JON

瓊恩

?? The mare whickered softly as Jon Snowtightened the cinch. “Easy, sweet lady,” he said in a soft voice, quieting herwith a touch. Wind whispered through the stable, a cold dead breath on hisface, but Jon paid it no mind. He strapped his roll to the saddle, his scarredfingers stiff and clumsy. “Ghost,” he called softly, “to me.” And the wolf wasthere, eyes like embers.

恩·雪諾扎緊馬鞍上的皮帶盟广，母馬則輕聲嘶叫烹吵⌒饨颍“好女孩琼梆，別怕蛤袒，”他輕聲安撫它。寒風(fēng)在馬廄間細語，宛如迎面襲擊來的冰冷死氣执隧，但瓊恩未加理會。他把鋪蓋捆上馬鞍腊徙，結(jié)疤的手指僵硬而笨拙昧穿。“白靈饰潜，”他輕聲呼喚，“過來薯酝。”狼立刻出現(xiàn)做葵，雙眼如兩團火燼酿矢。

?? “Jon, please. You must not do this.”

“瓊恩蜜暑，求求你，別這樣篇梭。”

?? He mounted, the reins in his hand, andwheeled the horse around to face the night. Samwell Tarly stood in the stabledoor, a full moon peering over his shoulder. He threw a giant’s shadow, immenseand black. “Get out of my way, Sam.”

他騎上馬袍患，握緊韁繩，策馬轉(zhuǎn)頭肆良，面對黑夜惹恃。山姆威爾·塔利站在馬廄門口，一輪滿月從他肩膀后照進参淹，灑下一道巨人般的影子，碩大而黑暗∈独玻“山姆家妆，別擋道∩谄海”

?? “Jon, you can’t,” Sam said. “I won’t letyou.”

“瓊恩，你不能這樣一走了之忿偷，”山姆說鲤桥，“我不會放你走』弁”

?? “I would sooner not hurt you,” Jon told him.“Move aside, Sam, or I’ll ride you down.”

“我不想傷害你，”瓊恩告訴他饱普，“山姆，你走開冯袍，不然我就踩過去儡循。”

?? “You won’t. You have to listen to me.Please?.?.?.?”

“你不會的肴捉。聽我說，求求你……”

?? Jon put his spurs to horseflesh, and themare bolted for the door. For an instant Sam stood his ground, his face asround and pale as the moon behind him, his mouth a widening O of surprise. Atthe last moment, when they were almost on him, he jumped aside as Jon had knownhe would, stumbled, and fell. The mare leapt over him, out into the night.

瓊恩雙腳一踢缤灵，母馬立即朝門飛奔而去。剎那間胚嘲，山姆站在原地，臉龐如同身后那輪滿月般又圓又白妓雾，嘴巴驚訝地張成一個大圓。就在人馬即將撞上的最后一刻楷拳，他跳了開去，并如瓊恩所預(yù)料地她混，步履踉蹌棵磷，跌倒在地沉桌。母馬跳過他佃扼，沖進黑夜。

?? Jon raised the hood of his heavy cloak andgave the horse her head. Castle Black was silent and still as he rode out, withGhost racing at his side. Men watched from the Wall behind him, he knew, buttheir eyes were turned north, not south. No one would see him go, no one butSam Tarly, struggling back to his feet in the dust of the old stables. He hopedSam hadn’t hurt himself, falling like that. He was so heavy and so ungainly, itwould be just like him to break a wrist or twist his ankle getting out of theway. “I warned him,” Jon said aloud. “It was nothing to do with him, anyway.”He flexed his burned hand as he rode, opening and closing the scarred fingers.They still pained him, but it felt good to have the wrappings off.

瓊恩掀起厚重斗篷的兜帽瘤运，拍拍母馬的頭。他騎馬離開靜謐的黑城堡郁季，白靈緊隨在旁。他知道身后的長城上有人值守年柠，但他們面朝極北，而非南方派近。除了正從馬廄的泥地上掙扎起身的山姆·塔利，不會有人見到他離去谱轨。眼看山姆摔成那樣诗茎，瓊恩暗自希望他沒事才好。他那么肥胖楚午，手腳又笨拙矾柜，很可能因此摔斷手腕，或扭到腳踝饮睬。“我警告過他了昼丑，”瓊恩大聲說，“而且本來就不干他的事呼奢。”他一邊騎禀综，一邊活動自己灼傷的手孤澎，結(jié)疤的指頭開開闔闔。疼痛依舊姐扮，不過取掉繃帶后的感覺真好。

?? Moonlight silvered the hills as he followedthe twisting ribbon of the kingsroad. He needed to get as far from the Wall ashe could before they realized he was gone. On the morrow he would leave theroad and strike out overland through field and bush and stream to throw offpursuit, but for the moment speed was more important than deception. It was notas though they would not guess where he was going.

他沿著蝴蝶結(jié)般蜿蜒的國王大道飛奔，月光將附近的丘陵灑成一片銀白忧换。他得在計劃被人發(fā)覺前盡可能地遠離長城亚茬。等到明天，他將被迫離開道路梢夯，穿越田野、樹叢和溪流以擺脫追兵人乓，但眼下速度比掩護更重要。畢竟他的目的地顯而易見保屯。

?? The Old Bear was accustomed to rise at firstlight, so Jon had until dawn to put as many leagues as he could between him andthe Wall?.?.?.?if Sam Tarly did not betray him. The fat boy was dutiful andeasily frightened, but he loved Jon like a brother. If questioned, Sam woulddoubtless tell them the truth, but Jon could not imagine him braving the guardsin front of the King’s Tower to wake Mormont from sleep.

熊老習(xí)慣黎明起床竟终，所以瓊恩至少還有天亮前的時間，用來盡量拉開與長城間的距離……假定山姆·塔利沒有背叛他喘鸟。胖男孩雖然盡忠職守，且膽子又小愕把，但他把瓊恩當親兄弟看待。若是被人問起橘蜜，山姆肯定會說出實情，不過瓊恩不認為他有那個勇氣棒搜，敢大半夜去找國王塔的守衛(wèi)，把莫爾蒙吵醒克蚂。

?? When Jon did not appear to fetch the OldBear’s breakfast from the kitchen, they’d look in his cell and find Longclaw onthe bed. It had been hard to abandon it, but Jon was not so lost to honor as totake it with him. Even Jorah Mormont had not done that, when he fled indisgrace. Doubtless Lord Mormont would find someone more worthy of the blade.Jon felt bad when he thought of the old man. He knew his desertion would besalt in the still-raw wound of his son’s disgrace. That seemed a poor way torepay him for his trust, but it couldn’t be helped. No matter what he did, Jonfelt as though he were betraying someone.

等到明天埃叭，發(fā)現(xiàn)瓊恩沒去廚房幫熊老端早餐立镶，大家便會到寢室來查找，隨后看到孤零零躺在床上的長爪缭召。留下那把寶劍很不容易，但瓊恩還不至于恬不知恥地將它帶走。就連喬拉·莫爾蒙亡命天涯前噩死，也沒有這么做已日。莫爾蒙司令一定能找到更適合佩帶那把劍的人飘千。想起老人哥纫，瓊恩心里很不好受厌秒。他知道自己這樣棄營逃跑，無異是在總司令喪子之痛上灑鹽蚌讼。想到他對自己如此信任芥喇，這實在是忘恩負義的作法，但他別無選擇湿诊。不管怎么做，瓊恩都會背叛某個人。

?? Even now, he did not know if he was doingthe honorable thing. The southron had it easier. They had their septons to talkto, someone to tell them the gods’ will and help sort out right from wrong. Butthe Starks worshiped the old gods, the nameless gods, and if the heart treesheard, they did not speak.

