war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第14部分

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　bothered　to　put　enough　troops　loyal　to　the　House　in　place　to　ensure　that　nothing　like　this　ever　happened。　Quenthel　suspected　that　whatever　loyal　forces　had　been　here　had　been　summarily　rounded　up　and　executed　when　the　crisis　grew。　The　fact　that　no　one　was　there　now　was　a　testament　to　that。
　　　〃What　have　you　done　with　it？〃　Quenthel　demanded；　half　interested　in　the　answer　and　half　stalling　for　time　so　she　could　assess　the　situation　better。
　　　Though　there　were　a　number　of　drow　troops　there；　there　was　still　a　chance　she　could　escape…though　it　would　require　leaving　Jeggred　behind。
　　　Faeryl　laughed；　〃Oh；　don't　worry。　Black　Claw　made　a　tidy　profit　recently。　The　stock　has　been　put　to　a　far　better　use　than　what　you　intended；　Mistress。〃
　　　The　mockery　in　the　girl's　tone　was　unmistakable。
　　　〃That's　enough；　Faeryl；〃　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　said；　taking　a　couple　of　steps　forward。　〃There's　no　need　to　ruin　the　surprise　we　have　in　store　for　our　guests。〃
　　　As　Faeryl　lowered　her　head　slightly　in　deference　to　her　mother；　she　made　her　face　stony　smooth；　but　Quenthel　knew　that　behind　that　facade；　the　Zauvirr　daughter　was　delighted　to　have　thwarted　her。
　　　Matron　Mother　Melarn　also　stepped　forward…or　rather；　two　heavily　armed　drow　stepped　forward；　escorting　her　between　them。　She　still　frowned　deeply；　but　she　said　nothing。
　　　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　strolled　halfway　toward　Quenthel　and　stopped。
　　　〃When　my　son　managed　to　get　into　private　contact　with　Faeryl　and　she　was　able　to　tell　us　what　you　were　planning；　we　of　course　wasted　no　time　in　preparing　for　your　arrival。　I　have　to　say；　I　am　more　than　a　little　surprised　that　you　actually　expected　to　slip　a　storehouse　full　of　goods　out　of　the　city；　out　from　under　our　noses；　without　us　noticing；　but　that's　really　of　no　consequence。　As　my　daughter　indicated；　House　Zauvirr　has　put　the　profits　to　a　far　better　use。〃
　　　Quenthel　blinked　in　confusion。
　　　〃House　Zauvirr？〃　she　asked。　〃You　are　merely　the　caretakers。　This　pany　belongs　to　Houses　Melarn　and　Baenre。〃　The　high　priestess　turned　to　the　other　matron　mother　and　said；　〃Are　you　permitting　this？　Are　you　content　to　let　these　deceitful；　low…class　merchants　make　the　decisions　for　your　investments？　You　are　far　more　trusting　than　I。〃
　　　Drisinil　Melarn　didn't　say　a　word；　though　she　grimaced　slightly　when　Quenthel　spoke　to　her；　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　laughed；　a　quick；　bitter　sound。
　　　〃Oh；　she　is　far　from　content；　Quenthel　Baenre；　but　she　has　little　choice　in　the　matter。〃
　　　Quenthel　realized　just　why　Matron　Mother　Melarn　seemed　so　unhappy。　The　two　drow　flanking　her　were　not　escorts　but　guards。
　　　〃You　would　dare？〃　Quenthel　asked。　〃You　have　laid　hands　on　the　matron　mother　of　a　high　House　of　your　own　city　and　hope　to　get　away　with　it？　How　can　you　expect　to　survive；　when　。　。　。　when…〃
　　　The　high　priestess　clamped　her　mouth　shut；　unwilling　to　finish　the　thought。
