蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第18部分

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〃It's　dead〃　hissed　Hsiv。　〃What　now；　Mistress？〃
〃First　。　。　。　I'm　going　to　sit　。。。　and　tend　my　wounds；　then　we're　going　to　look　。　。　。　for　my　sentry；〃　panted　Quenthel；　attenuating　her　rapport　with　the　vipers。　In　too　deep　and　prolonged　a　munion；　shades　of　identity　could　bleed　in　one　direction　or　the　other。　〃If　she's　lucky；　she's　already　dead。〃
She　wished　she　were　as　undaunted　as　she　was　trying　to　sound；　but　it　appeared　that　demonic　assassins　were　going　to　keep　ing　for　her。　She'd　hoped　that　the　appearance　of　the　spider　demon　might　be　an　isolated　incident。　She'd　thought　that　if　any　more　such　fiends　did　appear；　the　renewed　wards　would　keep　them　out。　Plainly；　she'd　been　too　optimistic。
At　least　ArachTinilith　was　the　seat　of　her　power。　There；　she　could　deploy　a　small　army　of　retainers　and　a　hoard　of　magical　devices　in　her　own　defense；　but　those　resources　hadn't　helped　her　against　the　darkness；　and　she　couldn't　help　wondering　how　many　hostile　visitations　a　priestess　in　her　condition　could　hope　to　survive。
　
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Greyanna's　henchmen　came　floating　down　around　her。　Two　were　warriors；　one　a　wizard；　and　the　third　was　another　priestess。　All　wore　the　half　masks　of　true　seeing；　giving　them　the　deceptively　foolish　look　of　actors　in　a　pantomime。
Pharaun　tried　to　levitate；　but　the　net　was　too　heavy。　He　willed　his　animate　rapier　into　existence。　The　steel　ring　vanished　from　his　finger；　and　the　long；　slim　sword　materialized　outside　the　net。　The　blade　started　slicing　at　the　thick　ropes；　but　to　little　effect。　A　rapier　was　a　thrusting　weapon　and　not　suited　to　sawing。　Tensing　his　muscles　against　the　remorseless　pressure　of　the　tightening　web；　he　turned　the　floating　sword　around　to　threaten　his　fellow　representatives　of　House　Mizzrym。
Greyanna　laughed。　〃Is　that　one　little　bodkin　supposed　to　hold　us　all　at　bay？〃
〃Possibly　not；〃　said　Pharaun；　straining　to　work　his　fingers　closer　to　one　of　his　pockets。　〃That's　why　I　instructed　it　to　kill　you　first。〃
〃Did　you；　now？〃
His　sister　motioned　her　warriors　forward。　Twin　brothers　possessed　of　the　same　slightly　yellowish　hair　and　deeply　cleft　chin；　they　carried　pale　bone　longbows　slung　over　their　backs　in　preference　to　the　more　mon　crossbows。
Greyanna　herself　remained　on　her　mount　and　produced　a　scroll　from　within　her　piwafwi。　Thanks　to　his　remaining　ring；　Pharaun　could　see　from　the　plex　corona　of　magical　force　shining　around　the　rolled　parchment　that　it　contained；　among　others；　a　spell　to　disrupt　the　other　fellow's　magic。　Perhaps　she　intended　to　use　it　to　render　the　dancing　rapier　inert　long　enough　for　her　minions　to　break　or　immobilize　it。
The　wretched　ropes　were　digging　into　the　wizard's　flesh　like　knives。　He　would　hardly　have　been　surprised　if　they　drew　blood。　They　were　certainly　cutting　off　his　circulation　and　numbing　his　extremities。　Trembling　with　effort；　he　shifted　his　fingers　another　inch。
〃My　panion　is　Ryld　Argith；〃　he　said；　〃a　Master　of　MeleeMagthere。　He's　never　done　anything　to　you；　and　you　will　place　yourself　in　debt　to　the　warriors　of　the　pyramid　by　killing　him。〃
Entangled　as　he　was；　Pharaun　couldn't　even　turn　his　head　to　look　at　his　friend　anymore；　but　he　could　hear　Ryld　grunting　and　swearing　and　feel　him　shaking　the　net。　The　swordsman　was　plainly　trying　to　free　himself；　but　it　seemed　unlikely　that　even　his　extraordinary　strength　would　be　enough　if　he　was　unable　to　bring　one　of　his　blades　to　bear；　and　apparently　such　was　the　case。
〃I've　kept　tabs　on　you　through　the　years。〃　Greyanna　said。　〃I　know　Master　Argith　is　your　most　valued　rade。　I　don't　need　him　trying　to　liberate　or　avenge　you。　Our　mother　will　handle　MeleeMagthere。〃
