war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第2部分

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of　a　calcified　web？　But　now　I　think　I　understand　what　he　meant。〃　She　gestured　up　at　the　sky。　〃This　all　feels　so　。。。　open。〃
　　　Ryld　grunted　and　asked；　〃Have　you　seen　enough？　We're　not　going　to　find　an　entrance　to　the　Underdark　up　here。　Let's　climb　back　down　and　get　out　of　the　wind。〃
　　　Halisstra　nodded。　The　wind　found　its　way　inside　the　armor　she　wore；　even　through　the　thickly　padded　chain　mail　tunic　that　covered　her　from　neck　to　knees；　and　from　shoulders　to　elbows。　A　silver　plate　attached　to　the　tunic's　chest　was　embossed　with　the　symbol　of　a　sword；　standing　point…up　across　a　full　moon　surrounded　by　a　nimbus　of　silvery　filaments。　It　was　the　holy　symbol　of　Eilistraee；　goddess　of　the　surface…dwelling　drow。　The　padding　of　the　chain　mail　still　smelled　of　blood…that　of　the　priestess　Halisstra　had　dispatched。　The　smell　haunted　the　armor　like　a　lingering　ghost；　even　though　the　blood　was　several　days　old。
　　　Halisstra　had　not　only　claimed　the　armor　from　Seyll　after　her　own　armor　was　stolen；　but　also　Seyll's　shield　and　weapons…including　a　slender　long　sword　with　a　hollow　hilt　that　had　holes　running　the　length　of　it…a　hilt　that　could　be　raised　to　the　lips　and　played　like　a　flute。　A　beautiful　weapon；　but　it　hadn't　helped　Seyll　any…she'd　died　before　getting　a　chance　to　draw　it。　Lulled　by　Halisstra's　feigned　interest　in　her　goddess；　Seyll　had　been　utterly　surprised　by　Halisstra's　sudden　attack。　And　despite　Halisstra's　treachery；　Seyll　had　told　her；　〃I　have　hope　for　you　still。〃　She'd　said　it　with　such　certainty；　as　if；　even　in　her　final；　dying　moments；　she　expected　Halisstra　to　save　her。
　　　She'd　been　a　fool。　Yet　Halisstra　could　no　more　get　the　priestess's　dying　words　out　of　her　mind　than　she　could　get　the　smell　of　blood　out　or　the　armor　she'd　claimed。
　　　Was　this　what　guilt　felt　like：　a　lingering　stench　that　wouldn't　go　away？
　　　Angered　by　her　own　weakness；　Halisstra　shook　the　thought　out　of　her　head。　Seyll　had　deserved　to　die。　The　priestess　was　stupid　to　have　trusted　a　person　who　was　not　of　her　faith…even　more　foolish　to　trust　a　fellow　drow。
　　　Still；　Halisstra　thought；　as　she　paused　to　let　Ryld　descend　the　stairs　first；　Seyll　had　been　right　about　one　thing。　It　would　be　nice　not　to　always　have　to　watch　your　back。
　　　
　　　Ryld　descended　the　stairs　in　silence；　listening　to　the　faint　clink　of　Halisstra's　chain　mail　and　trying　in　vain　to　pull　his　mind　away　from　the　shapely　legs　he　would　see　if　he　would　just　turn　around。　Where　was　his　concentration？　As　a　Master　of　Melee…Magthere；　he　ought　to　have　more　control；　but　Halisstra　had　ensnared　him　in　a　web　of　desire　stronger　than　any　Lolth's　magic　could　spin。
　　　At　the　bottom　of　the　stairs；　away　from　the　chilling　wind　of　the　open　bluff；　Halisstra　paused　to　finger　a　crescent　shape　that　had　been　carved　into　the　rock。
　　　〃This　was　a　holy　place；　once；〃　she　said；　looking　over　the　scatter　of　broken　columns　that　lay　among　the　snow…shrouded　trees。
