EDDARD

艾德

Eddard Stark rode through the towering

bronze doors of the Red Keep sore, tired, hungry, and irritable. He was still

ahorse, dreaming of a long hot soak, a roast fowl, and a featherbed, when the

king’s steward told him that Grand Maester Pycelle had convened an urgent

meeting of the small council. The honor of the Hand’s presence was requested as

soon as it was convenient. “It will be convenient on the morrow,” Ned snapped

as he dismounted.

艾德·史塔克渾身酸痛逆瑞，又累又餓脊岳，心情惡劣地騎馬穿過(guò)紅堡高聳的青銅大門(mén)矫膨。御前總管前來(lái)通知他派席爾大學(xué)士召開(kāi)緊急的御前會(huì)議娩怎，希望新任首相方便的話能大駕光臨時(shí)梁丘，他人還在馬背上，心里只想好好泡個(gè)熱水澡佩研，來(lái)只烤雞或烤鴨荔茬，然后在羽毛床上睡個(gè)覺(jué)∮卸睿“方便的話般又，改成明天∥∮樱”奈德下馬時(shí)沒(méi)好氣地說(shuō)茴迁。

The steward bowed very low. “I shall give

the councillors your regrets, my lord.”

總管恭敬地一躬到底∮┧ィ“首相大人笋熬，那我就轉(zhuǎn)告重臣們，您不便出席腻菇。”

“No, damn it,” Ned

said. It would not do to offend the council before he had even begun. “I will

see them. Pray give me a few moments to change into something more

presentable.”

“算了昔馋，該死的筹吐∩河荆”奈德道其监。還沒(méi)上任便先把朝廷重臣給全得罪光那怎么成∧啦瘢“我這就去見(jiàn)他們邦危。但請(qǐng)先給我?guī)追昼娧笄龋菸覔Q上比較正式的服裝【腧剑”

“Yes, my lord,”

the steward said. “We have given you Lord Arryn’s former chambers in the Tower

of the Hand, if it please you. I shall have your things taken there.”

“是的希坚，大人×昵遥”總管說(shuō)裁僧，“我們已經(jīng)把艾林大人以前在首相塔的房間都給您準(zhǔn)備好了，如您愿意慕购，我這就差人把您的東西給送過(guò)去聊疲。”

“My thanks,” Ned

said as he ripped off his riding gloves and tucked them into his belt. The rest

of his household was coming through the gate behind him. Ned saw Vayon Poole,

his own steward, and called out. “It seems the council has urgent need of me.

See that my daughters find their bedchambers, and tell Jory to keep them there.

Arya is not to go exploring.” Poole bowed. Ned turned back to the royal

steward. “My wagons are still straggling through the city. I shall need

appropriate garments.”

“有勞了沪悲』裰蓿”奈德邊說(shuō)邊扯下騎馬戴的手套，塞進(jìn)腰帶殿如。身后贡珊，他的家人和臣屬正陸續(xù)進(jìn)入大門(mén)最爬。奈德看到管家維揚(yáng)·普爾，便叫住他飞崖，“看來(lái)宮里好像有急事找我烂叔。好好安頓我女兒，告訴喬里叫她們待在房里固歪。不準(zhǔn)艾莉亞到處亂跑蒜鸡。”普爾欠身牢裳。奈德轉(zhuǎn)身對(duì)御前總管說(shuō)：“我的馬車還在城里半路上逢防。我需要合適的衣服∑蜒叮”

“It will be my

great pleasure,” the steward said.

“為您服務(wù)是我莫大的榮幸忘朝。”總管道判帮。

And so Ned had come striding into the

council chambers, bone-tired and dressed in borrowed clothing, to find four

members of the small council waiting for him.

于是局嘁，筋疲力盡的奈德，就這么穿著借來(lái)的衣服晦墙，大步走進(jìn)議事廳悦昵，發(fā)現(xiàn)四名重臣正在等他。

The chamber was richly furnished. Myrish

carpets covered the floor instead of rushes, and in one corner a hundred

fabulous beasts cavorted in bright paints on a carved screen from the Summer

Isles. The walls were hung with tapestries from Norvos and Qohor and Lys, and a

pair of Valyrian sphinxes flanked the door, eyes of polished garnet smoldering

in black marble faces.

議事廳的陳設(shè)極為華麗晌畅。地板上鋪的是密爾地毯但指，而非燈芯草席。房間一角擺著一幅來(lái)自盛夏群島的木屏風(fēng)抗楔，上面雕刻有上百種栩栩如生棋凳、色彩斑斕的珍禽異獸。墻壁上則掛滿了諾佛斯连躏、科霍爾和里斯產(chǎn)的精美織錦剩岳。門(mén)兩側(cè)是一對(duì)瓦雷利亞的獅身人面獸雕像，圓潤(rùn)的紅榴石雙眼在黑色大理石的臉上顯得炯炯有神入热。

The councillor Ned liked least, the eunuch

Varys, accosted him the moment he entered. “Lord Stark, I was grievous sad to

hear about your troubles on the kingsroad. We have all been visiting the sept

to light candles for Prince Joffrey. I pray for his recovery.” His hand left

powder stains on Ned’s sleeve, and he smelled as foul and sweet as flowers on a

grave.

奈德前腳剛踏進(jìn)房間卢肃，幾位重臣中他最嫌惡的太監(jiān)瓦里斯便靠了過(guò)來(lái)〔哦伲“史塔克大人莫湘，我聽(tīng)說(shuō)了您在國(guó)王大道上遇到的麻煩事兒，真令人遺憾哪郑气。我們都去圣堂為喬佛里王子點(diǎn)了蠟燭幅垮，祈禱他早日康復(fù)∥沧椋”他的手在奈德袖子上留下脂粉的痕跡忙芒。他渾身散發(fā)出腐敗的甜膩氣息示弓，聞起來(lái)活像生在墳?zāi)股系幕ā?/p>

“Your gods have

heard you,” Ned replied, cool yet polite. “The prince grows stronger every

day.” He disentangled himself from the eunuch’s grip and crossed the room to

where Lord Renly stood by the screen, talking quietly with a short man who

could only be Littlefinger. Renly had been a boy of eight when Robert won the

throne, but he had grown into a man so like his brother that Ned found it

disconcerting. Whenever he saw him, it was as if the years had slipped away and

Robert stood before him, fresh from his victory on the Trident.

“你的神想必聽(tīng)到了你的禱告，”奈德冷淡而有禮地回答呵萨，“王子的健康狀況已日漸好轉(zhuǎn)奏属。”他從太監(jiān)掌中抽出手潮峦，穿過(guò)房間朝藍(lán)禮公爵走去囱皿。藍(lán)禮正站在屏風(fēng)旁，小聲地和一名矮個(gè)男子交談忱嘹，那人必是小指頭無(wú)疑嘱腥。勞勃?jiǎng)倞Z下王位時(shí)，藍(lán)禮不過(guò)是個(gè)七歲小男生拘悦，如今他已長(zhǎng)大成人齿兔，神貌酷似乃兄，奈德為此覺(jué)得極不自在础米。每次見(jiàn)到他分苇，都仿佛時(shí)光倒流，看到那個(gè)英氣勃發(fā)屁桑，甫從三叉戟河得勝歸來(lái)的勞勃站在面前医寿。

“I see you have

arrived safely, Lord Stark,” Renly said.

“史塔克大人，看來(lái)您安然抵達(dá)了掏颊。”藍(lán)禮道艾帐。

“And you as well,”

Ned replied. “You must forgive me, but sometimes you look the very image of

your brother Robert.”

“您不也是乌叶。”奈德回答柒爸，“恕我直言准浴，有時(shí)候您和您哥哥勞勃真像一個(gè)模子打出來(lái)的∩又桑”

“A poor copy,”

Renly said with a shrug.

“我哪比得上他乐横。”藍(lán)禮聳聳肩今野。

“Though much

better dressed,” Littlefinger quipped. “Lord Renly spends more on clothing than

half the ladies of the court.”

