war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第23部分

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　　　One　of　the　trailing　tentacles　of　the　aboleth　guarding　him　drifted　close　to　his　shoulder。　Jeggred　lashed　out；　clawing　a　furrow　in　its　flesh。
　　　Its　three　eyes　blinking；　the　aboleth　let　out　a　burbling　cry　and　yanked　the　tentacle　away。　It　did　not　attack。
　　　Jeggred；　his　pulse　pounding　in　his　ears；　prepared　to　hurl　himself　after　it；　to　close　for　the　kill。　Then；　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　he　saw　that　Quenthel　had　turned。　She　was　signing　at　him　furiously。
　　　Hold　your　temper；　she　ordered。　We　are　their　guests。
　　　Had　it　been　a　male　who　had　spoken；　Jeggred　would　have　snarled　back　in　defiance…then　torn　him　to　pieces。　Instead；　he　bowed　to　his　mistress。
　　　As　you　mand；　Mistress。
　　　As　he　signed；　he　snuck　a　glance　at　the　aboleth　he'd　wounded。
　　　He'd　been　wrong　about　aboleth　blood。　It　was　green　and　didn't　flow　freely　but　oozed　out　like　sap。
　　　Satisfied　the　stupid　creature　was　not　going　to　retaliate；　Jeggred　returned　his　attention　to　Quenthel。　He　could　have　guarded　her　better　if　he'd　been　allowed　to　remain　at　her　side；　but　an　order　was　an　order。　He　had　obeyed；　as　he　always　did；　without　question。　As　a　result；　he　could　understand　nothing　of　the　conversation…Oothoon's　voice　was　pitched　too　low　for　him　to　hear；　and　he　could　not　see　what　Quenthel　was　signing；　since　her　back　was　to　him。
　　　It　didn't　matter　though。　Jeggred　didn't　need　to　know　what　was　being　said。　He　could　read　Quenthel's　emotions　by　the　way　she　held　her　body。　That　stiffening　of　her　shoulders　was　tension。　And　that　furtive　drift　of　her　hand　toward　her　wand　was　caution…perhaps　even　fear。
　　　Strangely；　the　vipers　in　Quenthel's　whip　were　drifting　lazily　with　the　current；　pletely　relaxed。　They；　even　more　than　Jeggred　himself；　should　have　sensed　her　rising　tension。　But　instead　the　stupid　things　were　off　guard。　Quenthel　was　wrong　to　put　such　stock　in　the　bound　imps；　which　were　little　better　than　slaves。　Always　asking　their　opinions…instead　of　trusting　her　own　heart…　made　her　weak。
　　　The　draegloth　didn't　like　the　feeling　of　that　thought。　He　wasn't　sure　what　to　do　with　an　idea　like　that；　the　idea　that　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　his　aunt；　sister　to　his　mother　the　Matron　Mother　of　the　First　House　of　Menzoberranzan；　was　。　。　。　weak？　He　pushed　the　thought　from　his　mind　and　found　it　quickly　replaced　by　a　growing　unease。
　　　Growling　low　in　his　throat…a　low　gurgle　of　water…Jeggred　readied　himself。　Something　was　about　to　happen。　He　braced　a　foot　against　the　far　wall…one　kick　would　send　him　into　the　room…and　flexed　his　claws。
　　　Quenthel　drew　her　wand；　and　in　a　swift　motion　spun　and　aimed　it　at　the　aboleth　behind　her。　A　sticky　glob　shot　out　of　the　end　of　the　wand；　expanding　swiftly　as　it　raced　through　the　water。
　　　Simultaneously　raking　the　aboleth　beside　him　with　one　clawed　hand；　Jeggred　kicked　himself　into　the　audience　chamber…
