and illuminated on an eight…tiered pyramid of a dais； with Triel of course set higher than the others； and a span of radiant marble webbing arching overhead。 Quenthel stalked in proudly； ahead of Pharaun and the other males； and why not？ She was Mistress of Arach…Tinilith and a Baenre。
Truth to tell； a miniscule part of her； a part she loathed and repudiated； hadn't wanted to e in； because her unknown enemy was very likely in the room
The matriarchs weren't the only folk in the vicinity of the platform。 A symbol of the goddess's favor and a source of practical protection； Jeggred loomed behind Triel's chair。 Servants scurried about the steps to do the great ladies' bidding。 Gromph stood on the highest riser； a place of ultinotmate honor for a male。
When she； the mage； the weapons master； and the mercenary reached the foot of the dais； Triel began to praise them for their efforts against the illithilich and its pawns。 At first the oration was pretty much what Quenthel had expected； but soon it took an unexpected turn。
She herself would lead an expedition to Ched Nasad to find out why no travelers came from that direction； and what the priestesses of the vassal city might know concerning the silence of Lolth。 Ryld Argith； Pharaun Mizzrym； and Valas Hune would serve as her lieutenants； acpanying the ambassador； Faeryl Zauvirr。
Upon hearing the news； the hulking warrior in the dwarven breastplate simply inclined his head in acquiescence。 The wizard grinned； and the scout smiled。 At first the envoy； who was standing nearby； looked equally pleased。
Then Triel said； 〃Finally； dear sister； I lend you my own son Jeggred for your journey。 A draegloth carries the blessing of the Dark Mother； and you may need his strength。〃
For an instant； it looked as if Faeryl would protest； and Jeggred leered down at her。 Plainly； something had once transpired between them； an unnotpleasantness that made the ambassador loathe and mistrust him。
Gromph shifted his weight as well and Quenthel thought he looked surnotprised； even a bit put out。 Perhaps he hadn't thought Triel had sense enough to want her own special agent on the mission； a minion devoted to her particular interests alone。
A thousand arguments against her being sent away at so uncertain a time for Menzoberranzan； the faith； House Baenre 。 。 。 came to Quenthel in a rush。 Ultimately； however； she said nothing。
The assembly discussed the practicalities of their scheme for an hour or so； and Triel dismissed her newly appointed emissaries。 Pharaun caught up with Quenthel in the antechamber。 He bowed to her； and she waved her hand； giving him permission to speak。
〃I assume； Mistress； that you know why they picked us？〃 he murmured。
〃1 understand better than you；〃 she said。
Pharaun arched an eyebrow and asked； 〃Indeed。 Will you elucidate？〃
She hesitated； but why not state at least the obvious？ He had e to her； after all； when the slave revolt began。 He was a true drow…ambitious and ruthless enough that she could always trust him to do what was to his advantage。 Gromph had made him a decoy and a target； perhaps someday she would make him Archmage of Menzoberranzan。
〃My brother and sister send us both forth because they fear our ambinottions。〃
〃I daresay that's very sensible of them；〃 Pharaun said。 〃Does this mean you undertake our errand reluctantly？〃
〃By no means。 Whatever my siblings' motives； the plan has merit； and I would go anywhere and do anything to restore my bond with Lolth and save Menzoberranzan； it is of course the same thing。〃
In fact； she was eager to distance herself from them until such time as she recovered her magic； provided she could do it without a loss of status； and surprisingly； it seemed she could。 The matter of the demonic assassins had still not been settled； too； and she wondered if her leaving the city would bring her unknown assailant into the open。
She looked her foppish panion up and down。
〃What of you？〃 she asked the wizard。 〃You're brave enough…I've seen the proof…but still； are you eager to march across the Underdark？〃
〃You mean； can an exquisite specimen such as myself bear to dispense with warm； scented baths； succulent meals； and delicate； freshly laundered attire？〃 Pharaun asked with a grin。 〃It will be excruciating； but under the circumstances； I'll manage。 I enjoy unraveling mysteries； particularly when I suspect I might enhance my personal power thereby。〃
〃Perhaps you will；〃 Quenthel said； 〃but I remend you keep your hands off any prize your leader covets for herself。〃
〃Of course； Mistress； of course。〃
The Master of Sorcere bowed low。
Pharaun cast a spell； then slipped through