sabriel (the abhorsen trilogy)_加斯·尼克斯-第12部分

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the　blueing　of　the　steel　through　the　palm　of　another　sending。

this　one　was　smaller；　of　indeterminate　sex；　for　it　was　wearing　a　habit　like　a　monk鈥檚；　with　the　hood　drawn　across　its　head。　the　habit　was　black　and　bore　the　emblem　of　the　silver　key　front　and　back。

it　bowed；　and　turned　the　ring。　the　door　swung　　open；　to　reveal　bright　starlight　shining　down　between　clouds　fleeing　the　newly　risen　wind。　the　noise　of　the　waterfall　roared　through　the　open　doorway；　acpanied　by　flecks　of　flying　spray。

without　thinking；　sabriel　stepped　out。

the　cowled　doorkeeper　came　with　her　and　shut　the　door　behind　it；　before　dragging　a　delicate；　silver　portcullis　down　across　the　door　and　locking　it　with　an　iron　padlock。　both　defenses　apparently　came　out　of　thin　air。　sabriel　looked　at　them　and　felt　power　in　them；　for　both　were　also　charter　sendings。　but　door；　portcullis　and　lock　would　only　slow　the　mordicant；　not　stop　it。　the　only　possible　escape　lay　across　the　swiftest　of　running　water；　or　the　untimely　glare　of　a　noonday　sun。

the　first　lay　at　her　feet　and　the　second　was　still　many　hours　away。　sabriel　stood　on　a　narrow　ledge　that　projected　out　from　the　bank　of　a　river　at　least　four　hundred　yards　wide。　a　little　to　her　right；　a　scant　few　paces　away；　this　mighty　river　hurled　itself　over　the　cliff；　to　make　a　truly　glorious　waterfall。　sabriel　leaned　forward　a　little；　to　look　at　the　waters　crashing　below；　creating　huge　white　wings　of　spray　that　could　easily　swallow　her　entire　school；　new　wing　and　all；　like　a　rubber　　duck　swamped　in　an　unruly　bath。

it　was　a　very　long　fall；　and　the　height；　coupled　with　the　sheer　power　of　the　water；　made　her　quickly　look　back　to　the　river。　straight　ahead；　halfway　across；　sabriel　could　just　make　out　an　island；　an　island　perched　on　the　very　lip　of　the　waterfall；　dividing　the　river　into　two　streams。　it　wasn鈥檛　a　very　big　island；　about　the　size　of　a　football　field；　but　it　rose　like　a　ship　of　jagged　rock　from　the　turbulent　waters。

encircling　the　island　were　limestone…white　walls　the　height　of　six　men。　behind　those　walls　was　a　house。　it　was　too　dark　to　see　clearly；　but　there　was　a　tower；　a　thrusting；　pencil　silhouette；　with　red　tiles　that　were　just　beginning　to　catch　the　dawning　sun。　below　the　tower；　a　dark　bulk　hinted　at　the　existence　of　a　hall；　a　kitchen；　bedrooms；　armory；　buttery　and　cellar。　the　study；　sabriel　suddenly　remembered；　occupied　the　second　to　top　floor　of　the　tower。　the　top　floor　was　an　observatory；　both　of　stars　and　the　surrounding　territory。

it　was　abhorsen鈥檚　house。　home；　although　sabriel　had　only　visited　it　twice；　or　maybe　three　times；　all　when　she　was　too　young　to　remember　much。　that　period　of　her　life　was　hazy；　and　mostly　filled　with　recollections　of　the　travelers；　　the　interiors　of　their　wagons；　and　many　different　campsites　that　all　blurred　together。　she　didn鈥檛　even　remember　the　waterfall；　though　the　sound　of　it　did　stir　some　recognition鈥攕omething　had　lodged　in　the　mind　of　a　four…year…old　girl。

unfortunately；　she　didn鈥檛　remember　how　to　get　to　the　house。　only　the　words　her　mother…sending　had　given　her鈥攁bhorsen鈥檚　bridge。

she　hadn鈥檛　realized　she鈥檇　spoken　these　words　aloud；　till　the　little　gate　warden　tugged　at　her　sleeve　and　pointed　down。　sabriel　looked　and　saw　steps　carved　into　the　bank；　steps　leading　right　down　to　the　river。

this　time；　sabriel　didn鈥檛　hesitate。　she　nodded　to　the　charter　sending　and　whispered；　鈥渢hank　you；鈥潯�before　taking　the　steps。　the　mordicant鈥檚　presence　was　pressing　at　her　again；　like　a　stranger鈥檚　rank　breath　behind　her　ear。　she　knew　it　had　reached　the　upper　gate；　though　the　sound　of　its　battering　and　destruction　was　drowned　in　the　greater　roar　of　the　waters。

the　steps　led　to　the　river；　but　did　not　end　there。　though　invisible　from　the　ledge；　there　were　stepping…stones　leading　out　to　the　island。

