EDDARD

艾德

?? The summons came in the hour before the dawn, when the world was still and grey.

國王傳喚他時，天還未亮，世界一片寂靜娃属，灰蒙蒙的温亲。

?? Alyn shook him roughly from his dreams andNed stumbled into the predawn chill, groggy from sleep, to find his horsesaddled and the king already mounted. Robert wore thick brown gloves and aheavy fur cloak with a hood that covered his ears, and looked for all the worldlike a bear sitting a horse. “Up, Stark!” he roared. “Up, up! We have mattersof state to discuss.”

埃林輕輕地將他自夢中搖醒，奈德睡意未消便踉蹌著跌入曙光未露前的清晨，發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的坐騎已經(jīng)鞍轡妥當(dāng)，而國王本人早已騎乘馬上。勞勃戴著棕色厚手套馍刮，身披厚重的套頭毛皮斗篷，看起來活像只騎在馬上的大熊窃蹋】▎“史塔克静稻，起床了！”他吼道匈辱，“還不快醒醒振湾，咱們有國家大事要商量哪⊥隽常”

?? “By all means,” Ned said. “Come inside, YourGrace.” Alyn lifted the flap of the tent.

“遵命押搪，”奈德說，“陛下浅碾，請進(jìn)帳大州。”埃林聞言掀起簾幕垂谢。

?? “No, no, no,” Robert said. His breathsteamed with every word. “The camp is full of ears. Besides, I want to ride outand taste this country of yours.” Ser Boros and Ser Meryn waited behind himwith a dozen guardsmen, Ned saw. There was nothing to do but rub the sleep fromhis eyes, dress, and mount up.

“不不不厦画，”勞勃的呼吸在冷氣里蒸騰：“營地里閑雜人等太多，只怕隔墻有耳滥朱。況且我想出去走走根暑，順便體驗一下你的北地風(fēng)光》偈”奈德這才瞧見柏洛斯爵士和馬林爵士率領(lǐng)十?dāng)?shù)護(hù)衛(wèi)跟在國王身后购裙《妫看來除了揉揉惺忪睡眼鹃栽，更衣上馬之外，別無他法了躯畴。

?? Robert set the pace, driving his huge blackdestrier hard as Ned galloped along beside him, trying to keep up. He calledout a question as they rode, but the wind blew his words away, and the king didnot hear him. After that Ned rode in silence. They soon left the kingsroad andtook off across rolling plains dark with mist. By then the guard had fallenback a small distance, safely out of earshot, but still Robert would not slow.

勞勃騎著他那匹黑色戰(zhàn)馬一路狂奔民鼓，奈德也只好跟上。他邊騎邊問了一句蓬抄，但朔風(fēng)吹散了他的話音丰嘉，國王沒有聽見。之后奈德不再發(fā)話嚷缭，只靜靜地騎馬饮亏。他們旋即離開國王大道，奔進(jìn)黑霧濃郁的遼闊平原阅爽。此時護(hù)衛(wèi)已離他們有段距離路幸，再聽不見兩人交談，但勞勃仍未減速付翁。

?? Dawn broke as they crested a low ridge, andfinally the king pulled up. By then they were miles south of the main party.Robert was flushed and exhilarated as Ned reined up beside him. “Gods,” heswore, laughing, “it feels good to get out and ride the way a man was meant toride! I swear, Ned, this creeping along is enough to drive a man mad.” He hadnever been a patient man, Robert Baratheon. “That damnable wheelhouse, the wayit creaks and groans, climbing every bump in the road as if it were amountain?.?.?.?I promise you, if that wretched thing breaks another axle, I’mgoing to burn it, and Cersei can walk!”

直到他們登上一道低緩山脊简肴，晨曦初露，國王方才慢下腳步百侧，此時他們已在營地南方數(shù)里之遙砰识。奈德跟上勞勃能扒，只見他滿臉通紅，神采飛揚(yáng)辫狼〕醢撸“媽的，”他笑著咒道膨处，“到野外像個男人一樣騎他媽一段可真痛快越平！我告訴你，奈德灵迫，那慢吞吞的牛步會把人給逼瘋的秦叛。”勞勃·拜拉席恩向來不是個有耐性的人瀑粥≌醢希“瞧那天殺的輪宮嘰嘰嘎嘎的呻吟模樣，遇到石子都一副爬山的樣子……那鬼東西敢再給我斷根車軸狞换，我保證放火燒了它避咆，然后叫瑟曦跟著走路！”

?? Ned laughed. “I will gladly light the torchfor you.”

奈德笑道：“那我很樂意為您點火修噪〔榭猓”

?? “Good man!” The king clapped him on theshoulder. “I’ve half a mind to leave them all behind and just keep going.”

“說得好！”國王拍拍他肩膀黄琼，“我還真想丟下他們樊销，就這樣騎下去呢≡嗫睿”

?? A smile touched Ned’s lips. “I do believeyou mean it.”

一抹笑意浮上奈德嘴角围苫。“我相信您是認(rèn)真的撤师〖粮”

?? “I do, I do,” the king said. “What do yousay, Ned? Just you and me, two vagabond knights on the kingsroad, our swords atour sides and the gods know what in front of us, and maybe a farmer’s daughteror a tavern wench to warm our beds tonight.”

