war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第9部分

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　　　The　Master　of　Sorcere　could　feel　her　bristle；　but　at　least　she　didn't　pull　away　from　him。　Beside　her；　the　snakes　of　her　whip　stirred；　but　〃key　didn't　flail　about　as　Pharaun　feared　they　would。
　　　The　patrol　leader　glared　at　Quenthel　for　a　moment　but　finally　nodded　and　said；　〃We　make　it　a　practice　when　the　city　is…〃　he　stopped　himself　from　revealing　more；　then　turned　back　to　Faeryl…　〃You　may　pass；　but　good　luck　finding　any　'civilization'　to　enjoy。〃
　　　With　that　last　bitter　ment；　he　turned　and　motioned　the　rest　of　the　patrol　to　part；　creating　a　gap　so　that　the　entourage　could　pass　through。
　　　Faeryl　nodded　her　thanks　and　motioned　for　the　rest　of　them　to　follow　her；　then　they　were　past　the　patrol　and　alone　on　the　thoroughfare　once　again。　Pharaun　could　see　that　the　envoy　was　troubled　by　the　patrol　leader's　words。　He　had　to　admit　it　was　not　a　good　sign。
　　　〃Let　go　of　me！〃　Quenthel　hissed；　jerking　her　arm　free；　and　the　wizard　blinked　in　surprise；　having　forgotten　that　he　still　grasped　her　and　was　steering　her　along。
　　　〃My　apologies；　Mistress；〃　Pharaun　said；　bowing　slightly。　〃In　light　of　the　situation；　I　thought　it　prudent　to　try　to　smooth　things　over　the　best　way　possible。　In　a　way；　though；　it　was　good。　You　drew　attention　away　from　the　draegloth。〃
　　　〃Fine；〃　she　answered；　still　scowling。　〃We　got　through　them；　that's　the　important　thing。　Now；　let's　see　just　how　bad　it　is　inside　the　city。〃
　　　It　wasn't　long　before　the　group　had　reached　the　gates　of　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs。　Continuing　their　masquerade　as　bruised　and　battered　merchants；　they　passed　through　the　guards　there　and　found　themselves　inside。
　　　It　was　chaos。
　　　FIVE
　　　〃You're　late；〃　Drisinil　Melarn　snapped　as　Ssipriina　Zauvirr　strode　into　the　audience　chamber　of　House　Melarn。
　　　The　matron　mother　of　House　Zauvirr　forced　herself　to　suppress　the　hot　retort　that　she　ached　to　unleash；　contenting　herself　instead　with　pursed　lips。
　　　I　am　sincerely　apologetic；〃　Ssipriina　lied；　bowing　low　to　the　other　matron　mother；　knowing　she　mocked　the　other　drow　simply　through　the　use　of　such　formal　ments　and　antics。　〃It　could　not　be　helped。　I　had　urgent　business　matters　to　attend　to；　issues　that　keep　your　coffers　full；　Matron　Mother。〃
　　　Ssipriina　liked　the　dangerous　glitter　she　was　creating　in　Drisinil's　hot　eyes。　It　would　be　hard　for　the　head　of　House　Melarn　to　chastise　her　minion　for　working　so　diligently　to　keep　her　wealthy；　and　Ssipri…ttia　knew　that。　That's　what　made　these　subtle　jibes　all　the　more　fun。　Still；　I　sped　here　with　as　much　haste　as　dignity　would　permit；〃　Ssipriina　added；　〃for　I　have　good　news。　They　have　entered　the　city。〃
　　　〃You're　sure？〃　the　matron　mother　asked。　〃Do　you　have　any　indication　that　they've　changed　their　plans？〃
　　　〃Yes；　I　am　sure　of　it；〃　Ssipriina　replied。　〃My　male　made　contact　with　Faeryl　only　a　few　hours　ago；　and　she　informed　him　that　they　were　headed　toward　the　Fracture　Gate　in　the　lowest　quarters　of　the　city。　Apparently；　Mistress　Baenre　is　still　bent　on　stealing　your　goods。　My　spies　saw　them　enter　the　city　just　a　few　minutes　ago。〃
