war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第10部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


　　　〃Will　the　lamias　be　able　to　follow　us？〃　Ryld　asked；　his　eye　still　on　the　passage　leading　back　to　the　ruins　above。
　　　〃No；　not　unless　they　have　a　wizard　as　learned　and　charming　as　I；　and　he　knows　a　spell　that　permits　one　to　track　shadow　walkers；　which　I　do　not。〃　Pharaun　smiled。　〃You　will　be　able　to　shake　the　dust　of　the　surface　from　your　boots；　friend　Ryld。　Concern　yourself　no　more　with　the　perils　of　this　place；　and　save　your　worry　for　what　we　might　meet　on　the　Fringe。〃　The　wizard　glanced　around；　and　nodded　to　himself。　〃All　right；　then。　Take　each　other's　hands…there's　a　good　fellow；　Jeggred；　you　can　get　everybody　at　once；　can't　you？…and　be　still　while　I　cast　the　spell。〃
　　　Pharaun　raised　his　hands　and　muttered　a　series　of　arcane　syllables；　working　his　spell。
　　　Halisstra　stood　between　Danifae　and　Valas；　their　hands　linked。　The　great　subterranean　gallery　grew　somehow　darker；　if　such　a　thing　could　be　possible　in　an　unlit　room　underground。　Drow　could　see　quite　well　even　in　the　darkest　places；　but　it　seemed　to　Halisstra　as　if　some　kind　of　murk　hung　in　the　air。　At　first　glance；　it　seemed　that　Pharaun　had　succeeded　in　little　more　than　conjuring　a　gloom　around　the　party；　but　as　she　studied　her　surroundings　more　closely；　she　realized　that　she　was　indeed　no　longer　upon　Faerun。　A　preternatural　chill　gnawed　at　her　exposed　skin；　radiating　from　the　cold　dust　beneath　her　feet。　The　high；　rune…carved　columns　that　lined　the　space　were　twisted　caricatures　that　loomed　bizarrely　out　over　the　chamber's　open　floor。
　　　〃Strange；〃　she　murmured。　〃I　expected　something　。　。　。　different。〃
　　　〃This　is　the　way　of　the　shadow；　dear　lady；〃　Pharaun　said。　His　voice　seemed　flat　and　distant；　despite　the　fact　he　stood　no　more　than　six　feet　from　her。　〃This　plane　has　no　substance　of　its　own。　It　is　made　up　of　echoes　from　our　own　world；　and　other；　stranger　places。　We　stand　in　the　shadow　of　the　ruins　above；　but　they　are　not　the　same　ruins　we　recently　traversed。　The　lamias　and　their　minions　do　not　exist　here。　Now；　remember；　stay　close；　and　do　not　lose　sight　of　me。〃
　　　The　wizard　set　off　along　the　passage　leading　back　to　the　surface。　Halisstra　blinked　in　surprise。　He　took　only　one　small　step　as　he　turned　away　from　the　party；　but　he　was　suddenly　across　the　room；　and　a　second　step　carried　him　perilously　far　down　the　corridor　outside。　She　hurried　to　keep　him　in　sight；　only　to　find　that　a　single　step　caused　the　chamber　to　blur　into　darkness。　She　stood　so　close　to　Pharaun　that　she　had　to　restrain　an　impulse　to　back　up　a　step；　lest　she　throw　herself　even　farther　away。
　　　The　wizard　smirked　at　her　disfiture　and　said；　〃I　am　flattered　by　your　attention；　dear　lady；　but　you　need　not　stay　quite　so　close。〃　He　laughed　softly。　〃Just　step　when　I　step；　and　you　will　pace　me　more　easily。〃
