war of the spider queen 5 annihilation-第2章

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risoner　to　die　before　stepping　to　the　third　in　the　circle。
　　　There　was　a　sharp　stench　of　urine　that　almost　made　Gromph　step　back；　and　a　spattering　of　droplets　echoed　on　the　hard　stone　floor。　The　archmage　blew　air　out　his　nostrils　to　clear　the　smell。
　　　〃Read　it；〃　he　said　to　the　terrified　captive。
　　　〃It's　a　way　shelter　rune；〃　the　terrified　Dyrr　cousin　almost　barked。　〃A　way　shelter。〃
　　　Gromph　could　tell　by　the　feminine　timbre　in　his　voice　that　he　was　a　younger　cousin。　That　was　positive　in　itself。　Kyorli；　perhaps　sensing　the　boy's　fear　or　drawn　to　the　stench　of　piss；　looked　the　prisoner　in　the　face　and　Gromph　did　his　best　to　keep　the　rat's　gaze　fixed　on　the　boy's　eyes。
　　　Jaemas　Xorlarrin　leaned　in　from　behind　and　said　quietly；　〃A　pleasing　blood　red；　Archmage。〃
　　　Gromph　smiled；　and　the　bound　prisoner　did　his　best　to　look　away。
　　　〃The　smaller；〃　Gromph　said　then　listened　to　the　sounds　of　Prath's　robes　rustling　behind　him。　〃Read　it；〃　he　said　to　the　prisoner。
　　　The　boy　looked　up；　tears　streaming　down　his　cheeks；　and　blinked　at　the　young　Baenre；　who　Gromph　knew　was　holding　up　the　other　side　of　the　placard　upon　which　was　drawn；　half　again　smaller　than　the　way　shelter　rune；　the　number　。　。　。
　　　〃Five；〃　the　prisoner　said；　his　voice　squeaking　in　a　most　unseemly　way。
　　　Gromph　smiled　and　stepped　back；　Jaemas　moving　smoothly　to　get　out　of　his　way。
　　　〃Yes；〃　the　archmage　said；　〃this　one。〃
　　　Jaemas　snapped　his　fingers　and　Prath　came　quickly　back　to　attend　his　superiors。　The　sound　of　a　dark　elf　being　strangled　again　echoed　through　the　chamber；　then　again；　and　seven　more　times　as　Zillak　executed　the　rest　of　the　captives；　save　the　one　with　the　sensitive；　blood…crimson　eyes。
　　　As　Zillak　went　methodically　about　his　bloody　work；　Gromph；　Jaemas；　and　Prath　stripped　off　their　robes　to　stand　barefoot；　naked　from　the　waist　up；　covered　only　by　simple　breeches。　Gromph　concentrated　on　the　sounds　of　the　executions；　keeping　his　mind　as　clear　as　he　could。
　　　In　his　rise　through　a　demanding　House；　then　through　the　ranks　of　Sorcere；　Gromph　had　seen　and　done　much。　He　was　no　stranger　to　pain　and　sacrifice　and　was　able　to　withstand　much　that　would　break　even　other　noble　drow。　He　told　himself　that　he　would　bear　the　proceedings　that　day　as　well；　for　his　own　good　and　for　the　sake　of　Menzoberranzan。
　　　He　kept　mental　note　of　the　number　of　strangulations　he　heard；　and　when　Zillak　was　squeezing　the　last　of　the　life　out　of　the　last　of　the　Dyrr　captives；　he　said；　〃Bring　in　the　table　when　you're　through　there；　Zillak。　Then　leave　us。〃
　　　〃Yes　。。。〃　the　assassin　grunted　as　he　strained　through　the　last　execution；　〃Archmage。〃
　　　When　that　last　life　was　spent；　Gromph　caught　a　glimpse　through　Kyorli's　eyes　of　Zillak　walking　quickly　out　of　the　circle　of　dead；　wiping　his　hands　dry　on　a　rag。　The　surviving　Dyrr　was　crying；　and　by　the　sound　of　it　Gromph　thought　the　boy　was　more　ashamed　than　afraid。　He　had　broken；　after　all。　He　had　behaved　like　some　。　。　。　goblin…certainly　not　a　drow。　Dark　elves　didn't　wet　themselves　at　the　prospect　of　death　or　torture。　Dark　elves　didn't　cry　in　the　face　of　their　enemies…didn't　cry　at　all。　If　the　boy　hadn't　proved　his　keen　darkvision；　Gromph　might　have　thought　him　half　human。
　　　An　example；　he　thought；　for　us　all。
　　　Zillak　wheeled　in　a　table　upon　which　were　secured　four　sturdy　rothe　leather　straps。　At　one　end　was　a　drain　that　emptied　into　a　big　glass　bottle　hanging　from　the　bottom　of　the　table。　Zillak　left　the　table　where　Jaemas　Xorlarrin　indicated　and　quickly　left　the　room。
