war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第25部分

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azzt's　Dilemma。　The　Menzoberranyr　have　long　maintained　a　small　outpost　there　to　watch　this　road；　as　it's　one　of　the　few　large　enough　for　an　army　to　use。　Our　vanguard　should　reach　it　in　five　days'　time。　After　that；　our　path　forks　and　we　must　make　our　first　hard　decision。　We　can　choose　to　go　north；　through　the　Pillars　of　Woe；　or　circle　around　to　the　west；　which　adds　at　least　six　days　to　our　march。　The　Pillars　are　likely　to　be　held　against　us；　and　so　could　delay　us　indefinitely。〃
　　　〃The　Pillars　of　Woe　。。。〃　Horgar　said。　The　prince　tugged　at　his　iron…gray　beard　as　he　studied　the　map。　〃When　the　drow　learn　we're　ing；　they'll　certainly　move　troops　there　and　hold　the　pass　against　us。　That　way　is　no　good；　then。　We'll　want　to　follow　the　other　branch　to　the　west；　and　circle　around　to　approach　the　city　from　that　side。　The　time　it　adds　to　our　march　cannot　be　helped。〃
　　　〃On　the　contrary；　I　mean　for　you　to　take　the　straighter　path；〃　Nimor　said。　〃Passing　through　the　Pillars　of　Woe　will　save　you　six　days；　and　once　you're　on　the　other　side；　you　will　be　on　Menzoberranzan's　doorstep。　If　you　go　through　the　western　passes；　you'll　find　the　terrain　there　much　less　favorable。〃
　　　The　duergar　lord　snorted　and　said；　〃Perhaps　you　have　not　traveled　this　way　before；　Nimor。　It　is　a　difficult　road　you've　chosen；　if　you　plan　to　force　the　Pillars　of　Woe。　The　canyon　bees　narrow　there　and　climbs　steeply。　Two　mighty　columns　bar　the　upper　end；　with　only　a　narrow　way　between　them。　Even　a　small　force　of　drow　can　hold　it　indefinitely。〃
　　　〃You　can　beat　the　Menzoberranyr　to　the　Pillars；　Crown　Prince；〃　the　assassin　said。　〃I　will　deliver　the　outpost　of　Rhazzt's　Dilemma　to　you。　We　shall　allow　the　defenders　of　the　post　to　report　a　duergar　force　on　the　march；　but　even　as　the　message　speeds　back　to　the　matron　mothers；　your　forces　will　race　ahead　to　lay　a　deadly　trap　at　the　Pillars　of　Woe。　There；　you　will　destroy　the　army　the　rulers　of　the　city　send　to　hold　the　gap。〃
　　　〃If　you　can　give　us　the　outpost；　drow；　why　allow　the　soldiers　there　to　send　any　warning　at　all？〃　growled　Borwald。　〃Better　to　cling　to　our　secrecy　as　long　as　possible。〃
　　　〃The　pinnacle　of　deceit；〃　said　Nimor；　〃lies　not　in　depriving　your　foe　of　information；　but　in　showing　your　foe　the　thing　that　he　expects　to　see。　Even　with　the　stroke　we　have　engineered　against　the　city's　wizards；　they　cannot　help　but　note　our　approach　soon。　Best　for　us　to　control　the　circumstances　under　which　the　crown　prince's　army　is　reported　to　Menzoberranzan's　rulers；　and　perhaps　anticipate　their　response。〃
　　　〃This　intrigues　me。　Go　on；〃　Horgar　said。
　　　〃The　soldiers　of　Menzoberranzan　expect　that　an　army　approaching　along　this　road　must　be　delayed　by　the　effort　to　take　Rhazzt's　Dilemma；　giving　the　city　time　to　man　the　choke　point　at　the　Pillars　of　Woe　in　sufficient　strength　to　defeat　any　further　attack。　I　suggest　you　allow　the　outpost　to　make　its　report　and　alert　the　rulers　of　Menzoberranzan　to　the　presence　of　your　army。　Before　the　matron　mothers　can　muster　an　army　to　face　you；　we　will　take　Rhazzt's　Dilemma　by　storm。　We　will　be　waiting　to　intercept　the　drow　march　at　the　Pillars　of　Woe。〃
