war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第18部分

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ressing　my　luck。　We'd　best　get　back　and　report　this　to　the　others。〃
　　　
　　　〃We　should　just　leave；〃　growled　Jeggred。　His　white　fur　was　streaked　with　red　wine；　and　hot　grease　from　a　roast　of　rothe　meat　stained　his　muzzle。　The　draegloth　didn't　take　well　to　long　waits；　and　two　days　of　confining　himself　to　the　Cold　Foundry　had　been　hard　for　him。　〃We　could　be　out　of　the　city　before　they　knew　we'd　gone。〃
　　　〃I　fear　it　wouldn't　be　as　simple　as　you　make　it　sound；〃　Ryld　said。　He　knelt　by　his　pack；　stuffing　sacks　with　the　least　perishable　items　from　the　buffet。　He　dropped　the　sacks　into　a　yawning　black　circle　beside　him…a　magical　hole　that　could　be　picked　up　and　carried　as　if　it　was　nothing　but　a　piece　of　dark　cloth。　It　could　hold　hundreds　of　pounds　of　gear　and　supplies；　but　weighed　nothing　at　all。　〃You　may　not　have　noticed；　but　I'm　sure　I'm　not　the　only　one　who　marked　the　spies　watching　this　inn。　We　wouldn't　make　a　quarter　mile　before　we　were　swarmed　under　duergar　soldiers。〃
　　　〃So？〃　the　draegloth　demanded。　〃I　fear　no　dwarf！〃
　　　〃Duergar　aren't　goblins　or　gnolls；　too　stupid　to　use　their　numbers　well；　too　clumsy　and　crude　to　stand　a　chance　in　a　one…on…one　duel。　I've　met　duergar　swordsmen　nearly　as　good　as　I　am。　I　have　no　doubt　that　a　number　of　such　formidable　fellows　would　be　banded　together　against　us；　and　the　duergar　count　skilled　wizards　and　clerics　among　their　ranks；　too。〃
　　　〃We　should　have　known　better　than　to　march　into　a　duergar　city；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃What　a　miserable　piece　of　timing。〃
　　　She　hurried　to　don　her　armor；　a　suit　of　highly　enchanted　chain　mail　that　carried　the　arms　of　House　Melarn　on　its　breast。　She　wondered　if　the　best　strategy　would　be　to　simply　wait　a　few　more　days　and　allow　the　gray　dwarves　to　relax　their　vigilant　stance。　On　the　other　hand；　if　they　delayed　too　long；　there　was　always　the　chance　that　the　merchant　she'd　charmed　to　part　with　Danifae's　new　arms　would　recover　his　wits　and　report　the　incident　to　the　authorities。　Had　they　simply　murdered　the　merchants　。　。　。　but　no；　if　they'd　been　caught　at　that；　they　would　already　have　paid　with　their　lives。
　　　She　tugged　at　the　long　hem　of　the　mail　hauberk　and　wriggled　to　settle　it　better　on　her　shoulders。
　　　〃Master　Argith；　how　long　will　it　take　the　duergar　army　to　march？〃　Halisstra　asked。
　　　〃Soon；〃　Ryld　said。　〃They　can't　keep　that　many　pack　lizards　in　harness　for　long。　The　question　is　how　long　after　the　army　sallies　before　they　allow　travel　to　resume。　If　we　wait　them　out；　we　might　be　delayed　for　days。〃
　　　〃Delayed…or　disposed　of；〃　Danifae　warned。
　　　〃We　will　set　out　at　once；〃　Quenthel　said；　putting　a　halt　to　the　debate。
　　　The　Mistress　of　the　Academy　dressed　for　battle；　her　face　set　in　a　black　scowl；　her　whips　writhing　in　agitation。
　　　〃That　begs　the　question　that　was　raised　a　moment　ago…which　way　do　we　go？〃　asked　Ryld。
　　　The　weapons　master　finished　with　his　supplies　and　picked　up　the　hole；　rolling　it　tightly　and　slipping　it　into　his　pack。
