序幕

"The comet’s tail spread across the dawn, a red slash that bled above the crags of Dragonstone like a wound in the pink and purple sky."???

彗星的尾巴劃過(guò)清晨梆惯，好似紫紅天幕上的一道傷口距帅，在龍石島的危崖絕壁上空汩汩泣血藤抡。??

"The maester stood on the windswept balcony outside his chambers. It was here the ravens came, after long flight. Their droppings speckled the gargoyles that rose twelve feet tall on either side of him, a hellhound and a wyvern, two of the thousand that brooded over the walls of the ancient fortress.

老學(xué)士獨(dú)自佇立在臥房外狂風(fēng)怒吼的陽(yáng)臺(tái)上纺座。信鴉長(zhǎng)途跋涉之后，正是于此停息导盅。兩尊十二尺高的石像立在兩側(cè)较幌，一邊是地獄犬，一邊是長(zhǎng)翼龍白翻，其上灑布著烏鴉糞便乍炉。這樣的石像鬼為數(shù)過(guò)千，蹲踞于瓦雷利亞古城高墻之上滤馍。

When first he came to Dragonstone, the army of stone grotesques had made him uneasy, but as the years passed he had grown used to them. Now he thought of them as old friends. The three of them watched the sky together with foreboding."??

當(dāng)年他初抵龍石島岛琼，曾因滿城的猙獰石像而局促不安。隨著時(shí)光流逝巢株，他已日漸習(xí)慣槐瑞，如今他視他們?yōu)槔嫌眩瞬⒓绺蟀枫凡话驳啬灬　??

"The maester did not believe in omens. And yet … old as he was, Cressen had never seen a comet half so bright, nor yet that color, that terrible color, the color of blood and flame and sunsets. He wondered if his gargoyles had ever seen its like. They had been here so much longer than he had, and would still be here long after he was gone. If stone tongues could speak …"??

老學(xué)士向來(lái)不信預(yù)兆困檩，話雖如此，但活到這把年紀(jì)那槽，克禮森還真沒(méi)見(jiàn)過(guò)如此璀亮的彗星悼沿，更沒(méi)見(jiàn)過(guò)這番混雜鮮血、烈焰與落日的駭人顏色骚灸。他不禁懷疑自己的石像鬼朋友可否目睹糟趾，畢竟它們?cè)缭谒絹?lái)之前便已安居于此，而在他身殞之后亦將長(zhǎng)存。如果石像會(huì)說(shuō)話就好了……??

"Such folly. He leaned against the battlement, the sea crashing beneath him, the black stone rough beneath his fingers. Talking gargoyles and prophecies in the sky. I am an old done man, grown giddy as a child again. Had a lifetime’s hard-won wisdom fled him along with his health and strength? He was a maester, trained and chained in the great Citadel of Oldtown. What had he come to, when superstition filled his head as if he were an ignorant fieldhand?"??

真是荒唐拉讯。他倚靠雉堞涤浇，手指摩擦著粗糙的黑石表面，下方惡浪襲岸魔慷。會(huì)說(shuō)話的石像鬼只锭？天際的預(yù)兆？我老了不中用了院尔，難道這就是老來(lái)瘋蜻展？難道一輩子辛苦掙來(lái)的智慧，就這么和青春一并逃竄無(wú)蹤了么邀摆？思及他在舊鎮(zhèn)學(xué)城所受的訓(xùn)練纵顾，頸上戴的鎖鏈，他的學(xué)士生涯栋盹，現(xiàn)在卻滿腦子迷信宛如農(nóng)漢施逾，情何以堪？??

"And yet … and yet … the comet burned even by day now, while pale grey steam rose from the hot vents of Dragonmont behind the castle, and yestermorn a white raven had brought word from the Citadel itself, word long-expected but no less fearful for all that, word of summer’s end. Omens, all. Too many to deny. What does it all mean? he wanted to cry."??

可是……可是……如今這顆彗星連白天都清晰可見(jiàn)例获，而蒼白泛灰的蒸汽不斷自城堡后方龍山的地?zé)峥谏鸷憾睿驮谧蛱煸缟希兄话坐f從舊鎮(zhèn)帶來(lái)他早已預(yù)期榨汤，卻始終恐懼的信息：夏日將盡蠕搜。兇兆紛起，再否認(rèn)下去只是自欺欺人收壕。但這一切究竟預(yù)示著什么呀妓灌？他簡(jiǎn)直泫然欲泣……?

"“Maester Cressen, we have visitors.” Pylos spoke softly, as if loath to disturb Cressen’s solemn meditations. Had he known what drivel filled his head, he would have shouted. “The princess would see the white raven.” Ever correct, Pylos called her princess now, as her lord father was a king. King of a smoking rock in the great salt sea, yet a king nonetheless. “Her fool is with her.”"?

“克禮森師傅，有人造訪蜜宪〕婀。”派洛斯輕聲道，彷彿不愿打擾克禮森的沉思圃验。他若知道此刻老學(xué)士腦中的愚蠢思想告丢，恐怕就會(huì)大喊吧∷鹎“公主想看看白鴉≡榔模”由于她的父親已經(jīng)稱王照捡，向來(lái)講究禮數(shù)的派洛斯便改口稱她為公主。即便他父王的領(lǐng)土只是汪洋中的一座孤島话侧，但畢竟是個(gè)國(guó)王栗精。“她的弄臣也跟來(lái)了”ⅲ”??

"The old man turned away from the dawn, keeping a hand on his wyvern to steady himself. “Help me to my chair and show them in.”"??

老學(xué)士轉(zhuǎn)身鹿寨，背離曉色，一手扶住翼龍石像薪夕〗挪荩“扶我坐下，然后請(qǐng)他們進(jìn)來(lái)原献×罂”??

"Taking his arm, Pylos led him inside. In his youth, Cressen had walked briskly, but he was not far from his eightieth name day now, and his legs were frail and unsteady.

派洛斯挽著他的手，引領(lǐng)他進(jìn)入書(shū)房姑隅⌒戳ィ克禮森年輕時(shí)也曾步履輕盈，但如今年近八旬讲仰，雙腳早已孱弱不穩(wěn)慕趴。

Two years past, he had fallen and shattered a hip, and it had never mended properly. Last year when he took ill, the Citadel had sent Pylos out from Oldtown, mere days before Lord Stannis had closed the isle … to help him in his labors, it was said, but Cressen knew the truth. Pylos had come to replace him when he died. He did not mind. Someone must take his place, and sooner than he would like …"??

兩年前他摔碎了一邊臀骨，之后便沒(méi)有完全復(fù)原鄙陡。去年他的健康狀況持續(xù)惡化冕房，舊鎮(zhèn)的學(xué)城便送來(lái)了派洛斯，剛好在史坦尼斯下令封鎖龍石島的前幾天……名義上是協(xié)助他處理日常事務(wù)柔吼，但克禮森很清楚這代表著什么：他死之后毒费，派洛斯將取而代之。對(duì)此他并不介意愈魏，總得有人接下自己的棒子觅玻，只沒(méi)想到這么快……??

