Dissolution

«I'm sure,» the wizard said. «Perhaps you'd be kind enough to tell Master Argith and me what your grand and glorious scheme is all about. And why now?» «Why now?» the noble asked. «Our fellowship has existed for decades,» the craftsman cut in, «though it's only recently that we all eloped and took up residence here full time. Formerly we merely gathered for an hour or two every fortnight or so.» «If you're a male,» Houndaer said, «and utterly dissatisfied with your place in Menzoberranzan, you need some sort of a refuge, don't you?» «I quite agree,» the wizard said. «Of course, others have opted for a merchant House, the Academy, or Bregan D'aerthe.»

Houndaer made a spitting sound. «Those are just places to hide from the matrons.

This is a fortress for males who want to turn Menzoberranzan upside down and put ourselves on top. Why not? Aren't our mages and even our warriors as powerful as the clergy?» Pharaun gri

«I've inferred it. You obviously know as well. Otherwise, you wouldn't run about breaking spiderwebs simply for the fun of it, to say nothing of putting your master plan into motion. I'd be curious to hear how you found out and if you know why.» «We don't know why,» Houndaer said, shaking his head. «We started to figure it out after a couple of us saw priestesses die fighting gricks out in the Bauthwaf. The bitches should've used spells to save themselves, but they didn't, and we guessed it was because they couldn't. After that, we kept our eyes open and waylaid a few clerics to see what they'd do to defend themselves. Everything we learned supported our theory.»

Pharaun sighed and said, «Then you aren't in touch with some chatty informant in the realms of the divine. Like me, you merely observed and deduced. What a pity. Aren't you, in your ignorance, apprehensive that Lolth will rekindle the priestesses' magic just when it's least convenient?» «Maybe the goddess turned against the clergy because it's our turn to rule,» said the commoner. «Who's to say? In any case, this is our chance, and we're taking it.» «Your chance to do what?» asked Ryld. «You talk as if you intend to revolt, but instead you're inciting the slaves into an uprising.» Houndaer cursed. «You know that, too?»

«We stumbled on it while looking for you,» Pharaun explained. He brushed a stray strand of his coiffure back into place. His white hair shone like ghost flesh in the soft light shining from the carvings. «As Master Argith noted, on first inspection, whipping the undercreatures into a lather would seem irrelevant to your objective.» «Look deeper,» the noble said. «We're ca

Pharaun said. «This is merely the opening gambit in a sava game that will last a number of years.» «When fighting engulfs Menzoberranzan,» Houndaer said, «and the clerics cast no spells to put down the revolt, their weakness will become apparent to everyone.

Meanwhile, our brotherhood will take advantage of the chaos to assassinate those females who pose the greatest obstacles to our ambitions. With luck, the orcs will account for a few more. At the end of the day, our gender's position in the scheme of things will be considerably stronger, and every male in the city will start aspiring to supremacy.

«In the years to come, our cabal will do whatever we can to diminish the females and put ourselves in their place. One day soon, we'll see a noble House commanded by a male and eventually, a master in every House.» He smiled and added, «Needless to say, a master who belongs to this fraternity. I'll enjoy ruling over House Tuin'Tarl, and I imagine that you, Brother of Sorcere, wouldn't say no to primacy over your own family.» Pharaun nodded and said, «You're far too ca

«Indeed, you've plotted everything out so shrewdly that I only see one potential pitfall, Pharaun said. «What if the goblins and gnolls should actually succeed in slaughtering us all, or at least inflicting such damage on our city that the devastation breaks our hearts?» Houndaer stared at the mage for a moment, then laughed. «For a moment, I almost thought you serious.» Pharaun gri

Ryld took it to mean that his friend, with his usual acuity, had divined what he was thinking and was urging him to hold to their original intent. He gave a tiny nod of assent. He didn't know if Pharaun was making a wise choice, but he did realize he wouldn't even be here listening to this apocalyptic talk if his friend hadn't asked for his aid. When all was said and done, Ryld had descended from Melee-Magthere to help the wizard achieve his ends, and that was what he was going to do.

Pharaun turned to Tsabrak and said, «I assume the driders have allied themselves with the conspiracy because the boys promised you a place of honor in the splendid Menzoberranzan to come. Perhaps they even pledged to find a way to transform you back into a drow.» «Something like that,» Tsabrak sneered. «Mainly, though, those of us who joined did it for the chance to kill lots and lots of priestesses.» «I can't say I blame you,» Pharaun said. «Well, gentlemen, your plans are inspiring to say the least. I'm glad we sought you out.» «So am I,» said Ryld. «The only things I'm still hazy on,» the mage continued, «are Syrzan and the Prophet one and the same? I see by your expressions that they are. Who is … it really, and what power does it use to so enthrall the goblins?» «I think you're about to find out,» Houndaer said. An instant later, something droned through the air, almost like a noise, but not. Actually, the sensation existed solely within the mind. Pharaun turned, and Tsabrak scuttled aside to reveal the robed figure in the doorway. Ryld felt a jolt of dismay. Afraid it was already too late, he sprang up from the bench.