war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第38部分

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　　　EIGHTEEN
　　　Pharaun　tried　to　stay　near　the　perimeter　of　the　city　as　he　made　his　way　toward　the　Flame　and　Serpent。　For　one　thing；　he　didn't　relish　the　thought　of　being　crushed　at　any　moment　by　falling　debris　from　above。　Though　it　had　only　happened　once；　he'd　been　far　too　intimately　involved　with　it　than　he　cared　to　remember。　He　would　avoid　a　repeat　incident；　if　he　could。
　　　Secondly；　the　wizard　knew　that　navigation　would　be　easier　if　he　followed　the　wall　of　the　chasm；　rather　than　trying　to　work　his　way　through　the　central　section　of　the　city。　Even　then；　the　thick　smoke　caused　him　difficulty　in　flying。　He　was　surprised　at　how　haze…choked　the　cavern　had　bee。　More　than　once；　he　nearly　careened　off　a　trench　wall；　still　intact　web　street；　or　building。　Nonetheless；　he　still　considered　the　challenge　of　navigating　through　that　to　be　far　safer　than　having　to　maneuver　through　the　center　of　Ched　Nasad；　where　the　sound　of　fighting　was　constant。　Occasionally　he　heard　explosions；　loud　pops；　and　howling　winds　in　the　distance　as　fierce　magical　battles　raged。　Arcane　forces　were　being　unleashed　on　gathering　troops。　There　was　no　doubt　about　it…the　entire　city　was　engaged　in　a　desperate　struggle　for　control　of　the　streets。
　　　Mostly；　the　reverberations　of　conflict　reached　the　mage's　ears　from　his　level　or　below。　What　had　in　all　likelihood　begun　in　the　plaza　outside　of　House　Melarn　had　quickly　spread；　engulfing　the　citizens　and　visitors　all　across　the　city；　on　every　level。　The　wizard　wondered　how　many　had　actually　managed　to　flee　into　the　caverns　surrounding　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs。　Though　the　team　from　Menzoberranzan　had　been　indisposed　for　much　of　the　Initial　martial　activity；　he　recalled　that；　since　their　escape　from　the　collapse　of　House　Melarn；　they　had　seen　surprisingly　few　ordinary　folk　in　the　streets。　Of　course；　that　was　also　because　they'd　spent　most　of　their　time　high　in　the　city；　where　only　the　nobles　prowled。　Farther　down；　in　the　lower　sections；　he　imagined　a　much　different　scene。　There；　he　supposed；　the　general　rabble　had　gotten　caught　up　in　the　fighting；　much　like　the　rebellion　back　home。
　　　The　uprising　had　taken　a　decidedly　different　twist　than　the　insurrection　in　Menzoberranzan；　though。　The　insurgents　involved　in　the　upheavals　in　Ched　Nasad　were　the　noble　Houses　themselves。　Their　own　infighting　was　the　flash　point。　Pharaun　counted　himself　fortunate　that　the　Houses　of　Menzoberranzan　had　proven　less　prone　to　petty　backbiting。　If　they　had；　there　might　not　be　a　city　for　him　to　return　to。　The　mage　grimaced；　thinking　of　Gromph's　attempts　on　Quenthel's　life；　and　his　own　sister　Greyanna's　failed　efforts　to　kill　him。
　　　There　might　not　be　anything　left；　he　thought；　before　this　is　pletely　finished。
