war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第44章

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　　　〃We　should　gather　our　strength　and　be　ready　to　strike　when　our　allies　play　their　part　in　reducing　Menzoberranzan's　defenses；〃　he　said。
　　　〃We　do　not　have　any　great　force　at　arms；　Anointed　Blade；〃　Mauzzkyl　said。　〃I　will　not　mit　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　to　a　pitched　battle。〃
　　　〃I　understand；　Revered　Grandfather。〃　If　they　gathered　all　their　strength　in　one　place；　the　secret　House　would　hardly　amount　to　the　numbers　of　a　single　minor　House　of　Menzoberranzan…though　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　could　have　an　impact　out　of　all　proportion　to　their　numbers。　〃I　need　one　of　my　brothers　to　go　to　Kaanyr　Vhok's　Scoured　Legion　and　steer　the　warlord　in　the　right　direction。　My　responsibilities　in　Menzoberranzan's　army　and　my　efforts　to　guide　Horgar　Steelshadow　and　the　renegade　Agrach　Dyrr　do　not　permit　me　sufficient　time　to　look　after　Kaanyr　Vhok　as　well　as　I　would　like。〃
　　　Mauzzkyl　nodded　and　said；　〃Very　well。　Zammzt；　there　is　nothing　left　for　you　to　do　at　Ched　Nasad。　I　want　you　to　go　to　Kaanyr　Vhok　and　serve　as　our　voice　in　his　camp。　Do　whatever　you　must　in　order　to　keep　his　army　aligned　against　Menzoberranzan；　but　you　will　answer　to　Nimor。〃
　　　The　plain…faced　assassin　replied；　〃Of　course；　Revered　Grandfather。〃
　　　He　glanced　over　at　Nimor；　but　did　not　allow　his　thoughts　to　show　on　his　face。
　　　〃I　approached　the　warlord　through　his　consort；　Aliisza；〃　Nimor　told　Zammzt。　〃She　is　an　alu…fiend　and　a　sorceress　of　no　small　skill。　She　knows　that　I　represent　a　society　or　order　of　some　kind；　so　she　should　not　be　surprised　to　receive　another　of　us。〃
　　　Though　I　doubt　she'll　extend　you　the　same　wele　she　gave　to　me；　he　told　himself。
　　　〃When　do　you　expect　the　Menzoberranyr　to　first　encounter　Horgar's　army？〃　Mauzzkyl　asked。
　　　〃Four　days；　I　think。〃
　　　〃Do　what　you　can　to　sow　dissent　and　uncertainty；　Anointed　Blade；〃　Mauzzkyl　said。　〃The　time　for　subterfuge　and　stealth　is　ending。　The　Jaezred　Chaulssin　leave　the　shadows　and　take　the　field。　Destroy　the　matron　mothers'　army　and　bring　your　duergar　allies　to　Menzoberranzan　as　quickly　as　possible。　We　will　meet　you　there；　and　we　will　see　if　the　Masked　Lord　favors　us　or　not。〃
　　　Nimor　bowed　again；　then　turned　and　strode　away　from　the　assembled　patron　fathers。　Something　would　go　amiss　in　his　plan…something　had　to。　One　could　not　create　such　an　elaborate　collision　of　so　many　disparate　forces　without　some　of　the　ponents　falling　by　the　wayside。　As　best　he　could　tell；　though；　the　Jaezred　Chaulssin　were　prepared。　The　longer　he　could　keep　secret　the　deadly　maneuverings　of　his　allies　and　his　House；　the　better　his　chances　for　success。
　　　Perhaps　I　will　encourage　Andzrel　to　appoint　me　chief　of　the　expedition's　scouts；　Nimor　thought。　No　need　to　trouble　the　Baenre　with　irrelevant　reports　of　armies　on　the　move；　after　all。
　　　
　　　The　dark　elves　of　House　Jaelre　proved　to　be　suspicious　and　ungracious　hosts。　Ryld　had　expected　to　be　shown　into　an　audience　room　of　some　kind；　where　they　would　meet　a　clan　matriarch　and　bribe；　threaten；　or　persuade　her　into　allowing　them　to　consult　with　the　priest　Tzirik。　However；　nothing　like　that　occurred。　Since　they　refused　to　surrender　their　weapons；　the　Jaelre　drow　ushered　the　pany　into　a　small；　disused　guardroom　that　had　once　warded　the　ruined　castle's　main　gate。
　　　〃You　will　wait　here　until　Tzirik　chooses　to　receive　you；〃　the　female　manding　the　watch　told　them。　〃If　you　attempt　to　leave　this　room；　we　will　take　that　as　a　sign　of　hostile　intent　and　fall　on　you　at　once。〃
　　　〃We　are　a　high　embassy　from　a　powerful　city；〃　Quenthel　said　in　response。　〃You　mistreat　us　at　your　peril。〃
