蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第35部分

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They　rose　from　an　octagonal　pool　set　in　the　black　marble　floor；　and；　having　pleted　the　quotidian　business　of　cleaning　themselves；　headed　for　a　larger　basin　where　they　would　luxuriate　in　steaming；　scented　mineral　water。　Later　in　the　day；　it　would　be　packed；　but　it　wasn't　fashionable　to　visit　the　baths　so　early　in　the　morning。　They　had　it　to　themselves；　which　was　convenient。　They　could　converse　without　fear　of　eavesdroppers。
Ryld　walked　straight　down　the　steps　and　sat　on　the　underwater　ledge。　The　warmth　felt　good　on　his　leg；　mended　but　still　a　little　sore；　and　he　sighed　with　contentment。　Pharaun　made　a　production　of　immersing　himself　in　stages；　an　inch　at　a　time；　as　if　the　heat　were　almost　more　than　he　could　bear。
〃I've　been　thinking　about　your　malaise；〃　the　wizard　said；　once　everything　but　his　head　was　finally　submerged。　〃I　have　a　solution。〃
〃What　do　you　mean？〃
〃Resign　from　MeleeMagthere　and　bee　the　weapons　master　of　a　noble　House。　It　will　have　to　be　one　of　the　lesser　ones；　of　course；　you　being　a　moner；　but　that's　all　right。　You　may　see　more　excitement　that　way。〃
〃Why　would　I　do　that？　It's　not　a　move　up。　It　might　not　be　a　loss　of　rank；　depending　on　the　House；　but　still；　what　would　be　the　point？〃
〃You're　bored；　and　it　would　be　a　change。〃
〃One　that　would　put　me　under　the　thumb　of　any　number　of　high　priestesses。　I'd　have　less　autonomy　than　I　do　as　an　instructor。〃
〃I　managed　to　pursue　my　own　objectives　while　under　my　mother's　supervision。　Still；　you　make　a　legitimate　point。　You　might　find　yourself　abhorring　the　tug　of　the　reins。　What's　the　answer；　then？〃
〃Who　says　there　is　one？　Except；　perhaps；　further　lunatic　holidays　with　you。　I　admit；　this　one　broke　the　tedium。〃
A　diminutive　female　gnome　carried　a　pile　of　freshly　laundered　and　folded　towels　out　of　a　doorway　on　the　far　wall。　Ryld　wondered　if　she　was　one　of　the　Prophet's　followers；　and　if　she　had　any　of　the　rabblerouser's　duergar　firepots　stashed　somewhere　in　the　bathhouse。　It　felt　strange　to　think　of　a　humble　undercreature　that　way—wielding　stoneburning　bombs　against　its　betters。
〃You　speak　of　our　errand　in　the　past　tense；〃　the　wizard　said。
〃Well；　once　you　tell　the　Archmage　the　runaways　are　in　the　Braeryn　fomenting　a　pitiful　little　goblin　uprising；　it'll　be　over；　won't　it？　Gromph　will　pardon　your　transgressions。　The　Council；　having　failed　to　stop　our　inquiries；　will；　I　trust；　see　no　point　in　continuing　to　try　to　kill　us。　It'll　be　more　to　their　advantage　to　let　us　go　on　training　wizards　and　soldiers　to　serve　them。〃
〃You're　very　certain　the　insurrection　will　be　pitiful。　Is　it　because　Greyanna's　followers　exterminated　so　many　undercreatures　last　night？〃
Ryld　scooped　up　a　handful　of　hot　water　and　splashed　it　on　his　neck；　which　had　gotten　a　little　stiff　from　his　exertions。
〃No；〃　he　said。　〃The　hunters　killed　plenty　of　goblins；　but　they　were　only　a　fraction　of　a　fraction　of　the　creatures　jammed　into　every　nook　and　cranny　of　the　district—you　saw　the　interior　of　Smylla's　home。　Trust　me；　you　still　don't　really　understand。〃
〃I　understand　that　many　other　such　specimens　inhabit　the　rest　of　the　city　as　well。　Why；　then；　do　you　doubt　their　ability　to　do　some　appreciable　damage？　It　can't　be　for　want　of　spirit。　The　under　folk　are　in　an　excellent　humor；　enflamed　by　their　Prophet's　oratory；　painting　their　racial　emblems　hither　and　yon；　and　murdering　potential　informers　and　unbelievers。〃
〃They　still　lack　martial　training　and　proper　weapons。〃
〃Some　were　warriors　before　the　slavers　captured　them。　Some　are　thrall　soldiers　still。　As　for　the　arms；　well；　when　visiting　the　World　Above；　did　you　ever　see　a　city　burn？　I　did。　I　had　to　torch　one　myself　to　plete　a　mission。　The　destruction　and　loss　of　life　were　impressive；　even　though　the　inhabitants　knew　their　buildings　could　catch　fire　and　had　procedures　for　dealing　with　it。〃
