“你不會(huì)真打算把崔斯丹和彌賽菈送去君臨吧？”奧芭婭一邊匆匆前進(jìn)一邊問(wèn)。她的步伐大而憤怒，也太快。輪椅的木頭大輪子在粗糙的石頭地板上吱呀作響?！澳阋悄敲醋?，我們就再也見(jiàn)不到那個(gè)女孩了，你的兒子也會(huì)終生是鐵王座的人質(zhì)?！?/p>
“You cannot seriously intend to send Trystane and Myrcella to King’s Landing,” Obara said as she was pushing. Her strides were long and angry, much too fast, and the chair’s big wooden wheels clacked noisily across rough-cut stone floors. “Do that, and we will never see the girl again, and your son will spend his life a hostage to the Iron Throne.”
“你把我當(dāng)成白癡嗎，奧芭婭？”親王嘆了一口氣，“你所知甚少。此處不宜談?wù)?，人人都能偷?tīng)。要是你管得住嘴巴，我可以教導(dǎo)你一些事。”他悶哼了一聲。“慢一點(diǎn)，行行好。剛才的顛簸就像給我的膝蓋插了一把刀子?！?/p>
“Do you take me for a fool, Obara?” The prince sighed. “There is much you do not know. Things best not discussed here, where anyone can hear. If you hold your tongue, I may enlighten you.” He winced. “Slower, for the love you bear me. That last jolt sent a knife right through my knee.”
奧芭婭減慢了一半速度：“那你打算怎么做？”
Obara slowed her pace by half. “What will you do, then?”
她的妹妹特蕾妮接過(guò)話：“一如既往?！彼锹暤剑骸巴涎樱瑫崦?，敷衍。哦，沒(méi)人能做得有我勇敢叔叔的一半好。”
Her sister Tyene gave answer. “What he always does,” she purred. “Delay, obscure, prevaricate. Oh, no one does that half so well as our brave uncle.”
“你不該這樣說(shuō)他?！?亞蓮恩公主反駁。
“You do him wrong,” said Princess Arianne.
“保持安靜，你們所有人。”親王命令到。
“Be quiet, all of you,” the prince commanded.
直到房間大門(mén)在眾人身后緊緊關(guān)上，親王才轉(zhuǎn)動(dòng)輪椅面對(duì)這些女人。光是操作輪椅就讓他氣喘吁吁，在他轉(zhuǎn)身的時(shí)候，蓋住雙腿的密爾毛毯夾在兩條車(chē)輪輻條里，他不得不抓緊毯子以防它被撕裂。在毛毯遮掩下，他的雙腿蒼白，孱弱，可怖。他的雙膝發(fā)紅腫脹，腳趾幾乎變成了紫色，腫得有正常的兩倍大。阿利歐·何塔見(jiàn)過(guò)這情景無(wú)數(shù)次，但仍然覺(jué)得不忍卒睹。
Not until the doors of his solar were safely closed behind them did he wheel his chair about to face the women. Even that effort left him breathless, and the Myrish blanket that covered his legs caught between two spokes as he rolled, so he had to clutch it to keep it from being torn away. Beneath the coverlet, his legs were pale, soft, ghastly. Both of his knees were red and swollen, and his toes were almost purple, twice the size they should have been. Areo Hotah had seen them a thousand times and still found them hard to look upon.
亞蓮恩公主走上前來(lái)：“我來(lái)幫你，父親?！?/p>
Princess Arianne came forward. “Let me help you, Father.”
親王把毛毯從輪輻里解放出來(lái)：“我能夠管好自己的毯子，至少還能做好這件事?！蹦茏龅纳僦稚?，他的雙腿已經(jīng)廢了三年，但他的雙手和肩膀還留有一點(diǎn)力氣。
The prince pulled the blanket free. “I can still master mine own blanket. That much at least.” It was little enough. His legs had been useless for three years, but there was still some strength in his hands and shoulders.
“需要我給您端一杯罌粟花奶嗎？”卡洛特學(xué)士問(wèn)。
“Shall I fetch my prince a thimble cup of milk of the poppy?” Maester Caleotte asked.
“喝一桶才能治得了這樣的疼痛。謝謝你的關(guān)心，不過(guò)不要。我得留著我的智慧發(fā)揮作用。今晚我用不著你了?！?/p>
“I would need a bucket, with this pain. Thank you, but no. I want my wits about me. I’ll have no more need of you tonight.”
“好的，親王?！笨逄貙W(xué)士鞠了一躬，他粉紅柔軟的雙手依然抓著格雷果爵士的頭顱。
“Very good, my prince.” Maester Caleotte bowed, Ser Gregor’s head still clutched in his soft pink hands.
“我來(lái)拿那個(gè)。”奧芭婭·沙德奪過(guò)頭骨，舉開(kāi)一手臂的距離?！澳介L(zhǎng)成什么樣？我們?cè)趺茨艽_定這個(gè)就是他？他們本可以把頭浸在焦油里，為什么弄得只剩骨頭？”
“I’ll take that.” Obara Sand plucked the skull from him and held it at arm’s length. “What did the Mountain look like? How do we know that this is him? They could have dipped the head in tar. Why strip it to the bone?”
