war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第13部分

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m　was　likely　to　be　in。　He　especially　wondered　how　his　sister　fared　and　if　the　strain　of　his　own　attacks；　coupled　with　the　journey；　had　taken　their　toll。　He　certainly　hoped　so。
　　　He　suspected　that　she　and　Pharaun　were　clashing　on　a　regular　basis。　The　wizard　was　too　independent；　too　full　of　himself　to　know　when　to　placate　the　high　priestess；　and　she　had　been　too　long　inside　the　Academy；　too　used　to　getting　her　own　way；　unwilling　to　listen　to　advice；　no　matter　how　reasonable。
　　　That's　my　sister；　the　archmage　thought；　frowning。
　　　It　often　seemed　to　Gromph　as　if　both　of　his　sisters　made　poor　decisions　for　no　other　purpose　than　to　spite　others。　Even　if　Quenthel　did　survive　her　journey；　Gromph　thought　she　might　very　well　be　ripe　for　the　slaughter　when　she　returned。　If　she　returned。　If　Quenthel　were　to　lead　the　expedition　into　disaster　in　Ched　Nasad；　it　would　certainly　be　to　Gromph's　advantage。　He　could　be　rid　of　both　her　and　the　Mizzrym　fop　in　one　very　charming　blow。　Yet；　the　fate　of　Menzoberranzan　might　very　well　rest　on　their　shoulders。　Was　sending　them　off　together　the　wisest　choice？
　　　Still　uncertain　what　his　next　step　would　be　regarding　his　own　investigations　of　Lolth's　domain；　but　with　a　whole　new　set　of　issues　to　deal　with；　Gromph　arose　from　behind　his　bone　desk　and　hurried　to　find　his　sister。
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　　　Triel　scowled　slightly　when　she　saw　Gromph　enter　the　audience　chamber。　It　was　not　a　time　for　public　petitioning；　and　though　her　brother　was　hardly　some　mon　supplicant；　she　had　hoped　to　avoid　any　visitations　for　a　while。　The　matron　mother　straightened　herself　in　the　overly　large　throne　as　her　brother　approached。　The　archmage　bowed　low　and　stepped　close；　further　irritating　the　matron　mother。　She　liked　everyone　to　keep　a　little　distance。
　　　Gromph　kept　his　voice　low；　leaning　in　so　as　to　nearly　whisper；　〃Triel；　I　have　news。〃
　　　Triel　doubted　the　guards　outside；　flanking　the　doors；　were　going　to　heat　a　normal　conversation；　but　her　brother　had　not　bee　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　through　carelessness。　She　inclined　her　head　to　listen。
　　　〃Do　tell；〃　she　said。
　　　〃Quenthel　and　the　others　have　reached　Ched　Nasad；〃　the　archmage　said。　〃Pharaun　Mizzrym　reports　that　the　city　is　in　an　uproar。　Apparently；　Menzoberranzan　is　not　the　only　city　afflicted　with　Lolths　disfavor。〃
　　　〃We　don't　know　that　it　is　disfavor！〃　Triel　snapped。　〃There　may　be　another　explanation。〃
　　　Gromph　inclined　his　head　slightly　in　apology。
　　　〃Afflicted　with　her　absence；〃　he　corrected　himself。　〃But　the　matron　mothers　there　have　done　a　poor　job　of　keeping　the　situation　quiet。〃
　　　〃How　bad　is　it？〃
　　　〃I　gathered　that　trouble　could　be　brewing　。　。　。　major　trouble。〃
　　　Triel　sighed。　As　much　of　a　relief　as　it　was　to　find　out　Menzoberranzan　was　not　being　singled　out　for　some　sort　of　punishment；　the　news　didn't　get　them　any　closer　to　discovering　why　the　Dark　Mother　had　chosen　to　disappear。　Triel　was　at　a　loss　as　to　the　next　step。
