war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第26章

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　　　〃Aren't　you　concerned　that　the　duergar　might　prove　unwilling　to　relinquish　the　drow　city　to　your　care　once　they've　conquered　it？〃
　　　〃Of　course；〃　Nimor　said；　〃but　in　all　honesty；　we　view　the　fall　of　the　Spider　Queen's　Houses　as　a　goal　desirable　enough　to　outweigh　the　risks　of　duergar　perfidy。　Even　if　Gracklstugh　turned　on　my　House　and　occupied　Menzoberranzan　for　a　hundred　years；　we　would　still　survive；　and　we　would　reclaim　the　city　in　time。〃
　　　Aliisza　stood　gracefully　and　paced　over　to　a　narrow；　slitlike　window　overlooking　the　city。
　　　〃Do　you　really　think　the　Spider　Queen　will　allow　her　city　to　fall？　What　bees　of　the　gray　dwarves'　assault　if　the　priestesses　of　Lolth　suddenly　recover　their　powers？〃
　　　〃We　are　a　long…lived　race；　dear　lady。　My　grandfather　saw　with　his　own　eyes　the　events　of　a　thousand　years　past。　We　do　not　forget　the　past　the　way　other　races　do。　In　all　our　legends；　our　lore；　we　have　never　encountered　a　silence　so　plete　and　long…lasting。　Even　if　it　proves　to　be　temporary；　well；　it　represents　a　chance　that　es　along　only　once　every　couple　of　thousand　years；　doesn't　it？　How　could　we　not　choose　this　moment　to　strike？〃
　　　〃Perhaps　you're　right。　I've　spoken　to　other　drow　who　seem　to　feel　these　are　extraordinary　and　unprecedented　times。〃　Aliisza　glanced　over　her　shoulder　at　him　and　added；　〃In　fact；　in　Ched　Nasad　I　encountered　a　mission　of　high…ranking　Menzoberranyr　who　had　e　to　the　city　in　the　hopes　of　discovering　the　causes　of　Lolth's　silence。　Quenthel　Baenre；　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　led　the　pany。〃
　　　〃I've　heard　of　Mistress　Quenthel's　mission。　So　they　made　it　to　Ched　Nasad？〃
　　　〃After　passing　through　Kaanyr　Vhok's　territory；　yes。　They　arrived　just　in　time　to　witness　the　city's　destruction。〃
　　　〃Did　any　of　them　survive？〃
　　　Aliisza　shrugged　and　said；　〃I　could　not　say　for　certain。　They　were　a　capable　lot。　If　anyone　could　escape　the　city's　fall；　they　would　have。〃
　　　Nimor　tapped　his　finger　on　the　table；　thinking。　Was　Quenthel's　mission　of　investigation　significant；　then？　He'd　simply　figured　that　the　matron　mothers　had　decided　to　shuffle　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　out　of　the　city　for　a　time　in　the　event　that　she　was　entertaining　dangerous　aspirations。　Still；　it　represented　a　wild　card；　an　unknown　factor　that　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　might　be　wise　to　take　note　of。　A　party　of　powerful　dark　elves　roaming　the　Underdark　might　find　the　opportunity　to　cause　all　sorts　of　trouble。
　　　〃Did　they　find　any　answers　to　their　questions？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃None　that　I　know　of；〃　Aliisza　said。　She　turned　back　from　the　window　and　glided　over　to　the　table　again；　then　changed　the　subject。　〃You　seemed　very　anxious　to　argue　my　case　with　the　crown　prince。　Might　I　ask　why？〃
　　　The　assassin　shifted　in　his　seat　and　leaned　back；　allowing　his　gaze　to　rest　on　her。
　　　〃You　touched　on　this　already；〃　he　said。　〃Either　Gracklstugh　is　strong　enough　to　defeat　Menzoberranzan；　or　it　isn't。　If　it　is　not；　then　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　is　likely　to　tip　the　scales　in　our　favor。　If　Gracklstugh　is　strong　enough；　then　the　Scoured　Legion　might　serve　as　a　useful　check　on　Horgar's　aspirations。　We　wouldn't　want　the　crown　prince　to　forget　the　details　of　our　arrangement。〃
　　　〃And　why　should　the　Scoured　Legion　serve　as　your　army　in　the　field？〃
　　　〃Because　Horgar　won't　have　you　for　an　ally　unless　I　persuade　him　that　he'd　be　better　served　with　Kaanyr　Vhok's　tanarukks　at　his　side　than　attacking　his　flank；〃　Nimor　answered。　〃Besides；　your　master　doesn't　want　to　sit　at　home　while　events　unfold。　He　sent　you　here　to　urge　the　duergar　to　attack　Menzoberranzan；　did　he　not？〃
