rj.theshadowrising-第16部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


　　　　　　　〃As　my　Lord　Dragon　mands。〃　She　gave　him　a　tight　curtsy　and　hurried　out；　perhaps　afraid　he　might　change　his　mind　about　letting　her　go。
　　　　　　　〃As　soon　the　Dark　One　himself；〃　he　murmured　as　the　door　closed　behind　her。
　　　　　　　Limping　to　the　foot　of　the　bed；　he　lowered　himself　into　the　chest　there　and　laid　Callandor　across　his　knees；　bloody　hands　resting　on　the　glowing　blade。　With　that　in　his　hands；　even　one　of　the　Forsaken　would　fear　him。　In　a　moment　he　would　send　for　Moiraine　to　Heal　his　wounds。　In　a　moment　he　would　speak　to　the　Aiel　outside；　and　bee　the　Dragon　Reborn　again。　But　for　now；　he　only　wanted　to　sit；　and　remember　a　shepherd　named　Rand　al'Thor。

Chapter　3
（Dragon's　Fang）
Reflection

　　　　　　　Despite　the　hour；　a　good　many　people　were　hurrying　through　the　Stone's　wide　corridors；　a　steady　trickle　of　men　and　women　in　the　black　and　gold　of　Stone　servants　or　the　livery　of　one　High　Lord　or　another。　Now　and　again　a　Defender　or　two　appeared；　bareheaded　and　unarmed；　some　with　their　coats　undone。　The　servants　bowed　or　curtsied　to　Perrin　and　Faile　if　they　came　close；　then　hurried　on　with　hardly　a　pause。　Most　of　the　soldiers　gave　a　start　on　seeing　them。　Some　bowed　stiffly；　hand　to　heart；　but　one　and　all　quickened　their　steps　as　if　eager　to　be　away。
　　　　　　　Only　one　lamp　in　three　or　four　was　lit。　In　the　dim　stretches　between　their　tall　stands；　shadows　blurred　the　hanging　tapestries　and　obscured　the　occasional　chest　against　the　wall。　For　any　eyes　but　Perrin's；　they　did。　His　eyes　glowed　like　burnished　gold　in　those　murky　lengths　of　hall。　He　walked　quickly　from　lamp　to　lamp　and　kept　his　gaze　down　unless　he　was　in　full　light。　Most　people　in　the　Stone　knew　about　his　strangely　colored　eyes；　one　way　or　another。　None　of　them　mentioned　it；　of　course。　Even　Faile　seemed　to　assume　the　color　was　part　of　his　association　with　an　Aes　Sedai；　something　that　simply　was；　to　be　accepted　but　never　explained。　Even　so；　a　prickling　always　ran　across　his　back　whenever　he　realized　that　a　stranger　had　seen　his　eyes　shining　in　the　dark。　When　they　held　their　tongues；　the　silence　only　emphasized　his　apartness。
　　　　　　　〃I　wish　they　wouldn't　look　at　me　like　that；〃　he　muttered　as　a　grizzled　Defender　twice　his　age　came　close　to　running　once　he　had　passed。　〃As　though　they　are　afraid　of　me。　They　haven't　before；　not　this　way。　Why　aren't　all　these　people　in　bed？〃　A　woman　carrying　a　mop　and　a　bucket　bobbed　a　curtsy　and　scurried　by　with　her　head　down。
　　　　　　　Her　arm　twined　through　his；　Faile　glanced　at　him。　〃I　would　say　the　guards　are　not　supposed　to　be　in　this　part　of　the　Stone　unless　they　are　on　duty。　A　good　time　to　cuddle　a　maid　on　a　lord's　chair；　and　maybe　pretend　they　are　the　lord　and　lady；　while　lord　and　lady　are　asleep。　They　are　probably　worried　that　you　might　report　them。　And　servants　do　most　of　their　work　at　night。　Who　would　want　them　underfoot；　sweeping　and　dusting　and　polishing；　in　daylight？〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　nodded　doubtfully。　He　supposed　she　would　know　about　such　things　from　her　father's　house。　A　successful　merchant　likely　had　servants；　and　guards　for　his　wagons。　At　least　these　folk　were　not　out　of　their　beds　because　what　had　happened　to　him　had　happened　to　them；　too。　If　that　were　the　case；　they　would　be　out　of　the　Stone　altogether；　and　likely　still　running。　But　why　had　he　been　a　target；　singled　out；　as　it　seemed？　He　was　not　looking　forward　to　confronting　Rand；　but　he　had　to　know。　Faile　had　to　stretch　her　stride　to　keep　up　with　him。
