war of the spider queen 3 condemnation-第52章

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　　　〃In　that　case；　we　would　be　well　advised　to　raise　another　Baenre　wizard　over　Sorcere。　Failing　to　do　so　would　make　us　seem　weak；　and　if　the　other　Houses　perceive　us　as　vulnerable；　they　might　be　tempted　to　try　the　very　thing　you　fear。〃
　　　〃Your　advice　does　not　provide　me　much　fort；　Sos'Umptu；〃　Triel　grated。　〃And　I　am　concerned；　not　afraid。〃
　　　〃There　is　another　possibility；〃　Sos'Umptu　said。　〃Delay。　Maintain　that　Gromph　is　still　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　for　as　long　as　possible。　For　that　matter；　spread　the　story　that　you　have　sent　him　off　on　a　special　mission　and　he　will　not　be　back　for　a　while。　The　longer　we　delay；　the　more　likely　it　is　that　events　will　make　the　circumstances　of　his　disappearance　clearer。　If　the　Army　of　the　Black　Spider　finds　victory　in　the　tunnels　to　the　south；　then　your　position　might　be　strengthened　enough　that　you　can　do　as　you　will　with　the　archmage's　post。〃
　　　Triel　nodded。　It　was　a　sound　piece　of　advice。　Though　she　hated　to　admit　that　if　Lolth　continued　to　refuse　her　spells　she　might　face　a　challenge　for　the　leadership　of　the　House；　it　didn't　hurt　her　to　begin　strengthening　her　own　ties　to　Sos'Umptu。　She　might　need　all　the　sisters　she　could　get。
　　　The　door　to　the　chapel　creaked　open；　and　a　plump　male　dressed　in　elegant　black　robes　entered。　He　resembled　nothing　so　much　as　a　housecat　that　had　been　fed　too　much；　satisfied　with　his　own　superiority。　Nauzhror　Baenre　was　Triel's　first　cousin　once　removed；　the　son　of　one　of　her　mother's　nieces。　His　familiar；　a　hairy　spider　as　well　fed　as　the　wizard　himself；　perched　on　Nauzhror's　shoulder。　He　was　accounted　a　Master　of　Sorcere；　the　only　Baenre　so　recognized　other　than　old　Gromph　himself；　and　was　reputed　to　be　an　abjurer　of　some　skill。　Younger　than　Gromph；　he　had　a　habit　of　maintaining　an　insouciant　smirk　that　made　it　hard　to　gauge　what　he　was　thinking。　Try　as　she　might；　Triel　could　not　imagine　him　wearing　the　robes　of　the　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan。
　　　〃You　sent　for　me；　Matron　Mother？〃
　　　〃I　am　going　to　make　it　known；〃　Triel　said；　〃that　my　brother　Gromph　is　engaged　in　a　mission　of　great　importance　and　secrecy；　and　will　return　to　resume　his　duties　as　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan　in　due　time。　In　the　meantime；　I　am　going　to　allow　the　Masters　of　Sorcere　to　designate　a　substitute　to　attend　to　the　responsibilities　of　the　position。　You　will　support　the　best　candidate　from　either　House　Xorlarrin　or　Agrach　Dyrr。〃
　　　Nauzhror's　smirk　failed　him。
　　　〃M…matron　Mother；〃　he　stammered。　〃I　。。。　I　had　thought　that　perhaps　I　should　assume　the…〃
　　　〃Are　you　Gromph's　equal；　Nauzhror？〃　Triel　asked。
　　　The　abjurer　might　have　been　soft　in　appearance；　but　his　eyes　betrayed　a　hard　and　calculating　mind…and　a　pragmatic　one；　as　well。
　　　〃Were　I　the　archmage's　equal；　Matron　Mother；　I　would　have　challenged　him　for　his　title　already。〃　He　thought　for　a　moment；　reaching　up　to　stroke　the　spider　that　sat　on　his　shoulder。　〃In　time　I　expect　to　equal　and　perhaps　surpass　his　skill；　but　I　must　study　the　Art　for　many　years　before　I　can　call　myself　his　peer。〃
　　　〃As　I　thought。　Consider　this；　then；〃　Triel　said。　〃Whomever　engineered　Gromph's　disappearance　will　most　likely　make　short　work　of　you　if　you　presumed　to　call　yourself　Archmage　of　Menzoberranzan。　The　day　may　e　when　you　realize　your　ambition；　cousin；　but　that　day　is　not　today。〃
　　　Nauzhror　did　not　hesitate　to　incline　his　head　and　reply；　〃Yes；　Matron　Mother。　I　will　do　as　you　mand。〃
　　　〃You　are　now　acting　House　Wizard　of　House　Baenre；　Nauzhror。　If　it　turns　out　that　my　brother　is　no　more；　you　will　hold　the　position　in　earnest；　but　for　now　I　have　need　of　your　spells　and　counsel。　Settle　your　affairs　in　Sorcere　for　the　time　being。　I　will　have　your　personal　effects　brought　here。〃
