war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第11章

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　　　〃Fortunate　fellows；〃　he　said　to　the　dead　males　at　his　feet。　〃When　the　Tlabbars　determine　that　you　guarded　the　door　through　which　I　came；　you　will　be　glad　that　you　are　dead。〃
　　　The　bodies　made　no　response；　of　course。　They　never　did。
　　　He　glanced　out　at　the　faerielight　glimmering　over　the　battlements　of　the　castle；　listening　to　the　alarms　and　cries　of　dismay　rising　from　within。　He　would　have　liked　to　savor　the　sounds　for　a　long　time；　but　pursuit　could　not　be　far　behind。　With　a　sigh；　he　clenched　his　fist　around　his　black　ring　and　willed　himself　away。
　　　
　　　Halisstra　and　Ryld　played　two　games；　using　a　small　traveling　board　the　weapons　master　kept　in　a　pouch　at　his　belt。　Ryld　Argith　won　both　games；　though　Halisstra　pressed　him　hard　in　both。　She'd　always　had　a　knack　for　sava；　though　she　could　tell　early　on　that　she　was　playing　a　master。　Long；　silent　hours　passed　in　the　darkness；　with　no　sign　that　the　lamias　had　discovered　their　hiding　place。
　　　I　can't　believe　they　haven't　followed　us；　Halisstra　remarked　at　the　end　of　the　second　game。
　　　We　slew　many　of　their　favorite　thralls；　I　guess。　The　lamias　were　careless　of　the　lives　of　their　slaves；　and　perhaps　do　not　have　enough　left　to　do　a　proper　job　of　searching　the　city　for　us。　Ryld　smiled　coldly。　For　that　matter；　we　slew　a　few　lamias；　too。　Perhaps　they're　not　very　anxious　to　find　us。
　　　As　long　as　they　leave　us　be；　Halisstra　replied。
　　　With　the　sava　game　no　longer　holding　her　interest；　she　realized　that　she　was　dreadfully　hungry。　They'd　eaten　a　thin　breakfast　before　sunrise　from　the　few　supplies　they'd　brought　from　Ched　Nasad；　but　Halisstra　was　certain　that　the　day　was　drawing　down。　Drow　could　stand　privation　better　than　most；　but　hard　bat　followed　by　hours　of　vigilance　had　left　her　physically　exhausted。
　　　I'm　starving；　she　flashed　at　Ryld。　Things　seem　quiet。　I'm　going　to　slip　back　to　the　camp　and　break　out　some　stores。　Stay　alert。
　　　The　weapons　master　nodded；　and　whispered；　〃Hurry　back。〃
　　　Halisstra　rose　and　wrapped　her　piwafwi　close　around　her。　The　hall　was　still　and　dark；　as　it　had　been　for　hours。　She　stole　quietly　back　to　the　chamber　where　the　others　waited　for　Pharaun　to　ready　his　spells；　using　all　the　stealth　she　could　muster。　She　could　hear　soft　voices　ahead；　Quenthel　and　Danifae　conversing　quietly　in　the　ruined　gallery。
　　　A　dark　shadow　flitted　across　Halisstra's　heart。　When　she　thought　about　it；　there　were　few　things　she　wished　Danifae　and　Quenthel　to　speak　about。
　　　I　should　not　have　left　them　alone；　she　chided　herself。　I　let　Quenthel　order　me　about　like　a　male！
　　　Deliberately；　she　crept　closer；　a　silent　shadow　in　the　darkness。　She　could　see　Pharaun　sitting　wrapped　in　a　blanket；　deep　in　Reverie　as　he　leaned　against　the　wall；　his　eyes　heavy　and　half…lidded。　Quenthel　and　Danifae　sat　close　together；　turned　a　little　away　from　the　wizard；　which　brought　them　close　to　the　passage　in　which　Halisstra　stood。
　　　〃What　do　you　think　you　will　do　when　we　return　to　Menzoberranzan；　girl？　Do　you　think　some　high　station　awaits　your　mistress　there？〃　Quenthel　said；　her　whispers　scornful　and　acidic。
　　　〃I　do　not　know；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　said　after　a　long　time。　〃I　have　not　thought　that　far　ahead。〃
　　　〃Orcswill。　You　have　been　thinking　hard　from　the　moment　I　laid　eyes　on　you　in　the　audience　hall　of　House　Melarn。　In　fact；　I'll　even　hazard　a　guess　as　to　what　must　occupy　your　thoughts。　You　are　wondering　how　you　can　bring　about　your　return　to　House　Yauntyrr　in　Eryndlyn；　with　Halisstra　Melarn　as　your　battle　captive。〃
　　　〃I　dare　not　entertain　such　a　thought…〃
