Ⅱ 列王的紛爭 Chapter25 提利昂
TYRION
輕柔的豎琴聲透過門扉傳來，混合著笛子的顫音。雖然歌手的嗓門隔著厚厚的門板聽不真切，但歌詞卻是提利昂再熟悉也不過的：我愛上一位美如夏日的姑娘，陽光照在她的秀發(fā)……
Through the door came the soft sound of the high harp, mingled with a trilling of pipes. The singer’s voice was muffled by the thick walls, yet Tyrion knew the verse. I loved a maid as fair as summer, he remembered, with sunlight in her hair …
今晚在太后臥室門外把守的是馬林·特蘭爵士。提利昂的出現(xiàn)讓他有些為難，只好含含糊糊地說聲“大人”，活像個(gè)心懷不忿的孩子，隨后開了門。他大步跨入姐姐的臥室，歌聲嘎然而止。
Ser Meryn Trant guarded the queen’s door this night. His muttered “My lord” struck Tyrion as a tad grudging, but he opened the door nonetheless. The song broke off abruptly as he strode into his sister’s bedchamber.
瑟曦赤裸雙腳，倚靠在一堆墊子上，金色的秀發(fā)蓬亂而美麗。她抬起頭，一身金綠相間的錦袍映出閃爍的燭光?！坝H愛的姐姐，”提利昂道，“你今晚看上去真迷人?！彼D(zhuǎn)向歌手，“你也是，堂弟。真沒想到，你的嗓音這么動(dòng)人。”
Cersei was reclining on a pile of cushions. Her feet were bare, her golden hair artfully tousled, her robe a green-and-gold samite that caught the light of the candles and shimmered as she looked up. “Sweet sister,” Tyrion said, “how beautiful you look tonight.” He turned to the singer. “And you as well, cousin. I had no notion you had such a lovely voice.”
聽見恭維，藍(lán)賽爾爵士繃起了臉，也許他意識(shí)到受了嘲笑。提利昂覺得這小子自從被封為騎士后，似乎拔高了三寸。藍(lán)賽爾有濃密的黃棕頭發(fā)和蘭尼斯特家招牌式的碧眼，上唇留了一層柔軟的金色茸須。他年方十六，和其他少年一樣，對(duì)一切都那么肯定，毫無幽默感和自省心。與生俱來的金發(fā)碧眼和強(qiáng)壯英俊的外表使他愈加自傲，最近的擢升更讓他氣焰囂張。“太后陛下召喚你了嗎？”少年當(dāng)即質(zhì)問。
The compliment made Ser Lancel sulky; perhaps he thought he was being mocked. It seemed to Tyrion that the lad had grown three inches since being knighted. Lancel had thick sandy hair, green Lannister eyes, and a line of soft blond fuzz on his upper lip. At sixteen, he was cursed with all the certainty of youth, unleavened by any trace of humor or self-doubt, and wed to the arrogance that came so naturally to those born blond and strong and handsome. His recent elevation had only made him worse. “Did Her Grace send for you?” the boy demanded.
“呵，這我倒不記得，”提利昂承認(rèn)，“實(shí)在很遺憾，打攪你們的雅興，藍(lán)賽爾。事實(shí)上，我有要事跟我姐姐商量。”
“Not that I recall,” Tyrion admitted. “It grieves me to disturb your revels, Lancel, but as it happens, I have matters of import to discuss with my sister.”
瑟曦懷疑地看著他，“你來這兒別說是為了那些乞丐幫的家伙，省省吧，提利昂，少來煩我。我不能讓他們?cè)诖蠼稚瞎簧⒉ンa臟的謀逆邪說，就讓他們?cè)诤诶卫锘ハ嗾f教去?！?/p>
Cersei regarded him suspiciously. “If you are here about those begging brothers, Tyrion, spare me your reproaches. I won’t have them spreading their filthy treasons in the streets. They can preach to each other in the dungeons.”
“他們?cè)搼c幸有一位仁慈的太后，”藍(lán)賽爾補(bǔ)充道，“換作是我，非拔了他們舌頭不可！”
“And count themselves lucky that they have such a gentle queen,” added Lancel. “I would have had their tongues out.”
“有個(gè)家伙居然聲稱諸神將懲罰我們，因?yàn)檎材分\害了正統(tǒng)的國王，”瑟曦嚷道，“是可忍孰不可忍，提利昂，我已經(jīng)給了你充足的時(shí)間去料理這些滿身虱子的家伙，但你和你的杰斯林爵士什么也沒做，我只好把擔(dān)子交給維拉爾?！?/p>
“One even dared to say that the gods were punishing us because Jaime murdered the rightful king,” Cersei declared. “It will not be borne, Tyrion. I gave you ample opportunity to deal with these lice, but you and your Ser Jacelyn did nothing, so I commanded Vylarr to attend to the matter.”
“他可真聽話，”事實(shí)上，提利昂當(dāng)時(shí)很惱火，紅袍衛(wèi)士將數(shù)個(gè)衣衫襤褸的先知拖進(jìn)地牢，卻根本未征求他的意見。然而此刻事關(guān)重大，不值得為此爭吵。“是啊，街上平靜些肯定對(duì)大家都有好處。我不是為這個(gè)來的，我剛接到消息，你急切想知道的消息，親愛的姐姐，我們能否私下談?wù)劊俊?/p>
“And so he did.” Tyrion had been annoyed when the red cloaks had dragged a half dozen of the scabrous prophets down to the dungeons without consulting him, but they were not important enough to battle over. “No doubt we will all be better off for a little quiet in the streets. That is not why I came. I have tidings I know you will be anxious to hear, sweet sister, but they are best spoken of privily.”
“很好，”豎琴手和笛手一鞠躬，快速退出，瑟曦禮節(jié)性地吻了吻堂弟的臉頰，“去吧，藍(lán)賽爾，我老弟孤身一人時(shí)沒能耐。假如他帶了寵物，臭氣我們?cè)缏劦搅?。?/p>
“Very well.” The harpist and the piper bowed and hurried out, while Cersei kissed her cousin chastely on the cheek. “Leave us, Lancel. My brother’s harmless when he’s alone. If he’d brought his pets, we’d smell them.”
年輕騎士惡狠狠地瞟了一眼他的堂兄，重重地摔門離開?！案嬖V你，我讓夏嘎兩周洗一次澡，”藍(lán)賽爾走后，提利昂說。
The young knight gave his cousin a baleful glance and pulled the door shut forcefully behind him. “I’ll have you know I make Shagga bathe once a fortnight,” Tyrion said when he was gone.
“喲，怎么回事？瞧你挺得意嘛？”
“You’re very pleased with yourself, aren’t you? Why?”
“為什么不呢？”提利昂說。日以繼夜，鋼鐵街上工作不息，巨大的鐵鏈越來越長。他跳上華蓋大床，“勞勃就死在這張床上？真令人驚訝，你還留著它?！?/p>
“Why not?” Tyrion said. Every day, every night, hammers rang along the Street of Steel, and the great chain grew longer. He hopped up onto the great canopied bed. “Is this the bed where Robert died? I’m surprised you kept it.”
“它讓我美夢(mèng)連連，”她道，“好了，要說什么趕緊說，然后就滾吧，小惡魔?！?/p>
“It gives me sweet dreams,” she said. “Now spit out your business and waddle away, Imp.”
提利昂微笑道：“史坦尼斯大人已從龍石島起航?！?/p>
Tyrion smiled. “Lord Stannis has sailed from Dragonstone.”
瑟曦猛地跳將起來，“什么？那你還坐在這兒笑得像個(gè)豐收宴會(huì)上的南瓜？拜瓦特集結(jié)都城守備隊(duì)沒有？得立刻往赫倫堡傳信?。 彼笮ζ饋?，她用力抓著他的肩膀搖晃，“停！停！你瘋了還是醉了？給我停下！”
Cersei bolted to her feet. “And yet you sit there grinning like a harvest-day pumpkin? Has Bywater called out the City Watch? We must send a bird to Harrenhal at once.” He was laughing by then. She seized him by the shoulders and shook him. “Stop it. Are you mad, or drunk? Stop it!”
