war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第6部分

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　　　〃And　the　amount　is　satisfactory？〃　the　duergar　mercenary　asked。　None　of　my　people　goes　into　the　city　until　I　know　that　we'll　be　paid　what　I　said。〃
　　　〃Absolutely。　My　mistress　has　instructed　me　to　inform　you　that　your　fee　is　more　than　satisfactory。　For　the　services　you　will　be　providing；　she　considers　it　a　small　price　to　pay。〃
　　　〃Hmph；〃　Khorrl　grunted　nonmittally。　〃That　remains　to　be　seen；　doesn't　it？　If　she　leaves　me　hanging　in　the　middle　of　the　fight；　it　won't　have　been　nearly　enough；　and　you　know　it。〃
　　　Zammzt　smiled　that　knowing　smile　again　and　nodded　in　acquiescence。
　　　〃I　can　only　assure　you　that　she　and　her　allies　intend　to　see　this　through　to　the　very　end。　Once　they　set　foot　down　this　path；　there　is　no　turning　back　for　them；　either。　You　should　be　well　aware　of　that。〃
　　　〃Perhaps；　but　if　things　go　sour　for　us；〃　Khorrl　said；　running　his　hand　across　his　bald　gray　head；　〃I　will　e　looking　for　her　personally。〃
　　　〃Please；　please。　There's　no　need　for　idle　threats　here。　The　initial　payment　is　ing。　Just　be　sure　you　have　the　first　group　ready　to　go　when　it　arrives。〃
　　　Khorrl　nodded；　more　firmly　this　time。　He　had　never　reneged　on　a　contract　before；　and　he　wasn't　about　to　now。　His　clan　was　getting　paid　an　exorbitant　sum　to　fight；　and　his　employer　considered　it　money　well　spent　precisely　because　of　that　reputation。　Clan　Xorn…bane　might　be　merely　a　mercenary　band　in　the　greater　scheme　of　the　duergar　hierarchy；　but　he　had　always　made　sure　they　honored　their　mitments。　That　wasn't　going　to　change　as　long　as　he　was　the　head　of　the　clan。
　　　〃They　will　be　there；〃　he　said　finally。
　　　〃Excellent；〃　Zammzt　replied。　〃My　mistress　is　counting　on　it。　Despite　your　assistance；　toppling　the　rival　Houses　will　not　be　easy。　That　is　why　she　and　her　allies　are　paying　you　such　a　generous　retainer。〃
　　　Khorrl　frowned　again；　thinking　of　what　work　lay　ahead。　The　drow　was　right；　overthrowing　one　drow　noble　House；　even　when　their　clergy　was　hamstrung；　was　no　small　feat。　He　and　his　males　were　expected　to　help　bring　down　several。　The　clan　would　suffer　losses　in　this；　no　question　about　it；　but　they　had　been　eager　to　accept　this　particular　contract；　anyway。　The　rich　reward　of　helping　the　dark　elves　destroy　themselves　paled　only　slightly　in　parison　to　the　payment　itself。　Those　among　Clan　Xornbane　who　survived　would　receive　larger　shares　for　this　work　than　for　their　last　four　contracts　bined。　It　was　well　worth　the　loss　of　troops；　especially　among　the　lesser　races　of　the　front　ranks。
　　　By　the　Abyss；　Khorrl　thought。　I　might　even　consider　retirement　when　we're　through　here。
　　　〃We　will　do　what　we're　paid　to　do。　You　know　our　reputation；〃　the　duergar　said；　affectionately　running　his　hand　along　the　handle　of　his　doubleaxe。　〃Though　I　would　feel　a　lot　more　confident　if　I　knew　for　sure　that　your　priestesses　won't　suddenly　find　themselves　kissed　by　the　spider　queen　in　the　middle　of　the　fight。　It　would　be　our　downfall）　and　yours　too；　most　likely。〃
