war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第17部分

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　　　〃You　might　think　that；〃　Aliisza　conceded。　〃If　you　were　correct；　the　dark　elves　of　Menzoberranzan　would　be　well…advised　to　seek　allies　against　you。　I　wonder　to　whom　they　could　turn　for　help？〃
　　　〃I　would　crush　Kaanyr　Vhok　if　he　did　anything　so　foolish；〃　Horgar　growled。　〃Go　back　to　your　demonspawned　master　and　tell　him…〃
　　　〃A　moment；　Prince　Horgar；〃　Nimor　said；　stepping　between　the　duergar　and　the　alu…fiend。　〃Let　us　not　be　hasty。　We　should　give　Lady　Aliisza's　message　careful　thought　before　we　consider　our　reply。〃
　　　Horgar　snarled；　〃You　do　not　tell　me　how　to　conduct　my　kingdom's　affairs；　drow！〃
　　　〃Of　course　not；　my　lord　prince；　but　I　would　very　much　like　to　confer　with　you　at　greater　length　on　this　question。〃　Nimor　turned　back　to　Aliisza　and　said；　〃I　presume　you　would　be　willing　to　remain　as　a　guest　of　the　crown　prince　while　we　discuss　your　master's　offer？〃
　　　Aliisza　merely　smiled。　She　let　her　eyes　linger　on　the　slim　figure　of　the　dark　elf。　Given　an　opportunity；　she　felt　sure　that　she　could　convince　him　to　see　the　virtues　of　her　proposal；　though　she　also　sensed　that　there　was　more　to　this　Nimor　than　met　the　eye。　Unfortunately；　Horgar　and　his　Marshal　Firehand　were　less　likely　to　succumb　to　her　special　talents。　She　could　wait　a　day　or　two　and　see　if　Nimor　succeeded　in　advancing　her　arguments　for　her。
　　　The　duergar　prince　measured　her；　mulling　over　Nimor's　words。　Finally；　he　relented。
　　　〃You　may　stay　a　short　time；　while　I　think　about　your　offer。　I'll　have　the　captain　set　aside　quarters　in　the　palace　for　you。　Your　soldiers　will　have　to　stay　in　a　barracks　near　my　own　guards。　They　will　not　be　permitted　in　the　castle。〃
　　　〃I　will　require　some　attendants。〃
　　　〃Fine；　you　can　retain　two；　if　you　wish。　The　rest　go。〃
　　　Horgar　looked　toward　the　end　of　the　hall　and　gestured。　His　captain　came　trotting　up。
　　　〃We　will　speak　again　when　I　have　made　up　my　mind；〃　he　told　her。
　　　〃In　that　event；　I　will　be　available　at　your　convenience；〃　she　said　to　Horgar；　but　she　let　her　eyes　linger　on　Nimor　as　she　spoke。
　　　
　　　〃It　can't　be　done　today；〃　Thummud　of　Clan　Muzgardt　told　Ryld；　Valas；　and　Coalhewer。　The　fat　duergar　stood　with　a　mallet　in　his　hand；　carefully　sealing　a　fresh　keg　of　mushroom　ale。　〃Try　again　in　a　day　or　two；　I　guess。〃
　　　Coalhewer　swore　under　his　breath；　but　the　two　drow　exchanged　wary　looks。　It　hardly　escaped　Ryld's　notice　that　over　a　dozen　duergar　brewers　happened　to　be　hard　at　work　very　close　by　the　spot　where　Thummud　stood；　and　that　many　of　them　had　the　unmistakable　glint　of　metal　beneath　their　smocks。　The　brewer　wasn't　in　the　habit　of　taking　chances；　it　seemed。
　　　〃That's　what　you　said　yesterday；〃　Ryld　said。　〃Time　is　pressing。〃
　　　〃Not　my　problem；〃　Thummud　replied。　He　finished　tapping　down　the　lid；　and　set　the　mallet　on　top　of　the　cask。　〃Ye'll　have　t'wait；　like　it　or　not。〃
　　　Valas　sighed　and　reached　for　the　purse　at　his　belt。　He　jingled　it　judiciously　and　set　it　down　nearby。