　　　Aliisza　hid　her　smile　with　a　sip　of　wine。
　　　〃Well；　there　is　that；〃　she　admitted。　〃So；　will　you　ask　the　duergar　to　accept　our　help；　or　not？〃
　　　The　assassin　studied　the　alu…fiend　while　he　considered　the　question。　Agrach　Dyrr　was　a　useful　ally；　but　he　doubted　that　the　Fifth　House　of　Menzoberranzan　had　the　strength　to　counterbalance　Horgar's　army　if　push　came　to　shove。　Another　force　on　the　field　would　increase　the　chances　of　success　for　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin；　and　with　three　factions　to　work　with；　it　should　be　possible　to　align　two　against　the　third　in　whatever　bination　was　necessary　to　advance　his　goals。　In　extremis；　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　could　bring　their　own　strength　to　bear；　but　they　were　not　numerous；　and　it　was　always　preferable　to　expend　the　resources　of　one's　allies　before　tapping　your　own　reserves。
　　　〃I　think；〃　he　said　at　length；　〃that　we　won't　give　Horgar　the　chance　to　refuse　your　help。　Do　you　know　of　a　place　called　the　Pillars　of　Woe？〃
　　　Aliisza　frowned　and　shook　her　head。
　　　〃It's　a　gorge　between　Gracklstugh　and　Menzoberranzan；〃　Nimor　said；　〃a　place　I　have　great　plans　for。　I　am　certain　that　some　of　Kaanyr　Vhok's　scouts　will　know　the　spot；　and　I'll　make　sure　you　know　where　to　find　it。　Go　back　to　Kaanyr　Vhok　and　have　him　bring　the　Scoured　Legion　to　the　Pillars　of　Woe　with　all　possible　speed。　You　will　have　your　chance　to　assist　in　the　destruction　of　Menzoberranzan。　If　the　crown　prince　proves　pletely　unreasonable；　you　will　have　other　opportunities　available　to　you；　but　I　believe　that　Horgar　will　accept　your　stake　in　events　once　he　encounters　your　force　in　the　field。〃
　　　〃That　sounds　risky。〃
　　　〃Risk　is　the　cost　of　opportunity；　dear　lady。　It　cannot　be　avoided。〃
　　　Aliisza　measured　him　with　her　smoky　gaze。
　　　〃All　right；〃　she　said；　〃but　I'll　warn　you　that　Kaanyr　will　be　quite　put　out　with　me　if　he　marches　his　army　off　into　the　wilds　of　the　Underdark　and　misses　all　the　fun。〃
　　　〃I　will　not　disappoint　you；〃　Nimor　promised。　He　allowed　himself　a　deep　draught　of　wine；　and　pushed　his　chair　away　from　the　table。　〃That　would　seem　to　conclude　our　business；　Lady　Aliisza。　I　thank　you　for　the　fine　supper　and　the　pleasant　pany。〃
　　　〃Leaving　so　soon？〃　Aliisza　said；　with　just　a　hint　of　a　pout。
　　　She　drifted　closer；　a　mischievous　fire　springing　up　in　her　eyes；　and　Nimor　found　his　gaze　roving　over　the　voluptuous　curves　of　her　body。　She　leaned　forward　to　put　her　hands　on　the　arms　of　his　chair；　and　enfolded　her　wings　around　him。　With　sinuous　grace　she　lowered　herself　closer　to　nibble　at　his　ear；　pressing　her　soft；　hot　flesh　against　him。
　　　〃If　we've　finished　our　business　already；　Nimor　Imphraezl；　it　must　be　time　for　pleasure；〃　she　whispered　into　his　ear。
　　　Nimor　inhaled　the　delicious　odor　of　her　perfume　and　found　his　hands　roving　to　stroke　her　hips　and　bring　her　closer　still。
　　　〃If　you　insist；〃　he　murmured；　kissing　the　hollow　of　her　neck。
　　　She　shivered　in　his　arms　as　he　reached　up　to　unlace　her　corselet。
　　　
　　　The　crude　paddlewheels　at　the　sides　of　Coalhewer's　boat　clattered　loudly　in　the　darkness；　churning　the　black　water　into　furious；　white；　rushing　foam。　The　hulking　skeletons　in　their　well…like　space　at　the　boat's　center　stooped　and　rose；　stooped　and　rose；　their　bony　hands　clamped　to　the　crankshafts　driving　the　wheels。　Relentlessly；　tirelessly；　they　continued　their　mindless　work；　held　to　their　labors　by　the　necromantic　magic　that　had　animated　them　years；　or　perhaps　decades　past。　Halisstra　was　no　judge　of　waterborne　travel；　but　it　seemed　to　her　that　Coalhewer's　boat　was　holding　to　a　pace　that　would　be　difficult　to　match。
