war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第40章

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rd　thoughtfully。
　　　〃So；　Seyll；〃　he　said；　〃What　do　you　make　of　this？〃
　　　From　behind　a　hidden　screen　a　slender　form　in　a　skirt　and　jacket　of　embroidered　green　glided　forward。　She　was　a　full…blooded　elf；　thin　and　graceful…and　she　was　also　a　drow；　her　skin　black　as　ink；　the　irises　of　her　eyes　a　startling　red。　She　moved　close　to　Dessaer　and　gazed　after　the　departing　soldiers　with　their　hooded　captive。
　　　〃I　think　she's　telling　the　truth；〃　she　said。　〃At　least；　she's　not　a　Jaelre　or　an　Auzkovyn。〃
　　　〃What　shall　I　do　with　her？〃　the　lord　asked。　〃She　killed　Harvaldor；　and　she　damned　near　killed　Fandar　as　well。〃
　　　〃With　Eilistraee's　grace；　I　will　restore　Harvaldor　to　life　and　heal　Fandar；〃　the　drow　woman　said。　〃Besides；　is　it　not　the　case　that　Curnil's　patrol　attacked　her　and　her　panions　on　sight？　She　was　simply　defending　herself。〃
　　　Dessaer　raised　an　eyebrow　in　surprise　and　glanced　at　Seyll。
　　　〃You　intend　to　give　her　your　goddess's　message？〃
　　　〃It　is　my　sacred　duty；〃　Seyll　replied。　〃After　all；　until　it　was　given　to　me；　I　was　very　much　like　her。〃
　　　She　inclined　her　head　to　indicate　the　absent　prisoner。
　　　〃She's　a　proud　one　from　a　high　House；〃　Dessaer　said。　〃I　doubt　she'll　care　to　hear　Eilistraee's　words。〃　He　rested　a　hand　on　the　drow　priestess's　shoulder。　〃Be　careful；　Seyll。　She'll　say　or　do　anything　to　get　you　to　lower　your　guard；　and　if　you　do；　she'll　kill　you　if　you　stand　between　her　and　freedom。〃
　　　〃Be　that　as　it　may；　my　duty　is　clear；〃　Seyll　replied。
　　　〃I　will　delay　my　judgment　for　a　tenday；〃　the　Lord　of　Elventree　said；　〃but　if　she　refuses　to　hear　your　message　I　must　act　to　protect　my　people。〃
　　　〃I　know；〃　said　Seyll。　〃I　do　not　intend　to　fail。〃
　　　
　　　The　Houses　of　Menzoberranzan　mustered　for　battle。　From　a　dozen　castles　and　palaces；　caverns　and　strongholds；　slender　males　in　elegant　black　chain　mail　marched　in　proud　columns　or　pranced　along　in　the　high　saddles　of　riding　lizards；　pennons　flying　from　their　lances。　Under　normal　circumstances　each　House　might　have　sent　hundreds　more　slave　warriors；　a　rabble　of　kobolds；　orcs；　goblins；　and　ogres　to　drive　into　their　foes　before　valuable　drow　troops　were　mitted　to　battle；　but　armed　slaves　were　something　of　a　scarcity　after　the　alhoon's　uprising。　Thousands　of　lesser　humanoids　had　survived　the　revolt　and　its　failure；　as　well　as　the　dreadful　reprisals　that　ensued；　but　the　warriors　among　the　slave　races　had　naturally　suffered　the　greatest　losses。　Even　those　who'd　been　allowed　to　surrender　were　certainly　not　to　be　trusted　with　weapons　again。
　　　Nimor　sat　in　the　saddle　of　an　Agrach　Dyrr　war…lizard；　and　smiled　in　satisfaction　as　the　forces　of　House　Dyrr　marched　past　before　him。　The　panies　gathered　in　a　small；　somewhat　cramped　plaza　near　the　border　between　West　Wall　and　Narbondellyn；　ironically　enough　not　very　far　at　all　from　the　pound　of　House　Faen　Tlabbar。　Each　drow　swordsman　carried　a　light　kit　in　addition　to　his　arms　and　armor；　and　a　supply　train　of　sorts　was　taking　shape　as　each　pany　brought　its　own　pack　lizards　and　attendants。　Many　of　the　mon　folk　of　the　city　had　turned　out　to　watch　the　mustering　of　the　army；　as　it　was　easily　the　largest　assemblage　of　soldiers　the　matron　mothers　had　manded　since　the　ill…fated　assault　on　Mithral　Hall　years　before。
　　　〃I　surmise　that　the　Council　meeting　went　well；〃　said　Dyrr；　standing　at　Nimor's　stirrup。
　　　The　undead　sorcerer　did　not　appear　in　his　own　shape；　of　course；　nor　even　that　of　the　aged　male　he　affected　within　his　own　house。　His　current　guise　was　that　of　a　nondescript　Agrach　Dyrr　wizard；　young　and　hale；　draped　with　the　fine　vestments　of　his　House。
