Ⅳ 群鴉的盛宴 Chapter31 布蕾妮
BRIENNE
修道院坐落在離岸半里遠的島嶼上，水流和緩的三叉戟河在此通過寬廣的河口注入螃蟹灣。即便遠遠看去，也能發(fā)現(xiàn)島上的富庶：梯田覆蓋斜坡，下有魚塘，上有風(fēng)車，木頭與帆布制成的槳葉在海灣吹來的輕風(fēng)中慢慢轉(zhuǎn)動。布蕾妮看到綿羊在山坡上吃草，鸛鳥在渡船碼頭周圍的淺水里行走。
The septry stood upon an upthrust island half a mile from the shore, where the wide mouth of the Trident widened further still to kiss the Bay of Crabs. Even from shore its prosperity was apparent. Its slope was covered with terraced fields, with fishponds down below and a windmill above, its wood-and-sailcloth blades turning slowly in the breeze off the bay. Brienne could see sheep grazing on the hillside and storks wading in the shallow waters around the ferry landing.
“鹽場鎮(zhèn)就在對岸，”梅里巴德修士指著海灣北面說，“修士兄弟們會趁早潮把我們擺渡過去，但我很擔心在那邊將要看到的景象。在此之前，讓我們先享用一頓熱餐吧，兄弟們總是有骨頭給狗兒?！惫穬簱u著尾巴叫了一聲。
“Saltpans is just across the water,” said Septon Meribald, pointing north across the bay. “The brothers will ferry us over on the morning tide, though I fear what we shall find there. Let us enjoy a good hot meal before we face that. The brothers always have a bone to spare for Dog.” Dog barked and wagged his tail.
現(xiàn)在正趕上退潮，而且退得很快，將島嶼與陸地隔離的河水急速后撤，留下一片廣闊的褐色泥灘，微微泛光，一個個潮水坑遍布其中，在下午的陽光里像金幣般閃爍。布蕾妮撓撓頸背，一只小蟲咬了她一口。她已將頭發(fā)盤起來，太陽照得皮膚暖洋洋的。
The tide was going out now, and swiftly. The water that separated the island from the shore was receding, leaving behind a broad expanse of glistening brown mudflats dotted by tidal pools that glittered like golden coins in the afternoon sun. Brienne scratched the back of her neck, where an insect had bitten her. She had pinned her hair up, and the sun had warmed her skin.
“為什么管它叫寂靜島？”波德瑞克問。
“Why do they call it the Quiet Isle?” asked Podrick.
“因為居住在此的都是懺悔者，他們尋求在沉思、祈禱與靜默當中償還罪過。島上只有長老和監(jiān)理們能說話，并且那些監(jiān)理也只有七天中的一天可以。”
“Those who dwell here are penitents, who seek to atone for their sins through contemplation, prayer, and silence. Only the Elder Brother and his proctors are permitted to speak, and the proctors only for one day of every seven.”
“靜默修女從不說話，”波德瑞克說，“聽說她們沒有舌頭?！?/p>
“The silent sisters never speak,” said Podrick. “I heard they don’t have any tongues.”
梅里巴德修士微微一笑?！拔以谀氵@個年紀時，我的長輩也如此嚇唬孩子，其實無論何時何地，這說法都并非事實。立誓保持靜默乃是表達懺悔的方式，作出犧牲來自己證明對天上七神的虔誠，啞巴發(fā)誓沉默就好比沒腿的人宣言放棄舞蹈?！彼麪矿H子走下斜坡，招呼他們跟上?！叭绻裢硐胨谖蓍艿紫?，現(xiàn)在就必須下馬，隨我一起穿越泥沼。我們稱它為信仰之路，信仰堅貞的人才能安全通過，而心懷歹意的將會被流沙吞沒，或在潮水涌回來時淹死。你們中沒有人心懷歹意吧？即使如此，我仍會小心落腳之處。記住，只踩我踩過的地方，就能到達另一邊。”
Septon Meribald smiled. “Mothers have been cowing their daughters with that tale since I was your age. There was no truth to it then and there is none now. A vow of silence is an act of contrition, a sacrifice by which we prove our devotion to the Seven Above. For a mute to take a vow of silence would be akin to a legless man giving up the dance.” He led his donkey down the slope, beckoning them to follow. “If you would sleep beneath a roof tonight, you must climb off your horses and cross the mud with me. The path of faith, we call it. Only the faithful may cross safely. The wicked are swallowed by the quicksands, or drowned when the tide comes rushing in. None of you are wicked, I hope? Even so, I would be careful where I set my feet. Walk only where I walk, and you shall reach the other side.”
布蕾妮發(fā)現(xiàn)信仰之路果真蜿蜒曲折，那座島看起來聳立在西北方，梅里巴德修士卻沒直接朝它走，而是折向東方，往海灣中水深處進發(fā)。遠處海水閃爍著銀藍色光芒，褐色爛泥“吱吱咯咯”地擠進他腳趾間，他不時停下來，用木杖試探前方。狗兒緊跟在他腳后，嗅著每一塊巖石、每一只貝殼和每一叢海草。但這回它既沒在前面蹦蹦跳跳，也沒有四處游走。
The path of faith was a crooked one, Brienne could not help but note. Though the island seemed to rise to the northeast of where they left the shore, Septon Meribald did not make directly for it. Instead, he started due east, toward the deeper waters of the bay, which shimmered blue and silver in the distance. The soft brown mud squished up between his toes. As he walked he paused from time to time, to probe ahead with his quarterstaff. Dog stayed near his heels, sniffing at every rock, shell, and clump of seaweed. For once he did not bound ahead or stray.
布蕾妮跟在后面，小心留意狗、驢子和修士留下的一排足印，然后是波德瑞克，海爾爵士收尾。一百碼之后，梅里巴德突然轉(zhuǎn)向南方，幾乎背對修道院行進。他朝那個方向又走了一百碼，帶領(lǐng)他們從兩個淺淺的潮水坑之間穿過。狗兒將鼻子探進其中一個，一只螃蟹用蝥夾它的鼻子，令它吠叫起來，接著是一場短暫但劇烈的搏斗，最后狗兒小跑著回來，渾身濕漉漉的，沾滿爛泥，口中叼著那只螃蟹。
Brienne followed, taking care to keep close to the line of prints left by the dog, the donkey, and the holy man. Then came Podrick, and last of all Ser Hyle. A hundred yards out, Meribald turned abruptly toward the south, so his back was almost to the septry. He proceeded in that direction for another hundred yards, leading them between two shallow tidal pools. Dog stuck his nose in one and yelped when a crab pinched it with his claw. A brief but furious struggle ensued before the dog came trotting back, wet and mud-spattered, with the crab between his jaws.
“不是要去那地方嗎？”海爾爵士在后面指著修道院喊，“我們好像在到處亂逛，就是沒朝那里走。”
“Isn’t that where we want to go?” Ser Hyle called out from behind them, pointing at the septry. “We seem to be walking every way but toward it.”
“這是信仰之路，”梅里巴德修士勸導(dǎo)，“信仰，堅持，虔誠，才能找到所尋求的安寧?！?/p>
“Faith,” urged Septon Meribald. “Believe, persist, and follow, and we shall find the peace we seek.”