　　　Ryld　scowled。　In　the　World　Above；　vegetation　covered　everything　like　an　enormous　mold。　He　missed　the　clean　rock　walls　of　the　caverns；　empty　of　the　smells　of　wet　loam　and　leaf　that　choked　his　nose。　He　scuffed　at　the　snow　with　his　boot；　uncovering　a　cracked　marble　floor。
　　　〃How　can　you　tell？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃The　crescent　moon…it's　the　symbol　of　Corellon　Larethian。　The　elves　who　once　lived　in　these　woods　must　have　worshiped　here。　Their　priests　probably　climbed　these　stairs　to　work　their　magic　under　the　moon。〃
　　　Ryld　squinted　up　at　the　ball　of　fire　that　hung　in　the　sky。
　　　〃The　moon's　not　as　bright　as　the　sun；〃　he　said；　〃at　least。〃
　　　〃It　casts　a　softer　light；〃　Halisstra　replied。　〃I've　heard　that　this　is　because　the　gods　who　claim　it　as　their　symbol　are　kinder　to　those　who　worship　them…but　I　don't　know　if　that's　true。〃
　　　Ryld　stared　for　a　while　at　the　ruined　masonry　then　said；　〃The　gods　of　the　surface　elves　can't　be　very　strong。　Corellon　let　this　temple　fall　into　disrepair；　and　Seyll's　goddess　was　powerless　to　save　her　from　you。〃
　　　Halisstra　nodded　and　replied；　〃That's　true。　Yet　when　Lolth　tried　to　overthrow　Corellon　and　establish　a　new　coronal　in　his　place　all　those　millennia　ago；　she　was　defeated　and　forced　to　flee　to　the　Abyss。〃
　　　〃The　Academy　teaches　that　the　goddess　left　Arvandor　willingly；〃　Ryld　said。　Then　he　shrugged。　〃More　of　a　strategic　retreat。〃
　　　〃Perhaps；〃　Halisstra　mused。　〃Still；　I　can't　help　but　think　that　what　we　saw　in　the　Demonweb　Pits…that　black　stone　in　the　frozen　image　of　Lolth's　face…was　a　lock；　a　seal　that　made　Lolth's　own　temple　a　prison。　A　prison　fashioned　by　some　other　god's　hand。　Will　Lolth　eventually　emerge　from　behind　it…or　will　she　remain　trapped　for　eternity；　her　magic　forever　stilled？〃
　　　〃That's　what　Quenthel　means　to　discover；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　〃As　do　I；〃　Halisstra　answered。　〃But　for　different　reasons。　If　Lolth　is　dead；　or　trapped　in　eternal　Reverie；　what　point　is　there　in　following　Quenthel's　orders？〃
　　　〃What　point？〃　Ryld　exclaimed。　He　was　beginning　to　see　the　dangerous　fork　in　the　road　down　which　Halisstra's　musings　had　taken　her。　〃Only　this：　spells　or　no　spells；　Quenthel　Baenre　is　both　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　and　First　Sister　to　the　Matron　Mother　of　House　Baenre。　Were　I　to　defy　Quenthel；　I'd　lose　my　position　as　Master　of　Melee…Magthere。　The　moment　Menzoberranzan　learned　of　my　treachery；　everyone　in　the　Academy　would　have　their　daggers　out　and　be　thirsting　for　my　blood。〃
　　　Halisstra　sighed　and　said；　〃That's　true。　But　perhaps　in　another　city…〃
　　　〃I　have　no　desire　to　beg　for　scraps　at　someone　else's　table；〃　Ryld　said　bluntly。　〃And　the　only　city　in　which　I　might　have　made　a　home　for　myself…with　the　sponsorship　of　your　House…has　been　destroyed。　With　Ched　Nasad　gone；　you　have　no　home　to　return　to。　All　the　more　reason　to　get　in　Quenthel's　good　favor；　so　that　when　we　return　to　the　Underdark　you　can　find　a　new　home　in　Menzoberranzan。〃
　　　After　a　long　moment　of　silence；　Halisstra　said；　〃What　if　I　don't？〃
　　　〃What？〃　Ryld　said。
　　　〃What　if　I　don't　return　to　the　Underdark？〃
