war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第26部分

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ard　of　this　lake？〃
　　　The　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　chewed　a　moment…annoying　Quenthel；　who　was　used　to　more　prompt　answers。　Her　hand　fell　to　the　handle　of　her　whip；　and　she　was　just　about　to　draw　it　and　threaten　to　flog　an　answer　out　of　him　when　he　stood；　wiping　the　last　crumbs　of　fungus　loaf　from　his　mouth。　Why　couldn't　he　be　like　Danifae　who；　she　was　pleased　to　see；　had　scurried　back　a　pace　or　two？　The　lesser　priestess　was　suitably　cowed　by　the　vipers；　which　were　nearly　spitting　in　anticipation　of　tasting　flesh　once　more。
　　　〃It's　a　large　lake；〃　the　scout　continued；　obviously　sensing　the　high　priestess's　impatience；　〃about　the　same　size　as　Lake　Thoroot。　The　two　are　connected　by　an　underground　river。〃
　　　〃Flowing　in　which　direction？〃　Quenthel　asked。
　　　〃Toward　Lake　Thoroot；　from　the　northwest。〃
　　　〃How　far？〃　asked　Pharaun。
　　　〃About　the　same　distance　away　as　the　Fireflow；〃　Valas　said；　and　Pharauns　eyes　lit　with　recognition。　〃By　surface　and　tunnel；　that's　about　a　tenday's　march　from　here。　The　river　might　be　longer；　especially　moving　upstream。〃
　　　Quenthel　nodded；　pleased　to　see　they　were　getting　somewhere　at　last。
　　　Turning　to　Pharaun；　she　said；　〃We'll　set　out　for　the　Lake　of　Shadows　at　once。　Prepare　your　water…breathing　spells。〃
　　　Pharaun's　eyebrows　rose　and　he　asked；　〃You　intend　that　we　swim　there？〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Quenthel　said。
　　　〃That　won't　work。〃
　　　Quenthel　squeezed　her　whip　handle　so　tightly　the　serpents　spat　venom。
　　　〃Why　not？〃　she　asked　through　gritted　teeth。
　　　〃For　one　thing；　if　we　use　an　underwater　route；　the　aboleth　will　follow　us；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃We're　too　tasty　a　treat　to　let　go；　and　we'd　end　up　fighting　them　all　the　way。　For　another；　as　our　able　scout　mentioned；　if　the　connecting　river　flows　from　the　Lake　of　Shadows　to　Lake　Thoroot；　we'll　be　swimming　against　the　current。　That　could　make　the　journey　much　longer　than　a　tenday；　and　there　will　be　no　place　for　me　to　stop　and　re…study　my　spell　along　the　way。　When　its　magic　runs　out；　we'll　all　drown。〃
　　　Quenthel　was　furious…but　even　through　her　rage；　she　could　see　that　the　mage　was　right。
　　　Why　didn't　you　think　of　this？　she　thought　furiously　at　her　whip　vipers。
　　　A　hissing　match　ensued；　in　which　each　of　the　vipers　berated　the　other　four　for　not　realizing　something　so　obvious。
　　　At　last；　Hsiv　answered。　Our　apologies；　Mistress。　It　will　not　happen　again。
　　　Valas　cleared　his　throat　and　said；　〃There　is　more　than　one　approach　to　the　Lake　of　Shadows。　Chosing　the　wrong　one；　farther　from　the　ship；　could　cost　us　days　。　。　。　even　tendays。　Did　Oothoon　mention　anything　else　about　the　ship　of　chaos；　Mistress？　Anything　that　might　help　me　to　find　it　in　such　a　large　body　of　water？〃
　　　Quenthel；　still　glaring　at　Pharaun；　started　to　shake　her　head。　Then　she　remembered　a　passing　ment　the　aboleth　matriarch　had　made。
