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courage our efforts。 That was a somewhat disconcerting surprise。 But the rest of it？ Yes。〃
〃How？〃
〃Gromph has invisible glyphs scribed on the walls of his office。 Invisible to most people； anyway。 They protect him in various ways。 One； a black sigil shaped a little like a bat； is supposed to keep servers and spell casters from eavesdropping on his private conversations； but when he and I spoke； it was drawn imperfectly。 It still would have balked many a spy； but not someone with the resources and expertise of oh。 say； his sisters 。。。 or the Council。〃
Ryld frowned。 〃Gromph botched it？〃
〃Of course not；〃 Pharaun snorted。 〃Do you think the Archmage of Menzoberranzan inpetent？ He drew it precisely as he wanted it。 He knew the high priestesses were trying to spy on him…they surely always have and doubtless always will…and he intended them to overhear。〃
〃He was setting you up。〃
〃Now you're getting it。 While the clerics stay busy seeking me； the decoy； my illustrious chief will undertake another； more discreet inquiry undisturbed； by performing divinations and interrogating demons； probnotably。〃
〃You knew； and you undertook the mission anyway。〃
〃Because knowing doesn't change my fundamental circumstances。 If I want to retain my rank and quite possibly my life； I still have to plete the task the archwizard set me； even though he was playing me for a fool； even with Greyanna striving to hinder the process。〃 Pharaun grinned and added； 〃Besides； where did all those runaways go； and why do the greatest folk in Menzoberranzan care？ It's a fascinating puzzle； even more so now that I've inferred a portion of the answer。 Did I leave it unsolved； it would haunt me forevermore。〃
〃You played me for a fool；〃 said Ryld。 〃Granted； you warned me the priestesses might interfere with us； but you greatly understated the danger。 You didn't tell me you were marked before we even descended from Tier Breche。 Why not？ Did you think I'd refuse to acpany you？〃
Most uncharacteristically； the glib wizard hesitated。 Far below the shelf； a whip snapped and a goblin screamed。
〃No；〃 said Pharaun eventually； 〃not really。 I suppose it's just that dark elves are jealous of their secrets。 So are the nobly born。 So are wizards。 And I'm all three！ Will you pardon me？ It isn't as if you've never kept a secret from me。〃
〃When？〃
〃During the first three years of our acquaintance； whenever we fraternotnized； you kept a dagger specially charmed for the killing of mages ever close to your hand。 You suspected I was only seeking your pany benotcause one of your rivals in Melee…Magthere had engaged me to murder you as soon as the opportunity arose。〃
〃How did you discover that？ Never mind； I suppose it was your silver ring。 I didn't know what it was back then。 Anyway； that's not the same kind of secret。〃
〃You're right； it isn't； and I regret my reticence but I do propose to make up for it by sharing the most astonishing confidence you've ever heard。〃
Ryld stared into Pharaun's eyes。 〃I'll pardon you。 With the understandnoting that if you withhold any other pertinent information； I'll knock you over the head and deliver you to your bitch sister myself。〃
〃Point taken。 Shall we sit？〃 Pharaun pointed to a bench hewn from the limestone wall at the back of the ledge。 〃My discourse may take a little time； and I daresay we could use a rest after our exertions。〃
As he turned away from the molded rock rampart； Ryld noticed that the cracking of the whip had stopped。 When he glanced down； two goblins were carrying the corpse of a third； hauling it somewhere to be chopped apart and the pieces turned to some useful purp