　　　Gromph　took　hold　of　Kyorli　and　cradled　the　rat　in　his　arms　as　he　sat　on　the　table。　Holding　the　rat；　he　found　he　could　turn　the　beast　physically　to　keep　her　eyes　focused　where　he　wished。　Gromph　chuckled　at　the　odd　timing　of　that　revelation　and　turned　the　rat's　face　to　Jaemas。　The　Xorlarrin　mage　was　making　a　point　of　not　acknowledging　Gromph's　sign　of　humor。　Young　Prath　just　looked　nervous。
　　　〃This　is　something；〃　Gromph　said　to　his　nephew；　〃that　few　masters　have　seen　in　a　centuries…long　lifetime；　young　nephew。　You　will　be　able　to　tell　your　grandchildren　that　you　were　here　to　witness　it。〃
　　　The　apprentice　mage　nodded；　obviously　unsure　how　to　respond；　and　Gromph　laughed　at　him　even　as　he　lay　down　on　the　table。　The　steel　was　cold　against　his　back；　and　Gromph　broke　out　in　gooseflesh。　He　let　out　a　long　sigh　to　keep　from　shivering　and　held　Kyorli　to　his　bare　chest。　The　rat's　claws　pricked　him；　but　Gromph　didn't　mind。　There　would　be　greater　pain　soon；　and　not　only　for　the　archmage。
　　　Reeling　at　first　from　the　dizzying　perspective；　Gromph　held　the　rat　aloft　and　turned　it　to　face　the　Master　of　Sorcere。　From　the　bowl　that　Prath　was　holding　Jaemas　had　taken　a　polished　silver　spoon。　No　ordinary　eating　utensil；　the　edges　of　the　spoon　were　sharpened　to　a　razor's　keenness；　Jaemas　gestured　for　Prath　to　step　closer　to　the　prisoner；　and　Jaemas　began　to　chant　a　spell。
　　　The　words　of　power　were　like　music；　and　the　sound　of　them　sent　a　shiver　through　Gromph's　already　freezing　spine。　It　was　a　good　spell；　a　hard　spell；　a　rare　spell；　and　one　that　only　a　handful　of　drow　knew。　Jaemas　had　been　chosen　carefully；　after　all。
　　　As　the　cadence　rose　and　fell；　the　words　repeating　then　turning　upon　themselves；　the　Xorlarrin　mage　stepped　closer　still　to　the　shaking；　terrified　captive。　He　held　the　spoon　in　a　delicate　grip；　like　an　artist　holds　his　brush。　With　his　other　hand；　Jaemas　held　the　prisoner's　left　eye　open　wide。　It　wasn't　until　the　shining　silver　spoon　was　an　inch　from　the　boy's　eye　that　the　captive　seemed　to　understand　what　was　about　to　happen。
　　　He　screamed。
　　　When　the　sharp　edge　of　the　spoon　slipped　up　under　his　eyelid；　he　screamed　louder。
　　　When　Jaemas；　in　one　deft；　fluid　motion；　scooped　the　eye　from　its　socket；　he　screamed　louder　still。
　　　When　the　eye　fell　with　a　soft；　wet　sound　into　the　bowl　that　Prath　held　under　the　prisoner's　chin；　he　shrieked。
　　　Seen　through　the　rat's　eyes；　the　blood　that　poured　from　the　empty　socket　looked　black。　Jaemas　held　open　the　prisoner's　right　eye　and　the　young　drow　started　to　beg。　All　the　while；　the　Master　of　Sorcere　continued　his　incantation；　not　missing　a　beat；　not　missing　a　syllable；　when　he　slid　the　spoon　under　the　right　eyelid；　the　boy　began　to　pray。
　　　When　the　eye　came　out；　all　the　traitor　could　do　was　shake；　mouth　open　wide；　cords　showing　in　his　neck；　blood　flooding　over　his　face。
　　　Gromph　had　a　fleeting　thought　of　telling　the　prisoner；　paralyzed　with　agony　and　horror；　that　at　least　the　last　thing　he　saw　was　a　drow　face　and　the　simple　line　of　a　silver　spoon。　The　next　thing　Gromph　would　see　might　drive　even　the　archmage　mad。
　　　Gromph；　of　course；　said　nothing。
　　　Through　Kyorli's　eyes；　Gromph　saw　Jaemas　slip　the　silver　spoon　into　the　bowl；　careful　not　to　cut　either　of　the　fragile　orbs。　The　Xorlarrin　mage；　still　incanting；　took　the　rat　from　his　master's　hands；　and　Gromph's　vision　reeled。　He　heard　Prath　set　the　bowl　gently　on　the　floor；　and　Jaemas　turned　the　rat　so　that　Gromph　could　see　himself　lying　on　his　back　on　the　cold　steel　table。　He　could　see　Prath's　hands　shaking　as　he　gently；　almost　reluctantly；　folded　the　leather　straps　around　Gromph's　right　wrist。　He　fastened　the　strap；　but　not　nearly　tight　enough。
　　　〃Tighter；　boy；〃　the　archmage　growled。　〃Don't　be　squeamish；　and　don't　be　afraid　you're　going　to　hurt　me。〃
