“我干走私行當(dāng)?shù)臅r候没炒，學(xué)到一個教訓(xùn)：有些人什么都會相信，而有些人什么都不會相信犯戏。世上的人中這兩種居多送火。您知道，還有另一個版本的傳言在——”

“When I was smuggling, I learned that some men believe everything and some nothing. We met both sorts. And there is another tale being spread as well—”

“是的先匪，”史坦尼斯咬牙切齒地道种吸，“有人說賽麗絲背著我出軌，喜歡上一個滿頭鈴鐺的傻瓜呀非，說我女兒的生父其實是個弱智的弄臣坚俗！荒謬絕倫，無恥至極。我和藍(lán)禮會面時他居然還拿這個來損我猖败。只有補丁臉一樣的瘋子才會相信如此的謊話形耗。”

“Yes.” Stannis bit off the word. “Selyse has given me horns, and tied a fool’s bells to the end of each. My daughter fathered by a halfwit jester! A tale as vile as it is absurd. Renly threw it in my teeth when we met to parley. You would need to be as mad as Patchface to believe such a thing.”

“話是這么說辙浑，陛下……可不論心里相不相信激涤，老百姓們總喜歡傳來傳去∨信唬”很多地方這謠言甚至比他的船還先到倦踢，讓他帶來的事實的可信度大打折扣。

“That may be so, my liege … but whether they believe the story or no, they delight to tell it.” In many places it had come before them, poisoning the well for their own true tale.

“勞勃就算尿在杯子里讓人喝侠草，很多人也會心甘情愿地說那是美酒辱挥。我給他們純凈的涼水，他們卻要瞇起眼睛疑神疑鬼边涕，喝完還會竊竊私語水的味道不對勁晤碘！”史坦尼斯咬緊牙關(guān)」︱眩“哪天要是有人造謠园爷，說殺死勞勃的那頭豬被我施法附了體，我看他們八成也會相信式撼⊥纾”

“Robert could piss in a cup and men would call it wine, but I offer them pure cold water and they squint in suspicion and mutter to each other about how queer it tastes.” Stannis ground his teeth. “If someone said I had magicked myself into a boar to kill Robert, likely they would believe that as well.”

“天下悠悠眾口，您是防不住的著隆，陛下扰楼，”戴佛斯說，“但您只要揪出殺害您哥哥們的真兇美浦，為他們報仇雪恨弦赖，所有的謊言就不攻自破了∑直妫”

“You cannot stop them talking, my liege,” Davos said, “but when you take your vengeance on your brothers’ true killers, the realm will know such tales for lies.”

對他的話蹬竖，史坦尼斯似乎只在意一半』珉梗“我毫不懷疑瑟曦與勞勃之死脫不了干系案腺。我會為他討回公道庆冕，嗯康吵，也會還奈德·史塔克和瓊恩·艾林一個公道》玫荩”

Stannis only seemed to half hear him. “I have no doubt that Cersei had a hand in Robert’s death. I will have justice for him. Aye, and for Ned Stark and Jon Arryn as well.”

“那藍(lán)禮呢晦嵌？”戴佛斯還不及考慮，這句話便沖口而出。

“And for Renly?” The words were out before Davos could stop to consider them.

國王沉默許久惭载，最后才輕聲說：“我夢見很多次旱函，夢見藍(lán)禮的死。那是一座綠色的帳篷描滔，有蠟燭棒妨，尖叫的女人，還有血含长∪唬”史坦尼斯低頭看著自己的手【信ⅲ“他死的時候我還在睡覺纷纫，你的戴馮可以作證。當(dāng)時他努力想搖醒我陪腌。黎明已近辱魁，我的封臣們正在外面焦急萬分地等候。藍(lán)禮將在破曉之時發(fā)動進(jìn)攻诗鸭，我早該穿戴整齊染簇，披掛上馬，卻不知怎地强岸，竟然還躺在床上剖笙。戴馮說我當(dāng)時手腳揮打、大聲哭喊著醒來请唱，但那有什么關(guān)系弥咪？不過是夢而已本橙。藍(lán)禮死的時候我好端端地待在自己的營帳亏狰，醒來之時雙手干干凈凈。”

For a long time the king did not speak. Then, very softly, he said, “I dream of it sometimes. Of Renly’s dying. A green tent, candles, a woman screaming. And blood.” Stannis looked down at his hands. “I was still abed when he died. Your Devan will tell you. He tried to wake me. Dawn was nigh and my lords were waiting, fretting. I should have been ahorse, armored. I knew Renly would attack at break of day. Devan says I thrashed and cried out, but what does it matter? It was a dream. I was in my tent when Renly died, and when I woke my hands were clean.”

戴佛斯·席渥斯爵士感覺到不存在的指尖正在發(fā)癢汁胆。這里一定有什么蹊蹺铸题，前走私者心想，但他還是點點頭苛蒲，說：“是的漏健】税茫”

Ser Davos Seaworth could feel his phantom fingertips start to itch. Something is wrong here, the onetime smuggler thought. Yet he nodded and said, “I see.”

“談判時扮念，藍(lán)禮想送我一個桃子弄匕。他嘲笑我，挑釁我蚊惯，威脅我愿卸，最后想送我一個桃子。我本以為他是要拔劍截型，所以按住了自己的劍擦酌。難道這就是他的意圖，想讓我顯示恐懼菠劝？這是他的又一個無聊玩笑赊舶？又或當(dāng)他說起桃子多么可口時，其實別有深意赶诊？”國王用力搖頭笼平，活像一只咬住兔脖子搖晃的狗√蚧荆“只有藍(lán)禮寓调，才能用一顆水果煩我如此。他的謀逆導(dǎo)致了毀滅锄码，但我的確愛他夺英，戴佛斯晌涕，如今我明白了。我發(fā)誓痛悯，直到進(jìn)墳?zāi)沟哪且惶煊嗬瑁叶紩浀玫艿艿奶易印载萌！?/p>

“Renly offered me a peach. At our parley. Mocked me, defied me, threatened me, and offered me a peach. I thought he was drawing a blade and went for mine own. Was that his purpose, to make me show fear? Or was it one of his pointless jests? When he spoke of how sweet the peach was, did his words have some hidden meaning?” The king gave a shake of his head, like a dog shaking a rabbit to snap its neck. “Only Renly could vex me so with a piece of fruit. He brought his doom on himself with his treason, but I did love him, Davos. I know that now. I swear, I will go to my grave thinking of my brother’s peach.”