　　　As　he　neared　the　section　of　the　city　where　the　inn　was　located；　the　wizard　noticed　that　the　damage　was　less　severe　there。　In　fact；　the　Flame　and　Serpent　was　thus　far　unscathed。　Immediately　he　saw　the　reason　why。　A　horde　of　mismatched　drow　and　other　creatures；　probably　residents　of　the　inn；　self…reliant　mercenaries；　and　whatnot　had　formed　a　perimeter　defense　around　the　place。　It　didn't　appear　that　they　were　under　fire　at　the　moment；　but　an　intense　battle　must　have　raged　there　earlier；　judging　by　the　number　of　bodies　present。
　　　Not　wanting　to　be　either　attacked　or　drawn　into　the　midst　of　the　siege；　Pharaun　elected　to　circle　around　to　the　back　side　of　the　inn　and　enter　it　that　way。　He　recalled　the　window　of　the　room　he　shared　with　Valas　and　Ryld；　the　one　that　looked　out　on　the　wall　of　the　massive　cavern　that　Ched　Nasad　called　home；　and　he　made　for　that。　He　approached　from　the　roof　and　settled　down　between　the　wall　of　the　building　and　the　wall　of　the　trench。　It　was　just　wide　enough　for　him　to　levitate　down　between　the　two；　and　he　hovered　there　while　he　contemplated　how　best　to　get　through　the　opening　without　attracting　attention。
　　　He　had　just　the　spell；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　realized；　a　minor　incantation　that　would　open　the　window　from　the　inside；　so　that　he　wouldn't　have　to　break　it　to　get　through。　Reaching　into　his　piwafwi；　he　fumbled　around　in　three　or　four　pockets　before　he　found　what　he　was　looking　for。　He　pulled　out　a　brass　key　and　tapped　it　softly　against　the　window　as　he　uttered　the　words　that　would　plete　the　spell。　The　window　opened　without　resistance；　and　Pharaun　squirmed　inside　the　room。
　　　The　wizard；　the　weapons　master；　and　the　scout　had　taken　all　of　their　belongings　when　they'd　left　the　inn　upon　being　summoned　to　attend　the　〃party〃　in　their　honor。　That　seems　almost　a　lifetime　ago；　Pharaun　mused　as　he　made　his　way　out　the　door　and　down　the　hall　to　Quenthel's　chambers。
　　　Upon　reaching　the　door；　the　mage　hesitated；　wondering　if　the　high　priestess　had　placed　some　sort　of　protective　enchantment　on　it　before　leaving；　but　then　he　remembered　that　Ryld　and　Valas　had　invaded　the　room　when　they　came　seeking　healing　magic。　Chuckling；　he　tried　the　door　and　found　it　locked。
　　　Of　course；　Pharaun　silently　muttered。　Leave　it　to　Valas　to　put　it　back　the　way　he　found　it。
　　　Shrugging；　the　wizard　dug　around　in　the　pockets　of　his　piwafwi　yet　again；　drawing　forth　a　pinch　of　clay　and　a　small　vial　of　water。　Sprinkling　the　water　over　the　clay；　he　invoked　the　Weave　and　pleted　the　spell。　A　portion　of　the　wall　next　to　the　door　began　to　sag；　transforming　from　solid　stone　to　thick；　viscous　mud。　The　wall　oozed　down　into　a　puddle；　and　Pharaun　stepped　back　to　avoid　soiling　his　boots。　When　the　opening　was　wide　enough；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　nimbly　leaped　through　into　the　room　beyond；　avoiding　the　mess　he'd　made。
　　　Pharaun　spied　Quenthel's　backpack；　filled　with　extra　supplies；　on　a　table　near　the　Reverie　couch。　Some　of　Faeryl's　things；　including　the　ambassador's　haversack；　were　on　the　other　table。　The　wizard　hefted　the　high　priestess's　pack　and　grunted。
　　　So；　the　mage　thought　with　a　wry　grin；　she　finally　figured　out　a　way　to　make　me　carry　her　possessions。
　　　He　slung　the　backpack　over　his　shoulder；　grabbed　up　the　second　one；　Faeryl's；　and　turned　to　go。