他費(fèi)了好大勁才說出話來?！皼]辦法，”他上氣不接下氣地說，“實(shí)在是太……諸神啊，這太可笑了……史坦尼斯他……”
It was all he could do to get out the words. “I can’t,” he gasped. “It’s too … gods, too funny … Stannis …”
“他怎么了？”
“What?”
“他不來攻打我們，”提利昂努力說道，“反而去圍攻風(fēng)息堡。藍(lán)禮正飛騎趕去與他交戰(zhàn)。”
“He hasn’t sailed against us,” Tyrion managed. “He’s laid siege to Storm’s End. Renly is riding to meet him.”
姐姐的指甲嵌入他胳膊，掐得好疼。有那么片刻，她難以置信地瞪著他，仿佛他所說的是全然陌生的語言?！澳闶钦f，史坦尼斯和藍(lán)禮打起來了？”他點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，瑟曦終于笑了?！爸T神保佑，”她喘著氣說，“我開始相信勞勃是他們?nèi)值芾锏穆斆魅肆??！?/p>
His sister’s nails dug painfully into his arms. For a moment she stared incredulous, as if he had begun to gibber in an unknown tongue. “Stannis and Renly are fighting each other?” When he nodded, Cersei began to chuckle. “Gods be good,” she gasped, “I’m starting to believe that Robert was the clever one.”
提利昂仰頭狂笑。他們笑成一團(tuán)。瑟曦將他從床上拖下來，跳舞轉(zhuǎn)圈，以至擁抱，一時(shí)間，她瘋得像個(gè)小女孩。待她住手，提利昂已經(jīng)氣喘吁吁，頭暈眼花。他跌跌撞撞地走到餐具柜旁，伸手穩(wěn)住身子。
Tyrion threw back his head and roared. They laughed together. Cersei pulled him off the bed and whirled him around and even hugged him, for a moment as giddy as a girl. By the time she let go of him, Tyrion was breathless and dizzy. He staggered to her sideboard and put out a hand to steady himself.
“你認(rèn)為他們真的會(huì)打起來嗎？倘若他們達(dá)成什么協(xié)議——”
“Do you think it will truly come to battle between them? If they should come to some accord—”
“不可能，”提利昂說，“他們個(gè)性如此迥異，本質(zhì)卻又那么相似，兩人均不可能容忍對(duì)方。”
“They won’t,” Tyrion said. “They are too different and yet too much alike, and neither could ever stomach the other.”
“史坦尼斯一直覺得在風(fēng)息堡一事上勞勃待他不公，”瑟曦若有所思地說，“風(fēng)息堡是拜拉席恩家世襲的居城，本來該是他的……你不知道，他來找過勞勃多少次，用那陰沉委屈的聲調(diào)不停地申訴啰唆。最后勞勃還是把地方給了藍(lán)禮，史坦尼斯緊咬著牙，我瞧他牙齒都快咬碎了。”
“And Stannis has always felt he was cheated of Storm’s End,” Cersei said thoughtfully. “The ancestral seat of House Baratheon, his by rights … if you knew how many times he came to Robert singing that same dull song in that gloomy aggrieved tone he has. When Robert gave the place to Renly, Stannis clenched his jaw so tight I thought his teeth would shatter.”
“他將之視為羞辱。”
“He took it as a slight.”
“我瞧勞勃就是要羞辱他?！?/p>
“It was meant as a slight,” Cersei said.
“哈哈，讓我們?yōu)榻愕苤異叟e杯吧？”
“Shall we raise a cup to brotherly love?”
“是的，”她氣喘吁吁地答道，“噢，諸神啊，是的。”
“Yes,” she answered, breathless. “Oh, gods, yes.”
他背對(duì)著她，倒?jié)M兩杯青亭島的上等紅葡萄酒，并輕易在她杯中撒了一點(diǎn)細(xì)粉末?！熬词诽鼓崴?！”他邊說邊把酒遞給她。我孤身一人時(shí)沒能耐，是嗎？
His back was to her as he filled two cups with sweet Arbor red. It was the easiest thing in the world to sprinkle a pinch of fine powder into hers. “To Stannis!” he said as he handed her the wine. Harmless when I’m alone, am I?
“敬藍(lán)禮！”她笑答，“愿他們打得難解難分，最后都教異鬼抓走！”
“To Renly!” she replied, laughing. “May they battle long and hard, and the Others take them both!”
這就是詹姆喜歡的瑟曦？她笑起來，你才發(fā)覺她到底有多美。我愛上一位美如夏日的姑娘，陽光照在她的秀發(fā)。他差點(diǎn)因?yàn)閷?duì)她下毒而心懷抱歉。
Is this the Cersei that Jaime sees? When she smiled, you saw how beautiful she was, truly. I loved a maid as fair as summer, with sunlight in her hair. He almost felt sorry for poisoning her.
第二天早餐時(shí)她遣人過來，宣布自己身體不適，無法離開房間。應(yīng)該是無法離開廁所吧。提利昂適度表示了一些同情之意，并叫來人回話給瑟曦，請(qǐng)她安心休養(yǎng)，他會(huì)照預(yù)訂計(jì)劃來應(yīng)付克里奧爵士。
It was the next morning as he broke his fast that her messenger arrived. The queen was indisposed and would not be able to leave her chambers. Not able to leave her privy, more like. Tyrion made the proper sympathetic noises and sent word to Cersei to rest easy, he would treat with Ser Cleos as they’d planned.
征服者伊耿的鐵王座布滿兇險(xiǎn)的倒鉤和尖銳的鐵齒，只有傻瓜才以為可以舒舒服服地坐在上面。上階梯時(shí)，他發(fā)育不良的雙腿不斷抽筋，他非常清楚，這是一幅多么荒謬可笑的景象。好在它有一點(diǎn)值得稱道，它很高。
The Iron Throne of Aegon the Conqueror was a tangle of nasty barbs and jagged metal teeth waiting for any fool who tried to sit too comfortably, and the steps made his stunted legs cramp as he climbed up to it, all too aware of what an absurd spectacle he must be. Yet there was one thing to be said for it. It was high.
蘭尼斯特家的衛(wèi)士在大廳一端森然站立，身披猩紅披風(fēng)，頭戴獅紋半盔。杰斯林爵士的金袍衛(wèi)士則站在大廳另一端，與他們相對(duì)。通向王座的階梯兩側(cè)有波隆和御林鐵衛(wèi)的普列斯頓爵士。廷臣羅列廊中，請(qǐng)?jiān)刚邆儎t聚集在由橡木鑲青銅的巍峨大門邊。珊莎·史塔克今早的模樣特別可愛，只是她的臉像牛奶一般蒼白。蓋爾斯大人站在那兒咳嗽不休，而可憐的堂弟提瑞克則披著白鼬皮加天鵝絨做的新郎披風(fēng)。自打三天前，他跟小艾彌珊德女士成婚以來，其他侍從就改口管他叫“保姆”，還問他新婚之夜新娘裹的是什么顏色的尿布。
Lannister guardsmen stood silent in their crimson cloaks and lion-crested halfhelms. Ser Jacelyn’s gold cloaks faced them across the hall. The steps to the throne were flanked by Bronn and Ser Preston of the Kingsguard. Courtiers filled the gallery while supplicants clustered near the towering oak-and-bronze doors. Sansa Stark looked especially lovely this morning, though her face was as pale as milk. Lord Gyles stood coughing, while poor cousin Tyrek wore his bridegroom’s mantle of miniver and velvet. Since his marriage to little Lady Ermesande three days past, the other squires had taken to calling him “Wet Nurse” and asking him what sort of swaddling clothes his bride wore on their wedding night.