　　　Nauzhror　genuflected　and　said；　〃I　thank　you　for　your　confidence　in　my　abilities；　Matron　Mother。〃
　　　〃My　confidence　in　your　abilities　extends　exactly　this　far；　cousin：　Do　not　get　killed；〃　said　Triel。　〃As　of　this　moment；　any　male　with　the　least　aptitude　for　wizardry　in　House　Baenre　is　yours　to　train。　We　need　a　cadre　of　skilled　arcanists　to　equal　those　fielded　by　Del'Armgo　or　Xorlarrin。〃
　　　〃Such　a　collection　of　talent　cannot　be　produced　overnight；　Matron　Mother。　It　will　be　the　work　of　years　to　match　Xorlarrin's　strength　in　wizardry。〃
　　　〃Then　it　is　a　work　best　begun　immediately。〃
　　　Triel　studied　the　corpulent　wizard　and　found　herself　hoping　against　hope　that　her　House's　future　did　not　rest　in　his　oily　hands。
　　　〃There　is　one　thing　more；　Nauzhror；〃　she　said　as　the　wizard　stepped　away。　〃Consider　it　your　first　duty　as　House　Wizard。〃　Triel　moved　close　and　fixed　her　eyes　on　his；　daring　him　to　smile　into　her　face。　〃You　will　find　out　what　has　happened　to　my　brother。〃
　　　
　　　Ryld　barreled　through　a　short；　curving　corridor；　Jezz　and　Valas　at　his　heels。　Danifae　helped　Quenthel　to　stagger　along　behind　them。　The　weapons　master　followed　the　corridor　back　to　his　right；　and　emerged　into　a　large　hall　or　ballroom　of　some　kind。　The　beholder　mage　drifted　there；　a　hulking　monstrosity　in　the　form　of　a　chitin…covered　orb　six　feet　across；　its　ten　eyestalks　writhing　as　it　hurled　spell　after　spell　at　Pharaun　and　Jeggred。　The　wizard　stood　encased　in　a　globe　of　magical　energy；　some　kind　of　defensive　spell　that　protected　him　while　he　dueled　spell…for…spell　with　the　monster。　Jeggred　stood　immobile；　his　face　locked　into　a　needle…fanged　grimace　as　he　struggled　to　throw　off　the　influence　of　some　baneful　spell　or　another。
　　　〃Persistent　insects；〃　the　beholder　snarled　as　it　caught　sight　of　Ryld　and　the　others。　〃Leave　me　be！〃
　　　The　creature　floated　back　through　an　open　archway；　retreating　to　another　portion　of　its　lair。
　　　Pharaun　turned　wearily　to　face　the　others。　One　side　of　his　clothing　was　spattered　with　smoking　holes；　where　some　kind　of　acid　had　burned　him；　and　he　trembled　with　fatigue。
　　　〃Ah；　I　see　my　worthy　panions　have　at　last　elected　to　join　me；〃　he　observed。　〃Excellent！　I　was　afraid　you　might　miss　the　pleasure　of　hazarding　life　and　limb　against　a　murderous　foe。〃
　　　〃What's　wrong　with　Jeggred？〃　Quenthel　managed。
　　　〃He's　ensnared　by　a　holding　spell　of　some　kind；　and　I　expended　all　of　my　dispelling　magic　in　my　duel。　If　you　can　free　him；　please　do　so。　I　wouldn't　want　to　be　selfish；　and　keep　the　beholder　all　to　myself。〃
　　　〃Shut　up；　Pharaun；〃　Danifae　rasped。　〃We　have　to　finish　the　beholder；　quick。　There's　a　pit　fiend　and　a　dozen　more　devils　just　behind　us；　and　we're　about　to　be　caught　between　the　two。〃
　　　The　wizard　grimaced。　A　dangerous　light　flickered　in　his　eyes　as　he　looked　at　Danifae；　then　at　Jezz　the　Lame。
　　　〃If　your　magical　tome　is　this　much　trouble；　perhaps　we　should　keep　it　for　ourselves；〃　the　Master　of　Sorcere　observed。
　　　〃Tzirik　will　not　share　the　results　of　his　divinations　with　you　if　you　betray　us；〃　the　Jaelre　said　simply。　〃Decide　what　is　more　important　to　you；　spider…kisser；　and　do　it　quickly。〃
　　　〃Stop　it；　Pharaun；〃　Ryld　said。
　　　He　moved　over　to　where　Jeggred　stood　frozen；　and　laid　Splitter　alongside　the　draegloth　to　break　the　enchantment　that　held　him。　The　half…demon　blinked　his　eyes　and　scowled；　slowly　straightening。
　　　〃One　problem　at　a　time；〃　Ryld　continued。　〃Do　you　have　any　magic　that　can　keep　the　devils　off　our　backs　long　enough　for　us　to　defeat　the　beholder？〃
　　　The　wizard　answered；　〃No；　they'd　be　among　us　in　just　a　moment；　and　that　would　be　a　scene；　wouldn't　it？　The…wait　a　moment；　I　have　an　idea。　We　won't　keep　out　the　devils。　In　fact；　we'll　let　them　in。〃
