蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第34部分

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〃I　think　you're　about　to　find　out；〃　Houndaer　said。
An　instant　later；　something　droned　through　the　air；　almost　like　a　noise；　but　not。　Actually；　the　sensation　existed　solely　within　the　mind。　Pharaun　turned；　and　Tsabrak　scuttled　aside　to　reveal　the　robed　figure　in　the　doorway。　Ryld　felt　a　jolt　of　dismay。　Afraid　it　was　already　too　late；　he　sprang　up　from　the　bench
　
Chapter
E　　I　　G　　H　　T　　E　　E　　N
Off　to　Faeryl's　left　stood　an　iron　maiden　cast　in　the　form　of　a　tubby　jester　in　cap　and　bells。　The　bells　looked　real；　and　would　evidently　jingle　while　a　victim　writhed　inside。　The　device　was　open　just　a　crack；　not　enough　to　expose　the　spikes　inside。
Straight　ahead；　a　chain　and　hook　dangled　from　their　pulley；　fishing　for　a　prisoner　to　hoist；　and　a　rack　waited　to　stretch　one。　To　the　left；　a　brazier　of　coals　threw　off　dazzling　heat；　and　a　collection　of　probes；　knives；　pincers；　and　pears　hung　on　their　pegs。　Her　nemesis；　the　small　male　with　all　the　ugly　baubles；　lounged　in　that　vicinity　in　an　iron　chair　with　shackles　attached　to　the　armrests。
That　was　about　as　much　as　the　envoy　could　see　while　roped　naked　to　a　molded　calcite　post。
She　was　hungry；　thirsty；　and　sore　from　standing　for　hours　in　one　position。　Her　bonds　chafed　her；　and　her　head　ached。　However；　she　had　yet　to　endure　one　of　the　genuine　agonies　this　stuffy　cellar　provided；　and　she　thought　she　knew　why。　Some　messenger　had　instructed　the　torturers　to　wait　for　Triel　to　arrive　before　mencing　the　festivities。
Faeryl　had　already　attempted　to　converse　with　the　little　male　and　her　jailers　and　failed　to　elicit　a　response　from　either。　She　had　nothing　else　to　do　but　struggle　to　govern　her　thoughts。　She　didn't　want　to　imagine　all　the　things　the　Baenre　might　do　to　her；　but　she　herself　had　presided　over　enough　excruciations　that　it　was　difficult　not　to　envision　the　possibilities。　She　didn't　want　to　dwell　on　the　massacre　of　her　followers；　either；　but　the　memories　kept　welling　up　inside　her。
Surrounded　and　outnumbered；　the　daughters　and　sons　of　Ched　Nasad　had　perished　one　by　one。　As　Faeryl　watched　the　slaughter；　her　eyes　ached　with　the　tears　she　refused　to　shed。　Naturally；　she　didn't　〃love〃　her　minions；　but　she　was　used　to　them；　even　fond　of　a　few；　and　she　knew　that　without　a　retinue　she　was　nothing；　just　a　fallen　priestess　in　a　land　of　enemies；　bereft　of　goddess　and　home　alike。
Then　the　small　male　confronted　her　and　used　his　magic　to　confound　her　and　knock　her　out。　She　woke　tied　to　the　stone　stake。
A　door　creaked；　and　voices　murmured。　Faeryl's　instincts　warned　her　that　Triel　had　e　at　last。　The　ambassador　closed　her　eyes；　took　a　deep　breath；　and　let　it　out　slowly；　posing　herself。　She　wouldn't　show　fear。　Dignity　was　all　she　had　left—for　a　little　while　longer　anyway；　until　her　captors　lashed　and　burned　it　out　of　her。
Sure　enough；　Triel　and　her　draegloth　son　emerged　from　the　doorway　that　apparently　led　to　more　salubrious　precincts　of　the　Great　Mound。　The　Baenre　matron　was　smiling。　Fangs　bared　in　a　grin；　Jeggred　bounded　along　on　his　caprine　legs。
