war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第20部分

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at　our　enemies　could　overthrow　us。〃
　　　Danifae　did　not　reply；　nor　did　Halisstra　expect　her　to。　That　thought　was　perilously　close　to　heresy；　after　all。　To　suggest　that　something　had　occurred　against　Lolth's　will　was　to　doubt　the　power　of　the　Spider　Queen；　and　to　question　Lolth's　power　was　to　invite　death　and　condemnation　as　a　faithless　weakling。　The　fate　that　awaited　the　faithless　in　the　afterlife　was　too　terrible　to　contemplate。　Unless　Lolth　chose　to　take　the　soul　of　a　follower　to　her　divine　abode　in　the　Demonweb　Pits；　a　drow's　spirit　would　be　condemned　to　anguish　and　oblivion　in　the　barren　wastelands　where　the　dead　of　all　kinds　were　judged。　Only　abject　worship　and　perfect　service　could　sway　the　Dark　Queen　to　intercede　on　one's　behalf　and　grant　life　beyond　life；　eternal　existence　as　one　of　Lolth's　divine　host。
　　　Of　course；　thought　Halisstra；　if　Lolth　is　dead；　then　damnation　and　oblivion　bee　unavoidable；　don't　they？
　　　She　blanched　at　the　thought　and　shivered　in　horror；　standing　quickly　and　pacing　away　from　the　bridge　to　hide　her　face　from　the　others。
　　　I　must　not　think　such　things；　she　told　herself。　Better　to　empty　my　mind　of　all　thoughts　than　to　entertain　blasphemy。
　　　She　closed　her　eyes　and　took　a　deep　breath；　doing　her　best　to　banish　her　insidious　doubts。
　　　〃We've　got　trouble；〃　Ryld　announced　from　the　afterdeck。　The　weapons　master　knelt　and　peered　through　the　darkness　behind　the　boat。　〃Three　boats；　much　like　this　one。〃
　　　〃I　see　them；〃　Pharaun　said。　He　glanced　up　at　the　bridge。　〃Master　Coalhewer；　I　thought　you　said　this　was　the　fastest　vessel　on　the　Darklake。　Am　I　to　gather　that　you　exaggerated　a　bit？〃
　　　The　dwarf　scowled　back　into　the　darkness　and　replied；　〃I've　never　been　overtaken　before　today；　so　how　was　I　t'know　any　different？〃
　　　He　muttered　a　foul　string　of　curses　and　paced　from　one　end　of　the　bridge　to　the　other；　never　taking　his　eyes　off　the　following　boats。
　　　〃They're　not　gaining　on　us　by　much；〃　Quenthel　observed　after　a　long　moment。　〃It's　going　to　take　them　a　while　to　catch　us。〃
　　　Halisstra　turned　and　clambered　past　the　bridge　to　gaze　aft。　She　could　see　the　pursuing　boats；　just　barely。　They　trailed　behind　Coalhewer's　craft　by　a　bowshot；　black　ghosts　silhouetted　faintly　against　the　dying　red　smudge　that　marked　the　city　behind　them。　A　glimmer　of　white　played　at　the　bow　of　each　boat　where　it　parted　the　waters。
　　　She　looked　up　at　the　duergar　and　asked；　〃Can't　you　make　this　thing　go　any　faster？〃
　　　Coalhewer　growled　and　waved　a　hand　at　the　skeletons　driving　the　craft。
　　　〃They've　been　told　to　go　as　fast　as　they　can；〃　he　said。　〃We　might　speed　her　up　by　throwing　weight　over　the　side；　but　there's　no　telling　if　it'd　be　help　enough。〃
　　　〃How　far　are　we　from　the　southern　wall　of　the　cavern？〃　asked　Quenthel。
　　　〃I　don't　know　these　waters　well。　Three　miles；　I'd　guess。〃
　　　〃Then　keep　to　your　course；〃　the　Baenre　decided。　〃Once　we're　ashore；　we'll　be　able　to　outdistance　any　pursuit；　or　pick　our　ground　to　fight　on　if　we　decide　not　to　run。〃