泥灘在周圍泛著潮濕的光，映襯出近百種斑駁色調(diào)。爛泥是深黯的褐色，差不多跟黑的一樣，但也有一片片金色沙地，一塊塊灰色與紅色的突起巖石，以及一叢叢黑色與綠色的海草。鸛鳥在潮水坑中跋涉，留下許多腳印，螃蟹則在淺灘表面疾走?？諝鈳в泻｛}和腐敗的味道，泥巴吸住人們的腳，直到人們用力，才“啪”的一聲不情不愿地放開，伴隨著吱吱嘎嘎的嘆息。梅里巴德修士轉(zhuǎn)了一個又一個彎，留下的腳印里很快注滿了水。等地面變得堅固，并開始上升，她估計至少走了一里半路。
The flats shimmered wetly all about them, mottled in half a hundred hues. The mud was such a dark brown it appeared almost black, but there were swathes of golden sand as well, upthrust rocks both grey and red, and tangles of black and green seaweed. Storks stalked through the tidal pools and left their footprints all around them, and crabs scuttled across the surface of shallow waters. The air smelled of brine and rot, and the ground sucked at their feet and let them go only reluctantly, with a pop and a squelchy sigh. Septon Meribald turned and turned again and yet again. His footprints filled up with water as soon as he moved on. By the time the ground grew firmer and began to rise beneath the feet, they had walked at least a mile and a half.
他們爬過環(huán)繞島岸的碎石堆，三個人正在等候。他們穿修士兄弟的棕褐長袍，袍子有寬大的鐘形袖口和尖頂兜帽，其中兩位還用長長的羊毛布裹住臉的下半部分，只能看見眼睛。開口說話的是第三位?！懊防锇偷滦奘?，”他大聲說，“差不多一年沒見了。歡迎你，還有你的伙伴們?！?/p>
Three men were waiting for them as they clambered up the broken stones that ringed the isle’s shoreline. They were clad in the brown-and-dun robes of brothers, with wide bell sleeves and pointed cowls. Two had wound lengths of wool about the lower halves of their faces as well, so all that could be seen of them were their eyes. The third brother was the one to speak. “Septon Meribald,” he called. “It has been nigh upon a year. You are welcome. Your companions as well.”
狗兒搖搖尾巴，梅里巴德甩掉腳上的爛泥?！拔覀冋埱笠煌淼淖∷?。”
Dog wagged his tail, and Meribald shook mud from his feet. “Might we beg your hospitality for a night?”
“當然可以。今晚有燉魚肉。你們早上要坐渡船嗎？”
“Yes, of course. There’s to be fish stew this evening. Will you require the ferry in the morning?”
“希望那不是太過分的要求?！泵防锇偷罗D(zhuǎn)向旅伴們?！凹{伯特兄弟是教會監(jiān)理，每七天中有一天可以講話。兄弟，這些善良的人一路幫助我。海爾·亨特爵士是河灣地的英勇騎士；這孩子波德瑞克派恩，來自西境；這位是布蕾妮女士，塔斯的處女?！?/p>
“If it is not too much to ask.” Meribald turned to his fellow travelers. “Brother Narbert is a proctor of the order, so he is allowed to speak one day of every seven. Brother, these good folk helped me on my way. Ser Hyle Hunt is a gallant from the Reach. The lad is Podrick Payne, late of the westerland. And this is Lady Brienne, known as the Maid of Tarth.”
納伯特兄弟愣了一下。“女人?！?/p>
Brother Narbert drew up short. “A woman.”
“是的，兄弟?！辈祭倌萁忾_頭發(fā)，甩甩腦袋。“你們這兒沒有女人？”
“Yes, brother.” Brienne unpinned her hair and shook it out. “Do you have no women here?”
“目前沒有，”納伯特說。“前來造訪我們的女人不是生病就是受傷，或者懷了孩子。七神賜予長老醫(yī)療之手，他讓許多連學(xué)士們都無法治愈的男女恢復(fù)健康?！?/p>
“Not at present,” said Narbert. “Those women who do visit come to us sick or hurt, or heavy with child. The Seven have blessed our Elder Brother with healing hands. He has restored many a man to health that even the maesters could not cure, and many a woman too.”
“我沒生病，也沒受傷或懷孩子。”
“I am not sick or hurt or heavy with child.”
“布蕾妮女士是位女戰(zhàn)士，”梅里巴德修士透露，“她在追捕獵狗?！?/p>
“Lady Brienne is a warrior maid,” confided Septon Meribald, “hunting for the Hound.”
“是嗎？”納伯特似乎吃了一驚，“為什么呢？”
“Aye?” Narbert seemed taken aback. “To what end?”
布蕾妮摸摸守誓劍的劍柄?！盀檫@個?！彼f。
Brienne touched Oathkeeper’s hilt. “His,” she said.
監(jiān)理打量著她?！澳恪鳛榕?，算是非常強壯，但……也許我該帶你去見長老。他會安排你穿越泥沼。來吧?！?/p>
The proctor studied her. “You are … brawny for a woman, it is true, but … mayhaps I should take you up to Elder Brother. He will have seen you crossing the mud. Come.”
納伯特領(lǐng)他們沿鵝卵石小徑行走，穿過一片蘋果樹林，來到一間粉刷過的馬廄跟前，馬廄有尖尖的茅草屋頂?！澳銈儗⑸罅粼诖颂?。吉拉曼兄弟負責(zé)給它們喂食飲水?！?/p>
Narbert led them along a pebbled path and through a grove of apple trees to a whitewashed stable with a peaked thatch roof. “You may leave your animals here. Brother Gillam will see that they are fed and watered.”
馬廄中超過四分之三的部分空著。近處角落有五六頭騾子，由一名羅圈腿的兄弟照看，布蕾妮推測他就是吉拉曼。而在更遠的角落里，一匹碩大的黑牡馬被與其他動物隔開，它聽見話音，便嘶鳴起來，蹬踢畜欄門。
The stable was more than three-quarters empty. At one end were half a dozen mules, being tended by a bandy-legged little brother whom Brienne took for Gillam. Way down at the far end, well away from the other animals, a huge black stallion trumpeted at the sound of their voices and kicked at the door of his stall.
海爾爵士把韁繩交給吉拉曼兄弟，贊賞地看著這匹高頭大馬?！捌恋鸟R兒。”
Ser Hyle gave the big horse an admiring look as he was handing his reins to Brother Gillam. “A handsome beast.”
納伯特兄弟嘆口氣?！捌呱褓n福，同時也賜予劫難。‘浮木’是很漂亮，但它一定生于地獄當中。當我們想給它套上犁時，勞尼兄弟的脛骨被踢斷兩處。我們希望閹割能改善它的壞脾氣，結(jié)果……吉拉曼兄弟，你愿意給他們瞧瞧嗎？”
Brother Narbert sighed. “The Seven send us blessings, and the Seven send us trials. Handsome he may be, but Driftwood was surely whelped in hell. When we sought to harness him to a plow he kicked Brother Rawney and broke his shinbone in two places. We had hoped gelding might improve the beast’s ill temper, but … Brother Gillam, will you show them?”
吉拉曼兄弟放下兜帽。他長著一頭金色短發(fā)，頭皮有削過的痕跡，染血的繃帶纏著耳朵所在之處。
Brother Gillam lowered his cowl. Underneath he had a mop of blond hair, a tonsured scalp, and a bloodstained bandage where he should have had an ear.
波德瑞克倒抽一口冷氣，“那馬咬掉了你的耳朵？”
Podrick gasped. “The horse bit off your ear?”
吉拉曼點點頭，蓋上腦袋。
Gillam nodded, and covered his head again.
