war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第35部分

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cept　for　the　keen　glitter　of　determination　in　his　eyes。　〃I　mean　to　allow　the　duergar　to　e　to　us；　and　break　them　between　the　Pillars　of　Woe。　When　they　have　hurled　their　strength　on　us　in　vain；　we　will　pursue　them　back　down　the　gorge　and　slaughter　them　and　their　minions　in　heaps。〃
　　　〃And　what　if　the　duergar　choose　not　to　force　the　Pillars？〃　Mez'Barris　asked；　addressing　Andzrel　directly。
　　　〃The　duergar　are　invading　our　lands；　Matron　Mother；　so　the　burden　of　action　is　on　them。　If　they　decide　not　to　try　the　Pillars；　we　will　wait　them　out…our　supply　lines　are　much　shorter　than　theirs。　In　a　matter　of　days　they　will　have　to　choose　between　going　forward　and　going　back。〃
　　　Mez'Barris　gazed　at　the　map；　considering　Andzrel's　answer。
　　　〃Very　well；〃　she　said。　〃I　want　to　see　just　how　quickly　we　can　reach　the　spot　you　have　in　mind。　Extend　the　march　by　two　hours　a　day。　If　we　reach　the　Pillars　of　Woe　in　three　days；　we　should　have　time　to　rest　before　battle　is　joined。　I　want　our　fastest　forces　to　make　a　dash　for　the　Pillars；　just　in　case。　There　is　no　reason　we　couldn't　have　a　couple　of　hundred　scouts　at　the　top　of　that　gorge　in　a　day　and　a　half。　Now；　if　you　will　excuse　us；　I　wish　to　discuss　with　my　sister　priestesses　the　best　use　of　our　talents　in　the　uping　conflict。〃
　　　Andzrel　offered　a　shallow　bow；　and　withdrew　from　the　room。　Nimor　fell　in　beside　the　Baenre　weapons　master　as　they　left　the　black　pavilion；　flanked　by　a　handful　of　other　officers。　The　tent　stood　in　a　large；　round　tunnel　crowded　with　soldiers　and　pack　lizards；　banner　after　banner　of　various　Houses　stretching　out　of　sight　up　and　down　the　passage。
　　　〃Zhayemd；〃　said　Andzrel；　〃I　want　you　to　assume　mand　of　our　vanguard；　as　Matron　Mother　Del'Armgo　suggests。　Take　your　Agrach　Dyrr　cavalry　and　make　speed　tomorrow　and　the　next　day。　Our　lack　of　information　about　the　duergar　army　makes　me　nervous。　I'll　have　some　of　the　other　riders　join　you；　so　that　you'll　have　a　strong　pany　to　hold　the　pass　if　worse　es　to　worst。〃
　　　〃I　must　consult　with　our　high　priestess；〃　Nimor　said；　though　he　had　no　intention　of　doing　any　such　thing。　The　weapons　master；　still　under　Nimor's　powerful　and　lasting　enchantment；　would　trust　him　anyway。　〃I　believe　she　will　support　the　suggestion；　though。〃
　　　〃Good；〃　Andzrel　said　as　they　reached　the　Baenre　camp。　He　clapped　Nimor　on　the　shoulder。　〃If　you　find　the　duergar　somewhere　they're　not　supposed　to　be；　report　back　at　once。　I　want　no　foolishness　out　of　you。　You　are　the　eyes　of　our　army。〃
　　　Nimor　smiled　and　said；　〃Do　not　worry；　Master　Andzrel。　I　intend　to　leave　nothing　to　chance。〃
　　　
　　　Jezz　the　Lame　crouched　awkwardly　in　the　shadow　of　a　ruined　wall；　gazing　across　a　small　square　at　a　large；　round　tower　a　stone's　throw　away。
　　　〃There；〃　he　said。　〃The　beholder's　tower。　There's　a　flight　of　stairs　leading　up　to　the　door；　which　we　have　previously　found　to　be　unlocked　but　guarded　by　deadly　magical　traps。　You'll　see　several　small　windows　in　the　upper　levels；　perhaps　large　enough　for　a　small　drow　to　slip　through。　We　haven't　tried　those；　though。〃
