蛛后之战(被遗忘的国度系列英文版)-第10部分

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ng；　Nym　had　on　several　occasions　managed　to　bribe　officers　to　give　him　their　prisoners；　whom　he　then　smuggled　into　Menzoberranzan　and　down　to　the　cellar　of　the　Jewel　Box。
Nym　had　gone　to　all　this　trouble　based　on　the　shrewd　and　wellproven　assumption　that　a　goodly　number　of　Menzoberranyr　males　would　pay　handsomely　for　the　privilege　of　dominating　a　female；　and　in　his　establishment；　one　could　do　anything　one　wanted　with　a　captive。　Nym　would　even　provide　a　customer　with　a　bastinado；　a　brazier　of　coals；　thumbscrews　。　。　。　his　only　stipulation　being　that　one　must　pay　a　surcharge　if　one　left　a　permanent　mark。
Since　the　brothel's　existence　was　an　open　secret；　Pharaun　wasn't　sure　why　the　matron　mothers　hadn't　shut　it　down。　On　the　face　of　it；　it　certainly　seemed　to　encourage　disrespect　for　the　ruling　gender。　Perhaps　they　felt　that　if　a　male　had　a　refuge　in　which　to　act　out　his　resentments；　it　would　make　him　all　the　more　deferential　to　the　females　in　his　home。　More　likely；　Nym　was　slipping　them　a　substantial　portion　of　the　take。
At　any　rate；　the　Jewel　Box　seemed　a　reasonable　place　to　seek　information　concerning　rogue　males；　especially　if　one　had　a　spy　in　place。　Pharaun　wasn't　confident　that　he　did　anymore；　but　one　never　knew。
The　stairs　emptied　into　a　hallway　of　numbered　doors。　Moans　of　passions　and　grunts　of　pain　sounded　faintly　from　behind　several　of　them。　It　was　busier　than　usual。
The　mage　strolled　down　the　passage　until　he　found　number　fourteen。　He　hesitated　for　an　instant；　then　scowled　and　turned　the　largest　of　his　keys　in　the　lock。　The　door　swung　open。
Seated　on　the　bed；　shackles　clutching　her　wrists　and　ankles；　Pellanistra　looked　much　as　he　remembered；　the　same　powerful；　shapely　limbs　and　heartshaped　face；　with　only　a　few　more　scars　where　one　or　another　of　her　visitors　had　pressed　down　two　hard；　as　well　as　a　split　lip　and　closed；　puffy　eye　where　a　more　recent　caller　had　beaten　her。
She　lifted　her　face；　saw　him；　and　charged　with　her　longnailed　hands　outstretched。　Then　she　staggered　as　one　of　her　governing　enchantments　riddled　her　body　with　pain；　and　an　instant　later　hit　the　end　of　the　chains　securing　her　to　the　wall。　She　lost　her　balance　and　fell　on　her　rump。
〃Hello；　Pellanistra；〃　Pharaun　said。
She　spat　at　him；　then　screwed　up　her　face　at　another　flare　of　punishment。　The　gobbet　of　saliva　fell　well　short　of　the　wizard's　soft；　high　boots。
〃Much　as　I　dislike　descending　to　the　obvious；〃　Pharaun　said；　〃I　feel　pelled　to　observe　that　you're　only　hurting　yourself。〃　He　stepped　forward　and　extended　his　hand。　〃e　on；　let's　sit　and　have　a　talk；　just　like　in　the　old　days。　I'll　even　remove　the　shackles　if　you　wish。〃
〃We　had　a　bargain〃　she　said。
〃I　refuse　to　have　an　extended　conversation　with　someone　sitting　on　the　floor。　It　promises　my　dignity　as　much　as　it　does　yours。　e　on；　be　sensible。　Take　my　hand。〃
She　didn't　do　that；　but；　chains　clinking；　she　did　clamber　to　her　bare　feet　unassisted。　He　caught　a　whiff　of　some　flowery　scent　that　Nym　had　forced　her　to　wear。
〃Now；　isn't　that　better？〃　he　asked。　〃Do　you　want　the　manacles　off？〃
〃We　had　a　pact；　and　I　was　holding　up　my　end。〃
〃I　wish　you'd　invite　me　to　sit　down。〃
〃You　abandoned　me〃
Pharaun　spread　his　slender；　longfingered　hands　and　said；　〃All　right；　priestess。　If　you　think　it　necessary；　we'll　belabor　the　selfevident　a　bit　longer。　Yes；　I　recruited　you　into　my　service。　Yes；　you　were　doing　splendidly—well　on　your　way　to　earning　your　liberation—but　my　circumstances　changed。　Surely　you　heard　something　about　it。〃
〃Yes。　You　backed　the　wrong　sister；　and　Greyanna　made　a　fool　of　you。　She　killed　her　twin；　and　you　were　powerless　to　stop　it。　If　you　hadn't　turned　tail　and　run　away　to　Sorcere；　she　would　have　slain　you；　too。〃
