war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第16部分

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ould　we　have　it　any　other　way？〃
　　　Danifae　carried　the　ewer　to　Quenthel。　Ignoring　the　subtle　writhing　of　the　priestess's　serpent　whip；　she　lowered　her　eyes　and　leaned　forward　to　refill　the　high　priestess's　cup。
　　　〃We　must　seize　what　pleasures　we　can　when　the　opportunity　arises；〃　Danifae　added。　〃Is　that　not　the　purpose　of　power？〃
　　　Halisstra　sipped　her　wine　and　watched　the　scene。　Danifae　had　neglected　to　don　an　arming…coat　beneath　her　mail；　as　she　had　found　the　black　mithral　shirt　without　its　leather　padding。　Of　course；　Halisstra　had　already　offered　Danifae　a　spare　coat　of　her　own；　and　she　had　no　doubt　that　in　the　morning　Danifae　would　accept　it。　In　the　meantime；　the　girl's　perfect　dark　skin　gleamed　through　the　metal　mesh；　and　her　full；　round　breasts　swayed　enticingly　beneath　the　steel　as　she　stooped　to　pour　Quenthel's　wine。　The　males　in　the　room　could　not　take　their　eyes　from　her；　try　as　they　might。　Even　Jeggred；　four…armed　hulking　beast　that　he　was；　seemed　entranced　by　the　girl's　grace　and　beauty。　Valas　frowned　and　busied　himself　with　oiling　his　kukris；　obviously　sensing　the　peril　of　the　moment　and　recoiling　with　his　usual　caution。　Ryld；　on　the　other　hand。　。　。　。
　　　Ryld　was　looking　at　her。　Halisstra　carefully　kept　the　surprise　from　her　face　as　she　met　the　weapons　master's　gaze。　Their　eyes　locked。　His　expression　seemed　avid；　intense；　and　Halisstra　knew　that　Danifae's　posturing　could　not　have　escaped　his　notice；　but　instead　of　gaping　at　the　girl　in　her　armor　of　metal　mesh；　the　weapons　master　turned　that　gaze　on　her。
　　　Ryld　offered　a　slight　smile　and　made　a　soft　gesture　with　his　hand：　An　interesting　play。
　　　I　do　not　follow　your　meaning；　Halisstra　replied；　though　she　could　see　easily　enough　that　the　weapons　master　knew　perfectly　well　that　she　did。
　　　She　returned　her　attention　to　Danifae　as　the　girl　kneeled　close　beside　Quenthel；　sipping　her　own　wine。　The　pany　grew　quiet；　and　Ryld　pulled　out　his　traveling　sava　set　to　play　a　game　against　Valas　while　the　others　contented　themselves　with　savoring　a　moment's　respite　from　danger。
　　　Pharaun　returned　eventually；　a　handful　of　scrolls　tucked　under　one　arm。　He　retired　to　his　chamber　after　a　couple　of　halfhearted　jibes　at　the　weapons　master　to　break　his　concentration。　Ryld　won　anyway；　though　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　gave　a　good　account　of　himself。
　　　〃It　has　been　a　long　day；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃I　shall　retire　to　my　chambers。　Jeggred；　Valas；　split　the　watch　tonight。　Two　others　will　watch　tomorrow。〃
　　　She　stood　and　stretched；　and　turned　her　eyes　on　Danifae　before　gliding　out　of　the　room。
　　　〃I　think　I'll　do　the　same；〃　Danifae　said。
　　　The　battle　captive　glanced　at　Halisstra；　offered　a　coy　smile；　and　went　quickly　after　Quenthel。　Ryld　put　away　his　sava　board　and　headed　up　to　his　room；　while　Valas　and　Jeggred　tossed　a　coin　for　first　watch。　Halisstra　stood；　gathered　her　piwafwi　around　her；　and　went　up　to　her　own　room。　She　paused　briefly　by　Quenthel's　door　and　listened；　just　long　enough　to　hear　what　might　have　been　a　soft　gasp　or　a　rustle　of　clothing；　then　she　moved　on。　Quenthel's　serpents　would　likely　report　an　eavesdropper　at　her　door。
