蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第35部分

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It　touched　a　finger　to　Pharaun's　brow；　and　they　were　elsewhere。
　
C　h　a　p　t　e　r　　
N　　I　　N　　E　　T　　E　　E　　N
The　Underdark　was　boundless；　its　mysteries　infinite；　and　despite　centuries　of　following　wherever　his　curiosity　led；　Pharaun　had　never　seen　an　illithid　city。　Save　for　a　dearth　of　inhabitants；　he　thought　he'd　just　stepped　into　one。
Artisans　had　carved　the　walls　and　columns　of　the　vault　into　spongiform　masses　like　brain　tissue；　then　covered　the　convolutions　with　lines　of　graven　runes。　Pools　of　warm　fluid　dotted　the　floor。　Redolent　of　salt；　the　ponds　crawled　and　throbbed　with　a　mental　force　that　even　a　nonpsionic　intelligence　dimly　sensed　as　a　whisper　of　alien；　inprehensible　thought　at　the　back　of　the　mind。
Pharaun　recognized　that　the　cavern　was　in　some　sense　an　illusion；　but　that　didn't　make　it　any　less　interesting。　He　would　have　liked　nothing　better　than　to　explore　every　nook　and　cranny。　It　was　an　inclination　rooted　in　a　profound　sense　of　wellbeing；　a　blithe　unconcern　no　more　genuine　than　the　landscape；　but　seductive　all　the　same。　He　would　have　to　fight　it。
He　turned；　saw　Syrzan　standing　a　few　feet　away；　and　cast　darts　of　force；　　a　spell　requiring　only　words　of　power　and　a　flourish　of　the　hands。　Halfway　to　their　target；　the　streaking　shafts　of　azure　radiance　stopped　dead　in　the　air；　fell　to　the　ground；　and　turned　into　limbless　things　like　leeches　or　tadpoles；　which；　squealing　telepathically；　slithered　toward　the　nearest　pool。
〃Your　spells　won't　work　here；〃　said　Syrzan　in　the　Prophet's　rich；　pelling　tones。
〃I　suspected　as　much；　but　I　had　to　try。　Are　we　inside　your　mind？〃
〃More　or　less。〃
Syrzan　strolled　closer。　Off　to　the　side；　liquid　splashed　and　plopped　as　the　tadpoles　wallowed。
〃We're　conversing　in　my　special　haven；〃　the　undead　mind　flayer　said；　〃but　we're　also　still　in　the　heretic's　chapel。　In　that　reality　I'm　rebuking　Houndaer　for　fetching　you　after　I　told　him　it　was　dangerous；　and　you're　insensible。〃
〃Fascinating；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃and　I　suppose　you　spirited　me　into　the　dream　for　a　private　teteatete。〃
〃Essentially；〃　the　alhoon　said。　Even　in　this　phantasmal　domain；　it　smelled　faintly　of　decaying　fish。　〃This　is　actually　a　form　of　mindreading。　You　won't　be　able　to　lie。〃
The　Master　of　Sorcere　chuckled。　〃Some　people　would　say　that　so　handicapped；　I　won't　be　able　to　speak　at　all。〃
The　mages　began　stroll　along　side　by　side。　The　atmosphere　felt　quite　congenial。
〃How　is　it；〃　Syrzan　asked；　〃that　you　came　looking　for　my　associates　and　me？〃
Pharaun　explained。　He　didn't　see　how　it　could　do　any　harm。
When　he　was　finished；　the　illithilich　said；　〃You　couldn't　wield　my　particular　sort　of　power。〃
〃I　understand　that　now。　You　enthrall　the　undercreatures　through　a　deft　bination　of　wizardry　and　mind　flayer　arts；　and　I　lack　the　innate　capacity　to　master　the　latter。　What's　more；　you　conspirators　know　nothing　about　the　priestesses'　difficulties。〃　Pharaun　cocked　his　head。　〃Or　perhaps　you　do；　Master　Eich。〃