此時惧财，已經(jīng)到了營地，他們穿過排列整齊的帳篷扭仁、隨風(fēng)飄舞的旗幟和堆疊有序的武器垮衷。空氣中馬糞的臭氣十分濃重乖坠，混合著燃木的煙塵和燉肉的香味搀突。史坦尼斯勒住馬韁，直接解散了佛羅倫伯爵和其他貴族熊泵，命令他們一小時后再來大帳參加作戰(zhàn)會議仰迁。人們鞠躬后便四散而去，只留戴佛斯和梅麗珊卓陪國王前去中軍大帳戈次。

By then they were in amongst the camp, riding past the ordered rows of tents, the blowing banners, and the stacks of shields and spears. The stink of horse dung was heavy in the air, mingled with the woodsmoke and the smell of cooking meat. Stannis reined up long enough to bark a brusque dismissal to Lord Florent and the others, commanding them to attend him in his pavilion one hour hence for a council of war. They bowed their heads and dispersed, while Davos and Melisandre rode to the king’s pavilion.

大帳是名副其實的大帳轩勘，如此才能供他和諸侯們開會；然而里面卻十分樸素怯邪。和普通士兵的營帳一樣绊寻，它是用帆布縫成，金色的染料早已褪成暗黃悬秉。只有帳篷頂那面高高飄揚的旗幟方才指示出這是國王的帳篷澄步。當(dāng)然，醒目的還有帳外的衛(wèi)兵：后黨的人拄著長矛和泌，烈焰紅心縫在他們原本的家徽上村缸。

The tent had to be large, since it was there his lords bannermen came to council. Yet there was nothing grand about it. It was a soldier’s tent of heavy canvas, dyed the dark yellow that sometimes passed for gold. Only the royal banner that streamed atop the center pole marked it as a king’s. That, and the guards without; queen’s men leaning on tall spears, with the badge of the fiery heart sewn over their own.

馬夫們跑來扶他們下馬。一名守衛(wèi)接過梅麗珊卓手中笨重的旗幟武氓，深深地插進(jìn)松軟的泥土里梯皿。戴馮站在門邊，等著為國王掀帳門县恕，年長的拜蘭·法林也在旁邊东羹。史坦尼斯摘下王冠，交給戴馮忠烛∈籼幔“拿兩杯冷水。戴佛斯，跟我來冤议。夫人斟薇，需要您時我會派人來請∷∷幔”

Grooms came up to help them dismount. One of the guards relieved Melisandre of her cumbersome standard, driving the staff deep into the soft ground. Devan stood to one side of the door, waiting to lift the flap for the king. An older squire waited beside him. Stannis took off his crown and handed it to Devan. “Cold water, cups for two. Davos, attend me. My lady, I shall send for you when I require you.”

“謹(jǐn)遵陛下吩咐堪滨。”梅麗珊卓鞠躬告退尸疆。

“As the king commands.” Melisandre bowed.

和原野上的明媚清晨相比椿猎，帳內(nèi)顯得又暗又涼惶岭。史坦尼斯挑了一把簡樸的木折凳坐下寿弱，示意戴佛斯也照做“丛睿“總有一天症革，我會封你個伯爵做做，走私者鸯旁。想想看噪矛，賽提加或佛羅倫他們該多么惱火啊。不過铺罢，我知道你自己是不會因此而感謝我的艇挨，因為從此以后，你就不得不列席這些沒完沒了的會議韭赘，還要假裝對這番驢叫表示興趣缩滨。”

After the brightness of the morning, the interior of the pavilion seemed cool and dim. Stannis seated himself on a plain wooden camp stool and waved Davos to another. “One day I may make you a lord, smuggler. If only to irk Celtigar and Florent. You will not thank me, though. It will mean you must suffer through these councils, and feign interest in the braying of mules.”

“如果沒用泉瞻，那您召開會議做什么呢脉漏？”

“Why do you have them, if they serve no purpose?”

“還能為什么？驢子喜歡聽自己叫唄袖牙，況且我也需要他們?yōu)槲依嚥嗑蕖０。瑳]錯鞭达，偶爾也會有一些好主意冒出來司忱。然而今天的情形嘛，我想——哈畴蹭，你兒子把水拿來了坦仍。”

“The mules love the sound of their own braying, why else? And I need them to haul my cart. Oh, to be sure, once in a great while some useful notion is put forth. But not today, I think—ah, here’s your son with our water.”

戴馮將托盤放到桌上撮胧，里面有兩個盛滿的泥杯桨踪。國王在飲水之前先撤了把鹽；戴佛斯則直截了當(dāng)?shù)嘏e起杯子芹啥，心里將它幻想成葡萄酒锻离∑糖停“您提到作戰(zhàn)會議？”

Devan set the tray on the table and filled two clay cups. The king sprinkled a pinch of salt in his cup before he drank; Davos took his water straight, wishing it were wine. “You were speaking of your council?”

“讓我告訴你會議將怎么進(jìn)行吧汽纠。瓦列利安大人會力主明日破曉即行攻城卫键，用抓鉤和云梯去對抗弓箭與熱油。年輕一點的驢子對此將極力贊成虱朵。伊斯蒙大人則希望扎營下來專事封鎖莉炉，用饑餓作武器逼他們投降，正如從前提利爾和雷德溫對付我的那一套碴犬。這或許需要一年絮宁，然而老驢子們有的是耐性。至于卡倫大人和那幫熱血沸騰的家伙呢服协，他們個個都渴望撿起科塔奈爵士的手套绍昂，一戰(zhàn)決勝負(fù)。每個人都幻想成為我的代理騎士偿荷，為自己贏得不朽的名聲窘游。”國王喝干杯中的水跳纳∪淌危“你的意見呢，走私者寺庄？”

“Let me tell you how it will go. Lord Velaryon will urge me to storm the castle walls at first light, grapnels and scaling ladders against arrows and boiling oil. The young mules will think this a splendid notion. Estermont will favor settling down to starve them out, as Tyrell and Redwyne once tried with me. That might take a year, but old mules are patient. And Lord Caron and the others who like to kick will want to take up Ser Cortnay’s gauntlet and hazard all upon a single combat. Each one imagining he will be my champion and win undying fame.” The king finished his water. “What would you have me do, smuggler?”

