war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第20部分

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　　　〃Then　I　suggest　we　leave　at　once；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　said。　〃I'm　starved；　and　I　fancy　a　taste　of　something　better　to　drink　than　the　swill　we　purchased　last　evening。〃
　　　Ryld　and　Valas　exchanged　looks；　and　the　three　of　them　found　their　way　to　the　mon　room。　The　drow　who　called　himself　Zammzt　was　there；　waiting　patiently；　but　the　look　on　his　face　told　Pharaun　that　he　was　beginning　to　get　a　little　nervous。
　　　Probably　wondering　if　we　gave　him　the　slip；　the　wizard　thought。　Worried　about　what　he'd　tell　the　macron　mother　when　he　had　to　report　back　that　we　wouldn't　cooperate。
　　　The　stroll　to　the　House　would　have　been　pleasant；　Pharaun　decided；　if　the　streets　weren't　plagued　by　the　occasional　angry　mob。　Twice；　the　four　of　them　had　to　make　a　quick　dash　down　a　side　street　or　float　to　another　level　to　avoid　being　engulfed　in　a　tide　of　troublemakers。　Ac　one　point；　Pharaun　thought　he'd　have　to　blast　a　way　through　the　throng　with　a　bolt　of　lightning　or　a　ball　of　fire；　but　it　never　came　to　that。　In　order　to　keep　up　with　them；　Valas　was　forced　to　transport　himself　by　way　of　an　extradimensional　doorway。　This　from　an　item　Pharaun　had；　until　then；　been　unaware　the　scout　carried。
　　　〃You　know；〃　he　said　as　they　moved　into　the　highest　levels　of　the　city；　where　the　most　lavish　of　the　nobles'　manors　were　located；　〃I　quite　seriously　doubt　we　should　remain　for　the　full　evening。〃
　　　〃What；　you　think　the　city　is　growing　too　dangerous？〃　Valas　asked　wryly。　〃If　we　had　given　it　any　thought；　we　might　have　considered　packing　our　supplies　and　bringing　them　with　us。〃
　　　Pharaun　slowed　a　step；　thinking；　but　then　he　proceeded；　saying；　〃You're　right；　but　if　the　situation　warrants　it；　I　can　return　for　the　goods　myself　later。〃
　　　The　four　drow　arrived　at　last　at　House　Melarn；　an　impressive　bulge　in　the　upper　reaches　of　the　city。　The　whole　of　the　thing　was　stacked　above　the　level　of　the　street　and　also　hung　below　it；　and　it　covered　an　area　two　or　three　blocks　wide　and　just　as　deep。　To　Pharaun；　it　looked　like　a　massive　cyst　of　some　sort；　which；　he　supposed；　had　been　the　intent　of　the　architects　who'd　fashioned　it。
　　　The　food　and　spirits　had　better　be　worth　it；　the　wizard　thought；　sighing　as　he　followed　the　others　inside。　Right　now；　it　just　looks　like　a　prison。
　　　
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　　　Aliisza　loathed　the　form　she'd　chosen　for　herself；　finding　it　ugly　and　without　civility。　Oh；　certainly　any　ore　who　spotted　her　would　have　thought　her　beautiful；　but　the　alu…fiend　considered　the　race　repulsive　as　a　whole。　Still；　it　had　its　advantages。
　　　At　the　moment；　that　advantage　was　that　Pharaun　would　not　recognize　her。　Following　the　wizard　and　his　two　drow　panions　through　the　web　streets　of　Ched　Nasad；　being　led　by　a　fourth　drow…whom　she　found　to　be　rather　unattractive…Aliisza　didn't　want　her　lover　of　earlier　in　the　day　to　spot　her。　As　well；　she　found　it　easier　to　avoid　notice　as　one　of　the　baser　creatures　rather　than　as　one　of　the　dark　elves。　The　drow　citizens　might　have　outnumbered　the　rest　of　the　other　races　bined；　but　they　appeared　to　be　fearful　of　being　alone　in　public；　and　though　Aliisza　certainly　didn't　fear　for　her　own　well…being；　she　thought　it　best　to　draw　as　little　attention　to　herself　as　possible。