　　　〃Your　plan　has　two　fundamental　flaws；〃　said　Borwald；　sneering　in　contempt。　〃First；　you　presume　that　the　outpost　can　be　taken　whenever　we　wish。　Second；　you　seem　to　think　that　the　matron　mothers　will　choose　to　send　out　their　army　instead　of　standing　fast　to　await　a　siege。　I　would　give　much　to　know　how　you　intend　to　engineer　these　two　feats。〃
　　　〃Easily　done；〃　the　assassin　replied。　〃The　outpost　will　fall　because　much　of　its　garrison　has　been　withdrawn　to　keep　order　in　the　city。　Of　those　soldiers　that　remain；　many　are　Agrach　Dyrr。　That　is　why　I　urged　you　to　choose　this　road　for　your　attack。　The　outpost　will　be　betrayed　into　your　hands　when　the　time　is　right。〃
　　　〃You　knew　this　before　we　set　out；〃　Horgar　said。　〃In　the　future；　you　will　share　such　information　in　a　more　timely　manner。　What　would　we　have　done　if　you'd　met　some　accident　of　the　march？　We　must　know　exactly　what　kind　of　help　you　will　lend　us；　and　when　you　will　be　able　to　do　so。〃
　　　Nimor　laughed　coldly　and　said；　〃It　would　be　good　for　our　continued　friendship；　Prince　Horgar；　if　you　find　yourself　wondering　from　time　to　time　exactly　how　helpful　I　might　turn　out　to　be。〃
　　　
　　　Halisstra　roused　herself　from　her　Reverie　to　find　that　she　was　cold　and　wet。　During　the　night；　a　light　dusting　of　wretched　stuff　that　she　guessed　must　be　snow　had　fallen　over　the　forest；　bedecking　every　branch　with　a　thin　coating　of　brilliant　white。　The　novelty　of　the　experience　had　worn　off　quickly　for　her；　particularly　after　she　realized　that　it　had　soaked　her　clothing　and　piwafwi　with　frigid　water。　The　reality　of　snow　on　the　surface　was　far　less　appealing　than　any　account　of　the　phenomenon　she'd　read　in　the　fort　of　her　House　library。
　　　Overhead；　the　sky　was　sullen　and　gray　again；　but　brighter　than　the　previous　day…bright　enough　to　cause　no　little　disfort　to　the　drow　travelers。　Since　Quenthel　didn't　choose　to　drive　them　out　into　the　sunlight　after　Pharaun　had　rested　and　studied　his　spells；　they　passed　most　of　the　day's　bright　hours　sheltering　deep　in　the　cavern　away　from　the　light。　The　pany　didn't　prepare　to　break　camp　until　late　in　the　day；　when　the　sun　was　already　beginning　to　sink　into　the　west。
　　　〃Remind　me　to　conduct　some　research　into　methods　by　which　that　infernal　orb　might　be　extinguished；〃　remarked　Pharaun；　squinting　up　into　the　snow…laden　sky。　〃It's　still　up　there　behind　all　those　blessed　clouds；　burning　my　eyes。〃
　　　〃You're　not　the　first　of　our　kind　to　find　its　light　painful；〃　Quenthel　replied。　〃In　fact；　the　more　you　plain　about　it；　the　more　it　troubles　me；　so　keep　your　whimpering　to　yourself　and　get　about　the　business　of　casting　your　spell。〃
　　　〃Of　course；　most　impressive　Mistress；〃　Pharaun　said　in　an　acerbic　voice。