　　　Infernal　power　crackled　and　snapped　in　the　room　behind　them。
　　　〃That's　the　pit　fiend　destroying　my　wall；〃　Jezz　said。　〃Explain　quickly；　Menzoberranyr。〃
　　　Pharaun　began　chanting　a　spell；　and　weaving　his　hands　in　the　arcane　gestures　necessary　to　shape　and　control　his　magic。
　　　〃Do　not　resist；〃　he　told　the　others。　〃Ah；　there　we　go。　I've　covered　us　all　with　a　veil　of　illusion。　We're　all　devils　now。〃
　　　Ryld　glanced　down　at　himself　and　noted　nothing　different；　but　when　he　looked　back　up；　he　saw　that　he　was　standing　in　the　middle　of　a　pany　of　barbed　devils。　He　recoiled　momentarily；　and　noticed　the　other　devils　flinching　too。　Faintly；　as　though　draped　in　a　diaphanous　gauze；　he　could　see　the　natural　forms　of　the　other　dark　elves　beneath　their　scaly　exteriors。
　　　〃I　can　see　through　this；〃　he　warned。
　　　〃Yes；　but　you're　expecting　it；〃　said　the　devil　who　stood　where　Pharaun　had。　〃This　should　create　no　small　amount　of　confusion　for　our　foes；　but　we　must　move　quickly。　We　want　the　devils　to　e　upon　us　while　we're　dealing　with　the　beholder。〃
　　　The　wizard　glided　across　the　chamber；　following　the　beholder；　and　the　rest　of　the　pany　fell　in　behind　him；　hurrying　after　Pharaun　as　the　howls　of　the　pursuing　devils　rose　in　the　corridor　behind　them。　They　climbed　a　spiraling　stair　and　found　the　beholder　waiting　for　them　in　what　seemed　to　be　a　large　throne　room。　The　monster　hesitated　as　the　pany　burst　in；　cloaked　in　their　devilish　guises。
　　　〃The　dark　elves　are　not　here；〃　the　beholder　rasped。　〃Search　the　rest　of　the　tower。　They　must　be　found！〃
　　　〃I'm　afraid　you　are　mistaken；〃　Pharaun　laughed；　and　he　hurled　a　blast　of　lightning　at　the　creature　that　charred　a　dinner　plate　sized　patch　of　its　chitinous　hide。
　　　At　the　same　time；　Valas　fired　a　pair　of　arrows　that　sank　into　its　armored　body；　while　Ryld；　Jeggred；　and　Danifae　broke　into　a　charge。
　　　The　creature　recovered　from　its　surprise　with　incredible　alacrity；　whirling　to　flay　the　attacking　drow　with　its　deadly　rays　and　spells。　Jeggred　was　flung　across　the　room　with　a　telekinetic　ray；　while　Danifae　had　to　throw　herself　flat　to　avoid　the　incandescent　green　sweep　of　a　disintegrating　ray。　Ryld　got　three　steps　farther　before　no　less　than　three　of　the　monster's　thin　eyestalks　whipped　around；　spotting　him　at　once　and　lashing　out　with　more　spells。　A　hail　of　incandescent　bolts　of　energy　streaked　out　to　meet　his　charge；　punching　into　his　torso　like　the　blows　of　a　dwarven　war…hammer。　Ryld　grunted　in　pain；　and　stumbled　to　the　hard　floor。
　　　At　that　moment；　a　flood　of　devils　climbed　up　out　of　the　staircase　behind　them；　pouring　into　the　room。　In　the　space　of　half　a　dozen　heartbeats；　the　scene　descended　into　plete　chaos；　as　the　devils　thronged　the　room；　some　turning　angry　glares　on　the　beholder；　others　simply　halting　in　confusion；　surprised　to　find　so　many　of　their　fellows　already　in　the　room。
　　　From　the　floor　Danifae　pointed　up　at　the　beholder　and　screeched；　〃The　beholder　is　in　league　with　the　dark　elves！　Slay　it！　Eat　its　eyes！〃
　　　The　devils　paused　just　long　enough　for　the　beholder　to　scour　their　front　ranks　with　deadly　spells；　and　they　set　upon　it；　flinging　themselves　at　the　monster。　Rock…hard　talons　clawed　and　gouged　at　the　beholder；　while　devils　exploded　under　bolts　of　white　fire　or　crumbled　into　lifeless　stone　beneath　the　beholder's　eye　rays。
　　　Ryld　had　been　about　to　leap　up　and　engage　the　monster　again；　but　he　caught　Pharaun's　cautioning　gesture；　and　feigned　injury。　The　wizard's　strategy　was　brilliant…let　the　beholder　and　the　devils　battle；　and　their　foes　might　destroy　each　other。
　　　〃Weak…minded　fools！〃　the　beholder　hissed。　〃The　dark　elves　have　deceived　you！〃
　　　Still　it　wreaked　terrible　devastation　with　its　spell