　　　When　Lolth　will　not　grant　you　spells。
　　　〃Oh；　not　to　worry；〃　Ssipriina　said；　smiling　even　more　deeply　than　before。　〃With　the　funds　I've　made　selling　off　your　valuables；　I　have　ensured　that　House　Zauvirr　will　never　again　kneel　before　the　likes　of　you　two。〃
　　　Her　eyes　glittered　red　as　she　finished；　and　Quenthel　saw　pure　hatred　burning　in　them。
　　　〃Captain　Xornbane；　if　you　please？〃　Ssipriina　called。　All　around　the　drow　gathering；　appearing　from　nowhere；　a　horde　of　gray　dwarves　stood　in　a　large　circle；　brandishing　wicked…looking　axes　and　heavy　crossbows。　Clearly；　they　had　been　standing　there　for　a　few　moments　but　had　simply　been　invisible。　The　duergar　looked　confident；　ready　for　anything。
　　　Quenthel　felt　the　pit　of　her　stomach　leap　into　her　throat；　but　before　she　could　take　any　action　she　felt　an　invisible　force　seize　her　and　hold　her　motionless。　She　couldn't　move　a　muscle　and　saw　that　Drisinil　Melarn　was　in　a　similar　condition。
　　　〃Shall　we　kill　them　now？〃　one　of　the　duergar　asked；　stepping　forward。
　　　SEVEN
　　　Its　fortunate　that　Valas　has　been　here　before　and　knows　the　lay　of　the　land；　Ryld　thought　as　he　pushed　his　way　through　the　throngs　behind　his　panion。
　　　The　streets　were　more　crowded　than　the　previous　day；　if　that　was　possible；　and　the　warrior　was　sure　that　they　would　have　made　even　slower　progress　if　they'd　been　negotiating　the　web　streets　without　a　clue　as　to　where　to　go　for　the　right　kind　of　information　or　the　right　kind　of　folk。
　　　Ryld　and　Valas　had　set　off　shortly　after　the　morning　meal；　the　scout　leading　the　larger　drow　into　the　lower　quarters　of　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs。　At　Quenthel's　instructions；　they　were　trying　to　find　someone；　anyone；　who　had　supplies；　equipment；　and　bodies　available　to　serve　them　on　the　return　trip　to　Menzoberranzan。　Ryld　still　doubted　the　likelihood　of　the　priestess　acquiring　anything　worthwhile　in　the　Black　Claw　storehouses；　but　he　wasn't　one　to　quibble　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith。　He　had　seen　the　folly　of　that　with　Pharaun。　Or　rather；　he　had　seen　the　difficulties。　Pharaun　seemed　to　be　getting　away　with　his　insidious　little　remarks　more　and　more　frequently；　and　the　warrior　realized；　too；　that　the　mage　had　begun　following　his　own　agenda　more　consistently。
　　　Ryld　pushed　past　a　cluster　of　illithids…illithids！　Five　of　them　standing　on　a　street　corner；　and　no　one　paying　them　any　mind…and　he　followed　the　scout　into　a　particularly　squalid…looking　taproom。
　　　Ryld　couldn't　get　Pharaun　off　his　mind。　The　mage　seemed　to　be　able　to　talk　anyone　around　to　his　way　of　thinking；　and　when　that　didn't　work；　he'd　figure　out　a　way　to　do　what　he　wanted　anyway　and　explain　it　all　away　later。
　　　The　warrior　wondered　how　often　his　old　friend　had　done　the　very　same　thing　to　him　m　order　to　get　what　he　wanted。
