rj.theshadowrising-第23部分

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was　a　lie　big　enough　to　warrant　having　her　mouth　washed　out。
　　　　　　　Moiraine's　brows　drew　down　as　if　she　were　about　to　reply　to　Nynaeve　in　harder　kind。　Elayne　stirred；　but　she　could　not　find　anything　to　say　that　would　head　off　argument。　Rand　kept　dancing　through　her　head。　He　had　no　right！　But　what　right　did　she　have？
　　　　　　　Egwene　spoke　instead。　〃What　did　he　do；　Moiraine？〃
　　　　　　　The　Aes　Sedai's　eyes　swung　to　Egwene；　a　stare　so　hard　that　the　younger　woman　stepped　back　and　snapped　her　fan　open；　nervously　fluttering　it　at　her　face。　But　Moiraine's　gaze　settled　on　Joiya　and　Amico；　the　one　watching　her　warily；　the　other　bound　and　unaware　of　anything　but　the　far　wall。
　　　　　　　Elayne　gave　a　small　start　at　realizing　Joiya　was　not　bound。　Hastily　she　checked　the　shield　blocking　the　woman　from　the　True　Source。　She　hoped　none　of　the　others　had　noticed　her　jump；　Joiya　frightened　her　nearly　to　death；　but　Egwene　and　Nynaeve　were　no　more　scared　of　the　woman　than　Moiraine　was。　Sometimes　it　was　difficult　being　as　brave　as　the　Daughter…Heir　of　Andor　should　be；　she　often　found　herself　wishing　she　could　manage　as　well　as　those　two。
　　　　　　　〃The　guards；〃　Moiraine　muttered　as　if　to　herself。　〃I　saw　them　in　the　corridor　still；　and　never　thought。〃　She　smoothed　her　dress；　posing　herself　with　an　obvious　effort。　Elayne　did　not　believe　she　had　ever　seen　Moiraine　so　out　of　herself　as　tonight。　But　then；　the　Aes　Sedai　had　cause。　No　more　than　I　do。　Or　do　I？　She　found　herself　trying　not　to　meet　Egwene's　eyes。
　　　　　　　Had　it　been　Egwene　or　Nynaeve　or　Elayne　who　was　off　balance；　Joiya　would　surely　have　said　something；　subtle　and　of　two　meanings；　calculated　to　upset　them　a　little　more。　If　they　had　been　alone；　at　least。　With　Moiraine；　she　only　watched　uneasily；　silently。
　　　　　　　Moiraine　walked　the　length　of　the　table；　her　calm　restored。　Joiya　was　nearly　a　head　the　taller；　but　had　she　also　been　dressed　in　silks；　there　would　have　been　no　doubt　which　was　in　mand　of　the　situation。　Joiya　did　not　quite　draw　back；　but　her　hands　tightened　on　her　skirts　for　a　moment　before　she　could　master　them。
　　　　　　　〃I　have　made　arrangements；〃　Moiraine　said　quietly。　〃In　four　days　you　will　be　taken　upriver　by　ship；　to　Tar　Valon　and　the　Tower。　There　they　are　not　so　gentle　as　we　have　been。　If　you　have　not　found　the　truth　so　far；　find　it　before　you　reach　Southharbor；　or　you　will　assuredly　go　to　the　gallows　in　the　Traitors'　Court。　I　will　not　speak　to　you　again　unless　you　send　word　that　you　have　something　new　to　tell。　And　I　do　not　want　to　hear　a　word　from　you　…　not　one　word　…　unless　it　is　new。　Believe　me；　it　will　save　you　pain　in　Tar　Valon。　Aviendha；　will　you　tell　the　captain　to　bring　in　two　of　his　men？〃　Elayne　blinked　as　the　Aiel　woman　unfolded　herself　and　vanished　through　the　doorway；　sometimes　Aviendha　could　be　so　still　she　seemed　not　to　be　there。