　　　Drisinil　sat　in　thought　for　a　few　moments；　leaving　Ssipriina　standing　expectantly　Finally　the　matron　mother　stirred。
　　　〃They　don't　suspect　that　we　know；　do　they？〃
　　　〃I　don't　believe　so。　I　have　instructed　Faeryl　to　be　as　agreeable　as　she　can　to　whatever　Quenthel　is　planning；　and　I　have　my　spies　set　to　keep　track　of　them；　wherever　they　go。　They　won't　know　a　thing　until　it's　too　late。〃
　　　〃And　you　want　to　let　them　go　through　with　it？〃
　　　〃Well；　not　exactly；　Matron　Mother。　I　am　suggesting　that　we　let　them　get　to　the　storehouse　and　get　inside。　We'll　be　there　to　catch　them　in　the　act。　We'll　have　the　proof；　then；　and　we　can　present　it　to　the　other　matron　mothers。〃
　　　〃Hmm；　yes；　I　like　that；〃　Drisinil　Melarn　said；　shifting　her　considerable　weight　atop　her　throne。　Her　face　held　a　look　of　determination。　〃I　very　much　want　to　see　Quenthel　Baenre's　face　when　she　realizes　she's　not　getting　a　single　scrap　of　my　wealth。　I　want　her　to　realize　she's　just　crossed　the　wrong　House。〃
　　　Truer　words　were　never　spoken；　Ssipriina　thought。
　　　〃Yes；　of　course。　I　will　make　plans　for　us　to　be　there　before　they　arrive　at　the　storehouse。　I　trust　that　you　wish　for　me　to　utilize　House　Melarn　guards？〃
　　　〃Absolutely〃　Drisinil　said。　〃She　needs　to　see　just　who　she　is　trifling　with。　I　want　a　strong　presence　there；　Ssipriina；　and　when　this　crisis　is　over　and　the　council　lifts　the　ban　on　exportations；　I'll　make　sure　you're　rewarded　for　your　patience　and　diligence。〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Ssipriina　said；　bowing。　〃I　will　see　to　this　matter　personally。〃
　　　
　　　***
　　　
　　　Ched　Nasad　was　a　bustling　city　filled　with　drow；　duergar；　and　even　the　occasional　illithid　during　normal　times；　but　Valas　found　it　suffocating。　The　scout　was　certain　three　times　as　many　creatures　occupied　the　place　than　was　usual。　It　was　brimming　with　desperate；　starving　masses　who　pushed　and　shoved　their　way　along　the　thoroughfares；　raising　a　deafening　rumble　and　a　pungent　odor。
　　　The　gate　through　which　the　Menzoberranyr　had　entered　was　near　the　bottom　of　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs；　a　metropolis　filling　a　huge；　V…shaped　trench　in　the　Underdark。　The　entirety　of　the　city　was　crisscrossed　with　massive　calcified　webs　set　aglow　with　magic；　a　hundred　or　more　layers　of　pathways　that　ran　every　direction　and　supported　the　population。　Thousands　of　rounded；　amorphous　structures　clung　to　these　huge　webs　like　egg…sacs　or　cocooned　prey；　thrusting　up　or　dangling　below　and　housing　the　citizens；　guests；　slaves；　and　their　businesses。　Right　now；　it　looked　like　a　writhing　colony　of　ants　swarmed　over　the　webs；　for　as　far　as　Valas　could　see　overhead；　the　streets　literally　vibrated　with　the　masses　of　humanoids　taking　refuge　there。
