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〃We don't know why；〃 Houndaer said； shaking his head。 〃We started to figure it out after a couple of us saw priestesses die fighting gricks out in the Bauthwaf。 The bitches should've used spells to save themselves； but they didn't； and we guessed it was because they couldn't。 After that； we kept our eyes open and waylaid a few clerics to see what they'd do to defend themselves。 Everything we learned supported our theory。〃
Pharaun sighed and said； 〃Then you aren't in touch with some chatty informant in the realms of the divine。 Like me； you merely observed and deduced。 What a pity。 Aren't you； in your ignorance； apprehensive that Lolth will rekindle the priestesses' magic just when it's least convenient？〃
〃Maybe the goddess turned against the clergy because it's our turn to rule；〃 said the moner。 〃Who's to say？ In any case； this is our chance； and we're taking it。〃
〃Your chance to do what？〃 asked Ryld。 〃You talk as if you intend to revolt； but instead you're inciting the slaves into an uprising。〃
Houndaer cursed。 〃You know that； too？〃
〃We stumbled on it while looking for you；〃 Pharaun explained。 He brushed a stray strand of his coiffure back into place。 His white hair shone like ghost flesh in the soft light shining from the carvings。 〃As Master Argith noted； on first inspection； whipping the undercreatures into a lather would seem irrelevant to your objective。〃
〃Look deeper；〃 the noble said。 〃We're canny enough to know we can't topple the matriarchy all at once。 Even without their spells； our mothers and sisters are too powerful。 They have too many talismans； fortresses； and； most importantly； troops and vassals serving out of fear。〃
〃I begin to prehend； and I apologize for not giving you sufficient credit；〃 Pharaun said。 〃This is merely the opening gambit in a sava game that will last a number of years。〃
〃When fighting engulfs Menzoberranzan；〃 Houndaer said； 〃and the clerics cast no spells to put down the revolt； their weakness will bee apparent to everyone。 Meanwhile； our brotherhood will take advantage of the chaos to assassinate those females who pose the greatest obstacles to our ambitions。 With luck； the ores will account for a few more。 At the end of the day； our gender's position in the scheme of things will be considerably stronger； and every male in the city will start aspiring to supremacy。
〃In the years to e； our cabal will do whatever we can to diminish the females and put ourselves in their place。 One day soon； we'll see a noble House manded by a male and eventually； a master in every House。〃
He smiled and added； 〃Needless to say； a master who belongs to this franotternity。 I'll enjoy ruling over House Tuin'Tarl； and I imagine that you； Brother of Sorcere； wouldn't say no to primacy over your own family。〃
Pharaun nodded and said； 〃You're far too canny to have forgotten we've all gone rogue。 。。。〃
〃Our kin will wele us back once we've weakened them to the point where they're desperate for reinforcements。 We'll concoct tales of travels to the far ends of the Underdark； or something。 It won't matter to them when they're desperate enough。〃
〃Indeed； you've plotted everything out so shrewdly that I only see one potential pitfall； Pharaun said。 〃What if the goblins and gnolls should acnottually succeed in slaughtering us all； or at least inflicting such damage on our city that the devastation breaks our hearts？〃
Houndaer stared at the mage for a moment； then laughed。 〃For a moment； I almost thought you serious。〃
Pharaun grinned。 〃Forgive me。 I have a perverse fondness for japes at inappropriate moments； as Master Argith will attest。〃
Houndaer smi