war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第7章

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　　　Valas　dispatched　the　last　of　his　attackers　with　a　double…handed　slash　that　nearly　cut　the　creature　in　two；　and　Jeggred　stood　amid　a　virtual　heap　of　asabi　bodies；　his　flanks　heaving。　The　wizard　glanced　around　once；　and　noticed　Ryld　on　the　ground。
　　　〃Damn；〃　he　muttered。
　　　He　knelt　by　the　weapons　master　and　turned　him　over。　Ryld　was　dying。　Blood　streamed　from　the　bolt　in　his　chest；　and　he　fought　for　each　breath；　bloody　spittle　streaking　his　gray　lips。　The　wizard　scowled；　then　looked　up　at　Quenthel。
　　　〃Do　something；〃　he　said。　〃We　need　him。〃
　　　Quenthel　folded　her　arms　with　a　cold　frown　and　said；　〃Unfortunately；　Lolth　does　not　choose　to　grant　me　spells　of　healing　at　the　moment；　and　I　have　already　expended　almost　all　of　the　healing　magic　I　brought　on　our　journey。　There　is　little　I　can　do　for　him。〃
　　　Halisstra　narrowed　her　eyes；　thinking。　Again；　she　didn't　like　the　thought　of　what　she　was　about　to　do；　but　there　was　a　benefit　to　revealing　her　secret。　If　she　proved　herself　useful；　the　Menzoberranyr　would　be　hesitant　to　discard　her。
　　　Besides；　she　thought；　they　likely　already　know。
　　　〃Move　aside；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃I　can　help　him。〃
　　　Quenthel　and　Pharaun　looked　up　suspiciously。
　　　〃How？〃　Quenthel　demanded。　〃Do　you　mean　to　say　that　Lolth　has　not　withdrawn　her　favor　from　you？〃
　　　〃No；〃　Halisstra　replied。　She　knelt　by　Ryld　and　examined　him。　She　would　have　to　move　quickly。　If　he　died；　he　would　be　beyond　her　assistance。　〃Lolth　has　denied　me　spells；　just　as　she　has　Quenthel；　and　presumably　every　other　priestess　of　our　race。　I　have　some　ability　to　heal　by　a　different　means；　though。〃
　　　With　that；　she　began　to　sing。　Her　song　was　a　strange　keening　threnody；　something　dark　and　eerie　that　tugged　at　the　drow　admiration　for　beauty；　ambition；　and　black　deeds　skillfully　done。　Halisstra　molded　the　shape　of　her　voice　and　the　ancient　words　of　the　song；　summoning　the　magic　of　her　lament　as　she　set　her　hand　on　the　quarrel　and　drew　it　from　the　wound。
　　　Ryld　started；　his　eyes　wide　and　staring；　and　blood　spurted　over　Halisstra's　hands…but　the　wound　closed　into　a　puckered　scar；　and　the　weapons　master　coughed　himself　awake。
　　　〃What　happened？〃　he　groaned。
　　　〃What　happened；　indeed？〃　Quenthel　replied。　She　eyed　Halisstra　suspiciously。　〃Was　that　what　I　thought　it　was？〃
　　　Halisstra　nodded　and　stood；　wiping　blood　from　her　hands。
　　　〃It　is　a　tradition　in　my　House　that　those　females　who　are　suited　for　it　may　study　the　arts　of　the　bae'qeshel；　the　dark　minstrels。　As　you　can　see；　there　is　power　in　song；　something　that　few　of　our　kind　care　to　study。　I　have　been　trained　in　the　minstrel's　lore。〃
　　　Ryld　sat　up；　looking　down　at　his　breastplate　and　the　bloody　quarrel　lying　in　the　dust。　He　looked　up　at　Halisstra。
　　　〃You　healed　me？〃　he　asked。
　　　Halisstra　offered　her　hand　and　pulled　him　to　his　feet。
　　　〃As　your　friend　Pharaun　observed；　we　need　you　too　much　to　allow　you　to　inconvenience　us　with　your　death。〃
　　　Ryld　met　her　eyes；　obviously　considering　some　reply。　Gratitude　was　not　an　emotion　many　drow　bothered　to　act　upon。　The　weapons　master　perhaps　wondered　what　Halisstra　might　choose　to　do　with　his。　She　spared　him　any　more　serious　reflections　by　turning　her　attention　to　Pharaun；　and　handing　the　iron　wand　back　to　him。
　　　〃Here；〃　she　said。　〃You　dropped　this。〃
　　　Pharaun　inclined　his　head　and　replied；　〃I　admit　I　was　surprised　to　see　you　wield　it；　but　I　heard　you　sing　in　Ched　Nasad。　Shame　on　me　for　not　adding　two　and　two。〃
　　　〃Let　me　see　your　arm；〃　Halisstra　said。
　　　She　sang　the　song　of　healing　again；　and　repaired　Pharaun's　injury。
　　　She　would　have　examined　the　others　and　aided　them　if　she　could；　but　Quenthel　interrupted　her。
