war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第6部分

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ng　ruin　to　Ched　Nasad？　If　so；　was　Horgar　Steelshadow　behind　it？　Did　the　prince　of　Gracklstugh　send　his　mercenaries　to　Ched　Nasad　to　destroy　the　city；　or　did　Clan　Xornbane　do　that　for　someone　else？〃
　　　〃Does　it　matter？〃　Aliisza　asked；　sidling　up　beside　him　again。　〃The　city　was　destroyed；　regardless　of　anyone's　intentions。　The　great　Houses　of　Ched　Nasad　are　dead；　and　there　aren't　many　Xornbane　dwarves　remaining；　for　that　matter。〃
　　　〃It　matters　because　I　find　myself　wondering　whether　the　duergar　of　Gracklstugh　plan　to　attack　Menzoberranzan　next；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃I　have　amassed　no　small　strength　here；　but　I　do　not　believe　I　can　take　Menzoberranzan　unless　the　dark　elves　are　reduced　to　utter　chaos　and　helplessness。　If　the　duergar　mean　to　march　on　the　city　too；　my　opportunities　are　limitless。〃
　　　〃Ah；〃　Aliisza　breathed。　〃You　could　sell　your　services　to　the　dark　elves；　the　gray　dwarves；　both；　or　neither。　Hmm；　that　is　interesting。〃
　　　〃And　the　price　I　mand　will　increase　with　the　number　of　warriors　I　bring；　and　my　proximity　to　Menzoberranzan；　but　it　depends　on　the　intentions　of　the　gray　dwarves。〃　The　half…demon　let　out　a　bark　of　hard　laughter。　〃I　would　not　care　to　find　myself　on　Menzoberranzan's　doorstep；　facing　a　strong　and　united　dark　elf　city　with　no　allies　at　hand。〃
　　　〃Why　do　I　get　the　feeling　that　you're　about　to　send　me　away　again？〃　Aliisza　pouted。　She　stretched　her　wings　languorously　around　Kaanyr；　halting　him　as　she　reached　up　to　turn　him　toward　her。　〃I've　only　just　e　back；　you　know。〃
　　　〃Clever　girl；〃　Vhok　said　with　a　smile。　〃Yes；　I　mean　to　dispatch　you　on　another　mission。　This　time；　though；　you　won't　have　to　creep　about　and　stay　out　of　sight。　You　will　call　on　Horgar　Steelshadow；　the　Crown　Prince　of　Gracklstugh；　as　my　personal　envoy…a　diplomat；　if　you　like。　Find　out　if　the　gray　dwarves　intend　to　attack　Menzoberranzan。　If　they　do；　let　them　know　that　I　would　like　to　join　them。　If　they　don't　。　。　。　well；　see　if　you　can't　persuade　them　that　it's　in　their　best　interest　to　destroy　Menzoberranzan　while　the　dark　elves　are　weak。〃
　　　〃The　dwarves　are　not　likely　to　confide　in　me。〃
　　　〃Of　course　they　won't　want　to　confide　in　you。　However；　if　they　do　intend　to　attack；　they　will　see　the　advantage　of　gaining　me　as　an　ally。　If　they　don't　plan　on　attacking；　the　fact　that　I　am　willing　to　ally　with　them　may　decide　the　issue　for　them。　They　wish　Menzoberranzan　no　good；　so　you　need　not　worry　that　they'll　stand　up　for　the　drow。〃
　　　〃Envoy。　。。。〃　Aliisza　murmured。　〃It　sounds　better　than　spy；　doesn't　it？　I　suppose　I　can　carry　your　message　for　you；　my　sweet；　fierce　Kaanyr；　but　maybe　you　should　provide　me　with　some　special　incentive　to　hurry　home；　hmm？〃
　　　Kaanyr　Vhok　circled　her　with　his　powerful　arms　and　nuzzled　the　hollow　of　her　neck。
　　　〃Very　well；　my　pet；〃　he　rumbled。　〃Though　I　sometimes　wonder　if　you　are　utterly　insatiable。〃
　　　