　　　Clever　girl；　Halisstra　thought。　Quenthel　was　an　astute　and　daring　move　indeed。
　　　In　Ched　Nasad　Halisstra　had　sent　Danifae　to　seduce　a　rival　on　more　than　one　occasion。　Even　the　most　pragmatic　priestess　had　her　favorite　pets；　and　sometimes　an　otherwise　cold　and　calculating　female　might　be　manipulated　through　her　secret　pleasures。　Halisstra　doubted　that　Danifae　could　succeed　in　establishing　any　real　influence　over　Quenthel；　but　at　the　worst；　she　was　providing　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　with　a　reason　not　to　abandon　Halisstra　and　her　handmaid　on　a　whim。　Of　course；　if　Danifae's　services　proved　too　valuable　to　Quenthel；　the　Baenre　might　be　inclined　to　claim　the　captive　as　her　own；　but　that　was　a　risk　Halisstra　was　willing　to　take。
　　　Even　if　Danifae　continued　to　encourage　the　Baenre　to　do　just　that；　Halisstra　thought　of　the　silver　locket　around　the　girl's　neck；　and　allowed　herself　a　smile。　Unless　Danifae　managed　to　free　herself　of　the　binding　spell；　she　couldn't　take　the　smallest　step　in　that　direction；　as　Halisstra's　death　would　precipitate　her　own。　For　the　moment　Halisstra　felt　she　could　rely　on　Danifae's　loyalty。
　　　Halisstra　found　her　room　and　undressed　for　bed；　setting　her　armor　on　a　chest　in　the　small　room　and　leaving　her　mace　where　she　could　reach　it　quickly。
　　　She　drifted　into　Reverie　thinking　about　Quenthel　and　Danifae　together。
　　　
　　　Aliisza　rode　in　an　iron　palanquin　through　the　streets　of　Gracklstugh；　carried　by　four　ogres　and　escorted　by　a　dozen　tanarukk　warriors。　The　tanarukks　wore　armor　of　burnished　iron　and　carried　wickedly　hooked　greatswords。　One　fellow　carried　a　yellow　banner　emblazoned　with　Kaanyr　Vhok's　assumed　symbol…a　scepter　clasped　in　a　gauntleted　hand。　Twice　their　number　of　gray　dwarf　warriors　escorted　the　embassy　along；　suspicious　glares　fixed　rigidly　on　the　black　palanquin　and　its　occupant。　The　alu…fiend　preened　just　a　little　beneath　the　attention。　She　would　have　moved　much　quicker　on　her　own；　of　course；　but　making　a　grand　entrance　into　the　city　of　the　gray　dwarves　might　encourage　the　duergar　to　take　her　seriously。　Besides；　it　was　fun。
　　　The　journey　from　the　halls　of　old　Ammarindar　had　not　been　particularly　swift　or　easy。　Aliisza　and　her　warriors　had　pressed　hard　at　their　best　possible　speed　for　five　days　along　ancient　dwarven　highways　to　reach　the　shores　of　the　Darklake；　and　it　had　taken　three　days　more　to　obtain　a　duergar　boat　to　cross　it。　She　was　growing　tired　of　dashing　this　way　and　that　through　the　Underdark　at　Kaanyr　Vhok's　mand。　On　the　other　hand；　it　continued　to　demonstrate　her　usefulness　to　the　demonspawned　warlord；　and　perhaps　it　wasn't　a　bad　thing　that　circumstances　gave　her　reasons　to　leave　his　side　from　time　to　time。　It　whetted　his　appetite　for　her　return；　and　sometimes　gave　her　the　opportunity　to　indulge　her　taste　for　。。。　variety。
