war of the spider queen 5 annihilation-第4章

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e　sure。　He　didn't　detect　any　change　in　the　way　it　was　moving　when　either　of　them　drew　their　swords；　so　Ryld　thought　it　unlikely　the　trespasser　had　heard　them。
　　　A　spindly　plant　devoid　of　green…the　Eilistraeeans　had　called　one　like　it　a　〃bush〃…quivered；　but　not　from　the　wind。　Halisstra　stepped　back　and　held　the　Crescent　Blade　in　the　guard　position　in　front　of　her。　She　had　her　back　to　him；　so　Ryld　couldn't　municate　with　her　in　sign　language。　He　wanted　to　tell　her　to　step　back　farther；　to　let　him　take　care　of　whatever　it　was；　but　he　didn't　want　to　speak。
　　　When　the　thing　rolled　out　from　behind　the　bush；　Halisstra　hopped　back　three　fast　steps；　keeping　her　sword　at　the　ready。　Ryld　rushed　at　the　bundle　of　bristly　brown　fur　assuming　Halisstra　would　clear　the　rest　of　the　space　for　him。　When　she　didn't　he　was　forced　to　stop；　and　it　looked　up　at　him。　The　closest　thing　to　the　creature　Ryld　had　ever　seen　was　a　rothe；　but　it　was　no　rothe。　The　creature　was　small；　the　size　and　weight　of　Ryld's　torso；　and　its　wide　eyes　were　wet　and　innocent；　weak　and…
　　　〃Young；〃　Halisstra　whispered；　as　if　she　was　finishing　his　thought。
　　　Ryld　didn't　let　down　his　guard；　though　the　beast　sat　calmly　on　the　ground；　looking　at　him。
　　　〃It's　a　baby；〃　Halisstra　said；　and　slipped　the　Crescent　Blade　back　into　her　scabbard。
　　　〃What　is　it？〃　Ryld　asked；　still　not　ready　to　let　down　his　guard；　much　less　sheathe　his　sword。
　　　〃I　have　no　idea；〃　Halisstra　answered；　but　still　she　crouched　in　front　of　it。
　　　〃Halisstra；〃　Ryld　hissed；　〃for　Lolth's…〃
　　　He　stopped　himself　before　he　finished　that　thought。　It　was　another　habit　he　would　have　to　change　or　take　home　with　him。
　　　〃It's　not　going　to　eat　us；　Ryld；〃　she　whispered；　looking　the　little　creature　in　the　eyes。
　　　Its　nose　twitched　at　her；　and　its　eyes　held　hers。　It　seemed　curious；　with　a　face　vaguely　elflike；　but　its　gaze　betrayed　an　animal's　intelligence　and　no　more。
　　　〃What　are　you　going　to　do　with　it？〃　he　asked。
　　　Halisstra　shrugged。
　　　Before　Ryld　could　say　anything　else；　two　more　of　the　little　animals　wandered　out　of　the　bushes　to　regard　their　rade　and　the　two　dark　elves　with　a　meek　curiosity。
　　　〃Feliane　will　know　what　to　do　with　them；〃　Halisstra　said；　〃or　at　least　be　able　to　tell　us　what　they　are。〃
　　　It　was　Ryld's　turn　to　shrug。　One　of　the　creatures　was　licking　itself；　and　even　Ryld　wasn't　wrapped　so　tight　that　he　could　still　see　them　as　a　threat。　Halisstra　sent　out　a　call　the　Eilistraeeans　had　taught　them…the　sound　of　some　bird…and　Ryld　slipped　his　greatsword　back　into　its　scabbard。
　　　Feliane　would　hear　the　call　and　e　to　them。　Ryld　cringed　when　he　realized　that　when　she　got　there　and　saw　the　two　of　them　dumb…rounded　by　what　looked　like　harmless　prey　animals　。　。　。　they　would　both　look　foolish　again。　At　least；　Ryld　would。
　　　Feliane　came　stomping　through　the　underbrush。　Ryld　was　surprised　by　not　only　how　fast　the　Eilistraeen　was　moving　but　by　how　loud　she　was。　He'd　e　to　respect　their　ability　to　slip　through　the　forest　un…
　　　He　realized　at　that　moment　that　what　he　heard　crashing　at　them　through　the　pitch…black　forest　wasn't　Feliane。　It　wasn't　a　drow；　or　a　surface　elf；　or　even　a　human。　It　was　something　else…something　big。
　　　The　thing　burst　out　of　the　thick　tangle　of　underbrush　like　an　advancing　wall　of　matted　brown　fur。　Ryld　managed　to　get　his　hand　on　Splitter's　pommel　but　couldn't　draw　it　before　the　beast　rolled　over　him。　The　weapons　master　tried　to　tuck　his　body　to　protect　his　belly　from　the　monster's　trampling　claws；　but　he　didn't　have　the　time。
