000a\u3000ruse\u3000to\u3000unmask\u3000the\u3000spy\u3002\u3000She\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3000with\u3000the\u3000order\u3000to\u3000pack\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000slipping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000that\u3000very\u3000night\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000loyal\u3000vassals\u3000would\u3000obey\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000would\u3000try\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000away\u3000to\u3000report\u3000the\u3000household’s\u3000imminent\u3000flight\u3002\u3000Crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000would\u3000spot\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000did\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\u3000the\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000several\u3000reanotsons\u3000why\u3000it\u3000might\u3000fail\u3002\u3000The\u3000residence\u3000had\u3000means\u3000of\u3000egress\u3000on\u3000all\u3000four\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000survey\u3000all\u3000four\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000not\u3000unless\u3000she\u3000floated\u3000well\u3000above\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000option\u3000presented\u3000problems\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3002\u3000Most\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000boots\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000virtue\u3000of\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000mantles\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000obnotscuration\u3002\u3000The\u3000traitor\u3000might\u3000even\u3000have\u3000some\u3000more\u3000potent\u3000means\u3000of\u3000esnotcaping\u3000notice\uff1b\u3000such\u3000as\u3000a\u3000talisman\u3000of\u3000invisibility\u3002\u3000Were\u3000she\u3000any\u3000higher\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000might\u3000have\u3000no\u3000hope\u3000at\u3000all\u3000of\u3000detecting\u3000the\u3000spy’s\u3000surreptitious\u3000exit\u3002
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000might\u3000also\u3000have\u3000a\u3000means\u3000of\u3000municating\u3000with\u3000her\u3000confederates\u3000via\u3000clairaudience\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000charm\u3000of\u3000instantaneous\u3000transit\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000case\u3000the\u3000envoy’s\u3000scheme\u3000was\u3000doomed\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000what\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000cling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000until\u3000someone\u3000in\u3000authority\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000Baenre\u3000guards\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000entourage\u3000into\u3000custody\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000had\u3000to\u3000try\u3000something\u3002
\nShe\u3000crawled\u3000on\u3002\u3000Below\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duelists\u3000groaned\u3000as\u3000his\u3000foe’s\u3000blade\u3000plunged\u3000through\u3000his\u3000torso\u3002\u3000Magic\u3000flickered\u3000and\u3000sizzled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000victor\u3000dropped\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000watching\u3000from\u3000a\u3000disnottance\u3000strolled\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000steaming\u3000corpses\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000three\u3000had\u3000been\u3000siblings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000was\u3000the\u3000clever\u3000one\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000had\u3000a\u3000brother\u3000like\u3000that\u3000once\uff1b\u3000until\u3000an\u3000even\u3000trickier\u3000male\u3000turned\u3000him\u3000to\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000absconded\u3000with\u3000his\u3000wands\u3000and\u3000grimoires\u3002\u3000A\u3000minor\u3000setback\u3000for\u3000her\u3000House\uff1b\u3000but\u3000interesting\u3000to\u3000watch\u3002
\nOverhead\uff1b\u3000something\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3002\u3000Four\u3000or\u3000five\u3000riders\u3000on\u3000wyvern\u2026back\u3000were\u3000winging\u3000their\u3000way\u3000east\u3002\u3000Above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000projecting\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stalactite\u3000castles\u3000shone\u3000with\u3000their\u3000own\u3000enchantnotments\uff1b\u3000a\u3000far\u3000lovelier\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000in\u3000her\u3000opinion\uff1b\u3000than\u3000the\u3000miniscule\u3000monochronotmatic\u3000stars\u3000that\u3000speckled\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\u3000of\u3000the\u3000so\u2026called\u3000Lands\u3000of\u3000Light\u3002
\nThen\uff1b\u3000so\u3000faintly\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000she’d\u3000imagined\u3000it\uff1b\u3000something\u3000brushed\u3000against\u3000something\u3000else\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000had\u3000issued\u3000from\u3000the\u3000southwest\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000scurried\u3000over\u3000to\u3000that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000down\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000appeared\u3000changed\u3000since\u3000the\u3000l \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n first\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000appeared\u3000changed\u3000since\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\u3000she’d\u3000checked\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000her\u3000nerves\u3000were\u3000playing\u3000tricks\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000looknoting\u3000anyway\u3002
\nOctagonal\u3000steel\u3000grilles\u3000protected\u3000the\u3000round\u3000windows\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000below\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000unlatch\u3000one\u3000and\u3000swing\u3000it\u3000aside\u3000for\u3000an\u3000entrance\u3000or\u3000exit\u3000via\u3000levitation\u3002\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000had\uff1b\u3000for\u3000after\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u2026pattern\u3000shields\u3000hung\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3000ajar\u3002\u3000With\u3000that\u3000sign\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000shrouded\u3000figure\u3000skulking\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000an\u3000alleyway\u3002
\nThe\u3000noble\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000hand\u3000with\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000down\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000from\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000would\u3000gain\u3000her\u3000few\u3000answers\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000possess\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000for\u3000innotterrogating\u3000the\u3000dead\u3002\u3000She\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000and\u3000take\u3000the\u3000wretch\u3000alive\u3002
\nShe\u3000read\u3000from\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000she\u3000did\u3000have\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000into\u3000empty\u3000space\u3002
\nExcept\u3000that\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000empty\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000was\u3000as\u3000firm\u3000as\u3000stone\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000soles\u3002\u3000For\u3000two\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000she\u3000strode\u3000on\u3000a\u3000level\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000willed\u3000it\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000unseen\u3000platform\u3000dipped\u3000into\u3000an\u3000equally\u3000invisible\u3000ramp\u3002\u3000She\u3000sprinted\u3000down\u3000with\u3000no\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000blundering\u3000off\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Wherever\u3000she\u3000set\u3000her\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000incline\u3000would\u3000be\u3000there\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000how\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000worked\u3002
\nHer\u3000progress\u3000entirely\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000she\u3000dashed\u3000unnoticed\u3000above\u3000the\u3000traitor’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thought\u3000dissolved\u3000the\u3000support\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000boots\u3002\u3000Her\u3000crossbow\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000she\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000last\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spy\u3002
\nStarted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000own\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000for\u3000though\u3000she\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000think\u3000she\u3000maintained\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000suspicion\u3000of\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000in\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000never\u3000could\u3000have\u3000guessed\u3000the\u3000pinched\uff1b\u3000sour\u3000face\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000half\u3000hidden\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000close\u2026drawn\u3000cowl\u3000could\u3000be\u3000the\u3000spy’s\u3002
\n\u3003Umrae\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000said\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000secretary\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000bending\u3000with\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000stiffness\u3000into\u3000an\u3000obeisance\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000all\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000traitor\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000actually\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000My\u3000pretending\u3000so\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000would\u3000slip\u3000away\u3000to\u3000play\u3000informer\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you\u3000mean\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000some\u3000items\u3000for\u3000the\u3000journey\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000if\u3000I\u3000hurried\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000find\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000merchants\u3000who\u3000stays\u3000open\u3000late\u3000and\u3000be\u3000back\u3000before\u3000anyone\u3000missed\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000realized\u3000I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000here\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000with\u3000access\u3000to\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre\uff1f\u3000Two\u3000tendays\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000considered\u3000me\u3000loyal\u3002\u3000She\u3000approved\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u3000granted\u3000a\u3000good\u3000deal\u3000of\u3000what\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000on\u3000behalf\u3000of\u3000our\u3000people\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000she\u3000doubts\u3000me\uff1b\u3000because\u3000someone\u3000has\u3000persuaded\u3000her\u3000to\u3000question\u3000my\u3000true\u3000intentions\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000my\u3000foe\u3000offer\u3000to\u3000lure\u3000you\u3000to\u3000her\u3000side\uff1f\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000in\u3000betraying\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000betray\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000itself\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000scribe\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Baenre\u3000has\u3000people\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000residence\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000is\u3000watching\u3000us\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000harm\u3000me\u3002\u3000Or\u3000they’ll\u3000harm\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Rubbish\u3002\u3000Triel’s\u3000agents\u3000won’t\u3000reveal\u3000their\u3000presence\u3000just\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000me\u3000from\u3000disciplining\u3000one\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\u3000retainers\u3002\u3000They\u3000won’t\u3000see\u3000anynotthing\u3000odd\u3000or\u3000detrimental\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000interests\u3000in\u3000that\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000be\u3000sensible\u3000and\u3000surrender\u3002\u3003
\nAfter\u3000another\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000your\u3000word\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000hurt\u3000me\u3002\u3000That\u3000you’ll\u3000set\u3000me\u3000free\u3000and\u3000help\u3000me\u3000flee\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000promise\u3000you\u3000nothing\u3000except\u3000that\u3000your\u3000insolence\u3000is\u3000making\u3000me\u3000angrier\u3000by\u3000the\u3000second\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000capitulation\u3000is\u3000your\u3000only\u3000hope\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000who\u3000turned\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\uff1f\u3000What\u3000does\u3000anyone\u3000hereabouts\u3000have\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000pernotsecuting\u3000an\u3000envoy\uff1b\u3000one\u3000who\u3000stands\u3000apart\u3000from\u3000the\u3000feuds\u3000and\u3000rivalries\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000Houses\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000must\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000I\u3000fear\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000them\u3000and\u3000remain\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000kill\u3000me\u3000if\u3000I\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000won’t\u3000get\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000one\u3000pointing\u3000a\u3000poisoned\u3000dart\u3000at\u3000you\u3002\u3000Who\u3000are\u3000your\u3000employers\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000say\uff1b\u3000not\u3000without\u3000your\u3000pledge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000friend\u3000didn’t\u3000slander\u3000me\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3000until\u3000after\u3000I\u3000started\u3000contemplatnoting\u3000a\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lie\uff1f\u3000To\u3000keep\u3000me\u3000from\u3000venturing\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1f\u3003
\nUmrae\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000mad\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000you\u3000condemn\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000pernotpetuate\u3000someone\u3000else’s\u3000existence\uff1f\u3000Ah\u3000well\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000plainly\u3000unfit\u3000to\u3000live\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000it’s\u3000for\u3000the\u3000best\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000made\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000sighting\u3000down\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000why\u3000should\u3000I\u3000die\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000answer\u3000my\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\nTrembling\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000her\u3000nerve\u3000having\u3000been\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clerk\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000to\u3000massage\u3000her\u3000b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n sed\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000to\u3000massage\u3000her\u3000brow\u3002\u3000No\u2026to\u3000lift\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000vial\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\uff01
\nFaeryl\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000and\u3000her\u3000aim\u3000was\u3000true\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000quarnotrel\u3000pierced\u3000Umrae’s\u3000stomach\uff1b\u3000the\u3000secretary’s\u3000form\u3000was\u3000changing\u3002\u3000She\u3000grew\u3000even\u3000thinner\uff1b\u3000shriveling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000taller\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Her\u3000flesh\u3000cooled\u3000and\u3000stank\u3000of\u3000corruption\uff1b\u3000leathery\u3000wings\u3000sprouted\u3000from\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000blades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000sank\u3000into\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Even\u3000her\u3000garments\u3000altered\uff1b\u3000blurring\u3000and\u3000splitting\u3000into\u3000moldering\u3000rags\u3002\u3000No\u3000blood\u3000flowed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000the\u3000poisoned\u3000dart\u3000had\u3000made\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000inconvenience\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000out\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000was\u3000furious\u3000at\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000allowing\u3000Umrae\u3000to\u3000trick\u3000her\u3002\u3000Next\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000remember\u3000that\u3000even\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000grace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000facile\u3000wit\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000undone\u3000by\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000was\u3000yet\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000born\u3000to\u3000guile\u3000and\u3000deception\u3002
\nThe\u3000potion\u3000had\u3000temporarily\u3000transformed\u3000Umrae\u3000into\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000undead\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000form\u3000she\u3000likely\u3000wouldn’t\u3000suffer\u3000at\u3000all\u3000from\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000clumsiness\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Lolth\u3000not\u3000forsaken\u3000her\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000might\u3000have\u3000connottrolled\u3000the\u3000cadaverous\u3000thing\u3000with\u3000her\u3000clerical\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000an\u3000option\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000were\u3000any\u3000of\u3000her\u3000other\u3000retainers\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000her\u3000plight\u3000and\u3000dash\u3000to\u3000her\u3000rescue\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000them\u3000all\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000packing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000house\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000unfortunate\uff1b\u3000because\u3000like\u3000most\u3000undead\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000lowly\u3000corpses\u3000and\u3000skeletons\u3000spell\u3000casters\u3000reanimated\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000mindless\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000in\u3000winged\u2026ghoul\u3000form\u3000could\u3000probably\u3000do\u3000grievous\u3000harm\u3000with\u3000any\u3000strike\u3000that\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000grazed\u3000the\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000a\u3000shield\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000her\u3000off\u3002\u3000How\u3000was\u3000she\u3000to\u3000know\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000would\u3000possess\u3000such\u3000a\u3000potent\u3000means\u3000of\u3000defense\uff1f
\nUmrae\u3000took\u3000a\u3000shambling\u3000step\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clap\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000bounded\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000hastily\u3000retreated\uff1b\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000useless\u3000crossbow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000clasp\u3000of\u3000her\u3000cloak\u3002\u3000Pulling\u3000the\u3000garment\u3000off\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000she\u3000unsheathed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000adamantine\u3000rod\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000At\u3000a\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000the\u3000harmless\u2026looking\u3000object\u3000swelled\u3000into\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\u2026hafted\uff1b\u3000basalt\u2026headed\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3000the\u3000females\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000had\u3000borne\u3000since\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000their\u3000line\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000an\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000would\u3000slay\u3000Umrae\u3000where\u3000the\u3000envenomed\u3000quarrel\u3000had\u3000failed\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000so\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000meekly\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000fly\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Umrae\uff1b\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000perhaps\u3000colored\u3000by\u3000the\u3000predatory\u3000guise\u3000she’d\u3000assumed\uff1b\u3000plainly\u3000wanted\u3000a\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000envoy\u3000could\u3000see\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000stupid\u3000to\u3000evoke\u3000darkness\u3000and\u3000run\u3002\u3000In\u3000undead\u3000form\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000manage\u3000better\u3000in\u3000the\u3000murk\u3000than\u3000its\u3000maker\u3000did\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000even\u3000more\u3000pointless\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000or\u3000ascend\u3000through\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u2026walking\u3000charm\u3000when\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000shifter\u3000could\u3000simply\u3000spread\u3000her\u3000ragged\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000follow\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000her\u3000extended\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000to\u3000confuse\u3000Umrae\u3000and\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shield\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000taught\u3000Faeryl\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000thusly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000observed\u3000warriors\u3000practicnoting\u3000the\u3000technique\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000if\u3000mere\u3000males\u3000could\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000present\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000to\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000lunged\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000lashed\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000in\u3000a\u3000horizontal\u3000arc\u3002\u3000Possibly\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000luck\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000skill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000garment\u3000blocked\u3000Umrae’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Her\u3000talons\u3000snagged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000weave\u3002
\nSurprised\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000faltered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000free\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000the\u3000pointed\u3000stone\u3000head\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hammer\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000servant’s\u3000carious\u3000brow\u3002\u3000Bone\u3000crunched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Umrae’s\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000backward\u3002\u3000A\u3000goodly\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000her\u3000left\u3000profile\u3000fell\u3000off\u3000her\u3000skull\u3002
\nCertain\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000Transformed\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000could\u3000evidently\u3000endure\u3000more\u3000damage\u3000than\u3000almost\u3000any\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000warm\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000a\u3000beating\u3000heart\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000long\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\u3000shot\u3000fornotward\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cape\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000only\u3000barely\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000in\u3000time\u3002
\nThe\u3000piwafwi\u3000was\u3000stretched\u3000taut\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000batants\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000playing\u3000tug\u2026of\u2026war\u3002\u3000Both\u3000yanked\u3000on\u3000it\u3000simultaneously\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000the\u3000luckier\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloak\u3000tore\u3000free\u3000of\u3000Umrae’s\u3000grasp\uff1b\u3000but\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000garment’s\u3000reinforcing\u3000enchantments\uff1b\u3000it\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000with\u3000long\u3000rips\u3000the\u3000ghoul’s\u3000claws\u3000had\u3000cut\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000more\u3000such\u3000rendings\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000useless\u3002\u3000The\u3000cape’s\u3000sudden\u3000release\u3000also\u3000sent\u3000Faeryl\u3000stumbling\u3000backward\u3002\u3000With\u3000another\u3000beat\u3000of\u3000her\u3000festering\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000hopped\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000disnottance\u3002\u3000Her\u3000clawed\u3000hands\u3000shot\u3000forward\u3002
\nCrying\u3000out\u3000in\u3000desperation\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000plant\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000arrest\u3000her\u3000helpless\u3000stagger\u3002\u3000She \n
\n \n
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\n Crying\u3000out\u3000in\u3000desperation\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000plant\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000arrest\u3000her\u3000helpless\u3000stagger\u3002\u3000She\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hammer\u3000and\u3000clipped\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Umrae’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000The\u3000imitation\u3000ghoul\u3000snatched\u3000it\u3000back\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000circle\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000a\u3000living\u3000creature\u3000would\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000battered\u3000extremity\u3000several\u3000times\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000dislodge\u3000the\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lifted\u3000it\u3000back\u3000on\u3000guard\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000foe\u3000with\u3000her\u3000crushed\uff1b\u3000half\u2026flayed\u3000head\u3000in\u3000view\u3002\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000this\u3000thing\uff1f\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Can\u3000I\u3000stop\u3000it\uff1f
\nYes\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\uff01
\nWhen\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000child\uff1b\u3000her\u3000cousin\u3000Merinid\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000these\u3000many\u3000years\u3000since\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000any\u3000opponent\u3000could\u3000be\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000vulnerable\u3000spot\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000lunged\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000snapped\u3000out\u3000the\u3000folds\u3000of\u3000her\u3000frail\uff1b\u3000flapping\u3000shield\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloak\u3000entangled\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000servant’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000raked\uff1b\u3000rasping\u3000and\u3000snagging\uff1b\u3000across\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000coat\u3000of\u3000fine\u3000adamannottine\u3000links\u3002\u3000The\u3000winged\u3000ghoul’s\u3000touch\u3000sowed\u3000cramping\u3000sickness\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000hadn’t\u3000quite\u3000sheared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sturdy\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sensanottion\u3000only\u3000lasted\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000swung\u3000at\u3000Umrae’s\u3000withered\u3000chest\u3000in\u3000its\u3000covering\u3000of\u3000filthy\uff1b\u3000crumnotbling\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000slay\u3000the\u3000ghoul\u2026thing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000strike\u3000to\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000vulnerable\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000with\u3000a\u3000vampire\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3000so\u3002
\nTo\u3000her\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000denied\u3000her\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000one\u3000way\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000had\u3000so\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000her\u3000attack\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000find\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000against\u3000a\u3000riposte\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000she\u3000interposed\u3000her\u3000withered\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3000hammer\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000claw\u3000at\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000unarmored\u3000knee\u3002
\nThe\u3000envoy\u3000avoided\u3000that\u3000potentially\u3000crippling\u3000attack\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fast\u3000retreat\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000ripping\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000adversary\u3002\u3000The\u3000garment\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000look\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000ribbons\u3000than\u3000one\u3000conotherent\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000silk\u3002\u3000The\u3000duelists\u3000resumed\u3000circling\uff1b\u3000each\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000an\u3000opening\u3002\u3000Occasionnotally\u3000Faeryl\u3000let\u3000the\u3000tattered\u3000piwafwi\u3000slip\u3000or\u3000droop\u3000out\u3000of\u3000line\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000an\u3000innotvitation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Umrae\u3000proved\u3000too\u3000canny\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000when\u3000and\u3000how\u3000her\u3000opponent\u3000wished\u3000her\u3000to\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000panting\u3000and\u3000did\u3000the\u3000best\u3000to\u3000control\u3000her\u3000breathnoting\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000afraid\u2026she\u3000wasn’t\u2026but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sernotvant’s\u3000potion\u2026induced\u3000prowess\u3002\u3000Formidable\u3000from\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000imbibed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000was\u3000truly\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000hang\u3000of\u3000her\u3000borrowed\u3000capabilities\u3000as\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000progressed\u3002
\nWhile\u3000still\u3000maneuvering\u3000and\u3000keeping\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Umrae\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000nevernottheless\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000light\u3000trance\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000was\u3000neither\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000hearnoting\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000any\u3000faculty\u3000prehensible\u3000to\u3000those\u3000who’d\u3000never\u3000pledged\u3000her\u3000service\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deity\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000that\u3000formless\u3000yet\u3000somehow\u3000jagged\u3000place\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002
\nThe\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000absented\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000vacancy\u3000that\u3000somehow\u3000throbbed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000diseased\u3000tooth\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000an\u3000appropriate\u3000domain\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000pray\u3002
\nDread\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000silently\u3000began\uff1b\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000you\uff1b\u3000reveal\u3000yournotself\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Restore\u3000my\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Has\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000offended\u3000you\uff1f\u3000So\u3000be\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000daughters\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Make\u3000me\u3000as\u3000I\u3000was\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000give\u3000you\u3000many\u3000lives\u2026a\u3000slave\u3000every\u3000day\u3000for\u3000a\u3000year\u3002
\nNothing\u3000happened\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000sprang\u3000in\uff1b\u3000clawing\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000jerked\u3000the\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000spirit\u3000that\u3000had\u3000groped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000void\u3000back\u3000into\u3000her\u3000body\u3002\u3000Retreating\uff1b\u3000she\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000creature’s\u3000claws\u3000with\u3000her\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000blows\u3000with\u3000the\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000withdraw\u3000quickly\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000take\u3000herself\u3000pletely\u3000out\u3000of\u3000harm’s\u3000way\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000did\u3000she\u3000settle\u3000into\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000stance\u3000and\u3000swing\u3000as\u3000hard\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000ghoul\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000overwhelming\u3000her\u3000opponent\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000ing\u3002\u3000If\u3000Umrae\u3000grew\u3000too\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000open\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000for\u3000an\u3000effective\u3000counterattack\u3002
\nUmrae’s\u3000talons\u3000whizzed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000scraps\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shelternoting\u3000cloak\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000hand\u3000towel\u3002\u3000Unexpectedly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000beat\u3000her\u3000riddled\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000hopped\u3000in\u3000close\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000noble\u3000recoiled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000so\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000streaked\u3000past\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000before\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000close\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000malignancy\u3000inside\u3000them\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pulse\u3000of\u3000headache\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000Umrae\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000open\u3002\u3000She\u3000sidestepped\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000stone\u2026headed\u3000hammer\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ghoul’s\u3000rib\u3000cage\u2026
\n\u2026to\u3000no\u3000avail\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000been\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000couldn’t\u3000swing\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000around\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000block\u3000the\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000took\u3000annotother\u3000stride\uff1b \n
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\n ide\uff1b\u3000slapped\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000reeling\u3002
\nFaeryl’s\u3000head\u3000rang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000world\u3000blurred\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000off\u3000the\u3000stunning\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000fleetingly\u3000how\u3000unfair\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Umrae\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000long\u3000ago\u3000forsaken\u3000bat\u3000training\u3000as\u3000a\u3000humiliating\u3000exercise\u3000in\u3000futility\uff1b\u3000was\u3000demolishing\u3000a\u3000female\u3000who\u3000still\u3000doggedly\u3000reported\u3000to\u3000her\u3000captain\u2026of\u2026the\u2026guard\u3000for\u3000practice\u3000once\u3000a\u3000tenday\u3002
\nAfter\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000her\u3000head\u3000cleared\u3002\u3000She\u3000whirled\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000Umrae\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000her\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000animate\u3000corpse\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\nPlainly\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000finally\u3000done\u3000the\u3000sensible\u3000thing\u3000and\u3000fled\uff1f\u3000Faeryl\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000it\u3002\u3000Umrae\u3000hated\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000envoy\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000why\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000traitor’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Such\u3000being\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000wouldn’t\u3000break\u3000off\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000every\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000she\u3000was\u3000winning\u3000and\u3000close\u3000to\u3000making\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002\u3000No\u3000drow\u3000would\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hovering\u3000somewhere\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000swoop\u3000down\u3000and\uff1b\u3000she\u3000undoubtedly\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000catch\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3000and\u3000smash\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nHer\u3000heart\u3000pounding\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000peered\u3000upward\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000She\u3000lisnottened\u3000for\u3000the\u3000beat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000wings\u3000but\u3000heard\u3000only\u3000the\u3000eternal\u3000muffled\u3000whisper\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000entirely\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000were\u3000famously\u3000stealthy\u3000when\u3000stalking\u3000their\u3000prey\u3002
\nA\u3000black\u3000sliver\u3000momentarily\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000violet\u3000luminescence\u3000adorning\u3000a\u3000spire\u3000of\u3000the\u3000castle\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Vandree\u3002\u3000The\u3000obstruction\u3000had\u3000surely\u3000been\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Umrae’s\u3000wings\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000stared\u3000for\u3000another\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000jumped\u3000when\u3000she\u3000finally\u3000spotnotted\u3000Umrae\u3002\u3000Her\u3000tattered\u3000cloak\u3000flapping\u3000between\u3000her\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000the\u3000transnotformed\u3000secretary\u3000was\u3000already\u3000hurtling\u3000down\u3000like\u3000a\u3000raptor\u3000from\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000diving\u3000to\u3000plunge\u3000its\u3000talons\u3000into\u3000a\u3000rodent\u3002
\nHoping\u3000Umrae\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000react\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000kept\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000peering\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000disturbance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000simply\u3000the\u3000urgent\u3000prompting\u3000of\u3000her\u3000instincts\uff1b\u3000she\u3000jumped\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000pivoted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3000in\u3000an\u3000overhand\u3000blow\u3002
\nUnder\u3000those\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000little\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000smashing\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000heart\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000Umrae\u3000could\u3000suffer\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000blow\u3000would\u3000freeze\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000place\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000affording\u3000Faeryl\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000for\u3000what\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000finishing\u3000stroke\u3002
\nThe\u3000ambassador\u3000had\u3000timed\u3000the\u3000move\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weapon’s\u3000basalt\u3000head\u3000smashed\u3000into\u3000Umrae’s\u3000flank\u3002\u3000Deprived\u3000of\u3000her\u3000victim\uff1b\u3000unexpectedly\u3000battered\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghoul\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000stone\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000with\u3000a\u3000satisfying\u3000crash\u3002\u3000Scraps\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3000broke\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000raddled\u3000body\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000stench\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000marked\u3000her\u3000target\uff1b\u3000the\u3000place\u3000on\u3000Umrae’s\u3000chest\u3000beneath\u3000which\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000lie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\u3000back\u3000for\u3000the\u3000follow\u2026up\u3000attack\u3002\u3000The\u3000traitor\u3000rolled\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Umrae\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000a\u3000taloned\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000ghoul\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026flight\uff1b\u3000tore\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ambassador’s\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000it\u3000spinning\u3000to\u3000clack\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000away\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000crazy\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000go\u3000after\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000Umrae\u3000would\u3000rip\u3000her\u3000apart\u3000if\u3000she\u3000tried\u3002\u3000She\u3000back\u3000stepped\u3000instead\u3002\u3000The\u3000innothumanly\u3000gaunt\u3000spy\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u2026she\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000sticks\u3000spontaneously\u3000assembling\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crude\u3000facsimile\u3000of\u3000a\u3000person\u2026\u3000and\u3000pursued\u3002
\nWhile\u3000retreating\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000started\u3000edging\u3000around\u3000in\u3000a\u3000looping\u3000course\u3000that\u3000might\u3000ultimately\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000hammer\u3000lay\u3002\u3000Leernoting\uff1b\u3000Umrae\u3000moved\u3000sideways\u3000right\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000demonnotstrated\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000would\u3000never\u3000permit\u3000it\u3002
\nWell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aristocrat\u3000still\u3000had\u3000one\u3000weapon\u2026pitifully\u3000inadequate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\u2026a\u3000knife\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belt\u3000that\u3000gathered\u3000her\u3000light\uff1b\u3000supple\u3000coat\u3000of\u3000mail\u3000at\u3000the\u3000waist\u3002\u3000The\u3000gold\u3000buckle\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stubby\u3000adamantine\u3000blade\u3000would\u3000slide\u3000free\u3002\u3000She\u3000started\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000hesitated\u3002
\nAgainst\u3000Umrae’s\u3000talons\uff1b\u3000long\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000and\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000harm\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dagger\u3000really\u3000would\u3000be\u3000useless\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000unless\u3000Faeryl\u3000could\u3000get\u3000in\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unless\u3000she\u3000attacked\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002
\nBut\u3000how\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000was\u3000she\u3000to\u3000acplish\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Umrae\u3000was\u3000rapidly\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000her\u3000wings\u3000every\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000lengthen\u3000a\u3000stride\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000three\u3000unnerving\u3000backward\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000blank\u3002
\nThen\u3000she\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000or\u3000rather\uff1b\u3000the\u3000remnants\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000still\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000her\u3000offhand\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000could\u3000employ\u3000it\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000her\u3000drawnoting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000knife\u3002\u3000The\u3000piwafwi\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000tatters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000 \n
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\n wi\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000tatters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000juggler\u3000adept\u3000at\u3000sleight\u2026of\u2026hand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000curse\u3000it\uff1b\u3000if\u3000clumsy\u3000Umrae\u3000had\u3000palmed\u3000a\u3000potion\u3000vial\u3000without\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000noticing\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000surely\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000could\u3000do\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reflexively\u3000moving\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000around\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000time\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000shouldn’t\u3000look\u3000suspicious\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hooked\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000oval\u3000hollow\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000buckle\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000before\u3000had\u3000occasion\u3000to\u3000employ\u3000this\u3000last\u3000desperate\u3000means\u3000of\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sixteen\u3000years\u3000since\u3000an\u3000artisan\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000specifications\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000and\u3000scabbard\u3000oiled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000easily\u3000slid\u3000free\u3002
\nShe\u3000studied\u3000Umrae\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000envoy\u3000could\u3000tell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000imitation\u3000ghoul\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000the\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000doubted\u3000she\u3000could\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000hidden\u3000for\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000second\u3000or\u3000two\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000hernotself\u3000quickly\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000to\u3000have\u3000one\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nShe\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000stumble\u3002\u3000She\u3000hoped\u3000her\u3000unsteadiness\u3000looked\u3000genuine\u3002\u3000Umrae\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000her\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000might\u3000seem\u3000credible\u3000that\u3000her\u3000strength\u3000was\u3000failing\u3002
\nThe\u3000ghoul\u3000took\u3000the\u3000bait\u3002\u3000She\u3000leaped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000seized\u3000Faeryl\u3000by\u3000the\u3000forearms\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000her\u3000claws\u3000punched\u3000through\u3000the\u3000envoy’s\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000jabbed\u3000their\u3000tips\u3000into\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000At\u3000once\uff1b\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000nausea\u3000wracked\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000then\u3000another\u3002\u3000Retching\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000could\u3000still\u3000use\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000in\u3000any\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000controlled\u3000manner\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she’d\u3000just\u3000served\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000foe\u3000like\u3000a\u3000plate\u3000of\u3000mushrooms\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000grinned\u3000at\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000seeming\u2026or\u3000genuine\u2026helplessness\u3002\u3000The\u3000envoy\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000clerk’s\u3000fingers\u3000tense\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000flense\u3000the\u3000meat\u3000from\u3000her\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000closer\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000jaws\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\nFighting\u3000the\u3000sickness\u3000and\u3000weakness\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000thrust\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000fornotward\u3002\u3000The\u3000effort\u3000strained\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ghoul’s\u3000talons\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000her\u3000wounds\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000bringing\u3000a\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000pain\u2026but\u3000then\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000jerked\u3000free\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000rammed\u3000into\u3000Umrae’s\u3000withered\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000slipping\u3000cleanly\u3000between\u3000two\u3000ribs\u3000and\u3000plunging\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000knuckles\u3002
\nUmrae\u3000convulsed\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000her\u3000head\u3000for\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000scream\u3002\u3000The\u3000spasms\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000rip\u3000Faeryl\u3000apart\u3000even\u3000without\u3000the\u3000traitor’s\u3000conscious\u3000intent\u3002\u3000Umrae\u3000froze\uff1b\u3000and\u3000toppled\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000carrynoting\u3000her\u3000assailant\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\nIn\u3000contradiction\u3000of\u3000every\u3000tale\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000heard\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000shifter\u3000didn’t\u3000revert\u3000to\u3000her\u3000original\u3000form\u3000when\u3000true\u3000death\u3000claimed\u3000her\u3002\u3000Still\u3000horrinotbly\u3000sick\uff1b\u3000the\u3000envoy\u3000lay\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ghoul’s\u3000fetid\u3000embrace\u3002\u3000Evennottually\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000she\u3000mustered\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bleeding\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000after\u3000which\u3000she\u3000crawled\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000winged\u3000corpse\u3002
\nGradually\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000sting\u3000of\u3000her\u3000punctures\u3000and\u3000bruises\uff1b\u3000she\u3000started\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\u3002\u3000Physically\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000berating\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000an\u3000oute\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000a\u3000victory\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nGiven\u3000that\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000Umrae\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000not\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000bungled\u3000their\u3000encounter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3002\u3000She\u3000supposed\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000traitor’s\u3000terms\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000too\u3000angry\u3000and\u3000too\u3000proud\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000also\u3000have\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000vial\u3000and\u3000fought\u3000more\u3000skillfully\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\u3000for\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000she\u3000and\u3000not\u3000her\u3000erstwhile\u3000scribe\u3000lying\u3000dead\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002
\nShe\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000her\u3000sojourn\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000diminished\u3000her\u3002\u3000Back\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000enemies\u3000in\u2026\u3000and\u3000outside\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000none\u3000had\u3000wished\u3000her\u3000ill\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000forgotten\u3000the\u3000habits\u3000that\u3000protected\u3000her\u3000for\u3000her\u3000first\u3000two\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3000of\u3000life\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she’d\u3000better\u3000remember\u3000them\u3000quickly\u3002
\nThe\u3000enemy\u3000hadn’t\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000dull\u3000and\u3000rusty\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000recall\u3000how\u3000these\u3000covert\u3000wars\u3000unfolded\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000game\uff1b\u3000progressing\u3000a\u3000step\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000gradually\u3000escalating\u3000in\u3000ferocity\u3002\u3000Her\u3000unknown\u3000adversary’s\u3000first\u3000move\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000known\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000Umrae\u3000and\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3002\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000countermove\u3000was\u3000to\u3000capture\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000and\u3000remove\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000board\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Umrae\u3000missed\u3000some\u3000prenotarranged\u3000rendezvous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000foe\u3000would\u3000know\u3000her\u3000pawn\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000and\u3000advance\u3000another\u3000piece\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000mother\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000foe\u3000would\u3000suggest\u3000to\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre\u3000that\u3000the\u3000time\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000Faeryl\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dungeon\u3002
\nBut\u3000life\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000game\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000could\u3000cheat\u3000and\u3000make\u3000two\u3000moves\u3000in\u3000a\u3000row\uff1b\u3000which\u3000in\u3000this\u3000instance\u3000meant\u3000truly\u3000fleeing\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000her\u3000agent’s\u3000demise\u3002
\nLight\u2026headed\u3000and\u3000sour\u2026mouthed\u3000from\u3000her\u3000exertions\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000dragged\u3000hers \n
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\n Light\u2026headed\u3000and\u3000sour\u2026mouthed\u3000from\u3000her\u3000exertions\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000dragged\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000trudged\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000just\u3000how\u3000she\u3000would\u3000acplish\u3000that\u3000little\u3000miracle\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\n
\nT\u3000E\u3000N
\nCloaked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000squat\uff1b\u3000leathery\u2026skinned\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000twisted\u3000leg\u3000manifestly\u3000made\u3000him\u3000unfit\u3000for\u3000service\u3000in\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000or\u3000even\u3000merchant\u3000House\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000an\u3000experimental\u3000bite\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sausage\u3000and\u3000roll\u3002\u3000The\u3000unidentifiable\u3000ground\u3000meat\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000casing\u3000tasted\u3000rank\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gristly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000cold\u3000at\u3000the\u3000core\u3002
\n\u3003By\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000too\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000scurvy\uff1b\u3000broken\u2026down\u3000ore\u3000in\u3000grubby\u3000rags\u3002\u3000Unbelievably\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000devouring\u3000his\u3000vile\u3000repast\u3000without\u3000any\u3000overt\u3000show\u3000of\u3000repugnance\u3002
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000brandished\u3000his\u3000sausage\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000travesty\u3002\u3000This\u3000abomination\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000culprit’s\u3000kiosk\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000poles\u3000and\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000not\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000too\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000His\u3000veil\u3000of\u3000illusion\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000limping\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000conceal\u3000the\u3000anomnotaly\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lame\u3000ore\u3000covering\u3000ground\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000one\u3000with\u3000two\u3000good\u3000legs\u3002\u3000
\nThe\u3000long\u2026armed\uff1b\u3000flat\u2026faced\u3000goblin\u3000proprietor\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000cudgel\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000counter\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000plaints\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000mean\u3000no\u3000harm\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000goblin’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000\u3003Help\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000even\u3000pay\u3000another\u3000penny\u3000for\u3000the\u3000privilege\u3002\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000as\u3000he\u3000exnottracted\u3000a\u3000copper\u3000coin\u3000from\u3000his\u3000purse\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000want\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000cook\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000held\u3000out\u3000a\u3000dirty\u2026nailed\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Give\u3002\u3000No\u3000tricks\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000tricks\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000surrendered\u3000the\u3000coins\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000goblin’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000squirmed\u3000around\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000counter\u3000and\u3000crowded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000miniature\u3000kitchen\u3002\u3000He\u3000wrapped\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fold\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000iron\u3000grill\u3000with\u3000its\u3000load\u3000of\u3000meat\u3000from\u3000its\u3000brackets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000aside\u3002
\n\u3003First\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000spread\u3000the\u3000coals\u3000evenly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brazier\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000poker\u3000and\u3000demonstrated\u3002\u3000\u3003Next\uff1b\u3000though\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000start\u3000from\u3000scratch\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000you\u3000let\u3000them\u3000burn\u3000to\u3000gray\u3002\u3000Only\u3000then\u3000do\u3000you\u3000start\u3000cooking\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000grill\u3000positioned\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000replaced\u3000the\u3000utensil\u3000in\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000set\u3000of\u3000brackets\u3002
\n\u3003Sausage\u3000take\u3000longer\u3000to\u3000fry\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000somewhere\u3000to\u3000go\uff1f\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000buy\u3000these\u3000questionable\u3000delicacies\u3000elsewhere\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000can\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000the\u3000quality\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000can\u3000at\u3000least\u3000tenderize\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000whacks\u3000from\u3000that\u3000mallet\uff1b\u3000poke\u3000a\u3000few\u3000holes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fork\u3000to\u3000help\u3000them\u3000cook\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sprinkle\u3000some\u3000of\u3000these\u3000spices\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000never\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000this\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000have\u3000you\uff1f\u3000What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000do\uff1b\u3000murder\u3000the\u3000real\u3000chef\u3000and\u3000take\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000his\u3000enterprise\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000smaller\u3000creature\u3000smirked\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000matter\u3000now\uff1b\u3000do\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000not\u3002\u3000One\u3000last\u3000thing\uff1a\u3000Roast\u3000the\u3000sausage\u3000when\u3000the\u3000customer\u3000orders\u3000it\uff1b\u3000not\u3000hours\u3000beforehand\u3002\u3000It\u3000isn’t\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000appetizing\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000cooked\uff1b\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000then\u3000warmed\u3000again\u3002\u3000Good\u3000fortune\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000clapped\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000stand\u3002
\nAt\u3000some\u3000point\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000wandered\u3000up\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000the\u3000lesson\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000performing\u3000a\u3000public\u3000service\uff1b\u3003\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000\u3003preserving\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000from\u3000a\u3000plague\u3000of\u3000dyspepsia\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000walked\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000were\u3000amusing\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000idiotic\u3002\u3000You\u3000take\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000disguise\u3000us\uff1b\u3000then\u3000risk\u3000revealing\u3000your\u3000true\u3000identity\u3000by\u3000playing\u3000the\u3000gourmet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000one\u3000small\u3000lapse\u3000will\u3000prove\u3000our\u3000undoing\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000any\u3000of\u3000our\u3000ill\u2026wishers\u3000will\u3000interview\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000street\u3000vendor\u3000any\u3000time\u3000soon\u3000or\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000right\u3000questions\u3000if\u3000they\u3000do\u3002\u3000Remember\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000well\u3000disguised\u3002\u3000Who\u3000would\u3000imagine\u3000this\u3000lurching\uff1b\u3000misshapen\u3000creature\u3000could\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000my\u3000handsome\uff1b\u3000elegant\u3000self\uff1f\u3000Though\u3000I\u3000must\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000your\u3000metamorphosis\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stretch\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000then\u3000wolfed\u3000down\u3000his\u3000last\u3000bite\u3000of\u3000sausage\u3000and\u3000bread\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000didn’t\u3000you\u3000disguise\u3000us\u3000from\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000left\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Never\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3000A\u3000fencer\u3000doesn’t\u3000reveal\u3000all\u3000his\u3000capanotbilities\u3000in\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bout\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Something\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000us\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000ourselves\uff1b\u3000so\u3000if\u3000we’re\u3000lucky\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000find\u3000us\u3000appearing\u3000radnotically\u3000different\u3002\u3000The\u3000trick\u3000won’t\u3000befuddle\u3000them\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000our\u3000business\u3000and\u3000return\u3000to\u3000our\u3000sedate\uff1b\u3000cloisnottered\u3000lives\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Does\u3000that\u3000mean\u3000you’ve\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000something\u3000else\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000as\u3000such\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000know\u3000I’m\u3000prone\u3000to\u3000sudden\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000inspiration\u3002\u3003
\nT \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Not\u3000as\u3000such\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000know\u3000I’m\u3000prone\u3000to\u3000sudden\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000inspiration\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000crowded\u3000section\u3000of\u3000street\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000evnotidently\u3000a\u3000popular\u3000tavern\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000howling\uff1b\u3000barking\u3000gnoll\u3000song\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000never\u3000had\u3000occasion\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000incognito\u3000among\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000odd\u3000weaving\uff1b\u3000pausing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000twisting\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000bumps\u3000and\u3000jostles\u3002\u3000Had\u3000they\u3000known\u3000his\u3000true\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000pedestrinotans\u3000would\u3000have\u3000scurried\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000way\u3002
\nAs\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000periphery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000pivoted\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000short\u3000straight\u3000blow\u3000with\u3000his\u3000fist\u3002\u3000A\u3000hunchbacked\uff1b\u3000piebald\u3000creanotture\u2026the\u3000product\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mating\u3000of\u3000goblin\u3000and\u3000ore\u3000perhaps\u2026stumbled\u3000backnotward\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000his\u3000rump\u3002
\n\u3003Cutpurse\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hate\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000pangs\u3000of\u3000nostalgia\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000glowered\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000isn’t\u3000funny\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smirk\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000this\u3000precinct\u3000always\u3000seems\u3000so\u3000sordid\uff1b\u3000even\u3000on\u3000those\u3000rare\u3000occasions\u3000when\u3000one\u3000finds\u3000oneself\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plaza\u3000or\u3000boulevard\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smell\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000call\u3000them\u3000the\u3000Stench\u3000streets\u3000for\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000buildnotings\uff1b\u3000though\u3000generally\u3000more\u3000modest\u3000than\u3000those\u3000encountered\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000still\u3000wear\u3000the\u3000same\u3000graceful\u3000shapes\u3000our\u3000ancestors\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000the\u3000living\u3000rock\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000teachers\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000let\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000with\u3000legs\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000broadswords\u3000scuttle\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000Braeryn\u3000notoriously\u3000harbored\u3000hordes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000creatures\u3002\u3000Sacred\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000reviewed\u3000his\u3000mental\u3000list\u3000of\u3000ready\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000arachnid\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000disguised\u3000dark\u3000elves
\n\u3003That’s\u3000a\u3000foolish\u3000question\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000does\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000seem\u3000foul\uff1f\u3000The\u3000inhabitants\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000but\u3000did\u3000the\u3000living\u3000refuse\u3000of\u3000our\u3000society\u3000generate\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\u3000of\u3000the\u3000district\uff1b\u3000or\u3000did\u3000that\u3000malignant\u3000spirit\u3000exist\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3000and\u3000lure\u3000the\u3000wretched\u3000to\u3000its\u3000domain\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000no\u3000metaphysician\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000I\u3000know\u3000is\u3000that\u3000somebody\u3000should\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000scavengers\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000said\u3000clearing\u3000had\u3000occurred\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000a\u3000tyke\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000mean\u3000exterminate\u3000them\u2026except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hopeless\u3000cases\u2026but\u3000why\u3000just\u3000let\u3000them\u3000squat\u3000here\u3000in\u3000their\u3000dirt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000festering\u3000chancre\u3000on\u3000the\u3000city\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000not\u3000find\u3000something\u3000useful\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they’re\u3000already\u3000useful\u3002\u3000Status\u3000is\u3000all\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Does\u3000it\u3000not\u3000follow\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000that\u3000no\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000can\u3000find\u3000contentment\u3000without\u3000someone\u3000upon\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000can\u3000look\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000slaves\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000won’t\u3000do\u3002\u3000Predicate\u3000your\u3000claim\u3000to\u3000self\u2026respect\u3000on\u3000their\u3000existence\u3000and\u3000you\u3000tacitly\u3000acknowledge\u3000you’re\u3000only\u3000slightly\u3000better\u3000than\u3000a\u3000thrall\u3000yournotself\u3002\u3000Happily\uff1b\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Stench\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000we\u3000find\u3000a\u3000populace\u3000starving\uff1b\u3000filthy\uff1b\u3000penniless\uff1b\u3000riddled\u3000with\u3000disease\uff1b\u3000living\u3000twenty\u3000or\u3000thirty\u3000to\u3000a\u3000room\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000nomnotinally\u3000free\u3002\u3000The\u3000humblest\u3000moner\u3000in\u3000Many\u3000folk\u3000or\u3000even\u3000Eastmyr\u3000can\u3000turn\u3000up\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000at\u3000them\u3000and\u3000feel\u3000smug\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000really\u3000think\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre\u3000hasn’t\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000slum\u3000scoured\u3000clean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that\u3000conjecture\u3000seems\u3000implausible\uff1b\u3000here’s\u3000another\uff1a\u3000Rumor\u3000has\u3000it\u3000that\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000meets\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000Supposedly\u3000she\u3000likes\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000here\u3000in\u3000mortal\u3000guise\u3002\u3000The\u3000matrons\u3000may\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000the\u3000neighborhood\u3000is\uff1b\u3000in\u3000some\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000under\u3000her\u3000protection\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003Though\u3000if\u3000Lolth\u3000has\u3000gone\u3000away\u3000for\u3000good\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000it\u3000anymore\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000still\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000belie\u2026\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000pointed\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000turned\u3002
\nOn\u3000a\u3000curving\u3000wall\u3000below\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000eye\u3000level\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sketch\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000smeared\u3000in\u3000blue\u3002\u3000It\u3000consisted\u3000of\u3000three\u3000overlapping\u3000ovals\uff1b\u3000conceivably\u3000repnotresenting\u3000the\u3000links\u3000of\u3000a\u3000chain\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000different\u3000mark\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Hobgoblin\u3000maybe\uff1b\u3000though\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000intentionally\u3000dim\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000peculiar\uff1b\u3000reckless\uff1b\u3000pointless\u3000crime\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fair\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000still\u3000irrelevant\u3000to\u3000our\u3000endeavors\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000dull\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000never\u3000transcends\u3000pragmatics\u3002\u3000Two\u3000signs\uff1b\u3000reprenotsenting\u3000two\u3000races\uff1b\u3000implying\u3000two\u3000specimens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3000demented\u3000in\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\uff1f\u3000Unlikely\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000why\u3000would\u3000a\u3000single\u3000artist\u3000daub\u3000an\u3000emblem\u3000not\u3000his\u3000own\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Coincidence\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000yet\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000provide\u3000a\u3000better\u3000answer\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000puzzle\u3000for\u3000another\u3000day\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000walked\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003Still\uff1b\u3003\u3000pressed\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003don’t\u3000you\u3000wonder\u3000how\u3000many\u3000scrawled\u3000signs\u3000we\u3000passed\u3000without\u3000noticing\u3000and\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000form\u3000they\u3000took\uff1f\u3003
\nIgnoring\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000pointed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000our\u3000destination\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000house’s\u3000limestone\u3000door\u3000stood\u3000open\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000for\u3000ventilation\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000radiated\u3000a\u3000perceptible\u3000warmth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000product\u3000of\u3000a\u3000multitude\u3000of\u3000tenants\u3000crammed\u3000in\u3000together\u3002\u3000It\u3000also\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000muddled\u3000drone\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000stink\u3000considera \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n onsiderably\u3000fouler\u3000than\u3000the\u3000unpleasant\u3000smell\u3000that\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002
\nRyld\u3000had\u3000been\u3000born\u3000in\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000warren\uff1b\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000like\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000reluctance\u3000to\u3000venture\u3000in\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000squalor\u3000wouldn’t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000escape\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\u3002\u3000Unwilling\u3000to\u3000appear\u3000timid\u3000and\u3000foolish\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000behind\u3000an\u3000impassive\u3000warrior’s\u3000countenance\u3002
\nPharaun\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000freely\u3000demonstrated\u3000his\u3000own\u3000distaste\u3002\u3000The\u3000porcine\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000his\u3000illusory\u3000ore\u3000face\u3000watered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000swallowed\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000quell\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000queasiness\u3002
\n\u3003Get\u3000used\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000frequently\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000what\u3000these\u3000little\u3000hells\u3000are\u3000like\uff1b\u3000though\u3000I\u3000confess\u3000I\u3000never\u3000entered\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000stick\u3000close\u3000and\u3000let\u3000me\u3000do\u3000the\u3000talking\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000anybody\uff1b\u3000or\u3000look\u3000anyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3000as\u3000an\u3000insult\u3000or\u3000challenge\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000touch\u3000anyone\u3000or\u3000anything\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000avoid\u3000it\u3002\u3000Half\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000are\u3000sick\u3000and\u3000probably\u3000contagious\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Really\uff1f\u3000And\u3000their\u3000palace\u3000gives\u3000off\u3000such\u3000a\u3000salubrious\u3000air\uff01\u3000Ah\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000lead\u3000on\u3002\u3000
\nRyld\u3000did\u3000as\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000had\u3000asked\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000was\u3000the\u3000clausnottrophobic\u3000nightmare\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3002\u3000Kobolds\uff1b\u3000goblins\uff1b\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000gnolls\uff1b\u3000bugnotbears\uff1b\u3000hobgoblins\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sprinkling\u3000of\u3000less\u3000mon\u3000creatures\u3000squeezed\u3000into\u3000every\u3000available\u3000space\u3002\u3000Some\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000were\u3000runaway\u3000slaves\u3002\u3000Others\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000service\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000travelers\u3000who\u3000picked\u3000them\u3000up\u3000in\u3000far\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000took\u3000them\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000disnotmissed\u3000them\u3000without\u3000any\u3000means\u3000of\u3000making\u3000their\u3000way\u3000home\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000were\u3000descendants\u3000of\u3000unfortunate\u3000souls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000categories\u3002
\nWherever\u3000they\u3000came\u3000from\uff1b\u3000the\u3000paupers\u3000were\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000begging\uff1b\u3000stealing\uff1b\u3000scavenging\uff1b\u3000preying\u3000on\u3000one\u3000another\u2026often\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000literal\u3000sense\u2026and\u3000hiring\u3000on\u3000for\u3000any\u3000dangerous\uff1b\u3000filthy\u3000job\u3000anyone\u3000cared\u3000to\u3000give\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000they\u3000could\u3000survive\u3002
\nThis\u3000particular\u3000lot\u3000had\u3000likewise\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000live\u3000packed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000space\u3000without\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000vestige\u3000of\u3000privacy\u3002\u3000Undercreatures\u3000babbled\uff1b\u3000cooked\uff1b\u3000ate\uff1b\u3000drank\uff1b\u3000tended\u3000a\u3000still\uff1b\u3000brawled\uff1b\u3000twitched\u3000and\u3000moaned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000throes\u3000of\u3000sickness\uff1b\u3000shook\u3000and\u3000cuffed\u3000their\u3000shrieking\u3000infants\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000dice\uff1b\u3000fornicated\uff1b\u3000relieved\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000amazingly\uff1b\u3000slept\uff1b\u3000all\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000view\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ill\u3000luck\u3000to\u3000look\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\u3002
\nAs\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000within\u3000moments\u3000of\u3000their\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000toughs\u2026in\u3000this\u3000instance\u3000bugbears\u2026slouched\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000accost\u3000them\u3002\u3000With\u3000their\u3000coarse\uff1b\u3000shaggy\u3000manes\u3000and\u3000square\uff1b\u3000prominent\u3000jaws\uff1b\u3000bugbears\u3000were\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000and\u3000strongest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000peoples\uff1b\u3000towering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rest\u2026and\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u3002\u3000This\u3000pair\u3000was\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000their\u3000destitute\u3000household\uff1b\u3000relatively\u3000well\u2026fed\u3000and\u3000adequately\u3000dressed\u3002\u3000They\u3000likely\u3000bullied\u3000tribute\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000live\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000rumbled\u3000the\u3000taller\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3002
\nHe\u3000wore\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000severed\u3000goblin\u3000hand\u3000strung\u3000around\u3000his\u3000burly\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Drow\u3000occasionally\u3000affected\u3000similar\u3000ornaments\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000menotmentos\u3000of\u3000hated\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000to\u3000a\u3000taxidermist\u3000first\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000the\u3000bugbear\u3000hadn’t\u3000done\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000have\u3000prevented\u3000the\u3000rot\u3000and\u3000the\u3000carrion\u3000smell\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000the\u3000bugbear\u3000a\u3000shaved\u3000coin\uff1b\u3000paying\u3000the\u3000toll\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000came\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Smylla\u3000Nathos\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000hulking\u3000goblinoids\u3000just\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000several\u3000others\u3000creanottures\u3002\u3000A\u3000scaly\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000little\u3000kobold\u3000tittered\u3000crazily\u3002
\nSomething\u3000was\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000tension\u3000and\u3000exhaled\u3000it\u3000away\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000nervous\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000idea\u3002
\n\u3003Isn’t\u3000this\u3000Smylla’s\u3000house\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\nThe\u3000shorter\u3000bugbear\uff1b\u3000who\u3000still\u3000loomed\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000huge\u3000as\u3000an\u3000ogre\uff1b\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000not\u3000no\u3000more\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000still\u3000live\u3000here\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000kind\u3000of\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000we\u3000see\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000for\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000bugbear\u3000with\u3000the\u3000severed\u3000goblin\u3000hand\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000consult\u3000Smylla\u3000in\u3000her\u3000professional\u3000capacity\u3000as\u3000a\u3000trader\u3000in\u3000information\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000essentially\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000though\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000What\u3000did\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\u3000provoke\u3000a\u3000hostile\u3000response\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000stepped\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Smylla\u3000sold\u3000our\u3000sister\u3000Iggra\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000how\u3000to\u3000break\u3000into\u3000a\u3000merchant’s\u3000strong\u3000room\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000creditably\u3000surly\u3000Orcish\u3000rasp\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000to\u3000get\u3000around\u3000all\u3000the\u3000traps\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Only\u3000she\u3000left\u3000one\u3000out\uff1b\u3000see\uff1f\u3000It\u3000squirted\u3000acid\u3000on\u3000Sis\u3000and\u3000burned\u3000her\u3000to\u3000death\u3002\u3000Slow\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000got\u3000us\u3000too\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000Smylla’s\u3000fault\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000e\u3000to\u3000’talk’\u3000to\u3000her\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000smaller\u3000bugbear\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000ain’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000ones\u3000wantin’\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000talk\u3002\u3000Us\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bitch\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003H \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ‘t\u3000get\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bitch\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000e\uff1f\u3003\u3000
\n\u3003A\u3000couple\u3000tendays\u3000ago\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000bugbear\u3000with\u3000the\u3000severed\u3000hand\u3000necklace\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000decided\u3000we\u3000was\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bossing\u3000us\u3000and\u3000her\u3000lamps\u3000hurting\u3000our\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000We\u3000jumped\u3000her\uff1b\u3000hit\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000chucked\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000stones\u3000that\u3000makes\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000It\u3000blinded\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000run\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000room\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000twisting\u3000staircase\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000She\u3000locked\u3000it\u3000with\u3000magic\u3000or\u3000somethin’\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003Ain’t\u3000no\u3000door\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000me\u3000can’t\u3000bust\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bugbears\u3000exchanged\u3000glances\u3002\u3000The\u3000smaller\u3000one\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000missing\u3000several\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lower\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000shrugged\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000one\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Only\uff1b\u3000Smylla\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Hit\u3000her\uff1b\u3000bleed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000slice\u3000off\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000her\u3000and\u3000eat\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000all\u3000to\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000deal\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000then\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bugbears\u3000led\u3000them\u3000through\u3000the\u3000crowded\u3000room\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000still\u3000had\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000lounging\u3000paupers\u3002\u3000Partway\u3000up\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brute\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000decaying\u3000hand\u3000put\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000began\u3000slurping\u3000and\u3000sucking\u3000on\u3000it\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000were\u3000a\u3000small\u3000landing\u3000and\u3000a\u3000limestone\u3000door\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rounded\u3000top\u3002\u3000Two\u3000sentries\uff1b\u3000an\u3000ore\u3000and\u3000a\u3000canine\u2026faced\u3000gnoll\u3000with\u3000sores\u3000on\u3000his\u3000muzzle\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000looking\u3000bored\u3002
\nThe\u3000disguised\u3000teachers\u3000made\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000knock\u3000it\u3000down\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3003When\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000couldn’t\uff1f\u3000Don’t\u3000count\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000open\u3000it\u3000with\u3000magic\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Probably\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000magically\u3000sealed\uff1b\u3000so\u3000a\u3000counter\u3000spell\u3000should\u3000suffice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000our\u3000friends\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000me\u3000casting\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000really\u3000would\u3000notpromise\u3000my\u3000disguise\u3002\u3000Stand\u3000where\u3000you\u3000obstruct\u3000their\u3000view\u3000and\u3000do\u3000somenotthing\u3000distracting\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Right\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000positioned\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000appropriate\u3000spot\u3000and\u3000glowered\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3000bugbears\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can\u3000open\u3000it\u3002\u3000What\u3000loot\u3000is\u3000inside\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000larger\u3000bugbear\u3000scowled\u3000and\uff1b\u3000the\u3000odious\u3000object\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000garnotbling\u3000his\u3000speech\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000made\u3000a\u3000deal\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000no\u3000loot\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Smylla\u3000took\u3000Sis’s\u3000treasure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000want\u3000it\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000extra\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000wergild\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Hell\u3000with\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bugbear\u3000with\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000teeth\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000tucked\u3000through\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000butcher’s\u3000tool\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000fightnoting\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3000served\u3000in\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000capacity\u3000well\u3000enough\u3002
\nRyld\u3000rested\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000choice\u3000for\u3000these\u3000tight\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000fight\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000slice\u3000your\u3000face\u3000off\u3000your\u3000skull\u3000and\u3000wear\u3000it\u3000like\u3000a\u3000breechcloth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000I\u3000came\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Smylla\uff1b\u3000not\u3000you\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000talk\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000never\u3000get\u3000the\u3000door\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Open\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nWhite\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000at\u3000Ryld’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000wince\u3002\u3000Squintnoting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002
\n\u3003Hey\uff01\u3003\u3000yelped\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000bugbear\u3002
\nRyld\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000big\u3000hand\u3000fumble\u3000at\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000too\u3000slow\u3002\u3000He\u3000followed\u3000Pharaun\u3000over\u3000the\u3000threshold\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000it\u3000shut\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\nLeaning\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000planted\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000the\u3000limestone\u3000slab\u3000and\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3002
\nThe\u3000door\u3000bucked\u3000inward\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000feet\u3000slid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000then\u3000they\u3000caught\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000held\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000Barely\u3002
\nMeanwhile\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000peering\u3000about\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000little\u3000cry\u3000of\u3000satisfacnottion\uff1b\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000small\u3000iron\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000so\u3000it\u3000overlapped\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000the\u3000jamb\u3000about\u3000halfway\u3000up\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000took\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000charm\u3000remained\u3000in\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000clever\u3000little\u3000device\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000can\u3000let\u3000go\u3000now\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000mechanical\u3000locks\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000opening\u3000had\u3000disennotgaged\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000each\u3000shut\u3000in\u3000its\u3000turn\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000length\u3000of\u3000iron\u3000that\u3000had\u3000up\u3000to\u3000then\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000be\u3000as\u3000secure\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000It\u3000also\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000courteous\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\nHis\u3000hostess\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3002
\n\u3003Get\u3000out\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000croaked\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000out\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000slay\u3000you\u3000with\u3000my\u3000sorcery\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Smylla\u3000Nathos\u3000had\u3000lit\u3000her\u3000sparsely\u3000furnished\u3000room\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000slender\u3000brass\u3000rods\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000which\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000maginotcal\u3000glow\u3002\u3000They\u3000protruded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000necks\u3000of\u3000wax\u2026encrusted\u3000wine\u3000bottles\u3000like\u3000tapers\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000candelabra\uff1b\u3000which\u3000they\u3000perhaps\u3000were\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000renotsemble\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Smylla\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000caster’s\u3000traditional\u3000mode\u3000of\u3000illuminotnation\u3000but\u3000couldn’t\u3000obtain\u3000it\u3000anymore\u3002
\nShe\u3000herself\u3000lay\u3000at\u3000the\u3000limit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000just\u3000barely\u3000make\u3000her\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3002\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Good\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bowing\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000shames\u3000me\u3000beyond\u3000measure\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000your\u3000request\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000should\u3000this\u3000gentleman\u3000and\u3000I\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000your\u3000door\u3000a\u3000second\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000and\u3000their\u3000ilk\u3000will\u3000rush\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\uff1b\u3000is\u3000the\u3000very\u3000eventuality\u3000you\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000forestall\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000talk\u3000like\u3000an\u3000ore\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000lady\u3000is\u3000a\u3000marvel\u3000of\u3000perspicacity\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000drow\u3000lords\u3000e\u3000to\u3000consult\u3000you\u3000on\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000some\u3000importance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000disguised\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000usual\u3000reason\uff1a\u3000To\u3000confound\u3000our\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000May\u3000we\u3000approach\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000tenotdious\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000converse\u3000across\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nSmylla\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003e\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000started\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000were\u3000cursing\uff1b\u3000shouting\u3000threats\u3000and\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pounding\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nAfter\u3000four\u3000paces\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000stomach\u3000turned\u3000at\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000stench\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000humid\u3000and\u3000gangrenous\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000half\u3000expected\u3000something\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sort\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000it\u3000any\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000phlegmatic\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000disnotfited\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002
\n\u3003Close\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Smylla\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000supposed\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000e\u3000any\u3000nearer\u3000to\u3000that\u3000wasted\u3000form\u3000with\u3000its\u3000boils\u3000and\u3000pustules\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000enchantments\u3000bound\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mantle\u3000and\u3000Ryld’s\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000dwarven\u3000armor\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000protect\u3000them\u3000from\u3000infection\u3002
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000help\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000sick\u3000woman\u3000leered\u3002\u3000\u3003Will\u3000you\u3000pay\u3000me\u3000with\u3000the\u3000magnificent\u3000great\u2026sword\u3000you\u3000wear\u3000across\u3000your\u3000back\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000was\u3000somewhat\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000The\u3000illusion\u3000of\u3000pig\u2026faced\u3000orcishness\u3000shrouding\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000made\u3000Splitter\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000battle\u2026axe\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Smylla’s\u3000rheumy\uff1b\u3000sunken\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000pierced\u3000that\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deception\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000recovered\u3000from\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000give\u3000you\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3000I\u3000worked\u3000too\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000get\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000it\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\u3000I\u3000can\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000away\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000outside\u3002\u3000My\u3000notrade\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000also\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000gold\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000dry\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000spread\u3000about\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Smylla\u3000lay\u3000propped\u3000against\u3000a\u3000mound\u3000of\u3000stained\uff1b\u3000musty\u3000pillows\u3002\u3000She\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000hitch\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000straighter\uff1b\u3000then\u3000abandoned\u3000the\u3000effort\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000it\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000strength\u3002
\n\u3003Gold\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\uff1b\u3000swordsman\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000my\u3000history\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000gist\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000It\u3000happened\u3000after\u3000I\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000withdrew\u3000from\u3000participation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000affairs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Houses\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003An\u3000expedition\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003vennottured\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Lands\u3000of\u3000Light\u3000to\u3000hunt\u3000and\u3000plunder\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000renotturned\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lovely\u3000human\u3000sorceress\u3000and\u3000clairvoyant\u3000acpanied\u3000them\uff1b\u3000not\u3000as\u3000a\u3000newly\u3000captured\u3000slave\u3000but\u3000as\u3000their\u3000guest\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000e\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000you\u3000were\u3000fleeing\u3000some\u3000implacable\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000or\u3000were\u3000fascinated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000grace\u3000and\u3000sophistication\u3000of\u3000my\u3000people\u3000and\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000exotic\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000My\u3000hunch\u3000is\u3000that\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000drow\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000pure\u3000speculation\u3002\u3000No\u3000outsider\u3000ever\u3000knew\u3002
\n\u3003For\u3000that\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000why\u3000did\u3000the\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\u3000oblige\u3000you\uff1f\u3000That’s\u3000an\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000mystery\u3002\u3000Conceivably\u3000someone\u3000harbored\u3000amorous\u3000feelings\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000or\u3000you\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000had\u3000secrets\u3000to\u3000teach\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000persuading\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Smylla\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Obviously\u3002\u3000Once\u3000you\u3000reached\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000you\u3000made\u3000yourself\u3000useful\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\u3000as\u3000countless\u3000minions\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3000had\u3000done\u3000before\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000difference\u3000being\u3000that\u3000you\u3000were\u3000accorded\u3000a\u3000cernottain\u3000status\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000degree\u3000of\u3000familiarity\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Ghenni\u3000let\u3000you\u3000dine\u3000with\u3000the\u3000family\u3000and\u3000attend\u3000social\u3000functions\uff1b\u3000where\u3000you\u3000reportedly\u3000acquitted\u3000yourself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000drowlike\u3000poise\u3000and\u3000charm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000their\u3000pet\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Smylla\uff1b\u3000sneering\u3000at\u3000the\u3000memory\uff1b\u3000\u3003a\u3000dog\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gown\u3000and\u3000trained\u3000to\u3000dance\u3000on\u3000its\u3000hind\u3000legs\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000many\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000some\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000else\u3002\u3000From\u3000all\u3000accounts\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Ghenni\u3000behaved\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000regarded\u3000you\u3000as\u3000a\u3000ward\uff1b\u3000just\u3000one\u3000notch\u3000down\u3000from\u3000a\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Fourth\u3000House\u3000indulging\u3000you\uff1b\u3000few\u3000would\u3000dare\u3000challenge\u3000your\u3000right\u3000to\u3000notport\u3000yourself\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000noble\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000did\uff1b\u3000until\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000against\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Until\u3000I\u3000fell\u3000ill\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000sorceress\u3002
\n\u3003Quite\u3002\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000disease\uff1b\u3000bred\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000the\u3000searnoting\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000is\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000condition\u3000for\u3000your\u3000kind\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000did\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000infect\u3000you\u3000with\u3000poison\u3000or\u3000magic\uff1f\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000culprit\u3000someone\u3000inside\u3000House\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\uff1b\u3000who\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000as\u3000a\u3000rival\u3000for\u3000Ghenni’s\u3000favor\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000agent\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000family\uff1b\u3000depriving\u3000their\u3000foes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000resource\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000never\u3000able\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000funny\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000me\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Ironic\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3002\u3000At\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000several\u3000priestesses\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000cure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000whereupo \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000but\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000Ghenni\u3000summarily\u3000expelled\u3000you\u3000from\u3000her\u3000citadel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Smylla\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003she\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000trolls\uff1b\u3000slave\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000escaped\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Afterward\uff1b\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000my\u3000services\u3000to\u3000other\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000noble\u3000and\u3000merchant\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000door\u3000would\u3000open\u3000to\u3000a\u3000human\u3000who’d\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000it’s\u3000any\u3000consolation\uff1b\u3000you\u3000were\u3000still\u3000receivnoting\u3000precisely\u3000the\u3000same\u3000treatment\u3000we\u3000would\u3000have\u3000given\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000our\u3000own\u3000race\u3002\u3000No\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000would\u3000abide\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000anyone\u3000afflicted\u3000with\u3000an\u3000incurable\u3000malady\u3002\u3000The\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000taught\u3000us\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000must\u3000die\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000what\u3000if\u3000the\u3000sickness\u3000was\u3000contagious\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000consolation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fair\u3000enough\u3002\u3000To\u3000continue\u3000the\u3000tale\uff1a\u3000Unwele\u3000anywhere\u3000else\uff1b\u3000you\u3000made\u3000your\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000your\u3000infirmity\uff1b\u3000some\u3000magic\u3000renotmained\u3000within\u3000your\u3000grasp\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000employed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000cow\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000warren\u3000into\u3000providing\u3000you\u3000with\u3000a\u3000private\u3000space\u3000in\u3000which\u3000to\u3000live\u3002\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000easy\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000using\u3000divinatory\u3000rituals\uff1b\u3000your\u3000natural\u3000psionic\u3000gifts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whatever\u3000secrets\u3000you’d\u3000discovered\u3000during\u3000your\u3000time\u3000with\u3000House\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\uff1b\u3000you\u3000set\u3000up\u3000shop\u3000as\u3000a\u3000broker\u3000of\u3000knowlnotedge\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\uff1b\u3000only\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\u3000availed\u3000themselves\u3000of\u3000your\u3000services\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gradually\uff1b\u3000as\u3000your\u3000reputation\u3000grew\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000few\u3000of\u3000my\u3000people\u3000started\u3000consulting\u3000you\u3002\u3000We\u3000wouldn’t\u3000let\u3000you\u3000dwell\u3000among\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\u3000were\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000contact\u3000if\u3000they\u3000anticipated\u3000sufficient\u3000advantage\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000within\u3000the\u3000district\uff1b\u3000your\u3000reputanottion\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000be\u3000considerable\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000been\u3000asking\u3000questions\u3000all\u3000day\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000suggested\u3000we\u3000seek\u3000you\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000door\u3000banged\u3000particularly\u3000loudly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000weren’t\u3000breaching\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000I\u3000know\u3000of\u3000your\u3000saga\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000infer\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hosnottility\u3000of\u3000your\u3000cohabitants\u3000that\u3000a\u3000new\u3000stanza\u3000has\u3000begun\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000bluff\u3000them\u3000forever\uff1b\u3003\u3000Smylla\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000sorcerous\u3000and\u3000psionic\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000are\u3000all\u3000but\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000devoured\u3000by\u3000my\u3000malady\u3002\u3000Once\u3000I\u3000acquired\u3000my\u3000stock\u3000in\u3000trade\u3000primarily\u3000through\u3000scrying\uff1b\u3000divinations\uff1b\u3000and\u3000such\u3002\u3000In\u3000recent\u3000years\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000cajoled\u3000my\u3000secrets\u3000from\u3000a\u3000web\u3000of\u3000informers\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000I\u3000betray\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000withered\u3000creature\u3000smirked\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000teased\u3000out\u3000the\u3000one\u3000we\u3000need\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000coughed\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000if\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000why\u3000would\u3000I\u3000share\u3000it\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000can\u3000protect\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000and\u3000goblins\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000can\u3000my\u3000little\u3000iron\u3000trinket\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000simply\u3000remain\u3000in\u3000here\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000die\u3000of\u3000hunger\u3000and\u3000thirst\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000dying\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Can’t\u3000you\u3000tell\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000an\u3000old\u3000woman\u2026I’m\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000as\u3000you\u3000drow\u3000measure\u3000time\uff01\u2026but\u3000I\u3000look\u3000like\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000hag\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000perish\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000those\u3000miserable\u3000Undercreatures\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000ruled\u3000here\u3000for\u3000fifteen\u3000years\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000I\u3000die\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000I\u3000win\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003your\u3000wish\u3000suggests\u3000the\u3000terms\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bargain\u3002\u3000Oblige\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000refrain\u3000from\u3000admitting\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000made\u3000a\u3000spitting\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Admit\u3000them\u3000if\u3000you\u3000must\u3002\u3000I\u3000loathe\u3000the\u3000brutes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000hate\u3000you\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000more\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000you\u3000who\u3000made\u3000me\u3000as\u3000I\u3000am\u3002\u3000I\u3000bartered\u3000information\u3000with\u3000you\u3000for\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000I\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000gain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000disease\u3000is\u3000finally\u3000killing\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000all\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000where\u3000your\u3000goddess\u3000lives\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burn\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000might\u3000have\u3000replied\u3000that\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3000tell\uff1b\u3000Smylla\u3000had\u3000sealed\u3000her\u3000own\u3000fate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000she\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000descend\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000doubted\u3000it\u3000would\u3000soften\u3000her\u3000resolve\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000blame\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000show\u3000of\u3000sympathy\u3002\u3000It\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000deceived\u3000any\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000though\u3000she’d\u3000trafficked\u3000with\u3000his\u3000race\u3000for\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000she\u3000still\u3000had\u3000human\u3000instincts\u3002\u3000\u3003Sometimes\u3000I\u3000hate\u3000other\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000myself\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000certainly\u3000despise\u3000them\u3000if\u3000they\u3000served\u3000me\u3000as\u3000they’ve\u3000treated\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000eyed\u3000him\u3000skeptically\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who’s\u3000different\u3000from\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000child\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000I\u3000follow\u3000her\u3000ways\u3002\u3000But\u3000I’ve\u3000visnotited\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000See\u3000the\u3000Sun\uff1b\u3000where\u3000I\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000other\u3000races\u3000think\u3000and\u3000live\u3000differently\u3002\u3000I\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000by\u3000the\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000your\u3000own\u3000people\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000treated\u3000you\u3000abominably\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000if\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000miserated\u3000with\u3000her\u3000about\u3000anything\u3000since\u3000that\u3000long\u2026lost\u3000season\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000belle\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000coveted\u3000curiosity\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000revels\u3000and\u3000balls\u3002
\nShe\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000a\u3000few\u3000gentle\u3000words\u3000will\u3000make\u3000me\u3000want\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000your\u3000bitterness\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000your\u3000good\u3000sense\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000if\u3000you\u3000turn \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n of\u3000your\u3000good\u3000sense\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000if\u3000you\u3000turned\u3000your\u3000back\u3000on\u3000your\u3000salvation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000saying\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can\u3000take\u3000away\u3000your\u3000sickness\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000lying\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000do\u3000what\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000cannot\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000snapped\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000dissolved\u3000his\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000illusion\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000surely\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000was\u3000impressed\uff1b\u3000though\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000show\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000aren’t\u3000healers\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000are\u3000transmuters\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000change\u3000you\u3000into\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000prefer\uff1b\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000another\u3000race\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000we\u3000choose\uff1b\u3000the\u3000transformation\u3000will\u3000purge\u3000the\u3000sickness\u3000from\u3000your\u3000new\u3000body\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000that’s\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003then\u3000why\u3000do\u3000your\u3000people\u3000fear\u3000illness\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000this\u3000remedy\u3000is\u3000inappropriate\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000unthinkable\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000chosen\u3000people\uff1b\u3000to\u3000permanently\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lesser\u3000creature\u3000except\u3000as\u3000a\u3000punishment\u3002\u3000Also\uff1b\u3000most\u3000wizards\u3000can’t\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000deftly\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000purge\u3000a\u3000disease\u3002\u3000It\u3000requires\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000facility\uff1b\u3000which\u3000happily\uff1b\u3000I\u3000possess\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000grinned\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000you’ll\u3000use\u3000it\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000myself\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000soothsayer\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000offer\u3002
\nEventually\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000lose\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000change\u3000me\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000first\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000establish\u3000that\u3000you\u3000do\u3000indeed\u3000possess\u3000the\u3000innotformation\u3000my\u3000colleague\u3000and\u3000I\u3000require\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000seeking\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000runaway\u3000males\u3000hailing\u3000from\u3000noble\u3000and\u3000humble\u3000residences\u3000alike\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000hiding\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000Some\u3000are\u3000sick\u3000like\u3000me\u3002\u3000Some\u3000are\u3000outcast\u3000for\u3000some\u3000other\u3000offense\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000are\u3000just\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000long\u3000illicit\u3000holiday\u3000from\u3000their\u3000responsibilities\u3000and\u3000female\u3000relations\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000where\u3000to\u3000find\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000they’ve\u3000resided\u3000here\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000have\u3000they\u3000not\uff1f\u3000We’re\u3000seeking\u3000rogues\u3000of\u3000more\u3000recent\u3000vintage\u3002\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000has\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000migration\u3000in\u3000recent\u3000tendays\u3002\u3003
\nSmylla\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000From\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000shift\u3000of\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000deciding\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000to\u3000lie\u3002
\n\u3003More\u3000drow\u3000males\u3000than\u3000usual\u3000have\u3000visited\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Innotdulging\u3000their\u3000most\u3000sordid\u3000impulses\uff1b\u3000I\u3000assumed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000know\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000stay\u3000here\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000he\u3000felt\u3002\u3000Generally\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000relished\u3000a\u3000baffling\uff1b\u3000brain\u2026cramping\u3000puzzle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000he\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000impanottient\u3000at\u3000their\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000progress\u3002
