war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第7部分

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　　　In　that　same　instant；　Ryld　fired。　The　bolt　whizzed　toward　its　target　but　glanced　off　a　branch　just　before　striking　the　troll。　Instead　of　burying　itself　in　the　monster's　eye；　as　Ryld　had　intended；　the　bolt　sliced　a　furrow　across　the　top　of　the　troll's　head。　A　heartbeat　later；　the　graze　mended　itself。
　　　The　troll；　having　scented　Halisstra；　raked　the　air　in　front　of　it　with　long　sweeps　of　its　clawed　hands。　It　must　have　e　unfortably　close；　for　an　instant　later　Halisstra　became　visible；　her　long　sword　slashing　forward　in　an　attack。　Stupidly；　the　troll　parried　with　its　hand；　and　two　of　its　fingers　went　flying。　They　lay　on　the　forest　floor；　wriggling　in　the　slush。
　　　The　creature　struck　with　its　other　hand；　raking　it　across　Halisstra's　chest。　The　magical　chain　mail　stopped　the　claws　from　penetrating；　but　the　force　of　the　blow　sent　Halisstra　stumbling　backward。　She　slipped　on　the　slushy　ground　and　went　down。　Sensing　an　easy　kill；　the　troll　lunged；　and　only　at　the　last　moment　did　Halisstra　manage　to　bring　her　shield　up。　The　troll's　teeth　sank　into　the　edge　of　the　shield；　crumpling　it。　Then　the　troll　shook　its　head；　wrenching　the　shield　from　Halisstra's　arm。　Pinned　to　the　ground　by　the　weight　of　the　monster　kneeling　on　her；　she　was　unable　to　bring　her　sword　into　play。
　　　Negating　his　levitation　magic；　Ryld　plunged　down　through　the　branches。　He　landed　perfectly　braced　in　a　ready　posture；　drawing　Splitter　in　one　smooth　motion　from　the　scabbard　at　his　back。　Putting　all　the　force　of　his　will　into　the　blow；　he　swung　the　greatsword　with　both　hands　and　felt　it　slice　cleanly　into　the　troll's　neck；　cleaving　it　instantly。　The　head　flew　into　the　air；　eyes　blinking　stupidly；　then　it　landed　and　rolled　away。　The　headless　body　reared　to　its　feet　and　spun　around　as　Ryld　opened　its　stomach　with　a　second　sword　swing；　spilling　foul…smelling　entrails。
　　　The　headless；　disemboweled　troll　finally　stumbled　away　into　the　forest。
　　　Halisstra　lay　on　her　back　on　the　wet　ground；　gasping；　rain　spattering　her　face。　Worried　that　she　might　be　in　immediate　need　of　healing　magic；　Ryld　reached　down　to　help　her…
　　　…and　was　slammed　to　the　ground　by　an　attack　he　should　have　anticipated。　Rolling　quickly　away；　he　saw　that　the　troll　was　back。　The　creature　stumbled　toward　him；　one　hand　holding　its　head　on　the　stump　of　its　severed　neck；　the　other　attempting　to　rake　Ryld　with　its　claws。　Even　as　Ryld　flipped　himself　up　off　the　ground　and　back　onto　his　feet；　dancing　out　of　the　reach　of　those　claws；　he　saw　flaps　of　sinew　burst　out　of　the　ropy　muscles　of　the　troll's　neck　and　quest　up　like　sentient　worms　to　hook　themselves　into　the　head。　Swifter　almost　than　the　eye　could　follow；　they　stitched　the　head　back　onto　the　body；　while　the　entrails　that　had　spilled　from　the　troll's　slashed　belly　sucked　back　into　the　stomach　wound。　Already　the　fingers　that　Halisstra's　blow　had　sliced　off　earlier　were　starting　to　grow　back。　Knobs　of　pinkish…gray　flesh　pulsed　outward　from　the　severed　digits。