　　　A　desperate　hour　of　flight　from　ruin　to　ruin　saw　the　battered　pany　to　a　hard…won　refuge　from　the　monsters　who　ruled　Hlaungadath。　Beneath　the　hulking　shell　of　a　square　tower　they　found　a　sand…choked　stair　descending　into　cool；　lightless　catabs　beneath　the　city。　Buoyed　by　their　find；　the　dark　elves　slipped　through　a　maze　of　buried　shrines；　subterranean　wells；　and　echoing　colonnades　of　brown　stone；　finally　holing　up　in　a　deep；　disused　gallery　that　showed　no　signs　of　recent　use。　It　was　a　cheerless　and　desolate　spot；　but　it　was　free　of　blinding　sunlight　and　mind…controlling　monsters；　and　that　was　all　they　needed。
　　　〃Pharaun；　prepare　your　spells　quickly；〃　Quenthel　manded　after　sizing　up　the　chamber。　〃Halisstra；　you　and　Ryld　will　stand　watch　here。　Jeggred；　you　and　Valas　keep　watch　on　the　far　archway；　over　there。〃
　　　〃Unfortunately；　you　must　keep　your　watch　for　some　time；〃　the　wizard　said。　He　made　a　rueful　gesture。　〃I　was　ready　to　study　my　spellbook　earlier；　when　I'd　had　some　time　to　rest　in　the　courtyard　of　the　palace　above；　but　the　poor　hospitality　of　our　lamia　hosts　has　left　me　somewhat　fatigued。　I　must　rest　for　some　time　before　I　will　be　able　to　ready　my　spells。〃
　　　〃We're　all　tired；〃　Quenthel　snarled。　〃We　have　no　time　for　you　to　rest。　Prepare　your　spells　at　once！〃
　　　The　snakes　of　her　whip　coiled　and　hissed　in　agitation。
　　　〃The　exercise　would　be　pointless；　dear　Quenthel。　You　must　keep　our　enemies　away　from　me　until　I　have　recovered　from　my　exertions。〃
　　　〃If　he　is　so　powerless；〃　Jeggred　rumbled；　〃now　would　be　as　good　a　time　as　any　to　punish　him　for　his　disrespectful　attitude　and　many　transgressions。〃
　　　〃Stupid　creature；〃　Pharaun　snorted。　〃Slay　me；　and　all　of　you　will　die　in　these　light…blasted　wastelands　within　a　day。　Or　perhaps　you　have　suddenly　acquired　a　knack　for　the　arcane　arts？〃
　　　Jeggred　bristled；　but　Quenthel　silenced　him　with　nothing　more　than　a　look。　The　draegloth　stalked　off　to　take　up　his　watch　at　the　far　end　of　the　long；　dusty　chamber；　crouching　in　a　jumble　of　fallen　stones　near　the　opposite　entrance。　Valas　sighed　and　trotted　off　to　join　him。
　　　〃Ready　your　spells　as　fast　as　you　can；　wizard；〃　the　priestess　said；　deadly　anger　tightly　contained　in　her　voice。　〃I　have　little　patience　left　for　your　wit。　Give　Halisstra　your　lightning　wand　in　case　we　need　spells　of　that　sort　to　repel　another　attack。〃
　　　It　was　a　measure　of　his　true　exhaustion　that　Pharaun　didn't　even　bother　to　seek　the　last　word。　He　turned　to　Halisstra　and　dropped　the　black　iron　wand　into　her　hand　with　a　sour　smile。
　　　〃I　suppose　you　know　how　to　use　this　already。　I'll　want　it　back；　of　course；　so　please　try　not　to　exhaust　it　pletely。　They're　hard　to　make。〃
　　　〃I　won't　use　it　unless　I　have　to；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　She　watched　as　the　wizard　found　a　shadowed　spot　beside　a　large　column　and　sat　down　cross…legged；　leaning　against　the　cold　stone；　and　she　tucked　the　wand　into　her　belt。　Quenthel　posed　herself　against　the　opposite　wall；　watching　Pharaun　as　if　to　make　sure　he　was　not　feigning　his　need　for　rest。　Ryld　Argith　pushed　himself　erect　and　set　out　for　the　passage　leading　back　toward　the　monster…haunted　surface；　leaning　on　his　massive　greatsword　as　he　did　so。