　　　…only　to　find　his　head　and　shoulders　tangled　in　a　sticky　mass。　Quenthel's　shot　had　missed　when　the　aboleth　ducked　swiftly　aside。　The　viscous　glob　struck　the　doorway　instead　and　pletely　blocked　the　opening。
　　　Roaring　with　rage；　Jeggred　twisted　his　body　around　and　braced　both　feet　against　the　sides　of　the　opening。　Heaving；　calf　and　thigh　muscles　nearly　bursting　from　the　strain；　he　tore　his　head　free；　then　his　shoulders。　Ignoring　the　sting　where　hair　had　torn　from　his　scalp；　he　clawed　at　the　sticky　barrier　with　a　fighting　hand。　It　got　stuck；　too。
　　　Meanwhile；　inside　the　audience　chamber；　Quenthel　corrected　her　aim。　A　second　glob　erupted　from　the　wand；　and　it　struck　the　aboleth　guard　in　the　mouth　just　as　its　teeth　were　about　to　close　on　the　drow　priestess。　Gurgling；　the　aboleth　tried　to　spit　out　the　sticky　ball　but　could　not。
　　　The　aboleth　that　had　been　out　in　the　corridor　with　Jeggred　had　been　motionless　at　first；　but　it　soon　moved　in　to　attack。　It　reared　above　Jeggred；　opening　its　mouth；　attempting　to　bite。　Jeggred　raked　its　belly　with　his　free　hand；　tearing　a　deep　slash。　Green　blood　oozed　out…lots　of　blood…clouding　the　water　Jeggred　breathed。　It　tasted　vile；　like　pungent　seaweed…not　at　all　as　Jeggred　had　imagined。
　　　The　aboleth　turned　and　bolted　down　the　tunnel；　retreating　with　powerful　strokes　of　its　fluked　tail。　Jeggred　growled；　knowing　it　had　probably　gone　to　summon　more　of　the　fish…folk。
　　　He　continued　ripping　at　the　sticky　ball　that　blocked　the　audience　chamber　doorway。　Each　time；　his　hand　got　stuck…but　each　time　he　ripped　off　a　few　strands。　Smelling　real　blood；　the　draegloth　began　to　pant…then　he　realized　that　the　blood　was　his　own。　His　hand　was　raw　where　skin　had　been　torn　from　it。
　　　Inside　the　audience　chamber；　Quenthel　held　Oothoon　at　bay　with　her　rod。　The　aboleth　matriarch　stared　for　several　moments；　her　three　eyes　unblinking；　then　she　launched　herself　out　of　the　niche。　Mouth　gaping；　she　sped　across　the　chamber。
　　　For　some　reason　that　Jeggred　could　not　imagine；　Quenthel　seemed　to　be　having　trouble　making　her　rod　work。　Only　at　the　last　moment　did　its　magic　e　to　life。　A　glob　streaked　toward　Oothoon…and　missed。　As　Quenthel　flailed　back　in　terror；　the　aboleth　matriarch　closed　on　her；　and　swallowed　the　high　priestess　whole。
　　　For　a　moment；　Jeggred　could　only　stare　in　horror。　His　mistress　was　gone。　Eaten。　Dead！
　　　Fury　seized　him。　He　tore　at　the　sticky　mess　that　held　him；　heedless　of　the　skin　that　was　being　ripped　from　his　hands　and　arms。　Panting　water　in　and　out　of　his　lungs…or　perhaps　vomiting　it　up　and　swallowing　it　again…he　thrashed　like　a　fish　caught　in　a　net。
　　　All　the　while；　Oothoon　stared　at　him　mockingly；　one　tentacle　stroking　a　bulge　in　her　stomach。
　　　The　sticky　mass　blocking　the　doorway　tore　but　did　not　e　free。　Tipping　his　head　back　in　frustration…and　tearing　out　yet　more　hair　that　had　bee　stuck　in　the　viscous　glob…Jeggred　howled　in　rage　and　sorrow　but　at　last　came　to　his　senses。
　　　The　Mistress　was　wise；　he　thought。　She　had　foreseen　this。
　　　And　she　had　given　him　an　order…a　final　order　that　had　to　be　carried　out　quickly；　before　the　wounded　aboleth　returned　with　reinforcements。