　　　He　turned　away　and　hurried　off　across　the　snow…covered　rocks　and　boulders　before　Quenthel　could　make　a　proper　retort。　The　Baenre　muttered　a　black　curse　under　her　breath　and　turned　away　as　well；　busying　herself　with　watching　Danifae　as　the　battle　captive　stuffed　Quenthel's　bedroll　and　blankets　into　her　pack。　The　rest　of　the　pany　kept　to　a　studious　silence　and　pretended　not　to　notice　the　interplay；　either　between　Quenthel　and　Pharaun；　or　Quenthel　and　Danifae。　They　gathered　up　their　own　belongings　and　broke　camp。
　　　Halisstra　picked　up　her　own　pack　and　followed　Pharaun　across　the　floor　of　the　sinkhole；　scrambling　up　after　him　along　the　hidden　path　that　ascended　to　the　forest　floor。　Standing　in　the　clearing　surrounding　the　sunken　spot　where　the　cavern　mouth　had　undermined　the　hillside；　she　found　that　the　forest　was　very　dense　and　pressed　in　close　on　all　sides。　Everywhere　she　looked；　the　wall　of　trees　and　brush　was　the　same；　a　verdant　barrier　with　no　landmarks　at　all；　no　distant　mountains　by　which　she　could　orient　herself；　not　even　an　orderly　plan　of　sand…covered　streets　to　follow。　Even　in　the　most　twisted　caverns　of　the　Underdark；　one　usually　was　offered　only　a　handful　of　choices　at　a　time…forward　or　back；　left　or　right；　up　or　down。　In　the　forest；　she　might　simply　walk　off　in　any　direction　she　liked　and　eventually　arrive　somewhere。　It　was　an　unsettling　and　unfamiliar　feeling。
　　　She　finished　her　careful　examination　of　the　forested　hillside；　and　faced　Pharaun　again。　The　rest　of　the　pany　watched　him　as　well；　variously　standing　or　squatting　on　their　heels　and　shading　their　faces　with　their　hands　as　they　awaited　the　wizard's　guidance。
　　　〃If　I　say　anything；〃　said　Pharaun；　staring　into　the　trees　and　speaking　over　his　shoulder；　〃anything　at　all；　mark　it　carefully。　I　may　or　may　not　understand　exactly　what　it　is　I　see。〃
　　　He　extended　his　arms　wide　and　closed　his　eyes；　whispering　harsh　syllables　of　arcane　power　over　and　over　again　as　he　turned　in　a　slow　circle。
　　　The　eldritch　sensation　of　magic　at　work　tugged　at　Halisstra；　a　feeling　that　was　almost　palpable；　yet　maddeningly　distant。　A　strange；　cold　breeze　arose；　sighing　in　the　treetops　as　it　bent　them　first　one　way；　then　another；　growing　stronger　moment　by　moment。　Boughfuls　of　snow　shifted　and　fell　as　the　weird　wind　increased　to　a　wild；　shrieking　gale。　Halisstra　raised　a　hand　to　shield　her　eyes　from　flying　dust　and　grit。　Through　it　all；　she　heard　Pharaun's　voice　growing　deeper；　more　powerful；　as　the　spell　took　on　a　life　of　its　own　and　seemed　to　drag　itself　from　his　throat。　She　lost　her　footing　and　slid　awkwardly　to　one　knee；　her　hair　whipping　around　her　head　like　something　alive。
　　　The　magic　of　Pharaun's　divination　bore　him　aloft。　Arms　still　outstretched；　he　revolved　in　the　air　as　the　winds　circled　with　him。　His　eyes　were　blank　and　silver；　cast　upward　to　the　heavens。　A　nimbus　of　green　energy　began　to　coalesce　around　the　wizard's　body；　and　he　gave　out　a　great　howl　of　anguish。　Bolts　of　emerald　fire　exploded　from　his　halo　to　scour　and　blast　at　the　boulders　nearby。　Each　green　ray　sliced　into　rock　like　a　rapier　into　soft　flesh；　causing　the　stones　to　split　and　flake　with　deafening　cracks。　Where　each　green　bolt　played；　a　black　rune　or　pattern　formed　in　the　damaged　stone；　appearing　as　if　etched　by　acid　in　the　exposed　rock。　The　designs　made　Halisstra's　eyes　ache　to　look　at　them；　and　from　the　air　in　the　center　of　the　clearing；　Pharaun　began　to　mutter　in　a　horrible　voice　that　somehow　carried　through　the　wind　and　thunder。
