rj.theshadowrising-第142部分

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d　very　well　survive　by　itself　without　him　at　all。
　　　　　　　The　room　was　almost　empty。　Natti　Cauthon　sat　at　one　table；　rolling　bandages　and　adding　them　to　the　pile　in　front　of　her；　but　she　also　managed　to　keep　an　eye　on　her　daughters；　across　the　room；　though　both　were　old　enough　to　be　wearing　their　hair　in　a　braid。　The　reason　was　plain　enough。　Bode　and　Eldrin　sat　on　either　side　of　Aram；　coaxing　the　Tinker　to　eat。　Feeding　him；　actually；　and　wiping　his　chin；　too。　From　the　way　they　were　grinning　at　the　fellow；　Perrin　was　surprised　Natti　was　not　at　the　table　with　them；　braids　or　no。　The　fellow　was　good…looking；　he　supposed；　maybe　handsomer　than　Wil　al'Seen。　Bode　and　Eldrin　certainly　seemed　to　think　so。　For　his　part；　Aram　smiled　back　occasionally　…　they　were　plumply　pretty　girls；　he　would　have　to　be　blind　not　to　see　it；　and　Perrin　did　not　think　Aram　was　ever　blind　to　a　pretty　girl　…　but　he　hardly　swallowed　without　running　a　wide…eyed　gaze　over　the　spears　and　polearms　against　the　walls。　For　a　Tuatha'an；　it　had　to　be　a　horrible　sight。
　　　　　　　〃Mistress　al'Vere　said　you　had　finally　gotten　tired　of　your　saddle；〃　Faile　said；　popping　in　through　the　door　to　the　kitchen。　Startlingly；　she　wore　a　long　white　apron　like　Marin's；　her　sleeves　were　pushed　up　above　her　elbows；　and　she　had　flour　on　her　hands。　As　if　just　realizing　it；　she　whipped　the　apron　off；　wiping　her　hands　hastily；　and　laid　it　across　the　back　of　a　chair。　〃I　have　never　baked　anything　before；〃　she　said；　shoving　her　sleeves　down　as　she　joined　him。　〃It　is　rather　fun　kneading　dough。　I　might　like　to　do　it　again　someday。〃
　　　　　　　〃If　you　don't　bake；〃　he　said；　〃where　are　we　going　to　get　bread？　I　don't　intend　to　spend　my　whole　life　traveling；　buying　meals　or　eating　what　I　can　snare　or　fetch　with　bow　or　sling。〃
　　　　　　　She　smiled　as　if　he　had　said　something　very　pleasing；　though　he　could　not　for　the　life　of　him　see　what。　〃The　cook　will　bake；　of　course。　One　of　her　helpers；　really；　I　suppose；　but　the　cook　will　oversee　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃The　cook；〃　he　mumbled；　shaking　his　head。　〃Or　one　of　her　helpers。　Of　course。　Why　didn't　I　think　of　that？〃
　　　　　　　〃What　is　the　matter；　Perrin？　You　look　worried。　I　don't　think　the　defenses　could　be　any　sounder　without　a　fortress　wall。〃
　　　　　　　〃It　isn't　that。　Faile；　this　Perrin　Goldeneyes　business　is　getting　out　of　hand。　I　do　not　know　who　they　think　I　am；　but　they　keep　asking　me　what　to　do；　asking　if　it's　all　right；　when　they　already　know　what　has　to　be　done；　when　they　could　figure　it　out　with　two　minutes'　thought。〃
　　　　　　　For　a　long　moment　she　studied　his　face；　those　dark；　tilted　eyes　thoughtful；　then　said；　〃How　many　years　has　it　been　since　the　Queen　of　Andor　ruled　here　in　fact？〃
　　　　　　　〃The　Queen　of　Andor？　I　don't　really　know。　A　hundred　years；　maybe。　Two　hundred。　What　does　that　have　to　do　with　anything？〃
