rj.theshadowrising-第159部分

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e　had　hoped　for。　The　most　dangerous　part。
　　　　　　　Moiraine；　stretched　out　between　Lan　and　Amys；　sipped　her　wine　lazily；　eyes　lidded　as　if　sleepy。　He　did　not　believe　it。　She　saw　everything；　heard　everything。　But　he　had　nothing　to　say　now　that　she　should　not　hear。　〃How　many　will　resist；　Rhuarc？　Or　oppose　me？　You　have　hinted；　but　you've　never　said　for　sure。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　cannot　be　sure　in　it；〃　the　clan　chief　replied　around　his　pipestem。　〃When　you　show　the　Dragons；　they　will　know　you。　There　is　no　way　to　imitate　the　Dragons　of　Rhuidean。〃　Had　Moiraine's　eyes　flickered？　〃You　are　the　one　prophesied。　I　will　support　you；　and　Bruan　certainly；　and　Dhearic；　of　the　Reyn　Aiel。　The　others。。。？　Sevanna；　Suladric's　wife；　will　bring　the　Shaido　since　the　clan　has　no　chief。　She　is　young　to　be　roofmistress　of　a　hold；　doubtless　displeased　she　will　have　only　one　roof　and　not　an　entire　hold　when　someone　is　chosen　to　replace　Suladric。　And　Sevanna　is　as　wily　and　untrustworthy　as　any　Shaido　ever　born。　But　even　if　she　makes　no　trouble；　you　know　that　Couladin　will；　he　acts　the　clan　chief；　and　some　Shaido　may　follow　him　without　his　entering　Rhuidean。　Shaido　are　fools　enough　for　that。　Han；　of　the　Tomanelle；　may　move　in　any　direction。　He　is　a　prickly　man；　hard　to　know　and　difficult　to　deal　with；　and　…〃
　　　　　　　He　cut　off　as　Lian　murmured　softly；　〃Is　there　any　other　kind？〃　Rand　did　not　think　the　clan　chief　had　been　meant　to　hear。　Amys　hid　a　smile　behind　her　hand；　her　sister…wife　buried　her　face　innocently　in　her　winecup。
　　　　　　　〃As　I　was　saying；〃　Rhuarc　said；　frowning　resignedly　from　one　of　his　wives　to　the　other；　〃it　is　not　a　thing　I　can　be　sure　of。　Most　will　follow　you。　Perhaps　all。　Perhaps　even　the　Shaido。　We　have　waited　three　thousand　years　for　the　man　who　bears　two　Dragons。　When　you　show　your　arms；　none　will　doubt　you　are　the　one　sent　to　unite　us。〃　And　break　them；　but　he　did　not　mention　that。　〃The　question　is　how　they　will　decide　to　react。〃　He　tapped　his　teeth　with　his　pipestem　for　a　moment。　〃You　will　not　change　your　mind　and　don　the　cadin'sor？〃
　　　　　　　〃And　show　them　what；　Rhuarc？　A　pretend　Aiel？　As　well　dress　Mat　for　Aiel。〃　Mat　choked　on　his　pipe。　〃I　will　not　pretend。　I　am　what　I　am；　they　must　take　me　as　I　am。〃　Rand　raised　his　fists；　coatsleeves　falling　enough　to　uncover　the　golden…maned　heads　on　the　backs　of　his　wrists。　〃These　prove　me。　If　they　aren't　enough；　then　nothing　is。〃
　　　　　　　〃Where　do　you　mean　to　'lead　the　spears　to　war　once　more'？〃　Moiraine　asked　suddenly；　and　Mat　choked　again；　snatching　the　pipe　out　of　his　mouth　and　staring　at　her。　Her　dark　eyes　were　not　lidded　any　longer。
　　　　　　　Rand's　fists　tightened　convulsively；　till　his　knuckles　cracked。　Trying　to　be　clever　with　her　was　dangerous；　he　should　have　learned　that　long　since。　She　remembered　every　word　that　she　heard；　filed　it　away；　sorted　and　examined　until　she　knew　just　what　it　meant。