Pharaun　smiled　crookedly。　〃I　don't　think　I'll　encourage　the　bards　to　put　it　quite　that　way　when　they　pose　the　epic　story　of　my　life。〃
〃But　after　you　established　yourself　up　on　Tier　Breche；　after　you　were　free　to　e　and　go　as　you　pleased；　you　could　have　returned　here。〃
〃I　have；　on　occasion；　just　not　to　call　on　you。　I　thought　it　might　be　a　little　awkward。〃
〃I　could　have　helped　you　the　same　as　before。〃
〃Alas；　no。　After　my　withdrawal　from　House　Mizzrym；　I　no　longer　had　a　stake　in　the　power　struggles　within　my　family　or　among　the　noble　Houses；　either。　I　no　longer　needed　intelligence　about　such　matters。　The　only　rivalry　that　concerned　me　was　the　one　among　wizards；　and　even　if　you　number　the　foremost　practitioners　of　my　art　among　your　guests；　I　doubt　they　whisper　the　esoterica　of　their　newly　invented　spells　in　your　ears。　When　it　es　to　our　discoveries；　we　wizards　are　a　closemouthed　breed。〃
〃You　don't　know　what　it　was　like　for　me　。　。　。　is　like　for　me；　abused　and　degraded　by　my　inferiors；　constrained　in　body；　mind；　and　soul；　unable　to　mune　with　Lolth。　。。。〃
Pharaun　raised　his　hand。　〃Please；　you're　embarrassing　yourself。　You　sound　like　a　whining　human；　or　one　of　our　foul　cousins　in　the　World　Above。　Cease　this　tirade；　take　a　breath；　and　think；　then　you　will　realize；　enemy　of　Menzoberranzan；　that　my　concern　for　your　wellbeing　has　always　been；　at　best；　limited。　How　could　it　be　otherwise？　Sentiment　certainly　wasn't　strong　enough　to　make　me　spend　a　fortune　buying　you　free　of　Nym；　or；　if　he　and　I　couldn't　strike　a　deal；　break　you　out　of　here。　Not　when　you　hadn't　fulfilled　the　terms　of　our　covenant。　As　you　no　doubt　recall；　you　were　supposed　to　provide　me　useful　information　over　the　full　course　of　twenty　years。　I　admit　it　wasn't　your　fault　that　you　couldn't；　but　still；　that's　just　the　way　things　fell　out。〃
〃Fine；〃　she　gritted。　〃You're　right；　I'm　being　ridiculous。　In　forsaking　me；　you　simply　behaved　as　any　sensible　drow　would。　Now　what　in　the　name　of　the　Demonweb　do　you　want？〃
He　nodded　at　the　other　end　of　the　room　and　said；　〃May　we　。。。　？〃
She　gave　a　curt　nod；　and　they　seated　themselves；　she　on　the　mattress　of　her　wide　octagonal　bed　and　he　on　a　cushioned　granite　chair。
〃This　is　much　nicer；〃　he　said。　〃Would　you　like　me　to　send　for　some　wine？〃
〃Just　get　on　with　it。〃
〃Very　well。　I　imagine　my　plight　will　amuse　you。　After　the　goddess　knows　how　many　years　breathing　the　rarefied　and　dispassionate　air　of　scholarship；　imparting　knowledge　to　eager　young　minds；　advancing　the　frontiers　of　the　mystic　arts—〃
〃Murdering　other　wizards　for　their　talismans　and　grimoires。〃
He　grinned。　〃Well；　that　was　implied；　of　course。　Anyway；　after　all　that；　I　find　myself　again　embroiled　in　the　more　mundane　aspects　of　life　in　our　noble　metropolis。　There's　a　puzzle　I　must　solve　on　pain　of　the　Archmage's　severe　displeasure；　and　I　will　be　grateful　unto　death　and　beyond　if　you　help　me　unravel　it。〃
〃How　would　I　do　that？〃
〃Don't　be　disingenuous。　It　doesn't　suit　you。　The　same　way　as　always。　I　assume　foolish　boys　still　sometimes　gossip　and　boast　to　their　hired　females；　even　though　if　they　stopped　to　think　about　it；　they'd　remember　you　loathe　them　and　wish　them　only　ill。　I　likewise　imagine　that　you　still　sometimes　find　yourself　obliged　to　entertain　at　gatherings　where　such　idiots；　unmindful　of　your　presence；　discuss　their　most　secret　affairs　with　one　another。〃
〃In　other　words；　you　wish　to　resume　our　old　arrangement。　Which　still　had　four　years　to　run。　If　I　assist　you　with　your　current　problem；　will　you　continue　to　concern　yourself　with　'mundane'　affairs；　or　will　you　lock　yourself　away　in　your　tower　once　more？〃
He　considered　lying；　but　his　instincts　told　him　she'd　see　through　it。