　　　Ryld；　who　crouched　just　behind　the　Jaelre；　leaned　out　to　take　a　look　for　himself。　The　tower　was　much　as　Jezz　had　described　it；　surrounded　by　the　sprawling　ruins　of　Myth　Drannor。　After　using　Pharaun's　magic　to　speed　their　travel　to　the　old　elven　capital　and　resting　a　few　hours　to　prepare；　the　pany　had　spent　most　of　the　night　fighting　their　way　through　the　ruins。
　　　Myth　Drannor　was　little　more　than　a　great　wreckage　of　white　stone　overgrown　with　trees　and　vines；　but　once　it　had　been　something　more。　The　old　surface　elf　city　might　not　have　been　as　large　as　Menzoberranzan　or　as　infernally　grand　as　Ched　Nasad；　but　it　possessed　an　elegance　and　beauty　that　equaled；　if　not　exceeded；　the　best　examples　of　drow　architecture。
　　　Ryld　cast　a　careful　glance　to　the　rooftops。
　　　〃No　sign　of　devils；〃　he　said。　〃Perhaps　we've　slain　enough　that　they've　decided　not　to　trouble　us　anymore。〃
　　　〃Unlikely；〃　Jezz　said　with　a　snort。　〃They've　drawn　back　to　organize　another　attack；　and　await　the　arrival　of　more　powerful　fiends　before　trying　us　again。〃
　　　〃In　that　event；　we　should　take　advantage　of　the　respite　to　do　what　we　came　to　do；〃　Quenthel　said。　She　too　moved　up　to　study　the　tower。　I　see　nothing　that　encourages　me　to　change　our　plan。　Pharaun；　cast　your　spell。〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；　dear　Quenthel；〃　the　wizard　began；　〃though　I　must　say　that　I　do　not　entirely　agree　with　the　stratagem　of…〃
　　　Angry　glares　from　every　other　member　of　the　pany　silenced　Pharaun　before　he　finished　his　protest。　He　sighed　and　fluttered　his　hand。
　　　〃Oh；　very　well。〃
　　　The　wizard　straightened　and　carefully　spoke　the　words　of　his　spell；　the　potent　syllables　ringing　with　magical　power。　An　intangible　wave　seemed　to　roll　over　Ryld　and　the　others。　In　its　wake；　Ryld　felt　strength　and　quickness　drain　from　his　limbs；　and　Splitter　seemed　to　grow　heavier　in　his　hand；　its　gleaming　blade　suddenly　dulled。　Ryld　was　no　wizard；　but　like　any　acplished　drow　he　had　over　the　years　armed　himself　with　various　magical　devices　and　enchantments　to　increase　his　speed；　his　strength；　the　toughness　of　his　armor；　the　deadliness　of　his　weapons。　Pharaun's　spell　temporarily　abolished　all　magic　in　the　vicinity；　leaving　Ryld　without　the　benefit　of　a　single　enchantment；　and　the　other　drow　were　similarly　affected。　The　strangest　effect　of　all　was　the　sudden　inertness　of　Quenthel's　fearsome　whip。　One　moment　the　snakes　hissed　and　writhed　of　their　own　accord；　alert　and　vicious；　and　in　the　next　they　dangled　like　dead　things　from　the　weapons　haft。
　　　〃Stay　close　to　me；　if　you　wish　to　stay　within　the　spell's　effect；〃　Pharaun　said。
　　　He　licked　his　lips　nervously。　Within　the　zone　of　antimagic　he'd　just　created；　he　could　cast　no　spells；　and　his　own　formidable　array　of　enchanted　devices　and　protections　were　inert；　too。　The　wizard　readied　his　hand　crossbow；　and　loosened　his　dagger　in　its　sheath。
　　　〃I　feel　like　I'm　going　up　against　a　dragon　with　a　dinner　knife；〃　he　muttered。
