war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第3部分

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y　tang　of　wet　leaves　that　told　him　the　Surface　Realms　were　just　above　their　heads；　but　the　air　around　him　already　felt　cleaner。　As　they　descended　the　twisting　fissure　that　led　ever　downward　through　the　stone；　he　felt　his　eyes　adjusting　to　the　darkness。　Gone　was　the　itching　glare　of　sunlight；　allowing　him　to　fully　open　his　eyes　and　use　his　darkvision　for　the　first　time　in　too　many　days。
　　　Behind　Valas；　Quenthel　and　the　others　followed　in　a　line。　They'd　fallen　quiet　instinctively　as　soon　as　they'd　left　the　sunlight　behind。　Even　the　upper　Underdark　could　be　a　dangerous　place　for　the　unwary；　and　that　particular　tunnel　was　unknown　territory。　Yet　pared　to　Valas；　they　hardly　moved　in　silence。　He　could　hear　the　scrape　of　armor　against　stone　as　someone　behind　him　squeezed　through　a　spot　where　the　tunnel　had　narrowed；　forcing　them　to　turn　sideways　to　slip　through。　A　moment　later　he　heard　the　scuff　of　a　boot　and　a　faint　intake　of　breath　as　one　of　the　females　missed　her　footing。　He　turned　and　angrily　started　to　sign　Move　more　quietly　to　her；　but　dropped　his　hands　when　he　realized　it　was　Quenthel　and　not　Danifae　who　had　slipped。　Danifae　had　once　again　positioned　herself　near　the　back　of　the　group；　just　ahead　of　Ryld…not　because　of　the　potential　dangers　ahead；　Valas　was　sure；　but；　with　Halisstra　gone；　to　keep　a　wary　eye　on　her　panions。
　　　What　have　you　stopped　for？　Quenthel　signed　from　behind　Pharaun。　Keep　moving。
　　　One　of　the　vipers　in　the　whip　tucked　into　her　belt　gave　a　slight　hiss。
　　　Nodding　his　head；　Valas　led　the　way　through　the　tunnel　once　more。　As　before；　Pharaun　was　close　behind　him；　continually　peering　over　Valas's　shoulder　as　if　he　was　searching　for　something。　Ryld；　on　the　other　hand；　was　constantly　looking　back　the　way　they　had　e。　Whenever　Valas　caught　his　eye；　the　weapons　master　would　signal　that　he　thought　someone　was　following　them。　Valas　had　never　seen　him　so　jumpy　before。
　　　The　first　two　times　Ryld　had　done　that；　Valas　had　doubled　back　to　check　for　himself；　but　there　had　been　nothing：　no　sounds；　no　signs　of　pursuit。　Thereafter　he　ignored　Ryld's　anxious　glances　behind　them。
　　　Since　Halisstra　had　been　sent　back　to　Menzoberranzan　there　were　only　six　of　them　left。　Personally；　Valas　thought　that　was　a　foolish　decision　on　Quenthel's　part。　He　doubted　that　Halisstra　would　make　it　without　Lolth's　magic　to　protect　her。　But　no　doubt　Quenthel　thought　the　same。　She　probably　hoped　to　eliminate　a　rival　priestess　who　might　claim　credit　for　discovering　what　had　happened　to　Lolth…assuming　that　a　return　to　the　Demonweb　Pits　was　even　possible。
　　　For　the　hundredth　time　since　Quenthel　had　announced　her　plan　to　have　Pharaun　summon　a　demon；　Valas　wondered　how　that　was　going　to　help。　In　all　likelihood；　the　demon　would　turn　on　them　and　swallow　them　whole　without　guiding　them　a　single　step　of　the　way。