　　　He　took　several　slow；　measured　strides；　holding　back　a　bit　as　the　rest　of　the　party　caught　the　trick　of　it；　and　in　a　moment　they　all　marched　together　along　the　dusty　streets　of　Hlaungadath　beneath　a　cold　and　starless　sky。　Each　step　seemed　to　catapult　Halisstra　forty；　perhaps　fifty　feet　across　the　dim　terrain。　The　black　shapes　of　ruined　buildings　leered　and　leaned　from　all　sides；　huddling　down　close　over　the　streets　as　if　to　hem　in　the　travelers；　only　to　fade　into　dark　blurs　with　each　careful　stride。
　　　Outside　the　ruined　walls；　Pharaun　paused　a　moment　to　check　on　the　party。　He　nodded　toward　the　desert　stretching　to　cold　mountains　in　the　west；　and　he　began　to　march　quickly；　setting　a　rapid　pace　that　belied　his　effete　mannerisms　and　aversion　to　the　toils　of　travel。　Finally　able　to　stretch　out　her　legs；　Halisstra　began　to　gain　a　sense　of　just　how　quickly　they　were　moving。　In　five　minutes　of　walking　they　left　the　site　of　the　Netherese　city　a　league　behind　them；　a　dark　blot　on　the　dim　breast　of　the　sands。　In　thirty　minutes　the　mountains；　nothing　more　than　a　distant　fence　of　snowcapped　peaks　from　Hlaungadath's　streets；　towered　up　over　them　like　a　rampart　of　night。　The　shadow　walk　also　made　light　of　the　most　difficult　terrain　in　their　path。　Without　hesitation　Pharaun　stepped　out　over　a　sheer　ravine　as　if　it　simply　did　not　exist。　The　magic　of　his　spell　and　the　strange　plane　they　traversed　brought　his　foot　down　securely　on　the　far　side　of　the　obstacle。　Climbing　the　long；　rugged　slopes　leading　up　into　the　mountains　was　no　more　work　than　stepping　from　stone　to　stone　across　a　stream。
　　　〃Tell　me；　Pharaun；〃　Quenthel　said　after　a　time；　〃why　did　we　crawl　through　miles　of　dangerous　Underdark　passages　to　reach　Ched　Nasad；　when　you　might　have　used　this　spell　to　shorten　our　journey？〃
　　　Halisstra　could　sense　the　ire　hidden　in　the　Baenre's　voice；　even　through　the　murk　and　gloom　of　the　Shadow　Fringe。
　　　〃Three　reasons；　fair　Quenthel；〃　Pharaun　replied；　not　taking　his　eyes　from　the　unseen　path　he　followed。　〃First；　you　did　not　ask　me　to　do　any　such　thing。　Second；　the　wizards　of　Ched　Nasad　arranged　certain　defenses　against　intrusions　of　this　sort。　Finally；　as　I　said　before；　the　Fringe　is　a　dangerous　place。　I　only　suggested　this　after　we　all　agreed　that　marching　for　months　across　the　sun…blasted　surface　world　presented　an　even　less　appealing　prospect。〃
　　　Quenthel　seemed　to　consider　the　wizard's　words；　while　mountains　reeled　and　gnarled　black　trees　began　to　appear　around　them。
　　　〃In　the　future；〃　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　said；　〃I　shall　expect　you　to　volunteer　useful　information　or　suggestions　in　a　timely　manner。　Your　reticence　in　advancing　ideas　may　cost　us　all　our　lives。　Is　that　worth　the　meager　pleasure　you　derive　from　knowing　something　we　may　not？〃
　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere's　teeth　gleamed　in　his　dark　face；　and　he　continued　without　making　a　reply。　For　some　time　he　devoted　his　attention　to　navigating　the　Fringe。　As　Pharaun　was　under　normal　circumstances　the　most　garrulous　of　the　pany；　the　effort　of　concentrating　on　his　spell　left　the　small　party　of　dark　elves　unusually　silent。　They　fell　into　a　watchful　march；　winding　quietly　along　in　single　file　behind　the　wizard；　as　the　immeasurable　journey　through　the　darkness　stretched　out　into　what　might　have　been　hours　or　even　days。　Halisstra　found　herself　beginning　to　consider　the　very　curious　notion　that　this　was　the　real　world；　the　true　substance　of　things；　and　the　bland　mundane　rigidity　of　her　own　world　was　the　illusion。　She　found　that　she　did　not　care　for　that　thought　at　all。