　　　Valas　shouldered　his　way　through　the　crowded　bar；　heading　for　the　back　of　the　place。　It　always　seemed　to　be　at　the　rear　tables　where　information　was　brokered；　and　in　this　tavern　it　was　no　exception。　Ryld　took　up　a　position　to　watch　his　panion's　back　while　Valas　sat　down　across　from　a　surly　looking　drow　whose　piwafwi　was　tattered　and　stained。　The　drow　was　definitely　no　noble；　though　Ryld　would　never　hold　that　against　him。　Growing　up　on　the　streets　of　Menzober…ranzan；　the　weapons　master　knew　as　well　as　anyone　what　it　was　like　to　be　born　a　moner。
　　　A　sava　board　rested　on　the　table；　and　a　game　was　in　progress。　Ryld　could　see　that　whoever　had　been　across　from　this　drow　had　played　himself　into　a　bad　position　and　left　before　the　inevitable　conclusion。　He　found　himself　wanting　to　sit　down　and　push　a　piece　or　two　about；　trying　to　stave　off　the　endgame；　but　he　forced　himself　to　turn　away；　watching　the　crowded　room　for　signs　of　trouble。
　　　〃We're　looking　for　pack　lizards；〃　Valas　began；　setting　a　few　gold　coins　on　the　table　as　he　reached　out　and　made　a　play　on　the　sava　board；　〃some　supplies；　and　a　few　sellswords　who　can　guard　all　of　the　above。'
　　　The　drow　snaked　a　hand　out　from　under　his　shredded　piwafwi　and　scooped　up　the　gold　before　Valas　had　even　pleted　his　move；　one　that　was　not　really　of　much　help　to　his　position；　Ryld　noted。
　　　Better　to　let　the　fellow　continue　winning；　the　weapons　master　surmised。
　　　〃You　and　just　about　everyone　else　in　the　city；〃　the　drow　chuckled；　flashing　a　crooked　smile　that　revealed　several　missing　teeth。　〃Those　kinds　of　things　require　more　gold　than　the　two　of　you　are　bound　to　have；〃　he　added；　giving　Valas　and　Ryld　an　appraising　look。
　　　〃Don't　worry　about　the　coin；〃　the　scout　replied　while　Ryld　returned　his　attention　to　the　room。　〃Just　point　us　in　the　right　direction。〃
　　　〃Weil；　then；〃　the　informant　said；　〃I　know　a　gray　dwarf　who　might　still　have　a　few　lizards　available…for　the　right　price；　mind　you…that　would　serve　you　well　enough。　How　about　buying　a　round　of　drinks　while　I　get　someone　who　can　take　you　to　him？〃
　　　Ryld　pursed　his　lips　in　consternation。　He　had　hoped　this　would　be　a　quick　affair；　but　of　course　it　was　not　to　be。
　　　The　drow　slid　out　from　the　table；　clapped　Ryld　on　the　shoulder；　and　said；　〃My；　you're　a　healthy　one；　aren't　you？〃　before　pushing　through　the　crowd。
　　　Ryld　stole　a　glance　down　at　Valas；　who　seemed　to　be　studying　the　sava　board。　The　scout　made　no　move　to　lure　a　serving　boy　over。
　　　〃Are　you　going　to　order　those　drinks；　or　should　I　do　it？〃　the　weapons　master　asked　his　panion。
　　　〃Don't　worry　about　it；〃　Valas　answered；　looking　up。　〃When　the　wretch　returns；　I'll　tell　him　I　couldn't　get　anyone's　attention　in　so　crowded　a　place。〃
　　　Ryld　nodded　and　turned　back　to　wait。
　　　It　didn't　take　long　for　the　filthy　drow　to　return；　and　he　had　not　one；　but　four　big　half…ogres　in　tow。　Ryld's　eyes　narrowed　at　the　sight　of　them　clearing　a　path　through　the　crowd　none　too　gently。
　　　〃We　may　have　trouble；〃　he　muttered　at　Valas；　who　craned　his　neck　to　peer　past　the　warrior。
　　　〃Let　me　out；〃　Valas　insisted；　pushing　Ryld　forward　enough　to　slip　out　from　behind　the　table。
　　　The　scout　stood　next　to　the　warrior；　and　Ryld　noticed　that　Valas　had　his　kukris　in　his　hands；　though　he　kept　them　down　at　his　sides　where　they　weren't　easily　seen。