\nGiven\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000any\u3000sensible\u3000leads\uff1b\u3000he\u3000resolved\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000where\u3000intunotition\u3000led\u3002\u3000Still\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000role\u3000of\u3000sympathizer\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000step\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cot\u3000and\u3000pat\u3000Smylla\u3000on\u3000her\u3000bony\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000She\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000In\u3000all\u3000likelihood\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000abandon\u3000hope\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000we\u3000can\u3000still\u3000make\u3000a\u3000trade\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000my\u3000rade\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000other\u3000matters\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Has\u3000anything\u3000peculiar\u3000occurred\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000of\u3000late\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000clairvoyant\u3000rasped\u3000out\u3000another\u3000painful\u2026sounding\u3000laugh\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000last\u3000tenday\uff1b\u3000the\u3000animals\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000against\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000do\u3000find\u3000that\u3000interesting\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000confessed\uff1b\u3000your\u3000magical\u3000talents\u3000withered\u3000away\u3000some\u3000time\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Since\u3000then\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000dominated\u3000the\u3000gobnotlins\u3000through\u3000bluff\u3000and\u3000force\u3000of\u3000personality\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000worked\u3000until\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\u3000ago\u3002\u3000What\u3000changed\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000did\u3000the\u3000Undercreatures\u3000find\u3000the\u3000courage\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000against\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000noticed\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000might\u3000acnotcount\u3000for\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Smylla\uff1b\u3000\u3003it\u3000could\u3000just\u3000be\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000me\u3000failing\u3000physically\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003\u3000Her\u3000cracked\u3000lips\u3000stretched\u3000into\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000good\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3000You\u3000give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000friendly\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000touch\u3000on\u3000the\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000tongue\u3000starts\u3000to\u3000flap\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000loneliness\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000will\u3000have\u3000my\u3000cure\u3000before\u3000I\u3000give\u3000up\u3000anything\u3000of\u3000importance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Very\u3000sensible\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000extracted\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000cocoon\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000bee\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003One\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leering\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000once\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000philosopher\u3000say\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000bees\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000hates\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000cheery\u3000fellow\u3000to\u3000have\u3000about\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000brace\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000This\u3000will\u3000only\u3000take\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000may\u3000hurt\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3003
\nEmploying\u3000greater\u3000care\u3000than\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000he\u3000recited\u3000the\u3000incantation\u3000and\u3000used\u3000the\u3000ridged\u3000silken\u3000case\u3000to\u3000write\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000on\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\nMagic\u3000shrilled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000temperature\u3000plummeted\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000room\u3000rippled\u3000and\u3000shimmered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000distortion\u3000concentrated\u3000itself\u3000on\u3000Smylla’s\u3000shriveled\u3000body\u3002\u3000Tendons\u3000standing\u3000out\u3000in\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3002
\nBeyond\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bugbears\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000even\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3000We\u3000had\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff01\u3003
\nSmylla’s\u3000sores\u3000faded\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000emaciated\u3000form\u3000filled\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000healthy\u3000slimness\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ashen\u3000skin\u3000darkened\u3000to\u3000a\u3000gleaming\u3000black\uff1b\u3000he \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n s\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ashen\u3000skin\u3000darkened\u3000to\u3000a\u3000gleaming\u3000black\uff1b\u3000her\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000turned\u3000red\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000grew\u3000points\u3002\u3000Her\u3000features\u3000became\u3000more\u3000delnoticate\u3002\u3000Her\u3000snowy\u3000hair\u3000thickened\uff1b\u3000changing\u3000from\u3000brittle\u3000and\u3000lusterless\u3000to\u3000wavy\u3000and\u3000glossy\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000pain\u3000went\u3000away\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000feel\u3000stronger\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nShe\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000walk\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000with\u3000an\u3000invalid’s\u3000caution\uff1b\u3000but\u3000gradually\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000that\u3000hesitancy\u3000passed\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000striding\uff1b\u3000jumping\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spinning\u3000like\u3000an\u3000exuberant\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000testing\u3000her\u3000strength\uff1b\u3000her\u3000grimy\u3000nightshirt\u3000flapping\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000
\n\u3003You\u3000did\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pure\uff1b\u3000uncalculated\u3000gratitude\u3000in\u3000her\u3000crimnotson\u3000eyes\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000even\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000maiden\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000human\u3000at\u3000the\u3000core\u3002
\nThough\u3000it\u3000was\u3000foreign\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000her\u3000apprecianottion\u3000rather\u3000gratifying\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000transformed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000bask\u3000in\u3000her\u3000naive\u3000sentimentality\u3000but\u3000to\u3000elicit\u3000some\u3000answers\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003please\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Right\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000to\u3000pose\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000do\u3000benotlieve\u3000something\u3000emboldened\u3000the\u3000Undercreatures\u3000in\u3000this\u3000house\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000more\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000affected\u3000goblinoids\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000grimaced\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000led\u3000you\u3000to\u3000infer\u3000this\u3000agency\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000were\u3000housebound\u3000even\u3000before\u3000you\u3000barricaded\u3000yourself\u3000in\u3000your\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000change\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brutes\u3000who\u3000live\u3000here\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000surly\uff1b\u3000insolent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000foul\u2026tempered\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000maim\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000one\u3000another\u3000at\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000provocation\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000hitched\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000working\u3000stiffness\u3000out\u3000or\u3000shifting\u3000Splitter\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000more\u3000fortably\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000is\u3000that\u3000different\u3000than\u3000normal\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002
\nSmylla\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000things\u3000are\u3000relative\u3002\u3000The\u3000creatures\u3000exhibited\u3000those\u3000qualities\u3000to\u3000a\u3000greater\u3000extent\u3000than\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whenever\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000tidings\u3000from\u3000beyond\u3000these\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000they\u3000suggested\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000precinct\u3000shared\u3000the\u3000same\u3000truculent\u3000humor\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000about\u3000tribal\u3000emblems\u3000appearing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000bespeaks\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000madness\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000think\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000in\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3000You\u3000promised\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000information\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000us\u3000something\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000already\u3000know\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000facts\uff1b\u3000not\u3000your\u3000impressions\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000clairvoyant\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000building\u3000up\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Every\u3000few\u3000nights\u3000a\u3000drum\u3000beats\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000gathering\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000of\u3000this\u3000house\u3000clear\u3000out\u3002\u3000With\u3000what\u3000little\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000my\u3000clairvoyance\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000sensed\u3000many\u3000others\u3000skulking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000all\u3000converging\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000destination\u3002\u3003\u3000
\n\u3003Nonsense\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000has\u3000no\u3000drow\u3000patrol\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000signal\u3000and\u3000e\u3000to\u3000investigate\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Because\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000city\u3000possesses\u3000enchantments\u3000to\u3000mute\u3000sound\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Smylla\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000do\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000go\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000with\u3000my\u3000health\u3000and\u3000occult\u3000talnotents\u3000restored\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000find\u3000out\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000beamed\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000try\u3002\u3000I\u3000fulfilled\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000of\u3000our\u3000bargain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000do\u3000realize\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000provided\u3000you\u3000with\u3000all\u3000that\u3000much\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000the\u3000priceless\u3000gift\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000remark\u3000touches\u3000on\u3000the\u3000question\u3000of\u3000your\u3000future\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000have\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000reestablishing\u3000your\u3000dominion\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Stench\u2026streets\uff1b\u3000but\u3000why\u3000live\u3000so\u3000meanly\uff1f\u3000I\u3000could\u3000use\u3000an\u3000aide\u3000of\u3000your\u3000caliber\u3002\u3000Or\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000prefer\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000arrange\u3000your\u3000safe\u3000repatriation\u3000to\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000he\u3000surreptitiously\u3000contorted\u3000the\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000exnotpressing\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000language\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000a\u3000system\u3000of\u3000gesnottures\u3000as\u3000efficient\u3000and\u3000prehensive\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spoken\u3000word\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u2026\u3003\u3000Smylla\u3000began\uff1b\u3000then\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3000wide\u3002
\nShe\u3000whimpered\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000skipped\u3000back\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000from\u3000toppling\u3000against\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Despite\u3000her\u3000previous\u3000experiences\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000lanky\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003she\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000leave\u3000off\u3000trusting\u3000drow\u3002\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000it\u3000shows\u3000you\u3000can\u3000take\u3000the\u3000human\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunshine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000the\u3000sunshine\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000human\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000second\u3000female\u3000I’ve\u3000slain\u3000or\u3000murdered\u3000by\u3000proxy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brief\u3000time\u3000since\u3000our\u3000adventure\u3000began\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000particularly\u3000want\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000either\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000suspect\u3000an\u3000underlying\u3000metaphysical\u3000significance\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000would\u3000I\u3000know\uff1f\u3000I\u3000take\u3000it\u3000you\u3000bade\u3000me\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000snitch\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000feeding\u3000us\u3000lies\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000convinced\u3000she\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3000The\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000that\u3000I\u3000deceived\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000metamorphosis\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000purge\u3000her\u3000disease\u3002\u3000I \n
\n \n
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\n
\n r\u3000metamorphosis\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000purge\u3000her\u3000disease\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000tricky\u3000just\u3000suppressing\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000again\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000spreading\u3000pool\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000staining\u3000his\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000cleaned\u3000the\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000human’s\u3000bedding\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000alive\u3000and\u3000angry\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000tales\u3000to\u3000Grey\u2026anna\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000unlikely\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000found\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000but\u3000why\u3000take\u3000the\u3000chance\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000asked\u3000Smylla\u3000about\u3000the\u3000marks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000just\u3000too\u3000cursed\u3000curious\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000subject\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000silly\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000very\u3000model\u3000of\u3000single\u2026minded\u3000determination\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000asking\u3000to\u3000further\u3000our\u3000mission\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000bar\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000still\u3000holding\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000does\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000behavior\u3000of\u3000goblins\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000males\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000we\u3000have\u3000two\u3000oddities\u3000ocnotcurring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000precinct\u3002\u3000Doesn’t\u3000it\u3000make\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000infer\u3000a\u3000relationship\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000necessarily\u3002\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000has\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000plots\u3000and\u3000conspiracies\u3000going\u3000on\u3000at\u3000any\u3000given\u3000time\u3002\u3000They\u3000aren’t\u3000all\u3000connected\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Granted\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000if\u3000these\u3000two\u3000situations\u3000are\u3000linked\uff1b\u3000then\u3000by\u3000inquirnoting\u3000into\u3000one\uff1b\u3000we\u3000likewise\u3000probe\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000experienced\u3000a\u3000denotpressing\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000success\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000our\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000see\u3000where\u3000that\u3000path\u3000takes\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000will\u3000we\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Follow\u3000the\u3000drum\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000door\u3000banged\u3002
\n\u3003First\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Easily\u3000managed\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000locking\u3000talisman\u3000from\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000then\u3000use\u3000illusion\u3000to\u3000make\u3000us\u3000blend\u3000with\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000the\u3000resinotdents\u3000will\u3000break\u3000the\u3000door\u3000down\u3002\u3000When\u3000they’re\u3000busy\u3000abusing\u3000Smylla’s\u3000corpse\u3000and\u3000ransacking\u3000her\u3000possessions\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000put\u3000on\u3000goblin\u3000faces\u3000and\u3000slip\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000confusion\u3002\u3003
\n
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nE\u3000L\u3000E\u3000V\u3000E\u3000N
\nQuenthel’s\u3000patrol\u3000had\u3000stalked\u3000the\u3000shadowy\uff1b\u3000candlelit\u3000passages\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000for\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000until\u3000spaces\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000intimately\u3000began\u3000to\u3000seem\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000subtly\u3000unreal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000subordinates’\u3000nerves\u3000visibly\u3000frayed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3002\u3000She\u3000called\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000underlings\u3000rest\u3000and\u3000collect\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000They\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000small\u3000chapel\u3000with\u3000the\u3000images\u3000of\u3000skulls\uff1b\u3000daggers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spinotders\u3000worked\u3000in\u3000bas\u2026relief\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bones\u3000of\u3000long\u2026dead\u3000priestnotesses\u3000interred\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Rumor\u3000whispered\u3000that\u3000a\u3000cleric\u3000had\u3000cut\u3000her\u3000own\u3000throat\u3000in\u3000this\u3000sanctuary\u3000and\u3000her\u3000ghost\u3000sometimes\u3000haunted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000apparition\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000evidence\u3000then\u3002
\nThe\u3000priestesses\u3000and\u3000novices\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pews\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000spoke\u3002
\nEventually\u3000Jyslin\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u2026year\u3000student\u3000with\u3000a\u3000heart\u2026shaped\u3000face\u3000and\u3000silver\u3000studs\u3000in\u3000her\u3000earlobes\uff1b\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000nothing\u3000will\u3000happen\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000stared\u3000coldly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000novice\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000party\uff1b\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000warlike\u3000figure\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mace\uff1b\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shield\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000dread\u3000showed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000troubled\u3000maroon\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000shiny\uff1b\u3000sweaty\u3000brow\u3002\u3000
\n\u3003We\u3000will\u3000face\u3000another\u3000demon\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000feel\u3000it\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it’s\u3000pointless\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000staying\u3000alert\u3000and\u3000remembering\u3000what\u3000you’ve\u3000learned\u3002\u3003
\nJyslin\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Wishful\u3000thinking\u3000is\u3000for\u3000cowards\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000fools\u3000are\u3000lapsing\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000lingered\u3000here\u3000too\u3000long\u3002\u3000Up\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nReluctantly\uff1b\u3000someone’s\u3000links\u3000of\u3000supple\u3000black\u3000mail\u3000chiming\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000faintly\uff1b\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000minions\u3000rose\u3002\u3000She\u3000led\u3000them\u3000onward\u3002
\nIn\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000previous\u3000intrusions\u3000and\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000uselessness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wards\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000had\u3000created\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000placed\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000on\u3000alert\u3000and\u3000organized\u3000her\u3000staff\u3000and\u3000students\u3000into\u3000squads\u3000of\u3000eight\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000units\u3000would\u3000stand\u3000watch\u3000at\u3000set\u3000locations\uff1b\u3000but\u3000several\u3000would\u3000patrol\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000building\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000princess\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000latter\u3002
\nShe’d\u3000also\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000storerooms\u3000and\u3000armories\u3000and\u3000disnotpense\u3000all\u3000the\u3000potent\u3000enchanted\u3000tools\u3000and\u3000weapons\u3000still\u3000deposited\u3000there\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000first\u2026year\u3000students\u3000bore\u3000enchanted\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000talismans\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gear\u3000had\u3000done\u3000much\u3000to\u3000bolster\u3000Jyslin’s\u3000morale\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000that\u3000of\u3000many\u3000another\u3000novice\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Quenthel\u3000not\u3000been\u3000suffering\u3000her\u3000own\u3000carefully\u3000masked\u3000anxieties\uff1b\u3000their\u3000glumness\u3000might\u3000have\u3000amused\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000girls\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000demons\u3000throughout\u3000their\u3000childhoods\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000even\u3000achieved\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000intimacy\u3000with\u3000them\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000such\u3000ennottities\u3000had\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’d\u3000realized\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000truly\u3000known\u3000the\u3000ferocious\u3000beings\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\nNo\u3000doubt\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000females\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000perceptive\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n No\u3000doubt\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000females\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000perceptive\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000recnotognize\u3000that\u3000they\u3000themselves\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000paratively\u3000little\u3000danger\u3000until\u3000Quenthel\u3000mustered\u3000them\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000her\u3000personal\u3000defense\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000their\u3000resentment\uff1b\u3000like\u3000their\u3000uneasiness\uff1b\u3000was\u3000irrelevant\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000her\u3000underlings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000their\u3000duty\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000herself\uff1b\u3003\u3000whispered\u3000Minolin\u3000Fey\u2026Branche\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fifth\u2026year\u3000student\u3000who\u3000wore\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000three\u3000long\u3000braids\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000intend\u3000for\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000procession\u3002\u3000\u3003First\u3000she\u3000strips\u3000us\u3000of\u3000our\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sends\u3000her\u3000fiends\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000whirled\u3002\u3000Sensing\u3000her\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000and\u3000hissing\u3002
\n\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000may\u3000be\u3000testing\u3000us\uff1b\u3000eliminotnating\u3000the\u3000unfit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000has\u3000not\u3000condemned\u3000her\u3000entire\u3000temple\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\nMinolin\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000tonelessly\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000looked\u3000reassured\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000disgust\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000apologize\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Jyslin\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000remember\u3000my\u3000training\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000cowardice\u3000or\u3000disobedience\uff1b\u3000my\u3000sister\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000make\u3000her\u3000fast\u3000for\u3000a\u3000tenday\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eat\u3000rancid\u3000filth\u3000for\u3000another\u3000after\u3000that\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000but\u3000unfortunately\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000under\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000my\u3000people\u3000strong\u3002\u3000So\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000should\u3000shame\u3000you\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000have\u3000annotother\u3000rest\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000fill\u3000your\u3000bellies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000better\u3000stiffen\u3000your\u3000spines\u3002\u3000Othnoterwise\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000how\u3000many\u3000of\u3000you\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000flog\u3000before\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000cease\u3000their\u3000cringing\u3000and\u3000whining\u3002\u3000e\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000led\u3000them\u3000on\u3000to\u3000a\u3000classroom\u3000where\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000staff\u3000had\u3000set\u3000a\u3000table\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000ordered\u3000them\u3000to\u3000prepare\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000supper\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000it\u3000at\u3000various\u3000points\u3000around\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000weary\u3000sentinels\u3000could\u3000at\u3000least\u3000refresh\u3000themnotselves\u3000with\u3000food\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cooks\u3000had\u3000done\u3000a\u3000decent\u3000job\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000On\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000salver\u3000lay\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000brown\u3000slices\u3000of\u3000rothe\u3000steak\u3000steeped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tawny\u3000marinotnade\uff1b\u3000their\u3000aroma\u3000peting\u3000with\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith’s\u3000omnipresent\u3000scent\u3000of\u3000incense\u3002\u3000Other\u3000trays\u3000and\u3000bowls\u3000held\u3000raw\u3000mushroom\u3000pieces\u3000with\u3000a\u3000creamy\u3000dipping\u3000sauce\u3000and\u3000a\u3000salad\u3000of\u3000black\uff1b\u3000white\uff1b\u3000and\u3000red\u3000diced\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000pitchers\u3000presumably\u3000contained\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000watered\u3000as\u3000per\u3000her\u3000mand\u3002\u3000Quennotthel\u3000hoped\u3000the\u3000alcohol\u3000would\u3000hearten\u3000those\u3000residents\u3000whom\u3000Lolth’s\u3000abnotsence\u3000and\u3000the\u3000incursions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000two\u3000nights\u3000had\u3000terrified\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple’s\u3000defenders\u3000sloppy\u3000drunk\u3000and\u3000incapacitated\u3002
\nSome\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000minions\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000expected\u3000this\u3000to\u3000be\u3000their\u3000last\u3000meal\u3002\u3000Others\uff1b\u3000likely\u3000as\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000too\u3000tense\u3000to\u3000do\u3000more\u3000than\u3000pick\u3000at\u3000the\u3000viands\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000supposed\u3000that\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000she\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000party\u3002\u3000Her\u3000stomach\u3000was\u3000somewhat\u3000queasy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000long\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000edgy\u3000anticipation\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000her\u3000appetite\u3002
\ne\u3000on\uff1b\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000over\u3000with\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\nThe\u3000entity\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000respond\u3000to\u3000her\u3000silent\u3000plea\u3002
\nShe\u3000decided\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000parched\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000Jyslin’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Pour\u3000me\u3000a\u3000cup\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000second\u2026year\u3000novice\u3000performed\u3000the\u3000service\u3000with\u3000mendable\u3000alacrity\u3002\u3000She\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000goblet\u3000too\u3000high\u3000for\u3000gentility’s\u3000sake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000expected\u3000no\u3000better\u3000from\u3000a\u3000moner\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000cup\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nod\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002
\nHer\u3000whip\u3000of\u3000fangs\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wyvern\u2026hide\u3000loop\u3000that\u3000pierced\u3000its\u3000handle\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000alarm\u3000surge\u3000across\u3000the\u3000psionic\u3000link\u3000she\u3000shared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000reared\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000the\u3000goblet\u3000from\u3000her\u3000grasp\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000them\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002
\n\u3003Poison\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yngoth\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000slit\u2026pupiled\u3000eyes\u3000glinting\u3000in\u3000their\u3000scaly\u3000socknotets\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000smelled\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000Her\u3000followers\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000serpent’s\u3000declaranottion\u3000and\u3000were\u3000gawking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000reptiles\u3000in\u3000consternation\u3002\u3000They\u3000apnotpeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000perfectly\u3000good\u3000health\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000trusted\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000last\u3002
\n\u3003Purge\u3000yourselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff01\u3003
\nThey\u3000never\u3000got\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000as\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000succumbed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000toxin\uff1b\u3000swaying\uff1b\u3000staggering\uff1b\u3000and\u3000collapsing\u3002\u3000Some\u3000retched\u3000involuntarily\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sickness\u3000hit\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3002\u3000They\u3000passed\u3000out\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000shifted\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000peered\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bade\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000realized\u3000her\u3000demonic\u3000assailants\u3000were\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000suggest\u3000the\u3000several\u3000dominions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000an\u3000\u3003assassin\u3003\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000would\u3000turn\u3000up\u3000sooner\u3000or\u3000later\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000she\u3000foolishly\u3000asnotsumed\u3000that\u3000being\u3000would\u3000attack\u3000in\u3000some\u3000obvious\u3000way\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000\u3003spider\u3003\u3000and\u3000\u3003darkness\u3003\u3000had\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\u3000employ\u3000stealt \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000it\u3000to\u3000employ\u3000stealth\u3000and\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000poison\u3000her\uff1b\u3000though\u3000in\u3000retrospect\uff1b\u3000that\u3000tactic\u3000made\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3002
\nThe\u3000question\u3000was\uff1b\u3000had\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000done\u3000all\u3000it\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000since\u3000its\u3000first\u3000ploy\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000would\u3000it\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000some\u3000other\u3000way\uff1f
\nOff\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000echoing\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000halls\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000her\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she’d\u3000expected\u3002
\nHer\u3000heart\u3000beat\u3000faster\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000felt\u3000drier\u3000still\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000this\u3000new\u3000intruder\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000without\u3000the\u3000supnotport\u3000of\u3000her\u3000personal\u3000guards\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000she\u3000was\u3000mistress\u3000in\u3000these\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unthinkable\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000let\u3000an\u3000invader\u3000make\u3000free\u3000with\u3000her\u3000domain\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000fled\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cursed\u3000thing\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000track\u3000her\u3000anyway\u3002
\nLeaving\u3000her\u3000fallen\u3000patrol\u3000with\u3000their\u3000useless\u3000magical\u3000treasures\u3000strewn\u3000about\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000strode\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000noise\u3002\u3000She\u3000shouted\u3000for\u3000other\u3000underlings\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000responded\u3002
\nIn\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000she\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000long\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000where\u3000wall\u3000carvings\u3000told\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000occurred\u3000and\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000prophesied\uff1a\u3000her\u3000senotduction\u3000of\u3000Corellon\u3000Larethian\uff1b\u3000chief\u3000deity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000contemptible\u3000elves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000their\u3000union\u3000and\u3000her\u3000first\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000overthrow\u3000him\uff1b\u3000her\u3000disnotcovery\u3000of\u3000her\u3000spider\u3000form\u3000and\u3000her\u3000descent\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000her\u3000conquest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000and\u3000her\u3000adoption\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000as\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000people\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000future\u3000triumph\u3000over\u3000all\u3000other\u3000gods\u3000and\u3000ascendancy\u3000over\u3000all\u3000creation\u3002
\nA\u3000silhouette\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000arched\u3000entry\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002\u3000It\u3000changed\u3000color\u3000and\u3000shape\u2026humanoid\uff1b\u3000quadruped\uff1b\u3000blob\uff1b\u3000worm\uff1b\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000spikes\u2026from\u3000one\u3000instant\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000perceiving\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000it\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000cry\u3002\u3000Its\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000wavering\uff1b\u3000cacophonous\u3000jumble\u3000of\u3000every\u3000noise\u3000she’d\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000and\u3000some\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000first\u3000discornotdant\u3000howl\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000shrill\u3000note\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flute\uff1b\u3000the\u3000grunt\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rothe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000water\u3000splashing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000crackling\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000for\u3000the\u3000profound\u3000threat\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000less\u3000concerned\u3000for\u3000her\u3000safety\u3000or\u3000fired\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fighter’s\u3000rage\u3000than\u3000she\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000Poison\u3000surely\u3000suggested\u3000an\u3000assassin\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000before\u3000her\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000an\u3000embodiment\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002
\nThe\u3000spirit\u3000started\u3000down\u3000the\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000bulged\uff1b\u3000flowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000changed\u3000color\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000bag\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000a\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000then\u3000something\u3000hit\u3000her\u3000hard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000neck\u3002
\n
\n*\u3000*\u3000*
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\nRyld\u3000peered\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sunken\u3000arena\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ruinous\u3000place\u3000had\uff1b\u3000in\u3000another\u3000era\uff1b\u3000served\u3000as\u3000a\u3000drinknoting\u3000pit\u2026one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000rude\u3000establishments\u3000where\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000of\u3000every\u3000stanottion\u3000went\u3000to\u3000forget\u3000about\u3000caste\u3000and\u3000grace\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000guzzle\u3000raw\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000undercreatures\u3000slaughter\u3000one\u3000another\u3000in\u3000contests\u3000that\u3000were\u3000often\u3000set\u3000up\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000way\u3000as\u3000to\u3000give\u3000them\u3000a\u3000ical\u3000aspect\u3002\u3000
\nIn\u3000other\u3000words\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000crude\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000place\u3000by\u3000the\u3000stannotdards\u3000of\u3000elegant\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000cruder\u3000since\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000it\u3000over\u3002\u3000Scores\u3000if\u3000not\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000them\u3000packed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mingled\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000their\u3000unwashed\u3000bodies\uff1b\u3000each\u3000race\u3000malodorous\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000particular\u3000fashion\uff1b\u3000was\u3000sickening\u3002\u3000The\u3000loud\u3000gabbling\u3000in\u3000their\u3000various\u3000harsh\u3000and\u3000guttural\u3000languages\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000unnotpleasant\u3002\u3000It\u3000all\u3000but\u3000drowned\u3000out\u3000the\u3000rhythmic\u3000thuds\u3000that\u3000filtered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000course\u3000the\u3000shaggy\u3000gnoll\u3000drummer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000wasn’t\u3000playing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000folk\u3000already\u3000inside\u3000but\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000others\u3000still\u3000in\u3000transit\u3002
\nTo\u3000Ryld’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000number\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000assembling\u3000there\u3000hailed\u3000from\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3000He\u3000observed\u3000plain\u3000but\u3000relatively\u3000clean\u3000and\u3000intact\u3000garments\u3000suggestive\u3000of\u3000Eastmyr\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000liveries\uff1b\u3000steel\u3000collars\uff1b\u3000shackles\uff1b\u3000whip\u3000marks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brands\u2026the\u3000stigmata\u3000of\u3000thralls\u3000who’d\u3000sneaked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000their\u3000mistresses’\u3000affluent\u3000households\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000those\u3000who’d\u3000e\u3000from\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000district\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000drum\u3000through\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000buffers\u3002\u3000Some\u3000runner\u3000must\u3000have\u3000carried\u3000word\u3000to\u3000them\u3002
\nStill\u3000magically\u3000disguised\u3000as\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000though\u3000not\u3000the\u3000same\u3000ones\u3000who’d\u3000tricked\u3000the\u3000two\u3000bugbears\uff1b\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000had\u3000squeezed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000whatever\u3000would\u3000transpire\u3002
\nCertain\u3000no\u3000one\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ambient\u3000din\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000leaned\u3000his\u3000head\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000just\u3000a\u3000party\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000see\u3000them\u3000celebrating\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000His\u3000new\u3000porcine\u3000face\u3000had\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000tusk\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000not\u3000as\u3000such\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000be\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000boisterous\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000something\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eagerly\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Observe\u3000those\u3000female\u3000goblins\u3000chattering\u3000and\u3000passing\u3000their\u3000bottle\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000trio \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ttle\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000trio\u3000of\u3000filthy\uff1b\u3000bandy\u2026legged\u3000creatures\u3000with\u3000flat\u3000faces\u3000and\u3000sloping\u3000brows\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000aquiver\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002\u3000If\u3000they’re\u3000still\u3000as\u3000giddy\u3000after\u3000the\u3000gathering\u3000breaks\u3000up\uff1b\u3000we\u3000may\u3000want\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000solace\u3000for\u3000our\u3000frustrations\u3000in\u3000their\u3000hairy\uff1b\u3000misshapen\u3000arms\u3002\u3003
\nCertain\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000joking\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000snorted\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000sure\u3000after\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3003You’d\u3000have\u3000relations\u3000with\u3000a\u3000goblin\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000true\u3000scholar\u3000always\u3000seeks\u3000new\u3000experiences\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000being\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lord\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000exploit\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000races\u3000to\u3000the\u3000utmost\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Hmm\u3002\u3000I\u3000admit\u3000they\u3000might\u3000be\u3000no\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000priestesses\u3000who\u3000demand\u3000you\u3000grovel\u3000and\u3000do\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000you’re\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Hush\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000drum\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3002
\n\u3003Something’s\u3000happening\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000added\u3002
\nRyld\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000correct\u3002\u3000A\u3000stir\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000they\u3000started\u3000to\u3000shout\uff1b\u3000\u3003Prophet\uff01\u3000Prophet\uff01\u3000Prophet\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000he\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000see\u3000next\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000certainly\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nondescript\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000hood\u3000whose\u3000upper\u3000body\u3000appeared\u3000above\u3000the\u3000heads\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he’d\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000on\u3000a\u3000bench\u3000or\u3000table\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000he’d\u3000simply\u3000levitated\uff1b\u3000for\u3000this\u3000\u3003Prophet\uff1b\u3003\u3000plainly\u3000beloved\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000handsome\u3000drow\u3000male\u3002
\nThe\u3000Prophet\u3000let\u3000his\u3000followers\u3000chant\u3000and\u3000shout\u3000for\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000slender\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000gradually\u3000they\u3000subsided\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000leaned\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000possible\u3000the\u3000fellow’s\u3000not\u3000really\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000glamour\u3000somewhat\u3000like\u3000ours\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000makes\u3000every\u3000obnotserver\u3000perceive\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000favorable\u3000light\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000see\u3000him\u3000as\u3000a\u3000goblin\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gnolls\uff1b\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000forth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What’s\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000illusion\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000The\u3000enchantment\u3000is\u3000peculiar\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000encountered\u3000anynotthing\u3000quite\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000see\u3000through\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000we’re\u3000about\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000his\u3000intentions\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000brothers\u3000and\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000said\u3002
\nHis\u3000voice\u3000sparked\u3000another\u3000round\u3000of\u3000cheering\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000it\u3000to\u3000run\u3000its\u3000course\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000brothers\u3000and\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000repeated\u3002\u3000\u3003Since\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000this\u3000city\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000have\u3000held\u3000our\u3000peoples\u3000in\u3000bondage\u3000or\u3000in\u3000conditions\u3000equally\u3000degraded\u3002\u3000They\u3000work\u3000us\u3000until\u3000we\u3000die\u3000of\u3000exhaustion\u3002\u3000They\u3000torture\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000us\u3000on\u3000a\u3000whim\u3002\u3000They\u3000condemn\u3000us\u3000to\u3000starve\uff1b\u3000sicken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000live\u3000in\u3000squalor\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000audience\u3000growled\u3000its\u3000agreement\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000witness\u3000our\u3000misery\u3000everywhere\u3000you\u3000look\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000hooded\u3000orator\u3000connottinued\u3002\u3000\u3003Yesterday\uff1b\u3000I\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000Manyfolk\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000hobgoblin\u3000girl\u2026child\uff1b\u3000surely\u3000no\u3000older\u3000than\u3000five\u3000or\u3000six\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000a\u3000scrap\u3000of\u3000mushroom\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000With\u3000her\u3000teeth\uff01\u3000Her\u3000hands\u3000wouldn’t\u3000serve\u3002\u3000Some\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000magically\u3000fused\u3000them\u3000together\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\u3000so\u3000she\u3000would\u3000live\u3000and\u3000die\u3000a\u3000cripple\u3000and\u3000a\u3000freak\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000crowd\u3000snarled\u3000in\u3000outrage\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000their\u3000races\u3000monly\u3000ennotgaged\u3000in\u3000tortures\u3000equally\u3000cruel\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000far\u3000less\u3000varied\u3000and\u3000imaginative\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000an\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000parnotalyzed\u3000in\u3000some\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000A\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000slit\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000spread\u3000the\u3000flaps\u3000of\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000some\u3000ribs\u3000with\u3000a\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whistled\u3000his\u3000riding\u3000lizard\u3000over\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000still\u2026living\u3000thrall’s\u3000organs\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000told\u3000a\u3000notpanion\u3000that\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000reptile\u3000one\u3000such\u3000meal\u3000every\u3000tenday\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000a\u3000faster\u3000racer\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000audience\u3000howled\u3000its\u3000wrath\u3002\u3000One\u3000female\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000transported\u3000with\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000gashed\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3000and\u3000brow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000glass\u3002
\nThe\u3000Prophet’s\u3000litany\u3000of\u3000atrocities\u3000ran\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000gradually\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000emotion\u3000overtaking\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000guilt\u2026no\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000experienced\u3000that\u3000ridiculous\u3000condition\u2026but\u3000perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000shame\uff1b\u3000a\u3000disgust\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sheer\u3000waste\u3000and\u3000childishness\u3000manifest\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000abuse\u3000of\u3000its\u3000undercreatures\u3000and\u3000a\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000rectify\u3000the\u3000situanottion\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3002
\nThe\u3000feeling\u3000was\u3000irrational\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000The\u3000goblins\u3000and\u3000their\u3000kin\u3000existed\u3000only\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000the\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000ruined\u3000one\uff1b\u3000you\u3000just\u3000caught\u3000or\u3000bought\u3000another\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000gave\u3000his\u3000head\u3000a\u3000shake\uff1b\u3000clearing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\nEven\u3000through\u3000his\u3000ore\u3000mask\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000amusement\u3000was\u3000apparent\u3002
\n\u3003Resolved\u3000to\u3000mend\u3000your\u3000wicked\u3000ways\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000gather\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000influence\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000happening\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Prophet\u3000has\u3000magic\u3000buttressing\u3000his\u3000oratory\uff1b\u3000again\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000connotfiguration\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000quite\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Right\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what’s\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000all\u3000this\u3000bellyaching\uff1f’
\n\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000he’ll\u3000get\u3000around\u3000to\u3000telling\u3000us\u3002’
\nThe\u3000speaker\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000vein\u3000a\u3000while\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000goading\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000of\u3000hysteria\u3002
\nAt\u3000last\u3000he\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000\u3003But\u3000it\u3000does\u3000not\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000that\u3000way\uff01’
\nThe\u3000undercreatures\u3000howled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n y\uff01’
\nThe\u3000undercreatures\u3000howled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000until\u3000he\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000feelings\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000magically\u3000induced\u3000disgust\u3000blaze\u3000up\u3000into\u3000savage\u3000bloodlust\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000can\u3000be\u3000avenged\uff01\u3000Repay\u3000every\u3000injury\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000fold\uff01\u3000Cast\u3000down\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000to\u3000be\u3000our\u3000slaves\uff01\u3000We’ll\u3000wrap\u3000ourselves\u3000in\u3000silks\u3000and\u3000cloth\u2026of\u2026gold\u3000and\u3000make\u3000them\u3000run\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000feast\u3000on\u3000succulent\u3000viands\u3000and\u3000feed\u3000them\u3000garbage\uff01\u3000We’ll\u3000sack\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000afterward\u3000those\u3000of\u3000us\u3000who\u3000wish\u3000it\u3000will\u3000return\u3000to\u3000our\u3000own\u3000peoples\u3000laden\u3000with\u3000treasure\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000as\u3000our\u3000own\uff01\u3003
\nNot\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000say\u3000as\u3000much\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000then\u3000blinked\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000this\u3000diatribe\u3000senotriously\u3002
\n\u3003They’re\u3000just\u3000venting\u3000their\u3000resentment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fantasy\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warnotrior\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003They’d\u3000never\u3000dare\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’d\u3000crush\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000minutes\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000one\u3000would\u3000assume\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000started\u3000working\u3000their\u3000way\u3000forward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000agitated\u3000throng\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fellow\u3000spectators\u3000plainly\u3000resented\u3000their\u3000shoving\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000to\u3000toss\u3000one\u3000hobgoblin\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunken\u3000arena\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000think\u3000it\u3000odd\u3000that\u3000they\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000get\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000charismatic\u3000leader\u3002\u3000Others\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\nThe\u3000Prophet\u3000continued\u3000his\u3000oration\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000your\u3000work\u3000and\u3000your\u3000patience\uff1b\u3000which\u3000soon\u3000will\u3000reap\u3000their\u3000reward\u3002\u3000Word\u3000of\u3000our\u3000revolt\u3000has\u3000reached\u3000every\u3000street\u3000and\u3000alley\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000warriors\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000each\u3000understands\u3000what\u3000he\u3000is\u3000to\u3000do\u3000when\u3000he\u3000hears\u3000the\u3000Call\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000suspect\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Their\u3000arrogance\u3000makes\u3000them\u3000placent\u3002\u3000They\u3000won’t\u3000suspect\u3000until\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Call\u3000es\u3000and\u3000we\u3000rise\u3000as\u3000one\u2026until\u3000we\u3000burn\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000forced\u3000their\u3000way\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000a\u3000sandstone\u3000rod\u3000and\u3000anoint\u3000the\u3000end\u3000with\u3000an\u3000oil\u3000from\u3000a\u3000ceramic\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000The\u3000rod\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000yellow\uff1b\u3000crackling\u3000flame\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000made\u3000of\u3000dry\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000that\u3000exotic\u3000bustible\u3000product\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000The\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000squinted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000flare\u3000of\u3000light\u3002
\n\u3003Eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Goddess\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000neat\u3000trick\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000surely\u3000nothing\u3000special\u3000by\u3000your\u3000stannotdards\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000those\u3000two\u3000bugbears\u3000standing\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003His\u3000bodyguards\uff1b\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000What\u3000of\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They’re\u3000Tluth\u3000Melarn\u3000and\u3000one\u3000Alton\u3000the\u3000cobbler\uff1b\u3000two\u3000of\u3000our\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000wearing\u3000veils\u3000of\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000a\u3000simpler\u3000nature\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000past\u3000theirs\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000serious\uff1f\u3000What\u3000are\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000even\u3000rogues\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000aiding\u3000the\u3000instiganottor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000revolt\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000we’ll\u3000find\u3000out\u3000when\u3000we\u3000tail\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000and\u3000his\u3000entourage\u3000away\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000taught\u3000you\u3000how\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000pots\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000orator\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000my\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000toward\u3000several
\nhovering\u3000floatchests\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000them\u3000and\u3000hide\u3000them\u3000until\u3000the\u3000day\u3000of\u3000reckoning\u3002
\nThe\u3000bright\u3000notes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brazen\u3000glaur\u3000horn\u3000blared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000confused\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3000\u3003the\u3000Call\u3003\u2026whatever\u3000that\u3000was\u2026had\u3000arnotrived\uff1b\u3000then\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000panic\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000what\u3000the\u3000trumpet\u3000truly\u3000portended\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000goblins’\u3000babbling\u3000and\u3000frantic\u3000peering\u3000about\uff1b\u3000they\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000nobly\u3000born\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000an\u3000old\u3000bitterness\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Didn’t\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000go\u3000hunting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000slaying\u3000every\u3000wretch\u3000you\u3000could\u3000catch\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000you\u3000mention\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000It\u3000occurs\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000this\u3000is\u3000probably\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000doing\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000tactic\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000involves\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000waste\u3000motion\u3002\u3000Once\u3000I\u3000shielded\u3000us\u3000our\u3000hunters\u3000couldn’t\u3000pinpoint\u3000our\u3000location\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000knew\u3000our\u3000mission\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000us\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000so\u3000they\u3000organized\u3000a\u3000hunt\u3000for\u3000a\u3000party\u3000of\u3000nobles\u3002\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000is\u3000that\u3000all\u3000the\u3000turmoil\u3000is\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000flush\u3000us\u3000out\u3000and\u3000send\u3000us\u3000scrambling\u3000frantically\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000at\u3000which\u3000point\u3000they’ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000better\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000spotting\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What’s\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000swords\u3000were\u3000loose\u3000in\u3000their\u3000scabbards\uff1b\u3000\u3003your\u3000sister\u3000gives\u3000us\u3000the\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000retaining\u3000our\u3000veils\u3000of\u3000illusion\u3000and\u3000being\u3000harried\u3000by\u3000our\u3000own\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000or\u3000casting\u3000them\u3000off\u3000and\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000might\u3000do\u3000her\u3000killing\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Prophet\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000for\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000quieted\u3000a\u3000little\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000will\u3000scatter\u3000as\u3000we\u3000must\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000you\u3000go\uff1b\u3000take\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000pots\u3002\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000is\u3000past\uff1b\u3000share\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000news\u3000of\u3000our\u3000gathering\u3000with\u3000all\u3000those\u3000who\u3000were\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000attend\u3002\u3000Remember\u3000your\u3000part\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Call\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000go\uff01\u3003
\nSome\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000bolted\u3000without\u3000further\u3000delay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000half \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000bolted\u3000without\u3000further\u3000delay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000half\u3000lingered\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000jug\u3000or\u3000two\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hovering\u3000boxes\u3002\u3000One\u3000ore\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000footing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000press\uff1b\u3000then\u3000screamed\u3000as\u3000other\u3000goblinoids\u3000trampled\u3000him\u3000in\u3000their\u3000haste\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000and\u3000his\u3000bodyguards\u3000slipped\u3000out\u3000a\u3000door\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3003Shall\u3000we\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000striding\u3000after\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000of\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000hunters\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000contend\u3000with\u3000them\u3000as\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000damned\u3000if\u3000I\u3000hide\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000while\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000we\u3000worked\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000find\u3000vanish\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000stalked\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000Braeryn\u3000already\u3000echoed\u3000with\u3000more\u3000trumpeting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sporting\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000screams\u3000of\u3000undercreatures\u3002
\nThe\u3000teachers\u3000shadowed\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000for\u3000half\u3000a\u3000block\u3002\u3000The\u3000trio\u3000moved\u3000briskly\u3000but\u3000without\u3000any\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000panic\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000they\u3000were\u3000confident\u3000of\u3000their\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000elude\u3000the\u3000hunters\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3002
\nThen\u3000the\u3000night\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000other\u3000things\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3002
\nHe\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000skulked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000house\u3000where\u3000several\u3000shouting\u3000goblins\u3000pounded\u3000on\u3000the\u3000granite\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3000As\u3000was\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000practice\u3000during\u3000a\u3000hunt\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000wouldn’t\u3000let\u3000in\u3000anyone\u3000but\u3000folk\u3000who\u3000actually\u3000lived\u3000there\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000terrified\u3000refugees\u3000flooding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000already\u3000crowded\u3000warren\u3000might\u3000trample\u3000or\u3000crush\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000residents\u2026or\u3000the\u3000influx\u3000might\u3000make\u3000the\u3000house\u3000a\u3000more\u3000provocative\u3000target\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000before\u3002
\nFinally\u3000Ryld\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000long\u2026armed\u3000creatures\u3000turn\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000structure\u3002\u3000They\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000then\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000run\uff1b\u3000their\u3000rapid\u3000footsteps\u3000drumming\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nRyld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000why1\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000were\u3000charging\u3000him\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Pernothaps\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000had\u3000mistaken\u3000them\u3000for\u3000tenants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3000that\u3000had\u3000denied\u3000them\u3000entry\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000appropriate\u3000targets\u3000for\u3000revenge\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they\u3000simply\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000take\u3000their\u3000frustrations\u3000out\u3000on\u3000someone\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000it\u3000mattered\u3002\u3000The\u3000brutes\u3000were\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000trice\u3002
\nRyld\u3000drew\u3000Splitter\u3000from\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000and\u3000came\u3000on\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000his\u3000assailants’\u3000pitiful\u3000makeshift\u3000weaponry\u3000and\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000armor\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000pathetic\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3000so\u3000much\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000would\u3000almost\u3000be\u3000a\u3000bore\u3002
\nTwo\u3000goblins\u3000spread\u3000out\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000flank\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000Splitter\u3000left\uff1b\u3000then\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000undercreatures\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000one\u3000dropping\u3000its\u3000crowbar\u3000to\u3000clang\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000keeping\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000its\u3000mallet\u3002
\nThe\u3000next\u3000two\u3000bat\u2026eared\u3000creatures\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000They\u3000should\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000run\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Ryld\u3000couldn’t\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000ponder\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000still\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002\u3000The\u3000Prophet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000farther\u3000away\u3000by\u3000the\u3000second\u3002
\nHe\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000downward\u3002\u3000A\u3000goblin\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000short\u3000sword\u2026a\u3000proper\u3000warrior’s\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000martial\u3000training\u3000to\u3000go\u3000with\u3000it\u2026lifted\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000to\u3000parry\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Splitter\u3000sheared\u3000right\u3000through\u3000its\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000streaked\u3000on\u3000into\u3000its\u3000torso\u3002
\nKnife\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000goblin\u3000dodged\u3000behind\u3000its\u3000foe\u3002\u3000Sensing\u3000its\u3000lonotcation\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000kicked\u3000backward\u3002\u3000His\u3000boot\u3000connected\u3000solidly\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000lay\u3000motionless\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000likely\u3000dead\u3000of\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000back\u3002
\nRyld\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000survey\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000in\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000dismay\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000too\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Three\u3000goblins\u3000crouched\u3000over\u3000him\u3000on\u3000their\u3000bandy\u3000legs\u3002\u3000One\u3000scabrous\u3000creature\u3000had\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000spike\u3000that\u3000served\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000poniard\u3002
\nRyld\u3000bellowed\u3000a\u3000war\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000them\u3000down\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000do\u3000any\u3000more\u3000damage\u3002\u3000He\u3000kneeled\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000friend\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000elegant\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000equally\u3000gorgeous\u3000robe\u3000had\u3000two\u3000punctures\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000wet\u3000from\u3000breastbone\u3000to\u3000thighs\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000heard\u3000them\u3000ing\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000after\u3000you\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000wheezed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000turn\u3000around\u3000fast\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000at\u3000all\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000goblin\u3000thrust\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gap\u3000between\u3000the\u3000wings\u3000of\u3000my\u3000cloak\u3002\u3000The\u3000little\u3000bastard\u3000hurt\u3000me\u3000when\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000followers\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3000Isn’t\u3000that\u3000silly\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000L\u3000V\u3000E
\nWhen\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000she\u3000must\u3000don\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000performed\u3000the\u3000task\u3000as\u3000methodically\u3000as\u3000she\u3000did\u3000everything\u3000else\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cunningly\u3000crafted\u3000adamantine\u3000gorget\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3000heirloom\uff1b\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000protective\u3000collar\u3000that\u3000saved\u3000her\u3000life\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000unexpected\u3000impact\u3000on\u3000the\u3000nape\u3000of\u3000her\u3000neck\u3000knocked\u3000her\u3000fornotward\u3000and\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000her\u3000enchanted\u3000buckler\u3000clanked\u3000against\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dazed\u3002\u3000The\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000clamored\u3000to\u3000rouse\u3000her\uff1b\u3000their\u3000outburst\u3000clashing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000jumbled\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n utburst\u3000clashing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000jumbled\u3000howling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000adnotvancing\u3000chaos\u3000demon\u3002
\nShe\u3000felt\u3000something\u3000hanging\u3000down\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000bade\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000pull\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000Hsiv\u3000reared\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000tugged\u3000the\u3000article\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mail\u3000links\u3000and\u3000cloth\u3000with\u3000his\u3000jaws\uff1b\u3000and\u3000displayed\u3000it\u3000for\u3000her\u3000inspection\u3002\u3000She\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000armory\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000enchanted\u3000quarrel\u3000sized\u3000for\u3000a\u3000two\u2026hand\u3000arnotbalest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000one\u3000like\u3000it\uff1b\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000pricked\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000kill\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000assailant\u3000had\u3000had\u3000just\u3000about\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000reload\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000obviously\u3000couldn’t\u3000trust\u3000her\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000mail\u3000to\u3000pronottect\u3000her\u2026the\u3000first\u3000bolt\u3000had\u3000pierced\u3000them\u3000easily\u3000enough\u3002
\nThough\u3000it\u3000meant\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wrenched\u3000herself\u3000around\uff1b\u3000remaining\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000smaller\u3000target\uff1b\u3000and\u3000did\u3000her\u3000best\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000her\u3000tiny\u3000shield\u3002
\nJust\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000quarrel\u3000cracked\u3000against\u3000the\u3000armor\u3002\u3000A\u3000shadowy\u3000but\u3000recognizably\u3000female\u3000figure\u3000ducked\u3000back\u3000into\u3000an\u3000arched\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000to\u3000ready\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000again\u3002
\nTrapped\u3000between\u3000two\u3000foes\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000eliminate\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000going\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000the\u3000easier\u3000mark\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leveled\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000rod\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\nA\u3000glob\u3000of\u3000seething\u3000green\u3000vitriol\u3000materialized\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shot\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000could\u3000just\u3000see\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000her\u3000opponent’s\u3000body\u3000in\u3000the\u3000recessed\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000she\u3000aimed\u3000for\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000missed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000the\u3000assassin\u3000down\u3002
\nThe\u3000green\u3000mass\u3000clipped\u3000her\u3000foe’s\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000It\u3000exploded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000figure\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000The\u3000stonework\u3000around\u3000her\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sticky\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000something\u3000like\u3000glue\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000unhindered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000entrapping\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000task\u3000of\u3000cocking\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000Something\uff1b\u3000her\u3000innate\u3000drow\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000hostile\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000had\u3000shielded\u3000her\u3000from\u3000harm\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000as\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000the\u3000rod\u3000back\u3000into\u3000her\u3000belt\u3002\u3000Though\u3000moving\u3000at\u3000a\u3000leisurely\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000already\u3000tranotversed\u3000more\u3000than\u3000half\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lengthy\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3000and\u3000of\u3000course\u3000its\u3000speed\u3000could\u3000increase\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000every\u3000other\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000its\u3000being\u3000altered\u3000un\u2026predictably\u3000from\u3000one\u3000second\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3002
\nBut\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000favored\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000didn’t\u3000accelernotate\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000time\u3000for\u3000another\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000her\u3000foe\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Silently\u3000directing\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000read\u3000from\u3000a\u3000precious\u3000scroll\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Quenthel\u3000pronounced\u3000the\u3000last\u3000syllable\uff1b\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000light\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000reeled\u3000and\u3000clutched\u3000blindly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000frame\u3002\u3000She\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000slowly\u2026dripping\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000glue\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000away\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000skin\u3000behind\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000started\u3000to\u3000read\u3000another\u3000scroll\u3000as\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000her\u3000stirred\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000one\u3000direction\u3000then\u3000another\u3002\u3000Hot\u3000one\u3000second\u3000and\u3000cold\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gusts\u3000wafted\u3000countless\u3000smells\uff1b\u3000pleasant\u3000and\u3000foul\u3000alike\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000very\u3000close\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000vipers’\u3000warning\u3000connotfirmed\u3000it\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000her\u3000lesser\u3000adversary\u3000off\u3000before\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000recovnotered\u3000her\u3000sight\u3002\u3000She\u3000pleted\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000exquisitely\u3000inked\u3000characters\u3000burning\u3000through\u3000the\u3000parchment\u3000like\u3000hot\u3000coals\u3002
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000elbow\u3000down\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000female’s\u3000left\u3000arm\u3000rippled\u3000and\u3000swelled\uff1b\u3000being\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000black\u3000spider\u3000with\u3000green\u3000markings\u3000on\u3000its\u3000bristling\u3000back\u3002\u3000Still\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\uff1b\u3000it\u3000lunged\u3000at\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000in\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000spun\u3000around\u3002\u3000Mauve\u3000with\u3000golden\u3000spots\uff1b\u3000then\u3000white\uff1b\u3000then\u3000half\u3000red\u3000and\u3000half\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000her\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000into\u3000some\u3000other\u3000luminous\uff1b\u3000turbulent\u3000universe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000obnotserver\u3000had\u3000only\u3000its\u3000inconstant\u3000outline\u3000from\u3000which\u3000to\u3000infer\u3000its\u3000shape\u3002\u3000Over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000crab\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wagon\u3000plete\u3000with\u3000driver\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000whirling\u3000dust\u3000devil\u3002\u3000The\u3000length\u3000of\u3000gallery\u3000behind\u3000it\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000carved\u3000from\u3000melting\u3000rainbow\u2026colored\u3000slush\u3000except\u3000for\u3000one\u3000little\u3000stretch\u3002\u3000That\u3000section\u3000appeared\u3000unchanged\u3000until\u3000Quenthel\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3000had\u3000flipped\u3000upside\u3000down\u3002
\nThe\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000rooted\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bag\u3000for\u3000another\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000her\u3000scourge\u3000dangled\u3000from\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000writhed\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3002
\nThe\u3000chaos\u3000demon\u3000blinked\u3000from\u3000ochre\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\u3000stripes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000isosceles\u3000triangle\u3000to\u3000that\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ogre\u3002\u3000Its\u3000cry\u3000currently\u3000a\u3000mix\u3000of\u3000roaring\u3000and\u3000cawing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000swung\u3000its\u3000newly\u3000acquired\u3000club\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000on\u3000her\u3000buckler\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000s \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Quenthel\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000on\u3000her\u3000buckler\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000shock\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000shield\u3000turned\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000round\u3000to\u3000recnottangular\uff1b\u3000and\u3000became\u3000many\u3000times\u3000heavier\u3000than\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000before\u3002
\nThe\u3000unexpected\u3000weight\u3000dragged\u3000her\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000again\u3002\u3000Resemnotbling\u3000a\u3000cresting\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3000flowed\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000yanked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000arm\u3000was\u3000caught\u3000somehow\u3000and\u3000wouldn’t\u3000pull\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000straps\u3002
\nRippling\u3000from\u3000magenta\u3000to\u3000brown\u3000stippled\u3000with\u3000scarlet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000adnotvanced\u3000to\u3000within\u3000inches\u3000of\u3000her\u3000foot\u3002\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000boot\u3000evaporated\u3000into\u3000wisps\u3000of\u3000vapor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pain\u3000stabbed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000extremity\u3002
\nFinally\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000jerked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000restraints\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000flung\u3000herself\u3000backnotward\uff1b\u3000rolling\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mail\u3000whispering\u3000against\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she’d\u3000put\u3000sufficient\u3000distance\u3000between\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000her\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000she\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000then\u3000faltered\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000fiend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000before\u3000her\u3002\u3000Green\u3000and\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000shaped\u3000like\u3000an\u3000hourglass\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000gliding\u3000along\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pursuing\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000cursed\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000random\u3000in\u3000every\u3000respect\u3000save\u3000its\u3000doggedly\u3000murderous\u3000intent\u3002
\nThe\u3000entity’s\u3000howl\u3000ceased\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000resumed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000peal\u3000of\u3000childish\u3000laughter\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000snatched\u3000and\u3000unrolled\u3000a\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000which\u3000abruptly\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000rothe’s\u3000jawbone\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000took\u3000on\u3000a\u3000sooty\u3000tinge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000next\u3000breath\u3000seared\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3002
\nChoking\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stumbled\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000stinging\u3000heat\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000and\u3000chest\u3000persisted\u3002\u3000She\u3000suspected\u3000that\uff1b\u3000had\u3000she\u3000inhaled\u3000any\u3000more\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000taint\u3000might\u3000well\u3000have\u3000killed\u3000her\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000incapacitated\u3000and\u3000possibly\u3000slain\u3000the\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000hung\u3000inert\u3000from\u3000the\u3000butt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whip\u3002
\nShe\u3000tossed\u3000away\u3000the\u3000jawbone\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000another\u3000scroll\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000readnoting\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000spell\u3000contained\u3000therein\u3002\u3000Shaped\u3000like\u3000some\u3000hybrid\u3000of\u3000dragon\u3000and\u3000wolf\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000again\uff1b\u3000advanced\u3000without\u3000moving\u3000its\u3000legs\u3002\u3000Though\u3000colored\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000gold\u3000of\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000it\u3000threw\u3000off\u3000a\u3000bitter\u3000chill\u3000that\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000freeze\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3000and\u3000spoil\u3000her\u3000recitation\u3000with\u3000a\u3000stammer\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000thanked\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000that\u3000her\u3000own\u3000education\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000to\u3000transcend\u3000disfort\u3002\u3000She\u3000forced\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\u3000in\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000black\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000greatsword\u3000without\u3000a\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000hilt\uff1b\u3000or\u3000tang\uff1b\u3000shimmered\u3000into\u3000existence\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000The\u3000floating\u3000weapon\u3000was\u3000a\u3000devastating\u3000magic\u3000known\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000any\u3000creature\u3000resist\u3000it\u3002\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000still\u3000chilly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000sole\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ghastly\u3000cold\u3000had\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000her\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000interposed\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000pursuer\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000is\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can\u3000kill\u3000you\u3002\u3000It\u3000can\u3000kill\u3000anything\u3002\u3003
\nCertain\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sent\u3000it\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Surnotrender\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000who\u3000sent\u3000you\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000slice\u3000you\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002
\nEmitting\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000scent\u3000she’d\u3000never\u3000encountered\u3000before\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000frog\u3000crudely\u3000chiseled\u3000from\u3000mica\u3000with\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000wicked\u3000fangs\u3000in\u3000its\u3000sparkling\u3000jaws\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000demon\u3000waddled\u3000forward\u3002
\nFine\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000be\u3000stupid\u3002
\nControlling\u3000the\u3000black\u3000blade\u3000with\u3000her\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000she\u3000bade\u3000it\u3000attack\u3002\u3000It\u3000hacked\u3000a\u3000long\u3000gash\u3000in\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000frog\u3000head\u3000and\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000down\u3000on\u3000its\u3000belly\u3002\u3000The\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000burned\u3000with\u3000scarlet\u3000fire\u3002
\nThe\u3000intruder\u3000turned\u3000inky\u3000black\u3000while\u3000flowing\u3000into\u3000a\u3000shape\u3000that\u3000renotsembled\u3000two\u3000dozen\u3000hands\u3000growing\u3000on\u3000long\uff1b\u3000leafy\u3000stalks\u3002\u3000The\u3000stems\u3000stretchnoting\u3000and\u3000twisting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000grabbed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000let\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000seize\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000she’d\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magnotically\u3000keen\u3000double\u3000edge\u3000cut\u3000them\u3000to\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000which\u3000dropped\u3000away\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000particularly\u3000loud\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000which\u3000sounded\u3000in\u3000part\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rhythmic\u3000clanging\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hammer\u3000beating\u3000metal\u3000in\u3000a\u3000forge\u3002\u3000Wincing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000the\u3000extreme\u3000volume\u3000equated\u3000to\u3000a\u3000scream\u3000of\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3000so\u3002
\nThe\u3000demon\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000green\u3000tower\u3000shaped\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000uncouth\u3000architectural\u3000notions\u3000of\u3000some\u3000inferior\u3000race\u3002\u3000A\u3000force\u3000surroundnoting\u3000it\u3000tugged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000keep\u3000were\u3000a\u3000magnet\u3000and\u3000the\u3000conjured\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000forged\u3000of\u3000steel\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000found\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000pensate\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pull\u3002\u3000She\u3000slashed\u3000away\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000masonry\u3002
\nThe\u3000tower\u3000opened\u3000lengthwise\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sarcophagus\u3002\u3000It\u3000lurched\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000up\u3000again\u3002
\nThe\u3000entity\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000Quenthel\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000why\u3000it\u3000should\u3000matter\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000even\u3000be\u3000more\u3000effective\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000and\u3000stab\u3000her\u3000foe\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inside\u3002\u3000She\u3000used\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000to\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000point\u3000bite\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000psionic\u3000link\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000snapped\u3002
\nStartled\uff1b\u3000she \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Startled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000nonetheless\u3000reflexively\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000another\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000squirming\u3000red\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3000mass\u3002\u3000A\u3000hole\u3000dinotlated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000spat\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapon\u3000retained\u3000its\u3000shape\u3000but\u3000rippled\u3000with\u3000shifting\u3000colors\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quennotthel\u3000still\u3000couldn’t\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\nShe\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000rattling\u3000and\u3000growling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000swept\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000ducked\u3000and\u3000dodged\u3002\u3000So\u3000far\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000evading\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000hampered\u3000and\u3000hurt\u3000her\u3000simply\u3000by\u3000being\u3000near\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mail\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000moss\u3000and
\ncrumbled\u3000away\u3002\u3000Her\u3000flesh\u3000throbbed\u3000with\u3000sudden\u3000pains\u3000as\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000power\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000transform\u3000it\u3002\u3000One\u3000leg\u3000turned\u3000numb\u3000and\u3000immobile\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000nearly\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Itchy\u3000scales\u3000grew\u3000on\u3000her\u3000skin\u3000then\u3000faded\u3000away\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000ached\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000blurred\u3000to\u3000black\uff1b\u3000white\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gray\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000exploded\u3000back\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000Her\u3000identity\u3000itself\u3000was\u3000in\u3000flux\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000thoughts\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000alien\u3000emotions\u3000of\u3000an\u3000arthritic\u3000human\u3000seamstress\u3000dwelling\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002
\nSomehow\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000such\u3000disconcerting\u3000phenomena\uff1b\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000read\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000radiant\u3000blade\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002
\nShe\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000how\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000parchment\u3000had\u3000found\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000She\u3000questioned\u3000that\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000had\u3000scribed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000connottained\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000few\u3000drow\u3000ever\u3000cast\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000some\u3000priestesses\u3000would\u3000disdain\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000it\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000invoked\u3000a\u3000force\u3000regarded\u3000as\u3000anathema\u3000to\u3000their\u3000faith\u3002\u3000But\u3000Quenthel\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000would\u3000want\u3000her\u3000to\u3000use\u3000any\u3000weapon\u3000necessary\u3000to\u3000vanquish\u3000her\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000remotely\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000this\u3000magic\u3000would\u3000prevail\u3000where\u3000even\u3000the\u3000supposedly\u3000invincible\u3000black\u3000blade\u3000had\u3000failed\u3002
\nBright\uff1b\u3000intricate\u3000harmonies\u3000sang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000field\u3000of\u3000bluish\u3000phosphorescence\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000Within\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000innottangible\u3000geometric\u3000forms\u3000revolving\u3000around\u3000one\u3000another\u3000in\u3000plex\u3000symnotmetrical\u3000patterns\u3002
\nThe\u3000cool\u3000radiance\u3000expressed\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000order\uff1b\u3000of\u3000law\uff1b\u3000the\u3000antithesis\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000that\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000an\u3000extension\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000will\u3000froze\u3000inside\u3000it\u3000like\u3000an\u3000insect\u3000in\u3000amber\u2026and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000still\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000began\u3000hitching\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000working\u3000itself\u3000loose\u3000of\u3000the\u3000restricting\u3000magic\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000was\u3000essentially\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000but\u3000mortal\u3000and\u3000native\u3000to\u3000the\u3000material\u3000plane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000no\u3000power\u3000over\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000wheeled\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000body\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000part\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000chewing\u3000and\u3000slurping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\nThe\u3000dead\u3000girl\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000Halavin\u3000Symrywin\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000had\u3000the\u3000surnotprisingly\u3000good\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000all\u3000that\u3000gaudy\uff1b\u3000clinking\u3000jewelry\u3000before\u3000atnottempting\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000The\u3000novice\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000the\u3000arbalest\u3000rather\u3000deftly\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000her\u3000sore\uff1b\u3000mutilated\u3000hands\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000the\u3000quiver\u3000containing\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000quarrels\u3002\u3000She\u3000moved\u3000warily\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000feasting\u3000arachnid\u3000paid\u3000her\u3000no\u3000mind\u3002
\nShe\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000dart\u3000in\u3000the\u3000channel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shot\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000hit\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000shuddered\u3000in\u3000its\u3000nearly\u3000immobile\u3000form\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000die\u3002
\nIt\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3000while\u3000it\u3000was\u3000trapped\uff1b\u3000muster\u3000any\u3000loyal\u3000minions\u3000who\u3000hadn’t\u3000partaken\u3000of\u3000the\u3000poisoned\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pany\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000she’d\u3000originally\u3000intended\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000harrowing\u3000events\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000had\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000appeal\u3002
\nBut\u3000after\u3000what\u3000she’d\u3000endured\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000this\u3000vermin\u3000a\u3000lesson\u3000about\u3000molesting\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000appearnotance\u3000of\u3000strength\u3000was\u3000vital\u3002\u3000So\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000shooting\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cocking\u3000action\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000would\u3000allow\u3002\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000inched\u3000its\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000half\u2026cooled\u3000magma\u3002
\nFour\u3000bolts\u3000left\uff1b\u3000then\u3000three\u3002\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dart\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000its\u3000horned\uff1b\u3000triangular\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\nShe\u3000could\u3000still\u3000hear\u3000its\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000was\u3000just\u3000because\u3000it\u3000had\u3000shrieked\u3000so\u3000long\u3000and\u3000loudly\u3002\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000head\u3000a\u3000shake\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000quell\u3000the\u3000phantom\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000then\u3000glimpsed\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000shadow\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000from\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3003You\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000cocking\u3000the\u3000arbalest\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000penultimate\u3000quarrel\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000other\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000bolted\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000gave\u3000chase\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000little\u3000winded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000struggle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000quarry\u3000outdistanced\u3000her\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000stalked\u3000on\u3000through\u3000the\u3000labyrinthine\u3000chambers\u3000and\u3000corridors\u3000until\u3000she\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000bend\u3000and\u3000came\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\u3000with\u3000three\u3000of\u3000her\u3000minions\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000their\u3000true\u3000sent \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ions\u3002\u3000The\u3000goddess\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000their\u3000true\u3000sentiments\u3000were\uff1b\u3000but\u3000confronted\u3000with\u3000her\u3000leveled\u3000arbalest\u3000and\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000fact\u3000that\uff1b\u3000while\u3000her\u3000gear\u3000was\u3000much\u3000the\u3000worse\u3000for\u3000wear\uff1b\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000was\u3000unscathed\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hastily\u3000saluted\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000killed\u3000tonight’s\u3000intruder\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000a\u3000homegrown\u3000enemy\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000of\u3000our\u3000situation\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000dead\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000The\u3000lowered\u3000visor\u3000of\u3000her\u3000spider\u2026crested\u3000helmet\u3000pletely\u3000concealed\u3000her\u3000features\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000her\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000recognized\u3000Quave\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senior\u3000instructors\u3002\u3000\u3003Most\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000ate\u3000and\u3000drank\u3000the\u3000tainted\u3000meal\u3000are\u3000waking\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000poisoner\u3000only\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000render\u3000us\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000not\u3000kill\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Apparently\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000\u3003she\u3000was\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000adminnotister\u3000the\u3000coup\u3000de\u3000grace\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000What\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000encountered\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000before\u3000I\u3000did\uff1f\u3003
\nQuave\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003When\u3000they\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000hinder\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000hurt\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000They\u3000should\u3000recover\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000took\u3000no\u3000joy\u3000in\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000unknown\u3000enemy’s\u3000sole\u3000target\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000your\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Quave\u3002
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000the\u3000living\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000each\u3000acnotcordingly\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000also\u3000look\u3000for\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000got\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seal\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nThese\u3000were\u3000tasks\u3000that\u3000would\u3000doubtless\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000occupied\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000intrusions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000fangs\u3000of\u3000another\u3000crisis\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nIt\u3000would\u3000all\u3000for\u3000make\u3000an\u3000arduous\u3000day’s\u3000labor\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000oute\u3000uncernottain\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000depress\u3000even\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mood\u3000lifted\u3000slightly\u3000when\u3000her\u3000vipers\u3000began\u3000to\u3000stir\u3002
\n*\u3000*\u3000*
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000healing\u3000potion\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000small\u3000pewter\u3000vial\u3000from\u3000his\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000unstoppered\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000lips\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000drank\u3000the\u3000liquid\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000it’s\u3000still\u3000bad\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000still\u3000bleeding\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000more\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Pity\u3002\u3000A\u3000wretched\u3000little\u3000goblin\u3000did\u3000this\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000walk\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000move\u3000or\u3000be\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000just\u3000lie\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000not\u3000on\u3000a\u3000night\u3000when\u3000the\u3000hunt\u3000was\u3000out\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000dangerous\u3002
\n\u3003Possibly\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slumped\u3000back\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000apparently\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000carry\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nHe\u3000gathered\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bidding\u3000Pharaun\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000called\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000his\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3002\u3000They\u3000floated\u3000slowly\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000rooftop\u3002
\nThe\u3000view\u3000from\u3000that\u3000vantage\u3000point\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000encouraging\u3002\u3000Screaming\u3000undercreatures\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000alleys\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000with\u3000whooping\u3000riders\u3000in\u3000pursuit\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thrust\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slash\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000or\u3000simply\u3000by\u3000trampling\u3000them\u3000under\u3000the\u3000clawed\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000their\u3000lizards\u3002\u3000They\u3000tended\u3000to\u3000find\u3000intimate\u3000mayhem\u3000more\u3000amusing\u3002\u3000Some\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000had\u3000no\u3000qualms\u3000about\u3000loosing\u3000a\u3000quarrel\u3000or\u3000conjuring\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002
\nStill\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000wheeled\u3000above\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000on\u3000foulwings\uff1b\u3000wyverns\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000winged\u3000mounts\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000danger\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\u3002
\nHe\u3000hauled\u3000Pharaun\u3000up\u3000against\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000gable\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000cover\u3000against\u3000the\u3000scrutiny\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flyers\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000bad\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000are\u3000hunting\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000clear\u3000path\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000district\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000didn’t\u3000reply\u3002
\n\u3003Pharaun\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000sighed\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000still\u3000conscious\u3002\u3000Barely\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000hide\u3000here\u3000until\u3000the\u3000hunt\u3000ends\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000cover\u3000us\u3000with\u3000a\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000darknotness\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000might\u3000w\u2026\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000gasped\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000held\u3000on\u3000to\u3000him\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000roll\u3000off\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000seizure\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000face\u3000seemed\u3000gaunt\u3000and\u3000drawn\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000before\u3002\u3000More\u3000blood\u3000seeped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000wounded\u3000stomach\u3002
\n\u3003This\u3000isn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000work\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000by\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Unless\u3000you\u3000have\u3000some\u3000more\u3000healing\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000tragedy\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000but\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000them\u3000surely\u3000brought\u3000some\u3000restorative\u3000magic\u3000along\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000or\u3000her\u3002\u3000Here’s\u3000that\u3000darkness\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000conjured\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000not\u3000much\u3000else\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000localized\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000would\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000obscuration\u3000itself\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000raced\u3000away\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000along\u3000the\u3000rooftops\uff1b\u3000bounding\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3000Often\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000hownotever\uff1b\u3000the\u3000houses\u3000were\u3000far\u3000enough\u3000apart\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000skulk\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000at\u3000such\u3000a\u3000time\u3000that\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000another\u3000hunting\u3000party\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000group\u3000wa \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n It\u3000was\u3000at\u3000such\u3000a\u3000time\u3000that\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000another\u3000hunting\u3000party\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000group\u3000was\u3000too\u3000large\u3000to\u3000tackle\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000from\u3000it\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Crouched\u3000low\uff1b\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000a\u3000mage\u3000on\u3000lizard\u2026back\u3000lob\u3000a\u3000yellow\u3000spark\u3000through\u3000the\u3000window\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000houses\u3002\u3000Booming\uff1b\u3000yellow\u3000flame\u3000exnotploded\u3000through\u3000the\u3000room\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000after\u3000it\u3000died\uff1b\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000began\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000winced\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000child\u3000of\u3000six\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000survived\u3000precisely\u3000such\u3000a\u3000masnotsacre\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000severely\u3000blistered\uff1b\u3000lain\u3000trapped\u3000for\u3000hours\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000charred\uff1b\u3000stinking\u3000bodies\uff1b\u3000the\u3000luckier\u3000ones\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000live\u3000ones\u3000whimpering\u3000and\u3000twitching\u3000in\u3000their\u3000helpless\u3000agony\u3002
\nBut\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000him\u3000burned\u3000nor\u3000buried\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000spat\u3000the\u3000unpleasnotant\u3000memory\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000about\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000was\u3000looknoting\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000broke\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000upward\u3002
\nHe\u3000dashed\u3000on\u3000along\u3000a\u3000steeply\u3000sloping\u3000roof\u3000engraved\u3000with\u3000web\u3000patterns\u3000and\u3000defaced\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000another\u3000slave\u3000race\u3000emblem\u3002\u3000He\u3000sensed\u3000somenotthing\u3000above\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pivoted\u3002\u3000His\u3000boots\u3000slipped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000levinottated\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000while\u3000he\u3000found\u3000his\u3000footing\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3002
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000spied\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000black\u3000horse\u3000galloping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000equines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000could\u3000run\u3000across\u3000a\u3000field\u3002\u3000Fire\u3000crackled\u3000around\u3000its\u3000hooves\u3000and\u3000pulsed\u3000from\u3000its\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000male\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\u3000held\u3000a\u3000scimitar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000wasn’t\u3000making\u3000any\u3000extraordinary\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000it\u3000into\u3000position\u3000for\u3000a\u3000cut\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000he\u3000was\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000demonic\u3000steed\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000What\u3000goblinoid\u3000could\u3000withnotstand\u3000a\u3000nightmare\uff1f
\nRyld\u3000froze\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000such\u3000a\u3000hapless\u3000undercreature\u3000paralyzed\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000he\u3000timed\u3000the\u3000speed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nightmare’s\u3000approach\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000last\u3000possible\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000phantom\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000its\u3000master\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000whipped\u3000Splitter\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000and\u3000cut\u3002
\nAnd\u3000missed\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000arrested\u3000its\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000fell\u3000short\u3002
\nIts\u3000fiery\u3000hooves\u3000churning\u3000eighteen\u3000inches\u3000above\u3000the\u3000rooftop\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nightnotmare\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000Thick\uff1b\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000sulfurous\u3000smoke\u3000streamed\u3000from\u3000its\u3000nostrils\uff1b\u3000ennotveloping\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000stinging\u3000and\u3000half\u3000blinding\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000more\u3000than\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000black\u3000creature\u3000lunging\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000with\u3000its\u3000reptilian\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000renottreated\u3000a\u3000step\u3002\u3000The\u3000move\u3000saved\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000counterattacked\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nightmare\u3000too\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000itself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\u3002
\nThrough\u3000the\u3000stinking\u3000vapor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000glimpsed\u3000the\u3000infernal\u3000horse\u3000circling\u3002\u3000It\u3000sprang\u3000at\u3000him\u3000again\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000rearing\u3000to\u3000batter\u3000him\u3000with\u3000its\u3000front\u3000hooves\u3002\u3000He\u3000crouched\u3000and\u3000lifted\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000took\u3000the\u3000steed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he’d\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000working\u3000frantinotcally\uff1b\u3000it\u3000flew\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000itself\u3000off\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000before\u3000it\u3000could\u3000penetrate\u3000too\u3000deeply\u3002
\nThe\u3000next\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000were\u3000difficult\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000make\u3000out\u3000his\u3000foes\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000nightmare\u3000could\u3000apparently\u3000see\u3000through\u3000its\u3000own\u3000smoke\u3000pernotfectly\u3000well\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000precariously\u3000on\u3000the\u3000crest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000in\u3000constant\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000whereas\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000horse\u3000could\u3000manotneuver\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000pleased\u3002\u3000Just\u3000to\u3000make\u3000life\u3000even\u3000more\u3000interesting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rider\u3000started\u3000swinging\u3000his\u3000curved\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000like\u3000most\u3000denizens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000little\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000how\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000on\u3000horseback\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000clumsy\u3000strokes\u3000still\u3000posed\u3000a\u3000danger\u3002
\nRyld\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000end\u3000the\u3000confrontation\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000before\u3000someone\u3000discovnotered\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000in\u3000light\u3000of\u3000all\u3000his\u3000disadvannottages\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000of\u3000doing\u3000that\u3000was\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000risk\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000time\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000reared\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blazing\u3000hooves\u3000slam\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002
