公爵的母親突然出現(xiàn)赦抖，挽起兒子的胳膊「ㄉ觯“看來泰溫大人并沒把計(jì)劃同攝政王太后分享队萤，哦，我能想象這是為什么矫钓。既然如此要尔，木已成舟，咱們就別煩惱太后陛下了新娜，她說得很對(duì)赵辕，你趕緊吩咐雷頓大人，阻止加爾斯上船吧杯活。他這家伙老暈船匆帚，要真乘這么久的船，放的屁也會(huì)更臭了旁钧∥兀”奧蓮娜夫人朝瑟曦露出無牙的笑容互拾。“您真有先見之明嚎幸，議事廳中換成蓋爾斯大人颜矿，味道會(huì)好很多的，雖然照實(shí)說嫉晶，我受不了他的咳嗽聲骑疆。哎，我們一家子都仰慕加爾斯老大爺替废，他唯一的缺點(diǎn)就是腸胃不好箍铭，沒得治，您知道椎镣，我最討厭臭氣熏天诈火、撲鼻難聞∽创穑”她皺巴巴的臉皺得更緊了冷守，“我今天就不舒服，這神圣的殿堂內(nèi)味道卻不對(duì)勁惊科，您也發(fā)現(xiàn)了吧拍摇？”
Then his mother appeared and slid her arm through his own. “It would seem that Lord Tywin did not share his plans with our regent, I can’t imagine why. Still, there ’tis, no use hectoring Her Grace. She is quite right, you must write Lord Leyton before Garth boards a ship. You know the sea will sicken him and make his farting worse.” Lady Olenna gave Cersei a toothless smile. “Your council chambers will smell sweeter with Lord Gyles, though I daresay that coughing would drive me to distraction. We all adore dear old uncle Garth, but the man is flatulent, that cannot be gainsaid. I do abhor foul smells.” Her wrinkled face wrinkled up even more. “I caught a whiff of something unpleasant in the holy sept, in truth. Mayhaps you smelled it too?”
“沒有，”瑟曦冷冷地說馆截，“什么意思充活，味道？”
“No,” Cersei said coldly. “A scent, you say?”
“是啊蜡娶，真是有損于健康堪唐。”
“More like a stink.”
“看來你是太想念你們家領(lǐng)地的秋玫瑰了翎蹈，真不好意思淮菠，留你在都城盤桓太久』缈埃”她打算立刻把奧蓮娜夫人從宮中打發(fā)走合陵，為保證母親的安全，提利爾一定還會(huì)遣開一大群騎士澄阳，而都城中提利爾的人越少拥知，她就越能安睡。
“Perhaps you miss your autumn roses. We have kept you here too long.” The sooner she rid the court of Lady Olenna the better. Lord Tyrell would doubtless dispatch a goodly number of knights to see his mother safely home, and the fewer Tyrell swords in the city, the more soundly the queen would sleep.
“必須承認(rèn)碎赢，我的確懷念繁花盛開的高庭低剔，”老婦人說，“可是，在我心愛的瑪格麗嫁給您寶貝的小托曼之前襟齿，我又怎么忍心棄他倆而去呢姻锁？”
“I do long for the fragrances of Highgarden, I confess it,” said the old lady, “but of course I cannot leave until I have seen my sweet Margaery wed to your precious little Tommen.”
“我也急切地期盼著大婚的日子，”提利爾公爵插話猜欺，“事實(shí)上位隶，泰溫大人最近正與我商討婚期。陛下开皿，如果合適的話涧黄，咱們就把它定下來吧「尘＃”
“I await that day eagerly as well,” Tyrell put in. “Lord Tywin and I were on the point of setting a date, as it happens. Perhaps you and I might take up that discussion, Your Grace.”
“我很快會(huì)和你談笋妥。”
“Soon.”
“陛下英明窄潭，一定要快挽鞠，”奧蓮娜夫人又拿鼻子嗅嗅，“來吧狈孔，梅斯，別打擾陛下……哀悼了材义【椋”
“Soon will serve,” said Lady Olenna with a sniff. “Now come along, Mace, let Her Grace get on with her … grief.”
我會(huì)殺了你，老太婆其掂，瑟曦看著荊棘女王在兩名高大護(hù)衛(wèi)之間蹣跚而行——這兩名七尺高的雙胞胎被高庭的老太婆滑稽地稱為“左手”和“右手”——心里暗暗發(fā)誓油挥，到時(shí)候再看看你的尸體有多臭。顯然款熬，老的比做兒子的聰明十倍深寥。
I will see you dead, old woman, Cersei promised herself as the Queen of Thorns tottered off between her towering guardsmen, a pair of seven-footers that it amused her to call Left and Right. We’ll see how sweet a corpse you make. The old woman was twice as clever as her lord son, that was plain.
太后匆匆地將兒子自瑪格麗和她表親們身邊拯救出來，朝門口走去贤牛。圣堂之外惋鹅，雨已停歇，秋日的空氣清新而甜美殉簸。托曼摘下王冠闰集。“把它戴上般卑∥渎常”瑟曦命令他。
The queen rescued her son from Margaery and her cousins, and made for the doors. Outside, the rain had finally stopped. The autumn air smelled sweet and fresh. Tommen took his crown off. “Put that back on,” Cersei commanded him.
“它弄得我脖子疼蝠检，”男孩雖然抗議沐鼠，但還是乖乖照辦了。“我什么時(shí)候結(jié)婚呢饲梭？瑪格麗說等我倆結(jié)婚之后乘盖，她就帶我去高庭參觀∨趴剑”
“It makes my neck hurt,” the boy said, but he did as he was bid. “Will I be married soon? Margaery says that as soon as we’re wed we can go to Highgarden.”
