war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第10部分

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ed　a　few　words。　The　bleed…ing　stopped；　and　the　hole　began　to　close。
　　　Be　more　careful；〃　the　high　priestess　admonished　her　nephew　as　she　stored　the　wand　once　more。　〃Healing　magic　is　limited。〃
　　　Even　as　overcrowded　as　the　city　is；〃　Faeryl　said；　〃the　higher　levels　will　not　be　that　bad。　I　know　of　a　place　where　we　may　be　able　to　get　rooms。〃
　　　〃Perhaps　we　need　to　rethink　this；〃　Quenthel　countered。　〃It　seems　obvious　to　me　that　there　are　troubles　here。　I　think　it　would　be　wiser　to　pay　House　Zauvirr　and　House　Melarn　a　visit。　We　would　be　assured　of　acmodations　there。〃
　　　〃No；〃　Pharaun　said；　and　Quenthel's　eyes　widened　in　surprise。　The　mage　continued　quickly；　before　the　high　priestess　could　lash　out　at　him。　〃You　may　be　right；　but　even　so；　you　don't　want　to　lose　the　opportunity　to　move　about　freely；　do　you？　If　we　have　any　hope　of　staking　a　claim　to　the　stock　of　goods　and　coin　for　your　House；　we　must　be　able　to　avoid　the　matron　mothers'　notice。〃
　　　〃Well；〃　Quenthel　said；　seeming　to　waver；　〃I'm　unfortable　with　the　idea　of　living　like　moners　in　an　inn；　but　your　argument　still　makes　sense。〃
　　　Valas　watched　as　the　high　priestess　bit　her　lip；　deep　in　thought。
　　　Pharaun　continued；　trying　to　press　home　his　advantage；　〃You　know　they　will　tell　us　nothing　if　there　is　a　problem。　They　will　keep　that　information　to　themselves　at　all　costs。　This　way；　we　can　explore　a　little　bit；　try　to　discover　possible　clues　to　Lolth's　disappearance。　It　will　allow　us　the　chance　to　determine　what　has　brought　Ched　Nasad　to　this　condition。〃　He　leaned　in　close　to　avoid　being　overheard；　as　another　pair　of　drow…males　who　had　been　strolling　past　this　time…　stopped　and　stared　for　a　moment。　〃If　nothing　else；　we　can　learn　from　this　city's　mistakes。〃
　　　Ryld　turned　and　gave　the　pair　of　males　a　level　look；　and　they　quickly　averted　their　eyes　and　continued　on　their　way。
　　　〃Whatever　we　do；　we'd　better　do　it　now；〃　the　weapons　master　said　over　his　shoulder。　〃Valas　is　right　。　。　。　we're　attracting　too　much　attention。〃
　　　〃Then　shall　I　show　us　the　way　to　the　inn　I　know　of？〃　Faeryl　asked。　〃It's　called　the　House　Unnamed；　and　it's　just…〃
　　　〃You　will　do　no　such　thing；〃　Quenthel　interrupted。　〃You　seem　far　too　eager　to　help　us；　and　at　the　expense　of　your　own　House。〃
　　　Faeryl　gaped　at　the　Baenre　high　priestess。
　　　〃Mistress　Quenthel；　I　am　merely…〃
　　　〃Enough；〃　Quenthel　cut　the　ambassador　off。　〃Until　I　decide　to　let　the　matron　mothers　know　I'm　here；　you　will　not　be　warning　them　ahead　of　time。　Jeggred；　it　will　be　your　responsibility　to　make　sure　she　doesn't　try　to　sneak　off。〃
　　　The　draegloth　grinned；　first　at　Quenthel；　then　at　the　ambassador。
　　　〃With　pleasure；　Mistress；〃　he　said。
　　　Faeryl　grimaced　at　the　fiend's　attentions；　and　Valas　wondered　just　what　had　happened　between　the　two　of　them　prior　to　the　group's　departure。　She'd　behaved　in　that　manner　during　the　entire　trip。　He　made　a　mental　note　to　ask　Ryld　when　they　had　a　moment　alone。
