Ⅲ 冰雨的風(fēng)暴 Chapter42 丹妮莉絲

DAENERYS

多斯拉克斥候已匯報(bào)過情況，但她想親自看看。于是喬拉·莫爾蒙爵士隨她騎過白樺樹林，上到一道砂巖斜坡?！疤?。”他在山頂警告她。

Her Dothraki scouts had told her how it was, but Dany wanted to see for herself. Ser Jorah Mormont rode with her through a birchwood forest and up a slanting sandstone ridge. “Near enough,” he warned her at the crest.

丹妮拉韁勒馬，望向原野上橫亙于道路的淵凱軍團(tuán)。白胡子教過她如何準(zhǔn)確估算人數(shù)。“五千。”觀察片刻之后，她道。

Dany reined in her mare and looked across the fields, to where the Yunkish host lay athwart her path. Whitebeard had been teaching her how best to count the numbers of a foe. “Five thousand,” she said after a moment.

“我也這么認(rèn)為。”喬拉邊說邊指，“兩翼是傭兵，裝備長槍和弓箭，并配有劍斧用于近戰(zhàn)。左翼次子團(tuán)，右翼暴鴉團(tuán)，各約五百人，看到那些旗幟了嗎？”

“I’d say so.” Ser Jorah pointed. “Those are sellswords on the flanks. Lances and mounted bowmen, with swords and axes for the close work. The Second Sons on the left wing, the Stormcrows to the right. About five hundred men apiece. See the banners?”

淵凱的鷹身女妖爪里抓的是鞭子和鐵項(xiàng)圈，而非一段鎖鏈。但傭兵有自己的旗幟，在他們所效力的城市徽記下飛揚(yáng)：右面是嵌在兩道交叉閃電間的四只烏鴉，左面是一把斷劍。“淵凱人自守中路，”丹妮說，從遠(yuǎn)觀之，他們的軍官跟阿斯塔波人沒有區(qū)別，高聳明亮的頭盔，披風(fēng)上縫有許多閃亮銅盤，“帶的是奴兵？”

Yunkai’s harpy grasped a whip and iron collar in her talons instead of a length of chain. But the sellswords flew their own standards beneath those of the city they served: on the right four crows between crossed thunderbolts, on the left a broken sword. “The Yunkai’s hold the center themselves,” Dany noted. Their officers looked indistinguishable from Astapor’s at a distance; tall bright helms and cloaks sewn with flashing copper disks. “Are those slave soldiers they lead?”

“大部分是，但不能跟無垢者相提并論。淵凱以訓(xùn)練床上奴隸聞名，對(duì)戰(zhàn)技并不在行。”

“In large part. But not the equal of Unsullied. Yunkai is known for training bed slaves, not warriors.”

“你怎么說？我們能不能擊敗這支軍隊(duì)？”

“What say you? Can we defeat this army?”

“輕而易舉?！眴汤羰炕卮稹?/p>

“Easily,” Ser Jorah said.

“但也需要流血。”攻取阿斯塔波那天，大量鮮血滲入那座紅磚之城的磚塊里，盡管其中很少是屬于她和她子民的?！拔覀兓蚰茉谶@里贏得一場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)斗，但付出的代價(jià)也許會(huì)讓我們無力攻取城市?！?/p>

“But not bloodlessly.” Blood aplenty had soaked into the bricks of Astapor the day that city fell, though little of it belonged to her or hers. “We might win a battle here, but at such cost we cannot take the city.”

“風(fēng)險(xiǎn)總是存在，卡麗熙。阿斯塔波外表驕傲內(nèi)里脆弱，淵凱卻預(yù)先得到了警告。”

“That is ever a risk, Khaleesi. Astapor was complacent and vulnerable. Yunkai is forewarned.”

丹妮思考片刻。對(duì)方的奴隸軍團(tuán)比自己的部隊(duì)人數(shù)少很多，但傭兵都有馬，她曾跟多斯拉克人馳騁疆場(chǎng)，完全清楚馬上戰(zhàn)士對(duì)步卒的影響。無垢者可以抵擋沖擊，但我的自由民會(huì)被屠殺?！芭`販子們樂于談判，”她說，“傳話過去，就說今晚我接見他們，同時(shí)也邀請(qǐng)傭兵隊(duì)長們?cè)煸L——但不要一起來，暴鴉團(tuán)安排在正午，次子團(tuán)晚兩個(gè)小時(shí)。”

Dany considered. The slaver host seemed small compared to her own numbers, but the sellswords were ahorse. She’d ridden too long with Dothraki not to have a healthy respect for what mounted warriors could do to foot. The Unsullied could withstand their charge, but my freedmen will be slaughtered. “The slavers like to talk,” she said. “Send word that I will hear them this evening in my tent. And invite the captains of the sellsword companies to call on me as well. But not together. The Stormcrows at midday, the Second Sons two hours later.”

“如您所愿，”喬拉爵士道，“但若他們不肯——”

“As you wish,” Ser Jorah said. “But if they do not come—”

“會(huì)來的。他們會(huì)好奇地看看龍，并聽聽我的說法，聰明人會(huì)把這當(dāng)作衡量我實(shí)力的機(jī)會(huì)。”她圈轉(zhuǎn)銀色母馬。“我在帳篷里等。”

“They’ll come. They will be curious to see the dragons and hear what I might have to say, and the clever ones will see it for a chance to gauge my strength.” She wheeled her silver mare about. “I’ll await them in my pavilion.”

丹妮回到營地時(shí)天灰蒙蒙的，刮起了大風(fēng)。圍繞營地的壕溝已開挖了一半，林子里都是無垢者，正從白樺樹上砍下枝杈，削成尖樁。這批戰(zhàn)士太監(jiān)不會(huì)在未經(jīng)設(shè)防的營地里休息，至少灰蟲子如此堅(jiān)持。此刻他監(jiān)督著工程進(jìn)展，丹妮稍作停留與其交談，“淵凱人準(zhǔn)備開戰(zhàn)了?！?/p>

Slate skies and brisk winds saw Dany back to her host. The deep ditch that would encircle her camp was already half dug, and the woods were full of Unsullied lopping branches off birch trees to sharpen into stakes. The eunuchs could not sleep in an unfortified camp, or so Grey Worm insisted. He was there watching the work. Dany halted a moment to speak with him. “Yunkai has girded up her loins for battle.”