“你不去高庭侧漓，但我準(zhǔn)許你今天早上騎馬回城堡〖嗲猓”瑟曦招呼馬林·特蘭爵士布蔗，“給陛下一匹好馬，然后去問蓋爾斯大人能否賞光浪腐，與我同乘坐轎纵揍。”事態(tài)發(fā)展之迅速议街，超過她的預(yù)計(jì)泽谨，沒有時(shí)間可以浪費(fèi)了。
“You are not going to Highgarden, but you can ride back to the castle.” Cersei beckoned to Ser Meryn Trant. “Bring His Grace a mount, and ask Lord Gyles if he would do me the honor of sharing my litter.” Things were moving more quickly than she had anticipated; there was no time to be squandered.
聽說可以騎馬特漩，托曼歡天喜地吧雹，而蓋爾斯大人當(dāng)然不敢不“賞光”……不過當(dāng)她提出任命他為財(cái)政大臣時(shí)，他咳嗽得如此劇烈涂身，讓她懷疑他就要當(dāng)時(shí)當(dāng)?shù)匕l(fā)病身亡雄卷。幸虧圣母慈悲，最終蓋爾斯有力氣答應(yīng)下來蛤售，甚至邊咳邊提出替換官員的名單——他要換掉小指頭任命的海關(guān)人員和羊毛代理商之流丁鹉，甚至包括四庫總管之一。
Tommen was happy at the prospect of a ride, and of course Lord Gyles was honored by her invitation … though when she asked him to be her master of coin, he began coughing so violently that she feared he might die right then and there. But the Mother was merciful, and Gyles eventually recovered sufficiently to accept, and even began coughing out the names of men he wanted to replace, customs officers and wool factors appointed by Littlefinger, even one of the keepers of the keys.
“只要能擠奶悴能，隨你讓什么牛上陣揣钦，我都會(huì)同意。此外漠酿，明天請(qǐng)你參加御前會(huì)議冯凹。”
“Name the cow what you will, so long as the milk flows. And should the question arise, you joined the council yesterday.”
“明……”對(duì)方咳得彎下腰去炒嘲，“明天……好的谈竿。”蓋爾斯大人朝一塊紅絲方巾咳嗽摸吠，為了隱藏唾沫中的血點(diǎn)空凸。瑟曦假裝不在意。
“Yester—” A fit of coughing bent him over. “Yesterday. To be sure.” Lord Gyles coughed into a square of red silk, as if to hide the blood in his spittle. Cersei pretended not to notice.
等他死了寸痢，我還得換人呀洲。或許，應(yīng)該召回小指頭才是道逗，萊莎·徒利去世后兵罢，太后無法想象培提爾·貝里席還能安穩(wěn)地做他的峽谷守護(hù)者。若派席爾所言非虛滓窍，峽谷諸侯已然起事卖词。一旦他們把那臭屁小孩奪走，培提爾公爵就得連滾帶爬地回來求我照應(yīng)了吏夯。
When he dies I will find someone else. Perhaps she would recall Littlefinger. The queen could not imagine that Petyr Baelish would be allowed to remain Lord Protector of the Vale for very long, with Lysa Arryn dead. The Vale lords were already stirring, if what Pycelle said was true. Once they take that wretched boy away from him, Lord Petyr will come crawling back.
“陛下此蜈？”蓋爾斯大人在咳嗽間挪動(dòng)嘴唇說，“我可以……”他又咳起來噪生●烧裕“……問一問……”一陣劇烈的咳嗽淹沒了他《逅裕“……問一問誰是下任首相嗎战授？”
“Your Grace?” Lord Gyles coughed, and dabbed his mouth. “Might I …” He coughed again. “… ask who …” Another series of coughs racked him. “… who will be the King’s Hand?”
“我叔叔〗凹蓿”瑟曦心不在焉地答道植兰。
“My uncle,” she replied absently.
看到紅堡的城門在眼前越變?cè)酱螅残亩嗔肆О桑惆淹新唤o他的侍從楣导，自己欣慰地回房準(zhǔn)備休息。
It was a relief to see the gates of the Red Keep looming large before her. She gave Tommen over to the charge of his squires and retired gratefully to her own chambers to rest.
誰知?jiǎng)偘研撓露且荩瑔趟沽毡闱由刈哌M(jìn)來，通報(bào)科本在外求見彬坏‰伲“帶他進(jìn)來∷ㄊ迹”太后命令务冕。沒辦法，治國(guó)者日理萬機(jī)幻赚，無暇休息禀忆。
No sooner had she eased off her shoes than Jocelyn entered timidly to say that Qyburn was without and craved audience. “Send him in,” the queen commanded. A ruler gets no rest.
科本已然老邁，頭上的灰發(fā)卻多過白絲落恼，唇邊始終掛著笑意箩退，讓他看起來像小女孩家仰慕的祖父。他是個(gè)衣衫襤樓的祖父佳谦。長(zhǎng)袍領(lǐng)口磨損戴涝，一邊袖子撕破后草草縫上。“十分抱歉打擾太后陛下休息啥刻，懇求您的原諒奸鸯，”他開口道，“遵照您的命令可帽，我深入地牢娄涩，調(diào)查了小惡魔逃亡事件∮掣”
Qyburn was old, but his hair still had more ash than snow in it, and the laugh lines around his mouth made him look like some little girl’s favorite grandfather. A rather shabby grandfather, though. The collar of his robe was frayed, and one sleeve had been torn and badly sewn. “I must beg Your Grace’s pardon for my appearance,” he said. “I have been down in the dungeons making inquiries into the Imp’s escape, as you commanded.”
“你有什么發(fā)現(xiàn)蓄拣？”
“And what have you discovered?”
“在瓦里斯大人和您弟弟失蹤的那一夜，還有個(gè)人也消失了申窘⊥溲粒”
“The night that Lord Varys and your brother disappeared, a third man also vanished.”
