war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第32部分

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　　　〃Your　faith　in　your　Spider　Queen　is　so　weak　you　can't　bear　to　watch　us　dance？〃　Seyll　asked。　〃Listen；　watch；　and　judge　for　yourself。　That's　all　I　ask。〃
　　　
　　　The　endless　black　gale　that　shrieked　up　through　the　vertical　streets　of　ruined　Chaulssin　weled　Nimor's　return　with　a　barrage　of　gusts　so　powerful　that　even　he　was　momentarily　rocked　on　his　feet。　His　white　hair　whipping　around　his　head　like　a　wild　halo；　the　Anointed　Blade　paused　a　moment　in　his　steps　to　allow　the　blast　to　die　away。
　　　He　could　not　remain　long　in　the　City　of　Wyrmshadows；　not　while　Menzoberranzan's　army　marched　and　the　Agrach　Dyrr　contingent　tramped　along　without　him；　but　he　wasn't　in　such　a　hurry　that　he　couldn't　tarry　a　moment　in　the　hidden　citadel　of　his　secret　House。　Nimor　Imphraezl　was　a　prince　of　Chaulssin；　after　all；　and　the　magnificent　ruin；　the　hell…carved　citadel；　was　his　domain。　He　had　not　been　born　there；　of　course；　nor　had　he　spent　his　childhood　years　in　the　shadow…haunted　city。　The　place　was　too　perilous　for　the　young；　so　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　fostered　their　princes　in　a　dozen　minor　Houses　in　as　many　cities　throughout　the　Underdark。　From　the　time　he　reached　adulthood　and　came　into　his　ancient　birthright；　though；　Nimor　had　regarded　the　windswept　ruin　as　his　own　palace。
　　　The　gust　passed；　at　least　as　much　as　any　blast　of　wind　ever　did　in　the　black　chasm　yawning　around　the　city；　and　the　assassin　continued　on　his　way。　Menzoberranzan　was　little　more　than　an　hour　distant　through　the　Plane　of　Shadow；　and　so　it　was　fairly　easy　for　Nimor　to　manufacture　an　excuse　to　absent　himself　from　the　marching　column　to　tend　to　some　〃personal　matters。〃　Even　if　Andzrel　Baenre　summoned　the　House　captains　to　a　sudden　council　of　war　during　Nimor's　absence；　he　took　little　risk　in　leaving　for　a　short　time。　The　army　moved　quickly；　as　armies　go；　but　no　one　would　find　it　overly　suspicious　for　a　noble　to　tarry　in　the　city　for　a　short　time　before　riding　out　to　catch　up　to　the　column。
　　　He　reached　the　great；　spiraling　stair　cut　through　the　heart　of　Chaulssin's　stone　mountain　and　ascended　quickly；　taking　the　steps　two　at　a　time。　In　the　great　hall　at　the　top；　he　found　the　patron　fathers　assembled　again；　clustered　together　in　twos　and　threes　as　they　traded　news　and　fomented　plots　to　advance　the　House　during　their　time　of　remarkable　opportunity。　Grandfather　Mauzzkyl　turned　to　level　his　fearsome　glare　upon　Nimor　as　the　assassin　entered。
　　　〃Once　again　you　keep　us　waiting；〃　he　said。
　　　〃I　beg　your　forgiveness；　Revered　Grandfather；〃　Nimor　replied。　He　drew　up　into　the　circle　with　the　others　and　made　a　small　bow。　The　winds　outside　the　chamber　moaned　eerily　in　the　distance。　〃I　was　summoned　to　a　council　of　war　that　I　did　not　think　it　wise　to　miss。〃
　　　〃One　might　say　the　same　of　this　gathering；〃　observed　Patron　Father　Tomphael。
