war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第29部分

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　　　〃Because　something　is　going　to　happen　there；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃My　ambitions　have　reached　the　borders　of　old　Ammarindar；　and　I　don't　care　to　arrest　them　there。〃
　　　The　cambion　watched　his　fierce　warriors　marching　by；　staring　past　them　to　the　dark　visions　that　enthralled　him。
　　　〃We'll　be　approaching　from　above　and　to　the　east；〃　Kaanyr　said；　〃perfectly　positioned　to　flank　a　force　trying　to　hold　the　Pillars　against　the　approach　of　Gracklstugh's　army。　On　the　surface；　that　is　why　Horgar　Steelshadow　and　his　drow　assassin　want　us　there。　It　might　suit　their　purposes　to　sit　in　the　gorge　a　few　days　and　let　the　drow　decimate　my　soldiers　before　they　attempt　to　force　the　pass。　Being　on　the　same　side　of　an　obstacle　as　our　enemies　carries　a　liability；　as　well　as　an　opportunity。　I　wouldn't　put　it　past　Horgar　to　manufacture　some　excuse　for　a　delay　in　order　to　let　my　tanarukks　handle　the　brunt　of　the　fighting。〃
　　　Aliisza　cozied　up　beside　him　and　purred；　〃Until　the　battle　is　joined；　love；　you　haven't　chosen　sides。　The　dark　elves　might　pay；　and　pay　well；　for　your　assistance　at　a　critical　juncture　of　the　campaign。　Even　if　that　assistance　takes　the　form　of　simply　not　doing　anything　to　aid　the　gray　dwarves　in　their　attack。〃
　　　Kaanyr　Vhok　bared　his　pointed　teeth　in　a　wry　smile。
　　　〃There　is　that；〃　he　admitted。　〃All　right；　then。　We'll　see　what　happens　when　the　Pillars　of　Woe　stand　before　us。〃
　　　
　　　Halisstra　was　marched　for　several　miles　through　the　forest；　gagged；　hooded；　her　hands　manacled　behind　her。　The　surface　elves　had　healed　the　wound　in　her　calf　in　order　to　keep　her　from　slowing　them　down；　but　the　rest　of　her　injuries　they　didn't　bother　to　tend。　While　they'd　removed　her　mail　and　shield；　they　did　permit　her　to　keep　her　arming　jacket　against　the　cold　night　air…after　searching　carefully　to　make　sure　they　didn't　miss　any　hidden　weapons　or　magical　devices。
　　　Eventually　they　reached　a　place　where　the　forest　floor　underfoot　gave　way　to　stone；　and　she　could　hear　the　whispers　and　rustles　of　a　number　of　people　around　her。　The　air　grew　warmer；　and　sullen　firelight　penetrated　the　hood　over　her　eyes。
　　　〃Lord　Dessaer；〃　a　voice　close　by　said；　〃the　captive　Hurmaendyr　spoke　of！〃
　　　〃So　I　see。　Remove　her　hood。　I　would　look　on　her　face；〃　said　a　deep；　thoughtful　voice　from　somewhere　ahead　of　her。
　　　Her　captors　removed　the　hood；　leaving　Halisstra　squinting　in　the　bright　light　of　an　elegant　hall　made　of　gleaming　silver…hued　wood。　Flowering　vines　wound　along　posts　and　beams；　and　a　fire　glowed　to　one　side　in　a　large　hearth。　Several　pale　elves　watched　her　carefully…apparently　guards　of　some　kind；　dressed　in　silver…hued　scale　mail　with　polearms　and　swords　at　their　hips。
　　　Lord　Dessaer　was　a　tall　half…elf　with　golden　hair　and　pale　skin　with　a　faint　bronze　hue　to　it。　He　was　well…muscled　for　a　male；　nearly　as　big　as　Ryld；　and　he　wore　a　breastplate　of　gleaming　gold　with　noble　accoutrements。
