蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第39部分

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Warty；　bearded　ogres　overturned　a　twelvewheeled　wagon；　dumping　out　the　dark　elves　who'd　been　making　a　stand　inside。　A　walking　mushroom；　taller　than　any　of　the　brutes；　and；　with　its　slender；　fluted　stem；　far　more　graceful；　swung　wide　to　avoid　the　little　massacre。
Pharaun　slipped　around　the　slaughter　as　well。　A　few　more　strides　brought　him　to　a　scene　that；　after　the　carnage　he'd　just　witnessed；　seemed　almost　unreal。　The　westernmost　portion　of　the　marketplace　was　quiet。　Some　of　the　merchants　had　armed　themselves　and　taken　up　positions　outside　their　tents　and　kiosks；　but　they　seemed　calm　and　unafraid。
Over　the　course　of　an　adventurous　life；　Pharaun　had　witnessed　the　same　phenomenon　before。　Under　the　proper　circumstances；　it　was　possible　for　folk　to　remain　essentially　oblivious　to　a　pitched　battle　raging　just　a　few　yards　away。
The　wizard　ran　on。　Ahead；　a　luminous　green　circle　scribed　on　the　ground　surrounded　a　modious　stall　built　of　hardened　fungus。　A　heavyset　male　stood　in　the　doorway　with　an　arbalest　in　his　hand　and　a　toad；　his　familiar；　squatting　on　his　shoulder。　He　wore　a　nightshirt；　and　his　feet　were　bare。　The　merchant　scowled　when　he　spotted　Pharaun。
〃Stay　back；〃　he　said；　his　throaty　voice　even　deeper　than　Ryld's。
Pharaun　halted；　took　a　breath；　and　wound　up　coughing；　thanks　to　the　smoke　fouling　the　air。
〃My　dear　master　Blundyth；　is　that　any　way　to　greet　a　faithful　customer？〃
〃It's　the　way　to　greet　the　madman　who　attacked　a　patrol　only　yesterday。〃
That　was　right；　Pharaun　thought；　it　had　been　only　yesterday。　So　much　had　happened　since；　it　felt　like　a　year。
〃My　past　indiscretions　no　longer　matter；〃　the　Mizzrym　said。　〃Do　you　have　any　notion　what's　going　on？〃
〃You　mean　the　smoke　and　motion　over　yonder？〃　Blundyth　nodded　to　the　east。　〃I　guess　a　merchant's　eliminating　the　petition。　It's　nothing　to　do　with　me；　though　I'm　ready　if　trouble　spills　this　way。〃
〃Would　that　were　true；〃　said　Pharaun。　〃Alas；　none　of　us　is　truly　ready　for　tonight。　Have　you　glanced　up　over　the　roof　of　your　shop？〃
He　pointed　to　the　orange　light　presently　flickering　in　the　east。
〃The　nobles　are　up　to　something；〃　Blundyth　said。　〃Maybe　some　of　the　Houses　have　joined　forces　to　wipe　out　a　mon　rival。　Again；　it's　nothing　to　do　with　me。〃
〃You're　mistaken。　All　across　the　city；　the　undercreatures　are　rebelling。〃
Blundyth　snorted；　〃You　are　mad。〃
〃Don't　you　or　your　neighbors　own　thralls？〃
〃Of　course。　They're　off　somewhere。〃
〃Indeed。　Off　preparing　to　cut　your　throats。〃
〃Just　go　away；　Master　Mizzrym。〃　Blundyth　shifted　his　grip　on　the　staff　and　added；　〃We　always　got　along。　Don't　make　me　hurt　you。〃
〃The　ores　pose　a　considerable　threat。　I　know　how　to　oppose　it；　but　I　need　your　help。　I　still　have　credit　here；　don't　I？〃
〃I　don't　sell　to　outlaws。　I　don't　want　any　trouble　with　the　priestesses。〃
Pharaun　looked　into　the　merchant's　eyes　and　saw　that　he'd　never　convince　him。
〃Too　bad。　You'll　regret　this　decision。　In　just　a　few　minutes；　most　likely；　but　by　then　it　will　be　too　late。〃