"He let the younger man settle him behind his books and papers. “Go bring her. It is ill to keep a lady waiting.” He waved a hand, a feeble gesture of haste from a man no longer capable of hastening. His flesh was wrinkled and spotted, the skin so papery thin that he could see the web of veins and the shape of bones beneath. And how they trembled, these hands of his that had once been so sure and deft …"??

他讓年輕人把自己安置在書(shū)桌邊，桌上堆滿了書(shū)籍紙張培漏∠澹“帶她進(jìn)來(lái)吧，別讓公主久等牌柄』”他虛弱地?fù)]揮手，催促徒弟趕快行動(dòng)珊佣，他自己早已是個(gè)無(wú)力匆促的人了蹋宦。他的手滿是皺紋斑點(diǎn)，在干薄如紙的皮膚下咒锻，幾可見(jiàn)密布的血管和干枯的骨骼冷冗。這雙手如今竟這般顫抖，曾經(jīng)它們是多么靈巧惑艇、多么穩(wěn)健啊……??

"When Pylos returned the girl came with him, shy as ever. Behind her, shuffling and hopping in that queer sideways walk of his, came her fool. On his head was a mock helm fashioned from an old tin bucket, with a rack of deer antlers strapped to the crown and hung with cowbells. With his every lurching step, the bells rang, each with a different voice, clang-a-dang bong-dong ring-a-ling clong clong clong."??

小女孩跟著派洛斯一起進(jìn)來(lái)蒿辙，羞怯一如往常拇泛。在她身后拖步輕跳、古怪橫行的思灌，則是她的弄臣俺叭。他戴著一頂老舊錫桶做的玩具頭盔，頂端捆了兩根鹿角泰偿，上面掛著牛鈴熄守，隨著他的蹣跚腳步而發(fā)出不同聲響：鏗啷當(dāng)、碰咚甜奄、鈴鈴柠横、嗑啷啷。??

"“Who comes to see us so early, Pylos?” Cressen said."??

“派洛斯课兄，是誰(shuí)一大早來(lái)拜訪我們牍氛？”克禮森問(wèn)。??

"“It’s me and Patches, Maester.” Guileless blue eyes blinked at him. Hers was not a pretty face, alas.

“師傅烟阐，是我和阿丁搬俊。”她天真無(wú)瑕的藍(lán)眼睛朝他直眨蜒茄，只可惜她的臉蛋并不漂亮唉擂。

?The child had her lord father’s square jut of jaw and her mother’s unfortunate ears, along with a disfigurement all her own, the legacy of the bout of greyscale that had almost claimed her in the crib. Across half one cheek and well down her neck, her flesh was stiff and dead, the skin cracked and flaking, mottled black and grey and stony to the touch. “Pylos said we might see the white raven.”"??

這孩子不僅有她父親突出的方下巴，而且很不幸地繼承了她母親那雙耳朵檀葛。除此之外玩祟，她年幼時(shí)曾感染灰鱗病，險(xiǎn)些喪命屿聋，后雖逃過(guò)一劫空扎，卻留下可怕的殘缺：半邊臉頰直到頸部下方，皮膚全部僵硬壞死润讥，表面干裂转锈，層層剝落，夾雜著黑灰斑點(diǎn)楚殿，撫觸起來(lái)宛如硬石撮慨。“派洛斯說(shuō)可以讓我們看看白鴉脆粥∑瞿纾”????

“Indeed you may,” Cressen answered. As if he would ever deny her. She had been denied too often in her time. Her name was Shireen. She would be ten on her next name day, and she was the saddest child that Maester Cressen had ever known. Her sadness is my shame, the old man thought, another mark of my failure. “Maester Pylos, do me a kindness and bring the bird down from the rookery for the Lady Shireen.”"、

“當(dāng)然可以变隔「Х停”克禮森回答。他怎么忍心拒絕她弟胀？難道她失去的還不夠多嗎？她名叫希琳，就快滿十歲了孵户，而她是克禮森學(xué)士所見(jiàn)過(guò)最哀傷的孩子萧朝。她的哀傷是我的恥辱，老學(xué)士心想夏哭，另一個(gè)我失職的永恒烙印检柬。“派洛斯師傅竖配，有勞你把鳥(niǎo)兒從鴉巢里帶過(guò)來(lái)給希琳公主看看何址。”

"“It would be my pleasure.” Pylos was a polite youth, no more than five-and-twenty, yet solemn as a man of sixty. If only he had more humor, more life in him; that was what was needed here. Grim places needed lightening, not solemnity,

“這是我的榮幸进胯∮米Γ”派洛斯是個(gè)謙恭有禮的年輕人，年方廿五胁镐，卻嚴(yán)肅得像個(gè)六旬老翁偎血。假如他多些幽默感，多些活力就好了盯漂，此地就缺這個(gè)颇玷。陰沉之地需要愉悅，而非肅穆就缆。

and Dragonstone was grim beyond a doubt, a lonely citadel in the wet waste surrounded by storm and salt, with the smoking shadow of the mountain at its back. A maester must go where he is sent, so Cressen had come here with his lord some twelve years past, and he had served, and served well. Yet he had never loved Dragonstone, nor ever felt truly at home here. Of late, when he woke from restless dreams in which the red woman figured disturbingly, he often did not know where he was."??

龍石島是一座海中孤寂的堡壘帖渠，地勢(shì)乃是濕冷荒原，終年為暴風(fēng)惡水環(huán)繞竭宰，背后又有火山煙影空郊，陰沉自然不在話下。但職責(zé)所趨羞延，學(xué)士便必須毅然前往渣淳，所以十二年前克禮森隨公爵來(lái)到龍石島，為之效命伴箩，盡忠職守入愧。然而他從未真心愛(ài)過(guò)龍石島，也始終沒(méi)有找到歸屬感嗤谚。近來(lái)棺蛛，紅袍女每每妖魅般浮現(xiàn)夢(mèng)中，使他驟然驚醒巩步，卻惶惶不知身在何處旁赊。??

"The fool turned his patched and piebald head to watch Pylos climb the steep iron steps to the rookery. His bells rang with the motion. “Under the sea, the birds have scales for feathers,” he said, clang-a-langing. “I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.”"??

弄臣轉(zhuǎn)過(guò)他那膚色不一、斑紋滿布的頭椅野，看著派洛斯爬上高聳的鐵梯行往鴉巢终畅，頭盔上的鈴鐺隨之作響籍胯。“海底下离福，鳥(niǎo)兒生鱗不長(zhǎng)羽杖狼，”他說(shuō)，喀啷啷啷妖爷，“我知道蝶涩，我知道，噢噢噢絮识÷唐福”???

"Even for a fool, Patchface was a sorry thing. Perhaps once he could evoke gales of laughter with a quip, but the sea had taken that power from him, along with half his wits and all his memory. He was soft and obese, subject to twitches and trembles, incoherent as often as not. The girl was the only one who laughed at him now, the only one who cared if he lived or died."??