“我知道，是獄卒剃法。他有什么情況碎捺？”
“Yes, the gaoler. What of him?”
“此人名叫羅根，為長(zhǎng)年負(fù)責(zé)黑牢的下級(jí)看守贷洲。地牢長(zhǎng)官說他生得矮胖收厨、不刮胡子、聲音粗啞优构，卻是由老王伊里斯指派诵叁，準(zhǔn)他來去自由。近幾年來钦椭，黑牢沒關(guān)押多少人犯拧额，再加上其他獄卒似乎都很怕他，所以無從了解此人的真實(shí)情況彪腔。他沒有親人侥锦、沒有朋友，不去酒館德挣，也不上妓院恭垦。他的臥室潮濕狹小，睡的稻草席發(fā)了霉格嗅，夜壺多時(shí)未加清理番挺，甚至滿溢出來⊥鸵矗”
“Rugen was the man’s name. An undergaoler who had charge of the black cells. The chief undergaoler describes him as portly, unshaven, gruff of speech. He held his appointment of the old king, Aerys, and came and went as he pleased. The black cells have not oft been occupied in recent years. The other turnkeys were afraid of him, it seems, but none knew much about him. He had no friends, no kin. Nor did he drink or frequent brothels. His sleeping cell was damp and dreary, and the straw he slept upon was mildewed. His chamber pot was overflowing.”
“這些我都知道玄柏。”詹姆去過羅根的房間贴铜，亞當(dāng)爵士的金袍子們又查了一次禁荸。
“I know all this.” Jaime had examined Rugen’s cell, and Ser Addam’s gold cloaks had examined it again.
“是右蒲，陛下，”科本說赶熟，“可您知不知道在那發(fā)臭的夜壺底下有塊可以活動(dòng)的石頭瑰妄，蓋著一個(gè)小孔洞呢？這樣的機(jī)關(guān)映砖，不是通常用來保存貴重物品的嗎间坐？”
“Aye, Your Grace,” said Qyburn, “but did you know that under that stinking chamber pot was a loose stone, which opened on a small hollow? The sort of place where a man might hide valuables that he did not wish to be discovered?”
“貴重物品？”這是個(gè)新發(fā)現(xiàn)邑退≈袼危“你的意思是：錢？”不出所料地技，她一直懷疑提利昂收買了獄卒蜈七。
“Valuables?” This was new. “Coin, you mean?” She had suspected all along that Tyrion had somehow bought this gaoler.
“陛下英明，那小孔洞在被我發(fā)現(xiàn)時(shí)自然已經(jīng)掏空了莫矗，羅根肯定是帶著賄賂倉(cāng)皇逃命的飒硅。但我蹲下去，拿著火炬仔細(xì)觀察作谚，發(fā)現(xiàn)有個(gè)閃亮的玩意兒藏在泥土里三娩，于是把它挖了出來∶美粒”科本張開手掌雀监，“看，一枚金幣眨唬』崆埃”
“Beyond a doubt. To be sure, the hole was empty when I found it. No doubt Rugen took his ill-gotten treasure with him when he fled. But as I crouched over the hole with my torch, I saw something glitter, so I scratched in the dirt until I dug it out.” Qyburn opened his palm. “A gold coin.”
金子，真的是金子匾竿，但瑟曦接過之后卻發(fā)現(xiàn)不大對(duì)勁瓦宜。它太小，她心想搂橙，太輕了歉提。這枚硬幣十分陳舊笛坦，歷經(jīng)磨損区转，一面烙著國(guó)王的頭像，另一面是一只手版扩》侠耄“沒有龍啊，”她脫口而出礁芦。
Gold, yes, but the moment Cersei took it she could tell that it was wrong. Too small, she thought, too thin. The coin was old and worn. On one side was a king’s face in profile, on the other side the imprint of a hand. “This is no dragon,” she said.
“是的蜻韭，沒有龍悼尾。”科本道肖方，“它來自于征服戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)之前闺魏，陛下，硬幣上這位國(guó)王乃是加爾斯二十世俯画，手則是園丁家族的紋章析桥。”
“No,” Qyburn agreed. “It dates from before the Conquest, Your Grace. The king is Garth the Twelfth, and the hand is the sigil of House Gardener.”
來自高庭艰垂。瑟曦緊緊握住了硬幣泡仗。這代表著什么陰謀？梅斯·提利爾乃是審判提利昂的三位法官之一猜憎，而且一直力主死刑娩怎。難道全是逢場(chǎng)作戲？難道他一直跟小惡魔暗中勾連胰柑，密謀害死父親截亦？只要泰溫·蘭尼斯特一死，提利爾公爵便是理所當(dāng)然的首相候選人旦事，話雖如此……“此事切不可走漏風(fēng)聲魁巩。”太后下令姐浮。
Of Highgarden. Cersei closed her hand around the coin. What treachery is this? Mace Tyrell had been one of Tyrion’s judges, and had called loudly for his death. Was that some ploy? Could he have been plotting with the Imp all the while, conspiring at Father’s death? With Tywin Lannister in his grave, Lord Tyrell was an obvious choice to be King’s Hand, but even so … “You will not speak of this with anyone,” she commanded.
“陛下盡可以相信我的嘴巴——一個(gè)跟隨傭兵團(tuán)走南闖北的人懂得什么時(shí)候該說谷遂，什么時(shí)候不該說，否則他的腦袋早就搬家了卖鲤∩鋈牛”
“Your Grace may trust in my discretion. Any man who rides with a sellsword company learns to hold his tongue, else he does not keep it long.”