　　　Nimor　forced　a　smile　and　replied；　〃I　have　been　working　for　some　time　to　cultivate　a　particular　identity　and　level　of　responsibility　among　Menzoberranzan's　defenders；　Tomphael。　That　sort　of　effort　is　not　to　be　lightly　thrown　aside。　Until　the　revered　grandfather　instructs　me　otherwise；　I　will　keep　you　waiting　when　it　is　necessary　to　protect　our　plots　against　the　Spider　Queen's　favored…〃
　　　〃Enough；　Nimor；〃　Mauzzkyl　rumbled。　〃How　do　things　proceed　in　Menzoberranzan？〃
　　　〃Very　well；　Revered　Grandfather。　Crown　Prince　Horgar　Steelshadow　of　Gracklstugh　marches　an　army　of　nearly　five　thousand　duergar　on　Menzoberranzan。　The　matron　mothers　have　decided　to　meet　the　duergar　in　the　field　instead　of　awaiting　a　siege；　since　they　fear　the　belligerence　of　other　Underdark　realms。　I　have；　however；　arranged　for　the　crown　prince's　army　to　steal　a　march　on　the　Menzoberranyr；　and　I　also　have　mand　of　a　contingent　of　troops　who　can　be　turned　at　the　right　moment　to　help　assure　the　oute　we　desire。　Finally；　I　have　convinced　the　cambion　warlord　Kaanyr　Vhok　to　bring　his　army　of　tanarukks　against　Menzoberranzan　as　well；　though　I　am　less　certain　of　the　Scoured　Legion。　Vhok　may　or　may　not　show；　and　if　he　does；　he　has　little　allegiance　to　our　cause。〃
　　　〃You　intend　to　destroy　the　forces　of　Menzoberranzan　in　detail；　then；〃　Patron　Xorthaul　observed。　The　black…armored　priest　stroked　his　chin。　〃What　if　the　Menzoberranyr　prove　more　resilient　than　you　expect；　and　defeat　the　duergar　instead？　Or　Kaanyr　Vhok　proves　unfaithful？　It　might　have　been　better　to　lure　a　smaller　force　into　your　trap；　Anointed　Blade。　Your　first　play　is　too　risky。〃
　　　〃If　I　had　presented　the　duergar　as　less　of　a　threat；　the　matron　mothers　would　have　been　sorely　tempted　to　ignore　them　altogether。　As　matters　stand；　one　of　three　results　may　e　of　the　battle　between　Gracklstugh　and　Menzoberranzan。　The　duergar　might　win；　it　could　be　in　effect　a　draw；　or　the　drow　could　prevail。　We're　doing　what　we　can　to　deliver　Menzoberranzan's　army　into　the　crown　prince's　hands；　but　even　if　he　fails　to　destroy　the　Lolthites　outright；　there　is　an　excellent　chance　the　duergar　will　badly　maul　the　Menzoberranyr…in　which　case；　the　duergar　may　weaken　our　enemies　so　badly　we　can　overthrow　them　ourselves。　At　the　worst；　if　Gracklstugh　is　routed；　well。　。　。　other　than　the　failure　of　our　plan；　we　lose　little。〃
　　　〃Remember；　Patron　Xorthaul；　our　strategy　against　Menzoberranzan　is　a　strategy　of　attrition；〃　Mauzzkyl　said。　〃The　city　is　too　strong　to　take　in　one　stroke；　so　we　must　bleed　it　to　death　with　a　dozen　cuts。〃
　　　〃Menzoberranzan's　wizards　will　certainly　divine　the　existence　of　such　a　great　army　so　close　to　their　city；〃　Patron　Tomphael；　himself　a　wizard；　observed。　〃The　matron　mothers　will　recall　their　force；　or　reverse　your　ambush　on　the　duergar　instead。〃
　　　〃Our　allies　in　Agrach　Dyrr　have　helped　us　with　this；〃　said　Nimor。　〃Gromph　Baenre　has　vanished。　The　Masters　of　Sorcere　are　quite　naturally　testing　each　other's　resolve　and　resources　to　determine　who　shall　be　the　next　archmage。〃
　　　〃There　are　many　powerful　wizards　serving　the　city's　Houses；　Nimor；〃　Tomphael　replied。　〃They　will　not　be　distracted　by　an　opportunity　at　Sorcere。〃
