war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第24部分

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that　weapon；　watching　how　Ryld　blocked　them。　When　Ryld　swung　through　a　parry　and　counterattacked；　the　other　warrior　was　ready；　deflecting　the　stroke　with　the　short　sword。　Unfortunately；　the　engagement　allowed　the　drow　on　Ryld's　left　to　finally　shoot　past　him。
　　　〃Pharaun！〃　Ryld　called；　〃watch　out！〃
　　　He　stepped　away　from　the　center　of　the　hallway；　angling　backward　to　keep　his　opponents　in　his　sight；　and　the　weapons　master　could　hear　cries　of　pain　and　terror　behind　him。　He　hoped　it　was　the　other　group　of　drow；　and　not　his　two　panions。　The　male　with　two　swords　pressed　in　again；　and　this　time　Ryld　was　ready　for　him。　When　the　first　swipe　from　the　short　sword　passed　high；　Ryld　knew　that　the　long　sword　would　follow　low。　This　time　when　the　stroke　approached　Ryld　cut　sharply　with　his　own　blade；　neatly　slicing　the　long　sword　in　half。　The　broken　end　skittered　away　with　a　clatter。
　　　〃Damn　you；　motherless　rothé！〃　the　other　drow　snarled；　but　he　gasped　in　the　next　instant　as　Ryld's　momentum　spun　the　weapons　master　fully　around　in　a　circle　and　into　him　again。
　　　His　cut　was　quick　and　true；　and　the　opponent　dropped　to　the　floor　with　a　groan。　Ryld　didn't　waste　time　watching　him　fall。　He　was　already　sidestepping　the　attack　from　the　soldier　who'd　gotten　behind　him　and　who　was　trying　to　cut　at　him　from　the　back。　He　took　a　short　spear　in　the　side　of　his　leg　for　his　troubles　and　growled　in　pain　as　he　back…stepped　from　the　attack；　limping。　He　couldn't　let　himself　get　turned　away　from　anyone；　yet　they　were　moving　to　do　just　that　by　surrounding　him。
　　　Appearing　as　if　from　nowhere；　Valas　caught　the　soldier　with　the　long　sword　from　behind；　sliding　an　arm　around　his　neck　and　planting　one　of　his　kukris　into　the　fellow's　back。　Seeing　the　attack；　Ryld　quickly　turned　and　parried　several　thrusts　from　the　short　spears。　The　final　two　drow　had　hoped　to　get　in　close　and　attack　Ryld　while　his　attention　was　focused　on　the　opposite　side；　but　they'd　lost　their　chance。
　　　Ryld　stepped　fully　into　the　middle　of　the　hallway　again；　wanting　as　much　room　as　possible　to　use　Splitter。　When　the　two　House　Zauvirr　soldiers　saw　that　the　odds　were　down　to　two　to　one　and　would　quickly　be　even　with　Valas　beside　him；　they　faltered　and　began　to　back　up。
　　　A　staccato　series　of　glowing　bluish…white　missiles　shot　past　Ryld；　slamming　into　the　two　drow　as　they　tried　to　turn　and　flee。　A　few　of　the　magical　streaks　of　light　fizzled　out　as　they　reached　their　targets；　but　far　more　of　them　struck　true；　causing　the　two　soldiers　to　shudder　and　convulse　as　they　went　sprawling　to　the　floor。　Ryld　glanced　back　to　see　Pharaun　holding　a　slender　length　of　some　darkly　stained　wood　cut　from　a　tree　on　the　surface　world。
　　　The　wizard　nodded　in　satisfaction　and　tucked　the　wand　away。
　　　〃We　mustn't　tarry；〃　he　said；　〃Everyone　in　the　entire　House　probably　heard　that。〃
