蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第32部分

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What　was　that　bone　wand？　Where　had　it　e　from；　and　how　did　it　work？　Had　it　merely　broken　his　own　control；　or　had　it　summarily　placed　his　minion　under　his　enemy's　dominance？
He　glumly　concluded　that　until　he　knew　more；　it　would　be　foolish　to　continue　attacking　a　foe　seemingly　capable　of　turning　his　own　potent　wizardry　against　him。
So　he'd　break　off　hostilities。
And；　he　thought；　with　a　sudden　pang　of　uneasiness；　hope　his　sister　didn't　guess　who'd　engineered　her　recent　perils。
　
　
Chapter
S　　E　　V　　E　　N　　T　　E　　E　　N
All　the　undercreatures　gawked　when　Pharaun　and　Ryld　strolled　into　the　cellar；　and　why　not？　The　mage　doubted　this　foul　little　drinking　pit　had　ever　seen　such　an　elegant　figure　as　himself；　an　aristocrat　of　graceful　carriage；　exquisite　ornaments；　dress；　and　coiffure　。　。　。　well；　he　hoped　that；　after　some　emergency　adjustments；　his　hair　was　at　least　passable。
In　any　case；　it　was　plain　the　goblins；　ores；　and　whatevers　had　little　interest　in　aesthetic　appreciation。　They　whispered；　glowered；　and　fingered　their　weapons　whenever　they　thought　the　two　dark　elves　weren't　looking　at　them；　and　the　fear　and　hate　in　the　sweltering；　lowceilinged　room　were　palpable。　Pharaun　supposed　that　considering　what　Greyanna　and　her　hunters　had　wrought　in　the　Braeryn　the　previous　night；　a　measure　of　surliness　was；　if　not　good　form；　at　least　understandable。
He　wondered　how　they'd　react　if　they　discovered　his　sister　had　slaughtered　their　fellows　by　the　score　merely　to　create　an　opportunity　to　kill　him。　Perhaps　it　was　a　question　best　left　in　the　realm　of　the　hypothetical。
Knowing　that　Ryld　was　watching　his　back；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　sauntered　to　the　bar　and；　with　a　sweep　of　his　arm；　scattered　clattering　coins　across　it。　The　currency　was　the　usual　miscellany　encountered　in　Menzoberranzan—rounds；　squares；　triangles；　rings；　spiders；　and　octagons—　half　of　it　minted　by　the　dozen　or　so　greatest　noble　Houses　and　the　rest　imported　from　other　lands　in　the　Underdark　and　even　the　World　Above。　It　was　all　silver；　platinum；　or　gold；　though；　more　precious　metal　than　this　squalid　hole　probably　saw　in　a　decade。
〃Tonight；〃　Pharaun　announced；　〃this　pany　of　boon　panions　drinks　at　my　expense〃
The　taverner；　a　squat　ore　with　a　twisted；　oozing　mouth　and　a　mangy　scalp；　stared　for　a　heartbeat　or　two；　scooped　up　the　coins；　and　began　dipping　some　foulsmelling　brew　from　a　filthy　tub。　Cursing　and　threatening　one　another；　the　rest　of　the　undercreatures　shoved　forward　to　get　it。　The　wizard　noted　that　no　one　thanked　him。
After　looking　around　for　another　moment；　Pharaun　spotted　another　dark　elf　slouched　in　a　corner；　evidently　one　of　the　wretches　who'd　sunk　so　low　the　goblinoids　accepted　him　as　one　of　their　own。
〃e　here；　my　friend；〃　the　wizard　beckoned。
The　outcast　flinched。　〃Me？〃
〃Yes。　What's　your　name？〃
The　fellow　hesitated；　then　said；　〃Bruherd；　once　of　House　Duskryn。〃
〃Indeed；　until　your　noble　kin　kicked　you　out。　We　have　much　in　mon；　Bruherd；　for　I　myself　am　outcast　twice　over。　Now　e　advise　me　on　a　matter　of　vital　importance。〃
