war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第5章

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　　　〃That's　better；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　Danifae　tore　another　small　strip　and　bound　it　around　her　own　eyes　as　her　mistress　examined　the　ruins。　It　seemed　to　Halisstra　that　the　palace　they'd　taken　shelter　in　was　one　of　the　more　prominent　buildings；　which　only　made　sense。　Magical　portals　were　not　easy　to　make；　and　were　often　found　in　well…hidden　or　vigilantly　guarded　locations。　A　colonnade　stood　along　the　front　of　the　palace；　and　across　the　boulevard　was　another　great　building…a　temple；　or　perhaps　a　court　of　some　kind。　There　was　something　familiar　about　the　architecture　of　the　buildings。
　　　〃Netherese；〃　she　said。　〃See　the　square　column　bases；　and　the　pointed　arches　in　the　windows？〃
　　　〃I　thought　Netherese　cities　floated　in　the　air；　and　were　pletely　destroyed　by　some　magical　cataclysm；〃　Danifae　replied。　〃How　could　anything　like　this　still　stand？〃
　　　〃It　could　have　been　one　of　the　successor　states；〃　Halisstra　said；　〃built　after　the　great　mythallars　of　the　old　Netherese　cities　failed。　They　would　share　many　of　the　same　architectural　features；　but　would　have　been　more　mundane；　less　magical。〃
　　　〃There's　writing　up　there；〃　Danifae　said；　pointing　at　the　facade　of　a　crumbled　building。　〃There　。　。　。　above　the　columns。〃
　　　Halisstra　followed　Danifae's　gesture。　〃Yes；〃　she　said。　〃That's　Netherese。〃
　　　〃You　can　read　it？〃　Danifae　asked。
　　　〃I　have　studied　several　languages…the　mon　tongue　of　the　surface；　High　Netherese；　Illuskan；　even　some　of　the　speech　of　dragons；〃　Halisstra　replied。　〃Our　libraries　contain　fascinating　histories　and　potent　lore　recorded　in　languages　other　than　drow。　I　developed　the　habit　of　studying　such　things　over　a　century　ago；　when　I　believed　I　might　find　some　forgotten　spell　or　secret　that　might　prove　useful　against　my　rivals。　As　it　turned　out；　I　found　little　of　that　sort　of　thing；　but　I　did　find　that　I　enjoyed　learning　for　its　own　sake。〃
　　　〃What　does　it　say；　then？〃
　　　〃I'm　not　sure　of　some　of　the　words；　but　I　think　it　reads；　'High　Hall　of　Justice；　Hlaungadath…In　Truth's　Light　No　Lies　Abide。'　〃
　　　〃What　a　simpleminded　sentiment。〃
　　　Halisstra　indicated　the　ruins　around　them　and　said；　〃You　can　see　how　far　it　got　them。　I　know　that　name；　though；　Hlaungadath。　I　have　seen　maps　of　the　surface　world。　Valas's　estimate　of　our　location　was　accurate。〃
　　　〃Even　a　male　can　do　something　right　from　time　to　time；〃　Danifae　said。
　　　Halisstra　smiled　and　turned　away　to　scan　the　ruins　for　any　other　sites　of　interest。
　　　Something　tawny　and　quick　ducked　swiftly　out　of　sight。　Halisstra　froze　on　the　instant；　staring　hard　at　the　spot　where　she'd　seen　it；　a　gap　in　a　masonry　wall　a　short　distance　away。　Nothing　moved　there；　but　from　another　direction　came　the　sound　of　rubble　shifting。　Without　looking　away；　she　touched　Danifae's　arm。
　　　We're　not　alone　here；　she　signed。　Back　to　the　others…quickly。
　　　Together；　they　backed　away　from　the　court　of　justice　and　out　into　the　street　again。　As　they　turned　to　retrace　their　steps；　something　long　and　low；　covered　with　sand…colored　scales；　slid　out　into　the　boulevard。　Its　stubby　wings　clearly　could　never　support　it　in　flight；　but　its　powerful　talons　and　gaping　jaws　were　much　more　developed。　The　dragon　paused　and　raised　up　its　head　for　a　better　look　at　the　two　drow　on　the　street　before　it；　and　it　hissed　in　delight。　It　was　easily　fifty　feet　from　nose　to　tail；　a　hulking；　powerful　creature　whose　eyes　gleamed　with　cunning　and　malice。
　　　〃Lolth　protect　us！〃　Danifae　gasped。
　　　The　two　women　backed　away　in　a　new　direction；　at　a　right　angle　to　the　palace　where　their　panions　waited。　The　dragon　followed　leisurely；　sinuously　winding　from　side　to　side　as　it　paced　after　them。