　　　〃I　can　retrace　our　steps　back　to　Mantol…Derith；〃　Pharaun　offered；　〃but　it　will　be　difficult　to　move　forward　from　here。　I　don't　know　the　way　to　the　Labyrinth；　so　any　stroll　we　took　on　the　Plane　of　Shadow　would　doubtless　lead　us　to　a　strange　and　cheerless　end。　There　are　too　many　of　you　for　me　to　teleport　us　all　together；　so　unless　someone　feels　like　answering　to　the　gray　dwarves　for　the　rest　of　the　pany's　sudden　departure；　I　suppose　that's　out　as　well。〃
　　　〃What　about　a　spell　to　conceal　our　identities？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　〃Regrettably；〃　the　wizard　replied；　〃gray　dwarves　are　notoriously　resistant　to　illusions　of　any　kind。〃
　　　Halisstra　added；　〃If　only　one　saw　through　a　disguise　and　saw　a　party　of　dark　elves。　。。。〃
　　　〃Better　to　simply　render　us　all　invisible；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　said。　〃Yes；　that　would　be　the　most　expedient　solution　to　this　little　conundrum。　It　quite　reminds　me　of　a　time　when…〃
　　　〃Enough。〃　Quenthel　shifted　in　her　seat　and　asked　Valas；　〃Do　we　need　to　set　out　for　the　Labyrinth　from　here；　or　could　you　find　a　way　around　Gracklstugh　if　we　retraced　our　steps　a　bit？〃
　　　〃It　will　take　several　more　days　to　circle　the　city；〃　the　scout　answered；　〃but　I　could　guide　you　past　Gracklstugh's　borders。〃
　　　〃Fine；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃We　will　head　back　for　the　docks　and　make　use　of　Coalhewer's　boat。　It's　the　most　direct　route　out　of　the　city　from　here；　and　unless　I　miss　my　guess；　the　lakeside　will　be　less　heavily　guarded　than　the　tunnels。　Is　everybody　armed？〃　She　looked　around　quickly。　No　one　requested　more　time　to　prepare；　so　the　Baenre　priestess　nodded　with　a　small　gesture　of　approval　and　turned　to　Pharaun。　〃What　must　we　do　for　your　spell　to　succeed？〃
　　　〃Join　hands　and　stay　close　to　me；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃or　wander　off　if　you　like；　in　which　case　you　will　find　yourself　inconveniently　visible。　I　will　not　be　held　responsible　for　any　difficulties　that　ensue。〃
　　　Fully　armed　and　armored；　packs　shouldered；　all　but　Valas　joined　hands　and　waited。　The　Master　of　Sorcere；　standing　in　their　center；　hissed　out　a　sibilant　string　of　arcane　words　and　wove　his　hands　in　mystic　passes。　They　all　vanished　from　view。　Halisstra　could　feel　Danifae's　hand　on　her　left　shoulder；　and　she　clasped　Ryld's　cuirass　with　her　own　right　hand；　but　as　far　as　her　eyes　could　tell；　only　the　scout　was　in　the　room。
　　　〃Are　you　ready；　Master　Hune？〃　Pharaun　asked；　unseen。
　　　Valas　offered　a　small　nod。　He　was　dressed　in　what　passed　for　his　own　finery；　a　simple　vest　of　chain　mail　over　a　good　shirt　of　spider　silk　and　dark　breeches；　his　piwafwi　thrown　over　one　shoulder　in　a　rakish　fashion。　Odd　badges　and　tokens　pinned　here　and　there　to　his　clothing；　the　defenses　and　charms　of　half　a　dozen　races；　pleted　his　ensemble。
　　　〃I'll　dawdle　in　the　courtyard　a　moment。　Make　sure　you're　all　out　swiftly；　it　will　look　less　suspicious　if　I　don't　stand　around　for　long。　I'll　join　you　at　Coalhewer's　boat　in　ten　minutes。〃
　　　〃You'll　be　tailed；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　Valas　Hune　seemed　honestly　offended。