　　　〃Remove　her　gag；　too；〃　the　elf　lord　said。　〃She'll　have　little　to　say　otherwise。〃
　　　〃Careful；　my　lord；〃　spoke　the　captor　beside　her；　whom　Halisstra　saw　was　the　black…bearded　human　she'd　fought　in　the　forest。　〃She　knows　something　of　the　bard's　arts；　and　may　be　able　to　speak　a　spell　with　her　hands　bound。〃
　　　〃I　will　exercise　all　due　caution；　Curnil。〃　The　lord　of　the　hall　moved　closer；　gazing　thoughtfully　into　Halisstra's　blood…red　eyes；　and　said；　〃So；　what　shall　we　call　you？〃
　　　Halisstra　stood　mute。
　　　〃Are　you　Auzkovyn　or　Jaelre？〃　Dessaer　asked。
　　　〃I　am　not　of　House　Jaelre；〃　she　said。　〃I　do　not　know　of　the　other　House　you　name。〃
　　　Lord　Dessaer　exchanged　a　worried　glance　with　his　advisors。
　　　〃You　belong　to　a　third　faction；　then？〃
　　　〃I　was　traveling　with　a　small　pany；　on　a　trade　mission；〃　she　replied。　〃We　sought　no　trouble　with　surface　dwellers。〃
　　　〃A　drow's　word　is　regarded　with　some　skepticism　in　these　lands；〃　Dessaer　replied。　〃If　you're　not　Auzkovyn　or　Jaelre；　then　what　was　your　business　in　Cormanthor？〃
　　　〃As　I　said；　it　was　a　trade　mission；〃　Halisstra　lied。
　　　〃Indeed；〃　drawled　Dessaer。　〃Cormanthor　was　not　entirely　abandoned　during　the　Retreat；　and　my　people　object　strongly　to　the　drow　effort　to　seize　our　old　homeland。　Now；　I　would　like　to　know　who　exactly　you　and　your　panions　are；　and　what　you　were　doing　in　our　forest。〃
　　　〃Our　business　is　our　own；〃　Halisstra　answered。　〃We　intend　no　harm　for　any　surface　folk；　and　mean　to　be　gone　from　this　place　as　soon　as　our　business　is　done。〃
　　　〃So　I　should　simply　allow　you　to　go　free；　is　that　it？〃
　　　〃You　would　do　yourself　no　harm　if　you　did　so。〃
　　　〃My　warriors　engage　in　deadly　battles　every　day　against　your　kind；〃　Dessaer　said。　〃Even　if　you　say　you　have　nothing　to　do　with　the　Jaelre　or　the　Auzkovyn；　that　doesn't　mean　you're　not　our　enemy。　We　do　not　ask　quarter　of　the　drow；　nor　do　we　extend　it　to　them。　Unless　you　succeed　in　explaining　to　my　satisfaction　why　you　should　be　spared；　you　will　be　executed。〃
　　　The　lord　of　the　surface　folk　folded　his　arms　before　his　breastplate；　and　fixed　her　with　a　fierce　stare。
　　　〃Our　business　is　with　House　Jaelre；〃　Halisstra　said。　She　drew　herself　up　as　best　she　could　with　her　arms　bound　behind　her。　〃It　does　not　concern　surface　elves。　As　I　said　before；　my　pany　is　not　here　to　cause　any　trouble　to　you　or　your　people。〃
　　　Lord　Dessaer　sighed；　then　nodded　to　Halisstra's　guards。
　　　〃Escort　the　lady　to　her　cell；〃　he　said；　〃and　let　us　see　if　she　bees　more　helpful　with　some　time　to　fully　consider　her　situation。〃
　　　Halisstra's　guards　replaced　her　hood；　covering　her　eyes　again。　She　stood　passively　and　allowed　them　to　do　so　without　protest。　If　her　captors　came　to　expect　pliance　from　her；　there　was　always　the　chance　they　might　make　a　mistake　and　give　her　a　chance　to　get　out　of　her　bonds。
　　　Her　guards　led　her　out　of　the　hall　and　back　outdoors　again。　She　could　feel　the　deep　chill　of　the　air；　and　sensed　the　growing　brightness　in　the　sky　even　through　her　hood。　Dawn　was　near；　and　the　night　was　vanishing　at　the　sun's　approach。　She　wondered　if　her　captors　meant　to　lock　her　in　some　open　cage；　a　place　where　the　curious　and　malcontent　could　e　by　to　jeer　and　torment　her；　but　instead　they　led　her　into　another　building　and　down　a　short　flight　of　stone　steps。
