war of the spider queen 5 annihilation-第5部分

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　　　Pharaun　regarded　the　beautiful；　enigmatic　battle…captive　with　a　smile　and　said；　〃We'll　travel　from　this　lake　across　the　Fringe　and　into　the　Shadow　Deep。　From　there　to　the　endless　Astral。　From　there　to　the　Abyss。　Any　roadhouses　along　the　way　will　be　。。。　unreliable　to　say　the　least。〃
　　　〃Which　is　to　say；〃　Valas　cut　in；　〃that　there　won't　be　any。〃
　　　〃What　did　you　have　in　mind；　Valas？〃　Pharaun　asked。　〃How　much　are　we　talking　about？〃
　　　The　scout　made　a　show　of　shrugging　and　turned　to　Quenthel　to　ask；　〃How　long　will　we　be　away？〃
　　　Quenthel　almost　recoiled　from　the　question；　and　Jeggred　turned　to　stare　daggers　at　her　back　for　a　heartbeat　or　two　before　returning　his　attention　to　the　captured　uridezu。
　　　〃One　month；〃　Pharaun　answered　for　her；　〃sixteen　days；　three　hours；　and　forty…four　minutes　。　。　。　give　or　take　sixteen　days；　three　hours；　and　forty…four　minutes。〃
　　　Quenthel　stared　hard　at　Pharaun；　her　face　blank。
　　　〃I　thought　your　wit　had　abandoned　you；　Master　of　Sorcere；〃　Danifae　said。　She　turned　to　Quenthel。　〃An　impossible　question　to　answer　precisely；　I　understand；　Mistress；　but　I　assume　an　educated　guess　will　do？〃
　　　She　looked　at　Valas；　her　white　eyebrows　arched　high　on　her　smooth　black　forehead。　Valas　nodded；　still　looking　at　Quenthel。
　　　〃The　simple　fact　is　that　I　have　no　idea；〃　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　said　finally。
　　　The　rest　of　the　drow　raised　eyebrows。　Jeggred's　eyes　narrowed。　It　wasn't　what　any　of　them　expected　her　to　say。
　　　None　of　us　do；〃　she　went　on；　ignoring　the　reaction；　〃which　is　precisely　why　we're　going　in　the　first　place。　Lolth　will　do　with　us　as　she　pleases　once　we　are　in　the　Demonweb　Pits。　If　we　must　be　supplied；　then　we　will　need　supplies　for　the　length　of　our　journey　there　and　perhaps　our　journey　back。　If　Lolth　chooses　to　provide　for　us　while　we're　there；　so　be　it。　If　not；　we　will　need　no　sustenance；　at　least　none　that　can　be　had　in　this　world。〃
　　　The　high　priestess　wrapped　her　hands　around　her　arms　and　hugged　herself　close。　All　of　them　saw　her　shiver　with　undisguised　dread。
　　　Pharaun　was　too　taken　aback　to　see　the　further　reactions　of　the　others。　A　low；　rumbling　growl　from　Jeggred　finally　drew　his　attention；　and　he　looked　over　to　see　the　draegloth's　eyes　locked　on　Quenthel；　who　was　successfully　ignoring　her　Abyssal　nephew。
　　　〃You　talk　like　humans；〃　the　draegloth　growled。　〃You　speak　of　the　Abyss　as　if　it　was　some　feral　dog　you　think　might　nip　at　your　rumps；　so　you　never　rise　from　your　chairs。　You　forget　that　for　you；　the　Abyss　has　been　a　hunting　ground；　though　you　do　most　of　your　hunting　from　across　the　planes。　Are　you　drow？　Masters　of　this　world　and　the　next？　Or　are　you　。　。　。〃
　　　Jeggred　stopped；　his　jaw　and　throat　tight；　and　returned　his　steely　gaze　to　the　uridezu。　The　demon　captain　looked　away。
　　　〃You　assume　much；　honored　draegloth；〃　Danifae　said；　her　clear　voice　echoing　across　the　still　water。　〃It　is　not　fear　that　prepares　us　for　our　journey；　I'm　sure；　but　necessity。〃
