war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第1部分

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Book　4　of　War　of　the　Spider　Queen　series
A　Forgotten　Realms　novel
By　Lisa　Smedman

Chapter　One
　　　
　　　Pharaun　lay　on　the　forest　floor；　staring　up　into　the　angry　eyes　of　five　hissing　serpents。　Their　fangs　bared　and　dripping　with　poison；　their　mouths　open　wide；　the　red…and…black…banded　vipers　strained　against　the　whip　handle　from　which　they　grew。
　　　The　woman　holding　the　whip　stared　down　at　Pharaun　with　tightly　contained　rage。　Taller　and　stronger　than　the　Master　of　Sorcere；　she　was　an　imposing　figure。　Pharaun　could　not　see　her　face…the　bright　light　streaming　down　from　the　sky　above　flooded　his　vision；　turning　her　into　a　dark　silhouette　with　bone…white　hair…but　her　tone　was　as　venomous　as　her　serpents'　hisses。
　　　〃You　stepped　on　that　spider　on　purpose；〃　Quenthel　said。
　　　〃I　did　not；〃　he　spat　back；　wincing　at　the　slush　that　was　soaking　through　his　elegant　shirt；　chilling　his　back。　He　was　glad　the　other　members　of　their　group　had　scattered　in　different　directions　to　search…that　they　weren't　there　to　observe　him　in　such　an　undignified　pose。　〃I　can't　see　a　gods…cursed　thing　in　this　wretched　light。　Would　I　have　let　my　trousers　get　into　such　a　state　if　I　could　see　well　enough　to　step　around　the　brambles　that　tore　them？　If　there　was　a　spider　on　the　path；　I　didn't　know　it　was　there。〃
　　　He　glanced　to　his　left；　at　the　spot　Quenthel　had　indicated　a　moment　before。　As　she　looked　in　that　direction；　he　slid　his　right　hand　out　from　behind　his　back。
　　　One　of　the　whip…serpents　hissed　a　warning　to　its　mistress；　but　too　late。　The　moment　Pharaun's　hand　was　clear；　he　spoke　the　word　that　awoke　the　magic　in　his　ring。　Instantly；　the　steel　band　around　his　finger　unfurled；　elongating　and　expanding　into　a　sword。　Quick　as　thought；　it　spun　in　mid…air；　slashing　at　the　serpents。
　　　The　vipers　recoiled；　narrowly　escaping　the　scything　blade。　Quenthel　leaped　back；　her　mail　tunic　clinking。　Pharaun　scrambled　to　his　feet　and　pressed　her　with　the　sword。
　　　〃Jeggred！〃　Quenthel　screamed；　her　piwafwi　whirling　out　behind　her　as　she　dodged　the　dancing　sword。　〃Defend　me！〃
　　　Pharaun　whipped　a　hand　into　a　pocket　of　his　own　piwafwi　and　pulled　out　a　pinch　of　powdered　diamond。　Flicking　the　sparkling　powder　into　the　air；　he　shouted　the　words　of　a　spell；　at　the　same　time　whirling　in　a　tight　circle　to　scatter　the　powder。　A　dome　of　force　sprang　up　all　around　him；　shimmering　like　an　inverted　bowl。
　　　And　not　a　heartbeat　too　soon。　An　instant　after　the　magical　dome　had　materialized；　a　vaguely　drow…shaped　form　hurtled　out　of　the　forest。　The　draegloth　leaped　onto　the　dome；　the　claws　on　his　oversized　fighting　hands　screeching　like　the　shrieks　of　the　damned　as　they　scrabbled　for　a　hold　on　the　diamond…hard　surface。　The　half…demon　jumped　again　and　again　onto　the　dome；　sliding　off。
　　　At　last　giving　up；　the　draegloth　crouched　just　outside　the　magical　barrier；　his　smaller　set　of　hands　balled　into　fists　on　the　ground　while　his　larger　hands　flexed　claws　in　frustration。　He　glared　with　blood…red　eyes　at　Pharaun；　then　jerked　his　chin　in　defiance；　sending　a　ripple　through　the　coarse　mane　of　yellow…white　hair　that　cloaked　his　shoulders。
