war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第36章

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　　　〃The　Council　expects　your　report；　Captain；〃　he　said。
　　　Nimor　followed　the　official　into　the　council　chamber　itself；　bowing　to　the　high　seats　of　the　eight　matron　mothers。　Each　was　attended　by　one　or　two　of　her　daughters；　nieces；　or　favorites。　A　grand　archway　to　one　side　of　the　chamber　led　off　to　a　set　of　smaller　shrines　and　halls　adjacent　to　the　council；　to　which　the　matrons'　attendants　and　secretaries　could　be　dismissed　should　the　matron　mothers　decide　to　discuss　their　business　in　private。
　　　〃Matron　Mothers；　Captain　Zhayemd　of　House　Agrach　Dyrr；〃　the　chamberlain　announced。
　　　Nimor　bowed　again；　and　held　the　pose　as　he　surreptitiously　studied　the　matron　mothers。
　　　Triel　Baenre　sat　at　the　head　of　the　Council；　of　course。　Petite　and　pretty；　she　seemed　too　young　for　the　place　of　honor；　though　she　was　of　course　hundreds　of　years　in　age。　Mez'Barris　Armgo　of　House　Del'Armgo　sat　next　to　her；　then　came　the　place　where　the　Matron　Mother　of　House　Faen　Tlabbar　formerly　sat。　Nimor　studiously　did　not　smile；　but　he　allowed　his　gaze　to　linger　a　moment　on　a　young　female　who　occupied　Ghenni's　place…Vadalma；　the　fifth　daughter　of　the　House。　Either　the　first　four　destroyed　each　other　squabbling　for　their　mother's　place；　he　reflected；　or　young　Vadalma　was　much　more　acplished　than　she　looked。
　　　Opposite　the　new　Faen　Tlabbar　matron　sat　Yasraena　Dyrr；　graceful　and　lissome；　well　at　ease　in　the　chair　she　had　occupied　since　Auro'pol's　demise。
　　　〃Ah；　I　see　my　captain　has　arrived；〃　Yasraena　said　to　her　peers。　〃Wele；　Zhayemd。　You　have　endured　much　today；　but　I　am　afraid　I　must　subject　you　to　one　more　ordeal　before　you　can　be　allowed　your　well…deserved　rest。　Tell　the　Council　the　tidings　you　brought　me　earlier。〃
　　　〃As　you　wish；　Honored　Matron；〃　Nimor　said。　He　glanced　around　at　the　highborn　females　and　affected　a　trace　of　nervousness。　〃Matron　Mothers；　I　have　e　from　the　garrison　at　Rhazzt's　Dilemma。　We　have　e　under　attack　from　a　great　force　of　duergar　and　their　allies；　including　derro；　durzagons；　giants；　and　many　slave　troops。　We　do　not　expect　to　delay　them　for　more　time　than　it　takes　the　duergar　to　bring　their　siege　engines　into　play。〃
　　　〃I　know　that　place；〃　Mez'Barris　Armgo　said。　〃It　lies　three　or　four　days'　travel　south　of　the　city。　Is　your　news　that　old？　Why　did　your　spellcasters　not　warn　us　through　magic　instead　of　sending　you　to　report　in　person？〃
　　　〃Our　wizard　was　slain　in　the　first　assault；　Matron　Del'Armgo。　He　had　the　misfortune　to　be　leading　a　patrol　outside　our　defenses　and　apparently　fell　victim　to　the　approaching　duergar。　When　Mistress　Nafyrra　Dyrr…the　mander　of　our　detachment…realized　we　had　no　means　to　signal　a　warning；　she　dispatched　me　at　once　to　carry　a　message　back　to　Menzoberranzan。　This　all　occurred　earlier　this　morning。〃
　　　〃You　have　only　answered　one　of　the　questions　I　posed；　Captain；〃　the　Matron　Mother　of　House　Barrison　Del'Armgo　observed。　〃Rhazzt's　Dilemma　came　under　attack　this　morning；　but　the　outpost　lies　more　than　thirty　miles　south　of　here；　a　journey　of　several　days。〃
　　　Nimor　affected　a　trace　of　hesitation；　and　glanced　deliberately　at　Yasraena　Dyrr　as　if　seeking　guidance。　The　Matron　Mother　of　House　Agrach　Dyrr　simply　inclined　her　head　in　assent。
　　　〃I　made　use　of　a　somewhat　unreliable　portal　to　shorten　my　journey　from　several　days　to　a　few　hours；　Matron　Del'Armgo；〃　he　said。　〃It　lies　a　mile　or　two　from　the　outpost　and　is　somewhat　difficult　to　use；　as　it　functions　only　intermittently。　The　other　side　lies　in　a　disused　cavern　in　the　Dark　Dominion。　My　House　has　known　of　it　for　some　time；　though　we　did　not　trust　the　portal's　magic　enough　to　employ　it　except　in　a　dire　emergency。〃