　　　Jeggred　turned　slowly　but　didn't　look　at　Danifae。　Instead；　his　eyes　once　more　found　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith。　Quenthel　appeared；　to　Pharaun's　eyes　at　least；　to　have　succumbed　to　the　Reverie。　Jeggred　blew　a　short；　sharp　breath　through　his　wide　nostrils　and　turned　a　fang…lined　smile　on　Danifae。
　　　〃Fear；〃　the　draegloth　said；　〃has　a　smell。〃
　　　Danifae　returned　the　half…demon's　smile　and　said；　〃Fear　of　the　Spider　Queen　surely　smells　the　sweetest。〃
　　　〃Yes；〃　Valas　broke　in；　though　Danifae　and　the　draegloth　continued　to　stare　at　each　other　with　expressions　impossible　to　read。　〃Well；　that's　all　well　and　good；　but　surely　someone　knows　how　long　it　will　take　us　to　get　there　and　how　long　to　get　back。〃
　　　〃A　tenday；〃　Pharaun　said；　guessing　for　no　other　reason　than　to　get　on　with　it　so　he　could　rest　and　replenish　his　magic。　〃Each　way。〃
　　　The　scout　nodded；　and　no　one　else　offered　any　argument。　Jeggred　went　back　to　staring　at　the　captain；　and　Danifae　drew　out　a　whetstone　to　sharpen　a　dagger。　The　vipers　of　Quenthel's　scourge　wrapped　themselves　lovingly　around　her　and　began；　one　by　one；　to　sink　into　slumber。
　　　〃I'll　be　off　then；〃　Valas　said。
　　　〃Off？〃　Pharaun　asked。　〃To　where？〃
　　　〃Sshamath；　I　think；〃　the　scout　replied。　〃It's　reasonably　close；　and　I　have　contacts　there。　If　I　go　alone；　I　can　be　there　and　back　quickly；　and　no　one　who　doesn't　fear　Bregan　D'aerthe　will　even　know　I　was　there。〃
　　　〃No；〃　Danifae　said；　startling　both　Valas　and　Pharaun。
　　　〃The　young　mistress　has　a　better　suggestion？〃　Pharaun　asked。
　　　〃Sschindylryn；〃　she　said。
　　　〃What　of　it？〃　asked　Pharaun。
　　　〃It's　closer；〃　Danifae　replied；　〃and　it's　not　ruled　by　Vhaeraunites。〃
　　　She　sent　a　pointed　look　Valas's　way；　and　Pharaun　allowed　himself　a　smirk。
　　　〃I'm　tired；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　said；　〃so　I　will　weaken　enough　to　speak　on　Valas's　behalf。　He　is　Bregan　D'aerthe；　young　mistress；　and　his　loyalty　goes　to　she　who　is　paying。　I　don't　believe　we'll　have　trouble　with　our　guide　jumping　deities　on　us。　If　he　can　get　to；　through；　and　out　of　Sshamath　faster；　then　let　him　do　what　he's　been　hired　to　do。〃
　　　〃He　will　go　to　Sschindylryn；〃　Quenthel　said；　her　voice　so　flat　and　quiet　that　Pharaun　wasn't　certain　he'd　heard　correctly。
　　　〃Mistress？〃　he　prompted。
　　　〃You　heard　me；〃　she　said；　finally　looking　up　at　him。　She　let　her　cold　gaze　linger　for　a　moment；　and　Pharaun　held　it。　She　turned　to　Valas。　〃Sschindylryn。〃
　　　If　the　scout　had　any　thought　of　arguing；　he　suppressed　it　quickly。
　　　〃As　you　wish；　Mistress；〃　Valas　replied。
　　　〃I　will　acpany　you；〃　Danifae　said；　speaking　to　Valas　but　looking　at　Quenthel。
　　　〃I　can　move　faster　on　my　own；〃　the　scout　argued。
　　　〃We　have　time；〃　said　the　battle…captive；　still　looking　at　Quenthel。
　　　The　high　priestess　turned　to　Danifae　slowly。　Her　frigid　red　eyes　warmed　as　they　played　across　the　girl's　curves。　Danifae　leaned　in　ever　so　slightly；　eliciting　a　smile　from　Pharaun　that　was　as　impressed　as　it　was　amused。
