rj.theshadowrising-第150部分

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。　〃I　am　sorry　I　got　you　into　this；　daugh　…〃　No。　She　had　no　right　to　call　her　that；　now。　〃I　am　sorry；　Leane。〃
　　　　　　　There　was　a　long　moment　of　silence。　〃Are　you。。。　all　right；　Mother？〃
　　　　　　　〃Siuan；　Leane。　Just　Siuan。〃　Despite　herself　she　tried　to　embrace　saidar。　There　was　nothing　there。　Not　for　her。　Only　the　emptiness　inside。　Never　again。　A　lifetime　of　purpose；　and　now　she　was　rudderless；　adrift　on　a　sea　far　darker　than　this　cell。　She　scrubbed　a　tear　from　her　cheek；　angry　at　letting　it　fall。　〃I　am　not　the　Amyrlin　Seat　anymore；　Leane。〃　Some　of　the　anger　crept　into　her　voice。　〃I　suppose　Elaida　will　be　raised　in　my　place。　If　she　hasn't　been　already。　I　swear；　one　day　I　will　feed　that　woman　to　the　silverpike！〃
　　　　　　　Leane's　only　answer　was　a　long；　despairing　breath。
　　　　　　　The　grate　of　a　key　in　the　rusty　iron　lock　brought　Siuan's　head　up；　no　one　had　thought　to　oil　the　works　before　throwing　Leane　and　her　in；　and　the　corroded　parts　did　not　want　to　turn。　Grimly　she　forced　herself　to　her　feet。　〃Up；　Leane。　Get　up。〃　After　a　moment　she　heard　the　other　woman　plying；　and　muttering　to　herself　between　soft　moans。
　　　　　　　In　a　slightly　louder　voice；　Leane　said；　〃What　good　will　it　do？〃
　　　　　　　〃At　least　they　won't　find　us　huddling　on　the　floor　and　weeping。〃　She　tried　to　make　her　voice　firm。　〃We　can　fight；　Leane。　As　long　as　we　are　alive；　we　can　fight。〃　Oh；　Light；　they　stilled　me！　They　stilled　me！
　　　　　　　Forcing　her　mind　to　blankness；　she　clenched　her　fists；　and　tried　to　dig　her　toes　into　the　uneven　stone　floor。　She　wished　the　noise　in　her　throat　did　not　sound　so　much　like　a　whimper。
　
　　　　　　　Min　set　her　bundles　on　the　floor　and　tossed　back　her　cloak　so　she　could　use　both　hands　on　the　key。　Twice　as　long　as　her　hand；　it　was　as　rusty　as　the　lock；　just　like　the　other　keys　on　the　big　iron　ring。　The　air　was　cold　and　damp；　as　though　summer　did　not　reach　this　far　down。
　　　　　　　〃Hurry；　child；〃　Laras　muttered；　holding　the　lantern　for　Min；　peering　both　ways　down　the　otherwise　dark　stone　hall。　It　was　hard　to　believe　that　the　woman；　with　all　her　chins；　had　ever　been　a　beauty；　but　Min　surely　thought　her　beautiful　now。
　　　　　　　Fighting　the　key；　she　shook　her　head。　She　had　encountered　Laras　while　sneaking　back　to　her　room　for　the　plain　gray　riding　dress　she　now　wore；　and　for　a　few　other　things。　Actually；　she　had　found　the　massive　woman　looking　for　her；　in　a　tizzy　of　worry　about　〃Elmindreda；〃　exclaiming　over　how　lucky　Min　was　to　be　safe　and　proposing　to　all　but　lock　her　in　her　room　until　the　trouble　was　past　to　keep　her　so。　She　was　still　not　sure　how　Laras　had　wormed　her　intentions　out　of　her；　and　she　still　could　not　get　over　her　shock　when　the　woman　reluctantly　announced　she　would　help。　A　venturesome　lass　after　her　own　heart　indeed。　Well；　I　hope　she　can　…　how　did　she　put　it？　…　keep　me　out　of　the　pickling　kettle。　The　bloody　key　would　not　turn；　she　threw　all　of　her　weight　into　trying　to　twist　it。
