war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第30部分

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　　　〃By　the　Dark　Mother；〃　someone　breathed。　〃It's　magnificent！〃
　　　The　giant　spider　righted　itself　atop　the　street；　and　Ssipriina　could　hear　the　screams　of　those　below；　screams　of　terror　as　the　spider　was　spotted。　It　began　to　scurry　in　the　other　direction；　toward　the　masses　of　soldiers　still　fighting　several　streets　away。
　　　〃By　the　Abyss；〃　Umrae　groaned。
　　　〃What？　What　is　it？〃　Nedylene　asked；　worry　in　her　voice。
　　　〃There　is　no　link；〃　Umrae　replied；　her　eyes　closed　in　concentration。　〃I　can't　control　It。〃
　　　***
　　　
　　　Halisstra　could　feel　her　sense　of　impending　dread　growing。　While　House　Melarn　had　not　collapsed　all　together；　as　she　had　so　direly　predicted　back　in　her　rooms；　it　had　certainly　shaken　violently　more　than　once；　and　to　her　senses；　familiar　with　every　hallway；　chamber；　and　nuance　of　the　dwelling；　it　seemed　to　lean　very　slightly　to　one　side。　As　impossible　to　fathom　as　the　idea　was；　Halisstra　wondered　if　the　place　was　still　stable。　She　wanted　desperately　to　get　outside　and　see　for　herself　just　what　was　happening　in　the　city。　The　drow　couldn't　imagine　violence　so　potent　as　to　be　able　to　physically　disturb　House　Melarn。
　　　The　dark　elf　priestess　was　leading　the　others　toward　her　mother's　chambers；　where　she　was　certain　Quenthel's　personal　belongings　had　been　taken　after　the　Mistress　of　the　Academy　had　been　imprisoned。　Though　she　would　have　some　petition　from　Aunrae　Nasadra；　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　would　certainly　claim　much　of　House　Melarn's　bounty　for　herself；　including　the　high　priestess's　personal　items；　to　keep　as　trophies　of　her　affront　to　the　city　of　Menzoberranzan；　if　nothing　else。　It　remained　to　be　seen　if　everything　Quenthel　Baenre　had　in　her　possession　upon　arrival　in　the　city　was　still　there。
　　　The　more　she　thought　about　the　actions　of　Ssipriina　and　the　other　matron　mothers；　the　more　incensed　Halisstra　grew。　Beyond　the　consequences　of　turning　on　House　Melarn；　they　were　potentially　offending　the　most　powerful　House　in　Menzoberranzan。　Plus；　the　course　of　action　they　had　taken　seemed　to　Halisstra　to　be　a　symbolic　thumbing　of　the　nose　at　the　very　idea　of　even　trying　to　discover　what　was　going　on　with　Lolth。
　　　At　least　Quenthel　and　the　others　are　trying　to　figure　something　out；　she'd　told　herself　more　than　once　since　her　entanglement　with　them。　Lolth　might　value　devotion；　but　Halisstra　didn't　believe　the　goddess　expected　her　servants　to　sit　back　and　wait　for　her　to　e　save　them；　even　if　they　showed　overzealous　dedication　or　sacrificed　a　thousand　gray　dwarves。
　　　Truthfully；　Halisstra　had　found　herself　wondering　just　what　Lolth　wanted。
　　　Halisstra　passed　through　a　large　intersection　and　turned　down　a　new　pathway；　one　even　more　lavishly　decorated；　if　that　were　possible；　with　plush　carpeting；　murals；　and　images　of　House　Melarn　triumphs。　They　were　entering　Drisinil's　personal　quarters；　and　Halisstra　was　fearful　that　a　large　contingent　of　House　Zauvirr　guards　would　be　posted　to　protect　the　chambers；　insurrection　outside　or　not。　The　dark　elf's　concerns　were　well　founded；　for　as　she　rounded　a　corner；　she　spotted　a　squadron　of　troops　milling　about；　blocking　access　to　the　door　beyond；　which　led　into　Drisinil's　private　residence。