即使到了現(xiàn)在，他依舊不知自己的做法是否榮譽忆植。南方人的作派比較簡單蜈缤，他們有修士可供咨詢，由他們傳達諸神意旨趾徽，協(xié)助理清對錯奶陈。然而史塔克家族信奉的是無名古神，心樹就算聽見了附较，也不會言語吃粒。

?? When the last lights of Castle Blackvanished behind him, Jon slowed his mare to a walk. He had a long journey aheadand only the one horse to see him through. There were holdfasts and farmingvillages along the road south where he might be able to trade the mare for afresh mount when he needed one, but not if she were injured or blown.

當黑城堡的最后一絲燈火消失在身后，瓊恩便放慢速度拒课，讓母馬緩步而行。眼前還有漫漫長路臀脏，他卻只有這匹馬可供依憑余境。往南的路上挎袜，沿途都有村莊農(nóng)舍蚪燕，如有必要，他可以和他們交換新的馬匹，不過若是母馬受傷或癱倒在地就不成了鹦马。

?? He would need to find new clothes soon; mostlike, he’d need to steal them. He was clad in black from head to heel; highleather riding boots, roughspun breeches and tunic, sleeveless leather jerkin,and heavy wool cloak. His longsword and dagger were sheathed in black moleskin,and the hauberk and coif in his saddlebag were black ringmail. Any bit of itcould mean his death if he were taken. A stranger wearing black was viewed withcold suspicion in every village and holdfast north of the Neck, and men wouldsoon be watching for him. Once Maester Aemon’s ravens took flight, Jon knew hewould find no safe haven. Not even at Winterfell. Bran might want to let himin, but Maester Luwin had better sense. He would bar the gates and send Jonaway, as he should. Better not to call there at all.

他得盡快找到新衣服遇绞，恐怕還只能去偷蚜迅。眼下的他從頭到腳都是黑色：高統(tǒng)黑皮革馬靴，粗布黑長褲黑外衣侦另，無袖黑皮革背心浇辜，厚重的黑羊毛披風(fēng)。長劍和匕首包在黑鞘里鬼吵，鞍袋里則是黑環(huán)甲和頭盔。如果他被捕胰耗，這每一件都足以致他于死地突委。在頸澤以北弛车，任何穿黑衣的陌生人進了村舍莊園挑随，都會被投以冷漠的懷疑眼光与倡，并遭到監(jiān)視氯庆。而一旦伊蒙師傅的渡鴉送出消息，自己便再也找不到容身之所，即便臨冬城也一樣婉弹。布蘭或許會放他進城税课，但魯溫師傅很清楚該怎么做寞焙，他會履行職責涮阔，關(guān)上城門历筝，把瓊恩趕走者娱。所以，打一開始他就沒動臨冬城的主意裙犹。

?? Yet he saw the castle clear in his mind’seye, as if he had left it only yesterday; the towering granite walls, the GreatHall with its smells of smoke and dog and roasting meat, his father’s solar,the turret room where he had slept. Part of him wanted nothing so much as tohear Bran laugh again, to sup on one of Gage’s beef-and-bacon pies, to listento Old Nan tell her tales of the children of the forest and Florian the Fool.

雖然如此憾股，在他腦海里，卻能清晰地見到城堡的影像，仿佛昨天才剛離開：高聳的大理石墻缀雳；香氣四溢莹痢、煙霧彌漫的城堡大廳，里面到處是亂跑的狗上忍；父親的書房骤肛；自己在塔樓上的臥室。在他心底的某一部分窍蓝，只想再瞧瞧布蘭的歡笑腋颠，再吃一個蓋奇做的牛肉培根派，再聽老奶媽說關(guān)于森林之子和傻瓜佛羅理安的故事它抱。

?? But he had not left the Wall for that; hehad left because he was after all his father’s son, and Robb’s brother. Thegift of a sword, even a sword as fine as Longclaw, did not make him a Mormont.Nor was he Aemon Targaryen. Three times the old man had chosen, and three timeshe had chosen honor, but that was him. Even now, Jon could not decide whetherthe maester had stayed because he was weak and craven, or because he was strongand true. Yet he understood what the old man had meant, about the pain ofchoosing; he understood that all too well.

可是，他并非因為這些才離開長城：他之所以離開朴艰，只因為他是父親的兒子观蓄，羅柏的兄弟。他不會因為別人送他一把劍祠墅，即便像長爪那么好的劍侮穿，就變成莫爾蒙家族的人。他也不是伊蒙·坦格利安毁嗦。老人做了三次抉擇亲茅，三次都選擇了榮譽，但那是他狗准。即便現(xiàn)在克锣，瓊恩還是不敢確定，老學(xué)士做出那樣的選擇腔长，究竟是因為懦弱無力袭祟，還是因為心地堅強、忠于職守捞附。但無論如何巾乳，他了解老人的困惑，關(guān)于抉擇的痛苦鸟召，他太了解了胆绊。

?? Tyrion Lannister had claimed that most menwould rather deny a hard truth than face it, but Jon was done with denials. Hewas who he was; Jon Snow, bastard and oathbreaker, motherless, friendless, anddamned. For the rest of his life, however long that might be, he would becondemned to be an outsider, the silent man standing in the shadows who daresnot speak his true name. Wherever he might go throughout the Seven Kingdoms, hewould need to live a lie, lest every man’s hand be raised against him. But itmade no matter, so long as he lived long enough to take his place by hisbrother’s side and help avenge his father.

提利昂·蘭尼斯特曾說：多數(shù)人寧可否認事實，也不愿面對真相欧募，但瓊恩已經(jīng)想透了種種磨難压状。他清楚地知道自己是誰：他是瓊恩·雪諾，不但是私生子跟继，更是背離誓約的逃兵何缓，既無母親肢础，亦無朋友，將遭天譴碌廓。終其一生——不論他這一生能有多長——都將被迫流浪传轰，成為陰影中沉默的孤民，不敢說出真名谷婆。無論走到七國何處慨蛙，必將生活在謊言之中，否則別人會對他群起而攻之纪挎。但是期贫，只要他能與兄弟并肩作戰(zhàn)，為父親報仇雪恨异袄，所有這些都無足輕重通砍。

?? He remembered Robb as he had last seen him,standing in the yard with snow melting in his auburn hair. Jon would have tocome to him in secret, disguised. He tried to imagine the look on Robb’s facewhen he revealed himself. His brother would shake his head and smile, and he’dsay?.?.?.?he’d say?.?.?.?

他記得自己最后一次見到羅柏的情景。當時羅柏站在廣場上烤蜕，紅褐頭發(fā)間雪花融化封孙。如今瓊恩可能必須易容之后，才能偷偷去見他讽营。他試著想像當自己揭開真面目時虎忌，羅柏臉上會是什么表情。他的兄弟會搖搖頭橱鹏，面露微笑膜蠢，然后他說……他會說……

?? He could not see the smile. Hard as hetried, he could not see it. He found himself thinking of the deserter hisfather had beheaded the day they’d found the direwolves. “You said the words,”Lord Eddard had told him. “You took a vow, before your brothers, before the oldgods and the new.” Desmond and Fat Tom had dragged the man to the stump. Bran’seyes had been wide as saucers, and Jon had to remind him to keep his pony inhand. He remembered the look on Father’s face when Theon Greyjoy brought forthIce, the spray of blood on the snow, the way Theon had kicked the head when itcame rolling at his feet.