　　　A　crossbow　bolt　smacked　into　Pharaun's　chest；　somehow　managing　to　slip　through　the　part　in　the　piwafwi's　fabric；　and　embedded　itself　in　his　shoulder。　The　Master　of　Sorcere　grunted　and　stumbled　back　into　the　room；　spinning　away　so　that　his　back　was　to　his　assailant　and　he　was　more　pletely　protected　by　the　piwafwi。　He　looked　down　to　see　that　it　was　a　drow　bolt；　and　he　realized　his　magical　invisibility　had　worn　off。
　　　Pharaun　staggered　over　to　the　opposite　side　of　the　room；　dropping　the　two　satchels　as　he　scrambled　to　find　cover。　There　were　really　only　two　good　places　he　could　go：　behind　the　Reverie　couch　or　into　an　armoire。　As　he　rushed　past　the　armoire；　he　grabbed　the　door　and　yanked　it　open；　then　shoved　it　shut　again　as　he　slumped　behind　the　Reverie　couch。　The　door　to　the　oversized　cabinet　slammed　shut　just　as　two　pairs　of　boots　darted　into　the　room；　which　Pharaun　observed　from　beneath　the　couch。　The　mage　stayed　low；　on　his　knees；　watching　under　the　couch　as　the　two　pairs　of　boots　spread　apart；　both　slowly　headed　toward　the　armoire；　their　owners　presumably　covering　the　room。
　　　〃He　went　into　the　cabinet；〃　one　of　the　creatures　said　in　the　language　of　the　drow。
　　　The　crossbow　bolt　set　his　shoulder　throbbing；　but　Pharaun　quietly　watched　for　his　assailants　to　appear。　He　blinked；　unable　to　focus　clearly；　and　he　suddenly　began　to　feel　lightheaded。　He　kept　thinking　that　if　he　could　just　cast　a　spell；　this　would　all　be　over；　but　a　decision　about　which　one　or　how　to　go　about　doing　it　eluded　him。　The　crossbow　bolt　wound　had　begun　to　burn；　and　Pharaun　realized　that　he　was　growing　weak。　The　bolt　had　been　coated　with　poison。　He　would　have　to　hurry　to　get　back　to　the　others　before　it　overwhelmed　him；　and　he　only　hoped　they　had　a　means　of　treating　the　toxin。
　　　As　his　foes　both　came　into　Pharaun's　line　of　view；　crossbows　held　up　and　ready；　he　could　see　why　they'd　attacked　him　on　sight。　They　were　both　dark　elves；　and　they　wore　the　livery　of　House　Zauvirr。　Mentally　kicking　himself　for　not　considering　the　possibility　that　Ssipriina　might　send　someone　to　their　inn　on　the　expectation　that　he　or　others　in　the　group　might　return；　Pharaun　tried　to　phrase　the　arcane　words　of　a　spell；　but　they　wouldn't　e。　The　two　drow　were　grinning　as　they　sighted　down　their　crossbows　at　him。
　　　Pharaun　closed　his　eyes；　wondering　if　it　would　hurt　much　to　die；　and　pondered　whether　or　not　he　could　work　his　rapier　free；　when　he　heard　a　noise。　The　expected　twang　of　crossbows　being　fired　it　was　not。　Instead；　he　heard　a　woman's　voice…a　familiar　voice…uttering　a　quick　phrase。　The　wizard　squinted；　his　vision　blurry；　as　a　spray　of　intertwined；　multicolored　beams　of　light　cascaded　over　his　two　foes。
　　　Both　drow　reeled　backward　from　the　sudden；　bright　assault；　crying　out　and　flinging　up　their　hands　to　cover　their　eyes。　The　first　one　spasmed　as　crackles　of　electricity　raked　over　his　body　from　the　yellow　ray　of　light；　while　the　second　drow　was　engulfed　in　flames　upon　ing　into　contact　with　the　red　beam。
