Ⅲ 冰雨的風(fēng)暴 Chapter14 凱特琳
CATELYN
是羅柏，獸舍沸騰的那一刻，她就知道了。
Robb, she knew, the moment she heard the kennels erupt.
她的長(zhǎng)子已帶著灰風(fēng)回到奔流城，只有那碩大的灰色冰原狼的氣味會(huì)惹得獵狗們?nèi)绱睡偪穹徒小Ｋ麜?huì)來(lái)見我，她心想，艾德慕見了她一次以后，便再?zèng)]來(lái)過(guò)，成天跟馬柯·派柏和派崔克·梅利斯特在一起，聽打油詩(shī)人雷蒙德歌頌石磨坊之役。羅柏不是艾德慕，羅柏會(huì)來(lái)見我。
Her son had returned to Riverrun, and Grey Wind with him. Only the scent of the great grey direwolf could send the hounds into such a frenzy of baying and barking. He will come to me, she knew. Edmure had not returned after his first visit, preferring to spend his days with Marq Piper and Patrek Mallister, listening to Rymund the Rhymer’s verses about the battle at the Stone Mill. Robb is not Edmure, though. Robb will see me.
雨連著下了好幾天，冰冷灰暗，正與凱特琳的心境相符。日子一天天過(guò)去，父親變得越發(fā)虛弱，越發(fā)神志不清，每當(dāng)醒來(lái)，只會(huì)喃喃低語(yǔ)：“艾菊，”然后懇求原諒。艾德慕躲著她，戴斯蒙·格瑞爾爵士雖不情愿，仍禁止她在城堡內(nèi)自由行動(dòng)，惟有羅賓·萊格爵士的空手而歸給了她不少安慰。兵士們回城時(shí)步伐疲倦，渾身濕透，看來(lái)是走回來(lái)的。韋曼學(xué)士說(shuō)，他們的船被弒君者設(shè)計(jì)弄沉了。凱特琳請(qǐng)求和羅賓爵士談話，以詳細(xì)了解情況，卻遭到拒絕。
It had been raining for days now, a cold grey downpour that well suited Catelyn’s mood. Her father was growing weaker and more delirious with every passing day, waking only to mutter, “Tansy,” and beg forgiveness. Edmure shunned her, and Ser Desmond Grell still denied her freedom of the castle, however unhappy it seemed to make him. Only the return of Ser Robin Ryger and his men, footweary and drenched to the bone, served to lighten her spirits. They had walked back, it seemed. Somehow the Kingslayer had contrived to sink their galley and escape, Maester Vyman confided. Catelyn asked if she might speak with Ser Robin to learn more of what had happened, but that was refused her.
有什么事不對(duì)勁。弟弟回來(lái)當(dāng)天，他們爭(zhēng)執(zhí)之后不久，下面院子里傳來(lái)憤怒的叫囂，她爬上堡頂察看。只見一群人聚集在城堡正門處，牽著上好鞍配的戰(zhàn)馬，高聲喝罵，凱特琳離得太遠(yuǎn)，聽不清在說(shuō)什么。一面白色冰原狼旗幟擱在地上，一名騎士飛弛而前，踐踏旗幟，沖出城門，另有幾人也依樣而行。這些人在渡口之役里跟艾德慕并肩作戰(zhàn)，她明白，而今為何如此憤怒？難道弟弟怠慢了他們，侮辱了他們？在人群中，她認(rèn)出派溫·佛雷爵士——他曾保護(hù)她往返苦橋和風(fēng)息堡——以及他同父異母的兄弟馬丁·河文。離得這么遠(yuǎn)，其他人都看不清楚，反正將近四十人離開奔流城，去往哪里不得而知。
Something else was wrong as well. On the day her brother returned, a few hours after their argument, she had heard angry voices from the yard below. When she climbed to the roof to see, there were knots of men gathered across the castle beside the main gate. Horses were being led from the stables, saddled and bridled, and there was shouting, though Catelyn was too far away to make out the words. One of Robb’s white banners lay on the ground, and one of the knights turned his horse and trampled over the direwolf as he spurred toward the gate. Several others did the same. Those are men who fought with Edmure on the fords, she thought. What could have made them so angry? Has my brother slighted them somehow, given them some insult? She thought she recognized Ser Perwyn Frey, who had traveled with her to Bitterbridge and Storm’s End and back, and his bastard half brother Martyn Rivers as well, but from this vantage it was hard to be certain. Close to forty men poured out through the castle gates, to what end she did not know.
他們沒(méi)有回來(lái)。韋曼爵士不肯透露他們是誰(shuí)，去了哪兒，以及他們憤怒的原因?！拔沂莵?lái)照顧您父親的，僅此而已，夫人，”他道，“您弟弟很快就會(huì)成為奔流城公爵，一切消息，可以由他親口告訴您?！?/p>
They did not come back. Nor would Maester Vyman tell her who they had been, where they had gone, or what had made them so angry. “I am here to see to your father, and only that, my lady,” he said. “Your brother will soon be Lord of Riverrun. What he wishes you to know, he must tell you.”
現(xiàn)在羅柏已從西境凱旋而歸。他會(huì)原諒我，凱特琳告訴自己，他必須原諒我，我是他的母親，而艾莉亞和珊莎不僅是我的女兒，也是他的妹妹。他會(huì)放我出去，然后我就知道外面發(fā)生的事了。
But now Robb was returned from the west, returned in triumph. He will forgive me, Catelyn told herself. He must forgive me, he is my own son, and Arya and Sansa are as much his blood as mine. He will free me from these rooms and then I will know what has happened.
戴斯蒙爵士來(lái)找她時(shí)，她已洗浴完畢，穿戴整齊，棗紅的頭發(fā)也梳理安好?！皣?guó)王陛下西征歸來(lái)，夫人，”騎士說(shuō)，“命您去大廳見他?！?/p>
By the time Ser Desmond came for her, she had bathed and dressed and combed out her auburn hair. “King Robb has returned from the west, my lady,” the knight said, “and commands that you attend him in the Great Hall.”
這是她夢(mèng)寐以求的時(shí)刻，也是她所懼怕的時(shí)刻。我失去了兩個(gè)兒子，還是三個(gè)？答案很快就要揭曉。
It was the moment she had dreamt of and dreaded. Have I lost two sons, or three? She would know soon enough.
他們進(jìn)去時(shí)，廳內(nèi)已站滿了人，每雙眼睛都看著高臺(tái)，但凱特琳認(rèn)得出那些背影：穿著打補(bǔ)丁鎖甲的莫爾蒙伯爵夫人，比在場(chǎng)所有人都高的大瓊恩父子，一頭白發(fā)、掖下夾著飛鷹盔的杰森·梅利斯特，穿著華麗的鴉羽披風(fēng)的泰陀斯·布萊伍德……他們中有的人想吊死我，有的人假裝不認(rèn)識(shí)我。除此之外，她還有一種不安的感覺(jué)，似乎缺了什么。
The hall was crowded when they entered. Every eye was on the dais, but Catelyn knew their backs: Lady Mormont’s patched ringmail, the Greatjon and his son looming above every other head in the hall, Lord Jason Mallister white-haired with his winged helm in the crook of his arm, Tytos Blackwood in his magnificent raven-feather cloak … Half of them will want to hang me now. The other half may only turn their eyes away. She had the uneasy feeling that someone was missing, too.
