蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第25部分

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　Quickly　as　few　folk　save　a　master　of　MeleeMagthere　could　manage；　he　loosed　two　shafts　of　his　own。
The　first　took　Relonor　in　the　chest；　and　the　second　stabbed　into　the　warrior's　belly。　They　both　dropped　down　out　of　sight。
Ryld　looked　at　the　twin　with　the　sword　cut　in　his　flank。　The　male　appeared　to　be　unconscious；　which　would　facilitate　searching　him。　Ryld　hobbled　over　to　him　to　rifle　his　pockets　and　the　leather　satchel　he　wore　on　his　belt。
Blessedly；　he　found　four　silver　vials；　each　marked　with　the　rune　for　healing。　Greyanna　had　indeed　outfitted　her　agents　properly　for　a　martial　expedition。　It　was　the　twin's　misfortune　that　he　hadn't　had　time　to　drink　of　her　bounty　before　going　into　shock。
His　brother　and　Relonor　no　doubt　carried　healing　draughts　as　well；　and　Ryld　had　no　guarantee　that　they'd　be　unable　to　use　them。　They　might　e　after　him　again　any　second；　and　he'd　just　as　soon　avoid　a　second　round。　He　needed　to　beat　a　hasty—
Enormous　wings　beat　the　air。　A　longnecked；　legless　beast　passed　overhead　with　Greyanna　and　the　other　priestess；　the　skinny　one；　astride　its　back。　Glaring　down　at　Ryld；　Pharaun's　sister　pulled　at　the　laces　securing　the　mouth　of　her　bag　of　monsters。
Ryld　dumped　the　remaining　arrows　out　of　the　quiver；　the　better　to　examine　them。　One　was　fletched　with　red　feathers　while　the　rest　had　black。
He'd　already　seen　his　first　foe　shoot　one　fire　arrow。　Praying　that　the　redfletched　arrow　was　another；　he　drew　back　his　bowstring　and　sent　it　hurtling　into　the　air。
The　arrow　plunged　into　the　sack；　and　burst　into　flame。　The　scarred　high　priestess　reflexively　dropped　the　bag；　and　it　fell；　burning　as　it　went。　The　magic　spores　busting　inside　turned　the　fire　green；　then　blue；　then　violet。
Greyanna　screamed　in　fury　and　sent　the　foulwing　swooping　lower。　Ryld　looked　for　another　magic　arrow　and　found　that　none　were　left。　He　nocked　an　ordinary　one；　and　his　hands　began　to　shake；　no　doubt　an　aftereffect　of　the　punishment　he'd　taken。
For　a　moment；　it　seemed　to　him　that　he　was　finished。　If　he　couldn't　shoot　accurately；　he　couldn't　hit　one　of　the　foulwing's　vital　spots；　or　the　riders　on　its　back；　for　that　matter。　Nor　was　he　in　any　shape　to　fight　them　hand　to　hand。
Then　he　realized　he　still　had　a　chance。　He　surrounded　his　arrow　with　a　cloud　of　murky　darkness；　then　shot　it　upward。
The　descending　beast　was　a　huge　target。　Even　shooting　blind　with　trembling　hands；　he　had　a　fair　chance　of　hitting　in　somewhere；　and　the　foulwing　gave　a　double　shriek　that　told　him　he'd　succeeded。
He　watched　the　mass　of　darkness　he'd　created　tumble　and　zigzag　drunkenly　through　the　air。　Stung；　suddenly　and　inexplicably　sightless；　the　winged　mount　inside　had　panicked；　and　Greyanna　was　evidently　unable　to　control　it。　She　quite　possibly　could　have　dissolved　the　darkness　with　some　scroll　or　talisman；　but　she　couldn't　see　either　or　lay　hands　on　her　equipment　easily　with　the　foulwing　lurching　and　swooping　about　beneath　her。
