蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第37部分

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The　wizard　lifted　his　right　foot；　stared　at　it　intently；　and　started　curling　and　crossing　the　toes。　He　fumbled　through　a　sequence　of　moves；　then　repeated　it。　It　took　Ryld　another　few　moments　to　prehend；　and　he　didn't　know　whether　to　laugh　or　cry。
In　point　of　fact；　the　Underdark　abounded　in　creatures；　Syrzan　included；　whose　extremities　differed　notably　from　a　dark　elf's；　yet　who　worked　magic　nonetheless。　So　maybe　Pharaun　had　a　chance。　Maybe　he　could　cast　one　of　those　spells　that　only　required　movement；　not　an　incantation　or　material　ponents。
But　only　if　he　could　shift　his　feet　and　toes　through　the　proper　patterns；　those　precise　and　intricate　passes　he'd　spent　years　learning　to　execute　with　his　hands。
When　the　toes　of　his　right　foot　grew　tired；　he　started　working　with　those　of　his　left。　After　that；　he　shifted　his　weight　back；　lifted　his　legs；　and　practiced　twining　them　together。　Ryld　might　have　found　it　quite　a　ical　spectacle　had　his　life　not　depended　on　the　mage's　success。
Soon　Pharaun　began　to　sweat　and　occasionally　to　tremble；　which　always　forced　him　to　stop　and　rest　for　a　bit。　After　an　hour；　he　moved　on　to　the　next　phase　of　his　experiment：　putting　the　elements　of　the　spell　together；　moving　everything　at　the　same　time　with　the　proper　sequence　and　timing。
Ryld　watched　the　process　intently。　He　was　no　wizard；　but　to　his　untutored　eye；　it　appeared　that　after　a　while；　Pharaun　was　producing　exactly　the　same　pattern　two　times　out　of　three。　The　rest　he　fumbled　in　one　way　or　another。
Finally；　breathing　hard；　he　looked　at　the　weapons　master　and　shrugged。
〃That's　all　right；〃　the　swordsman　replied。　〃Two　out　of　three　is　good　odds。〃
Pharaun　slumped　back　and　spent　the　next　few　minutes　resting。　When　he　sat　up　and；　heedless　of　the　fresh　blood　that　started　from　the　corners　of　his　mouth；　he　growled　through　the　mask。　He　banged　the　box　encasing　his　hands　twice　against　the　floor；　then　looked　at　Ryld。
〃I　understand；〃　the　warrior　said。　〃Make　noise。　Bring　someone。〃
Pharaun　nodded。　The　cage　around　his　head　clinked。
〃Ho　I'm　a　Master　of　MeleeMagthere。　I　know　secrets　about　the　defenses　of　the　great　Houses；　secrets　you　must　know　for　your　plans　to　succeed。　I'll　trade　them　for　my　freedom〃
He　continued　in　the　same　vein　for　several　minutes；　clashing　his　chains　against　the　wall　for　emphasis。　Meanwhile　Pharaun　lay　motionless；　as　if　he　were　still　unconscious。
Finally；　eyes　appeared　at　the　little　barred　window　in　the　door。
〃What？〃　the　newer　snarled。　It　wasn't　a　voice　Ryld　had　heard　before。
〃I　need　to　talk　to　you；〃　the　weapons　master　said。
〃I　heard；〃　said　the　other　drow。　〃You　have　secrets。　The　alhoon　will　rip　them　out　of　you；　no　bargain　required。〃
〃Syrzan　said　it　would　take　time　to　turn　us　into　mindslaves；〃　Ryld　replied。　〃I　have　information　you　need　before　you　unleash　the　undercreatures。　Their　rebellion　will　do　you　no　good　if　the　weapons　masters　strike　them　all　dead　before　they　even　get　started。〃
〃How　could　the　mastersofarms　do　that？〃　asked　the　rogue。
