war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第40部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


　you're　the　spies　who　were　accused　of　collaborating　with　her。　Maybe　it's　time　you　died。〃
　　　The　Melarn　wizard　stepped　back；　reaching　into　his　piwafwi；　but　before　Pharaun　could　react；　a　voice　drifted　from　behind　him。
　　　〃Hello；　Q'arlynd；〃　Halisstra　said　as　she　and　the　others　floated　up　over　the　side　of　the　web　street。
　　　The　Melarn　wizard　stopped；　peering　at　the　priestess　for　a　moment。　Then　he　broke　into　a　broad　grin。
　　　〃Dear　sister；〃　he　said。　〃I　thought　you　were　dead。〃
　　　NINETEEN
　　　〃When　the　fighting　got　worse；　several　of　the　matron　mothers；　including　Maerret；　came　to　the　Dangling　Tower　and　asked　us　to　aid　them；〃　Q'arlynd　explained。　〃They　said　it　was　a　full…scale　civil　war　and　the　rebels　were　going　to　tear　the　city　apart　if　we　didn't　stop　them。　Matron　Mother　Lirdnolu　explained　to　me　what　had　happened　to　House　Melarn。　I　knew　Mother　was　dead；　and　we'd　heard　that　she　was　killed　by　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　with　collaborators　from　the　outside　who　wanted　to　see　the　downfall　of　Ched　Nasad。〃
　　　〃And　you　thought　I'd　perished；　too；〃　Halisstra　said；　squatting　down　beside　her　brother。
　　　〃Yes；　either　at　the　same　time　Mother　was　murdered　or　in　the　fall　of　our　House。　Is　it　really　gone？〃　the　Melarn　wizard　asked。
　　　Halisstra　only　nodded。
　　　〃By　the　Dark　Mother；〃　he　breathed。
　　　〃Well；　the　family　reunion　is　nice　and　all；　but　we　still　need　to　get　out　of　this　city；〃　Pharaun　said；　standing。　〃What's　the　situation？　Where's　the　closest　way　out　that　we　can　get　through？〃
　　　Q'arlynd　shook　his　head　and　said；　〃There　are　none；　so　I've　heard。　All　the　gates　have　either　been　mandeered　by　rebel　forces　or　hordes　of　escaped　slaves　or　they've　collapsed　outright　because　of　the　fighting。　This　alchemical　fire　that　burns　through　stone　is　wreaking　havoc　on…〃
　　　〃Believe　me；　we　know；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　interrupted；　〃but　your　report　doesn't　leave　us　with　many　options。　We've　got　to　find　a　way　to　get　free　of　the　city。〃
　　　Quenthel　had　just　opened　her　mouth；　most　likely　to　mand　Pharaun　to　figure　out　a　method　of　escaping　Ched　Nasad；　the　wizard　imagined；　when　a　motion　broke　out　from　farther　down　the　boulevard。　Pharaun　turned　and　looked　just　in　time　to　see　a　jumble　of　dark　elves　stumbling　to　their　feet　in　disarray。　Many　of　them　fell　again　just　as　quickly；　cut　down　by　a　growing　horde　of　gray　dwarves　who　were　emerging　through　a　magical　doorway　hovering　in　the　air　only　a　couple　of　feet　above　the　street。　The　duergar　were　streaming　through　as　fast　as　they　could；　firing　off　crossbows　at　any　drow　targets　they　could　find　before　casting　the　missile　weapons　aside　and　pulling　out　axes；　hammers；　and　the　occasional　mace。
　　　〃Attack！　We're　under　attack！〃　the　cry　went　up　as　more　drow　surged　to　their　feet；　moving　to　stop　the　advance　of　the　gray　dwarves。
　　　〃e　on；　you　flat…footed；　sorry　excuses　for　soldiers…get　up　there　and　fight　before　they　split　us　down　the　middle！〃　the　battle　priestess　yelled；　returning　from　the　far　end　of　the　street　and　shoving　troops　forward　as　fast　as　she　could　get　to　them。　〃Wizard！　Throw　a　spell！　Drive　them　back。　If　they　reach　the　square；　we're　done　for。〃
