war of the spider queen 5 annihilation-第40章

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e　who　knew　him　when　he　joined　the　army。　Rab　was　fiercely　loyal　to　the　kingdom　of　his　birth　and　the　king　he　admired　more　than　anyone　but　his　father。
　　　He　worked　his　way　up　the　ranks；　slowly；　and　was　a　sergeant　when　the　ghazneths　and　goblins　ravaged　Cormyr　and　all　but　destroyed　Arabel。　He　was　nearly　killed　in　the　same　battle　that　resulted　in　the　death　of　the　king；　and　he　watched　the　city　of　his　birth　burned。　His　father　was　killed　when　part　of　a　building　fell　on　him。　With　the　king　and　his　father　both　dead；　and　no　family　of　his　own　to　tie　him　down；　Rab　simply　walked　away。
　　　He　went　on　to　bee　alternately　a　sellsword；　a　tavern　bouncer；　an　innkeeper；　a　weaponsmith；　then　a　logger。　He　was　strong　and　smart；　so　he　soon　became　foreman。　His　employers　paid　Rab　a　considerable　sum　in　gold　to　gather　crews　to　go　deep　into　some　of　the　most　dangerous　places　in　Faerun　to　find　exotic　woods。　He　quickly　built　a　solid　reputation　among　the　lumber　mill　owners　and　loggers　alike　as　a　fair　but　tough　leader　who　knew　how　to　get　the　job　done；　and　Rab　always　delivered。
　　　During　those　hard　forty…six　years　of　life；　Rab　Shuoc　had　missed　out　on　a　lot。　There　had　been　women　but　never　a　wife　and　never　any　children。　Since　the　war　he　hadn't　even　had　a　home。　He　rarely　worked　with　the　same　men　more　than　one　season　at　a　time　and　had　no　real　friends　to　speak　of。
　　　He　wasn't　the　kind　of　man　who　worried　about　his　own　happiness　or　even　expected　to　be　happy。　He　wanted　to　live；　work；　and　be　left　alone。
　　　When　he　stepped　into　his　mon　room　and　saw　some　of　his　crew　already　dead　at　the　hands　of　a　dark　elf　and　some　kind　of　giant　demon　monster；　he　knew　that　if　he　wanted　to　live；　he　would　have　to　fight　harder　than　he　ever　had　before。　It　was　with　that　thought　foremost　in　his　mind　that　he　stepped　toward　the　two　interlopers　and　got　started　with　the　last　thirty　seconds　of　his　life。
　　　Raula　was　smart　enough　to　tun；　and　Rab　let　her　go。　The　dark　elf　watched　her　go　too；　and　the　demon　ignored　her。　The　huge；　gray…furred　creature　locked　its　blazing　red　eyes　on　Rab　and　advanced　on　him。　Rab　hefted　his　greataxe　and　stepped　into　the　demon's　attack。　He　was　aware　of　the　drow　facing　him　as　well。
　　　The　drow　came　in　faster　than　the　demon；　swinging　his　enormous　greatsword　in　a　wild；　chaotic　fashion。　Rab　was　sure　he　could　parry　the　uncontrolled　assault　with　ease　and　he　held　the　steel　haft　of　his　greataxe　in　both　hands　so　the　greatsword　would　bounce　off　it…but　it　didn't。
　　　The　tip　of　the　greatsword　wasn't　where　it　was　supposed　to　be。　It　didn't　seem　possible　to　Rab　that　someone　could　move　such　a　huge；　heavy　weapon　so　quickly；　but　that　strange　dark　elf　had；　and　it　was　Rab　who　paid　the　price。　The　tip　of　the　sword　drew　a　deep　cut　across　the　logger's　chest。　Pain　flared；　and　blood　poured；　and　in　that　half…second　of　shock；　the　demon　took　his　axe。
　　　He'd　been　disarmed　before　but　he'd　never　had　an　opponent　actually　reach　out　and　take　the　weapon　right　out　of　his　hand。
　　　Rab　was　still　puzzling　over　that　when　something　even　stranger　happened：　the　dark　elf　drew　his　greatsword　across　the　demon's　back；　cutting　it　deeply　enough　that　blood　sprayed　from　the　wound　and　the　creature　roared。　The　drow　said　something　in　a　language　Rab　didn't　even　recognize　let　alone　understand。　There　didn't　seem　to　be　any　anger；　any　emotion　at　all　on　the　drow's　face；　but　he　was　definitely　trying　to　kill　the　demon。
　　　The　huge　creature　spun　on　the　much…smaller　dark　elf；　and　Rab　backed　away。　He　only　got　one　step　back　before　the　demon　reached　around　and　grabbed　him　by　the　shirt；　taking　some　skin　with　it。　The　monster　lifted　Rab；　who　weighed　well　over　two　hundred　pounds；　right　off　the　floor　without　any　sign　of　strain。
