war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第19部分

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　　　Jeggred　only　growled。
　　　Faeryl　fixed　him　with　her　gaze　and　said；　〃Do　you　remember　the　things　you　did　to　me？〃　She　almost　shuddered　but　forced　herself　to　remain　still。　〃I　am　going　to　repay　you　for　it。。。　every　bit　of　it。　I'll　send　your　carcass　back　to　Triel　when　I'm　through。〃
　　　Jeggred　smiled。
　　　〃You　can't　begin　to　understand　the　methods　of　meting　out　pain。　My　attentions　were　but　a　part　of　those　methods；　and　there　is　nothing　you　can　conceive　of　that　I　will　notice　at　all。〃
　　　〃Oh；　really？〃　Faeryl　replied；　her　lips　pursed。　〃We'll　see。　My　advisors　have　told　me　what　things　you　feel　and　don't　feel。　'He　resists　the　bum　of　acid　and　fire；　and　he　will　not　suffer　from　cold　and　lightning；'　they　said。　But　we'll　find　something。　Yes；　we　will。　Maybe　sound；　hmm？　There　is　something　you　don't　like；　and　when　I　discover　what　it　is；　you'll　enjoy　it　for　endless　hours。　I　promise　you。〃
　　　There　was　a　soft　step　upon　the　stone　floor　near　the　doorway。　Faeryl　turned　in　irritation　to　see　what　the　intrusion　was　all　about。　It　was　Zammzt。
　　　〃What　do　you　want？〃　Faeryl　demanded。
　　　She　knew　the　aide　was　there　at　her　mother's　behest　and　that　she　was　undoubtedly　being　summoned　to　attend　to　the　matron　mother。　It　didn't　make　her　very　happy；　and　though　she　could　not　take　her　annoyance　out　on　her　own　mother；　she　could　easily　do　so　on　the　ugly　male。　The　dark　elf　bent　his　knee　and　dipped　his　head　slightly。
　　　〃I　beg　pardon；　Mistress　Zauvirr；　but　your　mother　requires　your　immediate　presence　in　the　audience　chamber。〃
　　　〃Of　course　she　does；〃　Faeryl　snarled。　〃If　she　has　the　slightest　notion　that　I　am　not　indisposed；　she　finds　something　for　me　to　do。〃
　　　When　Zammzt　hesitated　for　the　slightest　of　moments；　Faeryl　gave　him　a　cold　stare。
　　　〃Well；〃　she　asked；　〃what　are　you　waiting　for？　Go　tell　her　I'm　on　my　way！〃
　　　Zammzt　scurried　out　of　the　torture　room　and　disappeared　around　the　er；　his　piwafwi　flying　behind　him。　Faeryl　returned　her　attention　to　Quenthel。
　　　〃I'll　e　back　and　visit　with　you　some　more　in　a　bit；〃　she　said；　〃and　when　I　do；　I　really　want　to　give　those　needles　another　try。　Maybe　the　fingernails　this　time；　hmm？〃
　　　The　bound　form　on　the　rack　emitted　a　whimper。
　　　〃Oh；　good；　I'm　pleased　that　you　like　the　idea；　too。〃
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Danifae　Yauntyrr　didn't　really　expect　Matron　Mother　Zauvirr　to　grant　her　free　run　of　the　entire　House；　and　her　suspicions　were　correct。　As　she　departed　the　audience　chamber　with　a　final　sneer　back　in　Halisstras　direction；　she　was　also　careful　to　note　Ssipriina's　slight　nod　at　two　of　the　guards　standing　near　the　door。　As　she　stepped　through　the　portal；　the　guards　silently　and　unobtrusively　fell　in　behind　her。　The　battle　captive　pursed　her　lips　in　the　slightest　hint　of　frustration；　but　she　wouldn't　have　expected　anything　else。　It　really　didn't　matter。　She'd　just　have　to　put　on　a　bit　more　of　a　show。