即便以弄臣的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)而言，補(bǔ)丁臉依舊是個(gè)失敗的角色次舌。很久很久以前熄攘，或許他能輕易引來(lái)哄堂大笑，但大海奪走了他的能力垃它，同時(shí)也奪走了他大半神智和所有記憶鲜屏。他體態(tài)肥軟，時(shí)而莫名地抽搐顫抖国拇，又時(shí)而連話都說(shuō)不清洛史。這小女孩是現(xiàn)在唯一還會(huì)被他逗笑的人，大概也只有她在乎他的死活酱吝。?

"An ugly little girl and a sad fool, and maester makes three … now there is a tale to make men weep. “Sit with me, child.” Cressen beckoned her closer. “This is early to come calling, scarce past dawn. You should be snug in your bed.”"??

一個(gè)丑陋的小女孩和她可悲的弄臣也殖，再加上我這個(gè)油盡燈枯的老學(xué)士……任誰(shuí)聽(tīng)了都會(huì)為我們?nèi)说墓适罗湟话淹闇I∥袢龋“孩子忆嗜，過(guò)來(lái)陪我坐坐∑槠瘢”克禮森招手示意她靠近捆毫，“天才剛亮，你應(yīng)該在被窩里睡得香甜冲甘，怎么會(huì)跑來(lái)找我呢绩卤？”

"“I had bad dreams,” Shireen told him. “About the dragons. They were coming to eat me.”"??

長(zhǎng)年惡夢(mèng)纏身“我剛作了惡夢(mèng)，”希琳告訴他江醇”舯铮“我夢(mèng)見(jiàn)龍要吃我√找梗”

"The child had been plagued by nightmares as far back as Maester Cressen could recall. “We have talked of this before,” he said gently. “The dragons cannot come to life. They are carved of stone, child. In olden days, our island was the westernmost outpost of the great Freehold of Valyria. It was the Valyrians who raised this citadel, and they had ways of shaping stone since lost to us.

克禮森學(xué)士記得小女孩長(zhǎng)年惡夢(mèng)纏身凛驮。“我不是跟你說(shuō)過(guò)嗎条辟？”他溫柔地說(shuō)黔夭，“巨龍已死宏胯，再也無(wú)法復(fù)生。孩子本姥，它們都是石雕胳嘲。在很久很久以前，我們這座島是強(qiáng)大的瓦雷利亞自由城邦最西邊的前哨站扣草。建造這座城堡的是瓦雷利亞人，雖然他們的偉大技藝業(yè)已失傳颜屠。

A castle must have towers wherever two walls meet at an angle, for defense. The Valyrians fashioned these towers in the shape of dragons to make their fortress seem more fearsome, just as they crowned their walls with a thousand gargoyles instead of simple crenellations.” He took her small pink hand in his own frail spotted one and gave it a gentle squeeze. “So you see, there is nothing to fear.”"??

為抵御外侮辰妙，他們?cè)谝拿總€(gè)城墻交會(huì)處都筑起塔樓。瓦雷利亞人刻意將這些塔樓雕鑿成惡龍形狀甫窟，好讓城堡看來(lái)更加駭人密浑。他們之所以舍棄普通的城垛，而改用千百尊猙獰石像粗井，也是為了這個(gè)目的尔破。”他伸出自己斑駁干瘦的手浇衬，輕輕握了一下她粉嫩的小手懒构。“所以啰耘擂，沒(méi)什么好怕的胆剧。”??

"Shireen was unconvinced. “What about the thing in the sky? Dalla and Matrice were talking by the well, and Dalla said she heard the red woman tell Mother that it was dragonsbreath. If the dragons are breathing, doesn’t that mean they are coming to life?”"??

希琳卻不為所動(dòng)醉冤≈然簦“那天上飛的又是什么東西？上次黛拉和梅翠絲在井邊說(shuō)話蚁阳，黛拉說(shuō)她聽(tīng)到那個(gè)紅衣服的女人跟媽媽說(shuō)那是‘龍息’铃绒。假如龍會(huì)呼吸，那不就是它們活過(guò)來(lái)了嗎螺捐？”??

"The red woman, Maester Cressen thought sourly. Ill enough that she’s filled the head of the mother with her madness, must she poison the daughter’s dreams as well? He would have a stern word with Dalla, warn her not to spread such tales.

這該死的紅袍女颠悬，克禮森學(xué)士苦澀地想，難道成天在母親耳邊進(jìn)讒言還不夠归粉，現(xiàn)在竟連她小女兒的清夢(mèng)也不肯放過(guò)椿疗？他一定要把黛拉好好訓(xùn)誡一番，警告她不許再危言聳聽(tīng)糠悼。

“The thing in the sky is a comet, sweet child. A star with a tail, lost in the heavens. It will be gone soon enough, never to be seen again in our lifetimes. Watch and see.”"??

“好孩子届榄，天空中的東西叫彗星，就是有尾巴的星星倔喂。它迷失在天空里铝条，不久就會(huì)消失不見(jiàn)靖苇，我們一輩子都不會(huì)再看到，你等著瞧吧班缰∠捅冢”??

Shireen gave a brave little nod. “Mother said the white raven means it’s not summer anymore.”??

希琳勇敢地點(diǎn)點(diǎn)小腦袋，“媽媽說(shuō)白鴉代表夏天要結(jié)束了埠忘∑⒉穑”

"“That is so, my lady. The white ravens fly only from the Citadel.” Cressen’s fingers went to the chain about his neck, each link forged from a different metal, each symbolizing his mastery of another branch of learning; the maester’s collar, mark of his order. In the pride of his youth, he had worn it easily, but now it seemed heavy to him, the metal cold against his skin.

“我的好小姐，的確如此莹妒。白鴉只會(huì)從舊鎮(zhèn)的學(xué)城飛來(lái)名船。”克禮森的手指輕撫頸間鎖鏈旨怠，鎖鏈由不同金屬串接而成渠驼，分別代表他在不同領(lǐng)域獲得的成就。學(xué)士頸鏈?zhǔn)菍W(xué)城的標(biāo)記鉴腻，是他組織的象征迷扇，多年前他英氣煥發(fā)，深感驕傲地戴著它爽哎，如今卻日覺(jué)沉重蜓席，冰冷的金屬緊貼皮膚。

“They are larger than other ravens, and more clever, bred to carry only the most important messages. This one came to tell us that the Conclave has met, considered the reports and measurements made by maesters all over the realm, and declared this great summer done at last. Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory.”"??

“它們比同類來(lái)得高大倦青，也聰明得多瓮床，生來(lái)就接受訓(xùn)練，負(fù)責(zé)傳遞最重要的信息产镐。白鴉帶來(lái)的消息說(shuō)隘庄，學(xué)城已召開(kāi)‘樞機(jī)會(huì)’，根據(jù)王國(guó)各地學(xué)士所做的天象觀測(cè)和報(bào)告癣亚，宣告長(zhǎng)夏的終結(jié)丑掺。這個(gè)夏季長(zhǎng)達(dá)十年兩個(gè)月又十六天，是人們記憶中時(shí)間最長(zhǎng)的一次述雾〗种荩”

"“Will it get cold now?” Shireen was a summer child, and had never known true cold."?