“原諒我，兄弟，”海爾爵士說，“但假如你拿著剪刀朝我走來，我會咬掉你另一只耳朵?！?/p>
“Forgive me, brother,” said Ser Hyle, “but I might take the other ear, if you approached me with a pair of shears.”
這個玩笑沒能打動納伯特兄弟?！澳闶球T士，爵士先生，‘浮木’不過是一頭負重的牲畜。鐵匠造就馬匹，是為了幫人類勞作?！彼D(zhuǎn)過身。“請這邊走。長老等著呢。”
The jest did not sit well with Brother Narbert. “You are a knight, ser. Driftwood is a beast of burden. The Smith gave men horses to help them in their labors.” He turned away. “If you will. Elder Brother will no doubt be waiting.”
斜坡比遠處看來要陡了許多，為便于攀爬，修士們搭起一座木樓梯，沿山敬在建筑物之間來回穿梭。布蕾妮在馬鞍上顛簸了一整天，很高興有機會伸伸腿。
The slope was steeper than it had looked from across the mudflats. To ease it, the brothers had erected a flight of wooden steps that wandered back and forth across the hillside and amongst the buildings. After a long day in the saddle Brienne was glad for a chance to stretch her legs.
上山途中經(jīng)過十來個教會中的兄弟；這些人穿深褐色衣服，拉起兜帽，好奇地看著他們走過，但沒開口致意。其中一位牽著兩頭奶牛走向一間低矮的茅草頂畜棚，另一位在攪拌黃油，山坡較高處，有三個趕羊的男孩，再往上是片墓地，一位比布蕾妮更高大的兄弟正在奮力挖墳，從動作來看，顯然是腿瘸了。只見他將滿滿一鏟子沙礫高高拋過肩頭，其中一些恰好散落在他們腳邊。“你小心點，”納伯特兄弟斥責(zé)，“梅里巴德修士差點吃到一口泥。”掘墓人低下頭。當狗兒上前嗅他時，他放下鏟子，撓了撓狗耳朵。
They passed a dozen brothers of the order on their way up; cowled men in dun-and-brown who gave them curious looks as they went by, but spoke no word of greeting. One was leading a pair of milk cows toward a low barn roofed in sod; another worked a butter churn. On the upper slopes they saw three boys driving sheep, and higher still they passed a lichyard where a brother bigger than Brienne was struggling to dig a grave. From the way he moved, it was plain to see that he was lame. As he flung a spadeful of the stony soil over one shoulder, some chanced to spatter against their feet. “Be more watchful there,” chided Brother Narbert. “Septon Meribald might have gotten a mouthful of dirt.” The gravedigger lowered his head. When Dog went to sniff him he dropped his spade and scratched his ear.
“一個學(xué)徒。”納伯特解釋。
“A novice,” explained Narbert.
他們繼續(xù)沿木階梯攀登?！敖o誰挖的墳?zāi)梗俊焙柧羰繂枴?/p>
“Who is the grave for?” asked Ser Hyle, as they resumed their climb up the wooden steps.
“克萊蒙特兄弟，愿天父公正地裁判他?！?/p>
“Brother Clement, may the Father judge him justly.”
“他很老嗎？”波德瑞克派恩問。
“Was he old?” asked Podrick Payne.
“假如你認為四十八歲算老的話。他并非老死，而是死于在鹽場鎮(zhèn)所受的傷。歹徒們襲擊鎮(zhèn)子那天，他正好帶著我們的蜜酒去集市交易?！?/p>
“If you consider eight-and-forty old, aye, but it was not the years that killed him. He died of wounds he got at Saltpans. He had taken some of our mead to the market there, on the day the outlaws descended on the town.”
“獵狗干的？”布蕾妮說。
“The Hound?” said Brienne.
“另一伙人，但殘忍程度有過之而無不及?？蓱z的克萊門特不愿說話，就被割了舌頭。歹徒說，既然他立誓保持沉默，要舌頭也是多余。長老了解更多情況，他把外界最糟的消息留給自己，以免打擾修道院的寧靜。我們許多兄弟來此處是為了逃避世間的恐怖，不愿去多想?？巳R蒙特兄弟并非我們當中唯一受傷的人，有些傷口外表是看不出來的。”納伯特兄弟指指右側(cè)?！澳鞘俏覀兊南娜掌咸鸭埽咸延中∮炙?，但釀出的酒還能喝。我們也自釀麥酒，而我們的蜜酒與蘋果酒名聲遠揚?！?/p>
“Another, just as brutal. He cut poor Clement’s tongue out when he would not speak. Since he had taken a vow of silence, the raider said he had no need of it. The Elder Brother will know more. He keeps the worst of the tidings from outside to himself, so as not to disturb the tranquillity of the septry. Many of our brothers came here to escape the horrors of the world, not to dwell upon them. Brother Clement was not the only wounded man amongst us. Some wounds do not show.” Brother Narbert gestured to their right. “There lies our summer arbor. The grapes are small and tart, but make a drinkable wine. We brew our own ale as well, and our mead and cider are far famed.”
“戰(zhàn)爭從未波及此處？”布蕾妮問。
“The war has never come here?” Brienne said.
“這次沒有，贊美七神。祈禱保護了我們?！?/p>
“Not this war, praise the Seven. Our prayers protect us.”
“還有潮水?！泵防锇偷绿崾?。狗兒叫了一聲以示贊同。
“And your tides,” suggested Meribald. Dog barked agreement.
山眉上有一圈未經(jīng)泥漿砌合的低矮石墻，圍著一大簇建筑物：葉片吱嘎作響的風(fēng)車，修士們睡覺的回廊、吃飯的大廳，祈禱與冥思的木圣堂。圣堂窗戶上鑲鉛玻璃，寬闊的門上雕刻著天父與圣母的像，七邊形尖塔上有走道。圣堂后面是蔬菜園，一些較年長的兄弟正在拔除雜草。納伯特兄弟帶訪客們繞過一株栗子樹，來到嵌入山腰的一扇木門前。
The brow of the hill was crowned by a low wall of unmortared stone, encircling a cluster of large buildings; the windmill, its sails creaking as they turned, the cloisters where the brothers slept and the common hall where they took their meals, a wooden sept for prayer and meditation. The sept had windows of leaded glass, wide doors carved with likenesses of the Mother and the Father, and a seven-sided steeple with a walk on top. Behind it was a vegetable garden where some older brothers were pulling weeds. Brother Narbert led the visitors around a chestnut tree to a wooden door set in the side of the hill.
“帶門的山洞？”海爾爵士驚訝地說。
“A cave with a door?” Ser Hyle said, surprised.
梅里巴德修士笑笑?！斑@叫隱士洞。第一位尋到此島的圣人就居住在里面，他創(chuàng)造出許多奇跡，引來其他人加入。那是兩千年前的事了，門是后來添的。”
Septon Meribald smiled. “It is called the Hermit’s Hole. The first holy man to find his way here lived therein, and worked such wonders that others came to join him. That was two thousand years ago, they say. The door came somewhat later.”