羅柏站在高臺(tái)上。他不再是孩子了，她心痛地意識(shí)到，他已經(jīng)十六歲，邁入成人階段，而戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)將他臉上柔和的線條通通融掉，將他變得精瘦而堅(jiān)強(qiáng)。他把胡子剃光，但棗紅的頭發(fā)沒(méi)有剪，一直披到肩頭。近來(lái)的雨水銹掉他的鎖甲，在白披風(fēng)和外套上留下棕色的污點(diǎn)?；蛟S那是血吧。羅柏戴著青銅和黑鐵的劍冠，戴得自在多了，戴得像個(gè)國(guó)王。
Robb stood on the dais. He is a boy no longer, she realized with a pang. He is sixteen now, a man grown. Just look at him. War had melted all the softness from his face and left him hard and lean. He had shaved his beard away, but his auburn hair fell uncut to his shoulders. The recent rains had rusted his mail and left brown stains on the white of his cloak and surcoat. Or perhaps the stains were blood. On his head was the sword crown they had fashioned him of bronze and iron. He bears it more comfortably now. He bears it like a king.
艾德慕站在擁擠的高臺(tái)下，謙恭地低下頭，羅柏正在表彰他的勝利?！啊啦粫?huì)忘記在石磨坊英勇獻(xiàn)身的戰(zhàn)士。正因?yàn)樗麄兯@示出的北境和奔流城的力量，才使泰溫公爵倍感挫折，不得不回頭對(duì)付史坦尼斯?！边@番話引起一陣笑鬧和贊同，羅柏舉手示意安靜?！暗覀儾荒芊潘删瑁m尼斯特必將再度進(jìn)犯，為了王國(guó)安泰，還得繼續(xù)戰(zhàn)斗。”
Edmure stood below the crowded dais, head bowed modestly as Robb praised his victory. “… fell at the Stone Mill shall never be forgotten. Small wonder Lord Tywin ran off to fight Stannis. He’d had his fill of northmen and rivermen both.” That brought laughter and approving shouts, but Robb raised a hand for quiet. “Make no mistake, though. The Lannisters will march again, and there will be other battles to win before the kingdom is secure.”
大瓊恩吼道：“北境之王萬(wàn)歲！”并將一只鋼甲拳頭沖天舉起。三河流域的領(lǐng)主們也大喊：“三河之王萬(wàn)歲！”。大廳里擊拳跺腳的聲音如雷鳴般響亮。
The Greatjon roared out, “King in the North!” and thrust a mailed fist into the air. The river lords answered with a shout of “King of the Trident!” The hall grew thunderous with pounding fists and stamping feet.
一片喧囂中，起初少有人關(guān)注凱特琳和戴斯蒙爵士，但人們用胳膊互相捅擠，漸漸安靜下來(lái)。她高昂著頭，不去在意別人的目光。隨他們?cè)趺纯?，我只在乎羅柏。
Only a few noted Catelyn and Ser Desmond amidst the tumult, but they elbowed their fellows, and slowly a hush grew around her. She held her head high and ignored the eyes. Let them think what they will. It is Robb’s judgment that matters.
高臺(tái)上布林登·徒利粗獷的臉，使她感到安心。一個(gè)她不認(rèn)識(shí)的男孩正擔(dān)任羅柏的侍從，孩子后面站一個(gè)年輕騎士，穿著畫了六只海貝的沙色外套，另一個(gè)年長(zhǎng)騎士的徽章則是三個(gè)黑色胡椒罐，底色為綠銀相間的斑紋。他們間有一位端莊的老婦人和一位美貌少女，看來(lái)是她女兒。此外，還有一個(gè)跟珊莎年紀(jì)相仿的女孩。海貝是西境某家小諸侯的紋章，凱特琳知道，但那個(gè)老騎士的紋章她不認(rèn)識(shí)。他們是囚犯嗎？羅柏為何讓俘虜站到高臺(tái)上？
The sight of Ser Brynden Tully’s craggy face on the dais gave her comfort. A boy she did not know seemed to be acting as Robb’s squire. Behind him stood a young knight in a sand-colored surcoat blazoned with seashells, and an older one who wore three black pepperpots on a saffron bend, across a field of green and silver stripes. Between them were a handsome older lady and a pretty maid who looked to be her daughter. There was another girl as well, near Sansa’s age. The seashells were the sigil of some lesser house, Catelyn knew; the older man’s she did not recognize. Prisoners? Why would Robb bring captives onto the dais?
戴斯蒙爵士護(hù)她上前，烏瑟萊斯·韋恩將權(quán)杖往地上重重一擊，表示肅靜。若羅柏象艾德慕一樣待我，怎么辦？但從兒子眼中，她看到的不是憤怒，而是別的什么……憂懼？不，這不可能，他有什么好怕的？他是少狼主，三叉戟河與北境之王啊。
Utherydes Wayn banged his staff on the floor as Ser Desmond escorted her forward. If Robb looks at me as Edmure did, I do not know what I will do. But it seemed to her that it was not anger she saw in her son’s eyes, but something else … apprehension, perhaps? No, that made no sense. What should he fear? He was the Young Wolf, King of the Trident and the North.
叔叔首先向她致意。這條黑魚從不管別人的看法，他徑直跳下高臺(tái)，將凱特琳攬進(jìn)懷中，“回家見到你真好，凱特?！彼坏貌粧暝３宙?zhèn)靜?！澳阋惨粯樱彼吐曊f(shuō)。
Her uncle was the first to greet her. As black a fish as ever, Ser Brynden had no care for what others might think. He leapt off the dais and pulled Catelyn into his arms. When he said, “It is good to see you home, Cat,” she had to struggle to keep her composure. “And you,” she whispered.
“母親?！?/p>
“Mother.”
凱特琳抬頭望向她那威嚴(yán)高大的兒子?！氨菹?，我曾為您的安全回歸而祈禱，聽說(shuō)您受了傷?！?/p>
Catelyn looked up at her tall kingly son. “Your Grace, I have prayed for your safe return. I had heard you were wounded.”
“攻打峭巖城時(shí)，一支箭射穿手臂，”他道，“但傷口愈合得很好，因?yàn)槲沂艿绞郎献詈玫恼樟??！?/p>
“I took an arrow through the arm while storming the Crag,” he said. “It’s healed well, though. I had the best of care.”
“諸神保佑。”凱特琳長(zhǎng)出一口氣。說(shuō)吧，無(wú)法逃避的?！八麄円欢ò盐业淖鳛榉A報(bào)了您，是否也解釋過(guò)我的理由呢？”
“The gods are good, then.” Catelyn took a deep breath. Say it. It cannot be avoided. “They will have told you what I did. Did they tell you my reasons?”
“為了兩個(gè)女孩?！?/p>
“For the girls.”
“我有過(guò)五個(gè)孩子，現(xiàn)在只剩下三個(gè)?！?/p>
“I had five children. Now I have three.”
“是的，夫人?！比鹂ǖ隆たㄊ匪瞬敉崎_大瓊恩走上前，黑鎖甲和又長(zhǎng)又粗的灰胡子使他看起來(lái)活象個(gè)陰沉的幽靈，那張長(zhǎng)臉冰冷而痛苦?！拔乙灿羞^(guò)三個(gè)兒子，現(xiàn)在只剩下一個(gè)……您剝奪了我復(fù)仇的權(quán)利！”
“Aye, my lady.” Lord Rickard Karstark pushed past the Greatjon, like some grim specter with his black mail and long ragged grey beard, his narrow face pinched and cold. “And I have one son, who once had three. You have robbed me of my vengeance.”
凱特琳平靜地面對(duì)他?！叭鹂ǖ麓笕?，弒君者的死不能換得你兒子的生命，讓他活著回去卻能保我女兒歸來(lái)?！?/p>
Catelyn faced him calmly. “Lord Rickard, the Kingslayer’s dying would not have bought life for your children. His living may buy life for mine.”
