rj.theshadowrising-第43部分

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could　have　found　the　very　room　Liandrin　is　staying　in；　wherever　she　is。　Amys　can　teach　me。　That　is　why。。。　That　is　why　I　have　to　go　to　her。〃
　　　　　　　〃Go　to　her？〃　Nynaeve　sounded　appalled。　〃Into　the　Waste？〃
　　　　　　　〃Aviendha　can　take　me　right　to　this　Cold　Rocks　Hold。〃　Egwene's　look；　half…defiant；　half…anxious；　darted　between　Elayne　and　Nynaeve。　〃If　I　was　certain　they　were　in　Tanchico；　I　wouldn't　let　you　go　alone。　If　you　decide　to。　But　with　Amys　to　help　me；　maybe　I　can　find　out　where　they　are。　Maybe　I　can。。。　That　is　just　it；　I　do　not　even　know　what　I'll　be　able　to　do；　only　that　I　am　certain　it　will　be　far　more　than　I　can　now。　It　isn't　as　if　I　will　be　abandoning　you。　You　can　take　the　ring　with　you。　You　know　the　Stone　well　enough　to　e　back　here　in　Tel'aran'rhiod。　I　can　e　to　you　in　Tanchico。　Whatever　I　learn　from　Amys；　I　can　teach　you。　Please　say　you　understand。　I　can　learn　so　much　from　Amys；　and　then　I　can　use　it　to　help　you。　It　will　be　as　if　all　three　of　us　had　been　trained　by　her。　A　dreamwalker；　a　woman　who　knows！　Liandrin　and　the　rest　of　them　will　be　like　children；　they　won't　know　a　quarter　of　what　we　do。〃　She　chewed　her　lip；　one　pensive　bite。　〃You　don't　believe　I　am　running　out　on　you；　do　you？　If　you　do；　I　won't　go。〃
　　　　　　　〃Of　course　you　must　go；〃　Elayne　told　her。　〃I　will　miss　you；　but　no　one　promised　us　we　could　stay　together　until　this　was　done。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　the　two　of　you。。。　going　alone。。。　I　should　go　with　you。　If　they　really　are　in　Tanchico；　I　should　be　with　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃Nonsense；〃　Nynaeve　said　briskly。　〃Training　is　what　you　need。　That　will　do　us　far　more　good　in　the　long　run　than　your　pany　to　Tanchico。　It　isn't　even　as　if　we　know　any　of　them　are　in　Tanchico。　If　they　are；　Elayne　and　I　will　do　very　well　together；　but　we　could　arrive　and　find　that　this　evil　is　no　more　than　the　war　after　all。　The　Light　knows；　war　should　be　evil　enough　for　anyone。　We　may　be　back　in　the　Tower　before　you　are。　You　must　be　careful　in　the　Waste；〃　she　added　in　a　practical　tone。　〃It　is　a　dangerous　place。　Aviendha；　you　will　look　after　her？〃
　　　　　　　Before　the　Aiel　woman　could　open　her　mouth；　there　was　a　knock　at　the　door；　followed　immediately　by　Moiraine。　The　Aes　Sedai　took　them　in　with　one　sweeping　look　that　weighed；　measured　and　considered　them　and　what　they　had　been　doing；　all　without　the　twitch　of　an　eyelid　to　suggest　her　conclusions。　〃Joiya　and　Amico　are　dead；〃　she　announced。
　　　　　　　〃Was　that　the　reason　for　the　attack；　then？〃　Nynaeve　said。　〃All　that　to　kill　them？　Or　perhaps　to　kill　them　if　they　could　not　be　freed。　I've　been　sure　Joiya　was　so　confident　because　she　expected　rescue。　She　must　have　been　lying　after　all。　I　never　trusted　her　repentance。〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　the　main　purpose；　perhaps；〃　Moiraine　replied。　〃The　captain　very　wisely　kept　his　men　to　their　posts　in　the　dungeons　during　the　attack。　They　never　saw　a　single　Trolloc　or　Myrddraal。　But　they　found　the　pair　dead；　after。　Each　with　her　throat　rather　messily　cut。　After　her　tongue　had　been　nailed　to　her　cell　door。〃　She　might　as　well　have　been　speaking　of　having　a　dress　mended。
