war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第15部分

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that　there　are　no　risks　in　our　enterprise。〃
　　　〃We're　not　talking　about　a　handful　of　coins　riding　on　a　stupid　game；〃　the　duergar　prince　said。　〃We're　talking　about　my　throne　riding　on　a　war　that　could　take　a　turn　I　don't　care　for　in　any　number　of　ways。　Don't　try　to　shore　up　my　resolve　with　empty　observations　about　risk　and　reward。〃
　　　〃Very　well；　then；　I　shall　not；　but　I　will　point　out　that　when　last　we　met　you　said　you　wanted　only　one　thing　before　you　would　consent　to　lead　your　army　against　Menzoberranzan；　and　that　was　a　substantial　ally　within　the　city　itself。　I　have　provided　you　that　ally。　When　will　it　ever　be　better　for　you　to　strike　out　at　the　threat　a　strong　Menzoberranzan　poses　to　your　kingdom？　Their　priestesses　are　powerless；　they　have　already　endured　a　costly　slave　rebellion；　and　now　I　bring　to　you　a　great　House　willing　to　assist　you　in　your　efforts。　What　more　do　we　lack；　Prince？〃
　　　The　duergar　scowled　and　turned　away　to　stare　out　at　Gracklstugh。　He　stood　for　a　time；　thinking　hard。　Nimor　watched　him　waver；　and　decided　it　was　time　to　set　the　hook。
　　　Lowering　his　voice；　he　moved　close　and　said；　〃What　better　way　to　secure　your　seat　against　the　unruly　lairds　you　fear；　than　by　distracting　them　with　a　campaign　beyond　your　borders？　Even　if　you　should　fail　to　take　Menzoberranzan；　some　diligent　planning　should　ensure　that　the　forces　of　the　most　dangerous　lairds　seem　to　find　the　deadliest　part　of　any　battle　you　fight。　In　truth　I　believe　it　is　within　your　grasp　to　win　a　great　victory　over　Menzoberranzan；　and　wreck　the　strength　of　your　most　rebellious　nobles　at　the　same　time。〃
　　　The　duergar　prince　grunted　and　studied　Nimor　closely。
　　　〃You　presume　much；　dark　elf；〃　said　Horgar。　〃What　is　it　you　hope　to　gain　by　destroying　Menzoberranzan；　eh？　Why　do　you　seek　to　set　me　on　this　course　of　action？〃
　　　The　assassin　grinned　and　clapped　the　duergar　on　the　shoulder。　The　Stone　Guards　in　the　chamber　shifted　nervously；　disapproving　of　the　contact。
　　　〃My　dear　Prince　Horgar；　the　answer　is　simple；〃　Nimor　said。　〃Revenge。　Your　army　is　to　be　the　instrument　of　my　vengeance。　Naturally　I　recognize　that　you　will　not　raze　Menzoberranzan　simply　because　I　ask　it；　so　it　is　a　necessary　part　of　my　design　that　you　are　provided　with　the　suitable　motivation　to　do　what　I　wish　done。　I　have　worked　long　and　hard　to　bring　about　the　circumstances　under　which　the　army　of　Gracklstugh　might　be　aimed　at　the　city　I　hate…including；　I　might　add；　assisting　you　with　the　small　problem　of　your　father's　thoughtless　longevity。　How　can　I　make　my　purpose　plainer？〃
　　　〃I　paid　for　your　help　in　that　case　with　hundreds　of　stonefire　bombs；〃　the　duergar　prince　said；　bridling。　〃Do　not　speak　of　my　father's　。　。　。　death　again。　If　I　came　to　believe　that　you　might　seek　to　influence　my　actions　with　that　story；　I　would　have　to　make　sure　that　whatever　information　you　possessed　never　came　to　light。　Do　you　understand　me？〃
