F O U R (4 page)
War Of The Spider Queen
Book 1
Dissolution
know the most esoteric secrets, could conjure the deadliest specter, or see most
sought to mclearly into the future. In fact, they cared so deeply that they occasionally usuch hostilities ran counter to the interests of their Houses, severing an alliance rder each other and plunder one another's spell books even when
or disrupting a negotiation."Now
producing a silver flask, "I'," Pharaun said, reaching inside the elegant folds of his piwafwi and ll have to turn my back on the Sarthos demon for a while. I hope the poor behem
oth won't be lonely without me."
He unscrewed the bottle, took a sip, and passed the container to Ryld.R
yld hoped the flask didn't contain wine or an exotic liqueur. Pharaun was forever pressing such libations on him and
the elem insisting that he try to recognize all
R ents that allegedly blended together to create the taste, even though yld had demonstrated tim
dissection. e and again that his palate was incapable of such a
simHe drank and was pleased to find that for a change, the flask contained ple brandy, probably imported at some
that lay like a rind atop the Underdark, expense from the inhospitable world liquor burned his mouth and kindled a warmbaking in the excruciating sunlight. The glow in his stomach.
He handed the brandy back to Pharaun and said, "I assume Gromto leave the entity alone." ph told you
"In effect. He assigned me another task to occupy my time. Should I succeed,
the Archmage will forgive me m ll
hope for a nice beheading or garroting, buty transgressions. Should I fail . . . well, I' I'manything that quick." not so unrealistic as to expect
"What task?"
"A number of males have eloped from their families, and not to a merchant clan or Bregan D'aerthe either but to an unknown destination. I'
them." m supposed to find
Pharaun took another sip, then of"What did they steal?" asked R fered the flask again.
yld, waving off the drink.
knowPharaun smiled and said, "That's a good guess, but you're wrong. As far as I
fellows from one particular House. It', no one walked off with anything important. You see, it isn't just a few shomes, noble and common alike." a bunch of them from any number of
"I don'"All right, but so what? Why does the Archmage of Menzoberranzan care?"t know. He offered some vague excuse of an explanation, but there's
something—several somethings, belike—that he's not telling me.""That's not going to make your job any easier "
.
interested in the fugitives'"How true. The old tyrant did condesce whereabouts. nd to say that he isn't the only one but that emphatically did not make themThe priestesses are equally concerned,
Matron Mother Baenre herself ordered him to drop the matter want to join forces with Gromph. ".
"Matron Baenre," said Ryld. "I like this less with every word you speak.""Oh, I don't know. Just because T
riel Baenre rules all Menzoberranzan, and I'm
longer investigate the disappabout to flout her express wishes . . . Anyway, the Archmage says he can no on him, but, lucky me, I am not so burdened."earances himself. Seems the ladies have their eyes
"That doesn't mean you're going to find the missing males. If they fled the city
they could be anywhere in the Underdark by now." , "Please," said Pharaun with a grin, "you don't have to try to cheer me up.
Richard Lee Byers
9
War Of The Spider Queen
Book 1
Dissolution
Actuallyof the runaways were last sighted in t, I'm going to start looking in Eahose déclassé vicinitiestmyr and the Braeryn. Apparently some linger there still. Even if they do intend s, and perhaps they be making preparations for the journey " to depart Menzoberranzan, they may still
.
"If they've already decamped," Ryld sawho can at tell you what tunnel they took. It'id, "you might at least find a witness sanother a sensible plan, but I can think of . It's reckless to gamble your life when you don't even understand the game. You could flee Menzoberranzan yourself. With your wizardry, you're one of the few people capable of undertaking such a dangerous trek alone."
"I could try," Pharaun said, "but I suspect Gromph would track me down. Even if he didn't, I would have lost
my home and forfeited the rank I worked my whole life to earn. Would you give up being a master just to avoid a spot of danger?""No."
"Then you understand my predicament. I imwhy I called on you today " agine you've also figured out
.
"I think so."
"Of course you have. Whatever it is that's truly transpiring, my chances of survival improve if I have a comrade to watch my back."
Ryld scowled. "You mean, a comrade
Matron Mother Baenre and risk running afoul of the Archmwilling to defy the express will of a
Menzoberranzan as well." ge of
"Quite, and by a happy coincidence you have the look of a drow in need of a break from his daily routine. You know you're bored to death. It'swatch you grouch your way through the day " painful to .Ryld pondered for a moment, then said, "All right. Maybe we'll find out something we can turn to our advantage."aun took a drink and held out the flask again. "Have the rest. There'"Thank you, my friend. I owe you." Phars only a swallow left. We seem to have guzzled the whole pint in just a few minutes, though that scarcely seems possible, refined, genteel fellows that we—"Something crackled and sizzled above their heads. Wadown on them. R ves of pressure beat yld looked up, cursed, scrambled to his feet, and drew a dagger, meanwhile wishing he'doutside Melee-Magthere. strapped on his weapons before stepping
Pharaun rose in a mo
"Well," he said, "this is interesting." re leisurely fashion.
Richard Lee Byers
10
War Of The Spider Queen
Book 1
Dissolution
C h a p t e r
TWO
Scourge of vipers writhing in her hand soft, thin gown whispering, Quenthel
Baenre, Mistress of Arach-Tinilith, prowled about, glaring at the younger females standing huddled in the center of the candlelit, marble-paneled room. She always had a knack for striking fear into the hearts of those who displeased her, and these students were no exception. Some trembled or appeared to be biting back tears, and even the sullen, fractious ones refused to look her in the eye. was surely on the verEnjoying their apprehension, Quenthel prolonged her silent inspection until it ge of becomiof her startled pupils gasped and jumng unbearable, then she cracked the whip. Some ped. As the five long black- and crimson-banded vipers that comprised the lashes of the whip rose twisting and probing from the adamantine handle, Quenthel said
"All your lives, your m ,others have told you that when a student ascends to TierBreche, she remains here, sequestered from day you entered the Academ the city below, for ten years. On the y, I told you the same thing."
KenafmShe stalked up to one of the students trapped at the front of the group, Gaussra , slightly plump and round-faced, with teeth as black as her skin.
Responding to Quenthel's unspoken will, the whip snakes explored the novice's body, gliding over its contours, tongues flickering. The Mistress of Arach-Tinilith could see Gaussra straining mightily not toreptiles into striking. recoil for fear that it would provoke the
"Y"So you did knowes," Gaussra gasped. "I'm sorry," Quenthel purred, "didn't you?" . Please, take the snakes away!"
"How impertinent of you. You and these others have forfeited the right to ask mefor anything. You may kiss her " .The last statement was addressed to thdriving their long fangs into cheek, the serpents, and they responded instantlyroat, shoulder , , and breast. Gaussra collapsed—fully expecting to fall into a seizure, mouth foamblackened incisors chewing her purple tongue. ing, her own a sat on the floor
, very muterror was apparent, heShaking from the sting of the bites, Gaussrr humiliation com ch alive; her plete. "You will return to your House," Quenthel said, relishing the look on Gaussra's face as the true meaning of that statement sank in. " If you come that close to my