〃I'm；　uh；　all　right　where　I　am。〃
〃I　know　you　don't　mean　to　be　unsociable；〃　said　Pharaun；　setting　blue　sparks　dancing　on　his　fingertips。
The　Duskryn　sighed；　and；　limping　in　a　manner　that　betrayed　some　chronic　pain；　did　as　Pharaun　had　bade　him。　He　was　gaunt；　and　half　a　dozen　boils　studded　his　neck　and　jaw。　He'd　evidently　parted　with　his　piwafwi　at　some　point　during　his　decline；　but　he　still　wore　a　filthy　robe　that；　the　Mizzrym　noted　with　mild　surprise；　had　once　been　a　wizard's。　With　the　aid　of　the　silver　ring；　he　could　see　that　the　dozens　of　pockets　no　longer　held　the　slightest　trace　of　magic。
〃They　may　kill　me　for　this；〃　Bruherd　said；　subtly　indicating　the　goblins。
〃They　only　tolerate　me　because　they　believe　me　cut　off　from　my　own　race。〃
〃I'll　pray　for　your　welfare；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃Meanwhile；　what　I　need　to　know　is　this：　Of　all　the　libations　laid　up　in　our　host's　no　doubt　vast　and　wellstocked　cellar；　which　is　the　least　vile？〃
〃Vile？〃　Bruherd's　lip　twitched。　〃You　get　used　to　them。〃
〃One　hopes　not。〃
Pharaun　handed　the　other　drow　a　gold；　hammershaped　coin　minted　in　some　dwarf　enclave。
〃Tell　the　barkeep　you　want　the　stuff　that　bubbles；〃　Bruherd　advised。
'The　stuff　that　bubbles。'　Charming。　Clearly；　I've　fallen　among　connoisseurs。〃
〃It'll　do；〃　said　Ryld；　still　unobtrusively　studying　the　crowd。　〃The　important　thing　is　that　we　toast　our　victory。〃
Pharaun　waited　a　beat；　then　chuckled。　〃You're　supposed　to　ask　him　what　he's　talking　about；〃　he　said　to　Bruherd；　〃thus　affording　us　a　graceful　way　to　mence　boasting　of　our　triumph。〃
The　lip　twitched　again。　〃I　don't　think　much　about　victories　or　triumphs　anymore。〃
Pharaun　shook　his　head。　〃So　much　bitterness　in　the　world　It　weighs　on　the　heart。　Would　it　cheer　you　to　learn　I've　avenged　us　in　some　small　measure？〃
〃Us？〃　Bruherd　grunted。
Across　the　room；　a　scuffle　erupted　between　a　shaggy　hobgoblin　and　a　wolffaced　gnoll。　As　the　batants　rolled　about　the　floor；　somebody　tossed　them　a　knife；　apparently　just　out　of　curiosity　as　to　which　would　manage　to　grab　it　first。
〃Hark　to　the　glad　tidings；〃　said　the　Master　of　Sorcere。　〃I'm　Pharaun　Mizzrym；　expelled　first　from　the　Seventh　House　and　now　Tier　Breche；　neither　time　for　any　rational　cause。　Incensed；　I　chose　to　take　vengeance　on　the　Academy。　With　the　aid　of　my　similarly　disgruntled　friend　Master　Argith；　I　destroyed　a　patrol　in　the　Bazaar　earlier　today。　You　may　have　heard　something　about　it。〃
Bruherd　stared。　The　kobold　and　goblins　within　earshot　did　the　same。
〃It's　true；〃　said　Ryld。
〃That　was　you？〃　Bruherd　said。　〃And　you're　bragging　about　it？　Are　you　insane？　They'll　hunt　you　down〃
Pharaun　said；　〃They　were　trying　anyway。〃　The　entire　cellar　was　falling　quiet。　〃I've　heard　rumors　of　an　agency　that　will　spirit　a　drow　boy　away　if　he's　well　and　truly　discontent　with　his　lot　in　life；　as　I　trust　Ryld　and　I　have　shown　we　are。〃
Bruherd　said；　〃I　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about。〃
〃Well；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃they　probably　have　to　think　you　can　be　of　some　use　to　them；　and　if　you'll　five　my　saying　so　。　。　。〃