　　　Ignoring　the　two　House　Zauvirr　soldiers　who　followed　her；　Danifae　made　her　way　back　to　Halisstra's　private　chambers；　where　she　also　took　Reverie　so　that　she　could　attend　to　the　noble　drows　every　need。　She　guessed　that　the　guards　would　not　be　so　invasive　as　to　follow　her　in；　and　again；　her　intuition　was　right。　She　strode　through　the　door　and　shut　it　behind　her。　Once　she　was　alone；　she　began　to　pace；　mulling　possibilities　over　in　her　mind。
　　　Halisstra　had　just　provided　her　servant　with　a　perfect　opportunity　to　free　herself　from　the　other　drow's　subjugation。　Danifae　almost　laughed　at　her　mistress's　gullibility；　thinking　that　Danifae　would　run　to　try　to　save　her。　After　ten　years　as　Halisstra's　battle　captive；　Danifae　wanted　nothing　more　than　to　be　rid　of　the　wretched　drow　and　her　domination。　She　wanted　nothing　more　than　to　return　to　Eryndlyn。　The　problem　was；　with　Halisstra's　binding　in　effect；　Danifae　wasn't　sure　she　could　actually　get　free；　even　with　Ssipriina　Zauvirr's　help。　In　fact；　she　suspected　that　once　she　actually　did　turn　on　Halisstra　and　provide　the　〃proof〃　of　Drisinil's　daughter's　guilt　to　the　matron　mother；　Ssipriina　would　simply　let　her　perish　along　with　Halisstra。
　　　Danifae　knew　she　had　to　ensure　her　own　freedom　first　and　not　depend　on　another　for　it。　But　how？
　　　She　hated　the　effect　of　the　binding；　for　it　was　insidious　in　its　effectiveness。　Though　Danifae　didn't　truly　believe　it；　she　sometimes　wished　that　the　pulsion　of　the　binding　fully　controlled　her　mind；　rather　than　merely　restricting　her　ability　to　distance　herself　from　Halisstra。　She　told　herself　that　it　would　have　been　better　to　serve　the　Melarn　daughter　as　a　mindless　zombie　rather　than　of　her　own　accord；　attending　willingly　to　avoid　the　consequences　of　straying　too　far　from　her　mistress。　It　locked　her　to　Halisstra　as　surely　as　a　length　of　chain　around　their　ankles。
　　　In　the　early　years；　Danifae　wanted　desperately　to　throttle　her　mistress；　but　Halisstra's　death　would　bring　about　her　own；　and　Danifae　would　experience　her　own　demise　in　a　slow；　excruciatingly　painful　manner。　That　was　the　nature　of　the　binding。　It　sustained　her　somehow；　kept　her　alive　as　long　as　Halisstra　willed　it。　Distance　was　not　a　factor；　but　the　moment　Danifae　disregarded　Halisstra's　wishes　and　went　her　own　way；　she　had　no　doubt　that　the　other　drow　would　simply　let　her　wither　away　like　a　mushroom　with　its　roots　hacked　off。　Displease　the　dark　elf；　and　with　a　thought；　Danifae　would　succumb。　By　the　Dark　Mother；　she　hated　it。
　　　The　binding's　magic　was　alien　to　Danifae。　She　didn't　understand　what　was　required　to　sever　it　or　if　it　even　could　be　severed　by　any　hand　other　than　Halisstra's。　The　risk　of　discovery　was　too　great　to　allow　her　the　chance　to　inquire；　and　besides；　Halisstra　rarely　let　her　servant　out　of　her　sight。　With　Halisstra　under　arrest；　Danifae　had　the　perfect　opportunity　to　follow　through；　to　finally　find　out　what　could　be　done；　and　there　was　no　time。　Halisstra　was　going　to　die　unless　Danifae　convinced　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　to　find　a　solution　to　her　problem；　and　she　doubted　that　the　matron　mother　would　lift　a　finger　to　help　her；　even　with　her　promises　of　damning　testimony　against　the　daughter　of　Drisinil　Melarn。　That　only　left　Danifae　with　the　option　of　actually　saving　Halisstra。