　　　　　　　In　truth；　she　was　grateful　to　Laras　in　more　ways　than　one。　It　was　doubtful　she　could　have　readied　everything　by　herself；　or　even　found　some　of　it；　surely　not　this　quickly。　Besides　which。。。。　Besides　which；　when　she　ran　into　Laras；　she　had　already　begun　telling　herself　she　was　a　fool　even　to　think　of　doing　this；　that　she　should　be　on　a　horse　and　off　for　Tear　while　she　had　the　chance；　before　someone　decided　to　add　her　head　to　those　decorating　the　front　of　the　Tower。　Running　away；　she　suspected；　would　have　been　the　sort　of　thing　she　would　never　have　been　able　to　forget。　That　alone　had　made　her　grateful　enough　not　to　object　in　the　slightest　when　Laras　added　some　pretty　dresses　to　what　she　herself　had　already　packed。　The　rouges　and　powders　could　always　be　〃lost〃　somewhere。　Why　won't　this　bloody　key　turn？　Maybe　Laras　can　…
　　　　　　　The　key　shifted　suddenly；　twisted　with　a　snap　so　loud　that　Min　feared　something　had　broken。　But　when　she　pushed　at　the　rough　wooden　door；　it　opened。　Snatching　up　the　bundles；　she　stepped　into　the　bare　stone　cell　…　and　stopped　in　confusion。
　　　　　　　The　lantern　light　revealed　two　women　clad　only　in　dark　bruises　and　red　welts；　shielding　their　eyes　from　the　sudden　light；　but　for　a　moment　Min　was　not　sure　they　were　the　right　two。　One　was　tall　and　coppery…skinned；　the　other　shorter；　sturdier；　more　fair。　The　faces　looked　right　…　almost　right　…　and　untouched　by　whatever　had　been　done　to　them；　so　she　should　have　been　certain。　But　the　agelessness　that　marked　Aes　Sedai　seemed　to　have　melted　away；　she　would　have　had　no　hesitation　at　all　in　thinking　these　women　were　just　six　or　seven　years　older　than　herself　at　most；　and　not　Aes　Sedai　at　all。　Her　face　heated　with　embarrassment　at　the　thought。　She　saw　no　images；　no　auras；　around　either；　there　were　always　images　and　auras　around　Aes　Sedai。　Stop　that；　she　told　herself。
　　　　　　　〃Where　…？〃　one　of　the　two　began　wonderingly；　then　paused　to　clear　her　throat。　〃How　did　you　get　those　keys？〃　It　was　Siuan　Sanche's　voice。
　　　　　　　〃It　is　her。〃　Laras　sounded　disbelieving。　She　poked　Min　with　a　thick　finger。　〃Hurry；　child！　I　am　too　old　and　slow　to　be　having　adventures。〃
　　　　　　　Min　gave　her　a　startled　look；　the　woman　had　insisted　on　ing；　she　would　not　be　left　out；　she　had　said。　Min　wanted　to　ask　Siuan　why　the　pair　of　them　suddenly　looked　so　much　younger；　but　there　was　no　time　for　frivolous　questions。　I'm　too　bloody　used　to　being　Elmindreda！
　　　　　　　Thrusting　one　of　her　bundles　at　each　of　the　naked　women；　she　spoke　rapidly。　〃Clothes。　Dress　as　quickly　as　you　can。　I　don't　know　how　much　time　we　have。　I　let　the　guard　think　I'd　trade　a　few　kisses　for　a　chance　to　repay　you　for　a　grudge；　and　while　he　was　distracted；　Laras　came　up　behind　him　and　cracked　him　over　the　head　with　a　rolling　pin。　I　do　not　know　how　long　he'll　sleep。〃　She　leaned　back　through　the　door　to　peer　worriedly　down　the　hall　toward　the　guardroom。　〃We　had　best　hurry。〃
