«Do you have any mote magic secreted away that I should know about? Believe me, I will know if you do.»
Drisinil's daughter sighed and nodded. She produced an additional wand and handed it over.
«You cannot use that, though,» Halisstra mumbled. «It's arcane in nature. I also. . dabble in that sort of magic.»
«I see. Well, if it becomes necessary, you might get it back when you've proven your worth. Until then, I keep them both.»
The high priestess turned and strolled a few feet away, completely ignoring the drow female who stared daggers at her back.
«Halisstra,» Pharaun said, trying to change the subject and hoping to show Quenthel that the priestess was useful at the same time, «both you and Danifae seemed to know where these giant spiders came from. What can you tell us?»
«They're guardian spiders,» the dark elf answered, her voice thick with anger, «summoned only in times of great need. Those two were so small. . the matron mothers who conjured them must have had a rather minor one stored away.»
«You mean they get bigger than that?» Valas asked incredulously.
«Certainly,» Halisstra replied, warming to the subject. «How do you think the webs of the city first appeared here? Upon arriving in the cavern, the first high priestesses, along with their wizard counterparts, summoned spiders of immense size to spin the webs upon which the city would rest. It was with Lolth's blessing that these sacred creatures came to us, and they were magically stored, transformed into crystalline statues. From time to time they are brought forth again to repair sections of the city or to defend the chamber. Normally, though, they're controlled through a mental link to do our bidding and to gate in more of their kind only when we command it. I don't know exactly how. That is a secret reserved for the matron mothers.»
«Blessed Dark Mother,» Ryld said. «Do you think the other one will bring more?»
«I don't know,» the priestess replied. «I hope not.»
«Look,» Pharaun said, glancing ahead, where the spider could still be seen scuttling along the web street.
A force of gray dwarves were on a pathway above it, peering over the side at the spider below them. A number of them had begun throwing more of the damnable firepots at the creature. As the little incendiary devices struck the arachnid, they burst into flame, and the colossal spider reared up as it began to burn, looking to eliminate the source of the pain.
More of the clay pots were cast down, several of them striking the spider on the head and abdomen. Rising up on its hind legs, the spider attempted to reach the duergar, but they were too high overhead. The spider spun in place, turning its back on its attackers, and fired a thick stream of fluid in their direction.
«Webbing,» Pharaun noted aloud, impressed.
The stream of webbing sailed accurately, attaching to the underside of the web street, hardening as it did so. The spider turned and began to scamper up the strand of sticky filament, pursuing the gray dwarves, who were desperately clambering to get out of the way.
«The fools,» Ryld said. «They just managed to get its attention focused on them. Fortunate for us, though.»
«Enough,» Quenthel said. «We still need to get our belongings from the inn and leave this wretched city.»
Pharaun turned to gaze at the high priestess, knowing full well that his expression was one of dumbfounded amazement.
«You can't be serious! Look around,» he said, gesturing out toward other parts of the city, where the distant glows of more and more fires were visible through the ever-thickening smoke. «The whole city is in turmoil.
«Use your ears,» he continued, gesturing in a different direction, where the screams of the fighting and dying echoed off the walls of the huge cavern. «We're running out of time. I'm sure the whole city is choosing sides and taking the battle to the streets, and yet you want to tempt fate by trying to go after more of your trinkets? I think—»
«Listen to me, boy» Quenthel spat, her face livid. «We just went through this with your warrior friend. You will do as I say, or you will be left here to die. If you've forgotten who I am, allow me to remind you that I am High Priestess Quenthel Baenre, Mistress of Arach-Tinilith, Mistress of the Academy, Mistress of Tier Breche, First Sister of House Baenre of Menzoberranzan, and I will no longer tolerate your snide remarks and your haughty insubordination. Do you understand?»
As if to back up her words, Jeggred stepped forward and with a menacing growl took hold of the collar of Pharaun's piwafwi, bunching it up in his clawed fist.