　　　　　　　Joiya's　face　worked　as　if　she　wanted　to　speak；　but　Moiraine　stared　up　at　her；　and　finally　the　Darkfriend　turned　her　eyes　away。　They　glittered　like　a　raven's；　full　of　black　murder；　but　she　held　her　tongue。
　　　　　　　To　Elayne's　eyes　a　golden…white　glow　suddenly　surrounded　Moiraine；　the　glow　of　a　woman　embracing　saidar。　Only　another　woman　trained　to　channel　could　have　seen　it。　The　flows　holding　Amico　unraveled　more　quickly　than　Elayne　could　have　managed。　She　was　stronger　than　Moiraine；　potentially；　at　least。　In　the　Tower；　the　women　teaching　her　had　been　almost　unbelieving　at　her　potential；　and　at　Egwene's　and　Nynaeve's。　Nynaeve　was　the　strongest　of　them　all　…　when　she　could　manage　to　channel。　But　Moiraine　had　the　experience。　What　they　were　still　learning　to　do；　Moiraine　could　do　half　asleep。　Yet　there　were　some　things　Elayne　could　do；　and　the　other　two；　that　the　Aes　Sedai　could　not。　It　was　a　small　satisfaction　in　the　face　of　how　easily　Moiraine　cowed　Joiya。
　　　　　　　Freed；　able　to　hear；　Amico　turned　and　became　aware　of　Moiraine　for　the　first　time。　With　a　squeak；　she　dropped　a　curtsy　as　deep　as　any　new　novice。　Joiya　was　glaring　at　the　door；　avoiding　anyone's　gaze。　Nynaeve；　arms　crossed　and　knuckles　white　from　gripping　her　braid；　was　giving　Moiraine　a　stare　almost　as　murderous　as　Joiya's。　Egwene　fingered　her　skirt　and　glowered　at　Joiya；　Elayne　frowned；　wishing　she　were　as　brave　as　Egwene；　wishing　she　did　not　feel　she　was　betraying　her　friend。　Into　that　walked　the　captain　with　two　more　Defenders　in　black　and　gold　on　his　heels。　Aviendha　was　not　with　them；　it　seemed　she　had　taken　her　opportunity　to　escape　Aes　Sedai。
　　　　　　　The　grizzled　officer；　two　short　white　plumes　on　his　rimmed　helmet；　shied　as　his　eyes　met　Joiya's；　though　she　did　not　even　seem　to　see　him。　His　gaze　skittered　from　woman　to　woman　uncertainly。　The　mood　of　the　room　was　trouble；　and　a　wise　man　did　not　want　any　part　of　trouble　among　this　sort　of　women。　The　two　soldiers　clutched　their　tall　spears　to　their　sides　almost　as　if　they　feared　they　might　have　to　defend　themselves。　Perhaps　they　did　fear　it。
　　　　　　　〃You　will　take　these　two　back　to　their　cells；〃　Moiraine　told　the　officer　curtly。　〃Repeat　your　instructions。　I　want　no　mistakes。〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes；　Ae…〃　The　captain's　throat　seemed　to　seize。　He　gulped　a　breath。　〃Yes；　my　Lady；〃　he　said；　watching　her　anxiously　to　see　if　that　would　do。　When　she　only　continued　to　look　at　him；　waiting；　he　gave　an　audible　sigh　of　relief。　〃The　prisoners　are　to　talk　to　no　one　except　myself；　not　even　each　other。　Twenty　men　in　the　guardroom　and　two　outside　each　cell　at　all　times；　four　if　a　cell　door　has　to　be　opened　for　any　reason。　I　myself　will　watch　their　food　prepared　and　take　it　to　them。　All　as　you　have　manded；　my　Lady。〃　A　hint　of　question　tinged　his　voice。　A　hundred　rumors　floated　through　the　Stone　concerning　the　prisoners；　and　why　two　women　needed　to　be　guarded　so　heavily。　And　there　were　whispered　stories　about　the　Aes　Sedai；　each　darker　than　the　last。
