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〃Some of you did； I'm sure。 Others simply liked the idea of eliminating me。 I imagine your Aunt Molvayas would relish seeing me dead。 She'd have an excellent chance of being mistress in her turn。 We Baenre don't have another princess seasoned enough to assume the role。〃
〃It was my aunt！〃 Drisinil exclaimed。 〃She came up with the idea of helping the demons kill you。 I didn't even want to help。 I thought it was a stupid idea； but within our family； she holds authority over me。〃
Quenthel smiled。 〃It's too bad you weren't more impressed with my aunotthority。〃
〃I'm sorry。〃
〃No doubt that。 Now； I need the names of all the conspirators。〃
Drisinil didn't hesitate an instant。 〃My aunt； Vlondril Tuin'Tarl 。 。 。〃
As ever； Quenthel maintained a calm； knowing expression； but inwardly she was surprised at the number of conspirators。 An eighth of the temple！ It was unprecedented； but then she was living in unprecedented times。
When Drisinil finished； the Baenre said； 〃Thank you。 Where did you gather to hatch your schemes？〃
〃One of the unused storerooms in the fifth leg；〃 Drisinil said。
Quenthel shook her head。 〃That won't do。 It's not big enough。 Convene the group in Lirdnolu's old classroom。 Nobody's used it since she had her throat slit； so it will seem a safe meeting place。〃
Drisinil blinked。 〃Convene？〃
〃Yes。 Last night's plot failed； so obviously you must hatch a new one。 You've chosen a new chamber for the conference because you suspect the storeroom is no longer safe。 Say whatever you need to say to assemble your cabal in four hours' time。〃
〃If I do； will you spare me？〃
〃Why not？ As you've explained； you only participated reluctantly。 But you know； it suddenly occurs to me that we have a problem。 If I send you forth to perform this task； how do I know you won't simply flee Tier Breche and take refuge in your mother's castle？〃
〃Mistress； you already explained that such a course could only lead to my death。〃
〃But did you believe me？ Do you still？ How can I be sure？〃
〃Mistress 。。。 I 。。。〃
〃If I had my magic； I could pel you to do as you're told； but in its absence； I must take other measures。〃
Quenthel raised the whip； sweeping the vipers off Drisinil's face in the process； and slammed the metal butt of the weapon down in the middle of her forehead。
The mistress then took out the silver vial。 She pinched the dazed； feebly struggling girl's nostrils closed； poured the stimulant into her open mouth； and forced her to swallow。
The effect was immediate。 The younger female bucked and thrashed until her eyes flew open。
The high priestess hopped back down to the floor。 〃How does it feel？ I imagine your heart is hammering。〃
Drisinil trembled like the string of a viol。 Sweat seeped from her pores。
〃What did you do to me？〃
〃That should be obvious to an acplished poisoner like yourself。〃
〃You've poisoned me？〃
〃It's a slow toxin。 Do as I ordered； and I'll give you the antidote。〃
〃I can't cozen the others like this。 They'll see something's wrong with me。〃
〃The external signs should ease in a minute or two； though you'll still feel the poison speeding your heart