　　　Nimor　permitted　himself　a　rueful　nod　and　said；　〃True；　but　as　we　well　know；　House　wizards　tend　to　spend　a　lot　of　their　time　spying　out　the　weaknesses　of　other　Houses。　So　far；　no　one　seems　to　have　e　forward　to　dispute　the　version　of　events　I　advanced　to　the　Council。〃
　　　〃It　would　be　no　more　than　the　better　part　of　wisdom　to　set　your　plans　with　the　assumption　that　your　plots　will　be　unmasked　at　the　most　inconvenient　time　possible；〃　Patron　Xorthaul　said。　〃What　will　you　do　if　some　raw　apprentice　in　some　second…rate　House　happens　to　scry　the　approach　of　the　crown　prince's　army；　and　the　matron　mothers　recall　theirs？　They　might　stand　a　siege　forever。〃
　　　〃Now　you　understand；〃　Nimor　said　patiently；　〃why　I　went　so　far　as　to　approach　Agrach　Dyrr　with　an　open　offer　of　alliance；　and　decided　to　risk　bringing　Kaanyr　Vhok　into　the　equation。　We　need　the　Fifth　House　against　that　very　possibility；　to　admit　Horgar's　army…or　the　Scoured　Legion…into　the　city；　if　it　es　to　that。〃
　　　Mauzzkyl　folded　his　arms　and　lowered　his　fiery　gaze。
　　　〃In　either　case；　we　shall　have　them；〃　the　revered　grandfather　said；　a　smile　of　dark　satisfaction　twisting　his　features。　〃If　Kaanyr　Vhok　betrays　you；　you　still　have　Agrach　Dyrr。　If　Agrach　Dyrr　betrays　you；　you　have　the　cambion。　I　presume　that　Dyrr　and　Vhok　know　nothing　of　each　other？〃
　　　Nimor　said；　〃I　thought　it　best　to　reserve　at　least　one　surprise　against　each　of　my　ostensible　allies；　Revered　Grandfather。　It　seemed　wise　to　me　to　make　certain　that　I　would　have　as　many　options　as　possible；　for　as　long　as　possible；　in　developing　the　attack　on　the　city。〃
　　　〃Excellent。　What　assistance　might　we　provide　you？〃
　　　The　Anointed　Blade　considered　the　question。　He　was　sorely　tempted　to　say　none　at　all；　and　claim　all　the　glory　of　the　victory　to　e；　but　the　time　was　ing　when　his　ability　to　move　from　place　to　place　would　be　limited　by　the　role　he　played　at　the　head　of　Menzoberranzan's　army；　and　he　needed　help　in　handling　Kaanyr　Vhok。　Besides；　if　the　Sceptered　One　proved　unfaithful；　he　could　blame　whomever　had　been　sent　to　the　warlord。
　　　〃We　should　gather　our　strength　and　be　ready　to　strike　when　our　allies　play　their　part　in　reducing　Menzoberranzan's　defenses；〃　he　said。
　　　〃We　do　not　have　any　great　force　at　arms；　Anointed　Blade；〃　Mauzzkyl　said。　〃I　will　not　mit　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　to　a　pitched　battle。〃
　　　〃I　understand；　Revered　Grandfather。〃　If　they　gathered　all　their　strength　in　one　place；　the　secret　House　would　hardly　amount　to　the　numbers　of　a　single　minor　House　of　Menzoberranzan…though　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　could　have　an　impact　out　of　all　proportion　to　their　numbers。　〃I　need　one　of　my　brothers　to　go　to　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　and　steer　the　warlord　in　the　right　direction。　My　responsibilities　in　Menzoberranzan's　army　and　my　efforts　to　guide　Horgar　Steelshadow　and　the　renegade　Agrach　Dyrr　do　not　permit　me　sufficient　time　to　look　after　Kaanyr　Vhok　as　well　as　I　would　like。〃
　　　Mauzzkyl　nodded　and　said；　〃Very　well。　Zammzt；　there　is　nothing　left　for　you　to　do　at　Ched　Nasad。　I　want　you　to　go　to　Kaanyr　Vhok　and　serve　as　our　voice　in　his　camp。　Do　whatever　you　must　in　order　to　keep　his　army　aligned　against　Menzoberranzan；　but　you　will　answer　to　Nimor。〃