兩千年前，隱士洞也許陰暗潮濕，泥土遍布，回蕩著滴水聲，現(xiàn)在早已改觀。布蕾妮與伙伴們進入的山洞變成一間溫暖舒適的密室，地板鋪羊毛毯，墻壁覆蓋織錦，長長的蜂蠟燭散發(fā)出充裕的光線，家具樣式奇異而樸素，包括一張長桌、一條高背長凳、一個箱子，幾只擺滿書籍的高大書柜，還有一些椅子。它們?nèi)酶∧局瞥?，奇形怪狀的木條巧妙地拼湊起來，打磨拋光，在燭光之下泛出暗金色。
Perhaps two thousand years ago the Hermit’s Hole had been a damp, dark place, floored with dirt and echoing to the sounds of dripping water, but no longer. The cave that Brienne and her companions entered had been turned into a warm, snug sanctum. Woolen carpets covered the ground, tapestries the walls. Tall beeswax candles gave more than ample light. The furnishings were strange but simple; a long table, a settle, a chest, several tall cases full of books, and chairs. All were made from driftwood, oddly shaped pieces cunningly joined together and polished till they shone a deep gold in the candlelight.
長老跟布蕾妮想象的大不一樣。首先，他幾乎算不上長者，菜園里除草的兄弟都是彎腰駝背的老人，他卻高大挺拔，充滿活力，正當壯年；其次，他的臉不象她想象中的醫(yī)療圣人那般和藹慈祥。他腦袋大而方，眼睛敏銳精明，鼻子布滿紅色紋路。盡管他削過發(fā)，但頭頂跟厚實的下巴都布滿短須。
The Elder Brother was not what Brienne had expected. He could hardly be called elder, for a start; whereas the brothers weeding in the garden had had the stooped shoulders and bent backs of old men, he stood straight and tall, and moved with the vigor of a man in the prime of his years. Nor did he have the gentle, kindly face she expected of a healer. His head was large and square, his eyes shrewd, his nose veined and red. Though he wore a tonsure, his scalp was as stubbly as his heavy jaw.
他不像是位能給人接骨療傷的圣人，反倒像是隨時要折斷別人關(guān)節(jié)的打手，塔斯的處女心想。長老穿過屋子，擁抱梅里巴德修士，又輕輕拍了拍狗兒?！懊看挝覀兊呐笥衙防锇偷潞凸穬簛碓L，總是個快樂的日子，”他宣告，然后轉(zhuǎn)身面對其他賓客?！拔覀円矚g迎新面孔。啊，最近見到的新面孔太少了?！?/p>
He looks more like a man made to break bones than to heal one, thought the Maid of Tarth, as the Elder Brother strode across the room to embrace Septon Meribald and pat Dog. “It is always a glad day when our friends Meribald and Dog honor us with another visit,” he announced, before turning to his other guests. “And new faces are always welcome. We see so few of them.”
梅里巴德照例客套一番，然后落座于高背長凳上。與納伯特修士不同，長老并沒因布蕾妮的性別而不安，但當修士提起布蕾妮和海爾爵士旅行的原因時，他還是收起了笑容，只說句“我明白了?！北銓⒃掝}岔開?！澳銈円欢柿?。請嘗嘗我們的甜蘋果酒，潤一潤經(jīng)歷旅途風(fēng)塵的嗓子。”他親自給他們倒酒。杯子也由浮木制成，沒有兩只是相同的。當布蕾妮表示贊賞時，他回答說，“小姐您過獎，我們只不過將木頭雕刻拋光，加以利用罷了。在這個地方，我們受到諸神的保佑，河流與海灣交接處，河水與潮水互相角力，許多稀奇古怪的東西因而被沖上岸堤，饋贈給我們。浮木在其中算是最不起眼，我們找到過銀杯、鐵鍋、一袋袋羊毛、一卷卷絲綢，生銹的頭盔，閃亮的寶劍……對了，甚至還有紅寶石呢?！?/p>
Meribald performed the customary courtesies before seating himself upon the settle. Unlike Septon Narbert, the Elder Brother did not seem dismayed by Brienne’s sex, but his smile did flicker and fade when the septon told him why she and Ser Hyle had come. “I see,” was all he said, before he turned away with, “You must be thirsty. Please, have some of our sweet cider to wash the dust of travel from your throats.” He poured for them himself. The cups were carved from driftwood too, no two the same. When Brienne complimented them, he said, “My lady is too kind. All we do is cut and polish the wood. We are blessed here. Where the river meets the bay, the currents and the tides wrestle one against the other, and many strange and wondrous things are pushed toward us, to wash up on our shores. Driftwood is the least of it. We have found silver cups and iron pots, sacks of wool and bolts of silk, rusted helms and shining swords … aye, and rubies.”
這引起了海爾爵士的興趣。“雷加的紅寶石？”
That interested Ser Hyle. “Rhaegar’s rubies?”
“也許吧，誰說得準呢？戰(zhàn)斗發(fā)生在上游很遠處，但河流耐心而不知疲倦。我們已經(jīng)發(fā)現(xiàn)了六顆紅寶石，我們都在等待第七顆。”
“It may be. Who can say? The battle was long leagues from here, but the river is tireless and patient. Six have been found. We are all waiting for the seventh.”
“寶石比骨頭強?！泵防锇偷氯嘀_，泥土在他手指下紛紛剝落。“河流的禮物并非總令人愉快，善良的兄弟們也會收到骨骸。淹死的牛或鹿，死豬腫脹至馬的一半大，對，還有人的尸體?！?/p>
“Better rubies than bones.” Septon Meribald was rubbing his foot, the mud flaking off beneath his finger. “Not all the river’s gifts are pleasant. The good brothers collect the dead as well. Drowned cows, drowned deer, dead pigs swollen up to half the size of horses. Aye, and corpses.”
“最近尸體太多了，”長老嘆氣，“掘墓人都沒休息過。三河人，西境人，北方佬，全沖到了這里。有騎士也有無賴。我們將他們埋在一起，史塔克與蘭尼斯特，布萊克伍德與布雷肯，佛雷與戴瑞……統(tǒng)統(tǒng)在一起，這是河流交給我們的責(zé)任，以回報它的豐厚饋贈，我們盡力而為，然而有時候找到女人……有時更糟，找到小孩。那是最為殘酷的禮物?！彼D(zhuǎn)向梅里巴德修士?！拔蚁Ｍ阌袝r間為我們告解。自土匪殺死老貝內(nèi)特修士之后，我們就沒入聽取懺悔了?！?/p>
“Too many corpses, these days.” The Elder Brother sighed. “Our gravedigger knows no rest. Rivermen, westermen, northmen, all wash up here. Knights and knaves alike. We bury them side by side, Stark and Lannister, Blackwood and Bracken, Frey and Darry. That is the duty the river asks of us in return for all its gifts, and we do it as best we can. Sometimes we find a woman, though … or worse, a little child. Those are the cruelest gifts.” He turned to Septon Meribald. “I hope that you have time to absolve us of our sins. Since the raiders slew old Septon Bennet, we have had no one to hear confession.”
“我會抽時間的，”梅里巴德說，“希望你們有比上次我經(jīng)過時更好的罪過。”狗兒叫了一聲?！翱吹?jīng)]？連狗兒也感到無聊。”
“I shall make time,” said Meribald, “though I hope you have some better sins than the last time I came through.” Dog barked. “You see? Even Dog was bored.”
波德瑞克派恩很疑惑。“我以為沒人可以說話。嗯，不是沒入。是那些兄弟。另外的兄弟，不是你?！?/p>
Podrick Payne was puzzled. “I thought no one could talk. Well, not no one. The brothers. The other brothers, not you.”
“我們懺悔時允許打破沉默，”長老說，“用手勢和點頭很難說清罪孽?！?/p>
“We are allowed to break silence when confessing,” said the Elder Brother. “It is hard to speak of sin with signs and nods.”