　　　〃Sschindylryn。　。　。　。〃　the　wizard　said。　〃I've　passed　through　it　a　time　or　two。　Portals；　yes？　A　city　crowded　with　portals　that　could　slip　you　in　an　instant　from　one　end　of　the　Underdark　to　another　。。。　or　elsewhere。〃
　　　Danifae　turned　to　Pharaun　and　returned　his　smile…impressed　and　amused。
　　　〃How　much　time　do　we　have？〃　Valas　asked；　still　ignoring　the　more　subtle；　silent　conversation…within…a…conversation。
　　　Pharaun　shrugged　and　said；　〃Five　days　。　。　。　perhaps　as　many　as　seven。　I　should　have　provided　the　ship　with　adequate　sustenance　by　then。〃
　　　〃I　can　do　it；〃　Valas　replied。　〃Barely。〃
　　　The　scout　looked　to　Quenthel　for　an　answer；　and　Pharaun　sighed；　pushing　back　his　frustration。　He　too　looked　at　Quenthel；　who　was　gently　stroking　the　head　of　one　of　her　whip　vipers。　The　snake　swayed　in　the　air　next　to　her　smooth　ebon　cheek　while　the　other　vipers　slept。　Pharaun　got　the　distinct　impression　that　the　snake　was　speaking　to　her。
　　　A　sound　caught　Pharaun's　attention；　and　he　saw　Jeggred　shifting　unfortably。　The　draegloth's　eyes　twitched　back　and　forth　between　his　aunt　and　the　viper。　Pharaun　wondered　if　the　draegloth　could　hear　some　silent；　mental　exchange　between　the　high　priestess　and　her　whip。　If　he　could；　what　he　heard　was　making　him　angry。
　　　〃You　will　take　Danifae　with　you；〃　Quenthel　said；　her　eyes　never　leaving　the　viper。
　　　If　Valas　was　disappointed；　he　didn't　let　it　show。　Instead；　he　simply　nodded。
　　　〃Leave　when　you're　ready；〃　the　high　priestess　said。
　　　〃I'm　ready　now；〃　the　scout　replied；　perhaps　a　second　too　quickly。
　　　The　viper　turned　to　look　at　the　scout；　who　met　its　black　eyes　with　a　furrowed　brow。　Pharaun　was　fascinated　by　the　exchange；　but　exhaustion　was　claiming　him　all　the　more　quickly　as　the　discussion　wore　on。
　　　Quenthel　slid　back　to　rest　against　the　bone　rail　of　the　undead　ship。　The　last　viper　rested　its　head　on　her　thigh。
　　　〃We　will　take　Reverie；　then；　Pharaun　and　I；〃　the　Mistress　of　the　Academy　said。　〃Jeggred　will　stand　watch；　and　the　two　of　you　will　be　on　your　way。〃
　　　Danifae　stood　and　said　quietly；　〃Thank　you；　M…〃
　　　Quenthel　stopped　her　with　an　abrupt　wave　of　her　hand；　then　the　high　priestess　closed　her　eyes　and　sat　very　still。　Jeggred　growled　again；　low　and　rumbling。　Pharaun　prepared　himself　for　Reverie　as　well　but　couldn't　help　feeling　uneasy　at　the　way　the　draegloth　was　looking　at　his　mistress。
　　　Danifae　slipped　on　her　pack　as　Valas　gathered　his　own　gear。　The　battle…captive　walked　to　Jeggred　and　put　a　hand　lightly　on　the　draegloth's　bristling　white　mane。
　　　〃All　is　well；　Jeggred；〃　she　whispered。　〃We　are　all　tired。〃
　　　Jeggred　leaned　in　to　her　touch　ever　so　slightly；　and　Pharaun　looked　away。　The　draegloth　stopped　his　growling；　but　Pharaun　could　feel　the　half…demon　watch　Danifae's　every　move　until　she　finally　followed　Valas　through　a　dimensional　portal　of　the　scout's　making　and　was　gone。
　　　Why　Sschindylryn？　Pharaun　asked　himself。
　　　It　was　the　battle…captive's　calming　touch　with　the　draegloth　that　accounted　for　the　wizard's　uneasy　Reverie。
　　　
Chapter　Four
　　　A　little　more　than　half　a　mile　under　the　ruins　of　the　surface　city　of　Tilverton；　two　dark　elves　ran。
