war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第8部分

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　　　The　tarp　over　the　top　of　the　wagon　was　thrown　back；　and　dim　light　shone　down　on　the　goods　stacked　beneath　it。　Of　course；　to　anyone　not　properly　prepared；　that's　all　they　would　have　seen…a　wagon…load　of　supplies　for　the　city。　Khorrl　waited　as　he　listened；　not　daring　to　move；　in　case　it　was　merely　another　checkpoint。　He　didn't　even　want　to　breathe；　for　fear　of　being　heard　by　whomever…or　whatever…　might　be　inspecting　the　wagon。
　　　〃It's　all　right；〃　he　heard　a　drow　voice　say；　and　he　recognized　it　as　belonging　to　Zammzt。　The　dark　elf　was　near　enough　that　there　was　no　mistaking　who　he　was　talking　to。　〃You　can　show　yourselves；　now。　We're　inside　the　storehouse。〃
　　　With　a　thankful　groan；　Khorrl　rose　up；　feeling　his　knees　plaining。　Around　him；　fourteen　other　duergar　did　the　same；　winking　back　into　visibility　one　by　one。　They　looked　at　each　other；　as　if　to　confirm　that　everyone　was　all　right；　and　began　to　peer　around　at　their　surroundings。　Khorrl　himself　hopped　awkwardly　down　from　the　wagon；　grabbing　his　axe　as　he　did　so。　Nearby；　more　wagons　were　being　uncovered；　and　more　of　his　fighters　appeared；　clambering　out　from　between　crates；　barrels；　and　bales　of　foodstuffs。　He　knew　that　there　were　over　twenty　wagons；　so　he　had　about　three　hundred　troops。　More　would　arrive；　in　waves；　over　the　course　of　the　next　several　hours。
　　　As　Zammzt　had　promised；　they　were　set　up　inside　a　large；　open　room；　obviously　a　storehouse　of　some　sort；　though　there　were　no　goods　there　other　than　what　was　on　the　wagons。　Ostensibly；　the　contents　of　the　wagons　were　for　the　benefit　of　the　Houses；　but　in　reality；　it　was　his　army's　supplies。　They　were　going　to　be　camping　there　for　a　few　days；　resting　and　preparing　while　the　other　duergar　units　arrived；　all　of　them　waiting　until　it　was　time　to　do　their　job。　Khorrl　hoped　the　storehouses　would　be　left　undisturbed；　as　promised。
　　　A　handful　of　drow　moved　about；　uncovering　wagons　in　order　to　free　their　hidden　occupants　or　unloading　the　supplies　and　stacking　them　out　of　the　way。　Khorrl　could　see　Zammzt　looking　a　couple　of　wagons　over；　giving　some　young　drow　male　a　few　instructions。　When　the　dark　elf　was　finished；　he　turned　back　to　the　duergar　clan　leader。
　　　〃I　hope　you　find　everything　in　order　here；　Captain　Xornbane；〃　Zammzt　said；　smiling。　〃I　know　it's　not　quite　like　roughing　it　in　the　wilds　of　the　Underdark；　but　it　should　acmodate　you　well　enough。〃
　　　〃It's　fine；　as　long　as　no　one　conies　snooping　around　here　before　we're　ready　to　begin。　The　last　thing　we　need　is　the　city　catching　wind　of　us　before　your　mistress　is　ready　to　fly　her　true　colors。〃
　　　Khorrl　paced　about　as　he　spoke；　trying　to　get　the　feeling　back　in　his　legs　as　much　as　surveying　his　temporary　home。
　　　I　seriously　doubt　that's　going　to　be　a　problem；〃　Zammzt　said；　smiling。　Khorrl　wanted　to　tell　him　to　stop　it。　The　grin　reminded　the　duergar　of　a　pack　lizard's　visage。　〃I've　got　loyal　drow　troops　on　guard　duty　around　the　storehouse；　and　you're　sequestered　here　in　the　far　back　chamber。　No　one　will　bother　you。〃
