notquiries； will； I trust； see no point in continuing to try to kill us。 It'll be more to their advantage to let us go on training wizards and soldiers to serve them。〃
〃You're very certain the insurrection will be pitiful。 Is it because Greyanna's followers exterminated so many undercreatures last night？〃
Ryld scooped up a handful of hot water and splashed it on his neck； which had gotten a little stiff from his exertions。
〃No；〃 he said。 〃The hunters killed plenty of goblins； but they were only a fraction of a fraction of the creatures jammed into every nook and cranny of the district…you saw the interior of Smylla's home。 Trust me； you still don't really understand。〃
〃I understand that many other such specimens inhabit the rest of the city as well。 Why； then； do you doubt their ability to do some appreciable damage？ It can't be for want of spirit。 The under folk are in an excellent humor； enflamed by their Prophet's oratory； painting their racial emblems hither and yon； and murdering potential informers and unbelievers。〃
〃They still lack martial training and proper weapons。〃
〃Some were warriors before the slavers captured them。 Some are thrall soldiers still。 As for the arms； well； when visiting the World Above； did you ever see a city burn？ I did。 I had to torch one myself to plete a misnotsion。 The destruction and loss of life were impressive； even though the innothabitants knew their buildings could catch fire and had procedures for dealing with it。〃
〃Whereas we don't？ Surely you wizards 。 。 。 ？〃
Pharaun shrugged。 〃Not really。 Why would it occur to us？ Perhaps we could improvise something； but if we didn't catch the conflagration early； it might not be entirely effective。〃
〃But you would catch it early。 The undercreatures won't rebel all at once； and that will make it possible to quash each little uprising as it begins。〃
〃You're assuming 'the Call；' whatever it is； will pass by word of mouth； or at any rate； that it won't be disseminated rapidly。 You could be right。 The noise baffles may hinder it； but what if the Prophet has some arcane means of rousing every goblin and bugbear at the exact same instant？〃
〃Do you know of such a magic？〃
〃No。〃
〃And you're a Master of Sorcere。 So it's reasonable to assume no such power exists。〃
Pharaun arched an eyebrow。 〃Indeed？ Thank you for your expert opinion。〃
Ryld made a spitting sound and said； 〃Look。 You think a rebellion could amount to something。 I disagree； but say you're right。 Isn't that all the more reason to report to Gromph immediately？〃
The wizard waved to a goblin slave who was sauntering by。 〃The diffinotculty is that I have yet to succeed。〃
〃What？〃
〃My assignment is to find the runaways。 I glimpsed two of them for a matter of minutes； then lost them。 Do you think the Baenre will deem that satisfactory？〃
Frowning； Ryld said； 〃Considering that we did uncover something of interest 。。。〃
〃Remember； our great and glorious Archmage doesn't hold me in high esteem。 He sent me out as a decoy； a target for the priestesses to harass。 Knowing him as I do； I'm sure that if 1 fulfill the letter of our agreement； he'll swallow his dislike and keep his end； but should I fall the least bit short； it will be a different matter。〃
〃You can at least tell him the rogues are in the Braeryn。〃
〃Can I？ We sifted through the Stenchstreets as well as any outsiders could。 We didn't find the house where the runaways hang their cloaks； and we actually have only the flimsiest of reasons for assuming it's in the Braeryn at all。〃
〃I suppose you're right。〃
〃Of course。 When am I not？ Now； here's what I intend to do： Find the rogues' hiding place。 Discover who the Prophet is and how his wizardry… or whatever it is…works。 Learn where the firepots came from； where they're cached around the city； and the master plan for the rebellion。 And most importantly of all； determine what the fugitives know about the clergy losing its magic。〃
〃In hopes of ing out of this affair more powerful than you ever were before。〃
Pharaun grinned。 〃More powerful than we ever were before。 That might dispel your boredom for good and all。〃
〃And those are the real reasons you aren't ready to go back to Tier Breche。〃
〃All my motives are genuine； including my wariness of Gromph。 I take it you are in a frantic hurry to return？〃
Ryld sighed。 〃I'm in no rush。 Our excursion has been interesting； and I like to finish what I start； but what if the ores rebel before we get around to warning our fellow drow？〃
〃Then we'll make sure never to tell anyone we knew it was ing。〃 The wizard grinned and added； 〃Actually； the awareness that we race to avert a calamity will make our exploits all the more stimulating。〃
〃And should we lose the race； maybe the rebellion won't kill anyone who matters to the two of us。 I suppose I agree。 We'll keep on searching。〃
〃Excellent！〃
Bearing a silver tray； the goblin bustled to the side of the pool。 Bending the knees of his splayed； bristly legs； he brought the salver low enough for the dark elves to take the goblets on top of it。
Pharaun gave the thrall a smile and a wave； dismissing him； then lifted his cup。
〃To mystery and glory！〃
Ryld sipped from his own cup； acknowledging the toast。 The drink was red morel juice； sweet and very cold； a pleasant contrast to the heat of the water。
〃So I guess it's back to looking like ores；〃 said the weapons master。
〃I grieve to disappoint you； but the time for that sort of deception has passed。〃
〃What do you mean？ If we don't look like undercreatures； how are we going to get into another one of those secret meetings？〃
〃We don't know that the Prophet will hold another assembly。 He's alnotready e