rj.theshadowrising-第93部分

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　　　　　　　〃You　call　this　being　protected；　roofmistress？〃　Bain　said。　〃If　you　ask　the　lion　to　protect　you　from　wolves；　you　have　only　chosen　to　end　in　one　belly　instead　of　another。〃
　　　　　　　〃Can　you　not　protect　yourselves？〃　Chiad　added。　〃I　have　seen　Perrin　fight；　and　Mat　Cauthon；　and　Rand　al'Thor。　They　are　the　same　blood　as　you。〃
　　　　　　　Bran　sighed　heavily。　〃We　are　farmers；　simple　people。　Lord　Luc　talks　of　organizing　men　to　fight　the　Trollocs；　but　that　means　leaving　your　family　unprotected　while　you　go　off　with　him；　and　no　one　much　likes　that　idea。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　was　confused。　Who　was　Lord　Luc？　He　asked　as　much；　and　Mistress　al'Vere　answered。
　　　　　　　〃He　came　about　the　time　the　Whitecloaks　did。　He's　a　Hunter　of　the　Horn。　You　know　the　story；　The　Great　Hunt　of　the　Horn？　Lord　Luc　thinks　the　Horn　of　Valere　is　somewhere　in　the　Mountains　of　Mist　above　the　Two　Rivers。　But　he　gave　over　his　hunt　because　of　our　problems。　Lord　Luc　is　a　great　gentleman；　with　the　finest　manners。〃　Smoothing　her　hair；　she　gave　an　approving　smile；　Bran　looked　at　her　sideways　and　grunted　sourly。
　　　　　　　Hunters　of　the　Horn。　Trollocs。　Whitecloaks。　The　Two　Rivers　hardly　seemed　the　same　place　he　had　left。　〃Faile　is　a　Hunter　of　the　Horn；　too。　Do　you　know　this　Lord　Luc；　Faile？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　have　had　enough；〃　she　announced。　Perrin　frowned　as　she　stood　and　came　around　the　table　to　him。　Seizing　his　head；　she　pulled　his　face　into　her　midriff。　〃Your　mother　is　dead；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃Your　father　is　dead。　Your　sisters　are　dead；　and　your　brother。　Your　family　is　dead；　and　you　cannot　change　it。　Certainly　not　by　dying　yourself。　Let　yourself　grieve。　Don't　hold　it　inside　where　it　can　fester。〃
　　　　　　　He　took　her　by　the　arms；　meaning　to　move　her；　but　for　some　reason　his　hands　tightened　till　that　grip　was　the　only　thing　holding　him　up。　It　was　only　then　that　he　realized　he　was　crying；　sobbing　into　her　dress　like　a　baby。　What　must　she　think　of　him？　He　opened　his　mouth　to　tell　her　he　was　all　right；　to　apologize　for　breaking　down；　but　what　came　out　was；　〃I　couldn't　get　here　any　faster。　I　couldn't　…　I　…〃　He　gritted　his　teeth　to　shut　himself　off。
　　　　　　　〃I　know；〃　she　murmured；　stroking　his　hair　for　all　the　world　as　if　he　were　a　child。　〃I　know。〃
　　　　　　　He　wanted　to　stop；　but　the　more　she　whispered　understanding；　the　more　he　wept；　as　though　her　hands　soft　on　his　head　were　smoothing　the　tears　out　of　him。


Chapter　30
（Flame　of　Tar　Valon）
Beyond　the　Oak