　　　If　you　say　so；〃　Khorrl　answered　doubtfully。　He　had　seen　more　battles　take　a　turn　for　the　worse　through　the　most　simple；　straight…forward　aspect　of　the　plan　going　awry。　〃Just　remember；　all　that　beautiful　treasure　you　gave　me　is　already　long　gone；　shipped　off　to　safer　parts。　If　you're　thinking　of　turning　the　tables；　you　won't　be　seeing　it　again。　It'll　be　an　expensive　betrayal。〃
　　　Zammzt　looked　genuinely　hurt；　but　only　for　a　moment。
　　　〃I'm　not　sure　you　realize　the　risks　my　mistress　takes；　simply　harboring　an　army　here；〃　said　the　drow。　〃If　you're　discovered；　she　too　suffers　the　consequences。　It　really　isn't　in　her　best　interests　to　turn　on　you；　you　know。〃
　　　〃Hmm；〃　Khorrl　answered。　〃We'll　see。〃
　　　〃So；　I　presume　you　brought　everything　you　need；〃　the　drow　said；　changing　the　subject；　〃but　if　there's　anything　else　you　want　while　you　wait　here；　now　is　the　time　to　ask。　Though；　for　what　we're　paying　you　。。。〃
　　　Khorrl　barked　a　deep　laugh　despite　himself。　The　idea　that　he　would　bring　his　troops　into　such　an　uncertain　situation　without　arranging　for　every　provision；　every　possible　contingency；　was　funny。
　　　〃No；　we're　fine。　Now；　when　are　we　going　to　find　out　just　exactly　who　we're　supposed　to　be　killing？〃
　　　〃Soon；　my　gray　friend；〃　Zammzt　said；　that　toothy　smile　blossoming　again。　〃Very　soon。〃
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　In　the　end；　the　battle　with　the　tanarukks　wasn't　much　of　a　fight　at　all。　Pharaun　had　devastated　rank　upon　rank　of　the　slavering　humanoids　from　a　distance；　even　going　so　far　as　to　decimate　the　reserve　forces　lurking　in　the　back。　He　honestly　didn't　even　find　it　sporting；　especially　when　he　was　able　to　hover　overhead；　out　of　their　reach；　and　attack　them　at　his　leisure。
　　　The　Menzoberranyr　were　well　beyond　the　halls　of　Ammarindar；　and　after　a　night's　rest　they　were　closing　in　on　Ched　Nasad。
　　　〃We　should　be　running　into　patrols　by　now；〃　Faeryl　grumbled　as　they　hiked　along。　〃We're　within　a　quarter　mile　of　the　city。　Something's　wrong。〃
　　　〃I　think　we　knew　that　before　we　left　Menzoberranzan；〃　Quenthel　snapped。
　　　The　group　found　itself　on　the　main　thoroughfare　that　led　into　the　city　from　the　north；　wondering　when　they　would　actually　reach　the　surrounding　outskirts　of　the　city　proper；　the　area　protected　by　patrols。　Pharaun　couldn't　blame　Faeryl　for　being　apprehensive。　Even　after　several　tendays　of　concern　for　her　home　city；　he　imagined　that　she　might　have　held　out　some　hope　that　she　would　find　everything　in　order　upon　finally　arriving。　Still；　he　doubted　that　some　disaster　had　befallen　the　city。　Though　they　hadn't　yet　encountered　any　patrols；　they　were　no　longer　alone　on　the　road　to　the　city。
　　　Traffic　flowing　to　and　from　Ched　Nasad　was　a　trickle　of　its　normal　self；　at　least　according　to　the　ambassador。　Pharaun　didn't　doubt　it。　The　avenue　they　followed　was　broad；　wide　enough　for　numerous　caravans　to　pass　in　either　direction；　but　there　were　no　such　convoys　out　and　about　that　day。　Most　of　those　who　shared　the　road　with　the　Menzoberranyr　were　other　drow；　though　the　occasional　gray　dwarf；　kobold；　or　goblin　passed　them　as　well。　Those　lesser　beings　gave　the　drow　a　wide　berth。　Any　pedestrians　who　were　headed　toward　the　city　were　scattered　just　as　far　apart　as　those　leaving；　and　Pharaun　and　his　panions　neither　passed　nor　were　passed　by　anyone。