　　　〃You'll　find　gemstones　in　there　worth　better　than　twice　what　we　agreed　on；〃　the　scout　said。　〃They're　yours　if　you　get　us　that　writ　today。〃
　　　Thummud's　eyes　narrowed。　〃Now　I'm　wondering　what　ye　really　be　up　to；〃　he　said　slowly。　〃No　honest　purpose；　of　that　I'm　sure。〃
　　　〃Consider　this　a　personal　bonus；〃　Ryld　said　quietly。　〃Your　laird　expects　two　hundred　pieces　of　gold　per　head；　and　you'll　see　to　it　he　gets　that。　What's　left　over；　he　doesn't　need　to　know　about；　does　he？〃
　　　〃I　can't　say　as　ye　wouldn't　get　what　ye　want　some　other　time；〃　Thummud　admitted　with　a　shrug；　〃but　the　laird　was　certain　of　his　words　to　me　on　this　matter。　I'd　be　crossin'　him　to　do　this　bit　o'　business　with　ye；　and　old　Muzgardt　would　have　me　head　for　it。〃　The　brewer　thought　about　things　for　a　moment；　and　added；　〃Better　make　it　three　or　four　days；　I　think。　The　crown　prince's　lads　are　all　over　the　city；　and　I　don't　need　'em　to　see　ye　ing　here　every　damned　day。〃
　　　The　stout　dwarf　heaved　the　keg　up　onto　his　shoulder　and　stomped　off；　leaving　the　two　dark　elves　standing　with　Coalhewer　in　the　middle　of　the　sullen　crowd　of　brewers。
　　　〃Now　what？〃　Ryld　asked　Valas。
　　　〃Go　back　to　the　inn　and　wait；　I'd　say；〃　Coalhewer　muttered。　〃Ye'll　have　no　luck　standing　here。　e　back　in　a　couple　of　days。〃
　　　〃Quenthel　won't　like　that；〃　Ryld　said；　still　addressing　the　drow　scout。
　　　All　Valas　could　do　was　shrug。
　　　The　two　drow　and　their　guide　left　the　Muzgardt　brewery；　wrapped　in　their　own　thoughts。　They　marched　along　for　a　short　distance；　putting　the　brewery　well　behind　them。
　　　〃I'm　beginning　to　wonder　whether　we　shouldn't　just　write　our　own　letter　of　passage；〃　Valas　said　softly。　〃We　wouldn't　need　it　for　long；　after　all。〃
　　　〃That's　a　bad　idea；〃　Coalhewer　said。　〃Ye　might　forge　a　letter　that　looks　about　right；　but　ye　need　Muzgardt's　blessing。　If　ye　get　stopped；　ye'll　be　held　while　they　check　to　be　sure　that　ye've　got　the　blessing　of　the　laird。　That　ye　won't　have　until　Muzgardt　grants　it　to　ye。〃
　　　〃Damn；〃　Valas　muttered。
　　　Ryld　examined　the　situation；　trying　to　figure　what　to　make　of　it。　Either　Coalhewer　had　purposely　led　them　to　a　dead　end；　or　the　difficulty　in　obtaining　the　passes　was　unfeigned。　For　the　first　possibility；　Ryld　couldn't　see　any　reason　why　Coalhewer　would　delay　the　pany　in　Gracklstugh。　Perhaps　the　dwarf　meant　to　set　them　up　in　some　way；　but　if　that　was　the　case；　wouldn't　he　have　had　ample　opportunity　to　spring　whatever　surprise　he　might　have　had　in　mind？　On　the　other　hand；　if　Coalhewer　and　Thummud　weren't　collaborating　in　some　elaborate　deception；　why　would　the　crown　prince　happen　to　choose　the　occasion　of　the　pany's　visit　to　Gracklstugh　to　crack　down　on　foreigners　moving　about　the　realm？
　　　Because　he's　got　something　he　doesn't　want　foreigners　to　see；　of　course；　Ryld　decided。　What　wouldn't　he　want　outsiders　to　see？
　　　Ryld　halted　dead　in　the　street。　Valas　and　Coalhewer　turned　a　few　steps　farther　on；　looking　back　at　him。
　　　〃What　is　it？〃　Valas　asked。
　　　〃You　and　I　have　something　we　need　to　do；〃　Ryld　said　to　Valas；　then　he　turned　to　their　guide。　〃e　to　the　inn　tomorrow　morning。〃