He　caught　a　flash　of　movement　from　the　corner　of　his　eye；　and　turned　just　in　time　to　see　the　taverner　fall　back　in　two　pieces。　Evidently　he'd　been　in　the　process　of　climbing　silently　over　the　bar　with　a　short　sword　in　hand；　and　Ryld；　sensing　him；　had　pivoted　and　cut　him。　The　drow　warrior　spun　smoothly　back　around；　Splitter　at　the　ready。
Pharaun　turned　back　as　well；　just　in　time　to　see　a　mass　of　undercreatures　rushing　him。　He　snatched　three　smooth　gray　stones　from　a　pocket　and　started　to　recite　a　spell。　Ryld's　greatsword　flicked　across　the　wizard's　field　of　vision；　killing　two　gnolls　that　sought　to　engage　him；　allowing　him　to　finish　the　incantation　unmolested。
A　cloud　of　vapor　boiled　into　existence　in　front　of　him。　Those　ores　and　goblins　caught　in　the　fumes　collapsed。　Others　recoiled　to　avoid　their　touch。
The　fog　blinked　out　of　existence　a　heartbeat　later。
〃I'm　afraid　I　can't　permit　you　to　kill　us　and　sell　the　corpses　to　the　authorities；〃　Pharaun　told　the　crowd；　〃and　I'm　shocked—shocked—you　would　even　try。　Aren't　you　pleased　we　massacred　a　patrol？〃
〃They　don't　want　the　priestesses　to　find　you　here；〃　said　Bruherd。　He　hadn't　made　a　move　during　the　skirmish。　Perhaps　he'd　frozen；　or　maybe　he'd　figured　his　best　hope　of　survival　lay　in　passivity。　〃I　don't；　either。　They're　liable　to　kill　us；　too。〃
〃How　disappointing；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃And　here　I　thought　Ryld　and　I　had　found　a　cozy　enclave　of　kindred　spirits。　But　of　course　we　won't　force　our　pany　on　those　who　lack　the　rarified　sensibility　to　appreciate　it。　Neither；　however；　will　we　quit　this　place　before　we　slake　our　thirst。　You　goblins　and　whatnot　will　have　to　withdraw。　Good　evening。〃
The　undercreatures　glowered。　The　mage　could　tell　what　they　were　thinking。　They　were　many；　and　the　intruders　only　two。　Yet　they'd　seen　what　those　two　could　do；　and　after　a　few　seconds；　they　started　trudging　out；　leaving　their　unconscious　rades　sprawled　on　the　floor。
〃You're　crazy；〃　Bruherd　told　the　masters。　〃You　need　to　keep　your　heads　down　very　low　for　a　few　years。　Give　the　matrons　and　the　Academy　time　to　fet。〃
〃Alas；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃I　suspect　I'm　unfettable。　You　too　may　depart　if　you　can　bear　to　tear　yourself　away。〃
〃Crazy；〃　the　outcast　repeated。
He　limped　for　the　stairs　and　in　a　moment　was　gone　like　the　rest。
Pharaun　walked　behind　the　bar。　〃Now；〃　he　said；　〃to　begin　drow's　eternal　search　for　the　stuff　that　bubbles？
Ryld　surveyed　the　slumbering　goblins　as　if　pondering　whether　to　stick　his　sword　in　them。
〃I　still　think　this　is　a　bad　idea；〃　the　weapons　master　said。
Careful　not　to　soil　his　boots；　Pharaun　stepped　around　the　two　bloody　pieces　of　the　barkeep　and　inspected　a　rack　of　jugs　and　bottles。
〃You　always　say　that；　and　you're　always　mistaken。　The　goblinoids　will　carry　word　of　our　whereabouts　far　and　wide。　The　rogues　are　bound　to　hear。〃
〃As　will　your　sister　and　everyone　else　we've　managed　to　annoy。〃
Pharaun　uncorked　a　jug。　The　pungent　liquid　inside　didn't　seem　to　be　fizzing；　so　he　moved　on。
〃Care　to　make　a　wager　on　who'll　arrive　first？〃
〃Either　way；〃　Ryld　snorted；　〃we　wind　up　dead。〃
