"Lord Stannis Baratheon’s refuge was a great round room with walls of bare black stone and four tall narrow windows that looked out to the four points of the compass. In the center of the chamber was the great table from which it took its name, a massive slab of carved wood fashioned at the command of Aegon Targaryen in the days before the Conquest.

史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩公爵的廳堂是一個(gè)寬闊的圓形房間浮毯，墻壁由黑石砌成，上無裝飾。廳內(nèi)有四扇高大窄窗，面向東西南北四方赠制。大廳中央有一張用巨木板雕刻而成的大桌——圖桌廳正是因此而得名——這是伊耿·坦格利安在征服戰(zhàn)爭以前下令建造的。

?The Painted Table was more than fifty feet long, perhaps half that wide at its widest point, but less than four feet across at its narrowest. Aegon’s carpenters had shaped it after the land of Westeros, sawing out each bay and peninsula until the table nowhere ran straight. On its surface, darkened by near three hundred years of varnish, were painted the Seven Kingdoms as they had been in Aegon’s day; rivers and mountains, castles and cities, lakes and forests."??

“地圖桌”長過五十尺，最寬處約為長度的一半迫筑，最窄處不到四尺。伊耿的木匠依照維斯特落大陸的形狀，鋸出一個(gè)個(gè)海灣和半島，整張桌子沒有一處平直懈糯。桌面上描繪了伊耿那個(gè)時(shí)代的七大王國硅堆，所有的河川山脈够掠、堡壘城市、湖泊森林……巨細(xì)無遺，泛著累積近三百年的亮漆光澤。??

"There was a single chair in the room, carefully positioned in the precise place that Dragonstone occupied off the coast of Westeros, and raised up to give a good view of the tabletop. Seated in the chair was a man in a tight-laced leather jerkin and breeches of roughspun brown wool. When Maester Cressen entered, he glanced up. “I knew you would come, old man, whether I summoned you or no.” There was no hint of warmth in his voice; there seldom was."??

整個(gè)大廳僅有一張座椅，經(jīng)過精心設(shè)計(jì)埠通，正好對應(yīng)維斯特洛外海龍石島的所在，并位于隆起的高臺之上，可將桌面一切盡收眼底个盆。坐在椅子上的人穿著緊身皮背心和棕色粗羊毛長褲，克禮森一進(jìn)門，他便抬起頭。“老頭子铅祸，我就知道稼跳，不管有沒有叫你吃沪，你一定會(huì)來汤善。”他話中不帶絲毫感情票彪，向來如此红淡。??

"Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and by the grace of the gods rightful heir to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, was broad of shoulder and sinewy of limb, with a tightness to his face and flesh that spoke of leather cured in the sun until it was as tough as steel. Hard was the word men used when they spoke of Stannis, and hard he was.

龍石島公爵史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩蒙諸神恩寵降铸，乃是鐵王座的合法繼承人在旱，維斯特洛七大王國的統(tǒng)治者。他生得肩膀?qū)掗熗频В闹淹靶嫒菥o繃驻仅，皮膚經(jīng)烈日長期曝曬，堅(jiān)硬如鐵登渣≡敕“堅(jiān)毅”是人們最常用來形容史坦尼斯的詞，而他也的確不負(fù)其名胜茧。

Though he was not yet five-and-thirty, only a fringe of thin black hair remained on his head, circling behind his ears like the shadow of a crown. His brother, the late King Robert, had grown a beard in his final years. Maester Cressen had never seen it, but they said it was a wild thing, thick and fierce. As if in answer, Stannis kept his own whiskers cropped tight and short. They lay like a blue-black shadow across his square jaw and the bony hollows of his cheeks.

雖然他還不到三十五歲粘优，頭上卻只剩一排黑色細(xì)發(fā)，宛如王冠的影子竹揍，環(huán)繞在雙耳之后敬飒。他的哥哥，故王勞勃芬位，在生命的最后幾年留起了胡子无拗。克禮森學(xué)士雖沒有親眼目睹昧碉，卻聽人說那是一大把粗厚的黑胡子英染。史坦尼斯也同時(shí)把胡子修得又短又齊，像是藍(lán)黑的影子被饿，覆蓋住他的方下巴和兩頰的顴骨凹陷四康，彷彿欲藉此表示回應(yīng)。

?His eyes were open wounds beneath his heavy brows, a blue as dark as the sea by night. His mouth would have given despair to even the drollest of fools; it was a mouth made for frowns and scowls and sharply worded commands, all thin pale lips and clenched muscles, a mouth that had forgotten how to smile and had never known how to laugh. Sometimes when the world grew very still and silent of a night, Maester Cressen fancied he could hear Lord Stannis grinding his teeth half a castle away."??

一雙濃眉之下狭握，他的眼睛就像兩個(gè)傷口闪金，深藍(lán)有如黑夜汪洋。再怎么滑稽可笑的弄臣论颅，遇上他那張嘴也要徒勞無功哎垦，那是一張生來與皺眉、怒容和嚴(yán)詞峻令為伍的嘴恃疯，它蒼白漏设、薄細(xì)而緊繃，早已忘卻如何微笑今妄，更不知開懷為何物郑口。夜深人靜之時(shí)，克禮森學(xué)士偶爾還會(huì)幻想自己聽見相隔半個(gè)城堡之遙的史坦尼斯公爵磨牙霍霍之聲盾鳞。??

"“Once you would have woken me,” the old man said."??

藍(lán)禮那時(shí)只是個(gè)孩子“若是從前犬性，你會(huì)叫醒我的√诮觯”老人說乒裆。??

"“Once you were young. Now you are old and sick, and need your sleep.” Stannis had never learned to soften his speech, to dissemble or flatter; he said what he thought, and those that did not like it could be damned. “I knew you’d learn what Davos had to say soon enough. You always do, don’t you?”"??

“從前的你還年輕，現(xiàn)在你又老又病攒砖，需要睡眠缸兔∪杖梗”史坦尼斯永遠(yuǎn)學(xué)不會(huì)花言巧語，不知掩飾諂媚惰蜜，他有話便說昂拂，從不管別人的感受∨撞“反正我知道你早晚也會(huì)自行打聽戴佛斯帶回的消息格侯，你向來如此，不是嗎财著？”

"“I would be of no help to you if I did not,” Cressen said. “I met Davos on the stair.”"??

“我要是不打聽联四，如何能輔佐你呢？”克禮森說撑教，“我上樓途中遇到戴佛斯朝墩。”??

"“And he told all, I suppose? I should have had the man’s tongue shortened along with his fingers.”"??

“我看他都說了吧伟姐？我該把那家伙的舌頭和手指一起砍掉收苏。”?

“He would have made you a poor envoy then.”

“那他就沒法當(dāng)個(gè)好特使了愤兵÷拱裕”????

"“He made me a poor envoy in any case. The storm lords will not rise for me. It seems they do not like me, and the justice of my cause means nothing to them. The cravenly ones will sit behind their walls waiting to see how the wind rises and who is likely to triumph. The bold ones have already declared for Renly. For Renly!” He spat out the name like poison on his tongue."??

“他本來就不是什么好特使「讶椋看來風(fēng)息堡諸侯不肯為我舉兵懦鼠，他們不喜歡我，而我舉兵的正當(dāng)理由對他們來說無足輕重屹堰。膽子小的想躲在城墻后面肛冶，等著見風(fēng)轉(zhuǎn)舵；膽子大的則已投效藍(lán)禮麾下双藕。藍(lán)禮淑趾！”他憤恨地吐出這個(gè)名字阳仔，彷彿是舌頭上的毒藥忧陪。??

“Your brother has been the Lord of Storm’s End these past thirteen years. These lords are his sworn bannermen—”??

“過去這十三年來，令弟一直擔(dān)任風(fēng)息堡公爵近范，這些諸侯是宣誓效忠他的封臣——”??

"“His,” Stannis broke in, “when by rights they should be mine. I never asked for Dragonstone. I never wanted it. I took it because Robert’s enemies were here and he commanded me to root them out. I built his fleet and did his work, dutiful as a younger brother should be to an elder, as Renly should be to me. And what was Robert’s thanks?

“他的嘶摊？”史坦尼斯打斷他，“照理說评矩，他們應(yīng)該是我的封臣叶堆。我從沒開口要過龍石島，我根本不想要這鬼地方斥杜。我拿下此地虱颗，是因?yàn)閯诓臄橙吮P踞在這沥匈，而他命令我將之掃平。我為他建立艦隊(duì)忘渔，打敗敵人高帖，完全盡了作弟弟的本分——藍(lán)禮也應(yīng)該這樣對我才對——后來呢，你看勞勃怎么感謝我畦粮？

He names me Lord of Dragonstone, and gives Storm’s End and its incomes to Renly. Storm’s End belonged to House Baratheon for three hundred years; by rights it should have passed to me when Robert took the Iron Throne.”"?

他任命我為龍石島公爵散址，卻把風(fēng)息堡的領(lǐng)地和稅賦都給了藍(lán)禮。三百年來宣赔，風(fēng)息堡一直是拜拉席恩家族的世襲領(lǐng)地预麸，照理說，勞勃登上鐵王座儒将，就該換我統(tǒng)治才對吏祸。”??

"It was an old grievance, deeply felt, and never more so than now. Here was the heart of his lord’s weakness; for Dragonstone, old and strong though it was, commanded the allegiance of only a handful of lesser lords, whose stony island holdings were too thinly peopled to yield up the men that Stannis needed.