　　　Ryld　clapped　him　on　the　shoulder　and　stood。　He　sheathed　Splitter　and　drew　his　own　crossbow。
　　　〃Yes；　but　your　spell　pulls　the　dragon's　fangs；〃　he　said。
　　　〃Get　moving；〃　Quenthel　said。
　　　She　looked　more　than　a　little　unfortable　herself。　Evidently　she　didn't　care　for　the　unmoving　silence　of　her　weapon。　Without　waiting；　she　loped　across　the　courtyard　and　bounded　up　the　steps　leading　to　the　tower's　door。　The　others　followed；　blinking　in　the　light　of　the　approaching　dawn。　Ryld　made　a　point　of　keeping　watch　on　the　ruined　streets　and　walls　behind　the　party；　watching　for　the　return　of　any　of　Myth　Drannor's　monstrous　denizens。　The　last　thing　they　needed　was　a　band　of　blood…maddened　devils　to　descend　on　them　while　they'd　suppressed　their　own　magic。
　　　At　the　door　of　the　tower；　Quenthel　stepped　aside　for　Jeggred。　The　hulking　draegloth　moved　up　and　wrenched　the　door　open；　bounding　inside。　Masonry　cracked　and　clattered　to　the　stone　steps。　Quenthel　followed　hard　on　his　heels；　then　Danifae　and　Valas。　Ryld　looked　around　one　last　time；　and　noticed　Jezz　hanging　back。
　　　〃You're　not　ing？〃　he　asked　the　Jaelre。
　　　〃I　intend　to　observe　only；〃　Jezz　replied。　〃Defeating　the　beholder　is　your　task；　not　mine。　If　you　survive；　I'll　join　you　in　a　few　minutes。〃
　　　Ryld　scowled；　but　ducked　inside。　They　were　in　a　foyer　of　some　kind；　illuminated　by　slanting　rays　of　dim　light　from　holes　in　the　ancient　masonry。　At　the　far　end　of　the　room；　a　second　door　stood。　Once　the　foyer　might　have　been　a　grand　and　impressive　hall；　but　the　tiles　of　the　floor　were　cracked　and　split　by　deep　green　mold；　and　the　proud　banners　and　arrases　that　hung　on　the　walls　were　little　more　than　tattered　rags。　Pharaun　stood　close　by；　examining　an　intricate　symbol　clearly　etched　on　one　block　of　the　floor。　The　whole　emblem　was　a　little　larger　than　his　hand；　with　a　great　plexity　of　curving　lines　and　characters。
　　　〃A　symbol　of　discord；〃　the　wizard　observed。　〃If　we　were　not　protected　by　the　antimagic　field；　it　would　have　caused　us　to　fall　on　each　other　with　murderous　fury　。　。　。　but　we　hardly　need　a　symbol　for　that；　do　we？〃
　　　〃The　next　room？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　Jeggred　was　already　by　the　door。　The　draegloth　opened　it　and　quickly　bounded　through；　followed　by　the　others；　into　a　round　chamber　not　unlike　the　bottom　of　a　well。　Several　of　the　floors　above　had　long　since　collapsed；　burying　the　ground　floor　in　rubble　and　wreckage；　with　great　wooden　beams　protruding　from　the　mess。　Heaps　of　masonry　taller　than　a　drow　impeded　movement。
　　　Ryld　stared　into　the　empty　space　above；　searching　for　any　sign　of　the　monster　that　was　supposed　to　lurk　there。　The　others　did　as　well；　but　all　was　still。
　　　〃I　see　no　beholder；〃　Jeggred　said。
　　　Ryld　was　about　to　reply　when　something　above　them　responded　in　a　horrible；　croaking　voice；　〃Of　course　not；　fools。　I　do　not　wish　to　be　seen！〃
　　　An　instant　later　the　creature　lashed　out　at　them。　From　somewhere　nigh　overhead；　near　the　top　of　the　ruined　tower；　several　brilliant　rays　of　magical　energy…the　deadly　beams　each　of　the　monster's　eyes　could　fire　in　order　to　wound；　paralyze；　charm；　or　even　disintegrate　its　foes…lanced　downward　at　the　drow；　followed　by　a　great　blue　bolt　of　lightning　conjured　by　the　unseen　monster。　Ryld　could　not　see　the　magic's　source。
