war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第57章

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s；　and　curses　of　the　fighters。
　　　Andzrel；　unlike　his　kinswoman；　threw　himself　into　the　fight；　wielding　a　double…ended　sword　with　expert　skill　and　lashing　out　with　brutal　spinning　kicks　to　hammer　his　foes　to　the　ground　while　they　parried　his　flashing　blades。　Nimor　watched　in　admiration　as　the　furious　assault　swayed　back　and　forth；　then；　the　Agrach　Dyrr　making　way；　he　approached　the　Baenre　weapons　master。
　　　〃Greetings；　Andzrel；〃　he　called。　〃Your　master　of　scouts　must　report　that　the　duergar　seem　to　have　slipped　past　our　line　at　the　Pillars　of　Woe；　and　now　pose　a　considerable　danger　to　the　Army　of　the　Black　Spider。〃
　　　Andzrel　Baenre　fell　still　as　the　skirmish　swept　away　from　him。　Hard　anger　seethed　beneath　his　disciplined　manner。
　　　〃Zhayemd；〃　he　spat。　〃You　have　made　a　grave　mistake　in　confronting　me。　You　would　have　been　wiser　to　savor　the　fruits　of　your　treachery　from　afar。〃
　　　〃We　shall　see；〃　Nimor　replied。
　　　He　leaped　forward　and　aimed　a　murderous　thrust　straight　for　the　center　of　the　Baenre's　torso；　but　Andzrel　was　not　unprepared。　The　weapons　master　twisted　aside　and　brought　up　his　double…sword　in　a　spinning　parry　that　deflected　Nimor's　blade；　and　whirled　in　close　to　slam　his　armored　elbow　against　the　side　of　the　assassin's　head。　Had　Nimor　been　the　slight　drow　he　appeared　to　be；　the　blow　might　have　fractured　his　skull。　Instead　it　merely　jolted　him；　hard。　He　responded　by　spinning　the　other　way　and　bringing　up　his　off…hand　dagger　in　a　hidden　slash　that　scored　Andzrel　beneath　the　breastplate。　The　weapons　master　took　half　a　step　back　and　leaped　into　the　air；　planting　his　boot　in　the　assassin's　ribs；　but　Nimor　merely　grunted　and　threw　Andzrel　back　with　contemptuous　strength。
　　　Andzrel　rolled　and　came　up　with　his　sword　high；　his　eyes　wide。
　　　〃What　in　all　the　goddess's　hells　are　you？〃　he　muttered。
　　　Before　Nimor　could　pose　a　suitable　answer；　the　weapons　master's　hand　flashed　down　to　his　boot　and　he　hurled　a　knife　straight　for　Nimor's　throat。　The　assassin　threw　his　arm　in　front　of　his　face　and　caught　the　blade　in　the　meat　of　his　left　forearm。　He　snarled　and　pulled　it　out；　blood　spattering　the　dusty　cavern　floor。
　　　Andzrel　didn't　wait　for　him；　of　course。　The　Baenre　followed　his　thrown　dagger　by　hurling　himself　forward　and　rolling　under　Nimor's　guard；　trying　to　run　him　through　with　a　quick　jab。
　　　Nimor　jumped　clear　over　the　weapons　master；　pulling　his　feet　up　close　to　his　body；　and　landed　on　the　other　side。　As　Andzrel　reversed　his　thrust　and　came　back　up；　Nimor　punched　his　rapier　through　the　Baenre's　breastplate　and　scored　a　deep　wound　in　the　weapons　master's　side。　Andzrel　grunted　and　stumbled；　losing　his　balance。　He　sprawled　to　the　ground　at　Nimor's　feet；　his　two…ended　sword　flat　on　the　ground　below　him。
　　　〃A　good　effort；〃　Nimor　said；　drawing　back　his　sword　to　finish　off　the　Baenre。
　　　Before　he　could　strike；　a　globe　of　amber　energy　encased　him。　Magical　force　halted　the　thrust　of　his　blade　as　surely　as　if　he'd　tried　to　skewer　Narbondel；　and　resisted　his　knife　as　well。
　　　〃What　in　the　Nine　Hells？〃　Nimor　demanded。
　　　The　assassin　snarled　in　rage；　even　as　he　realized　that　the　sounds　of　battle　in　the　tunnel　had　increased　threefold　at　the　same　instant。　He　glared　out　of　the　sphere；　trying　to　determine　where　it　had　e　from　and　what　was　happening。
　　　Outside；　dozens　of　fresh　Baenre　troops　poured　into　the　fight　from　the　tunnel　behind　the　Agrach　Dyrr；　catching　Jazzt　and　his　footsoldiers　between　hammer　and　anvil。　The　Agrach　Dyrr　blocking　the　tunnel　were　quickly　driven　away　or　killed；　clearing　the　retreat　for　the　House　Baenre　contingent。　Nimor　watched　in　cold　wrath　as　the　Baenre　began　to　stream　past　his　magical　prison；　reinforcing　their　embattled　kin。　In　the　space　of　a　few　moments；　the　battle　rolled　away　from　him　and　back　into　the　main　cavern。