〃A　secret；〃　said　Ryld；　〃that　we　brothers　of　the　pyramid　teach　to　a　chosen　few。〃
〃I　don't　believe　you。〃
〃We've　been　studying　war　for　millennia。　Do　you　think　we　impart　all　we　know　to　every　young　dullard　who　enrolls　in　the　Academy；　or　is　it　likely　we　hold　greater；　deadlier　mysteries　in　reserve？〃
The　rogue　hesitated。
〃All　right；　tell　me。　If　there's　anything　to　it；　I'll　set　you　free。〃
Ryld　shrugged；　rattling　his　fetters。　They　were　already　rubbing　his　wrists　raw。
〃Shout　it　through　a　closed　door？〃　the　weapons　master　asked。　〃Is　that　what　you　really　want？〃
〃Wait。〃
The　contempt　in　the　prisoner's　tone　had　reminded　the　rogue　of　a　basic　principle。　It　was　best　to　keep　information　to　yourself；　at　least　until　you　figured　out　how　to　reap　a　benefit　from　sharing　it。　This　rogue　didn't　want　anyone　overhearing　what　Ryld　had　to　say。
The　door　clacked　as　a　key　turned　in　the　lock。　It　creaked　open；　and　the　renegade　stepped　through。　He　was　stocky；　with　a　broken　nose　squashed　across　an　angular　face。　He'd　decorated　rather　nondescript　clothing　with　gaudy　ornaments；　including　a　silver　fillet　set　with　garnets。　His　rapier　hung　from　a　baldric；　the　hilt　of　a　dagger　protruded　from　the　top　of　either　boot；　and　a　hand　crossbow　dangled　from　his　belt。
He　stopped　just　inside　the　doorway；　where　he　had　every　right　to　think　himself　safe。　The　cell　was　large　enough；　and　the　prisoners'　shackles　short　enough；　that　he　was　beyond　their　reach。　He　swung　the　door　shut　behind　him　but　didn't　permit　it　to　latch。
〃All　right；〃　he　said；　〃now　you　can　tell　me。〃
〃First；〃　said　Ryld；　〃unchain　me。〃
He　thought　he　had　to　keep　the　renegade　occupied　for　just　a　few　more　seconds；　long　enough　for　Pharaun　to　cast　his　spell。
The　guard　just　laughed　and　said；　〃Don't　be　absurd。〃
〃Why　not？〃
〃You　know　why　not。〃
〃But　you　might　just　listen　to　the　secrets　and　leave　me　imprisoned；〃　said　Ryld；　watching　Pharaun　from　the　corner　of　his　eye。
To　his　dismay；　the　wizard　wasn't　conjuring。　He　wasn't　moving　at　all。　Had　he　passed　out　again？
〃You're　caged；〃　said　the　renegade；　〃and　I'm　not。　Therefore；　you　will　have　to　trust　me；　not　the　other　way　around。〃
Ryld　scowled；　meanwhile　racking　his　brains　for　inspiration。　With　Pharaun　inert；　he　was　going　to　have　to　improvise　a　story　to　detain　the　rogue　and　pray　the　wizard　would　make　a　move　before　much　longer。
〃All　right；　I　suppose　I　have　no　choice。　Not　far　beyond　Bauthwaf　lies　the　entrance　to　a　tunnel　leading　to　the　deepest　reaches　of　the　Underdark；　where　even　our　people　do　not—〃
〃What's　this　got　to　do　with　weapons　masters　killing　slaves？〃　the　guard　demanded。
〃Listen；　and　you'll　find　out。　At　the　lower　end　of　the　passage　is　a　mineral　I've　never　seen　anywhere　else　。　。　。〃　At　last　Pharaun　moved　his　feet。　Now；　if　only　the　renegade　didn't　notice。　〃When　you　crush　the　rock　to　powder　。。。〃
〃T　T　　　1〃
Hey
Evidently　the　guard's　peripheral　vision　was　almost　as　good　as　Ryld's；　for　he　pivoted　toward　Pharaun；　but　not　in　time。　A　disembodied　hand　made　of　pale　yellow　light　appeared　beside　his　shoulder　and　gave　him　a　push。