　　　Leaping　forward；　Ryld　slashed　at　the　troll's　neck　a　second　time；　but　the　monster；　unlike　him；　anticipated　the　attack。　It　ducked…startlingly　fast…then　lunged　forward　and　wrapped　a　rubbery　hand　around　Ryld's　own。　Ryld　heard　a　bone　in　his　hand　crack　and　gasped　at　the　incredible　strength　of　the　troll。　Even　with　a　hand　that　was　missing　two　fingers；　its　fist　was　crushing　his。　The　troll　jerked　Splitter　out　of　Ryld's　hand　and　cast　it　away。
　　　Halisstra　had　struggled　to　her　feet　and　was　slashing　at　the　troll's　broad　back；　her　sword　making　strange；　flutelike　noises　as　she　swung　it。　The　monster　grunted　with　each　stroke　like　a　slave　under　the　lash　but　otherwise　ignored　the　deep　cuts　in　its　back。　Whirling；　it　backhanded　her　away　with　a　blow　that　sent　her　staggering。　Ryld　drew　his　short　sword　and　thrust　at　the　spot　where　the　troll's　heart　should　have　been；　but　even　though　the　blade　buried　itself　to　the　hilt　in　the　thing's　rubbery　chest　the　monster　was　not　slowed。
　　　A　hand　whipped　out　with　the　speed　of　one　of　Quenthel's　whip　vipers　and　wrapped　itself　around　Ryld's　neck。　Powerful　fingers　tightened　against　flesh；　choking　off　his　breathing。　Ryld　felt　a　rush　of　magical　energy　flowing　into　his　body　from　the　dragon…shaped　ring　on　his　finger；　as　the　ring　hardened　his　flesh　against　the　troll's　claws…but　too　late。　His　windpipe　had　already　squeezed　shut。　Abandoning　his　sword；　still　hilt…deep　in　the　monster's　chest；　he　drove　stiffened　fingers　into　what　would　have；　on　a　drow；　been　a　crippling　pressure　point…then　he　winced。　He　might　as　well　have　driven　his　fingers　into　solid　stone。
　　　Halisstra　charged　back　into　the　fray　and　managed　to　slice　one　of　the　troll's　feet　from　its　ankle。　It　stumbled　but　quickly　found　its　footing；　balancing　on　the　stump。　Halisstra　was　rewarded　with　a　rake　of　claws　that　snagged　her　chain　mail；　tearing　a　link　from　it。
　　　Ryld；　unable　to　breathe；　shouted　at　her　the　only　way　he　could。
　　　Flee！　I　am　finished！
　　　〃No！〃　she　gasped。　〃I　won't　leave　you。〃
　　　She　lunged　forward；　attacking　the　troll　with　a　furious　barrage　of　blows。　Ryld；　observing　with　the　eye　of　a　master；　saw　that　Halisstra　had　opened　her　stance；　inadvertently　exposing　herself　to　what　would　be　a　fatal　rake　of　the　monster's　claws。
　　　Though　Ryld　should　have　been　watching　with　the　detachment　of　someone　who　knows　he　is　about　to　die　and　can　do　nothing　about　it；　he　felt　a　strange　emotion　fill　him　in　that　impossibly　long　moment　that　stretched　between　two　fading　heartbeats；　a　deep　sadness　and　a　sense　of　infinite　loss。　Not　only　because　Halisstra　was　about　to　die；　but　because　her　death　would　mean　the　end　of　something　Ryld　had　only　just　discovered：　true　friendship…perhaps　even　love。　The　kind　that　would　cause　a　person　to　willingly　sacrifice　herself　in　a　hopeless　attempt　to　save　another。　As　their　eyes　met；　Ryld　realized　that　he　would　have　done　the　same　for　Halisstra…and　he　saw　that　she　knew　it。　He　also　saw　something　he'd　never　seen　in　the　eyes　of　a　drow：　trust。