伯爵毫不信服，“詹姆·蘭尼斯特拿您當(dāng)槍使，把您當(dāng)傻瓜！您得到的不過(guò)一堆空話，僅此而已！我的托倫和艾德決不會(huì)就此埋沒(méi)。”
The lord was unappeased. “Jaime Lannister has played you for a fool. You’ve bought a bag of empty words, no more. My Torrhen and my Eddard deserved better of you.”
“算了吧，卡史塔克，”大瓊恩將兩條粗胳膊交疊在胸，咕噥道，“這是母親的瘋狂，女人天生就這個(gè)樣。”
“Leave off, Karstark,” rumbled the Greatjon, crossing his huge arms against his chest. “It was a mother’s folly. Women are made that way.”
“母親的瘋狂？”卡史塔克伯爵轉(zhuǎn)身面對(duì)安柏伯爵，“我說(shuō)這是背叛！”
“A mother’s folly?” Lord Karstark rounded on Lord Umber. “I name it treason.”
“夠了?！逼讨g，羅柏聽上去更象布蘭登，而不是他父親。“不準(zhǔn)在我面前說(shuō)臨冬城的夫人是叛徒，瑞卡德大人?！彼D(zhuǎn)向凱特琳，聲音柔和下來(lái)?！拔乙獙s君者抓回來(lái)。你私自放走了他，既沒(méi)通知我，更沒(méi)征得我的同意……但我明白，你所做的一切都是為了愛(ài)，為了艾莉亞和珊莎，為了失去布蘭和瑞肯的悲哀。從自己的角度出發(fā)，我已經(jīng)明白，愛(ài)并不總是明智的，它往往會(huì)將我們引向愚行，但我們生而為人，遵循情感行動(dòng)……而不管其后果如何。對(duì)嗎，母親？”
“Enough.” For just an instant Robb sounded more like Brandon than his father. “No man calls my lady of Winterfell a traitor in my hearing, Lord Rickard.” When he turned to Catelyn, his voice softened. “If I could wish the Kingslayer back in chains I would. You freed him without my knowledge or consent … but what you did, I know you did for love. For Arya and Sansa, and out of grief for Bran and Rickon. Love’s not always wise, I’ve learned. It can lead us to great folly, but we follow our hearts … wherever they take us. Don’t we, Mother?”
是么？“假如我的情感導(dǎo)致我的愚行，我真誠(chéng)地向您和卡史塔克大人道歉?！?/p>
Is that what I did? “If my heart led me into folly, I would gladly make whatever amends I can to Lord Karstark and yourself.”
瑞卡德伯爵怒氣不息，“弒君者殺害我的托倫和艾德，您道個(gè)歉就算完了？”他從大瓊恩和梅姬·莫爾蒙中間擠過(guò)，離開大廳。
Lord Rickard’s face was implacable. “Will your amends warm Torrhen and Eddard in the cold graves where the Kingslayer laid them?” He shouldered between the Greatjon and Maege Mormont and left the hall.
羅柏沒(méi)有阻止他，“原諒他吧，母親?！?/p>
Robb made no move to detain him. “Forgive him, Mother.”
“如果您愿意原諒我的話?！?/p>
“If you will forgive me.”
“我已經(jīng)原諒你了。愛(ài)到深切，讓你無(wú)法考慮其余?！?/p>
“I have. I know what it is to love so greatly you can think of nothing else.”
凱特琳低下頭，“謝謝?！敝辽傥疫€沒(méi)有失去這個(gè)孩子。
Catelyn bowed her head. “Thank you.” I have not lost this child, at least.
“我們得談?wù)?，”羅柏續(xù)道，“你和舅公、舅舅留下來(lái)，談?wù)勥@事……以及其他一些事情?？偣埽紩?huì)議結(jié)束。”
“We must talk,” Robb went on. “You and my uncles. Of this and … other things. Steward, call an end.”
烏瑟萊斯·韋恩用權(quán)杖敲擊地面，高喊散會(huì)，三河諸侯和北地人便一起離開。凱特琳猛然意識(shí)到缺的是什么——狼。狼不在?；绎L(fēng)怎么了？那頭冰原狼明明跟羅柏一起回來(lái)，她聽見狗群吠叫。但他卻不在廳內(nèi)，不在她兒子身邊，他上哪兒去了？
Utherydes Wayn slammed his staff on the floor and shouted the dismissal, and river lords and northerners alike moved toward the doors. It was only then that Catelyn realized what was amiss. The wolf. The wolf is not here. Where is Grey Wind? She knew the direwolf had returned with Robb, she had heard the dogs, but he was not in the hall, not at her son’s side where he belonged.
她還來(lái)不及問(wèn)羅柏，就被一群前來(lái)表達(dá)善意的人所包圍。莫爾蒙夫人拉住她的手，“夫人，若我有兩個(gè)女兒被瑟曦·蘭尼斯特抓住，也會(huì)這么做?！辈痪卸Y節(jié)的大瓊恩用毛絨絨的大胳膊使勁捏她雙臂，將她提起來(lái)，“您的小狼崽打敗過(guò)弒君者，日后疆場(chǎng)相逢，再干一次就是了。”蓋伯特·葛洛佛和杰森·梅利斯特伯爵比較平靜，杰諾斯·布雷肯則近乎冷漠，但他們的話都說(shuō)得相當(dāng)有禮。弟弟最后一個(gè)走來(lái)，“我也為你的女兒們祈禱，凱特，希望你不要懷疑?！?/p>
Before she could think to question Robb, however, she found herself surrounded by a circle of well-wishers. Lady Mormont took her hand and said, “My lady, if Cersei Lannister held two of my daughters, I would have done the same.” The Greatjon, no respecter of proprieties, lifted her off her feet and squeezed her arms with his huge hairy hands. “Your wolf pup mauled the Kingslayer once, he’ll do it again if need be.” Galbart Glover and Lord Jason Mallister were cooler, and Jonos Bracken almost icy, but their words were courteous enough. Her brother was the last to approach her. “I pray for your girls as well, Cat. I hope you do not doubt that.”
“當(dāng)然不會(huì)，”她吻他，“我愛(ài)你?！?/p>
“Of course not.” She kissed him. “I love you for it.”
祝福完畢后，奔流城的大廳里空空蕩蕩，只剩羅柏、三個(gè)徒利家的人和六個(gè)凱特琳不認(rèn)識(shí)的陌生人。她好奇地打量著他們，“先生們女士們，您們是新近參加我兒子的事業(yè)的嗎？”
When all the words were done, the Great Hall of Riverrun was empty save for Robb, the three Tullys, and the six strangers Catelyn could not place. She eyed them curiously. “My lady, sers, are you new to my son’s cause?”
“是，”海貝徽章的年輕騎士說(shuō)，“我們雖然新近加入，但勇氣非凡，忠貞不移，您會(huì)看到的，夫人。”
“New,” said the younger knight, him of the seashells, “but fierce in our courage and firm in our loyalties, as I hope to prove to you, my lady.”
羅柏看上去不大自在?！澳赣H，”他說(shuō)，“請(qǐng)?jiān)试S我向你介紹希蓓兒夫人，峭巖城伯爵加文·維斯特林的妻子。”老婦人儀態(tài)端莊地走向前，“她的丈夫被我們?cè)趪艺Z(yǔ)森林俘虜?！?/p>
Robb looked uncomfortable. “Mother,” he said, “may I present the Lady Sybell, the wife of Lord Gawen Westerling of the Crag.” The older woman came forward with solemn mien. “Her husband was one of those we took captive in the Whispering Wood.”