Ryld　snapped　the　head　off　the　arrow　in　his　leg　and　pulled　the　offending　object　out。　He　gathered　up　the　healing　potions；　and　quickly　as　he　was　able；　activated　the　magic　in　his　talisman；　floated　down　off　the　roof；　and　limped　away。
　　
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T　　H　　I　　R　　T　　E　　EN
As　Quenthel　skulked　down　the　corridor；　it　occurred　to　her　that　at　the　same　time；　Gromph　was　casting　his　radiant　heat　into　the　base　of　Narbondel。　Even　revelers　and　necromancers　were　settling　in　for　a　rest。　She；　however；　was　too　busy　to　do　the　same。　She　wouldn't　have　a　chance　to　relax　until　late　the　next　night；　unless；　of　course；　she　wound　up　resting　forever。
Fortunately；　one　of　the　Baenre　alchemists　brewed　a　stimulant　to　delay　the　onset　of　the　aching　eyes；　fuzzy　head；　and　leaden　limbs　that　lack　of　rest　produced。　Quenthel　extracted　a　silver　vial　of　the　stuff　from　one　of　the　pouches　on　her　belt　and　took　a　sip　of　it。　She　gasped；　and　her　shoulder　muscles　jumped。　Jolted　back　to　alertness；　she　continued　on　her　way。
In　another　minute；　she　reached　the　door　to　Drisinil's　quarters。　In　deference　to　the　status　of　her　family；　the　novice　resided　in　one　of　ArachTinilith's　most　fortable　student　habitations。　Quenthel　regretted　not　sticking　her　in　a　dank　little　hole。　Perhaps　then　the　girl　would　have　learned　her　place。
The　high　priestess　inspected　the　arched　limestone　panel　that　was　the　door。　She　couldn't　see　any　magical　wards。
〃Is　it　safe？〃　she　whispered　to　the　vipers。
〃We　believe　so；〃　Yngoth　replied。
How　reassuring；　Quenthel　thought；　but　it　was　either　trust　them　or　use　another　precious；　irreplaceable　scroll　to　wipe　away　protections　that　probably　didn't　exist。
She　activated　the　power　of　her　brooch。　When　a　novice　came　to　ArachTinilith；　the　enchantments　on　certain　doors　were　keyed　to　allow　her　to　enter；　based　on　the　unique　magical　signature　of　her　House　insignia；　rooms　the　high　priestesses　deemed　it　necessary　for　her　to　pass　into。　Only　Quenthel's　brooch　could　unlock　them　all。
She　unlocked　Drisinil's　door　and　warily　cracked　it　open。　No　magic　sparked；　nor　did　any　mechanical　trap　jab　a　blade　at　her。　As　quietly　as　she　could；　Quenthel　crept　on　into　the　suite。　Sensing　her　desire　for　quiet；　the　snakes　hung　mute　and　limp。
She　found　Drisinil　sitting　motionless　in　a　chair；　her　bandaged；　mutilated　hands　in　her　lap。　For　a　moment；　Quenthel；　thinking　the　other　female　must　have　a　dauntless　spirit　to　enter　the　Reverie　at　such　a　perilous　time；　rather　admired　her—then　she　caught　the　smell　of　brandy；　and　noticed　the　bottle　lying　in　a　puddle　of　liquor　on　the　floor。
Quenthel　stalked　toward　the　novice。　It　occurred　to　her　that　she　was　doing　to　Drisinil　as　the　living　darkness　had　done　to　her。　The　thought　vaguely　amused　her；　perhaps　simply　because　she　was　finally　the　predator；　not　the　prey。　Smiling；　she　gently　laid　the　vipers　across　the　other　drow's　face　and　upper　torso。　The　snakes　hissed　and　writhed。
Drisinil　roused　with　a　cry　and　a　start。　She　started　to　rear　up；　and　Quenthel　pushed　her　back　down　in　her　chair。
〃Sit〃　the　Baenre　snapped；　〃or　the　serpents　will　bite。〃
Her　wide　eyes　framed　by　the　cool；　scaly　loops　of　the　vipers；　Drisinil　stopped　struggling。
〃Mistress；　what's　wrong？〃