　　　The　creature　stomped　on　him；　tripped　on　him；　rolled　on　him；　then　stepped　on　him。　All　Ryld　could　do　was　keep　his　eyes　pressed　closed　and　grunt。　It　was　heavy；　and　when　it　first　punched　him　into　the　ground　Ryld　heard　then　felt　at　least　one　of　his　ribs　snap　under　its　weight。　It　finally　came　off　him；　and　Ryld　rolled　off　to　one　side…any　side…ending　up　curled　under　a　spindly　〃bush〃　with　thorns　that　harried　at　his　armor　and　piwafwi。　Snow　packed　into　the　spaces　between　his　armor's　plates　and　chilled　his　neck　and　hands。
　　　The　creature　stopped；　rolling　all　the　way　over　in　the　end　and　ing　back　onto　its　feet　still　facing　away　from　Ryld。　The　weapons　master　looked　up　and　blinked　at　it。　It　looked　like　a　bigger…much　bigger…version　of　the　little　animals　that　had　wandered　up　to　twitch　their　noses　at　the　drow。　It　was　a　clever　ruse　and　surely　a　successful　hunting　strategy：　Disarm　and　distract　your　prey　with　your　curious　young；　then　trample　it　into　the　ground　when　it　isn't　looking。
　　　Still；　the　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　grimaced　at　his　having　fallen　for　it；　however　clever　it　was。
　　　I'm　getting　slow；　he　thought。　All　this　open　air；　all　this　talk　of　goddesses　and　redemption　。　。　。
　　　Shaking　the　distracting　thoughts　from　his　mind；　Ryld　spun　to　his　feet　at　the　same　time　he　drew　Splitter　and　whirled　it　in　front　of　him。　The　lumbering　animal　turned　to　face　him；　and　Ryld　was　ready　for　it。
　　　The　beast　looked　him　in　the　eye　and　Ryld　winked　at　it　over　the　razor　edge　of　his　greatsword。
　　　Steam　puffed　from　its　nostrils　as　it　coughed　out　a　series　of　loud　grunts。　It　scratched　at　the　snow　with　one　of　its　front　paws；　and　Ryld　saw　its　black　claws；　the　size　of　hunting　knives；　at　the　end　of　surprisingly　well　articulated　hands。　The　look　in　the　creature's　eyes　was　a　mix　of　slow…wittedness　and　feral　anger…a　look　Ryld　had　seen　before　and　had　learned　to　respect。　Stupid　foes　were　easy　to　defeat　and　angry　foes　even　easier。　Mix　the　two　together；　though；　and　you're　in　for　a　fight。
　　　The　beast　charged；　and　Ryld　obliged　it　by　meeting　it　in　the　middle。　When　it　reared　up　at　the　end　of　its　charge；　the　animal　was　nearly　three　times　the　drow's　height。　That　display　would　likely　frighten　lesser　opponents；　but　for　Ryld　all　it　did　was　open　the　thing's　belly。　The　weapons　master　brought　his　greatsword　in　fast　at　shoulder　height　in　a　hard　slash　meant　to　open　the　animal's　gut　and　end　it　quickly。　The　beast　was　faster　than　it　looked；　though；　and　it　fell　backward；　rolling　onto　its　back　as　the　edge　of　Ryld's　sword　flashed　past　it；　missing　by　a　foot　or　more。　Ryld　had　no　choice　but　to　follow　through　with　the　swing；　but　he　managed　to　make　use　of　the　inertia　to　send　him　dodging　off　to　the　left　when　the　creature　slashed　at　him　with　its　hind　claws。
　　　Ryld　spun　to　a　halt；　blade　up　high；　while　the　animal　continued　its　roll　and　flipped　back　onto　its　feet。　Both　of　them　blew　steam　into　the　frigid　air；　but　only　Ryld　smiled。
　　　They　went　at　each　other　again；　and　Ryld　was　ready　for　it　to　try　to　either　trample　him　or　rear　up　again。　The　animal　did　neither。　It　reached　out　for　the　drow　warrior　with　both　hands；　obviously　trying　to　grab　him　by　the　shoulders…or　by　the　head。　Ryld　slid　toward　it　at　the　end　of　his　run；　stabbing　up　with　his　greatsword　as　he　passed　under　the　animal's　chin。　He　intended　to　impale　it；　maybe　even　behead　it；　but　his　opponent　proved　still　more　surprisingly　agile。　It　ducked　its　head　to　one　side；　and　all　Ryld　managed　to　do　was　nick　one　of　its　ears。
　　　The　weapons　master　continued　his　slide；　bringing　his　arms　in　so　he　could　stab　again　and　at　least　get　the　creature　in　the　gut；　but　the　animal　jumped　to　one　side　and　rolled　off；　again　managing　to　elude　the　drow's　attack。