　　　〃Five　days　west　lies　a　small　river；〃　the　wizard　intoned。　〃Turn　south　and　follow　its　dark　swift　waters　upstream　another　day；　to　the　gates　of　Minauthkeep。　The　Masked　Lord's　servant　dwells　there。　He　will　aid　you　and　betray　you；　though　neither　in　the　manner　you　expect。　Each　of　you　save　one　will　mit　betrayal　before　your　quest　is　done。〃
　　　The　spell　concluded。　The　wind　died　away；　the　green　energy　dissipated；　and　Pharaun　came　slumping　down　from　his　lofty　perch　as　if　he'd　been　dropped　from　a　rooftop。　The　wizard　struck　the　hard　earth　awkwardly　and　crumpled；　huddling　with　his　face　in　the　cold　slush　covering　the　ground。　As　the　reverberations　of　the　spell's　violence　fell　away　in　the　snowy　wood；　the　black…etched　runes　carved　into　rocks　and　boulders　faded　as　well；　flaking　away　in　tiny　bits　of　ebon　dust　that　evaporated　within　the　space　of　moments。
　　　The　rest　of　the　pany　straightened　and　exchanged　dark　looks。
　　　〃I　can　see　why　he's　slow　to　cast　that　spell；〃　Ryld　remarked。
　　　He　moved　forward　and　caught　Pharaun　by　one　feebly　waving　arm；　turning　him　over　and　checking　for　any　obvious　signs　of　injury。　Pharaun　looked　up　and　managed　a　weak　grin。
　　　〃Good　news　and　bad；　I　suppose；〃　he　said。　〃Tzirik　seems　to　be　alive　and　well；　at　least。〃
　　　〃The　directions　are　clear；〃　Valas　said　with　care。　〃I　think　I　can　keep　us　heading　west　easily　enough。〃
　　　〃What　did　you　mean　by　that　last　bit？〃　Jeggred　said　to　Pharaun；　ignoring　Valas。　〃About　the　betrayal？〃
　　　The　draegloth　tightened　his　fists。
　　　〃About　each　of　us　betraying　someone？　Why；　I　couldn't　begin　to　guess；〃　the　wizard　said。　He　coughed　and　sat　upright；　waving　away　Ryld's　help。　〃It's　the　nature　of　the　magic　to　offer　cryptic　predictions　like　that；　threatening　little　riddles　that　you　have　little　hope　of　solving　until　it　suddenly　bees　obvious　that　the　event　you　feared　has　e　to　pass。〃　He　offered　a　wry　chuckle。　〃If　only　one　of　us　doesn't　have　some　shocking　act　of　treachery　to　pull　off　in　the　near　future；　I　must　say　I'd　like　to　know　who's　sleeping　on　the　job。　He'll　tarnish　our　reputation　if　he's　not　careful。〃
　　　Halisstra　studied　the　rest　of　the　pany；　noting　the　impassive　faces；　the　thoughtful　eyes。　Danifae　met　her　gaze　with　a　slight　smile　and　the　merest　flicker　of　her　gray　eyes　toward　Quenthel；　a　gesture　so　small　and　secret　that　no　one　save　Halisstra　could　note　it。
　　　Despite　the　wizard's　easy　dismissal　of　the　exact　words　of　the　divination；　she　wasn't　pleased　to　learn　that　every　one　of　her　panions　would　at　some　point　in　the　future　mit　some　kind　of　treacherous　act　or　another。　Or；　more　likely；　all　but　one　of　her　panions。　Just　because　Halisstra　planned　no　immediate　act　of　betrayal　didn't　mean　she　might　not　choose　to　take　advantage　of　an　opportunity　arising　later。　She　had　not　held　her　rank　as　First　Daughter　of　House　Melarn　without　developing　a　certain　ruthless　instinct　for　such　things。　If　ruin　had　not　e　to　Ched　Nasad；　Halisstra　didn't　doubt　that　at　some　point　in　the　fullness　of　time　she　would　have　seriously　plotted　against　her　own　mother　to　claim　leadership　of　the　house。　Matron　Melarn　had　unseated　Halisstra's　grandmother　in　the　same　manner　and　for　the　same　reasons　many　hundreds　of　years　past。　It　was　no　more　or　less　than　the　Spider　Queen's　way。