“在我這里也是一樣的規(guī)矩，”太后放下硬幣蛋逾，她決定待會(huì)兒再來仔細(xì)考慮這個(gè)東西集晚。“還有事嗎区匣？”
“In my company as well.” The queen put the coin away. She would think about it later. “What of the other matter?”
“格雷果爵士的事偷拔，”科本聳聳肩，“遵照您的命令亏钩，我做了檢查莲绰。紅毒蛇的長(zhǎng)矛上的劇毒來自于東方的獅身蝎尾獸，對(duì)此我敢拿性命擔(dān)保姑丑「蚯”
“Ser Gregor.” Qyburn shrugged. “I have examined him, as you commanded. The poison on the Viper’s spear was manticore venom from the east, I would stake my life on that.”
“派席爾的意見與你相左。他告訴我父親大人栅哀，若是獅身蝎尾獸之毒震肮，毒入心臟時(shí)人便已死称龙。”
“Pycelle says no. He told my lord father that manticore venom kills the instant it reaches the heart.”
“他說得沒錯(cuò)戳晌。但這次的施毒者在毒性上做了‘特殊處理’鲫尊，好讓魔山嘗遍痛苦，受盡折磨沦偎÷碜颍”
“And so it does. But this venom has been thickened somehow, so as to draw out the Mountain’s dying.”
“特殊處理？什么樣的處理扛施？混合其他毒素鸿捧？”
“Thickened? Thickened how? With some other substance?”
“或許正如陛下您所言，但從理論上講疙渣，混合多種毒素往往會(huì)中和掉各自的藥性匙奴。也許對(duì)方這面的手段……不那么自然，不妨這么說吧妄荔。我認(rèn)為泼菌，他使用了法術(shù)±沧猓”
“It may be as Your Grace suggests, though in most cases adulterating a poison only lessens its potency. It may be that the cause is … less natural, let us say. A spell, I think.”
這家伙也和派席爾一樣愚蠢嗎哗伯？“所以，你要告訴我魔山是因?yàn)槟撤N‘黑魔法’而這么半死不活的篷角？”
Is this one as big a fool as Pycelle? “So are you telling me that the Mountain is dying of some black sorcery?”
科本沒理會(huì)她語中的諷刺焊刹。“他因毒藥而緩慢地死去恳蹲，一時(shí)半會(huì)兒卻斷不了氣虐块，必須忍受極度的痛苦。我企圖減輕他痛苦的措施和派席爾的方子一樣無效嘉蕾。事實(shí)上贺奠，我認(rèn)為格雷果爵士服用罌粟花奶已經(jīng)大大超標(biāo)，他的侍從告訴我错忱，由于他日夜都承擔(dān)著仿佛要分裂骨顱的頭痛儡率，于是喝罌粟花奶就跟平常人喝啤酒一樣，以此抵御苦楚以清。嗯儿普，且不論這罌粟的副作用，單從身體上看玖媚，他從頭到腳的血管已經(jīng)變黑箕肃，尿液里面全是膿汁婚脱，被長(zhǎng)矛刺穿的孔洞由于毒性發(fā)作無法愈合今魔，至今已長(zhǎng)到我的拳頭那么大勺像。說實(shí)話，他還活著簡(jiǎn)直可以稱之為奇跡错森∫骰拢”
Qyburn ignored the mockery in her voice. “He is dying of the venom, but slowly, and in exquisite agony. My efforts to ease his pain have proved as fruitless as Pycelle’s. Ser Gregor is overly accustomed to the poppy, I fear. His squire tells me that he is plagued by blinding headaches and oft quaffs the milk of the poppy as lesser men quaff ale. Be that as it may, his veins have turned black from head to heel, his water is clouded with pus, and the venom has eaten a hole in his side as large as my fist. It is a wonder that the man is still alive, if truth be told.”
“瞧他的身材，”太后皺起眉頭提示涩维，“格雷果是個(gè)大塊頭殃姓，也是個(gè)大蠢貨，或許他蠢到鬧不清楚自己死了吧瓦阐∥铣蓿”她伸出酒杯，塞蕾娜連忙添滿睡蟋√せ茫“他的叫聲嚇著了托曼，甚至有天晚上把我都吵醒了戳杀。我想，還是召喚伊林·派恩，料理個(gè)干凈的好刁赦♂７粒”
“His size,” the queen suggested, frowning. “Gregor is a very large man. Also a very stupid one. Too stupid to know when he should die, it seems.” She held out her cup, and Senelle filled it once again. “His screaming frightens Tommen. It has even been known to wake me of a night. I would say it is past time we summoned Ilyn Payne.”
“陛下，”科本建議傍菇，“能讓我把格雷果爵士帶到地牢去嗎猾瘸？如此一來，他的叫聲就不會(huì)打擾您了丢习，而我也可以放開手腳料理他须妻。”
“Your Grace,” said Qyburn, “mayhaps I might move Ser Gregor to the dungeons? His screams will not disturb you there, and I will be able to tend to him more freely.”
“你來料理他泛领？”她笑笑荒吏，“讓伊林爵士動(dòng)手吧≡ㄐ”
“Tend to him?” She laughed. “Let Ser Ilyn tend to him.”
“陛下英明绰更，”科本道，“可這種毒藥……若能加以了解锡宋，想必對(duì)我們有所助益儡湾，不是嗎？老百姓們常說执俩，‘以眼還眼徐钠，以牙還牙’，敵人既使用黑暗的伎倆……”他沒把話講完役首，只是微笑著打量她尝丐。
“If that is Your Grace’s wish,” Qyburn said, “but this poison … it would be useful to know more about it, would it not? Send a knight to slay a knight and an archer to kill an archer, the smallfolk often say. To combat the black arts …” He did not finish the thought, but only smiled at her.