　　　　　　　Elayne's　stomach　heaved　leadenly　at　the　detached　description。　〃I　would　not　have　wanted　that　for　them。　Not　like　that。　The　Light　illumine　their　souls。〃
　　　　　　　〃They　sold　their　souls　to　the　Shadow　long　ago；〃　Egwene　said　roughly。　She　had　both　hands　pressed　to　her　stomach；　though。　〃How。。。　How　was　it　done？　Gray　Men？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　doubt　even　Gray　Men　could　have　managed　that；〃　Moiraine　said　dryly。　〃The　Shadow　has　resources　beyond　what　we　know；　it　seems。〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes。〃　Egwene　smoothed　her　dress；　and　her　voice。　〃If　there　was　no　attempt　at　rescue；　it　must　mean　they　were　both　telling　the　truth。　They　were　killed　because　they　talked。〃
　　　　　　　〃Or　to　stop　them　from　it；〃　Nynaeve　added　grimly。　〃We　can　hope　they　do　not　know　that　those　two　told　us　anything。　Perhaps　Joiya　did　repent；　but　I'll　not　believe　it。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne　swallowed；　thinking　of　being　in　a　cell；　having　your　face　pressed　to　the　door　so　your　tongue　could　be　pulled　out　and。。。　She　shivered；　but　made　herself　say；　〃They　might　have　been　killed　simply　to　punish　them　for　being　captured。〃　She　left　out　her　thought　that　the　killing　might　have　been　to　make　them　believe　whatever　Joiya　and；　Amico　had　said；　they　had　enough　doubts　about　what　to　do　as　it　was。　〃Three　possibilities；　and　only　one　says　the　Black　Ajah　knows　they　revealed　a　word。　Since　all　three　are　equal；　the　chances　are　that　they　do　not　know。〃
　　　　　　　Egwene　and　Nynaeve　looked　shocked。　〃To　punish　them？〃　Nynaeve　said　incredulously。
　　　　　　　They　were　both　tougher　than　she　in　many　ways　…　she　admired　them　for　it　…　but　they　had　not　grown　up　watching　the　maneuverings　at　court　in　Caemlyn；　hearing　tales　of　the　cruel　way　Cairhienin　and　Tairens　played　the　Games　of　Houses。
　　　　　　　〃I　think　the　Black　Ajah　might　be　less　than　gentle　with　failure　of　any　kind；〃　she　told　them。　〃I　can　imagine　Liandrin　ordering　it。　Joiya　surely　could　have　done　it　easily。〃　Moiraine　eyed　her　briefly；　a　reassessing　look。
　　　　　　　〃Liandrin；〃　Egwene　said；　her　tone　absolutely　flat。　〃Yes；　I　can　imagine　Liandrin　or　Joiya　giving　that　mand。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　did　not　have　much　longer　to　question　them　in　any　case；〃　Moiraine　said。　〃They　would　have　been　shipbound　by　midday　tomorrow。〃　A　hint　of　anger　touched　her　voice；　Elayne　realized　Moiraine　must　see　the　Black　sisters'　deaths　as　an　escape　from　justice。　〃I　hope　you　reach　some　decision　soon。　Tanchico　or　the　Tower。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne　met　Nynaeve's　eyes　and　gave　a　slight　nod。