“他們燒了鹽場鎮(zhèn)的圣堂？”海爾亨特問。
“Did they burn the sept at Saltpans?” asked Hyle Hunt.
微笑消失了?！八麄儫他}場鎮(zhèn)的一切，除了城堡，因為城堡是石頭……然而它對鎮(zhèn)子一點用也沒有，跟板油做的卻也沒什么區(qū)別。治療幸存者的責(zé)任落到我頭上，等大火熄滅，漁民們認為可以安全登陸時，便將幸存者載過海灣，送來我這里。有個可憐的女人被強暴了十幾次，她的胸口……女士，你穿著男人的盔甲，我就不向你隱瞞了……她的乳房被撕咬下來吃了，仿佛是……被野獸吞食。我盡全力治療，最終卻歸于失敗。她臨死前發(fā)出的惡毒詛咒并非針對那些強暴她的人，或者活生生吞吃她血肉的畜生，而是昆西·考克斯爵士，歹徒們來到鎮(zhèn)子時，他閂上城堡大門，安全地躲在石墻背后，聽任自己的人民尖叫死亡?！?/p>
The smile vanished. “They burned everything at Saltpans, save the castle. Only that was made of stone … though it had as well been made of suet for all the good it did the town. It fell to me to treat some of the survivors. The fisherfolk brought them across the bay to me after the flames had gone out and they deemed it safe to land. One poor woman had been raped a dozen times, and her breasts … my lady, you wear man’s mail, so I shall not spare you these horrors … her breasts had been torn and chewed and eaten, as if by some … cruel beast. I did what I could for her, though that was little enough. As she lay dying, her worst curses were not for the men who had raped her, nor the monster who devoured her living flesh, but for Ser Quincy Cox, who barred his gates when the outlaws entered the town and sat safe behind stone walls as his people screamed and died.”
“昆西爵士是個老人，”梅里巴德修士輕柔地說，“他的兒子和養(yǎng)子不是遠在他鄉(xiāng)就是已經(jīng)死去，他的孫子們還小，他還有兩個女兒。憑一己之力又怎么對付得了那么多歹徒呢？”
“Ser Quincy is an old man,” said Septon Meribald gently. “His sons and good-sons are far away or dead, his grandsons are still boys, and he has two daughters. What could he have done, one man against so many?”
他至少應(yīng)該試一試，布蕾妮心想，寧肯戰(zhàn)死。無論年齡，真正的騎士誓死保護弱者，把他人的性命放在自己的前面。
He could have tried, Brienne thought. He could have died. Old or young, a true knight is sworn to protect those who are weaker than himself, or die in the attempt.
“你的話沒錯，也很睿智，”長老對梅里巴德修士說，“等你擺渡到鹽場鎮(zhèn)，無疑昆西爵士也會找你告解。我很高興你可以寬恕他。我做不到?！彼畔赂∧颈?，站起身來?！巴聿偷溺娐暱煲庙憽Ｅ笥褌?，在坐下來分享面包、肉和蜜酒之前，你們愿意跟我去圣堂，為鹽場鎮(zhèn)善良人們的靈魂祈禱嗎？”
“True words, and wise,” the Elder Brother said to Septon Meribald. “When you cross to Saltpans, no doubt Ser Quincy will ask you for forgiveness. I am glad that you are here to give it. I could not.” He put aside the driftwood cup, and stood. “The supper bell will sound soon. My friends, will you come with me to the sept, to pray for the souls of the good folk of Saltpans before we sit down to break bread and share some meat and mead?”
“樂意之至。”梅里巴德說。狗兒叫了一聲。
“Gladly,” said Meribald. Dog barked.
修道院的晚餐是布蕾妮見過最奇怪的組合，但并非令人不快。食物樸素而可口：剛出爐的面包松脆溫?zé)幔聰嚢璧狞S油放在罐子里，罐子里還有修道院蜂房產(chǎn)的蜜，濃稠的燉湯中有蟹肉、蚌肉及至少三種不同的魚。梅里巴德修士和海爾爵士喝過兄弟們釀制的蜜酒之后都說棒極了，而她和波德瑞克心滿意足地用了點甜蘋果酒。席間并不沉悶。食物上來之前，梅里巴德先祈禱，當兄弟們在四張長板桌前用餐時，其中一人彈奏起古豎琴，大廳里充滿甜美柔和的樂聲。等長老讓樂手進餐，納伯特兄弟和另一個監(jiān)理又開始輪流朗讀《七星圣經(jīng)》中的章節(jié)。
Their supper in the septry was as strange a meal as Brienne had ever eaten, though not at all unpleasant. The food was plain, but very good; there were loaves of crusty bread still warm from the ovens, crocks of fresh-churned butter, honey from the septry’s hives, and a thick stew of crabs, mussels, and at least three different kinds of fish. Septon Meribald and Ser Hyle drank the mead the brothers made, and pronounced it excellent, whilst she and Podrick contented themselves with more sweet cider. Nor was the meal a somber one. Meribald pronounced a prayer before the food was served, and whilst the brothers ate at four long trestle tables, one of their number played for them on the high harp, filling the hall with soft sweet sounds. When the Elder Brother excused the musician to take his own meal, Brother Narbert and another proctor took turns reading from The Seven-Pointed Star.
誦讀結(jié)束之后，最后一點食物已被擔當侍者的學(xué)徒們清理干凈。他們大多跟波德瑞克年齡相仿，或者更小，但也有成年人，他們在山坡上遇到的大個子掘墓人便在其中，他笨拙地邁著一瘸一拐的步伐。大廳逐漸空曠，長老讓納伯特帶波德瑞克和海爾爵士去回廊里的床鋪?！澳銈儾唤橐夤灿靡婚g房吧？不大，但挺舒適。”
By the time the readings were completed, the last of the food had been cleared away by the novices whose task it was to serve. Most were boys near Podrick’s age, or younger, but there were grown men as well, amongst them the big gravedigger they had encountered on the hill, who walked with the awkward lurching gait of one half-crippled. As the hall emptied, the Elder Brother asked Narbert to show Podrick and Ser Hyle to their pallets in the cloisters. “You will not mind sharing a cell, I hope? It is not large, but you will find it comfortable.”
“我要跟爵士住一起，”波德瑞克說?！拔沂钦f，小姐?！?/p>
“I want to stay with ser,” said Podrick. “I mean, my lady.”
“你和布蕾妮小姐在別處怎樣，那是你們和七神之間的事，”納伯特兄弟說，“但在寂靜島，男人和女人不能睡在同一屋檐下，除非他們結(jié)婚，”
“What you and Lady Brienne may do elsewhere is between you and the Seven,” said Brother Narbert, “but on the Quiet Isle, men and women do not sleep beneath the same roof unless they are wed.”
“我們有些簡陋的小屋，專為來訪的婦女留出，不管她是貴族女子還是村里的普通女孩，”長老說?！八鼈儾怀Ｊ褂?，但我們經(jīng)常打掃，保持其清潔干燥。布蕾妮小姐，讓我為你帶路好嗎？”
“We have some modest cottages set aside for the women who visit us, be they noble ladies or common village girls,” said the Elder Brother. “They are not oft used, but we keep them clean and dry. Lady Brienne, would you allow me to show you the way?”
“好，謝謝你。波德瑞克，跟海爾爵士一起去。我們是修道院的客人，在他們屋檐下，得遵守他們的規(guī)矩?！?/p>
“Yes, thank you. Podrick, go with Ser Hyle. We are guests of the holy brothers here. Beneath their roof, their rules.”