Quenthel　smiled　and　said；　〃Very　good；　child；　you　sound　sincere。　After　your　first　ploy　failed；　you　should　at　the　very　least　have　rested　elsewhere。〃
〃I　don't　know　what　you　mean。〃
Drisinil's　hand　shifted　stealthily；　no　doubt　toward　a　hidden　weapon　or　charm。　The　vipers　struck　at　the　student's　face；　their　fangs　missing　her　sharpnosed　features　by　a　fraction　of　an　inch。　She　froze。
〃Please；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃This　will　go　easier　if　you　don't　insult　my　intelligence。　You　have　spirit；　you　believe　I　punished　you　too　harshly；　and　you're　Barrison　De　Armgo；　eager　to　bring　down　the　one　House　standing　between　your　family　and　supremacy。　Of　course　you're　involved　in　the　plot　against　me。　You're　also　an　idiot　if　you　didn't　think　I'd　realize　it。〃
〃Plot？〃
Quenthel　sighed。　〃Halavin　tried　to　kill　me　last　night；　and　she　didn't　act　alone。　A　single　traitor　couldn't　have　drugged　all　the　food　and　drink　set　out　at　various　points　around　the　temple。　It　would　have　required　abandoning　her　station　for　long　enough　that　someone　would　have　marked　her　absence。〃
〃Halavin　could　have　tainted　the　meal　while　it　was　still　in　the　kitchen。〃
〃She　was　never　there。〃
〃Then　perhaps　the　demon　poisoned　the　viands　with　its　magic。〃
〃No。　As　I'm　sure　you　noted；　each　spirit　represents　one　of　the　facets　of　reality　over　which　the　goddess　holds　special　dominion。　Poison　is　the　weapon　of　an　assassin；　while　with　its　continually　fluctuating　form；　last　night's　assailant　was　plainly　a　manifestation　of　chaos。
〃The　conspirators；〃　Quenthel　continued；　〃had　to　contaminate　each　and　every　table　because　they　didn't　know　where　I　would　stop　and　eat。　Many　fell　unconscious；　but　you　and　the　other　plotters　knew　not　to　sample　the　repast。〃
Drisinil　said；　〃I　had　no　part　in　it。〃
〃Novice；　you're　beginning　to　irritate　me。　Admit　your　guilt；　or　I'll　give　you　to　the　vipers　and　interrogate　someone　else。〃　The　serpents　hissed　and　flicked　their　tongues。
〃All　right；〃　said　Drisinil；　〃I　was　involved。　A　little。　The　others　talked　me　into　it。　Don't　kill　me。〃
〃I　know　what　your　little　cabal　has　done；　but　I　want　to　understand　how　you　dared。〃
Drisinil　swallowed　and　said；　〃You　。　。　。　you　said　it　yourself。　Each　demon　seeks　to　kill　only　you；　and　each　in　its　own　particular　way　reflects　the　divine　majesty　of　Lolth。　We　thought　she　sent　them。　We　thought　we　were　doing　what　the　goddess　wanted。〃
〃Because　you're　imbeciles。　Has　no　one　taught　you　to　look　beyond　appearances？　If　Lolth　wanted　me　dead；　I　couldn't　survive　her　displeasure　for　a　heartbeat；　let　alone　three　nights。　The　attacks　resemble　her　doing　because　some　blasphemous　mortal　arranged　it　so；　to　manipulate　you　into　doing　her　killing　for　her。　I'd　hoped　you　conspirators　knew　the　trickster's　identity；　but　1　see　it　isn't　so。〃
〃No。〃
〃Curse　you　all〃
〃I　know　。　。　。〃　The　novice　hesitated；　then　said；　〃The　Mother　of　Lusts　must　have　some　reason　for　distancing　herself　from　the　city；　and　we　。　。　。　speculated。〃
〃Some　of　you　did；　I'm　sure。　Others　simply　liked　the　idea　of　eliminating　me。　I　imagine　your　Aunt　Molvayas　would　relish　seeing　me　dead。　She'd　have　an　excellent　chance　of　being　mistress　in　her　turn。　We　Baenre　don't　have　another　princess　seasoned　enough　to　assume　the　role。〃
