war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第36部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


ter…which　means　any　spell　I　cast　won't　be　powerful　enough　to　dispel　the　storm。〃
　　　Valas　scratched　his　head；　then　said　in　a　thoughtful　voice；　〃Could　we　sail　the　ship　out　of　the　storm？〃
　　　〃Possibly；〃　Pharaun　said；　thinking　aloud。　〃Or　rather；　the　uridezu　could。　But　assuming　I'm　able　to　dispel　the　magic　that　froze　the　demon　in　time　there's　still　the　matter　of　binding　it　to　my　will。〃
　　　〃That's　easy；〃　Quenthel　spat。　〃Just　pull　the　demon　out　with　one　of　your　grasping…hand　spells。〃
　　　Pharaun　sighed。　The　spell　Quenthel　had　mentioned　was　unnecessary。　The　binding　spell　itself　would　draw　the　demon　to　the　deck。　The　problem　lay　in　the　ship　itself。　Pharaun　had　pictured　it　wrecked　on　shore　or　perhaps　resting　quietly　at　the　bottom　of　the　lake…not　half　awash　and　buffeted　by　spray　and　wind。　Drawing　a　pentagram　on　the　deck　of　the　ship　would　be　an　impossible　task。
　　　There　was　an　alternative　to　using　a　magic　diagram；　but　it　presented　its　own　problems。　He　could　render　the　demon's　image　in　miniature；　either　on　vellum　or　in　the　form　of　a　statuette。　The　latter　could　easily　be　done…he　had　wax　and　an　opal　in　his　enchanted　pockets…but　as　soon　as　he　placed　the　statuette　on　the　deck；　one　sweep　of　a　wave　would　wash　it　overboard。　And　how；　in　the　name　of　the　silent　Spider　Queen；　was　he　going　to　e　up　with　a　length　of　chain？
　　　Then　he　remembered　the　amulet　that　had　protected　Valas　from　the　wraiths。　Its　chain…having　faded　to　the　color　of　lead；　a　most　suitable　material　indeed…still　hung　around　his　neck。
　　　Pharaun　nodded　at　the　amulet　and　said；　〃I　believe　I'm　correct；　Valas；　in　assuming　your　amulet　is　no　longer　functional？〃
　　　Valas　gave　Pharaun　a　wary　frown　but　nodded。
　　　〃May　I　have　the　chain　it's　hung　on？〃　Pharaun　asked；　holding　out　a　hand。
　　　Valas　plied…taking　care　to　keep　the　amulet　hidden　inside　his　tunic　as　he　slid　it　off　the　chain。　Pharaun　could　guess　why。　Judging　by　its　sun　shape；　it　had　been　created　by　surface　elves。　And　not　just　any　surface　elves；　but　those　who　worshiped　Labelas　Enoreth；　Lord　of　Longevity。　If　Quenthel　saw　the　mercenary　wearing　it；　her　fury　would　be　unbounded。　She'd　rather　have　lost　a　valuable　ally　to　the　wraiths　than　admit　that　an　amulet　created　by　〃sunspit〃　was　anything　other　than　an　abomination。
　　　As　Valas　handed　Pharaun　the　chain；　Danifae　leaned　closer　to　the　wall　of　ice；　her　breath　fogging　in　the　chilled　air。
　　　〃Careful；〃　Pharaun　cautioned。　〃Don't　touch　the　ice　with　your　tongue。〃
　　　She　gave　him　a　disdainful　look；　then　indicated　the　storm　outside　with　a　jerk　of　her　chin。
　　　〃If　you're　going　to　try　to　bind　the　demon；　you'd　better　get　started；〃　she　told　him。　〃The　whirlpool　is　starting　to　move　away。〃