　　　Pharaun　winced　at　the　stench　of　the　draegloth's　breath；　wishing　the　magical　barrier　was　capable　of　blocking　odors。
　　　Behind　Jeggred；　Quenthel　kept　a　wary　eye　on　the　sword　that　hovered　just　over　her　head；　shielding　herself　from　it　with　the　buckler　strapped　to　her　arm。　The　serpents　of　her　whip　hissed　at　it；　one　of　them　straining　upward　in　a　futile　effort　to　snap　at　the　weapon。　Quenthel　started　to　reach　for　the　tube　at　her　hip　that　held　her　scrolls；　then　paused。　She　seemed　reluctant　to　waste　the　little　magic　she　had　left　on　such　a　petty　quarrel。
　　　〃Call　off　your　nephew；　and　let's　talk；〃　Pharaun　suggested。　Squinting；　he　glanced　up　at　the　harsh　blue　sky。　〃And　let's　get　out　of　the　sun；　before　it　turns　that　pretty　adamantine　buckler　you're　wearing　to　dust。〃
　　　Quenthel's　eyes　narrowed　in　fury　at　Pharaun's　insubordination。　No　doubt　she　was　thinking　that　though　a　Master　of　Sorcere　he　might　be；　as　a　male　he　should　remember　his　place。　Quenthel　certainly　lusted　to　use　the　spells　once　granted　her　by　Lolth　to　pin　Pharaun　in　a　web　and　subject　him　to　a　thousand　slow　torments；　but　the　Queen　of　Spiders　had　fallen　silent。　Save　for　her　scrolls；　Quenthel　had　no　more　spells　to　cast。
　　　〃Jeggred；〃　she　snapped。　〃Withdraw。〃
　　　Reluctantly；　Jeggred　backed　away　from　the　barrier。
　　　〃That's　more　like　it；〃　Pharaun　said。
　　　He　lifted　his　right　hand；　fingers　extended；　and　spoke　a　mand　word。　His　sword　shrank；　then　streaked　through　the　air　toward　his　hand　and　coiled　into　a　ring　once　more。　He　started　the　gesture　that　would　lower　the　barrier；　then　paused　as　he　saw　Jeggred　tense。
　　　〃I　should　remind　you；　Quenthel；　that　I　could　kill　this　demon　spawn　with　a　single　word；〃　Pharaun　cautioned。
　　　〃Jeggred　knows　that；〃　Quenthel　said；　indifference　turning　her　beautiful　face　into　an　expressionless　mask。　〃He　makes　his　own　choices。〃
　　　Jeggred　growled…whether　at　Quenthel　or　Pharaun；　it　wasn't　clear…and　spat　against　the　magical　dome。　Rising　to　his　feet；　he　stalked　back　into　the　forest。
　　　Pharaun　let　the　barrier　fall。
　　　〃Now　then；〃　he　said；　straightening　his　elegant　but　travel…worn　clothes　and　smoothing　back　an　errant　lock　of　white　hair　from　his　high　forehead。　〃I　apologize　for　stepping　on　one　of　Lolth's　children；　but　I　assure　you　it　was　entirely　an　accident。　The　sooner　we　leave　the　Lands　of　Light；　the　better。　Not　only　did　we　just　stir　up　all　of　Minauthkeep　by　killing　the　high　priest　of　House　Jaelre…〃
　　　〃Your　decision；　not　mine；〃　Quenthel　spat。　Then；　after　a　moment；　she　smiled。　〃Though　Tzirik　did　deserve　to　die。〃
　　　The　serpents　in　her　whip　hissed　their　assent。
　　　Pharaun　nodded；　glad　that　she　was　in　agreement　that　the　death　had　been　necessary。　Tzirik's　magic　had　allowed　their　group　to　travel　through　the　Astral　Plane　to　the　Demonweb　Pits；　domain　of　the　goddess　Quenthel　served…a　goddess　who　had　fallen　alarmingly　silent；　of　late。　There；　they　had　discovered　why　Lolth's　priestesses　could　no　longer　draw　upon　her　magic：　the　goddess　had　disappeared。　Her　temple　appeared　to　have　been　abandoned；　its　door　sealed　with　an　enormous　black　stone　carved　in　the　likeness　of　her　face。
