rj.theshadowrising-第176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！


den　lamps　on　gilded　stands　gave　light　and　the　scent　of　perfumed　oil。　Sometimes　the　corridor　opened　into　courtyards　rounded　by　walks　with　slim；　fluted　columns；　overlooked　by　balconies　screened　by　filigreed　stonework。　Large　fountains　burbled；　fish　red　and　white　and　golden　swam　beneath　lily　pads　with　huge　white　flowers。　Not　at　all　like　the　city　outside。
　　　　　　　Occasionally　they　saw　other　servants；　men　and　women；　in　white；　tree　and　leaf　embroidered　on　one　shoulder；　hurrying　about　their　tasks；　or　men　in　the　gray　coats　and　steel　caps　of　the　Civil　Watch　carrying　staffs　or　cudgels。　No　one　spoke　to　them　or　even　looked　twice；　not　at　three　serving　women　obviously　at　their　work。
　　　　　　　At　last　they　came　to　the　narrow　servants'　stairs　marked　on　their　sketchy　map。
　　　　　　　〃Remember；〃　Nynaeve　said　quietly；　〃if　there　are　guards　on　her　door；　leave。　If　she　is　not　alone；　leave。　She　is　far　from　the　most　important　reason　we　are　here。〃　She　took　a　deep　breath；　making　herself　look　at　Egeanin。　〃If　you　let　anything　happen　to　her…〃
　　　　　　　A　trumpet　sounded　faintly　from　outside。　A　moment　later　a　gong　rang　inside；　and　shouted　orders　drifted　down　the　hall。　Men　in　steel　caps　appeared　for　a　moment　down　the　hallway；　running。
　　　　　　　〃Maybe　we　will　not　have　to　worry　about　guards　on　her　door；〃　Elayne　said。　The　riot　had　begun　in　the　streets。　Rumors　spread　by　Thom　and　Juilin　to　gather　the　crowd。　Domon's　sailors　to　egg　them　on。　She　regretted　the　necessity；　but　the　disturbance　would　pull　most　of　the　guards　out　of　the　palace；　maybe　all　with　luck。　Those　people　out　there　did　not　know　it；　but　they　fought　in　a　battle　to　save　their　city　from　the　Black　Ajah　and　the　world　from　the　Shadow。　〃Egeanin　should　go　with　you；　Nynaeve。　Your　part　is　the　most　important。　If　one　of　us　needs　someone　to　watch　her　back；　it　is　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃I've　no　need　for　a　Seanchan！〃　Shouldering　her　duster　like　a　pike；　Nynaeve　strode　off　down　the　hall。　She　really　did　not　move　like　a　servant。　Not　with　that　militant　stride。
　　　　　　　〃Should　we　not　be　about　our　own　task？〃　Egeanin　said。　〃The　riot　will　not　hold　attention　pletely　for　long。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne　nodded。　Nynaeve　had　passed　out　of　sight　around　a　corner。
　　　　　　　The　stairs　were　narrow　and　hidden　in　the　wall；　to　keep　servants　as　unseen　as　possible。　The　corridors　on　the　second　floor　were　much　as　those　on　the　first；　except　that　double…pointed　arches　were　almost　as　likely　to　give　onto　a　stone…latticed　balcony　as　onto　a　room。　There　seemed　to　be　far　fewer　servants　as　they　made　their　way　to　the　west　side　of　the　palace；　and　none　more　than　glanced　at　them。　Wonderfully；　the　hallway　outside　the　Panarch's　apartments　was　empty。　No　guards　in　front　of　the　wide；　tree…carved　doors　set　in　a　double…peaked　frame。　Not　that　she　had　meant　to　retreat　had　there　been　guards；　no　matter　what　she　had　told　Nynaeve；　but　it　did　make　things　simpler。
　　　　　　　A　moment　later　she　was　not　so　sure。　She　could　feel　someone　channeling　in　those　rooms。　Not　strong　flows；　but　definitely　the　Power　being　woven；　or　maybe　a　weave　maintained。　Few　women　knew　the　trick　of　tying　a　weave。
　　　　　　　〃What　is　the　matter？〃　Egeanin　asked。
　　　　　　　Elayne　realized　she　had　stopped。　〃One　of　the　Black　sisters　is　in　there。〃　One；　or　more？　Only　one　channeling；　certainly。　She　pressed　close　to　the　doors。　A　woman　was　singing　in　there。　She　put　her　ear　to　the　carved　wood；　heard　raucous　words；　muffled　yet　clearly　understandable。