女人住的小屋在小島東側(cè)，面向?qū)掗煹哪嗾雍瓦h處的螃蟹灣，比背風(fēng)的另一側(cè)更冷、更荒蕪。山坡陡峭，小路蜿蜒，穿過雜草、荊棘和風(fēng)化的巖石，扭曲多刺的樹木頑強地附著于坡道上。長老點了一盞燈，照亮下坡的路。他在一個拐角處停下來?！霸谇缋实囊雇?，你可以從這里看到鹽場鎮(zhèn)的燈火。海灣對面，那兒?！彼更c著說。
The women’s cottages were on the east side of the isle, looking out over a broad expanse of mud and the distant waters of the Bay of Crabs. It was colder here than on the sheltered side, and wilder. The hill was steeper, and the path meandered back and forth through weeds and briars, wind-carved rocks, and twisted, thorny trees that clung tenaciously to the stony hillside. The Elder Brother brought a lantern to light their way down. At one turn he paused. “On a clear night you could see the fires of Saltpans from here. Across the bay, just there.” He pointed.
“什么也沒有?！辈祭倌菡f。
“There’s nothing,” Brienne said.
“只有城堡留下，連那些歹徒到來時正好出海的幸運漁民們也紛紛離開。他們眼看著自己的房屋被焚毀，聽到尖叫與哭喊在碼頭回蕩，他們太害怕，不敢讓船靠岸。等最后上岸時，只能埋葬親戚朋友，對他們而言，鹽場鎮(zhèn)除了尸骨和苦澀的回憶，還有什么呢？他們?nèi)チ伺?，或其它城?zhèn)?！彼脽舯犬嬃艘幌?，然后繼續(xù)往下走。“鹽場鎮(zhèn)從來不是什么大港口，但時而有船只停靠，歹徒們要找的就是這個，找一艘劃槳船或平底貨船，載他們穿越狹海?？上М敃r正好連一艘都沒有，于是他們將絕望的怒氣發(fā)泄在鎮(zhèn)民身上。我很疑惑，小姐……你究竟在找什么？”
“Only the castle remains. Even the fisherfolk are gone, the fortunate few who were out on the water when the raiders came. They watched their houses burn and listened to screams and cries float across the harbor, too fearful to land their boats. When at last they came ashore, it was to bury friends and kin. What is there for them at Saltpans now but bones and bitter memories? They have moved to Maidenpool or other towns.” He gestured with the lantern, and they resumed their descent. “Saltpans was never an important port, but ships did call there from time to time. That was what the raiders wanted, a galley or a cog to carry them across the narrow sea. When none was at hand, they took their rage and desperation out upon the townsfolk. I wonder, my lady … what do you hope to find there?”
“一個女孩，”她告訴他，“一位十三歲的貴族處女，漂亮的臉蛋，棗紅色頭發(fā)。”
“A girl,” she told him. “A highborn maid of three-and-ten, with a fair face and auburn hair.”
“珊莎·史塔克?！彼p輕說出這個名字，“你相信那可憐的孩子跟獵狗在一起？”
“Sansa Stark.” The name was softly said. “You believe this poor child is with the Hound?”
“多恩人說她正往奔流城去——提蒙說的，他是勇士團的傭兵，是個殺人兇手、強奸犯和騙子，但我認為這件事他沒說謊——半途卻被獵狗劫走了。”
“The Dornishman said that she was on her way to Riverrun. Timeon. He was a sellsword, one of the Brave Companions, a killer and a raper and a liar, but I do not think he lied about this. He said that the Hound stole her and carried her away.”
“我明白了。”路拐了個彎，那些小屋就在前方。長老說它們很簡陋，確實如此，看上去就像石頭蜂房，又矮又圓，沒有窗戶。“這一幢。”他指指最近的一個小屋，只有這幢有煙從屋頂中央的煙孔里升起。布蕾妮進去時得彎腰才能避免腦袋撞到門梁。里面是泥土地面，干草床鋪，保暖用的獸皮和毯子，一盆水，一壺蘋果酒，一些面包和奶酪，一小堆火，還有兩只低矮的椅子。長老坐到其中一只上，放下燈?！拔铱梢远啻粫簡?？我想我們應(yīng)該談?wù)劇！?/p>
“I see.” The path turned, and there were the cottages ahead of them. The Elder Brother had called them modest. That they were. They looked like beehives made of stone, low and rounded, windowless. “This one,” he said, indicating the nearest cottage, the only one with smoke rising from the smokehole in the center of its roof. Brienne had to duck when entering to keep from banging her head against the lintel. Inside she found a dirt floor, a straw pallet, furs and blankets to keep her warm, a basin of water, a flagon of cider, some bread and cheese, a small fire, and two low chairs. The Elder Brother sat in one, and put the lantern down. “May I stay awhile? I feel that we should talk.”
“假如你愿意的話?！辈祭倌萁庀聞В瑨煸诘诙堃巫由?，然后盤腿坐上床。
“If you wish.” Brienne undid her swordbelt and hung it from the second chair, then sat cross-legged on the pallet.
“你的多恩人沒說謊，”長老開口，“但我恐怕你沒明白他的意思。你追的是另一只母狼，小姐，艾德·史塔克有兩個女兒。桑鐸克里岡帶走的是另一個，小的那個?！?/p>
“Your Dornishman did not lie,” the Elder Brother began, “but I fear you did not understand him. You are chasing the wrong wolf, my lady. Eddard Stark had two daughters. It was the other one that Sandor Clegane made off with, the younger one.”
“艾莉亞史塔克？”布蕾妮驚得目瞪口呆。“你知道？珊莎的妹妹還活著？”
“Arya Stark?” Brienne stared open-mouthed, astonished. “You know this? Lady Sansa’s sister is alive?”
“當時還活著，”長老說，“現(xiàn)在……我不知道。她也許就是在鹽場鎮(zhèn)被屠殺的孩子之一?！?/p>
“Then,” said the Elder Brother. “Now … I do not know. She may have been amongst the children slain at Saltpans.”
這番話好像匕首插進她肚子里。不，布蕾妮心想。不，那太殘酷了?！耙苍S……就是說你不能肯定……？”
The words were a knife in her belly. No, Brienne thought. No, that would be too cruel. “May have been … meaning that you are not certain …?”
“我肯定在十字路口的旅館，那孩子跟桑鐸克里岡在一起，開店的是老瑪莎海德，后來被獅子絞死。我肯定他們正往鹽場鎮(zhèn)去。除此之外……就沒有了。我不知她現(xiàn)在在哪里，甚至不知她是否活著。然而有一件事我確實知道：你追捕的人已經(jīng)死了?！?/p>
“I am certain that the child was with Sandor Clegane at the inn beside the crossroads, the one old Masha Heddle used to keep, before the lions hanged her. I am certain they were on their way to Saltpans. Beyond that … no. I do not know where she is, or even if she lives. There is one thing I do know, however. The man you hunt is dead.”
這又讓她吃了一驚?！八趺此赖?？”
That was another shock. “How did he die?”
“他憑劍而活，死于劍下?！?/p>
“By the sword, as he had lived.”
“你肯定？”
“You know this for a certainty?”