　　　Rab　grabbed　at　the　thing's　massive　clawed　hand；　but　the　demon's　skin　was　like　steel　coated　in　coarse　fur。　There　was　nothing　Rab　could　do　but　wonder　at　the　monster's　intentions。　It　whirled　on　the　dark　elf；　who　had　his　sword　ready。　The　demon　still　held　Rab's　greataxe　in　one　hand　but　almost　seemed　to　have　forgotten　it。
　　　The　demon　threw　Rab　at　the　dark　elf。　The　human　barked　out　an　incoherent；　scared　sound　that　might　have　been　a　scream　or　a　shout。　He　didn't　even　know。　It　was　the　sound　a　man　makes　when　he　knows　he's　got　less　than　a　second　to　live　and　there's　nothing　he　can　do　about　it。
　　　Rab　was　impaled　on　the　dark　elf's　greatsword。　He　could　feel　every　inch　of　the　cold　steel　as　it　slid　through　his　chest。　Strangely　enough；　it　didn't　hurt。
　　　
　　　Ryld　held　the　human　up　and　looked　past　him　at　the　draegloth。　The　man　died　trying　to　make　eye　contact　with　him…Ryld　would　never　understand　why　humans　insisted　on　doing　that。　Ryld　tipped　his　sword　down　in　hopes　that　the　man　would　slide　off　but　instead　had　to　quickly　jerk　back　to　avoid　the　blade　of　the　human's　greataxe；　wielded　by　Jeggred；　as　it　chopped　down。
　　　The　greataxe　hit　Splitter　and　sliced　clean　through。　Ryld　felt　his　eyes　bulge　and　his　blood　at　once　boil　and　run　cold。　Splitter　was　broken。　His　greatsword。　The　weapon　he'd　practically　lived　for；　had　developed　his　skills　around　for　years；　was　destroyed。
　　　The　human's　axe　must　have　been　enchanted　after　all。
　　　The　man　fell　away　on　the　remaining　length　of　the　greatsword　blade；　and　the　sudden　loss　of　his　weight　made　Ryld　fall　backward。　He　let　go　of　the　shattered　sword；　and　it　clattered　to　the　floor　next　to　him。
　　　The　weapons　master　reached　for　his　short　sword　and　almost　had　his　fingers　wrapped　around　the　pommel　when　the　axe　blade　came　down　again；　split　his　dwarven　mithral　breastplate　as　if　it　were　made　of　parchment；　and　buried　itself　into　his　chest。　Ryld　could　feel　the　weight　of　it　not　only　on　him　but　in　him。　There　was　no　pain；　just　a　heavy；　even　pressure。
　　　The　draegloth　stood　over　him；　drool　hanging　from　his　exposed　fangs　in　shimmering　tendrils；　his　eyes　aglow　in　the　orange　torchlight。
　　　Ryld　tried　to　breathe　but　he　couldn't。　No　air　was　getting　past　his　throat　at　all。　He　wanted　to　say　something；　but　there　was　no　way　to　form　words。　Besides；　he　didn't　know　what　to　say。　He'd　turned　his　back　on　everything　he　knew　for　a　woman　he　didn't　know　at　all；　a　woman　who　chose　a　path　for　herself　that　would　inevitably　lead　to　her　own　destruction　as　surely　as　it　had　led　to　his。　Part　of　him　wished　he'd　been　killed　by　anyone　but　the　filthy　half…demon；　but　another　part　was　satisfied　that　it　took　a　draegloth　to　bring　him　down。　He　almost　wanted　to　thank　Jeggred　for　fighting　him　in　the　first　place。　It　was　more　than　he　deserved。
　　　Jeggred　moved　closer；　and　Ryld　was　thankful　that　he　couldn't　breathe。　He　couldn't　smell　the　half…demon's　breath。
　　　Jeggred　leaned　on　the　axe　blade　and　broke　open　Ryld's　chest。　The　sensation　was　something　beyond　pain…a　mind…twisting　agony　that　only　death　could　possibly　cure。
　　　He　watched　the　draegloth　reach　into　his　chest。　Ryld's　body　started　to　jerk；　and　he　couldn't　stop　it。　The　draegloth　grabbed　and　groped　inside　his　chest；　and　Ryld's　vision　faded　in　and　out。
　　　When　Jeggred　pulled　his　hand　away；　Ryld's　eyesight　came　back　long　enough　for　Ryld　Argith；　Master　of　Melee…Magthere；　to　see　that　his　heart　was　still　beating　when　the　draegloth　began　to　eat　it。
　　　
　　　The　weapons　master's　heart　was　strong；　and　Jeggred　relished　the　texture　as　well　as　the　taste　of　it。　Ryld　Argith　was　a　worthy　opponent；　a　good　kill；　and　the　draegloth　wished　he　could　stay　and　devour　more　of　him。　The　drow　was　dead　by　the　time　Jeggred　finished　eating　his　heart；　and　he　knew　that　Danifae　and　the　others　were　waiting　for　him。