　　　　　　　Siuan　had　already　undone　her　bundle　and　begun　to　put　on　the　clothes　it　contained。　Except　for　a　linen　shift；　they　were　all　plain　woolens　in　shades　of　brown；　suitable　for　farm　women　e　to　the　White　Tower　to　consult　the　Aes　Sedai；　though　the　skirts　divided　for　riding　were　a　little　unusual。　Laras　had　done　most　of　the　needlework；　Min　had　mostly　just　stuck　herself。　Leane　was　also　covering　her　nakedness；　but　she　seemed　more　interested　in　the　short…bladed　knife　hanging　from　her　belt　than　in　the　clothes　themselves。
　　　　　　　Three　plainly　dressed　women　had　a　chance；　at　least；　of　leaving　the　Tower　without　attracting　notice。　A　number　of　petitioners　and　people　seeking　help　had　been　caught　inside　the　Tower　by　the　fighting；　three　more　creeping　out　of　hiding　should　be　hustled　into　the　street　at　worst。　So　long　as　they　were　not　recognized。　The　other　women's　faces　might　help；　too。　No　one　was　likely　to　take　a　pair　of　young　…　young…seeming；　at　least　…　women　for　the　Amyrlin　Seat　and　the　Keeper　of　the　Chronicles。　Former　Amyrlin　and　former　Keeper；　she　reminded　herself。
　　　　　　　〃Only　one　guard？〃　Siuan　said；　wincing　as　she　tugged　on　thick　stockings。　〃Strange。　They'd　guard　a　cutpurse　better　than　that。〃　Eyeing　Laras；　she　pushed　her　feet　into　the　sturdy　shoes。　〃It　is　good　to　see　some　do　not　believe　the　charges　against　me。　Whatever　they　are。〃
　　　　　　　The　stout　woman　frowned　and　lowered　her　chins；　giving　herself　a　fourth。　〃I　am　loyal　to　the　Tower；〃　she　said　sternly。　〃Such　matters　are　not　for　me。　I　am　only　a　cook。　This　foolish　girl　has　had　me　remembering　too　much　of　being　a　foolish　girl　myself。　I　think　…　Seeing　you　…　It　is　time　for　me　to　remember　I　am　not　a　willowy　girl　any　longer。〃　She　pushed　the　lantern　into　Min's　hands。
　　　　　　　Min　caught　her　stout　arm　as　she　turned　to　go。　〃Laras；　you　won't　give　us　away？　Not　now；　after　all　you　have　done。〃
　　　　　　　The　woman's　wide　face　split　in　a　smile；　half…reminiscent；　half…rueful。　〃Oh；　Elmindreda；　you　do　remind　me　of　me　when　I　was　your　age。　Foolish　doings；　and　near　to　getting　myself　hanged；　sometimes。　I　will　not　betray　you；　child；　but　I　must　live　here。　When　Second　is　rung；　I　will　send　a　girl　with　wine　for　the　guard。　If　he　has　not　wakened　or　been　discovered　by　then；　that　will　give　you　more　than　an　hour。〃　Turning　to　the　other　two　women；　she　suddenly　wore　the　hard　scowl　Min　had　seen　directed　at　undercooks　and　the　like。　〃You　use　that　hour　well；　hear！　They　mean　to　stick　you　in　the　scullery；　I　understand；　so　they　can　haul　you　out　for　examples。　I'd　not　care　one　way　or　the　other　…　such　matters　are　for　Aes　Sedai；　not　cooks；　one　Amyrlin　is　the　same　as　another；　to　me　…　but　if　you　get　this　child　caught；　you　can　expect　me　to　be　striping　your　hides　from　sunup　to　sundown　whenever　you're　not　head…down　in　greasy　pots　or　cleaning　slop　jars！　