{"id":5354,"date":"2025-04-22T09:08:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T01:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=5354"},"modified":"2025-04-22T09:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T01:08:24","slug":"war-of-the-spider-queen-2-insurrection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=5354","title":{"rendered":"war of the spider queen 2 insurrection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000her\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000looking\u3000silly\u3002\u3000She\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cambion\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kaanyr\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000face\u3000Aliisza\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000upon\u3000seeing\u3000her\u3000glare\uff1b\u3000he\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000confusion\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3000What’s\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kaanyr\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000helplessly\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002
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\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Aliisza\u3002\u3003\u3000Vhok’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000deep\u3000and\u3000manding\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000sent\u3000shivers\u3000down\u3000her\u3000spine\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000angry\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000she’d\u3000hoped\u3002\u3000\u3003Aliisza\uff1b\u3000look\u3000at\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000one\u3000arched\u3000eyebrow\u3000rise\u3000questioningly\u3000He\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000from\u3000the\u3000throne\u3000and\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000his\u3000hips\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Aliisza\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3000Look\u3000at\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000shivered\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000fully\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000her\u3000lover\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000smoldered\u3000and\u3000made\u3000her\u3000melt\u3002\u3000She\u3000pouted\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000being\u3000chastised\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000finished\u3000playing\u3000the\u3000game\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Vhok\u3000nodded\u3000slightly\u3000in\u3000satisfaction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000His\u3000visage\u3000softened\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000make\u3000it\u3000up\u3000to\u3000you\u3000later\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000over\u3000there\u3000and\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000See\u3000if\u3000you\u3000can\u3000get\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\u3000with\u3000them\u3000and\u3000’invite’\u3000them\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000us\u3000a\u3000visit\u3002\u3000But\u3000be\u3000careful\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000this\u3000to\u3000explode\u3000in\u3000my\u3000face\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000a\u3000draegloth\u3000are\u3000part\u3000of\u3000this\u3000group\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3000are\u3000dangerous\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000the\u3000Scourged\u3000close\uff1b\u3000to\u3000hem\u3000them\u3000in\uff1b\u3000but\u3000don’t\u3000waste\u3000too\u3000many\u3000bodies\u3000on\u3000an\u3000all\u2026out\u3000attack\u3002\u3000But\u3000also\u3000don’t\u3000make\u3000it\u3000too\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000holding\u3000them\u3000back\u3002\u3000Also\uff1b\u3000don’t\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000rolled\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000little\u3000insulted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I’ve\u3000done\u3000this\u3000a\u3000time\u3000or\u3000two\u3000before\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000interrupted\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000thick\u3000with\u3000sarcasm\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000But\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000stepped\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000Kaanyr\u2026Into\u3000him\uff1b\u3000really\u2026rising\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000tiptoes\u3000and\u3000wrapping\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000curling\u3000one\u3000smooth\uff1b\u3000bare\u3000leg\u3000around\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000calf\u3002\u3000She\u3000drew\u3000herself\u3000close\uff1b\u3000let\u3000her\u3000body\u3000press\u3000against\u3000his\uff1b\u3000and\u3000continued\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003When\u3000I’m\u3000done\u3000with\u3000this\u3000little\u3000task\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000smoky\u3000with\u3000desire\uff1b\u3000\u3003you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tend\u3000to\u3000my\u3000needs\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000leaned\u3000up\u3000and\u3000nibbled\u3000on\u3000his\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Your\u3000teasing\u3000Is\u3000working\u3000too\u3000well\uff1b\u3000love\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000asked\uff1b\u3003\u3000Matron\u3000Miz’ri\u3000Mizzrym\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000thoughts\u3000have\u3000you\u3000given\u3000to\u3000other\u3000courses\u3000of\u3000action\uff1b\u3000should\u3000your\u3000sister\u3000fail\u3000to\u3000return\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Matron\u3000Mez’Barris\u3000Armgo\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000been\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000a\u3000word\u3000we’ve\u3000said\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000five\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000Mother\uff1f\u3000Patience\u3000is\u3000a\u3000luxury\u3000we\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000have\u3002\u3000We\u3000exhausted\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000our\u3000reserves\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000quelling\u3000the\u3000uprising\u3000we\u3000might\u2026might\uff1b\u3000I\u3000say\u2026be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000withstand\u3000another\u3000major\u3000insurrection\uff1b\u3000should\u3000one\u3000occur\u3002\u3000As\u3000much\u3000as\u3000I\u3000love\u3000a\u3000good\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000down\u3000another\u3000slave\u3000rebellion\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wasteful\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it’s\u3000only\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3000before\u3000Gracklstugh\u3000or\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000of\u3000Blingdenstone\u3000determine\u3000that\u3000we\u3000are\u3000powerless\uff1b\u3000without\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000hulking\uff1b\u3000brutish\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000faltered\uff1b\u3000unwilling\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000tactless\u3000as\u3000she\u3000usually\u3000was\uff1b\u3000to\u3000put\u3000words\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000they\u3000all\u3000faced\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000they\u3000aren’t\u3000already\u3000aware\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zeerith\u3000Q’Xorlarrin\u3000interjected\uff1b\u3000glossing\u3000over\u3000Mez’Barris’s\u3000unfinished\u3000thought\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000one\u3000or\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000nations\u3000could\u3000be\u3000amassing\u3000an\u3000army\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000to\u3000our\u3000gates\u3002\u3000New\u3000voices\u3000could\u3000be\u3000whispering\u3000poison\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ears\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000creatures\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Braeryn\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Bazaar\uff1b\u3000voices\u3000belonging\u3000to\u3000those\u3000clever\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000mask\u3000their\u3000true\u3000identities\uff1b\u3000their\u3000true\u3000intent\u3002\u3000Its\u3000something\u3000we\u3000must\u3000consider\u3000and\u3000discuss\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000was\u3000angry\u3000not\u3000only\u3000at\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conversation\u2026\u3000suggestions\u3000of\u3000cowardice\u3000from\u3000the\u3000High\u3000Council\uff01\u2026but\u3000also\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ridicule\uff1b\u3000the\u3000unusually\u3000open\u3000vitriolic\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matrons’\u3000words\u3002\u3000Ridicule\u3000directed\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000there\u3000is\u3000one\u3000among\u3000us\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000our\u3000own\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000she\u3000need\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000this\u3000Council\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000one\u3000such\uff1b\u3000Yasraena\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Agrach\u3000Dyrr\u3000grimaced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chastisement\u3000she\u3000was\u3000receiving\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000merely\u3000because\u3000Yasraena\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000overstepped\u3000herself\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000supposedly\u3000an\u3000ally\u3000to\u3000Yasraena’s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000administering\u3000this\u3000stern\u3000lecture\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000intended\u3000it\u3000as\u3000such\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000message\uff1b\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000that\u3000she\u3000still\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000power\u3000structure\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000not\u3000tolerate\u3000such\u3000insubordination\u3000from\u3000any\u3000of\u3000those\u3000sitting\u3000around\u3000her\uff1b\u3000ally\u3000or\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000Matron\u3000Q’Xorlarrin\u3000is\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Miz’ri\u3000Mizzrym\u3000said\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000obvious\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000steer\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000in\u3000a\u3000new\u3000direction\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000we\u3000should\u3000consider\u3000not\u3000just\u3000who\u3000knows\uff1b\u3000not\u3000just\u3000who\u3000moves\u3000against\u3000us\u2026covertly\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u2026but\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000allying\u3000together\u3000against\u3000us\u3002\u3000If\u3000even\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000nations\u3000e\u3000together\u3000as\u3000our\u3000enemies\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\u3002\u3000Our\u3000spy\u3000network\u3000among\u3000the\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000illithids\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000deep\u3000races\u3000has\u3000not\u3000been\u3000best\u3000used\u3000of\u3000late\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000isn’t\u3000as\u3000strong\u3000as\u3000we\u3000would\u3000like\u3002\u3000But\u3000what’s\u3000m\u3000place\u3000should\u3000be\u3000funneling\u3000more\u3000information\u3000back\u3000to\u3000us\u3000about\u3000the\u3000intentions\u3000of\u3000potential\u3000threats\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3000doing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Byrtyn\u3000Fey\u3000said\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000eyebrow\u3000in\u3000slight\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000voluptuous\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Fey\u2026Branche\u3000did\u3000not\u3000often\u3000find\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000discussions\u3000so\u3000far\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000hedonistic\u3000pleasures\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000impossible\uff1b\u3003\u3000Matron\u3000Mez’Barris\u3000said\uff1b\u3000folding\u3000her\u3000thick\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000leaning\u3000back\u3000as\u3000though\u3000dismissing\u3000the\u3000discussion\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000discovery\u3000by\u3000our\u3000enemies\u3000would\u3000only\u3000be\u3000magnified\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rewards\u3000are\u3000certainly\u3000not\u3000worth\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Spoken\u3000like\u3000a\u3000hag\u3000with\u3000few\u3000to\u3000share\u3000her\u3000bed\uff1b\u3003\u3000Byrtyn\u3000said\u3000smugly\uff1b\u3000stretching\u3000languidly\u3000to\u3000make\u3000certain\u3000her\u3000own\u3000well\u2026rounded\u3000figure\u3000was\u3000plainly\u3000visible\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sheer\u3000fabric\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shimmering\u3000dress\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000one\u3000who’s\u3000always\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000she’s\u3000better\u3000off\u3000without\u3000them\uff1b\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000Several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000gasped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000insult\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Mez’Barris\u3000only\u3000narrowed\u3000her\u3000piercing\u3000red\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000daggers\u3000at\u3000Byrtyn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enough\uff01\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000interrupting\u3000the\u3000glaring\u3000contest\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000bickering\u3000is\u3000pointless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000beneath\u3000us\u3000all\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000only\u3000Jeggred\u3000were\u3000here\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000wondered\u3000briefly\u3000if\u3000she\u3000should\u3000be\u3000disturbed\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000once\u3000again\u3000wishing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000soothing\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000such\u3000adversity\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000she\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000herself\u3000doing\u3000often\u3000of\u3000late\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000feared\u3000what\u3000it\u3000symbolized\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000she\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000to\u3000rely\u3000too\u3000much\u3000on\u3000external\u3000protection\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000her\u3000own\u3000abilities\u3002\u3000She\u3000feared\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000weakness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000weakness\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000something\u3000she\u3000could\u3000ill\u3000afford\u3000in\u3000the\u3000current\u3000climate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000corrected\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000not\u3000just\u3000now\uff1b\u3000not\u3000ever\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000allies\uff1b\u3000however\u3000brief\u3000and\u3000volatile\u3000such\u3000alliances\u3000tended\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000were\u3000a\u3000necessary\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000life\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Maybe\u3000Byrtyn\u3000is\u3000right\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000Menzober\u2026ranzan\u3000needs\uff1a\u3000an\u3000ally\u3002\u3000Another\u3000nation\uff1b\u3000a\u3000race\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000until\u3000this\u3000crisis\u3000has\u3000passed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000tightened\u3000her\u3000jaw\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000banish\u3000such\u3000silly\u3000notions\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Nonsense\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000the\u3000strongest\u3000city\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000no\u3000one\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000prevail\u3000as\u3000we\u3000always\u3000nave\uff1b\u3000through\u3000cunning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000guile\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goddess\u3002\u3000Wherever\u3000she\u3000is\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000know\u3000very\u3000well\u3000the\u3000state\u3000of\u3000things\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000eye\u3000with\u3000each\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000present\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000crisis\u3000we\u3000face\u3000tests\u3000us\u2026tests\u3000us\u3000more\u3000severely\u3000than\u3000any\u3000ever\u3000confronted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ruling\u3000Houses\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000history\u2026but\u3000we\u3000cannot\u3000let\u3000it\u3000get\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000resolute\u3000administration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000squabble\uff1b\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000do\u3000not\u3000show\u3000a\u3000united\u3000front\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000or\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\uff1b\u3000is\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000show\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000by\u3000then\u3000all\u3000is\u3000already\u3000lost\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000we\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000show\u3000patience\u3002\u3000Discussion\u3000of\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000is\u3000wele\u2026calm\uff1b\u3000respectful\u3000discussion\u2026\u3003\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000once\u3000again\u3000inclined\u3000her\u3000head\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000two\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u2026\u3003or\u3000suggestions\u3000for\u3000new\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000explore\u3000what\u3000has\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000is\u3000to\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000of\u3000this\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000or\u3000cowardice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000more\u3000of\u3000these\u3000Insults\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000the\u3000behavior\u3000of\u3000foolish\u3000males\u3000or\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000races\u3002\u3000We\u3000conduct\u3000the\u3000business\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Houses\u3000and\u3000our\u3000council\u3000as\u3000we\u3000have\u3000always\u3000done\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000made\u3000certain\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000with\u3000her\u3000own\u3000gaze\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000intently\u3000into\u3000each\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000present\u3000got\u3000her\u3000message\u2026that\u3000and\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000showing\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000willing\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000to\u3000acquiesce\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Baenres\u3000demands\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wielding\u3000power\u3000always\u3000requires\u3000such\u3000a\u3000delicate\u3000touch\u3000Triel\u3000reminded\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000the\u3000group\u3000broke\u3000apart\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000high\u3000priestesses\u3000went\u3000their\u3000separate\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000returning\u3000to\u3000their\u3000homes\u3002\u3000Like\u3000a\u3000supple\u3000switch\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000swing\u3000it\u3000about\u3000too\u3000vigorously\uff1b\u3000you\u3000just\u3000end\u3000up\u3000breaking\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slave\u3000you\u3000are\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000goad\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000TWO
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000passage\u3000before\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000wizard\u3000ended\u3000abruptly\uff1b\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000great\u3000gray\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000spongy\u3000material\u3000that\u3000pletely\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000Turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000from\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000e\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000quickly\u3000sloughed\u3000off\u3000his\u3000finely\u3000crafted\u3000knapsack\uff1b\u3000lowered\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rocky\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scooted\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000with\u3000his\u3000foot\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000five\u3000snake\u3000heads\u3000that\u3000dangled\uff1b\u3000writhing\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Baenre\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000hip\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000and\u3000hissed\u3000their\u3000own\u3000displeasure\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000duplicating\u3000their\u3000mistress’s\u3000mood\uff1b\u3000as\u3000usual\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000scourge\u3000free\u3000of\u3000her\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000took\u3000up\u3000a\u3000position\u3000beside\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000was\u3000right\u3000on\u3000the\u3000haughty\u3000drow’s\u3000heels\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000bore\u3000not\u3000one\u3000but\u3000two\u3000heavy\u3000bundles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000four\u2026armed\u3000fiend\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000supplies\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000not\u3000the\u3000least\u3000bit\u3000winded\u3000from\u3000bearing\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000flashed\u3000a\u3000savage\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000exposed\u3000his\u3000yellowish\u3000fangs\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000around\uff1b\u3000advancing\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000position\u3000himself\u3000between\u3000Quen\u2026chel\u3000and\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000might\u3000e\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000a\u3000low\u3000growl\u3000rumbling\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000his\u3000demonic\u3000throat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000putting\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000foul\u3000temper\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000grimaced\u3000as\u3000he\u3000considered\u3000several\u3000spells\u3002\u3000Settling\u3000on\u3000one\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fished\u3000around\u3000in\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000fetching\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000extravagant\u3000cloak\u3000the\u3000reagents\u3000he\u3000would\u3000need\u3000to\u3000weave\u3000the\u3000chosen\u3000magic\u3002\u3000Eventually\uff1b\u3000he\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000squid\u3000tentacle\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000warned\u3000them\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000trapped\u3000if\u3000they\u3000came\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000had\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000As\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000extricate\u3000them\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000Zauvirr\u3000was\u3000the\u3000next\u3000to\u3000stumble\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000her\u3000breathing\u3000labored\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000blockage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000and\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000her\u3000pack\u3000from\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000tossing\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thud\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rocky\u3000floor\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others’\u3002\u3000She\u3000wearily\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000small\u3000crossbow\u3000from\u3000her\u3000own\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000placed\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000other\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\u3000announced\u3000as\u3000he\u3000and\u3000the\u3000last\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000contingent\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\uff1b\u3000sprinted\u3000from\u3000around\u3000the\u3000curve\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Past\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000warrior\u3000and\u3000the\u3000diminutive\u3000scout\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000red\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000multiple\u3000pairs\u3000of\u3000eyes\u3000advancing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000group’s\u3000position\u3002\u3000The\u3000creatures\u3000peered\u3000forward\u3000eagerly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000estimated\u3000nearly\u3000two\u3000dozen\u3000tanarukks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Stooped\u3000forward\u3000as\u3000though\u3000afflicted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hunched\u3000back\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000were\u3000reminiscent\u3000of\u3000ores\uff1b\u3000though\u3000their\u3000features\u3000were\u3000decidedly\u3000more\u3000demonic\uff1b\u3000with\u3000their\u3000scaled\uff1b\u3000sloping\u3000foreheads\u3000and\u3000their\u3000prominent\u3000tusks\u3002\u3000They\u3000wore\u3000little\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000for\u3000their\u3000hides\u3000were\u3000scaly\u3000and\u3000tough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026axes\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000brandished\u3000were\u3000heavy\u3000and\u3000vicious\u2026looking\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000tanarukks\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000delight\u3000and\u3000lunged\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000eager\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000to\u3000their\u3000cornered\u3000prey\u3002\u3000Several\u3000swarmed\u3000at\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000bellowed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000war\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000crouching\u3000and\u3000slashing\u3000wildly\u3002\u3000He\u3000tossed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000aside\u3000effortlessly\uff1b\u3000slamming\u3000it\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000near\u3000Rylds\u3000position\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000gaped\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000unbridled\u3000might\u3000and\u3000ferocity\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000displayed\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000two\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000humanoid\u3000attackers\u3000went\u3000down\u3000before\u3000the\u3000precision\u3000slashing\u3000of\u3000Splitter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000greatsword\u3000wielded\u3000with\u3000greater\u3000skill\u3000by\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000fired\u3000her\u3000crossbow\u3000from\u3000beside\u3000Pharaun\u3000then\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000reload\u3000it\u3002\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meantime\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000content\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000her\u3000subordinates\u3000at\u3000work\u3002\u3000More\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000swarmed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000almost\u3000didn’t\u3000react\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000one\u3000that\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000defense\u3000that\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000formed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000slavering\uff1b\u3000green\u2026skinned\u3000tanarukk\u3000leaped\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000its\u3000axe\u3000cocked\u3000back\u3000for\u3000a\u3000savage\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000just\u3000able\u3000to\u3000backpedal\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000slashing\u3000blade\u3000as\u3000it\u3000swooshed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000where\u3000his\u3000face\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000heartbeat\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000considered\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000rapier\u3000from\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000ring\u3000that\u3000held\u3000it\uff1b\u3000tiny\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000until\u3000needed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000effort\u3000would\u3000be\u3000futile\u3002\u3000The\u3000thin\u3000blade\u3000would\u3000never\u3000withstand\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000enough\u3000room\u3000between\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000more\u3000nimble\u3000weapon\u3000effectively\uff1b\u3000He\u3000was\u3000quickly\u3000running\u3000out\u3000of\u3000space\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000tanarukk\u3000arched\u3000its\u3000back\u3000and\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000already\u3000drawing\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000back\u3000for\u3000another\u3000swipe\u3000with\u3000her\u3000dreaded\u3000whip\u3002\u3000The\u3000tanarukk\u3000whirled\u3000around\uff1b\u3000still\u3000screaming\u3000in\u3000anger\u3002\u3000It\u3000raised\u3000its\u3000axe\u3000high\u3000for\u3000a\u3000killing\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000either\u3000it\u3000or\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000could\u3000finish\u3000their\u3000attacks\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000shadow\u3000materialized\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000field\u3000of\u3000vision\u2026and\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000became\u3000Valas\u3000Hune\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mercenary\u3000scout\u3000darted\u3000in\u3000low\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000green\u2026skinned\u3000creature\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000harshly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000hamstring\uff1b\u3000crippling\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000oddly\u3000curved\u3000knife\u3002\u3000Black\u3000blood\u3000spurted\u3000everywhere\u3000from\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000wound\u3000as\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000flailing\u3000feebly\u3000with\u3000its\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000its\u3000torment\u3002\u3000As\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000vanished\u3000again\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000took\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tanarukk\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000fangs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snake\u3000heads\u3000sink\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000face\u3000and\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Already\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000cough\u3000and\u3000choke\uff1b\u3000its\u3000face\u3000and\u3000tongue\u3000bloating\uff1b\u3000poisoned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lashes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whip\u3002\u3000It\u3000dropped\u3000its\u3000axe\u3000and\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000spasming\u3000and\u3000crying\u3000out\u3000in\u3000anguish\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000exhaled\u3000sharply\uff1b\u3000regaining\u3000his\u3000wits\u3002\u3000Disgusted\u3000with\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000being\u3000so\u3000undisciplined\uff1b\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000squid\u3000tentacle\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Righting\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000made\u3000a\u3000rapid\u3000inspection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000where\u3000best\u3000to\u3000place\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000he\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000host\u3000of\u3000dead\u3000tanarukks\u3000had\u3000piled\u3000up\u3000around\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000creatures\u3000fought\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000nearer\u3000the\u3000pair\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000and\u3000leaping\u3000about\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000an\u3000opening\u3000where\u3000they\u3000could\u3000use\u3000their\u3000axes\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000position\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000behind\u3000those\u3000few\u3000savage\u3000humanoids\u3000that\u3000remained\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000he\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000startled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000face\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000mage’s\u3000eye\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002\u3000He\u3000blinked\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000more\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000not\u3000trusting\u3000his\u3000assumption\u3002\u3000Lurking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000woman\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000her\u3000attractive\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000but\u3000appeared\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nd\u3000her\u3000attractive\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000but\u3000appeared\u3000human\u3002\u3000Black\u3000curly\u3000hair\u3000framed\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000shiny\u3000leather\u3000corset\u3000that\u3000hugged\u3000her\u3000curves\u3000like\u3000a\u3000second\u3000skin\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000saying\u3000something\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000humanoids\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000them\u3000orders\u3000and\u3000gesturing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000noticed\u3000Pharaun\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000her\u3000highly\u3000arched\u3000eyebrows\u3000raising\u3000even\u3000farther\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bemused\u3000grin\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000when\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000also\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000black\uff1b\u3000leathery\u3000wings\u3000sprouting\u3000from\u3000her\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000human\u3000after\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000Such\u3000a\u3000gorgeous\u3000creature\u3000manding\u3000a\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000foul\u2026smelling\uff1b\u3000enraged\u3000half\u2026fiends\u3000somehow\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000right\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000But\uff1b\u3000beautiful\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Sooner\u3000or\u3000later\uff1b\u3000he\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000here\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000not\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Snapping\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000task\u3000at\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000finished\u3000casting\u3000the\u3000dweomer\u3000he\u3000had\u3000chosen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000black\u3000tentacles\u3000sprang\u3000up\uff1b\u3000situated\u3000between\u3000the\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000tanarukks\u3002\u3000Each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slimy\uff1b\u3000writhing\u3000things\u3000was\u3000as\u3000thick\u3000as\u3000his\u3000thigh\u3000and\u3000squirming\u3000around\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000entangle\u3002\u3000Too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000felled\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000enemies\u3000that\u3000had\u3000challenged\u3000him\u3000directly\u3000and\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000the\u3000handful\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000shout\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000the\u3000words\u3000were\u3000out\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Jeggred\u3000reach\u3000over\u3000and\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000by\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000of\u3000his\u3000breastplate\u3000and\u3000yank\u3000him\u3000back\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000harm’s\u3000way\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000wrapped\u3000itself\u3000around\u3000the\u3000lifeless\u3000body\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tanarukk\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000at\u3000Ryld’s\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000coiled\u3000more\u3000tightly\uff1b\u3000constricting\u3000the\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000had\u3000still\u3000been\u3000there\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000his\u3000leg\u3000instead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Numerous\u3000other\u3000tentacles\u3000squirmed\u3000and\u3000lashed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000grasping\u3000the\u3000surprised\u3000tanarukks\u3000and\u3000coiling\u3000around\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000creatures\u3000bellowed\u3000and\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000thrashing\u3000and\u3000biting\u3000as\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000began\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000the\u3000life\u3000out\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000she\u2026demon\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000merely\u3000arched\u3000one\u3000eyebrow\u3000at\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000single\u3000step\u3000back\u3000so\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000writhing\u3000black\u3000appendages\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000oddly\u3000content\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000as\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000began\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000their\u3000breath\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000their\u3000ribs\u3000cracked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000waste\u3000time\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000end\u3000and\u3000allow\u3000either\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000fiend\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000her\u3000remaining\u3000minions\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000his\u3000team\u3002\u3000Not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000the\u3000extent\u3000of\u3000his\u3000magic\u3000any\u3000more\u3000than\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000stooped\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000before\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000one\u3000last\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000fiend\u3000opposite\u3000him\u3000as\u3000darkness\u3000welled\u3000up\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000moment\u3000that\u3000spell\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000another\uff1b\u3000producing\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000gem\u3000dust\u3000from\u3000another\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000weaving\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000placed\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000wall\u3000between\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000magical\u3000barrier\u3000was\u3000impervious\u3000to\u3000any\u3000normal\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000would\u3000withstand\u3000most\u3000magical\u3000assaults\uff1b\u3000and\u3000would\u3000buy\u3000the\u3000expedition\u3000time\u3000to\u3000find\u3000another\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000would\u3000not\u3000hold\u3000indefinitely\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000last\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000unseen\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000dusted\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000casting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000solution\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000sniped\uff1b\u3000\u3003sealing\u3000us\u3000in\u3000here\u3002\u3000We’d\u3000be\u3000better\u3000off\u3000facing\u3000those\u3000filthy\u3000beasts\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000than\u3000just\u3000sitting\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000hunched\u3000down\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000heavily\uff1b\u3000cleaning\u3000his\u3000blade\u3000with\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000slumped\uff1b\u3000exhausted\uff1b\u3000against\u3000the\u3000far\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Only\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000seemed\u3000unwinded\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000standing\u3000easy\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000study\u3000the\u3000blockage\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000hovered\u3000near\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000retorted\uff1b\u3000running\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000along\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000damp\uff1b\u3000gray\u3000substance\u3000that\u3000prevented\u3000their\u3000passing\uff1b\u3000\u3003this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Araumycos\u3002\u3000It\u3000could\u3000go\u3000on\u3000for\u3000miles\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000wizard\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000scolding\u3000tone\u3000was\u3000unmistakable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000let\u3000out\u3000an\u3000exasperated\u3000sigh\u3000as\u3000she\u3000leaned\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002\u3000A\u3000massive\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Araumycos\u3000resembled\u3000nothing\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000exterior\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brain\u3002\u3000It\u3000pletely\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000passage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000we\u3000can\u3000stop\u3000running\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000carrying\u3000this\u3000damned\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000knapsack\u3000at\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000She\u3000began\u3000rubbing\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000pursed\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000in\u3000vexation\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000She\u3000labored\u3000to\u3000work\u3000the\u3000stiffness\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000only\u3000imagine\u3000the\u3000disfort\u3000she\u3000must\u3000be\u3000feeling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000pity\u3000for\u3000her\u3000plight\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000his\u3000own\u3000haversack\u3000was\u3000magically\u3000lightened\uff1b\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000shoulders\u3000ached\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000far\u3000beyond\u3000sore\u3000and\u3000were\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\uff1b\u3000chaffed\u3000raw\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000demon\u3000served\u3000Quenthel\u3000unswervingly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000a\u3000word\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000gladly\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000rip\u3000the\u3000wizard\u2026or\u3000anyone\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\u2026limb\u3000from\u3000limb\u3000with\u3000malice\u2026laden\u3000glee\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000that\u3000word\u3000had\u3000not\u3000e\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000did\u3000not\u3000relish\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000of\u3000having\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000assault\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000such\u3000close\u3000quarters\u3000where\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000time\u3000getting\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000exercise\u3000his\u3000own\u3000allotment\u3000of\u3000spells\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000prefer\u3000a\u3000large\u3000cavern\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000stand\u3000against\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000but\u3000unfortunately\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000only\u3000this\u3000cramped\u3000passage\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000room\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brute’s\u3000claws\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000very\u3000well\u3000what\u3000I\u3000said\u3000and\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000need\u3000you\u3000mimicking\u3000my\u3000words\u3000back\u3000to\u3000me\u3000like\u3000some\u3000idiot\u3000savant\uff1b\u3000displayed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gilded\u3000cage\u3000for\u3000all\u3000to\u3000look\u3000upon\u3000and\u3000laugh\u3000at\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000focused\u3000her\u3000stare\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000held\u3000it\u3000there\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000on\u3000a\u3000diplomatic\u3000mission\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000those\u3000goods\u3000do\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000my\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000will\u3000be\u3000returned\u3000there\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000see\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000hire\u3000a\u3000caravan\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000them\u3000back\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you’ll\u3000do\u3000it\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000will\u3000make\u3000certain\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Find\u3000us\u3000a\u3000way\u3000around\u3000this\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000thing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000jabbing\u3000her\u3000finger\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000massive \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000too\u3000far\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000suffer\u3000more\u3000later\u3000for\u3000his\u3000little\u3000jibes\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Faeryl\u3000to\u3000gauge\u3000her\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000confrontation\u3002\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000merely\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000scorn\u3000plain\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mien\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000would\u3000think\u3000you\uff1b\u3000of\u3000all\u3000people\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000little\u3000disgruntled\u3000that\u3000she’s\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000strip\u3000your\u3000mother’s\u3000mercantile\u3000pany\u3000bare\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000quietly\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000grunted\u3000at\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000response\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000once\u3000more\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000material\u3000that\u3000blocked\u3000their\u3000way\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000both\u3000fascinated\u3000at\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3000in\u3000person\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000and\u3000desperate\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000a\u3000possible\u3000way\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Araumycos\u3000filled\u3000countless\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000caverns\u3000in\u3000this\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000travelers\u3000had\u3000sometimes\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000find\u3000ways\u3000around\u3000or\u3000through\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000already\u3000climbing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000growth\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000tightly\u3000against\u3000it\uff1b\u3000working\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000reaches\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000they\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000opened\u3000into\u3000what\u3000must\u3000be\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000rose\u3000abruptly\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000making\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000gap\u3000between\u3000the\u3000growth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000through\uff1b\u3000though\u3000to\u3000where\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000that\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000emboldened\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000from\u3000their\u3000earlier\u3000conversation\u3002\u3000Not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ambassador\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\u3000his\u3000inspection\uff1b\u3000producing\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000flame\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000with\u3000which\u3000he\u3000began\u3000scorching\u3000the\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000Where\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000growth\uff1b\u3000it\u3000blackened\u3000and\u3000withered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3000burn\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000through\u3000to\u3000anywhere\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000long\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000began\u3000floating\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000able\u3000to\u3000ascend\u3000through\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000their\u3000House\u3000insignias\u3002\u3000One\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000disappeared\u3000through\u3000some\u3000unseen\u3000hole\u3000until\u3000only\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000left\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000magically\u3000rise\u3000up\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000just\u3000how\u3000glad\u3000he\u3000was\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000why\u3000do\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000guests\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000more\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1f\u3000An\u3000inn\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000a\u3000particularly\u3000splendid\u3000uin\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000much\u3000more\u3000satisfying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000was\u3000in\u3000how\u3000to\u3000go\u3000about\u3000convincing\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000Trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000look\u3000like\u3000her\u3000idea\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000best\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000working\u3000out\u3000a\u3000good\uff1b\u3000subtle\u3000way\u3000to\u3000plant\u3000the\u3000seed\u3000was\u3000tricky\u3000where\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000concerned\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000already\u3000shown\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Push\u3000a\u3000little\u3000too\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she’d\u3000slap\u3000you\u3000down\u3000just\u3000because\u3000you\u3000were\u3000a\u3000male\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000push\u3000hard\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she’d\u3000be\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000being\u3000in\u3000a\u3000foul\u3000temper\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000you\u3000were\u3000dangling\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000arguments\u3000he\u3000could\u3000use\u3000just\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000her\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000trick\u3000her\u3000into\u3000doing\u3000it\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000again\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000could\u3000argue\u3000until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000might\u3000still\u3000refuse\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000suddenly\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000passageway\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000ascend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fairly\u3000steeply\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000others\u3000laboring\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rise\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000crested\u3000the\u3000ridge\uff1b\u3000they\u3000drew\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3000something\u3000softly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000pointed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3002\u3000He\u3000quickened\u3000his\u3000own\u3000step\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000them\u3000he\u3000paused\u3002\u3000The\u3000panorama\u3000of\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000softly\u3000lit\u3000chamber\u3000greeted\u3000him\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000he\u3000assumed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Judging\u3000from\u3000the\u3000curvature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000grand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000more\u3000than\u3000half\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000great\u3000fungus\u3002\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000more\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Araumycos\u3000than\u3000ever\u3002\u3000The\u3000entirety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000growth\u3000was\u3000a\u3000single\u3000living\u3000organism\uff1b\u3000as\u3000best\u3000as\u3000any\u3000wizard\u3000or\u3000sage\u3000could\u3000determine\u3002\u3000That\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000different\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000entity\u3000they’d\u3000encountered\u3000nearly\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000ago\u3000was\u3000astonishing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000to\u3000this\u3000point\uff1b\u3000was\u3000still\u3000only\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3000made\u3000his\u3000head\u3000swim\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000chamber\u3000itself\u3000was\u3000natural\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mammoth\u3000black\u3000stalactite\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000remarkably\u3000like\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000fang\u3000just\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fungus\uff1b\u3000being\u3000the\u3000most\u3000prominent\u3000feature\u3002\u3000Evidence\u3000of\u3000dwarven\u3000stoneworking\u3000was\u3000also\u3000in\u3000abundance\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000at\u3000a\u3000point\u3000fairly\u3000high\u3000along\u3000the\u3000exposed\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000emptying\u3000onto\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000balconied\u3000ledge\u3000that\u3000overlooked\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000A\u3000large\u3000ramp\uff1b\u3000wide\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000acmodate\u3000several\u3000wagons\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\uff1b\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000this\u3000ledge\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3000side\uff1b\u3000entering\u3000into\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000switchbacks\u3000that\u3000crisscrossed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000below\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000until\u3000it\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000a\u3000smooth\uff1b\u3000paved\u3000road\u3000led\u3000to\u3000intersections\u3000scattered\u3000along\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000where\u3000other\u3000roads\u3000shot\u3000off\u3000to\u3000more\u3000switchbacks\uff1b\u3000eventually\u3000rising\u3000to\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000tunnels\u3002\u3000In\u3000many\u3000cases\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pathways\u3000simply\u3000disappeared\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000pasty\u2026gray\u3000fungus\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000To\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000place\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000city\uff1b\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000two\u3000notable\u3000differences\u3002\u3000First\uff1b\u3000the\u3000architecture\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000and\u3000repulsively\u3000dwarven\uff1b\u3000all\u3000thick\u3000and\u3000blocky\u3000and\u3000dull\u3000to\u3000the\u3000eye\u3002\u3000Second\u3000was\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000but\u3000pervasive\u3000light\uff1b\u3000which\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000glow\u3000from\u3000almost\u3000everywhere\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000indeed\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000stone\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000a\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000sickly\u3000gray\u3000glow\u3002\u3000In\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000velvety\u3000was\u3000blackness\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000rich\uff1b\u3000luxurious\u3000hues\u3000of\u3000violet\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000and\u3000amber\u3000scattered\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000from\u3000some\u3000soft\u3000magical\u3000light\u3000that\u3000illuminated\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000had\u3000any\u3000color\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000wizard\u3000missed\u3000his\u3000home\uff1b\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000balconies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000and\u3000look\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000He\u3000yearned\u3000for\u3000even\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000observing\u3000Narbondel\uff1b\u3000its\u3000red\u3000glow\u3000tracking\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000and\u3000night\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000wilds\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000that\u3000without\u3000the\u3000familiarity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000clock\u3000in\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Spiders\u3000he\u3000was\u3000losing\u3000all\u3000track\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000other\uff1b\u3000magical\uff1b\u3000means\u3000of\u3000following\u3000its\u3000passage\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000touch\u3000of\u2026\u3000of\u3000what\uff1f\u3000Sadness\uff1f\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000what\u3000sadness\u3000felt\u3000like\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000odd\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000you\u3000need\u3000is\u3000a\u3000nice\uff1b\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000oiled\u3000bath\uff1b\u3000Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000deepstroke\u3000performed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000master\u3000masseur\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000have\u3000a\u3000spring\u3000in\u3000your\u3000step\u3000in\u3000no\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000that\u3000encouraging\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000his\u3000panions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000down\u3000along\u3000the\u3000ramp\u3000and\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000first\u3000switchback\u3002\u3000From\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000vantage\u3000point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000diminutive\u3000scout\u3000looked\u3000truly\u3000tiny\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000a\u3000better\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scale\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000were\u3000descending\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000path\u3000and\u3000were\u3000about\u3000halfway\u3000down\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000in\u3000a\u3000loose\u3000cluster\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000was\u3000faring\uff1b\u3000still\u3000laboring\u3000with\u3000her\u3000baggage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000that\u3000oil\u3000bath\u3000is\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000you\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000took\u3000two\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000disturbance\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000THREE
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000Xornbane\u3000could\u3000not\u3000help\u3000but\u3000tense\u3000slightly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000private\u3000booth\u3000where\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000waiting\u3000slid\u3000partially\u3000open\u3002\u3000His\u3000hand\u3000dropped\u3000instinctively\u3000to\u3000grip\u3000the\u3000doubleaxe\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\u3002\u3000Even\u3000when\u3000Zammzt\u3000slipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000opening\u3000on\u3000soft\u3000footsteps\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000cushioned\u3000bench\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000did’\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000relax\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000warily\u3000through\u3000the\u3000still\u2026open\u3000partition\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000beyond\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000lurking\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shadow\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000meet\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000only\u3000three\u3000other\u3000individuals\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000paying\u3000Zammzt\u3000any\u3000attention\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Two\u3000drow\u3000dressed\u3000as\u3000merchants\uff1b\u3000led\u3000by\u3000a\u3000third\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000who\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Glowing\u3000Goblet\uff1b\u3000made\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000another\u3000booth\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000frowned\u3000as\u3000the\u3000host\u3000delayed\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000longer\u3002\u3000The\u3000servant\u3000cocked\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000something\u3000that\u3000was\u3000said\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000cubicle\uff1b\u3000spoken\u3000too\u3000softly\u3000for\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000to\u3000overhear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He’s\u3000just\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000drink\u3000order\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000thought\u3002\u3000No\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000antsy\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000self\u2026admonition\uff1b\u3000Khorrl\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000not\u3000rest\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000at\u3000least\u3000another\u3000minute\u3000or\u3000two\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000some\u3000fool\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000be\u3000followed\u3000during\u3000a\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000mercenary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000never\u3000again\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000position\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000unaware\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000his\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000corner\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000he\u3000barely\u3000escaped\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000sullied\u3000his\u3000reputation\u3000to\u3000boot\u3002\u3000That\u3000part\u3000had\u3000angered\u3000him\u3000most\u3000of\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000studying\u3000either\u3000of\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sly\uff1b\u3000Khorrl\u3000relaxed\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000consciously\u3000release\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000doubleaxe\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000across\u3000the\u3000table\u3000at\u3000Zammzt\uff1b\u3000noting\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000a\u3000House\u3000insignia\u3000anywhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plain\u2026looking\u3000drow’s\u3000clothing\u3002\u3000For\u3000his\u3000part\uff1b\u3000Zammzt\u3000was\u3000reclining\u3000casually\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cushioned\u3000bench\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tiniest\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000Though\u3000Khorrl\u3000didn’t\u3000consider\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000great\u3000judge\u3000of\u3000attractiveness\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000in\u3000other\u3000species\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Zammzt’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000noteworthy\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000too\u3000ordinary\u3000looking\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000already\u3000serve\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000never\u3000amounted\u3000to\u3000much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000artisan\uff1b\u3000a\u3000step\u3000up\u3000from\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000but\u3000little\u3000more\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000supposed\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000such\u3000 \n
