war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第34部分

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were　not　there。　The　room　was　not　empty；　however。　One　of　the　House　torturemasters　was　methodically　straightening　tools　that　had　been　upset　with　the　booming　thumps　from　outside。
　　　〃Where　are　they？〃　Faeryl　demanded；　gesturing　to　the　rack　where　Quenthel　had　been　restrained。
　　　The　torturemaster　turned　and　looked　at　her　vacantly；　not　understanding。
　　　Growling　in　exasperation；　the　ambassador　repeated　herself。
　　　The　other　drow　looked　at　her；　then　prehension　lit　his　features。
　　　〃Oh；　they're　not　here；〃　he　said。
　　　Faeryl　rolled　her　eyes　and　said；　〃I　can　see　that；　you　foolish　boy。　Where　are　they？〃
　　　〃That　ugly　drow；　Zammzt；　ordered　them　taken　to　a　cell；〃　the　torturemaster　replied。　〃I　saw　to　it　personally。〃
　　　Another　severe　blast　rocked　the　room；　and　tools　were　scattered　everywhere。　Faeryl　managed　to　grab　hold　of　the　column　where　Jeggred　had　been　chained　for　support；　but　the　other　drow　was　not　so　lucky。　He　went　down　in　a　pile…and　even　more　unfortunately；　one　of　the　many　braziers　of　hot　coals　tipped　over　onto　him；　showering　him　with　burning　cinders。　Screaming；　the　drow　scrambled　away　from　the　embers；　but　he　was　already　a　conflagration；　his　clothes　ignited　and　smoking　as　he　flailed　helplessly　about。
　　　Faeryl　bit　her　lip　in　irritation。
　　　Now；　why　do　you　suppose　he　would　have　moved　them；　and　to　where？　she　thought；　turning　to　leave。
　　　She　decided　she'd　have　to　ask　someone　to　show　her；　and　she　departed。
　　　***
　　　
　　　Pharaun　faltered　for　only　a　moment　at　the　sight　of　the　two　drow　priestesses　before　him。　One；　quite　simply；　was　beautiful。　The　other；　while　lacking　the　graceful　curves　and　fluid　motion　of　the　first；　was　obviously　nobly　born　and　not　unpleasant　to　look　at；　either。　Then；　getting　a　closer　look；　the　wizard　recognized　her。　She　was　the　drow　who　had　been　in　chains　in　the　audience　chamber　only　moments　before。　In　fact；　he　realized；　she　still　wore　the　manacles　she'd　been　shackled　with；　though　the　connecting　chain　between　them　had　been　severed。　Neither　of　the　females　looked　happy　to　see　him；　Ryld；　or　Valas。
　　　〃Damn；〃　Pharaun　muttered；　returning　to　his　senses。
　　　He　reached　inside　his　piwafwi；　fumbling　quickly　for　the　wand　he'd　used　to　dispatch　the　drow　soldiers　not　too　long　before。　In　front　of　him；　Ryld　went　on　guard；　raising　Splitter　into　an　aggressive　position　as　he　advanced　warily。　Valas　slipped　to　the　opposite　side　of　the　hallway；　automatically　fanning　out　with　Ryld　to　e　at　the　adversaries　from　either　flank。
　　　The　lovely　creature　who'd　first　caught　the　mage's　eye　hissed　in　vexation　and　brought　a　morning　star　out　in　front　of　her。　She　had　a　buckler　on　her　other　arm　held　to　the　side　where　Valas　was　closing。
　　　〃It's　them！〃　she　snarled；　taking　up　a　position　in　front　of　the　other　drow　as　though　to　defend　her。
　　　Both　dark　elves　seemed　quite　capable　of　taking　care　of　themselves；　and　Pharaun　noted　the　finely　tooled　chain　mail　each　of　them　wore。　The　one　to　the　rear　actually　sported　the　House　Melarn　insignia　on　hers；　and　the　wizard　guessed　she　must　be　one　of　the　dead　matron　mother's　daughters。
　　　Pharaun　had　his　wand　out；　but　before　he　could　invoke　the　trigger　words　to　use　the　thing；　Ryld　stepped　in　and　launched　a　short　series　of　strikes　at　the　dark　elfin　front　of　him；　who　managed　with　some　difficulty　to　parry　the　attacks　with　both　her　weapon　and　her　buckler。　The　Master　of　Sorcere　knew　that　Ryld　was　not　really　pressing　his　attack　yet。　The　weapons　master　was　attempting　to　size　up　the　skill　of　his　petition　with　a　few　well…placed　feints　before　closing　in　to　finish　the　job　efficiently。　Valas　continued　to　creep　in　from　her　other　side；　and　she　back…stepped　more　than　once　to　prevent　the　scout　from　getting　behind　her。　Pharaun　aimed　the　wand　and　prepared　to　recite　the　activation　phrase；　when　the　other　drow；　the　daughter　of　House　Melarn；　spoke　up；　causing　him　to　falter。
