war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第11部分

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　　　〃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　coin　or　a　sip　from　the　paying　customers。　Ryld　ignored　them　and　descended　upon　the　vendor；　while　Pharaun　and　Valas　stood　out　of　the　way　of　traffic　and　took　the　opportunity　to　absorb　the　sights　again。
　　　When　Ryld　returned；　he　had　a　bit　of　a　strange　look　on　his　face。
　　　〃What　is　it？〃　Valas　asked。
　　　〃That　gray　dwarf　charged　me　ten　times　what　this　swill　is　worth　and　seemed　to　take　a　certain　delight　in　it。〃
　　　〃Well；　a　bit　of　gouging　is　to　be　expected；　when　caravan　traffic　has　dried　up；〃　Pharaun　said。
　　　〃Yes；　but　when　a　goblin　asked　for　the　same　thing　right　after　me；　I　heard　the　proprietor　sell　it　to　him　for　half　what　he　charged　me。〃
　　　〃Maybe　the　little　thrall　is　a　regular；〃　Valas　offered。
　　　〃Possibly；〃　Pharaun　said；　opening　the　flask　that　Ryld　had　procured　and　inhaling　a　waft。　He　jerked　his　head　back　and　scrunched　up　his　face　a　bit。　〃I　suspect　it　has　more　to　do　with　relishing　the　opportunity　to　earn　a　little　payback　against　the　drow。〃　He　took　a　sip　of　the　brandy　and　passed　the　flask　to　Valas。　〃After　all；　who　regulates　the　merce　in　the　city？　Who　gets　first　choice　of　all　the　best　vending　locations？　Who　runs　the　caravan　system？　Who　acquires　the　best　trade　goods？〃
　　　〃In　other　words；　who　sticks　it　to　the　other　races　with　regularity？〃　Ryld　finished。
　　　〃Exactly。　The　gray　dwarves；　the　trogs；　the　kuo…toans；　and　everyone　else　in　this　city　know　that　the　ruling　class　has　fallen　on　hard　times；　and　despite　the　fact　that　they've　been　allowed　to　trade　in　a　city　of　dark　elves；　they　won't　waste　a　chance　to　earn　a　spot　of　revenge。　And　Ryld；〃　Pharaun　added；　gesturing　to　the　flask　that　Valas　Was　handing　to　the　warrior；　〃you　would　have　been　had　at　one…tenth　the　price。〃
　　　Ryld　shrugged；　took　a　sip；　and　said；　〃You're　drinking　it；　aren't　you？〃
　　　The　three　panions　continued　on；　sharing　the　flask　and　discussing　the　prospects　of　acquiring　some　sort　of　tangible　confirma…fcon　that　Lolth　was　absent　from　Ched　Nasad。　Pharaun　continued　to　be　deeply　intrigued　by　the　idea　of　investigating　other　races　known　to　worship　the　goddess；　and　even　as　he　contributed　to　the　conversation；　he　mulled　the　concept　over。　It　would　require　some　research。　Given　rime　and　Quenthel's　willingness；　he　had　a　good　idea　where　he　might　go　to　perform　the　study。
　　　The　mage's　musings　were　interrupted　when　the　trio　ascended　a　webbed　staircase；　turned　a　corner；　and　found　themselves　on　a　colonnade　overlooking　an　open　plaza。　From　the　congestion　in　the　mall；　Pharaun　thought　it　obvious　that　refugees　had　taken　to　using　the　place　as　a　sort　of　campground。　Still；　there　was　enough　room　to　move　along　the　raised　walkway　around　the　perimeter　without　brushing　shoulder　to　shoulder　with　the　riffraff；　and　the　three　dark　elves　glided　along；　ignoring　the　pleas　and　demands　for　coin　from　the　unwashed　around　them。
