war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第16部分

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re　tried　to　thrust　through　his　chest；　then　sidestepped　the　second　one's　attack；　which　came　very　near　to　gashing　his　throat。　A　second　crossbow　bolt　thunked　against　the　wall　near　him；　shattering　against　the　stone。
　　　At　the　same　moment；　Valas　flashed　into　view　again；　having　been　hiding　somehow　in　the　middle　of　the　crowd。　The　scout　plunged　both　kukris　into　the　back　of　the　first　quaggoth。　Ryld　blinked　in　surprise　but　took　advantage　of　the　opportunity　to　spin　and　slash　low；　cutting　the　second　deepbear　across　both　knees。　Both　creatures　collapsed　in　sprays　of　blood　as　Valas　joined　Ryld　against　the　wall。
　　　〃That　was　impressive；〃　Ryld　said　as　he　and　the　scout　kept　the　shouting；　cursing　throng　at　bay　with　their　weapons。
　　　〃When　those　two　came　for　you；　I　saw　a　chance　and　took　it。〃
　　　〃How　do　you　want　to　get　out　of　here？〃　Ryld　asked；　surveying　the　room　for　any　signs　of　escape。　〃Just　fight　our　way　through？〃
　　　〃I　don't　know　about　you；　but　I've　already　got　a　means　of　escape；〃　Valas　replied。　〃See　you　on　the　outside。〃
　　　With　that；　the　scout　backed　into　a　shimmering　blue　doorway　that　had　suddenly　appeared　at　his　back。　Ryld　had　no　time　to　gape　as　the　door　vanished　from　sight；　leaving　him　alone　against　the　horde　of　angry　tavern　patrons。　A　hobgoblin　was　closing　warily　from　the　right；　while　an　ore　and　a　strange　lizard　creature　closed　from　the　center　and　left；　respectively。
　　　Typical；　he　thought。　Everyone　but　me　must　be　able　to　blink　in　and　out　with　those　damnable　doorways。
　　　Ryld　lunged　in　and　cut　high　at　the　ore　before　spinning　to　deflect　a　blow　from　the　lizard　creature's　short　blade。　The　warrior　kicked　out　at　the　hobgoblin　and　slashed　again　at　the　ore；　this　time　catching　his　foe　right　across　the　cheek。　Blood　spattered；　and　Ryld　began　to　work　his　way　through　the　crowd；　knowing　he　couldn't　remain　against　the　wall　and　hope　to　survive。
　　　As　he　got　in　among　the　crowd　and　his　opponents　swirled　around　him；　Ryld　had　an　idea。　Dropping　to　one　knee；　he　made　a　couple　of　defensive　thrusts　as　he　reached　down　with　his　other　hand　and　slapped　the　floor；　calling　up　magical　darkness。　Nearly　the　entire　taproom　was　engulfed　in　the　inky　blackness；　and　the　battle　cries　of　the　crowd　changed　to　the　noise　of　confusion　and　panic。　The　darkness　didn't　bother　Ryld。　He　was　used　to　fighting　blind；　feeling　and　hearing　his　foes　as　easily　as　he'd　watched　them　before。
　　　The　reaction　of　the　pressing　throng　was　exactly　what　Ryld　had　hoped　for。　Not　eager　to　attack　a　foe　they　couldn't　see　and　unwilling　to　get　hit　themselves；　the　crowd　edged　away　from　the　warrior；　giving　him　ample　room。　Reaching　up；　he　slid　Splitter　off　his　back。　With　Valas　gone；　he　no　longer　had　to　worry　about　controlling　or　shortening　his　swing。　With　the　greatsword；　he　would　be　able　to　cut　his　way　out　much　more　quickly。