　　　　　　　With　Faile　holding　his　head　beneath　her　breasts；　Perrin　lost　track　of　how　long　he　cried。　Images　of　his　family　flashed　in　his　thoughts；　his　father　smiling　as　he　showed　him　how　to　hold　a　bow；　his　mother　singing　while　she　spun　wool；　Adora　and　Deselle　teasing　him　when　he　shaved　the　first　time；　Paet　wide…eyed　at　a　gleeman　during　Sunday　long　ago。　Pictures　of　graves；　cold　and　lonely　in　a　row。　He　wept　until　there　were　no　more　tears　in　him。　When　he　finally　pulled　back；　the　two　of　them　were　alone　except　for　Scratch；　washing　himself　atop　the　ale　barrel。　He　was　glad　the　others　had　not　remained　to　watch　him。　Faile　was　bad　enough。　In　a　way　he　was　glad　she　had　stayed；　he　only　wished　she　had　not　seen　or　heard。
　　　　　　　Taking　his　hands　in　hers；　Faile　sat　in　the　next　chair。　She　was　so　beautiful；　with　her　slightly　tilted　eyes；　large　and　dark；　and　her　high　cheekbones。　He　did　not　know　how　he　was　going　to　be　able　to　make　up　to　her　for　the　way　he　had　treated　her　these　last　few　days。　No　doubt　she　would　find　a　means　to　make　him　pay　for　it。
　　　　　　　〃Have　you　given　up　the　notion　of　surrendering　to　the　Whitecloaks？〃　she　asked。　There　was　no　hint　in　her　voice　that　she　had　just　watched　him　cry　like　a　baby。
　　　　　　　〃It　seems　it　wouldn't　do　any　good。　They'll　be　after　Rand's　father；　and　Mat's；　whatever　I　do。　My　family。。。〃　He　quickly　loosened　his　grip　on　her　hands；　but　she　smiled　instead　of　wincing。　〃I　have　to　get　Master　Luhhan　and　his　wife　free；　if　I　can。　And　Mat's　mother　and　sisters；　I　promised　him　I　would　look　after　them。　And　do　what　I　can　about　the　Trollocs。〃　Maybe　this　Lord　Luc　had　some　ideas。　At　least　the　Waygate　was　blocked；　no　more　would　e　through　the　Ways。　He　especially　wanted　to　do　something　about　the　Trollocs。　〃I　can't　manage　any　of　that　if　I　let　them　hang　me。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am　very　glad　you　see　that；〃　she　told　him　dryly。　〃Any　more　fool　notions　about　sending　me　away？〃
　　　　　　　〃No。〃　He　braced　himself　for　the　storm；　but　she　simply　nodded　as　if　the　one　word　were　what　she　expected　and　all　she　wanted。　A　small　thing；　nothing　worth　arguing　over。　She　was　going　to　make　him　pay　large。
　　　　　　　〃We　are　five；　Perrin；　six　if　Loial　is　willing。　And　if　we　can　find　Tam　al'Thor　and　Abell　Cauthon。。。　Are　they　as　good　with　a　bow　as　you？〃
〃Better；〃　he　said　truthfully。　〃Much　better。〃
　　　　　　　She　gave　him　a　slight；　disbelieving　nod。　〃That　will　make　eight。　A　beginning。　Maybe　others　will　join　us。　And　then　there's　Lord　Luc。　He　will　probably　want　to　take　charge；　but　if　he's　not　a　crackbrain；　it　won't　matter。　Not　everyone　who　took　the　Hunter's　Oath　is　sensible；　though。　I've　met　some　who　think　they　know　everything；　and　are　stubborn　as　mules　besides。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　know。〃　She　looked　at　him　sharply；　and　he　managed　to　keep　the　smile　off　his　face。　〃That　you've　met　some　like　that；　I　mean。　I　saw　a　pair　of　them　once；　remember。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　them。　Well；　we　can　hope　Lord　Luc　is　not　a　boasting　liar。〃　Her　eyes　became　intent；　and　her　grip　tightened　on　his　hands；　not　unfortably；　but　as　though　she　was　trying　to　add　her　strength　to　his。　〃You　will　want　to　visit　your　family's　farm；　your　home。　I　will　e　with　you；　if　you　will　let　me。〃
