war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-µÚ19ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
me¡¡great¡¡pale¡¡fish£»¡¡and¡¡black¡¡mithral¡¡mail¡¡of¡¡drow¡make¡£¡¡Two¡¡well¡armed¡¡duergar¡¡busied¡¡themselves¡¡with¡¡assembling¡¡a¡¡suit¡¡of¡¡half¡plate¡¡armor¡¡at¡¡a¡¡workbench¡¡to¡¡one¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡They¡¡fixed¡¡suspicious¡¡stares¡¡on¡¡Halisstra¡¡and¡¡Danifae¡¡when¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡elves¡¡walked¡¡in£»¡¡and¡¡kept¡¡a¡¡wary¡¡eye¡¡on¡¡them¡¡as¡¡the¡¡priestess¡¡and¡¡her¡¡handmaid¡¡examined¡¡the¡¡merchandise¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mistress¡¡Melarn£»¡¨¡¡Danifae¡¡called¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡Halisstra¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡find¡¡the¡¡girl¡¡gazing¡¡up¡¡at¡¡a¡¡well¡made¡¡suit¡¡of¡¡drow¡¡chain¡¡mail£»¡¡worked¡¡with¡¡the¡¡emblem¡¡of¡¡a¡¡minor¡¡House¡¡she¡¡did¡¡not¡¡know¡£¡¡A¡¡matching¡¡buckler¡¡hung¡¡near¡¡the¡¡mail£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡morningstar¡¡of¡¡black¡¡steel¡¡alongside¡¡it¡£¡¡The¡¡head¡¡of¡¡the¡¡weapon¡¡was¡¡fashioned¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shape¡¡of¡¡a¡¡demonic¡¡face¡¡with¡¡twisting£»¡¡spikelike¡¡horns¡£¡¡Halisstra¡¡carefully¡¡muttered¡¡the¡¡words¡¡of¡¡a¡¡spell¡¡of¡¡detection£»¡¡and¡¡smiled¡¡at¡¡the¡¡result¡£¡¡The¡¡arms¡¡were¡¡magical¡not¡¡overwhelmingly¡¡so£»¡¡but¡¡certainly¡¡as¡¡good¡¡as¡¡or¡¡better¡¡than¡¡anything¡¡she'd¡¡hoped¡¡to¡¡find¡¡in¡¡the¡¡city¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡can¡¡you¡¡tell¡¡us¡¡of¡¡these¡¡drow¡¡arms£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡¡of¡¡the¡¡shopkeepers¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡duergar¡¡halted¡¡their¡¡work¡£¡¡The¡¡two¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡twins£»¡¡Halisstra¡¡could¡¡hardly¡¡tell¡¡them¡¡apart¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Trophy£»¡¨¡¡one¡¡of¡¡them¡¡rasped¡£¡¡¡¨A¡¡captain¡¡in¡¡the¡¡service¡¡of¡¡Laird¡¡Thrazgad¡¡sold¡¡'em¡¡a¡¡couple¡¡of¡¡months¡¡ago¡£¡¡Don't¡¡know¡¡where¡¡he¡¡got¡¡'em¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They're¡¡enchanted£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡other¡¡dwarf¡£¡¡¡¨Won't¡¡be¡¡cheap¡£¡¡Not¡¡at¡¡all¡¡cheap¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡Halisstra¡¡moved¡¡over¡¡to¡¡the¡¡counter£»¡¡and¡¡fished¡¡a¡¡small¡¡pouch¡¡from¡¡inside¡¡her¡¡hauberk¡£¡¡She¡¡pored¡¡through¡¡its¡¡contents£»¡¡and¡¡picked¡¡out¡¡several¡¡fine¡¡emeralds¡¡to¡¡set¡¡on¡¡the¡¡counter¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Do¡¡we¡¡have¡¡a¡¡deal£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡gray¡¡dwarf¡¡stood¡¡and¡¡approached¡¡to¡¡study¡¡the¡¡emeralds¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡scowled¡¡and¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨More¡¡than¡¡that¡£¡¡A¡¡lot¡¡more¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡Halisstra¡¡met¡¡his¡¡gaze¡¡evenly¡£¡¡She¡¡hadn't¡¡managed¡¡to¡¡carry¡¡away¡¡much¡¡from¡¡her¡¡House¡¡before¡¡it¡¡fell£