　　　There　had　been　no　time；　however；　to　learn　whether　that　was　a　situation　of　Lolth's　own　choosing。　As　Pharaun　had　expected；　Tzirik　betrayed　them；　using　his　magic　to　gate　in　the　god　he　served。　Vhaeraun　had　attacked　the　stone　face　and　nearly　succeeded　in　breaching　it　when　Lolth's　champion…the　god　Selvetarm…appeared　to　defend　it。
　　　Realizing　that　Tzirik　had　no　intention　of　letting　them　return；　Pharaun　had　ordered　Jeggred　to　kill　Tzirik…telling　the　draegloth　the　order　came　from　Quenthel。　The　priest's　death　had　ejected　Quenthel's　group　out　of　the　Demonweb　Pits；　leaving　only　the　gods　behind。　For　all　Pharaun　knew；　Selvetarm　and　Vhaeraun　were　battling　there　still。
　　　If　Vhaeraun　won　and　succeeded　in　destroying　Lolth；　it　would　be　the　beginning　of　a　new　era　for　the　drow。　The　Masked　Lord　favored　males　opposed　to　the　matriarchy；　his　victory　would　no　doubt　spur　the　disenchanted　males　of　Menzoberranzan　to　an　even　greater　insurrection　than　the　one　that　city　had　recently　seen。　But　if　Selvetarm　succeeded　in　defending　the　Spider　Queen；　Lolth　might　one　day　return　and　restore　her　web　of　magic；　lending　power　to　her　priestesses'　spells　once　more。　Whatever　happened；　Pharaun　wanted　to　be　on　the　winning　side…or　appear　to　be　serving　its　interests；　anyway。
　　　〃As　I　was　saying；〃　Pharaun　continued；　〃not　only　is　House　Jaelre　seeking　us；　but　this　forest　is　infested　with　wood　elves。　The　sooner　we　get　below　ground；　the　better。〃
　　　He　paused　to　glance　at　the　forest；　squinting　against　the　sunlight　that　bounced　harshly　off　the　white；　slushy　snow　that　covered　trees　and　ground　alike。　The　wizard　regretted　his　decision　to　teleport　the　group　there。　His　spell　had　allowed　them　to　escape　House　Jaelre's　keep；　but　the　portal　he'd　hoped　to　use　to　put　even　more　distance　between　them　only　functioned　in　one　direction。　They　were　trapped　on　the　surface　at　the　mouth　of　a　shallow；　dead…end　cave。
　　　〃I　wonder　if　any　of　the　others　have　found　a　way　down　yet；〃　Pharaun　muttered。
　　　As　if　in　answer；　Valas　Hune　appeared　from　out　of　the　forest；　emerging　from　a　tangled　clump　of　underbrush　with　a　silence　that　was　only　in　part　due　to　the　enchanted　chain　mail　the　scout　wore。　A　pair　of　magical；　curved　kukri　daggers　hung　at　his　hip；　and　to　his　vest　was　pinned　a　miscellany　of　enchanted　talismans　fashioned　by　more　than　one　Underdark　race。　The　mercenary；　his　amber　eyes　watering　slightly　as　he　squinted　against　the　sunlight；　had　a　squared…off　jaw　that　seemed　permanently　clenched。　He　habitually　held　himself　tensed　and　ready；　as　if　he　expected　to　take　a　punch。　His　ebony　skin　was　crisscrossed　with　dozens　of　faint　gray　lines；　fading　legacies　of　two　centuries'　worth　of　battles。
　　　Valas　jerked　his　head　in　the　direction　from　which　he'd　just　e　and　said；　〃There's　a　ruined　temple　a　short　distance　away。　It's　built　around　a　cave。〃
　　　Quenthel's　eyes　glittered；　and　the　serpents　in　her　whip　froze　in　rapt　attention。
　　　〃Does　it　lead　to　the　Realms　Below？〃　she　asked。