　　　〃No　one　else　is　dying；〃　the　high　priestess　said。　〃We　must　move　now　or　our　enemies　will　surely　descend　on　us　again。　Valas；　you　lead　the　way。　Head　toward　the　outer　walls　so　that　we　may　make　for　the　open　desert　if　we　decide　to　flee。〃
　　　〃Very　well；　Mistress　Baenre；〃　the　scout　acquiesced。　〃It　will　be　as　you　say。〃
　　　
　　　Kaanyr　Vhok；　the　half…demon　prince　known　as　the　Sceptered　One；　stood　on　a　high　balcony　over　the　old　dwarven　foundry　and　watched　his　armorers　at　work。　The　great　smelter　had　once　been　the　heart　of　the　fallen　realm　of　Ammarindar。　The　cavern　was　immense；　and　its　roof　rested　upon　dozens　of　towering　pillars　carved　into　the　shapes　of　dragons；　glowing　red　with　angry　firelight　and　the　lurid　radiance　of　molten　metal。　The　clanging　of　hammers　and　roar　of　kilns　at　work　filled　the　air。　Dozens　of　hulking　tanarukks；　bestial　fiends　bred　from　orcs　and　demons；　toiled　on　the　foundry　floor。　They　might　have　lacked　the　skill　and　enchantments　of　the　dwarves　who　once　worked　there；　but　Kaanyr　Vhok's　soldiers　possessed　a　cunning　instinct　for　the　making　of　deadly　weapons　infused　with　dark　lore。
　　　Kaanyr　himself　fit　the　infernal　scene　well。　Tall　and　powerful；　he　had　the　stature　of　a　strong…thewed　human　warrior　and　the　strength　of　a　stone　giant。　His　skin　was　red　and　hot　to　the　touch；　and　his　flesh　was　hard　enough　to　turn　a　blade。　He　was　strikingly　handsome；　though　his　eyes　danced　with　malice　and　his　teeth　were　as　black　as　coal。　He　wore　a　golden　breastplate　and　carried　a　pair　of　wicked　short　swords　made　from　some　demonic　black　iron　in　rune…chased　scabbards　at　his　belt。　He　grinned　fiercely　with　delight　as　he　looked　out　over　the　gathering　storm　of　his　army。
　　　〃I　now　lead　nearly　two　thousand　tanarukk　warriors；〃　he　said　over　his　shoulder；　〃and　I　have　just　as　many　orcs；　ogres；　trolls；　and　giants　at　my　mand。　I　think　the　time　has　e　to　try　my　strength；　my　love。〃
　　　Aliisza　allowed　herself　a　smile　and　moved　closer；　pressing　herself　to　the　demon　prince's　side。　Like　Kaanyr　Vhok；　she　too　possessed　demonic　blood。　In　her　case；　she　was　an　alu…fiend；　the　spawn　of　a　succubus　and　some　mortal　sorcerer。　Wings　as　smooth　as　black　leather　sprouted　from　her　shoulder　blades；　but　other　than　that　she　was　dusky　and　seductive；　voluptuous　and　inviting；　a　half…demoness　whose　allure　few　mortal　men　could　resist。　She　was　also　clever；　capricious；　and　very　skilled　in　magic；　and　therefore　well…suited　to　be　the　consort　of　a　demonspawned　warlord　such　as　Kaanyr。
　　　〃Menzoberranzan？〃　she　purred；　tracing　the　filigree　of　his　armor　with　one　fingertip。
　　　〃Of　course。　There　seems　to　be　nothing　worth　the　taking　in　Ched　Nasad；　after　all。〃　Kaanyr　frowned；　and　his　gaze　grew　distant。　〃If　the　dark　elves　are　without　the　protection　of　their　spider　goddess；　and　unable　to　govern　their　interminable　feuds；　I　may　have　an　opportunity　to　seize　the　greatness　I　have　always　coveted。　Having　mastered　the　ruins　of　Ammarindar；　I　find　that　I　hunger　for　something　more。　Subjugating　a　city　of　drow　appeals　to　me。〃
　　　〃Others　have　had　that　thought；〃　Aliisza　pointed　out。　〃The　Menzoberranyr　I　spoke　with　in　Ched　Nasad　suggested　that　his　own　city　had　suffered　a　significant　slave　uprising；　sponsored　by　some　outside　agency。　I　think　the　duergar　mercenaries　who　fought　in　Ched　Nasad　would　not　have　left　the　city　to　whatever　House　hired　them；　once　they'd　managed　to　take　it。　If　the　duergar　firebombs　hadn't　worked　so　well；　I　suspect　Clan　Xornbane　would　rule　Ched　Nasad　now。〃
　　　〃Or　I　would；〃　Kaanyr　said。　He　narrowed　his　eyes。　〃If　you　had　reported　the　situation　to　me　in　a　more　timely　manner；　I　might　have　been　able　to　bring　my　army　against　Ched　Nasad　when　the　drow　and　duergar　were　exhausted　from　fighting　each　other。〃
　　　Aliisza　licked　her　lips。