The　master　turned　and　strode　away；　but　once　he　was　out　of　Blundyth's　sight；　he　circled　back　around。　Creeping　through　the　cramped　spaces　between　the　booths；　he　approached　the　burly　draw's　stall　from　the　side。　As　he　skulked　along；　he　listened　to　hear　if　the　undercreatures　were　ing　closer；　but　he　couldn't　tell。　He　suspected　that　one　of　the　cursed　sound　baffles　was　muffling　the　noise。
At　any　rate；　he　reached　the　dimpled　fungal　structure　without　any　ores　attacking　him。　He　swept　his　hands　through　a　mystic　pass　and　whispered　an　incantation。　The　protective　circle　ot　light　winked　out　of　existence。
Pharaun　ran　to　the　stall；　floated　upward；　and　swung　himself　onto　the　roof。　The　petrified　fungus　supported　him　like　stone。　Blundyth　cursed　and　came　stalking　around　the　side　of　the　stand；　his　crossbow　at　the　ready。　Pharaun　thought　he'd　better　make　sure　the　merchant　didn't　get　a　chance　to　use　it。
The　wizard　jumped　off　the　roof　onto　Blundyth's　back。　He　knew　he　hadn't　executed　the　move　as　nimbly　as　poor　Ryld　would　have；　but　it　worked。　It　slammed　the　merchant　to　his　knees。　The　toad　hopped　away。
Clinging　to　his　victim；　the　master　drove　his　dirk　repeatedly　into　the　big　male's　side。　Sometimes　the　blade　plunged　deep；　and　sometimes　it　caught　on　a　rib。　Blundyth　flailed　and　bucked　for　a　while；　couldn't　break　free；　then　tried　to　aim　the　arbalest　back　over　his　shoulder。　Pharaun　ducked　away　from　it。　Finally　the　merchant　fell　sideways；　pinning　his　attacker's　knife　and　hand　beneath　him。　Pharaun　dragged　his　hand　free；　but　didn't　bother　with　the　dirk。　He　was　about　to　procure　a　set　of　vastly　superior　weapons。　He　wiped　his　bloody　fingers　on　Blundyth's　clothing；　then　rose　and　headed　for　the　entrance　to　the　stall。
Blundyth's　neighbors　watched　him；　but　didn't　interfere。　As　the　dead　male　might　have　observed；　his　murder　was　nothing　to　do　with　them。
The　wizard's　supply　shop　was　as　wellstocked　as　usual。　Jars；　bottles；　and　boxes　stood　on　limestone　shelves；　and　a　greenish　mirror　glowed　on　a　wooden　stand　in　the　corner。　The　air　smelled　of　spices；　herbs；　bitter　incense；　and　decay。
Blundyth's　piwafwi　lay　carelessly　draped　across　a　chest；　and　it　was　the　first　item　Pharaun　appropriated。　The　cloak　fit　him　like　a　tent；　but　it　had　the　customary　row　upon　row　of　hidden　pockets。　Next　he　examined　the　vials　and　drawers；　finding　the　magical　ponents　that　corresponded　to　the　spells　he　had　prepared。　With　every　one　he　filched；　he　felt　a　little　better；　almost　like　a　cripple　regaining　the　use　of　his　legs。
As　he　worked　his　way　across　the　room；　he　spotted　a　pair　of　boots　sitting　atop　a　little　cupboard。　They　were　plainly　special　in　some　way；　for　the　maker　had　tooled　runes　into　the　leather。　Without　his　silver　ring；　Pharaun　lacked　the　ability　to　instantly　discern　what　virtues　they　possessed；　but　playing　a　hunch；　he　decided　to　take　the　time　to　try　them　on。
The　boots　squirmed；　molding　themselves　to　his　feet；　then　quivered　against　his　flesh　like　an　animal　eager　to　run。　He　took　an　experimental　step；　and　the　magical　footwear　kicked　off　on　its　own；　augmenting　the　strength　of　his　legs　and　propelling　him　all　the　way　across　the　shop　in　a　single　bound。