　　　The　mage　made　a　tactful　attempt　to　bring　up　the　suggestion　he　had　been　contemplating。　〃Quenthel；　if　something　has　happened　here；　similar　to　what　we've　been　experiencing　back　home；　it　might　be　prudent　to　consider　a　less　obvious　entrance　into　the　city。〃
　　　What　do　you　mean？〃　the　high　priestess　queried；　looking　sharply　at　Pharaun。
　　　Only　that　should　we　boldly　approach　and　announce　our　stature　and　intentions；　we　might　not　receive　the　warm　wele　we　should　under　more　ordinary　circumstances。〃
　　　Why　shouldn't　they　be　glad　to　see　us？　Even　relieved？〃
　　　It　sounded　as　though　Quenthel　was　growing　indignant；　and　Pharaun　struggled　to　find　a　way　to　explain　his　point　in　a　way　that　wouldn't　sound　insulting。
　　　Faeryl　saved　him　the　effort。　Because　they　might　think　we're　here　to　spy　on　them；〃　she　said。
　　　Pharaun　had　to　suppress　a　mild　chuckle。　It　was；　after　all；　the　exact　reason　Triel　had　claimed　when　she　imprisoned　the　envoy　back　in　Menzoberranzan。　It　was　a　reasonable　argument。
　　　〃Not　if　we　insist　upon　meeting　with　the　matron　mothers　of　the　highest　Houses…〃　Quenthel　began。
　　　〃With　all　due　respect；　Mistress；〃　Faeryl　interjected；　〃do　you　think　you　would　react　well　to　a　high…ranking　noble　arriving　in　Menzoberranzan　and　insisting　upon　seeing　you？　During　this　time　of　crisis？〃
　　　Quenthel　scowled　and　said　nothing。　Pharaun　was　relieved　that　the　high　priestess　was　at　least　willing　to　contemplate　the　idea。
　　　〃Even　if　they　didn't　think　we　were　spies；　they　certainly　would　consider　our　visit　to　be　highly　unusual　and　would　strive　to　keep　an　eye　on　us；〃　the　mage　said。　〃We　might　be　given　the　most　luxurious　acmodations　and　want　for　nothing；　but　we　would　also　be　absolutely　unable　to　find　out　anything。　Once　we　determine　the　state　of　things　here；　if　it's　really　your　intention　to　lay　claim　to　the　goods　stored　in　the　Black　Claw　Mercantile　storehouses　and　take　them　back　to　Menzoberranzan；　why　draw　undue　attention　to　yourself？　Were　you　planning　to　ask　the　matron　mothers　for　them；　first？〃
　　　Quenthel　scowled　at　Pharaun　as　if　the　very　idea　of　asking　permission　to　take　what　was　rightfully　hers　was　preposterous。　It　was　exactly　the　reaction　he　wanted。
　　　〃Faeryl；〃　the　wizard　persisted；　〃even　though　the　goods　are　rightfully　the　property　of　House　Baenre　and　House　Melarn；　do　you　foresee　Matron　Mother　Melarn…indeed；　any　of　the　other　Houses…letting　them　out　of　the　city？〃
　　　Faeryl　smirked。
　　　〃Absolutely　not；〃　she　answered。　〃I'm　not　certain　how　happy　my　own　mother　will　be　to　hear　about　your　plan。〃　She　smiled　wanly　and　added；　〃I　agree　with　the　mage。　The　less　you　tell；　the　better　your　chances　are　of　succeeding。〃
　　　〃Your　arguments　may　have　merit；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃So　what　else　do　you　suggest？　How　do　we　enter　unnoticed？〃
