EDDARD

25 奈德

Lord Arryn’s death was a great sadness for all of us, my lord,” Grand Maester Pycelle said. “I would be more than happy to tell you what I can of the manner of his passing. Do be seated. Would you care for refreshments? Some dates, perhaps? I have some very fine persimmons as well. Wine no longer agrees with my digestion, I fear, but I can offer you a cup of iced milk, sweetened with honey. I find it most refreshing in this heat.”

“大人，艾林公爵的死對我們是個沉重的打擊堵漱∠沧睿”派席爾國師說轰豆，“我自然很樂意告訴您他過世的情形舅桩。請坐。您要不要吃些點(diǎn)心豫喧？來幾顆棗子如何靴跛？我這兒還有些上好的柿子。我這把年紀(jì)雖然不能喝酒羞延，倒是可以幫您弄杯冰牛奶渣淳，加過蜂蜜的。大熱天里喝這個正合適伴箩∪肜ⅲ”

There was no denying the heat; Ned could feel the silk tunic clinging to his chest. Thick, moist air covered the city like a damp woolen blanket, and the riverside had grown unruly as the poor fled their hot, airless warrens to jostle for sleeping places near the water, where the only breath of wind was to be found. “That would be most kind,” Ned said, seating himself.

天氣的確很熱，奈德的絲質(zhì)外衣貼緊前胸」字耄空氣郁窒而潮濕怔蚌，像條濕羊毛毯般覆蓋整個城市。窮人紛紛逃離他們悶熱窒息的住所旁赊，想在河畔搶個位子歇息桦踊，只有那里才有些許微風(fēng)，結(jié)果河邊被擠得壅塞不堪终畅〖瑁“那就謝謝您了±敫＃”奈德說著坐了下來杖狼。

Pycelle lifted a tiny silver bell with thumb and forefinger and tinkled it gently. A slender young serving girl hurried into the solar. “Iced milk for the King’s Hand and myself, if you would be so kind, child. Well sweetened.”

派席爾用拇指和食指揀起一個精巧的小銀鈴，輕輕搖了兩下术徊。一名清瘦的女侍急忙趕進(jìn)來本刽。“我的好孩子赠涮，請你幫首相大人和我各弄一杯冰牛奶子寓，多加點(diǎn)蜂蜜∷癯”

As the girl went to fetch their drinks, the Grand Maester knotted his fingers together and rested his hands on his stomach. “The smallfolk say that the last year of summer is always the hottest. It is not so, yet ofttimes it feels that way, does it not? On days like this, I envy you northerners your summer snows.” The heavy jeweled chain around the old man’s neck chinked softly as he shifted in his seat. “To be sure, King Maekar’s summer was hotter than this one, and near as long. There were fools, even in the Citadel, who took that to mean that the Great Summer had come at last, the summer that never ends, but in the seventh year it broke suddenly, and we had a short autumn and a terrible long winter. Still, the heat was fierce while it lasted. Oldtown steamed and sweltered by day and came alive only by night. We would walk in the gardens by the river and argue about the gods. I remember the smells of those nights, my lord, perfume and sweat, melons ripe to bursting, peaches and pomegranates, nightshade and moonbloom. I was a young man then, still forging my chain. The heat did not exhaust me as it does now.” Pycelle’s eyes were so heavily lidded he looked half-asleep. “My pardons, Lord Eddard. You did not come to hear foolish meanderings of a summer forgotten before your father was born. Forgive an old man his wanderings, if you would. Minds are like swords, I do fear. The old ones go to rust. Ah, and here is our milk.” The serving girl placed the tray between them, and Pycelle gave her a smile. “Sweet child.” He lifted a cup, tasted, nodded. “Thank you. You may go.”

女孩去取飲料之后斜友，國師叉起指頭，把手放在肚子上垃它∠势粒“老百姓說夏天的最后一年是最熱的年頭。當(dāng)然啦国拇，這只是民間的說法洛史，可有時(shí)候還真讓人產(chǎn)生這種錯覺，您說是不酱吝？每到這種天氣也殖，我就羨慕你們北方人還有夏雪∥袢龋”老人脖子上掛的那串寶石項(xiàng)鏈隨著他挪動身體而發(fā)出輕響忆嗜。“遠(yuǎn)的不說崎岂，梅卡國王那時(shí)的夏天就比現(xiàn)在還熱捆毫，持續(xù)時(shí)間也差不多。有些傻瓜還以為永不結(jié)束的‘永夏’已經(jīng)降臨冲甘，就連學(xué)城里也有這種人绩卤，結(jié)果呢途样？到得第七年突然就變了天，緊接著短短的秋天濒憋，就是恐怖而漫長的冬季娘纷。但無可否認(rèn)，那時(shí)候還真是夠熱跋炕。舊鎮(zhèn)上上下下熱氣四溢，暑氣逼人律适，到了晚上才稍稍扭轉(zhuǎn)辐烂。那時(shí)我們常在河濱花園里散步，一邊爭論各種宗教觀點(diǎn)捂贿。首相大人纠修，直到現(xiàn)在我還記得那些個夜晚的味道——香水、汗味厂僧，各種瓜果熟得快裂開扣草，桃子與石榴，顛茄和月花颜屠。當(dāng)時(shí)我還年輕辰妙，正在打造我的項(xiàng)鏈，再熱都不以為意甫窟，哪像現(xiàn)在密浑，受不了啰〈志”派席爾眼瞼低垂尔破，看上去仿佛就要睡著〗匠模“艾德大人懒构，真對不住，您不是來聽我絮絮叨叨什么早被遺忘的夏季的耘擂，當(dāng)年連令尊都沒出生呢胆剧。就請您多多包涵我這老人家的羅嗦罷。思想這東西梳星，就跟寶劍一樣赞赖，放久了自然就生銹嘍。啊冤灾，我們的牛奶來了前域。”女侍在他們中間放上一個托盤韵吨，派席爾朝她微微一笑匿垄。“真是個好孩子〈涣疲”他拿起一杯嘗了兩口漏峰，點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭〗扉“謝謝你浅乔，你下去罷÷撂酰”