　　　Danifae　breathed　hard　trying　to　keep　up　with　Valas；　but　she　stayed　only　a　few　strides　behind　him。　The　scout　moved　in　something　between　a　walk　and　run；　his　feet　sometimes　appearing　not　even　to　touch　the　slick　flowstone　of　the　tunnel　floor。　As　they'd　emerged　from　the　last　in　a　rapid；　head…spinning　series　of　gates；　Valas　had　told　her　they　were　more　than　halfway　to　Sschindylryn；　and　it　had　been　only　a　single　day。　Danifae　admired　the　mercenary's　skill　in　navigating　the　Underdark；　even　as　she　dismissed　his　obvious　lack　of　ambition　and　drive。　He　seemed　content　in　his　position　as　a　hired　hand…scout　and　errand　boy　for　Quenthel　Baenre…and　the　idea　of　that　sort　of　contentment　was　utterly　alien　to　Danifae。
　　　After　all；　she　thought　in　time；　Valas　is　only　a　male。
　　　The　scout　came　to　an　abrupt　halt；　so　abrupt　in　fact　that　Danifae　had　to　stumble　to　an　undignified　stop　to　avoid　running　into　him。　Happy　for　the　chance　to　pause　and　rest；　though；　she　didn't　bother　to　plain。
　　　〃Where…？〃　she　started；　but　Valas　held　up　a　hand　to　silence　her。
　　　Even　after　all　her　years　as　a　battle…captive；　a　servant　to　the　foolish　and　slow…witted　Halisstra　Melarn；　Danifae　hadn't　grown　accustomed　to　shutting　up　when　told　to。　She　bristled　at　the　scout's　dismissive　gesture　but　calmed　herself　quickly。　Valas　was　in　his　element；　and　if　he　wanted　silence；　both　their　lives　might　well　depend　on　it。
　　　He　turned　to　her；　and　Danifae　was　surprised　to　see　no　hint　of　annoyance　or　irritation　on　his　face；　even　as　her　one　word　still　echoed　faintly　in　the　cool；　still　air　of　the　cavern。
　　　Another　portal　up　ahead；　he　told　her　with　his　fingers。　It　will　take　us　far；　almost　to　Sschindylryn's　eastern　gate；　but　it's　not　one　I've　used　in　a　very　long　time。
　　　But　you've　used　it　before；　she　replied　silently。
　　　Portals；　especially　portals　like　this　one；　Valas　explained；　are　like　waterholes。　They　attract　attention。
　　　You　sense　something？　she　asked。
　　　Danifae's　own　sensitive　hearing　detected　no　noise；　her　equally　sensitive　nose　no　smell　but　her　own　and　the　scout's。　That　didn't　mean　they　were　alone。
　　　As　if　he'd　read　her　mind；　Valas　replied；　You're　never　alone　in　the　Underdark。
　　　So　what　is　it？　she　asked。　Can　we　avoid　it？　Kill　it？
　　　Maybe　nothing；　he　answered　in　turn；　probably　not；　and　I　hope　so。
　　　Danifae　smiled　at　him。　Valas　tipped　his　head　to　one　side；　surprised　and　confused　by　the　smile。
　　　Stay　here；　he　signed；　and　keep　still。　I'll　go　on　ahead。
　　　Danifae　looked　back　along　the　way　they'd　e　then　forward　in　the　direction　they　were　going。　The　tunnel…twenty…five　or　thirty　feet　wide　and　about　as　tall…stretched　into　darkness　in　both　directions。
　　　If　you　leave　me　behind。　。　。　。　Danifae　threatened　with　her　fingers　and　with　her　cold；　hard　eyes。
　　　Valas　didn't　react　at　all。　He　seemed　to　be　waiting　for　her　to　finish。
　　　Danifae　again　glanced　to　the　seemingly　endless　tunnel　ahead；　only　for　half　a　heartbeat。　When　she　turned　back；　Valas　was　gone。
　　　