〃No；〃　said　Syrzan；　its　mouth　tentacles　coiling　and　twisting。　〃Eike　the　others；　I　know　what's　happened　but　not　why。〃
〃So　none　of　what　I　sought　was　ever　here　for　the　finding。〃　Pharaun　laughed　and　said；　〃My　sister　Sabal　once　told　me　that　a　clever　drow's　wits　can　lead　him　into　follies　no　dunce　would　dare　to　undertake　。　。　。　but　that's　blood　down　the　gutter。　What　of　you？　What　in　the　wide　world　prompted　a　creature　such　as　yourself　to　throw　in　with　a　band　of　Menzoberranyr　malcontents？〃
〃You　seek　information　you　can　use　against　me。〃
〃Well；　partly　。。。〃　Pharaun　had　to　pause　for　a　second　when　a　wave　of　psionic　force　from　one　of　the　larger　pools　dizzied　him　and　threatened　to　wash　his　own　thoughts　away。　〃In　the　unlikely　event　I'm　ever　afforded　the　chance。　Mostly；　though；　I'm　just　curious。　You're　a　mage。　Surely　we　share　that　trait　even　if　little　else。〃
Syrzan　shrugged；　the　narrow　shoulders　beneath　its　faded　robes　hitching　higher　than　would　a　drow's。
〃Well；〃　the　alhoon　said；　〃I　suppose　it　can　do　no　harm　to　enlighten　you；　and　it's　been　a　long　while　since　I've　had　the　opportunity　to　converse　with　a　colleague　of　genuine　ability。　Not　that　you're　my　equal—no　elf　or　dwarf　could　ever　be—but　you're　several　cuts　above　any　of　Houndaer's　allies。〃
〃Your　kind　words　overwhelm　me。〃
The　two　wizards　stepped　onto　a　bridge；　a　crooked　limestone　span　arching　over　one　of　the　briny　pools。
〃Dark　elves　will　abide　a　lich；〃　the　alhoon　said；　a　brooding　note　entering　its　musical　and　almost　certainly　artificial　voice。　〃Illithids　won't。　By　and　large；　they　hate　the　idea　of　sorcery；　a　foreign　discipline　as　potent　as　the　psionic　skills　that　constitute　our　birthright。　Still；　they'll　tolerate　a　limited　number　of　mortal　mages；　those　of　us　drawn　to　wizardry　despite　the　stigma；　for　the　advantages　we　bring。　But　the　thought　of　undying　wizards　enduring　for　millennia；　amassing　arcane　power　the　while；　terrifies　them。〃
〃So　on　the　day　you　achieved　your　immortality；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃you　forsook　your　homeland　forever；　or　at　least　until　the　day　when　you　could　conquer　it。〃
The　two　mages　stopped　at　the　highest　point　on　the　bridge　and　looked　out　over　an　expanse　of　warm；　briny　fluid。　Pharaun　noticed　that　the　stuff　rippled　and　flowed　sluggishly；　as　if　it　was　thicker　than　water。
〃Indeed；〃　Syrzan　said。　〃I　hoped　to　manage　my　departure　circumspectly；　but　somehow　the　folk　of　Oryndoll　sensed　my　metamorphosis。　For　decades；　they　hunted　me　like　an　animal；　and　I　existed　like　one　in　the　wilds　of　the　Underdark。　Those　times　were　hard。　Even　the　undead　crave　the　forts　of　civilization。　Finally　Oryndoll　fot　me　or　gave　up　on　me。　That　was　an　improvement；　but　still　I　had　no　home。〃
〃I've　heard；〃　said　Pharaun；　〃that　one　or　two　secret　enclaves　of　illithiliches　exist。　Didn't　you　search　for　one？〃
〃I　searched　for　ninety　years　and　found　one；〃　Syrzan　replied；　sounding　slightly　miffed　that　its　prisoner　had　jumped　ahead　in　the　story。　〃For　a　time；　I　dwelled　therein　but　I　quarreled　with　the　eldest　alhoons；　who　considered　themselves　the　leaders　of　the　rest。　I　conducted　certain　investigations　they　had；　in　their　ignorance　and　timidity；　forbidden。〃
