按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
nd shrugged。
〃That's all right；〃 the swordsman replied。 〃Two out of three is good odds。〃
Pharaun slumped back and spent the next few minutes resting。 When he sat up and； heedless of the fresh blood that started from the corners of his mouth； he growled through the mask。 He banged the box encasing his hands twice against the floor； then looked at Ryld。
〃I understand；〃 the warrior said。 〃Make noise。 Bring someone。〃
Pharaun nodded。 The cage around his head clinked。
〃Ho！〃 Ryld shouted。 〃Somebody； e here！ I'm a Master of Melee…Magthere。 I know secrets about the defenses of the great Houses； secrets you must know for your plans to succeed。 I'll trade them for my freedom！〃
He continued in the same vein for several minutes； clashing his chains against the wall for emphasis。 Meanwhile Pharaun lay motionless； as if he were still unconscious。
Finally； eyes appeared at the little barred window in the door。
〃What？〃 the newer snarled。 It wasn't a voice Ryld had heard before。
〃I need to talk to you；〃 the weapons master said。
〃I heard；〃 said the other drow。 〃You have secrets。 The alhoon will rip them out of you； no bargain required。〃
〃Syrzan said it would take time to turn us into mind…slaves；〃 Ryld replied。 〃I have information you need before you unleash the under…creatures。 Their rebellion will do you no good if the weapons masters strike them all dead before they even get started。〃
〃How could the masters…of…arms do that？〃 asked the rogue。
〃A secret；〃 said Ryld； 〃that we brothers of the pyramid teach to a chosen few。〃
〃I don't believe you。〃
〃We've been studying war for millennia。 Do you think we impart all we know to every young dullard who enrolls in the Academy； or is it likely we hold greater； deadlier mysteries in reserve？〃
The rogue hesitated。
〃All right； tell me。 If there's anything to it； I'll set you free。〃
Ryld shrugged； rattling his fetters。 They were already rubbing his wrists raw。
〃Shout it through a closed door？〃 the weapons master asked。 〃Is that what you really want？〃
〃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 inspira