　　　〃As　traders；　Mistress；〃　Faeryl　suggested；　〃members　of　the　Black　Claw　Mercantile　pany。　Triel　said　herself　that　we　were　here　to　check　on　House　Baenre's　financial　interests；　as　well　as　to　discover　how　widespread　the　problem　is；　so　it's　the　truth；　from　a　certain　point　of　view。〃
　　　〃We　don't　look　very　much　like　traders；〃　Valas　said；　trotting　a　little　in　front　of　the　rest　of　them。　〃Perhaps　Pharaun　should　use　a　spell　of　illusion　to　mask　our　looks。〃
　　　〃No；〃　Faeryl　replied。　〃Ched　Nasad's　guards　are　equipped　to　watch　for　that。　They　employ　detection　spells　and　devices　to　notice　if　you're　trying　sneak　past　them　invisibly　or　under　the　guise　of　illusion。　It's　not　necessary；　anyway。　You'd　be　surprised　at　what　kind　of　bodyguards　a　wealthy　trader　would　hire　to　protect　her。　I　am　a　member　of　a　trading　house。　If　I　tell　the　city　guards　that　you're　escorting　me；　and　they　get　a　good　look　at　my　house　insignia；　we　shouldn't　have　any　trouble；　but　you　must　remove　your　own　insignia。　They're　likely　to　be　recognized。〃
　　　〃Would　you　hire　the　likes　of　him？〃　Quenthel　asked；　pointing　to　Jeggred。
　　　Faeryl　frowned　and　said；　〃He　could　be　a　problem。〃
　　　〃Leave　that　to　me；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃I　have　a　couple　of　tricks　up　my　sleeve　that　should　aid　us　nicely。　I　can　use　them　to　get　the　drae…gloth　past　the　patrols　and　into　the　city　without　them　noticing　him。　As　long　as　he　cooperates；　anyway。〃
　　　Quenthel　looked　at　Jeggred　and　asked；　〃Can　you　stay　quiet　and　not　try　to　tear　the　throat　out　of　anyone？〃
　　　Jeggred　regarded　the　high　priestess　askance　but　nodded。
　　　I　am　capable　of　subtlety　when　it　is　necessary；　Mistress；〃　he　rumbled。
　　　Sure　you　are；　Pharaun　thought。
　　　〃Very　well；〃　Quenthel　said　after　a　moment's　deliberation；　〃We　will　enter　the　city　incognito。　Remove　your　insignia　and　try　to　look　？　…　…　mon。〃
　　　Everyone　except　Faeryl　doffed　their　House　brooches　and　began　to　stow　as　many　of　their　finer　accoutrements　as　possible。
　　　〃Pharaun；〃　Quenthel　said；　nodding　at　Jeggred；　〃do　what　you　must。〃　First；　I'm　going　to　reduce　you　slightly　in　size；　so　that　you　aren't　so；　um　。　。　。　obvious；〃　the　wizard　said；　looking　up　at　the　eight…foot…tall　creature。　〃You　don't　mind；　do　you？〃
　　　Jeggred　grunted　and　glowered　at　the　mage；　but　at　a　subtle　gesture　from　Quenthel；　he　nodded　acquiescence。
　　　〃Good；〃　Pharaun　continued。　〃Then；　I'll　cloak　you　with　a　spell　designed　to　misdirect　those　divinations　the　patrols　are　likely　to　be　using；　and　if　you　will　don　your　piwafwi；　pull　the　hood　up；　and　stay　in　the　back；　we　should　get　past　them　just　fine。〃
　　　〃Yes；　that　should　do　nicely；〃　Faeryl　agreed。
　　　〃All　right；　then；　here　we　go；〃　Pharaun　said；　pulling　a　pinch　of　powdered　iron　from　one　of　his　many　pockets　and　gesturing。
　　　The　draegloth　began　to　shrink　until　he　was　no　taller　than　any　of　the　draw。
　　　〃Good；〃　the　wizard　said；　beginning　the　second　spell。
　　　When　he　was　finished；　he　stepped　back　and　said；　〃Now；　draw　that　piwafwi　around　you　to　hide　as　much　of　you　as　possible。〃
　　　〃Yes；　and　lean　on　Ryld　as　though　you're　injured；〃　Quenthel　manded。　〃Keep　your　head　down　like　you're　tired。〃