　　　Curious；　Ryld　took　another　glance　back　past　Pharaun　to　where　the　other　contingent　of　drow　had　been。　They　were　all　dead；　clutched　in　the　grip　of　the　black；　shiny　tentacles　the　mage　sometimes　summoned。　The　tentacles　continued　to　squeeze　and　contract　around　the　bodies　of　those　unfortunate　soldiers　or　flailed　about　blindly　if　they　had　nothing　to　grip。
　　　Turning　back；　Ryld　followed　the　other　two　past　the　dead　drow　and　into　the　stairwell。
　　　***
　　　
　　　Halisstra　stumbled　and　lost　her　balance　as　the　deep　rumble　shook　House　Melarn。　To　either　side　of　her；　the　guards　who　were　〃escorting〃　her　into　the　audience　chamber　stumbled　as　well；　losing　their　grips　on　the　drow　noble's　arms　as　they　flailed　about；　trying　to　regain　their　collective　balance。　All　around　Halisstra；　shouts　rose　as　drow　began　to　mill　about　uncertainly　in　the　confusion　caused　by　the　vibration；　whatever　it　was。　Stunned　as　much　by　the　proceedings　that　had　been　taking　place　in　her　mother's　House…her　House　now；　Halisstra　realized…as　by　the　shock　wave　that　tore　through　the　place；　Halisstra　merely　stood　in　place；　dressed　in　only　her　underclothes　and　with　her　arms　securely　manacled　behind　her　back；　staring　at　the　chaos　around　her。
　　　When　the　liveried　servant　from　House　Nasadra　ran　into　the　room；　announcing　the　fighting　outside；　Halisstra　blinked　in　astonishment。
　　　Duergar？　Attacking　House　Melarn？　Why　in　the　Abyss　would　they…
　　　A　second　blast　rocked　House　Melarn　and　knocked　Halisstra　off　her　feet。　Or　rather；　it　would　have　if　someone　hadn't　caught　her　from　behind。
　　　〃On　your　feet。　。　。　I've　got　to　get　you　out　of　here。〃
　　　It　was　Danifae；　dressed　for　battle　and　looking　remarkably　like　just　another　guard　in　a　House　Zauvirr　piwafwi。
　　　Halisstra　struggled　to　right　herself　with　Danifae's　help；　then　turned　to　look　at　her　battle　captive。　The　servant　was　not　normally　permitted　to　arm　and　armor　herself；　but　she　was　currently　wearing　her　old　chain　shirt　and　buckler　and　had　her　morning　star　at　her　side。　Halisstra　wondered　how　Danifae　had　managed　to　get　to　her　accoutrements；　which　had　been　locked　away　in　Halisstra's　rooms；　but　she　wasn't　going　to　take　the　time　to　plain　just　then。
　　　Halisstra　heard　a　shout　from　behind　them；　and　she　turned；　expecting　to　see　her　original　guards　realizing　she　was　free。　Instead；　she　discovered　that　a　thick　mist　had　filled　the　room；　and　she　could　see　very　little　beyond　a　couple　of　paces　away。
　　　〃e　on；〃　Halisstra　hissed；　scrambling　through　the　mist　toward　the　back　of　the　room；　to　a　doorway　leading　deeper　into　the　House　where　her　own　chambers　were　located。　〃Back　to　my　rooms；　and　you　can　get　these…〃she　held　her　arms　out　away　from　her　back　to　indicate　the　manacles…〃off　me。〃
　　　〃Of　course；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　said；　steering　her　superior　by　one　arm　through　the　thick；　obscuring　mist；　along　the　wall　and　toward　the　door。　〃We'll　thank　someone　later　for　hiding　our　escape　with　this　fog。〃
　　　〃You　mean；　that's　not　something　you　and　Lirdnolu　Maerret　planned　to　help　extricate　me　from　Ssipriina　Zauvirr？〃
　　　Danifae　laughed　once；　a　bitter　chuckle。
