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never one of the plotters tried to grope her way into their safe space； a loyalist would knock her back with a casual swat from a mace or whip。 Some even shot down with hand crossnotbows any conspirator who attempted to stagger for the door。
Drisinil did remain at Quenthel's side； and the spiders crawled over her feet but otherwise took no notice of her。 They didn't avoid the Baenre； however。 They climbed all over her body without biting； and； laughing； she stooped； picked up more； and poured them over her head until the creatures virtually encrusted her。 Her bright red eyes shone from a pebbled； squirming mask。
Finally the shrieking stopped； uncovering the sound of Vlondril ecstatnotically chanting one of the litanies as the spiders destroyed her。 After annotother moment； that noise ceased as well。 Drisinil noticed her aunt's corpse slumped among the carnage； though she only recognized it by the jade gown。 Molvayas's face was swollen and bloodied beyond recognition。
Quenthel gazed up at the living and called； 〃We asked Lolth for a sign； and she gave us one。 My foes are dead and I remain； robed in the goddess's sacred spiders。 I am the Mistress of Arach…Tinilith； and my minions will question my leadership no more or else die in agony for their effrontery。〃
The surviving priestesses and novices hastily paid her obeisance。
〃Good；〃 the Baenre said。 〃You are wise； and so I make you a vow。 We will put an end to these nightly attacks。 We will regain our magic。 We will hear Lolth's voice again。 We will make our order and our temple greater than ever before。 Now； clear away this mess。〃
The spiders began to disappear； from the room and Quenthel's person as well。 Drisinil couldn't quite tell if they were simply scuttling away or teleporting out。
〃I did it；〃 the student said。 〃I brought the traitors together for you。 Now； please give me the antidote。〃
Quenthel smiled and said； 〃There is none。〃
〃What？〃
〃I didn't poison you。 The liquid was simply a stimulant to bat drowsinotness。 I gave you enough to make the effect alarming； but it'll wear off。〃
〃You're lying！ Playing with me！〃
〃I would have administered a slow poison had I been carrying one； but as I was not； I had to improvise。〃
Drisinil felt a surge of bitter humiliation and a need to demonstrate she wasn't entirely a fool。
〃Well；〃 she blurted； 〃then； you've tricked everyone all the way around。 I know Lolth didn't control those spiders。 You did。 You read a scroll or used some sort of charm before you entered the room。〃
〃If so； does it matter？〃 A yellow arachnid crawled out of Quenthel's snowy hair and onto her shoulder。 She paid it no mind。 〃Lolth teaches that the cunning and strong must master the foolish and weak。 However you look at it； this oute is in accordance with her will。 Now； let's talk about your future。〃
Drisinil swallowed。 〃You promised to spare me。〃
〃I did； didn't I？〃 a smiling Quenthel replied。 〃Unlike some； we Baenre generally keep our word。 A reputation for fair dealing facilitates certain transactions。 However； I never promised not to punish you。〃
〃I understand。 Of course I'll take a flogging or whatever you think appropriate。〃
〃That's quite agreeable of you。 How about this； then？ We'll nip off the other eight fingers and cut out your tongue as well。〃
For a moment； Drisinil thought she hadn't heard correctly。
〃Now you're joking。〃
〃Oh； no。 I firmly believe you engineered the plot against me； and I intend to make sure you don't get up to any more mischief。 Ever。 If you can't municate； work magic； or grip a weapon； that should take care of it。 Obviously； it won't be possible for you to cont