　　　Zammzt　spread　his　hands　in　a　placating　gesture。
　　　〃That　is　a　risk；　to　be　sure；〃　he　said；　almost…almost…sounding　apologetic。　〃But　the　opportunity　for　my　mistress　and　her　co…conspirators　is　worth　it。　Rest　assured；　you　will　not　be　forgotten　in　this。　She　looks　forward　to　the　moment　when　she　can　thank　you　from　her　new　position　as　one　of　the　highest…ranking　matron　mothers　in　the　city。〃
　　　Khorrl　nodded　one　last　time　and　prepared　to　depart。
　　　〃Very　well；　then；〃　he　said。　〃We　will　be　waiting　for　the　first　payment。　The　schedule　is　set。〃
　　　He　rose；　pulling　his　doubleaxe　up　beside　him。　Before　he　slid　the　partition　open；　he　turned　to　look　back　at　the　dark　elf；　who　seemed　content　to　stay　a　while　and　finish　his　drink。　Khorrl　caught　the　drow's　gaze　and　held　it。
　　　〃We're　mitted　now；〃　the　gray　dwarf　said。　〃There's　no　turning　back。　Blood　will　flow　in　Ched　Nasad。　Mark　my　words。〃
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Spinning；　Pharaun　summoned　his　magical　rapier　from　the　ring　into　one　hand；　and　clasped　his　piwafwi　closed　with　the　other；　before　he　was　pletely　turned　around。　As　he　pivoted　into　a　defensive　stance；　releasing　the　rapier　to　dance　in　the　air　before　him；　he　reached　into　the　。　pockets　of　his　piwafwi；　selecting　by　memory　and　feel　the　ponents　he　needed　to　weave　a　certain　incantation。
　　　Perhaps　a　dozen　steps　from　Pharaun；　a　shimmering　blue　doorway；　similar　to　the　extradimensional　portal　he　was　fond　of　using　himself；　was　just　closing；　winking　out　of　existence。　The　lovely　creature　he　had　spotted　briefly　during　the　rather　one…sided　battle　with　the　tanarukks　stood　just　in　front　of　it；　her　smile　accenting　her　arched　eyebrows　as　she　regarded　him；　arms　folded　casually　beneath　her　prominent　breasts。　In　particular；　she　seemed　to　find　his　floating；　weaving　rapier　of　interest。
　　　〃I'm　sorry；　did　I　startle　you？〃　she　purred；　and　Pharaun　found　her　voice　to　be　delightfully　throaty。
　　　〃Oh；　it's　quite　all　right；〃　the　mage　replied；　eyeing　the　she…fiend　from　head　to　toe。　She　was　dressed　in　tight；　black；　form…fitting　leather；　and　while　thigh…high　boots　and　a　corset　seemed　far　from　practical　as　travel…wear　to　the　drow；　he　had　to　appreciate　the　effectiveness　of　the　ensemble。
　　　It　pliments　her　wings　so　well；　he　decided。
　　　〃I　wondered　when　you'd　show　up　again；〃　Pharaun　said；　noting　with　his　second　sweeping　gaze　the　numerous　daggers　protruding　from　her　belt　and　the　tops　of　her　boots。　An　enchanted　ring　he　wore　enabled　him　to　determine　that　one　of　those　daggers　was　obviously　magical；　as　well　as　the　long　sword　strapped　to　her　right　thigh。　A　ring　adorning　her　left　finger　also　caught　his　attention；　for　it　radiated　a　strong　protective　dweomer。
　　　〃So　you've　been　expecting　me。　How　delightful！〃　she　said；　sauntering　languidly　over　to　a　section　of　the　balcony　and　sitting；　leaning　back　and　resting　on　her　hands　as　she　brought　one　long　leg　up　to　prop　it　on　the　railing。　She　appeared　to　ignore　the　fact　that　the　rapier　danced　along　as　she　relocated；　keeping　itself　between　her　and　the　mage。　〃It　ruins　my　grand　entrance　a　bit；　I　suppose；　but　then　again；　I　doubt　you're　terribly　impressed　with　parlor　tricks　like　mine。〃