　　　Keys　jangled；　a　heavy　door　creaked　open；　and　she　was　led　through。　Her　hands　were　unbound；　only　to　be　secured　again　in　heavy　iron　manacles　as　rough　hands　maneuvered　her　into　place。
　　　〃Listen　well；　drow；〃　a　voice　said。　〃You　will　be　unhooded　and　ungagged；　at　Lord　Dessaer's　mand。　However；　the　first　time　you　attempt　to　work　a　spell；　you　will　be　fitted　with　a　steel　muzzle　and　hooded　so　closely　you　will　labor　for　every　breath。　We　don't　go　out　of　our　way　to　mistreat　prisoners；　but　we'll　repay　every　trouble　you　cause　us　threefold。　If　we　have　to　break　your　limbs　and　shatter　your　jaw　to　keep　you　docile；　we　will。〃
　　　Her　hood　was　removed。　Halisstra　blinked　in　the　bright　cell；　illuminated　by　a　hot　beam　of　sunlight　pouring　in　from　a　grate　up　in　one　corner。　Several　armed　guards　watched　her　carefully　for　any　sign　of　trouble。　She　simply　ignored　them　and　allowed　herself　to　slump　against　the　wall。　Her　hands　were　chained　together　tightly；　and　the　manacles　were　bound　to　a　secure　anchor　in　the　ceiling；　cleverly　designed　to　take　in　any　slack。
　　　The　guards　left　her　half　a　loaf　of　some　kind　of　crusty；　gold…brown　bread　and　a　soft　leather　jack　of　cool　water；　and　they　exited　the　cell。　The　door　was　riveted　iron　plate；　evidently　locked　and　barred　from　outside。
　　　So　what　now？　she　wondered；　staring　at　the　opposite　wall。
　　　From　what　little　she'd　seen　of　the　surface　town；　Halisstra　suspected　that　her　rades　could　break　her　out　easily　enough　with　a　determined　effort。
　　　〃Hardly　likely；〃　Halisstra　muttered　to　herself。
　　　She　was　a　Houseless　outcast　whose　usefulness　did　not　overe　the　simple　fact　that；　as　the　eldest　daughter　of　a　high　House；　she　stood　as　Quenthel's　most　dangerous　rival　in　the　band。　The　Mistress　of　the　Academy　would　be　only　too　happy　to　abandon　Halisstra　to　whatever　fate　awaited　her。
　　　Who　would　argue　against　Quenthel　on　her　behalf？
　　　Danifae？　Halisstra　thought。
　　　She　allowed　her　head　to　drop　to　her　chest　and　she　laughed　softly　and　bitterly。
　　　I　must　be　desperate　indeed；　to　hope　for　Danifae's　passion；　she　thought。
　　　Once　dragged　off　as　a　battle　captive　herself；　Danifae　would　find　the　situation　deliciously；　perfectly　ironic。　The　binding　spell　wouldn't　let　Danifae　raise　a　hand　against　her；　but　without　specific　instructions；　the　battle　captive　would　not　be　pelled　to　seek　her　out。
　　　With　nothing　else　to　do　but　stare　at　the　wall；　Halisstra　decided　to　close　her　eyes　and　rest。　She　still　ached　in　calf；　torso；　and　jaw　from　the　injuries　she'd　sustained　in　her　desperate　last　stand。　As　much　as　she　longed　to　use　the　bae'qeshel　songs　to　heal　herself；　she　dared　not。　The　pain　would　have　to　be　endured。
　　　With　a　simple　mental　exercise　she　distanced　her　mind　from　her　body's　pain　and　fatigue；　and　slipped　deep　into　Reverie。
　　　
　　　In　Dessaer's　audience　hall；　the　half…elf　lord　watched　his　soldiers　lead　the　dark　elf　away　while　he　stroked　his　beard　thoughtfully。