〃I'm　not　entirely　sure　what　will　bee　of　me；〃　he　said。　〃As　far　as　I　know；　if　I'm　successful；　I　ought　to　wind　up　reestablished　in　Sorcere　with　all　my　transgressions　fiven；　but　for　some　murky　reason；　I　wonder。　I'm　caught　up　in　something　I　don't　yet　understand；　and　only　the　dark　powers　know　where　it　will　lead。〃
〃Then　if　you　want　my　help；　you'll　have　to　set　me　free　。　。　。　today。〃
〃Impossible；　I　don't　have　the　requisite　funds　on　my　person；　nor　the　leisure　to　dicker　with　Nym；　for　that　matter。　You　know　he'd　stretch　any　negotiation　out　for　days；　just　to　be　annoying。　Nor　do　I　have　time　to　arrange　an　escape。〃
She　only　stared　at　him；　and　he　understood。
〃Ah；〃　he　said。
〃Is　it　a　bargain？〃
〃It　is　if　you　actually　give　me　some　help。　My　problem　is　this：　An　unusual　number　of　males　have　run　away　from　home　of　late。〃
〃That's　your　errand？　To　find　some　rogues？　What　makes　it　important　enough　to　send　a　Master　of　Sorcere？〃
He　smiled。　〃I　have　no　idea。　Do　you　know　anything　about　it？〃
She　shook　her　head。　〃Not　much。〃
〃Frankly；　any　crumb　of　genuine　information　will　put　me　ahead　of　where　I　am　now。〃
〃Well；　I've　heard　only　the　vaguest　hints；　but　they　suggest　this　isn't　just　a　case　of　an　unusual　number　of　males　deciding　independently　to　elope。　They　all　ran　to　the　same　place　for　the　same　reason；　whatever　that　reason　may　be。〃
〃I　thought　as　much；〃　said　Pharaun。　〃Otherwise；　why　would　Gromph　be　interested？　But　it's　reassuring　to　hear　that　your　own　agile　mind　has　arrived　at　the　same　conclusion。〃
She　sneered。
Pharaun　absently　ran　his　fingertip　along　one　of　the　swirling　lines　woven　into　his　robe。
〃I　doubt　a　threat　would　suffice　to　draw　so　many　boys　away　from　home；〃　he　said。　〃Some　would　have　the　courage　to　defy　the　threatener　or　the　sense　to　appeal　to　their　kin　for　protection。　Nor　would　a　hypnotic　charm　do　the　trick。　Aside　from　the　natural　resistance　to　such　effects　that　all　we　dark　elves　possess；　some　of　the　males　would　have　carried　wards　in　the　form　of　amulets　and　such。　No；　I　think　we　have　to　assume　the　rogues　sneaked　away　of　their　own　volition　to　acplish　some　positive　end。　But　what？〃
〃They're　anizing　a　new　merchant　clan？〃
〃I　thought　of　that；　but　Gromph　says　no；　and　I'm　sure　he's　correct。　For　if　that　were　the　case；　then　why　the　secrecy？　Since　trade　is　important　to　all　Menzoberranzan；　people　don't　generally　object　when　a　male　bees　a　merchant。　It's　one　of　the　two　or　three　legitimate　ways　to　distance　oneself　from　Mother's　harsh　and　arbitrary　hand。〃　He　grinned。　〃No　offense。　I'm　sure　that　in　happier　times；　the　males　under　your　authority　had　no　reason　to　plain　of　you。〃
〃You　can　bet　I　would　give　them　reason　now。〃
〃Given　your　more　recent　experiences；　that's　understandable。　So；　if　the　rogues　aren't　putting　together　a　caravan；　what　are　they　doing？　Preparing　to　flee　Menzoberranzan　for　good　and　all？　Or；　goddess　forbid；　have　they　slipped　away　already？〃
〃I　don't　think　so。　I　can't　tell　you　precisely　where　they　are；　but　I　believe　they're　still　somewhere　in　the　city　proper；　the　Mantle；　or　conceivably　out　in　the　Bauthwaf。〃
〃Now　that　truly　is　good　news。　I　wasn't　keen　on　a　hunt　through　the　wilds　of　the　Underdark。　Not　only　is　there　a　general　lack　of　amenities；　the　winemakers　are　uncorking　the　new　vintages　the　tenday　after　next。〃
Pellanistra　shook　her　head。　〃You　haven't　changed。〃
〃Thank　you；　I'll　take　that　as　a　pliment。　Now；　let's　get　down　to　the　crux　of　the　matter；　shall　we？　I　require　names。　Which　of　your　visitors　dropped　these　Vaguest　hints'　which　you　have　so　sagaciously　interpreted？〃
She　gave　him　a　smile　radiant　with　spite。　〃Alton　Vandree　and　Vuzlyn　Freth。〃
〃Who　themselves　subsequently　disappeared　and　are　thus　unavailable　for　questioning。　It　makes　sense；　I　suppose；　but　it's　unfortunate　all　the　same。〃
〃I've　given　you　everything　I　have；〃　she　said。　〃Now　fulfill　your　end　of　the　deal。〃
The　wizard　frowned　and　said；　〃My　dear　collaborator；　it　would　devastate　me　to　disappoint　you。　Yet　I　stipulated　that　you'd　h