　　　〃Hardly；〃　she　said；　〃Despite　my　convincing　performance　before　Matron　Mother　Zauvirr；　you　didn't　really　expect　her　to　let　me　wander　free　did　you？　I　had　no　way　to　reach　House　Maerret。　No；　that　motion　back　there　was　someone　else's　doing；〃
　　　Once　the　two　of　them　were　out　of　the　audience　chamber　and　into　the　hall；　Halisstra　could　see　better；　and　she　set　off　regally　toward　her　own　chambers；　despite　the　fact　that　she　was　half…naked　and　bound。　She　hadn't　managed　more　than　three　or　four　steps　before　a　third　rumble　staggered　her。　She　gasped　as　she　lost　her　balance　and　stumbled　against　one　wall　of　the　hallway；　but　Danifae　was　there；　catching　hold　of　her　mistress　and　steadying　her　as　the　tremor　quieted。
　　　〃What　the　blazes　is　going　on？〃　Halisstra　demanded　as　they　righted　themselves　and　hurried　on　their　way。
　　　〃I　don't　know　for　sure；　but　I　can　hazard　a　guess；〃　her　subordinate　replied　as　they　turned　a　corner。　〃There　are　riots　welling　up　in　the　streets。〃
　　　〃Perhaps；〃　Halisstra　said；　〃but　why　would　duergar　target　House　Melarn？〃
　　　〃That；　I　can't　say；〃　Danifae　replied；　〃but　my　guess　is　it　has　more　to　do　with　Ssipriina　Zauvirr's　attempt　to　overthrow　House　Melarn　than　anything　else。　Regardless；　it　served　my　purposes　well　enough。　Perhaps　we　can　find　out　more　in　a　little　bit；　after　we　get　you　out　of　those　restraints。〃
　　　〃Yes；〃　Halisstra　answered；　thinking。　〃Let's　start　with　finding　out　where　in　the　Nine　Hells　all　of　our　House　guards　are。〃
　　　〃I　can　tell　you　that　right　now；〃　Danifae　offered　as　the　duo　turned　another　corner　and　entered　Halisstra's　chambers。　〃They　accepted　an　offer　they　couldn't　refuse：　serve　House　Zauvirr　or　die。〃
　　　Halisstra　sighed。
　　　〃Is　there　anyone　still　loyal　to　me？〃　she　asked；　though　she　feared　she　already　knew　the　answer。
　　　〃Possibly　your　brother；　if　he's　still　alive；　but　he's　at　the　Dangling　Tower　and　can't　do　us　much　good　here；〃　Danifae　said；　turning　Halisstra　around　so　that　she　could　take　a　look　at　the　locking　mechanism　on　the　restraints。　〃As　for　inside　the　House　right　now？　I　doubt　anyone　would　be　willing　to　aid　you；　except　maybe　those　three　males　in　the　audience　chamber；　the　ones　from　Menzoberranzan；　and　only　if　you　win　their　trust。〃　The　battle　captive　shook　her　head。　〃I　can't　get　these　off　right　now。　Better　to　break　the　chain　and　worry　about　them　later。〃
　　　〃Fine　。　。　。　but　what　do　you　mean；　'win　their　trust？'　How　could　I　do　that？〃
　　　Halisstra　began　to　pace；　pondering　her　options。　Though　she　had　managed　to　escape　the　matron　mothers　for　the　moment；　she　was　still　trapped…inside　her　own　House；　of　all　places…and　doubted　it　would　take　long　for　Ssipriina's　guards　to　close　in　on　the　two　of　them。
　　　Danifae　didn't　answer　right　away。　Halisstra　turned　to　repeat　her　question　and　saw　the　other　dark　elf　grab　the　noble's　mace　from　where　it　stood　in　the　corner　by　her　bed。　She　was　momentarily　startled　when　Danifae　returned　to　her　side　and　pushed　her　to　her　knees；　but　she　quickly　understood　the　battle　captive's　intent；　and　positioned　her　hands　near　the　floor　where　Danifae　could　strike　the　chain　while　it　was　against　the　stone。
　　　〃You　could　start　by　telling　them　that　their　high　priestess　is　still　alive；〃　Danifae　finally　answered；　drawing　the　mace　back　for　a　hard　blow　against　the　chain　joining　the　manacles。