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\n rl\u3000supposed\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000such\u3000a\u3000shrewd\u3000negotiator\u3000was\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000single\u3000biggest\u3000saving\u3000grace\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000pliments\u3000her\u3000wings\u3000so\u3000well\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000you’ve\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000me\u3002\u3000How\u3000delightful\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sauntering\u3000languidly\u3000over\u3000to\u3000a\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000and\u3000sitting\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000back\u3000and\u3000resting\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000she\u3000brought\u3000one\u3000long\u3000leg\u3000up\u3000to\u3000prop\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000railing\u3002\u3000She\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000danced\u3000along\u3000as\u3000she\u3000relocated\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000itself\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000ruins\u3000my\u3000grand\u3000entrance\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000again\uff1b\u3000I\u3000doubt\u3000you’re\u3000terribly\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000parlor\u3000tricks\u3000like\u3000mine\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003On\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000away\u3000but\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000always\u3000del \n
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\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003On\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000away\u3000but\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000always\u3000delighted\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000acquaintance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fellow\u3000practitioner\u3002\u3000You\u3000can’t\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000dull\u3000and\u3000dreary\u3000it\u3000can\u3000be\uff1b\u3000traveling\u3000with\u3000unimaginative\u3000panions\u3000who\u3000can’t\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000difference\u3000between\u3000a\u3000divination\u3000and\u3000an\u3000evocation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000swept\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3000in\u3000the\u3000general\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000far\u3000below\u3000him\u3000and\u3000well\u3000out\u3000of\u3000earshot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000casual\u3000manner\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000was\u3000on\u3000edge\u3000and\u3000quite\u3000wary\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000was\u3000sizing\u3000him\u3000up\u3000just\u3000as\u3000critically\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000considered\u3000everything\u3000carefully\u3000before\u3000opening\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000He\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000something\u3000that\u3000could\u3000get\u3000him\u3000into\u3000trouble\u3000with\u3000her\u3000later\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000already\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000were\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pointing\u3000out\u3000their\u3000positions\u3000lower\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000was\u3000not\u3000giving\u3000away\u3000too\u3000big\u3000a\u3000secret\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000too\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000absently\u3000toying\u3000with\u3000the\u3000lacing\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000up\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3000corset\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000imagine\u3000your\u3000predicament\u3000quite\u3000well\u3002\u3000You\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000I\u3000normally\u3000run\u3000with\u3002\u3000They\u3000can’t\u3000appreciate\u3000much\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000next\u3000chance\u3000they’ll\u3000get\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000or\u3000rut\uff1b\u3000much\u3000less\u3000the\u3000intricacies\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000spinning\u3000a\u3000good\u3000spell\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000she\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000Pharaun\u3000what\u3000he\u3000assumed\u3000must\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000best\u3000pouts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000your\u3000point\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000choice\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000rutting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000males\uff1b\u3000or\u3000seeking\u3000out\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000refined\u3000entertainment\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000blame\u3000you\u3000for\u3000slipping\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000never\u3000stray\u3000too\u3000far\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000levelly\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000or\u3000the\u3000other\u3000of\u3000us\u3000might\u3000get\u3000into\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000acknowledging\u3000the\u3000hint\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000delighted\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000in\u3000such\u3000clever\u3000innuendo\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000another\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000missed\u3000since\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000leave\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000just\u3000that\u3000most\u3000drow\u3000displayed\u3000a\u3000total\u3000absence\u3000of\u3000humor\uff1b\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000seemed\u3000even\u3000more\u3000staid\u3000than\u3000usual\uff1b\u3000though\u3000given\u3000the\u3000circumstances\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000totally\u3000unexpected\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000tight\u2026lipped\u3000lot\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000clinging\u3000too\u3000fiercely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mantle\u3000of\u3000leadership\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000time\u3000mentally\u3000sparring\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3000very\u3000little\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000vicinity\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000discussions\u3000had\u3000a\u3000marked\u3000singularity\u3000of\u3000topic\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000grown\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000hearing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000desires\u3000to\u3000rend\u3000his\u3000foes\u3000in\u3000one\u3000messy\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000more\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000converse\u3000with\u3000him\u3000than\u3000most\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000had\u3000been\u3000pointedly\u3000taciturn\u3000for\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000journey\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000of\u3000a\u3000few\u3000brief\u3000discussions\u3000regarding\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000heavy\u2026handed\u3000methods\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000stopped\u3000the\u3000banter\u3000that\u3000had\u3000always\u3000marked\u3000the\u3000friendship\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000as\u3000though\u3000Ryld\u3000wouldn’t\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000admitted\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000things\u3000definitely\u3000weren’t\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000I\u3000left\u3000him\u3000to\u3000his\u3000death\u3000during\u3000the\u3000insurrection\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000concluded\uff1b\u3000inwardly\u3000sighing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000accepted\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000apologies\u3000afterward\uff1b\u3000claimed\u3000he\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000necessity\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000reality\u3000the\u3000pair’s\u3000friendship\u3000had\u3000been\u3000damaged\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000felt\u3000any\u3000real\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000guilt\u3000over\u3000the\u3000decision\u3002\u3000He\u3000simply\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000benefits\u3000of\u3000the\u3000friendship\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000you\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000burdened\u3000with\u3000heavy\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000started\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000she\u2026fiend\u3000had\u3000been\u3000speaking\u3000to\u3000him\u3000during\u3000his\u3000ruminations\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000refocused\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000on\u3000net\uff1b\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rapier\u3000had\u3000sagged\u3000low\u3000from\u3000inattention\u3000and\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3000it\u3000back\u3000onto\u3000guard\u3002\u3000Furious\u3000with\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000relaxing\u3000his\u3000vigilance\uff1b\u3000he\u3000summoned\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000let\u3000it\u3000disappear\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ring\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000ruefully\u3002\u3000If\u3000she’d\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000get\u3000past\u3000it\u3000and\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000she\u3000already\u3000had\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000chance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000bowed\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000wordlessly\u3000apologizing\u3000for\u3000his\u3000lapse\u3000in\u3000manners\u3002\u3000The\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000only\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000certainly\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000about\u3000my\u3000troubles\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000his\u3000tone\u3000bright\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000obviously\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000on\u3000this\u3000social\u3000visit\u3000for\u3000other\u3000reasons\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Again\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000be\u3000so\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000and\u3000stretching\u3000indolently\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000requires\u3000some\u3000fairly\u3000extraordinary\u3000circumstances\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000band\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000through\u3000Ammarindar\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000any\u3000real\u3000consequence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000interjected\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u2026especially\u3000a\u3000mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000and\u3000her\u3000retinue\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000interruption\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000extraordinary\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000indeed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000gauging\u3000his\u3000reaction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000his\u3000reaction\u3000was\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000straightening\u3000of\u3000his\u3000back\u3000and\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000merest\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000his\u3000true\u3000surprise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000knew\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000dozen\u3000thoughts\u3000floated\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000head\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000considerations\u3000of\u3000who\u3000might\u3000have\u3000betrayed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000who\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000off\u3000on\u3000this\u3000journey\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mere\u3000purpose\u3000of\u3000disposing\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clutches\u3000of\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\u3000and\u3000his\u3000minions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000notions\u3000were\u3000dismissed\u3000again\u3000just\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000The\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000plight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000priestesses\u3000of\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000far\u3000too\u3000great\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000by\u3000such\u3000a\u3000method\u3002\u3000The\u3000she\u2026fiend\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000their\u3000identity\u3000in\u3000some\u3000other\u3000way\u3002\u3000Her\u3000broadening\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000sparkling\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000confirmed\u3000her\u3000suspicions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000too\u3000lathered\u3000up\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000secrets\u3000safe\u3000with\u3000us\u2026at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000gone\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000it\u3000brings\u3000me\u3000to\u3000my\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000being\u3000here\u3002\u3000The\u3000Sceptered\u3000One\uff1b\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1b\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Scourged\u3000Legions\uff1b\u3000lord\u3000of\u3000the\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000through\u3000which\u3000you\u3000currently\u3000trespass\uff1b\u3000would\u3000delight\u3000in\u3000having\u3000an\u3000audience\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000here\u3000to\u3000extend\u3000that\u3000invitation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000on\u3000cue\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shout\uff1b\u3000dimly\u3000echoing\uff1b\u3000from\u3000far\u3000below\u3002\u3000Without\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000precipice\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000floor\u3000below\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000crossing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lower\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000one\u3000without\u3000switchbacks\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000rushing\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000egress\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000to\u3000join\u3000them\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000tanarukks\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000and\u3000from\u3000others\u3000flanking\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Observing\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000but\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000she\u2026fiend\u3000to\u3000expend\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000radiating\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000expecting\u3000an\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000did\u3000not\u3000move\u3002\u3000Her\u3000green\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000smoldered\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000it\u3000was\u3000with\u3000lust\u3000or\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000should\u3000acpany\u3000me\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000palace\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000husky\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000like\u3000it\u3000there\u3002\u3000Very\u3000much\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000began\u3000to\u3000saunter\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000flow\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000magically\u3000coerce\u3000him\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000supposed\u3002\u3000He\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000step\u3000and\u3000put\u3000on\u3000his\u3000best\u3000apologetic\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000’That\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\uff1b\u3000is\u3000very\u3000much\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000My\u3000panions\u3000need\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000she\u2026fiend’s\u3000smile\u3000faded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000in\u3000irritation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000are\u3000surrounded\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pausing\u3000in\u3000her\u3000advance\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000still\u3000an\u3000amicable\u3000offer\u3002\u3000Go\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000convince\u3000them\u3000to\u3000return\u3000with\u3000me\u3000to\u3000Kaanyr’s\u3000palace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000promise\u3000you\u3000that\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000will\u3000be\u3000cordial\u3002\u3000My\u3000forces\u3000below\u3000have\u3000been\u3000instructed\u3000merely\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000their\u3000positions\u3000and\u3000prevent\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000friends\u3000from\u3000departing\u3000until\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000offer\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000I\u3000can\u3000explain\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000materializing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shimmering\u3000blue\u3000doorway\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000snapped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000existence\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000primped\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000straightening\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000adjusting\u3000his\u3000pack\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000invited\u3000to\u3000join\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1b\u3000the\u3000master\u3000of\u3000those\u3000fellows\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000discussion\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kaanyr\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Aliisza\uff1b\u3000pursing\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000her\u3000idea\u3000or\u3000just\u3000studying\u3000her\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000something\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000she\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000do\u3000just\u3000what\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000not\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000her\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000little\u3000fun\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000well\u3000then\uff1b\u3000what\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000harm\u3000in\u3000that\uff1f\u3000She\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000vacation\u3000from\u3000Ammarindar\uff1b\u3000from\u3000Vhok\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000a\u3000little\u3000time\u3000apart\u3000would\u3000do\u3000him\u3000some\u3000good\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000was\u3000nodding\u3000energetically\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000already\u3000contemplating\u3000the\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000disguise\u3000she’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000use\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Khorrl\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3000finally\u3000roll\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000he\u3000almost\u3000groaned\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000His\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000cramping\u3000where\u3000he’d\u3000wedged\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hiding\u3000spot\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000supplies\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000stand\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\u3000much\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000prayed\u3000to\u3000Laduguer\u3000that\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000over\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000imagine\u3000having\u3000to\u3000crouch\u3000there\u3000for\u3000even\u3000another\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000tarp\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dim\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000goods\u3000stacked\u3000beneath\u3000it\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000not\u3000properly\u3000prepared\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000seen\u2026a\u3000wagon\u2026load\u3000of\u3000supplies\u3000for\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000waited\u3000as\u3000he\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000not\u3000daring\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000it\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000another\u3000checkpoint\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000want\u3000to\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000for\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000being\u3000heard\u3000by\u3000whomever\u2026or\u3000whatever\u2026\u3000might\u3000be\u3000inspecting\u3000the\u3000wagon\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000voice\u3000say\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000it\u3000as\u3000belonging\u3000to\u3000Zammzt\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000was\u3000near\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000mistaking\u3000who\u3000he\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000to\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000show\u3000yourselves\uff1b\u3000now\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000storehouse\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000a\u3000thankful\u3000groan\uff1b\u3000Khorrl\u3000rose\u3000up\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000plaining\u3002\u3000Around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000fourteen\u3000other\u3000duergar\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000winking\u3000back\u3000into\u3000visibility\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000confirm\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000around\u3000at\u3000their\u3000surroundings\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000himself\u3000hopped\u3000awkwardly\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000his\u3000axe\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\u3000so\u3002\u3000Nearby\uff1b\u3000more\u3000wagons\u3000were\u3000being\u3000uncovered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fighters\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000clambering\u3000out\u3000from\u3000between\u3000crates\uff1b\u3000barrels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bales\u3000of\u3000foodstuffs\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000there\u3000were\u3000over\u3000twenty\u3000wagons\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000had\u3000about\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000troops\u3002\u3000More\u3000would\u3000arrive\uff1b\u3000in\u3000waves\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000next\u3000several\u3000hours\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Zammzt\u3000had\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000set\u3000up\u3000inside\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000open\u3000room\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000storehouse\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\uff1b\u3000though\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000goods\u3000there\u3000other\u3000than\u3000what\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wagons\u3002\u3000Ostensibly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wagons\u3000were\u3000for\u3000the\u3000benefit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000army’s\u3000supplies\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000camping\u3000there\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3000resting\u3000and\u3000preparing\u3000while\u3000the\u3000other\u3000duergar\u3000units\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000waiting\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000their\u3000job\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000hoped\u3000the\u3000storehouses\u3000would\u3000be\u3000left\u3000undisturbed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000promised\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000moved\u3000about\uff1b\u3000uncovering\u3000wagons\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000free\u3000their\u3000hidden\u3000occupants\u3000or\u3000unloading\u3000the\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000stacking\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Zammzt\u3000looking\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000wagons\u3000over\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000some\u3000young\u3000drow\u3000male\u3000a\u3000few\u3000instructions\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000clan\u3000leader\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000find\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000order\u3000here\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3000Xornbane\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zammzt\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000quite\u3000like\u3000roughing\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000should\u3000acmodate\u3000you\u3000well\u3000enough\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000no\u3000one\u3000conies\u3000snooping\u3000around\u3000here\u3000before\u3000we’re\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000begin\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000we\u3000need\u3000is\u3000the\u3000city\u3000catching\u3000wind\u3000of\u3000us\u3000before\u3000your\u3000mistress\u3000is\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fly\u3000her\u3000true\u3000colors\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000paced\u3000about\u3000as\u3000he\u3000spoke\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000legs\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000surveying\u3000his\u3000temporary\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000seriously\u3000doubt\u3000that’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000problem\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zammzt\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000Khorrl\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000grin\u3000reminded\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pack\u3000lizard’s\u3000visage\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000loyal\u3000drow\u3000troops\u3000on\u3000guard\u3000duty\u3000around\u3000the\u3000storehouse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000sequestered\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000far\u3000back\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000will\u3000bother\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Khorrl\u3000answered\u3000doubtfully\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000more\u3000battles\u3000take\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000for\u3000the\u3000worse\u3000through\u3000the\u3000most\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000straight\u2026forward\u3000aspect\u3000of \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Khorrl\u3000answered\u3000doubtfully\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000more\u3000battles\u3000take\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000for\u3000the\u3000worse\u3000through\u3000the\u3000most\u3000simple\uff1b\u3000straight\u2026forward\u3000aspect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000going\u3000awry\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000all\u3000that\u3000beautiful\u3000treasure\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000is\u3000already\u3000long\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000shipped\u3000off\u3000to\u3000safer\u3000parts\u3002\u3000If\u3000you’re\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000tables\uff1b\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3000It’ll\u3000be\u3000an\u3000expensive\u3000betrayal\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Zammzt\u3000looked\u3000genuinely\u3000hurt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000the\u3000risks\u3000my\u3000mistress\u3000takes\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000harboring\u3000an\u3000army\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000discovered\uff1b\u3000she\u3000too\u3000suffers\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3002\u3000It\u3000really\u3000isn’t\u3000in\u3000her\u3000best\u3000interests\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000you\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hmm\uff1b\u3003\u3000Khorrl\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000I\u3000presume\u3000you\u3000brought\u3000everything\u3000you\u3000need\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000said\uff1b\u3000changing\u3000the\u3000subject\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000if\u3000there’s\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000you\u3000want\u3000while\u3000you\u3000wait\u3000here\uff1b\u3000now\u3000is\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002\u3000Though\uff1b\u3000for\u3000what\u3000we’re\u3000paying\u3000you\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000barked\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000laugh\u3000despite\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000his\u3000troops\u3000into\u3000such\u3000an\u3000uncertain\u3000situation\u3000without\u3000arranging\u3000for\u3000every\u3000provision\uff1b\u3000every\u3000possible\u3000contingency\uff1b\u3000was\u3000funny\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000fine\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000when\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000just\u3000exactly\u3000who\u3000we’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000killing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Soon\uff1b\u3000my\u3000gray\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zammzt\u3000said\uff1b\u3000that\u3000toothy\u3000smile\u3000blossoming\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000soon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tanarukks\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000devastated\u3000rank\u3000upon\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slavering\u3000humanoids\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000even\u3000going\u3000so\u3000far\u3000as\u3000to\u3000decimate\u3000the\u3000reserve\u3000forces\u3000lurking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000honestly\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000find\u3000it\u3000sporting\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000hover\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000and\u3000attack\u3000them\u3000at\u3000his\u3000leisure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000were\u3000well\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000halls\u3000of\u3000Ammarindar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000after\u3000a\u3000night’s\u3000rest\u3000they\u3000were\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000be\u3000running\u3000into\u3000patrols\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000grumbled\u3000as\u3000they\u3000hiked\u3000along\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000within\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000mile\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Something’s\u3000wrong\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000before\u3000we\u3000left\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000group\u3000found\u3000itself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000main\u3000thoroughfare\u3000that\u3000led\u3000into\u3000the\u3000city\u3000from\u3000the\u3000north\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000when\u3000they\u3000would\u3000actually\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000surrounding\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000proper\uff1b\u3000the\u3000area\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000patrols\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000blame\u3000Faeryl\u3000for\u3000being\u3000apprehensive\u3002\u3000Even\u3000after\u3000several\u3000tendays\u3000of\u3000concern\u3000for\u3000her\u3000home\u3000city\uff1b\u3000he\u3000imagined\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000have\u3000held\u3000out\u3000some\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000find\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000order\u3000upon\u3000finally\u3000arriving\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000some\u3000disaster\u3000had\u3000befallen\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Though\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000encountered\u3000any\u3000patrols\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000alone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Traffic\u3000flowing\u3000to\u3000and\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000its\u3000normal\u3000self\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000doubt\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000avenue\u3000they\u3000followed\u3000was\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000wide\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000numerous\u3000caravans\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000in\u3000either\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000such\u3000convoys\u3000out\u3000and\u3000about\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000shared\u3000the\u3000road\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000were\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000occasional\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\uff1b\u3000kobold\uff1b\u3000or\u3000goblin\u3000passed\u3000them\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Those\u3000lesser\u3000beings\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000berth\u3002\u3000Any\u3000pedestrians\u3000who\u3000were\u3000headed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000city\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000just\u3000as\u3000far\u3000apart\u3000as\u3000those\u3000leaving\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000neither\u3000passed\u3000nor\u3000were\u3000passed\u3000by\u3000anyone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000made\u3000a\u3000tactful\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000up\u3000the\u3000suggestion\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000contemplating\u3002\u3000\u3003Quenthel\uff1b\u3000if\u3000something\u3000has\u3000happened\u3000here\uff1b\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000what\u3000we’ve\u3000been\u3000experiencing\u3000back\u3000home\uff1b\u3000it\u3000might\u3000be\u3000prudent\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000a\u3000less\u3000obvious\u3000entrance\u3000into\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000queried\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000sharply\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Only\u3000that\u3000should\u3000we\u3000boldly\u3000approach\u3000and\u3000announce\u3000our\u3000stature\u3000and\u3000intentions\uff1b\u3000we\u3000might\u3000not\u3000receive\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000wele\u3000we\u3000should\u3000under\u3000more\u3000ordinary\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Why\u3000shouldn’t\u3000they\u3000be\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000see\u3000us\uff1f\u3000Even\u3000relieved\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000sounded\u3000as\u3000though\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000indignant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000his\u3000point\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000wouldn’t\u3000sound\u3000insulting\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000good\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000genuinely\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000all\u3000just\u3000road\u2026weary\u3000merchants\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000bath\u3000and\u3000fortable\u3000bed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000too\u3000soon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000low\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000up\u3000ahead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000peered\u3000ahead\u3000into\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000large\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000some\u3000on\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000others\u3000riding\u3000lizards\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000across\u3000the\u3000width\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000so\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000them\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000group\u3000began\u3000walking\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000patrol\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Ryld\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000support\u3000a\u3000limping\u3000Jeggred\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000only\u3000guess\u3000at\u3000how\u3000much\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000scheme\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000No\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000We\u3000should\u3000have\u3000little\u3000difficulty\u3000getting\u3000past\u3000these\u3000sentries\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000just\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000city\u3002\u3000Why\u3000would\u3000we\u3000be\u3000any\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000them\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000groups\u3000drew\u3000close\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000loosened\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000slowed\u3000down\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000One\uff1b\u3000the\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000presumed\uff1b\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000paces\u3000and\u3000held\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000outstretched\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000forward\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000sergeant\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000he\u3000was\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000insignia\uff1b\u3000then\u3000passed\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000an\u3000underling\u3000while\u3000he\u3000scrutinized\u3000Faeryl\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000in\u3000turn\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000just\u3000recently\u3000from\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000lost\u3000what\u3000few\u3000goods\u3000we\u3000had\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000tossed\u3000her\u3000head\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000as\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000indicating\u3000her\u3000wounded\u3000panions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000suggestion\u3000that\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000really\u3000important\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000peered\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000for\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000give\u3000our\u3000report\u3000and\u3000enjoy\u3000some\u3000civilization\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000concluded\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000weariness\u3000creep\u3000into\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Good\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000them\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000reasonable\uff1b\u3000without\u3000admitting\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Attacked\u3000by\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000asked\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000three\u3000panions\u3000continued\u3000on\uff1b\u3000sharing\u3000the\u3000flask\u3000and\u3000discussing\u3000the\u3000prospects\u3000of\u3000acquiring\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000tangible\u3000confirma\u2026fcon\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000was\u3000absent\u3000from\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000be\u3000deeply\u3000intrigued\u3000by\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000investigating\u3000other\u3000races\u3000known\u3000to\u3000worship\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000contributed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000he\u3000mulled\u3000the\u3000concept\u3000over\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000require\u3000some\u3000research\u3002\u3000Given\u3000rime\u3000and\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000willingness\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000where\u3000he\u3000might\u3000go\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000study\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage’s\u3000musings\u3000were\u3000interrupted\u3000when\u3000the\u3000trio\u3000ascended\u3000a\u3000webbed\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000themselves\u3000on\u3000a\u3000colonnade\u3000overlooking\u3000an\u3000open\u3000plaza\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000congestion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mall\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000refugees\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000using\u3000the\u3000place\u3000as\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000campground\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000room\u3000to\u3000move\u3000along\u3000the\u3000raised\u3000walkway\u3000around\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000without\u3000brushing\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000the\u3000riffraff\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000glided\u3000along\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000pleas\u3000and\u3000demands\u3000for\u3000coin\u3000from\u3000the\u3000unwashed\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000shout\u3000from\u3000below\u3000drew\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000Pharaun\u3000peered\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disturbance\u3002\u3000A\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fairly\u3000open\u3000ar \n
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\n ance\u3002\u3000A\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fairly\u3000open\u3000area\uff1b\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000hobgoblins\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mumbling\u3000something\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distance\u3000Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000The\u3000female\u3000drow\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000back\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lash\u3000out\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hobgoblins\u3000with\u3000a\u3000scourge\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000easily\u3000stepped\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000stumbled\u3000forward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000exertion\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000drunk\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Filthy\u3000animals\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000barked\uff1b\u3000staggering\u3000back\u3000upright\u3002\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000away\u3000from\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000noticed\u3000her\u3000unkempt\u3000state\u3002\u3000Her\u3000piwafwi\u3000was\u3000soiled\u3000and\u3000sloughed\u3000half\u3000off\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lustrous\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000disheveled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000held\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000something\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000presumed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000liquor\u3000in\u3000her\u3000other\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000hobgoblins\u3000merely\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000before\u3000them\uff1b\u3000casually\u3000circling\uff1b\u3000which\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000to\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000The\u3000effort\u3000made\u3000her\u3000stumble\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000nearly\u3000went\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heap\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000gall\u3000those\u3000subcreatures\u3000have\u3000is\u3000truly\u3000bewildering\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lets\u3000put\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000step\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000an\u3000effect\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000centered\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000two\u3000panions\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Lets\u3000see\u3000what\u3000happens\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000quizzically\uff1b\u3000he\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003Drawing\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000ourselves\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000best\u3000way\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000might\u3000see\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3000if\u3000our\u3000theory\u3000is\u3000correct\u3002\u3000This\u3000might\u3000be\u3000the\u3000proof\u3000we\u3000need\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000flashed\u3000in\u3000sign\u3000language\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000someone\u3000is\u3000watching\u3000us\uff1b\u3000observing\u3000us\u3000magically\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Both\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000raised\u3000eyebrows\u3000in\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000cautioned\uff1b\u3000Don’t\u3000draw\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000we\u3000know\u3002\u3000Just\u3000pretend\u3000we’re\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000spectacle\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000briefly\u3000considered\u3000dispelling\u3000the\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000discounted\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000because\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000It\u3000would\u3000only\u3000give\u3000their\u3000spy\u3000notification\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000his\u3000or\u3000her\u3000presence\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pretended\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brewing\u3000fight\u3000below\u3000while\u3000in\u3000actuality\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hobgoblins\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000a\u3000great\u3000many\u3000magical\u3000auras\u3000radiating\u3000from\u3000many\u3000different\u3000individuals\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\uff1b\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000could\u3000observe\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000staring\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000many\u3000pockets\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000brass\u3000horn\uff1b\u3000with\u3000which\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000plete\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000priestess’s\u3000mutterings\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u201c\u2026beseech\u3000thee\uff1b\u3000our\u3000Mistress\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000return\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Give\u3000me\u3000your\u3000blessings\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000abandon\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000am\u3000your\u3000loyal\u3000an\u2026aieee\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hobgoblins\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000prod\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sharpened\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000shrieked\u3000as\u3000she\u3000jumped\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000her\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000spirits\u3002\u3000It\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000calcified\u3000pavement\u3000and\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000spilling\u3000only\u3000the\u3000trickle\u3000that\u3000remained\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3000in\u3000agreement\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000his\u3000two\u3000kukris\uff1b\u3000one\u3000curved\u3000dagger\u3000in\u3000each\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000laid\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000each\u3000drow’s\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000them\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000where\u3000several\u3000other\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000were\u3000in\u3000attendance\uff1b\u3000observing\u3000dispassionately\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000one\u3000notable\u3000exception\u3000to\u3000the\u3000eclectic\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000visitors\u3000were\u3000the\u3000beholders\uff1b\u3000for\u3000which\u3000Aliisza\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\u3000sorry\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000would\u3000give\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000leverage\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000perform\u3000a\u3000genuine\u3000task\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000course\u3000the\u3000first\u3000notion\u3000that\u3000popped\u3000into\u3000his\u3000head\u3000was\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000being\u3000played\u3002\u3000Shrugging\uff1b\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000further\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000After\u3000a\u3000lengthy\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000the\u3000identity\u3000of\u3000someone\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u3000’Someone\uff1f’\u3000\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Surely\u3000you\u3000have\u3000more\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000work\u3000with\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000biting\u3000her\u3000lip\u3000again\uff1b\u3000\u3003someone\u3000who\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sat\u3000upright\u3000on\u3000the\u3000couch\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000female\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Kill\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000not\u3000because\u3000it\u3000was\u3000so\u3000inconceivable\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000the\u3000target\u3000of\u3000an\u3000attack\u2026merely\u3000being\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tlnilith\u3000brought\u3000with\u3000it\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000enemies\u2026but\u3000because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000him\u3000enough\u3000with\u3000this\u3000confidence\u3000and\u3000the\u3000task\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000what\u3000she\u3000really\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000occupy\u3000his\u3000time\uff1b\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000from\u3000something\u3000else\u3002\u3000A\u3000hundred\u3000possibilities\u3000swirled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Someone\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000sent\u3000several\u3000demons\u3000after\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Sent\u3000them\u3000right\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000my\u3000prowess\u3000was\u3000sufficient\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000the\u3000attacks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000them\u3000before\u3000we\u3000return\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000waste\u3000of\u3000both\u3000the\u3000lives\u3000of\u3000my\u3000charges\u3000and\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000consume\u3000in\u3000the\u3000effort\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000powerful\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000bend\u3000demons\u3000to\u3000his\u3000will\u3000had\u3000to\u3000e\u3000from\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reasoned\u3002\u3000Certainly\uff1b\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000mages\u3000in\u3000the\u3000school\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000the\u3000wherewithal\uff1b\u3000but\u3000how\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000so\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000eliminating\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000look\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000can\u3000determine\u3000who\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000fiends\u3000in\u3000your\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000know\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000no\u3000one\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000the\u3000other\u3000members\u3000of\u3000our\u3000expedition\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000not\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000issue\u3000is\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\u3000only\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000that\u3000the\u3000meeting\u3000was\u3000at\u3000an\u3000end\u3002\u3000\u3003Ferret\u3000out\u3000my\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000we\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000in\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000make\u3000certain\u3000you\u3000are\u3000duly\u3000honored\u3000for\u3000your\u3000part\u3002\u3000Your\u3000future\u3000at\u3000Tier\u3000Breche\u3000will\u3000be\u3000as\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000Narbondel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3000as\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000thanks\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000by\u3000that\u3000you\u3000mean\u3000I\u3000will\u3000glow\u3000with\u3000the\u3000flame\u3000of\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000of\u3000your\u3000killing\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000see\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000look\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000the\u3000accolades\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000said\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000that\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000door\u3000open\u3000for\u3000her\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000out\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000evening\u3000meal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000his\u3000bone\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000mulling\u3000over\u3000his\u3000inability\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Demonweb\u3000where\u3000Lolth\u3000resided\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000scrying\u3000spells\u3000had\u3000been\u3000successful\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000irritated\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000considering\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000get\u3000around\u3000this\u3000dilemma\u3000when\u3000the\u3000message\u3000arrived\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Gromph\u3000nonetheless\u3000recognized\u3000Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym’s\u3000magically\u3000transmitted\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Reached\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000City\u3000in\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000ruling\u3000in\u3000name\u3000only\u3002\u3000Investigating\u3000new\u3000possibility\uff1b\u3000more\u3000information\u3000next\u3000munication\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000visit\u3000Black\u3000Claw\u3000tomorrow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph’s\u3000mouth\u3000tightened\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sister\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hopefully\uff1b\u3000she\u3000will\u3000not\u3000e\u3000back\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wizard\u3000was\u3000using\u3000to\u3000municate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000whisper\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000his\u3000counterpart\u3002\u3000Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000not\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3000Thinking\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000few\u3000instructions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Focus\u3000attention\u3000on\u3000gathering\u3000information\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000our\u3000own\u3000situation\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000me\u3000apprised\u3000of\u3000all\u3000new\u3000possibilities\u3002\u3000Report\u3000on\u3000success\u3000at\u3000Black\u3000Claw\u3000with\u3000next\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u2026contact\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000had\u3000winked\u3000out\u3000before\u3000he’d\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000utter\u3000the\u3000last\u3000word\u3002\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000disgruntled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000was\u3000clever\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000he\u3000meant\uff1b\u3000regardless\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000he\u3000would\u3000follow\u3000those\u3000instructions\u3000or\u3000not\u3000was\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000different\u3000matter\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Baenre\u3000wizard\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000contemplating\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000pondering\u3000what\u3000condition\u3000the\u3000expedition\u3000team\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3002\u3000He\u3000especially\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000fared\u3000and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000atta \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n m\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3002\u3000He\u3000especially\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000his\u3000sister\u3000fared\u3000and\u3000if\u3000the\u3000strain\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000attacks\uff1b\u3000coupled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000their\u3000toll\u3002\u3000He\u3000certainly\u3000hoped\u3000so\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000were\u3000clashing\u3000on\u3000a\u3000regular\u3000basis\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000was\u3000too\u3000independent\uff1b\u3000too\u3000full\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000know\u3000when\u3000to\u3000placate\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000too\u3000long\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000Academy\uff1b\u3000too\u3000used\u3000to\u3000getting\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000advice\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000reasonable\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000my\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000frowning\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000often\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000Gromph\u3000as\u3000if\u3000both\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sisters\u3000made\u3000poor\u3000decisions\u3000for\u3000no\u3000other\u3000purpose\u3000than\u3000to\u3000spite\u3000others\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000Quenthel\u3000did\u3000survive\u3000her\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000might\u3000very\u3000well\u3000be\u3000ripe\u3000for\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3000when\u3000she\u3000returned\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000returned\u3002\u3000If\u3000Quenthel\u3000were\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000expedition\u3000into\u3000disaster\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000be\u3000to\u3000Gromph’s\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000both\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000fop\u3000in\u3000one\u3000very\u3000charming\u3000blow\u3002\u3000Yet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000might\u3000very\u3000well\u3000rest\u3000on\u3000their\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000Was\u3000sending\u3000them\u3000off\u3000together\u3000the\u3000wisest\u3000choice\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\u3000uncertain\u3000what\u3000his\u3000next\u3000step\u3000would\u3000be\u3000regarding\u3000his\u3000own\u3000investigations\u3000of\u3000Lolth’s\u3000domain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000new\u3000set\u3000of\u3000issues\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000arose\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000bone\u3000desk\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000find\u3000his\u3000sister\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000scowled\u3000slightly\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Gromph\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000time\u3000for\u3000public\u3000petitioning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000some\u3000mon\u3000supplicant\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000any\u3000visitations\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000straightened\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000overly\u3000large\u3000throne\u3000as\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000approached\u3002\u3000The\u3000archmage\u3000bowed\u3000low\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000close\uff1b\u3000further\u3000irritating\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3000She\u3000liked\u3000everyone\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000little\u3000distance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000low\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000in\u3000so\u3000as\u3000to\u3000nearly\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000\u3003Triel\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000news\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000doubted\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000flanking\u3000the\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000heat\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000not\u3000bee\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000through\u3000carelessness\u3002\u3000She\u3000inclined\u3000her\u3000head\u3000to\u3000listen\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000tell\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000have\u3000reached\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\u3000Mizzrym\u3000reports\u3000that\u3000the\u3000city\u3000is\u3000in\u3000an\u3000uproar\u3002\u3000Apparently\uff1b\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000only\u3000city\u3000afflicted\u3000with\u3000Lolths\u3000disfavor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000that\u3000it\u3000is\u3000disfavor\uff01\u3003\u3000Triel\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000may\u3000be\u3000another\u3000explanation\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slightly\u3000in\u3000apology\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Afflicted\u3000with\u3000her\u3000absence\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000corrected\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000there\u3000have\u3000done\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000job\u3000of\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000quiet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000bad\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000gathered\u3000that\u3000trouble\u3000could\u3000be\u3000brewing\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000major\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000As\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000relief\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000was\u3000not\u3000being\u3000singled\u3000out\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000punishment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000news\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000them\u3000any\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000discovering\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000to\u3000disappear\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000at\u3000a\u3000loss\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\u3000step\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Did\u3000he\u3000say\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000planning\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000brother\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quenthel\u3000seems\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000following\u3000through\u3000with\u3000your\u3000instructions\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000back\u3000goods\u3000from\u3000Black\u3000Claw\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000more\u3000magical\u3000supplies\u3000lifted\u3000Triel’s\u3000spirits\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000slightly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000they’ll\u3000be\u3000returning\u3000within\u3000a\u3000few\u3000tendays\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000really\u3000no\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000an\u3000answer\u3000than\u3000we\u3000were\u3000when\u3000they\u3000left\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000only\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3000before\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000is\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000difficulties\u3000as\u3000her\u3000sister\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000be\u3000more\u3000correct\u3000than\u3000you\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000other\u3000dire\u3000news\u3000do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000report\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000way\u3000her\u3000mornings\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000start\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000considered\u3000remaining\u3000in\u3000Reverie\u3000until\u3000the\u3000midday\u3000meal\u3000a\u3000preferable\u3000alternative\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000rising\u3000and\u3000dealing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000issues\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000received\u3000reports\u3000that\u3000our\u3000patrols\u3000are\u3000encountering\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000activity\u3000around\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000activity\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Exactly\u3000what\u3000you\u3000might\u3000expect\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Though\u3000nothing\u3000has\u3000actually\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000no\u3000skirmishes\u3000breaking\u3000out\uff1b\u3000our\u3000patrols\u3000have\u3000spotted\u3000what\u3000looks\u3000to\u3000be\u3000scouting\u3000parties\u3000surveying\u3000our\u3000situation\u3002\u3000Duergar\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000gnomes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000kuo\u2026toans\u3000have\u3000been\u3000spotted\u3000in\u3000greater\u2026than\u2026normal\u3000numbers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000know\u3002\u3000They\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000things\u3000aren’t\u3000right\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000said\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000move\u3000to\u3000withdraw\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000motioned\u3000that\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000was\u3000dismissed\u3000and\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000her\u3000day\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000brood\u3000atop\u3000her\u3000throne\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000after\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000males\u3000to\u3000procure\u3000transportation\u3000for\u3000the\u3000return\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000haul\u3000her\u3000own\u3000provisions\u3000on\u3000her\u3000back\u3000again\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000a\u3000stockpile\u3000of\u3000goods\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000they\u3000did\u3000they\u3000would\u3000need\u3000sufficient\u3000pack\u3000lizards\u3000and\u3000guards\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000the\u3000materials\u3000arrived\u3000safely\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000warned\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000worth\u3000his\u3000salt\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000mand\u3000an\u3000exorbitant\u3000price\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000convinced\u3000to\u3000work\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000didn’t\u3000care\u3000and\u3000told\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000so\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000warned\u3000Faeryl\u3000as\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000office\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storehouse\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000them\u3000only\u3000what\u3000I\u3000instructed\u3000you\u3002\u3000If\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000happy\u3000with\u3000this\u3000little\u3000encounter\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000will\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000a\u3000problem\u3000in\u3000the\u3000future\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000was\u3000strolling\u3000along\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000two\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000stole\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000noticed\u3000her\u3000faint\u3000shudder\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000It\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000quite\u3000useful\u3000that\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000set\u3000Jeggred\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000so\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000pliant\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000storehouse\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000six\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000guards\u3000barred\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000approached\u3000boldly\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000the\u3000males\u3000goggled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000draegloth\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000stores\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\u3000in\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000a\u3000surprisingly\u3000manding\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Stand\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000let\u3000us\u3000enter\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000male\u3000who\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Jeggred\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\u3000quizzically\u3002