　　　　　　　〃When　I　can；　Faile。〃　Not　now；　though。　Not　yet。　If　he　looked　at　those　graves　below　the　apple　trees　now。。。　It　was　strange。　He　had　always　taken　his　own　strength　for　granted；　and　now　it　turned　out　that　he　was　not　strong　at　all。　Well；　he　was　done　with　weeping　like　a　babe。　It　was　past　time　to　be　doing　something。　〃First　things　first。　Finding　Tam　and　Abell；　I　suppose。〃
　　　　　　　Master　al'Vere　put　his　head　into　the　mon　room；　and　came　the　rest　of　the　way　when　he　saw　them　sitting　apart。　〃There　is　an　Ogier　in　the　kitchen；〃　he　told　Perrin　with　a　bemused　look。　〃An　Ogier。　Drinking　tea。　The　biggest　cup　looks。。。〃　He　held　two　fingers　as　though　gripping　a　thimble。　〃Maybe　Marin　could　pretend　Aiel　walk　in　here　every　day；　but　she　nearly　fainted　when　she　saw　this　Loial。　I　gave　her　a　double　tot　of　brandy；　and　she　tossed　it　down　like　water。　Nearly　coughed　herself　to　death；　she　doesn't　take　more　than　wine；　usually。　I　think　she'd　have　drunk　another；　if　I'd　given　it　to　her。〃　He　pursed　his　lips　and　affected　an　interest　in　a　nonexistent　spot　on　his　long　white　apron。　〃Are　you　all　right　now；　my　boy？〃
　　　　　　　〃I'm　fine；　sir；〃　Perrin　said　hastily。　〃Master　al'Vere；　we　cannot　remain　here　much　longer。　Someone　might　tell　the　Whitecloaks　you　sheltered　me。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　there　are　not　many　would　do　that。　Not　all　the　Coplins；　and　not　some　of　the　Congars；　even。〃　But　he　did　not　suggest　they　stay。
　　　　　　　〃Do　you　know　where　I　can　find　Master　al'Thor　and　Master　Cauthon？〃
　　　　　　　〃In　the　Westwood　somewhere；　usually；〃　Bran　said　slowly。　〃That's　all　I　know　for　sure。　They　move　about。〃　Locking　his　fingers　over　his　broad　belly；　he　tilted　his　gray　fringed　head　to　one　side。　〃You　aren't　leaving　are　you？　Well。　I　told　Marin　you　would　not；　but　she　doesn't　believe　me。　She　thinks　it　best　for　you　to　go　away　…　best　for　you　…　and　like　most　women　she's　sure　you　will　see　things　her　way　if　she　talks　long　enough。〃
　　　　　　　〃Why；　Master　al'Vere；〃　Faile　said　sweetly；　〃I　for　one　have　always　found　men　to　be　sensible　creatures　who　only　need　to　be　shown　the　wisest　path　once　to　choose　it。〃
　　　　　　　The　Mayor　favored　her　with　an　amused　smile。　〃You　will　be　talking　Perrin　into　going　then；　I　take　it？　Marin's　right；　that　is　wisest；　if　he　wants　to　avoid　a　noose。　The　only　reason　to　stay　is　that　sometimes　a　man　can't　run。　No？　Well；　no　doubt　you　know　best。〃　He　ignored　her　sour　look。　〃e　along；　my　boy。　Let's　tell　Marin　the　good　news。　Set　your　teeth　and　hold　on　to　your　intentions；　because　she　won't　give　up　trying　to　shift　you。〃
　　　　　　　In　the　kitchen；　Loial　and　the　Aiel　were　cross…legged　on　the　floor。　There　was　certainly　no　chair　in　the　inn　big　enough　for　the　Ogier。　He　sat　with　an　arm　resting　on　the　kitchen　table；　tall　enough　sitting　to　look　Marin　al'Vere　in　the　eye。　Bran　had　exaggerated　the　smallness　of　the　cup　in　Loial's　hands；　though　on　second　glance　Perrin　saw　it　was　a　white…glazed　soup　bowl。