“那當(dāng)然，那當(dāng)然剃盾∠僬迹”國王道，“奈德痒谴，你覺得怎樣衰伯？就咱兩個游俠騎士仗劍闖江湖，兵來將擋闰歪，水來土淹嚎研。晚上便找個農(nóng)夫女兒或是酒店侍女幫咱們溫床。”

?? “Would that we could,” Ned said, “but wehave duties now, my liege?.?.?.?to the realm, to our children, I to my ladywife and you to your queen. We are not the boys we were.”

“果真如此倒好临扮，”奈德說论矾，“但是陛下，如今我們有責(zé)任在身……不只是對整個王國杆勇，更要對我們的子女負(fù)責(zé)贪壳，何況我有我的夫人，您有您的王后蚜退，我們已經(jīng)不再是當(dāng)年的年輕小伙了闰靴。”

?? “You were never the boy you were,” Robertgrumbled. “More’s the pity. And yet there was that one time?.?.?.?what was hername, that common girl of yours? Becca? No, she was one of mine, gods love her,black hair and these sweet big eyes, you could drown in them. Yours was?.?.?.?Aleena? No. You told me once. Was it Merryl? You know the one I mean, yourbastard’s mother?”

“你小子從來也沒年輕過钻注，”勞勃咕噥蚂且，“也罷。不過有那么一回……你那小妞兒叫什么來著幅恋？蓓卡杏死？不對，她是我的捆交，老天保佑她淑翼，那頭黑亮秀發(fā)和甜美的大眼睛，一不小心就教人難以自拔品追。你那個叫……雅莉娜玄括？你跟我提過一次，還是叫梅莉兒肉瓦？你知道我說的哪一個吧等缀？就你私生子的娘娇钱∮：撸”

?? “Her name was Wylla,” Ned replied with coolcourtesy, “and I would sooner not speak of her.”

“她叫薇拉誊垢。”奈德有禮卻冷冷說戒财，“我不想談她∞嘞遥”

?? “Wylla. Yes.” The king grinned. “She musthave been a rare wench if she could make Lord Eddard Stark forget his honor,even for an hour. You never told me what she looked like?.?.?.?”

　　“對饮寞，就叫薇拉×泻穑”勞勃嘿嘿直笑幽崩，“能讓艾德·史塔克公爵暫時忘卻榮譽(yù)，即使只是短短一個小時寞钥，她一定不是個簡單的姑娘慌申。你倒是一直沒告訴我她生什么模樣……？”

?? Ned’s mouth tightened in anger. “Nor will I.Leave it be, Robert, for the love you say you bear me. I dishonored myself andI dishonored Catelyn, in the sight of gods and men.”

奈德憤怒地抿嘴道：“以后也不會告訴你。勞勃蹄溉，不要再說了咨油，就算是看在我倆的情分上罷。我當(dāng)著諸神和世人的面羞辱了我自己柒爵，也羞辱了凱特琳役电。”

?? “Gods have mercy, you scarcely knewCatelyn.”

“諸神在上棉胀，你那時根本就沒跟凱特琳見幾次面法瑟。”

?? “I had taken her to wife. She was carryingmy child.”

“我已娶她為妻唁奢，她也懷了我的孩子霎挟。”

?? “You are too hard on yourself, Ned. Youalways were. Damn it, no woman wants Baelor the Blessed in her bed.” He slappeda hand on his knee. “Well, I’ll not press you if you feel so strong about it,though I swear, at times you’re so prickly you ought to take the hedgehog asyour sigil.”

“奈德麻掸，你律己太嚴(yán)了氓扛。你老是這德行，他媽的论笔，不會有女人想跟圣貝勒上床的采郎。”他拍了拍膝蓋狂魔，“算了蒜埋，既然你不想說，我也不勉強(qiáng)最楷。但有時候看你渾身帶刺整份，我覺得你真該拿刺猬來當(dāng)家徽∽阉铮”

?? The rising sun sent fingers of light throughthe pale white mists of dawn. A wide plain spread out beneath them, bare andbrown, its flatness here and there relieved by long, low hummocks. Ned pointedthem out to his king. “The barrows of the First Men.”

東升旭日的金黃指頭探進(jìn)清晨的朦朧白霧烈评，一片遼闊原野在兩人眼前展開，其中除了長而低緩的零星小丘犯建，盡是片片光禿禿的褐色平地讲冠。奈德指給國王看，“這里就是‘先民墳谑释撸’竿开。”

?? Robert frowned. “Have we ridden onto agraveyard?”

勞勃皺眉道：“我們騎到墳?zāi)苟牙飦砹藛岵Ｎ酰俊?/p>

?? “There are barrows everywhere in the north,Your Grace,” Ned told him. “This land is old.”

“陛下否彩，北方遍地都是墳?zāi)拱　嗦随！蹦蔚赂嬖V他列荔，“這是塊古老的土地。”

?? “And cold,” Robert grumbled, pulling hiscloak more tightly around himself. The guard had reined up well behind them, atthe bottom of the ridge. “Well, I did not bring you out here to talk of gravesor bicker about your bastard. There was a rider in the night, from Lord Varysin King’s Landing. Here.” The king pulled a paper from his belt and handed itto Ned.

