war of the spider queen 4 extinction-第37部分

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stiny　to　at　least　try　to　follow　the　path　the　goddess　has　set　me　on。　If　I　do　succeed　in　killing　Lolth；　we'll　at　last　be　free　of　her　clinging　webs。　All　of　us。　The　drow　can　e　up　into　the　light；　without　fear　of　her　retaliation。〃
　　　〃And　if　you　fail。　。　。〃　Ryld　began；　then　weakly　coughed。
　　　Halisstra　took　his　arm　and　helped　to　steady　him。　They　didn't　have　time　to　stand　there　contemplating　her　chances　of　success。　Not　with　the　poison　only　temporarily　held　at　bay。
　　　〃Do　you　have　any　spare　clothing？〃　she　asked。
　　　He　nodded　at　the　backpack　on　the　floor　and　said；　〃In　there。　A　tunic　and　some　boots。〃
　　　〃Good；〃　she　said。
　　　A　tunic　and　boots　alone　would　be　little　protection　against　the　bitter　winds　of　the　World　Above；　but　Halisstra　knew　she　could　use　her　spells…if　sparingly…to　gain　temporary　respite　from　the　cold。　She　dug　out　the　clothes　and　put　them　on；　helped　Ryld　slide　Splitter　back　into　its　sheath；　and　strapped　the　Crescent　Blade　and　songsword　across　the　top　of　her　backpack　and　slipped　it　onto　her　back。
　　　〃e　on；〃　she　said；　slipping　one　of　Ryld's　arms　over　her　shoulder。　〃The　sooner　we　get　you　back　to　the　temple；　the　better　your　chances　of　living　long　enough　to　watch　me　die　trying　to　kill　a　goddess。〃
　　　
Chapter　Thirty…three
　　　〃Ready？〃　Pharaun　asked；　looking　up　from　the　circle　he'd　been　drawing　on　the　floor　of　the　tunnel。
　　　Only　a　pinch　of　powdered　amber　remained　in　the　pouch　he　was　holding…just　enough　to　plete　the　circle　in　which　Quenthel　and　Jeggred　stood。　The　two　were　crowded　close　together；　Quenthel　stroking　Jeggred's　tangled　mane　in　a　calming　gesture。
　　　Valas　and　Danifae　stood　outside　the　circle；　back　where　the　water　dripping　from　their　soaked　piwafwis　wouldn't　mar　the　pattern。　Without　levitation　magic；　they　had　no　way　to　land　safely　on　the　storm…tossed　ship；　so　they　would　remain　in　the　tunnel。
　　　〃Get　on　with　it；〃　Quenthel　said；　forcing　his　mind　back　to　the　task　at　hand。　〃Cast　the　spell。〃
　　　Pharaun　stepped　into　the　circle　beside　her；　taking　care　the　hem　of　his　piwafwi　didn't　disturb　the　powder；　then　he　crouched　to　sprinkle　the　last　pinch　of　amber　that　would　plete　the　pattern　on　the　floor。
　　　Standing　again；　he　stared　our　through　the　ice　wall　at　the　ship　of　chaos；　locking　the　position　of　its　upper　deck　in　his　mind。
　　　〃Faer　z'hind！〃　he　cried。
　　　As　his　spell　took　effect；　the　stone　floor　vanished　from　under　his　feet。　An　instant　later　he；　Quenthel；　and　Jeggred　were　falling　through　the　air　toward　the　deck　of　the　rapidly　moving　ship。　The　wizard　checked　his　descent　by　levitating；　but　the　water　stinging　his　eyes　made　it　difficult　to　see。　He'd　aimed　for　a　pace　or　two　above　the　deck…the　only　sane　option；　with　the　ship　rising　and　falling　so　violently　and　listing　at　such　a　sharp　angle…but　without　anything　solid　under　his　feet　he　was　in　danger　of　being　hurled　into　the　eye　of　the　storm。　He　floundered　about；　trying　to　find　the　deck　with　his　feet　as　sprays　of　water　lashed　him　and　the　wind　tore　at　the　hood　of　his　piwafwi；　nearly　strangling　him。　A　gust　of　wind　caught　him；　slamming　him　into　the　main　mast　and　knocking　the　air　from　his　lungs；　Desperately；　Pharaun　grabbed　at　the　closest　thing　to　hand：　one　of　the　lines　that　formed　the　ship's　rigging。