　　　Nodding；　Pharaun　squatted　and　began　his　preparations。　From　the　pockets　of　his　piwafwi　he　took　a　lump　of　beeswax　he'd　picked　up　in　Menzoberranzan；　months　before；　from　a　trader　from　the　World　Above；　and　a　black　opal　the　size　of　his　little　fingernail；　shot　through　with　veins　of　red。　He　warmed　the　beeswax　by　working　it　with　his　hands；　then　he　sculpted　the　softened　lump；　modeling　the　arms；　legs；　tail；　and　snout　of　an　uridezu　demon。　The　statuette　was　crude；　but　it　would　suffice。　Slicing　open　its　chest　with　a　fingernail；　Pharaun　pushed　the　opal　inside；　then　pinched　the　wound　shut。　He　wrapped　Valas's　chain　around　one　of　the　statuette's　legs；　securing　it　there　by　joining　two　links　together。
　　　〃There；〃　he　said；　nodding　in　satisfaction　at　the　chain　that　bit　slightly　into　the　wax　statuette's　ankle。　〃That　should　hold　him　long　enough　to　get　us　to　the　Abyss。〃
　　　
Chapter　Thirty…two
　　　As　the　worm's　mouth　closed　around　her；　Halisstra　squeezed　her　eyes　shut。　She　gasped　as　a　wave　of　acid　splattered　against　the　exposed　portions　of　her　body…her　face；　neck；　and　hands…then　regretted　it　as　the　stench　of　acid　filled　her　nostrils。　Rivulets　of　agony　trickled　through　her　hair　and　down　her　neck；　searing　her　chest　and　back　as　they　found　their　way　under　her　chain　mail　and　padded　tunic。
　　　Clinging　to　the　hilt　of　the　songsword；　she　twisted　violently　against　the　rippling；　sucking　force　of　the　worm　trying　to　swallow　her　down。　She　managed　to　get　her　feet　braced　against　the　worm's　lower　jaw；　but　when　she　tried　to　lever　the　mouth　open　her　boots　slipped。　The　worm　swallowed　her；　wrenching　her　hands　away　from　the　hilt　of　the　sword。
　　　As　the　worm's　throat　muscles　constricted；　forcing　her　down　its　throat；　Halisstra　began　to　pray。　To　open　her　burning　lips　would　mean　swallowing　acid；　which　would　further　increase　her　torment；　so　she　prayed　silently；　fervently；　begging　Eilistraee　to　help　her。　Despite　the　fact　that　she　could　feel　her　skin　erupting　into　blisters；　she　didn't　attempt　a　curative　spell…that　would　only　delay　the　inevitable…instead　she　pleaded　for　something　that　would　help　her　to　escape。
　　　The　worm　thrashed　back　and　forth；　bending　Halisstra　violently　this　way　and　that。　She　heard　dull；　muffled　thuds　that　must　have　been　Ryld　hacking　at　the　worm　with　his　sword；　but　then　the　creature　twisted　suddenly　and　they　stopped。　The　motion　forced　the　air　from　Halisstra's　lungs…and　she　dared　not　try　to　inhale。　Instead　she　forced　her　hand　down；　scraping　it　against　her　acid…slimed　chain　mail　to　touch　the　amulet　hanging　from　her　belt；　next　to　her　empty　sheath。
　　　Eilistraee；　she　prayed。　Help　me。　Send　me　a　weapon。
　　　Something　nudged　against　her　hand…something　hard　and　smooth。　Grasping　it；　Halisstra　realized　it　was　the　hilt　of　a　sword…obviously　the　weapon　of　some　other　unfortunate　victim　of　the　worm。　She　wasted　no　time　in　using　what　the　goddess　had　provided。　Forcing　her　elbow　back　against　the　pulsing　wall　of　the　worm's　gut；　she　brought　the　point　of　the　weapon　to　bear　and　felt　it　slide　into　the　worm's　flesh。　Then　she　began　to　saw。
　　　Her　entire　body　was　covered　in　acid。　The　worm's　digestive　juices　had　seeped　under　her　armor　and　clothing　and　onto　her　skin。　She　could　feel　blisters　erupting　and　could　feel　the　acid　flowing　into　the　rupturing　skin　with　each　move　that　she　made。　Head　pounding　from　a　lack　of　air；　she　sawed　desperately；　her　movements　made　short　and　jerky　by　the　fact　that　the　worm's　gut　was　pressing　her　arm　against　her　side。　Flashes　of　red　danced　before　her　eyes；　but　still　she　continued　to　saw。　It　was　either　that　or　die。