　　　Quenthel　laughed　cruelly　and　said；　〃Save　your　innocent　protests　for　someone　more　gullible；　girl。　You　still　have　not　answered　my　question。　Why　should　I　take　you　and　your　mistress　back　to　Menzoberranzan？〃
　　　〃It　would　be　my　hope；〃　Danifae　said　in　a　faltering　voice；　〃that　I　might　have　an　opportunity　to　demonstrate　my　usefulness　to　you；　so　that　you　might　choose　to　give　me　the　opportunity　to　serve。〃
　　　〃I　see　you　do　not　presume　to　answer　for　your　mistress　this　time；〃　Quenthel　snorted。　〃So　I　should　reward　your　faithless　insolence　by　shielding　you　in　House　Baenre；　when　I　know　that　you　are　nothing　more　than　an　opportunistic　viper　who　will　abandon　her　mistress　as　soon　as　the　mood　strikes　her？〃
　　　〃You　misjudge　me；〃　Danifae　said。　〃The　tradition　of　adopting　the　best　and　most　useful　nobles　of　a　defeated　house　is　a　way　of　life　among　our　people。　My　mistress　and　I…〃
　　　The　vipers　of　Quenthel's　whip　hissed　and　cracked　close　by　Danifae's　face；　silencing　her。
　　　〃I　think；〃　said　Quenthel；　〃that　I　misjudge　nothing　at　all。　You　are　a　simpering　fawn　of　a　girl　who　lacked　the　strength　to　keep　herself　from　being　taken　as　another's　slave。　You　are　nothing　more　than　a　useless　ornament　to　me…or　you　are　a　very　patient　and　very　clever　little　sycophant；　in　which　case　bringing　you　into　my　home　is　not　very　useful；　either。〃　She　sat　back；　sneering　at　Danifae。　〃Perhaps　I　should　simply　advise　Halisstra　of　this　conversation。　I　doubt　your　mistress　would　be　pleased　to　know　how　much　you　presume　in　her　behalf。　It　is　most　unbeing　in　a　handmaiden；　after　all。〃
　　　〃It　is　your　prerogative；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　said；　bowing　her　head。　〃You　may　do　as　you　please　with　me。　I　can　only　place　myself　at　your　convenience。〃　She　looked　up　again　from　her　submissive　pose；　and　licked　her　lips。　〃In　captivity　I　have　e　to　understand　something　of　the　nature　of　power；　what　it　means　to　hold　absolute　power　over　someone　else。　If　I　am　not　to　wield　that　kind　of　power　myself；　then　all　that　remains　is　to　place　myself　into　the　care　of　a　female　who　understands　these　things；　too。　Halisstra　Melarn　is　my　mistress；　but　only　at　your　pleasure。　When　the　time　es　that　you　choose　to　consider　the　matter；　I　pray　you　will　allow　me　to　demonstrate　my　more　useful　qualities　and　earn　the　chance　to　live　as　your　slave。　You；　more　so　than　my　mistress；　understand　the　exercise　of　power。〃
　　　〃Cease　your　meaningless　flattery；　girl；〃　Quenthel　said。　She　stood　smoothly　and　stepped　close；　looming　menacingly　above　the　kneeling　girl　with　a　smile　on　her　lips。　〃I　told　you　once　that　I　can　see　past　your　pretty　face。　Besides；　an　appreciation　for　the　uses　of　silence　is　only　one　of　the　virtues　I　find　endearing　in　those　I　take　under　my　gentle　guidance。〃
　　　〃I　beg　you；　Mistress；〃　Danifae　murmured。　She　leaned　forward　to　nuzzle　her　face　against　Quenthel's　thighs；　eyes　closed；　entwining　her　arms　around　the　Baenre's　knees。　〃I　would　do　anything　to　earn　your　favor。　I　beg　you。〃
　　　Quenthel's　snake…headed　scourge　curled　and　teased　Danifae's　silver　hair。　The　Mistress　of　the　Academy　stood　in　silence；　the　same　cold　smile　on　her　face。　When　she　reached　down　and　gently　raised　Danifae's　chin　with　one　hand；　she　bent　down　to　look　closely　into　her　eyes。
　　　〃Understand　this；〃　Quenthel　said　in　a　low　voice。　〃I　know　exactly　what　you're　doing；　and　you　will　not　win　this　game。　The　women　of　House　Baenre　are　made　of　sterner　stuff　than　the　weaklings　of　House　Melarn。　Savor　every　heartbeat；　foolish　girl；　because　in　the　instant　you　no　longer　amuse　me；　your　life　ends。〃
　　　Quenthel　disentangled　herself　and　walked　away；　resuming　her　restless　pacing　across　the　dusty　chamber。　Danifae　rose　and　moved　to　the　same　spot　in　which　Halisstra　had　left　her；　kneeling　gracefully　and　posing　herself　to　wait。
　　　Halisstra　exhaled　quietly　in　the　shadowed　passageway；　forcing　her　knotted　limbs　to　relax。　She　had　not　realized　how　tense　she　had　bee。