戴佛斯考慮了一會兒方才回答：“立刻進(jìn)軍君臨艾蓝。”

Davos considered a moment before he answered. “Strike for King’s Landing at once.”

國王不以為然铣揉∪纳睿“難道把風(fēng)息堡留在身后？”

The king snorted. “And leave Storm’s End untaken?”

“科塔奈爵士沒有危害您的實力逛拱。蘭尼斯特家則不同敌厘。圍城所需的時間太長，決斗太冒險朽合，而強攻勢必傷亡慘重俱两，還不見得能拿下。這一切都是不必要的曹步。只待您廢黜喬佛里宪彩，這座城堡，還有整個天下便將順理成章地歸順于您讲婚。我在軍營里聽說尿孔，泰溫·蘭尼斯特公爵為從渴望復(fù)仇的北方人手中拯救蘭尼斯港，業(yè)已揮師西返……”

“Ser Cortnay does not have the power to harm you. The Lannisters do. A siege would take too long, single combat is too chancy, and an assault would cost thousands of lives with no certainty of success. And there is no need. Once you dethrone Joffrey this castle must come to you with all the rest. It is said about the camp that Lord Tywin Lannister rushes west to rescue Lannisport from the vengeance of the northmen …”

“你有個頭腦清醒的父親，戴馮活合〕簦”國王告訴站在身邊的男孩“字福“他讓我覺得留晚，我手下倒該多幾個走私者，少幾個諸侯領(lǐng)主告嘲。但你還是想錯了利害關(guān)系错维，戴佛斯，拿下此城絕對必要赋焕。如果我聽?wèi){風(fēng)息堡就這么不受損害地留在后面轧坎，人們就會議論缸血，就會認(rèn)為我吃了敗仗械筛。而這一點我決不能允許埋哟。人們并不像愛我兩位兄弟一般愛我，他們追隨我只是因為怕我……而失敗是畏懼的毒藥闯狱。此城必須拿下哄孤〈到兀”他磨著牙波俄。“是的捉貌，而且要快。道朗·馬泰爾已經(jīng)征集封臣苍匆，蓄勢待發(fā)棚菊。他不但著手加固山口工事统求，而且多恩大軍正向邊疆地緩慢行進(jìn)。高庭的勢力并未受到多大折損折剃。我弟弟把軍隊主力留在苦橋怕犁，有將近六萬步兵己莺。我派我妻子的兄弟埃倫爵士以及帕門·克連恩爵士前去接管凌受，但至今沒有回音。我懷疑洛拉斯·提利爾爵士搶在他們之前趕到苦橋挠进，掌控了兵權(quán)领突“盖樱”

“You have a passing clever father, Devan,” the king told the boy standing by his elbow. “He makes me wish I had more smugglers in my service. And fewer lords. Though you are wrong in one respect, Davos. There is a need. If I leave Storm’s End untaken in my rear, it will be said I was defeated here. And that I cannot permit. Men do not love me as they loved my brothers. They follow me because they fear me … and defeat is death to fear. The castle must fall.” His jaw ground side to side. “Aye, and quickly. Doran Martell has called his banners and fortified the mountain passes. His Dornishmen are poised to sweep down onto the Marches. And Highgarden is far from spent. My brother left the greater part of his power at Bitterbridge, near sixty thousand foot. I sent my wife’s brother Ser Errol with Ser Parmen Crane to take them under my command, but they have not returned. I fear that Ser Loras Tyrell reached Bitterbridge before my envoys, and took that host for his own.”

“這一切都在敦促我們盡快拿下君臨啊殴泰。薩拉多·桑恩告訴我——”

“All the more reason to take King’s Landing as soon as we may. Salladhor Saan told me—”

“薩拉多·桑恩算計的只有黃金悍汛！”史坦尼斯爆發(fā)了∑准螅“他滿腦子幻想的都是紅堡底下埋藏的財寶昆著。別再讓我聽到他的名字，如果哪天我得讓里斯海盜來教我打仗煤痕，我寧可摘下王冠摆碉，穿上黑衣脓豪！”國王捏緊拳頭扫夜。“走私者堕阔，你是要為我效勞印蔬？還是要跟我作無謂辯論脱衙？”

“Salladhor Saan thinks only of gold!” Stannis exploded. “His head is full of dreams of the treasure he fancies lies under the Red Keep, so let us hear no more of Salladhor Saan. The day I need military counsel from a Lysene brigand is the day I put off my crown and take the black.” The king made a fist. “Are you here to serve me, smuggler? Or to vex me with arguments?”

“我是您的人捐韩，”戴佛斯說荤胁。

“I am yours,” Davos said.

“那就乖乖聽好屎债∨杈裕科塔奈爵士的副手是佛索威家族的遠(yuǎn)親躯喇，梅斗大人硝枉，此人雖是位伯爵領(lǐng)主妻味，卻還年僅二十责球，沒上過戰(zhàn)場拓劝。如果龐洛斯不幸身亡凿将，風(fēng)息堡的指揮權(quán)將落入這小子手中牧抵，他的佛索威親戚們向我保證他會接受我的條件，獻(xiàn)城投降妹孙〈勒”

“Then hear me. Ser Cortnay’s lieutenant is cousin to the Fossoways. Lord Meadows, a green boy of twenty. Should some ill chance strike down Penrose, command of Storm’s End would pass to this stripling, and his cousins believe he would accept my terms and yield up the castle.”

“我記得在危機關(guān)頭嚣崭，風(fēng)息堡的大權(quán)也曾落入另一位小伙子手中雹舀。當(dāng)時他才二十出頭说榆∏┎疲”

“I remember another stripling who was given command of Storm’s End. He could not have been much more than twenty.”