　　　〃But　what　of　my　boat？〃　Coalhewer　demanded。　〃D'ye　have　any　idea　how　much　I　paid　for　it？〃
　　　〃I'm　certain　I　hadn't　invited　you　along；　dwarf；〃　Quenthel　replied。
　　　She　turned　her　back　on　the　duergar　and　settled　down　to　wait；　absently　stroking　her　whip　as　she　watched　the　pursuing　boats　draw　closer。
　　　The　boat　churned　on；　passing　more　stalagmites　jutting　up　from　the　waters　as　the　pursuing　boats　edged　closer。　Halisstra　and　Danifae　watched　carefully　for　obstacles　ahead；　but　despite　herself；　Halisstra　could　not　resist　the　impulse　to　glance　over　her　shoulder　every　few　minutes　to　check　on　their　pursuers。　Each　time　she　did；　the　boats　had　closed　a　little　more；　until　she　could　actually　make　out　discrete　individuals　moving　around　on　their　decks。　Fifteen　minutes　after　they'd　first　e　into　view　behind　Coalhewer's　boat；　the　duergar　vessels　began　to　fire　missiles　after　them…heavy　crossbow　bolts　that　fell　hissing　into　their　wake；　and　clumsy　catapult…shot　of　great　flaming　spheres　that　soared　past　the　boat　to　smash　against　the　dank　columns　littering　the　surrounding　waters。
　　　〃Zigzag　a　bit；〃　Quenthel　told　the　dwarf。　〃We　don't　want　to　be　hit　by　one　of　those。〃
　　　〃They'll　gain　faster　on　us　if　I　do；〃　Coalhewer　protested；　but　he　began　to　ease　his　wheel　from　one　side　to　the　other；　trying　to　avoid　keeping　straight　on　any　heading　for　too　long。
　　　〃Ryld；　Valas；　return　fire　at　the　lead　boat。　Don't　use　more　than　half　your　arrows　or　bolts。　We　may　need　them　later　on。〃　Quenthel　glanced　around；　and　nodded　at　Halisstra。　〃You　too；　Halisstra。　Danifae；　keep　watch　forward。　Pharaun；　answer　those　catapults。〃
　　　Valas　turned　around　on　the　bridge　and　braced　himself　against　intersecting　rails；　fitting　an　arrow　to　his　string。　He　aimed　for　the　lead　boat；　and　loosed　an　arrow。　Ryld　and　Halisstra　followed　a　moment　later　with　bolts　of　their　own。　After　a　long　heartbeat　of　flight　time；　the　tiny　figure　of　a　gray　dwarf　threw　up　its　arms　and　reeled　over　the　side　of　the　boat；　vanishing　beneath　its　flailing　paddles。　Other　dwarves　scurried　for　cover；　raising　large　mantlets　to　cover　themselves。
　　　Pharaun　stepped　forward　and　gestured　boldly　at　the　leading　boat；　barking　out　the　words　of　a　spell。　From　his　fingertips　a　small　orange　bead　of　flame　streaked　out；　darting　across　the　dark　water　with　the　speed　of　an　arrow。　It　seemed　to　vanish　into　the　blackness；　swallowed　by　the　bulk　of　the　leading　boat…and　a　brilliant　blast　of　flame　erupted　right　at　the　pursuer's　prow；　scouring　the　foredecks　with　a　roar　that　echoed　through　the　great　cavern。　Duergar　wreathed　in　flames　lurched　and　stumbled　in　the　distance；　with　more　of　them　falling　or　throwing　themselves　over　the　side。
　　　〃Well　done！〃　Quenthel　cried。
　　　Even　Jeggred　roared　in　glee；　but　a　moment　later　a　buzzing　globe　of　blue　energy　rose　from　the　second　ship　and　streaked　back　at　them。　Pharaun　started　a　spell　of　deflection　or　warding；　but　he　was　unable　to　parry　the　blow；　and　glaring　streaks　of　lightning　enveloped　Coalhewer's　boat。　The　very　air　roared　with　dozens　of　thunderclaps　and　explosions　as　crawling　arcs　of　electricity　detonated　barrels；　casks；　and　fittings；　or　sizzled　into　flesh。　Halisstra　cried　out　and　buckled　to　the　deck　as　a　bolt　stabbed　through　her　left　hip；　while　Ryld　collapsed　jerking　to　the　deck；　his　breastplate　glowing　blue…white　with　the　lightning　ball's　energy。