　　　He　reminded　himself　that　the　lot　of　a　mercenary　was　not　to　question　how；　but　to　do…and　bow。　And　so　he　led　them　on。　As　he　moved　cautiously　ahead　into　the　unknown　darkness。　Pharaun　still　crowding　close　behind　him；　Valas　fingered　one　of　the　magical　amulets　pinned　to　his　shirt…his　lucky；　double…headed　coin…and　hoped　it　would　give　him　the　edge　he'd　need　when　the　demon　eventually　turned　on　them；　as　he　was　certain　it　would。
　　　
　　　Halisstra　stood　on　the　bluff　that　overlooked　the　ruined　temple；　staring　out　at　the　horizon。　The　others　had　descended　into　the　Underdark　some　time　before；　and　the　sun　was　slowly　sinking　below　the　horizon；　painting　the　clouds　shades　of　pink　and　gold。　Though　it　made　her　eyes　water　to　look　at　the　sunset；　Halisstra　stared　in　fascination；　watching　the　colors　shift　into　ever　darker　shades　of　orange；　then　red；　then　purple；　gazing　as　new　patterns　formed　each　time　the　sun's　slanting　rays　struck　the　clouds　at　a　different　angle。　She　was　beginning　to　understand　why　the　surface　dwellers　spoke　in　such　rapturous　tones　about　sunsets。
　　　As　the　forest　below　darkened；　her　sight　began　to　shift　toward　darkvision。　She　could　see　birds　flitting　through　the　branches　below　and　could　hear　the　thrumming　of　numerous　wings　as　a　flock　of　birds　moved　through　the　trees　toward　the　bluff。　She'd　heard　that　surface…dwelling　creatures　followed　the　cycles　of　day　and　night；　and　it　struck　her　that　Ched　Nasad's　magic…controlled　lighting　and　Menzoberranzan's　famous　pillar　Narbondel…used　for　marking　the　passage　of　〃day〃　and　〃night〃…must　have　been　holdovers　from　a　distant　time　when　drow　still　dwelt　upon　the　surface。　Had　House　Jaelre　simply　been　following　a　call　that　other　drow　had　not　yet　heard　when　they　returned　to　the　surface；　forsaking　the　worship　of　Lolth？
　　　The　flock　of　birds　had　e　closer；　filling　the　treetops　just　below　the　bluff　with　strange　whistling　cries。　One　of　them　rose　above　the　treetops；　its　wings　beating　so　quickly　they　were　a　blur。　Only　when　it　was　within　a　few　paces　of　her　did　Halisstra　recognize　the　〃bird〃　for　what　it　truly　was。　The　furry　body；　the　eight　legs；　the　long；　needle…shaped　proboscis…all　added　up　to　a　creature　she　hadn't　realized　was　also　a　danger　on　the　surface。　Especially　when　there　was　not　just　one　of　the　creatures　flying　toward　her　at　the　speed　of　an　arrow；　but　dozens：　an　entire　flock。
　　　〃Lolth　help　me；〃　Halisstra　whispered。　〃Stirges。〃
　　　They　were　too　close　for　a　crossbow　shot。　Whipping　out　Seyll's　long　sword；　Halisstra　braced　herself　to　meet　the　threat。　Grimly；　she　realized　her　chain　mail　wouldn't　be　any　help；　the　stirges'　needle…thin　noses　would　slip　between　its　links。
　　　As　the　first　surge　dived　in　to　attack；　Halisstra　swung　the　long　sword。　It　was　still　awkward　in　her　grip；　heavier　than　the　blade　she'd　been　used　to。　Even　so；　her　blow　connected；　slicing　the　stirge　cleanly
　　　Then　half　a　dozen　of　the　creatures　were　on　her。
　　　For　several　frantic　moments；　Halisstra　fended　them　off；　killing　two　more　with　the　sword　and　crumpling　the　proboscis　of　a　third　with　a　blow　from　the　small　steel　shield　she　wore　on　her　left　arm。