sabriel　eyed　them　nervously；　and　looked　at　the　water。　it　was　clearly　very　deep　and　rushing　past　　　at　an　alarming　speed。　the　stepping…stones　were　barely　above　its　boisterous　wavelets　and；　even　though　they　were　wide　and　cross…hatched　for　grip；　they　were　also　wet　with　spray　and　the　slushy　remnants　of　snow　and　ice。

sabriel　watched　a　small　piece　of　ice　from　upstream　hurtle　by；　and　pictured　its　slingshot　ride　over　the　falls；　to　be　smashed　apart　so　far　below。

she　imagined　herself　in　its　place；　and　then　thought　of　the　mordicant　behind　her；　of　the　dead　spirit　that　was　at　its　heart；　of　the　death　it　would　bring；　and　the　imprisonment　she　would　suffer　beyond　death。

she　jumped。　her　boots　skidded　a　little　and　her　arms　flailed　for　balance；　but　she　ended　up　steady；　bent　over　in　a　half…crouch。　hardly　waiting　to　rebalance；　she　jumped　to　the　next　stone　and　then　the　one　after　that；　and　again；　in　a　mad　leapfrog　through　the　spray　and　thunder　of　the　river。

when　she　was　halfway　out；　with　a　hundred　yards　of　pure；　ferocious　water　behind　her；　she　stopped　and　looked　back。

the　mordicant　was　on　the　ledge；　the　silvery　portcullis　broken　and　mangled　in　its　grip。　there　was　no　sign　of　the　gate　warden；　but　that　was　not　surprising。　defeated；　it　would　merely　fade　until　the　charter…spell　renewed　itself鈥攈ours；　days　or　even　years　later。

the　dead　thing　was　curiously　still；　but　it　was　clearly　watching　sabriel。　even　so　powerful　a　creature　couldn鈥檛　cross　this　river　and　it　made　no　attempt　to　do　so。　in　fact；　the　longer　sabriel　stared　at　it；　the　more　it　seemed　to　her　that　the　mordicant　was　content　to　wait。　it　was　a　sentry；　guarding　what　might　be　the　only　exit　from　the　island。　or　perhaps　it　was　waiting　for　something　to　happen；　or　for　someone　to　arrive　。　。　。

sabriel　suppressed　a　shudder　and　jumped　on。

there　was　more　light　now；　heralding　the　advent　of　the　sun；　and　she　could　see　a　sort　of　wooden　landing　stage　leading　up　to　a　gate　in　the　white　wall。　treetops　were　also　visible　behind　the　walls；　winter　trees；　their　branches　bare　of　green　raiment。

birds　flew　between　trees　and　tower；　little　birds　launching　themselves　for　their　morning　forage。　it　was　a　vision　of　normalcy；　of　a　haven。　but　sabriel　could　not　forget　the　tall；　flame…etched　silhouette　of　the　mordicant；　brooding　on　the　ledge。

wearily；　she　made　the　jump　to　the　last　stone　and　collapsed　on　the　steps　of　the　landing　stage。　even　her　eyelids　could　barely　move；　and　her　field　of　vision　had　narrowed　to　a　little　slit　directly　to　her　　front。　the　grain　of　the　planks　of　the　landing　stage　loomed　close；　as　she　crawled　up　to　the　gate　and　halfheartedly　fell　against　it。

the　gate　swung　open；　pitching　her　onto　a　paved　courtyard；　the　beginning　of　a　red…brick　path；　the　bricks　ancient；　their　redness　the　color　of　dusty　apples。　the　path　wound　up　to　the　front　door　of　the　house；　a　cheerful　sky…blue　door；　bright　against　whitewashed　stone。　a　bronze　doorknocker　in　the　shape　of　a　lion鈥檚　head　holding　a　ring　in　its　mouth　gleamed　in　counterpoint　to　the　white　cat　that　lay　coiled　on　the　rush　mat　before　the　door。

sabriel　lay　on　the　bricks　and　smiled　up　at　the　cat；　blinking　back　tears。　the　cat　twitched　and　turned　its　head　ever　so　slightly　to　look　at　her；　revealing　bright；　green　eyes。

鈥渉ello；　puss；鈥潯�croaked　sabriel；　coughing　as　she　staggered　once　more　to　her　feet　and　walked　forward；　groaning　and　creaking　with　every　step。　she　reached　down　to　pat　the　cat；　and　froze鈥攆or；　as　the　cat　thrust　its　head　up；　she　saw　the　collar　around　its　neck　and　the　tiny　bell　that　hung　there。

the　collar　was　only　red　leather；　but　the　charterspell　on　it　was　the　strongest；　most　enduring；　binding　that　sabriel　had　ever　seen　or　felt鈥攁nd　the　bell　was　a　miniature　saraneth。　the　cat　was　no　cat；　but　　a　free　magic　creature　of　ancient　power。

