war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第9部分

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om　that　point　forward。
　　　
　　　Nimor　Imphraezl　made　his　way　among　the　grand　palaces　and　jagged　stalagmites　of　the　Qu'ellarz'orl；　draped　in　a　hooded　piwafwi。　He　wore　a　merchant's　insignia；　posing　as　a　well…to…do　moner　with　business　on　the　high　plateau　of　Menzoberranzan's　haughtiest　noble　Houses。　It　was　a　thin　disguise；　as　anyone　taking　note　of　his　confident　step　and　rakish　manner　would　not　mistake　him　for　anything　other　than　a　noble　drow　himself。　The　costume　was　not　unmon　among　highborn　males　who　wished　to　move　about　incognito。　Certain　spells　at　his　mand　might　have　sufficed　to　offer　him　almost　any　appearance　he　could　think　of；　but　Nimor　had　discovered　long　ago　that　the　simplest　disguises　were　often　the　best。　Most　drow　houses　were　guarded　by　defenders　who　would　note　the　approach　of　someone　veiled　in　webs　of　illusion；　but　spotting　a　mon　disguise　required　a　mundane　vigilance　that　some　dark　elves　had　forgotten。
　　　He　passed　a　pair　of　Baenre　armsmen；　walking　in　the　opposite　direction。　The　noble　lads　eyed　him　with　open　curiosity　and　not　a　little　suspicion。　Nimor　bowed　deeply　and　offered　an　empty　pleasantry。　The　young　rakes　glanced　back　over　their　shoulders　at　him　once　or　twice；　but　continued　on　their　business。　Baenre　boys　had　bee　hesitant　to　start　trouble　unless　they　were　certain　of　themselves。　Nimor　took　an　extra　turn　or　two　on　his　way　to　his　destination　anyway；　just　to　make　sure　they　hadn't　taken　it　into　their　heads　to　follow　him。　With　one　last　double…back　to　clear　his　trail；　he　turned　to　a　high　walled　palace　near　the　center　of　the　plateau　and　approached　the　fortresslike　gate。
　　　House　Agrach　Dyrr；　the　Fifth　House　of　Menzoberranzan；　clambered　in　and　around　nine　needle…like　towers　of　rock　within　the　bounds　of　a　great　dry　moat。　Each　fang　of　rock　had　been　joined　to　its　neighbor　by　a　graceful　wall　of　adamantine…reinforced　stone；　impossibly　slender　and　strong。　Flying　buttresses；　bladelike　and　beautiful；　linked　the　natural　towers　to　those　wrought　by　drow；　a　narrow　cluster　of　minarets　and　spires　in　the　center　of　the　pound　that　rose　hundreds　of　feet　above　the　plateau　floor。　A　railless　bridge　spanned　in　a　single　elegant　arch　the　sheer　chasm　surrounding　the　structure。
　　　Nimor　climbed　the　bridge　and　approached　openly。　Near　the　far　end　he　was　challenged　by　several　swordsmen　and　a　pair　of　petent…looking　wizards。
　　　〃Hold；〃　called　the　gate　captain。　〃Who　are　you；　and　what　is　your　business　with　Agrach　Dyrr？〃
　　　The　assassin　halted　with　a　smile。　He　could　sense　the　myriad　instruments　of　death　trained　upon　him；　as　if　he　might　suddenly　take　it　into　his　head　to　utter　some　truly　inappropriate　answer。
　　　〃I　am　Reethk　Vaszune；　a　purveyor　of　magical　ingredients　and　reagents；〃　he　said；　bowing　and　spreading　his　arms。　〃I　have　been　summoned　by　the　Old　Dyrr　to　discuss　the　sale　of　my　goods。〃
　　　The　gate　captain　relaxed　and　said；　〃The　master　told　us　to　expect　you；　Reethk　Vaszune。　e　this　way。〃