他拼湊不出那抹微笑，無論怎么努力莉兰，就是想不出來挑围。他反而不自覺地想起他們找到冰原狼那天，被父親砍頭的逃兵糖荒√叭牵“你立下了誓言，”艾德公爵告訴那人寂嘉，“你在你的弟兄們以及新舊諸神面前立下了誓約奏瞬。”戴斯蒙和胖湯姆把逃兵拖到木樁前泉孩。布蘭的眼睛睜得像盤子硼端，瓊恩還特意提醒他別讓小馬亂動。他憶起當席恩·葛雷喬伊遞上寒冰時寓搬，父親臉上的表情珍昨，隨后又想起鮮血濺落雪地，席恩揚腿把人頭踢到他腳邊。

?? He wondered what Lord Eddard might have doneif the deserter had been his brother Benjen instead of that ragged stranger.Would it have been any different? It must, surely, surely?.?.?.?and Robb wouldwelcome him, for a certainty. He had to, or else?.?.?.?

他不禁想镣典，假如逃兵是艾德公爵的親弟弟班揚兔毙，而非一個衣著破爛的陌生人，他會怎么做兄春？兩者會有差別嗎澎剥？一定會，一定會的赶舆，一定……毫無疑問哑姚，羅柏也一定會歡迎他。他怎么可能不歡迎他呢芜茵？除非……

?? It did not bear thinking about. Painthrobbed, deep in his fingers, as he clutched the reins. Jon put his heels intohis horse and broke into a gallop, racing down the kingsroad, as if to outrunhis doubts. Jon was not afraid of death, but he did not want to die like that,trussed and bound and beheaded like a common brigand. If he must perish, let itbe with a sword in his hand, fighting his father’s killers. He was no trueStark, had never been one?.?.?.?but he could die like one. Let them say thatEddard Stark had fathered four sons, not three.

還是別多想的好叙量。他握緊韁繩，手指隱隱作痛九串。瓊恩再度夾緊馬肚绞佩，順著國王大道疾馳，仿佛要驅(qū)離心中的疑惑猪钮。瓊恩不怕死品山，但他不要這種被五花大綁，像個尋常強盜般斬首示眾的死法躬贡。倘若他非死不可谆奥，他甘愿手握利劍眼坏，死在與殺父仇人的決斗中拂玻。他生來就不是真正的史塔克族人，從來不是……但他可以死得像個史塔克宰译。就讓大家都知道艾德·史塔克膝下不只三個兒子檐蚜，而是四個。

?? Ghost kept pace with them for almost half amile, red tongue lolling from his mouth. Man and horse alike lowered theirheads as he asked the mare for more speed. The wolf slowed, stopped, watching,his eyes glowing red in the moonlight. He vanished behind, but Jon knew hewould follow, at his own pace.

白靈跟著他的速度跑了一里沿侈，紅紅的舌頭伸在嘴巴外懸蕩闯第。他催馬加速，人馬低頭飛奔缀拭。冰原狼則放慢腳步咳短，停了下來，左顧右盼蛛淋，眼睛在月色中閃著紅光咙好。不久，他消失在后方褐荷，瓊恩知道他會按自己的步調(diào)跟隨勾效。

?? Scattered lights flickered through the treesahead of him, on both sides of the road: Mole’s Town. A dog barked as he rodethrough, and he heard a mule’s raucous haw from the stable, but otherwise thevillage was still. Here and there the glow of hearth fires shone throughshuttered windows, leaking between wooden slats, but only a few.

前方的道路兩旁，搖曳的燈火穿過樹林照過來。這里是鼴鼠村层宫。他催馬奔過杨伙，聽到一陣狗吠，以及馬廄里傳來的驢叫萌腿，除此之外限匣，村子悄然無聲。有幾處爐火微光從禁閉的窗戶中穿透而出哮奇，或自房舍木板間流泄出來膛腐，但寥寥無幾。

?? Mole’s Town was bigger than it seemed, butthree quarters of it was under the ground, in deep warm cellars connected by amaze of tunnels. Even the whorehouse was down there, nothing on the surface buta wooden shack no bigger than a privy, with a red lantern hung over the door.On the Wall, he’d heard men call the whores “buried treasures.” He wonderedwhether any of his brothers in black were down there tonight, mining. That wasoathbreaking too, yet no one seemed to care.

其實鼴鼠村比乍看之下要大得多鼎俘，只是四分之三的部分位于地底哲身，由一個個既深且暖的地窖組成，經(jīng)由錯綜復(fù)雜的隧道彼此銜接贸伐。就連妓院也在地下勘天，從地面上看，它們只是比廁所大不了多少的小木屋捉邢，門上掛了盞紅燈籠脯丝。長城上守軍把妓女們叫做“地底的寶藏”，他不禁揣測今晚有多少黑衣弟兄在下面挖寶呢伏伐？這當然也算是一種背誓宠进，只是無人在意。

?? Not until he was well beyond the village didJon slow again. By then both he and the mare were damp with sweat. Hedismounted, shivering, his burned hand aching. A bank of melting snow lay underthe trees, bright in the moonlight, water trickling off to form small shallowpools. Jon squatted and brought his hands together, cupping the runoff betweenhis fingers. The snowmelt was icy cold. He drank, and splashed some on hisface, until his cheeks tingled. His fingers were throbbing worse than they hadin days, and his head was pounding too. I am doing the right thing, he toldhimself, so why do I feel so bad?

直到把村子遠遠地拋在后面藐翎，瓊恩方才再次減速材蹬。這時，他和母馬都已經(jīng)滿身大汗吝镣。于是他跳下馬背堤器，只覺渾身發(fā)抖，灼傷的手更是疼痛末贾。樹叢下有大堆融雪闸溃，在月光下映射發(fā)亮，涓滴細流從中淌出拱撵，匯聚成淺淺的小池辉川。瓊恩蹲下來，雙手合掌拴测，捧起雪水乓旗。融雪冰冷刺骨，他喝了幾口昼扛，接著洗臉寸齐，直洗得兩頰發(fā)麻欲诺。他感覺到頭昏腦脹，手指也好幾天沒有痛得這么厲害渺鹦。我做得沒錯扰法，他告訴自己，可我為何這么難受毅厚？

?? The horse was well lathered, so Jon took thelead and walked her for a while. The road was scarcely wide enough for tworiders to pass abreast, its surface cut by tiny streams and littered withstone. That run had been truly stupid, an invitation to a broken neck. Jonwondered what had gotten into him. Was he in such a great rush to die?

馬兒仍舊氣喘吁吁塞颁，于是瓊恩牽它走了一段。道路很窄吸耿，只能勉強容兩人并肩而騎祠锣，表面更被細小溝渠所切割，布滿碎石咽安。剛才那樣狂奔委實愚蠢伴网，分明就是自找麻煩，稍不小心就會摔斷脖子妆棒。瓊恩不禁納悶澡腾，自己究竟怎么搞的？就這么急著尋死么糕珊？

?? Off in the trees, the distant scream of somefrightened animal made him look up. His mare whinnied nervously. Had his wolffound some prey? He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Ghost!” he shouted.“Ghost, to me.” The only answer was a rush of wings behind him as an owl tookflight.