　　　〃So；　Seyll；〃　he　said；　〃What　do　you　make　of　this？〃
　　　From　behind　a　hidden　screen　a　slender　form　in　a　skirt　and　jacket　of　embroidered　green　glided　forward。　She　was　a　full…blooded　elf；　thin　and　graceful…and　she　was　also　a　drow；　her　skin　black　as　ink；　the　irises　of　her　eyes　a　startling　red。　She　moved　close　to　Dessaer　and　gazed　after　the　departing　soldiers　with　their　hooded　captive。
　　　〃I　think　she's　telling　the　truth；〃　she　said。　〃At　least；　she's　not　a　Jaelre　or　an　Auzkovyn。〃
　　　〃What　shall　I　do　with　her？〃　the　lord　asked。　〃She　killed　Harvaldor；　and　she　damned　near　killed　Fandar　as　well。〃
　　　〃With　Eilistraee's　grace；　I　will　restore　Harvaldor　to　life　and　heal　Fandar；〃　the　drow　woman　said。　〃Besides；　is　it　not　the　case　that　Curnil's　patrol　attacked　her　and　her　panions　on　sight？　She　was　simply　defending　herself。〃
　　　Dessaer　raised　an　eyebrow　in　surprise　and　glanced　at　Seyll。
　　　〃You　intend　to　give　her　your　goddess's　message？〃
　　　〃It　is　my　sacred　duty；〃　Seyll　replied。　〃After　all；　until　it　was　given　to　me；　I　was　very　much　like　her。〃
　　　She　inclined　her　head　to　indicate　the　absent　prisoner。
　　　〃She's　a　proud　one　from　a　high　House；〃　Dessaer　said。　〃I　doubt　she'll　care　to　hear　Eilistraee's　words。〃　He　rested　a　hand　on　the　drow　priestess's　shoulder。　〃Be　careful；　Seyll。　She'll　say　or　do　anything　to　get　you　to　lower　your　guard；　and　if　you　do；　she'll　kill　you　if　you　stand　between　her　and　freedom。〃
　　　〃Be　that　as　it　may；　my　duty　is　clear；〃　Seyll　replied。
　　　〃I　will　delay　my　judgment　for　a　tenday；〃　the　Lord　of　Elventree　said；　〃but　if　she　refuses　to　hear　your　message　I　must　act　to　protect　my　people。〃
　　　〃I　know；〃　said　Seyll。　〃I　do　not　intend　to　fail。〃
　　　
　　　The　Houses　of　Menzoberranzan　mustered　for　battle。　From　a　dozen　castles　and　palaces；　caverns　and　strongholds；　slender　males　in　elegant　black　chain　mail　marched　in　proud　columns　or　pranced　along　in　the　high　saddles　of　riding　lizards；　pennons　flying　from　their　lances。　Under　normal　circumstances　each　House　might　have　sent　hundreds　more　slave　warriors；　a　rabble　of　kobolds；　orcs；　goblins；　and　ogres　to　drive　into　their　foes　before　valuable　drow　troops　were　mitted　to　battle；　but　armed　slaves　were　something　of　a　scarcity　after　the　alhoon's　uprising。　Thousands　of　lesser　humanoids　had　survived　the　revolt　and　its　failure；　as　well　as　the　dreadful　reprisals　that　ensued；　but　the　warriors　among　the　slave　races　had　naturally　suffered　the　greatest　losses。　Even　those　who'd　been　allowed　to　surrender　were　certainly　not　to　be　trusted　with　weapons　again。
　　　Nimor　sat　in　the　saddle　of　an　Agrach　Dyrr　war…lizard；　and　smiled　in　satisfaction　as　the　forces　of　House　Dyrr　marched　past　before　him。　The　panies　gathered　in　a　small；　somewhat　cramped　plaza　near　the　border　between　West　Wall　and　Narbondellyn；　ironically　enough　not　very　far　at　all　from　the　pound　of　House　Faen　Tlabbar。　Each　drow　swordsman　carried　a　light　kit　in　addition　to　his　arms　and　armor；　and　a　supply　train　of　sorts　was　taking　shape　as　each　pany　brought　its　own　pack　lizards　and　attendants。　Many　of　the　mon　folk　of　the　city　had　turned　out　to　watch　the　mustering　of　the　army；　as　it　was　easily　the　largest　assemblage　of　soldiers　the　matron　mothers　had　manded　since　the　ill…fated　assault　on　Mithral　Hall　years　before。