　　　The　rays　and　crackling　bolt　of　electricity　abruptly　winked　out　just　over　the　drow's　heads；　negated　by　Pharaun's　zone　of　null　magic。　The　creature　tried　again；　bringing　different　rays　to　bear　and　incanting　some　horrible　spell　in　its　deep；　droning　voice；　but　those　were　no　more　successful。
　　　Ryld　aimed　his　crossbow　up　the　shaft　and　guessed　at　the　spot　from　which　the　rays　had　stabbed　down　at　them；　loosing　his　bolt　with　practiced　skill。　A　squeal　of　pain　overhead　told　him　that　he'd　guessed　his　target　well。　Valas；　Danifae；　and　Pharaun　fired　too；　while　Jeggred　snatched　up　a　good…sized　brick　in　one　fighting　claw　and　hurled　it　up　into　the　darkness　with　surprising　swiftness。　Not　all　of　their　barrage　struck　home；　of　course。　Even　if　it　had　been　visible；　a　beholder's　thick　chitinous　hide　could　deflect　many　attacks；　and　scoring　a　square　hit　on　the　creature　when　it　was　garbed　in　invisibility　was　more　than　a　little　difficult。　Still；　a　couple　of　quarrels　struck　home。
　　　The　beholder　mage　obviously　prehended　the　nature　of　the　pany's　defense　very　quickly　on　its　own。　Instead　of　striking　directly　at　the　dark　elves；　it　turned　its　deadly　gaze　on　the　wreckage　of　the　upper　floors。　With　one　eye　ray　it　burned　through　the　base　of　a　heavy　wooden　beam　projecting　from　the　tower's　stone　wall；　and　with　another　it　seized　the　timber　in　a　telekinetic　grip　and　flung　it　down　at　Valas；　who　was　plying　his　short…bow　to　great　effect。　The　scout　threw　himself　aside　just　in　time　to　avoid　being　crushed　beneath　the　massive　timber；　but　lost　his　balance　and　fell　amid　the　rubble。　Dust　and　the　cracking　of　stone　filled　the　air。　The　beholder　instantly　went　to　work　on　another　wooden　beam。　In　the　meantime　the　creature　changed　its　droning　incantation　and　began　another　spell。
　　　〃We　need　to　climb　higher；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃The　creature　is　above　Pharaun's　spell。〃
　　　〃Do　you　propose　that　I　should　jump？〃　Pharaun　asked。　He　ducked　a　head…sized　chunk　of　masonry　clattering　down　from　above；　and　took　aim　with　his　crossbow　again。　〃The　antimagic　that　protects　us　also　prevents　us　from　flying　or　levitating　up　to　get　at…〃
　　　〃For　Lolth's　sake；〃　Ryld　exclaimed。　Sign！
　　　Valas　slipped　and　scrambled　over　to　one　side；　seeking　a　better　vantage。　The　scout　drew　his　shortbow　carefully；　and　loosed　another　arrow。　The　beholder　above　let　out　a　horrible　screech。　The　eye　rays　winked　out；　and　debris　stopped　falling　from　overhead。
　　　The　beholder　retreated　back　above　the　next　intact　floor；　Valas　signed。　We'll　have　to　go　up　and　get　it。
　　　Ryld　studied　the　interior　walls　of　the　ruined　towers　carefully。　Perhaps　four　of　the　lower　floors　were　missing；　leaving　at　least　two　or　three　intact　above　the　ceiling　of　the　highest　floor　they　could　see。　At　a　guess；　it　was　at　least　a　sixty…foot　climb；　and　the　masonry　was　old　and　damaged。　A　skilled　climber　could　make　good　use　of　the　wreckage　of　the　beams　that　formerly　supported　the　lower　floors；　but　it　was　nothing　he　cared　to　try。