〃Whereas　we　don't？　Surely　you　wizards　。　。　。　？〃
Pharaun　shrugged。　〃Not　really。　Why　would　it　occur　to　us？　Perhaps　we　could　improvise　something；　but　if　we　didn't　catch　the　conflagration　early；　it　might　not　be　entirely　effective。〃
〃But　you　would　catch　it　early。　The　undercreatures　won't　rebel　all　at　once；　and　that　will　make　it　possible　to　quash　each　little　uprising　as　it　begins。〃
〃You're　assuming　'the　Call；'　whatever　it　is；　will　pass　by　word　of　mouth；　or　at　any　rate；　that　it　won't　be　disseminated　rapidly。　You　could　be　right。　The　noise　baffles　may　hinder　it；　but　what　if　the　Prophet　has　some　arcane　means　of　rousing　every　goblin　and　bugbear　at　the　exact　same　instant？〃
〃Do　you　know　of　such　a　magic？〃
〃No。〃
〃And　you're　a　Master　of　Sorcere。　So　it's　reasonable　to　assume　no　such　power　exists。〃
Pharaun　arched　an　eyebrow。　〃Indeed？　Thank　you　for　your　expert　opinion。〃
Ryld　made　a　spitting　sound　and　said；　〃Look。　You　think　a　rebellion　could　amount　to　something。　I　disagree；　but　say　you're　right。　Isn't　that　all　the　more　reason　to　report　to　Gromph　immediately？〃
The　wizard　waved　to　a　goblin　slave　who　was　sauntering　by。　〃The　difficulty　is　that　I　have　yet　to　succeed。〃
〃What？〃
〃My　assignment　is　to　find　the　runaways。　I　glimpsed　two　of　them　for　a　matter　of　minutes；　then　lost　them。　Do　you　think　the　Baenre　will　deem　that　satisfactory？〃
Frowning；　Ryld　said；　〃Considering　that　we　did　uncover　something　of　interest　。。。〃
〃Remember；　our　great　and　glorious　Archmage　doesn't　hold　me　in　high　esteem。　He　sent　me　out　as　a　decoy；　a　target　for　the　priestesses　to　harass。　Knowing　him　as　I　do；　I'm　sure　that　if　1　fulfill　the　letter　of　our　agreement；　he'll　swallow　his　dislike　and　keep　his　end；　but　should　I　fall　the　least　bit　short；　it　will　be　a　different　matter。〃
〃You　can　at　least　tell　him　the　rogues　are　in　the　Braeryn。〃
〃Can　I？　We　sifted　through　the　Stenchstreets　as　well　as　any　outsiders　could。　We　didn't　find　the　house　where　the　runaways　hang　their　cloaks；　and　we　actually　have　only　the　flimsiest　of　reasons　for　assuming　it's　in　the　Braeryn　at　all。〃
〃I　suppose　you're　right。〃
〃Of　course。　When　am　I　not？　Now；　here's　what　I　intend　to　do：　Find　the　rogues'　hiding　place。　Discover　who　the　Prophet　is　and　how　his　wizardry—　or　whatever　it　is—works。　Learn　where　the　firepots　came　from；　where　they're　cached　around　the　city；　and　the　master　plan　for　the　rebellion。　And　most　importantly　of　all；　determine　what　the　fugitives　know　about　the　clergy　losing　its　magic。〃
〃In　hopes　of　ing　out　of　this　affair　more　powerful　than　you　ever　were　before。〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃More　powerful　than　we　ever　were　before。　That　might　dispel　your　boredom　for　good　and　all。〃
〃And　those　are　the　real　reasons　you　aren't　ready　to　go　back　to　Tier　Breche。〃
〃All　my　motives　are　genuine；　including　my　wariness　of　Gromph。　I　take　it　you　are　in　a　frantic　hurry　to　return？〃
Ryld　sighed。　〃I'm　in　no　rush。　Our　excursion　has　been　interesting；　and　I　like　to　finish　what　I　start；　but　what　if　the　ores　rebel　before　we　get　around　to　warning　our　fellow　drow？〃
〃Then　we'll　make　sure　never　to　tell　anyone　we　knew　it　was　ing。〃　The　wizard　grinned　and　added；　〃Actually；　the　awareness　that　we　race　to　avert　a　calamity　will　make　our　exploits　all　the　more　stimulating。〃
〃And　should　we　lose　the　race；　maybe　the　rebellion　won't　kill　anyone　who　matters　to　the　two　of　us。　I　suppose　I　agree。　We'll　keep　on　searching。〃
〃Excellent〃
Bearing　a　silver　tray；　the　goblin　bustled　to　the　side　of　the　pool。　Bending　the　knees　of　his　splayed；　bristly　legs；　he　brought　the　salver　low　enough　for　the　dark　elves　to　take　the　goblets　on　top　of　it。
Pharaun　gave　the　thrall　a　smile　and　a　wave；　dismissing　him；　then　lifted　his　cup。
〃To　mystery　and　glory〃