The　Master　of　Sorcere　laughed　and　said；　〃If　you　can't　find　it　in　your　heart—assuming　an　illithilich　retains　the　an—to　consider　us　equals；　you　must　at　least　concede　we're　kindred　spirits。　You　weren't　angling　for　the　Sarthos　demon；　were　you？〃
〃No；〃　said　Syrzan　curtly。　〃Suffice　it　to　say　that　if　not　for　some　bad　luck；　I　would　have　usurped　the　place　of　the　eldest　lich　of　all；　but　as　matters　fell　out；　I　had　to　flee　into　the　wilderness；　a　solitary　wanderer　once　more。〃
〃Surely　you　found　someone　to　enslave。〃
Pharaun　noticed　the　air　in　the　dream　cavern　had　grown　cooler。　Perhaps　it　was　responding　to　its　maker's　somber　reflections。
〃I　found　small　encampments；〃　Syrzan　said。　〃A　family　of　goblins　here；　a　dozen　troglodytes　there。　I　used　them；　used　them　up；　each　in　its　turn；　but　no　little　hole　infested　with　a　handful　of　brutes　could　give　me　what　I　truly　craved。　I　yearned　for　a　teeming　city；　full　of　splendors　and　luxuries；　over　which　I　would　rule；　and　from　which　I　could　conquer　an　empire。　But　the　taking　of　such　exceeded　even　my　powers。〃
〃Or　mine；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃hard　as　that　is　to　credit。　So；　lusting　for　what　you　couldn't　have；　you　spied　on　the　cities　of　the　Underdark；　didn't　you；　or　one　of　them；　anyway。　You　kept　your　eye　on　Menzoberranzan。〃
〃Yes；〃　Syrzan　said；　〃I've　watched　your　people　for　a　long　while。　I　discovered　the　cabal　of　renegade　males　some　forty　years　ago。　More　recently；　I　observed　the　priestesses'　debility；　no　mere　dark　elves　could　hide　such　an　enormous　change　from　an　observer　with　my　talents。　I　remembered　the　wouldbe　rebels　and　arranged　for　them　to　make　the　same　discovery；　then　I　emerged　from　the　shadows　and　offered　them　my　services。〃
〃Why？〃　Pharaun　asked。　〃Your　collaborators　are　drow；　and　you're；　if　you'll　pardon　my　bluntness；　a　member　of　an　inferior　species。　Jumped　up　vermin；　really。　You　don't　expect　Houndaer　and　the　boys　to　honor　a　pact　with　you　once　the　prize　is　won？　Dark　elves　don't　even　keep　faith　with　one　another。〃
〃Fortunately；　the　prize　won't　be　won　for　decades；　and　during　those　years；　I'll　be　subtly　working　to　impose　my　will　on　my　associates。　Long　before　they　assume　the　rulership　of　the　city；　I'll　be　ruling　them。〃
〃I　see。　The　fools　have　given　you　your　opening；　and　now　that　which　you　could　never　conquer　from　the　outside　you'll　subjugate　from　within；　extending　the　web　of　pulsion　farther　and　farther；　one　assumes；　until　all　Menzoberranyr　are　mindslaves　marching　to　your　drum。〃
〃Obviously；　you　understand　the　fundamentals　of　illithid　society；〃　said　Syrzan。　〃You　probably　also　know　that　we　prefer　to　dine　on　the　brains　of　lesser　sentients　and　that　we　share　your　own　race's　fondness　for　torture。　Still；　some　of　your　folk　will　fare　all　right。　I　can't　eat　or　flay　everyone；　can　I？〃
〃Not　unless　you　want　to　wind　up　a　king　of　ghosts　and　silence。　And　where；　may　I　ask；　do　these　stoneburning　fire　bombs　e　from？〃
〃Menzoberranzan　isn't　the　only　drow　city　possessed　of　ambitious　males；〃　the　illithilich　said。
Pharaun　was　momentarily　speechless。　Another　drow　city—
〃Now；　it's　your　turn　to　satisfy　my　curiosity；〃　Syrzan　said；　interrupting　the　drow's　reverie。
〃I　live　for　the　opportunity。〃