“很好，陛下，小人們渴望著流血?！?/p>

“This is good, Your Grace. These ones thirst for blood.”

她令無垢者自己選出軍官，于是灰蟲子以壓倒性優(yōu)勢(shì)被推舉出來。丹妮指定喬拉爵士為他的上司，教他如何指揮，被放逐的騎士報(bào)告說迄今為止，這年輕的太監(jiān)尚令人滿意，反應(yīng)迅速，不知疲倦，并對(duì)一切細(xì)節(jié)孜孜不倦。

When she had commanded the Unsullied to choose officers from amongst themselves, Grey Worm had been their overwhelming choice for the highest rank. Dany had put Ser Jorah over him to train him for command, and the exile knight said that so far the young eunuch was hard but fair, quick to learn, tireless, and utterly unrelenting in his attention to detail.

“賢主大人們集結(jié)起一支奴隸大軍來會(huì)我們?！?/p>

“The Wise Masters have assembled a slave army to meet us.”

“淵凱的奴隸學(xué)的是歡場(chǎng)中七大氣息與十六方體位，陛下，無垢者學(xué)的則是三種長矛的使用之道。小人灰蟲子希望能展示給您看。”

“A slave in Yunkai learns the way of seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure, Your Grace. The Unsullied learn the way of the three spears. Your Grey Worm hopes to show you.”

攻取阿斯塔波之后，丹妮首先做的事情之一便是廢除無垢者每天被賦予一個(gè)新名的慣例。生為自由民的人多半用回誕生時(shí)的名字——至少那些仍記得自己名字的人是如此。其他人則用英雄和神祗的名字稱呼自己，有時(shí)則是武器、寶石，甚至花，丹妮聽來十分奇特?；蚁x子仍叫灰蟲子，她問他為何不改，他說：“因?yàn)樗苄疫\(yùn)。小人出生時(shí)的名字受了詛咒，所以被迫成為奴隸。但灰蟲子是小人被‘風(fēng)暴降生’丹妮莉絲解放那天所抽到的名字?！?/p>

One of the first things Dany had done after the fall of Astapor was abolish the custom of giving the Unsullied new slave names every day. Most of those born free had returned to their birth names; those who still remembered them, at least. Others had called themselves after heroes or gods, and sometimes weapons, gems, and even flowers, which resulted in soldiers with some very peculiar names, to Dany’s ears. Grey Worm had remained Grey Worm. When she asked him why, he said, “It is a lucky name. The name this one was born to was accursed. That was the name he had when he was taken for a slave. But Grey Worm is the name this one drew the day Daenerys Stormborn set him free.”

“戰(zhàn)斗開始后，灰蟲子不僅要展示英勇，也要展示智慧，”丹妮告訴他，“放過那些逃跑或扔下武器的奴隸。我們殺得越少，以后加入我們的就越多。”

“If battle is joined, let Grey Worm show wisdom as well as valor,” Dany told him. “Spare any slave who runs or throws down his weapon. The fewer slain, the more remain to join us after.”

“小人會(huì)記得?！?/p>

“This one will remember.”

“我相信你。正午時(shí)分記得到我?guī)づ駚?，與傭兵隊(duì)長們談判時(shí)，我要你跟我的其他指揮官在一起?！钡つ萏咛咩y馬，繼續(xù)前進(jìn)。

“I know he will. Be at my tent by midday. I want you there with my other officers when I treat with the sellsword captains.” Dany spurred her silver on to camp.

在無垢者們建立的營地之內(nèi)，帳篷整齊地排列成行，正中乃是她那頂高高的金色大帳。另一片營地位于旁邊，大小是這里的五倍，混亂無序，沒有壕溝，沒有帳篷，沒有崗哨，馬匹也沒有排成隊(duì)列。馬或騾子的主人就睡在牲口下面，以防被盜。山羊、綿羊和饑餓的狗肆意游蕩，混雜在婦孺老幼中間。丹妮將阿斯塔波留給一個(gè)由前奴隸組成的議會(huì)管理，由一名醫(yī)生、一名學(xué)者和一名牧師領(lǐng)導(dǎo)，她認(rèn)定其智慧與公正，即便如此，仍有數(shù)萬人樂意跟她去淵凱，不想留在阿斯塔波。我把城市交給他們，他們卻害怕起來，不敢接受。

Within the perimeter the Unsullied had established, the tents were going up in orderly rows, with her own tall golden pavilion at the center. A second encampment lay close beyond her own; five times the size, sprawling and chaotic, this second camp had no ditches, no tents, no sentries, no horselines. Those who had horses or mules slept beside them, for fear they might be stolen. Goats, sheep, and half-starved dogs wandered freely amongst hordes of women, children, and old men. Dany had left Astapor in the hands of a council of former slaves led by a healer, a scholar, and a priest. Wise men all, she thought, and just. Yet even so, tens of thousands preferred to follow her to Yunkai, rather than remain behind in Astapor. I gave them the city, and most of them were too frightened to take it.

破破爛爛的自由民隊(duì)伍的規(guī)模令她的軍團(tuán)相形見拙，而他們更是沒有益助的負(fù)擔(dān)。一百人中才一個(gè)有驢、駱駝或牛，多數(shù)人帶著從奴隸商人的軍械庫里奪來的兵器，這沒錯(cuò)，但十人中只有一個(gè)夠強(qiáng)壯，足以參戰(zhàn)，且所有人都未經(jīng)訓(xùn)練。他們吃光途經(jīng)土地上的一切，好比會(huì)穿鞋的蝗蟲。另一方面，丹妮無法接受喬拉爵士和血盟衛(wèi)們的催促，拋棄他們，我給了他們自由，總不能禁止他們自由地加入吧？她凝視著煙霧從無數(shù)炊火上升起，強(qiáng)咽下一聲嘆息。也許自己同時(shí)擁有世界上最好和最糟的步兵。

The raggle-taggle host of freedmen dwarfed her own, but they were more burden than benefit. Perhaps one in a hundred had a donkey, a camel, or an ox; most carried weapons looted from some slaver’s armory, but only one in ten was strong enough to fight, and none was trained. They ate the land bare as they passed, like locusts in sandals. Yet Dany could not bring herself to abandon them as Ser Jorah and her bloodriders urged. I told them they were free. I cannot tell them now they are not free to join me. She gazed at the smoke rising from their cookfires and swallowed a sigh. She might have the best footsoldiers in the world, but she also had the worst.

