Ⅲ 冰雨的風(fēng)暴 Chapter38 提利昂

TYRION

身后傳來一聲馬嘶，來自于道路兩旁列隊的某位金袍子不耐煩的坐騎。提利昂還聽見蓋爾斯伯爵的咳嗽。蓋爾斯伯爵、亞當(dāng)爵士、賈拉巴·梭爾等人并非他渴望的同伴，但父親大人以為，單要侏儒來護送道朗親王過黑水河實在不成體統(tǒng)。

A horse whickered impatiently behind him, from amidst the ranks of gold cloaks drawn up across the road. Tyrion could hear Lord Gyles coughing as well. He had not asked for Gyles, no more than he’d asked for Ser Addam or Jalabhar Xho or any of the rest, but his lord father felt Doran Martell might take it ill if only a dwarf came out to escort him across the Blackwater.

喬佛里應(yīng)該親自來迎接才對，他邊等邊想，不過這小子鐵定把一切都搞砸，所以父親才派我。前兩天，他們還聽見國王大聲談?wù)搹拿匪埂ぬ崂麪柕牟肯履莾郝爜淼年P(guān)于多恩人的笑話?！敖o馬兒上蹄鐵需要幾個多恩人？不多不少，正好九個。一人工作，八人抬馬。”提利昂知道這樣的話不能在道朗·馬泰爾耳邊提起。

Joffrey should have met the Dornishmen himself, he reflected as he sat waiting, but he would have mucked it up, no doubt. Of late the king had been repeating little jests about the Dornish that he’d picked up from Mace Tyrell’s men-at-arms. How many Dornishmen does it take to shoe a horse? Nine. One to do the shoeing, and eight to lift the horse up. Somehow Tyrion did not think Doran Martell would find that amusing.

他們來了，旗幟逐漸從遠(yuǎn)處殘余的綠森林中出現(xiàn)，伴隨著陣陣塵埃。從那兒一路過來，直到河流，唯有焦黑的樹樁，這是上次戰(zhàn)役中他的杰作。好多旗幟啊，他乖僻地想，無數(shù)馬兒揚腿掀起漫天灰燼，就如當(dāng)日提利爾的前鋒從側(cè)翼粉碎史坦尼斯的情景?？磥恚R泰爾將多恩一半的大貴族都帶來了君臨。他試著想象這代表什么意義，越想越覺得不安。“你瞧有幾家旗幟？”他詢問波隆。

He could see their banners flying as the riders emerged from the green of the living wood in a long dusty column. From here to the river, only bare black trees remained, a legacy of his battle. Too many banners, he thought sourly, as he watched the ashes kick up under the hooves of the approaching horses, as they had beneath the hooves of the Tyrell van as it smashed Stannis in the flank. Martell’s brought half the lords of Dorne, by the look of it. He tried to think of some good that might come of that, and failed. “How many banners do you count?” he asked Bronn.

傭兵騎士瞇眼仔細(xì)觀察?！鞍思摇唬偶??！?/p>

The sellsword knight shaded his eyes. “Eight … no, nine.”

提利昂回頭，“波德，過來，給我形容每面旗幟，并說出它們屬于哪個家族。”

Tyrion turned in his saddle. “Pod, come up here. Describe the arms you see, and tell me which houses they represent.”

波德瑞克·派恩催他的小馬靠近。他是今目的王家掌旗官，舉著喬佛里的雄鹿獅子旗，有些不堪重負(fù)。波隆則舉著提利昂自己的旗幟，緋紅底面上的蘭尼斯特金獅。

Podrick Payne edged his gelding closer. He was carrying the royal standard, Joffrey’s great stag-and-lion, and struggling with its weight. Bronn bore Tyrion’s own banner, the lion of Lannister gold on crimson.

他長高了。當(dāng)波德站到馬鐙上竭力探望時，提利昂心想。很快，他就和其他人一樣，身材比我高了。在提利昂的關(guān)照下，波德這小子仔細(xì)研究過多恩人的紋章系譜，但說話緊張的老習(xí)慣卻改不掉?！拔铱床磺澹L(fēng)一直吹呢……”

He’s getting taller, Tyrion realized as Pod stood in his stirrups for a better look. He’ll soon tower over me like all the rest. The lad had been making a diligent study of Dornish heraldry, at Tyrion’s command, but as ever he was nervous. “I can’t see. The wind is flapping them.”

“波隆，告訴這小子你看到什么?！?/p>

“Bronn, tell the boy what you see.”

波隆今天穿著新外衣和披風(fēng)，胸前是著火鎖鏈徽紋，像極了故事中的騎士，“橙底上一個紅色的太陽，”他叫道，“被一柄長矛所貫穿。”

Bronn looked very much the knight today, in his new doublet and cloak, the flaming chain across his chest. “A red sun on orange,” he called, “with a spear through its back.”

“馬泰爾，”波德瑞克·派恩迫不及待地說，顯然舒了一口氣，“陽戟城的馬泰爾家族，大人，這是多恩領(lǐng)親王的旗幟?！?/p>

“Martell,” Podrick Payne said at once, visibly relieved. “House Martell of Sunspear, my lord. The Prince of Dorne.”

“這連我的馬都知道，”提利昂干巴巴地說，“換一個，波隆。”

“My horse would have known that one,” said Tyrion dryly. “Give him another, Bronn.”

“紫色旗面上一堆黃球。”

“There’s a purple flag with yellow balls.”

“你指檸檬？”波德滿懷希望地問，“紫色旗面上的檸檬？這是檸檬林的……達特家族？”

“Lemons?” Pod said hopefully. “A purple field strewn with lemons? For House Dalt? Of, of Lemonwood.”

“是么？……下一個是黃色旗面上的大黑鳥，爪子上有個白色或粉色的東西……風(fēng)吹得晃，看不清楚?！?/p>

“Might be. Next’s a big black bird on yellow. Something pink or white in its claws, hard to say with the banner flapping.”

“那是布萊蒙的禿鷹，爪子上抓的是嬰兒，”波德道，“這是布萊蒙城的布萊蒙家族，爵士先生?！?/p>

“The vulture of Blackmont grasps a baby in its talons,” said Pod. “House Blackmont of Blackmont, ser.”

波隆笑道：“小子，又讀書啦？讀書壞眼睛的，這樣就用不好劍了。下一個，黑旗上的白骷髏?！?/p>

Bronn laughed. “Reading books again? Books will ruin your sword eye, boy. I see a skull too. A black banner.”

“曼伍笛家族的寶冠骷髏，黑底上戴金冠的頭骨?！泵空f對一個，波德就變得更自信，“他們來自王冢城。”

“The crowned skull of House Manwoody, bone and gold on black.” Pod sounded more confident with every correct answer. “The Manwoodys of Kingsgrave.”

“三只黑蜘蛛？”

“Three black spiders?”