　　　Not　waiting　for　the　unruly　patrons　to　regain　their　wits；　Ryld　began　slashing　and　cutting　with　bold　stokes；　clearing　a　path　toward　the　door。　The　screams　emanating　from　around　the　weapons　master　were　unnerving　to　the　rest　of　the　brawlers。　Quickly　enough；　Ryld　emerged　from　the　darkness；　finding　himself　near　the　exit　of　the　establishment。　A　couple　more　onlookers　stood　by　the　doorway；　but　when　they　saw　the　burly　warrior　appear　with　his　great…sword　leveled　at　them；　they　quickly　scattered。　Bruised　and　bleeding　from　several　small　cuts；　Ryld　darted　through　the　exit　and　out　onto　the　street。
　　　Valas　was　leaning　against　a　wall　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　street；　watching　for　him。
　　　When　Ryld　saw　the　scout；　he　pursed　his　lips　in　displeasure；　but　before　he　could　voice　his　anger；　Valas　nodded　and　said；　〃A　lot　easier　to　cut　your　way　out　of　there　without　worrying　about　hitting　me；　wasn't　it？〃
　　　Ryld　opened　his　mouth　to　retort；　realized　that　Valas　was　right；　and　snapped　it　shut　again。
　　　Finally；　after　the　two　of　them　began　making　their　way　down　the　thoroughfare；　the　warrior　said；　〃The　next　place　we　try；　we're　taking　a　table　near　the　front　door。〃
　　　It　was　only　after　Ryld　realized　that　they　weren't　having　to　push　their　way　through　the　crowds　on　the　street；　who　parted　for　them　warily；　did　he　realize　that　he　was　still　carrying　Splitter　in　his　hand；　the　blade　dripping　with　blood。
　　　EIGHT
　　　〃Yes；　Captain　Xornbane；　by　all　means；　dispatch　diem；〃　Faeryl's　mother　said　as　the　gray　dwarves　closed　in　on　both　Drisinil　and　Quenthel。
　　　The　two　drow　and　the　draegloth；　unable　to　flee；　stared　about　themselves。　While　Jeggred　merely　seethed　with　rage；　straining　to　break　free　of　the　magical　hold　over　him；　Quenthel　and　Drisinil　looked　wild；　desperate。　The　duergar　who　had　spoken　motioned；　and　several　of　the　other　gray　dwarves　moved　in；　axes　lifted。
　　　〃Wait！〃　Faeryl　exclaimed；　then　leaned　in　close　to　whisper　with　Ssipriina　privately　for　a　moment。　〃Mother；　let's　not　kill　the　two　Men…zoberranyr　yet。　I'd　like　to　keep　them　for　a　while。〃
　　　〃I　think　that　would　be　an　extraordinarily　bad　idea；〃　one　of　the　males　near　her　mother　said；　also　leaning　in。
　　　Faeryl　glared　at　the　impertinent　male；　whom　she　seemed　to　recall　was　not　of　the　family　but　had　worked　diligently　as　an　aid　for　a　number　of　years。　Zammzt；　she　thought　his　name　was。　She　wrinkled　her　nose　slightly；　for　he　was　far　from　pretty。
　　　〃Do　you　always　butt　into　conversations　you　were　not　meant　to　hear？〃　the　ambassador　asked。
　　　Zammzt　merely　bowed　in　acquiescence　and　said；　〃Forgive　me；　but　I　am　only　looking　after　the　House's　best　interests。　If　this　plan　of　subversion　and　surprise　is　to　succeed　in　overthrowing　House　Melarn；　then　no　one　who　knows　the　truth　can　be　allowed　to　live。　If　the　drow　or　the　fiend　are　able　to　relay　to　anyone…anyone　at　all…what　transpired　here　today；　you　will　lose　your　backing　from　the　other　Houses。　No　one　will　support　your　rise　to　the　council；　Matron　Mother。　It's　an　unnecessary　risk。〃
　　　Matron　Mother　Zauvirr　studied　her　daughter　carefully　for　a　moment　then　said；　〃He　does　have　a　point。〃
　　　〃Mother；　believe　me；〃　Faeryl　replied；　〃they　will　never　get　the　chance　to　talk　to　anyone。　I　will　make　sure　of　it。〃