顯然显拜，這家伙和派席爾不同。太后掂量著他爹袁，心中飛速轉(zhuǎn)過幾個(gè)念頭远荠。“學(xué)城為什么剝奪你的頸鏈失息？”
He is not Pycelle, that much is plain. The queen weighed him, wondering. “Why did the Citadel take your chain?”
“因?yàn)槟菐筒┦看蛐难蹆豪锸桥撤蚱┐荆R爾溫形容他們是‘灰衣綿羊’，一點(diǎn)不差盹兢。我曾是一位堪比安布羅斯的醫(yī)者邻梆，并且注定會(huì)超越他。后來——您可知道绎秒？學(xué)城一直在解剖尸體确虱，以探詢生命的奧秘，這是數(shù)百年來不曾斷絕的實(shí)驗(yàn)替裆，只不過我更進(jìn)了一步校辩，我想研究死亡背后，于是解剖活人辆童。為這項(xiàng)‘罪名’宜咒，灰衣綿羊們侮辱我，并將我驅(qū)逐……不過把鉴，對(duì)于生死之道故黑，我比舊鎮(zhèn)的老夫子們了解得更多更深⊥タ常”
“The archmaesters are all craven at heart. The grey sheep, Marwyn calls them. I was as skilled a healer as Ebrose, but aspired to surpass him. For hundreds of years the men of the Citadel have opened the bodies of the dead, to study the nature of life. I wished to understand the nature of death, so I opened the bodies of the living. For that crime the grey sheep shamed me and forced me into exile … but I understand the nature of life and death better than any man in Oldtown.”
“是嗎场晶？”她覺得很有趣，“好怠缸，我就把魔山交給你诗轻。你想怎么料理就怎么料理，但你的活動(dòng)只準(zhǔn)在黑牢內(nèi)進(jìn)行揭北。當(dāng)他死后扳炬，把他人頭奉上，這是父親答應(yīng)過多恩人的信物搔体。想來道朗親王大概恨不得能生剜其心恨樟、生啖其肉，但我們?nèi)巳硕家獙W(xué)會(huì)時(shí)不時(shí)忍受一點(diǎn)失望嘛疚俱∪笆酰”
“Do you?” That intrigued her. “Very well. The Mountain is yours. Do what you will with him, but confine your studies to the black cells. When he dies, bring me his head. My father promised it to Dorne. Prince Doran would no doubt prefer to kill Gregor himself, but we all must suffer disappointments in this life.”
“謝謝您，陛下，”科本清清喉嚨养晋〕倪海“還有一點(diǎn)小問題，我的地位沒有派席爾師傅那么高匙握，我需要必需的設(shè)備……”
“Very good, Your Grace.” Qyburn cleared his throat. “I am not so well provided as Pycelle, however. I must needs equip myself with certain …”
“我會(huì)指示蓋爾斯為你準(zhǔn)備資金，以應(yīng)所需陈轿。首先圈纺，你得給自己買些新袍子，你這樣子見人像是從跳蚤窩里面抓出來的麦射《耆ⅲ”她望進(jìn)他的眼睛，不知自己能信任他多深潜秋』桌牛“需要我提醒你，如果有任何關(guān)于……關(guān)于你的料理……的話傳出去峻呛，你會(huì)有什么后果……”
“I shall instruct Lord Gyles to provide you with gold sufficient for your needs. Buy yourself some new robes as well. You look as though you’ve wandered up from Flea Bottom.” She studied his eyes, wondering how far she dared trust this one. “Need I say that it will go ill for you if any word of your … labors … should pass beyond these walls?”
“不會(huì)的罗售，陛下，”科本給她一個(gè)寬心的微笑钩述，“您的秘密就是我的秘密寨躁。”
“No, Your Grace.” Qyburn gave her a reassuring smile. “Your secrets are safe with me.”
當(dāng)他走后牙勘，瑟曦為自己又倒上一杯濃葡萄酒职恳，坐在窗邊享用，看著陰影逐漸籠罩庭院方面。她忘不了那枚硬幣放钦。河灣地的錢。君臨城中最低賤的獄卒怎么會(huì)有河灣地的錢恭金？這是協(xié)助謀殺父親的價(jià)碼嗎操禀？
When he was gone, Cersei poured herself a cup of strongwine and drank it by the window, watching the shadows lengthen across the yard and thinking about the coin. Gold from the Reach. Why would an undergaoler in King’s Landing have gold from the Reach, unless he were paid to help bring about Father’s death?
無論她怎么努力，只要想起泰溫公爵横腿，腦海中浮現(xiàn)的就是那張茫然微笑的詭異面容和身體散發(fā)出的濃烈臭氣床蜘。弄不好這一切都是提利昂在暗中安排、偷偷作怪蔑水。這玩笑雖小邢锯，可是好殘酷啊，他正是這么個(gè)又小又殘酷的東西搀别。派席爾也是他的爪牙嗎丹擎？別忘了，大學(xué)士聽任那個(gè)羅根掌控黑牢。所有線索連在一起蒂培，讓她很是不安再愈。總主教肯定是提利昂的鷹犬护戳，瑟曦突然想到翎冲，父親可憐的尸體從早到晚都由他關(guān)照。
Try as she might, she could not seem to bring Lord Tywin’s face to mind without seeing that silly little half smile and remembering the foul smell coming off his corpse. She wondered whether Tyrion was somehow behind that as well. It is small and cruel, like him. Could Tyrion have made Pycelle his catspaw? He sent the old man to the black cells, and this Rugen had charge of those cells, she remembered. All the strings were tangled up together in ways she did not like. This High Septon is Tyrion’s creature too, Cersei recalled suddenly, and Father’s poor body was in his care from dark till dawn.