　　　Damn　her！　the　battle　captive　silently　screamed　as　she　sat　on　her　mistress's　Reverie　couch；　pounding　a　pillow　for　good　measure。　She　wanted　to　rip　the　stuffing　out；　but　long　years　of　the　fear　of　punishment　had　trained　her　to　resist　letting　her　emotions　get　the　better　of　her；　and　she　stayed　her　hand。　Taking　a　deep　breath　to　calm　herself；　she　considered　the　situation。
　　　The　next　problem；　she　realized；　was　that　even　if　she　somehow　managed　to　extricate　Halisstra…and　by　extension；　herself…from　this　mess；　life　as　they　both　knew　it　might　very　well　be　over。　They　might　survive　the　coup；　but　even　then；　where　would　they　go？　Without　Lolth's　blessings　to　aid　them；　it　was　an　especially　bleak　outlook。
　　　Making　up　her　mind；　Danifae　decided　the　next　thing　to　do　was　to　figure　out　who　in　House　Melarn　was　still　Halisstra's　ally。　The　first　thing　she　considered　were　the　House　guards。　They　had　disappeared；　and　she　had　a　pretty　good　idea　why。　Ssipriina　had　likely　already　gotten　to　them　and　given　them　the　standard　offer：　change　allegiance　to　House　Zauvirr；　or　find　themselves　unemployed　or　dead。　She　doubted　there　were　any　who　would　still　rally　to　Halisstra；　but　she　had　to　at　least　look。
　　　Danifae　opened　the　door　to　the　hallway　and　was　slightly　surprised　to　find　the　two　guards　who　had　followed　her　no　longer　present。　She　supposed　that　they　assumed　she　wouldn't　try　anything　as　long　as　the　House　was　locked　down　and　had　decided　to　go　find　something　more　interesting　to　do。
　　　Just　makes　it　easier　for　me；　she　thought；　smiling　as　she　slipped　out。
　　　She　hurried　on　her　way。
　　　***
　　　
　　　The　audience　chamber　of　House　Melarn　was　pretty　much　as　Faeryl　expected　to　find　it。　Her　mother　was　seated　on　the　lofty　oversized　chair　atop　the　dais　at　the　front　of　the　room；　surrounded　by　her　advisors；　while　House　Zauvirr　soldiers　were　spread　inconspicuously　but　generously　throughout　the　chamber。　Faeryl　absently　wondered　how　her　mother　had　managed　to　usurp　control　of　the　audience　chamber　without　an　argument　from　the　House　Melarn　guards。　Whatever　lies　she　told　them　must　have　worked。
　　　〃There　you　are；〃　Ssipriina　said　impatiently。　〃e　here。　I　want　to　go　over　your　story　once　more　before　the　others　get　here。〃
　　　Faeryl　sighed　but　dutifully　approached　the　throne。
　　　〃Mother；　I　have　the　details　memorized。　I　think　I　can…〃
　　　〃You　will　go　over　them　with　me　and　continue　doing　it　until　Jam　convinced；　you　ungrateful　brat！　You　will　not　stop　until　then。〃
　　　Her　mother　looked　entirely　too　fortable　in　the　throne；　which　was　certainly　grander　than　anything　they　had　in　their　own　manor。　That　was　the　difference　between　a　merchant　House　and　a　truly　noble　House。
　　　Faeryl　longed　to　return　to　the　dungeons；　where　she　could　rule　over　her　charges　in　peace。　She　hated　having　to　attend　to　her　mother's　demands。　Where　Quenthel　was　concerned；　even　if　it　was　a　little　pond；　at　least　she　was　the　big　fish。　It　was　always　that　way。　At　the　storehouse；　when　she'd　orchestrated　the　transport　of　the　prisoners；　she　had　been　in　charge；　however　briefly。　Under　the　scrutiny　of　her　mother；　she　was　the　petulant　child　once　more。