　　　The　plain…faced　assassin　replied；　〃Of　course；　Revered　Grandfather。〃
　　　He　glanced　over　at　Nimor；　but　did　not　allow　his　thoughts　to　show　on　his　face。
　　　〃I　approached　the　warlord　through　his　consort；　Aliisza；〃　Nimor　told　Zammzt。　〃She　is　an　alu…fiend　and　a　sorceress　of　no　small　skill。　She　knows　that　I　represent　a　society　or　order　of　some　kind；　so　she　should　not　be　surprised　to　receive　another　of　us。〃
　　　Though　I　doubt　she'll　extend　you　the　same　wele　she　gave　to　me；　he　told　himself。
　　　〃When　do　you　expect　the　Menzoberranyr　to　first　encounter　Horgar's　army？〃　Mauzzkyl　asked。
　　　〃Four　days；　I　think。〃
　　　〃Do　what　you　can　to　sow　dissent　and　uncertainty；　Anointed　Blade；〃　Mauzzkyl　said。　〃The　time　for　subterfuge　and　stealth　is　ending。　The　Jaezred　Chaulssin　leave　the　shadows　and　take　the　field。　Destroy　the　matron　mothers'　army　and　bring　your　duergar　allies　to　Menzoberranzan　as　quickly　as　possible。　We　will　meet　you　there；　and　we　will　see　if　the　Masked　Lord　favors　us　or　not。〃
　　　Nimor　bowed　again；　then　turned　and　strode　away　from　the　assembled　patron　fathers。　Something　would　go　amiss　in　his　plan…something　had　to。　One　could　not　create　such　an　elaborate　collision　of　so　many　disparate　forces　without　some　of　the　ponents　falling　by　the　wayside。　As　best　he　could　tell；　though；　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　were　prepared。　The　longer　he　could　keep　secret　the　deadly　maneuverings　of　his　allies　and　his　House；　the　better　his　chances　for　success。
　　　Perhaps　I　will　encourage　Andzrel　to　appoint　me　chief　of　the　expedition's　scouts；　Nimor　thought。　No　need　to　trouble　the　Baenre　with　irrelevant　reports　of　armies　on　the　move；　after　all。
　　　
　　　The　dark　elves　of　House　Jaelre　proved　to　be　suspicious　and　ungracious　hosts。　Ryld　had　expected　to　be　shown　into　an　audience　room　of　some　kind；　where　they　would　meet　a　clan　matriarch　and　bribe；　threaten；　or　persuade　her　into　allowing　them　to　consult　with　the　priest　Tzirik。　However；　nothing　like　that　occurred。　Since　they　refused　to　surrender　their　weapons；　the　Jaelre　drow　ushered　the　pany　into　a　small；　disused　guardroom　that　had　once　warded　the　ruined　castle's　main　gate。
　　　〃You　will　wait　here　until　Tzirik　chooses　to　receive　you；〃　the　female　manding　the　watch　told　them。　〃If　you　attempt　to　leave　this　room；　we　will　take　that　as　a　sign　of　hostile　intent　and　fall　on　you　at　once。〃
　　　〃We　are　a　high　embassy　from　a　powerful　city；〃　Quenthel　said　in　response。　〃You　mistreat　us　at　your　peril。〃
　　　〃You　are　slaves　of　the　Spider　Queen；　and　most　likely　spies　and　saboteurs；〃　the　captain　replied。　〃Lolth　holds　no　sway　here；　spider…kissing　bitch。〃
　　　She　closed　and　locked　the　iron　door　before　Quenthel　could　summon　a　suitable　retort；　though　the　fierce　agitation　of　her　snake…headed　whip　certainly　hinted　at　the　depths　of　her　anger。
　　　〃Do　we　intend　to　remain　confined　here；　like　rabble　locked　up　in　a　debtors'　gaol？〃　Jeggred　snarled。　〃I　have　half　a　mind　to…〃
　　　〃Not　yet；　Jeggred；〃　Quenthel　countered。