“也是個冷死人的地方贴浙∩巴蹋”勞勃拉緊斗篷埋怨道，隨從在他們后方停韁勒馬悬而，停在山脊上呜舒。“也罷笨奠，我把你找到這里可不是來討論墳?zāi)购湍闼缴拥南取Ｗ蛲硗呃锼共舨钊藦木R送了封信來，喏般婆〉叫龋”國王從腰帶上抽出一張紙遞給奈德。

?? Varys the eunuch was the king’s master ofwhisperers. He served Robert now as he had once served Aerys Targaryen. Nedunrolled the paper with trepidation, thinking of Lysa and her terribleaccusation, but the message did not concern Lady Arryn. “What is the source forthis information?”

太監(jiān)瓦里斯是國王的情報總管蔚袍，從前服侍伊里斯·坦格利安乡范，如今改事勞勃。奈德畏懼地打開卷軸啤咽，心里想起萊莎和她那駭人的控訴晋辆，所幸內(nèi)容與艾林夫人無關(guān)∮钫“這消息的來源是瓶佳？”

?? “Do you remember Ser Jorah Mormont?”

“你還記得喬拉·莫爾蒙爵士嗎？”

?? “Would that I might forget him,” Ned saidbluntly. The Mormonts of Bear Island were an old house, proud and honorable,but their lands were cold and distant and poor. Ser Jorah had tried to swellthe family coffers by selling some poachers to a Tyroshi slaver. As theMormonts were bannermen to the Starks, his crime had dishonored the north. Nedhad made the long journey west to Bear Island, only to find when he arrivedthat Jorah had taken ship beyond the reach of Ice and the king’s justice. Fiveyears had passed since then.

“我一輩子也忘不了那家伙鳞青“运牵”奈德脫口便道。熊島的莫爾蒙家族歷史悠久臂拓，驕傲而講究榮譽(yù)厚脉，但他們的領(lǐng)地位置偏遠(yuǎn)，酷寒貧瘠胶惰。喬拉爵士為增加收入傻工，打算把抓到的盜獵者賣給泰洛西的奴隸販子。由于莫爾蒙是史塔克的封臣童番，如此一來等于玷污了整個北方的名聲精钮。于是奈德千里迢迢西行前往熊島，卻發(fā)現(xiàn)喬拉早已搭船潛逃剃斧，逃到“寒冰”和國王的法律制裁之外的番邦異地去了。事發(fā)至今一轉(zhuǎn)眼已經(jīng)五年忽你。

?? “Ser Jorah is now in Pentos, anxious to earna royal pardon that would allow him to return from exile,” Robert explained.“Lord Varys makes good use of him.”

“喬拉爵士現(xiàn)下人在潘托斯幼东，正焦急地等著王家特赦好渡海回國「罚”勞勃解釋脓杉，“瓦里斯伯爵妥善運用了這個優(yōu)勢〖虼”

?? “So the slaver has become a spy,” Ned saidwith distaste. He handed the letter back. “I would rather he become a corpse.”

“人口販子這下又成了間諜球散？”奈德嫌惡地說，一邊把信件交還散庶〗堆撸“我倒是寧愿他變成一具尸體”辏”

?? “Varys tells me that spies are more usefulthan corpses,” Robert said. “Jorah aside, what do you make of his report?”

“瓦里斯認(rèn)為間諜比尸體有用得多屋讶，”勞勃道，“不過撇開喬拉不談须教，你對此事有何看法皿渗？”

?? “Daenerys Targaryen has wed some Dothrakihorselord. What of it? Shall we send her a wedding gift?”

“丹妮莉絲嫁給一個多斯拉克馬王，那又如何轻腺？難不成我們該送份結(jié)婚賀禮過去乐疆？”

?? The king frowned. “A knife, perhaps. A goodsharp one, and a bold man to wield it.”

國王皺眉：“我看送把刀更好。一把銳利的好刀贬养，拿在一個有膽量的人手里挤土。”

?? Ned did not feign surprise; Robert’s hatredof the Targaryens was a madness in him. He remembered the angry words they hadexchanged when Tywin Lannister had presented Robert with the corpses ofRhaegar’s wife and children as a token of fealty. Ned had named that murder;Robert called it war. When he had protested that the young prince and princesswere no more than babes, his new-made king had replied, “I see no babes. Onlydragonspawn.” Not even Jon Arryn had been able to calm that storm. Eddard Starkhad ridden out that very day in a cold rage, to fight the last battles of thewar alone in the south. It had taken another death to reconcile them; Lyanna’sdeath, and the grief they had shared over her passing.