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\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000bins\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000followed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000figuring\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000most\u3000valuable\u3000hoards\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000supposed\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000secure\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storehouse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000worry\u3002\u3000Any\u3000magic\u3000of\u3000value\u3000would\u3000likely\u3000be\u3000warded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000that\u3000fop\u3000Mizzrym\u3000along\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000she\u3000chided\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff01\u3003\u3000Yngoth\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000whip\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000are\u3000in\u3000danger\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000danger\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Drow\u3000and\u3000others\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zinda\u3000added\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Someone’s\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000realized\u3002\u3000What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000done\uff1b\u3000insolent\u3000child\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\uff1b\u3000a\u3000small\u3000host\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000appeared\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000low\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000soldiers\u3000with\u3000swords\u3000and\u3000hand\u3000crossbows\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000House\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000all\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000recognized\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000as\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000simply\u3000by\u3000their\u3000demeanor\u3000and\u3000bearing\u3002\u3000One\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rather\u3000plump\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000was\u3000most\u3000definitely\u3000not\u3000smiling\u3000and\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000looked\u3000quite\u3000distressed\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000will\u3000hold\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3000claimed\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000called\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000has\u3000been\u3000rendered\u3000helpless\u3002\u3000He\u3000cannot\u3000extract\u3000you\u3000from\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000glare\u3000to\u3000Faeryl\u3000as\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000fanned\u3000out\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000surround\u3000her\u3000but\u3000staying\u3000well\u3000back\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000males\u3000aimed\u3000crossbows\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizards\u3000and\u3000priestesses\u3000all\u3000seemed\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000invoke\u3000various\u3000spells\uff1b\u3000should\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000bolt\u3000or\u3000attack\u3002\u3000The\u3000snakes\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000writhed\u3000in\u3000agitation\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000at\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000stepped\u3000too\u3000close\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000insolent\u3000little\u3000whelp\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000in\u3000fury\u3000as\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000who\u3000only\u3000smiled\u3000sweetly\u3000in\u3000return\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000that\u3000time\u3000being\u3000so\u3000agreeable\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000were\u3000being\u3000too\u3000acmodating\u3002\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000let\u3000Jeggred\u3000have\u3000his\u3000way\u3000with\u3000you\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilds\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000see\u3000you\u3000flayed\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000might\u3000prove\u3000difficult\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000said\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000as\u3000much\u3000sarcasm\u3000as\u3000possible\u3000into\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000when\u3000she\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000honorific\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000give\u3000this\u3000situation\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment’s\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000see\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000that\u3000you\u3000are\u3000overmatched\u3002\u3000It\u3000really\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000if\u3000you\u3000surrendered\u3000this\u3000foolish\u3000standoff\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000weighing\u3000the\u3000ambassador’s\u3000words\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000reluctantly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000overmatched\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000SEVEN
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000spectacular\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000just\u3000those\u3000wizards\u3000who\u3000show\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000claiming\u3000to\u3000want\u3000to\u3000join\u3000our\u3000ranks\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Especially\u3000those\u3000foolish\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000claim\u2026\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000after\u3000several\u3000rows\uff1b\u3000he\u3000came\u3000across\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000his\u3000desire\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000sullenly\uff1b\u3000her\u3000four\u3000arms\u3000sealed\u3000in\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000resin\u3000casts\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000choldrith\u3000glared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000decidedly\u3000humanoid\u3000silvery\u2026white\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000squatted\u3000down\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000had\u3000charcoal\u2026gray\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000was\u3000pletely\u3000hairless\u3002\u3000A\u3000set\u3000of\u3000diminutive\u3000mandibles\uff1b\u3000so\u3000small\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000doubted\u3000they\u3000were\u3000functional\uff1b\u3000flanked\u3000her\u3000more\u3000humanoid\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ears\u3000jutted\u3000up\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000a\u3000drow’s\u3000but\u3000even\u3000more\u3000pronounced\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000vaguely\u3000like\u3000horns\u3002\u3000From\u3000what\u3000little\u3000he\u3000already\u3000knew\u3000and\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000about\u3000the\u3000species\uff1b\u3000he\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000necessity\u3000for\u3000the\u3000casts\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000from\u3000casting\u3000spells\u3000and\u3000freeing\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000proposition\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000language\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002\u3000The\u3000choldrith\u3000stared\u3000back\u3000him\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000you\u3000can\u3000understand\u3000me\u3000well\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000just\u3000in\u3000case\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u2026he\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000items\u2026\u3003it’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000came\u3000prepared\uff1b\u3000eh\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000will\u3000answer\u3000my\u3000questions\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000free\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000with\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000then\u3000narrowed\u3000with\u3000suspicion\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000lie\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000clicking\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000drow\u3000lie\u3000to\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000that\u3000is\u3000true\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000this\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000keeping\u3000you\u3000here\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000by\u3000getting\u3000some\u3000answers\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000she\u3000only\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000got\u3000to\u3000lose\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cage\u3000in\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000arms\u3000are\u3000encased\u3000in\u3000resin\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000from\u3000calling\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000Except\u3000that\u3000doesn’t\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000has\u3000forsaken\u3000you\uff1b\u3000hasn’t\u3000she\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000choldrith’s\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000where\u3000she’s\u3000gone\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000detected\u3000what\u3000would\u3000pass\u3000for\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wretched\u3000being\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000she\u3000does\u3000not\u3000love\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000has\u3000not\u3000abandoned\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000people\u3000in\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000her\u3000absence\u3000has\u3000been\u3000spread\u3000generously\u3000about\u3000to\u3000all\u3000her\u3000worshipers\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000appear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000I’m\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000now\u3000is\u3000why\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000weaves\u3000her\u3000own\u3000webs\u3002\u3000The\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000seals\u3000herself\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000will\u3000return\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000have\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000acknowledged\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000let\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000How\u3000you\u3000find\u3000your\u3000way\u3000home\u3000is\u3000up\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000shout\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000closely\u3000by\u3000a\u3000great\u3000crash\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000tinkling\u3000glass\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000Master\u3000Claddath\uff1b\u3000warning\u3000me\u3000that\u3000people\u3000are\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000the\u3000tour\uff1b\u3000Kraszmyl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000magical\u3000alarms\u3000he\u3000was\u3000triggering\u3000as\u3000he\u3000created\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000blue\u3000extradimensi \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000after\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000began\u3000making\u3000their\u3000way\u3000down\u3000the\u3000thoroughfare\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000next\u3000place\u3000we\u3000try\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000table\u3000near\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000flee\uff1b\u3000stared\u3000about\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000While\u3000Jeggred\u3000merely\u3000seethed\u3000with\u3000rage\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000break\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000hold\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Drisinil\u3000looked\u3000wild\uff1b\u3000desperate\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000motioned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000moved\u3000in\uff1b\u3000axes\u3000lifted\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000impertinent\u3000male\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000was\u3000not\u3000of\u3000the\u3000family\u3000but\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000diligently\u3000as\u3000an\u3000aid\u3000for\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000years\u3002\u3000Zammzt\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000his\u3000name\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000wrinkled\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000was\u3000far\u3000from\u3000pretty\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mother\uff1b\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003they\u3000will\u3000never\u3000get\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000NINE
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000free\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000found\u3000all\u3000avenues\u3000of\u3000escape\u3000cut\u3000off\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000troops\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000standing\u3000idly\u3000by\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000merely\u3000guests\u3000in\u3000someone\u3000else’s\u3000home\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000strategically\u3000placed\u3000about\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000the\u3000doors\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000for\u3000some\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000family’s\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000none\u3000to\u3000be\u3000found\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Zauvirr\u3000had\u3000planned\u3000well\uff1b\u3000delivering\u3000her\u3000devastating\u3000news\u3000from\u3000a\u3000position\u3000of\u3000strength\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Wilting\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000sank\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000unsure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Only\u3000Danifae\u3000settled\u3000down\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000making\u3000soothing\u3000noises\u3000and\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000out\u3000to\u3000calm\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000calmed\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000slap\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000smack\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000better\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000had\u3000any\u3000hope\u3000at\u3000all\u3000of\u3000surviving\u3000this\u3000horrid\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000need\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive’s\u3000aid\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000think\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000was\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000her\u3002\u3000In\u3000other\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000delighted\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000weren’t\u3000any\u3000other\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000been\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000an\u3000act\u3000of\u3000open\u3000treason\u3000against\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000or\u3000so\u3000Ssipriina\u3000claimed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000refute\u3000it\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000ludicrous\u3000notion\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mother\u3000would\u3000never\u3000risk\u3000herself\u3000so\u3000openly\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000not\u3000aiding\u3000foreigners\uff1b\u3000regardless\u3000of\u3000how\u3000good\u3000the\u3000relationship\u3000was\u3000between\u3000their\u3000Houses\u3002\u3000Not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000smuggling\u3000the\u3000goods\u3000from\u3000Black\u3000Claw\u3000Mercantile\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000would\u3000ruin\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000from\u3000it\u3000and\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000lose\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000to\u3000calm\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000then\u3000began\u3000to\u3000flash\u3000signs\u3000at\u3000her\u3000servant\uff1b\u3000working\u3000secretively\u3000so\u3000that\u3000only\u3000her\u3000panion\u3000could\u3000see\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000You\u3000have\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000me\uff1b\u3000she\u3000signaled\u3002\u3000Convince\u3000them\u3000that\u3000you’d\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000see\u3000me\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Then\u3000get\u3000help\u3002\u3000Go\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Maerret\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000rot\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cell\u3000until\u3000they\u3000put\u3000your\u3000head\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pike\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000deliberately\u3000brushing\u3000her\u3000backside\uff1b\u3000straightening\u3000the\u3000flimsy\u3000silks\u3000that\u3000did\u3000little\u3000to\u3000conceal\u3000her\u3000curvaceous\u3000body\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000won’t\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I’ll\u3000do\u3000it\u3000and\u3000save\u3000myself\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000alternated\u3000between\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000before\u3000her\u3000and\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000daughter\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000blinking\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outburst\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\uff1b\u3000then\u3000snapped\u3000it\u3000shut\u3000again\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000smirk\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000her\u3000servant\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000the\u3000part\u2026\u3000at\u3000least\u3000she\u3000hoped\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u2026Halisstra\u3000shuddered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000Danifae’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000Not\u3000having\u3000to\u3000try\u3000very\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000look\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000daughter\u3000took\u3000another\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000assure\u3000you\u3000I\u3000had\u3000absolutely\u3000no\u3000previous\u3000awareness\u3000of\u3000any\u3000possible\u3000plots\u3000of\u3000my\u3000mother’s\u3002\u3000My\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000is\u3000obviously\u3000lying\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3000own\u3000worthless\u3000hide\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000damning\u3000me\u3000with\u3000false\u3000accusations\u3002\u3000You\u3000cannot\u3000possibly\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000word\u3000of\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000see\u3000me\u3000e\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000end\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000bowed\u3000deeply\u3000to\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000depart\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000spun\u3000on\u3000one\u3000heel\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000sneering\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000we\u3000should\u3000try\u3000the\u3000needles\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000mused\u3000aloud\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000fit\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000toenails\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000is\u3000such\u3000fun\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000grunts\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000rhythm\u3000and\u3000went\u3000up\u3000an\u3000octave\u3002
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\n \n
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\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000only\u3000growled\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000the\u3000methods\u3000of\u3000meting\u3000out\u3000pain\u3002\u3000My\u3000attentions\u3000were\u3000but\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000those\u3000methods\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000is\u3000nothing\u3000you\u3000can\u3000conceive\u3000of\u3000that\u3000I\u3000will\u3000notice\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000really\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000pursed\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3000My\u3000advisors\u3000have\u3000told\u3000me\u3000what\u3000things\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000and\u3000don’t\u3000feel\u3002\u3000’He\u3000resists\u3000the\u3000bum\u3000of\u3000acid\u3000and\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000will\u3000not\u3000suffer\u3000from\u3000cold\u3000and\u3000lightning\uff1b’\u3000they\u3000said\u3002\u3000But\u3000we’ll\u3000find\u3000something\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000hmm\uff1f\u3000There\u3000is\u3000something\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000like\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000I\u3000discover\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000enjoy\u3000it\u3000for\u3000endless\u3000hours\u3002\u3000I\u3000promise\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000step\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000near\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000irritation\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000the\u3000intrusion\u3000was\u3000all\u3000about\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Zammzt\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000aide\u3000was\u3000there\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000behest\u3000and\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000undoubtedly\u3000being\u3000summoned\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000her\u3000very\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000she\u3000could\u3000not\u3000take\u3000her\u3000annoyance\u3000out\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000do\u3000so\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ugly\u3000male\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000bent\u3000his\u3000knee\u3000and\u3000dipped\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slightly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000beg\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000but\u3000your\u3000mother\u3000requires\u3000your\u3000immediate\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000she\u3000does\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000she\u3000has\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000notion\u3000that\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000indisposed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000finds\u3000something\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000Zammzt\u3000hesitated\u3000for\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000of\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000stare\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000waiting\u3000for\uff1f\u3000Go\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000I’m\u3000on\u3000my\u3000way\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Zammzt\u3000scurried\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000torture\u3000room\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000around\u3000the\u3000er\uff1b\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000flying\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000returned\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000e\u3000back\u3000and\u3000visit\u3000with\u3000you\u3000some\u3000more\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000when\u3000I\u3000do\uff1b\u3000I\u3000really\u3000want\u3000to\u3000give\u3000those\u3000needles\u3000another\u3000try\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000fingernails\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000hmm\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000bound\u3000form\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rack\u3000emitted\u3000a\u3000whimper\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000good\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000pleased\u3000that\u3000you\u3000like\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000Yauntyrr\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000expect\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Zauvirr\u3000to\u3000grant\u3000her\u3000free\u3000run\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000suspicions\u3000were\u3000correct\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000departed\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000with\u3000a\u3000final\u3000sneer\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Halisstras\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000also\u3000careful\u3000to\u3000note\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000slight\u3000nod\u3000at\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000standing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000silently\u3000and\u3000unobtrusively\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000frustration\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000expected\u3000anything\u3000else\u3002\u3000It\u3000really\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3002\u3000She’d\u3000just\u3000have\u3000to\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000show\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ignoring\u3000the\u3000two\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000followed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000made\u3000her\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000private\u3000chambers\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000also\u3000took\u3000Reverie\u3000so\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000drows\u3000every\u3000need\u3002\u3000She\u3000guessed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000so\u3000invasive\u3000as\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000her\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3000her\u3000intuition\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000She\u3000strode\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000shut\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Once\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000mulling\u3000possibilities\u3000over\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000just\u3000provided\u3000her\u3000servant\u3000with\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000free\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow’s\u3000subjugation\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000almost\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mistress’s\u3000gullibility\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000would\u3000run\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3002\u3000After\u3000ten\u3000years\u3000as\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000battle\u3000captive\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000wanted\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wretched\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000her\u3000domination\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Eryndlyn\u3002\u3000The\u3000problem\u3000was\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000binding\u3000in\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000could\u3000actually\u3000get\u3000free\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000help\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000she\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000once\u3000she\u3000actually\u3000did\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000provide\u3000the\u3000\u3003proof\u3003\u3000of\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000daughter’s\u3000guilt\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000Ssipriina\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000let\u3000her\u3000perish\u3000along\u3000with\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000ensure\u3000her\u3000own\u3000freedom\u3000first\u3000and\u3000not\u3000depend\u3000on\u3000another\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000binding\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000was\u3000insidious\u3000in\u3000its\u3000effectiveness\u3002\u3000Though\u3000Danifae\u3000didn’t\u3000truly\u3000believe\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sometimes\u3000wished\u3000that\u3000the\u3000pulsion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000binding\u3000fully\u3000controlled\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000merely\u3000restricting\u3000her\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000distance\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000herself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000better\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000daughter\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mindless\u3000zombie\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000accord\uff1b\u3000attending\u3000willingly\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3000of\u3000straying\u3000too\u3000far\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000It\u3000locked\u3000her\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3000as\u3000surely\u3000as\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000their\u3000ankles\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000the\u3000early\u3000years\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000wanted\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000throttle\u3000her\u3000mistress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000death\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000about\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000would\u3000experience\u3000her\u3000own\u3000demise\u3000in\u3000a\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000excruciatingly\u3000painful\u3000manner\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000the\u3000binding\u3002\u3000It\u3000sustained\u3000her\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000alive\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000willed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Distance\u3000was\u3000not\u3000a\u3000factor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000Danifae\u3000disregarded\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000wishes\u3000and\u3000went\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000that\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000let\u3000her\u3000wither\u3000away\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mushroom\u3000with\u3000its\u3000roots\u3000hacked\u3000off\u3002\u3000Displease\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000would\u3000succumb\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hated\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000binding’s\u3000magic\u3000was\u3000alien\u3000to\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000was\u3000required\u3000to\u3000sever\u3000it\u3000or\u3000if\u3000it\u3000even\u3000could\u3000be\u3000severed\u3000by\u3000any\u3000hand\u3000other\u3000than\u3000Halisstra’s\u3002\u3000The\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000discovery\u3000was\u3000too\u3000great\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000her\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000inquire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000rarely\u3000let\u3000her\u3000servant\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sight\u3002\u3000With\u3000Halisstra\u3000under\u3000arrest\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000the\u3000perfect\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000through\uff1b\u3000to\u3000finally\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000could\u3000be\u3000done\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3000unless\u3000Danifae\u3000convinced\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000solution\u3000to\u3000her\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000would\u3000lift\u3000a\u3000finger\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\uff1b\u3000even\u3000with\u3000her\u3000promises\u3000of\u3000damning\u3000testimony\u3000against\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000Drisinil\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000That\u3000only\u3000left\u3000Danifae\u3000with\u3000the\u3000option\u3000of\u3000actually\u3000saving\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Damn\u3000her\uff01\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000silently\u3000screamed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mistress’s\u3000Reverie\u3000couch\uff1b\u3000pounding\u3000a\u3000pillow\u3000for\u3000good\u3000measure\u3002\u3000She\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000rip\u3000the\u3000stuffing\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000long\u3000years\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000of\u3000punishment\u3000had\u3000trained\u3000her\u3000to\u3000resist\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000emotions\u3000get\u3000the\u3000better\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000stayed\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000to\u3000calm\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000she\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000next\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000even\u3000if\u3000she\u3000somehow\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000extricate\u3000Halisstra\u2026and\u3000by\u3000extension\uff1b\u3000herself\u2026from\u3000this\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000life\u3000as\u3000they\u3000both\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000might\u3000very\u3000well\u3000be\u3000over\u3002\u3000They\u3000might\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000coup\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000then\uff1b\u3000where\u3000would\u3000they\u3000go\uff1f\u3000Without\u3000Lolth’s\u3000blessings\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000them\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000especially\u3000bleak\u3000outlook\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Making\u3000up\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000who\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000was\u3000still\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000ally\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000considered\u3000were\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guards\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000why\u3002\u3000Ssipriina\u3000had\u3000likely\u3000already\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000given\u3000them\u3000the\u3000standard\u3000offer\uff1a\u3000change\u3000allegiance\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000or\u3000find\u3000themselves\u3000unemployed\u3000or\u3000dead\u3002\u3000She\u3000doubted\u3000there\u3000were\u3000any\u3000who\u3000would\u3000still\u3000rally\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000at\u3000least\u3000look\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000and\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000two\u3000guards\u3000who\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000present\u3002\u3000She\u3000supposed\u3000that\u3000they\u3000assumed\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000try\u3000anything\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000House\u3000was\u3000locked\u3000down\u3000and\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000go\u3000find\u3000something\u3000more\u3000interesting\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000makes\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000as\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000hurried\u3000on\u3000her\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000as\u3000Faeryl\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mother\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000lofty\u3000oversized\u3000chair\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000dais\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000her\u3000advisors\uff1b\u3000while\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000soldiers\u3000were\u3000spread\u3000inconspicuously\u3000but\u3000generously\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000absently\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000usurp\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000without\u3000an\u3000argument\u3000from\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000guards\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000lies\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3000must\u3000have\u3000worked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000you\u3000are\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000said\u3000impatiently\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000over\u3000your\u3000story\u3000once\u3000more\u3000before\u3000the\u3000others\u3000get\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000sighed\u3000but\u3000dutifully\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000throne\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mother\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000details\u3000memorized\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000can\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000go\u3000over\u3000them\u3000with\u3000me\u3000and\u3000continue\u3000doing\u3000it\u3000until\u3000Jam\u3000convinced\uff1b\u3000you\u3000ungrateful\u3000brat\uff01\u3000You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000stop\u3000until\u3000then\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000mother\u3000looked\u3000entirely\u3000too\u3000fortable\u3000in\u3000the\u3000throne\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000grander\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000they\u3000had\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000manor\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000difference\u3000between\u3000a\u3000merchant\u3000House\u3000and\u3000a\u3000truly\u3000noble\u3000House\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dungeons\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000could\u3000rule\u3000over\u3000her\u3000charges\u3000in\u3000peace\u3002\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000having\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000demands\u3002\u3000Where\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000pond\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000big\u3000fish\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000always\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000storehouse\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she’d\u3000orchestrated\u3000the\u3000transport\u3000of\u3000the\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000however\u3000briefly\u3002\u3000Under \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n efly\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000scrutiny\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000petulant\u3000child\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000four\u3000drow\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000last\u3000at\u3000House\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000bulge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000reaches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000stacked\u3000above\u3000the\u3000level\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000also\u3000hung\u3000below\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000covered\u3000an\u3000area\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3000blocks\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000just\u3000as\u3000deep\u3002\u3000To\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000cyst\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000he\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000intent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000architects\u3000who’d\u3000fashioned\u3000it\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000loathed\u3000the\u3000form\u3000she’d\u3000chosen\u3000for\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000it\u3000ugly\u3000and\u3000without\u3000civility\u3002\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000certainly\u3000any\u3000ore\u3000who\u3000spotted\u3000her\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000her\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000race\u3000repulsive\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000its\u3000advantages\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000that\u3000advantage\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000not\u3000recognize\u3000her\u3002\u3000Following\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000and\u3000his\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000panions\u3000through\u3000the\u3000web\u3000streets\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000being\u3000led\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fourth\u3000drow\u2026whom\u3000she\u3000found\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rather\u3000unattractive\u2026Aliisza\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000her\u3000lover\u3000of\u3000earlier\u3000in\u3000the\u3000day\u3000to\u3000spot\u3000her\u3002\u3000As\u3000well\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000notice\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000baser\u3000creatures\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000citizens\u3000might\u3000have\u3000outnumbered\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000races\u3000bined\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fearful\u3000of\u3000being\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000public\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000Aliisza\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000fear\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000well\u2026being\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000best\u3000to\u3000dra \n
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\n \u3000public\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000Aliisza\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000fear\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000well\u2026being\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000best\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000as\u3000little\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000she\u3000found\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000overhear\u3000more\u3000interesting\u3000conversations\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000form\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000beings\u3000tended\u3000to\u3000stall\u3000or\u3000whisper\u3000whenever\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000any\u3000drow\u3000about\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000so\u3000mindful\u3000of\u3000their\u3000words\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000an\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000beautiful\u3000for\u3000her\u3000race\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000could\u3000certainly\u3000understand\u3000why\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000rebellion\u3000or\u3000of\u3000invasion\u3000everywhere\u3000she\u3000went\u3002\u3000Half\u3000the\u3000inhabitants\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000think\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000in\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\u3000was\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000end\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000reign\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000believed\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000already\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000doing\u3000just\u3000that\u3000and\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000already\u3000living\u3000there\u3000would\u3000pay\u3000the\u3000price\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000One\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000constant\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000other\u3000opinions\u3000were\u3000revealed\uff1a\u3000Everyone\u3000blamed\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000for\u3000their\u3000problems\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000angered\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000it\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000for\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Others\u3000said\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000weak\u3000and\u3000ineffectual\u3000from\u3000the\u3000placency\u3000of\u3000her\u3000worshipers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000had\u3000allowed\u3000other\u3000deities\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000expecting\u3000or\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000intriguing\u3000rumor\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000tale\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000most\u3000recent\u3002\u3000Spreading\u3000like\u3000wildfire\uff1b\u3000it\u3000claimed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000in\u3000their\u3000midst\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3000who\u3000had\u3000collaborated\u3000with\u3000a\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000from\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000city\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000low\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000were\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000variations\u3000on\u3000that\u3000story\u3002\u3000The\u3000traitors\u3000consorted\u3000with\u3000demons\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000demons\u3000in\u3000disguise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000were\u3000stealing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000were\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000had\u3000little\u3000doubt\u3000about\u3000the\u3000veracity\u3000of\u3000the\u3000story\uff1b\u3000for\u3000she\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000must\u3000be\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000had\u3000been\u3000apprehended\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000her\u3000little\u3000scheme\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Pharaun\u3000regretted\u3000mentioning\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000curious\u3000about\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000role\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rumor\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000story\u3000that\u3000included\u3000a\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3000The\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000been\u3000swept\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000events\u3000or\u3000if\u3000spending\u3000the\u3000afternoon\u3000with\u3000her\u2026\u3000she\u3000shivered\u3000with\u3000delight\u3000at\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000it\u2026had\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000clear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000gotten\u3000entangled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers’\u3000schemes\u3000thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000bound\u3000to\u3000eventually\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000with\u3000a\u3000certainty\u3000born\u3000of\u3000having\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000political\u3000machinations\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000kind\u3000drag\u3000even\u3000the\u3000most\u3000unwilling\u3000creatures\u3000into\u3000its\u3000webbing\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000part\u3000to\u3000play\u3000in\u3000the\u3000unfolding\u3000events\uff1b\u3000as\u3000much\u3000for\u3000his\u3000inquisitive\uff1b\u3000forceful\u3000nature\u3000as\u3000for\u3000his\u3000relationship\u3000with\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000he\u3000so\u3000casually\u3000followed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Regardless\u3000of\u3000what\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000wanted\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stranger\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000obviously\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\u3000by\u3000the\u3000insignia\u3000on\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000under\u3000duress\u3000or\u3000coerced\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000puzzle\u3000on\u3000that\u3000some\u3000more\u3002\u3000One\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000certain\uff1b\u3000however\uff1a\u3000The\u3000effect\u3000the\u3000rumor\u3000was\u3000having\u3000on\u3000the\u3000populace\u3000was\u3000not\u3000good\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000shouldn’t\u3000care\u3000If\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000been\u3000apprehended\u3002\u3000Theirs\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000relationship\u3000of\u3000mutual\u3000satisfaction\uff1b\u3000no\u3000more\uff1b\u3000no\u3000less\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000diversion\u3000from\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cambion\uff1b\u3000had\u3000always\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000this\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000bothered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000informal\u3000nature\u3000of\u3000their\u3000\u3003chance\u3000meeting\u3003\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000was\u3000what\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3000so\u3000delicious\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000But\u3000the\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000did\u3000care\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000she\u3000should\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000if\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000her\u3000help\u3002\u3000She\u3000supposed\u3000she\u3000simply\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000also\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000only\u3000reason\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000re\u2026turned\u3000to\u3000Ammarindar\u3000to\u3000report\u3000to\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\u3000all\u3000she’d\u3000discovered\u3000thus\u3000far\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000multitude\u3000of\u3000sights\u3000and\u3000sounds\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000that\u3000attracted\u3000her\u3000still\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000exquisite\u3000feeling\u3000she\u3000got\u3000whenever\u3000creatures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000race\u3000she\u3000chose\u3000for\u3000her\u3000disguise\u2026whether\u3000it\u3000be\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000ore\uff1b\u3000or\u3000yet\u3000some\u3000other\u3000species\u2026admired\u3000her\u3000form\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000too\u3000long\u3000since\u3000she’d\u3000experienced\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000also\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000events\u3000unfold\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000She\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000tension\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000witness\u3000the\u3000violence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chaos\uff1b\u3000should\u3000something\u3000e\u3000to\u3000pass\u3002\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ripe\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000was\u3000literally\u3000buzzing\u3000with\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000four\u3000drow\u3000she\u3000followed\u3000moved\u3000casually\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000adjusting\u3000their\u3000course\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000largest\u3000crowds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000never\u3000tarried\u3000near\u3000side\u3000web\u3000streets\u3000or\u3000alleyways\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000Aliisza\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000warily\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000once\uff1b\u3000they\u3000magically\u3000bypassed\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowds\uff1b\u3000levitating\u3000or\u3000using\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000doorways\u3000that\u3000both\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000employed\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\u3002\u3000They\u3000led\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000higher\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000it\u3000became\u3000apparent\u3000to\u3000Aliisza\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000either\u3000stop\u3000or\u3000change\u3000shape\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000unhindered\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000few\u3000ores\u3000that\u3000high\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000draw\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000her\u3000present\u3000guise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Changing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000form\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000she\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000four\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000until\u3000they\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000a\u3000large\u3000noble\u3000House\uff1b\u3000which\u3000they\u3000entered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000found\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000spot\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000building\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000down\u3000to\u3000wait\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000TEN
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000Xornbane\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000his\u3000fidgeting\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000his\u3000clan\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hiding\u3000and\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000stand\u3000it\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002\u3000Hiding\u3000several\u3000thousand\u3000duergar\u3000was\u3000never\u3000easy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000city\u3000full\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000its\u3000toll\u3000on\u3000his\u3000nerves\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000that\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000over\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Until\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000had\u3000been\u3000relatively\u3000easy\u3000and\u3000pain\u2026free\u3002\u3000Ambushing\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000her\u3000retinue\u3000in\u3000the\u3000storehouse\u3000had\u3000been\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000simple\u3002\u3000She\u3000obviously\u3000trusted\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000far\u3000too\u3000much\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000cost\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000her\u3000soldiers\u3000and\u3000advisors\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\uff1b\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000would\u3000lead\u3000someone\u3000to\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000and\u3000his\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000manor\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unused\u3000wing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000barracks\u3000where\u3000no\u3000soldiers\u3000were\u3000currently\u3000quartered\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000driving\u3000Khorrl\u3000mad\u3002\u3000His\u3000sentries\u3000had\u3000not\u3000reported\u3000anyone\u3000even\u3000ing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000halls\u3000where\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000found\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000ruined\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Captain\u3002\u3003\u3000An\u3000all\u2026too\u2026familiar\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storehouse\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000race\u3000with\u3000anticipation\u3002\u3000Zammzt\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wry\u3000smile\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000gotten\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zammzt\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000work\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000together\u3000in\u3000delight\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000going\u3000over\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000in\u3000his\u3000head\u3000once\u3000more\u3000as\u3000he\u3000issued\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Zammzt\u3000faded\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000from\u3000which\u3000he’d\u3000emerged\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000real\u3000fighting\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000begin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000fast\u3000growing\u3000bored\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000wished\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000would\u3000simply\u3000see\u3000things\u3000as\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000had\u3000laid\u3000them\u3000out\u3000so\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000declare\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000treasonous\u3000and\u3000dissolved\uff1b\u3000and\u3000permit\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000to\u3000rise\u3000to\u3000a\u3000position\u3000of\u3000prominence\u3000so\u3000that\u3000Ssipriina\u3000could\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Council\u3002\u3000But\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000prerequisite\u3000squabbling\u3000that\u3000had\u3000to\u3000take\u3000place\uff1b\u3000first\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000supposed\u3000she\u3000would\u3000care\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000if\u3000she\u3000stood\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000more\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000ordering\u3000her\u3000around\u2026and\u3000getting\u3000ordered\u3000around\u3000in\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000by\u3000someone\u3000other\u3000than\u3000Drisinil\u3000Melarn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There’s\u3000always\u3000someone\u3000using\u3000you\u3000as\u3000their\u3000footstool\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000high\u3000you\u3000reach\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000nod\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000subservience\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whims\u3000of\u3000Lolth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000herself\u3000has\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Faeryl\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000wasting\u3000our\u3000time\u3000with\u3000your\u3000idle\u3000fancies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pay\u3000attention\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3000said\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000Faeryl\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Sorry\uff1b\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000drow\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000chagrined\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000focused\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000on\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000at\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000for\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000talking\u3000as\u3000one\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000said\u3003\u3000Inidil\u3000Mylyl\u3000declared\uff1b\u3000emphasizing\u3000the\u3000word\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000put\u3000out\u3000at\u3000having\u3000to\u3000repeat\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000\u3003that\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000tale\u3000in\u3000its\u3000entirety\u3000once\u3000more\u3000would\u3000go\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000clarifying\u3000just\u3000exactly\u3000how\u3000this\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000happen\u3000right\u3000under\u3000our\u3000noses\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000Faeryl\u3000can\u3000indulge\u3000us\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000more\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000groaned\u3000inwardly\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000already\u3000explained\u3000herself\u3000three\u3000times\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000with\u3000several\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000her\u3000story\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3000once\u3000more\u3000for\u3000those\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000chosen\uff1b\u3000for\u3000whatever\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3000late\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000drow\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000used\u3000to\u3000keeping\u3000others\u3000waiting\u3000and\u3000daring\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000question\u3000them\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000queasy\u3000as\u3000she\u3000crossed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Mylyl\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000as\u3000politely\u3000as\u3000she\u3000coul \n