　　　〃Now；〃　Quenthel　said；　turning　to　the　other　three　of　them；　〃which　of　you　knows　this　city　best？〃
　　　〃I　have　visited　Ched　Nasad　a　number　of　times；　Mistress　Quenthel；〃　Valas　answered；　and　the　other　two　males　nodded　in　agreement；　giving　the　scout　center　stage。
　　　〃Good。　Find　us　an　inn；　someplace　other　than　this　'House　Unnamed。'　Make　it　a　good　one；　mind　you。　I　won't　put　up　with　the　squalor　you　might　be　used　to。〃
　　　Valas　raised　an　eyebrow　but　said　nothing。　He　found　it　interesting　that　the　high　priestess　had　changed　her　mind；　agreeing　to　Pha…rauns　plan　without　actually　admitting　to　it。　He　wondered　if　they　would　have　words　about　it　later；　but　for　the　moment；　he　was　happy　enough　to　do　as　she　had　instructed。
　　　〃The　quickest　way　to　get　where　we　want　to　go　is　going　to　be　by　floating　there；〃　the　scout　said。　〃As　long　as　Jeggred　is　willing　to　bear　me；　that　is。〃
　　　Quenthel　looked　first　at　the　draegloth；　then　at　Faeryl；　and　said；　You're　not　going　to　give　me　reason　to　have　Jeggred　or　Pharaun　kill　you　by　trying　to　run　away；　ate　you？〃
　　　Faeryl　glowered　bur　shook　her　head。
　　　Good；　then　lead　on；　Valas。　I　am　weary　and　would　like　to　enjoy　the　Reverie　on　a　proper　couch　for　a　change。〃
　　　Jeggred　lifted　the　scout　up　in　one　arm；　and　soon　they　were　all　rising　easily　toward　the　higher　parts　of　the　city。　Faeryl　had　been　right。　As　the　group　reached　higher　and　higher　elevations；　the　crowds　abated　somewhat。　It　was　still　busier　than　Valas　had　ever　remembered；　but　at　the　higher　levels；　it　was　at　least　tolerable。　He　led　them　toward　an　upscale　business　section　of　the　city；　a　zone　where　many　of　the　lesser　Houses；　those　with　only　enough　power　to　make　fortunes　in　trade　as　opposed　to　actually　being　powerful　enough　to　run　the　city；　maintained　mercial　offices。
　　　It　was　this　section；　Valas　knew；　that　many　of　the　wealthy　merchants　from　other　regions　of　the　Underdark　frequented　while　visiting　the　city。　The　inns　were　extravagant　enough　that　they　would　support　the　creature　forts　expected　by　the　trading　munity's　elite；　and　they　wouldn't　do　more　than　bat　an　eye　even　at　someone　as　unusual　as　Jeg…gred。　Valas　hoped　that　there　the　Menzoberranyr　would　find　a　room　that　would　satisfy　Quenthel's　need　for　pampering　and　not　draw　undue　attention　to　themselves。　If　they　could　find　a　room　at　all。
　　　Pharaun　insisted　that　he　be　the　one　to　negotiate　with　the　innkeepers。　The　first　two　establishments　nearly　laughed　in　the　wizard's　face；　and　the　third　one　made　biting　ments　concerning　the　〃Wrath　of　Lolth〃　before　suggesting　that　a　payment　of　submission　for　ritual　cleansing　would　buy　them　the　opportunity　to　share　one　room　together。　The　fourth　place　had　nothing　either；　bur　the　proprietor　there；　a　half…ore　blind　in　one　eye；　suggested　a　place　that　was　near　the　edge　of　the　city；　two　sections　higher。　He　claimed　that　his　cousin　ran　the　place　and　catered　to　mercenaries　who　hired　on　with　caravans…or　at　least；　they　used　to；　when　caravans　still　ran。　Valas　wondered　which　side　of　the　family　the　relation　was　on。