The　little　male　rose　and　offered　obeisance。
〃Valas；〃　said　Triel。　〃Well　done。　Did　the　Zauvirr　give　you　any　trouble？〃
〃They　tried　to　sneak　away　in　disguise；〃　the　male　replied。　〃It　almost　fooled　the　lookout；　but　once　he　figured　out　what　was　what；　everything　went　as　planned。〃
The　Baenre　proffered　a　fat　pouch　that　looked　too　big　and　heavy　for　her　tiny　hand。
〃I'll　send　word　when　I　need　Bregan　D'aerthe　again；〃　she　said。
Valas　took　the　pouch；　then　bowed　low。　He　withdrew；　and　Triel　and　her　monstrous　son　turned　toward　the　prisoner。
〃Good　evening；　Matron；〃　Faeryl　said；　〃or　is　it　morning　now？〃
Fighting　hands　outstretched；　talons　at　the　ready；　jaws　agape；　Jeggred　lunged　at　the　prisoner。　Despite　herself；　Faeryl　flinched。　Both　the　claws　and　the　pointed　teeth　stopped　less　than　an　inch　from　her　flesh。　The　draegloth　loomed　over　her；　pressing　close；　almost　seeming　to　embrace　her　like　a　lover。　He　ran　a　pointed　nail　across　her　cheek；　then　lifted　it　to　his　bestial　muzzle。　He　sucked；　and　a　bit　of　warm；　viscous　drool；　mixed；　perhaps；　with　a　trace　of　her　blood；　dripped　onto　her　forehead。
〃Have　a　care；〃　the　ambassador　said　with　as　much　nonchalance　as　she　could　muster。　〃If　your　son　kills　me　quickly；　won't　that　spoil　the　fun？〃
Jeggred　made　a　low；　grinding　sound。　Faeryl　couldn't　tell　if　he　was　growling　or　laughing。
Triel　said；　〃You　underestimate　him。　True；　I've　watched　him　butcher　eight　prisoners　in　as　many　seconds；　but　I've　also　seen　him　spend　days　picking　one　little　faerie　child　apart　a　mote　of　flesh　at　a　time。　It　depends　on　his　humor；　and；　needless　to　say；　my　instructions。〃
〃Of　course；〃　Faeryl　said。　The　shallow　gash　in　her　cheek　began　to　sting。　Jeggred　traced　the　edges　of　her　lips　with　his　claw；　not　quite　cutting；　not　yet。　〃I　hope　the　traitor　whelp　appreciated　the　honor。〃
〃It　was　hard　to　tell；〃　she　said。　〃What　about　you？　Will　you　savor　it？〃
〃Alas；　Exalted　Mother；〃　Faeryl　said；　〃your　daughter　can　take　no　pleasure　in　an　honor　she　didn't　earn。〃
Still　stroking　the　prisoner's　features　with　the　claw；　Jeggred　lifted　one　of　the　smaller　hands　that；　save　for　their　dusting　of　fine　hair；　looked　no　different　than　those　of　an　ordinary　dark　elf。　He　caught　hold　of　Faeryl's　ear　and　twisted　it；　and　she　gasped　at　the　brutal　stab　of　pain。　When　he　finally　let　go；　the　an　kept　on　throbbing　and　ringing。　She　wondered　if　the　draegloth　had　inflicted　permanent　damage；　though　it　really　didn't　matter。　In　the　hours　to　e；　deafness　would　be　the　least　of　her　problems。
〃I　wish　you　wouldn't　deny　your　guilt；〃　sighed　the　dainty　little　Baenre　matriarch。　〃I　always　find　that　dull。〃
〃Even　when　it's　true？〃　Faeryl　felt　a　fresh　cut　bleeding　under　her　eye。　Apparently；　when　Jeggred　had　abused　her　ear；　she'd　bucked　against　his　claw。
〃Don't　be　tiresome；〃　Triel　said。　〃You　were　fleeing；　and　that　confirms　your　guilt。〃
〃All　it　confirms　is　my　certainty　that　someone　has　poisoned　your　mind　against　me；〃　Faeryl　retorted。　Jeggred　caught　hold　of　a　lock　of　her　hair　and　gave　it　a　vicious　tug。　〃My　aversion　to　being　condemned　unjustly。〃
〃Did　you　think　to　escape　by　running　back　to　Ched　Nasad？〃　Triel　asked。　〃My　word　is　law　there；　too。〃