鈥渁bhorsen；鈥潯�mewed　the　cat；　its　little　pink　tongue　darting。　鈥渁bout　time　you　got　here。鈥�

sabriel　stared　at　it　for　a　moment；　gave　a　little　sort　of　moan　and　fell　forward　in　a　faint　of　exhaustion　and　dismay。

w　w　w/xiao　shu　otx　t



chapter　viii

灏忥伎璇础　�txt　澶�＋鍫�
sabriel　awoke　to　soft　candlelight；　the　warmth　of　a　feather　bed；　and　silken　sheets；　delightfully　smooth　under　heavy　blankets。　a　fire　burned　briskly　in　a　red…brick　fireplace　and　wood…paneled　walls　gleamed　with　the　dark　mystery　of　well…polished　mahogany。　a　blue…papered　ceiling　with　silver　stars　dusted　across　it；　faced　her　newly　opened　eyes。　two　windows　confronted　each　other　across　the　room；　but　they　were　shuttered；　so　sabriel　had　no　idea　what　time　it　was；　no　more　than　she　had　any　remembrance　of　how　she鈥檇　got　there。　it　was　definitely　abhorsen鈥檚　house；　but　her　last　memory　was　of　fainting　on　the　doorstep。

gingerly鈥攆or　even　her　neck　ached　from　her　day　and　night　of　travel；　fear　and　flight鈥攕abriel　lifted　her　head　to　look　around　and　once　again　met　the　green　eyes　of　the　cat　that　wasn鈥檛　a　cat。

the　creature　was　lying　near　her　feet；　at　the　end　of　the　bed。

鈥渨ho　。　。　。　what　are　you？鈥潯�sabriel　asked　nervously；　suddenly　all　too　aware　that　she　was　naked　under　the　soft　sheets。　a　sensuous　delight；　but　a　defenseless　one。　her　eyes　flickered　to　her　sword…belt　and　bell…bandolier；　carefully　draped　on　a　clothes…horse　near　the　door。

鈥渋　have　a　variety　of　names；鈥潯�replied　the　cat。　it　had　a　strange　voice；　half…mew；　half…purr；　with　hissing　on　the　vowels。　鈥測ou　may　call　me　mogget。　as　to　what　i　am；　i　was　once　many　things；　but　now　i　am　only　several。　primarily；　i　am　a　servant　of　abhorsen。　unless　you　would　be　kind　enough　to　remove　my　collar？鈥�

sabriel　gave　an　uneasy　smile；　and　shook　her　head　firmly。　whatever　mogget　was；　that　collar　was　the　only　thing　that　kept　it　as　a　servant　of　abhorsen　。　。　。　or　anybody　else。　the　charter　marks　on　the　collar　were　quite　explicit　about　that。　as　far　as　sabriel　could　tell；　the　binding　spell　was　over　a　thousand　years　old。　it　was　quite　possible　that　mogget　was　some　free　magic　spirit　as　old　as　the　wall；　or　even　older。　she　wondered　　why　her　father　hadn鈥檛　mentioned　it；　and　with　a　pang；　wished　that　she　had　awoken　to　find　her　father　here；　in　his　house；　both　their　troubles　over。

鈥渋　thought　not；鈥潯�said　mogget；　bining　a　careless　shrug　with　a　limbering　stretch。　it　。　。　。　or　he；　for　sabriel　felt　the　cat　was　definitely　masculine；　jumped　to　the　parquet　floor　and　sauntered　over　to　the　fire。　sabriel　watched；　her　trained　eye　noting　that　mogget鈥檚　shadow　was　not　always　that　of　a　cat。

a　knock　at　the　door　interrupted　her　study　of　the　cat；　the　sharp　sound　making　sabriel　jump　nervously；　the　hair　on　the　back　of　her　neck　frizzing　to　attention。

鈥渋t鈥檚　only　one　of　the　servants；鈥潯�mogget　said；　in　a　patronizing　tone。　鈥渃harter　sendings；　and　pretty　low…grade　ones　at　that。　they　always　burn　the　milk。鈥�

sabriel　ignored　him；　and　said；　鈥渆　in。鈥潯�her　voice　shook；　and　she　realized　that　shaky　nerves　and　weakness　would　be　with　her　for　a　while。

the　door　swung　open　silently　and　a　short；　robed　figure　drifted　in。　it　was　similar　to　the　upper　gatewarden；　being　cowled　and　so　without　a　visible　face；　but　this　one鈥檚　habit　was　of　light　cream　rather　than　black。　it　had　a　simple　cotton　　underdress　draped　over　one　arm；　a　thick　towel　over　the　other　and　its　charter…woven　hands　held　a　long　woollen　surcoat　and　a　pair　of　slippers。

without　a　word；　it　went　to　the　end　of　the　bed　and　put　the　garments　on　sabriel鈥檚　feet。　then　it　crossed　to　a　porcelain　basin　that　sat　in　a　silver　filigree　stand；　above　a　tiled　area　of　the　floor　to　the　left　of　the　fire。　there；　it　twisted　a　b