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ged。 〃I have a solution。〃
〃What do you mean？〃
〃Resign from Melee…Magthere and bee the weapons master of a noble House。 It will have to be one of the lesser ones； of course； you being a moner； but that's all right。 You may see more excitement that way。〃
〃Why would I do that？ It's not a move up。 It might not be a loss of rank； depending on the House； but still； what would be the point？〃
〃You're bored； and it would be a change。〃
〃One that would put me under the thumb of any number of high priestesses。 I'd have less autonomy than I do as an instructor。〃
〃I managed to pursue my own objectives while under my mother's sunotpervision。 Still； you make a legitimate point。 You might find yourself abnothorring the tug of the reins。 What's the answer； then？〃
〃Who says there is one？ Except； perhaps； further lunatic holidays with you。 I admit； this one broke the tedium。〃
A diminutive female gnome carried a pile of freshly laundered and folded towels out of a doorway on the far wall。 Ryld wondered if she was one of the Prophet's followers； and if she had any of the rabble…rouser's duergar firepots stashed somewhere in the bathhouse。 It felt strange to think of a humble undercreature that way…wielding stone…burning bombs against its betters。
〃You speak of our errand in the past tense；〃 the wizard said。
〃Well； once you tell the Archmage the runaways are in the Braeryn fonotmenting a pitiful little goblin uprising； it'll be over； won't it？ Gromph will pardon your transgressions。 The Council； having failed to stop our innotquiries； will； I trust； see no point in continuing to try to kill us。 It'll be more to their advantage to let us go on training wizards and soldiers to serve them。〃
〃You're very certain the insurrection will be pitiful。 Is it because Greyanna's followers exterminated so many undercreatures last night？〃
Ryld scooped up a handful of hot water and splashed it on his neck； which had gotten a little stiff from his exertions。
〃No；〃 he said。 〃The hunters killed plenty of goblins； but they were only a fraction of a fraction of the creatures jammed into every nook and cranny of the district…you saw the interior of Smylla's home。 Trust me； you still don't really understand。〃
〃I understand that many other such specimens inhabit the rest of the city as well。 Why； then； do you doubt their ability to do some appreciable damage？ It can't be for want of spirit。 The under folk are in an excellent humor； enflamed by their Prophet's oratory； painting their racial emblems hither and yon； and murdering potential informers and unbelievers。〃
〃They still lack martial training and proper weapons。〃
〃Some were warriors before the slavers captured them。 Some are thrall soldiers still。 As for the arms； well； when visiting the World Above； did you ever see a city burn？ I did。 I had to torch one myself to plete a misnotsion。 The destruction and loss of life were impressive； even though the innothabitants knew their buildings could catch fire and had procedures for dealing with it。〃
〃Whereas we don't？ Surely you wizards 。 。 。 ？〃
Pharaun shrugged。 〃Not really。 Why would it occur to us？ Perhaps we could improvise something； but if we didn't catch the conflagration early； it might not be entirely effective。〃
〃But you would catch it early。 The undercreatures won't rebel all at once； and that will make it possible to quash each little uprising as it begins。〃
〃You're assuming 'the Call；' whatever it is； will pass by word of mouth； or at any rate； that it won't be disseminated rapidly。 You could be right。 The noise baffles may hinder it； but what if the Prophet has some arcane means of r