“焦油會(huì)毀了那個(gè)盒子?！笨逄貙W(xué)士匆匆離開(kāi)時(shí)，娜梅小姐作答，“沒(méi)人親眼見(jiàn)證魔山死，沒(méi)人見(jiàn)證他的頭被砍掉。我得說(shuō)，這真讓我煩惱。但蒙騙我們，那婊子皇后希望達(dá)到什么目的呢？要是格雷果·克里岡還活著，早晚會(huì)真相大白。那家伙有八尺高，整個(gè)維斯特洛都沒(méi)人可以跟他比肩。如果他真出現(xiàn)了，瑟曦·蘭尼斯特是個(gè)騙子的事實(shí)就會(huì)暴露在整個(gè)七國(guó)上下。要是她膽敢冒這個(gè)險(xiǎn)，那她真是蠢透了。她能從欺騙里得到什么好處？”
“Tar would have ruined the box,” suggested Lady Nym, as Maester Caleotte scurried off. “No one saw the Mountain die, and no one saw his head removed. That troubles me, I confess, but what could the bitch queen hope to accomplish by deceiving us? If Gregor Clegane is alive, soon or late the truth will out. The man was eight feet tall, there is not another like him in all of Westeros. If any such appears again, Cersei Lannister will be exposed as a liar before all the Seven Kingdoms. She would be an utter fool to risk that. What could she hope to gain?”
“這個(gè)頭顱確實(shí)足夠大。”親王說(shuō)，“我們清楚奧柏倫給格雷果留下致命傷，我們得到的每個(gè)報(bào)告都說(shuō)克里岡死的緩慢又痛苦?！?/p>
“The skull is large enough, no doubt,” said the prince. “And we know that Oberyn wounded Gregor grievously. Every report we have had since claims that Clegane died slowly, in great pain.”
“就像父親所計(jì)劃的那樣。”特蕾妮說(shuō)，“姐姐們，實(shí)話說(shuō)我知道父親用的是哪一種毒。只要他的長(zhǎng)矛劃破魔山的一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)皮膚，克里岡就是死人一個(gè)。我才不在乎他有多高大呢。盡管質(zhì)疑你們的小妹妹吧，但永遠(yuǎn)也別質(zhì)疑你們的親王殿下（紅毒蛇）?！?/p>
“Just as Father intended,” said Tyene. “Sisters, truly, I know the poison Father used. If his spear so much as broke the Mountain’s skin, Clegane is dead, I do not care how big he was. Doubt your little sister if you like, but never doubt our sire.”
奧芭婭跳起來(lái)：“我從來(lái)沒(méi)有、也永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)質(zhì)疑他！”她給了頭骨一個(gè)嘲弄的吻?！拔乙f(shuō)，這是一個(gè)好開(kāi)頭?！?/p>
Obara bristled. “I never did and never shall.” She gave the skull a mocking kiss. “This is a start, I’ll grant.”
“開(kāi)頭？”艾拉莉亞·沙德難以置信，“天啊，我以為這是結(jié)尾。泰溫·蘭尼斯特已經(jīng)死了，還有勞勃·拜拉席恩、亞摩利·洛奇，現(xiàn)在是格雷果·克里岡，所有在伊莉亞和她孩子謀殺案中伸出黑手的人都死了。甚至喬佛里也死了，伊莉亞被謀害的時(shí)候他還沒(méi)出生。我親眼看著那男孩摳著喉嚨想要呼吸直到氣絕而亡。還有誰(shuí)可以殺？難道非要彌賽菈和托曼也去死，才能讓雷妮絲和伊耿的靈魂得到安息嗎？要到哪兒才算完結(jié)？”
“A start?” said Ellaria Sand, incredulous. “Gods forbid. I would it were a finish. Tywin Lannister is dead. So are Robert Baratheon, Amory Lorch, and now Gregor Clegane, all those who had a hand in murdering Elia and her children. Even Joffrey, who was not yet born when Elia died. I saw the boy perish with mine own eyes, clawing at his throat as he tried to draw a breath. Who else is there to kill? Do Myrcella and Tommen need to die so the shades of Rhaenys and Aegon can be at rest? Where does it end?”
“到血為止，正如以血開(kāi)頭?！蹦让沸〗慊卮穑爸钡絼P巖城轟然碎裂，這樣太陽(yáng)才能照出底下的蛆和蠕蟲(chóng)。直到泰溫·蘭尼斯特和他的所有手筆統(tǒng)統(tǒng)毀滅，一切才算完結(jié)。”
“It ends in blood, as it began,” said Lady Nym. “It ends when Casterly Rock is cracked open, so the sun can shine on the maggots and the worms within. It ends with the utter ruin of Tywin Lannister and all his works.”
“他死在自己兒子的手上?！卑騺喕?fù)簦澳氵€敢祈求更絕的死法嗎？”
“The man died at the hand of his own son,” Ellaria snapped back. “What more could you wish?”
