war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第22章

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　as　not　unlike　the　foundry　hall　in　the　ruins　of　Ammarindar；　except　Kaanyr　Vhok's　forge　was　only　a　fraction　of　the　size　of　the　gray　dwarf　realm。
　　　What　an　ugly　place；　Aliisza　thought。　Still；　the　sheer　scale　of　the　work　that　went　on　around　her　was　staggering。　More　than　once；　she　spotted　ponents　of　siege　engines　of　enormous　size　being　assembled　in　their　workshops。　Ched　Nasad　might　have　been　far　more　graceful　and　insidious；　but　Gracklstugh　was　strong。　Dwarven　skill　and　single…mindedness　seemed　almost　a　match　for　drow　magic　and　cruelty。
　　　The　gray　dwarves　turned　her　escort　toward　a　great　fortress　delved　into　a　mighty　stalagmite。　Ramparts　of　stone　and　turrets　of　iron　guarded　the　sloping　sides　of　the　duergar　castle。　As　the　ogres　carried　her　into　the　open　gate　of　the　king's　palace；　Aliisza　could　not　check　her　impulse　to　glance　up　at　the　mighty　portcullis　and　deadly　devices　poised　to　crush　any　attack。　She　had　several　ways　to　escape　if　she　needed　to；　but　none　of　her　warriors　would　get　out　of　the　palace　alive　if　the　gray　dwarves　decided　not　to　let　them　leave。
　　　The　procession　came　to　a　halt　in　a　large；　cheerless　hall　whose　floor　was　made　of　polished　stone　slabs。
　　　〃It　seems　that　I　am　here；〃　Aliisza　said　to　herself。
　　　She　tapped　on　the　palanquin's　side；　and　the　ogres　lowered　the　carriage　carefully　to　the　floor。　The　alu…fiend　waited　for　the　seat　to　settle；　then　let　herself　out；　straightening　and　stretching　her　wings。
　　　A　duergar　officer　wearing　a　plain　black　surcoat　over　his　armor　approached　her。
　　　〃You　said　you　wished　to　see　the　crown　prince；〃　he　stated。
　　　〃At　his　earliest　convenience；〃　Aliisza　replied。　She'd　had　the　same　conversation　several　times　that　day　with　various　gray　dwarf　lieutenants　and　captains。
　　　〃Who　are　you；　again？〃
　　　〃I　am　Aliisza；　an　envoy　from　Kaanyr　Vhok；　the　Sceptered　One；　Lord　of　Ammarindar　and　Master　of　Hellgate　Keep。　I　believe　your　crown　prince　will　find　my　lord's　message　worth　listening　to。〃
　　　The　officer　scowled　doubtfully。
　　　〃They　stay　here；〃　he　said；　nodding　at　Aliisza's　entourage。　〃Follow　me。〃
　　　Aliisza　glanced　at　the　leader　of　her　escort；　a　battered　old　tanarukk　champion　with　a　missing　tusk；　and　said；　〃You　and　your　warriors　wait　here。　I　might　be　a　while。〃
　　　She　followed　the　duergar　captain　deeper　into　the　fortress；　flanked　by　another　half…dozen　gray　dwarf　soldiers。　She　decided　to　think　of　them　as　an　honor　guard。
　　　They　climbed　a　wide；　sweeping　stairway　that　might　have　been　impressive　if　the　gray　dwarves　had　taken　a　single　step　toward　decorating　the　place；　and　finally　came　to　a　throne　room　with　huge；　stone　columns　supporting　a　vaulted　ceiling　high　overhead。
　　　At　the　far　end　of　the　chamber　stood　a　knot　of　gray　dwarves。　By　the　way　they　moved；　and　the　cold　regard　in　their　eyes；　Aliisza　guessed　that　they　were　the　high　advisors　and　nobles　of　the　realm；　but　their　garb　displayed　no　such　ostentation。　In　their　midst　stood　the　only　gray　dwarf　she'd　seen　yet　with　any　kind　of　ornamentation；　a　burly　fellow　who　wore　a　hauberk　of　gleaming　chain　mail　beneath　an　embroidered　surcoat　of　black　and　gold。　A　circlet　of　gold　rested　atop　his　bare　head；　and　rings　of　gold　gathered　the　braids　of　his　beard。
　　　The　captain　escorting　Aliisza　motioned　for　her　to　halt　and　went　closer　to　whisper　in　the　ear　of　the　crown　prince。　The　gray　dwarf　ruler　glared　at　Aliisza；　then　stepped　forward；　thick　arms　folded　across　his　chest。
　　　〃Wele　to　Gracklstugh；〃　he　said；　though　his　hard　eyes　offered　no　wele　at　all。　〃I　am　Horgar　Steelshadow。　What　does　Kaanyr　Vhok　want　of　me？〃
　　　Not　long　on　the　social　graces；　Aliisza　noted。