　　　Pharaun　sighed　and　nodded；　grabbing　the　battle　priestess　and　spinning　her　around　to　face　him。　His　smile　was　gone。
　　　〃Tell　your　troops　to　fall　back　to　this　point；〃　he　said。
　　　〃What？　And　let　them　e　at　us　unopposed？　I　think　not。〃
　　　〃Do　it；　or　they　will　be　trapped。　Set　up　three　positions　of　missile　fire；　here…〃　he　pointed　to　several　positions　in　the　street…〃there；　and　there。〃
　　　The　battle　priestess　looked　at　the　mage　as　though　he　were　crazy　but　finally　nodded　and　shouted　for　an　organized　retreat。
　　　Pharaun　rolled　his　eyes　at　the　battle　priestess's　short…sightedness　and　began　organizing　the　drow　soldiers　himself；　sorting　them　into　groups　of　crossbowmen；　stationing　them　where　he'd　pointed　earlier。　As　more　and　more　of　the　dark　elves　dropped　back　from　the　duergar；　they　fell　in　with　the　others　already　positioned。　As　a　unit；　they　began　to　fire　into　the　mass　of　milling　gray　dwarves；　who　were　slaughtering　the　few　remaining　stragglers。
　　　They're　lost　to　us；　the　wizard　said　to　himself。
　　　He　cast；　and　a　great　mass　of　webs　appeared；　spanning　the　width　of　the　street；　anchored　to　the　pavement　and　the　buildings　on　either　side。　A　handful　of　the　dark　elves　were　caught　in　the　sticky　strands；　and　perhaps　a　dozen　or　so　were　trapped　on　the　other　side；　but　the　gray　dwarves　were　effectively　sealed　off　from　advancing；　at　least　until　they　penetrated　the　webs　or　the　spell　wore　off。
　　　〃e　on；〃　Q'arlynd　said；　motioning　upward　as　he　began　to　levitate。
　　　Pharaun　followed　the　other　wizard　upward　to　a　position　where　they　could　see　over　the　top　of　his　webs；　down　into　the　field　of　battle　where　the　gray　dwarves　had　quickly　killed　the　few　remaining　drow　who　had　been　trapped　with　them。　The　duergar　were　milling　about；　seemingly　unsure　what　to　do。　Halisstra's　brother　had　ponents　out；　ready　to　cast　a　spell；　and　one　look　at　the　lump　of　bat　guano　in　his　hand　told　Pharaun　what　the　wizard　planned。
　　　〃Hold　on；〃　Pharaun　said；　laying　a　hand　on　Q'arlynd's　arm。　〃They're　waiting；〃　he　explained；　pointing　down　at　the　duergar。　〃They　want　a　shaman　or　something　to　e　try　to　dispel　the　webs。　He's　probably　the　same　one　who　opened　the　dimensional　doorway。〃
　　　Sure　enough；　a　duergar　dressed　in　robes　and　wearing　several　totems　and　other　magical　trinkets　stepped　through　the　glowing　doorway。　One　of　the　duergar　addressed　him…Pharaun　couldn't　hear　what　was　being　said…and　pointed　to　the　webs。　The　shaman　nodded　and　began　to　cast。
　　　〃Do　it；〃　Pharaun　said。
　　　Q'arlynd　went　into　action；　letting　loose　with　his　spell；　aiming　it　directly　at　the　shaman。　It　was　a　direct　hit；　and　that　entire　side　of　the　street　was　engulfed　in　a　white…hot　ball　of　fire　that　blossomed　outward　and　vaporized　an　instant　later。　Charred　and　burning　gray　dwarves　lay　everywhere。　A　few　moved；　having　survived；　but　they　were　few　and　far　between。　Most　importantly；　the　dimensional　pathway　had　been　banished；　winking　out　when　the　shaman　who　created　it　died。
