蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第44部分

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〃Alas；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃I　suspect　I'm　unfettable。　You　too　may　depart　if　you　can　bear　to　tear　yourself　away。〃
〃Crazy；〃　the　outcast　repeated。
He　limped　for　the　stairs　and　in　a　moment　was　gone　like　the　rest。
Pharaun　walked　behind　the　bar。　〃Now；〃　he　said；　〃to　begin　drow's　eternal　search　for　the　stuff　that　bubbles？
Ryld　surveyed　the　slumbering　goblins　as　if　pondering　whether　to　stick　his　sword　in　them。
〃I　still　think　this　is　a　bad　idea；〃　the　weapons　master　said。
Careful　not　to　soil　his　boots；　Pharaun　stepped　around　the　two　bloody　pieces　of　the　barkeep　and　inspected　a　rack　of　jugs　and　bottles。
〃You　always　say　that；　and　you're　always　mistaken。　The　goblinoids　will　carry　word　of　our　whereabouts　far　and　wide。　The　rogues　are　bound　to　hear。〃
〃As　will　your　sister　and　everyone　else　we've　managed　to　annoy。〃
Pharaun　uncorked　a　jug。　The　pungent　liquid　inside　didn't　seem　to　be　fizzing；　so　he　moved　on。
〃Care　to　make　a　wager　on　who'll　arrive　first？〃
〃Either　way；〃　Ryld　snorted；　〃we　wind　up　dead。〃
〃Had　I　wished　to　hear　the　dreary　voice　of　pessimism；　I　would　have　detained　our　friend　Bruherd；〃　the　wizard　said　as　he　inspected　a　jar　full　of　cloudy　liquid。　〃Here's　a　jar　of　pickled　sausages　if　you　care　to　break　your　fast；　but　I　won't　vouch　for　the　ingredients。　I　think　I　see　a　kobold's　horn　floating　in　the　brine。〃
He　opened　a　glass　bottle　with　a　long；　doublecurved　neck；　and　the　contents　hissed。
〃Aha　I've　found　the　draught　the　Duskryn　remended。〃
〃Someone's　here；〃　said　Ryld。
The　mage　turned。　Two　figures　were　descending　the　stairs。　They　looked　like　ores；　with　coarse；　tangled　manes　and　lupine　ears；　but　Pharaun's　silver　ring　revealed　that　the　appearance　was　an　illusion；　disguising　dark　elf　males。　The　wizard　saw　the　masks　as　translucent　veils　lying　atop　the　reality。
He　conveyed　the　truth　of　the　situation　to　Ryld　with　a　rapid　flexing　and　crooking　of　his　fingers。
〃Gentlemen；〃　said　the　mage；　〃well　met　My　rade　and　I　have　been　looking　everywhere　for　you。〃
〃We　know；〃　said　the　taller　of　the　newers；　evidently　not　surprised　that　a　Master　of　Sorcere　had　instantly　penetrated　his　disguise。　He　was　Houndaer　Tuin'Tarl；　one　of　the　highest　ranked　of　the　missing　males；　likewise　one　of　the　first　to　elope；　and　thus　almost　certainly　one　of　the　ringleaders。　Certainly　he　looked　like　a　princely　mander　of　lesser　folk。　His　rich　silk　and　velvet　garments；　the　magical　auras　of　many　of　his　possessions；　and　strutting　demeanor　all　proclaimed　it。　He　wore　crystals　in　his　thick；　flowing　hair—a　nice　effect—had　closeset　eyes　and　a　prominent　jaw；　and　looked　as　if　he　knew　how　to　manage　the　scimitar　hanging　at　his　side。　He　also　looked　rather　tense
〃We've　known　for　a　while；〃　said　the　other　stranger；　whom　Pharaun　didn't　recognize。
At　first　glance；　he　appeared　to　be　a　nondescript　moner；　with　the　squint　and　small　hands　of　a　craftsman　proficient　at　fine　work。　However；　the　dagger　tucked　in　his　sash　fairly　blazed　with　potent　enchantments；　as　did　an　object　concealed　within　his　jerkin。　Evidently　he'd　layered　one　disguise　on　another。
〃Well；〃　said　Ryld；　〃you　took　your　time　contacting　us。　I　guess　that's　understandable。〃
〃I　think　so；〃　said　Houndaer　as　he　and　his　rade　advanced。　A　goblin　moaned；　and　the　noble　kicked　the　creature　silent。　〃Why　were　you　seeking　us？〃
〃It's　our　understanding；〃　said　Pharaun；　stepping　from　behind　the　bar；　〃that　you　offer　a　haven　for　males　who　find　existence　under　the　thumbs　of　their　female　relatives　uncongenial　and　who；　for　whatever　reason；　aspire　neither　to　the　Academy；　a　merchant　clan；　nor　Bregan　D'aerthe。　If　so；　then　we　wish　to　join　your　pany。〃
〃But　you　two　already　did　aspire　to　the　Academy；〃　the　aristocrat　said。　〃You　rose　to　high　rank　there。　Some　might　say　that　gives　my　associates　and　I　cause　for　concern。〃