白胡子阿斯坦站在帳篷門外，壯漢貝沃斯則盤腿坐于附近草地，吃著一碗無花果。行軍途中，保護(hù)她的責(zé)任便落在他倆肩上。喬戈、阿戈和拉卡洛早已被她封為寇，不只是血盟衛(wèi)，此刻更需要他們指揮多斯拉克人，而非單單關(guān)注她的個(gè)人安全。她的卡拉薩雖小，大約才三十來個(gè)騎馬戰(zhàn)士，且大多是沒綁辮子的男孩和駝背老人，但卻是僅有的騎兵，十分重要。正如喬拉爵士所說，也許無垢者是世界上最好的步兵，可她還需要斥候和哨衛(wèi)。

Arstan Whitebeard stood outside the entrance of her tent, while Strong Belwas sat crosslegged on the grass nearby, eating a bowl of figs. On the march, the duty of guarding her fell upon their shoulders. She had made Jhogo, Aggo, and Rakharo her kos as well as her bloodriders, and just now she needed them more to command her Dothraki than to protect her person. Her khalasar was tiny, some thirty-odd mounted warriors, and most of them braidless boys and bentback old men. Yet they were all the horse she had, and she dared not go without them. The Unsullied might be the finest infantry in all the world, as Ser Jorah claimed, but she needed scouts and outriders as well.

“淵凱人要打仗，”丹妮在大帳篷里告訴白胡子。伊麗和姬琪鋪了地毯，彌桑黛則點(diǎn)起一支熏香，為滿是灰塵的空氣增添香味。卓耿和雷哥彼此纏繞著在一堆墊子上睡了，韋賽利昂則棲息在她的空澡盆邊緣?！皬浬ｗ欤瑴Y凱人操什么語言，也是瓦雷利亞語嗎？”

“Yunkai will have war,” Dany told Whitebeard inside the pavilion. Irri and Jhiqui had covered the floor with carpets while Missandei lit a stick of incense to sweeten the dusty air. Drogon and Rhaegal were asleep atop some cushions, curled about each other, but Viserion perched on the edge of her empty bath. “Missandei, what language will these Yunkai’i speak, Valyrian?”

“是的，陛下，”女孩說，“雖跟阿斯塔波口音不同，卻也相差不遠(yuǎn)，聽懂沒問題。奴隸商人們自稱為‘賢主大人’?！?/p>

“Yes, Your Grace,” the child said. “A different dialect than Astapor’s, yet close enough to understand. The slavers name themselves the Wise Masters.”

“賢主？”丹妮盤腿坐到墊子上，韋賽利昂展開白金相間的翅膀，飛到她身旁，“讓我們看看他們有多賢明?！彼呎f邊撓龍那多鱗片的腦袋，摸著龍角后面。

“Wise?” Dany sat crosslegged on a cushion, and Viserion spread his white-and-gold wings and flapped to her side. “We shall see how wise they are,” she said as she scratched the dragon’s scaly head behind the horns.

喬拉·莫爾蒙爵士一小時(shí)之后返回，帶來暴鴉團(tuán)的三名團(tuán)長。三人皆戴插黑羽的拋光頭盔，聲稱具有完全同等的榮譽(yù)和權(quán)力。趁伊麗和姬琪倒酒時(shí)，丹妮仔細(xì)觀察。普蘭達(dá)·納·紀(jì)森是粗壯的吉斯人，一張寬臉，黑發(fā)已漸變灰；光頭薩洛有道彎彎曲曲的疤痕，橫跨在那魁爾斯人特有的白皙臉頰上；達(dá)里奧·納哈里斯即使以泰洛西人的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)來看，也稱得上服飾華麗。他唇邊的胡子理成三支，染上藍(lán)色，跟眼睛和垂至頸項(xiàng)的卷發(fā)顏色一致。尖尖的小胡子則涂為金色。他的衣服是深淺不一的黃：奶油色泡沫狀密爾蕾絲從領(lǐng)口和袖口里冒出，緊身上衣縫滿蒲公英形的黃銅勛章，直套到大腿的高筒皮靴裝點(diǎn)金色紋飾，而柔軟的黃色小山羊皮手套插在鍍金環(huán)構(gòu)成的腰帶里。只有手指甲上涂的是藍(lán)色釉彩。

Ser Jorah Mormont returned an hour later, accompanied by three captains of the Stormcrows. They wore black feathers on their polished helms, and claimed to be all equal in honor and authority. Dany studied them as Irri and Jhiqui poured the wine. Prendahl na Ghezn was a thickset Ghiscari with a broad face and dark hair going grey; Sallor the Bald had a twisting scar across his pale Qartheen cheek; and Daario Naharis was flamboyant even for a Tyroshi. His beard was cut into three prongs and dyed blue, the same color as his eyes and the curly hair that fell to his collar. His pointed mustachios were painted gold. His clothes were all shades of yellow; a foam of Myrish lace the color of butter spilled from his collar and cuffs, his doublet was sewn with brass medallions in the shape of dandelions, and ornamental goldwork crawled up his high leather boots to his thighs. Gloves of soft yellow suede were tucked into a belt of gilded rings, and his fingernails were enameled blue.

代表傭兵團(tuán)發(fā)言的是普蘭達(dá)·納·紀(jì)森。“快把你的烏合之眾帶去別處，”他道，“你用詭計(jì)奪取阿斯塔波，但淵凱不一樣?！?/p>

But it was Prendahl na Ghezn who spoke for the sellswords. “You would do well to take your rabble elsewhere,” he said. “You took Astapor by treachery, but Yunkai shall not fall so easily.”