　　　　　　　Mistress　al'Vere　was　still　doing　her　best　to　pretend　Aiel　and　Ogier　were　normal；　bustling　about　with　a　tray　of　bread　and　cheese　and　pickles；　making　sure　everyone　ate；　but　her　eyes　did　widen　each　time　they　landed　on　Loial；　though　he　tried　to　put　her　at　ease　with　pliments　for　her　baking。　His　tufted　ears　twitched　nervously　whenever　she　looked　at　him；　and　she　gave　a　little　jump　every　time　they　did；　then　shook　her　head；　the　thick　graying　braid　swaying　vigorously。　Given　a　few　hours；　they　might　send　each　other　to　bed　with　the　shakes。
　　　　　　　Loial　heaved　a　deep　bass　sigh　of　relief　at　the　sight　of　Perrin　and　set　his　cup　…　bowl　…　of　tea　on　the　table；　but　the　next　instant　his　broad　face　sagged　sadly。　〃I　am　sorry　to　hear　your　loss；　Perrin。　I　share　your　grief。　Mistress　al'Vere。。。〃　His　ears　twitched　wildly　even　without　looking　at　her；　and　she　gave　another　start。　〃。。。has　been　telling　me　you　will　go；　now　there's　nothing　to　keep　you　here。　If　you　wish　it；　I　will　sing　to　the　apple　trees　before　we　leave。〃
　　　　　　　Bran　and　Marin　exchanged　startled　looks；　and　the　Mayor　actually　reamed　at　his　ear　with　a　finger。
　　　　　　　〃Thank　you；　Loial。　I　will　appreciate　that；　when　there's　time。　But　I　have　work　to　do　before　I　can　go。〃　Mistress　al'Vere　set　the　tray　on　the　table　with　a　sharp　click　and　stared　at　him；　but　he　kept　on；　laying　out　his　plans；　such　as　they　were：　Find　Tam　and　Abell；　and　rescue　the　people　the　Whitecloaks　held。　He　did　not　mention　Trollocs；　though　he　had　vague　plans　there；　too。　Perhaps　not　so　vague。　He　did　not　mean　to　leave　while　there　was　a　Trolloc　or　Myrddraal　alive　in　the　Two　Rivers。　He　fastened　his　thumbs　behind　his　belt　to　keep　from　caressing　his　axe。　〃It　won't　be　easy；〃　he　finished。　〃I　will　appreciate　your　pany；　but　I　will　understand　if　you　want　to　go。　This　isn't　your　fight；　and　you　have　seen　enough　trouble　through　staying　close　to　Emond's　Field　folk。　And　you　won't　write　much　of　
your　book　here。〃
　　　　　　　〃Here　or　there；　it　is　the　same　fight；　I　think；〃　Loial　replied。　〃The　book　can　wait。　Perhaps　I　will　have　a　chapter　about　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　said　I　would　e　with　you；〃　Gaul　put　in　without　being　asked。　〃I　did　not　mean　until　the　journey　grew　hard。　I　owe　you　blood　debt。〃
　　　　　　　Bain　and　Chiad　looked　questioningly　at　Faile；　and　when　she　nodded；　added　their　decisions　to　remain；　too。
　　　　　　　〃Stubborn　foolish；〃　Mistress　al'Vere　said；　〃the　lot　of　you。　Very　likely　you　will　all　end　up　on　gallows；　if　you　live　that　long。　You　know　that；　don't　you？〃　When　they　only　looked　at　her；　she　untied　her　apron　and　lifted　it　over　her　head。　〃Well；　if　you　are　foolish　enough　to　stay；　I　suppose　I　had　better　show　you　where　to　hide。〃
　　　　　　　Her　husband　looked　surprised　at　her　sudden　surrender；　but　he　recovered　quickly。　〃I　thought　perhaps　the　old　sickhouse；　Marin。　No　one　ever　goes　there　now；　and　I　think　it　still　has　most　of　its　roof。〃
　　　　　　　What　was　still　called　the　new　sickhouse；　where　people　were　taken　to　be　tended　i