The　impetus　sent　him　staggering　closer　to　Ryld。　The　weapons　master　grabbed　him　and　smashed　his　head　against　the　wall　until　it　left　a　sticky　mess　on　the　stone；　then　he　searched　the　corpse　and　found　a　ring　of　keys　clipped　to　its　belt。
He　discovered　the　one　that　opened　his　own　restraints；　and　Pharaun's。　The　wizard　flexed　his　fingers；　restoring　circulation；　produced　a　silken　handkerchief　from　his　sleeve；　and　dabbed　at　the　blood　on　the　sides　of　his　mouth。
〃I　think　I'll　establish　a　new　school　of　magic；〃　the　wizard　said。　〃Pedomancy—the　sorcery　of　the　feet。〃
〃Why　did　you　wait　so　long　to　throw　the　spell？〃　Ryld　asked。
〃I　was　looking　for　our　friend's　keys。　It　wouldn't　have　done　any　good　to　attack　him　had　he　not　been　carrying　the　means　to　release　us　from　our　fetters。　His　cape　was　hanging　over　them；　and　it　took　me　a　minute　to　spot　them。〃
〃I　was　certain　something　had　gone　wrong。　Are　you　ready　to　get　us　out　of　here？〃
〃Momentarily；〃　Pharaun　said　as　he　pulled　on　his　socks　and　boots。　〃I　think　everything's　going　splendidly；　don't　you？　We've　acquired　the　knowledge　we　came　for；　and　now　we'll　escape；　just　as　planned。〃
〃We　didn't　plan　on　having　to　do　it　without　our　gear。〃
〃Please；　don't　harp　on　the　obvious。　It　makes　for　a　dreary　conversation。　Where　exactly　are　we；　by　the　way？　Where's　the　nearest　exit？〃
〃I　don't　know。　They　gave　me　a　knock　on　the　head　before　they　carried　us　here。　I　think　we're　up　inside　the　cavern　ceiling。〃
〃So　we　won't　encounter　a　window　or　balcony　unless　we　descend　a　ways；　but　we　might　find　a　door　opening　on　a　tunnel。〃
Ryld　scavenged　the　dead　rogue's　weapons　and　piwafwi。　The　cloak　was　much　too　small　for　him；　but　would　provide　some　protection　nonetheless。　The　mail　shirt；　alas；　he　simply　couldn't　wear。
〃No　gear　for　me？〃　Pharaun　asked。
〃I'm　the　fighter；　and　I'll　be　standing　in　front。〃
〃Well；　when　you　put　it　that　way　。。。〃
〃Let's　go。〃
The　masters　stood　up。　Ryld　felt　dizzy；　swayed；　but　then　recovered　his　balance。　They　started　for　the　door；　and　something　happened。　It　was　like　the　blare　of　a　trumpet　and　a　white　light；　too；　but　it　was　neither。　The　weapons　master　didn't　know　what　it　was；　only　that　it　froze　him　in　place　until　it　faded　away。
〃What　just　happened？〃　he　asked。
〃The　Call；〃　Pharaun　replied。　〃This　close　to　the　source；　one　can　vaguely　sense　it　even　if　one　isn't　a　goblin。　The　slaves　are　rising。〃
　
C　h　a　p　t　e　r
T　　W　　E　　N　　T　　Y　
　O　　N　　E
When　the　instructors　rounded　the　corner；　Pharaun　saw　a　rogue　about　five　yards　away。　Well　armed；　the　conspirator　was　striding　purposefully　along；　perhaps　to　join　one　of　the　assassination　squads　that　would　descend　on　the　city　once　the　goblin　rebellion　plunged　it　into　chaos。
He　had　good　reflexes。　As　soon　as　he　spotted　the　fugitives；　he　reached　for　the　wall；　no　doubt　to　conceal　himself　behind　a　curtain　of　darkness。
Pharaun　lifted　his　hands　to　cast　darts　of　force—he　had　two　such　spells　remaining；　neither　requiring　a　focal　object—but　Ryld　was　quicker。　He　shot　his　hand　crossbow。　The　quarrel　plunged　into　the　renegade's　eye；　and　he　fell。
The　masters　skulked　up　to　the　corpse　and　crouched　down　to　examine　it。　Pharaun　was　hardly　surprised　yet　disappointed　to　find　that　the　dead　warrior　hadn't　been　carrying　any　spell　ingredients。