叔叔于黃昏時(shí)分如約到達(dá)媳荒，身穿加墊的炭色羊毛外衣——顏色就跟他的臉一樣猶如死灰抗悍。和所有的蘭尼斯特家人相同，凱馮爵士皮膚精致钳枕，須發(fā)金黃缴渊，但現(xiàn)年五十五歲的他，頭基本禿光了鱼炒。他肩圓腰粗衔沼，絲毫談不上俊朗，方下巴上全是肉昔瞧，修剪得很短的黃胡子完全不能將其隱藏指蚁。他讓她想起了老看家犬……不過她現(xiàn)在需要的正是忠實(shí)的看家犬。
Her uncle arrived promptly at sunset, wearing a quilted doublet of charcoal-colored wool as somber as his face. Like all the Lannisters, Ser Kevan was fair-skinned and blond, though at five-and-fifty he had lost most of his hair. No one would ever call him comely. Thick of waist, round of shoulder, with a square jutting chin that his close-cropped yellow beard did little to conceal, he reminded her of some old mastiff … but a faithful old mastiff was the very thing that she required.
他們吃了一頓包括甜菜自晰、面包和帶血牛排的便飯欣舵，用一壺多恩紅酒送下肚。席間缀磕，凱馮爵士很少說話缘圈，也基本不喝酒。大概他的心情太沉重了吧袜蚕，她認(rèn)為糟把，他需要工作，好從悲傷中解脫出來牲剃。
They ate a simple supper of beets and bread and bloody beef with a flagon of Dornish red to wash it all down. Ser Kevan said little and scarce touched his wine cup. He broods too much, she decided. He needs to be put to work to get beyond his grief.
于是等食物被清走遣疯，仆人們也都離開后，她把這番話和盤托出凿傅〔“我明白父親有多依仗你，叔叔聪舒，我也同樣需要你辨液。”
She said as much, when the last of the food had been cleared away and the servants had departed. “I know how much my father relied on you, Uncle. Now I must do the same.”
“你需要一個(gè)首相箱残，”凱馮爵士回答滔迈，“而詹姆拒絕了你止吁。”
“You need a Hand,” he said, “and Jaime has refused you.”
他一如既往地直率燎悍。很好敬惦。“關(guān)于詹姆……父親的去世令我心神游移谈山，思慮不周俄删，我簡(jiǎn)直都記不得自己說過些什么。詹姆他是很英勇奏路，可我們直說了吧畴椰，他骨子里蠻有些傻。托曼需要更有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的長(zhǎng)者……”
He is blunt. Very well. “Jaime … I felt so lost with Father dead, I scarce knew what I was saying. Jaime is gallant, but a bit of a fool, let us be frank. Tommen needs a more seasoned man. Someone older …”
“梅斯·提利爾符合長(zhǎng)者的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)思劳⊙该”
“Mace Tyrell is older.”
瑟曦鼻孔一張妨猩∏迸眩“決不，”她把一綹垂下的頭發(fā)掃上額頭壶硅，“我決不會(huì)放縱貪得無厭的提利爾家威兜。”
Her nostrils flared. “Never.” Cersei pushed a lock of hair off her brow. “The Tyrells overreach themselves.”
“讓梅斯·提利爾當(dāng)首相將是樁蠢事庐椒，”凱馮爵士承認(rèn)椒舵，“但與他為敵就更蠢了。燈火之廳里發(fā)生的事我已經(jīng)聽說了约谈，自然笔宿，梅斯應(yīng)該學(xué)會(huì)別在公開場(chǎng)合談?wù)撨@類話題，即便如此棱诱，你當(dāng)著全宮廷的面羞辱他也極為不智泼橘。”
“You would be a fool to make Mace Tyrell your Hand,” Ser Kevan admitted, “but a bigger fool to make him your foe. I’ve heard what happened in the Hall of Lamps. Mace should have known better than to broach such matters in public, but even so, you were unwise to shame him in front of half the court.”
“總比讓提利爾混進(jìn)御前會(huì)議好得多迈勋！”他的責(zé)備讓她不耐煩炬灭。“羅斯比會(huì)是個(gè)不錯(cuò)的財(cái)政大臣靡菇，看看他的坐轎重归，看看那上面的雕刻裝飾與絲綢織錦你就知道了。他的馬比大多數(shù)騎士的馬打扮得更華麗厦凤。一個(gè)如此富裕的人想必精通生財(cái)之道鼻吮。至于御前首相嘛……誰能比我父親的弟弟，那個(gè)從來與我父親親密無間较鼓，并無私奉獻(xiàn)著的弟弟更有資格接過他的擔(dān)子呢狈网？”
“Better that than suffer another Tyrell on the council.” His reproach annoyed her. “Rosby will make an adequate master of coin. You’ve seen that litter of his, with its carvings and silk draperies. His horses are better dressed than most knights. A man that rich should have no problem finding gold. As for Handship … who better to finish my father’s work than the brother who shared all his counsels?”
“每個(gè)人都需要有信得過的人。泰溫信任我和你母親⊥夭福”
“Every man needs someone he can trust. Tywin had me, and once your mother.”
“他很愛她勇垛，”瑟曦拒絕去想父親床上妓女的尸體，“我知道士鸥，他們現(xiàn)在團(tuán)聚了闲孤。”
“He loved her very much.” Cersei refused to think about the dead whore in his bed. “I know they are together now.”
“我也如此祈禱烤礁∷匣”凱馮爵士看著她的臉，看了很長(zhǎng)時(shí)間脚仔，最后才續(xù)道勤众，“瑟曦，你要我再次做出犧牲鲤脏∶茄眨”
“So I pray.” Ser Kevan studied her face for a long moment before he replied. “You ask much of me, Cersei.”
“不比父親要求的多×源迹”
“No more than my father did.”
