war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第31章

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ll。
　　　〃That　broke　their　rush；〃　Halisstra　called　out　to　her　panions。　〃They're　regrouping；　though。〃
　　　〃Determined　bastards；〃　Pharaun　said。
　　　The　wizard　sheltered　behind　a　towering　pillar　of　stone；　grimacing　with　fatigue。　Over　the　previous　day　and　a　half　the　pany　had　marched　at　least　thirty　miles　through　the　endless　corridors　of　the　Labyrinth；　pursued　at　every　turn　by　seemingly　endless　hordes　of　minotaurs　and　baphomet　demons。　On　two　occasions　the　dark　elves　had　narrowly　avoided　fiendishly　clever　efforts　to　trap　them　by　closing　off　the　tunnels　they　were　fleeing　through。
　　　〃I　have　few　spells　of　that　sort　left；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃We　need　to　find　a　place　where　I　can　rest　and　ready　more　spells。〃
　　　〃You'll　rest　when　we　all　do；　wizard；〃　Quenthel　growled。　The　Baenre　and　her　whip　were　splattered　with　gore；　and　her　armor　showed　more　than　one　ugly　rent　where　a　deadly　blow　had　barely　been　turned。　〃We're　close　to　the　Jaelre。　We　must　be。　Let's　move　again　before　the　minotaurs　organize　another　charge。〃
　　　The　other　drow　exchanged　looks；　but　they　pushed　themselves　to　their　feet　and　followed　Quenthel　and　Valas　into　another　passage。　This　ran　for　perhaps　four　hundred　yards　before　opening　into　another　great　hall；　this　one　featuring　tall；　fluted　columns　and　a　floor　paved　with　well…fitted　flagstones。　Graceful；　winding　staircases　rose　up　along　the　cavern　walls　to　meet　long；　sheltered　galleries　where　dim　faerie　fire　burned；　illuminating　chambers　that　might　once　have　been　workshops；　merchant　houses；　or　simply　the　modest　homes　of　soldiers　and　artisans。
　　　〃Drow　work　again；〃　Ryld　observed。　〃And　again；　abandoned。　You're　certain　this　is　the　place；　Valas？〃
　　　The　scout　nodded　wearily；　his　right　hand　clamped　over　a　shallow　but　bloody　wound　on　his　left　shoulder。
　　　〃I　have　been　in　this　very　cavern　before；〃　he　replied。　〃These　are　Jaelre　dwellings。　Up　there　a　number　of　armorers　lived；　and　over　on　that　wall　was　an　inn　I　stayed　at。　The　palace　of　the　Jaelre　nobles　lies　just　through　the　next　passage。〃
　　　Quenthel　leaped　up　a　short；　curving　stairway　and　glanced　into　some　kind　of　shop；　its　windows　dark　and　empty。　She　swore　and　moved　past　several　others；　looking　into　each　in　turn　before　descending　back　to　the　floor　of　the　main　hall。
　　　〃If　these　are　the　Jaelre　dwellings；　then　where　in　all　the　screaming　hells　are　the　Jaelre？〃　she　demanded。　〃Did　the　accursed　minotaurs　slay　them　all？〃
　　　〃I　doubt　it；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃No　battle　was　fought　here…we　would　have　seen　the　signs。　Even　if　the　minotaurs　had　carried　off　all　the　bodies　over　the　years；　there　would　be　scorch　marks；　broken　flagstones；　the　remnants　of　ruined　weapons。　I　think　the　Jaelre　left　this　place　of　their　own　accord。〃
　　　〃How　long　ago　was　it　that　you　were　here；　Valas？〃　asked　Ryld。
　　　〃Almost　fifty　years；〃　the　scout　said。　〃Not　that　long　ago；　really。　The　Jaelre　skirmished　frequently　with　the　minotaurs　back　then；　and　these　caverns　were　guarded　by　both　physical　and　magical　defenses。〃　He　studied　the　great　chamber　carefully。　〃Let　me　proceed　ahead　a　little　ways。　I　will　see　if　I　can　find　anything　in　the　palace　that　might　illuminate　this　riddle。〃
　　　〃Should　we　all　go？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　〃Best　not。　There　is　only　one　entrance　to　the　palace；　and　we　could　be　trapped　inside　if　the　minotaurs　return　in　numbers。　Remain　outside；　so　that　you　can　escape　if　you　need　to。　I　will　return　in　a　few　minutes。〃
　　　The　scout　slipped　off　into　the　darkness；　leaving　the　pany　in　the　abandoned　hall。
　　　〃I　think　I　agree　with　Mistress　Melarn；〃　Ryld　said。　〃It　seems　the　Jaelre　carried　away　everything　of　value　and　left　this　place。〃