“五百風(fēng)暴烏鴉對(duì)抗一萬無垢者，”丹妮說，“我只是個(gè)年輕女子，不懂戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)之道，但我以為，實(shí)力如此懸殊，獲勝的機(jī)會(huì)微乎其微?！?/p>

“Five hundred of your Stormcrows against ten thousand of my Unsullied,” said Dany. “I am only a young girl and do not understand the ways of war, yet these odds seem poor to me.”

“風(fēng)暴烏鴉并非獨(dú)力支撐?！逼仗m達(dá)道。

“The Stormcrows do not stand alone,” said Prendahl.

“風(fēng)暴烏鴉根本不會(huì)支撐。看到雷電的第一個(gè)征兆，他們就會(huì)逃亡——跟你現(xiàn)在該作的一樣。我聽說傭兵素有不忠的惡名，倘若次子團(tuán)轉(zhuǎn)換立場(chǎng)，你們的堅(jiān)持有什么好處呢？”

“Stormcrows do not stand at all. They fly, at the first sign of thunder. Perhaps you should be flying now. I have heard that sellswords are notoriously unfaithful. What will it avail you to be staunch, when the Second Sons change sides?”

“那是不可能的事，”普蘭達(dá)不為所動(dòng)，“即使真的發(fā)生，也沒關(guān)系。次子團(tuán)本不算什么，我們將與堅(jiān)定的淵凱部隊(duì)并肩作戰(zhàn)?！?/p>

“That will not happen,” Prendahl insisted, unmoved. “And if it did, it would not matter. The Second Sons are nothing. We fight beside the stalwart men of Yunkai.”

“你們將與拿長矛的床上奴隸并肩作戰(zhàn)?！彼D(zhuǎn)動(dòng)腦袋，辮子里的一對(duì)鈴鐺輕聲作響?！耙坏╅_戰(zhàn)，便休想懇求仁慈；而若現(xiàn)在加入，不僅能保有淵凱人支付的金錢，還可額外分享一份戰(zhàn)利品，日后助我復(fù)國，更是榮華富貴，享之不盡。想想看，為賢主大人們而戰(zhàn)，報(bào)酬將是死亡。你認(rèn)為我的無垢者在城墻下屠宰你們的時(shí)候，淵凱人會(huì)打開城門嗎？

“You fight beside bed-boys armed with spears.” When she turned her head, the twin bells in her braid rang softly. “Once battle is joined, do not think to ask for quarter. Join me now, however, and you shall keep the gold the Yunkai’i paid you and claim a share of the plunder besides, with greater rewards later when I come into my kingdom. Fight for the Wise Masters, and your wages will be death. Do you imagine that Yunkai will open its gates when my Unsullied are butchering you beneath the walls?”

“女人，你只會(huì)驢叫，毫無意義！”

“Woman, you bray like an ass, and make no more sense.”

“女人？”她咯咯笑道，“這算侮辱嗎？若我真把你當(dāng)男人看待，就會(huì)當(dāng)即回敬一記耳光?！钡つ輰?duì)上他的視線?！拔夷颂垢窭布易宓摹L(fēng)暴降生’丹妮莉絲，不焚者，龍之母，卓戈卡奧的卡麗熙，維斯特洛七大王國的女王?！?/p>

“Woman?” She chuckled. “Is that meant to insult me? I would return the slap, if I took you for a man.” Dany met his stare. “I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, khaleesi to Drogo’s riders, and queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.”

“你只是一個(gè)馬王的婊子?！逼仗m達(dá)·納·紀(jì)森說，“等我們勝利后，我要讓你跟我的坐騎交配。”

“What you are,” said Prendahl na Ghezn, “is a horselord’s whore. When we break you, I will breed you to my stallion.”

壯漢貝沃斯拔出亞拉克彎刀，“小女王，讓壯漢貝沃斯把他那惡心的舌頭割掉?！?/p>

Strong Belwas drew his arakh. “Strong Belwas will give his ugly tongue to the little queen, if she likes.”

“不，貝沃斯，我保證過這些人的安全。”她微笑，“告訴我——暴鴉團(tuán)的成員是奴隸還是自由人？”

“No, Belwas. I have given these men my safe conduct.” She smiled. “Tell me this—are the Stormcrows slave or free?”

“我們是自由人組成的兄弟會(huì)?！彼_洛宣稱。

“We are a brotherhood of free men,” Sallor declared.

“很好，”丹妮站起身，“那就回去把我的話告訴你的弟兄們。也許更多人愿意擁有金錢和榮耀，而不是死亡。我明天要你們的答復(fù)?！?/p>

“Good.” Dany stood. “Go back and tell your brothers what I said, then. It may be that some of them would sooner sup on gold and glory than on death. I shall want your answer on the morrow.”

暴鴉團(tuán)的隊(duì)長們同時(shí)起立?！拔覀兊拇饛?fù)是不，”普蘭達(dá)·納·紀(jì)森說，然后帶著同伴們走出營帳……但達(dá)里奧·納哈里斯離開時(shí)回頭瞥了一眼，并點(diǎn)頭禮貌地道別。

The Stormcrow captains rose in unison. “Our answer is no,” said Prendahl na Ghezn. His fellows followed him out of the tent … but Daario Naharis glanced back as he left, and inclined his head in polite farewell.

兩小時(shí)后，次子團(tuán)團(tuán)長獨(dú)自抵達(dá)。他是個(gè)高大的布拉佛斯人，淡綠色眼睛，茂密的紅金胡子幾乎垂到腰際。他叫梅羅，自稱外號(hào)“泰坦私生子”。

Two hours later the commander of the Second Sons arrived alone. He proved to be a towering Braavosi with pale green eyes and a bushy red-gold beard that reached nearly to his belt. His name was Mero, but he called himself the Titan’s Bastard.

