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tle regard for even the most exalted officers of your splendid city； when of course； nothing could be farther from the truth。〃
〃You honor me。 Yet considering what's at stake…〃
〃Nothing is more important than your safety。 Anything could happen if you attempt to traverse the tunnels at this unsettled time。 You might not even make it out of Bauthwaf。 Why； one of Menzoberranzan's own patrols； weary from too much duty； imagining a dwarf crouched behind every stalagmite； might mistake your band for a hostile force and loose a volley of poison darts at you。 You might die an agonizing death at the hands of your own friends； in which case I would never forgive myself。〃
A chill crept up Faeryl's spine； because she understood what Triel had really said。 The matron mother had just forbidden her to leave the city； on pain of death。
But why？ What accounted for Matron Baenre's sudden hostility？ Faeryl had no idea until she happened to glance up at the draegloth's face。 Somenothow the half…fiend's leer suggested an explanation。
Triel had decided Faeryl was less diplomat than spy； an agent for some power inimical to Menzoberranzan； who'd concocted this business of missnoting traders to provide herself with a good excuse to leave the city and report to her superiors。
Matron Baenre couldn't allow it； couldn't permit a spy to pass along the tale of Menzoberranzan's newfound weakness。 She didn't dare； because it was entirely possible that not all dark elf enclaves had suffered the same calamity； and even if they had； perhaps the dwarves； duergar； deep gnomes； and illithids had not。
What remained unclear was why Triel believed as she did。 Who had put the idea in her head； and what did that person have to gain by holding Faeryl in the city？
Jaw tight； the emissary stifled the impulse to confront Triel about the latter's true concerns。 She knew she wouldn't be able to draw the Baenre into an genuine consideration of the allegations against her。 Taking a manotlicious pleasure in the play…acting； Triel would simply feign shock that Faeryl doubted her trust and good will。
Indeed； if Faeryl wanted to avoid further humiliation； all she could do was go along with the pretense。
She smiled and said； 〃As I said before； Matron Mother； your concern honors me； and I will of course obey you。 I'll remain in the City of Spinotders and savor its many delights。〃
〃Good；〃 said Triel； and Faeryl imagined the words that remained unnotspoken： We'll know where to find you when it's time for your arrest。
〃May I have your permission to withdraw？ I see there are many others seeking the benefit of your wisdom。〃
〃Go； with my blessing。〃
Faeryl offered her obeisance； exited the hall； and walked through the great mound that was the Baenre citadel until she found herself alone and unobserved in a short connecting passageway。 She took the rolled maps of the Underdark； the charts she had imagined that she and Triel might connotsult together； from beneath her arm。 Teeth bared in a snarl； she smashed them repeatedly against the wall until the stiff parchment cylinder flopped limp and battered in her hands。