“那是蝎子，爵士。沙石城的科格爾家族，他們的旗幟是紅底上三只黑蝎子?！?/p>

“They’re scorpions, ser. House Qorgyle of Sandstone, three scorpions black on red.”

“上黃下紅，中間彎彎曲曲?！?/p>

“Red and yellow, a jagged line between.”

“獄門堡的火焰紋章，屬于烏勒家族?！?/p>

“The flames of Hellholt. House Uller.”

提利昂有些吃驚。這孩子不傻嘛，盡管說話結(jié)巴?！袄^續(xù)，波德，”他催促，“如果能得滿分，我就送你一件禮物?！?/p>

Tyrion was impressed. The boy’s not half stupid, once he gets his tongue untied. “Go on, Pod,” he urged. “If you get them all, I’ll make you a gift.”

“黑紅相間的餅子，”波隆說，“中間一只金手。”

“A pie with red and black slices,” said Bronn. “There’s a gold hand in the middle.”

“神恩城的艾利昂家族?！?/p>

“House Allyrion of Godsgrace.”

“呃……一只紅色的雞……啄一條蛇，似乎是這樣?！?/p>

“A red chicken eating a snake, looks like.”

“鹽海岸的戈根勒斯家族。對不起，爵士先生，那不是雞，是雞蛇，由蛇孵公雞所生，身體紅紅的，嘴巴上叼一條長長的黑蛇。”

“The Gargalens of Salt Shore. A cockatrice. Ser. Pardon. Not a chicken. Red, with a black snake in its beak.”

“非常好！”提利昂贊道，“小子，還有最后一個。”

“Very good!” exclaimed Tyrion. “One more, lad.”

波隆掃視逼近的多恩旗幟?！捌灞P狀的綠色旗面上一根金色的羽毛。”

Bronn scanned the ranks of the approaching Dornishmen. “The last’s a golden feather on green checks.”

“準(zhǔn)確地說，是鵝毛筆，爵士先生，這是托爾城喬戴恩家族的紋章。”

“A golden quill, ser. Jordayne of the Tor.”

提利昂哈哈大笑：“九個全對，連我自己也做不到。”這當(dāng)然是謊話，但可以給小子一些自信，何樂而不為呢。

Tyrion laughed. “Nine, and well done. I could not have named them all myself.” That was a lie, but it would give the boy some pride, and that he badly needed.

看來，馬泰爾家拉上一大幫權(quán)貴作陪。波德剛才所指名的家族，個個根深葉茂，領(lǐng)地遼闊，絕非等閑。多恩的九大家族由族長或繼承人領(lǐng)隊，一齊前來，提利昂心知他們決不是來看跳舞熊的。其中定然蘊涵著什么信息。我不會喜歡的信息。他開始覺得將彌賽菈送去陽戟城是個錯誤了。

Martell brings some formidable companions, it would seem. Not one of the houses Pod had named was small or insignificant. Nine of the greatest lords of Dorne were coming up the kingsroad, them or their heirs, and somehow Tyrion did not think they had come all this way just to see the dancing bear. There was a message here. And not one I like. He wondered if it had been a mistake to ship Myrcella down to Sunspear.

“大人，”波德有點害羞地說，“隊伍里沒有轎子?！?/p>

“My lord,” Pod said, a little timidly, “there’s no litter.”

提利昂猛然回頭望去。果然，這小子說得對。

Tyrion turned his head sharply. The boy was right.

“道朗·馬泰爾向來坐轎子出行，”小子道，“那是一頂?shù)耧椌?xì)、懸掛絲簾的轎子，絲簾上繡有無數(shù)太陽?！?/p>

“Doran Martell always travels in a litter,” the boy said. “A carved litter with silk hangings, and suns on the drapes.”

這個提利昂也知道。據(jù)說道朗親王年過五十，且患有痛風(fēng)病。莫非這次他想加快趕路？他自忖，莫非怕轎子成為盜匪的打劫目標(biāo)？或者不便于通過骨路的山口要道？莫非對方的痛風(fēng)病好了？

Tyrion had heard the same talk. Prince Doran was past fifty, and gouty. He may have wanted to make faster time, he told himself. He may have feared his litter would make too tempting a target for brigands, or that it would prove too cumbersome in the high passes of the Boneway. Perhaps his gout is better.

不祥的預(yù)感油然升起。

So why did he have such a bad feeling about this?

等待讓人心焦?！捌鞄们斑M，”他下令，“去會他們?！彼唏R行進，波隆和波德分列兩邊，緊緊跟隨。多恩人發(fā)現(xiàn)他們的行動后，也放馬奔馳，旗幟在風(fēng)中招展。雕飾繁復(fù)的馬鞍上掛著他們最愛的圓鐵盾、捆捆投擲用的短矛及他們慣用于馬上騎射的雙弧多恩弓。

This waiting was intolerable. “Banners forward,” he snapped. “We’ll meet them.” He kicked his horse. Bronn and Pod followed, one to either side. When the Dornishmen saw them coming, they spurred their own mounts, banners rippling as they rode. From their ornate saddles were slung the round metal shields they favored, and many carried bundles of short throwing spears, or the double-curved Dornish bows they used so well from horseback.

國王戴倫一世記載到，多恩人分為三大族群：居于海邊的“鹽人”，居于沙漠和狹長河谷中的“沙人”，居于赤紅山脈上的高山和隘口中的“石人”。“鹽人”和羅伊拿人混血最嚴(yán)重，“石人”則基本保持本地風(fēng)貌。

There were three sorts of Dornishmen, the first King Daeron had observed. There were the salty Dornishmen who lived along the coasts, the sandy Dornishmen of the deserts and long river valleys, and the stony Dornishmen who made their fastnesses in the passes and heights of the Red Mountains. The salty Dornishmen had the most Rhoynish blood, the stony Dornishmen the least.

這次道朗的隊伍里面，三大族群悉數(shù)到場。他們特征明顯：“鹽人”柔軟黝黑，有橄欖色的光滑皮膚和風(fēng)中飄蕩的黑長發(fā)；“沙人”黑的程度更甚，他們不堪多恩領(lǐng)日光的強烈照射，因此慣于在頭盔上扎明亮的長圍巾；“石人”在三者中身材最棒、也最美麗，他們是安達爾人和先民的后代，棕發(fā)或金發(fā)，不過面孔稍因多恩的日照而顯得粗糙。

All three sorts seemed well represented in Doran’s retinue. The salty Dornishmen were lithe and dark, with smooth olive skin and long black hair streaming in the wind. The sandy Dornishmen were even darker, their faces burned brown by the hot Dornish sun. They wound long bright scarfs around their helms to ward off sunstroke. The stony Dornishmen were biggest and fairest, sons of the Andals and the First Men, brown-haired or blond, with faces that freckled or burned in the sun instead of browning.