　　　Coalhewer　frowned。
　　　〃Fine；〃　he　said。　The　duergar　turned　and　headed　down　the　street；　muttering　under　his　breath；　〃Don't　blame　me　if　ye　get　arrested　for　doing　whatever　it　is　ye　have　in　mind。　I　won't　speak　up　for　ye。　I'll　be　on　me　boat　if　ye　need　me。〃
　　　What　is　it？　Valas　asked　after　the　dwarf　disappeared　into　the　shadowed　street。
　　　The　crown　prince　is　limiting　freedom　of　movement　for　foreign　merchants　and　travelers；　Ryld　answered。　He　doesn't　want　news　from　the　city　to　get　out。　1　think　the　army　of　Gracklstugh　is　going　to　march。
　　　Valas　blinked　and　signed；　You　think　so？
　　　〃It's　what　I　would　do；〃　Ryld　answered。　〃The　question　is；　how　to　make　sure　of　it。〃
　　　He　glanced　around　the　street。　As　always；　any　gray　dwarf　in　sight　was　staring　at　the　two　dark　elves　with　undisguised　hostility。
　　　Investigating　your　suspicion　makes　us　exactly　the　sort　of　fellows　the　crown　prince's　soldiers　will　be　looking　for；　Valas　signed。　The　wiry　scout　frowned；　thinking。　What　would　you　need　to　see　to　confirm　your　fear？
　　　A　supply　train；　Ryld　answered　at　once。　Wagons；　pack　lizards；　that　sort　of　thing。　You　wouldn't　gather　that　together　unless　you　meant　to　march；　and　it　would　take　several　days　to　do　it。　You'd　need　a　lot　of　space。
　　　Agreed；　Valas　answered。
　　　Valas　thought；　frowning　as　he　tugged　absently　at　the　odd　charms　and　tokens　he　carried　on　his　clothing。
　　　Feel　like　taking　a　chance？　the　scout　signed。
　　　Ryld　glanced　around　the　street。　Thummud　had　pretty　much　told　them　outright　that　things　wouldn't　change　for　several　more　days　at　a　minimum；　and　that　was　not　going　to　please　Quenthel。　If　Gracklstugh　meant　to　attack　Menzoberranzan；　he　wanted　to　know　about　it　before　the　duergar　army　marched。　They　would　want　to　find　a　way　to　send　a　warning　back　home。　The　duergar　were　no　slave　rabble　to　be　crushed　at　the　leisure　of　the　great　Houses。　The　army　of　the　City　of　Blades　would　be　large；　strong；　disciplined；　and　well　armed　for　an　assault　on　the　drow；　and　Ryld　didn't　like　the　thought　of　what　an　army　of　that　sort　might　do　to　his　home　city。
　　　Let's　go；　he　replied。
　　　Valas　nodded　and　set　off　at　once。　Instead　of　heading　back　to　the　lakeside　district　and　the　Cold　Foundry；　he　turned　deeper；　toward　the　heart　of　the　cavern。　They　weaved　through　the　foul…smelling　streets　and　dark　alleyways　for　a　fair　distance；　passing　through　business　districts　where　duergar　artisans　and　merchants　kept　their　shops　in　cramped　buildings　of　field…stone。　The　hour　was　growing　late；　and　traffic　along　the　dwarf　city's　streets　seemed　to　be　diminishing。　The　two　dark　elves　finally　reached　a　street　that　ran　along　the　edge　of　a　deep　cleft　or　chasm　bisecting　the　city's　higher；　more　inaccessible　districts　from　its　ramshackle　lakeside　neighborhoods。　Numerous　bridges　of　stone　spanned　the　gap；　leading　to　narrow　streets　that　continued　on　the　far　side。　A　squad　of　vigilant　duergar　soldiers　stood　watch　at　the　foot　of　each；　barring　passage　across　the　chasm。
　　　The　scout　drew　Ryld　into　the　shadow　of　an　alleyway　and　nodded　toward　the　rift　and　its　bridges。