When the girl had taken her leave, Pycelle peered at Ned through pale, rheumy eyes. “Now where were we? Oh, yes. You asked about Lord Arryn?.?.?.?”

女孩離開后靖苇，派席爾用他那雙蒼白而濕潤的眼睛打量奈德，“我們說到哪兒了班缰？噢贤壁，您問起艾林大人……”

“I did.” Ned sipped politely at the iced milk. It was pleasantly cold, but oversweet to his taste.

“是的〔和”奈德很有禮貌地啜著牛奶脾拆，冰涼涼的很爽口，只是對他而言太甜了莹妒。

“If truth be told, the Hand had not seemed quite himself for some time,” Pycelle said. “We had sat together on council many a year, he and I, and the signs were there to read, but I put them down to the great burdens he had borne so faithfully for so long. Those broad shoulders were weighed down by all the cares of the realm, and more besides. His son was ever sickly, and his lady wife so anxious that she would scarcely let the boy out of her sight. It was enough to weary even a strong man, and the Lord Jon was not young. Small wonder if he seemed melancholy and tired. Or so I thought at the time. Yet now I am less certain.” He gave a ponderous shake of his head.

“說實(shí)話名船，前首相大人之前就常常心神不寧≈嫉。”派席爾道包帚，“我和他共事這么多年，還有什么征兆看不出來运吓？我認(rèn)為這是來源于他長久以來默默承受的重責(zé)大任渴邦。他那對寬闊的肩膀都快被國家大事和別的心事給壓垮了。尤其是他兒子身體孱弱拘哨，夫人為此憂心忡忡谋梭，幾乎不敢讓他離開視線范圍。這樣的壓力連身強(qiáng)體壯的人尚且難以負(fù)荷倦青，何況瓊恩大人他年紀(jì)也已不輕瓮床。若他為此身心俱疲，實(shí)在不足為奇产镐。至少我當(dāng)時(shí)是這樣想的“現(xiàn)在我卻不敢妄下斷論⊙⒀牵”他若有所思地?fù)u搖頭丑掺。

“What can you tell me of his final illness?”

“他到底生了什么病述雾？”

The Grand Maester spread his hands in a gesture of helpless sorrow. “He came to me one day asking after a certain book, as hale and healthy as ever, though it did seem to me that something was troubling him deeply. The next morning he was twisted over in pain, too sick to rise from bed. Maester Colemon thought it was a chill on the stomach. The weather had been hot, and the Hand often iced his wine, which can upset the digestion. When Lord Jon continued to weaken, I went to him myself, but the gods did not grant me the power to save him.”

國師攤開手街州，做出無可奈何的悲傷姿勢兼丰。“有天他來找我要一本書唆缴，身子骨和平時(shí)一樣鳍征，硬朗得沒話說，但我看得出他心頭在掛慮什么面徽。隔天早晨艳丛，他便周身疼痛，連床也起不來了趟紊≈世瘢柯蒙學(xué)士認(rèn)為他只是腸胃受了寒，這些日子天氣熱织阳，首相大人常在葡萄酒里加冰塊，很有可能影響消化砰粹。然而瓊恩大人的病情卻持續(xù)惡化唧躲，于是我親自出馬，只是諸神不肯賜予我拯救他的力量碱璃∨裕”

“I have heard that you sent Maester Colemon away.”

“聽說您當(dāng)時(shí)把柯蒙師傅給遣開了∏镀鳎”

The Grand Maester’s nod was as slow and deliberate as a glacier. “I did, and I fear the Lady Lysa will never forgive me that. Maybe I was wrong, but at the time I thought it best. Maester Colemon is like a son to me, and I yield to none in my esteem for his abilities, but he is young, and the young ofttimes do not comprehend the frailty of an older body. He was purging Lord Arryn with wasting potions and pepper juice, and I feared he might kill him.”