遠方的樹林里傳來動物的受驚尖叫动分，他立刻抬頭，母馬也不安地哼著红选。是他的狼找到獵物了澜公？他把手環(huán)在嘴邊，“白靈喇肋！”他叫道坟乾，“白靈！到我這兒來苟蹈！”但惟一的回應(yīng)只是身后某只貓頭鷹振翅高飛的聲響糊渊。

?? Frowning, Jon continued on his way. He ledthe mare for half an hour, until she was dry. Ghost did not appear. Jon wantedto mount up and ride again, but he was concerned about his missing wolf.“Ghost,” he called again. “Where are you? To me! Ghost!” Nothing in these woodscould trouble a direwolf, even a half-grown direwolf, unless?.?.?.?no, Ghostwas too smart to attack a bear, and if there was a wolf pack anywhere close Jonwould have surely heard them howling.

瓊恩皺起眉頭右核，繼續(xù)上路慧脱。他牽馬走了半小時，直到它身上干透為止贺喝。但白靈始終沒有出現(xiàn)菱鸥。瓊恩想上馬趕路，卻又擔心不知去向的狼躏鱼〉桑“白靈，”他再度叫喊染苛，“你在哪里鹊漠？快過來主到！白靈！”這片林子里應(yīng)該沒什么能威脅到冰原狼——就算這只冰原狼尚未發(fā)育完全也罷躯概，除非……不登钥，白靈絕不會蠢到去攻擊熊，而假使這附近有狼群娶靡，瓊恩也一定能聽見它們的嚎叫。

?? He should eat, he decided. Food would settlehis stomach and give Ghost the chance to catch up. There was no danger yet;Castle Black still slept. In his saddlebag, he found a biscuit, a piece ofcheese, and a small withered brown apple. He’d brought salt beef as well, and arasher of bacon he’d filched from the kitchens, but he would save the meat forthe morrow. After it was gone he’d need to hunt, and that would slow him.

最后他決定先吃點東西再說。食物可以稍微安撫脾胃诸迟，更能多給白靈一點時間跟上壹粟。此時尚無危險，黑城堡依然在沉睡中呻此。于是他從鞍袋里找出一塊餅干轮纫，一小片乳酪和一個干癟的褐色蘋果。他還帶了腌牛肉焚鲜，以及從廚房偷來的一片培根蜡感，但他想把肉留到明天。因為等食物沒了恃泪，他就得自己打獵郑兴，而那一定會拖延他的行程。

?? Jon sat under the trees and ate his biscuitand cheese while his mare grazed along the kingsroad. He kept the apple forlast. It had gone a little soft, but the flesh was still tart and juicy. He wasdown to the core when he heard the sounds: horses, and from the north. QuicklyJon leapt up and strode to his mare. Could he outrun them? No, they were tooclose, they’d hear him for a certainty, and if they were from CastleBlack?.?.?.?

瓊恩坐在樹下贝乎，吃著餅干和乳酪情连，任母馬沿著國王大道吃草。他把蘋果留到最后览效，雖然摸起來有些軟却舀，果肉仍然酸甜多汁。聽到聲音時锤灿，他正在啃果核：是蹄聲挽拔，從北方來。瓊恩一躍而起但校，奔向母馬螃诅。跑得掉嗎？不状囱，距離太近术裸，一定會暴露聲音，何況假如他們從黑城堡來……

?? He led the mare off the road, behind a thickstand of grey-green sentinels. “Ouiet now,” he said in a hushed voice,crouching down to peer through the branches. If the gods were kind, the riderswould pass by. Likely as not, they were only smallfolk from Mole’s Town,farmers on their way to their fields, although what they were doing out in themiddle of the night?.?.?.?

于是他牽著母馬離開大路亭枷，走到一叢濃密的灰青色哨兵樹后袭艺。“別出聲喔叨粘』啵”他悄聲說瘤睹，一邊蹲伏下來，透過樹枝縫隙向外窺視答倡。倘若諸神保佑默蚌，對方就會不經(jīng)意地騎馬跑過。八成鼴鼠村的農(nóng)民苇羡，正返回自己的田地绸吸，可他們干嘛大半夜的走呢？……

?? He listened to the sound of hooves growingsteadily louder as they trotted briskly down the kingsroad. From the sound,there were five or six of them at the least. Their voices drifted through thetrees.

他靜靜呤聽设江，蹄聲沿著國王大道急速而來锦茁，步伐堅定，逐漸增大叉存。依聲音判斷码俩，大概有五六個人。對方的話音在林木間穿梭歼捏。

?? “?.?.?.?certain he came this way?”

“……確定他走這邊稿存？”

?? “We can’t be certain.”

“當然不確定⊥啵”

?? “He could have ridden east, for all youknow. Or left the road to cut through the woods. That’s what I’d do.”

“搞不好他朝東去了瓣履。或是離開道路练俐，穿越樹林袖迎。換了我就會這么做∠倭溃”

?? “In the dark? Stupid. If you didn’t fall offyour horse and break your neck, you’d get lost and wind up back at the Wallwhen the sun came up.”

“在這一團漆黑的晚上燕锥？你別傻了。就算沒摔下馬來悯蝉，折了脖子归形，辨不清路亂走，等太陽升起大概也繞回長城了鼻由∠玖瘢”

?? “I would not.” Grenn sounded peeved. “I’djust ride south, you can tell south by the stars.”

“我才不會，”葛蘭聽起來很氣憤嗡靡《搴常“我會往南騎窟感，看星星就知道哪邊是南方讨彼。”

?? “What if the sky was cloudy?” Pyp asked.

“要是被云遮住呢柿祈？”派普問哈误。

?? “Then I wouldn’t go.”

“那我就不走哩至。”

?? Another voice broke in. “You know where I’dbe if it was me? I’d be in Mole’s Town, digging for buried treasure.” Toad’sshrill laughter boomed through the trees. Jon’s mare snorted.

又一個聲音插進來蜜自∑忻玻“換作是我，你們知道我會怎么做重荠？我會直接去鼴鼠村挖寶箭阶。”陶德尖銳的笑聲在林間回響戈鲁，瓊恩的母馬哼了一聲仇参。

?? “Keep quiet, all of you,” Haider said. “Ithought I heard something.”

“你們通通給我閉嘴，”霍德說婆殿，“我好像聽到了什么诈乒。”

?? “Where? I didn’t hear anything.” The horsesstopped.

“在哪兒婆芦？我啥都沒聽見怕磨。”蹄聲停止消约。

?? “You can’t hear yourself fart.”

“你連自己放屁都聽不見肠鲫。”

?? “I can too,” Grenn insisted.

?“我聽得見啦或粮√步欤”葛蘭堅持。

?? “Quiet!”

“閉嘴被啼！”

?? They all fell silent, listening. Jon foundhimself holding his breath. Sam, he thought. He hadn’t gone to the Old Bear,but he hadn’t gone to bed either, he’d woken the other boys. Damn them all.Come dawn, if they were not in their beds, they’d be named deserters too. Whatdid they think they were doing?

于是他們都安靜下來帜消，凝神傾聽。瓊恩不自覺地屏住呼吸浓体。一定是山姆泡挺，他心想。他既沒去找熊老命浴，也沒上床睡覺娄猫，而是叫醒了其他幾個男孩。真要命生闲，若是天亮前他們還未歸營媳溺，也會被當成逃兵處理。他們到底在想什么呀碍讯？

?? The hushed silence seemed to stretch on andon. From where Jon crouched, he could see the legs of their horses through thebranches. Finally Pyp spoke up. “What did you hear?”

