Chapter 第三十六章 丹妮莉絲（六）

DAENERYS

營地的惡臭是如此劇烈，丹妮得強(qiáng)忍住作嘔的沖動(dòng)。

The stench of the camp was so appalling it was all that Dany could do not to gag.

巴利斯坦爵士皺了皺鼻子說，“陛下不該來這兒，呼吸這些黑色體液的味道?！?/p>

Ser Barristan wrinkled up his nose, and said, “Your Grace should not be here, breathing these black humors.”

“我是龍之血脈，”丹妮提醒他，“你見過拉肚子的龍么？”韋塞里斯過去常聲稱坦格利安們不受折磨普通人的瘟疫侵?jǐn)_，而且據(jù)她所知，那是真的。她記得寒冷、饑餓和恐懼的感覺，但從沒有生過病。

“I am the blood of the dragon,” Dany reminded him. “Have you ever seen a dragon with the flux?” Viserys had oft claimed that Targaryens were untroubled by the pestilences that afflicted common men, and so far as she could tell, it was true. She could remember being cold and hungry and afraid, but never sick.

“即便如此，”老騎士說，“如果陛下回到城里，我會(huì)覺得好受些。”彌林多彩的磚墻已遠(yuǎn)在他們身后一英里。“自從黎明紀(jì)元開始，血痢疾便一直是每支軍隊(duì)的噩夢。我們分發(fā)食物吧，陛下?！?/p>

“Even so,” the old knight said, “I would feel better if Your Grace would return to the city.” The many-colored brick walls of Meereen were half a mile back. “The bloody flux has been the bane of every army since the Dawn Age. Let us distribute the food, Your Grace.”

“天明再說，現(xiàn)在都到這兒了，我想去看看。”她雙腳一夾她的小銀馬，其他人便策馬隨行。喬戈在她前方騎行，阿戈和拉卡洛在后，揮舞著長長的多斯拉克馬鞭阻止病患和將死之人靠近。巴利斯坦爵士騎在一匹斑灰馬上走在她的右側(cè)。她左邊則是自由兄弟會(huì)的‘疤背’賽蒙和母親之子的馬瑟倫。60名士兵緊跟在他們的團(tuán)長身后，保護(hù)裝滿食物的四輪馬車。所有人都騎著馬——多斯拉克人、銅面獸和自由民，只有職責(zé)才能讓他們克服對彼此的厭惡聚集在一起。

“On the morrow. I am here now. I want to see.” She put her heels into her silver. The others trotted after her. Jhogo rode before her, Aggo and Rakharo just behind, long Dothraki whips in hand to keep away the sick and dying. Ser Barristan was at her right, mounted on a dapple grey. To her left was Symon Stripeback of the Free Brothers and Marselen of the Mother’s Men. Three score soldiers followed close behind the captains, to protect the food wagons. Mounted men all, Dothraki and Brazen Beasts and freedmen, they were united only by their distaste for this duty.

阿斯塔波人則排著每走一碼就變得更長的病怏怏的隊(duì)伍跌跌撞撞的跟在后面。有些人說的語言讓她聽不懂。其他人則沒開口。許多人舉起雙手伸向丹妮，或者在她的小銀馬路過時(shí)跪下?！澳赣H，”他們這樣叫她，用阿斯塔波、里斯、古瓦蘭提斯語，還有多斯拉克語的喉音，魁斯的流音，甚至還有維斯特洛的通用語?！澳赣H，求求你……母親，幫幫我的姐姐，她病的很重……給我的孩子點(diǎn)兒吃的吧……求求你，還有我的老父親……幫幫他吧……幫幫她吧……幫幫我吧……”

The Astapori stumbled after them in a ghastly procession that grew longer with every yard they crossed. Some spoke tongues she did not understand. Others were beyond speaking. Many lifted their hands to Dany, or knelt as her silver went by. “Mother,” they called to her, in the dialects of Astapor, Lys, and Old Volantis, in guttural Dothraki and the liquid syllables of Qarth, even in the Common Tongue of Westeros. “Mother, please … mother, help my sister, she is sick … give me food for my little ones … please, my old father … help him … help her … help me …”

我也無法幫助更多了，丹妮絕望地想。阿斯塔波人無處可去，數(shù)千人滯留在彌林厚厚的磚墻外面——男人、女人、小孩、老人、小姑娘還有新生嬰兒。許多人都病了，多數(shù)人都在挨餓，而所有人都注定死亡。丹妮莉絲不敢打開她的城門讓他們進(jìn)來。她已經(jīng)盡自己最大的可能為他們提供幫助。她派出醫(yī)者，藍(lán)衣賢者還有誦術(shù)士甚至是庸醫(yī)，但他們中的一些也生病了，而他們的技藝一點(diǎn)兒也沒放緩蒼白母馬帶來的血痢疾疾馳的腳步。將病患與尚未感染的人分開也被證實(shí)不可行。她的‘堅(jiān)盾團(tuán)’嘗試過，即使阿斯塔波人哭泣著又踢又扔石子，他們還是將丈夫從妻子身邊，孩子從母親身邊拉開。幾天后，染病的人死了，而健康的人則病了。將人與人分開一點(diǎn)兒用也沒有。

I have no more help to give, Dany thought, despairing. The Astapori had no place to go. Thousands remained outside Meereen’s thick walls—men and women and children, old men and little girls and newborn babes. Many were sick, most were starved, and all were doomed to die. Daenerys dare not open her gates to let them in. She had tried to do what she could for them. She had sent them healers, Blue Graces and spell-singers and barber-surgeons, but some of those had sickened as well, and none of their arts had slowed the galloping progression of the flux that had come on the pale mare. Separating the healthy from the sick had proved impractical as well. Her Stalwart Shields had tried, pulling husbands away from wives and children from their mothers, even as the Astapori wept and kicked and pelted them with stones. A few days later, the sick were dead and the healthy ones were sick. Dividing the one from the other had accomplished nothing.

即使喂飽他們也變得艱難。每天她都送給他們她能給的，但每天他們都變得更多，而能給的食物卻變得更少。找到愿意運(yùn)輸食物的車夫也變得困難，因?yàn)榕蛇M(jìn)營地的很多人回來后都被血痢疾感染了，其他人則在回城路上被攻擊。昨天一輛馬車翻了，她的兩個(gè)士兵死亡。所以今天，女王決心自己去分發(fā)食物。她的每個(gè)諫者都激烈的反對，從雷茲納克到剃頂大人，還有巴利斯坦爵士，但丹妮莉絲沒動(dòng)搖?！拔也粫?huì)背棄他們，”她固執(zhí)地說，“女王需知道她的子民遭受的苦難?！?/p>

Even feeding them had grown difficult. Every day she sent them what she could, but every day there were more of them and less food to give them. It was growing harder to find drivers willing to deliver the food as well. Too many of the men they had sent into the camp had been stricken by the flux themselves. Others had been attacked on the way back to the city. Yesterday a wagon had been overturned and two of her soldiers killed, so today the queen had determined that she would bring the food herself. Every one of her advisors had argued fervently against it, from Reznak and the Shavepate to Ser Barristan, but Daenerys would not be moved. “I will not turn away from them,” she said stubbornly. “A queen must know the sufferings of her people.”