梅羅進(jìn)帳后二話不說，首先將給他的酒一飲而盡，用手背抹抹嘴巴，朝丹妮淫笑?！拔矣浀迷诩亦l(xiāng)的妓院里干過你同胞姐姐，或者那就是你？”

Mero tossed down his wine straightaway, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and leered at Dany. “I believe I fucked your twin sister in a pleasure house back home. Or was it you?”

“我想不是，否則我會(huì)記得一個(gè)如此雄偉的人，毫無疑問?！?/p>

“I think not. I would remember a man of such magnificence, I have no doubt.”

“是的，就是這樣，女人都不會(huì)忘記‘泰坦私生子’?！辈祭鹚谷顺х魃斐鼍票！懊撘路掖笸壬?，怎么樣？你取悅了我，我也許就把次子團(tuán)帶過來?！?/p>

“Yes, that is so. No woman has ever forgotten the Titan’s Bastard.” The Braavosi held out his cup to Jhiqui. “What say you take those clothes off and come sit on my lap? If you please me, I might bring the Second Sons over to your side.”

“你把次子團(tuán)帶過來，我也許不會(huì)閹你。”

“If you bring the Second Sons over to my side, I might not have you gelded.”

大個(gè)子男人哈哈大笑，“小妹妹，從前有個(gè)女人想用牙齒閹我，她現(xiàn)在一顆牙都沒了，而我的‘寶劍’還是跟以前一樣又粗又長。要不取出來給你檢查檢查？”

The big man laughed. “Little girl, another woman once tried to geld me with her teeth. She has no teeth now, but my sword is as long and thick as ever. Shall I take it out and show you?”

“不用了，等我的太監(jiān)們把它割下來之后，想怎么檢查都可以?！钡つ萼ㄒ豢诰??！按_實(shí)，我只是個(gè)年輕女子，不懂戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)之道。請(qǐng)你給我解釋一下，如何用五百人對(duì)抗一萬名無垢者。以我無知的眼睛看來，實(shí)力如此懸殊，獲勝的機(jī)會(huì)微乎其微啊?！?/p>

“No need. After my eunuchs cut it off, I can examine it at my leisure.” Dany took a sip of wine. “It is true that I am only a young girl, and do not know the ways of war. Explain to me how you propose to defeat ten thousand Unsullied with your five hundred. Innocent as I am, these odds seem poor to me.”

“次子團(tuán)面對(duì)過更懸殊的情況，并贏得勝利。”

“The Second Sons have faced worse odds and won.”

“次子團(tuán)面對(duì)過更懸殊的情況，結(jié)果是逃跑。你以為我連三千勇士保衛(wèi)科霍爾的故事都不知道嗎？”

“The Second Sons have faced worse odds and run. At Qohor, when the Three Thousand made their stand. Or do you deny it?”

“那是多年以前的事啦，是‘泰坦私生子’當(dāng)上團(tuán)長之前的事。”

“That was many and more years ago, before the Second Sons were led by the Titan’s Bastard.”

“這么說來，他們的勇氣源自于你嘍？”丹妮轉(zhuǎn)向喬拉爵士，“開戰(zhàn)后先殺這個(gè)人?！?/p>

“So it is from you they get their courage?” Dany turned to Ser Jorah. “When the battle is joined, kill this one first.”

被放逐的騎士微微一笑，“樂于從命，陛下?！?/p>

The exile knight smiled. “Gladly, Your Grace.”

“當(dāng)然，”她對(duì)梅羅續(xù)道，“你可以再逃跑，我們不會(huì)阻止。你可以帶著淵凱人給的錢離開?！?/p>

“Of course,” she said to Mero, “you could run again. We will not stop you. Take your Yunkish gold and go.”

“愚蠢的女孩，若你真正了解‘泰坦私生子’，就會(huì)明白他決不會(huì)夾著尾巴逃跑?！?/p>

“Had you ever seen the Titan of Braavos, foolish girl, you would know that it has no tail to turn.”

“那就留下，為我效勞?！?/p>

“Then stay, and fight for me.”

“沒錯(cuò)，你挺漂亮，值得擁戴，”布拉佛斯人說，“若我是自由的，會(huì)很樂意讓你親吻我的‘寶劍’?？上夷昧藴Y凱的錢，并發(fā)下神圣的誓言?！?/p>

“You are worth fighting for, it is true,” the Braavosi said, “and I would gladly let you kiss my sword, if I were free. But I have taken Yunkai’s coin and pledged my holy word.”

“錢有什么？錢可以還，”她說?！拔視?huì)付你同樣多的費(fèi)用，甚至更多。別忘了，除了淵凱，我還有許多城市要征服，半個(gè)世界之外，還有整整一個(gè)王國等著我。忠誠地為我效勞，次子團(tuán)就無需再尋求雇主了?！?/p>

“Coins can be returned,” she said. “I will pay you as much and more. I have other cities to conquer, and a whole kingdom awaiting me half a world away. Serve me faithfully, and the Second Sons need never seek hire again.”

布拉佛斯人扯扯濃密的紅胡子，“同樣多的費(fèi)用，甚至更多，也許再加一個(gè)吻，呃？或者不止親吻？對(duì)一個(gè)像我這么雄偉的人？”

The Braavosi tugged on his thick red beard. “As much and more, and perhaps a kiss besides, eh? Or more than a kiss? For a man as magnificent as me?”

“也許吧?！?/p>

“Perhaps.”

“嗯，我會(huì)喜歡上你舌頭的滋味?！?/p>

“I will like the taste of your tongue, I think.”

她可以察覺喬拉爵士的憤怒。我的大熊不喜歡這些親吻的話題。“今晚好好考慮我的話，明天給我答復(fù)？”

She could sense Ser Jorah’s anger. My black bear does not like this talk of kissing. “Think on what I’ve said tonight. Can I have your answer on the morrow?”

“行，”泰坦私生子咧嘴笑道，“我可以帶一壺這種好酒回去給我的隊(duì)長們嗎？”

“You can.” The Titan’s Bastard grinned. “Can I have a flagon of this fine wine to take back to my captains?”

