war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第33部分

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　　　〃I　will　not；〃　Jeggred　snapped。　〃We're　not　your　prisoners；　to　be　dragged　before　your　master　in　chains。　Why　should　we　do　for　you　what　you　lack　the　strength　to　make　us　do？〃
　　　〃You　came　to　us；　half…breed；〃　the　captain　said。
　　　〃Mistress？〃　Danifae　whispered。
　　　Without　taking　her　eyes　from　the　captain's　face；　Quenthel　drew　out　her　whip。　Weighing　it　in　one　hand；　she　seemed　to　struggle　with　herself；　then　she　tossed　it　to　the　corner　of　the　chamber。
　　　〃Yngoth；　watch　over　our　arms；〃　she　said　to　one　of　the　hissing　vipers。　〃Strike　dead　any　who　would　tamper　with　our　belongings　in　our　absence。　Jeggred；　you　will　permit　yourself　to　be　bound。　Pharaun；　you　as　well。〃
　　　Ryld　sighed　and　set　Splitter　on　the　floor；　kicking　the　blade　to　within　striking　distance　of　Quenthel's　vipers。　Valas　discarded　his　kukris　as　well。　With　a　grimace　of　distaste；　Pharaun　stepped　up　and　held　out　his　hands。　A　Jaelre　drow　tied　his　thumbs　together　with　stout　cord；　a　measure　that　would　make　it　very　difficult　for　the　mage　to　make　the　plex　gestures　and　passes　needed　for　many　of　his　spells。　Jeggred's　large　upper　arms；　the　long　ones　with　the　wicked　claws；　were　chained　together；　but　his　smaller　humanoid　arms　were　left　free。
　　　The　draegloth　rumbled。
　　　〃Be　still；　nephew；〃　Quenthel　said；　then　she　turned　to　the　Jaelre　captain。　〃Take　us　to　the　priest。〃
　　　The　watch　captain　nodded　to　her　soldiers；　who　formed　up　in　a　tight　phalanx　around　the　Menzoberranyr；　swords　drawn。　They　marched　the　pany　out　of　the　guardroom　and　into　the　depths　of　the　keep。　The　pany　was　shown　into　a　large　hall　or　gallery　appointed　as　a　shrine　to　Vhaeraun；　the　Masked　Lord。　Ryld　studied　the　temple　with　some　interest。　He'd　never　set　foot　in　a　place　dedicated　to　any　deity　but　Lolth。　At　the　upper　end　of　the　hall；　across　from　the　entrance；　a　great　half…mask　the　size　of　a　tower　shield　hung　from　the　wall；　overlooking　the　shrine。　The　symbol　was　made　of　beaten　copper；　with　two　black　disks　to　mark　the　eyes。
　　　Two　males　waited　for　them。　The　first　was　young；　dressed　in　black　leather　armor　that　showed　off　a　well…muscled　chest。　A　curved　kukri　was　thrust　through　his　belt；　and　a　small　green　asp　was　coiled　around　his　arm。　His　left　leg　was　encased　in　an　awkward　harness　of　iron　and　leather；　and　he　moved　stiffly。　The　second　was　unusually　short　and　stocky；　with　brawny　shoulders　and　a　bald　pate；　dressed　in　a　breastplate　of　black　mithral　and　masked　with　a　ceremonial　veil　of　black　silk。
　　　〃The　visitors；　my　lords；〃　the　watch　captain　said。
　　　The　veiled　priest　studied　them。　His　expression　was　virtually　unreadable　behind　the　veil。
　　　〃Valas　Hune；　as　I　live　and　breathe；〃　he　said　at　last。　〃Well；　this　is　a　surprise。　I　haven't　seen　you　in　more　than　fifty　years。〃　He　hesitated　a　moment　longer；　then　strode　forward　boldly　and　clapped　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　on　the　shoulders。　〃It　has　been　too　long；　old　friend。　How　are　things　with　you？〃
