3 Legacy of the Drow 03 - Siege of Darkness by Salvatore R.A

Author:Salvatore, R.A. [Salvatore, R.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-08-31T17:48:23+00:00

Chapter 15

GREED

The mercenary shook his bald head, as defiant an act as he had ever made against Matron Baenre. At this moment, so soon after the first matron mother’s awesome display of power, and given the fact that she was obviously in the Spider Queen’s highest favor, Jarlaxle’s questioning of her plans seemed even more dangerous.

Triel Baenre sneered at Jarlaxle, and Berg’inyon closed his eyes; neither of them really wanted to see the useful male beaten to death. Wicked Bladen’Kerst, though, licked her lips anxiously and gripped the five-headed tentacle whip tied on her hip, hoping that her mother would allow her the pleasure.

“I fear it is not the time,” Jarlaxle said openly, bluntly. “Lloth instructs me differently,” Baenre replied, and she seemed quite cool and calm, given the defiance of a mere male.

“We cannot be certain that our magic will continue to work as we expect,” Jarlaxle reasoned.

Baenre nodded, and the others then realized, to their absolute surprise, that their mother was glad the mercenary was taking a negative role. Jarlaxle’s questions were pertinent, and he was, in fact, helping Baenre sort through the details of her proposed new alliance and the march to Mithril Hall.

Triel Baenre eyed her mother suspiciously as all of this sank in. If Matron Baenre had received her instructions directly from the Spider Queen, as she had openly stated, then why would she want, or even tolerate, defiance or questioning at all? Why would Matron Baenre need to have these most basic questions concerning the wisdom of the march answered?

“The magic is secure,” Baenre replied.

Jarlaxle conceded the point. Everything he had heard, both within and beyond the drow city, seemed to back that claim. “You will have no trouble forming an alliance after the spectacle of House Oblodra’s fall. Matron Mez’Barris Armgo has been supportive all along, and no matron mother would dare even hint that she fears to follow your lead. “

“The Clawrift is large enough to hold the rubble of many houses,” Baenre said dryly.

Jarlaxle snickered. “Indeed,” he said. “And indeed this is the time for alliance, for whatever purpose that alliance must be formed. “

“It is time to march to Mithril Hall,” Baenre interrupted, her tone one of finality, “time to rise up from despair and bring higher glories to the Spider Queen. “

“We have suffered many losses,” Jarlaxle dared to press. “House Oblodra and their kobold slaves were to lead the attack, dying in the dwarven traps set for drow. “

“The kobolds will be brought up from their holes in the Clawrift,” Baenre assured him.

Jarlaxle didn’t disagree, but he knew the tunnels below the rim of the chasm better than anyone, now that all of House Oblodra was dead. Baenre would get some kobolds, several hundred perhaps, but House Oblodra could have provided many thousand.

“The city’s hierarchy is in question,” the mercenary went on. “The third house is no more, and the fourth is without its matron mother. Your own family still has not recovered from the renegade’s escape and the loss of Dantrag and Vendes.

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