他們唯一不缺的便是苦難?！艾F(xiàn)在馬和騾子幾乎一頭不剩了，盡管當(dāng)初他們很多人是騎騾馬從阿斯塔波過來的，”馬瑟倫這樣向她匯報(bào)?！八麄兂缘袅嗣恳活^，陛下，還有他們能捕捉到的每只老鼠、鬣狗?，F(xiàn)在他們開始吃起他們死掉的人了?！?/p>

Suffering was the only thing they did not lack. “There is scarcely a horse or mule left, though many rode from Astapor,” Marselen reported to her. “They’ve eaten every one, Your Grace, along with every rat and scavenger dog that they could catch. Now some have begun to eat their own dead.”

“人不該吃同類的肉體，”阿戈說道。

“Man must not eat the flesh of man,” said Aggo.

“人所周知，”拉卡洛同意，“他們將受到詛咒?！?/p>

“It is known,” agreed Rahkaro. “They will be cursed.”

“他們受的比受詛咒糟糕多了，”‘疤背’賽蒙說。

“They’re past cursing,” said Symon Stripeback.

脹肚子的小孩尾隨他們，已經(jīng)瘦弱或恐懼到無法乞討。眼睛凹陷的枯瘦男人蜷伏在沙石中，他們的生命也隨著腹瀉出的棕紅色惡臭之物流逝。很多人衰弱到無法爬到她命令他們挖的溝渠那里，就在睡覺的地方排泄。兩個(gè)人為一根焦黑的骨頭大打出手。附近的一個(gè)十歲男孩站著吃老鼠。他用一只手吃，另一只手抓著一根削尖的棍子以防任何人試圖搶走他的戰(zhàn)利品。未埋葬的死尸到處都是。丹妮看到一個(gè)人在黑斗篷下躺臥在地，而當(dāng)她騎過他身邊時(shí)，那斗篷一下分散成數(shù)千只蒼蠅。瘦骨嶙峋的女人緊抱著將死的嬰孩坐在地上。她們的眼睛跟隨著她。那些還有氣力的人叫出聲?！澳赣H……求求您，母親……祝福您，母親……”

Little children with swollen stomachs trailed after them, too weak or scared to beg. Gaunt men with sunken eyes squatted amidst sand and stones, shitting out their lives in stinking streams of brown and red. Many shat where they slept now, too feeble to crawl to the ditches she’d commanded them to dig. Two women fought over a charred bone. Nearby a boy of ten stood eating a rat. He ate one-handed, the other clutching a sharpened stick lest anyone try to wrest away his prize. Unburied dead lay everywhere. Dany saw one man sprawled in the dirt under a black cloak, but as she rode past his cloak dissolved into a thousand flies. Skeletal women sat upon the ground clutching dying infants. Their eyes followed her. Those who had the strength called out. “Mother … please, Mother … bless you, Mother …”

祝福我，丹妮苦澀地想。你的城市將化為焦土和骨骸，你的人民正在你周圍死去。我沒有避難所給你們，沒有**，沒有希望。只有不新鮮的面包和腐爛的肉，干硬的奶酪，一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)牛奶。祝福我，祝福我。

Bless me, Dany thought bitterly. Your city is gone to ash and bone, your people are dying all around you. I have no shelter for you, no medicine, no hope. Only stale bread and wormy meat, hard cheese, a little milk. Bless me, bless me.

連給孩子的牛奶都沒有，這是什么母親？

What kind of mother has no milk to feed her children?

“死尸太多了，”阿戈說，“應(yīng)該燒掉它們?！?/p>

“Too many dead,” Aggo said. “They should be burned.”

“誰來燒死尸呢？”巴利斯坦爵士問道?！暗教幎际茄〖?。每一晚都有一百人死去?！?/p>

“Who will burn them?” asked Ser Barristan. “The bloody flux is everywhere. A hundred die each night.”

“接觸死者沒有好處?！眴谈暾f。

“It is not good to touch the dead,” said Jhogo.

“人所周知?！卑⒏旰屠逡黄鹫f道。

“This is known,” Aggo and Rakharo said, together.

“也許是這樣，”丹妮說道，“但是這件事也必須要做?！彼肓艘粫?huì)兒?！盁o垢者不懼怕尸體。我會(huì)交代給灰蟲子。”

“That may be so,” said Dany, “but this thing must be done, all the same.” She thought a moment. “The Unsullied have no fear of corpses. I shall speak to Grey Worm.”

“陛下，”巴利斯坦爵士說，“無垢者是您最好的戰(zhàn)士。我們千萬不能讓瘟疫在他們當(dāng)中散播。讓阿斯塔波人自己燒掉死者吧?！?/p>

“Your Grace,” said Ser Barristan, “the Unsullied are your best fighters. We dare not loose this plague amongst them. Let the Astapori bury their own dead.”

“他們太虛弱了，”‘疤背’賽蒙說。

“They are too feeble,” said Symon Stripeback.

丹妮說，“更多的食物能讓他們強(qiáng)壯起來?！?/p>

Dany said, “More food might make them stronger.”

賽蒙搖頭，“食物不應(yīng)該浪費(fèi)在將死者身上，陛下。我們連活人都喂不飽?！?/p>

Symon shook his head. “Food should not be wasted on the dying, Your Worship. We do not have enough to feed the living.”

丹妮知道他說的沒錯(cuò)，但這并沒有讓這些話聽起來更輕松?！白銐蜻h(yuǎn)了，”女王決定?！拔覀冊谶@里救濟(jì)他們?！彼e起手。補(bǔ)給馬車在她身后碰撞著停下，騎手們在馬車四周散開，防止阿斯塔波人哄搶食物。不一會(huì)他們就被厚重的人群擠的寸步難行，而越來越多的難民仍在步履蹣跚的向馬車涌來。騎手們攔住他們。“排好隊(duì)，”他們吼道?！皠e推，退后，退后。每個(gè)人都有面包，排好隊(duì)?！?/p>

He was not wrong, she knew, but that did not make the words any easier to hear. “This is far enough,” the queen decided. “We’ll feed them here.” She raised a hand. Behind her the wagons bumped to a halt, and her riders spread out around them, to keep the Astapori from rushing at the food. No sooner had they stopped than the press began to thicken around them, as more and more of the afflicted came limping and shambling toward the wagons. The riders cut them off. “Wait your turn,” they shouted. “No pushing. Back. Stay back. Bread for everyone. Wait your turn.”

丹妮只能坐下看著?！熬羰?，”她對巴利斯坦·賽爾彌說，“我們就不能再做點(diǎn)什么嗎？你還有存糧?！?/p>

Dany could only sit and watch. “Ser,” she said to Barristan Selmy, “is there no more we can do? You have provisions.”