　　　〃Hold；　Danifae。〃
　　　The　drow　in　front　retreated　another　couple　steps；　but　she　did　not　drop　her　guard。
　　　〃We　have　no　quarrel　with　you；〃　the　still…unnamed　Melarn　said。　〃I　know　you　don't　have　reason　to　trust　us；　but　we're　not　the　enemy。　。　。　。　They　are。〃
　　　She　gestured　upward；　to　the　floors　above。
　　　Ryld　took　a　threatening　step　forward　then　he　too　stopped　and　held　his　guard。　Valas　was　watching　both　sides　with　glittering　eyes；　kukris　at　the　ready。
　　　〃How　convenient；〃　Pharaun　said；　smiling　coldly。　〃The　imperiled　daughter；　implicated　in　her　mother's　treason　and　with　no　friends；　making　a　peace　offering。　At　least　until　we　let　down　our　guard；　right？　Then　you　turn　us　over　to　Matron　Mother　Zauvirr；　claim　you　captured　us；　and　hope　she　lets　you　off　the　hook。〃
　　　〃I　could　easily　say　the　same　about　you；　but　I　won't；〃　the　Melarn　daughter　replied。　Without　taking　her　eyes　off　Pharaun；　she　added；　〃Danifae；　I　said　stand　down！〃
　　　Pharaun　raised　an　eyebrow　at　her　tone　of　mand。　Danifae　nodded　in　acquiescence；　stepping　farther　back　until　she　was　side　by　side　with　her　mistress。
　　　〃Well；　you're　right　about　that；〃　Pharaun　said。　〃We　don't　have　any　reason　to　believe　you。　If　you're　on　the　outs　with　Mistress　Zauvirr；　what　are　you　doing　down　here；　all　decked　out　in　your　finest　armor？〃
　　　〃We're　trying　to　save　our　own　skins；〃　the　daughter　said；　a　bit　more　testily　than　Pharaun　thought　necessary；　considering　she　was　trying　to　broker　some　sort　of　truce；　albeit　temporary。　〃I　think　we　both　might　have　been　played　by　Ssipriina　Zauvirr。　If　you　e　with　us；　help　us；　we　might　be　able　to　get　you　information　that　will　help　prove　it。〃
　　　〃Lower　your　weapons　to　the　ground；〃　Ryld　said；　〃and　we'll　consider　listening　to　you。〃
　　　〃I　think　not；〃　the　daughter　countered。　〃At　least；　not　until　we　have　some　assurances　that　you　won't　attack　us　the　moment　we　do。　I　don't　know　for　sure　that　you　weren't　in　league　with　my　mother。〃
　　　Ryld　snarled；　raising　Splitter　and　advancing　again。　Valas　was　doing　likewise；　still　looking　to　maneuver　around　to　the　priestesses'　left　side。
　　　〃Ryld；　Valas；　wait；〃　Pharaun　called　out　quietly。
　　　He　had　no　doubt　that　the　two　warriors　could　dispatch　the　drow　females　with　relatively　little　difficulty；　as　long　as　the　wizard　was　backing　them　up　with　a　careful　selection　of　spells；　but　he　was　intrigued。　Ryld　cast　a　quick　glance　back　over　his　shoulder　at　the　wizard　then　shrugged　and　held　his　ground。
　　　〃I　can　assure　you　that　we　have　never　met　your　mother　and　had　no　dealings　with　her；　ever。　That　wild　tale　in　the　audience　chamber　above　was　merely　a　contrivance　to　stall　for　time…ruffle　everyone's　feathers；　so　to　speak。　You　seem　to　know　who　we　are；〃　Pharaun　said；　addressing　the　daughter　of　House　Melarn；　〃but　we　are　at　a　disadvantage。　Who　are　you；　and　what　is　this　information　you　are　planning　to　use　to　buy　our　trust？〃
　　　In　a　flash　of　bluish　light；　Valas　was　stepping　through　a　dimensional　doorway；　and　as　the　one　named　Danifae　turned　to　face　the　point　where　the　scout　had　been　standing　only　a　split…second　earlier；　the　Bregan　D'aerthe　scout　was　behind　her；　one　hand　gripping　her　wrist　tightly　where　she　held　her　morning　star；　the　other　hand　holding　a　kukri　at　the　line　where　her　jawbone　faded　into　her　graceful　neck。　Though　she　was　several　inches　taller　than　the　scout；　Valas　was　easily　able　to　keep　her　overbalanced　by　shifting　his　hip　under　hers　and　levering　her　up　off　her　feet。
　　　Danifae's　eyes　bulged　wide　as　she　realized　she'd　been　outmaneuvered；　and　she　flailed　about　helplessly　for　a　second　or　two　until　she　grasped　that　the　blade　was　at　her　neck；　at　which　point　she　froze。