　　　〃A　great　deal　of　trouble　for　nothing；　then；〃　Pharaun　remarked。　〃If　there's　anything　so　disappointing　as　fruitless　toil　and　hardship；　I'm　not　sure　what　it　is。〃
　　　The　pany　stood　in　silence　a　moment；　each　occupied　with　his　own　thoughts。
　　　Halisstra　ached　with　exhaustion；　her　legs　as　weak　as　water。　She　had　avoided　any　serious　injury；　but　on　the　other　hand　she　had　almost　pletely　exhausted　her　reservoir　of　magical　strength　over　the　past　few　hours；　wielding　her　bae'qeshel　songs　to　confuse　the　attacking　hordes；　strengthen　her　panions；　and　staunch　the　worst　of　her　panions'　wounds。
　　　Jeggred；　lurking　at　the　rear　of　the　band　near　the　tunnel　leading　back　to　the　previous　room；　broke　the　silence。
　　　〃If　the　mercenary　does　not　return　soon；　we　will　be　fighting　again；〃　the　draegloth　said。　〃I　do　not　hear　the　minotaurs　behind　us　any　longer；　which　means　they're　probably　circling　around　to　e　at　us　from　another　direction。〃
　　　〃We've　taught　them　not　to　e　at　us　down　long；　straight　tunnels；　I　suppose；〃　Ryld　observed。　He　studied　the　Jaelre　cavern　with　a　practiced　eye。　〃Best　not　to　let　them　catch　us　in　the　open　like　this。　They　might　overwhelm　us　with　sheer　numbers。〃
　　　Danifae　asked　quietly；　〃What　if　this　is　a　dead　end？〃
　　　〃It　can't　be；〃　Quenthel　said。　〃Somewhere　in　these　caverns　we'll　discover　where　it　is　the　Jaelre　have　fled　to；　and　we　will　follow。　I　have　e　too　far　to　return　to　Menzoberranzan　empty…handed。〃
　　　〃That's　all　very　good；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃However；　I　feel　constrained　to　point　out　that　we　are　exhausted　and　have　almost　used　up　our　magical　strength。　Blundering　through　these　halls　and　corridors　until　the　minotaurs　manage　to　trap　and　kill　us　is　sheer　stupidity。　Why　don't　we　lie　low　in　one　of　those　artisan　homes…say；　in　that　gallery　over　there…and　rest　until　we're　ready　to　continue？　I　believe　I　can　conceal　our　presence　from　our　pursuers。〃
　　　Quenthel's　eyes　flashed　with　fire　as　she　said；　〃We　will　rest　when　I　see　fit。　Until　then；　we　keep　moving。〃
　　　〃I　do　not　believe　you　understand　what　I　am　saying…〃　Pharaun　began；　rising　to　his　feet　and　speaking　with　short；　clipped　words。
　　　〃I　do　not　believe　you　understand　what　I　am　manding　you　to　do！〃　Quenthel　snapped。　She　whirled　on　the　wizard　and　stepped　close；　her　whips　writhing　in　agitation。　〃You　will　cease　your　incessant　questioning　of　my　leadership。〃
　　　〃When　you　begin　to　lead　intelligently；　I　will；〃　Pharaun　retorted；　his　calm　demeanor　finally　cracking。　〃Now；　listen…〃
　　　Jeggred　rose　with　a　feral　snarl　and　grasped　the　wizard　around　the　upper　arms　with　his　huge　fighting　claws；　pulling　him　away　from　Quenthel　and　hurling　him　across　the　floor。
　　　〃Show　some　respect！〃　the　draegloth　thundered。　〃You　address　High　Priestess　Quenthel　Baenre；　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith；　Mistress　of　the　Academy；　Mistress　of　Tier　Breche；　First　Sister　of　House　Baenre　of　Menzoberranzan　。　。　。　you　insolent　dog！〃
　　　Pharaun's　eyes　flashed　as　he　leaped　to　his　feet。　The　facade　of　good　humor　fell　from　his　face；　leaving　nothing　but　cold；　perfect　malice。
　　　〃Never　lay　a　hand　on　me　again；〃　he　said　in　a　deadly　hiss。
　　　His　hands　crooked　at　his　sides；　ready　to　shape　awful　spells　against　the　draegloth；　while　Jeggred　crouched　and　made　ready　to　spring。
　　　Quenthel　shifted　the　grip　on　her　scourge　and　paced　closer　as　the　serpent　heads　curled　and　darted；　striking　at　the　air　in　their　agitation。　Ryld　set　one　hand　on　Splitter's　hilt　and　watched　all　three；　his　face　an　expressionless　mask。
　　　〃This　is　madness；〃　Halisstra　said　as　she　backed　away；　pointing　her　crossbow　at　the　floor。　〃We　must　cooperate　if　we　want　to　get　out　of　here　alive。〃
　　　Quenthel　opened　her　mouth　to　speak；　perhaps　to　issue　the　order　that　would　send　Jeggred　charging　at　the　wizard　regardless　of　the　consequences；　but　at　that　moment　Valas　returned；　trotting　up　to　the　pany。　The　scout　came　to　a　halt；　taking　in　the　situation　with　a　glance。