奈德沒有故作驚訝煤蚌。勞勃對坦格利安家族的恨意幾近瘋狂耕挨，他至今都還記憶猶新，當(dāng)年泰溫·蘭尼斯特獻(xiàn)上雷加妻兒們的尸體以示效忠時尉桩，兩人所發(fā)生的激烈口角筒占。奈德認(rèn)為這是謀殺，勞勃卻說是戰(zhàn)爭中難免的慘劇蜘犁。當(dāng)他辯稱年幼的王子和公主與嬰兒無異時翰苫，甫登上王位的勞勃應(yīng)道：“我可沒看到什么嬰兒，只見到惡龍的孽種这橙∽嘁ぃ”就連瓊恩·艾林也無法平息那場紛爭。艾德·史塔克當(dāng)天便憤然拂袖而去屈扎，獨自領(lǐng)兵前往南方打最后的一場仗埃唯。后來是因為萊安娜的死，兩人才言歸于好鹰晨。

?? This time, Ned resolved to keep his temper.“Your Grace, the girl is scarcely more than a child. You are no TywinLannister, to slaughter innocents.” It was said that Rhaegar’s little girl hadcried as they dragged her from beneath her bed to face the swords. The boy hadbeen no more than a babe in arms, yet Lord Tywin’s soldiers had torn him fromhis mother’s breast and dashed his head against a wall.

但這次奈德沒有發(fā)火墨叛≈贡希“陛下，她不過是個孩子漠趁，您總不會像泰溫·蘭尼斯特那樣濫殺無辜罷扁凛？”據(jù)說他們把雷加的小女兒從床上硬拖出去受死的時候，她哭得淚眼汪汪闯传。他的兒子根本只是個襁褓中的嬰兒谨朝，但泰溫公爵的手下照樣把他從母親胸膛上扯開來，一頭撞死在墻上甥绿。

?? “And how long will this one remain aninnocent?” Robert’s mouth grew hard. “This child will soon enough spread herlegs and start breeding more dragonspawn to plague me.”

“誰知道她還能天真無邪多久字币？”勞勃語音漸揚(yáng)，“這個‘孩子’過不了多久就會張開雙腿妹窖，繁殖一堆惡龍遺毒來找我麻煩了纬朝。”

?? “Nonetheless,” Ned said, “the murder ofchildren?.?.?.?it would be vile?.?.?.?unspeakable?.?.?.?”

“話雖如此骄呼，”奈德道共苛，“但謀殺孩子卻是很……令人發(fā)指……”

?? “Unspeakable?” the king roared. “What Aerysdid to your brother Brandon was unspeakable. The way your lord father died,that was unspeakable. And Rhaegar?.?.?.?how many times do you think he rapedyour sister? How many hundreds of times?” His voice had grown so loud that hishorse whinnied nervously beneath him. The king jerked the reins hard, quietingthe animal, and pointed an angry finger at Ned. “I will kill every Targaryen Ican get my hands on, until they are as dead as their dragons, and then I willpiss on their graves.”

“令人發(fā)指？”國王一聲怒喝蜓萄，“伊里斯對你哥哥布蘭登干的那些事隅茎，那才叫令人發(fā)指。想想你先父如何慘死嫉沽，那才叫令人發(fā)指辟犀。還有雷加……你覺得他強(qiáng)暴了你妹妹幾次？干了她幾百次绸硕？”他的暴跳使得鞍下坐騎不安地嘶叫起來堂竟，國王猛地一扯韁繩，教馬兒安靜玻佩，然后憤怒地指著奈德出嘹，“我要親手宰掉每一個坦格利安家的人，斬盡殺絕咬崔；我要教他們像龍一樣死得干凈徹底税稼，最后在他們墳上撒尿】逅梗”

?? Ned knew better than to defy him when thewrath was on him. If the years had not quenched Robert’s thirst for revenge, nowords of his would help. “You can’t get your hands on this one, can you?” hesaid quietly.

奈德很清楚不能在國王氣頭上頂撞他郎仆。如果這么多年的時間都無法澆熄他復(fù)仇的烈焰，只怕他的話也起不了什么作用兜蠕∪偶。“你沒法親手宰掉這一個，對吧熊杨？”他輕聲說狡耻。

?? The king’s mouth twisted in a bittergrimace. “No, gods be cursed. Some pox-ridden Pentoshi cheesemonger had herbrother and her walled up on his estate with pointy-hatted eunuchs all aroundthem, and now he’s handed them over to the Dothraki. I should have had themboth killed years ago, when it was easy to get at them, but Jon was as bad asyou. More fool I, I listened to him.”

國王憤恨地撇撇嘴墩剖『锇迹“是沒辦法夷狰，天殺的。有個操他媽的潘托斯小販把他們兄妹倆藏在圍墻后面郊霎，還派了一堆尖帽子太監(jiān)看守沼头，這會兒又把他們賣給多斯拉克人。幾年前不容易殺他們的時候书劝，我早該動手了进倍，但瓊恩跟你一樣壞心眼。不過我更傻购对，我聽了他的話猾昆。”

?? “Jon Arryn was a wise man and a good Hand.”

“瓊恩·艾林是個英明睿智的首相骡苞〈刮希”

?? Robert snorted. The anger was leaving him assuddenly as it had come. “This Khal Drogo is said to have a hundred thousandmen in his horde. What would Jon say to that?”

