war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第53章

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　　　〃Weak…minded　fools！〃　the　beholder　hissed。　〃The　dark　elves　have　deceived　you！〃
　　　Still　it　wreaked　terrible　devastation　with　its　spells　and　eye　rays；　trying　to　repel　the　devils'　attack。　The　stink　of　charred　flesh　and　the　eldritch　sensation　of　deadly　magic　filled　the　air。
　　　A　palpable　sense　of　wrong　flitted　across　Ryld's　heart；　and　a　hulking　pit　fiend　climbed　into　the　room。　The　mighty　devil　stood　twice　as　tall　as　a　drow；　its　torso　rippling　with　muscle；　its　vast　black　wings　mantling　it　like　a　cloak　of　ebon　glory。　It　took　in　the　scene　with　a　malignant；　measuring　gaze；　and　Ryld's　heart　sank　as　he　realized　that　the　powerful　fiend　was　not　in　the　least　deceived　by　Pharaun's　illusion。
　　　With　one　absent　gesture　the　huge　devil　conjured　up　a　great；　seething　orb　of　black　fire　in　its　claw；　and　hurled　the　sinister　blast　at　Pharaun。　The　dark　blot　exploded　in　a　tremendous　explosion　of　evil　flame　that　rocked　the　tower　to　its　foundations；　throwing　Pharaun　a　dozen　feet　through　the　air　and　scorching　him　terribly　as　lesser　devils　and　drow　alike　were　sent　flying　like　ninepins。
　　　〃They　are　right　here！〃　the　creature　bellowed　in　a　voice　like　a　roaring　forge。　〃Destroy　the　dark　elves！〃
　　　The　pit　fiend　started　to　call　up　another　infernal　blast；　but　Jeggred…still　veiled　in　his　devilish　guise…hurled　into　the　mighty　fiend's　flank；　clawing　and　tearing　with　abandon。　The　great　devil　roared　in　rage；　staggering　under　the　draegloth's　assault。
　　　〃Lolth's　sweet　chaos；〃　Ryld　muttered。
　　　Which　was　more　dangerous；　the　beholder　mage　or　the　pit　fiend？　The　beholder　still　blasted　any　devil　it　saw；　veiled　drow　or　not；　and　most　of　the　pit　fiend's　minions　had　fallen　already。　The　pit　fiend　hammered　and　slashed　at　Jeggred；　who　stood　toe…to…toe　with　the　infernal　lord；　giving　as　good　as　he　got。
　　　The　weapons　master　glanced　between　the　two　enemies；　hesitated　only　a　moment；　and　decided。　Silently　as　an　arrow　whispering　through　the　dark；　Ryld　scrambled　up　and　leaped　forward；　aiming　a　tremendous　cut　at　the　beholder's　round　body。　The　beholder　mage　spotted　him　at　once　and　blasted　a　bolt　of　lightning　in　his　direction；　but　he　tumbled　aside　and　kept　ing。　Another　eye　fixed　on　him；　and　the　beholder's　drone　took　on　a　peculiarly　horrid　and　deadly　sound。　Rather　than　wait　to　find　out　what　spell　the　monster　could　cast　with　that　eye；　Ryld　altered　his　path　and　bounded　into　the　air；　reaching　out　to　sever　the　tentacle　cleanly　with　Splitter's　gleaming　blade。
　　　The　beholder's　drone　broke　in　a　piercing　shriek　of　pain。　The　monster　whirled　to　face　Ryld　with　its　jaws　gaping；　but　the　weapons　master　took　careful　aim　and　severed　another　waving　eye　before　ducking　down　and　scrambling　beneath　the　bloated　sphere　of　the　hovering　creature's　body。　None　of　the　beholder's　eyes　could　see　directly　beneath　its　own　bulk。
　　　Dropping　to　one　knee；　Ryld　shortened　his　grip　on　Splitter；　and　thrust　the　greatsword　up　into　the　chitinous　underside　of　the　monster。　Black　thick　gore　streamed　down　the　blade；　and　the　huge　monster　shuddered　and　shrieked　again。
　　　〃Well　done！〃　Jezz　cried。
　　　The　Jaelre　renegade　menced　to　bark　out　arcane　words；　his　hands　weaving　in　mystical　patterns。　He　conjured　up　a　seething　missile　of　mystic　acid　that　burned　another　eyestalk　from　the　beholder's　body　as　the　monster　rolled　and　twisted　in　agony。
　　　Ryld　yanked　out　his　sword　and　rolled　aside　even　as　the　beholder　tried　to　crush　him　beneath　its　bulk；　its　jaws　snapping　at　him。　He　found　himself　looking　directly　at　the　front　of　its　body；　where　its　great　central　eye　had　once　gazed　out　from　an　armored　carapace。　The　central　eye　was　nothing　but　an　empty　socket。　An　old　lesson　came　to　the　weapons　master's　mind：　a　beholder　that　wished　to　learn　magic　had　to　blind　itself　in　order　to　do　so。