這段陳年往事傷他很深钩蚊，如今益發(fā)明顯犁罩。眼下，這是他事業(yè)的致命傷：龍石島雖然歷史悠久两疚，固若金湯床估，但旗下僅有少數(shù)小貴族，他們管轄的外島領(lǐng)地多石崎嶇诱渤，人煙稀少丐巫，根本不足以提供史坦尼斯所需的軍力。

?Even with the sellswords he had brought across the narrow sea from the Free Cities of Myr and Lys, the host camped outside his walls was far too small to bring down the power of House Lannister."??

即便加上他從狹海對岸自由貿(mào)易城邦密爾和里斯等地雇來的傭兵勺美，駐扎城外的部隊(duì)總數(shù)依舊完全不足以和蘭尼斯特家族對抗递胧。??

"“Robert did you an injustice,” Maester Cressen replied carefully, “yet he had sound reasons. Dragonstone had long been the seat of House Targaryen. He needed a man’s strength to rule here, and Renly was but a child.”"??

“勞勃固然待你不公，”克禮森學(xué)士謹(jǐn)慎地回答赡茸，“然而在當(dāng)初缎脾，他也有他的考量。龍石島自古以來就是坦格利安家族的根據(jù)地占卧，他需要強(qiáng)有力的人來統(tǒng)治這里遗菠，而藍(lán)禮那時(shí)只是個(gè)孩子』眩”??

"“He is a child still,” Stannis declared, his anger ringing loud in the empty hall, “a thieving child who thinks to snatch the crown off my brow. What has Renly ever done to earn a throne? He sits in council and jests with Littlefinger, and at tourneys he dons his splendid suit of armor and allows himself to be knocked off his horse by a better man. That is the sum of my brother Renly, who thinks he ought to be a king. I ask you, why did the gods inflict me with brothers?”

“他現(xiàn)在就不是了辙纬？”史坦尼斯憤怒的大喊在空蕩的廳堂里回蕩，“還是個(gè)想順手牽羊叭喜，從我頭上偷走王冠的孩子贺拣。藍(lán)禮憑什么貪圖王位？平日上朝，他只會(huì)和小指頭開玩笑譬涡，到了比武大會(huì)闪幽，他就穿上那套漂亮鎧甲，被武藝高強(qiáng)的人擊落馬下涡匀，這就是我弟弟藍(lán)禮的事跡總和沟使，而他竟覺得自己該當(dāng)國王！我問你渊跋，我究竟造了什么孽腊嗡，這輩子要和這樣的兄弟為伍？”??

“I cannot answer for the gods.”??

“我無法為諸神作答拾酝⊙嗌伲”??

"“You seldom answer at all these days, it seems to me. Who maesters for Renly? Perchance I should send for him, I might like his counsel better. What do you think this maester said when my brother decided to steal my crown? What counsel did your colleague offer to this traitor blood of mine?”"??

“依我看，這些日子來蒿囤，你沒法作答的事可多了客们。藍(lán)禮的學(xué)士是誰？說不定我該把他找來材诽，看他的建言會(huì)不會(huì)有用底挫。我弟弟決定竊取我的王冠時(shí)，你覺得這位學(xué)士說了些什么脸侥？你這位同事給了我那叛徒弟弟什么建議建邓？”??

"“It would surprise me if Lord Renly sought counsel, Your Grace.” The youngest of Lord Steffon’s three sons had grown into a man bold but heedless, who acted from impulse rather than calculation. In that, as in so much else, Renly was like his brother Robert, and utterly unlike Stannis."??

“陛下，我相信藍(lán)禮大人并未征求他人的建議睁枕」俦撸”史蒂芬公爵的幼子長成了一個(gè)有勇無謀的人，往往未經(jīng)思考外遇，便沖動(dòng)行事注簿。在這一點(diǎn)，以及其他許多地方跳仿，藍(lán)禮像極了他的長兄勞勃诡渴，而與史坦尼斯判若云泥。??

"“Your Grace,” Stannis repeated bitterly. “You mock me with a king’s style, yet what am I king of? Dragonstone and a few rocks in the narrow sea, there is my kingdom.” He descended the steps of his chair to stand before the table, his shadow falling across the mouth of the Blackwater Rush and the painted forest where King’s Landing now stood.

“‘陛下’菲语？”史坦尼斯悻悻地重復(fù)妄辩，“你拿國王的稱謂來消遣我，可我這算是哪門子國王谨究？龍石島恩袱，還有狹海里的幾顆石頭泣棋，這就是我的王國胶哲！”他走下高椅臺階，站在地圖桌前潭辈，拉長的影子迆灑在黑水灣口鸯屿，以及如今君臨所在的那片樹林上澈吨。

?There he stood, brooding over the realm he sought to claim, so near at hand and yet so far away. “Tonight I am to sup with my lords bannermen, such as they are. Celtigar, Velaryon, Bar Emmon, the whole paltry lot of them. A poor crop, if truth be told, but they are what my brothers have left me.

他佇立沉思，望著他亟思獲得寄摆，明明近在咫尺谅辣，卻又遙不可及的國度∩裟眨“今晚我要宴請諸侯桑阶，雖然他們寥寥無幾，不過就賽提加勾邦、瓦列利安和巴爾艾蒙這幾個(gè)人蚣录，也都不是什么能干角色，但我兄弟留給我的只有這些了眷篇。

That Lysene pirate Salladhor Saan will be there with the latest tally of what I owe him, and Morosh the Myrman will caution me with talk of tides and autumn gales, while Lord Sunglass mutters piously of the will of the Seven. Celtigar will want to know which storm lords are joining us. Velaryon will threaten to take his levies home unless we strike at once. What am I to tell them? What must I do now?”"??

除此之外萎河，那里斯海盜薩拉多·桑恩會(huì)帶來我近來欠款的帳單，密爾人摩洛敘會(huì)談?wù)摵３焙颓锛撅L(fēng)向蕉饼，目的是要我小心謹(jǐn)慎虐杯，桑格拉斯大人則會(huì)虔誠地以七神之名誦唱祝禱。再之后呢昧港，賽提加會(huì)要我說明到底哪些風(fēng)息堡諸侯決定加入擎椰，瓦列利安則會(huì)威脅我，除非立刻出兵创肥，否則就班師回家确憨。我到底該怎么對他們說？我到底該怎么做瓤的？”??

"“Your true enemies are the Lannisters, my lord,” Maester Cressen answered. “If you and your brother were to make common cause against them—”"??

“陛下休弃，您真正的敵人是蘭尼斯特∪Ω啵”克禮森學(xué)士回答塔猾，“假如您們兄弟倆能并肩作戰(zhàn)——”??

"“I will not treat with Renly,” Stannis answered in a tone that brooked no argument. “Not while he calls himself a king.”"?

“我絕不跟藍(lán)禮妥協(xié)，”史坦尼斯回答稽坤，語氣不容任何辯駁丈甸。“除非他放棄稱王尿褪∧览蓿”??

"“Not Renly, then,” the maester yielded. His lord was stubborn and proud; when he had set his mind, there was no changing it. “Others might serve your needs as well. Eddard Stark’s son has been proclaimed King in the North, with all the power of Winterfell and Riverrun behind him.”"

“那就不和他結(jié)盟，”學(xué)士讓步了杖玲，他的主人個(gè)性剛硬顿仇，自尊心強(qiáng)，一旦下定決心，便再無轉(zhuǎn)寰余地。“其他人同樣能助您一臂之力缆镣。艾德·史塔克的兒子已經(jīng)自立為北境之王喇澡，身后有臨冬城和奔流城所有兵力支持。”??

"“A green boy,” said Stannis, “and another false king. Am I to accept a broken realm?”"??

“他不過是個(gè)毛頭小子，”史坦尼斯道，“而且同樣僭越稱王思犁，難道你要我坐視王國分崩離析？”??

"“Surely half a kingdom is better than none,” Cressen said, “and if you help the boy avenge his father’s murder—”"??

“半個(gè)王國總比沒有好进肯，”克禮森說抒倚，“更何況您若是肯幫那孩子報(bào)了父仇——”??

"“Why should I avenge Eddard Stark? The man was nothing to me. Oh, Robert loved him, to be sure. Loved him as a brother, how often did I hear that? I was his brother, not Ned Stark, but you would never have known it by the way he treated me. I held Storm’s End for him, watching good men starve while Mace Tyrell and Paxter Redwyne feasted within sight of my walls. Did Robert thank me? No. He thanked Stark, for lifting the siege when we were down to rats and radishes.

“我憑什么要幫艾德·史塔克復(fù)仇？他對我來說什么也不是坷澡。哼托呕，勞勃是很愛他，這我清楚频敛，他常說他們‘情同手足’项郊，這句話我不知聽過多少遍。他的手足是我斟赚，不是奈德·史塔克着降，但你從他對我的態(tài)度絕對看不出來。我為他堅(jiān)守風(fēng)息堡拗军，眼睜睜地看著忠心部屬一個(gè)接一個(gè)餓死任洞，而梅斯·提利爾和派克斯特·雷德溫卻在城外大吃大喝。勞勃可有感謝我发侵？沒有交掏！他感謝的是史塔克，感謝他在我們只剩老鼠和野菜裹腹的時(shí)候率兵解圍刃鳄。

I built a fleet at Robert’s command, took Dragonstone in his name. Did he take my hand and say, Well done, brother, whatever should I do without you? No, he blamed me for letting Willem Darry steal away Viserys and the babe, as if I could have stopped it. I sat on his council for fifteen years, helping Jon Arryn rule his realm while Robert drank and whored, but when Jon died, did my brother name me his Hand? No, he went galloping off to his dear friend Ned Stark, and offered him the honor. And small good it did either of them.”"?

