war of the spider queen 5 annihilation-第29章

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　one　side　of　the　room　a　set　of　uneven　steps　led　up　to　a　floor　above。　On　the　other　side　was　a　similar　staircase　leading　down。　Danifae　started　up　the　stairs　to　the　higher　room；　and　Jeggred　followed　her。
　　　〃This　was　once　a　temple　to　the　orcs'　foul；　grunting　pig…god；〃　she　explained。　〃Now　it's　just　another　piece　of　rotting　garbage　being　eaten　away　by　the　World　Above。　A　suitable　place　to　do　what　we've　e　here　to　do；　don't　you　think？〃
　　　〃What　have　we　e　here　to　do？〃　asked　the　draegloth。
　　　Danifae；　disappointed　but　not　surprised　that　the　subtlety　was　lost　on　the　draegloth；　replied；　〃The　traitors　are　ing。〃
　　　They　came　out　into　a　more　brightly　lit　room；　and　both　of　them　had　to　shade　their　eyes　with　their　hands。　Danifae　moved　to　a　wide　crack　in　the　ancient　wall　and　looked　out　onto　the　World　Above。　The　sun　had　set；　but　the　light　was　still　difficult　to　take。　In　time；　though；　her　eyes　began　to　adjust。　Half　a　dozen　yards　below　her　was　what　surface　dwellers　called　a　swamp。　It　was　a　place　where　water　covered　the　ground…in　most　places　at　least…but　it　wasn't　a　proper　lake。　The　whole　area　around　the　temple　was　choked　with　alien　vegetation。　The　sounds　of　the　myriad　creatures　of　the　World　Above　were　almost　deafening。　The　swamp　crawled　with　life。　Beyond　the　edge　of　the　swamp；　miles　to　the　west；　was　a　wide　expanse　of　water：　the　end　of　a　long　river。
　　　Danifae　let　out　a　slow　breath　through　her　nose　and　heard　the　draegloth　scuffle　on　the　loose　rocks　behind　her。
　　　〃I　hate　this；〃　she　whispered。
　　　〃What？〃　Jeggred　asked。
　　　〃The　surface。〃
　　　Danifae　scanned　the　ground　below　the　ruined　temple。　Finally　she　drew　from　a　pouch　one　of　the　rings　she'd　taken　from　Zinnirit　and　turned　it　over　in　her　fingers。　The　fading　light　played　against　its　polished　surface　and　picked　out　a　scattering　of　ruby　chips。
　　　Pressing　the　ring　into　one　of　the　draegloth's　four　hands　she　said；　〃Use　this　ring　to　return　at　will　to　the　ship　of　chaos。〃
　　　Jeggred　nodded；　slipped　the　ring　on；　and　stood　patiently　behind　her；　listening　attentively　as　she　explained　the　proper　use　of　the　ring's　magic。　Confident　that　the　draegloth　understood；　Danifae　let　the　minutes　drag　on…and　finally　she　saw　them。
　　　〃There　they　are；〃　she　said。
　　　The　draegloth　moved　closer　behind　her；　and　she　suppressed　a　gag　when　his　breath　rolled　over　her。　She　waited　while　he　searched　for　them；　and　when　he　finally　saw　them　he　growled　low　in　his　throat。
　　　〃They're　together；〃　he　said。
　　　〃They　lied；〃　said　Danifae。　〃She　didn't　go　to　Menzoberranzan。　She　went　to　the　Velarswood…a　forest　where　there's　a　temple　to　。。。〃　She　feigned　difficulty　in　articulating　the　word。　〃Eilistraee。〃
　　　Jeggred　growled　again　and　said；　〃And　the　weapons　master？〃
　　　〃He's　made　a　choice；〃　she　replied。
　　　Jeggred　began　to　growl　with　every　exhale。　He　was　ready　to　kill。　Danifae　could　smell　it　on　him。
　　　〃Take　the　male；〃　she　whispered　to　the　draegloth。　〃Just　him　for　now。〃
　　　She　pushed　Jeggred　back　away　from　the　crack　but　held　him　so　he　wouldn't　leave。　Stepping　up　onto　the　bottom　of　the　wound　in　the　wall；　Danifae　drew　herself　up　into　the　dimming　light。　She　waved　a　hand　over　her　head　to　attract　her　former　mistress's　attention。
　　　It　took　an　infuriatingly　long　time；　but　eventually　Halisstra　stopped　at　the　edge　of　the　swamp　and　pointed　up　at　Danifae。　Ryld　looked　up　as　well；　and　Halisstra　waved　in　answer。
　　　Danifae　made　exaggerated；　wide　gestures；　an　unsubtle　form　of　the　drow　sign　language；　sending　the　message：　Only　you。
　　　Halisstra　turned　to　Ryld；　and　they　conversed。　Even　from　so　far　away　Danifae　could　tell　that　Ryld　was　reluctant　to　let　her　go　alone。　The　weapons　master　might　have　been　a　traitor　to　his　city；　his　goddess；　and　his　race；　but　he　was　no　fool。　Still；　Halisstra　managed　to　convince　him…or　mand　him…to　stay　behind。　He　stood　with　his　arms　crossed　as　Halisstra　stepped　gingerly　into　the　swamp。