　　　〃Did　he　say　what　they　were　planning　to　do？〃　she　asked　her　brother。
　　　〃Quenthel　seems　intent　on　following　through　with　your　instructions　to　bring　back　goods　from　Black　Claw；〃　Gromph　replied。
　　　The　idea　of　more　magical　supplies　lifted　Triel's　spirits　slightly；　but　only　slightly。
　　　〃Then　I　suppose　they'll　be　returning　within　a　few　tendays；〃　she　said。　〃We　are　really　no　closer　to　an　answer　than　we　were　when　they　left。　It　is　only　a　matter　of　time　before　Menzoberranzan　is　in　the　same　difficulties　as　her　sister　city。〃
　　　〃Unfortunately；　you　may　be　more　correct　than　you　understand。〃
　　　〃What　other　dire　news　do　you　have　to　report？〃
　　　If　this　was　the　way　her　mornings　were　going　to　start　out；　Triel　considered　remaining　in　Reverie　until　the　midday　meal　a　preferable　alternative　to　actually　rising　and　dealing　with　the　issues　at　hand。
　　　〃I　have　received　reports　that　our　patrols　are　encountering　a　lot　more　activity　around　the　perimeter　of　the　city。〃
　　　〃What　kind　of　activity？〃
　　　〃Exactly　what　you　might　expect；〃　Gromph　said。　〃Though　nothing　has　actually　happened；　no　skirmishes　breaking　out；　our　patrols　have　spotted　what　looks　to　be　scouting　parties　surveying　our　situation。　Duergar；　deep　gnomes；　and　even　kuo…toans　have　been　spotted　in　greater…than…normal　numbers。〃
　　　〃They　know。　They　can　tell　that　things　aren't　right。〃
　　　〃Perhaps。　Or；　they　could　simply　be　passing　by　。。。　traveling　to　somewhere　else；　and　we've　simply　grown　more　sensitive　to　their　presence。〃
　　　〃I　doubt　it；〃　she　replied。　〃This　can't　last。　We're　going　to　have　to　confront　the　situation　soon。　I　will　bring　this　up　at　the　next　council　meeting。〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Gromph　said　and　made　a　move　to　withdraw。
　　　Triel　motioned　that　her　brother　was　dismissed　and　told　herself　that　it　was　time　to　get　on　with　her　day；　but　she　continued　to　brood　atop　her　throne　for　some　time　after　that。
　　　
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　　　Quenthel　was　thankful　she　had　Jeggred　along　for　the　trip　from　the　Flame　and　Serpent　to　the　storehouse　district。　The　mood　of　the　city　had　grown　worse　since　even　the　previous　day；　and　the　drow　received　more　than　a　few　menacing　looks　and　jostles　as　they　moved　through　the　streets。　Fortunately；　the　trio　didn't　have　to　travel　far　to　get　to　where　they　needed　to　go；　and　much　of　the　journey　was　made　by　way　of　levitation。　Faeryl　was　in　a　sullen　mood；　despite　the　fact　that　she　seemed　more　than　eager　to　aid　the　Menzober…ranyr。　Perhaps　she　was　still　displeased　with　Quenthel's　lack　of　trust；　or　maybe　she　simply　couldn't　abide　Jeggred's　presence。　The　high　priestess　couldn't　blame　her。　The　draegloth　took　such　delight　in　tormenting　Faeryl；　Quenthel　almost　felt　sorry　for　the　younger　drow。　Almost。
　　　Quenthel　had　sent　the　males　to　procure　transportation　for　the　return　trip　to　Menzoberranzan。　She　wasn't　about　to　haul　her　own　provisions　on　her　back　again；　whether　they　managed　to　locate　a　stockpile　of　goods　or　not；　and　if　they　did　they　would　need　sufficient　pack　lizards　and　guards　to　ensure　the　materials　arrived　safely。