　　　At　that　moment　a　drow　female　burst　out　of　the　forest；　her　silver…white　hair　plastered　against　her　face　by　the　rain。　She　was　naked；　save　for　a　heavy　silver　chain　around　her　waist　that　was　hung　with　a　large　silver　disk　and　a　curved　hunter's　horn。　She　moved　at　a　full…out　sprint；　holding　above　her　head　a　sword　whose　blade　glowed　with　leaping　silver　flames。　With　a　piercing；　high…pitched　shout　that　sounded　like　a　single　note　in　a　song；　strong　and　true；　she　slashed　down　with　her　sword。
　　　The　blade　bit　deep　into　the　troll's　shoulder；　then　flared。　Silver　fire　spread　instantly　across　the　troll's　body；　blinding　Ryld。　He　winced；　expecting　to　be　burned　himself；　but　the　wave　of　heat　he'd　been　anticipating　never　came。　The　flames　seemed　to　emit　song　rather　than　heat；　dancing　to　their　own　rhythm　as　they　licked　over　the　troll's　rubbery　skin。
　　　Bellowing；　its　flesh　blackening　under　the　magical　fire；　the　troll　sagged　to　its　knees。　Ryld；　suddenly　able　to　breathe　again　as　the　massive　hand　fell　away　from　his　neck；　gasped　in　a　lungful　of　air。　Though　fouled　by　the　stench　of　burning　flesh；　it　had　never　tasted　so　sweet。　He　watched；　dumbfounded；　as　the　troll's　body　crumpled　in　on　itself；　the　magical；　silvery　flames　destroying　it　in　a　matter　of　heartbeats。
　　　〃I　thank　you；　my　lady；〃　he　told　the　drow…obviously　a　mage　or　a　cleric；　and　a　powerful　one。　He　bowed　deeply　before　her。　〃You　have　saved　both　our　。　。　。〃
　　　His　voice　trailed　off　as　he　saw　the　look　on　the　woman's　face。　She　was　staring　at　Halisstra　with　a　look　of　surprise…and　bitter　anger。　Ryld　finally　recognized　the　symbol　on　the　silver　disk　that　hung　from　the　chain　at　her　waist。　It　was　a　sword；　set　against　a　haloed　circle。　The　symbol　of　Eilistraee。
　　　〃That's　Seyll's　armor；〃　the　cleric　said；　eyes　blazing　as　she　stared　at　the　chain　mail　Halisstra　was　wearing。　〃You're　the　one　who　killed　her。〃
　　　The　stranger　wrenched　the　horn　from　her　belt　and　blew　a　single；　prolonged　note。　An　instant　later；　the　horns　of　her　fellow　hunters　answered。
　　　
Chapter　Seven
　　　
　　　Nimor　leaned　over　the　map　of　Menzoberranzan　that　had　been　laid　on　the　floor　of　the　mine；　its　corners　weighted　with　jagged；　fist…sized　chunks　of　silver。　He　gestured　with　his　rapier。
　　　〃The　spider　we　hope　to　slay　has　two　heads；〃　the　drow　told　the　five　others…three　duergar　and　two　demons…that　had　gathered　around　the　map。　〃Cut　off　either；　and　the　body　dies。〃　The　point　of　his　blade　pricked　the　southern　edge　of　the　city。　〃One　head　is　here：　Qu'ellarz'orl；　the　plateau　where　the　First　House　stands。〃　He　moved　the　rapier；　pointing　to　a　spot　on　the　northern　edge　of　the　city　where　a　smaller　cavern　bulged　off　the　main　one。　〃The　other　is　Tier　Breche；　the　cavern　that　houses　three　of　the　most　important　institutions　in　Menzoberranzan：　Sorcere；　Melee…Magthere；　and；　most　importantly　of　all；　the　great　temple　of　Lolth；　Arach…Tinilith。〃
　　　〃Tough　stones　to　crack；　both　one　of　them；〃　said　Horgar；　who　stood　immediately　to　Nimor's　left。
　　　The　gray　dwarf　prince　came　barely　to　the　draw's　waist　but　had　wider　shoulders　than　the　slender　Nimor。　He　scowled　down　at　the　map；　absently　rubbing　his　bald　head　with　stubby　fingers。　His　two　guards…duergar　like　himself；　one　of　them　with　a　scar　that　stretched　from　chin　to　ear　along　the　cheekbone…kept　a　wary　eye　on　the　pair　of　half…demons　that　stood　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　map。