　　　〃No　one　alive　can　follow　me　when　I　do　not　wish　to　be　followed；〃　he　said。
　　　Valas　went　out　into　the　courtyard；　throwing　open　the　door　to　their　room　and　taking　a　long　moment　to　stretch。　Halisstra　felt　Ryld　shuffle　forward；　and　she　did　likewise；　crowding　close　behind　him　as　Danifae　pressed　up　behind　her。　The　girl's　breath　was　warm　at　her　neck。
　　　While　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　casually　strolled　out　of　the　inn's　gate　and　turned　left　toward　the　city's　central　district；　Halisstra　and　the　others　bent　around　in　an　awkward　circle　and　headed　right；　back　to　the　docks。　The　streets　were　not　deserted；　but　neither　were　they　busy。　Most　duergar　were　back　in　their　drab　residences　after　a　long　day　in　the　city's　forges　and　foundries。　Had　the　pany　been　forced　into　flight　at　the　beginning　or　the　end　of　the　workday；　their　deception　might　have　been　given　away　by　the　sheer　accident　of　a　busy　gray　dwarf　bumping　into　their　invisible　chain　as　they　skulked　down　the　street。
　　　Halisstra　risked　one　more　glance　over　her　shoulder　at　Valas；　who　strolled　quickly　down　the　street　in　the　opposite　direction；　looking　a　little　furtive　himself…a　better　disguise　than　plete　nonchalance；　which　would　have　been　jarring　in　a　place　like　Gracklstugh。　She　also　noted　a　gray　dwarf　porter　who　hefted　a　small　cask　of　brandy　to　his　shoulder　as　the　scout　passed　and　turned　to　follow；　seemingly　nothing　more　than　a　mon　laborer　hired　to　carry　goods　from　one　part　of　the　city　to　another。　Valas　could　not　have　missed　him；　she　decided。　The　mercenary　is　too　sharp　to　miss　a　straightforward　tail　like　that。
　　　Though　Halisstra　expected　a　hue　and　a　cry　at　any　moment　from　hidden　watchers；　their　progress　was　unimpeded　until　they　reached　the　docks。　As　they　hurried　across　the　stone　quays　toward　the　strange　vessels　moored　there；　Ryld　suddenly　halted；　surprising　her。　Halisstra　walked　into　his　back　before　she　realized　he'd　stopped。　Danifae　bumped　into　her　as　well；　as　the　whole　column　came　to　a　halt。
　　　〃Trouble；〃　whispered　Pharaun。　〃A　patrol　of　duergar　soldiers　in　the　crown　prince's　colors　just　came　around　the　corner　of　the　next　street　over。　They're　invisible；　too；　and　there's　a　wizard…looking　fellow　leading　them　in　our　direction。〃
　　　〃They　see　us？〃　Jeggred　rumbled。　〃What　use　are　you；　mage？〃
　　　〃There　are　spells　that　allow　one　to　see　the　invisible；〃　Pharaun　replied。　〃I'm　using　one　right　now；　in　fact；　which　is　why　I　can　see　the　guards；　and　you　cannot。　I　suppose　that　begs　the　question；　what　use　are　y…〃
　　　〃You　there！　Dismiss　your　spell；　and　lay　down　your　weapons！〃　the　leader　of　the　duergar　patrol　called。　A　clatter　of　arms　echoed　across　the　silent　street；　though　Halisstra　still　could　not　make　out　any　of　the　gray　dwarves。　〃You　are　under　arrest！〃
　　　〃Jeggred；　Ryld；　Pharaun…deal　with　them；〃　Quenthel　ordered。　〃Danifae；　Halisstra；　stay　with　me。〃