　　　　　　　Nynaeve　nodded　back；　more　assertively；　before　turning　to　the　Aes　Sedai。　〃Elayne　and　I　will　be　going　to　Tanchico　as　soon　as　we　can　find　a　ship。　A　fast　ship；　I　hope。　Egwene　and　Aviendha　will　be　going　to　Cold　Rocks　Hold；　in　the　Aiel　Waste。〃　She　gave　no　reasons；　and　Moiraine's　eyebrows　rose。
　　　　　　　〃Jolien　can　take　her；〃　Aviendha　said　into　the　momentary　silence。　She　avoided　looking　at　Egwene。　〃Or　Sefela；　or　Bain　and　Chiad。　I。。。　I　have　a　thought　to　go　with　Elayne　and　Nynaeve。　If　there　is　war　in　this　Tanchico；　they　have　need　of　a　sister　to　watch　their　backs。〃
　　　　　　　〃If　that　is　what　you　want；　Aviendha；〃　Egwene　said　slowly。
　　　　　　　She　looked　surprised　and　hurt；　but　no　more　surprised　than　Elayne。　She　had　thought　the　two　of　them　were　being　friends。　〃I　am　glad　you　want　to　help　us；　Aviendha；　but　you　should　be　the　one　to　take　Egwene　to　Cold　Rocks　Hold。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　is　going　neither　to　Tanchico　nor　Cold　Rocks　Hold；〃　Moiraine　said；　taking　a　letter　from　her　pouch　and　unfolding　the　pages。　〃This　was　placed　in　my　hand　an　hour　gone。　The　young　Aielman　who　brought　it　told　me　it　was　given　to　him　a　month　ago；　before　any　of　us　reached　Tear；　yet　it　is　addressed　to　me　by　name；　at　the　Stone　of　Tear。〃　She　glanced　at　the　last　sheet。　〃Aviendha；　do　you　know　Amys；　of　the　Nine　Valleys　sept　of　the　Taardad　Aiel；　Bair；　of　the　Haido　sept　of　the　Shaarad　Aiel；　Melaine；　of　the　Jhirad　sept　of　the　Goshien　Aiel；　and　Seana；　of　the　Black　Cliff　sept　of　the　Nakai　Aiel？　They　signed　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃They　are　all　Wise　Ones；　Aes　Sedai。　All　dreamwalkers。〃　Aviendha's　stance　had　shifted　to　wariness；　though　she　did　not　seem　aware　of　it。　She　looked　ready　to　fight　or　flee。
　　　　　　　〃Dreamwalkers；〃　Moiraine　mused。　〃Perhaps　that　explains　it。　I　have　heard　of　dreamwalkers。〃　She　turned　to　the　second　page　of　the　letter。　〃Here　is　what　they　say　about　you。　What　they　said　perhaps　before　you　had　even　decided　to　e　to　Tear。　'There　is　among　the　Maidens　of　the　Spear　in　the　Stone　of　Tear　a　willful　girl　called　Aviendha；　of　the　Nine　Valleys　sept　of　the　Taardad　Aiel。　She　must　now　e　to　us。　There　can　be　no　more　waiting　or　excuses。　We　will　await　her　on　the　slopes　of　Chaendaer；　above　Rhuidean。'　There　is　more　about　you；　but　mainly　telling　me　that　I　must　see　you　e　to　them　without　delay。　They　issue　mands　like　the　Amyrlin；　these　Wise　Ones　of　yours；〃　She　made　a　vexed　sound；　which　brought　Elayne　to　wonder　if　the　Wise　Ones　had　tried　issuing　mands　to　the　Aes　Sedai；　too。　Not　very　likely。　And　unlikely　to　be　successful　if　tried。　Still；　something　about　that　letter　irritated　the　Aes　Sedai。
　　　　　　　〃I　am　Far　Dareis　Mai；〃　Aviendha　said　angrily。　〃I　do　not　go　running　like　a　child　when　someone　calls　my　name。　I　will　go　to　Tanchico　if　I　wish。〃
　　　　　　　Elayne　pursed　her　lips　thoughtfully。　This　was　something　new　from　the　Aiel　woman。　Not　the　anger　…　she　had　seen　Aviendha　angry　before；　if　not　quite　to　this　degree　…　but　the　undertone。　She　could　call　it　nothing　but　sulkiness。　That　seemed　as　unlikely　as　Lan　being　sulky；　but　there　it　was。