The　ore　mask's　tusked　mouth　perfectly　copied　the　motions　of　his　actual　lips。　Pharaun　couldn't　have　created　a　better　illusion　himself。　
〃You　speak　of　the　dead　past；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃You've　no　doubt　heard　I'm　in　disgrace；　and　Master　Argith　finds　MeleeMagthere　stale　and　tedious。〃　The　dark　powers　knew；　his　discontented　friend　shouldn't　have　much　trouble　convincing　them　of　that。　〃We　require　an　alternative　way　of　life。〃
Houndaer　nodded　and　replied；　〃I'm　glad　to　hear　it；　but　what　assurances　can　you　give　that　you　aren't　an　agent　the　matrons　sent　to　find　us？〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃My　solemn　oath？〃
Everyone　chuckled；　even　Ryld　and　the　boy　with　the　dagger；　who　were　both　quietly；　thoughtfully　watching　their　more　loquacious　panions　palaver。
〃Seriously；〃　the　wizard　continued；　〃if　our　escapade　in　the　Bazaar　failed　to　convince　you　of　our　bona　fides；　I　have　no　idea　what　other　persuasion　we　can　offer。　But　it　didn't　fail；　did　it？　Otherwise；　you　wouldn't　be　here。　So　unless　you　perceive　something　in　our　manner　that　screams　spy　。　。　。〃
The　faux　moner　smiled。　〃You're　right。〃　He　turned　to　Houndaer　and　added；　〃They　smell　all　right　to　me；　and　if　they're　not；　I　doubt　a　little　quizzing　in　this　stinking　goblin　hole　will　prove　otherwise。　Let's　get　them　home　before　some　servant　of　the　clergy　es　sniffing　for　them　and　finds　us。　Either　way；　it'll　all　get　sorted　out　in　the　end。〃
For　a　moment；　as　the　power　of　Pharaun's　silver　ring　wavered；　the　drow's　mild；　civilized　tone　became　an　ore's　growl。　He　even　smelled　like　a　dirty　undercreature。
The　Tuin'Tarl's　mouth　tightened。　Pharaun　suspected　he　didn't　much　like　taking　advice　from　anyone；　his　panion　included。
〃I'm　just　being　careful—as　should　you—but　you　may　have　a　point。〃　He　turned　back　to　the　masters　and　said；　〃If　we　take　you　to　our　stronghold；　there's　no　going　back。　You'll　aid　our　cause　or　die。〃
Pharaun　grinned。　〃Well　spoken；　and　quite　in　the　spirit　of　a　thousand　thousand　conspiracies　before　you。　Whisk　us　away。〃
〃Gladly；〃　the　noble　said　with　a　mean　little　smile　of　his　own；　〃as　soon　as　the　two　of　you　surrender　your　weapons　and　that　cloak　of　pockets。〃
The　wizard　crooked　an　eyebrow　and　said；　〃I　thought　you'd　decided　to　trust　us。〃
〃It's　time　for　you　to　show　a　little　trust；〃　Houndaer　replied。
Pharaun　surrendered　his　piwafwi；　hand　crossbow；　and　dagger。　He　was　a　little　worried　about　Ryld's　willingness　to　do　the　same。　He　could　easily　imagine　the　warrior　deciding　that；　in　preference　to　entering　the　dragon's　cave　unarmed；　he'd　subdue　Houndaer　and　his　panion　there　and　then　and　wring　what　information　out　of　them　he　could。
The　problem　with　that　strategy　was　that　the　Tuin'Tarl　and　his　nameless　panion　might　not　be　privy　to　all　the　mystic　secrets　held　by　the　cabal　as　a　whole；　and　those　who　were　might　flee　when　the　two　emissaries　failed　to　return。　Thus；　while　the　masters　would　likely　succeed　in　forestalling　a　goblin　revolt；　they'd　miss　acquiring　the　extraordinary　power　they　sought。
Besides；　it　would　be　much　more　fun　to　join；　and　undo　the　rogues　from　within。
Apparently　Ryld　shared　Pharaun's　perspective；　or　else　he　was　simply　content　to　follow　the　wizard's　lead；　for　he　handed　over　Splitter　and　his　other　weapons　to　Houndaer　without　demur。
The　Tuin'Tarl　reached　into　his　pouch；　extracted　a　stone；　and　tossed　it。　It　exploded　in　a　strange；　lopsided　way；　tearing　a　wound　in　the　air；　a　gash　the　size　and　shape　of　a　sarcophagus　standing　on　end　and　the　color　of　the　light　that　swims　inside　closed　eyelids。
He　gestured　to　the　portal　and　said；　〃After　you。〃
Pharaun　smiled。
〃Thank　you。〃
As　easy　as　that？　Pharaun　thought。　He　was　experiencing　a　certain　sense　of　anticlimax；　which　was　absurd；　really。　It　had　been　astonishingly　difficult　to　get　this　far。