　　　She　dashed　off　down　the　pier；　ghosting　into　visibility　as　she　left　Pharaun's　magical　influence　behind。　Jeggred　and　Ryld　charged　in　the　opposite　direction；　Splitter　appearing　in　the　weapons　master's　hand　as　if　he　had　worked　an　enchantment　of　his　own。　Pharaun　snarled　out　a　short　phrase　of　words　that　seemed　to　shiver　the　very　air　of　the　quay；　and　a　moment　later　a　ripple　of　light　washed　over　the　opposite　side　of　the　street；　revealing　the　armored　duergar　where　they　stood。　The　wizard　followed　instantly　with　another　spell；　being　visible　himself　as　he　pointed　a　black　ray　at　the　wizard　among　the　gray　dwarf　soldiers。　The　purple　lance　struck　the　duergar　mage　in　the　center　of　his　chest；　and　the　enemy　wizard　collapsed　like　a　puppet　with　its　strings　cut。
　　　〃Next　time；　strike　first　and　issue　challenges　later；〃　Pharaun　remarked。　He　started　to　work　another　spell　as　the　draegloth　and　the　weapons　master　crashed　into　the　ranks　of　the　patrol；　hewing　and　slashing　with　abandon。
　　　Halisstra　followed　Quenthel　as　she　ran　down　the　pier　and　leaped　onto　Coalhewer's　boat。　The　massive　undead　skeletons　stood　motionless　in　their　well　in　the　center　of　the　hull；　nothing　more　than　inert　machinery　awaiting　mand。　Beneath　the　bridge；　the　duergar　smuggler　stirred　and　sat　up　from　a　thin　bedroll；　snatching　up　a　hand　axe　close　by　his　sleeping　place。
　　　〃Who　goes　there？〃　he　roared；　scrambling　to　his　feet。　〃Why；　ye…〃
　　　He　was　cut　off　by　the　impact　of　Quenthel's　boot　in　the　center　of　his　chest；　slamming　him　back　down　to　the　deck。
　　　The　Baenre　raised　her　whip　to　finish　the　smuggler；　but　Halisstra　called；　〃Wait！　We　may　need　him　to　run　this　thing。〃
　　　〃You　believed　that　story　of　his？〃　Quenthel　said；　not　taking　her　eyes　from　the　dwarf。　〃Of　course　he　wanted　us　to　think　we　needed　him　to　run　the　boat。〃
　　　〃True　or　not；　now　is　not　the　time　to　gamble　on　our　escape；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃We'd　look　damned　foolish　if　we　fought　our　way　through　a　patrol　of　the　prince's　soldiers　and　couldn't　leave　the　pier。〃
　　　〃Fell　out　of　the　crown　prince's　favor；　did　ye？〃　Coalhewer　said。　He　stood　slowly　and　offered　a　fierce　grin。　From　the　end　of　the　pier　a　sudden　bright　glare　of　lightning　and　a　booming　thunderclap　announced　the　arrival　of　duergar　reinforcements。　〃If　ye　kill　me；　ye'll　never　escape。　Now；　what's　a　fair　price　fer　taking　you　off　this　pier；　I　wonder？〃
　　　Quenthel　bristled　and　doubtless　would　have　struck　him　down　then；　but　Halisstra　stepped　between　them。
　　　〃If　we　get　caught　here；〃　the　Melarn　priestess　said；　〃we'll　implicate　you　in　whatever　charges　are　brought　against　us；　dwarf。　Now　get　us　underway。〃
　　　Coalhewer　stared　up　at　the　three　dark　elves；　his　face　contorted　with　fury。
　　　〃I　dealt　fairly　with　ye；　and　this　be　my　thanks？〃　he　snarled。　〃I　should've　known　better　than　to　traffic　with　yer　kind！〃
　　　He　whirled　to　cast　off　the　lines　securing　the　macabre　vessel　to　the　quay；　barking　orders　at　the　hulking　skeletons　in　the　center　of　the　boat。
　　　Quenthel　looked　at　Halisstra　with　narrowed　eyes　and　asked；　〃Why　spare　the　dwarf？　You　know　he's　lying　about　manding　the　boat。〃
　　　Halisstra　shrugged　and　said；　〃You　can　always　kill　him　later；　if　you're　so　inclined。〃
　　　As　the　wheels　at　the　side　of　the　vessel　began　to　churn　in　the　water；　Ryld　and　Jeggred　sprinted　up；　clambering　aboard。　Blood　dripped　from　both　the　half…demon's　talons　and　Splitter。　Pharaun　bounded　up　a　moment　later；　after　sealing　the　end　of　the　pier　with　a　wall　of　roaring　flame　to　keep　the　soldiers　at　bay。