“我祈求他死在我的手上?！蹦让沸〗阍谝话岩巫永镒拢L(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)的黑發(fā)辮從一邊的肩膀拖到膝蓋。她有她父親那樣的發(fā)尖（？widow’s peak），她的眼睛大而明亮，酒紅色的嘴唇上掛著一個(gè)輕柔的微笑?！耙墙形医Y(jié)果他，他可不會(huì)死的那么簡(jiǎn)單干脆了?！?/p>
“I could wish that he died at my hand.” Lady Nym settled in a chair, her long black braid falling across one shoulder to her lap. She had her father’s widow’s peak. Beneath it her eyes were large and lustrous. Her wine-red lips curled in a silken smile. “If he had, his dying would not have been so easy.”
“格雷果爵士看起來(lái)著實(shí)很孤獨(dú)，”特蕾妮用甜甜的語(yǔ)調(diào)說(shuō)，“他一定希望多幾個(gè)伴?！?/p>
“Ser Gregor does look lonely,” said Tyene, in her sweet septa’s voice. “He would like some company, I’m certain.”
艾拉莉亞淚流滿面，黑眼睛閃爍淚光。即使哭泣時(shí)，她身上也蘊(yùn)含著一種力量，侍衛(wèi)隊(duì)長(zhǎng)心想。
Ellaria’s cheeks were wet with tears, her dark eyes shining. Even weeping, she has a strength in her, the captain thought.
“奧柏倫渴求為伊莉亞復(fù)仇，現(xiàn)在你們?nèi)齻€(gè)渴求為他復(fù)仇。我提醒你們，我有四個(gè)女兒，你們的好妹妹。我的伊莉亞已經(jīng)14歲，幾乎成年了。奧貝拉（Obella）12歲，正進(jìn)入少女時(shí)期的大好年華。她們崇拜你們，就像多莉亞（Dorea）和洛莉莎（Loreza）崇拜她們那樣。如果你們死去，難道要伊莉和奧貝拉去為你們復(fù)仇？然后，多莉亞和洛莉再為她們復(fù)仇？非得這樣循環(huán)往復(fù)直到永遠(yuǎn)嗎？我再問(wèn)你們一遍，冤冤相報(bào)何時(shí)休？”艾拉莉亞·沙德把一只手放在魔山的頭骨上?！拔铱粗銈兏赣H死去，現(xiàn)在輪到他的兇手。難道我能用這個(gè)頭骨陪我入眠，讓它在黑夜里給我安慰？難道它可以逗我笑、給我寫(xiě)歌、關(guān)心我，直到我又病又老？”
“Oberyn wanted vengeance for Elia. Now the three of you want vengeance for him. I have four daughters, I remind you. Your sisters. My Elia is fourteen, almost a woman. Obella is twelve, on the brink of maidenhood. They worship you, as Dorea and Loreza worship them. If you should die, must El and Obella seek vengeance for you, then Dorea and Loree for them? Is that how it goes, round and round forever? I ask again, where does it end?” Ellaria Sand laid her hand on the Mountain’s head. “I saw your father die. Here is his killer. Can I take a skull to bed with me, to give me comfort in the night? Will it make me laugh, write me songs, care for me when I am old and sick?”
“那你要我們?cè)趺醋觯?？”娜梅小姐?wèn)，“難道要我們放下長(zhǎng)矛，笑著忘記他們對(duì)我們做過(guò)的所有不公？”
“What would you have us do, my lady?” asked the Lady Nym. “Shall we lay down our spears and smile, and forget all the wrongs that have been done to us?”
“不管我們期待還是不期待，戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)就要打響了。”奧芭婭說(shuō)，“男孩國(guó)王坐在鐵王座上。史坦尼斯大人占據(jù)著長(zhǎng)城，把北方人集結(jié)到麾下。兩個(gè)王后圍著托曼爭(zhēng)斗不休，就像瘋狗在搶肉骨頭。鐵民拿下了盾牌列島（the Shields），正在沿曼得河（the Mander）進(jìn)發(fā)，深入Reach的中心。這么看來(lái)，高庭也騰不出手來(lái)了。我們的敵人亂了陣腳，時(shí)機(jī)已然成熟?！?/p>
“War will come, whether we wish it or not,” said Obara. “A boy king sits the Iron Throne. Lord Stannis holds the Wall and is gathering northmen to his cause. The two queens are squabbling over Tommen like bitches with a juicy bone. The ironmen have taken the Shields and are raiding up the Mander, deep into the heart of the Reach, which means Highgarden will be preoccupied as well. Our enemies are in disarray. The time is ripe.”
“什么時(shí)機(jī)？去收割更多頭顱？”艾拉莉亞·沙德轉(zhuǎn)過(guò)身面向親王。“她們不明白。我再也聽(tīng)不下去了?！?/p>
“Ripe for what? To make more skulls?” Ellaria Sand turned to the prince. “They will not see. I can hear no more of this.”
“回去照顧你的女兒們，艾拉莉亞?！庇H王對(duì)她說(shuō)，“我向你發(fā)誓，她們不會(huì)受到傷害?！?/p>
“Go back to your girls, Ellaria,” the prince told her. “I swear to you, no harm will come to them.”