〃My　breasts　are　round；　and　my　hips　are　too。
I　can　flatten　a　whole　ship's　crew。〃

　　　　　　　Startled；　she　jerked　back；　porcelain　dishes　sliding　on　the　tray　under　the　cloth。　Had　she　somehow　e　to　the　wrong　room？　No；　she　had　memorized　the　sketch。　Besides；　in　the　entire　palace　the　only　doors　carved　with　the　tree　led　to　the　Panarch's　apartments。
　　　　　　　〃Then　we　must　leave　her；〃　Egeanin　said。　〃You　can　do　nothing　without　warning　the　others　of　your　presence。〃
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps　I　can。　If　they　feel　me　channel；　they　will　think　it　is　whoever　is　in　there。〃　Frowning；　she　bit　her　lower　lip。　How　many　were　there？　She　could　do　at　least　three　or　four　things　at　once　with　the　Power；　something　only　Egwene　and　Nynaeve　could　match。　She　ran　down　a　list　of　Andoran　queens　who　had　shown　courage　in　the　face　of　great　danger；　until　she　realized　it　was　a　list　of　all　the　queens　of　Andor。　I　will　be　queen　one　day；　I　can　be　as　brave　as　they。　Readying　herself；　she　said；　〃Throw　open　the　doors；　Egeanin；　then　drop　down　so　I　can　see　everything。〃　The　Seanchan　woman　hesitated。　〃Throw　open　the　doors。〃　Elayne's　own　voice　surprised　her。　She　had　not　tried　to　make　it　anything；　but　it　was　quiet；　calm；　manding。　And　Egeanin　nodded；　almost　a　bow；　and　immediately　flung　open　both　doors。