　　　The　lesser　eyes　flailed　and　twisted　on　their　tentacles；　trying　to　focus　on　Ryld。　The　weapons　master　saw　his　opportunity　and　his　target　at　the　same　moment。　With　one　swift　bound　he　drove　Splitter　like　a　lance　straight　through　the　empty　central　socket　and　deep　into　the　creature's　alien　brain。　With　grim　determination　he　sawed　the　greatsword　in　and　out；　side　to　side；　while　dark　gore　spurted　and　streamed　from　the　awful　wound。
　　　The　beholder　gave　one　great　shudder；　its　jaws　snapped　shut；　and　its　waving　eyestalks…those　that　remained…went　limp。　It　sank　slowly　toward　the　floor。
　　　Ryld　glanced　up　and　saw　another　devil　closing　on　him；　apparently　having　discerned　his　true　form　through　the　illusion；　and　he　snatched　out　his　short　sword　to　gut　the　fiend　as　it　threw　itself　on　him。　The　devil　knocked　him　to　the　floor；　its　foul　blood　pouring　out　all　over　him。　Ryld　gagged　in　revulsion　and　shouldered　the　jerking　corpse　aside；　wrenching　his　sword　out　of　the　creature's　midsection　with　his　right　hand　while　he　dragged　Splitter　clear　of　the　beholder　mage's　eye　with　the　left。　He　shook　his　head　to　clear　his　eyes　of　the　blood　of　his　foes。
　　　By　the　chamber's　entrance；　Jeggred　sprawled　to　the　ground　beneath　another　terrible　spell　from　the　pit　fiend；　a　roaring　column　of　fire　that　blackened　the　draegloth's　fur　and　might　have　incinerated　him　outright　if　not　for　the　half…demon's　native　resistance　to　fire。
　　　Jeggred　screeched　and　rolled　across　the　floor；　trying　to　smother　the　burning　embers；　but　as　the　pit　fiend　followed　to　strike　at　him　again；　Danifae　appeared　in　front　of　it　and　dealt　the　monster　a　mighty　blow　that　cracked　its　kneecap。　The　devil　staggered　and　flared　its　wings　for　balance…and　Valas　buried　three　arrows　in　its　back；　sinking　each　shaft　feather…deep　between　the　fiend's　shoulder　blades。
　　　Ryld　started　forward　cautiously；　preparing　to　engage　the　devil　lord　in　his　own　turn；　but　Pharaun；　blistered　and　smoking；　rose　from　the　spot　where　the　devil's　fireball　had　blasted　him；　and　lashed　out　with　a　brilliant　spray　of　iridescent　colors　that　caught　the　pit　fiend　as　it　turned　to　confront　the　archer。　A　green　ray　carved　a　deep；　black；　boiling　wound　in　the　center　of　the　pit　fiend's　torso；　while　a　virulent　yellow　ray　exploded　with　crackling　arcs　of　electricity　as　it　grazed　the　devil's　hip。　The　monster　staggered　back　two　steps；　and　toppled；　a　smoking　corpse。　The　chamber　fell　silent　as　the　echoes　of　its　thunderous　fall　died　away。
　　　Pharaun　picked　himself　up　gingerly；　cradling　one　arm　close　to　his　body。　One　hand　and　part　of　his　face　were　mottled　and　pink；　abraded　horribly　by　the　fleeting　touch　of　the　beholder's　disintegration　ray；　while　his　robes　smoked　with　the　fading　effects　of　the　dark　fireball　the　pit　fiend　had　conjured。　The　other　dark　elves　slowly　relaxed　their　guard；　glancing　around　in　some　surprise　to　find　no　more　foes　on　the　field；　and　no　life…threatening　injuries　among　their　number。　Quenthel　fumbled　at　her　belt　and　produced　Halisstra's　healing　wand；　which　she　began　to　use　to　repair　her　own　injuries；　murmuring　quiet　prayers　as　she　wielded　the　device。
　　　〃That；〃　said　Pharaun；　〃was　not　easy。　We　should　have　demanded　something　more　from　the　Jaelre　for　our　services。〃
　　　〃You　came　to　us；　spider…kisser；〃　Jezz　said。
　　　He　limped　up　to　study　the　beholder's　corpse　where　it　sprawled　on　the　steps　of　the　ancient　dais。　Valas　and　Danifae　followed；　both　keeping　an　eye　on　the　stairwell　behind　them。
　　　〃Spread　out　and　search　for　the　book；〃　said　the　Jaelre。　〃We　must　locate　the　Geildirion　and　withdraw　before　all　the　devils　in　Myth　Drannor　descend　upon　us。〃
　　　Jezz　followed　his　own　advice　at　once；　ransacking　a　set　of　dusty　workbenches　and　cluttered　scroll　racks　along　the　far　side　of　the　beholder's　room。
