按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
but what if the Prophet has some arcane means of rousing every goblin and bugbear at the exact same instant？〃
〃Do you know of such a magic？〃
〃No。〃
〃And you're a Master of Sorcere。 So it's reasonable to assume no such power exists。〃
Pharaun arched an eyebrow。 〃Indeed？ Thank you for your expert opinion。〃
Ryld made a spitting sound and said； 〃Look。 You think a rebellion could amount to something。 I disagree； but say you're right。 Isn't that all the more reason to report to Gromph immediately？〃
The wizard waved to a goblin slave who was sauntering by。 〃The diffinotculty is that I have yet to succeed。〃
〃What？〃
〃My assignment is to find the runaways。 I glimpsed two of them for a matter of minutes； then lost them。 Do you think the Baenre will deem that satisfactory？〃
Frowning； Ryld said； 〃Considering that we did uncover something of interest 。。。〃
〃Remember； our great and glorious Archmage doesn't hold me in high esteem。 He sent me out as a decoy； a target for the priestesses to harass。 Knowing him as I do； I'm sure that if 1 fulfill the letter of our agreement； he'll swallow his dislike and keep his end； but should I fall the least bit short； it will be a different matter。〃
〃You can at least tell him the rogues are in the Braeryn。〃
〃Can I？ We sifted through the Stenchstreets as well as any outsiders could。 We didn't find the house where the runaways hang their cloaks； and we actually have only the flimsiest of reasons for assuming it's in the Braeryn at all。〃
〃I suppose you're right。〃
〃Of course。 When am I not？ Now； here's what I intend to do： Find the rogues' hiding place。 Discover who the Prophet is and how his wizardry… or whatever it is…works。 Learn where the firepots came from； where they're cached around the city； and the master plan for the rebellion。 And most importantly of all； determine what the fugitives know about the clergy losing its magic。〃
〃In hopes of ing out of this affair more powerful than you ever were before。〃
Pharaun grinned。 〃More powerful than we ever were before。 That might dispel your boredom for good and all。〃
〃And those are the real reasons you aren't ready to go back to Tier Breche。〃
〃All my motives are genuine； including my wariness of Gromph。 I take it you are in a frantic hurry to return？〃
Ryld sighed。 〃I'm in no rush。 Our excursion has been interesting； and I like to finish what I start； but what if the ores rebel before we get around to warning our fellow drow？〃
〃Then we'll make sure never to tell anyone we knew it was ing。〃 The wizard grinned and added； 〃Actually； the awareness that we race to avert a calamity will make our exploits all the more stimulating。〃
〃And should we lose the race； maybe the rebellion won't kill anyone who matters to the two of us。 I suppose I agree。 We'll keep on searching。〃
〃Excellent！〃
Bearing a silver tray； the goblin bustled to the side of the pool。 Bending the knees of his splayed； bristly legs； he brought the salver low enough for the dark elves to take the goblets on top of it。
Pharaun gave the thrall a smile and a wave； dismissing him； then lifted his cup。
〃To mystery and glory！〃
Ryld sipped from his own cup； acknowledging the toast。 The drink was red morel juice； sweet and very cold； a pleasant contrast to the heat of the water。
〃So I guess it's back to looking like ores；〃 said the weapons master。
〃I grieve to disappoint you； but the time for that sort of deception has passed。〃
〃What do you mean？ If we don't look like undercreatures； how are we going to get into another one of those secret meetings？〃
〃We don't know that the Prophet will hold another assembly。 He's alnotready e