e ambassadorial residence。 Inwardly； she flinched but Talinnotdra didn't seem to notice the sound。
〃Well；〃 the matron said； 〃that was tasty； but I believe you invited my brood to supper and spirited me away to this private room； because you wanted to talk of something more important than cuisine。〃
Faeryl smiled and said； 〃You've found me out； and I have a confession to make。 I don't always devote myself to the interests of Ched Nasad as a whole。 Occasionally I work solely to advance the fortunes of House Zauvirr。〃
〃How could it be otherwise？〃 Talindra said； raising her golden cup。 〃Family； always。 Family over all。〃
Faeryl joined the other noble in the toast。 She'd always enjoyed the sweet dessert wine； but this time it tasted too sweet； almost sickeningly so。 She supposed her nerves were to blame。
The envoy set down her drink and said； 〃Let us discuss how our two families might be of service to one another。 In Ched Nasad； we Zauvirr are allied with House Mylyl。 For the immediate future； we must remain so。 Yet it's also time for the Mylyls to begin their decline； for their wealth and influence to start passing into our hands。 You see the problem。〃
Talindra grinned and said； 〃You want to attack the Mylyls without them realizing who's to blame。〃
〃So why not do it through an intermediary？〃
Elsewhere； someone let out a thin； little wail。 Faeryl tensed； but once again； her guest failed to react。 Fortunately； the sounds of pain were reanotsonably mon in dark elf dwellings。
〃You want me to lend you some of my males；〃 the matron said； 〃to make the long； dangerous journey to Ched Nasad to raid and kill for you。 It makes sense。 The Mylyls would have no idea who they are； nor that they're working for you。 But what do I get out of it？ Why…？〃
A warrior threw open the door； strode to Talindra's side； and raised a steel baton。
The matron was too quick for him。 Surging up in her chair； she knocked him cold with a punch to the jaw； drew a long knife from her belt； and pivoted toward Faeryl。
The ambassador snatched up Mother's Kiss； which had been lying under the table all the while。 She sprang up； swung the basalt…headed war hammer in an arc and balked the oning Talindra for an instant。
For the next few seconds； the two nobles battled； neither able to score； then Talindra used her free hand to clasp a round medallion pinned to her bodice。 Red light shone from between her fingers。
If the matron had the capacity to throw a spell； that changed the notplexion of the fight considerably。 Faeryl needed to end it quickly； perhaps before the first magical effect manifested。 She charged her opponent； striknoting at her head in an all…out attack。
It was a reckless move； and she suffered the consequences。 The knife point jabbed painfully into her ribs。 Luckily； it failed to penetrate the mail she wore beneath her silken gown。 Mother's Kiss slammed into the Men…zoberranyr's head and dashed her to the ground。 Her hand slipped away from the amulet； and the glow faded。
An instant later； a second guard burst into the room。
〃We've secured them all； my lady。〃
The warrior was a rugged…looking male with a chipped incisor and a broken nose； whom she had on occasion summoned to her bed。
〃Good；〃 Faeryl replied。 〃How many did you have to kill？〃
〃Only one； but we could slaughter the rest。 If I may say so； it seems more sensible and less bother than tying them up。〃
〃It does； but I came here to promote good relations between Menzoberranzan and Ched Nasad。 Even though some schemer has rendered my efforts futile； I won't exacerbate the situation by mitting any more outrages than necessary。 You soldiers will do as I bade you。 Strip the Ousstyls； gag them； and tie them up。〃
Talindra groaned and groped feebly for her knife。 Impressed that the matron was still conscious to any degree at all after the blow she'd suffered； Faeryl kicked the blade out of her reach。
〃You can't do this；〃 Talindra croaked； 〃not to House Ousstyl。 We are mighty and never forget at affront。〃
Tense as she was； Faeryl smiled。 The matron's arrogance was woefully misplaced。 The Ousstyls were so insignificant they hadn't even known the ambassador had lost the good will of Triel Baenre。 Otherwise； they would never have accepted an invitation to feast with such a pariah。
Faeryl bashed Talindra again； this time rendering her entirely insensible； then she roamed through the castle； exhorting her minions to make haste。 Soon all were wearing the clothing of the Ousstyls。 For the first time； Faeryl was grateful that her household was relatively small。 Otherwise； they wouldn't have had enough pilfered garments to go around。
She and he