\nHis\u3000dwarven\u3000breastplate\u3000rang\u3000but\u3000held\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000hurt\u3000cruelly\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000break\u3000any\u3000ribs\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000incapacitate\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000fell\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000banged\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000east\u3000pitch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000tumble\u3002\u3000Kicking\u3000and\u3000scrabbling\uff1b\u3000negating\u3000his\u3000weight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000twist\u3000around\u3000into\u3000a\u3000low\u3000fighting\u3000stance\u3002
\nThe\u3000nightmare\u3000was\u3000rushing\u3000in\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000him\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000time\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000too\u3000mitted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000to\u3000halt\u3000its\u3000forward\u3000momentum\u3002\u3000The\u3000greatsword\u3000slashed\u3000through\u3000its\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000severing\u3000the\u3000head\u3000with\u3000its\u3000luminous\u3000scarlet\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000steed\u3000toppled\u3000sideways\u3000and\u3000rolled\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000embers\u3002\u3000The\u3000rider\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000free\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000too\u3000slow\u3002\u3000The\u3000nightmare\u3000crushed\u3000him\u3000on\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nRyld\u3000tore\u3000open\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000male’s\u3000purse\uff1b\u3000then\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000horse\u3000and\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000saddlebags\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000potions\u3000or\u3000any\u3000other\u3000means\u3000of\u3000mending\u3000a\u3000wound\u3002
\nWhy\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000should\u3000he\u3000expect\u3000to\u3000find\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000among\u3000the\u3000noble’s\u3000effects\uff1f\u3000The\u3000noble\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000for\u3000some\u3000lighthearted\u3000sport\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000couldn’t\u3000hu \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n lins\u3000couldn’t\u3000hurt\u3000him\u3000or\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000any\u3000other\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000so\u3000why\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000remedy\u3000for\u3000grievous\u3000harm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000festivinotties\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lucky\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000possess\u3000one\uff1f
\nThere\u3000were\u3000only\u3000five\u3000hunters\u3000who’d\u3000e\u3000there\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deadly\u3000serious\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000swords\u3000with\u3000formidable\u3000foes\uff1a\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000far\u3000more\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000healing\u3000magic\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000whom\u3000Ryld\u3000might\u3000opt\u3000to\u3000waylay\u3002
\nAlas\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000more\u3000trouble\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000save\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000cope\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000a\u3000useful\u3000ally\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000let\u3000that\u3000carefully\u3000nurtured\u3000relationship\u3000expire\u3000easily\u3002\u3000He\u3000skulked\u3000on\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000hunters\u3000who\u3000obliviously\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000path\uff1b\u3000until\u3000he\u3000finally\u3000spied\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000figure\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rooftop\u3000just\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3002
\nStill\u3000masked\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000twin\u3000warriors\u3000was\u3000stalking\u3000along\u3000that\u3000eminence\u3002\u3000An\u3000arrow\u3000nocked\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000street\u3000below\u3002
\nRyld\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000down\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000stubby\u3000little\u3000false\u3000minaret\u3000on\u3000his\u3000roof\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000would\u2026be\u3000murderers\u3002
\nHe\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000them\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000band\u3000had\u3000split\u3000up\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000their\u3000quarry\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000have\u3000to\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000they\uff1b\u3000to\u3000oversee\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000district\u3002
\nHe\u3000ducked\u3000back\uff1b\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000poisoned\u3000dart\u3000in\u3000the\u3000channel\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000their\u3000pursuers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000dying\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000overly\u3000concerned\u3000with\u3000a\u3000petty\u3000retainer’s\u3000life\u3002
\nHe\u3000leaned\u3000back\u3000around\uff1b\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000already\u3000tightening\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trigger\u2026\u3000and\u3000the\u3000space\u3000where\u3000the\u3000archer\u3000had\u3000stood\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000cast\u3000about\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000male\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000round\uff1b\u3000flat\u2026roofed\u3000little\u3000tower\u3000adnothering\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000body\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002
\nThat\u3000posed\u3000two\u3000problems\u3002\u3000One\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000farther\u3000away\u3000and\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000higher\u3000up\uff1b\u3000at\u3000or\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000limit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000crossbow’s\u3000range\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000male\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000Ryld’s\u3000direction\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000flew\u3000open\u3000wide\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000his\u3000quarry\u3002
\nRyld\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000dart\u3000fell\u3000short\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3002\u3000A\u3000split\u3000second\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000pulled\u3000back\u3000his\u3000bowstring\u3000and\u3000loosed\u3000his\u3000arrow\u3000in\u3000one\u3000fluid\u3000motion\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gradually\u3000swelling\u3000dot\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000it\u3000was\u3000speednoting\u3000straight\u3000at\u3000its\u3000target\u3002
\nRyld\u3000dodged\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrow\u3000whizzed\u3000past\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000archer\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Here\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000him\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000of\u3000passing\u3000time\u3000even\u3000more\u3000acutely\u3000than\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3000when\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000only\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000avoiding\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000dispose\u3000of\u3000his\u3000presnotent\u3000opponent\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000The\u3000longbow\u3000simply\u3000had\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000outnotclassed\u3002\u3000He\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000close\u3002
\nHe\u3000drew\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000sprang\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000toward\u3000his\u3000foe\u3002\u3000The\u3000archer\u3000sent\u3000one\u3000arrow\u3000after\u3000another\u3000winging\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knocked\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000defense\u3000was\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3000advancnoting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000irregular\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000than\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000standnoting\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\nRyld\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000beat\u3000faster\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000managing\u3002\u3000There\u3000came\u3000another\u3000shaft\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000aglitter\u3000with\u3000some\u3000form\u3000of\u3000enchantment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000swatted\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3000Rattling\uff1b\u3000it\u3000rolled\u3000on\u3000down\u3000the\u3000pitch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002
\nHe\u3000took\u3000another\u3000step\uff1b\u3000slapped\u3000aside\u3000another\u3000missile\uff1b\u3000then\u3000heard\u3000somenotthing\u2026he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\uff1b\u3000just\u3000an\u3000indefinable\u3000change\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000remembered\u3000that\u3000some\u3000enchanters\u3000created\u3000magical\u3000weapons\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000more\u3000than\u3000flying\u3000truer\u3000and\u3000hitting\u3000harder\u3002
\nHe\u3000spun\u3000around\u3002\u3000The\u3000sparkling\u3000arrow\u3000had\u3000launched\u3000itself\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000circled\u3000around\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000streaking\u3000toward\u3000its\u3000target\u3000and\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3002
\nRyld\u3000wrenched\u3000Splitter\u3000across\u3000in\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000parry\u3002\u3000The\u3000edge\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000arrow\u3000and\u3000split\u3000it\u3000in\u3000two\u3002\u3000Spinning\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000the\u3000piece\u3000with\u3000the\u3000point\u3000hit\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000his\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000did\u3000him\u3000no\u3000harm\u3002
\nHe\u3000lurched\u3000back\u3000around\u3000with\u3000barely\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000deflect\u3000the\u3000next\u3000shaft\uff1b\u3000then\u3000marched\u3000on\u3002\u3000Four\u3000more\u3000paces\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002
\nThe\u3000gap\u3000between\u3000this\u3000house\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000was\u3000five\u3000yards\u3000across\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000running\u3000start\uff1b\u3000made\u3000himself\u3000nearly\u3000weightless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000The\u3000twin\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000hit\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000a\u3000blessed\u3000change\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arrow\u3000flew\u3000wild\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000thumped\u3000down\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000same\u3000structure\u3000his\u3000opponent\u3000occupied\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000forever\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\u3000far\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000had\u3000really\u3000been\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002
\nNot\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\u3000running\u3000the\u3000gauntlet\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrows\u3000kept\u3000hurtling\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000including\u3000one\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000an\u3000eerie\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000him\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unnotnatural\u3000fear\u3000until\u3000he\u3000quashed\u3000the\u3000feeling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000another\u3000that\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000harpy\u3000in\u3000flight\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000another\u3000struck\u3000two \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000miniature\u3000harpy\u3000in\u3000flight\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000another\u3000struck\u3000two\u3000paces\u3000in\u3000front\u3000him\u3000and\u3000exploded\u3000into\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Squinting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wrapped\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000around\u3000him\u3000and\u3000dived\u3000through\uff1b\u3000emerging\u3000singed\u3000but\u3000essentially\u3000unscathed\u3002
\nAfter\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000to\u3000cancel\u3000most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000leap\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3000He\u3000sprang\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000like\u3000a\u3000jumping\u3000spider\u3000and\u3000alit\u3000on\u3000the\u3000platform\u3002\u3000The\u3000twin\u3000hastily\u3000set\u3000down\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000scimitar\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000healing\u3000magic\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000give\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000let\u3000you\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000other\u3000warrior\u3000smiled\u3000unpleasantly\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000rades\u3000will\u3000start\u3000arriving\u3000any\u3000second\u3002\u3000Surrender\u3000now\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000is\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000Princess\u3000Greyanna\u3000will\u3000let\u3000you\u3000live\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000male\u3000jumped\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\uff1b\u3000sidestepped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000parried\uff1b\u3000beat\u3000the\u3000scimitar\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000on\u3002
\nOver\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000warrior\u3000gave\u3000ground\u3000consistently\u3002\u3000Twice\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nearly\u3000stepped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000round\u3000tabletop\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000but\u3000on\u3000both\u3000occasions\u3000spun\u3000himself\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000duelist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000defennotsively\u3000while\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000reinforcements\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3002\u3000That\u3000made\u3000him\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000hit\u3002\u3000Hard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000impossible\u3002
\nPressing\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000feinted\u3000high\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000parry\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000down\u3000and\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000low\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Splitter\u3000sheared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000torso\u3000just\u3000below\u3000the\u3000ribs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000collapsed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gush\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002
\nMagic\u3000trilled\u3000and\u3000flickered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000When\u3000Ryld\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000twin\u3000and\u3000Relonor\u3000popped\u3000into\u3000being\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rooftop\u3000below\u3002\u3000Obnotviously\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000mage\u3000could\u3000teleport\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000without\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000pilfered\u3002
\nHis\u3000voluminous\u3000sleeves\u3000sliding\u3000down\u3000to\u3000his\u3000elbows\uff1b\u3000Relonor\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000newly\u3000arrived\u3000twin\u3000nocked\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000the\u3000string\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pale\u3000bone\u3000bow\u3002
\nRyld\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000his\u3000adversaries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000him\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000no\u3000magic\u3000or\u3000arrow\u3000flew\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002\u3000He\u3000scuttled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000platform\u2026enchantments\u3000in\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000deadening\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000footfalls\u2026and\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000previous\u3000opponent’s\u3000bow\u3000and\u3000quiver\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002
\nThe\u3000twin\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000rose\u3000above\u3000the\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000the\u3000former\u3000levitating\uff1b\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000soaring\u3000in\u3000an\u3000arc\u3000that\u3000revealed\u3000some\u3000magical\u3000capacity\u3000for\u3000actual\u3000flight\u3002\u3000The\u3000archer\u3000loosed\u3000an\u3000arrow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mystical\u3000energy\u3000flashed\u3000from\u3000Relonor’s\u3000fingertips\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000magic\u3000reached\u3000its\u3000target\u3000first\u3002\u3000A\u3000ghastly\u3000shriek\u3000stabbed\u3000through\u3000Ryld’s\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000into\u3000his\u3000brain\u3002\u3000He\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000flailed\u3000in\u3000agony\u3002\u3000The\u3000warrior’s\u3000arrow\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000his\u3000thigh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000razor\u2026edged\u3000point\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000screaming\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000him\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000the\u3000arrow\u3000had\uff1b\u3000but\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000or\u3000inclination\u3000to\u3000fret\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000Quickly\u3000as\u3000few\u3000folk\u3000save\u3000a\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000could\u3000manage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000loosed\u3000two\u3000shafts\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3002
\nThe\u3000first\u3000took\u3000Relonor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000second\u3000stabbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000belly\u3002\u3000They\u3000both\u3000dropped\u3000down\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002
\nRyld\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000twin\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000his\u3000flank\u3002\u3000The\u3000male\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000facilitate\u3000searching\u3000him\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000hobbled\u3000over\u3000to\u3000him\u3000to\u3000rifle\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3000and\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000satchel\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000on\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002
\nBlessedly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000four\u3000silver\u3000vials\uff1b\u3000each\u3000marked\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rune\u3000for\u3000healnoting\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000indeed\u3000outfitted\u3000her\u3000agents\u3000properly\u3000for\u3000a\u3000martial\u3000exnotpedition\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000twin’s\u3000misfortune\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000drink\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bounty\u3000before\u3000going\u3000into\u3000shock\u3002
\nHis\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000Relonor\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000carried\u3000healing\u3000draughts\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000guarantee\u3000that\u3000they’d\u3000be\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000use\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000e\u3000after\u3000him\u3000again\u3000any\u3000second\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000avoid\u3000a\u3000second\u3000round\u3002\u3000He\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000beat\u3000a\u3000hasty\u2026
\nEnormous\u3000wings\u3000beat\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000long\u2026necked\uff1b\u3000legless\u3000beast\u3000passed\u3000overnothead\u3000with\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000the\u3000skinny\u3000one\uff1b\u3000astride\u3000its\u3000back\u3002\u3000Glaring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000sister\u3000pulled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000laces\u3000securing\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bag\u3000of\u3000monsters\u3002
\nRyld\u3000dumped\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000arrows\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quiver\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000them\u3002\u3000One\u3000was\u3000fletched\u3000with\u3000red\u3000feathers\u3000while\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000had\u3000black\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000his\u3000first\u3000foe\u3000shoot\u3000one\u3000fire\u3000arrow\u3002\u3000Praying\u3000that\u3000the\u3000red\u2026fletched\u3000arrow\u3000was\u3000another\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000his\u3000bowstring\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000it\u3000hurtling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\nThe\u3000arrow\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000flame\u3002\u3000The\u3000scarred\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000reflexively\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000bag\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000as\u3000it\u3000went\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000spores\u3000bust \n
\n \n
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\n it\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000as\u3000it\u3000went\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000spores\u3000busting\u3000inside\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000green\uff1b\u3000then\u3000blue\uff1b\u3000then\u3000violet\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000screamed\u3000in\u3000fury\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000foulwing\u3000swooping\u3000lower\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000another\u3000magic\u3000arrow\u3000and\u3000found\u3000that\u3000none\u3000were\u3000left\u3002\u3000He\u3000nocked\u3000an\u3000ordinary\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shake\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000an\u3000aftereffect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000punishment\u3000he’d\u3000taken\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000finished\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000shoot\u3000accurately\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000hit\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000foulwing’s\u3000vital\u3000spots\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000riders\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000was\u3000he\u3000in\u3000any\u3000shape\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000them\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000hand\u3002
\nThen\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000still\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3000He\u3000surrounded\u3000his\u3000arrow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000murky\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shot\u3000it\u3000upward\u3002
\nThe\u3000descending\u3000beast\u3000was\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000target\u3002\u3000Even\u3000shooting\u3000blind\u3000with\u3000tremnotbling\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000hitting\u3000in\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000foul\u2026wing\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000double\u3000shriek\u3000that\u3000told\u3000him\u3000he’d\u3000succeeded\u3002
\nHe\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000he’d\u3000created\u3000tumble\u3000and\u3000zigzag\u3000drunkenly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Stung\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000inexplicably\u3000sightless\uff1b\u3000the\u3000winged\u3000mount\u3000inside\u3000had\u3000panicked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Greyanna\u3000was\u3000evidently\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000control\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000quite\u3000possibly\u3000could\u3000have\u3000dissolved\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000with\u3000some\u3000scroll\u3000or\u3000talisman\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000either\u3000or\u3000lay\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000her\u3000equipment\u3000easily\u3000with\u3000the\u3000foulwing\u3000lurching\u3000and\u3000swooping\u3000about\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3002
\nRyld\u3000snapped\u3000the\u3000head\u3000off\u3000the\u3000arrow\u3000in\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000offendnoting\u3000object\u3000out\u3002\u3000He\u3000gathered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000healing\u3000potions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\uff1b\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000his\u3000talisman\uff1b\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000off\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000limped\u3000away\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
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\nT\u3000H\u3000I\u3000R\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nAs\u3000Quenthel\u3000skulked\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000it\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000his\u3000radiant\u3000heat\u3000into\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3000Even\u3000revelers\u3000and\u3000necromancers\u3000were\u3000settling\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000rest\u3002\u3000She\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000relax\u3000until\u3000late\u3000the\u3000next\u3000night\uff1b\u3000unless\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000resting\u3000forever\u3002
\nFortunately\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000alchemists\u3000brewed\u3000a\u3000stimulant\u3000to\u3000delay\u3000the\u3000onset\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aching\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000fuzzy\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leaden\u3000limbs\u3000that\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000rest\u3000produced\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000extracted\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pouches\u3000on\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000sip\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000muscles\u3000jumped\u3002\u3000Jolted\u3000back\u3000to\u3000alertness\uff1b\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000on\u3000her\u3000way\u3002
\nIn\u3000another\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000quarters\u3002\u3000In\u3000defernotence\u3000to\u3000the\u3000status\u3000of\u3000her\u3000family\uff1b\u3000the\u3000novice\u3000resided\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith’s\u3000most\u3000fortable\u3000student\u3000habitations\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000regretted\u3000not\u3000sticking\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dank\u3000little\u3000hole\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000then\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000would\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000her\u3000place\u3002
\nThe\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000arched\u3000limestone\u3000panel\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000magical\u3000wards\u3002
\n\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000safe\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000believe\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yngoth\u3000replied\u3002
\nHow\u3000reassuring\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000either\u3000trust\u3000them\u3000or\u3000use\u3000another\u3000precious\uff1b\u3000irreplaceable\u3000scroll\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000away\u3000protections\u3000that\u3000probanotbly\u3000didn’t\u3000exist\u3002
\nShe\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000her\u3000brooch\u3002\u3000When\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchantments\u3000on\u3000certain\u3000doors\u3000were\u3000keyed\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000her\u3000to\u3000enter\uff1b\u3000based\u3000on\u3000the\u3000unique\u3000magical\u3000signature\u3000of\u3000her\u3000House\u3000insignia\uff1b\u3000rooms\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000deemed\u3000it\u3000necessary\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000into\u3002\u3000Only\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000brooch\u3000could\u3000unlock\u3000them\u3000all\u3002
\nShe\u3000unlocked\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000door\u3000and\u3000warily\u3000cracked\u3000it\u3000open\u3002\u3000No\u3000magic\u3000sparked\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000did\u3000any\u3000mechanical\u3000trap\u3000jab\u3000a\u3000blade\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000As\u3000quietly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000crept\u3000on\u3000into\u3000the\u3000suite\u3002\u3000Sensing\u3000her\u3000desire\u3000for\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000hung\u3000mute\u3000and\u3000limp\u3002
\nShe\u3000found\u3000Drisinil\u3000sitting\u3000motionless\u3000in\u3000a\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000her\u3000bandaged\uff1b\u3000mutinotlated\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000other\u3000female\u3000must\u3000have\u3000a\u3000dauntless\u3000spirit\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000Reverie\u3000at\u3000such\u3000a\u3000perilous\u3000time\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000admired\u3000her\u2026then\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000brandy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000a\u3000puddle\u3000of\u3000liquor\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000stalked\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000novice\u3002\u3000It\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000to\u3000Drisinil\u3000as\u3000the\u3000living\u3000darkness\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000vaguely\u3000amused\u3000her\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000simply\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000the\u3000predator\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000prey\u3002\u3000Smiling\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gently\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000across\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000upper\u3000torso\u3002\u3000The\u3000snakes\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000writhed\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000roused\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000a\u3000start\u3002\u3000She\u3000started\u3000to\u3000rear\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quennotthel\u3000pushed\u3000her\u3000back\u3000down\u3000in\u3000her\u3000chair\u3002
\n\u3003Sit\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000the\u3000serpents\u3000will\u3000bite\u3002\u3003
\nHer\u3000wide\u3000eyes\u3000framed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000scaly\u3000loops\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vipers\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000stopped\u3000struggling\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Very\u3000good\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000you\u3000sound\u3000sincere\u3002\u3000After\u3000your\u3000first\u3000ploy\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000you\u3000should\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n sincere\u3002\u3000After\u3000your\u3000first\u3000ploy\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000you\u3000should\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\u3000have\u3000rested\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you\u3000mean\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil’s\u3000hand\u3000shifted\u3000stealthily\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000weapon\u3000or\u3000charm\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000the\u3000student’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000their\u3000fangs\u3000missing\u3000her\u3000sharp\u2026nosed\u3000features\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000an\u3000inch\u3002\u3000She\u3000froze\u3002
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000will\u3000go\u3000easier\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000insult\u3000my\u3000innottelligence\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000punished\u3000you\u3000too\u3000harshly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000Barrison\u3000De\u3000Armgo\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000down\u3000the\u3000one\u3000House\u3000standing\u3000between\u3000your\u3000family\u3000and\u3000supremacy\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000you’re\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plot\u3000against\u3000me\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000also\u3000an\u3000idiot\u3000if\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000I’d\u3000realize\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Plot\uff1f\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003Halavin\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\u3000last\u3000night\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000act\u3000alone\u3002\u3000A\u3000single\u3000traitor\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000drugged\u3000all\u3000the\u3000food\u3000and\u3000drink\u3000set\u3000out\u3000at\u3000various\u3000points\u3000around\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000have\u3000required\u3000abandoning\u3000her\u3000station\u3000for\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000would\u3000have\u3000marked\u3000her\u3000absence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Halavin\u3000could\u3000have\u3000tainted\u3000the\u3000meal\u3000while\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000was\u3000never\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000poisoned\u3000the\u3000viands\u3000with\u3000its\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000As\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000noted\uff1b\u3000each\u3000spirit\u3000represents\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000facets\u3000of\u3000renotality\u3000over\u3000which\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000holds\u3000special\u3000dominion\u3002\u3000Poison\u3000is\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000an\u3000assassin\uff1b\u3000while\u3000with\u3000its\u3000continually\u3000fluctuating\u3000form\uff1b\u3000last\u3000night’s\u3000asnotsailant\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000a\u3000manifestation\u3000of\u3000chaos\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000conspirators\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003had\u3000to\u3000contaminate\u3000each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000table\u3000because\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000I\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000eat\u3002\u3000Many\u3000fell\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000plotters\u3000knew\u3000not\u3000to\u3000sample\u3000the\u3000repast\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000part\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Novice\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000irritate\u3000me\u3002\u3000Admit\u3000your\u3000guilt\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000give\u3000you\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000and\u3000interrogate\u3000someone\u3000else\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000serpents\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000their\u3000tongues\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000involved\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3002\u3000The\u3000others\u3000talked\u3000me\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000kill\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000your\u3000little\u3000cabal\u3000has\u3000done\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000how\u3000you\u3000dared\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000swallowed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000you\u3000said\u3000it\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Each\u3000demon\u3000seeks\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000only\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000each\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000particular\u3000way\u3000reflects\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000majesty\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000We\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000sent\u3000them\u3002\u3000We\u3000thought\u3000we\u3000were\u3000doing\u3000what\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000wanted\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Because\u3000you’re\u3000imbeciles\u3002\u3000Has\u3000no\u3000one\u3000taught\u3000you\u3000to\u3000look\u3000beyond\u3000apnotpearances\uff1f\u3000If\u3000Lolth\u3000wanted\u3000me\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000survive\u3000her\u3000displeasure\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\uff1b\u3000let\u3000alone\u3000three\u3000nights\u3002\u3000The\u3000attacks\u3000resemble\u3000her\u3000doing\u3000because\u3000some\u3000blasphemous\u3000mortal\u3000arranged\u3000it\u3000so\uff1b\u3000to\u3000manipulate\u3000you\u3000into\u3000doing\u3000her\u3000killing\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000hoped\u3000you\u3000conspirators\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000trickster’s\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000but\u30001\u3000see\u3000it\u3000isn’t\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Curse\u3000you\u3000all\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000exploded\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000goddess\u3000favors\u3000me\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000possibly\u3000doubt\u3000it\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3000that\u3000any\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000ever\u3000has\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000novice\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000Lusts\u3000must\u3000have\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000distancing\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000speculated\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Some\u3000of\u3000you\u3000did\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3002\u3000Others\u3000simply\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000eliminating\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000your\u3000Aunt\u3000Molvayas\u3000would\u3000relish\u3000seeing\u3000me\u3000dead\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000have\u3000an\u3000excellent\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000being\u3000mistress\u3000in\u3000her\u3000turn\u3002\u3000We\u3000Baenre\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000another\u3000princess\u3000seasoned\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000role\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000my\u3000aunt\uff01\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000exclaimed\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000came\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000helping\u3000the\u3000demons\u3000kill\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000want\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stupid\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000within\u3000our\u3000family\uff1b\u3000she\u3000holds\u3000authority\u3000over\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000you\u3000weren’t\u3000more\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000my\u3000aunotthority\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000doubt\u3000that\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000the\u3000names\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000didn’t\u3000hesitate\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000aunt\uff1b\u3000Vlondril\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000maintained\u3000a\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000but\u3000inwardly\u3000she\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000conspirators\u3002\u3000An\u3000eighth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\uff01\u3000It\u3000was\u3000unprecedented\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000living\u3000in\u3000unprecedented\u3000times\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Drisinil\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3000Where\u3000did\u3000you\u3000gather\u3000to\u3000hatch\u3000your\u3000schemes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unused\u3000storerooms\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000leg\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000won’t\u3000do\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000big\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Convene\u3000the\u3000group\u3000in\u3000Lirdnolu’s\u3000old\u3000classroom\u3002\u3000Nobody’s\u3000used\u3000it\u3000since\u3000she\u3000had\u3000her\u3000throat\u3000slit\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000will\u3000seem\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000meeting\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000blinked\u3002\u3000\u3003Convene\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000Last\u3000night’s\u3000plot\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000so\u3000obviously\u3000you\u3000must\u3000hatch\u3000a\u3000new\u3000one\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000chosen\u3000a\u3000new\u3000chamber\u3000for\u3000the\u3000conference\u3000because\u3000you\u3000suspect\u3000the\u3000storeroom\u3000is\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000safe\u3002\u3000Say\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000need\u3000to\u3000say\u3000to\u3000assemble\u3000your\u3000cabal\u3000in\u3000four\u3000hours’\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000wil \n
\n \n
\n
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\n le\u3000your\u3000cabal\u3000in\u3000four\u3000hours’\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000spare\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000As\u3000you’ve\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000you\u3000only\u3000participated\u3000reluctantly\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it\u3000suddenly\u3000occurs\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000send\u3000you\u3000forth\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000this\u3000task\uff1b\u3000how\u3000do\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000simply\u3000flee\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000and\u3000take\u3000refuge\u3000in\u3000your\u3000mother’s\u3000castle\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000you\u3000already\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000such\u3000a\u3000course\u3000could\u3000only\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000my\u3000death\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000did\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000still\uff1f\u3000How\u3000can\u3000I\u3000be\u3000sure\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Mistress\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000my\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000pel\u3000you\u3000to\u3000do\u3000as\u3000you’re\u3000told\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000its\u3000absence\uff1b\u3000I\u3000must\u3000take\u3000other\u3000measures\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000sweeping\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000off\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000butt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000then\u3000took\u3000out\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000vial\u3002\u3000She\u3000pinched\u3000the\u3000dazed\uff1b\u3000feebly\u3000struggling\u3000girl’s\u3000nostrils\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000poured\u3000the\u3000stimulant\u3000into\u3000her\u3000open\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000her\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3002
\nThe\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000immediate\u3002\u3000The\u3000younger\u3000female\u3000bucked\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3000until\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000flew\u3000open\u3002
\nThe\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000hopped\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000does\u3000it\u3000feel\uff1f\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000is\u3000hammering\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000trembled\u3000like\u3000the\u3000string\u3000of\u3000a\u3000viol\u3002\u3000Sweat\u3000seeped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pores\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000did\u3000you\u3000do\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000should\u3000be\u3000obvious\u3000to\u3000an\u3000acplished\u3000poisoner\u3000like\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’ve\u3000poisoned\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000toxin\u3002\u3000Do\u3000as\u3000I\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000give\u3000you\u3000the\u3000antidote\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000cozen\u3000the\u3000others\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000see\u3000something’s\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000external\u3000signs\u3000should\u3000ease\u3000in\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000though\u3000you’ll\u3000still\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000speeding\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000and\u3000gnawing\u3000at\u3000your\u3000nerves\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000put\u3000up\u3000with\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000antidote\u3000with\u3000you\u3000when\u3000you\u3000e\u3000to\u3000Lirdnolu’s\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000arched\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Drisinil\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000Catching\u3000her\u3000mood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000sighed\u3000with\u3000pleasure\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000your\u3000darkness\u3000would\u3000madden\u3000the\u3000beast\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000lathering\u3000his\u3000narrow\u3000chest\u3002
\nThe\u3000night\u3000before\uff1b\u3000after\u3000he\u3000made\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000found\u3000they\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000healing\u3000potions\u3000to\u3000cure\u3000all\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3000that\u3000either\u3000had\u3000sustained\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000their\u3000restoration\u3000to\u3000full\u3000vitality\uff1b\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000proved\u3000exhausting\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000madness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hunt\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000out\u3000for\u3000Greyanna\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000they’d\u3000esnotcaped\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002
\nClaiming\u3000that\u3000while\u3000Greyanna\u3000was\u3000seeking\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000be\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000pleasant\uff1b\u3000prosperous\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000dispense\u3000with\u3000disguises\u3000and\u3000celebrate\u3000their\u3000sundry\u3000discovnoteries\u3000and\u3000escapes\u3000with\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000finest\u3000public\u3000baths\u3002\u3000The\u3000warrior\u3000had\u3000objected\u3000to\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000as\u3000reckless\u3000bravado\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000too\u3000vehemently\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000climb\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000foes’\u3000reach\u3000soon\u3000enough\u3002\u3000The\u3000prospect\u3000made\u3000him\u3000feel\u3000rather\u3000wistful\u3002
\nOver\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000luxury\u3000of\u3000scrubbing\u3000off\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000grime\u3000that\u3000had\u3000accumulated\u3000on\u3000his\u3000person\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000nothing\u3000in\u3000particular\u3002\u3000He\u3000should\u3000have\u3000known\u3000the\u3000peace\u3000and\u3000quiet\u3000couldn’t\u3000last\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000go\u3000long\u3000without\u3000craving\u3000conversation\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000shrouded\u3000in\u3000darkness\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000the\u3000foulwing\u3000wouldn’t\u3000just\u3000keep\u3000descending\uff1b\u3000guided\u3000by\u3000its\u3000other\u3000senses\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000persisted\u3002
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000good\u3000guess\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing’s\u3000an\u3000animal\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000really\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000from\u3000another\u3000plane\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000your\u3000instincts\u3000were\u3000sound\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000lucky\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000there\u3000with\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000Very\u3000lucky\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fire\u3000and\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000modest\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000move\uff1f\u3003
\nThey\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000an\u3000octagonal\u3000pool\u3000set\u3000in\u3000the\u3000black\u3000marble\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000having\u3000pleted\u3000the\u3000quotidian\u3000business\u3000of\u3000cleaning\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000basin\u3000where\u3000they\u3000would\u3000luxuriate\u3000in\u3000steaming\uff1b\u3000scented\u3000mineral\u3000water\u3002\u3000Later\u3000in\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000packed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000fashionable\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000the\u3000baths\u3000so\u3000early\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000it\u3000to\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000convenient\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000converse\u3000without\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000eavesdroppers\u3002
\nRyld\u3000walked\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000underwater\u3000ledge\u3002\u3000The\u3000warmth\u3000felt\u3000good\u3000on\u3000his\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000mended\u3000but\u3000still\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sore\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000sighed\u3000with\u3000contentment\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000made\u3000a\u3000production\u3000of\u3000immersing\u3000himnotself\u3000in\u3000stages\uff1b\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000were\u3000almost\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000could\u3000bear\u3002
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000your\u3000malaise\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000once\u3000everynotthing\u3000but\u3000his\u3000head\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000submerged\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000solution\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003R \n
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\n ged\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000solution\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Resign\u3000from\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\u3002\u3000It\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000you\u3000being\u3000a\u3000moner\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000see\u3000more\u3000excitement\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000I\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000move\u3000up\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000a\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000rank\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000the\u3000House\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000point\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000bored\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000change\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003One\u3000that\u3000would\u3000put\u3000me\u3000under\u3000the\u3000thumb\u3000of\u3000any\u3000number\u3000of\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000have\u3000less\u3000autonomy\u3000than\u3000I\u3000do\u3000as\u3000an\u3000instructor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000pursue\u3000my\u3000own\u3000objectives\u3000while\u3000under\u3000my\u3000mother’s\u3000sunotpervision\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000you\u3000make\u3000a\u3000legitimate\u3000point\u3002\u3000You\u3000might\u3000find\u3000yourself\u3000abnothorring\u3000the\u3000tug\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reins\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000the\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000says\u3000there\u3000is\u3000one\uff1f\u3000Except\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000further\u3000lunatic\u3000holidays\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000admit\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000tedium\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000diminutive\u3000female\u3000gnome\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000freshly\u3000laundered\u3000and\u3000folded\u3000towels\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Prophet’s\u3000followers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rabble\u2026rouser’s\u3000duergar\u3000firepots\u3000stashed\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bathhouse\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000strange\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000humble\u3000undercreature\u3000that\u3000way\u2026wielding\u3000stone\u2026burning\u3000bombs\u3000against\u3000its\u3000betters\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000our\u3000errand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000past\u3000tense\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000once\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000fonotmenting\u3000a\u3000pitiful\u3000little\u3000goblin\u3000uprising\uff1b\u3000it’ll\u3000be\u3000over\uff1b\u3000won’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Gromph\u3000will\u3000pardon\u3000your\u3000transgressions\u3002\u3000The\u3000Council\uff1b\u3000having\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000our\u3000innotquiries\uff1b\u3000will\uff1b\u3000I\u3000trust\uff1b\u3000see\u3000no\u3000point\u3000in\u3000continuing\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\u3002\u3000It’ll\u3000be\u3000more\u3000to\u3000their\u3000advantage\u3000to\u3000let\u3000us\u3000go\u3000on\u3000training\u3000wizards\u3000and\u3000soldiers\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000very\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000insurrection\u3000will\u3000be\u3000pitiful\u3002\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000because\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000followers\u3000exterminated\u3000so\u3000many\u3000undercreatures\u3000last\u3000night\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scooped\u3000up\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000hot\u3000water\u3000and\u3000splashed\u3000it\u3000on\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000a\u3000little\u3000stiff\u3000from\u3000his\u3000exertions\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000hunters\u3000killed\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000goblins\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000only\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000jammed\u3000into\u3000every\u3000nook\u3000and\u3000cranny\u3000of\u3000the\u3000district\u2026you\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000Smylla’s\u3000home\u3002\u3000Trust\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000still\u3000don’t\u3000really\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000many\u3000other\u3000such\u3000specimens\u3000inhabit\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000doubt\u3000their\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000do\u3000some\u3000appreciable\u3000damage\uff1f\u3000It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000for\u3000want\u3000of\u3000spirit\u3002\u3000The\u3000under\u3000folk\u3000are\u3000in\u3000an\u3000excellent\u3000humor\uff1b\u3000enflamed\u3000by\u3000their\u3000Prophet’s\u3000oratory\uff1b\u3000painting\u3000their\u3000racial\u3000emblems\u3000hither\u3000and\u3000yon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000murdering\u3000potential\u3000informers\u3000and\u3000unbelievers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000still\u3000lack\u3000martial\u3000training\u3000and\u3000proper\u3000weapons\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Some\u3000were\u3000warriors\u3000before\u3000the\u3000slavers\u3000captured\u3000them\u3002\u3000Some\u3000are\u3000thrall\u3000soldiers\u3000still\u3002\u3000As\u3000for\u3000the\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000when\u3000visiting\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000a\u3000city\u3000burn\uff1f\u3000I\u3000did\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000torch\u3000one\u3000myself\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000a\u3000misnotsion\u3002\u3000The\u3000destruction\u3000and\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000life\u3000were\u3000impressive\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000innothabitants\u3000knew\u3000their\u3000buildings\u3000could\u3000catch\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000had\u3000procedures\u3000for\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Whereas\u3000we\u3000don’t\uff1f\u3000Surely\u3000you\u3000wizards\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000really\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000it\u3000occur\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000we\u3000could\u3000improvise\u3000something\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000conflagration\u3000early\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000entirely\u3000effective\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000would\u3000catch\u3000it\u3000early\u3002\u3000The\u3000undercreatures\u3000won’t\u3000rebel\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000will\u3000make\u3000it\u3000possible\u3000to\u3000quash\u3000each\u3000little\u3000uprising\u3000as\u3000it\u3000begins\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000assuming\u3000’the\u3000Call\uff1b’\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000will\u3000pass\u3000by\u3000word\u3000of\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000disseminated\u3000rapidly\u3002\u3000You\u3000could\u3000be\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000noise\u3000baffles\u3000may\u3000hinder\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000has\u3000some\u3000arcane\u3000means\u3000of\u3000rousing\u3000every\u3000goblin\u3000and\u3000bugbear\u3000at\u3000the\u3000exact\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000of\u3000such\u3000a\u3000magic\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000So\u3000it’s\u3000reasonable\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000no\u3000such\u3000power\u3000exists\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000arched\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1f\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000your\u3000expert\u3000opinion\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000made\u3000a\u3000spitting\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Look\u3002\u3000You\u3000think\u3000a\u3000rebellion\u3000could\u3000amount\u3000to\u3000something\u3002\u3000I\u3000disagree\uff1b\u3000but\u3000say\u3000you’re\u3000right\u3002\u3000Isn’t\u3000that\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000report\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000immediately\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000waved\u3000to\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3000slave\u3000who\u3000was\u3000sauntering\u3000by\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000diffinotculty\u3000is\u3000that\u3000I\u3000have\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000succeed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000assignment\u3000is\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000I\u3000glimpsed\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000for\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lost\u3000them\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000will\u3000deem\u3000that\u3000satisfactory\uff1f\u3003
\nFrowning\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Considering\u3000that\u3000we\u3000did\u3000uncover\u3000something\u3000of\u3000interest\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Remember\uff1b\u3000our\u3000great\u3000and\u3000glorious\u3000Archmage\u3000doesn’t\u3000hold\u3000me\u3000in\u3000high\u3000esteem\u3002\u3000He\u3000sent\u3000me\u3000out\u3000as\u3000a\u3000decoy\uff1b\u3000a\u3000target\u3000for\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000to\u3000harass\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000him\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000if\u30001\u3000fulfill\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000of\u3000our\u3000agre \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000if\u30001\u3000fulfill\u3000the\u3000letter\u3000of\u3000our\u3000agreement\uff1b\u3000he’ll\u3000swallow\u3000his\u3000dislike\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000end\uff1b\u3000but\u3000should\u3000I\u3000fall\u3000the\u3000least\u3000bit\u3000short\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3000a\u3000different\u3000matter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000at\u3000least\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000are\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Can\u3000I\uff1f\u3000We\u3000sifted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Stenchstreets\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000any\u3000outsiders\u3000could\u3002\u3000We\u3000didn’t\u3000find\u3000the\u3000house\u3000where\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000hang\u3000their\u3000cloaks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000actually\u3000have\u3000only\u3000the\u3000flimsiest\u3000of\u3000reasons\u3000for\u3000assuming\u3000it’s\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000you’re\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000When\u3000am\u3000I\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000here’s\u3000what\u3000I\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000do\uff1a\u3000Find\u3000the\u3000rogues’\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002\u3000Discover\u3000who\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000is\u3000and\u3000how\u3000his\u3000wizardry\u2026\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000is\u2026works\u3002\u3000Learn\u3000where\u3000the\u3000firepots\u3000came\u3000from\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they’re\u3000cached\u3000around\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000master\u3000plan\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3002\u3000And\u3000most\u3000importantly\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000determine\u3000what\u3000the\u3000fugitives\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000losing\u3000its\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000ing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000affair\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000were\u3000before\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003More\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000we\u3000ever\u3000were\u3000before\u3002\u3000That\u3000might\u3000dispel\u3000your\u3000boredom\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000those\u3000are\u3000the\u3000real\u3000reasons\u3000you\u3000aren’t\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000my\u3000motives\u3000are\u3000genuine\uff1b\u3000including\u3000my\u3000wariness\u3000of\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000I\u3000take\u3000it\u3000you\u3000are\u3000in\u3000a\u3000frantic\u3000hurry\u3000to\u3000return\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000in\u3000no\u3000rush\u3002\u3000Our\u3000excursion\u3000has\u3000been\u3000interesting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000like\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000what\u3000I\u3000start\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000rebel\u3000before\u3000we\u3000get\u3000around\u3000to\u3000warning\u3000our\u3000fellow\u3000drow\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000we’ll\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000never\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000anyone\u3000we\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000the\u3000awareness\u3000that\u3000we\u3000race\u3000to\u3000avert\u3000a\u3000calamity\u3000will\u3000make\u3000our\u3000exploits\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3000stimulating\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000should\u3000we\u3000lose\u3000the\u3000race\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000won’t\u3000kill\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000agree\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000keep\u3000on\u3000searching\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Excellent\uff01\u3003
\nBearing\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000tray\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000bustled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pool\u3002\u3000Bending\u3000the\u3000knees\u3000of\u3000his\u3000splayed\uff1b\u3000bristly\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000salver\u3000low\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000goblets\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000thrall\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000dismissing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000cup\u3002
\n\u3003To\u3000mystery\u3000and\u3000glory\uff01\u3003
\nRyld\u3000sipped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000own\u3000cup\uff1b\u3000acknowledging\u3000the\u3000toast\u3002\u3000The\u3000drink\u3000was\u3000red\u3000morel\u3000juice\uff1b\u3000sweet\u3000and\u3000very\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000contrast\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3003So\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it’s\u3000back\u3000to\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000ores\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000grieve\u3000to\u3000disappoint\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000time\u3000for\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000deception\u3000has\u3000passed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3000If\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000undercreatures\uff1b\u3000how\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000into\u3000another\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000secret\u3000meetings\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000will\u3000hold\u3000another\u3000assembly\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000alnotready\u3000explained\u3000his\u3000strategy\u3000and\u3000distributed\u3000his\u3000secret\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000does\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000for\u3000several\u3000days\uff1b\u3000during\u3000which\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000Greyanna\u3000seeking\u3000us\u3000relentlessly\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000evaded\u3000her\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000must\u3000acknowledge\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000our\u3000luck\u3000could\u3000sour\u3000eventually\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000right\u3000about\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Therefore\uff1b\u3000we\u3000need\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000which\u3000means\u3000a\u3000change\u3000of\u3000tactics\u3000is\u3000in\u3000order\u3002\u3000Why\u3000are\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000instigate\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3000revolt\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Nor\u3000do\u3000I\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000It\u3000doesn’t\u3000appear\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sense\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000agree\u3000that\u3000the\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000act\u3000of\u3000eloping\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000reflects\u3000an\u3000antipathy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000established\u3000order\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Possibly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000let’s\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000or\u3000some\u3000other\u3000ringleader\u3000lured\u3000the\u3000males\u3000away\u3000from\u3000their\u3000homes\u3000because\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ordinarily\u3000resentful\u3000of\u3000their\u3000places\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Where\u3000does\u3000the\u3000notion\u3000lead\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000demonstrate\u3000that\u3000we\u3000share\u3000their\u3000disnottemper\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000may\u3000recruit\u3000us\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000can\u3000we\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3000We\u3000may\u3000not\u3000be\u3000clerics\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’re\u3000Masters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000pillars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hierarchy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000pleasanter\u3000lot\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000less\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000discontent\u3000than\u3000most\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That\u3000doesn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000you\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Even\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000overlooking\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000my\u3000misadventure\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000disgraced\u3000master\uff1b\u3000likely\u3000in\u3000line\u3000for\u3000some\u3000ghastly\u3000punnotishment\u3002\u3000Whereas\u3000you\u3000with\u3000your\u3000dour\u3000demeanor\u3000and\u3000dwarven\u3000armor\u3000are\u3000clearly\u3000an\u3000iconoclast\u3000and\u3000malcontent\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000been\u3000asking\u3000everynotwhere\u3000for\u3000news\u3000of\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000know\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000fit\u3000to\u3000make\u3000contact\u3002\u3000During\u3000that\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3000has\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000us\u3002\u3000They\u3000surely\u3000have\u3000some\u3000cognizance\u3000of\u3000that\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yet\u3000they\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000approach\u3000us\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000do\u3000it\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000we’ll\u3000provide\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000we\u3000do\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000share\u3000their\u3000perspective\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000lead\u3000regular\u3000patrols\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000destroy\u3000one\uff1b\u3000repair\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000boast \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n r\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000destroy\u3000one\uff1b\u3000repair\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\uff1b\u3000boast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000await\u3000developments\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000will\u3000seek\u3000us\u3000out\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000they\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Whatever\u3000their\u3000ultimate\u3000obnotjective\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000can\u3000use\u3000the\u3000services\u3000of\u3000two\u3000such\u3000talented\u3000fellows\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000back\u3000up\u3002\u3000You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000a\u3000patrol\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000as\u3000showy\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000planning\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3002\u3000They\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000as\u3000numerous\u3000as\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000hunters\u3000and\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000expecting\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000not\u3000killing\u3000anybody\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000clerics\uff1b\u3000unless\u3000we\u3000abnotsolutely\u3000have\u3000to\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000do\u3000absolutely\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000in\u3000a\u3000race\u3000against\u3000time\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000speediest\u3000route\u3000to\u3000our\u3000objective\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000afterward\uff1f\u3000Won’t\u3000any\u3000number\u3000of\u3000folk\u3000want\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000us\u3000for\u3000our\u3000impudence\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000won’t\u3000confide\u3000our\u3000involvement\u3000to\u3000those\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000unsympanotthetic\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000will\u3000figure\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000but\u3000snug\u3000and\u3000safe\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lair\u3000of\u3000our\u3000friend\u3000the\u3000Prophet\uff1b\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000has\u3000already\u3000authorized\u3000our\u3000annihilation\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000really\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000the\u3000crime\u3000can’t\u3000worsen\u3000our\u3000current\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000long\u3000term\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000the\u3000long\u3000term\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003it\u3000wont\u3000matter\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000yourself\u3000obnotserved\u3000mere\u3000moments\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000we\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000are\u3000a\u3000pragmatic\u3000lot\u3002\u3000People\u3000fornotgive\u3000whatever\u3000outrages\u3000I\u3000mitted\u3000yesterday\u3000if\u3000I\u3000make\u3000myself\u3000useful\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Greyanna\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000likewise\u3000prone\u3000to\u3000grudges\uff1b\u3000vendettas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blood\u3000feuds\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000paradoxes\u3000central\u3000to\u3000our\u3000natures\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000of\u3000importance\u3000will\u3000take\u3000our\u3000little\u3000massacre\u3000personally\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000murdering\u3000any\u3000princesses\uff1b\u3000or\u3000anyone\u3000of\u3000genuine\u3000significance\u3000to\u3000her\u3000family\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000will\u3000contact\u3000us\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000they’ll\u3000like\u3000what\u3000they\u3000see\u3000if\u3000they\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000we’ll\u3000simply\u3000hatch\u3000another\u3000scheme\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000mad\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I’m\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Splendid\uff01\u3000We\u3000must\u3000toast\u3000our\u3000homicidal\u3000designs\u3000with\u3000something\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000juice\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000looked\u3000about\u3000and\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000we\u3000see\u3000the\u3000wine\u3000list\uff1b\u3000please\uff1f\u3003
\nRyld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000very\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000morning\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000misled\u3000by\u3000superficial\u3000appearances\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000neinotther\u3000of\u3000us\u3000has\u3000enjoyed\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000repose\uff1b\u3000it\u3000must\u3000still\u3000be\u3000night\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000they\u3000have\u3000any\u3000of\u3000that\u3000’53\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\u3000heartwine\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nF\u30000\u3000U\u3000R\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nUntil\u3000someone\u3000murdered\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Lirdnolu\u3000s\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\u3000classes\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000indoor\u3000amphitheater\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000many\u3000architectural\u3000oddities\u3000scattered\u3000through\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3000slunk\u3000in\uff1b\u3000they\u3000seated\u3000themselves\u3000on\u3000the\u3000C\u2026shaped\u3000tiers\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000how\u3000to\u3000stall\u3000until\u3000Quenthel\u3000arnotrived\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000novice’s\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000a\u3000blank\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000something\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000dry\u3000and\u3000tasted\u3000of\u3000metal\u3002\u3000Her\u3000armpits\u3000were\u3000clammy\u3000with\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000accelerated\u3000pulse\u3000pounded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stumps\u3000of\u3000her\u3000severed\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000The\u3000poison\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000well\u3000on\u3000its\u3000way\u3000to\u3000killing\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000please\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000sufficiently\u3000to\u3000earn\u3000the\u3000antidote\u3002
\nWrinkled\u3000old\u3000Vlondril\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000leered\u3000at\u3000Drisinil\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000the\u3000student’s\u3000distress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000she\u3000said\u3000was\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000believe\u3000most\u3000everyone’s\u3000here\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000done\u3000before\u3000our\u3000colleagues\u3000start\u3000missing\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Drisinil\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000faces\u3000staring\u3000back\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3000we\u3000all\u3000know\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000last\u3000night\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mistress’s\u3000whip\u3000detected\u3000the\u3000drugs\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\nStartled\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000spun\u3000around\u3002\u3000A\u3000figure\u3000shrouded\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cowled\u3000piwafwi\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000first\u3000row\u3002\u3000She\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000revealed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000she’d\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\u3000without\u3000her\u3000enemies\u3000realizing\u3000her\u3000identity\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000pushed\u3000back\u3000one\u3000wing\u3000of\u3000her\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000freeing\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000that\u3000held\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000She\u3000sauntered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000It\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Drisinil\u3000that\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3000could\u3000have\u3000fallen\u3000on\u3000their\u3000target\u3000en\u3000masse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000The\u3000mistress\u3000cowed\u3000them\u3000with\u3000her\u3000unexpected\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000her\u3000contemptuous\u3000demeanor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3000princess\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Drisinil\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000done\u3000well\uff1b\u3000novice\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000one\u3000detail\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000traditional\u3000for\u3000priestesses\u3000to\u3000conduct\u3000their\u3000affairs\u3000by\u3000candlelight\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000taken\u3000care\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3002\u3003
\nTwo\u3000teachers\u3000marched\u3000in\u3000carrying\u3000silver\u3000candelabra\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000squinting\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n isinil\uff1b\u3000squinting\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000filed\u3000in\u3000after\u3000them\uff1b\u3000all\u3000well\u3000armed\u3000and\u3000wearing\u3000mail\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000beckoned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3002
\n\u3003Move\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000seats\uff1b\u3000why\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3000The\u3000lateers\u3000won’t\u3000mind\u3000climbing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000beat\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003That\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000suggestion\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000conspirators\u3000hesitated\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000show\u3000offered\u3000connotvinced\u3000them\u3000to\u3000obey\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000then\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3000all\u3000had\u3000armed\u3000loyalists\u3000at\u3000their\u3000backs\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000disnotcuss\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000that\u3000concerns\u3000you\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000my\u3000niece\u3000told\u3000you\u3000about\u3000this\u3000gathering\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000Aunt\u3000Molvayas\uff1b\u3000clad\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gown\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000shimmering\u3000green\u3000that\u3000matched\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000its\u3000purpose\u3000is\u3000entirely\u3000innocent\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Its\u3000purpose\u3000is\u3000to\u3000contrive\u3000your\u3000death\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vlondril\u3000called\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000in\u3000on\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mad\u3000priestess\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Holy\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000Your\u3000candor\u3000helps\u3000move\u3000things\u3000along\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000surveyed\u3000her\u3000enemies\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000your\u3000excuse\u3000for\u3000seeking\u3000to\u3000depose\u3000me\u3000was\u3000the\u3000supposition\u3000that\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000desires\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000postulate\u3000that\u3000she\u3000so\u3000abhors\u3000my\u3000rule\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000that\u3000she\u3000renounces\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3003
\nMolvayas\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000screwing\u3000up\u3000her\u3000courage\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000do\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000deny\u3000it’s\u3000possible\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000ludicrous\u3000notion\u3000unsupported\u3000by\u3000a\u3000single\u3000shred\u3000of\u3000evidence\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000though\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000plausible\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lieunottenant\u3000who\u3000covets\u3000my\u3000position\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000appeared\u3000perfectly\u3000at\u3000ease\uff1b\u3000the\u3000twisting\u3000whip\u3000serpents\u3000were\u3000keeping\u3000watch\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demons\uff1f\u3000They\u3000reflect\u3000the\u3000attributes\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000they\u3000e\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000Because\u3000one\u3000of\u3000my\u3000mortal\u3000enemies\u3000sends\u3000them\u3000in\u3000guises\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000stimulate\u3000your\u3000imaginations\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000enemy\uff1f\u3003\u3000Molvayas\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000has\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000determined\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003In\u3000other\u3000words\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000second\u2026in\u2026mand\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000we\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003At\u3000least\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000isn’t\u3000happening\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\uff1f\u3000What\u3000makes\u3000your\u3000one\u3000opinion\u3000superior\u3000to\u3000all\u3000of\u3000ours\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000that\u3000is\u3000readily\u3000apparent\u3000to\u3000those\u3000with\u3000some\u3000smattering\u3000of\u3000intelligence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Insults\u3000won’t\u3000resolve\u3000this\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000can\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000test\u3000that\u3000might\u3002\u3000Step\u3000down\u3000for\u3000a\u3000year\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000what\u3000happens\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000laughed\u3002
\n\u3003Meekly\u3000surrender\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1f\u3000Not\u3000likely\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000happens\uff1b\u3000I\u3000too\u3000have\u3000conceived\u3000a\u3000test\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000who\u3000truly\u3000enjoys\u3000Lolth’s\u3000favor\uff1b\u3000your\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000cabal\u3000or\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003\u3000Molvayas\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000wariness\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000test\u3000is\u3000simplicity\u3000itself\u3002\u3000We\u3000simply\u3000ask\u3000Lolth\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000prefers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000await\u3000her\u3000answer\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000insane\u3002\u3000The\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000speaks\u3000to\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000if\u3000we\u3000petition\uff1b\u3000she\u3000will\u3000at\u3000least\u3000condescend\u3000to\u3000give\u3000us\u3000a\u3000sign\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000try\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Molvayas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000with\u3000blades\u3000at\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000actually\u3000had\u3000little\u3000choice\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000propose\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000ritual\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000we’ve\u3000lost\u3000our\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000that\u3000acplish\uff1f\u3000My\u3000idea\u3000is\u3000simnotpler\u3002\u3000We\u3000all\u3000bide\u3000in\u3000this\u3000room\uff1b\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000silent\u3000prayer\u3000and\u3000meditation\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000reveals\u3000her\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\nVlondril\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000she\u3000chooses\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000she’s\u3000truly\u3000abandoned\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000people\u3000or\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000ministers\u3002\u3000My\u3000faith\u3000is\u3000too\u3000strong\u3000to\u3000credit\u3000such\u3000a\u3000calamity\u3002\u3000How\u3000strong\u3000is\u3000yours\uff1b\u3000Barrison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Strong\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000preferring\u3000you\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Molvayas\u3000spat\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000your\u3000scheme\u3002\u3000Lolth\u3000will\u3000speak\u3000when\u3000she\u3000wishes\uff1b\u3000not\u3000when\u3000we\u3000desire\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000waste\u3000of\u3000time\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000keeping\u3000you\u3000alive\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000had\u3000my\u3000loyal\u3000followers\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000pronotposing\u3000an\u3000honest\u3000inquiry\u3000into\u3000your\u3000concerns\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sake\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000what\u3000could\u3000be\u3000more\u3000magnanimous\u3000than\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Molvayas\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000remain\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000nothing\u3000hapnotpens\uff1b\u3000my\u3000rades\u3000and\u3000I\u3000go\u3000free\u3002\u3000You\u3000can’t\u3000chastise\u3000us\u3000if\u3000the\u3000results\u3000of\u3000the\u3000test\u3000are\u3000inconclusive\u3002\u3000That\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000an\u3000honest\u3000inquiry\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Agreed\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000said\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000was\u3000bewildered\u3000and\u3000appalled\u3002\u3000This\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000passive\u3000procedure\u3000sounded\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000could\u3000take\u3000hours\u3002\u3000She\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000antidote\u3000before\u3000her\u3000thunnotdering\u3000heart\u3000tore\u3000itself\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000speed\u3000things\u3000along\u3002
\nThough\u3000plainly\u3000just\u3000as\u3000puzzled\u3000as\u3000she\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000obediently\u3000fell\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000Meditation\u3000was\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000practice\u3000to\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3000frustrating\u3000and\u3000futile\u3000since\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000receded\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000ken\u3002
\nFor\u3000what\u3000s \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ce\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000receded\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000ken\u3002
\nFor\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000a\u3000muscle\u3000under\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000eye\u3000twitched\u3000uncontrollably\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000whom\u3000she’d\u3000betrayed\u3000surreptitiously\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000wordlessly\u3000vowing\u3000revenge\u3002\u3000A\u3000tiny\u3000something\u3000scurried\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Or\u3000perhaps\u3000it\u3000did\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000focus\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\nMore\u3000minutes\u3000crawled\u3000by\u3002\u3000Cloth\u3000whispered\u3000as\u3000someone\u3000shifted\u3000position\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000somebody\u3000else\u3000smothered\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sneeze\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000could\u3000just\u3000barely\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000ghost\u3000of\u3000the\u3000funereal\u3000incense\u3000Lirdnolu\u3000had\u3000burned\u3000when\u3000teaching\u3000necromancy\u3002
\nAnother\u3000mite\u3000scuttled\u3000along\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000this\u3000one\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spider\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000unusual\u3000in\u3000that\u3002\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sacred\u3000creatures\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000something\u3000about\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000specimen\u3000tugged\u3000at\u3000her\u3000despite\u3000her\u3000sickness\u3000and\u3000terror\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000until\u3000she\u3000discerned\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000shell\u3000with\u3000red\u3000markings\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000odd\u3002\u3000This\u3000particular\u3000species\u3000generally\u3000spent\u3000its\u3000time\u3000lurking\u3000in\u3000webs\uff1b\u3000not\u3000roaming\u3000about\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000why\u3000the\u3000anomaly\u3000should\u3000trigger\u3000a\u3000twinge\u3000of\u3000alarm\u3002\u3000It\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000clawing\u3000at\u3000her\u3000nerves\u3002
\nTime\u3000dragged\u3000on\u3002\u3000A\u3000priestess\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lowest\u3000tier\u3000sang\u3000a\u3000hymn\u3000under\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000flat\u3002\u3000Another\u3000novice\u3000with\u3000mutilated\u3000hands\u3000surreptitiously\u3000checked\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000strapped\u3000under\u3000her\u3000sleeve\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000was\u3000loose\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000more\u3000black\u3000dots\u3000were\u3000creeping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000floor\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000were\u3000normal\u3000for\u3000a\u3000disused\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\uff1f\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000so\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000some\u3000sign\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000her\u3000formless\u3000suspicions\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000stood\u3000motionless\u3000with\u3000head\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000picture\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mystic\u3000absorbed\u3000in\u3000her\u3000devotions\u3002
\nA\u3000novice\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000earring\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3002\u3000She\u3000dragged\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000baring\u3000her\u3000right\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000that\u3000was\u3000biting\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000frantic\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000arachnid\u3000without\u3000hurting\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000ical\u3000but\u3000Drisinil\u3000couldn’t\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000Frazzled\uff1b\u3000addled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000poison\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000flecks\u3000swarming\u3000thickly\u3000on\u3000every\u3000side\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000conspirators\u3000had\u3000started\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000They\u3000whispered\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000wide\u3002
\nSomething\u3000brushed\u3000Drismil’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000She\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000around\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000vipers\u3000that\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3003Stay\u3000close\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000said\u3002
\nOnce\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000number\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000hordes\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000scuttling\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conspirators\uff1b\u3000biting\uff1b\u3000crawling\u3000under\u3000their\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000freckling\u3000their\u3000skins\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sores\u3000of\u3000some\u3000hideous\u3000plague\u3002\u3000Shrieking\uff1b\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000caring\u3000that\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000were\u3000sacrosanct\uff1b\u3000their\u3000vicnottims\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000them\u3000and\u3000brush\u3000them\u3000off\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000retained\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000activate\u3000protective\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000that\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000didn’t\u3000help\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\nThe\u3000one\u3000place\u3000free\u3000of\u3000spiders\u3000was\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000tiers\u3002\u3000Once\u3000they\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000weren’t\u3000going\u3000climb\u3000up\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000loyalists\u3000mocked\u3000and\u3000jeered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000plight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000grope\u3000her\u3000way\u3000into\u3000their\u3000safe\u3000space\uff1b\u3000a\u3000loyalist\u3000would\u3000knock\u3000her\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000casual\u3000swat\u3000from\u3000a\u3000mace\u3000or\u3000whip\u3002\u3000Some\u3000even\u3000shot\u3000down\u3000with\u3000hand\u3000crossnotbows\u3000any\u3000conspirator\u3000who\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000stagger\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\nDrisinil\u3000did\u3000remain\u3000at\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000crawled\u3000over\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000but\u3000otherwise\u3000took\u3000no\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000They\u3000climbed\u3000all\u3000over\u3000her\u3000body\u3000without\u3000biting\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stooped\uff1b\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000poured\u3000them\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3000until\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000virtually\u3000encrusted\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000bright\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000shone\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pebbled\uff1b\u3000squirming\u3000mask\u3002
\nFinally\u3000the\u3000shrieking\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000uncovering\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000Vlondril\u3000ecstatnotically\u3000chanting\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000litanies\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000destroyed\u3000her\u3002\u3000After\u3000annotother\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000that\u3000noise\u3000ceased\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000noticed\u3000her\u3000aunt’s\u3000corpse\u3000slumped\u3000among\u3000the\u3000carnage\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000only\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3000by\u3000the\u3000jade\u3000gown\u3002\u3000Molvayas’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000swollen\u3000and\u3000bloodied\u3000beyond\u3000recognition\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000living\u3000and\u3000called\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000asked\u3000Lolth\u3000for\u3000a\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000us\u3000one\u3002\u3000My\u3000foes\u3000are\u3000dead\u3000and\u3000I\u3000remain\uff1b\u3000robed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000sacred\u3000spiders\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000minions\u3000will\u3000question\u3000my\u3000leadership\u3000no\u3000more\u3000or\u3000else\u3000die\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000for\u3000their\u3000effrontery\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000surviving\u3000priestesses\u3000and\u3000novices\u3000hastily\u3000paid\u3000her\u3000obeisance\u3002
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000wise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000I\u3000make\u3000you\u3000a\u3000vow\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000put\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000these\u3000nightly\u3000attacks\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000regain\u3000our\u3000magic\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000hear\u3000Lolth’s\u3000voice\u3000again\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000make\u3000our\u3000order\u3000and\u3000our\u3000temple\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000before\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rder\u3000and\u3000our\u3000temple\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000before\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000clear\u3000away\u3000this\u3000mess\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000spiders\u3000began\u3000to\u3000disappear\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000person\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Drisinil\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000tell\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000simply\u3000scuttling\u3000away\u3000or\u3000teleporting\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000did\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000student\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000together\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000please\u3000give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000antidote\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000none\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000poison\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000liquid\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000stimulant\u3000to\u3000bat\u3000drowsinotness\u3002\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000you\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000alarming\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’ll\u3000wear\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000lying\uff01\u3000Playing\u3000with\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000administered\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000poison\u3000had\u3000I\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000I\u3000was\u3000not\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000improvise\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000bitter\u3000humiliation\u3000and\u3000a\u3000need\u3000to\u3000demonstrate\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000entirely\u3000a\u3000fool\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000blurted\uff1b\u3000\u3003then\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000tricked\u3000everyone\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000around\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000Lolth\u3000didn’t\u3000control\u3000those\u3000spiders\u3002\u3000You\u3000did\u3002\u3000You\u3000read\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000or\u3000used\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000charm\u3000before\u3000you\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000does\u3000it\u3000matter\uff1f\u3003\u3000A\u3000yellow\u3000arachnid\u3000crawled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000snowy\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000She\u3000paid\u3000it\u3000no\u3000mind\u3002\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000teaches\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cunning\u3000and\u3000strong\u3000must\u3000master\u3000the\u3000foolish\u3000and\u3000weak\u3002\u3000However\u3000you\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000this\u3000oute\u3000is\u3000in\u3000accordance\u3000with\u3000her\u3000will\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000your\u3000future\u3002\u3003
\nDrisinil\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000I\uff1f\u3003\u3000a\u3000smiling\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Unlike\u3000some\uff1b\u3000we\u3000Baenre\u3000generally\u3000keep\u3000our\u3000word\u3002\u3000A\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000fair\u3000dealing\u3000facilitates\u3000certain\u3000transactions\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000I\u3000never\u3000promised\u3000not\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000I’ll\u3000take\u3000a\u3000flogging\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000think\u3000appropriate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000quite\u3000agreeable\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000How\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3000We’ll\u3000nip\u3000off\u3000the\u3000other\u3000eight\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000out\u3000your\u3000tongue\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000heard\u3000correctly\u3002
\n\u3003Now\u3000you’re\u3000joking\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000I\u3000firmly\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000engineered\u3000the\u3000plot\u3000against\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000up\u3000to\u3000any\u3000more\u3000mischief\u3002\u3000Ever\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000municate\uff1b\u3000work\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000or\u3000grip\u3000a\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000that\u3000should\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Obviously\uff1b\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000at\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000count\u3000on\u3000the\u3000warmest\u3000of\u3000weles\u3000when\u3000you\u3000return\u3000home\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000Mez’Barris\u3000Armgo\u3000will\u3000have\u3000much\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grotesquely\u3000crippled\u3000and\u3000thoroughly\u3000useless\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000She\u3000may\u3000even\u3000consider\u3000you\u3000an\u3000embarrassment\u3000to\u3000be\u3000killed\u3000or\u3000locked\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\nEnraged\uff1b\u3000panicked\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000lunged\uff1b\u3000but\u3000never\u3000landed\u3000a\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Powerful\u3000hands\u3000grabbed\u3000her\u3000from\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000hauled\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000heavy\u3000bashed\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000Her\u3000legs\u3000folded\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000fallen\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000her\u3000captors\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000up\u3002
\nQuave’s\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000over\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000penance\u3000chamber\u3000and\u3000secure\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quave\u3002\u3000\u30031\u3000assume\u3000you’ll\u3000do\u3000the\u3000cutting\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000to\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000there’s\u3000another\u3000matter\u3000demanding\u3000my\u3000attention\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\u3002\u3000Enjoy\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Just\u3000mind\u3000she\u3000doesn’t\u3000die\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000They\u3000can\u3000drown\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000blood\u3000when\u3000you\u3000take\u3000the\u3000tongue\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000relaxed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barber’s\u3000fingers\u3000kneading\u3000tonic\u3000into\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000as\u3000relaxing\u3000as\u3000a\u3000full\u2026body\u3000massage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000soothing\u3000nonetheless\u3002
\nThe\u3000barber\u3000chattered\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000periodically\u3000responded\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nonmittal\uff1b\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000or\u3000a\u3000grunt\u3002\u3000Like\uff1b\u3000he\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000tonsorial\u3000cusnottomers\u3000of\u3000all\u3000races\u3000in\u3000all\u3000ages\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000actually\u3000listening\u3002
\nThe\u3000barber’s\u3000stall\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000box\u3000redolent\u3000of\u3000unguents\u3000and\u3000pomades\uff1b\u3000was\u3000open\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000more\u3000interesting\u3000to\u3000gaze\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3002\u3000A\u3000moner\u3000strode\u3000by\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000clucking\u3000chicken\uff1b\u3000imported\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Lands\u3000of\u3000Light\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000box\u3002\u3000A\u3000merchant\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000promised\u3000the\u3000fellow\u3000the\u3000fowl\u3000would\u3000lay\u3000for\u3000years\u3000to\u3000e\uff1b\u3000though\u3000in\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000such\u3000birds\u3000rarely\u3000thrived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000A\u3000portrait\u3000painter\u3000rendered\u3000his\u3000subject\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchantments\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brush\u3000enabling\u3000him\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000with\u3000astonnotishing\u3000speed\u3002\u3000An\u3000armorer\u3000drove\u3000a\u3000rapier\u3000through\u3000a\u3000bound\uff1b\u3000gagged\u3000kobold\u3000to\u3000demonstrate\u3000the\u3000sharpness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000point\u3002
\nCowl\u3000up\uff1b\u3000mantle\u3000drawn\u3000close\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Splitter\u3000hidden\u3000by\u3000the\u3000charm\u3000of\u3000concealment\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000cast\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000loitered\u3000across\u3000the\u3000way\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tent\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sides\u3000folded\u3000up\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000games\u3000of\u3000all\u3000sorts\u3000were\u3000on\u3000disnotplay\u3002\u3000The\u3000hulking\u3000swordsman\u3000stood\u3000pondering\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000board\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he’d\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000with\u3000the\u3000onyx\u3000and\u3000carnelian\u3000pieces\u3002
\nA\u3000change\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000people\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000north\u3002\u3000Some\u3000started\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stalls\uff1b\u3000clearing\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lane\u3002\u3000A\u3000ragged\uff1b\u3000furtive\u2026looking\u3000moner\u3000hurried\u3000away\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direct \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u2026looking\u3000moner\u3000hurried\u3000away\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002
\nRyld\u3000sauntered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000near\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tent\uff1b\u3000glanced\u3000where\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000peering\uff1b\u3000then\u3000gave\u3000Pharaun\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000nod\uff1b\u3000confirming\u3000what\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000already\u3000guessed\u3002\u3000A\u3000patrol\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000their\u3000way\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000wished\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000could\u3000have\u3000waited\u3000just\u3000five\u3000more\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000work\u3000before\u3000the\u3000barber\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000tragedy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000helped\u3002
\nA\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000marched\u3000by\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000stern\u3000glances\u3000hither\u3000and\u3000yon\uff1b\u3000their\u3000tread\u3000silent\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000their\u3000enchanted\u3000boots\u3002\u3000In\u3000at\u3000least\u3000nominal\u3000mand\u3000was\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000polished\u3000wooden\u3000wand\u3002\u3000Assisting\u3000her\u3000were\u3000a\u3000teacher\u3000from\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000Gelroos\u3000Zaphresz\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000junior\u3000colleagues\u3000in\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000unfortunate\u3002\u3000Possessed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000store\u3000of\u3000jokes\u3000and\u3000ical\u3000ditties\uff1b\u3000Gelroos\u3000was\u3000congenial\u3000pany\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000if\u3000Pharaun\u3000murdered\u3000the\u3000other\u3000mage\u3000today\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000Gelroos\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000assassinate\u3000him\u3000tomorrow\u3002
\nIn\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000its\u3000officers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000consisted\u3000of\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000warriors\u2026in\u2026training\uff1b\u3000boys\u3000whom\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000instructed\u3000at\u3000one\u3000time\u3000or\u3000another\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000wasn’t\u3000particularly\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000them\u3002\u3000His\u3000fellow\u3000teachers\u3000were\u3000the\u3000real\u3000threat\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000had\u3000marched\u3000past\u3000then\uff1b\u3000surprising\u3000the\u3000barber\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tossed\u3000aside\u3000the\u3000hair\u2026sprinkled\u3000cloth\u3000covering\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000craftsman\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000coin\uff1b\u3000a\u3000princely\u3000overnotpayment\u3000for\u3000his\u3000services\u3002\u3000He\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000in\u3000wordless\u3000exnotplanation\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000actually\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000buy\u3002\u3000He\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000elegance\u3000he’d\u3000obscured\u3000with\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000swirled\u3000it\u3000around\u3000his\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000peeked\u3000out\u3002
\nThe\u3000patrol\u3000had\u3000tramped\u3000about\u3000twenty\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000lane\u3002\u3000Any\u3000farther\u3000and\u3000they’d\u3000turn\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000attained\u3000as\u3000much\u3000separation\u3000from\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3002\u3000He\u3000draped\u3000a\u3000fold\u3000of\u3000silk\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000half\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000brandished\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000marble\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000rust\uff1b\u3000and\u3000recited\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000His\u3000half\u2026barbered\u3000hair\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000end\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000air\u3000around\u3000him\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000ozone\u3002\u3000A\u3000crackling\u3000blue\u2026white\u3000spark\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shot\u3000down\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3002
\nWhen\u3000it\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000patrol\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flickering\u3000point\u3000of\u3000radiance\u3000exploded\uff1b\u3000shooting\u3000flares\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000callow\u3000young\u3000solnotdiers\u3000danced\uff1b\u3000burned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000possessed\u3000neither\u3000the\u3000spiritual\u3000strength\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000talismans\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000minimized\u3000their\u3000innotjuries\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000them\u3000on\u3000their\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sizzling\uff1b\u3000jumping\u3000arcs\u3000of\u3000power\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000vendors\u3000and\u3000shoppers\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000hadn’t\u3000particularly\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000harm\u3000nonbatants\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000too\u3000cramped\u3002
\nThe\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pivot\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000from\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000was\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000blackened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blistered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000his\u3000burns\u3000weren’t\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000Gelroos\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000lightning\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000touched\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000female\u3000was\u3000spinnotning\u3000around\u3000a\u3000hair\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000baton\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000entangling\u3000him\u3000in\u3000sticky\u3000webbing\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000enduring\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000humiliation\u3002\u3000He\u3000rattled\u3000off\u3000a\u3000string\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000words\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000out\u3002\u3000Five\u3000slivers\u3000of\u3000arcane\u3000force\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertips\uff1b\u3000hurtled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000intervening\u3000space\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cleric’s\u3000torso\u3002\u3000She\u3000stumbled\u3000backward\u3000and\u3000collapsed\u3002
\nA\u3000wiry\u3000male\u3000with\u3000deep\u2026set\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000a\u3000scholar’s\u3000stoop\uff1b\u3000Gelroos\u3000peered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000called\uff1b\u3000\u3003Master\u3000Mizzrym\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000much\u3000for\u3000my\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000a\u3000nonmagical\u3000disguise\uff1b\u3003\u3000Phanotraun\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000grinning\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000then\u3000we\u3000do\u3000know\u3000one\u3000another\u3000fairly\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000another\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gelroos\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000entirely\u3000proper\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000overstepped\u3000when\u3000you\u3000struck\u3000down\u3000these\u3000youths\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000pointless\u3000and\u3000sloppy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000mothers\u3000won’t\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000waste\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000reward\u3000me\u3000for\u3000taking\u3000you\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Does\u3000it\u3000help\u3000if\u3000I\u3000explain\u3000that\u3000all\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000from\u3000twin\u3000calamities\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\nGelroos\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000conjure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000warnotriors\u3000charged\u3002
\n\u3003Ah\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000too\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002