“我親手埋了他。若你想打聽，我可以告訴你他的墓在哪里。我用石塊蓋住他，以免被食腐動物挖出來，然后將他的頭盔置于墳頭上，標志他的安息之地。但這是個嚴重錯誤，其他人找到了我設(shè)置的墓標，并將其據(jù)為己有。在鹽場鎮(zhèn)殺人奸淫的并非桑鐸克里岡——盡管他或許同樣危險——河間地如今充滿了這樣的野獸。我不會稱他們?yōu)槔?，狼比他們更有尊嚴……連狗也是。”
“I buried him myself. I can tell you where his grave lies, if you wish. I covered him with stones to keep the carrion eaters from digging up his flesh, and set his helm atop the cairn to mark his final resting place. That was a grievous error. Some other wayfarer found my marker and claimed it for himself. The man who raped and killed at Saltpans was not Sandor Clegane, though he may be as dangerous. The riverlands are full of such scavengers. I will not call them wolves. Wolves are nobler than that … and so are dogs, I think.
“我對桑鐸·克里岡此人略知一二。多年他來一直擔任喬佛里王子的貼身護衛(wèi)，即便在這兒，也能聽說他的故事，其中有好也有壞，而即使我們聽說的只有一半真實，這也是一個苦難而飽受折磨的靈魂，一個嘲笑著諸神同時也嘲笑人類的罪人。他忠誠效力，卻感受不到由此帶來的自豪；他努力戰(zhàn)斗，但勝利中沒有喜悅；他飲酒如水，企圖淹沒感受；他沒有愛，也不愛自己，驅(qū)使他的是仇恨。他雖犯下許多罪孽，卻從不尋求寬恕。其他人夢想愛情、財富和榮耀，而這個人，桑鐸克里岡夢想著殺死自己的兄長，這是如此可怕的念頭，單單說出來就令我戰(zhàn)栗。然而那是滋養(yǎng)他的面包，那是讓他生命之火繼續(xù)焚燒的燃料，他期望看到哥哥的血染在自己的劍上，這悲哀而充滿憤怒的生靈為此而活著……然而現(xiàn)在連這點希望也被奪走了，多恩的奧柏倫親王以一根毒矛刺穿了格雷果爵士?！?/p>
“I know a little of this man, Sandor Clegane. He was Prince Joffrey’s sworn shield for many a year, and even here we would hear tell of his deeds, both good and ill. If even half of what we heard was true, this was a bitter, tormented soul, a sinner who mocked both gods and men. He served, but found no pride in service. He fought, but took no joy in victory. He drank, to drown his pain in a sea of wine. He did not love, nor was he loved himself. It was hate that drove him. Though he committed many sins, he never sought forgiveness. Where other men dream of love, or wealth, or glory, this man Sandor Clegane dreamed of slaying his own brother, a sin so terrible it makes me shudder just to speak of it. Yet that was the bread that nourished him, the fuel that kept his fires burning. Ignoble as it was, the hope of seeing his brother’s blood upon his blade was all this sad and angry creature lived for … and even that was taken from him, when Prince Oberyn of Dorne stabbed Ser Gregor with a poisoned spear.”
“聽起來你好像同情他?！辈祭倌菡f。
“You sound as if you pity him,” said Brienne.
“是的。倘若你看到他臨終的樣子，也會流下同情的眼淚。我在三叉戟河邊遇到他，是他痛苦的嘶喊聲把我吸引了過去。他懇求我給他慈悲，但我已發(fā)誓不再殺戮。相反，我用河水擦洗他發(fā)燙的前額，給他喝紅酒，并在傷口抹上藥膏，但我做的實在太少，也太遲了。獵狗死在那里，死在我雙臂之中。你也許在我們的馬廄里見過一匹高大黑馬，那便是他的戰(zhàn)馬，陌客。一個褻瀆神明的名字，我們?yōu)樗拿∧?，因為是在河邊找到它的。我恐怕它帶有前任主人的脾性?！?/p>
“I did. You would have pitied him as well, if you had seen him at the end. I came upon him by the Trident, drawn by his cries of pain. He begged me for the gift of mercy, but I am sworn not to kill again. Instead, I bathed his fevered brow with river water, and gave him wine to drink and a poultice for his wound, but my efforts were too little and too late. The Hound died there, in my arms. You may have seen a big black stallion in our stables. That was his warhorse, Stranger. A blasphemous name. We prefer to call him Driftwood, as he was found beside the river. I fear he has his former master’s nature.”
那匹馬。她見過那匹牡馬，聽到它亂踢的聲音，她一直不相信戰(zhàn)馬會被訓(xùn)練得又踢又咬。在戰(zhàn)爭中，它們也是武器，就像騎著它們的人。就像。獵狗?！斑@么說是真的，”她木訥地道?！吧ｈI克里岡死了?！?/p>
The horse. She had seen the stallion, had heard it kicking, but she had not understood. Destriers were trained to kick and bite. In war they were a weapon, like the men who rode them. Like the Hound. “It is true, then,” she said dully. “Sandor Clegane is dead.”
“他已經(jīng)安息?！遍L老頓了一下?！澳氵€年輕，孩子，而我已過了四十四個命名日……我猜我的年齡是你的兩倍還多。如果我說自己曾是個騎士，你會不會感到驚訝？”
“He is at rest.” The Elder Brother paused. “You are young, child. I have counted four-and-forty name days … which makes me more than twice your age, I think. Would it surprise you to learn that I was once a knight?”
“不。你看上去更像騎士，而不像什么圣人?！彼男靥拧⒓绨蚝陀怖实南掳投记宄仫@示出這點?！澳銥槭裁捶艞夠T士身份？”
“No. You look more like a knight than you do a holy man.” It was written in his chest and shoulders, and across that thick square jaw. “Why would you give up knighthood?”
“我不曾選擇當騎士。我父親是騎士，祖父也是，還有我的每一位兄弟。自他們認為我夠大，能握住木劍的那一天起，就訓(xùn)練我戰(zhàn)斗。我明白自己是他們中的一員，也從沒讓他們蒙羞；我有過許多女人，這點卻讓我感到羞恥，因為有些是以暴力獲取的。我曾滿心希望迎娶一位女孩，一位地方領(lǐng)主的幺女，但我是父親的第三子，既無土地也無財富……唯有一把劍，一匹馬和一面盾牌?？偠灾液鼙?，不打仗時，便喝酒。我的生命用紅色寫就，血與酒。”
“I never chose it. My father was a knight, and his before him. So were my brothers, every one. I was trained for battle since the day they deemed me old enough to hold a wooden sword. I saw my share of them, and did not disgrace myself. I had women too, and there I did disgrace myself, for some I took by force. There was a girl I wished to marry, the younger daughter of a petty lord, but I was my father’s thirdborn son and had neither land nor wealth to offer her … only a sword, a horse, a shield. All in all, I was a sad man. When I was not fighting, I was drunk. My life was writ in red, in blood and wine.”
“什么時候改變的呢？”布蕾妮問。
“When did it change?” asked Brienne.