?“天會(huì)變冷嗎？”希琳生長(zhǎng)于夏日玻孟，自然不知嚴(yán)寒為何物唆缴。??

"“In time,” Cressen replied. “If the gods are good, they will grant us a warm autumn and bountiful harvests, so we might prepare for the winter to come.” The smallfolk said that a long summer meant an even longer winter, but the maester saw no reason to frighten the child with such tales."??

“早晚會(huì)的，”克禮森答道黍翎，“倘若諸神慈悲面徽，或許還會(huì)賜給我們一個(gè)溫暖的秋季和豐盛的收獲，好讓我們?yōu)榧磳?lái)臨的寒冬做好準(zhǔn)備√宋桑”民間普遍認(rèn)為長(zhǎng)夏之后的冬季將更為漫長(zhǎng)氮双，但老學(xué)士覺(jué)得沒(méi)必要嚇唬女孩。??

"Patchface rang his bells. “It is always summer under the sea,” he intoned. “The merwives wear nennymoans in their hair and weave gowns of silver seaweed. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.”"??

補(bǔ)丁臉搖響鈴鐺霎匈〈鞑睿“海底下天天是夏天喲！”他吟誦起來(lái)铛嘱，“美人魚(yú)發(fā)梢有海草暖释，銀色海草織禮服，我知道墨吓，我知道饭入，噢噢噢！”??

Shireen giggled. “I should like a gown of silver seaweed.”?

希琳咯咯直笑肛真，“我也想要一件銀色海草織的禮服∷剑”??

“Under the sea, it snows up,” said the fool, “and the rain is dry as bone. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.”"

“海底的雪往上下蚓让，”弄臣又說(shuō)，“雨干得像枯骨喲讥珍。我知道历极，我知道，噢噢噢衷佃！”??

“Will it truly snow?” the child asked.??

“真的會(huì)下雪嗎趟卸？”女孩問(wèn)。??

"“It will,” Cressen said. But not for years yet, I pray, and then not for long. “Ah, here is Pylos with the bird.”

“會(huì)的氏义〕校”克禮森回答。雖然我希望多年以后才開(kāi)始下雪惯悠，而且不要持續(xù)太久邻邮。“瞧克婶，派洛斯這會(huì)兒可不把鳥(niǎo)兒帶來(lái)了么筒严？”?

"Shireen gave a cry of delight. Even Cressen had to admit the bird made an impressive sight, white as snow and larger than any hawk, with the bright black eyes that meant it was no mere albino, but a truebred white raven of the Citadel. “Here,” he called. The raven spread its wings, leapt into the air, and flapped noisily across the room to land on the table beside him."??

希琳高興地叫出聲來(lái)，就連克禮森也承認(rèn)這只鳥(niǎo)確實(shí)難得一見(jiàn)情萤。它羽白似雪鸭蛙，身形大過(guò)雀鷹，潔亮的黑眼珠證明它并非白子筋岛，而是貨真價(jià)實(shí)娶视，血統(tǒng)純正的白鴉∪颍“過(guò)來(lái)歇万】纾”他出聲召喚，白鴉振翅飛起贪磺，靈竄入空硫兰，翅膀啪啪作響地飛過(guò)房間，停歇在他身畔的書(shū)桌上寒锚。??

“I’ll see to your breakfast now,” Pylos announced. Cressen nodded. “This is the Lady Shireen,” he told the raven. The bird bobbed its pale head up and down, as if it were bowing. “Lady,” it croaked. “Lady.”

“我去幫您準(zhǔn)備早餐劫映。”派洛斯道刹前，克禮森點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭泳赋。“這是希琳公主喇喉∽娼瘢”他告訴白鴉，鳥(niǎo)兒白色的頭上下擺動(dòng)拣技，好像在鞠躬似的千诬。“公主膏斤！”它嘶聲叫道徐绑，“公主！”??

The child’s mouth gaped open. “It talks!”??

女孩張大了嘴莫辨“燎眩“它會(huì)說(shuō)話耶！”??

“A few words. As I said, they are clever, these birds.”

“會(huì)幾句沮榜，我不是說(shuō)過(guò)嗎盘榨？這些鳥(niǎo)兒很聰明◇∪冢”?

"“Clever bird, clever man, clever clever fool,” said Patchface, jangling. “Oh, clever clever clever fool.” He began to sing. “The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord,” he sang, hopping from one foot to the other and back again. “The shadows come to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.” He jerked his head with each word, the bells in his antlers sending up a clangor."??

“聰明鳥(niǎo)兒聰明人较曼，聰明的傻瓜弄臣。”補(bǔ)丁臉說(shuō)，叮叮當(dāng)當(dāng)涉瘾，“噢腹侣，聰明的聰明的聰明的傻瓜弄臣！”他唱起了歌，“影子來(lái)跳舞啊，大人，跳舞啊大人枪孩，跳舞啊大人！”他一邊唱，一邊單腳站立蔑舞，然后又換另一只腳拒担。“影子來(lái)居住啊攻询，大人从撼，居住啊大人，居住啊大人钧栖！”每唱一句低零，他就扭一次頭，鹿角上的鈴鐺響個(gè)不停拯杠。??

The white raven screamed and went flapping away to perch on the iron railing of the rookery stairs. Shireen seemed to grow smaller. “He sings that all the time. I told him to stop but he won’t. It makes me scared. Make him stop.”??

白鴉厲聲尖叫掏婶，振翅飛離，停在通往鴉巢的樓梯鐵欄上潭陪。希琳似乎越發(fā)顯得瘦小依溯∫妓冢“他一天到晚唱這個(gè)洪添，我叫他別唱了雀费，可他不肯，我好害怕啊。叫他別唱了吧【鹾”??

"And how do I do that? the old man wondered. Once I might have silenced him forever, but now …"??

你要我怎么叫他別唱呢铜靶？老人暗忖舌胶，曾經(jīng)辆它，我有機(jī)會(huì)讓他再也唱不了歌，可……

"Patchface had come to them as a boy. Lord Steffon of cherished memory had found him in Volantis, across the narrow sea. The king—the old king, Aerys II Targaryen, who had not been quite so mad in those days—had sent his lordship to seek a bride for Prince Rhaegar, who had no sisters to wed.

至今依然令人懷念的史蒂芬公爵，便是在狹海對(duì)岸的瓦蘭提斯找到了當(dāng)時(shí)年紀(jì)尚幼的補(bǔ)丁臉。當(dāng)年威酒，只因雷加王子無(wú)姐妹可娶担钮，老國(guó)王伊里斯·坦格利安二世——他那時(shí)還不像后來(lái)那么瘋癲——便派史蒂芬公爵渡海物色王子妃人選。

?“We have found the most splendid fool,” he wrote Cressen, a fortnight before he was to return home from his fruitless mission. “Only a boy, yet nimble as a monkey and witty as a dozen courtiers. He juggles and riddles and does magic, and he can sing prettily in four tongues. We have bought his freedom and hope to bring him home with us. Robert will be delighted with him, and perhaps in time he will even teach Stannis how to laugh.”