“那是給陛下戰(zhàn)士們的存糧。我們需要抵抗長期的圍城。暴鴉團(tuán)和次子團(tuán)能夠騷擾淵凱人，但不能指望他們讓淵凱人退兵。如果陛下允許我集結(jié)一支軍隊(duì)……”

“Provisions for Your Grace’s soldiers. We may well need to withstand a long siege. The Stormcrows and the Second Sons can harry the Yunkishmen, but they cannot hope to turn them. If Your Grace would allow me to assemble an army …”

“如果必須一戰(zhàn)，我會(huì)馬上退至彌林的圍墻后作戰(zhàn)。讓淵凱人嘗試進(jìn)攻我的城墻吧。”女王巡視四周?！叭绻覀兤骄峙涫澄铩?/p>

“If there must be a battle, I would sooner fight it from behind the walls of Meereen. Let the Yunkai’i try and storm my battlements.” The queen surveyed the scene around her. “If we were to share our food equally …”

“……阿斯塔波人在這些天會(huì)吃掉他們的那份，我們用來抵抗圍城的就更少了?！?/p>

“… the Astapori would eat through their portion in days, and we would have that much less for the siege.”

丹妮的視線穿過營地，直到彌林的多彩磚墻?？諝饫锍涑庵n蠅和哭泣聲?！捌呱癜堰@場瘟疫帶給謙卑的我。太多人死去了……我絕不會(huì)讓他們吃尸體?！彼疽獍⒏昕拷！叭コ情T，讓灰蟲子帶50個(gè)無垢者過來?！?/p>

Dany gazed across the camp, to the many-colored brick walls of Meereen. The air was thick with flies and cries. “The gods have sent this pestilence to humble me. So many dead … I will not have them eating corpses.” She beckoned Aggo closer. “Ride to the gates and bring me Grey Worm and fifty of his Unsullied.”

“卡麗熙。吾血之血愿意遵從?！卑⒏甏唏R疾馳而去。

“Khaleesi. The blood of your blood obeys.” Aggo touched his horse with his heels and galloped off.

巴利斯坦爵士難掩憂慮的看著?！澳辉撛僭谶@兒逗留了，陛下。阿斯塔波人已經(jīng)如您所令得到供食。我們無法再為這些可憐人做更多，是時(shí)候休整回城了?！?/p>

Ser Barristan watched with ill-concealed apprehension. “You should not linger here overlong, Your Grace. The Astapori are being fed, as you commanded. There’s no more we can do for the poor wretches. We should repair back to the city.”

“若你這么想，你就自己回去吧，爵士。我不會(huì)阻撓你。我不會(huì)阻撓你們?nèi)魏稳??！钡つ萏埋R?！拔覠o法治愈他們，但他們會(huì)見證母親的關(guān)懷。”

“Go if you wish, ser. I will not detain you. I will not detain any of you.” Dany vaulted down from the horse. “I cannot heal them, but I can show them that their Mother cares.”

喬戈倒吸一口冷氣?！翱悷?，別?！彼埋R時(shí)，辮上鈴鐺輕柔作響?！澳荒茉倏拷?，不能讓他們碰觸你??！千萬別??！”

Jhogo sucked in his breath. “Khaleesi, no.” The bell in his braid rang softly as he dismounted. “You must not get any closer. Do not let them touch you! Do not!”

丹妮只是走過他身邊，一個(gè)老人就在幾尺外的地上哀鳴，盯著鼓脹的灰云。她在他身邊跪下，由于異味而皺了皺鼻，接著將他骯臟的灰發(fā)撫到一旁以才測額頭溫度?！八纳眢w正受著煎熬，我需要給他沐浴，海水就行。馬瑟萊恩（一個(gè)無垢者），幫我接點(diǎn)水來好么？我還需要油，以便火葬。誰來幫我焚燒死尸?！?/p>

Dany walked right past him. There was an old man on the ground a few feet away, moaning and staring up at the grey belly of the clouds. She knelt beside him, wrinkling her nose at the smell, and pushed back his dirty grey hair to feel his brow. “His flesh is on fire. I need water to bathe him. Seawater will serve. Marselen, will you fetch some for me? I need oil as well, for the pyre. Who will help me burn the dead?”

當(dāng)阿戈馬后跟著灰蟲子和50名無垢者小跑而來時(shí)，丹妮的行為已經(jīng)讓他們無地自容，于是都開始幫起她來。條紋背賽蒙和他的人將活人和死人分開，堆積起死尸，而喬戈和拉卡洛則帶著他們的多斯拉克人幫助那些依舊能走路的人去海灣洗澡，幫著他們洗衣服。阿戈盯著他們，好像他們都瘋了一樣，但是灰蟲子還是在往后邊跪下說，“鄙人會(huì)幫忙。”

By the time Aggo returned with Grey Worm and fifty of the Unsullied loping behind his horse, Dany had shamed all of them into helping her. Symon Stripeback and his men were pulling the living from the dead and stacking up the corpses, while Jhogo and Rakharo and their Dothraki helped those who could still walk toward the shore to bathe and wash their clothes. Aggo stared at them as if they had all gone mad, but Grey Worm knelt beside the queen and said, “This one would be of help.”

在正午前就已經(jīng)有許多火堆燃燒。股股濃煙騰上高空污染了無情的藍(lán)天。當(dāng)?shù)つ輳幕鹩湍沁呑呋貋頃r(shí)，她的騎裝被熏得烏黑?！氨菹?，”灰蟲子說，“鄙人和他的兄弟求您，讓我們在工作完成后去咸海中沐浴，如此，依照我們偉大神靈的律法，我們就可以被凈化了?！?/p>

Before midday a dozen fires were burning. Columns of greasy black smoke rose up to stain a merciless blue sky. Dany’s riding clothes were stained and sooty as she stepped back from the pyres. “Worship,” Grey Worm said, “this one and his brothers beg your leave to bathe in the salt sea when our work here is done, that we might be purified according to the laws of our great goddess.”

女王從不知道閹人也有他們自己的神靈?！斑@個(gè)神靈是誰？吉斯的某個(gè)神靈么？”

The queen had not known that the eunuchs had a goddess of their own. “Who is this goddess? One of the gods of Ghis?”

灰蟲子看起來有點(diǎn)窘迫?！澳莻€(gè)神靈有多個(gè)名字。她是矛之夫人，戰(zhàn)斗之新娘，主人之母，但她的真名之有那些在她的神壇上燒了自己的**的可憐人才可知曉。我們無法對其他人提起。這點(diǎn)請求您的寬恕?！?/p>

Grey Worm looked troubled. “The goddess is called by many names. She is the Lady of Spears, the Bride of Battle, the Mother of Hosts, but her true name belongs only to these poor ones who have burned their manhoods upon her altar. We may not speak of her to others. This one begs your forgiveness.”

“如你所愿。我允許你們?nèi)缭溉ャ逶?。感謝你們的幫忙。”

“As you wish. Yes, you may bathe if that is your desire. Thank you for your help.”