　　　Nimor　followed　the　captain　through　several　grand　reception　halls　and　high；　echoing　chambers　in　the　great　heart　of　the　Agrach　Dyrr　castle。　The　captain　showed　him　to　a　small　sitting　room；　elaborately　furnished　in　exotic　corals　and　limestone　rendered　in　the　motifs　of　the　kuo…toa；　the　fish　creatures　who　dwelled　in　some　of　the　Underdark's　subterranean　seas。　Exotic　enough　to　bespeak　the　House's　wealth　and　taste；　the　room　radiated　arrogance。
　　　〃I　am　informed　that　Master　Dyrr　will　join　us　shortly；〃　the　guard　captain　said。
　　　A　moment　later；　a　hidden　door　in　the　opposite　wall　slid　smoothly　open；　and　Old　Dyrr　appeared。　The　ancient　wizard　was　decrepit　indeed；　a　rare　sight　for　any　elf；　let　alone　a　drow。　He　leaned　on　a　great　staff　of　black　wood；　and　his　ebon　skin　seemed　as　thin　and　delicate　as　parchment。　A　bright；　cold　spark　burned　in　the　old　wizard's　eye；　hinting　at　reserves　of　ambition　and　vitality　that　had　not　yet　been　tapped　pletely　despite　his　great　age。
　　　〃We　are　delighted　to　see　you　again　so　soon；　Master　Reethk；〃　the　ancient　drow　said　with　a　dry；　crackling　voice。　〃Have　you　perchance　obtained　the　things　we　discussed？〃
　　　〃I　believe　you　will　be　satisfied；　Lord　Dyrr；〃　Nimor　said。
　　　He　glanced　at　the　guard　captain；　who　looked　to　the　old　wizard　to　make　sure　that　he　was　dismissed。　Dyrr　sent　him　along　with　a　small　wave　of　his　hand；　then　the　old　wizard　made　another　gesture　and　spoke　an　arcane　word；　encapsulating　the　chamber　in　a　sphere　of　crawling　blackness　that　hissed　and　moaned　softly　like　a　thing　alive。
　　　〃I　hope　you'll　forgive　me；　young　one；　if　I　take　steps　to　ensure　that　our　conversation　remains　private；〃　the　ancient　drow　wheezed。　〃Eavesdropping　seems　to　be　a　way　of　life　among　our　kind。〃
　　　He　shuffled　to　an　ornately　carved　chair　and　lowered　himself　into　the　seat；　seemingly　careless　of　the　fact　that　he　bared　the　nape　of　his　wattled　neck　to　Nimor　in　so　doing。
　　　〃A　sensible　precaution；〃　Nimor　said。
　　　The　old　one　reckons　me　no　threat；　the　assassin　noted。　Either　he　is　very　trusting…unlikely…or　very　confident。　If　he　has　such　confidence　in　isolating　himself　with　me；　then　either　he　does　not　have　the　measure　of　my　strength；　or　I　do　not　have　the　measure　of　his。
　　　〃It　is　confidence；　young　one；〃　the　old　wizard　said；　〃and　you　do　not　have　the　measure　of　me；　for　we　are　both　of　us　more　than　we　appear。〃　Dyrr　laughed　again；　a　wet　and　rasping　sound。　〃Yes；　your　thoughts　are　known　to　me。　I　did　not　reach　my　advanced　age　through　carelessness。　Now；　take　a　seat。　We　will　dispense　with　this　foolishness　and　discuss　our　business。〃
　　　Nimor　spread　his　hands　in　a　gesture　of　acquiescence　and　took　the　chair　opposite　the　old　wizard。　With　some　care　he　organized　his　thoughts；　locking　away　his　darker　secrets　in　a　place　he　would　not　examine　while　Dyrr　sat　by　reading　his　thoughts。　Instead　he　concentrated　solely　on　the　matter　at　hand。
　　　〃You　have　no　doubt　heard　of　the　unfortunate　demise　of　the　Matron　Mother　of　House　Faen　Tlabbar？〃　the　assassin　said。　〃And　her　daughter　Sil'zet；　as　well？〃
　　　〃It　did　not　escape　my　notice。　Count　on　the　Tlabbars　to　go　crying　murder　to　the　ruling　council。　What　possible　action　did　they　hope　to　exhort　from　the　other　matron　mothers；　I　wonder？〃