　　　After　a　long　time；　Pharaun　raised　his　hand　and　called　a　halt。　They　stood　on　a　small　gray　stone　bridge；　arching　over　a　deep　gully　through　which　trickled　a　dark；　bubbling　stream。　Nearby　the　black　ramparts　of　an　abandoned　city　jutted　into　the　lightless　sky；　a　place　that　seemed　more　like　a　fortress　than　a　town；　its　thick　walls　pierced　by　turret…guarded　gates。
　　　〃We're　about　halfway　to　our　destination；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃I　suggest　half　an　hour's　rest；　and　maybe　a　meal　from　what　stores　we　have。　We　should　be　able　to　replenish　our　supplies　when　we　reach　Mantol…Derith。〃
　　　Ryld　gestured　at　the　empty　castle　nearby　and　said；　〃What　is　that　place？〃
　　　〃That？〃　Pharaun　glanced　over　his　shoulder。　〃Who　knows？　Maybe　it's　the　echo　of　a　surface　city　in　our　world；　or　maybe　it's　a　reflection　of　some　other　reality　all　together。　The　Shadow　is　like　that。〃
　　　The　pany　huddled　by　the　low　stone　wall　of　the　bridge　and　made　a　dreary　repast　from　their　dwindling　provisions。　The　ever　present　chill　of　the　place　leeched　away　the　warmth　of　Halisstra's　body；　as　if　the　stones　beneath　her　hungered　for　her　very　life。　The　gloom　smothered　their　spirits；　deadening　any　attempt　at　conversation；　making　it　hard　to　even　think　with　any　degree　of　acuteness。　When　the　time　came　to　set　off　again；　Halisstra　was　surprised　by　the　sheer　lethargy　that　had　crept　into　her　limbs。　She　had　little　desire　to　do　anything　except　sink　back　down　to　the　ground　and　lie　still；　wrapped　in　shadows。　Only　with　a　fierce　and　focused　effort　of　will　did　she　drive　herself　into　motion　again。
　　　They　set　off　into　the　unending　night；　and　had　gone　on　for　some　distance　from　the　vicinity　of　the　old　bridge　when　Halisstra　became　aware　of　the　fact　that　they　were　being　followed。　She　was　not　sure　of　it；　at　first。　Whatever　trailed　them　was　stealthy；　and　the　deadening　effects　of　the　Shadow　made　her　unsure　if　she　had　really　heard　something　or　not。　It　seemed　to　whisper　and　titter　in　the　darkness；　a　presence　that　announced　itself　in　a　stirring　of　the　motionless　air；　the　faint　rush　of　wind　behind　them。　She　turned　and　studied　the　path；　searching　for　their　pursuer；　but　she　saw　nothing　save　the　weary　faces　of　her　panions。
　　　Valas　brought　up　the　rear　of　the　march；　and　he　looked　up　at　her　as　he　drew　close。
　　　You　sense　it　too？　he　signed。
　　　〃What　is　it？〃　Halisstra　wondered　aloud。　〃What　manner　of　things　live　in　a　place　like　this？〃
　　　The　scout　shrugged　wearily　and　said；　〃Something　that　Pharaun　has　reason　to　fear；　which　alarms　me。〃　He　reached　out　and　turned　her　back　toward　the　rest　of　the　party。　Halisstra　was　shocked　to　see　how　far　they'd　moved　away　in　the　few　short　moments　she　had　stood　watching。　〃e；　we　do　not　want　to　be　left　behind。　Perhaps　what　hunts　us　will　be　content　to　follow。〃