　　　〃On　the　contrary；〃　Pharaun　replied；　moving　to　take　a　seat　a　few　paces　away　but　maintaining　the　position　of　the　rapier　between　the　two　of　them。　〃I　am　always　delighted　to　make　the　acquaintance　of　a　fellow　practitioner。　You　can't　imagine　how　dull　and　dreary　it　can　be；　traveling　with　unimaginative　panions　who　can't　appreciate　the　difference　between　a　divination　and　an　evocation。〃
　　　He　swept　his　arm　out　over　the　side　in　the　general　direction　of　the　other　drow；　who　were　far　below　him　and　well　out　of　earshot。
　　　Despite　his　casual　manner；　the　mage　was　on　edge　and　quite　wary。　He　was　sure　the　alu…fiend　was　sizing　him　up　just　as　critically　as　he　was　her；　and　he　considered　everything　carefully　before　opening　his　mouth。　He　certainly　didn't　want　to　reveal　something　that　could　get　him　into　trouble　with　her　later。　Nonetheless；　he　was　fairly　sure　she　already　knew　where　the　rest　of　his　panions　were；　and　pointing　out　their　positions　lower　in　the　cavern　was　not　giving　away　too　big　a　secret。
　　　〃Don't　be　too　sure；〃　she　said；　absently　toying　with　the　lacing　that　ran　up　the　side　of　her　corset；　〃I　can　imagine　your　predicament　quite　well。　You　forget　the　crowd　I　normally　run　with。　They　can't　appreciate　much　beyond　the　next　chance　they'll　get　to　eat　or　rut；　much　less　the　intricacies　involved　in　spinning　a　good　spell。　What's　a　girl　to　do？〃
　　　When　she　finished；　she　gave　Pharaun　what　he　assumed　must　be　one　of　her　best　pouts。
　　　〃Yes；　I　can　see　your　point；〃　the　wizard　said；　chuckling。　〃It　can't　be　much　of　a　choice　。　。　。　rutting　with　the　males；　or　seeking　out　a　little　more　refined　entertainment。　I　can't　blame　you　for　slipping　away　from　them　for　a　while。〃
　　　〃Oh；　I　never　stray　too　far　away　from　them；〃　the　demon　said；　looking　at　the　wizard　levelly。　〃One　or　the　other　of　us　might　get　into　trouble。〃
　　　Pharaun　nodded　slightly；　acknowledging　the　hint。　Still；　he　couldn't　help　but　grin；　delighted　as　he　was　to　be　able　to　engage　in　such　clever　innuendo。　It　was　another　thing　he　missed　since　taking　his　leave　of　Menzoberranzan。　It　wasn't　just　that　most　drow　displayed　a　total　absence　of　humor；　his　panions　seemed　even　more　staid　than　usual；　though　given　the　circumstances　that　wasn't　totally　unexpected。　Still；　they　were　a　tight…lipped　lot。
　　　Quenthel　was　clinging　too　fiercely　to　the　mantle　of　leadership　to　spend　time　mentally　sparring　with　the　wizard；　Faeryl　said　very　little　at　all；　Valas　was　hardly　in　the　same　vicinity；　and　Jeggred's　discussions　had　a　marked　singularity　of　topic　to　them。　Pharaun　had　long　since　grown　tired　of　hearing　of　the　draegloth's　desires　to　rend　his　foes　in　one　messy　way　or　another。　Ryld　had　always　been　more　willing　to　converse　with　him　than　most；　but　even　the　warrior　had　been　pointedly　taciturn　for　most　of　the　journey。　With　the　exception　of　a　few　brief　discussions　regarding　Quenthel's　heavy…handed　methods；　they　had　simply　stopped　the　banter　that　had　always　marked　the　friendship　between　them。
