war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第19部分

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　　　Most　likely　not；　he　decided。　Duergar　were　simply　insensitive　to　that　sort　of　thing。
　　　In　his　hand；　Nimor　idly　flipped　a　small　envelope　from　finger　to　finger。　The　Lady　Aliisza　of　the　Sceptered　One's　Court　（an　inventive　title　if　Nimor　had　ever　heard　one）　had　invited　him　to　join　her　for　dinner　in　her　chambers；　observing　that　the　gray　dwarves　had　so　far　failed　to　invite　her　to　any　kind　of　banquet　or　dinner。　Nimor　didn't　expect　that　panionship　for　dinner　was　the　only　thing　on　her　agenda。
　　　Arriving　at　the　rooms　assigned　to　the　Sceptered　One's　envoy；　he　tucked　his　invitation　back　into　his　breast　pocket；　and　rapped　twice　at　the　door。
　　　〃Enter；〃　called　a　soft　voice。
　　　Nimor　let　himself　in。　Aliisza　waited　by　a　table　spread　with　quite　an　impressive　meal；　plete　with　a　bottle　of　wine　from　the　World　Above　and　a　pair　of　glasses　already　poured。　She　wore　a　flowing　skirt　of　red　silk　with　a　tight…fitting　corselet　trimmed　with　black　lace。　The　colors　suited　her；　he　noted；　and　even　went　well　with　her　soft　black　wings。
　　　〃Lady　Aliisza；〃　he　said；　offering　a　bow。　〃I　am　flattered。　I　am　certain　the　repast　before　me　did　not　e　from　the　crown　prince's　kitchens。〃
　　　〃There　is　a　limit　to　how　much　smoked　rothe　cheese　and　black　spore…flour　bread　one　can　stand；〃　she　said。　She　took　the　wine　glasses　in　hand　and　moved　close　to　extend　him　one。　〃I　admit；　I　had　my　entourage　scour　the　city　to　find　inns　and　taverns　willing　to　provide　meals　suited　to　an　elf's　palate。〃
　　　Nimor　took　the　glass　and　swirled　it；　bringing　it　to　his　nose　to　inhale　the　aroma。　Not　only　did　it　allow　him　to　appreciate　the　wine's　bouquet；　but　he　could　sniff　the　vintage　for　any　signs　of　the　various　subtle　poisons　with　which　he　was　familiar。　He　would　have　proved　difficult　to　poison　in　any　case；　but　he　did　not　detect　any　strange　scents。
　　　〃You　have　my　thanks；　dear　lady。　I　have　been　traveling　of　late；　and　have　been　forced　to　live　on　very　plain　fare　indeed。〃
　　　Aliisza　sipped　at　her　own　wine；　and　nodded　at　the　table。
　　　〃In　that　case；　why　don't　we　eat　while　we　talk？〃
　　　Nimor　took　the　seat　opposite　the　half…demon；　and　fell　to　his　meal。　One　of　the　consequences　of　his　true　nature　was　a　surprising　ability　to　eat　far　more　than　one　might　expect　for　a　dark　elf　of　his　slight　build；　and　to　go　for　quite　a　long　time　between　meals。　The　rothe　roast　with　mushroom　gravy　was　cool　and　rare　in　the　middle　and　quite　excellent；　the　small　blind　fish　were　somewhat　saltier　than　he　would　have　cared　for；　and　the　wine　was　dry　and　strong；　a　good　match　for　the　roast。
　　　〃So；　to　what　do　I　owe　the　pleasure　of　this　occasion？〃　he　asked　between　mouthfuls。
　　　〃You　intrigue　me；　Nimor　Imphraezl。　I　want　to　know　more　about　who　you　are；　and　what　interests　you　represent。〃
　　　〃Who　I　am？　I　have　given　you　my　true　name；〃　Nimor　replied。
　　　〃That　is　not　exactly　the　sort　of　answer　I　had　in　mind。〃　Aliisza　leaned　forward；　her　eyes　fixed　on　him。　〃What　I　meant　was；　whom　do　you　serve？　What　are　you　doing　here？〃