　　　The　two　wizards　settled　back　to　the　ground　again；　noting　that　Q'arlynd's　fiery　ball　of　magic　had　ignited　the　webs；　which　were　quickly　burning　away。　Already；　though；　another　gateway　was　forming；　this　one　at　the　opposite　end　of　the　street。　The　battle　priestess　rallied　her　troops　to　deal　with　the　new　threat。
　　　〃You　know　you　only　delayed　the　inevitable；〃　Quenthel　said　as　Pharaun　and　Q'arlynd　returned。　〃We're　wasting　time；　here。　We　have　to　get　out　of　the　city。〃
　　　〃I　know；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　replied；　〃but　it　was　fun。〃
　　　〃Look！〃　Danifae　shouted；　pointing　toward　the　new　gateway。
　　　Duergar　were　streaming　out；　and　drow　were　arriving　from　above　and　below；　levitating　from　the　web　streets　on　the　two　adjacent　levels。
　　　〃It's　House　Zauvirr　troops；〃　the　battle　captive　explained。　〃They've　got　us　pinned。〃
　　　〃Fall　back；〃　the　battle　priestess　manded；　turning　to　point　back　the　way　the　duergar　had　e；　but　as　she　began　to　direct　her　soldiers；　she　took　a　crossbow　bolt　in　the　ear。　The　missile　passed　through　and　protruded　from　the　other　side　of　her　head；　and　she　was　already　dead；　motionless；　as　she　fell　to　the　pavement。
　　　〃We're　surrounded！〃　Q'arlynd　cried　out。　〃Stand　and　fight！〃
　　　He　produced　a　wand　and　waved　it；　conjuring　a　sudden　and　violent　tempest　of　ice　fragments　the　size　of　Pharaun's　head。　The　chunks　of　ice　pelted　down　on　the　front　ranks　of　gray　dwarves；　beating　them　down　and　slicing　them　to　ribbons　amid　cries　of　anguish。
　　　In　reply；　the　duergar　began　throwing　more　of　the　firepots　into　the　ever…tightening　mass　of　House　Maerret　drow；　who　were　bunched　together　and　made　easy　targets。　More　and　more　of　the　gray　dwarves　appeared；　forming　ranks；　establishing　a　shield　wall　in　front　so　that　the　back　ranks　would　have　protection　as　they　fired　crossbows　and　hurled　firepots　and　spells。
　　　Pharaun　had　no　idea　where　any　of　his　panions　were。　Everyone　had　been　scattered　in　the　initial　panic　of　the　attack。　He　had　no　concerns　that　they　couldn't　take　care　of　themselves；　at　least　for　the　moment；　but　the　longer　they　remained　there；　the　less　their　chances　became　of　escaping　at　all。　He　spun　in　place；　looking　for　a　sign　of　any　of　them　in　the　thickening　smoke；　when　a　creature　materialized　in　front　of　the　wizard；　its　back　to　him。
　　　Pharaun's　ability　to　note　magical　emanations　made　it　clear　to　him　that　this　creature　had　been　summoned　from　somewhere；　most　likely　the　lower　planes。　It　was　a　huge　thing；　vaguely　humanoid；　covered　with　white　fur　and　possessed　of　four　arms。　It　had　a　sloping　brow　and　a　flattened　nose；　but　the　most　terrifying　aspect　was　its　gaping　mouth　and　fangs。　The　beast　spun　around；　roaring　in　rage；　and　spotted　the　wizard。　Its　red　eyes　glittered　in　delight　as　it　lunged　forward；　claws　outstretched；　ready　to　rend　the　Master　of　Sorcere。
　　　Pharaun　fumbled　to　free　his　rapier；　but　the　fiendish　creature　was　on　him　too　fast；　and　he　took　a　painful　slash　across　the　shoulder　that　knocked　him　sideways　several　feet。　The　wizard　stumbled　to　the　ground　as　the　thing　bounded　forward　again；　pounding　its　chest　with　all　four　fists　and　roaring　a　challenge。
