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ce。 I have not entirely lost touch with my… our interests in Ched Nasad； though their explanations and excuses do wear thin。〃
〃Of course； Matron；〃 Gromph said quickly。 〃I quite understand。 I have the same problem with my own retainers； and I only have Menzoberran…zan's wizards to oversee； not an entire city。〃
〃Why would Waerva lie？〃
〃I don't know； but I've had some dealings with Faeryl Zauvirr。 She never struck me as stupid enough to cross the Baenre。 Waerva； on the other hand； is reckless and discontented enough for any game。 Accordingly； I think it might be worthwhile to inquire into this matter ourselves。〃
Triel hesitated before saying； 〃That could prove difficult。 Despite my orders； the Zauvirr tried to flee Menzoberranzan。 I hired some agents of Bregan D'aerthe； led by Valas Hune…do you know him？〃
〃I've heard the name mentioned；〃 Gromph replied。
〃He would make a fair addition to your little band of explorers；〃 Triel said。 〃He's known to be more than passingly familiar with the wilds of the Underdark…a guide of some acplishment； in fact。〃
Gromph bowed his agreement。
〃Be that as it may； it was Valas Hune I hired to fetch Faeryl back。 He pleted his task well； and I gave the ambassador to Jeggred。〃
The wizard rounded on the draegloth。
〃What's the prisoner's condition？〃 he asked the creature。 〃Is she alive？〃
〃Yes；〃 said Jeggred through a mouthful of bloody meat。 〃I was taking my time； to prove I can。 But you can't have her。 Mother gave her to me。 She just told you。〃
Gromph stared up into the half…demon's eyes。
〃Nephew；〃 he said； 〃I'm sore； frustrated； and in a foul mood generally。 Right now I don't give a leaky sack of rat droppings whether you're a sacred being or not。 Show some respect； lead me to this prisoner forthwith； or I'll blight you where you sit。〃
Clutching the rothe bone like a club； Jeggred sprang upward from his seat。
Triel said； 〃Do as the archmage bade you。 I wish it as well。〃
The draegloth lowered his makeshift weapon。
〃Yes； Mother；〃 he sighed。
C h a p t e r
T W E N T Y
F I V E
Her pack weighting her shoulders； her heart pounding； Waerva turned and peered about。 The cave stretched out before her and behind； with stalacnottites stabbing down from the ceiling and stalagmites jutting up from the uneven floor。 Nothing moved。
What； then； had she heard？ As if in response to her unspoken question； a drop of falling water plopped somewhere in the passages ahead。 It was one of the most mon sounds of the Underdark； and scarcely a harnotbinger of peril。
Waerva wiped sweat from her brow and scowled at her own jumpiness。 She had good reason to be edgy； though。 Everyone said it was suicide to travel the subterranean wilderness alone。
Sadly； thanks to the cursed goblin rebellion； she had little choice。 Benotcause of the desperate fighting all across the city； the clergy's incapacity was no great secret anymore。 Certainly Gromph had discerned it； which meant Triel no longer had anything to hide from him。 Surely； then； she would seek his counsel once more。
Waerva had been