　　　She　felt　a　piercing　pain　in　her　right　shoulder　as　a　stirge　struck。　A　moment　later；　another　plunged　its　proboscis　into　the　back　of　her　left　leg；　just　behind　the　knee。　The　force　of　it　caused　her　to　stagger。　Only　by　ducking　frantically　was　she　able　to　avoid　the　stirge　lancing　in　at　her　neck。　Whirling；　she　struck　it　with　the　sword　as　it　flew　past。
　　　As　still　more　of　the　creatures　dived　at　her…nearly　two　dozen　of　them…Halisstra　reached　down　with　her　shield　hand　and　grabbed　the　stirge　that　had　plunged　into　the　back　of　her　knee。　She　squeezed…and　heard　a　satisfying　pop　as　the　creature's　bloated　midriff　burst。　Yanking　it　from　her；　she　threw　its　body　away；　dimly　noticing　the　spray　of　blood　that　had　soaked　her　gloved　hand。　Meanwhile；　the　stirge　in　her　shoulder　continued　draining　her　of　blood。
　　　The　flock　dived　en　masse；　and　four　more　stirges　plunged　into　her　flesh。　One　bit　deeply　into　her　left　arm；　two　into　her　right　leg；　and　the　fourth　into　her　shoulder；　beside　the　one　that　was　already　greedily　sucking　away。　Halisstra　killed　two　more　with　the　sword…which；　with　the　air　rushing　through　the　holes　in　its　hilt；　was　making　constant；　discordant　noises　like　a　badly　played　flute。　Halisstra；　rapidly　losing　strength　as　the　stirges　drained　her　of　blood；　suddenly　shivered　as　she　realized　she　might　very　well　die　there。　Lolth　was　no　longer　watching　over　her；　blessing　her　with　the　magic　she　needed　to　drive　the　foul　creatures　away。　The　only　darksong　spell　that　would　affect　so　many　creatures　at　once　required　a　musical　instrument　as　its　arcane　focus…and　she　could　hardly　pluck　out　a　tune　on　her　lyre　and　fight　at　the　same　time。
　　　Then　she　realized　something。　Perhaps　there　was　another　instrument　she　could　use；　closer　to　hand。　。　。　。
　　　Abandoning　her　attempts　to　strike　the　stirges…there　were　too　many　of　them…Halisstra　reversed　Seyll's　sword　and　brought　its　hilt　to　her　lips。　Closing　her　eyes；　she　blew　into　the　hilt；　fingering　the　holes　so　the　rush　of　air　escaped　through　a　single　hole。　Even　though　she　sagged　to　her　knees　as　blood　loss　weakened　her；　she　felt　magic　flow　from　her　lips　into　the　hilt　of　the　sword　and　out　through　the　hole　in　a　piercing　blast。　Her　own　ears　rang；　then　went　numb　as　a　single　note…sweet；　high；　and　impossibly　strong…shattered　the　air。　All　around　her；　stirges　tumbled　from　the　air　as　a　magic　blast　hit　them。　Those　on　her　body　wilted；　hung　for　a　moment；　then　slowly　slipped　free　of　her　flesh；　hitting　the　ground　around　her　with　soft　thuds。
　　　In　the　silence　that　followed；　Halisstra　could　hear　only　the　sound　of　her　own　breathing。　Opening　her　eyes；　she　saw　dozens　of　stirges　lying　on　the　ground；　some　of　them　still　twitching。　She　picked　up　the　closest　one　and　squeezed　it。　Its　blood…her　blood…soaked　her　gloves　as　its　body　burst。　Dropping　it；　she　continued　from　one　stirge　to　the　next；　killing　them　one　by　one。　Then　she　pulled　off　her　blood…soaked　gloves　and　cast　them　aside。
　　　Perhaps　the　surface　was　not　a　place　of　beauty；　after　all。
　　　Then　she　realized　that　something　had　disturbed　the　stirges…something　that　was　moving　through　the　forest　toward　the　bluff　where　she　stood。　Hunkering　down；　she　crept　back　toward　the　stairs；　looking　for　a　place　to　hide。
　　　