“這是我所見(jiàn)過(guò)最杰出的弄臣尤仍，”就在公爵徒勞無(wú)功箫津，準(zhǔn)備動(dòng)身回國(guó)的前兩周，他寫(xiě)信給克禮森宰啦，“他年紀(jì)雖小苏遥，卻手腳靈活，活像只猴子赡模；他的頭腦機(jī)靈田炭，即使與宮中廷臣相比也毫不遜色；他不僅會(huì)變戲法漓柑、說(shuō)謎語(yǔ)教硫、耍魔術(shù)，還可以用四種語(yǔ)言引吭高歌辆布。我們已經(jīng)為他贖得自由瞬矩，打算帶他一道回來(lái)。勞勃一定會(huì)喜歡上他锋玲，等日子一久景用，或許史坦尼斯也能從他那兒學(xué)到歡笑〔氧澹”??

"It saddened Cressen to remember that letter. No one had ever taught Stannis how to laugh, least of all the boy Patchface. The storm came up suddenly, howling, and Shipbreaker Bay proved the truth of its name. The lord’s two-masted galley Windproud broke up within sight of his castle. From its parapets his two eldest sons had watched as their father’s ship was smashed against the rocks and swallowed by the waters.

想到那封信伞插，克禮森不禁悲從中來(lái)。史坦尼斯終究沒(méi)有習(xí)得笑容剿干，補(bǔ)丁臉這孩子則根本沒(méi)有教他的機(jī)會(huì)。一場(chǎng)突如其來(lái)的暴風(fēng)雨穆刻，證明了“破船灣”之稱果真名副其實(shí)置尔，公爵的雙桅帆船“傲風(fēng)號(hào)”駛進(jìn)城堡視線范圍時(shí)，他的兒子就站在城墻上氢伟，眼睜睜看著父親的船撞上暗礁榜轿，然后被海水吞噬。

?A hundred oarsmen and sailors went down with Lord Steffon Baratheon and his lady wife, and for days thereafter every tide left a fresh crop of swollen corpses on the strand below Storm’s End."??

超過(guò)一百名的槳手和船員朵锣，就這么和史蒂芬·拜拉席恩公爵夫婦一道葬身海底谬盐。船難之后，有很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間诚些，每次潮水涌來(lái)飞傀，都會(huì)在風(fēng)息堡下的海灘留下一具具腫脹的尸體皇型。??

"The boy washed up on the third day. Maester Cressen had come down with the rest, to help put names to the dead. When they found the fool he was naked, his skin white and wrinkled and powdered with wet sand.

男孩在第三天被沖到岸上。當(dāng)時(shí)砸烦，克禮森學(xué)士與其他人一同來(lái)到岸邊弃鸦，協(xié)助辨認(rèn)死者。他們發(fā)現(xiàn)弄臣時(shí)幢痘，他渾身赤裸唬格，凈白的皮膚因泡水起了皺紋，沾滿潮濕的沙粒颜说。

Cressen had thought him another corpse, but when Jommy grabbed his ankles to drag him off to the burial wagon, the boy coughed water and sat up. To his dying day, Jommy had sworn that Patchface’s flesh was clammy cold."??

克禮森原以為又是一具尸首购岗，可當(dāng)喬米握住他的腳踝，準(zhǔn)備把他拖上運(yùn)尸馬車(chē)時(shí)门粪，男孩卻坐起身子喊积，用力咳出海水。喬米直到臨終庄拇，都還堅(jiān)持那時(shí)補(bǔ)丁臉的皮膚是黏膩而冰冷的注服。??

"No one ever explained those two days the fool had been lost in the sea. The fisherfolk liked to say a mermaid had taught him to breathe water in return for his seed. Patchface himself had said nothing. The witty, clever lad that Lord Steffon had written of never reached Storm’s End; the boy they found was someone else, broken in body and mind, hardly capable of speech, much less of wit.

弄臣在迷失海中的兩天究竟是如何活下來(lái)的，誰(shuí)也解釋不出措近。海邊的漁民老愛(ài)說(shuō)有美人魚(yú)教他如何在水中呼吸溶弟，藉此換取他的精種。補(bǔ)丁臉自己則什么也沒(méi)說(shuō)瞭郑。他們?cè)陲L(fēng)息堡下找到的孩子完全變了個(gè)樣辜御，身心俱碎，連語(yǔ)言能力都幾乎消失屈张，遑論史蒂芬公爵信上所說(shuō)的聰慧機(jī)靈擒权。

?Yet his fool’s face left no doubt of who he was. It was the fashion in the Free City of Volantis to tattoo the faces of slaves and servants; from neck to scalp the boy’s skin had been patterned in squares of red and green motley."??

然而看到那張弄臣臉，男孩的身份卻又無(wú)庸置疑阁谆，因?yàn)橥咛m提斯自由貿(mào)易城邦習(xí)慣在奴隸和仆役臉上刺青碳抄，而他從頭皮到脖頸均布滿紅綠相間的格子。??

"“The wretch is mad, and in pain, and no use to anyone, least of all himself,” declared old Ser Harbert, the castellan of Storm’s End in those years. “The kindest thing you could do for that one is fill his cup with the milk of the poppy. A painless sleep, and there’s an end to it. He’d bless you if he had the wit for it.” But Cressen had refused, and in the end he had won. Whether Patchface had gotten any joy of that victory he could not say, not even today, so many years later."??

“我看這可憐蟲(chóng)是瘋了场绿，這樣下去剖效，不僅他自己受苦，對(duì)別人也沒(méi)好處焰盗¤凳”當(dāng)年的風(fēng)息堡代理城主老哈柏特爵士說(shuō)，“你所能做的最仁慈的事熬拒，就是給他一杯罌粟花奶爷光，讓他毫無(wú)痛楚地一覺(jué)睡去，從此了結(jié)澎粟。若他還有幾分腦筋蛀序，一定會(huì)感激你的欢瞪。”然而克禮森堅(jiān)決反對(duì)哼拔，最后他的意見(jiàn)終于獲勝引有。至于補(bǔ)丁臉究竟有沒(méi)有從這個(gè)勝利中得到任何歡愉，他不敢說(shuō)倦逐，即便在事隔多年的今日譬正，他依舊不知道。??

"“The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord,” the fool sang on, swinging his head and making his bells clang and clatter. Bong dong, ring-a-ling, bong dong."??

“影子來(lái)跳舞喔檬姥，大人曾我，來(lái)跳舞喔大人，來(lái)跳舞喔大人健民，來(lái)跳舞喔大人抒巢！”弄臣繼續(xù)唱，一邊搖頭晃腦秉犹，鈴聲叮當(dāng)響蛉谜。碰咚！叮叮當(dāng)崇堵！碰咚型诚！?

"“Lord,” the white raven shrieked. “Lord, lord, lord.”"??