　　　It　wasn't　as　though　Ryld　wouldn't　talk　to　him；　Pharaun　admitted　to　himself；　but　things　definitely　weren't　the　same　as　before。
　　　Before　I　left　him　to　his　death　during　the　insurrection；　the　mage　concluded；　inwardly　sighing。
　　　Ryld　had　accepted　the　wizard's　apologies　afterward；　claimed　he　understood　the　necessity　of　it；　but　in　reality　the　pair's　friendship　had　been　damaged。　It　wasn't　that　Pharaun　felt　any　real　sense　of　guilt　over　the　decision。　He　simply　missed　the　benefits　of　the　friendship。
　　　〃I　said；　you　seem　to　be　burdened　with　heavy　thoughts。〃
　　　Pharaun　started；　realizing　that　the　she…fiend　had　been　speaking　to　him　during　his　ruminations。　As　he　refocused　his　attention　on　net；　he　noticed　that　the　rapier　had　sagged　low　from　inattention　and　he　snapped　it　back　onto　guard。　Furious　with　himself　for　relaxing　his　vigilance；　he　summoned　the　weapon　back　to　him　and　let　it　disappear　back　into　the　ring。
　　　No　reason　to　keep　it　out；　he　thought　ruefully。　If　she'd　wanted　to　get　past　it　and　at　me；　she　already　had　the　perfect　chance。
　　　The　wizard　bowed　his　head　slightly；　wordlessly　apologizing　for　his　lapse　in　manners。　The　alu…fiend　only　smiled。
　　　〃You　certainly　don't　want　to　hear　about　my　troubles；〃　he　said　at　last；　his　tone　bright。　〃You　obviously　dropped　in　on　this　social　visit　for　other　reasons。〃
　　　〃Again；　don't　be　so　sure；〃　the　fiend　replied；　standing　and　stretching　indolently。　〃It　requires　some　fairly　extraordinary　circumstances　to　bring　a　band　of　dark　elves　through　Ammarindar…〃
　　　〃Oh；　nothing　of　any　real　consequence；〃　Pharaun　interjected。
　　　〃…especially　a　mistress　of　the　Academy　and　her　retinue；〃　she　continued；　ignoring　the　wizard's　interruption。　〃Very　extraordinary　circumstances；　indeed。〃
　　　She　was　looking　at　Pharaun；　perhaps　gauging　his　reaction。
　　　In　fact；　his　reaction　was　the　slightest　straightening　of　his　back　and　shoulders；　but　it　was　only　the　merest　hint　of　his　true　surprise。
　　　She　knew。
　　　A　dozen　thoughts　floated　through　the　mage's　head　in　the　next　instant；　considerations　of　who　might　have　betrayed　them；　who　back　in　Menzoberranzan　had　sent　them　off　on　this　journey　for　the　mere　purpose　of　disposing　of　them　in　the　clutches　of　Kaanyr　Vhok　and　his　minions；　but　the　notions　were　dismissed　again　just　as　quickly。　The　risk　of　exposing　the　plight　of　the　priestesses　of　Lolth　was　far　too　great　to　risk　by　such　a　method。　The　she…fiend　had　discovered　their　identity　in　some　other　way。　Her　broadening　smile　and　sparkling　green　eyes　told　him　that　he　had　confirmed　her　suspicions。
　　　〃Oh；　don't　get　too　lathered　up　about　it；〃　she　said；　laughing。　〃Your　secrets　safe　with　us…at　least；　for　the　time　being；〃　she　added；　the　smile　gone。　〃But　it　brings　me　to　my　reason　for　being　here。　The　Sceptered　One；　Kaanyr　Vhok；　Master　of　the　Scourged　Legions；　lord　of　the　portion　of　the　Underdark　through　which　you　currently　trespass；　would　delight　in　having　an　audience　with　you。　I'm　here　to　extend　that　invitation。〃