我奉勞勃之命盅弛，為他建造一支艦隊(duì)，以他之名攻下龍石島叔锐，他可有握著我的手挪鹏，說一聲‘老弟啊，干得好愉烙，要是沒有你讨盒，我還真不知該怎么辦呢’？沒有步责！他反而怪我讓威廉·戴瑞帶著韋賽里斯和那個(gè)小嬰兒逃走返顺，好像我有辦法阻止他們似的禀苦。我在朝中為他賣命十五年，協(xié)助瓊恩·艾林治理國家创南，好讓勞勃吃喝嫖賭伦忠。結(jié)果瓊恩死了以后省核，我哥哥可有任命我為首相稿辙？沒有！他反而千里迢迢跑去找好朋友奈德·史塔克气忠，將這份榮耀雙手奉上邻储。結(jié)果呢，事實(shí)證明對兩人都沒好處旧噪《帜龋”??

"“Be that as it may, my lord,” Maester Cressen said gently. “Great wrongs have been done you, but the past is dust. The future may yet be won if you join with the Starks. There are others you might sound out as well. What of Lady Arryn? If the queen murdered her husband, surely she will want justice for him. She has a young son, Jon Arryn’s heir. If you were to betroth Shireen to him—”"??

“陛下，請息怒淘钟』略”克禮森學(xué)士溫和地說，“縱然您過去遭受種種不公米母，然而逝者已矣勾扭，倘若您和史塔克家能齊心協(xié)力，未來仍然大有可為铁瞒。除此之外妙色，您還有其他盟友可資利用，可否考慮和艾林夫人合作呢慧耍？既然太后謀害了她丈夫身辨，想必她亟欲為他復(fù)仇。她有個(gè)幼兒芍碧，也是瓊恩·艾林的繼承人煌珊，假如您將希琳許配給他——”??

"“The boy is weak and sickly,” Lord Stannis objected. “Even his father saw how it was, when he asked me to foster him on Dragonstone. Service as a page might have done him good, but that damnable Lannister woman had Lord Arryn poisoned before it could be done, and now Lysa hides him in the Eyrie. She’ll never part with the boy, I promise you that.”"?

“那小鬼體弱多病，”史坦尼斯公爵反對泌豆，“這點(diǎn)連他父親都清楚怪瓶，所以才要我把他帶來龍石島做養(yǎng)子。當(dāng)幾年侍從或許對他有好處践美，只可惜那該死的蘭尼斯特女人搶先一步洗贰，毒死了艾林大人。現(xiàn)在萊莎把他藏在鷹巢城里陨倡，我可以向你保證敛滋，她是死也不會(huì)和那小鬼分開的⌒烁铮”??

"“Then you must send Shireen to the Eyrie,” the maester urged. “Dragonstone is a grim home for a child. Let her fool go with her, so she will have a familiar face about her.”"??

“既然如此绎晃，您就把希琳送去鷹巢城吧蜜唾，”學(xué)士敦促，“龍石島太陰郁庶艾，本不適合孩子成長袁余。讓她的弄臣陪她一道去，這樣她身邊好歹有張熟悉的面孔咱揍∮卑瘢”?

“Familiar and hideous.” Stannis furrowed his brow in thought. “Still … perhaps it is worth the trying …”?

“熟悉歸熟悉，卻也可怕得緊煤裙⊙谕辏”史坦尼斯皺眉思索，“不過……或許值得一試……”??

“Must the rightful Lord of the Seven Kingdoms beg for help from widow women and usurpers?” a woman’s voice asked sharply.??

“身為七大王國的合法君主硼砰，難道得向寡婦和篡奪者搖尾乞憐嗎且蓬？”一個(gè)女人的聲音突然傳來，語氣尖銳地發(fā)問题翰。??

"Maester Cressen turned, and bowed his head. “My lady,” he said, chagrined that he had not heard her enter."??

克禮森學(xué)士轉(zhuǎn)身一看恶阴，忙低頭致意”希“夫人冯事。”他嘴上這么說沼填，心里卻氣惱自己竟沒聽見她進(jìn)來桅咆。??

"Lord Stannis scowled. “I do not beg. Of anyone. Mind you remember that, woman.”"??

史坦尼斯公爵眉頭一皺，“我何時(shí)跟人搖尾乞憐了坞笙？我決不會(huì)岩饼，女人，你給我搞清楚薛夜〖耄”??

"“I am pleased to hear it, my lord.” Lady Selyse was as tall as her husband, thin of body and thin of face, with prominent ears, a sharp nose, and the faintest hint of a mustache on her upper lip. She plucked it daily and cursed it regularly, yet it never failed to return.

“陛下，聽您這么說梯澜，我很欣慰寞冯。”賽麗絲夫人幾乎和她丈夫一般高晚伙，身形削瘦吮龄，臉龐尖細(xì)，雙耳突出咆疗，鼻子的輪廓銳利漓帚，上唇生了好些汗毛。她每天必拔午磁，時(shí)常抱怨尝抖，卻還是長個(gè)沒完毡们。

Her eyes were pale, her mouth stern, her voice a whip. She cracked it now. “Lady Arryn owes you her allegiance, as do the Starks, your brother Renly, and all the rest. You are their one true king. It would not be fitting to plead and bargain with them for what is rightfully yours by the grace of god.”"?

她的雙眼色淺，嘴形嚴(yán)峻昧辽，聲音銳利如鞭衙熔。此時(shí)，只聽她厲聲說道：“艾林夫人本應(yīng)向你效忠搅荞，史塔克家红氯、你弟弟藍(lán)禮等人亦然，因?yàn)橐勒仗焐险嬷饕庵既【撸闶撬麄兾ㄒ坏闹骶绷ァ＜热蝗绱吮饽停粝蛩麄儜┣髤f(xié)助暇检，甚或?yàn)榇擞憙r(jià)還價(jià)，豈不有失尊嚴(yán)婉称？”??

"God, she said, not gods. The red woman had won her, heart and soul, turning her from the gods of the Seven Kingdoms, both old and new, to worship the one they called the Lord of Light."??

她說的是天上“真主”块仆，而非“諸神”。顯然那紅袍女已經(jīng)徹底擄獲了她的心王暗，使她背棄了七國新舊諸神悔据，轉(zhuǎn)而信奉他們稱作“光之王”的神靈。??

"“Your god can keep his grace,” said Lord Stannis, who did not share his wife’s fervent new faith. “It’s swords I need, not blessings. Do you have an army hidden somewhere that you’ve not told me of?”

“你的真主意旨留著自己用吧俗壹】坪梗”史坦尼斯公爵說，他并不若妻子那般對新教狂熱绷雏⊥诽希“我要的是軍隊(duì)，不是祝福涎显。你有沒有藏起來的軍隊(duì)袄ぜ臁？”

There was no affection in his tone. Stannis had always been uncomfortable around women, even his own wife. When he had gone to King’s Landing to sit on Robert’s council, he had left Selyse on Dragonstone with their daughter. His letters had been few, his visits fewer; he did his duty in the marriage bed once or twice a year, but took no joy in it, and the sons he had once hoped for had never come."??

他的話中不帶感情期吓。史坦尼斯向來不擅與女性相處早歇，連和自己妻子也不例外。當(dāng)他前往勞勃的君臨朝廷擔(dān)任重臣期間讨勤，他把賽麗絲和女兒一并留在龍石島箭跳。他的家信不多，探視更少潭千，每年履行一兩次婚姻義務(wù)谱姓，但從中得不到任何喜樂。他曾衷心盼望有個(gè)兒子脊岳，卻始終未能如愿逝段。??

"“My brothers and uncles and cousins have armies,” she told him. “House Florent will rally to your banner.”"?

“我的兄弟垛玻、叔伯和表親們有軍隊(duì)，”她告訴他奶躯，“佛羅倫家族會(huì)為你而戰(zhàn)帚桩。”??

"“House Florent can field two thousand swords at best.” It was said that Stannis knew the strength of every house in the Seven Kingdoms. “And you have a deal more faith in your brothers and uncles than I do, my lady. The Florent lands lie too close to Highgarden for your lord uncle to risk Mace Tyrell’s wrath.”"??

“佛羅倫家的兵力至多兩千嘹黔，”據(jù)說史坦尼斯對七國每家諸侯的實(shí)力都了若指掌账嚎，“更何況，夫人儡蔓，恐怕我對他們沒你那么有信心郭蕉。佛羅倫家的領(lǐng)地離高庭太近，我看你伯父不敢與梅斯·提利爾作對喂江≌傩猓”??

"“There is another way.” Lady Selyse moved closer. “Look out your windows, my lord. There is the sign you have waited for, blazoned on the sky. Red, it is, the red of flame, red for the fiery heart of the true god. It is his banner—and yours!

“還有一個(gè)辦法，”賽麗絲夫人靠過來获询，“陛下涨岁，請您看看窗外，高掛天際的正是您期待已久的預(yù)兆：它鮮紅如火吉嚣，正如真主的烈焰紅心梢薪，這就是他的旗幟——也是您的！

See how it unfurls across the heavens like a dragon’s hot breath, and you the Lord of Dragonstone. It means your time has come, Your Grace. Nothing is more certain. You are meant to sail from this desolate rock as Aegon the Conqueror once sailed, to sweep all before you as he did. Only say the word, and embrace the power of the Lord of Light.”