　　　She　paced　back　and　forth　angrily；　her　mouth　working　in　silent　fury。　Pure　ire　fueled　Quenthel　with　relentless　energy。　Confinement　in　a　small　room　with　her　pent…up　anger　would　be　difficult　for　all　of　them。
　　　Danifae　watched　her；　then　restrained　Quenthel's　agitated　pacing　with　a　gentle　hand　on　the　Baenre's　arm。
　　　〃What　is　it；　slave？〃　the　priestess　snapped。
　　　〃Your　zeal　is　admirable；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　said；　〃but；　please；　we　must　be　patient　now。〃　She　shielded　her　hands　as　best　she　could　and　added；　Remember；　we　may　be　watched。
　　　〃She　has　a　point；　dear　Quenthel；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃You　don't　want　to　start　a　fight　against　the　very　people　we　came　to　see。　Your　hard　words　and　proud　manner　play　better　at　Arach…Tinilith　than　on　another　god's　doorstep。〃
　　　Quenthel　turned　a　look　of　such　icy　hatred　on　the　wizard　that　Danifae　put　up　a　hand　to　steady　her。　Danifae　herself　shot　Pharaun　a　venomous　look；　contempt　twisting　her　beautiful　features。
　　　〃Silence；　Pharaun；〃　the　battle　captive　snapped。　〃Your　smug　arrogance　and　endless　baiting　play　better　at　Sorcere。　At　least　the　Mistress　has　the　strength　of　her　convictions…all　you　have　is　cynicism。〃
　　　Danifae　studied　Quenthel's　face　and　offered　her　a　shy　smile。
　　　〃Save　your　anger　for　later；　Mistress；〃　the　battle　captive　said　softly。　〃Surely　the　goddess　will　be　more　pleased　if　you　exact　an　accounting　of　the　faithless　after　you've　wrung　the　usefulness　from　them　than　if　you　destroy　the　tools　required　to　serve　her。〃
　　　Quenthel　allowed　herself　to　relax。　She　drew　a　deep　breath；　and　took　a　seat　at　a　barren　wood　table　on　which　a　flagon　of　water　stood。
　　　〃Fine；　then；〃　Quenthel　breathed。　〃We　will　see　what　happens。〃
　　　That；　Ryld　guessed；　was　about　as　close　as　Quenthel　would　ever　e　to　admitting　that　she　had　been　wrong　about　something。　With　little　else　to　do；　the　pany　settled　down　to　endure　whatever　wait　the　Jaelre　chose　to　test　them　with。
　　　Long　hours　passed。　The　night　faded　into　an　overcast　morning；　which　then　gave　way　to　a　gray；　rain…soaked　afternoon。
　　　Studying　what　portions　of　the　old　castle　he　could　see　from　the　slitlike　windows；　Ryld　came　to　the　conclusion　that　Minauthkeep　was　not　half　so　ruined　as　it　first　appeared。　The　Jaelre　had　cleverly　repaired　much　of　the　ancient　structure　while　leaving　the　outward　appearance　mostly　unchanged。
　　　Eventually；　as　the　wait　grew　interminable；　the　weapons　master　settled　back　against　the　wall　of　the　chamber　and　allowed　himself　to　drift　off　into　a　light　trance；　Splitter　bared　across　his　lap　in　case　he　needed　it　quickly。
　　　He　was　roused　from　Reverie　near　nightfall；　when　the　iron　door　of　the　chamber　abruptly　boomed　with　three　forceful　knocks。　The　lock　turned；　and　the　watch　captain　of　the　previous　night　entered；　with　several　more　Jaelre　guards　behind　her。
　　　〃You　are　summoned　before　High　Priest　Tzirik；〃　she　said。　〃You　are　to　disarm　yourselves　here。　The　wizard　must　consent　to　have　his　thumbs　bound　together；　and　the　draegloth　will　be　manacled。〃
　　　〃I　will　not；〃　Jeggred　snapped。　〃We're　not　your　prisoners；　to　be　dragged　before　your　master　in　chain