“我的親王?！卑騺啞ど车掠H吻了他的額頭，然后走開(kāi)。阿利歐·何塔看著她離去，感到有些傷感。她是個(gè)好女人。
“My prince.” Ellaria kissed him on the brow and took her leave. Areo Hotah was sad to see her go. She is a good woman.
艾拉莉亞離開(kāi)后，娜梅小姐評(píng)論：“我知道她很愛(ài)我們的父親，但是顯而易見(jiàn)她從沒(méi)真正理解他?！?/p>
When she had gone, Lady Nym said, “I know she loved our father well, but it is plain she never understood him.”
親王帶著些許好奇望著她?！八斫饽銈兏赣H的程度遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超過(guò)你們，娜梅莉亞。而且她讓你們的父親過(guò)得快樂(lè)。終而言之，一顆溫柔的心要比驕傲和勇氣更有價(jià)值。讓她去吧，有些事情艾拉莉亞不知道，也不會(huì)知道。戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)確實(shí)已經(jīng)打響了?！?/p>
The prince gave her a curious look. “She understood more than you ever will, Nymeria. And she made your father happy. In the end a gentle heart may be worth more than pride or valor. Be that as it may, there are things Ellaria does not know and should not know. This war has already begun.”
奧芭婭大笑：“哈，我們親愛(ài)的亞蓮恩一手促成的。”
Obara laughed. “Aye, our sweet Arianne has seen to that.”
親王漲紅了臉，何塔注意到憤怒的抽搐從他的臉上閃過(guò)?！八傻拇朗?，不光給自己帶來(lái)麻煩，也給你們帶來(lái)麻煩。換了是我，就不會(huì)那么急切地尋開(kāi)心?！?/p>
The princess flushed, and Hotah saw a spasm of anger pass across her father’s face. “What she did, she did as much for you as for herself. I would not be so quick to mock.”
“我把這當(dāng)成贊揚(yáng)。”奧芭婭·沙德堅(jiān)持著，“不思進(jìn)取、保持曖昧、拖拖拉拉、掩飾搪塞，你愛(ài)怎么拖延就怎么拖延，叔叔?？墒前吐【羰拷K究要在流水花園面見(jiàn)彌賽菈，到時(shí)就能看看他見(jiàn)到彌賽菈少一只耳朵的時(shí)候會(huì)有多高興了。等那女孩告訴他，你的隊(duì)長(zhǎng)用他的斧頭老婆將亞歷斯·奧克赫特從頸子到下體一劈為二的時(shí)候……哇哦……”
“That was praise,” Obara Sand insisted. “Procrastinate, obscure, prevaricate, dissemble, and delay all you like, Uncle, Ser Balon must still come face-to-face with Myrcella at the Water Gardens, and when he does he’s like to see she’s short an ear. And when the girl tells him how your captain cut Arys Oakheart from neck to groin with that steel wife of his, well …”
“你錯(cuò)了?！?亞蓮恩公主從坐著的墊子上展開(kāi)身體，一只手搭在何塔的手臂上。“事情不是這樣發(fā)生的，表姐。亞歷斯爵士是被杰洛·戴恩殺死的。”
“No.” Princess Arianne unfolded from the cushion where she sat and put a hand on Hotah’s arm. “That wasn’t how it happened, Cousin. Ser Arys was slain by Gerold Dayne.”
沙蛇們面面相覷?！鞍岛谥牵俊?/p>
The Sand Snakes looked at one another. “Darkstar?”
“是暗黑之星干的。”他的小公主說(shuō)，“他還試圖殺死彌賽菈公主。她會(huì)這樣告訴巴隆爵士?！?/p>
“Darkstar did it,” his little princess said. “He tried to kill Princess Myrcella too. As she will tell Ser Balon.”
娜梅小姐笑了：“至少那一部分的故事是真的?！?/p>
Nym smiled. “That part at least is true.”
“全都是真的。”親王開(kāi)口，伴隨著一聲疼痛的抽息。究竟是他的痛風(fēng)，還是謊言，給他帶來(lái)如此痛苦？“如今杰洛爵士已逃回高隱城，我們鞭長(zhǎng)莫及?！?/p>
“It is all true,” said the prince, with a wince of pain. Is it his gout that hurts him, or the lie? “And now Ser Gerold has fled back to High Hermitage, beyond our reach.”
“暗黑之星，”特蕾妮低語(yǔ)，然后咯咯笑起來(lái)，“為何不呢？壞事全是他干的。但巴隆爵士會(huì)相信嗎？”
“Darkstar,” Tyene murmured, with a giggle. “Why not? It is all his doing. But will Ser Balon believe it?”
“他會(huì)的，只要他從彌賽菈口里聽(tīng)說(shuō)這一切?！眮喩彾鲌?jiān)持。
“He will if he hears it from Myrcella,” Arianne insisted.