您看看它尝哆，像龍焰般飄揚(yáng)于蒼穹之上秉撇，而您正是龍石島之主啊。陛下秋泄，這意味著您的時(shí)代已經(jīng)來臨琐馆，無須懷疑。您命中注定印衔，將揚(yáng)帆駛離這座孤島啡捶，橫掃千軍，就像當(dāng)年的征服者伊耿一樣奸焙。如今瞎暑，只消您一句話，光之王的力量就是您的了与帆×硕模”??

"??

“How many swords will the Lord of Light put into my hand?” Stannis demanded again.??

“光之王會(huì)給我多少軍隊(duì)？”史坦尼斯又問玄糟。??

"“All you need,” his wife promised. “The swords of Storm’s End and Highgarden for a start, and all their lords bannermen.”"??

“要多少有多少勿她，”他的妻子回答，“首先從風(fēng)息堡阵翎、高庭及其旗下所有諸侯的兵力開始逢并≈纾”??

"“Davos would tell you different,” Stannis said. “Those swords are sworn to Renly. They love my charming young brother, as they once loved Robert … and as they have never loved me.”"?

“這和戴佛斯報(bào)告的情況不一樣，”史坦尼斯道砍聊，“你說的這些兵力早已向藍(lán)禮宣誓效忠背稼，他們愛的是我那風(fēng)流倜儻的弟弟，正如他們當(dāng)年愛戴勞勃……他們對我素?zé)o好感玻蝌⌒分猓”??

"“Yes,” she answered, “but if Renly should die …”"??

“話是沒錯(cuò)，”她回答俯树，“但若藍(lán)禮一命歸天……”??

"Stannis looked at his lady with narrowed eyes, until Cressen could not hold his tongue. “It is not to be thought. Your Grace, whatever follies Renly has committed—”"??

史坦尼斯瞇眼盯著妻子瞧帘腹，最后克禮森終于忍不住了⌒矶觯“您千萬不能這么想阳欲。陛下，無論藍(lán)禮做了什么荒唐事——”?

"“Follies? I call them treasons.” Stannis turned back to his wife. “My brother is young and strong, and he has a vast host around him, and these rainbow knights of his.”"

“荒唐事米辐？我看是叛國大罪吧胸完∈槭停”史坦尼斯轉(zhuǎn)向妻子翘贮，“我弟弟年輕力壯，掌握大軍爆惧，身邊更有他那群彩虹騎士狸页。”??

"“Melisandre has gazed into the flames, and seen him dead.”"

“梅麗珊卓已從圣火中預(yù)見他的死期扯再∩衷牛”??

"Cressen was horrorstruck. “Fratricide … my lord, this is evil, unthinkable … please, listen to me.”"??

克禮森大驚失色，“這是謀害親弟啊……大人熄阻，此事邪惡卑鄙斋竞，令人發(fā)指，簡直無法想像……求您務(wù)必聽取我的建言秃殉“映酰”??

"Lady Selyse gave him a measured look. “And what will you tell him, Maester? How he might win half a kingdom if he goes to the Starks on his knees and sells our daughter to Lysa Arryn?”"??

賽麗絲夫人上下打量他一番，“老師傅钾军，敢問您要給他什么建言鳄袍？若他向史塔克家卑躬屈膝，又把我們的女兒賣給萊莎·艾林吏恭，又如何能贏回半壁江山呢拗小？”?

"“I have heard your counsel, Cressen,” Lord Stannis said. “Now I will hear hers. You are dismissed.”"??

“克禮森，你的建議我已經(jīng)聽過了樱哼，”史坦尼斯公爵道哀九，“現(xiàn)在我聽聽她的剿配。你退下吧≡氖”??

"Maester Cressen bent a stiff knee. He could feel Lady Selyse’s eyes on his back as he shuffled slowly across the room. By the time he reached the bottom of the steps it was all he could do to stand erect. “Help me,” he said to Pylos."

克禮森學(xué)士彎動(dòng)僵硬的關(guān)節(jié)惨篱，微微屈膝，緩步離去围俘。在走出房間的過程中砸讳，他始終感受到賽麗絲夫人盯著他后背的目光。好不容易回到梯底界牡，他已經(jīng)快直不起身子了簿寂。“請你扶著我宿亡〕Ｋ欤”他對派洛斯說。?

"When he was safe back in his own rooms, Cressen sent the younger man away and limped to his balcony once more, to stand between his gargoyles and stare out to sea. One of Salladhor Saan’s warships was sweeping past the castle, her gaily striped hull slicing through the grey-green waters as her oars rose and fell.

克禮森安然返回居室后挽荠，便遣走年輕助手克胳，跛著腳又上陽臺，站在石像鬼間圈匆，凝視汪洋漠另。薩拉多·桑恩手下的一艘戰(zhàn)船正航經(jīng)城堡，船殼條紋斑斕跃赚，劃槳起落笆搓，穿破灰綠浪花，穩(wěn)健前進(jìn)纬傲。

He watched until she vanished behind a headland. Would that my fears could vanish so easily. Had he lived so long for this?"??

他目送它消失于陸岬后方满败，心想：若我的諸多恐懼也能這么容易消失净嘀，那就好了。他活了這么大把年紀(jì)，最后竟要目睹如此悲劇嗎？?

"When a maester donned his collar, he put aside the hope of children, yet Cressen had oft felt a father nonetheless. Robert, Stannis, Renly … three sons he had raised after the angry sea claimed Lord Steffon. Had he done so ill that now he must watch one kill the other? He could not allow it, would not allow it."??

作學(xué)士的一旦戴起頸鏈在塔，便需放棄生兒育女的權(quán)利。然而克禮森卻時(shí)常覺得自己像個(gè)父親蛔溃，自從怒海奪去史蒂芬公爵的性命后，勞勃绍撞、史坦尼斯和藍(lán)禮……便像他的三個(gè)兒子蜕径，由他一手撫養(yǎng)長大。莫非他失職太甚，如今必須目睹兒子們自相殘殺伪货？他不能容許這種事發(fā)生，絕對不能懊悯。??

"The woman was the heart of it. Not the Lady Selyse, the other one. The red woman, the servants had named her, afraid to speak her name. “I will speak her name,” Cressen told his stone hellhound. “Melisandre. Her.” Melisandre of Asshai, sorceress, shadowbinder, and priestess to R’hllor, the Lord of Light, the Heart of Fire, the God of Flame and Shadow. Melisandre, whose madness must not be allowed to spread beyond Dragonstone."??

從沒真正見識這種顏色問題的核心在于那名女子蜓谋，并非賽麗絲夫人，而是另外那個(gè)炭分。下人們都不敢直呼其名桃焕，乃稱她為“紅袍女”∨趺“我倒不怕观堂，”克禮森對他的地獄犬雕像說：“就是她，梅麗珊卓呀忧∈郏”來自亞夏的梅麗珊卓是個(gè)女術(shù)士，是個(gè)縛影士而账，同時(shí)也是光之王拉赫洛的女祭司胰坟。拉赫洛乃圣焰之心，是影子與烈火的神泞辐。不笔横，梅麗珊卓的種種瘋狂行徑絕不能散播到龍石島之外。??

"His chambers seemed dim and gloomy after the brightness of the morning. With fumbling hands, the old man lit a candle and carried it to the workroom beneath the rookery stair, where his ointments, potions, and medicines stood neatly on their shelves. On the bottom shelf behind a row of salves in squat clay jars he found a vial of indigo glass, no larger than his little finger. It rattled when he shook it.

與晨間的明亮相較咐吼，他的房間此刻顯得昏暗而陰沉吹缔。老人伸出顫抖的雙手，燃起一根蠟燭锯茄，走到他位于通往鴉巢樓梯下方的工作室厢塘。各式軟膏、藥水和藥材整齊羅列于架上，他從最上層一排由矮陶瓶所盛裝的藥粉后面找出一個(gè)與小指頭差不多大小的靛藍(lán)玻璃瓶俗冻，稍加搖晃礁叔，瓶內(nèi)便傳出聲響。

?Cressen blew away a layer of dust and carried it back to his table. Collapsing into his chair, he pulled the stopper and spilled out the vial’s contents. A dozen crystals, no larger than seeds, rattled across the parchment he’d been reading. They shone like jewels in the candlelight, so purple that the maester found himself thinking that he had never truly seen the color before."??

克禮森吹開表面灰塵迄薄，將瓶子拿回桌邊琅关。他癱坐在椅子上，打開瓶蓋讥蔽，倒出內(nèi)物涣易。那是十來顆種籽大小的結(jié)晶，滾過他原本正在閱讀的羊皮紙冶伞。燭光照映之下新症，它們閃閃發(fā)亮，有如珠寶响禽，色澤奇紫徒爹，讓老學(xué)士覺得自己彷彿從沒真正見識這種顏色。

"The chain around his throat felt very heavy. He touched one of the crystals lightly with the tip of his little finger. Such a small thing to hold the power of life and death. It was made from a certain plant that grew only on the islands of the Jade Sea, half a world away. The leaves had to be aged, and soaked in a wash of limes and sugar water and certain rare spices from the Summer Isles. Afterward they could be discarded, but the potion must be thickened with ash and allowed to crystallize.

