war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第22部分

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nd。　After　all；　if　I　am　to　ask　you　to　trust　me；　then　I　suppose　I　must　extend　you　a　token　of　trust　first。
　　　〃Indeed。　Well；　I　would　be　happy　to　oblige　you；　but　I　have　urgent　business　with　the　Council。　Perhaps　we　could　take　up　this　conversation　a　little　later？〃
　　　Gromph　glanced　around　the　room；　and　his　eyes　fell　on　the　crystal　orb　in　the　chamber's　oriel。　The　sphere　swirled　with　pearly　green　opalescence。
　　　Ah；　of　course；　the　archmage　realized。　He　found　me　here；　where　my　screens　against　hostile　divinations　are　weakened　by　the　transparency　of　my　scrying　place。　I　must　investigate　ways　to　guard　against　such　occurrences　without　hampering　my　own　efforts。
　　　I　fear　I　must　speak　with　you　now；　Dyrr　pressed。　I　will　not　delay　you　for　very　long；　and　I　believe　you　will　be　glad　you　listened　to　me　before　facing　our　scheming　females。　May　I　join　you　there？
　　　Gromph　paused　and　gazed　up　at　the　unseen　presence　watching　him；　repressing　an　angry　scowl。　Inviting　a　creature　like　Dyrr　into　his　conjuring　chambers　was　not　something　he　cared　to　do　on　a　whim。　Whether　or　not　the　ancient　sorcerer　had　anything　Gromph　wished　to　hear；　it　was　true　that　the　matron　mothers　would　not　take　kindly　to　waiting　on　his　arrival。　He　tapped　his　finger　on　the　great　wooden　staff　at　his　side；　considering　carefully。　He　had　no　wish　to　give　offense　to　Dyrr　if　it　could　be　avoided；　and　after　long　centuries　of　undeath　it　was　hard　to　say　what　the　lich　might　or　might　not　find　offensive。　Besides；　Gromph　stood　in　his　own　sanctum；　where　many　potent　magical　defenses　lay　within　his　reach。　。　。　。
　　　〃Very　well；　Lord　Dyrr。　Though　I　really　must　insist　that　we　keep　our　conversation　short；　as　my　business　with　the　Council　is　exceedingly　urgent。〃
　　　The　air　began　to　seethe　and　hum　a　few　feet　in　front　of　the　archmage；　and　with　a　sudden　crack　of　sound；　the　ancient　lichdrow　stood　before　him。　The　creature　leaned　on　a　staff　of　his　own；　a　mighty　implement　made　from　four　adamantine　rods　twisted　around　each　other　and　bound　at　head　and　heel。　A　small　buckler　of　black　metal　in　the　shape　of　a　demonic　face　twisted　in　an　idiot's　grin　hovered　in　the　air　at　his　elbow。　Dyrr　did　not　bother　with　his　living　guise；　and　stood　revealed　as　a　horrid　skeleton　with　eyes　as　black　as　death。
　　　〃Greetings；　Archmage。　I　apologize　for　inconveniencing　you；〃　the　lich　said。　He　fixed　his　blank　sockets　on　Gromph。　〃What　is　it　that　drives　you　to　seek　an　audience　with　the　matrons　today；　young　Gromph？〃
　　　〃With　all　due　respect；　Lord　Dyrr；　I　believe　that　is　a　matter　for　their　ears；　not　yours。　Now；　what　offer　do　you　have　for　me　that　cannot　wait？〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；　then；〃　Dyrr　said。　〃An　army　marches　against　Menzoberranzan　from　the　south…the　gray　dwarves　have　apparently　heard　of　our　troubles　and　have　decided　to　take　advantage　of　the　opportunity　this　offers。〃
　　　〃Yes；　I　know；〃　Gromph　snapped。　〃It　is　for　this　very　reason　that　I　must　leave　at　once。　If　you　have　nothing　else　。　。　。　？〃