〃When　Houndaer　and　the　others　explained　our　scheme；　did　you　sincerely　consider　joining　us？〃
Pharaun　grinned　and　said；　〃For　about　a　quarter　of　a　second。〃
〃Why　did　you　reject　the　idea？　You're　no　more　faithful　or　less　ambitious　than　any　other　drow。〃
〃Or　illithid；　I'll　hazard。　Why　then　did　I　remain　firm　in　my　resolve　to　betray　you　to　Gromph？〃　The　slender　dark　elf　spread　his　hands。　〃So　many　reasons。　For　one；　I'm　a　notable　wizard；　if　I　do　say　so　myself；　and　in　Menzoberranzan　we　mages　have　our　own　tacit　hierarchy。　In　recent　years；　I've　channeled　my　aspirations　into　that。　Should　I　rise　to　the　top；　it　will　make　me　a　personage　nearly　as　exalted　as　a　high　priestess。〃
Syrzan　flipped　its　tentacles；　a　gesture　that　conveyed　impatience；　and　a　flake　of　skin　fell　off。　Unlike　the　slimy　hide　of　living　mind　flayers；　the　lich's　flesh　was　cracked　and　dry。
〃The　renegades　are　trying　to　place　themselves　above　the　females；〃　the　undead　creature　said。
〃I　understand　that；　but　I　doubt　it'll　work　out　the　way　they　plan；　or　even　the　way　you　plan。〃
〃You　believe　the　priestesses　are　too　formidable；　even　divested　of　their　spells？〃
〃Oh；　they're　powerful。　They　may　well　extinguish　this　little　cabal。　Yet　for　the　moment；　I'm　more　concerned　about　the　undercreatures。　Do　you　realize　how　many　goblins　there　are；　how　fervently　they　hated　us　even　before　you　maddened　them；　or　how　dangerous　your　stoneconsuming　fire　is？　It　could　be　that　after　they　riot；　we　won't　have　a　Menzoberranzan　left　for　anyone　to　rule。〃
〃Nonsense。　The　ores　will　have　their　hour；　and　your　people　will　butcher　them。〃
Pharaun　sighed。　〃That's　what　folk　keep　telling　me。　I　wish　your　consensus　forted　me；　but　it　doesn't。　That's　one　of　the　drawbacks　of　knowing　yourself　shrewder　than　everybody　else。〃
〃I　assure　you；　the　ores　cannot　prevail。〃
〃At　the　very　least；　they'll　destroy　some　of　the　lovely　architecture　the　founders　sculpted　from　the　living　rock；　and　they'll　set　a　defiant　example　for　future　generations　of　thralls。　Your　scheme　will　harm　not　merely　the　priestesses　but　Menzoberranzan　itself；　and　I　disapprove　of　that。　It's　sloppy　and　inept。　Only　a　fool　mars　the　very　treasure　he's　striving　to　acquire。〃
A　sneer　in　its　tone；　Syrzan　said；　〃I　wouldn't　have　taken　you　for　a　patriot。〃
〃Odd；　isn't　it？　I'll　tell　you　something　even　stranger。　In　my　way；　I'm　also　a　devout　child　of　Lolth。　Oh；　it's　never　kept　me　from　pursuing　my　own　ends—even　past　the　point　of　murdering　a　priestess　or　two—but　though　I　strive　for　personal　preeminence；　I　would　never　seek　to　topple　the　entire　social　order　she　established。　I　certainly　wouldn't　conspire　to　place　her　chosen　people　and　city　under　the　rule　of　a　lesser　creature。〃
〃Even　gods　die；　drow。　Perhaps　Lolth　is　no　more。　If　Menzoberranzan　is　indeed　the　mortal　realm　she　loves　best；　why　else　would　she　abandon　you？〃
〃A　test？　A　punishment？　A　whim？　Who　can　say？　But　I　doubt　the　Spider　Queen　is　dead。　I　saw　her　once；　and　I　don't　just　mean　the　manifestation　who　visited　Menzoberranzan　during　the　Time　of　Troubles。　I've　gazed　upon　the　Dark　Mother　in　the　full　majesty　of　her　divinity；　and　I　can't　imagine　that　anything　could　ever　lay　her　low。〃