　　　The　wall　of　gut　in　front　of　her　ruptured。　Riding　a　wave　of　acid；　Halisstra　fell　through　the　wound　in　the　worm's　side；　dropping　the　sword。　She　lay　for　a　moment　on　the　hard　stone；　drawing　deep；　shuddering　breaths　and　watching　the　worm　thrash　itself　across　the　cavern。　The　creature　was　wounded　in　half　a　dozen　places：　deep　gashes　that　had　probably　been　made　by　Ryld's　greatsword。　As　the　worm　shuddered　and　at　last　died；　Halisstra　rolled　feebly　over；　out　of　the　puddle　of　acid。
　　　〃Ryld；〃　she　gasped；　sighting　him。
　　　As　her　pain…dulled　mind　registered　that　he　was　lying　on　his　back　on　the　cavern　floor；　she　forced　herself　into　a　sitting　position；　nearly　fainting　at　the　pain　of　her　heavy　chain　mail　as　it　rubbed　against　her　acid…burned　flesh。
　　　〃Ryld；〃　she　said；　her　voice　cracking。　〃Ryld！〃
　　　The　weapons　master's　chest　still　rose　and　fell　beneath　the　breastplate　he　wore；　though　the　breaths　were　shallow。　Just　below　the　edge　of　his　breastplate　his　tunic　was　torn…a　round　bloodstain　told　her　that　it　was　a　puncture　wound。　The　worm　had　injected　him　with　its　venom。
　　　He　needed　her　magic…and　quickly…but　she　could　not　aid　him　without　first　healing　herself。　Time　was　of　the　essence；　so　she　used　bae'qeshel　magic；　a　darksong　that　would　close　her　wounds。　The　worst　of　her　pain　was　relieved…though　it　returned；　in　lesser　form；　a　moment　later　as　the　acid　that　had　soaked　into　her　clothing　began　to　eat　at　her　skin　again。　As　rapidly　as　she　could；　she　stripped　off　her　chain　mail　and　pulled　off　her　soggy　tunic　and　boots。　Her　tunic　came　off　easily；　peeling　away　in　wet；　rotted　chunks。　As　she　stripped　down；　she　noted　that　the　spell　had　knitted　her　ruptured　skin　back　together　but　had　left　a　pattern　of　overlapping　burn　marks。　Startled　by　the　sight　of　them；　she　began　to　raise　a　hand　to　her　face…then　immediately　dropped　it　as　she　heard　Ryld　softly　moan。　It　was　no　time　for　vanity。
　　　Scrambling　across　the　floor　to　him；　she　laid　a　hand　over　the　site　of　his　wound　and　felt　a　shudder　pass　through　the　flesh　under　the　blood…soaked　tunic。　Closing　her　eyes；　she　chanted　her　prayer。
　　　Eilistraee；　aid　him。　Slow　the　poison　that　rushes　through　his　veins。　Grant　him　just　a　little　time；　yet；　to　live。
　　　She　lifted　her　free　hand；　imagining　herself　outside；　under　a　clear　sky；　reaching　up　toward　the　moon。　When　she　felt　the　familiar　tingle　of　magic　she　swept　her　hand　down；　placing　her　palm　upon　the　hand　that　still　covered　Ryld's　wound。　She　felt　a　rush　of　magical　energy　flow　through　her　and　into　Ryld…energy　as　cool　and　as　bright　as　the　moon。　As　the　last　of　it　drained　out　of　her　she　shivered；　suddenly　cold　and　exhausted。