寂靜無限延伸悬蔽。從瓊恩蹲的地方，透過樹叢捉兴，可以看到他們坐騎的腳蝎困。最后派普開口道：“你剛才到底聽到什么录语？”

?? “I don’t know,” Haider admitted. “A sound, Ithought it might have been a horse but?.?.?.?”

“我也不知道『坛耍”霍德承認澎埠，“但的確有什么聲音，我認為是馬叫始藕，可……”

?? “There’s nothing here.”

“這兒什么聲音都沒有啊蒲稳。”

?? Out of the corner of his eye, Jon glimpsed apale shape moving through the trees. Leaves rustled, and Ghost came boundingout of the shadows, so suddenly that Jon’s mare started and gave a whinny.“There!” Halder shouted.

瓊恩的眼角余光瞥見一個白色影子在林間竄動伍派。樹葉窸窣抖動弟塞，白靈從陰影中跑了出來，由于來得突然拙已，瓊恩的母馬不禁輕聲驚叫决记。“在那里倍踪！”霍德大叫系宫。

?? “I heard it too!”

“我也聽到了！”

?? “Traitor,” Jon told the direwolf as he swungup into the saddle. He turned the mare’s head to slide off through the trees,but they were on him before he had gone ten feet.

“我被你害死了建车±┙瑁”瓊恩一邊翻身上馬，一邊對冰原狼說缤至。他調(diào)轉(zhuǎn)馬頭潮罪，往森林走去，但不出十尺领斥，他們便追了上來嫉到。

?? “Jon!” Pyp shouted after him.

“瓊恩！”派普在身后喊月洛。

?? “Pull up,” Grenn said. “You can’t outrun usall.”

“停下來何恶，”葛蘭說，“你跑不掉的嚼黔∠覆悖”

?? Jon wheeled around to face them, drawing hissword. “Get back. I don’t wish to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”

瓊恩抽出佩劍，策馬旋身唬涧∫呤辏“通通退后。我不想傷害你們碎节，但如果情非得已捧搞，我會動手的。”

?? “One against seven?” Halder gave a signal.The boys spread out, surrounding him.

“你想以一對七实牡？”霍德?lián)]手陌僵，男孩們一擁而上轴合，將他團團圍住创坞。

?? “What do you want with me?” Jon demanded.

“你們要拿我怎樣？”瓊恩質(zhì)問受葛。

?? “We want to take you back where you belong,”Pyp said.

“我們要把你帶回屬于你的地方题涨。”派普說总滩。

? ?“Ibelong with my brother.”

“我屬于我的兄弟纲堵。”

?? “We’re your brothers now,” Grenn said.

“我們就是你的兄弟闰渔∠”葛蘭說。

?? “They’ll cut off your head if they catchyou, you know,” Toad put in with a nervous laugh. “This is so stupid, it’s likesomething the Aurochs would do.”

“他們逮到你冈涧，你會被砍頭的茂附，知道嗎？”陶德緊張地笑笑督弓，“這么笨的事营曼，只有笨牛才做得出來∮匏恚”

?? “I would not,” Grenn said. “I’m nooathbreaker. I said the words and I meant them.”

我才不會呢蒂阱。”葛蘭道：“我不會違背誓言狂塘，我發(fā)過誓录煤，說話算話的≤窈”

?? “So did I,” Jon told them. “Don’t youunderstand? They murdered my father. It’s war, my brother Robb is fighting inthe riverlands...”

“我也一樣辐赞，”瓊恩告訴他們，“可你們難道不懂么硝训？他們謀害了我父親响委！這是一場戰(zhàn)爭，我兄弟羅柏正在河間地作戰(zhàn)——”

?? “We know,” said Pyp solemnly. “Sam told useverything.”

“我們都知道窖梁，”派普嚴肅地說赘风，“山姆跟我們說了∽萘酰”

?? “We’re sorry about your father,” Grenn said,“but it doesn’t matter. Once you say the words, you can’t leave, no matterwhat.”

“你父親的事我們很遺憾邀窃，”葛蘭說，“但那與你無關(guān)。一旦發(fā)了誓瞬捕，你就不能離開鞍历，不管怎樣都不行》净ⅲ”

?? “I have to,” Jon said fervently.

“我非走不可劣砍。”瓊恩激動地說扇救。

?? “You said the words,” Pyp reminded him. “Nowmy watch begins, you said it. It shall not end until my death.”

“你發(fā)過誓了刑枝。”派普提醒他迅腔，“我從今開始守望装畅，至死方休，你是不是這么說的沧烈？”

?? “I shall live and die at my post,” Grennadded, nodding.

“我將盡忠職守掠兄，生死于斯⌒咳福”葛蘭點頭附和蚂夕。

?? “You don’t have to tell me the words, I knowthem as well as you do.” He was angry now. Why couldn’t they let him go inpeace? They were only making it harder.

“用不著你們告訴我，我跟你們背得一樣熟汤锨∷椋”這下他真的生氣了。他們?yōu)楹尾荒芨纱嘁稽c闲礼，放他走呢牍汹？這樣子大家都不好過。

?? “I am the sword in the darkness,” Halderintoned.

“我是黑暗中的利劍柬泽∩鞣疲”霍德誦道。

?? “The watcher on the walls,” piped Toad.

“長城上的守衛(wèi)锨并÷陡茫”癩蛤蟆跟著念。

?? Jon cursed them all to their faces. Theytook no notice. Pyp spurred his horse closer, reciting, “I am the fire thatburns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes thesleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men.”

瓊恩開始一個一個咒罵他們第煮，但他們置之不理解幼。派普催馬上前，繼續(xù)背誦：“抵御寒冷的烈焰包警，破曉時分的光線撵摆，喚醒眠者的號角，守護王國的堅盾害晦√芈粒”

?? “Stay back,” Jon warned him, brandishing hissword. “I mean it, Pyp.” They weren’t even wearing armor, he could cut them topieces if he had to.

“別過來，”瓊恩揮劍警告他，“派普鲫剿，我是說真的鳄逾。”他們連護甲都沒穿灵莲，假如真的動手雕凹，他可以把他們統(tǒng)統(tǒng)砍成碎片。

?? Matthar had circled behind him. He joinedthe chorus. “I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch.”

梅沙繞到他身后笆呆，加入了念誦：“我將生命與榮耀獻給守夜人请琳×坏玻”

?? Jon kicked his mare, spinning her in acircle. The boys were all around him now, closing from every side.

瓊恩雙腳一踢赠幕，調(diào)轉(zhuǎn)馬頭。然而男孩們已將他徹底包圍询筏，步步逼近榕堰。

?? “For this night?.?.?.?” Halder trotted infrom the left.

“今夜如此……”霍德堵住了左邊的缺口。

?? “?.?.?.?and all the nights to come,”finished Pyp. He reached over for Jon’s reins. “So here are your choices. Killme, or come back with me.”

“……夜夜皆然嫌套∧媛牛”派普說完最后一句，伸手抓住瓊恩的韁繩踱讨∥赫幔“你有兩個選擇：要么殺了我，要么跟我回去痹筛≥褐危”

?? Jon lifted his sword?.?.?.?and lowered it,helpless. “Damn you,” he said. “Damn you all.”