　　　〃I　have　no　doubt　that　Barrison　Del'Armgo　knows　of　similar　portals　in　and　around　the　city；〃　Yasraena　Dyrr　observed。　〃Forgive　us　if　we　neglected　to　mention　the　existence　of　this　one　until　today。〃
　　　〃The　portal　is　irrelevant；〃　Triel　Baenre　said；　making　a　dismissive　gesture　of　her　hand。　〃The　captain　is　here　to　make　his　report；　and　that　is　sufficient。　Tell　me　what　you　observed　of　this　duergar　army。〃
　　　〃I　would　guess　it　to　number　somewhere　around　three　to　four　thousand　gray　dwarves；　plus　a　number　of　slave　soldiers…mostly　orcs　and　ogres。　We　noted　the　banners　of　eight　panies　in　the　attack；　and　many　more　held　back　in　reserve。　There　could　be　more；　of　course；　or　the　duergar　may　have　deliberately　attempted　to　deceive　us　by　carrying　false　banners　into　battle。〃
　　　〃A　raid；〃　muttered　Prid'eesoth　Tuin　of　House　Tuin'Tarl。　〃Your　outpost　is　simply　being　tested；　Captain。〃
　　　Nimor　shifted　his　feet　and　did　his　best　to　look　determined；　serious；　and　dutifully　subservient。
　　　〃Mistress　Nafyrra　does　not　believe　so；　Matron　Tuin；〃　Nimor　said。　〃We　have　fought　off　duergar　raids　on　numerous　occasions；　but　nothing　like　the　onslaught　we　encountered　this　morning。　If　we　are　not　besieged　by　the　whole　army　of　Gracklstugh；　it's　certainly　close　enough。〃
　　　〃How　strong　is　your　garrison？〃　Yasraena　Dyrr　asked。
　　　〃Our　garrison　numbers　almost　eighty　warriors；　and　we　have　an　excellent　defensive　position；　Honored　Matron。　We　can　hold　out　for　several　days；　but　the　outpost　will　fall　when　the　duergar　bring　up　their　siege　engines；　or　employ　the　right　sort　of　magic。〃
　　　〃It　should　not　surprise　me　to　learn　that　this　duergar　onslaught　is　little　more　than　a　particularly　large　and　aggressive　raid；〃　Vadalma　of　Faen　Tlabbar　said。　〃I　am　sure　Matron　Dyrr　has　reported　what　her　males　believe　to　be　the　case；　but　perhaps　the　matter　should　be　investigated　before　we　react　in　blind　panic。　A　simple　confirmation　of　the　report；　at　the　least。　After　we　have　properly　assessed　the　scope　of　the　threat；　the　Council　can　deliberate　over　the　best　means　to　address　it。〃
　　　〃Under　most　circumstances；　our　young　sister　would　be　wise　to　suggest　a　more　thorough　assessment　of　the　situation；〃　said　Yasraena。　She　had　been　well　coached。　Nimor　lowered　his　gaze　to　keep　his　smile　from　showing。　〃However；　my　officers　tell　me　that；　if　we　wish　to　meet　the　duergar　army　outside　the　city；　the　place　to　do　it　is　at　the　Pillars　of　Woe；　between　here　and　Rhazzt's　Dilemma。　A　strong　army　dispatched　quickly　can　hold　the　pillars　against　any　conceivable　assault；　but　if　we　delay　too　long；　the　duergar　will　reach　it　before　we　do。　We　would　throw　away　a　very　significant　advantage　of　position。　We　should；　of　course；　seek　confirmation　of　the　report　with　all　due　haste；　but　while　we're　investigating；　our　soldiers　should　be　marching。〃
　　　〃Shouldn't　we　simply　stand　on　the　defensive　here；　in　the　city　cavern？〃　asked　Mez'Barris　Armgo。　〃We　can　fortify　the　approaches　easily　enough；　and　the　duergar　army　would　have　a　difficult　time　surrounding　the　city　in　its　entirety　while　the　threat　of　our　own　intact　army　remains　within。〃
　　　〃If　we　allow　the　gray　dwarves　to　infest　the　city；〃　one　of　the　other　matron　mothers　said；　〃we　shall　surely　see　illithid；　aboleth；　and　humanoid　armies　at　our　doorstep　in　no　time　at　all。　We　have　many　enemies。　Look　at　what　happened　to　Ched　Nasad。〃
　　　The　eight　high　priestesses　exchanged　somber　looks。
　　　〃Clearly；　the　Council　must　reach　some　decisions　quickly；〃　Triel　Baenre　said；　breaking　her　thoughtful　silence。　〃We　don't　have　much　time　if　we　wish　to　meet　the　duergar　outside　the　city；　so　I　will　order　half　of　Baenre's　troops　to　make　ready　to　march。　I　advise　the　rest　of　you　to　do　the　same。　If　we　decide　to　stand　on　the　defensive　in　the　city　cavern；　we　can　have　our　soldiers　stand　down；　but　if　we　decide　to　march；　we　will　want　to　be　able　to　inarch　soon。〃
