war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第23部分

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pped　up　behind　her；　seemingly　from　nowhere…How　does　he　do　that？　Pharaun　marveled…and　plunged　one　of　his　two　curved　daggers　into　the　small　of　her　back。　As　the　cleric　dropped　woodenly　to　the　floor；　the　scout　was　turning　away；　and　Pharaun　lost　sight　of　him　again　when　the　wizard　turned　his　attention　for　a　moment　to　the　other　side　of　the　room。
　　　There；　several　of　the　matron　mothers　had　e　together；　protected　by　a　significant　portion　of　their　entourage；　and　were　huddled　around　something　Pharaun　couldn't　see。　He　considered　whether　to　strike　at　them　while　they　were　in　such　close　proximity　but　dismissed　the　idea。
　　　Don't　want　to　draw　any　more　attention　to　myself　than　necessary；　he　decided。
　　　Pharaun　felt　the　tingle　of　magic　being　cast　at　him；　and　he　saw　another　wizard　with　his　finger　pointed　in　his　direction。　Somehow；　they'd　discovered　his　position。　Pharaun　realized　he　was　glowing　with　a　pale　violet　flame；　despite　his　invisible　state。　Already；　several　other　wizards　were　looking　in　his　direction；　and　a　handful　of　soldiers　were　arming　crossbows。
　　　Damnation！　the　mage　thought。
　　　He　quickly　pulled　his　piwafwi　around　himself　and　turned　away　as　the　first　volley　of　bolts　crashed　into　the　ceiling　around　him。　He　felt　a　pair　of　the　missiles　strike　his　back；　but　the　piwafwi　did　its　job。　There　was　no　way　he　could　eliminate　the　faerie　fire　around　himself　without　also　dismissing　the　invisibility；　he　knew；　but　if　he　simply　let　himself　be　a　target；　he　would　wind　up　a　pincushion。　Shaking　his　head　in　consternation；　Pharaun　quickly　dropped　from　his　position；　pulling　up　just　short　of　hitting　the　floor。
　　　The　contingent　of　wizards　and　soldiers　had　followed　Pharaun's　descent　and　were　moving　to　close　with　him。　Two　soldiers　brandishing　long　swords　came　at　him　from　opposite　sides；　and　though　he　was　able　to　duck　the　first　attack　cleanly；　the　other　one　caught　him　flush　across　the　arm；　penetrating　his　piwafwi。　Blood　spurted　from　the　gash　as　the　mage　cried　out　in　pain。　A　heartbeat　later；　he　and　his　two　adversaries　were　engulfed　in　a　torrent；　as　though　they　had　danced　their　dance　into　the　center　of　a　waterfall…only　it　wasn't　water。　It　burned　like　fire；　and　both　of　the　sword　wielders　shrieked　and　thrashed　as　their　skin　blistered　and　reddened。　Pharaun　felt　his　own　skin　bubbling　and　boiling　as　he　flung　his　piwafwi　up　to　shield　his　face　and　threw　himself　clear；　moving　at　an　unnaturally　rapid　pace；　thanks　to　the　magic　of　his　boots。
　　　Rolling　free　of　the　downpour　of　acid；　Pharaun　summoned　his　rapier　as　he　leaped　to　his　feet；　continuing　his　forward　progress　right　at　two　more　soldiers。　He　used　the　hovering；　dancing　rapier　to　hold　the　pair　of　drow　at　bay　just　enough　so　he　could　pass　between　them　before　they　even　knew　he　was　ing。　Once　he　was　through；　he　headed　in　the　direction　of　Ryld；　while　more　crossbow　bolts　and　a　couple　of　streaking　missiles　of　light　and　fire　fizzled　out　as　they　reached　his　form。