　　　Ryld　glanced　at　the　forest　that　hemmed　them　in　on　every　side。　Unlike　the　solid；　silent　tunnels　he　was　used　to；　the　wall　of　trees　and　underbrush　was　porous；　filled　with　rustling　and　creaking；　and　the　quick；　tiny　movements　of　animals　flitting　from　branch　to　branch。　Ryld　couldn't　decide　which　was　worse：　the　shrinking　feeling　he'd　experienced　under　the　empty　expanse　of　the　sky；　or　the　feeling　he　had　then…as　though　the　woods　were　watching　them。
　　　〃You're　mad；〃　he　told　Halisstra。　〃You'd　never　survive　out　here　alone。　Especially　without　spells　to…〃
　　　As　anger　blazed　in　Halisstra's　eyes；　Ryld　suddenly　regretted　his　rash　words。　With　all　Halisstra's　talk　of　surface　gods；　he'd　forgotten；　for　a　moment；　that　she　was　also　a　priestess　of　Lolth　and　a　female　of　a　noble　House；　He　started　to　bow　deeply　and　beg　her　pardon；　but　she　surprised　him　by　laying　a　hand　on　his　arm。
　　　Then　she　said　something；　in　a　low　murmur　he　had　to　strain　to　hear：　〃Together　we'd　survive。〃
　　　He　stared　at　her；　wondering　if　his　ears　were　playing　tricks　on　him。　All　the　while；　he　was　overwhelmingly　aware　of　her　hand　upon　his　arm。　The　touch　of　her　fingers　was　light；　but　it　seemed　to　burn　his　skin；　flushing　him　with　warmth。
　　　〃We　might　survive　up　here；〃　he　admitted；　then　wished　he　hadn't　spoken　when　he　saw　the　gleam　in　Halisstra's　eyes。
　　　The　alliance　he'd　just　unintentionally　mitted　to　would　probably　be　no　more　solid　than　his　friendship　with　Pharaun。　Halisstra　would　maintain　it　as　long　as　it　furthered　her　goals；　then　would　drop　it　the　instant　it　became　inconvenient。　Just　as　Pharaun　had　abandoned　Ryld；　leaving　him　to　face　impossible　odds；　when　the　pair　of　them　were　trying　to　escape　from　Syrzan's　stalactite　fortress。
　　　Ryld's　meditative　skills　had　saved　his　life　then　and　allowed　him　to　fight　his　way　free。　Later；　when　he'd　met　up　with　Pharaun　again；　the　mage　had　clapped　him　on　the　back　and　pretended　that　he'd　fully　anticipated；　all　along；　that　Ryld　would　survive。　Why　else　would　he　have　abandoned　his　〃dearest　friend？〃
　　　Halisstra　gave　Ryld　a　smile　that　made　her　look　both　cunning　and　beautiful　in　one。　〃Here's　what　we'll　do　。　。　。〃　she　began。
　　　Inwardly；　Ryld　winced　at　the　word　〃we；〃　but　he　kept　his　face　neutral　as　he　listened。
　　　
　　　Danifae　watched　from　behind　a　tree　as　Halisstra　and　Ryld　stood　in　the　ruined　temple；　talking。　It　was　clear　they　were　plotting　something。　Their　voices　were　pitched　too　low　for　Danifae　to　hear；　and　they　leaned　in　toward　one　another　like　conspirators。　It　was　also　clear；　from　the　quick　kiss　Ryld　gave　Halisstra　as　the　conversation　ended；　that　they　had　bee；　or　would　soon　bee；　lovers。
　　　Watching　them；　Danifae　felt　a　cold；　still　anger。　Not　jealousy…she　cared　nothing　for　either　Ryld　or　Halisstra…but　frustration　born　of　the　fact　that　she　had　not　seduced　Ryld　first。
　　　Danifae　was　more　beautiful　than　her　former　mistress　by　far。　Where　Halisstra　was　lean；　with　small　breasts　and　slim　hips；　Danifae　was　sensuously　curvaceous。　Halisstra's　hair　was　merely　white；　whereas　Danifae's　had　lustrous　silver　tones。