“你可以拿一桶。這是從阿斯塔波善主大人們的酒窖里取的，我裝了好幾馬車。”

“You may have a tun. It is from the cellars of the Good Masters of Astapor, and I have wagons full of it.”

“那就給我一車，象征您的善意?！?/p>

“Then give me a wagon. A token of your good regard.”

“你胃口真大?！?/p>

“You have a big thirst.”

“我什么都大，手下還有眾多兄弟要養(yǎng)。泰坦私生子可不會(huì)獨(dú)個(gè)兒喝悶酒，卡麗熙?！?/p>

“I am big all over. And I have many brothers. The Titan’s Bastard does not drink alone, Khaleesi.”

“一車就一車，記得為我祝酒?！?/p>

“A wagon it is, if you promise to drink to my health.”

“同意！”他低吼道，“同意！同意！我們會(huì)為你祝酒三遍，并在太陽升起時(shí)給你一個(gè)答復(fù)。”

“Done!” he boomed. “And done, and done! Three toasts we’ll drink you, and bring you an answer when the sun comes up.”

梅羅離開后，白胡子阿斯坦說，“那家伙惡名遠(yuǎn)揚(yáng)，甚至傳到了維斯特洛。不要被他的態(tài)度誤導(dǎo)，陛下，他可以今晚為您祝酒三遍，明天又來打您的歪主意?！?/p>

But when Mero was gone, Arstan Whitebeard said, “That one has an evil reputation, even in Westeros. Do not be misled by his manner, Your Grace. He will drink three toasts to your health tonight, and rape you on the morrow.”

“老頭子這回說得對(duì)，”喬拉爵士道，“次子團(tuán)歷史悠久，也不乏英豪之輩，但在梅羅治下，墮落得差不多跟勇士團(tuán)一樣糟。不管對(duì)敵人，還是對(duì)雇主，那家伙都一樣危險(xiǎn)——這就是為什么您會(huì)在這里見到他，沒一個(gè)自由貿(mào)易城邦愿意再雇傭他的兵團(tuán)?！?/p>

“The old man’s right for once,” Ser Jorah said. “The Second Sons are an old company, and not without valor, but under Mero they’ve turned near as bad as the Brave Companions. The man is as dangerous to his employers as to his foes. That’s why you find him out here. None of the Free Cities will hire him any longer.”

“我不要他的名譽(yù)，只要他的五百騎兵。暴鴉團(tuán)怎樣，有希望嗎？”

“It is not his reputation that I want, it’s his five hundred horse. What of the Stormcrows, is there any hope there?”

“沒有，”喬拉爵士坦率地說，“按血統(tǒng)論，那普蘭達(dá)是吉斯人，很可能在阿斯塔波有親戚。”

“No,” Ser Jorah said bluntly. “That Prendahl is Ghiscari by blood. Likely he had kin in Astapor.”

“可惜。不過，也許無需打仗，我們先聽聽淵凱人怎么說吧。”

“A pity. Well, perhaps we will not need to fight. Let us wait and hear what the Yunkai’i have to say.”

太陽快下山時(shí)，淵凱使節(jié)團(tuán)抵達(dá)了：五十個(gè)隨從騎壯實(shí)華美的黑馬，還有一人坐在高大的白駱駝上。他們頭盔的高度是腦袋的兩倍，這樣才不至于壓壞下面梳理上油后奇形怪狀、扭曲高聳的頭發(fā)。他們的布裙和外衣都染成深黃，披風(fēng)上縫有無數(shù)銅盤。

The envoys from Yunkai arrived as the sun was going down; fifty men on magnificent black horses and one on a great white camel. Their helms were twice as tall as their heads, so as not to crush the bizarre twists and towers and shapes of their oiled hair beneath. They dyed their linen skirts and tunics a deep yellow, and sewed copper disks to their cloaks.

那坐白駱駝的人自稱格拉茲旦·莫·厄拉茲，精瘦結(jié)實(shí)，笑的時(shí)候會(huì)露出碩大而潔白的牙齒。和阿斯塔波的克拉茲尼一樣。他的頭發(fā)向上梳起，形成獨(dú)角獸的角，從前額突出，托卡長袍上的流蘇是金色的密爾蕾絲。“古老而榮耀的淵凱，諸城之女王，”待丹妮將他迎至帳內(nèi)后，他說，“我們的城墻牢固堅(jiān)強(qiáng)，我們的貴族自豪勇猛，我們的百姓無所畏懼，我們的血統(tǒng)襲自古吉斯——瓦雷利亞人還是呀呀學(xué)語的小兒時(shí)，古吉斯帝國已經(jīng)統(tǒng)治世界了?？献聛砩陶?，說明您很明智，卡麗熙，征服這里是不可能完成的妄想?！?/p>

The man on the white camel named himself Grazdan mo Eraz. Lean and hard, he had a white smile such as Kraznys had worn until Drogon burned off his face. His hair was drawn up in a unicorn’s horn that jutted from his brow, and his tokar was fringed with golden Myrish lace. “Ancient and glorious is Yunkai, the queen of cities,” he said when Dany welcomed him to her tent. “Our walls are strong, our nobles proud and fierce, our common folk without fear. Ours is the blood of ancient Ghis, whose empire was old when Valyria was yet a squalling child. You were wise to sit and speak, Khaleesi. You shall find no easy conquest here.”

“是嗎？我的無垢者正打算享受戰(zhàn)斗的樂趣呢?！彼蚧蚁x子，灰蟲子點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭。

“Good. My Unsullied will relish a bit of a fight.” She looked to Grey Worm, who nodded.