　　　Nimor　glanced　back　down　the　tunnel；　and　found　himself　looking　at　a　tall；　round…bodied　wizard　in　the　colors　of　House　Baenre；　who　studied　the　amber　globe　with　a　smirk　of　self…satisfaction。　Zal'therra　and　Andzrel　both　stared　at　the　newer　as　well。
　　　〃Nauzhror；〃　said　the　priestess。　Blood　streamed　from　her　injured　hip。　〃Your　timing　is　impeccable。〃
　　　〃A　fortunate　accident；　really；〃　the　wizard　purred。　〃The　matron　mother　instructed　me　to　obtain　news　from　the　field；　and　so　I　scried　the　army；　found　the　battle　underway；　and　noted　your　difficulties。　I　made　use　of　a　very　valuable　scroll　to　raise　a　gate　and　bring　you　some　help。〃　He　turned　and　studied　Nimor　in　the　globe　of　energy。　〃Isn't　this　fierce　fellow　Captain　Zhayemd　of　Agrach　Dyrr？〃
　　　〃So　he　says；　anyway；〃　Andzrel　gritted。　〃Can　you　destroy　him　in　that　sphere？〃
　　　〃Not　right　away。　It　simply　captures　someone　for　a　time；　encapsulating　the　victim　in　an　impervious　shield　of　magical　force。　It　will　fade　in　a　short　while；　after　which　you　may　kill　him　at　your　leisure。〃
　　　〃Later；　then；〃　Andzrel　said；　dismissing　the　question　of　the　trapped　Nimor。
　　　With　one　hand　he　groped　for　a　small　vial　at　his　belt…a　healing　potion；　Nimor　guessed…and　drank　it　down。　He　glanced　back　at　the　fighting；　his　face　expressionless　as　he　studied　the　savage　melee。
　　　Zal'therra　limped　up　beside　him　and　said；　〃Make　ready　to　charge。　With　Nauzhror's　reinforcements；　we　can　turn　the　tables　on　these　cursed　dwarves　and　tanarukks。〃　She　looked　over　to　the　wizard。　〃How　many　soldiers　did　you　bring？〃
　　　〃Only　a　single　pany；　I　fear。　The　matron　mother　did　not　want　to　risk　any　more　of　our　strength　in　a　lost　battle；　if　things　go　poorly。〃
　　　Zal'therra　began　to　protest；　but　Andzrel　set　a　hand　on　her　arm。
　　　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃the　matron　mother　was　right。　Now　that　we've　secured　our　line　of　retreat；　we　must　withdraw　any　Houses　we　can　from　the　fight。　The　duergar　and　their　tanarukk　allies　have　won　the　day。〃
　　　Nauzhror's　eyes　widened　and　he　asked；　〃Is　it　as　bad　as　that？〃
　　　〃If　we　move　swiftly；〃　Andzrel　answered；　〃we　will　bring　a　good　portion　of　our　soldiers　off　the　field　yet。　Once　we've　got　the　important　Houses　out　of　the　fray；　we　can　make　a　fighting　retreat　all　the　way　to　Menzoberranzan　if　we　have　to。　There　is　no　time　to　lose；　if　we　want　to　save　Xorlarrin　and　Tuin'Tarl。　Fey…Branche　is　all　but　gone；　I　haven't　the　faintest　idea　what　happened　to　Barrison　Del'Armgo；　and　Duskryn　and　Kenafin　were　swept　away　by　the　tanarukks。　Menzoberranzan　can't　lose　any　more　drow　here。〃
　　　〃Your　retreat　will　only　delay　the　inevitable；〃　Nimor　said。　〃You　can't　stop　it　now。〃
　　　Andzrel　leaned　on　his　two…bladed　sword　and　threw　a　dark　look　at　Nimor。
　　　〃On　second　thought；〃　the　weapons　master　said；　〃I'll　detail　a　few　lads　to　wait　for　this　sphere　to　fade。　I　see　no　reason　to　let　him　live　a　moment　longer　than　I　have　to。〃　He　met　Nimor's　eyes　with　a　cold　expression。　〃Your　House　will　rue　the　day　you　betrayed　our　city；　traitor。〃
　　　Nimor　tried　the　force　globe　again；　to　no　avail。　Andzrel；　Zal'therra；　and　the　Baenre　wizard　turned　away　and　followed　their　soldiers　into　the　renewed　battle；　while　several　Baenre　guards　trotted　back　and　took　up　stations　surrounding　the　sphere　of　force。
　　　〃I'll　see　you　in　Menzoberranzan；〃　Nimor　promised　the　Baenre。
　　　The　Anointed　Blade　invoked　the　power　of　his　ring；　and　disappeared　from　the　force　globe　into　the　weling　shadows。
　　　