　　　As　for　Halisstra's　face；　well；　it　was　pretty　enough；　with　its　slightly　snubbed　nose　and　mon；　coal…red　eyes；　but　Danifae　had　the　advantage　of　skin　softer　than　the　blackest　velvet；　lips　that　curled　in　a　perpetual　pout；　and　eyebrows　that　formed　a　perfect　white　arch　over　each　of　her　strikingly　colored；　pale　gray　eyes。　An　advantage　she　should　have　used　earlier；　judging　by　the　display　of　mawkish　sentimentality　Danifae　had　stumbled　upon。
　　　Quenthel　was　already　in　play；　though　the　older；　more　experienced　priestess　was　not　wholly　unaware　of　Danifae's　immediate　desires。　It　didn't　take　a　genius　to　see　why　Danifae　had　seduced　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith。　It　was　almost　to　be　expected。
　　　Danifae　anticipated　a　more　plicated　time　of　it　when　she'd　have　to　take　on　Pharaun　and　Valas。　The　Master　of　Sorcere　was　wily。　He　would　surely　be　difficult　to　fool　once　things　began　to　turn；　but　his　open　dislike　of　Quenthel　gave　her　something　to　use。　Valas　was　bought　and　paid　for　by　House　Baenre；　and　that　kind　of　gold　was　something　Danifae　wouldn't　likely　happen　upon　anytime　soon。　That　would　be　delicate。　And　Jeggred；　well。　。　。　。
　　　But　Ryld；　with　this　strange　infatuation　with　her　soon…to…be…former　mistress；　would　be　a　tougher　nut　to　crack。
　　　What　good　was　playing　sava；　she　thought；　if　you　don't　control　all　of　the　game　pieces？
　　　Valas　strode　into　the　ruins；　followed　by　Pharaun　and　Quenthel；　and；　a　moment　later；　by　the　loping　Jeggred。　The　false　smile　Halisstra　gave　Quenthel　and　the　way　Ryld　deliberately　met　Pharaun's　eyes；　confirmed　Danifae's　suspicions。　Halisstra　was　preparing　to　betray　her　fellow　priestess　and　Ryld　his　former　friend。
　　　Danifae　smiled。　She　didn't　know　what　they　were　up　to…yet…but　whatever　it　was；　she　was　certain　it　could　be　turned　to　her　advantage。　She　walked　out　into　the　clearing；　joining　them。
　　　With　a　quick　snap　of　her　whip；　Quenthel　motioned　for　the　others　to　gather　around　her。
　　　〃Valas　has　found　an　entrance　to　the　Underdark；〃　she　announced。　〃Once　we're　safely　below；　Pharaun　will　cast　a　spell。　We're　going　back　to　the　Demonweb　Pits。　But　not　all　of　us。　One　of　you　will　carry　a　message　back　to　Menzoberranzan；　to　the　matron　mother。〃
　　　As　Quenthel's　eyes　ranged　over　the　group；　Danifae　noted　the　indecision　they　held。　Quenthel　was　obviously　uncertain　whom　she　could　spare…or　trust。　Seizing　her　chance；　Danifae　prostrated　herself　before　the　high　priestess。
　　　〃Let　me　do　your　bidding；　Mistress；〃　she　said。　〃I　will　serve　you　as　faithfully　as　I　have　served　Lolth。〃
　　　As　she　spoke；　she　cast　a　baleful　eye　on　Halisstra；　hoping　Quenthel　would　take　her　point。　Halisstra　had　acted　blasphemously　during　their　recent　journey　to　the　Demonweb　Pits　and　was　not　to　be　trusted。
　　　Or　course；　neither　was　Danifae。　She　had　no　intention　or　going　to　Menzoberranzan　if　she　was　chosen。　Not　when　there　was　a　wizard　in　Sschindylryn　who　might　be　able　to　help　her　to　free　herself；　once　and　for　all；　from　the　odious　Binding　that　tied　her　to　Halisstra。
　　　Danifae　felt　Quenthel　touch　her　hair；　and　she　looked　up　expectantly。
　　　〃No；　Danifae；〃　Quenthel　said；　the　touch　turning　into　a　gentle　stroke。　〃You　will　stay　with　me。〃
