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〃Yes；〃 Syrzan said； 〃I've watched your people for a long while。 I discovnotered the cabal of renegade males some forty years ago。 More recently； I obnotserved the priestesses' debility； no mere dark elves could hide such an enormous change from an observer with my talents。 I remembered the would…be rebels and arranged for them to make the same discovery； then I emerged from the shadows and offered them my services。〃
〃Why？〃 Pharaun asked。 〃Your collaborators are drow； and you're； if you'll pardon my bluntness； a member of an inferior species。 Jumped up vermin； really。 You don't expect Houndaer and the boys to honor a pact with you once the prize is won？ Dark elves don't even keep faith with one another。〃
〃Fortunately； the prize won't be won for decades； and during those years； I'll be subtly working to impose my will on my associates。 Long before they assume the rulership of the city； I'll be ruling them。〃
〃I see。 The fools have given you your opening； and now that which you could never conquer from the outside you'll subjugate from within； exnottending the web of pulsion farther and farther； one assumes； until all Menzoberranyr are mind…slaves marching to your drum。〃
〃Obviously； you understand the fundamentals of illithid society；〃 said Syrzan。 〃You probably also know that we prefer to dine on the brains of lesser sentients and that we share your own race's fondness for torture。 Still； some of your folk will fare all right。 I can't eat or flay everyone； can I？〃
〃Not unless you want to wind up a king of ghosts and silence。 And where； may I ask； do these stone…burning fire bombs e from？〃
〃Menzoberranzan isn't the only drow city possessed of ambitious males；〃 the illithi…lich said。
Pharaun was momentarily speechless。 Another drow city…
〃Now； it's your turn to satisfy my curiosity；〃 Syrzan said； interrupting the drow's reverie。
〃I live for the opportunity。〃
〃When Houndaer and the others explained our scheme； did you sinnotcerely consider joining us？〃
Pharaun grinned and said； 〃For about a quarter of a second。〃
〃Why did you reject the idea？ You're no more faithful or less ambitious than any other drow。〃
〃Or illithid； I'll hazard。 Why then did I remain firm in my resolve to betray you to Gromph？〃 The slender dark elf spread his hands。 〃So many reasons。 For one； I'm a notable wizard； if I do say so myself； and in Mennotzoberranzan we mages have our own tacit hierarchy。 In recent years； I've channeled my aspirations into that。 Should I rise to the top； it will make me a personage nearly as exalted as a high priestess。〃
Syrzan flipped its tentacles； a gesture that conveyed impatience； and a flake of skin fell off。 Unlike the slimy hide of living mind flayers； the lich's flesh was cracked and dry。
〃The renegades are trying to place themselves above the females；〃 the undead creature said。
〃I understand that； but I doubt it'll work out the way they plan； or even the way you plan。〃
〃You believe the priestesses are too formidable； even divested of their spells？〃
〃Oh； they're powerful。 They may well extinguish this little cabal。 Yet for the moment； I'm more concerned about the undercreatures。 Do you realnotize how many goblins there are； how fervently they hated us even before you maddened them； or how dangerous your stone…consuming fire is？ It could be that after they riot； we won't have a Menzoberranzan left for anyone to rule。〃
〃Nonsense。 The ores will have their hour； and your people will butcher them。〃
Pharaun sighed。 〃That's what folk keep telling me。 I wish your consennotsus forted me； but it doesn't。 That's one of the drawbacks of knowing yourself shrewde