　　　　　　　He　got　to　his　feet　slowly。　They　were　all　watching　him。　Egwene　frowned　even　more　worriedly　than　Mat；　but　the　Aiel　just　watched。　Talk　of　war　did　not　upset　them。　Rhuarc　looked　…　ready。　And　Moiraine's　face　was　all　frozen　calm。
　　　　　　　〃If　you　will　excuse　me；〃　he　said；　〃I　am　going　to　walk　around　awhile。〃
　　　　　　　Aviendha　rose　to　her　knees；　and　Egwene　stood；　but　neither　followed　him。


Chapter　50
（Crescent　Moon　and　Stars）
Traps

　　　　　　　Outside；　on　the　stone…paved　path　between　the　yellow…brick　house　and　the　terraced　vegetable　garden；　Rand　stood　staring　down　the　canyon；　not　seeing　much　beyond　afternoon　shadows　creeping　across　the　canyon　floor。　If　only　he　could　trust　Moiraine　not　to　hand　him　to　the　Tower　on　a　leash；　he　had　no　doubt　she　could　do　it；　without　using　the　Power　once；　if　he　gave　her　an　inch。　The　woman　could　manipulate　a　bull　through　a　mouse　hole　without　ever　letting　it　know。　He　could　use　her。　Light；　I'm　as　bad　as　she　is。　Use　the　Aiel。　Use　Moiraine。　If　only　I　could　trust　her。
　　　　　　　He　headed　toward　the　mouth　of　the　canyon；　slanting　down　whenever　he　found　a　footpath　leading　that　way。　They　were　all　narrow；　paved　with　small　stones；　some　of　the　steeper　carved　in　steps。　Hammers　ringing　in　several　smithies　echoed　faintly。　Not　all　of　the　buildings　were　houses。　Through　one　open　door　he　saw　several　women　working　looms；　arid　another　showed　a　silversmith　putting　up　her　small　hammers　and　gouges；　a　third　a　man　at　a　potter's　wheel；　his　hands　in　the　clay　and　the　brick　kilns　hot　behind　him。　Men　and　boys；　except　the　youngest；　all　wore　the　cadin'sor；　the　coat　and　breeches　in　grays　and　browns；　but　there　were　often　subtle　differences　between　warriors　and　craftsmen；　a　smaller　belt　knife　or　none　at　all；　perhaps　a　shoufa　with　no　black　veil　attached。　Yet　watching　a　blacksmith　heft　a　spear　he　had　just　given　a　foot…long　point；　Rand　had　no　doubt　the　man　could　use　the　weapon　as　readily　as　make　it。
　　　　　　　The　paths　were　not　crowded；　but　there　were　plenty　of　people　about。　Children　laughed；　running　and　playing；　the　smaller　girls　almost　as　likely　to　be　carrying　pretend　spears　as　dolls。　Gai'shain　carried　tall　clay　jars　of　water　on　their　heads；　or　weeded　in　the　gardens；　often　under　the　direction　of　a　child　of　ten　or　twelve。　Men　and　women　going　about　the　tasks　of　their　lives；　not　really　that　different　from　the　things　they　might　have　done　in　Emond's　Field；　whether　sweeping　in　front　of　a　door　or　mending　a　wall。　The　children　hardly　gave　him　a　glance；　for　all　his　red　coat　and　thick…soled　boots；　and　the　gai'shain　were　so　self…effacing　it　was　difficult　to　say　whether　they　noticed　him　or　not。　But　craftsmen　or　fighters；　men　or　women；　the　adults　looked　at　him　with　an　air　of　speculation；　an　edge　of　uncertain　anticipation。