　　　　　　　〃These　people　do　not　remember　how　to　deal　with　a　queen　…　or　a　king。　They　are　trying　to　puzzle　it　out。　You　must　be　patient　with　them。〃
　　　　　　　〃A　king？〃　he　said　weakly。　He　let　his　head　drop　down　onto　his　arms　on　the　table。　〃Oh；　Light！〃
　　　　　　　Laughing　softly；　Faile　ruffled　his　hair。　〃Well；　perhaps　not　that。　I　doubt　very　much　that　Morgase　would　approve。　A　leader；　at　least。　But　she　would　very　definitely　approve　a　man　who　brought　lands　back　to　her　that　her　throne　has　not　controlled　in　a　hundred　years　or　more。　She　would　surely　make　that　man　a　lord。　Perrin　of　House　Aybara；　Lord　of　the　Two　Rivers。　It　has　a　good　sound。〃
　　　　　　　〃We　do　not　need　any　lords　in　the　Two　Rivers；〃　he　growled　at　the　oak　tabletop。　〃Or　kings；　or　queens。　We　are　free　men！〃
　　　　　　　〃Free　men　can　have　a　need　to　follow　someone；　too；〃　she　said　gently。　〃Most　men　want　to　believe　in　something　larger　than　themselves；　something　wider　than　their　own　fields。　That　is　why　there　are　nations；　Perrin；　and　peoples。　Even　Raen　and　Ila　see　themselves　as　part　of　something　more　than　their　own　caravan。　They　have　lost　their　wagons　and　most　of　their　family　and　friends；　but　other　Tuatha'an　still　seek　the　song；　and　they　will　again；　too；　because　they　belong　to　more　than　a　few　wagons。〃
　　　　　　　〃Who　owns　these？〃　Aram　asked　suddenly。
　　　　　　　Perrin　raised　his　head。　The　young　Tinker　was　on　his　feet；　staring　uneasily　at　the　spears　lining　the　walls。　〃They　belong　to　anybody　who　wants　one；　Aram。　Nobody　is　going　to　hurt　you　with　any　of　them；　believe　me。〃　He　was　not　sure　if　Aram　did　believe；　not　the　way　he　began　walking　slowly　around　the　room　with　his　hands　stuffed　into　his　pockets；　eyeing　spears　and　halberds　sideways。
　　　　　　　Perrin　was　more　than　grateful　to　dig　in　when　Marin　brought　him　a　plate　of　sliced　roast　goose；　with　turnips　and　peas　and　good　crusty　bread。　At　least；　he　would　have　dug　in；　if　Faile　had　not　tucked　a　flower…embroidered　napkin　under　his　chin　and　snatched　the　knife　and　fork　out　of　his　hands。　She　seemed　to　find　it　amusing　to　feed　him　the　way　Bode　and　Eldrin　had　been　feeding　Aram。　The　Cauthon　girls　giggled　at　him；　and　Natti　and　Marin　wore　little　smiles；　too。　Perrin　did　not　see　what　was　so　funny。　He　was　willing　to　indulge　Faile；　though；　even　if　he　could　have　fed　himself　more　easily。　She　kept　making　him　stretch　his　neck　to　take　what　she　had　on　the　fork。
　　　　　　　Aram's　slow　wandering　took　him　around　the　room　three　times　before　he　stopped　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs；　staring　at　the　barrel　of　ill…assorted　swords。　Then　he　reached　out　and　pulled　a　sword　from　the　cluster；　hefting　it　awkwardly。　The　leather…wrapped　hilt　was　long　enough　for　both　of　his　hands。　〃Can　I　use　this　one？〃　he　asked。
　　　　　　　Perrin　nearly　choked。
　　　　　　　Alanna　appeared　at　the　head　of　the　stairs；　with　Ila；　the　Tuatha'an　woman　looked　weary；　but　the　bruise　was　gone　from　her　face。　〃。　。　。　best　thing　is　sleep；〃　the　Aes　Sedai　was　saying。　〃It　is　shock　to　his　mind　that　troubles　him　most；　and　I　cannot　Heal　that。〃