　　　〃Your　matron　mother　was　well　coached；〃　Nimor　replied。　He　kept　his　voice　low；　even　though　no　one　stood　close　enough　to　eavesdrop。　〃We've　got　half　the　soldiers　in　the　city　mustering　for　battle。〃
　　　〃Yasraena　has　proven　a　useful　front；〃　the　lich　observed。　〃I　have　known　a　dozen　or　more　Matron　Mother　Dyrrs；　and　from　time　to　time　I　find　that　my　female　relations　object　to　my　。　。　。　unique　position　within　the　House。　Yasraena　would　kill　me　if　she　could；　of　course；　but　she　knows　that　Agrach　Dyrr　would　of　necessity　be　destroyed　should　something　unfortunate　befall　me。　I　have　made　her　aware　of　certain　long…standing　arrangements　in　order　to　discourage　her　from　surprising　me。〃
　　　Nimor　chuckled　dryly　and　said；　〃I　suspect　that　you　are　rarely　surprised；　Lord　Dyrr。〃
　　　〃Success　follows　preparation　in　equal　measure；　young　Nimor。　Consider　that　your　lesson　for　the　day。〃　The　lich　affected　a　smile　across　his　illusory　features；　and　stepped　away　from　Nimor's　mount。　〃Good　luck　in　your　venture；　Captain。〃
　　　Nimor　wheeled　the　war…lizard　around　as　the　last　of　the　column　passed　by。
　　　He　turned　back　to　the　lich　and　said；　〃One　more　word。　Narbondel　was　illuminated　hours　late　a　tenday　ago；　but　every　day　××？？since　it　has　been　illuminated　on　time；　and　it　is　whispered　throughout　the　city　that　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　have　misplaced　their　archmage。〃
　　　Dyrr　smiled　and　spread　his　hands。
　　　〃As　Archmage　Baenre　may　be　unavailable　for　quite　some　time；〃　the　lich　said；　〃it　would　please　me　to　find　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　determine　on　their　own　who　among　them　should　take　Gromph's　seat。〃
　　　〃Won't　Matron　Mother　Baenre　and　the　Council　have　something　to　say　about　that？〃
　　　〃Not　if　the　assembled　masters　realize　the　power　they　truly　hold　now；〃　Dyrr　said。　〃I　am　not　a　member　of　the　Academy；　of　course；　but　a　couple　of　young　pups　of　my　House　are；　and　they　keep　me　well…informed。　The　masters　debate　whether　this　is　the　time　to　break　with　tradition　and　name　their　own　archmage；　but　half　of　them　scheme　to　eliminate　any　fellow　clever　and　bold　enough　to　take　the　job；　while　the　other　half　contemplate　whether　they　might　return　to　their　own　Houses　and　rule　there。　Breaking　from　the　Council　in　such　a　way　would　mean　civil　war；　and　those　few　masters　who　don't　realize　the　civil　war　is　raging　already　are　arguing　to　adhere　to　the　status　quo　in　fear　of　Lolth's　return。　Regardless；　Sorcere　is　well　and　truly　paralyzed　by　Gromph's　absence。〃
　　　The　lich　turned；　leaning　heavily　on　his　tall　staff；　and　ambled　off　with　a　dry；　crackling　laugh。
　　　Nimor　raised　an　eyebrow　and　watched　the　lich　depart；　considering　his　ally's　words；　then　he　trotted　off　after　the　column。
　　　〃Lieutenant　Jazzt！〃　he　called。
　　　From　alongside　the　marching　column　of　House　Agrach　Dyrr's　warriors；　a　small；　scarred　male　detached　himself　and　came　trotting　to　Nimor's　side。　The　soldiers　marching　in　the　expedition　knew　very　well　that　〃Captain　Zhayemd〃　was　no　scion　of　their　House；　but　it　had　been　explained　to　them　that　the　detachment's　mander　enjoyed　Matron　Mother　Yasraena's　plete　confidence　and　had；　in　fact；　been　adopted　into　the　leadership　of　their　ancient　clan…a　mon　enough　practice　among　the　high　Houses　of　the　city。　Nimor　didn't　doubt　that　Jazzt　Dyrr；　second　cousin　to　the　matron　mother　herself；　had　received　some　additional　and　specific　orders　concerning　the　circumstances　under　which　he　was　to　ignore　Nimor's　mands；　but　as　Nimor　intended　to　scrupulously　honor　his　bargain　with　Agrach　Dyrr；　he　was　reasonably　certain　that　the　Dyrr　officer　would　offer　no　trouble。
　　　〃Yes；　Captain？〃　Jazzt　said。
　　　He　was　careful　not　to　show　any　expression　at　all；　simply　regarding　Nimor　with　the　bland　curiosity　of　a　seasoned　veteran。
　　　〃Form　up　the　pany　there；　beside　the　Baenre　contingent。　Tell　the　men　to　make　ready　for　a　long　march。　I　hope　to　set　out　within　the　hour。〃