　　　〃It　does；　Mistress；〃　Valas　said；　offering　a　slight　bow。
　　　Pharaun　strode　forward　and　clapped　an　arm　around　the　scout's　shoulders。
　　　〃Well　done；　Valas；〃　he　said　in　a　hearty　voice。　〃I　always　said　you　could　smell　a　tunnel　a　mile　away。　Lead　on！　We'll　be　back　in　Menzoberranzan　in　no　time；　quenching　our　well…earned　thirst　with　the　finest　wines　that…〃
　　　〃I　think　not。〃　Quenthel　stood　with　hands　on　her　hips；　the　serpents　in　her　whip　matching　her　venomous　stare。　〃The　goddess　is　missing；　possibly　under　attack。　We　must　find　her。〃　Her　eyes　narrowed。　〃You　are　not　suggesting；　are　you；　Pharaun；　that　we　turn　our　backs　on　Lolth？　If　so；　I'm　sure　the　matron　mother　will　see　to　it　you　receive　proper　punishment。〃
　　　Valas　glanced　between　Pharaun　and　Quenthel；　then　took　a　slight　step　to　the　side；　dislodging　Pharaun's　arm　from　his　shoulder。
　　　〃Turn　my　back　on　Lolth？〃　Pharaun　asked；　chuckling　to　hide　his　nervousness。　〃Not　at　all。　I'm　merely　suggesting　we　follow　the　matron　mother's　orders。　She　bade　us　find　out　what's　happened　to　Lolth；　and　we　have。　We　may　not　have　all　of　the　answers　yet；　but　we　have　some　pretty　important　pieces　of　the　puzzle。　The　matron　mother　will　no　doubt　want　us　to　report　what　we've　found　out　so　far。　Since　the　archmage　is　no　longer　answering　my　sendings；　we　can't　be　certain　he's　receiving　our　reports。　I　assumed　we　would　report　in　person。〃
　　　〃Only　one　of　us　need　go；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃But　it　won't　be　you。　There　are　other；　more　important　things　for　you　to　be　doing。〃　She　paused　for　a　moment；　thinking。　〃You　have　the　ability　to　summon　demons；　do　you　not？〃
　　　Pharaun　raised　an　eyebrow。
　　　〃I　have　summoning　spells；　yes；〃　he　said。　〃But　what　does　that　have　to　do　w…〃
　　　〃We　will　return　to　the　Demonweb　Pits…in　the　flesh；　this　time；〃　answered　Quenthel。　〃And　with　a　more　trustworthy　guide　than　Tzirik。〃
　　　Valas　shuddered　and　asked；　〃A　demon？〃　The　normally　taciturn　scout　saw　Quenthel's　glare；　seemed　suddenly　to　realize　he'd　spoken　aloud；　and　bowed。　〃As　you　mand；　Mistress。〃
　　　〃Assuming　I　do　summon　a　demon；　how　can　we　possibly　hope　to　prevent　it　from　tearing　us　limb　from　limb；　let　alone　coerce　it　into　being　a　tour　guide　for　some　little　jaunt　to　the　Abyss？　Even　Archmage　Gromph　wouldn't　think　of　whistling　up　a　demon　without　a　golden　pentacle　to　bind　it。　We're　in　the　wilderness…in　the　Realms　of　Sunlight；　in　case　you　hadn't　noticed。　Where　am　I　supposed　to　get　the　spell　ponents　to…〃
　　　〃Jeggred。〃
　　　Pharaun　blinked；　wondering　if　he'd　heard　Quenthel　correctly。
　　　〃Jeggred；〃　she　repeated。　〃We'll　use　his　blood。　You　can　draw　the　summoning　diagram　with　that。〃
　　　〃Ah　。　。　。〃　Pharaun　cursed　silently　as　he　realized　that　Quenthel　was；　unfortunately；　right。　The　blood　of　a　draegloth　could　indeed　bind　a　demon；　but　only　one：　the　demon　who　had　sired　Matron　Mother　Baenre's　half…demon　son。　The　demon　that　was　Jeggred's　father。
　　　Pharaun　had　no　desire　to　meet　him；　in　the　flesh　or　otherwise；　but　he　could　see　he　had　little　choice　in　the　matter。　Not　if　he　wanted　to　maintain　his　delicate　balancing　act　of　apparent　loyalty　to　Lolth…necessary　if　he　was　to　keep　his　position　as　Master　of　Sorcere。　Just　as　Valas　had　done；　Pharaun　bowed。
