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de him a decoy and a target； perhaps someday she would make him Archmage of Menzoberranzan。
〃My brother and sister send us both forth because they fear our ambinottions。〃
〃I daresay that's very sensible of them；〃 Pharaun said。 〃Does this mean you undertake our errand reluctantly？〃
〃By no means。 Whatever my siblings' motives； the plan has merit； and I would go anywhere and do anything to restore my bond with Lolth and save Menzoberranzan； it is of course the same thing。〃
In fact； she was eager to distance herself from them until such time as she recovered her magic； provided she could do it without a loss of status； and surprisingly； it seemed she could。 The matter of the demonic assassins had still not been settled； too； and she wondered if her leaving the city would bring her unknown assailant into the open。
She looked her foppish panion up and down。
〃What of you？〃 she asked the wizard。 〃You're brave enough…I've seen the proof…but still； are you eager to march across the Underdark？〃
〃You mean； can an exquisite specimen such as myself bear to dispense with warm； scented baths； succulent meals； and delicate； freshly laundered attire？〃 Pharaun asked with a grin。 〃It will be excruciating； but under the circumstances； I'll manage。 I enjoy unraveling mysteries； particularly when I suspect I might enhance my personal power thereby。〃
〃Perhaps you will；〃 Quenthel said； 〃but I remend you keep your hands off any prize your leader covets for herself。〃
〃Of course； Mistress； of course。〃
The Master of Sorcere bowed low。
Pharaun cast a spell； then slipped through the closed door like a ghost。 On the other side was a drab； stale…smelling little room。 Wrapped in a blanket like an invalid； her scarred face a mask of bitterness； Greyanna sat in the only chair。
For an instant； she stared at him stupidly； then started to throw off the cover； presumably with the intent of jumping up。 He lifted his hands as if to cast a spell； and the threat froze her in place。
〃What a dreary habitation；〃 he said。 〃It was Sabal's； wasn't it； when her fortunes were at their nadir。 Mother has a good memory and a charming sense of irony as well。〃
〃And she'll kill you； outcast； for breaking into the castle。〃
〃I always assumed so。 That's one reason I never paid you a visit hitherto。 But our circumstances have changed。 The Council needs me to help denottermine what's bee of the Spider Queen； and you； dear sib； are no longer a person of any importance。 As Miz'ri's demoted you for your renotpeated failures to kill me； I doubt she'll make an issue of your extinction； even if she's certain I'm responsible。 She smiled at me this afternoon when I saw her in House Baenre； can you believe it？ She must have decided she'd like me to resign from Sorcere and rejoin the family someday。 Evidently she's just realizing how powerful I've bee in the decades since you chased me out the door。〃
〃I'm surprised you still want to kill me；〃 Greyanna said。 〃You've already defeated and ruined me。 Death may prove a mercy。〃
〃I considered that； but I'm going on a journey into the unknown； a quest fraught with peril and adve