war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第51章

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　　　Ryld　cut　down　another　of　the　barbed　devils；　while　Danifae　splattered　the　brains　of　a　second　across　the　chamber　wall　with　a　two…handed　blow　of　her　morningstar。　In　the　space　of　a　few　moments；　the　dark　elves　cleared　the　room　of　devils。　Jezz　produced　another　scroll　and　quickly　read　off　a　spell；　sealing　the　doorway　behind　Quenthel　and　Valas　with　a　crackling　sheet　of　sparking　yellow　energy。
　　　〃That　will　only　hold　the　creature　for　a　moment；〃　he　cautioned。
　　　The　Baenre　looked　around　the　chamber。　The　fall　in　the　shaft　must　have　hurt　her　badly。　Blood　caked　the　side　of　her　head；　and　her　eyes　didn't　seem　to　want　to　focus。　One　arm　hung　limp　at　her　side；　but　she　held　herself　upright。
　　　〃Where's　the　beholder；〃　she　asked；　〃Pharaun；　and　Jeggred？〃
　　　Ryld　jerked　his　head　at　the　archway　behind　him。　Another　spell　rumbled　through　the　air。
　　　〃Back　there　somewhere；〃　he　said。　〃The　beholder…〃
　　　He　was　interrupted　by　the　sudden；　sickening　awareness　of　an　overwhelming　presence　approaching　Jezz's　barrier；　something　unseen　that　seemed　to　shake　the　very　stones　of　the　tower　with　its　footfalls。
　　　〃The　pit　fiend　es；〃　Danifae　reported；　panting　for　breath；　her　eyes　wide　with　alarm。
　　　〃Go；〃　Quenthel　said；　waving　them　forward　with　her　good　arm。
　　　Without　another　word；　the　dark　elves　scrambled　for　the　other　exit；　plunging　into　the　next　room　heedless　of　the　spells　that　thundered　and　crawled　in　the　space　beyond。
　　　
　　　Triel　Baenre　stood　on　a　high　bridge　of　House　Baenre；　gazing　toward　Narbondel。　The　creeping　ring　of　radiance　that　slowly　climbed　the　mighty　stone　column　marked　the　passage　of　time　in　Menzoberranzan。　The　glow　stood　near　the　pillar's　upper　end；　which　meant　that　the　day　would　soon　be　done。　Not　for　the　first　time　it　struck　her　as　ironic　that　a　race　that　had　been　driven　from　the　world　of　light　almost　ten　thousand　years　in　the　past　would　have　the　slightest　use　for　marking　the　passage　of　days　and　nights　in　the　manner　of　the　surface　folk；　when　the　night　was　eternal　and　changeless　in　the　Underdark；　but　it　had　proven　somewhat　useful　over　the　years　to　remember　the　endless　march　of　unseen　days　in　the　world　above。　It　helped　in　dealing　with　those　who　had　more　use　for　the　custom；　such　as　merchants　who　brought　a　few　of　the　surface's　more　exotic　and　desirable　goods　down　to　the　City　of　the　Spider　Queen。
　　　Not　that　many　of　those　had　visited　Menzoberranzan　of　late。　War　was　hard　on　merce。
　　　The　other　question　that　came　to　Triel's　mind　as　she　looked　out　over　Narbondel　and　the　city　below　was　somewhat　less　abstract：　Who　would　be　ing　in　an　hour　or　two　to　cast　the　spells　that　renewed　Narbondel's　fiery　ring？　The　office　of　archmage　still　belonged　to　her　brother　Gromph；　missing　for　more　than　a　tenday；　but　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　would　not　permit　the　high　seat　to　remain　empty　for　much　longer。　She'd　learned　that　several　of　the　more　ambitious　masters　already　maneuvered　for　the　post。　Doubtless　Pharaun　Mizzrym　would　have　been　among　them　if　he　had　remained　in　the　city；　but　the　errand　to　Ched　Nasad　had　fortunately　removed　the　hero　of　the　hour　from　Menzoberranzan　at　the　very　moment　that　he　might　have　put　his　fame　to　its　best　use。　She　turned　her　head　slightly　and　spoke　over　her　shoulder　to　the　loyal　Baenre　guards　who　stood　a　respectful　distance　behind　her。
　　　〃Send　for　Nauzhror；〃　she　said。　〃Tell　him　I　desire　his　counsel　on　a　matter　of　some　importance。　He　may　attend　me　in　the　chapel。〃