　　　Nimor　felt　a　subtle　flutter　at　the　edges　of　his　thoughts；　as　if　he　was　trying　to　remember　something　he'd　momentarily　misplaced。　He　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　grinned　at　the　alu…fiend。
　　　〃I　hope　you'll　forgive　me；　dear　lady；　but　I　recently　found　myself　in　an　interview　in　which　the　other　party　could　read　my　thoughts；　and　so　I　have　taken　steps　to　defend　myself　against　such　things　this　evening。　You　won't　pick　your　answers　from　my　mind。〃
　　　Aliisza　frowned　and　said；　〃Now　I　wonder　what　thoughts　you　have　to　guard　so　well；　Nimor。　Are　you　afraid　that　I　wouldn't　like　what　I　found　there？〃
　　　〃We　all　have　our　secrets。〃　Nimor　teased　his　wine　and　admired　the　bouquet　again。　He　would　not　give　her　the　plete　truth；　of　course；　but　what　he　would　offer　was　truthful　enough　under　the　circumstances。　〃I　belong　to　a　minor　House　of　Menzoberranzan　with　some　unusual　practices　of　which　the　matron　mothers　would　not　approve；〃　he　began。　〃Among　other　things；　we　do　not　subject　ourselves　to　the　tyranny　of　our　Lolth…worshiping　female　relations；　and　we　possess　old　and　strong　ties　to　minor　Houses　with　similar　practices　in　several　other　cities。　We　masquerade　as　low…ranking　merchants；　but　we　keep　our　true　nature　and　capabilities　quite　secret。〃
　　　〃Capabilities？〃
　　　〃We　are　assassins；　dear　lady；　and　we　are　very　good　at　what　we　do。〃
　　　Aliisza　leaned　forward；　resting　her　delicate　chin　on　her　fingertips　as　she　studied　Nimor　with　her　dark；　mischievous　gaze。
　　　〃So　what　is　an　assassin　of　Menzoberranzan　doing　in　Gracklstugh；　advising　Horgar　Steelshadow　as　he　musters　his　army　for　war？〃　she　asked。　〃Wouldn't　that　constitute　the　worst　sort　of　treason？〃
　　　Nimor　shrugged　and　replied；　〃We　wish　to　see　the　order　of　things　upset。　We　cannot　defeat　the　great　Houses　of　our　city　without　an　army；　and　Gracklstugh's　is　the　strongest　in　this　corner　of　the　Underdark。　As　soon　as　it　became　evident　that　Lolth　had　abandoned　her　priestesses；　we　realized　that　we　had　a　golden　opportunity　to　strike　a　mortal　blow　against　the　great　Houses。　We　have　been　doing　all　that　we　can　to　help　Horgar　see　that　our　opportunity　is　his　opportunity；　too。〃
　　　〃Aren't　you　concerned　that　the　duergar　might　prove　unwilling　to　relinquish　the　drow　city　to　your　care　once　they've　conquered　it？〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Nimor　said；　〃but　in　all　honesty；　we　view　the　fall　of　the　Spider　Queen's　Houses　as　a　goal　desirable　enough　to　outweigh　the　risks　of　duergar　perfidy。　Even　if　Gracklstugh　turned　on　my　House　and　occupied　Menzoberranzan　for　a　hundred　years；　we　would　still　survive；　and　we　would　reclaim　the　city　in　time。〃
　　　Aliisza　stood　gracefully　and　paced　over　to　a　narrow；　slitlike　window　overlooking　the　city。
　　　〃Do　you　really　think　the　Spider　Queen　will　allow　her　city　to　fall？　What　bees　of　the　gray　dwarves'　assault　if　the　priestesses　of　Lolth　suddenly　recover　their　powers？〃
　　　〃We　are　a　long…lived　race；　dear　lady。　My　grandfather　saw　with　his　own　eyes　the　events　of　a　thousand　years　past。　We　do　not　forget　the　past　the　way　other　races　do。　In　all　our　legends；　our　lore；　we　have　never　encountered　a　silence　so　plete　and　long…lasting。　Even　if　it　proves　to　be　temporary；　well；　it　represents　a　chance　that　es　along　only　once　every　couple　of　thousand　years；　doesn't　it？　How　could　we　not　choose　this　moment　to　strike？〃
