蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第3部分

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nse；　perfume；　the　stink　of　unwashed　thralls；　and　a　thousand　other　things。
〃Why　perform　such　a　dangerous　ritual　in　the　first　place？〃　he　asked。
Pharaun　smiled　as　if　it　was　a　silly　question。　Perhaps　it　was。
〃To　bee　more　powerful；　of　course；〃　the　wizard　answered。　〃At　present；　I'm　one　of　the　thirty　most　puissant　mages　in　the　city。　If　I　controlled　the　Sarthos　demon；　I'd　be　one　of　the　five。　Perhaps　even　the　first；　mightier　than　dreary　old　Gromph　himself。〃
I　see。
Ambition　was　an　essential　part　of　the　drow　character；　and　Ryld　sometimes　envied　Pharaun　his　stillpassionate　investment　in　the　struggle　for　status。　The　warrior　supposed　that　he　himself　had　achieved　the　pinnacle　of　his　ambitions　when　he　became　one　of　the　lesser　masters　of　MeleeMagthere；　for　certainly　he；　born　a　moner；　could　never　climb　any　higher。　From　that　day　forward；　he'd　stopped　peering　hungrily　upward　and　concentrated　on　looking　down；　to　guard　against　all　those　who　wished　to　kill　him　in　hopes　of　ascending　to　his　position。
Pharaun　was　a　Master　of　Sorcere　as　Ryld　was　a　Master　of　MeleeMagthere；　but　perhaps；　being　of　noble　blood；　Pharaun　really　did　aspire　to　assassinate　the　formidable　Gromph　Baenre　and　seize　his　office。　Even　if　he　didn't；　wizards；　by　the　nature　of　their　intricate　and　clandestine　art；　maintained　a　rivalry　that　enpassed　more　than　who　was　a　master；　who　was　chief　wizard　in　a　great　House；　and　who　was　neither。　They　also　cared　about　such　things　as　who　could　know　the　most　esoteric　secrets；　could　conjure　the　deadliest　specter；　or　see　most　clearly　into　the　future。　In　fact；　they　cared　so　deeply　that　they　occasionally　sought　to　murder　each　other　and　plunder　one　another's　spell　books　even　when　such　hostilities　ran　counter　to　the　interests　of　their　Houses；　severing　an　alliance　or　disrupting　a　negotiation。
〃Now；〃　Pharaun　said；　reaching　inside　the　elegant　folds　of　his　piwafwi　and　producing　a　silver　flask；　〃I'll　have　to　turn　my　back　on　the　Sarthos　demon　for　a　while。　I　hope　the　poor　behemoth　won't　be　lonely　without　me。〃
He　unscrewed　the　bottle；　took　a　sip；　and　passed　the　container　to　Ryld。
Ryld　hoped　the　flask　didn't　contain　wine　or　an　exotic　liqueur。　Pharaun　was　forever　pressing　such　libations　on　him　and　insisting　that　he　try　to　recognize　all　the　elements　that　allegedly　blended　together　to　create　the　taste；　even　though　Ryld　had　demonstrated　time　and　again　that　his　palate　was　incapable　of　such　a　dissection。
He　drank　and　was　pleased　to　find　that　for　a　change；　the　flask　contained　simple　brandy；　probably　imported　at　some　expense　from　the　inhospitable　world　that　lay　like　a　rind　atop　the　Underdark；　baking　in　the　excruciating　sunlight。　The　liquor　burned　his　mouth　and　kindled　a　warm　glow　in　his　stomach。
He　handed　the　brandy　back　to　Pharaun　and　said；　〃I　assume　Gromph　told　you　to　leave　the　entity　alone。〃
〃In　effect。　He　assigned　me　another　task　to　occupy　my　time。　Should　I　succeed；　the　Archmage　will　five　me　my　transgressions。　Should　I　fail　。　。　。　well；　I'll　hope　for　a　nice　beheading　or　garroting；　but　I'm　not　so　unrealistic　as　to　expect　anything　that　quick。〃
〃What　task？〃
〃A　number　of　males　have　eloped　from　their　families；　and　not　to　a　merchant　clan　or　Bregan　D'aerthe　either　but　to　an　unknown　destination。　I'm　supposed　to　find　them。〃
Pharaun　took　another　sip；　then　offered　the　flask　again。
〃What　did　they　steal？〃　asked　Ryld；　waving　off　the　drink。
Pharaun　smiled　and　said；　〃That's　a　good　guess；　but　you're　wrong。　As　far　as　I　know；　no　one　walked　off　with　anything　important。　You　see；　it　isn't　just　a　few　fellows　from　one　particular　House。　It's　a　bunch　of　them　from　any　number　of　homes；　noble　and　mon　alike。〃
〃All　right；　but　so　what？　Why　does　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　care？〃