Not　bad；　he　thought。　Not　as　good　as　a　flying　carpet；　but　helpful　nonetheless。
He　took　a　few　more　strides；　getting　the　feel　of　the　boots；　then　headed　out。　Just　as　he　exited　the　shop；　a　howling；　shrieking　cacophony　exploded　out　of　the　air。　An　instant　later；　a　horde　of　undercreatures—ores；　mostly；　with　a　sprinkling　of　longarmed　goblins—came　charging　out　of　the　stands　of　stalls　and　kiosks　to　the　east。
Blundyth's　neighbors　gaped　in　utter　astonishment。　For　some；　the　instant　of　consternation　was　fatal。　The　undercreatures　swarmed　over　them　like　ants　harvesting　the　carcass　of　a　mouse。
Some　of　the　remaining　merchants　bolted。　Others　shot　their　hand　crossbows；　or　conjured　flashes　of　magic。　One　optimist　sought　to　cow　the　rebels　with　threats；　invective；　and　mands　until　a　scrofulous　ore；　slopping　the　liquid　out　of　a　tin　bucket；　threw　some　of　Syrzan's　liquid　fire　on　him。　The　incendiary　ignited　flesh　as　easily　as　stone。
His　great　blanket　of　zpiwafivi　flapping　around　him；　Pharaun　ran。　Each　amplified　stride　bounced　him　off　the　ground；　but　thanks　to　the　virtues　of　the　magic　boots；　he　always　landed　softly。
A　pair　of　ores　glared　at　him　and　hefted　their　spears。　He　whispered　an　incantation；　and　a　ragged　blackness；　the　essence　of　death　itself；　danced　among　the　undercreatures。　They　collapsed；　already　rotting。
For　the　moment　at　least；　Pharaun　was　in　the　clear。　He　raced　on；　while　all　around　him；　his　city　went　down　in　blood　and　fire。
〃You　must　know　some　song；　some　magic；　to　track　an　enemy；〃　Houndaer　said。
〃If　I　did；　I'd　be　singing　it；〃　Omraeth　said　curtly。　〃Now　be　quiet。　If　the　masters　hear　us　ing；　they'll　do　their　best　to　evade　us。〃
〃He's　right；〃　said　Tsabrak；　scuttling　along　on　his　eight　segmented　legs。　〃Shut　up；　or　we'll　never　get　this　done。〃
Houndaer　was　wearing　Ryld　Argith's　greatsword　strapped　across　his　back；　and　for　an　instant　he　fairly　quivered　with　the　urge　to　try　it　out　on　his　panions。　He　wasn't　used　to　such　insolence；　not　from　other　males；　and　certainly　not　from　a　degraded　creature　like　a　drider。
Yet　he　restrained　himself；　because　he　needed　them。　He　prayed　he'd　be　the　one　to　catch　up　with　the　fugitives；　who'd　made　him　look　a　fool　in　the　eyes　of　the　other　renegades；　but　he　knew　he　couldn't　kill　both　of　them　by　himself。
Tsabrak　raised　his　hand　and　whispered；　〃Wait〃
〃What　is　it？〃　Houndaer　asked。
Instead　of　replying；　the　halfspider　started　taking　deep　breaths。　His　nostrils　flared。　He　turned　this　way　and　that；　then　crouched　down　to　sniff　along　the　floor。　His　front　legs　bent；　and　his　arachnid　lower　body　tilted　like　a　tray　to　bring　his　dark　elf　head　down。
〃Did　you　pick　up　the　scent？〃　Houndaer　asked。
He　felt　an　upswelling　of　excitement；　and　made　a　conscious　effort　to　quell　it。　He　didn't　doubt　that　Tsabrak　smelled　something　pertinent；　but　over　the　course　of　the　last　hour；　the　brute；　whose　metamorphosis　had　evidently　altered　his　perceptions；　had　picked　up　the　trail　several　times　only　to　lose　it　again。
〃Follow　me；〃　said　Tsabrak；　nocking　an　arrow。
