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ose d閏lass椤icinities； and perhaps they linger there still。 Even if they do intend to depart Mennotzoberranzan； they may still be making preparations for the journey。〃
〃If they've already decamped；〃 Ryld said； 〃you might at least find a witnotness who can at tell you what tunnel they took。 It's a sensible plan； but I can think of another。 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 dannotgerous 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 imagine you've also figured out why I called on you today。〃
〃I think so。〃
〃Of course you have。 Whatever it is that's truly transpiring； my chances of survival improve if I have a rade to watch my back。〃
Ryld scowled。 〃You mean； a rade willing to defy the express will of Matron Mother Baenre and risk running afoul of the Archmage of Menzoberranzan as well。〃
〃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's painful to watch you grouch your way through the day。〃
Ryld pondered for a moment； then said； 〃All right。 Maybe we'll find out something we can turn to our advantage。〃
〃Thank you； my friend。 I owe you。〃 Pharaun took a drink and held out the flask again。 〃Have the rest。 There's 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。 Waves of pressure beat down on them。 Ryld looked up； cursed； scrambled to his feet； and drew a dagger； meanwhile wishing he'd strapped on his weapons before stepping outside Melee…Magthere。
Pharaun rose in a more leisurely fashion。
〃Well；〃 he said； 〃this is interesting。〃
C h a p t e r
TWO
Scourge of vipers writhing in her hand soft； thin gown whispering； Quennotthel 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。
Enjoying their apprehension； Quenthel prolonged her silent inspection until it was surely on the verge of being unbearable； then she cracked the whip。 Some of her startled pupils gasped and jumped。
As the five long black… and crimson…banded vipers that prised the lashes of the whip rose twisting and probing from the adamantine handle； Quenthel said； 〃All your lives； your mothers have told you that when a stunotdent ascends to Tier Breche； she remains here； sequestered from the ci