　　　　　　　Ila's　eyes　fell　on　her　grandson；　on　what　he　held；　and　she　screamed　as　if　that　blade　had　gone　into　her　flesh。　〃No；　Aram！　Nooooo！〃　She　almost　fell　in　her　haste　to　get　down　the　stairs　and　flung　herself　on　Aram；　trying　to　pull　his　hands　from　the　sword。　〃No；　Aram；〃　she　panted　breathlessly。　〃You　must　not。　Put　it　down。　The　Way　of　the　Leaf。　You　must　not！　The　Way　of　the　Leaf！　Please；　Aram！　Please！〃
　　　　　　　Aram　danced　with　her；　fending　her　off　clumsily；　trying　to　hold　the　sword　away　from　her。　〃Why　not？〃　he　shouted　angrily。　〃They　killed　Mother！　I　saw　them！　I　might　have　saved　her；　if　I　had　had　a　sword。　I　could　have　saved　her！〃
　　　　　　　The　words　sliced　at　Perrin's　chest。　A　Tinker　with　a　sword　seemed　an　unnatural　thing；　almost　enough　to　make　his　hackles　stand；　but　those　words。。。　。　His　mother。　〃Leave　him　alone；〃　he　said；　more　roughly　than　he　intended。　〃Any　man　has　a　right　to　defend　himself；　to　defend　his。。。　He　has　a　right。〃
　　　　　　　Aram　pushed　the　sword　toward　Perrin。　〃Will　you　teach　me　how　to　use　it？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　don't　know　how；〃　Perrin　told　him。　〃You　can　find　someone；　though。〃
　　　　　　　Tears　rolled　down　Ila's　contorted　face。　〃The　Trollocs　took　my　daughter；〃　she　sobbed；　her　entire　body　shaking；　〃and　all　my　grandchildren　but　one；　and　now　you　take　him。　He　is　Lost；　because　of　you；　Perrin　Aybara。　You　have　bee　a　wolf　in　your　heart；　and　now　you　will　make　him　one；　too。〃　Turning；　she　stumbled　back　up　the　steps；　still　racked　with　sobs。
　　　　　　　〃I　could　have　saved　her！〃　Aram　called　after　her。　〃Grandmother！　I　could　have　saved　her！〃　She　never　looked　back；　and　when　she　vanished　around　the　corner；　he　slumped　against　the　banister；　weeping。　〃I　could　have　saved　her；　grandmother。　I　could　have。。。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　realized　Bode　was　crying；　too；　with　her　face　in　her　hands；　and　the　other　women　were　frowning　at　him　as　though　he　had　done　something　wrong。　No；　not　all　of　them。　Alanna　studied　him　from　the　head　of　the　stairs　with　that　unreadable　Aes　Sedai　calm；　and　Faile's　face　was　nearly　as　blank。
　　　　　　　Wiping　his　mouth；　he　tossed　the　napkin　on　the　table　and　got　up。　There　was　still　time　to　tell　Aram　to　put　the　sword　back；　to　go　ask　Ila's　pardon。　Time　to　tell　him。。。　what？　That　maybe　next　time　he　would　not　be　there　to　watch　his　loved　ones　die？　That　maybe　he　could　just　e　back　to　find　their　graves？
　　　　　　　He　put　a　hand　on　Aram's　shoulder；　and　the　man　flinched；　hunching　around　the　sword　as　if　expecting　him　to　take　it。　The　Tinker's　scent　carried　a　wash　of　emotions；　fear　and　hate　and　bone…deep　sadness。　Lost；　Ila　had　called　him。　His　eyes　looked　lost。　〃Wash　your　face；　Aram。　Then　go　find　Tam　al'Thor。　Say　I　ask　him　to　teach　you　the　sword。〃