奧芭婭懷疑地哼了一聲?！八梢越裉烊鲋e，明天撒謊，但總有一天她會(huì)說(shuō)出真相。要是我們?cè)试S巴隆爵士把消息帶回君臨，接著就該響起戰(zhàn)鼓，撒下鮮血了。我們不能讓他回去?！?/p>
Obara snorted in disbelief. “She may lie today and lie tomorrow, but soon or late she’ll tell the truth. If Ser Balon is allowed to carry tales back to King’s Landing, drums will sound and blood will flow. He should not be allowed to leave.”
“我們可以殺了他?！碧乩倌菡f(shuō)，“可是接下來(lái)就得把他的隨行隊(duì)伍全殺光，包括那些年輕可愛(ài)的小侍從。那可真是……哦，真糟糕啊?！?/p>
“We could kill him, to be sure,” said Tyene, “but then we would need to kill the rest of his party too, even those sweet young squires. That would be … oh, so messy.”
道朗親王閉上眼睛，又再睜開(kāi)。何塔注意到他的腿在毛毯底下顫抖?！疤热裟銈儾皇俏业艿艿呐畠海視?huì)把你們?nèi)齻€(gè)都丟回監(jiān)獄，讓你們?cè)谀莾籂€掉，直到骨頭發(fā)灰。相反，我卻打算帶你們一起前往流水花園。要是你們還有點(diǎn)腦子，就可以在那兒學(xué)上一課?！?/p>
Prince Doran shut his eyes and opened them again. Hotah could see his leg trembling underneath the blanket. “If you were not my brother’s daughters, I would send the three of you back to your cells and keep you there until your bones were grey. Instead I mean to take you with us to the Water Gardens. There are lessons there if you have the wit to see them.”
“學(xué)上一課？”奧芭婭反問(wèn)，“我看到的就只有光屁股的小孩?！?/p>
“Lessons?” said Obara. “All I’ve seen are naked children.”
“沒(méi)錯(cuò)?！庇H王說(shuō)，“我給巴隆爵士講了那個(gè)故事，但沒(méi)告訴他全部。孩子們?cè)诔刈永飸蛩臅r(shí)候，丹妮莉絲坐在血橙樹(shù)林中觀看，而后她有了了悟。她無(wú)法分辨出哪些孩子有高貴的出身，哪些又是來(lái)自底層。光著身子的孩子就只是孩子。他們?nèi)家粯蛹冋妗⒁粯哟嗳?，都理?dāng)被愛(ài)、被保護(hù)、活的久長(zhǎng)?！遣攀悄愕耐鯂?guó)’她這么教導(dǎo)她的繼承人，‘做任何事情的時(shí)候，都想想他們?！?dāng)我到了爬出池子的年紀(jì)，我母親也對(duì)我說(shuō)過(guò)同樣的話。對(duì)一個(gè)親王來(lái)說(shuō)，號(hào)召人民舉起長(zhǎng)矛非常容易，但最終是我們的孩子付出代價(jià)。為了他們的安全，明智的親王不會(huì)在缺乏正當(dāng)理由的情況下發(fā)動(dòng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)，也不會(huì)打一場(chǎng)他不能贏的仗?！?/p>
“Aye,” the prince said. “I told the story to Ser Balon, but not all of it. As the children splashed in the pools, Daenerys watched from amongst the orange trees, and a realization came to her. She could not tell the highborn from the low. Naked, they were only children. All innocent, all vulnerable, all deserving of long life, love, protection. ‘There is your realm,’ she told her son and heir, ‘remember them, in everything you do.’ My own mother said those same words to me when I was old enough to leave the pools. It is an easy thing for a prince to call the spears, but in the end the children pay the price. For their sake, the wise prince will wage no war without good cause, nor any war he cannot hope to win.
“我不瞎也不聾。我知道你們都認(rèn)為我軟弱衰老、擔(dān)驚受怕，可你們的父親才更懂我。奧伯倫從來(lái)都是條毒蛇，致命危險(xiǎn)、變幻莫測(cè)，沒(méi)人膽敢招惹他。我則是草地，和藹柔順、平易近人、隨風(fēng)搖曳。有誰(shuí)會(huì)害怕走在草地上呢？然而，正是草地掩蓋毒蛇的行蹤，使他不被敵人發(fā)覺(jué)，草地庇護(hù)著毒蛇，直到他選擇出擊。你們的父親和我合作無(wú)間，遠(yuǎn)超你們的想象……可他已經(jīng)逝去了。眼下的問(wèn)題在于：我能否信任他的女兒，代替他服務(wù)于我？”
“I am not blind, nor deaf. I know that you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes. Your father and I worked more closely than you know … but now he is gone. The question is, can I trust his daughters to serve me in his place?”
何塔依次打量著她們：奧芭婭，身著銹釘和熟皮，長(zhǎng)著鼠褐色頭發(fā)和一雙充滿憤怒、挨得很近的眼睛；娜梅莉亞，慵懶優(yōu)雅，橄欖膚色，長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)的黑發(fā)辮用紅金色繩子扎起來(lái)；特蕾妮，金發(fā)藍(lán)眼，是個(gè)擁有嬌柔雙手、喜歡輕笑、看似孩子般純真的女人。
Hotah studied each of them in turn. Obara, rusted nails and boiled leather, with her angry, close-set eyes and rat-brown hair. Nymeria, languid, elegant, olive-skinned, her long black braid bound up in red-gold wire. Tyene, blue-eyed and blond, a child-woman with her soft hands and little giggles.