勞勃哼了一聲〗庥模“傳說這個卓戈卡奧手下有十萬大軍贴见，瓊恩聽了會作何感想？”

?? “He would say that even a million Dothrakiare no threat to the realm, so long as they remain on the other side of thenarrow sea,” Ned replied calmly. “The barbarians have no ships. They hate andfear the open sea.”

“他會說只要多斯拉克人待在狹海對岸躲株，即便百萬大軍又有何懼片部？”奈德平靜地答道，“那些野蠻人沒有船霜定，他們對一望無際的汪洋又懼又怕档悠。”

?? The king shifted uncomfortably in hissaddle. “Perhaps. There are ships to be had in the Free Cities, though. I tellyou, Ned, I do not like this marriage. There are still those in the SevenKingdoms who call me Usurper. Do you forget how many houses fought forTargaryen in the war? They bide their time for now, but give them half achance, they will murder me in my bed, and my sons with me. If the beggar kingcrosses with a Dothraki horde at his back, the traitors will join him.”

國王不安地在馬鞍上挪了挪望浩∠剿“或許如此，不過自由貿(mào)易城邦有的是船曾雕。奈德奴烙，我老實告訴你，我一點也不喜歡這樁婚事剖张。到現(xiàn)在王國里還有人叫我‘篡奪者’切诀，你難道忘了當(dāng)年有多少豪門望族起兵為坦格利安家族而戰(zhàn)嗎？他們現(xiàn)在按兵不動搔弄，但要是逮著機(jī)會幅虑，等不及要取我和我兒子的性命哪！倘若哪天這乞丐國王帶著多斯拉克大軍渡海而來顾犹，這些叛徒一定會擁護(hù)他倒庵“”

?? “He will not cross,” Ned promised. “And ifby some mischance he does, we will throw him back into the sea. Once you choosea new Warden of the East...”

“他渡不了海的∏姹Γ”奈德保證郁妈，“就算他真來了，我們也能協(xié)力把他趕回去绍申。等你任命好新的東境守護(hù)——”

?? The king groaned. “For the last time, I willnot name the Arryn boy Warden. I know the boy is your nephew, but withTargaryens climbing in bed with Dothraki, I would be mad to rest one quarter ofthe realm on the shoulders of a sickly child.”

國王呻吟道：“我說最后一遍噩咪，我不會讓艾林家那小毛頭繼任東境守護(hù)。我知道那孩子是你外甥极阅，但現(xiàn)在坦格利安家和多斯拉克人上了床胃碾，我瘋了才會把統(tǒng)領(lǐng)王國四分之一軍隊的重任交給一個體弱多病的小男孩來扛〗畈”

?? Ned was ready for that. “Yet we still musthave a Warden of the East. If Robert Arryn will not do, name one of yourbrothers. Stannis proved himself at the siege of Storm’s End, surely.”

奈德早知他會有此答復(fù)仆百。“但必須有人出來擔(dān)任東境守護(hù)不可奔脐。假如勞勃·艾林不足以勝任俄周，那就讓你的兄弟之一來接手罷。史坦尼斯在風(fēng)息堡之圍一役中已經(jīng)展現(xiàn)出他的才能帖族，相信他應(yīng)該沒問題栈源。”

?? He let the name hang there for a moment. Theking frowned and said nothing. He looked uncomfortable.

他讓史坦尼斯的名字在空氣中懸宕了一會兒竖般，國王皺皺眉甚垦，沒有答腔，看起來不太舒服涣雕。

?? “That is,” Ned finished quietly, watching,“unless you have already promised the honor to another.”

“當(dāng)然艰亮，”奈德輕聲續(xù)道，靜觀其變挣郭∑＃“倘若你已把這個職位許給了別人，那就另當(dāng)別論兑障≈斗牵”

?? For a moment Robert had the grace to lookstartled. Just as quickly, the look became annoyance. “What if I have?”

起初勞勃露出吃驚的神色，但隨即轉(zhuǎn)為不悅：“假如真是這樣呢流译？”

?? “It’s Jaime Lannister, is it not?”

“詹姆·蘭尼斯特逞怨，對吧？”

?? Robert kicked his horse back into motion andstarted down the ridge toward the barrows. Ned kept pace with him. The kingrode on, eyes straight ahead. “Yes,” he said at last. A single hard word to endthe matter.

勞勃一夾馬肚福澡，朝山瘠下的荒冢馳去叠赦，奈德緊隨在旁。國王徑自騎行革砸，兩眼直視前方除秀∨蠢郏“對〔岵龋”最后他總算開了口泳姐，仿佛要用這一個字來結(jié)束議題。

?? “Kingslayer,” Ned said. The rumors weretrue, then. He rode on dangerous ground now, he knew. “An able and courageousman, no doubt,” he said carefully, “but his father is Warden of the West,Robert. In time Ser Jaime will succeed to that honor. No one man should holdboth East and West.” He left unsaid his real concern; that the appointmentwould put half the armies of the realm into the hands of Lannisters.