　　　〃Only　one　thing；〃　she　said；　〃that　the　air　above　the　lake　was　thick　with　bats。　That's　what　gave　the　lake　its　name　。　。　。　the　shadows　they　make　against　the　cavern　ceiling。〃
　　　〃That's　not　the　only　reason；　Mistress。　There　are　。。。　oddities　there；〃　Valas　said。　〃It's　said　to　be　a　gateway　of　sorts　to　the　Plane　of　Shadow。　Anyway；　I　know　where　the　Lake　of　Shadows　is；　and　I　know　of　two　different　ways　to　reach　it　that　are　reasonably　safe。〃
　　　Finally；　Quenthel　thought　then　asked；　〃What　are　they？〃
　　　〃The　lake　is　connected　to　the　surface　by　natural　chimneys　in　the　rock…that　part　of　the　Surface　Realms　that　lies　just　above　it　is　known　for　the　bats　that　fly　out　of　the　holes　in　a　cloud　every　night。　We　could　descend　through　one　of　the　chimneys…but　that　would　mean　climbing　up　to　the　World　Above　again　and　traveling　through　the　forest。〃
　　　Quenthel　considered　that…briefly。　She　wasn't　about　to　subject　herself　to　a　cold；　snowy　trudge　through　bright　sunlight　again。
　　　〃We're　not　going　back　to　the　surface；〃　she　decided。
　　　That's　wise；　Hsiv's　voice　breathed　in　her　ear。　House　Jaelre's　warriors　will　still　be　looking　for　us。
　　　〃We　want　to　avoid　House　Jaelre's　warriors；〃　Quenthel　explained　to　Valas。　〃They　either　killed　or　captured　Ryld　Argith；　the　best　warrior　we　had。　We　don't　want　to　lose　anyone　else。〃
　　　Valas's　eyes　narrowed　slightly；　and　Quenthel　wondered　if　he　was　silently　questioning　her　order。　To　remind　him　or　his　place；　she　drew　her　whip…but　held　it　by　her　side。
　　　Ha！　K'Sothra　chortled。　That　pricked　his　pride。
　　　Valas　glanced　at　the　vipers。
　　　〃As　you　mand；　Mistress；〃　he　acquiesced。　〃We'll　keep　to　the　Underdark。　But　that　leaves　only　one　other　means　of　reaching　the　Lake　of　Shadows…and　it's　a　dangerous　one。〃
　　　〃Go　on；〃　Quenthel　prompted。
　　　〃There　is　an　ancient　portal　that　gives　access　to　a　lake。　It's　a　march　of　about　four　cycles　from　here；　northward　through　a　series　of　connecting　tunnels　and　caverns。　The　portal　was　constructed　centuries　ago；　but　I　have　heard　from　a　reliable　source　that　its　magic　is　still　active。　Reaching　it；　however；　might　prove　difficult。〃
　　　Quenthel　nodded；　unperturbed　by　Valas's　grim　tone。　Everything　in　life　was　difficult…only　those　who　rose　above　difficulties　were　worthy　of　Lolth's　favors。
　　　〃We'll　make　for　the　portal；〃　she　told　the　mercenary。　〃Pack　your　things；　everyone。　We'll　set　out　at　once。〃
　　　〃This　portal；〃　Pharaun　said　slowly。　〃What　makes　it　so　difficult　to　reach？〃
　　　〃It　lies　directly　under　the　ruins　of　Myth　Drannor。〃　Valas　said　nothing　more；　as　if　that　was　explanation　enough。
　　　〃Myth　Drannor？〃　Pharaun　groaned。　〃Not　again。　I　have　no　desire　to　stare　down　a　beholder　a　second　time。〃
　　　〃We　wouldn't　be　facing　a　beholder；　this　time；〃　Valas　said。　〃Which　is　probably　just　as　well；　since　we　don't　have　our　'best　warrior'　here　to　dispatch　it；　like　he　did　the　last　one。〃
　　　〃What　would　we　be　facing？〃　Pharaun　asked。
　　　Valas　muttered　something　too　low　for　Quenthel　to　hear；　but　Pharaun's　reply　was　loud　enough　for　her　ears　to　catch。
　　　〃Too　bad　our　spiders　have　lost　their　venom；〃　he　said；　glancing　at　Quenthel　and　Danifae。
　　　Valas　nodded　gravely。