　　　〃Oh；　I　did　not　mean　anything　by　the　remark；　Horgar。　I　merely　pointed　out　that　I　had　been　useful　to　you　before；　and　that　I　may　prove　useful　again。　Now；　can　I　count　on　the　army　of　Gracklstugh；　or　not？〃
　　　Horgar　Steelshadow；　Crown　Prince　of　Gracklstugh；　reluctantly　nodded　assent。
　　　〃We　will　e；〃　he　said。　〃Now；　explain　to　me　who　exactly　will　be　aiding　us　inside　Menzoberranzan；　and　how　he'll　be　able　to　help。〃
　　　
　　　Ryld　could　feel　hateful　eyes　lingering　on　his　broad　back　as　he　followed　Valas　and　Coalhewer　through　the　streets　of　the　duergar　city。　He　was　all　too　conscious　of　the　fact　that　he　was　out　of　his　element。　He　towered　a　good　twenty　inches　over　any　of　the　gray　dwarves；　and　his　coal…black　skin　and　inky　piwafwi　didn't　help　him　to　blend　in　at　all。　The　three　travelers　wound　their　way　through　a　swordsmith's　district；　a　narrow　alleyway　lined　on　both　sides　by　open…air　forges　where　duergar　in　leather　aprons　hammered　endlessly　on　glowing　metal。　Ryld　knew　a　thing　or　two　about　good　steel；　and　he　could　see　at　a　glance　that　the　dwarves　knew　their　work。
　　　The　weapons　master　quickened　his　step　and　drew　alongside　Valas。
　　　〃Where　are　we　going？〃　he　asked　as　quietly　as　possible　over　the　ringing　hammers。　〃I　thought　we　needed　to　obtain　some　sort　of　official　license　or　pass。　Shouldn't　we　be　heading　for　a　courthouse；　or　something？〃
　　　〃If　ye　wanted　a　royal　license；　ye　would；〃　Coalhewer　answered；　〃but　that　would　take　ye　months　and　cost　ye　a　fortune　in　bribes。　No；　I'm　takin'　ye　to　call　on　the　household　of　the　clan　laird　Muzgardt。　He'll　give　ye　a　writ　o'　passage　that　should　get　ye　where　ye　want　to　go。〃
　　　Ryld　nodded。　It　was　not　so　different　from　Menzoberranzan；　after　all。
　　　〃How　far　will　Muzgardt's　writ　run？〃　Valas　asked。　〃Will　it　get　us　out　of　Gracklstugh's　dominions？〃
　　　〃Muzgardt's　clan　be　merchants。　They　deal　in　ale　and　liquors　throughout　the　Deepkingdom；　and　sometimes　bring　outside　brews　into　the　city…drow　wine；　svirfneblin　brandy；　even　some　vintages　from　the　surface；　or　so　I　hear。　Ye'll　find　his　folk　all　over　the　realm。〃　Coalhewer　laughed　a　nasty　laugh　and　added；　〃　'Course；　Muzgardt　sells　passage　to　those　as　want　it；　too。　He　likes　his　gold。〃
　　　Ryld　smiled。　Coalhewer　was　a　grasping；　avaricious　fellow　by　anyone's　standards。　Muzgardt's　greed　must　be　something　noteworthy　indeed　for　a　dwarf　like　Coalhewer　to　ment　on　it。
　　　They　came　to　the　end　of　the　street　of　swordsmiths　and　found　themselves　back　in　the　vicinity　of　the　Darklake；　though　farther　north　along　the　shore。　Before　them　stood　a　huge；　ramshackle　brewery　made　from　loose　stone　stacked　to　make　walls　between　the　petrified　stems　of　a　small　forest　of　gigantic　mushrooms。　Big　copper　vats　steamed　within；　filling　the　air　with　a　heavy；　yeasty　stink。　Dozens　of　copper　kegs　stood　nearby；　and　burly　gray　dwarves　swarmed　over　the　place；　mashing　fungus；　mixing　fermenting　masses；　and　filling　casks　with　freshly　brewed　ale。
　　　〃A　dwarf's　second　love　after　gold；〃　Coalhewer　said　with　a　crooked　smile。　〃Ah；　Muzgardt's　lads　do　good　work；　I　tell　ye。〃
