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！
Zauvirr。〃
〃How could it be otherwise？〃 Talindra said； raising her golden cup。 〃Family； always。 Family over all。〃
Faeryl joined the other noble in the toast。 She'd always enjoyed the sweet dessert wine； but this time it tasted too sweet； almost sickeningly so。 She supposed her nerves were to blame。
The envoy set down her drink and said； 〃Let us discuss how our two families might be of service to one another。 In Ched Nasad； we Zauvirr are allied with House Mylyl。 For the immediate future； we must remain so。 Yet it's also time for the Mylyls to begin their decline； for their wealth and influence to start passing into our hands。 You see the problem。〃
Talindra grinned and said； 〃You want to attack the Mylyls without them realizing who's to blame。〃
〃So why not do it through an intermediary？〃
Elsewhere； someone let out a thin； little wail。 Faeryl tensed； but once again； her guest failed to react。 Fortunately； the sounds of pain were reanotsonably mon in dark elf dwellings。
〃You want me to lend you some of my males；〃 the matron said； 〃to make the long； dangerous journey to Ched Nasad to raid and kill for you。 It makes sense。 The Mylyls would have no idea who they are； nor that they're working for you。 But what do I get out of it？ Why…？〃
A warrior threw open the door； strode to Talindra's side； and raised a steel baton。
The matron was too quick for him。 Surging up in her chair； she knocked him cold with a punch to the jaw； drew a long knife from her belt； and pivoted toward Faeryl。
The ambassador snatched up Mother's Kiss； which had been lying under the table all the while。 She sprang up； swung the basalt…headed war hammer in an arc and balked the oning Talindra for an instant。
For the next few seconds； the two nobles battled； neither able to score； then Talindra used her free hand to clasp a round medallion pinned to her bodice。 Red light shone from between her fingers。
If the matron had the capacity to throw a spell； that changed the notplexion of the fight considerably。 Faeryl needed to end it quickly； perhaps before the first magical effect manifested。 She charged her opponent； striknoting at her head in an all…out attack。
It was a reckless move； and she suffered the consequences。 The knife point jabbed painfully into her ribs。 Luckily； it failed to penetrate the mail she wore beneath her silken gown。 Mother's Kiss slammed into the Men…zoberranyr's head and dashed her to the ground。 Her hand slipped away from the amulet； and the glow faded。
An instant later； a second guard burst into the room。
〃We've secured them all； my lady。〃
The warrior was a rugged…looking male with a chipped incisor and a broken nose； whom she had on occasion summoned to her bed。
〃Good；〃 Faeryl replied。 〃How many did you have to kill？〃
〃Only one； but we could slaughter the rest。 If I may say so； it seems more sensible and less bother than tying them up。〃
〃It does； but I came here to promote good relations between Menzoberranzan and Ched Nasad。 Even though some schemer has rendered my efforts futile； I won't exacerbate the situation by mitting any more outrages than necessary。 You soldiers will do as I bade you。 Strip the Ousstyls； gag them； and tie them up。〃
Talindra groaned and groped feebly for her knife。 Impressed that the matron was still conscious to any degree at all after the blow she'd suffered； Faeryl kicked the blade out of her reach。
〃You can't do this；〃 Talindra croaked； 〃not to House Ousstyl。 We are mighty and never forget at affront。〃
Tense as she was； Faeryl smiled。 The matron's arrogance was woefully misplaced。 The Ousstyls were so insignificant they hadn't even