　　　　　　　Slowly　the　other　man　raised　his　face。　〃Thank　you；〃　he　stammered；　scrubbing　at　the　tears　on　his　cheeks　with　his　sleeve。　〃Thank　you。　I　will　never　forget　this。　Never。　I　swear　it。〃　Suddenly　he　hoisted　the　sword　to　kiss　the　straight　blade；　the　hilt　had　a　brass　wolfhead　for　a　pommel。　〃I　swear。　Is　that　not　how　it　is　done？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　suppose　it　is；〃　Perrin　said　sadly；　wondering　why　he　should　feel　sad。　The　Way　of　the　Leaf　was　a　fine　belief；　like　a　dream　of　peace；　but　like　the　dream　it　could　not　last　where　there　was　violence。　He　did　not　know　of　a　place　without　that。　A　dream　for　some　other　man；　some　other　time。　Some　other　Age　perhaps。　〃Go　on；　Aram。　You　have　a　lot　to　learn；　and　there　may　not　be　much　time。〃　Still　bubbling　thanks；　the　Tinker　did　not　wait　to　wash　his　tears　away；　but　ran　straight　out　of　the　inn；　carrying　the　sword　upright　before　him　in　both　hands。
　　　　　　　Conscious　of　Eldrin's　scowl　and　Marin's　fists　on　her　hips　and　Natti's　frown；　not　to　mention　Bode's　weeping；　Perrin　walked　back　to　his　chair。　Alanna　had　gone　from　her　place　at　the　top　of　the　stairs。　Faile　watched　him　pick　up　his　knife　and　fork。　〃You　disapprove？〃　he　said　quietly。　〃A　man　has　a　right　to　defend　himself；　Faile。　Even　Aram。　No　one　can　make　him　follow　the　Way　of　the　Leaf　if　he　doesn't　want　to。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　like　to　see　you　in　pain；〃　she　said　very　softly。
　　　　　　　His　knife　paused　in　cutting　a　piece　of　goose。　Pain？　That　dream　was　not　for　him。　〃I　am　just　tired；〃　he　told　her；　and　smiled。　He　did　not　think　she　believed　him。
　　　　　　　Before　he　had　time　to　take　a　second　mouthful；　Bran　stuck　his　head　in　at　the　front　door。　He　wore　his　round　steel　cap　again。　〃Riders　ing　from　the　north；　Perrin。　A　lot　of　riders；　I　think　it　must　be　the　Whitecloaks。〃
　　　　　　　Faile　darted　away　as　Perrin　rose；　and　by　the　time　he　was　outside　on　Stepper；　with　the　Mayor　muttering　to　himself　about　what　he　meant　to　say　to　the　Whitecloaks；　she　came　riding　her　black　mare　around　the　side　of　the　inn。　More　people　were　running　north　than　stayed　at　their　tasks。　Perrin　was　in　no　particular　hurry。　The　Children　of　the　Light　might　well　be　there　to　arrest　him。　They　probably　were。　He　did　not　mean　to　go　along　in　chains；　but　he　was　not　anxious　to　ask　people　to　fight　Whitecloaks　for　him。　He　followed　behind　Bran；　joining　the　stream　of　men　and　women　and　children　crossing　the　Wagon　Bridge　across　the　Winespring　Water；　Stepper's　and　Swallow's　hooves　clattering　on　the　thick　planks。　A　few　tall　willows　grew　here　along　the　water。　The　bridge　was　where　the　North　Road　began；　than　ran　to　Watch　Hill　and　beyond。　Some　of　the　distant　smoke　plumes　had　thinned　to　wisps　as　fires　burned　themselves　out。
　　　　　　　Where　the　road　left　the　village；　he　found　a　pair　of　wagons　blocking　the　road　and　men　gathered　behind　pointed；　slanting　stakes　with　their　bows　and　spears　and　such；　smelling　of　excitement；　murmuring　to　each　other　and　all　jammed　together　to　watch　what　was　ing　down　the　road：　a