喉際項(xiàng)鏈越發(fā)沉重芋类，他用小指指甲輕觸其中一顆結(jié)晶隆嗅。如此微小的東西，卻有掌控生死的能力侯繁。結(jié)晶由某種植物制成胖喳，該植物只生長于半個(gè)世界外的玉海諸島。葉片需經(jīng)長期放置贮竟，隨后浸泡于石灰水丽焊、糖汁以及某些產(chǎn)自盛夏群島的珍貴香料中丰刊，之后丟棄葉片辩蛋，在藥水中加入灰燼，使其濃稠浪汪，然后靜置結(jié)晶顷级。

The process was slow and difficult, the necessaries costly and hard to acquire. The alchemists of Lys knew the way of it, though, and the Faceless Men of Braavos … and the maesters of his order as well, though it was not something talked about beyond the walls of the Citadel. All the world knew that a maester forged his silver link when he learned the art of healing—but the world preferred to forget that men who knew how to heal also knew how to kill."??

其過程緩慢而艱難凫乖，所需配料價(jià)格昂貴，極難尋求弓颈。知道配方的僅包括里斯的煉金術(shù)士，布拉佛斯的“無面者”……以及他所屬的學(xué)士組織删掀，可這種東西是不能在學(xué)城之外討論的翔冀。大家都知道學(xué)士鎖鏈中的銀片代表醫(yī)療之法——然而大家卻往往假裝忘記，懂得醫(yī)療之法的人，也同樣懂得殺人之術(shù)泽论。

"Cressen no longer recalled the name the Asshai’i gave the leaf, or the Lysene poisoners the crystal. In the Citadel, it was simply called the strangler. Dissolved in wine, it would make the muscles of a man’s throat clench tighter than any fist, shutting off his windpipe. They said a victim’s face turned as purple as the little crystal seed from which his death was grown, but so too did a man choking on a morsel of food."??

克禮森已不記得亞夏人如何稱呼這種葉子，也不記得里斯毒劑師給這種結(jié)晶取的名字卡乾，他只知道它在學(xué)城里被命名為“扼死者”翼悴，將它放進(jìn)酒里溶化后，會(huì)使飲者喉部肌肉劇烈縮緊幔妨，使其氣管阻塞误堡，據(jù)說受害者面部往往呈現(xiàn)出與結(jié)晶相同的紫色古话，與噎死的癥狀如出一轍。??

"And this very night Lord Stannis would feast his bannermen, his lady wife … and the red woman, Melisandre of Asshai."

而就在今天晚上悉抵，史坦尼斯公爵將宴請諸侯和他的夫人……以及亞夏的紅袍女梅麗珊卓肩狂。??

"I must rest, Maester Cressen told himself. I must have all my strength come dark. My hands must not shake, nor my courage flag. It is a dreadful thing I do, yet it must be done. If there are gods, surely they will forgive me. He had slept so poorly of late. A nap would refresh him for the ordeal ahead.

我必須先休息，克禮森學(xué)士對自己說基跑，天黑之后婚温，我必須精力充沛，手不能顫抖媳否，勇氣不能衰退栅螟。此事雖然可怕，卻是逼不得已篱竭。假如天上真有諸神力图，想必他們會(huì)原諒我的。近來他的睡眠狀況很差掺逼，午睡片刻應(yīng)該有助于他回復(fù)體力吃媒，面對即將來臨的磨難。

?Wearily, he tottered off to his bed. Yet when he closed his eyes, he could still see the light of the comet, red and fiery and vividly alive amidst the darkness of his dreams. Perhaps it is my comet, he thought drowsily at the last, just before sleep took him. An omen of blood, foretelling murder … yes …"??

他虛弱地走到床邊吕喘，然而當(dāng)他閉上雙眼赘那，卻依舊見到彗星的熾烈紅光，栩栩如生地在他的黑暗夢境中閃亮氯质。就在他睡著前的一刻募舟，他意識模糊地想：或許這是我的彗星，一個(gè)染血兇兆闻察，預(yù)示著即將來臨的謀殺……是的……??

"When he woke it was full dark, his bedchamber was black, and every joint in his body ached. Cressen pushed himself up, his head throbbing. Clutching for his cane, he rose unsteady to his feet. So late, he thought. They did not summon me.

待他醒來拱礁，天已全暗琢锋。他的臥房漆黑一片，全身每個(gè)關(guān)節(jié)都隱隱作痛呢灶∥獬克禮森頭暈?zāi)X脹，勉力坐起鸯乃，抓住柺杖鲸阻，顫巍巍地下了床。都這么晚了飒责，他心想赘娄，他們竟沒通知我！

He was always summoned for feasts, seated near the salt, close to Lord Stannis. His lord’s face swam up before him, not the man he was but the boy he had been, standing cold in the shadows while the sun shone on his elder brother. Whatever he did, Robert had done first, and better. Poor boy … he must hurry, for his sake."??

每逢宴會(huì)宏蛉，他都受邀參加遣臼，坐在鹽罐旁，離史坦尼斯公爵很近拾并。啊揍堰，公爵的臉浮現(xiàn)眼前，不是現(xiàn)在的他嗅义，而是他兒時(shí)的臉孔屏歹，那個(gè)永遠(yuǎn)站在冰冷陰影里，看著陽光照在哥哥身上的男孩之碗。無論他做了些什么蝙眶，勞勃永遠(yuǎn)搶先一步，而且做得更好褪那∮姆祝可憐的孩子……為了他，我一定要趕快行動(dòng)博敬。??

"The maester found the crystals where he had left them, and scooped them off the parchment. Cressen owned no hollow rings, such as the poisoners of Lys were said to favor, but a myriad of pockets great and small were sewn inside the loose sleeves of his robe.

老學(xué)士在桌上找到結(jié)晶友浸，將之從羊皮紙邊撥起∑眩克禮森沒有傳聞中里斯毒劑師愛用的空心戒指收恢，但他寬松的長袍袖子里倒是縫了各式大小口袋。

He secreted the strangler seeds in one of them, threw open his door, and called, “Pylos? Where are you?” When he heard no reply, he called again, louder. “Pylos, I need help.” Still there came no answer. That was queer; the young maester had his cell only a half turn down the stair, within easy earshot."??

他將“扼死者”結(jié)晶藏進(jìn)其中一個(gè)口袋祭往，開門喊道：“派洛斯伦意，你在哪里？”無人應(yīng)答硼补，他便拉高音量再喊默赂，“派洛斯，快來幫我括勺！”仍然沒有回應(yīng)缆八。怪了，年輕學(xué)士的寢室就在螺旋梯的中間疾捍，一定聽得到的奈辰。??

"In the end, Cressen had to shout for the servants. “Make haste,” he told them. “I have slept too long. They will be feasting by now … drinking … I should have been woken.” What had happened to Maester Pylos? Truly, he did not understand."?

最后，克禮森只好叫喚仆人乱豆〗鼻。“快點(diǎn)！”他吩咐他們宛裕，“我睡過頭了∩校現(xiàn)在晚宴已經(jīng)開始……酒也喝過了……怎么沒叫醒我呢？”派洛斯學(xué)士到底怎么了揩尸？他實(shí)在不明白蛹屿。??

"Again he had to cross the long gallery. A night wind whispered through the great windows, sharp with the smell of the sea. Torches flickered along the walls of Dragonstone, and in the camp beyond, he could see hundreds of cookfires burning, as if a field of stars had fallen to the earth. Above, the comet blazed red and malevolent. I am too old and wise to fear such things, the maester told himself."??

再一次，他必須穿越長廊岩榆。夜風(fēng)銳利错负，充滿海洋的氣息，刮過高窗勇边，傳出低語犹撒。龍石島城墻上火炬搖曳，城外的營地里篝火熊熊粒褒，彷如滿天星星墜落凡塵识颊。天際彗星依舊紅光熠熠，其勢惡毒奕坟。學(xué)士連忙安慰自己：以我的年紀(jì)和睿智祥款，實(shí)在不該怕這種東西。??

"The doors to the Great Hall were set in the mouth of a stone dragon. He told the servants to leave him outside. It would be better to enter alone; he must not appear feeble. Leaning heavily on his cane, Cressen climbed the last few steps and hobbled beneath the gateway teeth. A pair of guardsmen opened the heavy red doors before him, unleashing a sudden blast of noise and light. Cressen stepped down into the dragon’s maw."?

通往大廳的門是一只石雕巨龍的大口执赡。走到門外镰踏，他遣走仆人，決定獨(dú)自進(jìn)去沙合，才不會(huì)顯得虛弱奠伪。于是克禮森拄著柺杖，勉力爬上最后幾級石階首懈，來到入口的龍牙下绊率。兩名守衛(wèi)打開厚重的紅門，噪音和強(qiáng)光頓時(shí)穿出究履，克禮森走進(jìn)巨龍的龐然巨口滤否。??

"Over the clatter of knife and plate and the low mutter of table talk, he heard Patchface singing, “… dance, my lord, dance my lord,” to the accompaniment of jangling cowbells. The same dreadful song he’d sung this morning. “The shadows come to stay, my lord, stay my lord, stay my lord.” The lower tables were crowded with knights, archers, and sellsword captains, tearing apart loaves of black bread to soak in their fish stew. Here there was no loud laughter, no raucous shouting such as marred the dignity of other men’s feasts; Lord Stannis did not permit such."?