提利昂俯瞰著所有人。這滋味真不錯(cuò)。“傳克里奧·佛雷爵士。”他朗聲道，話音響徹大廳。這也挺不錯(cuò)。只可惜雪伊沒來瞧瞧，他心想。她當(dāng)然想來，但那是不可能的。
Tyrion looked down on them all, and found he liked it. “Call forth Ser Cleos Frey.” His voice rang off the stone walls and down the length of the hall. He liked that too. A pity Shae could not be here to see this, he reflected. She’d asked to come, but it was impossible.
克里奧爵士目不斜視，從紅袍軍和金袍軍之間的長長走道行過來。當(dāng)他跪下時(shí)，提利昂注意到這位表弟的頭發(fā)正逐漸稀疏。
Ser Cleos made the long walk between the gold cloaks and the crimson, looking neither right nor left. As he knelt, Tyrion observed that his cousin was losing his hair.
“克里奧爵士，”議事桌邊的小指頭道，“感謝你為我們帶來史塔克大人的和平條件?！?/p>
“Ser Cleos,” Littlefinger said from the council table, “you have our thanks for bringing us this peace offer from Lord Stark.”
派席爾大學(xué)士清清嗓子，“攝政太后，國王之手以及御前會(huì)議已經(jīng)仔細(xì)考慮了由自稱北境之王的人所提出的條款。很遺憾，爵士，這些條件無法接受，勞煩你將我們的答復(fù)轉(zhuǎn)告北方人。”
Grand Maester Pycelle cleared his throat. “The Queen Regent, the King’s Hand, and the small council have considered the terms offered by this self-styled King in the North. Sad to say, they will not do, and you must tell these northmen so, ser.”
“以下是我們的條件，”提利昂說，“羅柏·史塔克必須放下武器，宣誓效忠，隨后只身返回臨冬城。他必須毫發(fā)無傷地釋放我哥哥詹姆，并將麾下軍隊(duì)交其指揮，以討伐叛徒藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩和史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩。凡曾效忠史塔克家族的諸侯貴族，都務(wù)必送出一個(gè)兒子作為人質(zhì)。無子嗣的家族可由女兒代替。只要他們的父親不再聚眾謀逆，他們就將受到禮遇，并由朝廷賜予高位。”
“Here are our terms,” said Tyrion. “Robb Stark must lay down his sword, swear fealty, and return to Winterfell. He must free my brother unharmed, and place his host under Jaime’s command, to march against the rebels Renly and Stannis Baratheon. Each of Stark’s bannermen must send us a son as hostage. A daughter will suffice where there is no son. They shall be treated gently and given high places here at court, so long as their fathers commit no new treasons.”
克里奧·佛雷苦著臉道，“首相大人，”他結(jié)結(jié)巴巴地說，“史塔克大人決不會(huì)答應(yīng)這些條件。”
Cleos Frey looked ill. “My lord Hand,” he said, “Lord Stark will never consent to these terms.”
我根本不指望他答應(yīng)，克里奧。“告訴他，我們已在凱巖城整備了又一支新軍，很快就會(huì)進(jìn)發(fā)，我父親大人將同時(shí)從東面出擊。告訴他，他勢(shì)單力孤，沒有盟友可以指望。史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩和藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩正互相攻擊，而多恩親王已同意讓兒子崔斯丹迎娶彌賽菈公主?！贝搜砸怀觯髲d和長廊間一片低呼，既有欣喜也有驚愕。
We never expected he would, Cleos. “Tell him that we have raised another great host at Casterly Rock, that soon it will march on him from the west while my lord father advances from the east. Tell him that he stands alone, without hope of allies. Stannis and Renly Baratheon war against each other, and the Prince of Dorne has consented to wed his son Trystane to the Princess Myrcella.” Murmurs of delight and consternation alike arose from the gallery and the back of the hall.
“至于我的親戚們，”提利昂續(xù)道，“我們?cè)敢怨骸たㄊ匪撕屯锼埂ぢ吕站羰拷粨Q威廉·蘭尼斯特，以賽文伯爵和唐納爾·洛克爵士交換你的兄弟提恩。告訴史塔克，兩個(gè)蘭尼斯特不論何時(shí)都抵得上四個(gè)北方人。”他靜待笑聲平息，“但他可以得到先父的遺骨，以示喬佛里陛下的誠意?！?/p>
“As to this of my cousins,” Tyrion went on, “we offer Harrion Karstark and Ser Wylis Manderly for Willem Lannister, and Lord Cerwyn and Ser Donnel Locke for your brother Tion. Tell Stark that two Lannisters are worth four northmen in any season.” He waited for the laughter to die. “His father’s bones he shall have, as a gesture of Joffrey’s good faith.”
“史塔克大人想要回他的妹妹，以及他父親的佩劍，”克里奧爵士提醒他。
“Lord Stark asked for his sisters and his father’s sword as well,” Ser Cleos reminded him.
伊林·派恩爵士默默地站在原地，艾德·史塔克那柄巨劍的劍柄從他肩上冒出?！瓣P(guān)于寒冰劍，”提利昂道，“達(dá)成和議后，我們可以歸還，但現(xiàn)在不行?！?/p>
Ser Ilyn Payne stood mute, the hilt of Eddard Stark’s greatsword rising over one shoulder. “Ice,” said Tyrion. “He’ll have that when he makes his peace with us, not before.”
“我知道了。那他的妹妹們呢？”
“As you say. And his sisters?”
提利昂瞥了瞥珊莎，感到一陣由衷的憐憫，他道：“在他毫發(fā)無傷地釋放我哥哥詹姆之前，她們?nèi)詫⒆鳛槿速|(zhì)留在君臨。她們待遇如何，完全取決于他?！敝T神保佑，但愿拜瓦特能趕在羅柏得知艾莉亞失蹤的消息之前找到她，而且要活生生的她。
Tyrion glanced toward Sansa, and felt a stab of pity as he said, “Until such time as he frees my brother Jaime, unharmed, they shall remain here as hostages. How well they are treated depends on him.” And if the gods are good, Bywater will find Arya alive, before Robb learns she’s gone missing.
“我一定將您的口信帶到，大人?！?/p>
“I shall bring him your message, my lord.”
提利昂撥弄了一下扶手邊伸出的一根扭曲劍刃。接下來是今天的重點(diǎn)?！熬S拉爾，”他喊道。
Tyrion plucked at one of the twisted blades that sprang from the arm of the throne. And now the thrust. “Vylarr,” he called.
“在！大人。”
“My lord.”
“史塔克家派來的人護(hù)送艾德公爵的遺骨無妨，但蘭尼斯特家的人身價(jià)不同，”提利昂宣布，“克里奧爵士是太后和我的表親，由你負(fù)責(zé)送他安全返回奔流城，我們都能高枕無憂。”
“The men Stark sent are sufficient to protect Lord Eddard’s bones, but a Lannister should have a Lannister escort,” Tyrion declared. “Ser Cleos is the queen’s cousin, and mine. We shall sleep more easily if you would see him safely back to Riverrun.”
“遵命。我該帶上多少人？”
“As you command. How many men should I take?”
“嗯，自然是帶上所有人。”
“Why, all of them.”
維拉爾頓時(shí)像個(gè)石人一樣杵在原地。派席爾大學(xué)士站起來，喘著氣說：“首相大人，這可不行……這些壯士是由您父親，泰溫大人，親自送來都城，以保護(hù)瑟曦太后和她的孩子們……”
Vylarr stood like a man made of stone. It was Grand Maester Pycelle who rose, gasping, “My lord Hand, that cannot … your father, Lord Tywin himself, he sent these good men to our city to protect Queen Cersei and her children …”
“這些工作，御林鐵衛(wèi)和都城守備隊(duì)完全能夠勝任。維拉爾，愿諸神保佑你馬到成功?！?/p>
“The Kingsguard and the City Watch protect them well enough. The gods speed you on your way, Vylarr.”