　　　Ssipriina　finally　nodded　and　said；　〃All　right；　you've　earned　the　chance　to　extract　a　little　revenge；　I　suppose；　but　you　must　make　certain　that　they　do　not　talk　to　anyone；　especially　not　Halisstra。　Do　you　understand？〃
　　　Zammzt　clicked　his　tongue　in　consternation；　but　he　apparently　knew　better　than　to　argue　further。　He　had　made　his　case　and　had　lost。　He　moved　off　to　engage　in　conversation　with　some　of　the　House　wizards。
　　　Faeryl；　elated；　said；　〃Of　course；　Mother。　I　understand　all　too　well。　If　our　plan　is　to　succeed；　everyone　must　think　these　two　were　plotting　together。〃
　　　〃Precisely。　Now；　I　must　go　and　prepare。　We　still　have　a　lot　of　work　to　do。〃
　　　With　that；　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　departed；　Zammzt　falling　in　beside　her；　his　head　leaning　in　close　to　discuss　issues　privately。
　　　The　ambassador　moved　back　over　to　Quenthel　once　more。
　　　〃You　see；　Mistress　Baenre；〃　she　said；　trying　to　emphasize　the　honorific　to　the　point　of　sounding　absurd；　〃we　didn't　really　steal　the　Black　Claw　merchandise。　You　did。　Or　at　least；　that's　how　it　will　appear　when　we　report　finding　members　of　two　powerful　Houses　meeting　in　secret；　having　already　smuggled　desperately　needed　supplies　out　of　Ched　Nasad　and　preparing　to　steal　even　more。
　　　〃I'm　sure　they'll　wonder　why　Matron　Mother　Melarn　would　have　wanted　to　turn　her　back　on　her　own　city　in　favor　of　Menzoberranzan；　but　unfortunately；　they　won't　be　able　to　ask　her；　since　she　resisted　us　and　had　to　be　killed。〃
　　　Faeryl　signaled　to　the　manding　duergar　and　watched　with　a　warm　feeling　as　three　of　the　gray　dwarves　stepped　close。　At　her　nod；　they　raised　their　axes　high　and　swung。　Behind　her；　Faeryl　heard　Quenthel's　muffled　cry　of　protest；　but　she　didn't　bother　turning　around。
　　　There　was　no　more　than　a　grunt　from　Drisinil　as　three　axes　slammed　into　her　flesh；　but　the　blades　bit　deeply　and　the　fat　drow's　eyes　widened　in　pain　and　terror；　though　she　couldn't　react　in　any　other　way。　The　three　duergar　yanked　their　axes　free　and　prepared　to　strike　again；　but　Faeryl　motioned　for　them　to　hold。　She　wanted　to　watch　as　Drisinil　died　slowly。
　　　〃You'll　never　look　down　your　nose　at　me　again；　you　fat　rothé。〃
　　　Drisinil's　red　eyes　blinked　and　widened；　seeming　to　plead　with　Faeryl　in　some　way；　but　the　younger　drow　only　smiled　as　she　stood　casually；　hands　on　hips；　and　watched　the　matron　mother's　lifeblood　drip　into　a　puddle　on　the　floor　around　her　motionless　body。　Drisinil　shuddered；　and　her　eyes　began　to　glaze　over。　Her　breathing　was　rapid　for　a　moment　or　two；　then　stopped。　Her　lifeless　eyes　stared　at　nothing。
　　　Faeryl　turned　back　to　Quenthel；　who　had　been　able　to　see　the　murder。　The　high　priestess　seemed　to　look　both　terrified　and　furious；　all　at　the　same　time。　The　ambassador　stepped　in　close　to　the　Baenre　noble　and　smiled。
　　　〃Of　course；　they'll　be　told　that　you　were　caught　while　trying　to　flee　the　scene；　though　you　and　I　will　know　better；　at　least　for　a　time。　You　and　Jeggred　are　going　to　receive　a　stay　of　execution；　just　as　I　did　back　in　Menzoberranzan。　Aren't　you　pleased？　Instead　of　dying　right　away；　you'll　get　some　of　House　Zauvirr's　hospitality；　just　as　I　was　graciously　entertained　by　your　sister。〃