〃How　do　you　know？〃　Faeryl　asked。
Jeggred　slapped　her　with　one　of　his　enormous　fighting　hands；　bashing　her　head　sideways。　For　a　moment；　the　shock　froze　her　mind。　When　her　senses　returned；　she　tasted　blood　in　her　mouth。
The　draegloth　crouched；　placing　his　bestial　face　directly　in　front　of　her　own；　and　growled；　〃Respect　the　chosen　of　Lolth。〃
〃I　mean　no　disrespect；〃　Faeryl　said。　〃I'm　just　saying　that　for　all　we　know；　anything　could　be　happening　in　Ched　Nasad。　Cloakers　could　have　overrun　the　city；　or　it　may　have　drowned　in　tides　of　lava。　I　doubt　it；　I　pray　not；　but　we　don't　know。　We　need　to　find　out；　and　that's　why　I　was　sneaking　away。　Not　to　betray　the　weakness　of　Menzoberranzan's　clergy　to　some　enemy　or　other。　Mother　of　Lusts；　it's　my　weakness　too　To　gather　intelligence；　to　reestablish　munication—〃
〃I　told　you　I　have　been　in　munication　with　Ched　Nasad；〃　Triel　said。
〃To　reestablish　trustworthy　munication　。。。〃　Faeryl　persisted；　〃to　make　myself　useful　and　so　demonstrate　I'm　your　loyal　vassal；　never　a　traitor。〃
Triel　made　a　spitting　sound；　then　said；　〃My　loyal　servants　obey　me。〃
Faeryl　wanted　to　weep；　not　from　fear；　though　she　was　experiencing　plenty　of　that；　but　from　sheer　frustration。　Jeggred　ran　his　claw　along　her　carotid　artery。
〃Matron；〃　the　Zauvirr　said；　〃I　beg　you。　Let　me　confront　the　person　who　traduced　me。　Give　me　that　one　chance　to　prove　my　fidelity。　Is　it　so　hard　to　imagine　someone　telling　you　a　lie？　Don't　your　courtiers　slander　one　another　all　the　time　as　a　means　of　vying　for　your　favor？　Is　it　impossible　that　someone　or　something　in　Ched　Nasad　is　lying　to　you　even　now—telling　you　all　is　well　while　days；　then　tendays；　then　months　go　by　without　a　single　caravan？〃
Triel　hesitated；　and　Faeryl　felt　a　thrill　of　hope。　Then　the　ruler　of　Menzoberranzan　said；　〃You're　the　liar；　and　it　will　do　you　no　good。　If　you　want　me　to　show　any　mercy　at　all；　tell　me　whose　creature　you　are。　The　svirfneblin？　The　aboleths？　Another　drow　city？〃
〃I　serve　only　you；　Sacred　Mother。〃
Faeryl　said　the　words　without　hope；　for　she　saw　that　she　would　never　convince　the　Baenre　of　her　innocence。　It　was　too　hard　for　Triel　to　measure　up　to　her　predecessor；　too　hard　to　rule　in　these　desperate　times；　too　hard　to　make　decisions。　She　wasn't　about　to　rethink　one　of　the　few　she'd　managed　to　squeeze　out；　no　matter　how　foolish　it　was。
Jeggred　slapped　Faeryl　and　kept　on　slapping　until　she　lost　count　of　the　blows。　Finally　time　seemed　to　skip　somehow；　and　he　wasn't　hitting　her　anymore。　Why　should　he　bother？　He'd　already　battered　all　the　strength　out　of　her。　She　would　have　fallen　if　not　for　the　ropes　holding　her　up。　A　broken　tooth　had　lodged　under　her　tongue；　and　it　was　all　she　could　do　just　to　spit　it　out。
〃I　told　you；〃　the　draegloth　snarled；　〃respect”
〃I　am　respectful；〃　Faeryl　wheezed。　〃That's　why　I　give　the　truth　even　when　it　might　be　easier　to　lie。〃
Triel　peered　up　at　her　son　and　said；　〃Princess　Zauvirr　will　not　distract　you　from　your　duties。〃
Jeggred　inclined　his　head。　〃No；　Mother。〃