　　　Triel　made　her　way　to　the　great　temple　of　Lolth　that　lay　in　the　center　of　House　Baenre's　Great　Mound；　her　attention　far　from　her　surroundings　as　she　contemplated　the　multiplicity　of　troubles　that　had　descended　over　the　city　in　the　past　few　months。　She　was　almost　grateful　to　the　duergar　for　providing　her　with　a　cause　to　which　she　could　rally　the　Council；　and　through　them　the　dozens　of　lesser　Houses　that　prised　Menzoberranzan's　strength。　A　victory　in　the　tunnels　south　of　the　city　would　do　much　to　restore　House　Baenre's　preeminence。
　　　On　the　other　hand；　another　setback　could　be　disastrous。　Even　if　Baenre　remained　the　wealthiest　and　most　powerful　House；　the　Council　might　see　fit　to　remove　House　Baenre　as　the　First　House。　None　of　them　alone；　perhaps　not　even　any　two　of　them　together；　could　hope　to　defeat　House　Baenre；　but　what　if　all　seven　of　the　other　Houses　on　the　Council　agreed　that　it　was　time　to　pull　down　the　strongest　among　them？
　　　〃Lolth　preserve　us；〃　Triel　muttered；　and　shivered　with　true　fear。
　　　In　terms　of　numbers　of　troops；　magical　might；　and　sheer　wealth；　the　other　Houses　had　always　possessed　the　wherewithal　to　destroy　House　Baenre　if　they　chose　to　unite　against　the　First　House。　What　they　had　never　possessed　was　the　blessing　of　the　goddess　for　an　act　of　such　impropriety。　If　the　Spider　Queen　returned　her　attention　to　Menzoberranzan　and　destroyed　the　Second　through　the　Eighth　Houses　for　their　presumption　the　day　after　they　obliterated　House　Baenre；　well；　Baenre　would　hardly　be　helped　by　it。　Without　Lolth's　wrath　to　deter　the　ambitions　of　the　other　great　Houses；　a　unified　attack　against　Baenre　seemed　more　like　an　inevitability　than　a　possibility。
　　　The　trick；　mused　Triel；　is　to　keep　the　other　Houses　from　settling　thorny　issues　such　as　who　would　be　First　House　after　Baenre's　fall；　and　tempt　some　of　the　smaller　Houses　with　the　places　of　the　larger　ones。
　　　If　Houses　such　as　Xorlarrin　or　Agrach　Dyrr　could　be　convinced　that　they　would　advance　with　more　certainty　by　supporting　Baenre　against　a　conspiracy　of　Barrison　Del'Armgo　and　Faen　Tlabbar　than　they　would　by　turning　against　the　First　House；　then　House　Baenre　could　withstand　almost　any　threat　from　its　lesser　neighbors。
　　　She　paused　at　the　door　to　the　chapel；　examining　the　notion　with　acute　distaste。　Could　she　really　feel　that　House　Baenre　needed　allies？　The　old　Matron　Baenre　had　not　governed　with　anyone's　consent。　She　had　ruled　the　city　because　she　was　so　strong　no　one　could　contemplate　resisting　her　will。
　　　Triel　scowled　and　gestured　at　the　chapel　guards；　who　pulled　open　the　doors　and　bowed　before　her。
　　　Her　sister　Sos'Umptu　awaited　her　in　the　chapel。　Sos'Umptu　had　Quenthel's　height；　but　took　after　Triel's　thoughtful　reserve　as　opposed　to　the　willfulness　of　Quenthel　or　her　unlamented　sister　Bladen'Kerst。　Sos'Umptu　possessed　a　calculated；　deliberate　maliciousness　that　she　kept　in　careful　check；　never　picking　a　feud　she　could　not　win。　She　briefly　lowered　her　eyes；　the　minimal　gesture　of　respect　Triel's　position　demanded；　then　straightened。
　　　〃Any　news　from　the　army；　eldest　sister？〃　she　asked　in　a　soft　voice。
　　　〃Not　as　yet。　Zal'therra　tells　me　that　Mez'Barris　has　dispatched　a　small　force　to　go　ahead　and　seize　a　strategic　pass　in　the　path　of　the　duergar　army；　which　seems　sensible　enough。　The　rest　of　the　Army　of　the　Black　Spider　follows　as　fast　as　it　may。〃
　　　〃It　is　a　difficult　situation。　I　wonder　if　perhaps　you　should　have　led　the　army　in　person。〃
　　　Triel　frowned。　She　was　not　accustomed　to　having　her　actions　openly　scrutinized　by　anyone；　but　if　she　couldn't　survive　the　criticism　of　her　family；　how　could　she　hope　to　cow　the　other　matrons？
　　　〃Given　the　unusual　situation；〃　Triel　replied；　〃I　felt　it　wisest　to　remain　close　to　the　city。〃
　　　〃Perhaps。　The　problem　is　simple；　of　course…if　the　army　is　defeated；　the　blame　will　naturally　attach　to　you。　If　the　army　triumphs；　you　have　made　a　hero　of　Mez'Barris　Del'Armgo。〃
　　　〃As　well　as　Zal'therra　and　Andzrel；〃　Triel　pointed　out。　〃I　admit　I　have　more　to　lose　than　to　gain；　but　I　will　not　second…guess　myself　now。〃