　　　He　started　toward　the　plain　stone　shaft　leading　down　into　his　apartments。
　　　〃I　find　that　I　am　pleased　that　my　news　did　not　surprise　you；〃　the　lich　said。　〃If　you　had　not　known　of　the　duergar　army；　I　would　have　had　to　make　sure　that　it　did　not　e　to　your　attention；　if　you　take　my　meaning。〃　Dyrr　turned　to　face　Gromph's　back　with　a　terrible　scraping　and　clicking　sound　of　bones　rubbing　together。　〃You　may　recall　we　spoke　a　few　days　past　regarding　a　time　when　you　must　make　a　decision。　The　time　has　e　to　do　so。〃
　　　Gromph　stopped　in　his　tracks　and　turned　around　carefully。　He'd　hoped　that　wasn't　the　lich's　motive　in　confronting　him；　but　it　seemed　Dyrr　intended　to　press　the　issue　whether　the　archmage　wished　him　to　or　not。
　　　〃A　decision；　Dyrr？〃
　　　〃Do　not　play　at　misunderstanding　me。　I　know　you're　far　too　intelligent　for　that。　All　you　need　do　is　withhold　your　report　for　a　few　more　days；　and　you　can　rush　over　to　panic　the　matrons　with　news　of　a　duergar　army　on　our　doorstep。　In　fact；　my　plans　will　be　well　served　if　you　do　so　at　a　time　and　in　a　manner　convenient　to　me。〃
　　　〃That　would　place　the　city　in　peril；〃　Gromph　said。
　　　〃It　is　in　peril　already；　young　Gromph。　I　mean　to　impose　some　measure　of　order　on　the　inevitable。　You　could　be　of　great　assistance　to　me　in　the　ing　days；　or。　。。。〃
　　　〃I　see；〃　said　Gromph。
　　　He　narrowed　his　eyes；　considering　his　options。　He　could　feign　acceptance；　and　do　as　he　wished　anyway；　but　that　would　certainly　invite　the　lich's　wrath　at　the　time　and　place　of　Dyrr's　choosing。　He　could　refuse　outright；　which　would　likely　result　in　a　deadly　contest　on　the　spot　to　determine　whose　will　would　prevail。
　　　Or　I　could　agree　in　earnest；　he　thought。　Who's　to　say　that　we　might　not　channel　the　forces　marshalling　against　the　city　into　useful　chaos；　valuable　progress？　There　will　doubtless　be　tremendous　damage；　but　the　Menzoberranzan　that　emerged　from　such　a　crucible　of　blood　and　fire　might　be　a　better；　stronger　city　in　the　end；　a　city　purged　of　the　ruthless　tyranny　of　the　sadistic　priestesses　and　instead　governed　by　the　cold；　passionless　intelligence　of　pragmatic　wizards。　Every　cruelty　could　be　made　to　serve　a　rational　purpose；　every　excess　curbed　to　produce　a　city　whose　strength　was　not　spent　on　its　own　internecine　strife。　Would　not　such　a　city　be　worthy　of　his　loyalty？
　　　Would　such　a　city　have　any　place　for　a　Baenre？　he　answered　himself。
　　　No　revolution　such　as　Dyrr　dreamed　of　could　possibly　end　with　anything　but　plete　annihilation　for　the　First　House　of　Menzoberranzan。　While　Gromph　despised　his　sisters　and　loathed　many　of　the　simpering　relations　who　populated　Castle　Baenre；　he　would　be　damned　if　he　would　allow　some　lesser　House　to　unseat　his　high　and　ancient　family　as　the　supreme　power　of　Menzoberranzan。　There　could　be；　really；　only　one　response。