　　　〃You　would　have　lost　whatever　forces　you　brought　into　the　city；〃　she　replied。　〃Your　tanarukks　could　have　endured　the　fires；　of　course；　but　the　collapse　of　the　city　streets　destroyed　everything　in　the　cavern。　Trust　me；　you　missed　no　opportunities　in　Ched　Nasad。〃
　　　Kaanyr　did　not　reply。　Instead；　he　disentangled　himself　from　Aliisza　and　vaulted　lightly　over　the　balcony　rail；　descending　to　the　foundry　floor。　The　warlord　had　no　wings；　but　his　demonic　heritage　conferred　the　ability　to　fly　through　effort　of　will。　Aliisza　frowned；　and　followed　behind　him；　spreading　her　black　pinions　wide　to　catch　the　blazing　updrafts　of　the　room。　Kaanyr　was　still　sore　about　Ched　Nasad；　and　that　was　not　good；　she　reflected。　If　the　warlord　ever　tired　of　her；　he　was　certainly　capable　of　having　her　killed　in　some　grisly　manner；　past　intimacies　notwithstanding。　There　was　nothing　of　which　he　was　not　capable；　if　his　temper　got　the　better　of　him。
　　　The　half…demon　alighted　beside　a　sand　mold　filling　with　molten　iron。　A　pair　of　tanarukks　stood　by；　carefully　watching　over　the　pour。　Kaanyr　squatted　down　by　the　white…hot　metal　and　absently　stirred　his　fingers　in　it。　It　was　hot　enough　to　cause　him　disfort；　and　after　a　moment　he　shook　the　molten　iron　from　his　fingers　and　brushed　them　against　his　thigh。
　　　〃Good　iron；〃　he　said　to　the　tanarukks。　〃Carry　on；　lads。〃
　　　He　straightened　and　continued　on　his　way。　Aliisza　fluttered　to　the　stone　floor　and　fell　into　step　behind　him。
　　　〃The　thing　that　troubles　me　is　this；〃　Kaanyr　mused。　〃Why　did　the　Xornbane　duergar　betray　the　House　that　employed　them　by　burning　the　whole　city？　Was　it　simply　a　dispute　over　pay？　Or　did　they　intend　from　the　start　to　bring　ruin　to　Ched　Nasad？　If　so；　was　Horgar　Steelshadow　behind　it？　Did　the　prince　of　Gracklstugh　send　his　mercenaries　to　Ched　Nasad　to　destroy　the　city；　or　did　Clan　Xornbane　do　that　for　someone　else？〃
　　　〃Does　it　matter？〃　Aliisza　asked；　sidling　up　beside　him　again。　〃The　city　was　destroyed；　regardless　of　anyone's　intentions。　The　great　Houses　of　Ched　Nasad　are　dead；　and　there　aren't　many　Xornbane　dwarves　remaining；　for　that　matter。〃
　　　〃It　matters　because　I　find　myself　wondering　whether　the　duergar　of　Gracklstugh　plan　to　attack　Menzoberranzan　next；〃　Kaanyr　said。　〃I　have　amassed　no　small　strength　here；　but　I　do　not　believe　I　can　take　Menzoberranzan　unless　the　dark　elves　are　reduced　to　utter　chaos　and　helplessness。　If　the　duergar　mean　to　march　on　the　city　too；　my　opportunities　are　limitless。〃
　　　〃Ah；〃　Aliisza　breathed。　〃You　could　sell　your　services　to　the　dark　elves；　the　gray　dwarves；　both；　or　neither。　Hmm；　that　is　interesting。〃
　　　〃And　the　price　I　mand　will　increase　with　the　number　of　warriors　I　bring；　and　my　proximity　to　Menzoberranzan；　but　it　depends　on　the　intentions　of　the　gray　dwarves。〃　The　half…demon　let　out　a　bark　of　hard　laughter。　〃I　would　not　care　to　find　myself　on　Menzoberranzan's　doorstep；　facing　a　strong　and　united　dark　elf　city　with　no　allies　at　hand。〃
　　　〃Why　do　I　get　the　feeling　that　you're　about　to　send　me　away　again？〃　Aliisza　pouted。　She　stretched　her　wings　languorously　around　Kaanyr；　halting　him　as　she　reached　up　to　turn　him　toward　her。　〃I've　only　just　e　back；　you　know。〃
　　　〃Clever　girl；〃　Vhok　said　with　a　smile。　〃Yes；　I　mean　to　dispatch　you　on　another　mission。　This　time；　though；　you　won't　have　to　creep　about　and　stay　out　of　sight。　You　will　call　on　Horgar　Steelshadow；　the　Crown　Prince　of　Gracklstugh；　as　my　personal　envoy…a　diplomat；　if　you　like。　Find　out　if　the　gray　dwarves　intend　to　attack　Menzoberranzan。　If　they　do；　let　them　know　that　I　would　like　to　join　them。　If　they　don't　。　。　。　well；　see　if　you　can't　persuade　them　that　it's　in　their　best　interest　to　destroy　Menzoberranzan　while　the　dark　elves　are　weak。〃
　　　〃The　dwarves　are　not　likely　to　confide　in　me。〃