　　　She　studied　the　chapel；　gazing　up　at　the　great　magical　image　depicting　the　Queen　of　Spiders。　While　Sos'Umptu　watched；　Triel　performed　a　perfunctory　obeisance。
　　　〃You　have　not　observed　the　goddess's　rites　as　closely　as　you　might　over　the　last　few　tendays；〃　Sos'Umptu　said。
　　　The　goddess　has　not　observed　us　for　far　longer；　Triel　found　herself　thinking。
　　　She　hurriedly　thrust　the　blasphemous　thought　from　her　mind；　horrified　that　something　so　irreverent　could　ferment　in　her　head。　She　maintained　her　outward　calm　with　the　ease　of　long　practice；　returning　her　attention　to　her　sister。
　　　〃We　are　confronted　by　yet　another　challenge；〃　Triel　said。　〃The　Masters　of　Sorcere　clamor　for　Gromph's　replacement。　House　Baenre　has　placed　archmages　on　Sorcere's　throne　as　we　liked　for　many　hundreds　of　years；　but　this　time；　I　am　weighing　the　value　of　supporting　the　candidate　of　another　House　for　the　position。　It　might　be　。。。　expedient。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu's　eyes　widened　by　the　thickness　of　a　blade；　and　she　said；　〃You　seek　my　counsel？〃
　　　〃As　Gromph　has　absented　himself；　and　Quenthel　is　far　away；　I　find　that　the　children　of　my　formidable　mother　are　in　short　supply。　Very　few　females…and　even　fewer　males…understand　the　lessons　Mother　taught　us。〃　Triel　snorted　in　irritation。　〃Not　even　all　our　siblings；　for　that　matter。　Bladen'Kerst　understood　nothing　but　strength　and　cruelty；　and　Vendes　was　simply　murderous。　I　have　need　of　a　sharp　mind；　a　subtle　mind；　trained　by　my　mother；　and　it　occurs　to　me　that　I　have　allowed　you　to　lurk　in　this　chapel　far　too　long。〃　Triel　moved　a　half…step　closer　and　hardened　her　expression。　〃Understand　that　you　advise　me　at　my　pleasure；　and　do　not　mistake　consideration　for　indecision。　I　will　brook　no　questioning　of　my　right　to　rule。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu　nodded　and　said；　〃Very　well。　I　think　we　should　presume　that　Gromph　has　been　killed。　He　would　not　have　lightly　abandoned　his　duties；　and　there　are　at　least　two　reasons　someone　might　have　killed　him。　Either　someone　wanted　to　strike　against　the　archmage　himself；　or　someone　wanted　to　strike　against　the　leading　wizard　of　House　Baenre。　If　the　former；　well；　whomever　bees　archmage　next　will　either　be　the　culprit；　or　the　next　target。　Why　should　we　hurry　to　place　a　Baenre　wizard　weaker　than　Gromph　into　that　position；　when　there　is　at　least　some　chance　we　might　lose　whomever　we　promote？〃
　　　〃I　don't　like　the　idea　of　surrendering　such　an　important　post　to　another　family；　but　I　like　the　idea　of　losing　another　skilled　wizard　even　less；〃　Triel　mused。　〃Especially　when　we　might　forge　a　stronger　tie　with　another　House　by　allowing　them　to　advance　their　candidate；　who　would　then　bee　the　target　of　whatever　power　was　strong　enough　to　destroy　Gromph。〃
　　　〃I　don't　understand；〃　Sos'Umptu　replied。　〃You　seek　allies？〃
　　　〃It　occurs　to　me　that　we　might　do　well　to　ally　ourselves　with　a　great　House　of　middle　rank；　perhaps　two；〃　said　Triel。　〃It　seems　a　sound　precaution　against　any　effort　by　the　Second　or　Third　Houses　to　rally　the　rest　in　mon　cause　against　us。〃
　　　Sos'Umptu　stroked　her　chin　and　said；　〃You　believe　matters　have　bee　as　dangerous　as　that？　Mother　would　never　have　agreed　to　such　a　thing。〃
　　　〃Mother　lived　in　a　different　time；〃　Triel　said。　〃Do　not　pare　me　to　her　again。〃
　　　Triel　fixed　her　eyes　on　her　sister　until　the　priestess　dropped　her　gaze。　Sos'Umptu　was　clever；　but　not　strong。　If　she　joined　forces　with　Quenthel；　or　maybe　a　cabal　of　the　more　capable　cousins　such　as　Zal'therra；　she　would　be　a　threat　to　Triel；　but　until　then　she　could　be　trusted…within　reason。
　　　〃What　if　Gromph's　assassination　was　an　attack　on　House　Baenre；〃　Triel　asked；　〃and　not　simply　a　means　to　open　the　post　of　archmage？〃
　　　〃In　that　case；　we　w