“您至少穿得比他好葡公。”小指頭俏皮地說(shuō)条霜，“藍(lán)禮大人花在衣服上的錢催什，宮里的夫人太太恐怕都沒(méi)幾個(gè)比得上≡姿”

It was true enough. Lord Renly was in dark

green velvet, with a dozen golden stags embroidered on his doublet. A

cloth-of-gold half cape was draped casually across one shoulder, fastened with

an emerald brooch. “There are worse crimes,” Renly said with a laugh. “The way

you dress, for one.”

此話倒是不假蒲凶。藍(lán)禮公爵穿著暗綠天鵝絨緊身衣气筋，上面繡了十二頭金色雄鹿。一邊肩頭瀟灑地垂著織金半披風(fēng)旋圆，用一枚翡翠胸針別起宠默。“這應(yīng)該算不上滔天大罪灵巧〔蠼茫”藍(lán)禮笑道，“瞧瞧你穿的什么德行孩等，那才失禮艾君。”

Littlefinger ignored the jibe. He eyed Ned

with a smile on his lips that bordered on insolence. “I have hoped to meet you

for some years, Lord Stark. No doubt Lady Catelyn has mentioned me to you.”

小指頭不理會(huì)他的嘲笑肄方。他嘴角掛著近乎輕慢的微笑看著奈德冰垄。“史塔克大人权她，這些年來(lái)我一直想見(jiàn)見(jiàn)您虹茶。我想凱特琳夫人應(yīng)該向您提起過(guò)我吧？”

“She has,” Ned

replied with a chill in his voice. The sly arrogance of the comment rankled

him. “I understand you knew my brother Brandon as well.”

“她是提過(guò)隅要『铮”奈德冷冷地答道。對(duì)方這句傲慢中帶著促狹的話惹惱了他步清∫牛“如果我沒(méi)記錯(cuò)的話，你也認(rèn)識(shí)我哥哥布蘭登廓啊』端眩”

Renly Baratheon laughed. Varys shuffled

over to listen.

藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩哈哈大笑。瓦里斯則曳步湊來(lái)谴轮。

“Rather too well,”

Littlefinger said. “I still carry a token of his esteem. Did Brandon speak of

me too?”

“我跟他很熟炒瘟。”小指頭道第步，“至今身上都還留著他的紀(jì)念疮装。布蘭登也提起過(guò)我？”

“Often, and with

some heat,” Ned said, hoping that would end it. He had no patience with this

game they played, this dueling with words.

“常提起你粘都，多半是火冒三丈的時(shí)候廓推。”奈德說(shuō)翩隧，心中希望就此結(jié)束這個(gè)話題受啥。他對(duì)這類文字游戲素?zé)o興趣。

“I should have

thought that heat ill suits you Starks,” Littlefinger said. “Here in the south,

they say you are all made of ice, and melt when you ride below the Neck.”

“我還以為你們史塔克家的人沒(méi)那么大火氣，”小指頭說(shuō)滚局，“在我們南方居暖，大家都說(shuō)你們是冰做的，一過(guò)頸澤便要融化藤肢√耄”

“I do not plan on

melting soon, Lord Baelish. You may count on it.” Ned moved to the council

table and said, “Maester Pycelle, I trust you are well.”

“貝里席大人，您大可放心嘁圈，我并不打算太快融化省骂。”奈德朝會(huì)議桌移去最住〕模“派席爾師傅，我瞧您身體還很硬朗涨缚≡冢”

The Grand Maester smiled gently from his

tall chair at the foot of the table. “Well enough for a man of my years, my

lord,” he replied, “yet I do tire easily, I fear.” Wispy strands of white hair

fringed the broad bald dome of his forehead above a kindly face. His maester’s

collar was no simple metal choker such as Luwin wore, but two dozen heavy

chains wound together into a ponderous metal necklace that covered him from

throat to breast. The links were forged of every metal known to man: black iron

and red gold, bright copper and dull lead, steel and tin and pale silver, brass

and bronze and platinum. Garnets and amethysts and black pearls adorned the

metalwork, and here and there an emerald or ruby. “Perhaps we might begin

soon,” the Grand Maester said, hands knitting together atop his broad stomach.

“I fear I shall fall asleep if we wait much longer.”

大學(xué)士從他長(zhǎng)桌尾端的長(zhǎng)椅上抬頭，露出微笑脓魏±家鳎“大人，以我這把年紀(jì)茂翔，有這樣的身體很不錯(cuò)了混蔼。”他答道珊燎，“啊惭嚣，只是容易疲勞』谡”他有張慈藹的臉晚吞，幾束白發(fā)垂掛在早已禿光的額頭兩邊。他的學(xué)士項(xiàng)圈并非魯溫那種簡(jiǎn)單的金屬制品卓箫，而是由二十四種金屬片所串成的沉重項(xiàng)鏈载矿，從喉頭一直垂到胸膛垄潮。鎖鏈用人類所知的每一種金屬打造而成：黑鐵和紅金烹卒，發(fā)亮紅銅和沉重的鉛，精鋼弯洗、錫和黯淡的白銀旅急，黃銅、青銅與白金牡整。石榴石藐吮、紫水晶和黑珍珠裝飾著金屬鏈，翡翠和紅寶石點(diǎn)綴其間∫ゴ牵“我們不妨開(kāi)始罷迫摔。”大學(xué)士把手放在大肚子上反復(fù)揉搓泥从，“再等下去句占，只怕我就要睡著了∏担”

“As you will.” The

king’s seat sat empty at the head of the table, the crowned stag of Baratheon

embroidered in gold thread on its pillows. Ned took the chair beside it, as the

right hand of his king. “My lords,” he said formally, “I am sorry to have kept

you waiting.”

“如您所愿纱烘，”國(guó)王在會(huì)議桌的首位空著，那椅子靠背上用金線繡著拜拉席恩家族的寶冠雄鹿祈餐。奈德揀了國(guó)王右邊擂啥，象征國(guó)王右手的位子坐下》簦“諸位大人哺壶，”他正色道，“很抱歉讓大家久等舱痘”渎猓”

“You are the

King’s Hand,” Varys said. “We serve at your pleasure, Lord Stark.”

“史塔克大人，您是國(guó)王的首相芭逝，”瓦里斯道塌碌，“為您效勞就是我們職責(zé)所在⊙ⅲ”

As the others took their accustomed seats,

it struck Eddard Stark forcefully that he did not belong here, in this room,

with these men. He remembered what Robert had told him in the crypts below

Winterfell. I am surrounded by flatterers and fools, the king had insisted. Ned

looked down the council table and wondered which were the flatterers and which

the fools. He thought he knew already. “We are but five,” he pointed out.

眼看其他人紛紛在自己固有的座位落坐台妆，艾德·史塔克才猛然驚覺(jué)此時(shí)此地自己是多么格格不入。他憶起勞勃在臨冬城墓窖里對(duì)他說(shuō)過(guò)的話胖翰，我身邊凈是些白癡和馬屁精接剩。奈德朝會(huì)議桌看去，暗自揣測(cè)哪些是白癡萨咳，哪些又是馬屁精懊缺。答案他已了然于心∨嗨“我們只有五人鹃两。”他指出舀凛。

“Lord Stannis took

himself to Dragonstone not long after the king went north,” Varys said, “and

our gallant Ser Barristan no doubt rides beside the king as he makes his way

through the city, as befits the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.”

“國(guó)王北行之后沒(méi)多久俊扳，史坦尼斯大人便回了龍石島∶捅椋”瓦里斯道馋记，“至于我們英勇的巴利斯坦爵士号坡，此刻無(wú)疑正隨侍國(guó)王身邊，護(hù)送他穿過(guò)城市罷梯醒。身為御林鐵衛(wèi)隊(duì)長(zhǎng)宽堆，這是他職責(zé)所在呢∪紫埃”

“Perhaps we had

best wait for Ser Barristan and the king to join us,” Ned suggested.

“或許我們?cè)摰劝屠固咕羰亢捅菹录尤胫笤匍_(kāi)始日麸。”奈德提議逮光。

Renly Baratheon laughed aloud. “If we wait

for my brother to grace us with his royal presence, it could be a long sit.”

藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩朗聲笑道：“要等我老哥賞臉代箭，那不知到何年何月啰√楦眨”

“Our good King

Robert has many cares,” Varys said. “He entrusts some small matters to us, to

lighten his load.”

“我們親愛(ài)的勞勃國(guó)王有太多事情需要操心嗡综，”瓦里斯說(shuō)，“所以便將雞毛蒜皮小事交給我們杜漠，以減輕負(fù)擔(dān)极景。”

“What Lord Varys

means is that all this business of coin and crops and justice bores my royal

brother to tears,” Lord Renly said, “so it falls to us to govern the realm. He

does send us a command from time to time.” He drew a tightly rolled paper from

his sleeve and laid it on the table. “This morning he commanded me to ride

ahead with all haste and ask Grand Maester Pycelle to convene this council at

once. He has an urgent task for us.”

“瓦里斯大人的意思是說(shuō)驾茴，凡是牽涉財(cái)政盼樟、農(nóng)獲和律法的事務(wù)，我王兄聽(tīng)了就頭痛锈至〕拷桑”藍(lán)禮公爵道，“所以管理國(guó)家就落到我們頭上了峡捡。他倒是不忘記時(shí)不時(shí)交代些什么下來(lái)击碗。”他從袖子里抽出一張裹緊的紙放在桌上们拙∩酝荆“比如今天早上，他吩咐我提前全速進(jìn)城砚婆，請(qǐng)派席爾大學(xué)士立刻召開(kāi)這次會(huì)議械拍。他有項(xiàng)緊急差事交給我們辦∽岸ⅲ”

Littlefinger smiled and handed the paper to

Ned. It bore the royal seal. Ned broke the wax with his thumb and flattened the

letter to consider the king’s urgent command, reading the words with mounting

disbelief. Was there no end to Robert’s folly? And to do this in his name, that

was salt in the wound. “Gods be good,” he swore.

小指頭微笑著將信箋交給奈德坷虑，上面蓋了王家印信。奈德用拇指揭開(kāi)蠟印验夯，攤平信紙猖吴，想看看國(guó)王的緊急命令究竟是什么摔刁。他越讀越難以置信挥转，勞勃到底要胡鬧到什么地步才罷休？還是以他的名義，這簡(jiǎn)直是雪上加霜绑谣〉炒埽“天殺的，”他不禁咒道借宵。

“What Lord Eddard

means to say,” Lord Renly announced, “is that His Grace instructs us to stage a

great tournament in honor of his appointment as the Hand of the King.”

“奈德大人的意思是說(shuō)幌衣，”藍(lán)禮公爵宣布，“國(guó)王陛下指示我們舉辦一次盛大的比武競(jìng)技壤玫，以慶祝新首相上任豁护。”

“How much?” asked

Littlefinger, mildly.

“要花多少錢欲间？”小指頭興趣索然地問(wèn)楚里。

Ned read the answer off the letter. “Forty

thousand golden dragons to the champion. Twenty thousand to the man who comes

second, another twenty to the winner of the melee, and ten thousand to the

victor of the archery competition.”

奈德從信上念出答案：“優(yōu)勝者賞四萬(wàn)金龍幣，居次者賞兩萬(wàn)金龍幣猎贴。團(tuán)體近身戰(zhàn)的優(yōu)勝者也是兩萬(wàn)班缎，射箭優(yōu)勝則是一萬(wàn)∷剩”

“Ninety thousand

gold pieces,” Littlefinger sighed. “And we must not neglect the other costs.

Robert will want a prodigious feast. That means cooks, carpenters, serving

girls, singers, jugglers, fools?.?.?.?”

“一共九萬(wàn)金幣达址。”小指頭嘆道趁耗，“還得加上其他開(kāi)銷沉唠。想也知道勞勃一定要大宴賓客。也就是說(shuō)我們需要廚師苛败、木匠右冻、女侍、歌手著拭、戲子伶人和雜耍傻子……”

“Fools we have in

plenty,” Lord Renly said.

“傻子我們倒是不愁找到纱扭。”藍(lán)禮公爵說(shuō)儡遮。

Grand Maester Pycelle looked to

Littlefinger and asked, “Will the treasury bear the expense?”

派席爾總師看著小指頭問(wèn)：“國(guó)庫(kù)付得出這筆款子乳蛾？”

“What treasury is

that?” Littlefinger replied with a twist of his mouth. “Spare me the

foolishness, Maester. You know as well as I that the treasury has been empty

for years. I shall have to borrow the money. No doubt the Lannisters will be

accommodating. We owe Lord Tywin some three million dragons at present, what

matter another hundred thousand?”

“哪來(lái)的國(guó)庫(kù)？”小指頭撇撇嘴鄙币，“大學(xué)士您就別裝蒜了肃叶，你我都很清楚國(guó)庫(kù)已經(jīng)空了好多年。還不是得伸手借錢十嘿，想必蘭尼斯特家會(huì)很樂(lè)意支援因惭。反正咱們已經(jīng)欠了泰溫大人三百多萬(wàn)金龍，再借個(gè)幾十萬(wàn)算什么绩衷？”

Ned was stunned. “Are you claiming that the

Crown is three million gold pieces in debt?”

奈德震驚無(wú)比蹦魔〖ぢ剩“你說(shuō)王室負(fù)債高達(dá)‘三百萬(wàn)’金幣？”

“The Crown is more

than six million gold pieces in debt, Lord Stark. The Lannisters are the

biggest part of it, but we have also borrowed from Lord Tyrell, the Iron Bank

of Braavos, and several Tyroshi trading cartels. Of late I’ve had to turn to

the Faith. The High Septon haggles worse than a Dornish fishmonger.”

“史塔克大人勿决，此刻王室負(fù)債總額超過(guò)六百萬(wàn)乒躺。蘭尼斯特家是最大的債主，但我們也向提利爾大人低缩、布拉佛斯的鐵金庫(kù)嘉冒，還有好些泰洛西商行借過(guò)款。最近我不得不另辟財(cái)源咆繁，把主意動(dòng)到了教會(huì)頭上讳推，總主教大人討價(jià)還價(jià)的本領(lǐng)之高，連多恩的魚(yú)販都比不上玩般∧茸瘢”

Ned was aghast. “Aerys Targaryen left a

treasury flowing with gold. How could you let this happen?”

奈德簡(jiǎn)直錯(cuò)愕到無(wú)以復(fù)加∪蓝蹋“伊里斯·坦格利安留下了堆積如山的金銀財(cái)寶设拟，你怎么會(huì)讓它淪落到這步田地？”

Littlefinger gave a shrug. “The master of

coin finds the money. The king and the Hand spend it.”

小指頭聳肩：“財(cái)政大臣只管找錢久脯，花錢的是國(guó)王和首相纳胧。”

“I will not

believe that Jon Arryn allowed Robert to beggar the realm,” Ned said hotly.

“瓊恩·艾林絕不會(huì)允許勞勃這樣揮霍帘撰∨苣剑”奈德忿忿地說(shuō)。

Grand Maester Pycelle shook his great bald

head, his chains clinking softly. “Lord Arryn was a prudent man, but I fear

that His Grace does not always listen to wise counsel.”

派席爾總師搖搖他那顆光頭摧找，項(xiàng)鏈輕聲作響核行。“艾林大人固然精打細(xì)算蹬耘，但恐怕國(guó)王陛下不見(jiàn)得都聽(tīng)從睿智的諫言芝雪。”

“My royal brother

loves tournaments and feasts,” Renly Baratheon said, “and he loathes what he

calls ‘counting coppers.’ ”

“我王兄熱愛(ài)比武競(jìng)技和山珍海味综苔，”藍(lán)禮·拜拉席恩道惩系，“他最討厭所謂的‘?dāng)?shù)銅板’∪缟福”

“I will speak with

His Grace,” Ned said. “This tourney is an extravagance the realm cannot

afford.”

“我會(huì)跟陛下談?wù)劚つ担蹦蔚抡f(shuō)，“這么鋪張浪費(fèi)的比賽杨刨，國(guó)家可負(fù)擔(dān)不起晤柄。”

“Speak to him as

you will,” Lord Renly said, “we had still best make our plans.”

