war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第21章

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　　　Coalhewer　muttered　into　his　beard；　but　he　didn't　bother　to　argue　the　point　any　further。　He　jerked　his　head　toward　the　curtain；　and　led　Ryld　and　Valas　outside。　The　dark　elves　picked　up　their　arms；　and　in　a　few　minutes　they'd　left　the　brewery　behind　them。
　　　〃Now；　what　should　we　make　of　that？〃　Valas　wondered　aloud。　〃Do　you　know　another　clan　that　might　help　out；　Coalhewer？〃
　　　〃Maybe；　but　if　Horgar's　cracking　down　on　informal　passes　and　such　things；　ye'll　have　trouble　anywhere　ye　go。〃　The　dwarf　scratched　at　his　beard。　〃I'll　have　to　ask　some　questions；　and　I　don't　think　ye'd　best　be　with　me。〃
　　　Ryld　looked　to　Valas；　who　thought　carefully　before　agreeing；　and　even　then　the　weapons　master　didn't　think　his　fellow　Menzoberranyr　looked　sufficiently　confident　in　their　guide's　loyalty。
　　　
　　　When　Halisstra　and　Danifae　returned　to　the　Cold　Foundry；　they　found　that　Quenthel　had　rented　one　of　the　inn's　larger　wings；　a　freestanding　structure　with　its　own　small　mon　room　and　eight　private　chambers　on　two　floors。　The　whole　wing　seemed　to　be　built　and　decorated　to　a　duergar's　conception　of　drow　fort。　Its　furnishings　were　proportioned　for　drow…sized　guests；　not　dwarves；　it　was　richly　appointed　with　tapestries　and　lavish　rugs；　and　all　the　doors　had　locks。　Dark　elves　didn't　require　endless　hours　of　sleep　in　the　same　manner　as　lesser　races；　but　few　drow　felt　safe　or　fortable　in　a　deep；　dreaming　Reverie　unless　they　were　taking　their　ease　behind　a　locked　door。
　　　The　rest　of　the　pany；　with　the　exception　of　Pharaun；　reclined　on　the　rugs　or　sat　at　the　mon　room's　table；　partaking　of　a　bountiful　meal　acpanied　by　silver　ewers　of　wine。　Armor　and　packs　lay　stacked　against　the　walls；　but　weapons　remained　within　easy　reach。
　　　Halisstra　raised　an　eyebrow；　eyeing　the　banquet　spread　out　on　the　sideboard。　A　large　roast　of　rothe；　several　wheels　of　finely　molded　cheeses；　and　steaming　platters　of　braised　mushrooms　reminded　her　how　long　she'd　been　without　a　decent；　hot　meal。
　　　〃The　food's　safe？〃　she　asked。
　　　Quenthel　snorted。　〃Do　you　think　we're　stupid？　Of　course　we　checked　it。　The　innkeeper　sent　us　a　cask　of　drugged　wine　the　first　time　around；　but　we　plained　to　the　management〃…Jeggred　looked　up　and　smiled　with　a　mouthful　of　fangs　at　that；　and　Halisstra　guessed　she　knew　what　form　that　plaint　had　taken…〃so　the　banquet　is　plimentary。　Enjoy。〃
　　　Halisstra　performed　her　own　examination　of　the　table　anyway；　relying　on　a　magic　ring　she　wore　for　just　that　purpose。　Poisons　were　too　monplace　among　highborn　drow　to　take　any　meal　for　granted。　Satisfied；　she　helped　herself　and　sat　down　by　the　table。　Danifae　took　some　food　as　well；　and　took　a　place；　reclining　on　a　low　lounge　near　Quenthel。
　　　〃I　see　the　wizard　has　not　yet　returned。　Have　you　had　any　luck？〃　Halisstra　asked　Valas　as　she　ate。
　　　The　scout　sat　cross…legged　beside　the　door；　his　knife　belt　loosened　but　still　around　his　narrow　hips。　He　sipped　at　a　mug　of　mulled　wine；　and　chewed　thoughtfully　on　a　piece　of　bread。
　　　〃After　a　fashion；〃　he　said。　〃The　weapons　master　and　I　encountered　no　overt　hostility；　but　we　didn't　get　as　far　as　I　would　have　liked；　despite　our　efforts　to　impress　upon　the　duergar　the　importance　of　time。〃　He　jingled　the　pouch　of　coins　at　his　belt。　〃I　don't　know　if　this　is　a　sign　that　something　unusual　is　happening；　but　Coalhewer　didn't　like　it。〃
　　　〃Where　is　the　dwarf？〃　asked　Danifae。
　　　〃He　wanted　to　see　if　he　could　obtain　a　writ　through　other　channels。〃
　　　〃You　trust　him　to　do　that？〃
　　　〃Not　entirely；　but　it's　something　we　could　not　easily　do　ourselves。〃　The　scout　grimaced　and　said；　〃It's　one　thing　to　deal　with　the　duergar　clans　in　a　reasonably　forthright　fashion。　If　I　was　caught　looking　into　forging　our　passes；　I　would　look　very　much　like　a　spy；　wouldn't　I？　And　so　would　all　of　you；　by　association。〃
