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ossibilities。 She didn't want to dwell on the massacre of her followers； either； but the memories kept welling up inside her。
Surrounded and outnumbered； the daughters and sons of Ched Nasad had perished one by one。 As Faeryl watched the slaughter； her eyes ached with the tears she refused to shed。 Naturally； she didn't 〃love〃 her minions； but she was used to them； even fond of a few； and she knew that without a retinue she was nothing； just a fallen priestess in a land of enemies； bereft of goddess and home alike。
Then the small male confronted her and used his magic to confound her and knock her out。 She woke tied to the stone stake。
A door creaked； and voices murmured。 Faeryl's instincts warned her that Triel had e at last。 The ambassador closed her eyes； took a deep breath； and let it out slowly； posing herself。 She wouldn't show fear。 Dignity was all she had left…for a little while longer anyway； until her captors lashed and burned it out of her。
Sure enough； Triel and her draegloth son emerged from the doorway that apparently led to more salubrious precincts of the Great Mound。 The Baenre matron was smiling。 Fangs bared in a grin； Jeggred bounded along on his caprine legs。
The little male rose and offered obeisance。
〃Valas；〃 said Triel。 〃Well done。 Did the Zauvirr give you any trouble？〃
〃They tried to sneak away in disguise；〃 the male replied。 〃It almost fooled the lookout； but once he figured out what was what； everything went as planned。〃
The Baenre proffered a fat pouch that looked too big and heavy for her tiny hand。
〃I'll send word when I need Bregan D'aerthe again；〃 she said。
Valas took the pouch； then bowed low。 He withdrew； and Triel and her monstrous son turned toward the prisoner。
〃Good evening； Matron；〃 Faeryl said； 〃or is it morning now？〃
Fighting hands outstretched； talons at the ready； jaws agape； Jeggred lunged at the prisoner。 Despite herself； Faeryl flinched。 Both the claws and the pointed teeth stopped less than an inch from her flesh。 The draegloth loomed over her； pressing close； almost seeming to embrace her like a lover。 He ran a pointed nail across her cheek； then lifted it to his bestial muzzle。 He sucked； and a bit of warm； viscous drool； mixed； perhaps； with a trace of her blood； dripped onto her forehead。
〃Have a care；〃 the ambassador said with as much nonchalance as she could muster。 〃If your son kills me quickly； won't that spoil the fun？〃
Jeggred made a low； grinding sound。 Faeryl couldn't tell if he was growlnoting or laughing。
Triel said； 〃You underestimate him。 True； I've watched him butcher eight prisoners in as many seconds； but I've also seen him spend days picknoting one little faerie child apart a mote of flesh at a time。 It depends on his humor； and； needless to say； my instructions。〃
〃Of course；〃 Faeryl said。 The shallow gash in her cheek began to sting。 Jeggred traced the edges of her lips with his claw； not quite cutting； not yet。 〃I hope the traitor whelp appreciated the honor。〃
〃It was hard to tell；〃 she said。 〃What about you？ Will you savor it？〃
〃Alas； Exalted Mother；〃 Faeryl said； 〃your daughter c