議事桌邊，瓦里斯心照不宣地微笑，小指頭一副百無聊賴的樣子，派席爾則像條魚一樣張大了嘴，臉色蒼白，疑惑不解。司儀踏上前來：“國王之手傾聽在場(chǎng)諸位的請(qǐng)?jiān)福惺路A報(bào)，無事退朝。”
At the council table Varys smiled knowingly, Littlefinger sat feigning boredom, and Pycelle gaped like a fish, pale and confused. A herald stepped forward. “If any man has other matters to set before the King’s Hand, let him speak now or go forth and hold his silence.”
“我有話說！”一個(gè)瘦長的黑衣人從雷德溫兄弟中間擠出來。
“I will be heard.” A slender man all in black pushed his way between the Redwyne twins.
“艾里沙爵士！”提利昂驚呼，“啊，沒想到您會(huì)上朝！怎不早點(diǎn)派人通知我呢？”
“Ser Alliser!” Tyrion exclaimed. “Why, I had no notion that you’d come to court. You should have sent me word.”
“你少給我裝蒜，”索恩真是人如其名①，他年方五十左右，高瘦身材，面貌嶙峋，眼神銳利，雙手有力，發(fā)色黑中間灰。“你回避我，忽視我，把我像個(gè)出生低賤的仆人一樣扔進(jìn)客房，不聞不問。”
“I have, as well you know.” Thorne was as prickly as his name, a spare, sharp-featured man of fifty, hard-eyed and hard-handed, his black hair streaked with grey. “I have been shunned, ignored, and left to wait like some baseborn servant.”
“有這回事？波隆，這可不對(duì)。艾里沙爵士是我的老朋友咧，我們一起爬過長城。”
“Truly? Bronn, this was not well done. Ser Alliser and I are old friends. We walked the Wall together.”
“親愛的艾里沙爵士，”瓦里斯低聲說，“您就別太苛責(zé)我們了。如今正是動(dòng)蕩棘手的關(guān)口，有多少人求見我們的喬佛里陛下啊。”
“Sweet Ser Alliser,” murmured Varys, “you must not think too harshly of us. So many seek our Joffrey’s grace, in these troubled and tumultuous times.”
“只怕我?guī)淼南⒈饶阆胂竦囊值枚?，太監(jiān)?！?/p>
“More troubled than you know, eunuch.”
“當(dāng)著他面，要稱他為太監(jiān)大人，”小指頭諷刺道。
“To his face we call him Lord Eunuch,” quipped Littlefinger.
“好兄弟，我們?cè)撊绾螏湍隳兀俊迸上癄柎髮W(xué)士安撫地說。
“How may we be of help to you, good brother?” Grand Maester Pycelle asked in soothing tones.
“總司令大人派我來晉見國王陛下，”索恩回答，“事態(tài)嚴(yán)重，不能交給臣仆們處理?！?/p>
“The Lord Commander sent me to His Grace the king,” Thorne answered. “The matter is too grave to be left to servants.”
“哦，此刻國王陛下正在擺弄他的新十字弓，”提利昂道。打發(fā)喬佛里可容易多了，只需一把笨重的密爾十字弓，一次發(fā)三矢的那種。看到那玩意兒，他立刻什么也不顧了，“怎么辦？你要么告訴我們這些臣仆，要么就只好保持沉默嘍?！?/p>
“The king is playing with his new crossbow,” Tyrion said. Ridding himself of Joffrey had required only an ungainly Myrish crossbow that threw three quarrels at a time, and nothing would do but that he try it at once. “You can speak to servants or hold your silence.”
“好吧，”艾里沙爵士忿忿不平地說，“我來這里的目的，是要稟報(bào)國王陛下，我們發(fā)現(xiàn)了兩個(gè)失蹤已久的游騎兵。找到他們時(shí)，他們已經(jīng)死了，但尸體運(yùn)回長城后，卻在深夜里復(fù)活。其中一個(gè)殺了杰瑞米·萊克爵士，而另一個(gè)試圖謀害總司令大人?！?/p>
“As you will,” Ser Alliser said, displeasure in every word. “I am sent to tell you that we found two rangers, long missing. They were dead, yet when we brought the corpses back to the Wall they rose again in the night. One slew Ser Jaremy Rykker, while the second tried to murder the Lord Commander.”
提利昂隱約地聽見人們竊笑。莫非他想拿這種蠢事來嘲弄我？他不安地挪了一下，瞥瞥下方的瓦里斯、小指頭和派席爾，不知是他們中哪位搞的鬼？對(duì)他這個(gè)侏儒而言，最重要的就是那份脆弱的尊嚴(yán)。一旦朝廷和國家開始嘲笑他，他就完了。只是……只是……
Distantly, Tyrion heard someone snigger. Does he mean to mock me with this folly? He shifted uneasily and glanced down at Varys, Littlefinger, and Pycelle, wondering if one of them had a role in this. A dwarf enjoyed at best a tenuous hold on dignity. Once the court and kingdom started to laugh at him, he was doomed. And yet … and yet …
提利昂憶起那個(gè)群星之下的寒夜，他跟瓊恩·雪諾那孩子和一頭巨大的白狼并排站在絕境長城之巔，站在世界的盡頭，凝視著遠(yuǎn)處杳無人跡的黑暗。當(dāng)時(shí)，他感覺到——什么？——某些東西，某種恐懼，如北方的寒風(fēng)一般刺骨。接著，遙遙北疆夜狼哀嚎，一陣顫栗流過全身。
Tyrion remembered a cold night under the stars when he’d stood beside the boy Jon Snow and a great white wolf atop the Wall at the end of the world, gazing out at the trackless dark beyond. He had felt—what?—something, to be sure, a dread that had cut like that frigid northern wind. A wolf had howled off in the night, and the sound had sent a shiver through him.
別傻了，他告訴自己，那只是一匹狼，一陣風(fēng)，一片陰暗的森林，沒什么特別意義……他倒是關(guān)心老杰奧·莫爾蒙，從前在黑城堡的短短時(shí)日，使他喜歡上了他?！跋嘈判芾掀桨矡o事吧？”
Don’t be a fool, he told himself. A wolf, a wind, a dark forest, it meant nothing. And yet … He had come to have a liking for old Jeor Mormont during his time at Castle Black. “I trust that the Old Bear survived this attack?”
“是的。”
“He did.”
“你的弟兄們把那些個(gè)……呃……死人都?xì)⑺懒藛?？?/p>
“And that your brothers killed these, ah, dead men?”
“是的。”
“We did.”
“你確定死人這次真死了嗎？”提利昂溫和地問。眼見一旁的波隆忍俊不禁，他明白該當(dāng)如此進(jìn)行下去，“千真萬確的死了？”
“You’re certain that they are dead this time?” Tyrion asked mildly. When Bronn choked on a snort of laughter, he knew how he must proceed. “Truly truly dead?”
“他們?cè)缇退懒?！”艾里沙爵士怒氣沖沖地大喊，“尸體蒼白冰涼，手腳發(fā)黑。野種的狼把杰佛的手扯了下來，我把它帶過來了?！?/p>
“They were dead the first time,” Ser Alliser snapped. “Pale and cold, with black hands and feet. I brought Jared’s hand, torn from his corpse by the bastard’s wolf.”
小指頭開始攪和：“這件迷人的紀(jì)念品在哪兒??？”
Littlefinger stirred. “And where is this charming token?”
艾里沙爵士不自在地皺起眉頭，“它……在我等候召見期間，悄無聲息地爛成了碎片。你們對(duì)我不聞不問，如今除了骨頭已沒什么可看?！?/p>
Ser Alliser frowned uncomfortably. “It … rotted to pieces while I waited, unheard. There’s naught left to show but bones.”