　　　Besides；　she　found　that　she　could　overhear　more　interesting　conversations　if　she　was　not　in　dark　elf　form。　The　other　beings　tended　to　stall　or　whisper　whenever　they　saw　any　drow　about；　but　they　were　not　so　mindful　of　their　words　when　it　was　just　an　ore；　beautiful　for　her　race　or　not。　Aliisza　could　certainly　understand　why。
　　　There　was　talk　of　rebellion　or　of　invasion　everywhere　she　went。　Half　the　inhabitants　seemed　to　think　the　crisis　in　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs　was　an　opportunity　to　end　the　drow　reign　once　and　for　all；　while　the　other　half　believed　that　someone　else　was　already　in　the　process　of　doing　just　that　and　that　everyone　already　living　there　would　pay　the　price　for　it。　One　thing　was　constant；　whatever　other　opinions　were　revealed：　Everyone　blamed　the　dark　elves　for　their　problems。
　　　It　was　the　drow；　she　heard；　who　had　angered　Lolth。　She　had　turned　away　from　the　city；　leaving　it　to　fend　for　itself。　Others　said　that　Lolth　had　grown　weak　and　ineffectual　from　the　placency　of　her　worshipers；　and　this　had　allowed　other　deities　to　overwhelm　her　when　she　wasn't　expecting　or　prepared　for　it。　The　most　intriguing　rumor　of　all；　of　course；　was　the　tale　that　seemed　most　recent。　Spreading　like　wildfire；　it　claimed　that　the　matron　mothers　had　discovered　a　traitor　in　their　midst；　one　of　their　own　who　had　collaborated　with　a　high　priestess　from　beyond　the　city　to　bring　Ched　Nasad　low。
　　　There　were　a　dozen　variations　on　that　story。　The　traitors　consorted　with　demons；　the　traitors　were　actually　demons　in　disguise；　the　traitors　were　stealing　from　the　city；　the　traitors　were　preparing　to　attack　the　city。　。　。　。
　　　Aliisza　had　little　doubt　about　the　veracity　of　the　story；　for　she　suspected　that　the　high　priestess　must　be　Quenthel。　Somehow；　the　Menzoberranyr　had　been　apprehended　in　the　middle　of　her　little　scheme；　the　one　Pharaun　regretted　mentioning。　She　was　curious　about　Pharaun's　role　in　the　rumor；　or　the　portion　of　the　story　that　included　a　matron　mother。　The　alu…fiend　wondered　if　Pharaun　had　been　swept　up　in　the　events　or　if　spending　the　afternoon　with　her…　she　shivered　with　delight　at　the　memory　of　it…had　allowed　him　to　stay　clear。
　　　Even　if　he　hadn't　gotten　entangled　in　the　matron　mothers'　schemes　thus　far；　he　was　bound　to　eventually。　She　knew　this　with　a　certainty　born　of　having　seen　the　political　machinations　of　her　own　kind　drag　even　the　most　unwilling　creatures　into　its　webbing。　Pharaun　would　have　a　part　to　play　in　the　unfolding　events；　as　much　for　his　inquisitive；　forceful　nature　as　for　his　relationship　with　the　priestess　he　so　casually　followed。
　　　Regardless　of　what　the　wizard　wanted；　he　was　in　the　pany　of　a　stranger；　someone　obviously　of　a　noble　House　by　the　insignia　on　his　piwafwi；　and　he　didn't　seem　to　be　under　duress　or　coerced。　Perhaps　he　didn't　know　what　was　going　on。　Aliisza　would　have　to　puzzle　on　that　some　more。　One　thing　was　certain；　however：　The　effect　the　rumor　was　having　on　the　populace　was　not　good。