　　　Faeryl　spat　the　words　at　her　captive；　the　smile　gone　from　her　face。　All　of　the　hatred；　the　fear；　surged　to　the　forefront　of　her　thoughts。
　　　And　as　for　you；　you　wretched；　foul…smelling　beast；〃　Faeryl　said；　turning　to　Jeggred；　〃I　will　ensure　that　you　learn　what　true　pain　is。〃
　　　The　draegloth's　eyes　bored　into　her　balefully；　but　she　forced　herself　to　stare　resolutely　back　at　him　for　three　long　breaths　before　finally　turning　away。
　　　〃Gruherth；〃　Faeryl　called；　looking　for　one　of　her　brothers　in　the　throng　of　drow　still　milling　about；　〃I　want　those　two　moved…secretly；　mind　you…to　the　dungeons　in　House　Melarn。〃
　　　Gruherth　appeared　and　said；　〃We'll　need　a　safe　way　to　transport　them。〃
　　　〃I’ll　take　care　of　that；〃　another　wizard　said；　stepping　closer　to　the　fiend。
　　　Pulling　a　few　items　from　his　pockets；　the　mage　cast　a　spell；　and　a　large　white　bubble　formed　around　the　draegloth。　At　the　instruction　of　the　wizard；　four　guards　lifted　the　sphere…with　surprising　ease；　Faeryl　noted…and　began　to　carry　it　into　another　part　of　the　storehouse。
　　　Very　quickly；　the　same　spell　was　applied　to　Quenthel；　and　four　other　drow　boys　bore　her　milky　white　sphere　away；　too。
　　　Faeryl　turned　and　looked　for　the　duergar　leader。
　　　〃Captain　。　。　。　Xornbane；　is　it？〃
　　　The　gray　dwarf　who　had　given　the　order　to　kill　Drisinil　nodded。
　　　〃As　I　understand　it；　the　next　step　in　our　plan　is　to　get　your　pany　inside　House　Melarn　unnoticed。〃
　　　〃That's　right；〃　the　duergar　repeated；　folding　his　arms　across　his　chest　impatiently。
　　　〃Have　all　the　arrangements　been　made　to　deal　with　this？〃
　　　〃They　have；〃　he　said；　then　he　turned　and　trudged　off　after　Faeryl's　mother；　leaving　the　ambassador　to　fume　at　his　rudeness。
　　　Gruherth　reappeared。
　　　〃We're　ready　to　begin　moving　everything　through　to　the　interior　of　House　Melarn；〃　he　said　to　his　sister。　〃Mother　wants　you　there　at　the　front　so　that　we　can　throw　off　suspicion　in　case　there　are　Melarn　troops　in　sight　once　we　begin　crossing　through　the　portal。〃
　　　Faeryl　grimaced　but　nodded。　She　had　forgotten　how　much　at　her　mother's　beck　and　call　she　had　been　when　she　was　last　in　the　city。　Still；　she　decided；　it　was　better　than　being　at　Quenthel's　beck　and　call。
　　　　　　　Much　better。　
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Aliisza　wriggled　her　toes　in　delight　as　she　stretched　out　on　the　bed　next　to　the　wizard。　It　had　been　quite　a　while　since　she　had　felt　this　good；　and　it　wasn't　merely　the　physical　pleasures　that　delighted　her。　This　Pharaun　was　quite　the　wit；　she　had　decided；　boisterous　and　clever　for　a　drow。
　　　〃How　e　you're　so　unlike　the　rest　of　your　race？〃　the　alu　asked　him；　rolling　over　beside　him　and　walking　her　alabaster　fingers　up　his　slender；　graceful　black　arm；　enjoying　the　contrast　in　color。　〃Every　other　dark　elf　I've　ever　met　and　talked　to　has　been　so　staid　and　boring。　You；　on　the　other　hand；　make　me　laugh。〃
　　　Pharaun；　with　his　head　propped　on　his　hands　as　he　lay　stretched　out　on　his　back；　smiled。