　　　The　scout　would　normally　have　been　in　the　lead　of　the　entourage；　but　it　was　nearly　impossible　to　move；　so　crowded　were　the　streets。　Instead；　Quenthel　had　ordered　Jeggred　to　run　point；　and　the　towering　fiend　was　pushing　his　way　slowly　through　the　throngs。　Valas　stayed　close　behind　the　draegloth；　and　the　rest　of　the　group　pressed　in　close　behind　the　scout；　fearful　of　getting　cut　off　in　the　madness　and　winding　up　lost；　Valas　noted　that　time　and　again　sullen…looking　faces　glowered　at　Jeggred　while　he　growled　and　rumbled　at　everyone　to　stand　aside。　They　all　did；　intimidated　by　the　formidable　creature。
　　　There　were　few　drow　low　in　the　city；　but　just　about　every　other　race　was　present。　Many　of　the　slave　races；　as　well　as　representatives　of　the　other　major　Underdark　nations；　clamored　with　one　another；　shouting；　pushing；　bartering；　or　just　milling　about。　The　Menzober…ranyr　stood　out；　and　it　was　plain　that　they　were　being　sized　up　by　the　populace。　Sooner　or　later；　there　was　going　to　be　a　problem。
　　　More　than　once；　Valas　felt　the　brush　of　a　hand　or　finger　as　someone　in　the　milling　crowd　deftly　attempted　to　pilfer　a　trinket　from　one　of　his　pockets。　He　had　already　snatched　two　hands　away　from　the　charms　pinned　to　the　front　of　his　shirt；　leaving　each　with　a　nasty　gash　across　the　palm　from　one　of　his　kukris。
　　　Valas　turned　and　glanced　over　his　shoulder。　Faeryl　and　Quenthel　were　both　right　behind　him；　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　threatening　bystanders　with　her　horrid　whip。　Behind　the　two　priestesses；　Pharaun　held　his　piwafwi　closed　and　kept　his　head　bowed；　protecting　himself　from　the　press　of　the　crowd。　Ryld　brought　up　the　rear；　using　his　bulk　to　shield　the　wizard　in　front　of　him。
　　　This　is　ridiculous；　the　scout　thought；　shaking　his　head。　We've　got　to　get　out　of　this　part　of　town。
　　　He　started　to　lean　over　and　tell　Quenthel　when　a　disturbance　in　front　of　Jeggred　interrupted　him。　Valas　turned　back　in　time　to　see　the　draegloth　pounce　on　an　ogre　armed　with　a　greatsword　that　was　blocking　the　path。　A　second　ogre　stood　beside　him；　hefting　a　spiked　club　and　glaring。
　　　Jeggred　leaped　forward　like　a　coiled　spring；　raking　one　of　his　razor…sharp　claws　across　the　front　of　the　first　ogre。　The　attack　was　so　sudden；　the　creature　didn't　even　have　time　to　react。　It　stared　down　at　its　stomach　as　blood　sprayed。　Several　screams　erupted　from　the　crowd　as　some　struggled　to　get　out　of　the　way　and　others　pushed　and　shoved　to　get　a　better　view…or　a　chance　to　scavenge　the　bodies。　The　first　ogre　opened　its　mouth　to　scream；　sinking　down　to　one　knee　and　holding　its　hands　across　its　midsection；　as　Jeggred　slashed　again；　ripping　the　humanoid's　throat　out。　The　ogre　gurgled　and　flailed；　wide…eyed　with　fear。
　　　The　second　ogre　snarled　and　swung　its　club　at　Jeggred；　slamming　the　spiked　weapon　into　the　draegloth's　shoulder。　The　fiend　spun　with　the　blow；　his　mane　of　white　hair　flowing　behind　him。　The　twist　avoided　the　worst　of　the　damage　and　brought　Jeggred　back　to　face　his　enemy　from　a　crouched　position。
　　　　　　　At　that　moment；　Valas　was　knocked　sideways　by　a　lunging　goblin；　teeth　bared　and　daggers　drawn。　Before　the　scout　could　kick　the　wretch　away　from　him；　Quenthel　lashed　out　with　her　whip。　Several　pairs　of　fangs　sank　into　the　goblins　flesh；　and　it　fell　to　the　ground；　writhing　and　frothing　at　the　mouth。　Valas　lurched　back　to　his　feet　before　more　of　the　throng　could　surge　over　him。　He　put　his　back　to　Quenthel　and　openly　brandished　his　kukris；　holding　back　several　shouting；　cursing　gray　dwarves。