〃My　thighs　are　strong　are　strong　as　anchor　chain。
My　kiss　can　burst　…〃

　　　　　　　The　dark…braided　singer；　standing　wrapped　in　flows　of　Air　to　her　neck　and　a　soiled；　wrinkled　Taraboner　gown　of　red　silk；　cut　off　short　as　the　doors　banged　back。　A　frail…appearing　woman；　lounging　in　pale　blue　of　a　high…necked　Cairhienin　cut　on　a　long　padded　bench；　ceased　nodding　her　head　to　the　song　and　leaped　to　her　feet；　outrage　replacing　the　grin　on　her　fox…shaped　face。
　　　　　　　The　glow　of　saidar　already　surrounded　Temaile；　but　she　did　not　have　a　chance。　Appalled　at　what　she　saw；　Elayne　embraced　the　True　Source　and　lashed　out　hard　with　flows　of　Air；　webbing　her　from　shoulders　to　ankles；　wove　a　shield　of　Spirit　and　slammed　it　between　the　woman　and　the　Source。　The　glow　around　Temaile　vanished；　and　she　went　flying　across　the　bench　as　if　she　had　been　struck　by　a　galloping　horse；　eyes　rolling　up　into　her　head；　to　land　unconscious　on　her　back　three　paces　away　on　the　green…and…gold　carpet。　The　dark…braided　woman　gave　a　start　as　the　flows　around　her　winked　out　of　existence；　felt　at　herself　in　wondering　disbelief　as　she　stared　from　Temaile　to　Elayne　and　Egeanin。
　　　　　　　Tying　off　the　weave　holding　Temaile；　Elayne　hurried　into　the　room；　eyes　searching　for　others　of　the　Black　Ajah。　Behind　her；　Egeanin　closed　the　doors　after　them。　There　did　not　seem　to　be　anyone　else。　〃Was　she　alone？〃　she　demanded　of　the　woman　in　red。　The　Panarch；　by　Nynaeve's　description。　Nynaeve　had　mentioned　something　about　a　song。
　　　　　　　〃You　are　not。。。　with　them？〃　Amathera　said　hesitantly；　dark　eyes　taking　in　their　dresses。　〃You　are　Aes　Sedai　also？〃　She　seemed　willing　to　doubt　that　despite　the　evidence　of　Temaile。　〃But　not　with　them？〃
　　　　　　　〃Was　she　alone？〃　Elayne　snapped；　and　Amathera　gave　a　little　jump。
　　　　　　　〃Yes。　Alone。　Yes；　she。。。〃　The　Panarch　grimaced。　〃The　others　made　me　sit　on　my　throne　and　speak　the　words　they　put　into　my　mouth。　It　amused　them　to　make　me　sometimes　give　justice；　and　sometimes　pronouncements　of　horrible　injustice；　rulings　that　will　cause　strife　for　generations　if　I　cannot　put　them　aright。　But　her！〃　That　full…lipped　little　mouth　opened　in　a　snarl。　〃Her　they　set　to　watch　over　me。　She　hurts　me　for　no　reason　except　to　make　me　weep。　She　made　me　eat　an　entire　trayful　of　white　ice　peppers　and　would　not　let　me　drink　a　drop　until　I　begged　on　my　knees　while　she　laughed！　In　my　dreams　she　hoists　me　to　the　top　of　the　Tower　of　Morning　by　my　ankles　and　lets　me　fall。　A　dream；　but　it　seems　real；　and　each　time　she　lets　me　fall　screaming　a　little　nearer　the　ground。　And　she　laughs！　She　makes　me　learn　lewd　dances；　and　filthy　songs；　and　laughs　when　she　tells　me　that　before　they　leave　she　will　make　me　sing　and　dance　to　entertain　the　…〃　With　a　shriek　like　a　pouncing　cat　she　threw　herself　across　the　bench　onto　the　bound　woman；　slapping　wildly；　pummeling　with　her　fists。
　　　　　　　Egeanin；　arms　folded　in　front　of　the　doors；　seemed　ready　to　let　it　go　on；　but　Elayne　wove　flows　of　Air　around　Amathera's　waist。　To　her　surprise　she　was　able　to　lift　her　off　the　already　senseless　woman　and　set　her　on　her　feet。　Perhaps　learning　how　to　handle　those　heavy　weavings　from　Jorin　had　increased　her　strength。
　　　　　　　Amathera　kicked　at　Temaile；　turning　her　glare　on　Elayne　and　Egeanin　when　her　slippered　feet　missed。　〃I　am　the　Panarch　of　Tarabon；　and　I　mean　to　dispense　justice　to　this　woman！〃　That　rosebud　mouth　had　a　very　sulky　look。　Had　the　woman　no　sense　of　herself；　of　her　position？　She　was　equal　to　the　king；　a　ruler！
　　　　　　　〃And　I　am　the　Aes　Sedai　who　has　e　to　rescue　you；〃　Elayne　said　coolly。　Realizing　she　still　held　the　tray；　she　set　it　on　the　floor　hurriedly。　The　woman　seemed　to　be　having　enough　trouble　seeing　beyond　the　white　servants'　dresses　without　that。　Temaile's　face　was　quite　red；　she　would　wake　to　bruises。　No　doubt　fewer　than　she　deserved。　Elayne　wished　there　was　a　way　to　take　Temaile　with　them。　A　way　to　bring　even　one　to　justice　in　the　Tower。　〃We　have　e　…　at　considerable　risk！　…　to　take　you　out　of　here。　Then　you　can　reach　the　Lord　Captain　of　the　Panarch's　Legion；　and　Andric　and　his　army；　and　you　can　chase　these　women　out。　Perhaps　we　will　be　lucky　enough　to　take　some　of　them　for　trial。　But　first　we　must　get　you　away　from　them。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　need　Andric；〃　Amathera　muttered。　Elayne　would　have　sworn　she　almost　said　〃now。〃　〃There　are　soldiers　of　my　Legion　around　the　palace。　I　know　this。　I　have　been　allowed　to　speak　to　none　of　them；　but　once　they　see　me；　and　hear　my　voice；　they　will　do　what　must　be　done；　yes？　You　Aes　Sedai　cannot　use　the　One　Power　to　harm。。。〃　She　trailed　off；　scowling　at　the　unconscious　Temaile。　〃You　cannot　use　it　as　a　weapon；　at　least；　yes？　I　know　this。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne　surprised　herself　by　weaving　tiny　flows　of　Air；　one　to　each　of　Amathera's　braids。　The　braids　lifted　straight　up　into　the　air；　and　the　pouty…mouth　fool　had　no　choice　but　to　follow　them　up　on　tiptoe。　Elayne　walked　her　that　way；　on　tiptoe；　until　the　woman　stood　right　in　front　of　her；　dark　eyes　wide　and　indignant。
　　　　　　　〃You　will　listen　to　me；　Panarch　Amathera　of　Tarabon；〃　she　said　in　icy　tones。　〃If　you　try　to　walk　out　to　your　soldiers；　Temaile's　cronies　may　very　well　tie　you　up　in　a　bundle　and　hand　you　back　to　her。　Worse；　they　will　learn　that　my　friends　and　I　are　here；　and　that　I　will　not　allow。　We　are　going　to　creep　out　of　here；　and　if　you　will　not　agree　to　that；　I'll　bind　and　gag　you　and　leave　you　beside　Temaile　for　her　friends　to　find。〃　There　had　to　be　some　way　to　take　Temaile；　too。　〃Do　you　understand　me？〃
　　　　　　　Amathera　nodded　slightly；　held　up　as　she　was。　Egeanin　made　an　approving　sound。
　　　　　　　Elayne　loosed　the　flows；　the　woman's　heels　dropped　to　the　carpet。　〃Now　let's　see　if　we　can　find　you　something　to　wear　that　is　suitable　for　sneaking。〃　Amathera　nodded　again；　but　her　mouth　was　set　at　its　sulkiest。　Elayne　hoped　Nynaeve　was　having　an　easier　time　of　it。
　
　　　　　　　Nynaeve　entered　the　great　exhibition　hall　with　its　multitude　of　thin　columns；　feather　duster　already　moving。　This　collection　must　always　need　dusting；　and　surely　no　one　would　look　twice　at　a　woman　doing　what　was　needed。　She　looked　around；　eyes　drawn　to　wired…together　bones　that　looked　like　a　long…legged　horse　with　a　neck　that　pushed　its　skull　up　twenty　feet。　The　vast　chamber　stretched　emptily　in　all　directions。
　　　　　　　But　someone　could　e　in　at　any　moment；　servants　who　actually　had　been　sent　to　clean；　or　Liandrin　and　all　of　her　fellows　e　to　search。　Still　holding　the　duster　prominently；　just　in　case；　she　hurried　down　to　the　white　stone　pedestal　that　had　held　the　dull　black　collar　and　bracelets。　She　did　not　realize　she　had　been　holding　her　breath　until　she　exhaled　on　seeing　the　things　still　there。　T