　　　The　line　pressed　as　his　hands　tightened　around　it。　Inside　the　line　was　something　soft　and　wet…and　warm。　An　instant　later；　as　something　pulsed　through　it；　Pharaun　realized　that　the　line　was　made　not　of　rope　but　of　a　strand　of　intestine。　He　curled　his　lip；　hoping　the　line　wouldn't　rupture。　Pharaun　didn't　relish　the　thought　of　being　spattered　by　its　contents。
　　　He　wedged　one　foot　against　the　base　of　the　mast；　the　other　against　the　tilted　deck；　and　he　glanced　up。　Jeggred　and　Quenthel　had　halted　their　fall　a　pace　or　two　above　him。　The　draegloth　had　grabbed　the　mast　and　was　hugging　it　with　his　fighting　arms。　Rigid　as　a　statue；　muscles　bulging；　he　easily　held　himself　in　place　against　the　wind　that　tore　at　his　mane。　Quenthel　clung　to　his　back；　supported　by　the　draegloth's　smaller　arms。
　　　Quenthel　stared　down　at　Pharaun；　her　hair　writhing　in　the　wind　like　the　vipers　that　thrashed　furiously　in　her　whip。　She　shouted　something；　jerking　her　head　up　at　the　demon　that　floated　at　the　eye　of　the　storm；　far　above　the　mast　to　which　they　clung。
　　　Pharaun　had　no　idea　what　Quenthel　was　saying；　but　the　need　for　urgency　was　certainly　clear。
　　　With　his　feet　securely　braced；　he　released　the　line　with　his　left　hand　and　reached　into　his　pocket　for　the　twig　he'd　used　to　collect　a　spiderweb；　so　many　days　before。　Pointing　it　at　the　deck　of　the　ship；　he　chanted　a　spell。
　　　A　spray　of　web　filaments　erupted　from　the　twig　and　struck　the　deck。　Several　twisted　away　in　the　howling　wind；　but　the　majority　of　them　stuck。　They　formed　a　sticky　smear　across　the　bone…white　deck…a　smear　that　gradually　built　in　thickness　as　yet　more　web　pulsed　out　of　the　twig。　By　the　time　the　spell　was　spent；　the　mass　of　spiderweb　was　nearly　half　a　pace　deep；　mounded　in　an　oval　that　resembled　a　cocoon。
　　　Letting　the　twig　go…it　was　instantly　snatched　away　by　the　wind…Pharaun　fished　a　wad　of　bitumen　out　of　a　pocket　and　popped　it　into　his　mouth。　He　swallowed　the　gummy　mass　down；　gagging　slightly　as　the　spider　hairs　embedded　in　the　bitumen　scratched　the　back　of　his　throat；　then　he　curled　his　fingers　into　the　shape　of　a　spider　and　tapped　fingertips　lightly　against　his　chest。　Immediately　his　hand　grew　sticky…gummy　enough　to　pluck　at　his　sodden　piwafwi　when　he　pulled　it　away。
　　　Tentatively；　still　holding　the　line　of　intestine；　Pharaun　moved　one　foot　away　from　the　mast　and　felt　his　boot　stick　to　the　deck。　Then；　walking　slowly　and　with　one　hand　touching　the　tilting　deck；　he　worked　his　way　over　to　the　patch　of　web。
　　　Standing　erect　was　impossible…the　ship　was　canted　at　an　acute　angle；　sailing　in　crazy　circles　around　the　inside　of　the　whirlpool　with　its　hull　half　in　and　half　out　of　the　water　and　its　masts　pointing　at　the　eye　of　the　storm。　The　deck　shuddered　under　Pharaun's　feet　like　a　live　thing　as　the　ship　twisted　around　and　around　in　the　whirlpool；　its　planks　groaning　like　a　chorus　of　undead。　The　wizard　heard　what　sounded　like　a　weight　shifting　in　a　space　under　his　feet；　but　there　was　something　more　to　the　sound　that　he　couldn't　quite　put　his　finger　on。