　　　〃You　are　slaves　of　the　Spider　Queen；　and　most　likely　spies　and　saboteurs；〃　the　captain　replied。　〃Lolth　holds　no　sway　here；　spider…kissing　bitch。〃
　　　She　closed　and　locked　the　iron　door　before　Quenthel　could　summon　a　suitable　retort；　though　the　fierce　agitation　of　her　snake…headed　whip　certainly　hinted　at　the　depths　of　her　anger。
　　　〃Do　we　intend　to　remain　confined　here；　like　rabble　locked　up　in　a　debtors'　gaol？〃　Jeggred　snarled。　〃I　have　half　a　mind　to…〃
　　　〃Not　yet；　Jeggred；〃　Quenthel　countered。
　　　She　paced　back　and　forth　angrily；　her　mouth　working　in　silent　fury。　Pure　ire　fueled　Quenthel　with　relentless　energy。　Confinement　in　a　small　room　with　her　pent…up　anger　would　be　difficult　for　all　of　them。
　　　Danifae　watched　her；　then　restrained　Quenthel's　agitated　pacing　with　a　gentle　hand　on　the　Baenre's　arm。
　　　〃What　is　it；　slave？〃　the　priestess　snapped。
　　　〃Your　zeal　is　admirable；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　said；　〃but；　please；　we　must　be　patient　now。〃　She　shielded　her　hands　as　best　she　could　and　added；　Remember；　we　may　be　watched。
　　　〃She　has　a　point；　dear　Quenthel；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃You　don't　want　to　start　a　fight　against　the　very　people　we　came　to　see。　Your　hard　words　and　proud　manner　play　better　at　Arach…Tinilith　than　on　another　god's　doorstep。〃
　　　Quenthel　turned　a　look　of　such　icy　hatred　on　the　wizard　that　Danifae　put　up　a　hand　to　steady　her。　Danifae　herself　shot　Pharaun　a　venomous　look；　contempt　twisting　her　beautiful　features。
　　　〃Silence；　Pharaun；〃　the　battle　captive　snapped。　〃Your　smug　arrogance　and　endless　baiting　play　better　at　Sorcere。　At　least　the　Mistress　has　the　strength　of　her　convictions…all　you　have　is　cynicism。〃
　　　Danifae　studied　Quenthel's　face　and　offered　her　a　shy　smile。
　　　〃Save　your　anger　for　later；　Mistress；〃　the　battle　captive　said　softly。　〃Surely　the　goddess　will　be　more　pleased　if　you　exact　an　accounting　of　the　faithless　after　you've　wrung　the　usefulness　from　them　than　if　you　destroy　the　tools　required　to　serve　her。〃
　　　Quenthel　allowed　herself　to　relax。　She　drew　a　deep　breath；　and　took　a　seat　at　a　barren　wood　table　on　which　a　flagon　of　water　stood。
　　　〃Fine；　then；〃　Quenthel　breathed。　〃We　will　see　what　happens。〃
　　　That；　Ryld　guessed；　was　about　as　close　as　Quenthel　would　ever　e　to　admitting　that　she　had　been　wrong　about　something。　With　little　else　to　do；　the　pany　settled　down　to　endure　whatever　wait　the　Jaelre　chose　to　test　them　with。
　　　Long　hours　passed。　The　night　faded　into　an　overcast　morning；　which　then　gave　way　to　a　gray；　rain…soaked　afternoon。
　　　Studying　what　portions　of　the　old　castle　he　could　see　from　the　slitlike　windows；　Ryld　came　to　the　conclusion　that　Minauthkeep　was　not　half　so　ruined　as　it　first　appeared。　The　Jaelre　had　cleverly　repaired　much　of　the　ancient　structure　while　leaving　the　outward　appearance　mostly　unchanged。
　　　Eventually；　as　the　wait　grew　interminable；　the　weapons　master　settled　back　against　the　wall　of　the　chamber　and　allowed　himself　to　drift　off　into　a　light　trance；　Splitter　bared　across　his　lap　in　case　he　needed　it　quickly。
　　　He　was　roused　from　Reverie　near　nightfall；　when　the　iron　door　of　the　chamber　abruptly　boomed　with　three　forceful　knocks。　The　lock　turned；　and　the　watch　captain　of　the　previous　night　entered；　with　several　more　Jaelre　guards　behind　her。
　　　〃You　are　summoned　before　High　Priest　Tzirik；〃　she　said。　〃You　are　to　disarm　yourselves　here。　The　wizard　must　consent　to　have　his　thumbs　bound　together；　and　the　draegloth　will　be　manacled。〃
　　　〃I　will　not；〃　Jeggred　snapped。　〃We're　not　your　prisoners；　to　be　dragged　before　your　master　in　chains。　Why　should　we　do　for　you　what　you　lack　the　strength　to　make　us　do？〃
　　　〃You　came　to　us；　half…breed；〃　the　captain　said。
　　　〃Mistress？〃　Danifae　whispered。