　　　〃I　surmise　that　the　Council　meeting　went　well；〃　said　Dyrr；　standing　at　Nimor's　stirrup。
　　　The　undead　sorcerer　did　not　appear　in　his　own　shape；　of　course；　nor　even　that　of　the　aged　male　he　affected　within　his　own　house。　His　current　guise　was　that　of　a　nondescript　Agrach　Dyrr　wizard；　young　and　hale；　draped　with　the　fine　vestments　of　his　House。
　　　〃Your　matron　mother　was　well　coached；〃　Nimor　replied。　He　kept　his　voice　low；　even　though　no　one　stood　close　enough　to　eavesdrop。　〃We've　got　half　the　soldiers　in　the　city　mustering　for　battle。〃
　　　〃Yasraena　has　proven　a　useful　front；〃　the　lich　observed。　〃I　have　known　a　dozen　or　more　Matron　Mother　Dyrrs；　and　from　time　to　time　I　find　that　my　female　relations　object　to　my　。　。　。　unique　position　within　the　House。　Yasraena　would　kill　me　if　she　could；　of　course；　but　she　knows　that　Agrach　Dyrr　would　of　necessity　be　destroyed　should　something　unfortunate　befall　me。　I　have　made　her　aware　of　certain　long…standing　arrangements　in　order　to　discourage　her　from　surprising　me。〃
　　　Nimor　chuckled　dryly　and　said；　〃I　suspect　that　you　are　rarely　surprised；　Lord　Dyrr。〃
　　　〃Success　follows　preparation　in　equal　measure；　young　Nimor。　Consider　that　your　lesson　for　the　day。〃　The　lich　affected　a　smile　across　his　illusory　features；　and　stepped　away　from　Nimor's　mount。　〃Good　luck　in　your　venture；　Captain。〃
　　　Nimor　wheeled　the　war…lizard　around　as　the　last　of　the　column　passed　by。
　　　He　turned　back　to　the　lich　and　said；　〃One　more　word。　Narbondel　was　illuminated　hours　late　a　tenday　ago；　but　every　day　××？？since　it　has　been　illuminated　on　time；　and　it　is　whispered　throughout　the　city　that　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　have　misplaced　their　archmage。〃
　　　Dyrr　smiled　and　spread　his　hands。
　　　〃As　Archmage　Baenre　may　be　unavailable　for　quite　some　time；〃　the　lich　said；　〃it　would　please　me　to　find　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　determine　on　their　own　who　among　them　should　take　Gromph's　seat。〃
　　　〃Won't　Matron　Mother　Baenre　and　the　Council　have　something　to　say　about　that？〃
　　　〃Not　if　the　assembled　masters　realize　the　power　they　truly　hold　now；〃　Dyrr　said。　〃I　am　not　a　member　of　the　Academy；　of　course；　but　a　couple　of　young　pups　of　my　House　are；　and　they　keep　me　well…informed。　The　masters　debate　whether　this　is　the　time　to　break　with　tradition　and　name　their　own　archmage；　but　half　of　them　scheme　to　eliminate　any　fellow　clever　and　bold　enough　to　take　the　job；　while　the　other　half　contemplate　whether　they　might　return　to　their　own　Houses　and　rule　there。　Breaking　from　the　Council　in　such　a　way　would　mean　civil　war；　and　those　few　masters　who　don't　realize　the　civil　war　is　raging　already　are　arguing　to　adhere　to　the　status　quo　in　fear　of　Lolth's　return。　Regardless；　Sorcere　is　well　and　truly　paralyzed　by　Gromph's　absence。〃
　　　The　lich　turned；　leaning　heavily　on　his　tall　staff；　and　ambled　off　with　a　dry；　crac