　　　Now；　what　shall　I　make　of　that？　she　thought。
　　　More　than　once　in　the　girl's　long　years　as　her　servant　she　had　used　Danifae's　beauty　to　secure　favors。　If　she　called　Danifae　to　account　for　presuming　to　address　Quenthel　in　Halisstra's　absence；　she　was　certain　that　she　knew　how　the　girl　would　respond。　Danifae　would　claim　that　she　was　simply　exploring　Quenthel's　regard　for　Halisstra　by　feigning　the　attenuation　of　her　loyalty　to　House　Melarn；　a　plausible　excuse　to　approach　Quenthel　under　the　circumstances。　Under　such　a　scenario；　Danifae　could　claim　that　she　was　simply　telling　Quenthel　what　she　wanted　to　hear；　in　order　to　measure　whether　there　was　a　place　for　her　and　her　mistress　in　the　powerful　priestess's　House。　She　would　most　likely　finish　with　submissive　apologies；　and　ask　Halisstra　to　take　her　life　if　her　actions　had　somehow　displeased　her　noble　mistress。
　　　On　the　other　hand；　did　it　not　seem　equally　likely　that　Danifae's　approach　to　Quenthel　was　unfeigned？　If　the　maidservant　found　a　way　to　escape　the　magical　binding　that　held　her　captive；　she　would　need　Quenthel's　approval；　or　else　her　freedom　might　e　at　the　cost　of　her　life。　It　was　quite　possible　that　nothing　more　than　the　deadly　capriciousness　of　a　highborn　priestess　prevented　Danifae　from　seeking　release　from　her　bondage。　After　all；　if　Danifae　claimed　her　freedom　and　looked　to　Quenthel　to　guarantee　it；　the　Baenre　might　choose　to　destroy　the　girl　for　her　presumption。　Any　drow　would　delight　in　encouraging　the　dreams　of　a　slave；　only　to　dash　them　to　pieces　for　nothing　more　than　an　instant's　dark　pleasure。
　　　Only　a　day　before；　Halisstra　would　have　described　Danifae　as　one　of　her　most　prized　possessions。　She　was　not　only　held　to　an　unbreakable　loyalty；　but　she　served　also　as　a　confidante；　perhaps　even　something　of　a　friend…even　if　her　faithfulness　was　magically　pelled。　They　had　shared　many　diversions　and　plotted　many　intrigues　together。　Danifae　had　been　eager　to　follow　her　into　her　self…imposed　exile；　volunteering　to　share　her　trials　and　continue　her　servitude。　Of　course　she　would　have　paid　a　terrible　price　had　she　remained　in　House　Melarn　after　Halisstra's　flight；　but　had　she　been　too　eager；　perhaps？
　　　〃Here　I　stand；　afraid　to　confront　or　discipline　my　own　handmaid；〃　Halisstra　breathed。　〃Lolth　has　cast　me　low；　indeed。〃
　　　With　her　coldness　locked　away　in　her　heart；　Halisstra　carefully　retraced　her　steps。　She　wasn't　hungry　anymore；　but　it　was　necessary　to　allay　suspicions。　She　turned　around；　and　advanced　more　openly　toward　the　party's　hiding　place；　allowing　a　slight　scuff　of　her　boot　soles　against　the　sand…covered　stones　to　whisper　through　the　dead；　still　air　of　the　chamber。　She　would　let　Quenthel　and　Danifae　believe　she　had　heard　nothing；　but　she　would　watch　both　of　them　closely　from　that　point　forward。
　　　
　　　Nimor　Imphraezl　made　his　way　among　the　grand　palaces　and　jagged　stalagmites　of　the　Qu'ellarz'orl；　draped　in　a　hooded　piwafwi。　He　wore　a　merchant's　insignia；　posing　as　a　well…to…do　moner　with　business　on　the　high　plateau　of　Menzoberranzan's　haughtiest　noble　Houses。　It　was　a　thin　disguise；　as　anyone　taking　note　of　his　confident　step　and　rakish　manner　would　not　mistake　him　for　anything　other　than　a　noble　drow　himself。　The　costume　was　not　unmon　among　highborn　males　who　wished　to　move　about　incognito。　Certain　spells　at　his　mand　might　have　sufficed　to　offer　him　almost　any　appearance　he　could　think　of；　but　Nimor　had　discovered　long　ago　that　the　simplest　disguises　were　often　the　best。　Most　drow　houses　were　guarded　by　defenders　who　would　note　the　approach　of　someone　veiled　in　webs　of　illusion；　but　spotting　a　mon　disguise　required　a　mundane　vigilance　that　some　dark　elves　had　forgotten。
　　　He　passed　a　pair　of　Baenre　armsmen；　walking　in　the　opposite　direction。　The　noble　lads　eyed