war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第38部分

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　　　The　trick；　mused　Triel；　is　to　keep　the　other　Houses　from　settling　thorny　issues　such　as　who　would　be　First　House　after　Baenre's　fall；　and　tempt　some　of　the　smaller　Houses　with　the　places　of　the　larger　ones。
　　　If　Houses　such　as　Xorlarrin　or　Agrach　Dyrr　could　be　convinced　that　they　would　advance　with　more　certainty　by　supporting　Baenre　against　a　conspiracy　of　Barrison　Del'Armgo　and　Faen　Tlabbar　than　they　would　by　turning　against　the　First　House；　then　House　Baenre　could　withstand　almost　any　threat　from　its　lesser　neighbors。
　　　She　paused　at　the　door　to　the　chapel；　examining　the　notion　with　acute　distaste。　Could　she　really　feel　that　House　Baenre　needed　allies？　The　old　Matron　Baenre　had　not　governed　with　anyone's　consent。　She　had　ruled　the　city　because　she　was　so　strong　no　one　could　contemplate　resisting　her　will。
　　　Triel　scowled　and　gestured　at　the　chapel　guards；　who　pulled　open　the　doors　and　bowed　before　her。
　　　Her　sister　Sos'Umptu　awaited　her　in　the　chapel。　Sos'Umptu　had　Quenthel's　height；　but　took　after　Triel's　thoughtful　reserve　as　opposed　to　the　willfulness　of　Quenthel　or　her　unlamented　sister　Bladen'Kerst。　Sos'Umptu　possessed　a　calculated；　deliberate　maliciousness　that　she　kept　in　careful　check；　never　picking　a　feud　she　could　not　win。　She　briefly　lowered　her　eyes；　the　minimal　gesture　of　respect　Triel's　position　demanded；　then　straightened。
　　　〃Any　news　from　the　army；　eldest　sister？〃　she　asked　in　a　soft　voice。
　　　〃Not　as　yet。　Zal'therra　tells　me　that　Mez'Barris　has　dispatched　a　small　force　to　go　ahead　and　seize　a　strategic　pass　in　the　path　of　the　duergar　army；　which　seems　sensible　enough。　The　rest　of　the　Army　of　the　Black　Spider　follows　as　fast　as　it　may。〃
　　　〃It　is　a　difficult　situation。　I　wonder　if　perhaps　you　should　have　led　the　army　in　person。〃
　　　Triel　frowned。　She　was　not　accustomed　to　having　her　actions　openly　scrutinized　by　anyone；　but　if　she　couldn't　survive　the　criticism　of　her　family；　how　could　she　hope　to　cow　the　other　matrons？
　　　〃Given　the　unusual　situation；〃　Triel　replied；　〃I　felt　it　wisest　to　remain　close　to　the　city。〃
　　　〃Perhaps。　The　problem　is　simple；　of　course…if　the　army　is　defeated；　the　blame　will　naturally　attach　to　you。　If　the　army　triumphs；　you　have　made　a　hero　of　Mez'Barris　Del'Armgo。〃
　　　〃As　well　as　Zal'therra　and　Andzrel；〃　Triel　pointed　out。　〃I　admit　I　have　more　to　lose　than　to　gain；　but　I　will　not　second…guess　myself　now。〃
　　　She　studied　the　chapel；　gazing　up　at　the　great　magical　image　depicting　the　Queen　of　Spiders。　While　Sos'Umptu　watched；　Triel　performed　a　perfunctory　obeisance。
　　　〃You　have　not　observed　the　goddess's　rites　as　closely　as　you　might　over　the　last　few　tendays；〃　Sos'Umptu　said。
　　　The　goddess　has　not　observed　us　for　far　longer；　Triel　found　herself　thinking。
　　　She　hurriedly　thrust　the　blasphemous　thought　from　her　mind；　horrified　that　something　so　irreverent　could　ferment　in　her　head。　She　maintained　her　outward　calm　with　the　ease　of　long　practice；　returning　her　attention　to　her　sister。