　　　As　quick　as　thought；　Gromph　raised　his　hand　and　unleashed　a　terrible；　brilliant　blast　of　colors　at　the　lich；　a　spell　whose　energy　he　had　prepared　with　such　care　and　effort　that　it　took　only　the　merest　act　of　will　to　unleash　it。　Colors　never　seen　in　the　gloom　of　the　cavern　city　lanced　through　his　conjury；　each　carrying　with　it　a　different　doom；　blight；　or　energy。　A　quivering　blue　bolt　of　electricity　passed　so　close　to　Dyrr　that　the　lich's　ancient　robes　crackled　with　tiny　arcs；　while　a　bright　orange　ray　burned　the　ancient　creature　with　acid　powerful　enough　to　melt　stone。　A　third　ray；　a　beam　of　insidious　violet；　was　deflected　by　the　lich's　animated　buckler。　The　device　tittered　like　a　wicked　child　as　it　intercepted　the　attack。
　　　〃I　am　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan；〃　Gromph　roared。　〃I　am　no　one's　errand　boy！〃
　　　Dyrr　recoiled　with　a　wailing　shriek　of　anger　as　the　acid　splattered　and　hissed；　gnawing　at　his　ancient　flesh。　The　smell　of　burning　bone　filled　the　magnificent　conjury　with　a　horrid　stench。　Gromph　followed　up　his　first　assault　by　raising　an　abjuration　he　hoped　would　turn　Dyrr's　spells　back　at　him。　The　archmage　fully　expected　that　it　would　take　every　ruse；　every　defense；　every　subtle　and　deadly　spell　at　his　mand　to　defeat　a　thing　as　powerful　as　the　Lord　of　Agrach　Dyrr。
　　　Gromph　concluded　his　turning　spell　just　in　time；　as　Dyrr　recovered　with　impossible　speed　and　lashed　out　with　a　dire　black　ray　of　invidious　energy　that　would　have　ripped　away　great　portions　of　the　archmage's　very　life…force　had　it　struck　home。　Instead；　the　ebon　beam　rebounded　on　Gromph's　shield　and　struck　Dyrr　in　the　center　of　his　torso。　This；　however；　had　an　unforeseen　effect。　Instead　of　shredding　the　ancient　lich's　own　life…force；　the　crackling　black　energy　swelled　the　Lord　of　Agrach　Dyrr　with　its　horrible　power。　The　lich　laughed　aloud。
　　　〃A　clever　move；　Gromph；　but　I　fear　it　miscarried。　Living　creatures　are　grievously　harmed　by　that　spell；　but　the　undead　are　invigorated　by　it！〃
　　　The　archmage　muttered　a　curse　and　struck　again；　this　time　directing　a　vile　green　ray　at　the　laughing　lich。　It　burned　a　perfect　round　hole　in　Dyrr's　breastbone；　blasting　undead　flesh　and　bone　to　dust。　The　lich　screeched　again　in　whatever　passed　for　pain　in　its　undead　state　and　leaped　aside　before　Gromph　could　disintegrate　him　outright。
　　　Even　as　the　archmage　menced　another　casting；　Dyrr　snarled　out　the　words　of　a　dark　and　murderous　spell　that　clawed　horribly　at　Gromph's　flesh；　sucking　greedily　at　the　very　fluids　of　his　body　and　bleaching　his　skin　with　a　thousand　needles　of　agony。　Gromph　gasped　aloud　in　pain　and　lost　the　spell　he'd　been　preparing　to　cast；　stumbling　back　over　a　marble　bench　and　falling　heavily　to　the　floor。
　　　Damn　it　all；　he　thought。　I　need　to　buy　a　moment's　respite。
　　　Fortunately；　he　was　in　his　sanctum；　surrounded　by　a　dozen　weapons　he　might　employ。
　　　Gromph　rolled　to　his　elbow　and　barked　out；　〃Szashune！　Destroy　him！〃
　　　In　one　alcove　of　the　room；　a　tall　statue　of　a　four…armed　swordsman　carved　from　perfect　black　obsidian　stirred　to　life；　striding　out　into　the　chamber　as　it　hefted　and　clashed　its　ebon　blades　like　a　living　warrior。