　　　〃What　are　you　doing　down　here？〃　Halisstra　demanded；　hoping　to　throw　the　soldiers　off…balance　with　her　manding　tone。　〃You　are　needed　on　the　parapets　at　once！〃
　　　〃I　don't　think　so；〃　the　sergeant　said；　eyeing　the　motley　group　following　the　First　Daughter　as　he　raised　his　sword　and　pointed　it　at　her。　〃We　received　word　that　the　traitor　had　escaped；　and　now　you　appear　right　here；　conveniently　for　us。　I'm　afraid　we　have　orders　to　kill　you　and　anyone　aiding　you。〃
　　　The　soldiers　fanned　out；　brandishing　their　weapons　as　they　advanced。
　　　Halisstra's　first　instinct　was　to　bring　her　mace　up　to　defend　herself；　but　her　hand　was　empty；　for　Quenthel　had　not　yet　permitted　her　to　rearm　herself。　Danifae；　who　was　at　Halisstra's　side；　was　no　longer　bound；　but　she　had　no　weapon；　either。　Danifae　did；　however；　carry　a　small　knapsack　with　some　of　their　other　belongings。　Quenthel　had　agreed　to　let　them　stop　at　Halisstra's　chambers　and　pack　a　few　things　before　departing；　for　if　the　House　continued　to　thrash　about　like　it　had；　there　was　no　telling　when　they　might　have　to　evacuate；　and　there　would　be　no　better　chance　later。
　　　Out　of　the　corner　of　her　eye；　Halisstra　saw　her　attendant　falter　a　step；　too；　but　before　the　soldiers　could　close　the　gap；　a　blur　of　yellowish…white　fur　flashed　between　the　two　drow；　slamming　into　the　front　rank　of　troops　with　a　deep；　unsettling　snarl　and　a　whirl　of　arms　and　claws。　There　was　a　sickening　sound　of　rending　flesh　before　Halisstra　realized　that　the　draegloth；　Quenthel's　personal　bodyguard；　was　the　source　of　the　carnage。
　　　Halisstra's　gasp　of　surprise　came　only　after　three　of　the　soldiers；　including　the　sergeant；　went　down　screaming　before　the　onslaught　of　the　creature；　their　bodies　horribly　mangled　and　their　blood　splattered　everywhere。　Several　other　soldiers　began　to　surround　the　draegloth；　trying　to　stay　clear　of　the　fiend's　savage　claws；　but　at　the　same　time　looking　for　ways　to　press　the　attack。　Jeggred　crouched；　watching　his　multiple　foes　as　they　swarmed　around　him；　lashing　out　with　their　swords　but　unwilling　to　get　in　close　enough　to　do　any　good。　A　handful　were　already　backing　out　of　the　fray；　producing　hand　crossbows。
　　　Another　figure　darted　past　Halisstra；　and　a　third；　and　she　settled　back　against　the　wall　as　Ryld　and　Valas　entered　the　fight。　The　larger　of　the　two；　whom　she　had　found　striking　when　they　first　came　face　to　face；　was　wielding　his　greatsword　in　a　manner　she　found　forting。　The　blade　seemed　light　and　easy　in　his　hands　as　he　carved　half　the　face　off　of　one　soldier　and　spun　to　swipe　through　the　midsection　of　a　second　enemy　in　the　same　motion。　The　diminutive　one；　on　the　other　hand；　seemed　content　to　slink　up　behind　one　of　the　drow　soldiers　still　trying　to　find　an　opening　inside　Jeggred's　deadly　reach。　The　guard　never　heard　or　felt　Valas　ing；　and　when　the　scout　planted　his　kukri　into　the　small　of　the　soldiers　back；　a　flash　of　energy　acpanied　the　stroke。　The　soldier　arched　his　back　in　agony　and　crumpled　to　the　ground　as　Valas　pulled　his　blade　free　and　stepped　aside；　disappearing　into　the　shadows　again。