　　　A　shout　from　below　drew　the　drow's　attention；　and　when　Pharaun　peered　toward　the　center　of　the　plaza；　he　spotted　the　source　of　the　disturbance。　A　priestess　was　standing　in　a　fairly　open　area；　three　or　four　hobgoblins　gathered　around　her。　She　seemed　to　be　mumbling　something；　but　from　a　distance　Pharaun　couldn't　make　out　what　it　was。　The　female　drow　raised　her　arm　back　and　tried　to　lash　out　at　one　of　the　hobgoblins　with　a　scourge；　but　the　creature　easily　stepped　aside；　and　the　priestess　stumbled　forward　from　the　exertion。　She　was　quite　drunk；　Pharaun　realized。
　　　〃Filthy　animals；〃　the　priestess　barked；　staggering　back　upright。　〃Stay　away　from　me！〃
　　　Pharaun　noticed　her　unkempt　state。　Her　piwafwi　was　soiled　and　sloughed　half　off　her　shoulders；　her　lustrous　white　hair　was　disheveled；　and　she　held　a　bottle　of　something　the　wizard　presumed　to　be　liquor　in　her　other　hand。
　　　The　hobgoblins　merely　laughed　at　the　drow　before　them；　casually　circling；　which　caused　the　priestess　to　turn；　trying　to　keep　an　eye　on　them　all。　The　effort　made　her　stumble　again；　and　she　nearly　went　down　in　a　heap。
　　　〃I　don't　think　I've　ever　seen　such　a　thing；〃　Valas　breathed。　〃The　gall　those　subcreatures　have　is　truly　bewildering。〃
　　　〃Lets　put　a　stop　to　this；〃　Ryld　said；　taking　a　step　forward。
　　　Suddenly；　Pharaun　was　aware　of　magic　around　him；　an　effect　that　seemed　to　be　centered　on　him　and　his　two　panions。　He　reached　out　and　put　a　hand　on　the　warrior's　arm。
　　　〃Wait；〃　he　said。　〃Lets　see　what　happens。〃
　　　When　Ryld　looked　at　the　wizard　quizzically；　he　continued；　〃Drawing　attention　to　ourselves　is　not　the　best　way　to　investigate。　Besides；〃　the　mage　added；　〃We　might　see　once　and　for　all　if　our　theory　is　correct。　This　might　be　the　proof　we　need。〃
　　　The　wizard　flashed　in　sign　language；　I　think　someone　is　watching　us；　observing　us　magically。
　　　Both　Ryld　and　Valas　raised　eyebrows　in　concern；　but　before　they　could　turn　and　look　around；　Pharaun　cautioned；　Don't　draw　attention　to　the　fact　that　we　know。　Just　pretend　we're　watching　the　spectacle。
　　　Pharaun　briefly　considered　dispelling　the　magic；　but　he　discounted　the　idea　because　he　knew　It　would　only　give　their　spy　notification　that　they　were　aware　of　his　or　her　presence。　Instead；　he　pretended　to　turn　his　attention　back　to　the　brewing　fight　below　while　in　actuality　scanning　the　plaza　for　signs　of　someone　looking　at　him　rather　than　at　the　hobgoblins。　There　were　a　great　many　magical　auras　radiating　from　many　different　individuals；　but　no　one；　as　far　as　the　wizard　could　observe；　seemed　to　be　staring　in　his　direction。
　　　The　hobgoblins　seemed　content　for　the　moment　to　keep　their　distance；　though　they　were　increasingly　pressed　from　behind　by　a　gathering　crowd。　For　her　part；　the　priestess　seemed　to　have　lost　interest　in　her　detractors　and　was　standing　relatively　still；　her　eyes　closed；　swaying　slightly。　She　was　mumbling　something；　but　Pharaun　again　could　not　make　it　out。
　　　Well；　spy　or　no　spy；　he　thought；　I　want　to　know　what　she's　saying。
　　　He　reached　into　one　of　his　many　pockets　and　produced　a　tiny　brass　horn；　with　which　he　cast　a　spell。　When　the　magic　was　plete；　the　wizard　could　hear　the　priestess's　mutterings　as　though　he　were　standing　right　in　front　of　her。
