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Valas had warned the high priestess that anyone worth his salt was going to mand an exorbitant price； if he could be convinced to work at all； but Quenthel didn't care and told the scout so。
Why is it； Quenthel thought as they approached Black Claw's storehouses from a back street； where there were fewer folk milling about； that with males you always have to explain things to them in exacting detail？ Why can't they just do as they're told and be done with it？
Pharaun was the worst； she decided。 Quenthel had no doubt that the wizard was off doing his own little tasks； pletely ignoring her instructions to him to help Valas and Ryld。 He had an infuriating habit of ignoring her wishes； and she would have to do something about that…when they got back to Menzoberranzan； of course。 She needed his talents too much until then。
〃Now； remember；〃 Quenthel warned Faeryl as they neared the office side of the storehouse。 〃Tell them only what I instructed you。 If I'm not happy with this little encounter； Jeggred will make sure it's not a problem in the future。〃
The draegloth was strolling along behind the two priestesses； and Faeryl stole a quick glance over her shoulder at him。 Quenthel noticed her faint shudder and smiled to herself。 It turned out to be quite useful that Triel had set Jeggred upon the girl back in Menzoberranzan。 It had made her so 。。。 pliant。
〃Yes； Mistress Quenthel；〃 Faeryl replied。 〃I understand。〃
The three of them were at the door to the storehouse； where a contingent of six House Zauvirr guards barred the entrance。 Faeryl approached boldly； even as the males goggled at the sight of the towering draegloth behind her。
〃We must inspect the stores；〃 Faeryl said in what Quenthel thought was a surprisingly manding voice。 〃Stand aside and let us enter。〃
The male who appeared to be the leader managed to pull his gaze away from Jeggred long enough to look at her quizzically。
〃I don't know you；〃 he said。 〃What is your business？〃
Faeryl stepped closer； standing a little taller so that he was forced to peer up at her scowling face。 She grasped the House insignia that was pinned to her piwafwi and thrust it into his view。
〃You know this； don't you？〃 she snapped； shaking the insignia。 〃You're here to keep out the riffraff； stupid boy； not bother a personal envoy of Matron Mothers Zauvirr and Melarn。〃
Quenthel noted with satisfaction that the lad gulped； visibly shaken as he moved with haste to the side； allowing Faeryl access to the door。 The ambassador stepped inside； with the high priestess and Jeggred right behind her。 As Quenthel strolled past； she smiled sweetly at one of the males； who still gaped at the draegloth； his eyes wide。
Inside the storehouse； which appeared to have been spun from webbing and hardened to stone； Faeryl led the way through an office area； through a large door； and into a cavernous chamber that tad been subdivided into storage areas by low walls。 Her footsteps echoing in the vast storeroom； Faeryl walked across the stone floor； hurrying past row after row of shelves and bins。 Quenthel followed her； figuring the ambassador knew the way to the most valuable hoards of magic。
Quenthel supposed there was a secure section of the storehouse； and she began to worry。 Any magic of value would likely be warded。
I should have brought that fop Mizzrym along； after all； she chided herself。 〃Mistress！〃 Yngoth hissed； rising up from the whip。 〃We are in danger！〃
Quenthel spun around； looking for signs of a threat； but she could see nothing。
〃What danger？〃 she demanded。 〃Where？〃
〃A force is here 。 。 。 drow；〃 Zinda answered； and all five of the snakes were agitating against her hip。
〃Drow and others；〃 Zinda added。
Someone's hiding； the high priestess realized。 What have you done； insolent child？
A heartbeat later； a small host of drow appeared from behind a low wall； soldiers with swords and hand crossbows at the ready； and a handful of House wizards； too。 They were all from House Zauvirr。 Quenthel recognized two of the dark elves as matron mothers。 It was obvious simply by their demeanor and bearing。 One bore the insignia of House Zauvirr； and she was smiling coldly。 The other； a rather plump drow； was most definitely not smiling and in fact looked quite distressed。
〃By the Dark Mother；〃 one of the males standing near Faeryl breathed； raising his crossbow and sighting down it at the fiend。
〃He's dangerous；〃 Faeryl called out； but several of the House wizards were already in action； casting spells even as the draegloth sprang forward； his teeth bared and his claws out； ready to shred anyone and everyone to ribbons。 Faeryl took an involuntary step back； shuddering。 Jeggred remained still； crouching as though he would spring again； snarling in fury； but unmoving otherwise。
〃That will hold him；〃 one of the wizards claimed。
Quenthel gasped in surprise； looking back and forth between Jeggred and Faeryl。
〃Yes； Quenthel；〃 Faeryl called out。 〃He has been rendered helpless。 He cannot extract you from this。〃
Quenthel returned her glare to Faeryl as the soldiers fanned out； moving to surround her but staying well back。 Many of the males aimed crossbows at her； and the wizards and priestesses all seemed ready to invoke various spells； should the Mistress of the Academy decide to bolt or attack。 The snakes of Quenthel's whip writhed in agitation； snapping at anyone who stepped too close。
〃You insolent little whelp of a drow；〃 Quenthel snarled； shaking in fury as she looked at Faeryl； who only smiled sweetly in return。 〃All that time being so agreeable； and it was a lie。 I knew you were being too acmodating。 I should have let Jeggred have his way with you back in the wilds。 I will see you flayed for this。〃
〃That might prove difficult； Mistress Quenthel；〃 Faeryl said； putting as much sarcasm as possible into her tone when she came to the honorific。 〃If you give this situation just a moment's thought； you will see； I'm sure； that you are overmatched。 It really would be better if you surrendered this foolish standoff。〃
Quenth