　　　　　　　Very　young　boys　ran　barefoot　in　robes　much　like　those　of　the　gai'shain；　but　in　the　grayish…brown　of　the　cadin'sor；　not　white。　The　youngest　girls　darted　about　on　bare　feet；　too；　in　short　dresses　that　sometimes　failed　to　cover　their　knees。　One　thing　about　the　girls　caught　his　eye；　up　to　perhaps　twelve　or　so；　they　wore　their　hair　in　two　braids；　one　over　each　ear；　plaited　with　brightly　colored　ribbons。　Just　the　way　Egwene　had　worn　hers。　It　had　to　be　coincidence。　Likely　the　reason　she　had　stopped　was　that　one　of　the　Aiel　woman　had　told　her　that　was　how　young　Aiel　girls　wore　their　hair。　A　foolish　thing　to　be　thinking　about　anyway。　Right　now　he　had　one　woman　to　deal　with。　Aviendha。
　　　　　　　On　the　canyon　floor；　the　peddlers　were　doing　a　brisk　trade　with　the　Aiel　crowding　around　the　canvas…topped　wagons。　At　least　the　drivers　were；　and　Keille；　a　blue　lace　shawl　on　her　ivory　bs　today；　was　bargaining　hard　in　a　loud　voice。　Kadere　sat　on　an　upturned　barrel　in　the　shade　of　his　white　wagon　in　a　cream…colored　coat；　mopping　his　face；　making　no　effort　to　sell　anything。　He　eyed　Rand　and　made　as　if　to　rise　before　sinking　back。　Isendre　was　nowhere　to　be　seen；　but　to　Rand's　surprise；　Natael　was；　his　patch…covered　cloak　attracting　a　flock　of　following　children；　and　some　adults。　Apparently　the　attraction　of　a　new　and　larger　audience　had　pulled　him　away　from　the　Shaido。　Or　maybe　Keille　just　did　not　want　him　out　of　her　sight。　Engrossed　in　her　trading　as　she　was；　she　found　time　to　frown　at　the　gleeman　often。
　　　　　　　Rand　avoided　the　wagons。　Questions　asked　of　Aiel　told　him　where　the　Jindo　had　gone；　each　to　the　roof　of　his　or　her　society　here　at　Cold　Rocks。　The　Roof　of　the　Maidens　lay　halfway　up　the　still　brightly　lit　east　wall　of　the　canyon；　a　garden…topped　rectangle　of　grayish　stone　doubtless　larger　inside　than　it　looked。　Not　that　he　saw　the　inside。　A　pair　of　Maidens　squatting　beside　the　door　with　spears　and　bucklers　refused　him　entrance；　amused　and　scandalized　that　a　man　wanted　to　enter；　but　one　agreed　to　carry　his　request　in。
　　　　　　　A　few　minutes　later　the　Jindo　and　Nine　Valleys　Maidens　who　had　gone　to　the　Stone　came　out。　And　all　the　other　Maidens　of　Nine　Valleys　sept　in　Cold　Rocks；　too；　crowding　the　path　to　either　side　and　climbing　up　on　the　roof　among　the　rows　of　vegetables　to　watch；　grinning　as　if　they　expected　entertainment。　Gai'shain；　male　as　well　as　female；　followed　to　serve　them　small　cups　of　dark…brewed　tea；　whatever　rule　kept　men　outside　the　Roof　of　the　Maidens　apparently　did　not　apply　to　gai'shain。
　　　　　　　After　he　had　examined　several　offerings；　Adelin；　the　yellow…haired　Jindo　woman　with　the　thin　scar　on　her　cheek；　produced　a　wide　bracelet　of　ivory　heavily　carved　with　roses。　He　thought　it　should　suit　Aviendha；　whoever　made　it　had　carefully　shown　thorns　among　the　blossoms。