“我累了窥突。”叔叔抓起酒杯硫嘶，吮了一口阻问。“我已經(jīng)兩年沒和妻子見面沦疾，一個(gè)兒子已成尸骨称近，另一個(gè)兒子即將結(jié)婚、當(dāng)上領(lǐng)主——是啊哮塞，戴瑞城必須恢復(fù)往日的榮光刨秆，三河肥沃的土地必須得到保護(hù)，燒焦的田野等待著重新耕作播種彻桃。藍(lán)賽爾需要我的協(xié)助坛善。”
“I am tired.” Her uncle reached for his wine cup and took a swallow. “I have a wife I have not seen in two years, a dead son to mourn, another son about to marry and assume a lordship. Castle Darry must be made strong again, its lands protected, its burned fields plowed and planted anew. Lancel needs my help.”
“托曼比他更需要你邻眷∶呤海”瑟曦沒料到凱馮竟然需要她的撫慰。在父親駕下肆饶，他可從來都是打頭陣的改衩。“國(guó)家更需要你驯镊『剑”
“As does Tommen.” Cersei had not expected Kevan to require coaxing. He never played coy with Father. “The realm needs you.”
“國(guó)家竭鞍，啊，蘭尼斯特家族橄镜，”他又吮一口酒偎快。“那好吧洽胶，我會(huì)留下來晒夹，替國(guó)王陛下效勞……”
“The realm. Aye. And House Lannister.” He sipped his wine again. “Very well. I will remain and serve His Grace …”
“太好了℃⒚ィ”她正待夸獎(jiǎng)丐怯，凱馮爵士卻提高聲調(diào)，制止她繼續(xù)下去翔横。
“Very good,” she started to say, but Ser Kevan raised his voice and bulled right over her.
“……條件是你指名我為攝政王兼國(guó)王之手读跷，你自己返回凱巖城『萄洌”
“… so long as you name me regent as well as Hand and take yourself back to Casterly Rock.”
半晌之間效览，瑟曦錯(cuò)愕地瞪著對(duì)方，不知如何是好蟀俊∏掌蹋“我才是攝政王订雾≈ぃ”她提醒他。
For half a heartbeat Cersei could only stare at him. “I am the regent,” she reminded him.
“你現(xiàn)下是洼哎，但泰溫不打算讓你繼續(xù)待在這個(gè)位置上烫映。他把計(jì)劃告訴了我，他要你回歸凱巖城噩峦，并給你找個(gè)新丈夫锭沟。”
“You were. Tywin did not intend that you continue in that role. He told me of his plans to send you back to the Rock and find a new husband for you.”
瑟曦的怒火在心中騰地升起识补，“這話他講過族淮，是的，我對(duì)他說我沒興趣再婚凭涂∽＠保”
Cersei could feel her anger rising. “He spoke of such, yes. And I told him it was not my wish to wed again.”
叔叔不為所動(dòng)∏杏停“若你實(shí)在不愿再婚蝙斜，我也不會(huì)強(qiáng)迫你。至于另一個(gè)條件澎胡，嗯……你現(xiàn)在是凱巖城公爵夫人了孕荠，你應(yīng)該守在領(lǐng)地娩鹉。”
Her uncle was unmoved. “If you are resolved against another marriage, I will not force it on you. As to the other, though … you are the Lady of Casterly Rock now. Your place is there.”
你好大的膽子稚伍！她想朝他尖叫弯予，卻不敢這么做「鍪铮“我是凱巖城公爵夫人熙涤，更是太后攝政王，我應(yīng)該守著我兒子困檩§舸欤”
How dare you? she wanted to scream. Instead, she said, “I am also the Queen Regent. My place is with my son.”
“你父親不這么想〉垦兀”
“Your father thought not.”
“我父親已經(jīng)死了等舔。”
“My father is dead.”
“這是我的不幸糟趾，也是國(guó)家的不幸慌植。你睜開眼睛，把自己瞧個(gè)清楚吧义郑，瑟曦蝶柿。王國(guó)成了一片廢墟，泰溫本可以讓國(guó)家走上復(fù)興之路非驮，可……”
“To my grief, and the woe of all the realm. Open your eyes and look about you, Cersei. The kingdom is in ruins. Tywin might have been able to set matters aright, but …”
“我正是那個(gè)復(fù)興國(guó)家的人交汤！”瑟曦吼完之后壓低聲音，“在你的協(xié)助之下劫笙，叔叔芙扎。只要你像對(duì)父親盡忠一樣對(duì)我盡忠——”
“I shall set matters aright!” Cersei softened her tone. “With your help, Uncle. If you will serve me as faithfully as you served my father—”
“你并非你父親。而且泰溫一直將詹姆當(dāng)做他真正的傳人填大〗渫荩”
“You are not your father. And Tywin always regarded Jaime as his rightful heir.”
“詹姆……詹姆發(fā)過誓言，詹姆從不思考允华，他嘲笑每個(gè)人圈浇、每件事，想到什么就說什么靴寂。詹姆他只是個(gè)英俊的白癡而已磷蜀。”
“Jaime … Jaime has taken vows. Jaime never thinks, he laughs at everything and everyone and says whatever comes into his head. Jaime is a handsome fool.”
“盡管如此榨汤，他卻是你心目中御前首相的第一人選蠕搜。原因何在，瑟曦收壕？”
“And yet he was your first choice to be the King’s Hand. What does that make you, Cersei?”
“我告訴你了妓灌，當(dāng)時(shí)我沉溺在悲傷中轨蛤，思慮不周——”
“I told you, I was sick with grief, I did not think—”
“思慮不周，”凱馮爵士同意虫埂，“這正是你必須返回凱巖城祥山，將王國(guó)留給更懂得思慮的人的原因〉舴”
“No,” Ser Kevan agreed. “Which is why you should return to Casterly Rock and leave the king with those who do.”