　　　Valas　had　hidden　himself　away　again；　but　Ryld　was　hard　at　work；　surrounded　by　no　less　than　six　opponents。　With　each　swing　of　Splitter；　the　burly　warrior　parried　several　weapons　at　once。　His　chest　was　heaving；　and　he　was　covered　in　blood　from　a　dozen　small　wounds。　He　didn't　appear　capable　of　going　on　the　offensive　with　so　many　foes　surrounding　him。
　　　As　Pharaun　closed　with　his　panion；　he　had　the　magical　rapier　slash　at　the　back　of　one　of　Ryld's　adversaries。　The　blade　jabbed　into　the　drow　soldier　from　behind；　causing　the　poor　fellow　to　arch　his　back　in　agony　and　crumple　to　the　ground。　Grimly；　Pharaun　ordered　the　rapier　to　return　and　protect　him　as　he　began　to　conjure　another　spell。
　　　Backing　himself　into　a　defensive　position　near　the　same　statues　that　Ryld　had　used　to　hide　himself　earlier；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　extracted　a　second　pinch　of　the　powdered　diamond。　This　time；　though；　the　spell　he　wove　created　an　invisible　barrier　between　himself　and　the　dozen　or　so　soldiers　and　wizards　who　had　been　pursuing　him。　The　location　where　Ryld　had　chosen　to　hide　was　more　or　less　in　a　corner　of　the　great　audience　chamber；　and　Pharaun　took　advantage　of　that　by　stretching　his　invisible　wall　at　an　angle；　sealing　himself　and　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　off　from　most　of　the　rest　of　the　chamber；　with　only　the　five　drow　who　were　still　surrounding　Ryld　to　contend　with。
　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere　turned　his　attention　to　aiding　Ryld　as　the　other　soldiers　painfully　discovered　his　magical　wall。　He　ignored　the　thumps　they　made　as　the　first　two　or　three　slammed　into　the　barrier；　but　he　couldn't　help　but　smile。　Ryld　had　fatally　wounded　a　second　foe；　a　priestess　who　was　writhing　on　the　floor　in　a　growing　pool　of　blood。　Pharaun　drew　out　his　own　crossbow　and　loaded　the　weapon　even　as　he　brought　his　dancing　rapier　to　bear　on　a　drow　male　who　was　trying　to　get　in　behind　Ryld。
　　　The　rapier　slashed；　grazing　the　guard's　shoulder；　and　as　the　soldier　turned　to　protect　himself　from　this　new　threat；　Pharaun　fired　his　crossbow；　striking　true。　The　soldier　grunted　in　surprise　and　pain　as　the　bolt　took　him　in　the　shoulder　of　his　weapon　arm。　He　dropped　his　long　sword　and　staggered　backward；　eyeing　the　rapier　as　it　flitted　about　in　front　of　him。　Pharaun　reloaded　the　crossbow　and　was　taking　aim　when　Valas　stepped　from　a　shadow　and　finished　the　guard　from　behind。　Eyes　wide；　the　drow　gasped　and　tried　to　say　something；　seemed　confused　that　his　words　wouldn't　form；　then　died；　sliding　to　the　floor　as　the　scout　freed　his　kukri　from　its　victim。
　　　〃I　assume　that's　you；　wizard？　What's　the　point　of　being　invisible　if　you're　going　to　glow　all　purple　like　that？〃
　　　〃I'm　glad　to　see　you　wound　up　on　the　right　side　of　things；〃　Pharaun　said；　then　staggered　as　another　rumble　shook　the　building。　〃By　the　Dark　Mother；　what　is　going　on　out　there？〃　he　said；　steadying　himself　from　the　aftershocks。
　　　〃Whatever　it　is；　I　don't　know　if　it's　better　to　be　out　there　or　in　here；〃　Valas　replied；　wiping　his　curved　dagger　clean　on　the　dead　draw's　piwafwi。　〃We've　got　to　get　out　of　here。〃