　　　The　entourage　had　formed　a　defensive　circle；　Valas　realized。　Ryld　had　Splitter　out；　and　the　wizard's　magical　rapier　danced　in　the　air　before　him；　while　Pharaun　himself　held　a　small　wand　of　some　sort；　eyeing　the　increasingly　angry　crowd。　Even　Faeryl　held　her　hammer　in　her　hands；　swinging　it　back　and　forth　experimentally。　Only　Jeggred　wasn't　a　part　of　the　defensive　formation；　having　moved　a　few　feet　off；　finishing　his　bloody　work　with　the　two　ogres。　Out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　Valas　could　see　the　fiend　biting　his　foe；　ripping　chunks　of　the　ogre's　face　off。
　　　〃We've　got　to　get　higher！〃　Valas　yelled　at　Quenthel　over　his　shoulder。　When　the　high　priestess　didn't　seem　to　hear　him；　he　repeated　himself。　〃Mistress　Quenthel；　we　need　to　get　to　a　higher　section　of　the　city。　This　is　not　working！〃
　　　Next　to　him；　Pharaun　jerked　as　a　crossbow　bolt　snapped　against　his　piwafwi；　Someone　was　taking　potshots　from　the　crowd。
　　　〃What　do　you　suggest？〃　Quenthel　called　back；　extending　her　whip　and　flailing　at　an　unfortunate　kobold　that　had　squeezed　to　the　front　of　the　gathering　and　was　shoved　forward　from　behind。
　　　〃Follow　me！〃　Faeryl　cried；　and　she　began　to　lift　from　the　ground；　rising　up　into　the　air。　〃We　must　get　to　the　mercantile　district；　and　this　is　the　fastest　way。〃
　　　No；〃　Valas　groaned；　eyes　widening。　〃I　can't…！　I　have　no　way　to　stay　with　you！〃
　　　But　it　was　too　late。　The　other　drow　had　began　to　follow　the　ambassador's　example　and　were　lifting　from　the　ground。　Valas　backed　into　the　center　of　what　had　once　been　their　circle；　warily　eyeing　the　crowd　around　him。
　　　〃Ryld！〃　he　shouted。　〃Wait！〃
　　　Valas　saw　the　warrior　look　down　at　him；　but　before　the　other　〃row　could　take　action；　Valas　was　grabbed　from　behind。　He　tried　to　spin　around　and　slash　out　with　his　kukri；　but　the　grip　on　him　was　powerful；　and　he　couldn't　get　a　clean　swing　in。　A　split…second　later；　he　was　glad；　for　Jeggred　was　the　one　who　had　a　hold　of　him。　Coated　in　blood　that　matted　the　fiend's　fur；　the　draegloth　held　tightly　to　the　scout　as　he　left　the　ground。　A　couple　of　bold　gray　dwarves　stormed　forward；　intent　on　getting　in　a　parting　swipe　with　their　war　axes　at　Valas's　feet；　but　Jeggred　still　had　a　large；　clawed　hand　free　and　slashed　out　at　them；　forcing　the　pair　of　duergar　to　leap　back　to　safety。
　　　Several　more　crossbow　bolts　whizzed　by；　and　one　sank　into　the　draegloth's　flank　next　to　Valas；　but　Jeggred　only　grunted　and　spun　away；　levitating　upward　to　where　the　other　drow　had　gone。　Valas　looked　back　down　where　they　had　been　standing　only　moments　before。　Even　as　the　webbed　street　receded；　the　scout　saw　the　mob　swarm　over　the　dead　ogres；　ripping　items　of　value　from　the　bodies。
　　　Savages；　he　thought。