　　　Aliisza　knew　she　shouldn't　care　If　Pharaun　had　been　apprehended。　Theirs　had　been　a　relationship　of　mutual　satisfaction；　no　more；　no　less。　He　was　a　pleasant　diversion　from　Kaanyr　Vhok；　and　she　knew　she　would　return　to　the　cambion；　had　always　intended　to　do　so。　Pharaun　knew　this　as　well；　and　the　fact　that　he　wasn't　bothered　by　the　informal　nature　of　their　〃chance　meeting〃　in　the　streets　was　what　had　made　him　so　delicious。
　　　But　the　alu…fiend　did　care；　at　least　enough　to　consider　whether　or　not　she　should　figure　out　if　he　needed　her　help。　She　supposed　she　simply　wasn't　quite　ready　to　give　him　up。
　　　She　also　knew　that　that　wasn't　the　only　reason　she　hadn't　yet　re…turned　to　Ammarindar　to　report　to　Kaanyr　Vhok　all　she'd　discovered　thus　far。　Perhaps　it　was　the　multitude　of　sights　and　sounds　in　the　city　that　attracted　her　still。　Perhaps　it　was　the　exquisite　feeling　she　got　whenever　creatures　of　the　race　she　chose　for　her　disguise…whether　it　be　dark　elf；　ore；　or　yet　some　other　species…admired　her　form。　It　had　been　too　long　since　she'd　experienced　that。　She　also　wanted　to　see　events　unfold　in　the　city。　She　sensed　the　tension　in　the　air；　and　she　wanted　to　witness　the　violence；　the　chaos；　should　something　e　to　pass。　Ched　Nasad　was　more　than　ripe　for　such　a　thing。　The　place　was　literally　buzzing　with　energy；　with　anticipation。
　　　The　four　drow　she　followed　moved　casually；　yet　they　always　seemed　to　be　adjusting　their　course　to　avoid　the　largest　crowds；　and　they　never　tarried　near　side　web　streets　or　alleyways。　It　was　clear　to　Aliisza　that　they　were　moving　warily。　More　than　once；　they　magically　bypassed　the　worst　of　the　crowds；　levitating　or　using　the　magical　doorways　that　both　she　and　Pharaun　employed　from　time　to　time。　They　led　her　into　the　higher　sections　of　the　city；　and　soon　it　became　apparent　to　Aliisza　that　she　would　have　to　either　stop　or　change　shape　in　order　to　continue　unhindered。　There　were　going　to　be　few　ores　that　high　in　the　cavern；　and　she　would　draw　attention　to　herself　in　her　present　guise。
　　　Changing　back　to　the　drow　form　she'd　used　earlier；　she　followed　the　four　dark　elves　farther；　until　they　arrived　at　a　large　noble　House；　which　they　entered。
　　　Aliisza　found　a　quiet　spot　atop　a　building　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　street　and　settled　down　to　wait。
　　　
　　　TEN
　　　Khorrl　Xornbane　knew　that　his　fidgeting　was　a　bad　sign；　but　he　couldn't　help　it。　He　and　his　clan　had　been　hiding　and　waiting　for　so　long　he　could　hardly　stand　it　any　longer。　Hiding　several　thousand　duergar　was　never　easy；　but　trying　to　do　it　in　the　middle　of　a　city　full　of　drow　was　taking　its　toll　on　his　nerves。　He　was　thankful　that　the　waiting　was　almost　over。
　　　Until　then；　the　fighting　had　been　relatively　easy　and　pain…free。　Ambushing　the　matron　mother　and　her　retinue　in　the　storehouse　had　been　almost　too　simple。　She　obviously　trusted　the　other　matron　mother　far　too　much；　and　it　had　cost　her。　He　wondered　if　anyone　had　discovered　the　bodies　of　her　soldiers　and　advisors。　They　would；　soon；　he　knew。　The　smell　would　lead　someone　to　them。
