or。
Syrzan threw Pharaun down and faced its creation。 No doubt if left unmolested； it could have averted the construct somehow； but Pharaun found the strength for one more spell。 His labored incantation shattered the floor of the dais； staggering the alhoon and breaking its concentration。
The huge tentacles scooped Syrzan up and conveyed it to the maw behind them； whereupon the strangely shaped mouth began to suck and chew。 The alhoon's own magic mangled him as Pharaun's never had。 The lich faded for a moment； then became opaque and solid again。 It was trying to shift to another plane of existence but couldn't focus past the agony。
After a time； the enormous head blinked out of existence。 Its passing dumped inert chunks of mummified mind flayer on the floor。
Pharaun's strength began to trickle back。 He rummaged through the alhoon's stinking remains until he found his silver ring； then turned his magic on the renegades； though it wasn't really necessary。 Ryld； Welverin； and their cohorts already had the upper hand。
When the last rogue lay dead； the entranced Master of Melee…Magthere sat down cross…legged on the floor。 His chin drooped down onto his chest； and he started to snore。 Silver leg rattling as if a blow had loosened the ponents； Welverin limped over to check him and； Pharaun supposed； tend him as needed。
The Mizzrym thought he ought to take a look as well but when he tried to stand； his head spun； and he had to flop back down。
Triel stood on the balcony gazing down at the city below。 It was virtunotally the same view she'd surveyed on the night of the slave uprising； the burning spectacle that showed her all Menzoberranzan was in turmoil。
The fires were gone。 In their place； cold pools of standing water dotted the streets and hindered traffic。 The rain had flooded cellars and dungeons as well； and it would take time to get rid of it。 No one had anticipated a downpour； not with miles of rock between the City of Spiders and the open sky； and in consequence； no builder had made much provision for drainage。
Someone coughed a discreet little cough。 Triel turned。 Standing in the doorway； Gromph inclined his head。
〃Matron。〃
She felt a thrill of pleasure…relief； actually…at the sight of her brother； who'd e to her so quickly once she'd given him leave。 She took care to mask the feeling。
〃Archmage；〃 she said。 〃Join me。〃
〃Of course。〃
Gromph walked somewhat stiffly toward the balustrade。
In one corner of the terrace； Jeggred slouched on a chair too small for him and gnawed a raw haunch of rothe。 He looked entirely engrossed in his snack； but Triel was confident he was watching her sibling's progress。 That was his task； after all； to ward her from all potential enemies； innotcluding her own kin。 Especially her own kin。
Gromph looked out at the city's domes and spires。 Some had lost their luminescence； as if his rain had washed it away； and many had flowed and twisted in the fire's embrace； warping the spider carvings into crippled shapes or effacing them entirely。 The wizard's mouth twisted。
〃It could have been worse；〃 Triel said。 〃The stoneworkers can repair the damage。〃
〃They have their work cut out for them； especially without slaves to help。〃
〃We have some。 A few undercreatures declined to revolt or were capnottured instead of slain。 We'll drive them hard and buy and capture more。〃
〃Still； does anyone remember precisely how every rampart and sculpture looked？ Can anyone recreate Menzoberranzan exactly as it was？ No。 We're changed； scarred； and…〃
He winced and rubbed his chest。
〃Forgive me；〃 the archmage continued。 〃I didn't e to lament but to perform my function as your advisor； to share my thoughts on how to meet the challenges to e。〃
Triel rested her hand atop the cool； polished stone of the rail and asked； 〃How do you see those challenges？〃
〃It's obvious； isn't it？ We've just experienced what promises to be the first in a series of calamities。 By dint of observing you in bat； every Menzoberranyr with half a brain now knows you priestesses have lost your power。 Rest assured； no matter what measures the Council takes； the word will spread beyond our borders。 Perhaps some escaped thrall is proclaiming it even now。 Soon； one or another enemy will march on us；or； if our luck is really bad； they might all unite in a grand alliance。〃
Triel swallowed。 〃None of our foes dares even to dream of taking Menzoberranzan。〃
〃This Syrzan did。 When its kin； and others； find out we've lost our divine magic； a significant fraction of our drow warriors； and virtually all our slave troops； it may inspire them to optimism。 And they're not even the greatest threat。〃
〃We ourselves are；〃 Triel sighed。
〃Exactly。 We always have our share of feuds and assassinations。 Occanotsionally one House exterminates another outright； and that's as it should be。 It's our way； it makes us strong。 But we can't endure constant； flanotgrant warfare。 That would be too much 。 。 。 chaos。 It would tear Mennotzoberranzan to shreds。 Up to now； fear of the Spider Queen and her clergy has kept the lid on； but it won't anymore。〃 He spat。 〃It's a pity our new heroes didn't die heroic deaths in their homeland's defense。〃
〃You refer to Quenthel and the outcast Mizzrym？〃
〃Who else？ Do you imagine them any less ambitious than the rest of us？ They championed the established order yesterday； but； inspired by the knowledge that many would rally to their banners； may themselves seek to topple it tomorrow。 Quenthel may try to seize your throne； not in a hundred years but now。 Pharaun may strike for the Robes of the Arch…mage…by the Six Hundred and Sixty…six Layers； he all but did； having spent no effort in