來訪的諸侯穿著絲綢或緞子長袍，長袖飄動，寶石腰帶束身，盔甲上密密麻麻地裝飾或鑲嵌著磨光銅片、閃亮銀子和紅色軟金，跨下的駿馬有的棗紅、有的金色，還有的潔白如雪，個個苗條迅捷，脖子纖細(xì)，面容姣好。生于多恩沙漠的名馬或比北馬個小，也不能支撐全身鎧甲，但傳說可以奔跑兩日一夜，絲毫不感疲累。

The lords wore silk and satin robes with jeweled belts and flowing sleeves. Their armor was heavily enameled and inlaid with burnished copper, shining silver, and soft red gold. They came astride red horses and golden ones and a few as pale as snow, all slim and swift, with long necks and narrow beautiful heads. The fabled sand steeds of Dorne were smaller than proper warhorses and could not bear such weight of armor, but it was said that they could run for a day and night and another day, and never tire.

對方頭領(lǐng)騎一匹炭黑駿馬，鬢毛和尾巴卻是火紅。騎手高大、苗條而優(yōu)雅，仿與坐騎融為一體。他的肩頭飄動淡紅絲袍，襯衣上裝飾著層層疊疊的銅片，奔馳起來好似千千明亮的新銅板在發(fā)光。高高的鍍金頭盔前方飾有一個銅制太陽，馬后掛一面圓盾，磨亮的表面紋飾著馬泰爾家族的金槍貫日家徽。

The Dornish leader forked a stallion black as sin with a mane and tail the color of fire. He sat his saddle as if he’d been born there, tall, slim, graceful. A cloak of pale red silk fluttered from his shoulders, and his shirt was armored with overlapping rows of copper disks that glittered like a thousand bright new pennies as he rode. His high gilded helm displayed a copper sun on its brow, and the round shield slung behind him bore the sun-and-spear of House Martell on its polished metal surface.

年輕十歲的馬泰爾太陽，提利昂邊勒馬邊想，他正如傳說中的健壯，而且比傳說中更兇猛。他知道自己將要面對的對手，俗話怎說來著？“多恩壯士密如沙，唯此一人甲天下”。他逼自己微笑?！靶視?，大人們。喬佛里國王陛下得知您們到來的消息后，特派我等前來，代表他致以熱烈的問候和歡迎。我父親大人——當(dāng)今國王之手——同樣熱烈歡迎諸位大人的到來。”接著他裝腔作勢地問，“請問諸位大人，誰是道朗親王殿下呀？”

A Martell sun, but ten years too young, Tyrion thought as he reined up, too fit as well, and far too fierce. He knew what he must deal with by then. How many Dornishmen does it take to start a war? he asked himself. Only one. Yet he had no choice but to smile. “Well met, my lords. We had word of your approach, and His Grace King Joffrey bid me ride out to welcome you in his name. My lord father the King’s Hand sends his greetings as well.” He feigned an amiable confusion. “Which of you is Prince Doran?”

“我哥哥道朗親王身體有恙，暫時不便出行，”對方頭領(lǐng)取下頭盔。這是張長而憂郁的臉，細(xì)拱眉下一雙黑亮如煤油池塘的大眼睛，額頭和鼻子同樣尖，富于光澤的黑發(fā)中只有少許銀絲。一個地地道道的“鹽人”。“他特派我前來作代表，列席國王的御前會議——倘若陛下準(zhǔn)許的話?！?/p>

“My brother’s health requires he remain at Sunspear.” The princeling removed his helm. Beneath, his face was lined and saturnine, with thin arched brows above large eyes as black and shiny as pools of coal oil. Only a few streaks of silver marred the lustrous black hair that receded from his brow in a widow’s peak as sharply pointed as his nose. A salty Dornishmen for certain. “Prince Doran has sent me to join King Joffrey’s council in his stead, as it please His Grace.”

“有多恩的奧柏倫親王這樣的大英雄在身邊顧問，陛下一定深感欣慰?！碧崂簼M腹思量地說，果然壞了，這下君臨城里有好戲看?！氨菹峦瑯託g迎您帶來的這些貴賓?！?/p>

“His Grace will be most honored to have the counsel of a warrior as renowned as Prince Oberyn of Dorne,” said Tyrion, thinking, This will mean blood in the gutters. “And your noble companions are most welcome as well.”

“請允許我向您介紹我的同伴，蘭尼斯特大人。這位是檸檬林的丹澤爾·達特爵士。這位是崔蒙德·戈根勒斯爵爺。這兩位是哈曼·烏勒爵爺和他弟弟烏里克爵士。這兩位是羅熱·艾利昂爵士和他的私生子戴蒙·沙德爵士，他們來自神恩城。這幾位是達茍士·曼伍笛爵爺和他弟弟米斯爵士、他兒子莫爾斯與狄肯。這位是亞隆·科格爾爵士。噢，還有尊貴的女士們，這位是密蕊·喬戴恩小姐，托倫城的繼承人。這三位是勞拉·布萊蒙伯爵夫人和她女兒喬妮莎、她兒子彭羅斯。”他舉起纖細(xì)的右手，示意隊伍后方一位黑發(fā)女子上前。“這是艾拉莉亞·沙德，我的情婦。”

“Permit me to acquaint you with them, my lord of Lannister. Ser Deziel Dalt, of Lemonwood. Lord Tremond Gargalen. Lord Harmen Uller and his brother Ser Ulwyck. Ser Ryon Allyrion and his natural son Ser Daemon Sand, the Bastard of Godsgrace. Lord Dagos Manwoody, his brother Ser Myles, his sons Mors and Dickon. Ser Arron Qorgyle. And never let it be thought that I would neglect the ladies. Myria Jordayne, heir to the Tor. Lady Larra Blackmont, her daughter Jynessa, her son Perros.” He raised a slender hand toward a black-haired woman to the rear, beckoning her forward. “And this is Ellaria Sand, mine own paramour.”

提利昂吞了吞口水。他的情婦！還是個私生女，要讓她參加婚禮，瑟曦不大發(fā)雷霆才怪。姐姐一定會千方百計將其排除在外，難以想象，有她坐在高位上，會把同席的貴婦人們?nèi)米锕?。莫非道朗親王的目的是要弟弟來挑起紛爭？

Tyrion swallowed a groan. His paramour, and bastard-born, Cersei will pitch a holy fit if he wants her at the wedding. If she consigned the woman to some dark corner below the salt, his sister would risk the Red Viper’s wrath. Seat her beside him at the high table, and every other lady on the dais was like to take offense. Did Prince Doran mean to provoke a quarrel?