　　　〃Tzirik；〃　Valas　said。　He　smiled　back；　his　dour　face　stretching　with　unaccustomed　enjoyment；　and　he　took　the　priest's　hand　in　a　firm　grip。　He　glanced　around　the　chamber。　〃I　see　you　have　finally　achieved　the　Return　you　were　always　talking　about。　As　far　as　how　things　go　with　me；　well；　that　will　take　some　explaining。〃
　　　Tzirik　studied　the　pany　carefully。
　　　〃A　Master　of　Sorcere；〃　the　priest　said；　〃and　another　of　Melee…Magthere。〃
　　　〃Master　Pharaun　Mizzrym；　an　acplished　wizard；〃　Valas　replied；　〃and　Master　Ryld　Argith；　a　weapons　master　of　no　small　skill。〃
　　　〃Gentlemen；　if　Valas　vouches　for　you；　you　are　wele　guests　in　Minauthkeep；〃　the　priest　said。　When　he　looked　at　the　others；　his　face　hardened；　geniality　fading　into　sharp　appraisal。
　　　〃The　draegloth　is　Jeggred；〃　Valas　said；　〃a　scion　of　House　Baenre。　The　lesser　priestess　is　Danifae　Yauntyrr；　a　highborn　lady　of　Eryndlyn；　late　a　battle　captive。　The　leader　of　our　pany　is…〃
　　　〃High　Priestess　Quenthel　Baenre；〃　Quenthel　interrupted；　〃Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　Mistress　of　the　Academy；　Mistress　of　Tier　Breche；　First　Sister　of　House　Baenre　of　Menzoberranzan。〃
　　　〃Ah；〃　Tzirik　said。　〃We　rarely　have　dealings　with　those　of　your　persuasion；　let　alone　a　priestess　possessed　of　so　many　impressive　titles。〃
　　　〃You　will　find　me　possessed　of　more　than　titles；　priest；〃　Quenthel　replied。
　　　Tzirik's　face　went　cold。
　　　〃Lolth　may　rule　in　your　buried　cities；〃　he　said；　〃but　here　in　the　night　of　the　surface　world；　Vhaeraun　is　the　master。〃　He　turned　and　gestured　to　the　crippled　male　behind　him。　〃In　the　interest　of　mon　courtesy；　may　I　present　my　cousin；　Jezz　of　House　Jaelre。〃
　　　The　younger　male　limped　forward。
　　　〃You　are　a　long　way　from　home；　Menzoberranyr；〃　he　said　in　a　rasping　voice。　〃That；　more　than　anything；　spared　you。　The　spider…kissers　we　feud　with　e　up　from　Maerimydra；　a　few　miles　south　of　here；　but　we　have　not　met　folk　from　Menzoberranzan　in　quite　some　time。〃
　　　He　laughed　softly；　finding　humor　in　some　private　joke。　Tzirik　smiled　as　well；　but　the　smile　did　not　reach　his　eyes。
　　　〃Jezz　refers　to　the　ironic　fact　that　we　are　Menzoberranyr　ourselves；　or　at　least　were；　once　upon　a　time。　Almost　five　hundred　years　ago　the　wise　and　beneficent　Matron　Baenre　ordered　our　House　destroyed　for　the　twin　perversions　of　being　governed　by　males　and　following　the　Masked　Lord。　Many　of　my　kin　died　screaming　in　the　dungeons　of　Castle　Baenre。　Of　those　who　escaped；　many　more　died　in　the　long；　hard　years　of　exile　in　the　lonely　places　of　the　Underdark。　You　must　understand　how　ironic　it　is　for　a　Baenre　daughter　to　place　herself　in　our　power。　If　nothing　else　es　of　whatever　business　you　bring　before　me；　Valas；　you　will　have　my　gratitude　for　this。〃　He　moved　closer　and　folded　his　powerful　arms。　〃So；　why　do　you　seek　me；　Baenre？〃
　　　Quenthel　kept　her　face　impassive。
　　　〃We　need　you　to　mune　with　Vhaeraun；〃　she　said；　〃and　ask　your　god　a　few　questions　on　our　behalf。　We　are　willing　to　pay　and　pay　well　for　your　trouble。〃
　　　Tzirik's　eyebrows　rose。
　　　〃Really？　And　why　would　Vhaeraun　want　me　to　do　this　for　you？〃
　　　〃You　will；　of　course；　discover　what　it　is　that　brings　us　here；　and　what　your　god　knows　of　it。〃