嗤笑聲在大廳里回響?！柏惱锵笕?，”提利昂指示小指頭，“買一百把鏟子給我們英勇的艾里沙爵士，讓他帶回長城去。”
Titters echoed through the hall. “Lord Baelish,” Tyrion called down to Littlefinger, “buy our brave Ser Alliser a hundred spades to take back to the Wall with him.”
“鏟子？”艾里沙爵士懷疑地瞇起眼。
“Spades?” Ser Alliser narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“應(yīng)該把死人埋起來，他們才不會(huì)半夜出來惹事生非，”提利昂告訴他，朝堂眾人轟然大笑，“鏟子能解決你的困擾，別忘了，找?guī)讉€(gè)青壯勞力來使用。杰斯林爵士，請(qǐng)帶這位好兄弟去城里的地牢隨意挑選。”
“If you bury your dead, they won’t come walking,” Tyrion told him, and the court laughed openly. “Spades will end your troubles, with some strong backs to wield them. Ser Jacelyn, see that the good brother has his pick of the city dungeons.”
杰斯林·拜瓦特爵士道：“遵命，大人。但牢房實(shí)在沒什么人，合適的人選都被尤倫帶走了。”
Ser Jacelyn Bywater said, “As you will, my lord, but the cells are near empty. Yoren took all the likely men.”
“那就多抓幾個(gè)，”提利昂告訴他。“或者溫和點(diǎn)，傳話出去，就說長城上有面包和蘿卜，他們?cè)摃?huì)自發(fā)報(bào)名了?！狈凑抢镉刑噜秽淮傅淖彀?，而守夜人軍團(tuán)一直人手不足。提利昂做個(gè)手勢(shì)，司儀便朗聲宣布請(qǐng)?jiān)附Y(jié)束，人們緩緩離去。
“Arrest some more, then,” Tyrion told him. “Or spread the word that there’s bread and turnips on the Wall, and they’ll go of their own accord.” The city had too many mouths to feed, and the Night’s Watch a perpetual need of men. At Tyrion’s signal, the herald cried an end, and the hall began to empty.
但艾里沙·索恩爵士沒那么好打發(fā)。提利昂步下王座后，發(fā)現(xiàn)他就等在階梯口?！澳阋詾槲掖罄线h(yuǎn)從東海望坐船趕來是為了讓你這種人嘲笑的嗎？”他怒氣沖沖地?fù)踝∪ヂ罚斑@不是開玩笑，是我親眼所見。我告訴你，確實(shí)有死人復(fù)活?！?/p>
Ser Alliser Thorne was not so easily dismissed. He was waiting at the foot of the Iron Throne when Tyrion descended. “Do you think I sailed all the way from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea to be mocked by the likes of you?” he fumed, blocking the way. “This is no jape. I saw it with my own eyes. I tell you, the dead walk.”
“那你們?cè)趺床辉琰c(diǎn)讓他們死透呢？”提利昂硬擠過去。艾里沙爵士想抓他的袖子，但普列斯頓·格林菲爾爵士將他推回去，“不得靠近，爵士?！?/p>
“You should try to kill them more thoroughly.” Tyrion pushed past. Ser Alliser made to grab his sleeve, but Preston Greenfield thrust him back. “No closer, ser.”
索恩不敢挑釁御林鐵衛(wèi)的騎士?！靶耗?，你真是個(gè)大傻瓜！”他沖著提利昂的脊背喊。
Thorne knew better than to challenge a knight of the Kingsguard. “You are a fool, Imp,” he shouted at Tyrion’s back.
侏儒轉(zhuǎn)身面對(duì)他，“什么？我是傻瓜？你不瞧瞧大家嘲笑的是誰？”他疲憊地一笑，“行了，你是來要人手的吧？”
The dwarf turned to face him. “Me? Truly? Then why were they laughing at you, I wonder?” He smiled wanly. “You came for men, did you not?”
“冷風(fēng)已然吹起，必須守住長城！”
“The cold winds are rising. The Wall must be held.”
“長城需要人手，而我已經(jīng)給了你……好好想想吧，你那雙耳朵難道只配聽侮辱和嘲笑？收下他們，并感謝我，在逼我拿螃蟹叉子跟你再次比劃之前趕緊消失。記住，替我問候莫爾蒙司令……以及瓊恩·雪諾?！辈∽プ“锷尘羰扛觳玻瑢⑺麖?qiáng)拖出大廳。
“And to hold it you need men, which I’ve given you … as you might have noted, if your ears heard anything but insults. Take them, thank me, and begone before I’m forced to take a crab fork to you again. Give my warm regards to Lord Mormont … and to Jon Snow as well.” Bronn seized Ser Alliser by the elbow and marched him forcefully from the hall.
派席爾大學(xué)士早已溜走，只有瓦里斯和小指頭從頭看到尾。“我真是越來越佩服你了，大人，”太監(jiān)承認(rèn)，“你用史塔克先父的遺骨安撫他的孩子，同時(shí)輕描淡寫地一筆勾銷了令姐的護(hù)衛(wèi)；你給黑衣兄弟提供急需的人手，同時(shí)又替城里除去不少饑餓的嘴巴——而這一切，你都用嘲弄的方式加以實(shí)施，以防別人議論侏儒害怕古靈精怪。哦，真是天衣無縫?！?/p>
Grand Maester Pycelle had already scuttled off, but Varys and Littlefinger had watched it all, start to finish. “I grow ever more admiring of you, my lord,” confessed the eunuch. “You appease the Stark boy with his father’s bones and strip your sister of her protectors in one swift stroke. You give that black brother the men he seeks, rid the city of some hungry mouths, yet make it all seem mockery so none may say that the dwarf fears snarks and grumkins. Oh, deftly done.”
小指頭摸摸胡子，“蘭尼斯特，你真打算把你的衛(wèi)士全部送走？”
Littlefinger stroked his beard. “Do you truly mean to send away all your guards, Lannister?”
“當(dāng)然不是，我打算把我姐姐的衛(wèi)士全部送走。”
“No, I mean to send away all my sister’s guards.”
“此事想必太后不會(huì)答應(yīng)。”
“The queen will never allow that.”
“哦，我想她會(huì)的。畢竟我是她弟弟嘛，如果你我相交再久一點(diǎn)，你就會(huì)了解，我這個(gè)人說得出做得到?！?/p>
“Oh, I think she may. I am her brother, and when you’ve known me longer, you’ll learn that I mean everything I say.”
“包括謊言？”
“Even the lies?”
“尤其是謊言。培提爾大人，你對(duì)我似乎不太滿意?！?/p>
“Especially the lies. Lord Petyr, I sense that you are unhappy with me.”
“怎么可能？我一如既往地敬愛著您，大人。我只是不想被當(dāng)做傻子一樣作弄。如果彌賽菈嫁給了崔斯丹·馬泰爾，應(yīng)該不能同時(shí)與勞勃·艾林結(jié)婚了，您說對(duì)吧？”
“I love you as much as I ever have, my lord. Though I do not relish being played for a fool. If Myrcella weds Trystane Martell, she can scarcely wed Robert Arryn, can she?”
“除非想制造大丑聞?！彼姓J(rèn)，“很抱歉，我要了個(gè)小花招，培提爾大人。不過當(dāng)你我談?wù)摶榧迺r(shí)，多恩人是否接受提議尚未可知?！?/p>
“Not without causing a great scandal,” he admitted. “I regret my little ruse, Lord Petyr, but when we spoke, I could not know the Dornishmen would accept my offer.”
小指頭不依不饒：“我不喜歡上當(dāng)?shù)淖涛叮笕?。所以下次你耍什么花招，千萬別把我蒙在鼓里?！?/p>
Littlefinger was not appeased. “I do not like being lied to, my lord. Leave me out of your next deception.”