　　　Wrenching　himself　free　of　the　sticky　doorway；　Jeggred　swam　as　fast　as　he　could　down　the　corridor；　looking　for　a　way　out。
　　　
Chapter　Twenty…one
　　　Pharaun　listened　dispassionately　as　Jeggred　gasped　out　his　story。　The　draegloth　was　dripping　wet　and　still　making　the　transition　to　breathing　air　again。　He　sucked　in　great；　gurgling　breaths　that　might　have　been　construed…were　they　made　by　a　creature　that　was　not　demon…spawned…to　be　sobs。
　　　〃She's　been　eaten；〃　Jeggred　said；　his　head　low　and　all　four　arms　hanging　dejectedly　at　his　sides。　〃Mistress　Quenthel　is　dead。〃
　　　Pharaun　regarded　the　draegloth　coldly　and　said；　〃Thanks　to　you。〃
　　　The　ment　normally　would　have　caused　Jeggred　to　leap　forward；　snarling　for　blood；　but　instead　he　stood　as　quietly　as　a　rothe　waiting　for　slaughter。
　　　Danifae；　standing　in　the　tunnel　beside　the　river；　glanced　at　Pharaun。
　　　〃Is　it　even　possible？〃　she　asked。　〃Even　without　her　spells；　Mistress　Quenthel　should　have　been　capable　of　defeating　the　aboleth。　Her　armor　and　enchantments　alone　should　have　protected　her　from…〃
　　　〃He　said　she　was　swallowed　whole；〃　Valas　interjected。　〃She　never　had　a　chance。〃
　　　At　the　mercenary's　blunt　words；　Jeggred's　shoulders　slumped　still　lower。　Hunkering　down；　the　draegloth　wrapped　his　smaller　arms　around　his　knees　and　stared　blankly　at　the　river。
　　　Pharaun　nodded　to　himself。　As　Jeggred　had　been　relating　what　had　happened　in　the　aboleth　city；　Pharaun　grew　increasingly　certain　that　the　draegloth　truly　believed　his　mistress　was　dead。
　　　Danifae　touched　his　arm　lightly　and　asked；　〃What　should　we　do　next；　Master　Pharaun？　You're　the　leader　now…it's　your　decision。〃
　　　Pharaun　noted　how　Danifae　had　glanced　at　Valas　as　she　spoke；　as　if　she　was　watching　the　mercenary　for　any　challenge　to　Pharaun's　leadership。
　　　Valas；　having　noted　the　same　thing；　grunted；　then　shrugged。
　　　〃Yes；〃　he　said；　meeting　Pharaun's　eye。　〃What　now？　Continue　the　search　for　the　ship　of　chaos…or　make　our　way　back　to　Menzoberranzan？〃
　　　Pharaun's　answer　was　immediate。
　　　〃We're　still　under　orders　from　the　Matron　Mother；〃　he　told　them　briskly；　〃and　I　am　still　under　orders　from　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan。　Until　we　hear　otherwise；　we　continue　our　quest　to　find　out　what's　happened　to　Lolth。　And　that　means　finding　the　ship。〃
　　　Danifae　met　his　eyes　and　asked；　〃All　of　us？〃
　　　Pharaun　stared　at　her。
　　　〃Since　you　didn't　keep　your　part　of　the　bargain；〃　he　said　slowly；　watching　for　Danifae's　reaction；　〃what　reason　do　I　have　to　keep　mine？〃
　　　Danifae's　eyes　blazed　as　she　lost　her　usual　control。
　　　〃But　you　promised！〃　she　spat。
　　　Jeggred；　sensing　the　sudden　tension　in　the　air；　looked　up　and　growled　softly。　Valas　glanced　back　and　forth　between　Pharaun　and　Danifae。
　　　〃Promised　what？〃　the　mercenary　asked。
　　　Pharaun　ignored　the　question。
　　　〃You　made　a　promise；　too；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　reminded　Danifae　in　a　low　voice。　He　patted　the　spellbook　he'd　been　reading　earlier。　〃When　you　slipped　away　to　speak　to　Quenthel；　did　you　honestly　think　I　wouldn't　listen　in？〃