　　　She　risked　a　glance　back　over　her　shoulder　to　see　if　her　panions　had　marked　any　signs　of　pursuit。　Ryld；　Jeggred；　and　Pharaun　all　stood　in　the　rear　of　the　boat；　watching　its　wake。　Quenthel　sat　on　a　large　trunk　just　under　the　boat's　scaffoldlike　bridge；　also　gazing　back　toward　Gracklstugh。　Valas　stood　on　the　bridge　alongside　Coalhewer；　making　sure　that　the　duergar　captain　kept　the　ungainly　vehicle　to　the　course　he　desired。
　　　Halisstra　and　Danifae　had　taken　up　the　posts　of　lookouts；　peering　ahead　to　make　sure　they　didn't　run　headlong　into　trouble。　Halisstra　hadn't　bothered　to　debate　the　arrangement。　The　males　were　best　placed　between　the　rest　of　the　pany　and　the　most　likely　threats；　and　Pharaun　was　probably　their　best　weapon　against　any　pursuit　out　of　Gracklstugh。
　　　The　city　itself　was　no　longer　visible；　except　as　a　long；　low　red　smudge。　The　firelight　of　the　dwarves'　forges　could　be　seen　for　several　miles　across　the　vast　black　space　of　the　Dark　Lake's　open　waters；　a　sense　of　distance　that　reminded　Halisstra　of　the　unnatural　vistas　of　the　World　Above。　They'd　churned　their　way　east　and　south　from　Gracklstugh's　waterfront　for　several　hours；　with　no　sign　of　anyone　following；　but　Halisstra　couldn't　shake　the　impression　that　they　were　not　clear　of　the　duergar　yet。　Reluctantly　she　shifted　her　gaze　back　to　the　boundless　dark　in　front　of　the　boat；　and　checked　her　crossbow　to　make　sure　it　was　ready　to　fire。
　　　Halisstra　carefully　scanned　her　half　of　the　bow；　starting　with　the　water　close　to　the　boat　and　working　her　way　farther　out　until　even　her　drow　sight　could　make　out　nothing　more　through　the　blackness；　then　she　returned　her　gaze　to　the　boat　and　started　again。　Great　stalactites　or　columns…it　was　impossible　to　tell…descended　from　the　ceiling　and　vanished　into　the　inky　water　at　odd　intervals；　creating　titanic　pillars　of　stone　for　the　boat　to　navigate　around。　In　other　spots　the　jagged　points　of　stalagmites　jutted　from　the　surface　like　spears。　Coalhewer　steered　well　clear　of　those；　pointing　out　that　there　might　be　two　submerged　rocks　for　every　one　that　broke　the　surface。
　　　〃I　can't　believe　I'm　crouching　on　the　deck　of　a　duergar　boat；　fleeing　for　my　life　from　a　city　I'd　never　seen　before　three　days　ago；〃　Halisstra　murmured；　breaking　the　long　silence。　〃Two　tendays　ago　I　was　the　heir　apparent　of　a　great　House　in　a　noble　city。　One　tenday　ago　I　was　a　prisoner；　betrayed　by　the　petty　malice　of　Faeryl　Zauvirr；　and　now　here　I　am；　a　rootless　wanderer　with　nothing　more　to　my　name　than　the　armor　on　my　back　and　whatever　odds　and　ends　are　stowed　in　my　pack。　I　just　cannot　fathom　why。〃
　　　〃I　am　not　unfamiliar　with　changes　in　one's　circumstances　and　fortunes；〃　Danifae　said。　〃What　is　the　point　of　asking　why？　It　is　the　will　of　the　Spider　Queen。〃
　　　〃Is　it？〃　Halisstra　asked。　〃House　Melarn　stood　for　twenty　centuries　or　more；　only　to　fall　in　the　hour　when　Lolth　withdrew　her　favor　from　our　entire　race。　It　was　only　in　her　absence　that　our　enemies　could　overthrow　us。〃
　　　Danifae　did　not　reply；　nor　did　Halisstra　expect　her　to。　That　thought　was　perilously　close　to　heresy；　after　all。　To　suggest　that　something　had　occurred　against　Lolth's　will　was　to　doubt　the　power　of　the　Spider　Queen；　and　to　question　Lolth's　power　was　to　invite　death　and　condemnation　as　a　faithless　weakling。　The　fate　that　awaited　the　faithless　in　the　afterlife　was　too　terrible　to　contemplate。　Unless　Lolth　chose　to　take　the　soul　of　a　follower　to　her　divine　abode　in　the　Demonweb　Pits；　a　drow's　spirit　would　be　condemned　to　anguish　and　oblivion　in　the　barren　wastelands　where　the　dead　of　all　kinds　were　judged。　Only　abject　worship　and　perfect　service　could　sway　the　Dark　Queen　to　intercede　on　one's　behalf　and　grant　life　beyond　life；　eternal　existence　as　one　of　Lolth's　divine　host。
　　　Of　course；　thought　Halisstra；　if　Lolth　is　dead；　then　damnation　and　oblivion　bee　unavoidable；　don't　they？
　　　She　blanched　at　the　thought　and　shivered　in　horror；　standing　quickly　and　pacing　away　from　the　bridge　to　hide　her　face