〃Had　I　wished　to　hear　the　dreary　voice　of　pessimism；　I　would　have　detained　our　friend　Bruherd；〃　the　wizard　said　as　he　inspected　a　jar　full　of　cloudy　liquid。　〃Here's　a　jar　of　pickled　sausages　if　you　care　to　break　your　fast；　but　I　won't　vouch　for　the　ingredients。　I　think　I　see　a　kobold's　horn　floating　in　the　brine。〃
He　opened　a　glass　bottle　with　a　long；　doublecurved　neck；　and　the　contents　hissed。
〃Aha　I've　found　the　draught　the　Duskryn　remended。〃
〃Someone's　here；〃　said　Ryld。
The　mage　turned。　Two　figures　were　descending　the　stairs。　They　looked　like　ores；　with　coarse；　tangled　manes　and　lupine　ears；　but　Pharaun's　silver　ring　revealed　that　the　appearance　was　an　illusion；　disguising　dark　elf　males。　The　wizard　saw　the　masks　as　translucent　veils　lying　atop　the　reality。
He　conveyed　the　truth　of　the　situation　to　Ryld　with　a　rapid　flexing　and　crooking　of　his　fingers。
〃Gentlemen；〃　said　the　mage；　〃well　met　My　rade　and　I　have　been　looking　everywhere　for　you。〃
〃We　know；〃　said　the　taller　of　the　newers；　evidently　not　surprised　that　a　Master　of　Sorcere　had　instantly　penetrated　his　disguise。　He　was　Houndaer　Tuin'Tarl；　one　of　the　highest　ranked　of　the　missing　males；　likewise　one　of　the　first　to　elope；　and　thus　almost　certainly　one　of　the　ringleaders。　Certainly　he　looked　like　a　princely　mander　of　lesser　folk。　His　rich　silk　and　velvet　garments；　the　magical　auras　of　many　of　his　possessions；　and　strutting　demeanor　all　proclaimed　it。　He　wore　crystals　in　his　thick；　flowing　hair—a　nice　effect—had　closeset　eyes　and　a　prominent　jaw；　and　looked　as　if　he　knew　how　to　manage　the　scimitar　hanging　at　his　side。　He　also　looked　rather　tense
〃We've　known　for　a　while；〃　said　the　other　stranger；　whom　Pharaun　didn't　recognize。
At　first　glance；　he　appeared　to　be　a　nondescript　moner；　with　the　squint　and　small　hands　of　a　craftsman　proficient　at　fine　work。　However；　the　dagger　tucked　in　his　sash　fairly　blazed　with　potent　enchantments；　as　did　an　object　concealed　within　his　jerkin。　Evidently　he'd　layered　one　disguise　on　another。
〃Well；〃　said　Ryld；　〃you　took　your　time　contacting　us。　I　guess　that's　understandable。〃
〃I　think　so；〃　said　Houndaer　as　he　and　his　rade　advanced。　A　goblin　moaned；　and　the　noble　kicked　the　creature　silent。　〃Why　were　you　seeking　us？〃
〃It's　our　understanding；〃　said　Pharaun；　stepping　from　behind　the　bar；　〃that　you　offer　a　haven　for　males　who　find　existence　under　the　thumbs　of　their　female　relatives　uncongenial　and　who；　for　whatever　reason；　aspire　neither　to　the　Academy；　a　merchant　clan；　nor　Bregan　D'aerthe。　If　so；　then　we　wish　to　join　your　pany。〃
〃But　you　two　already　did　aspire　to　the　Academy；〃　the　aristocrat　said。　〃You　rose　to　high　rank　there。　Some　might　say　that　gives　my　associates　and　I　cause　for　concern。〃
The　ore　mask's　tusked　mouth　perfectly　copied　the　motions　of　his　actual　lips。　Pharaun　couldn't　have　created　a　better　illusion　himself。　
〃You　speak　of　the　dead　past；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃You've　no　doubt　heard　I'm　in　disgrace；　and　Master　Argith　finds　MeleeMagthere　stale　and　tedious。〃　The　dark　powers　knew；　his　discontented　friend　shouldn't　have　much　trouble　convincing　them　of　that。　〃We　require　an　alternative　way　of　life。〃