　　　〃I　could　torture　you　for　a　few　years　and　discover　as　much；〃　the　priest　said。　〃Or；　for　that　matter；　having　agreed　to　ask　the　Masked　Lord　your　questions；　I　might　not　see　fit　to　share　the　answers。〃
　　　〃True；　perhaps；〃　Quenthel　said；　〃though　I　think　you　might　find　that　we　are　far　from　helpless；　even　with　our　weapons　back　in　our　chambers。　Before　we　make　a　trial　of　that；　let　us　see　if　we　can　reach　an　agreement　of　sorts。〃
　　　〃She's　bluffing；〃　Jezz　remarked。　〃Why　deal　with　these　venomous　creatures？　Spare　your　friend　if　you　like；　but　slay　the　priestesses　at　once。〃
　　　〃Patience；　young　Jezz。　There　is　always　time　for　that　later；〃　Tzirik　said。　He　paced　away；　then　looked　back　to　Quenthel。　〃What　is　it　you　wish　to　learn？〃
　　　Quenthel　squared　her　shoulders　and　met　the　priest's　gaze　evenly。
　　　〃We　wish　to　know　what　has　bee　of　Lolth；〃　she　said。　〃The　goddess　refuses　us　our　spells；　and　has　done　so　for　many　months　now。　Since　we　do　not　have　access　to　the　magic　she　normally　grants　us；　we　have　no　way　to　ask　her　ourselves。〃
　　　〃Your　fickle　goddess　is　testing　you；〃　Tzirik　said　with　a　laugh。　〃She's　withholding　your　spells　simply　to　see　how　long　you　remain　loyal。〃
　　　〃So　we　thought　at　first；〃　Quenthel　said；　〃but　it　has　been　nearly　four　months　now；　and　we　can　only　conclude　that　it　is　her　will　that　we　should　seek　the　answer　for　ourselves。〃
　　　〃Why　ask　a　priest　of　Vhaeraun？〃　Jezz　asked。　〃Surely　the　priestesses　of　a　neighboring　city　could　be　persuaded　to　intervene　on　your　behalf。〃
　　　〃They　have　lost　contact　with　the　goddess；　too；〃　Danifae　answered。　〃I　came　from　Ched　Nasad；　where　we　had　experienced　the　same　silence　as　the　priestesses　of　Menzoberranzan。　We　have　reason　to　believe　that　all　the　drow　cities　throughout　the　Underdark　are　in　the　same　situation。　Lolth　is　speaking　to　no　one；　drow　and　lesser　races　alike。〃
　　　〃That　would　explain　the　retreat　of　Maerimydra；〃　Jezz　said　quietly　to　Tzirik。　〃If　their　priestesses　are　powerless；　they　might　be　too　busy　with　their　own　difficulties　to　cause　any　trouble　for　us。〃
　　　〃The　facts　would　seem　to　fit；〃　Tzirik　replied。　He　turned　his　attention　to　Pharaun。　〃What　of　your　vaunted　wizards？　Could　they　not　summon　up　demons　and　devils　aplenty　and　question　them　as　to　your　goddess's　mysterious　silence；　or　use　divination　spells　of　their　own？〃
　　　〃We　found　that　the　infernal　powers　knew　little　more　than　we　did；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃It　seems　as　if　Lolth　has　barred　contact　with　the　neighboring　layers　of　the　Abyss；　sealing　the　borders　of　her　realm　against　other　powers。〃　He　raised　his　thumb…bound　hands　and　made　a　small　self…deprecatory　gesture。　〃That　is　what　I　surmised　from　the　reports　of　my　colleagues　investigating　the　matter；　at　any　length。　I　did　not　do　so　personally；　as　the　archmage　has　instructed　me　not　to　conjure　such　beings　on　pain　of　a　particularly　grotesque　death。〃