　　　Not　bothering　to　wipe　any　of　the　blood；　slime；　or　sap　off　himself；　the　draegloth　touched　the　ring　that　Danifae　had　given　him　and　used　its　magic　to　return　to　Sschindylryn。
　　　
Chapter　Twenty…one
　　　〃Ryld　Argith　is　dead；〃　Danifae　said　to　Quenthel；　her　eyes　darting　at　Pharaun。
　　　The　mage　sat　quietly；　legs　folded；　in　front　of　the　mainmast。　He　didn't　look　back　at　her；　seemed　to　have　no　reaction　at　all。　Danifae　chewed　her　bottom　lip；　her　eyes　flickering　back　and　forth　between　Pharaun　and　Quenthel。
　　　〃And？〃　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　prompted。
　　　〃I　killed　him；〃　Jeggred　grumbled。
　　　Danifae　looked　at　the　draegloth；　whose　eyes　were　locked　on　Pharaun。　Still　the　mage　made　no　move　and　never　looked　at　either　the　draegloth　or　her。　She'd　promised　to　spare　the　weapons　master　but　had　lied。　Danifae　half　expected　the　mage　to　burn　her　to　ciders　where　she　stood　for　the　betrayal。　Either　he　was　too　busy　with　his　preparations　for　the　journey；　or　he　didn't　care　。。。　or　he　was　planning　something　for　later。
　　　〃And　Halisstra　Melarn？〃　Quenthel　asked。
　　　〃I　tore　his　body　to　shreds；〃　Jeggred　went　on；　oblivious　to　his　aunt's　question；　〃after　I　ate　his　heart。　There's　barely　a　piece　bigger　than　a　bite　left　of　him；　spread　out　over　that　freezing　mud　hole。〃
　　　〃Yes；〃　Danifae　said；　smiling　at　the　draegloth；　who　was　still　looking　at　Pharaun；　〃well；　be　that　as　it　may；　Halisstra　has　in　fact　done　the　unthinkable。　She　enjoys　the　protection　of　Eilistraee　now；　and　there's　no　longer　any　doubt。〃
　　　〃You　have　evidence　of　that？〃　Pharaun　asked；　his　voice　quieter；　weaker　somehow；　or　maybe　just　bored。
　　　〃She　told　me；〃　Danifae　replied；　still　looking　at　Quenthel。
　　　〃It's　true；〃　the　draegloth　added。
　　　Quenthel　turned　on　Jeggred；　her　face　right；　her　eyes　blazing。　Still；　she　looked　tiny　in　front　of　the　hulking　creature。
　　　〃How　would　you　know；　fool？〃　Quenthel　spat。　〃You　weren't　brought　here　to　think。〃
　　　〃No；〃　the　draegloth　answered；　not　shrinking　the　slightest　in　the　face　of　the　high　priestess's　rage；　〃I　was　brought　here　to　act。　I　was　brought　here　to　fight　and　to　kill。　How　much　of　that　have　I　done；　my　dear；　dear　aunt？〃
　　　〃As　much；〃　Quenthel　replied；　her　voice　ing　out　almost　as　a　growl；　〃or　as　little　as　I　tell。　you。　As　I　tell　you；　not　Danifae。〃
　　　Jeggred　loomed　over　her；　the　muscles　under　his　gray　fur　rippling　with　anticipation。
　　　〃Mistress　Danifae；〃　the　draegloth　said；　〃is　at　least　trying。　She's　acting…〃
　　　〃Without　my　direct　orders；〃　Quenthel　finished　for　him。
　　　Danifae　was　afraid　that　Jeggred　would　continue；　so　she　said；　〃Only　on　your　behalf；　Mistress。〃
　　　Quenthel　lifted　an　eyebrow　and　stepped　closer　to　Danifae。
　　　〃We　talked　about　that；　didn't　we；　battle…captive？〃
　　　〃I　am　no　one's　captive　now；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　replied；　〃but　still　I　serve　Lolth。〃
　　　〃By　turning　my　draegloth's　head？〃　the　high　priestess　said。
　　　Danifae　felt　the　skin　on　her　arms　and　chest　tingle。
　　　〃No；〃　she　said。　〃Jeggred　helped　me　help　you。〃
　　　〃Help　me？〃　asked　the　high　priestess。
　　　The　draegloth　turned　and　skulked　away。　He　found　a　spot　near　the　bow　and　sat　with　his　head　bent　downward。　Quenthel　was　still　looking　at　Danifae　as　if　she　expected　an　answer。
　　　〃Mistress；〃　Danifae　said；　〃I　am　without　a　home。　You　said　you　would　bring　me　back　to　Menzoberranzan　with　you　if　I　served　you。　That；　and　a　host　of　other　reasons；　is　precisely　why　I　did　what　I　did。〃
　　　〃Did　I　ask？〃　Quenthel　roared。　〃Did　I　send　you　to　do　this？〃
　　　Danifae　lifted　an　eyebrow　herself　and　waited。
　　　Quenthel　took　a　deep　breath　and　turned　away　from　the　former　battle…captive　to　stare　out　at　the　black　water；　lost　in　thought。
　　　〃My　loyalty　is　with　Lolth；〃　Danifae　said；　〃and　to　the　House　of　your　birth。〃
　　　〃House　Baenre；〃