haraun's silver ring revealed that the appearance was an illusion； disguising dark elf males。 The wizard saw the masks as translucent veils lying atop the reality。
He conveyed the truth of the situation to Ryld with a rapid flexing and crooking of his fingers。
〃Gentlemen；〃 said the mage； 〃well met！ My rade and I have been looking everywhere for you。〃
〃We know；〃 said the taller of the newers； evidently not surprised that a Master of Sorcere had instantly penetrated his disguise。 He was Houndaer Tuin'Tarl； one of the highest ranked of the missing males； likenotwise one of the first to elope； and thus almost certainly one of the ringnotleaders。 Certainly he looked like a princely mander of lesser folk。 His rich silk and velvet garments； the magical auras of many of his possessions； and strutting demeanor all proclaimed it。 He wore crystals in his thick； flowing hair…a nice effect…had close…set eyes and a prominent jaw； and looked as if he knew how to manage the scimitar hanging at his side。 He also looked rather tense
〃We've known for a while；〃 said the other stranger； whom Pharaun didn't recognize。
At first glance； he appeared to be a nondescript moner； with the squint and small hands of a craftsman proficient at fine work。 However； the dagger tucked in his sash fairly blazed with potent enchantments； as did an object concealed within his jerkin。 Evidently he'd layered one disnotguise on another。
〃Well；〃 said Ryld； 〃you took your time contacting us。 I guess that's unnotderstandable。〃
〃I think so；〃 said Houndaer as he and his rade advanced。 A goblin moaned； and the noble kicked the creature silent。 〃Why were you seeknoting us？〃
〃It's our understanding；〃 said Pharaun； stepping from behind the bar； 〃that you offer a haven for males who find existence under the thumbs of their female relatives uncongenial and who； for whatever reason； aspire neither to the Academy； a merchant clan； nor Bregan D'aerthe。 If so； then we wish to join your pany。〃
〃But you two already did aspire to the Academy；〃 the aristocrat said。 〃You rose to high rank there。 Some might say that gives my associates and I cause for concern。〃
The ore mask's tusked mouth perfectly copied the motions of his actual lips。 Pharaun couldn't have created a better illusion himself。
〃You speak of the dead past；〃 Pharaun said。 〃You've no doubt heard I'm in disgrace； and Master Argith finds Melee…Magthere stale and tedious。〃 The dark powers knew； his discontented friend shouldn't have much trouble convincing them of that。 〃We require an alternative way of life。〃
Houndaer nodded and replied； 〃I'm glad to hear it； but what assurances can you give that you aren't an agent the matrons sent to find us？〃
Pharaun grinned。 〃My solemn oath？〃
Everyone chuckled； even Ryld and the boy with the dagger； who were both quietly； thoughtfully watching their more loquacious panions palaver。
〃Seriously；〃 the wizard continued； 〃if our escapade in the Bazaar failed to convince you of our bona fides； I have no idea what other persuasion we can offer。 But it didn't fail； did it？ Otherwise； you wouldn't be here。 So unless you perceive something in our manner that screams spy 。 。 。〃
The faux moner smiled。 〃You're right。〃 He turned to Houndaer and added； 〃They smell all right to me； and if they're not； I doubt a little quizzing in this stinking goblin hole will prove otherwise。 Let's get them home before some servant of the clergy es sniffing for them and finds us。 Either way； it'll all get sorted out in the end。〃
For a moment； as the power of Pharaun's silver ring wavered； the drow's mild； civilized tone became an ore's growl。 He even smelled like a dirty undercreature。
The Tuin'Tarl's mouth tightened。 Pharaun suspected he didn't much like taking advice from anyone； his panion included。
〃I'm just being careful…as should you…but you may have a point。〃 He turned back to the masters and said； 〃If we take you to our stronghold； there's no going back。 You'll aid our cause or die。〃
Pharaun grinned。 〃Well spoken； and quite in the spirit of a thousand thousand conspiracies before you。 Whisk us away。〃
〃Gladly；〃 the noble said with a mean little smile of his own； 〃as soon as the two of you surrender your weapons and that cloak of pockets。〃
The wizard crooked an eyebrow and said； 〃I thought you'd decided to trust us。〃
〃It's time for you to show a little trust；〃 Houndaer replied。
Pharaun surrendered his piwafwi； hand crossbow； and dagger。 He was a little worried about Ryld's willingness to do the same。 He could easily imagine the warrior deciding that； in preference to entering the dragon's cave unarmed； he'd subdue Houndaer and his panion there and then and wring what information out of them he could。
The problem with that strategy was that the Tuin'Tarl and his nameless panion might not be privy to all the mystic secrets held by the cabal as a whole； and those who were might flee when the two emissaries failed to return。 Thus； while the masters would likely succeed in forestalling a goblin revolt； they'd miss acquiring the extraordinary power they sought。
Besides； it would be much more fun to join； and undo the rogues from within。
Apparently Ryld shared Pharaun's perspective； or else he was simply content to follow the wizard's lead； for he handed over Splitter and his other weapons to Houndaer without demur。
The Tuin'Tarl reached into his pouch； extracted a stone； and tossed it。 It exploded in a strange； lopsided way； tearing a wound in the air； a gash the size and shape of a sarcophagus standing on end and the color of the light that swims inside closed eyelids。
He gestured to the portal and said； 〃After you。〃
Pharaun smiled。
〃Thank