　　　It　took　a　bit　of　searching　before　the　group　finally　found　the　Flame　and　Serpent；　a　sprawling　hive　of　stacked　cocoon…shapes　nestled　together　where　one　lonely　strand　of　calcified　webbing　was　anchored　to　the　wall　of　the　cavern。　It　held　promise；　if　only　by　virtue　of　its　out…of…the…way　location　and　its　appearance。
　　　Quenthel　balked　upon　first　seeing　the　inn；　but　Pharaun　suggested　that　they　at　least　inquire　inside　before　dismissing　any　possibility；　and　the　high　priestess　once　again　let　the　male　convince　her。
　　　She　really　must　be　weary；　Valas　mused。　She's　letting　him　run　the　show　today。　〃Well；　one　good　night's　Reverie；　and　that'll　all　change。
　　　For　a　pleasant　surprise；　the　inside　of　the　Flame　and　Serpent　was　substantially　more　inviting　than　the　outside　had　been。　While　Pharaun　approached　the　innkeeper；　a　fat　ore　with　silver　caps　on　his　tusks　and　two　ogre　bouncers　to　back　him　up；　Valas　looked　around。　There　were　certainly　plenty　of　folk　sitting　in　the　tap　room；　and　though　Jeggred　drew　more　than　one　lingering　stare　as　he　crouched　beneath　a　ceiling　that　wasn't　quite　the　right　height　for　him；　most　of　the　patrons　ignored　them。　Valas　recognized　why。　They　really　were　mercenaries；　independents　in　the　business　for　gold　and　little　else；　and　as　long　as　no　one　interfered　with　them　or　their　livelihoods；　they　would　keep　to　themselves。　They　were　Valas's　kind　of　folk。
　　　Quenthel's　expression　was　one　of　distaste；　but　Pharaun　returned　with　a　gleam　in　his　eye　and　the　good　news　that　they　had　actually　managed　to　get　the　Flame　and　Serpent's　last　two　rooms。　When　the　wizard　mentioned　the　price；　Quenthel　rolled　her　eyes；　but　Valas　realized　they　had　probably　still　gotten　a　bargain。
　　　〃Only　two？〃　Quenthel　said　doubtfully。　〃Then　the　males　will　have　to　share　one；　while　Faeryl　and　I　take　the　other。　Jeggred；　you；　of　course；　will　remain　with　me。〃
　　　Faeryl's　face　looked　stricken　at　the　prospect　of　sharing　her　quarters　with　the　draegloth；　but　she　said　nothing。
　　　The　rooms　were　not　in　the　same　area　of　the　inn。　The　larger　of　the　two；　the　one　Quenthel　claimed　for　her　own；　was　a　round　chamber　with　a　separate　bathing　room。　It　was　near　the　front　of　the　structure；　with　several　small　windows　that　looked　out　over　the　city。　From　their　vantage；　the　females　could　see　the　magnificent　glowing　web　streets　stretching　off　into　the　distance　both　above　and　below。　The　smaller　chamber　was　at　the　rear　of　the　Flame　and　Serpent；　an　elongated　room　with　two　beds　and　a　divan　for　a　third　person。　The　lone　window　opened　to　the　wall　of　the　cavern；　where　rivulets　of　water　ran　down；　leaking　through　from　the　World　Above　and　trickling　down　to　the　bottom　of　the　V…shaped　city；　where　it　fed　beds　of　fungi。
　　　It's　not　much　of　a　view；　Valas　decided；　but　it　might　prove　useful　for　leaving　the　inn　unobserved。
　　　I　want　to　rest　for　a　while；　so　you　three；〃　Quenthel　said；　looking　at　the　males；　〃stay　out　of　trouble。　We　will　convene　at　the　end　of　the　day　and　discuss　what　to　do　next　over　our　meal。　Until　then；　leave　me　alone！〃
　　　With　that　she　stalked　off　to　her　chambers；　dragging　Faeryl　and　Jeggred　along　with　her。
　　　Valas　agreed　to　rest　on　the　couch；　and　as　the　three　of　them　unpacked　a　bit；　Pharaun　stood　and　stretched；　cracking　his　back。
