CATELYN

凱特琳

?? Of all the rooms in Winterfell’s Great Keep,Catelyn’s bedchambers were the hottest. She seldom had to light a fire. Thecastle had been built over natural hot springs, and the scalding waters rushedthrough its walls and chambers like blood through a man’s body, driving thechill from the stone halls, filling the glass gardens with a moist warmth,keeping the earth from freezing. Open pools smoked day and night in a dozensmall courtyards. That was a little thing, in summer; in winter, it was thedifference between life and death.

在臨冬城主堡所有的房間里，就屬凱特琳的臥室最是悶熱砾淌，以至于當(dāng)時(shí)鮮少有生火取暖的必要搜骡。城堡立基于天然的溫泉之上掂榔，蒸騰熱水如同人體內(nèi)的血液般流貫高墻寢室，將寒意驅(qū)出石材大廳，使玻璃花園充滿濕氣與暖意，讓土壤不致結(jié)凍。十幾個(gè)較小的露天庭院中午绳，溫泉日夜蒸騰。夏日里映之，這或許無足輕重拦焚，但到了冬季，卻往往是生與死的差別杠输。

?? Catelyn’s bath was always hot and steaming,and her walls warm to the touch. The warmth reminded her of Riverrun, of daysin the sun with Lysa and Edmure, but Ned could never abide the heat. The Starkswere made for the cold, he would tell her, and she would laugh and tell him inthat case they had certainly built their castle in the wrong place.

凱特琳喜歡把洗澡水弄得滾燙炙熱赎败、蒸汽四溢，而她選擇的居室四周墻壁摸起來也一向很溫暖抬伺。只因這種溫暖能勾起她對于奔流城的回憶螟够，讓她想起那段在艷陽底下，與萊莎和艾德慕嘻鬧奔逐的日子峡钓，只是奈德始終無法忍受這種熱度妓笙。他總告訴她，史塔克家族的人生來就要與冰天雪地為伍能岩，而她也總會(huì)笑答：倘若真是這樣寞宫，那么他們的城堡真是蓋錯(cuò)了地方。

?? So when they had finished, Ned rolled offand climbed from her bed, as he had a thousand times before. He crossed theroom, pulled back the heavy tapestries, and threw open the high narrow windowsone by one, letting the night air into the chamber.

所以拉鹃，當(dāng)他們完事之后辈赋，奈德便翻過身，從她床上爬起來膏燕，如以前千百次一樣走過房間钥屈，拉開厚重的織錦帷幕，把高處的窄窗一扇扇推開坝辫，讓夜里的寒意灌進(jìn)臥房篷就。

?? The wind swirled around him as he stoodfacing the dark, naked and empty-handed. Catelyn pulled the furs to her chinand watched him. He looked somehow smaller and more vulnerable, like the youthshe had wed in the sept at Riverrun, fifteen long years gone. Her loins stillached from the urgency of his lovemaking. It was a good ache. She could feelhis seed within her. She prayed that it might quicken there. It had been threeyears since Rickon. She was not too old. She could give him another son.

他靜靜佇立窗邊，全身赤裸近忙，手無長物竭业，獨(dú)向漫天的幽暗長空智润，冷風(fēng)在他身邊穿梭呼嘯。凱特琳拉過溫暖的毛皮未辆，蓋到下巴窟绷，默默地看著丈夫，覺得他看起來似乎變得瘦小又脆弱咐柜，仿佛突然之間又成了那個(gè)自己十五年前在奔流城圣堂托付一生的年輕人兼蜈。她的下體仍然因?yàn)閯偛潘麆×业膭?dòng)作而疼痛，但這是一種感覺美好的疼痛炕桨，她可以感覺到他的種子在自己體內(nèi)饭尝。她祈禱種子能開花結(jié)果。生完瑞肯已是三年前的事了献宫，她年紀(jì)還輕，可以再為他添個(gè)兒子实撒。

?? “I will refuse him,” Ned said as he turnedback to her. His eyes were haunted, his voice thick with doubt.

“我拒絕他就是姊途。”他邊說邊轉(zhuǎn)身面向她知态，眼神陰霾不開捷兰，語調(diào)充滿疑慮。

?? Catelyn sat up in the bed. “You cannot. Youmust not.”

凱特琳從床上坐起來：“不行负敏，你不能拒絕贡茅。”

?? “My duties are here in the north. I have nowish to be Robert’s Hand.”