　　　Faeryl　dreamed　of　holding　the　reins　of　power　someday；　but　being　the　fourth　daughter　in　her　House；　and　having　been　sent　to　Menzoberranzan　to　represent　House　Zauvirr　and　House　Melarn；　to　boot；　she　recognized　the　limitations　to　her　chance　to　rise　to　the　top。　Even　were　she　to　someday　sit　upon　the　throne　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　was　hoping　to　claim　through　her　orchestration　of　the　day's　events；　Faeryl　would　still　answer　to　others。
　　　〃Now；〃　Ssipriina　said；　ticking　off　points　one　by　one　on　her　hand；　〃you　were　forced　to　e　with　Quenthel　and　the　others。　You　notified　me　at　the　earliest　opportunity　what　House　Baenre　was　planning。　We　set　up　an　ambush　to　catch　them；　and　only　then　did　we　discover　that　Drisinil　was　in　on　it。　Do　you　understand？〃
　　　〃Yes；　Mother；〃　Faeryl　responded　sullenly。
　　　〃Good。　When　the　matron　mothers　get　here；　stay　out　of　sight　until　I　call　for　you。　Do　you　understand？〃
　　　〃Yes；　Mother。〃
　　　〃And　stop　that。　It's　childish　and　petulant。〃
　　　Faeryl　frowned；　but　she　clamped　her　mouth　shut。
　　　〃That's　better；〃　Ssipriina　said。　〃Now　I　think　we　need　to　get　those　males　summoned　here　as　quickly　as　possible。　Zammzt；　I　think　that's　a　job　for　you。〃
　　　***
　　　
　　　When　a　knock　sounded　at　the　door　to　their　room；　Pharaun　expected　to　see　Quenthel　standing　there。　It　was　late；　and　the　Master　of　Sorcere　was　beginning　to　wonder　if　something　untoward　had　befallen　the　high　priestess　and　her　two　panions。　As　he　opened　the　portal；　though；　the　wizard　was　instead　surprised　to　discover　a　strange　and　rather　plain…looking　drow　in　the　livery　of　a　noble　House。
　　　〃I　beg　forgiveness　for　disturbing　you；〃　the　male　said；　〃but　I　am　seeking　the　wizard　Pharaun　Mizzrym　and　the　warriors　Ryld　Argith　and　Valas　Hune。〃
　　　Pharaun　kept　his　body　planted　firmly　between　the　visitor　and　the　interior　of　the　room；　shielding　the　other　dark　elf's　view　of　it。　Behind　him；　he　could　hear　Valas　and　Ryld　unsheathing　weapons。
　　　〃Who　are　you？〃　the　wizard　asked；　considering　which　spells　remaining　in　his　repertoire　would　suffice　to　defend　himself　against　an　attack。
　　　〃My　name　is　Zammzt。　I　e　at　the　behest　of　Matron　Mother　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　of　House　Zauvirr；　Matron　Mother　Melarn　of　House　Melarn；　and　Quenthel　Baenre　of　House　Baenre。　Are　you　one　of　the　three？〃
　　　〃Perhaps；〃　Pharaun　answered；　gauging　the　fellow's　potential　as　a　threat。　The　drow　was；　at　the　very　least；　radiating　a　number　of　magical　auras。　〃It　would　depend　on　why　you're　looking　for　them。〃
　　　〃Mistress　Quenthel　is　a　guest　of　Mistress　Drisinil　Melarn　of　House　Melarn。　I　am　here　to　extend　an　invitation　to　you　to　join　them　for　a　banquet　in　your　honor。〃
　　　〃Oh；　how　delightful；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃I　assume　that　you　can　escort　us　there；　as　well？〃
　　　〃Indeed；　Master；　uh　。　。　。”
　　　The　mage　rolled　his　eyes　and　said；　〃Pharaun。　I'm　the　wizard。〃
　　　〃Certainly；　Master　Mizzrym。　I　have　been　instructed　to　escort　you　to　House　Melarn。〃
