war of the spider queen 1 dissolution-第124节

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urprised　yet　disappointed　to　find　that　the　dead　warrior　hadn't　been　carrying　any　spell　ingredients。
The　Master　of　Sorcere　hadn't　lost　faith　in　himself；　but　he　realized　that　overconfidence　coupled　with　ambition　had　lured　him　and　Ryld　into　a　desnotperate　situation。　They　were　stuck　in　the　midst　of　their　enemies。　Without　the　proper　triggers；　most　of　the　wizard's　magic　was　unavailable　to　him；　and　the　weapons　master　was　feeling　the　effects　of　the　blow　on　the　head　and　Syrzan's　psionic　assault。　Most　people　wouldn't　have　noticed；　but　Pharaun；　who　knew　him　well；　could　see　subtle　indications　in　the　way　he　moved。
Well；　at　least　Ryld　wasn't　bored。
Pharaun　stole　the　dead　male's　hand　crossbow；　dirk；　and　piwafwi…innotcluding　the　insignia　of　a　lesser　House　Pharaun　assumed　was　enchanted　in　the　same　way　as　all　the　others。　The　mantle　wasn't　a　bad　fit　but　felt　strange　without　the　weight　of　the　hidden　pockets　to　which　he　was　accustomed。　At　least；　he　hoped；　he'd　be　able　to　levitate。　Ryld　exchanged　the　rapier　he'd　been　wearing　for　the　fallen　drow's　broadsword。
The　Master　of　Melee…Magthere　cocked　his　crossbow　and　loaded　a　fresh　shaft　in　the　channel。　The　fugitives　stalked　on　down　the　hallway；　and　the　walls　screamed。　Pharaun　and　Ryld　screwed　up　their　faces　at　the　painful　loudness。　Blue　sparks　of　discharged　magic　showered　from　the　walls　and　ceiling；　and　a　hot；　raw　stink　of　power　fouled　the　air。
The　screech　stopped　as　suddenly　as　it　had　started；　though　it　left　echoes　sobbing　through　the　citadel。
〃Alarm　spell？〃　said　Ryld；　trotting　onward。
〃Yes；〃　Pharaun　said；　racing　to　catch　up。　His　ears　were　ringing。　〃Had　I　seen　it；　I　would　have　dispelled　it；　but…〃
〃But　as　it　stands；　the　rogues　will　be　ing　for　us。〃　Pharaun　frowned。　〃Unless　they're　too　busy　getting　ready　to　murder　priestesses。〃
〃No；　they'll　realize　they　have　to　catch　us　at　any　cost。　If　a　spy　slipped　away　from　here　and　reported　their　plans　to　the　Council；　it　would　ruin　everything　for　them。〃
〃You're　right；　curse　it。〃
The　masters　had　been　moving　stealthily　and　therefore　slowly　ever　since　departing　their　cell；　and　they　would　have　to　sneak　along　even　more　warily；　backtracking　and　detouring　whenever　they　sensed　their　enemies　were　near。　That　would　make　it　easier　to　get　lost。　The　long…dead　nobles　had　built　their　fortress　according　to　a　defensive　strategy　still　occasionally　employed　in　Menzoberranzan。　The　place　was　something　of　a　maze。　If　a　person　had　grown　up　there；　that　wouldn't　pose　a　problem。　He'd　know　every　turn　and　dead　end；　but　outsiders　had　a　difficult　time　moving　about。　Outsiders　like　Pharaun　and　Ryld；　who　had　yet　to　find　an　exit。　
Perhaps；　the　wizard　thought；　the　renegades　will　have　trouble　navigating　as　well。
Though　they'd　squatted　in　the　castle；　they　might　not　know　it　as　well　as　the　original　occupants　had。　It　was　possible　they'd　simply　familiarized　themselves　with　a　few　key　areas　and　primary　passageways　and　left　the　rest　of　the　allegedly　cursed　and　haunted　keep　pretty　much　alone。
Still；　Pharaun　knew　it　was　only　a　matter　of　time　until　the　hunters　stumnotbled　onto　their　prey；　and　he　was　correct。　He　and　Ryld　were　traversing　a　gallery　hung　with　musty　phosphorescent　tapestries　when　something　rustled　behind　them。　The　masters　pivoted。　Silent　in　their　drow　boots；　half　a　dozen　warriors　had　appeared　behind　them　and　were　leveling　their　crossbows。
Ryld　crouched　and　lifted　a　fold　of　his　cloak　in　front　of　his　face。　Pharaun　copied　the　move。　Two　arrowheads　plunged　through　his　makeshift　shield；　which　apparently　wasn't　as　powerfully　enchanted　as　thepiwafwi　Houndaer　had　taken　from　him。　One　quarrel　hung　up　in　the　weave。　The　other　hurtled　right　through　and　grazed　the　mage's　shoulder；　stinging　him　and　slicing　a　shallow　cut。　He　prayed　it　wasn't　poisoned。
Hearing　a　ragged　clatter；　Pharaun　uncovered　his　eyes。　The　rogues　had　dropped　their　crossbows　and　were　charging。　They'd　already　dashed　too　close　for　him　to　employ　the　incantation　he　would　have　preferred。　Instead　he　cast　darts　of　light　and　dropped　two　renegades。　He　discharged　his　crossnotbow　and　missed　a　third。
Ryld　bellowed　a　war　cry　and　sprang　forward　to　meet　the　foes　remainnoting。　The　broadsword　flashed　back　and　forth；　thrusting；　cutting；　and　parnotrying　with　the　small；　precise　movements　that　characterized　true　mastery。　Pharaun　edged　forward　with　his　dirk　in　hand　but　never　got　a　chance　to　use　it。　The　rogues　all　died　before　he　could　advance　into　range。
Pharaun　took　stock　of　himself　and　decided　he　didn't　have　any　venom　in　his　system；　but　Ryld　groaned；　made　a　face；　and　clutched　at　his　temple。
〃What　is　it？〃　the　wizard　asked。
It　seemed　likely　that　one　of　the　enemy　had　scored；　but　he　didn't　see　any　blood　s