〃It　was　my　aunt〃　Drisinil　exclaimed。　〃She　came　up　with　the　idea　of　helping　the　demons　kill　you。　I　didn't　even　want　to　help。　I　thought　it　was　a　stupid　idea；　but　within　our　family；　she　holds　authority　over　me。〃
Quenthel　smiled。　〃It's　too　bad　you　weren't　more　impressed　with　my　authority。〃
〃I'm　sorry。〃
〃No　doubt　that。　Now；　I　need　the　names　of　all　the　conspirators。〃
Drisinil　didn't　hesitate　an　instant。　〃My　aunt；　Vlondril　Tuin'Tarl　。　。　。〃
As　ever；　Quenthel　maintained　a　calm；　knowing　expression；　but　inwardly　she　was　surprised　at　the　number　of　conspirators。　An　eighth　of　the　temple　It　was　unprecedented；　but　then　she　was　living　in　unprecedented　times。
When　Drisinil　finished；　the　Baenre　said；　〃Thank　you。　Where　did　you　gather　to　hatch　your　schemes？〃
〃One　of　the　unused　storerooms　in　the　fifth　leg；〃　Drisinil　said。
Quenthel　shook　her　head。　〃That　won't　do。　It's　not　big　enough。　Convene　the　group　in　Lirdnolu's　old　classroom。　Nobody's　used　it　since　she　had　her　throat　slit；　so　it　will　seem　a　safe　meeting　place。〃
Drisinil　blinked。　〃Convene？〃
〃Yes。　Last　night's　plot　failed；　so　obviously　you　must　hatch　a　new　one。　You've　chosen　a　new　chamber　for　the　conference　because　you　suspect　the　storeroom　is　no　longer　safe。　Say　whatever　you　need　to　say　to　assemble　your　cabal　in　four　hours'　time。〃
〃If　I　do；　will　you　spare　me？〃
〃Why　not？　As　you've　explained；　you　only　participated　reluctantly。　But　you　know；　it　suddenly　occurs　to　me　that　we　have　a　problem。　If　I　send　you　forth　to　perform　this　task；　how　do　I　know　you　won't　simply　flee　Tier　Breche　and　take　refuge　in　your　mother's　castle？〃
〃Mistress；　you　already　explained　that　such　a　course　could　only　lead　to　my　death。〃
〃But　did　you　believe　me？　Do　you　still？　How　can　I　be　sure？〃
〃Mistress　。。。　I　。。。〃
〃If　I　had　my　magic；　I　could　pel　you　to　do　as　you're　told；　but　in　its　absence；　I　must　take　other　measures。〃
Quenthel　raised　the　whip；　sweeping　the　vipers　off　Drisinil's　face　in　the　process；　and　slammed　the　metal　butt　of　the　weapon　down　in　the　middle　of　her　forehead。
The　mistress　then　took　out　the　silver　vial。　She　pinched　the　dazed；　feebly　struggling　girl's　nostrils　closed；　poured　the　stimulant　into　her　open　mouth；　and　forced　her　to　swallow。
The　effect　was　immediate。　The　younger　female　bucked　and　thrashed　until　her　eyes　flew　open。
The　high　priestess　hopped　back　down　to　the　floor。　〃How　does　it　feel？　I　imagine　your　heart　is　hammering。〃
Drisinil　trembled　like　the　string　of　a　viol。　Sweat　seeped　from　her　pores。
〃What　did　you　do　to　me？〃
〃That　should　be　obvious　to　an　acplished　poisoner　like　yourself。〃
〃You've　poisoned　me？〃
〃It's　a　slow　toxin。　Do　as　I　ordered；　and　I'll　give　you　the　antidote。〃
〃I　can't　cozen　the　others　like　this。　They'll　see　something's　wrong　with　me。〃
〃The　external　signs　should　ease　in　a　minute　or　two；　though　you'll　still　feel　the　poison　speeding　your　heart　and　gnawing　at　your　nerves。　You'll　just　have　to　put　up　with　that。〃
〃All　right；〃　Drisinil　said。　〃Just　bring　the　antidote　with　you　when　you　e　to　Lirdnolu's　room。〃
The　mistress　arched　an　eyebrow；　and　Drisinil　added；　〃Please。〃