　　　　　　　〃Very　good；〃　Moiraine　said。　〃Take　them。〃
　　　　　　　It　was　not　clear　who　was　more　eager　to　leave　the　room；　the　prisoners　or　the　guards。　Even　Joiya　stepped　quickly；　as　if　she　could　not　bear　keeping　silent　near　Moiraine　for　another　moment。
　　　　　　　Elayne　was　certain　she　had　kept　her　face　calm　since　entering　the　room；　but　Egwene　came　to　her；　put　an　arm　around　her。　〃What　is　the　matter；　Elayne？　You　look　about　to　cry。〃
　　　　　　　The　concern　in　her　voice　made　Elayne　feel　like　bursting　into　tears。　Light！　she　thought。　I　will　not　be　that　silly。　I　will　not！　〃A　weeping　woman　is　a　bucket　with　no　bottom。〃　Lini　had　been　full　of　sayings　like　that。
　　　　　　　〃Three　times　…〃　Nynaeve　burst　out　at　Moiraine；　〃only　three！　…　you　have　consented　to　help　us　question　them。　This　time　you　vanish　before　we　begin；　and　now　you　calmly　announce　you　are　sending　them　off　to　Tar　Valon！　If　you　will　not　help；　at　least　do　not　interfere！〃
　　　　　　　〃Do　not　presume　on　the　Amyrlin's　authority　too　far；〃　Moiraine　said　coolly。　〃She　may　have　set　you　to　chase　Liandrin；　but　you　are　still　only　Accepted；　and　woefully　ignorant；　whatever　letters　you　carry。　Or　did　you　mean　to　keep　questioning　them　forever　before　reaching　a　decision？　You　Two　Rivers　people　seem　to　work　at　avoiding　decisions　that　must　be　made。〃　Nynaeve　opened　and　closed　her　mouth；　eyes　bulging；　as　if　wondering　which　accusation　to　answer　first；　but　Moiraine　turned　to　Egwene　and　Elayne。　〃Pull　yourself　together；　Elayne。　How　you　can　carry　out　the　Amyrlin's　orders　if　you　think　every　land　has　the　customs　you　were　born　to；　I　do　not　know。　And　I　do　not　know　why　you　are　so　upset。　Do　not　let　your　feelings　hurt　others。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　Egwene　said。　〃What　customs？　What　are　you　talking　about？〃
　　　　　　　〃Berelain　was　in　Rand's　chambers；〃　Elayne　said　in　a　small　voice　before　she　could　stop　herself。　Her　eyes　flickered　guiltily　toward　Egwene。　Surely　she　had　kept　her　own　feelings　hidden。
　　　　　　　Moiraine　gave　her　a　reproachful　look　and　sighed。　〃I　would　have　spared　you　this　if　I　could；　Egwene。　If　Elayne　had　not　let　her　disgust　with　Berelain　overe　her　sense。　The　customs　of　Mayene　are　not　those　either　of　you　were　born　to。　Egwene；　I　know　what　you　feel　for　Rand；　but　you　must　realize　by　now　that　nothing　can　e　of　it。　He　belongs　to　the　Pattern；　and　to　history。〃
　　　　　　　Seemingly　ignoring　the　Aes　Sedai；　Egwene　peered　into　Elayne's　eyes。　Elayne　wanted　to　look　away；　and　could　not。　Suddenly　Egwene　leaned　closer；　whispering　behind　a　cupped　hand。　〃I　love　him。　Like　a　brother。　And　you　like　a　sister。　I　wish　you　well　of　him。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne's　eyes　widened；　a　smile　spreading　slowly　across　her　face。　She　answered　Egwene's　hug　with　a　fierce　hug　of　her　own。　〃Thank　you；〃　she　murmured　softly。　〃I　love　you　too；　sister。　Oh；　thank　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　got　it　wrong；〃　Egwene　said　half　to　herself；　a　delighted　grin　blooming　on　her　face。　〃Have　you　ever　been　in　love；　Moiraine？〃