奧柏倫親王介紹完畢后，面朝他的多恩同伴們勒馬?！鞍騺?，大人們，女士們，爵士先生們，你們都瞧見了吧？咱們的好國王喬佛里陛下有多寵愛咱們，竟然派出自己的親舅舅小惡魔負(fù)責(zé)接待呢！”

Prince Oberyn wheeled his horse about to face his fellow Dornishmen. “Ellaria, lords and ladies, sers, see how well King Joffrey loves us. His Grace has been so kind as to send his own Uncle Imp to bring us to his court.”

波隆撲哧一笑，提利昂則佯作歡顏，“大人們，能來迎接您們，我感到非常榮幸，但我并非獨自一人。您們不覺得，對這樣一個小人兒而言，擔(dān)子有些太重么？”他自己的隊伍也跟了上來，于是他一一唱名以為回敬?！罢堅试S我向您們介紹我的隊伍。這位是佛列蒙·布拉克斯爵士，角谷城的繼承人。這位是羅斯比城的蓋爾斯爵爺。這位是亞當(dāng)·馬爾布蘭爵士，現(xiàn)任都城守備隊司令。這位是賈拉巴·梭爾王子，來自紅花谷島。這位是哈瑞斯·史威佛爵士，我叔叔凱馮爵士的岳父。這位是梅隆·克雷赫爵士。這兩位分別是菲利普·福特爵士和黑水的波隆爵士，皆是在平定逆賊史坦尼斯的戰(zhàn)爭中涌現(xiàn)出來的英雄。這位是我的侍從，年輕的波德瑞克，來自派恩家族?！碧崂簩⒏魅诵彰告傅莱?，但這些人遠(yuǎn)沒奧柏倫親王的同伴那么顯赫響亮的來頭。雙方對此都心知肚明。

Bronn snorted back laughter, and Tyrion perforce must feign amusement as well. “Not alone, my lords. That would be too enormous a task for a little man like me.” His own party had come up on them, so it was his turn to name the names. “Let me present Ser Flement Brax, heir to Hornvale. Lord Gyles of Rosby. Ser Addam Marbrand, Lord Commander of the City Watch. Jalabhar Xho, Prince of the Red Flower Vale. Ser Harys Swyft, my uncle Kevan’s good father by marriage. Ser Merlon Crakehall. Ser Philip Foote and Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, two heroes of our recent battle against the rebel Stannis Baratheon. And mine own squire, young Podrick of House Payne.” The names had a nice ringing sound as Tyrion reeled them off, but the bearers were nowise near as distinguished nor formidable a company as those who accompanied Prince Oberyn, as both of them knew full well.

“蘭尼斯特大人，”布萊蒙伯爵夫人道，“我們風(fēng)塵仆仆、長途旅行，此刻極想作點休息，用些便飯。請問可以即時入城嗎？”

“My lord of Lannister,” said Lady Blackmont, “we have come a long dusty way, and rest and refreshment would be most welcome. Might we continue on to the city?”

“當(dāng)然，我的夫人?！碧崂赫{(diào)轉(zhuǎn)馬頭，向亞當(dāng)·馬爾布蘭爵士下令。于是占榮譽護衛(wèi)主體的金袍騎兵們行動起來，護送隊伍前往黑水河及對岸的君臨城。

“At once, my lady.” Tyrion turned his horse’s head, and called to Ser Addam Marbrand. The mounted gold cloaks who formed the greatest part of his honor guard turned their horses crisply at Ser Addam’s command, and the column set off for the river and King’s Landing beyond.

奧柏倫·納梅洛斯·馬泰爾，提利昂低吟著對方的姓名，直到親王本人騎到身邊。多恩的紅毒蛇，七層地獄啊，我該怎么來應(yīng)付他？

Oberyn Nymeros Martell, Tyrion muttered under his breath as he fell in beside the man. The Red Viper of Dorne. And what in the seven hells am I supposed to do with him?

當(dāng)然，提利昂對他的了解只是傳聞……但這些傳聞實在可怕。據(jù)說奧柏倫親王未滿十六歲時被人發(fā)現(xiàn)與伊倫伍德老爵爺?shù)那閶D偷情。這老人身體強壯，素以暴躁兇悍出名，于是要求決斗，但礙于親王的出身與年齡，約定見血即止。決斗的結(jié)果是兩敗俱傷，雙方的榮譽都得以保持，但不久之后，奧柏倫親王康復(fù)如初，伊倫伍德伯爵卻傷口化膿，死于非命。人們認(rèn)為奧柏倫在劍上涂毒，從此往后，無論他的對手還是朋友都稱他為“紅毒蛇”。

He knew the man only by reputation, to be sure … but the reputation was fearsome. When he was no more than sixteen, Prince Oberyn had been found abed with the paramour of old Lord Yronwood, a huge man of fierce repute and short temper. A duel ensued, though in view of the prince’s youth and high birth, it was only to first blood. Both men took cuts, and honor was satisfied. Yet Prince Oberyn soon recovered, while Lord Yronwood’s wounds festered and killed him. Afterward men whispered that Oberyn had fought with a poisoned sword, and ever thereafter friends and foes alike called him the Red Viper.

這是多年以前的事了，當(dāng)初那個青春少年如今已年過四十，唯一不變的是圍繞他的傳聞變得越來越可怕。據(jù)說他周游九大自由貿(mào)易城邦，與毒劑師交易，習(xí)得各種黑暗伎倆；他就讀于學(xué)城，在厭倦并輟學(xué)以前，已打造了六根鏈條；他在狹海對面的爭議之地當(dāng)傭兵，起初效力于次子團，后來又組建了自己的團隊。關(guān)于他的比武，他的戰(zhàn)爭，他的決斗，他的坐騎，乃至他性趣的傳聞多如牛毛……謠傳他男人女人都睡，多恩領(lǐng)全境都有他的私生女，這些女孩被稱為“沙蛇”。據(jù)提利昂所知，奧柏倫親王一個兒子也沒有。

That was many years ago, to be sure. The boy of sixteen was a man past forty now, and his legend had grown a deal darker. He had traveled in the Free Cities, learning the poisoner’s trade and perhaps arts darker still, if rumors could be believed. He had studied at the Citadel, going so far as to forge six links of a maester’s chain before he grew bored. He had soldiered in the Disputed Lands across the narrow sea, riding with the Second Sons for a time before forming his own company. His tourneys, his battles, his duels, his horses, his carnality … it was said that he bedded men and women both, and had begotten bastard girls all over Dorne. The sand snakes, men called his daughters. So far as Tyrion had heard, Prince Oberyn had never fathered a son.

最棘手的是，正是他弄殘了高庭的繼承人。

And of course, he had crippled the heir to Highgarden.