“我們生而為您服務(wù)?！?/p>

“These ones live to serve you.”

當(dāng)?shù)つ蓰惤z四肢酸痛而心中難過地回到她的金字塔，她發(fā)覺得彌珊岱正在讀著什么古老的卷軸而伊麗和姬奇則正就拉卡洛爭吵?！澳銓λ麃碚f瘦死了，”姬奇說。“不差不多就是個(gè)男孩。拉卡洛可不會(huì)和男孩子睡覺，這眾所周知。”伊麗反擊。“眾所周知你就是頭母牛，拉卡洛也不和母牛睡?！?/p>

When Daenerys returned to her pyramid, sore of limb and sick of heart, she found Missandei reading some old scroll whilst Irri and Jhiqui argued about Rakharo. “You are too skinny for him,” Jhiqui was saying. “You are almost a boy. Rakharo does not bed with boys. This is known.” Irri bristled back. “It is known that you are almost a cow. Rakharo does not bed with cows.”

“拉卡洛是吾血之血，他的命屬于我，不是你們，”丹妮對她們倆說。拉卡洛在離開彌林期間差不多長高了半尺，回來后四肢都更加強(qiáng)壯有力，發(fā)辮上又多了四個(gè)鈴鐺。他現(xiàn)在比阿戈和喬戈都高了，顯然她的兩個(gè)貼身女仆都有所注意?！艾F(xiàn)在安靜點(diǎn)，我要洗澡了?！彼€從沒感覺這么臟過?！凹?，幫我褪下這些依附于，然后帶走燒掉。伊麗，告訴奎扎給我找點(diǎn)輕薄涼快的衣服。天真熱?！?/p>

“Rakharo is blood of my blood. His life belongs to me, not you,” Dany told the two of them. Rakharo had grown almost half a foot during his time away from Meereen and returned with arms and legs thick with muscle and four bells in his hair. He towered over Aggo and Jhogo now, as her handmaids had both noticed. “Now be quiet. I need to bathe.” She had never felt more soiled. “Jhiqui, help me from these clothes, then take them away and burn them. Irri, tell Qezza to find me something light and cool to wear. The day was very hot.”

一陣涼風(fēng)吹過臺階。當(dāng)?shù)つ莼胨乃貢r(shí)，她高興地嘆了口氣。她命令彌珊岱褪去衣服和她同浴。彌珊岱為丹妮搓背時(shí)說：“昨晚在下似乎聽到阿斯塔波人挖鑿城墻的聲音?！?/p>

A cool wind was blowing on her terrace. Dany sighed with pleasure as she slipped into the waters of her pool. At her command, Missandei stripped off her clothes and climbed in after her. “This one heard the Astapori scratching at the walls last night,” the little scribe said as she was washing Dany’s back.

伊麗和姬奇交換了個(gè)眼神。姬奇說：“根本沒有人在挖鑿，挖鑿？他們靠什么挖？”

Irri and Jhiqui exchanged a look. “No one was scratching,” said Jhiqui. “Scratching … how could they scratch?”

“靠他們的雙手，”彌珊岱說道?！按u墻老舊而稀松。他們正試著刨出一條進(jìn)城的路。”

“With their hands,” said Missandei. “The bricks are old and crumbling. They are trying to claw their way into the city.”

“這或許將耗時(shí)數(shù)年，”伊麗說?！氨娝苤?，磚墻厚實(shí)無比?！?/p>

“This would take them many years,” said Irri. “The walls are very thick. This is known.”

“的確如此，”姬奇表示贊同。

“It is known,” agreed Jhiqui.

“我也夢見這些?！钡つ轄恐鴱浬横返氖??！翱伤麄兊臓I地?fù)?jù)此足有半里，小可愛。沒有人在挖鑿城墻?！?/p>

“I dream of them as well.” Dany took Missandei’s hand. “The camp is a good half-mile from the city, my sweetling. No one was scratching at the walls.”

“陛下英明，”彌珊岱說道?！斑€要不要為你洗頭？雷茲納克·莫·雷茲納克和伽拉撒·伽拉瑞即將覲見，來討論關(guān)于……”

“Your Grace knows best,” said Missandei. “Shall I wash your hair? It is almost time. Reznak mo Reznak and the Green Grace are coming to discuss—”

“……關(guān)于婚禮的籌備。”丹妮猛地坐起來?！拔叶伎焱恕！被蛟S我并不打算記得這些事?！岸遥诖酥螅疫€要和希茲達(dá)爾共進(jìn)晚餐?！彼龂@口氣，“伊麗，把我的綠托卡拿來，鑲有密爾蕾絲的那件?！?/p>

“—the wedding preparations.” Dany sat up with a splash. “I had almost forgotten.” Perhaps I wanted to forget. “And after them, I am to dine with Hizdahr.” She sighed. “Irri, bring the green tokar, the silk one fringed with Myrish lace.”

“卡麗熙，那一件正在修補(bǔ)。它的蕾絲被撕爛了。藍(lán)托卡已經(jīng)洗好了?！?/p>

“That one is being repaired, Khaleesi. The lace was torn. The blue tokar has been cleaned.”

“藍(lán)色也行。他們不會(huì)因此失望?！?/p>

“Blue, then. They will be just as pleased.”

可事實(shí)并非全如她所料。祭司和總管很高興見到她穿著托卡，符合彌林女性的裝束。而他們卻希望她什么都不穿。丹妮莉絲聽他們說完這難以置信的要求，“我無意冒犯，但是我的確不想赤圌裸面對希茲達(dá)爾的母親和姐妹?！?/p>

She was only half-wrong. The priestess and the seneschal were happy to see her garbed in a tokar, a proper Meereenese lady for once, but what they really wanted was to strip her bare. Daenerys heard them out, incredulous. When they were done, she said, “I have no wish to give offense, but I will not present myself naked to Hizdahr’s mother and sisters.”

“然而，”雷茲納克·莫·雷茲納克略微停頓，“然而，你不得不這么做，陛下。在成婚之前，男方家族檢查新娘的子圌宮，額……女性部分，是這里的傳統(tǒng)。以確信那地方發(fā)育正常并能，額……”

“But,” said Reznak mo Reznak, blinking, “but you must, Your Worship. Before a marriage it is traditional for the women of the man’s house to examine the bride’s womb and, ah … her female parts. To ascertain that they are well formed and, ah …”

“……生育，”伽拉撒·伽拉瑞把話說完?！斑@是古老的儀式，陛下。三名祭司將同去見證檢查的過程并頌唱禱詞?！?/p>

“… fertile,” finished Galazza Galare. “An ancient ritual, Your Radiance. Three Graces shall be present to witness the examination and say the proper prayers.”

