war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第5部分

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erlike　eyes。
　　　〃You're　more　vulnerable　to　the　lamias'　powers　of　suggestion　and　illusion　while　you're　fatigued；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃Better　to　die　fighting　than　to　fall　under　the　dominion　of　such　a　creature。〃
　　　She　was　in　much　the　same　condition　as　the　others。　Since　she　and　Danifae　had　survived　their　initial　encounter　with　the　monsters；　it　had　been　an　hours…long　running　battle　through　the　streets　and　empty　buildings　of　the　ruins。　First；　a　large　pride　of　lamias　had　tried　to　overwhelm　the　party　with　their　beguiling　powers；　but　drow　on　guard　for　such　magical　tricks　were　no　easy　prey。　Halisstra　and　the　others　steeled　themselves　for　a　fight　against　the　lion…bodied　monsters；　but　the　lamias…deceitful　and　cowardly　things　that　they　were…withdrew　from　the　battle　and　instead　hurled　wave　after　wave　of　beguiled　thralls　at　the　drow　party。　Lamias　might　have　lacked　for　physical　courage；　but　the　manticores；　asabis；　gargoyles；　and　other　assorted　creatures　under　their　control　certainly　did　not。
　　　〃Neither　option　appeals　to　me；〃　Quenthel　growled。　She　turned　slowly；　studying　the　walls　and　structures　around　them；　seeking　escape。　〃There。　I　can　see　the　open　desert　just　beyond　those　buildings。　Maybe　they'll　abandon　the　chase　if　we　leave　the　city。〃
　　　〃Unwise；　Mistress；〃　said　Valas。　He　crouched　by　an　archway　leading　into　their　temporary　refuge；　watching　for　the　next　assault。　〃Once　we　leave　the　shelter　of　the　walls；　they'll　know　exactly　where　we　are。　We'd　be　visible　for　miles　out　in　the　open；　even　with　our　piwafwis…they　weren't　made　to　hide　us　in　bright　daylight　on　an　open　plain。　Concealment　is　our　best　defense。〃
　　　Ryld　nodded　wearily。　He　stood　by　another　doorway；　his　greatsword　resting　on　his　shoulder。
　　　〃They　would　surround　us　and　drag　us　down　out　there；〃　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　said。　〃Best　to　try　to　keep　moving　within　the　ruins；　and　hope　the　lamias…ah；　damn。　We've　got　more　pany。〃
　　　Rubble　shifted　somewhere　in　the　maze　of　crumbling　walls　beyond　their　refuge　as　something　large　padded　closer。
　　　〃Watch　out　for　illusions；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　She　balanced　her　mace　in　her　hand　and　tugged　at　her　shield；　making　sure　it　was　strapped　securely　to　her　arm。　Behind　her；　Danifae　crouched；　a　long　dagger　in　her　hand。　Halisstra　wasn't　happy　about　arming　her　battle　captive；　but　at　the　moment　they　needed　all　the　help　they　could　get；　and　it　was　plainly　in　Danifae's　best　interests　to　make　sure　they　didn't　all　fall　prey　to　the　denizens　of　Hlaungadath。
　　　The　lamias　tried　something　new。　Against　the　gap　in　the　wall　that　Jeggred　guarded；　the　monsters　hurled　a　wave　of　lizardlike　asabis；　savage　creatures　that　hissed　in　anger　as　they　threw　themselves　against　the　draegloth　with　scimitars　and　falchions　clutched　in　their　scaly　hands。　Three　more　challenged　Valas　while　a　pair　of　gargoyles　streaked　over　the　walls　and　dropped　into　the　midst　of　the　ruined　building　behind　Ryld；　their　great　black　wings　raising　huge　clouds　of　dust　with　every　beat。　The　weapons　master　whirled　to　face　the　threat　behind　him；　cursing。