　　　〃Perhaps　you're　right。　I've　spoken　to　other　drow　who　seem　to　feel　these　are　extraordinary　and　unprecedented　times。〃　Aliisza　glanced　over　her　shoulder　at　him　and　added；　〃In　fact；　in　Ched　Nasad　I　encountered　a　mission　of　high…ranking　Menzoberranyr　who　had　e　to　the　city　in　the　hopes　of　discovering　the　causes　of　Lolth's　silence。　Quenthel　Baenre；　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　led　the　pany。〃
　　　〃I've　heard　of　Mistress　Quenthel's　mission。　So　they　made　it　to　Ched　Nasad？〃
　　　〃After　passing　through　Kaanyr　Vhok's　territory；　yes。　They　arrived　just　in　time　to　witness　the　city's　destruction。〃
　　　〃Did　any　of　them　survive？〃
　　　Aliisza　shrugged　and　said；　〃I　could　not　say　for　certain。　They　were　a　capable　lot。　If　anyone　could　escape　the　city's　fall；　they　would　have。〃
　　　Nimor　tapped　his　finger　on　the　table；　thinking。　Was　Quenthel's　mission　of　investigation　significant；　then？　He'd　simply　figured　that　the　matron　mothers　had　decided　to　shuffle　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　out　of　the　city　for　a　time　in　the　event　that　she　was　entertaining　dangerous　aspirations。　Still；　it　represented　a　wild　card；　an　unknown　factor　that　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　might　be　wise　to　take　note　of。　A　party　of　powerful　dark　elves　roaming　the　Underdark　might　find　the　opportunity　to　cause　all　sorts　of　trouble。
　　　〃Did　they　find　any　answers　to　their　questions？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃None　that　I　know　of；〃　Aliisza　said。　She　turned　back　from　the　window　and　glided　over　to　the　table　again；　then　changed　the　subject。　〃You　seemed　very　anxious　to　argue　my　case　with　the　crown　prince。　Might　I　ask　why？〃
　　　The　assassin　shifted　in　his　seat　and　leaned　back；　allowing　his　gaze　to　rest　on　her。
　　　〃You　touched　on　this　already；〃　he　said。　〃Either　Gracklstugh　is　strong　enough　to　defeat　Menzoberranzan；　or　it　isn't。　If　it　is　not；　then　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　is　likely　to　tip　the　scales　in　our　favor。　If　Gracklstugh　is　strong　enough；　then　the　Scoured　Legion　might　serve　as　a　useful　check　on　Horgar's　aspirations。　We　wouldn't　want　the　crown　prince　to　forget　the　details　of　our　arrangement。〃
　　　〃And　why　should　the　Scoured　Legion　serve　as　your　army　in　the　field？〃
　　　〃Because　Horgar　won't　have　you　for　an　ally　unless　I　persuade　him　that　he'd　be　better　served　with　Kaanyr　Vhok's　tanarukks　at　his　side　than　attacking　his　flank；〃　Nimor　answered。　〃Besides；　your　master　doesn't　want　to　sit　at　home　while　events　unfold。　He　sent　you　here　to　urge　the　duergar　to　attack　Menzoberranzan；　did　he　not？〃
　　　Aliisza　hid　her　smile　with　a　sip　of　wine。
　　　〃Well；　there　is　that；〃　she　admitted。　〃So；　will　you　ask　the　duergar　to　accept　our　help；　or　not？〃