格拉茲旦夸張地聳聳肩，“若您要的是鮮血，那就讓它流淌。聽說您解放了阿斯塔波的太監(jiān)，其實(shí)自由對(duì)無垢者而言，如同帽子之于魚?！彼蚁x子微笑，但太監(jiān)像石雕般毫無反應(yīng)?！盎钕聛淼?，我們將再次奴役，并用來從那幫烏合之眾手里奪回阿斯塔波。我們也可以讓您當(dāng)奴隸，不要懷疑，在里斯和泰洛西的青樓，人們會(huì)為跟最后的坦格利安上床而慷慨解囊?！?/p>

Grazdan shrugged expansively. “If blood is what you wish, let it flow. I am told you have freed your eunuchs. Freedom means as much to an Unsullied as a hat to a haddock.” He smiled at Grey Worm, but the eunuch might have been made of stone. “Those who survive we shall enslave again, and use to retake Astapor from the rabble. We can make a slave of you as well, do not doubt it. There are pleasure houses in Lys and Tyrosh where men would pay handsomely to bed the last Targaryen.”

“你知道我是誰，很好。”丹妮溫和地說。

“It is good to see you know who I am,” said Dany mildly.

“對(duì)于蠻荒愚昧的西方有所了解，是我引以為豪的一件事?！备窭澋┱归_雙手，以示安撫。“我們何必惡言相向？沒錯(cuò)，您在阿斯塔波干下野蠻的行徑，但我們淵凱人寬大仁慈，對(duì)此并不耿耿在意。陛下，您跟我們既無爭(zhēng)執(zhí)，又為何要將力量浪費(fèi)在我們堅(jiān)固的城墻上呢？為了奪回您父親遠(yuǎn)在維斯特洛的王座，您難道不需要每個(gè)人手嗎？淵凱祝愿您的努力取得成功，為茲證明，我們帶來了禮物?！闭f罷他擊掌示意，兩名隨從抬上來一個(gè)鑲青銅和黃金的沉重雪松木箱，置于她腳邊?！拔迦f金馬克，”格拉茲旦平靜地說，“給您，象征淵凱賢主大人們的友誼。慷慨贈(zèng)予的金錢肯定比流血搶奪來的便宜，不是嗎？聽我說，丹妮莉絲·坦格利安，帶上這箱子離開吧?！?/p>

“I pride myself on my knowledge of the savage senseless west.” Grazdan spread his hands, a gesture of conciliation. “And yet, why should we speak thus harshly to one another? It is true that you committed savageries in Astapor, but we Yunkai’i are a most forgiving people. Your quarrel is not with us, Your Grace. Why squander your strength against our mighty walls when you will need every man to regain your father’s throne in far Westeros? Yunkai wishes you only well in that endeavor. And to prove the truth of that, I have brought you a gift.” He clapped his hands, and two of his escort came forward bearing a heavy cedar chest bound in bronze and gold. They set it at her feet. “Fifty thousand golden marks,” Grazdan said smoothly. “Yours, as a gesture of friendship from the Wise Masters of Yunkai. Gold given freely is better than plunder bought with blood, surely? So I say to you, Daenerys Targaryen, take this chest, and go.”

丹妮用穿拖鞋的小腳推開箱蓋。正如使節(jié)所述，里面裝滿金幣。她抓了一大把，任由它們從指間滑落翻滾，明亮閃耀，其中大多數(shù)是新鑄的，一面刻有階梯形金字塔，另一面是吉斯的鷹身女妖?！胺浅Ｆ?，不知我奪下你的城市之后，會(huì)找到多少這樣的箱子？”

Dany pushed open the lid of the chest with a small slippered foot. It was full of gold coins, just as the envoy said. She grabbed a handful and let them run through her fingers. They shone brightly as they tumbled and fell; new minted, most of them, stamped with a stepped pyramid on one face and the harpy of Ghis on the other. “Very pretty. I wonder how many chests like this I shall find when I take your city?”

對(duì)方咯咯傻笑，“一個(gè)也沒有，因?yàn)槟肋h(yuǎn)做不到?！?/p>

He chuckled. “None, for that you shall never do.”

“我也給你一件禮物?！彼芭椤钡匾宦曣P(guān)上箱子?！叭鞎r(shí)間。第三天早上，送出你們所有的奴隸。記住，是所有人。給男女老少每人一件武器，外加他們能隨身攜帶的食物、衣服、錢幣和其他物品。允許他們自由地從主人財(cái)產(chǎn)中挑選，作為多年服務(wù)的報(bào)酬。等所有奴隸離開后，你們要打開城門，準(zhǔn)我的無垢者進(jìn)入，搜查你們的城市，以確保沒人繼續(xù)受到奴役。只要你們乖乖照辦，淵凱便不會(huì)遭受焚燒劫掠，你們自己也將毫發(fā)無損——賢主大人們可以作出賢明的決定，得到想要的和平，你怎么說？”

“I have a gift for you as well.” She slammed the chest shut. “Three days. On the morning of the third day, send out your slaves. All of them. Every man, woman, and child shall be given a weapon, and as much food, clothing, coin, and goods as he or she can carry. These they shall be allowed to choose freely from among their masters’ possessions, as payment for their years of servitude. When all the slaves have departed, you will open your gates and allow my Unsullied to enter and search your city, to make certain none remain in bondage. If you do this, Yunkai will not be burned or plundered, and none of your people shall be molested. The Wise Masters will have the peace they desire, and will have proved themselves wise indeed. What say you?”

“我說，你瘋了?！?/p>

“I say, you are mad.”

“是嗎？”丹妮聳聳肩，“dracarys！”

“Am I?” Dany shrugged, and said, “Dracarys.”

龍頓時(shí)回應(yīng)。雷哥嘶嘶尖叫，吐出煙霧，韋賽利昂拍打翅膀，而卓耿噴出旋轉(zhuǎn)的紅黑火焰。焰苗觸及格拉茲旦托卡長袍的下擺，頃刻之間絲綢便燃燒起來，使節(jié)絆倒箱子，金幣流瀉到地毯上，他一邊大聲咒罵，一邊拍打手臂，直到白胡子將一桶水澆來，熄滅了火焰?！澳惆l(fā)誓保證我的安全！”淵凱使節(jié)哀號(hào)。

The dragons answered. Rhaegal hissed and smoked, Viserion snapped, and Drogon spat swirling red-black flame. It touched the drape of Grazdan’s tokar, and the silk caught in half a heartbeat. Golden marks spilled across the carpets as the envoy stumbled over the chest, shouting curses and beating at his arm until Whitebeard flung a flagon of water over him to douse the flames. “You swore I should have safe conduct!” the Yunkish envoy wailed.