維斯特林？是了，凱特琳心想，他們家的旗幟正是沙黃底色上的六枚白海貝。這個(gè)小家族效忠蘭尼斯特。
Westerling, yes, Catelyn thought. Their banner is six seashells, white on sand. A minor house sworn to the Lannisters.
羅柏依次招呼其他陌生人上前?！傲_佛·斯派瑟（注）爵士，希蓓兒夫人的哥哥，我軍攻打峭巖城時(shí)，他擔(dān)任代理城主?！焙饭藜y章的騎士點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭。他身材壯碩，有斷鼻子和短短的灰胡須，看上去相當(dāng)勇猛。“這幾位是加文大人和希蓓兒夫人的孩子。雷納德·維斯特林爵士。”海貝徽章的騎士在濃密的小胡子底微微一笑。他年輕，精瘦，粗獷，牙齒健康，栗色頭發(fā)十分密實(shí)?！鞍漳輥?，”小女孩飛快地行了個(gè)屈膝禮?！奥謇贰ぞS斯特林，我的侍從，”男孩想跪下，見在場(chǎng)諸人都沒(méi)跪，便慌忙改成鞠躬。
Robb beckoned the other strangers forward, each in turn. “Ser Rolph Spicer, Lady Sybell’s brother. He was castellan at the Crag when we took it.” The pepperpot knight inclined his head. A square-built man with a broken nose and a close-cropped grey beard, he looked doughty enough. “The children of Lord Gawen and Lady Sybell. Ser Raynald Westerling.” The seashell knight smiled beneath a bushy mustache. Young, lean, rough-hewn, he had good teeth and a thick mop of chestnut hair. “Elenya.” The little girl did a quick curtsy. “Rollam Westerling, my squire.” The boy started to kneel, saw no one else was kneeling, and bowed instead.
“非常榮幸，”凱特琳說(shuō)。羅柏收服了峭巖城的維斯特林家族？若是這樣，就沒(méi)什么好奇怪的了?？墒牵瑒P巖城遭到如此背叛，一定咽不下這口氣。是的，自打泰溫·蘭尼斯特能騎馬上戰(zhàn)場(chǎng)起就不會(huì)……
“The honor is mine,” Catelyn said. Can Robb have won the Crag’s allegiance? If so, it was no wonder the Westerlings were with him. Casterly Rock did not suffer such betrayals gently. Not since Tywin Lannister had been old enough to go to war …
那美貌少女最后一個(gè)走上前，表現(xiàn)得很羞澀。羅柏執(zhí)起她的手?！澳赣H，”他說(shuō)，“我懷著最大的榮幸向你介紹簡(jiǎn)妮·維斯特林小姐，加文大人的長(zhǎng)女，我的……呃……我的夫人?！?/p>
The maid came forward last, and very shy. Robb took her hand. “Mother,” he said, “I have the great honor to present you the Lady Jeyne Westerling. Lord Gawen’s elder daughter, and my … ah … my lady wife.”
閃過(guò)凱特琳腦海的第一個(gè)想法是：不，這不可能，你只是個(gè)孩子。
The first thought that flew across Catelyn’s mind was, No, that cannot be, you are only a child.
第二個(gè)是：況且你已經(jīng)許了一個(gè)。
The second was, And besides, you have pledged another.
第三個(gè)是：圣母慈悲，羅柏，你都干了些什么？
The third was, Mother have mercy, Robb, what have you done?
這時(shí)她明白了。為愛(ài)而犯下的愚行？他干凈利落地把我象兔子一樣套進(jìn)陷阱，讓我不得不原諒他，接受他。凱特琳雖惱火，卻又感到一絲沮喪的欽佩，這出戲演得真巧妙……國(guó)王的游戲就該這樣。凱特琳別無(wú)選擇，只好握住簡(jiǎn)妮·維斯特林的手?！拔矣痔砹艘粋€(gè)女兒，”她說(shuō)，卻覺(jué)得聲音比較生硬，于是親吻對(duì)方的雙頰，“歡迎來(lái)到我們的大廳，與我們共享壁爐?！?/p>
Only then came her belated remembrance. Follies done for love? He has bagged me neat as a hare in a snare. I seem to have already forgiven him. Mixed with her annoyance was a rueful admiration; the scene had been staged with the cunning worthy of a master mummer … or a king. Catelyn saw no choice but to take Jeyne Westerling’s hands. “I have a new daughter,” she said, more stiffly than she’d intended. She kissed the terrified girl on both cheeks. “Be welcome to our hall and hearth.”
“謝謝您，夫人，我會(huì)成為羅柏忠誠(chéng)的好妻子，我發(fā)誓，盡力做個(gè)賢明的王后。”
“Thank you, my lady. I shall be a good and true wife to Robb, I swear. And as wise a queen as I can.”
王后。對(duì)，這個(gè)漂亮小姑娘是王后了，我必須記住。她的美貌無(wú)可挑剔，栗色卷發(fā)和心形的臉，還有那羞澀的笑容。她雖苗條，但臀部很大，凱特琳心想，生孩子應(yīng)該沒(méi)問(wèn)題。
Queen. Yes, this pretty little girl is a queen, I must remember that. She was pretty, undeniably, with her chestnut curls and heart-shaped face, and that shy smile. Slender, but with good hips, Catelyn noted. She should have no trouble bearing children, at least.
希蓓兒夫人舉起一只手，“夫人，我們很榮幸加入史塔克家族的事業(yè)，但此刻從西境急匆匆趕來(lái)，業(yè)已人困馬乏。陛下，是否可以準(zhǔn)我們先回房間，讓您們母子好好聊聊呢？”
Lady Sybell took a hand before any more was said. “We are honored to be joined to House Stark, my lady, but we are also very weary. We have come a long way in a short time. Perhaps we might retire to our chambers, so you may visit with your son?”
“如此最好，”羅柏親吻簡(jiǎn)妮，“總管會(huì)為你們安排住處。
“That would be best.” Robb kissed his Jeyne. “The steward will find you suitable accommodations.”
“我?guī)鷤內(nèi)フ宜卑履健ね嚼羰孔愿鎶^勇。
“I’ll take you to him,” Ser Edmure Tully volunteered.
“您真好心，”希蓓兒夫人道。
“You are most kind,” said Lady Sybell.
“我也得去嗎？”男孩洛拉姆問(wèn)，“我是您的侍從呀?！?/p>
“Must I go too?” asked the boy, Rollam. “I’m your squire.”
羅柏笑道：“但我暫時(shí)不需要隨侍?！?/p>
Robb laughed. “But I’m not in need of squiring just now.”
“噢。”男孩一本正經(jīng)地說(shuō)。
“Oh.”
“陛下沒(méi)有你已經(jīng)過(guò)了十六年，洛拉姆，”海貝徽章的雷納德爵士說(shuō)，“依我看，再多過(guò)個(gè)幾小時(shí)也無(wú)礙?！彼卫卫〉艿艿氖郑瑢?duì)方帶離大廳。
“His Grace has gotten along for sixteen years without you, Rollam,” said Ser Raynald of the seashells. “He will survive a few hours more, I think.” Taking his little brother firmly by the hand, he walked him from the hall.
“你的夫人很可愛(ài)，”當(dāng)維斯特林家的人全部走出耳力范圍，凱特琳道，“他們家族看來(lái)也很值得敬重……嗯，加文大人是泰溫·蘭尼斯特的封臣，對(duì)吧？”
“Your wife is lovely,” Catelyn said when they were out of earshot, “and the Westerlings seem worthy … though Lord Gawen is Tywin Lannister’s sworn man, is he not?”
