war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第28部分

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　skewered　him　through　the　eye。
　　　〃No　point　waiting　any　longer；　now；〃　Pharaun　whispered。
　　　The　wizard　had　greeted　Quenthel's　order　to　lay　an　ambush　with　a　distinct　lack　of　enthusiasm；　and　he　wasn't　at　all　unhappy　to　call　the　effort　a　failure　and　rejoin　the　rest　of　the　band。　He　muttered　the　harsh　syllables　of　a　spell　and　gestured　in　a　peculiar　fashion；　concentrating。
　　　In　a　moment　the　wizard　straightened　and　motioned　to　Ryld；　e。　I've　created　an　image　that　will　make　it　seem　that　we　still　stand　guard　here；　but　you　and　I　are　invisible　to　our　antagonists。　Follow　me　quietly；　and　stay　close。
　　　Ryld　nodded　and　moved　off　stealthily　just　behind　the　wizard。　He　took　one　last　glance　at　the　desolate　forest　behind　them；　wondering　if　the　wizard's　trick　would　work。
　　　Halisstra　is　back　there　somewhere；　he　thought。　Most　likely　dead。
　　　The　surface　dwellers　had　shown　no　interest　in　taking　prisoners；　and　in　the　logical　part　of　his　mind　Ryld　simply　wrote　off　her　loss　as　another　casualty　of　battle；　just　as　he　might　account　for　the　untimely　fall　of　any　useful　rade。　He'd　fought　enough　battles　over　the　years　to　understand　that　warriors　die；　but　despite　that；　he　found　Halisstra's　loss　strangely　unsettling。
　　　Pharaun　paused；　turning　in　a　slow　circle　as　he　searched　for　some　sign　of　the　rest　of　the　pany　or　any　foes　still　on　their　trail。　Ryld　held　still　and　listened。　A　gentle　wind　moved　the　treetops　and　sighed　in　the　branches　overhead。　Leaves　rustled；　and　branches　creaked。　A　small　brook　trickled　nearby；　but　he　could　detect　nothing　that　might　signal　danger…or　Halisstra's　return。
　　　Stupid　to　hope　for　such　a　thing；　he　told　himself。
　　　Something　troubles　you？　motioned　Pharaun。
　　　No；　the　weapons　master　replied。
　　　The　wizard　studied　him；　the　brilliant　silver　moonlight　gleaming　on　his　handsome　face。
　　　Tell　me　you're　not　worried　about　the　female！
　　　Of　course　not；　Ryld　replied。　I'm　concerned　only　because　she's　been　a　valuable　rade；　and　I　don't　like　the　idea　of　proceeding　without　her　skill　at　healing。　But　I　am　not　concerned　on　any　other　account。　I　am　no　fool。
　　　I　think　perhaps　you　protest　too　much；　Pharaun　signed。　It　does　not　matter；　I　suppose。
　　　He　started　to　say　more；　but　at　that　moment　a　soft　rustle　behind　them　cut　off　his　words。　Wizard　and　swordsman　turned　together；　Ryld's　hand　stealing　to　Splitter's　hilt　as　he　aimed　his　crossbow　with　the　other　hand；　but　from　the　bright　shadows　Valas　Hune　suddenly　appeared。　Of　all　the　pany；　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　seemed　almost　as　skilled　as　the　surface　dwellers　in　the　patient　cat…and…mouse　game　of　forest　hunting。
　　　Did　you　catch　sight　of　any　of　our　foes？　the　scout　asked。
　　　No；　but　someone　saw　enough　of　Ryld　to　shoot　an　arrow；　Pharaun　replied。　Since　they　seemed　to　guess　where　we　were；　we　left　an　illusion　and　came　to　rejoin　you。
　　　Any　sign　of　Halisstra？　Ryld　asked。
　　　No。　Nor　you；　then？　Valas　replied。
　　　Perhaps　half　an　hour　ago　we　heard　sounds　of　fighting　from　back　down　the　trail。　It　went　on　for　a　couple　of　minutes。　That　might　have　been　her；　Pharaun　signed。