　　　Four　hours　later；　the　pany　stood　again　beneath　the　bronze　mask　of　Vhaeraun　in　the　chapel　of　Minauthkeep。　Battered；　filthy　mail　had　been　laboriously　cleaned；　broken　links　mended；　arming　coats　laundered。　Those　who　had　lost　their　packs；　bedrolls；　or　other　gear　carried　replacements　purchased　from　Jaelre　merchants。　For　the　first　time　since　leaving　Gracklstugh　Halisstra　felt　clean；　rested；　and　reasonably　well　prepared　for　the　next　step　in　her　journey。　She　sorely　missed　the　mail　she'd　worn　as　First　Daughter　of　House　Melarn；　and　the　thundering　mace　her　mother　had　given　her　a　century　past；　but　she　still　had　her　lyre；　and　Seyll　Auzkovyn's　mail　and　sword　were　not　entirely　useless　substitutes。
　　　The　sword　in　particular　seemed　a　fine　piece　of　work。　It　carried　a　potent　virtue　of　holiness　that　made　it　tingle　unpleasantly　in　the　dark　elf's　grip；　but　Halisstra　suspected　its　blade　would　be　unbearable　to　any　fell　creature　who　felt　its　bite。　Considering　the　fact　that　she　intended　to　descend　into　the　Abyss　itself；　where　such　creatures　would　likely　set　upon　the　pany　in　numbers；　she　was　willing　to　endure　the　sword's　distasteful　enchantment　for　a　time。
　　　Tzirik　had　donned　a　suit　of　black　mithral　plate　armor　decorated　with　grotesque　demonic　figures　and　chased　with　gold　filigree。　A　wickedly　spiked　mace　hung　at　his　belt；　and　he　wore　a　great　masked　helm　in　the　shape　of　a　demon's　skull。　He　radiated　confidence　and　energy；　as　if　he'd　waited　a　long　time　for　the　opportunity　to　serve　his　god　with　worthwhile　stakes　at　hand。
　　　〃As　you　know；〃　said　the　priest；　〃there　is　more　than　one　way　to　leave　this　plane　of　existence　and　venture　into　the　dimensions　beyond。　I　have　examined　the　issue　at　length；　and　I　have　decided　that　we　shall　travel　in　astral　form。　Now；　if…〃
　　　〃That　would　require　us　to　leave　our　bodies　atose　while　our　spirits　journeyed　to　the　Abyss；〃　Quenthel　interrupted。　〃Why　would　you　even　hope　I　might　consent　to　that？〃
　　　〃Betrayal；〃　Jeggred　rumbled。　〃He　intends　to　have　his　rades　slit　our　throats　while　our　bodies　lie　uninhabited。〃
　　　The　draegloth　took　a　step　forward；　baring　his　fangs　at　the　Vhaeraunite　priest。
　　　〃I　choose　to　travel　in　astral　form　for　two　reasons；　Mistress　Baenre；〃　Tzirik　replied；　ignoring　Jeggred。　〃First；　it　is　marginally　safer；　in　that　if　someone's　roving　spirit　happened　to　be　killed　while　visiting　the　Demonweb　Pits；　that　person　would　not　truly　be　dead…he　would　awaken　here；　unharmed。　A　spirit　is　a　difficult　thing　to　destroy；　after　all。　Second；　as　far　as　I　can　tell；　we　have　no　real　alternative。　I　have　already　attempted　to　plane　shift　bodily　to　the　Demonweb　Pits；　and　the　spell　failed　outright。　I　believe　the　barrier　or　seal　of　which　the　Masked　Lord　spoke　prevented　the　direct　transference　of　a　physical　body　into　Lolth's　demesnes。〃
　　　〃Yet　you　believe　you'll　be　able　to　carry　our　astral　forms　there；　when　the　realm　is　still　sealed？〃　Halisstra　asked。
　　　〃I　know　of　only　two　ways　to　take　you　to　the　Demonweb　Pits；　and　if　one　doesn't　work；　the　other　must；〃　Tzirik　said　with　a　shrug。　〃The　Masked　Lord　himself　has　instructed　me　to　take　you　there；　so　there　must　be　a　way。　Still；　if　you　happen　to　know　of　any　permanent　gates　or　portals　connecting　our　world　with　the　Abyss；　or　the　Demonweb　Pits　itself；　I　suppose　you　could　make　use　of　such　a　device。〃
　　　〃Show　me　that　physical　travel　will　not　work；〃　Quenthel　said。
　　　〃Step　close；〃　Tzirik　said　from　behind　his　mask；　his　voice　carrying　a　certain　dry　amusement；　〃and　join　hands　with　me。〃
　　　The　drow　shuffled　close　and　joined　hands　in　a　circle　with　Tzirik；　who　took　a　place　between　Quenthel　and　Danifae；　laying　his　left　hand　over　their　joined　hands　and　leaving　his　right　free　to　make　the　gestures　necessary　for　the　spell。　He　collected　himself；　then　chanted　out　a　rolling；　powerful　prayer　whose　unholy　words　filled　the　air　with　a　nearly　tangible　darkness。
　　　Halisstra　watched　carefully　to　make　certain　that　the　priest　cast　the　spell　correctly；　and　as　far　as　she　could　tell；　he　did。　For　a　moment　she　thought　i