　　　The　dwarf　led　Ryld　and　Valas　into　the　brewhouse　and　past　the　huge　vats　to　a　small　shack　or　shelter　in　the　back　of　the　place。　A　pair　of　gray　dwarves　stood　in　heavy　mail　armor；　wicked…looking　axes　resting　close　at　hand。　The　guards　glared　angrily　at　the　dark　elves；　and　picked　up　their　weapons。
　　　〃What　d'ye　want？〃　one　growled。
　　　〃Thummud；〃　Coalhewer　replied。　〃Got　a　business　proposition　for　him。〃
　　　〃Stay　here；〃　the　first　guard　said。
　　　He　ducked　through　a　ragged　curtain　in　the　doorway；　and　returned　a　moment　later。
　　　〃Thummud'll　see　ye；　but　the　drow'll　have　t'leave　their　weapons　at　the　door。　Don't　trust　'em。〃
　　　Ryld　looked　at　Valas　and　signed；　Are　we　worried　about　an　ambush？
　　　The　scout　replied；　Coalhewer　knows　there　are　five　more　in　our　party；　including　a　capable　wizard　and　a　draegloth。　I　don't　think　he'd　lead　us　into　a　trap…but　watch　your　back　anyway。
　　　〃Enough　finger…talk；〃　the　guard　snarled。　〃Talk　so's　we　can　understand　ye；　if　ye've　got　anything　to　say。〃
　　　〃Always；〃　Ryld　said　aloud　to　Valas。
　　　He　gave　the　duergar　a　hard　look；　but　shrugged　Splitter　from　his　shoulder　and　set　the　greatsword　against　one　wall。　He　unbuckled　his　short　sword　from　its　sheath　at　his　hip　and　set　it　nearby。
　　　〃There's　a　curse　on　the　big　blade；〃　he　said。　〃You　won't　like　what　happens　if　you　try　to　handle　it。〃
　　　Valas　set　down　his　shortbow　and　arrows；　then　dropped　his　kukris　to　the　ground。　The　duergar　guards　checked　the　two　dark　elves　for　concealed　weapons；　then　ushered　them　into　the　gloomy　shelter。　The　place　was　an　office　of　sorts；　with　ledgers　and　records　scattered　about。　By　a　large　standing　clerks　desk　stood　one　of　the　fattest　gray　dwarfs　Ryld　had　ever　seen；　a　round…bodied　fellow　with　thick　arms　and　heavy　shoulders。　Duergar　tended　to　run　toward　a　gaunt；　broad…shouldered　build　despite　their　short；　powerful　stature；　but　the　brewmaster　Thummud　was　as　round　as　one　of　his　kegs。
　　　〃Coalhewer；〃　he　said　by　way　of　a　greeting。　〃What　can　you　do　for　me？〃
　　　〃I've　got　a　party　of　dark　elves　as　need　a　writ　o'　business　from　Muzgardt；〃　Coalhewer　said。　〃They'd　prefer　not　to　wait　on　a　royal　permit。〃
　　　〃What　sort　of　business？〃
　　　〃We　deal　in　gemstones；　mostly；〃　Valas　said。　〃We're　looking　into　setting　up　transport　through　the　Deepkingdom。　We　need　to　be　able　to　move　around　and　talk　to　a　lot　of　people；　and　as　Coalhewer　said；　we　don't　want　to　wait　for　months　to　get　a　royal　license。〃
　　　〃Ye're　stupid　or　ye're　lying；　then。　Ye'll　pay　ten　times　the　cost　of　a　royal　license　to　get　a　writ　from　our　clan　laird。　Most　merchants　I　know　wouldn't　do　such　a　thing。〃
　　　Valas　glanced　up　at　Ryld；　then　looked　back　to　Thummud　and　said；　〃All　right；　then。　We've　got　some　rivals　from　back　home　that　are　doing　a　fine　business　here；　and　we　want　to　sound　out　their　suppliers　to　see　if　they　can't　be　encouraged　to　sell　to　us　instead　of　the　others。　A　royal　license　wouldn't　really　extend　that　far；　would　it？〃
　　　Thummud　snorted；　〃No；　I　suppose　not。〃
　　　〃Can　ye　help　me　clients；　or　not？〃　Coalhewer　asked。　〃Or　do　I　have　to　go　see　Ironhead；　or　maybe　Anvilthew？〃
