Matron Baenre, not he, had beei~ the one to point that out. He considered the unexpected conclusion~ then grinned widely, and even dipped into a bow of salute as he came to understand. Matron Baenre wanted the others, particularly El ViddenveLp, merely to think that she would set Bregan D'aerthe to spy on House Oblodra. That way, she could keep K'yorl some what off guard, looking for ghosts that did not exist.
I care not for K'yorl, beyond my need of her slaves, Matron Baenre went on. If she does not do as she is instructed in this mat ter, then House Oblodra will be dropped into the Clawrift and forgotten.
The matter of fact tones, showing supreme confidence, im pressed the mercenary. With the first and second houses aligned, what choice does K'yorl have? he asked.
Matron Baenre pondered that point, as though Jarlaxle had reminded her of something. She shook the notion away and quickly went on. We do not have time to discuss your meeting with Triel, she said, and Jarlaxle was more than a little curious, for he had thought that the primary reason for his visit to House Baenre. I want you to begin planning our procession toward the dwarvish home. I will need maps of the intended routes, as well as detailed descriptions of the possible final approaches to Mithril Hall, so that Dantrag and his generals might best plan the attack.
Jarlaxle nodded. He certainly wasn't about to argue with the foul tempered matron mother. We could send spies deeper into the dwarven complex, he began, but again, the impatient Baenre cut him short.
We need none, she said simply.
Jarlaxle eyed her curiously. Our last expedition did not actu ally get into Mithril Hall, he reminded.
Matron Baenre's lips curled up in a perfectly evil smile, an infectious grin that made Jarlaxle eager to learn what revelation might be coming. Slowly, the matron mother reached inside the front of her fabulous robes, producing a chain on which hung a ring, bone white and fashioned, so it appeared, out of a large tooth. Do you know of this? she asked, holding the item up in plain view.
It is said to be the tooth of a dwarf king, and that his trapped and tormented soul is contained within the ring, the mercenary replied.
A dwarf king, Matron Baenre echoed. And there are not so many dwarvish kingdoms, you see.
Jarlaxle's brow furrowed, then his face brightened. Mithril Hall? he asked.
Matron Baenre nodded. Fate has played me a marvelous coin cidence, she explained. Within this ring is the soul of Gandalug Battlehammer, First King of Mithril Hall, Patron of Clan Battle hammer.
Jarlaxle's mind whirled with the possibilities. No wonder, then, that Lloth had instructed Vierna to go after her renegade brother! Drizzt was just a tie to the surface, a pawn in a larger game of con quest.
Gandalug talks to me, Matron Baenre explained, her voice as content as a cat's purr. He remembers the ways of Mithril Hall.
Sos'Umptu Baenre entered then, ignoring Jarlaxle and walking right by him to stand before her mother. The matron mother did not rebuke her, as the mercenary would have expected for the unan nounced intrusion, but rather, turned a curious gaze her way and allowed her to explain.
In the chapel, Jarlaxle realized, for Sos'Umptu was caretaker of the wondrous Baenre chapel and rarely left the place. The merce nary paused for just a moment to consider the revelation. Mez'Bar ris was the matron mother of House Barrison Del'Armgo, the city's second ranking house. But why would she be at the Baenre com pound if, as Matron Baenre had declared, Barrison Del'Armgo had already agreed to the expedition? Why indeed.
Perhaps you should have seen to Matron Mez'Barris first, the mercenary said slyly to Matron Baenre. The withered old matron accepted his remark in good cheer; it showed her that her favorite spy was thinking clearly.
K'yorl was the more difficult, Baenre replied. To keep that one waiting would have put her in a fouler mood than usual. Mez'Barris is calmer by far, more understanding of the gains. She will agree to the war with the dwarves.
Matron Baenre walked by the mercenary to the marble cylinder; Sos'Umptu was already inside, waiting. Besides, the first matron mother added with a wicked grin, now that House Oblodra has come into the alliance, what choice does Mez'Barris have?