　　　Dyrr　skittered　away　several　steps　and　spoke　a　word。　The　lich　soared　up　out　of　the　spiderstone　golem's　reach；　but　Gromph　used　the　opportunity　of　the　distraction　to　summon　up　the　most　destructive　spell　he　knew　and　hurl　it　at　the　airborne　lich。　From　his　outstretched　hands　eight　brilliant　orbs　of　blinding　white　energy　streaked　out　to　blast　through　the　lich's　undead　form；　each　detonating　in　a　stone…shattering　explosion　that　demolished　great　gaping　pieces　of　the　undead　sorcerer。　The　exploding　meteors　caused　no　small　damage　to　Gromph's　sanctum；　blasting　a　pair　of　old　bookshelves　to　flinders　and　snapping　an　arm　from　the　spiderstone　golem　as　if　the　device　was　a　toy　damaged　by　a　petulant　child。　Gromph　cried　out　in　triumph　as　pieces　of　Dyrr　clattered　to　the　floor。
　　　Dust　billowed　from　the　hovering　form　of　the　lich；　and　his　skull　nodded　down　to　his　breastbone　almost　as　if　his　animating　magic　was　failing　him；　but　the　bony　creature　returned　to　itself　with　startling　speed。　Dyrr　looked　up　again　as　wicked　green　light　grew　strong　in　his　eye　sockets；　and　he　laughed。
　　　〃My　old　bones　aren't　the　entirety　of　my　being；　Gromph；〃　he　rasped。　〃You　abuse　them　to　no　great　effect。〃
　　　He　started　to　intone　another　spell；　but　the　archmage　struck　again；　seeking　to　dispel　any　enchantments　or　abjurations　protecting　the　lich。　Dyrr's　flying　spell　failed；　and　the　lich　sank　down　into　blade…reach　of　the　living　statue　waiting　below。
　　　The　golem　rushed　forward。　The　massive　construct　pounded　at　the　lich　with　terrific　blows　of　its　three　remaining　arms；　its　gleaming　black　face　pletely　expressionless。　The　conjury　rang　with　the　mighty　impact　of　the　blows。　Gromph　bared　his　teeth　in　a　savage　grin。
　　　〃You　might　not　be　tied　to　your　moldering　corpse；　lich；　but　you'll　have　a　difficult　time　casting　spells　when　you've　been　dismembered　and　buried　in　a　dozen　different　graves；〃　he　called。　〃You　were　a　fool　to　challenge　me　here！〃
　　　Gromph　prowled　closer；　looking　for　an　opening　to　strike　again　with　a　spell。
　　　Dyrr　endured　two；　then　three　tremendous　blows　from　the　towering　statue；　staggering　in　his　steps　as　bone　cracked　and　split。　The　demon…faced　buckler　darted　and　wheeled　around　him；　laughing　shrilly　and　blocking　even　more　blows　than　that；　parrying　strike　after　strike　from　the　stone　construct。　The　sorcerer　retreated　a　step；　found　his　footing；　and　spread　his　arms　wide。　His　gleaming　black　robes　shimmered　once；　and　exploded　outward　in　a　deadly　spinning　saw　of　razor…sharp　blades　that　carved　chunks　of　stone　from　Gromph's　golem　and　diced　tables；　furnishings；　and　books　with　abandon。
　　　Blades　slashed　through　the　archmage's　own　potent　defensive　enchantments；　gashing　him　in　a　dozen　places；　though　nowhere　deep　enough　to　kill。　Gromph　threw　himself　flat　to　duck　beneath　the　disk　of　flying　razors；　blinking　blood　from　his　eyes　as　his　golem　crumbled　into　worthless　black　rock。
　　　Dyrr　shouted　in　triumph　and　leaped　forward　at　the　archmage；　swinging　his　adamantine　staff　with　startling　speed　and　swiftness。　Gromph　yelped　in　surprise　and　rolled　aside　just　in　time　to　avoid　a　two…handed　blow　that　split　the　marble　flagstone　right　where　he'd　fallen。
　　　〃That　does　not　befit　mages　of　our　station！〃　Gromph　howled；　scrambling　to　his　feet。