　　　〃Yes；　good　idea；〃　Pharaun　agreed；　genuinely　impressed。　〃We're　all　just　road…weary　merchants；　ready　for　a　hot　bath　and　fortable　bed。〃
　　　〃Not　a　moment　too　soon；〃　Valas　said；　his　voice　low。　〃I　see　a　patrol　up　ahead。〃
　　　Pharaun　peered　ahead　into　the　distance　and　saw　a　large　contingent　of　drow；　some　on　foot；　others　riding　lizards；　moving　down　the　road　in　their　direction。　They　were　fanned　out　across　the　width　of　the　road；　so　there　would　be　no　way　to　avoid　them。
　　　〃Just　remain　calm；　and　allow　me　to　speak　to　them；〃　Faeryl　whispered。
　　　The　group　began　walking　toward　the　patrol；　with　Ryld　in　the　back；　pretending　to　support　a　limping　Jeggred。　Pharaun　could　only　guess　at　how　much　the　warrior　hated　the　scheme。
　　　No　matter；　he　thought。　We　should　have　little　difficulty　getting　past　these　sentries。　We're　just　drow；　trying　to　reach　a　drow　city。　Why　would　we　be　any　trouble　to　them？
　　　As　the　groups　drew　close　to　one　another；　the　patrol　loosened　weapons　and　slowed　down；　obviously　preparing　for　trouble。　One；　the　leader；　Pharaun　presumed；　stepped　forward　a　few　more　paces　and　held　his　hand　outstretched　before　him；　palm　forward。
　　　〃Hold；〃　he　said；　gesturing　for　the　group　to　slow　down。　〃State　your　name　and　business　here。〃
　　　Faeryl　moved　forward；　past　Valas；　to　e　to　a　stop　a　few　paces　from　the　leader。
　　　〃I　am　Faeryl　Zauvirr　of　House　Zauvirr；　Executive　Negotiator　for　the　Black　Claw　Mercantile。〃　She　removed　her　insignia　and　held　it　out　for　the　patrol　leader　to　get　a　good　look　and　take　it；　if　he　wanted。　〃These　are　my　caravan　guards。〃
　　　The　sergeant　or　whatever　he　was　stepped　forward　and　took　the　insignia；　then　passed　it　back　to　an　underling　while　he　scrutinized　Faeryl　and　the　others；　in　turn。
　　　〃Caravan？　What　caravan？　No　goods　have　entered　or　left　the　city　in　six　tendays；　at　least。〃
　　　Faeryl　nodded　and　explained；　〃Yes；　I　know。　We　are　just　recently　from　Menzoberranzan；　but　we　lost　what　few　goods　we　had　in　an　attack　along　the　way。〃　She　tossed　her　head　back　toward　Ryld　and　Jeggred　as　a　way　of　indicating　her　wounded　panions；　but　with　the　suggestion　that　they　weren't　really　important。　The　drow　soldier　in　front　of　her　peered　over　her　shoulder　for　a　brief　moment；　then　nodded　and　returned　his　attention　to　her。　〃We　wish　to　give　our　report　and　enjoy　some　civilization　for　a　few　days；〃　she　concluded；　letting　weariness　creep　into　her　voice。
　　　Good；　Pharaun　thought。　Tell　them　just　enough　of　the　truth　to　sound　reasonable；　without　admitting　anything。
　　　〃Attacked　by　what？〃　the　leader　asked。
　　　The　second…in…mand　handed　the　insignia　back　to　him　with　a　curt　nod。　Apparently　it　had　passed　muster；　for　the　patrolman　handed　it　back　to　Faeryl。
　　　What　business　is　it　of　yours？〃　asked　Quenthel　sourly。　〃Do　you　always　make　it　a　practice　of　interrogating　caravans　this　way？〃
　　　Tanarukks；〃　Pharaun　said；　stepping　forward　and　placing　his　hand　on　Quenthel's　arm。　〃She　hates　tanarukks。　She's　been　in　a　bad　mood　ever　since。　A　good　deepstroke　will　do　her　wonders。〃
　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere　could　feel　her　bristle；　but　at　least　she