　　　Valas　signaled　for　the　party　to　stop　when　the　tunnel；　which　had　been　twisting　its　way　ever　deeper　toward　the　Underdark；　opened　into　a　jumble　of　broken　stone　that　led　down　to　a　medium…sized　cavern　whose　floor　was　hidden　by　a　deep　pool　of　water。　Pharaun　gave　a　low　chuckle；　breaking　the　silence。
　　　〃Perfect；〃　he　breathed。
　　　Keep　quiet；　Valas　chastised；　but　Pharaun　only　laughed。
　　　〃It's　going　to　be　loud　enough　in　here　in　just　a　moment；〃　the　mage　said　with　a　wink。　Then　he　called　back　to　the　others；　who　were　higher　in　the　tunnel；　up　beyond　where　Valas　could　see。　〃Mistress；　I've　found　a　spot　that　will　do　nicely。　Get　Jeggred　ready。〃
　　　Valas　heard　Quenthel　ordering　the　draegloth　to　kneel　and　the　sound　of　a　drawn　dagger。　Pharaun；　meanwhile；　laid　a　hand　on　Valas's　shoulder。
　　　〃Excuse　me；〃　he　said。　〃I　need　to　get　by。〃
　　　Valas　still　wasn't　certain　what　the　mage　was　doing；　but　he　flattened　obediently　against　the　cold　stone；　allowing　Pharaun　to　squeeze　past　him　into　the　cavern。　Pharaun　reached　into　a　pocket　of　his　piwafwi　and　pulled　out　a　tiny　cone　of　glass。　Rolling　up　his　sleeve；　he　pointed　the　cone　at　the　water　at　his　feet。
　　　〃Chalthinsil！〃　he　cried；　his　shout　filling　the　cavern。
　　　In　that　same　instant；　a　cone　of　bitterly　cold　air　erupted　from　the　glass　cone；　filling　the　air　with　swirling　frost。　The　magical　cold　struck　the　pool；　instantly　turning　it　to　solid　ice。　Frost　continued　to　roil　in　the　air　for　a　few　moments　more；　coating　the　walls　and　ceiling　of　the　cavern　with　sparkling　white　ice　crystals。　Then　it　vanished；　leaving　a　chill　in　the　air　that　made　Valas　shiver。
　　　Pharaun　tucked　the　cone　of　glass　back　into　his　piwafwi。
　　　〃Perfect；〃　he　said　again；　staring　down　at　the　expanse　of　ice。　〃Nice　and　smooth。　Just　the　thing　to　draw　on。〃　Then　he　shouted　back　over　his　shoulder；　〃Quenthel。　I'm　ready。〃
　　　Behind　him；　in　the　tunnel；　Valas　heard　a　hiss　of　anticipation　from　one　of　the　vipers　in　Quenthel's　whip。　A　moment　later　he　smelled　the　tang　of　freshly　spilled　blood。　Quenthel　appeared　at　the　entrance　to　the　cavern；　and　passed　a　cup　to　Pharaun。　The　mage　clambered　down　the　slope；　holding　the　cup　so　its　contents　wouldn't　spill。
　　　Quenthel　and　Danifae　crowded　in　behind　Valas　to　peer　past　him　at　the　cavern。　Quenthel　snapped　her　fingers；　and　Jeggred　stalked　down　the　tunnel　as　well；　panting　clouds　of　foul…smelling　breath　into　the　ice…cold　air。　One　of　his　massive　fighting　hands　was　clamped　around　a　spot　on　the　wrist　of　his　smaller　arm。　Blood　welled　out　between　the　clamped　fingers　and　dripped　onto　the　stone　at　his　feet。　A　moment　later；　Ryld　joined　them；　having　at　last　given　up　his　cautious　watch　over　the　tunnel　behind　them。
　　　Pharaun　was　already　out　on　the　ice；　moving　across　it　in　a　skating　slide。　As　the　others　watched；　he　pulled　out　a　dagger　and　traced　an　enormous　hexagonal　star　onto　the　surface；　carving　its　lines　deep；　like　troughs。　When　he　was　done；　he　stood　a　minute；　looking　for　imperfections。
　　　Quenthel　frowned　down　at　the　mage。　〃Six　sides？〃　she　asked。　〃Why　not　a　standard　pentagram？〃