“大人！”白鴉厲聲叫道鸳劳，“大人狰贯！大人！大人赏廓！”

"“A fool sings what he will,” the maester told his anxious princess. “You must not take his words to heart. On the morrow he may remember another song, and this one will never be heard again.” He can sing prettily in four tongues, Lord Steffon had written …"??

“隨他去唱吧涵紊，”學(xué)士對(duì)驚惶的公主說(shuō)，“你別放在心上幔摸。說(shuō)不定他明天想起別的歌摸柄，你就再也不會(huì)聽(tīng)見(jiàn)這首了〖纫洌”史蒂芬大人信上不是寫(xiě)了嗎驱负？他可以用四種語(yǔ)言引吭高歌……??

"Pylos strode through the door. “Maester, pardons.”"?

派洛斯走進(jìn)來(lái)，“師傅尿贫，請(qǐng)恕我打擾电媳√ごВ”??

"“You have forgotten the porridge,” Cressen said, amused. That was most unlike Pylos."?

“你忘了我的燕麥粥啊庆亡。”克禮森十分詫異捞稿。這不像派洛斯啊又谋。??

"“Maester, Ser Davos returned last night. They were talking of it in the kitchen. I thought you would want to know at once.”"??

“師傅拼缝，戴佛斯爵士昨晚回來(lái)了。廚房里都在談?wù)撨@事彰亥，我想立刻讓您知道咧七。”??

"“Davos … last night, you say? Where is he?”"??

“戴佛斯……你說(shuō)昨晚上是嗎任斋？現(xiàn)下他人在哪里继阻？”

“With the king. They have been together most of the night.”?

“在陛下那里，他們徹夜共商大計(jì)废酷∥灵荩”???

"There was a time when Lord Stannis would have woken him, no matter the hour, to have him there to give his counsel. “I should have been told,” Cressen complained. “I should have been woken.” He disentangled his fingers from Shireen’s. “Pardons, my lady, but I must speak with your lord father. Pylos, give me your arm. There are too many steps in this castle, and it seems to me they add a few every night, just to vex me.”

若是從前，無(wú)論何時(shí)澈蟆，只要事情緊急墨辛，史坦尼斯公爵一定會(huì)叫醒他，要他列席旁聽(tīng)趴俘，提供建言睹簇。“怎么沒(méi)通知我寥闪？”克禮森抱怨太惠，“應(yīng)該叫醒我的〕裙福”他從希琳掌中抽離手指垛叨。“殿下柜某，請(qǐng)您原諒嗽元，但我要和您父親陛下談?wù)劇Ｅ陕逅刮够鳎闊┠惴鑫乙话鸭涟潜だ锏臉翘輰?shí)在太多了。我總覺(jué)得他們每晚還多添個(gè)兩級(jí)翰绊，好像專為了找我麻煩佩谷。”??

"Shireen and Patchface followed them out, but the child soon grew restless with the old man’s creeping pace and dashed ahead, the fool lurching after her with his cowbells clanging madly."??

希琳和補(bǔ)丁臉跟著兩人出了房門(mén)监嗜，但女孩很快便對(duì)老人的緩步慢行感到不耐谐檀，便快步跑到前面，弄臣亦步亦趨跛行在后裁奇，頭頂牛鈴發(fā)狂似的響個(gè)沒(méi)完

桐猬。??

"Castles are not friendly places for the frail, Cressen was reminded as he descended the turnpike stairs of Sea Dragon Tower. Lord Stannis would be found in the Chamber of the Painted Table, atop the Stone Drum, Dragonstone’s central keep, so named for the way its ancient walls boomed and rumbled during storms.

克禮森沿階登上海龍塔的盤(pán)旋樓梯，深覺(jué)城堡對(duì)身體孱弱的人委實(shí)極不友善刽肠。史坦尼斯公爵此刻應(yīng)是在“石鼓樓”上的圖桌廳里溃肪。石鼓樓是龍石島的主堡免胃，每逢暴風(fēng)雨來(lái)臨，它那古老的墻垣內(nèi)部便會(huì)轟隆回響惫撰，因而得名羔沙。

To reach him they must cross the gallery, pass through the middle and inner walls with their guardian gargoyles and black iron gates, and ascend more steps than Cressen cared to contemplate. Young men climbed steps two at a time; for old men with bad hips, every one was a torment. But Lord Stannis would not think to come to him, so the maester resigned himself to the ordeal. He had Pylos to help him, at the least, and for that he was grateful."??

欲達(dá)該處，他們必須經(jīng)過(guò)走廊厨钻，通過(guò)筑有守護(hù)石像鬼的黑鐵大門(mén)穿越中扼雏、內(nèi)兩道城墻，繼而登上克禮森不愿細(xì)數(shù)的層層階梯夯膀。年輕人一次可踏兩級(jí)呢蛤，然而對(duì)一個(gè)臀傷未愈的老人來(lái)說(shuō)，每一步都是酷刑棍郎。但史坦尼斯公爵畢竟不會(huì)移尊就教其障，老學(xué)士只有忍受這一切磨難，再怎么說(shuō)涂佃，有派洛斯在旁扶持励翼，他已十分感激。??

"Shuffling along the gallery, they passed before a row of tall arched windows with commanding views of the outer bailey, the curtain wall, and the fishing village beyond. In the yard, archers were firing at practice butts to the call of “Notch, draw, loose.” Their arrows made a sound like a flock of birds taking wing. Guardsmen strode the wallwalks, peering between the gargoyles on the host camped without.

他們沿著長(zhǎng)廊緩緩行去辜荠，經(jīng)過(guò)一排高大拱窗汽抚，視野可將外院、外城墻及彼方漁村盡收眼底伯病。院子里造烁，弓箭手正隨著“搭箭！拉弓午笛！放惭蟋！”的號(hào)令朝箭靶射擊，箭聲颼颼药磺，彷如群鳥(niǎo)展翅告组。衛(wèi)兵在城墻通道上大步巡邏，透過(guò)一個(gè)個(gè)石像鬼間的縫隙癌佩，向外窺探駐扎城畔的大軍木缝。

The morning air was hazy with the smoke of cookfires, as three thousand men sat down to break their fasts beneath the banners of their lords. Past the sprawl of the camp, the anchorage was crowded with ships. No craft that had come within sight of Dragonstone this past half year had been allowed to leave again. Lord Stannis’s Fury, a triple-decked war galley of three hundred oars, looked almost small beside some of the big-bellied carracks and cogs that surrounded her.

營(yíng)火炊煙裊裊，晨空霧氣迷蒙围辙，三千戰(zhàn)士坐在自家主人的旗幟下吃早餐我碟。越過(guò)占地廣大的軍營(yíng)，便是船舶擁擠的港口姚建，過(guò)去半年來(lái)矫俺，任何駛進(jìn)龍石島視線范圍內(nèi)的船只都被扣留下來(lái)。史坦尼斯公爵的旗艦“怒火號(hào)”乃是一艘有三百支槳的三層甲板戰(zhàn)船，可在周遭許多大腹便便的武裝商船和貨船的包圍下恳守，竟顯得渺小了。??