The　drider　led　his　panions　to　the　arched　entrance　to　a　training　hall；　where　target　mannequins　stood　in　shrouds　of　spiderweb　and　a　tally　board　hung　on　the　lefthand　wall。　Over　the　years；　the　chalk　had　lost　most　of　its　phosphorescence；　but　Houndaer　could　still　read　the　score　of　a　fencing　bout　in　faintly　gleaming　ciphers。
Peer　as　he　might；　however；　he　could　see　no　sign　of　Masters　Argith　and　Mizzrym。　He　gave　Tsabrak　a　questioning　and　somewhat　impatient　glance。　The　drider　responded　by　pointing　at　the　floor。
When　a　proud　noble　family　had　held　the　castle；　a　workman　in　their　employ　had　painted　the　floor　with　pistes　and　dueling　circles。　Like　the　chalk；　the　magical　enamel　still　radiated　a　trace　of　light。　At　one　spot；　a　spatter　of　blood　was　occluding　it。
Houndaer's　pulse　ticked　faster。　He　looked　up　at　the　drider　and　mouthed；　〃Where？〃
Tsabrak　led　them　toward　the　tiers　of　seats　on　the　right。　The　noble　noticed　for　the　first　time　that　a　space　separated　the　sculpted　calcite　risers　and　the　wall。
Elsewhere　in　the　castle；　one　hunter　shouted　to　another。
Relax；　thought　Houndaer。　It's　my　kill。
He　held　his　breath　as　he　and　his　underlings—for　that　they　were；　even　if　they；　by　virtue　of　belonging　to　the　conspiracy；　imagined　otherwise—　peeked　around　the　edge　of　the　steps。　Master　Argith　was　sitting　crosslegged　a　few　yards　down　the　aisle。
The　Tuin'Tarl　instantly　pointed　his　crossbow。　Indeed；　he　nearly　pulled　the　trigger　before　he　took　in　all　the　details　of　the　scene。　His　former　teacher　sat　motionless；　his　eyes　shut。　To　all　appearances；　he　was　unconscious；　or　in　any　case　oblivious　to　the　advent　of　his　foes。　Master　Mizzrym　was　nowhere　to　be　seen。
Ryld's　passivity　left　Houndaer　unsure　as　to　the　best　course　of　action。
Should　he　and　his　minions　summarily　dispatch　the　spy　or　seize　the　opportunity　to　take　him　prisoner？　If　the　weapons　master　was　dead；　he　couldn't　tell　them　what　had　bee　of　his　partner。
Then　the　noble　realized　that　while　he'd　stood　pondering　the　matter；　Tsabrak　had　drawn　back　his　bow　string　and　sighted　down　the　arrow。　Houndaer　lifted　a　hand　to　signal　him　to　desist；　then　thought　better　of　it。　Master　Argith　was　a　superb　warrior　even　by　the　standards　of　MeleeMagthere。　That　was　why；　when　a　student；　the　Tuin'Tarl　had　admired　him　so；　and　had　been　so　eager　to　recruit　him。　Perhaps　it　would　be　wiser　to　kill　him　while　they　had　the　chance。
Besides；　Houndaer　was　reluctant　to　risk　the　vexation　of　giving　Tsabrak　an　order　and　having　it　ignored。
He　lifted　his　hand　crossbow。　He　and　the　drider　took　their　time　aiming；　and　why　not？　Ryld　was　still　unaware　of　them。
Tsabrak　released　the　string；　and　Houndaer　pulled　the　trigger。　The　shafts　leaped　at　the　stillmotionless　weapons　master。　The　noble　had　no　doubt　the　two　missiles　would　suffice。　They　were　flying　true；　and　the　heads　were　poisoned。　It　was　strange　and　vaguely　unsatisfying　to　dispatch　a　master　of　war　so　easily；　as　if　it　was　vengeance　on　the　cheap。
Then；　when　surely　it　was　too　late　to　react；　Ryld　moved。　He　twitched　himself　out　of　the　way　of　the　crossbow　quarrel　and　caught　the　hurtling　arrow　in　his　hand。
Swiftly；　yet　somehow　without　the　appearance　of　haste；　the　weapons　master　flowed　to　his　feet　and　advanced。　His　bloody　thigh　didn't　hinder　him　in　the　slightest。　His　face　and　eyes　were　empty；　like　those　of　a　medium　awaiting　munion　with　the　dead。
