war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第30部分

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　　　The　lich　turned；　leaning　heavily　on　his　tall　staff；　and　ambled　off　with　a　dry；　crackling　laugh。
　　　Nimor　raised　an　eyebrow　and　watched　the　lich　depart；　considering　his　ally's　words；　then　he　trotted　off　after　the　column。
　　　〃Lieutenant　Jazzt！〃　he　called。
　　　From　alongside　the　marching　column　of　House　Agrach　Dyrr's　warriors；　a　small；　scarred　male　detached　himself　and　came　trotting　to　Nimor's　side。　The　soldiers　marching　in　the　expedition　knew　very　well　that　〃Captain　Zhayemd〃　was　no　scion　of　their　House；　but　it　had　been　explained　to　them　that　the　detachment's　mander　enjoyed　Matron　Mother　Yasraena's　plete　confidence　and　had；　in　fact；　been　adopted　into　the　leadership　of　their　ancient　clan…a　mon　enough　practice　among　the　high　Houses　of　the　city。　Nimor　didn't　doubt　that　Jazzt　Dyrr；　second　cousin　to　the　matron　mother　herself；　had　received　some　additional　and　specific　orders　concerning　the　circumstances　under　which　he　was　to　ignore　Nimor's　mands；　but　as　Nimor　intended　to　scrupulously　honor　his　bargain　with　Agrach　Dyrr；　he　was　reasonably　certain　that　the　Dyrr　officer　would　offer　no　trouble。
　　　〃Yes；　Captain？〃　Jazzt　said。
　　　He　was　careful　not　to　show　any　expression　at　all；　simply　regarding　Nimor　with　the　bland　curiosity　of　a　seasoned　veteran。
　　　〃Form　up　the　pany　there；　beside　the　Baenre　contingent。　Tell　the　men　to　make　ready　for　a　long　march。　I　hope　to　set　out　within　the　hour。〃
　　　〃Yes；　Captain；〃　Jazzt　replied。
　　　The　lieutenant　stepped　back　and　saluted　sharply；　then　turned　and　began　to　bark　orders　to　the　Agrach　Dyrr　soldiers。　Nimor　turned　his　mount　aside　and　trotted　across　the　plaza　to　a　small　tent　bustling　with　activity。　There；　the　highborn　officers　and　manders　of　each　of　the　various　House　contingents　had　gathered；　most　with　some　number　of　sergeants　and　messengers　in　train。　Several　arguments　on　all　manner　of　different　topics…the　order　of　march；　the　best　place　to　halt　at　the　end　of　the　day；　the　fastest　route　to　the　Pillars　of　Woe…proceeded　at　the　same　time。
　　　He　dismounted；　handed　the　reins　of　his　war…lizard　to　a　nearby　slave；　and　strode　into　the　midst　of　the　confusion；　pushing　through　to　the　partitioned　area。　He　had　to　flash　his　insignia　of　House　and　rank　to　gain　admittance。　Inside；　a　knot　of　captains　and　officers　from　various　Houses　stood　engaged　in　several　different　conversations　at　the　same　time。　The　occasion　of　raising　an　army　and　marching　to　war　seemed　to　displace　the　normal　rivalries　and　vendettas；　at　least　for　a　time。　Instead　of　dueling　each　other　in　the　streets；　the　rakish　fellows　sought　to　outshine　each　other　with　deeds　of　valor　and　ruthlessness　on　the　battlefield。
　　　Nimor　surveyed　the　manders；　noting　the　insignias　of　six　out　of　eight　great　Houses；　and　another　half　dozen　of　the　largest　and　strongest　minor　Houses。　His　eye　fell　on　a　male　wearing　the　insignia　of　House　Baenre；　as　the　fellow　held　up　his　hands　and　raised　his　voice　to　capture　the　attention　of　the　other　officers。