The wizard glanced over to Ryld, who still looked weakened from his fight with the spider. Nonetheless, he had his hand on the hilt of Splitter and was stepping forward, ready to come between the drae-gloth and the mage. But Pharaun could tell by the warriors expression that he was trying to determine just how badly he really wanted to choose sides at this juncture.
Jeggred whipped his head around and snarled, «Don't even think about it, weapons master. I will tear out your stomach and feast upon it if you interfere.»
Ryld's expression tightened as he took offense at the draegloth's threats, but Pharaun gave a quick, subtle shake of his head to warn the warrior off.
«Mistress Quenthel, since you are so passionate about recovering your valuables,» Pharaun said, trying to make his voice sound jovial, «then let's make haste, before the opportunity is wasted.»
Quenthel smiled, obviously pleased at having successfully asserted herself and regained the upper hand.
«I knew you would appreciate the importance of my decision,» she replied, turning away.
«So, wizard, how do you propose we cross over to the Flame and Serpent?» she asked, appraising the devastation alongside Pharaun. «What magic do you still have up your sleeve that can get us there quickly and safely?»
«None, Mistress Baenre,» Pharaun replied in all seriousness. «I have consumed over half of my magic for the day, and I'm not even certain how we'll get out of the city.»
«That's not good enough, Mizzrym.»
«I have a counter-suggestion,» the mage said, pursing his lips. «Let me go get the goods while you and the rest of the group wait here and rest. It's out of the way, fairly easily defended, and I can find you again when I come back. I have a spell to get me to the inn and back quickly, I just can't take all of you with me.»
Quenthel scowled, thinking, and Pharaun wondered if, as often as she frowned so severely, the high priestess even realized she was making such a face.
«Very well,» Quenthel said at last, nodding. «Do not dawdle.»
«Oh, I don't intend to. The less chance there is of large chunks of this doomed city falling atop me, the better off I'll feel.»
Quenthel turned and explained the plan to the rest of the group. Everyone nodded in agreement, ready for a respite.
Ryld pulled Pharaun aside and asked, «You are coming back, aren't you?»
Pharaun cocked an eyebrow and replied, «Besides having a fondness for you, my brooding weapons master, I still truly desire to get to the bottom of this mystery. My chances are better with you all than without.»
Ryld looked at him for a long time before nodding.
«Be careful,» he said, turning to find a seat against a wall of the alley, his crossbow out.
«How do you intend to cross the city?» Halisstra asked.
Her face was drawn and tired. Still, her eyes glittered red, as with some new determination.
«I have a spell of flying that I can use to get there and back again fairly quickly,» Pharaun answered. «Unfortunately, I would be much better off if I were not visible, but I have already played that particular trick today.»
«Maybe I can help,» the daughter of what once was House Melarn said. «Mistress Quenthel, that wand you just confiscated from me would serve us well, with your approval.»
«What is it?» the high priestess asked, seemingly pleased by the deference shown her.
«A spell that will render him invisible, even should he attack a foe,» Halisstra replied. «I assure you, it will not harm him.»
Quenthel scowled and looked at Pharaun for some sort of confirmation. The wizard nodded. He still believed the two females newly added to the group were trustworthy, and they certainly wouldn't be in much of a position to turn on the rest of them now.
«Very well,» Quenthel said.
She produced the wand and passed it back to the other female. Halisstra took it, offering her thanks to the high priestess. She targeted her wand at Pharaun.
«Wait,» the wizard said.
He produced a feather from inside his piwafwi. Using the feather as part of the casting, he enchanted himself with the ability to fly.
Tucking the feather back into its customary pocket, he turned to the priestess and said, «All right, go ahead. It's always easier to cast when you can see your own hands.»
She smiled faintly and nodded, then summoned the magical energy from the wand. In but a moment, Pharaun was totally invisible. Halisstra offered the wand back to Quenthel.