　　　Valas　had　warned　the　high　priestess　that　anyone　worth　his　salt　was　going　to　mand　an　exorbitant　price；　if　he　could　be　convinced　to　work　at　all；　but　Quenthel　didn't　care　and　told　the　scout　so。
　　　Why　is　it；　Quenthel　thought　as　they　approached　Black　Claw's　storehouses　from　a　back　street；　where　there　were　fewer　folk　milling　about；　that　with　males　you　always　have　to　explain　things　to　them　in　exacting　detail？　Why　can't　they　just　do　as　they're　told　and　be　done　with　it？
　　　Pharaun　was　the　worst；　she　decided。　Quenthel　had　no　doubt　that　the　wizard　was　off　doing　his　own　little　tasks；　pletely　ignoring　her　instructions　to　him　to　help　Valas　and　Ryld。　He　had　an　infuriating　habit　of　ignoring　her　wishes；　and　she　would　have　to　do　something　about　that…when　they　got　back　to　Menzoberranzan；　of　course。　She　needed　his　talents　too　much　until　then。
　　　〃Now；　remember；〃　Quenthel　warned　Faeryl　as　they　neared　the　office　side　of　the　storehouse。　〃Tell　them　only　what　I　instructed　you。　If　I'm　not　happy　with　this　little　encounter；　Jeggred　will　make　sure　it's　not　a　problem　in　the　future。〃
　　　The　draegloth　was　strolling　along　behind　the　two　priestesses；　and　Faeryl　stole　a　quick　glance　over　her　shoulder　at　him。　Quenthel　noticed　her　faint　shudder　and　smiled　to　herself。　It　turned　out　to　be　quite　useful　that　Triel　had　set　Jeggred　upon　the　girl　back　in　Menzoberranzan。　It　had　made　her　so　。。。　pliant。
　　　〃Yes；　Mistress　Quenthel；〃　Faeryl　replied。　〃I　understand。〃
　　　The　three　of　them　were　at　the　door　to　the　storehouse；　where　a　contingent　of　six　House　Zauvirr　guards　barred　the　entrance。　Faeryl　approached　boldly；　even　as　the　males　goggled　at　the　sight　of　the　towering　draegloth　behind　her。
　　　〃We　must　inspect　the　stores；〃　Faeryl　said　in　what　Quenthel　thought　was　a　surprisingly　manding　voice。　〃Stand　aside　and　let　us　enter。〃
　　　The　male　who　appeared　to　be　the　leader　managed　to　pull　his　gaze　away　from　Jeggred　long　enough　to　look　at　her　quizzically。
　　　〃I　don't　know　you；〃　he　said。　〃What　is　your　business？〃
　　　Faeryl　stepped　closer；　standing　a　little　taller　so　that　he　was　forced　to　peer　up　at　her　scowling　face。　She　grasped　the　House　insignia　that　was　pinned　to　her　piwafwi　and　thrust　it　into　his　view。
　　　〃You　know　this；　don't　you？〃　she　snapped；　shaking　the　insignia。　〃You're　here　to　keep　out　the　riffraff；　stupid　boy；　not　bother　a　personal　envoy　of　Matron　Mothers　Zauvirr　and　Melarn。〃
　　　Quenthel　noted　with　satisfaction　that　the　lad　gulped；　visibly　shaken　as　he　moved　with　haste　to　the　side；　allowing　Faeryl　access　to　the　door。　The　ambassador　stepped　inside；　with　the　high　priestess　and　Jeggred　right　behind　her。　As　Quenthel　strolled　past；　she　smiled　sweetly　at　one　of　the　males；　who　still　gaped　at　the　draegloth；　his　eyes　wide。
　　　Inside　the　storehouse；　which　appeared　to　have　been　spun　from　webbing　and　hardened　to　stone；　Faeryl　led　the　way　through　an　office　area；　through　a　large　door；　and　into　a　cavernous　chamber　that　tad　been　subdivided　into　storage　areas　by　low　walls。　Her　footsteps　echoing　in　the　vast　storeroom；　Faeryl　walked　across　the　stone　floor；　hurrying　past　row　after　row　of　shelves　and　bins。　Quenthel　followed　her；　figuring　the　ambassador　knew　the　way　to　the　most　valuable　hoards　of　magic。