瓊恩舉起長劍……最后還是無助地放了下來≈愠恚“去你的谣旁，”他說，“你們通通該死滋早￠螅”

?? “Do we have to bind your hands, or will yougive us your word you’ll ride back peaceful?” asked Halder.

“我們該不該把你的手綁起來？你愿不愿乖乖回去呢杆麸？”霍德問搁进。

?? “I won’t run, if that’s what you mean.”Ghost moved out from under the trees and Jon glared at him. “Small help youwere,” he said. The deep red eyes looked at him knowingly.

“我不跑便是∥敉罚”這時白靈從樹下跑出來饼问，瓊恩瞪著他，“你可真會幫倒忙减细〈夜希”他說，但那雙深沉的紅眼卻仿若洞悉一切地看著他。

?? “We had best hurry,” Pyp said. “If we’re notback before first light, the Old Bear will have all our heads.”

“我們最好趕快驮吱，”派普道茧妒，“假如天亮前回不去，只怕熊老會把我們的頭通通砍了左冬⊥┓ぃ”

?? Of the ride back, Jon Snow rememberedlittle. It seemed shorter than the journey south, perhaps because his mind waselsewhere. Pyp set the pace, galloping, walking, trotting, and then breakinginto another gallop. Mole’s Town came and went, the red lantern over thebrothel long extinguished. They made good time. Dawn was still an hour off whenJon glimpsed the towers of Castle Black ahead of them, dark against the paleimmensity of the Wall. It did not seem like home this time.

回程途中發(fā)生過什么，瓊恩·雪諾記得不多拇砰，只覺這趟路似乎比南行短暫得多梅忌，或許是他心不在焉的緣故罷。派普帶隊除破，不時飛奔牧氮，慢走，小跑瑰枫，接著又恢復(fù)奔馳踱葛。鼴鼠村來了又去，妓院門口懸著的紅燈早已熄滅光坝。派普把時間掌握得很好尸诽，距離天亮剛好還有一個小時，瓊恩見到黑城堡的黑塔樓出現(xiàn)在前方盯另，襯著背后碩大無朋的蒼白長城性含。只是這回，城堡再也沒了家的感覺鸳惯。

?? They could take him back, Jon told himself,but they could not make him stay. The war would not end on the morrow, or theday after, and his friends could not watch him day and night. He would bide histime, make them think he was content to remain here?.?.?.?and then, when theyhad grown lax, he would be off again. Next time he would avoid the kingsroad.He could follow the Wall east, perhaps all the way to the sea, a longer routebut a safer one. Or even west, to the mountains, and then south over the highpasses. That was the wildling’s way, hard and perilous, but at least no onewouid follow him. He wouldn’t stray within a hundred leagues of Winterfell orthe kingsroad.

他們可以抓他回去商蕴，瓊恩告訴自己，但他們無法留住他悲敷。南方的戰(zhàn)爭不是一兩天就能解決的事究恤，而他的朋友不可能日夜都守著他。他只需耐心等待時機后德，讓他們放松警惕部宿，以為他心甘情愿留下來……然后就再度逃走。下一次瓢湃，他不走國王大道理张，而是沿著長城東行，或許就這么一直走到海邊绵患，然后往南翻越崇山峻嶺雾叭。那是野人們常走的路，崎嶇難行落蝙，危機四伏织狐，卻足以擺脫追兵暂幼。從始至終，他與國王大道和臨冬城都將保持一百里格以上的距離移迫。

?? Samwell Tarly awaited them in the oldstables, slumped on the ground against a bale of hay, too anxious to sleep. Herose and brushed himself off. “I?.?.?.?I’m glad they found you, Jon.”

老舊的馬房里旺嬉，山姆威爾·塔利正等著他們。他坐在泥地上厨埋，靠著一堆稻草邪媳，緊張得睡不著。一見他們荡陷，他立刻起身雨效，拍拍塵土道：“瓊恩，我……我很高興他們找到你了废赞』展辏”

?? “I’m not,” Jon said, dismounting.

“我可不高興∮纪罚”瓊恩說著下馬顿肺。

?? Pyp hopped off his horse and looked at thelightening sky with disgust. “Give us a hand bedding down the horses, Sam,” thesmall boy said. “We have a long day before us, and no sleep to face it on,thanks to Lord Snow.”

派普也跳下坐騎戏溺，一臉嫌惡地望著逐漸泛白的天空渣蜗。“山姆旷祸，幫個忙耕拷，把馬兒安頓好⊥邢恚”矮個男孩說骚烧，“這一天還長著呢，可咱們半點覺都沒睡成闰围，這都得感謝雪諾大人赃绊。”

?? When day broke, Jon walked to the kitchensas he did every dawn. Three-Finger Hobb said nothing as he gave him the OldBear’s breakfast. Today it was three brown eggs boiled hard, with fried breadand ham steak and a bowl of wrinkled plums. Jon carried the food back to theKing’s Tower. He found Mormont at the window seat, writing. His raven waswalking back and forth across his shoulders, muttering, “Corn, corn, corn.” Thebird shrieked when Jon entered. “Put the food on the table,” the Old Bear said,glancing up. “I’ll have some beer.”

天亮之后羡榴，瓊恩像往常一樣走進廚房碧查。三指哈布把熊老的早餐交給他，什么也沒說校仑。今天的早餐包括三顆褐色的白煮蛋忠售，油炸面包，火腿肉片以及一碗有些皺的李子迄沫。瓊恩端著東西回到國王塔稻扬，發(fā)現(xiàn)莫爾蒙正坐在窗邊寫東西。烏鴉在他肩膀上來回踱步羊瘩，邊走邊念：“玉米泰佳！玉米盼砍！玉米！”瓊恩一進房間逝她，烏鴉便提聲尖叫衬廷。“把早餐放桌上汽绢÷鸢希”熊老抬頭道，“我還想喝點啤酒宁昭〉穑”

?? Jon opened a shuttered window, took theflagon of beer off the outside ledge, and filled a horn. Hobb had given him alemon, still cold from the Wall. Jon crushed it in his fist. The juice trickledthrough his fingers. Mormont drank lemon in his beer every day, and claimedthat was why he still had his own teeth.

瓊恩打開一扇緊閉的窗戶，從外面的窗臺上拿了啤酒瓶积仗，倒?jié)M一角杯疆拘。之前哈布給了他一個剛從長城儲藏室里拿出來的檸檬，現(xiàn)下還是冰的寂曹。瓊恩用拳頭捏破它哎迄，果汁從指縫間滴下。莫爾蒙每天都喝摻檸檬的啤酒隆圆，宣稱這是他依舊一口好牙的原因漱挚。

?? “Doubtless you loved your father,” Mormontsaid when Jon brought him his horn. “The things we love destroy us every time,lad. Remember when I told you that?”

“你一定很愛你父親，”瓊恩將角杯端給他時渺氧，莫爾蒙開口：“孩子旨涝，我們愛什么，到頭來就會毀在什么上面侣背，你還記不記得我跟你說過這話白华？”

?? “I remember,” Jon said sullenly. He did notcare to talk of his father’s death, not even to Mormont.

“記得》纺停”瓊恩面帶慍色地說弧腥。他不想談父親遇害的事，即便對莫爾蒙也不行潮太。

?? “See that you never forget it. The hardtruths are the ones to hold tight. Fetch me my plate. Is it ham again? So beit. You look weary. Was your moonlight ride so tiring?”

