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nottenant who covets my position。〃
Drisinil noticed that while the Baenre appeared perfectly at ease； the twisting whip serpents were keeping watch in all directions。
〃What of the demons？ They reflect the attributes of Lolth…〃
〃And they e for me。 Because one of my mortal enemies sends them in guises intended to stimulate your imaginations。〃
〃What enemy？〃 Molvayas demanded。
〃That has yet to be determined。〃
〃In other words；〃 said Quenthel's second…in…mand； 〃you don't know what's going on any more than we do。〃
〃At least I know what isn't happening。〃
〃Do you？ What makes your one opinion superior to all of ours？〃
〃The answer to that is readily apparent to those with some smattering of intelligence。〃
〃Insults won't resolve this matter； Mistress； but I can think of a test that might。 Step down for a year； and we'll see what happens。〃
Quenthel laughed。
〃Meekly surrender the Academy to you； Barrison Del'Armgo？ Not likely。 As it happens； I too have conceived a test to determine who truly enjoys Lolth's favor； your sad little cabal or me。〃
〃What do you mean？〃 Molvayas asked； wariness in her eyes。
〃My test is simplicity itself。 We simply ask Lolth whom she prefers； and await her answer。〃
〃That's insane。 The Spider Queen no longer speaks to us。〃
〃Perhaps if we petition； she will at least condescend to give us a sign。 Are you willing to try？〃
〃Perhaps；〃 Molvayas said； no doubt aware that with blades at her back； she actually had little choice。 〃Do you propose to perform some sort of ritual？〃
〃As we've lost our magic； what would that acplish？ My idea is simnotpler。 We all bide in this room； engaged in silent prayer and meditation； until the Dark Mother reveals her will。〃
Vlondril snorted。 〃What if she chooses to ignore us？〃
Quenthel shrugged。 〃I don't believe she's truly abandoned her chosen people or her chosen ministers。 My faith is too strong to credit such a calamity。 How strong is yours； Barrison Del'Armgo？〃
〃Strong enough that I have no fear of the goddess preferring you to me；〃 Molvayas spat back。 〃I just don't see the point of your scheme。 Lolth will speak when she wishes； not when we desire it。〃
〃It's not a waste of time if it's keeping you alive。 I could have had my loyal followers kill you the moment they entered the chamber。 Instead； I'm pronotposing an honest inquiry into your concerns； for the sake of all the temple。 Under the circumstances； what could be more magnanimous than that？〃
〃All right；〃 Molvayas said。 〃We'll remain for a time； but if nothing hapnotpens； my rades and I go free。 You can't chastise us if the results of the test are inconclusive。 That wouldn't be an honest inquiry。〃
〃Agreed；〃 the mistress said。
Drisinil was bewildered and appalled。 This strange； passive procedure sounded as if it could take hours。 She needed the antidote before her thunnotdering heart tore itself apart； but she could do nothing to speed things along。
Though plainly just as puzzled as she； the pany obediently fell quiet。 Meditation was a familiar practice to all of them； though frustrating and futile since Lolth had receded beyond their ken。
For what s