　　　“…beseech　thee；　our　Mistress　Lolth；　return　to　me。　Give　me　your　blessings。　Do　not　abandon　me　when　I　am　your　loyal　an…aieee！〃
　　　One　of　the　hobgoblins　had　chosen　that　moment　to　prod　the　drow　with　a　sharpened　stick；　and　she　shrieked　as　she　jumped；　losing　her　grip　on　the　bottle　of　spirits。　It　fell　to　the　calcified　pavement　and　shattered；　spilling　only　the　trickle　that　remained。
　　　〃Damn　you；　thrall！〃　she　screamed　at　the　hobgoblin　that　had　molested　her；　attempting　to　stalk　forward；　her　hand　outstretched　as　though　she　were　going　to　throttle　him。
　　　A　second　hobgoblin　casually　reached　out　with　his　own　short　spear　and　tripped　the　priestess；　who　went　sprawling。
　　　She　rose　to　her　hands　and　knees　and　began　shouting；　〃My　goddess；　e　to　me；　aid　me！　Do　not　abandon　me；　your　loyal　servant；　who　will　obey…〃
　　　〃Your　goddess　is　dead；〃　the　first　hobgoblin　snarled；　kicking　the　drow。
　　　She　grunted　from　the　impact　and　toppled　to　the　side；　clutching　for　her　scourge。
　　　〃No！〃　she　shrieked。　〃Lolth　would　not　abandon　us！　She　is　mighty；　and　her　faithful　are　mighty！〃
　　　The　four　hobgoblins　advanced　together；　and　the　drow　priestess　tried　to　kick　at　them；　but　the　creature　in　the　lead　easily　sidestepped　the　attack　and　jabbed　down　at　her　with　his　spear。　Pharaun　saw　the　point　draw　blood　from　the　dark　elf　priestess's　thigh。
　　　Ryld　snarled　and　flashed；　This　is　not　right。　We　should　do　something。
　　　Valas　nodded　in　agreement　and　produced　his　two　kukris；　one　curved　dagger　in　each　hand。
　　　The　mage　laid　a　hand　on　each　drow's　shoulder　to　slow　them。
　　　You　only　put　our　mission　in　danger；　he　signed。　As　you　can　see；　no　other　drow　move　to　help　her。
　　　He　gestured　down　into　the　crowd；　where　several　other　dark　elves　were　in　attendance；　observing　dispassionately。
　　　She　has　lost　her　faith　and　deserves　no　less；　Pharaun　admonished　his　panions。
　　　It　is　not　the　priestess　I　am　worried　about；　Ryld　replied；　a　sullen　look　on　his　face；　but　to　allow　those　vermin　to　believe　they　can　so　blatantly　confront　a　superior　being　spells　trouble　for　us　all。　They　should　be　put　in　their　place。
　　　Perhaps；　Pharaun　responded；　but　we　need　anonymity　if　we　are　to　finish　our　task。　Confronting　those　beasts　does　nothing　to　further　our　own　goals。
　　　The　wizard　is　right；　Valas　motioned；　sagging　back　from　the　edge　of　the　colonnade。　If　the　matron　mothers　hear　that　three　outsiders　inter…fered　in　what　may　very　well　be　one　of　their　own　plots；　we　will　no　longer　be　able　to　walk　this　city　unhindered　and　unobserved。
　　　If　they're　not　already　watching　us；　Ryld　flashed。　Are　we　still　being　off　served？　When　Pharaun　nodded　yes；　the　warrior　continued；　We've　got　the　proof　we　sought；　anyway。　Let's　return　to　the　inn。　I　no　longer　have　the　stomach　for　this　city。