在刀叉碗盤的碰撞和席間的低聲交談中，他聽見補(bǔ)丁臉正唱著：“……跳舞啊大人最仑，跳舞啊大人藐俺！”牛鈴響叮當(dāng)炊甲。這正是他早上唱的那首可怕曲子∮郏“影子來居住啊卿啡，大人，居住啊大人菱父，居住啊大人颈娜！”下方的席位上坐滿了騎士、弓箭手和傭兵隊(duì)長浙宜，他們撕下大塊黑面包沾魚湯吃官辽。任何可能破壞宴席格調(diào)的高聲談笑、恣意喧嘩粟瞬，在大廳里都找不到同仆，因?yàn)槭诽鼓崴构舨辉试S此種行徑。??

"Cressen made his way toward the raised platform where the lords sat with the king. He had to step wide around Patchface. Dancing, his bells ringing, the fool neither saw nor heard his approach. As he hopped from one leg to the other, Patchface lurched into Cressen, knocking his cane out from under him. They went crashing down together amidst the rushes in a tangle of arms and legs, while a sudden gale of laughter went up around them. No doubt it was a comical sight."

克禮森朝高起的平臺走去亩钟，那里是諸侯和國王的座位乓梨。他遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)繞路避開補(bǔ)丁臉，可是弄臣跳舞搖鈴正在興頭上清酥，既沒看到也沒聽見他靠近扶镀。結(jié)果補(bǔ)丁臉單腳站立，換腳的時(shí)候焰轻，一頭栽到了克禮森身上臭觉，撞開他的手杖，兩人連滾帶爬跌在草席上辱志。眾人哄堂大笑蝠筑，這無疑是一幅十分滑稽的景象。??

"Patchface sprawled half on top of him, motley fool’s face pressed close to his own. He had lost his tin helm with its antlers and bells. “Under the sea, you fall up,” he declared. “I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.” Giggling, the fool rolled off, bounded to his feet, and did a little dance."

長夜黑暗揩懒，處處險(xiǎn)惡啊補(bǔ)丁臉半趴在他身上什乙，那張五顏六色的小丑臉緊貼著他，頭上的鹿角牛鈴盔卻沒了蹤影已球〕剂停“海底下你若跌倒，會(huì)往上掉智亮！”他大聲宣布忆某，“我知道，我知道阔蛉，噢噢噢弃舒！”小丑咯咯笑著滾到一邊，彈跳起身状原，然后跳了一小段舞聋呢。??

"Trying to make the best of it, the maester smiled feebly and struggled to rise, but his hip was in such pain that for a moment he was half afraid that he had broken it all over again. He felt strong hands grasp him under the arms and lift him back to his feet. “Thank you, ser,” he murmured, turning to see which knight had come to his aid …"??

為表示風(fēng)度苗踪，老學(xué)士露出虛弱的微笑，掙扎想起身坝冕，然而臀部劇痛不止徒探，一時(shí)之間他真怕又把骨頭給摔碎了。這時(shí)喂窟，有一雙健壯的手伸到他兩腋，扶他起來央串∧ピ瑁“謝謝你，爵士先生质和∥壬悖”他囁嚅著，轉(zhuǎn)頭想看看是哪位騎士伸出援手……??

"“Maester,” said Lady Melisandre, her deep voice flavored with the music of the Jade Sea. “You ought take more care.” As ever, she wore red head to heel, a long loose gown of flowing silk as bright as fire, with dagged sleeves and deep slashes in the bodice that showed glimpses of a darker bloodred fabric beneath. Around her throat was a red gold choker tighter than any maester’s chain, ornamented with a single great ruby.

“老師傅饲宿，”說話的人是梅麗珊卓夫人厦酬，她聲音低沉，有著玉海地區(qū)獨(dú)特的悅耳口音瘫想≌淘模“您要小心啊」梗”她一如往常减噪，從頭到腳全是紅色，身上一件亮如明焰的滑絲長禮服车吹，袖子很長筹裕，上衣有切口，露出里面顏色更深的血紅襯衣窄驹。她的喉際有一條比任何學(xué)士鎖鏈還要緊的紅金項(xiàng)圈朝卒，嵌了一顆大紅寶石。

Her hair was not the orange or strawberry color of common red-haired men, but a deep burnished copper that shone in the light of the torches. Even her eyes were red … but her skin was smooth and white, unblemished, pale as cream. Slender she was, graceful, taller than most knights, with full breasts and narrow waist and a heart-shaped face. Men’s eyes that once found her did not quickly look away, not even a maester’s eyes. Many called her beautiful. She was not beautiful. She was red, and terrible, and red."??

她的頭發(fā)乐埠，也并非紅發(fā)男人常呈現(xiàn)的橙色或草莓色抗斤，而是磨亮的深紅銅色，在火炬照映下閃閃發(fā)亮饮戳。就連她的眼睛也是紅色……但她的皮膚卻白晰滑嫩豪治，毫無瑕疵，好似鮮奶油扯罐；她的身形優(yōu)雅苗條负拟，高過多數(shù)騎士，胸部豐滿歹河，腰身纖細(xì)掩浙，一張心形臉蛋花吟。男人的視線一旦停在她身上，便很難移走厨姚，即便老學(xué)士也不例外衅澈。許多人稱贊她美麗，但其實(shí)她并不美麗谬墙。她血紅今布，可怖，血紅拭抬。??

"“I … thank you, my lady.”"??

“夫人……謝……謝謝你部默。”??

"“A man your age must look to where he steps,” Melisandre said courteously. “The night is dark and full of terrors.”"??

“您年紀(jì)大了造虎，走路可千萬要當(dāng)心傅蹂。”梅麗珊卓恭敬地說算凿，“長夜黑暗份蝴，處處險(xiǎn)惡啊∶ズ洌”??

"He knew the phrase, some prayer of her faith. It makes no matter, I have a faith of my own. “Only children fear the dark,” he told her. Yet even as he said the words, he heard Patchface take up his song again. “The shadows come to dance, my lord, dance my lord, dance my lord.”"??

他知道這句話婚夫，那是她宗教里的一句禱詞。沒關(guān)系戒努，我也有自己的信仰请敦。“只有小孩子才怕黑储玫∈躺福”他對她說。另一邊撒穷，補(bǔ)丁臉也繼續(xù)唱起那首歌匣椰，“影子來跳舞啊，大人端礼，跳舞啊大人禽笑，跳舞啊大人！”??

"“Now here is a riddle,” Melisandre said. “A clever fool and a foolish wise man.” Bending, she picked up Patchface’s helm from where it had fallen and set it on Cressen’s head. The cowbells rang softly as the tin bucket slid down over his ears. “A crown to match your chain, Lord Maester,” she announced. All around them, men were laughing."?

“這可真奇了蛤奥，”梅麗珊卓道佳镜，“你們一個(gè)是聰明的傻子，另一個(gè)卻是愚蠢的智者凡桥◇吧欤”她彎下腰，撿起補(bǔ)丁臉掉落地面的頭盔，扣在克禮森頭上啊掏。錫桶滑下雙耳蠢络，牛鈴輕聲作響〕倜郏“學(xué)士先生刹孔，我看這頂王冠正好配得上您的頸鏈∧染Γ”她宣布髓霞。周圍的人跟著哄笑不停。??

"Cressen pressed his lips together and fought to still his rage. She thought he was feeble and helpless, but she would learn otherwise before the night was done. Old he might be, yet he was still a maester of the Citadel. “I need no crown but truth,” he told her, removing the fool’s helm from his head."??

克禮森抿緊嘴唇微姊，強(qiáng)忍怒火酸茴。她以為他年老力衰，一無是處兢交，但在今晚結(jié)束以前，她就會(huì)見識到他的厲害笼痹。老歸老配喳，他可是個(gè)出身學(xué)城的學(xué)士〉矢桑“我不需寶冠晴裹，只求真相【却停”他告訴她涧团，說著自頭上摘下小丑盔。??

"“There are truths in this world that are not taught at Oldtown.” Melisandre turned from him in a swirl of red silk and made her way back to the high table, where King Stannis and his queen were seated. Cressen handed the antlered tin bucket back to Patchface, and made to follow."?

“世界上有些真相经磅，舊鎮(zhèn)里是沒有教的泌绣。”梅麗珊卓紅衣一甩预厌，轉(zhuǎn)身走回高臺餐桌阿迈，史坦尼斯國王夫婦便坐在那里≡矗克禮森把鹿角錫桶盔還給補(bǔ)丁臉苗沧，隨后跟上。??

Maester Pylos sat in his place.??

派洛斯學(xué)士坐在他的位子上炭晒。??

"The old man could only stop and stare. “Maester Pylos,” he said at last. “You … you did not wake me.”"??

老人不禁停下腳步待逞，睜大眼睛⊥希“派洛斯學(xué)士识樱，”最后他終于開口，“你……你怎么沒叫醒我？”??

“His Grace commanded me to let you rest.” Pylos had at least the grace to blush. “He told me you were not needed here.”??

“陛下要我讓您休息牺荠，”派洛斯倒還知道臉紅翁巍，“他說無須驚動(dòng)您⌒荽疲”??

"Cressen looked over the knights and captains and lords sitting silent. Lord Celtigar, aged and sour, wore a mantle patterned with red crabs picked out in garnets.