　　　Gromph　allowed　himself　a　laugh　as　his　nephew　tightened　the　strap　then　moved　on　to　his　right　ankle。　Jaemas　continued　to　chant　the　words　of　the　spell　as　Prath　finished　strapping　his　uncle　to　the　table　at　both　wrists　and　both　ankles。　When　Gromph　was　satisfied　that　he　was　properly　secured；　he　nodded　to　the　Xorlarrin　mage。
　　　Odd；　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　thought　as　Jaemas　set　Kyorli　down　on　his　bare　chest。　If　Lolth　wished　it；　none　of　this　would　have　been　necessary；　but　whether　she　answers　her　priestesses'　prayers　or　not；　all　of　it　would　still　be　possible。
　　　That　thought　brought　a　tentative　peace　to　Gromph。　The　knowledge…no；　the　certainty…of　his　power　had　always　reassured　him；　and　it　did　still。　It　was　that　certainty　that　helped　him　breathe　normally　and　remain　still　as　he　watched；　from　the　rat's　own　eyes；　Kyorli's　meandering；　reluctant　march　up　his　chest　and　onto　his　chin。　The　rat　paused　and　Gromph　saw　black　fingertips…Jaemas's…descend　over　his　left　eye　with　a　twisted　bit　of　wire。　The　Xorlarrin's　touch　was　cool　and　dry　on　Gromph's　eyelids。　The　archmage　held　still　while　the　Xorlarrin　mage　set　the　wires　gently；　carefully；　to　hold　his　eyelid　open。　That　was　repeated　on　his　right　eye　while　Jaemas　continued　to　chant；　and　Kyorli　looked　on　with　uncharacteristic　patience。　The　rat　was　slowly　ing　under　the　influence　of　the　spell；　and　it　was　that　magic　that　was　focusing　the　rodent's　attention　on　Gromph's　eyes。
　　　Though　he　could　feel　the　wires　holding　his　eyes　open；　Gromph；　when　he　let　his　concentration　fall　away　from　his　familiar；　could　see　nothing。　There　was　not　a　hint　of　light　or　shadow；　not　a　sliver　of　reflection。
　　　Gromph　took　a　deep；　steadying　breath　and　said；　〃Proceed。〃
　　　His　concentration　off　the　rat　and　onto　himself；　Gromph　couldn't　see　Kyorli　crawl　over　his　face；　but　he　could　feel　every　needle　prick　of　her　claws；　could　smell　her　musk；　and　could　hear　her　sniffing。　A　whisker　slipped　across　one　of　Gromph's　open　eyes；　and　he　flinched。　It　stung。　His　eyes　might　have　been　useless；　but　they　could　still　register　pain。
　　　Well；　thought　Gromph；　too　bad　for　me。
　　　The　first　bite　sent　a　wave　of　burning　agony　blasting　through　the　archmage's　head。　Gromph's　entire　body　tensed；　and　his　teeth　ground　together。　He　could　feel　the　rat　back　off　and　could　feel　the　blood　slowly　drip　down　the　side　of　his　face。　Jaemas　continued　to　chant。　The　pain　didn't　stop　either。
　　　〃Kyorli；〃　the　archmage　grunted。
　　　The　rat　was　hesitating。　Even　under　the　influence　of　the　spell；　even　offered　the　tasty　morsel　of　a　living…if　sightless…eye；　the　rat　knew　that　she　was　mutilating　her　own　master；　a　master　who　had　proven　in　the　past　to　be　anything　but　forgiving。
　　　Gromph　slipped　his　consciousness　into　his　familiar's；　and　despite　the　one　already　ruined　eye　sending　blood　dripping　down　the　side　of　his　head；　Gromph　could　see。　It　was　the　same　colorless；　dull　rat's　vision；　though。　He　could　see　the　bite　the　rat　had　already　taken　out　of　his　right　eye；　could　see　the　blood；　could　see　himself　shaking；　could　see　the　grim　set　of　his　jaw；　and　the　open；　helpless　orb　of　his　other　blind　eye　awaiting　the　rodent's　reluctant　ministrations。
　　　Gromph　pelled　the　rat　to　finish　her　work。
　　　Kyorli　might　have　hesitated　at　the　orders　of　Jaemas；　but　she　responded　to　her　master's　invitation　to　feed　without　a　second's　pause。　For　at　least　three　bites；　Gromph　watched　his　own　eye　being　chewed　out　of　his　head；　then　Kyorli's　vision　blurred　as　she　plunged　her　head　into　the　ruined　orb　to　tear　at　the　tender；　blood…soaked　bits　inside。
　　　The　pain　was　unlike　anything　Gromph　had　ever　imagined；　and　in　his　long；　uneasy　life；　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　had　imagined　a　lot。
　　　〃Scream　if　you　have　to；　Archmage；〃　his　nephew　whispered　into　his　ear；　barely　audible　over　the　sound　of　the　feeding　rat。　〃There　is　no　shame　in　it。〃
　　　Gromph　grunted；　tryi