　　　〃It's　herding　us　away　from　the　others；〃　Halisstra　snarled。
　　　She　sensed　hard　stone　behind　her；　and　risked　a　quick　glance　backward。　They　were　pinned　against　a　building；　sliding　alongside　it　as　they　tried　to　keep　their　distance　from　the　monster。　A　dark　alleyway　gaped　just　a　few　feet　away。　Halisstra　hesitated　for　a　heartbeat；　then　grasped　Danifae　by　the　wrist　and　darted　into　the　narrow　opening　at　the　best　speed　she　could　manage。
　　　Something　waited　for　them　in　the　shadows　of　the　alley。　Before　Halisstra　could　skid　to　a　stop；　a　tall　golden　creature　reared　up　before　her；　half　lion；　half　woman；　beautiful　and　graceful。　With　a　cold；　cruel　smile；　the　lion…woman　reached　out　her　hand　and　caressed　Halisstra's　cheek。　Her　touch　was　cool；　soothing；　and　in　an　instant　Halisstra　felt　her　fear；　her　determination；　her　very　willpower　drain　softly　away。　Vaguely　she　reached　up　to　push　the　creature's　hand　away　from　her　face。
　　　〃Don't　be　afraid；〃　the　creature　said　in　a　lovely　voice。　〃Lie　down　and　rest　here　a　while。　You　are　among　friends；　and　no　harm　will　e　to　you。〃
　　　Halisstra　stood　paralyzed；　recognizing　that　the　creature's　words　made　no　sense；　but　empty　of　the　willpower　she　needed　to　resist。　Danifae　whirled　her　away　by　her　arm　and　slapped　her　hard　across　the　face。
　　　〃It's　a　lamia！〃　she　snapped。　〃It　seeks　to　beguile　you！〃
　　　The　lamia　snarled　in　anger；　its　beautiful　features　suddenly　hard　and　cruel。
　　　〃Do　not　resist；〃　it　said；　its　voice　harsher。
　　　Halisstra　could　feel　the　creature's　spell　drawing　over　her；　sapping　at　her　resolve；　seeking　to　subjugate　her　will　to　its　own。　She　knew　that　if　she　gave　in　she　would　go　willingly　to　her　death；　even　lie　down　helplessly　while　the　lamia　devoured　her　if　it　asked　her　to；　but　the　sting　of　Danifae's　slap　had　reawakened　the　wellsprings　of　her　will；　just　enough　to　fight　through　the　lamia's　sweet　words。
　　　〃We　are　drow；〃　Halisstra　managed　to　gasp。　〃Our　wills　may　not　be　broken　by　such　as　you。〃
　　　The　lamia　bared　its　teeth　in　fierce　anger　and　drew　a　bronze　dagger　from　its　hip；　but　Halisstra　and　Danifae　backed　out　of　the　shadowed　alley　into　the　sun。
　　　The　dragon's　gone；　signed　Danifae。
　　　Halisstra　shook　her　head　and　replied；　An　illusion。　We　were　deceived。
　　　Something　was　still　hovering　in　the　center　of　the　street；　a　faint　flickering　phantasm　that　might　have　been　about　the　size　of　the　thing　they　had　seen　before；　and　they　could　hear　as　if　from　very　far　away　its　hissing　protests。
　　　〃Illusion；〃　Danifae　spat　in　disgust。
　　　The　dragon…wisp　gnawed　at　the　corners　of　their　minds；　joined　by　other；　more　insistent　murmuring　and　shadows。　Buildings　seemed　to　shimmer　and　vanish；　replaced　by　ruins　of　different　appearance。　Dark　and　horrible　things　slithered　through　the　rubble；　closing　off　retreat。　Ghostly　drow　dressed　in　resplendent　robes　appeared；　smiling　and　happy；　calling　for　them　to　join　them　in　their　blissful　revels　if　only　they　would　surrender　first。
　　　The　lamia　padded　softly　out　into　the　street　after　them；　holding　its　dagger　behind　its　back。
　　　〃You　may　resist　our　enticements　for　a　time；〃　she　purred；　〃but　eventually　we　will　wear　you　down。〃　She　reached　out　with　her　hand　again。　〃Won't　you　let　me　smooth　away　your　cares？　Won't　you　let　me　touch　you　again？　It　would　be　so　much　easier。〃
　　　A　swift；　graceful　movement　caught　Halisstra's　eye；　and　she　glanced　quickly　to　her　left。　Another　lamia；　this　one　male；　had　leaped　to　a　wall　top　overshadowing　their　retreat。　He　was　bronzed　and　handsome；　lithe　and　tawny；　and　he　smiled　cruelly　down　on　them。
　　　〃Your　journey　must　have　been　long　and　tiresome；〃　he　said　in　voice　of　gold。　〃Won't　you　tell　me　of　your　travels？　I　want　to　hear　all　about　them。〃
　　　From　the　dark　doorway　of　the　court　of　justice；　a　third　lamia　emerged。