　　　〃Yes；　Captain；〃　Jazzt　replied。
　　　The　lieutenant　stepped　back　and　saluted　sharply；　then　turned　and　began　to　bark　orders　to　the　Agrach　Dyrr　soldiers。　Nimor　turned　his　mount　aside　and　trotted　across　the　plaza　to　a　small　tent　bustling　with　activity。　There；　the　highborn　officers　and　manders　of　each　of　the　various　House　contingents　had　gathered；　most　with　some　number　of　sergeants　and　messengers　in　train。　Several　arguments　on　all　manner　of　different　topics…the　order　of　march；　the　best　place　to　halt　at　the　end　of　the　day；　the　fastest　route　to　the　Pillars　of　Woe…proceeded　at　the　same　time。
　　　He　dismounted；　handed　the　reins　of　his　war…lizard　to　a　nearby　slave；　and　strode　into　the　midst　of　the　confusion；　pushing　through　to　the　partitioned　area。　He　had　to　flash　his　insignia　of　House　and　rank　to　gain　admittance。　Inside；　a　knot　of　captains　and　officers　from　various　Houses　stood　engaged　in　several　different　conversations　at　the　same　time。　The　occasion　of　raising　an　army　and　marching　to　war　seemed　to　displace　the　normal　rivalries　and　vendettas；　at　least　for　a　time。　Instead　of　dueling　each　other　in　the　streets；　the　rakish　fellows　sought　to　outshine　each　other　with　deeds　of　valor　and　ruthlessness　on　the　battlefield。
　　　Nimor　surveyed　the　manders；　noting　the　insignias　of　six　out　of　eight　great　Houses；　and　another　half　dozen　of　the　largest　and　strongest　minor　Houses。　His　eye　fell　on　a　male　wearing　the　insignia　of　House　Baenre；　as　the　fellow　held　up　his　hands　and　raised　his　voice　to　capture　the　attention　of　the　other　officers。
　　　〃Go　back　to　your　panies　and　look　to　your　supply　trains；〃　Andzrel　Baenre；　Weapons　Master　of　House　Baenre；　said。　〃I　want　a　list　from　each　of　you　of　the　number　of　pack　beasts　and　wagons　in　your　train；　and　a　general　inventory　of　your　stores。　Return　within　the　hour。　Our　female　relations　will　doubtless　debate　many　issues　of　high　strategy；　but　it　will　fall　to　us　to　work　out　the　details　of　supply　trains　and　battle　signals；　and　we　still　have　much　to　discuss。〃
　　　Andzrel　was　a　tall；　slender　fellow　who　wore　armor　of　blacked　mithral　plate　and　a　dark　cloak。　His　tabard　proudly　displayed　the　emblem　of　House　Baenre；　and　his　eyes　held　iron　discipline；　an　expression　of　directness　and　purpose　that　was　unusual　in　a　drow　of　high　birth；　whether　male　or　female。
　　　The　manders　broke　up　and　strode　from　the　tent；　heading　back　to　their　detachments。　Nimor　allowed　them　to　pass　by。　As　he　moved　up　to　speak　with　the　Baenre　weapons　master；　the　assassin　muttered　a　spell。
　　　〃Master　Baenre；〃　Nimor　asked；　covering　the　last　syllables　of　the　enchantment。
　　　〃Yes；〃　the　weapons　master　said；　blinking　at　Nimor。　〃I　。　。　。　uh　。　。　。〃
　　　Nimor　smiled；　seeing　the　effect　the　enchantment　had　on　the　drow；　and　knowing　that　for　quite　some　time；　Andzrel　Baenre　and　he　would　be　very　close　friends。
　　　〃You　are　familiar　to　me；　but　I　do　not　believe　I　know　you；〃　said　Andzrel。　〃You　wear　the　arms　of　Agrach　Dyrr。〃
　　　〃I　am　Zhayemd　Dyrr；　and　I　mand　my　House's　pany；〃　Nimor　replied。　〃Do　you　have　any　idea　when　the　priestesses　will　deign　to　join　us；　or　at　least　allow　us　to　start　on　our　way？〃
　　　〃I　believe　the　matron　mothers　are　still　deciding　which　of　them　will　lead　the　expedition；〃　Andzrel　replied；　seemingly　recovered。　〃None　of　them　trusts　any　of　the　others　enough　to　voluntarily　leave　the　city　now；　but　they　all　think　it's　clear　that　someone　had　better　be　put　in　charge　of　the　males。〃
　　　Nimor　laughed　at　that。
　　　〃You　have　a　talent　for　plain　speaking；　sir。〃　Nimor　glanced　around　at　the　other　captains　and　officers　in　the　pavilion　and　added；　〃I　assume　you've　tallied　which　Houses　are　here；　and　how　many　troops…and　of　what　type…each　has　brought？　The　priestesses　will　want　to　know　that；　and　it　will　be　helpful　for　us　all　to　have　an　idea　of　who's　marching　next　t