　　　Forced　to　stand　at　an　angle　that　made　his　knees　and　ankles　ache；　Pharaun　fought　to　keep　his　balance。　To　fall　then　would　ruin　everything。　Meanwhile；　the　wind　howling　through　the　lines　above　added　a　ghastly　harmony；　and　the　flap…flap　。　。　。flap…flap　。　。　。flap…flap　of　the　tattered　sails　pounded　like　an　off…kilter　heartbeat。
　　　Pharaun　opened　the　pouch　he'd　hung　around　his　neck。　The　statuette　inside　it　had　held　up　well　under　the　buffeting　the　storm　had　given　the　pouch。　The　only　damage　was　that　its　tail　had　been　bent　slightly。　The　length　of　chain　Valas　had　provided　was　still　fastened　securely　around　one　ankle；　and　the　pin　was　still　in　place　at　the　end　of　the　chain。
　　　Working　quickly；　Pharaun　reached　down…nearly　falling　into　the　web　as　the　ship　bucked　on　a　wave　and　only　recovering　his　balance　at　the　last　moment…and　mired　the　statue's　feet　in　the　outer　edge　of　the　web；　sticking　it　to　the　deck；　Then；　carefully；　he　pushed　the　pin　into　the　deck。　It　slid　home　into　the　bone…white　boards　as　easily　as　if　it　was　piercing　a　stick　of　wet　chalk。
　　　Pharaun　began　the　binding。　Staring　up　at　the　demon　that　hung　far　above　the　mast；　he　chanted　the　words　of　his　spell；　hands　raised　above　his　head　with　thumbs　and　forefingers　forming　interlocking　circles。　Slowly；　he　drew　his　hands　down　toward　the　deck…and　chuckled　with　delight　as　he　saw　the　demon　begin　to　descend　toward　the　ship。　pelled　by　the　spell；　it　was　pulled　down　past　the　top　of　the　mast；　down　past　where　Quenthel　and　Jeggred　clung；　down　toward　the　spot　where　Pharaun　stood。　Still　twisting　in　the　fierce　wind；　the　demon　seemed　to　grow　larger　and　more　fearsome　as　it　descended；　but　that　was　just　a　product　of　the　unholy　aura　that　surrounded　it。　In　fact　the　demon　was　only　a　little　larger　than　Pharaun　himself。　It　was；　however；　powerfully　muscled；　with　claws　like　yellowed　daggers　on　hands　and　feet　and　a　tail　that　looked　powerful　enough　to　smash　a　stalagmite　in　two。　Its　face　resembled　a　rat's；　and　its　skin　was　a　mottled；　dead…looking　gray。　As　it　descended　to　Pharaun's　eye　level；　guided　by　his　hands　toward　the　statue　on　the　deck；　Pharaun　noted　that　one　of　the　demon's　ears　had　a　half…circle　bitten　out　of　it。　The　wound　had　festered；　and　a　maggot　protruded；　unmoving；　from　the　rotten　flesh…another　victim　of　the　spell　that　had　frozen　the　demon　in　time。
　　　Squatting；　Pharaun　touched　the　statuette；　then　ripped　the　finger…and…thumb　links　apart。　As　the　symbolic　chain　parted；　a　flash　of　multicolored　magical　energy　exploded　from　the　opal；　melting　the　statuette。
　　　For　a　moment　Pharaun　was　blinded…but　the　sweet　tang　of　melted　beeswax　told　him　his　spell　had　succeeded。　Blinking　away　the　spots　of　light　that　dazzled　his　vision；　he　peered　at　the　demon　that　stood　before　him；　its　ankle　secured　to　the　deck　by　a　thin　length　of　lead　chain。　The　demon　was　still　frozen　in　time；　but　its　red　eyes　blazed　with　fury。　Despite　the　stasis　spell　that　held　it；　the　demon　seemed　to　know　it　had　been　bound。