　　　Goddess；　Pharaun　thought　in　a　panic；　scrambling　backward　and　trying　to　activate　his　rapier。
　　　From　one　side；　a　flash　of　movement　caught　the　mage's　eye；　and　Valas　darted　in　behind　the　beast；　raking　both　kukris　along　its　hamstrings。　The　beast　roared　in　pain　but　amazingly；　it　spun　around　before　Valas　could　blend　into　the　surroundings；　slashing　at　the　diminutive　scout　with　outstretched　claws。
　　　Pharaun　heard　the　other　drow　grunt　and　watched　him　go　sprawling　from　the　force　of　the　blow；　but　it　bought　him　the　time　he　needed　to　get　his　rapier　free。　He　mentally　manded　the　thin　blade　to　attack；　and　when　it　jabbed　at　the　beast；　which　was　looming　over　Valas；　the　creature　snarled　and　spun　back　to　see　what　had　hurt　it。　Valas　scrambled　to　his　feet　and　faded　from　sight。
　　　The　fiendish　thing　growled　and　roared；　swiping　at　the　dancing　rapier；　but　the　blade　was　too　quick；　darting　and　weaving　and　getting　several　pokes　in。　Already；　the　white　fur　of　the　monster　was　tainted　red　from　multiple　wounds。　This　only　seemed　to　be　enraging　the　beast　further；　and　Pharaun　had　to　suppress　a　grin。
　　　With　the　blade　now　protecting　him　from　attack；　the　wizard　could　cast　a　spell。　He　gestured　and　uttered　a　few　syllables；　and　instantly；　he　was　surrounded　by　more　than　half　a　dozen　exact　duplicates　of　himself　that　flickered　and　spun　about。
　　　At　the　same　time；　a　clay　pot　shattered　right　at　the　feet　of　the　summoned　creature；　engulfing　it　in　flames。　It　screamed　in　pain　and　flailed　about；　and　Pharaun　was　forced　to　back　a　few　steps　to　avoid　it　as　it　went　running　to　escape　its　torment。　Blinded　by　fire　and　pain；　the　fiendish　creature　charged　over　the　side　of　the　web　street；　vanishing　into　the　void　below。
　　　Pharaun　turned　to　assay　the　battle；　his　rapier　still　bobbing　and　weaving；　waiting　for　a　target；　and　the　wizard　nearly　got　his　head　taken　off　by　a　series　of　whirling　blades。　This　spell　he　knew　well　enough；　for　it　was　a　favorite　of　the　priestesses；　but　he　doubted　that　any　of　the　drow　had　cast　it。　Two　of　the　spinning　blades　tore　through　his　piwafwi；　nipping　at　his　arm　and　creating　quick；　thin　lines　of　blood。　Instinctively；　he　dropped　to　the　ground；　avoiding　the　full　brunt　of　the　spell；　though　several　of　his　duplicates　vanished　after　being　struck。　The　mage　rolled　out　from　beneath　the　spinning　range　of　the　spell　and　regained　his　feet。
　　　Quenthel　was　nearby；　a　wand　in　one　hand　and　her　whip　in　the　other。　She　was　slashing　at　a　duergar　with　her　whip；　and　at　the　same　time；　Pharaun　noted；　she　was　directing　a　glowing；　floating　apparition　of　a　hammer　about　with　the　wand。　She　swiped　at　the　gray　dwarf　with　her　whip；　and　as　he　backed　up　to　avoid　the　attack；　she　brought　the　hammer　in　from　behind；　slamming　it　into　the　back　of　his　skull。　The　duergar　jerked　once；　his　eyes　rolled　up　into　his　head；　and　he　crumpled　to　the　ground。