　　　〃There　it　is；　then；〃　Valas　muttered　under　his　breath。　〃Well；　e　on　then。　The　others　are　waiting；　and　if　we　can't　ambush　our　pursuers；　we　might　as　well　keep　moving。　The　longer　they　keep　us　here；　the　more　likely　it　is　that　more　of　them　will　show　up　and　join　the　fight。〃
　　　The　scout　led　the　way　as　he　hurried　through　the　trees　and　brush；　moving　swiftly　and　silently。　Pharaun　and　Ryld　could　not　match　the　softness　of　his　steps；　but　the　wizard's　magic　seemed　an　adequate　ruse；　since　they　encountered　no　more　hidden　archers　or　spearmen。　In　a　few　hundred　yards　they　came　to　a　small；　steep　ravine；　well　screened　by　thick　brush　and　large　boulders。　There　they　found　Quenthel；　Danifae；　and　Jeggred　lying　low；　watching　vigilantly　for　any　sign　of　a　renewed　attack。
　　　〃Did　you　surprise　the　archers？〃　Quenthel　asked。
　　　〃No。　They　located　us　quickly；　and　avoided　a　fight；〃　Ryld　replied。　He　ran　a　hand　over　his　stubbled　scalp　and　sighed。　〃This　is　not　a　good　battlefield　for　us。　We　can't　bring　the　surface　elves　to　grips；　not　with　the　advantage　they　have　in　this　terrain；　but　if　we　don't　do　anything；　they'll　eventually　surround　us　and　cut　us　to　pieces　with　arrows。〃
　　　Valas　nodded　in　agreement　and　added；　〃They're　working　to　find　and　flank　us　now。　We've　got　a　few　minutes　here；　but　we're　going　to　have　to　move　or　fight　soon。　Ten　minutes　or　less；　I　think。〃
　　　〃Let　them　e；〃　rumbled　Jeggred。　〃We　killed　a　dozen　of　them　not　an　hour　ago　when　they　stole　up　on　us　from　behind。　Now　that　we　know　the　day…walkers　are　out　there；　we'll　slaughter　them　in　heaps。〃
　　　〃The　next　assault　will　most　likely　consist　of　a　rain　of　arrows　from　archers　we　won't　even　be　able　to　see；〃　Valas　said。　〃I　doubt　that　the　surface　dwellers　will　oblige　us　by　lining　up　for　us　to　kill。　Worse　yet；　what　if　the　rangers　sent　for　help？　The　next　attack　might　e　at　daybreak　with　two　or　three　times　the　numbers　we've　seen　so　far。　I　don't　relish　the　thought　of　being　showered　with　arrows　and　spells　after　the　sun　es　up　and　our　opponents　suddenly　begin　to　see　much　better　than　we　do。〃
　　　〃Fine；〃　Jeggred　snarled。　〃So　what　would　you　do；　then？〃
　　　〃Withdraw；〃　Ryld　answered　for　the　scout。　〃Make　the　best　speed　we　can　and　keep　moving。　With　luck　we'll　outdistance　our　pursuers　before　the　sun　es　up；　and　maybe　we'll　find　a　good　place　to　hide。〃
　　　〃Or　maybe　we'll　reach　territory　controlled　by　the　Jaelre；〃　Valas　added。
　　　〃Which　may；　of　course；　prove　to　be　even　more　dangerous　than　playing　cat…and…mouse　with　our　friends　the　surface　dwellers；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃If　the　Jaelre　aren't　fond　of　visitors。　。　。　。〃
　　　〃It　doesn't　matter　if　they　are　or　not；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃We　came　to　speak　to　their　priest；　and　we　will　do　so；　even　if　we　have　to　cut　our　way　through　half　their　House　to　do　it。〃
　　　〃Your　suggestion　is　not　very　encouraging；　Master　Hune；〃　Danifae　said。　She　bled　freely　from　a　wound　in　her　right　arm；　where　a　hard…driven　arrow　had　actually　punched　through　her　mail　and　transfixed　her　upper　arm。　As　she　spoke　she　worked　awkwardly　with　one　hand　to　bind　the　wound。　〃What　happens　if　we　fail　to　outpace　our　enemies？　They　seem　well　able　to　keep　up　with　us　in　these　damnable　woods。〃