　　　Furious　at　the　deliberate　slight；　Quenthel　drew　her　whip。　She　snapped　it；　and　the　serpents　hissed　loudly；　splattering　venom　on　a　stone　floor　that　had　been　hastily　vacated　by　Danifae。
　　　〃You　will　address　your　answers　to　me；〃　she　told　Valas。　〃House　Baenre　has　paid　for　your　services；　mercenary；　not　Sorcere。〃
　　　〃I　beg　your　pardon；　Mistress；〃　he　said；　bowing　deeply　and　addressing　her　in　a　suitably　chastised　voice。　〃Ah　。　。　。　what　was　your　question？〃
　　　Pharaun　turned　abruptly　away；　suddenly　interested　in　placing　his　spellbooks　back　into　his　pack。
　　　What　creatures　might　we　face？　Hsiv　prompted。
　　　Quiet！　Quenthel　thought　back。　I　can　ask　my　own　questions。　Then；　out　loud；　she　added；　〃What　will　we　have　to　fight；　this　time？〃
　　　Rising　from　his　bow；　Valas　met　her　eye。
　　　〃Wraiths；〃　he　said。　〃Dozens　of　them。〃
　　　That　made　Quenthel　pause。　Wraiths　were　dangerous　creatures；　shadowy；　incorporeal。　Their　slightest　touch　could　drain　a　living　creature's　vitality　in　an　instant；　and　even　magical　healing　would　not　restore　it。　Those　drained　entirely　by　wraiths　became　undead　themselves；　rising　as　twisted　caricatures　of　their　former　selves　to　feed　on　their　own　kind。　Few　ordinary　drow　had　seen　a　wraith…let　alone　several　dozen　of　the　shadowy　creatures…and　survived　to　speak　of　it。
　　　And　that　was　what　Quenthel　had　been　reduced　to　after　all；　an　ordinary　drow。　Had　Lolth　not　been　silent；　Quenthel　could　have　used　her　magic　to　drive　the　creatures　back　from　her；　blowing　them　away　like　rags　in　a　wind；　but　without　it；　she　was　as　powerless　against　them　as　any　other　drow。　The　thought　of　facing　several　of　the　creatures　without　being　able　to　turn　them　made　her　shiver。
　　　Then　she　reminded　herself　that　the　fate　of　the　drow　race　hung　in　the　balance。　She　had　to　find　the　ship　of　chaos…it　offered　her　the　only　chance　she　had　to　reach　the　Abyss　and　find　out　what　had　happened　to　Lolth。　And　that　meant　reaching　the　Lake　of　Shadows。　Then；　once　Lolth　restored　her　magic　to　the　drow；　Quenthel　could　return　to　Menzoberranzan　in　triumph。　She　might；　perhaps；　even　depose　Triel　and　claim　the　throne　of　the　most　powerful　House　in　the　city。
　　　Yes；　Hsiv　thought。　You　were　meant　to　rule。　You　must　succeed。
　　　Ignoring　him；　Quenthel　returned　her　attention　to　Valas。
　　　〃Tell　me　more　about　the　portal；〃　she　ordered。　〃How　do　you　know　of　it？〃
　　　With　a　slight　bow；　Valas　answered；　〃I　heard　about　it　from　a　rogue…an　odd　little　fellow　who　hailed　from　Gracklstugh。　He　learned　of　a　vault　under　Myth　Drannor　that　supposedly　had　treasure　the　surface　elves　left　behind　during　their　Retreat。　He　found　a　way　to　get　there　through　the　Underdark；　but　the　vault　was　empty…except　for　the　wraiths。　They　killed　his　four　panions　and　nearly　killed　him　too；　but　he　escaped　by　leaping　into　a　portal。　It　led　to　a　narrow　ledge　overlooking　the　Lake　of　Shadows。　Fortunately；　he　wore　a　ring　that　allowed　him　to　levitate　out　of　the　cavern…otherwise　he'd　be　there　still。〃
　　　Quenthel　listened；　nodding。
　　　〃Did　any　of　the　wraiths　follow　him　through　the　portal？〃　she　asked。
　　　〃No。　According　to　the　rogue；　it　would　admit　only　living　creatures。〃