　　　Khorrl　and　his　duergar　were　inside　the　manor　itself；　out　of　sight　in　an　unused　wing　of　the　place；　in　a　barracks　where　no　soldiers　were　currently　quartered。　It　was　driving　Khorrl　mad。　His　sentries　had　not　reported　anyone　even　ing　near　the　halls　where　he　and　his　boys　waited；　but　if　anyone　found　them；　the　plan　was　ruined。
　　　〃Captain。〃　An　all…too…familiar　voice　came　from　the　shadows　at　the　edges　of　the　storehouse。
　　　Khorrl　felt　his　heart　begin　to　race　with　anticipation。　Zammzt　stepped　from　the　shadows；　a　wry　smile　on　his　face。
　　　〃So？〃　the　duergar　asked。
　　　〃We've　gotten　the　word；〃　Zammzt　replied。　〃It's　time　for　you　to　go　to　work。〃
　　　Khorrl　rubbed　his　hands　together　in　delight。　At　last。　He　began　going　over　the　plan　in　his　head　once　more　as　he　issued　orders；　and　Zammzt　faded　back　into　the　shadow　from　which　he'd　emerged。
　　　The　real　fighting　was　about　to　begin。
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　　　Faeryl　was　fast　growing　bored　with　all　of　it。　She　wished　the　matron　mothers　would　simply　see　things　as　her　mother　had　laid　them　out　so　carefully；　declare　House　Melarn　treasonous　and　dissolved；　and　permit　House　Zauvirr　to　rise　to　a　position　of　prominence　so　that　Ssipriina　could　sit　on　the　Council。　But　of　course；　there　was　the　prerequisite　squabbling　that　had　to　take　place；　first。　Faeryl　supposed　she　would　care　a　whole　lot　more　if　she　stood　to　gain　more；　but　her　mother　would　still　be　ordering　her　around…and　getting　ordered　around　in　turn；　even　if　it　was　by　someone　other　than　Drisinil　Melarn。
　　　There's　always　someone　using　you　as　their　footstool；　Faeryl　thought；　no　matter　how　high　you　reach。　Even　Triel　Baenre　was　forced　to　nod　her　head　in　subservience　to　the　whims　of　Lolth；　and　it's　possible　that　the　Dark　Mother　herself　has　been　forced　to…
　　　〃Faeryl；　stop　wasting　our　time　with　your　idle　fancies；　and　pay　attention；〃　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　said；　snapping　Faeryl　out　of　her　thoughts。
　　　〃Sorry；　Mother；〃　the　younger　drow　answered；　chagrined。
　　　She　focused　her　attention　on　the　conversation　at　hand；　for　at　least　the　matron　mothers　were　no　longer　talking　as　one。
　　　〃I　said〃　Inidil　Mylyl　declared；　emphasizing　the　word　to　make　sure　everyone　in　the　room　understood　that　she　was　put　out　at　having　to　repeat　herself；　〃that　hearing　the　tale　in　its　entirety　once　more　would　go　a　long　way　toward　clarifying　just　exactly　how　this　managed　to　happen　right　under　our　noses。　Perhaps　Faeryl　can　indulge　us　for　a　few　moments　more　to　explain　this。〃
　　　Faeryl　groaned　inwardly。　She　had　already　explained　herself　three　times　to　the　first　matron　mothers　to　arrive。　They　had　not　been　happy　with　several　parts　of　her　story；　so　she　was　going　to　have　to　tell　the　whole　thing　once　more　for　those　matron　mothers　who　had　chosen；　for　whatever　reason；　to　arrive　late。　Of　course；　they　were　the　most　powerful　drow　in　Ched　Nasad；　used　to　keeping　others　waiting　and　daring　anyone　to　question　them　on　it。　She　felt　queasy　as　she　crossed　to　the　center　of　the　room。
