war of the spider queen 1 dissolution-第138章

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〃Wait。〃
The　contempt　in　the　prisoner's　tone　had　reminded　the　rogue　of　a　basic　principle。　It　was　best　to　keep　information　to　yourself；　at　least　until　you　fignotured　out　how　to　reap　a　benefit　from　sharing　it。　This　rogue　didn't　want　anyone　overhearing　what　Ryld　had　to　say。
The　door　clacked　as　a　key　turned　in　the　lock。　It　creaked　open；　and　the　renegade　stepped　through。　He　was　stocky；　with　a　broken　nose　squashed　across　an　angular　face。　He'd　decorated　rather　nondescript　clothing　with　gaudy　ornaments；　including　a　silver　fillet　set　with　garnets。　His　rapier　hung　from　a　baldric；　the　hilt　of　a　dagger　protruded　from　the　top　of　either　boot；　and　a　hand　crossbow　dangled　from　his　belt。
He　stopped　just　inside　the　doorway；　where　he　had　every　right　to　think　himself　safe。　The　cell　was　large　enough；　and　the　prisoners'　shackles　short　enough；　that　he　was　beyond　their　reach。　He　swung　the　door　shut　behind　him　but　didn't　permit　it　to　latch。
〃All　right；〃　he　said；　〃now　you　can　tell　me。〃
〃First；〃　said　Ryld；　〃unchain　me。〃
He　thought　he　had　to　keep　the　renegade　occupied　for　just　a　few　more　seconds；　long　enough　for　Pharaun　to　cast　his　spell。
The　guard　just　laughed　and　said；　〃Don't　be　absurd。〃
〃Why　not？〃
〃You　know　why　not。〃
〃But　you　might　just　listen　to　the　secrets　and　leave　me　imprisoned；〃　said　Ryld；　watching　Pharaun　from　the　corner　of　his　eye。
To　his　dismay；　the　wizard　wasn't　conjuring。　He　wasn't　moving　at　all。　Had　he　passed　out　again？
〃You're　caged；〃　said　the　renegade；　〃and　I'm　not。　Therefore；　you　will　have　to　trust　me；　not　the　other　way　around。〃
Ryld　scowled；　meanwhile　racking　his　brains　for　inspiration。　With　Phanotraun　inert；　he　was　going　to　have　to　improvise　a　story　to　detain　the　rogue　and　pray　the　wizard　would　make　a　move　before　much　longer。
〃All　right；　I　suppose　I　have　no　choice。　Not　far　beyond　Bauthwaf　lies　the　entrance　to　a　tunnel　leading　to　the　deepest　reaches　of　the　Underdark；　where　even　our　people　do　not…〃
〃What's　this　got　to　do　with　weapons　masters　killing　slaves？〃　the　guard　demanded。
〃Listen；　and　you'll　find　out。　At　the　lower　end　of　the　passage　is　a　mineral　I've　never　seen　anywhere　else　。　。　。〃　At　last　Pharaun　moved　his　feet。　Now；　if　only　the　renegade　didn't　notice。　〃When　you　crush　the　rock　to　powder　。。。〃
〃T　T　1〃
Hey！
Evidently　the　guard's　peripheral　vision　was　almost　as　good　as　Ryld's；　for　he　pivoted　toward　Pharaun；　but　not　in　time。　A　disembodied　hand　made　of　pale　yellow　light　appeared　beside　his　shoulder　and　gave　him　a　push。
The　impetus　sent　him　staggering　closer　to　Ryld。　The　weapons　master　grabbed　him　and　smashed　his　head　against　the　wall　until　it　left　a　sticky　mess　on　the　stone；　then　he　searched　the　corpse　and　found　a　ring　of　keys　clipped　to　its　belt。
He　discovered　the　one　that　opened　his　own　restraints；　and　Pharaun's。　The　wizard　flexed　his　fingers；　restoring　circulation；　produced　a　silken　handkerchief　from　his　sleeve；　and　dabbed　at　the　blood　on　the　sides　of　his　mouth。
〃I　think　I'll　establish　a　new　school　of　magic；〃　the　wizard　said。　〃Pedomancy…the　sorcery　of　the　feet。〃
〃Why　did　you　wait　so　long　to　throw　the　spell？〃　Ryld　asked。
〃I　was　looking　for　our　friend's　keys。　It　wouldn't　have　done　any　good　to　attack　him　had　he　not　been　carrying　the　means　to　release　us　from　our　fetnotters。　His　cape　was　hanging　over　them；　and　it　took　me　a　minute　to　spot　them。〃
〃I　was　certain　something　had　gone　wrong。　Are　you　ready　to　get　us　out　of　here？〃
〃Momentarily；〃　Pharaun　said　as　he　pulled　on　his　socks　and　boots。　〃I　think　everything's　going　splendidly；　don't　you？　We've　acquired　the　knowlnotedge　we　came　for；　and　now　we'll　escape；　just　as　planned。〃
〃We　didn't　plan　on　having　to　do　it　without　our　gear。〃
〃Please；　don't　harp　on　the　obvious。　It　makes　for　a　dreary　conversation。　Where　exactly　are　we；　by　the　way？　Where's　the　nearest　exit？〃
〃I　don't　know。　They　gave　me　a　knock　on　the　head　before　they　carried　us　here。　I　think　we're　up　inside　the　cavern　ceiling。〃
〃So　we　won't　encounter　a　window　or　balcony　unless　we　descend　a　ways；　but　we　might　find　a　door　opening　on　a　tunnel。〃
Ryld　scavenged　the　dead　rogue's　weapons　and　piwafwi。　The　cloak　was　much　too　small　for　him；　but　would　provide　some　prot