“跟他談?wù)劗?dāng)然很好妖胀，”藍(lán)禮公爵道芥颈，“不過(guò)我們還是先著手訂個(gè)計(jì)劃吧惠勒。”

“Another day,” Ned

said. Perhaps too sharply, from the looks they gave him. He would have to

remember that he was no longer in Winterfell, where only the king stood higher;

here, he was but first among equals. “Forgive me, my lords,” he said in a

softer tone. “I am tired. Let us call a halt for today and resume when we are fresher.”

He did not ask for their consent, but stood abruptly, nodded at them all, and

made for the door.

“改天再議浇借。”奈德說(shuō)怕品。從他們的眼神看來(lái)妇垢，他的口氣似乎太尖銳了點(diǎn)。要想治理肉康，他就必須牢記闯估，自己已不是臨冬城萬(wàn)人之上的領(lǐng)主身份，在這里他不過(guò)是地位平等的重臣之首罷了吼和≌切剑“諸位大人，請(qǐng)?jiān)徫异排摇刚夺！彼挠幂^和緩的口氣，“我實(shí)在是累了末捣。我們今天就到此為止侠姑，等我精神好些時(shí)再繼續(xù)÷嶙觯”說(shuō)完他沒(méi)有征求其他人同意莽红，便突然站起身，朝在座的重臣一一點(diǎn)頭后邦邦，徑自離開(kāi)安吁。

Outside, wagons and riders were still

pouring through the castle gates, and the yard was a chaos of mud and

horseflesh and shouting men. The king had not yet arrived, he was told. Since

the ugliness on the Trident, the Starks and their household had ridden well

ahead of the main column, the better to separate themselves from the Lannisters

and the growing tension. Robert had hardly been seen; the talk was he was

traveling in the huge wheelhouse, drunk as often as not. If so, he might be hours

behind, but he would still be here too soon for Ned’s liking. He had only to

look at Sansa’s face to feel the rage twisting inside him once again. The last

fortnight of their journey had been a misery. Sansa blamed Arya and told her

that it should have been Nymeria who died. And Arya was lost after she heard

what had happened to her butcher’s boy. Sansa cried herself to sleep, Arya

brooded silently all day long, and Eddard Stark dreamed of a frozen hell

reserved for the Starks of Winterfell.

出到門(mén)外，只見(jiàn)馬車和騎士依舊不斷從城堡大門(mén)涌入燃辖，庭院里一片混亂鬼店，充斥著泥土、馬臊味和叫喊不停的人聲黔龟。有人告訴他國(guó)王還在路上薪韩。自三叉戟河的意外發(fā)生之后，史塔克家族和他們的部屬便走在車隊(duì)的最前面捌锭，遠(yuǎn)離蘭尼斯特家族俘陷，避開(kāi)兩派逐漸升高的緊張氣氛。勞勃幾乎沒(méi)有露面观谦，據(jù)說(shuō)他待在輪宮拉盾，成天喝得酩酊大醉。若真是如此豁状，他應(yīng)該還要幾個(gè)小時(shí)才會(huì)出現(xiàn)捉偏，這已經(jīng)比奈德期望的要早上許多了倒得。如今他只消看看珊莎的臉，就覺(jué)得心中怒火又要升起夭禽。旅途的最后兩周實(shí)在苦不堪言霞掺。珊莎責(zé)怪艾莉亞，說(shuō)被殺的應(yīng)該是娜梅莉亞讹躯。艾莉亞在得知屠夫?qū)W徒的死訊后就魂不守舍菩彬。珊莎每晚哭著入眠，艾莉亞一聲不吭地獨(dú)自憂傷潮梯，艾德·史塔克自己則夢(mèng)見(jiàn)了一個(gè)專為臨冬城史塔克家人準(zhǔn)備的冰凍地獄骗灶。

He crossed the outer yard, passed under a

portcullis into the inner bailey, and was walking toward what he thought was

the Tower of the Hand when Littlefinger appeared in front of him. “You’re going

the wrong way, Stark. Come with me.”

他穿越外庭，走過(guò)閘門(mén)秉馏，進(jìn)入內(nèi)院耙旦，正朝他印象中首相塔的所在走去時(shí)，小指頭突然出現(xiàn)在面前萝究∶舛迹“史塔克，你走錯(cuò)路了帆竹，跟我來(lái)琴昆。”

Hesitantly, Ned followed. Littlefinger led

him into a tower, down a stair, across a small sunken courtyard, and along a

deserted corridor where empty suits of armor stood sentinel along the walls.

They were relics of the Targaryens, black steel with dragon scales cresting

their helms, now dusty and forgotten. “This is not the way to my chambers,” Ned

said.

奈德猶豫不決地跟著他馆揉，小指頭帶他進(jìn)入一座塔业舍，下了一道蜿蜒的階梯，穿越一個(gè)凹陷的小庭院升酣，沿著荒廢的回廊行走舷暮。兩旁墻壁，一副副無(wú)人使用的鎧甲好似站立的衛(wèi)兵噩茄。他們是坦格利安家族遺留下來(lái)的歷史陳?ài)E下面，黑色精鋼打造，頭盔鑲著龍鱗绩聘，但如今積滿灰塵沥割，早已被人遺忘≡淦校“這不是通往我居室的路机杜。”奈德道衅谷。

“Did I say it was?

I’m leading you to the dungeons to slit your throat and seal your corpse up

behind a wall,” Littlefinger replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “We have

no time for this, Stark. Your wife awaits.”

“我說(shuō)過(guò)是嗎椒拗？我正打算把你引進(jìn)地牢，割了喉嚨，再把你的尸體封進(jìn)墻里蚀苛≡谘椋”小指頭語(yǔ)帶譏諷《挛矗“史塔克巨朦，我們沒(méi)時(shí)間廢話清女，尊夫人正等著你蔬蕊⊙剖幔”

“What game are you

playing, Littlefinger? Catelyn is at Winterfell, hundreds of leagues from

here.”

“小指頭，你到底耍什么把戲拙徽？凱特琳人在臨冬城刨沦，離此數(shù)百里之遙诗宣”炫拢”

“Oh?” Littlefinger’s

grey-green eyes glittered with amusement. “Then it appears someone has managed

an astonishing impersonation. For the last time, come. Or don’t come, and I’ll

keep her for myself.”

“哦？”小指頭灰綠色的眼睛里閃著饒富興味的光芒召庞〉盒模“那么此人的易容術(shù)果真不同凡響。我說(shuō)最后一次篮灼，要么跟我來(lái)忘古，不然我就把她據(jù)為己有啰∽缬眨”

He hurried down the steps.

他快步走下階梯髓堪。

Ned followed him warily, wondering if this

day would ever end. He had no taste for these intrigues, but he was beginning

to realize that they were meat and mead to a man like Littlefinger.

奈德滿懷戒心地跟上，心里不知這一天究竟何時(shí)才會(huì)結(jié)束娘荡。他對(duì)這些心機(jī)巧詐毫無(wú)興趣干旁，但已逐漸開(kāi)始理解，對(duì)于小指頭這樣的人炮沐，權(quán)術(shù)和陰謀就是家常便飯争群。

At the foot of the steps was a heavy door

of oak and iron. Petyr Baelish lifted the crossbar and gestured Ned through.

They stepped out into the ruddy glow of dusk, on a rocky bluff high above the

river. “We’re outside the castle,” Ned said.

階梯底端有一扇橡木和鐵條制成的厚重門(mén)扉。培提爾舉起門(mén)閂大年，揮手示意奈德進(jìn)去换薄。他發(fā)現(xiàn)他們正置身位于河流之上的峻峭絕壁，浸沐在黃昏的紅暈里翔试∏嵋“我們?cè)诔潜ね饷妗垦缅！蹦蔚碌馈?/p>

“You are a hard

man to fool, Stark,” Littlefinger said with a smirk. “Was it the sun that gave

it away, or the sky? Follow me. There are niches cut in the rock. Try not to

fall to your death, Catelyn would never understand.” With that, he was over the

side of the cliff, descending as quick as a monkey.