　　　Gracklstugh　seemed　to　be　one　great　smithy；　a　city　of　roaring　forges　and　reeking　smoke。　It　struck　Aliisza　as　not　unlike　the　foundry　hall　in　the　ruins　of　Ammarindar；　except　Kaanyr　Vhok's　forge　was　only　a　fraction　of　the　size　of　the　gray　dwarf　realm。
　　　What　an　ugly　place；　Aliisza　thought。　Still；　the　sheer　scale　of　the　work　that　went　on　around　her　was　staggering。　More　than　once；　she　spotted　ponents　of　siege　engines　of　enormous　size　being　assembled　in　their　workshops。　Ched　Nasad　might　have　been　far　more　graceful　and　insidious；　but　Gracklstugh　was　strong。　Dwarven　skill　and　single…mindedness　seemed　almost　a　match　for　drow　magic　and　cruelty。
　　　The　gray　dwarves　turned　her　escort　toward　a　great　fortress　delved　into　a　mighty　stalagmite。　Ramparts　of　stone　and　turrets　of　iron　guarded　the　sloping　sides　of　the　duergar　castle。　As　the　ogres　carried　her　into　the　open　gate　of　the　king's　palace；　Aliisza　could　not　check　her　impulse　to　glance　up　at　the　mighty　portcullis　and　deadly　devices　poised　to　crush　any　attack。　She　had　several　ways　to　escape　if　she　needed　to；　but　none　of　her　warriors　would　get　out　of　the　palace　alive　if　the　gray　dwarves　decided　not　to　let　them　leave。
　　　The　procession　came　to　a　halt　in　a　large；　cheerless　hall　whose　floor　was　made　of　polished　stone　slabs。
　　　〃It　seems　that　I　am　here；〃　Aliisza　said　to　herself。
　　　She　tapped　on　the　palanquin's　side；　and　the　ogres　lowered　the　carriage　carefully　to　the　floor。　The　alu…fiend　waited　for　the　seat　to　settle；　then　let　herself　out；　straightening　and　stretching　her　wings。
　　　A　duergar　officer　wearing　a　plain　black　surcoat　over　his　armor　approached　her。
　　　〃You　said　you　wished　to　see　the　crown　prince；〃　he　stated。
　　　〃At　his　earliest　convenience；〃　Aliisza　replied。　She'd　had　the　same　conversation　several　times　that　day　with　various　gray　dwarf　lieutenants　and　captains。
　　　〃Who　are　you；　again？〃
　　　〃I　am　Aliisza；　an　envoy　from　Kaanyr　Vhok；　the　Sceptered　One；　Lord　of　Ammarindar　and　Master　of　Hellgate　Keep。　I　believe　your　crown　prince　will　find　my　lord's　message　worth　listening　to。〃
　　　The　officer　scowled　doubtfully。
　　　〃They　stay　here；〃　he　said；　nodding　at　Aliisza's　entourage。　〃Follow　me。〃
　　　Aliisza　glanced　at　the　leader　of　her　escort；　a　battered　old　tanarukk　champion　with　a　missing　tusk；　and　said；　〃You　and　your　warriors　wait　here。　I　might　be　a　while。〃
　　　She　followed　the　duergar　captain　deeper　into　the　fortress；　flanked　by　another　half…dozen　gray　dwarf　soldiers。　She　decided　to　think　of　them　as　an　honor　guard。
　　　They　climbed　a　wide；　sweeping　stairway　that　might　have　been　impressive　if　the　gray　dwarves　had　taken　a　single　step　toward　decorating　the　place；　and　finally　came　to　a　throne　room　with　huge；　stone　columns　supporting　a　vaulted　ceiling　high　overhead。
　　　At　the　far　end　of　the　chamber　stood　a　knot　of　gray　dwarves。　By　the　way　they　moved；　and　the　cold　regard　in　their　eyes；　Aliisza　guessed　that　they　were　the　high　advisors　and　nobles　of　the　realm；　but　their　garb　displayed　no　such　ostentation。　In　their　midst　stood　the　only　gray　dwarf　she'd　seen　yet　with　any　kind　of　ornamentation；　a　burly　fellow　who　wore　a　hauberk　of　gleaming　chain　mail　beneath　an　embroidered　surcoat　of　black　and　gold。　A　circlet　of　gold　rested　atop　his　bare　head；　and　rings　of　gold　gathered　the　braids　of　his　beard。