〃I　don't　know。　He　offered　some　vague　excuse　of　an　explanation；　but　there's　something—several　somethings；　belike—that　he's　not　telling　me。〃
〃That's　not　going　to　make　your　job　any　easier。〃
〃How　true。　The　old　tyrant　did　condescend　to　say　that　he　isn't　the　only　one　interested　in　the　fugitives'　whereabouts。　The　priestesses　are　equally　concerned；　but　that　emphatically　did　not　make　them　want　to　join　forces　with　Gromph。　Matron　Mother　Baenre　herself　ordered　him　to　drop　the　matter。〃
〃Matron　Baenre；〃　said　Ryld。　〃I　like　this　less　with　every　word　you　speak。〃
〃Oh；　I　don't　know。　Just　because　Triel　Baenre　rules　all　Menzoberranzan；　and　I'm　about　to　flout　her　express　wishes　。　。　。　Anyway；　the　Archmage　says　he　can　no　longer　investigate　the　disappearances　himself。　Seems　the　ladies　have　their　eyes　on　him；　but；　lucky　me；　I　am　not　so　burdened。〃
〃That　doesn't　mean　you're　going　to　find　the　missing　males。　If　they　fled　the　city；　they　could　be　anywhere　in　the　Underdark　by　now。〃
〃Please；〃　said　Pharaun　with　a　grin；　〃you　don't　have　to　try　to　cheer　me　up。　Actually；　I'm　going　to　start　looking　in　Eastmyr　and　the　Braeryn。　Apparently　some　of　the　runaways　were　last　sighted　in　those　déclassé　vicinities；　and　perhaps　they　linger　there　still。　Even　if　they　do　intend　to　depart　Menzoberranzan；　they　may　still　be　making　preparations　for　the　journey。〃
〃If　they've　already　decamped；〃　Ryld　said；　〃you　might　at　least　find　a　witness　who　can　at　tell　you　what　tunnel　they　took。　It's　a　sensible　plan；　but　I　can　think　of　another。　It's　reckless　to　gamble　your　life　when　you　don't　even　understand　the　game。　You　could　flee　Menzoberranzan　yourself。　With　your　wizardry；　you're　one　of　the　few　people　capable　of　undertaking　such　a　dangerous　trek　alone。〃　
〃I　could　try；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃but　I　suspect　Gromph　would　track　me　down。　Even　if　he　didn't；　I　would　have　lost　my　home　and　forfeited　the　rank　I　worked　my　whole　life　to　earn。　Would　you　give　up　being　a　master　just　to　avoid　a　spot　of　danger？〃
〃No。〃
〃Then　you　understand　my　predicament。　I　imagine　you've　also　figured　out　why　I　called　on　you　today。〃
〃I　think　so。〃
〃Of　course　you　have。　Whatever　it　is　that's　truly　transpiring；　my　chances　of　survival　improve　if　I　have　a　rade　to　watch　my　back。〃
Ryld　scowled。　〃You　mean；　a　rade　willing　to　defy　the　express　will　of　Matron　Mother　Baenre　and　risk　running　afoul　of　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　as　well。〃
〃Quite；　and　by　a　happy　coincidence　you　have　the　look　of　a　drow　in　need　of　a　break　from　his　daily　routine。　You　know　you're　bored　to　death。　It's　painful　to　watch　you　grouch　your　way　through　the　day。〃
Ryld　pondered　for　a　moment；　then　said；　〃All　right。　Maybe　we'll　find　out　something　we　can　turn　to　our　advantage。〃
〃Thank　you；　my　friend。　I　owe　you。〃　Pharaun　took　a　drink　and　held　out　the　flask　again。　〃Have　the　rest。　There's　only　a　swallow　left。　We　seem　to　have　guzzled　the　whole　pint　in　just　a　few　minutes；　though　that　scarcely　seems　possible；　refined；　genteel　fellows　that　we—〃
Something　crackled　and　sizzled　above　their　heads。　Waves　of　pressure　beat　down　on　them。　Ryld　looked　up；　cursed；　scrambled　to　his　feet；　and　drew　a　dagger；　meanwhile　wishing　he'd　strapped　on　his　weapons　before　stepping　outside　MeleeMagthere。
Pharaun　rose　in　a　more　leisurely　fashion。
〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃this　is　interesting。〃
　
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TWO
Scourge　of　vipers　writhing　in　her　hand　soft；　thin　gown　whispering；　Quenthel　Baenre；　Mistress　of　ArachTinilith；　prowled　about；　glaring　at　the　younger　females　standing　huddled　in　the　center　of　the　candlelit；　marblepaneled　room。　She　always　had　a　knack　for　striking　fear　into　the　hearts　of　those　who　displeased　her；　and　these　students　were　no　exception。　Some　trembled　or　appeared　to　be　biting　back　tears；　and　even　the　sullen；　fractious　ones　refused　to　look　her　in　the　eye。