　　　　　　　Adelin　was　tall　even　for　an　Aiel　woman；　only　a　hand　too　short　to　look　him　the　eyes。　When　she　heard　why　he　wanted　it　…　almost　why；　he　just　said　it　was　a　present　for　Aviendha's　teachings；　not　a　sop　to　soothe　the　woman's　temper　so　he　could　stand　to　be　near　her　…　Adelin　looked　around　at　the　other　Maidens。　They　had　all　stopped　grinning；　their　faces　expressionless。　〃I　will　take　no　price　for　this；　Rand　al'Thor；〃　she　said；　putting　the　bracelet　in　his　hand。
　　　　　　　〃Is　this　wrong？〃　he　asked。　How　would　Aiel　see　it？　〃I　don't　want　to　dishonor　Aviendha　in　any　way。〃
　　　　　　　〃It　will　not　dishonor　her。〃　She　beckoned　a　gai'shain　woman　carrying　pottery　cups　and　pitcher　on　a　silver　tray。　Pouring　two　cups；　she　handed　one　to　him。　〃Remember　honor；〃　she　said；　sipping　from　his　cup。
　　　　　　　Aviendha　had　never　mentioned　anything　like　this。　Uncertain；　he　took　a　sip　of　bitter　tea　and　repeated；　〃Remember　honor。〃　It　seemed　the　safest　thing　to　say。　To　his　surprise；　she　kissed　him　lightly　on　each　cheek。
　　　　　　　An　older　Maiden；　gray…haired　but　still　hard…faced；　appeared　in　front　of　him。　〃Remember　honor；〃　she　said；　and　sipped。
　　　　　　　He　had　to　repeat　the　ritual　with　every　Maiden　there；　finally　just　touching　the　cup　to　his　lips。　Aiel　ceremonies　might　be　short　and　to　the　point；　but　when　you　had　to　repeat　one　with　seventy…odd　women；　even　sips　could　fill　you　up。　Shadows　were　climbing　the　east　side　of　the　canyon　by　the　time　he　escaped。
　　　　　　　He　found　Aviendha　near　Lian's　house；　vigorously　beating　a　blue…striped　carpet　hung　on　a　line；　more　piled　beside　her　in　a　heap　of　colors。　Brushing　sweat…damp　strands　of　hair　from　her　forehead；　she　stared　at　him　expressionlessly　when　he　handed　her　the　bracelet　and　told　her　it　was　a　gift　in　return　for　her　teaching。
　　　　　　　〃I　have　given　bracelets　and　necklaces　to　friends　who　did　not　carry　the　spear；　Rand　al'Thor；　but　I　have　never　worn　one。〃　Her　voice　was　perfectly　flat。　〃Such　things　rattle　and　make　noise　to　give　you　away　when　you　must　be　silent。　They　catch　when　you　must　move　quickly。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　you　can　wear　it　now　that　you　are　going　to　be　a　Wise　One。〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes。〃　She　turned　the　ivory　circle　over　as　if　unsure　what　to　do　with　it；　then　abruptly　thrust　her　hand　through　it　and　held　her　wrist　up　to　stare　at　it。　She　could　have　been　looking　at　an　manacle。
　　　　　　　〃If　you　do　not　like　it。。。　Aviendha；　Adelin　said　it　would　not　touch　your　honor。　She　even　seemed　to　approve。〃　He　mentioned　the　tea…sipping　ceremony；　and　she　squeezed　her　eyes　shut　and　shuddered。　〃What　is　wrong？〃
　　　　　　　〃They　think　you　are　trying　to　attract　my　interest。〃　He　would　not　have　believed　her　voice　could　be　so　flat。　Her　eyes　held　no　emotion　at　all。　〃They　have　approved　of　you；　as　if　I　still　carried　the　spear。〃
　　　　　　　〃Light！　Simple　enough　to　set　them　straight。　I　don't　…〃　He　cut　off　as　her　eyes　blazed　up。
　　　　　　　〃No！　You　accepted　their　approval；　and　now　you　would　reject　it？　That　would　dishonor　me！　Do　you