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e can hold out for several days； but the outpost will fall when the duergar bring up their siege engines； or employ the right sort of magic。〃
〃It should not surprise me to learn that this duergar onslaught is little more than a particularly large and aggressive raid；〃 Vadalma of Faen Tlabbar said。 〃I am sure Matron Dyrr has reported what her males believe to be the case； but perhaps the matter should be investigated before we react in blind panic。 A simple confirmation of the report； at the least。 After we have properly assessed the scope of the threat； the Council can deliberate over the best means to address it。〃
〃Under most circumstances； our young sister would be wise to suggest a more thorough assessment of the situation；〃 said Yasraena。 She had been well coached。 Nimor lowered his gaze to keep his smile from showing。 〃However； my officers tell me that； if we wish to meet the duergar army outside the city； the place to do it is at the Pillars of Woe； between here and Rhazzt's Dilemma。 A strong army dispatched quickly can hold the pillars against any conceivable assault； but if we delay too long； the duergar will reach it before we do。 We would throw away a very significant advantage of position。 We should； of course； seek confirmation of the report with all due haste； but while we're investigating； our soldiers should be marching。〃
〃Shouldn't we simply stand on the defensive here； in the city cavern？〃 asked Mez'Barris Armgo。 〃We can fortify the approaches easily enough； and the duergar army would have a difficult time surrounding the city in its entirety while the threat of our own intact army remains within。〃
〃If we allow the gray dwarves to infest the city；〃 one of the other matron mothers said； 〃we shall surely see illithid； aboleth； and humanoid armies at our doorstep in no time at all。 We have many enemies。 Look at what happened to Ched Nasad。〃
The eight high priestesses exchanged somber looks。
〃Clearly； the Council must reach some decisions quickly；〃 Triel Baenre said； breaking her thoughtful silence。 〃We don't have much time if we wish to meet the duergar outside the city； so I will order half of Baenre's troops to make ready to march。 I advise the rest of you to do the same。 If we decide to stand on the defensive in the city cavern； we can have our soldiers stand down； but if we decide to march； we will want to be able to inarch soon。〃
〃I favor a vigorous and aggressive defense of the city；〃 said Yasraena Dyrr。 〃Hard exertion now may serve to deter further attacks later。 I will order half the strength of House Dyrr to make ready at once。〃 She studied the other matrons carefully and added； 〃Provided； of course； that some other Houses agree to shoulder a share of the risk and assist us。 Either we all make the same mitment； or none。〃
〃House Baenre guarantees Agrach Dyrr until the return of the expedition；〃 Triel said briskly。
Nimor nodded to himself。 He'd expected that the leader of Menzoberranzan's strongest House would choose to lead by example in this instance。 Among other things； it deflected any predatory designs of the other Houses into an external activity； where the Baenre could be seen to be taking strong and decisive action to secure the city。 Triel was badly in need of such measures。
She looked up at the various guards； advisors； and guests in the council chamber and said； 〃The matron mothers must discuss how best to meet this treacherous attack in private。 Leave us。〃
〃Captain Zhayemd；〃 Yasraena Dyrr said； 〃I would like it if you took mand of the Agrach Dyrr contingent and began your preparations at once。 I know you have fought your way through great peril already today； but you have intimate knowledge of the field of battle； and I have the utmost confidence in you。〃
〃I will serve to the best of my abilities；〃 Nimor said。 〃With the goddess's aid； I will scour our city's foes from our territory。〃
He offered another deep bow to the matron mothers； and quietly withdrew。
The forest sounds abruptly returned； signaling the end of the spell of silence。 Wind sighed in the treetops； a small brook ran somewhere nearby； and tiny rustles and scuttling sounds whispered in the darkness as the small creatures of the woods…or larger ones who knew how to be stealthy…moved about nearby。 Halisstra listened for a long time； hoping to hear some sort of positive evidence that the surface dwellers had gone or that her rades battled on somewhere nearby； but no ringing swords or thunderous spells split the night。 She heard nothing as convenient as an enemy conversation to help her decide if her foes had left； or were instead crouched silently outside the darkness； waiting for her to emerge。 Halisstra could be quite patient when it suited her； and she was not unused to hardship and danger； but the sheer nervous tension of stretching out to identify and categorize every tiny sound that came to her ears soon left beads of sweat trickling down her face。
If Quenthel and the others were nearby； I would hear it； she decided。 The fight must have carried them far ahead by now。
Her heart pounded at the thought of being lost in the endless woods alone； a reviled enemy to any creature who walked the surface world。
Better to die trying to rejoin the others； Halisstra decided。 At least I know where they're going； if I can manage to keep my course。
First； she needed to escape from the darkness that sheltered her。 She did not choose to dismiss the magical gloom； deciding to leave it to continue until it failed in an hour or two。 There was a small chance that her enemies might be waiting quietly outside for the darkness to fail before moving in。 Halisstra groped in her belt pouch and withdrew a slender ivory wand。 She felt very carefully to determine if it was the wand she needed； and when she was convinced that she had the right one； she tapped it against her chest and whispered a word。
Though there was no way for her to verify it； sitting on the forest floor in the magical darkness； the wand's magic had made her invisible。 She stood as quietly as she could； cringing at every soft rustle or clink of her mail