　　　〃Clan　Muzgardt　might　be　able　to　help　ye；〃　Thummud　said　after　a　long　moment。　〃We'll　want　two　hundred　pieces　of　gold　for　each　body　on　the　writ；　and　ye　can't　have　it　today。〃
　　　Coalhewer　glanced　up　at　the　dark　elves。　Ryld　nodded　to　him。
　　　〃They'll　pay　the　laird's　fee；〃　the　duergar　sailor　said；　〃but　they　want　to　get　started　right　quick。〃
　　　〃Doesn't　matter　what　yer　clients　want；〃　Thummud　replied　with　a　shrug。　〃I'll　have　to　take　up　the　matter　with　the　clan　laird　before　I　write　you　a　pass。〃
　　　〃Ye　never　had　to　before！〃
　　　The　fat　dwarf　folded　his　arms　and　set　his　jaw　stubbornly。　He　glared　at　Coalhewer　and　the　dark　elves。
　　　〃Be　that　as　it　may；　the　crown　prince's　soldiers　have　been　checking　our　writs　and　passes　too　closely　of　late。　Horgar's　let　it　be　known　that　he　wants　to　know　who's　in　the　Deepkingdom　and　why；　and　he's　leaning　on　the　clan　lairds　to　withhold　their　writs。　We'll　be　able　to　get　yer　clients　theirs；　I　think；　but　I'll　have　to　gain　Muzgardt's　blessing　first。　e　back　tomorrow；　or　the　day　after。〃
　　　Coalhewer　muttered　into　his　beard；　but　he　didn't　bother　to　argue　the　point　any　further。　He　jerked　his　head　toward　the　curtain；　and　led　Ryld　and　Valas　outside。　The　dark　elves　picked　up　their　arms；　and　in　a　few　minutes　they'd　left　the　brewery　behind　them。
　　　〃Now；　what　should　we　make　of　that？〃　Valas　wondered　aloud。　〃Do　you　know　another　clan　that　might　help　out；　Coalhewer？〃
　　　〃Maybe；　but　if　Horgar's　cracking　down　on　informal　passes　and　such　things；　ye'll　have　trouble　anywhere　ye　go。〃　The　dwarf　scratched　at　his　beard。　〃I'll　have　to　ask　some　questions；　and　I　don't　think　ye'd　best　be　with　me。〃
　　　Ryld　looked　to　Valas；　who　thought　carefully　before　agreeing；　and　even　then　the　weapons　master　didn't　think　his　fellow　Menzoberranyr　looked　sufficiently　confident　in　their　guide's　loyalty。
　　　
　　　When　Halisstra　and　Danifae　returned　to　the　Cold　Foundry；　they　found　that　Quenthel　had　rented　one　of　the　inn's　larger　wings；　a　freestanding　structure　with　its　own　small　mon　room　and　eight　private　chambers　on　two　floors。　The　whole　wing　seemed　to　be　built　and　decorated　to　a　duergar's　conception　of　drow　fort。　Its　furnishings　were　proportioned　for　drow…sized　guests；　not　dwarves；　it　was　richly　appointed　with　tapestries　and　lavish　rugs；　and　all　the　doors　had　locks。　Dark　elves　didn't　require　endless　hours　of　sleep　in　the　same　manner　as　lesser　races；　but　few　drow　felt　safe　or　fortable　in　a　deep；　dreaming　Reverie　unless　they　were　taking　their　ease　behind　a　locked　door。
　　　The　rest　of　the　pany；　with　the　exception　of　Pharaun；　reclined　on　the　rugs　or　sat　at　the　mon　room's　table；　partaking　of　a　bountiful　meal　acpanied　by　silver　ewers　of　wine。　Armor　and　packs　lay　stacked　against　the　walls；　but　weapons　remained　within　easy　reach。
　　　Halisstra　raised　an　eyebrow；　eyeing　the　banquet　spread　out　on　the　sideboard。　A　large　roast　of　rothe；　several　wheels　of　finely　molded　cheeses；　and　steaming　platters　of　braised　mushrooms　reminded　her　how　long　she'd　been　without　a　decent；　hot　meal。
　　　〃The　food's　safe？〃　she　asked。
