按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
If you say so；〃 Khorrl answered doubtfully。 He had seen more battles take a turn for the worse through the most simple； straight…forward aspect of the plan going awry。 〃Just remember； all that beautiful treasure you gave me is already long gone； shipped off to safer parts。 If you're thinking of turning the tables； you won't be seeing it again。 It'll be an expensive betrayal。〃
Zammzt looked genuinely hurt； but only for a moment。
〃I'm not sure you realize the risks my mistress takes； simply harboring an army here；〃 said the drow。 〃If you're discovered； she too suffers the consequences。 It really isn't in her best interests to turn on you； you know。〃
〃Hmm；〃 Khorrl answered。 〃We'll see。〃
〃So； I presume you brought everything you need；〃 the drow said； changing the subject； 〃but if there's anything else you want while you wait here； now is the time to ask。 Though； for what we're paying you 。。。〃
Khorrl barked a deep laugh despite himself。 The idea that he would bring his troops into such an uncertain situation without arranging for every provision； every possible contingency； was funny。
〃No； we're fine。 Now； when are we going to find out just exactly who we're supposed to be killing？〃
〃Soon； my gray friend；〃 Zammzt said； that toothy smile blossoming again。 〃Very soon。〃
***
In the end； the battle with the tanarukks wasn't much of a fight at all。 Pharaun had devastated rank upon rank of the slavering humanoids from a distance； even going so far as to decimate the reserve forces lurking in the back。 He honestly didn't even find it sporting； especially when he was able to hover overhead； out of their reach； and attack them at his leisure。
The Menzoberranyr were well beyond the halls of Ammarindar； and after a night's rest they were closing in on Ched Nasad。
〃We should be running into patrols by now；〃 Faeryl grumbled as they hiked along。 〃We're within a quarter mile of the city。 Something's wrong。〃
〃I think we knew that before we left Menzoberranzan；〃 Quenthel snapped。
The group found itself on the main thoroughfare that led into the city from the north； wondering when they would actually reach the surrounding outskirts of the city proper； the area protected by patrols。 Pharaun couldn't blame Faeryl for being apprehensive。 Even after several tendays of concern for her home city； he imagined that she might have held out some hope that she would find everything in order upon finally arriving。 Still； he doubted that some disaster had befallen the city。 Though they hadn't yet encountered any patrols； they were no longer alone on the road to the city。
Traffic flowing to and from Ched Nasad was a trickle of its normal self； at least according to the ambassador。 Pharaun didn't doubt it。 The avenue they followed was broad； wide enough for numerous caravans to pass in either direction； but there were no such convoys out and about that day。 Most of those who shared the road with the Menzoberranyr were other drow； though the occasional gray dwarf； kobold； or goblin passed them as well。 Those lesser beings gave the drow a wide berth。 Any pedestrians who were headed toward the city were scattered just as far apart as those leaving； and Pharaun and his panions neither passed nor were passed by anyone。
The mage made a tactful attempt to bring up the suggestion he had been contemplating。 〃Quenthel； if something has happened here； similar to what we've been experiencing back home； it might be prudent to consider a less obvious entrance into the city。〃
What do you mean？〃 the high priestess queried； looking sharply at Pharaun。
Only that should we boldly approach and announce our stature and intentions； we might not receive the warm wele we should under more ordinary circumstances。〃
Why shouldn't they be glad to see us？ Even relieved？〃
It sounded as though Quenthel was growing indignant； and Pharaun struggled to find a way to explain his point in a way that wouldn't sound insulting。
Faeryl saved him the effort。 Because they might think we're here to spy on them；〃 she said。
Pharaun had to suppress a mild chuckle。 It was； after all； the exact reason Triel had claimed when she imprisoned the envoy back in Menzoberranzan。 It was a reasonable argument。
〃Not if we insist upon meeting with the matron mothers of the highest Houses…〃 Quenthel began。
〃With all due respect； Mistress；〃 Faeryl interjected； 〃do you think you would react well to a high…ranking noble arriving in Menzoberranzan and insisting upon seeing you？ During this time of crisis？〃
Quenthel scowled and said nothing。 Pharaun was relieved that the high priestess was at least willing to contemplate the idea。
〃Even if they didn't think we were spies； they certainly would consider our visit to be highly unusual and would strive to keep an eye on us；〃 the mage said。 〃We might be given the most luxurious acmodations and want for nothing； but we would also be absolutely unable to find out anything。 Once we determine the state of things here； if it's really your intention to lay claim to the goods stored in the Black Claw Mercantile storehouses and take them back to Menzoberranzan； why draw undue attention to yourself？ Were you planning to ask the matron mothers for them； first？〃
Quenthel scowled at Pharaun as if the very idea of asking permission to take what was rightfully hers was preposterous。 It was exactly the reaction he wanted。
〃Faeryl；〃 the wizard persisted； 〃even though the goods are rightfully the property of House Baenre and House Melarn； do you foresee Matron Mother Melarn…indeed； any of the other Houses…letting them out of the city？〃
Faeryl smirked。
〃Absolutely not；〃 she answered。 〃I'm not certain how happy my own mother will be to hear about your plan。〃 She smiled wanly and added； 〃I agree with the mage。 The less you tell； the better your chances are of succeeding。〃
〃Your arguments may have merit；〃 Quenthel said。 〃So what else do you suggest？ How do we enter unnoticed？〃
〃As traders； Mistress；〃 Faeryl suggested； 〃members of the Black Claw Mercantile pany。 Triel sa