　　　Jeggred　howled　in　rage　and　leaped　to　meet　the　rush　of　the　asabis；　batting　aside　flashing　blades　and　snapping　jaws　while　he　tore　at　the　lizard　warriors　with　his　great　talons。　The　white…haired　demon　used　his　four　arms　to　wreak　terrible　carnage；　but　even　Jeggred　was　tiring。　Blows　he　would　have　eluded　with　his　freakish　speed　landed　awkwardly。　He　blocked　one　slashing　scimitar　badly　with　his　left　outer　arm；　and　suffered　a　long　bloody　cut　halfway　from　elbow　to　wrist。　Another　blade　scored　his　torso；　starting　a　stream　of　red　across　his　white…pelted　chest。　The　draegloth　roared　in　rage　and　redoubled　his　efforts。
　　　Ryld　slashed　at　the　gargoyles　while　Halisstra　and　Quenthel　ran　to　his　side。　Quenthel　lashed　at　one　with　her　whip。　The　snake　heads　wound　around　the　creature's　taloned　legs　and　sank　fangs　into　stony　flesh；　but　the　gargoyle　beat　furiously　for　height　and　dragged　the　priestess　off　her　feet　and　across　the　dusty　structure。　Pharaun　raised　his　wand　to　blast　the　monsters　with　deadly　lightning；　but　spun　in　a　half…circle　and　fell；　a　crossbow　bolt　transfixing　his　right　forearm。　The　wand　flew　from　his　hands。
　　　〃The　rooftops！〃　the　wizard　called。
　　　Halisstra　backed　away　from　the　gargoyles　and　squinted　at　the　bright　sky；　searching　for　more　attackers。　Tawny　blurs　crouched　atop　a　high　wall　perhaps　forty　or　fifty　yards　distant；　a　handful　of　lamias　who　carried　heavy　crossbows　and　watched　carefully　for　opportunities　to　shoot　into　the　fray；　their　beautiful　faces　twisted　into　evil　grins。　Even　as　she　watched；　one　took　at　shot　at　Ryld。　The　bolt　whistled　past　the　weapons　master's　head；　smashing　a　divot　from　the　soft　stone　wall　nearby。　Ryld　flinched　away。
　　　〃Someone　take　care　of　the　snipers！〃　he　snapped；　while　slashing　at　the　gargoyles。
　　　A　second　later；　two　more　bolts　flew　at　Ryld。　One　bounced　from　his　breastplate；　but　the　other　caught　him　on　the　right　side　while　his　arms　were　raised　to　wield　Splitter。　The　bolt　lodged　in　the　arm…opening　of　his　armor。　Ryld　staggered　back　two　steps　and　collapsed　in　the　dust。
　　　Halisstra　reached　down　and　snatched　up　Pharaun's　wand。
　　　〃Aid　Quenthel；〃　she　told　Danifae。
　　　She　leveled　the　wizard's　weapon　at　the　lamias　on　the　high　wall。　She　knew　something　about　using　such　devices…a　talent　she　wouldn't　normally　have　wished　to　reveal；　but　the　fight　was　desperate。　She　spoke　an　arcane　word；　and　a　bolt　of　purple　lightning　shot　out　at　the　first　lamia；　blasting　the　creature　from　the　wall　in　a　spray　of　shattered　stone。　Thunder　reverberated　in　the　dusty　ruin。　She　aimed　at　the　next　lamia；　but　the　monsters　weren't　stupid。　They　abandoned　their　lofty　perches　at　once；　leaping　back　behind　the　wall　to　avoid　more　lightning。
　　　From　the　shadow　of　the　back　wall；　Pharaun　returned　to　the　battle；　armed　with　another　wand。　This　one　produced　a　blazing　bolt　of　fire；　which　he　directed　against　the　gargoyles　overhead。　With　shrieks　of　pain；　the　monsters　flapped　off；　though　the　one　poisoned　by　Quenthel's　whips　didn't　get　far　before　its　wings　folded。　It　plummeted　down　among　the　rooftops　some　distance　away。