“弒君者棍好≌贪叮”奈德道。這么說來借笙，所有的謠言都屬實了。他很清楚自己此刻措辭務(wù)必小心謹(jǐn)慎较锡∫导冢“他有能力，也不缺勇氣蚂蕴，這毋庸置疑低散。”他小心翼翼地說骡楼，“但是勞勃熔号，他父親是世襲的西境守護(hù)，詹姆爵士遲早要繼承父職鸟整，東西諸國的大權(quán)不應(yīng)落入同一個人手里引镊。”他沒把真正想說的話說出來：如此一來王國一半的兵力將會落入蘭尼斯特家族的手中篮条。

?? “I will fight that battle when the enemyappears on the field,” the king said stubbornly. “At the moment, Lord Tywinlooms eternal as Casterly Rock, so I doubt that Jaime will be succeedinganytime soon. Don’t vex me about this, Ned, the stone has been set.”

“等敵人出現(xiàn)了再打也不遲弟头，”國王執(zhí)拗地說，“眼下泰溫公爵好端端地待在凱巖城涉茧，我想詹姆還不至于太快繼承職位赴恨。奈德，這事兒別跟我爭伴栓，說出去的話伦连，覆水難收了∏澹”

?? “Your Grace, may I speak frankly?”

“陛下惑淳，請恕我直言不諱∪臃悖”

?? “I seem unable to stop you,” Robertgrumbled. They rode through tall brown grasses.

“反正我也阻止不了你汛聚。”勞勃咕噥著短荐。他們騎過棕褐長草叹哭。

?? “Can you trust Jaime Lannister?”

“你真信任詹姆·蘭尼斯特？”

?? “He is my wife’s twin, a Sworn Brother ofthe Kingsguard, his life and fortune and honor all bound to mine.”

“他是我老婆的孿生弟弟痕貌，又是發(fā)過誓的御林鐵衛(wèi)风罩，他的生死榮辱都維系在我身上《娉恚”

?? “As they were bound to Aerys Targaryen’s,”Ned pointed out.

“當(dāng)年他的生死榮辱不也全維系在伊里斯·坦格利安身上超升？”奈德不客氣地指出。

?? “Why should I mistrust him? He has doneeverything I have ever asked of him. His sword helped win the throne I sit on.”

“我有什么理由不信任他哺徊？我叫他辦的事他沒有一次讓我失望室琢，就連我現(xiàn)在的王位都是靠他的寶劍贏來的咧÷渥罚”

?? His sword helped taint the throne you siton, Ned thought, but he did not permit the words to pass his lips. “He swore avow to protect his king’s life with his own. Then he opened that king’s throatwith a sword.”

正是他的寶劍玷污了你的王位啊盈滴，奈德心想，但沒讓自己說出口轿钠〕驳觯“他發(fā)誓以性命守護(hù)國王，結(jié)果卻一劍割了國王的喉嚨疗垛≈⑿冢”

?? “Seven hells, someone had to kill Aerys!”Robert said, reining his mount to a sudden halt beside an ancient barrow. “IfJaime hadn’t done it, it would have been left for you or me.”

“媽的，總得有人動手吧贷腕？”勞勃道背镇，他在一座古老的荒墳邊勒住馬韁』模“要是他沒殺掉伊里斯芽世，那么不是你殺就是我殺」畋冢”

?? “We were not Sworn Brothers of theKingsguard,” Ned said. The time had come for Robert to hear the whole truth, hedecided then and there. “Do you remember the Trident, Your Grace?”

“我們可不是宣誓效死的御林鐵衛(wèi)济瓢。”奈德道妹卿，當(dāng)下他決定是該讓勞勃聽聽實話的時候了旺矾。“陛下夺克，您可還記得三叉戟河之戰(zhàn)箕宙？”

?? “I won my crown there. How should I forgetit?”

“我頭上的王冠就是在那兒掙來的，怎么可能忘記铺纽？”

?? “You took a wound from Rhaegar,” Nedreminded him. “So when the Targaryen host broke and ran, you gave the pursuitinto my hands. The remnants of Rhaegar’s army fled back to King’s Landing. Wefollowed. Aerys was in the Red Keep with several thousand loyalists. I expectedto find the gates closed to us.”

“您在和雷加的決斗中負(fù)了傷柬帕，”奈德提醒他，“因此當(dāng)坦格利安軍潰散后，您將追擊的任務(wù)托付于我陷寝。雷加的殘兵逃回君臨锅很，我們尾隨而至。伊里斯和幾千名死士守在紅堡凤跑，我本以為城門一定是緊緊關(guān)閉爆安。”

?? Robert gave an impatient shake of his head.“Instead you found that our men had already taken the city. What of it?”

勞勃不耐煩地?fù)u頭接口：“結(jié)果你發(fā)現(xiàn)我們的人已經(jīng)占領(lǐng)了城堡仔引，那又如何扔仓？”

?? “Not our men,” Ned said patiently.“Lannister men. The lion of Lannister flew over the ramparts, not the crownedstag. And they had taken the city by treachery.”