特蕾妮為三人作答：“最難的是無(wú)所事事，叔叔。給我們?nèi)蝿?wù)，隨便什么任務(wù)，你就會(huì)知道我們可以像任何一個(gè)親王所希望的那般忠實(shí)順從?！?/p>
Tyene answered for the three of them. “It is doing nothing that is hard, Uncle. Set a task for us, any task, and you shall find us as leal and obedient as any prince could hope for.”
“很好?！庇H王說(shuō)，“但言語(yǔ)就像風(fēng)。你們是我弟弟的女兒，我愛(ài)你們，但我無(wú)法信任你們。我要你們的誓言。你們能發(fā)誓向我效忠，服從我的命令嗎？”
“That is good to hear,” the prince said, “but words are wind. You are my brother’s daughters and I love you, but I have learned I cannot trust you. I want your oath. Will you swear to serve me, to do as I command?”
“如果非要不可的話?！蹦让沸〗慊卮?。
“If we must,” said Lady Nym.
“那么現(xiàn)在就立下誓言，對(duì)著你們父親的墳?zāi)蛊鹗摹！?/p>
“Then swear it now, upon your father’s grave.”
奧芭婭的臉色變得難看起來(lái)，“倘若你不是我叔叔……”
Obara’s face darkened. “If you were not my uncle—”
“我就是你叔叔。也是你的親王。那么發(fā)誓，那么離開(kāi)。”
“I am your uncle. And your prince. Swear, or go.”
“我發(fā)誓?！碧乩倌菔紫日f(shuō)，“讓父親的墳?zāi)棺魑业囊?jiàn)證?！?/p>
“I swear,” said Tyene. “On my father’s grave.”
“我發(fā)誓?！苯又悄让沸〗悖岸喽鞯募t毒蛇奧伯倫·馬泰爾，一個(gè)比你強(qiáng)得多的男人——我以他的名義起誓?！?/p>
“I swear,” said Lady Nym. “By Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne, and a better man than you.”
“好吧?！眾W芭婭說(shuō)，“算上我一個(gè)。為了父親，我發(fā)誓?！?/p>
“Aye,” said Obara. “Me as well. By Father. I swear.”
親王似乎不像之前那么緊張了，何塔注意到他在輪椅里坐得深了一些。他伸出一只手，亞蓮恩公主走到身旁握住它：“告訴她們吧，父親?！?/p>
Some of the tension went out of the prince. Hotah saw him sag back into his chair. He held out his hand, and Princess Arianne moved to his side to hold it. “Tell them, Father.”
道朗親王慢慢吸了一口氣；“多恩在宮廷里仍有朋友，朋友會(huì)告訴我們一些不該被我們知道的事。這個(gè)瑟曦女人送來(lái)的邀請(qǐng)是個(gè)陷阱，崔斯丹將不會(huì)抵達(dá)君臨。在路上，國(guó)王林（kingswood）中的某處，巴隆爵士的隊(duì)伍會(huì)被一群不法之徒襲擊，我兒子將死在那里。她邀請(qǐng)我一同前往只是為了讓我親眼見(jiàn)證這場(chǎng)突襲，這樣責(zé)難就不會(huì)落到太后頭上。哦，至于那群歹徒，他們會(huì)一邊叫嚷著‘為了半人！為了半人！’一邊下殺手。巴隆爵士甚至?xí)吹劫宓纳碛耙婚W而過(guò)，但是除了他以外，沒(méi)有別人會(huì)看到。”
Prince Doran took a jagged breath. “Dorne still has friends at court. Friends who tell us things we were not meant to know. This invitation Cersei sent us is a ruse. Trystane is never meant to reach King’s Landing. On the road back, somewhere in the kingswood, Ser Balon’s party will be attacked by outlaws, and my son will die. I am asked to court only so that I may witness this attack with my own eyes and thereby absolve the queen of any blame. Oh, and these outlaws? They will be shouting, ‘Halfman, Halfman,’ as they attack. Ser Balon may even catch a quick glimpse of the Imp, though no one else will.”
阿利歐·何塔以為任何事情都不會(huì)令沙蛇們感到震驚，可是他錯(cuò)了。
Areo Hotah would not have believed it possible to shock the Sand Snakes. He would have been wrong.
“七神在上。”特蕾妮低聲驚呼，“謀害崔斯丹？為什么？”
“Seven save us,” whispered Tyene. “Trystane? Why?”
“那女人瘋了。”奧芭婭震驚到，“他只是個(gè)孩子！”
“The woman must be mad,” Obara said. “He’s just a boy.”