“梅斗伯爵沒有我這個頑固的石腦袋偏塞。”

“Lord Meadows is not as stonehead stubborn as I was.”

“他頑固還是懦弱有什么區(qū)別油宜？科塔奈·龐洛斯爵士在我看來正是容光煥發(fā)慎冤，老當(dāng)益壯蚁堤∨”

“Stubborn or craven, what does it matter? Ser Cortnay Penrose seemed hale and hearty to me.”

“我弟弟當(dāng)初不也一樣呈队，臨死前一天還有說有笑宪摧。然而長夜黑暗几于，處處險惡啊沿彭，戴佛斯∏迫幔”

“So did my brother, the day before his death. The night is dark and full of terrors, Davos.”

戴佛斯·席渥斯感覺后頸一股寒氣直向上冒非剃。“陛下推沸，我不明白您的意思∪耄”

Davos Seaworth felt the small hairs rising on the back of his neck. “My lord, I do not understand you.”

“你不需要明白鬓催。你只需遵令辦事『廾科塔奈爵士會在一天之內(nèi)死去宇驾。梅麗珊卓已經(jīng)在圣火之中預(yù)見了他的死亡猴伶，不僅知道他的死期，而且知道他的死法。不用說站辉，他并非死于騎士決斗√兀”史坦尼斯舉起杯子娇跟，戴馮連忙用水壺倒水苞俘∑蚍猓“她的圣火預(yù)言從無虛假仔戈。從前晋修，她預(yù)見過藍(lán)禮的毀滅户敬，早在龍石島時便見到了忠怖，并告訴了賽麗絲暮胧。瓦列利安大人和你朋友薩拉多·桑恩一直勸我直取喬佛里严卖，然而梅麗珊卓卻說如果我前來風(fēng)息堡来颤，就將贏得我弟弟麾下大軍中的精銳部分项阴。事實證明略荡，她是對的通今。”

“I do not require your understanding. Only your service. Ser Cortnay will be dead within the day. Melisandre has seen it in the flames of the future. His death and the manner of it. He will not die in knightly combat, needless to say.” Stannis held out his cup, and Devan filled it again from the flagon. “Her flames do not lie. She saw Renly’s doom as well. On Dragonstone she saw it, and told Selyse. Lord Velaryon and your friend Salladhor Saan would have had me sail against Joffrey, but Melisandre told me that if I went to Storm’s End, I would win the best part of my brother’s power, and she was right.”

“可——可是狮辽，”戴佛斯結(jié)結(jié)巴巴地說抑月，“藍(lán)禮公爵原本正兵進(jìn)君臨洁仗，討伐蘭尼斯特。若不是您圍困他的城堡，他根本不會前來此地砸捏，他本可以——”

“B-but,” Davos stammered, “Lord Renly only came here because you had laid siege to the castle. He was marching toward King’s Landing before, against the Lannisters, he would have—”

史坦尼斯在座位上挪了挪身子膝藕，皺起眉頭蝗肪。“若不是腊状，本可以映屋，這都是什么話埃仪？他來了就是來了傻丝，事實無從更改。他帶著他的諸侯和桃子前來此地，迎接他的毀滅……這對我來說可謂一箭雙雕茄茁。因為梅麗珊卓曾在圣火中看見另一番景象愈犹。她看見藍(lán)禮全身綠甲自南方殺來梆掸，在君臨城下粉碎了我的軍隊。毫無疑問，如果我在那兒遇上我弟弟，死的就會是我而不是他滋恬⊙猓”

Stannis shifted in his seat, frowning. “Was, would have, what is that? He did what he did. He came here with his banners and his peaches, to his doom … and it was well for me he did. Melisandre saw another day in her flames as well. A morrow where Renly rode out of the south in his green armor to smash my host beneath the walls of King’s Landing. Had I met my brother there, it might have been me who died in place of him.”

“你可以和他合兵一處對抗蘭尼斯特呀杂彭，”戴佛斯辯道团秽，“有何不可夷都？如果她能看見兩種未來，那證明……兩者皆可能為虛啊刑顺∨Γ”

“Or you might have joined your strength to his to bring down the Lannisters,” Davos protested. “Why not that? If she saw two futures, well … both cannot be true.”

國王抬起一根手指能犯。“你錯了犬耻，洋蔥騎士踩晶。光的影子不止一個。你站在篝火前面枕磁，自己瞧瞧去吧渡蜻。火焰變化雀躍计济，從不靜止茸苇，因而影子也時長時短。普普通通一個人便能映出十幾個影子沦寂，只是有的影子比其他的隱約罷了学密。你看，人的未來也是這個道理传藏。但不管他為自己的未來映出了一個還是多個影子腻暮，梅麗珊卓都能看見彤守。”

King Stannis pointed a finger. “There you err, Onion Knight. Some lights cast more than one shadow. Stand before the nightfire and you’ll see for yourself. The flames shift and dance, never still. The shadows grow tall and short, and every man casts a dozen. Some are fainter than others, that’s all. Well, men cast their shadows across the future as well. One shadow or many. Melisandre sees them all.”

“你不喜歡這女人哭靖。我看得出來具垫，戴佛斯，我并不瞎试幽。我手下的諸侯也不喜歡她筝蚕。伊斯蒙不愿意穿著烈焰紅心，他請求為寶冠雄鹿旗而戰(zhàn)抡草。古德則說女人不配作我的掌旗官饰及。還有人竊竊私語說她沒資格列席作戰(zhàn)會議，說我早該把她遣回亞夏康震，說我把她留在營帳過夜是罪過。你看宾濒，他們不停地說閑話……她卻一直在為我辦事腿短。”

“You do not love the woman. I know that, Davos, I am not blind. My lords mislike her too. Estermont thinks the flaming heart ill-chosen and begs to fight beneath the crowned stag as of old. Ser Guyard says a woman should not be my standard-bearer. Others whisper that she has no place in my war councils, that I ought to send her back to Asshai, that it is sinful to keep her in my tent of a night. Aye, they whisper … while she serves.”

