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〃We don't know that the Prophet will hold another assembly。 He's alnotready explained his strategy and distributed his secret weapon。 Even if he does； it might not be for several days； during which we'll have Greyanna seeking us relentlessly。 We've evaded her so far； but we must acknowledge the possibility that our luck could sour eventually。〃 〃You're right about that。〃
〃Therefore； we need to find the rogues quickly； which means a change of tactics is in order。 Why are the boys trying to instigate a goblin revolt？〃
〃I don't know。〃
〃Nor do I； really。 It doesn't appear to make sense。 Still； would you agree that the intent； like the act of eloping itself； reflects an antipathy to the established order？〃
〃Possibly。〃
〃Then let's assume the Prophet or some other ringleader lured the males away from their homes because he knew they were more than ordinarily resentful of their places in the world。〃
〃It's possible。 Where does the notion lead？〃
The wizard grinned and said； 〃If we demonstrate that we share their disnottemper； the rogues may recruit us as well。〃
〃How can we do that？ We may not be clerics； but we're Masters of the Academy。 We're pillars of the hierarchy； and more to the point； we have a pleasanter lot and thus less reason for discontent than most。〃
〃That doesn't seem to slow you down。〃
〃Even so。〃
〃Here's what you're overlooking。 Thanks to my misadventure with the Sarthos demon； I'm a disgraced master； likely in line for some ghastly punnotishment。 Whereas you with your dour demeanor and dwarven armor are clearly an iconoclast and malcontent。 Moreover； we've been asking everynotwhere for news of the runaways。 They must know of it； even though they didn't see fit to make contact。 During that same time； a high priestess from House Mizzrym has tried to murder us。 They surely have some cognizance of that as well。〃
〃Yet they still didn't approach us。 Why would they do it now？〃
Pharaun smiled。 〃Because we'll provide proof that we do in fact share their perspective。〃
〃How？〃
〃The priestesses lead regular patrols through the Bazaar。 We'll destroy one； repair to the Braeryn； boast of the deed； and await developments。 The rogues will seek us out。 How can they not？ Whatever their ultimate obnotjective； I'm sure they can use the services of two such talented fellows。〃
〃No doubt； but back up。 You want to murder a patrol？〃
〃In as showy a manner as possible。 With a bit of planning； it should be easy enough。 They won't be as numerous as Greyanna's hunters and they won't be expecting that sort of trouble。〃
〃What happened to not killing anybody； especially clerics； unless we abnotsolutely have to？〃
〃We do absolutely have to。 We're in a race against time； remember； and this is the speediest route to our objective。〃
〃Maybe； but what happens afterward？ Won't any number of folk want to punish us for our impudence？〃
〃We won't confide our involvement to those likely to prove unsympanotthetic。〃
〃The priestesses will figure it out。〃
〃Ah； but snug and safe in the lair of our friend the Prophet； we won't care。 Besides； the Council has already authorized our annihilation； so we really have nothing to lose。〃
〃Perhaps the crime can't worsen our current situation； but what about the long term？〃
〃In the long term；〃 Pharaun said； 〃it wont matter。 As you yourself obnotserved mere moments ago； we Menzoberranyr are a pragmatic lot。 People fornotgive whatever outrages I mitted yesterday if I make myself useful today。〃
〃Greyanna didn't。〃
The wizard laughed and replied； 〃Well； of course； we're likewise prone to grudges； vendettas； and blood feuds。 It's one of the paradoxes centr