“是的，”雷茲納克接著說，“之后，將會(huì)有一個(gè)為訂婚而特制的蛋糕，屬于女人的蛋糕。男人不能品嘗它。聽說它美味至極，迷人而神秘。”

“Yes,” said Reznak, “and afterward there is a special cake. A women’s cake, baked only for betrothals. Men are not allowed to taste it. I am told it is delicious. Magical.”

但若是子圌宮凋敝遭到詛咒呢？哪里還會(huì)有那個(gè)蛋糕。 “希茲達(dá)爾·佐·洛拉克在婚后也將查視我那兒。”卓戈卡奧認(rèn)為她那兒毫無瑕疵，憑什么他還得這樣做一次？“讓他母親和他姐妹去檢查別人，并與那人分享蛋糕吧。我不會(huì)去吃它，也不會(huì)去洗尊貴的希茲達(dá)爾的尊貴的腳。”

And if my womb is withered and my female parts accursed, is there a special cake for that as well? “Hizdahr zo Loraq may inspect my women’s parts after we are wed.” Khal Drogo found no fault with them, why should he? “Let his mother and his sisters examine one another and share the special cake. I shall not be eating it. Nor shall I wash the noble Hizdahr’s noble feet.”

“陛下，你不懂，”雷茲納克反駁道?！案鶕?jù)傳統(tǒng)，洗腳被視為神圣。它意味著你將從此侍奉丈夫?；槎Y服裝也飽含圌著深刻含義，新娘會(huì)穿著襯有暗紅面紗的珍珠鑲邊的白絲托卡?！?/p>

“Magnificence, you do not understand,” protested Reznak. “The washing of the feet is hallowed by tradition. It signifies that you shall be your husband’s handmaid. The wedding garb is fraught with meaning too. The bride is dressed in dark red veils above a tokar of white silk, fringed with baby pearls.”

兔子女王結(jié)婚可不能沒有了“兔子耳朵”?！罢渲闀?huì)在我走路時(shí)嘎嘎作響?！?/p>

The queen of the rabbits must not be wed without her floppy ears. “All those pearls will make me rattle when I walk.”

“珍珠象征著多產(chǎn)。陛下您穿戴的珍珠越多，您就會(huì)產(chǎn)下越多強(qiáng)壯的后代?！?/p>

“The pearls symbolize fertility. The more pearls Your Worship wears, the more healthy children she will bear.”

“我何必要100個(gè)孩子？”丹妮轉(zhuǎn)而向綠衣仁者說?！叭羰前淳S斯特洛的儀式結(jié)婚……”

“Why would I want a hundred children?” Dany turned to the Green Grace. “If we should wed by Westerosi rites …”

“吉斯的神并不認(rèn)為那是真正的婚姻。”伽拉撒·伽拉瑞的臉隱藏在綠絲面罩之下。只露出眼睛，碧綠，明智，充滿憂傷?！澳菢拥慕Y(jié)合，你只能成為希茲達(dá)爾的妃子，而非他的妻子。你的孩子只能算作是私生子。陛下必須在圣恩神廟嫁給希茲達(dá)爾，在彌林所有貴族的注視下結(jié)為夫妻?！?/p>

“The gods of Ghis would deem it no true union.” Galazza Galare’s face was hidden behind a veil of green silk. Only her eyes showed, green and wise and sad. “In the eyes of the city you would be the noble Hizdahr’s concubine, not his lawful wedded wife. Your children would be bastards. Your Worship must marry Hizdahr in the Temple of the Graces, with all the nobility of Meereen on hand to bear witness to your union.”

以一個(gè)借口把所有貴族的族長請出金字塔，達(dá)里奧曾說過。龍之族語乃是血火同源。丹妮試圖不去想這些。她不該這樣想?！叭缒闼?，”她嘆氣道?！拔覍⒅傆姓渲榈陌淄锌ㄔ谏穸魃駨R嫁給希茲達(dá)爾。還有其他要求嗎？”

Get the heads of all the noble houses out of their pyramids on some pretext, Daario had said. The dragon’s words are fire and blood. Dany pushed the thought aside. It was not worthy of her. “As you wish,” she sighed. “I shall marry Hizdahr in the Temple of the Graces wrapped in a white tokar fringed with baby pearls. Is there anything else?”

“還有件小事，陛下，”雷茲納克說?！盀榱藨c祝婚禮，重新開啟角斗場顯得格外合適。這將成為你賜予希茲達(dá)爾以及你所愛的人的結(jié)婚禮物，也將成為一個(gè)你尊重彌林傳統(tǒng)與古道的標(biāo)志。”

“One more small matter, Your Worship,” said Reznak. “To celebrate your nuptials, it would be most fitting if you would allow the fighting pits to open once again. It would be your wedding gift to Hizdahr and to your loving people, a sign that you had embraced the ancient ways and customs of Meereen.”

“同時(shí)也將取悅神祗，”綠衣仁者用輕柔的嗓音補(bǔ)充道。

“And most pleasing to the gods as well,” the Green Grace added in her soft and kindly voice.

以鮮血作成為新娘的代價(jià)。丹妮莉絲已經(jīng)對這個(gè)議題的拉鋸戰(zhàn)感到厭倦。盡管巴利斯坦爵士不認(rèn)為她能在這個(gè)戰(zhàn)斗中勝利?！皼]有哪個(gè)統(tǒng)治者能照顧好他的每個(gè)子民，”賽爾彌曾告訴她?！笆苌褡８５呢惱掌矶\、禁食并建造了裝飾華麗足矣讓諸神嫉妒的貝勒大圣堂，但他仍無法終結(jié)戰(zhàn)爭與貧窮。”女王必須傾聽她子民的話，丹妮提醒自己?！盎槎Y之后，希茲達(dá)爾將成為國王。若他打算重啟角斗場，他自可這樣做。我不想?yún)⑴c這一計(jì)劃?！彼氖謱⒄礉M鮮血，而非我的。她提出：“如果要我給我的丈夫洗腳的話，他須要先為我洗。我會(huì)在今晚告訴他?！彼芎闷嫠麑⑷绾谓邮苓@一提議。

A bride price paid in blood. Daenerys was weary of fighting this battle. Even Ser Barristan did not think she could win. “No ruler can make a people good,” Selmy had told her. “Baelor the Blessed prayed and fasted and built the Seven as splendid a temple as any gods could wish for, yet he could not put an end to war and want.” A queen must listen to her people, Dany reminded herself. “After the wedding Hizdahr will be king. Let him reopen the fighting pits if he wishes. I want no part of it.” Let the blood be on his hands, not mine. She rose. “If my husband wishes me to wash his feet, he must first wash mine. I will tell him so this evening.” She wondered how her betrothed would take that.