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡simply¡¡couldn't¡¡waste¡¡it¡¡on¡¡a¡¡gray¡¡dwarf's¡¡greed£»¡¡not¡¡if¡¡she¡¡had¡¡other¡¡options¡¡open¡¡to¡¡her¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Danifae£»¡¡have¡¡another¡¡look¡¡at¡¡the¡¡mail£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡over¡¡her¡¡shoulder¡£¡¡¡¨Make¡¡sure¡¡it's¡¡what¡¡you¡¡want¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡Danifae¡¡read¡¡her¡¡intent¡¡perfectly¡£¡¡The¡¡girl¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡the¡¡morningstar¡¡and¡¡hefted¡¡it¡¡in¡¡her¡¡hand£»¡¡feeling¡¡out¡¡its¡¡balance¡£¡¡As¡¡Halisstra¡¡had¡¡hoped£»¡¡the¡¡second¡¡dwarf¡¡became¡¡nervous£»¡¡watching¡¡a¡¡dark¡¡elf¡¡handle¡¡merchandise¡¡so¡¡valuable¡£¡¡He¡¡set¡¡down¡¡his¡¡work¡¡and¡¡moved¡¡over¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡a¡¡closer¡¡eye¡¡on¡¡her£»¡¡making¡¡sure¡¡he¡¡stood¡¡between¡¡Danifae¡¡and¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡Danifae¡¡immediately¡¡began¡¡to¡¡offer¡¡a¡¡variety¡¡of¡¡ments¡¡about¡¡the¡¡arms£»¡¡admiring¡¡the¡¡mail£»¡¡questioning¡¡the¡¡strength¡¡of¡¡the¡¡enchantments£»¡¡and¡¡generally¡¡engaging¡¡the¡¡fellow¡¡in¡¡conversation¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It'll¡¡take¡¡five¡¡times¡¡that¡¡weight¡¡of¡¡gemstones£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡duergar¡¡at¡¡the¡¡counter¡¡told¡¡Halisstra¡£¡¡¡¨And¡¡they'll¡¡have¡¡to¡¡be¡¡good¡¡stones£»¡¡too¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Very¡¡well£»¡¡then£»¡¨¡¡Halisstra¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡shrugged¡¡a¡¡leather¡¡case¡¡from¡¡her¡¡back¡¡and¡¡set¡¡it¡¡on¡¡the¡¡countertop¡£¡¡Unwrapping¡¡it¡¡carefully£»¡¡she¡¡withdrew¡¡her¡¡lyre£»¡¡a¡¡small£»¡¡curved¡¡instrument¡¡of¡¡dragonbone£»¡¡strung¡¡with¡¡mithral¡¡wire¡¡and¡¡chased¡¡with¡¡mithral¡¡filigree¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡you¡¡can¡¡see£»¡¡it's¡¡an¡¡exquisite¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡work£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡picked¡¡it¡¡up¡¡and¡¡strummed¡¡it¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡show¡¡off¡¡its¡¡qualities¡and¡¡quietly¡¡sang¡¡a¡¡bae'qeshel¡¡song¡£¡¡The¡¡dwarf¡¡gaped¡¡at¡¡her£»¡¡then¡¡recoiled¡¡in¡¡horror¡¡when¡¡he¡¡realized¡¡she¡¡was¡¡casting¡¡a¡¡spell¡£¡¡Before¡¡he¡¡could¡¡call¡¡out¡¡a¡¡warning£»¡¡the¡¡magic¡¡of¡¡the¡¡song¡¡ensnared¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What's¡¡going¡¡on¡¡there£¿¡¨¡¡the¡¡duergar¡¡watching¡¡Danifae¡¡demanded¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Tell¡¡your¡¡friend¡¡it's¡¡all¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡Halisstra¡¡whispered¡¡across¡¡the¡¡counter¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡don't¡¡want¡¡the¡¡lyre¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡fine£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡first¡¡dwarf¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨She's¡¡offering¡¡the¡¡lyre£»¡¡but¡¡we¡¡don't¡¡want¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡not£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡second¡¡muttered¡£¡¡¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡see¡¡any¡¡instruments¡¡in¡¡here£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡returned¡¡his¡¡attention¡¡to¡¡Danifae£»¡¡who¡¡asked¡¡him¡¡about¡¡the¡¡best¡¡way¡¡to¡¡care¡¡for¡¡mail¡¡in¡¡damp¡¡places¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Halisstra¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dwarf¡¡she'd¡¡beguiled£»¡¡¡¨we're¡¡a¡¡little¡¡far¡¡apart¡¡at¡¡the¡¡moment£»¡¡but¡¡I'm¡¡certain¡¡we¡¡can¡¡strike¡¡a¡¡good¡¡bargain¡£¡¡You're¡¡going¡¡to¡¡sell¡¡us¡¡the¡¡arms¡¡my¡¡handmaid¡¡is¡¡looking¡¡over¡£¡¡Will¡¡you¡¡take¡¡the¡¡emeralds¡¡as¡¡a¡¡down¡¡payment£¿¡¡I¡¡will¡¡e¡¡back¡¡in¡¡a¡¡couple¡¡of¡¡days¡¡with¡¡a¡¡very¡¡handsome¡¡sum¡¡to¡¡square¡¡my¡¡account¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡stones'll¡¡do¡¡as¡¡a¡¡down¡¡payment£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡merchant¡¡allowed£»¡¡¡¨but¡¡my¡¡partner¡¡won't¡¡be¡¡happy¡¡with¡¡that¡£¡¡He'll¡¡think¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡e¡¡back¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Let¡¡him¡¡think¡¡I've¡¡paid¡¡in¡¡full£»¡¡then£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡won't¡¡trouble¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡Halisstra¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡thought¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡more£»¡¡then¡¡leaned¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡held¡¡the¡¡fellow¡¡with¡¡her¡¡eye¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡softly£»¡¡¡¨if¡¡something¡¡were¡¡to¡¡happen¡¡to¡¡your¡¡partner£»¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡business¡¡would¡¡be¡¡yours¡¡to¡¡run¡¡as¡¡you¡¡see¡¡fit£»¡¡wouldn't¡¡it£¿¡¡You¡¡could¡¡keep¡¡all¡¡of¡¡the¡¡profits£»¡¡couldn't¡¡you£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡An¡¡avaricious¡¡gleam¡¡came¡¡to¡¡the¡¡merchant's¡¡eye¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡you're¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡why¡¡it¡¡didn't¡¡occur¡¡to¡¡me¡¡before£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Patience£»¡¨¡¡Halisstra¡¡advised¡£¡¡¡¨Anytime¡¡today¡¡would¡¡be¡¡fine¡£¡¡Oh£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡would¡¡appreciate¡¡it¡¡if¡¡you¡¡didn't¡¡mention¡¡to¡¡anyone¡¡else¡¡that¡¡my¡¡friend¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡done¡¡business¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¡Let's¡¡just¡¡keep¡¡this¡¡between¡¡the¡¡two¡¡of¡¡us¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡Nimor¡¡departed¡¡Menzoberranzan£»¡¡carrying¡¡various¡¡payments¡¡and¡¡tokens¡¡to¡¡indicate¡¡that¡¡Reethk¡¡Vaszune¡¡had¡¡entered¡¡into¡¡an¡¡arrangement¡¡to¡¡provide¡¡the¡¡wizards¡¡of¡¡Agrach¡¡Dyrr¡¡with¡¡certain¡¡spell¡¡reagents¡¡and¡¡ponents¡¡on¡¡the¡¡small¡¡chance¡¡that¡¡he¡¡might¡¡be¡¡required¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡his¡¡way¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡city¡£¡¡The¡¡details¡¡of¡¡the¡¡true¡¡arrangement¡¡he¡¡had¡¡forged¡¡he¡¡carried¡¡in¡¡no¡¡place¡¡except¡¡his