　　　Valas　dispatched　the　last　of　his　attackers　with　a　double…handed　slash　that　nearly　cut　the　creature　in　two；　and　Jeggred　stood　amid　a　virtual　heap　of　asabi　bodies；　his　flanks　heaving。　The　wizard　glanced　around　once；　and　noticed　Ryld　on　the　ground。
　　　〃Damn；〃　he　muttered。
　　　He　knelt　by　the　weapons　master　and　turned　him　over。　Ryld　was　dying。　Blood　streamed　from　the　bolt　in　his　chest；　and　he　fought　for　each　breath；　bloody　spittle　streaking　his　gray　lips。　The　wizard　scowled；　then　looked　up　at　Quenthel。
　　　〃Do　something；〃　he　said。　〃We　need　him。〃
　　　Quenthel　folded　her　arms　with　a　cold　frown　and　said；　〃Unfortunately；　Lolth　does　not　choose　to　grant　me　spells　of　healing　at　the　moment；　and　I　have　already　expended　almost　all　of　the　healing　magic　I　brought　on　our　journey。　There　is　little　I　can　do　for　him。〃
　　　Halisstra　narrowed　her　eyes；　thinking。　Again；　she　didn't　like　the　thought　of　what　she　was　about　to　do；　but　there　was　a　benefit　to　revealing　her　secret。　If　she　proved　herself　useful；　the　Menzoberranyr　would　be　hesitant　to　discard　her。
　　　Besides；　she　thought；　they　likely　already　know。
　　　〃Move　aside；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃I　can　help　him。〃
　　　Quenthel　and　Pharaun　looked　up　suspiciously。
　　　〃How？〃　Quenthel　demanded。　〃Do　you　mean　to　say　that　Lolth　has　not　withdrawn　her　favor　from　you？〃
　　　〃No；〃　Halisstra　replied。　She　knelt　by　Ryld　and　examined　him。　She　would　have　to　move　quickly。　If　he　died；　he　would　be　beyond　her　assistance。　〃Lolth　has　denied　me　spells；　just　as　she　has　Quenthel；　and　presumably　every　other　priestess　of　our　race。　I　have　some　ability　to　heal　by　a　different　means；　though。〃
　　　With　that；　she　began　to　sing。　Her　song　was　a　strange　keening　threnody；　something　dark　and　eerie　that　tugged　at　the　drow　admiration　for　beauty；　ambition；　and　black　deeds　skillfully　done。　Halisstra　molded　the　shape　of　her　voice　and　the　ancient　words　of　the　song；　summoning　the　magic　of　her　lament　as　she　set　her　hand　on　the　quarrel　and　drew　it　from　the　wound。
　　　Ryld　started；　his　eyes　wide　and　staring；　and　blood　spurted　over　Halisstra's　hands…but　the　wound　closed　into　a　puckered　scar；　and　the　weapons　master　coughed　himself　awake。
　　　〃What　happened？〃　he　groaned。
　　　〃What　happened；　indeed？〃　Quenthel　replied。　She　eyed　Halisstra　suspiciously。　〃Was　that　what　I　thought　it　was？〃
　　　Halisstra　nodded　and　stood；　wiping　blood　from　her　hands。
　　　〃It　is　a　tradition　in　my　House　that　those　females　who　are　suited　for　it　may　study　the　arts　of　the　bae'qeshel；　the　dark　minstrels。　As　you　can　see；　there　is　power　in　song；　something　that　few　of　our　kind　care　to　study。　I　have　been　trained　in　the　minstrel's　lore。〃
　　　Ryld　sat　up；　looking　down　at　his　breastplate　and　the　bloody　quarrel　lying　in　the　dust。　He　looked　up　at　Halisstra。
　　　〃You　healed　me？〃　he　asked。
　　　Halisstra　offered　her　hand　and　pulled　him　to　his　feet。
　　　〃As　your　friend　Pharaun　observed；　we　need　you　too　much　to　allow　you　to　inconvenience　us　with　your　death。〃