On　further　inspection；　Pharaun　observed　that　the　subordinate　priestess　had　readied　a　scroll　as　well。　That　struck　him　as　vaguely　odd；　but　he　supposed　this　was　hardly　the　time　to　ponder　the　possible　significance。
The　warriors　were　approaching　steadily　but　warily；　and　not　merely；　he　suspected；　because　of　the　hovering　rapier。　Greyanna　could　neutralize　the　weapon；　but　they　feared　that　Pharaun　would　work　some　terrible　magic　that　only　required　speech；　not　gestures　or　a　focal　object。　He　was　sorry　to　disappoint　them。　He　did　have　one　or　two　such　spells　in　his　memory　but　none　that　could　annihilate　all　five　of　these　unpleasant　folk　at　a　single　stroke；　and　he　knew　that　once　he　conjured　some　devastating　attack；　they　would　abandon　any　intention　of　taking　him　alive　for　a　demise　by　torture。　They　would　strike　back　as　fast　and　murderously　as　possible；　and　immobilized　in　the　mesh；　he　would　have　little　hope　of　defending　against　their　efforts。
〃Actually；　you　ought　to　think　twice　about　harming　either　of　us；〃　he　said；　hoping　that　further　conversation　would　slow　the　fighters'　advance；　even　if　only　for　a　second。
Greyanna　chuckled。　〃Be　assured；　I've　thought　of　it　a　thousand　thousand　times。〃
〃The　archmage　won't　like　it。〃
〃I'm　acting　on　behalf　of　the　Council。　I　doubt　he'll　deem　it　politic　to　retaliate　。　。　。　any　more　than　MeleeMagthere　will。〃
〃Well；　Gromph　won't　sign　his　name　to　your　cadaver；　but　someday　。。。〃
Pharaun's　fingers　finally　jerked　into　the　pocket　and　closed　around　a　small　but　sturdy　leather　glove。　With　the　net　still　tightening　every　second；　it　was　just　as　hard　to　withdraw　the　article　as　it　had　been　to　reach　it。　He　experimented　to　see　if　he　could　possibly　fumble　it　through　the　proper　mystical　pass。
Such　a　cramped；　tiny　motion　was　neither　easy　nor　natural　for　him。　He　was　accustomed　to　conjure　with　a　certain　flair；　making　sweeping；　dramatic　gestures。　Yet　he　had　on　occasion　practiced　making　the　signs　as　small　as　possible。　It　was　good　for　his　control　and　had　a　few　times　allowed　him　to　cast　a　spell　without　an　adversary　realizing　what　he　was　about。　So　he　had　some　hope　of　properly　manipulating　the　glove。　If　only　the　web　wasn't　so　constrictive　or　his　hand　so　dead　and　awkward。
〃Excuse　me；〃　Greyanna　said；　then　suspended　the　conversation　to　read　from　her　scroll。
It　was　of　course　divine　magic；　not　arcane；　and　Pharaun　didn't　recognize　all　the　words。　The　effect；　however；　was　unmistakable。　The　rapier　jerked　and　fell　to　the　ground　with　a　clank。　The　masked　wizard　stepped　forward　and　scooped　it　up。　Pharaun　was　content　at　least　with　the　fact　that　the　rapier's　peculiar　enchantment　would　make　it　impossible　for　Greyanna's　henchman　to　turn　the　weapon　on　him—at　least　not　for　an　hour　or　so。
Pharaun　recognized　the　mage；　whose　high；　wide　forehead　and　small；　pointed　chin　were　unmistakable。　Pharaun　had　always　thought　they　made　the　other　mage's　head　look　like　an　egg。　He　was　Relonor　Vrinn；　an　able　wizard　and　longtime　Mizzrym　retainer。　He　was　still　wearing　his　silk　sash　with　the　spell　foci　tucked　inside　and　an　eightpointed　gold　brooch　securing　it。
Scimitars　in　hand；　the　warriors　approached　the　net。　Judging　from　their　smiles；　they'd　decided　there　was　nothing　to　fear　and　were　looking　forward　to　beating　the　two　prisoners　unconscious。
Pharaun　was　not　yet　satisfied　with　his　employment　of　the　glove；　but　he　was　rather　clearly　out　of　time。　He　would　just　have　to　try　the　pass　and　see　if　it　worked。　He　shifted　the　focus　one　more　time；　meanwhile　reciting　an　incantation　under　his　breath。
A　giant　hand；　radiant　and　translucent；　appeared　beneath　the　net。　The　instantaneous　addition　of　another　object　lodged　inside　jerked　the　mesh　even　tighter。　Pharaun　knew　the　jolt　was　ing；　but　he　cried　out　anyway。