　　　Dyrr　didn't　answer。　Instead　the　lich　leaped　after　him；　clearing　off　whole　tabletops　and　bookshelves　with　great　two…handed　sweeps　of　his　staff。
　　　Gromph　shouted　a　spell　that　ripped　the　lich's　weapon　from　his　grasp；　hurling　it　across　the　room　with　such　force　that　the　adamantine　rod　stuck；　quivering　end　first；　in　the　chamber's　wall　like　a　javelin　thrown　by　a　giant。
　　　As　Dyrr　floundered　for　balance；　Gromph　took　a　moment　to　craft　a　potent　spell　defense；　a　shimmering　globe　that　would　pletely　negate　the　effects　of　all　but　the　most　powerful　of　spells。　So　fortified；　he　hunted　quickly　through　the　various　incantations　locked　in　his　mind；　seeking　the　most　efficacious　to　employ　against　the　Lord　of　Agrach　Dyrr。
　　　〃Ah；〃　Dyrr　remarked；　studying　the　shimmering　sphere。　〃An　excellent　defense；　young　Gromph；　but　not　impervious　to　one　of　my　skill。〃
　　　The　lich　muttered　a　word　of　awful　power　and　scuttled　forward；　his　skeletal　talons　outstretched。　Seemingly　unconcerned　by　Gromph's　defensive　spell　the　lich　plunged　his　hand　through　the　dancing　globe　of　color　and　grasped　the　archmage　by　one　arm。　Gromph　shrieked　in　dismay　as　the　power　of　the　lich's　spell　struck　full　upon　him；　blasting　his　defensive　globe　to　motes　of　winking　light　and　locking　his　every　muscle　into　an　absolute　rigidity。
　　　〃Gromph　Baenre；　thou　art　encysted；〃　Dyrr　intoned；　his　naked　teeth　gleamed　against　the　great　and　terrible　blackness　within　his　skull。
　　　The　archmage　had　one　long　glimpse　at　the　triumphant　lich　standing　over　him；　then　he　started　to　fall。　Gromph；　unable　to　move；　plummeted　straight　down　through　the　floor；　through　the　flickering　rooms　and　chambers　of　Sorcere；　through　a　vast　distance　into　the　yawning　black　rock　below　the　tower；　the　city；　the　world。　For　one　terrible　instant　Gromph　felt　himself　at　the　bottom　of　a　measureless　well；　staring　up　through　uncounted　miles　of　darkness　at　the　pinprick　figure　of　his　nemesis　above。　The　darkness　fell　in　upon　him　and　smothered　him　in　its　embrace。
　　　
　　　In　the　archmage's　chambers　in　Sorcere；　the　lich　Dyrr　stood；　looking　down　at　the　spot　in　the　floor　where　he　had　condemned　Gromph　Baenre。　Had　he　been　a　living　mage　Dyrr　might　have　panted　for　breath；　trembled　with　fatigue；　or　perhaps　even　collapsed　from　mortal　wounds　sustained　in　the　fierce　duel；　but　the　dark　magic　binding　his　undead　sinews　and　bones　together　was　not　subject　to　the　weaknesses　of　the　living。
　　　〃Bide　there　a　time；　young　Gromph；〃　he　said　to　the　empty　place。　〃I　may　find　a　use　for　you　yet；　perhaps　in　a　century　or　two。〃
　　　He　made　a　curt　gesture　and　vanished　from　the　conjury。
　　　
　　　The　great　peals　of　a　thunderclap　echoed　through　the　black　stone　passageways；　a　rumbling　so　deep　and　visceral　that　Halisstra　could　feel　it　more　than　hear　it。　She　crouched　in　the　shadow　of　a　great　stone　arch　and　risked　a　quick　glance　across　the　great　hall。　On　the　far　side；　below　the　drow　party；　a　handful　of　hulking　monsters　picked　themselves　up　off　the　floor　and　sought　cover。　Several　more　lay　still　in　the　rubble　and　wreckage　of　the　lower　portion　of　the　hall。
　　　〃That　broke　their　rush；〃　Halisstra　called　out　to　her　panions。　〃They're　regrouping；　though