public； and though Aliisza certainly didn't fear for her own well…being； she thought it best to draw as little attention to herself as possible。
Besides； she found that she could overhear more interesting conversations if she was not in dark elf form。 The other beings tended to stall or whisper whenever they saw any drow about； but they were not so mindful of their words when it was just an ore； beautiful for her race or not。 Aliisza could certainly understand why。
There was talk of rebellion or of invasion everywhere she went。 Half the inhabitants seemed to think the crisis in the City of Shimmering Webs was an opportunity to end the drow reign once and for all； while the other half believed that someone else was already in the process of doing just that and that everyone already living there would pay the price for it。 One thing was constant； whatever other opinions were revealed： Everyone blamed the dark elves for their problems。
It was the drow； she heard； who had angered Lolth。 She had turned away from the city； leaving it to fend for itself。 Others said that Lolth had grown weak and ineffectual from the placency of her worshipers； and this had allowed other deities to overwhelm her when she wasn't expecting or prepared for it。 The most intriguing rumor of all； of course； was the tale that seemed most recent。 Spreading like wildfire； it claimed that the matron mothers had discovered a traitor in their midst； one of their own who had collaborated with a high priestess from beyond the city to bring Ched Nasad low。
There were a dozen variations on that story。 The traitors consorted with demons； the traitors were actually demons in disguise； the traitors were stealing from the city； the traitors were preparing to attack the city。 。 。 。
Aliisza had little doubt about the veracity of the story； for she suspected that the high priestess must be Quenthel。 Somehow； the Menzoberranyr had been apprehended in the middle of her little scheme； the one Pharaun regretted mentioning。 She was curious about Pharaun's role in the rumor； or the portion of the story that included a matron mother。 The alu…fiend wondered if Pharaun had been swept up in the events or if spending the afternoon with her… she shivered with delight at the memory of it…had allowed him to stay clear。
Even if he hadn't gotten entangled in the matron mothers' schemes thus far； he was bound to eventually。 She knew this with a certainty born of having seen the political machinations of her own kind drag even the most unwilling creatures into its webbing。 Pharaun would have a part to play in the unfolding events； as much for his inquisitive； forceful nature as for his relationship with the priestess he so casually followed。
Regardless of what the wizard wanted； he was in the pany of a stranger； someone obviously of a noble House by the insignia on his piwafwi； and he didn't seem to be under duress or coerced。 Perhaps he didn't know what was going on。 Aliisza would have to puzzle on that some more。 One thing was certain； however： The effect the rumor was having on the populace was not good。
Aliisza knew she shouldn't care If Pharaun had been apprehended。 Theirs had been a relationship of mutual satisfaction； no more； no less。 He was a pleasant diversion from Kaanyr Vhok； and she knew she would return to the cambion； had always intended to do so。 Pharaun knew this as well； and the fact that he wasn't bothered by the informal nature of their 〃chance meeting〃 in the streets was what had made him so delicious。
But the alu…fiend did care； at least enough to consider whether or not she should figure out if he needed her help。 She supposed she simply wasn't quite ready to give him up。
She also knew that that wasn't the only reason she hadn't yet re…turned to Ammarindar to report to Kaanyr Vhok all she'd discovered thus far。 Perhaps it was the multitude of sights and sounds in the city that attracted her still。 Perhaps it was the exquisite feeling she got whenever creatures of the race she chose for her disguise…whether it be dark elf； ore； or yet some other species…admired her form。 It had been too long since she'd experienced that。 She also wanted to see events unfold in the city。 She sensed the tension in the air； and she wanted to witness the violence； the chaos； should something e to pass。 Ched Nasad was more than ripe for such a thing。 The place was literally buzzing with energy； with anticipation。
The four drow she followed moved casually； yet they always seemed to be adjusting their course to avoid the largest crowds； and they never tarried near side web streets or alleyways。 It was clear to Aliisza that they were moving warily。 More than once； they magically bypassed the worst of the crowds； levitating or using the magical doorways that both she and Pharaun employed from time to time。 They led her into the higher sections of the city； and soon it became apparent to Aliisza that she would have to either stop or change shape in order to continue unhindered。 There were going to be few ores that high in the cavern； and she would draw attention to herself in her present guise。
Changing back to the drow form she'd used earlier； she followed the four dark elves farther； until they arrived at a large noble House； which they entered。
Aliisza found a quiet spot atop a building on the opposite side of the street and settled down to wait。
TEN
Khorrl Xornbane knew that his fidgeting was a bad sign； but he couldn't help it。 He and his clan had been hiding and waiting for so long he could hardly stand it any longer。 Hiding several thousand duergar was never easy； but trying to do it in the middle of a city full of drow was taking its toll on his nerves。 He was thankful that the waiting was almost over。
Until then； the fighting had been relatively easy and pain…free。 Ambushing the matron mother and her retinue in the storehouse had been almost too simple。 She obviously trusted the other matron mother far too much； and it had cost her。 He wondered if anyone had discovered the bodies of her soldiers and advisors。 They would； soon； he knew。 The smell would lead someone to them。
Khorrl and his duergar were inside the manor itself； out of sight in an unused wing of the place； in a barracks where no soldiers were currently quartered。 It was driving Khorrl mad。 His sentries had not reported anyone even ing near the halls where he and his boys waited； but if anyone found them； the plan was ruined。
〃Captain。〃 An all…too…familiar voice came from the shadows at the edges of the storehouse。
Khorrl felt his heart begin to race with anticipation。 Zammzt stepped from the shadows； a wry smile on his face。
〃So？〃 the duergar asked。
〃We've gotten the word；〃 Zammzt replied。 〃It's time for you to go to work。〃
Khorrl rubbed his hands together in delight。 At last。 He began going over the plan in his head once more as he issued orders； and Zammzt faded back into the shadow from which he'd emerged。
The real fighting was about to begin。
***
Faeryl was fast growing bored with all of it。 She wished the matron mothers would simply see things as her mother had laid them out so carefully； declare House Melarn treasonous and dissolved； and permit House Zauvirr to rise to a position of prominence so that Ssipriina could sit on the Council。 But of course； there was the prerequisite squabbling that had to take place； first。 Faeryl supposed she would care a whole lot more if she stood to gain more； but her mother would still be ordering her around…and getting ordered around in turn； even if it was by someone other than Drisinil Melarn。
There's always someone using you as their footstool； Faeryl thought； no matter how high you reach。 Even Triel Baenre was forced to nod her head in subservience to the whims of Lolth； and it's possible that the Dark Mother herself has been forced to…
〃Faeryl； stop wasting our time with your idle fancies； and pay attention；〃 Ssipriina Zauvirr said； snapping Faeryl out of her thoughts。
〃Sorry； Mother；〃 the younger drow answered； chagrined。
She focused her attention on the conversation at hand； for at least the matron mothers were no longer talking as one。
〃I said〃 Inidil Mylyl declared； emphasizing the word to make sure everyone in the room understood that she was put out at having to repeat herself； 〃that hearing the tale in its entirety once more would go a long way toward clarifying just exactly how this managed to happen right under our noses。 Perhaps Faeryl can indulge us for a few moments more to explain this。〃
Faeryl groaned inwardly。 She had already explained herself three times to the first matron mothers to arrive。 They had not been happy with several parts of her story； so she was going to have to tell the whole thing once more for those matron mothers who had chosen； for whatever reason； to arrive late。 Of course； they were the most powerful drow in Ched Nasad； used to keeping others waiting and daring anyone to question them on it。 She felt queasy as she crossed to the center of the room。
〃Yes； of course； Matron Mother Mylyl；〃 she said as politely as she coul