isinil； squinting； saw they weren't alone。 Many of the residents of Arach…Tinilith filed in after them； all well armed and wearing mail。
Quenthel beckoned to the plotters。
〃Move down to the lower seats； why don't you？ The lateers won't mind climbing to the top。〃 She waited a beat； then said； 〃That wasn't a suggestion。〃
The conspirators hesitated a moment longer； and the show offered connotvinced them to obey。
〃Thank you；〃 Quenthel said； then waited until everyone had taken a seat and the plotters all had armed loyalists at their backs。 〃Now； let's disnotcuss the matter that concerns you so。〃
〃I don't know what my niece told you about this gathering；〃 said Drisinil's Aunt Molvayas； clad in a gown of a dark and shimmering green that matched her eyes； 〃but I assure you； its purpose is entirely innocent。〃
〃Its purpose is to contrive your death； Mistress；〃 Vlondril called out。 〃I know。 I've been in on it from the start。〃
Quenthel nodded to the mad priestess。
〃Thank you； Holy Mother。 Your candor helps move things along。〃 The Baenre surveyed her enemies and said； 〃I understand that your excuse for seeking to depose me was the supposition that the goddess desires it。 You postulate that she so abhors my rule of Arach…Tinilith that she renounces all Menzoberranzan。〃
Molvayas drew a deep breath； evidently screwing up her courage。 〃We do。 Do you deny it's possible？〃
〃Of course；〃 Quenthel replied。 〃It's a ludicrous notion unsupported by a single shred of evidence 。。 。 though I'm sure it seems plausible to the lieunottenant who covets my position。〃
Drisinil noticed that while the Baenre appeared perfectly at ease； the twisting whip serpents were keeping watch in all directions。
〃What of the demons？ They reflect the attributes of Lolth…〃
〃And they e for me。 Because one of my mortal enemies sends them in guises intended to stimulate your imaginations。〃
〃What enemy？〃 Molvayas demanded。
〃That has yet to be determined。〃
〃In other words；〃 said Quenthel's second…in…mand； 〃you don't know what's going on any more than we do。〃
〃At least I know what isn't happening。〃
〃Do you？ What makes your one opinion superior to all of ours？〃
〃The answer to that is readily apparent to those with some smattering of intelligence。〃
〃Insults won't resolve this matter； Mistress； but I can think of a test that might。 Step down for a year； and we'll see what happens。〃
Quenthel laughed。
〃Meekly surrender the Academy to you； Barrison Del'Armgo？ Not likely。 As it happens； I too have conceived a test to determine who truly enjoys Lolth's favor； your sad little cabal or me。〃
〃What do you mean？〃 Molvayas asked； wariness in her eyes。
〃My test is simplicity itself。 We simply ask Lolth whom she prefers； and await her answer。〃
〃That's insane。 The Spider Queen no longer speaks to us。〃
〃Perhaps if we petition； she will at least condescend to give us a sign。 Are you willing to try？〃
〃Perhaps；〃 Molvayas said； no doubt aware that with blades at her back； she actually had little choice。 〃Do you propose to perform some sort of ritual？〃
〃As we've lost our magic； what would that acplish？ My idea is simnotpler。 We all bide in this room； engaged in silent prayer and meditation； until the Dark Mother reveals her will。〃
Vlondril snorted。 〃What if she chooses to ignore us？〃
Quenthel shrugged。 〃I don't believe she's truly abandoned her chosen people or her chosen ministers。 My faith is too strong to credit such a calamity。 How strong is yours； Barrison Del'Armgo？〃
〃Strong enough that I have no fear of the goddess preferring you to me；〃 Molvayas spat back。 〃I just don't see the point of your scheme。 Lolth will speak when she wishes； not when we desire it。〃
〃It's not a waste of time if it's keeping you alive。 I could have had my loyal followers kill you the moment they entered the chamber。 Instead； I'm pronotposing an honest inquiry into your concerns； for the sake of all the temple。 Under the circumstances； what could be more magnanimous than that？〃
〃All right；〃 Molvayas said。 〃We'll remain for a time； but if nothing hapnotpens； my rades and I go free。 You can't chastise us if the results of the test are inconclusive。 That wouldn't be an honest inquiry。〃
〃Agreed；〃 the mistress said。
Drisinil was bewildered and appalled。 This strange； passive procedure sounded as if it could take hours。 She needed the antidote before her thunnotdering heart tore itself apart； but she could do nothing to speed things along。
Though plainly just as puzzled as she； the pany obediently fell quiet。 Meditation was a familiar practice to all of them； though frustrating and futile since Lolth had receded beyond their ken。
For what s