　　　〃Perhaps　they　were　overe　with　grief；〃　Nimor　replied。
　　　He　reached　slowly　into　a　pouch　at　his　side；　allowing　the　wizard　to　note　the　deliberate　nature　of　his　motion。　From　the　pouch　he　withdrew　a　platinum　brooch；　worked　in　the　barred　double…curve　symbol　of　Faen　Tlabbar　and　crowned　by　a　dark　ruby。　Nimor　placed　it　on　the　table。
　　　〃The　matron　mother's　own　House　brooch；　which　I　managed　to　pocket　as　a　keepsake　for　you。　I　hope　your　scrying　shield　is　good；　Lord　Dyrr。　No　doubt　the　Tlabbar　wizards　will　be　seeking　that　emblem　with　all　the　magic　at　their　disposal。〃
　　　〃Half…witted　children　fumbling　in　the　dark；〃　Dyrr　muttered。　〃Five　hundred　years　ago　I'd　forgotten　more　about　the　Art　than　that　whole　house　full　of　wizards　had　collectively　deciphered　in　all　their　years　of　training。〃
　　　He　reached　out　one　near…skeletal　hand　for　the　brooch　and　weighed　it　in　his　hand。
　　　〃I　am　sure　you　have　a　means　to　confirm　the　authenticity　of　the　brooch；〃　said　Nimor。
　　　〃Oh；　I　believe　you；　assassin。　I　do　not　think　you　have　cheated　me；　but　I　will　examine　the　issue　later；　just　to　be　certain。〃
　　　The　wizard　left　the　brooch　sitting　on　the　table　and　leaned　back　into　his　chair。　Nimor　waited　patiently　while　Dyrr　settled　back；　tapping　one　long；　thin　finger　on　his　staff；　a　satisfied　smile　on　his　face。
　　　〃Well；〃　the　old　wizard　said　finally；　〃in　our　previous　meeting　I　required　that　you　demonstrate　to　me　the　reach　and　skill　of　your　brotherhood　by　removing　an　enemy　of　my　House；　and　I　suppose　that　you　have　done　exactly　that。　You　have　won　my　ear。　So　what　is　it　that　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　want　of　House　Agrach　Dyrr？〃
　　　Nimor　shifted　and　shot　a　sharp　glance　at　the　wizard。　Dyrr　was　very　well　informed　indeed；　to　know　of　that　name。　Very　few　outside　of　Chaulssin　did。　In　fact；　Nimor　had　studiously　avoided　bringing　it　up　when　he　had　first　approached　the　ancient　lord。　He　wondered　what　clues　he　had　left　for　the　wizard　to　decipher；　and　whether　Dyrr　could　be　permitted　that　knowledge。
　　　〃Do　not　be　hasty；　boy；〃　Dyrr　cautioned　him。　〃You　gave　away　nothing　that　I　did　not　already　know。　I　have　been　aware　of　the　House　of　Shadows　for　quite　a　long　time。〃
　　　〃I　am　impressed；〃　Nimor　said。
　　　〃On　the　contrary；　you　believe　that　I　am　making　empty　boasts。〃　Dyrr　pointed　at　his　own　temple　and　smiled　coldly。　〃I　am　not　given　to　bluffing　or　making　wild　guesses。　Long　ago　I　discerned　a　pattern　of　activity　that　spanned　a　number　of　the　great　cities　of　our　race　and　inferred　the　existence　of　a　secret　league　between　seemingly　weak　minor　Houses；　each　renowned　for　the　skill　of　its　assassins；　each　reputed　to　be　governed　by　its　males；　each　a　secret　ally　of　the　others。　These　families　that　otherwise　would　have　been　devoured　by　their　ambitious　matriarchal　rivals　instead　survived　through　the　convenient　and　violent　deaths　of　any　emergent　enemies。　Though　I　find　it　ironic　that　any　particular　House　of　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　must；　by　definition；　be　considered　the　blackest　sort　of　traitors　to　the　city　unfortunate　enough　to　host　them。　Placing　loyalty　to　your　House　above　loyalty　to　your　city　is　not　a　particularly　egregious　sin；　of　course；　but　to　acknowledge　a　tie　of　loyalty　to　a　House　in　another　city　all　together；　that　is　something　entirely　different；　is　it　not？〃