〃But　at　such　times　as　I　do　not　require　you；〃　the　matron　continued；　〃you　may　use　the　spy　as　you　see　fit。　If　she　tells　you　anything　of　interest；　pass　it　along；　but　the　point　of　your　efforts　is　chastisement；　not　interrogation。　I　doubt　she　has　anything　all　that　important　to　confide。　We　already　know　who　our　enemies　are。〃
〃Yes；　Mother。〃　The　halfdemon　crouched；　leered　into　Faeryl's　face；　and　said；　〃I　can　make　the　fun　last。　You'll　see。〃
He　stuck　out　his　long；　pointed　tongue　and　licked　blood　from　her　face。　The　member　was　as　rough　as　a　beast's。
The　figure　in　the　chapel　doorway　had　a　bulbous　head　with　huge；　protruding　eyes；　dry；　wrinkled　hide；　and　four　wriggling　tentacles　surrounding　and　obscuring　the　mouth。　It　had　gnarled　threefingered　hands；　a　body　with　contours　and　proportions　different　than　those　of　a　drow；　and　an　assortment　of　talismans　and　amulets　burning　with　strange　enchantments。　Syrzan；　Pharaun　had　no　doubt；　was　a　member　of　the　psionically　gifted　species　called　illithids。　Specifically；　it　was　one　of　the　few　such　creatures　to　follow　the　path　of　wizardry　and　ultimately　transform　itself　into　an　undead　entity　known　as　an　alhoon。　The　thing　was　surely　prodigiously　powerful；　immune　to　the　ravages　of　time；　and　still　entirely　capable　of　reading　the　masters'　minds　and　discerning　the　treachery　therein。
Like　Pharaun；　Ryld　had　sprung　up　from　his　bench。　The　hulking　warrior　flung　himself　at　Houndaer；　no　doubt　in　an　attempt　to　get　his　weapons　back。　Pharaun；　who　thought　he　needed　his　spell　ponents　just　as　badly；　scrambled　after　his　friend。
The　weapons　master　threw　a　punch；　knocked　Houndaer　backward　off　his　bench；　and　snatched　up　Splitter。　He　whirled；　looking　for　the　next　threat；　and　almost　whacked　his　fellow　teacher　with　the　blade。
Pharaun　reached　for　his　cloak；　then　realized　Houndaer's　unassuming　panion　was　singing　a　wordless　arpeggio。
Had　Pharaun　already　been　wearing　the　piwafwi　with　all　its　protective　enchantments；　he　might　have　resisted　the　song；　but　instead　its　power　stabbed　into　his　mind。　He　laughed　convulsively；　uncontrollably；　and　staggered　backward。　Finally；　he　fell　to　his　knees；　his　stomach　muscles　clenching　and　aching。
He'd　suspected　the　nondescript　little　male　was　more　than　he'd　seemed；　a　formidable　batant　employing　a　bland　appearance　to　throw　his　adversaries　off　guard；　and　he'd　been　right。　The　〃craftsman〃　was　in　reality　a　bard；　a　spellcaster　who　worked　his　wonders　through　the　medium　of　music。
Teeth　gritted；　Pharaun　shook　off　the　pulsion　to　laugh。　Gasping；　he　lifted　his　head　and　looked　around。　The　bard　was　simultaneously　drawing　his　enchanted　dagger　and　starting　another　song；　this　time　pitched　falsetto。　Houndaer　was　on　his　feet　battling　Ryld；　their　swords　ringing。　At　the　end　of　the　room；　Tsabrak；　shifting　his　eight　legs　in　agitation；　aimed　an　arrow　at　Pharaun；　while　in　the　doorway　the　alhoon　simply　stood　with　only　its　mouth　tentacles　moving；　seemingly　content　to　let　its　patriots　do　the　fighting。
Pharaun　threw　himself　sideways。　The　arrow　missed　him　and　clacked　and　skipped　across　the　floor。　The　mage　slapped　the　stone；　and　a　wall　of　sheltering　darkness　sprang　up　between　him　and　the　foe。　Moving　with　a　practiced；　silent　grace；　he　scrambled　on。