　　　〃Well；〃　Pharaun　said　as　he　pushed　himself　to　his　feet；　still　shivering。　The　wizard　accepted　his　pack　from　Ryld；　moving　gingerly。　〃It　seems　I　have　provided　a　destination。　So　which　way　is　west；　Master　Hune？〃
　　　Valas　nodded　toward　the　near　side　of　the　clearing　and　said；　〃There　are　a　couple　of　game　trails　leading　more　or　less　toward　the　setting　sun。〃
　　　〃e；〃　said　Quenthel。　〃The　sooner　we　set　out；　the　sooner　we　arrive。　I　have　no　wish　to　spend　one　hour　more　than　we　must　in　this　light…seared　land。　Master　Hune；　you　will　take　your　customary　place　as　our　guide。　Master　Argith；　you　will　acpany　him。　Halisstra；　you　will　bring　up　the　rear　and　keep　an　eye　behind　us。〃
　　　Halisstra　frowned　and　shifted　unfortably。　That　struck　her　as　a　job　suitable　for　a　male。　In　their　travels　over　the　past　few　days　Jeggred　had　customarily　brought　up　the　rear。　It　didn't　escape　Halisstra　that　changing　the　order　of　the　march　kept　Jeggred　close　by　Quenthel；　where　the　draegloth　could　protect　the　Baenre　priestess　from　any　attack。　She　likewise　noted　that　Quenthel　had　referred　to　both　Valas　and　Ryld　as　〃master；〃　while　calling　her　only　Halisstra。
　　　There　was　no　point　in　protesting；　of　course；　so　she　only　waited　as　the　rest　of　the　pany　filed　off　into　the　woods；　following　Valas's　path。　She　unslung　her　crossbow　and　made　sure　the　weapon　was　ready　for　quick　use。　After　allowing　the　rest　of　the　pany　a　lead　of　about　fifty　yards；　Halisstra　set　off　after　them。
　　　
　　　The　surface　woodland　proved　to　be　a　strange　and　disquieting　place。　As　the　party　moved　away　from　the　clearing's　edge；　the　tangled　underbrush　vanished；　leaving　only　an　endless　green　hall　of　round　trunks　rising　to　the　forest　roof　above；　like　the　pillars　of　some　dark　elven　hall　somewhere　in　the　Lands　Below。　Old；　fallen　logs　lay　scattered　here　and　there；　covered　in　bright　green　moss。　Some　were　so　large　that　the　pany　had　to　detour　hundreds　of　feet　around　them；　or　scramble　awkwardly　over　or　under。　A　dusting　of　snow　had　filtered　to　the　ground；　and　cold　water　dripped　steadily　from　the　branches　above。　Unlike　the　lifeless　desolation　of　Anauroch；　the　forest　was　filled　not　only　with　mighty　trees　and　twining　brambles；　but　all　manner　of　small　birds　and　animals。　After　a　dozen　heart…stopping　starts；　Halisstra　soon　learned　to　identify　a　number　of　discrete　birdcalls　and　animal　sounds　and　relegate　them　to　the　realm　of　the　insignificant。
　　　She　had　at　first　feared　that　she　would　easily　lose　sight　of　the　pany　ahead；　but　away　from　the　crowded　foliage　by　the　infrequent　clearings；　the　underbrush　consisted　of　ferns　and　other　green　plants　rarely　more　than　waist　high。　As　darkness　fell　over　the　forest　floor；　her　vision　improved；　and　Halisstra　felt　more　and　more　fortable。