“你還真不好騙嘛伦腐，史塔克∈Ф迹”小指頭傻笑道柏蘑，“到底是太陽(yáng)還是天空泄露了秘密幸冻？跟我來(lái)，巖壁上挖了可供攀附的凹洞咳焚。小心別摔死洽损，否則凱特琳永遠(yuǎn)也不會(huì)原諒我「锇耄”說(shuō)完他翻身便往下爬碑定，動(dòng)作像猴子一般靈敏。

Ned studied the rocky face of the bluff for

a moment, then followed more slowly. The niches were there, as Littlefinger had

promised, shallow cuts that would be invisible from below, unless you knew just

where to look for them. The river was a long, dizzying distance below. Ned kept

his face pressed to the rock and tried not to look down any more often than he

had to.

奈德仔細(xì)審視了巖壁一會(huì)兒又官，然后慢慢地跟著下去延刘。峭壁上果真如小指頭所言，刻有淺淺的凹洞六敬，除非你原本就知道碘赖，否則從懸崖下根本無(wú)從發(fā)現(xiàn)。河流離他們有一段高到令人暈眩的距離外构。奈德把臉貼上巖石普泡，除非必要，盡量不往下看审编。

When at last he reached the bottom, a

narrow, muddy trail along the water’s edge, Littlefinger was lazing against a

rock and eating an apple. He was almost down to the core. “You are growing old

and slow, Stark,” he said, flipping the apple casually into the rushing water.

“No matter, we ride the rest of the way.” He had two horses waiting. Ned

mounted up and trotted behind him, down the trail and into the city.

最后他總算好不容易到達(dá)底部撼班，旁邊是一條狹窄而泥濘的水濱小徑，小指頭正懶洋洋地靠在巖石上啃蘋(píng)果垒酬。他已經(jīng)快吃完了砰嘁。“史塔克勘究，你老了不中用啦矮湘。”他邊說(shuō)邊隨手把蘋(píng)果核丟進(jìn)激流乱顾“遄＃“沒(méi)關(guān)系，接下來(lái)我們騎馬走净∪保”兩匹馬正等在那里，奈德騎上伏伯，催馬快步跟在他身后橘洞，順著小路朝城市去。

Finally Baelish drew rein in front of a

ramshackle building, three stories, timbered, its windows bright with lamplight

in the gathering dusk. The sounds of music and raucous laughter drifted out and

floated over the water. Beside the door swung an ornate oil lamp on a heavy

chain, with a globe of leaded red glass.

最后貝里席在一棟看起來(lái)?yè)u搖欲墜的三層木造建筑前停了下來(lái)说搅。窗戶透出燈光炸枣，在逐漸黯淡的暮色里顯得特別明亮。樂(lè)聲和刺耳的笑鬧從內(nèi)散溢，在河面上飄蕩适肠。門(mén)邊有一條沉甸甸的鏈子掛著盞華麗的油燈霍衫，外面蓋著加鉛的紅玻璃燈罩。

Ned Stark dismounted in a fury. “A

brothel,” he said as he seized Littlefinger by the shoulder and spun him

around. “You’ve brought me all this way to take me to a brothel.”

奈德·史塔克憤怒地跳下馬侯养《氐“這是家妓院」淇”他抓住小指頭肩膀把他推得團(tuán)團(tuán)轉(zhuǎn)柠傍。“走大老遠(yuǎn)的路辩稽，結(jié)果你竟帶我上妓院惧笛？”

“Your wife is

inside,” Littlefinger said.

“你老婆在里面〕研梗”小指頭說(shuō)

It was the final insult. “Brandon was too

kind to you,” Ned said as he slammed the small man back against a wall and

shoved his dagger up under the little pointed chin beard.

他再也忍耐不住患整。“布蘭登對(duì)你太仁慈了炭懊〔⒓叮”奈德說(shuō)著把小個(gè)子狠狠地往墻上撞去拂檩，抽出匕首指向他留著胡子的尖下巴侮腹。

“My lord, no,” an

urgent voice called out. “He speaks the truth.” There were footsteps behind

him.

“大人，快停手稻励「缸瑁”一個(gè)焦急的聲音喚道⊥椋“他說(shuō)的是實(shí)話加矛。”背后傳來(lái)腳步聲煤篙。

Ned spun, knife in hand, as an old

white-haired man hurried toward them. He was dressed in brown roughspun, and

the soft flesh under his chin wobbled as he ran. “This is no business of

yours,” Ned began; then, suddenly, the recognition came. He lowered the dagger,

astonished. “Ser Rodrik?”

奈德握刀轉(zhuǎn)身斟览。只見(jiàn)一個(gè)身穿褐色粗布衣服，下顎的軟肉隨著跑步不住顫動(dòng)的白發(fā)老人急急忙忙朝他們跑來(lái)辑奈】撩“這不干你的事○埃”奈德才剛開(kāi)口妓羊，突然認(rèn)出來(lái)者。他放下匕首稍计，驚訝萬(wàn)分躁绸。“羅德利克爵士？”

Rodrik Cassel nodded. “Your lady awaits you

upstairs.”

羅德利克爵士點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭净刮“疲“夫人在樓上等您⊙透福”

Ned was lost. “Catelyn is truly here? This

is not some strange jape of Littlefinger’s?” He sheathed his blade.

奈德糊涂了星持。“凱特琳真的在這里弹灭？不是小指頭的惡作劧皆荨？”他收起武器穷吮。

“Would that it

were, Stark,” Littlefinger said. “Follow me, and try to look a shade more

lecherous and a shade less like the King’s Hand. It would not do to have you

recognized. Perhaps you could fondle a breast or two, just in passing.”

“我有那本事倒好逻翁，史塔克〖裼悖”小指頭道八回，“隨我來(lái)罷。還有驾诈，臉上表情露骨一點(diǎn)缠诅，不要一副正襟危坐的首相模樣。你要是被認(rèn)出來(lái)乍迄，那可就糟了管引。不介意的話，經(jīng)過(guò)時(shí)摸兩把奶子闯两∪彀椋”

They went inside, through a crowded common

room where a fat woman was singing bawdy songs while pretty young girls in

linen shifts and wisps of colored silk pressed themselves against their lovers

and dandled on their laps. No one paid Ned the least bit of attention. Ser

Rodrik waited below while Littlefinger led him up to the third floor, along a

corridor, and through a door.

他們走進(jìn)屋內(nèi)，穿過(guò)擁擠的大廳漾狼，有個(gè)胖女人正唱著歌詞淫穢的曲子重慢，身穿輕薄羅衫的美少女坐在恩客腿上撒嬌。沒(méi)人理會(huì)奈德逊躁。羅德利克爵士等在樓下似踱，由小指頭領(lǐng)他走上三樓，穿過(guò)回廊稽煤，進(jìn)了門(mén)核芽。

Inside, Catelyn was waiting. She cried out

when she saw him, ran to him, and embraced him fiercely.

凱特琳正在里面，她一見(jiàn)他便叫出聲來(lái)念脯，朝他飛奔過(guò)去狞洋，緊緊地抱住他。

“My lady,” Ned

whispered in wonderment.

“夫人绿店〖茫”奈德驚訝地輕聲說(shuō)庐橙。

“Oh, very good,”

said Littlefinger, closing the door. “You recognized her.”

“喲，好極了借嗽√睿”小指頭說(shuō)著關(guān)上門(mén)《竦迹“您認(rèn)得她浆竭。”

“I feared you’d

never come, my lord,” she whispered against his chest. “Petyr has been bringing

me reports. He told me of your troubles with Arya and the young prince. How are

my girls?”

“大人惨寿，我好怕你不會(huì)來(lái)邦泄。”她貼在他胸膛上細(xì)語(yǔ)裂垦∷衬遥“培提爾一直捎來(lái)你的消息。他告訴我艾莉亞和年輕王子的事了蕉拢。我的乖女兒們都還好么特碳？”

“Both in mourning,

and full of anger,” he told her. “Cat, I do not understand. What are you doing

in King’s Landing? What’s happened?” Ned asked his wife. “Is it Bran? Is

he?.?.?.?”Dead was the word that came to his lips, but he could not say it.

