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〃The food's safe？〃 she asked。
Quenthel snorted。 〃Do you think we're stupid？ Of course we checked it。 The innkeeper sent us a cask of drugged wine the first time around； but we plained to the management〃…Jeggred looked up and smiled with a mouthful of fangs at that； and Halisstra guessed she knew what form that plaint had taken…〃so the banquet is plimentary。 Enjoy。〃
Halisstra performed her own examination of the table anyway； relying on a magic ring she wore for just that purpose。 Poisons were too monplace among highborn drow to take any meal for granted。 Satisfied； she helped herself and sat down by the table。 Danifae took some food as well； and took a place； reclining on a low lounge near Quenthel。
〃I see the wizard has not yet returned。 Have you had any luck？〃 Halisstra asked Valas as she ate。
The scout sat cross…legged beside the door； his knife belt loosened but still around his narrow hips。 He sipped at a mug of mulled wine； and chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread。
〃After a fashion；〃 he said。 〃The weapons master and I encountered no overt hostility； but we didn't get as far as I would have liked； despite our efforts to impress upon the duergar the importance of time。〃 He jingled the pouch of coins at his belt。 〃I don't know if this is a sign that something unusual is happening； but Coalhewer didn't like it。〃
〃Where is the dwarf？〃 asked Danifae。
〃He wanted to see if he could obtain a writ through other channels。〃
〃You trust him to do that？〃
〃Not entirely； but it's something we could not easily do ourselves。〃 The scout grimaced and said； 〃It's one thing to deal with the duergar clans in a reasonably forthright fashion。 If I was caught looking into forging our passes； I would look very much like a spy； wouldn't I？ And so would all of you； by association。〃
〃Real spies would approach Gracklstugh in much the same manner we have；〃 Ryld said from one corner； where Splitter leaned against the wall； within easy reach。
〃True； but remember that Coalhewer is something of a smuggler himself。 He's hardly anxious to bring us to the attention of the crown prince；〃 Valas replied。 〃Still； the weapons master and I settled for replenishing our provisions； so we're ready to leave whenever Coalhewer obtains our pass。〃
〃It seems we've done all we can for now；〃 Halisstra observed。 〃I； for one； am tired of blinding deserts； soul…bleaching shadowlands； and bare cavern floors。 If we're soon to return to the bleak and fortless wilds； I'll enjoy what civilization I can。〃
Halisstra held up her cup for Danifae to fill。 The battle captive rose sinuously and refilled her mistress's goblet。
〃Drink if you like； but don't let your wits bee too sodden；〃 Quenthel warned from her couch。 〃We're hardly among friends in this filthy city。〃
〃When are any of us truly among friends？〃 Ryld asked with a snort。
Halisstra laughed softly and said； 〃Indeed； Ryld； but tonight we can rest in fort； confident in the knowledge that we none of us trust each other and that not too far away lurk grim enemies who would destroy us if they could。 Would we have it any other way？〃
Danifae carried the ewer to Quenthel。 Ignoring the subtle writhing of the priestess's serpent whip； she lowered her eyes and leaned forward to refill the high priestess's cup。
〃We must seize what pleasures we can when the opportunity arises；〃 Danifae added。 〃Is that not the purpose of power？〃
Halisstra sipped her wine and watched the scene。 Danifae had neglected to don an arming…coat beneath her mail； as she had found the black mithral shirt without its leather padding。 Of course； Halisstra had already offered Danifae a spare coat of her own； and she had no doubt that in the morning Danifae would accept it。 In the meantime； the girl's perfect dark skin gleamed through the metal mesh； and her full； round breasts swayed enticingly beneath the steel as she stooped to pour Quenthel's wine。 The males in the room could not take their eyes from her； try as they might。 Even Jeggred； four…armed hulking beast that he was； seemed entranced by the girl's grace and beauty。 Valas frowned and busied himself with oiling his kukris； obviously sensing the peril of the moment and recoiling with his usual caution。 Ryld； on the other hand。 。 。 。
Ryld was looking at her。 Halisstra carefully kept the surprise from her face as she met the weapons master's gaze。 Their eyes locked。 His expression seemed avid； intense； and Halisstra knew that Danifae's posturing could not have escaped his notice； but instead of gaping at the girl in her armor of metal mesh； the weapons master turned that gaze on her。
Ryld offered a slight smile and made a soft gesture with his hand： An interesting play。
I do not follow your meaning； Halisstra replied； though she could see easily enough that the weapons master knew perfectly well that she did。
She returned her attention to Danifae as the girl kneeled close beside Quenthel； sipping her own wine。 The pany grew quiet； and Ryld pulled out his traveling sava set to play a game against Valas while the others contented themselves with savoring a moment's respite from danger。
Pharaun returned eventually； a handful of scrolls tucked under one arm。 He retired to his chamber after a couple of halfhearted jibes at the weapons master to break his concentration。 Ryld won anyway； though the Bregan D'aerthe scout gave a good account of himself。
〃It has been a long day；〃 Quenthel said。 〃I shall retire to my chambers。 Jeggred； Valas； split the watch tonight。 Two others will watch tomorrow。〃
She stood and stretched； and turned her eyes on Danifae before gliding out of the room。
〃I think I'll do the same；〃 Danifae said。
The battle captive glanced at Halisstra； offered a coy smile； and went quickly after Quenthel。 Ryld put away his sava board and headed up to his room； while Valas and Jeggred tossed a coin for first watch。 Halisstra stood； gathered her piwafwi around her； and went up to her own room。 She paused briefly by Quenthel's door and listened； just long enough to hear what might have been a soft gasp or a rustle of