　　　The　skeletal　rowers　kept　at　their　toil；　driving　the　boat　onward。
　　　Pharaun　jerked　out　his　wand　and　hurled　a　bolt　back　at　the　boat　that　had　launched　the　lightning　ball　at　them。　A　skipping　meteor　of　blinding　fire　flew　at　them　from　the　leading　boat；　bounding　across　the　water　with　an　almost　animate　hunger。　By　a　stroke　of　good　luck；　the　missile　struck　a　low…lying　rocky　outcropping　and　detonated　behind　them；　spreading　a　slick　of　burning　fluid　across　the　water's　surface。　The　third　boat　fired　its　catapult　again；　sending　a　etlike　ball　of　flame　whizzing　clear　over　the　bridge　to　explode　a　short　distance　ahead。
　　　〃Damnation；〃　Coalhewer　snarled。　〃They've　got　the　range　on　us！〃
　　　〃It　seems　that　I　am　somewhat　outnumbered；〃　Pharaun　called　out　between　spells。　〃Perhaps　we　should　redouble　our　efforts　to　escape？〃
　　　Arrows　hissed　past　them；　clattering　against　the　boat　or　sticking　into　the　zurkhwood　decks　with　heavy　tchunks！
　　　〃Halisstra；〃　the　wizard　called；　〃would　you　take　my　wand…the　one　in　my　hand；　I　mean…and　use　it　to　discourage　that　fellow　on　the　first　boat？〃
　　　Halisstra　ignored　the　hot　ache　in　her　hip　and　scrambled　aft。　She　took　the　iron　wand　from　the　wizard's　hand；　aiming　at　the　lead　boat　as　she　barked　out　its　mand　word。　The　air　crackled　with　sparks　and　ozone　as　the　bolt　blasted　back　at　the　pursuing　boat；　only　to　flare　impotently　against　some　kind　of　spell　shield　that　had　been　raised　by　the　duergar　wizards　behind　them。
　　　Pharaun　chanted　out　the　words　of　another　spell；　and　a　thick　white　mist　arose　in　their　wake；　its　billows　spreading　across　the　water　with　startling　speed。　Almost　instantly；　it　sprawled　across　their　stern　like　a　wall　of　white；　pletely　blocking　the　pursuing　boats　from　view。
　　　〃There；〃　said　the　wizard。　〃That　should　slow　them　a　bit。〃
　　　〃It's　fog。　Won't　they　just　sail　right　through　it？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　〃That　is　no　ordinary　fog；　my　friend。　That　fog　is　thick　enough　to　arrest　an　arrow　in　mid…flight。　Best　of　all；　it　is　highly　acidic；　so　that　anyone　blundering　about　in　there　will　be　slowly　eaten　away。〃　The　wizard　smiled　and　folded　his　arms。　〃Ah；　damn　it；　I'm　good。〃
　　　Quenthel　opened　her　mouth；　most　likely　to　take　issue　with　the　wizard's　self…congratulations；　when　Danifae　called　from　the　bow；　〃Stop！　Rocks　ahead！　Stop！〃
　　　〃Bloody　hell！〃　gasped　Coalhewer。　〃All　back　full！　All　back　full；　ye　great　bony　louts！〃
　　　The　turning　skeletons　slowed　their　furious　pumping；　unable　to　arrest　the　heavy　wheels　all　at　once；　and　slowly　began　to　spin　the　paddles　back　the　other　way。　The　dwarf　did　not　wait　on　them；　slamming　his　wheel　hard　over　to　veer　away　from　the　black　line　of　fanglike　rocks　ahead。　The　lake　seemed　to　e　to　an　end；　shoaling　up　quickly　to　meet　the　plunging　ceiling。　The　shoreline　extended　left　and　right　for　as　far　as　Halisstra　could　see。　The　boat　slued　to　an　awkward　halt；　its　starboard　bow　rebounding　from　a　thankfully　rounded　rock　in　their　path。　The　impact　staggered　everyone　on　board；　and　nearly　pitched　Danifae　headlong　over　the　bow。