　　　I　don't　like　the　climb；　he　replied。
　　　Nor　do　I；　Danifae　added。　The　creature　knows　we're　protected　by　anti…magic。　Will　it　expect　us　to　abandon　the　spell　in　order　to　get　to　it？
　　　〃Possibly；〃　said　Pharaun。　At　a　sharp　look　from　Ryld　he　signed；　One　wonders　if　perhaps　we　should　have　studied　this　situation　at　greater　length　before　agreeing　to　the　task　the　Jaelre　set　us。
　　　Pharaun；　like　the　others；　moved　carefully　across　the　floor　of　the　chamber；　peering　upward。
　　　The　wizard　craned　back　his　head　and　called；　〃Ho！　Beholder！　As　we　are　at　something　of　an　impasse；　will　you　consent　to　parlay？〃
　　　Quenthel　fumed。
　　　〃You　speak　for　us；　wizard？〃　she　growled。
　　　From　the　heights　of　the　tower　overhead　the　deep；　rasping　voice　came　again。
　　　〃Parlay？　On　what　account？　You　have　invaded　my　home；　impudent　fools。〃
　　　〃Pharaun…〃　Quenthel　started。
　　　〃You　have　a　book　we　want；〃　the　wizard　replied；　ignoring　the　high　priestess。　〃I　guess　it's　called　the　Geildirion　of　Cimbar。　Give　it　to　us；　and　We'll　trouble　you　no　more。〃
　　　The　beholder　fell　silent；　evidently　considering　the　offer。　Quenthel　stared　daggers　at　the　wizard；　but　like　the　others；　she　listened　for　the　beholder's　reply。
　　　〃The　book　is　extremely　valuable；〃　the　creature　replied　finally。　〃I　will　not　yield　it　up　because　some　whelp　of　a　dark　elf　demands　it　of　me。　Retreat；　and　I　will　consent　to　spare　your　lives。〃
　　　Quenthel　snorted　and　said；　〃As　if　we　expected　anything　different。〃　She　made　a　small　wave　of　her　hand　to　call　the　others'　attention　to　her；　and　signed；　On　the　count　of　three；　Pharaun　will　dismiss　his　spell。　Danifae　and　Ryld…you　will　follow　me　up　the　shaft。　Pharaun；　when　we　reach　the　halfway　point；　you　will　then　teleport　yourself　and　Jeggred　to　the　floor　above　and　take　the　monster　unawares　while　it　focuses　its　attention　on　defending　the　shaft。　Valas；　you　remain　here　and　cover　our　ascent　with　your　bow。　e　up　as　quickly　as　you　can　once　we　reach　the　top。　The　Baenre　did　not　wait　to　entertain　any　refinements　to　her　plan；　beginning　her　countdown　at　once。
　　　One；　two。　。　。　three！
　　　Pharaun　made　a　curt　gesture　and　dismissed　his　spell　of　antimagic。　Ryld　felt　the　arcane　power　of　his　belt；　his　gauntlets；　and　his　sword　flood　back　into　his　limbs。　He　drew　Splitter　and　ascended　into　the　shaft；　using　the　levitation　charm　with　which　his　Melee…Magthere　insignia　was　imbued。　With　luck；　the　sword's　ability　to　disrupt　enchantments　would　shield　him　from　the　worst　of　what　the　beholder　mage　could　send　their　way。
　　　Quenthel　and　Danifae　rose　alongside　him；　three　black；　graceful　forms　sliding　smoothly　up　into　the　darkness。　Pharaun　moved　up　beside　Jeggred　and　watched　their　progress；　one　hand　on　the　draegloth's　white…furred　shoulder。
　　　The　ceiling　of　the　shaft　featured　a　circular　opening　at　one　side；　cluttered　somewhat　by　the　remnants　of　the　old　stairwell　that　once　climbed　the　tower。　Ryld　peered　at　the　opening；　expecting　incandescent　death　at　any　moment。
　　　The　beholder　mage　did　not　disappoint　him。
　　　A　brilliant　green　ray　flashed　into　existence；　lancing