　　　Nimor　kept　his　mind　carefully　empty　and　said；　〃You　seem　to　know　all　our　secrets。〃
　　　He　studied　the　wizard　carefully；　trying　not　to　let　the　calculations　he　performed　in　his　mind　show。
　　　〃Not　entirely　true；〃　Dyrr　replied。　〃I　would　give　much　to　know　how　your　brotherhood　orders　its　Houses；　where　your　true　strength　is　held；　and　who　rules　your　society。　You　name　yourselves　after　the　city　of　Chaulssin；　which　fell　into　shadow　many　hundreds　of　years　ago。　I　wonder　about　the　significance　of　that　appellation。〃
　　　He　knows　more　than　we　can　permit；　Nimor　thought。
　　　He　glanced　up　sharply　at　the　old　wizard；　realizing　that　Dyrr　would　have　noted　that　thought。　The　ancient　mage　simply　studied　him　with　his　weak　gaze　and　inclined　his　head。　The　assassin　regained　the　mastery　of　his　thoughts　and　decided　to　change　the　subject。
　　　〃For　the　sake　of　our　friendship；　I　respectfully　submit　that　it　would　be　best　for　all　involved　if　you　did　not　do　anything　with　your　knowledge　that　would　draw　it　to　anyone　else's　attention。　We　feel　quite　strongly　that　our　secrets　are　best　left　that　way。〃
　　　〃I　will　do　as　I　wish。　However；　I　do　not　wish　to　incur　your　enmity。　I　think　it　would　be　inconvenient　to　have　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　as　my　enemy。〃
　　　〃It　is　not　merely　inconvenient；　Lord　Dyrr；　it　is　invariably　fatal。〃
　　　〃Perhaps。　In　any　event；　I　will　keep　your　secrets。〃
　　　The　old　drow　laughed　softly；　clutching　his　staff　with　his　withered　hands。
　　　〃Now；　let's　get　to　our　business；　young　one。　You　and　your　fellows　demonstrated　no　small　amount　of　ability　in　the　murder　of　Matron　Mother　Tlabbar；　the　enemy　of　my　House。　Very　well；　I　am　suitably　impressed。　What　is　it　you　want　of　Agrach　Dyrr？〃
　　　〃I　need　an　ally　in　Menzoberranzan；　Lord　Dyrr；　and　I　have　a　strong　suspicion　that　you　might　be　that　ally。〃　Nimor　leaned　forward；　offering　a　sly　grin。　〃Events　now　proceed　in　this　city　that　will　lead　to　the　downfall　of　the　Houses　ahead　of　yours。　If　you　choose　to　be　a　part　of　those　events；　you　will　find　that　House　Agrach　Dyrr　is　possessed　of　a　great　opportunity　to　order　the　city　largely　as　you　like。　We　believe　you　can　help　us　to　steer　Menzoberranzan　through　the　difficult　times　ahead。〃
　　　〃And　if　we　refuse；　we　die？〃
　　　Nimor　shrugged。
　　　〃Given　the　uncertainty　of　matters　as　they　stand；〃　said　Dyrr；　〃I　am　hesitant　to　embrace　a　cause　I　know　little　about。〃
　　　〃Understandable。　I　will；　of　course；　elaborate；　but　I　hope　you　will　recognize　the　wisdom；　in　these　uncertain　times；　of　taking　aggressive　and　resolute　steps　to　create　the　certainty　you　wish　to　see。　Impose　your　vision　on　events；　instead　of　allowing　events　to　limit　your　imagination。〃
　　　〃Easy　words　to　speak；　young　one；　but　more　difficult　to　render　into　action；〃　Dyrr　said。