　　　〃Now　what？〃　Ryld　asked；　picking　himself　up　off　the　deck。　〃They've　got　us　pinned　against　the　cavern　wall。〃
　　　〃How　long　will　your　fog　delay　the　gray　dwarves？〃　Quenthel　snapped　at　Pharaun。
　　　〃No　more　than　a　couple　of　minutes；〃　he　answered。　〃They　might　choose　to　back　out　and　go　around；　of　course。〃
　　　Pharaun　stared　intently　at　his　handiwork。　In　the　distance；　duergar　screamed　in　pain；　their　cries　of　agony　oddly　muffled　by　the　insidious　white　mist。
　　　〃The　spell　is　unlikely　to　kill　or　disable　very　many　of　them；〃　the　wizard　added；　〃and　I　don't　think　it'll　sink　their　boats。〃
　　　〃Then　this　is　where　we　get　off；〃　Quenthel　said。　She　pointed　at　the　cavern　wall。　〃We'll　take　cover　in　the　rocks　there；　and　stay　out　of　sight。　We'll　send　the　boat　that　way…〃　she　pointed　toward　the　east…〃and　let　the　crown　prince's　men　chase　it　away　from　us。〃
　　　〃I　won't　be　yer　decoy！〃　Coalhewer　snapped。　〃Ye　got　me　into　this　mess；　and　ye'll　get　me　out　of　it！〃
　　　The　dark　elves　ignored　the　dwarf　as　they　hurriedly　threw　their　packs　to　the　wet　rocks　below　the　bow。　Jeggred　bounded　down　into　the　icy　water　and　struggled　up　on　shore；　followed　by　Ryld　and　Pharaun。　Valas　swarmed　down　from　the　bridge　and　vaulted　down　as　well。
　　　〃You're　wasting　my　time；〃　Quenthel　said　to　the　duergar　captain。　〃Go　on；　now；　and　take　your　chances；　or　stay　here　and　face　the　draegloth。〃
　　　She　leaped　lightly　to　the　boulders　below；　joined　by　Halisstra　and　Danifae　a　moment　later。
　　　〃But　if　ye　。。。　ah；　damn　the　lot　of　ye　to　Lolth's　spidery　hells！〃　Coalhewer　swore。
　　　He　dashed　back　up　to　his　bridge　and　began　to　bark　orders　at　the　skeletal　rowers　again。　The　boat　slowly　backed　away　from　the　rocks。
　　　〃If　they　catch　me；〃　he　shouted　back；　〃I'll　tell　them　exactly　where　to　find　ye！〃
　　　Quenthel　narrowed　her　eyes。　She　started　to　gesture　to　Jeggred；　but　Halisstra　shook　her　head　and　started　a　low；　droning　bae'qeshel　song。　She　gathered　the　force　of　her　will　and　hurled　it　full　upon　the　livid　dwarf。
　　　〃Escape；　Coalhewer；〃　she　hissed。　〃Flee　as　quickly　as　you　may；　and　do　not　let　yourself　be　caught。　If　you　are　caught；　better　to　swim　to　safety　than　to　let　yourself　be　taken。〃
　　　The　invisible　webs　of　the　spell　settled　about　the　dwarf　like　a　snowfall　of　deadly　venom。　He　stared　open…mouthed　at　Halisstra；　then　whirled　to　redouble　his　efforts　to　take　his　boat　clear　before　the　fog　lifted。　Quenthel　glanced　at　Halisstra　and　raised　an　eyebrow。
　　　〃It　seemed　best　to　make　sure　he　would　flee　as　we　wanted　him　to；〃　Halisstra　explained　as　she　quickly　gathered　her　things　and　hurried　for　the　cover　of　the　boulders　and　stalagmites　above　the　waterline。
　　　Quenthel　followed　a　step　behind　her。　They　splashed　ashore　and　settled　behind　a　large　rock　just　as　the　prow　of　the　first　duergar　boat；　still　glowing　red　with　embers　left　from　the　fireball　Pharaun　had　hurled　at　it；　nosed　through　the　deadly　mists。　The　dark　elves　drew　their　piwafwis　close　around　them　and　held　still；　watching　as　the　duergar　stirred　and　broke　from　whatever　shelters　they'd　managed　to　find　from　the　acidic　fog。