大學(xué)士慢慢而鄭重地點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭肛真，有如緩緩流動的冰河∷剑“是啊蚓让，只怕萊莎夫人永遠(yuǎn)也不會原諒我〖フ洌或許我做得不對历极，然而當(dāng)時(shí)我覺得這是最好的選擇。我把柯蒙師傅當(dāng)自己兒子一般看待衷佃，對他的能力我也絕對有信心趟卸，然而他太年輕，年輕人往往無法體會老年人的身體有多虛弱氏义。他讓艾林大人喝下清腸劑和胡椒液锄列，本意是想嘔出毒素，怕只怕這反而會害了公爵惯悠×谟剩”

“Did Lord Arryn say anything to you during his final hours?”

“艾林大人病危時(shí)跟您說過些什么？”

Pycelle wrinkled his brow. “In the last stage of his fever, the Hand called out the name Robert several times, but whether he was asking for his son or for the king I could not say. Lady Lysa would not permit the boy to enter the sickroom, for fear that he too might be taken ill. The king did come, and he sat beside the bed for hours, talking and joking of times long past in hopes of raising Lord Jon’s spirits. His love was fierce to see.”

派席爾皺起眉頭克婶，“在他最后高燒彌留的階段饶囚，首相大人多次高呼‘勞勃’這個名字帕翻，我不確定他是叫他的愛子還是國王陛下。萊莎夫人不準(zhǔn)孩子進(jìn)病房萝风，怕他被傳染嘀掸。國王陛下倒是來過，在病床邊坐了好長時(shí)間规惰，跟瓊恩大人談起往日的美好時(shí)光睬塌，希望能提振他的精神。他對前首相的敬愛非常明顯歇万】纾”

“Was there nothing else? No final words?”

“沒有別的嗎？沒有遺言贪磺？”

“When I saw that all hope had fled, I gave the Hand the milk of the poppy, so he should not suffer. Just before he closed his eyes for the last time, he whispered something to the king and his lady wife, a blessing for his son. The seed is strong, he said. At the end, his speech was too slurred to comprehend. Death did not come until the next morning, but Lord Jon was at peace after that. He never spoke again.”

“我眼看首相大人康復(fù)無望硫兰，便給他喝了罌粟花奶，好讓他不再受苦寒锚。他在闔眼之前劫映，向夫人和國王陛下說了句為愛子祈福的話。他說‘種性強(qiáng)韌’刹前。末了泳赋，他的吐詞已經(jīng)含糊不清，難辨其意喇喉。雖然隔天清晨人才故去祖今，但瓊恩大人在那之后已經(jīng)平靜下來，沒再開口拣技∏埽”

Ned took another swallow of milk, trying not to gag on the sweetness of it. “Did it seem to you that there was anything unnatural about Lord Arryn’s death?”

奈德又喝了口牛奶，努力忍受膩人的甜味膏斤〈蟛常“那，依您之見掸绞，瓊恩·艾林大人的死有無蹊蹺泵三？”

“Unnatural?” The aged maester’s voice was thin as a whisper. “No, I could not say so. Sad, for a certainty. Yet in its own way, death is the most natural thing of all, Lord Eddard. Jon Arryn rests easy now, his burdens lifted at last.”

“有無蹊蹺？”老師傅的聲音輕得像是悄悄話衔掸，“不烫幕，我認(rèn)為沒有。艾德大人敞映，死亡固然令人悲傷较曼，但從另一方面講，卻也是最自然不過的事振愿。瓊恩·艾林大人如今已卸下所有重?fù)?dān)捷犹，長眠于地底了弛饭。”

“This illness that took him,” said Ned. “Had you ever seen its like before, in other men?”

“奪走他性命的這種病萍歉，”艾德說侣颂，“您以前見過嗎？在其他病人身上枪孩？”

“Near forty years I have been Grand Maester of the Seven Kingdoms,” Pycelle replied. “Under our good King Robert, and Aerys Targaryen before him, and his father Jaehaerys the Second before him, and even for a few short months under Jaehaerys’s father, Aegon the Fortunate, the Fifth of His Name. I have seen more of illness than I care to remember, my lord. I will tell you this: Every case is different, and every case is alike. Lord Jon’s death was no stranger than any other.”

“我做七國的國師已近四十年憔晒，”派席爾回答，“服侍過我們的好國王勞勃蔑舞，在他之前的伊里斯·坦格利安拒担，伊里斯的父親杰赫里斯二世，甚至還在杰赫里斯的父親‘幸運(yùn)的’伊耿五世手下做過幾個月攻询。首相大人从撼，我見過的疾病不勝枚舉，讓我告訴您罷：每種疾病雖不一樣钧栖，卻都有共通之處低零。瓊恩大人的死并不比其他人來得離奇⊥┚”

“His wife thought otherwise.”

“他的夫人可不這么認(rèn)為≌懵耍”

The Grand Maester nodded. “I recall now, the widow is sister to your own noble wife. If an old man may be forgiven his blunt speech, let me say that grief can derange even the strongest and most disciplined of minds, and the Lady Lysa was never that. Since her last stillbirth, she has seen enemies in every shadow, and the death of her lord husband left her shattered and lost.”