　　　〃Just　unlucky；　I　suppose。〃
　　　Aliisza　furrowed　her　brow　in　confusion　and　asked；　〃What？〃
　　　〃Can　you　imagine　how　it　must　be　for　me；　being　around　'staid　and　boring'　drow　all　the　time？〃　he　asked；　sitting　up　and　folding　his　legs　beneath　him。　〃No　one　ever　appreciates　my　witticisms。　I　offer　up　clever　remarks；　and　I　either　get　funny　looks；　if　I'm　speaking　with　other　males；　or　scowls；　if　I'm　in　the　presence　of　the　ladies。　It's　damned　depressing。　So　I　say　it's　just　bad　luck。　I　was　born　a　drow；　but　I　was　given　a　much　sharper　intellect　than　most　of　my　species。〃
　　　Aliisza　giggled　and　rested　her　chin　on　both　hands；　gazing　at　the　dark　elf's　red　eyes。
　　　〃Oh；　e　on；〃　she　said。　〃It　can't　be　that　bad。　At　least　you　get　to　talk　to　other　drow。　Look　at　me。　I　spend　the　entire　day　herding　tanarukks　around。〃
　　　'　Oh；　yes；　the　tanarukks。　A　few　grunts　and　an　obscene　gesture；　and　they've　recited　their　clan　history；　right？〃
　　　Aliisza　laughed　outright。
　　　〃They're　not　so　bad　as　all　that；　but　they　certainly　aren't　ones　for　clever　humor。　Not　even　Kaanyr　likes　to　devote　this　much　time　to　just　。　。　。　talking…〃　She　paused；　seeing　the　wizard's　smile　turn　into　a　frown。　〃What　now？〃
　　　〃Why　did　you　have　to　go　and　mention　his　name？　I　was　doing　just　fine　until　you　brought　up　your　other　lover。　That's　no　kind　of　pillow　talk；　you　know。〃
　　　〃Sorry。　I　wont　do　it　again；〃　Aliisza　promised。　〃But　tell　me　。　。　。　how　is　it　you　manage　to　spar　with　this　high　priestess　of　yours？　I　thought　the　females　of　your　species　didn't　put　up　with　too　much　of　that　nonsense。〃
　　　Pharaun　groaned　and　fell　back　against　the　pillow。　〃She　goes　from　bad　to　worse；〃　he　moaned　to　no　one　in　particular。　〃Why　do　you　keep　bringing　up　these　most　unpleasant　subjects？　You're　torturing　me！　Was　I　that　unsatisfying？〃　Aliisza　punched　him　on　the　arm；　laughing。　〃Just　answer　the　question。〃
　　　Pharaun　eyed　her　for　a　moment。　He　seemed　suddenly　wary。　〃Why　are　you　so　curious？〃　Aliisza　shook　her　head。　〃No　real　reason。　Just　curiosity；　I　suppose。〃
　　　Pharaun　rolled　away　from　her　to　the　side　of　the　bed　and　asked；　〃Why　are　you　here？　In　Ched　Nasad；　I　mean。〃
　　　Aliisza　pouted　just　a　little。　She　really　hadn't　meant　to　put　him　on　edge；　and　now　she　had　to　think　of　a　way　to　calm　the　wizard　down　again。　She　decided　the　truth；　or　just　enough　of　it；　was　the　best　medicine。　〃Because　Kaanyr　Vhok　wants　me　to　find　out　what's　going　on。〃　〃You　told　me　you　already　knew。　In　fact；　you　explained　to　me　what's　going　on。　What　else　ate　you　looking　for？〃
　　　〃Nothing；〃　the　alu　replied；　reaching　a　hand　out　to　stroke　the　back　of　the　drow's　arm　with　her　fingers。　〃I　have　all　the　information　I'm　supposed　to　get。　Well；　except　for　visiting　one　of　the　matron　mothers　to　see　if　she　wants　Kaanyr's　assistance。　They　have　some　old　pact　or　something。　I'm　still　here　because　you're　here。〃
　　　Pharaun　eyed　her　a　moment　longer；　then　chuckled　and　shook　his　head。
　　　〃I　knew　this　was　a　bad　idea；〃　he　said　at　last。　〃The　matron　mothers　of　this　city　are　the　one　big　thing　I'd　like　most　to　avoid；　and　here　you　are；　preparing　to　drop　in　on　one。　So