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healing potion mended him sufficiently to stand； clutching his sash so it wouldn't slip off and shrugging out of his ice…encrusted cloak。
While the twins helped Relonor hobble about and so restore his circunotlation； Aunrae came sidling up to Greyanna。 To her cousin's admittedly jaundiced eye； in Aunrae the usual Mizzrym tendency to leanness had run to a grotesque extreme。 The younger female resembled a stick insect。
〃My miseration on your failure；〃 Aunrae said。
Her expression was grave； but she wasn't really trying to hide the smile lurking underneath。
〃I didn't realize just how powerful Pharaun has bee；〃 Greyanna adnotmitted。 〃Before his exile； he was quite petent but nothing extraordinotnary。 It was his cunning that made him so dangerous。 I see that all the decades in Tier Breche have turned him into one of the most formidable wizards in the city。 That plicates things； but I'll manage。〃
〃I hope the matron will forgive you your ignorance；〃 Aunrae said。 〃You've wasted so much magic to no effect。〃
The conjured skeletons and stirges began to wink out of existence； leavnoting a residue of magic energy。 The air seemed to tingle and buzz； though if a person stopped and listened； it really wasn't。
〃Is that how you see it？〃 Greyanna asked。
Aunrae shrugged。 〃I'm just worried she'll feel you bungled things； that your hatred of Pharaun made you blind and clumsy。 She might even decide someone else is more deserving of the preeminence you currently possess。 Of course； I hope not！ You know I wish you well。 My plan for my future has always been to support you and prosper as your aide。〃
〃Cousin； your words move me；〃 Greyanna said as she lifted the staff。
No one could heave such a long； heavy implement into a fighting posinottion without giving the opponent an instant's warning； so Aunrae was able to e on guard。 It didn't matter。 Not bothering to unleash any of the magic within her weapon； wielding it like an ordinary quarterstaff； Greynotanna bashed the mace from the younger priestess's fingers； knocked her flat with a ringing blow to her armored shoulder； and dug the tip of the iron rod into her throat。
〃I'd like to confer on one or two matters；〃 said Greyanna。 〃Do you have a moment？〃
Aunrae made a liquid； strangling sound。
〃Excellent。 Listen and grow wise。 Today's little fracas was not in vain。 It proved that Relonor can locate Pharaun with his divinations。 Even more importantly； the battle enabled me to take our brother's measure。 When we track him down again； we'll crush him。 Now； do you see that I have this venture well in hand？〃
Deprived of her voice； Aunrae nodded enthusiastically。 Her chin bumped against the butt of the staff。
〃What a sensible girl you are。 You must also bear in mind that we aren't hunting Pharaun simply for my own personal gratification。 It's for the benefit of all； including yourself。 Therefore； this isn't an ideal time to seek to discredit and supplant one of your betters。 It's a time for us to swallow our mutual distaste and work together until the threat is gone。 Do you think you can remember that？〃
Aunrae kept nodding。 She was shaking； too； and her eyes were wide with terror。 Small wonder； she must have been running short of breath。 Still； she had the sense not to try to grab the staff and jerk it away from her neck。 She knew what would happen if she tried。
Greyanna was tempted to make it happen anyway。 Aunrae's submission was a small pleasure beside the fierce satisfaction that would e from ramming the staff into the helpless female's windpipe。 The urge was a hot tightness in her hands and a throbbing in the scar across her face。
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