　　　Pharaun　waved　at　Jeggred　and　Quenthel　to　join　him　on　the　deck。　At　a　nod　from　Quenthel；　who　was　still　clinging　to　his　back；　the　draegloth　obeyed。　He　leaped　down　from　the　mast　and　anchored　himself　on　the　steeply　sloping　deck　by　thrusting　his　hands　into　the　sticky　mass　of　web。　Pharaun　immediately　cast　another　spell；　tossing　a　pinch　of　ground　diamond　into　the　air。　A　dome　of　force　shut　out　the　storm；　enclosing　the　three　of　them；　together　with　the　demon；　in　wele　silence。　Sprays　of　water　crashed　onto　the　invisible　barrier　and　ran　down　it　in　streams；　but　inside；　all　was　quiet。
　　　Quenthel　clambered　off　Jeggred's　back；　but　she　continued　to　hold　onto　his　mane；　steadying　herself　against　the　rise　and　fall　of　the　deck。　She　stared　at　the　demon；　the　serpents　in　her　whip　tasting　the　air　next　to　it　with　flickering　tongues；　and　she　wrinkled　her　nose。　Even　with　its　body　held　in　stasis；　the　demon　stank　of　sulfur　and　rot。
　　　〃It's　small；〃　she　noted　derisively。　〃Not　even　a　match　for　Jeggred。〃
　　　The　draegloth；　mired　in　the　web　up　to　his　elbows；　grunted　his　agreement。
　　　〃Don't　let　its　size　fool　you；〃　Pharaun　cautioned；　wrinkling　his　nose　at　Jeggred's　panting　breath；　which　was　almost　as　bad　as　the　stench　from　the　demon。　〃One　bite　from　those　needle　teeth；　and　you'd　be　paralyzed。〃
　　　Quenthel　tried　to　back　up　a　step　but　a　lurch　of　the　ship　caused　her　foot　to　land　squarely　inside　the　sticky　web。　She　fell　sideways；　arms　flailing。　She　landed　in　an　undignified　sprawl　in　a　thicker　patch　of　web　and　immediately　erupted　into　muffled　cursing。
　　　〃Dispel　this！〃　she　spat；　struggling　to　rise　from　the　tilting　deck　and　only　getting　herself　further　mired。　〃Dispel　it　at　once。〃
　　　Her　serpents；　too；　were　stuck　in　the　web　and　spat　violently　at　each　other　in　frustration。　Jeggred　tried　to　help；　but　was　unable　to　free　his　hands　from　the　web。　Frustrated；　the　draegloth　turned　to　growl　at　Pharaun；　instead。
　　　With　an　effort；　Pharaun　fought　down　his　mirth。　It　wouldn't　do　to　laugh；　not　with　Jeggred's　hackles　raised…even　though　the　sight　of　a　priestess　of　the　Queen　of　Spiders　being　caught　in　a　web　was　too　good　to　be　true。　Instead　he　inclined　his　head　in　a　bow。
　　　〃As　you　wish；　Mistress。　But　you're　going　to　need　something　else　to　anchor　yourself　to　the　deck；　or　you'll　slide　right　off　the　ship。　Allow　me；　if　you　will；　to　provide　an　alternative。〃
　　　He　pulled　out　a　second　wad　of　bitumen　and　broke　the　gummy　mass　in　half。　He　passed　a　piece　each　to　Quenthel　and　Jeggred；　and　when　they　had　swallowed　them；　cast　the　spell　that　would　allow　them　to　cling　like　spiders　to　anything…even　a　spray…sodden　deck。　He　then　dispelled　the　web。
　　　Clambering　to　her　feet；　purple…faced　with　suppressed　rage；　Quenthel　looked　around　the　ship。
　　　〃I　see　no　mouth；〃　she　spat。　〃Belshazu　lied。〃
　　　〃That　wouldn't　surprise　me　in　the　least；〃　Pharaun　said　dryly。