　　　　　　　Egwene　heard　it；　too。　She　patted　Aviendha's　arm。　〃It's　all　right。　If　you　want　to　go　to　Tanchico；　I'll　be　pleased　that　you　are　protecting　Elayne　and　Nynaeve。〃　Aviendha　gave　her　a　truly　miserable　look。
　　　　　　　Moiraine　shook　her　head；　only　slightly；　but　still　deliberate。　〃I　showed　this　to　Rhuarc。〃　Aviendha　opened　her　mouth；　her　face　irate；　but　the　Aes　Sedai　raised　her　voice　and　went　on　smoothly。　〃As　the　letter　asks　me　to。　Only　the　part　concerning　you；　of　course。　He　seems　quite　determined　that　you　will　do　as　the　letter　asks。　As　it　orders。　I　think　it　wisest　to　do　as　Rhuarc　and　the　Wise　Ones　wish；　Aviendha。　Do　you　not　agree？〃
　　　　　　　Aviendha　stared　around　the　room　wildly；　as　at　a　trap。　〃I　am　Far　Dareis　Mai；〃　she　muttered；　and　strode　for　the　door　without　another　word。
　　　　　　　Egwene　took　a　step；　half…raising　a　hand　to　stop　her；　then　let　it　fall　as　the　door　banged　shut。　〃What　do　they　want　with　her？〃　she　demanded　of　Moiraine。　〃You　always　know　more　than　you　let　on。　What　are　you　holding　back　this　time？〃
　　　　　　　〃Whatever　the　Wise　Ones'　reason；〃　Moiraine　said　coolly；　〃it　is　surely　a　matter　between　Aviendha　and　them。　If　she　wished　you　to　know；　she　would　have　told　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　cannot　stop　trying　to　maneuver　people；〃　Nynaeve　said　bitterly。　〃You're　maneuvering　Aviendha　into　something　now；　aren't　you？〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　I。　The　Wise　Ones。　And　Rhuarc。〃　Moiraine　folded　the　letter；　returning　it　to　her　belt　pouch　with　a　touch　of　acerbity　in　her　manner。　〃She　can　always　say　no　to　him。　A　clan　chief　is　not　the　same　as　a　king；　as　I　understand　Aiel　ways。〃
　　　　　　　〃Can　she？〃　Elayne　asked。　Rhuarc　reminded　her　of　Gareth　Bryne。　The　Captain…General　of　her　mother's　Royal　Guards　had　seldom　put　his　foot　down；　but　when　he　did；　not　even　Morgase　could　bring　him　around；　short　of　a　royal　mand。　There　would　be　no　mand　from　the　throne　this　time　…　not　that　Morgase　had　ever　issued　one　to　Gareth　Bryne　when　he　had　decided　he　was　right；　now　that　Elayne　thought　of　it　…　and　without　one；　she　expected　that　Aviendha　was　going　to　the　slopes　of　Chaendaer；　above　Rhuidean。　〃At　least　she　can　journey　with　you；　Egwene。　Amys　can　hardly　meet　you　at　Cold　Rocks　Hold　if　she　plans　to　wait　for　Aviendha　at　Rhuidean。　You　can　go　to　Amys　together。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　I　do　not　want　her　to；〃　Egwene　said　sadly。　〃Not　if　she　doesn't　want　to。〃
　　　　　　　〃Whatever　anyone　wants；〃　Nynaeve　said；　〃we　have　work　to　do。　You　will　need　many　things　for　a　trip　into　the　Waste；　Egwene。　Lan　will　tell　me　what。　And　Elayne　and　I　must　make　preparations　to　sail　for　Tanchico。　I　suppose　we　can　find　a　ship　tomorrow；　but　that　means　deciding　what　to　pack　tonight。〃
　　　　　　　〃There　is　a　ship　of　the　Atha'an　Miere　at　the　docks　in　the　Maule；〃　Moiraine　told　them。　〃A　raker。　There　are　no　ships　faster。　You　did　want　a　fast　ship。〃　Nynaeve　gave　a　grudging　nod。
　　　　　　　〃Moiraine；〃　Elayne　said；　〃what　is　Rand　going　to　do　now？　After　this　attack。。。　Will　h