　　　Quenthel　snorted。　〃Do　you　think　we're　stupid？　Of　course　we　checked　it。　The　innkeeper　sent　us　a　cask　of　drugged　wine　the　first　time　around；　but　we　plained　to　the　management〃…Jeggred　looked　up　and　smiled　with　a　mouthful　of　fangs　at　that；　and　Halisstra　guessed　she　knew　what　form　that　plaint　had　taken…〃so　the　banquet　is　plimentary。　Enjoy。〃
　　　Halisstra　performed　her　own　examination　of　the　table　anyway；　relying　on　a　magic　ring　she　wore　for　just　that　purpose。　Poisons　were　too　monplace　among　highborn　drow　to　take　any　meal　for　granted。　Satisfied；　she　helped　herself　and　sat　down　by　the　table。　Danifae　took　some　food　as　well；　and　took　a　place；　reclining　on　a　low　lounge　near　Quenthel。
　　　〃I　see　the　wizard　has　not　yet　returned。　Have　you　had　any　luck？〃　Halisstra　asked　Valas　as　she　ate。
　　　The　scout　sat　cross…legged　beside　the　door；　his　knife　belt　loosened　but　still　around　his　narrow　hips。　He　sipped　at　a　mug　of　mulled　wine；　and　chewed　thoughtfully　on　a　piece　of　bread。
　　　〃After　a　fashion；〃　he　said。　〃The　weapons　master　and　I　encountered　no　overt　hostility；　but　we　didn't　get　as　far　as　I　would　have　liked；　despite　our　efforts　to　impress　upon　the　duergar　the　importance　of　time。〃　He　jingled　the　pouch　of　coins　at　his　belt。　〃I　don't　know　if　this　is　a　sign　that　something　unusual　is　happening；　but　Coalhewer　didn't　like　it。〃
　　　〃Where　is　the　dwarf？〃　asked　Danifae。
　　　〃He　wanted　to　see　if　he　could　obtain　a　writ　through　other　channels。〃
　　　〃You　trust　him　to　do　that？〃
　　　〃Not　entirely；　but　it's　something　we　could　not　easily　do　ourselves。〃　The　scout　grimaced　and　said；　〃It's　one　thing　to　deal　with　the　duergar　clans　in　a　reasonably　forthright　fashion。　If　I　was　caught　looking　into　forging　our　passes；　I　would　look　very　much　like　a　spy；　wouldn't　I？　And　so　would　all　of　you；　by　association。〃
　　　〃Real　spies　would　approach　Gracklstugh　in　much　the　same　manner　we　have；〃　Ryld　said　from　one　corner；　where　Splitter　leaned　against　the　wall；　within　easy　reach。
　　　〃True；　but　remember　that　Coalhewer　is　something　of　a　smuggler　himself。　He's　hardly　anxious　to　bring　us　to　the　attention　of　the　crown　prince；〃　Valas　replied。　〃Still；　the　weapons　master　and　I　settled　for　replenishing　our　provisions；　so　we're　ready　to　leave　whenever　Coalhewer　obtains　our　pass。〃
　　　〃It　seems　we've　done　all　we　can　for　now；〃　Halisstra　observed。　〃I；　for　one；　am　tired　of　blinding　deserts；　soul…bleaching　shadowlands；　and　bare　cavern　floors。　If　we're　soon　to　return　to　the　bleak　and　fortless　wilds；　I'll　enjoy　what　civilization　I　can。〃
　　　Halisstra　held　up　her　cup　for　Danifae　to　fill。　The　battle　captive　rose　sinuously　and　refilled　her　mistress's　goblet。
　　　〃Drink　if　you　like；　but　don't　let　your　wits　bee　too　sodden；〃　Quenthel　warned　from　her　couch。　〃We're　hardly　among　friends　in　this　filthy　city。〃
　　　〃When　are　any　of　us　truly　among　friends？〃　Ryld　asked　with　a　snort。
　　　Halisstra　laughed　softly　and　said；　〃Indeed；　Ryld；　but　tonight　we　can　rest　in　fort；　confident　in　the　knowledge　that　we　none　of　us　trust　each　other　and　that　not　too　far　away　lurk　grim　enemies　who　would　destroy　us　if　they　could。　Would　we　have　it　any　other　way？〃
　　　Danifae　carried　the　ewer　to　Quenthel。　Ignoring　the　subtle　wri