¡¡own¡¡mind¡£¡¡The¡¡Anointed¡¡Blade¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Jaezred¡¡Chaulssin¡¡was¡¡well¡¡satisfied¡¡with¡¡his¡¡work¡¡of¡¡the¡¡past¡¡few¡¡days¡£¡¡While¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡strictly¡¡need¡¡Agrach¡¡Dyrr¡¡for¡¡what¡¡he¡¡had¡¡in¡¡mind£»¡¡the¡¡acmodation¡¡he'd¡¡reached¡¡with¡¡the¡¡ancient¡¡master¡¡of¡¡the¡¡House¡¡would¡¡make¡¡the¡¡task¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡him¡¡much¡¡easier¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡Nimor¡¡slipped¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Qu'ellarz'orl¡¡into¡¡a¡¡small¡¡side¡¡cavern¡¡leading¡¡out¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Dark¡¡Dominion¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡e¡¡to¡¡know¡¡the¡¡maze¡¡of¡¡dangerous¡¡passages¡¡surrounding¡¡the¡¡great¡¡city¡¡quite¡¡well¡¡in¡¡the¡¡past¡¡few¡¡months£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡quickly¡¡found¡¡a¡¡dark£»¡¡quiet¡¡spot¡¡unobserved¡¡by¡¡any¡¡of¡¡the¡¡city's¡¡defenders¡£¡¡The¡¡Anointed¡¡Blade¡¡stretched¡¡out¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡blank¡¡stone¡¡of¡¡the¡¡passage¡¡wall¡£¡¡The¡¡Ring¡¡of¡¡Shadows¡¡gleamed¡¡on¡¡his¡¡left¡¡hand£»¡¡a¡¡small¡¡circle¡¡of¡¡inky¡¡darkness¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡more¡¡like¡¡a¡¡tiny¡¡hole¡¡in¡¡the¡¡world¡¡than¡¡a¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡ornamentation¡£¡¡Among¡¡its¡¡other¡¡powers£»¡¡the¡¡ring¡¡made¡¡available¡¡to¡¡him¡¡the¡¡ability¡¡to¡¡walk¡¡paths¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Plane¡¡of¡¡Shadow¡¡and¡¡so¡¡freed¡¡him¡¡from¡¡many¡¡of¡¡the¡¡constraints¡¡that¡¡travel¡¡on¡¡foot¡¡would¡¡otherwise¡¡place¡¡on¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡stepped¡¡forward¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡wall£»¡¡and¡¡vanished¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Shadow¡¡Fringe¡£¡¡His¡¡destination¡¡lay¡¡not¡¡much¡¡more¡¡than¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡miles¡¡from¡¡Menzoberranzan¡£¡¡He'd¡¡made¡¡the¡¡trip¡¡several¡¡times¡¡before£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡rarely¡¡took¡¡more¡¡than¡¡an¡¡hour¡£¡¡No¡¡son¡¡of¡¡Chaulssin¡¡had¡¡much¡¡to¡¡fear¡¡walking¡¡among¡¡the¡¡shadows£»¡¡so¡¡Nimor¡¡occupied¡¡himself¡¡during¡¡his¡¡journey¡¡by¡¡weighing¡¡the¡¡value¡¡of¡¡his¡¡alliance¡¡with¡¡Agrach¡¡Dyrr£»¡¡and¡¡wondering¡¡whether¡¡the¡¡ancient¡¡sorcerer¡¡who¡¡secretly¡¡ruled¡¡the¡¡House¡¡could¡¡be¡¡trusted¡¡to¡¡do¡¡as¡¡he¡¡said¡¡he¡¡would¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡Nimor¡¡followed¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡path¡¡the¡¡ring¡¡forged¡¡through¡¡the¡¡Shadow¡¡Fringe¡¡for¡¡a¡¡measureless¡¡span¡¡of¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡road¡¡began¡¡to¡¡twist¡¡back¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡mundane¡¡world¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡nearly¡¡impossible¡¡to¡¡judge¡¡the¡¡passage¡¡of¡¡hours¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Fringe£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡magic¡¡of¡¡the¡¡spell¡¡was¡¡such¡¡that¡¡the¡¡path¡¡it¡¡created¡¡would£»¡¡in¡¡its¡¡own¡¡time£»¡¡emerge¡¡at¡¡the¡¡desired¡¡destination¡£¡¡The¡¡assassin¡¡set¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hilt¡¡of¡¡his¡¡rapier¡¡and¡¡took¡¡the¡¡last¡¡step¡¡of¡¡his¡¡journey£»¡¡stepping¡¡through¡¡a¡¡veil¡¡of¡¡gloom¡¡into¡¡a¡¡large£»¡¡vaultlike¡¡chamber¡¡of¡¡carefully¡¡fitted¡¡stone¡¡blocks¡£¡¡Only¡¡one¡¡door¡¡led¡¡from¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡a¡¡great¡¡portal¡¡of¡¡iron¡¡reinforced¡¡by¡¡strengthening¡¡spells¡£¡¡Nimor¡¡drew¡¡from¡¡beneath¡¡his¡¡mail¡¡vest¡¡a¡¡large¡¡bronze¡¡key¡¡and¡¡fitted¡¡it¡¡to¡¡the¡¡looming¡¡portal¡£¡¡The¡¡door¡¡swung¡¡open¡¡with¡¡a¡¡squeal¡¡of¡¡rust¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡Beyond¡¡the¡¡door¡¡stood¡¡a¡¡great£»¡¡dark¡¡hall¡¡lit¡¡by¡¡red¡glowing¡¡coals¡¡in¡¡iron¡¡braziers¡£¡¡Like¡¡the¡¡vault¡¡it¡¡was¡¡made¡¡of¡¡dressed¡¡stone£»¡¡its¡¡ceiling¡¡supported¡¡by¡¡massive¡¡columns£»¡¡but¡¡unlike¡¡similar¡¡chambers¡¡in¡¡drow¡¡palaces£»¡¡the¡¡space¡¡was¡¡devoid¡¡of¡¡decoration¡¡or¡¡adornment¡£¡¡Nimor¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡some¡¡number¡¡of¡¡guardians£»¡¡though¡¡they¡¡chose¡¡not¡¡to¡¡reveal¡¡themselves¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡I£»¡¡Nimor¡¡Imphraezl£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨Inform¡¡the¡¡crown¡¡prince¡¡that¡¡I¡¡am¡¡here¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡From¡¡the¡¡air¡¡beside¡¡him¡¡several¡¡duergar¡¡guards¡¡appeared£»¡¡shedding¡¡their¡¡invisibility¡£¡¡The¡¡gray¡¡dwarves¡¡stood¡¡a¡¡head¡¡shorter¡¡than¡¡the¡¡drow£»¡¡but¡¡they¡¡were¡¡broad¡¡of¡¡shoulder¡¡and¡¡long¡¡of¡¡torso£»¡¡their¡¡legs¡¡thick¡¡and¡¡short£»¡¡their¡¡arms¡¡powerfully¡¡muscled¡£¡¡They¡¡wore¡¡black¡¡plate¡¡armor¡¡and¡¡carried¡¡battle¡axes¡¡and¡¡shields¡¡emblazoned¡¡with¡¡the¡¡symbol¡¡of¡¡Gracklstugh¡£¡¡One¡¡duergar¡¡woman£»¡¡her¡¡rank¡¡indicated¡¡only¡¡by¡¡a¡¡single¡¡strip¡¡of¡¡gold¡¡filigree¡¡on¡¡the¡¡brow¡¡of¡¡her¡¡helm£»¡¡studied¡¡him¡¡carefully¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡crown¡¡prince¡¡has¡¡left¡¡instructions¡¡to¡¡show¡¡you¡¡to¡¡a¡¡guest¡¡apartment¡¡in¡¡the¡¡palace¡£¡¡He¡¡will¡¡call¡¡on¡¡you¡¡shortly¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡made¡¡the¡¡courtesy¡¡sound¡¡like¡¡an¡¡order¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡assassin¡¡folded¡¡his¡¡arms¡¡and¡¡suffered¡¡himself¡¡to¡¡be¡¡marched¡¡off¡¡by¡¡a¡¡pair¡¡of¡¡the¡¡prince's¡¡own¡¡Stone¡¡Guards¡£¡¡The¡¡gray¡¡dwarves¡¡eyed¡¡him¡¡uneasily£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡they¡¡expected¡¡mischief¡¡from¡¡Nimor¡£¡¡In¡¡truth£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡little¡¡love¡¡lost¡¡between¡¡duergar¡¡and¡¡drow£»¡¡despite¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡Menzoberranzan¡¡and¡¡Gracklstugh¡¡had¡¡stood¡¡as¡¡neighbors¡¡for¡¡millennia¡£¡¡Gray¡¡dwarf¡¡and¡¡dark¡¡elf¡¡had¡¡fought¡¡more¡¡than¡¡one¡¡vicious¡¡war¡¡for¡¡control¡¡of¡¡the¡¡hundred¡odd¡¡miles¡¡of¡¡cavern¡¡and¡¡chasm¡¡that¡¡lay¡¡between¡¡the¡¡two¡¡cities¡£¡¡The¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡no¡¡such¡¡war¡¡had¡¡been¡¡fought¡¡in¡¡a¡¡century¡¡or¡¡more¡¡simply¡¡indicated¡¡that¡¡both¡¡races¡¡had¡¡e¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡a¡¡grudging¡¡respect¡¡for¡¡their¡¡enemy's¡¡strength£»¡¡and¡¡not¡¡any¡¡real¡¡lessening¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ill¡¡will¡¡between¡¡them¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡guards¡¡led¡¡him¡¡through¡¡the¡¡labyrinthine¡¡corridors¡¡of¡¡Gracklstugh's¡¡palace¡¡and¡¡showed¡¡him¡¡to¡¡a¡¡large¡¡suite¡¡in¡¡a¡¡disused¡¡portion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fortress¡£¡¡The¡¡furnishings¡¡were¡¡simple¡¡and¡¡functional£»¡¡as¡¡fitted¡¡duergar¡¡taste¡£¡¡Nimor¡¡settled¡¡down¡¡to¡¡wait£»¡¡moving¡¡over¡¡to¡¡gaze¡¡out¡¡of¡¡a¡¡slitlike¡¡window¡¡at¡¡the¡¡gray¡¡dwarf¡¡city¡¡beyond¡¡the¡¡palace¡£¡¡The¡¡city¡¡was¡¡as¡¡unlovely¡¡as¡¡ever£»¡¡a¡¡reeking¡¡cauldron¡¡of¡¡smoke¡¡and¡¡noise¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡a¡¡time£»¡¡Nimor¡¡noted¡¡the¡¡approach¡¡of¡¡footsteps¡¡outside¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡as¡¡Horgar¡¡Steelshadow¡¡entered¡¡the¡¡suite£»¡¡flanked¡¡by¡¡a¡¡pair¡¡of¡¡Stone¡¡Guards¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡elf¡¡said£»¡¡inclining¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¨A¡¡good¡¡day¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡my¡¡lord¡£¡¡How¡¡fares¡¡the¡¡City¡¡of¡¡Blades£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡doubt¡¡that¡¡you¡¡care£»¡¨¡¡Horgar¡¡replied¡£¡¡For¡¡the¡¡ruler¡¡of¡¡such¡¡a¡¡powerful¡¡city£»¡¡the¡¡crown¡¡prince¡¡was¡¡in¡¡many¡¡ways¡¡unremarkable¡£¡¡He¡¡looked¡¡very¡¡much¡¡like¡¡all¡¡the¡¡other¡¡duergar¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡sullen¡¡cast¡¡to¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡and¡¡a¡¡hairless¡¡skull¡£¡¡He¡¡carried¡¡a¡¡scepter¡¡of¡¡office¡¡and¡¡did¡¡not¡¡wear¡¡armor£»¡¡which¡¡was¡¡all¡¡that¡¡differentiated¡¡him¡¡from¡¡his¡¡bodyguards¡£¡¡He¡¡motioned¡¡the¡¡guards¡¡to¡¡remain¡¡by¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡and¡¡strode¡¡over¡¡to¡¡speak¡¡quietly¡¡to¡¡Nimor¡£¡¡¡¨Well£¿¡¡What¡¡news£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡believe¡¡I¡¡have¡¡found¡¡the¡¡allies¡¡I¡¡was¡¡seeking¡¡in¡¡Menzoberranzan£»¡¡dear¡¡prince¡£¡¡A¡¡strong¡¡House¡¡eager¡¡to¡¡see¡¡the¡¡current¡¡order¡¡of¡¡things¡¡overthrown£»¡¡but¡¡whose¡¡loyalty¡¡is¡¡not¡¡in¡¡question¡¡there¡£¡¡The¡¡hour¡¡of¡¡your¡¡victory¡¡approaches¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hmph¡£¡¡House¡¡Zauvirr¡¡was¡¡eager¡¡to¡¡hire¡¡our¡¡mercenaries¡¡in¡¡Ched¡¡Nasad£»¡¡but¡¡damned¡¡few¡¡of¡¡Khorrl¡¡Xornbane's¡¡folk¡¡came¡¡back¡£¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡doubt¡¡that¡¡you¡¡or¡¡that¡¡Zammzt¡¡fellow¡¡whispered¡¡the¡¡same¡¡thing¡¡in¡¡Khorrl's¡¡ear¡¡when¡¡you¡¡hired¡¡his¡¡pany¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Xornbane's¡¡losses¡¡were¡¡regrettable£»¡¡but¡¡in¡¡truth¡¡we¡¡did¡¡not¡¡expect¡¡the¡¡exceptional¡¡effectiveness¡¡of¡¡your¡¡stonefire¡¡bombs¡¡against¡¡Ched¡¡Nasad's¡¡calcified¡¡webs¡£¡¡Absent¡¡t