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\n e\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Mylyl\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000as\u3000politely\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000the\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000nobility\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000was\u3000still\u3000inconsequential\u3000and\u3000could\u3000be\u3000held\u3000accountable\u3000for\u3000everything\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000done\u3000and\u3000said\u3000up\u3000to\u3000that\u3000point\u3002\u3000Embarrassing\u3000one’s\u3000own\u3000mother\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000superiors\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000to\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000position\u3000within\u3000a\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000both\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000and\u3000her\u3000explanation\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000handled\u3000just\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003For\u3000the\u3000sake\u3000of\u3000understanding\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003let\u3000me\u3000start\u3000by\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000represents\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000in\u3000certain\u3000business\u3000interests\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000represent\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000efforts\u3000on\u3000behalf\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000I\u3000serve\u2026or\u3000did\u3000serve\uff1b\u3000rather\u2026as\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000to\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3000herself\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000difficulties\u3000arose\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\uff1b\u3000as\u3000you\u3000now\u3000know\uff1b\u3000experienced\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Concerned\u3000about\u3000this\u3000and\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000caravan\u3000traffic\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000cities\uff1b\u3000I\u3000petitioned\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Baenre\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000me\u3000to\u3000return\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Triel\u3000refused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000effectively\u3000placed\u3000me\u3000under\u3000house\u3000arrest\uff1b\u3000for\u3000what\u3000concerns\u3000I\u3000never\u3000found\u3000out\u3002\u3000She\u3000eventually\u3000imprisoned\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000on\u3000my\u3000own\u3002\u3000While\u3000I\u3000did\u3000not\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000damage\u3000the\u3000relationship\u3000between\u3000our\u3000Houses\u3000and\u3000House\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000my\u3000loyalty\u3000and\u3000concern\u3000lay\u3000solely\u3000with\u3000my\u3000own\u3000family\u3000and\u3000those\u3000families\u3000we\u3000serve\u3000here\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000ordered\u3000put\u3000to\u3000death\u3000for\u3000treason\uff1b\u3000but\u3000thankfully\uff1b\u3000the\u3000execution\u3000never\u3000occurred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Triel\u3000changed\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000at\u3000some\u3000point\uff1b\u3000choosing\u3000instead\u3000to\u3000forgive\u3000me\u3000whatever\u3000sins\u3000I\u3000supposedly\u3000mitted\u3002\u3000She\u3000assigned\u3000me\u3000to\u3000journey\u3000with\u3000her\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000and\u3000several\u3000others\u3000here\u3000to\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000to\u3000reestablish\u3000trading\u3000and\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000if\u3000more\u3000information\u3000was\u3000available\u3000concerning\u3000the\uff1b\u3000uh\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Child\uff1b\u3000we\u3000all\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Lolth\u3000has\u3000vanished\u3002\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000tread\u3000around\u3000the\u3000subject\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Aunrae\u3000Nasadra\uff1b\u3000the\u3000uncrowned\u3000queen\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000House\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000swallowed\u3000as\u3000Aunrae\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000an\u3000uprising\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slave\u3000revolt\u3000supported\u3000by\u3000outside\u3000forces\u3002\u3000Containing\u3000it\u3000consumed\u3000a\u3000substantial\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sisterhood’s\u3000divine\u3000resources\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Triel\u3000sent\u3000the\u3000group\u3000of\u3000us\u3000here\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000Lolth’s\u3000disappearance\u3000was\u3000limited\u3000to\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000or\u3000felt\u3000across\u3000all\u3000tribes\u3000of\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000also\u3000wanted\u3000Quenthel\u3000to\u3000procure\u3000any\u3000divine\u3000magic\u3000she\u3000could\u3000lay\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000here\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Triel\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000rationalized\u3000that\u3000since\u3000House\u3000Baenre\u3000held\u3000part\u3000ownership\u3000in\u3000Black\u3000Claw\u3000Mercantile\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000the\u3000storehouses\u3000stocked\u3000was\u3000her\u3000city’s\u3000by\u3000right\u3002\u3000Once\u3000I\u3000was\u3000able\u3000to\u3000covertly\u3000relay\u3000this\u3000to\u3000my\u3000mother\u3000via\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000and\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000contacts\uff1b\u3000we\u3000worked\u3000together\u3000to\u3000set\u3000a\u3000trap\u3000and\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000Menzoberranyr\u3000in\u3000the\u3000act\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000only\u3000when\u3000we\u3000all\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000storehouse\u3000that\u3000we\u3000discovered\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Melarn\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000aiding\u3000the\u3000visitors\u3002\u3000My\u3000mother\u3000confronted\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000together\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Melarn\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000escape\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Drisinil\u3000was\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000down\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000flee\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000added\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3000whatever\u3000I\u3000could\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000her\u3000if\u3000I\u3000could\u3000have\u3000reached\u3000her\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000and\u3000my\u3000own\u3000magic\u3000is\u3000too\u3000weakened\u3000to\u3000stave\u3000off\u3000the\u3000passing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000conspired\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000them\u3000to\u3000sneak\u3000into\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000going\u3000so\u3000far\u3000as\u3000to\u3000mislead\u3000a\u3000city\u3000patrol\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000who\u3000asked\u3000this\u3000question\u3000was\u3000Jyslin\u3000Aleanra\u2026hel\u3002\u3000Her\u3000features\u3000were\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000fierce\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000reputation\u3000as\u3000a\u3000malicious\uff1b\u3000greedy\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000found\u3000fault\u3000in\u3000every\u3000action\u3000was\u3000legendary\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000had\u3000never\u3000liked\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000in\u3000a\u3000position\u3000to\u3000show\u3000that\u3000sentiment\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000have\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000been\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000spy\u3000on\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jyslin\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000their\u3000supposed\u3000story\u3000of\u3000reestablishing\u3000contact\u3000here\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000falsehood\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000off\u2026balance\u3002\u3000I\u3000daresay\u3000the\u3000males\u3000still\u3000loose\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3000are\u3000sending\u3000sensitive\u3000information\u3000back\u3000to\u3000their\u3000superiors\u3000even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000if\u3000this\u3000wizard\u3000is\u3000as\u3000capable\u3000as\u3000you\u3000alleged\u3000before\u3002\u3000I\u3000might\u3000have\u3000expected\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000more\u3000clever\u3000girl\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000that’s\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000studiously\u3000ignored\u3000her\u3000mother\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000had\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000Though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000mentioned\u3000it\u3000before\u2026since\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lie\u3000she\u3000had\u3000only\u3000conceived\u3000of\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spur\u3000of\u3000the\u3000moment\u2026there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000Jyslin\u3000could\u3000challenge\u3000her\u3000for\u3000leaving\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u3000story\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000could\u3000pretend\u3000she’d\u3000simply\u3000forgotten\u3000it\u3000until\u3000then\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000that\uff1b\u3000right\u3000after\u3000passing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gates\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000the\u3000good\u3000fortune\u3000to\u3000spy\u3000Mistress\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000her\u3000consort\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000Yauntyrr\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000them\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000sordid\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000considered\u3000it\u3000a\u3000stroke\u3000of\u3000good\u3000fortune\uff1b\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000specific\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000move\u3000into\u3000their\u3000line\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000so\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000see\u3000it\u3000was\u3000me\u3000and\u3000notice\u3000I\u3000was\u3000with\u3000strangers\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000for\u3000certain\u3000they\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000even\u3000flashed\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000message\u3000to\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000either\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3000me\u3000or\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000know\u3000they’d\u3000been\u3000there\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000Halisstra\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000melted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000anything\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000I\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000she\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000there\u3000to\u3000signal\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Hahsstra’s\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000wide\u3000at\u3000hearing\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000accusations\u3002\u3000She\u3000sputtered\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000we\u3000never\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mothers\uff1b\u3000I\u3000assure\u3000you\u3000that\u3000we\u3000never\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000and\u3000her\u3000panions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000innocent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000charges\u3000leveled\u3000against\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000specifically\u3000avoided\u3000denying\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3002\u3000It\u3000ha \n
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\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000specifically\u3000avoided\u3000denying\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000gamble\uff1b\u3000supposing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vicinity\u3000in\u3000the\u3000last\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000paid\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000unwanted\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000being\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000I\u3000am\u3000mistaken\uff1b\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000quickly\u3000interjected\u3002\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000daggers\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000return\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000crowded\u3000there\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000refugees\u3000and\u3000the\u3000base\u2026born\u3000males\u3000in\u3000their\u3000revelry\uff1b\u3000so\u3000its\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000how\u3000I\u3000only\u3000thought\u3000Danifae\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000someone\u3000in\u3000my\u3000party\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000were\u3000obviously\u3000seeking\u3000someone\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000grin\u3000at\u3000her\u3000own\u3000cleverness\u3002\u3000By\u3000pulling\u3000back\uff1b\u3000admitting\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3000she\u3000doubly\u3000damned\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000The\u3000seed\u3000of\u3000doubt\u3000had\u3000been\u3000planted\u3000in\u3000everyone’s\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000less\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000force\u3000them\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000her\u3000theory\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000likely\u3000they\u3000all\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000it\uff1b\u3000such\u3000was\u3000drow\u3000nature\u3002\u3000For\u3000those\u3000who\u3000chose\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000Halisstras\u3000innocence\uff1b\u3000that\u3000left\u3000only\u3000one\u3000other\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000such\u3000an\u3000improper\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000it\u3000shed\u3000an\u3000unpleasant\u3000light\u3000on\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Jyslin\u3000Aleanrahel\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000only\u3000a\u3000trader\uff1b\u3000unused\u3000to\u3000the\u3000machinations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000higher\u3000nobility\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000foreseen\u3000how\u3000greatly\u3000this\u3000would\u3000have\u3000displeased\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000conceived\u3000of\u3000a\u3000better\u3000way\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000at\u3000hand\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000I\u3000still\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000will\u3000consider\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000keeping\u3000only\u3000the\u3000best\u3000interests\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000acting\u3000in\u3000all\u3000ways\u3000on\u3000its\u3000behalf\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000general\u3000murmur\u3000from\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000as\u3000they\u3000put\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000together\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000discussing\u3000the\u3000additional\u3000implications\u3000of\u3000guilt\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000little\u3000tale\u3000had\u3000just\u3000heaped\u3000upon\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\uff1b\u3000the\u3000suggestion\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000been\u3000carousing\u3000with\u3000the\u3000moners\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000her\u3000disgraceful\u3000behavior\u3000was\u3000of\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000sort\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000unfit\u3000to\u3000rule\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\u3002\u3000That\u3000half\u3000of\u3000it\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000be\u3000true\u3000only\u3000made\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000incident\u3000sweeter\u3000to\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000glad\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000their\u3000noses\u3000at\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enough\uff01\u3003\u3000Aunrae\u3000Nasadra\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000rapping\u3000her\u3000rune\u2026covered\u3000staff\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Even\u3000in\u3000such\u3000an\u3000impromptu\u3000meeting\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eldest\u3000and\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000manded\u3000absolute\u3000respect\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000room\u3000fell\u3000silent\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000nonsense\u3000is\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000we\u3000face\u3000the\u3000bleak\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000our\u3000goddess’s\u3000favor\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000we\u3000expect\u3000Lolth\u3000to\u3000grant\u3000us\u3000her\u3000attention\u3000when\u3000we\u3000waste\u3000so\u3000much\u3000time\u3000and\u3000energy\u3000on\u3000such\u3000ridiculous\u3000discussions\u3000as\u3000who’s\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000roth\u00e9\u3000muck\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000matriarch\u3000walked\u3000among\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000at\u3000them\u3000all\u3002\u3000\u3003Whether\u3000or\u3000not\u3000House\u3000Melarn’s\u3000progeny\u3000chooses\u3000to\u3000whore\u3000around\u3000with\u3000low\u2026born\u3000males\u3000in\u3000the\u3000seamiest\u3000underbelly\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000is\u3000of\u3000no\u3000concern\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000stole\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000face\u3000was\u3000down\u3000in\u3000humiliation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Nasadra\u3000paid\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000any\u3000heed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000streets\u3000are\u3000not\u3000safe\u3000for\u3000most\u3000drow\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000all\u3000know\u3000the\u3000extra\u3000precautions\u3000we\u3000had\u3000to\u3000take\u3000even\u3000to\u3000e\u3000here\u3002\u3000Our\u3000city\u3000is\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000disaster\uff1b\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000we\u3000must\u3000stand\u3000here\u3000and\u3000discuss\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000a\u3000noble\u3000House\uff1b\u3000one\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Council\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ssipriina\u3000has\u3000suggested\u3000that\u3000we\u3000dissolve\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000and\u3000offer\u3000up\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000these\u3000remaining\u3000outsiders\u3000as\u3000sacrifices\u3000to\u3000appease\u3000the\u3000masses\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3002\u3000While\u3000we\u3000know\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000why\u3000our\u3000beloved\u3000Lolth\u3000is\u3000angry\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000is\u3000angry\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000certain\u3002\u3000Will\u3000this\u3000help\uff1f\u3000Will\u3000it\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000blessings\u3000back\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000make\u3000an\u3000example\u3000of\u3000the\u3000traitors\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000city\u3000see\u3000us\u3000do\u3000it\u3000will\u3000it\u3000quiet\u3000the\u3000citizens\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000but\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000will\u3000it\u3000satisfy\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000return\u3000to\u3000your\u3000Houses\u3000satisfied\u3000that\u3000a\u3000House\u3000has\u3000fallen\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hierarchy\u3000has\u3000shuffled\u3000sufficiently\uff1f\u3000There\u3000are\u3000things\u3000more\u3000fragile\u3000than\u3000the\u3000peace\u3000of\u3000our\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000are\u3000few\u3000in\u3000number\u3002\u3000This\u3000backstabbing\uff1b\u3000while\u3000inherent\u3000in\u3000our\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000is\u3000misplaced\u3000during\u3000this\u3000time\u3000of\u3000difficulties\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000this\u3000Baenre\u3000priestess’s\u3000panions\u3000know\u3000something\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000they\u3000have\u3000an\u3000inkling\u3000of\u3000what\u3000troubles\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1f\u3000If\u3000you\u3000simply\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3000then\u3000you\u3000get\u3000what\u3000you\u3000want\u2026\u3000one\u3000less\u3000House\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000in\u3000your\u3000way\u2026but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000kill\u3000them\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000as\u3000spies\u3000or\u3000as\u3000sacrifices\uff1b\u3000you\u3000might\u3000lose\u3000valuable\u3000information\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Shut\u3000your\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000child\uff01\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000hissed\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000shamed\u3000us\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000one\u3000lifetime\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000think\u3000that\u3000you\u3000can\u3000escape\u3000justice\u3000merely\u3000by\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000be\u3000loyal\u3000now\u3002\u3000Its\u3000too\u3000late\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000deterred\u3002\u3000She\u3000proceeded\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000stares\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000gave\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000if\u3000this\u3000wizard\u3000has\u3000discovered\u3000something\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Faeryl\u3000has\u3000already\u3000told\u3000us\u3000he\u3000is\u3000clever\u3000and\u3000was\u3000not\u3000above\u3000antagonizing\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000put\u3000it\u3000past\u3000him\u3000to\u3000know\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he’s\u3000letting\u3000on\u3002\u3000Why\u3000kill\u3000him\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000so\u3000inclined\u3000to\u3000parlay\u3000with\u3000us\uff1f\u3000Could\u3000he\u3000be\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000reveal\u3000his\u3000own\u3000secrets\uff1f\u3000Perhaps\u3000even\u3000for\u3000a\u3000price\uff1f\u3000There\u3000are\u3000those\u3000among\u3000you\u3000who\u3000do\u3000not\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000what\u3000he\u3000has\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000He\u3000might\u3000expose\u3000the\u3000lies\u3000you\u3000have\u3000told\u3000concerning\u3000my\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aunrae\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000Lolth\u3000would\u3000grant\u3000such\u3000a\u3000vision\u3000to\u3000a\u3000male\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000she\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000a\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000however\u3000clever\uff1b\u3000to\u3000unlock\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000her\u3000silence\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003These\u3000are\u3000desperate\u3000times\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000you\u3000said\u3000so\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000close\u3000any\u3000possible\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000redemption\uff1b\u3000however\u3000thickly\u3000cloaked\u3000in\u3000folly\u3000it\u3000may\u3000seem\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000few\u3000avenues\u3000of\u3000redemption\u3000for\u3000my\u3000life\u3000left\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000my\u3000own\u3000desperate\u3000times\u3002\u3000Whether\u3000you\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000question\u3000him\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000I\u3000merely\u3000ask\u3000that\u3000you\u3000bring\u3000him\u3000as\u3000a\u3000witness\u3000into\u3000these\u3000proceedings\u3002\u3000His\u3000words\u3000could\u3000prove\u3000my\u3000own\u3000innocence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000not\u3000liking\u3000where\u3000this\u3000was\u3000leading\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000think\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000mistake\u3000to\u3000put\u3000the\u3000full\u3000plan\u3000into\u3000motion\u3000until\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000also\u3000been\u3000brought\u3000into\u3000custody\uff1b\u3000or\u3000better\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000killed\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000to\u3000him\u3000before\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000it\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000one\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000then\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000would\u3000stop\u3000treating\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000child\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aunrae\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000pursed\u3000as\u3000though\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000younger\u3000drows\u3000words\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000argue\u3000for\u3000your\u3000life\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000your\u3000pleas\u3000have\u3000some\u3000merit\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000sentence\u3000on\u3000you\u3000until\u3000we’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002\u3000As\u3000for\u3000the\u3000’clever\u3000boy\uff1b’\u3000when\u3000he\u3000es\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we\u3000have\u3000him\u3000in\u3000our\u3000possession\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000extract\u3000whatever\u3000information\u3000he\u3000has\uff1b\u3000fully\u3000and\u3000without\u3000paying\u3000any\u3000price\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000think\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3000had\u3000established\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000leashes\u3000on\u3000her\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000same\u3000mistake\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000frowned\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistresses\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000duergar\uff01\u3000Hundreds\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000surrounding\u3000us\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000they’re\u3000attacking\uff01\u3003\u3000Another\u3000sonic\u3000shock\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000liveried\u3000boy\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000hug\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000terror\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000burn\u3000the\u3000stones\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000Mothers\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000is\u3000burning\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000ELEVEN
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\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000little\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000seemingly\u3000appear\u3000out\u3000of\u3000thin\u3000air\u3000around\u3000the\u3000great\u3000manor\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000had\u3000entered\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000surprised\u3000as\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000were\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000estimated\u3000numbered\u3000between\u3000two\u3000and\u3000three\u3000thousand\uff1b\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000line\u3000along\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000manor\u3000house\u3000before\u3000making\u3000themselves\u3000visible\u3000by\u3000firing\u3000off\u3000a\u3000volley\u3000of\u3000crossbows\u3002\u3000They\u3000also\u3000lobbed\u3000several\u3000dozen\u3000small\u3000clay\u3000pots\uff1b\u3000which\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000orange\u3000balls\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000upon\u3000impacting\u3000the\u3000stonework\u3000wall\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000the\u3000manor\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000An\u3000alarm\u3000was\u3000quickly\u3000sounded\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cyst\u2026like\u3000building\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3000drow\u3000appeared\u3000from\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000they\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000line\u3000across\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000their\u3000hand\u3000crossbows\u3002\u3000Several\u3000duergar\u3000dropped\u3000before\u3000the\u3000barrage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000exhibited\u3000wise\u3000tactics\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000shield\u3000wall\u3000with\u3000the\u3000front\u3000rank\u3000and\u3000firing\u3000a\u3000second\u3000volley\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000that\u3000protective\u3000barrier\u3002\u3000In\u3000several\u3000places\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000itself\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000from\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000fire\u3000bombs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000spreading\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000when\u3000the\u3000second\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000appeared\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000flanking\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000up\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000the\u3000front\u3000gates\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000never\u3000hesitated\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000willed\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000into\u3000being\u3002\u3000Ordinarily\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000needed\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000the\u3000phrase\u3000and\u3000perform\u3000the\u3000gestures\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000about\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000enhanced\u3000this\u3000particular\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000conjuration\u3000simply\u3000happened\u3000as\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000it\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000gestures\uff1b\u3000words\uff1b\u3000or\u3000delays\u3002\u3000A\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000roiling\u3000mist\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000obscuring\u3000everything\u3000around\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000would\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000Valas\u3000would\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000He\u3000promptly\u3000dismissed\u3000them\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000as\u3000he\u3000levitated\u3000upward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000concussive\u3000blast\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000House\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000only\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000floated\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000invisibility\u3000on\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000pletely\u3000obscure\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000more\u3000clever\u3000wizards\u3000and\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000would\u3000at\u3000least\u3000prevent\u3000the\u3000mon\u3000soldiery\u3000from\u3000spotting\u3000him\u3002\u3000From\u3000below\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000turmoil\u3000and\u3000confusion\u3000as\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000reacted\u3000to\u3000both\u3000the\u3000messenger’s\u3000words\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rumbles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000foundation\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000By\u3000then\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000had\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000magically\u3000dissipate\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000mist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000below\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000found\uff1b\u3000which\u3000didn’t\u3000surprise\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000maneuvered\u3000himself\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000crouched\u3000behind\u3000some\u3000statuary\uff1b\u3000Splitter\u3000in\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000ran\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000won’t\u3000stay\u3000hidden\u3000long\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000reasoned\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000still\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000mete\u3000out\u3000their\u3000own\u3000personal\u3000justice\u3000just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000could\u3000restore\u3000some\u3000order\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Considering\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000dug\u3000out\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000fleece\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000pockets\u3002\u3000With\u3000it\u3000he\u3000manufactured\u3000another\u3000spell\u3002\u3000This\u3000one\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000little\u3000enhancement\u3000to\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000was\u3000done\uff1b\u3000a\u3000new\uff1b\u3000illusory\u3000statue\u3000stood\u3000where\u3000Ryld\u3000was\uff1b\u3000further\u3000concealing\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000where\u3000several\u3000wizards\u3000were\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000casting\u3002\u3000Another\u3000was\u3000carefully\u3000turning\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000in\u3000every\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000magic\u3000emanated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They’re\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000realized\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Fumbling\u3000around\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pockets\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\uff1a\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000hammer\u3000and\u3000bell\uff1b\u3000both\u3000made\u3000of\u3000silver\u3002\u3000Striking\u3000the\u3000hammer\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000produced\u3000another\u3000magical\u3000effect\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000results\u3000were\u3000flashy\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Damnation\uff01\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000thought\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Rolling\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000downpour\u3000of\u3000acid\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000summoned\u3000his\u3000rapier\u3000as\u3000he\u3000leaped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000continuing\u3000his\u3000forward\u3000progress\u3000right\u3000at\u3000two\u3000more\u3000soldiers\u3002\u3000He\u3000used\u3000the\u3000hovering\uff1b\u3000dancing\u3000rapier\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000at\u3000bay\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000pass\u3000between\u3000them\u3000before\u3000they\u3000even\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Once\u3000he\u3000was\u3000through\uff1b\u3000he\u3000headed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000while\u3000more\u3000crossbow\u3000bolts\u3000and\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000streaking\u3000missiles\u3000of\u3000light\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000fizzled\u3000out\u3000as\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000his\u3000form\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000stumbled\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000balance\u3000as\u3000the\u3000deep\u3000rumble\u3000shook\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000To\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000who\u3000were\u3000\u3003escorting\u3003\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3000stumbled\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000their\u3000grips\u3000on\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000noble’s\u3000arms\u3000as\u3000they\u3000flailed\u3000about\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000regain\u3000their\u3000collective\u3000balance\u3002\u3000All\u3000around\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000shouts\u3000rose\u3000as\u3000drow\u3000began\u3000to\u3000mill\u3000about\u3000uncertainly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000confusion\u3000caused\u3000by\u3000the\u3000vibration\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000Stunned\u3000as\u3000much\u3000by\u3000the\u3000proceedings\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taking\u3000place\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000House\u2026her\u3000House\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u2026as\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shock\u3000wave\u3000that\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000merely\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000only\u3000her\u3000underclothes\u3000and\u3000with\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000securely\u3000manacled\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000around\u3000her\u3002
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\n \n
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\n \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rack\u3000where\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000restrained\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000torturemaster\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000vacantly\uff1b\u3000not\u3000understanding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Growling\u3000in\u3000exasperation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000repeated\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000then\u3000prehension\u3000lit\u3000his\u3000features\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000not\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000severe\u3000blast\u3000rocked\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tools\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000column\u3000where\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000been\u3000chained\u3000for\u3000support\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000lucky\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pile\u2026and\u3000even\u3000more\u3000unfortunately\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000many\u3000braziers\u3000of\u3000hot\u3000coals\u3000tipped\u3000over\u3000onto\u3000him\uff1b\u3000showering\u3000him\u3000with\u3000burning\u3000cinders\u3002\u3000Screaming\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000scrambled\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000embers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000already\u3000a\u3000conflagration\uff1b\u3000his\u3000clothes\u3000ignited\u3000and\u3000smoking\u3000as\u3000he\u3000flailed\u3000helplessly\u3000about\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000lovely\u3000creature\u3000who’d\u3000first\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000eye\u3000hissed\u3000in\u3000vexation\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000morning\u3000star\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000a\u3000buckler\u3000on\u3000her\u3000other\u3000arm\u3000held\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000where\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000closing\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Both\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000seemed\u3000quite\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000taking\u3000care\u3000of\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000finely\u3000tooled\u3000chain\u3000mail\u3000each\u3000of\u3000them\u3000wore\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000actually\u3000sported\u3000the\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000insignia\u3000on\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000guessed\u3000she\u3000must\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000daughters\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000invoke\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000words\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000short\u3000series\u3000of\u3000strikes\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elfin\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000who\u3000managed\u3000with\u3000some\u3000difficulty\u3000to\u3000parry\u3000the\u3000attacks\u3000with\u3000both\u3000her\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000her\u3000buckler\u3002\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000not\u3000really\u3000pressing\u3000his\u3000attack\u3000yet\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000was\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000size\u3000up\u3000the\u3000skill\u3000of\u3000his\u3000petition\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000well\u2026placed\u3000feints\u3000before\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000job\u3000efficiently\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000creep\u3000in\u3000from\u3000her\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000back\u2026stepped\u3000more\u3000than\u3000once\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000from\u3000getting\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000and\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000recite\u3000the\u3000activation\u3000phrase\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000spoke\u3000up\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000falter\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000gestured\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floors\u3000above\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000convenient\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000imperiled\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000implicated\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000treason\u3000and\u3000with\u3000no\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000peace\u3000offering\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000until\u3000we\u3000let\u3000down\u3000our\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000you\u3000turn\u3000us\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000claim\u3000you\u3000captured\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hope\u3000she\u3000lets\u3000you\u3000off\u3000the\u3000hook\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000say\u3000the\u3000same\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000won’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000daughter\u3000replied\u3002\u3000Without\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Danifae\uff1b\u3000I\u3000said\u3000stand\u3000down\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000save\u3000our\u3000own\u3000skins\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000testily\u3000than\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000considering\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000broker\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000truce\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000temporary\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000both\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000played\u3000by\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000e\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000help\u3000us\uff1b\u3000we\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000you\u3000information\u3000that\u3000will\u3000help\u3000prove\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lower\u3000your\u3000weapons\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000we’ll\u3000consider\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000not\u3000until\u3000we\u3000have\u3000some\u3000assurances\u3000that\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000attack\u3000us\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000we\u3000do\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000for\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000you\u3000weren’t\u3000in\u3000league\u3000with\u3000my\u3000mother\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000called\u3000out\u3000quietly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000warriors\u3000could\u3000dispatch\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000females\u3000with\u3000relatively\u3000little\u3000difficulty\uff1b\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000was\u3000backing\u3000them\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000careful\u3000selection\u3000of\u3000s \n
\n \n
\n
\n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shrugged\u3000helplessly\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000smoking\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000Actually\uff1b\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000rubble\u3000was\u3000ablaze\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000plumes\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000pouring\u3000off\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000where\u3000the\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000through\u3000the\u3000smoky\u3000haze\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000thoroughfare\u3000above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000at\u3000an\u3000angle\uff1b\u3000connecting\u3000to\u3000the\u3000besieged\u3000House\u3002\u3000A\u3000large\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3000was\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000bite\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000immense\u3000spiderweb\u3000strand\u3002\u3000Flames\u3000still\u3000licked\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000off\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000a\u3000small\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000immense\u3000structure\u3000still\u3000sat\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Aliisza\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000more\u3000of\u3000it\u3000could\u3000go\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\u3002\u3000The\u3000alu\u3000saw\u3000how\u3000dangerous\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3000below\u3000the\u3000burning\u3000stone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000must\u3000have\u3000sensed\u3000this\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000move\u3000back\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000retracing\u3000its\u3000steps\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000when\u3000a\u3000second\u3000drow\u3000patrol\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000group\uff1b\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000five\u3000or\u3000six\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000leader\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000gestured\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000and\u3000a\u3000crackling\u3000bolt\u3000of\u3000electricity\u3000shot\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000square\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000as\u3000its\u3000hair\u3000burned\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000nearly\u3000dropped\u3000its\u3000war\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000after\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000was\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000couldn’t\u3000work\u3000its\u3000fingers\u3000right\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000swarmed\u3000toward\u3000it\uff1b\u3000crossbows\u3000and\u3000swords\u3000out\u3000and\u3000ready\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000felled\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000fascinated\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000humanoid\u3000fumbled\u3000in\u3000its\u3000hip\u3000pouch\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000clay\u3000jugs\u3002\u3000From\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000it\u3000threw\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000charging\u3000drow\u3002\u3000Miraculously\uff1b\u3000its\u3000aim\u3000was\u3000very\u3000good\uff1b\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000containers\u3000flew\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000who\u3000shied\u3000away\u3000when\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000was\u3000ing\u3002\u3000The\u3000jugs\u3000shattered\u3000on\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000smoke\u3000skyward\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000that\u3000Aliisza\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b \n
\n \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000breathed\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000away\u3000from\u3000this\u3000wonderful\u3000display\u3000of\u3000destruction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Drow\u3000leaped\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000conflagration\uff1b\u3000which\u3000charred\u3000the\u3000street\u3000in\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000escape\u3000to\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant’s\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Realizing\u3000they\u3000were\u3000pinned\u3000between\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000and\u3000the\u3000blaze\uff1b\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000some\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000beast\u3000warily\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Lumbering\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000began\u3000striding\u3000purposefully\u3000toward\u3000them\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000its\u3000war\u3000axe\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000as\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000and\u3000drifting\u3000downward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000smoky\u3000vastness\u3000below\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000almost\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000street\u3000shifted\uff1b\u3000tilting\u3000sideways\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000stumbled\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000humanoid\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000wildly\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000why\u3000its\u3000footing\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000precarious\u3000so\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000it\u3000had\u3000started\u3000with\u3000its\u3000incendiary\u3000pots\u3000had\u3000already\u3000burned\u3000through\u3000a\u3000significant\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000calcified\u3000webbing\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000apart\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000end\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000weakened\u3000by\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rubble\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000section\u3000of\u3000thoroughfare\u3000shifted\u3000and\u3000groaned\u3002\u3000The\u3000alu\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000remain\u3000together\u3000for\u3000much\u3000longer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Amazingly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000ran\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000great\uff1b\u3000lumbering\u3000strides\u3000that\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000crumbling\u3000roadway\u3000and\u3000caused\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000it\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000crack\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000path\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000free\uff1b\u3000tipping\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000hinged\u3000where\u3000the\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000slag\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000on\u3000it\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000leaped\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000passing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000roiling\u3000flames\u3002\u3000Aliisza’s\u3000mouth\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000amazement\u3002\u3000The\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000cleared\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mammoth\u3000thump\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000projecting\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000intact\u3000quiver\u3000and\u3000bounce\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000street\u3000went\u3000tumbling\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000below\uff1b\u3000eventually\u3000landing\u3000somewhere\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thunderous\u3000boom\u3002\u3000Ahead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000humanoid\uff1b\u3000three\u3000drow\u3000stood\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000mouths\u3000agape\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000her\u3000vantage\u3000point\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000it\u3000advanced\u3002\u3000It\u3000raised\u3000its\u3000war\u3000axe\u3000and\u3000plodded\u3000forward\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000panicked\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000flee\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000two\u3000soldiers\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000creature\u3002\u3000Surprisingly\uff1b\u3000they\u3000turned\u3000as\u3000one\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000advancing\u3000half\u2026giant\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000took\u3000a\u3000tentative\u3000step\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000measuring\u3000where\u3000and\u3000how\u3000he\u3000would\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000shoved\u3000hard\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000by\u3000his\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000who\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000retreated\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000drow\u3000stumbled\uff1b\u3000off\u2026balance\uff1b\u3000right\u3000into\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3002\u3000Aliisza\u3000smirked\u3002\u3000The\u3000fleeing\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000was\u3000sacrificing\u3000his\u3000partner\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000escape\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Raising\u3000its\u3000war\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000cleave\u3000the\u3000sprawled\u3000male\u3000in\u3000half\u3002\u3000Desperately\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000long\u3000sword\u3000and\u3000rammed\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant’s\u3000stomach\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000arching\u3000its\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000its\u3000downward\u3000swing\u3000went\u3000awry\uff1b\u3000biting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000arm\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000his\u3000torso\u3002\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000screamed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000fell\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000collapsing\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000driving\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000soldier\u3000had\u3000dealt\u3000the\u3000killing\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000unmoving\u3002\u3000The\u3000boy\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trapped\uff1b\u3000pinned\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant’s\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000with\u3000only\u3000one\u3000good\u3000arm\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000free\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ilphrim\uff01\u3000Ilphrim\uff1b\u3000help\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ilphrim\u3000was\u3000long\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000burned\u3000closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000had\u3000been\u3000particularly\u3000entertaining\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000over\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000drow\u3000pinned\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000still\u3000squirmed\u3000occasionally\u3002\u3000She\u3000considered\u3000his\u3000panion’s\u3000treachery\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000path\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rampaging\u3000half\u2026giant\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000very\u3000clever\u3002\u3000She\u3000laughed\u3000quietly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000trapped\u3000and\u3000dying\u3000drow\u3000moved\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000again\uff1b\u3000futilely\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giant\u3000off\u3000himself\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000wriggle\u3000free\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Aliisza\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000not\u3000with\u3000only\u3000one\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000and\u3000very\u3000uncharacteristic\u3000act\u3000of\u3000passion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000leaped\u3000off\u3000her\u3000perch\u3000and\u3000floated\u3000down\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000lay\u3000feebly\u3000squirming\u3002\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000spotted\u3000her\u3000and\u3000tensed\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000her\u3000warily\u3002\u3000She\u3000only\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000nudged\u3000a\u3000discarded\u3000dagger\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000within\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000his\u3000free\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Stepping\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000waited\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000do\u3000the\u3000right\u3000thing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000drow\u3000contemplated\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000nod\u3000in\u3000understanding\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dagger\u3000and\u3000saluted\u3000Aliisza\u3000with\u3000it\u3000before\u3000he\u3000started\u3000cutting\u3000pieces\u3000off\u3000the\u3000half\u2026giants\u3000corpse\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000already\u3000messy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000might\u3000just\u3000cut\u3000his\u3000way\u3000free\u3000before\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3000collapsed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Smiling\u3000in\u3000satisfaction\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000back\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000original\u3000vantage\u3000point\uff1b\u3000worrying\u3000anew\u3000over\u3000Pharauns\u3000fate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000THIRTEEN