Enjoying　their　apprehension；　Quenthel　prolonged　her　silent　inspection　until　it　was　surely　on　the　verge　of　being　unbearable；　then　she　cracked　the　whip。　Some　of　her　startled　pupils　gasped　and　jumped。
As　the　five　long　black　and　crimsonbanded　vipers　that　prised　the　lashes　of　the　whip　rose　twisting　and　probing　from　the　adamantine　handle；　Quenthel　said；　〃All　your　lives；　your　mothers　have　told　you　that　when　a　student　ascends　to　Tier　Breche；　she　remains　here；　sequestered　from　the　city　below；　for　ten　years。　On　the　day　you　entered　the　Academy；　I　told　you　the　same　thing。〃
She　stalked　up　to　one　of　the　students　trapped　at　the　front　of　the　group；　Gaussra　Kenafm；　slightly　plump　and　roundfaced；　with　teeth　as　black　as　her　skin。　Responding　to　Quenthel's　unspoken　will；　the　whip　snakes　explored　the　novice's　body；　gliding　over　its　contours；　tongues　flickering。　The　Mistress　of　ArachTinilith　could　see　Gaussra　straining　mightily　not　to　recoil　for　fear　that　it　would　provoke　the　reptiles　into　striking。
〃So　you　did　know；〃　Quenthel　purred；　〃didn't　you？〃
〃Yes；〃　Gaussra　gasped。　〃I'm　sorry。　Please；　take　the　snakes　away〃
〃How　impertinent　of　you。　You　and　these　others　have　forfeited　the　right　to　ask　me　for　anything。　You　may　kiss　her。〃
The　last　statement　was　addressed　to　the　serpents；　and　they　responded　instantly；　driving　their　long　fangs　into　cheek；　throat；　shoulder；　and　breast。　Gaussra　collapsed—fully　expecting　to　fall　into　a　seizure；　mouth　foaming；　her　own　blackened　incisors　chewing　her　purple　tongue。
Shaking　from　the　sting　of　the　bites；　Gaussra　sat　on　the　floor；　very　much　alive；　her　terror　was　apparent；　her　humiliation　plete。
〃You　will　return　to　your　House；〃　Quenthel　said；　relishing　the　look　on　Gaussra's　face　as　the　true　meaning　of　that　statement　sank　in。　〃If　you　e　that　close　to　my　scourge　again；　the　vipers　will　allow　their　venom　to　flow。〃
Quenthel　stepped　away　from　Gaussra；　who　scrambled　to　her　feet　and　ran　from　the　chamber。
〃You　all　knew　what　was　expected　of　you；'　she　said　to　the　rest　of　the　novices；　〃but　you　tried　to　sneak　home　anyway。　In　so　doing；　you　have　offered　an　affront　to　the　Academy；　to　your　own　families；　to　Menzoberranzan；　and　to　Lolth　herself〃
〃We　just　wanted　to　go　for　a　little　while；〃　said　Halavin　Symrywin；　who　seemed　to　carry　half　of　her　insignificant　House's　paltry　wealth　in　the　form　of　the　gaudy；　gold　ornaments　hanging　about　her　person。　〃We　would　have　e　back。〃
〃Liar〃　shouted　Quenthel；　eliciting　a　flinch。
Rearing；　the　whip　vipers　echoed　the　cry。
〃Liar〃
〃Liar〃
〃Liar〃
In　other　circumstances；　Quenthel　might　have　smiled；　for　she　was　proud　of　her　weapon。　Many　priestesses　possessed　a　whip　of　fangs；　but　hers　was　something　special。　The　snakes　were　venomous　and　likewise　possessed　a　demonic　intelligence　and　the　power　of　speech。　It　was　the　last　magical　tool　she'd　crafted　before　everything　turned　to　dung。
〃Oh；　you　would　have　returned；〃　she　continued；　〃but　only　because　your　mothers　would　have　sent　you　back　or　else　killed　you　for　shaming　them。　They　have　sense　enough　to　cleave　to　the　sacred　traditions　of　Menzoberranzan　even　if　their　degenerate　offspring　do　not。
〃Your　mothers　wouldn't　mind　if　I　slaughtered　you；　either。　They'd　thank　me　for　wiping　clean　the　honor　of　their　Houses。　But　Lolth　desires　new　priestesses；　and；　despite　all　appearances　to　the　contrary；　it　is　remotely　possible　that　one　or　two　of　you　are　worthy　to　serve。　Therefore　I　will　give　you　one　more　chance。　You　won't　die　today。　Instead　you　will　sever　a　finger　from　each　of　your　hands　and　burn　them　before　the　altar　of　the　goddess　to　beg　her　fiveness。　I'll　ring　for　a　cleaver　and　a　chopping　block。〃
Quenthel　surveyed　their　stricken　faces；　enjoying　the　sickly；　shrinking　fear。　She　would　enjoy　watching　the　actual　mutilations　as　well。　The　most　amusing　part　might　be　when　a　novice　had　already　cut　one　hand；　and　had　to　employ　it；　throbbing　and　streaming　blood；　to　maim　the　other　。　。　。