　　　Ryld　maneuvered　into　view；　swinging　Splitter　all　around　himself。　Pharaun　could　see　that　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　was　engaged　with　three　drow；　and　the　way　they　were　handling　their　own　weapons；　it　appeared　that　Ryld　had　matched　up　with　fellow　weapons　masters。　The　three　opponents　stalked　around　him；　feinting　and　jabbing；　trying　to　get　the　warrior　to　over…mit　on　defense；　but　Ryld　maintained　his　position；　flowing　from　one　stance　to　the　next。　Pharaun　could　see　that；　despite　the　exhaustion　that　was　apparent　in　Ryld's　heavy　breathing；　there　was　also　a　gleam　in　the　weapons　master's　eye。　It　was　taking　every　ounce　of　concentration　Ryld　had；　but　he　actually　seemed　to　be　enjoying　the　challenge。
　　　Black；　waving　tentacles　appeared　among　Ryld　and　his　three　adversaries；　and　Pharaun　watched　as　two　of　the　writhing　appendages　latched　on　to　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere；　while　several　more　slithered　around　the　legs　and　ankles　of　his　foes。　All　four　of　the　batants　were　trapped；　and　yet　none　of　them　was　willing　to　lower　his　guard　in　order　to　try　to　free　himself。
　　　Reacting　quickly；　Pharaun　yanked　his　wand　free　of　his　piwafwi　and　triggered　it；　sending　five　screaming　points　of　light　into　the　first　of　the　two　tentacles　that　held　Ryld　down。　The　tentacle　spasmed　and　vanished。　With　a　quick　spin　of　his　greatsword；　Ryld　cut　through　the　second　black；　shiny　appendage；　then　leaped　into　the　air　as　more　of　the　writhing　things　reached　for　him。　He　levitated　upward；　out　of　range　of　the　three　weapons　masters；　who　were　struggling　to　free　themselves。　Before　they　could；　though；　a　handful　of　duergar　closed　in；　firing　crossbows　at　the　helpless　drow；　and　the　dark　elves　went　down　quickly。
　　　Pharaun　could　see　that　House　Maerret's　position　had　been　pletely　overrun。　Duergar　had　closed　in　on　one　side；　and　drow　on　the　other。　The　fight　was　simply　a　mad；　whirling　jumble　of　perhaps　three　dozen　batants　fighting　for　their　lives。　What　few　remaining　forces　of　House　Maerret　still　survived　were　dropping　quickly。　Opponents　closed　in　from　all　sides；　and　soon　enough；　Pharaun　was　reunited　with　his　panions　as　the　circle　that　surrounded　them　drew　tighter　and　tighter。
　　　〃We're　out　of　time；〃　Quenthel　said；　still　swinging　her　whip　and　directing　magical　hammers　at　her　foes。　〃Do　something　now；　wizard！〃
　　　〃You！〃　came　an　angry　shout　from　behind　Pharaun。　He　turned　to　see　who　was　making　the　motion；　and　standing　there；　facing　Quenthel；　was　Ssipriina　Zauvirr；　glaring　at　all　of　them。　〃You　are　the　reason　for　all　of　this！〃　she　screamed；　raising　her　mace　and　pointing　at　them。　〃You　should　never　have　e　to　Ched　Nasad！〃
　　　〃Zauvirr！〃　came　a　second　angry　shout；　a　much　more　gruff　voice；　from　the　other　side。　Pharaun　turned　back　the　way　he　had　originally　been　watching　and　spotted　a　large；　well…armored　duergar；　one　obviously　of　rank。　〃Foolish　drow；　I　will　see　you　dead！〃　the　gray　dwarf　called。
　　　〃Betrayer！〃　Ssipriina　spat　back。　〃I　should　have　known　better　than　to　trust　you；　Khorrl　Xornbane。　You　can　die　with　the　meddlers。　Kill　them；〃　she　cried　to　her　few　remaining　soldiers；　who　were　massing　in　a　line。　〃Kill　them　all！〃
　　　〃Death　to　all　drow！〃　Khorrl　Xornbane　roared；　and　motioned　his　handful　of　troops　forward。
　　　Pharaun's　shoulders　sagged。
　　　We're　never　going　to　get　out　of　here；　he　thought；　swinging　his　magical　rapier　around。
　　　***
　　　
　　　Thic