　　　Pharaun　nodded；　though　he　did　not　share　his　friend's　sentiment。　Together；　they　turned　and　strolled　back　the　way　they　had　e；　ignoring　the　screams　of　the　priestess　as　the　hobgoblins　opened　her　a　hundred　times　with　quick；　controlled　thrusts　of　their　short　spears。　After　a　few　steps；　the　magical　scrying　vanished；　and　Pharaun　cast　his　gaze　around　once　more；　hoping　to　find　the　source。　He　did　not；　and　the　three　of　them　departed　the　plaza。
　　　Behind　them；　the　crowd　that　had　gathered　around　the　confrontation　stirred　and　grew　rowdy。　Several　other　drow　in　the　throng　found　themselves　pushed　and　prodded　as　they　tried　to　extricate　themselves　from　the　roiling　multitudes。　The　other　races　were　growing　bold　after　witnessing　the　murder　of　a　dark　elf。　Shouts　rose　up；　curses　to　drow　and　their　missing　goddess。　Finally；　the　handful　of　dark　elves　scrambled　free；　cither　rising　up　above　the　aggressors　around　them；　or　pushing　through　to　more　open　streets。　The　mood　was　turning　ugly　in　Ched　Nasad。
　　　SIX
　　　Aliisza；　disguised　as　a　lovely　drow　female；　perched　on　the　roof　of　a　quaint　shop　that　stood　along　the　side　of　a　street　leading　to　the　plaza；　and　she　watched　the　ings　and　goings　of　the　citizens；　slaves；　and　visitors　of　Ched　Nasad。　The　store　offered　fashionable；　decorative　silk　wraps　and　other　clothing；　but　the　fiend　crouching　on　Its　rounded；　co…coonlike　roof　was　not　interested　in　making　a　purchase。　Instead；　she　watched　intently　as　Pharaun　and　the　other　two　drow　males　turned　away　from　the　slaughter　of　one　of　their　own　race　and　strolled　calmly　in　the　other　direction。　She　observed　them　as　they　disappeared　down　one　of　the　calcified　webs　that　served　as　a　street　in　the　unusual　city。　When　they　were　almost　out　of　sight；　she　hopped　down　from　her　van…Sage　point　and　strode　off　after　them。
　　　Aliisza　was　not　terribly　surprised　that　the　three　dark　elves　she　was　shadowing　had　not　aided　the　drunken　priestess。　She　had　seen　far　too　much　nonchalance　in　the　city　since　she　had　arrived　for　it　to　strike　her　as　odd。　Still；　she　got　the　distinct　impression　that　the　entire　group　from　Menzoberranzan　was　making　a　great　effort　to　avoid　drawing　attention　to　itself。　She　intended　to　find　out　why；　but　first　things　first。
　　　The　alu　could　not　help　but　smile　as　she　made　her　way　along　the　streets；　following　the　wizard　and　his　panions　while　pretending　to　shop　for　trinkets　in　the　bazaars　and　markets。　She　studied　the　myriad　lines　of　calcified　webs　that　stretched　across　from　one　side　of　the　massive　cavern　to　the　other；　glowing　faintly　with　magical；　flickering　light　as　far　as　the　eye　could　see。　She　half　expected　to　see　some　great；　lumbering　spider　making　its　way　across　the　vast　webbing。
　　　They　sure　do　love　their　spider　motifs；　she　thought　wryly。　Everything　they　do　revolves　around　the　great　Lolth；　Queen　of　the　Spiders。　You'd　think　they　would　learn　to　diversify　a　little　bit；　try　to　bee　a　little　more　well…rounded。
　　　She　grinned　at　her　own　little　joke。　Drow　were　such　odd　creatures；　she　decided。　On　the　one　hand　so　deceitful　and　chaotic；　always　turning　on　one　another；　but　on　the　other　hand　trying　to　live　their　lives　by　some　code　or　structure；　based　on　the　tenets　of　faith　set　down　by　a　demon　who　was　as　unpredictable　as　could　possibly　be。