　　　Danifae　stepped　down　from　the　crack　in　the　wall　and　took　the　draegloth　by　the　shoulders。
　　　Doing　her　best　to　withstand　the　half…demon's　foul　breath；　she　said；　〃Go。　Don't　let　her　see　you。〃
　　　The　draegloth　smiled；　and　a　thick；　ropy　strand　of　drool　dropped　from　his　lower　lip。　His　fangs　glimmered　in　the　dim　light；　and　so　did　his　burning　red　eyes。
　　　Danifae　thought　he　was　the　most　beautiful　thing　she'd　ever　seen。
　　　
Chapter　Sixteen
　　　The　swamplight　lynx　didn't　smell　prey。　The　scent　that　filled　the　great　cat's　nostrils　was　something　different。　The　lynx　had　never　e　across　anything　like　it；　but　whatever　it　was；　it　was　a　predator…the　odor　of　a　meat…eater　was　unmistakable。
　　　Padding　softly；　silently　through　the　cold；　shallow　water；　the　lynx　tipped　its　head　up　and　waved　its　nose　from　side　to　side；　honing　in　on　the　scent。　A　charge　of　energy　thrilled　through　the　cat。　Its　flesh　tingled；　its　fur　stood　on　end…a　familiar　feeling　for　the　lynx；　forting；　foretelling　of　a　kill　ahead　and　food。
　　　The　lynx　moved　from　shadow　to　shadow；　still　inside　the　treeline。　It　caught　sight　of　the　peting　predator　and　recognized　the　shape　of　a　man。　Powerful　and　cunning　hunters　in　their　own　right；　men　never　respected　another　predator's　stalking　grounds。　They　ignored　the　scent　markers；　the　scratches　on　trees；　the　most　obvious　signs。　Its　eyesight　was　the　least　of　the　cat's　senses　even　in　daylight；　and　the　creature　could　see　and　smell　only　that　the　intruder　was　a　man。　It　had　no　way　of　discerning　the　man's　black　skin；　pointed　ears；　crimson　eyes；　and　white　hair。
　　　The　swamplight　lynx　gathered　the　Weave　energy　in　its　body；　bared　its　fangs；　and　tightened　into　a　crouch；　ready　to　spring…when　another　scent　all　but　slammed　into　its　nostrils。
　　　Another　predator　was　approaching。　It　was　bigger；　and　it　smelled　bad。　It　smelled　like　a　scavenger。
　　　The　swamplight　lynx　relaxed　but　only　a　little。　It　watched　the　man；　occasionally　scanning　the　swamp's　edge　for　the　scavenger；　and　waited。
　　　
　　　Ryld　was　surrounded。
　　　There　were　noises　everywhere。　The　place　Halisstra　had　called　a　〃swamp〃　was　even　more　alive　than　the　rest　of　the　World　Above；　and　the　weapons　master　didn't　like　it　at　all。　He　could　see　things　moving　in　the　darkness　around　him。　There　were　insects　and　spiders；　all　manner　of　flying　creatures；　and　snakes　。　。　。　lots　of　snakes。　The　ground　under　his　feet　was　spongy。　He'd　felt　similar　in　some　of　the　bigger　fungal　colonies　in　the　Underdark；　but　down　there　it　was　at　least　quiet。
　　　The　ruined　temple　rose　in　black　silhouette　against　the　night　sky　in　front　of　him。　He'd　watched　Halisstra　walk　toward　it　through　ever　deepening　water　with　an　increasing　certainty　that　she　was　walking　toward　her　own　demise。　Going　to　meet　Danifae　was　stupid；　even　if　Halisstra　had　allowed　him　to　e　along；　and　Ryld　wasn't　sure　why　he'd　let　it　happen。　Could　it　be　that　she　simply　wished　it　and　he　was　so　accustomed　to　obeying　priestesses　that　he'd　obeyed　her？
　　　The　weapons　master　took　a　deep　breath；　set　his　feet　close　together；　and　pressed　his　hands　palm　to　palm　in　front　of　his　chest。　He　steadied　his　breathing　and　cleared　his　mind　as　best　he　could；　surrounded　as　he　was　by　the　unseen　dangers　of　the　swamp。　He　watched　tiny　yellow　lights　flicker　in　the　air…some　kind　of　bioluminescent　insects　moving　slowly；　sluggish　in　the　cold　night　air。　Pinpoints　of　light　spattered　across　the　black　dome　of　the　sky；　not　painful　to　look　at　and　actually　helping　Ryld's　natural　darkvision。　There　was　no　other　light　except…
　　　Except　for　a　faint　purple　glow　shimmering　in　chaotic　waves　over　Ryld　himself。