　　　〃We　are　confronted　by　yet　another　challenge；〃　Triel　said。　〃The　Masters　of　Sorcere　clamor　for　Gromph's　replacement。　House　Baenre　has　placed　archmages　on　Sorcere's　throne　as　we　liked　for　many　hundreds　of　years；　but　this　time；　I　am　weighing　the　value　of　supporting　the　candidate　of　another　House　for　the　position。　It　might　be　。。。　expedient。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu's　eyes　widened　by　the　thickness　of　a　blade；　and　she　said；　〃You　seek　my　counsel？〃
　　　〃As　Gromph　has　absented　himself；　and　Quenthel　is　far　away；　I　find　that　the　children　of　my　formidable　mother　are　in　short　supply。　Very　few　females…and　even　fewer　males…understand　the　lessons　Mother　taught　us。〃　Triel　snorted　in　irritation。　〃Not　even　all　our　siblings；　for　that　matter。　Bladen'Kerst　understood　nothing　but　strength　and　cruelty；　and　Vendes　was　simply　murderous。　I　have　need　of　a　sharp　mind；　a　subtle　mind；　trained　by　my　mother；　and　it　occurs　to　me　that　I　have　allowed　you　to　lurk　in　this　chapel　far　too　long。〃　Triel　moved　a　half…step　closer　and　hardened　her　expression。　〃Understand　that　you　advise　me　at　my　pleasure；　and　do　not　mistake　consideration　for　indecision。　I　will　brook　no　questioning　of　my　right　to　rule。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu　nodded　and　said；　〃Very　well。　I　think　we　should　presume　that　Gromph　has　been　killed。　He　would　not　have　lightly　abandoned　his　duties；　and　there　are　at　least　two　reasons　someone　might　have　killed　him。　Either　someone　wanted　to　strike　against　the　archmage　himself；　or　someone　wanted　to　strike　against　the　leading　wizard　of　House　Baenre。　If　the　former；　well；　whomever　bees　archmage　next　will　either　be　the　culprit；　or　the　next　target。　Why　should　we　hurry　to　place　a　Baenre　wizard　weaker　than　Gromph　into　that　position；　when　there　is　at　least　some　chance　we　might　lose　whomever　we　promote？〃
　　　〃I　don't　like　the　idea　of　surrendering　such　an　important　post　to　another　family；　but　I　like　the　idea　of　losing　another　skilled　wizard　even　less；〃　Triel　mused。　〃Especially　when　we　might　forge　a　stronger　tie　with　another　House　by　allowing　them　to　advance　their　candidate；　who　would　then　bee　the　target　of　whatever　power　was　strong　enough　to　destroy　Gromph。〃
　　　〃I　don't　understand；〃　Sos'Umptu　replied。　〃You　seek　allies？〃
　　　〃It　occurs　to　me　that　we　might　do　well　to　ally　ourselves　with　a　great　House　of　middle　rank；　perhaps　two；〃　said　Triel。　〃It　seems　a　sound　precaution　against　any　effort　by　the　Second　or　Third　Houses　to　rally　the　rest　in　mon　cause　against　us。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu　stroked　her　chin　and　said；　〃You　believe　matters　have　bee　as　dangerous　as　that？　Mother　would　never　have　agreed　to　such　a　thing。〃
　　　〃Mother　lived　in　a　different　time；〃　Triel　said。　〃Do　not　pare　me　to　her　again。〃
　　　Triel　fixed　her　eyes　on　her　sister　until　the　priestess　dropped　her　gaze。　Sos'Umptu　was　clever；　but　not　strong。　If　she　joined　forces　with　Quenthel；　or　maybe　a　cabal　of　the　more　capable　cousins　such　as　Zal'therra；　she　would　be　a　threat　to　Triel；　but　until　then　she　could　be　trusted…within　reason。