　　　Indeed；　having　had　a　chance　to　look　around；　he　could　see　that　Quenthel　seemed　to　be　right。　The　deck　of　the　ship　was　a　flat　expanse　of　bone…white　board；　devoid　of　a　cabin　or　any　raised　structure。　There　were　rails　at　the　edges　of　its　deck　to　prevent　crew　from　falling　overboard；　but　the　only　other　thing　rising　above　the　desolate　flatness　of　the　deck；　besides　the　three　masts　with　their　tattered；　patchwork　sails；　was　a　tiller　at　the　stern　of　the　ship。　Seeing　no　hatches；　he　wondered　if　the　ship　had　a　hold…or　if　its　hull　was　solid　bone。　He'd　heard　a　faint　noise；　a　moment　before；　that　might　have　been　cargo　shifting；　but　it　was　probably　just　the　sound　of　the　storm。
　　　〃We'll　have　to　ask　the　uridezu　where　the　mouth　is；〃　he　said。　〃Let's　just　hope　I　can　dispel　the　stasis。〃
　　　That　said；　he　set　to　work。　Dispellings　were　among　the　first　spells　wizards　learned　at　Sorcere；　and　a　quick　incantation　and　a　brief　gesture　were　enough　to　dispel　simple　spells。　But　a　temporal　stasis　was　tricky。　Only　the　most　powerful　mages　could　cast　it。　That　the　demon　was　indeed　held　by　such　a　spell　was　readily　apparent。　Peering　into　its　open；　snarling　mouth；　Pharaun　could　see　red；　blue；　and　green　glitters　on　its　tongue…a　dusting　of　the　powdered　gems　that　had　triggered　the　spell。
　　　A　greater　dispelling　was　certainly　needed…one　that　was　tightly　focused；　so　it　wouldn't　negate　the　binding　spell。　Taking　a　deep　breath；　Pharaun　began　his　incantation。
　　　Quenthel　must　have　seen　the　unease　in　his　eyes；　for　she　drew　her　whip。　Beside　her；　Jeggred　absently　picked　at　the　deck's　caulking　with　a　claw；　scratching　out　chunks　of　black；　congealed　blood。
　　　Extending　the　finger　on　which　he　wore　his　magical　signet　ring；　Pharaun　touched　the　demon　between　the　eyes。　The　ring　flashed　a　bright　silver　as　the　symbol　of　Sorcere　activated；　lending　its　power　to　the　spell。
　　　As　the　dispelling　took　effect；　a　shudder　ran　through　the　demon's　body。　Pharaun　jerked　his　hand　back。　Quenthel　and　Jeggred　also　tensed；　but　for　several　long　moments；　nothing　happened。　The　only　sounds　were　the　muted　splash　of　water　against　the　dome　that　still　held　the　elements　at　bay　and　the　faint；　curious　hissing　of　the　whip　vipers。
　　　Sighing；　Pharaun　shook　his　head。　The　dispelling　had　failed。
　　　〃Try　again；〃　Quenthel　ordered。
　　　〃Repeating　the　spell　won't　help；〃　Pharaun　told　her　as　he　stepped　forward　to　inspect　the　demon　more　closely。　〃The　mage　who　froze　the　demon　in　time　must　have　been　an　extremely　powerful…〃
　　　He'd　half　turned　as　he　answered　Quenthel；　but　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye　he　saw　the　demon　blink…and　that　was　what　saved　him。　With　a　shriek　of　centuries　of　pent…up　rage；　the　demon　leaped　forward；　claws　lashing　at　Pharaun's　throat。　Pharaun　threw　himself　backward；　but　his　boots　were　still　stuck　to　the　deck。　He　crashed　onto　his　back；　banging　his　head。　Blinking　away　stars；　he　managed　to　focus　his　eyes　just　in　time　to　see　the　demon　at　the　apex　of　a　full…out　leap。　Still　confused　from　the　blow　to　his　head；　Pharaun　wondered　why　he　was　moving　away　from　the　demon；　then　realized　that　his　fall　had　jerked　his　feet　our　of　his　boots；　he　was　sliding　rapidly　down　the　sloping　deck。　In　that　same　instant；　the　demon　jerked　to　a　stop　in　mid…air；　then　crashed　facefirst　into　the