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d plan of theft and spying。 You've cooperated nicely； though； so we feel we have the situation well in hand。〃
Ryld made an almost inaudible strangled noise； and the mage felt the warrior shift his weight。 In response； several of the soldiers； who had unassumingly fanned out to more pletely surround the trio； tensed as though expecting Ryld to lunge at them。
Pharaun frowned。
〃I wasn't aware that our high priestess was planning anything of the sort；〃 he said。 〃If something is amiss； we must all work to see that it is rectified。 Just tell us where she is； and I'm sure we can resolve whatever…〃
〃Quenthel Baenre was caught mitting treasonous acts against Ched Nasad；〃 yet a third matron mother said； stepping out from behind the throne。 Pharaun sensed that this one； with a graceful age about her face； might just be the most formidable drow he'd ever met。 〃There was no doubt about her guilt。 She died trying to flee the scene of her crimes。〃
Pharaun blinked； reeling。 Dead？ Quenthel Baenre was dead？ He wasn't sure whether to laugh or be worried。 Behind him； he heard both of his panions' gasps of surprise。
〃She was caught conspiring with House Melarn to illegally enter the city and steal valuable resources belonging to us；〃 the older drow said； 〃and we believe she was also mitting espionage on behalf of Menzoberranzan。 We consider these to be crimes against trie city； against all drow； and most especially against the Dark Mother herself。〃
Conspiracy？ Pharaun thought。 How ridiculous could they be？
He stared at the throne where Faeryl's mother sat； and he was beginning to understand who was behind it； and perhaps why。
No wonder Faeryl was so eager to help us； he thought。 She was leading us by our noses the whole time。
〃Furthermore；〃 the matron mother continued； 〃you； by association with Quenthel； are accused of the same charges。 You are under arrest； and you will be confined on the premises until such time as we can determine your guilt or innocence。〃
〃Not today；〃 Ryld said； taking a step forward and reaching for Splitter。
As one； a multitude of soldiers brandished hand crossbows； and at least half a dozen wizards and priestesses appeared to ready spells。
〃Ryld； you fool； wait！〃 Pharaun growled； still trying to keep his voice low。 〃There are better ways 。。。〃
Valas reached a hand out and stopped the larger drow from finishing the act of unsheathing his greatsword。
〃Not yet；〃 the scout pleaded。 〃We've got no chance like this。〃
Ryld snarled； but he released the hilt of his weapon and stepped back again。
〃Good；〃 the third matron mother said。 〃You are not as foolhardy as Faeryl suggested。 Though the bravado is misplaced here； I'm sure it's served you well in the past；〃
〃Mistress 。 。 。 ？〃 Pharaun began。
〃Aunrae Nasadra； of First House Nasadra；〃 the drow finished for him。
Of course you are； the wizard thought。
〃Mistress Nasadra；〃 he said； 〃while I am shocked and saddened by the news of Quenthel's death； I implore you to hear me out。 I have absolutely no knowledge of any conspiracy between her and anyone here in the city。 There must have been a great misunderstanding。〃
〃I doubt it；〃 Aunrae replied； 〃but you may yet have a chance to prove it and spare your neck。 Simply tell us the truth。 Did you or did you not sneak into the city and meet in secret with Drisinil Melarn； matron mother of House Melarn； in order to steal goods out of Black Claw Mercantile's storehouses？〃
Pharaun looked around at the myriad faces staring expectantly at him…and at the scores of weapons leveled at him and his two panions…and he did the only thing he could； he lied。
〃Absolutely； Mistress Nasadra；〃 he deadpanned； and everyone including Ryld and Valas gasped。 Before the other two Menzoberranyr could refute his false admission； he continued； 〃Or rather； Quenthel must have。 It all makes sense； now。 You see； Mistress； she ordered my two panions and me to track down caravans that could help transport a large amount of goods； without telling us what they were for。 Mistress Baenre told us males very little； you must realize。
〃Right before we set out to follow her instructions； I overheard her speaking with Faeryl Zauvirr； the ambassador to Menzoberranzan who was acpanying us。 I recall that she said something about meeting with her mother and one other； though of course at the time； I didn't know to whom she was referring。 She asked Faeryl something to the effect of； 'and you're certain the meeting place is secure？ We can't afford to be seen； you know。' 〃
〃You pompous； smart…mouthed liar！〃 Faeryl screamed from across the room。 〃Kill them now and be done with it！〃
Pharaun did all he could to avoid smiling。 Around him； everyone began to talk at once； and though he heard more than a few snatches of conversation condemning him and his outlandish story； he knew that he had sown the seeds of doubt。 Already； though； the troops who had surrounded them…troops wearing the insignia of House Zauvirr… began to advance uncertainly upon the three of them。
〃All tight； wizard；〃 Ryld hissed； 〃we're out of time。 What are we going to do？〃
Pharaun opened his mouth to tell the warrior that he had absolutely no idea； when a sudden and violent shudder rocked the chamber； causing everyone to stumble and flail about； their center of balance disrupted。 A split second later； a monumental thundercrash penetrated the walls； deep and loud； and reverberated through the entire room。
〃By the Dark Mother；〃 someone cried as everyone looked at everyone else in confusion and panic。
A servant ran into the chamber； a wild look of fear in his eyes。
〃Mistresses！ It's duergar！ Hundreds of them； surrounding us 。。。 they're attacking！〃 Another sonic shock knocked the liveried boy to his knees； and he seemed to hug the floor in terror。 〃They burn the stones themselves； Mothers。 The city is burning！〃
ELEVEN
Aliisza was more than a little surprised to see the horde of duergar seemingly appear out of thin air around the great manor Pharaun and his panions had entered。 From the looks on their face