“不是我們的人，”奈德耐著性子咖耘，“是蘭尼斯特家的人翘簇。當(dāng)時城垛上飄揚(yáng)的是蘭尼斯特家族的怒吼雄獅，并非寶冠雄鹿鲤看。城池乃是他們靠詭計奪下的缘揪。”

?? The war had raged for close to a year. Lordsgreat and small had flocked to Robert’s banners; others had remained loyal toTargaryen. The mighty Lannisters of Casterly Rock, the Wardens of the West, hadremained aloof from the struggle, ignoring calls to arms from both rebels androyalists. Aerys Targaryen must have thought that his gods had answered hisprayers when Lord Tywin Lannister appeared before the gates of King’s Landingwith an army twelve thousand strong, professing loyalty. So the mad king hadordered his last mad act. He had opened his city to the lions at the gate.

當(dāng)時戰(zhàn)火已經(jīng)蔓燒將近一年义桂，大小貴族紛紛投至勞勃旗下，也有不少仍舊忠于坦格利安家族蹈垢。勢力龐大慷吊，世代擔(dān)任西境守護(hù)的凱巖城蘭尼斯特家族，卻始終遠(yuǎn)離戰(zhàn)場曹抬，不理會叛黨和保王人士的呼喚溉瓶。最后，當(dāng)泰溫·蘭尼斯特公爵親率一萬兩千精兵出現(xiàn)在君臨城下谤民，表示勤王意圖時堰酿，伊里斯·坦格利安想必以為自己命不該絕罷。于是瘋狂的國王下了他最后一道瘋狂的命令张足，大開城門触创，引獅入室。

?? “Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knewwell,” Robert said. The anger was building in him again. “Lannister paid themback in kind. It was no less than they deserved. I shall not trouble my sleepover it.”

“坦格利安同樣也與詭計為伍为牍，”勞勃道哼绑，他的怒氣又漸漸升起〉锱兀“蘭尼斯特不過是以其人之道抖韩，還治其人之身罷了。天要亡坦格利安疫铜，他們死不足惜茂浮。”

?? “You were not there,” Ned said, bitternessin his voice. Troubled sleep was no stranger to him. He had lived his lies forfourteen years, yet they still haunted him at night. “There was no honor inthat conquest.”

“你當(dāng)時并不在場，”奈德語帶苦澀席揽。這個謊言已經(jīng)伴隨他十四年顽馋，至今仍時常在夢中騷擾他【阅幔“那場仗毫無榮譽(yù)可言趣避。”

?? “The Others take your honor!” Robert swore.“What did any Targaryen ever know of honor? Go down into your crypt and askLyanna about the dragon’s honor!”

“去你媽的榮譽(yù)新翎！”勞勃破口大罵程帕，“坦格利安懂什么狗屁榮譽(yù)？去你老家墓窖里問問萊安娜地啰，問她什么叫惡龍的榮譽(yù)愁拭！”

?? “You avenged Lyanna at the Trident,” Nedsaid, halting beside the king. Promise me, Ned, she had whispered.

“三叉戟河一役，你已經(jīng)為她報了仇亏吝×氩海”奈德在國王身旁停下馬。奈德蔚鸥，答應(yīng)我惜论，當(dāng)年，她死前如此低語止喷。

?? “That did not bring her back.” Robert lookedaway, off into the grey distance. “The gods be damned. It was a hollow victorythey gave me. A crown?.?.?.?it was the girl I prayed them for. Your sister,safe?.?.?.?and mine again, as she was meant to be. I ask you, Ned, what good isit to wear a crown? The gods mock the prayers of kings and cowherds alike.”

“卻不能讓她起死回生馆类，”勞勃別轉(zhuǎn)頭去，望向灰暗的遠(yuǎn)方弹谁∏桑“諸神都該死，我只求得到你妹妹预愤，他們卻硬塞給我一頂狗屁王冠……贏得戰(zhàn)爭又如何沟于？我只要她平平安安……重回我的懷抱，一切都和原本一樣植康。奈德旷太，我問你，當(dāng)國王有什么好向图？管你是國王還是放牛郎泳秀，諸神不都一樣嘲弄你么？”

?? “I cannot answer for the gods, YourGrace?.?.?.?only for what I found when I rode into the throne room that day,”Ned said. “Aerys was dead on the floor, drowned in his own blood. His dragonskulls stared down from the walls. Lannister’s men were everywhere. Jaime worethe white cloak of the Kingsguard over his golden armor. I can see him still.Even his sword was gilded. He was seated on the Iron Throne, high above hisknights, wearing a helm fashioned in the shape of a lion’s head. How heglittered!”

“陛下榄攀，我沒法替神靈回答您的問題……我只知道當(dāng)我騎馬進(jìn)入紅堡大廳時嗜傅，”奈德道，“伊里斯倒臥血泊檩赢，墻上龍骨冷冷地看著他吕嘀。四處都是蘭尼斯特的手下违寞，詹姆穿著亮金戰(zhàn)甲，外罩御林鐵衛(wèi)的白披風(fēng)偶房，還有金色的寶劍趁曼，那景象直到現(xiàn)在還歷歷在目。他坐在鐵王座上棕洋，高聳于眾武士之中挡闰，獅頭面罩下，威風(fēng)凜凜掰盘，好不意氣風(fēng)發(fā)摄悯！”

?? “This is well known,” the king complained.