　　　Ryld　hopped　to　his　feet；　and　the　two　opponents　faced　each　other　again。　Ryld　heard　a　voice　to　his　left　and　glanced　over　to　see　Halisstra；　bent　in　an　attitude　of　prayer；　mumbling　her　way　through　some　kind　of　chant。　The　animal　took　advantage　of　Ryld's　momentary　attention　gap　and　leaped　at　him；　clearing　easily　eight　feet　before　crashing　to　the　ground　in　front　of　the　drow。　The　creature　had　to　dodge　back；　unbalancing　itself；　to　avoid　another　slash　from　Splitter。　It　opened　its　jaws　wide；　revealing　nasty　fangs；　and　let　loose　another　series　of　angry；　frustrated　grunts。
　　　It　swiped　at　Ryld　with　one　set　of　claws。　Ryld　was　ready　to　meet　it；　fully　engaged　to　sever　the　animal's　front　leg　at　the　elbow…when　both　of　them　jerked　backward　to　avoid　something　that　whizzed　through　the　air　between　them　in　a　flurry　of　feathers；　talons；　and　turbulent　air。
　　　Ryld　followed　the　animal's　eyes　as　it　followed　the　new　player's　mad　course　through　the　air。　It　was　some　kind　of　bird；　but　with　four　wings。　Its　multicolored　feathers　blended　well　into　the　dark　background　of　the　forest；　and　Ryld　actually　lost　sight　of　it　for　a　second。　The　huge　furry　beast　stepped　back；　trying　to　look　at　Ryld　and　look　out　for　the　bird…thing　at　the　same　time。
　　　Even　Ryld　wasn't　able　to　do　that；　and　since　the　furry　animal　was　in　front　of　him　and　at　least　a　little　off　its　guard；　the　weapons　master　stepped　in　to　attack　again…and　again　the　bird…thing　flashed　between　them；　raking　the　air　with　its　needle…like　talons。
　　　Ryld　barely　twitched　away；　but　the　big　animal　all　but　fell　onto　its　back　to　avoid　the　newer。　Ryld；　already　in　mid…slash；　quickly　changed　the　direction　of　his　attack　and　was　half　an　inch　from　cutting　the　fast…flying　bird…thing　in　half　when　Halisstra　called　out　from　behind　him。
　　　〃Wait！〃　she　shouted；　and　Ryld　tipped　the　point　of　his　blade　down　barely　enough　to　let　the　bird　fly　past。　〃It's　mine。　I　summoned　it。〃
　　　Ryld　didn't　have　time　to　ask　her　how　she'd　managed　to　do　that。　Instead　he　stepped　back　three　long　strides；　keeping　his　eyes　on　the　beast；　which　was　already　back　on　its　feet。　The　bird…thing　slashed　in　from　the　darkness　behind　the　animal　and　dragged　its　talons　across　the　beast's　head。　The　creature　howled　in　pain　and　surprise　and　snapped　its　jaws　at　the　passing　bird…thing；　missing　it　by　a　yard　or　more。
　　　〃What　is　that？〃　Ryld　asked；　not　looking　at　Halisstra　but　keeping　his　eyes　on　the　furious　forest　animal。
　　　〃It's　an　arrowhawk；〃　Halisstra　answered。
　　　Ryld　could　hear　the　pride　and　surprise　in　her　voice；　and　something　about　that　sent　a　chill　down　his　spine。
　　　The　animal　looked　at　him；　grunted；　and　came　on。　Either　it　had　forgotten　about　the　arrowhawk　or　had　given　up　trying　to　see　it　ing。　Ryld　crouched；　Splitter　out　in　front　of　him；　awaiting　the　beast's　charge。　He　kept　his　shoulders　loose　and　told　himself　that　the　fight　had　gone　on　long　enough。　He　was　not　going　to　be　made　a　fool　of　by…
　　　…and　the　arrowhawk　swished　over　his　head；　missing　the　top　of　his　close…cropped　white　hair　by　a　finger's　width。
　　　Ryld　tucked　his　head　down　as　it　shot　over　him。　The　bird　flew　as　fast　as　an　arrow　shot　from　a　longbow；　and　it　was　easy　for　Ryld　to　understand　how　the　creature　had　received　its　name。　It　looked　as　if　the　hawk　was　flying　straight　for　the　furry　creature's　eyes。　Half　of　Ryld　wanted　the　arrowhawk　to　kill　it；　the　other　half　didn't　want　to　be　shown　up　by　some　conjured　bird。　At　least　not　in　front　of…
　　　That　thought　too　went　unfinished　when　Ryld　heard　himself　gasp　at　the　sight　of　the　huge　ground　animal　grabbing　the　arrowhawk　right　out　of　the　air　with　one　huge；　clawed　hand。
　　　The　bird　let　out　an　ear…rattling　squawk；　and　the　creature　looked　it　in　the　eyes　as　it　started　to　squeeze。　Ryld　didn't　doubt　for　a　moment　that　the　big　animal　could　break　the　long；　slender　arrowhawk　in　two　with　one　hand。　It　was　half　a　second　away　from　doing　just　that　when　the　arrowhawk　flipped　its　long；　feathered　tail　up　and　pointed　it　at　the　animal's　face。　An　eye…searing　flash　of　blinding