　　　Ryld　met　her　eyes；　obviously　considering　some　reply。　Gratitude　was　not　an　emotion　many　drow　bothered　to　act　upon。　The　weapons　master　perhaps　wondered　what　Halisstra　might　choose　to　do　with　his。　She　spared　him　any　more　serious　reflections　by　turning　her　attention　to　Pharaun；　and　handing　the　iron　wand　back　to　him。
　　　〃Here；〃　she　said。　〃You　dropped　this。〃
　　　Pharaun　inclined　his　head　and　replied；　〃I　admit　I　was　surprised　to　see　you　wield　it；　but　I　heard　you　sing　in　Ched　Nasad。　Shame　on　me　for　not　adding　two　and　two。〃
　　　〃Let　me　see　your　arm；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　She　sang　the　song　of　healing　again；　and　repaired　Pharaun's　injury。
　　　She　would　have　examined　the　others　and　aided　them　if　she　could；　but　Quenthel　interrupted　her。
　　　〃No　one　else　is　dying；〃　the　high　priestess　said。　〃We　must　move　now　or　our　enemies　will　surely　descend　on　us　again。　Valas；　you　lead　the　way。　Head　toward　the　outer　walls　so　that　we　may　make　for　the　open　desert　if　we　decide　to　flee。〃
　　　〃Very　well；　Mistress　Baenre；〃　the　scout　acquiesced。　〃It　will　be　as　you　say。〃
　　　
　　　Kaanyr　Vhok；　the　half…demon　prince　known　as　the　Sceptered　One；　stood　on　a　high　balcony　over　the　old　dwarven　foundry　and　watched　his　armorers　at　work。　The　great　smelter　had　once　been　the　heart　of　the　fallen　realm　of　Ammarindar。　The　cavern　was　immense；　and　its　roof　rested　upon　dozens　of　towering　pillars　carved　into　the　shapes　of　dragons；　glowing　red　with　angry　firelight　and　the　lurid　radiance　of　molten　metal。　The　clanging　of　hammers　and　roar　of　kilns　at　work　filled　the　air。　Dozens　of　hulking　tanarukks；　bestial　fiends　bred　from　orcs　and　demons；　toiled　on　the　foundry　floor。　They　might　have　lacked　the　skill　and　enchantments　of　the　dwarves　who　once　worked　there；　but　Kaanyr　Vhok's　soldiers　possessed　a　cunning　instinct　for　the　making　of　deadly　weapons　infused　with　dark　lore。
　　　Kaanyr　himself　fit　the　infernal　scene　well。　Tall　and　powerful；　he　had　the　stature　of　a　strong…thewed　human　warrior　and　the　strength　of　a　stone　giant。　His　skin　was　red　and　hot　to　the　touch；　and　his　flesh　was　hard　enough　to　turn　a　blade。　He　was　strikingly　handsome；　though　his　eyes　danced　with　malice　and　his　teeth　were　as　black　as　coal。　He　wore　a　golden　breastplate　and　carried　a　pair　of　wicked　short　swords　made　from　some　demonic　black　iron　in　rune…chased　scabbards　at　his　belt。　He　grinned　fiercely　with　delight　as　he　looked　out　over　the　gathering　storm　of　his　army。
　　　〃I　now　lead　nearly　two　thousand　tanarukk　warriors；〃　he　said　over　his　shoulder；　〃and　I　have　just　as　many　orcs；　ogres；　trolls；　and　giants　at　my　mand。　I　think　the　time　has　e　to　try　my　strength；　my　love。〃
　　　Aliisza　allowed　herself　a　smile　and　moved　closer；　pressing　herself　to　the　demon　prince's　side。　Like　Kaanyr　Vhok；　she　too　possessed　demonic　blood。　In　her　case；　she　was　an　alu…fiend；　the　spawn　of　a　succubus　and　some　mortal　sorcerer。　Wings　as　smooth　as　black　leather　sprouted　from　her　shoulder　blades；　but　other　than　that　she　was　dusky　and　seductive；　voluptuous　and　inviting；　a　half…demoness　whose　allure　few　mortal　men　could　resist。　She　was　also　clever；　capricious；　and　very　skilled　in　magic；　and　therefore　well…suited　to　be　the　consort　of　a　demonspawned　warlord　such　as　Kaanyr。