　　　Halisstra　started　to　follow；　but　Danifae　said；　〃Shall　I　keep　watch　here；　Mistress　Melarn？〃
　　　The　girl　knelt　on　the　dusty　floor　between　the　wizard　and　the　priestess；　the　dagger　thrust　through　her　belt。　She　looked　up　at　Halisstra；　her　expression　blank　and　perfect；　the　picture　of　an　innocent　question。
　　　The　Melarn　priestess　repressed　a　grimace。　Arming　a　battle　captive　was　tantamount　to　admitting　one　no　longer　had　the　strength　to　force　her　submission；　and　she　suspected　that　Danifae　would　later　exact　a　difficult　price　for　continued　pliance。　Danifae　watched　serenely　as　her　mistress　considered　the　offer。　Halisstra　could　feel　Quenthel's　eyes　on　her　too；　and　she　steeled　herself　against　glancing　at　the　Baenre　priestess　to　measure　her　approval。
　　　〃You　may　keep　the　dagger　to　defend　yourself…for　now；〃　Halisstra　allowed。　〃Your　vigilance　is　not　required。　Do　not　presume　to　suggest　such　a　thing　again。〃
　　　〃Of　course；　Mistress　Melarn；〃　Danifae　replied。
　　　The　girl's　face　was　devoid　of　emotion；　but　Halisstra　didn't　like　the　thoughtful　look　in　Danifae's　eye　as　she　posed　herself　to　wait。
　　　Will　her　binding　hold？　Halisstra　mused。
　　　In　the　heart　of　House　Melarn；　surrounded　by　the　full　strength　of　her　enemies；　Danifae　would　not　have　dared　to　throw　off　the　magical　pulsion　that　enslaved　her；　even　if　she　could　do　such　a　thing。　Things　had　changed；　though。　Danifae's　care　in　how　she　addressed　her　mistress　in　front　of　Quenthel　did　not　escape　Halisstra's　notice。　Without　her　House；　her　city；　to　invest　Halisstra　with　absolute　dominion　over　what　she　called　her　own…her　life；　her　loyalties；　and　possessions　such　as　Danifae…any　or　all　of　those　things　might　be　wrested　away　from　her。　The　thought　left　her　feeling　as　hollow　and　as　brittle　as　a　rotten　piece　of　bone。
　　　What　happens　when　Danifae　decides　to　test　the　bounds　of　her　captivity　in　earnest？　she　wondered。　Would　Quenthel　permit　Halisstra　to　retain　her　mastery　over　the　girl；　or　would　the　Baenre　intercede　simply　to　spite　Halisstra　and　strip　her　of　one　more　shred　of　her　status？　For　that　matter；　was　Quenthel　capable　of　freeing　Danifae　and　claiming　Halisstra　herself　as　a　battle　captive？
　　　The　girl　studied　Halisstra　from　her　lowered　eyes；　demure　and　beautiful。　Patient。
　　　〃Are　you　ing？〃　Ryld　asked。　He　stood　in　the　mouth　of　the　passage；　waiting。
　　　〃Yes；　of　course；〃　Halisstra　said；　barely　repressing　a　scowl。
　　　Deliberately　turning　her　back　on　the　servant；　Halisstra　followed　Ryld　back　out　to　the　tunnels　leading　to　their　refuge。　For　the　moment；　she　was　safe　enough。　Danifae　could　not　remove　the　silver　locket　from　her　neck　with　all　of　her　will；　strength；　and　effort。　The　moment　she　touched　it；　the　enchantment　would　lock　her　muscles　into　rigidity　until　she　abandoned　the　attempt。　Nor　could　she　ask　someone　else　to　remove　it　for　her；　since　the　moment　she　tried　to　speak　of　the　locket；　her　tongue　would　freeze　in　her　mouth。　As　long　as　the　locket　encircled　her　neck；　Danifae　was　pelled　to　serve　Halisstra；　even　to　the　point　of　giving　her　own　life　to　save　her　mistress。　Danifae　had　borne　her　bondage　well；　but　Halisstra　had　no　intention　of　removing　the　locket　in　the　presence　of　the　Menzoberranyr…if；　in　fact；　she　ever　did。