　　　Pharaun　watched　as　the　two　soldiers　crumpled　to　the　ground。　Whether　either　or　both　of　them　were　dead　or　not；　he　didn't　know；　nor　did　he　care。　He　was　growing　intolerably　weak　from　the　effects　of　the　poison。
　　　〃Hello；　Pharaun；〃　the　voice　purred。
　　　With　an　effort；　Pharaun　opened　his　eyes　again　and　looked　up；　realizing　who　it　was。
　　　〃Aliisza；〃　he　slurred；　relaxing　as　the　alu　came　around　the　couch　toward　him。　〃How　did　you　find…〃
　　　The　fiend's　slap　across　Pharaun's　face　stung　immensely　and　he　jerked；　alert；　his　eyes　watering。
　　　〃What　the…〃　the　wizard　grunted；　rubbing　his　cheek　as　Aliisza　squatted　down　beside　him；　her　hand　upraised。　〃What's　the　matter　with　you？〃
　　　He　again　wondered　if　he　could　produce　the　rapier。
　　　〃How　dare　you！〃　the　alu　growled；　one　eyebrow　arched；　but　without　the　acpanying　smile。　〃How　could　you　be　interested　in　that　trollop　after　sharing　my　bed？〃
　　　Pharaun　blinked；　thoroughly　confused。　Trollop？
　　　〃Who　in　the　blazes　are　you　talking　about？〃　he　demanded；　feebly　raising　his　good　arm　to　ward　off　the　impending　slap。
　　　〃Don't　you　play　dumb　with　me；　you　wretched　excuse　for　a　dark　elf。　You　know　the　one　I　mean。　The　pretty　you　pulled　from　that　collapsing　house。　I　should　have　gouged　her　eyes　out！〃
　　　〃Oh；　by　the　Dark　Mother；〃　Pharaun　muttered；　understanding　at　last。　〃It's　not　what　you　think。　。　。　。〃
　　　〃Ooh！　You　males　always　say　that。　According　to　your　gender；　it　never　is。　I　don't　want　to　hear　it。〃
　　　Aliisza　reached　down；　grabbed　the　wizard　by　both　lapels　of　his　piwafwi；　and　drew　him　up　to　her。　She　crushed　his　mouth　to　hers　in　a　rough　kiss；　biting　his　lip　so　hard　he　was　sure　she　drew　blood。　In　fact；　he　decided；　it　felt　not　so　much　like　a　kiss　as　like　the　fiend　was　marking　her　territory。
　　　〃That's　so　you　won't　forget　me　so　easily。　If　you　stray；　I'll　know　it。　I'll　smell　her　on　you；　and　I　will　not　be　happy。　I'm　not　through　with　you　yet；　wizard；〃　Aliisza　warned；　looking　him　in　the　eyes。
　　　She　blinked；　and　that　sardonic　smile　was　back。
　　　〃Well；　I　guess　I'd　better　get　you　to　some　help；〃　she　said　lightly；　hefting　Pharaun　up　and　slinging　him　over　her　shoulder；　careful　of　his　chest；　where　the　crossbow　bolt　still　protruded。
　　　The　wizard　felt　the　utter　fool；　being　toted　like　a　sack　of　mushrooms；　but　he　could　hardly　protest。　His　entire　body　felt　。　。　。　well；　〃fuzzy〃　was　the　best　word　he　could　think　of　to　describe　it。
　　　〃The　satchels；〃　he　mumbled　into　the　alu's　shoulder。　〃Don't　forget　the　satchels。〃
　　　Scooping　up　both　Quenthel's　and　Faeryl's　bags；　Aliisza　carried　Pharaun　across　the　room；　out　the　hole　he'd　made　in　the　wall；　down　the　hallway；　and　back　into　his　own　room。　She　set　the　wizard　down　on　the　Reverie　couch。　Taking　the　satchels；　she　moved　to　the　window　and　leaned　out；　bracing　her　feet　against　the　rock　wall　of　the　chasm。　Pharaun　watched　helplessly　as　she　tossed　the　packs　onto　the　roof。
　　　The　alu　returned　and　scooped　the　wizard　up　once　more　and　hauled　him　out　into　the　gap　between　the　building　and　the　wall；　shoving　him　upward　above　her。　He　felt　the　bolt　in　his　shoulder　ram　against　the　side　of　the　inn；　but　the　pain　was　strangely　diminished。　Still；　it　was　forceful　enough　to　make　him　grunt。