“辦什么绘梦？”戴佛斯問橘忱，心里卻很恐懼答案。

“Serves how?” Davos asked, dreading the answer.

“該辦的都辦了卸奉《鄢希”國王望著他￠茫“你呢凝颇？”

“As needed.” The king looked at him. “And you?”

“我……”戴佛斯舔舔嘴唇≌铞“我是您忠誠的仆人拧略。請問您有何差遣？”

“I …” Davos licked his lips. “I am yours to command. What would you have me do?”

“不過是你駕輕就熟的事瘪弓。在漆黑的夜里垫蛆，神不知鬼不覺，讓一條船在城堡下登陸腺怯。辦得到嗎袱饭？”

“Nothing you have not done before. Only land a boat beneath the castle, unseen, in the black of night. Can you do that?”

“是。就在今夜呛占？”

“Yes. Tonight?”

國王略一點頭虑乖，“你只需帶條小船就成，用不著黑貝絲栓票。但此事必須絕對保密决左，不能讓任何人知曉愕够。”

The king gave a curt nod. “You will need a small boat. Not Black Betha. No one must know what you do.”

戴佛斯想抗議佛猛。他現(xiàn)在是騎士惑芭，不再是走私者，更不想當(dāng)刺客继找。但當(dāng)他張嘴遂跟，卻說不出話來。這可是史坦尼斯啊婴渡，他公正的君王幻锁，他今日擁有的一切都是他所賜予。再說边臼，他還得為兒子們著想哄尔。諸神在上，她到底對他做了什么澳ⅰ岭接？

Davos wanted to protest. He was a knight now, no longer a smuggler, and he had never been an assassin. Yet when he opened his mouth, the words would not come. This was Stannis, his just lord, to whom he owed all he was. And he had his sons to consider as well. Gods be good, what has she done to him?

“你很沉默，”史坦尼斯評論臼予。

“You are quiet,” Stannis observed.

我應(yīng)當(dāng)保持沉默鸣戴，戴佛斯提醒自己，但他管不住嘴巴：“陛下粘拾，您必須拿下此城窄锅，我現(xiàn)在明白了，可還有別的辦法缰雇。更干凈的辦法入偷。就讓科塔奈爵士保有那私生男孩吧，如此寓涨，他一定會投降盯串。”

And should remain so, Davos told himself, yet instead he said, “My liege, you must have the castle, I see that now, but surely there are other ways. Cleaner ways. Let Ser Cortnay keep the bastard boy and he may well yield.”

“我非留下孩子不可戒良，戴佛斯体捏。非留不可。這關(guān)系著梅麗珊卓在圣火中看到的另一番情景糯崎〖哥裕”

“I must have the boy, Davos. Must. Melisandre has seen that in the flames as well.”

戴佛斯不放棄：“說實話，風(fēng)息堡里的騎士沒一個敵得過古德爵士或卡倫大人沃呢，您手下還有另外上百名出色的騎士年栓。這次決斗提議……會不會是科塔奈爵士打算以某種榮譽的方式投降呢？通過犧牲自己的生命薄霜？”

Davos groped for some other answer. “Storm’s End holds no knight who can match Ser Guyard or Lord Caron, or any of a hundred others sworn to your service. This single combat … could it be that Ser Cortnay seeks for a way to yield with honor? Even if it means his own life?”

國王臉上掠過一絲煩亂的神情某抓，好似席卷的風(fēng)暴纸兔。“只怕他想耍什么花招否副『嚎螅總而言之，不會有決斗备禀≈弈矗科塔奈爵士早在扔出手套前就注定一死。圣火之中沒有謊言曲尸，戴佛斯赋续。”

A troubled look crossed the king’s face like a passing cloud. “More like he plans some treachery. There will be no combat of champions. Ser Cortnay was dead before he ever threw that glove. The flames do not lie, Davos.”

雖然如此另患，卻需假手于我來讓它實現(xiàn)纽乱，他心想。戴佛斯·席渥斯已經(jīng)很久很久沒有這么悲哀了昆箕。

Yet they require me to make them true, he thought. It had been a long time since Davos Seaworth felt so sad.

于是迫淹，他再一次在熟悉的黑夜里穿越破船灣的洋面，駕著一條黑帆小船为严。天還是一樣的天，海還是一樣的海肺稀，空氣中是同樣的鹽味第股，連流水敲打船殼的聲響也一如既往。城堡四周话原，包圍著上千堆閃爍的營火夕吻。此情此景，和十六年前提利爾與雷德溫圍城時何其相似繁仁，然而區(qū)別又可謂天差地遠(yuǎn)涉馅。

And so it was that he found himself once more crossing Shipbreaker Bay in the dark of night, steering a tiny boat with a black sail. The sky was the same, and the sea. The same salt smell was in the air, and the water chuckling against the hull was just as he remembered it. A thousand flickering campfires burned around the castle, as the fires of the Tyrells and Redwynes had sixteen years before. But all the rest was different.

上次我來風(fēng)息堡，帶來了洋蔥黄虱，帶來了生命稚矿；這一次，我?guī)韥喯牡拿符惿鹤磕砥郑瑤淼氖撬劳鑫畲АＳ浀檬昵埃谖蓙y的海風(fēng)吹拂下朱灿，船帆劈啪作響昧识、噪聲不止，最后他只得下令降帆盗扒，依靠沉靜地?fù)u槳跪楞，偷偷摸摸地靠近缀去，心提到了嗓子眼。好在雷德溫艦隊的士兵因為無仗可打甸祭，早已松懈下來缕碎，他們才得以如柔順的黑緞般摸過警戒線。而這一次淋叶，放眼四望阎曹，所有的船只都屬于史坦尼斯，惟一的危險是城上的哨兵煞檩。即使如此处嫌，戴佛斯依然緊張得像拉滿的弓弦。

The last time it was life I brought to Storm’s End, shaped to look like onions. This time it is death, in the shape of Melisandre of Asshai. Sixteen years ago, the sails had cracked and snapped with every shift of wind, until he’d pulled them down and gone on with muffled oars. Even so, his heart had been in his gullet. The men on the Redwyne galleys had grown lax after so long, however, and they had slipped through the cordon smooth as black satin. This time, the only ships in sight belonged to Stannis, and the only danger would come from watchers on the castle walls. Even so, Davos was taut as a bowstring.