　　　〃One　moment；〃　Ryld　said。　〃What　about　Mistress　Melarn？　She's　back　there　somewhere。〃
　　　〃Most　likely　dead　already；〃　Valas　said　with　a　shrug。　〃Or　a　prisoner。〃
　　　〃Shouldn't　we　make　sure　of　that　before　we　leave　her？〃　the　weapons　master　replied。　〃Her　healing　songs　are　the　only　magic　of　that　sort　we　have　left　to　us。　mon　sense　dictates…〃
　　　〃mon　sense　dictates　that　we　don't　waste　time　and　blood　on　a　corpse；〃　Quenthel　interrupted。　〃No　one　came　after　me　when…〃
　　　She　stopped　herself；　then　stood　and　walked　over　to　help　Danifae　cinch　her　bandage。
　　　〃Our　mission　lies　ahead　of　us；　not　behind；〃　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　said。　〃The　quest　is　more　important　than　any　one　drow。〃
　　　Ryld　rubbed　his　hand　over　his　face　and　glanced　around　the　pany。　Valas　looked　away；　busying　himself　with　some　unimportant　fastening　of　his　armor。　Pharaun　stared　at　Quenthel　with　an　expression　that　made　it　clear　the　wizard　noted　the　priestess's　hypocrisy；　if　nothing　else。　She　had；　after　all；　spent　more　time　in　Ched　Nasad　hoping　to　empty　Baenre　storehouses　of　their　goods　than　seeking　the　renewed　attention　of　Lolth。
　　　Danifae　stared　off　into　the　woods　behind　them；　her　brow　furrowed　with　concern；　but　obviously　unwilling　to　argue　the　point　on　behalf　of　her　mistress。
　　　Finally　Quenthel　turned　to　Pharaun　and　said；　〃Perhaps　our　skilled　wizard　has　some　magic　that　might　help　us　discourage　these　cursed　day…walkers　from　following　too　closely？〃
　　　Pharaun　stroked　his　chin；　and　thought。
　　　〃Our　chief　difficulty　in　these　circumstances；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　said　at　length；　〃lies　in　the　fact　that　our　antagonists　are　able　to　use　this　terrain　to　their　advantage；　and　our　disadvantage。　Should　a　forest　fire　suddenly　arise；　the　smoke　and　flames　would…〃
　　　Valas　laughed　and　interrupted；　〃I'm　afraid　you　know　little　of　surface　forests；　Master　Mizzrym。　These　trees　are　far　too　wet　to　oblige　you　with　a　forest　fire　now。　Try　again　in　a　few　months；　after　summer　has　dried　them　out。〃
　　　〃Oh；〃　the　wizard　replied；　〃I　can　see　that's　true　for　mundane　fire。〃
　　　〃You　won't　be　able　to　prevent　fire　from　sweeping　back　on　us；〃　Ryld　said；　the　idea　giving　him　some　anxiety。
　　　〃Well；　I　can't　be　certain　they　won't；　but　my　fires　will　burn　in　the　manner　I　choose；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃As　Master　Hune　observed；　the　forest　is　damp　enough　that　the　trees　won't　catch　unless　directly　affected　by　my　spell。　We　will；　of　course；　have　the　advantage　of　knowing　how　and　when　the　fires　begin。〃
　　　Quenthel　thought　for　a　moment；　then　said；　〃Very　well；　you　may　proceed。〃
　　　Ryld　felt　his　throat　tighten　and　he　stepped　away　from　the　group；　quickly　regaining　control　of　himself。
　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere　stood　and　reached　into　a　pouch　at　his　belt　to　withdraw　a　tiny　silk　purse。　He　emptied　it　into　his　hand。　Red　dust　glittered　in　the　moonlight。　Pharaun　studied　the　forest；　turned　to　sense　the　wind；　and　spoke　his　spell　quickly；　casting　the　powder　into　the　air。　Bright　crimson　sparks　appeared　amid　the　falling　dust；　growing　brighter　and　more　numerous　moment　by　moment。　With　another　gesture；　Pharaun　scattered　the　burning　motes　across　a　great；　wide　arc　of　the　forest　before　him。