　　　〃Go　back　to　your　panies　and　look　to　your　supply　trains；〃　Andzrel　Baenre；　Weapons　Master　of　House　Baenre；　said。　〃I　want　a　list　from　each　of　you　of　the　number　of　pack　beasts　and　wagons　in　your　train；　and　a　general　inventory　of　your　stores。　Return　within　the　hour。　Our　female　relations　will　doubtless　debate　many　issues　of　high　strategy；　but　it　will　fall　to　us　to　work　out　the　details　of　supply　trains　and　battle　signals；　and　we　still　have　much　to　discuss。〃
　　　Andzrel　was　a　tall；　slender　fellow　who　wore　armor　of　blacked　mithral　plate　and　a　dark　cloak。　His　tabard　proudly　displayed　the　emblem　of　House　Baenre；　and　his　eyes　held　iron　discipline；　an　expression　of　directness　and　purpose　that　was　unusual　in　a　drow　of　high　birth；　whether　male　or　female。
　　　The　manders　broke　up　and　strode　from　the　tent；　heading　back　to　their　detachments。　Nimor　allowed　them　to　pass　by。　As　he　moved　up　to　speak　with　the　Baenre　weapons　master；　the　assassin　muttered　a　spell。
　　　〃Master　Baenre；〃　Nimor　asked；　covering　the　last　syllables　of　the　enchantment。
　　　〃Yes；〃　the　weapons　master　said；　blinking　at　Nimor。　〃I　。　。　。　uh　。　。　。〃
　　　Nimor　smiled；　seeing　the　effect　the　enchantment　had　on　the　drow；　and　knowing　that　for　quite　some　time；　Andzrel　Baenre　and　he　would　be　very　close　friends。
　　　〃You　are　familiar　to　me；　but　I　do　not　believe　I　know　you；〃　said　Andzrel。　〃You　wear　the　arms　of　Agrach　Dyrr。〃
　　　〃I　am　Zhayemd　Dyrr；　and　I　mand　my　House's　pany；〃　Nimor　replied。　〃Do　you　have　any　idea　when　the　priestesses　will　deign　to　join　us；　or　at　least　allow　us　to　start　on　our　way？〃
　　　〃I　believe　the　matron　mothers　are　still　deciding　which　of　them　will　lead　the　expedition；〃　Andzrel　replied；　seemingly　recovered。　〃None　of　them　trusts　any　of　the　others　enough　to　voluntarily　leave　the　city　now；　but　they　all　think　it's　clear　that　someone　had　better　be　put　in　charge　of　the　males。〃
　　　Nimor　laughed　at　that。
　　　〃You　have　a　talent　for　plain　speaking；　sir。〃　Nimor　glanced　around　at　the　other　captains　and　officers　in　the　pavilion　and　added；　〃I　assume　you've　tallied　which　Houses　are　here；　and　how　many　troops…and　of　what　type…each　has　brought？　The　priestesses　will　want　to　know　that；　and　it　will　be　helpful　for　us　all　to　have　an　idea　of　who's　marching　next　to　whom。〃
　　　He　could　think　of　other　uses　for　the　information；　of　course；　but　there　was　no　need　to　mention　that；　was　there？
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Andzrel　replied。　He　pointed　at　a　table　in　the　outer　portion　of　the　tent；　where　several　Baenre　officers　studied　maps　and　reports。　〃I'll　need　you　to　give　those　fellows　the　strength　of　your　plement；　the　number　of　infantry　and　cavalry；　and　some　information　on　your　supply　train；　as　well。　After　which　I　would　like　to　ask　you　some　questions　about　the　route　of　our　march　and　the　place　we　expect　to　meet　the　duergar　army。　I　understand　you're　familiar　with　the　region；　as　well　as　the　position　and　tactics　of　the　duergar　force。〃
　　　Nimor　straightened　his　cuirass　and　nodded　earnestly。
　　　〃Certainly；〃　he　said。　〃I　know　them　well。〃
　　　
　　　Halisstra　was　roused　from　her　dreams　by　the　sound　of　her　cell　door　opening。　She　glanced　up；　wondering　if　perhaps　the　time　had　e　when　the　surface　folk　would　simply　put　her　to　the　blade。