　　　Danifae's　hands　curled　into　fists　at　her　sides。　Pharaun　almost　expected　her　to　stamp　her　foot　and　turn　away；　but　after　a　moment　her　fingers　slowly　uncurled。　She　stared　hard　at　him　as　if　trying　to　guess　his　thoughts；　then　she　tossed　her　long　white　hair　and　gave　him　a　sulky　pout。
　　　〃You　meant　me　to　betray　you　all　along；〃　she　said。　〃You　knew　it　would　make　Quenthel　more　sure　of　herself。　She　might　not　have　met　with　Oothoon　if…〃
　　　Pharaun　interrupted　her　by　clearing　his　throat。　He　inclined　his　head　at　Jeggred；　who　had　risen　to　a　fighting　crouch。
　　　〃What　are　you　saying？〃　the　draegloth　growled。
　　　〃Nothing；〃　Danifae　said　smoothly；　giving　Jeggred　a　seductive　smile。　〃Pharaun　tried　to　get　Oothoon　to　tell　him　where　the　ship　of　chaos　was　and　learned　nothing。　He　knew　Quenthel　would　be　able　to　succeed　where　he　had　failed；　and　so　he　was　jealous。　He　was　planning　to　discredit　your　mistress…to　tell　your　matron　mother；　if　and　when　he　succeeds　in　making　contact　with　Menzoberranzan　again…that　he　was　the　one　who　found　out　where　the　ship　is；　not　Quenthel。〃
　　　Jeggred　thought　about　that　for　a　moment。　Then　his　lips　parted　in　a　snarl。
　　　〃He　would　have　lied；〃　he　growled；　understanding　at　last。　〃Pharaun　would　have　made　the　mistress　look　bad。〃
　　　Pharaun　waved　a　hand　dismissively；　thus　concealing　a　gesture　that　activated　a　protective　spell　whose　incantation　he　whispered　under　his　breath。
　　　〃There's　no　need　to　get　angry；〃　he　told　Jeggred。　〃It's　just。。。　politics。　You'd　do　the　same；　in　my　shoes。　Any　drow　would。〃
　　　Jeggred；　unmollified；　snarled　at　Pharaun　and　slammed　his　fighting　hands　into　the　mage's　chest；　but　the　gesture　was　half…hearted。　His　claws　remained　unflexed。　The　protective　spell　Pharaun　had　cast　shimmered　only　faintly　as　it　easily　soaked　up　the　force　of　the　blow。　The　worst　of　it　was　the　draegloth's　foul　breath；　which　he　panted　into　Pharaun's　face　for　several　long　moments　as　he　tried　to　stare　him　down。　Then　the　draegloth　dropped　back　into　a　crouch；　turning　his　back　to　resume　his　sulk。
　　　Pharaun　saw　Valas；　who　had　moved　silently　into　position　behind　Jeggred；　sheathing　his　kukris。　Pharaun　raised　an　eyebrow；　then　nodded　his　thanks　at　the　mercenary。　He　had　neither　seen　nor　heard　Valas　draw　the　twin　daggers…he　was　glad　that　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　had　chosen　to　back　him　and　not　Jeggred。
　　　〃As　for　the　offer　I　made　to　you；〃　Pharaun　continued；　turning　to　Danifae；　〃it　still　stands。　It's　just　that　it's　not　。　。　。　expedient　for　you　to　leave　us　at　the　moment。　With　our　numbers　reduced；　I　may　need　you。〃
　　　Danifae　stood　with　her　hands　on　her　hips；　an　invitation　and　a　challenge　in　one。
　　　Interesting　how　quickly　she　begins　to　offer　up　her　enticements；　the　wizard　thought；　now　that　Quenthel　is　gone。
　　　〃The　question　still　remains；〃　she　said。　〃What　do　we　do　now？〃
　　　〃We　continue　to　try　to　get　the　information　we　need　from　Oothoon；〃　Pharaun　answered；　stooping　to　tuck　his　spellbook　back　in　his　pack。　〃Or　rather；　I　continue。　I'm　going　back　to　Zanhoriloch。　Alone；　this　time。〃