　　　They　hurried　to　catch　up　to　the　others…and　at　that　moment；　their　pursuer　attacked。　Striding　up　out　of　the　shadows　behind　them　loomed　a　tremendous　figure　posed　of　pure　darkness；　a　black；　faceless　giant　towering　more　than　twenty　feet　in　height。　Despite　its　great　size；　the　thing　moved　swiftly　and　silently　toward　them；　strangely　graceful。　Two　shining　ovals　of　silver　marked　its　eyes；　and　long；　spidery　talons　reached　for　Halisstra　and　Valas。　Its　sibilant　whispers　filled　their　minds　with　awful　things；　like　fat　pale　worms　crawling　through　rotten　meat。
　　　〃Pharaun；　wait！〃　Halisstra　cried。
　　　She　fumbled　for　her　mace　as　the　dark　giant　approached。　Beside　her；　Valas　swore　and　swept　out　his　curved　blades；　crouching　in　a　fighting　stance。　A　nauseating；　tangible　chill　radiated　from　the　creature；　like　the　cold　that　seeped　through　the　entire　plane　but　far　more　concentrated　and　malevolent　in　the　presence　of　the　monster。　The　dark　giant　shimmered；　acquiring　an　almost　oily　appearance；　and　it　sprang　forward　in　a　sudden　burst　of　motion。
　　　Before　Halisstra　could　cry　out　another　warning；　one　blow　of　its　massive　taloned　fist　knocked　her　sprawling　to　the　ground。　It　turned　to　fix　its　pale　and　terrible　gaze　upon　Valas。　The　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　screamed　in　terror　and　averted　his　eyes；　dropping　one　kukri　and　allowing　the　second　to　droop　limply　from　his　hand。
　　　Jeggred　roared　a　challenge　and　bounded　toward　the　monster；　talons　extended。　The　dark　giant　slammed　the　half…demon　to　the　ground　with　one　blow　of　its　long　black　hand。　The　draegloth　scrambled　back　to　his　feet　and　leaped　up　to　rake　deep；　black　furrows　across　the　giant's　thighs　and　abdomen；　seeking　to　eviscerate　the　creature；　but　the　wounds　closed　after　the　draegloth's　claws　passed　through　the　thing's　flesh。　Jeggred　howled　in　frustration　and　redoubled　his　futile　assault。
　　　〃Stand　back；　you　fool！〃　Pharaun　cried　from　nearby。　〃It　is　a　nightwalker。　You　need　powerful　magic　to　harm　it。〃
　　　The　wizard　chanted　a　dire　spell；　and　a　bright　bolt　of　green　lightning　shot　out　to　smite　the　creature　high　in　its　torso…but　the　pernicious　energy　just　flowed　away　from　the　monster's　featureless　black　hide；　leaving　it　unharmed。
　　　Your　spells　are　useless；　whispered　a　dark　and　terrible　voice　in　Halisstra's　mind。　Your　weapons　are　useless。　You　are　mine；　foolish　drow。
　　　〃We　will　see　about　that；〃　Halisstra　snarled。
　　　She　picked　herself　up　and　dashed　forward；　raising　her　mace。　The　weapon　was　enchanted；　and　she　hoped　it　would　prove　powerful　enough　to　harm　the　creature。　A　long　arm　with　deadly　talons　raked　at　her；　but　Halisstra　tumbled　beneath　the　monster's　grasp　and　hammered　at　the　nightwalker's　knee。　With　a　sharp　crack　of　sound　and　a　flash　of　actinic　light；　the　weapon　detonated　with　the　force　of　a　thunderclap。　The　nightwalker　made　no　sound；　but　its　knee　buckled；　and　it　staggered。
　　　Quenthel's　whip　hissed　through　the　air；　flaying　at　the　creature's　face。　The　vipers　tore　and　snapped　through　dark　flesh；　leaving　great　gory　wounds；　but　the　monster　seemed　unaffected　by　the　deadly　venom　coursing　through　the　weapon。　Apparently　even　the　most　virulent　poison　did　not　disfit　its　shadowstuff。