　　　〃Get　out　of　the　way；　foolish　girl；　and　let　them　do　their　work；〃　Quenthel　snapped　at　Halisstra　from　behind。
　　　The　daughter　of　House　Melarn　glanced　back　over　her　shoulder　to　where　the　high　priestess　was　standing。　She　saw　the　wizard　producing　some　odd　ingredient　or　another；　which　she　knew　meant　he　was　preparing　to　fling　a　spell。　In　front　of　him；　a　rapier　seemed　to　dance　of　its　own　accord　in　the　air；　as　though　it　was　defending　him　from　any　foes　who　might　try　to　get　close　to　him。　She　pressed　herself　against　the　wall　to　allow　him　ample　room　then　sidestepped　her　way　back　to　where　Quenthel　waited。　On　the　opposite　side　of　the　passage；　Danifae　was　doing　the　same。
　　　〃No　sense　getting　in　the　thick　of　things　when　they're　more　than　capable　of　handling　it　themselves；〃　Quenthel　explained；　scowling。　〃At　least　they're　good　for　that；　if　nothing　else。〃
　　　Halisstra　wanted　desperately　to　ask　the　other　drow　how　she　tolerated　such　insubordination　from　the　three　of　them；　especially　the　wizard；　Pharaun；　but　she　thought　it　best　to　keep　her　mouth　shut　and　stay　in　the　high　priestess's　good　graces。　It　might　be　a　long　while　before　Quenthel　trusted　her；　and　she　didn't　want　to　do　anything　to　jeopardize　that。
　　　A　hissing　sound　acpanied　a　long；　thin　sliver　of　ice　that　shot　from　Pharauns　fingertips　and　streaked　straight　at　one　of　the　soldiers；　embedding　itself　in　the　back　of　the　drow's　shoulder　like　a　deadly　icicle。　The　soldier　cried　out　in　pain　and　stumbled　backward；　but　too　late。　Jeggred；　seeing　his　foe's　attention　diverted；　darted　in　and　slashed　with　his　massive　claws；　ripping　through　the　muscle　wall　of　the　guard's　abdomen　and　smiling　delightedly　as　entrails　began　to　tumble　out。　The　force　of　the　blow　was　so　strong　that　it　spun　the　dark　elf　around。　With　a　sickening　plop；　the　soldier　fell　onto　his　back；　gazing　sightlessly　toward　Halisstra　while　the　contents　of　his　body　leaked　out　around　him。
　　　〃Hold！〃　a　voice　shouted　from　behind　Quenthel。　Halisstra　turned；　along　with　the　high　priestess；　to　see　a　whole　new　force　of　soldiers；　who　had　approached　from　the　direction　Halisstra　and　the　others　had　e。
　　　〃Wizard；　do　something！〃　Quenthel　ordered；　stepping　back　as　the　new　soldiers　slipped　their　weapons　from　sheaths　and　trotted　forward。
　　　Pharaun　spun　around；　and　seeing　the　new　threat；　he　stabbed　a　hand　inside　his　piwafwi　and　produced　several　small　items。　His　dancing　rapier　swung　around　and　darted　forward；　bobbing　and　weaving　through　the　air　in　an　attempt　to　hold　the　new　squad；　which　was　even　larger　in　size　than　the　first　one；　at　bay。　At　the　same　time；　Halisstra　heard　the　wizard　utter　some　word　or　phrase　under　his　breath。　Though　she　didn't　understand　his　speech；　the　effect　was　immediate　and　impressive。　A　blinding　streak　of　lightning　shot　forward　from　the　wizard's　fingertips　and　struck　the　closest　soldier　squarely　in　the　chest。　Immediately　afterward；　several　fingers　of　the　same　bolt　crackled　again；　fanning　outward　from　its　first　victim　to　strike　the　rest　of　the　dark　elves。
