d either block us out or hatch his plots elsewhere。 It's better all around simply to take his pawn out of play。 Given that Pharaun is a secret operative； whatever may befall him； the Archmage can hardly take exception to it。 The catch being that dealing with your brother is a formidable undertaking； arguably on any occasion but cernottainly at the moment。〃
Greyanna nodded。 〃Because he's a wizard； and we are 。 。 。 what we are。〃
〃So where； the Council wondered； can we find a priestess so bold； so motivated； that even now she'll be eager to hunt the male when he denotscends to the city。 I told the others I thought I knew of a candidate。〃
〃You were right。〃
〃The beauty of it is that you do have a personal score to settle。 If people see you do something unpleasant to Pharaun； they won't have to wonder what the reason is。〃
〃Yes； I see that。 May I draw on all the resources of our House to aid me in my efforts？〃
〃I can only give you a few helpers。 If people saw you descend on the city with House Mizzrym's entire army at your back； they wouldn't assume it's a personal matter。 You can have your pick of magic weapons from the armory。 Don't waste them； though。 Expend only what you need。〃
Greyanna inclined her head。 〃I'll start preparing right away。〃
Miz'ri finally smiled； and somehow； in defiance of any reasonable exnotpectation； it made her face more threatening； not less。
C h a p t e r
F O U R
The Silken Rack was not； as visitors to Menzoberranzan sometimes asnotsumed； a fine cloth emporium。 It was； technically； a massage parlor； but only a vulgarian would call it that。 Rather； it was a palace of delight； where the most skilled body servants in the Underdark provided what many dark elves considered to be most exquisite of all pleasures。
Waerva Baenre was herself of that opinion。 She had already soaked her pampered； voluptuous form in warm； scented oil； and she would have liked nothing better to lose herself utterly in the touch of her masseur。
But that； alas； was not possible。 She'd e to this shrine of the senses on business； business that could be conducted far more safely and discreetly there than in the Baenre citadel or the ambassador's residence in West Wall。 That was why she； by nature gregarious； had hired a cozy private room connottaining only two contoured couches and a pair of hulking deaf…mute human masseurs in preference to her supremely gifted Tluth。
Happily； the tongueless slave she'd chosen for herself was also highly notpetent。 He kneaded her neck muscles in a way that was pain and bliss at the same time； wringing a groan of sweet release out of her。 Naturally； it was at this somewhat undignified moment that Umrae came though the door。
Not that Waerva's momentary disposure made Umrae smile。 The Baenre couldn't imagine what it would take to acplish that。 A rather gaunt； homely female； her skin the unhealthy dull gray…black color of charcoal； the cut of her nondescript garments subtly divergent from the styles of Menzoberranzan； Umrae always arrived at these clandestine meetnotings stiff and awkward with nervous tension。 Waerva supposed that was the difference between moners and nobles。 No matter how perilous the situation； an aristocrat always managed a certain grace。
〃She's looking at maps！〃 declared Umrae。 Her voice matched her apnotpearance。 There was no music in it。
〃I'm not surprised；〃 Waerva replied。 〃Your mistress is reasonably clever。 I never thought she would remain placent forever。〃 The body servant dug his fingertips into Waerva's upper back； and she shivered。 〃We'll talk about it； but first； please； set my mind at ease。 Tell me that no one who matters saw you enter this particular room。〃
Umrae scowled； apparently irked by the very suggestion。 〃No； of course not。〃
〃Then for pity's sake； take off your clothes。 You supposedly came here for a deepstroke； and you want to look as if you've had one when you get back home。 Besides； these fellows are worth the rent。〃
Still frowning as if she suspected Waerva was perpetrating some sort of joke at her expense； Umrae gestured brusquely to the human； slightly smaller and less muscular than his patriot； whom the Baenre had left for her use。 Careful not to make eye contact； the slave began to undress her and hang her garments on the hooks set in the wall。
〃So what are we going to do？〃 the moner asked。 〃She's guarded。 Even with the resource you gave me； I'm not sure I could kill her and escape； but surely you have skilled assassins at your disposal。〃
〃Of course。〃 Waerva had to close her slanted ruby eyes as her body sernotvant squeezed and rubbed another clenched muscle into warm； limp subnotmission。 It was remarkable how she didn't even realize they were tight until the masseur got his hands on them。 〃Murder would have its advantages。 It would take her off the sava board for good and all。〃
〃Then we're agreed？〃 Umrae asked as she lay down on her couch。 Her body servant gently spread her mane of coarse white hair to expose the flesh beneath。
Waerva grinned。 〃You sound so eager。〃
〃I admit I'm not fond of her。〃 Umrae's human opened a white porcenotlain bottle of unguent； and a sweet scent tinged the air。 〃That's not the point。 The point is to shield us all for as long as we need it。〃
〃I quite agree；〃 said Waerva； 〃and my concern is that an assassination could prove counterproductive。 Might it not call attention to your misnottress's suspicions？ Might it not lend weight to them？ Does she not have a deputy of like mind ready to take over in the event of her demise？〃
Urnrae scowled； pondering the questions； plainly not enjoying it much。 Her slave spread a thin coat of amber