　　　Halisstra　knelt；　anxiously　watching　Ryld's　slow；　labored　breathing；　wondering　if　her　spell　had　worked。　Uluyara　had　been　right…Halisstra　had　been　mad　to　think　she　could　find　the　Crescent　Blade；　when　the　bined　efforts　of　Eilistraee's　faithful　had　failed。　Halisstra　wondered　if　the　ghost　that　had　led　her　to　the　worm　hole　had　truly　been　Mathira　Melarn。　It　seemed　more　likely　that　it　was　just　some　malevolent　spirit　seeking　to　lead　others　to　experience　the　same　gruesome　death　that　it　had。　Stupidly；　like　a　rothe　being　led　to　slaughter；　she　had　followed　the　ghost　to　the　edge　of　the　worm　hole；　then　entered；　despite　her　realization　that　it　would　be　a　purple　worm　she'd　be　confronting　and　not　a　dragon　after　all。　She　had　proceeded　anyway；　blind　faith　causing　her　to　believe　that　the　Crescent　Blade　would　be　inside　the　worm's　lair。
　　　If　it　was；　she　hadn't　seen　it。　In　the　moments　before　Ryld　had　startled　her；　breaking　her　spell；　Halisstra　had　gotten　a　good　look　at　the　cavern　floor。　She'd　even　gotten　the　worm　to　shift　this　way　and　that；　enabling　her　to　search　beneath　it。
　　　She'd　seen　nothing。
　　　Sighing；　she　stared　down　at　Ryld。　In　pursuing　her　quest；　she'd　e　close　to　forfeiting　her　own　life。　That；　she　had　no　quarrel　with。　As　a　drow；　and　a　former　servant　of　Lolth；　she　was　used　to　such　sacrifices　being　demanded　of　her　and　all　around　her。　The　goddess　consumed　her　followers　like　flies；　then　cast　their　empty　husks　away。　But　Halisstra　had　expected　more　of　Eilistraee。　A　little　mercy…if　not　for　her；　then　for　innocents　like　Ryld。　She　hadn't　expected　her　quest　to　cost　him　his　life　as　well。
　　　Then　she　saw　a　slight　change。　Ryld's　face；　which　had　been　swiftly　draining　of　color　a　few　moment　before；　seemed　slightly　darker；　less　gray。　She　could　see　his　breathing　begin　to　steady；　though　it　still　sounded　wet　and　tight。　The　spell　had　worked…there　was　still　hope。
　　　〃Eilistraee；　forgive　me；〃　she　quickly　whispered。　〃Forgive　me　for　doubting　your　mercy。〃
　　　Squatting；　she　hooked　one　hand　under　Ryld's　shoulders；　the　other　under　his　hips；　intending　to　carry　him；　if　need　be；　all　the　way　up　to　the　surface；　then　back　across　the　Cold　Field　to　the　nearest　town。
　　　Eilistraee　willing；　she　would　be　able　to　locate　one　of　the　priestesses…someone　who　knew　a　healing　spell　that　would　flush　the　poison　pletely　from　his　body…before　the　poison…delaying　spell　she'd　cast　ran　out。
　　　As　she　started　to　lift　Ryld　his　eyes　flickered　open；　startling　her。　He　looked　confused　for　a　moment；　but　slowly　recognition　dawned。
　　　〃Halisstra；〃　he　croaked。　〃Is　it　really　you？〃
　　　At　first　Halisstra　thought　he　was　still　groggy　from　the　poison。　Then　she　realized；　from　the　way　he　was　staring　at　her；　that　he　truly　did　not　recognize　her。　She　touched　her　face　and　found　it　cratered　with　overlapping　scars。　Her　hand　trembling；　she　reached　up　still　farther；　and　found　that　most　of　her　hair　had　fallen　out。　Only　a　few　ragged　strands　remained。　The　bae'qeshel　magic　had　closed　the　wounds　caused　by　her　burns…but　it　had　left　her　with　terrible　scars。
　　　She　told　herself　not　to　worry　about　it…the　priestesses　would　certainly　have　a　spell　that　would　smooth　her　skin　and　restore　her　hair。　Getting　Ryld　back　was　the　thing　to　concentrate　on。
　　　〃It　is　me；　Ryld；〃　she　told　him。　〃Do　you　think　you　can　walk？　Otherwise　I'll　have　to　carry　you　back　across　the　Cold　Field。〃