Houndaer　nodded　and　replied；　〃I'm　glad　to　hear　it；　but　what　assurances　can　you　give　that　you　aren't　an　agent　the　matrons　sent　to　find　us？〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃My　solemn　oath？〃
Everyone　chuckled；　even　Ryld　and　the　boy　with　the　dagger；　who　were　both　quietly；　thoughtfully　watching　their　more　loquacious　panions　palaver。
〃Seriously；〃　the　wizard　continued；　〃if　our　escapade　in　the　Bazaar　failed　to　convince　you　of　our　bona　fides；　I　have　no　idea　what　other　persuasion　we　can　offer。　But　it　didn't　fail；　did　it？　Otherwise；　you　wouldn't　be　here。　So　unless　you　perceive　something　in　our　manner　that　screams　spy　。　。　。〃
The　faux　moner　smiled。　〃You're　right。〃　He　turned　to　Houndaer　and　added；　〃They　smell　all　right　to　me；　and　if　they're　not；　I　doubt　a　little　quizzing　in　this　stinking　goblin　hole　will　prove　otherwise。　Let's　get　them　home　before　some　servant　of　the　clergy　es　sniffing　for　them　and　finds　us。　Either　way；　it'll　all　get　sorted　out　in　the　end。〃
For　a　moment；　as　the　power　of　Pharaun's　silver　ring　wavered；　the　drow's　mild；　civilized　tone　became　an　ore's　growl。　He　even　smelled　like　a　dirty　undercreature。
The　Tuin'Tarl's　mouth　tightened。　Pharaun　suspected　he　didn't　much　like　taking　advice　from　anyone；　his　panion　included。
〃I'm　just　being　careful—as　should　you—but　you　may　have　a　point。〃　He　turned　back　to　the　masters　and　said；　〃If　we　take　you　to　our　stronghold；　there's　no　going　back。　You'll　aid　our　cause　or　die。〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃Well　spoken；　and　quite　in　the　spirit　of　a　thousand　thousand　conspiracies　before　you。　Whisk　us　away。〃
〃Gladly；〃　the　noble　said　with　a　mean　little　smile　of　his　own；　〃as　soon　as　the　two　of　you　surrender　your　weapons　and　that　cloak　of　pockets。〃
The　wizard　crooked　an　eyebrow　and　said；　〃I　thought　you'd　decided　to　trust　us。〃
〃It's　time　for　you　to　show　a　little　trust；〃　Houndaer　replied。
Pharaun　surrendered　his　piwafwi；　hand　crossbow；　and　dagger。　He　was　a　little　worried　about　Ryld's　willingness　to　do　the　same。　He　could　easily　imagine　the　warrior　deciding　that；　in　preference　to　entering　the　dragon's　cave　unarmed；　he'd　subdue　Houndaer　and　his　panion　there　and　then　and　wring　what　information　out　of　them　he　could。
The　problem　with　that　strategy　was　that　the　Tuin'Tarl　and　his　nameless　panion　might　not　be　privy　to　all　the　mystic　secrets　held　by　the　cabal　as　a　whole；　and　those　who　were　might　flee　when　the　two　emissaries　failed　to　return。　Thus；　while　the　masters　would　likely　succeed　in　forestalling　a　goblin　revolt；　they'd　miss　acquiring　the　extraordinary　power　they　sought。
Besides；　it　would　be　much　more　fun　to　join；　and　undo　the　rogues　from　within。
Apparently　Ryld　shared　Pharaun's　perspective；　or　else　he　was　simply　content　to　follow　the　wizard's　lead；　for　he　handed　over　Splitter　and　his　other　weapons　to　Houndaer　without　demur。
The　Tuin'Tarl　reached　into　his　pouch；　extracted　a　stone；　and　tossed　it。　It　exploded　in　a　strange；　lopsided　way；　tearing　a　wound　in　the　air；　a　gash　the　size　and　shape　of　a　sarcophagus　standing　on　end　and　the　color　of　the　light　that　swims　inside　closed　eyelids。
He　gestured　to　the　portal　and　said；　〃After　you。〃
Pharaun　smiled。
〃Thank　you。〃
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