她不必如此在意。希茲達(dá)爾·佐·洛拉克在日落一小時(shí)后才到。他穿著嵌有黃金長條鑲著滴狀黃金的深紅色托卡。丹妮在倒酒時(shí)告訴了他關(guān)于她和雷茲納克、綠衣仁者的談?wù)?。“這些儀式空洞古板，”希茲達(dá)爾表示，“屬于我們應(yīng)該拋到一邊的迂腐傳統(tǒng)。彌林已經(jīng)被這些愚蠢的傳統(tǒng)侵占了太久?！彼橇说つ莸氖?，“丹妮莉絲，我的女王，倘若要成為你的國王和丈夫需要我哪怕從頭到腳為你洗浴的話，我也會(huì)樂意之至的。”

She need not have been concerned. Hizdahr zo Loraq arrived an hour after the sun had set. His own tokar was burgundy, with a golden stripe and a fringe of golden beads. Dany told him of her meeting with Reznak and the Green Grace as she was pouring wine for him. “These rituals are empty,” Hizdahr declared, “just the sort of thing we must sweep aside. Meereen has been steeped in these foolish old traditions for too long.” He kissed her hand and said, “Daenerys, my queen, I will gladly wash you from head to heel if that is what I must do to be your king and consort.”

“成為我的國王和丈夫只需要你帶來和平。Skahaz告訴我說你有一些最新的消息。”

“To be my king and consort, you need only bring me peace. Skahaz tells me you have had messages of late.”

“是的?！毕Ｆ澾_(dá)爾盤起長腿。他看上去似乎對自己很滿意?！皽Y凱將給我們和平，但是是有代價(jià)的和平。奴隸貿(mào)易的中斷對這個(gè)文明的世界帶來了不小的損害。淵凱和她的盟友向我們索求賠償，以黃金和寶石支付?！?/p>

“I have.” Hizdahr crossed his long legs. He looked pleased with himself. “Yunkai will give us peace, but for a price. The disruption of the slave trade has caused great injury throughout the civilized world. Yunkai and her allies will require an indemnity of us, to be paid in gold and gemstones.”

黃金和寶石倒是容易解決?！斑€有嗎？”

Gold and gems were easy. “What else?”

“淵凱將恢復(fù)以前的奴隸貿(mào)易。阿斯塔波將會(huì)以奴隸的城市重建。你不會(huì)干涉吧?！?/p>

“The Yunkai’i will resume slaving, as before. Astapor will be rebuilt, as a slave city. You will not interfere.”

“淵凱在我眼皮底下重啟奴隸貿(mào)易。我毀過約么？Cleon王請求我聯(lián)合他一起對抗淵凱，而我對此提議置若罔聞。我不想對淵凱開戰(zhàn)。我要說多少次？他們要怎樣的保證？”

“The Yunkai’i resumed their slaving before I was two leagues from their city. Did I turn back? King Cleon begged me to join with him against them, and I turned a deaf ear to his pleas. I want no war with Yunkai. How many times must I say it? What promises do they require?”

“啊，屈服者如此棘手，我的女王?！毕Ｆ澾_(dá)爾說?！罢f歸說，淵凱并不相信你的保證。他們對你的龍燒了他們的使節(jié)一事念念不忘?！?/p>

“Ah, there is the thorn in the bower, my queen,” said Hizdahr zo Loraq. “Sad to say, Yunkai has no faith in your promises. They keep plucking the same string on the harp, about some envoy that your dragons set on fire.”

“僅僅是點(diǎn)燃了托卡?！钡つ萋詭П梢暤卣f。

“Only his tokar was burned,” said Dany scornfully.

“也許事實(shí)確實(shí)是那樣，但他們不信任你。新吉斯的人也這樣認(rèn)為。言語如風(fēng)，正如你自己常說的那樣。幾句話不能保證彌林的和平。你的敵人需要你的行動(dòng)。他們想看到我們結(jié)婚，然后我被加冕，在你旁邊攝政?！?/p>

“Be that as it may, they do not trust you. The men of New Ghis feel the same. Words are wind, as you yourself have so oft said. No words of yours will secure this peace for Meereen. Your foes require deeds. They would see us wed, and they would see me crowned as king, to rule beside you.”

丹妮再次斟滿酒杯，熱切渴望她能夠把酒壺朝他腦袋擲去然后讓酒淹沒他自鳴得意的笑?！盎橐龌蚴峭罋?，婚禮或是戰(zhàn)爭。這就是我面臨的選擇么？”

Dany filled his wine cup again, wanting nothing so much as to pour the flagon over his head and drown his complacent smile. “Marriage or carnage. A wedding or a war. Are those my choices?”

“我認(rèn)為只有一個(gè)選擇，陛下。讓我們在吉斯諸神面前許下誓言然后共建新的彌林?！?/p>

“I see only one choice, Your Radiance. Let us say our vows before the gods of Ghis and make a new Meereen together.”

在女王思考如何回答的時(shí)候，她聽到身后的腳步聲。她以為是上菜。她的廚師向她保證說會(huì)為尊貴的希茲達(dá)爾烹飪其最愛的食物，外沾蜂蜜的填滿梅脯和胡椒小狗。但當(dāng)她向身后看去時(shí)，她發(fā)現(xiàn)巴利斯坦爵士站在那，沐浴一新，衣著白甲，手持長劍?！氨菹?，”他鞠了一躬，“我很遺憾打擾您，但我認(rèn)為此事你須立即知曉。暴鴉團(tuán)已經(jīng)回城，同時(shí)也帶回了敵人的消息。正如我們所害怕的那樣，Yunkishmen正在向此進(jìn)軍。”

The queen was framing her response when she heard a step behind her. The food, she thought. Her cooks had promised her to serve the noble Hizdahr’s favorite meal, dog in honey, stuffed with prunes and peppers. But when she turned to look, it was Ser Barristan standing there, freshly bathed and clad in white, his longsword at his side. “Your Grace,” he said, bowing, “I am sorry to disturb you, but I thought that you would want to know at once. The Stormcrows have returned to the city, with word of the foe. The Yunkishmen are on the march, just as we had feared.”

希茲達(dá)爾·佐·洛拉克尊貴的臉不安地抖動(dòng)了一下?！芭跽谕聿?，傭兵的事可以稍后再談?！?/p>

A flicker of annoyance crossed the noble face of Hizdahr zo Loraq. “The queen is at her supper. These sellswords can wait.”

巴利斯坦爵士不為所動(dòng)?！拔乙_(dá)里奧大人給我報(bào)告，正如陛下命令那樣。他大笑著說除非陛下為他派遣一個(gè)抄寫員來教他寫信，否則他只能用血書寫了?！?/p>

Ser Barristan ignored him. “I asked Lord Daario to make his report to me, as Your Grace had commanded. He laughed and said that he would write it out in his own blood if Your Grace would send your little scribe to show him how to make the letters.”

“血？”丹妮驚恐地說。“僅僅是個(gè)笑話嗎？不，不，別告訴我，我要面見他?！彼莻€(gè)年輕女孩，沒有同伴。年輕女孩想哪出是哪出?！罢偌业年?duì)長和指揮官。希茲達(dá)爾，我知道你能原諒我?！?/p>

“Blood?” said Dany, horrified. “Is that a jape? No. No, don’t tell me, I must see him for myself.” She was a young girl, and alone, and young girls can change their minds. “Convene my captains and commanders. Hizdahr, I know you will forgive me.”