　　　Laduguer's　Furrow；　he　signed。　Also　known　as　the　Cleft。　Everything　on　the　west　side　is　strictly　off　limits　to　foreigners。　There　are　a　couple　of　large　side　caverns　on　the　far　side　that　might　serve　as　good　marshalling　grounds；　and　they'd　be　secure　from　any　casual　observation。
　　　Ryld　studied　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　thoughtfully；　wondering　how　he　knew　so　much　about　a　part　of　the　city　that　was　supposedly　off　limits。
　　　I　take　it　you've　been　there　before？　Ryld　asked。
　　　I've　passed　through　Gracklstugh　a　couple　of　times。
　　　I　wonder　if　there's　anyplace　Valas　hasn't　been；　Ryld　thought。　He　shifted　in　the　shadows　to　get　a　better　look　at　the　guarded　bridges。　He　was　a　fair　hand　at　staying　out　of　sight　when　he　needed　to；　but　he　didn't　like　the　possibilities　offered　by　the　narrow；　railless　spans。　There　was　no　cover　at　all　once　one　set　foot　on　any　of　the　bridges。
　　　How　do　we　cross？　he　asked。
　　　
　　　Valas　finished　his　knots　and　stepped　close；　setting　his　right　foot　in　one　bottom　loop　and　crooking　his　right　arm　through　the　topmost。
　　　〃Stay　close　to　this　stalagmite　as　you　ascend；〃　he　said。　〃We'll　want　the　cover。〃
　　　Ryld　nodded　and　reached　up　absently　to　touch　the　insignia　pinned　to　his　breast。　It　identified　him　as　a　Master　of　Melee…Magthere；　and　like　the　clasps　and　brooches　of　many　noble　Houses；　it　was　enchanted　with　the　power　of　levitation。　Valas　didn't　doubt　that　Ryld　had　fought　long　and　hard　to　win　the　right　to　wear　it。
　　　As　he'd　hoped；　the　enchantment　proved　strong　enough　to　support　both　Ryld's　weight　and　the　Bregan　D'aerthe's。　Effortlessly　they　glided　up　into　the　smoke　and　gloom　of　Gracklstugh's　upper　reaches；　until　the　fumes　obscured　the　streets　below。　From　the　top　of　the　great　cavern；　the　floor　seemed　shrouded　in　haze　and　smoke；　glaring　firelight　making　bright　circles　of　glowing　red　mist　in　a　hundred　spots　around　them。
　　　〃This　is　better　than　I　thought；〃　Valas　said。　〃The　smoke　and　fumes　give　us　some　concealment。〃
　　　〃And　they　make　my　eyes　water；〃　Ryld　said。　He　reached　the　ceiling　and　found　that　the　cavern　roof　was　rough　and　pitted。　〃Which　way？〃
　　　〃To　your　right。　Yes；　that's　it。〃
　　　Valas　indicated　the　northern　wall　of　the　city　with　a　jerk　of　his　chin；　keeping　his　foot　and　arm　secure　in　the　rope　stirrups　he'd　fashioned。　Carefully；　Ryld　turned　to　face　the　ceiling　more　evenly；　and　he　pulled　himself　along　hand　over　hand　as　if　he　were　climbing　a　vertical　wall　of　rock。　The　scout　shifted　to　secure　his　grip；　and　kept　his　own　eyes　down　at　the　cavern　floor　below；　directing　the　weapons　master　in　his　progress。
　　　〃One　gray　dwarf　wizard　with　a　spell　of　cancellation　would　certainly　ruin　our　day；〃　Ryld　remarked。　〃Aren't　you　a　little　nervous　in　that　arrangement？〃
　　　〃I've　always　had　a　good　head　for　heights；　but　let's　not　talk　about　it　anymore。〃
　　　Ryld　chuckled。
　　　For　days；　the　journey　had　been　simply　uneventful　and　dreary。　The　tactical　challenge　of　spying　in　the　heart　of　the　duergar　city；　though；　fully　engaged　them　both。