　　　〃Real　spies　would　approach　Gracklstugh　in　much　the　same　manner　we　have；〃　Ryld　said　from　one　corner；　where　Splitter　leaned　against　the　wall；　within　easy　reach。
　　　〃True；　but　remember　that　Coalhewer　is　something　of　a　smuggler　himself。　He's　hardly　anxious　to　bring　us　to　the　attention　of　the　crown　prince；〃　Valas　replied。　〃Still；　the　weapons　master　and　I　settled　for　replenishing　our　provisions；　so　we're　ready　to　leave　whenever　Coalhewer　obtains　our　pass。〃
　　　〃It　seems　we've　done　all　we　can　for　now；〃　Halisstra　observed。　〃I；　for　one；　am　tired　of　blinding　deserts；　soul…bleaching　shadowlands；　and　bare　cavern　floors。　If　we're　soon　to　return　to　the　bleak　and　fortless　wilds；　I'll　enjoy　what　civilization　I　can。〃
　　　Halisstra　held　up　her　cup　for　Danifae　to　fill。　The　battle　captive　rose　sinuously　and　refilled　her　mistress's　goblet。
　　　〃Drink　if　you　like；　but　don't　let　your　wits　bee　too　sodden；〃　Quenthel　warned　from　her　couch。　〃We're　hardly　among　friends　in　this　filthy　city。〃
　　　〃When　are　any　of　us　truly　among　friends？〃　Ryld　asked　with　a　snort。
　　　Halisstra　laughed　softly　and　said；　〃Indeed；　Ryld；　but　tonight　we　can　rest　in　fort；　confident　in　the　knowledge　that　we　none　of　us　trust　each　other　and　that　not　too　far　away　lurk　grim　enemies　who　would　destroy　us　if　they　could。　Would　we　have　it　any　other　way？〃
　　　Danifae　carried　the　ewer　to　Quenthel。　Ignoring　the　subtle　writhing　of　the　priestess's　serpent　whip；　she　lowered　her　eyes　and　leaned　forward　to　refill　the　high　priestess's　cup。
　　　〃We　must　seize　what　pleasures　we　can　when　the　opportunity　arises；〃　Danifae　added。　〃Is　that　not　the　purpose　of　power？〃
　　　Halisstra　sipped　her　wine　and　watched　the　scene。　Danifae　had　neglected　to　don　an　arming…coat　beneath　her　mail；　as　she　had　found　the　black　mithral　shirt　without　its　leather　padding。　Of　course；　Halisstra　had　already　offered　Danifae　a　spare　coat　of　her　own；　and　she　had　no　doubt　that　in　the　morning　Danifae　would　accept　it。　In　the　meantime；　the　girl's　perfect　dark　skin　gleamed　through　the　metal　mesh；　and　her　full；　round　breasts　swayed　enticingly　beneath　the　steel　as　she　stooped　to　pour　Quenthel's　wine。　The　males　in　the　room　could　not　take　their　eyes　from　her；　try　as　they　might。　Even　Jeggred；　four…armed　hulking　beast　that　he　was；　seemed　entranced　by　the　girl's　grace　and　beauty。　Valas　frowned　and　busied　himself　with　oiling　his　kukris；　obviously　sensing　the　peril　of　the　moment　and　recoiling　with　his　usual　caution。　Ryld；　on　the　other　hand。　。　。　。
　　　Ryld　was　looking　at　her。　Halisstra　carefully　kept　the　surprise　from　her　face　as　she　met　the　weapons　master's　gaze。　Their　eyes　locked。　His　expression　seemed　avid；　intense；　and　Halisstra　knew　that　Danifae's　posturing　could　not　have　escaped　his　notice；　but　instead　of　gaping　at　the　girl　in　her　armor　of　metal　mesh；　the　weapons　master　turned　that　gaze　on　her。
　　　Ryld　offered　a　slight　smile　and　made　a　soft　gesture　with　his　hand：　An　interesting　play。
　　　I　do　not　follow　your　meaning；　Halisstra　replied；　though　she　could　see　easily　enough　that　the　weapons　master　knew　perfectly　well　that　she　did。
　　　She　returned　her　attention　to　Danifae　as　the　girl　kneeled　close　beside　Quenthel；　sipping　her　own　wine。　The　pany　grew　quiet；　and　Ryld　pulled　out　his　traveling　sava　set　to　play　a　game　against　Valas　while　the　others　contented　themselves　with　savoring　a　moment's　respite　from　danger。
　　　Pharaun　returned　eventually；　a　handful　of　scrolls　tucked　under　one　arm。　He　retired　to　his　chamber　after　a　couple　of　halfhearted　jibes　at　the　weapons　master　to　break　his　concentration。　Ryld　won　anyway；　though　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　gave　a　good　account　of　himself。