在這場與提利爾家的聯(lián)姻中，他真是七國上下最不受歡迎的客人了。將奧柏倫親王帶進如今招待著梅斯·提利爾公爵，公爵的兩個兒子和數(shù)千高庭將士的君臨城，簡直就是柴堆里澆油。一個錯誤的詞語，一句不合適的玩笑，甚至一個多余的眼神，爭斗馬上就會爆發(fā)，我們家族的同盟者們將翻臉干起來。

There is no man in the Seven Kingdoms who will be less welcome at a Tyrell wedding, thought Tyrion. To send Prince Oberyn to King’s Landing while the city still hosted Lord Mace Tyrell, two of his sons, and thousands of their men-at-arms was a provocation as dangerous as Prince Oberyn himself. A wrong word, an ill-timed jest, a look, that’s all it will take, and our noble allies will be at one another’s throats.

“我們見過面，”他們并肩在國王大道上前行，越過燒焦的田野和樹干，多恩親王輕聲地說，“但我想你已記不得了。那時的你比現(xiàn)在更矮咧?！?/p>

“We have met before,” the Dornish prince said lightly to Tyrion as they rode side by side along the kingsroad, past ashen fields and the skeletons of trees. “I would not expect you to remember, though. You were even smaller than you are now.”

提利昂討厭他嘲諷的語氣，但告誡自己，不可為對方所激。“什么時候的事，大人？”他用禮貌而有興致的口吻發(fā)問。

There was a mocking edge to his voice that Tyrion misliked, but he was not about to let the Dornishman provoke him. “When was this, my lord?” he asked in tones of polite interest.

“噢，好多好多年以前啦，當(dāng)時我母親統(tǒng)治著多恩，而你父親當(dāng)著另一位國王的首相?！?/p>

“Oh, many and many a year ago, when my mother ruled in Dorne and your lord father was Hand to a different king.”

他和當(dāng)今國王的差異，只怕比你以為的小，提利昂酸酸地想。

Not so different as you might think, reflected Tyrion.

“我和我母親、她的男人、我姐姐伊莉亞等一起造訪凱巖城時，只有……噢，十四五歲吧，大致如此，伊莉亞則大我一歲。記得你哥哥和姐姐那時八九歲，而你剛剛出生?！?/p>

“It was when I visited Casterly Rock with my mother, her consort, and my sister Elia. I was, oh, fourteen, fifteen, thereabouts, Elia a year older. Your brother and sister were eight or nine, as I recall, and you had just been born.”

你們的來訪真會挑時間。提利昂的母親生他時難產(chǎn)而死，所以馬泰爾家是在凱巖城舉家戴孝時到來的。尤其他父親，當(dāng)時一定五內(nèi)俱焚。泰溫公爵很少提起自己的夫人，但提利昂聽幾位叔叔談過父母之間的戀愛。當(dāng)年，父親長期擔(dān)任伊里斯王的首相，人們都說泰溫·蘭尼斯特大人統(tǒng)治著七大王國，而喬安娜夫人統(tǒng)治著泰溫大人?！澳隳赣H去世之后，泰溫就不再是從前那個他啦，小家伙，”吉利安叔叔曾告訴他，“他的情懷也隨之而逝?！奔彩翘┩铀埂ぬm尼斯特公爵四個兒子中的幼子，也是提利昂最喜歡的叔叔。

A queer time to come visiting. His mother had died giving him birth, so the Martells would have found the Rock deep in mourning. His father especially. Lord Tywin seldom spoke of his wife, but Tyrion had heard his uncles talk of the love between them. In those days, his father had been Aerys’s Hand, and many people said that Lord Tywin Lannister ruled the Seven Kingdoms, but Lady Joanna ruled Lord Tywin. “He was not the same man after she died, Imp,” his Uncle Gery told him once. “The best part of him died with her.” Gerion had been the youngest of Lord Tytos Lannister’s four sons, and the uncle Tyrion liked best.

而今物逝人非，小叔叔出海失蹤，喬安娜夫人則因提利昂而死。“您覺得凱巖城怎樣呢，親王殿下？”

But he was gone now, lost beyond the seas, and Tyrion himself had put Lady Joanna in her grave. “Did you find Casterly Rock to your liking, my lord?”

“不怎樣。我們造訪期間，你父親一直避而不見，只讓凱馮爵士負(fù)責(zé)打點。他分給我的房問里有張羽床，還有密爾地毯，可又黑又沒窗戶，我告訴伊莉亞，與其說這是客房，倒不如說是地牢。你們那邊的天空過于灰暗，酒水過于甜膩，女人過于樸素，食物過于清淡……而你，最讓我們失望。”

“Scarcely. Your father ignored us the whole time we were there, after commanding Ser Kevan to see to our entertainment. The cell they gave me had a featherbed to sleep in and Myrish carpets on the floor, but it was dark and windowless, much like a dungeon when you come down to it, as I told Elia at the time. Your skies were too grey, your wines too sweet, your women too chaste, your food too bland … and you yourself were the greatest disappointment of all.”

“那時候我才剛生出來，請問如何讓您失望呢？”

“I had just been born. What did you expect of me?”

“你是眾人口中的孽物，”黑發(fā)親王回答，“沒錯，當(dāng)年還是小小一團肉，卻已經(jīng)名聞天下。你出生時，我們正在舊鎮(zhèn)，全城人都在談?wù)撌紫啻笕说玫降墓治?，大家都認(rèn)為這是國家前途的惡兆。”

“Enormity,” the black-haired prince replied. “You were small, but far-famed. We were in Oldtown at your birth, and all the city talked of was the monster that had been born to the King’s Hand, and what such an omen might foretell for the realm.”

“是啊，隨之而來的就是饑荒、瘟疫和戰(zhàn)爭，”提利昂酸溜溜地笑道，“饑荒、瘟疫和戰(zhàn)爭，噢，還有冬天，以及永不終結(jié)的長夜，這些都是我?guī)淼??！?/p>

“Famine, plague, and war, no doubt.” Tyrion gave a sour smile. “It’s always famine, plague, and war. Oh, and winter, and the long night that never ends.”

“呵呵，”奧柏倫親王道，“你的出生的確帶來了你父親的失勢。我曾聽乞丐幫的兄弟布道，說你父親將自己變得比伊里斯王更偉大，可只有諸神才能位于國王之上，所以他們送出你作為詛咒，教訓(xùn)你父親：沒有凡人可以和他們平起平坐?！?/p>

“All that,” said Prince Oberyn, “and your father’s fall as well. Lord Tywin had made himself greater than King Aerys, I heard one begging brother preach, but only a god is meant to stand above a king. You were his curse, a punishment sent by the gods to teach him that he was no better than any other man.”

“我很努力地去做啦，可惜他不吸取教訓(xùn)，”提利昂裝腔作勢地嘆道，“您繼續(xù)講吧，我喜歡聽故事?！?/p>

“I try, but he refuses to learn.” Tyrion gave a sigh. “But do go on, I pray you. I love a good tale.”