　　　〃Yes；　indeed；　tell　us；　tell　us；〃　the　monster　crooned。　〃What　finer　way　to　pass　the　day；　eh？　Rest；　rest；　and　let　us　care　for　you。〃
　　　It　leaned　against　a　great　spear　and　smiled　beatifically　at　them。
　　　Halisstra　and　Danifae　exchanged　a　single　glance；　and　fled　for　their　lives。
　　　
　　　Gromph　Baenre；　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan；　was　dissatisfied。　Though　the　slave　revolt　had　been　quelled　without　too　much　trouble；　it　disturbed　him　greatly　that　so　many　drow　males　had　made　mon　cause　against　the　matron　mothers。　Not　only　that；　they　had　made　mon　cause　with　slave　races　to　turn　against　the　city。　It　bespoke　desperate　fear　long　suppressed；　and　something　else　beside…it　suggested　an　unseen　enemy　who　found　a　way　to　give　that　fear　a　voice　and　a　mission。　Drow　simply　did　not　cooperate　so　easily　with　each　other　that　a　coordinated　rebellion　could　take　shape　secretly　and　spring　full…grown　to　life。
　　　The　watchful　lull　that　blanketed　the　city　in　the　aftermath　of　the　crushing　of　the　revolt　and　the　illithilich's　demise　struck　Gromph　as　something　malevolent　and　deceitful。
　　　He　stood　up　from　his　writing　desk　and　paced　across　his　chamber；　thinking。　Kyorli；　the　rat　that　served　as　his　familiar；　eyed　him　with　cool　disinterest　as　it　munched　on　a　slice　of　rothe　cheese。
　　　The　sight　of　the　rat　somehow　reminded　the　archmage　that　he　hadn't　heard　from　Pharaun　in　a　while。　The　arrogant　popinjay　had　reported　that　Ched　Nasad　was　in　a　state　of　chaos。　Perhaps　it　was　time　to　check　in　on　him。
　　　Gromph　stepped　through　an　archway　into　an　open　shaft　and　levitated　up　to　the　room　that　served　as　his　scrying　chamber。　Of　necessity　it　was　somewhat　less　well　warded　than　other　portions　of　his　demesnes；　since　he　required　a　certain　amount　of　magical　transparency　in　order　to　cast　his　mind　out　into　the　wide　world　around　his　palace。　He　reached　the　chamber　and　sat　cross…legged　in　front　of　a　low　table　on　which　rested　a　great　crystal　orb。
　　　With　a　pass　of　his　aged　hands；　he　muttered　the　device's　activating　words　and　manded；　〃Show　me　Pharaun　Mizzrym；　the　impudent　whelp　who　thinks　he　can　replace　me　someday。〃
　　　The　last　was　not　strictly　necessary；　but　Gromph　found　it　helpful　to　give　voice　to　his　frustrations　before　attempting　to　scry。
　　　The　orb　grew　gray　and　milky；　swirling　with　fog；　then　it　exploded　with　unheralded　radiance。　Gromph　swore　and　averted　his　eyes。　For　a　moment　he　believed　that　Pharaun　had　devised　some　new　spell　to　discourage　enemies　from　spying　on　him；　but　the　Archmage　soon　recognized　the　peculiar　quality　of　the　brilliance。
　　　Daylight。
　　　Wondering　what　the　Master　of　Sorcere　could　possibly　be　doing　on　the　surface；　Gromph　shaded　his　eyes　and　peered　again；　looking　closer。　He　saw　Pharaun；　sitting　in　the　shadow　of　a　crumbling　wall　as　he　studied　his　spellbooks。　None　of　the　other　dark　elves　who　had　acpanied　the　wizard　were　in　sight；　though　Gromph　could　see　a　nearby　archway　leading　out　into　a　hatefully　brilliant　courtyard　beyond。
　　　The　tiny　image　of　Pharaun　looked　up　and　frowned。　The　wizard　had　sensed　Gromph's　spying；　as　any　skilled　wielder　of　magic　was　likely　to　do。　Pharaun　made　a　few　silent　passes　with　his　hands；　and　the　picture　faded。　Pharaun　had　cast　a　spell　to　block　the　scrying；　though　chances　were　good　he　had　no　idea　who　might　be　watching　him。
　　　〃So　you　think　you　will　elude　me　so　easily？〃　Gromph　said；　staring　at　the　grayness。
　　　He　steepled　his　fingers　before　him　and　cast　a　spell　of　his　own；　a　mental　sending　to　dispatch　a　message　straight　to　the　errant　wizard。
　　　Where　are　you？　What　transpired　in　Ched　Nasad？　What　do　you　intend　to　do　next？
　　　He　posed　himself　to　receive　Pharaun's　reply…the　spell　of　sending　conveyed　the　recipient's　response　within　a　few　minutes。　The　moments　crept　by；　as　Gromph　gazed　out　the　high；　narrow　windows　of　his　scryi