　　　〃What？〃　Halisstra　gasped；　turning　to　look　at　her　servant。　〃Quen…thel　Baenre　is　alive？〃
　　　For　a　brief　moment　she　wondered　if　her　mother　had　also　survived。
　　　Danifae　held　her　downstroke　at　the　last　moment　when　her　mistress　moved。
　　　〃Hold　still！〃　she　manded；　repositioning　Halisstra　for　another　try。　〃And　yes；　the　Baenre　priestess　is　alive。　I　saw　both　her　and　her　demon　panion　in　the　dungeons　earlier。　While　I　was　prowling　around；　trying　to　figure　out　what　to　do；　I　saw　that　male　Mistress　Zauvirr　called　Zammzt　hurrying　from　that　direction。〃
　　　Danifae　smacked　her　morning　star　hard　against　the　chain；　but　the　links　didn't　break。
　　　〃A　few　moments　later；〃　she　continued；　〃Faeryl　Zauvirr　appeared；　also　ing　from　the　lower　levels。　Curious；　I　decided　to　see　what　she　was　doing　down　there。　She　has　them　both　bound　to　within　an　inch　of　their　lives；　and　Quenthel　Baenre　is　stretched　tight　on　the　rack　at　the　moment。〃
　　　Danifae　lined　up　another　blow　with　the　mace。
　　　〃Then　Ssipriina　is　lying！　I　can　free　the　high　priestess　and　get　her　to　prove　my　innocence。〃
　　　Halisstra　felt　elation　for　the　first　time　since　the　catastrophic　day　had　begun。
　　　〃Possibly；〃　the　battle　captive　answered　dryly；　taking　another　whack　at　the　restraints；　〃but　I　doubt　many　of　the　matron　mothers　will　choose　to　believe　her。　She　may　still　be　guilty　of　her　crimes；　even　if　you　are　innocent　of　yours。　Enough　of　the　matron　mothers　have　an　agenda　that　precludes　you　walking　free　from　this。　More　likely…ah　ha！〃
　　　The　link　Danifae　had　been　pounding　on　finally　crimped　enough　to　separate　the　manacles。
　　　Helping　Halisstra　to　her　feet；　the　battle　captive　continued；　〃More　likely；　they'll　simply　accuse　you　of　trying　to　help　her　escape　and　offering　that　as　a　cover　story。〃
　　　Halisstra　eyed　the　steel　restraints　still　on　her　wrists；　already　finding　them　annoying；　but　they　would　have　to　wait。　Free；　at　least　for　the　moment；　Halisstra's　fear　melted　away。　She　was　furious；　and　she　couldn't　decide　who　bore　the　majority　of　her　anger。
　　　〃Well；　I'm　not　just　going　to　sit　here　while　everyone　else　brings　down　House　Melarn　around　my　ears。　Help　me　get　ready；　and　let's　go　find　that　Baenre。〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；〃　Danifae　said；　moving　rapidly　with　the　decision　having　been　made。
　　　With　her　servant's　help；　Halisstra　quickly　began　to　dress；　first　attiring　herself　in　a　set　of　plain　but　functional　clothes；　then　donning　her　armor；　a　fine　suit　of　chain　mail　bearing　the　coat　of　arms　of　House　Melarn　and　several　enchantments。　Once　that　was　on；　Danifae　handed　Halisstra　her　mace　and　shield　and　scurried　about　the　room　to　gather　up　other　things　Halisstra　normally　had　with　her　when　out　in　the　city　or　beyond。
　　　When　Halisstra　was　dressed；　Danifae　grabbed　her　morning　star；　each　of　them　wrapped　themselves　in　a　piwafwi　marked　with　the　insignia　of　House　Zauvirr；　and　they　were　ready。