　　　〃By　the　Abyss；　can't　you　help　at　all？〃　she　puffed；　working　the　mage　to　the　roof。
　　　Pharaun　didn't　answer。　His　face　was　going　numb；　and　everything　was　fading　to　black。
　　　***
　　　
　　　Ryld　was　sitting　on　the　roof　of　a　building　that　bordered　the　alley；　with　his　legs　dangling　over　the　side；　his　crossbow　in　his　hands；　watching　parts　of　Ched　Nasad　burn。　Finally　having　a　chance　to　really　study　the　layout　of　the　city；　he　could　see　what　was　happening　with　greater　clarity。　The　fighting　had　diminished　in　the　highest　reaches；　though　he　could　still　hear　the　sounds　of　bat　from　a　couple　of　streets　over。　It　was　mostly　the　lower　sections　of　the　city　that　seemed　to　be　receiving　the　worst　of　it；　those　areas　where　the　lesser　races　were　most　numerous。　He　supposed　that　the　violence　down　there　took　the　form　a　general　rioting；　just　a　byproduct　of　the　tensions　of　the　city　coupled　with　the　more　severe　military　maneuvers　that　had　played　out　higher　up。　Of　course；　he　supposed；　having　a　large　chunk　of　the　city　fall　from　above　wasn't　going　to　help　calm　things。
　　　Halisstra　sat　down　beside　the　weapons　master　and　stared　forlornly　out　at　her　homeland。
　　　〃Valas　has　gone　to　see　what　chance　we　have　of　getting　out　through　any　of　the　city　gates；〃　she　told　Ryld。　〃I　told　him　about　one　or　two　places　where　we　might　be　able　to　depart　unseen；　and　he's　going　to　see　if　they're　secure。〃
　　　Ryld　only　nodded。　If　anyone　could　sneak　through　the　city　unchallenged；　it　was　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout。　He　doubted　seriously　if　any　exits　had　been　left　unguarded；　though。
　　　〃How　could　this　have　happened？〃　Halisstra　muttered　softly。　〃So　much　destruction。〃
　　　〃We　have　grown　placent；〃　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　answered。　〃The　drow　race　has　been　squabbling　in　a　controlled　manner　for　so　long；　we　never　expected　that　our　own　little　games　would　get　out　of　hand。　And　they…〃　the　weapons　master　gestured　downward；　in　the　direction　of　the　slums…〃just　feed　off　of　it；　now。〃
　　　〃But　the　fire。　How　is　it　possible　to　burn　down　a　city　made　of　stone？〃
　　　〃Alchemy；　I　suppose。　We　saw　the　same　thing　in　Menzoberranzan。　It's　more　devastating　here；　because　your　whole　city　is　suspended　on　stone　webbing。　They　were　very　clever　to　bring　the　firepots　here。〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　the　drow　maiden　breathed。　〃Set　the　webs　on　fire；　and　everything　attached　to　them　falls　to　its　destruction。　Including　House　Melarn。〃
　　　Ryld　glanced　over　at　the　dark　elf　beside　him。　Her　face　was　one　of　sorrow；　and　her　red　eyes　glistened　with　uncharacteristic　tears。　It　was　not　often　that　he　saw　a　drow　cry。　It　was　considered　a　sign　of　weakness。　He　found　it　refreshingly　honest　in　the　priestess。
　　　〃I　am　sorry　for　your　loss。　Perhaps　we　will　learn　from　this。　If　we　survive。〃
　　　Something　caught　Ryld's　eye；　and　he　had　his　crossbow　up　and　was　sighting　down　the　shaft　in　an　instant。　A　winged　figure；　bobbing　and　weaving　haphazardly；　emerged　from　the　smoke；　ing　for　their　position。　It　was　a　drow；　possibly；　though　it　had　wings；　and　it　bore　a　rather　large　bundle。　The　warrior　could　tell　something　was