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's regard。 Why not 。 。 。 everynotone knows Triel is out of her depth。 Perhaps it's time at last for House Baenre to honor the universal law。 If so； wouldn't it be glorious to notmence the decline in their fortunes here； now； this very minute in this very room？〃
〃Yes；〃 T'risstree declared。
Surprised； Drisinil turned to face her。 〃You agree？〃
Setting her razor…edged falchion aside； T'risstree rose and said； 〃I was dubious； but you convinced me。〃 For an instant； she grinned。 〃I don't like Quenthel anyway。 So yes； we'll usher her into her tomb； regain the godnotdess's approval； and run the academy as we please。〃
She extended her hands。 Drisinil smiled and clasped them despite the twin shooting pains the pressure produced； then she turned to the other females and said； 〃What about the rest of you？ Are you with us？〃
They tendered a ragged chorus of assent。 She guessed that those who doubted she had hit on the way to propitiate Lolth were nonetheless eager to move up in the temple hierarchy； or at least disliked Quenthel。 Maybe they were simply indulging the innate dark elf taste for bloodshed and benottrayal。
Drisinil herself truly did believe she'd contrived the proper metaphysinotcal remedy for their woes but deep down； she was even more excited at the prospect of avenging herself on her torturer。 How could it be otherwise？ For the rest of her life； her self…mutilated hands would announce to any who looked that someone had once defeated and humiliated her。
〃I thank you；〃 she said to the other clerics。 〃Now； let's put our heads tonotgether。 We have much to plan and only a little time before others will start to miss us。〃
And plan they did； whispering； bickering； occasionally grinning at some particularly inventive and vicious suggestion。 Drisinil knew that some if not all of the scheming would e to nothing…it was too connottingent on Quenthel's doing precisely what the plotters wanted exactly when and where they wanted it done…but the effort served to cement their mitment to the conspiracy and to limn at least the bare bones of a strategy。
Finally it was done。 The priestesses started to slip out the way they'd e； one and two at a time。 The more restless stood in a clump around the exit； awaiting their turns。 T'risstree was among them。
Drisinil crossed the floor in as relaxed and casual a manner as she could affect。 She didn't want someone to realize her intent； and； surprised； react in some audible way。
No one did。 All dark elves were actors in that they were liars； and pernothaps she was a better dissembler than most。 She sauntered within arm's reach of T'risstree； took hold of the dirk concealed inside her long； fringed shawl； and drove the blade into the high priestess's spine。 This time； for whatever reason； the stumps of her severed pinkies didn't hurt a bit。 T'risstree's back arched in a spasm of agony； and； to Drisinil's surprise； her teacher tried to flounder around to face her。 Her arm shaking； T'ris…stree lifted the falchion。
Drisinil turned along with the high priestess； keeping behind her。 She grabbed hold of T'risstree's hair； jerked her head back； and sliced open her throat。 The instructor collapsed。 The sword slipped from her fingers and clanked on the floor。
The onlookers gawked。
〃T'risstree T'orgh meant to betray us；〃 Drisinil said。 〃I saw it in her eyes when I took her hands。 We can leave the carcass here for the time being。 With luck； no one will discover it until after Quenthel's death。〃
Either the other conspirators believed her explanation； or； more likely； didn't care that she'd murdered the teacher。 A few congratulated her on her fine