　　　As　each　tiny　mote　settled　to　the　ground；　it　flared　into　life；　growing　into　a　spiderlike　shape　fully　as　large　as　a　man's　head。　Wreathed　in　crimson　flame；　the　fire　spiders　scuttled　across　the　ground；　moving　deeper　into　the　trees。　Whatever　they　touched　smoldered　at　first；　then　burst　into　flame。　The　wood　was　indeed　wet；　and　the　flames　were　smoky　and　slow　to　spread…but　Pharaun　had　conjured　hundreds　of　the　spider　creatures。　The　living　motes　of　fire　seemed　to　set　upon　the　moss…grown　trunks　with　a　peculiarly　savage　ferocity；　almost　as　if　the　presence　of　so　much　timber　had　provoked　them　into　a　frenzy　of　fiery　destruction。
　　　〃Good；　good；〃　Pharaun　murmured。　〃They　like　trees　。　。。　they　truly　do。〃
　　　〃The　fire's　too　slow　to　burn　our　pursuers；〃　Quenthel　observed。
　　　〃I've　never　heard　of　a　surface　elf　who'd　allow　a　fire　such　as　this　to　burn　unchecked　in　his　precious　forest；〃　Pharaun　said　with　a　smile。　〃They'll　be　busy　chasing　down　my　spiders　and　extinguishing　the　flames　for　some　time。〃
　　　Quenthel　watched　the　blaze　a　moment　longer；　and　smiled。
　　　〃It　may　serve；　then；〃　she　said。　〃Master　Hune；　take　the　lead。　I　mean　to　reach　House　Jaelre　before　we're　troubled　by　the　surface　dwellers　again。〃
　　　
　　　Kaanyr　Vhok　folded　his　well…muscled　arms　and　frowned。
　　　〃How　many　this　time？〃　he　asked。
　　　Kaanyr　surveyed　the　aftermath　of　a　battle　between　the　tanarukks　of　his　vanguard　and　a　titanic　purple　worm；　a　carnivorous　giant　over　a　hundred　feet　in　length。　The　worm　was　dead；　hacked　to　death　by　dozens　of　the　half…demons　soldiers；　but　a　handful　of　the　Sceptered　One's　troops　lay　torn　and　crushed　by　the　monster　they　had　killed。
　　　〃Seven；　my　lord；　but　we　slew　the　beast；　as　you　can　see。〃
　　　The　tanarukk　captain　called　Ruinfist　leaned　on　his　huge　greataxe；　spattered　with　the　foul　juices　of　the　creature。　The　orc…demon's　left　hand　had　been　mangled　in　some　battle　long　before；　and　was　encased　in　a　locked　battle…gauntlet　that　served　as　a　better　weapon　than　the　damaged　hand　it　covered。
　　　〃The　warriors　heard　it　moving　in　the　rock；〃　Ruinfist　continued；　〃but　it　came　through　the　ceiling　and　dropped　on　them。〃
　　　〃I　didn't　bring　you　here　to　slay　mindless　worms；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃Nor　did　I　bring　warriors　to　this　spot　to　feed　whatever　monster　happens　by。　This　was　a　battle　best　avoided；　Ruinfist。　These　seven　warriors　won't　be　with　us　when　we　meet　the　dark　elves；　will　they？〃
　　　〃No；　my　lord；〃　the　tanarukk　growled。　He　lowered　his　head。　〃I　will　tell　the　patrol　leaders　to　do　what　they　can　to　avoid　needless　battles。〃
　　　〃Good；〃　said　Kaanyr。　He　offered　the　tanarukk　a　hard　grin　and　clapped　the　creature　on　the　shoulder。　〃Save　your　axes　for　the　drow；　Ruinfist。　We'll　be　on　them　soon　enough。〃
　　　A　hungry　light　flared　in　the　tanarukk's　eyes；　and　the　demon…orc　raised　his　tusked　jaw　again。　He　growled　in　assent　and　trotted　off　to　go　find　his　fellow　captains。