The　Master　of　Sorcere　hadn't　lost　faith　in　himself；　but　he　realized　that　overconfidence　coupled　with　ambition　had　lured　him　and　Ryld　into　a　desperate　situation。　They　were　stuck　in　the　midst　of　their　enemies。　Without　the　proper　triggers；　most　of　the　wizard's　magic　was　unavailable　to　him；　and　the　weapons　master　was　feeling　the　effects　of　the　blow　on　the　head　and　Syrzan's　psionic　assault。　Most　people　wouldn't　have　noticed；　but　Pharaun；　who　knew　him　well；　could　see　subtle　indications　in　the　way　he　moved。
Well；　at　least　Ryld　wasn't　bored。
Pharaun　stole　the　dead　male's　hand　crossbow；　dirk；　and　piwafwi—including　the　insignia　of　a　lesser　House　Pharaun　assumed　was　enchanted　in　the　same　way　as　all　the　others。　The　mantle　wasn't　a　bad　fit　but　felt　strange　without　the　weight　of　the　hidden　pockets　to　which　he　was　accustomed。　At　least；　he　hoped；　he'd　be　able　to　levitate。　Ryld　exchanged　the　rapier　he'd　been　wearing　for　the　fallen　drow's　broadsword。
The　Master　of　MeleeMagthere　cocked　his　crossbow　and　loaded　a　fresh　shaft　in　the　channel。　The　fugitives　stalked　on　down　the　hallway；　and　the　walls　screamed。　Pharaun　and　Ryld　screwed　up　their　faces　at　the　painful　loudness。　Blue　sparks　of　discharged　magic　showered　from　the　walls　and　ceiling；　and　a　hot；　raw　stink　of　power　fouled　the　air。
The　screech　stopped　as　suddenly　as　it　had　started；　though　it　left　echoes　sobbing　through　the　citadel。
〃Alarm　spell？〃　said　Ryld；　trotting　onward。
〃Yes；〃　Pharaun　said；　racing　to　catch　up。　His　ears　were　ringing。　〃Had　I　seen　it；　I　would　have　dispelled　it；　but—〃
〃But　as　it　stands；　the　rogues　will　be　ing　for　us。〃　Pharaun　frowned。　〃Unless　they're　too　busy　getting　ready　to　murder　priestesses。〃
〃No；　they'll　realize　they　have　to　catch　us　at　any　cost。　If　a　spy　slipped　away　from　here　and　reported　their　plans　to　the　Council；　it　would　ruin　everything　for　them。〃
〃You're　right；　curse　it。〃
The　masters　had　been　moving　stealthily　and　therefore　slowly　ever　since　departing　their　cell；　and　they　would　have　to　sneak　along　even　more　warily；　backtracking　and　detouring　whenever　they　sensed　their　enemies　were　near。　That　would　make　it　easier　to　get　lost。　The　longdead　nobles　had　built　their　fortress　according　to　a　defensive　strategy　still　occasionally　employed　in　Menzoberranzan。　The　place　was　something　of　a　maze。　If　a　person　had　grown　up　there；　that　wouldn't　pose　a　problem。　He'd　know　every　turn　and　dead　end；　but　outsiders　had　a　difficult　time　moving　about。　Outsiders　like　Pharaun　and　Ryld；　who　had　yet　to　find　an　exit。　
Perhaps；　the　wizard　thought；　the　renegades　will　have　trouble　navigating　as　well。
Though　they'd　squatted　in　the　castle；　they　might　not　know　it　as　well　as　the　original　occupants　had。　It　was　possible　they'd　simply　familiarized　themselves　with　a　few　key　areas　and　primary　passageways　and　left　the　rest　of　the　allegedly　cursed　and　haunted　keep　pretty　much　alone。
Still；　Pharaun　knew　it　was　only　a　matter　of　time　until　the　hunters　stumbled　onto　their　prey；　and　he　was　correct。　He　and　Ryld　were　traversing　a　gallery　hung　with　musty　phosphorescent　tapestries　when　something　rustled　behind　them。　The　masters　pivoted。　Silent　in　their　drow　boots；　half　a　dozen　warriors　had　appeared　behind　them　and　were　leveling　their　crossbows。