　　　　　　　What　a　startling　question。　Elayne　could　not　imagine　the　Aes　Sedai　in　love。　Moiraine　was　Blue　Ajah；　and　it　was　said　Blue　sisters　gave　all　their　passions　to　causes。
　　　　　　　The　slender　woman　was　not　at　all　taken　aback。　For　a　long　moment　she　looked　levelly　at　the　pair　of　them；　each　with　an　arm　around　the　other。　Finally　she　said；　〃I　could　wager　I　know　the　face　of　the　man　I　will　marry　better　than　either　of　you　knows　that　of　your　future　husband。〃
　　　　　　　Egwene　gaped　in　surprise。
　　　　　　　〃Who？〃　Elayne　gasped。
　　　　　　　The　Aes　Sedai　appeared　regretful　of　having　spoken。　〃Perhaps　I　only　meant　we　share　an　ignorance。　Do　not　read　too　much　into　a　few　words。〃　She　looked　at　Nynaeve　consideringly。　〃Should　I　ever　choose　a　man　…　should；　I　say　…　it　will　not　be　Lan。　That　much　I　will　say。〃
　　　　　　　That　was　a　sop　to　Nynaeve；　but　Nynaeve　did　not　seem　to　like　hearing　it。　Nynaeve　had　what　Lini　would　have　called　〃a　hard　patch　to　hoe；〃　loving　not　just　a　Warder　but　a　man　who　tried　to　deny　returning　her　love。　Fool　man　that　he　was；　he　talked　of　the　war　against　the　Shadow　he　could　not　stop　fighting　and　could　never　win；　of　refusing　to　dress　Nynaeve　in　widow's　clothes　for　her　wedding　feast。　Silly　things　of　that　sort。　Elayne　did　not　see　how　Nynaeve　put　up　with　it。　She　was　not　a　very　patient　woman。
　　　　　　　〃If　you　are　finished　chatting　about　men；〃　Nynaeve　said　acidly；　as　though　to　prove　just　that；　〃perhaps　we　can　go　back　to　what　is　important？〃　Gripping　her　braid　hard；　she　picked　up　speed　and　force　as　she　went　along；　like　a　waterwheel　with　the　gears　disengaged。　〃How　are　we　to　decide　whether　Joiya　is　lying；　or　Amico；　if　you　send　them　away？　Or　whether　they　both　are？　Or　neither？　I　don't　relish　dithering　here；　Moiraine；　no　matter　what　you　think；　but　I　have　walked　into　too　many　traps　to　want　to　walk　into　another。　And　I　don't　want　to　run　after　Jak…o'…the…Wisps；　either。　I。。。　we。。。　are　the　ones　the　Amyrlin　sent　after　Liandrin　and　her　cronies。　Since　you　don't　seem　to　think　they　are　important　enough　to　spare　more　than　a　moment　to　help　us；　the　least　you　can　do　is　not　crack　our　ankles　with　a　broom！〃
　　　　　　　She　seemed　about　to　rip　that　braid　free　and　try　to　strangle　the　Aes　Sedai　with　it；　and　Moiraine　wore　a　dangerously　cool　crystalline　calm　that　suggested　she　might　be　ready　to　teach　again　the　lesson　on　holding　her　tongue　that　she　had　taught　Joiya。　It　was；　Elayne　decided；　time　for　her　to　stop　moping。　She　did　not　know　how　she　had　fallen　into　the　role　of　peacemaker　among　these　women　…　sometimes　she　wanted　to　take　them　all　by　the　scruff　of　the　neck　and　shake　them　…　but　her　mother　always　said　no　good　decision　was　ever　made　in　anger