　　　〃Yes；　of　course；　Matron　Mother　Mylyl；〃　she　said　as　politely　as　she　could。
　　　pared　to　the　collection　of　nobility　in　the　room；　House　Zauvirr　was　still　inconsequential　and　could　be　held　accountable　for　everything　Faeryl　had　done　and　said　up　to　that　point。　Embarrassing　one's　own　mother　in　front　of　her　superiors　was　no　way　to　climb　to　a　higher　position　within　a　House；　and　the　ambassador　knew　that　both　her　tone　and　her　explanation　had　to　be　handled　just　right。
　　　〃For　the　sake　of　understanding；〃　she　continued；　〃let　me　start　by　saying　that　House　Zauvirr　represents　House　Melarn　in　certain　business　interests；　and　I　represent　House　Zauvirr's　efforts　on　behalf　of　House　Melarn　in　Menzoberranzan。　I　serve…or　did　serve；　rather…as　the　ambassador　to　Triel　Baenre　herself。　When　the　difficulties　arose；　they　were；　as　you　now　know；　experienced　in　Menzoberranzan　as　well。　Concerned　about　this　and　the　lack　of　caravan　traffic　between　the　two　cities；　I　petitioned　Matron　Mother　Baenre　to　allow　me　to　return　here　in　the　hopes　of　finding　out　what　was　wrong。
　　　〃Triel　refused；　and　in　fact；　effectively　placed　me　under　house　arrest；　for　what　concerns　I　never　found　out。　She　eventually　imprisoned　me　when　I　tried　to　leave　on　my　own。　While　I　did　not　wish　to　damage　the　relationship　between　our　Houses　and　House　Baenre；　my　loyalty　and　concern　lay　solely　with　my　own　family　and　those　families　we　serve　here　in　Ched　Nasad。　I　was　ordered　put　to　death　for　treason；　but　thankfully；　the　execution　never　occurred。
　　　〃Triel　changed　her　mind　at　some　point；　choosing　instead　to　forgive　me　whatever　sins　I　supposedly　mitted。　She　assigned　me　to　journey　with　her　sister；　Quenthel　Baenre；　and　several　others　here　to　Ched　Nasad　to　reestablish　trading　and　to　determine　if　more　information　was　available　concerning　the；　uh　。　。　。〃
　　　〃Child；　we　all　know　that　Lolth　has　vanished。　You　don't　have　to　tread　around　the　subject。〃　It　was　Matron　Mother　Aunrae　Nasadra；　the　uncrowned　queen　of　Ched　Nasad；　leader　of　the　most　powerful　House　in　the　city。　Faeryl　swallowed　as　Aunrae　added；　〃Get　to　the　point。〃
　　　The　ambassador　nodded　and　continued。　〃Menzoberranzan　had　suffered　an　uprising；　a　slave　revolt　supported　by　outside　forces。　Containing　it　consumed　a　substantial　amount　of　the　sisterhood's　divine　resources。　Matron　Mother　Triel　sent　the　group　of　us　here　to　find　out　if　Lolth's　disappearance　was　limited　to　Menzoberranzan　or　felt　across　all　tribes　of　drow；　but　she　also　wanted　Quenthel　to　procure　any　divine　magic　she　could　lay　her　hands　on　here。　Quenthel　and　Triel　had　apparently　rationalized　that　since　House　Baenre　held　part　ownership　in　Black　Claw　Mercantile；　anything　the　storehouses　stocked　was　her　city's　by　right。　Once　I　was　able　to　covertly　relay　this　to　my　mother　via　my　brother　and　his　magical　contacts；　we　worked　together　to　set　a　trap　and　catch　the　Menzoberranyr　in　the　act。　It　was　only　when　we　all　arrived　at　the　storehouse　that　we　discovered　Matron　Mother　Melarn　was　actually　aiding　the　visitors。　My　mother　confronted　both　of　them　together；　and　Matron　Mother　Melarn　tried　to　escape。〃
　　　When