克禮森環(huán)顧四周灶壶，眾多騎士、隊(duì)長和諸侯一言不發(fā)地坐在位子上杈曲。壞脾氣的賽提加伯爵已經(jīng)上了年紀(jì)驰凛，披風(fēng)上綴有紅榴石雕成的螃蟹。

?Handsome Lord Velaryon chose sea-green silk, the white gold seahorse at his throat matching his long fair hair. Lord Bar Emmon, that plump boy of fourteen, was swathed in purple velvet trimmed with white seal, Ser Axell Florent remained homely even in russet and fox fur,

英俊的瓦列利安伯爵選擇了海綠色的絲質(zhì)上衣担扑，裝飾喉際的白金海馬正與他一頭亮金長發(fā)相襯恰响。巴爾艾蒙伯爵是個(gè)肥胖的十四歲男孩，全身裹著層層紫天鵝絨衣服涌献，鑲有白海豹皮裝飾胚宦。亞賽爾·佛羅倫爵士雖穿了狐皮大衣，仍舊不能改變他的平凡相貌燕垃。

?pious Lord Sunglass wore moonstones at throat and wrist and finger, and the Lysene captain Salladhor Saan was a sunburst of scarlet satin, gold, and jewels. Only Ser Davos dressed simply, in brown doublet and green wool mantle, and only Ser Davos met his gaze, with pity in his eyes."

篤信七神的桑格拉斯伯爵脖頸枢劝、腕部和手上都戴了月長石。至于來自里斯的薩拉多·桑恩船長卜壕，則是一身大紅緞子禮服和金飾珠寶您旁。唯有戴佛斯爵士衣著儉樸，一件褐色上衣轴捎，綠羊毛披風(fēng)鹤盒。也唯有戴佛斯和他四目相交，眼帶悲憫侦副。??

"“You are too ill and too confused to be of use to me, old man.” It sounded so like Lord Stannis’s voice, but it could not be, it could not. “Pylos will counsel me henceforth. Already he works with the ravens, since you can no longer climb to the rookery. I will not have you kill yourself in my service.”"??

“老頭子侦锯，你病得太重，不中用了跃洛÷蚀ィ”這聽起來像是史坦尼斯公爵的聲音，但不可能啊汇竭，怎么可能葱蝗？“從今以后，改由派洛斯學(xué)士來輔佐我细燎。反正從你無法登上鴉巢那天起两曼，信鴉早就交他管理。我可不想讓你因?yàn)閹臀易鍪露兔Ｗぁ悼凑！??

"Maester Cressen blinked. Stannis, my lord, my sad sullen boy, son I never had, you must not do this, don’t you know how I have cared for you, lived for you, loved you despite all?

克禮森學(xué)士眨眨眼睛偿枕。史坦尼斯，國王陛下户辫，我可憐的渐夸、郁郁寡歡的孩子，我始終沒有得到的兒子渔欢，你千萬不能這么做墓塌，難道你不知我有多么照顧你，為你而活著奥额，難道你不知不管發(fā)生了什么苫幢，我依舊對你疼愛有加嗎？

?Yes, loved you, better than Robert even, or Renly, for you were the one unloved, the one who needed me most. Yet all he said was, “As you command, my lord, but … but I am hungry. Might not I have a place at your table?” At your side, I belong at your side …

是的垫挨，對你疼愛有加韩肝，比對勞勃、甚至對藍(lán)禮還要深九榔，因?yàn)槟阕钊狈郯Ь阕钚枰摇５f出口的卻是：“遵命哲泊，陛下谜诫。不過……不過我肚子很餓，可否請您給我一個(gè)位子攻旦？”讓我坐在你身邊，好好守著你……??

"??

"Ser Davos rose from the bench. “I should be honored if the maester would sit here beside me, Your Grace.”"??

戴佛斯爵士從長凳上站起來生逸，“陛下牢屋，如果學(xué)士愿意坐在我旁邊，我會(huì)深感榮幸槽袄±游蓿”??

"“As you will.” Lord Stannis turned away to say something to Melisandre, who had seated herself at his right hand, in the place of high honor. Lady Selyse was on his left, flashing a smile as bright and brittle as her jewels."??

“好吧”槌撸”史坦尼斯公爵轉(zhuǎn)過頭去跟梅麗珊卓說話截酷，她坐在他右邊，是地位最高的貴賓乾戏。賽麗絲夫人坐在他左邊迂苛，臉上閃過一抹耀眼但脆弱的笑容，好似她配戴的首飾鼓择。??

"Too far, Cressen thought dully, looking at where Ser Davos was seated. Half of the lords bannermen were between the smuggler and the high table. I must be closer to her if I am to get the strangler into her cup, yet how?"??

距離太遠(yuǎn)了三幻，克禮森看著戴佛斯爵士的位子，木然地想呐能。前走私者和主桌中間隔了一半的諸侯念搬。要把“扼死者”放進(jìn)她的杯子，我必須靠近些，可該怎么做呢朗徊？??

"Patchface was capering about as the maester made his slow way around the table to Davos Seaworth. “Here we eat fish,” the fool declared happily, waving a cod about like a scepter. “Under the sea, the fish eat us. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.”"??

當(dāng)老學(xué)士緩緩繞過桌子首妖，朝戴佛斯·席渥斯走去時(shí)，補(bǔ)丁臉正在手舞足蹈爷恳〉疲“在這兒咱們吃魚！”弄臣把一條鱈魚當(dāng)權(quán)杖揮舞发魄，開心地向大家宣布泰偿，“在海里面咱們被魚吃！我知道铸豁，我知道灌曙，噢噢噢！”??

"Ser Davos moved aside to make room on the bench. “We all should be in motley tonight,” he said gloomily as Cressen seated himself, “for this is fool’s business we’re about. The red woman has seen victory in her flames, so Stannis means to press his claim, no matter what the numbers. Before she’s done we’re all like to see what Patchface saw, I fear—the bottom of the sea.”"?

戴佛斯爵士往長凳旁邊挪動(dòng)节芥，空出位子來在刺。“今晚我們都該穿上小丑服头镊，”克禮森學(xué)士坐下時(shí)蚣驼，他口氣沉重地說：“因?yàn)槲覀兗磳⑷マk的事，實(shí)在只有傻子才干的出來相艇。紅袍女從她的火堆里預(yù)見了我軍勝利颖杏，所以史坦尼斯不顧兵力差距，打算立刻出兵坛芽×舸ⅲ恐怕還沒等她鬧完，我們就會(huì)見識補(bǔ)丁臉曾經(jīng)經(jīng)歷的奇遇了——在海底咙轩』窕洌”??

Cressen slid his hands up into his sleeves as if for warmth. His fingers found the hard lumps the crystals made in the wool. “Lord Stannis.”

孤軍奮戰(zhàn)，勝利終將無望克禮森把手伸進(jìn)袖子取暖活喊，隔著羊毛丐膝，感覺到結(jié)晶隆起的硬塊〖鼐眨“史坦尼斯大人帅矗。”??

"Stannis turned from the red woman, but it was Lady Selyse who replied. “King Stannis. You forget yourself, Maester.”"??

史坦尼斯從紅袍女那邊回過頭结缚，但賽麗絲夫人卻搶先開口：“是史坦尼斯‘陛下’损晤。學(xué)士先生，您太沒分寸了红竭∮妊”??

"“He is old, his mind wanders,” the king told her gruffly. “What is it, Cressen? Speak your mind.”"??

“他年紀(jì)大了喘落，腦筋不清楚∽畋”國王沒好氣地說瘦棋，“克禮森，怎么了暖哨？有話快說赌朋。”?

"“As you intend to sail, it is vital that you make common cause with Lord Stark and Lady Arryn …”"??

“既然您決定渡海出征篇裁，還請您務(wù)必和史塔克大人及萊莎夫人同心協(xié)力……”??

"“I make common cause with no one,” Stannis Baratheon said."??

“我絕不和他們?yōu)槲榕媛！笔诽鼓崴埂ぐ堇鞯馈??

“No more than light makes common cause with darkness.” Lady Selyse took his hand.??

“正如光明絕不與黑暗為伍达布⊥偶祝”賽麗絲夫人握住他的手。??

"Stannis nodded. “The Starks seek to steal half my kingdom, even as the Lannisters have stolen my throne and my own sweet brother the swords and service and strongholds that are mine by rights. They are all usurpers, and they are all my enemies.”"??

史坦尼斯點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭黍聂，“蘭尼斯特家僭越為王躺苦，史塔克家意圖竊取我半壁江山，舍弟則奪走于法歸我所有的封地臣屬产还。他們都是大逆不道的叛徒匹厘，皆為我的死敵∑昵”

"I have lost him, Cressen thought, despairing. If only he could somehow approach Melisandre unseen … he needed but an instant’s access to her cup. “You are the rightful heir to your brother Robert, the true Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men,” he said desperately, “but even so, you cannot hope to triumph without allies.”"??

我失去他了愈诚，克禮森絕望地想。如果他能想辦法在不知不覺的情況下接近梅麗珊卓……只需與她的酒杯短暫接觸牛隅∪怕罚“您是令兄勞勃合法的繼承人，是七大王國真正的統(tǒng)治者倔叼，安達(dá)爾人、洛伊拿人和先民的國王宫莱，”他絕望地說丈攒，“即便如此，倘若孤軍奮戰(zhàn)授霸，勝利終將無望巡验。”??

"“He has an ally,” Lady Selyse said. “R’hllor, the Lord of Light, the Heart of Fire, the God of Flame and Shadow.”"??

“誰說他孤軍奮戰(zhàn)碘耳？”賽麗絲夫人道显设，“光之王拉赫洛乃是圣焰之心，影子與烈火的真主辛辨，也是他最有力量的盟友捕捂∩悖”??

"“Gods make uncertain allies at best,” the old man insisted, “and that one has no power here.”"??