You　will　wish　they　had　cut　off　your　heads　before　I　am　done。　And　don't　think　they'll　believe　I　helped。　Everyone　knows　I　keep　to　my　kitchens。　You　mark　me；　and　jump！〃　The　smile　popped　back　onto　her　face；　and　she　pinched　Min's　cheek。　〃You　hurry　them　along；　child。　Oh；　I　am　going　to　miss　dressing　you。　Such　a　pretty　child。〃　With　a　last　vigorous　pinch；　she　waddled　out　of　the　cell　at　a　near　trot。
　　　　　　　Min　rubbed　her　cheek　irritably；　she　hated　it　when　Laras　did　that。　The　woman　was　as　strong　as　a　horse。　Near　to　hanging？　What　kind　of　〃lively　girl〃　had　Laras　been？
　　　　　　　Gingerly　pulling　her　dress　over　her　head；　Leane　sniffed　loudly。　〃To　think　she　could　speak　to　you　in　that　manner；　Mother！〃　Her　face　popped　out　at　the　top；　scowling。　〃I　am　surprised　she　helped　at　all　if　she　feels　that　way。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　she　did　help；〃　Min　told　her。　〃Remember　that。　And　I　think　she'll　keep　her　word　not　to　give　us　away。　I　am　sure　of　it。〃　Leane　sniffed　again。
　　　　　　　Siuan　swung　her　cloak　around　her　shoulders。　〃It　makes　a　difference；　Leane；　that　I　have　no　more　claim　to　that　title。　It　makes　a　difference　when　tomorrow　you　and　I　might　be　two　of　her　scullery　girls。〃　Leane　clasped　her　hands　to　keep　them　from　shaking　and　would　not　look　at　her。　Siuan　went　on　calmly；　if　in　a　dry　tone。　〃I　also　suspect　Laras　will　keep　her　word　about。。。　other　things。。。　so　even　if　you　don't　care　whether　Elaida　hangs　us　up　like　a　pair　of　netted　sharks　for　the　world　to　see；　I　suggest　you　move　yourself。　Myself；　I　hated　greasy　pots　when　I　was　a　girl；　and　I　don't　doubt　I　still　would。〃
　　　　　　　Leane　sullenly　began　doing　up　the　laces　of　the　country　dress。
　　　　　　　Siuan　turned　her　attention　to　Min。　〃You　may　not　be　so　eager　to　help　us　when　I　tell　you　we've　both　been。。。　stilled。〃　Her　voice　did　not　shake；　but　it　was　stiff　with　the　effort　of　saying　the　word；　and　her　eyes　looked　pained；　and　lost。　It　was　a　shock　to　realize　her　calm　was　all　on　the　surface。　〃Any　one　of　the　Accepted　could　tie　the　pair　of　us　into　a　running　sheepsfoot；　Min。　Most　of　the　novices　could。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　know；〃　Min　said；　careful　to　keep　her　tone　clear　of　the　smallest　hint　of　sympathy。　Sympathy　now　might　break　what　self…control　the　other　women　had　left；　and　she　needed　them　in　control　of　themselves。　〃It　was　announced　at　every　square　in　the　city；　and　posted　wherever　they　could　nail　up　a　notice。　But　you　are　still　alive。〃　Leane　gave　a　bitter　laugh；　which　she　ignored。　〃We　had　best　go。　That　guard　might　wake；　or　somebody　check　on　him。〃
　　　　　　　〃Lead；　Min；〃　Siuan　said。　〃We　are　in　your　hands。〃　After　a　moment　Leane　gave　a　short　nod　and　hurriedly　donned　her　cloak。
　　　　　　　In　the　guardroom　at　the　end　of　the　dark　hall；　the　lone　guard　lay　stretched　out；　facedown　on　the　dusty　floor。　The　helmet　that　woul