國師點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭阴挣。“我想起來了纺腊，他的遺孀是尊夫人的妹妹畔咧。如果您不嫌我這老人家說話莽撞，容我這么說揖膜，即便最堅(jiān)強(qiáng)誓沸、最自制的人，往往也容易被悲傷所影響壹粟，何況萊莎夫人本不是那樣的人拜隧。她自上次流產(chǎn)之后，便疑神疑鬼趁仙，處處以為有人要與她為敵洪添，想必首相大人的死讓她心都碎了∪阜眩”

“So you are quite certain that Jon Arryn died of a sudden illness?”

“所以你確信瓊恩·艾林死于突發(fā)性疾哺缮荨？”

“I am,” Pycelle replied gravely. “If not illness, my good lord, what else could it be?”

“是的盏袄》蘧”派席爾沉重地回答薄啥，“若非疾病，我的好大人逛尚，還會是什么呢垄惧？”

“Poison,” Ned suggested quietly.

“毒藥『诘停”奈德靜靜地提示赘艳。

Pycelle’s sleepy eyes flicked open. The aged maester shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “A disturbing thought. We are not the Free Cities, where such things are common. Grand Maester Aethelmure wrote that all men carry murder in their hearts, yet even so, the poisoner is beneath contempt.” He fell silent for a moment, his eyes lost in thought. “What you suggest is possible, my lord, yet I do not think it likely. Every hedge maester knows the common poisons, and Lord Arryn displayed none of the signs. And the Hand was loved by all. What sort of monster in man’s flesh would dare to murder such a noble lord?”

派席爾的惺忪睡眼猛地睜大，這位老師傅不安地在座位上挪動身子克握±俟埽“這想法真叫人不寒而栗。我們并非身在自由貿(mào)易城邦菩暗，只有在那里掰曾，這種事才是家常便飯。雖說伊薩穆爾國師提醒我們每個人心里都有謀殺的種子停团，即便如此旷坦，下毒還是太令人不齒∮映恚”他沉默了一會兒秒梅，眼神若有所思∩嘟海“大人捆蜀，您所提出的這種可能性，我認(rèn)為不存在幔嫂。隨便雇一個鄉(xiāng)野學(xué)士都能看出常見的中毒癥狀辆它，艾林大人卻沒有任何類似跡象。更何況人人都愛戴首相大人履恩，怎么會有禽獸膽敢毒害如此高貴的好人呢锰茉？”

“I have heard it said that poison is a woman’s weapon.”

“我倒聽說毒藥是女人的武器∏行模”

Pycelle stroked his beard thoughtfully. “It is said. Women, cravens?.?.?.?and eunuchs.” He cleared his throat and spat a thick glob of phelm onto the rushes. Above them, a raven cawed loudly in the rookery. “The Lord Varys was born a slave in Lys, did you know? Put not your trust in spiders, my lord.”

派席爾沉吟著捻胡須飒筑。“是有這種說法绽昏。包括女人扬霜、懦夫……還有太監(jiān)《妫”他清清喉嚨著瓶，朝草席吐口濃痰。在他們頭頂上方啼县，有只烏鴉在巢里大聲怪叫材原》芯茫“您可知道，瓦里斯伯爵原本是里斯的奴隸余蟹？大人卷胯，千萬不能信任蜘蛛啊⊥疲”

That was scarcely anything Ned needed to be told; there was something about Varys that made his flesh crawl. “I will remember that, Maester. And I thank you for your help. I have taken enough of your time.” He stood.

這話奈德不用他提醒窑睁，瓦里斯有種能讓他渾身起雞皮疙瘩的本事】拢“我會記住的担钮，師傅。謝謝您的協(xié)助尤仍，只怕我已經(jīng)占用您太多時(shí)間了箫津。”他站起身宰啦。

Grand Maester Pycelle pushed himself up from his chair slowly and escorted Ned to the door. “I hope I have helped in some small way to put your mind at ease. If there is any other service I might perform, you need only ask.”

派席爾國師緩緩?fù)崎_椅子苏遥，送奈德到門邊∩哪＃“希望我這一點(diǎn)綿薄之力能讓您安心田炭。如果還有別的地方幫得上忙，您盡管開口漓柑〗塘颍”

“One thing,” Ned told him. “I should be curious to examine the book that you lent Jon the day before he fell ill.”

“還有一件事，”奈德對他說欺缘，“我對瓊恩生病前天跟您借的那本書很好奇栋豫，不知可否拿來一閱挤安？”

“I fear you would find it of little interest,” Pycelle said. “It was a ponderous tome by Grand Maester Malleon on the lineages of the great houses.”

“恐怕您會覺得很無趣谚殊，”派席爾道，“那是梅利恩國師所寫的一本大部頭蛤铜，里面講的全是各大家族的歷代譜系嫩絮。”

“Still, I should like to see it.”