　　　Quenthel　supposed　there　was　a　secure　section　of　the　storehouse；　and　she　began　to　worry。　Any　magic　of　value　would　likely　be　warded。
　　　　　　　I　should　have　brought　that　fop　Mizzrym　along；　after　all；　she　chided　herself。　〃Mistress！〃　Yngoth　hissed；　rising　up　from　the　whip。　〃We　are　in　danger！〃
　　　Quenthel　spun　around；　looking　for　signs　of　a　threat；　but　she　could　see　nothing。
　　　〃What　danger？〃　she　demanded。　〃Where？〃
　　　〃A　force　is　here　。　。　。　drow；〃　Zinda　answered；　and　all　five　of　the　snakes　were　agitating　against　her　hip。
　　　〃Drow　and　others；〃　Zinda　added。
　　　Someone's　hiding；　the　high　priestess　realized。　What　have　you　done；　insolent　child？
　　　A　heartbeat　later；　a　small　host　of　drow　appeared　from　behind　a　low　wall；　soldiers　with　swords　and　hand　crossbows　at　the　ready；　and　a　handful　of　House　wizards；　too。　They　were　all　from　House　Zauvirr。　Quenthel　recognized　two　of　the　dark　elves　as　matron　mothers。　It　was　obvious　simply　by　their　demeanor　and　bearing。　One　bore　the　insignia　of　House　Zauvirr；　and　she　was　smiling　coldly。　The　other；　a　rather　plump　drow；　was　most　definitely　not　smiling　and　in　fact　looked　quite　distressed。
　　　〃By　the　Dark　Mother；〃　one　of　the　males　standing　near　Faeryl　breathed；　raising　his　crossbow　and　sighting　down　it　at　the　fiend。
　　　〃He's　dangerous；〃　Faeryl　called　out；　but　several　of　the　House　wizards　were　already　in　action；　casting　spells　even　as　the　draegloth　sprang　forward；　his　teeth　bared　and　his　claws　out；　ready　to　shred　anyone　and　everyone　to　ribbons。　Faeryl　took　an　involuntary　step　back；　shuddering。　Jeggred　remained　still；　crouching　as　though　he　would　spring　again；　snarling　in　fury；　but　unmoving　otherwise。
　　　〃That　will　hold　him；〃　one　of　the　wizards　claimed。
　　　Quenthel　gasped　in　surprise；　looking　back　and　forth　between　Jeggred　and　Faeryl。
　　　〃Yes；　Quenthel；〃　Faeryl　called　out。　〃He　has　been　rendered　helpless。　He　cannot　extract　you　from　this。〃
　　　Quenthel　returned　her　glare　to　Faeryl　as　the　soldiers　fanned　out；　moving　to　surround　her　but　staying　well　back。　Many　of　the　males　aimed　crossbows　at　her；　and　the　wizards　and　priestesses　all　seemed　ready　to　invoke　various　spells；　should　the　Mistress　of　the　Academy　decide　to　bolt　or　attack。　The　snakes　of　Quenthel's　whip　writhed　in　agitation；　snapping　at　anyone　who　stepped　too　close。
　　　〃You　insolent　little　whelp　of　a　drow；〃　Quenthel　snarled；　shaking　in　fury　as　she　looked　at　Faeryl；　who　only　smiled　sweetly　in　return。　〃All　that　time　being　so　agreeable；　and　it　was　a　lie。　I　knew　you　were　being　too　acmodating。　I　should　have　let　Jeggred　have　his　way　with　you　back　in　the　wilds。　I　will　see　you　flayed　for　this。〃
　　　〃That　might　prove　difficult；　Mistress　Quenthel；〃　Faeryl　said；　putting　as　much　sarcasm　as　possible　into　her　tone　when　she　came　to　the　honorific。　〃If　you　give　this　situation　just　a　moment's　thought；　you　will　see；　I'm　sure；　that　you　are　overmatched。　It　really　would　be　better　if　you　surrendered　this　foolish　standoff。〃
