rj.theshadowrising-第58部分

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　　　　　　　〃I　will　carry　it　as　far　as　I　must；　Loial。　The　Waygate？〃
　　　　　　　Ears　sagging；　Loial　puffed　out　a　heavy　breath　and　turned　his　horse　eastward　again。　Perrin　let　him　and　Faile　get　a　dozen　paces　ahead　before　he　and　Gaul　followed。　He　must　play　by　her　rules；　but　he　would　play　them　at　least　as　well　as　she。
　　　　　　　The　farms；　cramped　little　places　with　rough　stone　houses　Perrin　would　not　have　used　to　shelter　animals；　grew　more　scattered　the　farther　east　they　rode；　and　the　thickets　smaller；　until　there　were　neither　farms　nor　thickets；　only　a　rolling；　hilly　grassland。　Grass　as　far　as　the　eye　could　see；　unbroken　except　for　patches　of　bush　here　and　there　on　a　hill。
　　　　　　　Horses　dotted　the　green　slopes；　too；　in　clumps　of　a　dozen　or　herds　of　a　hundred；　the　famed　Tairen　stock。　Large　or　small；　each　gathering　of　horses　was　under　the　eyes　of　a　shoeless　boy　or　two；　mounted　bareback。　The　boys　carried　long…handled　whips　that　they　used　to　keep　the　horses　together；　or　turn　them；　cracking　the　whips　expertly　to　turn　a　stray　without　ever　ing　close　to　the　animal's　hide。　They　kept　their　charges　clear　of　the　strangers；　moving　them　back　if　necessary；　but　they　watched　the　passage　of　this　odd　pany　…　two　humans　and　an　Ogier　mounted；　plus　three　of　the　fierce　Aiel　that　stories　said　had　taken　the　Stone　…　with　the　bold　curiosity　of　the　young。
　　　　　　　It　was　all　a　pleasing　sight　to　Perrin。　He　liked　horses。　Part　of　the　reason　he　had　asked　to　be　apprenticed　to　Master　Luhhan　had　been　the　chance　to　work　with　horses；　not　that　there　were　so　many　as　this　in　Emond's　Field；　nor　so　fine。
　　　　　　　Not　so　Loial。　The　Ogier　began　muttering　to　himself；　louder　the　farther　they　rode　across　the　grassy　hills；　until　at　last　he　burst　out　in　a　deep　bass　rumble。　〃Gone！　All　gone；　and　for　what？　Grass。　Once　this　was　an　Ogier　grove。　We　did　no　great　works　here；　not　to　pare　with　Manetheren；　or　the　city　you　call　Caemlyn；　but　enough　that　a　grove　was　planted。　Trees　of　every　kind；　from　every　land　and　place。　The　Great　Trees；　towering　a　hundred　spans　into　the　sky。　All　tended　devotedly；　to　remind　my　people　of　the　stedding　they　had　left　to　build　things　for　men。　Men　think　it　is　the　stonework　we　prize；　but　that　is　a　trifling　thing；　learned　during　the　Long　Exile；　after　the　Breaking。　It　is　the　trees　we　love。　Men　thought　Manetheren　my　people's　greatest　triumph；　but　we　knew　it　to　be　the　grove　there。　Gone；　now。　Like　this。　Gone；　and　it　will　not　e　again。〃
　　　　　　　Loial　stared　at　the　hills；　bare　save　for　grass　and　horses；　with　a　hard　face；　his　ears　drawn　back　tight　to　his　head。　He　smelled　of。。。　fury。　Peaceful；　most　stories　called　Ogier；　almost　as　pacific　as　the　Traveling　People；　but　some；　a　few；　named　them　implacable　enemies。　Perrin　had　only　seen　Loial　angry　once　before。　Perhaps　he　had　been　angry　last　night；　defending　those　children。　Looking　at　Loial's　face；　an　old　saying　came　back　to　him。　〃To　anger　the　Ogier　and　pull　the　mountains　down　on　your　head。〃　Everyone　took　its　meaning　as　to　try　to　do　something　that　was　impossible。　Perrin　thought　maybe　the　meaning　had　changed　with　the　years。　Maybe　in　the　beginning；　it　had　been　〃Anger　the　Ogier；　and　you　pull　the　mountains　down　on　your　head。〃　Difficult　to　do；　but　deadly　if　acplished。　He　did　not　think　he　would　ever　want　Loial　…　gentle；　fumbling　Loial　with　his　broad　nose　always　in　a　book　…　to　bee　angry　with　him。
　　　　　　　It　was　Loial　who　took　the　lead　once　they　reached　the　site　of　the　vanished　Ogier　grove；　bending　their　path　a　little　southward。　There　were　no　landmarks；　but　he　was　sure　of　his　direction；　surer　with　every　pace　of　the　horses。　Ogier　could　feel　a　Waygate；　sense　it　somehow；　find　it　as　certainly　as　a　bee　could　find　the　hive。　When　Loial　finally　dismounted；　the　grass　was　little　more　than　knee…high　on　him。　There　was　only　a　thick　clump　of　brush　to　be　seen；　taller　than　most；　leafy　shrubs　as　tall　as　the　Ogier。　He　ripped　it　all　away　almost　regretfully；　stacking　it　to　one　side。　〃Perhaps　the　boys　with　the　horses　can　use　it　for　firewood　when　it　dries。〃