　　　Outside　Halisstra's　rooms；　the　halls　were　quiet。　No　one　had　yet　been　sent　to　hunt　for　her；　it　appeared；　for　which　the　priestess　was　silently　thankful。　Once　away　from　her　private　quarters；　Halisstra　began　to　breathe　a　little　easier。　No　one　would　question　two　House　guards　moving　through　the　halls。
　　　That's　when　the　two　of　them　came　around　a　bend　in　the　hallway　and　spied　three　strange　drow；　two　of　them　bruised　and　bleeding；　creeping　through　the　gloom。　They　were　definitely　not　members　of　the　household；　but　it　took　Halisstra　another　moment　or　two　before　she　realized　they　were　the　three　Menzoberranyr。
　　　〃Damn；〃　one　of　them　said；　reaching　inside　his　piwafwi　as　the　other　two　brandished　weapons　and　advanced　warily。
　　　TWELVE
　　　Matron　Mother　Zauvirr　wasn't　merely　angry。　Angry　was　for　subordinates　who　knew　to　hold　their　tongues　in　the　presence　of　their　superiors　despite　their　feelings。　Angry　was　for　those　times　when　you　had　to　slap　a　child　because　it　didn't　know　any　better。　No；　angry　wasn't　nearly　strong　enough　a　word　to　describe　what　Ssipriina　was　feeling。　Someone　was　going　to　pay　for　this　foolishness。　Someone　was　going　to　die。
　　　She　stormed　through　the　hallways　of　her　own　House　Zauvirr；　having　slipped　out　of　Drisinils　manor　during　the　confusion　and　magically　transported　herself　back　home。　There　was　something　she　wanted　to　get；　something　she　needed；　though　she　hadn't　expected　to；　when　the　day　started。　She　almost　hoped　that　someone　would　cross　her　path　as　she　marched　along；　that　someone　would　make　the　mistake　of　accosting　her；　of　interrupting　her　train　of　thought　for　some　idiotic　and　perfectly　pointless　reason。　She　really　hoped　they　would　。。。　it　would　be　fun；　in　a　distracting　sort　of　way；　to　watch　some　hapless　male　bleed　out　as　she　ripped　him　up。　She　was　furious　enough　to　do　it　with　her　bare　hands。
　　　A　guard　would　do　nicely；　she　thought。　Any　foolish　boy　who　even　looks　at　me。
　　　All　of　her　planning；　wasted。　All　of　the　careful　manipulation；　the　bribes；　the　theft；　the　smuggling　of　valuables　and　troops；　even　the　fortuitous　arrival　of　the　damnable　Menzoberranyr　and　her　clever　scheme　to　fit　them　into　the　plan　was　for　naught。　Someone　had　blundered；　and　she　would　have　his　head。
　　　I　had　them　in　the　palm　of　my　hand；　Ssipriina　thought。　They　were　ready　to　anoint　me。　Even　after　that　ridiculous　story　the　wizard　made　up。
　　　That　obvious　attempt　to　derail　her　plans　wouldn't　have　stopped　her。　No　one　would　have　believed　him；　even　after　her　foolish　daughter　reacted。　Ssipriina　thought　Faeryl　had　sounded　like　the　petulant　child　that　she　still　was。
　　　I　should　never　have　brought　her　in　on　this。
　　　Ssipriina　realized　her　mind　was　wandering。　It　was　the　fury；　keeping　her　from　thinking　straight。
　　　Faeryl　I　can　deal　with　later。　There's　nothing　to　be　done　except　to　fight　and　win；　but　it　would　have　been　so　much　easier　if　the　gray　dwarves　had　remained　out　of　sight。　Who　told　them　to　move　out？
　　　As　the　matron　mother　arrived　at　her　rooms；　she　decided　that　ferreting　out　the　guilty　party　would　also　have　to　wait　until　later。　Her　full　attention　was　needed　elsewhere。　She　was　about　to　spring　something　on　the　entire　city。　Something　very　special。　Ssipriina　grinned　when