　　　Pharaun　nodded；　forgetting　that　the　scout　couldn't　see　him；　then　he　said；　〃I　agree〃　before　turning　to　see　how　Ryld　had　fared。
　　　The　warrior　was　facing　only　a　single　opponent；　stepping　warily　around　the　slick　pools　of　blood　as　he　feinted　a　few　times。　His　ploys　weren't　terribly　effective；　and　he　was　gasping　for　breath。　His　close…cropped　white　hair　was　matted　red　with　blood。
　　　Valas　crept　forward；　ready　to　get　in　another　attack　from　behind　the　moment　an　opportunity　presented　itself；　so　the　mage　turned　his　attention　back　to　his　magical　wall；　confident　his　two　panions　had　the　situation　well　in　hand。
　　　On　the　other　side　of　the　barrier；　several　of　the　drow　wizards　were　levitating；　testing　to　see　if　Pharaun　had　left　any　gaps　along　the　ceiling。　Another　wizard　was　obviously　casting；　trying　to　find　something　that　would　dispel　the　effect。　Soldiers　stood　at　the　ready；　fingering　their　weapons　and　eyeing　Pharaun　and　his　two　panions　balefully。　Pharaun　knew　by　sense　that　the　magical　partition　still　held；　but　it　would　only　be　a　matter　of　time　before　their　enemies　would　find　the　right　bination　of　magic　to　bring　it　down。
　　　At　that　moment；　Pharaun　noted　the　smoke　on　the　far　side　of　the　room。　It　was　where　the　matron　mothers　had　been；　but　they　were　no　longer　there。
　　　Of　course　not；　the　mage　thought　sardonically。　They're　not　going　to　e　out　until　they　know　we're　in　custody　again。
　　　The　smoke；　however；　was　thick　and　black　and　seemed　to　be　pouring　into　the　room　through　a　hole　in　the　wall。　He　could　see　flames　licking　the　stone；　and　he　realized　what　was　going　on。
　　　〃We've　definitely　got　to　get　out　of　here；〃　the　mage　said　to　Valas。
　　　〃That's　what　I　said；〃　Valas　replied；　〃but　you　seem　to　have　sealed　us　in　here。〃
　　　Ryld　had　dispatched　his　final　adversary　and　sank　down　to　one　knee；　trying　to　regain　his　breath。
　　　〃Hello；　Pharaun。　It's　good　to　'see'　you。　You　two　aren't　going　to　walk　through　walls　again；　are　you？〃　Ryld　asked；　heaving　himself　to　his　feet　again。
　　　On　the　other　side　of　the　barrier；　some　of　the　House　Melarn　delegation　had　lost　interest　in　them；　turning　and　pointing　back　at　the　smoke　or　running　toward　it。　〃Whatever　was　happening　in　the　obscured　side　of　the　audience　chamber；　they　were　very　agitated。
　　　〃Alas；〃　Pharaun　answered　the　warrior；　〃I　have　exhausted　my　quota　of　wall…walking　for　the　day。　I'll　have　to　rely　on　more　conventional　means　of　egress；　I'm　afraid。　Still；　we　shouldn't　tarry。　That　smoke　is　from　the　same　stuff　we　had　to　deal　with　during　the　insurrection　back　in　Menzoberranzan。〃
　　　〃The　fire　bombs　that　burned　the　very　stone？〃　Valas　asked。
　　　〃Then　that　means　。　。　。〃　Ryld　added。
　　　〃Precisely。　We　may　be　contending　with　associates　of　Syrzan；　or　others；　who　are　inciting　the　populace　to　riot　and　arming　them　with　the　same　tools　of　destruction。〃
　　　〃I　thought　you　said　the　alhoon　was　operating　alone；　an　outcast　from　its　own　kind；〃　Ryld　said；　turning　in　circles　and　analyzing　every　nook　and　cranny　of　the　corner　of　the　room。
　　　〃I　did；〃　Pharaun　admitted。　〃In　my　conversation　with　the　thing　during　our　captivity；　it　claimed　that　very　thing。　Perhaps　whoever　supplied　it　or　its　minions　with　the　alchemical　incendiary　jugs　is　serving　multiple　fronts。〃