　　　　　　　And　there　was　the　Waygate。
　　　　　　　Rearing　against　the　side　of　the　hill；　it　appeared　more　a　length　of　gray　wall　than　a　gate；　and　the　wall　of　a　palace　at　that；　thickly　carved　in　leaves　and　vines　so　finely　done　that　they　seemed　almost　as　alive　as　the　bushes　had　been。　Three　thousand　years　at　least　it　had　stood　there；　but　not　a　trace　of　weathering　marred　its　surface。　Those　leaves　could　have　rippled　with　the　next　breeze。
　　　　　　　For　a　moment　they　all　stared　at　it　silently；　until　Loial　took　a　deep　breath　and　put　his　hand　on　the　one　leaf　that　was　different　from　any　other　on　the　Waygate。　The　trefoil　leaf　of　Avendesora；　the　fabled　Tree　of　Life。　Until　the　moment　his　huge　hand　touched　it；　it　seemed　as　much　a　part　of　the　carving　as　all　the　rest；　but　it　came　away　easily。
　　　　　　　Faile　gasped　loudly；　and　even　the　Aiel　murmured。　The　air　was　full　of　the　smell　of　unease；　there　was　no　saying　who　it　came　from。　All　of　them；　perhaps。
　　　　　　　The　stone　leaves　did　seem　to　stir　from　an　unfelt　breeze　now；　they　took　a　tinge　of　green；　of　life。　Slowly　a　split　appeared　down　the　middle；　and　the　halves　of　the　Waygate　opened　out；　revealing　not　the　hill　behind；　but　a　dull　shimmering　that　faintly　reflected　their　images。
　　　　　　　〃Once；　it　is　said；〃　Loial　murmured；　〃the　Waygates　shone　like　mirrors；　and　those　who　walked　the　Ways　walked　through　the　sun　and　the　sky。　Gone；　now。　Like　this　grove。〃
　　　　　　　Hastily　pulling　one　of　the　filled　pole…lanterns　from　his　pack…horse；　Perrin　got　it　alight。　〃It　is　too　hot　out　here；〃　he　said。　〃A　little　shade　would　be　good。〃　He　booted　Stepper　toward　the　Waygate。　He　thought　he　heard　Faile　gasp　again。
　　　　　　　The　dun　stallion　balked；　approaching　his　own　dim　reflection；　but　Perrin　heeled　him　onward。　Slowly；　he　remembered。　It　should　be　done　slowly。　The　horse's　nose　touched　its　image　hesitantly；　then　merged　in　as　though　walking　into　a　mirror。　Perrin　moved　closer　to　himself；　touched。。。　Icy　cold　slid　along　his　skin；　enveloping　him　hair　by　hair；　time　stretched　out。
　　　　　　　The　cold　vanished　like　a　pricked　bubble；　and　he　was　in　the　midst　of　endless　blackness；　the　light　of　his　pole…lantern　a　crushed　pool　around　him。　Stepper　and　the　packhorse　whickered　nervously。
　　　　　　　Gaul　stepped　through　calmly　and　began　preparing　another　lantern。　Behind　him　was　what　seemed　like　a　sheet　of　smoked　glass。　The　others　were　visible　out　there；　Loial　getting　back　on　his　horse；　Faile　gathering　her　reins；　all　of　them　creeping；　barely　moving。　Time　was　different　inside　the　Ways。
　　　　　　　〃Faile　is　upset　with　you；〃　Gaul　said　once　he　had　his　lantern　alight。　It　did　not　add　much　illumination。　The　darkness　drank　in　light；　swallowed　it。　〃She　seems　to　think　you　have　broken　some　sort　of　agreement。　Bain　and　Chiad。。。　Do　not　let　them　get　you　alone。　They　mean　to　teach　you　a　lesson；　for　Faile's　sake；　and　you　will　not　sit　on　that　animal　so　easily　if　they　manage　what　they　plan。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　agreed　to　nothing；　Gaul。　I　do　what　she's　forced　me　to　do　through　trickery。　We　will　have　to　follow　Loial　as　she　wants　soon　enough；　but　I　mean　to　take　the　lead　for　as　long　as　I　can。〃　He　pointed　to　a　thick　white　line　under　Stepper's　hooves。　Broken　and　heavily　pitted；　it　led　off　ahead；　vanishing　in　the　blackness　only　a　few　feet　away。　〃That　leads　to　the　first　guidepost。　We　will　need　to　wait　there　for　Loial　to　read　it　and　decide　which　bridge　to　take；　but　Faile　can　follow　us　that　far。〃
　　　　　　　〃Bridge；〃　Gaul　murmured　thoughtfully。　〃I　know　that　word。　There　is　water　in　here？〃
　　　　　　　〃No。　It　isn't　exactly　that　kind　of　bridge。　They　look　the　same；　sort　of；　but。。。　Maybe　Loial　can　explain　it。〃