　　　Tzirik　studied　the　Menzoberranyr；　then　paced　over　to　consult　with　Jezz。　The　two　Jaelre　spoke　together　quietly；　while　the　Menzoberranyr　waited。　Ryld　surreptitiously　studied　the　guards　nearby；　calculating　which　of　them　he　could　disarm　in　order　to　provide　himself　with　a　weapon　if　it　came　to　that。　He　still　wore　his　dwarven　breastplate；　and　felt　reasonably　confident　that　he　could　wrest　a　halberd　away　from　one　of　the　guards　before　he　was　run　through…though　it　might　be　a　better　move　to　use　his　belt　knife　to　sever　Pharaun's　bonds　as　the　first　step　in　any　kind　of　fight。
　　　He　was　interrupted　in　his　planning　when　Tzirik　and　Jezz　returned　to　the　pany。
　　　〃I　will　intercede　with　Vhaeraun　on　your　behalf；〃　the　high　priest　of　the　Jaelre　said；　〃not　least　because　I；　too；　would　like　to　know　what　Lolth　is　up　to。　However；　I　think　it　is　fair　to　expect　a　service　for　a　service；　and　as　you　have　approached　me　and　not　the　other　way　around；　I　will　seek　Vhaeraun's　guidance　only　after　you　have　pleted　your　task。〃
　　　〃Fine；〃　grated　Quenthel。　〃What　do　you　wish　us　to　do？〃
　　　〃Three　days　west　of　here　lie　the　ruins　of　Myth　Drannor；　once　the　capital　of　the　old　surface　elf　realm　of　Cormanthyr；〃　Tzirik　said。　〃During　the　course　of　our　exploration　of　the　ruins；　we　have　e　to　suspect　that　a　book　containing　secret　and　powerful　lore…the　Geildirion　of　Cimbar…is　buried　in　the　secret　library　of　a　ruined　wizard's　tower。　We　have　need　of　the　knowledge　that　is　in　the　Geildirion；　for　it　will　help　us　to　master　the　ancient　magical　wards　our　long…lost　surface　cousins　raised　about　their　realm。　Unfortunately；　demons；　devils；　and　fiends　of　all　kinds　plague　the　city's　ruins；　and　the　tower　itself　is　home　to　an　unusually　powerful　beholder　mage。　We　have　sent　two　expeditions　to　the　tower；　but　the　beholder　destroyed　or　drove　off　our　scouts　with　ease。　I　have　no　wish　to　throw　away　the　lives　of　more　of　my　charges；　but　I　would　dearly　like　to　possess　that　book。　Since　you　seem　to　be　the　best　Menzoberranzan　has　to　offer；　perhaps　you　can　succeed　where　our　warriors　have　so　far　failed。　Bring　me　the　Geildirion；　and　I　will　seek　Vhaeraun's　insight　regarding　Lolth's　silence。〃
　　　〃Done；〃　Quenthel　replied。　〃Provide　us　a　guide　to　this　place；　and　we　will　get　your　book　for　you。〃
　　　Jezz　laughed　softly　and　said；　〃You　might　not　be　so　quick　to　agree；　if　you　knew　how　dangerous　the　beholder　really　is。　You　will　earn　our　aid；　that　is　for　certain。〃
　　　
　　　At　nightfall；　Seyll；　acpanied　by　a　young　drow　woman　and　a　pale　elf　maiden；　came　for　Halisstra。　The　priestess　of　Eilistraee　was　armed　and　armored　beneath　her　green　cloak；　a　long　sword　at　her　hip。　She　wore　high　leather　boots；　and　carried　a　bundle　under　one　arm。
　　　〃It's　raining；〃　she　said　as　she　entered　the　cell；　〃but　our　senior　priestesses　say　it　will　be　clear　later　on；　when　the　moon　rises。　Tonight　we　will　go　to　honor　our　goddess。〃
　　　Halisstra　shifted　in　her　chains　and　rose。
　　　〃I　will　not　honor　Eilistraee；〃　she　said。
　　　〃You　need　not　participate。　I　am　simply　offering　you　the　opportunity　to　observe　and　draw　your　own　conclusions。　You　challenged　me　to　demonstrate　that　my　goddess　is　not　a　cruel　or　jealous　one。　I　stand　ready　to　offer　proof。〃
　　　〃Doubtless　you　think　to　ensnare　me　with　some　beguiling　enchantments；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃Do　not　think　I　will　be　duped　so　easily。〃