His　voice　pitched　deep；　Omraeth　sang　a　quick　rhymed　couplet。　Power　glittered　through　the　air。　Evidently　the　spell　was　supposed　to　afflict　Ryld；　but　as　far　as　Houndaer　could　observe；　it　didn't。　The　huge　male　just　kept　ing。　Tsabrak　loosed　another　arrow；　and　the　teacher　slapped　it　out　of　the　air　with　his　broadsword。
Tsabrak　and　Houndaer　dropped　their　bows　and　drew　their　swords。　The　drider　spat　poison　on　his　blade。　They'd　engage　Ryld　while　he　was　still　in　the　cramped　space　behind　the　seats　with　no　room　to　maneuver。　Omraeth　took　up　a　position　behind　his　rades；　where　he　could　augment　their　efforts　with　bardic　magic。
Houndaer　felt　a　pang　of　fright　and　willed　the　feeling　away。　He　had　nothing　to　fear。　It　was　three　against　one；　wasn't　it；　and　the　one　had　no　mail。　Indeed；　by　the　look　of　him；　he　might　not　even　have　any　wits。
Except　that　then　he　proved　he　did。　Ryld　touched　the　vertical　surface　that　was　the　back　of　the　steps。　He　summoned　darkness；　blinding　his　foes。
Houndaer　hacked　madly；　and　sensed　Tsabrak　doing　the　same。　Darkness　or　no；　when　the　spy　lunged　forward；　they'd　cut　him　to　pieces。　Their　swords　split　nothing　but　air。
After　a　few　seconds；　Omraeth　shouted；　〃e　back　this　way〃
Houndaer　and　Tsabrak　turned　and　blundered　their　way　toward　the　sound　of　their　rade's　voice。　The　drider's　envenomed　sword　bumped　the　Tuin'TarPs　arm；　but　fortunately　without　sufficient　force　to　penetrate　his　armor　and　piwafwi。
When　Houndaer　stumbled　out　of　the　murk；　Master　Argith　was　in　the　center　of　the　salle。　Under　the　cover　of　darkness；　he'd　made　it　to　the　top　of　the　steps　and　bounded　down　the　other　side。　He　had　a　good　chance　of　reaching　the　exit　unchecked。
He　didn't　take　it；　though。　Standing　in　the　center　of　one　of　the　faintly　luminous　circles；　he　settled　into　a　fighting　stance。　He　hadn't　scrambled　over　the　steps　to　flee；　rather　to　reach　a　battleground　more　to　his　liking。
Houndaer　swallowed　away　a　dryness　in　his　mouth。　Ryld　hadn't　the　sense　to　run？　Well；　good。　Then　they'd　kill　him。
The　noble　and　drider　fanned　out　to　e　at　the　Master　of　MeleeMagthere　from　opposite　sides。　Omraeth　hung　back　and　menced　another　song。
Advancing　to　meet　his　adversaries；　Master　Argith　glided　through　the　first　of　three　moves—parry；　feint　high；　slash　low—of　one　of　the　broadsword　katas　he'd　taught　Houndaer　back　on　Tier　Breche。　The　noble　discerned　an　instant　too　late　that　the　purpose　was　to　distract　attention　from　the　crossbow　in　the　weapons　master's　other　hand。　The　dart　plunged　into　Omraeth's　throat；　ending　his　song　in　an　ugly　gurgle　and　dissipating　the　charged　heaviness　of　arcane　force　accumulating　in　the　air。　The　spellsinger　fell　backward；　and　it　was　two　to　one。
Houndaer　told　himself　it　didn't　matter。　Not　when　he　was　wielding　Ryld's　own　greatsword；　a　weapon　that　could　supposedly　shear　through　anything；　and　Tsabrak's　blade　was　dripping　poison。　They　only　needed　to　land　one　light　little　cut　to　incapacitate　their　foe。
Ryld　gave　ground　before　them。　Houndaer　assumed　he　wanted　to　put　his　back　agains