"The guardsmen outside the Stone Drum knew the maesters by sight, and passed them through. “Wait here,” Cressen told Pylos, within. “It’s best I see him alone.”

石鼓樓外的守衛(wèi)一眼便認(rèn)出兩位學(xué)士贩虾，揮手放他們過(guò)去催烘。“你等在這里缎罢，”進(jìn)去之后伊群，克禮森對(duì)派洛斯說(shuō)，“我最好自己去見(jiàn)他策精〗⑹迹”??

“It is a long climb, Maester.”"??

“師傅，接下來(lái)還有好長(zhǎng)一段路咽袜⊥杈恚”

Cressen smiled. “You think I have forgotten? I have climbed these steps so often I know each one by name.”??

克禮森微微一笑，“我會(huì)不知道嗎询刹？這些樓梯我不知爬了多少回谜嫉，都可以一個(gè)個(gè)叫出名字了“剂”??

"Halfway up, he regretted his decision. He had stopped to catch his breath and ease the pain in his hip when he heard the scuff of boots on stone, and came face-to-face with Ser Davos Seaworth, descending."??

然而才到半途沐兰，他就后悔起自己的決定。他停下腳步蔽挠，喘口氣住闯，也稍稍緩和臀部的痛楚。這時(shí)澳淑，他聽(tīng)見(jiàn)靴子踩在石頭上的聲音比原，迎面下樓的正是戴佛斯·席渥斯爵士。??

"Davos was a slight man, his low birth written plain upon a common face. A well-worn green cloak, stained by salt and spray and faded from the sun, draped his thin shoulders, over brown doublet and breeches that matched brown eyes and hair. About his neck a pouch of worn leather hung from a thong. His small beard was well peppered with grey, and he wore a leather glove on his maimed left hand. When he saw Cressen, he checked his descent."??

戴佛斯個(gè)子很瘦杠巡，相貌平庸春寿，寒微的出身顯而易見(jiàn)。他的肩頭垂著一件飽經(jīng)海水鹽漬侵蝕的綠披風(fēng)忽孽，早因長(zhǎng)期日曬而褪了顏色绑改。披風(fēng)之下是棕色的外衣和長(zhǎng)褲，正好搭配他的棕眼棕發(fā)兄一，頸項(xiàng)間還用皮帶掛著一個(gè)破舊小皮袋厘线。他的小胡子已經(jīng)白絲密布，傷殘的左手戴了一只皮手套出革。他一見(jiàn)克禮森便停下腳步造壮。??

"“Ser Davos,” the maester said. “When did you return?”"

“戴佛斯爵士，”學(xué)士開(kāi)口，“您幾時(shí)回來(lái)的耳璧？”??

"“In the black of morning. My favorite time.” It was said that no one had ever handled a ship by night half so well as Davos Shorthand. Before Lord Stannis had knighted him, he had been the most notorious and elusive smuggler in all the Seven Kingdoms."??

“今早上天亮之前成箫。我最喜歡的時(shí)刻≈伎荩”據(jù)說(shuō)“短指”戴佛斯夜間行船的本領(lǐng)世上無(wú)人能及蹬昌。在史坦尼斯公爵封他為騎士之前，他是七國(guó)上下最惡名昭彰攀隔，卻也最刁鉆難測(cè)的走私者皂贩。??

“And?”? “情況如何？”??

"The man shook his head. “It is as you warned him. They will not rise, Maester. Not for him. They do not love him.”"?

對(duì)方搖搖頭昆汹，“就和您事前警告過(guò)的一樣明刷，學(xué)士先生，他們不愿為他舉兵满粗，因?yàn)樗麄儾⒉粣?ài)戴他辈末。”??

"No, Cressen thought. Nor will they ever. He is strong, able, just … aye, just past the point of wisdom … yet it is not enough. It has never been enough. “You spoke to them all?”

貴族們拒絕的理由是什么當(dāng)然不愿意映皆，克禮森暗想本冲，他們永遠(yuǎn)也不會(huì)愿意。他堅(jiān)強(qiáng)劫扒、能干又正直……唉檬洞，可惜就是正直過(guò)了頭……但這里人手不夠，怎么也不夠啊沟饥√碚“你和他們?nèi)颊勥^(guò)了嗎？”??

"“All? No. Only those that would see me. They do not love me either, these highborns. To them I’ll always be the Onion Knight.” His left hand closed, stubby fingers locking into a fist; Stannis had hacked the ends off at the last joint, all but the thumb. “I broke bread with Gulian Swann and old Penrose, and the Tarths consented to a midnight meeting in a grove. The others—well, Beric Dondarrion is gone missing, some say dead, and Lord Caron is with Renly. Bryce the Orange, of the Rainbow Guard.”"??

“全部贤旷？沒(méi)有广料，只和那些愿意接見(jiàn)我的人。這些世家貴族同樣不喜歡我幼驶，在他們心目中艾杏，我永遠(yuǎn)都是‘洋蔥騎士’≈言澹”他左手一緊购桑，粗短的指頭向內(nèi)握拳。史坦尼斯砍掉了他左手四指的末端指節(jié)氏淑，僅有拇指例外勃蜘。“我在古利安·史文和老龐洛斯的桌邊吃過(guò)飯假残，塔斯家則同意和我半夜里在樹(shù)林秘密會(huì)面缭贡。至于其他人——哎，貝里·唐德利恩下落不明，有人說(shuō)他已死阳惹〉В卡倫大人投靠藍(lán)禮，這會(huì)兒已是彩虹護(hù)衛(wèi)里的橙衣衛(wèi)了莹汤】煊悖”??

“The Rainbow Guard?”? “彩虹護(hù)衛(wèi)？”??

"“Renly’s made his own Kingsguard,” the onetime smuggler explained, “but these seven don’t wear white. Each one has his own color. Loras Tyrell’s their Lord Commander.”"??

“藍(lán)禮的御林鐵衛(wèi)体啰，”這位前走私者解釋，“但這七個(gè)人不穿白衣嗽仪，而是各有代表色荒勇。洛拉斯·提利爾是他們的隊(duì)長(zhǎng)∥偶幔”?

"It was just the sort of notion that would appeal to Renly Baratheon; a splendid new order of knighthood, with gorgeous new raiment to proclaim it. Even as a boy, Renly had loved bright colors and rich fabrics, and he had loved his games as well. “Look at me!” he would shout as he ran laughing through the halls of Storm’s End. “Look at me, I’m a dragon,” or “Look at me, I’m a wizard,” or “Look at me, look at me, I’m the rain god.”"??

一個(gè)威風(fēng)八面沽翔，衣著耀眼的全新騎士團(tuán)，正是藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩會(huì)感興趣的玩意兒窿凤。他從小便喜歡鮮明色彩仅偎、華麗衣料以及各種游戲■ㄊ猓“你看橘沥！”他會(huì)一邊大叫大笑，一邊飛奔過(guò)風(fēng)息堡的廳堂夯秃∽兀“你看！我是飛龍仓洼！”或者“你看介陶！我是個(gè)巫師！”或者“你看你看色建！我是雨神耶哺呜！”??