“我們發(fā)現(xiàn)你生得無甚特異，因此深感失望。一路過來，人們都說你像豬似的長了一根硬硬的卷尾巴，頭大得出奇，幾乎有身體的一半那么大，而你生下來就有厚厚的黑發(fā)和胡子，一只邪惡的眼睛與獅爪。你牙齒很長，因此不能閉嘴，而你雙腿之間，不僅有男人的命根子，還有女子的陰道?！?/p>

“And well you might, since you were said to have one, a stiff curly tail like a swine’s. Your head was monstrous huge, we heard, half again the size of your body, and you had been born with thick black hair and a beard besides, an evil eye, and lion’s claws. Your teeth were so long you could not close your mouth, and between your legs were a girl’s privates as well as a boy’s.”

“是嘛，要一個人能自己操自己，可就省卻不少煩惱，您說對吧？而尖牙和獅爪時不時也能派用場的。算啦，我已經(jīng)明白您的失望了?！?/p>

“Life would be much simpler if men could fuck themselves, don’t you agree? And I can think of a few times when claws and teeth might have proved useful. Even so, I begin to see the nature of your complaint.”

波隆笑出聲來，但奧柏倫皮笑肉不笑?！叭舴悄阌H愛的姐姐，我們根本見不著你。那時候，你們家的人從不將你帶出來，更不用說向客人展示了，我們只常在夜間聽見從凱巖城深處傳來嬰兒的哭嚎。我得承認(rèn)，你那時候的哭聲真了不起，可以哭上好幾個鐘頭，除了女人的奶子，什么也治不住?！?/p>

Bronn gave out with a chuckle, but Oberyn only smiled. “We might never have seen you at all but for your sweet sister. You were never seen at table or hall, though sometimes at night we could hear a baby howling down in the depths of the Rock. You did have a monstrous great voice, I must grant you that. You would wail for hours, and nothing would quiet you but a woman’s teat.”

“這點嘛，到現(xiàn)在也沒改?！?/p>

“Still true, as it happens.”

這回奧柏倫親王終于放聲大笑，“咱倆真是口味相投。戈根勒斯大人曾告訴我，他夢想長劍在手，馬革裹尸，我回答他我夢想乳房在口，醉死溫柔鄉(xiāng)。”

This time Prince Oberyn did laugh. “A taste we share. Lord Gargalen once told me he hoped to die with a sword in his hand, to which I replied that I would sooner go with a breast in mine.”

提利昂咧嘴一笑，“您剛才提到我姐姐？”

Tyrion had to grin. “You were speaking of my sister?”

“瑟曦答應(yīng)伊莉亞，一定會滿足我們的好奇心。我們臨走的前一天，我母親和你父親在一起商議事情，她和詹姆則將我們帶去你的房間。你奶媽想把我們趕出去，但你姐姐三言兩句就把她打發(fā)?！俏业?，’她說，‘而你不過是頭奶牛，沒資格干涉我。不閉嘴的話，我就叫父親把你舌頭拔掉，反正奶牛只需要乳房，不需要舌頭的?！?/p>

“Cersei promised Elia to show you to us. The day before we were to sail, whilst my mother and your father were closeted together, she and Jaime took us down to your nursery. Your wet nurse tried to send us off, but your sister was having none of that. ‘He’s mine,’ she said, ‘a(chǎn)nd you’re just a milk cow, you can’t tell me what to do. Be quiet or I’ll have my father cut your tongue out. A cow doesn’t need a tongue, only udders.’ ”

“不錯，太后陛下她從小就是魅力非凡，”提利昂饒有興味地說。姐姐居然說出“他是我的”，真想不到，可惜從此之后，她大概再沒有這樣的想法了。

“Her Grace learned charm at an early age,” said Tyrion, amused by the notion of his sister claiming him as hers. “She’s never been in any rush to claim me since, the gods know.

“瑟曦親手解開你的襁褓讓我們仔細(xì)觀看，”多恩親王續(xù)道，“你的確有只邪惡的眼睛，頭皮上長黑色的絨毛，腦袋也比多數(shù)新生兒要大……但你沒尾巴，沒胡子，沒尖牙，沒獅爪，兩腿之間也只有一點粉紅的小突起。聽了這許多離奇?zhèn)髡f，結(jié)果泰溫大人的禍根不過竟只是一位紅通通、腿腳有點畸形的丑陋嬰兒！伊莉亞見到你就像小女生見到貓咪小狗似的尖叫起來，我想你一定聽見了，盡管你長得很丑，她還多想撫養(yǎng)你呢。我告訴你姐姐，你真是個可憐的怪物，她回答：‘誰說的？這家伙殺了我媽媽?！缓笥昧Q你的小命根子，像要把它扯下來。你厲聲慘叫，但她充耳不聞，最后你哥哥詹姆發(fā)話：‘住手！你弄痛他了！’，瑟曦方才停止?！惺裁搓P(guān)系？’她向我們保證，‘大家都說他活不長，他這玩意兒反正也長不大’?！?/p>

“Cersei even undid your swaddling clothes to give us a better look,” the Dornish prince continued. “You did have one evil eye, and some black fuzz on your scalp. Perhaps your head was larger than most … but there was no tail, no beard, neither teeth nor claws, and nothing between your legs but a tiny pink cock. After all the wonderful whispers, Lord Tywin’s Doom turned out to be just a hideous red infant with stunted legs. Elia even made the noise that young girls make at the sight of infants, I’m sure you’ve heard it. The same noise they make over cute kittens and playful puppies. I believe she wanted to nurse you herself, ugly as you were. When I commented that you seemed a poor sort of monster, your sister said, ‘He killed my mother,’ and twisted your little cock so hard I thought she was like to pull it off. You shrieked, but it was only when your brother Jaime said, ‘Leave him be, you’re hurting him,’ that Cersei let go of you. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she told us. ‘Everyone says he’s like to die soon. He shouldn’t even have lived this long.’ ”

頭頂艷陽高照，秋日炎熱，但提利昂·蘭尼斯特聽到這一切之后，只覺冰冷徹骨。我親愛的姐姐，他摸摸鼻子上的傷疤，用那只“邪惡的眼睛”瞪著多恩人。他為何告訴我這些？考驗我？像瑟曦一樣嘲弄我？想聽聽我的尖叫？“這故事不錯，您定要給我父親講，我保證他聽過之后會和我一樣開心的。尤其是關(guān)于尾巴的部分，您知道，我本來有尾巴，卻是被老爸親手切掉。”

The sun was shining bright above them, and the day was pleasantly warm for autumn, but Tyrion Lannister went cold all over when he heard that. My sweet sister. He scratched at the scar of his nose and gave the Dornishman a taste of his “evil eye.” Now why would he tell such a tale? Is he testing me, or simply twisting my cock as Cersei did, so he can hear me scream? “Be sure and tell that story to my father. It will delight him as much as it did me. The part about my tail, especially. I did have one, but he had it lopped off.”