　　　Danifae　ground　her　teeth。　Apparently；　she'd　done　too　good　a　job　of　seducing　Quenthel。
　　　Halisstra　stepped　forward…and；　to　Danifae's　astonishment；　also　fell　to　her　knees　in　front　of　Quenthel。
　　　〃Mistress；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃Let　me　carry　the　message　for　you。　I　know　that　I　failed　you　earlier；　in　the　shadow　of　the　goddess's　own　temple。　I　beg　of　you　now。　Please　let　me　。　。　。　redeem　myself。〃
　　　〃No！〃　Danifae　spat。　〃She's　up　to　something。　She　has　no　intention　of　going　to　Menzoberranzan。　She…〃
　　　Halisstra　laughed。
　　　〃And　just　where　would　I　go；　Danifae？〃　she　asked。　〃Ched　Nasad　lies　in　ruins。　I　no　longer　have　a　House　to　return　to。　I　need　to　make　a　new　home　for　myself…in　Menzoberranzan。　And　what　better　way　to　start　than　by　braving　the　dangers　of　the　World　Above　to　carry　a　vital　message　to　the　First　House？〃
　　　Danifae's　eyes　narrowed。　She　could　sense　that　Halisstra　was　up　to　something。
　　　〃You'd　travel　to　Menzoberranzan　on　the　surface？〃　she　asked；　spitting　out　the　word。　〃Alone？　Through　woods　crawling　with　House　Jaelre？　You'd　be　captured　again　before　night　fell。〃
　　　Danifae　was　pleased　to　see　Quenthel　nodding…she　was　obviously　about　to　reject　Halisstra's　foolish　notion　and　send　Danifae；　instead。　Then　Halisstra's　lips　quirked　into　a　smile…and　Danifae　realized　that；　somehow；　unwittingly；　she'd　just　played　right　into　Halisstra's　hands。
　　　〃This　will　see　me　through；〃　said　Halisstra；　patting　the　leather　case　that　held　her　lyre。　〃I　know　a　bae'qeshel　song　that　will　allow　me　to　walk　on　wind。　Using　it；　I　could　reach　Menzoberranzan　in　a　tenday；　at　most。〃
　　　Danifae's　eyes　narrowed　and　she　said；　〃I've　never　seen　you　use　a　spell　like　that。〃
　　　〃What　use　would　it　have　been　in　the　Underdark？〃　Halisstra　said　with　a　shrug。　〃There's　no　wind…and　if　there　were；　I'd　only　walk　straight　into　a　cavern　wall。　Regardless；　I　have　not　been；　nor　am　I　now；　in　the　habit　of　justifying　myself　to　a　battle…captive。　Our　situation　has　changed　some；　Danifae；　but　not　entirely。〃
　　　Not　yet；　Danifae　thought；　then　she　grasped　Quenthel's　knee　and　pleaded；　〃Don't　send　her。　Send　me。　If　Halisstra　dies；　I…〃
　　　〃You'd　be　very；　very　sorry；　wouldn't　you？〃　Quenthel　said　with　a　smirk。　She　was　well　aware　of　the　particulars　of　the　Binding。　〃Halisstra　will　go。　With　you　here；　we　will　be　able　to　trace　her；　and　at　least　know　that　she　still　lives。　And　the　two　of　you　Houseless　wretches　are　the　most　expendable。〃
　　　Danifae　lowered　her　eyes　in　acquiescence；　even　though　inwardly　she　burned　with　impotent　anger。　Halisstra；　on　her　own　in　the　World　Above；　would　almost　certainly　be　killed。　It　would　only　be　a　matter　of　time。
　　　And　when　she　died；　the　magic　of　the　Binding　would　see　to　it　that　Danifae　died；　too。
　　　
Chapter　Three
　　　Valas　felt　the　knot　of　tension　between　his　shoulders　relax…just　a　little…as　familiar　darkness　enveloped　him。　The　harsh　sunlight　had　been　left　behind　after　the　third　bend　in　the　tunnel。　He　could　still　smell　the　earthy　tang　of　wet　leaves　that　told　him　the　Surface　Realms　were　just　above　their　heads；　but　the　air　aroun