rj.theshadowrising-第153部分

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　　　　　　　〃Find　something　to　fill　it　up；〃　Siuan　told　her　firmly。　〃Anything。　Cook　for　the　hungry；　tend　the　sick；　find　a　husband　and　raise　a　houseful　of　children。　Me；　I　mean　to　see　Elaida　does　not　get　away　with　this。　I　could　almost　forgive　her；　if　she　truly　believed　I　had　endangered　the　Tower。　Almost；　I　could。　Almost。　But　she　has　been　filled　with　envy　since　the　day　I　was　raised　Amyrlin　instead　of　her。　That　drives　her　as　much　as　anything　else；　and　for　that　I　mean　to　pull　her　down。　That　is　what　fills　me；　Leane。　That；　and　the　fact　that　Rand　al'Thor　must　not　fall　into　her　hands。〃
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps　that　will　be　enough。〃　The　coppery…skinned　woman　sounded　doubtful；　but　she　straightened。　The　contrast　between　her　obvious　experience　and　Siuan's　precarious　seat　on　the　shorter　mare　made　her　look　as　if　she　must　be　the　leader。　〃But　how　can　we　even　begin？　We　have　three　horses；　the　clothes　on　our　backs；　and　whatever　Min　has　in　her　purse。　Hardly　enough　to　challenge　the　Tower。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am　glad　you　did　not　decide　on　a　husband　and　home。　We　will　find　other　…〃　Siuan　grimaced。　〃We　will　find　Aes　Sedai　who　fled；　find　what　we　need。　We　may　have　more　than　you　think；　Leane。　Min；　what　does　that　pass　Gawyn　gave　us　say？　Does　it　mention　three　women？　What？　Quickly；　girl。〃
　　　　　　　Min　glared　at　her　back。　Siuan　had　been　peering　at　the　darting　man　ahead；　a　large；　dark…haired　fellow；　dressed　well　but　plainly　in　somber　browns。　The　woman　sounded　as　if　she　were　still　Amyrlin。　Well；　I　wanted　her　to　find　her　backbone；　didn't　I？
　　　　　　　Siuan　turned　to　stare　at　her　with　those　sharp　blue　eyes；　somehow　they　seemed　no　less　intimidating　than　before。　〃　'The　bearers　are　authorized　to　depart　Tar　Valon　on　my　authority；'　〃　Min　quoted　hastily　from　memory。　〃　'Who　impedes　them　will　answer　to　me。'　Signed　…〃
　　　　　　　〃I　know　his　name；〃　Siuan　snapped。　〃Follow　me。〃　She　heeled　Bela's　flanks；　nearly　losing　her　seat　when　the　shaggy　mare　lumbered　to　a　slow　gallop。　She　hung　on；　though；　bouncing　awkwardly　and　drumming　her　heels　for　more　speed。
　　　　　　　Min　exchanged　one　startled　look　with　Leane；　and　they　were　both　galloping　after　her。　The　man　looked　back　at　the　sound　of　running　hooves　and　began　to　run　himself；　but　Siuan　cut　Bela　in　front　of　him；　he　bounced　off　the　mare　with　a　grunt。　Min　reached　them　just　in　time　to　hear　Siuan　say；　〃I　did　not　think　to　meet　you　here；　Logain。〃
　　　　　　　Min　gaped。　It　was　him。　Those　despairing　eyes　and　that　once　handsome　face　framed　by　dark　hair　curling　to　his　broad　shoulders　were　unmistakable。　Just　who　they　needed　to　find。　A　man　the　Tower　wanted　very　likely　as　much　as　Siuan。
　　　　　　　Logain　slumped　to　his　knees　as　though　his　fatigued　legs　would　not　hold　him　any　longer。　〃I　cannot　harm　anyone　now；〃　he　said　tiredly；　staring　at　the　paving　stones　beneath　Bela's　hooves。　〃I　just　wanted　to　get　away；　to　die　somewhere　in　peace。　If　you　only　knew　what　it　was　like　to　have　lost。。。〃　Leane　sawed　her　reins　angrily　as　he　trailed　off；　he　began　again　without　noticing。　〃The　bridges　are　all　guarded。　They　will　let　no　one　across。　They　did　not　know　me；　but　they　would　not　let　me　cross。　I　have　tried　them　all。〃　Abruptly　he　laughed；　wearily；　but　as　if　it　were　very　funny　indeed。　〃I　have　tried　them　all。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　think；〃　Min　said　carefully；　〃we　should　be　going。　He　probably　wants　to　avoid　those　who　must　be　looking　for　him。〃　Siuan　shot　her　a　look　that　almost　made　her　rein　her　horse　back；　all　icy　eyes　and　hard　chin。　It　would　not　have　been　dreadful　if　the　woman　had　retained　a　little　of　the　uncertainty　she　displayed　previously。