“我的責(zé)任在這里其做、在北方顶考，我無意接任勞勃的首相一職⊙梗”

?? “He will not understand that. He is a kingnow, and kings are not like other men. If you refuse to serve him, he willwonder why, and sooner or later he will begin to suspect that you oppose him.Can’t you see the danger that would put us in?”

“他才不懂這些驹沿，他現(xiàn)在是國王了，國王可不能當(dāng)常人看待蹈胡。倘若你拒絕了他渊季，他定會(huì)納悶其原因，隨后遲早會(huì)懷疑你是否包藏二心罚渐。你難道看不出拒絕之后却汉，可能為我們帶來的危險(xiǎn)嗎？”

?? Ned shook his head, refusing to believe.“Robert would never harm me or any of mine. We were closer than brothers. Heloves me. If I refuse him, he will roar and curse and bluster, and in a week wewill laugh about it together. I know the man!”

奈德?lián)u搖頭：“勞勃絕不會(huì)做出對我或我家人不利的事荷并。他愛我更勝親兄弟合砂，假如我拒絕，他會(huì)暴跳如雷璧坟，罵不絕口既穆，但一個(gè)星期之后我們便會(huì)對這件事嗤之以鼻赎懦。他這個(gè)人我清楚！”

?? “You knew the man,” she said. “The king is astranger to you.” Catelyn remembered the direwolf dead in the snow, the brokenantler lodged deep in her throat. She had to make him see. “Pride is everythingto a king, my lord. Robert came all this way to see you, to bring you thesegreat honors, you cannot throw them back in his face.”

“你清楚的是過去的他幻工，”她答道励两，“現(xiàn)在的國王對你來言，已經(jīng)成了陌生人囊颅〉被冢”凱特琳想起倒臥雪地的那頭冰原狼，想起喉嚨里深插的鹿角踢代。她得想辦法讓他認(rèn)清事實(shí)盲憎。“大人胳挎，國王的自尊是他的一切饼疙，勞勃不遠(yuǎn)千里來看望你，為你帶來如此至高無上的榮譽(yù)慕爬，你說什么也不能斷然拒絕窑眯，這等于當(dāng)眾摔他一個(gè)耳光呀∫搅”

?? “Honors?” Ned laughed bitterly.

“榮譽(yù)磅甩？”奈德苦澀地笑道。

?? “In his eyes, yes,” she said.

“在他眼里姥卢，沒有更高的榮譽(yù)了卷要。”她回答独榴。

?? “And in yours?”

“在你眼里呢僧叉？”

?? “And in mine,” she blazed, angry now. Whycouldn’t he see? “He offers his own son in marriage to our daughter, what elsewould you call that? Sansa might someday be queen. Her sons could rule from theWall to the mountains of Dorne. What is so wrong with that?”

“在我眼里也一樣！”她叱道括眠，突然間生氣起來彪标。他為什么就不懂呢？“他愿意讓自己的長子迎娶珊莎掷豺，還有什么能比這更光榮捞烟？珊莎有朝一日說不定會(huì)成為王后，她的孩子們將統(tǒng)治北起絕境長城，南及多恩峻嶺的遼闊土地，這難道不好么似枕？”

?? “Gods, Catelyn, Sansa is only eleven,” Nedsaid. “And Joffrey?.?.?.?Joffrey is?.?.?.?”

“老天草丧，凱特琳愉粤，珊莎才十一歲，”奈德說千贯，“而喬佛里……喬佛里他……”

?? She finished for him. “?.?.?.?crown prince,and heir to the Iron Throne. And I was only twelve when my father promised meto your brother Brandon.”

她忙接口：“他是當(dāng)今王太子孕似，鐵王座的繼承人竞思。我父親將我許配給你哥哥布蘭登的時(shí)候表谊，我也不過十二歲「桥纾”

?? That brought a bitter twist to Ned’s mouth.“Brandon. Yes. Brandon would know what to do. He always did. It was all meantfor Brandon. You, Winterfell, everything. He was born to be a King’s Hand and afather to queens. I never asked for this cup to pass to me.”

這話引起了奈德嘴角苦澀的牽動(dòng)爆办，“布蘭登，是啊课梳，布蘭登知道怎么做距辆，他做什么都充滿自信，成竹在胸暮刃。你和臨冬城本來都該是布蘭登的跨算。他是個(gè)當(dāng)首相和作王后父親的料。我可從沒說過要喝這杯苦酒椭懊≈畈希”

?? “Perhaps not,” Catelyn said, “but Brandon isdead, and the cup has passed, and you must drink from it, like it or not.”