　　　　　　　For　all　its　splendor；　all　the　gold　and　fine　carving　and　inlays；　the　interior　of　the　Stone　had　been　designed　for　war　as　much　as　its　exterior　had　been。　Murderholes　dotted　the　ceiling　wherever　corridors　crossed。　Never　used　arrowslits　peeked　into　the　halls　at　places　where　they　might　cover　an　entire　hallway。　He　and　Faile　climbed　narrow；　curving　staircase　after　narrow；　curving　staircase；　all　built　into　the　walls　or　else　enclosed；　with　more　arrowslits　looking　down　on　the　corridor　below。　None　of　this　design　had　hampered　the　Aiel；　of　course；　the　first　enemy　ever　to　get　beyond　the　outer　wall。
　　　　　　　As　they　trotted　up　one　of　the　winding　stairs　…　Perrin　did　not　realize　they　were　trotting；　though　he　would　have　been　moving　faster　if　not　for　Faile　on　his　arm　…　he　caught　a　whiff　of　old　sweat　and　a　hint　of　sickly…sweet　perfume；　but　they　registered　only　in　the　back　of　his　brain。　He　was　caught　up　in　what　he　was　going　to　say　to　Rand。　Why　did　you　try　to　kill　me？　Are　you　going　mad　already？　There　was　no　easy　way　to　ask；　and　he　did　not　expect　easy　answers。
　　　　　　　Stepping　out　into　a　shadowed　corridor　nearly　at　the　top　of　the　Stone；　he　found　himself　staring　at　the　backs　of　a　High　Lord　and　two　of　the　nobleman's　personal　guards。　Only　the　Defenders　were　allowed　to　wear　armor　inside　the　Stone；　but　these　three　had　swords　at　their　hips。　That　was　not　unusual；　of　course；　but　their　presence　here；　on　this　floor；　in　the　shadows；　staring　intently　at　the　bright　light　at　the　far　end　of　the　hall；　that　was　not　usual　at　all。　That　light　came　from　the　anteroom　in　front　of　the　chambers　Rand　had　been　given。　Or　taken。　Or　maybe　been　pushed　into　by　Moiraine。
　　　　　　　Perrin　and　Faile　had　made　no　effort　to　be　quiet　in　climbing　the　stairs；　but　the　three　men　were　so　intent　in　their　watching　that　none　of　them　noticed　the　new　arrivals　at　first。　Then　one　of　the　blue…coated　bodyguards　twisted　his　head　as　if　working　a　cramp　in　his　neck；　his　mouth　dropped　open　when　he　saw　them。　Biting　off　an　oath；　the　fellow　whirled　to　face　Perrin；　baring　a　good　hand　of　his　sword　blade。　The　other　was　only　a　heartbeat　slower。　Both　stood　tensed；　ready；　but　their　eyes　shifted　uneasily；　sliding　off　Perrin's。　They　gave　off　a　sour　smell　of　fear。　So　did　the　High　Lord；　though　he　had　his　fear　tightly　reined。
　　　　　　　The　High　Lord　Torean；　white　streaking　his　dark；　pointed　beard；　moved　languidly；　as　if　at　a　ball。　Pulling　a　too　sweetly　scented　handkerchief　from　his　sleeve；　he　dabbed　at　a　knobby　nose　that　appeared　not　at　all　large　when　pared　with　his　ears。　A　fine　silk　coat　with　red　satin　cuffs　only　exaggerated　the　plainness　of　his　face。　He　eyed　Perrin's　shirtsleeves　and　dabbed　his　nose　again　before　inclining　his　head　slightly。　〃The　Light　illumine　you；〃　he　said　politely。　His　glance　touched　Perrin's　yellow　stare　and　flinched　away；　though　his　expression　did　not　change。　〃You　are　well；　I　trust？〃　Perhaps　too　politely。
　　　　　　　Perrin　did　not　really　care　for　the　man's　tone；　but　the　way　Torean　looked　Faile　up　and　down；　with　a　sort　of　casual　interest；　clenched　his　fists。　He　managed　to　keep　his　voice　level；　though。　〃The　Light　illumine　you；　High　Lord　Torean。　I　am　glad　to　see　you　helping　keep　watch　over　the　Lord　Dragon。　Some　men　in　your　place　might　resent　him　being　here。〃
　　　　　　　Torean's　thin　eyebrows　twitched。　〃Prophecy　has　been　fulfilled；　and　Tear　has　fulfilled　its　place　in　that　prophecy。　Perhaps　the　Dragon　Reborn　will　lead　Tear　to　a　still　greater　destiny。　What　man　could　resent　that？　But　it　is　late。　A　good　night　to　you。〃　He　eyed　Faile　again；　pursing　his　lips；　and　walked　off　down　the　hall　just　a　bit　too　briskly；　away　from　the　anteroom's　lights。　His　bodyguards　heeled　him　like　well…trained　dogs。
　　　　　　　〃There　was　no　need　for　you　to　be　uncivil；〃　Faile　said　in　a　tight　voice　when　the　High　Lord　was　out　of　hearing。　〃You　sounded　as　if　your　tongue　were　frozen　iron。　If　you　do　intend　to　remain　here；　you　had　better　learn　to　get　on　with　the　lords。〃
　　　　　　　〃He　was　looking　at　you　as　if　he　wanted　to　dandle　you　on　his　knee。　And　I　do　not　mean　like　a　father。〃