　　　Halisstra　cried　out　in　pain　and　flung　her　arm　up　to　shield　her　eyes　from　the　flaring　light　of　the　bolt；　cowering　against　the　wall　and　cursing　the　wizard　for　blinding　her　and　making　her　vulnerable　to　the　soldiers'　attacks。　Her　vision　swam　for　several　moments　with　the　afterimage　as　she　groped　along　the　wall；　trying　to　listen　for　the　sound　of　imminent　attack；　but　nothing　came。　Ahead；　she　heard　one　last　gasp　as　someone　was　wounded；　and　the　sounds　of　battle　faded。
　　　When　her　vision　finally　cleared；　she　saw　Danifae　and　Quenthel　looking　as　dazed　as　she　felt。　Pharaun　appeared　proud　of　himself；　and　the　entire　host　of　House　Zauvirr　soldiers　lay　on　the　ground　to　either　side　of　her。
　　　〃Damn　you；　Pharaun；〃　Quenthel　snarled；　her　hands　on　her　hips　as　she　glared　at　the　wizard；　who　was　a　few　inches　shorter　than　the　high　priestess。　〃You　warn　me　next　time　you　intend　to　cast　a　spell　like　that！〃
　　　Pharaun　bowed；　and　Halisstra　wasn't　sure　if　it　was　meant　to　be　mocking　or　not；　but　he　said；　〃My　apologies。　There　wasn't　time　to　warn　anyone。　They　would　have　been　upon　us　if　I　hadn't　acted　as　swiftly　as　I　did。〃
　　　Quenthel　sniffed；　apparently　not　pletely　satisfied　with　his　explanation；　but　she　said　nothing　else。　After　a　moment；　Halisstra　realized　that　the　Mistress　of　the　Academy　was　looking　at　her。
　　　〃Well？〃　Quenthel　said；　〃Lead　on。　I　don't　want　another　horde　of　Ssipriina's　lackeys　finding　us　still　standing　around　their　rades'　corpses。〃
　　　Halisstra　nodded　curtly　and　turned　toward　the　door。　She　was　careful　not　to　stare　overly　long　at　any　of　the　bodies　of　the　soldiers　Jeggred　had　dispatched。　She　reached　the　door　and　waved　her　brooch　in　front　of　it；　allowing　the　magic　to　do　its　work　and　unlock　the　portal。　The　priestess　stepped　inside　and　beckoned　the　others　to　follow　her。
　　　The　interior　of　her　mother's　chambers　was　gaudy　and　out　of　style　for　Halisstras　tastes；　but　she　paid　the　decorations　no　mind。　As　the　rest　of　the　group　filed　inside；　she　gestured　toward　the　rest　of　the　room　and　the　different　doorways。
　　　〃Mistress　Baenre's　things　are　here　somewhere；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃If　we　spread　out；　we　can　find　them　more　quickly。〃
　　　As　if　to　punctuate　the　need　for　urgency；　another　rumbling　vibration　bounced　through　the　House；　and　Halisstra　thought　she　heard　the　fracturing　of　solid　rock。
　　　〃Never　mind　that；〃　Quenthel　said　brusquely。　〃They're　in　there。〃
　　　She　pointed　through　one　of　the　doorways。
　　　〃That's　the　bedrooms；〃　Halisstra　said；　slightly　puzzled　at　how　the　high　priestess　would　know　they　were　in　there。　〃e　on；〃　she　said；　and　the　entire　group　followed　her　into　the　interior　chamber。
　　　The　oversized　bed　sat　to　one　side；　a　huge；　round　affair　that　could　acmodate　five　or　six　drow　and　probably　had　on　more　than　one　occasion；　Halisstra　supposed。　In　addition　to　that；　there　were　a　number　of　couches；　chests；　dressers；　and　tables　for　furniture；　and　rich　tapestries　covered　every　square　foot　of　the　walls。