“是的。他被杰森·梅利斯特在囈語(yǔ)森林俘虜，現(xiàn)關(guān)押于海疆城待贖。不管他愿不愿加入我方，我都將立刻釋放他，恐怕我們未征得他的同意就結(jié)了婚，將他置于極其危險(xiǎn)的境地。峭巖城勢(shì)孤力薄，為了對(duì)我的愛(ài)，簡(jiǎn)妮可能失去一切?！?/p>
“Yes. Jason Mallister captured him in the Whispering Wood and has been holding him at Seagard for ransom. Of course I’ll free him now, though he may not wish to join me. We wed without his consent, I fear, and this marriage puts him in dire peril. The Crag is not strong. For love of me, Jeyne may lose all.”
“而你，”她柔聲道，“失去了佛雷家族。”
“And you,” she said softly, “have lost the Freys.”
他怔了一下。她明白了，明白了那些憤怒的叫囂，明白了派溫·佛雷和馬丁·河文的離開，明白了他們踐踏冰原狼旗的舉動(dòng)。
His wince told all. She understood the angry voices now, why Perwyn Frey and Martyn Rivers had left in such haste, trampling Robb’s banner into the ground as they went.
“請(qǐng)問(wèn)，你的新娘為你帶來(lái)多少軍隊(duì)，羅柏？”
“Dare I ask how many swords come with your bride, Robb?”
“五十個(gè)人，其中有十來(lái)位騎士。”他聲音陰郁，正如她所預(yù)料。當(dāng)初孿河城方面為締結(jié)婚約，可是慷慨地派出一千名騎士和近三千步兵?！澳赣H，簡(jiǎn)妮不僅聰明美麗，而且十分善良，她有一顆溫柔的心?！?/p>
“Fifty. A dozen knights.” His voice was glum, as well it might be. When the marriage contract had been made at the Twins, old Lord Walder Frey had sent Robb off with a thousand mounted knights and near three thousand foot. “Jeyne is bright as well as beautiful. And kind as well. She has a gentle heart.”
你需要的是軍隊(duì)，不是溫柔的心。你怎能這么做，羅柏？你怎能如此不計(jì)后果，如此鹵莽？你怎能如此……如此……幼稚。然而現(xiàn)在說(shuō)什么都無(wú)濟(jì)于事了，她只問(wèn)，“告訴我，這一切是怎么發(fā)生的?！?/p>
It is swords you need, not gentle hearts. How could you do this, Robb? How could you be so heedless, so stupid? How could you be so … so very … young. Reproaches would not serve here, however. All she said was, “Tell me how this came to be.”
“我攻占了她的城堡，她則攻占了我的心?！绷_柏微笑?！扒蛶r城守備很弱，因此我們猛攻一晚就告成功。當(dāng)時(shí)黑瓦德和小瓊恩帶隊(duì)攀登城墻，我則督促攻城錘突擊主城門。就在羅佛爵士獻(xiàn)城投降時(shí)，我手上中了一箭。起初覺(jué)得沒(méi)什么，但很快感染了。簡(jiǎn)妮讓人把我抬到她床上，照料我直到退燒。期間大瓊恩帶來(lái)消息，關(guān)于……關(guān)于臨冬城……關(guān)于布蘭和瑞肯。她和我在一起?！闭f(shuō)出弟弟們的名字，對(duì)他而言似乎很困難。“那一夜……那一夜，她……她安慰我，母親。”
“I took her castle and she took my heart.” Robb smiled. “The Crag was weakly garrisoned, so we took it by storm one night. Black Walder and the Smalljon led scaling parties over the walls, while I broke the main gate with a ram. I took an arrow in the arm just before Ser Rolph yielded us the castle. It seemed nothing at first, but it festered. Jeyne had me taken to her own bed, and she nursed me until the fever passed. And she was with me when the Greatjon brought me the news of … of Winterfell. Bran and Rickon.” He seemed to have trouble saying his brothers’ names. “That night, she … she comforted me, Mother.”
凱特琳不用說(shuō)也明白簡(jiǎn)妮·維斯特林給她兒子的是什么樣的安慰?！澳愕诙炀腿⒘怂！?/p>
Catelyn did not need to be told what sort of comfort Jeyne Westerling had offered her son. “And you wed her the next day.”
他望進(jìn)她的眼睛，目光既驕傲又酸楚，“惟有這么做，才能保持榮譽(yù)。她既溫柔又甜蜜，母親，真的，她會(huì)成為我的好妻子?！?/p>
He looked her in the eyes, proud and miserable all at once. “It was the only honorable thing to do. She’s gentle and sweet, Mother, she will make me a good wife.”
“也許會(huì)吧，但這件事是不會(huì)讓佛雷侯爵滿意的?！?/p>
“Perhaps. That will not appease Lord Frey.”
“我明白，”兒子倍感挫折地說(shuō)，“除了打仗，我把一切都搞砸了，不是嗎？我真的以為打仗最困難，可……如果我聽你的話，把席恩留做人質(zhì)，就能保住北境，布蘭和瑞肯就會(huì)活下來(lái)，安全地待在臨冬城里?！?/p>
“I know,” her son said, stricken. “I’ve made a botch of everything but the battles, haven’t I? I thought the battles would be the hard part, but … if I had listened to you and kept Theon as my hostage, I’d still rule the north, and Bran and Rickon would be alive and safe in Winterfell.”
“也許會(huì)，也許不會(huì)。不管有沒(méi)有席恩，巴隆大王都可能發(fā)動(dòng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)。別忘了，上次他為王冠付出了兩個(gè)兒子，這次只需一個(gè)，或許會(huì)覺(jué)得是筆不錯(cuò)的買賣。”她碰碰他的手臂。“你結(jié)婚之后，佛雷家的人有何反應(yīng)？”
“Perhaps. Or not. Lord Balon might still have chanced war. The last time he reached for a crown, it cost him two sons. He might have thought it a bargain to lose only one this time.” She touched his arm. “What happened with the Freys, after you wed?”
羅柏?fù)u搖頭。“如果史提夫倫爵士還在，好歹可以提出補(bǔ)償，但萊曼爵士跟石頭一樣呆板，而黑瓦德……那家伙叫這個(gè)名字決不是因?yàn)楹拥念伾?，我向你保證。他太過(guò)分！居然宣稱他的姑婆們不介意跟鰥夫成婚。若非簡(jiǎn)妮求我慈悲，我早宰了他！”
Robb shook his head. “With Ser Stevron, I might have been able to make amends, but Ser Ryman is dull-witted as a stone, and Black Walder … that one was not named for the color of his beard, I promise you. He went so far as to say that his sisters would not be loath to wed a widower. I would have killed him for that if Jeyne had not begged me to be merciful.”
“你狠狠地侮辱了佛雷家族，羅柏?！?/p>
“You have done House Frey a grievous insult, Robb.”
“這不是我的本意。史提夫倫爵士為我戰(zhàn)死，而奧利法做侍從忠勇可嘉，甚至請(qǐng)求繼續(xù)留在我身邊，最后是被萊曼爵士強(qiáng)行帶走。他還帶走了他們家所有的部隊(duì)。大瓊恩催促我加以攻擊……”
“I never meant to. Ser Stevron died for me, and Olyvar was as loyal a squire as any king could want. He asked to stay with me, but Ser Ryman took him with the rest. All their strength. The Greatjon urged me to attack them …”
“強(qiáng)敵環(huán)飼，還要窩里斗？”她說(shuō)，“簡(jiǎn)直胡說(shuō)八道！”
“Fighting your own in the midst of your enemies?” she said. “It would have been the end of you.”