“彌林的安危是當(dāng)務(wù)之急?！毕Ｆ澾_(dá)爾和藹一笑?！拔覀冇袆e的晚上可以再敘，成千上萬的晚上。”

“Meereen must come first.” Hizdahr smiled genially. “We will have other nights. A thousand nights.”

“巴利斯坦爵士會(huì)帶你出去?！钡つ荽颐Φ卣賮砥蛷?。她不會(huì)在面見她的軍隊(duì)長官時(shí)身著托卡。最后，在她試過一打長袍之后，她找到了她所喜愛的那件，但她拒絕戴著姬奇給她拿來的皇冠。

“Ser Barristan will show you out.” Dany hurried off, calling for her handmaids. She would not welcome her captain home in a tokar. In the end she tried a dozen gowns before she found one she liked, but she refused the crown that Jhiqui offered her.

當(dāng)達(dá)里奧在她面前單膝跪地時(shí)，丹妮心里猛地一顫。凝結(jié)的血使他頭發(fā)糾纏在一起。他的太陽穴上深深的切口顯出濕潤的紅色和肉色。他右邊袖子上血跡直至肘部?！澳闶軅?。”丹妮深吸一口氣。

As Daario Naharis took a knee before her, Dany’s heart gave a lurch. His hair was matted with dried blood, and on his temple a deep cut glistened red and raw. His right sleeve was bloody almost to the elbow. “You’re hurt,” she gasped.

“這個(gè)？”達(dá)里奧摸摸自己的太陽穴。“一個(gè)十字弓手試圖射向我的眼睛，而我躲過了。我趕回來見女王，沐浴在她微笑的暖意之中。”他搖搖袖子，濺出紅色的血滴?！斑@并非我的血。我的一個(gè)部下說我們應(yīng)該攻克淵凱，所以我伸進(jìn)他的喉嚨扯出了他的心。我本打算把它帶給你當(dāng)作給我的銀色女王的禮物，可惜四個(gè)Cat攔住了我的路，對我咆哮又向我吐唾沫，其中一個(gè)差點(diǎn)抓住我，我只好把心臟扔向他的臉?！?/p>

“This?” Daario touched his temple. “A crossbowman tried to put a quarrel through my eye, but I outrode it. I was hurrying home to my queen, to bask in the warmth of her smile.” He shook his sleeve, spattering red droplets. “This blood is not mine. One of my serjeants said we should go over to the Yunkai’i, so I reached down his throat and pulled his heart out. I meant to bring it to you as a gift for my silver queen, but four of the Cats cut me off and came snarling and spitting after me. One almost caught me, so I threw the heart into his face.”

“英勇無比，”巴利斯坦爵士評論道，他的語氣在暗示達(dá)里奧說更重要的事，“你有什么消息給陛下嗎？”

“Very gallant,” said Ser Barristan, in a tone that suggested it was anything but, “but do you have tidings for Her Grace?”

“重大消息，“祖父”爵士。阿斯塔波被攻破了，人員眾多的奴隸販子正在北進(jìn)?！?/p>

“Hard tidings, Ser Grandfather. Astapor is gone, and the slavers are coming north in strength.”

“這是老消息了，而且很無聊?！盨havepate低聲說。

“This is old news, and stale,” growled the Shavepate.

“你母親也這樣描述你父親的吻?！边_(dá)里奧答道?！疤鹈赖呐?，我本該更早抵達(dá)面見你的，可山丘上擠滿了淵凱的傭兵團(tuán)。整整四支傭兵部隊(duì)。你的暴鴉團(tuán)不得不從中截?cái)嗨麄兊牟筷?duì)。此外，更為糟糕的是。淵凱人正沿著海邊道路移動(dòng)他們的軍隊(duì)，同新吉斯的四支部隊(duì)合為一處。他們擁有大象，足有百只的負(fù)有鎧甲載有箭塔的大象。他們還有泰洛西的投石機(jī)，魁爾斯的駱駝騎兵。兩支以上的Ghiscari部隊(duì)在阿斯塔波登船。若俘虜沒有說謊，他們將會(huì)在Skahazadhan登陸并切斷我們和多斯拉克海的聯(lián)系?！?/p>

“Your mother said the same of your father’s kisses,” Daario replied. “Sweet queen, I would have been here sooner, but the hills are aswarm with Yunkish sellswords. Four free companies. Your Stormcrows had to cut their way through all of them. There is more, and worse. The Yunkai’i are marching their host up the coast road, joined by four legions out of New Ghis. They have elephants, a hundred, armored and towered. Tolosi slingers too, and a corps of Qartheen camelry. Two more Ghiscari legions took ship at Astapor. If our captives told it true, they will be landed beyond the Skahazadhan to cut us off from the Dothraki sea.”

在他陳述這些時(shí)，偶爾會(huì)有鮮紅的血滴啪啪落在大理石地面上，丹妮不由畏縮?！八懒硕嗌偃耍俊钡つ菰谒f完之后這樣問。

As he told his tale, from time to time a drop of bright red blood would patter against the marble floor, and Dany would wince. “How many men were killed?” she asked when he was done.

“我們的人？我沒有停下來數(shù)。不過，我們得到的比失去的多?！?/p>

“Of ours? I did not stop to count. We gained more than we lost, though.”

“更多變色龍？”

“More turncloaks?”

“更多勇敢的人被你高貴的目標(biāo)感化。女王您是不會(huì)討厭他們的。有個(gè)人來自Basilisk群島，他比貝沃斯更壯更殘暴。你該見見他。還有些是維斯特洛人，有二十來個(gè)。他們不滿淵凱，因此被風(fēng)吹團(tuán)放逐。他們將是出色的暴鴉兄弟。”

“More brave men drawn to your noble cause. My queen will like them. One is an axeman from the Basilisk Isles, a brute, bigger than Belwas. You should see him. Some Westerosi too, a score or more. Deserters from the Windblown, unhappy with the Yunkai’i. They’ll make good Stormcrows.”

“如你所說。”丹妮不去措辭。很快，彌林將不得不使用它所擁有的每一個(gè)傭兵。

“If you say.” Dany would not quibble. Meereen might soon have need of every sword.

巴利斯坦爵士對著達(dá)里奧皺了皺眉。“隊(duì)長，你提到了四支傭兵部隊(duì)?？晌覀冎恢獣匀?，風(fēng)吹團(tuán)，Long Lances還有he company of the Cat?！?/p>

Ser Barristan frowned at Daario. “Captain, you made mention of four free companies. We know of only three. The Windblown, the Long Lances, and the Company of the Cat.”

“看來‘祖父’爵士懂得數(shù)數(shù)。次子團(tuán)反水加入了淵凱一方?！边_(dá)里奧扭過頭吐口唾沫?！斑@是給布朗·本·撲棱的。等到下次我看見他那張丑惡的臉，我定會(huì)撕開他的喉嚨，扯出他的黑心臟?！?/p>

“Ser Grandfather knows how to count. The Second Sons have gone over to the Yunkai’i.” Daario turned his head and spat. “That’s for Brown Ben Plumm. When next I see his ugly face I will open him from throat to groin and rip out his black heart.”