“沒關(guān)系围肥，我只想看看剿干。”

The old man opened the door. “As you wish. I have it here somewhere. When I find it, I shall have it sent to your chambers straightaway.”

老人打開門穆刻≈枚“如您所愿，我好像就放在這哪兒氢伟，總之書一找到榜轿，我即刻差人送到您房間去幽歼。”

“You have been most courteous,” Ned told him. Then, almost as an afterthought, he said, “One last question, if you would be so kind. You mentioned that the king was at Lord Arryn’s bedside when he died. I wonder, was the queen with him?”

“您真是太周到了谬盐〉樗剑”奈德告訴他。接著飞傀，他像突然想到什么似地說皇型，“請您見諒，我還有最后一個問題砸烦。您剛才說艾林大人臨終時(shí)國王在他床邊弃鸦，呃，不知當(dāng)時(shí)王后在不在場外冀？”

“Why, no,” Pycelle said. “She and the children were making the journey to Casterly Rock, in company with her father. Lord Tywin had brought a retinue to the city for the tourney on Prince Joffrey’s name day, no doubt hoping to see his son Jaime win the champion’s crown. In that he was sadly disappointed. It fell to me to send the queen word of Lord Arryn’s sudden death. Never have I sent off a bird with a heavier heart.”

“唉寡键，不在哪⊙┧恚”派席爾說西轩，“當(dāng)時(shí)她正帶著公主王子，陪著她父親脑沿，前往凱巖城藕畔。先前泰溫大人帶上大隊(duì)人馬前來都城參加喬佛里王子的命名日比武大會，無疑是想看他兒子詹姆贏得冠軍庄拇，可惜沒能如愿注服。通知王后陛下艾林大人死訊的事，便落到了我身上措近。我這輩子從沒有懷著如此沉重的心情送出一只鳥兒溶弟。”

“Dark wings, dark words,” Ned murmured. It was a proverb Old Nan had taught him as a boy.

“黑色的翅膀瞭郑，帶來黑色的消息辜御。”奈德喃喃道屈张。這是小時(shí)候老奶媽教他的一句諺語擒权。

“So the fishwives say,” Grand Maester Pycelle agreed, “but we know it is not always so. When Maester Luwin’s bird brought the word about your Bran, the message lifted every true heart in the castle, did it not?”

“民間是這么說的，”派席爾總師同意阁谆，“但我們知道也不盡然碳抄。魯溫學(xué)士的鳥兒捎來貴公子布蘭的好消息時(shí)，可不是讓城里每個人都?xì)g欣雀躍么场绿？”

“As you say, Maester.”

“大學(xué)士剖效，您說得對。”

“The gods are merciful.” Pycelle bowed his head. “Come to me as often as you like, Lord Eddard. I am here to serve.”

“諸神慈悲璧尸，”派席爾點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭劝贸。“艾德大人逗宁，有什么事請盡管來找我映九，我隨時(shí)聽候差遣∠箍牛”

Yes, Ned thought as the door swung shut, but whom?

是啊件甥，奈德在門關(guān)上時(shí)想著，但是聽候誰的差遣呢哼拔？

On the way back to his chambers, he came upon his daughter Arya on the winding steps of the Tower of the Hand, windmilling her arms as she struggled to balance on one leg. The rough stone had scuffed her bare feet. Ned stopped and looked at her. “Arya, what are you doing?”

回房途中引有，他見到女兒艾莉亞單腳站在首相塔的螺旋梯上，兩手不斷揮舞保持平衡倦逐。粗糙的石地面磨破了她的腳丫譬正。奈德停下來看她∶世眩“艾莉亞曾我，你這是在做什么？”

“Syrio says a water dancer can stand on one toe for hours.” Her hands flailed at the air to steady herself.

“西利歐說水舞者可以用一只腳趾站好幾個小時(shí)健民∈愠玻”她兩手在空中拚命揮舞，以保持平衡秉犹。

Ned had to smile. “Which toe?” he teased.

奈德忍俊不禁蛉谜。“哪只腳趾頭崇堵？”他揶揄道型诚。

“Any toe,” Arya said, exasperated with the question. She hopped from her right leg to her left, swaying dangerously before she regained her balance.

“隨便哪一只都可以≡Ю停”艾莉亞為這個問題而惱怒狰贯。她從右腳跳到左腳，顫巍巍地來回晃動棍辕，最后才重新找到平衡溺森。

“Must you do your standing here?” he asked. “It’s a long hard fall down these steps.”

“你非站在這里不可梯澜？”他問岳服，“又高又陡类早，跌下去可不好玩谎砾∪锿耍”

“Syrio says a water dancer never falls.” She lowered her leg to stand on two feet. “Father, will Bran come and live with us now?”

“西利歐說水舞者絕不會跌倒坪它∮”她放下腳，兩腿站立尿贫〉缦保“爸爸，布蘭現(xiàn)在會來跟我們一起住了嗎庆亡？”

“Not for a long time, sweet one,” he told her. “He needs to win his strength back.”