　　　〃Head　more　to　your　left；〃　Valas　said；　interrupting　his　own　thoughts。　〃There's　a　bit　of　a　ledge　on　the　cavern　wall　that　should　run　the　way　we　want　to　go。〃
　　　Ryld　plied；　and　the　two　of　them　carefully　leveled　off　and　descended　along　the　sloping　roof　of　the　cavern　until　they　found　the　place　where　it　dropped　more　or　less　straight　down　and　became　the　wall。　There；　an　old　weathered　seam　circled　the　cavern　like　the　eaves　of　an　old　tavern。　The　weapons　master　looked　at　it　dubiously；　but　as　they　drew　close　Valas　disentangled　himself　and　leaped　lightly　down　to　crouch　in　the　space　like　a　skinny　spider。
　　　Ryld　followed；　somewhat　more　awkwardly。　He　could　manage　it；　barely；　but　he　was　lucky　to　have　the　magic　of　his　insignia　to　fall　back　on　if　his　footing　or　grip　failed　him。
　　　Valas　moved　confidently　forward；　following　the　seam　as　it　descended　sharply　and　disappeared　around　a　sharp　bend　overlooking　a　side　cavern。
　　　Ryld　scrambled　down　after　him；　cursing　silently　as　his　foot　dislodged　some　loose　rock　and　sent　it　clattering　down　the　clifflike　wall。　The　forges　and　hammers　of　Gracklstugh　covered　the　sound　fairly　well；　though；　and　they　were　still　above　Laduguer's　Furrow。　The　rock　skittered　into　the　abyss　and　vanished。
　　　Valas　glanced　back　from　his　perch　at　the　bend。
　　　Carefully；　he　signed。　e　up　here　and　see　this。
　　　Ryld　worked　his　way　up　beside　the　scout；　finally　stretching　out　on　his　belly　to　stay　on　the　ledge。　The　seam　ran　down　to　a　side　cave　and　turned　in　sharply。　From　their　vantage　a　hundred　feet　or　more　above　the　floor；　they　could　see　a　good…sized　cavern；　perhaps　three　or　four　hundred　yards　long　and　about　half　that　wide。　The　walls　were　hewn　into　barracks　rooms；　enough　to　house　quite　a　large　number　of　soldiers；　but　the　floor　of　the　place　was　level　and　open；　a　good　drilling　ground　for　bodies　of　troops。
　　　From　end　to　end；　it　was　crowded　with　wagons　and　pack　lizards。　Hundreds　of　duergar　swarmed　over　the　scene；　securing　great　panniers　to　the　ugly　reptiles；　loading　wagons；　and　preparing　siege　engines　for　travel。　The　noxious　reek　of　the　city's　smelters　didn't　suffice　to　mask　the　heavy　smell　of　animal　dung　in　the　large　chamber；　and　the　lizards'　hisses　and　rasping　croaks　filled　the　air。
　　　Valas　began　counting　wagons　and　pack　beasts；　trying　to　estimate　the　size　of　the　force　that　might　be　on　the　march。　After　a　few　minutes；　he　finally　tore　his　eyes　away。
　　　Somewhere　between　two　and　three　thousand？　Ryld　said。
　　　The　scout　frowned　and　replied；　I　think　somewhat　more；　maybe　four　thousand　all　together；　but　there　may　be　more　trains　gathering　in　other　caverns　nearby。
　　　Is　there　any　reason　to　think　they're　not　bound　for　Menzoberranzan？　Ryld　asked。
　　　We're　not　their　only　enemies。　Still；　I　don't　like　the　timing。
　　　〃I　don't　believe　in　coincidences；　either；〃　Ryld　whispered。　He　carefully　began　to　worm　his　way　back　from　the　edge；　taking　great　pains　to　dislodge　no　more　rocks。　〃I　would　suggest　checking　the　other　caves　for　more　soldiers；　but　I　think　we've　seen　more　than　the　duergar　would　want　already；　and　I　don't　feel　like　pressing　my　luck。　We'd　best　get　back　and　report　thi