“她倆都很難過(guò)，也很憤怒晕换∥缗遥”他對(duì)她說(shuō)，“凱特闸准，我不懂益愈。你來(lái)君臨做什么？發(fā)生了什么事恕汇？”奈德詢問(wèn)妻子腕唧』蛳剑“是布蘭的事瘾英？難道他……”死這個(gè)字幾乎就要脫口而出，但他無(wú)法啟齒颂暇。

“It is Bran, but

not as you think,” Catelyn said.

“是布蘭的事缺谴，但不是你想的那樣《欤”凱特琳道湿蛔。

Ned was lost. “Then how? Why are you here,

my love? What is this place?”

奈德更摸不著頭腦∠嘏溃“那是怎么回事阳啥？親愛(ài)的，你為什么會(huì)在這里财喳？這又是什么地方察迟？”

“Just what it

appears,” Littlefinger said, easing himself onto a window seat. “A brothel. Can

you think of a less likely place to find a Catelyn Tully?” He smiled. “As it

chances, I own this particular establishment, so arrangements were easily made.

I am most anxious to keep the Lannisters from learning that Cat is here in

King’s Landing.”

“你覺(jué)得這里看起來(lái)像什么斩狱？”小指頭說(shuō)著在窗邊落座≡浚“這就是家妓院所踊。還有什么地方比這里更不可能找到凱特琳·徒利呢？”他微笑概荷，“說(shuō)來(lái)也巧秕岛，這家店恰好就是由我經(jīng)營(yíng)，所以要安排很簡(jiǎn)單误证。我可是極力避免讓蘭尼斯特的人得知?jiǎng)P特在君臨的消息继薛。”

“Why?” Ned asked.

He saw her hands then, the awkward way she held them, the raw red scars, the

stiffness of the last two fingers on her left. “You’ve been hurt.” He took her

hands in his own, turned them over. “Gods. Those are deep cuts?.?.?.?a gash

from a sword or?.?.?.?how did this happen, my lady?”

“為什么愈捅？”奈德問(wèn)惋增，這時(shí)他才看見(jiàn)她的手怪異的姿勢(shì)，看見(jiàn)那尚未愈合的紅色傷疤改鲫，左手小指和無(wú)名指僵硬不便的樣子诈皿。“你受傷了像棘』鳎”他握起她的手反復(fù)檢視÷铺猓“老天截歉，傷得好深……這是劍傷還是……夫人，怎么會(huì)發(fā)生這種事烟零？”

Catelyn slid a dagger out from under her

cloak and placed it in his hand. “This blade was sent to open Bran’s throat and

spill his life’s blood.”

凱特琳從斗篷下抽出一把匕首交給他瘪松。“有人帶著這把刀要取布蘭性命锨阿∠溃”

Ned’s head jerked up.

“But?.?.?.?who?.?.?.?why would?.?.?.?”

奈德猛地抬頭∈睿“但是……誰(shuí)……誰(shuí)會(huì)這么……”

She put a finger to his lips. “Let me tell

it all, my love. It will go faster that way. Listen.”

她伸出手指貼上他嘴唇壳嚎。“親愛(ài)的末早，讓我說(shuō)比較快烟馅。你好好聽(tīng)著罷∪涣祝”

So he listened, and she told it all, from

the fire in the library tower to Varys and the guardsmen and Littlefinger. And

when she was done, Eddard Stark sat dazed beside the table, the dagger in his

hand. Bran’s wolf had saved the boy’s life, he thought dully. What was it that

Jon had said when they found the pups in the snow? Your children were meant to

have these pups, my lord. And he had killed Sansa’s, and for what? Was it guilt

he was feeling? Or fear? If the gods had sent these wolves, what folly had he

done?

于是他仔細(xì)聆聽(tīng)郑趁，而她將事情始末和盤(pán)托出，從藏書(shū)塔大火姿搜、瓦里斯寡润、前來(lái)迎接她的都城守備隊(duì)一直說(shuō)到小指頭缺脉。等她說(shuō)完，艾德·史塔克手握匕首悦穿，呆若木雞地坐在桌邊攻礼。布蘭的狼救了那孩子一命，他呆滯地思索著栗柒。當(dāng)初瓊恩在雪地里找到那群小狼時(shí)礁扮，他說(shuō)了些什么？大人瞬沦，您的孩子注定要擁有這些小狼太伊。結(jié)果他卻親手殺了珊莎的狼，到頭來(lái)這是為了什么逛钻？他現(xiàn)在的感覺(jué)是罪惡僚焦？還是恐懼？假如這些狼實(shí)乃上天所賜曙痘，他究竟犯了何等滔天大罪芳悲？

Painfully, Ned forced his thoughts back to

the dagger and what it meant. “The Imp’s dagger,” he repeated. It made no

sense. His hand curled around the smooth dragonbone hilt, and he slammed the

blade into the table, felt it bite into the wood. It stood mocking him. “Why

should Tyrion Lannister want Bran dead? The boy has never done him harm.”

奈德痛苦地強(qiáng)迫自己將思緒拉回眼前的匕首，思考隱含其后的含義边坤∶福“小惡魔的刀〖胙鳎”他復(fù)誦肮韧。這太不合理。他緊握平滑的龍骨刀柄旺订，將之狠狠地插進(jìn)桌面弄企，感覺(jué)它深深地咬入木頭。匕首就這么立著区拳，仿佛在嘲弄他拘领。“提利昂·蘭尼斯特為什么要布蘭的命劳闹？那孩子從沒(méi)招惹他院究。”

“Do you Starks

have nought but snow between your ears?” Littlefinger asked. “The Imp would

never have acted alone.”

“你們史塔克家的人都沒(méi)腦筋的本涕？”小指頭問(wèn)，“小惡魔當(dāng)然不會(huì)單獨(dú)行動(dòng)伙窃∑杏保”

Ned rose and paced the length of the room.

“If the queen had a role in this or, gods forbid, the king himself?.?.?.?no, I

will not believe that.” Yet even as he said the words, he remembered that chill

morning on the barrowlands, and Robert’s talk of sending hired knives after the

Targaryen princess. He remembered Rhaegar’s infant son, the red ruin of his

skull, and the way the king had turned away, as he had turned away in Darry’s

audience hall not so long ago. He could still hear Sansa pleading, as Lyanna

had pleaded once.

奈德起身，繞著房間踱步为障』奕颍“難道說(shuō)王后亦參與此事放祟？或者，諸神在上呻右，連國(guó)王他也……不跪妥，絕對(duì)不可能∩模”他一邊說(shuō)著眉撵，一邊想起了那個(gè)荒冢地的清冷早晨，勞勃提到派刺客去對(duì)付坦格利安公主落塑。他憶起雷加那尚在襁褓的兒子纽疟，血淋淋的頭顱，以及國(guó)王置之不理的態(tài)度憾赁，正如不久以前他在戴瑞的會(huì)客廳里的所作所為污朽。珊莎的哀告至今猶在耳際，一如萊安娜臨終前的懇求龙考。

“Most likely the

king did not know,” Littlefinger said. “It would not be the first time. Our

good Robert is practiced at closing his eyes to things he would rather not

see.”

“國(guó)王八成不知情蟆肆。”小指頭道晦款，“這也不是第一次了颓芭，對(duì)于不想知道的事，咱們的好勞勃向來(lái)是眼不見(jiàn)為凈柬赐⊥鑫剩”

Ned had no reply for that. The face of the

butcher’s boy swam up before his eyes, cloven almost in two, and afterward the

king had said not a word. His head was pounding.

奈德沒(méi)有答話。屠夫小弟的那張幾乎被劈成兩半的臉浮現(xiàn)在他眼前肛宋，然而國(guó)王半聲也沒(méi)吭州藕。他的腦袋開(kāi)始轟轟作響。

Littlefinger sauntered over to the table,

wrenched the knife from the wood. “The accusation is treason either way. Accuse

the king and you will dance with Ilyn Payne before the words are out of your

mouth. The queen?.?.?.?if you can find proof, and if you can make Robert

listen, then perhaps?.?.?.?”