“這是眾人皆知的事嘛！”國王抱怨愧捕。

?? “I was still mounted. I rode the length ofthe hall in silence, between the long rows of dragon skulls. It felt as thoughthey were watching me, somehow. I stopped in front of the throne, looking up athim. His golden sword was across his legs, its edge red with a king’s blood. Mymen were filling the room behind me. Lannister’s men drew back. I never said aword. I looked at him seated there on the throne, and I waited. At last Jaimelaughed and got up. He took off his helm, and he said to me, ‘Have no fear,Stark. I was only keeping it warm for our friend Robert. It’s not a verycomfortable seat, I’m afraid.’ ”

“當(dāng)時我人在馬上奢驯，騎進(jìn)正殿，穿過一排排巨龍顱骨次绘，我有種感覺瘪阁，仿佛他們正看著我。最后我停在王座之前邮偎，抬頭望他管跺。他把黃金寶劍橫陳于大腿之上，國王的血從劍尖不斷滴落禾进。這時我的人也涌進(jìn)大廳伙菜，蘭尼斯特的部隊則不斷后退。我半個字也沒說命迈，只靜靜地盯著他坐在王位上的模樣，耐心等待火的。最后他笑著站起來壶愤，摘下頭盔對我說：‘史塔克，可別瞎擔(dān)心喲馏鹤，我只是先幫咱們勞勃暖暖位子罷了征椒。不過這把椅子恐怕坐起來不大舒服哪！’”

?? The king threw back his head and roared. Hislaughter startled a flight of crows from the tall brown grass. They took to theair in a wild beating of wings. “You think I should mistrust Lannister becausehe sat on my throne for a few moments?” He shook with laughter again. “Jaimewas all of seventeen, Ned. Scarce more than a boy.”

國王仰頭大笑湃累，笑聲驚起棲息在附近棕褐長草叢里的烏鴉群勃救，它們嘎嘎驚叫，振翅騰空治力∶擅耄“只因為蘭尼斯特那小子在我的王位上坐了幾分鐘，你就叫我別信任他宵统？”他再度放聲狂笑晕讲，“得了罷，奈德，詹姆當(dāng)年才十七歲瓢省，還是個大孩子弄息。”

?? “Boy or man, he had no right to thatthrone.”

“不管他是孩子還是成人勤婚，都無權(quán)坐上王位摹量。”

?? “Perhaps he was tired,” Robert suggested.“Killing kings is weary work. Gods know, there’s no place else to rest your assin that damnable room. And he spoke truly, it is a monstrous uncomfortablechair. In more ways than one.” The king shook his head.“Well, now I know Jaime’s dark sin, and the

matter can be forgotten. I am heartily sick of secrets and squabbles and

matters of state, Ned. It’s all as tedious as counting coppers. Come, let’s

ride, you used to know how. I want to feel the wind in my hair again.” He

kicked his horse back into motion galloped up over the barrow, raining earth

down behind him.

“或許他累了馒胆，”勞勃幫他開脫：“殺國王可不是件輕松差事缨称，那該死的大廳里又沒別的地方擺屁股。其實国章，他說的一點不錯具钥，不管從哪方面來看，那都是張既猙獰又不舒服的椅子液兽÷钌荆”國王搖搖頭，“好了四啰，如今我知道詹姆不為人知的惡行了宁玫，以后就忘了此事。奈德柑晒，我對管理國政和機(jī)心巧詐實在反胃透頂欧瘪，全是些跟數(shù)銅板沒兩樣的無聊事。來匙赞，咱們來好好騎上一段佛掖，你從前可是很會騎馬的，咱們再嘗嘗大風(fēng)在發(fā)梢奔馳的爽勁兒涌庭〗姹唬”說完他再度策馬前驅(qū)，揚(yáng)長而去坐榆，越過墳冢拴魄，馬蹄在身后濺起如雨泥花。

?? For a moment Ned did not follow. He had runout of words, and he was filled with a vast sense of helplessness. Not for thefirst time, he wondered what he was doing here and why he had come. He was noJon Arryn, to curb the wildness of his king and teach him wisdom. Robert woulddo what he pleased, as he always had, and nothing Ned could say or do wouldchange that. He belonged in Winterfell. He belonged with Catelyn in her grief,and with Bran.

奈德并未立即跟上席镀。他已經(jīng)費盡唇舌匹中，此刻只覺得心中充滿無邊的無助感。他不止一次地質(zhì)疑自己到底在做什么豪诲，走這一遭又究竟所為何事顶捷。他不是瓊恩·艾林，無法約束國王的野性跛溉，教導(dǎo)他以智慧焊切。勞勃終究會任性而為讼撒，一如既往察署，奈德不論好說歹說都改變不了事實。他的歸宿是臨冬城，是哀傷的凱特琳威兜，是他的愛子布蘭啊湾揽。

?? A man could not always be where he belonged,though. Resigned, Eddard Stark put his boots into his horse and set off afterthe king.

但凡事畢竟不可能盡如人意苦酱。艾德·史塔克心意已決酥泞，便一踢馬肚，朝國王奔去芽死。