Tangled webs - Elaine Cunningham [38]
There had been recent challenges to her throne and whispers of conspiracies to remove House Baenre from its long-held position. Even the matriarchy, the system that had ruled for thousands of years, was under attack. Indeed, all of Menzoberranzan teetered on the brink of anarchy. Triel desperately needed something to offer the struggling drow, something to rally them-something that, not incidentally, would help consolidate her own rank and position. The rogue magic wielded by her errant niece might well provide the key.
"What have you learned of Liriel's amulet?"
"There is good news," Shakti began. "The wizard Nisstyre is dead, and with him the plan to use the amulet for the furtherance ofVhaeraun's cause."
Triel nodded her approval. There were far too many rivals for this prize. "You have other contacts among Vhaeraun's ranks?"
"Many," Shakti lied smoothly, trusting in the mind shields that were among the most powerful ofVhaeraun's gifts to her.
"Then use them," the matron ordered. "Send them to the surface. Bring Liriel and the amulet back to the city."
"i have already sent my emissaries-no drow males this time, but creatures from another plane. Not the Abyss," Shakti said with easy confidence, "so you need not be concerned that other priestesses will know more of my plans than Lloth herself chooses to reveal."
Triel's countenance did not change, but Shakti saw the flicker in the matron's eyes as she registered the knowledge that a priestess ofVhaeraun had access to powers unfamiliar to most of Lloth's clergy; For the Hunzrin priestess it was a moment of pure gratification.
"Keep me informed," the Baenre matron said, her casual tone dismissing the subject as if Liriel and the mysterious amulet were of little consequence. "Now, on to other matters. You know Lloth has decreed that there are to be no wars between the houses. When the affairs of the city are back in order, this will change. It is possible that the fortunes of House Hunzrin will improve considerably;" Shakti carefully suppressed her glee. Triel's words appeared to hold out an offer of support from powerful House Baenre, but they might just as well be a test. Shakti knew that overambitious drow were often found dead in their own chambers.
"My mother, Matron Kintuere, will be pleased to hear that you are optimistic about Hunzrin's fortunes," Shakti replied carefully.
Triel dismissed this prevarication with a wave of one hand. "The alliance between Baenre and Hunzrin has been long and profitable; however, i have often found Kintuere difficult and tiresome." The matron paused, fixing a searching gaze upon the traitor-priestess. "Your older sister is dying. Soon you will be heir to House Hunzrin."
Shakti dipped her head in a bow of acknowledgment, but she kept her face-and her thoughts-carefully neutral. After a moment, a rare smile crept through Triel's wellschooled facade. "Well done," she said wryly.
Perhaps Triel was complimenting her for an apparently successful coup, perhaps for passing some obscure test. Probably both, Shakti decided.
She took her leave of House Baenre soon after. The interview with Matron Triel had gone well, but Shakti did not feel at all complacent. The surface was a mere seven days' walk from Menzoberranzan, but to her it was an alien, unknowable world. Shakti had never ever set foot outside the city, much less the Underdark. She had no idea how difficult the task before her might be, or how long it might