這不過是禮尚往來，提利昂心想，他瞥瞥小指頭掛在腰間的匕首。“如有冒犯，我深切致歉。大家都知道我們有多愛您，多倚重您，大人?！?/p>
Only if you’ll do the same for me, Tyrion thought, glancing at the dagger sheathed at Littlefinger’s hip. “If I have given offense, I am deeply sorry. All men know how much we love you, my lord. And how much we need you.”
“你最好記牢一點(diǎn)?！闭Z畢，小指頭轉(zhuǎn)身離去。
“Try and remember that.” With that Littlefinger left them.
“跟我來，瓦里斯，”提利昂說。他們從王座后的國王門離開，太監(jiān)的拖鞋在石板上輕擦。
“Walk with me, Varys,” said Tyrion. They left through the king’s door behind the throne, the eunuch’s slippers whisking lightly over the stone.
“你知道，貝里席大人說的沒錯(cuò)，太后絕不會(huì)允許你遣走她的衛(wèi)隊(duì)?！?/p>
“Lord Baelish has the truth of it, you know. The queen will never permit you to send away her guard.”
“她當(dāng)然會(huì)。而且這事由你負(fù)責(zé)?！?/p>
“She will. You’ll see to that.”
一抹微笑滑過瓦里斯豐厚的嘴唇，“我？”
A smile flickered across Varys’s plump lips. “Will I?”
“嗯，那是當(dāng)然。你要告訴她，這是我營救詹姆的大計(jì)劃的關(guān)鍵部分?！?/p>
“Oh, for a certainty. You’ll tell her it is part of my scheme to free Jaime.”
瓦里斯摸摸撲粉的臉頰，“毋庸置疑，這跟你的波隆費(fèi)盡心機(jī)在君臨市井各處找到的四個(gè)人有關(guān)：盜賊，施毒者，戲子，外加一個(gè)殺手?！?/p>
Varys stroked a powdered cheek. “This would doubtless involve the four men your man Bronn searched for so diligently in all the low places of King’s Landing. A thief, a poisoner, a mummer, and a murderer.”
“讓他們穿上深紅披風(fēng)，戴上獅盔，就跟其他衛(wèi)士沒什么區(qū)別。這陣子，我一直在思考，不知怎么將他們送進(jìn)奔流城，最后決定不如讓他們大大方方地混進(jìn)去。他們將從正門列隊(duì)騎馬而入，高舉蘭尼斯特的旗幟，護(hù)送著艾德公爵的遺骨?！彼苹匚⑿Φ溃皢螁嗡膫€(gè)人必會(huì)惹人疑心，可一百個(gè)當(dāng)中的四個(gè)，應(yīng)該無人注意。所以我必須把真假衛(wèi)兵一起送去……這番話，你一定得向我姐姐剖析清楚?！?/p>
“Put them in crimson cloaks and lion helms, they’ll look no different from any other guardsmen. I searched for some time for a ruse that might get them into Riverrun before I thought to hide them in plain sight. They’ll ride in by the main gate, flying Lannister banners and escorting Lord Eddard’s bones.” He smiled crookedly. “Four men alone would be watched vigilantly. Four among a hundred can lose themselves. So I must send the true guardsmen as well as the false … as you’ll tell my sister.”
“為了心愛的弟弟，她縱然心存疑慮，但應(yīng)該會(huì)同意?！彼麄冄刂粭l廢棄的柱廊往下走。“不過，失去紅袍衛(wèi)士定會(huì)令她不安?！?/p>
“And for the sake of her beloved brother, she will consent, despite her misgivings.” They made their way down a deserted colonnade. “Still, the loss of her red cloaks will surely make her uneasy.”
“這正是我想要的效果，”提利昂說。
“I like her uneasy,” said Tyrion.
克里奧·佛雷爵士于當(dāng)日下午出發(fā)，由維拉爾率領(lǐng)一百名蘭尼斯特紅袍衛(wèi)士負(fù)責(zé)護(hù)送。羅柏·史塔克的人在國王門外與他們會(huì)合，一同踏上漫漫的西行之路。
Ser Cleos Frey left that very afternoon, escorted by Vylarr and a hundred red-cloaked Lannister guardsmen. The men Robb Stark had sent joined them at the King’s Gate for the long ride west.
提利昂在兵營里找到提魅，他正跟他的灼人部手下玩骰子?！拔缫箷r(shí)分，到我書房來。”提魅用僅存的眼睛狠狠地瞪著他，略略點(diǎn)頭。他是個(gè)沉默寡言的人。
Tyrion found Timett dicing with his Burned Men in the barracks. “Come to my solar at midnight.” Timett gave him a hard one-eyed stare, a curt nod. He was not one for long speeches.
當(dāng)晚，他在小廳里宴請(qǐng)石鴉部和月人部，但這次他沒有喝酒。他必須保證頭腦清醒，“夏嘎，今晚月光如何？”
That night he feasted with the Stone Crows and Moon Brothers in the Small Hall, though he shunned the wine for once. He wanted all his wits about him. “Shagga, what moon is this?”
夏嘎皺起眉來很可怕，“烏七八黑，什么也瞧不見?！?/p>
Shagga’s frown was a fierce thing. “Black, I think.”
“在我們西境，這種夜晚被稱為叛逆之月。今晚盡量別喝醉，再把斧子磨利點(diǎn)。”
“In the west, they call that a traitor’s moon. Try not to get too drunk tonight, and see that your axe is sharp.”
“石鴉部的斧子永遠(yuǎn)鋒利，其中夏嘎的斧子最鋒利。有次我砍了一個(gè)人的頭，他自己還不知道，一直等他梳頭才掉下來?！?/p>
“A Stone Crow’s axe is always sharp, and Shagga’s axes are sharpest of all. Once I cut off a man’s head, but he did not know it until he tried to brush his hair. Then it fell off.”
“難怪你從不梳頭！”提利昂的話惹得石鴉部眾人邊嚎叫邊跺腳，夏嘎吼得最響亮。
“Is that why you never brush yours?” The Stone Crows roared and stamped their feet, Shagga hooting loudest of all.
到了午夜，整個(gè)城堡漆黑而寧靜。他們出了首相塔，毫無疑問，城上幾名金袍衛(wèi)士發(fā)現(xiàn)了他們的行蹤，但沒有作聲。畢竟他是御前首相，沒人敢來多管閑事。
By midnight, the castle was silent and dark. Doubtless a few gold cloaks on the walls spied them leaving the Tower of the Hand, but no one raised a voice. He was the Hand of the King, and where he went was his own affair.
隨著一聲如雷的巨響，薄木板門崩裂成千千碎片，散落在夏嘎靴下。木片也朝里飛去，提利昂聽見女人驚恐的喘息。夏嘎掄起斧子，三板斧就將門給劈了，隨后踢開碎屑走進(jìn)去。提魅跟在后面，接著是提利昂，他走得小心，以免踩上碎片。爐火已成發(fā)光的余燼，臥室內(nèi)黑影憧憧。提魅一把扯下床上的厚帷，只見一絲不掛的女侍抬起頭來，瞪大眼睛望著他們?！扒笄竽鷤?，大人，”她哀求，“別傷害我?！彼s著身子，又羞又怕，想盡辦法遠(yuǎn)離夏嘎。她極力遮掩身上引人遐想的部位，只恨兩只手不夠用。
The thin wooden door split with a thunderous crack beneath the heel of Shagga’s boot. Pieces went flying inward, and Tyrion heard a woman’s gasp of fear. Shagga hacked the door apart with three great blows of his axe and kicked his way through the ruins. Timett followed, and then Tyrion, stepping gingerly over the splinters. The fire had burned down to a few glowing embers, and shadows lay thick across the bedchamber. When Timett ripped the heavy curtains off the bed, the naked serving girl stared up with wide white eyes. “Please, my lords,” she pleaded, “don’t hurt me.” She cringed away from Shagga, flushed and fearful, trying to cover her charms with her hands and coming up a hand short.