小指頭晃到桌邊酝陈，把匕首從木頭里拔出床玻。“無(wú)論怎樣行動(dòng)沉帮，都構(gòu)成叛國(guó)罪锈死。若是控告國(guó)王，只怕你話還沒(méi)出口就先被伊林·派恩給宰了穆壕。若是王后……除非你能找到證據(jù)待牵，而且能讓勞勃聽(tīng)進(jìn)去，才有可能……”

“We have proof,”

Ned said. “We have the dagger.”

“我們有證據(jù)喇勋，”奈德道缨该，“我們有這把匕首〈ū常”

“This?”

Littlefinger flipped the knife casually end over end. “A sweet piece of steel,

but it cuts two ways, my lord. The Imp will no doubt swear the blade was lost

or stolen while he was at Winterfell, and with his hireling dead, who is there

to give him the lie?” He tossed the knife lightly to Ned. “My counsel is to

drop that in the river and forget that it was ever forged.”

“這個(gè)贰拿？”小指頭漫不經(jīng)心地把玩著匕首蛤袒。“大人膨更，這是把好刀妙真，好刀都是兩面開(kāi)刃的。小惡魔肯定會(huì)辯稱匕首是他在臨冬城期間弄丟或是被偷荚守。既然他雇的殺手已死珍德，誰(shuí)能證明他所言真假呢？”他把刀子輕輕拋給奈德健蕊×庹螅“我建議你還是把這玩意兒丟進(jìn)河里，當(dāng)它根本就不存在罷缩功∏缂埃”

Ned regarded him coldly. “Lord Baelish, I

am a Stark of Winterfell. My son lies crippled, perhaps dying. He would be

dead, and Catelyn with him, but for a wolf pup we found in the snow. If you

truly believe I could forget that, you are as big a fool now as when you took

up sword against my brother.”

奈德冷冷地看著他〉招浚“貝里席大人虑稼，我是臨冬城史塔克家族的人。我的兒子成了殘廢势木，很可能還活不成蛛倦。若沒(méi)有那只我們?cè)谘┑乩镎业降男±牵丝桃呀?jīng)死了啦桌，凱特琳很可能也會(huì)陪著他送命溯壶。假如你真以為我會(huì)裝作沒(méi)事，那你就和當(dāng)年向我哥哥挑戰(zhàn)一樣愚蠢甫男∏腋模”

“A fool I may be,

Stark?.?.?.?yet I’m still here, while your brother has been moldering in his

frozen grave for some fourteen years now. If you are so eager to molder beside

him, far be it from me to dissuade you, but I would rather not be included in

the party, thank you very much.”

“史塔克，我蠢是蠢……可還活得好好的板驳，令兄倒已經(jīng)在冰封的墳?zāi)估锇l(fā)霉了十四年又跛。你這么迫不及待要步他后塵，我也無(wú)法勸阻若治，不過(guò)我先聲明慨蓝，你可千萬(wàn)別把我牽扯進(jìn)去，非常感謝端幼±窳遥”

“You would be the

last man I would willingly include in any party, Lord Baelish.”

“很好，貝里席大人静暂，不管我做什么济丘，最不想與之為伍的人就是你∏⒅”

“You wound me

deeply.” Littlefinger placed a hand over his heart. “For my part, I always

found you Starks a tiresome lot, but Cat seems to have become attached to you,

for reasons I cannot comprehend. I shall try to keep you alive for her sake. A

fool’s task, admittedly, but I could never refuse your wife anything.”

“這話我聽(tīng)了好傷心啊摹迷。”小指頭伸手按住心口郊供∠康铮“我自己嘛，總覺(jué)得你們史塔克家的人實(shí)在無(wú)趣得很驮审，但凱特不知怎地始終離不開(kāi)你鲫寄。所以呢，為著她的緣故疯淫，我會(huì)盡量不讓你送命地来。說(shuō)來(lái)只有笨蛋才會(huì)這么做，但我就是沒(méi)法拒絕你老婆的任何請(qǐng)求熙掺∥窗撸”

“I told Petyr our

suspicions about Jon Arryn’s death,” Catelyn said. “He has promised to help you

find the truth.”

“我把我們關(guān)于瓊恩·艾林死因的懷疑告訴了培提爾”壹ǎ”凱特琳道蜡秽，“他答應(yīng)協(xié)助你調(diào)查真相±铝停”

That was not news that Eddard Stark

welcomed, but it was true enough that they needed help, and Littlefinger had

been almost a brother to Cat once. It would not be the first time that Ned had

been forced to make common cause with a man he despised. “Very well,” he said,

thrusting the dagger into his belt. “You spoke of Varys. Does the eunuch know

all of it?”

對(duì)艾德·史塔克而言芽突，這并非好消息，不過(guò)他們確實(shí)需要援手董瞻，而小指頭和凱特曾經(jīng)情同姐弟寞蚌。再說(shuō)這也不是奈德第一次被迫與他所輕視的人妥協(xié)了∧坪“好罷挟秤，”他把匕首插進(jìn)腰帶，“你剛說(shuō)到瓦里斯眠蚂，他也知道整件事的來(lái)龍去脈煞聪？”

“Not from my

lips,” Catelyn said. “You did not wed a fool, Eddard Stark. But Varys has ways

of learning things that no man could know. He has some dark art, Ned, I swear

it.”

“如果知道，也一定不是我說(shuō)的逝慧∥舾”凱特琳道，“艾德·史塔克笛臣，你娶的人可不笨云稚。但瓦里斯有辦法知道別人不可能知道的事。奈德沈堡，我相信這家伙懂得妖術(shù)静陈。”

“He has spies,

that is well known,” Ned said, dismissive.

“他的走狗滿天下，這是眾所周知的事鲸拥」崭瘢”奈德鄙夷地說(shuō)。

“It is more than

that,” Catelyn insisted. “Ser Rodrik spoke to Ser Aron Santagar in all secrecy,

yet somehow the Spider knew of their conversation. I fear that man.”

“不只如此刑赶，”凱特琳?qǐng)?jiān)持捏浊，“羅德利克爵士和艾倫·桑塔加爵士的會(huì)面自始至終都秘密進(jìn)行，但這蜘蛛不知怎么就是知道談話內(nèi)容撞叨。我很怕這個(gè)人金踪。”

Littlefinger smiled. “Leave Lord Varys to

me, sweet lady. If you will permit me a small obscenity, and where better for

it, I hold the man’s balls in the palm of my hand.” He cupped his fingers,

smiling. “Or would, if he were a man, or had any balls. You see, if the pie is

opened, the birds begin to sing, and Varys would not like that. Were I you, I

would worry more about the Lannisters and less about the eunuch.”

小指頭微笑牵敷『恚“好夫人，瓦里斯伯爵就交給我來(lái)對(duì)付枷餐。容我說(shuō)幾句臟話——還有什么地方比這里更適合了呢靶瘸？——他的卵蛋被我大大方方地捏在手掌心〖馓裕”他合攏指頭奕锌，笑了，“當(dāng)然啰村生，這里假設(shè)他是個(gè)有卵蛋的男人惊暴。你不妨這么想，假如喜鵲會(huì)開(kāi)口趁桃，小小鳥(niǎo)兒要歌唱辽话，那么瓦里斯是不會(huì)喜歡的。好啦卫病，如果我是你油啤，與其擔(dān)心那太監(jiān)，不如多提防蘭尼斯特的人蟀苛∫嬉В”

Ned did not need Littlefinger to tell him

that. He was thinking back to the day Arya had been found, to the look on the

queen’s face when she said, We have a wolf, so soft and quiet. He was thinking

of the boy Mycah, of Jon Arryn’s sudden death, of Bran’s fall, of old mad Aerys

Targaryen dying on the floor of his throne room while his life’s blood dried on

a golden blade. “My lady,” he said, turning to Catelyn, “there is nothing more

you can do here. I want you to return to Winterfell at once. If there was one

assassin, there could be others. Whoever ordered Bran’s death will learn soon

enough that the boy still lives.”

