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uickly enough； Ryld emerged from the darkness； finding himself near the exit of the establishment。 A couple more onlookers stood by the doorway； but when they saw the burly warrior appear with his great…sword leveled at them； they quickly scattered。 Bruised and bleeding from several small cuts； Ryld darted through the exit and out onto the street。
Valas was leaning against a wall on the opposite side of the street； watching for him。
When Ryld saw the scout； he pursed his lips in displeasure； but before he could voice his anger； Valas nodded and said； 〃A lot easier to cut your way out of there without worrying about hitting me； wasn't it？〃
Ryld opened his mouth to retort； realized that Valas was right； and snapped it shut again。
Finally； after the two of them began making their way down the thoroughfare； the warrior said； 〃The next place we try； we're taking a table near the front door。〃
It was only after Ryld realized that they weren't having to push their way through the crowds on the street； who parted for them warily； did he realize that he was still carrying Splitter in his hand； the blade dripping with blood。
EIGHT
〃Yes； Captain Xornbane； by all means； dispatch diem；〃 Faeryl's mother said as the gray dwarves closed in on both Drisinil and Quenthel。
The two drow and the draegloth； unable to flee； stared about themselves。 While Jeggred merely seethed with rage； straining to break free of the magical hold over him； Quenthel and Drisinil looked wild； desperate。 The duergar who had spoken motioned； and several of the other gray dwarves moved in； axes lifted。
〃Wait！〃 Faeryl exclaimed； then leaned in close to whisper with Ssipriina privately for a moment。 〃Mother； let's not kill the two Men…zoberranyr yet。 I'd like to keep them for a while。〃
〃I think that would be an extraordinarily bad idea；〃 one of the males near her mother said； also leaning in。
Faeryl glared at the impertinent male； whom she seemed to recall was not of the family but had worked diligently as an aid for a number of years。 Zammzt； she thought his name was。 She wrinkled her nose slightly； for he was far from pretty。
〃Do you always butt into conversations you were not meant to hear？〃 the ambassador asked。
Zammzt merely bowed in acquiescence and said； 〃Forgive me； but I am only looking after the House's best interests。 If this plan of subversion and surprise is to succeed in overthrowing House Melarn； then no one who knows the truth can be allowed to live。 If the drow or the fiend are able to relay to anyone…anyone at all…what transpired here today； you will lose your backing from the other Houses。 No one will support your rise to the council； Matron Mother。 It's an unnecessary risk。〃
Matron Mother Zauvirr studied her daughter carefully for a moment then said； 〃He does have a point。〃
〃Mother； believe me；〃 Faeryl replied； 〃they will never get the chance to talk to anyone。 I will make sure of it。〃
Ssipriina finally nodded and said； 〃All right； you've earned the chance to extract a little revenge； I suppose； but you must make certain that they do not talk to anyone； especially not Halisstra。 Do you understand？〃
Zammzt clicked his tongue in consternation； but he apparently knew better than to argue further。 He had made his case and had lost。 He moved off to engage in conversation with some of the House wizards。
Faeryl； elated； said； 〃Of course； Mother。 I understand all too well。 If our plan is to succeed； everyone must think these two were plotting together。〃
〃Precisely。 Now； I must go and prepare。 We still have a lot of work to do。〃
With that； Ssipriina Zauvirr departed； Zammzt falling in beside her； his head leaning in close to discuss issues privately。
The ambassador moved back over to Quenthel once more。
〃You see； Mistress Baenre；〃 she said； trying to emphasize the honorific to the point of sounding absurd； 〃we didn't really steal the Black Claw merchandise。 You did。 Or at least； that's how it will appear when we report finding members of two powerful Houses meeting in secret； having already smuggled desperately needed supplies out of Ched Nasad and preparing to steal even more。
〃I'm sure they'll wonder why Matron Mother Melarn would have wanted to turn her back on her own city in favor of Menzoberranzan； but unfortunately； they won't be able to ask her； since she resisted us and had to be killed。〃
Faeryl signaled to the manding duergar and watched with a warm feeling as three of the gray dwarves stepped close。 At her nod； they raised their axes high and swung。 Behind her； Faeryl heard Quenthel's muffled cry of protest； but she didn't bother turning around。
There was no more than a grunt from Drisinil as three axes slammed into her flesh； but the blades bit deeply and the fat drow's eyes widened in pain and terror； though she couldn't react in any other way。 The three duergar yanked their axes free and prepared to strike again； but Faeryl motioned for them to hold。 She wanted to watch as Drisinil died slowly。
〃You'll never look down your nose at me again； you fat rothé。〃
Drisinil's red eyes blinked and widened； seeming to plead with Faeryl in some way； but the younger drow only smiled as she stood casually； hands on hips； and watched the matron mother's lifeblood drip into a puddle on the floor around her motionless body。 Drisinil shuddered； and her eyes began to glaze over。 Her breathing was rapid for a moment or two； then stopped。 Her lifeless eyes stared at nothing。
Faeryl turned back to Quenthel； who had been able to see the murder。 The high priestess seemed to look both terrified and furious； all at the same time。 The ambassador stepped in close to the Baenre noble and smiled。
〃Of course； they'll be told that you were caught while trying to flee the scene； though you and I will know better； at least for a time。 You and Jeggred are going to receive a stay of execution； just as I did back in Menzoberranzan。 Aren't you pleased？ Instead of dying right away； you'll get some of House Zauvirr's hospitality； just as I was graciously entertained by your sister。〃
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