war of the spider queen 1 dissolution-第63章

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e　her；　she　spotted　the　shrouded　figure　skulking　toward　the　mouth　of　an　alleyway。
The　noble　of　Ched　Nasad　was　a　fair　hand　with　a　crossbow。　She　might　have　been　able　to　shoot　down　the　traitor　from　behind；　but　that　would　gain　her　few　answers。　She　didn't　happen　to　possess　a　scroll　with　the　spell　for　innotterrogating　the　dead。　She　needed　to　catch　up　with　the　spy　and　take　the　wretch　alive。
She　read　from　a　scroll　she　did　have；　then　she　stepped　away　from　the　top　of　the　tower　into　empty　space。
Except　that　it　wasn't　empty　for　her。　The　air　was　as　firm　as　stone　beneath　her　soles。　For　two　paces；　she　strode　on　a　level　surface；　and；　because　she　willed　it　so；　the　unseen　platform　dipped　into　an　equally　invisible　ramp。　She　sprinted　down　with　no　fear　of　blundering　off　the　edge。　Wherever　she　set　her　foot；　the　incline　would　be　there　to　meet　it。　That　was　how　the　magic　worked。
Her　progress　entirely　silent；　she　dashed　unnoticed　above　the　traitor's　head；　then　with　a　thought　dissolved　the　support　beneath　her　boots。　Her　crossbow　ready；　she　dropped　the　last　few　feet　to　the　ground　and　landed　in　front　of　the　spy。
Started；　the　traitor　jumped。　Faeryl　felt　her　own　pang　of　surprise；　for　though　she　liked　to　think　she　maintained　a　proper　suspicion　of　everyone；　in　truth；　she　never　could　have　guessed　the　pinched；　sour　face　she　saw　half　hidden　inside　the　close…drawn　cowl　could　be　the　spy's。
〃Umrae；〃　the　ambassador　said；　aiming　her　hand　crossbow。
〃My　lady；〃　the　secretary　answered；　bending　with　her　usual　stiffness　into　an　obeisance。
〃I　know　all　about　it；　traitor。　I'm　not　actually　planning　to　leave　tonight。　My　pretending　so　was　a　trick　to　see　who　would　slip　away　to　play　informer。〃
〃I　don't　know　what　you　mean。　I　just　wanted　to　buy　some　items　for　the　journey。　I　thought　that　if　I　hurried　over　to　the　Bazaar；　I　could　find　one　of　those　merchants　who　stays　open　late　and　be　back　before　anyone　missed　me。〃
〃Do　you　think　I　haven't　realized　I　have　an　enemy　here　in　Menzoberranzan；　someone　with　access　to　Matron　Baenre？　Two　tendays　ago；　Triel　considered　me　loyal。　She　approved　of　me。　She　granted　a　good　deal　of　what　I　asked　on　behalf　of　our　people。　Now；　she　doubts　me；　because　someone　has　persuaded　her　to　question　my　true　intentions。　What　did　my　foe　offer　to　lure　you　to　her　side？　Don't　you　realize　that　in　betraying　me；　you　betray　Ched　Nasad　itself？〃
The　scribe　hesitated；　then　said；　〃Matron　Baenre　has　people　watching　the　residence。　Someone　is　watching　us　right　now。〃
〃Perhaps；〃　Faeryl　replied。
Umrae　swallowed。　〃So　you　can't　harm　me。　Or　they'll　harm　you。〃
Faeryl　laughed。　〃Rubbish。　Triel's　agents　won't　reveal　their　presence　just　to　keep　me　from　disciplining　one　of　my　own　retainers。　They　won't　see　anynotthing　odd　or　detrimental　to　Menzoberranzan's　interests　in　that。　Now；　be　sensible　and　surrender。〃
After　another　pause；　Umrae　said；　〃Give　me　your　word　you　won't　hurt　me。　That　you'll　set　me　free　and　help　me　flee　the　city。〃
〃I　promise　you　nothing　except　that　your　insolence　is　making　me　angrier　by　the　second；　and　a　quick　capitulation　is　your　only　hope。　Tell　me；　who　turned　you；　and　why？　What　does　anyone　hereabouts　have　to　gain　by　pernotsecuting　an　envoy；　one　who　stands　apart　from　the　feuds　and　rivalries　among　the　Menzoberranyr　Houses？〃
〃You　must　understand；　I　fear　to　betray　them　and　remain。　They'll　kill　me　if　I　do。〃
〃They　won't　get　the　chance。　I'm　the　one　pointing　a　poisoned　dart　at　you。　Who　are　your　employers？〃
〃I　won't　say；　not　without　your　pledge。〃
〃Your　friend　didn't　slander　me　to　Triel　until　after　I　started　contemplatnoting　a　return　to　Ched　Nasad。　Was　that　the　point　of　the　lie？　To　keep　me　from　venturing　out　into　the　Underdark？　Why？〃
Umrae　shook　her　head。
〃You're　mad；〃　Faeryl　said。　〃Why　would　you　condemn　yourself　to　pernotpetuate　someone　else's　existence？　Ah　well；　you're　plainly　unfit　to　live；　so　I　suppose　it's　for　the　best。〃
She　made　a　show　of　sighting　down　the　length　of　the　crossbow。
〃No！〃　Umrae　cried。　〃Don't！　You're　right；　why　should　I　die？〃
〃If　you　answer　my　questions；　perhaps　you　won't。〃
〃Yes。〃
Trembling　a　little；　her　nerve　having　been　broken；　the　clerk　raised　her　hand　to　her　face；　perhaps　to　massage　her　b