“恐怕要等一段時(shí)間匾乓，小寶貝∮帜保”他對她說拼缝，“他得先恢復(fù)體力才成≌煤ィ”

Arya bit her lip. “What will Bran do when he’s of age?”

艾莉亞咬咬嘴唇咧七。“布蘭長大以后要做什么呢任斋？”

Ned knelt beside her. “He has years to find that answer, Arya. For now, it is enough to know that he will live.” The night the bird had come from Winterfell, Eddard Stark had taken the girls to the castle godswood, an acre of elm and alder and black cottonwood overlooking the river. The heart tree there was a great oak, its ancient limbs overgrown with smokeberry vines; they knelt before it to offer their thanksgiving, as if it had been a weirwood. Sansa drifted to sleep as the moon rose, Arya several hours later, curling up in the grass under Ned’s cloak. All through the dark hours he kept his vigil alone. When dawn broke over the city, the dark red blooms of dragon’s breath surrounded the girls where they lay. “I dreamed of Bran,” Sansa had whispered to him. “I saw him smiling.”

“艾莉亞继阻，他有好多年的時(shí)間來尋找答案。而現(xiàn)在废酷，我們只要知道他會活下去就好了瘟檩。”鳥兒從臨冬城捎來訊息的那天晚上澈蟆，艾德·史塔克帶著女兒們來到城堡的神木林芒帕。那是片足有一畝之廣的森林，種滿榆樹丰介、柏樹和黑色三葉楊背蟆，俯瞰著河流。那里的心樹是棵大橡木哮幢，古老的枝干上爬滿煙莓藤蔓带膀，他們在樹前跪下感謝神靈，一如在家鄉(xiāng)的魚梁木底橙垢。待到月亮升起垛叨，珊莎已經(jīng)睡著，艾莉亞則多撐了幾個小時(shí)柜某，最后也蜷縮在草地上嗽元，蓋著奈德的斗篷沉沉睡去。漫漫長夜喂击，他獨(dú)自靜默禱告剂癌。翌日清晨，天光乍現(xiàn)翰绊，只見龍息草暗紅色的花圍繞著兩個躺臥的女兒佩谷∨宰常“我夢見了布蘭喔，”珊莎偷偷對他說谐檀，“還看見他笑呢抡谐。”

“He was going to be a knight,” Arya was saying now. “A knight of the Kingsguard. Can he still be a knight?”

“他以后會當(dāng)上騎士桐猬，”這會兒艾莉亞說麦撵，“當(dāng)上御林鐵衛(wèi)的騎士。他還能當(dāng)騎士嗎溃肪？”

“No,” Ned said. He saw no use in lying to her. “Yet someday he may be the lord of a great holdfast and sit on the king’s council. He might raise castles like Brandon the Builder, or sail a ship across the Sunset Sea, or enter your mother’s Faith and become the High Septon.” But he will never run beside his wolf again, he thought with a sadness too deep for words, or lie with a woman, or hold his own son in his arms.

“不行厦坛。”奈德自覺說謊無益乍惊《沤眨“有朝一日他或能身居高位，成為國王的重臣润绎。他可能會像‘筑城者’布蘭登那樣興建城堡撬碟，可能乘船橫渡日落之海，或是皈依你母親的信仰莉撇，當(dāng)上總主教呢蛤。”然而他再也不能和他的狼一并奔馳棍郎，他沉痛地想其障，這悲傷無言可喻，他也無法和女人同床共枕涂佃、抱著自己親生孩兒了励翼。

Arya cocked her head to one side. “Can I be a king’s councillor and build castles and become the High Septon?”

艾莉亞歪著頭」架“那我可以當(dāng)國王的重臣汽抚，蓋城堡，當(dāng)大主教嗎伯病？”

“You,” Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, “will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon.”

“你啊造烁，”奈德說著輕輕吻了她的眉毛∥绲眩“你會嫁給某個國王惭蟋，管理他的城堡，你的兒子們則會當(dāng)上騎士药磺、王子或領(lǐng)主告组，或許也能當(dāng)上大主教∮胛校”

Arya screwed up her face. “No,” she said, “that’s Sansa.” She folded up her right leg and resumed her balancing. Ned sighed and left her there.

艾莉亞臉色一變惹谐。“不要驼卖，”她說氨肌，“珊莎才會那樣∽眯螅”她右腳離地怎囚，繼續(xù)練習(xí)單腳平衡。奈德嘆了口氣桥胞，留下她走了恳守。

Inside his chambers, he stripped off his sweat-stained silks and sluiced cold water over his head from the basin beside the bed. Alyn entered as he was drying his face. “My lord,” he said, “Lord Baelish is without and begs audience.”

進(jìn)到房間，他脫下汗水浸濕的絲質(zhì)上衣贩虾，從床邊的水盆里掬起冷水當(dāng)頭淋下催烘。正當(dāng)他擦臉的時(shí)候，埃林進(jìn)來說：“老爺缎罢，貝里席大人在外求見伊群。”

“Escort him to my solar,” Ned said, reaching for a fresh tunic, the lightest linen he could find. “I’ll see him at once.”