　　　〃Are　you　mad？〃　Valas　asked；　shaking　his　head。　〃You'll　vanish　down　Oothoon's　gullet；　just　as　Quenthel　did。　Then　where　will　we　be？〃
　　　Pharaun　shrugged　and　said；　〃Free　to　do　as　you　wish；　I　suppose。〃　He　winked　at　Danifae；　then　added；　〃Which　would　mean　you'd　have　to　walk　to　。。。　where　you　want　to　go。　Perhaps　your　own　mistress　will　return　to　claim　you　again；　or　maybe　our　valiant　mercenary　would　escort　you。〃　He　laughed　and　patted　his　backpack。　〃Don't　worry。　I've　prepared　a　little　magical　surprise　for　the　aboleth。　My　memories　won't　be　added　to　Oothoon's。〃
　　　Danifae　gave　him　a　mock　pout　and　said；　〃See　to　it　that　they　aren't。〃
　　　
　　　Pharaun　wasted　no　time　in　making　his　preparations。　He　pulled　a　leather　glove　onto　one　hand　in　preparation　for　a　spell　he　would　cast　once　he　arrived　in　Zanhoriloch　and　made　sure　his　wands　were　close　at　hand。　He　then　cast　two　protective　spells　in　quick　succession。　The　first　would　shield　him　from　any　attempts　the　aboleth　made　to　dominate　his　mind。　The　second　created　eight　illusionary　images　of　himself　that　mirrored　his　every　move。
　　　All　nine　Pharauns　nodded　their　farewell　and　smiled　as　Valas　saluted　them。　The　one　that　was　second　from　the　left…the　real　Pharaun…cast　the　spell　that　allowed　him　to　breathe　water。　Mirrored　by　the　others；　he　stepped　into　the　river；　and；　as　soon　as　the　cold　water　closed　over　his　head；　he　spoke　the　word　that　would　teleport　him　to　Oothoon's　audience　chamber。
　　　His　arrival　took　the　aboleth　matriarch　pletely　by　surprise。　Oothoon　was　resting　in　her　niche；　admiring　a　large　black　pearl　held　in　the　tip　of　a　tentacle。　As　Pharaun　and　his　eight　illusionary　doubles　materialized　suddenly　in　the　room；　she　startled；　then　coiled　her　tentacle　tightly　around　the　pearl；　drawing　the　precious　object　closer　to　her　body。
　　　Another　aboleth　was　just　outside　in　the　spiraling　corridor；　guarding　the　entrance。　It　blinked　its　three　eyes　in　startled　surprise　to　see　nine　drow　suddenly　appear　in　the　audience　chamber　but　reacted　with　the　swiftness　of　a　trained　soldier。　A　powerful　stroke　of　its　fluked　tail　propelled　it　into　the　room。　One　of　the　illusionary　Pharauns　disappeared　in　a　sparkle　of　magical　energy　as　the　aboleth　tore　through　it　in　an　attack　as　savage　and　swift　as　that　of　a　shark。
　　　As　the　aboleth　guard　turned　for　a　second　attack　Pharaun　raised　his　gloved　hand　and　flexed　it；　swiftly　fingering　an　evocation　with　his　other　hand　in　the　silent　speech。　An　enormous　ebony…skinned　hand　appeared　in　the　water。　Fingers　open；　it　met　the　guard　head…on；　then　wrapped　itself　around　the　aboleth。　It　squeezed　tight；　smashing　the　aboleth's　tentacles　against　its　body。　The　guard；　nearly　blinded　by　a　finger　that　covered　two　of　its　eyes；　gurgled　with　rage　and　gnawed　at　the　palm　of　the　hand；　which　was　pressed　up　against　the　mouth　in　its　belly。　The　hand；　however；　was　made　of　magical　energy；　not　flesh；　and　so　the　guard's　attempts　to　bite　it　were　futile。　The　aboleth　thrashed　helplessly　in　the　hand's　firm　grip；　slime　from　its　body　clouding　the　water　around　it。
　　　Pharaun　gave　a　quick　mental　push；　and　the　hand　carried　the　guard　out　of　the　room　and　down　the　corridor。
　　　All　that　ha