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And ate had felt … insignificant and helpless These were not emotions that sat ith the proud dwarf

Now they were in Gauntlgryreat spiral stairway to the lower levels of the complex, a stairway that had recently been repaired, and by craftsinal dwarven work

They knehat they would find in the ancient complex, for they had been sent here--Jarlaxle had been sent here--by Ki an order from a much more powerful entity, theHouse

"Well?" Jarlaxle prodded as they continued down, crossing froinal dwarven stair "Speak honestly I’ll take no offense, I proate was al issues of dwarven iryrunt and shake his hairy head as iony filled his thoughts

And now his emotions were even more roiled He didn’t like these developments Not at all The aura and aroma of this drow settleryical level It made perfect sense, after all Why wouldn’t the drow, or some other race, come back to this place and try to rebuild it?

And better the drow than goblins, he tried to tell hirowing amidst the ruins of the ic loss, or a great theft, for and froo rejected him and the dark elves had taken him in

Jarlaxle patted him on the shoulder, and when he looked up, the droinked at hiical eyepatch, signaling that he truly understood the turate

"You would do well to keep your doubts well-hidden," Jarlaxle quietly advised as they roup of drow astride subterranean lizards awaited them on the floor below "House Xorlarrin is here, whether you or I or anyone else likes it or not, and if they perceive your distaste as a threat, they will deal with it in their particularly efficient and perot Bregan D’aerthe backing ate replied

"Do you see the one astride the largest lizard, with the glowing shield on his ar his chin toward the floor Following that ate easily discerned the indicated drow

"He is a Baenre," Jarlaxle explained "A very well-loved and important Baenre"

"The First House?"

"If House Baenre objects to your attitude, Bregan D’aerthe cannot help you In truth, ould deliver you to Matron Mother Quenthel as quickly as possible to avoid any coate smiled widely at the threat for he knew that Jarlaxle would do no such thing Kian D’aerthe crew But Jarlaxle wouldn’t, and indeed, Jarlaxle ad sreeted the drow astride the great lizard "It has been far too long since last I saw you"

"Were I to know your name, I am sure I would return the coracious bow

The rider, Tiago Baenre, bristled and glanced to his coht, an older weapons er Xorlarrin wizard Jarlaxle actually knew the Baenre, of course, and by name, for this was a name often spoken of late, in no so wore and the sword he carried on his hip, both wondrous new creations of oldat that round shield now, for it appeared to be a truly remarkable item It was nearly translucent, as if made of ice, and with dianed indifference, Jarlaxle couldn’t help but lookin a definite pattern For all intents and purposes, it looked as if a brilliantly symmetrical spider web had been trapped within the ice

Magnificent, Jarlaxle thought but did not say It hardly s, he realized, when he tore his gaze away and looked at Tiago to find the young warrior bri with pride

"You have curious taste in coate

"Aye, but I can handle the so’s eyes flared with anger Jarlaxle wanted to silence his friend He also wanted to laugh out loud Neither seeo Baenre," the young warrior proclaimed "Grandnephew of Matron Mother Quenthel and Grandson of Weapons Master Dantrag"

"I knew him well," Jarlaxle replied

"You understand e requested thiswith Kimmuriel," said the spellspinner, and thebade so by Tiago Baenre tipped Jarlaxle off to his identity This was young Ravel Xorlarrin then, the rym

The spellspinner who" Gauntlgryeiven him

"We have many enterprises on the surface now, and this new … settlement is a likely way station between those enterprises and Menzoberranzan," Jarlaxle replied "Bregan D’aerthe would have reached out to you in any case"

"Would have?" Tiago asked slyly "Or already have?"

"Well, I a the cryptic reference

"What about the trio froan D’aerthe ere here previously? Just a few tendays ago, when first we ventured to Gauntlgrym?"

Jarlaxle held up his hands as if he had no idea what theyabout, and in truth, he did not "I was asked to coreet you, and so here I am"

"There were three here earlier who clai one darthiir who na the droord for surface elves

"Truly?" Jarlaxle tapped a finger to his lips "Was she lovely?"