　　　Ryld　sat　down　on　a　step　and　started　to　scrape　the　blood　from　Splitter's　blade。　He　was　exhausted。　Jeggred；　on　the　other　hand；　threw　himself　into　the　search；　hurling　heavy　pieces　of　disused　furniture　aside　and　pulling　down　bookshelves。　It　occurred　to　Ryld　that　the　draegloth　was　unlikely　to　find　that　the　beholder　had　stashed　a　valuable　book　underneath　the　wreckage　of　a　dusty　old　couch；　but　it　seemed　to　keep　the　half…demon　occupied。　Ryld　settled　for　staying　out　of　the　draegloth's　way。
　　　〃Hold　still；　all　of　you！〃　Pharaun　said　sharply。
　　　The　wizard　spoke　a　spell　and　menced　to　turn　slowly　in　a　circle；　studying　the　whole　room　intently。　The　rest　of　the　pany；　including　Jezz；　halted　their　hurried　ransacking　and　watched　him　impatiently。　Pharaun　continued　past　Jeggred；　past　Valas；　and　halted　as　he　faced　a　blank　wall。　He　smiled　in　a　predatory　fashion；　evidently　pleased　with　himself。
　　　〃I　have　defeated　the　defenses　of　our　deceased　adversary；〃　he　said。　〃That　wall　is　an　illusion　covering　an　antechamber。〃
　　　He　gestured　again；　and　part　of　the　wall　not　far　from　Ryld　abruptly　vanished；　revealing　a　large　alcove　or　niche　filled　with　ramshackle　bookshelves　cluttered　with　various　old　tomes　and　scrolls。　Jezz　hopped　awkwardly　to　the　bookshelf　and　started　rifling　through　the　titles；　shoving　each　into　a　satchel　at　his　hip。
　　　〃Ryld；　Jeggred；　keep　watch；〃　said　Quenthel。　She　stood　straighter；　and　the　dazed　look　in　her　eyes　was　gone；　but　she　frowned　as　she　replaced　the　healing　wand　in　her　pack。　〃Valas；　tidy　up　the　beholder's　gold　and　jewels。　There's　no　point　in　leaving　the　loot　here；　and　one　never　knows　when　it　might　be　helpful。〃　She　looked　over　at　the　Jaelre　sorcerer；　who　stood　holding　a　great　tome　covered　in　green　scales。　〃Well；　Master　Jezz；　is　that　the　book　you　wished　to　recover？〃
　　　Jezz　blew　dust　from　the　cover　and　ran　his　slim　fingers　over　the　rough　leather。　He　smiled；　his　handsome　face　twisting　with　glee。
　　　〃The　Geildirion；〃　he　breathed。　〃Yes；　this　is　the　tome。　I　have　what　we　came　for。〃
　　　〃Good；〃　said　Quenthel。　〃Let's　get　out　of　here　while　we　can。　I　think　I've　had　all　I　can　stand　of　this　place。〃
　　　
　　　Halisstra　sat　in　a　window　bench；　alone　in　the　apartment　set　aside　for　her；　and　plucked　idly　at　the　strings　of　her　dragonbone　lyre。　She'd　been　confined　to　the　room　for　two　days；　and　she　found　herself　growing　more　than　a　little　weary　of　incarceration。
　　　Whatever　I　manage　to　find　in　this　whole　venture；　she　promised　herself；　I　will　not　be　locked　up　again。
　　　She　had　expected　torture；　magical　pulsion；　or　worse　during　her　interrogation；　but　Tzirik　seemed　to　have　taken　her　at　her　word。　More　than　a　few　drow　would　have　indulged　themselves　in　the　opportunity　to　torture　a　prisoner　regardless　of　whether　she　was　being　truthful　or　not；　leading　Halisstra　to　wonder　if　Tzirik　was　waiting　for　word　of　Quenthel　and　the　others　before　doing　something　that　might　anger　them。　Halisstra　didn't　think　the　Mistress　of　Arach…Tinilith　and　her　rades　had　managed　to　cow　the　entire　House；　but　it　was　entirely　possible　that　their　petence　had　persuaded　Tzirik　not　to　look　for　trouble　without　good　cause。
　　　She　looked　out　the　narrow；　barred　window。　Dawn　was　fast　approaching。　The　sky　was　already　growing　painfully　bright　in　the　east；　though　the　sun　had　not　yet　risen。　Halisstra　could　make　out　the　endless　green　forest　of　Cormanthor；　rolling　away　from　her　for　mile　after　mile。
　　　A　knock　at　the　door　startled　her；　followed　by　the　jingling　of　keys　in　the　lock。　She　looked　around　and　stood　as　Tzirik　entered　the　room；　dressed　in　a　resplendent　high…collared　coat　of　red　and　black。
　　　〃Mistress　Melarn；〃　he　said；　offering　an　indulgent　bow；　〃your　rades　have　returned。　If　you'll　e　with　me；　we　shall　see　whether　they　had　some　good　reason　for　abandoning