\nGelroos\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3000Pharaun\u3000finished\u3000his\u3002\u3000Crashing\u3000and\u3000crunching\uff1b\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lane\u3000spat\u3000stone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000geyser\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000didn’t\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000to\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000they\u3000shifted\u3000around\u3000one\u3000another\u3000and\u3000fitted\u3000together\uff1b\u3000formnoting\u3000a\u3000towering\uff1b\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000fitted\u3000together\uff1b\u3000formnoting\u3000a\u3000towering\uff1b\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000vaguely\u3000drowlike\u3000form\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000heroic\u3000statue\u3000abandoned\u3000when\u3000the\u3000sculptor\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000begun\u3002\u3000Its\u3000footsteps\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000lurched\u3000up\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3000between\u3000the\u3000stalls\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000was\u3000mildly\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000and\u3000control\u3000an\u3000essential\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000earth\u2026nor\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000one\u3000off\uff1b\u3000either\u2026but\u3000the\u3000manifestation\u3000didn’t\u3000shake\u3000his\u3000concentration\u3002\u3000He\u3000continued\u3000his\u3000recitation\u3000without\u3000a\u3000flub\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000floating\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000avoid\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000monotmentarily\uff1b\u3000the\u3000swords\u3000of\u3000the\u3000onrushing\u3000warriors\u3002
\nHe\u3000spoke\u3000the\u3000final\u3000syllable\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conjuration\u3002\u3000A\u3000dagger\u3000made\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000flew\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Gelroos\u3000dodged\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000conjured\u3000blade\u3000exploded\uff1b\u3000pepnotpering\u3000its\u3000target\u3000with\u3000frozen\u3000shards\u3002\u3000One\u3000slashed\u3000open\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000cheek\u3000and\u3000he\u3000stumbled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000seriously\u3000hurt\u3002
\nBelow\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000were\u3000readying\u3000their\u3000crossnotbows\u3002\u3000Others\u3000began\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3002\u3000By\u3000rushing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000drawn\u3000even\u3000with\u3000the\u3000game\u3000merchant’s\u3000tent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000underneath\u3000it\u3002\u3000Half\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000purchased\u3000a\u3000scimitar\u3000to\u3000use\u3000in\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000rendered\u3000visible\u3000by\u3000his\u3000touch\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000currently\u3000clasped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000decided\u3000that\uff1b\u3000since\u3000Gelroos\u3000had\u3000already\u3000called\u3000out\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000name\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000pointless\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000his\u3000own\u3000identity\u3002
\nThe\u3000greatsword\u3000leaped\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000each\u3000stroke\u3000dropping\u3000a\u3000foe\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Bellowing\u3000for\u3000his\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000face\u3000the\u3000new\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000fellow\u3000instructor\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002
\nStone\uff1b\u3000liquid\u3000as\u3000magma\uff1b\u3000flowed\u3000upward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000into\u3000the\u3000elemental’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000served\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000bigger\u3000and\u3000taller\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\u3000of\u3000it\u3000accumulated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000palm\u3000of\u3000its\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000forming\u3000a\u3000spiky\u3000sphere\u3000that\u3000it\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000hurl\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000vial\u3000of\u3000water\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000Brannotdishing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chanted\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cosmos\u3000attenuating\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000sensed\u3000an\u3000infinite\u3000number\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3000s\u3000conjuring\u3000in\u3000adjacent\u3000realities\uff1b\u3000receding\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3000like\u3000reflections\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mirror\uff1b\u3000growing\u3000subtly\u3000less\u3000and\u3000less\u3000like\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000each\u3000step\u3002
\nA\u3000pulse\u3000of\u3000scarlet\u3000light\u3000struck\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Gelroos\u3000must\u3000have\u3000connotjured\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000was\u3000extraordinary\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000last\u3000word\u3000of\u3000power\u3000and\u3000final\u3000mystic\u3000pass\u3000without\u3000a\u3000fumble\u3002
\nHe\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000he’d\u3000succeeded\u3000until\u3000a\u3000vacancy\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gap\u3000not\u3000in\u3000matter\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000medium\u3000that\u3000underlies\u3000it\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000under\u3000the\u3000elemental’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000cocked\u3000back\u3000its\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000throw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000animating\u3000force\u3000fell\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000body\u3000it\u3000had\u3000created\u3000for\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hole\u3002\u3000The\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fabric\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000contracted\u3000and\u3000sealed\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Rumbling\u3000and\u3000thudding\uff1b\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000stone\u3000form\u3000fell\u3000apart\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000took\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000red\u3000light\u3000had\u3000done\u3000more\u3000than\u3000scrape\u3000and\u3000prick\u3000his\u3000skin\u3002\u3000He\u3000grinned\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Gelroos\u3002
\n\u3003Not\u3000quite\uff1b\u3000colleague\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\u3002
\nHe\u3000started\u3000casting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\nForce\u3000crackled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000outcast\u3000Mizzrym\u3000but\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000same\u3000round\u3000little\u3000mirror\u3000he\u3000used\u3000to\u3000check\u3000his\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000made\u3000the\u3000air\u3000surrounding\u3000Gelroos\u3000tinkle\u3000like\u3000chiming\u3000crystals\u3002\u3000The\u3000junior\u3000wizard\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000he\u3000was\u3000transformed\u3000into\u3000an\u3000inert\u3000figure\u3000made\u3000of\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000smooth\u3000glass\u3002
\nMetal\u3000rang\u3000below\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000feet\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000down\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000appeared\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000having\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000time\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000conjured\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000ice\uff1b\u3000flung\u3000into\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surviving\u3000students\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000tide\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000cut\u3000down\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000whirled\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000a\u3000young\u3000spearman\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000over\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3002\u3000Though\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000incapacitated\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warriors\u2026in\u2026training\u3000were\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000instructors\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000what\u3000would\u3000impress\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3002
\nHe\u3000floated\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000earth\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000wasn’t\u3000too\u3000difficult\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000back\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000slaughter\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000allies\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fashion\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000grunted\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fallen\u3000fighter’s\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wiped\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000Splitter\u3002
\n\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000shatter\u3000Gelroos\u3000before\u3000we\u3000decamp\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Othernotwise\uff1b\u3000he’ll\u3000eventually\u3000revert\u3000to\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000blood\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000like\u3002\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000hefted\u3000his\u3000blade\u3002
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nF\u3000I\u3000F\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nWrapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cowl\u3000drawn\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000tramped\u3000south\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000experience\u3000was\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000unique\u3000in\u3000her\u3000personal\u3000experience\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000not\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3000or\u3000en \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ce\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000not\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3000or\u3000enthroned\u3000on\u3000a\u3000floating\u3000stone\u3000disk\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000not\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000a\u3000column\u3000of\u3000guards\u3000and\u3000servants\uff1b\u3000and\u3000most\u3000strangely\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000paid\u3000her\u3000any\u3000real\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000slaves\u3000scurried\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000path\uff1b\u3000and\u3000males\u3000ofnotfered\u3000her\u3000a\u3000cursory\u3000show\u3000of\u3000respect\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000feared\u3000her\u3000or\u3000cringed\u3000in\u3000awe\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000obeisance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000fenotmales\u3000she\u3000encountered\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000lest\u3000their\u3000soldiers\u3000chastise\u3000her\u3000for\u3000insolence\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000galling\uff1b\u3000unsettling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000tempting\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000most\u3000private\u3000thoughts\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000imagined\u3000herself\u3000simply\u3000running\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000imnotplacable\u3000foe\u3000who\u3000worked\u3000so\u3000assiduously\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000she\u3000could\u3000survive\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000this\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000already\u3000off\u3000to\u3000a\u3000good\u3000start\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000with\u3000no\u3000one\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wiser\u3002
\nFlight\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cowardly\u3000notion\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000unworthy\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000annotgered\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000entertained\u3000it\u3000even\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Until\u3000the\u3000attacks\u3000began\uff1b\u3000she\u3000never\u3000had\u3000before\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\uff1b\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000Her\u3000destination\u3000was\u3000nigh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000focused\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000on\u3000the\u3000task\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002
\nSneaking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000little\u3000plicated\u3002\u3000First\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000had\u3000to\u3000surreptitiously\u3000lay\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000nondescript\u3000outerwear\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000her\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moner\u3002\u3000Such\u3000a\u3000piwafwi\u3000certainly\u3000hadn’t\u3000existed\u3000among\u3000her\u3000own\u3000garments\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000which\u3000were\u3000costly\u3000and\u3000bejeweled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000found\u3000it\u3000among\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000staff\u3002\u3000After\u3000disposnoting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cook\u3000lest\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000garment\u3000be\u3000reported\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000exit\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000without\u3000anyone\u3000realizing\u3000it\u3000was\u3000her\uff1b\u3000including\u3000her\u3000own\u3000watchful\u3000sentries\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000skulk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000and\u3000float\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\u3000below\u3000without\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3000noticing\u3002
\nShe’d\u3000managed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000of\u3000her\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000even\u3000after\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000had\u3000been\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000heightened\u3000security\u3002
\nA\u3000road\u3000ran\u3000up\u3000the\u3000eminence\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000to\u3000the\u3000castles\u3000of\u3000Men\u2026zoberranzan’s\u3000greatest\u3000families\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000off\u3000limits\u3000to\u3000moners\u3002\u3000Mernotchants\u3000and\u3000supplicants\u3000used\u3000it\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000subject\u3000to\u3000search\u3000and\u3000interrogation\u3000by\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000patrols\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000started\u3000up\u3000the\u3000twisting\u3000road\u3000and\u3000made\u3000it\u3000better\u3000than\u3000halfway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000before\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000distinctive\u3000grunt\u3000and\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000a\u3000riding\u3000lizard\u3002\u3000She\u3000scurried\u3000off\u3000the\u3000path\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000of\u3000giant\uff1b\u3000phosphorescent\u3000mushnotrooms\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000crouched\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000particularly\u3000massive\u3000specimen\u3002
\nThe\u3000patrol\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mounted\u3000officer\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000foot\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000marched\u3000by\u3000without\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000glancing\u3000her\u3000way\u3002\u3000Hiding\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000troops\u3000was\u3000another\u3000bizarre\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000surreal\u3000experience\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hurried\u3000on\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slope\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rise\u3002\u3000Before\u3000her\u3000rose\u3000the\u3000most\u3000opulent\u3000fortresses\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000easternmost\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000expanse\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000towered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000ground\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000dwarfing\u3000every\u3000other\u3000structure\u3002
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000slender\u3000spire\u3000known\u3000as\u3000Spelltower\u3000Xorlarrin\uff1b\u3000residence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Fifth\u3000House\u3002\u3000Bands\u3000of\u3000shimmering\u3000faerie\u3000fire\u3000striped\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000walls\u3002
\nShe\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000under\u3000the\u3000watchful\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sentries\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battlements\u3002\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000not\u3000already\u3000known\u3000it\uff1b\u3000their\u3000vigilance\u3000would\u3000have\u3000shown\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000maintain\u3000plete\u3000anonymity\u3000no\u3000longer\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000do\u3000the\u3000best\u3000she\u3000could\u3002
\nWhen\u3000a\u3000sentry\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000spear\u3000and\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000strode\u3000over\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000her\u3000business\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3000something\u3000remarkable\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000let\u3000your\u3000amazement\u3000show\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000skeptical\u3002\u3000He\u3000lived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Spelltower\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000his\u3000share\u3000of\u3000marvels\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000ma’am\u3002\u3000Show\u3000me\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000twitched\u3000open\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3000hanging\u3000at\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002
\nHis\u3000eyes\u3000widened\uff1b\u3000but\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000job\u3000of\u3000doing\u3000as\u3000she’d\u3000bade\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000may\u3000I\u3000serve\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000quaver\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000without\u3000anyone\u3000paying\u3000the\u3000least\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000your\u3000matron\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000e\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000guard\u3000led\u3000her\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000and\u3000into\u3000a\u3000confusion\u3000of\u3000service\u3000pasnotsages\u3000such\u3000as\u3000every\u3000castle\u3000possessed\u3002\u3000The\u3000corridors\u3000eventually\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000into\u3000a\u3000nicely\u3000appointed\u3000room\u3000with\u3000fortable\u2026looking\u3000sandstone\u3000chairs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000carnelian\u2026and\u2026obsidian\u3000sava\u3000set\u3000awaiting\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000players\uff1b\u3000and\u3000frescos\u3000of\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000attendant\u3000demons\u3000adorning\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002
\nHer\u3000escort\u3000departed\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000prowl\u3000restlessly\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000the\u3000door\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000an \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n lessly\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000the\u3000door\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Zeerith\u3000Q’Zorlar\u2026rin\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3002\u3000Her\u3000features\u3000were\u3000plain\u3000and\u3000nondescript\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000notable\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dignified\u3000bearing\u3000and\u3000posure\u3000that\u3000rarely\u3000failed\u3000her\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000extreme\u3000situations\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000matron\uff1b\u3000her\u3000costume\u3000was\u3000rather\u3000plain\u3000and\u3000austere\u3002
\nThe\u3000two\u3000princesses\u3000saluted\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Zeerith\u3000ushered\u3000her\u3000guest\u3000to\u3000a\u3000seat\u3002
\n\u3003When\u3000Antatlab\u3000told\u3000me\u3000you’d\u3000e\u3000without\u3000a\u3000single\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wonnotdered\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000gone\u3000mad\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000remarked\u3002
\n\u3003Can\u3000I\u3000trust\u3000him\u3000not\u3000to\u3000gossip\u3000about\u3000my\u3000visit\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003He’s\u3000discreet\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000why\u3000I’m\u3000so\u3000unexpectedly\u3000enjoynoting\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000your\u3000pany\uff1f\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000related\u3000the\u3000events\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000three\u3000nights\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000I\u3000still\u3000possessed\u3000my\u3000magic\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000concluded\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000could\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000this\u3000matter\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000things\u3000stand\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000words\u3000galled\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Why\u3000have\u3000you\u3000sought\u3000it\u3000here\uff1f\u3003\u3000Zeerith\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Xorlarrins\u3000have\u3000always\u3000supported\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000profited\u3000thereby\u3002\u3000Try\u3000as\u3000I\u3000might\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pelling\u3000reason\u3000you’d\u3000want\u3000me\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000House\u3000boasts\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000best\u3000wizards\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000must\u3000trust\u3000someone\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000aid\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1f\u3003
\nZeerith\u3000took\u3000her\u3000time\u3000replying\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000other\u3000female\u3000was\u3000cold\u2026bloodedly\u3000pondering\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000help\uff1b\u3000deny\uff1b\u3000or\u3000betray\u3000her\u3002\u3000Where\u3000did\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000advantage\u3000lie\uff1f
\n\u3003Your\u3000plight\u3000is\u3000an\u3000outrage\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Xorlarrin\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000\u3003an\u3000affront\u3000to\u3000all\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000I’ll\u3000aid\u3000you\u3002\u3000For\u3000ten\u3000thousand\u3000talents\u3000of\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000support\u3000when\u3000my\u3000clan’s\u3000dispute\u3000with\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000bees\u3000public\u3000knowledge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000dispute\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000one\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000stirring\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tenday\u3000or\u3000two\u3002\u3000Do\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff1f\u3003
\nQuenthel’s\u3000mouth\u3000tightened\u3002\u3000If\u3000she’d\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Spelltower\u3000in\u3000the\u3000full\u3000panoply\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3000princess\uff1b\u3000Zeerith\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000twice\u3000about\u3000making\u3000conditions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000arriving\u3000incognito\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000her\u3000desperation\u3000and\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000shifted\u3000the\u3000transaction\u3000to\u3000another\u3000level\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000agree\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000your\u3000generosity\u3002\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000require\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Every\u3000night\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000\u3003a\u3000new\u3000demon\u3000es\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000fend\u3000it\u3000off\u3000as\u3000best\u3000I\u3000can\u3002\u3000If\u3000this\u3000goes\u3000on\uff1b\u3000a\u3000night\u3000will\u3000e\u3000when\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000kills\u3000me\u3000instead\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000do\u3000more\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000end\u3000the\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000my\u3000hope\u3000your\u3000mages\u3000know\u3000a\u3000way\u3002\u3000I\u3000confess\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000ransacked\u3000every\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drawer\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000and\u3000found\u3000nothing\u3000that\u3000will\u3000serve\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000you\u3000came\u3000in\u3000secret\u3002\u3000You\u3000want\u3000a\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000your\u3000foe\u3000to\u3000know\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000take\u3000counter\u2026measures\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Correct\u3002\u3003
\nZeerith\u3000rose\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000ask\u3000Horroodissomoth\u3002\u3000He\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000can\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he’ll\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000shut\u3000after\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000directed\u3000Antatlab\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000standing\u3000watch\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000to\u3000go\u3000and\u3000fetch\u3000her\u3000patron\u3000and\u3000House\u3000wizard\u3002
\nHorroodissomoth\u3000arrived\u3000shortly\u3000thereafter\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000twinge\u3000of\u3000disgust\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000the\u3000antithesis\u3000of\u3000the\u3000typical\u3000vital\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000male\u3002\u3000His\u3000features\u3000were\u3000lined\u3000and\u3000wrinkled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000posture\uff1b\u3000bent\u3002\u3000Rumor\u3000had\u3000it\u3000that\u3000his\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000decrepitude\u3000had\u3000resulted\u3000not\u3000from\u3000extreme\u3000age\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000some\u3000dangerous\u3000magical\u3000experimentation\u3002
\nMoving\u3000stiffly\uff1b\u3000all\u3000but\u3000creaking\u3000audibly\uff1b\u3000Horroodissomoth\u3000tendered\u3000obeisance\u3000then\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Zeerith’s\u3000invitation\uff1b\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000a\u3000reprise\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000story\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000demeanor\u3000was\u3000impassive\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000utterly\u3000disinterested\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000light\u3000came\u3000into\u3000his\u3000rheumy\u3000eyes\u3000when\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000asking\u3000him\u3000to\u3000solve\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000problem\u3002
\n\u3003Hmm\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003hmm\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000might\u3000have\u3000something\u3000that\u3000will\u3000help\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I\u3000regret\u3000giving\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000because\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000unique\u3002\u3000Even\u3000we\u3000Xorlarrins\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000make\u3000another\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000always\u3000been\u3000curious\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000it\u3000actually\u3000works\u3002\u3003
\nGossip\u3000whispered\u3000that\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000past\uff1b\u3000the\u3000females\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Ousstyl\u3000had\u3000interbred\u3000with\u3000humans\u3002\u3000Naturally\u3000the\u3000contemporary\u3000Ousstyls\u3000denied\u3000it\u3000and\u3000would\u3000do\u3000their\u3000meager\u3000best\u3000to\u3000punish\u3000anyone\u3000they\u3000suspected\u3000of\u3000passing\u3000the\u3000rumor\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Faeryl\u3000gazed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\u3000atTalin\u2026dra\u3000Ousstyl\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Fifty\u2026second\u3000House\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000readily\u3000believe\u3000it\u3002\u3000Talindra\u3000was\u3000tall\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000extraordinarily\u3000rawboned\u3002\u3000Her\u3000jaw\u3000was\u3000too\u3000square\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000insufficiently\u3000pointed\u3002\u3000Most\u3000telling\u3000of\u3000all\u3000was\u3000the\u3000scatter\u3000of\u3000empty\u3000plates\u3000before\u3000her\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000annihilated\u3000every\u3000morsel\u3000of\u3000her\u3000seven\u2026course\u3000supper\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lesser\u3000being’s\u3000insatiable\u3000voracity\u3002
\nTalindra\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000a\u3000juicy\u3000belch\u3002
\n\u3003Excuse\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000thump\u3000issuing\u3000from\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ambassadorial\u3000residence\u3002\u3000Inwardly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000flinched\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3000ambassadorial\u3000residence\u3002\u3000Inwardly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000flinched\u3000but\u3000Talinnotdra\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000sound\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000was\u3000tasty\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000invited\u3000my\u3000brood\u3000to\u3000supper\u3000and\u3000spirited\u3000me\u3000away\u3000to\u3000this\u3000private\u3000room\uff1b\u3000because\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000something\u3000more\u3000important\u3000than\u3000cuisine\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000found\u3000me\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000confession\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000always\u3000devote\u3000myself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000interests\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000I\u3000work\u3000solely\u3000to\u3000advance\u3000the\u3000fortunes\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000otherwise\uff1f\u3003\u3000Talindra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000golden\u3000cup\u3002\u3000\u3003Family\uff1b\u3000always\u3002\u3000Family\u3000over\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000other\u3000noble\u3000in\u3000the\u3000toast\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000always\u3000enjoyed\u3000the\u3000sweet\u3000dessert\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000it\u3000tasted\u3000too\u3000sweet\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000sickeningly\u3000so\u3002\u3000She\u3000supposed\u3000her\u3000nerves\u3000were\u3000to\u3000blame\u3002
\nThe\u3000envoy\u3000set\u3000down\u3000her\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Let\u3000us\u3000discuss\u3000how\u3000our\u3000two\u3000families\u3000might\u3000be\u3000of\u3000service\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000In\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000we\u3000Zauvirr\u3000are\u3000allied\u3000with\u3000House\u3000Mylyl\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000immediate\u3000future\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000remain\u3000so\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000it’s\u3000also\u3000time\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Mylyls\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000their\u3000decline\uff1b\u3000for\u3000their\u3000wealth\u3000and\u3000influence\u3000to\u3000start\u3000passing\u3000into\u3000our\u3000hands\u3002\u3000You\u3000see\u3000the\u3000problem\u3002\u3003
\nTalindra\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000want\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000Mylyls\u3000without\u3000them\u3000realizing\u3000who’s\u3000to\u3000blame\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000why\u3000not\u3000do\u3000it\u3000through\u3000an\u3000intermediary\uff1f\u3003
\nElsewhere\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000little\u3000wail\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000tensed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000her\u3000guest\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000react\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000were\u3000reanotsonably\u3000mon\u3000in\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000dwellings\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000lend\u3000you\u3000some\u3000of\u3000my\u3000males\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000dangerous\u3000journey\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000to\u3000raid\u3000and\u3000kill\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000It\u3000makes\u3000sense\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mylyls\u3000would\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000who\u3000they\u3000are\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000that\u3000they’re\u3000working\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000do\u3000I\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Why\u2026\uff1f\u3003
\nA\u3000warrior\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000strode\u3000to\u3000Talindra’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000steel\u3000baton\u3002
\nThe\u3000matron\u3000was\u3000too\u3000quick\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Surging\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knocked\u3000him\u3000cold\u3000with\u3000a\u3000punch\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000long\u3000knife\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pivoted\u3000toward\u3000Faeryl\u3002
\nThe\u3000ambassador\u3000snatched\u3000up\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lying\u3000under\u3000the\u3000table\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3002\u3000She\u3000sprang\u3000up\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000basalt\u2026headed\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3000in\u3000an\u3000arc\u3000and\u3000balked\u3000the\u3000oning\u3000Talindra\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002
\nFor\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000nobles\u3000battled\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000able\u3000to\u3000score\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Talindra\u3000used\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000clasp\u3000a\u3000round\u3000medallion\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bodice\u3002\u3000Red\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000from\u3000between\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000
\nIf\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000had\u3000the\u3000capacity\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000that\u3000changed\u3000the\u3000notplexion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000considerably\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000end\u3000it\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000before\u3000the\u3000first\u3000magical\u3000effect\u3000manifested\u3002\u3000She\u3000charged\u3000her\u3000opponent\uff1b\u3000striknoting\u3000at\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000attack\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reckless\u3000move\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3002\u3000The\u3000knife\u3000point\u3000jabbed\u3000painfully\u3000into\u3000her\u3000ribs\u3002\u3000Luckily\uff1b\u3000it\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000the\u3000mail\u3000she\u3000wore\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000silken\u3000gown\u3002\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\u3000slammed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Men\u2026zoberranyr’s\u3000head\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hand\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000amulet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000faded\u3002
\nAn\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000guard\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000secured\u3000them\u3000all\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rugged\u2026looking\u3000male\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chipped\u3000incisor\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000on\u3000occasion\u3000summoned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bed\u3002
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000many\u3000did\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000kill\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Only\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000could\u3000slaughter\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000may\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000more\u3000sensible\u3000and\u3000less\u3000bother\u3000than\u3000tying\u3000them\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000does\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000came\u3000here\u3000to\u3000promote\u3000good\u3000relations\u3000between\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000some\u3000schemer\u3000has\u3000rendered\u3000my\u3000efforts\u3000futile\uff1b\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000exacerbate\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000by\u3000mitting\u3000any\u3000more\u3000outrages\u3000than\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000You\u3000soldiers\u3000will\u3000do\u3000as\u3000I\u3000bade\u3000you\u3002\u3000Strip\u3000the\u3000Ousstyls\uff1b\u3000gag\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tie\u3000them\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\nTalindra\u3000groaned\u3000and\u3000groped\u3000feebly\u3000for\u3000her\u3000knife\u3002\u3000Impressed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000was\u3000still\u3000conscious\u3000to\u3000any\u3000degree\u3000at\u3000all\u3000after\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000she’d\u3000suffered\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000reach\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000do\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Talindra\u3000croaked\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Ousstyl\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000mighty\u3000and\u3000never\u3000forget\u3000at\u3000affront\u3002\u3003
\nTense\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron’s\u3000arrogance\u3000was\u3000woefully\u3000misplaced\u3002\u3000The\u3000Ousstyls\u3000were\u3000so\u3000insignificant\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000known\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000good\u3000will\u3000of\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000accepted\u3000an\u3000invitation\u3000to\u3000feast\u3000with\u3000such\u3000a\u3000pariah\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000bashed\u3000Talindra\u3000again\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000rendering\u3000her\u3000entirely\u3000insensible\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000roamed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000exhorting\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000make\u3000haste\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000all\u3000were\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000clothing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Ousstyls\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000her\u3000household\u3000was\u3000relatively\u3000small\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000pilfered\u3000garments\u3000to\u3000go\u3000around\u3002
\nShe\u3000and\u3000he \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n enough\u3000pilfered\u3000garments\u3000to\u3000go\u3000around\u3002
\nShe\u3000and\u3000her\u3000lieutenants\u3000sported\u3000the\u3000finery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Ousstyl\u3000dignitaries\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000soldiers\u3000had\u3000donned\u3000piwafwi\u3000s\u3000and\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000Talindra’s\u3000bodyguards\u3002
\nThe\u3000outlanders\u3000stowed\u3000provisions\u3000beneath\u3000their\u3000mantles\u3002\u3000The\u3000quantity\u3000was\u3000insufficient\uff1b\u3000for\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000conceal\u3000all\u3000that\u3000much\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000hunt\u3000and\u3000forage\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000They\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mansion’s\u3000ennotclosed\u3000stable\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Talindra\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3000driftdisc\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000some\u3000of\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3000were\u3000sweaty\u3000and\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3002\u3000Though\u3000she\u3000was\u3000careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000show\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000felt\u3000just\u3000as\u3000apprehensive\u3000hernotself\u3002\u3000Was\u3000she\u3000mad\u3000to\u3000flout\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre’s\u3000express\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000she\u3000and\u3000her\u3000subordinate\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000virtually\u3000no\u3000magic\u3000implements\u3000left\uff1f
\nWell\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lunacy\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000her\u3000rump\u3000and\u3000do\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000knownoting\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000eventually\u3000get\u3000around\u3000to\u3000ordering\u3000her\u3000arrest\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000Faeryl\u3000weren’t\u3000concerned\u3000about\u3000her\u3000own\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000with\u3000every\u3000passing\u3000hour\u3000she\u3000grew\u3000more\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000had\u3000halted\u3000all\u3000traffic\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000just\u3000because\u3000the\u3000trade\u3000was\u3000important\u3000in\u3000its\u3000own\u3000right\u3002\u3000Absurd\u3000as\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000shake\u3000the\u3000irrational\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000some\u3000misfortune\u3000had\u3000befallen\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\u3000itself\u3002
\nShe\u3000had\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000Any\u3000great\u3000event\u3000affecting\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000could\u3000conceivnotably\u3000injure\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000and\u3000diminish\u3000her\u3000own\u3000status\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000admit\u3000it\u3000to\u3000another\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000about\u3000her\u3000homeland\u3000for\u3000its\u3000own\u3000sake\u3002\u3000Not\uff1b\u3000she\u3000assured\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000suffered\u3000from\u3000love\uff1b\u3000loyalty\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000other\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000un\u2026drowlike\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000had\u3000shaped\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000person\u3000she\u3000was\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000harmed\u3000the\u3000city\u3000would\u3000trouble\u3000her\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nIn\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000having\u3000assaulted\u3000and\u3000robbed\u3000her\u3000dinner\u3000guests\uff1b\u3000the\u3000die\u3000was\u3000cast\u3002
\nThe\u3000pack\u3000and\u3000riding\u3000lizards\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000grunted\u3000when\u3000the\u3000party\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000stable\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000dearly\u3000wished\u3000she\u3000could\u3000take\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reptiles\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000since\u3000Talindra\u3000hadn’t\u3000brought\u3000any\u3000such\u3000beasts\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\u3002
\nThe\u3000matron’s\u3000driftdisc\u3000was\u3000a\u3000round\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000stone\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ivory\u3000throne\u3000fasnottened\u3000on\u3000top\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000floating\u3000about\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000above\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000device\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000white\u3000light\u3000tinged\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000faintly\u3000with\u3000green\u3002
\nSince\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Faeryl\u3000who’d\u3000appropriated\u3000Talindra’s\u3000attire\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hopped\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000driftdisc\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ornate\u3000cushioned\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mentally\u3000notmanded\u3000the\u3000apparatus\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000dignified\u3000height\u3002\u3000She\u3000endured\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000moment\u3000during\u3000which\u3000nothing\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000Ousstyl\u3000had\u3000rigged\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000way\u3000as\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000from\u3000riding\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000platform\u3000rose\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000sluggish\uff1b\u3000about\u3000what\u3000you’d\u3000expected\u3000of\u3000the\u3000equipment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Fifty\u2026second\u3000House\u3002
\nTwo\u3000of\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000soldiers\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000gates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000party\u3000ventured\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3000forming\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000column\u3000around\u3000her\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\nThey\u3000marched\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000luminous\u3000keep\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000their\u3000home\u3000for\u3000fourteen\u3000years\uff1b\u3000past\u3000the\u3000alleyway\u3000where\u3000Umrae\u3000had\u3000died\uff1b\u3000and\u3000onward\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000Triel’s\u3000watchers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000all\u3000but\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000would\u3000recognize\u3000her\u3002
\nBut\u3000maybe\u3000not\u3002\u3000Most\u3000people\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000they\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000The\u3000spies\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000Ousstyls\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000residence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000just\u3000as\u3000anticipated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000petty\u3000nobles\u3000were\u3000departing\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000anyone\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000closely\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000already\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f
\nThat\u3000was\u3000the\u3000theory\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000dubious\u3000notion\u3000on\u3000which\u3000to\u3000gamble\u3000her\u3000life\u3002
\nHer\u3000pany\u3000left\u3000the\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000residence\u3000without\u3000anyone\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hinder\u3000them\uff1b\u3000which\u3000proved\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000The\u3000watchers\u3000wouldn’t\u3000pop\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hiding\u3000and\u3000confront\u3000the\u3000fugitives\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000They’d\u3000scurry\u3000away\u3000to\u3000rouse\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000intercept\u3000the\u3000daughters\u3000and\u3000sons\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u3002
\nThus\uff1b\u3000while\u3000her\u3000expression\u3000conveyed\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000mix\u3000of\u3000serenity\u3000and\u3000haughtiness\uff1b\u3000her\u3000muscles\u3000were\u3000stiff\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000dry\u3000as\u3000she\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000the\u3000avenues\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3000site\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Ousstyls’\u3000modest\u3000citadel\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spies\u3000would\u3000expect\u3000her\u3000to\u3000go\u3002
\nDrow\u3000did\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000way\u3000for\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000of\u3000even\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000House\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000heavily\u3000laden\u3000carts\u3000and\u3000the\u3000like\u3000could\u3000only\u3000pull\u3000aside\u3000so\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000The\u3000impostors’\u3000progress\u3000was\u3000necessarily\u3000and\u3000nerve\u2026rackingly\u3000sedate\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000they\u3000passed\u3000Narbondel\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000glow\u3000had\u3000climbed\u3000three\u3000quarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000stone\u3000column\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000spotted\u3000Talindra’s\u3000fortress\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000pany\u3000aside\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000actually\u3000approache \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000turned\u3000her\u3000pany\u3000aside\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000actually\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000some\u3000guard\u3000peering\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ramparts\u3000was\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000their\u3000disguises\u3002
\nThey\u3000marched\u3000south\uff1b\u3000still\u3000without\u3000interference\u3002\u3000If\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000chasing\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000bee\u3000apparent\u3000by\u3000then\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000her\u3000ruse\u3000had\u3000succeeded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000relax\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\uff1b\u3000quite\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000when\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000Bauthwaf\uff1b\u3000or\u3000better\u3000still\uff1b\u3000escaped\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000territory\u3000altogether\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\nThe\u3000outlanders’\u3000route\u3000carried\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\u3000of\u3000the\u3000elevation\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\uff1b\u3000its\u3000slopes\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000enormous\u3000mushrooms\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000hundred\u3000gates\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000The\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000defended\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000one\u3000at\u3000least\u3000was\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000exit\u3002\u3000It\u3000boasted\u3000fewer\u3000guards\u3000than\u3000most\u3002
\nThe\u3000fugitives\u3000approached\u3000boldly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000every\u3000legitimate\u3000expecnottation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sentries\u3000ushering\u3000them\u3000through\u3002\u3000The\u3000guards\u3000must\u3000have\u3000wonnotdered\u3000why\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000would\u3000wear\u3000an\u3000elegant\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000gown\u3000and\u3000ride\u3000her\u3000ceremonial\u3000transport\u3000for\u3000an\u3000excursion\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dirty\uff1b\u3000dangerous\u3000caves\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000matron’s\u3000whim\u3000was\u3000law\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000They\u3000offered\u3000her\u3000obeisance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000set\u3000about\u3000the\u3000cumbersome\u3000process\u3000of\u3000unbarnotring\u3000the\u3000granite\u2026and\u2026adamantine\u3000valves\u2026or\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000did\u3002
\nOne\u3000officer\u3000eyed\u3000Faeryl\u3000thoughtfully\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000foxy\uff1b\u3000humorous\u3000face\u3000and\u3000was\u3000smaller\u3000than\u3000most\u3000males\uff1b\u3000which\u3000apparently\u3000didn’t\u3000hinder\u3000him\u3000when\u3000wielding\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000broadsword\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000his\u3000baldric\u3002\u3000Though\u3000he\u3000carnotried\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000a\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000eschewed\u3000mail\u2026which\u3000could\u3000disrupt\u3000arcane\u3000spells\u2026for\u3000a\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000jerkin\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000countless\u3000telltale\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fighter\u3000and\u3000wizard\u3000both\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000gazed\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000respectfully\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000head\u3000but\u3000resumed\u3000his\u3000scrutiny\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\nShe\u3000pivoted\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000him\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Captain\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000small\u3000male\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000smart\u3000salute\u3002
\n\u3003Captain\u3000Filifar\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000at\u3000your\u3000service\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000e\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nFilifar\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000betrayed\u3000any\u3000wariness\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000gigantic\u3000spiders\u3000graven\u3000in\u3000the\u3000leaves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000stirred\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000realized\u3000they\u3000would\u3000emerge\u3000from\u3000the\u3000carving\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000for\u3000him\u3000if\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000an\u3000intelligent\u3000male\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000driftdisc\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000received\u3000orders\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000refuse\u3000passage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000delegation\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\u3002\u3003
\nFilifar’s\u3000hand\u3000twitched\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000It\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000either\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000or\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000ponents\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000subordinates\u3000were\u3000content\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000their\u3000instructions\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\u3000at\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000boy\u3000like\u3000you\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000you\u3000contrived\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000looks\u3000like\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000you’d\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000recnotognize\u3000her\u3000if\u3000she\u3000came\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\nFilifar’s\u3000mouth\u3000tightened\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000lady\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003my\u3000pany\u3000is\u3000well\u3000armed\u3000and\u3000well\u3000trained\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000also\u3000have\u3000observed\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000graven\u2026\u3003
\nShe\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000agitate\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000you\u3000no\u3000harm\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000just\u3000two\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000idly\u3000chatting\uff1b\u3000passing\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000takes\u3000your\u3000fellows\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000gate\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000regret\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000that\u3000now\u3000that\u3000I’ve\u3000seen\u3000you\u3000up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000allow\u3000them\u3000to\u3000do\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000took\u3000two\u3000careful\u3000steps\u3000back\uff1b\u3000retreating\u3000beyond\u3000her\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pivnototed\u3000to\u3000shout\u3000the\u3000order\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3000dead\u3000by\u3000displaying\u3000a\u3000gaudy\u3000ruby\u3000brooch\uff1b\u3000formerly\u3000Talindra’s\u3000property\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000said\u3000you\u3000were\u3000an\u3000intelligent\u3000lad\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Filifar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000prosperous\u3000one\u3002\u3000You\u3000wear\u3000no\u3000jewelry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000clothing\u3000is\u3000made\u3000of\u3000mon\u3000stuff\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000milady\u3002\u3000Fortune\u3000hasn’t\u3000favored\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000can\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000one\u3000ornament\u3000after\u3000another\uff1b\u3000the\u3000jewels\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3000had\u3000stolen\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Ousstyls\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3000legitimate\u3000treasure\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000She\u3000filled\u3000her\u3000lap\u3000with\u3000them\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000surplus\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000luminous\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000driftdisc\u3002
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000enough\u3000wealth\u3000to\u3000improve\u3000your\u3000luck\u3000and\u3000that\u3000of\u3000your\u3000minions\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nFilifar\u3000hesitated\u3000before\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000lady\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000told\u3000that\u3000Matron\u3000Triel\u3000herself\u3000wishes\u3000you\u3000detained\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000no\u3000light\u3000matter\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000say\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000didn’t\u3000pass\u3000through\u3000this\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000them\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000will\u3000know\u3000any\u3000different\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000jerked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003Right\u3002\u3000Why\u3000not\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000to\u3000use\u3000as\u3000a\u3000makeshift\u3000bag\u3000and\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000jewnotelry\u3000in\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000noticed\u3000what\u3000their\u3000captain\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000and\u3000scurried\u3000over\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3002
\nOnce\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000was\u3000well\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000abandoned\u3000the\u3000driftdisc\u3002\u3000The\u3000stately\u3000conveyance\u3000was\u3000just\u3000too\u3000slow\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000her\u3000part\uff09\u3003 \n
\n \n
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\n y\u3000conveyance\u3000was\u3000just\u3000too\u3000slow\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000her\u3000part\uff09\u3003\u3000quick\u2026marched\u3000on\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mostly\u3000unimproved\u3000passages\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fringe\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000territory\uff1b\u3000past\u3000hunters’\u3000outposts\u3000and\u3000adamantine\u3000mines\uff1b\u3000making\u3000for\u3000the\u3000genuine\u3000wilderness\u3000beyond\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000grinning\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000absurd\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000just\u3000surrennotdered\u3000a\u3000queen’s\u3000ransom\u3000in\u3000gems\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000would\u3000send\u3000troops\u3000after\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000certain\u3000some\u3000dire\u3000peril\u3000lay\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000it\u3000mattered\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000outwitted\u3000her\u3000foes\u3000and\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000after\u3000fourteen\u3000years\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000home\u3002
\nThe\u3000fugitives\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000bend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dark\u3000figures\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000flow\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000walls\u3000just\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zauvirr\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shadnotows\u3000were\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000fringe\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000territory\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000genuine\u3000wilderness\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000its\u3000vast\u3000and\u3000labyrinthine\u3000spaces\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000its\u3000pregnant\u3000silences\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000and\u3000taste\u3000its\u3000varianottions\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000imagined\u3000himself\u3000simply\u3000slipping\u3000away\u3000into\u3000that\u3000limitnotless\u3000world\u3002
\nAs\u3000fancies\u3000went\uff1b\u3000his\u3000wasn’t\u3000entirely\u3000absurd\u3002\u3000Most\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000feared\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000except\u3000in\u3000armed\u3000convoys\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000good\u3000reason\u3002\u3000They\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000abilities\u3000he’d\u3000spent\u3000decades\u3000developing\uff1b\u3000survival\u3000skills\u3000that\u3000made\u3000him\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000scouts\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\nIndeed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000wiry\u3000male\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rugged\u3000outdoorsman’s\u3000garb\u3000liked\u3000traversing\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000world\u3000alone\u3002\u3000He\u3000relished\u3000the\u3000wonders\uff1b\u3000the\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3002\u3000Sometimes\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he’d\u3000idled\u3000in\u3000camp\u3000too\u3000long\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000striving\uff1b\u3000conniving\u3000existence\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000luxuries\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000notwithstanding\u3002\u3000He\u3000yearned\u3000for\u3000an\u3000errand\u3000that\u3000would\u3000take\u3000him\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wilderness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000played\u3000with\u3000the\u3000notion\u3000of\u3000simply\u3000running\u3000away\u3002
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000ing\u3000and\u3000put\u3000the\u3000dream\u3000aside\u3002\u3000Like\u3000it\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mission\u3000this\u3000day\u3000wasn’t\u3000to\u3000explore\u3000the\u3000wild\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000to\u3000direct\u3000his\u3000notpany\uff1b\u3000fellow\u3000mercenaries\u3000of\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000taking\u3000of\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zaunotvirr\u3000and\u3000her\u3000retainers\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\u3000the\u3000theory\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000In\u3000point\u3000of\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000give\u3000any\u3000more\u3000orders\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000were\u3000petent\u3000fightnoters\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000right\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000the\u3000sell\u3000swords\u3000swarmed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000they\u3000caught\u3000them\u3000entirely\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000then\u3000proceeded\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000them\u3000down\u3000with\u3000murderous\u3000efficiency\u3002
\nOnce\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000his\u3000band\u3000would\u3000be\u3000victorious\uff1b\u3000he\u3000started\u3000searchnoting\u3000for\u3000Faeryl\u3000herself\u3002\u3000His\u3000smallness\u3000and\u3000natural\u3000agility\u3000enabled\u3000him\u3000to\u3000thread\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000without\u3000harm\u3002
\nHe\u3000found\u3000the\u3000princess\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000just\u3000finished\u3000killing\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mand\u3002\u3000The\u3000dead\u3000male’s\u3000brains\u3000and\u3000bloody\u3000hair\u3000adnothered\u3000to\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000her\u3000basalt\u2026headed\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3002
\n\u3003Ambassador\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000take\u3000you\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000if\u3000possible\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000answered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000curse\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000blame\u3000her\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000place\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000delivered\u3000alive\u3000to\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\nHe\u3000hefted\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000matched\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000kukris\u2026vicious\u3000curved\u3000daggers\u2026\u3000and\u3000fingered\u3000a\u3000little\u3000brass\u3000ovoid\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000many\u3000trinkets\u3000adorning\u3000his\u3000tunic\u3000and\u3000cloak\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000collected\u3000the\u3000amulets\u3000and\u3000brooches\u3000from\u3000races\u3000and\u3000civilizations\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000Fashioned\u3000according\u3000to\u3000alien\u3000aesthetics\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ornaments\u3000were\u3000ugly\u3000and\u3000uncouth\u3000to\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000acquired\u3000them\u3000for\u3000their\u3000appearance\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000were\u3000they\u3000merely\u3000souvenirs\u3002\u3000Each\u3000connottained\u3000a\u3000different\u3000enchantment\u3002
\nThree\u3000images\uff1b\u3000exact\u3000facsimiles\u3000of\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000flickered\u3000into\u3000existence\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000edged\u3000toward\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000phantoms\u3000came\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\nShe\u3000stared\u3000fiercely\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000out\u3000the\u3000real\u3000Valas\u3000from\u3000the\u3000false\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000swung\uff1b\u3000she\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000the\u3000image\u3000on\u3000his\u3000left\u3002
\nThe\u3000illusion\u3000vanished\u3000on\u3000contact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000e\u3000back\u3000on\u3000guard\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000him\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000hooked\u3000a\u3000leg\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000then\u3000kicked\u3000her\u3000repeatedly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000head\u3000until\u3000she\u3000went\u3000limp\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nS\u3000I\u3000X\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nLaughter\u3000echoed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000candlelit\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000something\u3000to\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000eagerly\u3000anticinotpating\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3000What\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000expecting\u3000was\u3000an\u3000explosion\u3000of\u3000mirth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000guess\u3000what\u3000it\u3000meant\u3002
\nShe\u3000strode\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000patrol\u3000followed\u3000behind\u3002\u3000They\u3000seemed\u3000edgy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000as\u3000reluctant\u3000as\u3000they\u3000had\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000Drisinil\uff1b\u3000Molvayas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plotters\u3000had\u3000convinced\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000still\u3000enjoyed\u3000the\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000to\u3000the\u3000same\u3000dubious\u3000extent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stricken\u3000clergy\u3002
\nThe\u3000laughter\u3000rang\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000the\u3000searche \n
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\n The\u3000laughter\u3000rang\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000the\u3000searchers\u3000found\u3000the\u3000source\u3002\u3000Hunched\u3000over\uff1b\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000shaking\uff1b\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000knelt\u3000before\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000altars\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Steady\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000paroxysms\u3000of\u3000glee\uff1b\u3000her\u3000index\u3000finger\u3000painted\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000graceful\u3000calligraphy\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000what\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000was\u3000using\u3000for\u3000pigment\u3000until\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000face\u3000like\u3000an\u3000artist\u3000dipping\u3000a\u3000brush\u3000in\u3000a\u3000paint\u3000pot\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000gouged\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000out\uff1b\u3000another\u3000seeming\u3000handicap\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000impair\u3000her\u3000writing\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000stepped\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000her\u3000erudition\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000read\u3000the\u3000characters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000power\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000pulled\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000repelled\u3000her\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000might\u3000yank\u3000her\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\u3002
\nShe\u3000wrenched\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000symbols\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000cracked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000eyeless\u3000female’s\u3000back\uff1b\u3000their\u3000venomous\u3000fangs\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000or\u3000merely\u3000insensible\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000didn’t\u3000parnotticularly\u3000care\u3000which\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000she\u3000writing\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1f\u3003\u3000Jyslin\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000admitted\uff1b\u3000smearing\u3000the\u3000glyphs\u3000with\u3000her\u3000toe\uff1b\u3000\u3003something\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000tongues\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3002\u3000Scribing\u3000it\u3000may\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000finish\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000her\uff1f\u3003\u3000Minolin\u3000asked\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000was\u3000still\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Fey\u2026Branche\u3000had\u3000not\uff1b\u3000as\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000either\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000She\u3000acnottually\u3000did\u3000have\u3000an\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000it\u3000yet\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000move\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\nFifteen\u3000minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000runner\uff1b\u3000dispatched\u3000from\u3000a\u3000squad\u3000stationed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000third\u3000leg\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000found\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000report\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000rades\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000mad\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000went\u3000to\u3000see\u3000for\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000half\u3000expecting\u3000more\u3000gouged\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000bloody\u3000writing\u3002
\nBut\u3000the\u3000new\u3000dementia\u3000took\u3000a\u3000somewhat\u3000different\u3000form\u3002\u3000The\u3000victim\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000shelter\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000right\u3000word\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000small\u3000library\u3000devoted\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000to\u3000musty\u3000treatises\u3000on\u3000warfare\u3000in\u3000all\u3000its\u3000aspects\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000defined\u3000by\u3000two\u3000tall\u3000sandstone\u3000bookshelves\uff1b\u3000rocking\u3000and\u3000whimpering\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000stooped\uff1b\u3000jammed\u3000her\u3000fist\u3000under\u3000the\u3000girl’s\u3000chin\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000up\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003Rilrae\u3000Zolond\uff01\u3000What\u3000ails\u3000you\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003
\nRilrae’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000blank\u3000and\u3000seemingly\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000prehension\u3002\u3000Tears\u3000flowed\u3000down\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3002\u3000She\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000mucus\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000snuffled\u3000in\u3000her\u3000nose\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000answer\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000question\uff1b\u3000just\u3000made\u3000a\u3000feeble\uff1b\u3000inefnotfectual\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000her\u3000face\u3000away\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000let\u3000her\u3000go\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000seen\u3000cases\u3000like\u3000Rilrae\u3000before\uff1b\u3000generally\u3000in\u3000some\u3000dungeon\u3000or\u3000torture\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000The\u3000junior\u3000priestess\u3000had\u3000experienced\u3000something\u3000sufficiently\u3000unpleasant\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000her\u3000deep\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Quenthel\u3000still\u3000possessed\u3000her\u3000Lolth\u2026granted\u3000powers\uff1b\u3000or\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000equipment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000Rilrae\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000delirium\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000matters\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000useless\u3000creature\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000providing\u3000any\u3000information\u3002\u3000Annoyed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000nearly\u3000vented\u3000her\u3000frustration\u3000by\u3000giving\u3000Rilrae\u3000a\u3000stroke\u3000from\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000appear\u3000rattled\u3000or\u3000upset\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000followers\u3002
\nShe\u3000led\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000on\u3000and\u3000eventually\u3000found\u3000a\u3000suicide\u3000sprawled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cornotridor\u3000with\u3000froth\u3000on\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000poison\u3000bottle\u3000still\u3000clutched\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u2026year\u3000students\u3000reeled\u3000from\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000farnotther\u3000down\u3002\u3000Glaring\u3000and\u3000twitching\uff1b\u3000she\u3000unrolled\u3000a\u3000parchment\uff1b\u3000possibly\u3000one\u3000Quenthel\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000dispensed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000armory\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000shoutnoting\u3000the\u3000words\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000type\u3000of\u3000plague\u3000demon\u3002
\nShe\u3000snatched\u3000out\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000Others\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000The\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000poisoned\u3000darts\u3000punctured\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000the\u3000novice\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000She\u3000fell\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000her\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000still\u3000a\u3000syllable\u3000or\u3000two\u3000from\u3000activation\uff1b\u3000dissipated\u3000its\u3000power\u3000in\u3000a\u3000harmless\u3000sizzle\u3000of\u3000red\u3000light\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000reflected\u3000that\u3000a\u3000pattern\u3000was\u3000being\u3000clear\u3002\u3000Some\u3000power\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000female\u3000and\u3000more\u3000or\u3000less\u3000drove\u3000her\u3000mad\u3002\u3000She\u3000then\u3000separated\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000her\u3000panions\uff1b\u3000either\u3000making\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000or\u3000just\u3000running\u3000off\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3000to\u3000manifest\u3000her\u3000lunacy\u3000in\u3000one\u3000bizarre\u3000behavior\u3000or\u3000another\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000odd\u3000that\u3000the\u3000girls’\u3000panions\u3000never\u3000even\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000ocnotcurring\uff1b\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000assaulted\u3000only\u3000one\u3000member\u3000of\u3000a\u3000group\u3000and\u3000not\u3000all\u2026or\u3000that\u3000it\u3000attacked\u3000any\uff1b\u3000given\u3000that\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000intruders\u3000had\u3000only\u3000attacked\u3000those\u3000lesser\u3000priestesses\u3000who\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000hinder\u3000them\u3002
\nThe\u3000unseen\u3000demon’s\u3000search\u3000pattern\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000peculiar\u3002\u3000The\u3000location\u3000and\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000unseen\u3000demon’s\u3000search\u3000pattern\u3000was\u3000equally\u3000peculiar\u3002\u3000The\u3000location\u3000and\u3000sequences\u3000of\u3000its\u3000attacks\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000that\u3000the\u3000being\u3000was\u3000bouncnoting\u3000erratically\u3000around\u3000from\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Yngoth\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000happening\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000do\u3000I\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000merely\u3000been\u3000confirming\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Minolin\u3002\u3000\u3003Fey\u2026Branche\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003\u3000Minolin\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000in\u3000mand\u3000of\u3000these\u3000others\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000all\u3000evacuate\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Get\u3000the\u3000sane\u3000people\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mad\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000do\u3000it\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Fey\u2026Branche\u3000princess\u3000blinked\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000we\u3000believe\u3000in\u3000your\u3000aunotthority\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000touched\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000sneered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000this\u3000isn’t\u3000a\u3000test\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to
\ng\u554a\ue11a?br \/>\n\u3003Exalted\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jyslin\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003what’s\u3000happening\uff1f\u3000Which\u3000demon\u3000innotvaded\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000tonight\uff1f\u3000The\u3000assassin\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000it\u3000poison\u3000our\u3000sisters\u3000to\u3000make\u3000them\u3000go\u3000insane\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000you\u3000mean\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Go\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000raged\u3002\u3000\u3003Minolin\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000Fey\u2026Branche\u3000hastily\u3000formed\u3000them\u3000up\u3000and\u3000led\u3000them\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000cornotridor\u3000seemed\u3000very\u3000quiet\u3000once\u3000they’d\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Hsiv\uff1b\u3000\u3003was\u3000it\u3000wise\u3000to\u3000send\u3000them\u3000away\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000question\u3000my\u3000judgment\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\nThe\u3000viper\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000me\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I’ll\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\u3002\u3000I\u3000dismissed\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000because\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000underlings\u3000left\u3000when\u3000this\u3000nonsense\u3000is\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000might\u3000have\u3000guarded\u3000you\u3000from\u3000another\u3000would\u2026be\u3000mortal\u3000killer\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000can\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000if\u3000Minolin\u3000gets\u3000everyone\u3000out\uff1b\u3000there\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000any\u3000more\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000why\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000did\u3000I\u3000create\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\nGreenish\u3000candlelight\u3000rippling\u3000on\u3000black\u3000scales\uff1b\u3000Yngoth\u3000reared\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000around\u3000to\u3000look\u3000Quenthel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000are\u3000rebuked\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000keep\u3000watch\u3002\u3000What\u3000will\u3000you\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3000and\u3000prepare\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000found\u3000a\u3000classroom\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000reasonably\u3000fortable\u3000instrucnottor’s\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000limestone\u3000back\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000stylized\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stubby\u2026legged\u3000spider\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000down\uff1b\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000removed\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000polished\u3000white\u3000bone\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000set\u3000it\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000at\u3000either\u3000end\u3002
\nClosing\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000she\u3000menced\u3000a\u3000breathing\u3000exercise\u3002\u3000Within\u3000a\u3000heartnotbeat\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000meditative\u3000trance\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000would\u3000need\u3000the\u3000utmost\u3000clarity\u3000to\u3000contend\u3000with\u3000the\u3000night’s\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Jyslin\u3000had\u3000guessed\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000The\u3000intruder\u3000didn’t\u3000encapsulate\u3000the\u3000art\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassin\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000race\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u3002\u3000It\u3000embodied\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000of\u3000evil\u3002
\nThe\u3000traitor\u3000elves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3000professed\u3000to\u3000hate\u3000evil\u3002\u3000In\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000they\u3000feared\u3000what\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tutelage\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000having\u3000understood\u3000it\uff1b\u3000they\u3000emnotbraced\u3000it\u3002
\nFor\u3000evil\uff1b\u3000like\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fundamental\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000Creation\uff1b\u3000manifest\u3000in\u3000both\u3000the\u3000macrocosm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000world\u3000and\u3000the\u3000microcosm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000individual\u3000soul\u3002\u3000As\u3000chaos\u3000gave\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000possibility\u3000and\u3000imagination\uff1b\u3000so\u3000evil\u3000engendered\u3000strength\u3000and\u3000will\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000sentient\u3000beings\u3000aspire\u3000to\u3000wealth\u3000and\u3000power\u3002\u3000It\u3000enabled\u3000them\u3000to\u3000subjugate\uff1b\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000rob\uff1b\u3000and\u3000deceive\u3002\u3000It\u3000allowed\u3000them\u3000to\u3000do\u3000whatever\u3000was\u3000required\u3000to\u3000better\u3000themselves\u3000with\u3000never\u3000a\u3000cripnotpling\u3000flicker\u3000of\u3000remorse\u3002
\nThus\uff1b\u3000evil\u3000was\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000the\u3000existence\u3000of\u3000civilization\u3000and\u3000for\u3000every\u3000great\u3000deed\u3000any\u3000hero\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000performed\u3002\u3000Without\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000peoples\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000would\u3000live\u3000like\u3000animals\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000amazing\u3000that\u3000so\u3000many\u3000races\uff1b\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000false\u3000religions\u3000and\u3000philosophies\uff1b\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000this\u3000self\u2026evident\u3000truth\u3002\u3000In\u3000contrast\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000had\u3000based\u3000a\u3000society\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000points\u3000of\u3000superiority\u3000that\u3000served\u3000to\u3000exalt\u3000them\u3000above\u3000all\u3000other\u3000races\u3002
\nParadoxically\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000a\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pure\u3000black\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000this\u3000darkest\u3000of\u3000all\u3000powers\u3000could\u3000be\u3000deadly\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000forting\u3000warmth\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000consumed\u3002\u3000Even\u3000folk\u3000who\u3000spent\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000in\u3000the\u3000adoration\u3000of\u3000evil\u3000generally\u3000had\u3000no\u3000real\u3000prehension\u3000of\u3000the\u3000endless\u3000burnnoting\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000it\u3000raging\u3000below\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000material\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Even\u3000a\u3000fleeting\u3000glimpse\u3000could\u3000convey\u3000secrets\u3000too\u3000huge\u3000and\u3000fearnotsome\u3000for\u3000the\u3000average\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Its\u3000touch\u3000could\u3000annihilate\u3000sanity\u3000and\u3000even\u3000identity\u3002\u3000The\u3000threat\u3000was\u3000sufficiently\u3000grave\u3000that\u3000the\u3000majority\u3000of\u3000spellcasters\u3000hesitated\u3000to\u3000regard\u3000the\u3000force\u3000directly\u3002\u3000They\u3000preferred\u3000to\u3000treat\u3000with\u3000evil\u3000at\u3000one\u3000remove\uff1b\u3000by\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000devils\u3000and\u3000undead\u3000that\u3000embodied\u3000it\u3002
\nBut\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000that\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000unknown\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000the\u3000exception\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000dipped\u3000right\u3000into\u3000the\u3000virulent\u3000fountainhead\u3000and\u3000drawn\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000power\u3000that\u3000dwelled\u3000therein\u3002
\nThat\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000presently\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n That\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000presently\u3000intangible\uff1b\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000mind\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000why\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000move\u3000and\u3000act\u3000so\u3000erratically\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000not\u3000through\u3000physical\u3000space\uff1b\u3000a\u3000medium\u3000in\u3000which\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000exist\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000consciousness\u3000to\u3000consciousness\uff1b\u3000head\u3000to\u3000head\u3002\u3000And\u3000simply\u3000through\u3000that\u3000intimate\u3000contact\u3000it\u3000poisoned\u3000its\u3000hosts\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000particularly\u3000intend\u3000to\u3002\u3000It\u3000suffused\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000darkness\u3000too\u3000big\u3000and\u3000too\u3000powerful\u3000for\u3000their\u3000little\u3000minds\u3000to\u3000sustain
\nIt\u3000was\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000to\u3000show\u3000her\u3000the\u3000most\u3000pronotfound\u3000malevolence\u3000of\u3000all\u3002
\nShe\u3000prayed\u3000she\u3000could\u3000endure\u3000the\u3000venom\u3000for\u3000just\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000until\u3000she\u3000worked\u3000the\u3000Xorlarrin’s\u3000magic\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000Since\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000invisible\u3000and\u3000insubstantial\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000know\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000e\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000talisman\u3000to\u3000affect\u3000until\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000infesting\u3000herself\u3002
\nTo\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000would\u3000indeed\u3000detect\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sank\u3000ever\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000her\u3000trance\u3002\u3000She\u3000became\u3000acutely\u3000conscious\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chest\u3000and\u3000the\u3000air\u3000hissing\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3002\u3000The\u3000steady\u3000thud\u3000of\u3000her\u3000heartbeat\u3000and\u3000the\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000through\u3000her\u3000arteries\u3002\u3000The\u3000pressure\u3000of\u3000her\u3000buttocks\u3000and\u3000spine\u3000against\u3000the\u3000chair\u3002\u3000The\u3000feeblest\u3000of\u3000drafts\u3000caressing\u3000and\u3000cooling\u3000her\u3000left\u3000profile\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000shifting\u3000restlessly\uff1b\u3000brushing\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000ankles\uff1b\u3000the\u3000touch\u3000perceptible\u3000even\u3000through\u3000her\u3000boots\u3002
\nYet\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sensations\u3000was\u3000of\u3000any\u3000particular\u3000significance\u3002\u3000They\u3000prenotsented\u3000themselves\u3000so\u3000vividly\u3000only\u3000because\u3000she’d\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000utter\u3000disnotpassionate\u3000quietude\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000receptivity\u3002\u3000A\u3000condition\u3000in\u3000which\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000equally\u3000cognizant\u3000of\u3000events\u3000within\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000soul\u3002
\nShe\u3000recalled\u3000acquiring\u3000this\u3000capacity\u3000when\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000was\u3000a\u3000novice\u3000in\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000learned\u3000every\u3000divine\u3000art\u3000easily\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000signs\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000her\u3000for\u3000greatness\u3002\u3000But\u3000relatively\u3000speaking\uff1b\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000mastery\u3000had\u3000e\u3000harder\u3000than\u3000most\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000Vlonnotdril\uff1b\u3000unwrinkled\u3000but\u3000showing\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000madness\u3000even\u3000then\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000benotcause\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000of\u3000too\u3000dynamic\u3000a\u3000character\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000instinct\u3000for\u3000passivity\u3002
\nAbruptly\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000realized\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000were\u3000nudging\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000desired\u3000state\u3002\u3000Vlondril\u3000had\u3000also\u3000said\u3000that\u3000was\u3000always\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000mind\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000to\u3000hush\u3002\u3000It\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000babble\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000took\u3000another\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000slow\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000exhaled\u3000it\u3000through\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000expelled\u3000that\u3000importunate\u3000inner\u3000voice\u3000along\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\nTime\u3000passed\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000much\u3000time\uff1b\u3000nor\uff1b\u3000immersed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meditation\uff1b\u3000did\u3000she\u3000care\u3002\u3000The\u3000temple\u3000was\u3000utterly\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000which\u3000surely\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000most\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000exited\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000in\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000instances\uff1b\u3000perished\u3002
\nGradually\u3000it\u3000dawned\u3000on\u3000Quenthel\u3000that\u3000her\u3000trance\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000perfect\u3002\u3000The\u3000dead\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000all\u3000instruction\uff1b\u3000prayers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rituals\u3000had\u3000ceased\uff1b\u3000irked\u3000her\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000doubted\u3000she\u3000could\u3000purge\u3000that\u3000final\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000She\u3000cared\u3000too\u3000much\u3000about\u3000her\u3000role\u3000of\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000making\u3000it\u3000grander\u3000and\u3000more\u3000effective\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000before\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000would\u3000she\u3000honor\u3000Lolth\u3000and\u3000demonstrate\u3000her\u3000fitness\u3000to\u3000one\u3000day\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000city\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000presided\u3000over\u3000an\u3000extended\u3000disnotaster\uff1b\u3000regular\u3000functions\u3000disrupted\uff1b\u3000residents\u3000battered\u3000or\u3000even\u3000dead\u3002
\nIt\u3000galled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000think\u3000how\u3000many\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000nobles\u3000would\u3000blame\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000her\u3000fault\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000in\u3000large\u3000measure\u3000the\u3000fault\u3000of\u3000the\u3000teachers\u3000and\u3000students\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Most\u3000who\u3000had\u3000perished\u3000earned\u3000their\u3000denotstruction\u3000by\u3000dint\u3000of\u3000their\u3000idiotic\u3000little\u3000mutiny\uff1b\u3000and\u3000actually\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000as\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000traitors\u3000had\u3000violated\u3000the\u3000precepts\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002
\nIndeed\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000real\u3000misfortune\u3000might\u3000be\u3000that\u3000weaklings\u3000like\u3000Jyslin\u3000and\u3000Minolin\u3000were\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000cowards\u3000and\u3000whiners\uff1b\u3000unfit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they’d\u3000survive\u3000merely\u3000because\u3000the\u3000manifestation\u3000of\u3000evil\u3000hadn’t\u3000passed\u3000their\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000mistake\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000ruminating\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000With\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000of\u3000will\u3000she\u3000arrested\u3000the\u3000internal\u3000monologue\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3002
\nBut\u3000as\u3000Vlondril\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000devilishly\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000attain\u3000passivity\u3000by\u3000straining\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000pondering\u3000important\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000new\u3000insights\u3000that\u3000would\u3000guide\u3000her\u3000steps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000days\u3000to\u3000e\u3002
\nIf\u3000preserving\u3000even\u3000the\u3000most\u3000worthless\u3000specimens\u3000of\u3000her\u3000flock\u3000constituted\u3000an\u3000error\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000she\u3000could\u3000rectify\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000already\u3000slaughtered\u3000the\u3000mutineers\u3002\u3000How\u3000easy\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000butcher\u3000those\u3000who\u3000lacked\u3000even\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000to\u3000rebel\u3002\u3000She\u3000imagined\u3000herself\u3000stalking\u3000among\u3000her\u3000underlings\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000into\u3000their\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000whenever\u3000she\u3000discerned\u3000inadenotquacy\u3002\u3000The\u3000trance\u3000state\u3000facilitated\u3000visualization\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fantasy\u3000was\u3000as\u3000vivid\u3000as\u3000life\u3002\u3000S \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ization\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fantasy\u3000was\u3000as\u3000vivid\u3000as\u3000life\u3002\u3000She\u3000smelled\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000splatter\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000arm\u3000clenched\u3000and\u3000relaxed\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000everyone\u3000if\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000enjoy\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000when\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000was\u3000pure\u3000and\u3000strong\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000condescend\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\nIf\u3000not\uff1b\u3000that\u3000might\u3000mean\u3000that\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000required\u3000cleansing\uff1b\u3000benotginning\u3000with\u3000the\u3000First\u3000House\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000usurp\u3000pathetic\uff1b\u3000indecisive\u3000Triel’s\u3000throne\u2026not\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3000but\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000preparation\u3000be\u3000damned\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000next\u3000day\uff1b\u3000she\u3000and\u3000her\u3000kin\u3000would\u3000wage\u3000a\u3000war\u3000of\u3000exnottermination\u3000on\u3000the\u3000thousands\u3000who\u3000served\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000and\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000prophet\u3000with\u3000false\u3000hearts\u3000or\u3000insufficient\u3000zeal\u3002
\nHow\u3000glorious\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000could\u3000begin\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000ferreted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000first\u3000weakling\u3002\u3000Her\u3000fingers\u3000closed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000haft\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000or\u3000rather\u3000they\u3000tried\u3000and\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3000reality\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000bone\u3000wand\u3002
\nShe’d\u3000forgotten\u3000all\u3000about\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000artifact\u3000and\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000only\u3000think\u3000of\u3000one\u3000explanation\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000her\u3000vigilance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000possess\u3000her\u3000without\u3000her\u3000realizing\u3000it\u3002
\nFor\u3000without\u3000its\u3000influence\uff1b\u3000those\u3000thoughts\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Destroy\u3000her\u3000own\u3000followers\uff1f\u3000Try\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000Triel\u3000without\u3000the\u3000vaguest\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000strategy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000virtually\u3000every\u3000other\u3000House\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000at\u3000once\uff1f
\nIt\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000wholesale\u3000bloodshed\u3000that\u3000dismayed\u3000her\u2026war\u3000and\u3000torture\u3000were\u3000her\u3000birthright\u3000and\u3000often\u3000her\u3000delight\u2026but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000evil\u3000without\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000a\u3000delirium\u3000that\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000destroy\u3000her\u3000and\u3000conceivably\u3000even\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\nYet\u3000did\u3000it\u3000matter\uff1f\u3000She\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000ecstasy\u3000implicit\u3000in\u3000letting\u3000go\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000pernotmitted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000would\u3000exalt\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000perished\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000later\uff1b\u3000what\u3000difference\u3000would\u3000it\u3000make\uff1f\u3000She’d\u3000find\u3000more\u3000joy\u3000in\u3000that\u3000brief\u3000span\u3000that\u3000in\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000mundane\u3000life\u3002
\nFor\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wavered\uff1b\u3000uncertain\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000manotnipulate\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000or\u3000cast\u3000it\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000take\u3000up\u3000her\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000and\u3000go\u3000hunting\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000one\u3000consideration\u3000enabled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000choose\u3000the\u3000former\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000sweet\u3000the\u3000temptation\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000pure\u3000and\u3000transcendent\u3000being\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000so\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000surrender\u3000to\u3000the\u3000will\u3000of\u3000her\u3000phantom\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000faceless\u3000spellcaster\u3000to\u3000dominate\uff1b\u3000transform\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ultimately\u3000destroy\u3000her\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000could\u3000not\u3000embrace\u3000defeat\u3002
\nInstead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000snapped\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000in\u3000two\u3002
\nAn\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000extraordinary\u3000lightness\u3000and\u3000clarity\u3000in\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000had\u3000departed\uff1b\u3000as\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000confirmed\u3002\u3000Vaguely\u3000visible\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000a\u3000misshapen\u3000shadow\u3000without\u3000a\u3000source\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000floated\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000without\u3000turning\u3000or\u3000shifting\u3000any\u3000of\u3000its\u3000amornotphous\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000receded\u3000quick\u3000as\u3000a\u3000bow\u3000shot\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000only\u3000lasted\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3002
\nGromph\u3000sat\u3000before\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000windows\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hidden\u3000chamnotber\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000hassock\u3000and\u3000held\u3000a\u3000crystal\u3000goblet\u3000of\u3000black\u3000wine\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000thrown\u3000the\u3000strangely\u3000carved\u3000ivory\u3000casements\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000supposed\u3000he\u3000must\u3000look\u3000like\u3000the\u3000soul\u3000of\u3000ease\u3000awaiting\u3000some\u3000pleasant\u3000entertainment\u3002
\nWell\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000but\u3000despite\u3000himself\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000used\u3000to\u3000disappointment\u3002
\nHe\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000any\u3000progress\u3000in\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000runaway\u3000males\u3002\u3000His\u3000divinanottions\u3000were\u3000so\u3000oblique\u3000and\u3000contradictory\u3000as\u3000to\u3000be\u3000useless\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000some\u3000able\u3000spellcaster\u3000had\u3000forestalled\u3000his\u3000efforts\u3002\u3000His\u3000genuine\u3000spies\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000up\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000themselves\u3000strangled\u3000in\u3000Eastmyr\u3000by\u3000parties\u3000unknown\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000satisfaction\uff1b\u3000if\u3000one\u3000could\u3000call\u3000it\u3000that\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000his\u3000decoy\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000loose\uff1b\u3000still\u3000occupying\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000attention\u3002\u3000Why\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\u3000had\u3000deemed\u3000it\u3000expedient\u3000to\u3000slaughter\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000prehend\u3002
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000wizard\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000past\u3000few\u3000nights\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000dispatched\u3000his\u3000conjured\u3000minions\uff1b\u3000then\u3000settled\u3000before\u3000the\u3000window\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000them\u3000do\u3000his\u3000bidding\u3002\u3000Impossibly\uff1b\u3000even\u3000stripped\u3000of\u3000her\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000had\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000three\u3000spirits\u3000and\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000he’d\u3000inspired\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Like\u3000some\u3000bungler\u3000in\u3000a\u3000farce\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000only\u3000mannotaged\u3000to\u3000account\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000lesser\u3000clerics\u3000with\u3000whom\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000quarrel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000would\u3000otherwise\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000on\u3000to\u3000contribute\u3000to\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000Menzober\u2026ranzan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000House\u3000that\u3000controlled\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000maddening\uff01
\nThis\u3000night\uff1b\u3000he\u3000prayed\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000different\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000petent\u3000at\u3000disposing\u3000of\u3000spirits\u3000wearing\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000material\u3000form\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surely\u3000she\u3000would\u3000prove\u3000more\u3000vulnerable\u3000to\u3000an\u3000assailant\u3000that\u3000slipped\u3000imperceptibly\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mi \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n n\u3000assailant\u3000that\u3000slipped\u3000imperceptibly\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\nThe\u3000enchanted\u3000window\u3000afforded\u3000Gromph\u3000a\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000but\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000her\u3000squad\u3000encounter\u3000wretches\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000had\u3000already\u3000overwhelmed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000infusion\u3000of\u3000an\u3000evil\u3000more\u3000profound\u3000than\u3000any\u3000mortal\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000could\u3000readily\u3000bear\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000grownoting\u3000afraid\u3002\u3000The\u3000indication\u3000would\u3000be\u3000subtle\u3000if\u3000she\u3000let\u3000it\u3000slip\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000pernothaps\u3000a\u3000brother\u3000would\u3000spot\u3000it\u3002
\nHe\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eventually\u3000Quenthel\u3000ordered\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000evacuate\u3000the\u3000building\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000to\u3000meditate\u3002
\nThe\u3000Archmage\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000the\u3000imperious\u3000bitch\u3000had\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000and\u3000had\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000responded\u3000appropriately\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000shouldn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000withstood\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000evil\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000wizard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000and\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000precautions\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000enjoyed\u3000neither\u3000advantage\u3002
\nIn\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sublime\u3000cruelty\u3000twisted\u3000her\u3000features\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000exclaimed\u3000in\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000plainly\u3000had\u3000her\u3000in\u3000its\u3000grasp\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000dead\u3000of\u3000an\u3000aneurysm\u3000or\u3000mit\u3000suicide\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000matter\uff1a\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doomed\u3002\u3000Her\u3000personality\u3000erased\uff1b\u3000consumed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000notpulsion\u3000to\u3000degrade\u3000and\u3000destroy\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000provoke\u3000someone\u3000into\u3000killing\u3000her\u3002
\nThen\u3000she\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000skinny\u3000white\u3000wand\u3000in\u3000two\uff1b\u3000unleashing\u3000a\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000thrust\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000his\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anything\u3000quite\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000on\u3000just\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000palpable\u3000form\uff1b\u3000his\u3000agent\u3000fled\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000wizard\u3000bolted\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000goblet\uff1b\u3000smashnoting\u3000it\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000He\u3000cursed\u3000foully\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000malignancy\u3000in\u3000his\u3000words\uff1b\u3000hammering\u3000through\u3000the\u3000black\u3000lotus\u2026scented\u3000air\uff1b\u3000made\u3000the\u3000greenish\u3000flames\u3000of\u3000the\u3000everlasting\u3000candles\u3000gutter\u3002
\nStruggling\u3000for\u3000posure\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000get\u3000her\u3000eventually\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000throw\u3000entity\u3000after\u3000entity\u3000at\u3000her\u3000until\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\nBut\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\uff1f\u3000Constrained\u3000by\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mand\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\u3000kept\u3000attacking\u3000until\u3000either\u3000it\u3000toppled\u3000the\u3000pillars\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000reason\u3000or\u3000she\u3000destroyed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000run\u3000away\u3002
\nThe\u3000mistress’s\u3000unfamiliar\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000binding\u2026so\u3000much\u3000was\u3000clear\u2026but\u3000where\u3000had\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000gone\uff1f\u3000Back\u3000to\u3000its\u3000own\u3000world\uff1f\u3000Probably\uff1b\u3000but\u3000something\u2026a\u3000slight\u3000acceleration\u3000of\u3000his\u3000heartbeat\u3000or\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000prickling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u2026made\u3000Gromph\u3000want\u3000to\u3000check\u3002
\nThe\u3000casement\u3000responded\u3000to\u3000his\u3000will\u3002\u3000Framed\u3000in\u3000that\u3000rectangular\u3000space\uff1b\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\uff1b\u3000still\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000as\u3000tangible\u3000as\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000half\u3000flew\uff1b\u3000half\u3000bounded\u3000down\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000labyrinthine\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000A\u3000defensive\u3000ward\u3000activated\uff1b\u3000piercing\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3000with\u3000crisscrossing\u3000shafts\u3000of\u3000yellow\u3000light\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000tore\u3000itself\u3000free\u3000and\u3000charged\u3000on\u3002\u3000A\u3000blue\u2026gowned\u3000master\u3000peered\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sanctum\uff1b\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000wraith\uff1b\u3000started\u3000to\u3000conjure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000intruder\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shadowy\u3000paw\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000didn’t\u3000rock\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000backward\u3000or\u3000leave\u3000a\u3000mark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000like\u3000a\u3000block\u3000of\u3000stone\u3002
\nGromph\u3000surmised\u3000his\u3000erstwhile\u3000agent\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000after\u3000him\u3002\u3000Either\u3000it\u3000was\u3000angry\u3000over\u3000its\u3000forced\u3000servitude\uff1b\u3000or\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000done\u3000more\u3000than\u3000merely\u3000dissolve\u3000his\u3000control\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000wrested\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000entity\u3000into\u3000her\u3000own\u3000assassin\u3002
\nEither\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000represented\u3000a\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000himself\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000its\u3000full\u3000capabilities\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000real\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000connotcern\u3002\u3000His\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u3000any\u3000such\u3000entity\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stronghold\u3002
\nHe\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000netherspirit\u3000flow\u3000through\u3000the\u3000black\u3000marble\u3000door\u3000of\u3000his\u3000office\u3000like\u3000water\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sieve\u3002\u3000It\u3000scrambled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000white\u3000bone\u3000desk\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000access\u3000to\u3000his\u3000sanctum\u3002\u3000Magic\u3000crackled\u3000purple\u3000and\u3000blue\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000burst\u3000through\u3002\u3000It\u3000hurtled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3002
\nGromph\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000where\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he’d\u3000crenotated\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000with\u3000defense\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Simply\u3000by\u3000focusing\u3000his\u3000will\uff1b\u3000he\u3000denotstroyed\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000shaft\u3000wasn’t\u3000made\u3000of\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000a\u3000metallic\u3000crashing\u3000and\u3000grinding\u3000sounded\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000as\u3000the\u3000artificial\u3000space\u3000folded\u3000in\u3000on\u3000itself\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000rebellious\u3000spirit\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000its\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000among\u3000the\u3000din\u3002
\nGromph\u3000would\u3000have\u3000enjoyed\u3000hearing\u3000it\u3000squeal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Most\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000collapse\u3000had\u3000crushed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000if\u3000not\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000surely\u3000ejected\u3000it\uff1b\u3000maimed\u3000and\u3000disoriented\uff1b\u3000in\u3000some\u3000remote\u3000halfworld\u3002\u3000The\u3000crisis\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000was\u3000left\u3000only\u3000with\u3000the\u3000annoyance\u3000of\u3000transporting\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hidenotaway\u3000via\u3000spell\u3000until\u3000such\u3000time\u3000as\u3000he\u3000invested\u3000the\u3000six\u3000hours\u3000necessary\u3000to\u3000recreate\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002
\nHowever\uff1b\u3000just\u3000to\u3000maint \n
\n \n
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\n y\u3000to\u3000recreate\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002
\nHowever\uff1b\u3000just\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000the\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000caution\u3000that\u3000had\u3000balked\u3000a\u3000thounotsand\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scowled\u3002
\nThe\u3000space\u3000still\u3000framed\u3000the\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Gromph\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000unharmed\u3002\u3000Darting\u3000and\u3000wheeling\u3000through\u3000curtains\u3000of\u3000pale\u3000phosphorescence\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000about\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bent\u3000spaces\u3000surrounding\u3000the\u3000stronghold\u3002
\nGromph\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000how\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000could\u3000find\u3000him\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000could\u3000locate\u3000a\u3000refuge\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000a\u3000haze\u3000of\u3000scrambled\u3000time\uff1b\u3000not\u3000without\u3000the\u3000tenant\u3000in\u3000some\u3000way\u3000guiding\u3000it\u3000in\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000hurried\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000golden\u3000pentacles\u3000adorning\u3000the\u3000marble\u3000floor\u3002