　　　〃You　did　not　discipline　him？〃　Aliisza　asked；　slinking　out　of　the　shadows。　〃Mercy　is　not　a　quality　I　am　accustomed　to　in　you；　love。〃
　　　The　cambion　lord　turned　at　her　approach。
　　　〃Sometimes；〃　he　replied；　〃one　soft　word　serves　the　purpose　of　two　hard　ones。　Knowing　which　to　choose　and　when　is　the　art　of　leadership。〃　Kaanyr　nudged　one　of　his　dead　warriors　with　his　toe；　and　smiled。　〃Besides；　how　can　I　take　offense　at　a　show　of　the　very　fighting　spirit　I've　worked　so　hard　to　instill　in　my　Scoured　Legion？　It's　the　nature　of　a　tanarukk　to　throw　himself　into　battle　and　bring　down　his　foe　or　die　trying。〃
　　　Aliisza　looked　at　the　purple　worm　and　shuddered。
　　　〃I　think　that's　the　biggest　worm　I've　ever　seen；〃　she　murmured。
　　　The　half…demon's　seat　of　power　in　the　ruins　of　ancient　Ammarindar　was　the　better　part　of　two　hundred　and　fifty　miles　southeast　of　Menzoberranzan；　and　the　Darklake　was　an　obstacle　in　their　path。　Fortunately；　tanarukks　were　fast；　hearty；　and　could　endure　swift　marches　with　few　supplies。　The　dwarves　of　ancient　Ammarindar　had　carved　great　subterranean　highways　through　their　realm；　broad；　smooth…floored　tunnels　that　ran　for　mile　after　mile　through　the　endless　gloom。　Kaanyr　was　somewhat　disconcerted　to　think　that　the　tremendous　cavern　of　the　Darklake　lay　somewhere　a　mile　or　two　beneath　his　feet；　but　the　old　dwarven　road　offered　far　and　away　their　best　route　to　the　environs　of　Menzoberranzan。　If　the　road　happened　to　be　plagued　by　hungry　monsters；　well；　any　other　route　would　have　problems　of　its　own。
　　　He　shook　himself　from　his　reflections　and　started　to　walk　back　toward　the　long　file　of　his　warriors；　streaming　past　the　scene　of　the　battle　in　a　ragged　double…column。
　　　〃So；　tell　me　again　about　this　Nimor；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃I　can　easily　understand　Horgar　Steelshadow's　motive　in　mustering　this　attack。　The　gray　dwarves　and　the　dark　elves　have　fought　many　wars　over　the　centuries。　What　I　don't　understand　is　what's　in　it　for　a　drow　assassin？〃
　　　〃As　best　I　can　tell；〃　Aliisza　replied；　〃he　hates　the　great　Houses　of　Menzoberranzan　enough　that　he'll　destroy　the　city　in　order　to　bring　about　their　fall。〃
　　　〃Such　a　purity　of　intent　is　rare　in　a　dark　elf。　You　know　he's　lied　to　you；　of　course。〃
　　　Kaanyr　suspected；　as　always；　that　Aliisza　was　holding　something　of　her　encounter　with　Nimor　to　herself。　After　all；　she　was　an　alu…fiend；　the　daughter　of　a　succubus；　and　her　weapons　and　methods　were　obvious。
　　　〃Lied？〃　she　quipped。　〃To　me？〃
　　　〃I　merely　point　out　that　that　one　should　beware　of　dark　elves　bearing　gifts；〃　Kaanyr　replied。　〃He　might　have　convinced　you　it　was　in　my　best　interest　to　bring　my　army　here；　but　I　don't　believe　for　a　heartbeat　that　your　mysterious　assassin　doesn't　have　more　to　gain　from　this　alliance　than　I　do。〃
　　　〃That　goes　without　saying；　doesn't　it？〃　she　said。　〃If　you　see　that；　why　did　you　agree　to　bring　your　army　to　the　Pillars　of　Woe？〃
　　　〃Because　something　is　going　to　happen　there；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃My　ambitions　have　reached　the　borders　of　old　Ammarindar；　and　I　don't