Dissolution

Was it possible that at long last the matron mother had changed her mind? Or was this some new cruelty, was Miz'ri perhaps going to somehow force Greya

a into an odious proximity with a brother who was still untouchable?

«It might be nice to see Pharaun again,» the younger female said in the blandest tone she could muster.

Miz'ri laughed. «Oh, I daresay it would, to see him and kill him, isn't that the way of it?» «If you say so. You know our history. We played out the whole sava game under your nose.» I imagine you relished every minute of it, she thought.

«Yes, you did, and so I know this will interest you. Sadly, a problem has arisen that even supercedes my desire to get along with the mages of the Academy. While you were away, males continued to desert—» «Pharaun ran off from Sorcere?» Greya

a interrupted, her eyes narrowed. «Were they finally going to punish him for getting those novices killed?» «No, and no! Shut your mouth, let me tell the tale, and we'll come to your little obsession in a moment.» «Yes, Mother.» «Males continue to elope, and despite our warning him off, Gromph still intends to investigate the matter. Hoping to escape our notice and displeasure, he decided to do so by proxy, and summoned a suitable agent to his office to discuss the matter. Happily, we members of the Council possess a scrying crystal with which we recently managed to pierce the obscuring enchantments shrouding the room. Some of them, anyway. We still can't see in, but we can hear what goes on, and that sufficed to reveal the archmage's plan as well as the identity of his minion. Now, if you must, you may excitedly babble your brother's name.» «I imagine Gromph told him this is his one big chance to redeem himself.» «Exactly. The question is, how shall we priestesses respond?» «I gather there's a reason you don't just tell Gromph you're on to his plan.»

«Of course, several. For one, our first confrontation with him was courteous and rnild, but who knows, a second might be less so. As things stand, we hesitate to push him very hard. For another, we don't want him to know we can eavesdrop on him. He'd either block us out or hatch his plots elsewhere. It's better all around simply to take his pawn out of play. Given that Pharaun is a secret operative, whatever may befall him, the archmage can hardly take exception to it. The catch being that dealing with your brother is a formidable undertaking, arguably on any occasion but certainly at the moment.» Greya

a nodded. «Because he's a wizard, and we are. . what we are.» «So where, the Council wondered, can we find a priestess so bold, so motivated, that even now she'll be eager to hunt the male when he descends to the city. I told the others I thought I knew of a candidate.» «You were right.» «The beauty of it is that you do have a personal score to settle. If people see you do something unpleasant to Pharaun, they won't have to wonder what the reason is.» «Yes, I see that. May I draw on all the resources of our House to aid me in my efforts?» «I can only give you a few helpers. If people saw you descend on the city with House Mizzrym's entire army at your back, they wouldn't assume it's a personal matter. You can have your pick of magic weapons from the armory. Don't waste them, though. Expend only what you need.» Greya

a inclined her head. «I'll start preparing right away.» Miz'ri finally smiled, and somehow, in defiance of any reasonable expectation, it made her face more threatening, not less.