梅麗珊卓蜷縮在橫板上斟湃，從頭到腳罩著一件暗紅色的斗篷熏迹，兜帽遮掩下的臉龐一片蒼白。戴佛斯喜歡流水：每當(dāng)躺在搖晃的甲板上凝赛，他便容易入眠注暗，而海風(fēng)刮在索具上發(fā)出的嘆息，在他聽來遠(yuǎn)比歌手在琴弦上撥出的曲調(diào)甜美墓猎。然而捆昏，今夜連大海也無法給他安慰”姓矗“我聞到你身上的恐懼骗卜，爵士先生，”紅袍女輕柔地說左胞。

Melisandre huddled upon a thwart, lost in the folds of a dark red cloak that covered her from head to heels, her face a paleness beneath the cowl. Davos loved the water. He slept best when he had a deck rocking beneath him, and the sighing of the wind in his rigging was a sweeter sound to him than any a singer could make with his harp strings. Even the sea brought him no comfort tonight, though. “I can smell the fear on you, ser knight,” the red woman said softly.

“那是因為有人剛告訴我寇仓，長夜黑暗，處處險惡烤宙。此外遍烦，今夜我不是騎士，今夜我再度成為了走私者戴佛斯躺枕，而您則是我的洋蔥服猪。”

“Someone once told me the night is dark and full of terrors. And tonight I am no knight. Tonight I am Davos the smuggler again. Would that you were an onion.”

她大笑屯远÷Γ“你怕的是我？還是我們的差事慨丐？”

She laughed. “Is it me you fear? Or what we do?”

“這是您的差事坡脐。跟我一點關(guān)系也沒有》拷遥”

“What you do. I’ll have no part of it.”

“不對备闲，帆是你張晌端，舵是你掌√裆埃”

“Your hand raised the sail. Your hand holds the tiller.”

戴佛斯默然無語咧纠，將注意力移向船只。岸邊是團團糾結(jié)的巖石泻骤，所以他先讓船遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)地駛?cè)牒称岣幔荛_礁石。他在等待潮汛變更狱掂，才好轉(zhuǎn)變方向演痒。風(fēng)息堡在他們身后越縮越小，但紅袍女似乎并不在意趋惨∧袼常“你是好人嗎，戴佛斯·席渥斯器虾？”她問讯嫂。

Silent, Davos tended to his course. The shore was a snarl of rocks, so he was taking them well out across the bay. He would wait for the tide to turn before coming about. Storm’s End dwindled behind them, but the red woman seemed unconcerned. “Are you a good man, Davos Seaworth?” she asked.

好人會干這種事？“我是個男人兆沙，”他說欧芽，“我對我妻子很好，但也結(jié)識過別的女人葛圃。我努力當(dāng)個好父親渐裸，為我的孩子們在這個世界爭取一席之地。是的装悲，我曾經(jīng)觸犯過諸多律法，但今夜我才首度感覺罪惡尚氛。我只能說我是個復(fù)雜的人诀诊，夫人，我身上有好也有壞阅嘶∈舭辏”

Would a good man be doing this? “I am a man,” he said. “I am kind to my wife, but I have known other women. I have tried to be a father to my sons, to help make them a place in this world. Aye, I’ve broken laws, but I never felt evil until tonight. I would say my parts are mixed, m’lady. Good and bad.”

“你是個灰色的人，”她說讯柔，“既不黑也不白抡蛙，兩者兼而有之。是這樣嗎魂迄，戴佛斯爵士粗截？”

“A grey man,” she said. “Neither white nor black, but partaking of both. Is that what you are, Ser Davos?”

“就算是吧，那又怎樣捣炬？在我看來熊昌，世上大多數(shù)人都是如此绽榛。”

“What if I am? It seems to me that most men are grey.”

“如果洋蔥有一半腐爛發(fā)黑婿屹，那便是顆壞洋蔥灭美。一個男人要不當(dāng)好人，那就是惡人昂利〗旄”

“If half of an onion is black with rot, it is a rotten onion. A man is good, or he is evil.”

身后的篝火已融入夜空之中，成為遠(yuǎn)方模糊的斑點蜂奸，陸地幾乎要消失不見犁苏。回頭的時候到了窝撵】耍“當(dāng)心您的頭，夫人碌奉《淘”他推動舵柄，小船頓時轉(zhuǎn)了個圈赐劣，掀起一陣黑浪嫉拐。梅麗珊卓低頭避開，一手扶在船舷魁兼，冷靜如常婉徘。木頭輕響，帆布搖蕩咐汞，波浪四濺盖呼，發(fā)出刺耳的聲音，換作別人一定認(rèn)為城里的人將要聽見化撕，但戴佛斯并不慌張几晤。他明白，能穿越風(fēng)息堡碩大無朋的臨海城墻的植阴，惟有千鈞浪濤在巖石上永無止境的拍打蟹瘾，即使是如此巨響，傳到城內(nèi)時也幾不可聞掠手。

The fires behind them had melted into one vague glow against the black sky, and the land was almost out of sight. It was time to come about. “Watch your head, my lady.” He pushed on the tiller, and the small boat threw up a curl of black water as she turned. Melisandre leaned under the swinging yard, one hand on the gunwale, calm as ever. Wood creaked, canvas cracked, and water splashed, so loudly a man might swear the castle was sure to hear. Davos knew better. The endless crash of wave on rock was the only sound that ever penetrated the massive seaward walls of Storm’s End, and that but faintly.

他們朝海岸駛回去憾朴，一道分叉的漣漪在船后尾隨∨绺耄“您剛才說到男人和洋蔥众雷，”戴佛斯對梅麗珊卓道，“那女人呢？她們不也一樣报腔？敢問夫人株搔，您是好人還是壞人？”

A rippling wake spread out behind as they swung back toward the shore. “You speak of men and onions,” Davos said to Melisandre. “What of women? Is it not the same for them? Are you good or evil, my lady?”