　　　〃Regardless　of　who's　doing　it；　we　know　how　grave　the　situation　is；〃　Valas　said。　〃We　need　to　get　out　of　the　city。〃
　　　〃Again；　I　agree；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃I　suggest　we　make　a　run　for　it　once　I　lower　the　barrier。〃
　　　〃Into　that　mob？〃　Ryld　countered。　〃We　should　try　to　find　another　way　out。〃
　　　〃But　that's　the　quickest　way　to　the　streets。　We　don't　know　our　way　around　in　here；　and　House　Melarn　could　be　an　inferno　before　long。〃
　　　〃Look；〃　Ryld　argued；　〃you　may　be　feeling　fine；　but　I　can't　take　another　stand…up　fight　right　now。〃　He　gestured　at　his　own　bloody　form。　〃There's　got　to　be　other　ways　out　of　this　House。　Let's　go　find　one。〃　The　warrior　gestured　toward　a　door　in　the　corner　and　added；　〃Leave　your　barrier　up　and　let's　go。〃
　　　Valas　nodded　and　said；　〃Ryld　is　right。　We　can't　fight　through　all　of　them。　Let's　try　another　route。〃
　　　〃Very　well；〃　Pharaun　sighed；　〃but　if　the　House　falls　down　around　our　ears；　I　will　personally　blame　both　of　you。〃
　　　He　gestured　toward　the　door；　inviting　Valas　to　lead　the　way。
　　　***
　　　
　　　For　the　first　few　minutes；　the　halls　of　House　Melarn　were　remarkably　empty　as　Ryld；　Pharaun；　and　Valas　limped　their　way　through　them。　Occasionally；　the　trio　heard　running　footsteps　in　the　twisting；　winding　passages　that　threaded　their　way　through　the　massive　structure；　but　they　were　able　to　avoid　confrontations　by　cither　taking　a　detour　or　momentarily　hiding。　It　appeared　to　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　that　most　of　the　inhabitants　were　focusing　their　attention　outside；　where　the　bulk　of　the　fighting　was　taking　place。
　　　As　they　reached　an　intersection；　Valas　held　up　his　hand　for　a　halt；　and　the　scout　slunk　off　in　one　direction；　investigating　the　route　ahead。　Ryld　and　Pharaun　pressed　themselves　against　the　wall；　trying　to　remain　out　of　sight。　The　wizard　was　no　longer　invisible；　nor　was　he　glowing　with　that　annoying；　flickering　purple　hue。　Ryld　had　taken　care　of　that　with　a　pass　of　his　enchanted　blade。　The　warrior　could　see　that　his　panion's　skin　was　blistered；　and　he　imagined　that　Pharaun　was　in　considerable　pain。　His　own　wounds　troubled　him　only　when　he　thought　about　them。
　　　Don't　you　have　some　son　of　magic　that　can　help　us　locate　an　exit？　Ryld　flashed　to　the　wizard　as　they　waited。
　　　Pharaun　shook　his　head。
　　　Such　spells　exist；　but　I　don't　know　them；　he　silently　replied。　Without　knowing　the　way；　we　could　be　down　here　forever。　This　is　a　fool's　errand；　Ryld。
　　　Then　perhaps　we　should　just　follow　the　soldiers。　They　can　unwittingly　lead　us　out　of　here。
　　　Pharaun　waved　away　the　warrior's　suggestion；　though　whether　it　was　in　exasperation　or　acceptance；　Ryld　wasn't　sure。
　　　The　risk　of　discovery　or　disaster　is　greater　if　we　do　that。
　　　Ryld　shrugged　but　gave　no　other　reply。　Instead；　he　turned　to　Watch　for　Valas's　return。
　　　Why　do　I　bother　arguing？　the　weapons　master　thought　as　his　listened　for　telltale　sounds。　He's　already　made　up　his　mind。