　　　〃I　have　no　more　to　say　to　your　lord；〃　she　said；　though　the　thought　crossed　her　mind　that　selling　out　her　rades　was　preferable　to　death　by　torture；　especially　if　she　could　gain　her　freedom　in　the　exchange。
　　　〃Fine；〃　a　woman's　voice　replied。　〃I　hope　then　that　you　will　consent　to　speak　with　me。〃
　　　A　slender　figure　slipped　through　the　open　door；　which　was　closed　and　locked　behind　her。　Veiled　in　a　long；　dark　cloak；　the　visitor　paused　to　study　Halisstra　then　she　reached　up　with　hands　as　black　as　coal　and　slipped　back　her　hood　to　reveal　a　face　of　gleaming　ebony；　and　eyes　as　red　as　blood。
　　　〃I　am　Seyll　Auzkovyn；〃　the　drow　said；　〃and　I　have　e　to　give　you　my　lady's　message：　'A　rightful　place　awaits　you　in　the　Realms　Above；　in　the　Land　of　the　Great　Light。　e　in　peace　and　live　beneath　the　sun　again；　where　trees　and　flowers　grow。'　〃
　　　〃A　priestess　of　Eilistraee；〃　Halisstra　murmured。　She　had　heard　of　the　cult　before；　of　course。　The　Spider　Queen　held　nothing　but　scorn　for　the　weak；　idealistic　faith　of　the　Dark　Maiden；　whose　worshipers　dreamed　of　redemption　and　acceptance　in　the　World　Above。　〃Well；　I　did　e　in　peace；　and　I　do　seem　to　have　found　my　rightful　place　in　this　tidy　little　cell。　I　expect　wonderful　flowers　bloom　just　beyond　the　bars　of　my　window；　and　I　am　more　than　a　little　thankful　that　the　thrice…cursed　sun　shines　no　deeper　into　my　prison。〃　She　laughed　bitterly。　〃Somehow　the　holy　message　of　your　silly　little　dancing　goddess　rings　a　little　false　today。　Now　go　away；　and　let　me　get　back　to　the　important　business　of　preparing　myself　for　the　inevitable　tortures　that　await　me　when　the　so…called　lord　of　this　fetid　dungheap　of　a　village　loses　his　patience　with　my　intransigent　ways。〃
　　　〃You　sound　like　me；　when　I　first　heard　Eilistraee's　message；〃　Seyll　replied。　She　moved　closer　and　sat　on　the　floor　beside　Halisstra。　〃Like　yourself；　I　was　a　priestess　of　the　Spider　Queen　who　found　herself　a　captive　of　the　surface　folk。　Though　I've　lived　here　for　several　years　now；　I　still　find　the　light　of　the　sun　overly　harsh。〃
　　　〃Don't　flatter　yourself；　apostate；〃　snarled　Halisstra。　〃I'm　nothing　like　you。〃
　　　〃You　might　be　surprised；〃　Seyll　continued　calmly；　her　placid　demeanor　unchanged。　〃Have　the　Spider　Queen's　punishments　ever　struck　you　as　needless　or　wasteful？　Have　you　ever　failed　to　nurture　a　friendship　because　you　feared　betrayal？　Have　you　ever；　perhaps；　watched　a　child　of　your　own　body；　your　own　heart；　destroyed　because　she　failed　at　a　senseless　test；　only　to　tell　yourself　that　she　was　too　weak　to　live？　Did　you　ever　wonder　if　there　was　a　point　to　the　deliberate　and　calculated　cruelty　that　poisons　our　entire　race？〃
　　　〃Of　course　there's　a　point；〃　Halisstra　replied。　〃We're　surrounded　on　all　sides　by　vicious　enemies。　If　we　didn't　take　steps　to　hone　our　people　to　their　finest　edge；　we　would　bee　slaves…no；　worse　yet；　we　would　bee　rothe。〃
　　　〃And　have　Lolth's　judgments　in　fact　made　you　stronger？〃
　　　〃Of　course。〃