　　　　　　　Raising　his　head；　the　big　man　looked　from　one　of　them　to　the　next；　a　slow　frown　forming。　〃You　are　not　Aes　Sedai。　Who　are　you？　What　do　you　want　of　me？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am　the　woman　who　can　take　you　out　of　Tar　Valon；〃　Siuan　told　him。　〃And　perhaps　give　you　a　chance　to　strike　back　at　the　Red　Ajah。　You　would　like　a　chance　to　get　back　at　those　who　captured　you；　wouldn't　you？〃
　　　　　　　A　shudder　passed　through　him。　〃What　must　I　do？〃　he　said　slowly。
　　　　　　　〃Follow　me；〃　she　replied。　〃Follow　me；　and　remember　that　I　am　the　only　one　in　the　entire　world　who　will　give　you　your　chance　of　revenge。〃
　　　　　　　From　his　knees　he　studied　them　with　his　head　tilted；　examining　each　face；　then　pushed　himself　to　his　feet；　his　eyes　fixed　on　Siuan。　〃I　am　your　man；〃　he　said　simply。
　　　　　　　Leane's　face　looked　as　incredulous　as　Min　felt。　What　use　under　the　Light　could　Siuan　possibly　have　for　a　man　of　doubtful　sanity　who　had　once　falsely　proclaimed　himself　the　Dragon　Reborn？　At　the　least　he　might　turn　on　them　to　steal　one　of　their　horses！　Eyeing　the　height　of　him；　the　breadth　of　his　shoulders；　Min　thought　they　had　better　keep　their　belt　knives　handy。　Suddenly；　for　a　moment；　that　flaring　halo　of　gold　and　blue　shone　about　his　head；　speaking　of　glory　to　e　as　surely　as　it　had　the　first　time　she　had　seen　it。　She　shivered。　Viewings。　Images。
　　　　　　　She　glanced　over　her　shoulder　toward　the　Tower；　the　thick　white　shaft　dominating　the　city；　whole　and　straight；　yet　broken　as　surely　as　if　it　lay　in　ruins。　For　a　moment　she　let　herself　think　of　the　images　she　had　glimpsed；　just　for　a　moment；　flickering　around　Gawyn's　head。　Gawyn　kneeling　at　Egwene's　feet　with　his　head　bowed；　and　Gawyn　breaking　Egwene's　neck；　first　one　then　the　other；　as　if　either　could　be　the　future。
　　　　　　　The　things　she　saw　were　very　rarely　as　clear　in　meaning　as　those　two；　and　she　had　never　before　seen　that　fluttering　back　and　forth；　as　though　not　even　the　viewing　could　tell　which　would　be　the　true　future。　Worse；　she　had　a　feeling　near　to　certainty　that　it　was　what　she　had　done　this　day　that　had　turned　Gawyn　toward　those　two　possibilities。
　　　　　　　Despite　the　sun；　she　shivered　again。　What's　done　is　done。　She　glanced　at　the　two　Aes　Sedai　…　former　Aes　Sedai　…　both　now　studying　Logain　as　though　he　were　a　trained　hound；　ferocious；　possibly　dangerous；　but　useful。　Siuan　and　Leane　turned　their　horses　toward　the　river；　Logain　striding　between。　Min　followed　more　slowly。　Light；　I　hope　it　was　worth　it。


Chapter　48
（Spears　and　Shield）
An　Offer　Refused

　　　　　　　〃Is　that　the　kind　of　woman　you　like？〃　Aviendha　said　contemptuously。
　　　　　　　Rand　looked　down　at　her；　striding　along　at　Jeade'en's　stirrup　in　her　heavy　skirts；　brown　shawl　doubled　over　her　head。　Big　blue…green　eyes　flashed　up　at　him　from　beneath　her　wide　headscarf　as　if　she　wished　she　still　had　the　spear　the　Wise　Ones　had　scolded　her　for　taking　up　during　the　Trolloc　attack。
　　　　　　　Sometimes　it　made　him　unfortable；　her　walking　while　he　rode；　but　he　had　tried　walking　with　her；　and　his　feet　were　grateful　for　a　horse。　Occasionally　…　very　occasionally　…　he　had　managed　to　get　her　to　ride　behind　his　saddle；　by　plaining　that　he　was　getting　a　crick　in　his　neck　talking　to　her。　Riding　a　horse　did　not　exactly　violate　custom；　it　turned　out；　yet　contempt　for　not　using　your　own　legs　to　carry　you　kept　her　afoot　most　of　the　time。　One　laugh　from　any　of　the　Aiel；　especially　a　Maiden；　even　one　looking　the　other　way；　was　enough　to　have　her　off　Jeade'en　in　a　flash。
　　　　　　　〃She　is　soft；　Rand　al'Thor。　Weak。〃
　　　　　　　He　glanced　back　over　at　the　boxlike　white　wagon　leading　the　peddlers'　train　in　a　crooked；　lurching　snake　across　the　dusty；　broken　landscape；　escorted　by　Jindo　Maidens　again　today。　Isendre　was　up　with　Kadere　and　the　driver；　seated　on　the　heavyset　peddler's　lap；　her　chin　on　his　shoulder　while　he　held　a　small；　blue　silk　parasol　to　shade　her　…　and　himself；　too　…　from　the　harsh　sun。　Even　in　a　white　coat；　Kadere　continually　mopped　his　dark　face　with　a　large　handkerchief；　more　affected　by　the　heat　than　she；　in　her　sleek；　clinging　gown　that　matched　the　parasol。　Rand　was　not　close　enough　to　be　sure；　but　he　thought　her　dark　eyes　were　on　him　above　the　misty　scarf　wrapped　about　her　face　and　head。　She　usually　seemed　to　be　watching　him。　Kadere　did　not　appear　to　mind。