Quenthel　smiled。　Catching　her　mood；　the　whip　vipers　sighed　with　pleasure。
〃How　did　you　know　your　darkness　would　madden　the　beast？〃　asked　Pharaun；　lathering　his　narrow　chest。
The　night　before；　after　he　made　way　back　to　Pharaun；　the　two　of　them　had　found　they　had　enough　healing　potions　to　cure　all　the　wounds　that　either　had　sustained。　Still；　despite　their　restoration　to　full　vitality；　the　next　few　hours　proved　exhausting；　as　they　struggled　to　survive　the　madness　of　the　hunt　and　watch　out　for　Greyanna　at　the　same　time。　At　last　they'd　escaped　the　Braeryn。
Claiming　that　while　Greyanna　was　seeking　them　in　the　Stenchstreets；　they'd　be　safe　in　pleasant；　prosperous　Narbondellyn；　Pharaun　had　insisted　that　he　and　Ryld　dispense　with　disguises　and　celebrate　their　sundry　discoveries　and　escapes　with　a　visit　to　one　of　Menzoberranzan's　finest　public　baths。　The　warrior　had　objected　to　what　he　saw　as　reckless　bravado；　but　not　too　vehemently。　Ryld　supposed　that　he　and　Pharaun　would　climb　beyond　their　foes'　reach　soon　enough。　The　prospect　made　him　feel　rather　wistful。
Over　the　course　of　the　past　few　minutes；　he'd　been　enjoying　the　luxury　of　scrubbing　off　the　sweat　and　grime　that　had　accumulated　on　his　person；　sitting　down；　and　thinking　about　nothing　in　particular。　He　should　have　known　the　peace　and　quiet　couldn't　last　for　long。　Pharaun　couldn't　go　long　without　craving　conversation。
〃How　did　you　know　that；　shrouded　in　darkness　or　no；　the　foulwing　wouldn't　just　keep　descending；　guided　by　its　other　senses？〃　the　wizard　persisted。
The　warrior　shrugged　and　said；　〃I　didn't　know；　but　it　seemed　like　a　good　guess。　The　thing's　an　animal；　isn't　it？〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃Not　really。　It's　a　creature　from　another　plane。　Still；　your　instincts　were　sound。〃
Ryld　shrugged　and　replied；　〃I　was　lucky　to　get　away　from　there　with　my　life。　Very　lucky。〃
〃Fire　and　glare；　you're　a　master　of　Tier　Breche。　You're　not　supposed　to　be　modest。　Are　you　ready　to　move？〃
They　rose　from　an　octagonal　pool　set　in　the　black　marble　floor；　and；　having　pleted　the　quotidian　business　of　cleaning　themselves；　headed　for　a　larger　basin　where　they　would　luxuriate　in　steaming；　scented　mineral　water。　Later　in　the　day；　it　would　be　packed；　but　it　wasn't　fashionable　to　visit　the　baths　so　early　in　the　morning。　They　had　it　to　themselves；　which　was　convenient。　They　could　converse　without　fear　of　eavesdroppers。
Ryld　walked　straight　down　the　steps　and　sat　on　the　underwater　ledge。　The　warmth　felt　good　on　his　leg；　mended　but　still　a　little　sore；　and　he　sighed　with　contentment。　Pharaun　made　a　production　of　immersing　himself　in　stages；　an　inch　at　a　time；　as　if　the　heat　were　almost　more　than　he　could　bear。
〃I've　been　thinking　about　your　malaise；〃　the　wizard　said；　once　everything　but　his　head　was　finally　submerged。　〃I　have　a　solution。〃
〃What　do　you　mean？〃
〃Resign　from　MeleeMagthere　and　bee　the　weapons　master　of　a　noble　House。　It　will　have　to　be　one　of　the　lesser　ones；　of　course；　you　being　a　moner；　but　that's　all　right。　You　may　see　more　excitement　that　way。〃
〃Why　would　I　do　that？　It's　not　a　move　up。