　　　Quenthel　thought　a　moment　then　asked；　〃Did　he　see　anything　that　might　have　been　the　ship　of　chaos？〃
　　　Valas　shook　his　head　and　replied；　〃Nothing　that　he　mentioned　to　me。　But　the　Lake　of　Shadows　is　wide…as　large　across　as　Lake　Thoroot…and　deep。　If　the　ship　sank；　there'd　be　nothing　to　see。〃
　　　〃This　rogue　told　you　there　were　'dozens'　of　wraiths？〃　she　asked。
　　　Valas　nodded　and　said；　〃Those　were　his　very　words。〃
　　　〃An　exaggeration；　no　doubt。　What　race　was　he？〃
　　　Valas　frowned。
　　　〃The　rogue？〃　he　asked。　〃He　claimed　to　be　human；　even　though　he　was　no　taller　than　a　duergar。〃
　　　〃Humans；〃　Quenthel　snorted。　〃A　cowardly　race。　There　were　probably　less　than　half　a　dozen　wraiths；　all　told。　With　Pharaun's　spells…and　our　magical　weapons…we'll　easily　be　able　to　fight　our　way　through。〃
　　　Valas　opened　his　mouth…perhaps　to　protest　that　even　half　a　dozen　wraiths　were　too　many…but　he　closed　it　a　moment　later。
　　　Quenthel；　meanwhile；　took　mental　stock　of　the　resources　she　had　at　hand。　Valas；　whose　speed　and　stealth　would　allow　him　to　get　behind　the　wraiths　and　dispatch　them　with　his　magical　daggers。　Pharaun；　with　his　arsenal　of　powerful　protective　spells。　Jeggred；　who　would　protect　Quenthel　at　any　cost；　hurling　himself　headlong　at　the　wraiths；　if　the　need　arose。　And　Danifae　。　。　。
　　　Quenthel　paused；　considering。　What　good　was　the　battle…captive；　really？　Oh；　she　groveled　sweetly　when　threatened　and　gave　pleasure　readily　enough；　but　Quenthel　sometimes　noticed　a　look　in　Danifae's　eyes　that　she　didn't　like。　Not　at　all。
　　　Still；　Danifae　was　a　petent　enough　fighter；　when　she　had　to　be。　The　morningstar　she　carried　was　no　mere　boy's　weapon。　If　it　came　to　it；　Danifae　could　be　abandoned　to　the　wraiths；　if　the　need　arose　to　sacrifice　someone。　Truth　be　told；　Quenthel　would　rather　be　rid　of　Pharaun…though　she　had　to　admit　that　his　expertise　with　demons　was　going　to　e　in　handy；　once　the　ship　of　chaos　was　finally　located。
　　　No；　she'd　have　to　make　sure　that　Pharaun　survived　the　encounter　with　the　wraiths。　Which　meant　making　sure　that　if　Danifae's　life　was　threatened；　the　mage　didn't　try　to　defend　her。
　　　〃We'll　get　by　the　wraiths；〃　Quenthel　told　the　others。　〃We'll　reach　the　portal。〃　Then；　silently；　so　only　the　serpents　could　hear；　she　added；　Or　at　the　very　least；　some　of　us　will。
　　　
Chapter　Twenty…four
　　　Gromph　strode　through　one　of　the　main　corridors　of　Sorcere；　followed　closely　by　Kyorli；　who　scurried　along　behind　him；　and　Prath；　staggering　under　a　load　of　spellbooks　that　Gromph　had　hastily　assembled。　Since　the　duergar　had　been　driven　back　from　Tier　Breche；　and　the　tunnel　sealed；　most　of　the　students　were　heeding　the　call　of　their　respective　Houses。　Apprentice　mages　ran　this　way　and　that　down　the　corridor；　arms　laden　with　spellbooks　and　magical　devices；　bleating　like　a　milling　herd　of　rothe　as　walking　chests　scuttled　along　on　spider　legs　behind　them。
　　　As　he　hurried　along；　Gromph　held　a　circle　of　copper　wire　close　to　his　lips。
　　　〃Wizards　of　House　Baenre；〃　he　called；　speaking　through　the　enchanted　wire。　〃Attend　me　at　once　in　the　scrying　chamber。〃