　　　〃What　if　Gromph's　assassination　was　an　attack　on　House　Baenre；〃　Triel　asked；　〃and　not　simply　a　means　to　open　the　post　of　archmage？〃
　　　〃In　that　case；　we　would　be　well　advised　to　raise　another　Baenre　wizard　over　Sorcere。　Failing　to　do　so　would　make　us　seem　weak；　and　if　the　other　Houses　perceive　us　as　vulnerable；　they　might　be　tempted　to　try　the　very　thing　you　fear。〃
　　　〃Your　advice　does　not　provide　me　much　fort；　Sos'Umptu；〃　Triel　grated。　〃And　I　am　concerned；　not　afraid。〃
　　　〃There　is　another　possibility；〃　Sos'Umptu　said。　〃Delay。　Maintain　that　Gromph　is　still　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　for　as　long　as　possible。　For　that　matter；　spread　the　story　that　you　have　sent　him　off　on　a　special　mission　and　he　will　not　be　back　for　a　while。　The　longer　we　delay；　the　more　likely　it　is　that　events　will　make　the　circumstances　of　his　disappearance　clearer。　If　the　Army　of　the　Black　Spider　finds　victory　in　the　tunnels　to　the　south；　then　your　position　might　be　strengthened　enough　that　you　can　do　as　you　will　with　the　archmage's　post。〃
　　　Triel　nodded。　It　was　a　sound　piece　of　advice。　Though　she　hated　to　admit　that　if　Lolth　continued　to　refuse　her　spells　she　might　face　a　challenge　for　the　leadership　of　the　House；　it　didn't　hurt　her　to　begin　strengthening　her　own　ties　to　Sos'Umptu。　She　might　need　all　the　sisters　she　could　get。
　　　The　door　to　the　chapel　creaked　open；　and　a　plump　male　dressed　in　elegant　black　robes　entered。　He　resembled　nothing　so　much　as　a　housecat　that　had　been　fed　too　much；　satisfied　with　his　own　superiority。　Nauzhror　Baenre　was　Triel's　first　cousin　once　removed；　the　son　of　one　of　her　mother's　nieces。　His　familiar；　a　hairy　spider　as　well　fed　as　the　wizard　himself；　perched　on　Nauzhror's　shoulder。　He　was　accounted　a　Master　of　Sorcere；　the　only　Baenre　so　recognized　other　than　old　Gromph　himself；　and　was　reputed　to　be　an　abjurer　of　some　skill。　Younger　than　Gromph；　he　had　a　habit　of　maintaining　an　insouciant　smirk　that　made　it　hard　to　gauge　what　he　was　thinking。　Try　as　she　might；　Triel　could　not　imagine　him　wearing　the　robes　of　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan。
　　　〃You　sent　for　me；　Matron　Mother？〃
　　　〃I　am　going　to　make　it　known；〃　Triel　said；　〃that　my　brother　Gromph　is　engaged　in　a　mission　of　great　importance　and　secrecy；　and　will　return　to　resume　his　duties　as　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　in　due　time。　In　the　meantime；　I　am　going　to　allow　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　to　designate　a　substitute　to　attend　to　the　responsibilities　of　the　position。　You　will　support　the　best　candidate　from　either　House　Xorlarrin　or　Agrach　Dyrr。〃
　　　Nauzhror's　smirk　failed　him。
　　　〃M…matron　Mother；〃　he　stammered。　〃I　。。。　I　had　thought　that　perhaps　I　should　assume　the…〃
　　　〃Are　you　Gromph's　equal；　Nauzhror？〃　Triel　asked。
　　　The　abjurer　might　have　been　soft　in　appearance；　but　his　eyes　betrayed　a　hard　and　calculating　mind…and　a　pragmatic　one；　as　well。
　　　〃Were　I　the　archmage's　equal；　Matron　Mother；　I　would　have　challenged　him　for　his　title　already。〃　He　thought　for　a　moment；　reaching　up　to　stroke　the　spider　that　sat　on　his　shoulder。　〃In　time　I　expect　to　equal　and　perhaps　surpass　his　skill；　but　I　must　study　the　Art　for　many　years　before　I　can　call　myself　his　peer。〃
