«Forgive me,» the archmage continued. «I didn't come to lament but to perform my function as your advisor, to share my thoughts on how to meet the challenges to come.» Triel rested her hand atop the cool, polished stone of the rail and asked, «How do you see those challenges?»
«It's obvious, isn't it? We've just experienced what promises to be the first in a series of calamities. By dint of observing you in combat, every Menzoberranyr with half a brain now knows you priestesses have lost your power. Rest assured, no matter what measures the Council takes, the word will spread beyond our borders. Perhaps some escaped thrall is proclaiming it even now. Soon, one or another enemy will march on us, or, if our luck is really bad, they might all unite in a grand alliance.» Triel swallowed. «None of our foes dares even to dream of taking Menzoberranzan.» «This Syrzan did. When its kin, and others, find out we've lost our divine magic, a significant fraction of our drow warriors, and virtually all our slave troops, it may inspire them to optimism. And they're not even the greatest threat.» «We ourselves are,» Triel sighed.
«Exactly. We always have our share of feuds and assassinations. Occasionally one House exterminates another outright, and that's as it should be. It's our way, it makes us strong. But we can't endure constant, flagrant warfare. That would be too much. . chaos. It would tear Menzoberranzan to shreds. Up to now, fear of the Spider Queen and her clergy has kept the lid on, but it won't anymore.» He spat. «It's a pity our new heroes didn't die heroic deaths in their homeland's defense.» «You refer to Quenthel and the outcast Mizzrym?» «Who else? Do you imagine them any less ambitious than the rest of us? They championed the established order yesterday, but, inspired by the knowledge that many would rally to their banners, may themselves seek to topple it tomorrow. Quenthel may try to seize your throne, not in a hundred years but now. Pharaun may strike for the Robes of the Archmage—by the Six Hundred and Sixty-six Layers, he all but did, having spent no effort in finding me before scurrying to your side. What a disaster that would be! Aside from any personal inconvenience to you and me, the city in its weakened state can't withstand that sort of disruption.» «I suppose they could be planning just that,» Triel said, frowning. «Perhaps we should have followed through and at least killed Master Pharaun.» «If we execute one of the saviors of Menzoberranzan—damn his miserable little hide—it would have made House Baenre look frightened and weak.» The archmage smiled a crooked smile. «Which we are, at the moment, but we don't dare give the appearance.» «What, then, do you recommend?» Below the balcony, a lizard hissed and wheels creaked as a cart rolled by. «Use them in a way that simultaneously benefits us and neutralizes the threat they represent,» said Gromph. «Surely you and I agree that the present situation can't continue. We must find a way to restore the priesthood's magic.» Triel nodded, looking away from her battered city. «I propose that as a first step,» the archmage continued, «we send agents to another city—likely Ched Nasad—to find out if their divines are similarly afflicted, and if so, whether they know why. You can assign Quenthel to lead the expedition. After all, it concerns Arach-Tinilith perhaps most of all. I'll be delighted to loan you the services of Master Pharaun. If the story I heard was correct, that weapons master friend of his should go as well, if for no other reason than it'll make Pharaun squirm.» «Ched Nasad. .» Triel whispered. «The three of them ought to be more than capable of surviving a trek as far as Ched Nasad,» continued Gromph, «and they can't very well try to overthrow us while they're leagues away from the city, can they? Who knows, perhaps Lolth will return before they do, and in any case, with time, their notoriety will fade.» His suggestion left Triel feeling a little sheepish. She hid it as best she could by pretending to consider his plan. «Faeryl Zauvirr proposed an expedition to Ched Nasad. She claimed to be concerned because the caravans have stopped.» Gromph cocked his head. «Really? Well, our representatives can sort that out as well. You know, it's good that the ambassador is already keen to go. She'll make a valuable addition and a more than adequate cover for the whole enterprise.»
«Waerva told me Faeryl was a spy,» said Triel, «and sought to depart the city in order to report our weakness to her confederates. So I forbade her to leave.» «What proof did Waerva offer?» «She told me she learned of Faeryl's treachery from one of her informants.» Gromph waited a moment as if expecting something more.
«And that's it?» he asked at length. «With respect, Matron, may I point out that if you haven't spoken with the informer yourself, if you haven't probed the matter any further, then you really only have Waerva's word for it that the envoy is a traitor.» «I can't handle everything personally,» Triel scowled. «That's why we have retainers in the first place. I have not entirely lost touch with my—our interests in Ched Nasad, though their explanations and excuses do wear thin.» «Of course, Matron,» Gromph said quickly. «I quite understand. I have the same problem with my own retainers, and I only have Menzoberranzan's wizards to oversee, not an entire city.» «Why would Waerva lie?» «I don't know, but I've had some dealings with Faeryl Zauvirr. She never struck me as stupid enough to cross the Baenre. Waerva, on the other hand, is reckless and discontented enough for any game. Accordingly, I think it might be worthwhile to inquire into this matter ourselves.» Triel hesitated before saying, «That could prove difficult. Despite my orders, the Zauvirr tried to flee Menzoberranzan. I hired some agents of Bregan D'aerthe, led by Valas Hune—do you know him?» «I've heard the name mentioned,» Gromph replied. «He would make a fair addition to your little band of explorers,» Triel said.
«He's known to be more than passingly familiar with the wilds of the Underdark—a guide of some accomplishment, in fact.» Gromph bowed his agreement.
«Be that as it may, it was Valas Hune I hired to fetch Faeryl back. He completed his task well, and I gave the ambassador to Jeggred.» The wizard rounded on the draegloth. «What's the prisoner's condition?» he asked the creature. «Is she alive?»
«Yes,» said Jeggred through a mouthful of bloody meat. «I was taking my time, to prove I can. But you can't have her. Mother gave her to me. She just told you.» Gromph stared up into the half-demon's eyes. «Nephew,» he said, «I'm sore, frustrated, and in a foul mood generally. Right now I don't give a leaky sack of rat droppings whether you're a sacred being or not. Show some respect, lead me to this prisoner forthwith, or I'll blight you where you sit.» Clutching the rothй bone like a club, Jeggred sprang upward from his seat. Triel said, «Do as the archmage bade you. I wish it as well.» The draegloth lowered his makeshift weapon. «Yes, Mother,» he sighed.
TWENTY-FIVE
Her pack weighting her shoulders, her heart pounding, Waerva turned and peered about. The cave stretched out before her and behind, with stalactites stabbing down from the ceiling and stalagmites jutting up from the uneven floor. Nothing moved.