　　　One　of　the　gray　dwarves　pointed　and　shouted；　and　the　others　joined　the　clamor。　Turning　sharply　in　the　water；　they　slewed　around　the　ship's　bow　and　set　off　after　Coalhewer's　vanishing　boat。
　　　Good；　signed　Pharaun。　I　was　afraid　they　were　using　magic　to　follow　us。　It　seems　that　Master　Coalhewer　will　render　us　one　last　service　after　all。
　　　What　do　you　think　will　happen　when　they　catch　him？　Ryld　asked。
　　　The　duergar　boats　pulled　out　of　earshot。
　　　〃I　suppose　it　depends　on　whether　or　not　he　can　swim；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　
　　　A　long　day's　march　later；　pausing　only　long　enough　to　allow　Pharaun　to　finally　craft　a　sending　to　pass　news　of　Gracklstugh's　army　to　Gromph；　the　pany　came　to　the　Labyrinth。　They　emerged　from　winding；　unexplored　passageways　into　a　series　of　miles…long　natural　tunnels　interspersed　with　long；　hewn　ways　and　small；　square　chambers。　Coalhewer；　his　boat；　and　the　pursuit　from　Gracklstugh　they'd　left　twenty　miles　or　more　behind　them。
　　　The　tunnels　were　black　basalt；　cold　and　sharp；　the　frozen　remnants　of　great　fires　from　the　beginning　of　the　world。　From　time　to　time　the　party　encountered　great　vertical　rifts　hundreds　of　feet　high；　where　tunnels　ended　in　blank　walls　with　rough；　perilous　steps　cut　up　or　down　to　a　different　level　where　the　path　continued。　Whole　sheets　of　the　world's　crust　had　sunk　or　fractured　in　places；　shearing　off　the　old　lava　tunnels　and　leaving　behind　vast；　lightless　chasms　deep　in　the　earth。　A　few　of　these　places　were　spanned　by　slender　bridges　of　stone；　or　circled　by　crude　paths　hacked　from　the　hard　rock　of　the　walls。　Everywhere　they　turned；　more　square　passages　and　twisting；　smooth…floored　tunnels　branched　from　their　line　of　march；　so　that　in　the　space　of　an　hour　Halisstra　was　forced　to　concede　that　she'd　bee　hopelessly　lost。
　　　〃I　see　why　they　call　this　place　the　Labyrinth；〃　she　said　softly；　as　the　pany　threaded　its　way　along　a　narrow　ledge　overlooking　another　of　the　chasms。　〃This　place　is　truly　a　maze。〃
　　　〃It's　worse　than　you　think；〃　Valas　replied　from　the　front　of　the　party。　He　paused　to　examine　the　path　ahead；　and　another　of　the　ubiquitous　openings　on　one　side。　〃It's　close　to　two　hundred　miles　from　north　to　south；　and　almost　half　that　from　east　to　west。　Most　of　it　is　exactly　like　this；　a　confusion　of　lava　tubes　and　hand…cut　tunnels　with　thousands　of　branching　turns　and　twists。〃
　　　〃How　can　you　hope　to　find　House　Jaelre　in　all　this？〃　Ryld　asked。　〃Do　you　know　this　place　so　well　that　you've　mastered　it？〃
　　　〃Mastered　it？　Hardly。　You　could　spend　a　lifetime　here　and　never　see　the　whole　thing；　but　I　do　know　something　of　its　ways。　Several　well…traveled　caravan　routes　exist　along　some　of　the　straighter　paths；　though　we're　not　near　any　of　those。　Few　travelers　approach　the　Labyrinth　from　the　east；　as　we　have。〃　The　scout　stepped　a　little　ahead　and　brushed　his　hand　against　t