　　　Pharaun　shrugged　and　said；　〃Anyone　can　summon　a　demon　with　a　pentagram。　I　like　to　do　things　with　a　bit　more　panache。〃　He　moved　around　the　diagram；　dribbling　the　blood　from　the　cup　into　one　of　the　lines　he'd　cut　in　the　ice。　After　a　few　moments；　he　raised　a　hand　and　beckoned。　〃Jeggred；　e　here。〃
　　　After　a　quick　glance　at　Quenthel…who　nodded　her　permission…the　draegloth　loped　down　toward　the　pool；　dislodging　rocks　that　tumbled　down　the　slope　to　skitter　across　the　ice。　He　crossed　the　frozen　surface　to　the　mage　and　obediently　opened　his　hand；　releasing　his　bloody　arm　when　Pharaun　gestured　for　him　to　do　so。　Taking　that　arm；　Pharaun　held　the　cup　under　the　slashed　wrist。　When　it　was　once　again　full；　he　motioned　for　Jeggred　to　re…clamp　the　wound；　then　continued　limning　the　diagram　in　blood。
　　　The　mage　had　to　repeat　the　process　twice　more　before　the　pattern　was　plete。　Despite　the　loss　of　blood；　the　draegloth　remained　impassive　throughout　the　procedure。　When　Pharaun　at　last　dismissed　him；　Jeggred　loped　up　the　slope　to　join　the　others。
　　　〃Now；〃　Pharaun　said；　cracking　his　fingers　as　he　stretched；　〃for　the　difficult　part。〃
　　　From　a　pocket；　he　pulled　a　candle。　He　cut　it　into　six　pieces；　trimming　each　back　to　expose　the　wick。　He　walked　around　the　star；　boring　a　hole　at　each　of　the　points　and　pushing　one　of　the　candies　into　it。　Then　he　stood　back　and　snapped　his　fingers。　Six　flames　sprang　to　life　as　the　candles　began　to　burn。　Their　meager　heat　magically　spread　through　the　blood　that　had　frozen　inside　the　troughs　in　the　ice。　The　blood　melted　and　began　to　circulate；　pumping　through　the　veins　of　the　hexagram。
　　　Valas　squinted　as　the　flickering　yellow　light　disrupted　his　darkvision。　The　frosted　walls　of　the　cavern　picked　up　the　illumination　and　sparkled　like　a　million　tiny　diamonds。　The　candles　flickered；　their　flames　guttering　slightly　to　one　side。　Seeing　that；　Valas　nodded。　The　cavern　wasn't　pletely　a　dead　end。　There　must　have　been　some　tiny　fissure；　hidden　from　view；　through　which　air　was　circulating。
　　　Standing　with　his　hands　extended　over　the　hexagram；　Pharaun　began　to　chant。　As　his　words　echoed　back　and　forth　across　the　confined　space；　the　candles　burned　at　a　terrific　rate；　melting　down　to　puddles　of　wax　against　the　ice。　Yet　still　the　wicks　burned；　and　as　soon　as　they　touched　the　ice；　the　color　of　the　flames　turned　a　brilliant　blue。　The　flame　pulsed　out　along　the　lines　of　the　symbol　and；　mixing　with　Jeggred's　blood；　turned　a　ghastly；　glowing　purple。
　　　As　Pharaun's　chant　rose　to　a　crescendo　the　mage　clapped　his　hands　together　over　his　head。　The　boom　of　thunder　that　resulted　all　but　obliterated　Valas's　gasp　and　Jeggred's　harsh　grunt。　For　an　instant；　the　frigid　air　in　the　cavern　seemed　to　wrench　itself　in　two。　Through　the　split；　Valas　could　see　the　roiling　red…black　clouds　and　furnace…hot　flames　of　the　Abyss。　Then　came　a　roar　of　utter　rage　and　indignation　as　an　enormous；　humanoid　figure　hurtled　through　the　portal　between　the　planes；　staggering　as　though　it　had　been　pushed　by　an　invisible　hand。　Pharaun；　facing　it；　backed　up　a　step　or　two　on　the　ice；　then　recovered　his　posure。