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ws。〃
〃No doubt； but back up。 You want to murder a patrol？〃
〃In as showy a manner as possible。 With a bit of planning； it should be easy enough。 They won't be as numerous as Greyanna's hunters and they won't be expecting that sort of trouble。〃
〃What happened to not killing anybody； especially clerics； unless we absolutely have to？〃
〃We do absolutely have to。 We're in a race against time； remember； and this is the speediest route to our objective。〃
〃Maybe； but what happens afterward？ Won't any number of folk want to punish us for our impudence？〃
〃We won't confide our involvement to those likely to prove unsympathetic。〃
〃The priestesses will figure it out。〃
〃Ah； but snug and safe in the lair of our friend the Prophet； we won't care。 Besides； the Council has already authorized our annihilation； so we really have nothing to lose。〃
〃Perhaps the crime can't worsen our current situation； but what about the long term？〃
〃In the long term；〃 Pharaun said； 〃it wont matter。 As you yourself observed mere moments ago； we Menzoberranyr are a pragmatic lot。 People five whatever outrages I mitted yesterday if I make myself useful today。〃
〃Greyanna didn't。〃
The wizard laughed and replied； 〃Well； of course； we're likewise prone to grudges； vendettas； and blood feuds。 It's one of the paradoxes central to our natures。 With luck； though； no one of importance will take our little massacre personally。 I doubt we'll be murdering any princesses； or anyone of genuine significance to her family。
〃I think it's crazy；〃 Ryld said； shaking his head。 〃You don't know that the rogues will contact us； or if they'll like what they see if they do。〃
〃Then we'll simply hatch another scheme。〃
Ryld scowled and shook his head again。
〃You're mad；〃 the weapons master said； 〃but I'm with you。〃
〃Splendid We must toast our homicidal designs with something stronger than juice。〃 Pharaun looked about and spotted the goblin。 〃May we see the wine list； please？〃
Ryld said； 〃It's the very beginning of the morning。〃
〃Don't be misled by superficial appearances；〃 Pharaun replied。 〃As neither of us has enjoyed a moment of repose； it must still be night。 Do you think they have any of that '53 Barrison Del'Armgo heartwine？〃
Chapter
F 0 U R T E E N
Until someone murdered her； Lirdnolu’s had taught her classes in a sort of indoor amphitheater； one of many architectural oddities scattered through ArachTinilith； and as the conspirators slunk in； they seated themselves on the Cshaped tiers。
Drisinil wondered what to say to them； how to stall until Quenthel arrived to confront them。 The novice's mind was a blank； but she knew she'd have to think of something。 Her mouth was dry and tasted of metal。 Her armpits were clammy with sweat； and her accelerated pulse pounded in the stumps of her severed fingers。 The poison was obviously well on its way to killing her； and she had to please Quenthel Baenre sufficiently to earn the antidote。
Wrinkled old Vlondril Tuin'Tarl leered at Drisinil as if she knew of the student's distress； but all she said was； 〃I believe most everyone's here。 Let's get this done before our colleagues start missing us。〃
〃Uh； yes；〃 Drisinil said； gazing up at the rows of faces staring back down at her。 〃Well； mothers； sisters； we all know what happened last night。 The vipers in the mistress's whip detected the drugs—〃
〃So they did；〃 said Quenthel。
Startled； Drisinil spun around。 A figure shrouded in a cowled piwafwi rose from the first row。 She lifted her head； pushed the hood back； and stood revealed as the Mistress of ArachTinilith。 Somehow she'd entered the room without her enemies realizing her identity。
Quenthel pushed back one wing of her cloak； freeing the arm that held her whip。 She sauntered to the center of the room。 It occurred to Drisinil that at that moment the plotters could have fallen on their target en masse； but they didn't。 The mistress cowed them with her unexpected appearance； her contemptuous demeanor； and the simple fact that she was a Baenre princess。
The mistress smiled at Drisinil and said； 〃You've done well； novice； except for one detail。 It's traditional for priestesses to conduct their affairs by candlelight。 That's all right； I've taken care of it。〃 She turned toward the door。 〃e。〃
Two teachers marched in carrying silver candelabra。 After a moment； Drisinil； squinting； saw they weren't alone。 Many of the residents of ArachTinilith filed in after them； all well armed and wearing mail。
Quenthel beckoned to the plotters。
〃Move down to the lower seats； why don't you？ The lateers won't mind climbing to the top。〃 She waited a beat； then said； 〃That wasn't a suggestion。〃
The conspirators hesitated a moment longer； and the show offered convinced them to obey。
〃Thank you；〃 Quenthel said； then waited until everyone had taken a seat and the plotters all had armed loyalists at their backs。 〃Now； let's discuss the matter that concerns you so。〃
〃I don't know what my niece told you about this gathering；〃 said Drisinil's Aunt Molvayas； clad in a gown of a dark and shimmering green that matched her eyes； 〃but I assure you； its purpose is entirely innocent。〃
〃Its purpose is to contrive your death； Mistress；〃 Vlondril called out。 〃I know。 I've been in on it from the start。〃
Quenthel nodded to the mad priestess。
〃Thank you； Holy Mother。 Your candor helps move things along。〃 The Baenre surveyed her enemies and said； 〃I understand that your excuse for seeking to depose me was the supposition that the goddess desires it。 You postulate that she so abhors my rule of ArachTinilith that she renounces all Menzoberranzan。〃
Molvayas drew a deep breath； evidently screwing up her courage。 〃We do。 Do you deny it's possible？〃
〃Of course；〃 Quenthel replied。 〃It's a ludicrous notion unsupported by a single shred of evidence 。。 。 though I'm sure it seems plausible to the lieutenant who covets my position。〃
Drisinil noticed that while the Baenre appeared perfectly at ease； the twisting whip serpents were keeping watch in all directions。
〃What of the demons？ They reflect the attributes of Lolth—〃
〃And they e for me。 Because one of my mortal enemies sends them in guises intended to stimulate your imaginations。〃
〃What enemy？〃 Molvayas