　　　〃That　won't　hold　them　for　long；　I'm　sure；〃　the　wizard　said。　〃There　must　be　three　or　four　mages　back　there；　and　they'll　extinguish　that　wall　quickly　enough。　Best　we　get　well　away　from　here　before　they　can　fling　their　spells　against　our　humble　conveyance。〃
　　　Ryld　studied　the　wall　of　fire　at　the　pier's　end　and　scowled。
　　　〃You　realize　you've　also　blocked　Valas's　escape　with　that　spell；〃　he　grated。　〃We　need　him；　Pharaun。　We　can't　leave　him　here。〃
　　　〃I'm　flattered；　Master　Argith。〃
　　　From　the　shadows　of　the　vessel's　stern；　Valas　stood　up　and　adjusted　his　piwafwi。
　　　〃Where　in　Lolth's　dark　hells　did　you　e　from？〃　the　weapons　master　said；　blinking　and　rubbing　his　eyes。
　　　〃I　boarded　just　a　few　steps　behind　the　three　ladies；〃　the　scout　said。　He　glanced　around；　savoring　the　open　surprise　on　the　faces　of　his　panions；　then　made　a　small　bow　and　a　gesture　of　self…deprecation。　〃As　I　said；　I　am　not　easily　followed　or　marked　when　I　do　not　wish　to　be。　Besides；　it　seemed　that　the　three　of　you　had　the　crown　prince's　soldiers　in　hand。〃
　　　The　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　snorted；　and　returned　Splitter　to　its　sheath　across　his　back。　He　turned　to　the　city's　waterfront；　which　was　receding　quickly　into　the　darkness。　Fire　still　glowed　along　the　piers；　illuminating　the　bizarre　profiles　of　more　duergar　vessels　whose　crews　swarmed　the　decks；　shouting　orders　at　each　other　and　scurrying　to　obey　the　crown　prince's　soldiers。
　　　〃I　hope　our　vessel　is　faster　than　theirs；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　〃Not　to　worry；〃　Coalhewer　called　from　his　perch。　〃This　be　the　fastest　vessel　on　the　Darklake。　None　of　those　scows　can　catch　us。〃
　　　He　snapped　out　another　order　to　the　hulking　skeletons　driving　the　boat；　and　the　undead　monstrosities　redoubled　their　efforts；　driving　their　crankshafts　faster　and　faster；　until　a　froth　of　white　foam　boiled　at　the　paddle…wheels。　The　duergar　city　faded　into　the　darkness　behind　them；　marked　by　nothing　more　than　a　red　glare　on　the　cavern　ceiling。
　　　〃A　dire　development　all　this；〃　Quenthel　mused。　〃Menzoberranzan　hardly　needs　a　war　with　the　duergar　now。〃
　　　〃Do　we　alter　our　course？〃　Ryld　asked。　〃Menzoberranzan　must　be　warned　of　the　duergar　army。〃
　　　The　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　stood　in　thought　for　a　moment；　then　said；　〃No。　What　we're　doing　is　more　important；　and　if　I　am　not　mistaken　Pharaun　possesses　the　means　to　pass　a　warning　to　the　archmage。　Is　that　not　so；　wizard？〃
　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere　simply　smiled　and　spread　his　hands。
　　　
　　　Nimor's　soft　footfalls　echoed　in　corridor　after　empty　corridor　as　he　made　his　way　through　the　crown　prince's　fortress。　At　odd　intervals　he　passed　pairs　of　scowling　guards　in　heavy　armor；　halberds　held　upright；　and　he　wondered　if　they　ever　tired　of　looking　at　the　blank　stone　walls　in　the　course　of　their　duties。
　　　Most　likely　not；　he　decided。　Duergar　were　simply　insensitive　to　that　sort　of　thing。
　　　In　his　hand；　Nimor　idly　flipped　a　small　envelope　from　finger　to　finger。　The　Lady　Aliisza　of　the　Sce