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　think　Isendre　is　soft；〃　he　said　quietly；　adjusting　the　shoufa　around　his　head；　it　did　keep　the　broiling　sun　off　after　a　fashion。　He　had　resisted　donning　any　more　Aiel　garb；　no　matter　how　much　more　suited　to　the　climate　than　his　red　wool　coat。　Whatever　his　blood；　whatever　the　marks　on　his　forearms；　he　was　not　Aiel；　and　he　would　not　pretend。　Whatever　he　had　to　do；　he　could　hang　on　to　that　scrap　of　decency。　〃No；　I　would　not　say　that。〃
　　　　　　　On　the　driver's　seat　of　the　second　wagon；　fat　Keille　and　the　gleeman；　Natael；　were　arguing　again。　Natael　had　the　reins；　though　he　did　not　drive　as　well　as　the　man　who　usually　did　the　job。　Sometimes　they　looked　at　Rand；　too；　quick　glances　before　diving　back　into　their　quarrel。　But　then；　everyone　did。　The　long　column　of　Jindo　on　the　other　side　of　him；　the　Wise　Ones　beyond　them；　with　Moiraine　and　Egwene　and　Lan。　Among　the　more　distant；　thicker　line　of　Shaido　he　thought　heads　turned　toward　him；　too。　It　did　not　surprise　him　now　any　more　than　it　ever　had。　He　was　He　Who　es　With　the　Dawn。　Everyone　wanted　to　know　what　he　would　do。　They　would　find　out　soon　enough。
　　　　　　　〃Soft；〃　Aviendha　grunted。　〃Elayne　is　not　soft。　You　belong　to　Elayne；　you　should　not　be　caressing　eyes　with　this　milk…skinned　wench。〃　She　shook　her　head　fiercely；　muttering　half　to　herself；　〃Our　ways　shock　her。　She　could　not　accept　them。　Why　should　I　care　if　she　can？　I　want　no　part　of　this！　It　cannot　be！　If　I　could；　I　would　take　you　gai'shain　and　give　you　to　Elayne！〃
　　　　　　　〃Why　should　Isendre　accept　Aiel　ways？〃
　　　　　　　The　wide…eyed　look　she　gave　him　was　so　startled　he　almost　laughed。　Immediately　she　scowled　as　if　he　had　done　something　infuriating。　Aiel　women　were　surely　no　easier　to　understand　than　any　others。
　　　　　　　〃You　are　certainly　not　soft；　Aviendha。〃　She　should　take　it　for　a　pliment；　the　woman　was　as　rough　as　a　honing　stone　sometimes。　〃Explain　to　me　about　the　roofmistress　again。　If　Rhuarc　is　clan　chief　of　the　Taardad　and　chief　of　Cold　Rocks　Hold；　how　is　it　that　the　hold　belongs　to　his　wife　and　not　him？〃
　　　　　　　She　glowered　at　him　a　moment　longer；　lips　working　as　she　muttered　under　her　breath；　before　answering。　〃Because　she　is　roofmistress；　you　stone…headed　wetlander。　A　man　cannot　own　a　roof　any　more　than　he　can　own　land！　Sometimes　you　wetlanders　sound　like　savages。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　if　Lian　is　roofmistress　of　Cold　Rocks　because　she　is　Rhuarc's　wife　…〃
　　　　　　　〃That　is　different！　Will　you　never　understand？　A　child　understands！〃　Taking　a　deep　breath；　she　adjusted　the　shawl　around　her　face。　She　was　a　pretty　woman；　except　for　looking　at　him　most　of　the　time　as　if　he　had　mitted　some　crime　against　her。　What　it　might　be；　he　did　not　know。　White…haired　Bair；　leathery…faced　and　as　reluctant　to　speak　of　Rhuidean　as　ever；　had　finally；　unwillingly　told　him　that　Aviendha　had　not　visited　the　glass　columns：　she　would　not　do　that　until　she　was　ready　to　bee　a　Wise　One。　So　why　did　she　hate　him？　It　was　a　mystery　he　would　have　liked　an　answer　to。
　　　　　　　〃I　will　attack　it　from　another　direction；〃　she　grumbled　at　him。　〃When　a　woman　is　to　marry；　if　she　does　not　already　own　a　roof；　her　family　builds　one　for　her。　On　her　wedding　day　her　new　husband　carries　her　away　from　her　family　across　his　shoulder；　with　his　brothers　holding　off　her　sisters；　but　at　the　door　he　puts　her　down　and　asks　her　permission　to　enter。　The　roof　is　hers。　She　can。。。〃
　　　　　　　These　lectures　had　been　the　most　pleasant　thing　in　the　eleven　days　and　nights　since　the　Trolloc　attack。　Not　that　she　had　been　willing　to　talk　at