　　　〃What　is　going　on　here？〃　he　asked　carefully。
　　　When　no　one　answered；　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　looked　at　each　of　the　pany　in　turn。
　　　〃I　cannot　believe　this。　Have　you　not　had　your　fill　of　fighting　in　the　last　forty　hours？　How　can　you　even　consider　spending　the　last　of　your　strength；　your　magic；　your　blood；　slaughtering　each　other；　when　we've　already　fought　our　way　across　half　of　the　damned　Labyrinth？〃
　　　〃We　are　in　no　mood　to　be　harangued　by　you；　mercenary；〃　said　Quenthel。　〃Be　silent。〃　She　glared　at　Pharaun；　and　thrust　her　whip　through　her　belt。　〃It　serves　no　purpose　to　fight　each　other　here。〃
　　　〃Agreed；〃　said　Pharaun…perhaps　the　tersest　statement　the　loquacious　mage　had　uttered　in　the　time　Halisstra　had　known　him。　From　some　unsuspected　well　of　discipline　the　wizard　mastered　his　anger　and　straightened；　relaxing　his　hands。　〃I　will　not　be　handled　like　a　mon　goblin；　though。　That　I　will　not　bear。〃
　　　〃And　I　will　not　be　taunted　and　baited　at　every　turn；〃　Quenthel　replied。　She　turned　to　Valas。　〃Master　Hune；　did　you　find　anything　in　the　palace？〃
　　　The　scout　glanced　nervously　at　Quenthel　and　Pharaun；　as　did　Halisstra　and　Danifae。
　　　〃In　fact；　I　did；〃　he　said。　〃In　the　main　hall　of　the　palace　there　is　a　large　portal　of　some　kind。　Unless　I　misread　the　signs；　a　large　number　of　people　passed　through　it。　I　suspect　House　Jaelre　lies　somewhere　on　the　other　side；　in　some　new　abode。〃
　　　〃Where　does　the　portal　lead？〃　Ryld　asked。
　　　Valas　shrugged　and　said；　〃I　have　no　idea；　but　there　is　certainly　one　way　to　find　out。〃
　　　〃Fine；〃　said　Quenthel。　〃We　will　put　your　portal　to　the　test　at　once；　before　the　minotaurs　and　their　demons　return。　In　a　few　minutes；　anywhere　will　be　better　than　here。〃
　　　She　let　one　long　glare　linger　on　Pharaun；　who　finally　had　the　good　sense　to　avert　his　eyes　in　what　would　have　to　suffice　for　a　bow。
　　　Halisstra　let　out　a　breath　she　didn't　realize　she'd　been　holding。
　　　
　　　〃Now　this　I　did　not　expect；〃　remarked　Pharaun。
　　　The　wizard　sighed　and　sat　down　on　a　rock；　allowing　his　pack　to　drop　to　the　moss…covered　ground。　The　pany　stood　in　the　mouth　of　a　low　cavern　looking　up　at　a　daylit　forest；　somewhere　on　the　surface。　The　Jaelre　portal　lay　a　few　hundred　yards　behind　them　in　a　damp；　winding　cavern　that　led　to　a　large；　steep…sided　sinkhole　with　lichen…covered　boulders　and　trickling　rills　of　cold　water　splashing　down　from　the　hillside　above。
　　　The　day　was　heavily　overcast…in　fact；　a　light　rain　was　falling…and　the　clouds；　coupled　with　the　gloom　of　the　forest；　helped　to　ameliorate　the　insufferable　brightness　of　the　sun。　It　was　not　so　harshly　brilliant　a　day　as　they　had　seen　in　the　cloudless　desert　of　Anauroch　a　tenday　past；　but　to　eyes　long　accustomed　to　the　utter　lightlessness　of　the　Underdark；　the　diffuse　sunlight　still　seemed　as　harsh　as　the　glare　of　a　lightning　stroke。
　　　〃Should　we　keep　moving？〃　Ryld　asked。　He'd　returned　Splitter　to　its　sheath；　angled　across　his　broad　back；　but　he　held　a　crossbow　at　the　ready　and　squinted　into　the　towering　green　trees。　〃It　won't　take　the　minotaurs　long　to　figure　out　where　we　went。〃
　　　〃It　doesn't　matter　if　they　do；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃The　portal　was　keyed　to　function　for　drow　alone。　It's　nothing　more　than　a　wall　of　blank　stone　to　our　friends　in　the　Labyrinth…a　sensible　precaution　on　the　part　of　the　Jaelre；　I　suppose；　though　had　I　been　in　their　shoes　I　believe　I　would　not　have　ruled　out　the　possibility　of　attackers　of　my　own　race。〃
　　　〃You're　certain　of　that？〃　Quenthel　asked。
　　　The　wizard　nodded　and　replied；　〃I　was　careful　to　examine　the　portal　before　we　stepped　through。　Leaping　blindly　through　portals　is　a　bad　habit；　and　should　be　reserved　only　for　the　gravest　of　situations；　such　as　escaping　imminent　death　in　the　d