　　　Without　taking　her　eyes　from　the　captain's　face；　Quenthel　drew　out　her　whip。　Weighing　it　in　one　hand；　she　seemed　to　struggle　with　herself；　then　she　tossed　it　to　the　corner　of　the　chamber。
　　　〃Yngoth；　watch　over　our　arms；〃　she　said　to　one　of　the　hissing　vipers。　〃Strike　dead　any　who　would　tamper　with　our　belongings　in　our　absence。　Jeggred；　you　will　permit　yourself　to　be　bound。　Pharaun；　you　as　well。〃
　　　Ryld　sighed　and　set　Splitter　on　the　floor；　kicking　the　blade　to　within　striking　distance　of　Quenthel's　vipers。　Valas　discarded　his　kukris　as　well。　With　a　grimace　of　distaste；　Pharaun　stepped　up　and　held　out　his　hands。　A　Jaelre　drow　tied　his　thumbs　together　with　stout　cord；　a　measure　that　would　make　it　very　difficult　for　the　mage　to　make　the　plex　gestures　and　passes　needed　for　many　of　his　spells。　Jeggred's　large　upper　arms；　the　long　ones　with　the　wicked　claws；　were　chained　together；　but　his　smaller　humanoid　arms　were　left　free。
　　　The　draegloth　rumbled。
　　　〃Be　still；　nephew；〃　Quenthel　said；　then　she　turned　to　the　Jaelre　captain。　〃Take　us　to　the　priest。〃
　　　The　watch　captain　nodded　to　her　soldiers；　who　formed　up　in　a　tight　phalanx　around　the　Menzoberranyr；　swords　drawn。　They　marched　the　pany　out　of　the　guardroom　and　into　the　depths　of　the　keep。　The　pany　was　shown　into　a　large　hall　or　gallery　appointed　as　a　shrine　to　Vhaeraun；　the　Masked　Lord。　Ryld　studied　the　temple　with　some　interest。　He'd　never　set　foot　in　a　place　dedicated　to　any　deity　but　Lolth。　At　the　upper　end　of　the　hall；　across　from　the　entrance；　a　great　half…mask　the　size　of　a　tower　shield　hung　from　the　wall；　overlooking　the　shrine。　The　symbol　was　made　of　beaten　copper；　with　two　black　disks　to　mark　the　eyes。
　　　Two　males　waited　for　them。　The　first　was　young；　dressed　in　black　leather　armor　that　showed　off　a　well…muscled　chest。　A　curved　kukri　was　thrust　through　his　belt；　and　a　small　green　asp　was　coiled　around　his　arm。　His　left　leg　was　encased　in　an　awkward　harness　of　iron　and　leather；　and　he　moved　stiffly。　The　second　was　unusually　short　and　stocky；　with　brawny　shoulders　and　a　bald　pate；　dressed　in　a　breastplate　of　black　mithral　and　masked　with　a　ceremonial　veil　of　black　silk。
　　　〃The　visitors；　my　lords；〃　the　watch　captain　said。
　　　The　veiled　priest　studied　them。　His　expression　was　virtually　unreadable　behind　the　veil。
　　　〃Valas　Hune；　as　I　live　and　breathe；〃　he　said　at　last。　〃Well；　this　is　a　surprise。　I　haven't　seen　you　in　more　than　fifty　years。〃　He　hesitated　a　moment　longer；　then　strode　forward　boldly　and　clapped　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　on　the　shoulders。　〃It　has　been　too　long；　old　friend。　How　are　things　with　you？〃
　　　〃Tzirik；〃　Valas　said。　He　smiled　back；　his　dour　face　stretching　with　unaccustomed　enjoyment；　and　he　took　the　priest's　hand　in　a　firm　grip。　He　glanced　around　the　chamber。　〃I　see　you　have　finally　achieved　the　Return　you　were　always　talking　about。　As　far　as　how　things　go　with　me；　well；　that　will　take　some　explaining。〃
　　　Tzirik　studied　the　pany　carefully。
　　　〃A　Master　of　Sorcere；〃　the　priest　said；　〃and　another　of　Melee…Magthere。〃
　　　〃Master　Pharaun　Mizzrym；　an　acplished　wizard；〃　Valas　replied；　〃and　Master　Ryld　Argith；　a　weapons　master　of　no　small　skill。〃
　　　〃Gentlemen；　if　Valas　vouches　for　you；　you　are　wele　guests　in　Minauthkeep；〃　the　priest　said。　When　he　looked　at　the　others；　his　face　hardened；　geniality　fading　into　sharp　appraisal。
　　　〃The　draegloth　is　Jeggred；〃　Valas　said；　〃a　scion　of　House　Baenre。　The　lesser　priestess　is　Danifae　Yauntyrr；　a　highborn　lady　of　Eryndlyn；　late　a　battle　captive。　The　leader　of　our　pany　is…〃
　　　〃High　Priestess　Quenthel　Baenre；〃　Quenthel　interrupted；　〃Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　Mistress　of　the　Academy；　Mistress　of　Tier　Breche；　First　Sister　of　House　Baenre　of　Menzoberranzan。〃
　　　〃Ah；〃　Tzirik　said。　〃We　rarely　have　dealings　with　those　of　your　persuasion；　let　alone　a　priestess　possessed　o