奧柏倫親王嘿嘿一笑，“你真是越長越有趣了?！?/p>

Prince Oberyn had a chuckle. “You’ve grown more amusing since last we met.”

“是嗎？可我想長高呢?！?/p>

“Yes, but I meant to grow taller.”

“說到有趣……我剛從布克勒大人的侍從那兒聽到個奇怪的傳聞，據(jù)說你專門設(shè)立針對女性的稅？”

“While we are speaking of amusement, I heard a curious tale from Lord Buckler’s steward. He claimed that you had put a tax on women’s privy purses.”

“準(zhǔn)確地說，是對娼妓行業(yè)征稅，”提利昂不安地回答，該死，這與我何干？明明是給父親逼的！“呃……做一次一個銅板。首相大人認(rèn)為如此可以提升都城的道德水準(zhǔn)。”真實目的是為喬佛里的婚禮籌款。不消說，作為財政大臣，人民所有的不滿都會發(fā)泄到提利昂身上。據(jù)波隆講，大街小巷都將這稱為“侏儒的銅板”?！皬堥_雙腿吧，婊子，為了半人！”妓院和酒館里，人們?nèi)绱诵αR。

“It is a tax on whoring,” said Tyrion, irritated all over again. And it was my bloody father’s notion. “Only a penny for each, ah … act. The King’s Hand felt it might help improve the morals of the city.” And pay for Joffrey’s wedding besides. Needless to say, as master of coin, Tyrion had gotten all the blame for it. Bronn said they were calling it the dwarf’s penny in the streets. “Spread your legs for the Halfman, now,” they were shouting in the brothels and wine sinks, if the sellsword could be believed.

“看來我得帶上一荷包銅板，親王與庶民都要守法嘛?！?/p>

“I will make certain to keep my pouch full of pennies. Even a prince must pay his taxes.”

“您用得著勞師動眾地去那種地方？”提利昂瞥瞥身后和其他女人走在一起的艾拉莉亞·沙德，“莫非您在旅途中厭倦了她？”

“Why should you need to go whoring?” He glanced back to where Ellaria Sand rode among the other women. “Did you tire of your paramour on the road?”

“怎么可能？我和她親密無間，有福同享，”奧柏倫聳聳肩，“說真的，我們還沒同享過漂亮的金發(fā)妞兒呢，艾拉莉亞對此一直耿耿于懷，你知道上哪兒去找這路貨色嗎？”

“Never. We share too much.” Prince Oberyn shrugged. “We have never shared a beautiful blonde woman, however, and Ellaria is curious. Do you know of such a creature?”

“我是個結(jié)了婚的人?！彪m然沒有圓房?！翱刹粫霞嗽汗砘??！背窍胍娝齻兘o吊死。

“I am a man wedded.” Though not yet bedded. “I no longer frequent whores.” Unless I want to see them hanged.

奧柏倫突然轉(zhuǎn)變話題，“據(jù)說，國王的婚宴上有七十七道大餐？”

Oberyn abruptly changed the subject. “It’s said there are to be seventy-seven dishes served at the king’s wedding feast.”

“您可是餓了，親王殿下？”

“Are you hungry, my prince?”

“我餓了很久，但不是為吃的。請你告訴我，你們許諾的‘正義’何時才能實現(xiàn)？”

“I have hungered for a long time. Though not for food. Pray tell me, when will the justice be served?”

“正義。”沒錯，他當(dāng)然是為這個來的，我早該明白。“想必您和令姐很要好？”

“Justice.” Yes, that is why he’s here, I should have seen that at once. “You were close to your sister?”

“我和伊莉亞從小就在一起，形影不離，就像你哥哥和你姐姐。”

“As children Elia and I were inseparable, much like your own brother and sister.”

是嗎？希望不要?！皧W柏倫親王殿下，這陣子，戰(zhàn)爭和婚姻的事讓我們忙得不可開交，暫時無暇顧及十六年前那樁可怕的謀殺，如有怠慢之處，鄙人深表歉意。我保證，只等時機合適，會即刻作出處理。同時，多恩領(lǐng)主為維護王國統(tǒng)一所作出的任何貢獻，都將有助于提升我父親大人查案的精力和速度——”

Gods, I hope not. “Wars and weddings have kept us well occupied, Prince Oberyn. I fear no one has yet had the time to look into murders sixteen years stale, dreadful as they were. We shall, of course, just as soon as we may. Any help that Dorne might be able to provide to restore the king’s peace would only hasten the beginning of my lord father’s inquiry—”

“侏儒，”紅毒蛇深沉而冷淡地叫道，“我對你們蘭尼斯特的謊言毫無興趣。你以為我們是好欺負(fù)的綿羊，還是沒腦袋的傻瓜？我哥哥并不嗜血，但這十六年來，他也并非在睡大覺。勞勃奪取王位的第二年，瓊恩·艾林前來陽戟城，我們上百遍地責(zé)難他、質(zhì)詢他。我告訴你！要由我做主，才不關(guān)心什么調(diào)查作戲，只要為伊莉亞和她的孩子們復(fù)仇，復(fù)仇！首先宰了那蠢笨如牛的格雷果·克里岡……但是，事情并非到此為止。殺掉這混賬以前，我要問出幕后主使，告訴你，最好不要讓我知道是你父親，”他笑了，“有個老修士曾說，我的出生真是諸神的大慈悲，你知道這什么意思嗎，小惡魔大人？”

“Dwarf,” said the Red Viper, in a tone grown markedly less cordial, “spare me your Lannister lies. Is it sheep you take us for, or fools? My brother is not a bloodthirsty man, but neither has he been asleep for sixteen years. Jon Arryn came to Sunspear the year after Robert took the throne, and you can be sure that he was questioned closely. Him, and a hundred more. I did not come for some mummer’s show of an inquiry. I came for justice for Elia and her children, and I will have it. Starting with this lummox Gregor Clegane … but not, I think, ending there. Before he dies, the Enormity That Rides will tell me whence came his orders, please assure your lord father of that.” He smiled. “An old septon once claimed I was living proof of the goodness of the gods. Do you know why that is, Imp?”

“不知道。”提利昂小心翼翼地回答。

“No,” Tyrion admitted warily.

“哼，如果諸神想要作弄世人，就該讓我成為長子，而道朗當(dāng)三子。你也看見了，我是嗜血如命的。怎么樣，你要對付的是我，而不是我那多病、謹(jǐn)慎、衰老的哥哥。”

“Why, if the gods were cruel, they would have made me my mother’s firstborn, and Doran her third. I am a bloodthirsty man, you see. And it is me you must contend with now, not my patient, prudent, and gouty brother.”