　　　Well；　she'd　never　met　a　gray　dwarf　who　was。　She　decided　to　speak　plainly　and　not　waste　time　on　flattery　or　subtlety；　as　it　was　clear　any　such　efforts　would　be　lost　on　the　ruler　of　Gracklstugh。　She　offered　a　small　bow；　and　straightened。
　　　〃Kaanyr　dispatched　me　to　ask　a　few　questions　about　what　happened　in　Ched　Nasad；　and　to　perhaps　explore　some　other　issues；〃　she　said。　She　glanced　at　the　other　gray　dwarves　standing　nearby。　〃Does　everyone　here　enjoy　your　confidence？〃
　　　Horgar　frowned；　and　muttered　something　in　Dwarvish。　Several　of　the　advisors　or　nobles　moved　off；　returning　to　whatever　duties　they　had　elsewhere。　A　pair　of　heavily　armored　guards　in　black　surcoats　remained　behind；　as　well　as　another　important…looking　duergar；　a　scarred　fellow　in　armor　who　wore　a　tabard　marked　with　a　red　symbol。
　　　〃My　Stone　Guards　stay；〃　Horgar　said；　then　indicated　the　scarred　dwarf。　〃This　is　the　clan　laird　Borwald　Firehand；　marshal　of　Gracklstugh's　army。〃
　　　Borwald　returned　Aliisza's　nod　of　greeting　with　a　sullen　glare。　She　shrugged　and　got　back　to　the　point；　deciding　to　match　directness　with　directness。
　　　〃A　duergar　clan…Xornbane；　wasn't　it？…attacked　the　drow　city　of　Ched　Nasad；　and　precipitated　its　destruction。　Kaanyr　Vhok　wonders　if　you　set　them　to　it。〃
　　　〃Clan　Xornbane　are　mercenaries；〃　Borwald　answered。　The　scar　he　carried　creased　the　side　of　his　bald　head　from　cheekbone　to　three　inches　behind　the　ear；　leaving　a　visible　indentation。　〃Whatever　job　they　took　in　Ched　Nasad　is　an　issue　of　merce；　not　of　Deepkingdom　policy。　You　should　take　up　the　matter　with　them。〃
　　　〃I　would；　but　survivors　are　hard　to　find；〃　Aliisza　said。　〃As　near　as　we　can　tell；　they　trapped　themselves　in　the　city　they　burned。〃　She　returned　her　gaze　to　Horgar　Steelshadow　and　asked；　〃So；　did　they　destroy　Ched　Nasad　with　your　blessing？〃
　　　〃With　my　blessing？〃　The　duergar　prince　thought　for　a　moment；　then　said；　〃I　am　not　unhappy　that　the　City　of　Shimmering　Webs　fell；　but　I　did　not　dispatch　Clan　Xornbane　to　do　that　piece　of　work。　Khorrl　Xornbane　was　hired　by　one　of　Ched　Nasad's　matron　mothers　to　help　her　destroy　those　Houses　ahead　of　hers。　I　did　not　choose　to　interfere　with　Xornbane's　business。〃
　　　〃In　that　case；　Xornbane's　choice　of　tactics　seems　spectacularly　unsound。　They　delivered　their　employer　a　smoking　ruin；　and　sustained　horrible　losses　in　doing　so；〃　Aliisza　observed。
　　　〃I　am　afraid　that　I　was　at　least　in　part　responsible　for　that；〃　said　a　melodious　voice　to　one　side。
　　　From　the　shadow　of　a　pillar　in　the　great　hall　a　slim　form　emerged；　a　rakish　drow　of　short　stature　and　catlike　grace。　He　was　a　handsome　fellow；　impeccably　dressed　in　garments　of　black　and　gray；　and　he　wore　a　matched　rapier　and　dagger　at　his　hip。
　　　〃On　behalf　of　my　fellows；〃　the　newer　said；　〃I　arranged　for　Khorrl's　troops　to　be　provided　with　the　stonefire　bombs　that　proved　so　effective　in　the　slave　uprising　in　Menzoberranzan。　I　did　not　imagine　they　would　destroy　Ched　Nasad　in　its　entirety；　of　course。〃
　　　Aliisza　raised　an　eyebrow　and　said；　〃I　did　not　expect　to　find　a　dark　elf　in　the　confidence　of　the　prince　of　the　duergar。〃
　　　〃I　am　something　of　a　sellsword；〃　the　fellow　replied；　〃tasked　with　effecting　certain　changes　in　a　handful　of　Houses　in　Ched　Nasad　and　Menzoberranzan。〃　He　offered　her　a　slight　smile　that　didn't　reach　his　intense　eyes。　〃Call　me　Nimor。〃
　　　〃Nimor；〃　Aliisza　replied。　〃Whatever　your　purpose；　you　certainly　effected　a　change　in　Ched　Nasad。　What　do　you　have　in　mind　regarding　Menzoberranzan？〃
　　　Horgar　shifted　unfortably　and　asked；　〃What　interest　is　this　to　Kaanyr　Vhok？〃
　　　〃Well；　had　we　known　that　someone　meant　to　attack　Ched　Nasad；　we　might　have　offered　our　assistance；〃　Aliisza　replied。　〃My　lord　scents　opportunity　in　the　dark　elves'　difficulties。　If　someone　were　considering　a　similar　effort　to　lay　low　Menzoberranzan；　we　might　be　willing　to　take　on　partners　in　our　business。〃