He　stepped　into　the　portal；　and　experienced　none　of　the　spinning　vertigo　of　ordinary　teleportation。　Save　for　a　split　second　of　blindness；　it　was　just　like　striding　from　one　room　to　the　next。　The　only　problem　was　the　drider　waiting　on　the　other　side。
The　wizard　struggled　not　to　make　a　sound。　Still；　the　huge　creature；　half　spider；　half　drow；　a　bow　in　its　hand　and　a　quiver　of　arrows　slung　across　its　naked　back；　turned　toward　him。　Pharaun　had　no　fear　of　a　single　such　aberration；　but　the　goddess　only　knew　just　how　elaborate　this　trap　actually　was。　He　whirled　back　toward　the　magical　doorway　just　as　Ryld　came　through。
Ryld；　who'd　slain　his　share　of　driders　in　the　caverns　surrounding　Menzoberranzan；　knew　that　this　one—a　hybrid　creature　with　the　head；　arms；　and　torso　of　a　dark　elf　male　married　to　the　body　and　segmented　legs　of　a　colossal　spider—was　larger　than　average；　a　robust　example　of　its　species；　if　species　was　the　proper　term。　Nature　didn't　make　them；　magic　did。　Sometimes；　when　the　goddess　deemed　one　of　her　worshipers　insufficiently　reverent；　the　punishment　was　transformation　at　the　hands　of　a　circle　of　priestesses　and　a　demon　called　a　yochlol。
The　Master　of　MeleeMagthere　naturally　focused　on　the　venomous　aberration　as　soon　as　he　stepped　through　the　portal；　but　like　every　petent　warrior—and　unlike　Pharaun；　evidently—he　also　took　in　the　disposition　of　the　entire　area。
The　portal　had　deposited　them　in　a　large；　unfurnished　hall　with　a　number　of　openings　along　the　wall。　It　was　the　sort　of　central　hub　used　in　castles　to　link　the　various　wings。　A　couple　males　were　wandering　through；　and　while　neither　had　ventured　into　the　drider's　immediate　vicinity；　they　weren't　preparing　to　attack　him　or　flee　from　him；　either。　Nor　did　the　creature　himself　appear　on　the　verge　of　assaulting　anyone；　though　he　regarded　the　newers　with　a　scowl。
Somewhat　pleased　to　be　ahead　of　his　clever　friend　for　once；　Ryld　gripped　Pharaun　by　the　shoulder。
〃Steady；〃　the　swordsman　said。　〃Don't　embarrass　yourself。〃
The　wizard　looked　around；　then　grinned　and　said；　〃Right。　Our　friends　didn't　trick　us　into　entering　a　trap。　The　drider's　magically　constrained。〃
No。
Ryld　glanced　back　to　see　that　the　two　bogus　ores　had　stepped　through　the　portal；　which　dwindled　to　nothing　behind　them。　It　was　the　bigger　and　more　talkative　of　the　duo　who　was　speaking。
〃The　driders　help　us　of　their　own　free　will。〃
〃Interesting；〃　said　Pharaun。
In　the　blink　of　an　eye；　the　goblinoids　turned　into　an　aristocratic　warrior—Houndaer　Tuin'Tarl；　specifically；　whom　Ryld　had　trained—and　a　craftsman　of　one　sort　or　another。　The　prince　closed　the　portal　with　a　wave　of　his　arm。
〃Do　you　still　use　that　secondintention　indirect　attack？〃　Ryld　asked。　〃That　was　a　nice　move。〃
For　the　first　time；　Houndaer　smiled　a　smile　that　had　neither　malice　nor　suspicion　in　it。
〃You　remember　that；　Master？　It's　been　so　long；　I'm　surprised　you　even　remember　me。〃
〃I　always　remember　the　ones　who　truly　learn。〃
〃Well；　thank　you。　It's　good　to　have　you　with　us；　and　you're　going　to　be　glad　you　are。　Great　things　are　in　store。〃　the　noble　said。　The　drider　scuttled　toward　them。　〃Ah；　here　es　Tsabrak。　You'll　see　his　mind　isn't　sluggish　or　otherwise　crippled；　yet　he's　on　our　side　nonetheless。〃
In　point　of　fact；　the　drider　didn't　look　especially　congenial。　The　length　of　his　legs　lifted　his　head　above　those　of　the　four　dark　elves；　and　he　glared　down　at　them　with　eyes　full　of　madness　and　hate。　Ryld　inferred　that　Tsabrak　had　entered　into　a　typical　Menzoberranyr　alliance。　He'd　thrown　in　with　the　runaways　to　secure　some　practical　advantage；　but　he　still　loathed　all　the　drow　who'd　deformed　him　and　cast　him　out。
〃What　is　this？〃　the　drider　snarled；　exposing　his　fangs。　They　seemed　to　impede　his　speech　a　trifle。　〃Syrzan　said　no〃
Syrzan　wasn't　a　typical　drow　name；　but　Ryld　had　no　idea　to　which　other　race　it　might　belong。　He　glanced　over　at　Pharaun；　w