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000five\u3000drow\u3000worked\u3000their\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bowels\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000for\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000hours\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000fairly\u3000certain\u3000they’d\u3000only\u3000been\u3000at\u3000it\u3000for\u3000about\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000On\u3000several\u3000occasions\uff1b\u3000the\u3000group\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000while\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3000guard\u3000crossed\u3000paths\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000once\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000actually\u3000posed\u3000as\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000issuing\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000sentries\u3000to\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000to\u3000help\u3000in\u3000the\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000lower\u3000levels\u3000are\u3000not\u3000usually\u3000very\u3000heavily\u3000occupied\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000at\u3000one\u3000point\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suspect\u3000most\u3000of\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000servants\u3000and\u3000troops\u3000are\u3000above\uff1b\u3000aiding\u3000in\u3000the\u3000defense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000House\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000much\u3000farther\uff1b\u3000now\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000know\u3000you\u3000would\u3000have\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000late\u3000for\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000only\u3000regret\u3000that\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000more\u3000time\u3000spend\u3000together\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000tapped\u3000Pharaun\u3000softly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000arm\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000hissed\u3000in\u3000anger\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000began\u3000to\u3000work\u3000the\u3000restraints\u3000over\uff1b\u3000the\u3000frosty\u3000metal\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000freeing\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000still\u3000had\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000and\u3000manacles\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000limbs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000thanks\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000said\uff1b\u3000then\u3000strode\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000freeing\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000black\uff1b\u3000sticky\uff1b\u3000resinlike\u3000substance\u3000that\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000had\u3000been\u3000encased\u3000in\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000naked\u3000but\u3000seemingly\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000make\u3000a\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000remaining\u3000maddeningly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\u3000until\u3000the\u3000last\u3000possible\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Mizzrym\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000scowling\u3000slightly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000cut\u3000your\u3000arrival\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000close\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3000inwardly\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000whatever\u3000gratitude\u3000had\u3000been\u3000present\u3000before\u3000had\u3000been\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000usual\u3000haughty\u3000demeanor\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000as\u3000gracious\u3000a\u3000tone\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000dallied\u3000with\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000local\u3000maidens\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000we\u3000could\u3000before\u3000rushing\u3000here\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000you\u3000would\u3000mind\u3000terribly\u3000much\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000chuckled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000snide\u3000remark\uff1b\u3000while\u3000both\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000sharp\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000reminding\u3000him\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000members\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000were\u3000unaccustomed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000disrespectful\u3000relationship\u3000with\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000merely\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000him\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000to\u3000face\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000who\u3000cringed\uff1b\u3000still\u3000under\u3000Valas’s\u3000guard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Strip\u3000her\u3000and\u3000give\u3000her\u3000clothes\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000eliciting\u3000a\u3000high\u2026pitched\u3000squeak\u3000of\u3000protest\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000held\u3000the\u3000prisoner\u3000steady\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000up\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000jumped\u3000forward\u3000almost\u3000eagerly\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000disrobe\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3000who\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000ignominious\u3000fate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Just\u3000who\u3000are\u3000these\u3000two\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000cocked\u3000her\u3000head\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000return\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000gauging\u3000how\u3000much\u3000she\u3000should\u3000defer\u3000to\u3000this\u3000new\u3000leader\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000Danifae\u3000Yauntyrr\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000formerly\u3000of\u3000Eryndlyn\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000Halisstra\u3000Melarns\u3000personal\u3000attendant\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000battle\u3000captive\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000smirked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000merely\u3000bowed\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quickly\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000stood\u3000naked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000still\u3000held\u3000between\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Quenthel\u3000donned\u3000the\u3000ambassador’s\u3000clothing\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000dressing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000jerked\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000collar\uff1b\u3000still\u3000chained\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000where\u3000she’d\u3000been\u3000restrained\u3000only\u3000moments\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lock\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000protested\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000jerk\u3000free\u3000of\u3000her\u3000two\u3000captors\u3002\u3000As\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000all\u3000corralled\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3000shrieked\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000against\u3000her\u3000captors\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3000You\u3000can’t\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000down\u3000here\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Shut\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slapping\u3000Faeryl\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000sniveling\uff1b\u3000wretched\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000really\u3000believe\u3000you\u3000could\u3000get\u3000away\u3000with\u3000your\u3000betrayal\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000honestly\u3000think\u3000you\u3000could\u3000defy\u3000me\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\uff1f\u3000By\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000the\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000your\u3000foolishness\u3000surprise\u3000me\uff01\u3000Lock\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000repeated\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000once\u3000more\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000adamantine\u3000collar\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000protested\u3000again\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hauled\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000flailed\u3000and\u3000kicked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000and\u3000warrior\u3000held\u3000her\u3000tightly\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000fitted\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000adamantine\u3000band\u3000clicked\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000the\u3000imprisoned\u3000drow\u3000sobbed\u3000once\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000males\u3000relinquished\u3000their\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000began\u3000frantically\u3000jerking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000restraint\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000started\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\uff1b\u3000then\u3000paused\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000redeem\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000like\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Faeryl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000frantic\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Anything\uff01\u3000I\u3000will\u3000do\u3000whatever\u3000you\u3000want\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000my\u3000things\u3000are\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3000where\u3000all\u3000of\u3000my\u3000possessions\u3000were\u3000stored\u3000when\u3000I\u3000was\u3000brought\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000face\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000despair\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000sobbed\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000in\u3000supplication\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000don’t\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000here\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000find\u3000them\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000bother\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000where\u3000your\u3000things\u3000are\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000Baenre\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000should\u3000I\u3000trust\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000decide\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000consider\u3000this\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000I\u3000led\u3000your\u3000males\u3000down\u3000here\u3000to\u3000find\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000lured\u3000the\u3000traitor\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000kill\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000live\u3000here\u3000and\u3000can\u3000find\u3000my\u3000way\u3000around\u3002\u3000While\u3000that\u3000would\u3000ordinarily\u3000be\u3000a\u3000strike\u3000against\u3000me\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000told\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000quarrel\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3000suffer\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3000for\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000betrayal\u3000of\u3000my\u3000mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000as\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestess’s\u3000words\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000speaks\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000raised\u3000as\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000priestess’s\u3000words\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000speaks\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000thus\u3000far\u3002\u3000She\u3000has\u3000thrown\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000has\u3000few\u3000alternatives\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000led\u3000by\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\uff1b\u3000are\u3000wresting\u3000control\u3000of\u3000her\u3000House\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000after\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hmm\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000mused\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000address\u3000your\u3000status\u3000later\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000know\u3000where\u3000my\u3000things\u3000are\uff1b\u3000lead\u3000on\uff1b\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Faeryl\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000lunging\u3000forward\u3000against\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000will\u3000betray\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000despise\u3000you\u3000for\u3000your\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000You\u3000can’t\u3000trust\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003On\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000laughed\u3000derisively\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000only\u3000House\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000I\u3000can\u3000trust\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000depart\u3000the\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000as\u3000Faeryl\u3000wailed\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000began\u3000a\u3000chant\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000the\u3000words\u3000as\u3000a\u3000divine\u3000incantation\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000spell\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000might\u3000still\u3000have\u3000retained\u3000in\u3000her\u3000memory\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000invocation\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Faeryl\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000flicked\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000out\uff1b\u3000across\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000his\u3000long\u3000claws\u3000across\u3000one\u3000cheek\u3000and\u3000catching\u3000her\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3000so\u3000that\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000concentration\u3000and\u3000the\u3000words\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000died\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000lost\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000backing\u3000away\u3000and\u3000clasping\u3000her\u3000bloody\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000She\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tremble\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000all\u3000the\u3000terrible\u3000things\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000cowered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000towering\u3000fiend\uff1b\u3000folding\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000er\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000glared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000not\u3000raise\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000her\u3000further\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000stepped\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000wrapped\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000lovingly\u3000around\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000imprisoned\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000purred\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000actually\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl\u3000only\u3000blinked\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000terror\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000said\u3000before\u3000that\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000here\u3002\u3000Sadly\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000true\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000telling\u3000what\u3000other\u3000spells\u3000you\u3000might\u3000still\u3000have\u3000tucked\u3000away\u3000in\u3000that\u3000clever\u3000little\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000yours\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000my\u3000pet\uff1b\u3000repay\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000things\u3000she\u3000did\u3000to\u3000us\u3002\u3000Take\u3000your\u3000time\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000enjoy\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000strolled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000remained\uff1b\u3000as\u3000did\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000first\u3000scream\u3000rang\u3000in\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000small\u3000cell\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000ambassador\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000moved\u3000closer\u3002\u3000Her\u3000screams\u3000rose\u3000in\u3000pitch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000silenced\u3000as\u3000Jeggred\u3000casually\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000with\u3000one\u3000large\u3000clawed\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000grasped\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000just\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000she\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000off\u3000her\u3000air\u3002\u3000Madly\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000began\u3000to\u3000flail\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fiend\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000easily\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000up\u3000and\u3000extended\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000out\u3000fully\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000naked\u3000drow’s\u3000feet\u3000rose\u3000off\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000She\u3000pummeled\u3000feebly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000and\u3000just\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000fading\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000released\u3000her\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000she\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000gasping\u3000for\u3000air\u3002\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000fully\u3000regain\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000down\u3000and\u3000poked\u3000a\u3000single\u3000claw\u3000up\u3000under\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000talon\u3000penetrated\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000tissue\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3000pinning\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Faeryl\u3000squealed\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000muffled\u3000cry\u3002\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000hand\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000relentlessly\u3000began\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000her\uff1b\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000scrabble\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000with\u3000both\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000support\u3000her\u3000weight\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000talon\u3000from\u3000plunging\u3000deeper\uff1b\u3000penetrating\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000Higher\u3000and\u3000higher\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000lifted\uff1b\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000Faeryl\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000tiptoes\uff1b\u3000frantically\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000herself\u3000off\u3000this\u3000impaling\u3000spike\u3000by\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000streaming\u3000down\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000merely\u3000held\u3000her\u3000there\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000squirm\uff1b\u3000using\u3000his\u3000two\u3000smaller\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000caress\u3000the\u3000ambassador\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000up\u3000and\u3000flicked\u3000a\u3000claw\u3000across\u3000her\u3000exposed\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000through\u3000her\u3000vocal\u3000chords\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000blood\u3000streaming\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gash\u3000in\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000her\u3000red\u3000eyes\u3000wild\u3000with\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000Faeryl\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000that\u3000issued\u3000from\u3000her\u3000was\u3000a\u3000muffled\uff1b\u3000wet\u3000gurgle\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000let\u3000her\u3000dangle\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000cry\u3000out\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000whether\u3000satisfied\u3000or\u3000disturbed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000display\u3000of\u3000ruthlessness\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000not\u3000sure\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000remained\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000draw\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000before\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Blood\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000Faeryl’s\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000struggles\u3000were\u3000growing\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000feeble\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000growing\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000this\u3000sport\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000raked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000again\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000abdomen\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000cleanly\u3000so\u3000that\u3000her\u3000entrails\u3000were\u3000freed\u3002\u3000The\u3000fiend\u3000let\u3000her\u3000drop\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Faeryl\u3000crumpled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000dead\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ambassador\u3000blinked\u3000in\u3000shock\u3000and\u3000occasionally\u3000thrashed\u3000weakly\u3000as\u3000Jeggred\u3000crouched\u3000down\u3002\u3000When\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000feast\uff1b\u3000dining\u3000on\u3000Faeryl\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000there\uff1b\u3000still\u3000conscious\u3000but\u3000too\u3000weak\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000finally\u3000had\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000wet\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000at\u3000his\u3000meal\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000Baenre\u3000did\u3000not\u3000relish\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000message\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000deliver\uff1b\u3000for\u3000several\u3000reasons\u3002\u3000First\u3000and\u3000foremost\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000good\u3000news\uff1b\u3000and\u3000however\u3000much\u3000he\u3000was\u3000removed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000report\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000the\u3000messenger\u3002\u3000Ordinarily\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000mind\u3000for\u3000that\u3000reason\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000were\u3000few\u3000individuals\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000who\u3000could\u3000actually\u3000take\u3000out\u3000their\u3000displeasure\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000mage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Of\u3000those\u3000few\uff1b\u3000most\u3000held\u3000on\u3000to\u3000only\u3000a\u3000shell\u3000of\u3000their\u3000former\u3000power\u3000and\u3000were\u3000relying\u3000on\u3000him\u3000to\u3000conceive\u3000of\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000it\u3002\u3000No\uff1b\u3000being\u3000the\u3000bearer\u3000of\u3000bad\u3000news\u3000this\u3000day\u3000would\u3000not\u3000be\u3000as\u3000risky\u3000as\u3000it\u3000might\u3000on\u3000other\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000often\u3000have\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000such\u3000unpleasant\u3000information\u3000to\u3000his\u3000sister\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Archmage\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000cause\u3000for\u3000his\u3000distress\u3002\u3000Triel\u3000Baenre\u3000was\u3000at\u3000home\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000to\u3000go\u3000visit\u3000her\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\u3000around\u3002\u3000He\u3000detested\u3000leaving\u3000Sorcere\uff1b\u3000detested\u3000having\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Mound\u3000even\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000doing\u3000any\u3000of\u3000it\u3000under\u3000such\u3000circumstances\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000add\u3000to\u3000his\u3000list\u3000of\u3000reasons\u3000why\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000crisis\u3000resolved\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000inconvenience\u3000it\u3000was\u3000causing\u3000him\u3000personally\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000Triel\u3000could\u3000put\u3000her\u3000foot\u3000down\u3000again\uff1b\u3000he\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000insist\u3000that\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000respond\u3000promptly\u3000when\u3000the\u3000call\u3000came\u3000for\u3000more\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000doubted\u3000it\u3000would\u3000make\u3000them\u3000quicken\u3000their\u3000pace\u3000one\u3000whit\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tend\u3000to\u3000their\u3000own\u3000Houses\u3000first\uff1b\u3000High\u3000Council\u3000be\u3000damned\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000guards\u3000crossed\u3000their\u3000heavy\u3000maces\u3000before\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She\u3000is\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000disturbed\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000stare\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000she\u3000would\u3000brook\u3000no\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000brother\u3000or\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000making\u3000another\u3000mental\u3000mark\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tally\u3000of\u3000reasons\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000doing\u3000this\u3002\u3000No\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000many\u3000times\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000push\u3000his\u3000proverbial\u3000weight\u3000around\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Triel\u3000in\u3000her\u3000private\u3000rooms\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000personal\u3000guards\u3000never\u3000made\u3000it\u3000any\u3000easier\u3000on\u3000him\u3000the\u3000next\u3000time\u3002\u3000He’d\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000here\u3000and\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000you\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000today\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000got\u3000one\u3000minute\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000it’s\u3000me\u3000and\u3000let\u3000me\u3000through\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I\u3000will\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000as\u3000two\u3000piles\u3000of\u3000smoking\u3000ash\u3000on\u3000her\u3000doorstep\u3002\u3000Do\u3000I\u3000make\u3000myself\u3000clear\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000flat\u3000stares\u3000turned\u3000mildly\u3000baleful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000some\u3000careful\u3000consideration\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000spoke\u3000finally\u3000nodded\u3000curtly\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000shutting\u3000the\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000and\u3000leaving\u3000her\u3000partner\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000icily\u3000at\u3000the\u3000archmage\u3000while\u3000he\u3000folded\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000his\u3000foot\u3002
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\n \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000front\u3000room\uff1b\u3000though\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000surprise\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000Usually\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000be\u3000presentable\u3000for\u3000guests\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000see\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000He\u3000figured\u3000his\u3000odds\u3000were\u3000about\u3000even\u3000as\u3000to\u3000whether\u3000he’d\u3000discover\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3000or\u3000in\u3000the\u3000baths\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lover\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000the\u3000bedroom\u3000first\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000luck\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Moving\u3000through\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bathroom\uff1b\u3000Gromph\u3000found\u3000his\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000alone\u3000except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000attendants\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000soaking\u3000in\u3000an\u3000oddly\u3000scented\u3000oil\u3000bath\u3002\u3000The\u3000odor\u3000permeated\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000made\u3000him\u3000cough\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Triel\u3000opened\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000then\u3000closed\u3000it\u3000again\uff1b\u3000making\u3000no\u3000move\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000really\u3000shouldn’t\u3000threaten\u3000my\u3000guards\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000testily\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000standing\u3000there\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000likes\u3000of\u3000you\u3000out\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000thousand\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gromph\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000certain\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000helping\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000future\u3002\u3000Please\u3000do\u3000drop\u3000by\u3000sometime\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000waiting\u3000outside\u3000my\u3000offices\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000Triel’s\u3000eyes\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000growing\u3000angry\uff1b\u3000she\u3000appeared\u3000worried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000news\u3000must\u3000be\u3000particularly\u3000unpleasant\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000behave\u3000so\u3000boorishly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Gromph\u3000had\u3000to\u3000chuckle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bitter\u3000laugh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000me\u3000better\u3000than\u3000most\uff1b\u3000sister\u3002\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000should\u3000give\u3000you\u3000more\u3000credit\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000correct\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000news\u3000is\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000es\u3000from\u3000several\u3000fronts\u3002\u3000Our\u3000patrols\u3000are\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000that\u3000traffic\u3000is\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000definitive\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they’re\u3000growing\u3000fearful\u3000that\u3000we’re\u3000due\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000aggressive\u3000act\u3000from\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000you’re\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000control\u3000over\u3000your\u3000own\u3000House\uff1f\u3003\u3000ShriNeerune\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000expect\u3000us\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000back\u3000you\uff1f\u3000I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000known\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000support\u3000a\u3000merchant\u3000House\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000were\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000coldly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000offending\u3000drow\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000still\u3000the\u3000one\u3000those\u3000grays\u3000answer\u3000to\uff1b\u3000and\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000winning\u3002\u3000You\u3000could\u3000find\u3000yourself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000very\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000done\u3000is\u3000done\u3002\u3000Now\u3000is\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000not\u3000argue\u3002\u3000Ssipriina\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000bring\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000stare\u3000steadily\u3000on\u3000ShriNeerune’s\u3000face\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000long \n
\n \n
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\n \u3000did\u3000you\u3000bring\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000it\u3000right\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000let’s\u3000do\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000said\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000for\u3000the\u3000five\u3000of\u3000them\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000together\u3002\u3000\u3003Its\u3000time\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000our\u3000legacy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000small\u3000bundle\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000black\u3000silk\u3002\u3000Undoing\u3000the\u3000covering\uff1b\u3000she\u3000revealed\u3000a\u3000crystalline\u3000statue\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000as\u3000black\u3000as\u3000darkness\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000broken\u3000into\u3000several\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000and\u3000the\u3000abdomen\u3000were\u3000separated\uff1b\u3000as\u3000were\u3000two\u3000sets\u3000of\u3000four\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000one\u3000for\u3000each\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000figurine\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000as\u3000Ssipriina\u3000held\u3000the\u3000cloth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000palms\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000the\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000parts\u3000sitting\u3000atop\u3000it\uff1b\u3000stretching\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000out\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000see\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It\u3000has\u3000been\u3000many\u3000years\uff1b\u3003\u3000Nedylene\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000out\u3000with\u3000her\u3000lacquered\u3000nails\u3000and\u3000lifting\u3000one\u3000set\u3000of\u3000legs\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000city\u3000will\u3000tremble\u3000before\u3000our\u3000might\u3002\u3000Let\u3000us\u3000begin\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000them\u3000steady\uff1b\u3000Ssipriina\uff1b\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000warned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abdomen\u3000of\u3000the\u3000statue\u3002\u3000One\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000three\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000each\u3000took\u3000up\u3000a\u3000part\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000another\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Umrae\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fitted\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3000together\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000figurine\u3000whole\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quickly\uff1b\u3000now\uff01\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ssipriina\u3000wasted\u3000no\u3000time\u3000re\u2026wrapping\u3000the\u3000pleted\u3000statue\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cloth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Already\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bundle\u3000was\u3000squirming\uff1b\u3000growing\u3000larger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hurry\uff01\u3003\u3000ShriNeerune\u3000hissed\u3002\u3000\u3003Throw\u3000it\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000awed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000shot\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000string\u3000of\u3000webbing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000attaching\u3000a\u3000line\u3000to\u3000anchor\u3000itself\u3000as\u3000it\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000their\u3000vantage\u3000point\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff1b\u3003\u3000Umrae\u3000groaned\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000more\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000the\u3000actions\u3000of\u3000Ssipriina\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000more\u3000incensed\u3000Halisstra\u3000grew\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000the\u3000consequences\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000on\u3000House\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000potentially\u3000offending\u3000the\u3000most\u3000powerful\u3000House\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000Plus\uff1b\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000action\u3000they\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000symbolic\u3000thumbing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nose\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000even\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000with\u3000Lolth\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000first\u3000instinct\u3000was\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000up\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000was\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000permitted\u3000her\u3000to\u3000rearm\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000at\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000bound\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000no\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000did\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000carry\u3000a\u3000small\u3000knapsack\u3000with\u3000some\u3000of\u3000their\u3000other\u3000belongings\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000chambers\u3000and\u3000pack\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3000before\u3000departing\uff1b\u3000for\u3000if\u3000the\u3000House\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000thrash\u3000about\u3000like\u3000it\u3000had\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000telling\u3000when\u3000they\u3000might\u3000have\u3000to\u3000evacuate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000better\u3000chance\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000attendant\u3000falter\u3000a\u3000step\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000could\u3000close\u3000the\u3000gap\uff1b\u3000a\u3000blur\u3000of\u3000yellowish\u2026white\u3000fur\u3000flashed\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000slamming\u3000into\u3000the\u3000front\u3000rank\u3000of\u3000troops\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000unsettling\u3000snarl\u3000and\u3000a\u3000whirl\u3000of\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000claws\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sickening\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000rending\u3000flesh\u3000before\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000personal\u3000bodyguard\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000gasp\u3000of\u3000surprise\u3000came\u3000only\u3000after\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000sergeant\uff1b\u3000went\u3000down\u3000screaming\u3000before\u3000the\u3000onslaught\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000their\u3000bodies\u3000horribly\u3000mangled\u3000and\u3000their\u3000blood\u3000splattered\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Several\u3000other\u3000soldiers\u3000began\u3000to\u3000surround\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000savage\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000ways\u3000to\u3000press\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000his\u3000multiple\u3000foes\u3000as\u3000they\u3000swarmed\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000lashing\u3000out\u3000with\u3000their\u3000swords\u3000but\u3000unwilling\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000do\u3000any\u3000good\u3002\u3000A\u3000handful\u3000were\u3000already\u3000backing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fray\uff1b\u3000producing\u3000hand\u3000crossbows\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000figure\u3000darted\u3000past\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000third\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000The\u3000larger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000she\u3000had\u3000found\u3000striking\u3000when\u3000they\u3000first\u3000came\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\uff1b\u3000was\u3000wielding\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3000in\u3000a\u3000manner\u3000she\u3000found\u3000forting\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000seemed\u3000light\u3000and\u3000easy\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000as\u3000he\u3000carved\u3000half\u3000the\u3000face\u3000off\u3000of\u3000one\u3000soldier\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000to\u3000swipe\u3000through\u3000the\u3000midsection\u3000of\u3000a\u3000second\u3000enemy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000motion\u3002\u3000The\u3000diminutive\u3000one\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000content\u3000to\u3000slink\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000soldiers\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000an\u3000opening\u3000inside\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000deadly\u3000reach\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000or\u3000felt\u3000Valas\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000planted\u3000his\u3000kukri\u3000into\u3000the\u3000small\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000back\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000acpanied\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000The\u3000soldier\u3000arched\u3000his\u3000back\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ash\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000acpanied\u3000the\u3000stroke\u3002\u3000The\u3000soldier\u3000arched\u3000his\u3000back\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000crumpled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000blade\u3000free\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000disappearing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000foolish\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let\u3000them\u3000do\u3000their\u3000work\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000standing\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000producing\u3000some\u3000odd\u3000ingredient\u3000or\u3000another\uff1b\u3000which\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000meant\u3000he\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000In\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rapier\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000dance\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000defending\u3000him\u3000from\u3000any\u3000foes\u3000who\u3000might\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000close\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000pressed\u3000herself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000ample\u3000room\u3000then\u3000sidestepped\u3000her\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Quenthel\u3000waited\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3000sense\u3000getting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000of\u3000things\u3000when\u3000they’re\u3000more\u3000than\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000handling\u3000it\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000scowling\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000they’re\u3000good\u3000for\u3000that\uff1b\u3000if\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000wanted\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\u3000how\u3000she\u3000tolerated\u3000such\u3000insubordination\u3000from\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000good\u3000graces\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\u3000before\u3000Quenthel\u3000trusted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000jeopardize\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000hissing\u3000sound\u3000acpanied\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000thin\u3000sliver\u3000of\u3000ice\u3000that\u3000shot\u3000from\u3000Pharauns\u3000fingertips\u3000and\u3000streaked\u3000straight\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000embedding\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000shoulder\u3000like\u3000a\u3000deadly\u3000icicle\u3002\u3000The\u3000soldier\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000stumbled\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000his\u3000foe’s\u3000attention\u3000diverted\uff1b\u3000darted\u3000in\u3000and\u3000slashed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000ripping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000muscle\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guard’s\u3000abdomen\u3000and\u3000smiling\u3000delightedly\u3000as\u3000entrails\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tumble\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000was\u3000so\u3000strong\u3000that\u3000it\u3000spun\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000around\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000sickening\u3000plop\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000fell\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000sightlessly\u3000toward\u3000Halisstra\u3000while\u3000the\u3000contents\u3000of\u3000his\u3000body\u3000leaked\u3000out\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hold\uff01\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000new\u3000force\u3000of\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000approached\u3000from\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000e\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wizard\uff1b\u3000do\u3000something\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000ordered\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000back\u3000as\u3000the\u3000new\u3000soldiers\u3000slipped\u3000their\u3000weapons\u3000from\u3000sheaths\u3000and\u3000trotted\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000new\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stabbed\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000several\u3000small\u3000items\u3002\u3000His\u3000dancing\u3000rapier\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000and\u3000darted\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000bobbing\u3000and\u3000weaving\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000an\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000new\u3000squad\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000even\u3000larger\u3000in\u3000size\u3000than\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one\uff1b\u3000at\u3000bay\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000utter\u3000some\u3000word\u3000or\u3000phrase\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Though\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000his\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000immediate\u3000and\u3000impressive\u3002\u3000A\u3000blinding\u3000streak\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3000shot\u3000forward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000fingertips\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000soldier\u3000squarely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000afterward\uff1b\u3000several\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000bolt\u3000crackled\u3000again\uff1b\u3000fanning\u3000outward\u3000from\u3000its\u3000first\u3000victim\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000flung\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000up\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flaring\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000cowering\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000cursing\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000for\u3000blinding\u3000her\u3000and\u3000making\u3000her\u3000vulnerable\u3000to\u3000the\u3000soldiers’\u3000attacks\u3002\u3000Her\u3000vision\u3000swam\u3000for\u3000several\u3000moments\u3000with\u3000the\u3000afterimage\u3000as\u3000she\u3000groped\u3000along\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000listen\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000imminent\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000came\u3002\u3000Ahead\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000one\u3000last\u3000gasp\u3000as\u3000someone\u3000was\u3000wounded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000faded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000her\u3000vision\u3000finally\u3000cleared\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000looking\u3000as\u3000dazed\u3000as\u3000she\u3000felt\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000appeared\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000host\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000soldiers\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000to\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Damn\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hips\u3000as\u3000she\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000a\u3000few\u3000inches\u3000shorter\u3000than\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000warn\u3000me\u3000next\u3000time\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mocking\u3000or\u3000not\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003My\u3000apologies\u3002\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000time\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000anyone\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000upon\u3000us\u3000if\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\u3000acted\u3000as\u3000swiftly\u3000as\u3000I\u3000did\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000sniffed\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000not\u3000pletely\u3000satisfied\u3000with\u3000his\u3000explanation\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Lead\u3000on\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000another\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000lackeys\u3000finding\u3000us\u3000still\u3000standing\u3000around\u3000their\u3000rades’\u3000corpses\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000nodded\u3000curtly\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000careful\u3000not\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000overly\u3000long\u3000at\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000Jeggred\u3000had\u3000dispatched\u3002\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000brooch\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000to\u3000do\u3000its\u3000work\u3000and\u3000unlock\u3000the\u3000portal\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000stepped\u3000inside\u3000and\u3000beckoned\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000chambers\u3000was\u3000gaudy\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000style\u3000for\u3000Halisstras\u3000tastes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000paid\u3000the\u3000decorations\u3000no\u3000mind\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3000filed\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gestured\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000the\u3000different\u3000doorways\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3000Baenre’s\u3000things\u3000are\u3000here\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000spread\u3000out\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000find\u3000them\u3000more\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000to\u3000punctuate\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000urgency\uff1b\u3000another\u3000rumbling\u3000vibration\u3000bounced\u3000through\u3000the\u3000House\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000fracturing\u3000of\u3000solid\u3000rock\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Never\u3000mind\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000brusquely\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000in\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doorways\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000bedrooms\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000slightly\u3000puzzled\u3000at\u3000how\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000would\u3000know\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000there\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000group\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000into\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000oversized\u3000bed\u3000sat\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000round\u3000affair\u3000that\u3000could\u3000acmodate\u3000five\u3000or\u3000six\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000probably\u3000had\u3000on\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000occasion\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000supposed\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000that\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000couches\uff1b\u3000chests\uff1b\u3000dressers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tables\u3000for\u3000furniture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rich\u3000tapestries\u3000covered\u3000every\u3000square\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000trudged\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000a\u3000point\u3000between\u3000two\u3000tall\u3000ar\u2026moires\uff1b\u3000where\u3000a\u3000tapestry\u3000woven\u3000of\u3000black\u3000fabric\u3000glowed\u3000in\u3000phosphorescent\u3000hues\u3000of\u3000green\uff1b\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3000with\u3000an\u3000image\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000her\u3000grandmother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000Drisinil\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000it\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000her\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3000mother\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000moved\u3000up\u3000closely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000it\u3000little\u3000by\u3000little\uff1b\u3000inch\u3000by\u3000inch\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000close\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000dared\u3000not\u3000disturb\u3000his\u3000concentration\u3002\u3000At\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000in\u3000the\u3000series\u3000of\u3000rumbles\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000nearly\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000footing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff01\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000falling\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000no\u3000good\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000do\u3000this\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u2026\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n \n
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\n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000FIFTEEN
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000host\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000soldiers\u3000and\u3000priestesses\u3000appeared\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000surging\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000head\u3000on\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000fiery\uff1b\u3000smoke\u2026choked\u3000estate\u3000finally\u3000ripped\u3000loose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3000and\u3000tumbled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mixture\u3000of\u3000fascination\u3000and\u3000disappointment\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000she\u3000marveled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000capacity\u3000for\u3000destruction\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000displayed\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000tearing\u3000apart\u3000their\u3000own\u3000city\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000capable\u3000help\u3000of\u3000several\u3000other\u3000species\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000care\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000just\u3000sorry\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000enjoy\u3000any\u3000more\u3000flings\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000her\u3000consort\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alu\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000more\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000be\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000delaying\u3000her\u3000departure\u3000any\u3000longer\u3000would\u3000only\u3000place\u3000her\u3000at\u3000risk\uff1b\u3000however\u3000slight\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000not\u3000have\u3000to\u3000confront\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000or\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000certainly\u3000didn’t\u3000relish\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000large\u3000amounts\u3000of\u3000stonework\u3000falling\u3000on\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000follow\u3000through\u3000on\u3000her\u3000intentions\u3000to\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000spied\u3000movement\u3000a\u3000little\u3000way\u3000down\u3000from\u3000where\u3000the\u3000palatial\u3000abode\u3000had\u3000been\u3000but\u3000moments\u3000before\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000air\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vicinity\u3000was\u3000choked\u3000with\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000thought\u2026
