don't know what she thinks。 Lolth does。〃
〃But you don't know she sent the demons；〃 T'risstree said。 Born a notmoner but risen to a level of power and prestige； she had evidently shed the habit of deference to the aristocracy。 〃Perhaps one of Quenthel's mortal enemies sent them。〃
〃What mortal possesses a magic potent and cunning enough to penenottrate the temple wards？〃 Drisinil replied。
〃The archmage？〃 Vlondril offered； picking at the skin on the back of her hand。 Her tone was light； as if she spoke in jest。
〃Even if he does；〃 Drisinil said； 〃Gromph is a Baenre； too； and Quenthel serving as mistress strengthens his House。 He has no reason to kill her； and if it isn't he； then who？ Who but the goddess？〃
〃Quenthel is still alive；〃 said a priestess from House Xorlarrin。 She'd worn a long veil to the conclave； apparently so anyone who noticed her walking the halls would assume she was engaged in a certain necromantic meditation。 〃Do we think Lolth tried to kill her and failed？〃
〃Perhaps；〃 Drisinil said。 Some of her audience scowled or stiffened at what could be construed as blasphemy。 〃She is all…powerful； but her agents are not。 However； I think she intended the first two assassins to fail。 She's giving her priestesses a chance to ponder what's happening。 To prenothend her will； perform our appointed task； and earn her favor once more。〃
Vlondril smiled。 〃And we do that by murdering Quenthel ourselves？ Oh； good； child； very good。〃
〃We kill her ourselves；〃 Drisinil agreed； 〃or； if that isn't feasible； we at least assist the next demonic assassin in whatever way we can。〃
T'risstree shook her head。 〃This is sheer speculation。 You don't know the mistress's death will bring Lolth back。〃
〃It's worth a chance；〃 Drisinil said。 〃At the very least； if we give the demons what they want； they'll stop invading Arach…Tinilith。 They haven't slain any of us yet； but if we don't help them； and Quenthel lives on； they may decide to eliminate us； too； for after all； it's a demon's nature to kill。〃
〃The demons may be less dangerous than House Baenre；〃 T'risstree said。
〃The Baenre won't know who facilitated Quenthel's demise；〃 Drisinil said。 〃So what will they do； wreak their vengeance on every priestess in Arach…Tinilith？ They can't。 They need us to educate their daughters and perform the secret rites。〃
〃If Quenthel dies；〃 said a priestess leaning against the wall； 〃Molvayas has a fair chance of being Mistress of Arach…Tinilith…but how do the rest of us stand to gain？〃
〃My niece has explained；〃 said Molvayas； 〃that we'll all renew our bond with the goddess and replenish our magic。 Beyond that； I promise that if I bee mistress； I'll remember those who lifted me up。 High priestesses； you will be my lieutenants； ranking higher than any other instructor。 Novices； your time at Arach…Tinilith will be spent far more pleasantly than is the rule。 You； too； will exercise authority over your peers。 You'll enjoy luxuries。 I'll excuse you from the more onerous ordeals and teach you secrets most pupils never learn。〃
〃We'll hold you to that；〃 said another voice from the back； 〃and expose you if you renege。〃
〃Exactly；〃 said Molvayas。 〃You'll always be in a position to inform House Baenre of my guilt。 Your numbers are too great for me to murder all of you； and so you know you can trust me to keep my pledge。 Even if it were otherwise； I'd be stupid to play you false； considering that I'll always need loyal supporters。〃
〃It's tempting；〃 the veiled Xorlarrin said。 〃I'd take almost any chance to win my magic back。 Still； we're talking about the Baenre。〃
〃Damn the Baenre！〃 Drisinil spat。 〃Perhaps killing Quenthel is the first rumble of the cave…in that will bury the entire clan。〃
〃What cave…in？〃 T'risstree asked。
〃I don't know； exactly；〃 Drisinil admitted。 〃Still； consider this： Houses rise and fall。 It's the way of Menzoberranzan and the will of Lolth。 Thus far； House Baenre has been the exception； perching on the top of the heap for century after century。 Perhaps； with the old matron mother's death； the family has finally forfeited the goddess's regard。 Why not 。 。 。 everynotone knows Triel is out of her depth。 Perhaps it's time at last for House Baenre to honor the universal law。 If so； wouldn't it be glorious to notmence the decline in their fortunes here； now； this very minute in this very room？〃
〃Yes；〃 T'risstree declared。
Surprised； Drisinil turned to face her。 〃You agree？〃
Setting her razor…edged falchion aside； T'risstree rose and said； 〃I was dubious； but you convinced me。〃 For an instant； she grinned。 〃I don't like Quenthel anyway。 So yes； we'll usher her into her tomb； regain the g