　　　〃Prove　it；　then。　Offer　an　example。〃　Seyll　watched　her；　then　leaned　forward　and　said；　〃You　remember　countless　tests　and　battles；　naturally；　but　you　can't　prove　that　you　were　made　stronger　by　them。　You　don't　know　what　might　have　happened　if　you　hadn't　been　subjected　to　those　tortures。〃
　　　〃Simple　semantics。　Naturally　I　can't　prove　that　things　are　other　than　they　are。〃
　　　Halisstra　glared　at　the　heretic；　profoundly　annoyed。　She　would　have　found　the　conversation　irritating　and　irrelevant　under　the　best　of　circumstances；　but　with　her　hands　and　feet　chained　together；　slumped　against　the　cold；　hard　wall　of　a　stone　cell　with　a　painful　shaft　of　sunlight　slanting　in；　it　was　positively　infuriating。　Still；　she　had　very　little　to　occupy　her　mind　otherwise；　and　there　was　a　small　chance　that　a　display　of　enthusiasm　for　Seyll's　faith　might　win　her　a　parole　of　sorts。　Lolth　was　pletely　intolerant　of　apostates；　but　to　feign　acceptance　of　another　faith　in　order　to　win　the　freedom　to　betray　the　trust　of　one's　captors　。　。　。　that　was　the　sort　of　cleverness　the　Spider　Queen　admired。　The　trick；　of　course；　was　not　to　appear　too　eager；　yet　just　uncertain　enough　that　Seyll　and　her　friends　might　e　to　hope　for　a　true　change　in　Halisstra's　heart。
　　　〃You　are　annoying　me；〃　she　said　to　Seyll。　〃Leave　me　alone。〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；〃　Seyll　said。　She　stood　gracefully；　and　offered　Halisstra　a　smile。　〃Consider　what　I've　said；　and　ask　yourself　if　there　might　be　some　truth　to　it。　If　your　faith　in　Lolth　is　as　strong　as　you　think；　surely　it　can　withstand　a　little　examination。　May　Eilistraee　bless　you　and　warm　your　heart。〃
　　　She　pulled　her　hood　back　over　her　head；　and　silently　withdrew。　Halisstra　turned　her　own　face　away　so　Seyll　couldn't　see　the　cruel　smile　that　twisted　her　features。
　　　
　　　Rear　guard；　mused　Ryld；　seems　to　be　the　spot　Quenthel　saves　for　the　person　she　deems　least　useful　at　the　moment。
　　　He　paused　to　listen　to　the　forest　around　him；　seeking　for　any　sound　that　might　indicate　an　approaching　enemy。　He　heard　nothing　but　the　steady　patter　of　cold　rain。　Pharaun's　fire…spiders　had　managed　to　set　a　smoky　blaze　in　the　woods　behind　them；　but　the　rain　had　likely　prevented　the　fires　from　burning　too　much　of　the　forest。　The　weapons　master　glanced　up　into　the　sky；　allowing　the　cold　drops　to　splash　on　his　face　and　noting　the　sullen　silver　glow　behind　the　clouds。
　　　At　least　the　rain　is　washing　out　our　trail；　he　thought。
　　　After　a　hard　march　the　previous　night　and　lying　low　in　a　thick　tangle　of　brush　through　a　long；　sunny　day；　they　had　resumed　their　hike　in　the　evening　only　to　meet　a　deluge　soon　after　setting　out。　The　forest　floor　was　nothing　but　mud　and　slush。
　　　Taking　a　moment　to　adjust　his　hood；　Ryld　set　out　again；　trying　hard　not　to　hurry　his　steps　too　much。　He　would　not　be　much　of　a　rear　guard　if　he　closed　up　right　behind　the　others；　but　on　the　other　hand；　the　last　thing　he　wanted　to　do　was　fall　so　far　behind　that　he　missed　an　innocent　turn　of　the　trail　and　wandered　off　alone　into　the　endless　woods。　If　Halisstra　wasn't　worth　going　back　for；　he　was　under　no　delusions　as　to　what　would　happen　if　he　managed　to　bee　separated　from　the　rest　of　the　pany。　He　tramped　on　for　quite　some　time；　pausing　every　few　dozen　yards　to　listen　and　scan　the　forest。