"The bold little boy with wild black hair and laughing eyes was a man grown now, one-and-twenty, and still he played his games. Look at me, I’m a king, Cressen thought sadly. Oh, Renly, Renly, dear sweet child, do you know what you are doing? And would you care if you did? Is there anyone who cares for him but me? “What reasons did the lords give for their refusals?” he asked Ser Davos."??

當(dāng)年那個(gè)滿頭黑發(fā)，眼里洋溢笑意箕戳，天不怕地不怕的小男孩某残，如今已長(zhǎng)大成人。二十一歲的他陵吸，卻依舊游戲人間驾锰。你看，我是國(guó)王走越！克禮森哀傷地想椭豫，藍(lán)禮啊藍(lán)禮，我親愛(ài)的孩子，你可知你在做什么赏酥？就算你知道喳整，你會(huì)在乎嗎？這世上除了我之外裸扶，還有沒(méi)有人為他著想框都？“貴族們拒絕的理由是什么？”

"“Well, as to that, some gave me soft words and some blunt, some made excuses, some promises, some only lied.” He shrugged. “In the end words are just wind.”"??

“這個(gè)嘛呵晨，有人口氣婉轉(zhuǎn)魏保，有人則出言不遜。有的藉口推托摸屠，有的滿口承諾谓罗，還有的凈是撒謊〖径”他聳聳肩檩咱，“到頭來(lái)，還不都是些空話胯舷？”??

“You could bring him no hope?”??

“你一點(diǎn)希望也沒(méi)給他刻蚯？”??

"“Only the false sort, and I’d not do that,” Davos said. “He had the truth from me.”"??

“除非你要我也撒謊，而這種事我是不會(huì)做的桑嘶〈缎冢”戴佛斯道，“對(duì)他逃顶，我只說(shuō)實(shí)話兵扬。”??

"Maester Cressen remembered the day Davos had been knighted, after the siege of Storm’s End. Lord Stannis and a small garrison had held the castle for close to a year, against the great host of the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne. Even the sea was closed against them, watched day and night by Redwyne galleys flying the burgundy banners of the Arbor. Within Storm’s End, the horses had long since been eaten, the dogs and cats were gone, and the garrison was down to roots and rats.?

克禮森學(xué)士猶記得風(fēng)息堡之圍解除后口蝠，戴佛斯受封為騎士那天的情景器钟。當(dāng)年史坦尼斯僅率領(lǐng)少數(shù)守備隊(duì)，在提利爾和雷德溫聯(lián)軍的重重包圍下妙蔗，硬是堅(jiān)守城池近一年之久傲霸。那時(shí)連海路也被青亭島的雷德溫家封鎖，日夜有飄揚(yáng)著酒紅旗幟的戰(zhàn)船監(jiān)控眉反。風(fēng)息堡內(nèi)的馬匹早被吃光昙啄，貓狗也烹食殆盡，守軍只剩樹(shù)根和鼠肉可吃寸五。

Then came a night when the moon was new and black clouds hid the stars. Cloaked in that darkness, Davos the smuggler had dared the Redwyne cordon and the rocks of Shipbreaker Bay alike. His little ship had a black hull, black sails, black oars, and a hold crammed with onions and salt fish. Little enough, yet it had kept the garrison alive long enough for Eddard Stark to reach Storm’s End and break the siege."??

就在一個(gè)烏云密布梳凛，月黑風(fēng)高的晚上，走私者戴佛斯藉著夜色掩護(hù)梳杏，冒險(xiǎn)穿越雷德溫艦隊(duì)和破船灣的險(xiǎn)惡暗礁韧拒。他的小船有黑帆黑槳以及漆黑船身淹接，船艙里滿載洋蔥和咸魚(yú)，雖然不多叛溢，卻已足夠守軍繼續(xù)支撐到艾德·史塔克率兵支援塑悼，解了風(fēng)息堡之圍。??

"Lord Stannis had rewarded Davos with choice lands on Cape Wrath, a small keep, and a knight’s honors … but he had also decreed that he lose a joint of each finger on his left hand, to pay for all his years of smuggling. Davos had submitted, on the condition that Stannis wield the knife himself; he would accept no punishment from lesser hands. The lord had used a butcher’s cleaver, the better to cut clean and true.

史坦尼斯公爵賜給戴佛斯風(fēng)怒角的肥沃土地楷掉，一座小城堡厢蒜，以及騎士的身份……但他同時(shí)詔示，為彌補(bǔ)多年來(lái)的走私行徑烹植，對(duì)方必須失去左手所有的末端指節(jié)斑鸦。戴佛斯屈從了，不過(guò)他的條件是史坦尼斯必須親自動(dòng)手草雕，他認(rèn)為其他人沒(méi)資格巷屿。公爵挑了一把切肉用的屠刀，切得干凈俐落促绵。

?Afterward, Davos had chosen the name Seaworth for his new-made house, and he took for his banner a black ship on a pale grey field—with an onion on its sails. The onetime smuggler was fond of saying that Lord Stannis had done him a boon, by giving him four less fingernails to clean and trim."?

事后攒庵，戴佛斯選了“席渥斯”這個(gè)姓氏作為他的新家族名號(hào)嘴纺，并以灰底上的黑船作為家徽——船帆上還畫(huà)了一顆洋蔥败晴。這位前走私者老愛(ài)鼓吹史坦尼斯公爵幫了他一個(gè)大忙，省下他許多修剪指甲的時(shí)間栽渴。??

"No, Cressen thought, a man like that would give no false hope, nor soften a hard truth. “Ser Davos, truth can be a bitter draught, even for a man like Lord Stannis. He thinks only of returning to King’s Landing in the fullness of his power, to tear down his enemies and claim what is rightfully his. Yet now …”"??

不尖坤，克禮森心想，他這樣的人絕不會(huì)給出虛偽的希望闲擦，也決不會(huì)掩飾殘酷的事實(shí)慢味。“戴佛斯爵士墅冷，即便對(duì)史坦尼斯大人這樣的人纯路，真相依舊可能是苦口良藥。他只想要軍容壯盛地回到君臨寞忿，擊垮他的敵人驰唬，取回他應(yīng)得的地位∏徽茫可現(xiàn)在……”

"“If he takes this meager host to King’s Landing, it will be only to die. He does not have the numbers. I told him as much, but you know his pride.” Davos held up his gloved hand. “My fingers will grow back before that man bends to sense.”"??

“如果他帶著這一點(diǎn)人馬回君臨叫编，那就是找死。他的兵力不夠霹抛，我跟他說(shuō)過(guò)了搓逾，可你也知道他的脾氣”眨”戴佛斯舉起戴著皮套的手霞篡，“要他能屈能伸世蔗，恐怕得等我的手指先長(zhǎng)回來(lái)】芩穑”??

"The old man sighed. “You have done all you could. Now I must add my voice to yours.” Wearily, he resumed his climb."??

老人嘆口氣凸郑，“你已經(jīng)盡力了，換我去試試吧矛市≤搅ぃ”他虛弱地繼續(xù)往上爬。??