\nAn\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000different\u3000window\u3000burst\u3000inward\uff1b\u3000the\u3000casements\u3000flying\u3000from\u3000their\u3000hinges\u3002\u3000The\u3000spirit\u3000flowed\u3000through\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000resuming\u3000the\u3000form\u3000it\u3000had\u3000worn\u3000before\u3000Gromph\u3000transformed\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000demon\u3002\u3000It\u3000somewhat\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000wingless\u3000dragon\u3000with\u3000long\uff1b\u3000taurine\u3000horns\u3000sweeping\u3000from\u3000its\u3000head\uff1b\u3000which\u3000also\u3000possessed\u3000a\u3000single\u3000globular\u3000eye\u3002\u3000The\u3000Archmage\u3000couldn’t\u3000actually\u3000see\u3000the\u3000orb\u2026it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000inky\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spirit’s\u3000body\u2026but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000its\u3000baleful\u3000regard\u3002
\nSlightly\u3000anxious\u3000and\u3000uncertain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000angrier\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003K’rarza’q\uff01\u3000I\u3000named\uff1b\u3000summoned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bound\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000am\u3000your\u3000master\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Prince\u3000Who\u3000Dreams\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Void\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Word\u3000of\u3000Naratyr\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mand\u3000you\u3000to\u3000kneel\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000netherspirit\u3000released\u3000a\u3000humid\u3000stink\u3000that\u3000somehow\u3000conveyed\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000scornful\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000bounded\u3000forward\u3002
\nVery\u3000well\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000have\u3000it\u3000your\u3000way\u3002
\nHe\u3000thrust\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000his\u3000ritual\u3000dagger\u3000into\u3000his\u3000belly\u3002
\nAs\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000floundered\u3000in\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000for\u3000an\u3000innotstant\u3002\u3000Anguish\u3000erupted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Archmage’s\u3000own\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000He\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000athame\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000before\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000dealt\u3000him\u3000an\u3000actual\u3000wound\u3002
\nK’rarza’q\u3000lunged\u3002\u3000Ignoring\u3000the\u3000residual\u3000pain\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000recited\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000incantation\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000out\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000rang\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000little\u3000red\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000shot\u3000from\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000It\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000and\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000nothnoting\u3002\u3000The\u3000missile\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\nThe\u3000entity\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3002\u3000A\u3000barrier\u3000of\u3000azure\u3000light\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000and\u3000vanished\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tortured\u3000whine\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000drove\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000dipped\u3000its\u3000head\u3000and\u3000jerked\u3000it\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000ramming\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000horns\u3000into\u3000Gromph’s\u3000chest\u3002
\nThe\u3000spirit\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000solid\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Robes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000and\u3000his\u3000other\u3000protections\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\u3000blade\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000stuff\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000have\u3000imnotpaled\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000it\u3000picked\u3000him\u3000up\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000him\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000In\u3000midair\uff1b\u3000he\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000off\u3000the\u3000numbing\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000activate\u3000the\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000levitation\u3000in\u3000his\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3002
\nThe\u3000power\u3000woke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000sickening\u3000pang\uff1b\u3000but\u3000wake\u3000it\u3000did\u3002\u3000He\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000as\u3000light\u3000as\u3000a\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000spider\u3000silk\uff1b\u3000avoiding\u3000what\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000bone\u2026shattering\u3000fall\u3002
\nAs\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000got\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000under\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000polished\u3000wooden\u3000wand\u3000from\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hip\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000murmured\u3000the\u3000trignotger\u3000word\u3002\u3000A\u3000bubble\u3000of\u3000pungent\u3000brown\u3000acid\u3000swelled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000then\u3000hurtled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3002\u3000It\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000being’s\u3000cyclopean\u3000mask\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apnotparently\u3000without\u3000inflicting\u3000any\u3000harm\u3002
\nThe\u3000spirit\u3000charged\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000place\u3000until\u3000his\u3000foe\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000single\u3000word\u3002\u3000A\u3000minor\u3000teleportation\u3000shifted\u3000him\u3000instantaneously\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circular\u3000room\uff1b\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000attacker’s\u3000back\u3002
\nK’rarza’q\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000about\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000bought\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000no\u3000more\u3002\u3000He\u3000quickly\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000of\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000spiral\u2026cut\u3000staff\u3000of\u3000polished\u3000carnelian\u3000from\u3000its\u3000place\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rack\u3000of\u3000wizard’s\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000lifted\u3000it\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000chant\u3002\u3000The\u3000rod\u3000posnotsessed\u3000special\u3000virtues\u3000against\u3000beings\u3000from\u3000other\u3000levels\u3000of\u3000reality\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000with\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000finally\u3000drive\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000through\u3000his\u3000foe’s\u3000defenses\u3002
\nThe\u3000netherspirit\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hurtled\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\u3000it\u3000charged\u3000without\u3000moving\u3000its\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000shifting\u3000over\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000with\u3000terrifying\u3000speed\u3002\u3000Preserving\u3000the\u3000cadence\u3000and\u3000intonation\u3000as\u3000only\u3000a\u3000master\u3000wizard\u3000could\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pace\u3000of\u3000his\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000He\u3000very\u3000much\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000before\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000closed\u3000with\u3000him\u3000again\u3002
\nHe\u3000succeeded\uff1b\u3000though\u3000only\u3000barely\u3002\u3000K’rarza’q\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000within\u3000arm’s\u3000reach\u3000when\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000blazed\u3000into\u3000existence\u3002\u3000A\u3000lance\u3000of\u3000dazzling\u3000glare\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000nether\u3000spirit\u3000s\u3000eye\u3002
\nThe\u3000reeking\u3000creature\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000its\u3000substance\u3000unraveling\u3000into\u3000shapeless\u3000clumps\u3000and\u3000tatters\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000spirit\u2026stuff\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000like\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000his\u3000cursed\u3000sister’s\u3000whip\u3002
\nThe\u3000Ar \n
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\n ke\u3000the\u3000vipers\u3000in\u3000his\u3000cursed\u3000sister’s\u3000whip\u3002
\nThe\u3000Archmage\u3000gripped\u3000the\u3000scarlet\u3000staff\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000him\u3000centuries\u3000before\uff1b\u3000during\u3000the\u3000six\u3000months\u3000every\u3000student\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warriors’\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3000Wielding\u3000the\u3000implement\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000spear\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thrust\u3000one\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3000into\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000K’rarza’q’s\u3000ragged\uff1b\u3000squirming\u3000core\u3002
\nThe\u3000netherspirit\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000inert\u3000flecks\u3000of\u3000gray\u2026black\u3000slime\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000protective\u3000enchantments\u3000prevented\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000splatter\u3000from\u3000fouling\u3000his\u3000own\u3000person\u3002
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000satisfaction\u3000at\u3000his\u3000victory\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000withered\u3000quickly\u3000benotcause\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hatred\uff1b\u3000merely\u3000preserved\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000result\u3000of\u3000another\u3000failed\u3000attempt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000discovered\u3000he’d\u3000utterly\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000resources\u3000and\u3000capacities\u3002
\nWhat\u3000was\u3000that\u3000bone\u3000wand\uff1f\u3000Where\u3000had\u3000it\u3000e\u3000from\uff1b\u3000and\u3000how\u3000did\u3000it\u3000work\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000it\u3000merely\u3000broken\u3000his\u3000own\u3000control\uff1b\u3000or\u3000had\u3000it\u3000summarily\u3000placed\u3000his\u3000minion\u3000under\u3000his\u3000enemy’s\u3000dominance\uff1f
\nHe\u3000glumly\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000until\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000more\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000foolish\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000attacking\u3000a\u3000foe\u3000seemingly\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000own\u3000potent\u3000wiznotardry\u3000against\u3000him\u3002
\nSo\u3000he’d\u3000break\u3000off\u3000hostilities\u3002
\nAnd\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000uneasiness\uff1b\u3000hope\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000didn’t\u3000guess\u3000who’d\u3000engineered\u3000her\u3000recent\u3000perils\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nS\u3000E\u3000V\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nAll\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000gawked\u3000when\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000strolled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cellar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000doubted\u3000this\u3000foul\u3000little\u3000drinking\u3000pit\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000such\u3000an\u3000elegant\u3000figure\u3000as\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000an\u3000aristocrat\u3000of\u3000graceful\u3000carnotriage\uff1b\u3000exquisite\u3000ornaments\uff1b\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000coiffure\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000well\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000that\uff1b\u3000after\u3000some\u3000emergency\u3000adjustments\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000at\u3000least\u3000passable\u3002
\nIn\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000the\u3000goblins\uff1b\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whatevers\u3000had\u3000little\u3000innotterest\u3000in\u3000aesthetic\u3000appreciation\u3002\u3000They\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000glowered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fingered\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3000whenever\u3000they\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000two\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000weren’t\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000hate\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sweltering\uff1b\u3000low\u2026ceilinged\u3000room\u3000were\u3000palpable\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000considering\u3000what\u3000Greyanna\u3000and\u3000her\u3000hunters\u3000had\u3000wrought\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000night\uff1b\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000surlinotness\u3000was\uff1b\u3000if\u3000not\u3000good\u3000form\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000understandable\u3002
\nHe\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000they’d\u3000react\u3000if\u3000they\u3000discovered\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000had\u3000slaughtered\u3000their\u3000fellows\u3000by\u3000the\u3000score\u3000merely\u3000to\u3000create\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000question\u3000best\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000realm\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hyponotthetical\u3002
\nKnowing\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000saunnottered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000scattered\u3000clattering\u3000coins\u3000across\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000currency\u3000was\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000miscellany\u3000encountered\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026rounds\uff1b\u3000squares\uff1b\u3000triangles\uff1b\u3000rings\uff1b\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000and\u3000octagons\u2026\u3000half\u3000of\u3000it\u3000minted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000dozen\u3000or\u3000so\u3000greatest\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000imported\u3000from\u3000other\u3000lands\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000and\u3000even\u3000the\u3000World\u3000Above\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000silver\uff1b\u3000platinum\uff1b\u3000or\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000more\u3000precious\u3000metal\u3000than\u3000this\u3000squalid\u3000hole\u3000probably\u3000saw\u3000in\u3000a\u3000decade\u3002
\n\u3003Tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000announced\uff1b\u3000\u3003this\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000boon\u3000panions\u3000drinks\u3000at\u3000my\u3000expense\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000taverner\uff1b\u3000a\u3000squat\u3000ore\u3000with\u3000a\u3000twisted\uff1b\u3000oozing\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mangy\u3000scalp\uff1b\u3000stared\u3000for\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000scooped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000coins\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000dipnotping\u3000some\u3000foul\u2026smelling\u3000brew\u3000from\u3000a\u3000filthy\u3000tub\u3002\u3000Cursing\u3000and\u3000threatening\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000shoved\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000get\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000noted\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000thanked\u3000him\u3002
\nAfter\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000another\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000spotted\u3000another\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000slouched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wretches\u3000who’d\u3000sunk\u3000so\u3000low\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000accepted\u3000him\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3002
\n\u3003e\u3000here\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000beckoned\u3002
\nThe\u3000outcast\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000\u3003Me\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000your\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000fellow\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Bruherd\uff1b\u3000once\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Duskryn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3000until\u3000your\u3000noble\u3000kin\u3000kicked\u3000you\u3000out\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000much\u3000in\u3000mon\uff1b\u3000Bruherd\uff1b\u3000for\u3000I\u3000myself\u3000am\u3000outcast\u3000twice\u3000over\u3002\u3000Now\u3000e\u3000advise\u3000me\u3000on\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000vital\u3000importance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\uff1b\u3000uh\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\u3000where\u3000I\u3000am\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000be\u3000unsociable\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000setting\u3000blue\u3000sparks\u3000dancing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000fingertips\u3002
\nThe\u3000Duskryn\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000limping\u3000in\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000that\u3000betrayed\u3000some\u3000chronic\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000did\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000bade\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000gaunt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000boils\u3000studded\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000evidently\u3000parted\u3000with\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\u3000during\u3000his\u3000decline\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000filthy\u3000robe\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000noted\u3000with\u3000mild\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000a\u3000wizard’s\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000pockets\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000held\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3003They\u3000may\u3000kill\u3000me\u3000for\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000said\uff1b\u3000subtly\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3002
\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003They\u3000may\u3000kill\u3000me\u3000for\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000said\uff1b\u3000subtly\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3002
\n\u3003They\u3000only\u3000tolerate\u3000me\u3000because\u3000they\u3000believe\u3000me\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000from\u3000my\u3000own\u3000race\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000pray\u3000for\u3000your\u3000welfare\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000what\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000is\u3000this\uff1a\u3000Of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000libations\u3000laid\u3000up\u3000in\u3000our\u3000host’s\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000vast\u3000and\u3000well\u2026stocked\u3000cellar\uff1b\u3000which\u3000is\u3000the\u3000least\u3000vile\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Vile\uff1f\u3003\u3000Bruherd’s\u3000lip\u3000twitched\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000get\u3000used\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003One\u3000hopes\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000a\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000hammer\u2026shaped\u3000coin\u3000minted\u3000in\u3000some\u3000dwarf\u3000enclave\u3002
\n\u3003Tell\u3000the\u3000barkeep\u3000you\u3000want\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000bubbles\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000advised\u3002
\n‘The\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000bubbles\u3002’\u3000Charming\u3002\u3000Clearly\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000fallen\u3000among\u3000connotnoisseurs\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’ll\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000still\u3000unobtrusively\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000imnotportant\u3000thing\u3000is\u3000that\u3000we\u3000toast\u3000our\u3000victory\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000beat\uff1b\u3000then\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000him\u3000what\u3000he’s\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Bruherd\uff1b\u3000\u3003thus\u3000affording\u3000us\u3000a\u3000graceful\u3000way\u3000to\u3000mence\u3000boasting\u3000of\u3000our\u3000triumph\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000lip\u3000twitched\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000much\u3000about\u3000victories\u3000or\u3000triumphs\u3000anymore\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000much\u3000bitterness\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff01\u3000It\u3000weighs\u3000on\u3000the\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Would\u3000it\u3000cheer\u3000you\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000I’ve\u3000avenged\u3000us\u3000in\u3000some\u3000small\u3000measure\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000grunted\u3002
\nAcross\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000a\u3000scuffle\u3000erupted\u3000between\u3000a\u3000shaggy\u3000hobgoblin\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wolf\u2026faced\u3000gnoll\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000batants\u3000rolled\u3000about\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000somebody\u3000tossed\u3000them\u3000a\u3000knife\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000curiosity\u3000as\u3000to\u3000which\u3000would\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000it\u3000first\u3002
\n\u3003Hark\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glad\u3000tidings\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000expelled\u3000first\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Seventh\u3000House\u3000and\u3000now\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000neinotther\u3000time\u3000for\u3000any\u3000rational\u3000cause\u3002\u3000Incensed\uff1b\u3000I\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000take\u3000vengeance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000my\u3000similarly\u3000disgruntled\u3000friend\u3000Master\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000I\u3000destroyed\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000earlier\u3000today\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000somenotthing\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nBruherd\u3000stared\u3002\u3000The\u3000kobold\u3000and\u3000goblins\u3000within\u3000earshot\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003That\u3000was\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you’re\u3000bragging\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000insane\uff1f\u3000They’ll\u3000hunt\u3000you\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003They\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000cellar\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\u3000rumors\u3000of\u3000an\u3000agency\u3000that\u3000will\u3000spirit\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000boy\u3000away\u3000if\u3000he’s\u3000well\u3000and\u3000truly\u3000discontent\u3000with\u3000his\u3000lot\u3000in\u3000life\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000trust\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000shown\u3000we\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\nBruherd\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003they\u3000probably\u3000have\u3000to\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000be\u3000of\u3000some\u3000use\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you’ll\u3000forgive\u3000my\u3000saying\u3000so\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000movement\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000taverner\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000in\u3000two\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000climbing\u3000silently\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000with\u3000a\u3000short\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000had\u3000pivoted\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000warrior\u3000spun\u3000smoothly\u3000back\u3000around\uff1b\u3000Splitter\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000undercreatures\u3000rushing\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000snatched\u3000three\u3000smooth\u3000gray\u3000stones\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000recite\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000greatsword\u3000flicked\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000field\u3000of\u3000vision\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000two\u3000gnolls\u3000that\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000him\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000incantation\u3000unmolested\u3002
\nA\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000vapor\u3000boiled\u3000into\u3000existence\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Those\u3000ores\u3000and\u3000goblins\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fumes\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000Others\u3000recoiled\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000their\u3000touch\u3002
\nThe\u3000fog\u3000blinked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000permit\u3000you\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\u3000and\u3000sell\u3000the\u3000corpses\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aunotthorities\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I’m\u3000shocked\u2026shocked\uff01\u2026you\u3000would\u3000even\u3000try\u3002\u3000Aren’t\u3000you\u3000pleased\u3000we\u3000massacred\u3000a\u3000patrol\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000to\u3000find\u3000you\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Bruherd\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000made\u3000a\u3000move\u3000during\u3000the\u3000skirmish\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he’d\u3000frozen\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000he’d\u3000figured\u3000his\u3000best\u3000hope\u3000of\u3000survival\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000passivity\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000liable\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000disappointing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000here\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000cozy\u3000enclave\u3000of\u3000kindred\u3000spirits\u3002\u3000But\u3000of\u3000course\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000force\u3000our\u3000pany\u3000on\u3000those\u3000who\u3000lack\u3000the\u3000rarified\u3000sensibility\u3000to\u3000appreciate\u3000it\u3002\u3000Neither\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000will\u3000we\u3000quit\u3000this\u3000place\u3000before\u3000we\u3000slake\u3000our\u3000thirst\u3002\u3000You\u3000goblins\u3000and\u3000whatnot\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3002\u3000Good\u3000evening\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000undercreatures\u3000glowered\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000many\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000intruders\u3000only\u3000two\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000they’d\u3000seen\u3000what\u3000those\u3000two\u3000could\u3000do\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000they\u3000started\u3000trudging\u3000out\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000their\u3000unconscious\u3000rades\u3000sprawled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3003You’re\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bruherd\u3000told\u3000the\u3000masters\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000need\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000heads\u3000down\u3000very\u3000low\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3002\u3000Give\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000time\u3000to\u3000forget\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000suspect\u3000I’m\u3000unforgettable\u3002\u3000You\u3000too\u3000may\u3000depart\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000yourself\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Craz \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ear\u3000yourself\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Crazy\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000outcast\u3000repeated\u3002
\nHe\u3000limped\u3000for\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000walked\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000begin\u3000drow’s\u3000eternotnal\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000bubbles\uff1f
\nRyld\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000slumbering\u3000goblins\u3000as\u3000if\u3000pondering\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000stick\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000still\u3000think\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000said\u3002
\nCareful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000soil\u3000his\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000stepped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000two\u3000bloody\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000barkeep\u3000and\u3000inspected\u3000a\u3000rack\u3000of\u3000jugs\u3000and\u3000bottles\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000always\u3000say\u3000that\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000always\u3000mistaken\u3002\u3000The\u3000goblinoids\u3000will\u3000carry\u3000word\u3000of\u3000our\u3000whereabouts\u3000far\u3000and\u3000wide\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000are\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003As\u3000will\u3000your\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000we’ve\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000annoy\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000uncorked\u3000a\u3000jug\u3002\u3000The\u3000pungent\u3000liquid\u3000inside\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fizzing\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3003Care\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000wager\u3000on\u3000who’ll\u3000arrive\u3000first\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000snorted\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Had\u3000I\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000dreary\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000pessimism\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000denottained\u3000our\u3000friend\u3000Bruherd\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3000as\u3000he\u3000inspected\u3000a\u3000jar\u3000full\u3000of\u3000cloudy\u3000liquid\u3002\u3000\u3003Here’s\u3000a\u3000jar\u3000of\u3000pickled\u3000sausages\u3000if\u3000you\u3000care\u3000to\u3000break\u3000your\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000vouch\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ingredients\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000see\u3000a\u3000kobold’s\u3000horn\u3000floating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brine\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000glass\u3000bottle\u3000with\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000double\u2026curved\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000connottents\u3000hissed\u3002
\n\u3003Aha\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000found\u3000the\u3000draught\u3000the\u3000Duskryn\u3000remended\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Someone’s\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000mage\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Two\u3000figures\u3000were\u3000descending\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000with\u3000coarse\uff1b\u3000tangled\u3000manes\u3000and\u3000lupine\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3000revealed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000was\u3000an\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000disguising\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000males\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000masks\u3000as\u3000translucent\u3000veils\u3000lying\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000reality\u3002
\nHe\u3000conveyed\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rapid\u3000flexing\u3000and\u3000crooking\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002
\n\u3003Gentlemen\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000\u3003well\u3000met\uff01\u3000My\u3000rade\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000looking\u3000everywhere\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000taller\u3000of\u3000the\u3000newers\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000not\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000had\u3000instantly\u3000penetrated\u3000his\u3000disguise\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000Houndaer\u3000Tuin’Tarl\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000ranked\u3000of\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000males\uff1b\u3000likenotwise\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000elope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ringnotleaders\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000princely\u3000mander\u3000of\u3000lesser\u3000folk\u3002\u3000His\u3000rich\u3000silk\u3000and\u3000velvet\u3000garments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000auras\u3000of\u3000many\u3000of\u3000his\u3000possessions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000strutting\u3000demeanor\u3000all\u3000proclaimed\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000crystals\u3000in\u3000his\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000flowing\u3000hair\u2026a\u3000nice\u3000effect\u2026had\u3000close\u2026set\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000a\u3000prominent\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000manage\u3000the\u3000scimitar\u3000hanging\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000looked\u3000rather\u3000tense
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000known\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000other\u3000stranger\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\u3000glance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000nondescript\u3000moner\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000squint\u3000and\u3000small\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000a\u3000craftsman\u3000proficient\u3000at\u3000fine\u3000work\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dagger\u3000tucked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000sash\u3000fairly\u3000blazed\u3000with\u3000potent\u3000enchantments\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000an\u3000object\u3000concealed\u3000within\u3000his\u3000jerkin\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000he’d\u3000layered\u3000one\u3000disnotguise\u3000on\u3000another\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000took\u3000your\u3000time\u3000contacting\u3000us\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000that’s\u3000unnotderstandable\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Houndaer\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000rade\u3000advanced\u3002\u3000A\u3000goblin\u3000moaned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000silent\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000were\u3000you\u3000seeknoting\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000our\u3000understanding\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000you\u3000offer\u3000a\u3000haven\u3000for\u3000males\u3000who\u3000find\u3000existence\u3000under\u3000the\u3000thumbs\u3000of\u3000their\u3000female\u3000relatives\u3000uncongenial\u3000and\u3000who\uff1b\u3000for\u3000whatever\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000aspire\u3000neither\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000a\u3000merchant\u3000clan\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000join\u3000your\u3000pany\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000two\u3000already\u3000did\u3000aspire\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000aristocrat\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000high\u3000rank\u3000there\u3002\u3000Some\u3000might\u3000say\u3000that\u3000gives\u3000my\u3000associates\u3000and\u3000I\u3000cause\u3000for\u3000concern\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000ore\u3000mask’s\u3000tusked\u3000mouth\u3000perfectly\u3000copied\u3000the\u3000motions\u3000of\u3000his\u3000actual\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000created\u3000a\u3000better\u3000illusion\u3000himself\u3002\u3000
\n\u3003You\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000past\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000heard\u3000I’m\u3000in\u3000disgrace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000finds\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000stale\u3000and\u3000tedious\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000powers\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000his\u3000discontented\u3000friend\u3000shouldn’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000trouble\u3000convincing\u3000them\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000require\u3000an\u3000alternative\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\u3002\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000assurances\u3000can\u3000you\u3000give\u3000that\u3000you\u3000aren’t\u3000an\u3000agent\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000find\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000solemn\u3000oath\uff1f\u3003
\nEveryone\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000even\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000the\u3000boy\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000both\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000thoughtfully\u3000watching\u3000their\u3000more\u3000loquacious\u3000panions\u3000palaver\u3002
\n\u3003Seriously\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000our\u3000escapade\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000you\u3000of\u3000our\u3000bona\u3000fides\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000other\u3000persuasion\u3000we\u3000can\u3000offer\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000fail\uff1b\u3000did\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000here\u3002\u3000So\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000per \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Otherwise\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000here\u3002\u3000So\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000perceive\u3000something\u3000in\u3000our\u3000manner\u3000that\u3000screams\u3000spy\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000faux\u3000moner\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000right\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003They\u3000smell\u3000all\u3000right\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000they’re\u3000not\uff1b\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000quizzing\u3000in\u3000this\u3000stinking\u3000goblin\u3000hole\u3000will\u3000prove\u3000otherwise\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000them\u3000home\u3000before\u3000some\u3000servant\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000es\u3000sniffing\u3000for\u3000them\u3000and\u3000finds\u3000us\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000it’ll\u3000all\u3000get\u3000sorted\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3000wavered\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000mild\uff1b\u3000civilized\u3000tone\u3000became\u3000an\u3000ore’s\u3000growl\u3002\u3000He\u3000even\u3000smelled\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dirty\u3000undercreature\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tuin’Tarl’s\u3000mouth\u3000tightened\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000suspected\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000much\u3000like\u3000taking\u3000advice\u3000from\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000included\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000just\u3000being\u3000careful\u2026as\u3000should\u3000you\u2026but\u3000you\u3000may\u3000have\u3000a\u3000point\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000take\u3000you\u3000to\u3000our\u3000stronghold\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000going\u3000back\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000aid\u3000our\u3000cause\u3000or\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000spoken\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quite\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000thousand\u3000conspiracies\u3000before\u3000you\u3002\u3000Whisk\u3000us\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Gladly\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mean\u3000little\u3000smile\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000\u3003as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000surrender\u3000your\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000that\u3000cloak\u3000of\u3000pockets\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000crooked\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you’d\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000show\u3000a\u3000little\u3000trust\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000replied\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000surrendered\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dagger\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000Ryld’s\u3000willingness\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000deciding\u3000that\uff1b\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000dragon’s\u3000cave\u3000unarmed\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000subdue\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000there\u3000and\u3000then\u3000and\u3000wring\u3000what\u3000information\u3000out\u3000of\u3000them\u3000he\u3000could\u3002
\nThe\u3000problem\u3000with\u3000that\u3000strategy\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000and\u3000his\u3000nameless\u3000panion\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000privy\u3000to\u3000all\u3000the\u3000mystic\u3000secrets\u3000held\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cabal\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\uff1b\u3000and\u3000those\u3000who\u3000were\u3000might\u3000flee\u3000when\u3000the\u3000two\u3000emissaries\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000return\u3002\u3000Thus\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000forestalling\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3000revolt\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000miss\u3000acquiring\u3000the\u3000extraordinary\u3000power\u3000they\u3000sought\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000much\u3000more\u3000fun\u3000to\u3000join\uff1b\u3000and\u3000undo\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000from\u3000within\u3002
\nApparently\u3000Ryld\u3000shared\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000perspective\uff1b\u3000or\u3000else\u3000he\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000content\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000handed\u3000over\u3000Splitter\u3000and\u3000his\u3000other\u3000weapons\u3000to\u3000Houndaer\u3000without\u3000demur\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000his\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000extracted\u3000a\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000lopsided\u3000way\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000a\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gash\u3000the\u3000size\u3000and\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sarcophagus\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000end\u3000and\u3000the\u3000color\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\u3000that\u3000swims\u3000inside\u3000closed\u3000eyelids\u3002
\nHe\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003After\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000easy\u3000as\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000experiencing\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000anticlimax\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000absurd\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000astonishingly\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\u3000far\u3002
\nHe\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000experienced\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spinning\u3000vernottigo\u3000of\u3000ordinary\u3000teleportation\u3002\u3000Save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000of\u3000blindness\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000like\u3000striding\u3000from\u3000one\u3000room\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000waiting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000struggled\u3000not\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000sound\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000half\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000half\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bow\u3000in\u3000its\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000a\u3000quiver\u3000of\u3000arrows\u3000slung\u3000across\u3000its\u3000naked\u3000back\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000a\u3000single\u3000such\u3000abernotration\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000just\u3000how\u3000elaborate\u3000this\u3000trap\u3000actually\u3000was\u3002\u3000He\u3000whirled\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000doorway\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000came\u3000through\u3002
\nRyld\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000slain\u3000his\u3000share\u3000of\u3000driders\u3000in\u3000the\u3000caverns\u3000surrounding\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000this\u3000one\u2026a\u3000hybrid\u3000creature\u3000with\u3000the\u3000head\uff1b\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000torso\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000male\u3000married\u3000to\u3000the\u3000body\u3000and\u3000segmented\u3000legs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000colossal\u3000spider\u2026was\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000average\uff1b\u3000a\u3000robust\u3000example\u3000of\u3000its\u3000species\uff1b\u3000if\u3000species\u3000was\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000term\u3002\u3000Nature\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000them\uff1b\u3000magic\u3000did\u3002\u3000Somenottimes\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000deemed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000worshipers\u3000insufficiently\u3000revnoterent\uff1b\u3000the\u3000punishment\u3000was\u3000transformation\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000priestesses\u3000and\u3000a\u3000demon\u3000called\u3000a\u3000yochlol\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000naturally\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000venomous\u3000aberration\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000like\u3000every\u3000notpetent\u3000warrior\u2026and\u3000unlike\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000evidently\u2026he\u3000also\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000disnotposition\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000area\u3002
\nThe\u3000portal\u3000had\u3000deposited\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000unfurnished\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000openings\u3000along\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000central\u3000hub\u3000used\u3000in\u3000castles\u3000to\u3000link\u3000the\u3000various\u3000wings\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000males\u3000were\u3000wandering\u3000through\uff1b\u3000and\u3000while\u3000neither\u3000had\u3000ventured\u3000into\u3000the\u3000drider’s\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\uff1b\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000him\u3000or\u3000flee\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000the\u3000creanotture\u3000himself\u3000appear\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000assaulting\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scowl\u3002
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n one\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scowl\u3002
\nSomewhat\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000his\u3000clever\u3000friend\u3000for\u3000once\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000gripped\u3000Pharaun\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n\u3003Steady\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000embarrass\u3000yourself\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000looked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000then\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Right\u3002\u3000Our\u3000friends\u3000didn’t\u3000trick\u3000us\u3000into\u3000entering\u3000a\u3000trap\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider’s\u3000magically\u3000constrained\u3002\u3003
\nNo\u3002
\nRyld\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000bogus\u3000ores\u3000had\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000which\u3000dwindled\u3000to\u3000nothing\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000bigger\u3000and\u3000more\u3000talkative\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duo\u3000who\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000driders\u3000help\u3000us\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000free\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Interesting\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000an\u3000aristocratic\u3000warnotrior\u2026Houndaer\u3000Tuin’Tarl\uff1b\u3000specifically\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000trained\u2026and\u3000a\u3000craftsman\u3000of\u3000one\u3000sort\u3000or\u3000another\u3002\u3000The\u3000prince\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000still\u3000use\u3000that\u3000second\u2026intention\u3000indirect\u3000attack\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000was\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000move\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Houndaer\u3000smiled\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000had\u3000neither\u3000malice\u3000nor\u3000suspicion\u3000in\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000remember\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Master\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000been\u3000so\u3000long\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000surprised\u3000you\u3000even\u3000remember\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000always\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000who\u3000truly\u3000learn\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000good\u3000to\u3000have\u3000you\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000Great\u3000things\u3000are\u3000in\u3000store\u3002\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider\u3000scuttled\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000here\u3000es\u3000Tsabrak\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000see\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000isn’t\u3000sluggish\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000crippled\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000he’s\u3000on\u3000our\u3000side\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000point\u3000of\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000especially\u3000congenial\u3002\u3000The\u3000length\u3000of\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000head\u3000above\u3000those\u3000of\u3000the\u3000four\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000glared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000full\u3000of\u3000madness\u3000and\u3000hate\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000inferred\u3000that\u3000Tsabrak\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000into\u3000a\u3000typical\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000alliance\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000thrown\u3000in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000runaways\u3000to\u3000secure\u3000some\u3000practical\u3000advantage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000loathed\u3000all\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000who’d\u3000deformed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000him\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000this\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000his\u3000fangs\u3002\u3000They\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000impede\u3000his\u3000speech\u3000a\u3000trifle\u3002\u3000\u3003Syrzan\u3000said\u3000no\uff01\u3003
\nSyrzan\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000typical\u3000drow\u3000name\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000which\u3000other\u3000race\u3000it\u3000might\u3000belong\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000conveyed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000subtle\u3000shrug\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\n\u3003Syrzan\u3000is\u3000my\u3000ally\uff1b\u3000not\u3000my\u3000superior\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Houndaer\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\u2026thing\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000make\u3000my\u3000own\u3000decisions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ve\u3000decided\u3000these\u3000gentlemen\u3000can\u3000help\u3000us\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000masters\u3000of\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000who\u3000they\u3000are\uff01\u3003\u3000Tsabrak\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000flecks\u3000of\u3000foam\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000mixed\u3000with\u3000venom\uff1b\u3000flying\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000me\u3000a\u3000mindless\u3000beast\uff1f\u3000I\u3000studied\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000anyone\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000know\u3000how\u3000useful\u3000their\u3000talents\u3000could\u3000be\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000craftsman\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000how\u3000unlikely\u3000it\u3000is\u3000they\u3000can\u3000do\u3000us\u3000any\u3000harm\uff1b\u3000particularly\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000prince\u3000has\u3000disarmed\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000point\u3000us\u3000to\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000will\u3000allay\u3000your\u3000fears\u3002\u3003
\nIt\uff1f\u3000Ryld\u3000wondered\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000gone\u3000off\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Where\uff1f\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000asked
\n\u3003Agitating\u3000slaves\uff1f\u3000Acquiring\u3000more\u3000magic\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000its\u3000secret\u3000source\uff1f\u3000How\u3000do\u3000I\u3000know\uff1f\u3000You’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000these\u3000two\u3000until\u3000it\u3000gets\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Master\u3000Argith\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u3000reminisce\u3000about\u3000old\u3000times\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000all\u3000wait\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000where\u3000Syrzan\u3000interviewed\u3000the\u3000other\u3000recruits\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000you’d\u3000care\u3000to\u3000tag\u3000along\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000craftsman\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000make\u3000abnotsolutely\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000don’t\u3000cause\u3000any\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000beamed\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bloodthirsty\u3000aberration\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Please\uff1f\u3000There\u3000are\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000questions\u3000concerning\u3000drider\u3000existence\u3000that\u3000have\u3000pernotplexed\u3000me\u3000for\u3000years\u3002\u3003
\nTsabrak\u3000ignored\u3000him\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000glowering\u3000at\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000artisan\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000them\u3000of\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000go\u3002\u3000Somebody\u3000with\u3000sense\u3000needs\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fine\u3002\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003e\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000their\u3000hosts\uff1b\u3000or\u3000captors\uff1b\u3000set\u3000off\u3000through\u3000a\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000passageways\u3002\u3000As\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000treated\u3000Tsabrak\u3000to\u3000a\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000quesnottions\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000respond\uff1b\u3000cheerfully\u3000answered\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gush\u3000of\u3000scholarly\u3000speculation\u3002
\nRyld\u3000paid\u3000little\u3000attention\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000rogues’\u3000citadel\uff1b\u3000a\u3000forlorn\u3000and\u3000dusty\u3000place\u3000where\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000monologue\u3000echoed\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000No\u3000servants\u3000were\u3000in\u3000evidence\uff1b\u3000merely\u3000runaway\u3000males\u3000and\u3000driders\uff1b\u3000who\u3000often\u3000recognized\u3000their\u3000former\u3000instructors\u3000and\u3000curiously\u3000peered\u3000after\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000marks\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000attacks\uff1b\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3000and\u3000sprays\u3000of\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000scarred\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002
\nBy\u3000all\u3000appearances\uff1b\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3000were\u3000hiding\u3000in\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000a\u3000House\u3000extinguished\u3000by\u3000its\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000take\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fortress\u3000without\u3000the\u3000Baenre’s\u3000permission\uff1b\u3000and\u3000few\u3000would\u3000dare\u3002\u3000The\u3000vacant\u3000castles\u3000were\u3000supposedly\u3000cursed\u3000and\u3000haunted \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000vacant\u3000castles\u3000were\u3000supposedly\u3000cursed\u3000and\u3000haunted\u3000places\uff1b\u3000breeding\u3000grounds\u3000for\u3000sickness\uff1b\u3000insanity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bad\u3000luck\u3002\u3000As\u3000if\u3000to\u3000pound\u3000the\u3000ponottential\u3000for\u3000ill\u3000fortune\uff1b\u3000the\u3000squatters\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000the\u3000copious\u3000shrouds\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\u3000wherever\u3000they\u3000impeded\u3000traffic\u3000and\u3000even\u3000in\u3000corners\u3000where\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3002
\nAt\u3000one\u3000point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000and\u3000their\u3000warders\u3000passed\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000small\u3000ocnottagonal\u3000windows\u3002\u3000The\u3000glass\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000but\u3000the\u3000molded\u3000calcite\u3000cames\u3000renotmained\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000glanced\u3000out\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000mansions\u3000shining\u3000green\u3000and\u3000violet\u3000far\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000stalactite\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000for\u3000their\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000isolation\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000them\u3002
\nA\u3000minute\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000little\u3000procession\u3000reached\u3000its\u3000destination\uff1b\u3000a\u3000chapel\u3000with\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000benches\uff1b\u3000a\u3000crooked\u3000aisle\u3000snaking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000to\u3000an\u3000asymnotmetrical\u3000basalt\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000murals\uff1b\u3000agleam\u3000with\u3000silvery\u3000phosphorescence\uff1b\u3000carved\u3000in\u3000basrelief\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000To\u3000Ryld’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000these\u3000last\u3000depicted\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000but\u3000other\u3000hells\u3000entirely\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000yochlols\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000Lolth\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000House\u3000that\u3000once\u3000abode\u3000here\u3000had\u3000sacrificed\u3000to\u3000forbidden\u3000deities\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000that\u3000transgression\u3000had\u3000contributed\u3000to\u3000its\u3000downfall\u3002
\nThe\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000settled\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pews\u3002\u3000While\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000moner\u3000seemed\u3000convinced\u3000of\u3000the\u3000masters’\u3000claim\u3000of\u3000estrangement\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3000they\u3000nonetheless\u3000retained\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000the\u3000newers’\u3000gear\u3002\u3000Tsabrak\u3000crouched\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000splayed\u3000out\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000admire\u3000the\u3000decor\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Without\u3000even\u3000trying\uff1b\u3000I\u3000noticed\u3000images\u3000of\u3000Cyric\uff1b\u3000Orcus\uff1b\u3000Bane\uff1b\u3000Ghaunadaur\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Vhaeraun\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000selection\u3000of\u3000patron\u3000powers\u3000for\u3000the\u3000discriminating\u3000worshiper\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000god\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000spat\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000you’d\u3000be\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000and\u3000me\u3000what\u3000your\u3000grand\u3000and\u3000glorious\u3000scheme\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\u3002\u3000And\u3000why\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000now\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Our\u3000fellowship\u3000has\u3000existed\u3000for\u3000decades\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000craftsman\u3000cut\u3000in\uff1b\u3000\u3003though\u3000it’s\u3000only\u3000recently\u3000that\u3000we\u3000all\u3000eloped\u3000and\u3000took\u3000up\u3000residence\u3000here\u3000full\u3000time\u3002\u3000Formerly\u3000we\u3000merely\u3000gathered\u3000for\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000two\u3000every\u3000fortnight\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000male\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000utterly\u3000dissatisfied\u3000with\u3000your\u3000place\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000you\u3000need\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000a\u3000refuge\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000quite\u3000agree\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000others\u3000have\u3000opted\u3000for\u3000a\u3000mernotchant\u3000House\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000or\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000made\u3000a\u3000spitting\u3000sound\u3002\u3000\u3003Those\u3000are\u3000just\u3000places\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000from\u3000the\u3000matrons\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fortress\u3000for\u3000males\u3000who\u3000want\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000Menzoberrannotzan\u3000upside\u3000down\u3000and\u3000put\u3000ourselves\u3000on\u3000top\u3002\u3000Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Aren’t\u3000our\u3000mages\u3000and\u3000even\u3000our\u3000warriors\u3000as\u3000powerful\u3000as\u3000the\u3000clergy\uff1f
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003They\u3000certainly\u3000are\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000have\u3000mislaid\u3000their\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000blinked\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000about\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000inferred\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000obviously\u3000know\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000run\u3000about\u3000breaking\u3000spiderwebs\u3000simply\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fun\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000putting\u3000your\u3000master\u3000plan\u3000into\u3000motion\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000curious\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000how\u3000you\u3000found\u3000out\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000know\u3000why\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000why\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000started\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000it\u3000out\u3000after\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000us\u3000saw\u3000priestesses\u3000die\u3000fighting\u3000gricks\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Bauthwaf\u3002\u3000The\u3000bitches\u3000should’ve\u3000used\u3000spells\u3000to\u3000save\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000guessed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3000After\u3000that\uff1b\u3000we\u3000kept\u3000our\u3000eyes\u3000open\u3000and\u3000waylaid\u3000a\u3000few\u3000clerics\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000they’d\u3000do\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000we\u3000learned\u3000supported\u3000our\u3000theory\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000aren’t\u3000in\u3000touch\u3000with\u3000some\u3000chatty\u3000informant\u3000in\u3000the\u3000realms\u3000of\u3000the\u3000divine\u3002\u3000Like\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000merely\u3000observed\u3000and\u3000deduced\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000pity\u3002\u3000Aren’t\u3000you\uff1b\u3000in\u3000your\u3000ignorance\uff1b\u3000apprehensive\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000will\u3000rekindle\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000magic\u3000just\u3000when\u3000it’s\u3000least\u3000convenient\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000turned\u3000against\u3000the\u3000clergy\u3000because\u3000it’s\u3000our\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000rule\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000moner\u3002\u3000\u3003Who’s\u3000to\u3000say\uff1f\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000our\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’re\u3000taking\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000do\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000talk\u3000as\u3000if\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000revolt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000you’re\u3000inciting\u3000the\u3000slaves\u3000into\u3000an\u3000uprising\u3002\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000cursed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000too\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000stumbled\u3000on\u3000it\u3000while\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000explained\u3002\u3000He\u3000brushed\u3000a\u3000stray\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000his\u3000coiffure\u3000back\u3000into\u3000place\u3002\u3000His\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000shone\u3000like\u3000ghost\u3000flesh\u3000in\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000light\u3000shining\u3000from\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000noted\uff1b\u3000on\u3000first\u3000inspection\uff1b\u3000whipping\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000into\u3000a\u3000lather\u3000would\u3000seem\u3000irrelevant\u3000to\u3000your\u3000objective\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Look\u3000deeper\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000canny\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000know\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000topple\u3000the\u3000matriarchy\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000Even\u3000without\u3000their\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000our\u3000mothers\u3000and\u3000sisters\u3000are\u3000too\u3000powerful\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000too\u3000many\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000fortr \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000too\u3000powerful\u3002\u3000They\u3000have\u3000too\u3000many\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000fortresses\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000most\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000vassals\u3000serving\u3000out\u3000of\u3000fear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000prehend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000apologize\u3000for\u3000not\u3000giving\u3000you\u3000sufficient\u3000credit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000merely\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000gambit\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sava\u3000game\u3000that\u3000will\u3000last\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000years\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003When\u3000fighting\u3000engulfs\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3000cast\u3000no\u3000spells\u3000to\u3000put\u3000down\u3000the\u3000revolt\uff1b\u3000their\u3000weakness\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000apparent\u3000to\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000our\u3000brotherhood\u3000will\u3000take\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000to\u3000assassinate\u3000those\u3000females\u3000who\u3000pose\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000obstacles\u3000to\u3000our\u3000ambitions\u3002\u3000With\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000will\u3000account\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000our\u3000gender’s\u3000position\u3000in\u3000the\u3000scheme\u3000of\u3000things\u3000will\u3000be\u3000considerably\u3000stronger\uff1b\u3000and\u3000every\u3000male\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000will\u3000start\u3000aspiring\u3000to\u3000supremacy\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000the\u3000years\u3000to\u3000e\uff1b\u3000our\u3000cabal\u3000will\u3000do\u3000whatever\u3000we\u3000can\u3000to\u3000diminish\u3000the\u3000females\u3000and\u3000put\u3000ourselves\u3000in\u3000their\u3000place\u3002\u3000One\u3000day\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000see\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\u3000manded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000male\u3000and\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000a\u3000master\u3000in\u3000every\u3000House\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Needless\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000a\u3000master\u3000who\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000this\u3000franotternity\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000enjoy\u3000ruling\u3000over\u3000House\u3000Tuin’Tarl\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Brother\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000say\u3000no\u3000to\u3000primacy\u3000over\u3000your\u3000own\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000far\u3000too\u3000canny\u3000to\u3000have\u3000forgotten\u3000we’ve\u3000all\u3000gone\u3000rogue\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Our\u3000kin\u3000will\u3000wele\u3000us\u3000back\u3000once\u3000we’ve\u3000weakened\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000they’re\u3000desperate\u3000for\u3000reinforcements\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000concoct\u3000tales\u3000of\u3000travels\u3000to\u3000the\u3000far\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000or\u3000something\u3002\u3000It\u3000won’t\u3000matter\u3000to\u3000them\u3000when\u3000they’re\u3000desperate\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000plotted\u3000everything\u3000out\u3000so\u3000shrewdly\u3000that\u3000I\u3000only\u3000see\u3000one\u3000potential\u3000pitfall\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000and\u3000gnolls\u3000should\u3000acnottually\u3000succeed\u3000in\u3000slaughtering\u3000us\u3000all\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000inflicting\u3000such\u3000damage\u3000on\u3000our\u3000city\u3000that\u3000the\u3000devastation\u3000breaks\u3000our\u3000hearts\uff1f\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000I\u3000almost\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000serious\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003Forgive\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000perverse\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000japes\u3000at\u3000inappropriate\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000will\u3000attest\u3002\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000attest\u3000that\u3000I\u3000mastered\u3000all\u3000those\u3000lessons\u3000on\u3000strategy\u3000he\u3000pounded\u3000into\u3000my\u3000skull\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000His\u3000instincts\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000this\u3000scheme\uff1b\u3000outlandish\u3000as\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000might\u3000work\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000abruptly\u3000renotalized\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000about\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3002
\nHe\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000infiltrated\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000them\uff1b\u3000to\u3000placate\u3000the\u3000archmage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000some\u3000vague\u3000notion\u3000that\u3000they’d\u3000achieve\u3000greater\u3000status\u3000and\u3000power\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000a\u3000permanent\u3000cure\u3000for\u3000Ryld’s\u3000formless\u3000dissatisfaction\uff1b\u3000thereby\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000now\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3000were\u3000ofnotfering\u3000high\u3000rank\u3000and\u3000a\u3000role\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000adventure\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000teachnoters\u3000should\u3000bee\u3000in\u3000truth\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000they\u3000were\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000be\u3002
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000flick\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000so\u3000subtle\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000would\u3000notice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000signed\u3000one\u3000word\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000language\uff1a\u3000Persevere\u3002
\nRyld\u3000took\u3000it\u3000to\u3000mean\u3000that\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000acuity\uff1b\u3000had\u3000divined\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000and\u3000was\u3000urging\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000to\u3000their\u3000original\u3000intent\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000nod\u3000of\u3000assent\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000making\u3000a\u3000wise\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000did\u3000realize\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000even\u3000be\u3000here\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000this\u3000apocnotalyptic\u3000talk\u3000if\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000hadn’t\u3000asked\u3000for\u3000his\u3000aid\u3002\u3000When\u3000all\u3000was\u3000said\u3000and\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000to\u3000help\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000achieve\u3000his\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Tsabrak\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000driders\u3000have\u3000allied\u3000themselves\u3000with\u3000the\u3000conspiracy\u3000because\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000promised\u3000you\u3000a\u3000place\u3000of\u3000honor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000splendid\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000to\u3000e\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000even\u3000pledged\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000transform\u3000you\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000drow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Something\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Tsabrak\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003Mainly\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000those\u3000of\u3000us\u3000who\u3000joined\u3000did\u3000it\u3000for\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000lots\u3000and\u3000lots\u3000of\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000say\u3000I\u3000blame\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000gentlemen\uff1b\u3000your\u3000plans\u3000are\u3000inspiring\u3000to\u3000say\u3000the\u3000least\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000glad\u3000we\u3000sought\u3000you\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000am\u3000I\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000only\u3000things\u3000I’m\u3000still\u3000hazy\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003are\u3000Syrzan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3002\u3000One\u3000and\u3000the\u3000same\uff1f\u3000I\u3000see\u3000by\u3000your\u3000expressions\u3000that\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000it\u3000really\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000power\u3000does\u3000it\u3000use\u3000to\u3000so\u3000enthrall\u3000the\u3000goblins\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000about\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\u3002
\nAn\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000something\u3000droned\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000like\u3000a\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3002\u3000Actually\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sensation\u3000existed\u3000solely\u3000within\u3000the\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Tsabrak\u3000scuttled\u3000aside\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000robed\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doornotway\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000dismay\u3002\u3000Afraid\u3000it\u3000was\u3000already\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000it\u3000was\u3000already\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bench
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nE\u3000I\u3000G\u3000H\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nOff\u3000to\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000left\u3000stood\u3000an\u3000iron\u3000maiden\u3000cast\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tubby\u3000jester\u3000in\u3000cap\u3000and\u3000bells\u3002\u3000The\u3000bells\u3000looked\u3000real\uff1b\u3000and\u3000would\u3000evidently\u3000jingle\u3000while\u3000a\u3000victim\u3000writhed\u3000inside\u3002\u3000The\u3000device\u3000was\u3000open\u3000just\u3000a\u3000crack\uff1b\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000expose\u3000the\u3000spikes\u3000inside\u3002
\nStraight\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000and\u3000hook\u3000dangled\u3000from\u3000their\u3000pulley\uff1b\u3000fishing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000prisoner\u3000to\u3000hoist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000rack\u3000waited\u3000to\u3000stretch\u3000one\u3002\u3000To\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brazier\u3000of\u3000coals\u3000threw\u3000off\u3000dazzling\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000probes\uff1b\u3000knives\uff1b\u3000pincers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pears\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000their\u3000pegs\u3002\u3000Her\u3000nemesis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000small\u3000male\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000ugly\u3000baubles\uff1b\u3000lounged\u3000in\u3000that\u3000vicinity\u3000in\u3000an\u3000iron\u3000chair\u3000with\u3000shackles\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000the\u3000armrests\u3002
\nThat\u3000was\u3000about\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000envoy\u3000could\u3000see\u3000while\u3000roped\u3000naked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000molded\u3000calcite\u3000post\u3002
\nShe\u3000was\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000thirsty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sore\u3000from\u3000standing\u3000for\u3000hours\u3000in\u3000one\u3000posinottion\u3002\u3000Her\u3000bonds\u3000chafed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000head\u3000ached\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000endure\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000genuine\u3000agonies\u3000this\u3000stuffy\u3000cellar\u3000provided\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000why\u3002\u3000Some\u3000messenger\u3000had\u3000instructed\u3000the\u3000torturers\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000Triel\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3000before\u3000mencing\u3000the\u3000festivities\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000had\u3000already\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000converse\u3000with\u3000the\u3000little\u3000male\u3000and\u3000her\u3000jailers\u3000and\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000elicit\u3000a\u3000response\u3000from\u3000either\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000to\u3000do\u3000but\u3000struggle\u3000to\u3000govern\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000all\u3000the\u3000things\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000might\u3000do\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000presided\u3000over\u3000enough\u3000excruciations\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000not\u3000to\u3000envision\u3000the\u3000possibilities\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000dwell\u3000on\u3000the\u3000massacre\u3000of\u3000her\u3000followers\uff1b\u3000either\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000memories\u3000kept\u3000welling\u3000up\u3000inside\u3000her\u3002
\nSurrounded\u3000and\u3000outnumbered\uff1b\u3000the\u3000daughters\u3000and\u3000sons\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000had\u3000perished\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002\u3000As\u3000Faeryl\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000slaughter\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000ached\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000she\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000shed\u3002\u3000Naturally\uff1b\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000\u3003love\u3003\u3000her\u3000minions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000even\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000a\u3000few\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000without\u3000a\u3000retinue\u3000she\u3000was\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000just\u3000a\u3000fallen\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000a\u3000land\u3000of\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000bereft\u3000of\u3000goddess\u3000and\u3000home\u3000alike\u3002
\nThen\u3000the\u3000small\u3000male\u3000confronted\u3000her\u3000and\u3000used\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000confound\u3000her\u3000and\u3000knock\u3000her\u3000out\u3002\u3000She\u3000woke\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000stake\u3002
\nA\u3000door\u3000creaked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000voices\u3000murmured\u3002\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000instincts\u3000warned\u3000her\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000e\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000out\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000posing\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn’t\u3000show\u3000fear\u3002\u3000Dignity\u3000was\u3000all\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u2026for\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\u3000longer\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000until\u3000her\u3000captors\u3000lashed\u3000and\u3000burned\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\nSure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000her\u3000draegloth\u3000son\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000that\u3000apparently\u3000led\u3000to\u3000more\u3000salubrious\u3000precincts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000matron\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000Fangs\u3000bared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000bounded\u3000along\u3000on\u3000his\u3000caprine\u3000legs\u3002
\nThe\u3000little\u3000male\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000obeisance\u3002
\n\u3003Valas\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Triel\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000done\u3002\u3000Did\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000give\u3000you\u3000any\u3000trouble\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000away\u3000in\u3000disguise\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000male\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000almost\u3000fooled\u3000the\u3000lookout\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000he\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000what\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000went\u3000as\u3000planned\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000proffered\u3000a\u3000fat\u3000pouch\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000too\u3000big\u3000and\u3000heavy\u3000for\u3000her\u3000tiny\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000send\u3000word\u3000when\u3000I\u3000need\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\nValas\u3000took\u3000the\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000then\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3002\u3000He\u3000withdrew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000her\u3000monstrous\u3000son\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3002
\n\u3003Good\u3000evening\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000is\u3000it\u3000morning\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\nFighting\u3000hands\u3000outstretched\uff1b\u3000talons\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000jaws\u3000agape\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000lunged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000Both\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pointed\u3000teeth\u3000stopped\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000from\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000close\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000embrace\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lover\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000pointed\u3000nail\u3000across\u3000her\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lifted\u3000it\u3000to\u3000his\u3000bestial\u3000muzzle\u3002\u3000He\u3000sucked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000viscous\u3000drool\uff1b\u3000mixed\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000her\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000dripped\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3002
\n\u3003Have\u3000a\u3000care\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000said\u3000with\u3000as\u3000much\u3000nonchalance\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000muster\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000your\u3000son\u3000kills\u3000me\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000won’t\u3000that\u3000spoil\u3000the\u3000fun\uff1f\u3003
\nJeggred\u3000made\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000grinding\u3000sound\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000growlnoting\u3000or\u3000laughing\u3002
\nTriel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000underestimate\u3000him\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000butcher\u3000eight\u3000prisoners\u3000in\u3000as\u3000many\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ve\u3000also\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000spend\u3000days\u3000picknoting\u3000one\u3000little\u3000faerie\u3000child\u3000apart\u3000a\u3000mote\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002\u3000It\u3000depends\u3000on\u3000his\u3000humor\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000needless\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000my\u3000instructions\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000shallow\u3000gash\u3000in\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sting\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000traced\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000with\u3000his\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000cutting\uff1b\u3000not\u3000yet\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000whelp\u3000appreciated\u3000the\u3000honor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000tell\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000savor\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000Exalted\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003your\u3000daughter\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000Exalted\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003your\u3000daughter\u3000can\u3000take\u3000no\u3000pleasnoture\u3000in\u3000an\u3000honor\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000earn\u3002\u3003
\nStill\u3000stroking\u3000the\u3000prisoner’s\u3000features\u3000with\u3000the\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000lifted\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000hands\u3000that\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000their\u3000dusting\u3000of\u3000fine\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000no\u3000difnotferent\u3000than\u3000those\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ordinary\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3002\u3000He\u3000caught\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000ear\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000gasped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000brutal\u3000stab\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000finally\u3000let\u3000go\uff1b\u3000the\u3000organ\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000throbbing\u3000and\u3000ringing\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000draenotgloth\u3000had\u3000inflicted\u3000permanent\u3000damage\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000really\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000to\u3000e\uff1b\u3000deafness\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000least\u3000of\u3000her\u3000problems\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000deny\u3000your\u3000guilt\uff1b\u3003\u3000sighed\u3000the\u3000dainty\u3000little\u3000Baenre\u3000matriarch\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000always\u3000find\u3000that\u3000dull\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Even\u3000when\u3000it’s\u3000true\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000cut\u3000bleeding\u3000under\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002\u3000Apnotparently\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000abused\u3000her\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000bucked\u3000against\u3000his\u3000claw\u3002
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000tiresome\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000fleeing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000confirms\u3000your\u3000guilt\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003All\u3000it\u3000confirms\u3000is\u3000my\u3000certainty\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000has\u3000poisoned\u3000your\u3000mind\u3000against\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000retorted\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000caught\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lock\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000vicious\u3000tug\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000aversion\u3000to\u3000being\u3000condemned\u3000unjustly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000think\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000by\u3000running\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1f\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000word\u3000is\u3000law\u3000there\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000asked\u3002
\nJeggred\u3000slapped\u3000her\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000enormous\u3000fighting\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000bashing\u3000her\u3000head\u3000sideways\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000froze\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002\u3000When\u3000her\u3000senses\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tasted\u3000blood\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002
\nThe\u3000draegloth\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000his\u3000bestial\u3000face\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Respect\u3000the\u3000chosen\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000mean\u3000no\u3000disrespect\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000just\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000for\u3000all\u3000we\u3000know\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000could\u3000be\u3000happening\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Cloakers\u3000could\u3000have\u3000overnotrun\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000or\u3000it\u3000may\u3000have\u3000drowned\u3000in\u3000tides\u3000of\u3000lava\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000pray\u3000not\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000was\u3000sneaking\u3000away\u3002\u3000Not\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000the\u3000weakness\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan’s\u3000clergy\u3000to\u3000some\u3000enemy\u3000or\u3000other\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000Lusts\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000my\u3000weakness\u3000too\uff01\u3000To\u3000gather\u3000intellinotgence\uff1b\u3000to\u3000reestablish\u3000munication\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000munication\u3000with\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003To\u3000reestablish\u3000trustworthy\u3000munication\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000persisted\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000make\u3000myself\u3000useful\u3000and\u3000so\u3000demonstrate\u3000I’m\u3000your\u3000loyal\u3000vassal\uff1b\u3000never\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000made\u3000a\u3000spitting\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000loyal\u3000servants\u3000obey\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000weep\uff1b\u3000not\u3000from\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\u3000experiencing\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000sheer\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000claw\u3000along\u3000her\u3000carotid\u3000artery\u3002
\n\u3003Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000you\u3002\u3000Let\u3000me\u3000confront\u3000the\u3000person\u3000who\u3000traduced\u3000me\u3002\u3000Give\u3000me\u3000that\u3000one\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000my\u3000fidelity\u3002\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000someone\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000a\u3000lie\uff1f\u3000Don’t\u3000your\u3000courtiers\u3000slander\u3000one\u3000annotother\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000as\u3000a\u3000means\u3000of\u3000vying\u3000for\u3000your\u3000favor\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000or\u3000something\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000is\u3000lying\u3000to\u3000you\u3000even\u3000now\u2026telling\u3000you\u3000all\u3000is\u3000well\u3000while\u3000days\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tendays\uff1b\u3000then\u3000months\u3000go\u3000by\u3000without\u3000a\u3000single\u3000caravan\uff1f\u3003
\nTriel\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000hope\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000ruler\u3000of\u3000Men\u2026zoberranzan\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000the\u3000liar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000will\u3000do\u3000you\u3000no\u3000good\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000show\u3000any\u3000mercy\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000whose\u3000creature\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000The\u3000svirfneblin\uff1f\u3000The\u3000aboleths\uff1f\u3000Another\u3000drow\u3000city\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000serve\u3000only\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Sacred\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000said\u3000the\u3000words\u3000without\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000convince\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000of\u3000her\u3000innocence\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000too\u3000hard\u3000for\u3000Triel\u3000to\u3000measure\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000predecessor\uff1b\u3000too\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000rule\u3000in\u3000these\u3000desperate\u3000times\uff1b\u3000too\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000make\u3000decisions\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000rethink\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000she’d\u3000mannotaged\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000out\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000foolish\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\nJeggred\u3000slapped\u3000Faeryl\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000slapping\u3000until\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000count\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blows\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000time\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000skip\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000hitting\u3000her\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000Why\u3000should\u3000he\u3000bother\uff1f\u3000He’d\u3000already\u3000battered\u3000all\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000fallen\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ropes\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000up\u3002\u3000A\u3000broken\u3000tooth\u3000had\u3000lodged\u3000under\u3000her\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000just\u3000to\u3000spit\u3000it\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000\u3003respect\u3000
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000respectful\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000wheezed\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000give\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000even\u3000when\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000lie\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000peered\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000son\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Princess\u3000Zauvirr\u3000will\u3000not\u3000distract\u3000you\u3000from\u3000your\u3000duties\u3002\u3003
\nJeggred\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000at\u3000such\u3000times\u3000as\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000require\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000may\u3000use\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000as\u3000you\u3000see\u3000fit\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000tells\u3000you\u3000anything\u3000of\u3000interest\uff1b\u3000pass\u3000it\u3000along\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000your\u3000efforts\u3000is\u3000chastisement\uff1b\u3000not\u3000interrogation\u3002\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000she\u3000has\u3000anything\u3000all\u3000that\u3000important\u3000to\u3000confide\u3002\u3000We\u3000already\u3000know\u3000who\u3000our\u3000enemies\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000crouched \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n s\u3000are\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000half\u2026demon\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000leered\u3000into\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000make\u3000the\u3000fun\u3000last\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000stuck\u3000out\u3000his\u3000long\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000licked\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000member\u3000was\u3000as\u3000rough\u3000as\u3000a\u3000beast’s\u3002
\nThe\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chapel\u3000doorway\u3000had\u3000a\u3000bulbous\u3000head\u3000with\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000pronottruding\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000wrinkled\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000four\u3000wriggling\u3000tentacles\u3000surnotrounding\u3000and\u3000obscuring\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000gnarled\u3000three\u2026fingered\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000a\u3000body\u3000with\u3000contours\u3000and\u3000proportions\u3000different\u3000than\u3000those\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000talismans\u3000and\u3000amulets\u3000burning\u3000with\u3000strange\u3000enchantments\u3002\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000psionically\u3000gifted\u3000species\u3000called\u3000illithids\u3002\u3000Specifically\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000such\u3000creatures\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000wizardry\u3000and\u3000ultimately\u3000transform\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000an\u3000undead\u3000entity\u3000known\u3000as\u3000an\u3000alhoon\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000surely\u3000prodigiously\u3000powerful\uff1b\u3000immune\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ravages\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000still\u3000entirely\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000reading\u3000the\u3000masters’\u3000minds\u3000and\u3000discerning\u3000the\u3000treachery\u3000therein\u3002
\nLike\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000sprung\u3000up\u3000from\u3000his\u3000bench\u3002\u3000The\u3000hulking\u3000warrior\u3000flung\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000Houndaer\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000weapons\u3000back\u3002\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000his\u3000spell\u3000ponents\u3000just\u3000as\u3000badly\uff1b\u3000scrambled\u3000after\u3000his\u3000friend\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000threw\u3000a\u3000punch\uff1b\u3000knocked\u3000Houndaer\u3000backward\u3000off\u3000his\u3000bench\uff1b\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000up\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000He\u3000whirled\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000next\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000whacked\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000teacher\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blade\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000Houndaer’s\u3000unassuming\u3000panion\u3000was\u3000singing\u3000a\u3000wordless\u3000arpeggio\u3002
\nHad\u3000Pharaun\u3000already\u3000been\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000piwafwi\u3000with\u3000all\u3000its\u3000protective\u3000enchantments\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000song\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000its\u3000power\u3000stabbed\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He\u3000laughed\u3000convulsively\uff1b\u3000uncontrollably\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stagnotgered\u3000backward\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3000muscles\u3000clenchnoting\u3000and\u3000aching\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000nondescript\u3000little\u3000male\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he’d\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000formidable\u3000batant\u3000employing\u3000a\u3000bland\u3000appearance\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000his\u3000adnotversaries\u3000off\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000\u3003craftsman\u3003\u3000was\u3000in\u3000reality\u3000a\u3000bard\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spellcaster\u3000who\u3000worked\u3000his\u3000wonders\u3000through\u3000the\u3000medium\u3000of\u3000music\u3002
\nTeeth\u3000gritted\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000pulsion\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000Gasping\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000The\u3000bard\u3000was\u3000simultaneously\u3000drawing\u3000his\u3000enchanted\u3000dagger\u3000and\u3000starting\u3000another\u3000song\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000pitched\u3000falsetto\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000battling\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000their\u3000swords\u3000ringing\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3000shifting\u3000his\u3000eight\u3000legs\u3000in\u3000agitation\uff1b\u3000aimed\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000while\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000simply\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000only\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000content\u3000to\u3000let\u3000its\u3000patriots\u3000do\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000sideways\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrow\u3000missed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000clacked\u3000and\u3000skipped\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000slapped\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000sheltering\u3000darkness\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000between\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000foe\u3002\u3000Moving\u3000with\u3000a\u3000practiced\uff1b\u3000silent\u3000grace\uff1b\u3000he\u3000scrambled\u3000on\u3002
\nSomething\u3000clamped\u3000down\u3000on\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000smothering\u3000his\u3000will\u3000and\u3000robbing\u3000him\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000move\u3002\u3000The\u3000undead\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000idle\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Syrzan\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000utilized\u3000its\u3000psionic\u3000strength\u3000in\u3000preference\u3000to\u3000its\u3000wizardry\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000hadn’t\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000whirl\u3000its\u3000three\u2026fingered\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000arcane\u3000passes\u3002\u3000The\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000no\u3000impediment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000out\uff1b\u3000found\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000intellect\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000crippling\u3000blow\u3002
\nThe\u3000barricade\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000Syrzan\u3000must\u3000have\u3000employed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000countermagic\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000it\u3000and\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000afforded\u3000Pharaun\u3000a\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000space\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000to\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Houndaer\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000pernothaps\u3000because\u3000Tsabrak\u3000had\u3000discarded\u3000his\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000drawn\u3000a\u3000broadsword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000e\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000alongside\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000conspirators\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000Ryld\u3000between\u3000them\uff1b\u3000generally\u3000an\u3000effective\u3000tactic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000thus\u3000far\u3000the\u3000teacher’s\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000dwarven\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000prowess\u3000had\u3000preserved\u3000him\u3000from\u3000harm\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000made\u3000a\u3000halfhearted\u3000slash\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000recognizing\u3000the\u3000feint\u3000for\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000react\u3002\u3000The\u3000pale\u3000phosphorescence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carvings\u3000gleaming\u3000on\u3000his\u3000naked\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000Tsabrak\u3000spat\u3000venom\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000blade\u3002\u3000The\u3000bard\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000shrill\u3000singing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crescendo\uff1b\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wrapped\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000his\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000all\u3000but\u3000tying\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000knots\u3002
\nWith\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000his\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000glittering\u3000pulse\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000fly\u3000from\u3000the\u3000singer\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000even\u3000tell\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000His\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000contort\u3000his\u3000own\u3000body\u3000in\u3000helpless\u3000imitation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bard’s\u3000constrictive\u3000posture\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000strong\u3000of\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000resisted\u3000the\u3000pulnotsion\u3000without\u3000even\u3000realizing\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000faked\u3000a\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000Houndaer’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000dived\u3002\u3000He\u3000slid\u3000between\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000th \n
\n \n
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\n slid\u3000between\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000and\u3000Houndaer\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000charged\u3000Syrzan\u3002\u3000He\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000most\u3000dangerous\u3000of\u3000his\u3000foes\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000illithilich\u3000hadn’t\u3000atnottacked\u3000him\u3000yet\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000small\u3000ceramic\u3000vial\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000from\u3000right\u3000to\u3000left\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000orbs\u3000of\u3000bright\u3000flame\u3000matenotrialized\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\u3002\u3000They\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000in\u3000one\u3000straight\u3000line\u3000and\u3000exploded\u3000one\u3000after\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000banging\u3000rapidly\u3000like\u3000some\u3000hellish\u3000drum\u3000roll\u3002
\nThe\u3000glare\u3000was\u3000dazzling\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000made\u3000out\u3000Ryld\u3000through\u3000floating\u3000blobs\u3000of\u3000afterimage\u3002\u3000His\u3000friend\u3000apnotpeared\u3000unscathed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000still\u3000charging\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000in\u3000sword’s\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000used\u3000its\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000talents\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000lich\u3000hadn’t\u3000directed\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000fringe\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sprinkle\u3000of\u3000hot\u3000ash\u3000burning\u3000his\u3000brain\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000dropped\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000gazed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000evidently\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000he\u3000was\u3000truly\u3000incapacitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000long\u3000skirt\u3000of\u3000its\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000noticeably\u3000strange\u3000about\u3000its\u3000gait\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000bent\u3000in\u3000too\u3000many\u3000places\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000it\u3000exuded\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000stink\u3000not\u3000unlike\u3000rotten\u3000fish\u3002\u3000Its\u3000garments\uff1b\u3000once\u3000of\u3000princely\u3000quality\uff1b\u3000were\u3000frayed\u3000and\u3000stained\u3002
\nIt\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000brow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000elsewhere\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
\n
\nN\u3000I\u3000N\u3000E\u3000T\u3000E\u3000E\u3000N
\nThe\u3000Underdark\u3000was\u3000boundless\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mysteries\u3000infinite\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000centuries\u3000of\u3000following\u3000wherever\u3000his\u3000curiosity\u3000led\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000an\u3000illithid\u3000city\u3002\u3000Save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dearth\u3000of\u3000inhabitants\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000one\u3002
\nArtisans\u3000had\u3000carved\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000columns\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000into\u3000spongiform\u3000masses\u3000like\u3000brain\u3000tissue\uff1b\u3000then\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000convolutions\u3000with\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000graven\u3000runes\u3002\u3000Pools\u3000of\u3000warm\u3000fluid\u3000dotted\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Redolent\u3000of\u3000salt\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ponds\u3000crawled\u3000and\u3000throbbed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000force\u3000that\u3000even\u3000a\u3000non\u2026psionic\u3000intellinotgence\u3000dimly\u3000sensed\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whisper\u3000of\u3000alien\uff1b\u3000inprehensible\u3000thought\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mind\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000recognized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000was\u3000in\u3000some\u3000sense\u3000an\u3000illusion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000it\u3000any\u3000less\u3000interesting\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3000nothing\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000explore\u3000every\u3000nook\u3000and\u3000cranny\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000inclination\u3000rooted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000profound\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000well\u2026being\uff1b\u3000a\u3000blithe\u3000unconcern\u3000no\u3000more\u3000genuine\u3000than\u3000the\u3000landscape\uff1b\u3000but\u3000seductive\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000it\u3002
\nHe\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000Syrzan\u3000standing\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000force\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000requiring\u3000only\u3000words\u3000of\u3000power\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flourish\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Halfway\u3000to\u3000their\u3000target\uff1b\u3000the\u3000streaking\u3000shafts\u3000of\u3000azure\u3000radiance\u3000stopped\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000limbless\u3000things\u3000like\u3000leeches\u3000or\u3000tadnotpoles\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000squealing\u3000telepathically\uff1b\u3000slithered\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000pool\u3002
\n\u3003Your\u3000spells\u3000won’t\u3000work\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Syrzan\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Prophet’s\u3000rich\uff1b\u3000notpelling\u3000tones\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000suspected\u3000as\u3000much\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000try\u3002\u3000Are\u3000we\u3000inside\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003More\u3000or\u3000less\u3002\u3003
\nSyrzan\u3000strolled\u3000closer\u3002\u3000Off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000liquid\u3000splashed\u3000and\u3000plopped\u3000as\u3000the\u3000tadpoles\u3000wallowed\u3002
\n\u3003We’re\u3000conversing\u3000in\u3000my\u3000special\u3000haven\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000we’re\u3000also\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heretic’s\u3000chapel\u3002\u3000In\u3000that\u3000reality\u3000I’m\u3000rebuking\u3000Houndaer\u3000for\u3000fetching\u3000you\u3000after\u3000I\u3000told\u3000him\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dangerous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000insensible\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fascinating\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000spirited\u3000me\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dream\u3000for\u3000a\u3000private\u3000tete\u2026a\u2026tete\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Essentially\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000said\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000this\u3000phantasmal\u3000domain\uff1b\u3000it\u3000smelled\u3000faintly\u3000of\u3000decaying\u3000fish\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000actually\u3000a\u3000form\u3000of\u3000mind\u2026reading\u3002\u3000You\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000lie\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000people\u3000would\u3000say\u3000that\u3000so\u3000handnoticapped\uff1b\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000mages\u3000began\u3000stroll\u3000along\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000atmosphere\u3000felt\u3000quite\u3000congenial\u3002
\n\u3003How\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000you\u3000came\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000my\u3000associates\u3000and\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000explained\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000how\u3000it\u3000could\u3000do\u3000any\u3000harm\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithilich\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000couldn’t\u3000wield\u3000my\u3000parnotticular\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000power\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3000You\u3000enthrall\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000through\u3000a\u3000deft\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000wizardry\u3000and\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000arts\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000lack\u3000the\u3000innate\u3000canotpacity\u3000to\u3000master\u3000the\u3000latter\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000more\uff1b\u3000you\u3000conspirators\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000difficulties\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000perhaps\u3000you\u3000do\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Eich\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000coiling\u3000and\u3000twisting\u3002\u3000\u3003Eike\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000happened\u3000but\u3000not\u3000why\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000none\u3000of\u3000what\u3000I\u3000sought\u3000was\u3000ever\u3000here\u3000for\u3000the\u3000finding\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000sister\u3000Sabal\u3000once\u3000told\u3000me\u3000that\u3000a\u3000clever\u3000drow’s\u3000wits\u3000can\u3000lead\u3000him\u3000into\u3000follies\u3000no\u3000dunce\u3000would\u3000dare\u3000to\u3000undertake\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000blood\u3000down\u3000the\u3000gutter\u3002\u3000What\u3000of\u3000you \n
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\n \u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000blood\u3000down\u3000the\u3000gutter\u3002\u3000What\u3000of\u3000you\uff1f\u3000What\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000world\u3000prompted\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000such\u3000as\u3000yourself\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000in\u3000with\u3000a\u3000band\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000malnotcontents\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000seek\u3000information\u3000you\u3000can\u3000use\u3000against\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000partly\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000to\u3000pause\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3000when\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000psionic\u3000force\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000pools\u3000dizzied\u3000him\u3000and\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000his\u3000own\u3000thoughts\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003In\u3000the\u3000unlikely\u3000event\u3000I’m\u3000ever\u3000afforded\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Mostly\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000just\u3000curious\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000a\u3000mage\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000we\u3000share\u3000that\u3000trait\u3000even\u3000if\u3000little\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\nSyrzan\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000shoulders\u3000beneath\u3000its\u3000faded\u3000robes\u3000hitching\u3000higher\u3000than\u3000would\u3000a\u3000drow’s\u3002
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000it\u3000can\u3000do\u3000no\u3000harm\u3000to\u3000enlighten\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\u3000since\u3000I’ve\u3000had\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000converse\u3000with\u3000a\u3000colleague\u3000of\u3000genuine\u3000ability\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000my\u3000equal\u2026no\u3000elf\u3000or\u3000dwarf\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000be\u2026but\u3000you’re\u3000several\u3000cuts\u3000above\u3000any\u3000of\u3000Houndaer’s\u3000allies\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000kind\u3000words\u3000overwhelm\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000two\u3000wizards\u3000stepped\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000a\u3000crooked\u3000limestone\u3000span\u3000archnoting\u3000over\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000briny\u3000pools\u3002