　　　She　and　Ryld　took　up　positions　in　a　small　rotunda　a　short　ways　down　the　tunnel；　a　dark　and　open　space　from　which　they　could　keep　the　approach　to　their　refuge　under　careful　observation　without　being　seen　themselves。　Folded　in　their　piwafwis；　they　were　virtually　indistinguishable　from　the　dark　stone　around　them。　Despite　the　capricious　chaos　and　gnawing　ambition　that　burned　in　every　drow　heart；　any　drow　of　acplishment　was　capable　of　patience　and　iron　discipline　in　the　performance　of　an　important　task；　and　so　Halisstra　and　Ryld　set　themselves　to　watch　and　wait　in　vigilant　silence。
　　　Halisstra　tried　to　empty　her　mind　of　all　but　the　input　of　her　senses；　to　better　stand　her　watch；　but　she　found　that　her　head　was　filled　with　thoughts　that　did　not　care　to　be　dismissed。　It　occurred　to　Halisstra　that　whatever　became　of　her　from　this　day　forward；　she　would　rise　or　fall　based　on　nothing　more　than　her　own　strength；　cunning；　and　ruthlessness。　The　displeasure　of　House　Melarn　meant　nothing。　If　she　desired　respect；　she　would　have　to　make　the　displeasure　of　Halisstra　Melarn　something　to　be　feared　in　its　place。　All　because　Lolth　had　decided　to　test　those　most　faithful　to　her。　By　the　caprice　of　the　goddess　House　Melarn　of　Ched　Nasad；　whose　leading　females　for　centuries　beyond　counting　had　poured　out　blood　and　treasure　upon　the　Spider　Queen's　altars；　had　been　cast　down。
　　　Why？　Halisstra　wondered。　Why？
　　　The　answer　was　cold　and　empty；　of　course。　Lolth's　machinations　were　not　for　her　priestesses　to　understand；　and　her　tests　could　be　cruel　indeed。　Halisstra　ground　her　teeth　softly　and　tried　to　thrust　her　weak　questions　out　of　her　heart。　If　Lolth　chose　to　test　Halisstra's　faith　by　stripping　her　of　everything　she　held　dear　to　see　if　the　First　Daughter　of　House　Melarn　could　win　it　back；　the　Spider　Queen　would　find　her　equal　to　the　challenge。
　　　Care　to　talk　about　it？　Ryld's　fingers　flashed　discretely　in　the　sophisticated　sign　language　of　the　dark　elves。
　　　Talk　about　what？
　　　Whatever　it　is　that　troubles　you。　Something　has　you　tied　in　a　knot；　priestess。
　　　It　is　nothing　to　concern　a　male；　she　replied。
　　　Of　course。　It　never　is。
　　　Their　eyes　met　across　the　small　chamber。　Halisstra　was　surprised　to　find　Ryld's　face　twisted　in　a　curious　expression　of　bitter　resignation　and　wry　amusement　at　the　same　time。　She　studied　him　carefully；　trying　to　ascertain　what　motive　he　might　have　had　for　striking　up　a　conversation。
　　　He　was　very　tall　and　strongly　built　for　a　male…for　any　dark　elf；　really…just　as　tall　as　she　was　herself。　His　close…cropped　hair　was　an　exotic　affectation　in　drow　society；　a　strangely　ascetic　austerity　for　a　race　that　delighted　in　things　of　beauty　and　personal　refinement。　Drow　were　ruthlessly　pragmatic　in　their　dealings　with　one　another；　but　not　in　their　grooming。　Most　males　in　Halisstra's　experience　preened　themselves；　affecting　silken　grace　and　deadly　guile。　Pharaun　virtually　epitomized　the　type。　Ryld；　she　realized；　was　something　very　different。
