urprised yet disappointed to find that the dead warrior hadn't been carrying any spell ingredients。
The Master of Sorcere hadn't lost faith in himself； but he realized that overconfidence coupled with ambition had lured him and Ryld into a desnotperate situation。 They were stuck in the midst of their enemies。 Without the proper triggers； most of the wizard's magic was unavailable to him； and the weapons master was feeling the effects of the blow on the head and Syrzan's psionic assault。 Most people wouldn't have noticed； but Pharaun； who knew him well； could see subtle indications in the way he moved。
Well； at least Ryld wasn't bored。
Pharaun stole the dead male's hand crossbow； dirk； and piwafwi…innotcluding the insignia of a lesser House Pharaun assumed was enchanted in the same way as all the others。 The mantle wasn't a bad fit but felt strange without the weight of the hidden pockets to which he was accustomed。 At least； he hoped； he'd be able to levitate。 Ryld exchanged the rapier he'd been wearing for the fallen drow's broadsword。
The Master of Melee…Magthere cocked his crossbow and loaded a fresh shaft in the channel。 The fugitives stalked on down the hallway； and the walls screamed。 Pharaun and Ryld screwed up their faces at the painful loudness。 Blue sparks of discharged magic showered from the walls and ceiling； and a hot； raw stink of power fouled the air。
The screech stopped as suddenly as it had started； though it left echoes sobbing through the citadel。
〃Alarm spell？〃 said Ryld； trotting onward。
〃Yes；〃 Pharaun said； racing to catch up。 His ears were ringing。 〃Had I seen it； I would have dispelled it； but…〃
〃But as it stands； the rogues will be ing for us。〃 Pharaun frowned。 〃Unless they're too busy getting ready to murder priestesses。〃
〃No； they'll realize they have to catch us at any cost。 If a spy slipped away from here and reported their plans to the Council； it would ruin everything for them。〃
〃You're right； curse it。〃
The masters had been moving stealthily and therefore slowly ever since departing their cell； and they would have to sneak along even more warily； backtracking and detouring whenever they sensed their enemies were near。 That would make it easier to get lost。 The long…dead nobles had built their fortress according to a defensive strategy still occasionally employed in Menzoberranzan。 The place was something of a maze。 If a person had grown up there； that wouldn't pose a problem。 He'd know every turn and dead end； but outsiders had a difficult time moving about。 Outsiders like Pharaun and Ryld； who had yet to find an exit。
Perhaps； the wizard thought； the renegades will have trouble navigating as well。
Though they'd squatted in the castle； they might not know it as well as the original occupants had。 It was possible they'd simply familiarized themselves with a few key areas and primary passageways and left the rest of the allegedly cursed and haunted keep pretty much alone。
Still； Pharaun knew it was only a matter of time until the hunters stumnotbled onto their prey； and he was correct。 He and Ryld were traversing a gallery hung with musty phosphorescent tapestries when something rustled behind them。 The masters pivoted。 Silent in their drow boots； half a dozen warriors had appeared behind them and were leveling their crossbows。
Ryld crouched and lifted a fold of his cloak in front of his face。 Pharaun copied the move。 Two arrowheads plunged through his makeshift shield； which apparently wasn't as powerfully enchanted as thepiwafwi Houndaer had taken from him。 One quarrel hung up in the weave。 The other hurtled right through and grazed the mage's shoulder； stinging him and slicing a shallow cut。 He prayed it wasn't poisoned。
Hearing a ragged clatter； Pharaun uncovered his eyes。 The rogues had dropped their crossbows and were charging。 They'd already dashed too close for him to employ the incantation he would have preferred。 Instead he cast darts of light and dropped two renegades。 He discharged his crossnotbow and missed a third。
Ryld bellowed a war cry and sprang forward to meet the foes remainnoting。 The broadsword flashed back and forth； thrusting； cutting； and parnotrying with the small； precise movements that characterized true mastery。 Pharaun edged forward with his dirk in hand but never got a chance to use it。 The rogues all died before he could advance into range。
Pharaun took stock of himself and decided he didn't have any venom in his system； but Ryld groaned； made a face； and clutched at his temple。
〃What is it？〃 the wizard asked。
It seemed likely that one of the enemy had scored； but he didn't see any blood s