“我也不贊成……也許我們可以為瓦德侯爵的女兒安排其他人選。文德爾·曼德勒提議代我成婚，大瓊恩則說(shuō)他的叔父?jìng)兿Ｍm(xù)弦。如果瓦德侯爵通情達(dá)理——”
“Yes. I thought perhaps we could arrange other matches for Lord Walder’s daughters. Ser Wendel Manderly has offered to take one, and the Greatjon tells me his uncles wish to wed again. If Lord Walder will be reasonable—”
“他根本就不會(huì)‘通情達(dá)理’，”凱特琳道，“他這人既驕傲又暴躁，受不得半點(diǎn)輕慢。你明知他想成為國(guó)王的岳父，現(xiàn)在卻硬塞給他兩個(gè)年邁的老家伙和七國(guó)最大的胖子的次子，如何能讓他滿足？你可要想清楚，違背誓約是一層，娶一家小諸侯的姑娘為妻這件事本身就是對(duì)孿河城極大的輕侮?！?/p>
“He is not reasonable,” said Catelyn. “He is proud, and prickly to a fault. You know that. He wanted to be grandfather to a king. You will not appease him with the offer of two hoary old brigands and the second son of the fattest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Not only have you broken your oath, but you’ve slighted the honor of the Twins by choosing a bride from a lesser house.”
這番話讓羅柏激動(dòng)起來(lái)。“維斯特林家族的血脈遠(yuǎn)比佛雷家族古老，他們淵源悠久，乃是先民的后裔。征服戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)之前，歷代凱巖王常與維斯特林家族通婚，而在近三百年前，另一位簡(jiǎn)妮·維斯特林當(dāng)過(guò)梅葛王的王后?！?/p>
Robb bristled at that. “The Westerlings are better blood than the Freys. They’re an ancient line, descended from the First Men. The Kings of the Rock sometimes wed Westerlings before the Conquest, and there was another Jeyne Westerling who was queen to King Maegor three hundred years ago.”
“所有這一切都在往瓦德侯爵的傷口上灑鹽啊。他最恨這些世家名門，恨他們把佛雷家當(dāng)暴發(fā)戶。我到孿河城談判那回，他已經(jīng)表現(xiàn)得很明顯了，他恨瓊恩·艾林不愿收養(yǎng)他的孫子，更恨我父親拒絕讓艾德慕迎娶他的女兒。”弟弟辦事回來(lái)，她朝他點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭。
“All of which will only salt Lord Walder’s wounds. It has always rankled him that older houses look down on the Freys as upstarts. This insult is not the first he’s borne, to hear him tell it. Jon Arryn was disinclined to foster his grandsons, and my father refused the offer of one of his daughters for Edmure.” She inclined her head toward her brother as he rejoined them.
“陛下，”黑魚布林登說(shuō)，“這事我們還是找個(gè)私密地點(diǎn)從長(zhǎng)計(jì)議吧。”
“Your Grace,” Brynden Blackfish said, “perhaps we had best continue this in private.”
“是的，”羅柏聽上去很疲憊，“天啊，我只想喝一杯紅酒。我們?nèi)?huì)客室?！?/p>
“Yes.” Robb sounded tired. “I would kill for a cup of wine. The audience chamber, I think.”
步上階梯時(shí)，凱特琳問(wèn)到從入廳起就困擾著她的問(wèn)題。“羅柏，灰風(fēng)在哪兒？”
As they started up the steps, Catelyn asked the question that had been troubling her since she entered the hall. “Robb, where is Grey Wind?”
“在院子里啃羊腿。我特地吩咐獸舍掌管準(zhǔn)備的。”
“In the yard, with a haunch of mutton. I told the kennelmaster to see that he was fed.”
“你不總讓他跟在身邊嗎？”
“You always kept him with you before.”
“讓冰原狼待在大廳里于禮不合。你也見過(guò)，他會(huì)變得坐立不安，又吼又咬。唉，早知我就不帶他上戰(zhàn)場(chǎng)了，他殺了太多人，現(xiàn)在一點(diǎn)也不怕生。有他在旁邊，簡(jiǎn)妮總是很不安，而她母親則是怕他。”
“A hall is no place for a wolf. He gets restless, you’ve seen. Growling and snapping. I should never have taken him into battle with me. He’s killed too many men to fear them now. Jeyne’s anxious around him, and he terrifies her mother.”
這就對(duì)了，凱特琳心想?！八悄愕囊徊糠郑_柏，怕他就是怕你。”
And there’s the heart of it, Catelyn thought. “He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you.”
“我才不是狼，不管別人怎么說(shuō)！”羅柏有些生氣。“灰風(fēng)在攻打峭巖城和烙印城時(shí)分別殺了一個(gè)人，在牛津一役中則咬死六七個(gè)，如果你看到——”
“I am not a wolf, no matter what they call me.” Robb sounded cross. “Grey Wind killed a man at the Crag, another at Ashemark, and six or seven at Oxcross. If you had seen—”
“我在臨冬城親眼見過(guò)布蘭的狼撕開活人的喉嚨，”她尖銳地說(shuō)，“我喜歡他那樣?！?/p>
“I saw Bran’s wolf tear out a man’s throat at Winterfell,” she said sharply, “and loved him for it.”
“這不是一回事。死在峭巖城的那個(gè)騎士簡(jiǎn)妮從小就認(rèn)識(shí)，她會(huì)害怕，難道是她的錯(cuò)嗎？而今灰風(fēng)又討厭她舅舅，每當(dāng)見到羅佛爵士，就會(huì)呲牙咧齒，就會(huì)……”
“That’s different. The man at the Crag was a knight Jeyne had known all her life. You can’t blame her for being afraid. Grey Wind doesn’t like her uncle either. He bares his teeth every time Ser Rolph comes near him.”
一陣寒意掠過(guò)。“聽我說(shuō)，立刻遣走羅佛爵士。”
A chill went through her. “Send Ser Rolph away. At once.”
“遣走？笑話！遣去哪里？遣回峭巖城，好讓蘭尼斯特把他腦袋插槍上嗎？母親，簡(jiǎn)妮愛(ài)他，他不僅是她舅舅，還是個(gè)好騎士。我需要一千個(gè)羅佛·斯派瑟，而不是把忠勇的人拿掉，僅僅因?yàn)槲业睦遣幌矚g他的味道?！?/p>
“Where? Back to the Crag, so the Lannisters can mount his head on a spike? Jeyne loves him. He’s her uncle, and a fair knight besides. I need more men like Rolph Spicer, not fewer. I am not going to banish him just because my wolf doesn’t seem to like the way he smells.”
“羅柏?！彼２阶プ∷母觳??！拔以鴦窀孢^(guò)你，把席恩·葛雷喬伊留在身邊，你沒(méi)有聽；現(xiàn)在，我要再次對(duì)你提出勸告。讓這個(gè)人走吧。我并非叫你拿掉他，你可以給他找一項(xiàng)任務(wù)，一項(xiàng)需要勇氣、能獲得光榮的任務(wù)，具體是什么并不重要……重要的是不能把他留在身邊?！?/p>
“Robb.” She stopped and held his arm. “I told you once to keep Theon Greyjoy close, and you did not listen. Listen now. Send this man away. I am not saying you must banish him. Find some task that requires a man of courage, some honorable duty, what it is matters not … but do not keep him near you.”
他皺緊眉頭?！叭绱苏f(shuō)來(lái)，我該讓灰風(fēng)把我所有的騎士都嗅上一遍啰？若還有其他人的氣味他不喜歡怎么辦？”
He frowned. “Should I have Grey Wind sniff all my knights? There might be others whose smell he mislikes.”