　　　Above；　Faeryl　had　stopped　on　a　smaller　side　street　several　levels　higher　than　where　the　drow　had　been　previously；　in　a　quiet　space　between　rows　of　vendors。　In　the　main　thoroughfare；　the　crowds　were　less　dense　than　below；　but　only　slightly。　Valas　knew　they　were　still　relatively　low　in　the　city；　for　the　glimmering　glow　of　spectral　light　that　emanated　from　the　mesh　of　stone　webs　still　dazzled　his　sight　when　he　looked　up；　twinkling　far　into　the　distance　overhead。　He　knew　that　the　higher　they　got；　the　better　the　neighborhoods　would　be。　Near　the　top　of　the　cavern；　where　the　trench…shaped　chamber　was　at　its　widest；　the　nobles　had　constructed　their　sprawling　Houses　sufficiently　beyond　the　stench　and　noise　of　the　mon　folk　far　below。　The　Menzoberranyr　had　quite　a　ways　to　go　before　they　would　be　in　that　vicinity。
　　　〃Is　it　always　that　。　。　。　revolting　down　there？〃　Quenthel　asked　as　the　group　settled　to　the　stone　avenue；　huddling　together　and　keeping　their　voices　low。　〃Why　do　the　matron　mothers　tolerate　that　rabble？〃
　　　Jeggred　released　Valas；　who　straightened　and　turned　to　look　at　the　draegloth；　wondering　how　much　of　the　blood　on　the　fiend　was　his　enemies'　and　how　much　was　his　own。　Much　of　Jeggred's　fur　was　matted　with　the　hot；　sticky　fluid；　but　other　than　the　crossbow　bolt　in　his　hip；　the　beast　didn't　seem　to　bear　any　wounds。　The　scout　examined　his　own　clothing　and　noted　sullenly　that　he　was　sticky　with　ogre　blood；　too。
　　　〃The　lesser　races　are　not　permitted　to　wander　so　freely　in　the　higher　sections　of　the　city　without　special　permission；〃　Faeryl　explained。　〃It'll　get　better　once　we　get　a　little　higher。〃
　　　〃I　doubt　it；〃　the　high　priestess　said；　sniffing。　〃I　doubt　the　matron　mothers　would　suffer　such　an　embarrassment　lightly。　Likely　they're　dealing　with　more　urgent　problems；　and　I　think　we　all　know　what　those　urgent　problems　are。〃
　　　Over　Quenthel's　shoulder；　Valas　could　see　a　trio　of　female　drow　who　had　stopped　and　were　staring　at　Jeggred　as　the　fiend　yanked　the　crossbow　bolt　free　with　a　grunt　of　pain。　One　of　the　dark　elves　whispered　something　to　her　panions；　and　the　three　of　them　scurried　away。
　　　Pharaun　was　making　a　point　of　dusting　his　piwafwi　clean　and　straightening　the　garment　so　that　he　was　looking　stylish　and　well　groomed　again。
　　　〃You　are　most　likely　correct；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　said；　nodding　in　acquiescence。　〃Still；　it　would　not　hurt　for　us　to　find　a　place　to　stay　for　the　night；　gathering　our　wits　and　perhaps　some　more　information；　too。　I'm　sure　that　between　the　six　of　us；　we　can　find　out　a　little　more　about　why　the　city　is　in　this　condition。〃
　　　〃Finding　a　place　to　stay　may　prove　difficult；〃　Ryld　mented。　〃I　wonder　if　there's　a　vacant　room　to　be　had　in　all　of　Ched　Nasad。〃
　　　Valas　frowned；　imagining　the　looks　they　would　receive　as　they　inquired　after　acmodations。
　　　If　we　can；〃　the　scout　said；　〃your　bodyguard　will　attract　substantial　attention。　Even　now；　we　are　drawing　looks。　We　should　not　stay　out　in　the　open　for　much　longer。〃
　　　Quenthel　dug　in　her　pack　of　supplies　and　produced　a　wand。　Moving　closer　to　Jeggred；　she　aimed　the　magical　device　at　the　drae…gloths　bleeding　puncture　wound　and　uttered　a　few　words。　The　bleed…ing　stopped；　and　the　hole　began　to　close。
　　　Be　more　careful