　　　Borwald　sneered；　〃I　doubt　the　Deepkingdom　would　have　any　need　of　a　few　hundred　rabble　squatting　in　fungus…grown　ruins。〃
　　　Aliisza　suppressed　her　annoyance。
　　　They're　duergar；　she　told　herself；　abrasive　and　crass。　This　is　how　they　are。
　　　〃Your　intelligence　is　somewhat　out　of　date；〃　she　said。　〃My　lord　mands　over　two　thousand　hardened　tanarukk　warriors；　each　of　them　as　strong　as　an　ogre　and　three　times　as　smart。　We　have　built　forges　and　armories；　perhaps　not　as　grand　as　those　of　Gracklstugh；　but　sufficient　to　arm　and　armor　our　soldiers。　We　mand　auxiliary　troops　as　well…bugbears；　ogres；　giants；　and　such…more　numerous　than　our　tanarukk　legion。〃　She　leveled　her　gaze　on　Borwald　and　added；　〃We　don't　have　the　strength　of　the　Deepkingdom；　Firehand；　but　we　could　take　on　twice　our　number　of　gray　dwarves　and　give　them　a　fierce　fight。　You　denigrate　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　at　your　peril。〃
　　　〃I　am　not　unaware　of　Kaanyr　Vhok's　growing　strength；〃　Horgar　muttered；　tugging　at　his　beard。　〃Speak　plainly。　What　does　your　lord　want？〃
　　　No　subtlety　at　all；　Aliisza　lamented。　Kaanyr　might　as　well　have　sent　a　dim…witted　ogre　to　deliver　this　message。
　　　〃Kaanyr　Vhok　wants　to　know　if　you　intend　to　march　on　Menzoberranzan。　If　you　do；　he　wishes　to　join　you。　As　I　have　just　said；　I　believe　that　the　Scoured　Legion　could　be　a　valuable　ally。〃
　　　〃We　might　not　want　you　for　an　ally；　if　we　were　thinking　of　any　such　thing；〃　Horgar　said。　〃We　might　think　we　have　sufficient　strength　to　get　what　we　want　without　splitting　the　prize。〃
　　　〃You　might　think　that；〃　Aliisza　conceded。　〃If　you　were　correct；　the　dark　elves　of　Menzoberranzan　would　be　well…advised　to　seek　allies　against　you。　I　wonder　to　whom　they　could　turn　for　help？〃
　　　〃I　would　crush　Kaanyr　Vhok　if　he　did　anything　so　foolish；〃　Horgar　growled。　〃Go　back　to　your　demonspawned　master　and　tell　him…〃
　　　〃A　moment；　Prince　Horgar；〃　Nimor　said；　stepping　between　the　duergar　and　the　alu…fiend。　〃Let　us　not　be　hasty。　We　should　give　Lady　Aliisza's　message　careful　thought　before　we　consider　our　reply。〃
　　　Horgar　snarled；　〃You　do　not　tell　me　how　to　conduct　my　kingdom's　affairs；　drow！〃
　　　〃Of　course　not；　my　lord　prince；　but　I　would　very　much　like　to　confer　with　you　at　greater　length　on　this　question。〃　Nimor　turned　back　to　Aliisza　and　said；　〃I　presume　you　would　be　willing　to　remain　as　a　guest　of　the　crown　prince　while　we　discuss　your　master's　offer？〃
　　　Aliisza　merely　smiled。　She　let　her　eyes　linger　on　the　slim　figure　of　the　dark　elf。　Given　an　opportunity；　she　felt　sure　that　she　could　convince　him　to　see　the　virtues　of　her　proposal；　though　she　also　sensed　that　there　was　more　to　this　Nimor　than　met　the　eye。　Unfortunately；　Horgar　and　his　Marshal　Firehand　were　less　likely　to　succumb　to　her　special　talents。　She　could　wait　a　day　or　two　and　see　if　Nimor　succeeded　in　advancing　her　arguments　for　her。
　　　The　duergar　prince　measured　her；　mulling　over　Nimor's　words。　Finally；　he　relented。
　　　〃You　may　stay　a　short　time；　while　I　think　about　your　offer。　I'll　have　the　captain　set　aside　quarters　in　the　palace　for　you。　Your　soldiers　will　have　to　stay　in　a　barracks　near　my　own　guards。　They　will　not　be　permitted　in　the　castle。〃
　　　〃I　will　require　some　attendants。〃
　　　〃Fine；　you　can　retain　two；　if　you　wish。　The　rest　go。〃
　　　Horgar　looked　toward　the　end　of　the　hall　and　gestured。　His　captain　came　trotting　up。
　　　〃We　will　speak　again　when　I　have　made　up　my　mind；〃　he　told　her。
　　　〃In　that　event；　I　will　be　available　at　your　convenience；〃　she　said　to　Horgar；　but　she　let　her　eyes　linger　on　Nimor　as　she　spoke。
　　　
　　　〃It　can't　be　done　today；〃　Thummud　of　Clan　Muzgardt　told　Ryld；　Valas；　and　Coalhewer。　The　fat　duergar　stood