　　　〃Menzoberranzan？〃　she　purred；　tracing　the　filigree　of　his　armor　with　one　fingertip。
　　　〃Of　course。　There　seems　to　be　nothing　worth　the　taking　in　Ched　Nasad；　after　all。〃　Kaanyr　frowned；　and　his　gaze　grew　distant。　〃If　the　dark　elves　are　without　the　protection　of　their　spider　goddess；　and　unable　to　govern　their　interminable　feuds；　I　may　have　an　opportunity　to　seize　the　greatness　I　have　always　coveted。　Having　mastered　the　ruins　of　Ammarindar；　I　find　that　I　hunger　for　something　more。　Subjugating　a　city　of　drow　appeals　to　me。〃
　　　〃Others　have　had　that　thought；〃　Aliisza　pointed　out。　〃The　Menzoberranyr　I　spoke　with　in　Ched　Nasad　suggested　that　his　own　city　had　suffered　a　significant　slave　uprising；　sponsored　by　some　outside　agency。　I　think　the　duergar　mercenaries　who　fought　in　Ched　Nasad　would　not　have　left　the　city　to　whatever　House　hired　them；　once　they'd　managed　to　take　it。　If　the　duergar　firebombs　hadn't　worked　so　well；　I　suspect　Clan　Xornbane　would　rule　Ched　Nasad　now。〃
　　　〃Or　I　would；〃　Kaanyr　said。　He　narrowed　his　eyes。　〃If　you　had　reported　the　situation　to　me　in　a　more　timely　manner；　I　might　have　been　able　to　bring　my　army　against　Ched　Nasad　when　the　drow　and　duergar　were　exhausted　from　fighting　each　other。〃
　　　Aliisza　licked　her　lips。
　　　〃You　would　have　lost　whatever　forces　you　brought　into　the　city；〃　she　replied。　〃Your　tanarukks　could　have　endured　the　fires；　of　course；　but　the　collapse　of　the　city　streets　destroyed　everything　in　the　cavern。　Trust　me；　you　missed　no　opportunities　in　Ched　Nasad。〃
　　　Kaanyr　did　not　reply。　Instead；　he　disentangled　himself　from　Aliisza　and　vaulted　lightly　over　the　balcony　rail；　descending　to　the　foundry　floor。　The　warlord　had　no　wings；　but　his　demonic　heritage　conferred　the　ability　to　fly　through　effort　of　will。　Aliisza　frowned；　and　followed　behind　him；　spreading　her　black　pinions　wide　to　catch　the　blazing　updrafts　of　the　room。　Kaanyr　was　still　sore　about　Ched　Nasad；　and　that　was　not　good；　she　reflected。　If　the　warlord　ever　tired　of　her；　he　was　certainly　capable　of　having　her　killed　in　some　grisly　manner；　past　intimacies　notwithstanding。　There　was　nothing　of　which　he　was　not　capable；　if　his　temper　got　the　better　of　him。
　　　The　half…demon　alighted　beside　a　sand　mold　filling　with　molten　iron。　A　pair　of　tanarukks　stood　by；　carefully　watching　over　the　pour。　Kaanyr　squatted　down　by　the　white…hot　metal　and　absently　stirred　his　fingers　in　it。　It　was　hot　enough　to　cause　him　disfort；　and　after　a　moment　he　shook　the　molten　iron　from　his　fingers　and　brushed　them　against　his　thigh。
　　　〃Good　iron；〃　he　said　to　the　tanarukks。　〃Carry　on；　lads。〃
　　　He　straightened　and　continued　on　his　way。　Aliisza　fluttered　to　the　stone　floor　and　fell　into　step　behind　him。
　　　〃The　thing　that　troubles　me　is　this；〃　Kaanyr　mused。　〃Why　did　the　Xornbane　duergar　betray　the　House　that　employed　them　by　burning　the　whole　city？　Was　it　simply　a　dispute　over　pay？　Or　did　they　intend　from　the　start　to　bring　ruin　to　Ched　Nasad？　If　so；　was　Horgar　Steelshadow　behind　it？　Did　the　prince　of　Gracklstugh　send　h