“把他請到我書房去策精〗⑹迹”奈德邊說邊伸手拿起他質(zhì)料最薄的亞麻布干衣⊙释啵“我馬上就來丸卷。”

Littlefinger was perched on the window seat when Ned entered, watching the knights of the Kingsguard practice at swords in the yard below. “If only old Selmy’s mind were as nimble as his blade,” he said wistfully, “our council meetings would be a good deal livelier.”

當(dāng)奈德跨進(jìn)書房询刹，發(fā)現(xiàn)小指頭正坐在窗邊谜嫉，望著在下方廣場練劍的御林鐵衛(wèi)“剂“老賽爾彌的腦袋瓜要跟他的劍一樣靈光就好了骄恶，”他滿懷渴望地說，“那樣開會會有趣許多匕垫∩常”

“Ser Barristan is as valiant and honorable as any man in King’s Landing.” Ned had come to have a deep respect for the aged, white-haired Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

“巴利斯坦爵士的武勇和操守，不輸給君臨的任何人象泵∧海”經(jīng)過這些日子的相處，奈德對這位德高望重偶惠，白發(fā)蒼蒼的御林鐵衛(wèi)隊(duì)長抱持著崇高的敬意春寿。

“And as tiresome,” Littlefinger added, “though I daresay he should do well in the tourney. Last year he unhorsed the Hound, and it was only four years ago that he was champion.”

“他的死氣沉沉也同樣不落人后『瞿酰”小指頭補(bǔ)充道绑改，“不過我相信他在比武大會上應(yīng)該還能老當(dāng)益壯谢床，發(fā)揮余熱。去年他把獵狗一槍刺下馬厘线，距離他上次摘下冠軍也不過四年识腿。”

The question of who might win the tourney interested Eddard Stark not in the least. “Is there a reason for this visit, Lord Petyr, or are you here simply to enjoy the view from my window?”

對于誰會奪得比武大會冠軍造壮，艾德·史塔克一點(diǎn)興趣也沒有渡讼。“培提爾大人耳璧，請問您這次來訪有何目的成箫，還是單只來欣賞我窗邊景致？”

Littlefinger smiled. “I promised Cat I would help you in your inquiries, and so I have.”

小指頭微笑：“我答應(yīng)凱特幫你明查暗訪旨枯，而我說到做到蹬昌。”

That took Ned aback. Promise or no promise, he could not find it in him to trust Lord Petyr Baelish, who struck him as too clever by half. “You have something for me?”

奈德大感意外攀隔。不論對方有無承諾凳厢，他都不打算相信培提爾·貝里席伯爵，他的機(jī)靈狡詐讓他很不習(xí)慣竞慢∠茸希“你查到了什么事？”

“Someone,” Littlefinger corrected. “Four someones, if truth be told. Had you thought to question the Hand’s servants?”

“我查到的是人筹煮，不是事遮精。”小指頭糾正他败潦”境澹“事實(shí)上，是四個人劫扒。你有沒有想過去盤查首相的仆人檬洞？”

Ned frowned. “Would that I could. Lady Arryn took her household back to the Eyrie.” Lysa had done him no favor in that regard. All those who had stood closest to her husband had gone with her when she fled: Jon’s maester, his steward, the captain of his guard, his knights and retainers.

奈德皺眉道：“如果我能就好了。艾林夫人把她全家上下都帶回了鷹巢城沟饥√碚”在這方面萊莎一點(diǎn)忙也沒幫上，所有跟她丈夫親近的人都隨她一道逃走：包括瓊恩的學(xué)士贤旷、總管广料、侍衛(wèi)隊(duì)長，以及手下的騎士和仆從幼驶。

“Most of her household,” Littlefinger said, “not all. A few remain. A pregnant kitchen girl hastily wed to one of Lord Renly’s grooms, a stablehand who joined the City Watch, a potboy discharged from service for theft, and Lord Arryn’s squire.”

“不對艾杏，是大部分的人，”小指頭說盅藻，“并非全部购桑。有幾個人留了下來畅铭。有個肚子被搞大的廚房小妹匆匆忙忙跟藍(lán)禮大人的馬夫成了親，一個馬僮加入了都城守衛(wèi)隊(duì)勃蜘，一個跑堂小弟因?yàn)橥蹈`被炒了魷魚硕噩，留下來的還有艾林大人的侍從≡”

“His squire?” Ned was pleasantly surprised. A man’s squire often knew a great deal of his comings and goings.

“他的侍從榴徐？”奈德喜出望外守问，做侍從的對主子的進(jìn)出動向往往一清二楚匀归。

“Ser Hugh of the Vale,” Littlefinger named him. “The king knighted the boy after Lord Arryn’s death.”

“峽谷的修夫爵士，”小指頭說出他的名字耗帕，“艾林大人死后穆端，國王封那小子做了騎士》卤悖”

“I shall send for him,” Ned said. “And the others.”