　　　〃These　are　the　fellows　I　was　telling　you　about；〃　the　drow　informant　said　to　the　biggest　of　the　half…ogres。　〃They're　the　ones　that's　got　lots　of　coin。〃
　　　Ryld　groaned　inwardly　as　the　half…ogre；　who　stood　a　good　head　taller　than　the　drow；　grinned　ominously。
　　　〃We　were　just　about　to　go　fetch　a　round　of　drinks；　as　you　suggested；〃　Valas　said；　making　as　if　to　step　past　the　half…ogre；　who　was　blocking　their　way。　〃I　guess　we'll　need　a　couple　extra。　Ryld；　why　don't　you　e　help　me　carry　them　all？　Then　we　can　talk　business　with　you　boys。〃
　　　〃I've　got　a　better　idea；〃　the　half…ogre　said；　his　voice　deep　and　rumbling。　〃Why　don't　you　sit　down　and　tell　us　just　how　much　gold　you　actually　have？　Then　we'll　decide　if　you　can　leave　or　not。〃
　　　〃I　don't　think　that's　such　a　good　idea；〃　Valas　said；　his　voice　steely　cold。　〃We'll　just　take　our　business　elsewhere。〃
　　　〃I　suppose　a　half…ogre　would　be　stupid　enough；〃　Ryld　said　to　the　scout；　〃to　think　that　just　because　Lolth　has　gone　quiet；　we've　forgotten　how　to　fight。〃
　　　The　half…ogre　smiled　and　said；　〃That's　a　pretty　good　joke；　dark　elf。〃
　　　Then　the　creature　lunged。
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　In　the　end；　it　was　the　most　straightforward　approach；　Pharaun　decided；　that　would　grant　him　entry　into　one　of　the　wizardly　institutes。　He　knew　all　too　well　from　his　working　knowledge　of　Sorcere's　defenses　that　most　forms　of　arcane　stealth　would　likely　be　detected；　however　careful　he　might　be。　It　was　the　nature　of　mages　to　be　distrustful　of　other　mages；　and　he　had　discovered　that　with　a　handful　of　different　academies；　schools；　and　research　organizations　to　choose　from　in　Ched　Nasad；　the　local　spellcasters　were　even　more　wary　of　one　another。
　　　Apparently；　petition　between　the　associations　for　luring　new　talent　inside　their　halls　was　fierce；　and　the　prestige　garnered　from　successful　recruiting　paramount。　True　to　drow　nature；　the　societies　weren't　above　using　any　method；　however　violent　and　underhanded；　to　shift　the　balance　of　power。　What　better　way　to　get　inside；　Pharaun　reasoned；　than　to　pose　as　a　prospective　new　member？　All　that　it　required　was　doffing　his　House　insignia　and　asking　at　the　front　gates　for　the　opportunity　to　speak　with　someone　who　could　give　him　a　tour；　expound　upon　the　amenities　and　responsibilities；　and　so　on。　He　could　easily　pass　himself　off　as　a　wayward　wizard　in　need　of　a　home　without　revealing　his　true　level　of　expertise　or　the　means　by　which　he　had　acquired　it。
　　　The　first　place　Pharaun　visited　was　the　imposing　halls　of　the　Disciples　of　Phelthong；　run　by　the　Archmage　of　Ched　Nasad　himself；　Ildibane　Nasadra。　Pharaun　figured　that　being　the　largest　and　best　endowed　of　the　various　schools；　it　would　have　what　he　sought。　However；　he　was　careful　to　explain　to　the　minor　official　who　was　sent　to　escort　him　that　his　interest；　his　area　of　specialty；　lay　in　the　study　of　creatures。　It　would　be　paramount　for　the　facility　to　have　a　vast　menagerie　on　hand　if　he　was　to　feel　truly　at　home。　When　he　discovered　that　the　Disciples　did　not　maintain　such　a　zoo；　he　politely　declined　to　take　a　tour。