　　　〃As　I　thought。　Consider　this；　then；〃　Triel　said。　〃Whomever　engineered　Gromph's　disappearance　will　most　likely　make　short　work　of　you　if　you　presumed　to　call　yourself　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan。　The　day　may　e　when　you　realize　your　ambition；　cousin；　but　that　day　is　not　today。〃
　　　Nauzhror　did　not　hesitate　to　incline　his　head　and　reply；　〃Yes；　Matron　Mother。　I　will　do　as　you　mand。〃
　　　〃You　are　now　acting　House　Wizard　of　House　Baenre；　Nauzhror。　If　it　turns　out　that　my　brother　is　no　more；　you　will　hold　the　position　in　earnest；　but　for　now　I　have　need　of　your　spells　and　counsel。　Settle　your　affairs　in　Sorcere　for　the　time　being。　I　will　have　your　personal　effects　brought　here。〃
　　　Nauzhror　genuflected　and　said；　〃I　thank　you　for　your　confidence　in　my　abilities；　Matron　Mother。〃
　　　〃My　confidence　in　your　abilities　extends　exactly　this　far；　cousin：　Do　not　get　killed；〃　said　Triel。　〃As　of　this　moment；　any　male　with　the　least　aptitude　for　wizardry　in　House　Baenre　is　yours　to　train。　We　need　a　cadre　of　skilled　arcanists　to　equal　those　fielded　by　Del'Armgo　or　Xorlarrin。〃
　　　〃Such　a　collection　of　talent　cannot　be　produced　overnight；　Matron　Mother。　It　will　be　the　work　of　years　to　match　Xorlarrin's　strength　in　wizardry。〃
　　　〃Then　it　is　a　work　best　begun　immediately。〃
　　　Triel　studied　the　corpulent　wizard　and　found　herself　hoping　against　hope　that　her　House's　future　did　not　rest　in　his　oily　hands。
　　　〃There　is　one　thing　more；　Nauzhror；〃　she　said　as　the　wizard　stepped　away。　〃Consider　it　your　first　duty　as　House　Wizard。〃　Triel　moved　close　and　fixed　her　eyes　on　his；　daring　him　to　smile　into　her　face。　〃You　will　find　out　what　has　happened　to　my　brother。〃
　　　
　　　Ryld　barreled　through　a　short；　curving　corridor；　Jezz　and　Valas　at　his　heels。　Danifae　helped　Quenthel　to　stagger　along　behind　them。　The　weapons　master　followed　the　corridor　back　to　his　right；　and　emerged　into　a　large　hall　or　ballroom　of　some　kind。　The　beholder　mage　drifted　there；　a　hulking　monstrosity　in　the　form　of　a　chitin…covered　orb　six　feet　across；　its　ten　eyestalks　writhing　as　it　hurled　spell　after　spell　at　Pharaun　and　Jeggred。　The　wizard　stood　encased　in　a　globe　of　magical　energy；　some　kind　of　defensive　spell　that　protected　him　while　he　dueled　spell…for…spell　with　the　monster。　Jeggred　stood　immobile；　his　face　locked　into　a　needle…fanged　grimace　as　he　struggled　to　throw　off　the　influence　of　some　baneful　spell　or　another。
　　　〃Persistent　insects；〃　the　beholder　snarled　as　it　caught　sight　of　Ryld　and　the　others。　〃Leave　me　be！〃
　　　The　creature　floated　back　through　an　open　archway；　retreating　to　another　portion　of　its　lair。
　　　Pharaun　turned　wearily　to　face　the　others。　One　side　of　his　clothing　was　spattered　with　smoking　holes；　where　some　kind　of　acid　had　burned　him；　and　he　trembled　with　fatigue。
　　　〃Ah；　I　see　my　worthy　panions　have　at　last　elected　to　join　me；〃　he　observed。　〃Excellent！　I　was　afraid　you　might　miss　the　pleasure　of　hazarding　life　and　limb　against　a　murderous　foe。〃
　　　〃What's　wrong　with　Jeggred？〃　Quenthel　managed。
