Dissolution

Still, you make a legitimate point. You might find yourself abhorring the tug of the reins. What's the answer, then?» «Who says there is one? Except, perhaps, further lunatic holidays with you. I admit, this one broke the tedium.» A diminutive female gnome carried a pile of freshly laundered and folded towels out of a doorway on the far wall. Ryld wondered if she was one of the Prophet's followers, and if she had any of the rabble-rouser's duergar firepots stashed somewhere in the bathhouse. It felt strange to think of a humble undercreature that way—wielding stone-burning bombs against its betters. «You speak of our errand in the past tense,» the wizard said. «Well, once you tell the archmage the runaways are in the Braeryn fomenting a pitiful little goblin uprising, it'll be over, won't it? Gromph will pardon your transgressions. The Council, having failed to stop our inquiries, 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 Greya

«In hopes of coming out of this affair more powerful than you ever were before.»

Pharaun gri

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 orcs,» 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 already explained his strategy and distributed his secret weapon. Even if he does, it might not be for several days, during which we'll have Greya

«Don't be misled by superficial appearances,» Pharaun replied. «As neither of us has enjoyed a moment of repose, it must still be night. Do you think they have any of that 53 Barrison Del'Armgo heartwine?»