　　　〃Quite　so；　Crown　Prince；〃　replied　Nimor。　〃Which　is　why　I　want　the　duergar　to　lead　the　assault　on　Tier　Breche。　A　frontal　assault　down　the　tunnel　from　the　north。　Your　troops　will　establish　a　siege　wall；　then；　from　behind　it；　use　catapults　to　lob　stonefire　bombs　into　Sorcere　and　Arach…Tinilith；　reducing　them　to　a　smoking　ruin。
　　　〃Easily　said；〃　Horgar　challenged；　〃but　not　easily　done。　That　tunnel　will　be　thick　with　jade　spiders。　We　may　be　able　to　smash　our　way　through　one　or　two　of　them　but　not　all。〃
　　　Chuckling；　Nimor　reached　into　a　pocket　and　pulled　out　half　a　dozen　flat　ovals　of　green　jade；　each　pierced　by　a　hole　through　which　a　silver　chain　had　been　threaded　and　inscribed　with　a　name。　Holding　them　by　their　chains；　Nimor　jiggled　them　so　they　tinkled　together。
　　　〃Thanks　to　an　associate　who's　managed　to　penetrate　deep　into　Menzoberranzan；　I'm　able　to　guarantee　you　they　won't　be　a　problem；〃　he　told　the　duergar。
　　　The　scarred　prince　snorted　and　said；　〃And　where　will　the　tanarukks　be　while　we're　making　our　attack？　Bravely　bringing　up　the　rear？〃
　　　This　elicited　a　growl　from　Kaanyr　Vhok；　who　bared　perfect　teeth　and　thumped　the　hilt　of　the　rune…inscribed　sword　he　held　against　his　golden　breastplate。
　　　〃My　Scoured　Legion　could　outfight　your　mushroom…men　any　day；〃　he　growled；　glaring　angrily　across　the　map　at　the　scarred　duergar。　〃Why；　even　our　orcs　would　be　a　match　for…〃
　　　A　tug　on　his　arm　from　Aliisza　stopped　him　in　mid　bluster。　He　glared　at　her　but　listened　as　she　whispered　in　his　ear；　then　slowly　lowered　his　sword。
　　　〃Gentlemen；　please；〃　Nimor　said。　〃Hear　me　out。〃　He　turned　to　Vhok。　〃The　Scoured　Legion　will　indeed　be　involved　in　the　fight。　You　will　rake　Donigarten；　the　city's　food　and　water　supply；　then　fall　upon　Qu'ellarz'orl　from　the　east。　That　will　cause　the　matron　mothers　to　withdraw　their　defenders　south；　allowing　the　duergar　to　take　up　positions　in　the　north。　But　not　all　of　the　duergar。　One　pany；　at　least；　must　march　together　with　the　tanarukks；　spread　amongst　their　ranks　to　give　the　impression　that　our　force　as　a　whole　is　mitted　to　an　attack　on　Menzoberranzan's　First　House。〃
　　　Vhok　narrowed　his　eyes　and　asked；　〃We　are　to　be　a　mere　distraction？〃
　　　〃Not　at　all；〃　Nimor　assured　him；　a　twinkle　in　his　eye。　〃You　also　have　a　chance　at　victory…an　excellent　chance。　I've　taken　steps　to　take　House　Baenre　out　of　the　fight　with　a　little　surprise　that　I've　got　planned　for　its　matron　mother。　Once　Triel　is　eliminated；　the　other　females　of　House　Baenre　will　begin　vying　for　her　throne。　The　panies　each　mands　will　begin　fighting　each　other…which　will　keep　them　too　busy　to　bother　about　something　so　insignificant　as　defending　their　city。
　　　〃When　the　other　noble　Houses　see　Baenre　in　disarray；　they'll　sense　its　weakness　and　strike。　One　or　more　of　them　will　try　to　usurp　Baenre's　position　as　First　House。　While　they're　busy　fighting　each　other；　Lord　Vhok's　troops　can　swoop　in　and　seize　Qu'ellarz'orl。〃