　　　〃It　has　been　a　long　day；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃I　shall　retire　to　my　chambers。　Jeggred；　Valas；　split　the　watch　tonight。　Two　others　will　watch　tomorrow。〃
　　　She　stood　and　stretched；　and　turned　her　eyes　on　Danifae　before　gliding　out　of　the　room。
　　　〃I　think　I'll　do　the　same；〃　Danifae　said。
　　　The　battle　captive　glanced　at　Halisstra；　offered　a　coy　smile；　and　went　quickly　after　Quenthel。　Ryld　put　away　his　sava　board　and　headed　up　to　his　room；　while　Valas　and　Jeggred　tossed　a　coin　for　first　watch。　Halisstra　stood；　gathered　her　piwafwi　around　her；　and　went　up　to　her　own　room。　She　paused　briefly　by　Quenthel's　door　and　listened；　just　long　enough　to　hear　what　might　have　been　a　soft　gasp　or　a　rustle　of　clothing；　then　she　moved　on。　Quenthel's　serpents　would　likely　report　an　eavesdropper　at　her　door。
　　　Clever　girl；　Halisstra　thought。　Quenthel　was　an　astute　and　daring　move　indeed。
　　　In　Ched　Nasad　Halisstra　had　sent　Danifae　to　seduce　a　rival　on　more　than　one　occasion。　Even　the　most　pragmatic　priestess　had　her　favorite　pets；　and　sometimes　an　otherwise　cold　and　calculating　female　might　be　manipulated　through　her　secret　pleasures。　Halisstra　doubted　that　Danifae　could　succeed　in　establishing　any　real　influence　over　Quenthel；　but　at　the　worst；　she　was　providing　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　with　a　reason　not　to　abandon　Halisstra　and　her　handmaid　on　a　whim。　Of　course；　if　Danifae's　services　proved　too　valuable　to　Quenthel；　the　Baenre　might　be　inclined　to　claim　the　captive　as　her　own；　but　that　was　a　risk　Halisstra　was　willing　to　take。
　　　Even　if　Danifae　continued　to　encourage　the　Baenre　to　do　just　that；　Halisstra　thought　of　the　silver　locket　around　the　girl's　neck；　and　allowed　herself　a　smile。　Unless　Danifae　managed　to　free　herself　of　the　binding　spell；　she　couldn't　take　the　smallest　step　in　that　direction；　as　Halisstra's　death　would　precipitate　her　own。　For　the　moment　Halisstra　felt　she　could　rely　on　Danifae's　loyalty。
　　　Halisstra　found　her　room　and　undressed　for　bed；　setting　her　armor　on　a　chest　in　the　small　room　and　leaving　her　mace　where　she　could　reach　it　quickly。
　　　She　drifted　into　Reverie　thinking　about　Quenthel　and　Danifae　together。
　　　
　　　Aliisza　rode　in　an　iron　palanquin　through　the　streets　of　Gracklstugh；　carried　by　four　ogres　and　escorted　by　a　dozen　tanarukk　warriors。　The　tanarukks　wore　armor　of　burnished　iron　and　carried　wickedly　hooked　greatswords。　One　fellow　carried　a　yellow　banner　emblazoned　with　Kaanyr　Vhok's　assumed　symbol…a　scepter　clasped　in　a　gauntleted　hand。　Twice　their　number　of　gray　dwarf　warriors　escorted　the　embassy　along；　suspicious　glares　fixed　rigidly　on　the　black　palanquin　and　its　occupant。　The　alu…fiend　preened　just　a　little　beneath　the　attention。　She　would　have　moved　much　quicker　on　her　own；　of　course；　but　making　a　grand　entrance　into　the　city　of　the　gray　dwarves　might　encourage　the　duergar　to　take　her　seriously。　Besides；　it　was　fun。
　　　The　journey　from　the　halls　of　old　Ammarindar　had　not　been　particularly　swift　or　easy。　Aliisza　and　her　warriors　had　pressed　hard　at　their　best　possible　speed　for　five　days　along　ancient　dwarven　highways　to　reach　the　shores　of　the　Darklake；　and　it　had　taken　three　days　more　to　obtain　a　duergar　boat　to　cross　it。　She　was　growing　tired　of　dashing　this　way　and　that　through　the　Underdark　at　Kaanyr　Vhok's　mand。　On　the　other　hand；　it　continued　to　demonstrate　her　usefulness　to　the　demonspawned　warlord；　and　perhaps　it　wasn't　a　bad　thing　that　circumstances　gave　her　reasons　to　leave　his　side　from　time　to　time。　It　whetted　his　appetite　for　her　return；　and　sometimes　gave　her　the　opportunity　to　indulge　her　taste　for　。。。　variety。
　　　Gracklstugh　seemed　to　be　one　great　smithy；　a　city　of　roaring　forges　and　reeking　smoke。　It　struck　Aliisza　as　not　unlike　the　foundry　hall　in　the　ruins　of