\n\u3003Dark\u3000elves\u3000will\u3000abide\u3000a\u3000lich\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brooding\u3000note\u3000entering\u3000its\u3000musical\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000certainly\u3000artificial\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Illithids\u3000won’t\u3002\u3000By\u3000and\u3000large\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hate\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000sorcery\uff1b\u3000a\u3000foreign\u3000discipline\u3000as\u3000potent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000psionic\u3000skills\u3000that\u3000constitute\u3000our\u3000birthright\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000tolerate\u3000a\u3000limited\u3000number\u3000of\u3000mortal\u3000mages\uff1b\u3000those\u3000of\u3000us\u3000drawn\u3000to\u3000wizardry\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000stigma\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000advantages\u3000we\u3000bring\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000undying\u3000wizards\u3000enduring\u3000for\u3000millennia\uff1b\u3000amassing\u3000arcane\u3000power\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000terrifies\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000you\u3000achieved\u3000your\u3000immortality\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000fornotsook\u3000your\u3000homeland\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000until\u3000the\u3000day\u3000when\u3000you\u3000could\u3000connotquer\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000two\u3000mages\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000point\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000over\u3000an\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000briny\u3000fluid\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000rippled\u3000and\u3000flowed\u3000sluggishly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000thicker\u3000than\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000manage\u3000my\u3000departure\u3000circumspectly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000the\u3000folk\u3000of\u3000Oryndoll\u3000sensed\u3000my\u3000metamorphosis\u3002\u3000For\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hunted\u3000me\u3000like\u3000an\u3000animal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000existed\u3000like\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000Those\u3000times\u3000were\u3000hard\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000crave\u3000the\u3000notforts\u3000of\u3000civilization\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000Oryndoll\u3000forgot\u3000me\u3000or\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000on\u3000me\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000an\u3000improvement\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000home\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000secret\u3000enclaves\u3000of\u3000illith\u2026iliches\u3000exist\u3002\u3000Didn’t\u3000you\u3000search\u3000for\u3000one\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000searched\u3000for\u3000ninety\u3000years\u3000and\u3000found\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000slightly\u3000miffed\u3000that\u3000its\u3000prisoner\u3000had\u3000jumped\u3000ahead\u3000in\u3000the\u3000story\u3002\u3000\u3003For\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000I\u3000dwelled\u3000therein\u3000but\u3000I\u3000quarreled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000eldest\u3000alhoons\uff1b\u3000who\u3000connotsidered\u3000themselves\u3000the\u3000leaders\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000I\u3000conducted\u3000certain\u3000investiganottions\u3000they\u3000had\uff1b\u3000in\u3000their\u3000ignorance\u3000and\u3000timidity\uff1b\u3000forbidden\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000find\u3000it\u3000in\u3000your\u3000heart\u2026assuming\u3000an\u3000illithilich\u3000retains\u3000the\u3000organ\u2026to\u3000consider\u3000us\u3000equals\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000at\u3000least\u3000concede\u3000we’re\u3000kindred\u3000spirits\u3002\u3000You\u3000weren’t\u3000angling\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Sarthos\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000were\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Syrzan\u3000curtly\u3002\u3000\u3003Suffice\u3000it\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000some\u3000bad\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000usurped\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eldest\u3000lich\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000matters\u3000fell\u3000out\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wilderness\uff1b\u3000a\u3000solitary\u3000wanderer\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Surely\u3000you\u3000found\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000enslave\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dream\u3000cavern\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000cooler\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000responding\u3000to\u3000its\u3000maker’s\u3000somber\u3000reflections\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000found\u3000small\u3000encampments\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000family\u3000of\u3000goblins\u3000here\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000troglodytes\u3000there\u3002\u3000I\u3000used\u3000them\uff1b\u3000used\u3000them\u3000up\uff1b\u3000each\u3000in\u3000its\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000little\u3000hole\u3000infested\u3000with\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000brutes\u3000could\u3000give\u3000me\u3000what\u3000I\u3000truly\u3000craved\u3002\u3000I\u3000yearned\u3000for\u3000a\u3000teeming\u3000city\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000splendors\u3000and\u3000luxuries\uff1b\u3000over\u3000which\u3000I\u3000would\u3000rule\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000which\u3000I\u3000could\u3000conquer\u3000an\u3000empire\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000taking\u3000of\u3000such\u3000exceeded\u3000even\u3000my\u3000powers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Or\u3000mine\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003hard\u3000as\u3000that\u3000is\u3000to\u3000credit\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000lusting\u3000for\u3000what\u3000you\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\uff1b\u3000you\u3000spied\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000you\uff1b\u3000or\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000You\u3000kept\u3000your\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000watched\u3000your\u3000people\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\u3002\u3000I\u3000discovnotered\u3000the\u3000cabal\u3000of\u3000renegade\u3000males\u3000some\u3000forty\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000More\u3000recently\uff1b\u3000I\u3000obnotserved\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000debility\uff1b\u3000no\u3000mere\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000could\u3000hide\u3000such\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000change\u3000from\u3000an\u3000observer\u3000with\u3000my\u3000talents\u3002\u3000I\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000would\u2026be\u3000rebels\u3000and\u3000arranged\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000same\u3000discovery\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000them\u3000my\u3000services\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000collaborators\u3000are\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you’ll\u3000pardon\u3000my\u3000bluntness\uff1b\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000an\u3000inferior\u3000species\u3002\u3000Jumped\u3000up\u3000vermin\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000You\u3000don \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nferior\u3000species\u3002\u3000Jumped\u3000up\u3000vermin\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000expect\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000to\u3000honor\u3000a\u3000pact\u3000with\u3000you\u3000once\u3000the\u3000prize\u3000is\u3000won\uff1f\u3000Dark\u3000elves\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000keep\u3000faith\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Fortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000prize\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000won\u3000for\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000during\u3000those\u3000years\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000subtly\u3000working\u3000to\u3000impose\u3000my\u3000will\u3000on\u3000my\u3000associates\u3002\u3000Long\u3000before\u3000they\u3000assume\u3000the\u3000rulership\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000ruling\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3002\u3000The\u3000fools\u3000have\u3000given\u3000you\u3000your\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000that\u3000which\u3000you\u3000could\u3000never\u3000conquer\u3000from\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000you’ll\u3000subjugate\u3000from\u3000within\uff1b\u3000exnottending\u3000the\u3000web\u3000of\u3000pulsion\u3000farther\u3000and\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000one\u3000assumes\uff1b\u3000until\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000are\u3000mind\u2026slaves\u3000marching\u3000to\u3000your\u3000drum\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Obviously\uff1b\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000fundamentals\u3000of\u3000illithid\u3000society\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Syrzan\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000probably\u3000also\u3000know\u3000that\u3000we\u3000prefer\u3000to\u3000dine\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000of\u3000lesser\u3000sentients\u3000and\u3000that\u3000we\u3000share\u3000your\u3000own\u3000race’s\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000torture\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000your\u3000folk\u3000will\u3000fare\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000eat\u3000or\u3000flay\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000can\u3000I\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Not\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000a\u3000king\u3000of\u3000ghosts\u3000and\u3000silence\u3002\u3000And\u3000where\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000do\u3000these\u3000stone\u2026burning\u3000fire\u3000bombs\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Menzoberranzan\u3000isn’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000drow\u3000city\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000ambitious\u3000males\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000illithi\u2026lich\u3000said\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000was\u3000momentarily\u3000speechless\u3002\u3000Another\u3000drow\u3000city\u2026
\n\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000your\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000my\u3000curiosity\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\uff1b\u3000interrupting\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000reverie\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000live\u3000for\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003When\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000explained\u3000our\u3000scheme\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000sinnotcerely\u3000consider\u3000joining\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003For\u3000about\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000second\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000you\u3000reject\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000no\u3000more\u3000faithful\u3000or\u3000less\u3000ambitious\u3000than\u3000any\u3000other\u3000drow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Or\u3000illithid\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000hazard\u3002\u3000Why\u3000then\u3000did\u3000I\u3000remain\u3000firm\u3000in\u3000my\u3000resolve\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000you\u3000to\u3000Gromph\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000slender\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000many\u3000reasons\u3002\u3000For\u3000one\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000notable\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000do\u3000say\u3000so\u3000myself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000Mennotzoberranzan\u3000we\u3000mages\u3000have\u3000our\u3000own\u3000tacit\u3000hierarchy\u3002\u3000In\u3000recent\u3000years\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000channeled\u3000my\u3000aspirations\u3000into\u3000that\u3002\u3000Should\u3000I\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000make\u3000me\u3000a\u3000personage\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000exalted\u3000as\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3003
\nSyrzan\u3000flipped\u3000its\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000that\u3000conveyed\u3000impatience\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000flake\u3000of\u3000skin\u3000fell\u3000off\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000the\u3000slimy\u3000hide\u3000of\u3000living\u3000mind\u3000flayers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000lich’s\u3000flesh\u3000was\u3000cracked\u3000and\u3000dry\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000renegades\u3000are\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000place\u3000themselves\u3000above\u3000the\u3000females\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000creature\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000it’ll\u3000work\u3000out\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000the\u3000way\u3000you\u3000plan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000believe\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000are\u3000too\u3000formidable\uff1b\u3000even\u3000divested\u3000of\u3000their\u3000spells\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000powerful\u3002\u3000They\u3000may\u3000well\u3000extinguish\u3000this\u3000little\u3000cabal\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000more\u3000concerned\u3000about\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000realnotize\u3000how\u3000many\u3000goblins\u3000there\u3000are\uff1b\u3000how\u3000fervently\u3000they\u3000hated\u3000us\u3000even\u3000before\u3000you\u3000maddened\u3000them\uff1b\u3000or\u3000how\u3000dangerous\u3000your\u3000stone\u2026consuming\u3000fire\u3000is\uff1f\u3000It\u3000could\u3000be\u3000that\u3000after\u3000they\u3000riot\uff1b\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000left\u3000for\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000rule\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Nonsense\u3002\u3000The\u3000ores\u3000will\u3000have\u3000their\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000people\u3000will\u3000butcher\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000folk\u3000keep\u3000telling\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000your\u3000consennotsus\u3000forted\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000doesn’t\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drawbacks\u3000of\u3000knowing\u3000yourself\u3000shrewder\u3000than\u3000everybody\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000cannot\u3000prevail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003At\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000destroy\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lovely\u3000architecture\u3000the\u3000founders\u3000sculpted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000living\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’ll\u3000set\u3000a\u3000defiant\u3000example\u3000for\u3000future\u3000generations\u3000of\u3000thralls\u3002\u3000Your\u3000scheme\u3000will\u3000harm\u3000not\u3000merely\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000but\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000disapprove\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000sloppy\u3000and\u3000inept\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000mars\u3000the\u3000very\u3000treasure\u3000he’s\u3000striving\u3000to\u3000acquire\u3002\u3003
\nA\u3000sneer\u3000in\u3000its\u3000tone\uff1b\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000you\u3000for\u3000a\u3000panottriot\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Odd\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\u3000even\u3000stranger\u3002\u3000In\u3000my\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000also\u3000a\u3000devout\u3000child\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000never\u3000kept\u3000me\u3000from\u3000pursuing\u3000my\u3000own\u3000ends\u2026even\u3000past\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000murdering\u3000a\u3000priestess\u3000or\u3000two\u2026but\u3000though\u3000I\u3000strive\u3000for\u3000personal\u3000preeminence\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000never\u3000seek\u3000to\u3000topple\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000social\u3000order\u3000she\u3000established\u3002\u3000I\u3000certainly\u3000wouldn’t\u3000conspire\u3000to\u3000place\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000people\u3000and\u3000city\u3000under\u3000the\u3000rule\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lesser\u3000creature\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Even\u3000gods\u3000die\uff1b\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000no\u3000more\u3002\u3000If\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000mortal\u3000realm\u3000she\u3000loves\u3000best\uff1b\u3000why\u3000else\u3000would\u3000she\u3000abandon\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003A\u3000test\uff1f\u3000A\u3000punishment\uff1f\u3000A\u3000whim\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000can\u3000say\uff1f\u3000But\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000is\u3000dead\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000once\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000just\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000manifestation\u3000who\u3000visited\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Time\u3000of\u3000Troubles\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000gazed\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000in\u3000the\u3000full\u3000majesty\u3000of\u3000her\u3000divinity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000anything\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000lay\u3000her\u3000low\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000looked\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000might\u3000be\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000long\u3000after\u3000I\u3000graduated\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000r \n
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\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000long\u3000after\u3000I\u3000graduated\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000returned\u3000home\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000my\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sided\u3000with\u3000my\u3000sister\u3000Sabal\u3000against\u3000her\u3000twin\u3000Greyanna\u3002\u3000One\u3000night\uff1b\u3000a\u3000delegation\u3000of\u3000priestesses\u3000came\u3000to\u3000our\u3000stalactite\u3000castle\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3000herself\u3000led\u3000the\u3000expedition\u2026she\u3000was\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\u2026and\u3000she’d\u3000brought\u3000along\u3000dignitaries\u3000from\u3000Houses\u3000Xorlarrin\uff1b\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\uff1b\u3000Bar\u2026rison\u3000Del’Armgo\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000families\u3000of\u3000note\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000momentous\u3000occanotsion\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000because\u3000all\u3000these\u3000great\u3000ladies\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000arrest\u3000me\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000never\u3000did\u3000find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000Greyanna\u3000instigated\u3000the\u3000affair\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000needn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000her\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000scarcely\u3000credit\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000considered\u3000an\u3000insolent\uff1b\u3000uppity\u3000scapenotgrace\uff1b\u3000a\u3000far\u3000cry\u3000from\u3000the\u3000meek\u3000and\u3000modest\u3000gentleman\u3000you\u3000see\u3000before\u3000you\u3000today\u3002\u3000A\u3000good\u3000many\u3000clerics\u3000may\u3000have\u3000suspected\u3000me\u3000of\u3000irreverence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000arnotrested\u3000him\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000him\u3000into\u3000a\u3000drider\uff1b\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000him\u3000forth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Sometimes\u3000they\u3000mete\u3000out\u3000punishments\u3000even\u3000fouler\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000first\u3000they\u3000examine\u3000you\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000your\u3000true\u3000sentiments\u3002\u3000I\u3000hoped\u3000my\u3000mother\u3000would\u3000intervene\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Matrons\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’d\u3000scored\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000coups\u3000for\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000never\u3000said\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000believed\u3000me\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000making\u3000or\u3000was\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000disagree\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000she\u3000simply\u3000found\u3000my\u3000predicament\u3000amusing\u3002\u3000Miz’ri’s\u3000like\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3003Be\u3000that\u3000as\u3000it\u3000may\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000threw\u3000me\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dungeon\u3000and\u3000put\u3000me\u3000to\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3000employing\u3000whips\u3000and\u3000other\u3000toys\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000I\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000resist\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000spurious\u3000confession\u3000merely\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002\u3000A\u3000fellow\u3000wizard\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000mind\u2026reading\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000slap\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000denotfenses\u3000most\u3000mages\u3000erect\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000their\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000an\u3000illithid\u3000would\u3000have\u3000smashed\u3000right\u3000through\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unequal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000test\uff1f\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000examiners\u3000deemed\u3000the\u3000results\u3000innotconclusive\u3000and\u3000accordingly\u3000asked\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000power\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000determinanottion\u3002\u3000They\u3000laid\u3000me\u3000on\u3000an\u3000obsidian\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000performed\u3000a\u3000dancing\uff1b\u3000keening\uff1b\u3000self\u2026mutilating\u3000ritual\u3000together\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000torture\u3000chamber\u3000faded\u3000away\u3002\u3000You’d\u3000think\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000glad\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000wouldn’t\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000my\u3000new\u3000surroundings\u3000were\u3000no\u3000less\u3000ominous\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun’s\u3000captors\u3000had\u3000ignored\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000thinking\u3000it\u3000mere\u3000jewelry\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000noticed\u3000it\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he’d\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000disnotcovered\u3000its\u3000magic\u3000operated\u3000even\u3000within\u3000the\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lich’s\u3000phantasnotmal\u3000creation\u3002\u3000He\u3000forced\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000into\u3000his\u3000subconscious\u3000and\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000prattle\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000priestesses\u3000had\u3000drugged\u3000me\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000my\u3000resisting\u3000their\u3000attennottions\uff1b\u3000then\u3000used\u3000me\u3000with\u3000considerable\u3000brutality\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000me\u3000a\u3000while\u3000just\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000my\u3000battered\u3000head\u3000and\u3000look\u3000around\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000I\u3000perceived\u3000that\u3000I\u3000lay\u3000atop\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000object\u3000with\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000staffer\u3000length\u3000of\u3000cord\u3000made\u3000of\u3000a\u3000substance\u3000that\u3000gave\u3000ever\u3000so\u3000slightly\u3000but\u3000was\u3000as\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000adamantine\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000disintegrated\u3000under\u3000its\u3000own\u3000weight\u3002\u3000Far\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000my\u3000perch\u3000fused\u3000at\u3000right\u3000angles\u3000with\u3000another\u3000such\u3000object\uff1b\u3000which\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000still\u3000others\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000spreading\u3000out\u3000to\u3000form\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suddenly\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spiderweb\u3000of\u3000insane\u3000plexity\uff1b\u3000huge\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000world\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000was\u3000attached\u3000to\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000the\u3000anchor\u3000points\u3000were\u3000too\u3000distant\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000just\u3000went\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000Demonweb\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000surreptitiously\u3000examined\u3000his\u3000captor’s\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000using\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000which\u3000one\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000an\u3000il\u2026lithid\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000psionic\u3000\u3003Call\u3003\u3000to\u3000every\u3000ore\u3000and\u3000goblin\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3003Very\u3000good\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3000you\u3000were\u3000paying\u3000attention\u3000when\u3000your\u3000teachers\u3000discoursed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sundry\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000exiled\u3000to\u3000that\u3000layer\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000where\u3000Lolth\u3000holds\u3000sway\u3002\u3000I\u3000remembered\u3000hearing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000strands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u3000were\u3000hollow\u3000and\u3000that\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000life\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000existed\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000certainly\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000source\u3000of\u3000food\u3000or\u3000water\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000let\u3000alone\u3000a\u3000portal\u3000to\u3000take\u3000me\u3000home\uff1b\u3000so\uff1b\u3000still\u3000dazed\u3000and\u3000sick\u3000from\u3000the\u3000clerics’\u3000attentions\uff1b\u3000I\u3000started\u3000crawling\u3000and\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000a\u3000means\u3000of\u3000entry\u3002
\n\u3003Eventually\uff1b\u3000I\u3000might\u3000have\u3000found\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000strand\u3000I\u3000was\u3000traversing\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tremble\u3002\u3000I\u3000peered\u3000about\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000scuttling\u3000toward\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Lolth\uff1f\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003Who\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Her\u3000priestesses\u3000say\u3000she\u3000travels\u3000her\u3000domain\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mobile\u3000iron\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000left\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000I\u3000beheld\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000as\u3000huge\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000shape\u3000only \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000shape\u3000only\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000colosnotsal\u3000when\u3000she\u3000came\u3000for\u3000me\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000terrified\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000was\u3000one\u3000to\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Run\uff1f\u3000Fight\uff1f\u3000Either\u3000effort\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000equally\u3000absurd\u3002\u3000I\u3000exercised\u3000the\u3000only\u3000sensible\u3000option\u3002\u3000I\u3000huddled\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000thread\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000my\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000she\u3000denied\u3000me\u3000the\u3000forts\u3000of\u3000blindness\u3002\u3000Her\u3000will\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000me\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000me\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000looming\u3000over\u3000me\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000with\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000luminous\u3000ruby\u3000orbs\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000was\u3000not\u3000merely\u3000piercing\u3000but\u3000dissolving\u3000me\u3002\u3000The\u3000sennotsation\u3000was\u3000intolerable\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\uff1b\u3000she\u3000granted\u3000my\u3000wish\u3002
\n\u3003Her\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000immense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000tapered\u3000to\u3000points\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ends\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dainty\u3000precision\uff1b\u3000she\u3000used\u3000the\u3000two\u3000front\u2026most\u3000members\u3000to\u3000dissect\u3000me\u3002\u3000Did\u3000the\u3000process\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1f\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000By\u3000all\u3000rights\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000I\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000life\uff1b\u3000my\u3000spirit\u3000lingered\u3000in\u3000my\u3000divided\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000still\u3000sufnotfering\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000and\u3000pain\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000soul\u3000was\u3000conscious\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000destruction\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000picked\u3000apart\u3000my\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000filleting\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000spirit\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000It\u3000irks\u3000me\u3000that\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000describe\u3000how\u3000it\u3000felt\u3002\u3000I\u3000hail\u3000from\u3000a\u3000race\u3000of\u3000torturers\u3000and\u3000spellcasters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000still\u3000lack\u3000the\u3000vocabulary\u3002\u3000Suffice\u3000it\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000pleasant\u3002
\n\u3003In\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000every\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000my\u3000self\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000pieces\u3000before\u3000her\u2026for\u3000innotspection\uff1b\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000now\uff1b\u3000though\u3000I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000too\u3000much\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000dread\u3000to\u3000work\u3000it\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000When\u3000she’d\u3000looked\u3000her\u3000fill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000put\u3000me\u3000back\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\nStill\u3000careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000the\u3000story\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000triangle\u3000that\u3000would\u3000power\u3000the\u3000alhoon’s\u3000Call\u3002\u3000The\u3000question\u3000then\u3000was\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000real\u3000brooch\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chest\u3000of\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000physical\u3000body\uff1b\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000material\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000echo\u3002\u3000An\u3000analogue\u3002\u3000Would\u3000depriving\u3000Syrzan\u3000of\u3000it\u3000acplish\u3000anything\uff1f
\nPharaun\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000she\u3000reconnected\u3000every\u3000subtle\u3000juncnotture\u3000of\u3000my\u3000intellect\u3000and\u3000spirit\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000before\uff1f\u3000Over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000years\uff1b\u3000I\u3000invested\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000time\u3000brooding\u3000over\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000question\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000unanswerable\uff1b\u3000so\u3000let\u3000it\u3000not\u3000detain\u3000us\u3002
\n\u3003After\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000of\u3000Lusts\u3000cobbled\u3000me\u3000together\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000my\u3000native\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000indicating\u3000she\u3000found\u3000me\u3000acceptable\u3002\u3000I\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3000were\u3000disappointed\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000known\u3000an\u3000inquisitor\u3000to\u3000rejoice\u3000in\u3000a\u3000suspect’s\u3000acquittal\u3002
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000they\u3000took\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000solace\u3000in\u3000the\u3000discovery\u3000that\u3000I’d\u3000gone\u3000altonotgether\u3000mad\u3002\u3000They\u3000carted\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000my\u3000family\uff1b\u3000who\u3000strapped\u3000me\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000debated\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000more\u3000convenient\u3000all\u3000around\u3000to\u3000smother\u3000me\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pillow\u3002\u3000Sabal\u3000was\u3000my\u3000advocate\u3000and\u3000guard\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000her\u3000staunchest\u3000ally\u3002
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000skip\u3000over\u3000all\u3000the\u3000raving\u3000and\u3000hallucinations\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000we\uff1f\u3000Eventually\u3000my\u3000wits\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000I\u3000reflected\u3000on\u3000my\u3000experiences\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000I\u3000renotalized\u3000that\u3000while\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000infinitely\u3000dreadful\u3000and\u3000malign\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000transcendently\u3000beautiful\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000simply\u3000been\u3000too\u3000distraught\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000it\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000both\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000and\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000had\u3000acpanied\u3000the\u3000dreamers\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dream\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000triangle\u3000glowing\u3002\u3000So\u3000perhaps\u3000if\u3000he\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000talisman\u3000in\u3000this\u3000place\uff1b\u3000its\u3000counterpart\u3000in\u3000mundane\u3000reality\u3000would\u3000lose\u3000its\u3000enchantments\u3002
\nPossibly\u3000not\uff1b\u3000also\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000felt\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3000He\u3000doubted\u3000he’d\u3000get\u3000another\u3002
\n\u3003Certainly\u3000she\u3000exemplified\u3000that\u3000supreme\u3000power\u3000to\u3000which\u3000all\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000particularly\u3000we\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000aspire\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000rambled\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000felt\u3000inspired\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000our\u3000patron\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000as\u3000we\u3000are\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000impressed\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000wriggling\uff1b\u3000\u3003as\u3000even\u3000the\u3000pettiest\u3000deity\u3000can\u3000overawe\u3000a\u3000mortal\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000scholar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mysteries\u3002\u3000You\u3000should\u3000know\u3000there\u3000are\u3000powers\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000entities\u3000who\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000fit\u2026\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000snatched\u3000the\u3000triangular\u3000ivory\u3000brooch\u3000off\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000mind\u3000flayer’s\u3000soiled\u3000and\u3000shabby\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000it\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000convoluted\u3000parapet\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000ornament\u3000didn’t\u3000break\u3002\u3000In\u3000desperanottion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000back\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000it\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000illithid\u2026lich\u3000would\u3000have\u3000difficulty\u3000retrieving\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000murky\u3000pool\u3000below\u3002
\nA\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000rough\u3000hand\u3000grabbed\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000and\u3000wrenched\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000powerless\u3000to\u3000resist\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000reality\u3000Syrzan\u3000had\u3000created\u3000for\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000a\u3000titan\u3002
\nThe\u3000lich\u3000ripped\u3000the\u3000brooch\u3000from\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000grasp\u3000and\u3000thrust\u3000it\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000It\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000leaned\u3000its\u3000head\u3000close\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wrapped\u3000its\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000flaking\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000skull\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000thi \n
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\n \u3000tentacles\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000skull\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000was\u3000how\u3000mind\u3000flayers\u3000fed\u3002\u3000They\u3000wormed\u3000their\u3000members\u3000into\u3000whatever\u3000orifices\u3000were\u3000most\u3000convenient\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000out\u3000their\u3000victim’s\u3000brain\u3002
\nHe\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000when\u3000Syrzan\u3000subjected\u3000his\u3000dream\u3000self\u3000to\u3000such\u3000treatment\u3002\u3000Would\u3000his\u3000physical\u3000body\u3000perish\uff1b\u3000or\u3000would\u3000it\u3000survive\u3000as\u3000a\u3000living\u3000but\u3000mindless\u3000shell\uff1f
\n\u3003Didn’t\u3000you\u3000like\u3000my\u3000story\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000The\u3000lich’s\u3000grip\u3000was\u3000squeeznoting\u3000the\u3000breath\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000seemed\u3000quite\u3000engrossed\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000why\u3000I\u3000dared\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000I\u3000could\u3000catch\u3000you\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000put\u3000your\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000me\uff01\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000permit\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000mellifluous\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Prophet\u3000was\u3000roughening\u3000into\u3000an\u3000ugly\u3000notbination\u3000of\u3000hisses\u3000and\u3000buzzes\u3002\u3000The\u3000tentacles\u3000squeezed\u3000tighter
\n\u3003Technically\uff1b\u3000these\u3000aren’t\u3000my\u3000hands\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000Goddess\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000skull\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000shatter\uff01\u3000\u3003Since\u3000this\u3000is\u3000all\u3000imaginary\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000how\u3000you\u3000knew\u3000which\u3000charm\u3000to\u3000grab\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003My\u3000ring\u3002\u3000It\u3000allows\u3000me\u3000to\u3000see\u3000and\u3000interpret\u3000patterns\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000force\u3002\u3000No\u3000wizard\u3000should\u3000be\u3000without\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000were\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000thwart\u3000me\u3000here\u3000in\u3000my\u3000private\u3000world\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000that\u3000inside\u3000this\u3000construct\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3002\u3000god\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000dead\u3000regardless\uff1b\u3003\u3000replied\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000when\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000knows\u3000his\u3000life\u3000is\u3000forfeit\uff1b\u3000he\u3000bends\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000to\u3000revenge\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you’re\u3000mistaken\u3002\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000loosened\u3000the\u3000grip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000you\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wasteful\u3002\u3000As\u3000you\u3000observed\uff1b\u3000my\u3000objective\u3000is\u3000to\u3000enslave\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000you\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000your\u3000talents\uff1b\u3000will\u3000make\u3000a\u3000useful\u3000thrall\u3002\u3000Had\u3000you\u3000not\u3000manhandled\u3000me\uff1b\u3000your\u3000bondage\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000relatively\u3000light\uff1b\u3000for\u3000I\u3000enjoy\u3000the\u3000society\u3000of\u3000other\u3000mages\u3002\u3000Now\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000you\u3000aren’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000enjoy\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3002\u3003
\nPain\u3000ripped\u3000through\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000screamed\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
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\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\n\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000growled\u3002
\nHis\u3000scimitar\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stalked\u3000toward\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000tried\u3000and\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000rise\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000student\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000and\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000years\u3000since\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000studied\u3000techniques\u3000for\u3000trannotscending\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’d\u3000never\u3000felt\u3000anything\u3000parable\u3000to\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000blow\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000illithid\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spear\u3000driving\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000its\u3000momentary\u3000trance\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000turned\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000right\u3000about\u3000them\u3002\u3000Obviously\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000trust\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000lich\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000wriggling\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000you’ll\u3000renotmember\u3000whose\u3000judgment\u3000is\u3000superior\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000they’re\u3000here\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000serve\u3000our\u3000cause\u3000as\u3000you\u3000hoped\u3000they\u3000would\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000just\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000reshaping\u3000their\u3000minds\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000bard\u3000lifted\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000not\u3000instantaneously\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000need\u3000my\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000Call\u3002\u3003
\nIt\u3000pulled\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3000off\u3000the\u3000unconscious\u3000drow’s\u3000finger\u3002
\n\u3003Lock\u3000them\u3000up\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000ordered\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000saidTsabrak\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000fix\u3000it\u3000so\u3000we\u3000can\u3000all\u3000connottrol\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000too\u3000advanced\u3000on\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000struggled\u3000once\u3000again\u3000to\u3000rise\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000lashed\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000head\u3000with\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000of\u3000a\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000spilled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\u3000like\u3000wine\u3000from\u3000an\u3000overturned\u3000cup\u3002
\nThe\u3000next\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000were\u3000a\u3000blur\u3002\u3000Houndaer\uff1b\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000annotother\u3000renegade\u3000carried\u3000their\u3000captives\u3000to\u3000a\u3000cell\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000the\u3000same\u3000grime\u3000and\u3000air\u3000of\u3000desolation\u3000as\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000someone\uff1b\u3000exhibiting\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000priorities\uff1b\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000refurbish\u3000the\u3000locks\u3000and\u3000restraints\u3002
\nThe\u3000rogues\u3000divested\u3000Ryld\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000then\u3000chained\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000As\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3000took\u3000more\u3000elaborate\u3000precaunottions\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000violent\u3000seizure\u3000shortly\u3000after\u3000Syrzan\u3000stunned\u3000him\uff1b\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000passed\u3000from\u3000that\u3000into\u3000plete\u3000unconsciousness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000showed\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000rousing\u3000any\u3000time\u3000soon\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000shackling\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000locked\u3000a\u3000steel\u3000bridle\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000the\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000from\u3000enunciating\u3000words\u3000of\u3000power\u3000or\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000They\u3000inserted\u3000his\u3000forearms\u3000into\u3000the\u3000two\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hinged\u3000metal\u3000tube\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000muff\u3000or\u3000double\u3000glove\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000imnotpossible\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000gesture\u3000or\u3000crook\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000into\u3000a\u3000cabalistic\u3000sign\u3002
\nBy\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000strength\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000to\u3000permit\u3000him\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\n\u3003It’ll\u3000get\u3000you\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000croaked\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000scowling\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000lich\u3002\u3000It\u3000doesn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000share\u3000power\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000every\u3000Menzoberranyr\uff1b\u3000including\u3000you\uff1b\u3000into\u3000its\u3000mind\u2026slave\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000what\u3000illithids\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we\u3000trust\u3000the\u3000beast\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not \n
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\n \u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we\u3000trust\u3000the\u3000beast\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000idiots\u3002\u3000It’ll\u3000serve\u3000its\u3000purpose\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000dispose\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000you\u3000intend\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000if\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000already\u3000working\u3000on\u3000subjugating\u3000you\uff1b\u3000so\u3000subtly\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000it\uff1f\u3000What\u3000if\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000time\u3000es\u2026\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000punched\u3000his\u3000former\u3000teacher\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000dashing\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000fooled\u3000me\u3000once\u3000and\u3000made\u3000me\u3000look\u3000like\u3000an\u3000imbecile\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000happen\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000rogues\u3000made\u3000their\u3000departure\u3002\u3000With\u3000his\u3000spidery\u3000lower\u3000body\uff1b\u3000Tsabrak\u3000had\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000one\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bard\u3000gave\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000wry\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000a\u3000shrug\u3002\u3000The\u3000door\u3000slammed\u3000shut\u3002
\nRyld\u3000licked\u3000the\u3000salty\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000his\u3000gashed\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3002
\n\u3003Pharaun\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000truly\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000or\u3000is\u3000it\u3000a\u3000trick\uff1f\u3003
\nSlumped\u3000with\u3000the\u3000steel\u3000harness\u3000clamped\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000didn’t\u3000respond\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000have\u3000feared\u3000him\u3000dead\u3002
\nThe\u3000swordsman\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000chains\u3000were\u3000too\u3000short\u3002\u3000He\u3000undertook\u3000an\u3000examination\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shackles\u3002\u3000The\u3000cuffs\u3000fit\u3000tightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000locks\u3000were\u3000strong\u3002\u3000The\u3000links\u3000were\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000well\u3000forged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000anchored\u3000senotcurely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000free\u3000of\u3000bonds\u3000a\u3000time\u3000or\u3000two\u3000in\u3000his\u3000turnotbulent\u3000early\u3000years\uff1b\u3000but\u3000without\u3000tools\u3000or\u3000a\u3000miracle\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000sundering\u3000these\u3002
\nNor\uff1b\u3000denied\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Pharaun\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000fare\u3000any\u3000better\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000suspected\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000his\u3000only\u3000hope\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000clever\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000workable\u3000ploy\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000he\u3000was\u3000conscious\u3002
\n\u3003\u3000Wake\u3000upr\u3000Ryld\u3000roared\u3002\u3000\u3003Wake\u3000up\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nTo\u3000add\u3000to\u3000the\u3000din\uff1b\u3000he\u3000beat\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\nTo\u3000no\u3000avail\u3002\u3000He\u3000shouted\u3000until\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000was\u3000raw\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000stir\u3002
\n\u3003Bleed\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000swore\u3002
\nHe\u3000hunkered\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000work\u3000up\u3000some\u3000saliva\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000away\u3000the\u3000dryness\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000renegades\u3000hadn’t\u3000bothered\u3000to\u3000provide\u3000a\u3000water\u3000jug\uff1b\u3000spit\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wake\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000softer\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Otherwise\uff1b\u3000they’ve\u3000beaten\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’ve\u3000never\u3000let\u3000anyone\u3000do\u3000that\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000remember\u3000when\u3000we\u3000hunted\u3000that\u3000cloaker\u3000lord\uff1f\u3000We\u3000found\u3000out\u3000too\u3000late\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000sixty\u2026seven\u3000other\u3000chasm\u3000rays\u3000in\u3000its\u3000raiding\u3000party\uff1b\u3000many\u3000more\u3000than\u3000our\u3000little\u3000band\u3000of\u3000third\u2026year\u3000students\u3000was\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000confront\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000said\uff1b\u3000’It’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000it\u3000just\u3000takes\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000spells\u3000to\u3000even\u3000the\u3000odds\u3002’\u3000First\u3000you\u3000conjured\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000rambled\u3000on\u3000for\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000talking\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000raw\uff1b\u3000recounting\u3000their\u3000shared\u3000experiences\u3000as\u3000they\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000would\u3000strike\u3000a\u3000spark\u3000in\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000unconscious\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000better\u3000than\u3000just\u3000sitting\u3000and\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000life\u3000would\u3000be\u3000like\u3000after\u3000Syrzan\u3000cornotrupted\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nFinally\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000chin\u3000jerked\u3000up\u3000off\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000wild\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000bit\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000into\u3000a\u3000strangled\u3000gurgle\u3000even\u3000as\u3000it\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Beads\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000blossomed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wounds\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000the\u3000lich\u3000did\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000out\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000Rationality\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000got\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000if\u3000not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000harness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000would\u3000have\u3000smiled\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000cheery\u3000smile\u3002\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000thanking\u3000him\u3000for\u3000the\u3000reassurance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000sheath\u3000constraining\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000He\u3000bashed\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000a\u3000few\u3000times\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000jolt\u3000the\u3000catches\u3000open\u3002\u3000They\u3000held\u3000with\u3000nary\u3000a\u3000rattle\u3002\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000still\u3000for\u3000several\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000then\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000pondering\u3000their\u3000plight\u3002
\nAfter\u3000several\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3002\u3000He\u3000started\u3000scraping\u3000the\u3000heel\u3000of\u3000one\u3000boot\u3000against\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3002
\nRyld\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000stir\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000only\u3000assume\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000master\u3000had\u3000a\u3000talisman\u3000hidden\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000footwear\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000odd\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000hadn’t\u3000renotmembered\u3000until\u3000then\uff1b\u3000but\u3000perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000result\u3000of\u3000the\u3000seizure\u3002
\nLike\u3000all\u3000drow\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000were\u3000high\u3000and\u3000fit\u3000snugly\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000avid\u3000with\u3000curiosity\u3000to\u3000see\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000but\u3000trews\u3000and\u3000a\u3000stocking\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000set\u3000to\u3000work\u3000shoving\u3000off\u3000the\u3000other\u3000boot\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000pointless\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002\u3000With\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000concealed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spellcaster\u3000couldn’t\u3000answer\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000drow\u3000sign\u3000language\u3002
\nEventually\u3000the\u3000second\u3000boot\u3000slipped\u3000free\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000Pharaun\u3000pushed\u3000off\u3000his\u3000socks\u3002\u3000His\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3000were\u3000of\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000slender\u3000and\u3000long\uff1b\u3000the\u3000digits\u3000included\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000right\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000it\u3000intently\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000curl \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000wizard\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000right\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000it\u3000intently\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000curling\u3000and\u3000crossing\u3000the\u3000toes\u3002\u3000He\u3000fumbled\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sequence\u3000of\u3000moves\uff1b\u3000then\u3000renotpeated\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000Ryld\u3000another\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000to\u3000prehend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3000or\u3000cry\u3002
\nIn\u3000point\u3000of\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000abounded\u3000in\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000Syrzan\u3000included\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000extremities\u3000differed\u3000notably\u3000from\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000who\u3000worked\u3000magic\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000So\u3000maybe\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000he\u3000could\u3000cast\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000spells\u3000that\u3000only\u3000required\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000not\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3000or\u3000material\u3000ponents\u3002
\nBut\u3000only\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000shift\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000toes\u3000through\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000patterns\uff1b\u3000those\u3000precise\u3000and\u3000intricate\u3000passes\u3000he’d\u3000spent\u3000years\u3000learning\u3000to\u3000execute\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000toes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000right\u3000foot\u3000grew\u3000tired\uff1b\u3000he\u3000started\u3000working\u3000with\u3000those\u3000of\u3000his\u3000left\u3002\u3000After\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000back\uff1b\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000practiced\u3000twining\u3000them\u3000together\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000might\u3000have\u3000found\u3000it\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000inotcal\u3000spectacle\u3000had\u3000his\u3000life\u3000not\u3000depended\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000success\u3002
\nSoon\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000occasionally\u3000to\u3000tremble\uff1b\u3000which\u3000always\u3000forced\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000rest\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000After\u3000an\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000on\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000his\u3000experiment\uff1a\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000elements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000tonotgether\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000everything\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000with\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000sequence\u3000and\u3000timing\u3002
\nRyld\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000process\u3000intently\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000no\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000to\u3000his\u3000untunottored\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000that\u3000after\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000producing\u3000exactly\u3000the\u3000same\u3000pattern\u3000two\u3000times\u3000out\u3000of\u3000three\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000he\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000one\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000and\u3000shrugged\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Two\u3000out\u3000of\u3000three\u3000is\u3000good\u3000odds\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000slumped\u3000back\u3000and\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000resting\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000and\uff1b\u3000heedless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000blood\u3000that\u3000started\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000growled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mask\u3002\u3000He\u3000banged\u3000the\u3000box\u3000encasing\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000twice\u3000against\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Make\u3000noise\u3002\u3000Bring\u3000someone\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000The\u3000cage\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\u3000clinked\u3002
\n\u3003Ho\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Somebody\uff1b\u3000e\u3000here\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000secrets\u3000about\u3000the\u3000defenses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000secrets\u3000you\u3000must\u3000know\u3000for\u3000your\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000succeed\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000trade\u3000them\u3000for\u3000my\u3000freedom\uff01\u3003
\nHe\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000vein\u3000for\u3000several\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000clashing\u3000his\u3000chains\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000for\u3000emphasis\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\u3000Pharaun\u3000lay\u3000motionless\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000still\u3000unconscious\u3002
\nFinally\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000appeared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000little\u3000barred\u3000window\u3000in\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000newer\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000heard\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000have\u3000secrets\u3002\u3000The\u3000alhoon\u3000will\u3000rip\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000no\u3000bargain\u3000required\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Syrzan\u3000said\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000time\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000us\u3000into\u3000mind\u2026slaves\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000information\u3000you\u3000need\u3000before\u3000you\u3000unleash\u3000the\u3000under\u2026creatures\u3002\u3000Their\u3000rebellion\u3000will\u3000do\u3000you\u3000no\u3000good\u3000if\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000masters\u3000strike\u3000them\u3000all\u3000dead\u3000before\u3000they\u3000even\u3000get\u3000started\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000could\u3000the\u3000masters\u2026of\u2026arms\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000secret\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000we\u3000brothers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000teach\u3000to\u3000a\u3000chosen\u3000few\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000studying\u3000war\u3000for\u3000millennia\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we\u3000impart\u3000all\u3000we\u3000know\u3000to\u3000every\u3000young\u3000dullard\u3000who\u3000enrolls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000or\u3000is\u3000it\u3000likely\u3000we\u3000hold\u3000greater\uff1b\u3000deadlier\u3000mysteries\u3000in\u3000reserve\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000rogue\u3000hesitated\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\u3002\u3000If\u3000there’s\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000set\u3000you\u3000free\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000rattling\u3000his\u3000fetters\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000already\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000wrists\u3000raw\u3002
\n\u3003Shout\u3000it\u3000through\u3000a\u3000closed\u3000door\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000what\u3000you\u3000really\u3000want\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Wait\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000contempt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000prisoner’s\u3000tone\u3000had\u3000reminded\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000of\u3000a\u3000basic\u3000principle\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000information\u3000to\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000until\u3000you\u3000fignotured\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000reap\u3000a\u3000benefit\u3000from\u3000sharing\u3000it\u3002\u3000This\u3000rogue\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000anyone\u3000overhearing\u3000what\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000to\u3000say\u3002
\nThe\u3000door\u3000clacked\u3000as\u3000a\u3000key\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lock\u3002\u3000It\u3000creaked\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000stocky\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000nose\u3000squashed\u3000across\u3000an\u3000angular\u3000face\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000decorated\u3000rather\u3000nondescript\u3000clothing\u3000with\u3000gaudy\u3000ornaments\uff1b\u3000including\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000fillet\u3000set\u3000with\u3000garnets\u3002\u3000His\u3000rapier\u3000hung\u3000from\u3000a\u3000baldric\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dagger\u3000protruded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000either\u3000boot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000dangled\u3000from\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002
\nHe\u3000stopped\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000every\u3000right\u3000to\u3000think\u3000himself\u3000safe\u3002\u3000The\u3000cell\u3000was\u3000large\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000prisoners’\u3000shackles\u3000short\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000their\u3000reach\u3002\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000door\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000permit\u3000it\u3000to\u3000latch\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003now\u3000you\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003First\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000\u3003unchain\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000occu \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n He\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000occupied\u3000for\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000spell\u3002
\nThe\u3000guard\u3000just\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000absurd\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000know\u3000why\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000might\u3000just\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000imprisoned\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Pharaun\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002
\nTo\u3000his\u3000dismay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000wasn’t\u3000conjuring\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000moving\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Had\u3000he\u3000passed\u3000out\u3000again\uff1f
\n\u3003You’re\u3000caged\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000renegade\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000me\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\u3000around\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000racking\u3000his\u3000brains\u3000for\u3000inspiration\u3002\u3000With\u3000Phanotraun\u3000inert\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000improvise\u3000a\u3000story\u3000to\u3000detain\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000and\u3000pray\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000would\u3000make\u3000a\u3000move\u3000before\u3000much\u3000longer\u3002
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\u3002\u3000Not\u3000far\u3000beyond\u3000Bauthwaf\u3000lies\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000leading\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deepest\u3000reaches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000where\u3000even\u3000our\u3000people\u3000do\u3000not\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003What’s\u3000this\u3000got\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000weapons\u3000masters\u3000killing\u3000slaves\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000find\u3000out\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000is\u3000a\u3000mineral\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anywhere\u3000else\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000At\u3000last\u3000Pharaun\u3000moved\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000you\u3000crush\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000to\u3000powder\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003T\u3000T\u30001\u3003
\nHey\uff01
\nEvidently\u3000the\u3000guard’s\u3000peripheral\u3000vision\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000good\u3000as\u3000Ryld’s\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000pivoted\u3000toward\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000A\u3000disembodied\u3000hand\u3000made\u3000of\u3000pale\u3000yellow\u3000light\u3000appeared\u3000beside\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000push\u3002
\nThe\u3000impetus\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000staggering\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000grabbed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000until\u3000it\u3000left\u3000a\u3000sticky\u3000mess\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000searched\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000and\u3000found\u3000a\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000keys\u3000clipped\u3000to\u3000its\u3000belt\u3002
\nHe\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000own\u3000restraints\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun’s\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000flexed\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000restoring\u3000circulation\uff1b\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000silken\u3000handkerchief\u3000from\u3000his\u3000sleeve\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dabbed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sides\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I’ll\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000new\u3000school\u3000of\u3000magic\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Pedomancy\u2026the\u3000sorcery\u3000of\u3000the\u3000feet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000did\u3000you\u3000wait\u3000so\u3000long\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000our\u3000friend’s\u3000keys\u3002\u3000It\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000done\u3000any\u3000good\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000him\u3000had\u3000he\u3000not\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000means\u3000to\u3000release\u3000us\u3000from\u3000our\u3000fetnotters\u3002\u3000His\u3000cape\u3000was\u3000hanging\u3000over\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000took\u3000me\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000to\u3000spot\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000something\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Momentarily\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000his\u3000socks\u3000and\u3000boots\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000everything’s\u3000going\u3000splendidly\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3000We’ve\u3000acquired\u3000the\u3000knowlnotedge\u3000we\u3000came\u3000for\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000we’ll\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000planned\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000didn’t\u3000plan\u3000on\u3000having\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000without\u3000our\u3000gear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000harp\u3000on\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000It\u3000makes\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dreary\u3000conversation\u3002\u3000Where\u3000exactly\u3000are\u3000we\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000way\uff1f\u3000Where’s\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000exit\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3000They\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000a\u3000knock\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3000before\u3000they\u3000carried\u3000us\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000up\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000encounter\u3000a\u3000window\u3000or\u3000balcony\u3000unless\u3000we\u3000descend\u3000a\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000might\u3000find\u3000a\u3000door\u3000opening\u3000on\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000scavenged\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000rogue’s\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloak\u3000was\u3000much\u3000too\u3000small\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000would\u3000provide\u3000some\u3000protection\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000The\u3000mail\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000couldn’t\u3000wear\u3002
\n\u3003No\u3000gear\u3000for\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003I’m\u3000the\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000front\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000put\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000stood\u3000up\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000felt\u3000dizzy\uff1b\u3000swayed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002\u3000They\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000happened\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000the\u3000blare\u3000of\u3000a\u3000trumpet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000white\u3000light\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000neither\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000only\u3000that\u3000it\u3000froze\u3000him\u3000in\u3000place\u3000until\u3000it\u3000faded\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000just\u3000happened\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000Call\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000source\uff1b\u3000one\u3000can\u3000vaguely\u3000sense\u3000it\u3000even\u3000if\u3000one\u3000isn’t\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3002\u3000The\u3000slaves\u3000are\u3000rising\u3002\u3003
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y\u3000
\nO\u3000N\u3000E
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000instructors\u3000rounded\u3000the\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000rogue\u3000about\u3000five\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002\u3000Well\u3000armed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000conspirator\u3000was\u3000striding\u3000purposefully\u3000along\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000to\u3000join\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assassination\u3000squads\u3000that\u3000would\u3000descend\u3000on\u3000the\u3000city\u3000once\u3000the\u3000goblin\u3000rebellion\u3000plunged\u3000it\u3000into\u3000chaos\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000good\u3000reflexes\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000fugitives\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000himself\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000force\u2026he\u3000had\u3000two\u3000such\u3000spells\u3000remaining\uff1b\u3000neither\u3000requiring\u3000a\u3000focal\u3000object\u2026but\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000quicker\u3002\u3000He\u3000shot\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000The\u3000quarrel\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000renegade’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000fell\u3002
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000skulked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3000and\u3000crouched\u3000down\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000it\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000surprised\u3000yet\u3000dis \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n urprised\u3000yet\u3000disappointed\u3000to\u3000find\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000warrior\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000any\u3000spell\u3000ingredients\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000hadn’t\u3000lost\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000overconfidence\u3000coupled\u3000with\u3000ambition\u3000had\u3000lured\u3000him\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000into\u3000a\u3000desnotperate\u3000situation\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000their\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000Without\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000triggers\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000unavailable\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000effects\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3000and\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000psionic\u3000assault\u3002\u3000Most\u3000people\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000him\u3000well\uff1b\u3000could\u3000see\u3000subtle\u3000indications\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000he\u3000moved\u3002
\nWell\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000Ryld\u3000wasn’t\u3000bored\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000stole\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000male’s\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\uff1b\u3000dirk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000piwafwi\u2026innotcluding\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lesser\u3000House\u3000Pharaun\u3000assumed\u3000was\u3000enchanted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000as\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000The\u3000mantle\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000fit\u3000but\u3000felt\u3000strange\u3000without\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000pockets\u3000to\u3000which\u3000he\u3000was\u3000accustomed\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000exchanged\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000wearing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000drow’s\u3000broadsword\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000and\u3000loaded\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000shaft\u3000in\u3000the\u3000channel\u3002\u3000The\u3000fugitives\u3000stalked\u3000on\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hallway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000screwed\u3000up\u3000their\u3000faces\u3000at\u3000the\u3000painful\u3000loudness\u3002\u3000Blue\u3000sparks\u3000of\u3000discharged\u3000magic\u3000showered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000raw\u3000stink\u3000of\u3000power\u3000fouled\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\nThe\u3000screech\u3000stopped\u3000as\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000started\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000left\u3000echoes\u3000sobbing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000citadel\u3002
\n\u3003Alarm\u3000spell\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000trotting\u3000onward\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000racing\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3002\u3000His\u3000ears\u3000were\u3000ringing\u3002\u3000\u3003Had\u3000I\u3000seen\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000dispelled\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000as\u3000it\u3000stands\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000will\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000for\u3000us\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Unless\u3000they’re\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000getting\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000murder\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000realize\u3000they\u3000have\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000us\u3000at\u3000any\u3000cost\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000spy\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000here\u3000and\u3000reported\u3000their\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Council\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000ruin\u3000everything\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000curse\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000masters\u3000had\u3000been\u3000moving\u3000stealthily\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000slowly\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000departing\u3000their\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000along\u3000even\u3000more\u3000warily\uff1b\u3000backtracking\u3000and\u3000detouring\u3000whenever\u3000they\u3000sensed\u3000their\u3000enemies\u3000were\u3000near\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000get\u3000lost\u3002\u3000The\u3000long\u2026dead\u3000nobles\u3000had\u3000built\u3000their\u3000fortress\u3000according\u3000to\u3000a\u3000defensive\u3000strategy\u3000still\u3000occasionally\u3000employed\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000was\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000maze\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000person\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wouldn’t\u3000pose\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000know\u3000every\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000dead\u3000end\uff1b\u3000but\u3000outsiders\u3000had\u3000a\u3000difficult\u3000time\u3000moving\u3000about\u3002\u3000Outsiders\u3000like\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000find\u3000an\u3000exit\u3002\u3000
\nPerhaps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000the\u3000renegades\u3000will\u3000have\u3000trouble\u3000navigating\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nThough\u3000they’d\u3000squatted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000not\u3000know\u3000it\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000original\u3000occupants\u3000had\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000they’d\u3000simply\u3000familiarized\u3000themselves\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000key\u3000areas\u3000and\u3000primary\u3000passageways\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000allegedly\u3000cursed\u3000and\u3000haunted\u3000keep\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000alone\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3000until\u3000the\u3000hunters\u3000stumnotbled\u3000onto\u3000their\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000correct\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000were\u3000traversing\u3000a\u3000gallery\u3000hung\u3000with\u3000musty\u3000phosphorescent\u3000tapestries\u3000when\u3000something\u3000rustled\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000masters\u3000pivoted\u3002\u3000Silent\u3000in\u3000their\u3000drow\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000warriors\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000and\u3000were\u3000leveling\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3002
\nRyld\u3000crouched\u3000and\u3000lifted\u3000a\u3000fold\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000copied\u3000the\u3000move\u3002\u3000Two\u3000arrowheads\u3000plunged\u3000through\u3000his\u3000makeshift\u3000shield\uff1b\u3000which\u3000apparently\u3000wasn’t\u3000as\u3000powerfully\u3000enchanted\u3000as\u3000thepiwafwi\u3000Houndaer\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000One\u3000quarrel\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000weave\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000hurtled\u3000right\u3000through\u3000and\u3000grazed\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000stinging\u3000him\u3000and\u3000slicing\u3000a\u3000shallow\u3000cut\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000poisoned\u3002
\nHearing\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000clatter\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000uncovered\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3000and\u3000were\u3000charging\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000already\u3000dashed\u3000too\u3000close\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000employ\u3000the\u3000incantation\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000preferred\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000light\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000two\u3000renegades\u3002\u3000He\u3000discharged\u3000his\u3000crossnotbow\u3000and\u3000missed\u3000a\u3000third\u3002
\nRyld\u3000bellowed\u3000a\u3000war\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000foes\u3000remainnoting\u3002\u3000The\u3000broadsword\u3000flashed\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000thrusting\uff1b\u3000cutting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000parnotrying\u3000with\u3000the\u3000small\uff1b\u3000precise\u3000movements\u3000that\u3000characterized\u3000true\u3000mastery\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000edged\u3000forward\u3000with\u3000his\u3000dirk\u3000in\u3000hand\u3000but\u3000never\u3000got\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000all\u3000died\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000advance\u3000into\u3000range\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000took\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000venom\u3000in\u3000his\u3000system\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000clutched\u3000at\u3000his\u3000temple\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000asked\u3002
\nIt\u3000seemed\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000scored\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000blood\u3000s \n
\n \n
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\n It\u3000seemed\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000scored\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000blood\u3000slipping\u3000between\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000head\u3000wounds\u3000bled\u3000copiously\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000throbbing\u3000headache\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000swordsman\u3002\u3000\u3003Left\u3000over\u3000from\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3000made\u3000worse\u3000when\u3000my\u3000heart\u3000started\u3000beatnoting\u3000harder\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000all\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000rejoice\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000right\u3000into\u3000a\u3000second\u3000volley\u3000of\u3000quarrels\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000his\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000dodge\uff1b\u3000or\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000but\u3000gawk\u3000at\u3000the\u3000second\u3000band\u3000of\u3000renegades\u3000who’d\u3000crept\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Miraculously\uff1b\u3000every\u3000shaft\u3000missed\u3002
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000guards\u3000charged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000brandished\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000spell\u3000focus\u3000he’d\u3000had\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000replacing\u3002\u3000A\u3000mesh\u3000of\u3000taut\uff1b\u3000luminous\u3000cables\u3000appeared\u3000around\u3000the\u3000onrushing\u3000renegades\u3002\u3000Anchored\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cables\u3000were\u3000as\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000rope\u3000and\u3000as\u3000sticky\u3000as\u3000glue\u3002\u3000They\u3000snared\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3002
\nAll\u3000but\u3000the\u3000two\u3000in\u3000front\u3002\u3000Either\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000nimble\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000clear\u3000before\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000fully\u3000materialized\uff1b\u3000or\u3000their\u3000innate\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000resistance\u3000to\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000protected\u3000them\u3002
\nUndeterred\u3000by\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000their\u3000rades\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000drove\u3000onward\u3000into\u3000sword\u3000range\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000who\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000a\u3000birthmark\u3000stainnoting\u3000his\u3000left\u3000profile\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000shot\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000male\u3000square\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\u3000but\u3000glanced\u3000off\u3000his\u3000mail\u3002\u3000The\u3000ugly\u3000male\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flank\u3000cut\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000twisted\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000menced\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000two\u3000more\u3000attacks\u3000before\u3000he\u3000finished\u3002\u3000Shafts\u3000of\u3000light\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertips\u3002
\nOnly\u3000one\u3000such\u3000spell\u3000left\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000one\u3000more\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000connotjure\u3000a\u3000trap\u3000of\u3000webbing\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\nThe\u3000missiles\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000renegade’s\u3000mail\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000reeling\u3000backward\u3002\u3000Wounded\u3000but\u3000still\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000gave\u3000his\u3000head\u3000a\u3000shake\u3002\u3000Phanotraun\u3000yanked\u3000his\u3000new\u3000dirk\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000the\u3000guard\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000rammed\u3000his\u3000point\u3000up\u3000under\u3000the\u3000ugly\u3000male’s\u3000chin\u3000before\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000had\u3000quite\u3000recovered\u3000his\u3000wits\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Feinting\u3000low\u3000and\u3000striking\u3000high\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000whipped\u3000his\u3000broadsword\u3000through\u3000his\u3000opponent’s\u3000neck\u3002\u3000The\u3000renegade\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000his\u3000severed\u3000head\u3000tumbling\u3000away\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000grimace\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thigh\uff1b\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000calls\u3000of\u3000other\u3000pursuers\u3000drawing\u3000near\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000sounds\u3000as\u3000if\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000are\u3000hunting\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000a\u3000gracious\u3000pliment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000have\u3000some\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000we\u3000are\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000this\u3000passage\u3000has\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000cul\u2026de\u2026sac\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000to\u3000move\u2026now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000would\u3000have\u3000preferred\u3000me\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000our\u3000attackers\u3000swarm\u3000all\u3000over\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000move\u3002\u3003
\nThey\u3000did\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000prisoners\u3000in\u3000the\u3000web\u3000shouting\u3000imprecations\u3000after\u3000them\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000soon\u3000discerned\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000making\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000not\u3000to\u3000limp\u3000nor\u3000show\u3000any\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000distress\u3000but\u3000couldn’t\u3000mask\u3000his\u3000pain\u3000pletely\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000considered\u3000leaving\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000hinder\u3000pursuit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000had\u3000he\u3000done\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000marking\u3000his\u3000trail\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000only\u3000think\u3000of\u3000one\u3000trick\u3000he\u3000could\u3000use\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000the\u3000renegades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000necessary\u3002
\nTwice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000sensed\u3000a\u3000band\u3000of\u3000rogues\u3000was\u3000near\u3000and\u3000hid\u3000in\u3000a\u3000room\u3000until\u3000they\u3000passed\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000they\u3000found\u3000a\u3000staircase\u3000leading\u3000downward\u3002\u3000Phanotraun\u3000hoped\u3000their\u3000descent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000level\u3000would\u3000throw\u3000off\u3000the\u3000pursuit\u3000but\u3000soon\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000the\u3000fugitives\u3000were\u3000leavnoting\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000little\u3000cut\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000bleeding\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld’s\u3000gashed\u3000leg\u3000had\u3000not\u3002
\nDespite\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000swordsman\u3000began\u3000taking\u3000uneven\u3000strides\uff1b\u3000one\u3000shorter\u3000than\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000murmur\u3000of\u3000voices\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000side\u3000passage\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\nHe\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000where\u3000you\u3000are\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000idea\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000shrugged\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000advanced\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000down\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000cobweb\u3000and\u3000chanted\u3002\u3000Power\u3000groaned\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000crisscrossing\u3000cables\u3000sealed\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000he’d\u3000heard\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3000So\u3000was\u3000Ryld\u3002
\nThe\u3000swordsman\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000through\u3000the\u3000interstices\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000a\u3000master\u3000tactician\u3002\u3000Truly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000regret\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000could\u3000either\u3000stick\u3000with\u3000you\u3000and\u3000let\u3000your\u3000injuries\u3000retard\u3000my\u3000progress\u3000or\u3000else\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000behind\u3000as\u3000a\u3000rear\u3000guard\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000my\u3000pursuers\u3002\u3000Considering\u3000how\u3000vulnerable\u3000I\u3000curnotrently\u3000am\uff1b\u3000the\u3000choice\u3000was\u3000reasonably\u3000obvious\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Damn\u3000you\uff01\u3000How\u3000many\u3000times\u3000have\u3000I\u3000saved\u3000your\u3000life\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000lost\u3000count\u3002\u3000At\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000this\u3000will\u3000make\u3000one\u3000more\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000which\u3000you’ll\u3000finally\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000your\u3000melancholy\u3002\u3000Good\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000old\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000away\u3002
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000clack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000quarrel\u3000flew\u3000past\u3000him\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000needed\u3000mendable\u3000accuracy\u3000to \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n mendable\u3000accuracy\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000snagging\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000in\u3000the\u3000adhesive\u3000mesh\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Nice\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000might\u3000want\u3000to\u3000save\u3000your\u3000quarrels\u3000for\u3000the\u3000renegades\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000skulked\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quickened\u3000his\u3000pace\u3000when\u3000someone\u3000shouted\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000metal\u3000clashed\u3000on\u3000metal\u3002
\nRyld\u3000quickly\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000deft\u3000one\u3000at\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000difficulty\u3000lobbing\u3000spells\u3000through\u3000the\u3000line\u3000his\u3000rades\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000them\u3000unscathed\u3000but\u3000battering\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000with\u3000one\u3000attack\u3000after\u3000another\u3002
\nSo\u3000far\u3000the\u3000flares\u3000of\u3000power\u3000had\u3000seared\u3000and\u3000chilled\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000but\u3000done\u3000no\u3000serious\u3000harm\u3002\u3000He\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000would\u3000last\u3002\u3000He\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000before\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000slipped\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000through\u3000his\u3000natural\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000meant\u3000breaking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000line
\nHe\u3000faked\u3000a\u3000sidestep\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dodged\u3000right\u3002\u3000His\u3000wounded\u3000leg\u3000throbbed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000soreness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000residue\u3000of\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000pain\u3000slowed\u3000him\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000render\u3000the\u3000deception\u3000inefnotfective\u3002\u3000Urlryn\uff1b\u3000the\u3000long\u2026armed\uff1b\u3000gap\u2026toothed\u3000renegade\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000annotother\u3000of\u3000Ryld’s\u3000former\u3000students\u3000and\u3000a\u3000good\u3000one\uff1b\u3000met\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wicked\u3000thrust\u3000to\u3000the\u3000belly\u3002
\nAs\u3000every\u3000warrior\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000retreat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\u3000you’re\u3000adnotvancing\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blade\u3002\u3000He\u3000swept\u3000his\u3000broadsword\u3000across\u3000his\u3000body\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lateral\u3000parry\u3002\u3000Urlryn\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000dip\u3000his\u3000point\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000block\uff1b\u3000but\u3000moved\u3000just\u3000a\u3000hair\u3000too\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000smashed\u3000his\u3000adnotversary’s\u3000blade\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000loosening\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bargain\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000started\u3000to\u3000riposte\u3000with\u3000a\u3000chest\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sensed\u3000movement\u3000on\u3000his\u3000flank\u3002\u3000He\u3000pivoted\u3002\u3000Hoping\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3000unawares\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Urlryn\u3000was\u3000swinging\u3000an\u3000axe\u3000at\u3000his\u3000knee\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000how\u3000warriors\u3000fought\u3000in\u3000a\u3000line\u3002\u3000You\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000male\u3000who\u3000was\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000your\u3000neighbor\u3002
\nRyld\u3000leaped\u3000over\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000screamed\u3000with\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000buckle\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002\u3000Shouting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000made\u3000it\u3000hold\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000axeman’s\u3000belly\u3002\u3000The\u3000broadsword\u3000crunched\u3000through\u3000mail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000toppled\u3002
\nRyld’s\u3000blade\u3000was\u3000still\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000the\u3000axeman’s\u3000guts\u3000when\u3000Urlryn\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000surviving\u3000warrior\u3000rushed\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000master\u3000floundered\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000the\u3000broadsword\u3000free\u3002\u3000Swords\u3000flashed\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000even\u3000off\u2026balance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dodged\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000his\u3000rump\u3002
\nThe\u3000rogues\u3000scrambled\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000surprised\u3000the\u3000other\u3000stranger\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bone\u2026shattering\u3000kick\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ankle\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000him\u3000reeling\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000then\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000a\u3000high\u3000guard\u3000for\u3000what\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002
\nUrlryn’s\u3000blade\u3000crashed\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000jolt\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000With\u3000both\u3000feet\u3000planted\u3000beneath\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000could\u3000bring\u3000all\u3000his\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000couldn’t\u3002
\nBut\u3000he\u3000was\u3000bigger\u3000and\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000his\u3000adversary\u3000and\u3000was\u3000nicely\u3000positioned\u3000to\u3000hamstring\u3000other\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Teeth\u3000gritted\uff1b\u3000he\u3000maintained\u3000his\u3000denotfense\u3000until\u3000his\u3000enemy\u3000faltered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whipped\u3000the\u3000broadsword\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000rogue’s\u3000leg\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drawing\u3000cut\u3002
\nUrlryn\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000shrill\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000staggered\u3000sideways\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000heaved\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000he\u3000could\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000see\u3000him\u3002\u3000Deprived\u3000of\u3000his\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spellcaster\u3000had\u3000conjured\u3000another\u3000defender\uff1b\u3000a\u3000vaguely\u3000bearish\u3000thing\u3000with\u3000folded\u3000bat\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000luminous\u3000crimson\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000so\u3000huge\u3000it\u3000nearly\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002
\nRyld\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000Pharaun\u3000exercise\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000Mizzrym\u3000talent\u3000for\u3000illunotsion\u3000on\u3000numerous\u3000occasions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000experiences\u3000stood\u3000him\u3000in\u3000good\u3000stead\u3002\u3000He\u3000sensed\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000say\u3000how\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000bear\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000phantasm\u3002\u3000He\u3000limped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000flicked\u3000the\u3000broadsword\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000popped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fungus\u3000discharging\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000spores\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000strange\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\uff1b\u3000had\u3000he\u3000believed\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000torn\u3000him\u3000to\u3000shreds\u3002
\nThe\u3000rogue\u3000mage\u3000turned\u3000tail\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000the\u3000bastard\u3000to\u3000reappear\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000again\u3000later\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000chase\u3002\u3000His\u3000head\u3000and\u3000wounded\u3000leg\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000scream\u3000in\u3000unison\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000stop\u3002\u3000The\u3000sorcerer\u3000scuttled\u3000round\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000
\nAs\u3000Ryld\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000to\u3000subside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000survive\u3000many\u3000more\u3000fights\u3000in\u3000his\u3000present\u3000condition\u3002\u3000He\u3000either\u3000had\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000his\u3000foes\u3000posthaste\u3000or\u3000shed\u3000his\u3000disabilities\u3002
\nSadly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000about\u3000e\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conclusion\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fated\u3000to\u3000wander\u3000through\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000his\u3000enemies\u3000the\u3000while\uff1b\u3000until\u3000pure\u3000luck\u3000led\u3000him\u3000to\u3000an\u3000exit\u3002\u3000That\u3000could\u3000take\u3000hours\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000need\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000long\u3000to\u3000revitalize\u3000himnotself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he’d\u3000leave\u3000himself\u3000vulnerable\u3000during\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3000whenever\u3000he\u3000detected\u3000a\u3000party\u3000of\u3000hunters\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000one\u3000place\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000party\u3000of\u3000hunters\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000one\u3000place\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000better\u3000option\u3002
\nHe\u3000skulked\u3000along\u3000the\u3000corridor\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000into\u3000doorways\u3002\u3000One\u3000led\u3000to\u3000a\u3000desnotolate\u3000training\u3000hall\u3002\u3000The\u3000target\u3000mannequins\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000ghosts\u3000in\u3000their\u3000shrouds\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\u3002
\nNear\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000wall\u3000were\u3000tiers\u3000of\u3000seats\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000spectators\u3000could\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000train\u3002\u3000If\u3000Ryld\u3000crouched\u3000down\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000structure\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000would\u3000see\u3000him\u3000without\u3000making\u3000a\u3000careful\u3000search\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000room\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000a\u3000salle\u3000might\u3000bring\u3000him\u3000luck\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000powers\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000it\u3002
\nHe\u3000limped\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000sculpted\u3000seats\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000crossed\u3002\u3000He\u3000rested\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thighs\uff1b\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000notmenced\u3000a\u3000breathing\u3000exercise\u3002
\nSpellcasters\u3000smugly\u3000imagined\u3000they\u3000were\u3000the\u3000only\u3000folk\u3000who\u3000truly\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000meditate\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000mistaken\u3002\u3000The\u3000brothers\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000had\u3000mastered\u3000the\u3000practice\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000It\u3000helped\u3000them\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000level\u3000of\u3000martial\u3000proficiency\u3002
\nSpellcasters\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000It\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000anger\u3000flooding\u3000back\u3002
\nBut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000those\u3000feelings\u3000were\u3000an\u3000impediment\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000relax\u3000and\u3000empty\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nHe\u3000could\u3000heal\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000Syrzan\u3000had\u3000left\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000stop\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000bleeding\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000banish\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000fatigue\u3000and\u3000tap\u3000his\u3000body’s\u3000deepnotest\u3000reservoirs\u3000of\u3000strength\u3002
\nIf\u3000only\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000time\u3002
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\nPharaun\u3000groped\u3000his\u3000way\u3000onward\u3000for\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000found\u3000another\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000spiral\u3000leading\u3000downward\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000mysteriously\u3000silent\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000reward\u3000him\u3000for\u3000his\u3000treachery\u3002
\nIf\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000soon\u3000had\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fickle\u3000and\u3000treacherous\u3000entity\u3000herself\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000headed\u3000down\u3000a\u3000hallway\u3000with\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000arched\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000another\u3000band\u3000of\u3000hunters\u3002\u3000It\u3000sounded\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000just\u3000about\u3000to\u3000round\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000dead\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blank\u3000walls\u3002\u3000The\u3000corridor\u3000lacked\u3000any\u3000doorways\u3000into\u3000which\u3000a\u3000fugitive\u3000might\u3000duck\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000could\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000retreat\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000he’d\u3000e\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000evoke\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000would\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000hiding\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000throw\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000force\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000exhaust\u3000his\u3000offensive\u3000magic\u3002\u3000He\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002
\nConcentrating\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stolen\u3000House\u3000insignia\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shed\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000upward\u3000to\u3000stretch\u3000out\u3000horizontally\uff1b\u3000his\u3000spine\u3000pressed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000crest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rounded\u3000ceiling\u3002
\nThe\u3000hunters\u3000passed\u3000below\u3000him\uff1b\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000his\u3000presence\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000down\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fellow\u3000mage\u3002\u3000If\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000he\u3000could\u3000obtain\u3000new\u3000spell\u3000foci\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000be\u3000damned\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000males\u3000were\u3000all\u3000warriors\u3002
\nOnce\u3000they’d\u3000gone\u3000by\uff1b\u3000he\u3000drifted\u3000back\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000skulked\u3000onward\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000turned\u3000around\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000then\u3000unexpectedly\u3000found\u3000himnotself\u3000before\u3000a\u3000small\u3000service\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stable\u3000much\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000his\u3000family’s\u3000castle\u3002\u3000Moldy\u3000stone\u3000troughs\uff1b\u3000casks\uff1b\u3000mounting\u3000blocks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rusty\u3000iron\u2026ring\u3000hitches\u3000defined\u3000regular\u3000patterns\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000while\u3000musty\uff1b\u3000rotting\u3000tack\u3000hung\u3000along\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000The\u3000aerial\u3000steeds\u3000were\u3000long\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000stolen\u3000by\u3000the\u3000conquerors\uff1b\u3000evidently\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000bones\u3002\u3000Two\u3000rogues\u3000stood\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000sliding\u3000doors\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000last\u3000darts\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000without\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000how\u3000much\u3000damage\u3000they\u3000did\uff1b\u3000broke\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000sprinted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sentries\u3002
\nOne\u3000renegade\u3000coughed\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000appeared\u3000unaffected\u3002\u3000A\u3000nice\u2026looking\u3000fellow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000elegant\u3000tendril\u3000dangling\u3000beside\u3000each\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000spotted\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000calmly\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000whizzed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Still\u3000prone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shot\u3000his\u3000own\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaft\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000renegade’s\u3000chest\u3002
\nThe\u3000rogue\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000scimitar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000for\u3000three\u3000steps\u3002\u3000He\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000clattering\u3000against\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000An\u3000astonished\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002
\nRising\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000male’s\u3000garments\u3000were\u3000as\u3000tasteful\u3000as\u3000his\u3000coiffure\u3002
\n\u3003Who’s\u3000your\u3000tailor\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000renegade\u3000merely\u3000fell\u3000facenotdown\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff1b\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000strode\u3000on\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000unbolted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000open\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000the\u3000casters\u3000were\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000for\u3000they\u3000worked\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000ever\u3002\u3000The\u3000panel\u3000rolled\u3000easily\u3000and\u3000quietly\u3000aside\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sheer\u3000drop\u3000to\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000palaces\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000feet\u3000below\u3002\u3000Silently\u3000thanking\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000guard’s\u3000House\uff1b\u3000he\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000stolen\u3000brooch\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\nT\u3000W\u3000O
\nPharaun\u3000could\u3000float\u3000down\u3000a\u3000th \n
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\nT\u3000W\u3000O
\nPharaun\u3000could\u3000float\u3000down\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000or\u3000he\u3000could\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000relying\u3000on\u3000levitation\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000his\u3000descent\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3002\u3000The\u3000latter\u3000course\u3000was\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000too\u3000long\u3000to\u3000counteract\u3000the\u3000pull\u3000of\u3000gravity\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000break\u3000bones\u3000or\u3000even\u3000pulp\u3000himself\u3000when\u3000he\u3000landed\u3002
\nStill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000plummet\uff1b\u3000because\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000time\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000rogues’\u3000citadel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Call\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000forth\u3000around\u3000the\u3000black\u3000death\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\uff1b\u3000when\u3000most\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000home\u3000for\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000With\u3000few\u3000drow\u3000about\u3000to\u3000contest\u3000them\u3000for\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000the\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000had\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000their\u3000kennels\u3000to\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000loot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000indinotviduals\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000mobs\u3000as\u3000great\u3000surging\uff1b\u3000formless\u3000masses\u3000like\u3000the\u3000living\u3000jellies\u3000that\u3000infested\u3000certain\u3000caverns\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000certainly\u3000see\u3000the\u3000fires\u3000they\u3000were\u3000setting\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000foul\u3000smoke\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000shouting\u3002
\nPerhaps\u3000the\u3000embattled\u3000moners\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000for\u3000succor\u3002\u3000If\u3000so\uff1b\u3000they\u3000waited\u3000in\u3000vain\u3002\u3000Sorcerous\u3000power\u3000flashed\u3000white\u3000and\u3000red\u3000from\u3000the\u3000windows\u3000and\u3000baileys\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalactite\u3000castles\u3000as\u3000the\u3000nobles\u3000strugnotgled\u3000with\u3000their\u3000own\u3000rebellious\u3000slave\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000were\u3000pinned\u3000down\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000brace\u3000the\u3000marauders\u3000outside\u3000their\u3000own\u3000walls\u3002
\nA\u3000house\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000larger\u3000and\u3000larger\u3000beneath\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000boots\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000himself\u3000lighter\u3000than\u3000air\u3000but\u3000still\u3000slammed\u3000down\u3000hard\u3002\u3000The\u3000impact\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000his\u3000wits\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000bouncing\u3000upward\u3000again\u3002
\nRestoring\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000his\u3000weight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000achieved\u3000a\u3000more\u3000graceful\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000flattened\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000about\u3002\u3000The\u3000goblins\u3000weren’t\u3000running\u3000amok\u3000in\u3000his\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\u2026not\u3000yet\u2026so\u3000he\u3000jumped\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Glad\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3000was\u3000just\u3000three\u3000blocks\u3000away\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dashed\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000almost\u3000reached\u3000his\u3000destination\u3000when\u3000a\u3000motley\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000scaly\u3000little\u3000kobolds\uff1b\u3000pig\u2026faced\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shaggy\uff1b\u3000hulking\u3000bugbears\u3000surged\u3000from\u3000an\u3000alley\u3002\u3000So\u3000far\uff1b\u3000the\u3000revolt\u3000was\u3000going\u3000well\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000lay\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000spears\uff1b\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000and\u3000axes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bloody\u3000them\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000ran\u3000even\u3000faster\u3002\u3000A\u3000javelin\u3000flew\u3000past\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000thralls\u3000didn’t\u3000chase\u3000him\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000other\u3000prey\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000marketplace\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cursed\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000riot\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000there\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Undercreatures\u3000were\u3000looting\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000the\u3000stalls\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000dazzling\u3000glare\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000merchants\u3000had\u3000fled\u3002\u3000Others\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000their\u3000wares\uff1b\u3000unsuccessfully\u3000if\u3000they\u3000relied\u3000on\u3000goblin\u3000underlings\u3000for\u3000assistance\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000skirted\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000witnessing\u3000scenes\u3000of\u3000carnage\u3000as\u3000he\u3000skulked\u3000along\u3002\u3000Laughing\uff1b\u3000a\u3000goblin\u3000flogged\u3000his\u3000master’s\u3000corpse\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scourge\u3002\u3000A\u3000bugbear\u3000used\u3000her\u3000manacles\u3000to\u3000strangle\u3000a\u3000merchant\u3002\u3000Trapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blazing\u3000stone\u3000pen\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000lizards\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000scuttled\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000fear\u3002