　　　〃I　don't　know　about　you　two；〃　the　wizard　said　after　a　bit；　〃but　I'm　too　excited　to　flop　around　here。　I　fancy　a　drink　somewhere　and　maybe　a　chance　to　hear　more　of　the　buzz　around　town。　Are　you　two　interested　in　acpanying　me？〃
　　　Valas　looked　at　Ryld；　who　gave　the　scout　a　nod。
　　　〃Sure；〃　they　both　said　in　unison；　and　the　three　of　them　set　out　together。
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Three　drow　males　moving　through　the　streets　of　Ched　Nasad　proved　to　be　much　more　anonymous　than　five　drow　and　a　draegloth；　though　Pharaun　supposed　that　a　large　part　of　it　was　due　to　the　fact　that　he；　Ryld；　and　Valas　were　sauntering　along　back　web　streets　in　a　higher　section　of　the　city。　As　they　strolled；　listening　to　the　din　of　business　all　around　them；　the　mage　couldn't　help　but　be　thrilled　at　the　exploration　of　the　city。　Unlike　Menzoberranzan；　Ched　Nasad　was　a　cosmopolitan　collection　of　sights；　sounds；　and　smells　that　permeated　the　entire　city。　He　could　certainly　detect　subtle　differences　as　the　trio　moved　through　various　sections　of　town；　but　regardless　of　where　they　found　themselves；　the　wizard　absorbed　it　all；　noting　that　the　air　vibrated　with　a　kind　of　clamor；　the　feel　of　wheeling　and　dealing；　that　was　only　present　in　the　baser　areas　of　Menzoberranzan。
　　　It　was　certainly　more　lively　than　Tier　Breche；　where　Pharaun　spent　far　too　much　time　cloistered　in　the　towers　of　the　Academy；　hidden　away　in　Sorcere。　Back　home；　he　had　made　a　habit　of　only　getting　out　into　the　main　city　when　he　needed　supplies　or　the　occasional　drink　and　bit　of　fun。　It　had　been　that　way　for　many　years；　at　least　while　his　sister　Greyanna　longed　to　kill　him。　With　her　no　longer　posing　a　problem；　he　made　a　note　to　himself　to　partake　of　the　more　colorful　neighborhoods　of　home　more　often。
　　　As　they　strolled；　Valas　and　Ryld　seemed　to　be　looking　everywhere　at　once；　but　Pharaun　knew　that　their　attentiveness　to　the　cacophony　around　them　was　due　to　a　different　reason　than　his　own。　Certainly；　he　was　wary　of　a　pickpocket　or　thug；　but　for　the　weapons　master　and　the　scout；　it　was　what　they　had　trained　themselves　to　do　for　years　upon　years。　They　had　honed　their　skills　of　wariness　and　observation　to　keen　levels；　and　their　entire　beings　reverberated　with　it。　Pharaun　doubted　seriously　that　anyone　in　the　city　would　get　the　drop　on　him　while　his　two　panions　were　in　tow。　It　was　a　forting　thought；　if　only　because　it　allowed　him　to　truly　relax　and　enjoy　the　splendor　of　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs。
　　　The　mage　certainly　understood　why　Ched　Nasad　had　been　dubbed　such。　The　tangle　of　streets　crisscrossed　in　purples；　ambers；　greens；　and　yellows　for　hundreds　of　feet　in　every　direction；　and　it　was　a　marvelous　sight。　Everywhere　the　three　of　them　walked　vendors　hawked　mushrooms；　or　jewelry；　or　potions。　Pharaun　noticed　that　the　goods　seemed　of　an　inferior　sort；　though；　and　few　people　were　buying…everyone　had　a　hint　of　something　in　his　eyes。　Fear；　he　decided。　Everyone　looked　afraid。