“灰風(fēng)不喜歡的人，統(tǒng)統(tǒng)趕走。羅柏啊，你必須明白，這幾頭冰原狼不只是狼，而是諸神送給我們家的禮物，是你父親的神，北方的舊神所賜予的。五只幼崽，羅柏，五只幼崽正好對(duì)應(yīng)史塔克家的五個(gè)孩子。”
“Any man Grey Wind mislikes is a man I do not want close to you. These wolves are more than wolves, Robb. You must know that. I think perhaps the gods sent them to us. Your father’s gods, the old gods of the north. Five wolf pups, Robb, five for five Stark children.”
“共有六只，”羅柏說(shuō)，“還有一只給瓊恩。是我發(fā)現(xiàn)他們的，記得嗎？我很清楚他們打哪兒來(lái)，有多少。從前，我和你想法一致，以為他們就是我們的保鏢，是諸神的使者，直到……”
“Six,” said Robb. “There was a wolf for Jon as well. I found them, remember? I know how many there were and where they came from. I used to think the same as you, that the wolves were our guardians, our protectors, until …”
“直到？”她提示。
“Until?” she prompted.
羅柏抿緊嘴唇?！啊钡剿麄兏嬖V我席恩謀殺了布蘭和瑞肯，很明顯，兩匹狼救不了弟弟們。母親，我不再是孩子了，我是國(guó)王，可以自己保護(hù)自己?！彼麌@口氣?！拔視?huì)為羅佛爵士找個(gè)任務(wù)，讓他離開。不是因?yàn)樗臍馕?，而是為了你。你已?jīng)受夠了折磨。”
Robb’s mouth tightened. “.… until they told me that Theon had murdered Bran and Rickon. Small good their wolves did them. I am no longer a boy, Mother. I’m a king, and I can protect myself.” He sighed. “I will find some duty for Ser Rolph, some pretext to send him away. Not because of his smell, but to ease your mind. You have suffered enough.”
趁其他人還沒(méi)轉(zhuǎn)過(guò)樓梯拐彎，凱特琳欣慰地在羅柏臉頰輕輕一吻。片刻間，他又成為她的孩子，而不是她的國(guó)王。
Relieved, Catelyn kissed him lightly on the cheek before the others could come around the turn of the stair, and for a moment he was her boy again, and not her king.
霍斯特公爵的私人會(huì)客室在大廳頂上，屋子較小，適合私秘交流。羅柏就座高位，脫下王冠，置于身邊地上，凱特琳搖鈴傳喚上酒，艾德慕則向叔叔灌輸石磨坊之役的經(jīng)過(guò)。等仆人們離開后，黑魚清清嗓子，“我們已經(jīng)聽夠了你的賣弄，侄兒?！?/p>
Lord Hoster’s private audience chamber was a small room above the Great Hall, better suited to intimate discussions. Robb took the high seat, removed his crown, and set it on the floor beside him as Catelyn rang for wine. Edmure was filling his uncle’s ear with the whole story of the fight at the Stone Mill. It was only after the servants had come and gone that the Blackfish cleared his throat and said, “I think we’ve all heard sufficient of your boasting, Nephew.”
艾德慕糊涂了?！百u弄？您什么意思？”
Edmure was taken aback. “Boasting? What do you mean?”
“我的意思是，”黑魚說(shuō)，“你該感謝陛下的寬容。他在大廳里演戲，以免你在自家封臣面前出丑。如果換作我，將毫不留情地嚴(yán)斥你的愚笨，決不會(huì)贊揚(yáng)那些許微功！”
“I mean,” said the Blackfish, “that you owe His Grace your thanks for his forbearance. He played out that mummer’s farce in the Great Hall so as not to shame you before your own people. Had it been me I would have flayed you for your stupidity rather than praising this folly of the fords.”
“渡口一戰(zhàn)中，無(wú)數(shù)勇士獻(xiàn)出生命，叔叔，您應(yīng)該尊重他們?！卑履胶苌鷼?，“怎么啦，除了少狼主，就沒(méi)人該獲得勝利？我搶走了屬于您的榮耀，羅柏？”
“Good men died to defend those fords, Uncle.” Edmure sounded outraged. “What, is no one to win victories but the Young Wolf? Did I steal some glory meant for you, Robb?”
“陛下，”羅柏冷淡地糾正。“你是否承認(rèn)我是你的國(guó)王，舅舅，是否連這點(diǎn)也記不?。俊?/p>
“Your Grace,” Robb corrected, icy. “You took me for your king, Uncle. Or have you forgotten that as well?”
黑魚道，“給你的命令是留守奔流城，艾德慕，僅此而已?！?/p>
The Blackfish said, “You were commanded to hold Riverrun, Edmure, no more.”
“我守住了奔流城，還挫敗泰溫公爵……”
“I held Riverrun, and I bloodied Lord Tywin’s nose—”
“確實(shí)如此，”羅柏說(shuō)，“但挫敗不等于勝利，對(duì)不對(duì)？你有沒(méi)有捫心自問(wèn)，牛津戰(zhàn)役后我們?yōu)楹芜€在西境久留？你知道我沒(méi)有足夠力量威脅蘭尼斯港或凱巖城?！?/p>
“So you did,” said Robb. “But a bloody nose won’t win the war, will it? Did you ever think to ask yourself why we remained in the west so long after Oxcross? You knew I did not have enough men to threaten Lannisport or Casterly Rock.”
“為何……為了占領(lǐng)其他城堡……金錢，牲畜……”
“Why … there were other castles … gold, cattle …”
“見鬼，你以為我們留下來(lái)當(dāng)強(qiáng)盜？”羅柏難以置信地說(shuō)，“舅舅，我正是要引泰溫公爵西進(jìn)?！?/p>
“You think we stayed for plunder?” Robb was incredulous. “Uncle, I wanted Lord Tywin to come west.”
“我軍是馬隊(duì)，”布林登爵士解釋，“蘭尼斯特軍泰半是步兵。我們計(jì)劃讓泰溫公爵高高興興地追上一段，直到海邊，然后從旁溜過(guò)去，橫穿黃金大道，占據(jù)穩(wěn)固的防守位置。我的斥侯找到了地方，地形極為有利，如果他在那兒發(fā)動(dòng)攻擊，將付出慘重代價(jià)；如果他不進(jìn)攻，則會(huì)被困在西境，不僅距離需要他的地方千里之遙，而且始終消耗著自己的資源，而不是掠奪三河諸侯?！?/p>
“We were all horsed,” Ser Brynden said. “The Lannister host was mainly foot. We planned to run Lord Tywin a merry chase up and down the coast, then slip behind him to take up a strong defensive position athwart the gold road, at a place my scouts had found where the ground would have been greatly in our favor. If he had come at us there, he would have paid a grievous price. But if he did not attack, he would have been trapped in the west, a thousand leagues from where he needed to be. All the while we would have lived off his land, instead of him living off ours.”
“與此同時(shí)，史坦尼斯公爵將打下君臨城，”羅柏說(shuō)，“幫我們一筆勾銷喬佛里、太后和小惡魔，然后我就與他講和。”
“Lord Stannis was about to fall upon King’s Landing,” Robb said. “He might have rid us of Joffrey, the queen, and the Imp in one red stroke. Then we might have been able to make a peace.”
艾德慕看看叔叔，又看看外甥，“你們從未把計(jì)劃告訴我。”
Edmure looked from uncle to nephew. “You never told me.”
“我告訴你守住奔流城，”羅柏說(shuō)，“這道命令，什么地方你無(wú)法理解？”
“I told you to hold Riverrun,” said Robb. “What part of that command did you fail to comprehend?”
