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nd their wares； unsuccessfully if they relied on goblin underlings for assistance。
Pharaun skirted the edge of the Bazaar； witnessing scenes of carnage as he skulked along。 Laughing； a goblin flogged his master's corpse with a scourge。 A bugbear used her manacles to strangle a merchant。 Trapped in a blazing stone pen； riding lizards hissed and scuttled back and forth in fear。
The first stall Pharaun had hoped to find intact was burning merrily； and the second was crawling with gnolls； growling； whining； and barking as they pawed through the vendor's goods。 The Master of Sorcere knew of only one more possibility on the perimeter of the Bazaar。 Should that one be lost to him as well； he would either have to venture deeper into the burning； ore…infested maze of stalls or conceive another plan。
Warty； bearded ogres overturned a twelve…wheeled wagon； dumping out the dark elves who'd been making a stand inside。 A walking mushroom； taller than any of the brutes； and； with its slender； fluted stem； far more graceful； swung wide to avoid the little massacre。
Pharaun slipped around the slaughter as well。 A few more strides brought him to a scene that； after the carnage he'd just witnessed； seemed almost unreal。 The westernmost portion of the marketplace was quiet。 Some of the merchants had armed themselves and taken up positions outnotside their tents and kiosks； but they seemed calm and unafraid。
Over the course of an adventurous life； Pharaun had witnessed the same phenomenon before。 Under the proper circumstances； it was possible for folk to remain essentially oblivious to a pitched battle raging just a few yards away。
The wizard ran on。 Ahead； a luminous green circle scribed on the ground surrounded a modious stall built of hardened fungus。 A heavyset male stood in the doorway with an arbalest in his hand and a toad； his familiar； squatting on his shoulder。 He wore a nightshirt； and his feet were bare。 The merchant scowled when he spotted Pharaun。
〃Stay back；〃 he said； his throaty voice even deeper than Ryld's。
Pharaun halted； took a breath； and wound up coughing； thanks to the smoke fouling the air。
〃My dear master Blundyth； is that any way to greet a faithful cusnottomer？〃
〃It's the way to greet the madman who attacked a patrol only yesterday。〃
That was right； Pharaun thought； it had been only yesterday。 So much had happened since； it felt like a year。
〃My past indiscretions no longer matter；〃 the Mizzrym said。 〃Do you have any notion what's going on？〃
〃You mean the smoke and motion over yonder？〃 Blundyth nodded to the east。 〃I guess a merchant's eliminating the petition。 It's nothing to do with me； though I'm ready if trouble spills this way。〃
〃Would that were true；〃 said Pharaun。 〃Alas； none of us is truly ready for tonight。 Have you glanced up over the roof of your shop？〃
He pointed to the orange light presently flickering in the east。
〃The nobles are up to something；〃 Blundyth said。 〃Maybe some of the Houses have joined forces to wipe out a mon rival。 Again； it's nothing to do with me。〃
〃You're mistaken。 All across the city； the undercreatures are rebelling。〃
Blundyth snorted； 〃You are mad。〃
〃Don't you or your neighbors own thralls？〃
〃Of course。 They're off somewhere。〃
〃Indeed。 Off preparing to cut your throats。〃
〃Just go away； Master Mizzrym。〃 Blundyth shifted his grip on the staff and added； 〃We always got along。 Don't make me hurt you。〃
〃The ores pose a considerable threat。 I know how to oppose it； but I need your help。 I still have credit here； don't I？〃
〃I don't sell to outlaws。 I don't want any trouble with the priestesses。〃
Pharaun look