　　　The　assassin　studied　the　alu…fiend　while　he　considered　the　question。　Agrach　Dyrr　was　a　useful　ally；　but　he　doubted　that　the　Fifth　House　of　Menzoberranzan　had　the　strength　to　counterbalance　Horgar's　army　if　push　came　to　shove。　Another　force　on　the　field　would　increase　the　chances　of　success　for　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin；　and　with　three　factions　to　work　with；　it　should　be　possible　to　align　two　against　the　third　in　whatever　bination　was　necessary　to　advance　his　goals。　In　extremis；　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　could　bring　their　own　strength　to　bear；　but　they　were　not　numerous；　and　it　was　always　preferable　to　expend　the　resources　of　one's　allies　before　tapping　your　own　reserves。
　　　〃I　think；〃　he　said　at　length；　〃that　we　won't　give　Horgar　the　chance　to　refuse　your　help。　Do　you　know　of　a　place　called　the　Pillars　of　Woe？〃
　　　Aliisza　frowned　and　shook　her　head。
　　　〃It's　a　gorge　between　Gracklstugh　and　Menzoberranzan；〃　Nimor　said；　〃a　place　I　have　great　plans　for。　I　am　certain　that　some　of　Kaanyr　Vhok's　scouts　will　know　the　spot；　and　I'll　make　sure　you　know　where　to　find　it。　Go　back　to　Kaanyr　Vhok　and　have　him　bring　the　Scoured　Legion　to　the　Pillars　of　Woe　with　all　possible　speed。　You　will　have　your　chance　to　assist　in　the　destruction　of　Menzoberranzan。　If　the　crown　prince　proves　pletely　unreasonable；　you　will　have　other　opportunities　available　to　you；　but　I　believe　that　Horgar　will　accept　your　stake　in　events　once　he　encounters　your　force　in　the　field。〃
　　　〃That　sounds　risky。〃
　　　〃Risk　is　the　cost　of　opportunity；　dear　lady。　It　cannot　be　avoided。〃
　　　Aliisza　measured　him　with　her　smoky　gaze。
　　　〃All　right；〃　she　said；　〃but　I'll　warn　you　that　Kaanyr　will　be　quite　put　out　with　me　if　he　marches　his　army　off　into　the　wilds　of　the　Underdark　and　misses　all　the　fun。〃
　　　〃I　will　not　disappoint　you；〃　Nimor　promised。　He　allowed　himself　a　deep　draught　of　wine；　and　pushed　his　chair　away　from　the　table。　〃That　would　seem　to　conclude　our　business；　Lady　Aliisza。　I　thank　you　for　the　fine　supper　and　the　pleasant　pany。〃
　　　〃Leaving　so　soon？〃　Aliisza　said；　with　just　a　hint　of　a　pout。
　　　She　drifted　closer；　a　mischievous　fire　springing　up　in　her　eyes；　and　Nimor　found　his　gaze　roving　over　the　voluptuous　curves　of　her　body。　She　leaned　forward　to　put　her　hands　on　the　arms　of　his　chair；　and　enfolded　her　wings　around　him。　With　sinuous　grace　she　lowered　herself　closer　to　nibble　at　his　ear；　pressing　her　soft；　hot　flesh　against　him。
　　　〃If　we've　finished　our　business　already；　Nimor　Imphraezl；　it　must　be　time　for　pleasure；〃　she　whispered　into　his　ear。
　　　Nimor　inhaled　the　delicious　odor　of　her　perfume　and　found　his　hands　roving　to　stroke　her　hips　and　bring　her　closer　still。
　　　〃If　you　insist；〃　he　murmured；　kissing　the　hollow　of　her　neck。
　　　She　shivered　in　his　arms　as　he　reached　up　to　unlace　her　corselet。
　　　
　　　The　crude　paddlewheels　at　the　sides　of　Coalhewer's　boat　clattered　loudly　in　the　darkness；　churning　the　black　water　into　furious；　white；　rushing　foam。　The　hulking　skeletons　in　their　well…like　space　at　the　boat's　center　stooped　and　rose；　stooped　and　rose；　their　bony　hands　clamped　to　the　crankshafts　driving　the　wheels。　Relentlessly；　tirelessly；　they　continued　their　mindless　work；　held　to　their　labors　by　the　necromantic　magic　that　had　animated　them　years；　or　perhaps　decades　past。　Halisstra　was　no　judge　of　waterborne　travel；　but　it　seemed　to　her　that　Coalhewer's　boat　was　holding　to　a　pace　that　would　be　difficult　to　match。