“我這就找他來体啰，”奈德說，“還有其他人嗽仪』挠拢”

Littlefinger winced. “My lord, step over here to the window, if you would be so kind.”

小指頭畏縮著說：“大人，勞煩您闻坚，悄悄地走到窗邊沽翔。”

“Why?”

“做什么窿凤？”

“Come, and I’ll show you, my lord.”

“過來罷仅偎，大人，我讓您瞧瞧雳殊￠倭ぃ”

Frowning, Ned crossed to the window. Petyr Baelish made a casual gesture. “There, across the yard, at the door of the armory, do you see the boy squatting by the steps honing a sword with an oilstone?”

奈德皺起眉頭，走到窗邊夯秃。培提爾·貝里席若無其事地做了個手勢座咆。“那兒仓洼，廣場過去箫措，兵器庫門口，您可看見一個蹲在樓梯上磨刀的小子衬潦？”

“What of him?”

“他怎么了斤蔓？”

“He reports to Varys. The Spider has taken a great interest in you and all your doings.” He shifted in the window seat. “Now glance at the wall. Farther west, above the stables. The guardsman leaning on the ramparts?”

“他是瓦里斯的眼線《频海‘八爪蜘蛛’對您的一舉一動都很有興趣弦牡∮淹裕”他在窗邊動了動〖菝蹋“現(xiàn)在再瞧瞧城墻上卸留，西邊最遠(yuǎn)處，馬廄上面椭豫，有沒有看見那個靠在墻上的守衛(wèi)耻瑟？”

Ned saw the man. “Another of the eunuch’s whisperers?”

奈德看到了∩退郑“這人也是太監(jiān)的走狗喳整？”

“No, this one belongs to the queen. Notice that he enjoys a fine view of the door to this tower, the better to note who calls on you. There are others, many unknown even to me. The Red Keep is full of eyes. Why do you think I hid Cat in a brothel?”

“不，這家伙是王后的人裸扶。請您注意框都，他的視線正好落在這座塔的門上，誰進(jìn)誰出一清二楚呵晨。他們倆遠(yuǎn)不是全部魏保，很多連我都不知曉。紅堡里到處是各種眼線摸屠。否則我干嘛把凱特藏在妓院谓罗？”

Eddard Stark had no taste for these intrigues. “Seven hells,” he swore. It did seem as though the man on the walls was watching him. Suddenly uncomfortable, Ned moved away from the window. “Is everyone someone’s informer in this cursed city?”

艾德·史塔克對這種種機(jī)心巧詐頗感不耐〖径“天殺的檩咱，”他咒道。城墻上那個人看起來的確像在監(jiān)視他戒傻。奈德頓時(shí)覺得渾身不自在税手，既便離開窗邊⌒枘桑“難道這該死的城里每個人都是別人的眼線芦倒？”

“Scarcely,” said Littlefinger. He counted on the fingers on his hand. “Why, there’s me, you, the king?.?.?.?although, come to think on it, the king tells the queen much too much, and I’m less than certain about you.” He stood up. “Is there a man in your service that you trust utterly and completely?”

“那可不，”小指頭說不翩。他開始掰手指兵扬。“唉口蝠，讓我算算器钟，他們得監(jiān)視我、你妙蔗、國王……不過國王把太多事都告訴了王后傲霸，而我對你更不敢放心。”他站起來昙啄∧乱郏“你手下可有讓你完全、徹底地信任的人梳凛？”

“Yes,” said Ned.

“有耿币。”奈德回答韧拒。

“In that case, I have a delightful palace in Valyria that I would dearly love to sell you,” Littlefinger said with a mocking smile. “The wiser answer was no, my lord, but be that as it may. Send this paragon of yours to Ser Hugh and the others. Your own comings and goings will be noted, but even Varys the Spider cannot watch every man in your service every hour of the day.” He started for the door.

“若真是如此淹接，那我還有一座建在瓦雷利亞，愛不釋手的漂亮皇宮想賣給您呢叛溢∷艿浚”小指頭一臉嘲諷地笑道，“聰明的回答是：沒有雇初，大人拢肆，不過既然說了就算了减响。您得派您這位模范部下去找修夫爵士和其他人靖诗，因?yàn)槟约旱男雄檿俗⒛浚退恪俗χ┲搿呃锼挂矝]法無時(shí)無刻支示、成天盯住你的每位手下刊橘。”他朝門走去颂鸿。

“Lord Petyr,” Ned called after him. “I?.?.?.?am grateful for your help. Perhaps I was wrong to distrust you.”

“培提爾大人促绵，”奈德叫住他，“我……很感激你的鼎力相助嘴纺“芮纾或許我不應(yīng)該不信任你≡钥剩”

Littlefinger fingered his small pointed beard. “You are slow to learn, Lord Eddard. Distrusting me was the wisest thing you’ve done since you climbed down off your horse.”

小指頭輕捻胡須：“艾德大人尖坤，您實(shí)在學(xué)得太慢。不信任我闲擦，是你跳下馬背以來所做過的最明智的事慢味。”