“簡(jiǎn)直聳人聽(tīng)聞！”娜梅小姐難以置信，“我無(wú)法相信一個(gè)御林鐵衛(wèi)會(huì)干出這種事。”
“This is monstrous,” said Lady Nym. “I would not have believed it, not of a Kingsguard knight.”
“他們立下服從的誓言，就像我的侍衛(wèi)隊(duì)長(zhǎng)一樣?！庇H王說(shuō)，“我原本也對(duì)這消息抱有懷疑。可是你們都看見(jiàn)了，我提出要走水路去君臨的時(shí)候，巴隆爵士是如何極力反對(duì)的。一艘船會(huì)把太后所有的安排都打亂?！?/p>
“They are sworn to obey, just as my captain is,” the prince said. “I had my doubts as well, but you all saw how Ser Balon balked when I suggested that we go by sea. A ship would have disturbed all the queen’s arrangements.”
奧芭婭怒火上涌，臉色漲紅：“叔叔，把我的長(zhǎng)矛還來(lái)。瑟曦給了我們一個(gè)頭，我們應(yīng)該還給她一袋！”
Obara’s face was flushed. “Give me back my spear, Uncle. Cersei sent us a head. We should send her back a bag of them.”
道朗親王抬起一只手阻止，他的指關(guān)節(jié)紅腫得像櫻桃一樣。“巴隆爵士是我屋檐下的賓客，他已經(jīng)吃了我的面包和鹽。我不會(huì)加害于他，絕不。我們會(huì)一起去流水花園，在那兒他將聽(tīng)說(shuō)彌賽菈的遭遇，然后放出一只信鴉去報(bào)告給太后聽(tīng)。那女孩會(huì)請(qǐng)求他去追捕兇手，要是我沒(méi)看走眼，史文這種人是無(wú)法拒絕這個(gè)請(qǐng)求的。奧芭婭，你將領(lǐng)他奔赴高隱城，直搗暗黑之星的老巢。多恩不能公然違抗鐵王座，至少現(xiàn)在還不到時(shí)機(jī)，所以我們必須把彌賽菈送回她母親身邊，但我不會(huì)同行。這個(gè)任務(wù)交給你，娜梅莉亞。蘭尼斯特絕不會(huì)喜歡這樣的安排，就像我把奧伯倫送去那次一樣，但他們也不敢拒絕我。我們需要有人在宮廷里為多恩說(shuō)話，作多恩在宮廷的‘耳線’。不過(guò)，千萬(wàn)要小心，君臨可是個(gè)充滿蛇蟲(chóng)百腳的魔窟?！?/p>
Prince Doran raised a hand. His knuckles were as dark as cherries and near as big. “Ser Balon is a guest beneath my roof. He has eaten of my bread and salt. I will not do him harm. No. We will travel to the Water Gardens, where he will hear Myrcella’s story and send a raven to his queen. The girl will ask him to hunt down the man who hurt her. If he is the man I judge, Swann will not be able to refuse. Obara, you will lead him to High Hermitage to beard Darkstar in his den. The time is not yet come for Dorne to openly defy the Iron Throne, so we must needs return Myrcella to her mother, but I will not be accompanying her. That task will be yours, Nymeria. The Lannisters will not like it, no more than they liked it when I sent them Oberyn, but they dare not refuse. We need a voice in council, an ear at court. Be careful, though. King’s Landing is a pit of snakes.”
娜梅小姐邪魅一笑：“擔(dān)心什么呀，叔叔，我正好想找點(diǎn)小吃填肚子?！?/p>
Lady Nym smiled. “Why, Uncle, I love snakes.”
“那我呢？”特蕾妮發(fā)問(wèn)。
“And what of me?” asked Tyene.
“你母親是個(gè)修女。奧伯倫曾經(jīng)告訴我，她在你還是嬰兒的時(shí)候就給你念七星圣經(jīng)。我也要你去君臨，但是站在游戲的另一邊。如今，圣劍騎士團(tuán)和星辰武士團(tuán)都已經(jīng)重建，新任大主教可不像前幾任那樣是傀儡。我要你去接近他?！?/p>
“Your mother was a septa. Oberyn once told me that she read to you in the cradle from the Seven-Pointed Star. I want you in King’s Landing too, but on the other hill. The Swords and the Stars have been re-formed, and this new High Septon is not the puppet that the others were. Try and get close to him.”
“為何不呢？白色最襯我了。我是如此的……純潔?！?/p>
“Why not? White suits my coloring. I look so … pure.”
“很好，”親王回答，“很好。”他猶豫了一下，“如果……如果有特定的消息，我會(huì)傳達(dá)給你們每一個(gè)人。在權(quán)力的游戲中，事態(tài)總是變化得飛快?！?/p>
“Good,” the prince said, “good.” He hesitated. “If … if certain things should come to pass, I will send word to each of you. Things can change quickly in the game of thrones.”