　　　〃I　see。　Well；　then　can　you　give　me　a　moment　to　clean　up？　I'd　hate　to　attend　a　dinner　in　my　honor　looking　like　this；〃　the　wizard　said；　gesturing　at　his　piwafwi。
　　　〃Certainly；　Master　Mizzrym。　I　am　at　your　convenience。　The　dinner　will　not　start　without　you。〃
　　　〃Excellent；〃　Pharaun　replied。　〃Give　me　just　a　moment；　and　we'll　be　right　out。　You　can　wait　for　us　down　In　the　mon　room。〃
　　　With　that；　he　shut　the　door　and　turned　to　his　panions。
　　　〃Either　she　got　caught　or　she　decided　she　was　not　getting　treated　well　enough　by　the　inn　staff；〃　Valas　said；　frowning。
　　　〃Either　way；　it　is　no　good　for　us；〃　Ryld　added。　〃And　I　was　just　beginning　to　enjoy　not　being　under　any　matron　mothers'　thumbs。〃
　　　〃Well；　then　。　。　。　which　is　it；　good　masters？〃　Pharaun　asked　them　both。　〃Out　the　window　or　to　a　dinner　party？〃
　　　Ryld　and　Valas　looked　at　one　another。
　　　Finally；　Valas　sighed；　〃Dinner。〃
　　　〃Very　good；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃but　before　we　go；　I　want　to　spend　a　few　moments　in　contemplation　of　my　grimoires。　I　have　a　feeling　I　might　be　in　need　of　some　arcane　fortitude　before　the　night　is　over。〃
　　　〃Yes；　I　think　that's　wise；〃　Valas　agreed。　〃Ryld　and　I　could　stand　a　bit　of　healing　magic；　if　there's　any　to　be　had。〃
　　　〃Why　don't　you　two　go　search　the　priestesses'　room　and　see　what　you　can　turn　up？〃　Pharaun　suggested。　〃I　know　Quenthel　had　that　wand；　but　she's　likely　to　have　kept　it　with　her。　There　might　be　a　potion　or　two；　though。〃
　　　The　scout　nodded；　and　he　and　Ryld　slipped　out　of　the　room。
　　　Pharaun　opened　up　his　haversack　and　pulled　out　his　spellbooks；　which　were　conveniently　on　top。　That　was　the　thing　he　truly　loved　about　his　magical　carry…all。　Whatever　he　needed　always　seemed　to　be　on　top。　He　sat　down　to　peruse　the　pages。
　　　The　wizard　could　not　recoup　all　of　the　incantations　he　had　cast　during　the　course　of　the　day；　as　he　would　need　to　spend　several　hours　resting　before　his　body　had　recovered　sufficiently　for　that；　but　he　had　wisely　decided　to　hold　off　on　mitting　the　full　pliment　of　spells　to　memory　that　morning；　so　he　had　an　opportunity　to　choose　four　or　five　that　would　best　suit　the　occasion。
　　　Now；　Pharaun　wondered；　what　sorts　of　magical　wizardry　would　be　particularly　useful　for　a　dinner　party？
　　　He　settled　on　his　choices　and　began　to　study。
　　　Nearly　an　hour　later；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　looked　up　at　the　sound　of　the　two　other　males　reentering　the　room。
　　　〃Ah；　perfect　timing；〃　he　said。　〃I　think　I'm　ready　to　go。　Did　you　have　any　luck？〃
　　　Ryld　answered；　〃It　took　a　bit　of　rummaging；　but　we　managed　to　confiscate　two　potions　from　Quenthel's　belongings。　That's　one　more　thing　we　agreed　that　you　get　to　tell　her　when　we　see　her　next。〃
　　　Pharaun　chuckled；　〃Well；　I　must　say；　the　draughts　did　you　a　world　of　good。　You're　certainly　much　more　presentable　than　you　were　a　mere　hour　ago。　Are　we　ready；　then？〃
　　　〃I　believe　so；〃　Valas　replied。　〃We　did　a　quick　surveillance　of　the　inn；　and　it　appears　that　our　escort　is　alone。　Nothing　suspicious　about　him　so　far。〃
　　　〃Then　I　suggest　we　leave　at　once；〃　the　Master　of　Sorc