　　　Vhok　scowled　and　said；　〃An　interesting　theory。〃
　　　〃It's　not　just　theory；〃　Nimor　countered。　He　paused　to　brushed　rock　dust　off　the　sleeve　of　his　immaculately　tailored　gray　shirt。　〃It's　drow　nature。　We're　like　spiders　reacting　to　the　twitching　of　a　web。　When　we　think　we　have　our　prey　at　our　mercy；　we　strike。
　　　〃Only　this　time；〃　Nimor　said；　〃the　prey　will　be　the　drow　themselves。　Menzoberranzan　will　fall。　I　guarantee　it。〃
　　　
　　　Triel　coldly　regarded　the　prisoner　who　had　been　brought　before　her：　a　young　male　drow。　He　lay　on　his　back　on　the　floor　of　her　audience　chamber；　wrists　bound　tightly　behind　him　and　ankles　likewise　tied　above　his　bare　feet。　His　black　pants　and　shirt　hung　in　tatters；　the　slashes　revealing　a　myriad　of　lacerations　that　dribbled　blood　onto　the　floor。　The　hair　on　one　side　of　his　head　had　been　burned　down　to　stubble；　and　his　face　was　covered　in　blisters。　One　eye　was　fused　shut；　its　eyelid　blistered　and　weeping；　but　the　other　glared　up　at　Triel　with　undiminished　defiance。
　　　Triel　crinkled　her　nose　at　the　stench　of　burned　hair　and　flesh　and　toyed　with　a　perfectly　balanced　throwing　dagger…the　only　one　still　in　the　fellow's　bandoleer　when　he　was　captured。　She　could　tell　by　the　tingle　it　sent　through　her　fingers　that　it　was　magic…as　had　been　the　blades　that　had　killed　four　of　her　elite　guard。
　　　〃This　is　an　assassin's　weapon；〃　she　observed；　handing　it　to　one　of　the　females　who　stood　on　either　side　of　her：　two　of　the　House　guard　who　attended　her　at　all　times；　magical　shields　and　maces　at　the　ready。
　　　A　third　member　of　the　guard…an　officer…stepped　forward　to　conclude　her　report。
　　　〃The　intruder　was　captured　on　the　fifth　level；　Matron　Baenre；〃　she　said。　〃We　believe　he　was　trying　to　reach　your　private　quarters。〃
　　　Triel　stared　at　the　officer；　who；　despite　all　that　was　happening；　looked　as　if　she　was　freshly　turned　out　for　inspection。　Her　adamantine　chain　mail　was　a　glossy　black；　her　long　white　hair　neatly　braided。　She　stood　at　rigid　attention；　a　polished　mace　hanging　from　her　belt　and　a　hand　crossbow　strapped　to　the　back　of　each　wrist。　Five　black　spiders；　embroidered　into　the　shoulder　of　her　silver　tunic；　proclaimed　her　rank。
　　　〃How　did　he　get　inside；　Captain　。　。　。　？〃　Triel　let　the　sentence　trail　off；　an　obvious　invitation　for　a　name。
　　　〃Captain　Maignith；〃　the　woman　answered；　meeting　Triel's　eyes　for　precisely　the　amount　of　time　that　was　appropriate。　〃He　didn't　get　in　through　any　of　the　lower　doors。　I　questioned　the　guards…thoroughly。　All　were　at　their　posts；　and　the　wards　are　still　in　place。　He　didn't　slip　past　us。　He　must　have　gotten　in　from　above。〃
　　　That　said；　Captain　Maignith　glanced　at　a　second　officer…a　lieutenant　of　the　lizard　riders…who　stood　several　paces　farther　back；　as　befitted　a　male。　He　wore　tight…fitting；　padded　leather　breeches　and　a　piwafwi　trimmed　in　silver。　He　held　his　plumed　silver　helmet　in　the　crook　of　one　arm　and　seemed　to　be　having　trouble　looking　Triel　in　the　eye。
　　　〃Matron　Mother；　I　。。。　My　riders　saw　nothing　on　the　outer　wall；〃