“我知道你們絕不會(huì)辜負(fù)我們的，姐妹們。”亞蓮恩依次握住她們的手，在她們的唇上落下輕巧的吻?！皧W芭婭，你是如此勇猛無(wú)畏。娜梅莉亞，我最親愛(ài)的姐姐。特蕾妮，你那么甜美。我愛(ài)你們，多恩的陽(yáng)光將伴隨你們左右?！?/p>
“I know you will not fail us, cousins.” Arianne went to each of them in turn, took their hands, kissed them lightly on the lips. “Obara, so fierce. Nymeria, my sister. Tyene, sweetling. I love you all. The sun of Dorne goes with you.”
“不屈不撓?！鄙成邆凖R聲說(shuō)道。
“Unbowed, unbent, unbroken,” the Sand Snakes said, together.
等她們離開(kāi)，亞蓮恩公主仍留在原地。阿利歐·何塔也一動(dòng)不動(dòng)，他的位置在這里。
Princess Arianne lingered when her cousins had departed. Areo Hotah remained as well, as was his place.
“她們是她們父親的女兒。”親王評(píng)論。
“They are their father’s daughters,” the prince said.
他的小公主笑了：“三個(gè)長(zhǎng)乳頭的奧伯倫。”
The little princess smiled. “Three Oberyns, with teats.”
道朗親王大笑起來(lái)。何塔已經(jīng)太久沒(méi)有聽(tīng)到親王的笑聲，他都快忘了他的笑聲是怎樣的。
Prince Doran laughed. It had been so long since Hotah last heard him laugh, he had almost forgotten what it sounded like.
“我還是要說(shuō)，應(yīng)該由我去君臨，而不是娜梅?！眮喩彾靼l(fā)言。
“I still say it should be me who goes to King’s Landing, not Lady Nym,” Arianne said.
“太危險(xiǎn)了。你是我的繼承人，你承擔(dān)著多恩的未來(lái)，你的位置在我身邊。況且，很快你就要有另一個(gè)任務(wù)?！?/p>
“It is too dangerous. You are my heir, the future of Dorne. Your place is by my side. Soon enough, you’ll have another task.”
“對(duì)于信件的最后一段，你了解到什么新消息嗎？”
“That last part, about the message. Have you had tidings?”
道朗親王向她露出一抹神秘的微笑?！皬睦锼箒?lái)的。有一支大船隊(duì)從那起航了，以瓦蘭提斯船為主，沒(méi)有搭載軍隊(duì)。消息沒(méi)有提到他們的身份，也沒(méi)提到他們的目的地。傳言說(shuō)上面有大象?！?/p>
Prince Doran shared his secret smile with her. “From Lys. A great fleet has put in there to take on water. Volantene ships chiefly, carrying an army. No word as to who they are, or where they might be bound. There was talk of elephants.”
“沒(méi)有關(guān)于龍的消息？”
“No dragons?”
“只有大象。很容易把一頭小龍藏在一群龐然大物里。海上航行是丹妮莉絲最容易遭遇危險(xiǎn)的時(shí)候。假如我是她，我就會(huì)把身份和意圖保密，越久越好。這樣我才能出其不意地占領(lǐng)君臨?！?/p>
“Elephants. Easy enough to hide a young dragon in a big cog’s hold, though. Daenerys is most vulnerable at sea. If I were her, I would keep myself and my intentions hidden as long as I could, so I might take King’s Landing unawares.”
“昆汀會(huì)在他們的隊(duì)伍里嗎？”
“Do you think that Quentyn will be with them?”
“可能在，也可能不在。如果那支船隊(duì)真的向著維斯特洛航來(lái)，看看他們?cè)谀膬嚎堪毒椭览ネ≡诓辉谄渲辛?。昆汀?huì)盡力說(shuō)服那女孩開(kāi)進(jìn)綠血河。多說(shuō)無(wú)益，給我一個(gè)晚安吻吧。我們將在明天第一縷晨光照下之時(shí)啟程去流水花園?！?/p>
“He could be. Or not. We will know by where they land if Westeros is indeed their destination. Quentyn will bring her up the Greenblood if he can. But it does no good to speak of it. Kiss me. We leave for the Water Gardens at first light.”
那么我們會(huì)在明天正午啟程，何塔心想。
We may depart by midday, then, Hotah thought.
亞蓮恩公主離去后，他放下長(zhǎng)柄斧，把道朗親王搬上睡床?！爸钡侥侥胨槲业艿艿念^顱以前，多恩沒(méi)有一兵一卒因五王之戰(zhàn)而流血?！庇H王輕聲細(xì)語(yǔ)道。何塔為他蓋上毯子?！案嬖V我，隊(duì)長(zhǎng)。這究竟是我的恥辱，還是我的榮耀？”
Later, when Arianne had gone, he put down his longaxe and lifted Prince Doran into his bed. “Until the Mountain crushed my brother’s skull, no Dornishmen had died in this War of the Five Kings,” the prince murmured softly, as Hotah pulled a blanket over him. “Tell me, Captain, is that my shame or my glory?”
“這不該由我來(lái)評(píng)論，我的親王。”效忠，守護(hù)，服從。簡(jiǎn)單的人發(fā)下簡(jiǎn)單的誓言。這才是他所知的全部。
“That is not for me to say, my prince.” Serve. Protect. Obey. Simple vows for simple men. That was all he knew.