“當我死于三叉戟河之戰(zhàn)時。我為雷加王子戰(zhàn)斗，盡管他從不知道我的名字，這很正常，我侍奉的領(lǐng)主侍奉另一個領(lǐng)主，而這另一個領(lǐng)主決定支持龍而非鹿。假如他作出相反的決定，我也許就站在河的另一邊。戰(zhàn)斗血腥殘酷。歌手們總是讓人們相信，在河中苦斗的只有雷加和勞勃，為了一個他們同時愛上的女人，但我向你保證，其他人也在奮戰(zhàn)，我就是其中之一。我大腿中箭，另一支箭射中了腳，胯下的馬也被殺死，然而我繼續(xù)戰(zhàn)斗。我記得當時不顧一切想要再找一匹馬，因為我沒錢買，若沒有馬，就不再是騎士。老實說，我所想的只有這個，根本沒看見將我打倒的那一擊。我聽見背后有馬蹄聲，于是心想，一匹馬！但還沒來得及轉(zhuǎn)身，腦袋就給砸了一下，被打落到河里，按理應(yīng)該淹死?！?/p>
“When I died in the Battle of the Trident. I fought for Prince Rhaegar, though he never knew my name. I could not tell you why, save that the lord I served served a lord who served a lord who had decided to support the dragon rather than the stag. Had he decided elsewise, I might have been on the other side of the river. The battle was a bloody thing. The singers would have us believe it was all Rhaegar and Robert struggling in the stream for a woman both of them claimed to love, but I assure you, other men were fighting too, and I was one. I took an arrow through the thigh and another through the foot, and my horse was killed from under me, yet I fought on. I can still remember how desperate I was to find another horse, for I had no coin to buy one, and without a horse I would no longer be a knight. That was all that I was thinking of, if truth be told. I never saw the blow that felled me. I heard hooves behind my back and thought, a horse! but before I could turn something slammed into my head and knocked me back into the river, where by rights I should have drowned.
“但我在這兒醒轉(zhuǎn)，在寂靜島上。長老告訴我，我被潮水沖上來，像命名日時一樣渾身赤裸。我只能假設(shè)，有人在淺灘中發(fā)現(xiàn)了我，剝下鎧甲、靴子和褲子，然后推回深水中。接下來的事全交給河水了。我們出生時都光著身子，當我第二次生命開始時也是如此，我覺得那再合適不過。接下來的十年，我一直保持沉默?！?/p>
“Instead I woke here, upon the Quiet Isle. The Elder Brother told me I had washed up on the tide, naked as my name day. I can only think that someone found me in the shallows, stripped me of my armor, boots, and breeches, and pushed me back out into the deeper water. The river did the rest. We are all born naked, so I suppose it was only fitting that I come into my second life the same way. I spent the next ten years in silence.”
“我明白了?！辈祭倌莶恢麨槭裁锤嬖V她這些，也不知能說些什么。
“I see.” Brienne did not know why he was telling her all of this, or what else she ought to say.
“是嗎？”他俯身向前，一雙大手搭在自己膝蓋上?！疤热羧绱耍艞壞愕娜蝿?wù)吧。獵狗死了，況且再怎么說，他也從沒跟你的珊莎史塔克在一起。至于那個戴著他頭盔的畜生，遲早會被抓住絞死。戰(zhàn)爭快結(jié)束了，歹徒們終須伏法。藍道塔利坐鎮(zhèn)女泉城，瓦德佛雷從孿河城發(fā)兵追捕，戴瑞城也有了一位年輕的新領(lǐng)主，他很虔誠，一定會整治好自家的領(lǐng)地?；丶野?，孩子，你有一個家，在這個黑暗時代，很多人都沒這么幸運。你還有一個貴族父親，他一定很愛你。假使你再也回不去，想想他該有多么悲傷。也許你死后，人們會將你的劍與盾帶回給他，也許他甚至?xí)⑺鼈儜以趬ι希湴恋乜粗鼈儭绻銌査?，我相信他會告訴你，他寧愿有一個活生生的女兒而不是破碎的盾牌。”
“Do you?” He leaned forward, his big hands on his knees. “If so, give up this quest of yours. The Hound is dead, and in any case he never had your Sansa Stark. As for this beast who wears his helm, he will be found and hanged. The wars are ending, and these outlaws cannot survive the peace. Randyll Tarly is hunting them from Maidenpool and Walder Frey from the Twins, and there is a new young lord in Darry, a pious man who will surely set his lands to rights. Go home, child. You have a home, which is more than many can say in these dark days. You have a noble father who must surely love you. Consider his grief if you should never return. Perhaps they will bring your sword and shield to him, after you have fallen. Perhaps he will even hang them in his hall and look on them with pride … but if you were to ask him, I know he would tell you that he would sooner have a living daughter than a shattered shield.”
“一個女兒?！辈祭倌菅壑谐錆M淚水?！八撚袀€女兒，為他唱歌，為他的大廳增添光彩，為他生下外孫。他也該有個兒子，英勇強壯，為他帶來各種榮譽。然而我四歲時加勒敦便淹死了，當時他八歲，亞莉珊和亞蓮恩死于襁褓。我是諸神讓他保有的唯一一個孩子?；蔚墓痔?，不男不女。”所有的一切都向布蕾妮涌來，猶如傷口中黑黑的血；那些背叛，那些婚約，紅羅蘭與他的玫瑰，藍禮大人與她共舞，關(guān)于她貞操的賭局，她的國王與瑪格麗特·提利爾結(jié)婚當晚她灑下的傷心淚，苦橋的比武會，她引以為豪的彩虹披風(fēng)，國王帳篷里的陰影，藍禮在她懷中死去，奔流城與凱特琳夫人，三叉戟河上的旅程，與詹姆在樹林里的決斗，血戲班，詹姆高喊“藍寶石！”，詹姆在赫倫堡的浴盆里，蒸汽從他身上升起，她咬下瓦戈霍特耳朵時鮮血的滋味，熊坑，詹姆跳到沙地上，騎往君臨的漫長路途，珊莎·史塔克，她向詹姆立的誓言，她向凱特琳夫人立的誓言，守誓劍，暮谷城，女泉城，機靈狄克，蟹爪半島，輕語堡，被她殺死的人……
“A daughter.” Brienne’s eyes filled with tears. “He deserves that. A daughter who could sing to him and grace his hall and bear him grandsons. He deserves a son too, a strong and gallant son to bring honor to his name. Galladon drowned when I was four and he was eight, though, and Alysanne and Arianne died still in the cradle. I am the only child the gods let him keep. The freakish one, not fit to be a son or daughter.” All of it came pouring out of Brienne then, like black blood from a wound; the betrayals and betrothals, Red Ronnet and his rose, Lord Renly dancing with her, the wager for her maidenhead, the bitter tears she shed the night her king wed Margaery Tyrell, the mêlée at Bitterbridge, the rainbow cloak that she had been so proud of, the shadow in the king’s pavilion, Renly dying in her arms, Riverrun and Lady Catelyn, the voyage down the Trident, dueling Jaime in the woods, the Bloody Mummers, Jaime crying “Sapphires,” Jaime in the tub at Harrenhal with steam rising from his body, the taste of Vargo Hoat’s blood when she bit down on his ear, the bear pit, Jaime leaping down onto the sand, the long ride to King’s Landing, Sansa Stark, the vow she’d sworn to Jaime, the vow she’d sworn to Lady Catelyn, Oathkeeper, Duskendale, Maidenpool, Nimble Dick and Crackclaw and the Whispers, the men she’d killed …
“我必須找到她，”她最后堅定地說，“其他人也在找，他們都想抓住她賣給太后。我得先找著她。我答應(yīng)過詹姆。他將那把劍命名為‘守誓劍’。我必須去救她……不成功便成仁?！?/p>
“I have to find her,” she finished. “There are others looking, all wanting to capture her and sell her to the queen. I have to find her first. I promised Jaime. Oathkeeper, he named the sword. I have to try to save her … or die in the attempt.”