　　　The　ancient　wizard　fell　silent　for　a　long　time；　regarding　the　rakish　assassin　with　a　baleful；　unblinking　gaze。　Nimor　met　his　eyes　without　flinching；　but　he　found　himself　wondering　again　what　hidden　strength　the　Agrach　high　mage　must　hold。　Dyrr　smiled　again；　doubtless　reading　Nimor's　thoughts；　and　shifted　in　his　seat。
　　　〃Very　well；　then；　Prince　of　Chaulssin。　You　have　awakened　my　curiosity。　Explain　exactly　what　you　mean；　and　what　you　plan；　and　I　will　say　if　House　Agrach　Dyrr　can　stand　by　your　bold　actions　or　not。〃
　　　
　　　〃Gather　closely；　dear　friends；〃　Pharaun　said　with　a　flourish；　〃and　I　will　explain　a　few　things　it　would　be　wise　to　remember　while　we　walk　within　the　shadows。〃
　　　The　wizard　stood　confidently　in　the　center　of　the　chamber；　arms　folded；　showing　no　hint　of　the　exhaustion　or　despair　of　the　day's　desperate　flight。　Stirring　from　his　Reverie　shortly　before　sunset；　he　had　spent　almost　an　hour　preparing　dozens　of　spells　from　his　collection　of　traveling　tomes。
　　　While　no　one　bothered　to　draw　closer　to　the　wizard；　all　focused　their　attention　on　him。　Pharaun　grinned　in　delight；　pleased　as　ever　by　the　attention。　He　knotted　his　fists　behind　his　back　as　if　lecturing　to　novices　at　Sorcere；　and　began。
　　　〃When　we　are　ready；　I　will　lead　us　along　a　path　that　skirts　the　Fringe…the　borders　of　the　Plane　of　Shadow。　We　will　travel　quite　swiftly；　and　minor　inconveniences　such　as　icy　mountains；　hungry　monsters；　and　thick…headed　humans　won't　trouble　us　in　the　least。　I　expect　a　walk　of　ten　to　twelve　hours　to　reach　Mantol…Derith；　provided　that　I　do　not　bee　lost　and　lead　you　all　into　some　grisly　demise　in　an　uncivilized　plane　far　from　Faerun。〃
　　　〃You　fail　to　reassure　me；　Pharaun；〃　Ryld　sighed。
　　　〃Oh；　I　haven't　ever　gotten　myself　lost　in　the　Shadow　Deep；　nor　do　I　know　of　a　wizard　who　has。　Of　course；　one　would　simply　never　hear　from　such　an　unfortunate　fellow　again；　so　perhaps　a　mishap　in　shadow　walking　might　explain　the　disappearance　of　a　young　mage　I　knew…〃
　　　〃Get　to　the　point；〃　Quenthel　snapped。
　　　〃Oh；　fine。　There　are　two　important　things　to　remember；　then；　for　those　of　you　challenged　by　the　effort。　First；　while　we　need　fear　no　difficulties　in　this　world　while　we　walk；　we　gain　no　special　protection　from　the　hazards　of　the　Plane　of　Shadow。　There　are　things　in　that　place　that　will　object　to　our　passage　if　they　happen　upon　us…I　encountered　one　such　creature　the　last　time　I　traveled　this　way；　and　it　was　very　nearly　the　last　of　my　marvelous　adventures。
　　　〃Second；　and　most　importantly；　do　not　lose　sight　of　me。　Stay　close　by　and　follow　me　diligently。　If　you　lose　contact　with　me　while　we　traverse　the　Plane　of　Shadow；　you　will　likely　wander　its　gloomy　barrens　for　all　eternity…or　until　something　terrible　devours　you；　which　will　probably　happen　rather　soon。　My　attention　must　remain　on　maintaining　the　spell　and　navigating　the　Fringe；　so　don't　make　it　easy　for　me　to　misplace　you；　unless　of　course　I　don't　like　you；　in　which　case　please　feel　free　to　amble　the　Shadow　Deep　at　will。〃
　　　〃Will　the　lamias　be　able　to　follow　us？〃　Ryld　asked；　his　eye　still　on　the　passage　leading　back　to　the　ruins　above。
　　　〃No；　not　unless　they　have　a　wizard