　　　Valas　returned　at　that　moment；　gesturing　for　them　to　follow　him。　Together；　they　crept　forward　into　a　new　corridor；　and　Valas　pointed　to　a　doorway　on　the　opposite　side。
　　　That's　a　kitchen；　he　signaled；　and　beyond　it　is　a　pantry。　On　the　other　side；　here…the　scout　pointed　to　a　door　near　the　trio…is　a　mess　hall。　I　think　we're　in　the　barracks　section。
　　　Well；　that's　not　a　good　place　to　be；　Pharaun　gestured。　We　want　to　avoid　the　guards；　not　e　bunk　with　them。
　　　Valas　gave　Pharaun　a　baleful　look　and　motioned　for　the　other　two　to　follow　him。　I　think　there's　a　stairwell　leading　up　just　past　this　area；　he　flashed　as　he　led　the　way　through　the　passage。
　　　Ryld　thought　they　might　actually　get　lucky　and　get　through　the　guards'　quarters　unnoticed；　but　as　they　neared　the　opposite　end　of　the　passageway　that　bisected　the　barracks　and　the　mess；　they　heard　the　approach　of　a　large　contingent　from　ahead　of　them。　As　one；　the　three　drow　turned　to　scamper　back　in　the　other　direction；　but　at　that　moment　several　House　Zauvirr　soldiers　appeared　at　the　other　end。　They　were　pinned　between　the　two　forces。
　　　〃Damn！〃　Pharaun　growled　as　he　reached　inside　his　piwafwi。　〃Hold　them　off　while　I　see　what　I　can　do。〃
　　　Nodding；　Ryld　slipped　Splitter　free　and　approached　the　group　ing　from　where　Valas　had　indicated　stairs。
　　　If　we　can　cut　through　them；　the　warrior　reasoned；　at　least　we　can　continue　the　way　we　want　to　go。
　　　The　soldiers；　numbering　four；　gave　a　shout　of　warning　and　unsheathed　their　weapons。
　　　〃e　on；　you　son　of　a　drider；〃　one　of　them　snarled；　stepping　in　with　a　long　sword　and　a　short　sword　together；　one　in　each　hand。
　　　The　other　three　fanned　out；　looking　for　a　chance　to　flank　the　burly　intruder。　Ryld　kept　his　blade　level　and　loose；　waiting　and　watching；　shifting　from　foot　to　foot　in　hopes　of　preventing　any　of　his　foes　from　getting　past　him　and　to　his　back；　or　reaching　Pharaun。　He　worried　that　his　hands；　still　covered　with　drying　blood；　would　be　too　slick　to　wield　his　blade　properly。
　　　The　first　opponent　stepped　in；　slashing　with　his　short　sword　up　high；　then　bringing　his　long　sword　through　in　a　sweep　across　Ryld's　midsection。　The　weapons　master　ducked　below　the　first　slice　and　parried　the　lower　blow　with　Splitter。
　　　Try　that　again；　and　I'll　have　you　down　to　two　short　swords；　Ryld　thought；　watching　to　see　if　the　other　drow　would　fall　into　a　pattern。
　　　To　his　left；　another　of　the　soldiers　was　trying　to　scoot　along　the　wall；　obviously　hoping　he　could　squeeze　past　Ryld；　but　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　was　keeping　them　all　in　his　line　of　sight。　He　made　a　quick　slash　to　the　side；　causing　the　soldier　to　flinch　back。　Ryld　bounced　back　to　the　middle　of　the　corridor；　still　watching　the　drow　with　two　blades。　The　other　two　drow；　both　on　Ryld's　right；　were　waiting　and　watching。
　　　Fine　with　me；　Ryld　thought；　keeping　his　main　attention　on　the　one　in　front　of　him。
　　　The　drow　changed　tactics　this　time；　stepping　in　with　the　long　sword　leading；　and　proceeded　through　a　flurry　of　blows　with　only　that　weapon；　watching　how　Ryld　blocked　them。　When　Ryld　swung　through　a　parry　and　counterattacked；　th