這話惹得她咯咯直笑纯蛾∠朔浚“噢，問得好翻诉。親愛的爵士先生炮姨，從我的角度而言，我也算某種形式的騎士碰煌。我是光明與生命的斗士舒岸。”

That made her chuckle. “Oh, good. I am a knight of sorts myself, sweet ser. A champion of light and life.”

“然而今夜你卻要殺人芦圾，”他說蛾派，“正如你殺了克禮森學(xué)士「錾伲”

“Yet you mean to kill a man tonight,” he said. “As you killed Maester Cressen.”

“你家學(xué)士自己毒死了自己洪乍。是他打算害我，然而我有偉大的力量保護夜焦，他卻沒有壳澳。”

“Your maester poisoned himself. He meant to poison me, but I was protected by a greater power and he was not.”

“那藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩呢茫经？誰殺了他巷波？”

“And Renly Baratheon? Who was it who killed him?”

她別開頭。在兜帽的陰影下卸伞，她的雙目如淺紅的燃燭一般炯炯發(fā)亮抹镊。“不是我荤傲∷杩迹”

Her head turned. Beneath the shadow of the cowl, her eyes burned like pale red candle flames. “Not I.”

“說慌∑茫”這下他確定了。

“Liar.” Davos was certain now.

梅麗珊卓再度大笑儡炼〖讼妫“戴佛斯爵士啊，你正迷失于黑暗與混亂之中呢乌询“裉”

Melisandre laughed again. “You are lost in darkness and confusion, Ser Davos.”

“那未嘗不是件好事。”戴佛斯指指前方風(fēng)息堡上飄渺搖曳的亮光唬党【楣玻“您感覺到寒風(fēng)有多凄冷嗎？在這樣的夜里驶拱，衛(wèi)兵們會擠在火炬邊霜浴。一點點的溫暖，一絲絲的亮光蓝纲，就是他們所能希求的惟一慰藉阴孟。然而火把也令他們盲目，因此他們將不能發(fā)現(xiàn)我們的行跡税迷∮浪浚”希望如此〖“暗之神正保護著我們慕嚷，夫人。保護著您毕泌『燃欤”

“And a good thing.” Davos gestured at the distant lights flickering along the walls of Storm’s End. “Feel how cold the wind is? The guards will huddle close to those torches. A little warmth, a little light, they’re a comfort on a night like this. Yet that will blind them, so they will not see us pass.” I hope. “The god of darkness protects us now, my lady. Even you.”

聽罷此言，她眼中火光更盛懈词∩咭“千萬別提起這個名諱，爵士坎弯。別讓他黑暗的眼睛注意到我們纺涤。他并不保護任何人，我向你保證抠忘，他是所有生物的公敵撩炊。你自己剛才也說了，隱蔽我們的是那些火炬崎脉∨】龋火。這是真主光之王明亮的禮物囚灼÷嫦ィ”

The flames of her eyes seemed to burn a little brighter at that. “Speak not that name, ser. Lest you draw his black eye upon us. He protects no man, I promise you. He is the enemy of all that lives. It is the torches that hide us, you have said so yourself. Fire. The bright gift of the Lord of Light.”

“您怎么理解都好≡钐澹”

“Have it your way.”

“這不是我的理解阅签，這是真主無上的意旨⌒椋”

“His way, rather.”

風(fēng)向在變政钟，戴佛斯覺察得出，更看見黑帆上的波紋。于是他拉住升降索养交，“請幫我收帆精算。剩下的路我劃過去∷榱”

The wind was shifting, Davos could feel it, see it in the way the black canvas rippled. He reached for the halyards. “Help me bring in the sail. I’ll row us the rest of the way.”

他們合力將帆系好灰羽，小船則搖個不休。戴佛斯搖起槳來破花，在起伏的黑浪中前進(jìn)谦趣。須臾，他開口道：“誰送您去藍(lán)禮那兒的前鹅？”

Together they tied off the sail as the boat rocked beneath them. As Davos unshipped the oars and slid them into the choppy black water, he said, “Who rowed you to Renly?”

“沒必要送，”她說峭梳，“他根本毫無防護。然而此地……這座風(fēng)息堡是個古老的地方驳概。巨石之中編織著魔法果录，影子不能穿過黑墻——是的琉苇，這里的力量或許古老肴熏，或許被遺忘顷窒，然而仍舊留存蛙吏。”

“There was no need,” she said. “He was unprotected. But here … this Storm’s End is an old place. There are spells woven into the stones. Dark walls that no shadow can pass—ancient, forgotten, yet still in place.”

“影子鞋吉？”戴佛斯渾身起了雞皮疙瘩鸦做。“影子本就是黑暗的事物谓着∑糜眨”

“Shadow?” Davos felt his flesh prickling. “A shadow is a thing of darkness.”

“你簡直比三歲孩童還無知，爵士先生赊锚。黑暗中是沒有影子的治筒。影子是光明的仆人，烈焰的子孫改抡。惟有最耀眼的火光矢炼，方能映照出最黑暗的陰影“⑾耍”

“You are more ignorant than a child, ser knight. There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows.”

戴佛斯皺起眉頭句灌，示意她靜聲。他們已再次接近陸地欠拾，聲音很容易被對面聽到胰锌。他配合波濤的節(jié)律，持續(xù)劃水藐窄。風(fēng)息堡的臨海墻棲息在一片蒼白的懸崖上资昧，傾斜而險峻的白堊石壁幾乎是外墻的兩倍高。山崖低部有個口子荆忍，那里正是戴佛斯的目的地格带，一如他十六年前之所為撤缴。這個隧道直通向城堡下的洞穴，那是古代列位風(fēng)暴之王的碼頭叽唱。

Frowning, Davos hushed her then. They were coming close to shore once more, and voices carried across the water. He rowed, the faint sound of his oars lost in the rhythm of the waves. The seaward side of Storm’s End perched upon a pale white cliff, the chalky stone sloping up steeply to half again the height of the massive curtain wall. A mouth yawned in the cliff, and it was that Davos steered for, as he had sixteen years before. The tunnel opened on a cavern under the castle, where the storm lords of old had built their landing.