　　　〃I　favor　a　vigorous　and　aggressive　defense　of　the　city；〃　said　Yasraena　Dyrr。　〃Hard　exertion　now　may　serve　to　deter　further　attacks　later。　I　will　order　half　the　strength　of　House　Dyrr　to　make　ready　at　once。〃　She　studied　the　other　matrons　carefully　and　added；　〃Provided；　of　course；　that　some　other　Houses　agree　to　shoulder　a　share　of　the　risk　and　assist　us。　Either　we　all　make　the　same　mitment；　or　none。〃
　　　〃House　Baenre　guarantees　Agrach　Dyrr　until　the　return　of　the　expedition；〃　Triel　said　briskly。
　　　Nimor　nodded　to　himself。　He'd　expected　that　the　leader　of　Menzoberranzan's　strongest　House　would　choose　to　lead　by　example　in　this　instance。　Among　other　things；　it　deflected　any　predatory　designs　of　the　other　Houses　into　an　external　activity；　where　the　Baenre　could　be　seen　to　be　taking　strong　and　decisive　action　to　secure　the　city。　Triel　was　badly　in　need　of　such　measures。
　　　She　looked　up　at　the　various　guards；　advisors；　and　guests　in　the　council　chamber　and　said；　〃The　matron　mothers　must　discuss　how　best　to　meet　this　treacherous　attack　in　private。　Leave　us。〃
　　　〃Captain　Zhayemd；〃　Yasraena　Dyrr　said；　〃I　would　like　it　if　you　took　mand　of　the　Agrach　Dyrr　contingent　and　began　your　preparations　at　once。　I　know　you　have　fought　your　way　through　great　peril　already　today；　but　you　have　intimate　knowledge　of　the　field　of　battle；　and　I　have　the　utmost　confidence　in　you。〃
　　　〃I　will　serve　to　the　best　of　my　abilities；〃　Nimor　said。　〃With　the　goddess's　aid；　I　will　scour　our　city's　foes　from　our　territory。〃
　　　He　offered　another　deep　bow　to　the　matron　mothers；　and　quietly　withdrew。
　　　
　　　The　forest　sounds　abruptly　returned；　signaling　the　end　of　the　spell　of　silence。　Wind　sighed　in　the　treetops；　a　small　brook　ran　somewhere　nearby；　and　tiny　rustles　and　scuttling　sounds　whispered　in　the　darkness　as　the　small　creatures　of　the　woods…or　larger　ones　who　knew　how　to　be　stealthy…moved　about　nearby。　Halisstra　listened　for　a　long　time；　hoping　to　hear　some　sort　of　positive　evidence　that　the　surface　dwellers　had　gone　or　that　her　rades　battled　on　somewhere　nearby；　but　no　ringing　swords　or　thunderous　spells　split　the　night。　She　heard　nothing　as　convenient　as　an　enemy　conversation　to　help　her　decide　if　her　foes　had　left；　or　were　instead　crouched　silently　outside　the　darkness；　waiting　for　her　to　emerge。　Halisstra　could　be　quite　patient　when　it　suited　her；　and　she　was　not　unused　to　hardship　and　danger；　but　the　sheer　nervous　tension　of　stretching　out　to　identify　and　categorize　every　tiny　sound　that　came　to　her　ears　soon　left　beads　of　sweat　trickling　down　her　face。
　　　If　Quenthel　and　the　others　were　nearby；　I　would　hear　it；　she　decided。　The　fight　must　have　carried　them　far　ahead　by　now。
　　　Her　heart　pounded　at　the　thought　of　being　lost　in　the　endless　woods　alone；　a　reviled　enemy　to　any　creature　who　walked　the　surface　world。
　　　Better　to　die　trying　to　rejoin　the　others；　Halisstra　decided。　At　least　I　know　where　they're　going；　if　I　can　manage　to　keep　my　course。
　　　First；　she　needed　to　escape　from　the　darkness　that　sheltered　her。　She　did　not　choose　to　dismiss　the　magical　gloom；　deciding　to　leave　it　to　continue　until　it　failed　in　an　hour　or　two。　There　was　a　small　chance　that　her　enemies　might　be　waiting　quietly　outside　for　the　darkness　to　fail　before　moving　in。　Halisstra　groped　in　her　belt　pouch　and　withdrew　a　slender　ivory　wand。　She　felt　very　carefully　to　determine　if　it　was　the　wand　she　needed；　and　when　she　was　convinced　that　she　had　the　right　one；　she　tapped　it　against　her　chest　and　whispered　a　word。
　　　Though　there　was　no　way　for　her　to　verify　it；　sitting　on　the　forest　floor　in　the　magical　darkness；　the　wand's　magic　had　made　her　invisible。　She　stood　as　quietly　as　she　could；　cringing　at　every　soft　rustle　or