　　　At　least　they　universally　agree　on　one　thing；　the　alu　concluded；　they　all　think　they're　superior　to　every　other　species　in　the　Underdark；　and　on　the　surface；　too。
　　　Aliisza　watched　as　a　gaggle　of　kobold　slaves；　pushed　along　by　their　hobgoblin　slavemasters；　scurried　from　one　web　street　down　a　sloped　ramp　to　the　next　web　street　below。　All　in　all；　she　had　seen　more　species　of　creature　in　Ched　Nasad　than　she　could　imagine　being　gathered　anywhere　else。　The　〃lesser　races〃　outnumbered　the　drow　by　two　to　one；　she　figured；　and　included　surface　dwarves；　ores；　quaggoths；　bugbears；　and　others；　almost　all　of　them　slaves。　The　one　possible　exception　to　this　was　the　gray　dwarves；　who　traded　honestly　enough　with　the　drow　that　they　were　tolerated　in　the　city　as　merchants。　In　addition；　Aliisza　had　seen　an　aboleth　with　its　host　of　caretakers；　illithids；　grell；　and　what　she　suspected　must　be　a　deep　dragon；　for　though　it　too　was　disguised　as　a　dark　elf；　she　detected　the　unmistakable　scent　as　it　strolled　by。
　　　The　one　notable　exception　to　the　eclectic　collection　of　visitors　were　the　beholders；　for　which　Aliisza　was　not　in　the　least　sorry。
　　　There's　a　race　that's　even　more　fond　of　itself　than　the　dark　elves；　if　that's　even　possible；　the　alu　thought。
　　　Eye　tyrants　were　nothing　but　trouble　as　far　as　Aliisza　was　concerned；　but　fortunately　they　were　in　a　perpetual　state　of　war　with　the　drow；　so　none　were　ever　seen　in　the　vicinity。　If　she　had　caught　even　a　glimpse　of　one　inside　the　great　V…shaped　cavern；　she　would　have　turned　and　headed　the　opposite　direction　as　quickly　as　was　fiendishly　possible。
　　　The　alu　blinked；　realizing　that　with　all　her　daydreaming；　she　was　letting　her　quarry　slip　away。　Glancing　around；　she　spotted　the　trio　of　drow　heading　along　a　segment　of　web　street　toward　a　wall；　into　an　out…of…the…way　part　of　the　city。　She　realized　that　they　were　in　the　mercantile　district；　and　she　recognized　quickly　enough　that　Pharaun　and　the　others　were　headed　for　an　inn　set　along　the　end　of　the　dead…end　thoroughfare。
　　　Good；　she　thought。　Now　I　can　keep　an　eye　on　them　and　still　enjoy　the　sights　and　sounds　for　a　few　days。　Maybe　I　can　even　get　the　wizard　alone　for　a　little　while。　。　。　。
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Faeryl　Zauvirr　brooded　on　the　plush　bed　while　Quenthel　stalked　back　and　forth　in　the　room　they　shared　at　the　Flame　and　Serpent。　The　high　priestess　didn't　like　to　be　kept　waiting　during　the　best　of　times；　and　she　certainly　didn't　like　being　kept　waiting　in　the　middle　of　a　strange　city；　tendays　away　from　her　homeland；　and　by　three　males；　no　less。
　　　That　damnable　Mizzrym　and　his　infuriating　smile；　Quenthel　thought。　I　should　have　Jeggred　rend　him　the　moment　he　returns。
　　　But　she　knew　she　couldn't　eliminate　the　wizard　or　even　allow　him　to　be　injured。　As　much　as　she　loathed　the　situation；　Quenthel　knew　she　was　dependent　on　Pharaun　as　a　resource。
　　　But　when　we　return　to　Menzoberranzan　。　。　。
　　　The　unfinished　thought　hovered　in　her　mind；　not　so　much　because　she　didn't　know　what　was　to　be　done　with　the　irr