　　　The　captain　escorting　Aliisza　motioned　for　her　to　halt　and　went　closer　to　whisper　in　the　ear　of　the　crown　prince。　The　gray　dwarf　ruler　glared　at　Aliisza；　then　stepped　forward；　thick　arms　folded　across　his　chest。
　　　〃Wele　to　Gracklstugh；〃　he　said；　though　his　hard　eyes　offered　no　wele　at　all。　〃I　am　Horgar　Steelshadow。　What　does　Kaanyr　Vhok　want　of　me？〃
　　　Not　long　on　the　social　graces；　Aliisza　noted。
　　　Well；　she'd　never　met　a　gray　dwarf　who　was。　She　decided　to　speak　plainly　and　not　waste　time　on　flattery　or　subtlety；　as　it　was　clear　any　such　efforts　would　be　lost　on　the　ruler　of　Gracklstugh。　She　offered　a　small　bow；　and　straightened。
　　　〃Kaanyr　dispatched　me　to　ask　a　few　questions　about　what　happened　in　Ched　Nasad；　and　to　perhaps　explore　some　other　issues；〃　she　said。　She　glanced　at　the　other　gray　dwarves　standing　nearby。　〃Does　everyone　here　enjoy　your　confidence？〃
　　　Horgar　frowned；　and　muttered　something　in　Dwarvish。　Several　of　the　advisors　or　nobles　moved　off；　returning　to　whatever　duties　they　had　elsewhere。　A　pair　of　heavily　armored　guards　in　black　surcoats　remained　behind；　as　well　as　another　important…looking　duergar；　a　scarred　fellow　in　armor　who　wore　a　tabard　marked　with　a　red　symbol。
　　　〃My　Stone　Guards　stay；〃　Horgar　said；　then　indicated　the　scarred　dwarf。　〃This　is　the　clan　laird　Borwald　Firehand；　marshal　of　Gracklstugh's　army。〃
　　　Borwald　returned　Aliisza's　nod　of　greeting　with　a　sullen　glare。　She　shrugged　and　got　back　to　the　point；　deciding　to　match　directness　with　directness。
　　　〃A　duergar　clan…Xornbane；　wasn't　it？…attacked　the　drow　city　of　Ched　Nasad；　and　precipitated　its　destruction。　Kaanyr　Vhok　wonders　if　you　set　them　to　it。〃
　　　〃Clan　Xornbane　are　mercenaries；〃　Borwald　answered。　The　scar　he　carried　creased　the　side　of　his　bald　head　from　cheekbone　to　three　inches　behind　the　ear；　leaving　a　visible　indentation。　〃Whatever　job　they　took　in　Ched　Nasad　is　an　issue　of　merce；　not　of　Deepkingdom　policy。　You　should　take　up　the　matter　with　them。〃
　　　〃I　would；　but　survivors　are　hard　to　find；〃　Aliisza　said。　〃As　near　as　we　can　tell；　they　trapped　themselves　in　the　city　they　burned。〃　She　returned　her　gaze　to　Horgar　Steelshadow　and　asked；　〃So；　did　they　destroy　Ched　Nasad　with　your　blessing？〃
　　　〃With　my　blessing？〃　The　duergar　prince　thought　for　a　moment；　then　said；　〃I　am　not　unhappy　that　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs　fell；　but　I　did　not　dispatch　Clan　Xornbane　to　do　that　piece　of　work。　Khorrl　Xornbane　was　hired　by　one　of　Ched　Nasad's　matron　mothers　to　help　her　destroy　those　Houses　ahead　of　hers。　I　did　not　choose　to　interfere　with　Xornbane's　business。〃
　　　〃In　that　case；　Xornbane's　choice　of　tactics　seems　spectacularly　unsound。　They　delivered　their　employer　a　smoking　ruin；　and　sustained　horrible　losses　in　doing　so；〃　Aliisza　observed。
　　　〃I　am　afraid　that　I　was　at　least　in　part　responsible　for　that；〃　said　a　melodious　voice　to　one　side。