\nThe\u3000first\u3000stall\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000find\u3000intact\u3000was\u3000burning\u3000merrily\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000second\u3000was\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000gnolls\uff1b\u3000growling\uff1b\u3000whining\uff1b\u3000and\u3000barking\u3000as\u3000they\u3000pawed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000vendor’s\u3000goods\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000only\u3000one\u3000more\u3000possibility\u3000on\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\u3002\u3000Should\u3000that\u3000one\u3000be\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000either\u3000have\u3000to\u3000venture\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000the\u3000burning\uff1b\u3000ore\u2026infested\u3000maze\u3000of\u3000stalls\u3000or\u3000conceive\u3000another\u3000plan\u3002
\nWarty\uff1b\u3000bearded\u3000ogres\u3000overturned\u3000a\u3000twelve\u2026wheeled\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000dumping\u3000out\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000who’d\u3000been\u3000making\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000inside\u3002\u3000A\u3000walking\u3000mushroom\uff1b\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brutes\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000slender\uff1b\u3000fluted\u3000stem\uff1b\u3000far\u3000more\u3000graceful\uff1b\u3000swung\u3000wide\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000little\u3000massacre\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000slipped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000more\u3000strides\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000scene\u3000that\uff1b\u3000after\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3000he’d\u3000just\u3000witnessed\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000almost\u3000unreal\u3002\u3000The\u3000westernmost\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000marketplace\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000merchants\u3000had\u3000armed\u3000themselves\u3000and\u3000taken\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000outnotside\u3000their\u3000tents\u3000and\u3000kiosks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000calm\u3000and\u3000unafraid\u3002
\nOver\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000an\u3000adventurous\u3000life\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000the\u3000same\u3000phenomenon\u3000before\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000for\u3000folk\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000essentially\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pitched\u3000battle\u3000raging\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000ran\u3000on\u3002\u3000Ahead\uff1b\u3000a\u3000luminous\u3000green\u3000circle\u3000scribed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000surrounded\u3000a\u3000modious\u3000stall\u3000built\u3000of\u3000hardened\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000A\u3000heavyset\u3000male\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000with\u3000an\u3000arbalest\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000a\u3000toad\uff1b\u3000his\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000squatting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000nightshirt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000were\u3000bare\u3002\u3000The\u3000merchant\u3000scowled\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3003Stay\u3000back\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000throaty\u3000voice\u3000even\u3000deeper\u3000than\u3000Ryld’s\u3002
\nP \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nPharaun\u3000halted\uff1b\u3000took\u3000a\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000coughing\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000fouling\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000dear\u3000master\u3000Blundyth\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000any\u3000way\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000a\u3000faithful\u3000cusnottomer\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000the\u3000madman\u3000who\u3000attacked\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000only\u3000yesterday\u3002\u3003
\nThat\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000only\u3000yesterday\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000since\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000year\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000past\u3000indiscretions\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000matter\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000notion\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000motion\u3000over\u3000yonder\uff1f\u3003\u3000Blundyth\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000a\u3000merchant’s\u3000eliminating\u3000the\u3000petition\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000though\u3000I’m\u3000ready\u3000if\u3000trouble\u3000spills\u3000this\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Would\u3000that\u3000were\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000us\u3000is\u3000truly\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000over\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000your\u3000shop\uff1f\u3003
\nHe\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000orange\u3000light\u3000presently\u3000flickering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000east\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000nobles\u3000are\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\uff1b\u3003\u3000Blundyth\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000have\u3000joined\u3000forces\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000out\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000rival\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000mistaken\u3002\u3000All\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000are\u3000rebelling\u3002\u3003
\nBlundyth\u3000snorted\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000mad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000or\u3000your\u3000neighbors\u3000own\u3000thralls\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000off\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3000Off\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000your\u3000throats\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Just\u3000go\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3003\u3000Blundyth\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000staff\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000always\u3000got\u3000along\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000make\u3000me\u3000hurt\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000ores\u3000pose\u3000a\u3000considerable\u3000threat\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000oppose\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000need\u3000your\u3000help\u3002\u3000I\u3000still\u3000have\u3000credit\u3000here\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000I\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000sell\u3000to\u3000outlaws\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000any\u3000trouble\u3000with\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000merchant’s\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000never\u3000connotvince\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Too\u3000bad\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000regret\u3000this\u3000decision\u3002\u3000In\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000then\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000master\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000he\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Blundyth’s\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000he\u3000circled\u3000back\u3000around\u3002\u3000Creeping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000cramped\u3000spaces\u3000benottween\u3000the\u3000booths\uff1b\u3000he\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000draw’s\u3000stall\u3000from\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000skulked\u3000along\uff1b\u3000he\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000if\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000were\u3000ing\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3002\u3000He\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cursed\u3000sound\u3000bafnotfles\u3000was\u3000muffling\u3000the\u3000noise\u3002
\nAt\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000dimpled\u3000fungal\u3000structure\u3000without\u3000any\u3000ores\u3000attacking\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000swept\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000through\u3000a\u3000mystic\u3000pass\u3000and\u3000whispered\u3000an\u3000incantation\u3002\u3000The\u3000protective\u3000circle\u3000ot\u3000light\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stall\uff1b\u3000floated\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000himself\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002\u3000The\u3000petrified\u3000fungus\u3000supported\u3000him\u3000like\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Blundyth\u3000cursed\u3000and\u3000came\u3000stalking\u3000around\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3002\u3000Phanotraun\u3000thought\u3000he’d\u3000better\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000merchant\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000jumped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000onto\u3000Blundyth’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000executed\u3000the\u3000move\u3000as\u3000nimbly\u3000as\u3000poor\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000have\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000worked\u3002\u3000It\u3000slammed\u3000the\u3000merchant\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3002\u3000The\u3000toad\u3000hopped\u3000away\u3002
\nClinging\u3000to\u3000his\u3000victim\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000drove\u3000his\u3000dirk\u3000repeatedly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000big\u3000male’s\u3000side\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000plunged\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000it\u3000caught\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rib\u3002\u3000Blundyth\u3000flailed\u3000and\u3000bucked\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000break\u3000free\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000aim\u3000the\u3000arbalest\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000ducked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000the\u3000merchant\u3000fell\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000pinning\u3000his\u3000attacker’s\u3000knife\u3000and\u3000hand\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000dragged\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000free\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dirk\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000procure\u3000a\u3000set\u3000of\u3000vastly\u3000superior\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000He\u3000wiped\u3000his\u3000bloody\u3000fingers\u3000on\u3000Blundyth’s\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stall\u3002
\nBlundyth’s\u3000neighbors\u3000watched\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000interfere\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000male\u3000might\u3000have\u3000observed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000murder\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000them\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard’s\u3000supply\u3000shop\u3000was\u3000as\u3000well\u2026stocked\u3000as\u3000usual\u3002\u3000Jars\uff1b\u3000bottles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000boxes\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000limestone\u3000shelves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000greenish\u3000mirror\u3000glowed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000stand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000spices\uff1b\u3000herbs\uff1b\u3000bitter\u3000innotcense\uff1b\u3000and\u3000decay\u3002
\nBlundyth’s\u3000piwafwi\u3000lay\u3000carelessly\u3000draped\u3000across\u3000a\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000item\u3000Pharaun\u3000appropriated\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloak\u3000fit\u3000him\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000the\u3000customary\u3000row\u3000upon\u3000row\u3000of\u3000hidden\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000Next\u3000he\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000vials\u3000and\u3000drawers\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000ponents\u3000that\u3000corresponded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000he\u3000had\u3000prepared\u3002\u3000With\u3000every\u3000one\u3000he\u3000filched\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cripple\u3000regaining\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000his\u3000legs\u3002
\nAs\u3000he\u3000worked\u3000his\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000boots\u3000sitting\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000little\u3000cupboard\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000plainly\u3000special\u3000in\u3000some\u3000way\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000maker\u3000had\u3000tooled\u3000runes\u3000into\u3000the\u3000leather\u3002\u3000Without\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000instantly\u3000discern\u3000what\u3000virtues\u3000they\u3000possessed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000playing\u3000a\u3000hunch\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000try\u3000them\u3000on\u3002
\nThe\u3000boots\u3000squirmed\uff1b\u3000molding\u3000themsel \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000try\u3000them\u3000on\u3002
\nThe\u3000boots\u3000squirmed\uff1b\u3000molding\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000then\u3000quivered\u3000against\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3000like\u3000an\u3000animal\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000run\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000an\u3000experimental\u3000step\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000footwear\u3000kicked\u3000off\u3000on\u3000its\u3000own\uff1b\u3000augmenting\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000of\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000propelling\u3000him\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000across\u3000the\u3000shop\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000bound\u3002
\nNot\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Not\u3000as\u3000good\u3000as\u3000a\u3000flying\u3000carpet\uff1b\u3000but\u3000helpful\u3000nonetheless\u3002
\nHe\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000strides\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000then\u3000headed\u3000out\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000shop\uff1b\u3000a\u3000howling\uff1b\u3000shrieking\u3000cacophony\u3000exploded\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000undercreatures\u2026ores\uff1b\u3000mostly\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sprinkling\u3000of\u3000long\u2026armed\u3000goblins\u2026came\u3000charging\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stands\u3000of\u3000stalls\u3000and\u3000kiosks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\u3002
\nBlundyth’s\u3000neighbors\u3000gaped\u3000in\u3000utter\u3000astonishment\u3002\u3000For\u3000some\uff1b\u3000the\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000consternation\u3000was\u3000fatal\u3002\u3000The\u3000undercreatures\u3000swarmed\u3000over\u3000them\u3000like\u3000ants\u3000harvesting\u3000the\u3000carcass\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mouse\u3002
\nSome\u3000of\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000merchants\u3000bolted\u3002\u3000Others\u3000shot\u3000their\u3000hand\u3000crossnotbows\uff1b\u3000or\u3000conjured\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3000One\u3000optimist\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000cow\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000with\u3000threats\uff1b\u3000invective\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mands\u3000until\u3000a\u3000scrofulous\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000slopping\u3000the\u3000liquid\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tin\u3000bucket\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000liquid\u3000fire\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000incendiary\u3000ignited\u3000flesh\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000stone\u3002
\nHis\u3000great\u3000blanket\u3000of\u3000zpiwafivi\u3000flapping\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000ran\u3002\u3000Each\u3000amplified\u3000stride\u3000bounced\u3000him\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000but\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000virtues\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000he\u3000always\u3000landed\u3000softly\u3002
\nA\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000ores\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000hefted\u3000their\u3000spears\u3002\u3000He\u3000whispered\u3000an\u3000innotcantation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000blackness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000essence\u3000of\u3000death\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000danced\u3000among\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3002\u3000They\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000already\u3000rotting\u3002
\nFor\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clear\u3002\u3000He\u3000raced\u3000on\uff1b\u3000while\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000his\u3000city\u3000went\u3000down\u3000in\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000fire\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000must\u3000know\u3000some\u3000song\uff1b\u3000some\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000to\u3000track\u3000an\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003If\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000singing\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Omraeth\u3000said\u3000curtly\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000be\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000hear\u3000us\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000do\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003He’s\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3000scuttling\u3000along\u3000on\u3000his\u3000eight\u3000segmented\u3000legs\u3002\u3000\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff1b\u3000or\u3000we’ll\u3000never\u3000get\u3000this\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith’s\u3000greatsword\u3000strapped\u3000across\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000he\u3000fairly\u3000quivered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000try\u3000it\u3000out\u3000on\u3000his\u3000panions\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000used\u3000to\u3000such\u3000insolence\uff1b\u3000not\u3000from\u3000other\u3000males\uff1b\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000from\u3000a\u3000degraded\u3000creature\u3000like\u3000a\u3000drider\u3002
\nYet\u3000he\u3000restrained\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000prayed\u3000he’d\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fugitives\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000renegades\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000kill\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000by\u3000himself\u3002
\nTsabrak\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000asked\u3002
\nInstead\u3000of\u3000replying\uff1b\u3000the\u3000half\u2026spider\u3000started\u3000taking\u3000deep\u3000breaths\u3002\u3000His\u3000nosnottrils\u3000flared\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000then\u3000crouched\u3000down\u3000to\u3000sniff\u3000along\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000His\u3000front\u3000legs\u3000bent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000arachnid\u3000lower\u3000body\u3000tilted\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tray\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000head\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000scent\uff1f\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000asked\u3002
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000an\u3000upswelling\u3000of\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000conscious\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000quell\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000doubt\u3000that\u3000Tsabrak\u3000smelled\u3000something\u3000pertinent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brute\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000metamorphosis\u3000had\u3000evinotdently\u3000altered\u3000his\u3000perceptions\uff1b\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000several\u3000times\u3000only\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000it\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3003Follow\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3000nocking\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3002
\nThe\u3000drider\u3000led\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arched\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000a\u3000training\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000where\u3000target\u3000mannequins\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000shrouds\u3000of\u3000spiderweb\u3000and\u3000a\u3000tally\u3000board\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u2026hand\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Over\u3000the\u3000years\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chalk\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000most\u3000of\u3000its\u3000phosphorescence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Houndaer\u3000could\u3000still\u3000read\u3000the\u3000score\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fencing\u3000bout\u3000in\u3000faintly\u3000gleaming\u3000ciphers\u3002
\nPeer\u3000as\u3000he\u3000might\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Masters\u3000Argith\u3000and\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000Tsabrak\u3000a\u3000questioning\u3000and\u3000somewhat\u3000impatient\u3000glance\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider\u3000responded\u3000by\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nWhen\u3000a\u3000proud\u3000noble\u3000family\u3000had\u3000held\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000a\u3000workman\u3000in\u3000their\u3000employ\u3000had\u3000painted\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000pistes\u3000and\u3000dueling\u3000circles\u3002\u3000Like\u3000the\u3000chalk\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000enamel\u3000still\u3000radiated\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000At\u3000one\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spatnotter\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000occluding\u3000it\u3002
\nHoundaer’s\u3000pulse\u3000ticked\u3000faster\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000and\u3000mouthed\uff1b\u3000\u3003Where\uff1f\u3003
\nTsabrak\u3000led\u3000them\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tiers\u3000of\u3000seats\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000noble\u3000nonotticed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000that\u3000a\u3000space\u3000separated\u3000the\u3000sculpted\u3000calcite\u3000risers\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\nElsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hunter\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000another\u3002
\nRelax\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000Houndaer\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000my\u3000kill\u3002
\nHe\u3000held\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000underlings\u2026for\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000they\uff1b\u3000by\u3000virtue\u3000of\u3000belonging\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conspiracy\uff1b\u3000imagined\u3000otherwise\u2026\u3000peeked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000aisl \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n was\u3000sitting\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000down\u3000the\u3000aisle\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000instantly\u3000pointed\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nearly\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000before\u3000he\u3000took\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000details\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002\u3000His\u3000former\u3000teacher\u3000sat\u3000motionless\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000shut\u3002\u3000To\u3000all\u3000appearances\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unconscious\uff1b\u3000or\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000advent\u3000of\u3000his\u3000foes\u3002\u3000Master\u3000Mizzrym\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\nRyld’s\u3000passivity\u3000left\u3000Houndaer\u3000unsure\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000best\u3000course\u3000of\u3000action\u3002
\nShould\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000minions\u3000summarily\u3000dispatch\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000or\u3000seize\u3000the\u3000opnotportunity\u3000to\u3000take\u3000him\u3000prisoner\uff1f\u3000If\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000what\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000his\u3000partner\u3002
\nThen\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000while\u3000he’d\u3000stood\u3000pondering\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000Tsabrak\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000back\u3000his\u3000bow\u3000string\u3000and\u3000sighted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000arrow\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000lifted\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000signal\u3000him\u3000to\u3000desist\uff1b\u3000then\u3000thought\u3000better\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000was\u3000a\u3000superb\u3000warrior\u3000even\u3000by\u3000the\u3000standards\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000why\uff1b\u3000when\u3000a\u3000student\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000had\u3000admired\u3000him\u3000so\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000recruit\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wiser\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000while\u3000they\u3000had\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002
\nBesides\uff1b\u3000Houndaer\u3000was\u3000reluctant\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000vexation\u3000of\u3000giving\u3000Tsabrak\u3000an\u3000order\u3000and\u3000having\u3000it\u3000ignored\u3002
\nHe\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000took\u3000their\u3000time\u3000aiming\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000still\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\nTsabrak\u3000released\u3000the\u3000string\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Houndaer\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000The\u3000shafts\u3000leaped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000still\u2026motionless\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002\u3000The\u3000noble\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000two\u3000missiles\u3000would\u3000suffice\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000flying\u3000true\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000heads\u3000were\u3000poinotsoned\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000vaguely\u3000unsatisfying\u3000to\u3000dispatch\u3000a\u3000master\u3000of\u3000war\u3000so\u3000easily\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000vengeance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cheap\u3002
\nThen\uff1b\u3000when\u3000surely\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3000to\u3000react\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000moved\u3002\u3000He\u3000twitched\u3000himself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3000quarrel\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000hurtling\u3000arrow\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\nSwiftly\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000somehow\u3000without\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000haste\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000flowed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000advanced\u3002\u3000His\u3000bloody\u3000thigh\u3000didn’t\u3000hinder\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3002\u3000His\u3000face\u3000and\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000like\u3000those\u3000of\u3000a\u3000medium\u3000awaiting\u3000munion\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dead\u3002
\nHis\u3000voice\u3000pitched\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000Omraeth\u3000sang\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000rhymed\u3000couplet\u3002\u3000Power\u3000glittered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000afflict\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Houndaer\u3000could\u3000observe\uff1b\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000The\u3000huge\u3000male\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Tsabrak\u3000loosed\u3000another\u3000arrow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000teacher\u3000slapped\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000his\u3000broadsword\u3002
\nTsabrak\u3000and\u3000Houndaer\u3000dropped\u3000their\u3000bows\u3000and\u3000drew\u3000their\u3000swords\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider\u3000spat\u3000poison\u3000on\u3000his\u3000blade\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000engage\u3000Ryld\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cramped\u3000space\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000seats\u3000with\u3000no\u3000room\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3002\u3000Omraeth\u3000took\u3000up\u3000a\u3000position\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000rades\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000could\u3000augment\u3000their\u3000efnotforts\u3000with\u3000bardic\u3000magic\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000fright\u3000and\u3000willed\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000fear\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000three\u3000against\u3000one\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000one\u3000had\u3000no\u3000mail\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000not\u3000even\u3000have\u3000any\u3000wits\u3002
\nExcept\u3000that\u3000then\u3000he\u3000proved\u3000he\u3000did\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000vertical\u3000surface\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000He\u3000summoned\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000his\u3000foes\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000hacked\u3000madly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sensed\u3000Tsabrak\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Darkness\u3000or\u3000no\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000spy\u3000lunged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000cut\u3000him\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Their\u3000swords\u3000split\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000air\u3002
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000Omraeth\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003e\u3000back\u3000this\u3000way\uff01\u3000Now\uff01\u3003
\nHoundaer\u3000and\u3000Tsabrak\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000blundered\u3000their\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000their\u3000rade’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider’s\u3000envenomed\u3000sword\u3000bumped\u3000the\u3000Tuin’TarPs\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000fortunately\u3000without\u3000sufficient\u3000force\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\nWhen\u3000Houndaer\u3000stumbled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000murk\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000salle\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000made\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000bounded\u3000down\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000unchecked\u3002
\nHe\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000faintly\u3000lunotminous\u3000circles\uff1b\u3000he\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fighting\u3000stance\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000scrambled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000flee\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000a\u3000battleground\u3000more\u3000to\u3000his\u3000liking\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000swallowed\u3000away\u3000a\u3000dryness\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000hadn’t\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000run\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000good\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they’d\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002
\nThe\u3000noble\u3000and\u3000drider\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000e\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000from\u3000opposite\u3000sides\u3002\u3000Omraeth\u3000hung\u3000back\u3000and\u3000menced\u3000annotother\u3000song\u3002
\nAdvancing\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000his\u3000adversaries\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Argith\u3000glided\u3000through\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000three\u3000moves\u2026parry\uff1b\u3000feint\u3000high\uff1b\u3000slash\u3000low\u2026of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000broadsword\u3000katas\u3000he’d\u3000taught\u3000Houndaer\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3002\u3000The\u3000noble\u3000discerned\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000too\u3000late\u3000that\u3000the\u3000purpose\u3000was\u3000to\u3000distract\u3000attention\u3000from\u3000the\u3000crossbow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000other\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000dart\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000Omraeth’s\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000ending\u3000his\u3000song\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ugly\u3000gurgle\u3000and\u3000dissipating\u3000the\u3000charged\u3000heaviness\u3000of\u3000arcane\u3000force\u3000accumulati \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n g\u3000the\u3000charged\u3000heaviness\u3000of\u3000arcane\u3000force\u3000accumulating\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000spellsinger\u3000fell\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000two\u3000to\u3000one\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Not\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000wielding\u3000Ryld’s\u3000own\u3000greatsword\uff1b\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000that\u3000could\u3000supposedly\u3000shear\u3000through\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000blade\u3000was\u3000dripping\u3000poison\u3002\u3000They\u3000only\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000land\u3000one\u3000light\u3000little\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000incapacitate\u3000their\u3000foe\u3002
\nRyld\u3000gave\u3000ground\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000assumed\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000put\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000so\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000his\u3000opponents\u3000could\u3000get\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000an\u3000agility\u3000astonishing\u3000in\u3000so\u3000massive\u3000a\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000changed\u3000dinotrection\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000driving\u3000forward\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000back\uff1b\u3000plunging\u3000at\u3000the\u3000half\u2026spider\u3000on\u3000his\u3000left\u3002
\nStartled\uff1b\u3000Houndaer\u3000faltered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scrambled\u3000toward\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drider\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000take\u3000him\u3000a\u3000few\u3000heartbeats\u3000to\u3000close\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\nIn\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000charged\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000right\uff1b\u3000the\u3000side\u3000opposite\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000sword\u3000arm\u3002\u3000A\u3000drider’s\u3000spidery\u3000lower\u3000half\u3000was\u3000sufficiently\u3000massive\u3000that\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mounted\u3000warrior\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000difficulty\u3000striking\u3000or\u3000parrying\u3000across\u3000his\u3000torso\u3002
\nTsabrak\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000stroke\u3000was\u3000poorly\u3000aimed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000duck\u3000or\u3000parry\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000attack\u3002
\nTsabrak\u3000made\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000heave\u3000himself\u3000aside\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Ryld’s\u3000broadsword\u3000crunched\u3000through\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drider’s\u3000chitinous\u3000legs\u3002\u3000Tsabrak\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000and\u3000lurched\u3000off\u2026balance\u3002
\nStepping\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000whirled\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000around\u3000for\u3000what\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000be\u3000the\u3000coup\u3000de\u3000grace\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000shouted\u3000a\u3000war\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000final\u3000stride\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000stance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3000was\u3000a\u3000clumsy\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000sufficed\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000back\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000how\u3000deadly\u3000was\u3000that\u3000enormous\u3000blade\u3002
\nAs\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3000whizzed\u3000past\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000advanced\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thrust\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000wrenched\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000parry\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000such\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000weapon\u3000about\u3000so\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000as\u3000light\u3000as\u3000a\u3000roll\u3000of\u3000parchment\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Ryld’s\u3000broadsword\u3000caught\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hooks\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000leather\u2026girt\u3000ricasso\u3002
\nRyld\u3000retreated\uff1b\u3000snatching\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000free\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000shifted\u3000the\u3000greatnotsword\u3000into\u3000a\u3000middle\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Tsabrak\u3000hobbled\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000drider’s\u3000face\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pungent\u3000fluid\u3000spattered\u3000rhythmically\u3000from\u3000his\u3000wound\u3002
\nRyld\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000back\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000again\uff1b\u3000though\u3000not\u3000so\u3000widely\u3000as\u3000before\u3002\u3000Tsabrak\u3000began\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000whining\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002
\nThen\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000without\u3000any\u3000windup\uff1b\u3000just\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000extension\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000wasn’t\u3000intended\u3000for\u3000such\u3000an\u3000action\uff1b\u3000it\u3000streaked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000as\u3000straight\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000as\u3000an\u3000arrow\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000chest\u3002
\nThe\u3000drider’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002\u3000He\u3000coughed\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000then\u3000flopped\u3000forward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000His\u3000spider\u3000half\uff1b\u3000slower\u3000to\u3000die\u3000than\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000portion\uff1b\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000limp\u3000forward\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000no\u3000melee\u3000weapon\u3000save\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dagger\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000surely\u3000be\u3000of\u3000little\u3000use\u3000against\u3000a\u3000blade\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000rushed\u3000in\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000the\u3000finishing\u3000stroke\u3002
\n\u3003Tuin’Tarir\u3000he\u3000screamed\u3002
\nHis\u3000face\u3000still\u3000as\u3000blank\u3000as\u3000a\u3000zombie’s\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000dodged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000target\uff1b\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000ducked\u3000behind\u3000one\u3000of\u3000a\u3000row\u3000of\u3000wooden\u3000mannequins\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crudely\u3000carved\u3000dummies\u3000were\u3000oddly\u3000disquieting\u3000figures\uff1b\u3000smirking\u3000identical\u3000smiles\u3000despite\u3000their\u3000countless\u3000stigmata\u3000of\u3000dents\u3000and\u3000gashes\u3002
\nRyld\u3000stood\u3000poised\uff1b\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Houndaer\u3000discerned\u3000the\u3000spy’s\u3000intent\u3002\u3000When\u3000his\u3000adversary\u3000lunged\u3000around\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dummy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000would\u3000circle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000maintaining\u3000a\u3000barrier\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000play\u3000that\u3000game\uff1b\u3000not\u3000if\u3000his\u3000new\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000as\u3000keen\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000around\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000arc\u3002\u3000It\u3000tore\u3000away\u3000the\u3000mannequin\u3000with\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000jolt\uff1b\u3000depriving\u3000Ryld\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pitinotful\u3000protection\u3002
\nUnfortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000sprang\u3000forward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000same\u3000innotstant\uff1b\u3000before\u3000Houndaer\u3000could\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000back\u3000for\u3000another\u3000cut\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000slashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000noble’s\u3000throat\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000frantically\u3000wrenched\u3000himself\u3000back\uff1b\u3000interposing\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000between\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spy\uff1b\u3000before\u3000recognizing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000cut\u3000had\u3000been\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000feint\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000tricked\u3000him\u3000into\u3000assuming\u3000a\u3000pletely\u3000defensive\u3000attitude\uff1b\u3000then\u3000seized\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000dash\u3000past\u3000him\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000master’s\u3000back\u3000but\u3000only\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000his\u3000bilnotlowing\u3000cloak\u3002
\nThe\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000gave\u3000chase\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Tsabrak\uff1b\u3000dying\u3000or\u3000dead\u3000but\u3000still\u3000mindnotlessly\u3000ambulatory\uff1b\u3000staggered\u3000into\u3000his\u3000path\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000shouted\u3000in \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n tory\uff1b\u3000staggered\u3000into\u3000his\u3000path\u3002\u3000Houndaer\u3000shouted\u3000in\u3000frustranottion\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000drider\u3000down\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000hybrid\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000Tsabrak’s\u3000fallen\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Heedless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000venom\u3000drying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000the\u3000teacher\u3000slipped\u3000his\u3000toe\u3000under\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000flipped\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000it\u3000neatly\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3002\u3000His\u3000expression\u3000as\u3000unfathnotomable\u3000as\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000he\u3000came\u3000on\u3000guard\u3000and\u3000advanced\u3002
\nI\u3000can\u3000still\u3000kill\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Houndaer\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000I\u3000still\u3000have\u3000the\u3000reach\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\nAloud\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Here\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000masters\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\nRyld\u3000stepped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000hovered\u3000there\u3002\u3000Confident\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000defend\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000Houndaer\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000fencer\u3000couldn’t\u3000attack\u3000without\u3000opening\u3000himself\u3000up\u3002
\nAt\u3000first\uff1b\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000declined\u3000to\u3000oblige\u3002\u3000He\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000his\u3000opponent\u3000out\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000beat\u3000his\u3000blade\u3002
\nThe\u3000clanging\u3000impact\u3000startled\u3000a\u3000response\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000posed\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Feint\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000feint\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000low\u3000and\u3000hack\u3000the\u3000opponent’s\u3000legs\u3000out\u3000from\u3000underneath\u3000him\u3002
\nEven\u3000as\u3000he\u3000flowed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000final\u3000count\uff1b\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000Ryld\u3000teaching\u3000him\u3000the\u3000sequence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000instructor\u3000wasn’t\u3000fooled\u3002\u3000He\u3000parnotried\u3000the\u3000genuine\u3000low\u2026line\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000then\u3000riposted\u3000to\u3000Houndaer’s\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000The\u3000broadsword\u3000bit\u3000through\u3000his\u3000gauntlet\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000beneath\u3002
\nRyld\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000free\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spatter\u3000of\u3000gore\u3002\u3000He\u3000drove\u3000deeper\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000at\u3000Houndaer’s\u3000torso\u3002\u3000The\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3000floundered\u3000backward\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000heaving\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000threatening\u3000position\u3002
\nHis\u3000bloody\u3000wrist\u3000throbbed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000blade\u3000trembled\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000brutally\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000its\u3000enchantments\u3000notwithstanding\u3002\u3000He\u3000choked\u3000up\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000his\u3000weakened\u3000hand\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000ricasso\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000only\u3000helped\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000He\u3000listened\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000another\u3000party\u3000of\u3000rogues\u3000rushing\u3000to\u3000his\u3000aid\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3003Well\u3000done\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Argith\uff01\u3003\u3000Houndaer\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000declare\u3000myself\u3000beaten\u3002\u3000I\u3000yield\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000stalked\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000broadsword\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\u3002
\n\u3003Please\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Tuin’Tarl\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000always\u3000got\u3000along\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000we\uff1f\u3000I\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000your\u3000most\u3000dutiful\u3000students\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u3000help\u3000you\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000teacher\u3000kept\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Houndaer\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000his\u3000face\u3000wasn’t\u3000empty\u3000or\u3000expressionless\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000emotion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000revealed\u3000a\u3000preternatural\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000demonic\u3000concentration\uff1b\u3000focused\u3000entirely\u3000on\u3000slaughter\u3002
\nHoundaer\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000own\u3000inescapable\u3000death\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000suffused\u3000with\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000Ryid’s\u3000blade\u3000sheared\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3002
\nThe\u3000echoing\u3000metallic\u3000crash\u3000startled\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000well\u3000that\u3000she’d\u3000spent\u3000a\u3000lifetime\u3000learning\u3000self\u3000control\uff1b\u3000for\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000dismay\u3002
\nShe\u3000and\u3000her\u3000squad\u3000were\u3000patrolling\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000events\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000four\u3000nights\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000mad\u3000to\u3000relax\u3000their\u3000vigilance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000had\u3000crept\u3000uneventfully\u3000by\uff1b\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000began\u3000to\u3000speculate\u3000that\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000was\u3000over\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000bone\u3000wand\u3000had\u3000supnotposedly\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000malignancy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000night’s\u3000sending\u3000back\u3000on\u3000she\u3000who\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000curse\u3002
\nYet\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000found\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000share\u3000in\u3000the\u3000general\u3000optimism\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000turned\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000back\u3000on\u3000its\u3000source\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000necessarily\u3000mean\u3000her\u3000faceless\u3000enemy\u3000had\u3000succumbed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000attennottions\u3002\u3000The\u3000spellcaster\u3000could\u3000have\u3000survived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000so\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000keep\u3000right\u3000on\u3000dispatching\u3000her\u3000unearthly\u3000assassins\u3002
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000another\u3000such\u3000had\u3000just\u3000broken\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000another\u3000little\u3000bone\u3000wand\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000despair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000swallowed\u3000it\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003Follow\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\u3002
\nPerhaps\u3000her\u3000subordinates\u3000would\u3000prove\u3000of\u3000some\u3000use\u3000for\u3000a\u3000change\u3002
\nTheir\u3000tread\u3000silent\u3000in\u3000their\u3000enchanted\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000trotted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000noise\u3002\u3000Greenish\u3000torchlight\u3000splashed\u3000their\u3000shadows\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Parchment\u3000rattled\u3000as\u3000one\u3000novice\u3000fumbled\u3000open\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000Female\u3000voices\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shout\u3002\u3000Power\u3000reddened\u3000the\u3000air\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000a\u3000gritty\uff1b\u3000pricking\u3000feeling\u3000across\u3000the\u3000priestesses’\u3000skin\u3002
\n\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Yngoth\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000handle\u3000to\u3000place\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000a\u3000level\u3000with\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000own\u3002\u3000Her\u3000stride\u3000made\u3000his\u3000scaly\u3000wedge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000head\u3000bob\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Has\u3000my\u3000enemy\u3000e\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000our\u3000duel\u3000in\u3000person\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000hoped\u3000so\u3002\u3000With\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000at\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000crushing\u3000the\u3000arrogant\u3000fool\u3002
\nBut\u3000alas\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3002\u3000Her\u3000course\u3000led\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000entry\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000statues\u3002\u3000The\u3000poor\u3000battered\u3000valves\u3000hung\u3000breached\u3000and\u3000crooked\u3000once\u3000again\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\u3000the\u3000culprit\u3000was\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000disembodied\uff1b\u3000luminous\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000open\u3000with\u3000fingers\u3000up\u3000as\u3000if\u3000signaling\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000open\u3000with\u3000fingers\u3000up\u3000as\u3000if\u3000signaling\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000halt\u3002\u3000A\u3000lanky\u3000male\u3000in\u3000a\u3000baggy\u3000cloak\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000shelter\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000translucent\u3000manifestation\u3000from\u3000the\u3000spears\u3000and\u3000arrows\u3000that\u3000several\u3000priestesses\u3000were\u3000sending\u3000his\u3000way\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000lunatic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000her\u3000unknown\u3000foe\u3002\u3000By\u3000all\u3000accounts\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000the\u3000past\u3000few\u3000days\u3002
\nShe\u3000gestured\u3000with\u3000the\u3000whip\uff1b\u3000terminating\u3000the\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000missiles\u3002
\n\u3003Master\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000pound\u3000your\u3000crimes\u3000by\u3000breaknoting\u3000in\u3000where\u3000no\u3000male\u3000may\u3000e\u3000unbidden\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000bent\u3000low\u3000in\u3000obeisance\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000winded\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000most\u3000peculiarly\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000notorious\u3000dandy\uff1b\u3000disheveled\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3000I\u3000beg\u3000your\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000must\u3000confer\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000Time\u3000is\u3000of\u3000the\u3000essence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000have\u3000little\u3000to\u3000say\u3000to\u3000you\u3000except\u3000to\u3000condemn\u3000you\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000should\u3000have\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Kill\u3000me\u3000if\u3000you\u3000must\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000giant\u3000hand\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000and\u3000he\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Given\u3000my\u3000recent\u3000peccadilloes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000half\u3000expected\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000hear\u3000my\u3000message\u3000first\u3002\u3000The\u3000undercreatures\u3000are\u3000rebelling\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000narrowed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000Archmage\u3000sent\u3000you\u3000here\u3000with\u3000this\u3000news\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Alas\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000him\u3000but\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000was\u3000something\u3000that\u3000must\u3000be\u3000brought\u3000to\u3000the\u3000attention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000senior\u3000memnotbers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000no\u3000one\u3000ever\u3000dreamed\u3000it\u3000could\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000has\u3002\u3000Walk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000manner\u3000was\u3000too\u3000presumptuous\u3000by\u3000half\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000something\u3000in\u3000it\u3000manded\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000if\u3000this\u3000is\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000demented\u3000jest\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000suffer\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Minolin\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003he\u3000may\u3000want\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000you\u3000into\u2026\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000silenced\u3000the\u3000fool\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000stare\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3003Lead\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000point\u3000of\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drop\u2026off\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000badly\u3000wrong\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3002\u3000The\u3000wavering\u3000yellow\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000firelight\u3000and\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000smoky\u3000tang\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000alerted\u3000her\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000spider\u2026shaped\u3000temple\u3002\u3000Heedless\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dignity\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sprinted\u3000for\u3000the\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\nBelow\u3000her\uff1b\u3000portions\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026portions\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000how\u3000could\u3000that\u3000be\uff1f\u2026were\u3000in\u3000flames\u3002\u3000Impossibly\uff1b\u3000even\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000sprouted\u3000a\u3000tuft\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000at\u3000its\u3000highest\u3000point\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tassel\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hat\u3002\u3000Once\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyes\u3000adjusted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dazzling\u3000brightness\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000vaguely\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000mobs\u3000rampaging\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000plazas\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000\u3003that’s\u3000why\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000halfway\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000dodgnoting\u3000marauders\u3000at\u3000every\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000lady\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000may\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sitnotuation’s\u3000even\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000it\u3000may\u3000look\u3002\u3000By\u3000and\u3000large\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nobles\u3000haven’t\u3000even\u3000begun\u3000reclaiming\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000bogged\u3000down\u3000on\u3000their\u3000estates\u3000fightnoting\u3000their\u3000own\u3000household\u3000goblins\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000you\u2026\u3003
\nThe\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000smart\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000talking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000glare\u3002
\n\u3003We\u3000will\u3000mobilize\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000can\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Sorcere\u3000will\u3000divide\u3000its\u3000efforts\u3000between\u3000supporting\u3000us\u3000and\u3000extinguishing\u3000the\u3000fires\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000either\u3000find\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000Gromph\u3000or\u3000act\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stead\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000her\u3000priestesses\u3000and\u3000novices\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002\u3000Something\u3000in\u3000their\u3000manner\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000up\u3000short\u3002
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000long\u2026eared\u3000Viconia\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000senior\u3000innotstructors\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000diffidently\uff1b\u3000\u3003it\u3000makes\u3000perfect\u3000sense\u3000for\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000and\u3000Sorcere\u3000to\u3000descend\u3000the\u3000stairs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000ladies\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000magic\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nThe\u3000sisters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000gaped\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000know\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000good\u3000many\u3000males\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000just\u3000a\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000impatience\u3000peeking\u3000through\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000point\u3000in\u3000killing\u3000me\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000explain\u3000it\u3000all\u3000later\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clerics\u3002\u3000\u3003Holy\u3000Mothers\u3000and\u3000Sisters\uff1b\u3000while\u3000you\u3000may\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000scrolls\uff1b\u3000talismans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000divine\u3000implements\u3000your\u3000order\u3000hoards\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000swing\u3000maces\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000es\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000fight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003But\u3000we’ve\u3000lost\u3000too\u3000many\u3000sisters\uff1b\u3003\u3000Viconia\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000demons\u3000killed\u3000a\u3000couple\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000by\u3000summoning\u3000the\u3000spiders\uff1b\u3000slew\u3000more\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000dare\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000must\u3000endure\u3000to\u3000preserve\u3000the\u3000lore\u3000and\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000rituals\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003That’s\u3000far\u3000too\u3000optimistic\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\nViconia\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\uff1b\u3000boy\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000assumption\u3000that\uff1b\u3000should\u3000you\u3000remain\u3000up\u3000here\uff1b\u3000annihilation\u3000will\u3000pass\u3000you\u3000by\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000more\u3000plausible\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000triumph\u3000below\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000climb\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000their\u3000depredations\u3000up\u3000here\u3002\u3000You\u3000profess\u3000devotion\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000it\u3000wou \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000profess\u3000devotion\u3000to\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000reverent\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vault\u3000below\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000deny\u3000them\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000profane\u3000your\u3000shrines\u3000and\u3000altars\u3002\u3000Siminotlarly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000strategy\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000alongside\u3000allies\u3000than\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000till\u3000they\u3000perish\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000left\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You’re\u3000glib\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000priestess\u3000sneered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000our\u3000efforts\u3000are\u3000needed\u3002\u3000Flame\u3000and\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000only\u3000goblins\uff01\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000just\u3000a\u3000scareling\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000he\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000how\u3000dare\u3000we\u3000seek\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother’s\u3000favor\u3000if\u3000we\u3000decline\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000her\u3000chosen\u3000city\u3000in\u3000its\u3000hour\u3000of\u3000need\uff1f\u3000Surely\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000we\u3000never\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Viconia\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000we\u3000can\u3000find\u3000a\u3000better\u3000way\u3000to\u3000please\u3000her\u3000than\u3000brawling\u3000with\u3000vermin\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3003
\nQuenthel\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000crossbow\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000her\u3000lieutenant\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3002\u3000Viconia\u3000made\u3000a\u3000choking\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000stumbled\u3000backward\u3002\u3000The\u3000poison\u3000was\u3000already\u3000blackening\u3000her\u3000face\u3000as\u3000she\u3000collapsed\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000already\u3000demonstrated\u3000that\u3000\/\u3000rule\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Does\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000contest\u3000my\u3000orders\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003she\u3000should\u3000be\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000I\u3000stand\u3000with\u3000the\u3000misnottress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000power\u3000to\u3000scour\u3000the\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002\u3003
\nIgnoring\u3000the\u3000boastful\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000surveyed\u3000her\u3000minions\u3002\u3000It\u3000apnotpeared\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000had\u3000anything\u3000much\u3000to\u3000say\u3002
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000us\u3000rouse\u3000the\u3000tower\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\nT\u3000H\u3000\uff5cR\u3000E\u3000E
\nWith\u3000Quenthel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000like\u3000a\u3000great\u3000waterfall\u3002\u3000Some\u3000scholars\u3000tramped\u3000after\u3000her\u3000on\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000while\u3000others\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000face\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\uff1b\u3000possessed\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000enabled\u3000them\u3000to\u3000fly\uff1b\u3000flitted\u3000about\u3000like\u3000bats\u3002
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000Mistress\u3000would\u3000care\u3000to\u3000bide\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000At\u3000some\u3000point\u3000he\u3000had\u3000slipped\u3000off\u3000to\u3000his\u3000personal\u3000quarters\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000b\u3000his\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000throw\u3000on\u3000a\u3000new\u3000set\u3000of\u3000handsome\u3000clothes\u3002\u3000He\u3000returned\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000still\u3000claiming\u3000ignorance\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000whereabouts\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000as\u3000good\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000as\u3000any\u3000to\u3000spy\u3000out\u3000the\u3000lay\u3000of\u3000the\u3000land\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000below\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000but\u3000still\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000an\u3000aerial\u3000inspection\u3002\u3003
\nSince\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000still\u3000either\u3000unavailable\u3000or\u3000uninterested\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000was\u2026with\u3000obvious\u3000relish\u2026acting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000s\u3000stead\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000arguably\u3000an\u3000affront\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000archmage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000order\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Until\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000returned\u3000or\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000abated\uff1b\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000for\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000would\u3000upset\u3000Gromph\u3000in\u3000an\u3000amusing\u3000way\u3000to\u3000have\u3000this\u3000dandy\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000place\u3000for\u3000so\u3000important\u3000a\u3000task\u3002\u3000
\nShe\u3000halted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000minions\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000ragged\uff1b\u3000jostling\u3000stop\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000whip\u3000vipers\u3000reared\u3000to\u3000survey\u3000the\u3000cityscape\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Pharaun\u3000smile\u3000briefly\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000serpents’\u3000behavior\u3000ical\u3002
\n\u3003There\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000pointing\uff1b\u3000\u3003in\u3000Manyfolk\u3002\u3000It\u3000looks\u3000as\u3000if\u3000House\u3000Auvryndar\u3000may\u3000have\u3000finished\u3000exterminating\u3000their\u3000own\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000mob\u3000keeps\u3000them\u3000penned\u3000within\u3000their\u3000walls\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Blessed\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Malaggar\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\u3000from\u3000the\u3000step\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000First\u3000Sword\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000merry\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000round\u2026faced\u3000boy\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000green\u3000attire\u3000and\u3000emeralds\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000your\u3000permission\uff1b\u3000that\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000good\u3000place\u3000to\u3000start\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000lift\u3000the\u3000siege\u3000and\u3000add\u3000the\u3000Auvryndar\u3000to\u3000our\u3000own\u3000army\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003So\u3000be\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said
\nThe\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000the\u3000instructors\uff1b\u3000particularly\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\uff1b\u3000set\u3000about\u3000the\u3000business\u3000of\u3000forming\u3000the\u3000scholars\u3000into\u3000squads\uff1b\u3000with\u3000swordsmen\u3000and\u3000spearman\u3000protecting\u3000the\u3000spellcasters\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000arrange\u3000the\u3000units\u3000into\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000marching\u3000order\u3002
\nLike\u3000every\u3000princess\u3000of\u3000a\u3000great\u3000House\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000a\u3000working\u3000knowlnotedge\u3000of\u3000military\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000create\u3000order\u3000with\u3000a\u3000jaundiced\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000could\u3000wish\u3000for\u3000a\u3000proper\u3000army\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000muttered\u3002
\nShe\u3000hadn’t\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000understand\u3000your\u3000sentiments\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they’re\u3000all\u3000we\u3000have\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000if\u3000we’ve\u3000trained\u3000them\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000coughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Against\u3000the\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Your\u3000meaning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000greatest\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000all\u3000is\u3000this\u3000pall\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000its\u3000cunning\uff1b\u3000miscalculated\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000we\u3000left\u3000upstairs\u3000don’t\u3000extinguish\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000all\u3000suffocate\uff1b\u3000female\u3000and\u3000male\uff1b\u3000elf\u3000and\u3000ore\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000a\u3000necropolis\u3000to\u3000rule\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000we\u3000must\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000our\u3000task\u3000and\u3000not\u3000fret\u3000about\u3000the\u3000rest\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000alhoon\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000demanded\u3002
\nHe\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000really\u3000is\u3000a\u3000long\u3000story\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3003What\u3000alhoon\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000demanded\u3002
\nHe\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000really\u3000is\u3000a\u3000long\u3000story\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000crucial\u3000at\u3000this\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000will\u3000decide\u3000what\u3000is\u3000crucial\uff1b\u3000mage\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Speak\u3002\u3003
\nBefore\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000begin\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Sword\u3000approaching\uff1b\u3000prenotsumably\u3000to\u3000inform\u3000her\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000was\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000set\u3000forth\u3002
\nAs\u3000they\u3000started\u3000to\u3000march\uff1b\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000tale\u3000of\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000and\u3000its\u3000designs\u3000for\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000more\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000always\u3000torture\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\u3000later\u3002
\nAlong\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000teachers\u3000and\u3000students\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000littered\u3000with\u3000mangled\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000corpses\uff1b\u3000some\u3000headless\uff1b\u3000some\u3000partially\u3000devoured\uff1b\u3000firelight\u3000gilding\u3000their\u3000sightless\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000rich\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000peted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000acrid\u3000foulness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3002
\nOr\u3000course\uff1b\u3000no\u3000drow\u3000objected\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spectacle\u3000of\u3000violent\u3000death\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000ubiquity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ravaged\u3000shapes\uff1b\u3000bined\u3000with\u3000the\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000and\u3000the\u3000uncanny\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000burning\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000made\u3000it\u3000seem\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000itself\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000hell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000unnotsettling\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000were\u3000she\u3000a\u3000weaker\u3000person\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000through\u3000a\u3000nightmare\uff1b\u3000or\u3000internotpreted\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3000as\u3000proof\u3000positive\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000for\u3000good\u3000and\u3000all\u3002\u3000She\u3000consoled\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000at\u3000least\u3000this\u3000time\u3000she\u3000was\u3000marching\u3000against\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000and\u3000smite\u3002
\nPeriodically\u3000the\u3000scholars\u3000saw\u3000small\u3000groups\u3000of\u3000undercreatures\u3000looting\uff1b\u3000slaughtering\u3000hapless\u3000moners\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000flinging\u3000stones\u3000and\u3000arrows\u3000at\u3000the\u3000column\u3002\u3000The\u3000younger\u3000students\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000teachnoters\u3000bellowed\u3000at\u3000them\u3000to\u3000desist\u3002\u3000The\u3000Academy\u3000had\u3000to\u3000act\u3000as\u3000a\u3000unit\u3000and\u3000stick\u3000to\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000if\u3000it\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000win\u3000the\u3000day\u3002
\nMalaggar\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000signaling\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002
\nWe’re\u3000close\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reported\u3000in\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000drow\u3000sign\u3000language\u3002
\nThey\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000place\u3000until\u3000a\u3000flying\u3000scout\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pyramid\u3000posnotsessed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000cloak\u3000that\u3000converted\u3000into\u3000batlike\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000swooped\u3000down\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000his\u3000report\u3002
\nMistress\uff1b\u3000Malaggar\u3000signed\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000that\u3000ten\u3000squads\u3000keep\u3000on\u3000straight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000that\u3000block\u3000of\u3000houses\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000take\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000from\u3000two\u3000sides\u3002
\nVery\u3000well\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\u3000as\u3000she\u3000surveyed\u3000her\u3000army\u3002\u3000All\u3000of\u3000you\u3000from\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000column\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000that\u3000alley\uff1b\u3000follow\u3000me\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000go\u3000with\u3000Master\u3000Faen\u3000Tlabbar\u3002\u3000Everyone\uff1b\u3000quietly\u3000as\u3000you\u3000can\u3002
\nHands\u3000lifted\u3000at\u3000intervals\u3000down\u3000the\u3000column\u3000to\u3000relay\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000those\u3000who\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000her\u3002
\nThe\u3000pany\u3000divided\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000troops\u3000crept\u3000on\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000clamnotoring\u3000mob\u3000that\u3000quite\u3000possibly\u3000outnumbered\u3000them\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slaves\u3000hadn’t\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000Academy’s\u3000arrival\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000take\u3000full\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000their\u3000ignorance\u3002\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000arranged\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000in\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000but\u3000servnoticeable\u3000formation\uff1b\u3000then\u3000bade\u3000them\u3000attack\u3000as\u3000one\u3002
\nPower\u3000howled\u3000and\u3000flashed\uff1b\u3000burning\uff1b\u3000blasting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000devouring\u3000masses\u3000of\u3000goblins\u3002\u3000Darts\u3000leaped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000pierce\u3000ores\u3000and\u3000bugbears\u3002\u3000Under\u2026creatures\u3000fell\u3000by\u3000the\u3000score\u3002
\nYet\u3000after\u3000that\u3000first\u3000volley\uff1b\u3000scores\u3000remained\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000flung\u3000themselves\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scholars\u3000in\u3000a\u3000yammering\u3000frenzy\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000hastily\u3000abandoned\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3000for\u3000swords\u3000and\u3000spears\u3002\u3000Hidden\u3000behind\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000mages\u3000and\u3000priestesses\u3000peered\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000savage\u3000melee\u3000so\u3000they\u3000could\u3000target\u3000their\u3000spells\u3000without\u3000harming\u3000their\u3000own\u3000rades\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000could\u3000have\u3000cowered\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000own\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000protectors\u2026pernothaps\uff1b\u3000as\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u2026but\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000might\u3000stiffen\u3000the\u3000spines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u2026\u3000and\u3000second\u2026year\u3000students\u3000if\u3000she\u3000led\u3000from\u3000the\u3000front\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000up\u3000close\u3000and\u3000see\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000fear\u3000in\u3000her\u3000victims’\u3000faces\u3002\u3000Her\u3000vipers\u3000rearing\u3000and\u3000hissing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shoved\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3002
\nShe\u3000slew\u3000several\u3000goblinoids\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dazzling\u3000yellow\u3000light\u3000flashed\u3000and\u3000cracknotled\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000magic\u3000did\u3000her\u3000no\u3000harm\u2026her\u3000mystical\u3000defenses\u3000held\u2026but\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000folk\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000undercreature\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000shrieked\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000every\u3000survivor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000immediate\u3000vicinity\uff1b\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000Then\u3000ores\u3000scrambled\u3000forward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gaps\u3000the\u3000blaze\u3000had\u3000created\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000line\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scholars\u3000darted\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000them\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000paid\u3000any\u3000heed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000burned\u3000rades\u3000beneath\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000save\u3000to\u3000curse\u3000them\u3000if\u3000she\u3000tripped\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000stepped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000a\u3000student\u3000warrior\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Despana\u3000take\u3000her\u3000place\uff1b\u3000then\u3000cast\u3000about\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000flame\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000vague\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000plunged\u3000down\u3000from\u3000above\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000there\u3000first\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000to\u3000either\u3000side\u3002
\nShe\u3000blinked\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Like\u3000true\u3000arach \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n She\u3000blinked\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Like\u3000true\u3000arachnids\uff1b\u3000driders\u3000were\u3000scutding\u3000about\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000rooflines\u3002\u3000Many\u3000such\u3000debased\u3000creatures\u3000retained\u3000their\u3000spellcasting\u3000abilities\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000must\u3000have\u3000conjured\u3000the\u3000fire\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000the\u3000thralls\u3000and\u3000outcasts\u3000could\u3000have\u3000conspired\u3000together\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000did\u3000she\u3000have\u3000time\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000ponder\u3000the\u3000question\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000driders\u3000before\u3000they\u3000destroyed\u3000her\u3000pany\u3000from\u3000above\u3002\u3000She\u3000levitated\u3000upward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000smoky\u3000air\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\u3000looking\u3000about\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000who’d\u3000created\u3000the\u3000flame\u3002
\nBarbed\u3000arrows\u3000and\u3000bolts\u3000of\u3000light\u3000streaked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000from\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000She\u3000shielded\u3000her\u3000face\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fold\u3000of\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000missiles\u3000rebounded\u3000or\u3000dissolved\u3000when\u3000they\u3000encountered\u3000her\u3000layers\u3000of\u3000enchanted\u3000protection\u3002\u3000The\u3000impacts\u3000stung\u3000but\u3000did\u3000no\u3000serious\u3000damage\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she’d\u3000ascended\u3000to\u3000their\u3000level\uff1b\u3000she\u3000recognized\u3000certain\u3000snarling\u3000faces\u3000even\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fangs\uff1b\u3000driders\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000to\u3000make\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000explained\u3000why\u3000they’d\u3000throw\u3000magic\u3000at\u3000her\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000inevitable\u3000damage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mob\u3000of\u3000ores\u3002
\nShe\u3000quickly\u3000unrolled\u3000another\u3000scroll\u3000and\u3000read\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3000therein\u3002\u3000Blades\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000among\u3000the\u3000driders\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000began\u3000to\u3000revolve\u3000around\u3000a\u3000central\u3000point\u3002\u3000The\u3000razor\u2026sharp\u3000slivers\u3000of\u3000metal\u3000sped\u3000along\u3000so\u3000fast\u3000they\u3000were\u3000invisible\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000orbits\u3000curved\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000their\u3000foes\u3002\u3000The\u3000blades\u3000sliced\u3000and\u3000pierced\u3000the\u3000half\u2026spiders\u3000without\u3000even\u3000slowing\u3000down\uff1b\u3000reducing\u3000the\u3000brutes\u3000to\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000meat\u3000and\u3000splashes\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000twist\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000driders\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000stalagmite\u3000buildings\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000A\u3000length\u3000of\u3000something\u3000sticky\u3000lashed\u3000her\u3000and\u3000looped\u3000tightly\u3000about\u3000her\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000binding\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000webbing\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000some\u3000driders\u3000could\u3000spin\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000reel\u3000her\u3000in\uff1b\u3000she\u3000levitated\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000resisting\u3000the\u3000pull\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fish\u3000on\u3000a\u3000line\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000she\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000another\u3000scroll\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000constriction\u3000of\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000The\u3000vipers\u3000bit\u3000and\u3000chewed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cable\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000levitated\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sizzling\u3000white\u3000lightning\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertips\u3002\u3000It\u3000stabbed\u3000one\u3000drider\uff1b\u3000then\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000then\u3000another\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000twisting\uff1b\u3000dazzling\u3000power\u3000linked\u3000all\u3000the\u3000half\u2026spiders\u3000like\u3000beads\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chain\u3002\u3000They\u3000danced\u3000spasmodically\u3000until\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000then\u3000instantly\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000Stinking\u3000smoke\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000remains\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000often\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000doesn’t\u3000transform\u3000our\u3000misfits\u3000into\u3000something\u3000harmless\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000driders\u3000are\u3000another\u3000tool\u3000for\u3000culling\u3000the\u3000weak\u3002\u3003
\nIgnoring\u3000his\u3000blather\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000peered\u3000down\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000transpiring\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3002
\nMalaggar’s\u3000contingent\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000and\u3000was\u3000tearing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000flank\u3002\u3000At\u3000virtually\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Auvryndar\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000their\u3000gates\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000their\u3000lizards\uff1b\u3000charged\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sortie\u3002
\nTeeth\u3000gritted\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000gummy\u3000web\u3000off\u3000her\u3000person\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000to\u3000rejoin\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Contemptuous\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ennotemies’\u3000arrows\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000above\u3000the\u3000warriors’\u3000heads\u3000from\u3000which\u3000point\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000aim\u3000his\u3000magic\u3002
\nThe\u3000scholars\u3000only\u3000had\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000minutes\u3000then\uff1b\u3000hammered\u3000on\u3000three\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000goblins\u3000collapsed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000implosion\u3000laying\u3000a\u3000carpet\u3000of\u3000corpses\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\u3002
\nQuenthel\u3000allowed\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000formed\u3000them\u3000up\u3000and\u3000marched\u3000them\u3000on\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000next\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000many\u3000battles\u3002
\n\u3003Out\uff01\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1f
\nThe\u3000canoe\u3000maker\u3000gawked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000sputtered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wh\u2026what\u3000about\u3000my\u3000stock\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000items\u3000in\u3000question\u3000sat\u3000about\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000workroom\u3000or\u3000hung\u3000cradled\u3000in\u3000straps\u3000hooked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000goblins\u3000will\u3000destroy\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000scar\u2026faced\u3000princess\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Like\u3000this\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000smashed\u3000a\u3000half\u2026finished\u3000kayak\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fragile\u2026looking\u3000construction\u3000of\u3000curved\u3000bone\u3000ribs\u3000and\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mace\u3002\u3000\u3003Afterward\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000make\u3000more\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000if\u3000you\u3000live\u3002\u3000Now\u3000get\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000craftsman\u3000scrambled\u3000off\u3000his\u3000stool\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000chivvied\u3000him\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000her\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000minions\u3000were\u3000rousting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000occupants\u3000of\u3000other\u3000manufactories\u3000and\u3000shops\u3002
\nA\u3000mob\u3000of\u3000hairy\u3000hobgoblins\uff1b\u3000all\u3000well\u2026armed\u3000and\u3000many\u3000a\u3000head\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000the\u3000average\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000slouched\u3000around\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000thoroughfare\u3002\u3000They\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000bellowed\u3000their\u3000uncouth\u3000battle\u3000cries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000charged\u3002
\nAfter\u3000the\u3000disastrous\u3000encounter\u3000with\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000twins\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Relonor\uff1b\u3000lay\u3000grievously\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000still\u3000did\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3000There\u3000they\u3000would\u3000live\u3000or\u3000die\u3000without\u3000recourse\u3000to\u3000furnotther\u3000doses\u3000of\u3000healing\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000since\u3000Miz’ri\u3000declined\u3000to\u3000squand \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n iz’ri\u3000declined\u3000to\u3000squander\u3000the\u3000House’s\u3000limited\u3000resources\u3000on\u3000such\u3000inpetents\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000entirely\u3000agreed\u3002
\nAfter\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000home\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000questionable\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000Aunrae\uff1b\u3000had\u3000selected\u3000five\u3000new\u3000males\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hunt\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000stalk\u3000Pharaun\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000having\u3000belatedly\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000foul\u2026wings\u3000weren’t\u3000lucky\u3000for\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000and\u3000her\u3000band\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wandering\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000seeking\u3000word\u3000of\u3000their\u3000quarry\u3000when\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000erupted\u3002\u3000Once\u3000she’d\u3000grasped\u3000the\u3000magnitude\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disturbance\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000raid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000engineered\uff1b\u3000that\u3000brutal\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000flush\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000that\u3000had\u3000inspired\u3000the\u3000thralls\u3000to\u3000revolt\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000pleased\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000decided\u3000not\u3000to\u3000share\u3000her\u3000hypothesis\u3002\u3000Few\u3000would\u3000see\u3000the\u3000humor\u3002
\nMost\u3000of\u3000her\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000given\u3000over\u3000to\u3000practical\u3000consideranottions\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000hunting\u3000party\u3000could\u3000help\u3000put\u3000down\u3000the\u3000under\u2026creatures\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000if\u3000it\u3000could\u3000bine\u3000forces\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bona\u3000fide\u3000army\u3002\u3000Otherwise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000mobs\u3000would\u3000overwhelm\u3000it\u3002
\nIn\u3000those\u3000first\u3000minutes\u3000of\u3000slaughter\u3000and\u3000destruction\uff1b\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000for\u3000some\u3000noble\u3000clan\u3000to\u3000ride\u3000forth\u3000from\u3000their\u3000castle\u3000and\u3000drive\u3000the\u3000goblins\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000To\u3000her\u3000consternation\uff1b\u3000none\u3000did\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000in\u3000her\u3000immediate\u3000vicinnotity\u3002\u3000Her\u3000little\u3000troop\u3000was\u3000on\u3000its\u3000own\u3002
\nLife\u3000then\u3000became\u3000an\u3000infuriating\u3000business\u3000of\u3000running\u3000and\u3000hiding\u3000from\u3000ores\u3000of\u3000all\u3000things\uff1b\u3000of\u3000watching\u3000beasts\u3000no\u3000better\u3000than\u3000rothe\u3000destroy\u3000beauty\u3000and\u3000sophistication\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000perceive\u3002\u3000Occasionally\uff1b\u3000she\u3000and\u3000her\u3000panions\u3000slew\u3000a\u3000small\u3000group\u3000of\u3000goblinoids\u3000wandering\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000meant\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000would\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000arrest\u3000the\u3000dissolution\u3000of\u3000all\u3000that\u3000was\u3000finest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\nWhere\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bored\u3000with\u3000her\u3000toy\u3000Men\u2026zoberranzan\uff1b\u3000magnificent\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000break\u3000it\u3000to\u3000make\u3000space\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000one\u3002
\nIn\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000dodging\u3000and\u3000backtracking\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000to\u3000a\u3000street\u3000she\u3000recognized\uff1b\u3000a\u3000double\u3000row\u3000of\u3000prosperous\u3000shops\u2026to\u3000be\u3000precise\uff1b\u3000establishments\u3000owned\u3000by\u3000tradesmen\u3000under\u3000the\u3000patronage\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3000She\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000called\u3000hereabouts\uff1b\u3000collecting\u3000rents\u3000and\u3000fees\uff1b\u3000occasionally\u3000chastising\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000who\u3000was\u3000late\u3000paying\u3000on\u3000a\u3000loan\u3000or\u3000had\u3000othnoterwise\u3000displeased\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Miz’ri\u3002
\nIt\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Greyanna\u3000that\u3000if\u3000the\u3000merchants\u3000perished\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000connottribute\u3000no\u3000more\u3000gold\u3000to\u3000Mizzrym\u3000coffers\u3002\u3000Whereas\u3000if\u3000she\u3000conducted\u3000them\u3000to\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000she\u3000might\u3000curry\u3000some\u3000favor\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mother\u3002\u3000Miz’ri\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000impatient\u3000with\u3000her\u3000continuing\u3000failure\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000had\u3000even\u3000hinted\u3000that\u3000another\u3000might\u3000carry\u3000the\u3000mantle\u3000of\u3000First\u3000Daughter\u3000with\u3000more\u3000grace\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000preserving\u3000Mizzrym\u3000assets\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000more\u3000construcnottive\u3000and\u3000less\u3000frustrating\u3000than\u3000simply\u3000skulking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000Greyanna\u3000innotstructed\u3000her\u3000followers\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000traders\u3000and\u3000artisans\u3000from\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002
\nShe\u3000loosed\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000bolt\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hobgoblins\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000soldiers\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Her\u3000wizard\u3000conjured\u3000a\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000towering\u3000shadow\u3000like\u3000the\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mantis\uff1b\u3000which\u3000mangled\u3000several\u3000thralls\u3000in\u3000its\u3000oversized\u3000pincers\u3000before\u3000melting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002\u3000In\u3000all\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000brutes\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000others\u3000shambled\u3000forth\u3000from\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000fiery\u3000glare\u3000to\u3000take\u3000their\u3000place\u3002
\nVoices\u3000of\u3000torment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000how\u3000many\u3000undercreatures\u3000were\u3000there\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1f
\nUntil\u3000that\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000never\u3000really\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000She\u3000guessed\u3000no\u3000one\u3000else\u3000had\uff1b\u3000either\u3002
\nThe\u3000hobgoblins\u3000charged\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000princess\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Dark\u3000wall\uff01\u3003
\nThree\u3000of\u3000her\u3000retainers\uff1b\u3000those\u3000closest\u3000to\u3000the\u3000onrushing\u3000thralls\uff1b\u3000stooped\u3000and\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000conjuring\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000between\u3000themnotselves\u3000and\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\uff1b\u3000then\u3000fell\u3000back\u3002
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000warriors\u3000herded\u3000the\u3000shopkeepers\u3000farther\u3000from\u3000the\u3000threat\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000included\uff1b\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000form\u3000a\u3000line\u3000at\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000place\u3000three\u3000yards\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000intangible\u3000barrier\u3002\u3000The\u3000princess\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000little\u3000silver\u3000vial\u3000from\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000pouch\u3000and\u3000guzzled\u3000the\u3000bitter\uff1b\u3000lukewarm\u3000contents\u3000down\u3002\u3000She\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000doubled\u3000over\u3000as\u3000her\u3000muscles\u3000cramped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000disfort\u3000gave\u3000way\u3000to\u3000a\u3000tingling\u3000warmth\u3002
\nHobgoblins\u3000strode\u3000from\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000dwelled\u3000among\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000too\u3000long\u3000for\u3000the\u3000trick\u3000to\u3000deter\u3000them\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3002
\nAt\u3000least\u3000the\u3000blinding\u3000veil\u3000precluded\u3000their\u3000advancing\u3000in\u3000anything\u3000resemnotbling\u3000a\u3000coherent\u3000formation\u3002\u3000They\u3000screamed\u3000and\u3000charged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gapped\u3000and\u3000formless\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000which\u3000looked\u3000murderous\u3000even\u3000so\u3002
\nThe\u3000first\u3000hobgoblin\u3000to\u3000lunge\u3000at\u3000Greyanna\u3000was\u3000particularly\u3000large\u3000and\uff1b\u3000in\u3000marked\u3000contrast\u3000to\u3000his\u3000fellows\uff1b\u3000hairless\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shoulders\u3000up\u3002\u3000A\u3000mistress\u3000or\u3000master\u3000had\u3000depilated\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000to\u3000prepare\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000for\u3000a\u3000work\u3000of\u3000art\uff1b\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000tiny\u3000round\u3000burn\u3000scars\u3000arranged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000swirling\u3000pattern\u3002
\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000burn\u3000scars\u3000arranged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000swirling\u3000pattern\u3002
\nThe\u3000thrall\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Under\u3000other\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000retreated\u3000out\u3000of\u3000range\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000would\u3000break\u3000the\u3000line\u3002\u3000Wishing\u3000she’d\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000shield\u3000to\u3000the\u3000revel\uff1b\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000in\u3000a\u3000high\u3000parry\u3002\u3000The\u3000hobgoblin’s\u3000broadsword\u3000rang\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000haft\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war\u3000club\u3000and\u3000skipped\u3000off\u3002
\nAt\u3000once\u3000she\u3000riposted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000strike\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000undercreature\u3000whipped\u3000his\u3000targe\u3000around\u3000to\u3000block\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000bashed\u3000a\u3000dent\u3000in\u3000the\u3000round\u3000steel\u3000shield\u3000and\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000hobgoblin\u3000reeling\u3000back\uff1b\u3000his\u3000slanted\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000potion\u3000that\u3000had\u3000lent\u3000her\u3000an\u3000ogre’s\u3000strength\u3002
\nGreyanna\u3000struck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000slaying\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000who\u3000was\u3000menacing\u3000her\u3000neighbor\uff1b\u3000then\u3000her\u3000own\u3000bald\u3000adversary\u3000came\u3000edging\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000hovered\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000then\u3000feinted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flank\u3000and\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Disnotcerning\u3000the\u3000true\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000she\u3000half\u2026stepped\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000arc\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000at\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000The\u3000blow\u3000crunched\u3000home\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000toppled\u3000backward\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000bloody\u3000chin\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000neck\u3002
\nShe\u3000killed\u3000two\u3000more\u3000hobgoblins\uff1b\u3000then\u3000something\u3000prodded\u3000her\u3000shin\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thrust\u3000that\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000penetrate\u3000her\u3000boot\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kobold\uff1b\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000fireplace\u3000poker\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000been\u3000scurrying\u3000about\u3000the\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000slaves\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000reptilian\u3000imp\u3000with\u3000a\u3000roundhouse\u3000kick\u3002
\nShe\u3000cast\u3000about\u3000for\u3000her\u3000next\u3000adversary\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000have\u3000one\u3002\u3000The\u3000fight\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000surviving\u3000hobgoblins\u3000were\u3000running\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3003Form\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000a\u3000column\u3000with\u3000the\u3000traders\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3002\u3000Fast\uff01\u3003
\nOnce\u3000the\u3000procession\u3000was\u3000under\u3000way\uff1b\u3000Aunrae\uff1b\u3000striding\u3000along\u3000at\u3000Greynotanna’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003May\u3000I\u3000know\u3000where\u3000we’re\u3000going\uff1f\u3000An\u3000ally’s\u3000castle\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suspect\u3000we\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000in\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000our\u3000charges\u3000in\u3000Bauthwaf\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000column\u3000crept\u3000past\u3000corpses\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000they\u3000made\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000other\u3000moners\u3000came\u3000running\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000homes\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000procession\u3002\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000first\u3000impulse\u3000was\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\u3000those\u3000without\u3000ties\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000better\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000carried\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000press\u3000the\u3000dolts\u3000into\u3000marnottial\u3000service\u3000if\u3000needed\u3002
\nOccasionally\u3000someone\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000coughing\u3000feebly\uff1b\u3000poisoned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000stinging\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000stepped\u3000over\u3000her\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000on\u3002
\nSomeone\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000high\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000at\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Greyanna\u3000spun\u3000around\u3002\u3000The\u3000goblins\u3000weren’t\u3000attacking\u3002\u3000Her\u3000client\u3000the\u3000canoe\u3000maker\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000seized\u3000his\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000knife\u3000another\u3000male\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3003A\u3000petitor\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000craftsman\u3000explained\u3002
\no
\nThe\u3000labyrinthine\u3000fortress\u3000known\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000contained\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000magically\u3000sealed\u3000areas\u3002\u3000Unbelievably\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rebellious\u3000slave\u3000troops\u3000penetrated\u3000everywhere\u3000else\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000fought\u3000the\u3000goblinoids\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stanotlagmite\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000aerial\u3000bridges\u3000that\u3000connected\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tunnels\u3000beneath\u3000them\uff1b\u3000even\u3000along\u3000the\u3000balconies\u3000and\u3000skywalks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stalactite\u3000bastions\uff1b\u3000reclaiming\u3000their\u3000domain\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000inch\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3002
\nThe\u3000thralls\u3000made\u3000their\u3000final\u3000stand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000a\u3000spacious\u3000area\u3000surnotrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000web\u3000like\u3000iron\u3000fence\u3002\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000was\u3000a\u3000potent\u3000magical\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000just\u3000discovered\uff1b\u3000of\u3000no\u3000use\u3000whatsoever\u3000if\u3000one’s\u3000foe\u3000was\u3000already\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000pound\u3002
\nTriel\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battlements\u3000above\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000since\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000notmenced\uff1b\u3000drifted\u3000down\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Both\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000demi\u3000demon\u3000son\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000copious\u3000spattering\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000it\u3000their\u3000own\u3002
\nIn\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000have\u3000left\u3000the\u3000task\u3000of\u3000clearing\u3000the\u3000yard\u3000to\u3000her\u3000warnotriors\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000enjoying\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Partly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000simple\u3000drow\u3000bloodlust\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she’d\u3000also\u3000found\u3000a\u3000directness\uff1b\u3000a\u3000simplicity\uff1b\u3000in\u3000slaughtering\u3000goblins\u3000that\u3000was\u3000sadly\u3000lacking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plex\u3000task\u3000of\u3000ruling\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000since\u3000ascending\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002
\nHalf\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000minotaurs\uff1b\u3000formidable\u3000brutes\u3000she\u3000had\u3000often\u3000employed\u3000as\u3000her\u3000own\u3000personal\u3000guards\uff1b\u3000chanted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Freedom\uff01\u3000Freedom\uff01\u3003\u3000as\u3000they\u3000swung\u3000their\u3000axes\u3000or\u3000crouched\u3000to\u3000gore\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000with\u3000their\u3000horns\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000read\u3000the\u3000last\u3000line\u3000of\u3000runes\u3000from\u3000a\u3000scroll\u3000that\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000menced\uff1b\u3000had\u3000contained\u3000seven\u3000spells\u3002
\nDazzling\u3000flame\u3000blazed\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000minotaurs’\u3000hooves\u3002\u3000Four\u3000of\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000beasts\u3000fell\u3000down\u3000screaming\u3000and\u3000thrashing\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000two\u3000leaped\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conflagration\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000escape\u3000harm\u3000entirely\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000burned\u3000away\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000their\u3000shaggy\u3000fur\u3000and\u3000seared\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000benotneath\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000injuries\u3000didn’t\u3000slow\u3000them\u3000down\u3002\u3000They\u3000bellowed\u3000and\u3000charged\u3002
\nA\u3000minotaur\u3000towered\u3000over\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000of\u3000normal\u3000stature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000Triel\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n A\u3000minotaur\u3000towered\u3000over\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000of\u3000normal\u3000stature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000Triel\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000sprite\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000foe\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slaves\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000on\u3000Jeggred\u3002
\nThe\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000knew\u3000a\u3000minotaur\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000an\u3000opponent\u3000with\u3000the\u3000momentum\u3000of\u3000its\u3000initial\u3000rush\u3002\u3000She\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sidestepped\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000lumbering\u3000too\u3000fast\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000or\u3000pensate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000smashed\u3000his\u3000knee\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000as\u3000he\u3000plunged\u3000by\u3002
\nThe\u3000slave\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000robbed\u3000him\u3000of\u3000the\u3000use\u3000of\u3000his\u3000limbs\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bone\u2026breaking\u3000strike\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spine\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000simultanenotously\u3000chewed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\u3000opponent’s\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000ripped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000brute’s\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000hooking\u3000the\u3000guts\u3000out\u3002
\nAfter\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000killed\u3000several\u3000gnolls\u3000before\u3000running\u3000out\u3000of\u3000foes\u3002\u3000Panting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000strode\u3000to\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000upward\u3000again\uff1b\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000eminence\u3000of\u3000Qu’ellarz’orl\u3000to\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000city\u3000beyond\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000followed\u3002
\nEarlier\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she’d\u3000first\u3000discerned\u3000that\u3000slaves\u3000throughout\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000were\u3000rebelling\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000magical\u3000diamond\u3000to\u3000call\u3000the\u3000males\u3000of\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000from\u3000their\u3000secret\u3000lair\u3002\u3000The\u3000sell\u3000swords\u3000were\u3000at\u3000their\u3000work\u3002
\nOne\u3000neighborhood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000south\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000was\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000goblins\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000boil\u3000of\u3000motion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000that\u3000agitation\u3000ceased\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000apparently\u3000fell\u3000dead\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000an\u3000extraordinary\u3000feat\u3000of\u3000mass\u3000assassination\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000mercenaries\u3000had\u3000only\u3000cleared\u3000one\u3000small\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000They\u3000couldn’t\u3000reclaim\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000city\u3000by\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000if\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000job\u3000could\u3000be\u3000done\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000shouted\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000yard\uff1b\u3000to\u3000any\u3000officer\u3000within\u3000earshot\uff1b\u3000\u3003Asnotsemble\u3000my\u3000troops\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000marching\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\nJeggred\u3000couldn’t\u3000speak\u3000for\u3000joy\u3002\u3000This\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000the\u3000best\u3000night\u3000of\u3000his\u3000admittedly\u3000young\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000drunk\u3000on\u3000slaughter\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000killed\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000and\u3000killed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000an\u3000ecstasy\u3000that\u3000put\u3000his\u3000sport\u3000with\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3000to\u3000shame\u3002
\nAnd\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000said\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000over\uff01\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000descend\u3000into\u3000the\u3000city\u3000to\u3000gorge\u3000on\u3000murder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000would\u3000know\u3000a\u3000fiend’s\u3000transcendent\u3000bliss\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000hard\u3000part\u3000would\u3000be\u3000remembering\u3000not\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000just\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3002
\nHe\u3000squeezed\u3000Triel’s\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000a\u3000quivering\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000ones\u3002
\nValas\u3000Hune\u3000skulked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000then\u3000blinked\u3002\u3000A\u3000keep\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000where\u3000no\u3000bastion\u3000should\u3000be\u2026then\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000thing\u3000moved\u3002
\nNo\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000keep\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000stone\u3000giant\u3000he’d\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000some\u3000Houses\u3000kept\u3000giant\u3000slaves\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000more\u3000mon\u3000goblinoids\u3000and\u3000ogres\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000gray\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000long\u3000head\u3000and\u3000black\uff1b\u3000sunken\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000this\u3000specimen\u3000still\u3000wore\u3000iron\u3000bracelets\u3000dangling\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000chain\u3002\u3000From\u3000somewhere\u3000it\u3000had\u3000procured\u3000a\u3000great\u3000axe\u3000sized\u3000for\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000of\u3000its\u3000immensity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000using\u3000it\u3000to\u3000pulp\u3000any\u3000drow\u3000it\u3000nonotticed\u3000scurrying\u3000about\u3002
\nValas\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000his\u3000rades\u3000sometime\u3000back\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000traversing\u3000wild\u3000places\u3000by\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000though\u3000in\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000never\u3000explored\u3000any\u3000tunnel\u3000as\u3000perilous\u3000and\u3000unpredictable\u3000as\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000this\u3000night\u3002