“你走吧，”提利昂告訴她，“我們要的不是你?！?/p>
“Go,” Tyrion told her. “It’s not you we want.”
“夏嘎要這個(gè)女人?！?/p>
“Shagga wants this woman.”
“這座妓女之城的每個(gè)妓女夏嘎都要，”提魅之子提魅埋怨。
“Shagga wants every whore in this city of whores,” complained Timett son of Timett.
“是的，”夏嘎一點(diǎn)也不害臊，“夏嘎要給她一個(gè)強(qiáng)壯的孩子?！?/p>
“Yes,” Shagga said, unabashed. “Shagga would give her a strong child.”
“很好，等她想要一個(gè)強(qiáng)壯孩子的時(shí)候，她知道去找誰，”提利昂道，“提魅，送她出去……盡你的可能溫柔一點(diǎn)?！?/p>
“If she wants a strong child, she’ll know whom to seek,” Tyrion said. “Timett, see her out … gently, if you would.”
灼人部的提魅將女孩拽下床，半拖半推地將她領(lǐng)出房間。夏嘎目送他們離開，像只小狗一樣傷心。女孩在碎門上絆了一交，隨后被提魅用力推出去，進(jìn)到外面的大廳。頭頂，渡鴉厲聲尖叫。
The Burned Man pulled the girl from the bed and half marched, half dragged her across the chamber. Shagga watched them go, mournful as a puppy. The girl stumbled over the shattered door and out into the hall, helped along by a firm shove from Timett. Above their heads, the ravens were screeching.
提利昂將床上的軟被拉開，露出下面的派席爾大學(xué)士?！案嬖V我，學(xué)城準(zhǔn)許你跟女侍同床嗎，大學(xué)士？”
Tyrion dragged the soft blanket off the bed, uncovering Grand Maester Pycelle beneath. “Tell me, does the Citadel approve of you bedding the serving wenches, Maester?”
老人跟女孩一樣光著身子，當(dāng)然他的裸體遠(yuǎn)沒有女孩的吸引力。他沉重的眼瞼此刻卻睜得大大的，“這——這是干什么？我是個(gè)老人，是您忠誠的仆人……”
The old man was as naked as the girl, though he made a markedly less attractive sight. For once, his heavy-lidded eyes were open wide. “W-what is the meaning of this? I am an old man, your loyal servant …”
提利昂跳上床去。“多么忠誠！我給你兩份抄本，你將一份寄給道朗·馬泰爾，另一份倒不忘給我姐姐過目?！?/p>
Tyrion hoisted himself onto the bed. “So loyal that you sent only one of my letters to Doran Martell. The other you gave to my sister.”
“不——不對(duì)，”派席爾高聲尖叫，“不對(duì)，這不是實(shí)情，我發(fā)誓，不是我走漏的消息。瓦里斯，是瓦里斯，八爪蜘蛛干的！我警告過您——”
“N-no,” squealed Pycelle. “No, a falsehood, I swear it, it was not me. Varys, it was Varys, the Spider, I warned you—”
“難道學(xué)士說謊都這么差勁？我告訴瓦里斯要把侄子托曼交道朗親王撫養(yǎng)；我對(duì)小指頭說的則是把彌賽菈嫁給鷹巢城的勞勃公爵；至于將彌賽菈送去多恩的打算，我從沒給任何人提過……這件事從頭到尾只寫在我托付給你的信件里面。
“Do all maesters lie so poorly? I told Varys that I was giving Prince Doran my nephew Tommen to foster. I told Littlefinger that I planned to wed Myrcella to Lord Robert of the Eyrie. I told no one that I had offered Myrcella to the Dornish … that truth was only in the letter I entrusted to you.”
派席爾扯緊毯子一角?！傍B兒會(huì)迷路，信會(huì)被人偷走，被人出賣……一定是瓦里斯干的，關(guān)于這個(gè)太監(jiān)，我有好些事要告訴您，保管讓您的血液冰涼……”
Pycelle clutched for a corner of the blanket. “Birds are lost, messages stolen or sold … it was Varys, there are things I might tell you of that eunuch that would chill your blood …”
“我的女人喜歡我熱血沸騰呢?！?/p>
“My lady prefers my blood hot.”
“您不要太自信了，那太監(jiān)每在您耳邊吹噓一個(gè)秘密，他自己其實(shí)隱瞞了七個(gè)。至于小指頭那家伙……”
“Make no mistake, for every secret the eunuch whispers in your ear, he holds seven back. And Littlefinger, that one …”
“我十分了解培提爾伯爵，他跟你一樣靠不住。夏嘎，把他的命根子剁掉喂山羊?！?/p>
“I know all about Lord Petyr. He’s almost as untrustworthy as you. Shagga, cut off his manhood and feed it to the goats.”
夏嘎舉起雙刃巨斧，“半人，這里沒山羊?！?/p>
Shagga hefted the huge double-bladed axe. “There are no goats, Halfman.”
“砍了再說?！?/p>
“Make do.”
夏嘎怒吼著躍上前來。派席爾尖叫一聲，尿了床，他拼命向外爬去，尿液四散噴灑。原住民一把抓住他波浪般的白胡子，斧子一揮就割下四分之三。
Roaring, Shagga leapt forward. Pycelle shrieked and wet the bed, urine spraying in all directions as he tried to scramble back out of reach. The wildling caught him by the end of his billowy white beard and hacked off three-quarters of it with a single slash of the axe.
“提魅，依你看，等我們的朋友沒法躲在胡須后面的時(shí)候，會(huì)不會(huì)合作一點(diǎn)呢？”提利昂拉過床單來擦拭靴上的尿。
“Timett, do you suppose our friend will be more forthcoming without those whiskers to hide behind?” Tyrion used a bit of the sheet to wipe the piss off his boots.
“他很快就會(huì)說實(shí)話，”提魅灼傷的空眼眶里一片幽暗，“我能嗅出他的恐懼?！?/p>
“He will tell the truth soon.” Darkness pooled in the empty pit of Timett’s burned eye. “I can smell the stink of his fear.”
夏嘎將手中的須發(fā)匆匆扔進(jìn)地板的草席，然后抓住剩下的胡須?！皠e亂動(dòng)，大學(xué)士，”提利昂勸道，“若是惹得夏嘎生氣，他的手可會(huì)抖哦。”
Shagga tossed a handful of hair down to the rushes, and seized what beard was left. “Hold still, Maester,” urged Tyrion. “When Shagga gets angry, his hands shake.”
“夏嘎的手從來不抖，”巨人一邊忿忿地說，一邊將巨大的彎刃貼緊派席爾顫抖的下巴，又鋸斷一蓬胡子。
“Shagga’s hands never shake,” the huge man said indignantly, pressing the great crescent blade under Pycelle’s quivering chin and sawing through another tangle of beard.
“你替我姐姐當(dāng)間諜有多久了？”提利昂問。
“How long have you been spying for my sister?” Tyrion asked.
派席爾的呼吸短淺而急促?！拔宜龅囊磺校菫榱颂m尼斯特家族?！币粚娱W亮的汗珠覆蓋了老人寬闊的圓額，幾縷白發(fā)附在皺巴巴的皮膚上。“一直以來……多年以來……去問您的父親大人，去問問他，我一直都是他忠誠的仆人……正是我讓伊里斯打開了城門……”
Pycelle’s breathing was rapid and shallow. “All I did, I did for House Lannister.” A sheen of sweat covered the broad dome of the old man’s brow, and wisps of white hair clung to his wrinkled skin. “Always … for years … your lord father, ask him, I was ever his true servant … ’twas I who bid Aerys open his gates …”
??！什么？君臨城陷時(shí)，他不過是凱巖城里一個(gè)丑陋的男孩。“所以君臨的陷落是你的所為？”
That took Tyrion by surprise. He had been no more than an ugly boy at Casterly Rock when the city fell. “So the Sack of King’s Landing was your work as well?”