　　　The　wire　hummed；　sending　a　tingle　through　Gromph's　fingertips。　Then　it　glowed　a　dull　red　and　crumbled。　Flicking　flakes　of　copper　from　his　fingers；　Gromph　pushed　open　the　heavy　double　doors　of　the　scrying　chamber　and　stepped　inside。
　　　Like　the　rest　of　Sorcere；　the　walls　of　the　large；　circular　chamber　were　lined　with　lead　sheeting　and　plastered　with　a　stucco　made　from　gorgon's　blood　and　spellstone　dust。　Runes　had　been　embossed　upon　the　surface　and　limned　in　gold　to　further　prevent　against　unwanted　intrusion　or　observation。　No　spellcaster；　no　matter　how　powerful；　could　teleport　past　them　or　probe　the　minds　of　the　students　and　masters　inside。
　　　It　was　possible；　however；　to　see　out　from　there；　thanks　to　an　enormous　crystal　ball　that　floated　at　the　center　of　the　room。　Into　the　sphere　had　been　magically　bound　one　eye　of　the　eagle　that　resided　in　a　gilded　cage　just　below　the　crystal　sphere。　As　Gromph　and　Prath　entered　the　room；　the　eagle　flapped　its　wings　and　gave　a　screee　of　excitement；　blinking　its　one　remaining　eye。　The　sphere　above　it　turned；　rotating　to　face　the　two　drow。　The　eagle's　second　eye；　which　filled　the　crystal　ball　from　side　to　side；　fixed　them　with　a　hungry　stare。
　　　Or　rather；　it　fixed　upon　Kyorli。　Snapping　its　beak；　the　eagle　screeed　a　second　time　and　hurled　itself　against　the　bars　of　its　cage。　The　rat；　taunting　it；　sat　back　on　her　haunches　no　more　than　a　pace　from　the　cage　and　groomed　her　whiskers；　ignoring　the　frenzied　wing　flapping　of　the　eagle。
　　　Kyorli；　stop　it；　Gromph　ordered。　e　here。
　　　Obeying　the　telepathic　mand；　Kyorli　dropped　to　all　fours　and　scurried　back　to　her　master。　Climbing　swiftly　up　Gromph's　piwafwi；　she　settled　herself　on　his　shoulder；　tickling　his　ear　with　her　whiskers。　Prath；　meanwhile；　stooped　to　place　the　spellbooks　he'd　been　carrying　on　the　floor。
　　　〃The　eagle　is　hungry；〃　Gromph　told　Prath。　〃Find　it　some　raw　meat…but　don't　go　slicing　off　any　more　fingertips。　You're　going　to　need　them。〃
　　　Prath　grinned。
　　　〃I　thought　you　might　need　more；　Archmage〃　he　said；　reaching　into　one　of　the　bags　that　was　slung　over　his　shoulder。　〃So　I　stopped　by　the　kitchen　on　the　way　back　from　the　ponents　storeroom。　The　cook　gave　me　this。〃
　　　Pulling　out　a　waxed　rag；　he　unwrapped　a　fist…sized　chunk　of　meat。　At　Gromph's　approving　nod　he　held　it　up　against　the　bars　of　the　cage。　The　eagle　tore　into　it　greedily；　ripping　off　bloody　chunks　with　its　hooked　beak　and　eventually　wrenching　a　large　piece　inside。　It　settled　upon　that　portion；　content；　and　soon　reduced　it　to　no　more　than　a　smear　of　blood　on　the　bottom　of　the　cage。
　　　Gromph；　meanwhile；　greeted　the　House　Baenre　wizards　who　straggled　into　the　room；　directing　them　to　the　circle　of　chairs　that　surrounded　the　cage　and　the　crystal　ball。　He　was　pleased　to　see　Julani；　a　Master　of　Evocation。　His　fellow　instructor　bowed；　touching　long；　supple　fingers　against　his　chest。　The　next　two　to　arrive　were　a　pair　of　tenth…year　students。　Grendan　was　a　handsome　male　with　a　natural　flair　for　illusion。　Gromph　wo