Ryld　crouched　and　lifted　a　fold　of　his　cloak　in　front　of　his　face。　Pharaun　copied　the　move。　Two　arrowheads　plunged　through　his　makeshift　shield；　which　apparently　wasn't　as　powerfully　enchanted　as　thepiwafwi　Houndaer　had　taken　from　him。　One　quarrel　hung　up　in　the　weave。　The　other　hurtled　right　through　and　grazed　the　mage's　shoulder；　stinging　him　and　slicing　a　shallow　cut。　He　prayed　it　wasn't　poisoned。
Hearing　a　ragged　clatter；　Pharaun　uncovered　his　eyes。　The　rogues　had　dropped　their　crossbows　and　were　charging。　They'd　already　dashed　too　close　for　him　to　employ　the　incantation　he　would　have　preferred。　Instead　he　cast　darts　of　light　and　dropped　two　renegades。　He　discharged　his　crossbow　and　missed　a　third。
Ryld　bellowed　a　war　cry　and　sprang　forward　to　meet　the　foes　remaining。　The　broadsword　flashed　back　and　forth；　thrusting；　cutting；　and　parrying　with　the　small；　precise　movements　that　characterized　true　mastery。　Pharaun　edged　forward　with　his　dirk　in　hand　but　never　got　a　chance　to　use　it。　The　rogues　all　died　before　he　could　advance　into　range。
Pharaun　took　stock　of　himself　and　decided　he　didn't　have　any　venom　in　his　system；　but　Ryld　groaned；　made　a　face；　and　clutched　at　his　temple。
〃What　is　it？〃　the　wizard　asked。
It　seemed　likely　that　one　of　the　enemy　had　scored；　but　he　didn't　see　any　blood　slipping　between　his　friend's　fingers；　and　head　wounds　bled　copiously。
〃A　throbbing　headache；〃　said　the　swordsman。　〃Left　over　from　Houndaer　and　Syrzan；　I　suppose；　made　worse　when　my　heart　started　beating　harder。　I'm　all　right　now。〃
〃I　rejoice　to　hear　it。〃　Pharaun　turned；　right　into　a　second　volley　of　quarrels。
He　had　no　time　to　raise　his　cloak；　dodge；　or　do　anything　else　but　gawk　at　the　second　band　of　renegades　who'd　crept　up　from　the　other　direction。　Miraculously；　every　shaft　missed。
One　of　the　newers　shouted；　〃They're　here〃
The　guards　charged；　and　Pharaun　brandished　a　bit　of　spiderweb；　the　one　spell　focus　he'd　had　no　difficulty　replacing。　A　mesh　of　taut；　luminous　cables　appeared　around　the　onrushing　renegades。　Anchored　to　the　wall；　the　cables　were　as　strong　as　rope　and　as　sticky　as　glue。　They　snared　and　held　the　rogues。
All　but　the　two　in　front。　Either　they'd　been　nimble　enough　to　jump　clear　before　the　effect　fully　materialized；　or　their　innate　dark　elf　resistance　to　magic　had　protected　them。
Undeterred　by　the　loss　of　their　rades；　the　warriors　drove　onward　into　sword　range。　The　one　who　focused　on　Pharaun　had　a　birthmark　staining　his　left　profile。
Pharaun　shot。　The　shaft　hit　the　male　square　in　the　chest　but　glanced　off　his　mail。　The　ugly　male　swung　his　sword　in　a　flank　cut。　Pharaun　twisted　aside　and　menced　an　incantation。
He　had　to　dodge　two　more　attacks　before　he　finished。　Shafts　of　light　sprang　from　his　fingertips。
Only　one　such　spell　left；　he　thought；　and　only　one　more　chance　to　conjure　a　trap　of　webbing；　too。
The　missiles　passed　through　the　renegade's　mail　and　sent　him　reeling　backward。　Wounded　but　still　alive；　the　rogue　gave　his　head