　　　　　　　She　sniffed　dismissively。　〃He　is　not　the　first　man　ever　to　look　at　me。　If　he　found　the　nerve　to　try　more；　I　could　put　him　in　his　place　with　a　frown　and　a　glance。　I　do　not　need　you　to　speak　for　me；　Perrin　Aybara。〃　Still；　she　did　not　sound　entirely　displeased。
　　　　　　　Scratching　his　beard；　he　peered　after　Torean；　watching　the　High　Lord　and　his　guards　vanish　around　a　distant　corner。　He　wondered　how　the　Taken　lords　managed　without　sweating　to　death。　〃Did　you　notice；　Faile？　His　heel…hounds　did　not　take　their　hands　off　their　swords　until　he　was　ten　paces　clear　of　us。〃
　　　　　　　She　frowned　at　him；　then　down　the　hall　after　the　three；　and　nodded　slowly。　〃You're　right。　But　I　do　not　understand。　They　do　not　bow　and　scrape　the　way　they　do　for　him；　but　everyone　walks　as　warily　around　you　and　Mat　as　they　do　around　the　Aes　Sedai。〃
　　　　　　　〃Maybe　being　a　friend　of　the　Dragon　Reborn　isn't　as　much　protection　as　it　used　to　be。〃
　　　　　　　She　did　not　suggest　leaving　again；　not　in　words；　but　her　eyes　were　full　of　it。　He　was　more　successful　in　ignoring　the　unspoken　suggestion　than　he　had　been　with　the　spoken。
　　　　　　　Before　they　reached　the　end　of　the　hallway；　Berelain　came　hurrying　out　of　the　bright　lights　of　the　anteroom；　clutching　a　thin　white　robe　tightly　around　her　with　both　arms。　If　the　First　of　Mayene　had　been　walking　any　faster；　she　would　have　been　running。
　　　　　　　To　show　Faile　he　could　be　as　civil　as　she　could　possibly　wish；　Perrin　swept　a　bow　that　he　wagered　even　Mat　could　not　have　bettered。　By　contrast；　Faile's　curtsy　was　the　barest　nod　of　her　head；　the　merest　bending　of　a　knee。　He　hardly　noticed。　As　Berelain　rushed　past　them　without　a　glance；　the　smell　of　fear；　rank　and　raw　as　a　festering　wound；　made　his　nostrils　twitch。　Beside　this；　Torean's　fear　was　nothing。　This　was　mad　panic　tied　with　a　frayed　rope。　He　straightened　slowly；　staring　after　her。
　　　　　　　〃Filling　your　eyes？〃　Faile　asked　softly。
　　　　　　　Intent　on　Berelain；　wondering　what　had　driven　her　so　near　the　brink；　he　spoke　without　thinking。　〃She　smelled　of　…〃
　　　　　　　Far　down　the　corridor；　Torean　suddenly　stepped　out　of　a　side　hallway　to　seize　Berelain's　arm。　He　was　talking　a　torrent；　but　Perrin　could　not　make　out　more　than　a　handful　of　scattered　words；　something　about　her　overstepping　herself　in　her　pride；　and　something　else　that　seemed　to　be　Torean　offering　her　his　protection。　Her　reply　was　short；　sharp；　and　even　more　inaudible；　delivered　with　lifted　chin。　Pulling　herself　free　roughly；　the　First　of　Mayene　walked　away；　back　straight　and　seemingly　more　in　mand　of　herself。　On　the　point　of　following；　Torean　saw　Perrin　watching。　Dabbing　at　his　nose　with　his　handkerchief；　the　High　Lord　vanished　back　into　the　crossing　corridor。
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　care　if　she　smelled　of　the　Essence　of　Dawn；〃　Faile　said　darkly。　〃That　one　is　not　interested　in　hunting　a　bear；　however　fine　his　hide　would　look　stretched　on　a　wall。　She　hunts　the　sun。〃
　　　　　　　He　frowned　at　her。　〃The　sun？　A　bear？　What　are　you　talking　about？〃
　　　　　　　〃You　go　on　by　yourself。　I　think　I　will　go　to　my　bed　after　all。〃
　　　　　　　〃If　that's　what　you　want；〃　he　said　slowly；　〃but　I　thought　you　were　as　eager　to　find　out　what　happened　as　I　am。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　think　not。　I'll　not　pretend　I　am　eager　to　meet　the。。。　Rand。。。　not　after　avoiding　it　until　now。　And　now　I　am　especially　not　eager。　No　doubt　the　two　of　you　will　have　a　fine　talk　without　me。　Especially　if　there's　wine。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　don't　make　any　sense；〃　he　muttered；　scrubbing　a　hand　through　his　hair。　〃If　you　want　to　go　to　bed；　then　fine；　but　I　wish　you　would　say　something　I　understand。〃
　　　　　　　For　a　long　moment　she　studied　his　face；　then　suddenly　bit　her　lip。　He　thought　she　was　trying　not　to　laugh。　〃Oh；　Perrin；　sometimes　I　believe　it　is　your　innocence　I　enjoy　most　of　all。〃　Sure　enough；　traces　of　laughter　silvered　her　voice。　〃You　go　on　to。。。　to　your　f