turned her pany aside。 If they actually approached the place； some guard peering down from the ramparts was bound to penetrate their disguises。
They marched south； still without interference。 If someone was chasing them； the ambassador was sure it would have bee apparent by then。 Faeryl took a deep breath； told herself her ruse had succeeded； and tried to relax。 She couldn't； quite。 Perhaps when she reached the Bauthwaf； or better still； escaped Menzoberranyr territory altogether 。 。 。
The outlanders' route carried them to the west of the elevation that was Qu'ellarz'orl； its slopes thick with enormous mushrooms。 Then； at last； they reached one of the city's hundred gates to the tunnels beyond。 The Menzoberranyr defended all of them； but this one at least was a minor exit。 It boasted fewer guards than most。
The fugitives approached boldly； as if they had every legitimate expecnottation of the sentries ushering them through。 The guards must have wonnotdered why a high priestess would wear an elegant cloak and gown and ride her ceremonial transport for an excursion into the dirty； dangerous caves beyond the city； but a matron's whim was law in Menzoberranzan。 They offered her obeisance； then set about the cumbersome process of unbarnotring the granite…and…adamantine valves…or most of them did。
One officer eyed Faeryl thoughtfully。 He had a foxy； humorous face and was smaller than most males； which apparently didn't hinder him when wielding the heavy broadsword hanging from his baldric。 Though he carnotried the blade of a warrior； he'd eschewed mail…which could disrupt arcane spells…for a cloak and jerkin possessed of the countless telltale pockets of a wizard。 Evidently he was fighter and wizard both。 When she gazed directly at him； he respectfully lowered his head but resumed his scrutiny as soon as she turned her head。
She pivoted around to face him and asked； 〃Captain； is it？〃
The small male gave her a smart salute。
〃Captain Filifar； my lady； at your service。〃
〃Please； e here。〃
Filifar obeyed。 If he betrayed any wariness； it was only in his eyes。 The two gigantic spiders graven in the leaves of the gate stirred ever so slightly。 Faeryl realized they would emerge from the carving and fight for him if manded。
〃You have the look of an intelligent male；〃 she said； gazing down at him from atop the driftdisc。
〃Thank you； my lady。〃
〃Perhaps you received orders；〃 she continued； 〃to refuse passage to the delegation from Ched Nasad。〃
〃No； my lady。〃
Filifar's hand twitched ever so slightly。 It wanted to reach for either the hilt of his sword or the spell ponents in one of his pockets。
〃Your subordinates were content to receive their instructions and let it go at that； but not a sharp boy like you。 Somehow you contrived to find out what the ambassador looks like； thus making sure you'd be able to recnotognize her if she came this way。〃
Filifar's mouth tightened。 〃My lady；〃 he said； 〃my pany is well armed and well trained。 You may also have observed the spiders graven…〃
She raised her hand。 〃Don't agitate yourself； Captain。 I mean you no harm。 We're just two Menzoberranyr idly chatting； passing the time it takes your fellows to open the gate。〃
〃I regret； my lady； that now that I've seen you up close； I can't allow them to do that。〃
He took two careful steps back； retreating beyond her reach； then pivnototed to shout the order。
Faeryl stopped him dead by displaying a gaudy ruby brooch； formerly Talindra's property。
〃I said you were an intelligent lad； Captain Filifar； but I don't believe you're a prosperous one。 You wear no jewelry； and your clothing is made of mon stuff。〃
〃You're right； milady。 Fortune hasn't favored me。〃
It can。
Faeryl brought out one ornament after another； the jewels her retainers had stolen from the Ousstyls and her own legitimate treasure as well。 She filled her lap with them and laid the surplus on the pale； luminous rim of the driftdisc。
〃Here's enough wealth to improve your luck and that of your minions as well。〃
Filifar hesitated before saying； 〃My lady； I was told that Matron Triel herself wishes you detained。 It's no light matter to cross the Baenre。〃
〃Just say the Zauvirr didn't pass through this gate； or if they did； you didn't recognize them。 No one will know any different。〃
He jerked his head in a nod。 〃Right。 Why not； curse it？〃
He removed his piwafwi to use as a makeshift bag and swept the jewnotelry in。 Some of the soldiers noticed what their captain was doing and scurried over to investigate。
Once the gate was well behind her； Faeryl abandoned the driftdisc。 The stately conveyance was just too slow。 She and her part）〃