“國(guó)王是我兒子缝呕！”瑟曦霍地起身。
“The king is my son!” Cersei rose to her feet.
“他當(dāng)然是斧散，”叔叔不緊不慢地說供常，“但就喬佛里的例子來看，你當(dāng)母親就跟當(dāng)統(tǒng)治者一樣不夠格鸡捐≌幌荆”
“Aye,” her uncle said, “and from what I saw of Joffrey, you are as unfit a mother as you are a ruler.”
她把杯中酒結(jié)結(jié)實(shí)實(shí)地潑到他臉上。
She threw the contents of her wine cup full in his face.
凱馮爵士帶著凝重的尊嚴(yán)也站起來箍镜≡雌恚“陛下，”酒液流過他下巴色迂，從剪短的胡子上滴下去香缺，“很抱歉，請(qǐng)?jiān)试S我告辭歇僧？”
Ser Kevan rose with a ponderous dignity. “Your Grace.” Wine trickled down his cheeks and dripped from his close-cropped beard. “With your leave, might I withdraw?”
“你憑什么提條件图张？你不過是我父親豢養(yǎng)的騎士！連爵祿都沒有馏慨！”
“By what right do you presume to give me terms? You are no more than one of my father’s household knights.”
“的確埂淮，我沒有領(lǐng)地姑隅，但我的收入并不少写隶，家中的錢幣堆積成箱。我父親去世時(shí)沒有虧待他的每個(gè)孩子讲仰，而泰溫也懂得獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)他人的服務(wù)慕趴。我麾下?lián)碛袃砂衮T士，如果需要鄙陡，還可以將這個(gè)數(shù)目翻番冕房。別忘了，自由騎手們?cè)敢庾冯S我的旗幟趁矾，雇傭傭兵我也不缺資金耙册。建議你千萬別小瞧了我，陛下……明智的話毫捣，不要把我也當(dāng)成你的敵人详拙〉奂剩”
“I hold no lands, that is true. But I have certain incomes, and chests of coin set aside. My own father forgot none of his children when he died, and Tywin knew how to reward good service. I feed two hundred knights and can double that number if need be. There are freeriders who will follow my banner, and I have the gold to hire sellswords. You would be wise not to take me lightly, Your Grace … and wiser still not to make of me a foe.”
“你竟敢威脅我？”
“Are you threatening me?”
“我在給你諫言饶辙。聽著蹲诀，如果你不讓我當(dāng)攝政王，就任命我為凱巖城代理城主吧弃揽，然后令馬圖斯·羅宛或藍(lán)道·塔利來輔佐國(guó)王脯爪，此二人得一亦可定天下】笪ⅲ”
“I am counseling you. If you will not yield the regency to me, name me your castellan for Casterly Rock and make either Mathis Rowan or Randyll Tarly the Hand of the King.”
此二人都是提利爾的心腹痕慢。叔叔的建議讓她語塞。他也被收買了嗎涌矢？太后心想守屉。他是不是拿了提利爾的金子來出賣蘭尼斯特家族？
Tyrell bannermen, both of them. The suggestion left her speechless. Is he bought? she wondered. Has he taken Tyrell gold to betray House Lannister?
“馬圖斯·羅宛睿智蒿辙、謹(jǐn)慎拇泛，且廣受愛戴，”叔叔不依不饒地續(xù)道思灌，“藍(lán)道·塔利堪稱海內(nèi)名將——和平時(shí)期也許用不著他俺叭，但泰溫去世后，沒有誰比他更有能耐來結(jié)束戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)了泰偿。如果你提名提利爾家的大封臣為御前首相熄守，提利爾公爵將無法反對(duì)，而塔利和羅宛都是懂事的人……懂得報(bào)答的人耗跛，任命他們中的任何一個(gè)裕照，他就將成為你的人。如此一來调塌，你便增強(qiáng)了自己晋南，削弱了高庭，梅斯還不能不對(duì)你釜底抽薪的行為表示感謝羔砾「杭洌”他聳聳肩〗啵“這就是我的諫言政溃，聽不聽隨你，反正你要任命月童為首相也不干我事态秧。女人董虱，我哥哥死了，我要帶他回家申鱼》哂眨”
“Mathis Rowan is sensible, prudent, well liked,” her uncle went on, oblivious. “Randyll Tarly is the finest soldier in the realm. A poor Hand for peacetime, but with Tywin dead there’s no better man to finish this war. Lord Tyrell cannot take offense if you choose one of his own bannermen as Hand. Both Tarly and Rowan are able men … and loyal. Name either one, and you make him yours. You strengthen yourself and weaken Highgarden, yet Mace will likely thank you for it.” He gave a shrug. “That is my counsel, take it or no. You may make Moon Boy your Hand for all I care. My brother is dead, woman. I am going to take him home.”
叛徒藏鹊，她心想，變色龍转锈。不知梅斯·提利爾給了他多少好處盘寡。“在你的國(guó)王最需要你的時(shí)候撮慨，你拋棄了他竿痰，”她告訴叔叔，“你拋棄了托曼砌溺∮吧妫”
Traitor, she thought. Turncloak. She wondered how much Mace Tyrell had given him. “You would abandon your king when he needs you most,” she told him. “You would abandon Tommen.”
“托曼有他的母親照料著，”凱馮爵士的綠眸對(duì)上太后的綠眸规伐，一眨不眨蟹倾。最后一滴鮮紅的液體在他下巴下面抖了抖，墜落猖闪∠侍模“是啊，”他頓了頓培慌，輕聲補(bǔ)充豁陆，“他還有他的父親呢〕郴ぃ”
“Tommen has his mother.” Ser Kevan’s green eyes met her own, unblinking. A last drop of wine trembled wet and red beneath his chin, and finally fell. “Aye,” he added softly, after a pause, “and his father too, I think.”
