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war of the spider queen 2 insurrection-第60章

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   〃She is not to be disturbed;〃 one of them said; her stare flat; making it clear she would brook no argument; brother or not。
   Gromph sighed; making another mental mark to the tally of reasons he hated doing this。 No matter how many times he had to push his proverbial weight around to get to see Triel in her private rooms; the matron mother's personal guards never made it any easier on him the next time。 He'd had enough of it。
   〃I'm not going to stand here and argue with you about this; today。 You've got one minute to tell her it's me and let me through; or I will leave you as two piles of smoking ash on her doorstep。 Do I make myself clear?〃
   The flat stares turned mildly baleful; but after some careful consideration; the one who spoke finally nodded curtly and slipped inside; shutting the door behind her and leaving her partner to stare icily at the archmage while he folded his arms and tapped his foot。
   Just when Gromph was seriously considering whether or not to make good on his threat; the door opened and the guard appeared again; motioning him through。 Arching his eyebrow as though to say; 〃what else did you expect?〃 he pushed past her impatiently and shoved the door shut behind him。
   Triel was not in the front room; though that didn't really surprise the wizard。 Usually; if she was going to bother to be presentable for guests; she would see them in the audience chamber。 He figured his odds were about even as to whether he'd discover her in the bedroom or in the baths; most likely with a lover。 He tried the bedroom first; with no luck。
   Moving through into the bathroom; Gromph found his sister; alone except for a pair of attendants; eyes closed and soaking in an oddly scented oil bath。 The odor permeated the room and made him cough。
   Triel opened one eye and looked at the wizard; then closed it again; making no move to greet him。
   〃You really shouldn't threaten my guards like that;〃 she said; a bit testily。 〃They're standing there to keep the likes of you out; you know。〃
   〃A thousand apologies; Matron Mother;〃 Gromph answered。 〃I will be certain to avoid helping you in the future。 Please do drop by sometime and I'll be sure to keep you waiting outside my offices。〃
   This time; both of Triel's eyes opened; but instead of growing angry; she appeared worried。
   〃What is it?〃 she asked。 〃Your news must be particularly unpleasant for you to behave so boorishly。〃
   Gromph had to chuckle; but it was a bitter laugh。
   〃You know me better than most; sister。 I suppose I should give you more credit。 You're correct; though; the news is bad; and it es from several fronts。 Our patrols are telling me that traffic is picking up on the outskirts of the city。 Nothing definitive; but they're growing fearful that we're due for some sort of aggressive act from somewhere; and soon。〃
   〃What sort of traffic?〃 Triel asked; shifting in the bath so that an attendant could begin to scrub her back with a rough cloth。
   〃Hard to say。 Enough species e and go as it is; but they have reported an inordinate number of troglodyte sightings the last few days。〃
   Triel made a noise in her throat; and at first Gromph wondered if it was in response to the ministrations of the attendant; but he realized it was derisive when his sister said; 〃Troglodytes? They've never been able to muster any sizable threat against us。 You came all the way over here and harassed my guards to tell me that? Please。〃
   Gromph clicked his tongue in vexation and strode across the tiled floor to take a seat on a long bench along one wall。
   〃No; of course not; but don't be so quick to dismiss any potential threat。 More than enough generals saw their last battle from underestimating the enemy。 We're vulnerable to any attack right now; and you know it。〃
   〃Fine; I'll take it under advisement;〃 Triel said。 〃So; what else do you have to tell me? I'd like to enjoy the rest of my bath; but if you insist on giving me more bad news; I don't think I shall be able to。〃
   Gromph shook his head。
   〃Yes; there is more bad news;〃 he said。
   〃Oh; wonderful。〃
   〃I'm hearing bad things from our expedition to Ched Nasad。〃
   The matron mother rolled over and sat up; shooing away the attendant。 She seemed unconcerned that her upper body was exposed to him; though Gromph ignored that fact。
   〃What kind of bad things?〃 she asked; her tone grave。
   〃The last munication I received reported that riots were beginning。 I haven't heard anything since; and the next reports are overdue。〃
   〃How long?〃 〃Two days。 I already relayed that information to you。〃
   〃Do you have a means of contacting him?〃 Triel asked。
   〃Yes; but not for a while; and not really for the kind of conversation I suspect you'd like for me to have with him。 Even with what I can do; I'll have to make preparations to use the appropriate magic。〃
   〃Fine; do that。 In the meantime; what are your thoughts?〃
   Gromph considered the question then said; 〃Do I believe they are alive? Let's give them some credit。 They are an enterprising lot; and I have no doubt that they can take care of themselves。 That's half the reason you sent them away; isn't it?〃
   Triel's eyes narrowed slightly as she stood and let the oil cascade from her body。
   〃I do want them to succeed;〃 she said。 〃It aids us nothing for them to perish; regardless of whatever benefits we both receive for having a few specific ones out of the way。〃
   She motioned for the attendant to bring her a towel and had it wrapped around herself。
   Gromph's stare was carefully neutral。
   〃I want them to succeed; too;〃 he said。 〃My issues aside; this crisis affects every aspect of my studies and pursuits。 My point was; if they were ingenious enough to be considered a threat here; I think they can take care of themselves in Ched Nasad。〃
   〃Find them;〃 the matron mother manded; 〃and let me know when you do。〃
   〃Even if I have to threaten your guards again?〃
   〃Even if you have to leave them as piles of ash on my doorstep。〃
   Gromph nodded and turned away as Triel began to dress with help from the two attendants。 The archmage stopped and turned back to face his sister。
   〃Oh; and one more thing。〃
   Triel looked over at her brother and asked; 〃Yes?〃
   〃Will you please remind the other matron mothers of the importance of timely response to threats inside the city? I asked for reinforcements for several specific sections three hours ago; and they were still not in place when I came to visit。〃
   〃Again?〃 Triel sighed。 〃Yes; of course I will speak to them again。〃
   〃You know;〃 Gromph added; almost as an afterthought。 〃It would probably help if House Baenre spared some extra soldiers for the cause。 A show of good faith and all that。〃
   〃Really? Do you think we can afford to spare them?〃
   〃I know of two right outside this door who could be put to far better use;〃 the archmage replied; giving his sister a last; meaningful stare。
   ***
   
   〃Explain to me again what you think I have to gain by trusting you;〃 Quenthel said; gnawing at a strip of dried rothé me
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