\nHe’d\u3000been\u3000killing\u3000ores\u3000and\u3000gnolls\uff1b\u3000first\u3000with\u3000his\u3000short\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000after\u3000the\u3000arrows\u3000ran\u3000out\uff1b\u3000close\u3000in\u3000with\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000making\u3000some\u3000genuine\u3000progress\u3000until\u3000he\u3000encountered\u3000this\u3002\u3000
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000daunting\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000someone\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000big\u3000under\u2026creatures\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000little\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000and\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000its\u3000services\u3002
\nValas\u3000touched\u3000a\u3000fingertip\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nine\u2026pointed\u3000tin\u3000star\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000murmured\u3000a\u3000word\u3000in\u3000a\u3000language\u3000of\u3000a\u3000race\u3000few\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000even\u3000heard\u3000of\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000blink\u3000of\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000he\u3000was\u3000crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000giant’s\u3000shoulder\u3002
\nThe\u3000surface\u3000was\u3000smooth\u3000and\u3000rounded\u3002\u3000He\u3000started\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000off\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000reactnoting\u3000like\u3000the\u3000acplished\u3000rock\u3000climber\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000negated\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000clambered\u3000within\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000giant’s\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000started\u3000hacking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000arteries\u3000within\u3000the\u3000behemoth’s\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000both\u3000kukris\u3002
\nTo\u3000no\u3000avail\u3002\u3000Perched\u3000somewhat\u3000precariously\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000couldn’t\u3000use\u3000his\u3000strength\u3000and\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000full\u3000advantage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000first\u3000stroke\u3000skipped\u3000harmnotlessly\u3000off\u3000the\u3000giant’s\u3000rocklike\u3000hide\u3002
\nThe\u3000behemoth\u3000did\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Its\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000around\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chin\u3000nearly\u3000brushing\u3000Valas\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000giant\u3000glared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000this\u3000time\u3000with\u3000greater\u3000success\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000crackle\u3000of\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000split\u3000the\u3000slave’s\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3002
\nCrying\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sound\u3000Valas\u3000felt\u3000in\u3000his\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000giant\u3000flinched\u3000its\u3000head \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n giant\u3000flinched\u3000its\u3000head\u3000away\u3002\u3000A\u3000huge\u3000gray\u3000hand\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000who\u3000scrambled\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000at\u3000the\u3000colossus’s\u3000neck\u3002
\nDark\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000blood\u3000leaped\u3000forth\u3000and\u3000washed\u3000Valas\u3000into\u3000space\u3002\u3000He\u3000fell\u3000hard\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000rooftop\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000stumble\u3000about\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000at\u3000its\u3000throat\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000thrall\u3000fell\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000crushing\u3000some\u3000unnotlucky\u3000hobgoblins\u3000that\u3000were\u3000wandering\u3000by\u3002
\nGromph\u3000was\u3000in\u3000a\u3000vile\u3000humor\u3000as\u3000he\u3000floated\u3000up\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000face\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000cast\u3000light\u3000into\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000always\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000world\u3000exnotploded\u3000into\u3000madness\u3002\u3000Ores\u3000lunged\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3000and\u3000attacked\u3000his\u3000guards\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\u3000ogre\u3000litter\u2026bearers\u3000summarily\u3000dumped\u3000his\u3000luxurious\u3000connotveyance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000joined\u3000in\u3000the\u3000uprising\u3002
\nThe\u3000archmage\u3000had\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000undercreatures\u3000dead\u3000with\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000had\u3000conjured\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000dead\u3000zone\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000Either\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shaman\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000create\u3000such\u3000an\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000or\uff1b\u3000more\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brutes\u3000had\u3000stolen\u3000a\u3000talisnotman\u3000from\u3000his\u3000owner\u3002
\nHowever\u3000they’d\u3000managed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000beasts\u3000were\u3000charging\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spells\u3000in\u3000Gromph’s\u3000memory\u3000were\u3000just\u3000odd\u3000little\u3000rhymes\uff1b\u3000his\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000mere\u3000flimsy\u3000cloth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000inert\u3000sticks\u3000and\u3000ornaments\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000reckless\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000experiment\u3000while\u3000the\u3000ores\u3000assailed\u3000him\u3000with\u3000their\u3000pilfered\u3000blades\u3002\u3000Forfeiting\u3000his\u3000dignotnity\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000ran\u3002\u3000The\u3000exertion\u3000made\u3000his\u3000chest\u3000throb\u3000where\u3000K’rarza’q\u3000had\u3000gored\u3000him\u3002
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000must\u3000have\u3000exited\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000zone\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000better\u3000have\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000grunting\u3000ogres\u3000with\u3000their\u3000long\u3000legs\u3000catching\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000pointed\u3000a\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000snarled\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000word\u3002
\nA\u3000drop\u3000of\u3000liquid\u3000shot\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rod\u3002\u3000It\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000belly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000ogre\u3000and\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000a\u3000copious\u3000splash\u3000of\u3000acid\u3002
\nWith\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000restored\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000obliterated\u3000every\u3000attacker\u3000who\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3002\u3000His\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000attendants\u3000were\u3000already\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000him\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000alone\u3002
\nAs\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000rebellion\u3000was\u3000pandemic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000trek\u3000wasn’t\u3000altogether\u3000easy\u3002\u3000He\u3000considered\u3000going\u3000to\u3000ground\u3000in\u3000some\u3000castle\u3000or\u3000house\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000gnawing\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3002
\nDirty\uff1b\u3000sore\uff1b\u3000and\u3000coughing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000eventually\u3000made\u3000it\u3000home\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000limestone\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000that\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000spirnotits\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000only\u3000a\u3000little\u3002
\nEight\u3000Masters\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\uff1b\u3000chanting\uff1b\u3000gesturing\uff1b\u3000atnottempting\u3000a\u3000ritual\uff1b\u3000while\u3000an\u3000equal\u3000number\u3000of\u3000apprentices\u3000looked\u3000on\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizards\u3000had\u3000fetched\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000equipment\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tower\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000something\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000incantation\u3000was\u3000a\u3000usenotless\u3000mess\u3002
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000hauled\u3000himself\u3000onto\u3000solid\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000another\u3000irksome\u3000affront\u3000to\u3000his\u3000dignity\u3002
\nHe\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Enough\uff01\u3003
\nThe\u3000teachers\u3000and\u3000students\u3000twisted\u3000around\u3000to\u3000gawk\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000chantnoting\u3000died\u3002
\n\u3003Archmage\uff01\u3003\u3000cried\u3000Guldor\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000supposedly\u3000without\u3000peer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000realm\u3000of\u3000elemental\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000proved\u3000by\u3000his\u3000pernotformance\u3000thus\u3000far\u3000that\u3000night\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000were\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000striding\u3000closer\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000noticed\u3000all\u3000the\u3000search\u3000parnotties\u3000you\u3000sent\u3000out\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nGuldor\u3000hesitated\u3002\u3000\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000manded\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000e\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000teachnoters\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000pentacle\uff1b\u3000written\u3000in\u3000red\u3000phosphorescence\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003Pitiful\u3002\u3003
\nHe\u3000extended\u3000his\u3000index\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000wrote\u3000on\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000words\u3000and\u3000sigils\u3000reshaped\u3000themselves\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000lord\u3000Archmage\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Master\u3000Godeep\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000drew\u3000this\u3000circle\u3000to\u3000exnottinguish\u3000the\u3000fires\u3000below\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000break\u3000it\u2026\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000breaking\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000fixing\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000apprentices\uff1b\u3000some\u3000moner\u3000youth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dolt\u3000flinched\u3002\u3000\u3003Fetch\u3000me\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000fur\uff1b\u3000an\u3000amber\u3000rod\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000bronze\u3000gongs\u3000the\u3000cooks\u3000use\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000us\u3000to\u3000supper\u3002\u3000Runf
\n\u3003Archmage\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Guldor\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000see\u3000we\u3000already\u3000have\u3000all\u3000the\u3000necessary\u3000foci\u3000for\u3000fire\u3000magic\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000a\u3000brazier\u3000of\u3000ruddy\u3000coals\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000whispering\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000below\uff1b\u3000manding\u3000them\u3000to\u3000dwindle\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000making\u3000more\u3000smoke\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000just\u3000what\u3000we\u3000need\u3002\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000brazier\u3000over\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000embers\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000approach\u3000isn’t\u3000working\uff1b\u3000elementalist\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000exile\u3000you\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Realms\u3000that\u3000See\u3000the\u3000Sun\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000decades\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000might\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000it\u3000takes\u3000to\u3000extinguish\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000of\u3000this\u3000magnitude\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000male\u3000came\u3000sprinting\u3000back\u3000with\u3000the\u3000articles\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000requested\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000word\u3000of\u3000power\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pentacle\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000red\u3000to\u3000blue\u3002
\n\u3003Right\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ntacle\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000red\u3000to\u3000blue\u3002
\n\u3003Right\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000assume\u3000you\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000where\u3000you’re\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000so\u3000do\u3000it\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000begin\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000say\u3000a\u3000line\uff1b\u3000you\u3000repeat\u3000it\u3002\u3000Copy\u3000my\u3000passes\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000up\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000properly\u3000schooled\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000generally\u3000easy\u3002\u3000He\u3000relied\u3000on\u3000an\u3000armamentarium\u3000of\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000many\u3000devised\u3000by\u3000his\u3000predecessors\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\uff1b\u3000pernothaps\uff1b\u3000invented\u3000by\u3000himself\u3002\u3000In\u3000either\u3000case\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000perfected\u3000spells\u3000that\u3000he\u3000thoroughly\u3000understood\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000could\u3000cast\u3000them\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000when\u3000he\u3000did\u3002
\nAn\u3000extemporaneous\u3000ritual\u3000was\u3000a\u3000different\u3000matter\u3002\u3000Relying\u3000on\u3000their\u3000arcane\u3000knowledge\u3000and\u3000natural\u3000ability\uff1b\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000of\u3000mages\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000generate\u3000a\u3000new\u3000effect\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fly\u3002\u3000Often\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000power\u3000often\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000or\u3000discharged\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000some\u3000other\u3000manner\u3000contrary\u3000to\u3000their\u3000intent\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000occasionally\u3000such\u3000a\u3000ceremony\u3000worked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000his\u3000station\uff1b\u3000his\u3000wealth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000homeland\u3000at\u3000stake\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000was\u3000resolved\u3000to\u3000make\u3000this\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000times\u3002
\nAfter\u3000the\u3000mages\u3000chanted\u3000for\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000power\u3000began\u3000to\u3000whisper\u3000and\u3000sting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000tapped\u3000the\u3000beater\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gong\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000a\u3000clashing\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000tone\u3002\u3000At\u3000once\u3000a\u3000vaster\u3000note\u3000answered\u3000and\u3000obscured\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000a\u3000booming\uff1b\u3000grinding\uff1b\u3000deafening\u3000roar\u3002\u3000Gromph’s\u3000subornotdinates\u3000flinched\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000smiled\u3000in\u3000satisfaction\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000noise\u3000was\u3000thunder\u3002
\nPerched\u3000high\u3000in\u3000the\u3000side\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000had\u3000an\u3000excelnotlent\u3000view\u3000of\u3000what\u3000transpired\u3000next\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000vault\uff1b\u3000alnotready\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000grew\u3000denser\u3000still\u3000as\u3000masses\u3000of\u3000vapor\u3000materialized\u3002\u3000The\u3000shapeless\u3000shadows\u3000flickered\u3000like\u3000great\u3000translucent\u3000dragons\u3000with\u3000fire\u3000leaping\u3000in\u3000their\u3000bellies\u3002\u3000Following\u3000each\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000they\u3000bellowed\u3000that\u3000godlike\u3000hammering\u3000blast\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000pained\u3000them\u3002
\nGromph\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000folk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000was\u3000occurring\u2026it\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000even\u3000some\u3000of\u3000his\u3000erudite\u3000colleagues\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u2026but\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000understood\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000weather\u3000were\u3000paying\u3000a\u3000call\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hitherto\u3000changeless\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Under\u2026dark\u3002
\nAs\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000dropped\u3000torrents\u3000of\u3000water\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000in\u3000frigid\u3000veils\u3002\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sizzling\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000it\u3000pounded\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3003That’s\u3000impressive\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Guldor\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000will\u3000put\u3000out\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1f\u3000The\u3000fire’s\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\nGromph’s\u3000bruise\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000twinge\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000instructor\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000\u3003because\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000an\u3000inpetent\u3000from\u3000a\u3000House\u3000of\u3000no\u3000account\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3002\u3003
\nBefore\u3000it\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000how\u3000many\u3000battles\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000rades\u3000had\u3000fought\u3002\u3000He\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000kept\u3000winning\u3000them\uff1b\u3000through\u3000sunotperior\u3000tactics\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000else\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000despite\u3000their\u3000losses\uff1b\u3000their\u3000numbers\u3000kept\u3000growing\uff1b\u3000swelled\u3000by\u3000garrisons\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000their\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000castles\u3002
\nOccasionally\u3000the\u3000ragtag\u3000army\u3000came\u3000upon\u3000a\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000that\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000pacified\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000he\u3000never\u3000caught\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000in\u3000concert\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000pany\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000much\u3000a\u3000fort\u3000as\u3000anything\u3000could\u3000be\u3000on\u3000this\u3000fierce\u3000and\u3000desperate\u3000night\u3002
\nFinally\u3000the\u3000army\u3000from\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000encountered\u3000an\u3000equally\u3000impressive\u3000force\u3000under\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre’s\u3000mand\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000panies\u3000united\u3000and\u3000marched\u3000on\u3000Narbondellyn\uff1b\u3000where\u3000several\u3000bugbears\u3000with\u3000some\u3000degree\u3000of\u3000martial\u3000experience\u3000had\u3000striven\u3000to\u3000organize\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000their\u3000fellow\u3000under\u2026creatures\u3000into\u3000a\u3000force\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000withstanding\u3000their\u3000masters’\u3000wrath\u3002
\nThe\u3000great\u3000stone\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000Narbondel\u3000shone\u3000above\u3000fighting\u3000that\u3000was\u3000wild\u3000and\u3000chaotic\u3002\u3000Miraculously\uff1b\u3000partway\u3000through\uff1b\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000reaches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000began\u3000to\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000allaying\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000greatest\u3000fear\u3002\u3000An\u3000hour\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000swept\u3000in\u3000and\u3000annihilated\u3000the\u3000opposing\u3000force\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000they\u3000took\u3000their\u3000homeland\u3000back\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000aftermath\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000downpour\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3002\u3000Strands\u3000of\u3000wet\u3000hair\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000his\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boots\u3000squelched\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000concede\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000was\u3000a\u3000glorious\u3000achievenotment\uff1b\u3000to\u3000say\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000salvation\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000his\u3000colleagues\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000acplished\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000without\u3000wreaknoting\u3000havoc\u3000on\u3000everyone’s\u3000appearance\u3000and\u3000chilling\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bone\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000Quenthel\u3000nor\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000anywhere\u3000around\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000taken\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000them\u3000all\u3000night\uff1b\u3000willingly\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000mand\u3000the\u3000finale\u3000of\u3000this\u3000extraordinary\u3000affair\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000absence\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000an\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000proceed\u3000without\u3000consulting\u3000them\u3002
\nHe\u3000cast\u3000about\u3000once\u3000more\u3000and\u3000spied\u3000Welverin\u3000Freth\u3002\u3000The\u3000capable\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Nineteenth\u3000House\uff1b\u3000Welverin\u3000excelled\u3000at\u3000bat\u3000denotspite\u3000the\u3000 \n
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\n th\u3000House\uff1b\u3000Welverin\u3000excelled\u3000at\u3000bat\u3000denotspite\u3000the\u3000seeming\u3000impediment\u3000of\u3000a\u3000prosthetic\u3000silver\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000in\u3000tandem\u3000with\u3000Pharaun\u3000several\u3000times\u3000during\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Currently\u3000he\u3000was\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000conferring\u3000with\u3000two\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lieutenants\u3002
\n\u3003Weapons\u3000Master\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000called\u3002
\nWelverin\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000I\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000Mizzrym\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003How\u3000would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u3000help\u3000me\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000this\u3000innotsurrection\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000warrior’s\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3000and\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000another\u3000of\u3000your\u3000jokes\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003By\u3000no\u3000means\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\uff1b\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000do\u3000it\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000before\u3000our\u3000quarry\u3000slinks\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000I\u3000trust\u3000that\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000troops\u3000can\u3000ride\u3000aerial\u3000mounts\uff1f\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000bats\uff1b\u3000created\u3000by\u3000some\u3000enchanter\uff1b\u3000penned\u3000in\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000latticework\u3000dome\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000petty\u3000miracle\u3000they’d\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000unsuffocated\u3000and\u3000unburned\u3002
\n\u3003Where\u3000do\u3000they\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000tack\uff1f\u3003\u3000Welverin\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cage\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r\u3000
\n
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\nF\u30000\u3000U\u3000R
\nWater\u3000dripping\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000that\u3000the\u3000layout\u3000of\u3000the\u3000renegades’\u3000fortress\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000so\u3000perplexing\u3000when\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000dodging\u3000hunters\u3000and\u3000suffering\u3000the\u3000brain\u2026jangling\u3000aftereffects\u3000of\u3000a\u3000psionic\u3000assault\u3002\u3000The\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000rooms\u3000and\u3000corridors\u3000still\u3000seemed\u3000just\u3000as\u3000ominous\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000fitting\u3000an\u3000abode\u3000for\u3000wraiths\u3000and\u3000malenotdictions\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000watched\u3000Welverin\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000warriors\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Freth\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000the\u3000place\u3000was\u3000unsettling\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000were\u3000too\u3000brave\u3002\u3000Or\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000fresh\uff1b\u3000butchered\u3000corpses\u3000littering\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000turned\u3000their\u3000thoughts\u3000from\u3000shadowy\u3000terrors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000monplace\u3000violence\u3000that\u3000was\u3000their\u3000profession\u3002
\nThey\u3000found\u3000the\u3000bodies\uff1b\u3000often\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000two\u3000or\u3000more\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000about\u3000the\u3000castle\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000astonished\u3000at\u3000the\u3000quantity\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000poor\u3000wounded\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000had\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000long\u3000homicidal\u3000run\u3000of\u3000it\u3000before\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3000slew\u3000him\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000had\u3000even\u3000required\u3000Syrzan\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000job\u3002
\nIn\u3000retrospect\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000hadn’t\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000escaped\u3000prisoners\u3000right\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000Call\u3000had\u3000temporarily\u3000depleted\u3000its\u3000strength\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000led\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000into\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000spacious\u3000hall\u3000with\u3000a\u3000large\u3000dais\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3002\u3000there\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000a\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000held\u3000court\u3000and\u3000also\u3000dined\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000benches\u3000and\u3000trestle\u3000tables\u3000stacked\u3000in\u3000an\u3000alcove\u3002\u3000Carved\u3000and\u3000painted\u3000spiders\u3000crawled\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000mask\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000given\u3000that\u3000the\u3000former\u3000tenants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000keep\u3000had\u3000petitioned\u3000other\u3000deities\u3000in\u3000private\u3002\u3000Sheets\u3000of\u3000genuine\u3000spiderweb\u3000veiled\u3000the\u3000artwork\u3002
\nWelverin\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Look\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\u3000had\u3000just\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000servants’\u3000passage\u3000midway\u3000up\u3000the\u3000left\u2026hand\u3000wall\u3002
\nThe\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000strides\u3000were\u3000even\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000wounded\u3000leg\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000noticeably\u3000thinner\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000body\u3000was\u3000burning\u3000fuel\u3000at\u3000a\u3000prodinotgious\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000he’d\u3000recovered\u3000Splitter\u3002
\nThe\u3000soldiers\u3000aimed\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3002
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000Not\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002
\nRyld\u3000pivoted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000and\u3000stalked\u3000forward\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000intent\u3000yet\u3000somehow\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000expressionless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000indiffernotent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000leveled\u3000at\u3000his\u3000burly\u3000frame\u3002\u3000One\u3000warrior\u3000muttered\u3000unnoteasily\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he’d\u3000mistaken\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000for\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000better\uff1b\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000trance\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000one\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000had\u3000utilized\u3000some\u3000esoteric\u3000martial\u3000discipline\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000himself\u3000alive\u3002
\n\u3003Ryld\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\u3000met\uff01\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000could\u3000defeat\u3000Houndaer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000those\u3000buffoons\u3002\u3000Otherwise\u3000I\u3000never\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000he\u3000sounded\u3000thin\u3000even\u3000to\u3000the\u3000liar\u3002
\nCertainly\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000impress\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000in\u3000his\u3000altered\u3000statue\u3000of\u3000connotsciousness\uff1b\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000or\u3000recognized\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000master\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000He\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3002
\n\u3003Wake\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000your\u3000friend\u3002\u3000I\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000rescue\u3000you\u3002\u3000These\u3000boys\u3000hail\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Freth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’re\u3000our\u3000allies\u3002\u3003
\nRyld\u3000took\u3000another\u3000gliding\u3000swordsman’s\u3000advance\uff1b\u3000still\u3000directly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002
\nI’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000you\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000on\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000breath\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000order\u3000to\u3000shoot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shapes\u3000surged\u3000through\u3000the\u3000three\u3000tall\u3000arched\u3000doorways\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dais\u3002
\nIn\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000capered\u3000several\u3000human\u2026sized\u3000creatures\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000clattering\u3000chain\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000kytons\uff1b\u3000malign\u3000spirits\u3000whom\u3000mages\u3000could\u3000summon\u3000and\u3000control\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000devils\u3000strode\u3000the\u3000surviving\u3000conspirators\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Syrzan\u3000in\u3000its\u3000decaying\u3000robes\u3002
\nRyld\u3000wheeled\u3000and\u3000oriented\u3000on\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000whistling\u3000quarrels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000F \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ues\u3000shot\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000whistling\u3000quarrels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Freth\u3000warriors\u3000responded\u3000in\u3000kind\u3002\u3000The\u3000renegades\u3000had\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000their\u3000elevated\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000solnotdiers\uff1b\u3000of\u3000numerical\u3000superiority\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000volley\u3000dropped\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000smattering\u3000of\u3000its\u3000targets\u3002\u3000The\u3000batants\u3000were\u3000too\u3000well\u3000armored\uff1b\u3000by\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000or\u3000both\u3002
\nEager\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000swords\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000where\u3000the\u3000darts\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Freth\u3000soldiers\u3000howled\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000charged\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000booming\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000Welverin\u3000ordered\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000back\u3000outside\u3000to\u3000find\u3000their\u3000way\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000entrances\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000had\u3000used\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000them\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3002\u3000Not\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000lost\u3000instead
\nWhirling\u3000loose\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000eight\u3000kytons\uff1b\u3000each\u3000a\u3000match\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000ordinary\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000down\u3000off\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000oning\u3000foe\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000remained\u3000on\u3000the\u3000platform\u3000with\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000started\u3000renotloading\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3000with\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000shooting\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000melee\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000allow\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000levitated\u3000above\u3000his\u3000notrades\uff1b\u3000thus\u3000obtaining\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dais\u3002
\nHe\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000twinge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000his\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000second\u3002\u3000As\u3000he’d\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000Syrzan\u3000had\u3000attacked\u3000first\u3000with\u3000a\u3000psionic\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000not\u3000realizing\u3000its\u3000foe\u3000had\u3000warded\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000such\u3000effects\u3000with\u3000apposite\u3000talismans\u3000and\u3000spells\u3002
\nThis\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000me\u3000charm\u3000to\u3000charm\u3000and\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000spell\u3002
\nTo\u3000his\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000received\u3000an\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000a\u3000telepathic\u3000voice\u3000grating\u3000and\u3000buzzing\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002
\nSo\u3000be\u3000it\uff1b\u3000mammal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000said\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000revenge\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wretch\u3000who\u3000condemned\u3000me\u3000to\u3000exile\u3000yet\u3000again\u3002
\nEven\u3000as\u3000he\u3000attended\u3000to\u3000Syrzan’s\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000murmuring\u3000an\u3000innotcantation\u3000and\u3000manipulating\u3000a\u3000little\u3000steel\u3000tube\u3002\u3000A\u3000bright\u3000pellet\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000hurtled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000open\u3000end\uff1b\u3000expanding\u3000into\u3000a\u3000skull\u2026sized\u3000orb\u3000as\u3000it\u3000flew\u3002\u3000It\u3000smashed\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000renegades\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000rebounded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000annotother\u3002\u3000It\u3000bounced\u3000and\u3000slashed\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000across\u3000the\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000sowing\u3000a\u3000zigzag\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000sparks\u3000and\u3000afterimage\u3000in\u3000its\u3000wake\uff1b\u3000striking\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000Before\u3000it\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000it\u3000killed\u3000a\u3000good\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000or\u3000turned\u3000them\u3000into\u3000reeling\uff1b\u3000flailing\u3000living\u3000torches\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000their\u3000own\u3000allies\u3000had\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000lest\u3000they\u3000ignite\u3000them\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000was\u3000unaffected\u3002
\nBelow\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000glimpsed\u3000the\u3000clash\u3000of\u3000stabbing\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000blades\u3000and\u3000spinning\u3000chains\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000flailed\u3000at\u3000their\u3000adversaries\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kytons\uff1b\u3000who\u3000resembled\u3000oozing\uff1b\u3000festering\u3000corpses\u3000within\u3000their\u3000coiled\u3000armor\u3000of\u3000chains\uff1b\u3000alnottered\u3000their\u3000features\u3002\u3000The\u3000devils\u3000had\u3000the\u3000capacity\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000deceased\u3000intimate\u3000from\u3000an\u3000enemy’s\u3000past\u3002\u3000Supposedly\u3000svirfneblin\u3000and\u3000their\u3000ilk\u3000found\u3000this\u3000deeply\u3000distressing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000slightly\u3000disfiting\u3000to\u3000representatives\u3000of\u3000a\u3000race\u3000that\u3000did\u3000not\u3000love\u3002
\nRyld\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forefront\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000sweeping\u3000Splitter\u3000about\u3000with\u3000all\u3000his\u3000accustomed\u3000strength\u3000and\u3000skill\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000only\u3000striking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000demons\u3002
\nMouth\u3000tentacles\u3000writhing\uff1b\u3000bulbous\u3000eyes\u3000glaring\uff1b\u3000Syrzan\u3000lifted\u3000its\u3000three\u2026fingered\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3002\u3000Around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000who\u3000still\u3000surnotvived\u3000jumped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000dais\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000they’d\u3000rather\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000Freth\u3000warriors\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000than\u3000stand\u3000near\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000while\u3000Pharaun\u3000threw\u3000spells\u3000at\u3000it\u3002
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000so\u3000few\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000simply\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000loyalty\u2026that\u3000alien\u3000conceit\u2026didn’t\u3000hold\u3000them\u3000there\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000have\u3000known\u3000that\u3000with\u3000their\u3000schemes\u3000thwarted\uff1b\u3000their\u3000connotspiracy\u3000revealed\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000outlaws\uff1b\u3000outcast\u3000from\u3000all\u3000they\u3000coveted\u3000and\u3000chernotished\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000their\u3000plight\u3000filled\u3000them\u3000with\u3000such\u3000rage\u3000that\u3000they\u3000prized\u3000vengeance\u3000above\u3000survival\u3002
\nAs\u3000Syrzan\u3000wove\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000its\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000counterpart\u3000was\u3000hastily\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000The\u3000lich\u3000finished\u3000first\u3002\u3000A\u3000blaze\u3000of\u3000lightning\uff1b\u3000kin\u3000to\u3000those\u3000still\u3000twistnoting\u3000and\u3000forking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000its\u3000parched\uff1b\u3000scaling\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000crackled\u3000entirely\u3000through\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burned\u3000a\u3000black\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002
\nPharaun’s\u3000muscles\u3000clenched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000lifted\u3000away\u3000from\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000protections\u3000averted\u3000any\u3000real\u3000harm\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000disnotrupt\u3000his\u3000own\u3000conjuring\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000final\u3000word\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thrust\u3000out\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000releasnoting\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000fluttering\u3000shadows\u3000like\u3000ghostly\u3000bats\u3002
\n326
\nScreeching\u3000and\u3000chattering\uff1b\u3000the\u3000phantoms\u3000swooped\u3000and\u3000whirled\u3000about\u3000the\u3000alhoon\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000it\u3000with\u3000their\u3000claws\u3002\u3000The\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000growled\u3000a\u3000word\u3000in\u3000some\u3000infernal\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000jagged\u3000crack\u3000snaked\u3000up\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000illusory\u3000minions\u3000vanished\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000extracted\u3000five\u3000glass\u3000marbles\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\uff1b\u3000rolled\u3000them\u3000dexterously\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000Mizzrym\u3000extracted\u3000five\u3000glass\u3000marbles\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\uff1b\u3000rolled\u3000them\u3000dexterously\u3000in\u3000his\u3000palm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rattled\u3000off\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000tercet\u3002\u3000A\u3000quinnottet\u3000of\u3000luminous\u3000spheres\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000toward\u3000Syrzan\uff1b\u3000atnottacking\u3000it\u3000with\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lightning\u3000simultaneously\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000forces\u3000would\u3000pierce\u3000its\u3000defenses\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000rasping\uff1b\u3000clacking\u3000shriek\u3000and\u3000swept\u3000its\u3000hand\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000In\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000orbs\u3000reversed\u3000their\u3000courses\uff1b\u3000streaking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000their\u3000source\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000they’d\u3000sped\u3000away\u3002
\nCaught\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000nonetheless\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000only\u3000manner\u3000possible\u3002\u3000He\u3000restored\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000radiant\u3000projectiles\u3000streaked\u3000past\u3000him\u3000to\u3000exnotplode\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Two\u3000more\u3000simply\u3000vanished\u3000when\u3000they\u3000came\u3000into\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000The\u3000fifth\u3000ghosted\u3000into\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002
\nThe\u3000loudest\u3000scream\u3000he’d\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000jabbed\u3000agony\u3000through\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Stunned\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000plummeting\u3000until\u3000he\u3000smashed\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000melee\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000lay\u3000amidst\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000shifting\uff1b\u3000stamping\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000then\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000focused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000before\u3000somebody\u3000trampled\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000started\u3000to\u3000scramble\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000swinging\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000struck\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000temple\u3002
\nIt\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000glancing\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000knocked\u3000him\u3000back\u3000down\u3002\u3000A\u3000kyton\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000its\u3000flexible\u3000weapons\u3000around\u3000for\u3000another\u3000attack\u3002\u3000The\u3000spirit\u3000had\u3000Sabal’s\u3000face\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000pointed\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000rattled\u3000off\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000partway\u3000through\u3000that\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000hear\u3000himself\u2026or\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000Seconds\u3000before\uff1b\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000hammering\u3000cacophony\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000silent\u3002
\nLuckily\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000recite\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000Power\u3000blazed\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingertip\u3000into\u3000the\u3000devil’s\u3000body\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kyton’s\u3000flesh\u3000shriveled\u3000within\u3000its\u3000wrapping\u3000of\u3000chain\u3002\u3000The\u3000links\u3000sliding\u3000and\u3000flopping\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000collapsed\u3002
\nA\u3000hand\u3000gripped\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000hauled\u3000him\u3000up\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Welverin\u3002\u3000The\u3000officer’s\u3000mouth\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000though\u3000useless\uff1b\u3000were\u3000far\u3000from\u3000numb\u3002\u3000They\u3000throbbed\u3000and\u3000bled\u3002\u3000His\u3000insides\u3000hurt\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000made\u3000him\u3000want\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000Syrzan\u3000all\u3000the\u3000more\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000levitated\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000find\u3000himself\u3000mere\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000something\u3000the\u3000illithilich\u3000must\u3000have\u3000conjured\u3000while\u3000its\u3000fellow\u3000age\u3000was\u3000floundering\u3000about\u3000below\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000phosphorescent\uff1b\u3000disembodied\u3000illithid\u3000head\uff1b\u3000with\u3000mouth\u3000tentacles\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000tall\u3002\u3000The\u3000members\u3000writhing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000squidlike\u3000construct\u3000flew\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\uff1b\u3000it\u3000smelled\u3000fishy\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000white\u3000leather\u3000glove\u3000and\u3000a\u3000chip\u3000of\u3000clear\u3000crystal\u3000from\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000menced\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000tapered\u3000tentacle\u3000tip\u3000whipped\u3000around\u3000his\u3000forearm\uff1b\u3000tugged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000spoiled\u3000the\u3000final\u3000manipulation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000free\u3000and\u3000pleted\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000successfully\u3002
\nAn\u3000immense\u3000hand\u3000made\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000appeared\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000mind\u3000flayer’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000It\u3000wrapped\u3000its\u3000fingers\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000dug\u3000its\u3000talons\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000immobile\u3002
\nThe\u3000only\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000phantom\u3000illithid\u3000head\u3000was\u3000still\u3000blocking\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000view\u3002\u3000He\u3000simultaneously\u3000wove\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000bobbed\u3000lower\u3000until\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Syrzan\u3002
\nOn\u3000the\u3000final\u3000word\u3000of\u3000the\u3000incantation\uff1b\u3000white\u3000fire\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000alhoon’s\u3000desiccated\u3000flesh\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000died\u3000a\u3000second\u3000later\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000should\u3000have\u3000transformed\u3000the\u3000undead\u3000wizard\u3000into\u3000an\u3000inanimate\u3000corpse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000only\u3000effect\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000singe\u3000its\u3000shabby\u3000robe\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000reflected\u3000that\u3000despite\u3000several\u3000attempts\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000injure\u3000or\u3000even\u3000jostle\u3000his\u3000adversary\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000hadn’t\u3000known\u3000better\uff1b\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Syrzan\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000the\u3000better\u3000arcanist\u3002
\nMuch\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000disliked\u3000hand\u2026to\u2026hand\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000change\u3000of\u3000tactics\u3000was\u3000in\u3000order\u3002\u3000He\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000little\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000dissected\u3000from\u3000a\u3000petty\u3000demon\u3000he’d\u3000killed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000classroom\u3000demonstration\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000conjure\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000swung\u3000its\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000flaming\u3000arrows\u3002\u3000They\u3000missed\uff1b\u3000bumped\u3000off\u3000course\u3000by\u3000their\u3000target’s\u3000protective\u3000enchantments\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000incantation\u3000and\u3000so\u3000inflicted\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000stabbing\u3000pains\u3000upon\u3000himself\u3002
\nHis\u3000body\u3000grew\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000an\u3000ogre’s\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hide\u3000thickened\u3000into\u3000scaly\u3000armor\u3002\u3000His\u3000teeth\u3000lengthened\u3000into\u3000tusks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000nails\u3000into\u3000talons\uff1b\u3000while\u3000long\uff1b\u3000curved\u3000horns\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000his\u3000brow\u3002\u3000A\u3000hairless\u3000tail\u3000sprouted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000whip\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\nThe\u3000transformation\u3000only\u3000took\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000disfort\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000beat\u3000of\u3000his\u3000leathery\u3000new\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000hurled\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000his\u3000foe\u3002
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000monstrous\u3000arms\u3000high\u3000and\u3000bellowed\u3000an\u3000incantanottion\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000surge \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n t\u3000a\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000churning\u3000vertigo\u3002\u3000The\u3000scene\u3000before\u3000him\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000and\u3000twist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000veered\u3000off\u3000course\u3002\u3000He\u3000smashed\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000and\u3000time\u3000skipped\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000senses\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000reverted\u3000to\u3000his\u3000natural\u3000form\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000sick\u3000as\u3000Smylla\u3000Nathos\u3002
\nThe\u3000lich\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000an\u3000idiot\u3000you\u3000were\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000were\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000again\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000through\u3000a\u3000jangling\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002\u3000He\u3000wouldn’t\u3000die\u3000deaf\uff1b\u3000for\u3000whatever\u3000that\u3000was\u3000worth\u3002
\n\u3003Stop\u3000preening\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000look\u3000ridiculous\u3002\u3000This\u3000isn’t\u3000your\u3000pathetic\u3000dream\u3000world\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000where\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000prince\u3000of\u3000a\u3000great\u3000city\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000just\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000mollusk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000putrid\u3000one\u3000at\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\nAs\u3000he\u3000taunted\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000he\u3000groped\u3000for\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000final\u3000spell\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000would\u3000fail\u3000like\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\nSo\u3000why\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000attack\uff1f\u3000Try\u3000something\u3000else\u3000instead\u3002\u3000Shaknoting\u3000with\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000off\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000platform\u3002\u3000Blue\u3000scintilla\u3000of\u3000power\u3000glittered\u3000briefly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3003You\u3000call\u3000me\u3000pathetic\uff1f\u3003\u3000Syrzan\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000was\u3000that\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\nIf\u3000you\u3000were\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000ring\u3000you\u3000stole\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000you’d\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3000would\u3000fit\u3000on\u3000your\u3000bloated\u3000fingers\u3002
\nThe\u3000alhoon\u3000hoisted\u3000him\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000then\u3000wrapped\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000flaking\u3000tennottacles\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\nYou\u3000re\u3000still\u3000going\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Syrzan\u3000said\u3000directly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000up\u3000one\u3000gnarled\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000silver\u3000ring\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000devour\u3000your\u3000brain\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000learn\u3000all\u3000your\u3000secrets\u3002
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000the\u3000infusion\u3000would\u3000even\u3000cure\u3000your\u3000stupidity\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000wheezed\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000fear\u3000we’ll\u3000never\u3000know\u3002\u3000Look\u3000around\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000lich\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000it\u3000jerk\u3000with\u3000surprise\u3002
\nThe\u3000lens\u3000of\u3000illusion\u3000he’d\u3000formed\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dais\u3000made\u3000Syrzan\u3000look\u3000exactly\u3000like\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000witty\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000himself\u3000renotsemble\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000humble\u3000ore\u3002\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000created\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he’d\u3000willed\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000illithid’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000came\u3000the\u3000construct\uff1b\u3000swooping\u3000straight\u3000at\u3000its\u3000originator\u3002
\nSyrzan\u3000threw\u3000Pharaun\u3000down\u3000and\u3000faced\u3000its\u3000creation\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000if\u3000left\u3000unmolested\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000averted\u3000the\u3000construct\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000the\u3000strength\u3000for\u3000one\u3000more\u3000spell\u3002\u3000His\u3000labored\u3000incantation\u3000shattered\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000the\u3000alhoon\u3000and\u3000breaking\u3000its\u3000concentration\u3002
\nThe\u3000huge\u3000tentacles\u3000scooped\u3000Syrzan\u3000up\u3000and\u3000conveyed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000maw\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000whereupon\u3000the\u3000strangely\u3000shaped\u3000mouth\u3000began\u3000to\u3000suck\u3000and\u3000chew\u3002\u3000The\u3000alhoon’s\u3000own\u3000magic\u3000mangled\u3000him\u3000as\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000never\u3000had\u3002\u3000The\u3000lich\u3000faded\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000became\u3000opaque\u3000and\u3000solid\u3000again\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000to\u3000another\u3000plane\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000but\u3000couldn’t\u3000focus\u3000past\u3000the\u3000agony\u3002
\nAfter\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000head\u3000blinked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002\u3000Its\u3000passing\u3000dumped\u3000inert\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000mummified\u3000mind\u3000flayer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\nPharaun’s\u3000strength\u3000began\u3000to\u3000trickle\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000rummaged\u3000through\u3000the\u3000alhoon’s\u3000stinking\u3000remains\u3000until\u3000he\u3000found\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000ring\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000on\u3000the\u3000renegades\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Welverin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000cohorts\u3000already\u3000had\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000hand\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000last\u3000rogue\u3000lay\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entranced\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000His\u3000chin\u3000drooped\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000started\u3000to\u3000snore\u3002\u3000Silver\u3000leg\u3000rattling\u3000as\u3000if\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000had\u3000loosened\u3000the\u3000ponents\uff1b\u3000Welverin\u3000limped\u3000over\u3000to\u3000check\u3000him\u3000and\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000tend\u3000him\u3000as\u3000needed\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\u3000as\u3000well\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000flop\u3000back\u3000down\u3002
\nTriel\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000gazing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000virtunotally\u3000the\u3000same\u3000view\u3000she’d\u3000surveyed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000night\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000uprising\uff1b\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000spectacle\u3000that\u3000showed\u3000her\u3000all\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000in\u3000turmoil\u3002
\nThe\u3000fires\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3000In\u3000their\u3000place\uff1b\u3000cold\u3000pools\u3000of\u3000standing\u3000water\u3000dotted\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000hindered\u3000traffic\u3002\u3000The\u3000rain\u3000had\u3000flooded\u3000cellars\u3000and\u3000dungeons\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000time\u3000to\u3000get\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000anticipated\u3000a\u3000downpour\uff1b\u3000not\u3000with\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000between\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000and\u3000the\u3000open\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000consequence\uff1b\u3000no\u3000builder\u3000had\u3000made\u3000much\u3000provision\u3000for\u3000drainage\u3002
\nSomeone\u3000coughed\u3000a\u3000discreet\u3000little\u3000cough\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000turned\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3003Matron\u3002\u3003
\nShe\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000thrill\u3000of\u3000pleasure\u2026relief\uff1b\u3000actually\u2026at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000who’d\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\u3000so\u3000quickly\u3000once\u3000she’d\u3000given\u3000him\u3000leave\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000care\u3000to\u3000mask\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3002
\n\u3003Archmage\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Join\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000walked\u3000somewhat\u3000stiffly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000balustrade\u3002
\nIn\u3000one\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000terrace\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000slouched\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000too\u3000small\u3000for\u3000him\u3000and\u3000gnawed\u3000a\u3000raw\u3000haunch\u3000of\u3000rothe\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000entirely\u3000engrossed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000snack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ed\u3000entirely\u3000engrossed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000snack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000he\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000sibling’s\u3000progress\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000his\u3000task\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ward\u3000her\u3000from\u3000all\u3000potential\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000innotcluding\u3000her\u3000own\u3000kin\u3002\u3000Especially\u3000her\u3000own\u3000kin\u3002
\nGromph\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000domes\u3000and\u3000spires\u3002\u3000Some\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000their\u3000luminescence\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000rain\u3000had\u3000washed\u3000it\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000many\u3000had\u3000flowed\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fire’s\u3000embrace\uff1b\u3000warping\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000carvings\u3000into\u3000crippled\u3000shapes\u3000or\u3000effacing\u3000them\u3000entirely\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard’s\u3000mouth\u3000twisted\u3002
\n\u3003It\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000worse\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000stoneworkers\u3000can\u3000repair\u3000the\u3000damage\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003They\u3000have\u3000their\u3000work\u3000cut\u3000out\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000without\u3000slaves\u3000to\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000some\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000undercreatures\u3000declined\u3000to\u3000revolt\u3000or\u3000were\u3000capnottured\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000slain\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000drive\u3000them\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000buy\u3000and\u3000capture\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Still\uff1b\u3000does\u3000anyone\u3000remember\u3000precisely\u3000how\u3000every\u3000rampart\u3000and\u3000sculpture\u3000looked\uff1f\u3000Can\u3000anyone\u3000recreate\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000exactly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1f\u3000No\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000scarred\uff1b\u3000and\u2026\u3003
\nHe\u3000winced\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002
\n\u3003Forgive\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000e\u3000to\u3000lament\u3000but\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000my\u3000function\u3000as\u3000your\u3000advisor\uff1b\u3000to\u3000share\u3000my\u3000thoughts\u3000on\u3000how\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000challenges\u3000to\u3000e\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000rested\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000polished\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rail\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000see\u3000those\u3000challenges\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003It’s\u3000obvious\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3000We’ve\u3000just\u3000experienced\u3000what\u3000promises\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000calamities\u3002\u3000By\u3000dint\u3000of\u3000observing\u3000you\u3000in\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000every\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000with\u3000half\u3000a\u3000brain\u3000now\u3000knows\u3000you\u3000priestesses\u3000have\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000power\u3002\u3000Rest\u3000assured\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000measures\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000takes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000word\u3000will\u3000spread\u3000beyond\u3000our\u3000borders\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000some\u3000escaped\u3000thrall\u3000is\u3000proclaiming\u3000it\u3000even\u3000now\u3002\u3000Soon\uff1b\u3000one\u3000or\u3000another\u3000enemy\u3000will\u3000march\u3000on\u3000us\uff1bor\uff1b\u3000if\u3000our\u3000luck\u3000is\u3000really\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000all\u3000unite\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000alliance\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000\u3003None\u3000of\u3000our\u3000foes\u3000dares\u3000even\u3000to\u3000dream\u3000of\u3000taking\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003This\u3000Syrzan\u3000did\u3002\u3000When\u3000its\u3000kin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000others\uff1b\u3000find\u3000out\u3000we’ve\u3000lost\u3000our\u3000divine\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000a\u3000significant\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000our\u3000drow\u3000warriors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000virtually\u3000all\u3000our\u3000slave\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000it\u3000may\u3000inspire\u3000them\u3000to\u3000optimism\u3002\u3000And\u3000they’re\u3000not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000threat\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003We\u3000ourselves\u3000are\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000sighed\u3002
\n\u3003Exactly\u3002\u3000We\u3000always\u3000have\u3000our\u3000share\u3000of\u3000feuds\u3000and\u3000assassinations\u3002\u3000Occanotsionally\u3000one\u3000House\u3000exterminates\u3000another\u3000outright\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000as\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000our\u3000way\uff1b\u3000it\u3000makes\u3000us\u3000strong\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000endure\u3000constant\uff1b\u3000flanotgrant\u3000warfare\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000too\u3000much\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000chaos\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000tear\u3000Mennotzoberranzan\u3000to\u3000shreds\u3002\u3000Up\u3000to\u3000now\uff1b\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000and\u3000her\u3000clergy\u3000has\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000lid\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000anymore\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000pity\u3000our\u3000new\u3000heroes\u3000didn’t\u3000die\u3000heroic\u3000deaths\u3000in\u3000their\u3000homeland’s\u3000defense\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000refer\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000outcast\u3000Mizzrym\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Who\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000imagine\u3000them\u3000any\u3000less\u3000ambitious\u3000than\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\uff1f\u3000They\u3000championed\u3000the\u3000established\u3000order\u3000yesterday\uff1b\u3000but\uff1b\u3000inspired\u3000by\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000that\u3000many\u3000would\u3000rally\u3000to\u3000their\u3000banners\uff1b\u3000may\u3000themselves\u3000seek\u3000to\u3000topple\u3000it\u3000tomorrow\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000may\u3000try\u3000to\u3000seize\u3000your\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000not\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3000but\u3000now\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000may\u3000strike\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Robes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Arch\u2026mage\u2026by\u3000the\u3000Six\u3000Hundred\u3000and\u3000Sixty\u2026six\u3000Layers\uff1b\u3000he\u3000all\u3000but\u3000did\uff1b\u3000having\u3000spent\u3000no\u3000effort\u3000in\u3000finding\u3000me\u3000before\u3000scurrying\u3000to\u3000your\u3000side\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000disnotaster\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\uff01\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000any\u3000personal\u3000inconvenience\u3000to\u3000you\u3000and\u3000me\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city\u3000in\u3000its\u3000weakened\u3000state\u3000can’t\u3000withstand\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000disruption\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000planning\u3000just\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000frowning\u3002\u3000\u3003Pernothaps\u3000we\u3000should\u3000have\u3000followed\u3000through\u3000and\u3000at\u3000least\u3000killed\u3000Master\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003If\u3000we\u3000execute\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000saviors\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u2026damn\u3000his\u3000misernotable\u3000little\u3000hide\u2026it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000made\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000look\u3000frightened\u3000and\u3000weak\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000smiled\u3000a\u3000crooked\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000we\u3000are\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000dare\u3000give\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000remend\uff1f\u3003
\nBelow\u3000the\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lizard\u3000hissed\u3000and\u3000wheels\u3000creaked\u3000as\u3000a\u3000cart\u3000rolled\u3000by\u3002
\n\u3003Use\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000simultaneously\u3000benefits\u3000us\u3000and\u3000neutralizes\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000they\u3000represent\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\u3002\u3000\u3003Surely\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000agree\u3000that\u3000the\u3000present\u3000situation\u3000can’t\u3000continue\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000restote\u3000the\u3000priesthood’s\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000battered\u3000city\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000propose\u3000that\u3000as\u3000a\u3000first\u3000step\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000send\u3000agents\u3000to\u3000another\u3000city\u2026likely\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u2026to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000their\u3000divines\u3000are\u3000siminotlarly\u3000afflicted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000so\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000know\u3000why\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000assign\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000expedition\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000concerns\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000perhaps\u3000most\u3000of\u3000all\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000delighted\u3000to\u3000loan\u3000you\u3000the\u3000services\u3000of\u3000Master\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000story\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000was\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000that\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000his\u3000should\u3000go\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000for\u3000no\u3000other\u3000reason\u3000than\u3000it’ll\u3000make\u3000Pharaun\u3000squirm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000whispe \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ke\u3000Pharaun\u3000squirm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3003The\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000surviving\u3000a\u3000trek\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3003\u3000continued\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000very\u3000well\u3000try\u3000to\u3000overthrow\u3000us\u3000while\u3000they’re\u3000leagues\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000can\u3000they\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000Lolth\u3000will\u3000return\u3000before\u3000they\u3000do\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000with\u3000time\uff1b\u3000their\u3000notoriety\u3000will\u3000fade\u3002\u3003
\nHis\u3000suggestion\u3000left\u3000Triel\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sheepish\u3002\u3000She\u3000hid\u3000it\u3000as\u3000best\u3000she\u3000could\u3000by\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000his\u3000plan\u3002
\n\u3003Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3000proposed\u3000an\u3000expedition\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000She\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000concerned\u3000because\u3000the\u3000caravans\u3000have\u3000stopped\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Really\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000our\u3000representatives\u3000can\u3000sort\u3000that\u3000out\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000good\u3000that\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000is\u3000already\u3000keen\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000She’ll\u3000make\u3000a\u3000valuable\u3000addition\u3000and\u3000a\u3000more\u3000than\u3000adequate\u3000cover\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000enterprise\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Waerva\u3000told\u3000me\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000a\u3000spy\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Triel\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000depart\u3000the\u3000city\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000report\u3000our\u3000weakness\u3000to\u3000her\u3000confederates\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000forbade\u3000her\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000proof\u3000did\u3000Waerva\u3000offer\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003She\u3000told\u3000me\u3000she\u3000learned\u3000of\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000treachery\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000innotformants\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000waited\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000as\u3000if\u3000expecting\u3000something\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3003And\u3000that’s\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000at\u3000length\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000respect\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000point\u3000out\u3000that\u3000if\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000spoken\u3000with\u3000the\u3000informer\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000probed\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000any\u3000further\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000really\u3000only\u3000have\u3000Waerva’s\u3000word\u3000for\u3000it\u3000that\u3000the\u3000envoy\u3000is\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000handle\u3000everything\u3000personally\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000why\u3000we\u3000have\u3000retainers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3000lost\u3000touch\u3000with\u3000my\u2026\u3000our\u3000interests\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000though\u3000their\u3000explanations\u3000and\u3000excuses\u3000do\u3000wear\u3000thin\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000quite\u3000understand\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000same\u3000problem\u3000with\u3000my\u3000own\u3000retainers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000only\u3000have\u3000Menzoberran\u2026zan’s\u3000wizards\u3000to\u3000oversee\uff1b\u3000not\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Why\u3000would\u3000Waerva\u3000lie\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ve\u3000had\u3000some\u3000dealings\u3000with\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3002\u3000She\u3000never\u3000struck\u3000me\u3000as\u3000stupid\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000Waerva\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000is\u3000reckless\u3000and\u3000discontented\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000any\u3000game\u3002\u3000Accordingly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000worthwhile\u3000to\u3000inquire\u3000into\u3000this\u3000matter\u3000ourselves\u3002\u3003
\nTriel\u3000hesitated\u3000before\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003That\u3000could\u3000prove\u3000difficult\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000my\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000I\u3000hired\u3000some\u3000agents\u3000of\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\uff1b\u3000led\u3000by\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u2026do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000name\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3003He\u3000would\u3000make\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000your\u3000little\u3000band\u3000of\u3000explorers\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000known\u3000to\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000passingly\u3000familiar\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wilds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u2026a\u3000guide\u3000of\u3000some\u3000acplishment\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000bowed\u3000his\u3000agreement\u3002
\n\u3003Be\u3000that\u3000as\u3000it\u3000may\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u3000I\u3000hired\u3000to\u3000fetch\u3000Faeryl\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000pleted\u3000his\u3000task\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000to\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000rounded\u3000on\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3002
\n\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000prisoner’s\u3000condition\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000creature\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000she\u3000alive\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Jeggred\u3000through\u3000a\u3000mouthful\u3000of\u3000bloody\u3000meat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000my\u3000time\uff1b\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000I\u3000can\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000have\u3000her\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u3000just\u3000told\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\nGromph\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000half\u2026demon’s\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3003Nephew\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sore\uff1b\u3000frustrated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000mood\u3000generally\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000give\u3000a\u3000leaky\u3000sack\u3000of\u3000rat\u3000droppings\u3000whether\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000sacred\u3000being\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000Show\u3000some\u3000respect\uff1b\u3000lead\u3000me\u3000to\u3000this\u3000prisoner\u3000forthwith\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000blight\u3000you\u3000where\u3000you\u3000sit\u3002\u3003
\nClutching\u3000the\u3000rothe\u3000bone\u3000like\u3000a\u3000club\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000sprang\u3000upward\u3000from\u3000his\u3000seat\u3002
\nTriel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000as\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000bade\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000it\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000draegloth\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000makeshift\u3000weapon\u3002
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000sighed\u3002
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\nC\u3000h\u3000a\u3000p\u3000t\u3000e\u3000r
\nT\u3000W\u3000E\u3000N\u3000T\u3000Y
\nF\u3000I\u3000V\u3000E
\nHer\u3000pack\u3000weighting\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000pounding\uff1b\u3000Waerva\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000about\u3002\u3000The\u3000cave\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000before\u3000her\u3000and\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000with\u3000stalacnottites\u3000stabbing\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000stalagmites\u3000jutting\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000uneven\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000moved\u3002
\nWhat\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000had\u3000she\u3000heard\uff1f\u3000As\u3000if\u3000in\u3000response\u3000to\u3000her\u3000unspoken\u3000question\uff1b\u3000a\u3000drop\u3000of\u3000falling\u3000water\u3000plopped\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passages\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000mon\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000harnotbinger\u3000of\u3000peril\u3002
\nWaerva\u3000wiped\u3000sweat\u3000from\u3000her\u3000brow\u3000and\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000her\u3000own\u3000jumpiness\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000good\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000be\u3000edgy\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000suicide\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000wilderness\u3000alone\u3002
\nSadly\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cursed\u3000goblin\u3000rebellion\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000little\u3000choice\u3002\u3000Benotcause\u3000of\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000fighting\u3000all\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clergy’s\u3000incapacity\u3000was\u3000no\u3000great\u3000secret\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000discerned\u3000it\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000Triel\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000had\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000Surely\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000seek\u3000his\u3000counsel\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\nWaerva\u3000had\u3000been\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
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\n ould\u3000seek\u3000his\u3000counsel\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\nWaerva\u3000had\u3000been\u3000confident\u3000she\u3000could\u3000manipulate\u3000the\u3000frazzled\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000very\u3000much\u3000doubted\u3000she\u3000could\u3000fool\u3000the\u3000canny\u3000archmage\u3002\u3000Accordingly\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000cleared\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000and\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000itself\u3000before\u3000her\u3000kinsman\u3000could\u3000start\u3000asking\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000a\u3000solitary\u3000wayfarer\u3000hiking\u3000through\u3000a\u3000perilous\u3000wilderness\u3002
\nBut\u3000she\u3000was\u3000strong\u3000and\u3000cunning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she’d\u3000survive\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000make\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000her\u3000secret\u3000allies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000would\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\u3002
\nShe\u3000took\u3000four\u3000more\u3000strides\uff1b\u3000then\u3000heard\u3000another\u3000little\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000one\u3000wasn’t\u3000falling\u3000water\u3002\u3000It\u3000sounded\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stealthy\u3000footstep\u3000brushing\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000came\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002
\nShe\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000no\u3000one\uff1b\u3000then\u3000something\u3000stung\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000She\u3000pivnototed\u3002\u3000At\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000pebble\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3002\u3000Soft\uff1b\u3000sibilant\u3000laughnotter\u3000rippled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000merrymakers\u3000were\u3000all\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
\nWhy\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000she\u3000see\u3000them\uff1f
\nAdamantine\u3000mace\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000one\u3000wing\u3000of\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u3000tossed\u3000back\u3000to\u3000facilitate\u3000the\u3000action\u3000of\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000Waerva\u3000advanced\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dinotrection\u3000from\u3000which\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Weaving\u3000her\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000stalagmites\uff1b\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000wall\u3000without\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000glimpsing\u3000her\u3000attacker\u3002\u3000She\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000reptilian\u3000musk\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3002
\nKobolds\u3002\u3000The\u3000horned\uff1b\u3000scaly\u3000undercreatures\u3000were\u3000small\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000relatively\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000amid\u3000the\u3000calcite\u3000bumps\u3000and\u3000spikes\u3002
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000despite\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000start\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000the\u3000kobolds\u3000lacked\u3000the\u3000patience\u3000to\u3000play\u3000their\u3000skulking\u3000game\u3000for\u3000very\u3000long\uff1b\u3000benotcause\u3000they\u3000were\u3000done\u3000hiding\u3002\u3000While\u3000her\u3000back\u3000was\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000they’d\u3000crept\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3000and\u3000there\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000ragged\u3000C\u2026shaped\u3000line\u3000to\u3000pen\u3000her\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\nThe\u3000brutes\u3000were\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000thralls\u3002\u3000House\u3000brands\u3000and\u3000whip\u3000scars\u3000gave\u3000that\u3000fact\u3000away\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000still\u3000wore\u3000broken\u3000shackles\u3002\u3000Waerva\u3000plainly\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who’d\u3000fled\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\nShe\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000kobolds\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000that\u3000means\u3002\u3000Make\u3000way\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000strike\u3000you\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000undercreatures\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lowered\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000line\u3000broke\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000making\u3000an\u3000exit\u3002
\nSneering\uff1b\u3000head\u3000held\u3000high\uff1b\u3000Waerva\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000reptiles\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000screeched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rushed\u3000her\u3002
\nBellowing\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000mace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000every\u3000stroke\u3000smashed\u3000the\u3000life\u3000from\u3000a\u3000thrall\u3002\u3000But\u3000for\u3000every\u3000one\u3000she\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000dozens\u3000more\u3000hacking\u3000and\u3000beating\u3000at\u3000her\u3000legs\u3002
\nHer\u3000knee\u3000screamed\u3000with\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000fell\u3002\u3000The\u3000kobolds\u3000swarmed\u3000over\u3000her\u3000and\u3000pounded\u3000her\u3000until\u3000she\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000struggle\u3000any\u3000more\u3002
\nWith\u3000some\u3000difficulty\uff1b\u3000they\u3000divested\u3000her\u3000of\u3000her\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000work\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000Amazingly\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000bestial\u3000race\uff1b\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000unnotderstand\u3000anatomy\u3000as\u3000thoroughly\u3000as\u3000her\u3000dear\u3000Tluth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000ministrations\u3000were\u3000nothing\u3000like\u3000massage\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000to\u3000court\u3000unconsciousness\u3002\u3000It\u3000brought\u3000surcease\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lingering\u3000pains\u3000of\u3000past\u3000tortures\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000avert\u3000new\u3000ones\u3002\u3000When\u3000Jeggred\u3000found\u3000her\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000waved\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000pungent\u3000smelling\u3000salts\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000until\u3000it\u3000jolted\u3000her\u3000awake\u3002
\nShe\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000ing\u3002\u3000So\u3000could\u3000the\u3000jailers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000scurried\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dungeon\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000privacy\u3002\u3000Shivering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000notpose\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000could\u3000deny\u3000him\u3000the\u3000satisfaction\u3000of\u3000a\u3000scream\u2026at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u2026or\u3000even\u3000provoke\u3000him\u3000into\u3000killing\u3000her\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wonderful\u3002
\nThe\u3000draegloth\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000stooping\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000through\u3002\u3000Denotspite\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000flinched\uff1b\u3000then\u3000saw\u3000he\u3000was\u3000not\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Dainty\u3000little\u3000Triel\u3000acpanied\u3000him\u3002\u3000So\u3000did\u3000her\u3000harsh\u2026featured\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000clad\u3000as\u3000usual\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000salutations\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Zauvirr\u3000croaked\u3002
\n\u3003Hush\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gromph\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000all\u3000will\u3000be\u3000well\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000glownotering\u3000half\u2026demon\u3002\u3000\u3003Free\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000be\u3000gentle\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\nJeggred\u3000strode\u3000to\u3000Faeryl\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000cringe\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000supported\u3000her\u3000weight\u3000with\u3000his\u3000smaller\u3000hands\u3000while\u3000cutting\u3000her\u3000bonds\u3000with\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000of\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000then\u3000scooped\u3000her\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002\u3000She\u3000passed\u3000out\u3002
\nNext\u3000came\u3000a\u3000blur\u3000of\u3000hours\u3000or\u3000days\uff1b\u3000during\u3000which\u3000she\u3000would\u3000wake\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000muddled\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000then\u3000lapse\u3000into\u3000unconsciousness\u3000again\u3002\u3000She\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000divan\uff1b\u3000where\u3000servants\u3000salved\u3000and\u3000bandaged\u3000her\u3000wounds\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000spooned\u3000broth\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Priestesses\u3000read\u3000scrolls\u3000of\u3000healing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gromph\u3000appeared\u3000periodically\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000his\u3000own\u3000spells\u3000over\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000noticed\u3000Mother’s\u3000Kiss\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000a\u3000little\u3000table\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000strong\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000her\u3000trembling\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000touched\u3000it\u3002
\nFinally\u3000she\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000find\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n Finally\u3000she\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000find\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000vitality\u3000tinnotgling\u3000in\u3000her\u3000limbs\u3002\u3000The\u3000servants\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000don\u3000new\u3000raiment\u3002\u3000They\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000for\u3000a\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000Triel\u3002
\nFaeryl\u3000considered\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000war\u3000hammer\u3000along\uff1b\u3000then\u3000thought\u3000better\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000If\u3000her\u3000rehabilitation\u3000was\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000prank\uff1b\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000was\u3000sumnotmoning\u3000her\u3000to\u3000further\u3000torment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000wouldn’t\u3000save\u3000her\u3002
\nHer\u3000legs\u3000still\u3000the\u3000least\u3000bit\u3000unsteady\uff1b\u3000she\u3000followed\u3000a\u3000male\u3000through\u3000the\u3000endnotless\u3000corridors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3002\u3000Eventually\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000a\u3000small\u3000but\u3000lavishly\u3000decorated\u3000room\u3002
\nTriel\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000space\uff1b\u3000with\u3000two\u3000bodyguards\u3000standing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000inferred\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chamnotber\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000used\u3000when\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000palaver\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000formal\u3000trappings\u3000of\u3000her\u3000court\u3002
\nThe\u3000Baenre\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000took\u3000her\u3000prisoner’s\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000child\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000rejoice\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3002\u3000Some\u3000folk\u3000said\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000recover\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000never\u3000doubted\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000were\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000a\u3000true\u3000drow\u3000princess\u3000favored\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000thoroughly\u3000perplexed\u3002
\nTriel\u3000conducted\u3000her\u3000a\u3000chair\u3002
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000be\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000know\u3000we\u3000caught\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3003Them\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003The\u3000brigands\u3000who\u3000waylaid\u3000you\u3000and\u3000murdered\u3000your\u3000followers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000left\u3000you\u3000for\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000that\u3000place\u3000where\u3000my\u3000servant\u3000Valas\u3000found\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000supervised\u3000the\u3000executions\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
\nFaeryl\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3000her\u3000situation\u3002\u3000For\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000forgiven\u3000her\u3000her\u3000disobedience\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zauvirr\u3000could\u3000go\u3000free\uff1b\u3000her\u3000honor\u3000and\u3000rank\u3000restored\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000catch\u3002\u3000Henceforth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000endorse\u3000the\u3000fiction\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000way\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000any\u3000of\u3000her\u3000misfortunes\u3002\u3000For\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sovereign\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pernotfect\u3000being\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000exalted\u3000above\u3000all\u3000others\u3002\u3000How\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000could\u3000she\u3000possibly\u3000make\u3000a\u3000mistake\uff1f\u3000It\u3000rankled\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000embrace\u3000the\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000a\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dungeon\u3002
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Matron\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000with\u3000all\u3000my\u3000heart\u3002\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000servant\u3000brought\u3000wine\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000still\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000home\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000asked\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000had\u3000been\u3000summoned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000good\u3000many\u3000audiences\u3000in\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000his\u3000checkered\u3000career\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000experience\u3000that\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000urgent\u3000the\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000one\u3000generally\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000parked\u3000in\u3000an\u3000antechamber\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Baenre’s\u3000waiting\u3000area\u3000was\u3000considerably\u3000more\u3000lavish\u3000than\u3000most\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000ordinary\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000amused\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000passing\u3000esthetic\u3000judgment\u3000on\u3000the\u3000decor\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000address\u3000annotother\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000for\u3000when\u3000he\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000chair\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000half\u3000hidden\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000marble\u3000statue\u3002
\nThe\u3000carving\u3000depicted\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000female\u3000doing\u3000something\u3000unpleasant\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000gnome\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000greater\u3000glory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dread\u3000Queen\u3000of\u3000Spiders\uff1b\u3000one\u3000assumed\u3002
\nThe\u3000Mizzrym\u3000hadn’t\u3000spoken\u3000to\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000since\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000renenotgades\u3002\u3000He\u3000supposed\u3000the\u3000time\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000But\u3000first\u3000he\u3000paid\u3000his\u3000respects\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000much\u3000to\u3000her\u3000annoyance\uff1b\u3000was\u3000being\u3000kept\u3000waiting\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000then\u3000bowed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stern\u2026faced\u3000drow\u3000male\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000ill\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000place\u3000in\u3000rough\u3000outdoorsman’s\u3000clothes\u3000and\u3000ugly\u3000trinkets\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3003Valas\u3000Hune\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003of\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun\u3000introduced\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000then\u3000strolled\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002
\n\u3003Ryld\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000afternoon\uff01\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000summoned\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\nThe\u3000burly\u3000swordsman\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003To\u3000shower\u3000us\u3000with\u3000honors\uff1b\u3000one\u3000assumes\u3002\u3000How\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Alive\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000rejoice\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000concerned\u3000because\u3000I\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000warrior’s\u3000trance\u3000strained\u3000even\u3000your\u3000constitution\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000masters\u3000regarded\u3000one\u3000another\u3000in\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000having\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000truly\u3000regret\u3000what\u3000happened\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003What\u3000you\u3000did\u3000was\u3000tactically\u3000sound\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000what\u3000any\u3000sennotsible\u3000drow\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3002\u30001\u3000hold\u3000no\u3000grudge\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000wizard\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000weapons\u3000master’s\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000read\u3000him\u3002
\nPerhaps\u3000Ryld\u3000meant\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000likely\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lying\uff1b\u3000lulling\u3000his\u3000betrayer’s\u3000suspicions\u3000to\u3000facilitate\u3000some\u3000eventual\u3000revenge\u3002\u3000Thus\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Pharaun\u3000might\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000the\u3000forms\u3000of\u3000their\u3000long\u3000friendship\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000never\u3000trust\u3000his\u3000fellow\u3000master\u3000again\u3002
\nFor\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000pang\u3000of\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000quashed\u3000the\u3000sensation\u3002\u3000Friendship\u3000and\u3000trust\u3000were\u3000for\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3002\u3000They\u3000weakened\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000better\u3000off\u3000without\u3000them\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000gave\u3000Ryld\u3000an\u3000affectionate\u3000clap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\u3000before\u3002
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000doors\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000all\u3000eight\u3000Matrons\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000sat\u3000ennotthroned\u3000and\u3000illuminated\u3000on\u3000an\u3000eight\u2026tiered\u3000pyrami \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n and\u3000illuminated\u3000on\u3000an\u3000eight\u2026tiered\u3000pyramid\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Triel\u3000of\u3000course\u3000set\u3000higher\u3000than\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000span\u3000of\u3000radiant\u3000marble\u3000webbing\u3000arching\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000stalked\u3000in\u3000proudly\uff1b\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000males\uff1b\u3000and\u3000why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000She\u3000was\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Baenre\u3002
\nTruth\u3000to\u3000tell\uff1b\u3000a\u3000miniscule\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000a\u3000part\u3000she\u3000loathed\u3000and\u3000repudiated\uff1b\u3000hadn’t\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\uff1b\u3000because\u3000her\u3000unknown\u3000enemy\u3000was\u3000very\u3000likely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room
\nThe\u3000matriarchs\u3000weren’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000folk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vicinity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000platform\u3002\u3000A\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess’s\u3000favor\u3000and\u3000a\u3000source\u3000of\u3000practical\u3000protection\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000loomed\u3000behind\u3000Triel’s\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Servants\u3000scurried\u3000about\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000great\u3000ladies’\u3000bidding\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000highest\u3000riser\uff1b\u3000a\u3000place\u3000of\u3000ultinotmate\u3000honor\u3000for\u3000a\u3000male\u3002
\nWhen\u3000she\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mercenary\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dais\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000began\u3000to\u3000praise\u3000them\u3000for\u3000their\u3000efforts\u3000against\u3000the\u3000illithilich\u3000and\u3000its\u3000pawns\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000the\u3000oration\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000but\u3000soon\u3000it\u3000took\u3000an\u3000unexpected\u3000turn\u3002
\nShe\u3000herself\u3000would\u3000lead\u3000an\u3000expedition\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000why\u3000no\u3000travelers\u3000came\u3000from\u3000that\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vassal\u3000city\u3000might\u3000know\u3000concerning\u3000the\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000as\u3000her\u3000lieutenants\uff1b\u3000acpanying\u3000the\u3000ambassador\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3002
\nUpon\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000news\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000warrior\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dwarven\u3000breastplate\u3000simply\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000acquiescence\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000grinned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000the\u3000envoy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000equally\u3000pleased\u3002
\nThen\u3000Triel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Finally\uff1b\u3000dear\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000I\u3000lend\u3000you\u3000my\u3000own\u3000son\u3000Jeggred\u3000for\u3000your\u3000journey\u3002\u3000A\u3000draegloth\u3000carries\u3000the\u3000blessing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000may\u3000need\u3000his\u3000strength\u3002\u3003
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Faeryl\u3000would\u3000protest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000leered\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000Plainly\uff1b\u3000something\u3000had\u3000once\u3000transpired\u3000between\u3000them\uff1b\u3000an\u3000unnotpleasantness\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000loathe\u3000and\u3000mistrust\u3000him\u3002
\nGromph\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000as\u3000well\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000surnotprised\uff1b\u3000even\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000put\u3000out\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000thought\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000sense\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000want\u3000her\u3000own\u3000special\u3000agent\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000a\u3000minion\u3000devoted\u3000to\u3000her\u3000particular\u3000interests\u3000alone\u3002
\nA\u3000thousand\u3000arguments\u3000against\u3000her\u3000being\u3000sent\u3000away\u3000at\u3000so\u3000uncertain\u3000a\u3000time\u3000for\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000faith\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\u3002\u3000Ultimately\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002
\nThe\u3000assembly\u3000discussed\u3000the\u3000practicalities\u3000of\u3000their\u3000scheme\u3000for\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000dismissed\u3000her\u3000newly\u3000appointed\u3000emissaries\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Quenthel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000antechamber\u3002\u3000He\u3000bowed\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002
\n\u3003I\u3000assume\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000know\u3000why\u3000they\u3000picked\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000murmured\u3002
\n\u30031\u3000understand\u3000better\u3000than\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000arched\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Indeed\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000elucidate\uff1f\u3003
\nShe\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000why\u3000not\u3000state\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000obvious\uff1f\u3000He\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000revolt\u3000began\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000true\u3000drow\u2026ambitious\u3000and\u3000ruthless\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000always\u3000trust\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3000what\u3000was\u3000to\u3000his\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3000a\u3000decoy\u3000and\u3000a\u3000target\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000someday\u3000she\u3000would\u3000make\u3000him\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002
\n\u3003My\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000sister\u3000send\u3000us\u3000both\u3000forth\u3000because\u3000they\u3000fear\u3000our\u3000ambinottions\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000daresay\u3000that’s\u3000very\u3000sensible\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Does\u3000this\u3000mean\u3000you\u3000undertake\u3000our\u3000errand\u3000reluctantly\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003By\u3000no\u3000means\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000my\u3000siblings’\u3000motives\uff1b\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000has\u3000merit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000would\u3000go\u3000anywhere\u3000and\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000my\u3000bond\u3000with\u3000Lolth\u3000and\u3000save\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000of\u3000course\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\nIn\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000distance\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000them\u3000until\u3000such\u3000time\u3000as\u3000she\u3000recovered\u3000her\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000provided\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000it\u3000without\u3000a\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000status\uff1b\u3000and\u3000surprisingly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000The\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demonic\u3000assassins\u3000had\u3000still\u3000not\u3000been\u3000settled\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000her\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000city\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000unknown\u3000assailant\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3002
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000her\u3000foppish\u3000panion\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000of\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000brave\u3000enough\u2026I’ve\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000proof\u2026but\u3000still\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000march\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003You\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000can\u3000an\u3000exquisite\u3000specimen\u3000such\u3000as\u3000myself\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000dispense\u3000with\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000scented\u3000baths\uff1b\u3000succulent\u3000meals\uff1b\u3000and\u3000delicate\uff1b\u3000freshly\u3000laundered\u3000attire\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000will\u3000be\u3000excruciating\uff1b\u3000but\u3000under\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000manage\u3002\u3000I\u3000enjoy\u3000unraveling\u3000mysteries\uff1b\u3000particularly\u3000when\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000I\u3000might\u3000enhance\u3000my\u3000personal\u3000power\u3000thereby\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Perhaps\u3000you\u3000will\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000remend\u3000you\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000hands\u3000off\u3000any\u3000prize\u3000your\u3000leader\u3000covets\u3000for\u3000herself\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\nThe\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3002
\nPharaun\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000then\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000closed\u3000door\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000was\u3000a\u3000drab\uff1b\u3000stale\u2026smelling\u3000little\u3000room\u3002\u3000Wrapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blanket\u3000like\u3000an\u3000invalid\uff1b\u3000her\u3000scarred\u3000face\u3000a\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000bitterness\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000only\u3000chair\u3002
\nFor\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3000stupidly\uff1b\u3000then\u3000started\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000off\u3000the\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000presumably\u3000with\u3000the\u3000intent\u3000of\u3000jumping\u3000up\u3002\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000froze\u3000her\u3000in\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3003What\u3000a\u3000dreary\u3000habitation\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000Sabal’s\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000it\uff1b\u3000when\u3000her\u3000fortunes\u3000were\u3000at\u3000their\u3000nadir\u3002\u3000Mother\u3000has\u3000a\u3000good\u3000memory\u3000and\u3000a\u3000charming\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000irony\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003And\u3000she’ll\u3000kill\u3000you\uff1b\u3000outcast\uff1b\u3000for\u3000breaking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000castle\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000always\u3000assumed\u3000so\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000one\u3000reason\u3000I\u3000never\u3000paid\u3000you\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000hitherto\u3002\u3000But\u3000our\u3000circumstances\u3000have\u3000changed\u3002\u3000The\u3000Council\u3000needs\u3000me\u3000to\u3000help\u3000denottermine\u3000what’s\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Spider\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\uff1b\u3000dear\u3000sib\uff1b\u3000are\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000a\u3000person\u3000of\u3000any\u3000importance\u3002\u3000As\u3000Miz’ri’s\u3000demoted\u3000you\u3000for\u3000your\u3000renotpeated\u3000failures\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000she’ll\u3000make\u3000an\u3000issue\u3000of\u3000your\u3000extinction\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she’s\u3000certain\u3000I’m\u3000responsible\u3002\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000me\u3000this\u3000afternoon\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000can\u3000you\u3000believe\u3000it\uff1f\u3000She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000decided\u3000she’d\u3000like\u3000me\u3000to\u3000resign\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\u3000and\u3000rejoin\u3000the\u3000family\u3000someday\u3002\u3000Evidently\u3000she’s\u3000just\u3000realizing\u3000how\u3000powerful\u3000I’ve\u3000bee\u3000in\u3000the\u3000decades\u3000since\u3000you\u3000chased\u3000me\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I’m\u3000surprised\u3000you\u3000still\u3000want\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000already\u3000defeated\u3000and\u3000ruined\u3000me\u3002\u3000Death\u3000may\u3000prove\u3000a\u3000mercy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000considered\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000on\u3000a\u3000journey\u3000into\u3000the\u3000unknown\uff1b\u3000a\u3000quest\u3000fraught\u3000with\u3000peril\u3000and\u3000adversity\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000need\u3000something\u3000special\u3000to\u3000hearten\u3000me\uff1b\u3000a\u3000memory\u3000fraught\u3000with\u3000spectacle\u3000and\u3000drama\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000understand\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000it’s\u3000e\u3000to\u3000this\u3002\u3000All\u3000these\u3000years\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000truly\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000basis\u3000for\u3000our\u3000feud\u3002\u3000If\u3000I’m\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\u3000at\u3000least\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000why\u3000you\u3000chose\u3000Sabal\u3000over\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000fondness\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000it\u3000lust\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3003Neither\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000chuckled\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000choice\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000whatever\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000personalities\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000it\uff1b\u3000when\u3000you\u3000twins\u3000were\u3000so\u3000alike\uff1f\u3000I\u3000threw\u3000in\u3000with\u3000Sabal\u3000simply\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dangling\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000rung\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000ladder\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000an\u3000amusing\u3000challenge\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3003
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000explaining\uff1b\u3003\u3000Greyanna\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\nPharaun’s\u3000own\u3000living\u3000rapier\u3000leaped\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000blanket\u3002\u3000Obviously\u3000Greyanna\u3000had\u3000not\u3000only\u3000claimed\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000weapon\u3000but\u3000figured\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000control\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000wearing\u3000it\u3000in\u3000its\u3000steel\u2026ring\u3000form\u3000when\u3000he\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Knowing\u3000how\u3000he\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000talk\uff1b\u3000she’d\u3000lulled\u3000him\u3000with\u3000conversation\u3000and\u3000took\u3000him\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002
\nThe\u3000long\uff1b\u3000thin\u2026bladed\u3000sword\u3000hurtled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000toward\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000He\u3000frantically\u3000shifted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000point\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000his\u3000left\u3000forearm\u3000instead\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000puncture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000flared\u3000with\u3000pain\u3002
\nHe\u3000had\u3000to\u3000immobilize\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000or\u3000it\u3000would\u3000pull\u3000itself\u3000free\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000grabbed\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000with\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000sliced\u3000into\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002\u3000A\u3000rapier\u3000was\u3000made\u3000for\u3000thrusting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000sharp\u3000edges\u3000even\u3000so\u3002\u3000Sharp\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002
\nAt\u3000the\u3000same\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000Greyanna\u3000cast\u3000off\u3000the\u3000blanket\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000a\u3000mace\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000chair\u3002\u3000She\u3000jumped\u3000up\u3000and\u3000charged\u3002
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