　　　〃As　you　mand；　Mistress；〃　he　said…with　just　enough　of　a　sarcastic　twist　on　the　final　word　to　remind　her　that　her　title　was　a　hollow　one。　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　she　might　be；　back　in　Menzoberranzan；　but　he　was　hardly　one　of　her　quivering　initiates。　He　swept　a　hand　in　the　direction　Valas　had　indicated　earlier。　〃Let's　do　the　spellcasting　below　ground；　shall　we？　I'd　like　to　get　out　of　this　wretched　sunshine。〃
　　　As　Valas　and　Quenthel　set　off；　Pharaun　pretended　to　follow　them。　He　paused；　picked　up　a　twig；　and　used　it　to　collect　a　bit　of　spiderweb　from　the　trail。　Lolth　might　be　silent；　but　the　sticky　nets　woven　by　her　children　were　still　useful；　spiderweb　was　a　ponent　in　more　than　one　of　his　spells。　Tucking　the　web…coated　twig　into　a　pocket；　he　hurried　after　the　others。
　　　
Chapter　Two
　　　Halisstra　stood　on　top　of　the　bluff；　staring　out　across　the　forest。　Snow…blanketed　trees　stretched　as　far　as　the　eye　could　see　in　every　direction；　here　and　there　dimpled　by　a　lake　of　an　impossibly　bright　blue　or　divided　by　a　road　as　neat　and　straight　as　a　part　through　hair。　For　the　first　time；　Halisstra　understood　what　the　word　〃horizon〃　meant。　It　was　that　distant　line　where　the　dark　green　of　the　forest　met　the　eye…hurting；　white…streaked　blue　of　the　sky。
　　　Beside　her；　Ryld　shivered。
　　　〃I　don't　like　it　up　here；〃　he　said；　holding　a　hand　to　his　eyes　to　shade　them。　〃It　makes　me　feel　。　。　。　exposed。〃
　　　Halisstra　glanced　at　the　sweat　trickling　down　Ryld's　ebony　temple　and　shivered　herself　as　the　chill　winter　wind　blew　against　her　face。　The　climb　had　been　a　long；　hot　one；　despite　the　age…worn　stairs　they'd　found　carved　into　the　rock　at　one　side　of　the　bluff。　She　couldn't　explain　what　had　pelled　her　to　lead　Ryld　up　there；　nor　could　she　explain　why　she　felt　none　of　the　apprehensions　the　weapons　master　did。　Yet　despite　his　anxiety；　Ryld…who　stood　fully　as　tall　as　Halisstra　herself；　even　though　he　was　a　male…was　in　every　respect　a　warrior。　He　wore　a　greatsword　strapped　across　his　back；　a　cuirass　with　a　breastplate　wrought　of　dwarven　bronze；　and　vambraces；　articulated　at　the　elbows；　that　sheathed　his　lean；　muscled　arms　in　heavy　steel。　A　short　sword　for　fighting　at　close　quarters　hung　in　a　scabbard　at　his　hip。　His　hair　was　cut　close　to　his　scalp　so　that　enemies　could　not　grab　it　during　bat。　Only　a　fine　stubble　remained：　hair　as　white　as　Halisstra's　own　shoulder…length　locks。
　　　〃There　was　a　surface　dweller…a　human　mage…who　dwelt　for　a　short　time　in　Ched　Nasad；〃　Halisstra　said。　The　vastness　of　the　sky　above　them　made　her　speak　softly；　it　felt　as　if　the　gods　were　lurking　up　there　just　behind　the　clouds；　watching。　〃He　spoke　of　how　our　city　made　him　feel　like　he　was　living　in　a　room　with　too　low　a　ceiling…that　he　was　always　aware　of　the　roof　of　the　cavern　over　his　head。　I　laughed　at　him；　how　could　anyone　feel　enclosed　in　a　city　that　was　so　loosely　woven…a　city　balanced　on　the　thin　lines　of　a　calcifi