　　　〃I　can　walk　。　。　。　if　you　help　me　up；〃　he　said。　Then　he　looked　around。　〃Splitter…where　is　it？〃
　　　The　poison　having　been　slowed；　Ryld　struggled　to　his　hands　and　knees…still　shaky　but　looking　stronger　than　he　had　just　a　moment　before。　Halisstra　knew　he　would　no　sooner　leave　his　enchanted　greatsword　behind　than　he　would　sacrifice　an　arm　or　a　leg；　but　he　was　still　weak。
　　　〃I'll　find　it；〃　Halisstra　told　him。　〃You　stay　here；　and　save　your　strength。〃
　　　She　approached　the　worm　carefully；　worried　that　it　might　not　yet　be　dead。　Its　body　was　unmoving；　however；　coiled　in　a　limp　tangle。　Easing　its　mouth　open；　she　yanked　Seyll's　songsword　from　its　cheek　and　let　the　acid　drain　from　the　finger　holes　in　the　weapon's　hilt。　Then　she　searched　for　Splitter。
　　　The　greatsword　lay　close　to　the　spot　where　Halisstra　had　hacked　her　way　out　of　the　worm's　belly；　its　hilt　protruding　from　under　a　coil　of　the　worm。　She　stooped　and　yanked　it　free…then　spotted　something　lying　half　in　and　half　out　of　the　wound。　It　was　the　sword　she'd　used　to　cut　herself　free。　Its　blade　was　bright　and　untarnished…obviously　magical；　since　it　had　been　protected　from　the　acid's　corrosive　effects…and　curved。　Curved。
　　　Halisstra　realized　what　weapon　it　must　be。
　　　It　was　the　Crescent　Blade。
　　　Eyes　wide　with　awe；　ignoring　the　acid　that　was　stinging　the　soles　of　her　bare　feet；　she　picked　up　the　sword；　then　backed　out　of　the　pool　of　acid。　The　hilt　should　have　been　slippery　with　the　worm's　digestive　juices　but　its　leather　wrapping　felt　dry　and　clean…further　evidence　that　it　was　a　magical　weapon。　Silver　had　been　inlaid　along　the　length　of　the　blade；　giving　the　metal　its　sheen。　The　inlay　spelled　out　words　in　the　drow　tongue　that　began　to　glow　slightly　as　Halisstra　held　the　sword。
　　　Ryld；　rising　unsteadily　on　his　feet；　moved　closer　to　take　a　look　as　Halisstra　read　the　inscription。
　　　〃　'Be　your　heart　filled　with　light　and　your　cause　be　true；　I　shall　not　fail　you；'　〃　she　recited。　Her　brows　puckered　in　a　doubtful　frown。　〃Even　in　the　Abyss？〃　she　whispered。
　　　When　she　looked　up；　she　saw　Ryld　staring　at　her。
　　　〃So　that's　why　you　wanted　the　Crescent　Blade；〃　he　said　softly。　〃To　try　to　kill　Lolth？〃　He　shook　his　head。　〃That's　something　even　Vhaeraun　failed　to　do。　How　can　you　hope　to　succeed　where　a　god　has　failed？〃
　　　〃I　don't　know；〃　Halisstra　answered　honestly。
　　　Part　of　her　felt　manipulated…despite　nearly　being　devoured　by　the　worm；　it　felt　as　though　the　Crescent　Blade　had　just　fallen　into　her　hands。　That　made　her　wary；　uneasy。　But　at　the　same　time；　another　part　of　her　felt　elation。　She　might　be　no　more　than　a　piece　on　a　sava　board；　being　moved　this　way　and　that　by　an　unseen　hand；　but　that　hand　belonged　to　a　goddess。　Eilistraee；　for　good　or　ill；　had　taken　a　personal　interest　in　her…something　Lolth　had　never　done。　The　thought　filled　Halisstra　with　a　heady　pride。
　　　〃Eilistraee　is　watching　over　me；〃　she　told　Ryld。　〃It　feels　as　if　all　of　this　has　been　preordained…and　I　have　a　sense　that　it's　my　destiny　to　at　least　try　to　follow　the　path　the　goddess　has　set　me　on。　If　I　do　succeed　in　killing　Lolth