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wretched\u3000creature\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000knew\u3000well\u3000enough\u2026a\u3000bird\u2026woman\u3000known\u3000as\u3000a\u3000harpy\u2026and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000pany\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000form\u3000gripped\u3000in\u3000its\u3000talons\u3002\u3000The\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000them\u3000hovered\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026air\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000aloft\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000harpy\u3000veered\u3000up\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000its\u3000cargo\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Aliisza\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000pair’s\u3000progress\uff1b\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000more\u3000movement\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000harpy\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000it\u3000were\u3000being\u3000followed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000panions\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000alu\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000harpy\u3000in\u3000a\u3000transmuted\u3000state\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000many\u3000spells\u3002\u3000He\u3000really\u3000was\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000mage\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000some\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000group\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000free\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000building\u3000just\u3000before\u3000it\u3000collapsed\u3000and\u3000vanished\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000and\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000two\u3000additional\u3000members\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000moved\u3000cautiously\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000better\u3000look\u3000without\u3000being\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000narrowed\u3002\u3000That\u3000wretch\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000rescued\u3000some\u3000tart\uff1b\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000drow\u3000who\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000her\u3000current\u3000disheveled\u3000look\uff1b\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000a\u3000lovely\u3000catch\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000Even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000transformed\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000natural\u3000form\uff1b\u3000collapsing\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000female\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000her\u3000the\u3000eye\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000was\u3000furious\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000ogle\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000tear\u3000that\u3000trollop’s\u3000eyes\u3000out\u3000herself\uff01\u3000She\u3000would\u2026\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000with\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000she\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000swoop\u3000in\u3000and\u3000make\u3000good\u3000on\u3000her\u3000silent\u3000threats\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3000settled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000pair\u3002\u3000Clenching\u3000her\u3000fists\u3000in\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000restrained\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000Quickly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000magically\u3000eavesdrop\u3000on\u3000their\u3000conversation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u2026must\u3000see\u3000if\u3000we\u3000can\u3000salvage\u3000our\u3000other\u3000supplies\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000inn\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Then\u3000let’s\u3000go\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000Pharaun\u3000say\u3002\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000here\u3000for\u3000any\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grinning\uff1b\u3000Aliisza\u3000ended\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000and\u3000flew\u3000off\uff1b\u3000still\u3000careful\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000drawing\u3000attention\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000forming\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000herself\u3000for\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Get\u3000off\u3000this\u3000street\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000urged\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000a\u3000smaller\u3000thoroughfare\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000past\u3000a\u3000temple\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000where\u3000they\u3000might\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clash\u3002\u3000\u3003Hurry\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000sprinting\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000side\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000call\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000scramble\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000side\u3000street\u3000that\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000indicated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000fast\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000press\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000streaming\u3000past\u3000him\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000buffeted\u3000along\u3000for\u3000several\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3000before\u3000he\u3000finally\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000refuge\u3000against\u3000a\u3000set\u3000of\u3000large\u3000stone\u3000stairs\u3000leading\u3000up\u3000to\u3000some\u3000immense\u3000public\u3000building\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000staggered\u3000alongside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000panting\u3000for\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000are\u3000the\u3000others\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000asked\u3000her\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000her\u3000curves\u3000even\u3000as\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000raged\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003Were\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000stay\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000told\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000look\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000vantage\u3000point\u3000upon\u3000which\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000for\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000without\u3000being\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000was\u3000raging\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000where\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000separated\u3002\u3000A\u3000duergar\u3000stepped\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000smiled\u3000maliciously\uff1b\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000a\u3000spiked\u3000warhammer\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000too\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000jerking\u3000her\u3000morning\u3000star\u3000around\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf’s\u3000midsection\u3002\u3000The\u3000stout\u3000creature\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000was\u3000knocked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000delay\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\u3002\u3000A\u3000wide\u3000but\u3000thin\u3000fan\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000sprang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000fingertips\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000humanoid\u3000squarely\u3000across\u3000the\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000shrieked\u3000and\u3000staggered\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000flailing\u3000at\u3000his\u3000burning\u3000beard\u3002\u3000Others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000shifted\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000ing\u3000into\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blazing\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000fell\u3000off\u2026balance\u3000and\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000un\u2026moving\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000paved\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pha \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nally\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000fell\u3000off\u2026balance\u3000and\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000un\u2026moving\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000paved\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000insisted\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000Danifae\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000leading\u3000her\uff1b\u3000still\u3000limping\u3000from\u3000her\u3000ordeal\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000collapsing\u3000House\uff1b\u3000up\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000landing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000started\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000then\u3000stopped\u3000about\u3000halfway\u3000up\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000loaded\u3000crossbows\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000spun\u3000away\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000his\u3000piwafwi’s\u3000hood\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000using\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000both\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000Two\u3000bolts\u3000smacked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000vicious\u3000sting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000sinking\u3000down\u3000to\u3000one\u3000knee\u3002\u3000Angrily\u3000freeing\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000rapier\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000mentally\u3000directing\u3000the\u3000dancing\u3000weapon\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000first\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000second\u3000one\u3000scrambled\u3000past\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000clambered\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000blur\u3000of\u3000fur\u3000and\u3000claws\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000between\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000and\u3000his\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000sliced\u3000and\u3000gashed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000spraying\u3000gouts\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000in\u3000every\u3000direction\u3002\u3000The\u3000humanoid\u3000staggered\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000onslaught\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000held\u3000up\u3000defensively\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000cut\u3000down\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000first\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000his\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000he\u3000backed\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000swirling\u3000maelstrom\u3000of\u3000skirmishing\u3000below\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stay\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jeggred\u3000said\uff1b\u3000bounding\u3000back\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000get\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000considered\u3000whether\u3000to\u3000obey\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000or\u3000ignore\u3000the\u3000beast\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000be\u3000much\u3000happier\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3000up\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000him\uff1b\u3000should\u3000he\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000there\u3002\u3000He\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000await\u3000the\u3000return\u3000of\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000pet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Back\u3000in\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000deeper\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entryway\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000her\u3000in\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000From\u3000there\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000street\u3000below\u3000without\u3000being\u3000so\u3000exposed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000pressed\u3000against\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000was\u3000very\u3000distracting\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000pressing\u3000right\u3000back\uff1b\u3000while\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000diverted\u3000during\u3000such\u3000a\u3000time\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000like\u3000you’ve\u3000never\u3000enjoyed\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000before\uff1b\u3000he\u3000chided\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000glad\u3000that\u3000she\u3000lingered\u3000there\uff1b\u3000though\u3000whether\u3000her\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000him\u3000was\u3000purely\u3000happenstance\u3000or\u3000calculated\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000too\u3000of\u3000them\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000long\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000reappeared\u3000after\u3000a\u3000code\u3000of\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Quenthel\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000swath\u3000through\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000with\u3000his\u3000oversized\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000protected\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000back\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000duo\u3000forced\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000throng\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000fell\u3000before\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000fierce\u3000strikes\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000landing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000to\u3000join\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000over\u3000their\u3000head\uff1b\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000can\u3000see\u3000much\u3000better\u3000from\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fray\uff1b\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000surge\u3000was\u3000too\u3000much\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000dies\u3000down\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000try\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000Valas\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000him\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000By\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000reinforcements\u3000for\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000arrived\uff1b\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fled\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000throng\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000would\u3000give\u3000chase\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000content\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000and\u3000regroup\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000when\u3000everything\u3000went\u3000wrong\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Five\u3000or\u3000six\u3000crossbow\u3000bolts\u3000snapped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000them\u3000actually\u3000struck\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000enchantments\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000protected\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000damned\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000being\u3000hit\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000lucky\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000speared\u3000her\u3000through\u3000the\u3000calf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000growled\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000leaped\u3000up\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000her\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000light\u3000exploded\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000right\u3002\u3000Fire\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000where\u3000they\u3000crouched\u3000as\u3000a\u3000second\u3000and\u3000a\u3000third\u3000burst\u3000landed\u3000near\u3000the\u3000first\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000flinched\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000where\u3000the\u3000new\u3000attack\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000from\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000made\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000sink\u3002\u3000The\u3000attackers\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000were\u3000more\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000were\u3000perched\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000web\u3000street\u3000one\u3000level\u3000above\u3000them\u3000and\u3000near\u3000the\u3000back\u3000line\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002\u3000They\u3000hurled\u3000more\u3000firepots\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000hit\u3000by\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000incendiary\u3000pots\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Damn\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000led\u3000us\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crossfire\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snarled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000this\u3000roof\u3002\u3000Jeggred\uff1b\u3000shield\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000positioned\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000the\u3000three\u3000drow\u3000with\u3000his\u3000body\u3000as\u3000best\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fur\u3000was\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000notice\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000can\u3000not\u3000stand\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000responded\uff1b\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000Danifae’s\u3000leg\u3000more\u3000carefully\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000had\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000same\u3000leg\u3000that\u3000was\u3000already\u3000injured\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000appear\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000having\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000penetrated\u3000only\u3000the\u3000fleshy\u3000part\u3000of\u3000her\u3000calf\u3002\u3000He\u3000snapped\u3000off\u3000what\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000jerk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000made\u3000a\u3000disgusted\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000this\u3000motion\u3000has\u3000attracted\u3000their\u3000attention\u3000below\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000harsh\u3000tone\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000go\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000we’ll\u3000go\u3000over\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000replied\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000shoved\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000through\u3000Danifae’s\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000out\u3002\u3000She\u3000hissed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000but\u3000bit\u3000her\u3000lip\u3000and\u3000stifled\u3000any\u3000more\u3000sounds\u3002\u3000More\u3000crossbow\u3000bolts\u3000and\u3000firepots\u3000were\u3000smacking\u3000down\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000poisoned\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000viper\u3000heads\u3000on\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000whip\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000and\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000More\u3000of\u3000the\u3000firepots\u3000slammed\u3000down\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000adding\u3000to\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000spreading\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Forget\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Danifae\uff1b\u3000shrugged\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000stand\u3002\u3000The\u3000female\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000him\u3000by\u3000the\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000a\u3000determined\u3000look\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000walk\u3002\u3000Just\u3000help\u3000me\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000explosions\u3000erupted\u3000near\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000flinched\u3000forward\u3000as\u3000Pharaun\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000hauled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000won’t\u3000regret\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000but\u3000obvious\u3000look\u3002\u3000’Til\u3000be\u3000worth\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Limping\uff1b\u3000blood\u3000flowing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000puncture\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000began\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3002\u3000\u3003Carry\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000realized\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000hanging\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3000it\u3000shut\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000trotted\u3000after\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000freeze\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000swept\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\u3000looking\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000Rising\u3000up\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000roofline\u3000was\u3000an\u3000immense\uff1b\u3000chitinous\u3000leg\u3000of\u3000something\u3000all\u3000too\u3000familiar\u3002\u3000The\u3000leg\u3000sought\u3000footing\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000rooftop\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000more\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000of\u3000massive\u3000size\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000preserve\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000did\u3000that\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000immense\u3000spider\u3000pulled\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000full\u3000view\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000ponderously\u3000over\u3000the\u3000back\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\uff1b\u3000each\u3000step\u3000making\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000structure\u3000shake\u3000violently\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\uff1b\u3000who\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000involuntarily\u3000backing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000step\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Even\u3000Jeggred\u3000seemed\u3000anxious\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000arachnid\uff1b\u3000black\u3000and\u3000shiny\uff1b\u3000heave\u3000itself\u3000fully\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000Its\u3000mandibles\u3000clicked\u3000as\u3000it\u3000peered\u3000about\uff1b\u3000its\u3000multilensed\u3000eyes\u3000glistening\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000what\u3000did\u3000they\u3000do\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000added\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000summoned\u3000a\u3000guardian\u3000spider\u3002\u3000The\u3000fools\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000agreed\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000flee\u3002\u3003
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000summoned\u3000a\u3000guardian\u3000spider\u3002\u3000The\u3000fools\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000her\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Indeed\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000agreed\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000flee\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\u3000what\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000a\u3000guardian\u3000spider\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arachnid\u3000spotted\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000had\u3000remained\u3000quite\u3000still\u3002\u3000It\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000eagerly\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000after\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000one\uff1b\u3000they\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000alley\uff1b\u3000following\u3000Ryld\u3000Argith\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000who\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chaos\u3000of\u3000the\u3000swarming\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000Of\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000up\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000frenetically\u3000for\u3000Halisstra\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Several\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000alley\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000alongside\u3000the\u3000temple\u3000and\u3000were\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000and\u3000drive\u3000them\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000bolt\u3000snapped\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000wall\u3000near\u3000the\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000shattering\u3000and\u3000showering\u3000her\u3000with\u3000splinters\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000again\u3000and\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000pounding\u3000along\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Halisstra\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fired\u3000his\u3000own\u3000crossbow\u3000once\uff1b\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000down\u3000the\u3000pursuit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000sprinted\u3000along\u3000the\u3000alley\u3000together\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000through\u3000the\u3000turns\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pathway\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000their\u3000foes\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000turned\u3000one\u3000last\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002\u3000The\u3000alleyway\u3000ended\u3000at\u3000a\u3000solid\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000though\u3000one\u3000side\u3000was\u3000low\uff1b\u3000protecting\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000covered\u3000porch\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000wielded\u3000a\u3000wicked\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000double\u2026bladed\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000second\u3000had\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000hammer\u3000that\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000own\u3000mace\u3002\u3000She\u3000readjusted\u3000the\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hammer\u2026wielding\u3000dwarf\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000hate\u3000gleaming\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000blow\u3000came\u3000low\uff1b\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000dipped\u3000the\u3000shield\u3000down\u3000enough\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000hammer\u3000grazed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000scraping\u3000across\u3000as\u3000she\u3000spun\u3000back\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000taking\u3000the\u3000full\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000strike\u3002\u3000The\u3000dwarf\u3000followed\u3000this\u3000with\u3000an\u3000uppercut\u3000swing\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000block\u3000with\u3000her\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000again\u3000redirecting\u3000the\u3000hammer\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000pletely\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000swing\u3002\u3000She\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000back\u3000around\u3000and\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000enemy\u3000tire\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000repeatedly\u3000over\u2026swinging\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000firepot\u3000exploded\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000making\u3000her\u3000jump\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000get\u3000her\u3000head\u3000taken\u3000off\u3000by\u3000an\u3000axe\u3002\u3000She\u3000scrambled\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000as\u3000she\u3000warded\u3000off\u3000another\u3000blow\u3000from\u3000the\u3000axe\u2026wielding\u3000enemy\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mace\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000vibration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Two\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flaming\u3000contraptions\u3000smacked\u3000against\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clay\u3000pots\u3000shattering\u3000and\u3000spilling\u3000fire\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000She\u3000risked\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000another\u3000one\u3000hurtling\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000her\u3000wounded\u3000shoulder\u3000screaming\u3000in\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000she\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000up\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000deflected\u3000the\u3000pot\u3000so\u3000that\u3000it\u3000skipped\u3000off\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3000between\u3000her\u3000and\u3000her\u3000opponent\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000fighting\u3000with\u3000them\u3000began\u3000backing\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000were\u3000creating\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000screen\u3000to\u3000seal\u3000her\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000off\uff1b\u3000trap\u3000them\u3000between\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000they\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000pin\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pick\u3000them\u3000off\u3000at\u3000their\u3000leisure\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000for\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000SIXTEEN
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000crept\u3000out\u3000a\u3000little\u3000way\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000his\u3000handiwork\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000unafraid\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stray\u3000missile\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000with\u3000delight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000survive\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000fien \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000crept\u3000out\u3000a\u3000little\u3000way\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000his\u3000handiwork\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000stood\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000unafraid\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stray\u3000missile\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000with\u3000delight\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Can\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000survive\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000if\u3000you\u3000go\u3000dance\u3000among\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000fire\u3000can’t\u3000hurt\u3000you\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\u3000correct\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000bounded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000smoky\u3000fog\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000incendiary\u3000cloud\u3000had\u3000pushed\u3000across\u3000to\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Bodies\u3000of\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000across\u3000its\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000charred\u3000and\u3000smoking\u3002\u3000Several\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000openly\u3000burning\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000within\u3000the\u3000roiling\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Pharaun\u3000redirected\u3000to\u3000flow\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000opposite\u3000they\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000continue\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\u3000for\u3000some\u3000minutes\u3000before\u3000dissipating\uff1b\u3000ensuring\u3000that\u3000another\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000couldn’t\u3000e\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000was\u3000dripping\u3000with\u3000blood\u3000but\u3000had\u3000a\u3000very\u3000satisfied\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000an\u3000amputated\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000was\u3000chewing\u3000on\u3000it\u3000as\u3000he\u3000trotted\u3000back\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000three\u3000drow\u3000were\u3000crouched\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000studiously\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000fiend’s\u3000dining\u3000habits\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Are\u3000they\u3000all\u3000dead\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Either\u3000dead\u3000or\u3000running\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000street\u3000is\u3000clear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Then\u3000we\u3000should\u3000proceed\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000could\u3000return\u3000at\u3000any\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000have\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000waste\u3002\u3000Where\u3000did\u3000you\u3000say\u3000the\u3000others\u3000went\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000asked\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000pointed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000alleyway\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Ryld\u3000vanish\u3000moments\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000went\u3000in\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000one\u3000or\u3000both\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000joined\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Before\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000take\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000street\u3000heaved\u3000and\u3000shook\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Damnation\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Quenthel\u3000cry\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000risked\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000them\u3000and\u3000was\u3000skittering\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000easily\u3000stepping\u3000over\u3000the\u3000roiling\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000Pharaun\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002\u3000The\u3000arachnid\u3000came\u3000toward\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000flexing\u3000eagerly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000from\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000that\u3000thing\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000now\uff01\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000all\u3000in\u3000a\u3000midden\u3000heap\u3000of\u3000trouble\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000loomed\u3000over\u3000Khorrl\u3000Xornbane\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000of\u3000an\u3000upscale\u3000fashion\u3000shop\uff1b\u3000abandoned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000situated\u3000in\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves’\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3002\u3000The\u3000shop\u3000was\u3000well\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Khorrl\u3000could\u3000plainly\u3000see\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000as\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000massive\u3000creature\u3000clambered\u3000over\u3000a\u3000building\u3000near\u3000where\u3000Clan\u3000Xornbane\u3000was\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pitched\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000a\u3000force\u3000of\u3000antagonistic\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000I’m\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000sending\u3000my\u3000boys\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000that\u3000thing\uff01\u3003\u3000Khorrl\u3000snarled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000patience\u3000with\u3000this\u3000haughty\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000hired\u3000me\u3000to\u3000win\u3000you\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000on\u3000your\u3000blessed\u3000council\u3000by\u3000defeating\u3000your\u3000adversaries\uff1b\u3000not\u3000to\u3000clean\u3000up\u3000your\u3000mistakes\u3002\u3000You\u3000and\u3000your\u3000cronies\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000here\uff1b\u3000so\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000cronies\u3000can\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000it\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000my\u3000fault\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000control\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003My\u3000mistakes\uff1f\u3000Let’s\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000mistakes\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000you\u3000and\u3000your\u3000mercenary\u3000rabble\u3000taking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000prematurely\uff1b\u3000ruining\u3000my\u3000well\u2026laid\u3000plans\u3000for\u3000ascension\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Council\u3000in\u3000one\u3000foolish\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Mistakes\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff01\u3000We\u3000wouldn’t\u3000even\u3000be\u3000in\u3000this\u3000position\u3000if\u3000you\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000simple\u3000orders\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000slice\u3000the\u3000offensive\u3000drow\u3000in\u3000half\u3000right\u3000then\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000retinue\u3000of\u3000bodyguards\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000outnumbered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000got\u3000in\u3000the\u3000killing\u3000blow\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000taken\u3000down\u3000shortly\u3000thereafter\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000squeezed\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000his\u3000axe\u3000and\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000still\u3000the\u3000trembling\u3000rage\u3000that\u3000coursed\u3000through\u3000his\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Prematurely\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000through\u3000clenched\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000received\u3000direct\u3000orders\u3000from\u3000your\u3000boy\u3000Zammzt\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000the\u3000word\u3000from\u3000you\uff1b\u3000go\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Either\u3000way\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000wasting\u3000my\u3000timer\u3000he\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000a\u3000roar\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000sacrificing\u3000my\u3000lads\u3000needlessly\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000your\u3000spider\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000done\uff1b\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Forghel\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000his\u3000aide\u3002\u3000\u3003Forghel\uff1b\u3000sound\u3000the\u3000retreat\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Khorrl\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000played\u3000a\u3000dangerous\u3000game\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000his\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elf\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000bait\u3000her\uff1b\u3000see\u3000if\u3000she\u3000would\u3000lose\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Liar\uff01\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000screamed\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000blame\u3000your\u3000foolish\u3000gaffes\u3000on\u3000my\u3000House\u3002\u3000You\u3000will\u3000not\u3000abandon\u3000your\u2026Don’t\u3000you\u3000walk\u3000away\u3000from\u3000me\uff01
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003To\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000Kill\u3000him\uff1f\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Smiling\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000Khorrl\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000shrill\u3000whistle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000instantly\uff1b\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000banished\u3000their\u3000invisibility\u3000and\u3000magically\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000surrounding\u3000him\uff1b\u3000axes\u3000and\u3000crossbows\u3000ready\u3002\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000advancing\u3000retinue\u3000of\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000specifically\u3000for\u3000Ssipriina\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf’s\u3000bodyguards\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000chase\u3000him\u3000down\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000the\u3000additional\u3000duergar\u3000materialized\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000soldiers\u3000faltered\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000all\u3000the\u3000Clan\u3000Xornbane\u3000troops\u3000needed\u3002\u3000Charging\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000Khorrl’s\u3000boys\u3000took\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3000was\u3000not\u3000foolish\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000too\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000one\u3000last\u3000baleful\u3000glare\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000retreated\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Grabbing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000who\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000close\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Khorrl\u3000sighted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000aim\u3000at\u3000the\u3000withdrawing\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3002\u3000He\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000clacked\u3000loudly\u3000off\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000column\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000as\u3000Ssipriina\u3000rounded\u3000it\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000be\u3000back\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000captain\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000more\u3000of\u3000her\u3000damnable\u3000soldiers\u3000with\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000”Sir\uff1b\u3000look\uff1b\u3003\u3000Forghel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000running\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000Khorrl\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000captain\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000his\u3000aide\u3000was\u3000pointing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000sank\u3002\u3000The\u3000immense\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000positioned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000rearing\u3000up\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000while\u3000its\u3000front\u3000appendages\u3000fluttered\u3000oddly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000A\u3000bluish\u3000line\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000widened\u3000into\u3000an\u3000odd\u2026shaped\u3000field\u3000of\u3000blue\u3000light\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000equally\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000summoned\u3000a\u3000mate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000growing\u3000tired\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000much\u3000longer\u3000he\u3000could\u3000defend\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000from\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000that\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000inexorably\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000in\u3000at\u3000them\u3000from\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000running\u3000out\u3000of\u3000room\u3000to\u3000retreat\u3002\u3000Soon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000find\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000running\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Fire\u3000began\u3000to\u3000spill\u3000from\u3000above\u3002\u3000The\u3000clay\u3000pots\u3000exploded\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3000before\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000found\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000way\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000badly\u3000overswung\u3000hammer\u3000strike\u3000and\u3000cutting\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000across\u3000his\u3000midsection\u3002\u3000Backed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000in\u3000an\u3000alley\uff1b\u3000trapped\u3000like\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burned\u3000to\u3000death\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000and\u3000find\u3000a\u3000little\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000fool\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000this\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Surprisingly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000their\u3000guard\u3000as\u3000they\u3000retreated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ryld\u3000let\u3000them\u3000go\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000breathing\u3000heavily\uff1b\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000feeling\u3000scorched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000acrid\u3000smoke\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000dozen\u3000or\u3000more\u3000insignificant\u3000gashes\u3000covered\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000torso\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000like\u3000the\u3000stings\u3000of\u3000a\u3000viper\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000If\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000gratefully\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000level\u3000as\u3000a\u3000threat\u3000but\u3000risked\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000glance\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rooftops\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000had\u3000claimed\uff1b\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000foul\u3000dwarves\u3000had\u3000stretched\u3000netting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000preventing\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000from\u3000escaping\u3000by\u3000that\u3000route\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000could\u3000pick\u3000them\u3000off\u3000with\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000but\u3000not\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000ground\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000firepots\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000overhead\u3000hurl\u3000several\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horrid\u3000things\u3000down\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000aiming\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000they\u3000threw\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000erupted\u3000between\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000his\u3000foes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003Ryld\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000magical\u3000doorway\u3000that\u3000will\u3000get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000me\u3000some\u3000time\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Without\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000follow\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000levitated\u3000upward\u3000until\u3000he\u3000was\u3000at\u3000a\u3000height\u3000just\u3000above\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000originally\u3000been\u3000slightly\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000quickly\u3000stepped\u3000across\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000himself\u3000once\u3000again\u3002\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000her\u3000shield\u3000arm\u3000hanging\u3000limply\u3000at\u3000her\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000saw\u3000where\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000were\u3000going\uff1b\u3000they\u3000began\u3000yelling\u3000in\u3000rage\u3002\u3000From\u3000above\uff1b\u3000they\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000firepots\u3000down\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000target\u3000the\u3000two\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000Halisstra\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000covering\u3000that\u3000hung\u3000partially\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000enclosed\u3000area\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000door\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000stout\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000he\u3000suspected\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000locked\u3002\u3000Several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000firepots\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000little\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000and\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000were\u3000far\u3000enough\u3000back\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000no\u3000danger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Won’t\u3000they\u3000ever\u3000run\u3000out\u3000of\u3000those\u3000things\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000plained\u3000as\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000grasp\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pulling\u3000out\u3000his\u3000crossbow\uff1b\u3000he\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000a\u3000head\u3000appeared\u3000then\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000directly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000humanoid\u3000shrieked\u3000and\u3000toppled\u3000backward\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Eventually\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000reloading\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000let’s\u3000not\u3000stick\u3000around\u3000to\u3000see\u3000how\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000should\u3000we\u3000go\uff1f\u3000We\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000others\u3000again\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000We\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000cut\u3000his\u3000words\u3000off\u3000short\u3000as\u3000several\u3000screams\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000only\u3000then\u3000that\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000firepots\u3000were\u3000raining\u3000down\u3000on\u3000that\u3000side\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000on\u3000theirs\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000the\u2026\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scooted\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000overhang\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Cautiously\uff1b\u3000he\u3000peered\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000roofline\u3002\u3000It\u3000appeared\u3000that\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000form\u3000rise\u3000up\u3000just\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000another\u3000firepot\u3000down\u3000before\u3000ducking\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000again\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000began\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000see\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000placed\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000m\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000shrill\u3000whistle\u3002\u3000A\u3000similar\u3000whistle\u3000emanated\u3000from\u3000above\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003He\u3000knows\u3000we\u3000know\u3000he’s\u3000up\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000save\u3000your\u3000spell\u3000for\u3000later\u3000and\u3000go\u3000join\u3000him\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000examined\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000for\u3000a\u3000just\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000sunk\u3000deep\u3000enough\u3000in\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000force\u3000it\u3000out\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003This\u3000will\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000Quenthel\u3000can\u3000heal\u3000it\u3002\u3000However\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000plied\uff1b\u3000bracing\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000through\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000In\u3000one\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000quick\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000was\u3000out\u3002\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000jerk\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000pletely\u3000free\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000sobbed\u3000once\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000spat\u3000out\u3000the\u3000splintered\u3000shaft\uff1b\u3000waved\u3000the\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000uttered\u3000a\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3002\u3000The\u3000bleeding\u3000stopped\u3000instantly\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wound\u3000closed\u3002\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000sagged\u3000back\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000relief\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000second\u3000wand\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000her\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000make\u3000it\u3000a\u3000little\u3000harder\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000shoot\u3000at\u3000us\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000found\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000separated\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000explained\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Together\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000drow\u3000rose\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000duergar\u3000alternated\u3000between\u3000scattering\u3000from\u3000the\u3000firepots\u3000that\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000hurling\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3000with\u3000deadly\u3000accuracy\u3000and\u3000firing\u3000ineffectually\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000with\u3000their\u3000crossbows\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000top\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000Splitter\u3000and\u3000sliced\u3000through\u3000the\u3000netting\uff1b\u3000parting\u3000the\u3000material\u3000easily\u3000with\u3000the\u3000enchanted\u3000greatsword\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rooftop\u3000near\u3000where\u3000Valas\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000owe\u3000you\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000as\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000any\u3000stray\u3000crossbow\u3000bolts\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000roof\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000a\u3000good\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000voice\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000react\u3000otherwise\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000e\u3000down\u3000here\u3000and\u3000figured\u3000I’d\u3000try\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000by\u3000ing\u3000the\u3000long\u3000way\u3000around\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000up\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000firepots\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000these\u3000cretins\u3000here\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000throwing\u3000these\u3000things\u3000down\uff1b\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000were\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000suggested\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000others\u3000are\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000they\u3000got\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roofs\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000square\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000dusting\u3000off\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000backing\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000find\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000will\u3000be\u3000all\u3000flash\u3000and\u3000glory\u3000when\u3000they\u3000run\u3000into\u3000something\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000can\u3000track\u3000them\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000scout\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000ground\u3000began\u3000to\u3000vibrate\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000worried\u3000look\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000not\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000find\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Valas\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000proceeded\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000main\u3000street\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000in\u3000both\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000out\u3000to\u3000stabilize\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000quivering\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000stronger\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000stricken\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000her\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000in\u3000terror\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000summoned\u3000one\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003Summoned\u3000what\uff1f’\u3000Ryld\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003One\u3000of\u3000those\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000Ryld\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000pointing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000indicated\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000square\u3000clambering\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000He\u3000sucked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000go\u3000weak\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000with\u3000his\u3000magically\u3000enhanced\u3000boots\u3000he\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000outrun\u3000the\u3000other\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000he\u3000did\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000sprinted\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000careful\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000on\u3000the\u3000quivering\u3000web\u3000street\u3000as\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000spider\u3000pursued\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000but\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000spells\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000left\u3000in\u3000his\u3000repertoire\u3000that\u3000might\u3000affect\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000arachnid\u3002\u3000A\u3000far\u3000better\u3000bet\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\uff1b\u3000was\u3000to\u3000misdirect\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000conjure\u3000an\u3000obscuring\u3000mist\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000and\u3000sneak\u3000away\u3000while\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000distracted\u2026but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000weave\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Pharaun\uff01\u3003\u3000someone\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000side\u3000street\uff1b\u3000gawking\u3000slack\u2026jawed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000spider\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000veered\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\u3000and\u3000darted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alley\u3002\u3000Only\u3000then\u3000did\u3000he\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000seen\u3000anything\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000like\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000panted\u3002\u3000\u3003Danifae\u3000called\u3000it\u3000a\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000guardian\u3000spider\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000still\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3000must\u3000have\u3000called\u3000i\u2026Oh\uff1b\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000it’s\u3000summoning\u3000another\u3000one\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000past\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000as\u3000they\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000running\u3000for\u3000all\u3000they\u3000were\u3000worth\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Danifae\u3000limping\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000pursuing\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000rearing\u3000up\u3000on\u3000its\u3000hind\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000flailing\u3000about\u3000with\u3000its\u3000front\u3000limbs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000gasped\u3000when\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000gate\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000as\u3000large\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000hazy\u3000murk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bluish\u2026white\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000aghast\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000second\u3000massive\u3000spider\u3000clambered\u3000through\u3000and\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000shut\u3000quickly\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000murmured\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000many\u3000times\u3000can\u3000they\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Once\u3000is\u3000too\u3000many\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000away\u3000from\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Once\u3000is\u3000too\u3000many\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000arachnids\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000sprint\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000was\u3000still\u3000limping\u3000badly\u3000and\u3000had\u3000not\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000up\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\uff1b\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000trapped\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000sprawled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000hurt\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000took\u3000a\u3000tentative\u3000step\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000aid\u3000of\u3000her\u3000attendant\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000jerked\u3000herself\u3000free\u3000and\u3000took\u3000another\u3000step\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000care\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000help\u3000her\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spiders\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000movement\uff1b\u3000and\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000began\u3000to\u3000close\u3000in\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000SEVENTEEN
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000cursed\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000after\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000to\u3000magically\u3000cloak\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000save\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Don’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000ordered\u3002\u3000\u3003Danifae\u3000was\u3000unlucky\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000be\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000exhaust\u3000either\u3000resources\u3000or\u3000time\u3000saving\u3000her\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000go\u3000while\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000are\u3000distracted\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003But\u2026\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000began\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000alley\u3002\u3000He\u3000regretted\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000losing\u3000them\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000shouted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000already\u3000ten\u3000steps\u3000away\uff1b\u3000removing\u3000Splitter\u3000from\u3000its\u3000sheath\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000as\u3000he\u3000charged\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000spiders\u3002\u3000\u3003Damn\u3000you\u3000all\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Abyss\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000raged\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shrugging\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000only\u3000assume\u3000she\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000though\u3000why\u3000she\u3000was\u3000ordering\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3000something\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000made\u3000up\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000acplish\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000fathom\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000flashed\u3000past\u3000him\uff1b\u3000sprinting\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000he\u3000also\u3000traveled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000Halisstra\u3000reached\u3000her\u3000servant\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000fumbled\u3000a\u3000wand\u3000free\u3000from\u3000her\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000quickly\u3000utilized\u3000it\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000both\u3000drow\u3000to\u3000disappear\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000looming\u3000over\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000snapped\u3000down\u3000once\uff1b\u3000clacking\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000together\u3000in\u3000obvious\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000The\u3000beast\u3000began\u3000moving\u3000its\u3000head\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000find\u3000its\u3000prey\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000its\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000something\u3000else\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000ing\u3000their\u3000way\u2026at\u3000least\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000could\u3000still\u3000see\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\uff1b\u3000for\u3000he\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000they\u3000radiated\u3002\u3000It\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000dragging\u3000Danifae\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000harm’s\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000somehow\u3000sensed\u3000where\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\u3000were\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000dipped\u3000its\u3000head\u3000again\uff1b\u3000missing\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000bite\u3000but\u3000ing\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000with\u3000its\u3000attack\u3000that\u3000it\u3000grazed\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000her\u3000down\u3002\u3000Shivering\u3000in\u3000delight\u3000at\u3000having\u3000felt\u3000its\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000raised\u3000up\u3000for\u3000another\u3000attack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000almost\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000long\u3000legs\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000distance\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000Splitter\u3000raised\u3000high\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000sailed\u3000past\u3000the\u3000hindmost\u3000leg\u3000of\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000around\u3000with\u3000all\u3000his\u3000might\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000cleanly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000appendage\u3002\u3000Black\u3000blood\u3000spurted\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000reared\u3000up\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000with\u3000its\u3000ruined\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000barely\u3000missing\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000nearly\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000another\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000a\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000and\u3000climbing\u3000upward\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000claws\u3000extended\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000used\u3000them\u3000to\u3000great\u3000effect\u3000as\u3000he\u3000quickly\u3000ascended\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000limb\u3002\u3000Fearlessly\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000slashed\u3000and\u3000clawed\u3000his\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000body\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000the\u3000slick\u3000black\u3000abdomen\uff1b\u3000working\u3000his\u3000way\u3000higher\u3000and\u3000higher\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000effect\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000attacks\u3000was\u3000instantaneous\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000jerked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000its\u3000intended\u3000meal\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000whatever\u3000tormented\u3000it\u3002\u3000Its\u3000one\u3000ruined\u3000leg\u3000twitched\u3000erratically\uff1b\u3000but\u3000otherwise\u3000the\u3000arachnid\u3000lost\u3000none\u3000of\u3000its\u3000stability\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000had\u3000rolled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\u3000after\u3000his\u3000sweeping\u3000sword\u3000strike\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000Splitter\u3000up\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fend\u3000off\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000as\u3000it\u3000maneuvered\u3000to\u3000face\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000considered\u3000what\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000really\u3000only\u3000one\u3000choice\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000spells\u3000were\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000remaining\u3000to\u3000him\u3000were\u3000not\u3000offensive\u3000in\u3000nature\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000segment\u3000of\u3000iron\u3000that\u3000was\u3000about\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000his\u3000forearm\u3002\u3000Extending\u3000it\u3000outward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000uttered\u3000a\u3000trigger\u3000phrase\u3000and\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wand\u3002\u3000Instantly\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sizzling\u3000bolt\u3000of\u3000electrical\u3000energy\u3000leaped\u3000forward\u3000from\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000arcing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000crackling\u3000across\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000discharge\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000to\u3000recoil\uff1b\u3000chattering\u3000and\u3000quivering\uff1b\u3000from\u3000Ryld’s\u3000position\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000last\u3000remnants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3000dissipated\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000leathery\u3000hide\u3000and\u3000multifaceted\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000smoldering\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000started\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000twang\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bowstring\u3000strumming\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000down\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000kneeling\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000off\u3000a\u3000short\u3000bow\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000diminutive\u3000scout\u3000carrying\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000all\u3000along\uff1b\u3000but\u3000up\u3000until\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000had\u3000apparently\u3000had\u3000little\u3000cause\u3000to\u3000use\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Bregan\u3000D’aerthe\u3000scout\u3000lined\u3000up\u3000and\u3000released\u3000four\u3000shots\u3000in\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000took\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000assess\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000aim\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrows\u3000embedded\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000one\u3000after\u3000another\uff1b\u3000puncturing\u3000the\u3000many\u2026sided\u3000orb\u3000like\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000pin\u3000cushion\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000thrashed\u3000about\u3000in\u3000response\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000again\uff1b\u3000running\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000get\u3000in\u3000another\u3000strike\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000was\u3000not\u3000so\u3000lucky\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000jerking\uff1b\u3000pain\u2026crazed\u3000creature\u3000spasmed\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000off\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000burly\u3000drow\u3000tumbling\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000landed\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000his\u3000great\u2026sword\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000massive\u3000arachnid\u3000was\u3000skittering\u3000straight\u3000toward\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Valas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Jeggred\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000astride\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000huge\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000slashing\u3000madly\u3000with\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000and\u3000flinging\u3000gobbets\u3000of\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000black\u3000blood\u3000everywhere\u3000as\u3000the\u3000fiend\u3000sawed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000reared\u3000and\u3000jerked\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shake\u3000Jeggred\u3000from\u3000its\u3000body\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000clung\u3000tenaciously\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sinking\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000the\u3000beast’s\u3000flesh\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000his\u3000hold\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000took\u3000an\u3000involuntary\u3000step\u3000backward\u3000as\u3000the\u3000onrushing\u3000spider\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000its\u3000rapid\u3000steps\u3000making\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3000buck\u3000and\u3000bounce\u3002\u3000Raising\u3000his\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000fired\u3000off\u3000a\u3000second\u3000lightning\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000crackle\u3000over\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000Jeggred\u3000would\u3000be\u3000resistant\u3000to\u3000its\u3000destructive\u3000power\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000electrical\u3000discharge\u3000obviously\u3000hurt\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000beast\u2026\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000clearly\u3000see\u3000scorch\u3000marks\u3000on\u3000its\u3000shiny\u3000black\u3000skin\u2026but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000slow\u3000a\u3000whit\u3002\u3000It\u3000ambled\u3000drunkenly\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000even\u3000as\u3000Valas\u3000pumped\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000arrows\u3000into\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Goddess\uff01\u3000thought\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000backing\u3000up\u3000another\u3000step\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000himself\u3000stop\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000charging\u3000creature\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000was\u3000back\u2026stepping\u3000too\uff1b\u3000still\u3000firing\u3000arrows\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000both\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000sight\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000clearly\u3000targeting\u3000them\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000its\u3000woes\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000leaped\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000Splitter\u3000in\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000arc\u3000and\u3000smashing\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000savagely\u3000across\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000lightning\u3000bolt\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000bought\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000his\u3000greatsword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000arachnid\u3000jerked\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000more\u3000blood\u3000dripping\u3000freely\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000deterred\u3002\u3000It\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000once\uff1b\u3000twice\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000warrior\u3000fended\u3000the\u3000attacks\u3000off\u3000with\u3000his\u3000greatsword\uff1b\u3000laboring\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000twitching\u3000mandibles\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000scrambled\u3000backward\u3000again\uff1b\u3000happy\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000broad\u2026shouldered\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000bear\u3000the\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bat\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000wand\u3000for\u3000a\u3000third\u3000lightning\u3000strike\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000would\u3000fell\u3000the\u3000beast\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000activate\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000snapped\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000a\u3000third\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000luck\u3000ran\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000spider’s\u3000mandibles\u3000closed\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\uff1b\u3000who\u3000grunted\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000Splitter\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000hoisted\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000squeezing\u3000its\u3000captured\u3000prey\u3000tightly\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000the\u3000life\u3000out\u3000him\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000arched\u3000his\u3000back\u3000in\u3000agony\u3000and\u3000began\u3000desperately\u3000hacking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mandibles\u3000with\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000hesitated\u3000to\u3000expend\u3000his\u3000magical \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000hesitated\u3000to\u3000expend\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000bolts\u3000with\u3000Ryld\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000likewise\u3000seemed\u3000at\u3000a\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000sighting\u3000down\u3000a\u3000drawn\u2026back\u3000arrow\u3000but\u3000faltering\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000clear\u3000shot\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000hew\u3000into\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth’s\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000pletely\u3000coated\u3000with\u3000sticky\u3000black\u3000fluid\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Why\u3000won’t\u3000the\u3000blasted\u3000thing\u3000die\uff1f\u3000Pharaun\u3000thought\u3000in\u3000dismay\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3000to\u3000jolt\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000then\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3000his\u3000other\u3000wand\u3002\u3000Reacting\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000fish\u3000the\u3000second\u3000item\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000stumbled\u3000into\u3000both\u3000him\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000went\u3000sprawling\uff1b\u3000rolling\u3000into\u3000a\u3000tumble\u3000several\u3000yards\u3000away\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Pharaun\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000worst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000by\u3000leaping\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000aided\u3000by\u3000his\u3000magical\u3000boots\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Landing\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000flicked\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000and\u3000uttered\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000word\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000host\u3000of\u3000glowing\u3000projectiles\u3000streaming\u3000from\u3000its\u3000tip\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u3000missiles\u3000swerved\u3000unerringly\u3000around\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000eyes\u3000in\u3000rapid\u3000succession\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000spider\u3000flinched\u3000away\uff1b\u3000opening\u3000its\u3000mandibles\u3000to\u3000chatter\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000Ryld\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000fell\u3000limply\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000still\u3000retained\u3000consciousness\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000halt\u3000his\u3000own\u3000descent\uff1b\u3000drifting\u3000the\u3000last\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000reared\u3000up\uff1b\u3000its\u3000face\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000still\u3000slashing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000its\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000it\u3000can\u3000withstand\u3000much\u3000more\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000thought\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Finish\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000past\u3000the\u3000spider\u3002\u3000\u3003Kill\u3000it\u3000and\u3000be\u3000done\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000ing\u3000their\u3000way\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000quickly\u3000discharged\u3000a\u3000second\u3000round\u3000of\u3000screaming\u3000projectiles\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wand\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000struck\u3000home\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000finally\u3000collapsed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000landing\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000still\u2026prone\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000didn’t\u3000move\uff1b\u3000though\u3000its\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000mandibles\u3000spasmed\u3000awkwardly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Withdraw\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000other\u3000one\u3000is\u3000ing\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Valas\u3000get\u3000Ryld\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000trio\u3000scurried\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000they\u3000could\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000alley\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000leaped\u3000down\u3000from\u3000his\u3000perch\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000arachnid\u3000and\u3000joined\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000all\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000the\u3000side\u3000street\u3000simultaneously\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000from\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000Farther\u3000up\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000emanations\u3000of\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000walking\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000limping\u3000drow\u3000could\u3000move\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000almost\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000where\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000only\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000two\u3002\u3000\u3003Keep\u3000still\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000warned\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000might\u3000sense\u3000vibrations\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000two\u3000groups\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000apprehensive\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000stopped\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000building\u3000as\u3000the\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000came\u3000closer\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000slipped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000spell\u3000he’d\u3000considered\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000one\u3000that\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000about\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000mist\uff1b\u3000should\u3000they\u3000need\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000arachnid\u3000moved\u3000off\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vibrations\u3000grew\u3000calmer\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000stole\u3000another\u3000glance\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\u3000were\u3000drawing\u3000closer\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000would\u3000openly\u3000defy\u3000me\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000slapping\u3000a\u3000still\u2026woozy\u3000Ryld\u3000across\u3000the\u3000cheek\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000to\u3000his\u3000full\u3000height\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000backing\u3000her\u3000while\u3000she\u3000meted\u3000out\u3000her\u3000discipline\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000staggered\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000dripped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000flinch\u3000from\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess’s\u3000gaze\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000aren’t\u3000so\u3000expendable\u3000as\u3000you\u3000might\u3000think\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000weakly\u3000but\u3000with\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000them\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000themselves\u3000before\u3000you\u3000abandon\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000be\u3000you\u3000she’s\u3000rushing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000next\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Jeggred\u3000growled\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000held\u3000up\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000be\u3000still\u3002\u3000The\u3000draegloth\u3000glowered\u3000at\u3000Ryld\u3000but\u3000obeyed\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Your\u3000days\u3000of\u3000questioning\u3000my\u3000authority\u3000are\u3000nigh\u3000ended\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000face\u3000both\u3000Ryld\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000together\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000we\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000city\uff1b\u3000there\u3000will\u3000be\u3000some\u3000changes\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000to\u3000mimic\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Academy’s\u3000foul\u3000mood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shimmy\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000hissing\u3000in\u3000vexation\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000mote\u3000magic\u3000secreted\u3000away\u3000that\u3000I\u3000should\u3000know\u3000about\uff1f\u3000Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000know\u3000if\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Drisinil’s\u3000daughter\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000produced\u3000an\u3000additional\u3000wand\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000over\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000cannot\u3000use\u3000that\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000mumbled\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000arcane\u3000in\u3000nature\u3002\u3000I\u3000also\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000dabble\u3000in\u3000that\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000magic\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000strolled\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000pletely\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000female\u3000who\u3000stared\u3000daggers\u3000at\u3000her\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Halisstra\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000change\u3000the\u3000subject\u3000and\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000show\u3000Quenthel\u3000that\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000was\u3000useful\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000\u3003both\u3000you\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000where\u3000these\u3000giant\u3000spiders\u3000came\u3000from\u3002\u3000What\u3000can\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000they\u3000get\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000asked\u3000incredulously\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Certainly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000warming\u3000to\u3000the\u3000subject\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000webs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000first\u3000appeared\u3000here\uff1f\u3000Upon\u3000arriving\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000high\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000their\u3000wizard\u3000counterparts\uff1b\u3000summoned\u3000spiders\u3000of\u3000immense\u3000size\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000the\u3000webs\u3000upon\u3000which\u3000the\u3000city\u3000would\u3000rest\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000with\u3000Lolth’s\u3000blessing\u3000that\u3000these\u3000sacred\u3000creatures\u3000came\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000magically\u3000stored\uff1b\u3000transformed\u3000into\u3000crystalline\u3000statues\u3002\u3000From\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\u3000they\u3000are\u3000brought\u3000forth\u3000again\u3000to\u3000repair\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000or\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002\u3000Normally\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000controlled\u3000through\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000link\u3000to\u3000do\u3000our\u3000bidding\u3000and\u3000to\u3000gate\u3000in\u3000more\u3000of\u3000their\u3000kind\u3000only\u3000when\u3000we\u3000mand\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000how\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000reserved\u3000for\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000could\u3000still\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000scuttling\u3000along\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000force\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000were\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pathway\u3000above\u3000it\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3000at\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000below\u3000them\u3002\u3000A\u3000number\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000throwing\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000damnable\u3000firepots\u3000at\u3000the\u3000creature\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000little\u3000incendiary\u3000devices\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000arachnid\uff1b\u3000they\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000flame \n
\n \n
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\n \u3000creature\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000little\u3000incendiary\u3000devices\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000arachnid\uff1b\u3000they\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000flame\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000spider\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000as\u3000it\u3000began\u3000to\u3000burn\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000More\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clay\u3000pots\u3000were\u3000cast\u3000down\uff1b\u3000several\u3000of\u3000them\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3000and\u3000abdomen\u3002\u3000Rising\u3000up\u3000on\u3000its\u3000hind\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000too\u3000high\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000its\u3000back\u3000on\u3000its\u3000attackers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000fluid\u3000in\u3000their\u3000direction\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Webbing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000noted\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000impressed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000webbing\u3000sailed\u3000accurately\uff1b\u3000attaching\u3000to\u3000the\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\uff1b\u3000hardening\u3000as\u3000it\u3000did\u3000so\u3002\u3000The\u3000spider\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000scamper\u3000up\u3000the\u3000strand\u3000of\u3000sticky\u3000filament\uff1b\u3000pursuing\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000desperately\u3000clambering\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000fools\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000just\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000its\u3000attention\u3000focused\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000Fortunate\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000still\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000our\u3000belongings\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inn\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000this\u3000wretched\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000gaze\u3000at\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000full\u3000well\u3000that\u3000his\u3000expression\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000dumbfounded\u3000amazement\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000serious\uff01\u3000Look\u3000around\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000out\u3000toward\u3000other\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000glows\u3000of\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000fires\u3000were\u3000visible\u3000through\u3000the\u3000ever\u2026thickening\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000whole\u3000city\u3000is\u3000in\u3000turmoil\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000if\u3000to\u3000back\u3000up\u3000her\u3000words\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000with\u3000a\u3000menacing\u3000growl\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000of\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000bunching\u3000it\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000clawed\u3000fist\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000since\u3000you\u3000are\u3000so\u3000passionate\u3000about\u3000recovering\u3000your\u3000valuables\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000sound\u3000jovial\uff1b\u3000\u3003then\u3000let’s\u3000make\u3000haste\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000is\u3000wasted\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000smiled\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000pleased\u3000at\u3000having\u3000successfully\u3000asserted\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000regained\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000would\u3000appreciate\u3000the\u3000importance\u3000of\u3000my\u3000decision\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000how\u3000do\u3000you\u3000propose\u3000we\u3000cross\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Flame\u3000and\u3000Serpent\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000appraising\u3000the\u3000devastation\u3000alongside\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000magic\u3000do\u3000you\u3000still\u3000have\u3000up\u3000your\u3000sleeve\u3000that\u3000can\u3000get\u3000us\u3000there\u3000quickly\u3000and\u3000safely\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003None\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3000in\u3000all\u3000seriousness\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000consumed\u3000over\u3000half\u3000of\u3000my\u3000magic\u3000for\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000even\u3000certain\u3000how\u3000we’ll\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000good\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Mizzrym\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000counter\u2026suggestion\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pursing\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000go\u3000get\u3000the\u3000goods\u3000while\u3000you\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3000wait\u3000here\u3000and\u3000rest\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000fairly\u3000easily\u3000defended\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u3000find\u3000you\u3000again\u3000when\u3000I\u3000e\u3000back\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000to\u3000get\u3000me\u3000to\u3000the\u3000inn\u3000and\u3000back\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3000take\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000scowled\uff1b\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000wondered\u3000if\uff1b\u3000as\u3000often\u3000as\u3000she\u3000frowned\u3000so\u3000severely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000even\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000making\u3000such\u3000a\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000not\u3000dawdle\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000intend\u3000to\u3002\u3000The\u3000less\u3000chance\u3000there\u3000is\u3000of\u3000large\u3000chunks\u3000of\u3000this\u3000doomed\u3000city\u3000falling\u3000atop\u3000me\uff1b\u3000the\u3000better\u3000off\u3000I’ll\u3000feel\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000explained\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000nodded\u3000in\u3000agreement\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000a\u3000respite\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000pulled\u3000Pharaun\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000ing\u3000back\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000cocked\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000and\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Besides\u3000having\u3000a\u3000fondness\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000brooding\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000I\u3000still\u3000truly\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000this\u3000mystery\u3002\u3000My\u3000chances\u3000are\u3000better\u3000with\u3000you\u3000all\u3000than\u3000without\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000before\u3000nodding\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alley\uff1b\u3000his\u3000crossbow\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000city\uff1f\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000was\u3000drawn\u3000and\u3000tired\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000glittered\u3000red\uff1b\u3000as\u3000with\u3000some\u3000new\u3000determination\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000of\u3000flying\u3000that\u3000I\u3000can\u3000use\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\u3000and\u3000back\u3000again\u3000fairly\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000much\u3000better\u3000off\u3000if\u3000I\u3000were\u3000not\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000have\u3000already\u3000played\u3000that\u3000particular\u3000trick\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000I\u3000can\u3000help\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000what\u3000once\u3000was\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wand\u3000you\u3000just\u3000confiscated\u3000from\u3000me\u3000would\u3000serve\u3000us\u3000well\uff1b\u3000with\u3000your\u3000approval\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000pleased\u3000by\u3000the\u3000deference\u3000shown\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003A\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000will\u3000render\u3000him\u3000invisible\uff1b\u3000even\u3000should\u3000he\u3000attack\u3000a\u3000foe\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000assure\u3000you\uff1b\u3000it\u3000will\u3000not\u3000harm\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000confirmation\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000He\u3000still\u3000believed\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\u3000newly\u3000added\u3000to\u3000the\u3000group\u3000were\u3000trustworthy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000certainly\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000in\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000position\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000produced\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000female\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000took\u3000it\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000her\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000She\u3000targeted\u3000her\u3000wand\u3000at\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000feather\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002\u3000Using\u3000the\u3000feather\u3000as\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000casting\uff1b\u3000he\u3000enchanted\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000fly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Tucking\u3000the\u3000feather\u3000back\u3000into\u3000its\u3000customary\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000go\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000always\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000when\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\u3000your\u3000own\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000smiled\u3000faintly\u3000and\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000then\u3000summoned\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000energy\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wand\u3002\u3000In\u3000but\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000totally\u3000invisible\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000offered\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you\u3000learned\u3000your\u3000lesson\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000did\u3000not\u3000reach\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000She\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000away\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000beside\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3000shortly\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000rose\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000before\u3000anyone\u3000could\u3000think\u3000to\u3000reply\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000sensed\u3000when\u3000he\u3000departed\u3000the\u3000alley\u3002\u3000Shaking\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scout\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000paced\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000be\u3000away\u3000from\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000This\u3000is\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000lot\u3000I’ve\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000with\uff1b\u3000she\u3000decided\u3002\u3000They\u3000are\u3000petent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000bicker\u3000and\u3000argue\u3000unlike\u3000any\u3000group\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000speaking\u3000quietly\u3000with\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She’s\u3000certainly\u3000an\u3000interesting\u3000one\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000decided\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000she’d\u3000encountered\u3000a\u3000female\u3000like\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u2026confident\u3000yet\u3000blustering\u3000at\u3000everything\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000linger\u3000appreciatively\u3000over\u3000Quenthels\u3000form\uff1b\u3000she’s\u3000a\u3000fit\u3000leader\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000The\u3000First\u3000Daughter\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000looked\u3000visibly\u3000shaken\u3000at\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000her\u3000home\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Ssipriina\u3000had\u3000already\u3000wrested\u3000possession\u3000of\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000would\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000under\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000duress\u3002\u3000Certainly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000lamenting\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000part\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Danifae\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000how\u3000it\u3000would\u3000feel\u3000if\u3000her\u3000own\u3000family\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000fashion\u3002\u3000House\u3000Yauntyrr\u3000might\u3000well\u3000have\u3000been\u3000destroyed\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000she\u3000knew\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000far\u3000too\u3000long\u3000since\u3000she’d\u3000last\u3000seen\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000know\u3000the\u3000fate\u3000of\u3000Eryndlyn\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000current\u3000crisis\uff1b\u3000much\u3000less\u3000her\u3000own\u3000House\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Let\u3000us\u3000e\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000us\u3000help\u3000you\u3000find\u3000the\u3000priest\u3000of\u3000Vhaeraun\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mistress\u3000sharply\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000makes\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000scout’s\u3000friend\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u2026I\u3000beg\u3000forgiveness\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000merely\u3000assumed\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Assumptions\u3000are\u3000best\u3000left\u3000to\u3000that\u3000miserable\u3000wretch\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000warned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u2026I\u3000beg\u3000forgiveness\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000merely\u3000assumed\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Assumptions\u3000are\u3000best\u3000left\u3000to\u3000that\u3000miserable\u3000wretch\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000warned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000bowed\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000humbly\u3000ask\u3000that\u3000you\u3000permit\u3000me\u3000and\u3000my\u3000servant\u3000to\u3000acpany\u3000you\u3002\u3000Our\u3000chances\u3000of\u3000survival\u3000are\u3000much\u3000greater\u3000if\u3000we\u3000stay\u3000together\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000you\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3000for\u3000me\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000control\u3000her\u3000emotions\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000somewhat\u3000unbeing\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000her\u3000passion\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000say\u3000so\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000not\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000others\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000tapped\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000with\u3000her\u3000finger\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3000as\u3000though\u3000she\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000of\u3000Halisstras\u3000plight\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Danifae\u3000seriously\u3000doubted\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000held\u3000any\u3000true\u3000passion\u3000for\u3000Halisstras\u3000situation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000you\u3000can\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000make\u3000yourself\u3000useful\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000are\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000what\u3000I\u3000say\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000see\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000you\u3000cannot\u3000continue\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000with\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000No\u3000doubt\u3000this\u3000would\u3000take\u3000her\u3000farther\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Eryndlyn\uff1b\u3000not\u3000closer\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000binding\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000had\u3000that\u3000capability\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000manipulate\u3000him\u3000into\u3000helping\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000him\u3000eyeing\u3000her\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002\u3000Easy\uff1b\u3000indeed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000bowed\u3000her\u3000head\u3000again\u3000in\u3000thanks\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000is\u3000not\u3000too\u3000presumptuous\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3000Baenre\uff1b\u3000may\u3000I\u3000ask\u3000what\u3000your\u3000intentions\u3000are\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000once\u3000we\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000city\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000emphasizing\u3000the\u3000words\u3000to\u3000show\u3000of\u3000what\u3000a\u3000daunting\u3000task\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000and\u3000of\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000might\u3000actually\u3000pay\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000to\u3000this\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000the\u3000scout’s\u3002\u3000However\u3000infuriating\u3000the\u3000Mizzrym\u3000boy\u3000can\u3000be\u3000in\u3000so\u3000many\u3000other\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000he\u3000does\u3000occasionally\u3000have\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\u3000or\u3000two\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That’s\u3000why\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000alienate\u3000him\u3000or\u3000cause\u3000him\u3000bodily\u3000harm\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000surmised\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000really\u3000the\u3000most\u3000valuable\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000That\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000question\u3000of\u3000who\u3000was\u3000really\u3000the\u3000leader\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000by\u3000default\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000by\u3000subtle\u3000necessity\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000will\u3000bear\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000Danifae\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ssipriina\u3000surveyed\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000she’d\u3000assembled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000courtyard\u3000of\u3000her\u3000estate\u3000and\u3000grimaced\u3002\u3000So\u3000few\u3000remained\u3000of\u3000what\u3000she’d\u3000started\u3000the\u3000day\u3000with\u3002\u3000\u3003Would\u3000they\u3000be\u3000enough\uff1f\u3000She\u3000let\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000roam\u3000over\u3000them\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000priestesses\uff1b\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000How\u3000many\u3000had\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\uff1f\u3000How\u3000many\u3000more\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hours\u3000since\uff1b\u3000battling\u3000the\u3000rival\u3000Houses\uff1b\u3000her\u3000own\u3000duergar\u3000mercenaries\uff1b\u3000succumbing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000guardian\u3000spiders\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000that\u3000debacle\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000a\u3000blunder\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000label\u3000it\u3000ill\u2026conceived\u3002\u3000Animating\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000for\u3000her\u3000House\u3000had\u3000been\u3000clever\uff1b\u3000an\u3000idea\u3000her\u3000allies\u3000had\u3000all\u3000endorsed\u3002\u3000Certainly\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000foresee\u3000that\u3000the\u3000mental\u3000link\u3000used\u3000to\u3000control\u3000the\u3000spiders\u3000was\u3000in\u3000some\u3000way\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000their\u3000connection\u3000to\u3000Lolth\u3002\u3000Without\u3000the\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000link\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000Ssipriina\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000out\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000all\u3000missed\u3000that\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000sole\u3000blame\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000damage\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000contained\uff1b\u3000if\u3000only\u3000that\u3000double\u2026crossing\u3000fool\u3000Khorrl\u3000had\u3000done\u3000his\u3000duty\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000paid\u3000him\u3000a\u3000matron\u3000mother’s\u3000ransom\u3002\u3000He\u3000should\u3000have\u3000jumped\u3000at\u3000her\u3000every\u3000beck\u3000and\u3000call\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000back\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000gathered\u3000his\u3000mercenaries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000all\u3000together\u3002\u3000The\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000his\u3000support\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tough\u3000blow\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000galled\u3000her\u3000more\u3000was\u3000how\u3000foolish\u3000he’d\u3000made\u3000her\u3000look\u2026foolish\u3000in\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000peers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000other\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000upon\u3000hearing\u3000that\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000in\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000service\uff1b\u3000had\u3000washed\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alliance\uff1b\u3000immediately\u3000withdrawing\u3000their\u3000support\u3000for\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000claims\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000their\u3000own\u3000Houses\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000afford\u3000to\u3000weaken\u3000themselves\u3000further\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lost\u3000cause\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Let\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3000distance\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000Let\u3000them\u3000rot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chasm\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000these\u3000setbacks\u3000foil\u3000her\u3000plans\u3002\u3000Half\u3000the\u3000city\u3000might\u3000burn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000cleared\uff1b\u3000House\u3000Zauvirr\u3000would\u3000sit\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heap\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000That\u3000was\u3000Clan\u3000Xornbane’s\u3000fault\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000let\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000around\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000control\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000their\u3000horrible\u3000firepots\u3000that\u3000made\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000burn\uff1b\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000the\u3000House\u3000to\u3000fall\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000needless\u3000destruction\uff1b\u3000brought\u3000about\u3000after\u3000needless\u3000fighting\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Foolish\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Good\u3000riddance\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Gather\u3000yourselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000said\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000a\u3000protected\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000milling\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000drow\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000to\u3000claim\u3000what’s\u3000ours\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000EIGHTEEN
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Secondly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000navigation\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easier\u3000if\u3000he\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chasm\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000work\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000central\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Even\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000smoke\u3000caused\u3000him\u3000difficulty\u3000in\u3000flying\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000how\u3000haze\u2026choked\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000had\u3000bee\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000once\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nearly\u3000careened\u3000off\u3000a\u3000trench\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000still\u3000intact\u3000web\u3000street\uff1b\u3000or\u3000building\u3002\u3000Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000still\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3000of\u3000navigating\u3000through\u3000that\u3000to\u3000be\u3000far\u3000safer\u3000than\u3000having\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000through\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000fighting\u3000was\u3000constant\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000explosions\uff1b\u3000loud\u3000pops\uff1b\u3000and\u3000howling\u3000winds\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000as\u3000fierce\u3000magical\u3000battles\u3000raged\u3002\u3000Arcane\u3000forces\u3000were\u3000being\u3000unleashed\u3000on\u3000gathering\u3000troops\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3000about\u3000it\u2026the\u3000entire\u3000city\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000struggle\u3000for\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Mostly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000reverberations\u3000of\u3000conflict\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000ears\u3000from\u3000his\u3000level\u3000or\u3000below\u3002\u3000What\u3000had\u3000in\u3000all\u3000likelihood\u3000begun\u3000in\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000outside\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3000had\u3000quickly\u3000spread\uff1b\u3000engulfing\u3000the\u3000citizens\u3000and\u3000visitors\u3000all\u3000across\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000on\u3000every\u3000level\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000many\u3000had\u3000actually\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000flee\u3000into\u3000the\u3000caverns\u3000surrounding\u3000the\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\u3002\u3000Though\u3000the\u3000team\u3000from\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000been\u3000indisposed\u3000for\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Initial\u3000martial\u3000activity\uff1b\u3000he\u3000recalled\u3000that\uff1b\u3000since\u3000their\u3000escape\u3000from\u3000the\u3000collapse\u3000of\u3000House\u3000Melarn\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000surprisingly\u3000few\u3000ordinary\u3000folk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000also\u3000because\u3000they’d\u3000spent\u3000most\u3000of\u3000their\u3000time\u3000high\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000where\u3000only\u3000the\u3000nobles\u3000prowled\u3002\u3000Farther\u3000down\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000sections\uff1b\u3000he\u3000imagined\u3000a\u3000much\u3000different\u3000scene\u3002\u3000There\uff1b\u3000he\u3000supposed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000general\u3000rabble\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000much\u3000like\u3000the\u3000rebellion\u3000back\u3000home\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000uprising\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000decidedly\u3000different\u3000twist\u3000than\u3000the\u3000insurrection\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000insurgents\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upheavals\u3000in\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000were\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Houses\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Their\u3000own\u3000infighting\u3000was\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000point\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000counted\u3000himself\u3000fortunate\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Houses\u3000of\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3000had\u3000proven\u3000less\u3000prone\u3000to\u3000petty\u3000backbiting\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000had\uff1b\u3000there\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000a\u3000city\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3002\u3000The\u3000mage\u3000grimaced\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000Gromph’s\u3000attempts\u3000on\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000own\u3000sister\u3000Greyanna’s\u3000failed\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000he\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000where\u3000the\u3000inn\u3000was\u3000located\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000damage\u3000was\u3000less\u3000severe\u3000there\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flame\u3000and\u3000Serpent\u3000was\u3000thus\u3000far\u3000unscathed\u3002\u3000Immediately\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000why\u3002\u3000A\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000mismatched\u3000drow\u3000and\u3000other\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000residents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inn\uff1b\u3000self\u2026reliant\u3000mercenaries\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whatnot\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000perimeter\u3000defense\u3000ar \n
\n \n
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\n
\n \u3000perimeter\u3000defense\u3000around\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000appear\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000under\u3000fire\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000an\u3000intense\u3000battle\u3000must\u3000have\u3000raged\u3000there\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000judging\u3000by\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000bodies\u3000present\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000either\u3000attacked\u3000or\u3000drawn\u3000into\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000siege\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000elected\u3000to\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000inn\u3000and\u3000enter\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000window\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000he\u3000shared\u3000with\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000cavern\u3000that\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000called\u3000home\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000made\u3000for\u3000that\u3002\u3000He\u3000approached\u3000from\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000down\u3000between\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trench\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000wide\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3000down\u3000between\u3000the\u3000two\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hovered\u3000there\u3000while\u3000he\u3000contemplated\u3000how\u3000best\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000without\u3000attracting\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000had\u3000just\u3000the\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000incantation\u3000that\u3000would\u3000open\u3000the\u3000window\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000break\u3000it\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000into\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fumbled\u3000around\u3000in\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000pockets\u3000before\u3000he\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000for\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000brass\u3000key\u3000and\u3000tapped\u3000it\u3000softly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000window\u3000as\u3000he\u3000uttered\u3000the\u3000words\u3000that\u3000would\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000spell\u3002\u3000The\u3000window\u3000opened\u3000without\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000squirmed\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000all\u3000of\u3000their\u3000belongings\u3000when\u3000they’d\u3000left\u3000the\u3000inn\u3000upon\u3000being\u3000summoned\u3000to\u3000attend\u3000the\u3000\u3003party\u3003\u3000in\u3000their\u3000honor\u3002\u3000That\u3000seems\u3000almost\u3000a\u3000lifetime\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000mused\u3000as\u3000he\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000to\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000chambers\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000fiend\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000Pharaun\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000as\u3000Aliisza\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000remembered\uff1b\u3000eyed\u3000both\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000warily\u3000as\u3000she\u3000panted\u3000where\u3000she’d\u3000fallen\u3002\u3000She\u3000made\u3000no\u3000move\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000herself\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Everyone\u3000but\u3000Jeggred\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000as\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000began\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000Pharaun\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000him\u3000long\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000puncture\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000a\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000a\u3000crossbow\u3000bolt\u3000still\u3000lodged\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000had\u3000snapped\u3000off\u3000during\u3000his\u3000crash\u3000landing\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000hope\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000muttered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000unconscious\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000over\u3000toward\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000we\u3000can\u3000do\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000did\u3000so\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000knelt\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000Laying\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000began\u3000chanting\uff1b\u3000reading\u3000through\u3000the\u3000words\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scroll\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\u3000as\u3000the\u3000handwritten\u3000text\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000the\u3000page\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000glow\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000Pharauns\u3000body\uff1b\u3000emanating\u3000from\u3000the\u3000point\u3000where\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000hand\u3000touched\u3000him\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000that\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000can\u3000heal\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000went\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\u3000own\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000where\u3000she\u3000tucked\u3000the\u3000scrolls\uff1b\u3000back\u3000in\u3000their\u3000protective\u3000tube\uff1b\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000She\u3000began\u3000fishing\u3000around\u3000in\u3000another\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000container\u3000and\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000wand\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Ryld\u3000recognized\u3000from\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3002\u3000He\u3000checked\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000lodged\u3000against\u3000any\u3000bone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000satisfied\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000shove\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000the\u3000head\u3000through\u3000Pharauns\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000out\u3000the\u3000back\u3000side\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000still\u3000grimacing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000greeting\u3000was\u3000entirely\u3000appropriate\u3000for\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000himself\u3000shot\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000once\u3000more\u3000making\u3000room\u3000for\u3000Quenthel\u3000 \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000wand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000freshly\u3000bleeding\u3000puncture\u3000and\u3000muttered\u3000a\u3000trigger\u3000word\u3002\u3000The\u3000flesh\u3000that\u3000was\u3000exposed\u3000began\u3000to\u3000knit\u3000itself\u3000together\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000and\u3000forming\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000gray\u3000scar\u3000on\u3000his\u3000jet\u3000black\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3000as\u3000Quenthel\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000helped\u3000by\u3000Danifae\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000Aliisza\uff1b\u3000still\u3000being\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000he\u3000grimaced\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000free\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000captive’s\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dark\u2026haired\u3000beauty\u3000was\u3000frowning\u3000severely\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Uh\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3002\u3000This\u3000smacks\u3000of\u3000a\u3000jealous\u3000lover\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000big\u3000a\u3000fool\uff1b\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000with\u3000a\u3000demon\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000move\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000sat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Jeggred\u3000as\u3000he\u3000passed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000stand\u3000down\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000bite\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Remember\u3000what\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000said\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mage’s\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000speaking\u3000loudly\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000everyone\u3000could\u3000hear\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000know\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000too\u3000long\u3000in\u3000this\u3000city\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000leave\u3000you\u3000all\u3000to\u3000whatever\u3000silly\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000games\u3000you\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000play\u3000while\u3000the\u3000place\u3000falls\u3000down\u3000around\u3000you\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000happened\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000thoughtfully\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000went\u3000to\u3000get\u3000your\u3000things\uff1b\u3000I\u3000got\u3000jumped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000saved\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Assuming\u3000we’ve\u3000settled\u3000on\u3000that\u3000as\u3000our\u3000next\u3000course\u3000of\u3000action\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000her\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Nonsense\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003Pharaun\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000means\u3000at\u3000all\u3000of\u3000transporting\u3000us\uff1f\u3000Some\u3000spell\u3000that\u3000would\u3000open\u3000a\u3000gate\uff1f\u3000Anything\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Easy\uff1b\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000out\uff1b\u3000palms\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000placating\u3000manner\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000just\u3000passing\u3000through\u3002\u3000No\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000jumpy\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000found\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000did\u3000so\uff1b\u3000reclining\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000get\u3000fortable\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000females\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Rest\u3000when\u3000you\u3000can\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000scowled\u3000but\u3000consented\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000across\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000settled\u3000down\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000trio’s\u3000rest\u3000was\u3000short\u2026lived\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000for\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000shouts\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000farther\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000around\u3000them\u3000grew\u3000restless\u3000as\u3000word\u3000spread\u3000that\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000from\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000House\u3000were\u3000heading\u3000their\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000priestess\u3000of\u3000middling\u3000rank\u3000came\u3000stalking\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000male\u3000wizards\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000cajoling\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000to\u3000form\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003On\u3000your\u3000feet\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000time\u3002\u3000Get\u3000up\uff1b\u3000you\u3000worthless\u3000roth\u00e9\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fight\uff01\u3000Fight\u3000for\u3000House\u3000Maerret\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000When\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000three\u3000doing\u3000here\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000part\u3000of\u3000this\u3000unit\u3002\u3000Who\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000that\u3000same\u3000placating\u3000motion\u3000that\u3000he’d\u3000used\u3000earlier\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000just\u3000passersby\uff1b\u3000not\u3000here\u3000to\u3000cause\u3000any\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000join\u3000ranks\uff1b\u3000then\u3002\u3000Get\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000help\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wizards\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000thought\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000serve\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000by\u3000helping\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000this\u3000end\u3000of\u3000road\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000broadly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000never\u3000know\u3000when\u3000those\u3000pesky\u3000grays\u3000will\u3000try\u3000to\u3000circumnavigate\u3000our\u3000flank\u3000and\u3000surprise\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Get\u3000on\u3000your\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000go\u3000join\u3000the\u3000other\u3000spellcasters\u3002\u3000And\u3000you\u3000two\uff01\u3000You\u3000can\u3000help\u3000me\u3000rally\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000order\u3002\u3000Up\u3000off\u3000your\u3000hind\u3000ends\u2026now\uff1f
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000lash\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestess\uff1b\u3000so\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000cause\u3000a\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000mander\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000actually\u3000working\u3000on\u3000a\u3000special\u3000assignment\u3000for\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Drisinil\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000permission\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000while\u3000we\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000a\u3000very\u3000important\u3000mission\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000so\uff1f\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000male\u3000wizards\u3000replied\u3000coldly\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Drisinil\u3000Melarn\u3000was\u3000my\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000murdered\u3000by\u3000traitors\u3000before\u3000this\u3000civil\u3000war\u3000even\u3000started\u3002\u3000Since\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000wear\u3000a\u3000House\u3000insignia\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000guessing\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000spies\u3000who\u3000were\u3000accused\u3000of\u3000collaborating\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n \u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000spies\u3000who\u3000were\u3000accused\u3000of\u3000collaborating\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000you\u3000died\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Melarn\u3000wizard\u3000stepped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000into\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000react\uff1b\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000drifted\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hello\uff1b\u3000Q’arlynd\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3000as\u3000she\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000floated\u3000up\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Melarn\u3000wizard\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000at\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000grin\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dear\u3000sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000NINETEEN