　　　〃No　one　will　attempt　to　work　any　magic　on　you；〃　Seyll　replied。　She　set　down　her　bundle　and　unwrapped　it。　Inside　was　a　large　leather　case；　boots；　and　a　cloak　not　unlike　her　own。　〃I　have　brought　your　lyre；　in　the　hopes　that　you　might　honor　us　with　a　song　if　you　feel　so　inclined。〃
　　　〃I　doubt　you　will　take　much　pleasure　in　the　bae'qeshel　songs；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　〃We　will　see；〃　the　priestess　said。　〃You've　been　manacled　here　for　three　days；　and　I'm　offering　you　a　chance　to　get　out　of　your　cell。〃
　　　〃Only　to　be　returned　here　when　you're　done　hectoring　me　about　your　goddess。〃
　　　〃As　we　discussed　before；　you　need　only　offer　Lord　Dessaer　an　accounting　of　yourself　to　be　free；〃　Seyll　said。　She　produced　a　set　of　keys　and　dangled　them　in　front　of　Halisstra。　〃Xarra　and　Feliane　are　here　to　help　me　escort　you　safely　to　and　from　the　spot　of　our　ceremony　tonight；　and　I'm　afraid　I　must　insist　on　keeping　your　hands　bound。〃
　　　Halisstra　glanced　at　the　other　two　women。　They　wore　chain　mail　beneath　their　cloaks；　too；　and　also　carried　swords　at　their　hips。　She　had　little　wish　to　watch　some　meaningless　drivel　in　Eilistraee's　name；　but　Seyll　offered　her　a　chance　to　get　out　of　her　cell。　At　the　very　worst；　Seyll's　vigilance　would　not　lapse；　and　no　opportunities　for　escape　would　arise；　leaving　Halisstra　no　worse　for　wear。　At　best；　Seyll　and　her　fellow　clerics　might　make　a　mistake　that　Halisstra　could　capitalize　on。
　　　In　either　case；　she　would　at　least　have　an　opportunity　to　spy　out　some　of　the　town　and　the　surrounding　forest；　which　might　e　in　useful　if　a　chance　to　escape　came　up　later…and　there　was　always　the　chance　of　that。
　　　〃Very　well；〃　she　said。
　　　Seyll　unlocked　Halisstra's　manacles；　and　helped　the　Melarn　priestess　to　don　the　winter　clothing　and　cloak　she'd　brought。　She　knotted　a　strong　silver　cord　around　Halisstra's　hands；　and　the　small　party　left　the　palace　dungeons　and　ascended　into　a　cold；　rain…spattered　night。
　　　Elventree　was　not　really　a　town；　nor　an　outpost；　nor　an　encampment；　but　something　in　between。　Ruined　walls　of　white　stone　crisscrossed　the　place；　hinting　at　the　old　ramparts　and　broad　squares　of　a　good…sized　surface　town；　but　most　were　crumbling　with　age。　Many　of　the　original　buildings　were　nothing　more　than　empty　shells；　but　a　number　of　them　seemed　to　have　been　appropriated　by　the　town's　current　residents；　who　had　covered　the　old　buildings　with　wooden　latticework　or　permanent　tents　in　order　to　turn　the　proud　old　structures　into　humble；　semi…permanent　woodsmen's　homes。　Great　gnarled　trees　rose　from　the　cracked　pavement　of　ancient　courtyards；　and　many　structures　actually　stood　well　off　the　ground　in　their　mighty　branches；　linked　by　swaying　catwalks　of　silver　rope　and　white　planks。　A　handful　of　the　town's　original　buildings　still　stood　more　or　less　intact。
　　　Halisstra　saw　that　she　had　been　imprisoned　beneath　an　old　watch…tower。　Across　the　square　an　elegant　palace　rose　through　the　trees；　illuminated　by　hundreds　of　soft　lanterns。　Lord　Dessaer's　palace；　she　surmised。　The　sound　of　distant　song