　　　From　the　shadow　of　a　pillar　in　the　great　hall　a　slim　form　emerged；　a　rakish　drow　of　short　stature　and　catlike　grace。　He　was　a　handsome　fellow；　impeccably　dressed　in　garments　of　black　and　gray；　and　he　wore　a　matched　rapier　and　dagger　at　his　hip。
　　　〃On　behalf　of　my　fellows；〃　the　newer　said；　〃I　arranged　for　Khorrl's　troops　to　be　provided　with　the　stonefire　bombs　that　proved　so　effective　in　the　slave　uprising　in　Menzoberranzan。　I　did　not　imagine　they　would　destroy　Ched　Nasad　in　its　entirety；　of　course。〃
　　　Aliisza　raised　an　eyebrow　and　said；　〃I　did　not　expect　to　find　a　dark　elf　in　the　confidence　of　the　prince　of　the　duergar。〃
　　　〃I　am　something　of　a　sellsword；〃　the　fellow　replied；　〃tasked　with　effecting　certain　changes　in　a　handful　of　Houses　in　Ched　Nasad　and　Menzoberranzan。〃　He　offered　her　a　slight　smile　that　didn't　reach　his　intense　eyes。　〃Call　me　Nimor。〃
　　　〃Nimor；〃　Aliisza　replied。　〃Whatever　your　purpose；　you　certainly　effected　a　change　in　Ched　Nasad。　What　do　you　have　in　mind　regarding　Menzoberranzan？〃
　　　Horgar　shifted　unfortably　and　asked；　〃What　interest　is　this　to　Kaanyr　Vhok？〃
　　　〃Well；　had　we　known　that　someone　meant　to　attack　Ched　Nasad；　we　might　have　offered　our　assistance；〃　Aliisza　replied。　〃My　lord　scents　opportunity　in　the　dark　elves'　difficulties。　If　someone　were　considering　a　similar　effort　to　lay　low　Menzoberranzan；　we　might　be　willing　to　take　on　partners　in　our　business。〃
　　　Borwald　sneered；　〃I　doubt　the　Deepkingdom　would　have　any　need　of　a　few　hundred　rabble　squatting　in　fungus…grown　ruins。〃
　　　Aliisza　suppressed　her　annoyance。
　　　They're　duergar；　she　told　herself；　abrasive　and　crass。　This　is　how　they　are。
　　　〃Your　intelligence　is　somewhat　out　of　date；〃　she　said。　〃My　lord　mands　over　two　thousand　hardened　tanarukk　warriors；　each　of　them　as　strong　as　an　ogre　and　three　times　as　smart。　We　have　built　forges　and　armories；　perhaps　not　as　grand　as　those　of　Gracklstugh；　but　sufficient　to　arm　and　armor　our　soldiers。　We　mand　auxiliary　troops　as　well…bugbears；　ogres；　giants；　and　such…more　numerous　than　our　tanarukk　legion。〃　She　leveled　her　gaze　on　Borwald　and　added；　〃We　don't　have　the　strength　of　the　Deepkingdom；　Firehand；　but　we　could　take　on　twice　our　number　of　gray　dwarves　and　give　them　a　fierce　fight。　You　denigrate　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　at　your　peril。〃
　　　〃I　am　not　unaware　of　Kaanyr　Vhok's　growing　strength；〃　Horgar　muttered；　tugging　at　his　beard。　〃Speak　plainly。　What　does　your　lord　want？〃
　　　No　subtlety　at　all；　Aliisza　lamented。　Kaanyr　might　as　well　have　sent　a　dim…witted　ogre　to　deliver　this　message。
　　　〃Kaanyr　Vhok　wants　to　know　if　you　intend　to　march　on　Menzoberranzan。　If　you　do；　he　wishes　to　join　you。　As　I　have　just　said；　I　believe　that　the　Scoured　Legion　could　be　a　valuable　ally。〃
　　　〃We　might　not　want　you　for　an　ally；　if　we　were　thinking　of　any　such　thing；〃　Horgar　said。　〃We　might　think　we　have　sufficient　strength　to　get　what　we　want　without　splitting　the　prize。〃
　　　〃You　might　think　that；〃　Aliisza　conceded。　〃If　you　were　correct；　the　dark　elves　of　Menzoberranzan　would　be　well…advised　to　seek　allies　against　yo