The　pain　only　intensified　when；　responding　to　the　wizard's　unspoken　mand；　the　hand　hurtled　twentyfive　feet　into　the　air；　carrying　the　net　and　its　prisoners　along。　For　a　moment；　Pharaun　feared　he　would　black　out；　but　the　pressure　eased。　As　he'd　hoped；　and　despite　the　best　sliding；　bunching　efforts　of　the　web　of　ropes；　his　own　weight　was　dragging　him　free。　He　shoved　and　thrashed　to　speed　the　process　along。
When　he　was　able；　he　looked　over　at　Ryld。　The　hulking　warrior　was　wrestling　free　of　the　net　as　well；　though　he　lost　hold　of　Splitter　doing　it。　The　great　sword　fell　point　first；　narrowly　missed　plunging　through　one　of　the　Mizzrym　warriors；　and　stuck　pommel　up　in　the　smooth　stone　surface　of　the　street。
〃We　have　to　fall；〃　said　Ryld。　〃If　we　just　float　here；　they'll　shoot　and　magic　us　to　pieces。〃
〃Let's　go；〃　Pharaun　replied。
The　masters　released　their　holds　and　plummeted。　One　of　the　soldiers　hit　Ryld　with　an　arrow；　but　the　missile　failed　to　penetrate　his　armor。　A　ball　of　flame　exploded　in　the　air；　but　Relonor　had　aimed　too　high；　and　the　blast　only　made　his　targets　flinch。　Pharaun　used　his　House　insignia　to　slow　his　descent　just　a　little。　He　thought　that　otherwise　he'd　break　his　legs。
As　a　result；　he　saw　Ryld—who　possessed　a　similar　levitating　talisman；　his　bearing　the　sigil　of　MeleeMagthere—reach　the　ground　a　moment　ahead　of　him。　The　Master　of　MeleeMagthere　tucked　into　a　ball；　rolled；　sprang　up　with　short　sword　in　hand；　and　lunged　at　the　soldier　who'd　loosed　the　arrow。　The　masked　male　leaped　backward；　dropped　his　bow；　and　whipped　his　scimitar　out　of　its　scabbard　again。　While　he　was　so　engaged；　Ryld　yanked　Splitter　out　of　the　ground。
Pharaun　landed。　Despite　his　attempt　to　cushion　the　impact；　it　slammed　up　his　legs　and　sent　him　staggering。　As　he　fought　to　recover　his　balance；　he　noticed　Relonor　swirling　his　hands　in　a　starshaped　pattern。
As　the　Master　of　Sorcere　lurched　upright；　the　other　mage　pleted　his　incantation。　A　long；　angular　reptilian　thing　sprang　from　the　palms　of　the　older　drow's　outstretched　hands　as　if　they　were　the　doorway　to　another　world。　Wreathed　in　flowing　blue　flame；　the　monster　charged　Pharaun。
Relonor　was　a　gifted　mage　but　no　marvel　as　a　tactician。　In　the　excitement　of　the　moment；　he'd　reflexively　cast　his　favorite　spell；　and　characteristically　for　a　Mizzrym　retainer；　it　was　an　illusion。　He'd　fotten　that　his　foe；　born　in　the　same　House；　might　well　recognize　the　sequence　of　mystic　passes。　Of　course；　even　if　Pharaun　hadn't；　his　silver　ring　would　have　shown　him　what　sort　of　magic　the　other　male　was　creating。
He　ignored　the　phantasm　and　reached　into　a　pocket　to　snatch　a　tiny　crystal　and　mence　a　spell。　He　ignored　the　apparition　even　when　it　lunged　so　close　he　felt　the　imaginary　but　searing　heat　of　its　halo　of　flame。
An　intense　coldness；　visible　in　the　fan　of　drifting　ice　crystals　it　instantly　created；　exploded　from　his　hand。　It　passed　right　through　the　reptile；　dissipating　the　illusion　in　the　process；　and　washed　over　Relonor。　It　painted　him　with　rime；　and　he　fell　backward。
Pharaun　grinned。　Greyanna　was　a　fool　to　accost　him　with　so　few　retainers　in　her　train。　Didn't　she　realize　that　two　masters　of　Tier　Breche　were　more　than　equal　to　the　worst　that　she　and　her　four　dolts　could　do？
The　foulwing　flapped　its　bat　like　wings　and　hopped　closer　to　the　melee。　As　its　legless　body　pounded　down　on　the　ground；　Greyanna　opened　a　leather　bag　and　flung　a　handful　of　its　contents　into　the　air。
The　falling　motes　flared　with　greenish　light　when　they　struck　the　ground。　Each　seethed　and　sparkled　upward　like　a　spore　instantaneously　growing　into　a　fungus。　In　an　instant；　a　number　of　animate　skeletons　stood　upon　the　street。　They　carried　a　miscellany　of　weapons　and　shields　but　shared　a　mon　purpose。　As　one；　they　oriented　on　the　masters　and　advanced。
Shifting　back　and　forth；　Ryld　cut　the　undead　creatures　down。　Pharaun　took　momentary　shelter　behind　his　friend；　then　the　swordsman　cried　out；　staggered；　and　dropped　his　guard。　The