　　　Quenthel　trudged　across　the　room　to　a　point　between　two　tall　ar…moires；　where　a　tapestry　woven　of　black　fabric　glowed　in　phosphorescent　hues　of　green；　purple；　and　yellow　with　an　image　of　a　drow　priestess。　Halisstra　knew　it　was　supposed　to　be　her　grandmother；　and　she　wondered　why　Drisinil　had　kept　it。　Halisstra　certainly　didn't　intend　to　keep　anything　to　remind　her　of　her　own　mother。
　　　〃Here；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃Everything's　behind　here。〃
　　　〃Well　don't　touch　it；　yet；〃　Pharaun　admonished；　striding　up　beside　her。
　　　He　studied　the　tapestry　for　a　moment　then　nodded　to　himself　as　though　satisfied。　He　took　hold　of　a　corner　of　the　weaving　and　yanked　it　off　the　wall。　Behind　it　was　only　bare　stone。
　　　Quenthel's　scowl　deepened；　but　the　wizard　simply　produced　a　wand　from　inside　the　folds　of　his　piwafwi；　waved　it　about；　and　uttered　an　arcane　phrase。　He　pocketed　the　magical　device　and　went　back　to　studying　the　space　as　the　others　gathered　around。　Danifae　stood　near　Halisstra；　and　the　priestess　felt　her　attendant　press　something　against　her　hand。　Looking　down；　Halisstra　saw　that　the　battle　captive　had　procured　a　pair　of　daggers　and　was　handing　one　to　her；　on　the　sly。
　　　Oh；　you　clever　girl；　Halisstra　thought。　She　quickly　palmed　the　weapon　and　tucked　it　into　the　folds　of　her　piwafwi；　out　of　sight。　Then　she　returned　her　attention　to　what　the　wizard　was　doing。
　　　〃Yes；　of　course；〃　Pharaun　said；　as　though　he　had　recognized　something　that　should　have　been　obvious　to　him。　〃All　right　everyone；　step　back。　I　can　disarm　the　protective　wards　and　sigils　that　are　here；　but　I　cannot　deal　with　the　more　mechanical　trap　that　I　suspect　is　also　present。〃
　　　〃That's　all　right；〃　Valas　said。　〃If　you　can　remove　all　of　the　magical　protections；　I　might　be　able　to　manage　the　rest。〃
　　　Pharaun　nodded　and　began　to　gesture　and　mutter；　finally　pointing　toward　the　space　between　the　two　tall　armoires　with　a　flourish。　Halisstra　supposed　the　wizard　must　have　some　ability　to　sense　the　presence　of　various　spells；　wards；　and　charms；　for　she　could　not　see　what　he　was　working　on　and　had　never　known　of　a　secret　portal　anywhere　in　her　mothers　rooms。　Pharaun　gazed　at　the　wall　a　moment　longer　after　he　was　finished　with　his　casting　then　nodded　for　the　scout　to　give　it　a　try。
　　　Valas　moved　up　closely　to　the　wall　and　began　to　inspect　it　little　by　little；　inch　by　inch。　Halisstra　wanted　to　get　in　close　beside　him；　to　see　what　he　was　looking　at；　but　she　dared　not　disturb　his　concentration。　At　that　moment；　yet　another　in　the　series　of　rumbles　shook　the　room；　and　Halisstra　nearly　lost　her　footing。
　　　〃By　the　Abyss！〃　Valas　yelled；　waving　his　arms　in　an　effort　to　avoid　falling　against　the　wall。　〃This　is　no　good。　I　can't　do　this　with　all　of　the…〃
　　　The　scout's　words　were　cut　off　as　the　whole　room　suddenly　lurched　and　began　to　tilt。　Halisstra　fell　to　the　floor　as　the　chamber　was　no　longer　level　but　instead　tipped　to　one　side；　away　from　the　wall　they　had　been　inspecting。　She　realized　she　was　screaming　as　she　rolled　along　the　floor。　The　movement　stopped；　but　all　through　the　Hous