　　　She　risked　a　glance　back　over　her　shoulder　to　see　if　her　panions　had　marked　any　signs　of　pursuit。　Ryld；　Jeggred；　and　Pharaun　all　stood　in　the　rear　of　the　boat；　watching　its　wake。　Quenthel　sat　on　a　large　trunk　just　under　the　boat's　scaffoldlike　bridge；　also　gazing　back　toward　Gracklstugh。　Valas　stood　on　the　bridge　alongside　Coalhewer；　making　sure　that　the　duergar　captain　kept　the　ungainly　vehicle　to　the　course　he　desired。
　　　Halisstra　and　Danifae　had　taken　up　the　posts　of　lookouts；　peering　ahead　to　make　sure　they　didn't　run　headlong　into　trouble。　Halisstra　hadn't　bothered　to　debate　the　arrangement。　The　males　were　best　placed　between　the　rest　of　the　pany　and　the　most　likely　threats；　and　Pharaun　was　probably　their　best　weapon　against　any　pursuit　out　of　Gracklstugh。
　　　The　city　itself　was　no　longer　visible；　except　as　a　long；　low　red　smudge。　The　firelight　of　the　dwarves'　forges　could　be　seen　for　several　miles　across　the　vast　black　space　of　the　Dark　Lake's　open　waters；　a　sense　of　distance　that　reminded　Halisstra　of　the　unnatural　vistas　of　the　World　Above。　They'd　churned　their　way　east　and　south　from　Gracklstugh's　waterfront　for　several　hours；　with　no　sign　of　anyone　following；　but　Halisstra　couldn't　shake　the　impression　that　they　were　not　clear　of　the　duergar　yet。　Reluctantly　she　shifted　her　gaze　back　to　the　boundless　dark　in　front　of　the　boat；　and　checked　her　crossbow　to　make　sure　it　was　ready　to　fire。
　　　Halisstra　carefully　scanned　her　half　of　the　bow；　starting　with　the　water　close　to　the　boat　and　working　her　way　farther　out　until　even　her　drow　sight　could　make　out　nothing　more　through　the　blackness；　then　she　returned　her　gaze　to　the　boat　and　started　again。　Great　stalactites　or　columns…it　was　impossible　to　tell…descended　from　the　ceiling　and　vanished　into　the　inky　water　at　odd　intervals；　creating　titanic　pillars　of　stone　for　the　boat　to　navigate　around。　In　other　spots　the　jagged　points　of　stalagmites　jutted　from　the　surface　like　spears。　Coalhewer　steered　well　clear　of　those；　pointing　out　that　there　might　be　two　submerged　rocks　for　every　one　that　broke　the　surface。
　　　〃I　can't　believe　I'm　crouching　on　the　deck　of　a　duergar　boat；　fleeing　for　my　life　from　a　city　I'd　never　seen　before　three　days　ago；〃　Halisstra　murmured；　breaking　the　long　silence。　〃Two　tendays　ago　I　was　the　heir　apparent　of　a　great　House　in　a　noble　city。　One　tenday　ago　I　was　a　prisoner；　betrayed　by　the　petty　malice　of　Faeryl　Zauvirr；　and　now　here　I　am；　a　rootless　wanderer　with　nothing　more　to　my　name　than　the　armor　on　my　back　and　whatever　odds　and　ends　are　stowed　in　my　pack。　I　just　cannot　fathom　why。〃
　　　〃I　am　not　unfamiliar　with　changes　in　one's　circumstances　and　fortunes；〃　Danifae　said。　〃What　is　the　point　of　asking　why？　It　is　the　will　of　the　Spider　Queen。〃
　　　〃Is　it？〃　Halisstra　asked。　〃House　Melarn　stood　for　twenty　centuries　or　more；　only　to　fall　in　the　hour　when　Lolth　withdrew　her　favor　from　our　entire　race。　It　was　only　in　her　absence　that　o