　　　Almost　as　if　on　cue；　there　was　a　shout；　dimly　echoing；　from　far　below。　Without　thinking；　Pharaun　turned　and　gazed　over　the　edge　of　the　precipice　to　the　cavern　floor　below。　There；　Quenthel　and　the　others　had　been　in　the　process　of　crossing　to　a　lower　tunnel；　one　without　switchbacks。　Valas　was　rushing　back　from　the　mouth　of　the　egress；　apparently　to　join　them。　Behind　him；　a　flood　of　tanarukks　emerged　from　the　passage　and　from　others　flanking　it。
　　　Observing　the　scene　had　taken　but　an　instant；　but　it　had　been　enough　for　the　she…fiend　to　expend　some　sort　of　magical　energy；　which　Pharaun　could　see　radiating　around　her。　He　was　on　his　guard；　expecting　an　attack；　but　she　did　not　move。　Her　green　eyes；　however；　smoldered。　Whether　it　was　with　lust　or　anger；　he　wasn't　sure。
　　　〃I　think　you　should　acpany　me　back　to　the　palace；〃　the　demon　said；　her　voice　husky。　〃You　will　like　it　there。　Very　much。〃
　　　She　began　to　saunter　toward　him　as　she　spoke；　and　he　could　sense　the　energy　flow　over　him。　She　was　hoping　to　magically　coerce　him；　somehow；　the　mage　supposed。　He　backed　up　a　step　and　put　on　his　best　apologetic　smile。
　　　'That；　I'm　afraid；　is　very　much　out　of　the　question；　at　least　for　the　moment。　My　panions　need　me。〃
　　　The　she…fiend's　smile　faded；　and　she　pursed　her　lips　in　irritation。
　　　〃They　are　surrounded；　you　know；〃　she　said；　pausing　in　her　advance。　〃This　is；　at　least　for　the　moment；　still　an　amicable　offer。　Go　to　them；　convince　them　to　return　with　me　to　Kaanyr's　palace；　and　I　promise　you　that　the　meeting　will　be　cordial。　My　forces　below　have　been　instructed　merely　to　hold　their　positions　and　prevent　you　and　your　friends　from　departing　until　I　have　a　chance　to　make　the　offer　to　you。　Will　you　do　that？〃
　　　Pharaun　smiled。　〃How　well　do　you　know　Kaanyr　Vhok？〃　he　asked；　his　tone　suggestive。
　　　Her　smile　deepened；　and　her　eyes　glittered　with　what　was　definitely　lust。
　　　〃Quite　well；〃　she　answered；　〃but　then　again；　he's　terribly　busy；　so　not　as　well　as　I　would　like。　e　back　to　his　palace　with　me。〃
　　　Pharaun's　own　smile　widened；　and　he　asked。　〃What's　your　name？〃
　　　The　she…fiend　giggled　once　in　amusement　and　said；　〃I　almost　forgot　to　tell　you！　I'm　Aliisza。　Now；　will　you　e　with　me？〃
　　　〃It's　a　delight　to　meet　you；　Aliisza；　I'm　Pharaun；　and　I'd　love　to　acpany　you；　but　for　the　moment；　duty　calls。　Am　I　to　assume　that　we　will　meet　with　resistance　down　there？　Or　has　our　discussion　set　your　mind　at　ease　to　such　an　extent　that　we　might　pass　out　of　Ammarindar　unhindered　today？〃
　　　Aliisza　grinned　and　said；　〃I　had　my　orders；　dear。　You　were　not　to　pass　beyond　the　borders　without　a　fight；　but　I　tell　you　what　。　。　。　I'll　give　you　a　sporting　chance；　just　because　I　like　you。〃　Her　voice　had　turned　husky　again。　〃Just　this　once；　I'll　stay　out　of　it。　A　few　hundred　tanarukks　shouldn't　cause　you　undue　trouble；　should　they？〃
　　　Pharaun　cocked　his　head　to　one　side；　as　if　considering　that；　then　said；　〃Well；　they　will　be　a　substantially　greater　difficulty　than　if　we　could　move　on　unmolested；　but　as　you　say；　it's　a　sporting　chance。　Until　the　next　time　we　meet；　then。〃
　　　In　answer；　Aliisza　nodded　and　smiled。
　　　The　mage　leaned　backward　and　dropped　over　the　side　of　the　precipice。
　　　At　Valas's　distant　shout；　Quenthel　looked　up　from