這條路很難走屈呕，只在潮水高漲時才可航行，即使如此棺亭，其中也是危險重重虎眨。然而他在走私生涯中學(xué)來的技巧仍舊不減當(dāng)年。戴佛斯在參差不齊的亂石中靈巧地挑選道路镶摘，直到洞穴入口籠罩在眼前嗽桩。他聽?wèi){波濤引領(lǐng)入洞。它們環(huán)繞著來客凄敢，撞擊著來客碌冶，將小船掀得東倒西歪，把他們?nèi)斫窆蔽础Ｒ粔K礁石如忽隱忽現(xiàn)的手指种樱，在陰沉的暗流中浮現(xiàn)，白沫糾結(jié)俊卤，然而戴佛斯用槳靈巧一撥嫩挤，避開了危機。

The passage was navigable only during high tide, and was never less than treacherous, but his smuggler’s skills had not deserted him. Davos threaded their way deftly between the jagged rocks until the cave mouth loomed up before them. He let the waves carry them inside. They crashed around him, slamming the boat this way and that and soaking them to the skin. A half-seen finger of rock came rushing up out of the gloom, snarling foam, and Davos barely kept them off it with an oar.

然后他們便進(jìn)了洞消恍，被黑暗所吞沒岂昭，連流水也沉靜。小船慢下來狠怨，緩緩打轉(zhuǎn)约啊。他們的呼吸聲在洞中回蕩，直到將他們完全包圍佣赖。戴佛斯沒想到這么黑恰矩。上次來時，整個隧道插滿燃燒的火把憎蛤，饑餓的人們從頂上的殺人洞目不轉(zhuǎn)睛地瞅著下面外傅。他記得，閘門就在前方某處俩檬，于是用槳放慢船速萎胰，槳邊的水流出奇地溫柔。

Then they were past, engulfed in darkness, and the waters smoothed. The little boat slowed and swirled. The sound of their breathing echoed until it seemed to surround them. Davos had not expected the blackness. The last time, torches had burned all along the tunnel, and the eyes of starving men had peered down through the murder holes in the ceiling. The portcullis was somewhere ahead, he knew. Davos used the oars to slow them, and they drifted against it almost gently.

“除非您有內(nèi)應(yīng)開門棚辽，否則我們只能到這兒了技竟。”他的低語聲在水面掠過屈藐，劃開一波紋路榔组，猶如一只幼鼠伸出粉紅色的小腳熙尉，在水中疾步奔跑。

“This is as far as we go, unless you have a man inside to lift the gate for us.” His whispers scurried across the lapping water like a line of mice on soft pink feet.

“我們已在墻內(nèi)了嗎搓扯？”

“Have we passed within the walls?”

“是的骡尽。我們在城堡下方，但無法繼續(xù)前進(jìn)擅编。前方的閘門從天頂一直插到水底，門上的鐵條十分緊密箫踩，就連小孩子也擠不過爱态。”

“Yes. Beneath. But we can go no farther. The portcullis goes all the way to the bottom. And the bars are too closely spaced for even a child to squeeze through.”

沒有回答境钟，只有一陣輕柔的瑟瑟聲锦担。突然之間，黑暗中出現(xiàn)了一道光芒慨削。

There was no answer but a soft rustling. And then a light bloomed amidst the darkness.

戴佛斯伸手遮眼洞渔，喘不過氣。梅麗珊卓掀開兜帽缚态，抖掉一身緊密的斗篷磁椒。原來她什么也沒有穿，由于懷了孩子玫芦，肚腹鼓脹浆熔。腫脹的乳房沉甸甸地懸在胸前，肚子大得像要爆裂桥帆∫皆觯“諸神保佑老虫，”他呢喃道叶骨，隨即聽到她淺笑著回應(yīng)，聲音低沉而沙啞祈匙。她的眼睛如火紅的煤炭忽刽，皮膚上斑斑點點的汗珠好似能自我發(fā)光。哦菊卷，整個梅麗珊卓通體放光缔恳。

Davos raised a hand to shield his eyes, and his breath caught in his throat. Melisandre had thrown back her cowl and shrugged out of the smothering robe. Beneath, she was naked, and huge with child. Swollen breasts hung heavy against her chest, and her belly bulged as if near to bursting. “Gods preserve us,” he whispered, and heard her answering laugh, deep and throaty. Her eyes were hot coals, and the sweat that dappled her skin seemed to glow with a light of its own. Melisandre shone.

她喘著粗氣，蹲下來洁闰，分開雙腿歉甚。血液不住從她股間涌出，卻黑如墨汁扑眉。她哭喊纸泄，說不出是痛苦還是狂熱赖钞，又或兼而有之。不一會兒聘裁，戴佛斯看見戴王冠的小孩頭顱自她體內(nèi)掙扎擠出雪营，接著是兩只手，它們扭動衡便、抓握献起，黑色的手指緊緊攫住梅麗珊卓血流不止的大腿，推镣陕，推谴餐，直到整個影子都進(jìn)入到這個世界。他站起來呆抑，比戴佛斯還高岂嗓，幾乎觸到隧道的頂部，好似小船上的一座巨塔鹊碍。在他離開之前厌殉，戴佛斯只來得及看上一眼——陰影從閘門的鐵條間穿出，朝前方的水面飛奔而去——然而這一眼侈咕，對他來說公罕，已經(jīng)綽綽有余。

Panting, she squatted and spread her legs. Blood ran down her thighs, black as ink. Her cry might have been agony or ecstasy or both. And Davos saw the crown of the child’s head push its way out of her. Two arms wriggled free, grasping, black fingers coiling around Melisandre’s straining thighs, pushing, until the whole of the shadow slid out into the world and rose taller than Davos, tall as the tunnel, towering above the boat. He had only an instant to look at it before it was gone, twisting between the bars of the portcullis and racing across the surface of the water, but that instant was long enough.

他認(rèn)得這影子耀销，認(rèn)得映出影子的那個人熏兄。

He knew that shadow. As he knew the man who’d cast it.