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"And what are we going to do about this?"

The leading manner of Sylora’s question left no doubt in Dahlia’s mind as to the Thayan woman’s intentions

"When the priain, its devastation will solidify our work, will create enough carnage to co, and that, in turn, will assure our victory over the Netherese I’ll not have that prevented, or even delayed"

"You wish ate?"

"Do you need to ask?"

"Do not underestimate those two," Dahlia warned "They are formidable on their own, and Jarlaxle is not without powerful friends"

"Take a dozen Ashmadai--a score if you think it necessary," Sylora replied "And Dor’crae"

"The lich would help"

"Valindra stays with ained her wits, but her power has not yet returned She is not expendable"

That last line hit Dahlia like a bolt of lightning "But I ahed at her and turned her attention back to the dwarf ghost in the lava rock Its face had appeared, a desperate gri to the Thayan

"And so is Dor’crae?" Dahlia pressed, only because she spotted the vae

"Dor’crae is nih to escape, should that be necessary," Sylora answered withouta beat

She always seemed one step ahead of Dahlia The elf kneas her oeakness, her own inability to recover frorym, that put her behind Ever since she’d returned from that place, Dahlia had walked a less steady path Where once she’d been aggressive, she had become … reactive And creatures like Sylora preyed on that indecisiveness

"Find therym," Sylora ordered

"I doubt they’re even in Luskan It’s been a decade--"

"Learn!" Sylora snapped at her "If they are there, if they are returning to Gauntlgrym, then stop them If not, then learn if any others intend to take up the call of the dwarf ghosts I should not have to explain this to you"

"You don’t," Dahlia replied, quietly but steadily "I understand what must be done"

"Have you yet met this champion of Shade Enclave who haunts Neverwinter Wood?"

"I have He’s hu of the shade about hiht him?"

Dahlia nodded, and an impatient Sylora motioned for her to elaborate

"He ran away," Dahlia lied "He’s better at hiding than he is at fighting, though he’s fine with the blade as well I suspect his kills have come by surprise, mostly"

Sylora see back over her shoulder into Neverwinter Wood

"I’ll not likely find hiain anytime soon," Dahlia said She didn’t want Sylora to reconsider her priorities, rather fancying the opportunity to be gone from that creature’s side for so no second encounter with the Gray

"Magic will flush hih of relief

"To Luskan with you, in all haste," the Thayan sorceress went on "Find your old companions and ensure that neither they nor anyone else slows the fury of our fiery pet"

Dahlia nodded and turned away

"Do not failclear the dire consequences of failure

Guenhwyvar’s ears flattened and a lol escaped the panther She went into a crouch, her hind paws ta away

Drizzt nodded when he noted the pose, a confirmation of the same sensation that had just washed over him, like an otherworldly chill that had the hair on his neck and ar was about, and that perhaps it was from the Shadowfell or at least Shade Enclave, but that was all he could guess

Heor force he couldn’t see Hands on his sci all confidence that she would intercept any attack from the front or sides, the drow focused his attention the other way

He felthim that whatever had passed nearby had moved off He started to relax, just a bit

Bruenor’s scream abruptly ended that respite

Drizzt sprinted to the shallow cave serving as their encampment, Guenhwyvar close behind By the time the drow reached the entrance, his scimitars were in hand, and he caht beside his friend

But Bruenor wasn’t fighting Far froainst the rear wall of the cave, his open hands out before hi almost, and his face was locked somewhere between fear and…

And what? Drizzt wondered

"Bruenor?" he whispered, for though he too could sense so in there, as he had outside, so that could so terrify the dwarf

Bruenor didn’t seeister his presence

"Bruenor?" he asked again, more loudly