　　　You　fight　well；　she　offered…not　an　apology；　not　to　a　male；　but　still　something。　You　could　have　let　me　die　in　Ched　Nasad；　yet　you　risked　yourself　to　save　me。　Why？
　　　We　had　an　agreement。　You　led　us　to　safety；　and　we　helped　you　escape。
　　　Yes；　but　I　had　discharged　my　end　of　the　bargain　by　that　time。　There　was　no　need　to　honor　yours。
　　　There　was　no　need　not　to。　Ryld　offered　a　slight　smile；　and　shifted　to　a　soft　whisper。　〃Besides；　it　seems　that　it　was　in　my　own　interests　to　save　you；　as　not　an　hour　ago　you　saved　my　life　in　turn。　We　are　indebted　to　each　other。〃
　　　Halisstra　laughed　at　that；　so　quietly　that　no　one　more　than　ten　feet　away　would　have　noticed。
　　　We　are　not　a　race　given　to　honoring　our　debts；　she　signed。
　　　That　has　been　made　clear　to　me　more　than　once；　the　weapons　master　replied。　A　brief　flicker　of　pain　crossed　his　face；　and　Halisstra　wondered　exactly　whom　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　had　trusted；　and　why　he'd　done　something　so　foolish。　Before　she　could　ask；　he　continued；　So　tell　me　of　the　bae'qeshel。　I　do　not　know　of　them。
　　　〃By　tradition；〃　she　whispered；　〃our　wizards；　swordsmen；　and　clerics　are　trained　in　academies。　This　is　true　in　most　drow　cities。　The　reason　you　do　not　know　of　the　bae'qeshel　is　that　the　bardic　training　is　not　a　public　matter。　We　pass　our　secrets；　one　mistress　to　one　student　at　a　time。〃
　　　I　thought　the　noble　Houses　had　little　use　for　mon　minstrels。
　　　〃The　bae'qeshel　are　not　mon　minstrels；　weapons　master；〃　Halisstra　said　in　a　low　voice。　〃We　are　a　proud　and　ancient　sect；　the　bae'qeshel　telphraezzar；　the　Whisperers　of　the　Dark　Queen。　I　am　a　priestess　of　Lolth；　as　are　the　other　females　of　my　House；　but　I　was　chosen　to　spend　many　long　years　as　a　girl　studying　the　bae'qeshel　lore。　I　revere　the　goddess　not　only　with　my　service　as　her　priestess；　but　with　the　gift　of　raising　the　ancient　songs　of　our　race；　which　are　pleasing　to　her　ears。　House　Melarn　has　always　been　proud　to　raise　one　bae'qeshel　into　the　sisterhood　of　Lolth's　service　in　each　generation。〃
　　　〃If　your　songs　are　sacred　to　Lolth；　why　do　they　work　while　other　spells　fail？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　〃Because　the　songs　possess　a　power　in　and　of　themselves；　like　a　wizard's　spells。　We　do　not　channel　the　divine　power　of　the　Queen　of　Spiders　to　wield　our　songs。　Regrettably；　my　skill　with　such　things　is　nothing　pared　to　the　divine　might　I　could　wield　in　Lolth's　name；　if　she　would　restore　her　favor　to　me。〃
　　　〃An　interesting　talent；　nonetheless；〃　he　murmured。　Ryld　glanced　back　down　the　passageway　toward　the　chamber　where　the　others　waited。　〃It　seems　quiet　enough。　We　may　have　some　time　to　wait　yet。　If　I　know　Pharaun；　he　will　need　hours　to　regain　his　strength。　Tell　me；　do　you　play　sava？〃
　　　
　　　Nimor　clung　to　the　shadows　of　a　gigantic　stalactite；　one　of　many　such　stone　fangs　reaching　down　from　the　ceiling　of　Menzoberranzan's　vast　cavern。　Old　passages　and　precarious　paths　crisscrossed　the　city's　roof；　and　many　of　the　stalactites　were　in　fact　carved　into　darkly　beautiful