前方半里處，陽光在黑水河上照耀，也灑在河對岸君臨城的墻壘、塔堡和殿堂上。提利昂回頭，望著沿國王大道跟隨而行的大隊人馬?！奥犇跉猓瓜袷治罩乇脑獛?，”他說，“但我仔細(xì)數(shù)了數(shù)，您不過帶來三百人。請您瞧瞧河對面，看見什么了嗎？”

Tyrion could see the sun shining on the Blackwater Rush half a mile ahead, and on the walls and towers and hills of King’s Landing beyond. He glanced over his shoulder, at the glittering column following them up the kingsroad. “You speak like a man with a great host at his back,” he said, “yet all I see are three hundred. Do you spy that city there, north of the river?”

“看什么？看這個名叫君臨的糞堆？”

“The midden heap you call King’s Landing?”

“不錯?！?/p>

“That’s the very one.”

“哼，我不僅看到了，還聞得出來?！?/p>

“Not only do I see it, I believe I smell it now.”

“您應(yīng)該好好聞聞，親王殿下，仔細(xì)地聞。五十萬人發(fā)出的臭氣當(dāng)然比三百人身上的強，這您總該知道。聞到金袍子的味道了嗎？他們約有五千。我父親大人自己的部隊則將近兩萬。您可別忘了，城內(nèi)實力最強的是玫瑰。玫瑰聞起來很香甜，對不對？尤其是這么多合在一起，確實不一般。五萬、六萬，甚至多達七萬枝玫瑰，插在城市內(nèi)，或城郊的曠野上，其中有一些正在外面打仗，但留下來的，也數(shù)不勝數(shù)?！?/p>

“Then take a good sniff, my lord. Fill up your nose. Half a million people stink more than three hundred, you’ll find. Do you smell the gold cloaks? There are near five thousand of them. My father’s own sworn swords must account for another twenty thousand. And then there are the roses. Roses smell so sweet, don’t they? Especially when there are so many of them. Fifty, sixty, seventy thousand roses, in the city or camped outside it, I can’t really say how many are left, but there’s more than I care to count, anyway.”

馬泰爾不屑一顧地聳聳肩?！霸诠哦喽鳌覀冞€沒和戴倫結(jié)親之前——有句俗話叫‘繁花需為艷陽折腰’。倘若這些玫瑰竟來煩惱我，我很樂意把它們統(tǒng)統(tǒng)踩碎。”

Martell gave a shrug. “In Dorne of old before we married Daeron, it was said that all flowers bow before the sun. Should the roses seek to hinder me I’ll gladly trample them underfoot.”

“正如您踩碎維拉斯·提利爾？”

“As you trampled Willas Tyrell?”

多恩人的反應(yīng)沒有預(yù)想中的激烈?！翱彀肽昵?，我剛收到維拉斯的信，我們對烹調(diào)馬肉有著共同的愛好。關(guān)于比武會上的意外，他從未責(zé)怪我。事實上，我正中他胸甲，但他的腳不幸被纏在馬鐙里，結(jié)果摔下去，反被坐騎壓住。我派出自己的學(xué)士為他醫(yī)治，但學(xué)士只能保住大腿，膝蓋已全碎了。真要怪的話，得怪他的蠢老爸。當(dāng)年的維拉斯·提利爾嫩得跟青草似的，怎能要他參加如此激烈的比武？那死胖子以為他和他兩個弟弟一樣，生來就該在比武會中建立功勛，他想得到一個‘長槍’里奧，卻讓自己的長子成了殘廢?！?/p>

The Dornishman did not react as expected. “I had a letter from Willas not half a year past. We share an interest in fine horseflesh. He has never borne me any ill will for what happened in the lists. I struck his breastplate clean, but his foot caught in a stirrup as he fell and his horse came down on top of him. I sent a maester to him afterward, but it was all he could do to save the boy’s leg. The knee was far past mending. If any were to blame, it was his fool of a father. Willas Tyrell was green as his surcoat and had no business riding in such company. The Fat Flower thrust him into tourneys at too tender an age, just as he did with the other two. He wanted another Leo Longthorn, and made himself a cripple.”

“都說洛拉斯爵士比‘長槍’里奧更強。”提利昂道。

“There are those who say Ser Loras is better than Leo Longthorn ever was,” said Tyrion.

“那朵藍(lán)禮的小玫瑰？我才不信?！?/p>

“Renly’s little rose? I doubt that.”

“信不信隨你，”提利昂說，“但洛拉斯爵士的確打敗過許多武藝高強的騎士，其中甚至包括我哥哥詹姆?！?/p>

“Doubt it all you wish,” said Tyrion, “but Ser Loras has defeated many good knights, including my brother Jaime.”

“什么叫打??？頂多在長槍比武中擊落下馬罷。想拿他來嚇唬我，那就說說，他殺過什么人呢？”

“By defeated, you mean unhorsed, in tourney. Tell me who he’s slain in battle if you mean to frighten me.”

“比如，羅拔·羅伊斯爵士和埃蒙·庫伊爵士。還有，人人都見他在黑水河一役中跟隨藍(lán)禮的鬼魂，英勇奮戰(zhàn)?！?/p>

“Ser Robar Royce and Ser Emmon Cuy, for two. And men say he performed prodigious feats of valor on the Blackwater, fighting beside Lord Renly’s ghost.”

“人人？就這些看見鬼魂的人？”多恩人輕笑。

“So these same men who saw the prodigious feats saw the ghost as well, yes?” The Dornishman laughed lightly.

提利昂長久地注視著對方，“絲綢街上莎塔雅開的妓院不錯，丹晰有蜂蜜色的紅發(fā)，瑪麗有長直的金發(fā)，她倆都是一等一的人才，不過我奉勸您，親王殿下，您可一定不能讓她們離開您身邊?！?/p>

Tyrion gave him a long look. “Chataya’s on the Street of Silk has several girls who might suit your needs. Dancy has hair the color of honey. Marie’s is pale white-gold. I would advise you to keep one or the other by your side at all times, my lord.”

“不能離開？”奧柏倫親王抬起一邊細(xì)細(xì)的黑眉毛，“親愛的小惡魔大人，這又是為何？”

“At all times?” Prince Oberyn lifted a thin black eyebrow. “And why is that, my good Imp?”

“您剛才不是說，您夢想乳房在口，醉死溫柔鄉(xiāng)么？”語畢提利昂踢馬朝黑水河南岸等待的渡船奔去，他受夠了多恩人的狡黠。父親真該把小喬支來，讓他當(dāng)著紅毒蛇的面詢問多恩人和蠻牛的區(qū)別。想到這里，他不由自主地發(fā)笑。看來，引紅毒蛇面見國王之前，得好好組織語言。

“You want to die with a breast in hand, you said.” Tyrion cantered on ahead to where the ferry barges waited on the south bank of the Blackwater. He had suffered all he meant to suffer of what passed for Dornish wit. Father should have sent Joffrey after all. He could have asked Prince Oberyn if he knew how a Dornishman differed from a cowflop. That made him grin despite himself. He would have to make a point of being on hand when the Red Viper was presented to the king.