“你要仔細記好管搪，別忘記。殘酷的事實是最應(yīng)該牢牢記住的消别。把我的盤子端過來抛蚤。又是火腿？算了寻狂，我認了岁经。你沒什么精神。怎么蛇券，昨晚騎馬就這么累白喝馈樊拓？”

?? Jon’s throat was dry. “You know?”

瓊恩喉嚨一干，“您知道塘慕？”

?? “Know,” the raven echoed from Mormont’sshoulder. “Know.”

“知道筋夏！”莫爾蒙肩頭的烏鴉應(yīng)和，“知道图呢！”

?? The Old Bear snorted. “Do you think theychose me Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch because I’m dumb as a stump, Snow?Aemon told me you’d go. I told him you’d be back. I know my men?.?.?.?and myboys too. Honor set you on the kingsroad?.?.?.?and honor brought you back.”

熊老哼了一聲条篷。“雪諾蛤织，他們選我當守夜人軍團總司令赴叹，莫非因為我是個呆頭鵝？伊蒙說你一定會走指蚜，我則告訴他你一定會回來乞巧。我了解我的部下……也了解我的孩子們。榮譽心驅(qū)使你踏上國王大道……榮譽心也將你鞭策回來摊鸡≌烂剑”

?? “My friends brought me back,” Jon said.

“帶我回來的是我朋友們∶饣”瓊恩說是辕。

?? “Did I say it was your honor?” Mormontinspected his plate.

“我指的就是‘你的’榮譽心么？”莫爾蒙檢視著眼前的餐盤掸刊。

?? “They killed my father. Did you expect me todo nothing?”

“他們殺害了我父親免糕，難道我應(yīng)該置之不理？”

?? “If truth be told, we expected you to dojust as you did.” Mormont tried a plum, spit out the pit. “I ordered a watchkept over you., You were seen leaving. If your brothers had not fetched youback, you would have been taken along the way, and not by friends. Unless youhave a horse with wings like a raven. Do you?”

“說真的忧侧，你的行為不出我們所料∨朴螅”莫爾蒙咬了口李子蚓炬，吐出果核√善ǎ“我專派了一個人看守你肯夏，知道你何時離開。即便你的弟兄們沒把你追回來犀暑，你也會在途中被逮住驯击。到時候，抓你的可就不是朋友了耐亏。哼徊都，除非你的馬像烏鴉，生了翅膀广辰。你有這樣的馬嗎暇矫？”

?? “No.” Jon felt like a fool.

“沒有主之。”瓊恩覺得自己像傻瓜李根。

?? “Pity, we could use a horse like that.”

“真可惜槽奕。我們倒急需那樣的馬》拷危”

?? Jon stood tall. He told himself that hewould die well; that much he could do, at the least. “I know the penalty fordesertion, my lord. I’m not afraid to die.”

瓊恩挺直身子粤攒。他已經(jīng)對自己說過，要死得有尊嚴囱持，至少琼讽，他能做到這點『樘疲“大人钻蹬，我知道逃營的懲罰。我不怕死凭需∥是罚”

?? “Die!” the raven cried.

“死！”烏鴉叫道粒蜈。

?? “Nor live, I hope,” Mormont said, cuttinghis ham with a dagger and feeding a bite to the bird. “You have not deserted,yet. Here you stand. If we beheaded every boy who rode to Mole’s Town in thenight, only ghosts would guard the Wall. Yet maybe you mean to flee again onthe morrow, or a fortnight from now. Is that it? Is that your hope, boy?”

“我希望你也別怕繼續(xù)活下去顺献。”莫爾蒙邊說邊用匕首切開火腿枯怖，還拿一小塊喂烏鴉注整。“你不算逃兵——因為你沒走成度硝。眼下你不就好端端站在這里肿轨？要是我把每個半夜溜到鼴鼠村的孩子都抓來砍頭，那防守長城的就只剩鬼魂了蕊程。不過呢椒袍，或許你打算明天再跑，或許再隔兩個星期。是不是？小子或衡，你有沒有這樣想？”

?? Jon kept silent.

瓊恩默不作聲优俘。

?? “I thought so.” Mormont peeled the shell offa boiled egg. “Your father is dead, lad. Do you think you can bring him back?”

“我就知道∠菩颍”莫爾蒙剝開白煮蛋的殼帆焕，“小子，你父親死了森枪，你有辦法讓他起死回生嗎视搏？”

?? “No,” he answered, sullen.

“沒有审孽。”他悶悶不樂地回答浑娜。

?? “Good,” Mormont said. “We’ve seen the deadcome back, you and me, and it’s not something I care to see again.” He ate theegg in two bites and flicked a bit of shell out from between his teeth. “Yourbrother is in the field with all the power of the north behind him. Any one ofhis lords bannermen commands more swords than you’ll find in all the Night’sWatch. Why do you imagine that they need your help? Are you such a mightywarrior, or do you carry a grumkin in your pocket to magic up your sword?”

“那敢情好佑力。”莫爾蒙道筋遭，“你我都見識過死人復(fù)活是什么樣打颤，我可不想再碰上那種事±焯希”他兩大口吞下煮蛋编饺，從齒縫間吐出幾片蛋殼∠炻浚“你的兄弟雖然上了戰(zhàn)場透且，但他身后有全北境的軍力，隨便他哪一個封臣手下的士兵都比整個守夜人軍團的人加起來還多豁鲤，你覺得他們會需要你的幫助秽誊？難道說你真那么厲害，還是說你隨身帶著古靈精怪琳骡，幫你的劍附加魔法锅论？”

?? Jon had no answer for him. The raven waspecking at an egg, breaking the shell. Pushing his beak through the hole, hepulled out morsels of white and yoke.

瓊恩無話可說。烏鴉啄著一顆蛋楣号，穿破蛋殼最易，將長長的喙伸進去，拉出絲絲蛋白和蛋黃炫狱。

?? The Old Bear sighed. “You are not the onlyone touched by this war. Like as not, my sister is marching in your brother’shost, her and those daughters of hers, dressed in men’s mail. Maege is a hoaryold snark, stubborn, short-tempered, and willful. Truth be told, I can hardlystand to be around the wretched woman, but that does not mean my love for heris any less than the love you bear your half sisters.” Frowning, Mormont tookhis last egg and squeezed it in his fist until the shell crunched. “Or perhapsit does. Be that as it may, I’d still grieve if she were slain, yet you don’tsee me running off. I said the words, just as you did. My place ishere?.?.?.?where is yours, boy?”

熊老嘆道：“你也不是惟一被戰(zhàn)爭波及的人藻懒。依我看，我妹妹此刻也應(yīng)該帶著她那群女兒毕荐，穿著男人的盔甲束析，加入你兄弟的軍隊去了南方。梅格是個上了年紀的老怪物憎亚，個性固執(zhí)，脾氣又差弄慰，說實話第美，我根本受不了那糟女人，但這并不代表我對她的感情不如你愛你的異母妹妹陆爽∈餐”莫爾蒙皺著眉頭拾起最后一顆蛋，用力握住慌闭，直到外殼碎裂别威∏颍“或許不如你。但總之省古，她若在戰(zhàn)場上被殺粥庄，我一定很難過，可你瞧豺妓，我并沒打算逃跑惜互。因為我和你一樣都發(fā)過誓，我的職責所在是這里……你呢琳拭，孩子训堆？”

?? I have no place, Jon wanted to say, I’m abastard, I have no rights, no name, no mother, and now not even a father. Thewords would not come. “I don’t know.”