　　　〃He's　ensnared　by　a　holding　spell　of　some　kind；　and　I　expended　all　of　my　dispelling　magic　in　my　duel。　If　you　can　free　him；　please　do　so。　I　wouldn't　want　to　be　selfish；　and　keep　the　beholder　all　to　myself。〃
　　　〃Shut　up；　Pharaun；〃　Danifae　rasped。　〃We　have　to　finish　the　beholder；　quick。　There's　a　pit　fiend　and　a　dozen　more　devils　just　behind　us；　and　we're　about　to　be　caught　between　the　two。〃
　　　The　wizard　grimaced。　A　dangerous　light　flickered　in　his　eyes　as　he　looked　at　Danifae；　then　at　Jezz　the　Lame。
　　　〃If　your　magical　tome　is　this　much　trouble；　perhaps　we　should　keep　it　for　ourselves；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　observed。
　　　〃Tzirik　will　not　share　the　results　of　his　divinations　with　you　if　you　betray　us；〃　the　Jaelre　said　simply。　〃Decide　what　is　more　important　to　you；　spider…kisser；　and　do　it　quickly。〃
　　　〃Stop　it；　Pharaun；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　He　moved　over　to　where　Jeggred　stood　frozen；　and　laid　Splitter　alongside　the　draegloth　to　break　the　enchantment　that　held　him。　The　half…demon　blinked　his　eyes　and　scowled；　slowly　straightening。
　　　〃One　problem　at　a　time；〃　Ryld　continued。　〃Do　you　have　any　magic　that　can　keep　the　devils　off　our　backs　long　enough　for　us　to　defeat　the　beholder？〃
　　　The　wizard　answered；　〃No；　they'd　be　among　us　in　just　a　moment；　and　that　would　be　a　scene；　wouldn't　it？　The…wait　a　moment；　I　have　an　idea。　We　won't　keep　out　the　devils。　In　fact；　we'll　let　them　in。〃
　　　Infernal　power　crackled　and　snapped　in　the　room　behind　them。
　　　〃That's　the　pit　fiend　destroying　my　wall；〃　Jezz　said。　〃Explain　quickly；　Menzoberranyr。〃
　　　Pharaun　began　chanting　a　spell；　and　weaving　his　hands　in　the　arcane　gestures　necessary　to　shape　and　control　his　magic。
　　　〃Do　not　resist；〃　he　told　the　others。　〃Ah；　there　we　go。　I've　covered　us　all　with　a　veil　of　illusion。　We're　all　devils　now。〃
　　　Ryld　glanced　down　at　himself　and　noted　nothing　different；　but　when　he　looked　back　up；　he　saw　that　he　was　standing　in　the　middle　of　a　pany　of　barbed　devils。　He　recoiled　momentarily；　and　noticed　the　other　devils　flinching　too。　Faintly；　as　though　draped　in　a　diaphanous　gauze；　he　could　see　the　natural　forms　of　the　other　dark　elves　beneath　their　scaly　exteriors。
　　　〃I　can　see　through　this；〃　he　warned。
　　　〃Yes；　but　you're　expecting　it；〃　said　the　devil　who　stood　where　Pharaun　had。　〃This　should　create　no　small　amount　of　confusion　for　our　foes；　but　we　must　move　quickly。　We　want　the　devils　to　e　upon　us　while　we're　dealing　with　the　beholder。〃
　　　The　wizard　glided　across　the　chamber；　following　the　beholder；　and　the　rest　of　the　pany　fell　in　behind　him；　hurrying　after　Pharaun　as　the　howls　of　the　pursuing　devils　rose　in　the　corridor　behind　them。　They　climbed　a　spiraling　stair　and　found　the　beholder　waiting　for　them　in　what　seemed　to　be　a　large　throne　room。　The　monster　hesitated　as　the　pany　burst　in；　cloaked　in　their　devilish　guises。
　　　〃The　dark　elves　are　not　here；〃　the　beholder　rasped。　〃Search　the　rest　of　the　tower。　They　must　be　found！〃
　　　〃I'm　afraid　you　are　mistaken；〃　Pharaun　laughed；　and　he　hurled　a　blast　of　lightning　at　the　creature