奈德無(wú)需小指頭提醒。他想起找到艾莉亞那天的場(chǎng)景帜平，想起王后當(dāng)時(shí)的神情幽告。誰(shuí)說(shuō)我們沒(méi)有狼？那么地輕聲細(xì)語(yǔ)裆甩。他想到男孩米凱冗锁，想到瓊恩·艾林的猝死，還有布蘭墜樓嗤栓，以及喪心病狂的老王伊里斯·坦格利安躺在王座廳的地板上奄奄一息冻河，他的血在鍍金寶劍上慢慢干涸的場(chǎng)面箍邮。“夫人叨叙，”他轉(zhuǎn)向凱特琳锭弊，“你留在這里也無(wú)濟(jì)于事，我希望你即刻返回臨冬城摔敛。所謂有其一必有其二廷蓉，難保以后不會(huì)有其他刺客上門(mén)滋事全封。不管背后主謀是誰(shuí)马昙，他一定很快就得知布蘭活了下來(lái)∩层玻”

“I had hoped to

see the girls?.?.?.?” Catelyn said.

“我本想見(jiàn)見(jiàn)女兒……”凱特琳道行楞。

“That would be

most unwise,” Littlefinger put in. “The Red Keep is full of curious eyes, and

children talk.”

“那就太不明智了⊥猎龋”小指頭插話子房。“紅堡處處隔墻有耳就轧，更何況小孩子口風(fēng)不緊证杭。”

“He speaks truly,

my love,” Ned told her. He embraced her. “Take Ser Rodrik and ride for

Winterfell. I will watch over the girls. Go home to our sons and keep them

safe.”

“親愛(ài)的妒御，他說(shuō)得有理解愤。”奈德告訴她乎莉，一邊給她擁抱送讲。“帶上羅德利克爵士惋啃，啟程回臨冬城去罷哼鬓。我會(huì)好好照顧女兒們”呙穑回到我們的兒子身邊异希，保護(hù)好他們∪奘荩”

“As you say, my

lord.” Catelyn lifted her face, and Ned kissed her. Her maimed fingers clutched

against his back with a desperate strength, as if to hold him safe forever in

the shelter of her arms.

“那就這樣称簿，大人”凱特琳抬起臉，奈德吻了她椭坚。她受傷的手用一種近乎絕望的力量環(huán)抱住他的背予跌，仿佛要將他永遠(yuǎn)留在自己安全的懷抱里。

“Would the lord

and lady like the use of a bedchamber?” asked Littlefinger. “I should warn you,

Stark, we usually charge for that sort of thing around here.”

“老爺善茎、夫人莫不借臥室一用券册？”小指頭問(wèn)，“不過(guò)我先提醒你，史塔克烁焙，在這兒開(kāi)房辦事是要收費(fèi)的航邢。”

“A moment alone,

that’s all I ask,” Catelyn said.

“讓我們獨(dú)處一下就好骄蝇∩乓螅”凱特琳道。

“Very well.”

Littlefinger strolled to the door. “Don’t be too long. It is past time the Hand

and I returned to the castle, before our absence is noted.”

“也罷九火∽裕”小指頭朝門(mén)邊走去〔砑ぃ“別拖太久勒极。我和首相大人早該回到城里，以免失蹤太久他人起疑虑鼎∪枘洌”

Catelyn went to him and took his hands in

her own. “I will not forget the help you gave me, Petyr. When your men came for

me, I did not know whether they were taking me to a friend or an enemy. I have

found you more than a friend. I have found a brother I’d thought lost.”

凱特琳走到他身邊握住他的手§挪剩“培提爾匾七，我永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)忘記你的幫助。你手下來(lái)找我的時(shí)候江兢，我原不知自己將落入朋友還是敵人的手中江场。結(jié)果我發(fā)現(xiàn)你不僅是朋友典予，還是我失散多年的弟弟。”

Petyr Baelish smiled. “I am desperately

sentimental, sweet lady. Best not tell anyone. I have spent years convincing

the court that I am wicked and cruel, and I should hate to see all that hard

work go for naught.”

培提爾·貝里席微笑道：“好夫人瞳氓，我這人就是多愁善感读拆，這話還請(qǐng)你千萬(wàn)別告訴他人镣奋。這些年來(lái)我在宮廷里費(fèi)盡心力枪汪，想讓別人以為我是個(gè)既邪惡又殘酷的人，實(shí)在不愿就這么功虧一簣世澜《揽酰”

Ned believed not a word of that, but he

kept his voice polite as he said, “You have my thanks as well, Lord Baelish.”

這番話奈德是一個(gè)字也不信，但他還是彬彬有禮地說(shuō)：“貝里席大人寥裂，我也感謝您嵌洼。”

“Oh, now there’s a

treasure,” Littlefinger said, exiting.

“喲封恰，這可是東洋寶貝麻养。”小指頭說(shuō)著離開(kāi)房間诺舔。

When the door had closed behind him, Ned

turned back to his wife. “Once you are home, send word to Helman Tallhart and

Galbart Glover under my seal. They are to raise a hundred bowmen each and

fortify Moat Cailin. Two hundred determined archers can hold the Neck against

an army. Instruct Lord Manderly that he is to strengthen and repair all his

defenses at White Harbor, and see that they are well manned. And from this day

on, I want a careful watch kept over Theon Greyjoy. If there is war, we shall

have sore need of his father’s fleet.”

房門(mén)關(guān)上后鳖昌，奈德轉(zhuǎn)身面對(duì)他的妻子备畦。“你一到家许昨，立刻以我的名義送信給赫曼·陶哈和蓋伯特·葛洛佛懂盐，命令他們各調(diào)一百名弓箭手協(xié)防卡林灣。兩百弓箭手足以阻擋任何軍隊(duì)北上頸澤糕档。指示曼德勒伯爵加緊維修白港的防御工事莉恼，并確保守軍充足。還有速那，從今往后俐银，我希望你特別看緊席恩·葛雷喬伊。倘若戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)爆發(fā)琅坡，我們非常需要他父親的艦隊(duì)悉患。”

“War?” The fear

was plain on Catelyn’s face.

“戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)爆發(fā)榆俺？”恐懼清楚地寫(xiě)在凱特琳臉上。

“It will not come

to that,” Ned promised her, praying it was true. He took her in his arms again.

“The Lannisters are merciless in the face of weakness, as Aerys Targaryen

learned to his sorrow, but they would not dare attack the north without all the

power of the realm behind them, and that they shall not have. I must play out

this fool’s masquerade as if nothing is amiss. Remember why I came here, my

love. If I find proof that the Lannisters murdered Jon Arryn?.?.?.?”

“情勢(shì)不致惡化到那個(gè)地步的坞淮≤罱”奈德向她保證，心中暗自祈禱真是如此回窘。他再度摟她入懷诺擅。“蘭尼斯特家對(duì)待弱者毫不留情啡直，伊里斯·坦格利安就是最好的教訓(xùn)烁涌。然而除非他們有全國(guó)的軍力作后盾，否則決不敢進(jìn)犯北方酒觅，而他們作夢(mèng)也別想有那樣的一天撮执。我必須玩這場(chǎng)愚人的假面舞會(huì)，繼續(xù)裝出若無(wú)其事的樣子舷丹。記得我來(lái)此的目的么抒钱，親愛(ài)的？我要找出蘭尼斯特家謀殺瓊恩·艾林的證據(jù)……”

He felt Catelyn tremble in his arms. Her

scarred hands clung to him. “If,” she said, “what then, my love?”

他感覺(jué)到凱特琳在他懷里顫抖颜凯，她傷殘的手緊緊抱住他谋币。“若真找到了症概，”她說(shuō)蕾额，“接下來(lái)怎么辦，親愛(ài)的彼城？”

That was the most dangerous part, Ned knew.“All justice flows from

the king,” he told her. “When I know the truth, I must go to Robert.” And pray that he is the man I think he is, he

finished silently, and not the man I fear he has become.

接下來(lái)是最危險(xiǎn)的部分诅蝶，奈德明白逼友。“國(guó)王乃是至高的法律仲裁秤涩，”他告訴她帜乞，“待我查明真相，我將覲見(jiàn)勞勃筐眷±枇遥”屆時(shí)我只能祈禱他仍保有意想中的英明，而非我所恐懼的昏庸匀谣，他在心里默默地說(shuō)完照棋。