我無家可歸，瓊恩想說白嘁，我是個私生子坑鱼，沒有權(quán)利、沒有姓氏絮缅、沒有母親鲁沥，現(xiàn)在連父親都沒了∶蓑迹可他說不出口黍析。“我不知道屎开〔妫”

?? “I do,” said Lord Commander Mormont. “Thecold winds are rising, Snow. Beyond the Wall, the shadows lengthen. Cotter Pykewrites of vast herds of elk, streaming south and east toward the sea, andmammoths as well. He says one of his men discovered huge, misshapen footprintsnot three leagues from Eastwatch. Rangers from the Shadow Tower have foundwhole villages abandoned, and at night Ser Denys says they see fires in themountains, huge blazes that burn from dusk till dawn. Quorin Halfhand took acaptive in the depths of the Gorge, and the man swears that Mance Rayder ismassing all his people in some new, secret stronghold he’s found, to what end thegods only know. Do you think your uncle Benjen was the only ranger we’ve lostthis past year?”

“可我知道，”莫爾蒙總司令說奄抽，“雪諾蔼两，冷風(fēng)正要吹起，長城之外逞度，陰影日長额划。卡特·派克的來信中提到大群麇鹿向東南沿海遷徙档泽，之外還有長毛象俊戳。他還說，他有個部下在距離東海望僅三里格的地方發(fā)現(xiàn)了巨大的畸形腳印馆匿。影子塔的游騎兵則回報抑胎，長城外有好些村落完全被遺棄，到了晚上渐北，丹尼斯爵士說能看到群山中的火光阿逃，大把大把的烈焰，從黃昏直燒到天亮∈扬保‘斷掌’科林在大峽谷抓到了一個野人搀菩，對方發(fā)誓說曼斯·雷德正躲在一個新的秘密要塞里，召集屬下所有臣民破托，至于他的目的為何肪跋，我看只有天上諸神知道。你以為你叔叔班揚是這幾年來我們惟一失去的游騎兵么炼团？”

?? “Ben Jen,” the raven squawked, bobbing itshead, bits of egg dribbling from its beak. “Ben Jen. Ben Jen.”

“班揚澎嚣！”烏鴉歪頭嘎嘎怪叫，蛋白從嘴角流下瘟芝∫滋遥“班揚！班揚锌俱！”

?? “No,” Jon said. There had been others. Toomany.

“不晤郑。”瓊恩說贸宏。除了他還有其他人造寝，太多人。

?? “Do you think your brother’s war is moreimportant than ours?” the old man barked.

“你覺得你兄弟的戰(zhàn)爭比我們這場戰(zhàn)爭更重要吭练？”老人喝道诫龙。

?? Jon chewed his lip. The raven flapped itswings at him. “War, war, war, war,” it sang.

瓊恩噘起嘴唇。烏鴉朝他拍拍翅膀鲫咽，“戰(zhàn)爭签赃！戰(zhàn)爭！戰(zhàn)爭分尸！戰(zhàn)爭锦聊！”它唱道。

?? “It’s not,” Mormont told him. “Gods save us,boy, you’re not blind and you’re not stupid. When dead men come hunting in thenight, do you think it matters who sits the Iron Throne?”

?“我看不然箩绍】淄ィ”莫爾蒙告訴他，“諸神保佑材蛛，孩子圆到，你眼睛沒瞎，人也不笨卑吭。等哪天死人在黑夜里大舉入侵构资，你覺得誰坐在鐵王座上還有差別么？”

?? “No.” Jon had not thought of it that way.

“沒有陨簇。”瓊恩沒想到這層。

?? “Your lord father sent you to us, Jon. Why,who can say?”

“瓊恩河绽，你父親大人把你送來這里己单，你可知為什么？”

?? “Why? Why? Why?” the raven called.

“為什么耙饰？為什么纹笼？為什么？”烏鴉又叫道苟跪。

?? “All I know is that the blood of the FirstMen flows in the veins of the Starks. The First Men built the Wall, and it’ssaid they remember things otherwise forgotten. And that beast of yours?.?.?.?heled us to the wights, warned you of the dead man on the steps. Ser Jaremy woulddoubtless call that happenstance, yet Ser Jaremy is dead and I’m not.” LordMormont stabbed a chunk of ham with the point of his dagger. “I think you weremeant to be here, and I want you and that wolf of yours with us when we gobeyond the Wall.”

“我知道你們史塔克家人體內(nèi)依舊流淌著先民的血液廷痘，而長城正是先民所建筑，據(jù)說他們還記得早已被人遺忘的事情件已。至于你那頭小狼……引領(lǐng)我們找到尸鬼的是他笋额，警告你樓上有死人的也是他。杰瑞米爵士多半會說一切純屬巧合篷扩，但他死了兄猩，我還好端端地活著〖矗”莫爾蒙司令用匕首刺起一塊火腿枢冤。“我認為你是命中注定要來這里的铜秆。等我們越墻北進時淹真，我希望你和你那頭狼與我們同在×耄”

?? His words sent a chill of excitement downJon’s back. “Beyond the Wall?”

他的這番話使瓊恩的背脊為之一顫核蘸。“越墻北進梅屉？”

?? “You heard me. I mean to find Ben Stark,alive or dead.” He chewed and swallowed. “I will not sit here meekly and waitfor the snows and the ice winds. We must know what is happening. This time theNight’s Watch will ride in force, against the King-beyond-the-Wall, the Others,and anything else that may be out there. I mean to command them myself.” Hepointed his dagger at Jon’s chest. “By custom, the Lord Commander’s steward ishis squire as well?.?.?.?but I do not care to wake every dawn wondering if you’verun off again. So I will have an answer from you, Lord Snow, and I will have itnow. Are you a brother of the Night’s Watch?.?.?.?or only a bastard boy whowants to play at war?”

“不錯值纱。我打算把班·史塔克找回來，不論是死是活坯汤∨斑耄”他嚼了幾口，吞下火腿惰聂〗ィ“我不會在這里坐等風(fēng)雪來臨，我們一定要知道究竟發(fā)生了什么搓幌。這次守夜人軍團將大舉出動杆故，與塞外之王、異鬼溉愁，以及其他什么的東西作戰(zhàn)处铛。我將親自領(lǐng)軍。”他拿匕首指著瓊恩的胸膛撤蟆∞人埽“依慣例，總司令的事務(wù)官就是他的侍從……但我可不想每天早上醒來家肯，都還要擔心你是不是又逃了龄砰。所以呢，雪諾大人讨衣，你現(xiàn)在就給我個答案：你究竟是守夜人的弟兄……還是個只愛玩騎馬打仗的私生小毛頭换棚？”

?? Jon Snow straightened himself and took along deep breath. Forgive me, Father. Robb, Arya, Bran?.?.?.?forgive me, Icannot help you. He has the truth of it. This is my place. “I am?.?.?.?yours,my lord. Your man. I swear it. I will not run again.”

瓊恩·雪諾站直身子，深吸一口氣反镇。父親固蚤、羅柏、艾莉亞愿险、布蘭……請你們原諒我颇蜡，原諒我不能幫助你們。他說得沒錯辆亏，我屬于這里风秤。“我……隨時聽候您差遣扮叨，大人缤弦。我鄭重發(fā)誓，絕不再逃跑了彻磁“澹”

?? The Old Bear snorted. “Good. Now go put onyour sword.”

熊老哼了一聲≈则眩“那敢情好累提。還不快把劍佩上？”