Something　clamped　down　on　Pharaun's　mind；　smothering　his　will　and　robbing　him　of　the　ability　to　move。　The　undead　mind　flayer　hadn't　been　idle　after　all。　Syrzan　had　simply　utilized　its　psionic　strength　in　preference　to　its　wizardry　and　thus　hadn't　needed　to　whirl　its　threefingered　hands　in　arcane　passes。　The　wall　of　shadow　no　impediment；　the　Prophet　had　reached　out；　found　Pharaun's　intellect；　and　struck　a　crippling　blow。
The　barricade　of　darkness　disappeared。　Syrzan　must　have　employed　a　bit　of　countermagic　to　dispel　it　and　in　so　doing；　afforded　Pharaun　a　view　of　the　space　beyond。　Rather　to　his　surprise；　Houndaer　was　still　alive；　perhaps　because　Tsabrak　had　discarded　his　bow；　drawn　a　broadsword；　and　e　to　fight　alongside　him。　The　two　conspirators　were　trying　to　catch　Ryld　between　them；　generally　an　effective　tactic；　but　thus　far　the　teacher's　piwafwi；　dwarven　armor；　and　prowess　had　preserved　him　from　harm。
The　Tuin'Tarl　made　a　halfhearted　slash；　and　Ryld；　recognizing　the　feint　for　what　it　was；　didn't　react。　The　pale　phosphorescence　of　the　carvings　gleaming　on　his　naked　limbs；　Tsabrak　spat　venom　onto　his　blade。　The　bard　brought　his　shrill　singing　to　a　crescendo；　crossed　his　legs；　and　wrapped　his　arms　tightly　around　his　torso；　all　but　tying　himself　in　knots。
With　the　aid　of　his　ring；　Pharaun　saw　a　glittering　pulse　of　magic　fly　from　the　singer　to　Ryld。　He　could　even　tell　what　it　was　intended　to　do。　His　friend　was　supposed　to　contort　his　own　body　in　helpless　imitation　of　the　bard's　constrictive　posture。　But；　strong　of　spirit；　Ryld　resisted　the　pulsion　without　even　realizing　he　was　doing　it。
The　weapons　master　faked　a　cut　at　Houndaer's　head；　then　whirled　and　dived。　He　slid　between　Tsabrak's　legs；　breaking　away　from　the　drider　and　Houndaer；　too；　leaped　up；　and　charged　Syrzan。　He　recognized　the　alhoon　as　the　most　dangerous　of　his　foes；　even　though　the　illithilich　hadn't　attacked　him　yet。
Syrzan　reached　into　a　pocket　and　produced　a　small　ceramic　vial。　When　it　swung　the　bottle　from　right　to　left；　a　dozen　orbs　of　bright　flame　materialized　in　its　wake。　They　shot　at　Ryld　in　one　straight　line　and　exploded　one　after　the　other；　banging　rapidly　like　some　hellish　drum　roll。
The　glare　was　dazzling。　For　a　moment；　Pharaun　couldn't　see　anything；　and　he　made　out　Ryld　through　floating　blobs　of　afterimage。　His　friend　appeared　unscathed。　He　was　still　charging　and　almost　in　sword's　reach　of　the　alhoon。
Syrzan　used　its　mind　flayer　talents。　Even　though　the　lich　hadn't　directed　the　attack　at　him；　Pharaun　felt　the　fringe　of　it。　It　was　like　a　sprinkle　of　hot　ash　burning　his　brain。　Ryld　dropped。
Syrzan　gazed　down　at　the　warrior　for　a　moment；　evidently　making　sure　he　was　truly　incapacitated；　then　walked　over　to　Pharaun。　Despite　the　long　skirt　of　its　robe；　there　was　something　noticeably　strange　about　its　gait；　as　if　its　legs　bent　in　too　many　places。　Up　close；　it　exuded　a　faint　stink　not　unlike　rotten　fish。　Its　garments；　once　of　princely　quality；　were　frayed　and　stained。
It　touched　a　finger　to　Pharaun's　brow；　and　they　were　elsewhere。
　
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