“迷信神靈太不可靠，”老人堅(jiān)持指攒，“何況該神在此毫無威能可言慷妙。”

"“You think not?” The ruby at Melisandre’s throat caught the light as she turned her head, and for an instant it seemed to glow bright as the comet. “If you will speak such folly, Maester, you ought to wear your crown again.”"??

“誰說的允悦？”梅麗珊卓轉(zhuǎn)過頭膝擂，喉際的紅寶石反射光芒，一時(shí)之間仿如彗星紅光隙弛〖懿觯“學(xué)士先生，您這樣滿口胡言全闷，恐怕該再戴上那頂王冠才是喲叉寂。”??

"“Yes,” Lady Selyse agreed. “Patches’s helm. It suits you well, old man. Put it on again, I command you.”"??

“沒錯(cuò)室埋，”賽麗絲夫人同意办绝，“補(bǔ)丁臉的帽子很適合你，老頭姚淆≡胁酰快把它戴上，我命令你腌逢〗祷矗”??

"“Under the sea, no one wears hats,” Patchface said. “I know, I know, oh, oh, oh.”"??

“海底下沒人戴帽子！”補(bǔ)丁臉說：“我知道搏讶，我知道佳鳖，噢噢噢！”

"Lord Stannis’s eyes were shadowed beneath his heavy brow, his mouth tight as his jaw worked silently. He always ground his teeth when he was angry. “Fool,” he growled at last, “my lady wife commands. Give Cressen your helm.”"??

史坦尼斯公爵的眼睛被濃眉的陰影所遮蔽媒惕，他嘴唇緊閉系吩，下巴無聲地蠕動(dòng)。他生氣的時(shí)候妒蔚，總會(huì)這樣磨牙穿挨。“傻子肴盏，”最后他咆哮道科盛，“你聽見我夫人的話了，快把你的帽子拿給克禮森菜皂≌昝啵”??

"No, the old maester thought, this is not you, not your way, you were always just, always hard yet never cruel, never, you did not understand mockery, no more than you understood laughter."??

不，老學(xué)士心想恍飘，這不是你榨崩，不是你的作風(fēng)谴垫，你向來公正，雖然嚴(yán)厲卻不至殘忍蜡饵，從來不會(huì)弹渔，你從不知道什么是嘲弄，就像你永遠(yuǎn)也不懂得歡笑溯祸。??

"Patchface danced closer, his cowbells ringing, clang-a-lang, ding-ding, clink-clank-clink-clank. The maester sat silent while the fool set the antlered bucket on his brow. Cressen bowed his head beneath the weight. His bells clanged. “Perhaps he ought sing his counsel henceforth,” Lady Selyse said."??

補(bǔ)丁臉跳著舞肢专，靠過來，牛鈴響個(gè)不停焦辅，喀啷啷博杖、叮叮、喀呤喀啷喀呤喀啷筷登。學(xué)士靜靜坐著剃根，任由弄臣為他戴上鹿角桶。因?yàn)橥白又厍胺剑硕Y森禁不住低頭狈醉，鈴鐺就叮當(dāng)響起來』菹眨“我看啊苗傅，日后他若想發(fā)表意見，干脆也唱出來好了班巩≡剑”賽麗絲夫人道。??

"“You go too far, woman,” Lord Stannis said. “He is an old man, and he’s served me well.”"??

“女人抱慌，你不要得寸進(jìn)尺逊桦！”史坦尼斯公爵說抑进，“他是老人家强经，何況他跟了我半輩子」埃”??

"And I will serve you to the last, my sweet lord, my poor lonely son, Cressen thought, for suddenly he saw the way. Ser Davos’s cup was before him, still half-full of sour red. He found a hard flake of crystal in his sleeve, held it tight between thumb and forefinger as he reached for the cup. Smooth motions, deft, I must not fumble now, he prayed,

我到死都會(huì)跟著您，我親愛的大人距芬，我可憐的、孤單寂寞的孩子循帐，克禮森想著框仔，突然有了主意。戴佛斯爵士的酒杯正在他面前惧浴，裝了半杯的酸紅酒存和。他從袖中摸出一顆結(jié)晶硬塊，緊扣于拇指和食指之間衷旅，伸手去拿酒杯捐腿。我必須動(dòng)作自然，流暢敏捷柿顶，絕不能在這個(gè)節(jié)骨眼上失手茄袖，他暗自祈禱。

and the gods were kind. In the blink of an eye, his fingers were empty. His hands had not been so steady for years, nor half so fluid. Davos saw, but no one else, he was certain. Cup in hand, he rose to his feet. “Mayhaps I have been a fool. Lady Melisandre, will you share a cup of wine with me? A cup in honor of your god, your Lord of Light? A cup to toast his power?”"??

總算諸神保佑嘁锯，只一眨眼功夫宪祥，手中之物便消失不見。他的雙手已多年沒有如此穩(wěn)健家乘，這般流利了蝗羊。只有戴佛斯瞧見了，但除此之外沒有別人仁锯，他非常篤定耀找。于是他手握酒杯，站起身來业崖∫懊ⅲ“或許我真是老糊涂了蓄愁。梅麗珊卓夫人，您可愿意同我喝一杯狞悲？讓我們藉此榮耀您的真主光之王撮抓，喝這一杯，向他的威能致敬摇锋，您說好么丹拯？”??

The red woman studied him. “If you wish.”??

紅袍女打量著他，“好吧乱投⊙柿”?

"He could feel them all watching him. Davos clutched at him as he left the bench, catching his sleeve with the fingers that Lord Stannis had shortened. “What are you doing?” he whispered."?

他可以感覺到，此刻所有人的目光都集中在自己身上戚炫。離開長凳時(shí)剑刑，戴佛斯用那被史坦尼斯公爵削短的手指抓住他的袖子，“你這是做什么双肤？”他悄聲道施掏。??

"“A thing that must be done,” Maester Cressen answered, “for the sake of the realm, and the soul of my lord.” He shook off Davos’s hand, spilling a drop of wine on the rushes."??

“我非這么做不可，”克禮森學(xué)士回答茅糜，“為了國家七芭，更為了我們大人的靈魂∶镒福”他甩開戴佛斯狸驳，一滴酒灑在草席上。??

"She met him beneath the high table with every man’s eyes upon them. But Cressen saw only her. Red silk, red eyes, the ruby red at her throat, red lips curled in a faint smile as she put her hand atop his own, around the cup. Her skin felt hot, feverish. “It is not too late to spill the wine, Maester.”"??

她走下高臺餐桌來會(huì)他缩赛，兩人成為眾目所集的焦點(diǎn)耙箍，但克禮森眼中只有她一個(gè)人：血紅眼睛，血紅長袍酥馍，血紅寶石辩昆，還有那噘起淡淡微笑的血紅嘴唇。她伸出手旨袒，握住他拿酒杯的指頭汁针，皮膚滾燙，像在發(fā)燒砚尽∈┪蓿“學(xué)士先生，把酒倒掉還來得及必孤』猓”??

"“No,” he whispered hoarsely. “No.”"??

“不，”他嘶啞地低語，“絕不卓练。”??

“As you will.” Melisandre of Asshai took the cup from his hands and drank long and deep. There was only half a swallow of wine remaining when she offered it back to him. “And now you.”??

“也罷购啄〗笃螅”于是來自亞夏的梅麗珊卓自他手中接過酒杯，仰頭深吸一大口狮含。當(dāng)她將杯子還給他時(shí)顽悼，里面還剩小半杯〖钙“該你了蔚龙。”

"His hands were shaking, but he made himself be strong. A maester of the Citadel must not be afraid. The wine was sour on his tongue. He let the empty cup drop from his fingers to shatter on the floor. “He does have power here, my lord,” the woman said. “And fire cleanses.” At her throat, the ruby shimmered redly."??

他的雙手顫抖不止映胁，但他強(qiáng)作鎮(zhèn)定木羹。學(xué)城的學(xué)士絕不能害怕。這酒嘗起來很酸解孙，喝完他松開手指坑填，任由空杯落地碎裂〕诮“大人脐瑰，他在此依舊是有能的⊥⒕剩”那女人說苍在，“圣火將保護(hù)信徒，滌盡一切邪惡荠商〖盘瘢”在她喉際，那顆血紅寶石正閃閃發(fā)光结啼。?

"Cressen tried to reply, but his words caught in his throat. His cough became a terrible thin whistle as he strained to suck in air. Iron fingers tightened round his neck. As he sank to his knees, still he shook his head, denying her, denying her power, denying her magic, denying her god.

克禮森試圖應(yīng)答掠剑，聲音卻卡在喉嚨里。他努力想吸進(jìn)空氣郊愧，結(jié)果只咳出細(xì)得嚇人的嘶聲朴译。他的脖子彷彿被鋼鐵般的手指緊緊勒住，最后他雙腳癱軟属铁，無力地跪下眠寿，但他仍舊搖著頭，否認(rèn)她焦蘑，否認(rèn)她的力量盯拱，否認(rèn)她的魔法，否認(rèn)她的神靈。

And the cowbells peeled in his antlers, singing fool, fool, fool while the red woman looked down on him in pity, the candle flames dancing in her red red eyes."??

鹿角上的牛鈴紛紛脫落狡逢，傻子宁舰，傻子，傻子奢浑，而紅袍女面帶憐憫蛮艰，看著他倒下。她那雙血紅血紅的眼睛里雀彼，燭焰狂舞壤蚜。??