"Sheathe that," Qilue ordered.

"Why would you have me do that, Lady Qilue?"

"Because it's annoying."

Leliana shifted the weapon slightly. "It no longer fits in its scabbard, Lady Qilue."

"Then find another way to silence it!" Qilue barked. "Lay it down."

Leliana obediently placed her sword on the floor, ending its song.

Cavatina smiled to herself as she realized why Leliana had asked the question. Qilue's blunt answer seemed to indicate the truth spell had taken hold of her, as well, despite her attempt to shield herself from it by stepping behind Cavatina. Before Qilue could gather her wits, Cavatina spat out a question of her own. "Why did you open a portal to the Pit, Lady Qilue?"

Qilue scowled-an expression as foreign to her face as a look of mercy would have been on the cruel visage of the Spider Queen. Then, as abruptly as it came, the scowl disappeared. Cavatina could see, how Horaldin had known there was something wrong with the high priestess. Everything about Qilue's posture, tone, and expression was subtly wrong. Even Qilue's color was off. Her skin looked clammy, like that of someone who ought to be confined to a sick bed. She even smelled bad-as if it had been some time since she'd bathed.

"Fortunately for you, Cavatina, my preparations are incomplete."

Cavatina's heart fell. Qilue wasn't answering her question! Was the demon capable of resisting Leliana's magical compulsion? Or was the answer simpler: that it was Wendonai who had opened the portal-if so, the demon wouldn't have been compelled to answer a question directed at Qilue. Cavatina's hands dampened with sweat. She resisted the urge to clench her sword tighter; Qilue might spot the slight movement and attack.

Cavatina tried another question. "What preparations?"

"A symbol. Had you blundered upon that ruined temple once it was visible, that would have been the end of you. You would have wandered the Ethereal Plane forever, gibbering and broken."

"I did see a symbol-the mark of the Ancient One. Is that the one you mean?"

"Of course not," Qilue snapped. "I'm talking about the symbol I inscribed on top of it."

Cavatina cautiously nodded. If there had been another symbol atop Ghaunadaur's, she'd failed to detect it. "What symbol is that?"

"One that provokes insanity." Qilue smirked: another expression she never used. "The idea came from Ghaunadaur's own scriptures." She spoke quickly, as if she couldn't get the words out fast enough. Maybe Leliana's prayer was affecting her. "Millennia ago, the Ancient One rendered mindless the oozes and slimes that were his original worshipers. I'm going to do the same to the drow who worship him. They're incapable of redemption, so we're going to destroy them instead. That's why I opened the portal in the abandoned temple. Our spies will lure his clerics into it with a feint the fanatics can't help but follow. Especially once I open the door for them."

"You're going to allow Ghaunadaur's fanatics to enter the Promenade?" Cavatina gasped.

Qilue missed the point. "They won't realize we've 'allowed' it. Each group will think it's mounting a sneak attack. They'll never realize that others have preceded them, since the ones who have gone before won't be in any condition to warn them, once the trap is sprung. They'll all walk into it one by one, as meek as rothe."

Cavatina was absolutely certain that this was Wendonai speaking. Qilue would never have slain drow outright-even those who worshiped so vile a god-without first offering a chance at redemption. Nor would she have allowed the Promenade's defenses to be compromised.

"When are these 'sneak attacks' to begin?"

Qilue smiled. "My plan is already in motion."

Leliana broke in. "But Lady Qilue, if the symbol is not yet visible-"

Qilue whirled around. "I know what I'm doing! Your opinion is not wanted, Protector."

Leliana stood, her mouth open. Her fingers spread slightly, and her posture shifted. In another moment she'd lunge for her singing sword. Behind Qilue, Cavatina frantically shook her head. Not yet! Play along! she signed.

Leliana bowed. "Lady, my apologies for speaking out of turn."

"The plan has its merits," Cavatina said, trying to draw the high priestess's attention back to her. "But the Protectors will need to be notified."

"Of course," Qilue said without turning around. She pointed at Leliana. "They just have been. A little sooner than I would have liked. There may be spies among us."

"Not among the Protectors," Leliana assured her.

"Not among the priestesses, you mean. There are Nightshadows whose loyalties I'm less certain of."

She at last turned to Cavatina. "You can see why I've been so short-tempered, of late. It's a big gamble I'm taking-but one that, if all goes well, will prove as rewarding as our assault on the Acropolis."

Cavatina nodded, trying not to betray the tension she felt. "I don't like it," she said. "It's too risky." Then she shrugged, as if in resignation. "But I bow to your greater wisdom, Lady Qilue."

"As do I, Lady," Leliana echoed.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Qilue nodded. Cavatina relaxed-a little. Hopefully, Wendonai was arrogant enough to think he'd fooled them.

A knock sounded on the door. As Qilue crossed the room to answer it, Leliana caught Cavatina's eye. Her hand nicked a word: What-?

Ask to leave.

"Lady," Leliana said. "May I check on Naxil?"

"Not yet," Qilue said without turning around. "There's more we need to discuss."

"Agreed," Cavatina interrupted. "And the battle-mistress should hear it. Leliana, go find Rylla. Ask her to join us."

"No!" Qilue snapped. Her hand was on the door. "Remain where you are, Leliana. I've already sent for the battle-mistress."

Cavatina's heart sank. She could think of only one reason for Qilue to keep the Protector here: Wendonai hadn't been fooled. And it was worse than that. As Qilue turned back to the door, Cavatina caught a glint of something: silver fire, kindling deep within the high priestess's eyes. Was Wendonai about to unleash it? Could he? If so, their lives would be measured in heartbeats unless Cavatina did something, and quickly.

Eilistraee, she silently prayed. Dancing Lady, aid me.

She caught Leliana's eye and glanced down at the other female's singing sword. One finger flicked. On my signal.

Leliana moved her feet slightly, getting ready to dive for her sword. With luck, the Protector would survive long enough for Cavatina to take Wendonai down and stop him-by killing Qilue, if necessary.

Cavatina prayed that it wouldn't be.

Qilue opened the door, revealing Meryl. The halfling held up a tray on which stood a single goblet. Or… was it Meryl? For all Cavatina knew, this might be another dretch in disguise.

Cavatina raised her hand slightly, about to give the signal to attack. Before her fingers could move, a voice sang into her ear. Wait.

Eilistraee? Cavatina wondered. Or the demon, mimicking her voice?

Watch, the voice urged. As before, the word sang out in a duet, blending male and female timbres.

Eilistraee. Cavatina felt certain of it.

Meryl glanced into the shrine, at the two priestesses-then yelped and stepped back quickly as Qilue snatched the goblet, spilling part of the clear liquid it held, and shut the door in the halfling's face.

Cavatina held her hand still. Leliana would be wondering why she hadn't signaled yet. Logically, now was the time to move, while the "imposter's" back was still turned.

Goblet in hand, Qilue turned.

Leliana waited, her body tense.

Suddenly, Cavatina understood what the goddess wanted her to do. As Qilue drank from the goblet, Cavatina whispered a hymn of detection. She finished it as Qilue lowered the empty goblet. Cavatina saw the high priestess's aura brighten, returning to its usual gleaming silver-except for a faint dimple that was the scar on her wrist. She realized that it must have been holy water the high priestess had just drunk-and that it had done its work.