　　　〃Lay　them　down；〃　Ryld　said　to　both　drow　females；　gesturing　to　their　weapons　with　his　greatsword。　〃To　the　floor；　nice　and　quietly。〃
　　　The　Melarn　daughter　gasped　in　surprise　at　Valas's　maneuver；　narrowed　her　eyes；　and　took　half　a　step　toward　her　panion。　When　she　realized　she　was　outmatched；　she　sighed　and　settled　her　mace　to　the　floor　at　her　feet。　Danifae　sagged　a　bit　in　Valas's　grasp　and　relinquished　her　weapon　to　the　other　female；　who　set　that　down　as　well。
　　　〃Excellent！〃　Pharaun　said　as　Ryld　kicked　the　two　weapons　safely　away。　〃That　wasn't　so　bad；　now　was　it？〃
　　　〃You　could　have　trusted　us；〃　the　daughter　spat。　〃We　gave　you　no　reason　not　to。〃
　　　Pharaun　laughed　out　loud。　Ryld　stifled　a　chuckle　of　his　own；　and　Valas；　who　released　Danifae　but　kept　his　kukri　carefully　placed　in　the　small　of　her　back；　was　grinning　behind　her。
　　　〃You　are　a　dark　elf；〃　the　wizard　said　finally；　regaining　his　posure。　〃That　alone　is　enough　for　me　not　to　trust　you；　but　beyond　that；　if　you　think　we're　going　to　trust　anyone　in　this　cursed　city；　you're　the　biggest　fool　I've　met　in　a　while。　Yet；　I　am　not　pletely　uninterested　in　negotiating；　so　you　may　still　get　a　chance　to　redeem　yourself。　You　can　start　by　answering　my　questions。　Who　are　you；　and　what　is　the　nature　of　this　information？〃
　　　The　Melarn　daughter　grimaced　but　finally　answered；　〃I　am　Halisstra　Melarn；　as　you　have　surmised　by　now；　I'm　sure。　This　is　Danifae；　my　personal　servant。　What　I　meant　was；　your　friend　the　high　priestess　and　her　demon　panion　aren't　dead。〃
　　　Pharaun　felt　his　eyes　bulge　at　this　revelation。　He　heard　both　Ryld　and　Valas　breathe　in　sharply。
　　　〃Really；〃　the　mage　said；　trying　to　sound　offhand　as　he　regained　his　posure；　〃and　how　would　you　know　that？〃
　　　〃Because　I've　seen　them；〃　Danifae；　still　locked　in　Valas's　grip；　answered。
　　　〃Apparently；〃　Halisstra　said；　〃Ssipriina　Zauvirr　simply　told　everyone　that　the　priestess　was　dead　so　that　there　would　be　no　demands　for　her　side　of　the　story。　They　probably　should　have　killed　them；　but　I　guess　Faeryl　had　other　plans　for　her。〃
　　　At　the　mention　of　the　ambassador；　Pharaun　tilted　his　head。
　　　〃You　know　Faeryl　Zauvirr？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃Yes；〃　Halisstra　replied；　〃I　know　her。　We　grew　up　together。　Since　our　Houses　have…or　rather；　had…a　business　relationship；　her　mother　and　mine　spent　quite　a　bit　of　time　together。　She　might　very　well　be　with　the　Baenre　priestess　right　now。　I　suspect　she's　torturing　them　both。〃
　　　〃Is　that　so？〃　Pharaun　asked。
　　　Ryld；　who　still　had　his　greatsword　trained　on　the　two　females；　snorted；　〃Why　does　that　not　surprise　me？〃
　　　〃I　wonder　how　the　esteemed　high　priestess　managed　to　get　herself　caught　in　the　first　place？〃　Pharaun　pondered　aloud。
　　　〃It　was　an　ambush；〃　Halisstra　said。　〃When　they　were　at　a　Black　Claw　Mercantile　storehouse。　Faeryl　was　in　on　it；　I　guess。　Her　mother　met　them　there　with　a　host　of　guards　who　subdued　the　high　priestess　and　the　demon　that　was　with　them。　They　claim　they　had　to　kill　my　mother；　who　was　trying　to　escape；　though　now　I　wonder　if　she　truly　is　dead。〃
　　　〃Well　now；〃　Pharaun　said；　even　more　intrigued　than　before；　〃some　things　are　beginning　to　make　more　sense。　Now　I　know　why　Faeryl　was　being　so　agreeable　during　the　trip　here。　She　wanted　Quenthel　to　go　to　the　storehouse。　It　was　their　plan　to　take　Quenthel　all　along。〃
　　　〃Not　just　Quenthel；　but　all　of　you；〃　said　Halisstra。　〃I'm　guessing　she　intended　to　capture　all　of　you　at　once；　but　when　you　didn't　appear　at　the　storehouse　with　the　others　she　had　to　amend　her　plan。　She'd　be　quite　pleased；　I'm　sure；　if　you　were　all　dead。〃
　　　〃Yes；〃　the　mage　said　wryly；　〃we　were　informed　of　that　very　fact　not　an　hour　ago。　Needless　to　say；　we　weren't　too　keen　on　the　idea；　ourselve