　　　Quenthel　blinked；　weighing　the　ambassador's　words。　Finally；　reluctantly；　she　realized　that　she　was　overmatched　and　nodded。
　　　〃Excellent；　Mistress；〃　Faeryl　said。　〃Now；　I　think　it　would　be　a　wise　idea　for　you　to　lay　down　your　arms　and　all　of　those　wonderful　trinkets　I　know　you　carry　about　yourself。〃
　　　Quenthel's　glare　deepened；　but　she　carefully　set　the　whip　down　at　her　feet。
　　　〃e　on；　Quenthel；〃　Faeryl　admonished。　〃I've　been　traveling　with　you　for　several　tendays　now。　I　know　about　the　ring　and　the　rod　and　all　the　other　things。　Don't　make　this　more　difficult。〃
　　　Sighing；　Quenthel　began　to　remove　the　various　items；　and　when　Faeryl　seemed　satisfied　that　the　high　priestess　could　no　longer　be　a　significant　threat；　she　ordered　her　to　step　away　from　the　pile　of　goods。
　　　As　others　swooped　in　and　gathered　up　Quenthel's　possessions；　Faeryl　stepped　closer　to　Quenthel；　smiling　again。
　　　〃I　am　sorry　it　had　to　be　this　way；　Quenthel；〃　she　said；　〃but　I'm　sure　you　understand。〃
　　　Quenthel；　who　had　regained　some　of　her　posure；　smiled　right　back。
　　　〃Oh；　I　quite　understand；　Ambassador。　My　sister　will　be　highly　disappointed　when　she　learns　what　you　have　done；　but　I　wouldn't　worry　too　much　about　that。　It's　a　shame　though　。。。　if　there's　one　thing　Triel　will　miss　more　than　her　sister；　it　would　have　to　be　her　beloved　son。〃
　　　Faeryl　didn't　let　her　smile　falter；　but　Quenthel　thought　the　ambassador　might　have　swallowed　just　a　little　nervously　at　the　thought　of　the　Matron　Mother　of　House　Baenre　hearing　the　news　that　her　draegloth　had　been　destroyed。
　　　Faeryl　shrugged　and　said；　〃That's　a　worry　for　another　time；　Mistress。　Now；　if　you　will　be　so　kind　as　to　walk　with　me；　I'll　introduce　Matron　Mother　Drisinil　Melarn　and　my　own　mother；　Mistress　Ssipriina　Zauvirr。　They　are　most　interested　in　hearing　more　about　how　you　planned　to　steal　our　provisions　and　take　them　back　to　Men…zoberranzan　with　you。〃
　　　〃Those　goods　belong　in　Menzoberranzan。　They　are　ours　by　right；〃　Quenthel　said；　angry　all　over　again。
　　　In　the　back　of　her　mind；　a　part　of　her　told　herself　that　she　really　did　need　to　learn　to　control　her　anger　better；　but　she　didn't　want　to　listen。
　　　Faeryl　laughed　cynically。　〃You　didn't　actually　think　I　was　going　to　let　you　steal　from　my　House；　did　you？〃　she　said。　〃From　my　city？　You　are　mad！〃　Taking　a　calming　breath；　the　ambassador　continued；　ice　dripping　from　her　voice；　〃Look　around　you；　Mistress　Baenre。　This　is　what's　left　of　your　precious　stores　of　goods。〃
　　　For　the　first　time；　Quenthel　realized　that　the　rows　and　rows　of　shelves　and　bins　were　mostly　empty。　There　was　nothing　in　there　to　take。　She　had　been　thoroughly　tricked；　from　the　beginning　of　the　journey；　perhaps；　played　for　the　fool　that　she　was。　The　betrayal　was　not　unexpected；　and　Quenthel　knew　that　had　the　roles　been　reversed；　House　Baenre　would　have　carried　the　situation　to　the　same　conclusion。　What　galled　her　was　that　whatever　foolish　Baenre　whelp　had　been　responsible　for　the　logistics　of　the　deal　had　never　bothered　to　put　enough　troops　loyal　to　the　House　in　place　to　ensure　that　nothing　like　this　ever　hap