“我是為了國家！雷加一死，戰(zhàn)爭大局已定。伊里斯瘋了，韋賽里斯太小，而伊耿王子還是個(gè)吃奶的嬰兒，但國家需要國王……我本希望由您高貴的父親來承擔(dān)，但勞勃當(dāng)時(shí)實(shí)力太強(qiáng)，史塔克公爵又行動(dòng)迅速……”
“For the realm! Once Rhaegar died, the war was done. Aerys was mad, Viserys too young, Prince Aegon a babe at the breast, but the realm needed a king … I prayed it should be your good father, but Robert was too strong, and Lord Stark moved too swiftly …”
“我很好奇，你到底出賣了多少人？伊里斯，艾德·史塔克，我……勞勃國王？艾林公爵？雷加王子？派席爾，你什么時(shí)候變成這樣的？”好在他知道將在何時(shí)結(jié)束。
“How many have you betrayed, I wonder? Aerys, Eddard Stark, me … King Robert as well? Lord Arryn, Prince Rhaegar? Where does it begin, Pycelle?” He knew where it ended.
斧子刮過派席爾的喉結(jié)，蹭著他下巴抖動(dòng)的軟肉，削掉最后幾根毛發(fā)?！澳?dāng)時(shí)不在場(chǎng)，”斧刃上移到臉頰，他趁機(jī)喘口氣，“勞勃……他的傷……如果您看到了，聞到了，就不會(huì)懷疑……”
The axe scratched at the apple of Pycelle’s throat and stroked the soft wobbly skin under his jaw, scraping away the last hairs. “You … were not here,” he gasped when the blade moved upward to his cheeks. “Robert … his wounds … if you had seen them, smelled them, you would have no doubt …”
“噢，我知道野豬替你完成了任務(wù)……就算它辦事不力，相信你也會(huì)加以協(xié)助?！?/p>
“Oh, I know the boar did your work for you … but if he’d left the job half done, doubtless you would have finished it.”
“他是個(gè)可恥的國王……虛榮，酗酒，荒淫無度……他要撇下您的姐姐，他自己的王后……求求您……藍(lán)禮密謀將高庭的明珠帶到宮中來誘惑他哥哥……諸神作證，這是千真萬確的事實(shí)……”
“He was a wretched king … vain, drunken, lecherous … he would have set your sister aside, his own queen … please … Renly was plotting to bring the Highgarden maid to court, to entice his brother … it is the gods’ own truth …”
“那艾林公爵又有何罪呢？”
“And what was Lord Arryn plotting?”
“他知道了……”派席爾說，“關(guān)于……關(guān)于……”
“He knew,” Pycelle said. “About … about …”
“我明白他知道什么，”提利昂打斷話頭，他不想讓夏嘎和提魅聽到這些。
“I know what he knew about,” snapped Tyrion, who was not anxious for Shagga and Timett to know as well.
“他要把妻子送回鷹巢城，將兒子送到龍石島作養(yǎng)子……然后采取行動(dòng)……”
“He was sending his wife back to the Eyrie, and his son to be fostered on Dragonstone … he meant to act …”
“所以你搶先毒死了他?！?/p>
“So you poisoned him first.”
“不對(duì)！”派席爾無力地掙扎起來。夏嘎咆哮著抓住他的頭，原住民的巨手如此有力，學(xué)士的頭顱簡直像蛋殼一般脆弱。
“No.” Pycelle struggled feebly. Shagga growled and grabbed his head. The clansman’s hand was so big he could have crushed the maester’s skull like an eggshell had he squeezed.
提利昂不耐煩地“嘖嘖”兩聲，“我在你的置物架上見過里斯之淚。你遣開艾林公爵的學(xué)士，自己去治療他，妙啊，這樣就能確保他一命嗚呼?！?/p>
Tyrion tsked at him. “I saw the tears of Lys among your potions. And you sent away Lord Arryn’s own maester and tended him yourself, so you could make certain that he died.”
“這不是實(shí)情！”
“A falsehood!”
“給他剃干凈點(diǎn)，”提利昂催促，“脖子上再清一遍?！?/p>
“Shave him closer,” Tyrion suggested. “The throat again.”
斧子又從上往下滑行，銼過每一寸皮膚。派席爾的嘴不住顫抖，唇上泛起一層薄薄的唾沫，“我盡全力拯救艾林公爵，我發(fā)誓——”
The axe swept back down, rasping over the skin. A thin film of spit bubbled on Pycelle’s lips as his mouth trembled. “I tried to save Lord Arryn. I vow—”
“小心，夏嘎，你割到他了?！?/p>
“Careful now, Shagga, you’ve cut him.”
夏嘎咆哮道：“多夫之子當(dāng)戰(zhàn)士，不當(dāng)理發(fā)師。”
Shagga growled. “Dolf fathered warriors, not barbers.”
老人感到鮮血從脖子流下來，滴到胸口，情不自禁地發(fā)抖，最后一絲力氣也離他而去。他看上去仿佛小了一圈，比他們闖入時(shí)虛弱得多?！笆堑?，”他嗚咽著說，“是的，柯蒙要幫他排毒，因此我把他送走了。王后想要艾林公爵死于非命，但沒有說出口，不能說出口，因?yàn)橥呃锼乖诼?，他一直都在聽。不過我只需看著她的眼睛，就明白該如何行動(dòng)。但下毒的不是我，千真萬確不是我，我發(fā)誓。”老人淚流滿面，“去問瓦里斯，應(yīng)該是那個(gè)男孩，他的侍從，叫做修夫，一定是他干的，去問你姐姐，去問她?！?/p>
When he felt the blood trickling down his neck and onto his chest, the old man shuddered, and the last strength went out of him. He looked shrunken, both smaller and frailer than he had been when they burst in on him. “Yes,” he whimpered, “yes, Colemon was purging, so I sent him away. The queen needed Lord Arryn dead, she did not say so, could not, Varys was listening, always listening, but when I looked at her I knew. It was not me who gave him the poison, though, I swear it.” The old man wept. “Varys will tell you, it was the boy, his squire, Hugh he was called, he must surely have done it, ask your sister, ask her.”
提利昂一陣作嘔?！鞍阉壠饋韼ё?，”他命令，“扔進(jìn)黑牢?！?/p>
Tyrion was disgusted. “Bind him and take him away,” he commanded. “Throw him down in one of the black cells.”
他們將他拖出碎裂的門?！疤m尼斯特，”他呻吟道，“我所做的一切都是為了蘭尼斯特……”
They dragged him out the splintered door. “Lannister,” he moaned, “all I’ve done has been for Lannister …”
等他們離開，提利昂從容不迫地搜查房間，又從他的架子上取走幾個(gè)小罐。在此過程中，渡鴉一直在頭頂嘀咕，聲調(diào)卻出奇地平和。在學(xué)城派人接替派席爾之前，他得找人照看這些鳥。
When he was gone, Tyrion made a leisurely search of the quarters and collected a few more small jars from his shelves. The ravens muttered above his head as he worked, a strangely peaceful noise. He would need to find someone to tend the birds until the Citadel sent a man to replace Pycelle.
我本指望能信賴他。他心里清楚，瓦里斯和小指頭的算盤打得更精……他們更難捉摸，因此也更危險(xiǎn)。或許還是父親的辦法最好：傳喚伊林·派恩，將三人的腦袋用槍尖插著，掛上城墻，一了百了。這不是很悅目嗎？他想。
He was the one I’d hoped to trust. Varys and Littlefinger were no more loyal, he suspected … only more subtle, and thus more dangerous. Perhaps his father’s way would have been best: summon Ilyn Payne, mount three heads above the gates, and have done. And wouldn’t that be a pretty sight, he thought.