Ryld　sipped　from　his　own　cup；　acknowledging　the　toast。　The　drink　was　red　morel　juice；　sweet　and　very　cold；　a　pleasant　contrast　to　the　heat　of　the　water。
〃So　I　guess　it's　back　to　looking　like　ores；〃　said　the　weapons　master。
〃I　grieve　to　disappoint　you；　but　the　time　for　that　sort　of　deception　has　passed。〃
〃What　do　you　mean？　If　we　don't　look　like　undercreatures；　how　are　we　going　to　get　into　another　one　of　those　secret　meetings？〃
〃We　don't　know　that　the　Prophet　will　hold　another　assembly。　He's　already　explained　his　strategy　and　distributed　his　secret　weapon。　Even　if　he　does；　it　might　not　be　for　several　days；　during　which　we'll　have　Greyanna　seeking　us　relentlessly。　We've　evaded　her　so　far；　but　we　must　acknowledge　the　possibility　that　our　luck　could　sour　eventually。〃　〃You're　right　about　that。〃
〃Therefore；　we　need　to　find　the　rogues　quickly；　which　means　a　change　of　tactics　is　in　order。　Why　are　the　boys　trying　to　instigate　a　goblin　revolt？〃
〃I　don't　know。〃
〃Nor　do　I；　really。　It　doesn't　appear　to　make　sense。　Still；　would　you　agree　that　the　intent；　like　the　act　of　eloping　itself；　reflects　an　antipathy　to　the　established　order？〃
〃Possibly。〃
〃Then　let's　assume　the　Prophet　or　some　other　ringleader　lured　the　males　away　from　their　homes　because　he　knew　they　were　more　than　ordinarily　resentful　of　their　places　in　the　world。〃
〃It's　possible。　Where　does　the　notion　lead？〃
The　wizard　grinned　and　said；　〃If　we　demonstrate　that　we　share　their　distemper；　the　rogues　may　recruit　us　as　well。〃
〃How　can　we　do　that？　We　may　not　be　clerics；　but　we're　Masters　of　the　Academy。　We're　pillars　of　the　hierarchy；　and　more　to　the　point；　we　have　a　pleasanter　lot　and　thus　less　reason　for　discontent　than　most。〃
〃That　doesn't　seem　to　slow　you　down。〃
〃Even　so。〃
〃Here's　what　you're　overlooking。　Thanks　to　my　misadventure　with　the　Sarthos　demon；　I'm　a　disgraced　master；　likely　in　line　for　some　ghastly　punishment。　Whereas　you　with　your　dour　demeanor　and　dwarven　armor　are　clearly　an　iconoclast　and　malcontent。　Moreover；　we've　been　asking　everywhere　for　news　of　the　runaways。　They　must　know　of　it；　even　though　they　didn't　see　fit　to　make　contact。　During　that　same　time；　a　high　priestess　from　House　Mizzrym　has　tried　to　murder　us。　They　surely　have　some　cognizance　of　that　as　well。〃
〃Yet　they　still　didn't　approach　us。　Why　would　they　do　it　now？〃
Pharaun　smiled。　〃Because　we'll　provide　proof　that　we　do　in　fact　share　their　perspective。〃
〃How？〃
〃The　priestesses　lead　regular　patrols　through　the　Bazaar。　We'll　destroy　one；　repair　to　the　Braeryn；　boast　of　the　deed；　and　await　developments。　The　rogues　will　seek　us　out。　How　can　they　not？　Whatever　their　ultimate　objective；　I'm　sure　they　can　use　the　services　of　two　such　talented　fellows。〃
〃No　doubt；　but　back　up。　You　want　to　murder　a　patrol？〃
〃In　as　showy　a　manner　as　possible。　With　a　bit　of　planning；　it　should　be　easy　enough。　They　won't　be　as　numerous　as　Greyanna's　hunters　and　they　won't　be　expecting　that　sort　of　trouble。〃
〃What　happened　to　not　killing　anybody；　especially　clerics；　unless　we　absolutely　have　to？〃
〃We　do　absolutely　have　to。　We're　in　a　race　against　time；　remember；　and　this　is　the　speediest　route　to　our　objective。〃
〃Maybe；　but　what　happens　afterward？　Won't　any　number　of　folk　want　to　punish　us　for　our　impudence？〃
〃We　won't　confide　our　involvement　to　those　likely　to　prove　unsympathetic。〃
〃The　priestesses　will　figure　it　out。〃
〃Ah；　but　snug　and　safe　in　the　lair　of　our　friend　the　Prophet；　we　won't　care。　Besides；　the　Council　has　already　authorized　our　annihilation；　so　we　really　have　nothing　to　lose。〃
〃Perhaps　the　crime　can't　worsen　our　current　situation；　but　what　about　the　long　term？〃
〃In　the　long　term；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃it　wont　matter。　As　you　yourself　observed　mere　moments　ago；　we　Menzoberranyr　are　a　pragmatic　lot。　People　five　whatever　outrages　I　mitted　yesterday　if　I　ma