　　　　　　　The　Aielman　scratched　his　head。　〃Do　you　know　what　you　are　doing；　Perrin？〃
　　　　　　　〃No；〃　Perrin　admitted；　〃but　there's　no　reason　for　Faile　to　know　that。〃
　　　　　　　Gaul　laughed。　〃It　is　fun　to　be　so　young；　is　it　not；　Perrin？〃
　　　　　　　Frowning；　uncertain　whether　the　man　was　laughing　at　him；　Perrin　heeled　Stepper　on；　drawing　the　packhorse　behind。　The　lantern　light　would　not　be　visible　at　all　in　here　twenty　or　thirty　paces　from　its　edge。　He　wanted　to　be　pletely　out　of　sight　before　Faile　came　through。　Let　her　think　he　had　decided　to　go　on　without　her。　If　she　worried　for　a　few　minutes；　until　she　found　him　at　the　guidepost；　it　was　the　least　she　deserved。


　Chapter　19
（8…Pointed　Star　and　Birds）
The　Wavedancer

　　　　　　　With　the　golden　sun　barely　over　the　horizon；　the　shiny　black…lacquered　carriage　rocked　to　a　halt　at　the　foot　of　the　wharf　behind　a　team　of　four　matched　grays；　and　the　lanky　dark…haired　driver　in　his　black…and…gold　striped　coat　leaped　down　to　open　the　door。　No　sigil　adorned　the　door　panel；　of　course；　Tairen　nobles　gave　aid　to　Aes　Sedai　only　under　duress；　no　matter　how　effusive　the　smiles；　and　none　wanted　their　names　or　houses　linked　to　the　Tower。
　　　　　　　Elayne　got　down　gratefully　without　waiting　for　Nynaeve；　straightening　her　blue　linen　summer　traveling　cloak；　the　streets　of　the　Maule　were　rutted　by　carts　and　wagons；　and　the　carriage's　leather　springs　had　not　been　very　good。　A　breeze　slanting　across　the　Erinin　actually　seemed　cool　after　the　heat　of　the　Stone。　She　had　intended　to　show　no　effects　of　the　rough　ride；　but　once　upright　she　could　not　help　knuckling　the　small　of　her　back。　At　least　last　night's　rain　still　holds　the　dust　down；　she　thought。　She　suspected　that　they　had　been　given　a　carriage　without　curtains　on　purpose。
　　　　　　　North　and　south　of　her；　more　docks　like　wide　stone　fingers　stretched　into　the　river。　The　air　smelled　of　tar　and　rope；　fish　and　spices　and　olive　oil；　of　nameless　things　rotting　in　the　stagnant　water　between　the　piers　and　peculiar　long　yellow…green　fruits　in　huge　bunches　heaped　in　front　of　the　stone　warehouse　behind　her。　Despite　the　early　hour；　men　wearing　leather　vests　on　shiftless　shoulders　scurried　about；　toting　large　bundles　on　bent　backs　or　pushing　handcarts　piled　with　barrels　or　crates。　None　spared　her　more　than　a　passing　sullen　glance；　dark　eyes　falling　quickly；　forelock　touched　grudgingly；　most　did　not　raise　their　heads　at　all。　She　was　sad　to　see　it。
　　　　　　　These　Tairen　nobles　had　handled　their　people　badly。　Mishandled　them　was　more　like　it。　In　Andor　she　could　have　expected　cheerful　smiles　and　a　respectful　word　of　greeting；　freely　given　by　straight…backed　men　who　knew　their　worth　as　well　as　hers。　It　was　almost　enough　to　make　her　regret　leaving。　She　had　been　raised　to　lead　and　one　day　govern　a　proud　people；　and　she　felt　the　urge　to　teach　these　folk　dignity。　But　that　was　Rand's　job；　not　hers。　And　if　he　doesn't　do　it　properly；　I　will　give　him　a　piece　of　my　mind。　A　bigger　piece。　At　least　he　had　begun；　by　following　her　advice。　And　she　had　to　admit　he　knew　how　to　treat　his　people。　It　would　be　interesting　to　see　what　he　had　done　by　the　time　she　returned。　If　there's　a　point　to　ing　back。
　　　　　　　A　dozen　ships　were　clearly　visible　from　where　she　stood；　and　more　beyond；　but　one；　moored　across　the　end　of　the　dock　she　faced；　sharp　bow　upriver；　filled　her　eyes。　The　Sea　Folk　raker　was　easily　a　hundred　paces　long；　half　again　as　large　as　the　next　vessel　in　sight；　with　three　great　towering　masts　amidships；　and　one　shorter　on　the　raised　deck　at　the　stern。　She　had　been　on　ships　before；　but　never　one　so　big；　and　never　on　one　going　to　sea。　Just　the　name　of　the　ship's　owners　spoke　of　distant　lands　and　strange　ports。　The　Atha'an　Miere。　The　Sea　Folk。　Stories　meant　to　be　exotic　always　contained　the