“你在紅叉河阻住泰溫公爵，”黑魚說(shuō)，“呵，擋得可真久，剛好讓苦橋來(lái)的信使趕上他的軍隊(duì)。泰溫公爵立即讓部隊(duì)掉頭，在黑水河源頭附近跟馬圖斯·羅宛與藍(lán)道·塔利會(huì)合，急行軍到翻斗瀑——梅斯·提利爾和他兩個(gè)兒子正帶著大軍和駁船隊(duì)等在那里。于是他們合兵一股，順流而下，在距離君臨城半日馬程的地方登陸，從后襲擊史坦尼斯?！?/p>
“When you stopped Lord Tywin on the Red Fork,” said the Blackfish, “you delayed him just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of what was happening to the east. Lord Tywin turned his host at once, joined up with Matthis Rowan and Randyll Tarly near the headwaters of the Blackwater, and made a forced march to Tumbler’s Falls, where he found Mace Tyrell and two of his sons waiting with a huge host and a fleet of barges. They floated down the river, disembarked half a day’s ride from the city, and took Stannis in the rear.”
凱特琳在苦橋見過(guò)藍(lán)禮國(guó)王的隊(duì)伍。千百朵金玫瑰在風(fēng)中飛舞，瑪格麗王后笑容羞澀、語(yǔ)調(diào)溫柔，她哥哥百花騎士雖然額上纏著亞麻繃帶，卻英俊不減。如果你非得投入女人的懷抱，我的兒子啊，為何不是瑪格麗·提利爾？高庭的財(cái)富和軍隊(duì)足以扭轉(zhuǎn)形勢(shì)，或許灰風(fēng)還會(huì)喜歡她的味道。
Catelyn remembered King Renly’s court, as she had seen it at Bitterbridge. A thousand golden roses streaming in the wind, Queen Margaery’s shy smile and soft words, her brother the Knight of Flowers with the bloody linen around his temples. If you had to fall into a woman’s arms, my son, why couldn’t they have been Margaery Tyrell’s? The wealth and power of Highgarden could have made all the difference in the fighting yet to come. And perhaps Grey Wind would have liked the smell of her as well.
艾德慕蔫了氣，“我一點(diǎn)也不想……不想……羅柏，你得讓我補(bǔ)償，就準(zhǔn)我在下場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)役里擔(dān)任前鋒吧！”
Edmure looked ill. “I never meant … never, Robb, you must let me make amends. I will lead the van in the next battle!”
這是補(bǔ)償，弟弟？還是為了榮譽(yù)？凱特琳很懷疑。
For amends, Brother? Or for glory? Catelyn wondered.
“下場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)役，”羅柏沉吟道，“嗯，下場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)役很快就會(huì)到來(lái)。喬佛里成親之后，蘭尼斯特就會(huì)再次開戰(zhàn)，對(duì)此我毫不懷疑，這一回，他們有了提利爾家的支持……也許我還要對(duì)付佛雷家，若黑瓦德……
“The next battle,” Robb said. “Well, that will be soon enough. Once Joffrey is wed, the Lannisters will take the field against me once more, I don’t doubt, and this time the Tyrells will march beside them. And I may need to fight the Freys as well, if Black Walder has his way …”
“席恩·葛雷喬伊坐著你父親的寶座，手上沾染了你弟弟們的鮮血，除了他，其他敵人都必須先放在一邊?！眲P特琳告訴兒子?！邦I(lǐng)主的首要職責(zé)是保護(hù)子民，羅柏，你身為國(guó)王，要么贏回臨冬城，把席恩吊在鴉籠里，讓他慢慢爛掉；要么就永遠(yuǎn)放棄王冠——因?yàn)槿藗儗⒉粫?huì)把你當(dāng)成真正的國(guó)王?！?/p>
“So long as Theon Greyjoy sits in your father’s seat with your brothers’ blood on his hands, these other foes must wait,” Catelyn told her son. “Your first duty is to defend your own people, win back Winterfell, and hang Theon in a crow’s cage to die slowly. Or else put off that crown for good, Robb, for men will know that you are no true king at all.”
從羅柏瞧她的神情來(lái)看，她斷定，已經(jīng)很久沒(méi)有人敢如此坦率直言了?！八麄兏嬖V我臨冬城陷落時(shí)，我首先想到的就是返回北方，”他帶著一絲辯解的意味道?！拔蚁肴I(yíng)救布蘭和瑞肯，但我以為……我做夢(mèng)也想不到席恩會(huì)傷害他們，真的，如果我……”
From the way Robb looked at her, she could tell that it had been a long while since anyone had dared speak to him so bluntly. “When they told me Winterfell had fallen, I wanted to go north at once,” he said, with a hint of defensiveness. “I wanted to free Bran and Rickon, but I thought … I never dreamed that Theon could harm them, truly. If I had …”
“說(shuō)‘如果’已太晚，要營(yíng)救也太遲，”凱特琳說(shuō)，“剩下的只有復(fù)仇?！?/p>
“It is too late for ifs, and too late for rescues,” Catelyn said. “All that remains is vengeance.”
“根據(jù)從北境得到的最新消息，羅德利克爵士在托倫方城附近擊敗了鐵群島的部隊(duì)，然后于賽文城重新整軍，準(zhǔn)備奪回臨冬城。”羅柏道?！八蛟S已經(jīng)成功了，因?yàn)槲覀兒芫脹](méi)有收到進(jìn)一步的消息。退一步講，假如我回師北上，三河地區(qū)怎么辦？我不可能要求三河諸侯遺棄人民隨我出征啊?！?/p>
“The last word we had from the north, Ser Rodrik had defeated a force of ironmen near Torrhen’s Square, and was assembling a host at Castle Cerwyn to retake Winterfell,” said Robb. “By now he may have done it. There has been no news for a long while. And what of the Trident, if I turn north? I can’t ask the river lords to abandon their own people.”
“不，”凱特琳說(shuō)，“把他們留下，讓他們自己管自己，我們靠北地人贏回北境。”
“No,” said Catelyn. “Leave them to guard their own, and win back the north with northmen.”
“您的北地人如何去得了北境？”弟弟艾德慕反問(wèn)，“鐵群島方面不僅控制了落日之海，而且占領(lǐng)了卡林灣。一萬(wàn)年來(lái)，沒(méi)有一支軍隊(duì)能從南面攻下卡林灣，即便朝那里進(jìn)軍也是瘋狂之舉。我們很可能被困在堤道上，鐵民在前，憤怒的佛雷家族在后。”
“How will you get the northmen to the north?” her brother Edmure asked. “The ironmen control the sunset sea. The Greyjoys hold Moat Cailin as well. No army has ever taken Moat Cailin from the south. Even to march against it is madness. We could be trapped on the causeway, with the ironborn before us and angry Freys at our backs.”
“所以必須贏回佛雷家族，”羅柏說(shuō)，“有了他們，才有成功的機(jī)會(huì)——不管機(jī)會(huì)多么渺茫；沒(méi)有他們的支持，我看不到希望。我愿向瓦德侯爵提出一切……道歉，榮譽(yù)，土地，金錢……一定有東西可以撫平他受創(chuàng)的自尊心……”
“We must win back the Freys,” said Robb. “With them, we still have some chance of success, however small. Without them, I see no hope. I am willing to give Lord Walder whatever he requires … apologies, honors, lands, gold … there must be something that would soothe his pride …”
“東西辦不到，”凱特琳道，“但人可以?！?/p>
“Not something,” said Catelyn. “Someone.”