　　　Faerie　fire。
　　　Ryld　drew　Splitter　and　stepped　back；　opening　his　stance；　then　he　turned　around　once　three　hundred　and　sixty　degrees　looking　for　anything　moving　toward　him…looking　for　Danifae。　It　was　a　dark　elf　who　had　picked　him　out　from　the　dark　background　using　the　magical　ability　she；　like　all　drow；　was　born　with。　Who　else　could　it　be？
　　　She　must　have　already　killed　Halisstra；　Ryld　thought。
　　　The　world　exploded　in　agonizing　light；　and　he　could　hear　something　big　running　at　him。
　　　Ryld　had　been　trained　to　fight　when　unable　to　see；　and　as　the　foe　that　blinded　him　charged；　he　fell　back　on　that　training。　The　weapons　master　surprised　himself　with　how　well　he'd　adapted　to　the　way　sound　traveled　on　the　surface　world。　He　timed　Danifae's　charge…and　it　had　to　be　Danifae…so　that　when　she　was　no　more　than　three　strides　from　him；　he　stepped　to　the　side。　The　echoes　were　oddly　spaced。　It　almost　sounded　as　if　Danifae　had　four　legs。
　　　That　aside；　Ryld　had　estimated　correctly；　and　he　stepped　out　of　the　way　of　the　former　battle…captive　in　time　to　feel　her　brush　past　him　in　a　rush　of　cold　air　and　an　unpleasant；　uncharacteristic　strong　musky　smell。
　　　Still　blind；　Ryld　heard　her　scuffle　to　a　stop　in　the　ankle…deep；　wet　moss。　She　turned　quickly　and　Ryld　could　feel　her　ready　to　e　at　him　again。
　　　Ryld　heaved　Splitter　in　front　of　him；　again　as　he　was　trained　to　do。　The　blade　never　bit　into　flesh　and　bone；　but　the　purpose　of　that　attack　wasn't　so　much　to　kill　as　it　was　to　fend　off。　He　had　been　blinded　by　some　sort　of　conjured　light；　which　meant　that　his　eyesight　would　return　in　time。　The　first　rule　of　fighting　blind　was　keeping　yourself　alive　until　you　weren't　blind　anymore。
　　　It　was　exactly　what　he　was　supposed　to　do；　but　it　didn't　work。　The　moment　Splitter　passed　to　his　left　side；　opening　up　his　chest　and　face；　she…it。　。　。　something　。　。　。　dived　on　him。　It　was　definitely　not　Danifae。　It　was　no　drow　at　all。
　　　The　thing　that　smashed　Ryld　to　the　ground　was　enormous　and　covered　in　thick；　coarse　fur。　It　had　four　strong　legs　each　with　a　set　of　long；　sharp　claws　that　tugged　at　his　armor　but　were　unable　to　cut　him　through　his　dwarven　mithral　breastplate。
　　　Ryld　smelled　hot；　rank　breath；　and　a　name　came　to　his　mind：　Jeggred。
　　　Why　would　the　draegloth　be　there　with　Danifae？　Unless　the　former　battle…captive　had　brought　Quenthel　with　her；　but　would　they　all　really　waste　their　time　running　after　him　and　Halisstra　when　there　was　still　a　goddess　to　awaken？
　　　Ryld　blinked；　his　sight　returning　in　aching；　cramping　vibrations　in　his　tired　eyes。　The　claws　worried　at　his　armor　and　came　dangerously　close　to　his　face　as　the　creature…could　it　be　the　draegloth？…shifted　in　an　effort　to　find　some　gap　in　his　armor　to　exploit　for　the　kill。　Ryld　pushed　up　with　the　flat　of　his　blade　and　both　his　feet　and　rolled　the　heavy　creature　off　him。
　　　When　it　hit　the　cold；　spongy　ground；　it　wriggled　on　its　side　in　an　effort　to　get　to　its　feet。　The　thing　growled；　and　the　sound　was　both　higher　in　pitch　and　less　intelligent　than　Jeggred's。　Ryld　blinked　blotches　of　purple　from　his　eyes　and　whirled　around　and　up　to　his　feet；　Splitter　in　front　of　him　to　guard　against　the　inevitable　next　pounce。
　　　If　it　was　Jeggred；　the　draegloth　was　down　on　all　fours　and　attacking　him　only　with　fangs　and　one　set　of　claws。　Ryld　batted　away　a　rake　from　the　thing　with　the　flat　of　his　blade　but　failed　to　slice　off　the　paw。　It　bit　at　him；　but　he　stepped　back；　leaning　away　from　the　attack　so　that　the　creature's　fangs　snapped　down　on　thin　air。
　　　Ryld　blinked　again；　and　his　eyesight　returned　to　nearly　normal。　He　wasn't　fighting　Danifae　or　Jeggred　but　some　kind　of　furred　surface　animal。　Ryld　had　seen　similar　animals：　cats。　The　one　that　was　trying