　　　Ryld；　wheeling　and　spinning；　slashed　at　the　monster　with　his　gleaming　greatsword。　The　nightwalker　reached　out　to　wrest　away　his　weapon；　but　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　danced　back　and　sheared　off　half　the　creature's　hand　with　one　savage　blow。　The　nightwalker　screamed　soundlessly；　its　anguished　cry　stabbing　through　their　very　minds。　Ignoring　the　others；　the　creature　fastened　its　baleful　gaze　on　Ryld；　and　conjured　up　from　the　black　soil　underfoot　a　dreadful；　dark　vapor　that　blotted　out　all　sight。
　　　Halisstra　groped　her　way　into　the　black　mist；　seeking　the　monster。　The　vapor　seared　her　nose　like　vitriol　and　ate　at　her　eyes；　burning　like　fire。　She　persevered；　and　felt　the　giant　looming　over　her。　She　raised　her　mace　and　struck　again；　hammering　at　the　creature's　legs。　From　beside　her　she　heard　the　hiss　of　Quenthel's　whip；　tearing　into　dark　flesh。　Great　black　talons　raked　through　the　vapor；　ripping　at　Halisstra's　shield；　driving　her　to　the　ground。
　　　〃It's　here！〃　she　called；　hoping　to　lead　someone　else　to　the　battle；　but　the　acidic　mists　burned　like　fire　in　her　throat。
　　　She　narrowed　her　eyes　to　nothing　more　than　bare　slits；　and　flailed　back　at　the　monster。　The　nightwalker's　venomous　will　settled　over　her　like　a　blanket　of　madness；　seeking　to　rend　away　her　reason；　but　she　endured　the　new　assault；　lashing　out　again　and　again。
　　　Ryld's　sword　lanced　through　the　murk　like　a　white　razor；　opening　dreadful　wounds　in　the　shadow　creature's　body。　Black　fluid　splattered　like　droplets　of　poison；　and　the　mind…whispers　of　the　nightwalker　rose　into　a　hellish　mental　shriek　that　dragged　Halisstra　to　the　very　edge　of　madness…and　there　was　silence。
　　　She　felt　the　thing　abruptly　discorporate　around　her；　its　body　exploding　into　black；　stinking　mist　that　dissipated　into　the　shadows。
　　　Still　gagging　on　the　poisonous　black　vapors　the　creature　had　raised；　Halisstra　stumbled　out　of　the　dark　cloud　and　fell　to　all　fours；　gasping　for　breath。　Her　chest　burned　as　if　she'd　drunk　molten　sulfur。　When　at　last　she　could　open　her　eyes　and　take　notice　of　her　surroundings　again；　she　found　that　most　of　the　rest　of　the　party　had　fared　little　better　than　she。
　　　Ryld　slumped　against　a　stone；　his　greatsword　point　down　before　him。　He　was　leaning　on　the　blade；　exhausted。　Quenthel　stood　close　by；　her　hands　on　her　knees；　coughing　wretchedly。
　　　When　at　last　she　could　draw　breath；　the　high　priestess　looked　up　at　Pharaun　and　said；　〃That　is　what　you　encountered　before？〃
　　　The　wizard　nodded　and　said；　〃Nightwalkers。　They　roam　the　Fringe。　Creatures　of　undead　darkness；　evil　personified。　As　you　saw；　they　can　be　。　。　。　formidable。〃
　　　The　Mistress　of　the　Academy　drew　herself　up　and　returned　her　whip　to　her　belt。
　　　〃I　think　I　understand　why　you　hesitated　to　volunteer　this　method　of　travel　until　now；〃　she　said。
　　　Despite　his　exhaustion；　the　wizard　preened。
　　　〃Careful；　Quenthel；〃　he　said　in　a　mocking　voice；　〃you　almost　acknowledged　my　usefulness。〃
　　　The　high　priestess's　eyes　narrowed；　and　she　straightened　proudly。　She　obviously　didn't