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portended。 Judging by the goblins' babbling and frantic peering about； they knew； too。
〃What is it？〃 Pharaun asked。
〃You're nobly born；〃 said Ryld； hearing a trace of an old bitterness in his voice。 〃Didn't you ever go hunting through the Braeryn； slaying every wretch you could catch？〃
The wizard smiled and said； 〃Now that you mention it； but it's been a long time。 It occurs to me that this is probably Greyanna's doing。 Not a bad tactic； really； even though it involves a lot of waste motion。 Once I shielded us our hunters couldn't pinpoint our location； but they knew our mission would bring us to the Braeryn so they organized a hunt for a party of nobles。 The idea is that all the turmoil is likely to flush us out and send us scrambling frantically through the streets； at which point they'll have a better chance of spotting us。〃
〃What's more；〃 said Ryld； making sure his swords were loose in their scabbards； 〃your sister gives us the choice of retaining our veils of illusion and being harried by our own kind； or casting them off and facing the wrath of the undercreatures。 Either way； someone might do her killing for her。〃
The Prophet raised his hands for calm； and the undercreatures quieted a little。
〃My friends； in a moment we will scatter as we must； for a little while longer； but before you go； take the fire pots。 Once the danger is past； share the weapons and news of our gathering with all those who were unable to attend。 Remember your part in the plan and wait for the Call。 Now； go！〃
Some of the rebels bolted without further delay； but at least half lingered long enough to take a jug or two from the hovering boxes。 One ore lost his footing in the press； then screamed as other goblinoids trampled him in their haste。 Meanwhile； the Prophet and his bodyguards slipped out a door in the back wall。
〃Shall we？〃 said Pharaun； striding after them。
〃What of Greyanna and all the hunters？〃 asked Ryld。
〃We'll contend with them as necessary； but I'll be damned if I hide in a hole while two of the boys we worked so hard to find vanish into the night。〃
The masters stalked out onto the street。 The Braeryn already echoed with more trumpeting； the sporting cries of dark elves； and the screams of undercreatures。
The teachers shadowed the Prophet and the rogues for half a block。 The trio moved briskly but without any trace of panic。 Evidently they were confident of their ability to elude the hunters。 Ryld wondered why。
Then the night gave him other things to think about。
He and Pharaun skulked by a house where several shouting goblins pounded on the granite front door。 As was the mon practice during a hunt； the inhabitants refused to admit them。 They wouldn't let in anyone but folk who actually lived there。 Otherwise； a rush of terrified refugees flooding into the already crowded warren might trample or crush some of the residents…or the influx might make the house a more provocative target。 It had happened before。
Finally Ryld heard the small； long…armed creatures turn away from the structure。 They cried out； then broke into a run； their rapid footsteps drumming on t