“淵凱人就這么在乎一件燒焦的托卡長袍？我可以給你買件新的……只要你們肯在三天后送出奴隸，否則休怪卓耿給你一個(gè)更熱情的吻！”她皺皺鼻子。“你尿褲子了，拿著金幣走吧，務(wù)必確保賢主大人們聽到我的口訊。”

“Do all the Yunkai’i whine so over a singed tokar? I shall buy you a new one … if you deliver up your slaves within three days. Elsewise, Drogon shall give you a warmer kiss.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’ve soiled yourself. Take your gold and go, and see that the Wise Masters hear my message.”

格拉茲旦·莫·厄拉茲伸出一根手指指著她?！澳銜?huì)為你的傲慢自大后悔的，婊子，你以為這些小蜥蜴可以保你平安嗎？我保證，他們敢接近淵凱城一里格之內(nèi)，就會(huì)教滿天箭矢射下來。告訴你，屠龍沒那么難！”

Grazdan mo Eraz pointed a finger. “You shall rue this arrogance, whore. These little lizards will not keep you safe, I promise you. We will fill the air with arrows if they come within a league of Yunkai. Do you think it is so hard to kill a dragon?”

“比殺奴隸販子難。三天，格拉茲旦，告訴他們，只有三天時(shí)間。第三天結(jié)束時(shí)，不管是否為我打開城門，我都會(huì)兵臨淵凱?！保ㄎ模模郑Т颍ЫM＇手＇打＇整＇理）

“Harder than to kill a slaver. Three days, Grazdan. Tell them. By the end of the third day, I will be in Yunkai, whether you open your gates for me or no.”

淵凱使團(tuán)離開營地時(shí)夜幕已完全降臨。今晚可能是個(gè)陰沉的夜，無星無月，寒冷潮濕的風(fēng)自西方吹來。好一個(gè)黑夜，丹妮心想，四周到處燃燒著火堆，猶如小小的橙色星辰，遍布山丘和原野?！皢汤羰?，”她說，“召喚血盟衛(wèi)。”丹妮坐到一堆墊子上等待，她的龍圍繞在旁邊。當(dāng)他們集合起來之后，她說，“離午夜后一小時(shí)應(yīng)該還早?！?/p>

Full dark had fallen by the time the Yunkai’i departed from her camp. It promised to be a gloomy night; moonless, starless, with a chill wet wind blowing from the west. A fine black night, thought Dany. The fires burned all around her, small orange stars strewn across hill and field. “Ser Jorah,” she said, “summon my bloodriders.” Dany seated herself on a mound of cushions to await them, her dragons all about her. When they were assembled, she said, “An hour past midnight should be time enough.”

“是，卡麗熙，”拉卡洛說，“到時(shí)候干什么？”

“Yes, Khaleesi,” said Rakharo. “Time for what?”

“進(jìn)攻?！?/p>

“To mount our attack.”

喬拉·莫爾蒙爵士皺起眉頭，“您告訴過那些傭兵——”

Ser Jorah Mormont scowled. “You told the sellswords—”

“——明天要答復(fù)，至于今晚，我沒作任何保證。暴鴉團(tuán)將爭(zhēng)論我的提議，次子團(tuán)則會(huì)喝我送給梅羅的美酒，直到人事不省，而淵凱人相信他們有三天時(shí)間，我們就在黑暗掩護(hù)下發(fā)動(dòng)襲擊?！?/p>

“—that I wanted their answers on the morrow. I made no promises about tonight. The Stormcrows will be arguing about my offer. The Second Sons will be drunk on the wine I gave Mero. And the Yunkai’i believe they have three days. We will take them under cover of this darkness.”

“但他們有斥候?！?/p>

“They will have scouts watching for us.”

“黑暗中，只會(huì)看到數(shù)百堆燃燒的營火，”丹妮說，“此外什么也發(fā)現(xiàn)不了?！?/p>

“And in the dark, they will see hundreds of campfires burning,” said Dany. “If they see anything at all.”

“卡麗熙，”喬戈說，“由我來對(duì)付這些斥候。他們不是騎兵，只是騎馬的奴隸販子。”

“Khaleesi,” said Jhogo, “I will deal with these scouts. They are no riders, only slavers on horses.”

“就這么辦，”她贊同，“我想我們應(yīng)該三面攻擊?；蚁x子，你的無垢者從左右兩邊出動(dòng)，而我的寇們帶領(lǐng)騎兵呈鍥形隊(duì)列強(qiáng)行突破中路。奴兵在騎馬的多斯拉克人面前絕對(duì)抵擋不住?！彼⑿?，“當(dāng)然，我只是個(gè)年輕女子，不懂戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)之道。你們?cè)趺聪?，大人們？?/p>

“Just so,” she agreed. “I think we should attack from three sides. Grey Worm, your Unsullied shall strike at them from right and left, while my kos lead my horse in wedge for a thrust through their center. Slave soldiers will never stand before mounted Dothraki.” She smiled. “To be sure, I am only a young girl and know little of war. What do you think, my lords?”

“我認(rèn)為您確是雷加·坦格利安的妹妹。”喬拉爵士的微笑中掛著幾許無可奈何。

“I think you are Rhaegar Targaryen’s sister,” Ser Jorah said with a rueful half smile.

“沒錯(cuò)，”白胡子阿斯坦說，“您也確是一位女王?！?/p>

“Aye,” said Arstan Whitebeard, “and a queen as well.”

他們花一個(gè)小時(shí)確定所有細(xì)節(jié)。最關(guān)鍵也最危險(xiǎn)的時(shí)刻開始了，丹妮心想，指揮官們正帶著命令離開，她只能祈禱黑夜足以隱藏準(zhǔn)備行動(dòng)，不讓敵人發(fā)現(xiàn)。

It took an hour to work out all the details. Now begins the most dangerous time, Dany thought as her captains departed to their commands. She could only pray that the gloom of the night would hide her preparations from the foe.