　　　Ryld　drew　the　whetstone　slowly　along　Splitter's　razor　edge。　The　enchanted　sword　hardly　needed　sharpening；　but　Ryld　found　he　was　always　better　able　to　think　when　he　was　performing　the　simple　tasks　of　a　soldier。　The　sword　had　no　outward　signs　of　an　intelligence　of　its　own；　but　Ryld　had　convinced　himself　some　years　before　that　Splitter　enjoyed　the　attention　he　gave　it。
　　　He　was　alone　in　the　crumbling；　weed…choked　hovel　he　shared　with　Halisstra。　The　sounds　and　smells　of　the　forest　all　around　him　managed　to　invade　even　that　personal　time　with　his　sword　and　his　thoughts。　He　knew　he　was　as　relaxed　as　he　would　ever　be　on　the　surface　in　the　daylight　under　the　endless　sky…at　least；　when　Halisstra　wasn't　with　him。
　　　The　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　was　alone　because　he　hadn't　been　invited　to　the　circle　that　Halisstra　had　gone　to　join。　The　curious；　heretical　surface　drow　were　planning　something；　and　Halisstra　and　her　newfound　toy…the　Crescent　Blade…were　obviously　a　big　part　of　it。　He　had　killed　the　raging　animal　that　attacked　him；　and　as　many　times　as　Feliane　had　tried　to　explain　it　to　him；　he　couldn't　imagine　why　that　made　him　an　outcast。　Still；　Ryld　knew　he　had　been　left　out　for　more　than　that　one　reason。
　　　He　sat　alone　also　because；　unlike　Halisstra；　he　had　not　openly　rejected　the　Spider　Queen　nor　openly　embraced　her　sun…ravaged　rival；　the　Lady　of　the　Dance。　Ryld　didn't　understand　that　frivolous　goddess　of　theirs。　The　Lady　of　the　Dance？　Were　they　to　set　their　lives　along　a　path　defined　by　dancing？　What　sort　of　a　bizarre　goddess　could　draw；　much　less　mete　out；　power　from　something　so　pointless　as　dancing？　Lolth　was　a　cruel　and　capricious　mistress；　and　her　priestesses　held　her　power　close；　but　she　was　the　Queen　of　Spiders。　Spiders　were　strong；　resourceful　predators…survivors。　Ryld　could　see　himself　as　a　spider。　Spiders　knew　no　mercy　and　never　asked　for　forgiveness。　They　spun　their　webs；　caught　their　prey；　and　lived。　Spiders　made　sense；　spiders　had　power；　and　power　was　all　any　drow　needed。
　　　Apparently　not　every　drow。
　　　Still；　Ryld　knew　that　there　was　a　third　reason　why　he　sat　sharpening　his　sword　while　the　females　plotted　and　planned；　and　that　was　precisely　because　he　wasn't　a　female。　In　Menzoberranzan；　Ryld　Argith　was　a　highly　regarded　and　well…respected　warrior；　a　soldier　with　powerful　friends　and　much　to　remend　him　to　his　superiors。　He　led　a　fortable　life；　wielded　some　items　imbued　with　powerful　magic…the　greatsword　not　the　least　of　them…and　was　even　trusted　to　be　a　principal　member　of　the　vital　expedition　in　search　of　their　silent　goddess。　Despite　all　that；　Ryld　Argith　was　a　male。　As　such　he　would　never　be　anything　but　second；　and　he　well　knew　likely　not　even　that。　He　would　lead　other　males；　other　warriors；　but　would　never　mand　a　female。　He　would　be　asked　his　opinion；　and　that　opinion　would　occasionally　even　be　considered；　but　he　would　never　make　decisions。　He　would　be　a　soldier…a　tool；　a　weapon…but　never　a　leader。　Not　in　Menzoberranzan　among　the　daughters　of　Lolth　and　not　in　the　sun…baked　forest　among　the　dancing　priestesses。
　　　Three　reasons　for　being　le