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d Matron Mother Melarn tried to escape。〃
When she finished； Faeryl realized she was out of breath from rushing through the rest of her explanation。 Matron Mother Aunrae had that effect on everyone。
〃Drisinil was killed； cut down trying to flee；〃 Ssipriina added； drawing attention back to herself。 〃I would have done whatever I could to spare her if I could have reached her in time； but it was too late； and my own magic is too weakened to stave off the passing。〃
〃So you conspired to allow them to sneak into the city； going so far as to mislead a city patrol？〃
The matron mother who asked this question was Jyslin Aleanra…hel。 Her features were sharp； almost fierce； and her reputation as a malicious； greedy drow who found fault in every action was legendary。 Faeryl had never liked her； but she was hardly in a position to show that sentiment。
〃They have no doubt been sent to spy on us；〃 Jyslin continued； 〃and their supposed story of reestablishing contact here was simply a falsehood meant to keep you off…balance。 I daresay the males still loose in the city are sending sensitive information back to their superiors even now； especially if this wizard is as capable as you alleged before。 I might have expected you to be a more clever girl and keep them out of the city； but I suppose that's too much to ask。〃
〃This is foolish；〃 Umrae D'Dgttu； matron mother of the second most powerful House in the city said。 〃We've heard the story； some of us several times now。 It is clear to me that House Zauvirr acted with the best intentions of Ched Nasad in mind。 I move that we dissolve House Melarn forthwith。〃
Umrae was one of Ssipriina's secret allies； Faeryl knew。 This was it。 They were beginning the process； giving her mother what she wanted。 Dissolution of House Melarn was the first step in granting Ssipriina a seat on the Council。
〃I concur；〃 said Ulviirala Rilynt； another of the four her mother had bribed。 〃The treason of House Melarn seems clear enough to me。〃
Faeryl stole a glance at Ssipriina and saw that she was trying hard not to smile too broadly。
〃I'm more concerned with the veracity of their story；〃 Lirdnolu Maerret said。 〃So far； all we've had to go on is this fanciful tale Ssipriina and her daughter have woven； with no neutral observer able to substantiate it。 House Zauvirr stands to gain quite a lot by seeing Drisinil and her ilk dead。 I for one am unwilling to so quickly assume they're telling the truth simply for the good of the city。〃
〃Quite true；〃 Jyslin Aleanrahel agreed。 〃Let's hear Drisinil's daughter speak。〃
Faeryl opened her mouth to protest then snapped it shut again。 The matron mothers knew well the propensity drow had for scheming； and this was the challenge Ssipriina had cautioned her would e。 There were some who would want the whole truth and would look to try to trap House Zauvirr in a lie； or if they were allies of House Melarn； try to pin whatever blame they could on Ssipriina。 Her mother had cautioned Faeryl for patience during this time。 When their new enemies were exposed； or if the decision didn't favor Zauvirr； their secret mercenary army would step forward。
Halisstra Melarn was brought from the dungeons below to answer for her mother's crimes。 She was almost forcibly led into the chamber； flanked by two large female guards。 She had been stripped of her fine clothing and was dressed in only a thin shift。 She cast her eyes about the room； searching faces； perhaps hoping to find some sympathy or support among those present。
It was rumored that Halisstra had a soft streak； that she never seemed to show the type of tenacious ambition her mother wanted to see in her daughters。 She was more interested； those rumors suggested； in slumming with her battle captive； Danifae； using the other drow's good looks to attract males to carouse with。 There were even some who whispered that Matron Mother Melarn would have cast her out of the family； given the right circumstances。 Faeryl knew that the slumming part was true； and that gave her an idea。
She spread her hands helplessly； as if acknowledging that she had failed in some way。 〃I beg your forgiveness for whatever flaws you see in our plan； Matron Mothers；〃 Faeryl said quietly。 〃I am as disappointed as you that a House of our own beloved city would conspire with foreigners at our expense。 I now recall additional damning evidence that might put this debate to rest。〃
〃What？〃 Ssipriina said； leaning forward； obviously loath to see her daughter possibly ruin her own carefully laid web of lies。
Faeryl studiously ignored her mother。
〃What do you mean？〃 Jyslin said； her eyes narrowing。
Faeryl was sure she had the advantage。 Though she had not mentioned it before…since it was a lie she had only conceived of on the spur of the moment…there was no way Jyslin could challenge her for leaving it out of her story the first time。 Faeryl could pretend she'd simply forgotten it until then。
〃It's just that； right after passing through the gates of the city； I had the good fortune to spy Mistress Halisstra and her consort； Danifae Yauntyrr。 I was surprised to see them in such a sordid section of the city； but I considered it a stroke of good fortune； nonetheless。 I made a specific effort to move into their line of sight so that they would see it was me and notice I was with strangers。 I thought for certain they had spotted me； and I even flashed a quick message to Danifae； but she either didn't recognize me or didn't want anyone to know they'd been there。 She turned Halisstra away； and the two of them melted into the crowd。 At the time； I didn't think anything of it； but now I realize that she must have been there to signal Quenthel and the others。〃
Hahsstra's eyes grew wide at hearing Faeryl's accusations。 She sputtered to find the words to defend herself。
〃I 。。。 we never 。 。 。 Matron Mothers； I assure you that we never saw the ambassador and her panions in the lower sections of the city。 I am innocent of the charges leveled against me。〃
Faeryl smiled to herself。 Halisstra had specifically avoided denying that she had been there。 It ha