　　　One　filthy　looking　drow　male　had　small　cages；　each　one　holding　a　small　four…armed　humanoid　with　multifaceted　eyes；　mandibles；　and　a　spidery　abdomen。　They　were　no　more　than　a　foot　tall。　Peering　closer；　Pharaun　could　see　that　the　creatures　had　web…spinning　capabilities。　They　shrank　back　as　he　studied　them。
　　　〃You　wish　to　buy　one；　Master？〃　the　male　asked　hopefully；　jumping　up　from　where　he　had　been　sitting　cross…legged。
　　　〃Infant　chitines；〃　Valas　said。　〃The　adults　are　hunted　for　sport；　and　whenever　a　nest　is　found　the　babies　are　brought　back　here　and　sold　as　pets。〃
　　　Interesting；〃　Pharaun　replied　and　briefly　contemplated　purchasing　one；　though　from　the　look　of　things；　the　drow　male　was　having　little　luck　drawing　any　interest　in　his　wares。　〃I'd　consider　getting　one…as　a　present　for　Quenthel；　you　know…but　these　seem　over　priced。〃
　　　The　male's　hopeful　stare　faded　to　disappointment；　and　he　sat　down　on　the　edge　of　the　street　again。
　　　Ryld　snorted；　and　Valas　shook　his　head。
　　　〃They're　not　too　expensive；〃　the　scout　said　as　they　walked　on。　〃The　market's　probably　just　flooded　with　them　right　now。〃
　　　〃Why　is　that？〃　Pharaun　asked。
　　　〃Because　chitines　and　choldriths　worship　the　goddess；　too；〃　Valas　answered　quietly。
　　　〃Choldriths？〃
　　　〃Chitine　priestesses。　Same　racial　stock；　larger　and　dark…skinned。　No　hair；　human　eyes。　I　suspect　that　they　may　be　suffering　the　same　calamity　that　has　befallen　our　own　clerics。〃
　　　Pharaun's　curiosity　was　piqued。
　　　〃Really；〃　he　said；　musing。　〃It　might　prove　useful　if　we　could　track　down　some　of　these　choldriths　and　find　out　if　they　are　suffering　the　same　fate。　It's　obvious　that　Ched　Nasad　endures　the　goddess's　silence；　too；　and　once　we　get　proof；　Quenthel　may　be　at　a　loss　for　what　to　do　next。　This　would　give　us　the　means　to　explore　further；　find　out　if　Lolth's　reticence　is　universal　or　just　limited　to　our　own　race。〃
　　　〃It's　a　nice　idea　in　theory；　mage；〃　Ryld　said；　shooing　a　goblin　vendor　away　who　was　trying　to　convince　him　to　buy　a　bowl　of　slugs；　〃but　you'd　be　hard…pressed　to　track　any　down；　and　struggle　even　more　to　elicit　information　from　them。　The　drow　hunt　them　for　sport；　so　the　chitines　and　choldriths　have　learned　to　flee　or　fight　to　the　death。〃
　　　〃Hmm；〃　Pharaun　responded；　spying　a　little　shop　selling　something　he　wanted。　〃Perhaps；　but　my　particular　talents　could　e　in　handy　in　such　an　endeavor。〃
　　　The　mages　panions　followed　him　to　a　cramped　kiosk　selling　spirits；　which　was　hanging　at　the　corner　of　two　fairly　large　web　streets。　To　reach　it；　customers　had　to　slide　down　a　steep　ramp　of　webbing　to　the　front　of　the　vending　stand；　then　ascend　a　ladder　of　webbing　to　return　to　the　street。　Pharaun　studied　the　small　crowd　of　people　gathered　around；　each　in　turn　descending　the　slide　and　purchasing　a　flask　or　mushroom　cap　of　beverage。
　　　〃You'd　think　they　could　have　put　steps　in　on　both　sides；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　sniffed　disdainfully。
　　　〃Oh；　by　the　Dark　Mother；〃　Ryld　said；　shaking　his　head。　〃I'll　get　us　something。〃
　　　With　that；　the　warrior　moved　through　the　crowd；　very　few　of　whom　were　actually　buying；　instead　begging　c