丹妮試圖說點(diǎn)什么卻發(fā)現(xiàn)無話可說。她仍記得上次她和本見面時(shí)本的面龐，那是張溫暖的臉，溫暖到我可以信任的臉。深黑的皮膚和純白的發(fā)色，殘破的鼻子，眼角的皺紋。就連她的龍也頗喜愛老布朗·本，喜愛那個(gè)常自夸自己體內(nèi)流著真龍血脈的人。你將經(jīng)受三次背叛。一次為財(cái)，一次為血，一次為愛。撲棱是第三次背叛還是第二次背叛呢？她的大熊喬拉爵士又是哪一次呢？她再也沒有他能信任的朋友了么？若是不能發(fā)現(xiàn)預(yù)言何時(shí)發(fā)生，預(yù)言又有什么用？若我在日出之前與希茲達(dá)爾結(jié)婚，這些軍隊(duì)會(huì)像初陽下的晨露那樣融化，然后任由我和平地統(tǒng)治嗎？

Dany tried to speak and found no words. She remembered Ben’s face the last time she had seen it. It was a warm face, a face I trusted. Dark skin and white hair, the broken nose, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Even the dragons had been fond of old Brown Ben, who liked to boast that he had a drop of dragon blood himself. Three treasons will you know. Once for gold and once for blood and once for love. Was Plumm the third treason, or the second? And what did that make Ser Jorah, her gruff old bear? Would she never have a friend that she could trust? What good are prophecies if you cannot make sense of them? If I marry Hizdahr before the sun comes up, will all these armies melt away like morning dew and let me rule in peace?

達(dá)里奧的消息激起了一陣喧嘩。雷茲納克在痛哭，剃頂大人在小聲抱怨，她的血盟衛(wèi)發(fā)誓要復(fù)仇。壯漢貝沃斯捶打著肚子上的傷疤，發(fā)誓要就著李子和洋蔥吃掉布朗·本的心臟。“諸位，”丹妮說，但只要彌珊岱似乎要聽。女王站起來?！罢埌察o下來，我已經(jīng)聽夠了?！?/p>

Daario’s announcement had sparked an uproar. Reznak was wailing, the Shavepate was muttering darkly, her bloodriders were swearing vengeance. Strong Belwas thumped his scarred belly with his fist and swore to eat Brown Ben’s heart with plums and onions. “Please,” Dany said, but only Missandei seemed to hear. The queen got to her feet. “Be quiet! I have heard enough.”

“陛下。”巴利斯坦單膝跪地?！拔覀兟爮哪恼{(diào)遣。您想要我們做什么？”

“Your Grace.” Ser Barristan went to one knee. “We are yours to command. What would you have us do?”

“維持原計(jì)劃不變。盡你們所能采集食物?！比粑掖藭r(shí)回頭一切就完了?！拔覀儽仨氷P(guān)閉大門，然后讓戰(zhàn)士站在城墻上。禁止一切進(jìn)出?！?/p>

“Continue as we planned. Gather food, as much as you can.” If I look back I am lost. “We must close the gates and put every fighting man upon the walls. No one enters, no one leaves.”

大廳安靜了片刻。大家面面相覷。過會(huì)，雷茲納克問道，“那阿斯塔波人呢？”

The hall was quiet for a moment. The men looked at one another. Then Reznak said, “What of the Astapori?”

她簡直要尖叫了，此刻，她多么想咬緊牙齒，撕扯衣服，拼命捶打著門。然而她卻說，“關(guān)上大門。你還要我說第三遍么？”阿斯塔波人是她的子民，但她此刻對他們愛莫能助?！岸甲唛_。達(dá)里奧你留下。先去清洗傷口，然后我再問你一些問題?！?/p>

She wanted to scream, to gnash her teeth and tear her clothes and beat upon the floor. Instead she said, “Close the gates. Will you make me say it thrice?” They were her children, but she could not help them now. “Leave me. Daario, remain. That cut should be washed, and I have more questions for you.”

其他人鞠躬然后離開。丹妮把達(dá)里奧帶至她的臥室，伊麗用醋清洗他的傷口，姬奇拿亞麻布為他包扎。一切都弄完之后，丹妮遣走了她的女仆?！澳愕囊路緷M血漬，”她對達(dá)里奧說。“把衣服脫了?！?/p>

The others bowed and went. Dany took Daario Naharis up the steps to her bedchamber, where Irri washed his cut with vinegar and Jhiqui wrapped it in white linen. When that was done she sent her handmaids off as well. “Your clothes are stained with blood,” she told Daario. “Take them off.”

他吻了她?！俺悄阋策@樣做?！?/p>

“Only if you do the same.” He kissed her.

他的頭發(fā)盡是血液、煙灰還有馬匹的氣味。對她而言，他的最堅(jiān)硬而溫?zé)帷５つ菰谒母觳怖镙p輕搖晃。當(dāng)他們分開，她說，“我本以為你會(huì)背叛我。不朽者曾說過三次背叛，一次為血，一次為財(cái)，一次為愛。我以為……我怎么都沒想到會(huì)是布朗·本。就連我的龍也信任他?！彼o緊抓住傭兵隊(duì)長的肩膀?！跋蛭冶ＷC你絕不會(huì)背叛我。我受不了背叛了。向我保證?！?/p>

His hair smelled of blood and smoke and horse, and his mouth was hard and hot on hers. Dany trembled in his arms. When they broke apart, she said, “I thought you would be the one to betray me. Once for blood and once for gold and once for love, the warlocks said. I thought … I never thought Brown Ben. Even my dragons seemed to trust him.” She clutched her captain by the shoulders. “Promise me that you will never turn against me. I could not bear that. Promise me.”

“絕不，我的摯愛?！?/p>

“Never, my love.”

她相信他?！拔野l(fā)誓若希茲達(dá)爾·佐·洛拉克能帶來90天的和平，我便和他結(jié)婚。然而現(xiàn)在……我在見到你的第一眼就渴望著你，可是你是個(gè)傭兵，變化無常，背信棄義。你夸口說上過100個(gè)女人。”

She believed him. “I swore that I should wed Hizdahr zo Loraq if he gave me ninety days of peace, but now … I wanted you from the first time that I saw you, but you were a sellsword, fickle, treacherous. You boasted that you’d had a hundred women.”

“一百個(gè)？”達(dá)里奧的紫色胡須下露出笑容?！澳鞘球_人的，甜美的女王。是一千個(gè)?？蓞s從來沒有上過一頭龍?！?/p>

“A hundred?” Daario chuckled through his purple beard. “I lied, sweet queen. It was a thousand. But never once a dragon.”

她吻向他。“那你還等什么呢？”

She raised her lips to his. “What are you waiting for?”