〃You　have　looked　upon　the　Spider　Queen？〃
〃I　thought　you　might　be　interested　in　that；〃　said　the　mage。　〃It　wasn't　long　after　I　graduated　from　Sorcere；　returned　home　to　serve　my　mother；　and　sided　with　my　sister　Sabal　against　her　twin　Greyanna。　One　night；　a　delegation　of　priestesses　came　to　our　stalactite　castle。　Triel　Baenre　herself　led　the　expedition—she　was　Mistress　of　ArachTinilith　in　those　days—and　she'd　brought　along　dignitaries　from　Houses　Xorlarrin；　Agrach　Dyrr；　Barrison　Del'Armgo；　and　other　families　of　note。　It　was　a　momentous　occasion；　especially　for　me；　because　all　these　great　ladies　had　e　to　arrest　me。
〃I　never　did　find　out　if　Greyanna　instigated　the　affair。　It　was　the　kind　of　thing　she　would　have　done；　but　it　needn't　have　been　her。　You'll　scarcely　credit　it；　but　in　those　days；　I　was　considered　an　insolent；　uppity　scapegrace；　a　far　cry　from　the　meek　and　modest　gentleman　you　see　before　you　today。　A　good　many　clerics　may　have　suspected　me　of　irreverence。〃
〃This　is　what　happened　to　Tsabrak；〃　Syrzan　said。　〃The　priestesses　arrested　him；　turned　him　into　a　drider；　and　drove　him　forth。〃
〃Sometimes　they　mete　out　punishments　even　fouler；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃but　first　they　examine　you　to　determine　your　true　sentiments。　I　hoped　my　mother　would　intervene。　She　was　one　of　the　great　Matrons　of　Menzoberranzan；　and　I'd　scored　a　number　of　coups　for　House　Mizzrym；　but　she　never　said　a　word。　Perhaps　she　believed　me　a　traitor　in　the　making　or　was　reluctant　to　disagree　with　the　Baenre。　Maybe　she　simply　found　my　predicament　amusing。　Miz'ri's　like　that。
〃Be　that　as　it　may；　the　priestesses　threw　me　in　a　dungeon　and　put　me　to　the　question；　employing　whips　and　other　toys。　Somehow　I　managed　to　resist　the　urge　to　make　a　spurious　confession　merely　to　stop　the　pain。　A　fellow　wizard　cast　a　mindreading　spell；　only　to　slap　up　against　the　defenses　most　mages　erect　to　protect　their　thoughts。　I　imagine　an　illithid　would　have　smashed　right　through；　but　he　was　unequal　to　the　challenge。〃
〃Then　you　passed　the　test？〃　Syrzan　asked。
〃Alas；　no；〃　Pharaun　laughed。　〃The　examiners　deemed　the　results　inconclusive　and　accordingly　asked　a　higher　power　to　make　the　determination。　They　laid　me　on　an　obsidian　altar；　performed　a　dancing；　keening；　selfmutilating　ritual　together；　and　the　torture　chamber　faded　away。　You'd　think　I　would　have　been　glad　of　it；　wouldn't　you；　but　my　new　surroundings　were　no　less　ominous。〃
Pharaun's　captors　had　ignored　his　silver　ring；　obviously　thinking　it　mere　jewelry；　if　they　noticed　it　at　all。　As　soon　as　he'd　looked　at　Syrzan；　he'd　discovered　its　magic　operated　even　within　the　confines　of　the　lich's　phantasmal　creation。　He　forced　an　idea　into　his　subconscious　and　continued　to　prattle。
〃The　priestesses　had　drugged　me　to　prevent　my　resisting　their　attentions；　then　used　me　with　considerable　brutality。　It　took　me　a　while　just　to　lift　my　battered　head　and　look　around。　When　I　did；　I　perceived　that　I　lay　atop　an　enormous　object　with　the　shape　of　a　staffer　length　of　cord　made　of　a　substance　that　gave　ever　so　slightly　but　was　as　strong　as　adamantine　nonetheless。　Otherwise；　it　would　have