　　　The　second　place　Pharaun　chose　to　investigate　was　known　as　the　Arcanist　Conservatory。　It　was　neither　the　most　impressive　nor　the　least；　but　he　picked　it　on　a　hunch。　The　drow　who　met　with　him　after　he'd　explained　himself　to　the　sentries　at　the　front　of　the　edifice　was　an　enchanter　by　the　name　of　Kraszmyl　Claddath　of　House　Claddath；　a　short；　surprisingly　stocky　fellow　with　slightly　yellowing　hair　and　bad　teeth。　Pharaun　feigned　skills　of　a　middling　nature　as　he　introduced　himself；　and　Kraszmyl　seemed　genuinely　delighted　to　escort　his　guest　through　the　premises。
　　　　　　　〃Tell　me；　Master　Claddath；　does　the　conservatory　maintain　a　collection　or　live　specimens　on　site？
　　　〃Well；　if　you　mean　the　best　menagerie　of　creatures　from　both　the　world　Above　and　the　Underdark；　properly　housed　and　cared　for；　then　yes。〃
　　　Oh；　how　delightful！〃　Pharaun　didn't　have　to　fake　his　excitement。　This　sounds　like　the　right　place　for　me。〃
　　　〃Tell　me；　Master　Pharaun；　what　is　your　particular　expertise　with　this　area　of　study？〃
　　　Well；　my　last　assignment　was　for　a　merchant　who　wanted　me　to　study　various　breeding　effects　on　rothé　herds；〃　the　mage　lied；　〃but　I　have　a　special　interest　in　a　new　field。　I　am　most　curious　to　learn　more　about　chitines　and　choldriths。〃
　　　〃Really？〃　Kraszmyl　seemed　nonplussed　at　the　idea　as　he　led　Pha…raun　deeper　into　the　confines　of　the　conservatory。　〃Why　in　the　world　would　you　find　such　base　creatures　of　interest？〃
　　　〃Oh；　they　are　tremendously　fascinating！〃　Pharaun　gushed。　〃While　we　find　them　to　be　nothing　more　than　simple　hunting　sport；　they　actually　have　a　unique　culture　and　religious　focus　that　in　several　ways　mirrors　our　own。〃
　　　〃Oh；　I　see；〃　Master　Claddath　said　woodenly。　〃I　hope　you're　not　one　of　those　odd　cretins　who　actually　thinks　we　should　cease　our　hunting。〃
　　　Pharaun　laughed。　〃Certainly　not；〃　he　said；　〃but　imagine　the　possibilities　if　I　could　make　them　more　of　a　challenge？〃
　　　〃Yes；　I　could　see　the　value　in　that。　Well；　here　we　are；〃　the　guide　said；　ushering　Pharaun　into　a　wing　of　the　facilities　that　contained　countless　cages；　cells；　and　holding　pens。
　　　Pharaun　had　never　seen　such　a　collection　of　species　before；　and　he　was　more　than　impressed。
　　　〃It　is　spectacular！〃　he　said。
　　　〃Yes；　it　is；　Master　Pharaun；　but　I　have　concluded　by　your　reaction　that　you　have　seen　nothing　of　the　sort　before。　Now；　why　don't　you　tell　me　the　real　reason　for　your　visit　to　our　little　conservatory　today？〃
　　　Pharaun　carefully　reached　into　a　pocket　of　his　piwafwi；　extracted　a　fragment　of　glass；　and　turned　to　look　at　the　other　wizard；　who　was　shielded　by　a　number　of　protections。　He　held　a　wand　in　his　hand　that　he　pointed　at　the　visiting　wizard；　and　Pharaun　knew　that　the　drow　had　already　used　it。　Some　sort　of　enchantment　magic；　he　guessed。
　　　Trying　to　charm　me　into　explaining　myself。
　　　〃Is　this　the　way　you　greet　all　of　your　prospective　new　members？〃　Pharaun　asked；　smiling。
　　　Kraszmyl　looked　mildly　surprised；　then　tucked　the　wand　away。
　　　〃No；　just　those　wizards　who　show　up　out　of　nowhere；　claiming　to　want　to　join　our　ranks。〃
　　　The　other　wizard　produced　a　second　wand　and　aimed