The abyssal widows all nodded in unison and moved to stand on either side of the portal…guards along a procession route。
〃You have e this far；〃 one of the widows said。
〃And so have proved you are worthy；〃 continued another。
〃To face Lolth and speed her into her new form；〃 finished the third。
〃Her new form？〃 asked Pharaun。
The abyssal widows all shared a coy look and gestured to the yawning violet portal。
〃Did you 。 。 。〃 the Master of Sorcere said； his throat dry； his hands shaking no matter how hard he tried to stop them。 〃Did you call yourself a midwife？〃
〃Pass；〃 one of them said。 〃You are expected。〃
Quenthel stepped forward； Danifae close on her heels； and boldly walked into the roiling mass of purple light。 She disappeared instantly； Danifae only steps behind her。 Jeggred was a bit more reluctant； regarding the abyssal widows with blazing eyes as he passed them。 Soon enough； he was gone as well。
Pharaun turned to Valas； whose eyes were darting from one widow to another。 He had a hand on one of the many garish trinkets he wore pinned to his vest。
〃So； Master Hune；〃 Pharaun said； 〃here we are。〃
Valas looked at him and nodded。
〃Where we're going 。 。 。〃 the wizard said； pausing to gather his thoughts…not easy with the prospect of stepping through that particular portal looming so close。 〃It could be that your services are no longer required。〃
Valas locked his eyes on Pharaun's and said； 〃My services are no longer adequate。〃
Pharaun took a deep breath。
〃Well；〃 the wizard said； 〃as I said before； we would benefit from your skills and experience wherever we go； but here we've e to a point where you must make a decision。〃
〃I have；〃 said Valas； the look in his eye inviting no more conversation。
〃Yes； well；〃 Pharaun said； 〃there it is。〃
The wizard turned and without a backward glance stepped into the portal； leaving Valas Hune behind。