　　　Soon　he　became　aware　of　the　louder；　more　insistent　sound　of　water　in　motion…a　swift　forest　stream；　dark　and　wide；　that　sluiced　through　muddy　banks　covered　in　thorns　and　bracken。　A　large　log　had　been　felled　to　cross　the　stream；　its　upper　surface　sawn　flat　to　form　a　reasonably　secure　bridge。　Quenthel　and　the　others　waited　there；　silently　watching　their　surroundings。　Ryld　noted　the　crossbows　pointed　in　his　direction；　and　the　acute　attentiveness　of　his　panions。　Clearly　the　running　battle　with　the　surface　folk　had　taught　his　rades　to　be　wary　of　the　woods。
　　　〃Hold　your　fire；〃　he　called　softly。　〃It's　Ryld。〃
　　　〃Master　Argith；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃I　was　beginning　to　wonder　if　you'd　lost　the　trail。〃
　　　Ryld　bowed　to　Quenthel　and　joined　the　others。　He　took　a　moment　to　sit　on　the　stump　of　the　log；　fishing　in　the　pockets　of　his　cloak　for　a　small　flask　of　duergar　brandy。　Normally　he　wouldn't　risk　diluting　his　senses　with　alcohol；　but　hours　of　marching　in　cold　rain　had　soaked　his　clothing　and　left　him　chilled　to　the　bone。　The　liquor　brought　a　hot　glow　to　the　middle　of　his　body　with　one　good　mouthful。
　　　〃Is　this　your　stream？〃　he　asked　Pharaun。
　　　〃Yes；〃　the　wizard　said　without　hesitation。　〃Here；　we　cross　and　turn　to　the　south；　following　the　river　upstream。　House　Jaelre　is　not　more　than　a　couple　of　miles　away。〃
　　　He　pointed　at　Ryld　with　one　finger　and　muttered　a　magical　syllable。　The　flask　rose　up　from　the　weapons　master's　hand　and　bobbed　through　the　air　to　the　wizard；　who　promptly　helped　himself　to　a　healthy　swallow。
　　　〃My　thanks；〃　said　Pharaun。　〃The　gray　dwarves　may　be　odious　churls；　but　they　distill　a　good　brandy。〃
　　　〃Don't　drink　too　much；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃The　Jaelre　are　as　likely　to　shoot　us　as　look　at　us。　I　need　you　alert　and　sharp…witted；　wizard。　Master　Argith；　keep　up　close　with　the　rest　of　us　from　this　point　on。　I'm　more　worried　about　what　lies　before　us　now　than　behind。〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；　Mistress；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　He　held　out　his　hand　to　Pharaun；　who　took　one　more　small　swallow　and　tossed　the　flask　back　to　Ryld。　The　weapons　master　stood；　shouldered　his　pack；　and　led　the　way　across　the　bridge。　The　surface　of　the　log　was　slick　and　uneven；　and　doubtless　would　have　been　trouble　for　a　clumsy　dwarf　or　awkward　human；　but　the　dark　elves　negotiated　the　crossing　with　ease。
　　　On　the　other　side；　they　found　the　overgrown　remnants　of　an　old　stone　road；　cracked　and　broken　by　the　twisting　roots　of　countless　trees　and　hundreds　of　years　of　frosts　and　thaws。　Smooth　white　stone；　expertly　joined；　marked　it　as　the　work　of　the　ancient　surface　elves　who　once　inhabited　the　forest。　Ryld　was　not　so　poorly　educated　that　he　had　not　heard　of　Cormanthor；　the　great　forest　empire　of　the　surface　elves；　or　the　fallen　glory　of　its　legendary　capital　city　of　Myth　Drannor。　Other　than　the　names；　though；　he　knew　very　little　of　who　the　builders　of　the　forest　empire　had　been　and　what　h