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003When\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000got\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mothers\uff1b\u3000including\u3000Maerret\uff1b\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Dangling\u3000Tower\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000us\u3000to\u3000aid\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000full\u2026scale\u3000civil\u3000war\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000the\u3000city\u3000apart\u3000if\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000stop\u3000them\u3002\u3000Matron\u3000Mother\u3000Lirdnolu\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000me\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000House\u3000Melarn\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000Mother\u3000was\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’d\u3000heard\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr\u3000with\u3000collaborators\u3000from\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000who\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000downfall\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000perished\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000squatting\u3000down\u3000beside\u3000her\u3000brother\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000either\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000Mother\u3000was\u3000murdered\u3000or\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000our\u3000House\u3002\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000gone\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000wizard\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra\u3000only\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000breathed\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000family\u3000reunion\u3000is\u3000nice\u3000and\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000still\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000city\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000standing\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1f\u3000Where’s\u3000the\u3000closest\u3000way\u3000out\u3000that\u3000we\u3000can\u3000get\u3000through\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000none\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I’ve\u3000heard\u3002\u3000All\u3000the\u3000gates\u3000have\u3000either\u3000been\u3000mandeered\u3000by\u3000rebel\u3000forces\u3000or\u3000hordes\u3000of\u3000escaped\u3000slaves\u3000or\u3000they’ve\u3000collapsed\u3000outright\u3000because\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000This\u3000alchemical\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000burns\u3000through\u3000stone\u3000is\u3000wreaking\u3000havoc\u3000on\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000we\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000interrupted\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000your\u3000report\u3000doesn’t\u3000leave\u3000us\u3000with\u3000many\u3000options\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000had\u3000just\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000mand\u3000Pharaun\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000a\u3000method\u3000of\u3000escaping\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000imagined\uff1b\u3000when\u3000a\u3000motion\u3000broke\u3000out\u3000from\u3000farther\u3000down\u3000the\u3000boulevard\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000jumble\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000stumbling\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000disarray\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000fell\u3000again\u3000just\u3000as\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000down\u3000by\u3000a\u3000growing\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000who\u3000were\u3000emerging\u3000through\u3000a\u3000magical\u3000doorway\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000only\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000streaming\u3000through\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000they\u3000could\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000off\u3000crossbows\u3000at\u3000any\u3000drow\u3000targets\u3000they\u3000could\u3000find\u3000before\u3000casting\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000weapons\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000axes\uff1b\u3000hammers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000occasional\u3000mace\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Attack\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000under\u3000attack\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000cry\u3000went\u3000up\u3000as\u3000more\u3000drow\u3000surged\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000advance\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000you\u3000flat\u2026footed\uff1b\u3000sorry\u3000excuses\u3000for\u3000soldiers\u2026get\u3000up\u3000there\u3000and\u3000fight\u3000before\u3000they\u3000split\u3000us\u3000down\u3000the\u3000middle\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000priestess\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000returning\u3000from\u3000the\u3000far\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000and\u3000shoving\u3000troops\u3000forward\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Wizard\uff01\u3000Throw\u3000a\u3000spell\uff01\u3000Drive\u3000them\u3000back\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000square\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000done\u3000for\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000sighed\u3000and\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000grabbing\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000priestess\u3000and\u3000spinning\u3000her\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000smile\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000your\u3000troops\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000to\u3000this\u3000point\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3000And\u3000let\u3000them\u3000e\u3000at\u3000us\u3000unopposed\uff1f\u3000I\u3000think\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000they\u3000will\u3000be\u3000trapped\u3002\u3000Set\u3000up\u3000three\u3000positions\u3000of\u3000missile\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000here\u2026\u3003\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000several\u3000positions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u2026\u3003there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000priestess\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000were\u3000crazy\u3000but\u3000finally\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000for\u3000an\u3000organized\u3000retreat\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000rolled\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000at\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000priestess’s\u3000short\u2026sightedness\u3000and\u3000began\u3000organizing\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000soldiers\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000sorting\u3000them\u3000into\u3000groups\u3000of\u3000crossbowmen\uff1b\u3000stationing\u3000them\u3000where\u3000he’d\u3000pointed\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000As\u3000more\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000dropped\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000they\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000others\u3000already\u3000positioned\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000unit\uff1b\u3000they\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000milling\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000slaughtering\u3000the\u3000few\u3000remaining\u3000stragglers\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They’re\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000said\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000upward\u3000as\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000other\u3000wizard\u3000upward\u3000to\u3000a\u3000position\u3000where\u3000they\u3000could\u3000see\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000webs\uff1b\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000field\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000where\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000had\u3000quickly\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000few\u3000remaining\u3000drow\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000trapped\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000were\u3000milling\u3000about\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000unsure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000ponents\u3000out\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000cast\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lump\u3000of\u3000bat\u3000guano\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000told\u3000Pharaun\u3000what\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000planned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000Q’arlynd’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000want\u3000a\u3000shaman\u3000or\u3000something\u3000to\u3000e\u3000try\u3000to\u3000dispel\u3000the\u3000webs\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000probably\u3000the\u3000same\u3000one\u3000who\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000doorway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000a\u3000duergar\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000robes\u3000and\u3000wearing\u3000several\u3000totems\u3000and\u3000other\u3000magical\u3000trinkets\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000glowing\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000addressed\u3000him\u2026Pharaun\u3000couldn’t\u3000hear\u3000what\u3000was\u3000being\u3000said\u2026and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000webs\u3002\u3000The\u3000shaman\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cast\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000went\u3000into\u3000action\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000loose\u3000with\u3000his\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000aiming\u3000it\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000shaman\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000hit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000entire\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000was\u3000engulfed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000white\u2026hot\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000blossomed\u3000outward\u3000and\u3000vaporized\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3002\u3000Charred\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000lay\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000having\u3000survived\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000few\u3000and\u3000far\u3000between\u3002\u3000Most\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dimensional\u3000pathway\u3000had\u3000been\u3000banished\uff1b\u3000winking\u3000out\u3000when\u3000the\u3000shaman\u3000who\u3000created\u3000it\u3000died\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000two\u3000wizards\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000again\uff1b\u3000noting\u3000that\u3000Q’arlynd’s\u3000fiery\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000had\u3000ignited\u3000the\u3000webs\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000quickly\u3000burning\u3000away\u3002\u3000Already\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000another\u3000gateway\u3000was\u3000forming\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000at\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000priestess\u3000rallied\u3000her\u3000troops\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000new\u3000threat\u3002
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\n \u3000challenge\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000an\u3000onrushing\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000left\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\u3000also\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000fray\uff1b\u3000her\u3000heavy\u3000mace\u3000and\u3000an\u3000impressive\u3000mithral\u3000shield\u3000held\u3000ready\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000took\u3000up\u3000a\u3000position\u3000on\u3000the\u3000warrior’s\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000her\u3000whip\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000experimentally\u3000as\u3000she\u3000advanced\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000duergar\uff1b\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000fanned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000eclectic\u3000group\uff1b\u3000bloodlust\u3000plain\u3000in\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Two\u3000came\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000battle\u2026axes\u3000held\u3000high\u3002\u3000The\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000parried\u3000the\u3000first\u3000swing\u3000at\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000sidestepped\u3000a\u3000cut\u3000to\u3000the\u3000knees\u3000from\u3000his\u3000second\u3000foe\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000greatsword\u3000down\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000the\u3000haft\u3000cleanly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000had\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000almost\u3000off\u2026balance\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000a\u3000punching\u3000dagger\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ribs\u3002\u3000Spinning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kicked\u3000out\u3000with\u3000one\u3000booted\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000square\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000dagger\u3000flying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000third\u3000duergar\u3000loomed\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000he\u3000spun\u3000in\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000foe\u3000was\u3000eyeing\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000so\u3000when\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000came\uff1b\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000the\u3000metal\u3000links\u3000missed\u3000him\u3000and\u3000went\u3000skittering\u3000across\u3000the\u3000pavement\u3002\u3000In\u3000mid\u2026leap\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000pletely\u3000around\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000his\u3000blade\u3000across\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000gray\u3000dwarf’s\u3000axe\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000knock\u3000it\u3000pletely\u3000loose\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nonetheless\u3000managing\u3000to\u3000force\u3000the\u3000batant\u3000off\u2026balance\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000swung\u3000Splitter\u3000back\u3000around\u3000again\uff1b\u3000swiping\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chain\u2026wielder’s\u3000throat\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000jerked\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000reeling\u3000in\u3000his\u3000chain\u3000for\u3000another\u3000attempt\u3000then\u3000stiffened\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000as\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000Danifae’s\u3000morning\u3000star\u3000came\u3000down\u3000squarely\u3000on\u3000his\u3000skull\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enchanted\u3000shower\u3000of\u3000sparks\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature\u3000slumped\u3000over\u3000as\u3000Danifae\u3000spun\u3000away\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000another\u3000foe\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000maneuvered\u3000back\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000his\u3000original\u3000foe\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000regained\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000and\u3000had\u3000bis\u3000axe\u3000level\u3000again\u3002\u3000His\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000injured\u3000wrist\u3000limply\u3000at\u3000his\u3000side\uff1b\u3000had\u3000fumbled\u3000a\u3000smaller\u3000hand\u3000axe\u3000free\u3000and\u3000was\u3000circling\u3000around\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000being\u3000surrounded\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000casually\u3000blocked\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000strokes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battle\u2026axe\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf\u3000rear\u3000back\u3000for\u3000another\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000he\u3000planted\u3000his\u3000toe\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000coils\u3000of\u3000chain\u3000that\u3000the\u3000downed\u3000duergar\u3000had\u3000been\u3000swinging\u3000and\u3000flipped\u3000it\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000leg\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000sprayed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000it\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000humanoid\u3000squarely\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000flinched\uff1b\u3000ruining\u3000his\u3000attack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000axe\u3000ing\u3000toward\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000himself\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000just\u3000missed\u3000him\u3000then\u3000flicked\u3000Splitter\u3000back\u3000and\u3000up\uff1b\u3000slicing\u3000cleanly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf’s\u3000arm\u3000at\u3000the\u3000elbow\u3002\u3000Howling\u3000in\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000stumbled\u3000away\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000momentum\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blo \n
\n \n
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000again\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000blade\u3000low\u3000and\u3000squarely\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000trod\u3000backward\u3000another\u3000step\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000Valas\u3000appeared\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000low\u3000across\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarf’s\u3000hamstring\u3002\u3000The\u3000duer\u2026gar’s\u3000knee\u3000buckled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000with\u3000his\u3000other\u3000blade\uff1b\u3000stabbing\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000chest\u3002\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000made\u3000a\u3000gurgling\u3000sound\u3000as\u3000he\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000over\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Melee\u2026Magthere\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000elsewhere\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000eliminated\u3002\u3000He\u3000spied\u3000Jeggred\u3000ripping\u3000a\u3000drow\u3000to\u3000shreds\u3002\u3000Only\u3000two\u3000others\u3000were\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000draegloth’s\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000case\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3000Another\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000Pharaun’s\u3000rapier\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000flank\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000her\u3000scourge\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000snake\u3000heads\u3000to\u3000sink\u3000their\u3000teeth\u3000deeply\u3000into\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000neck\u3002\u3000Jerking\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000sting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bites\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rapier\uff1b\u3000which\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000duergar\u3000disappeared\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\u3000both\u3000came\u3000at\u3000Ssipriina\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000wounded\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000her\u3000good\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Quenthel\u3000stepped\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000down\u3000with\u3000her\u3000whip\u3002\u3000The\u3000fangs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000bit\u3000into\u3000the\u3000drow’s\u3000flesh\u3000and\u3000she\u3000screeched\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000around\u3000and\u3000aim\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000at\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000was\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000that\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000swung\u3000her\u3000mace\u3000down\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000crunch\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000was\u3000unmistakable\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Stop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000batants\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Stop\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000now\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Slowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000and\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000began\u3000to\u3000back\u3000away\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Enough\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000said\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000echoing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000haze\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000pointless\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000is\u3000burning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000must\u3000get\u3000out\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000now\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000your\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3000you\u3000simply\u3000bring\u3000about\u3000your\u3000own\u3000death\u3002\u3000That\u3000is\u3000not\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000cannot\u3000imagine\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000duergar\u3000way\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000There\u3000were\u3000murmurs\u3000all\u3000around\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\u3000eyed\u3000each\u3000other\u3000hatefully\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000shake\u3000their\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000agreeing\u3000with\u3000what\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000want\u3000any\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000living\uff1b\u3000then\u3000go\u3000your\u3000separate\u3000ways\u3000and\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3000before\u3000the\u3000whole\u2026\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000web\u3000street\u3000shook\u3000violently\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000everyone\u3000about\u3002\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000already\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000his\u3000balance\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000around\u3000uncertainly\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000calcified\u3000webbing\u3000was\u3000unstable\uff1b\u3000listing\u3000sharply\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000knew\u3000their\u3000time\u3000was\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000levitate\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000what\u3000had\u3000created\u3000the\u3000upheaval\u3000as\u3000a\u3000second\u3000shock\u3000wave\u3000made\u3000the\u3000crumbling\u3000pavement\u3000shift\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000A\u3000giant\u3000spider\u3000had\u3000descended\u3000from\u3000overhead\u3000and\u3000was\u3000scurrying\u3000toward\u3000them\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000also\u3000drifting\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000playing\u3000out\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000web\u3000as\u3000it\u3000glided\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Damnation\uff1b\u3000Ryld\u3000thought\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000just\u3000no\u3000end\u3000to\u3000this\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000appeared\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\uff1b\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000advancing\u3000spiders\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I’ve\u3000had\u3000quite\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000mented\u3000dryly\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000his\u3000dancing\u3000rapier\u3000to\u3000disappear\u3000into\u3000his\u3000ring\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000saw\u3000Quenthel\u3000and\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000still\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000slowly\u3000dying\u3000Ssipriina\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000them\u3000out\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3000yet\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000back\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000them\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Once\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000carefully\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000his\u3000balance\u3000as\u3000he\u3000rushed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000intervening\u3000space\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Spiders\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000as\u3000he\u3000neared\u3000them\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000grew\u3000wide\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000appeared\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000haze\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fur\u3000matted\u3000with\u3000blackening\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000still\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tinge\u3000of\u3000despair\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000as\u3000he\u3000joined\u3000Ryld\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000best\u3000choice\u3000for\u3000now\u3000is\u3000simply\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Use\u3000your\u3000magic\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000manded\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000spread\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000helplessly\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000I\u3000had\u3000the\u3000means\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000using\u3000it\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000nothing\u3000left\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000conjure\u3000a\u3000gate\u3000just\u3000by\u3000willing\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000first\u3000spider\u3000loomed\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000advanced\u3000toward\u3000it\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000himself\u3000between\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000arachnid\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000slunk\u3000into\u3000the\u3000group\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000Danifae\u3000along\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hand\u3002\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000had\u3000a\u3000large\u3000cut\u3000across\u3000her\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blood\u3000was\u3000dripping\u3000down\u3000into\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000see\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gasping\u3000for\u3000air\u3000as\u3000the\u3000poison\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000of\u3000a\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000Save\u3000me\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000from\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000poison\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\uff1f\u3000Get\u3000us\u3000there\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Say\u3000it\uff1b\u3000wretch\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dangling\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\uff1f\u3000Get\u3000us\u3000there\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Say\u3000it\uff1b\u3000wretch\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000manded\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Dangling\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000Tower\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000\u3003Old\uff1b\u3000unused\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000dormant\u3000portal\u3002\u3000Poison\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000please\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ignoring\u3000Ssipriina’s\u3000pleas\uff1b\u3000Quenthel\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Could\u3000you\u3000activate\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000damn\u3000well\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Which\u3000way\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Ssipriina\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000to\u3000a\u3000see\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000stalactite\u2026shaped\u3000building\u3000hanging\u3000above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000an\u3000inverted\u3000tower\u3000like\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000estates\u3000back\u3000in\u3000Menzoberranzan\u3002\u3000He\u3000groaned\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000enough\u3000time\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000cried\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3003\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000Melarn\u3000said\uff1b\u3000floating\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000to\u3000demonstrate\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000just\u3000levitate\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000all\u3000do\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\u3000desperately\uff1b\u3000\u3003As\u3000I’ve\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3000a\u3000time\u3000or\u3000two\u3000today\u3000already\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000fresh\u3000out\u3000of\u3000transportive\u3000spells\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000battle\u3000captive\u3000gets\u3000left\u3000behind\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000bluntly\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000it\u3000has\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Danifae\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000her\u3000head\u3000bowed\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000her\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ryld\u3000actually\u3000felt\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000the\u3000drow\u3002\u3000As\u3000if\u3000to\u3000punctuate\u3000the\u3000lack\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3000shifted\u3000again\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000left\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000losing\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000did\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000all\u3000except\u3000Valas\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shrugging\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000us\u3000all\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000volunteered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000both\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nodding\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000dabble\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000in\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Different\u3000from\u3000your\u3000style\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\u3000things\u3000are\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000says\u3000you’re\u3000fond\u3000of\u3000using\u3000those\u3000dimensional\u3000doorways\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000motioned\u3000for\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Open\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gallery\uff1b\u3003\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000upward\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000I\u3000took\u3000you\u3000that\u3000time\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Another\u3000shock\u3000wave\u3000reverberated\u3000through\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000it\u3000to\u3000buck\u3000wildly\u3002\u3000Danifae\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3000both\u3000went\u3000sprawling\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000being\u3000tossed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000spider\u3000was\u3000upon\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Jeggred\u3000engaged\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000levitating\u3000up\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000its\u3000head\u3002\u3000Ryld\u3000peered\u3000around\u3000wildly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000spider\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000draegloth\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000the\u3000web\u3000street\u3000to\u3000buck\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000biggest\u3000rumble\u3000yet\u3000whipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000thoroughfare\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000began\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000and\u3000crack\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000collapse\uff01\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000shouted\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Priestess\uff1b\u3000open\u3000your\u3000doorway\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000yelled\u3000as\u3000another\u3000roiling\u3000tremor\u3000dislodged\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000going\u3000through\u3000now\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000screamed\u3000Ssipriina\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000she’d\u3000used\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000Khorrl\u3000in\u3000both\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000splayed\u3000out\u3000beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000her\u3000balance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000She\u3000mumbled\u3000something\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000at\u3000Halisstra\u3002\u3000The\u3000gray\u3000sliver\u3000of\u3000light\u3000struck\u3000the\u3000priestess\u3000in\u3000the\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000she\u3000buckled\u3000over\u3000in\u3000agony\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000going\u3000to\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000die\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000crazed\u3000matron\u3000mother\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000wand\u3000toward\u3000Quenthel\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000one\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000gets\u3000out\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000alive\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000couldn’t\u3000flee\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hovering\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000She\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000enraged\u3000drow\u3000across\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000licking\u3000her\u3000lips\u3000in\u3000desperation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000not\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000straight\u3000again\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003To\u3000the\u3000Abyss\u3000with\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Halisstra\u3000screamed\u3000at\u3000Ssipriina\u3000Zauvirr’s\u3000lifeless\u3000body\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000TWENTY
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Reacting\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000flung\u3000himself\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000willed\u3000a\u3000spell\u3000into\u3000being\u3000that\u3000created\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000floating\u3000balls\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000lizard\u3000darted\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Pharaun\u3000directed\u3000the\u3000balls\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000sparking\u3000as\u3000they\u3000did\u3000so\u3002\u3000The\u3000beast\u3000jerked\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Pharaun\u3000was\u3000relentless\uff1b\u3000slamming\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spheres\u3000of\u3000lightning\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000sprawled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000It\u3000twitched\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000times\u3000and\u3000lay\u3000still\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Fortunately\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000jumping\u3000up\u3002\u3000A\u3000shiver\u3000through\u3000the\u3000building\u3000caused\u3000him\u3000to\u3000stumble\u3000forward\u3002\u3000\u3003Unfortunately\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000having\u3000never\u3000been\u3000here\u3000before\uff1b\u3000must\u3000not\u3000have\u3000known\u3000about\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000animals\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Or\u3000else\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000forgot\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff01\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000said\uff1b\u3000spying\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000as\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000through\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cell\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000her\u3000morning\u3000star\u3000up\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000dead\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000certainly\u3000hope\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Valas\u3000said\uff1b\u3000following\u3000close\u3000behind\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000scout\u3000had\u3000his\u3000kukris\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000lizard\u3002\u3000The\u3000hall\u3000shook\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000outside\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000splayed\u3000their\u3000legs\u3000out\u3000to\u3000try\u3000and\u3000maintain\u3000their\u3000balance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000One\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000to\u3000join\u3000them\u3002\u3000Jeggred\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000one\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000gate\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000whole\u3000city’s\u3000falling\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000announced\u3002\u3000Halisstra\u3000let\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000wink\u3000out\u3000once\u3000he\u3000was\u3000safely\u3000through\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000falling\u3000stonework\u3000must\u3000be\u3000making\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000cavern\u3000quake\u3000with\u3000its\u3000force\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000fiend\u3000sounded\u3000too\u3000matter\u2026of\u2026fact\u3000for\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000taste\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Halisstra’s\u3000brother\u3000was\u3000casting\u3000a\u3000spell\uff1b\u3000one\u3000Pharaun\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000radiate\u3000an\u3000aura\u3000of\u3000divination\u3000magic\u2026Pharaun’s\u3000ring\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000much\u2026as\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000around\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sniffing\u3000something\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000dormant\u3000portal\u3000is\u3000this\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000group\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hallway\u3002\u3000\u3003Follow\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000entourage\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000Melarn\u3000wizard\u3000through\u3000several\u3000passages\uff1b\u3000up\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000staircases\uff1b\u3000and\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hallway\u3000that\u3000obviously\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000used\u3000in\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000Several\u3000times\u3000during\u3000the\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000the\u3000structure\u3000shook\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000deeper\u3000rumbles\uff1b\u3000vibrating\u3000through\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000this\u3000doesn’t\u3000work\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000began\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000hope\u3000so\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000muttered\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000led\u3000them\u3000all\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000before\u3000an\u3000open\u3000doorway\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Its\u3000in\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it’s\u3000magically\u3000sealed\u3000and\u3000warded\u3000with\u3000protective\u3000glyphs\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000knelt\u3000to\u3000study\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000The\u3000barrier\u3000between\u3000the\u3000hallway\u3000and\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000room\u3000beyond\u3000was\u3000invisible\u3000but\u3000solid\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000it\u3000radiated\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000and\u3000reported\u3000such\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000type\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000at\u3000my\u3000disposal\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000down\u3000in\u3000mere\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000do\u3000so\u3000until\u3000I’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000and\u3000regroup\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000another\u3000magical\u3000doorway\u3000at\u3000your\u3000disposal\uff1f\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000asked\u3000Halisstra\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000priestess\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000miserably\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000out\u3000to\u3000steady\u3000herself\u3000against\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000as\u3000another\u3000rumble\u3000rocked\u3000the\u3000room\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000Mistress\u3000of\u3000Arach\u2026Tinilith\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000sit\u3000in\u3000here\u3000while\u3000you\u3000recharge\u3000your\u3000magical\u3000energies\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Quite\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mizzrym\uff1b\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000moment\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000As\u3000Pharaun\u3000studied\u3000their\u3000predicament\uff1b\u3000the\u3000building\u3000shook\u3000again\uff1b\u3000even\u3000more\u3000roughly\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000was\u3000pitched\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000them\u3000a\u3000large\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000shards\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000showering\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thar\u3000is\u3000getting\u3000tiresome\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000plained\uff1b\u3000regaining\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000with\u3000a\u3000horrid\u3000scowl\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thar\u3000is\u3000getting\u3000tiresome\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000plained\uff1b\u3000regaining\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000with\u3000a\u3000horrid\u3000scowl\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000die\u3000trapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cage\u3000like\u3000some\u3000animal\u3002\u3000Not\u3000after\u3000all\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Growling\u3000deeply\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000bounded\u3000across\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000attack\u3000the\u3000invisible\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000raking\u3000his\u3000claws\u3000ineffectually\u3000against\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002\u3000A\u3000crackle\u3000of\u3000electrical\u3000energy\u3000raked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000body\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000stop\u3000him\u3000from\u3000throwing\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000it\u3000again\u3000and\u3000again\u3002\u3000His\u3000efforts\u3000were\u3000fruitless\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Jeggred\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000helping\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000another\u3000deep\u2026throated\u3000growl\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000backed\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000through\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000Danifae\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Pharaun\uff1b\u3000measuring\u3000each\u3000word\u3000for\u3000emphasis\uff1b\u3000\u3003we’re\u3000all\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000pulverized\u3002\u3000Do\u3000something\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000up\u3000a\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000problem\u3000is\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3000from\u3000the\u3000inside\u3002\u3000The\u3000magic\u3000that\u3000seals\u3000us\u3000out\u3000here\u3000keeps\u3000me\u3000from\u3000using\u3000even\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000spell\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000was\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000simply\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3000manually\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000easier\u3000said\u3000than\u3000done\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000all\u3002\u3000Such\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000impossible\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000them\u3000all\u3000miserably\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ryld\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000over\u3000near\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3000\u3003Move\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Raising\u3000Splitter\u3000high\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000down\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000the\u3000barrier\u3002\u3000The\u3000enchanted\u3000weapon\u3000sliced\u3000into\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000magical\u3000emanations\u3000from\u3000the\u3000seal\u3000fade\u3000from\u3000view\u3002\u3000The\u3000blade\u3000had\u3000dissipated\u3000the\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000the\u3000Dark\u3000Mother\uff1b\u3003\u3000someone\u3000said\u3000as\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000group\u3000rushed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000beyond\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000lead\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Quenthel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000hurry\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000be\u3000departed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000for\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000to\u3000show\u3000him\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000Melarn\u3000wizard\u3000led\u3000the\u3000group\u3000into\u3000the\u3000large\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000which\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000library\uff1b\u3000though\u3000all\u3000the\u3000shelves\u3000were\u3000empty\u3002\u3000Several\u3000statues\u3000lined\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000Q’arlynd\u3000headed\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000on\u3000one\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000near\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000led\u3000nowhere\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000filled\u3000instead\u3000with\u3000worked\u3000stone\u3000blocks\u3002\u3000It\u3000did\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000glow\u3000with\u3000faint\u3000dweomers\u3000of\u3000transference\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000ready\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000stepped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000uttered\u3000the\u3000triggering\u3000word\u3000aloud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000shimmered\u3000to\u3000life\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000purple\u3000hue\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3000took\u3000on\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000depth\uff1b\u3000of\u3000distance\u3002\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000arch\u3000faded\u3000and\u3000was\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000a\u3000shimmering\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000light\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000and\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000ready\uff01\u3000Step\u3000through\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000was\u3000the\u3000closest\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000hesitated\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Where\u3000does\u3000it\u3000go\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000script\u3000inscribed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000mentions\u3000something\u3000about\u3000a\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000name\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000find\u3000out\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000else\u3000must\u3000go\u3000through\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\uff1b\u3000Halisstra\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Danifae\u3000were\u3000gathered\u3000around\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000master\u3000helping\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000Danifae\u3000from\u3000sliding\u3000down\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000her\u3000death\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000levitating\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Ryld\u3000pushed\u3000Danifae\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000you\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Quenthel\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Well\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000first\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000still\u3000gazing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000in\u3000trepidation\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000of\u3000Sorcere\u3000explained\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000must\u3000go\u3000last\u3002\u3000Because\u3000I\u3000opened\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000will\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000Jeggred\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000them\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000I\u3000can\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\u3000as\u3000another\u3000groan\u3000emanated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stonework\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3000tilted\u3000some\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Quenthels\u3000eyes\u3000widened\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000more\u3000time\u3002\u3000Go\u3000through\uff01\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000said\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000pushed\u3000Quenthel\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000In\u3000a\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000the\u3000high\u3000priestess\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whip\u3000at\u3000her\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000five\u3000snakes\u3000were\u3000writhing\u3000madly\uff1b\u3000lashing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000even\u3000from\u3000where\u3000they\u3000hung\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000building\u3000lurched\u3000and\u3000tipped\u3000and\u3000Quenthel\u3000couldn’t\u3000hold\u3000on\u3002\u3000She\u3000stumbled\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000snakes\u3000snapped\u3000ineffectually\u3000against\u3000his\u3000piwafwi\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000and\u3000set\u3000her\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000time\u3000for\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Quenthel’s\u3000scowl\u3000faded\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000with\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000smirk\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003If\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000better\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000getting\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000wizard\u3002’
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000With\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000backed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000archway\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Pharaun\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000in\u3000wonder\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Jeggred\u3000and\u3000Valas\u3002\u3000The\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000slanted\u3000at\u3000a\u3000fairly\u3000steep\u3000pitch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mage\u3000slid\u3000down\u3000its\u3000surface\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000over\u3000the\u3000side\u3002\u3000Below\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000as\u3000rapidly\u3000as\u3000Jeggred’s\u3000levitation\u3000would\u3000allow\u3002\u3000Chunks\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000and\u3000other\u3000debris\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000void\u3000beyond\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Pharaun\u3000knocked\u3000a\u3000fragment\u3000loose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crumbling\u3000floor\u3002\u3000He\u3000cringed\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000tumble\u3000toward\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000shot\u3000past\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000missing\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000excruciatingly\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000draegloth\u3000and\u3000his\u3000charge\u3000reached\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000structure\u3002\u3000Together\uff1b\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000worked\u3000their\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000archway\uff1b\u3000which\u3000still\u3000glowed\u3000with\u3000an\u3000intense\u3000light\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003The\u3000others\u3000are\u3000waiting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pharaun\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3000last\u3002\u3000Hurry\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Without\u3000hesitating\uff1b\u3000Jeggred\u3000leaped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000archway\u3000and\u3000vanished\u3002\u3000Valas\u3000scrambled\u3000to\u3000go\u3000after\u3000him\u3000just\u3000as\u3000there\u3000was\u3000one\u3000final\uff1b\u3000bone\u2026rattling\u3000tremor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3000began\u3000to\u3000free\u3000fall\u3002\u3000Pharaun\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000scout\u3000a\u3000good\u3000shove\u3000and\u3000dived\u3000in\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000portal\u3000sealed\u3000up\u3000and\u3000its\u3000light\u3000faded\u3002\u3000A\u3000heartbeat\u3000later\uff1b\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Dangling\u3000Tower\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000where\u3000the\u3000portal\u3000had\u3000been\u3000anchored\uff1b\u3000shattered\u3000into\u3000a\u3000million\u3000fragments\u3000as\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000web\u3000street\u3000below\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000cringed\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000in\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000displeased\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000neglected\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000him\u3000apprised\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000in\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000her\u3000explanation\u3000of\u3000her\u3000troubles\uff1b\u3000the\u3000difficulties\u3000she\u3000had\u3000encountered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000drow\uff1b\u3000did\u3000little\u3000to\u3000soften\u3000his\u3000mood\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000say\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000city\u3000is\u3000ruined\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000cambion\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000pacing\u3002\u3000\u3003Brought\u3000down\u3000by\u3000a\u3000horde\u3000of\u3000miserable\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Not\u3000just\u3000gray\u3000dwarves\uff1b\u3000darling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000They\u3000squabbled\u3000among\u3000themselves\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000they\u3000lost\u3000control\u3002\u3000It\u3000destroyed\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000this\u3000have\u3000happened\uff1f\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000I\u3000bear\u3000any\u3000regret\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000overly\u3000proud\u3000dark\u3000elves\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000do\u3000not\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000type\u3000who\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000such\u3000a\u3000travesty\u3000to\u3000occur\u3000to\u3000their\u3000great\u3000city\u3002\u3000The\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Underdark\u3000are\u3000clearly\u3000out\u3000of\u3000balance\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000said\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mate\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000reason\u3002\u201d
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000love\uff1b\u3000but\u3000your\u3000pacing\u3000is\u3000putting\u3000me\u3000on\u3000edge\u3002\u3000Sit\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok\u3000sighed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000plopped\u3000himself\u3000down\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throne\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000patting\u3000his\u3000lap\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000sashayed\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Vhok\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000his\u3000lap\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000missed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000she’d\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000would\u3002\u3000She\u3000leaned\u3000around\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000nuzzle\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mmm\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000missed\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000echoing\u3000her\u3000own\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000before\u3000we\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000’wele\u3000homes\uff1b’\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000you\u3000found\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Aliisza\u3000giggled\u3000as\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000stroked\u3000her\u3000arm\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003They’ve\u3000lost\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000their\u3000goddess\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000the\u3000words\u3000softly\u3000into\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003What\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000cambion\u3000rumbled\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000up\u3000straight\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000dumping\u3000the\u3000demon\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000serious\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000The\u3000alu\u2026fiend\u3000folded\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000beneath\u3000her\u3000breasts\u3000in\u3000a\u3000huff\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000I’m\u3000serious\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000sniped\u3002\u3000\u3003Lolth\u3000has\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000their\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000why\uff1b\u3000but\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000them\u3000being\u2026what\u3000did\u3000you\u3000call\u3000them\uff1f\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000yes\u2026’overly\u3000proud\u3000dark\u3000elves\u3002’\u3000Them\u3000being\u3000overly\u3000proud\u3000and\u3000set\u3000in\u3000their\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000they\u3000warred\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000bringing\u3000about\u3000their\u3000own\u3000extinction\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003I\u3000see\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Lolth\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000picture\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000if\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000a\u3000little\u3000retribution\u3000for\u3000some\u3000wrongs\u3000inflicted\u3000upon\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000past\uff1b\u3000now\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000cambion\u3000said\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000absently\u3000into\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000exacting\u3000a\u3000little\u3000revenge\uff1f\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nuzzling\u3000against\u3000her\u3000lover’s\u3000neck\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Maybe\uff1b\u3003\u3000Vhok\u3000replied\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000against\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\uff1b\u3000hmm\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000\u3003Mmm\uff1b\u3003\u3000Aliisza\u3000purred\uff1b\u3000squirming\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Kaanyr\u3000Vhok’s\u3000fingers\u3000began\u3000to\u3000roam\u3000over\u3000her\u3000body\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000not\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000All\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\u3000left\u3000her\u3000then\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000good\uff1b\u3000long\u3000while\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000***
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000High\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ruined\u3000City\u3000of\u3000Shimmering\u3000Webs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000single\u3000dark\u3000elf\u3000sat\u3000upon\u3000a\u3000perch\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000near\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000cavern\u3000and\u3000watched\u3002\u3000The\u3000smoke\u3000was\u3000heavy\u3000there\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000and\u3000acrid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000not\u3000attractive\uff1b\u3000not\u3000by\u3000drow\u3000standards\uff1b\u3000certainly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000few\u3000of\u3000any\u3000other\u3000species\u3000would\u3000look\u3000on\u3000him\u3000and\u3000think\u3000him\u3000handsome\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000mind\u3000that\u3000either\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000sought\u3000was\u3000much\u3000more\u3000substantial\u3000than\u3000beauty\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000They\u3000will\u3000be\u3000pleased\uff1b\u3000Zammzt\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000as\u3000fires\u3000slowly\u3000burned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000as\u3000whole\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3000crumbled\u3000and\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000dropping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000murky\u3000depths\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000below\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000a\u3000good\u3000first\u3000step\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000still\u3000much\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000is\u3000a\u3000good\u3000first\u3000step\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000himself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000reverie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000stretched\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000must\u3000go\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000regretfull \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000\u3000\u3000Shaking\u3000himself\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000reverie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000drow\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000stretched\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000I\u3000must\u3000go\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000regretfully\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000He\u3000was\u3000proud\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he’d\u3000wrought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000observe\u3000it\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000others\u3000would\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3002
\n\u3000\u3000\u3000Sighing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000sweeping\u3000gaze\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000Ched\u3000Nasad\u3000one\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000darkest\u3000recesses\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000vanished\u3002
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