“也許你沒有，”凱特琳說灾搏，“但布蘭登早已不在人世挫望，酒杯也已經(jīng)傳到你手中，不管喜不喜歡狂窑，你都非喝不可∩Ｈ”

?? Ned turned away from her, back to the night.He stood staring out in the darkness, watching the moon and the stars perhaps,or perhaps the sentries on the wall.

奈德再度轉(zhuǎn)身泉哈，返回暗夜之中。他站在原地望著屋外的黑暗破讨，或許在凝視月光星辰丛晦，或許在瞭望城上哨兵。

?? Catelyn softened then, to see his pain.Eddard Stark had married her in Brandon’s place, as custom decreed, but theshadow of his dead brother still lay between them, as did the other, the shadowof the woman he would not name, the woman who had borne him his bastard son.

見他受了傷提陶，凱特琳緩和下來烫沙。依照習(xí)俗，艾德·史塔克代替布蘭登娶了她隙笆，然而他過世兄長的陰影仍舊夾在兩人之間锌蓄，就像另一個(gè)女人的陰影，一個(gè)他不愿說出名字撑柔，卻為他生下私生子的女人瘸爽。

?? She was about to go to him when the knockcame at the door, loud and unexpected. Ned turned, frowning. “What is it?”

她正準(zhǔn)備起身走到他身旁，敲門聲卻突然傳來铅忿，在這樣的時(shí)刻顯得尤為刺耳剪决，出乎意料。奈德回身，皺眉道：“是誰柑潦？”

?? Desmond’s voice came through the door. “Mylord, Maester Luwin is without and begs urgent audience.”

戴斯蒙的聲音從門外傳來：“老爺享言，魯溫學(xué)士在外面，說有急事求見渗鬼±缆叮”

?? “You told him I had left orders not to bedisturbed?”

“你有沒跟他講，我交代不準(zhǔn)任何人打擾乍钻？”

?? “Yes, my lord. He insists.”

“有的肛循，老爺，不過他堅(jiān)持要見您一面银择《嗫罚”

?? “Very well. Send him in.”

“好罷，讓他進(jìn)來浩考〖锌祝”

?? Ned crossed to the wardrobe and slipped on aheavy robe. Catelyn realized suddenly how cold it had become. She sat up in bedand pulled the furs to her chin. “Perhaps we should close the windows,” shesuggested.

奈德走到衣櫥前，披上一件厚重的長袍析孽。凱特琳這才突然驚覺到屋里的寒意搭伤，她在床上坐起身子，把毛毯拉到下巴袜瞬×“我們是不是該把窗子關(guān)起來？”她建議邓尤。

?? Ned nodded absently. Maester Luwin was shownin.

奈德心不在焉地點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭拍鲤，魯溫學(xué)士已經(jīng)被帶進(jìn)來了。

?? The maester was a small grey man. His eyeswere grey, and quick, and saw much. His hair was grey, what little the yearshad left him. His robe was grey wool, trimmed with white fur, the Stark colors.Its great floppy sleeves had pockets hidden inside. Luwin was always tuckingthings into those sleeves and producing other things from them: books,messages, strange artifacts, toys for the children. With all he kept hidden inhis sleeves, Catelyn was surprised that Maester Luwin could lift his arms atall.

學(xué)士是個(gè)瘦小的人汞扎，一身灰色季稳。他的眼睛是灰色，但眼神敏銳澈魄，少有東西能逃過他的注意景鼠；歲月給他殘留的頭發(fā)也是灰的；他的長袍是灰色羊毛織成的痹扇，鑲滾著白色絨邊铛漓，正是史塔克家的色彩。寬大的袖子里藏有許許多多的口袋帘营，魯溫總是忙不迭地把東西放進(jìn)袖子票渠，不時(shí)能從里面拿出書、信箋芬迄、古怪的法器问顷、孩子們的玩具等等。想到魯溫師傅袖子里放了那么多東西，凱特琳很驚訝他的手還能活動(dòng)杜窄。

?? The maester waited until the door had closedbehind him before he spoke. “My lord,” he said to Ned, “pardon for disturbingyour rest. I have been left a message.”

學(xué)士直等到身后的門關(guān)上之后方才開口：“老爺肠骆，”他對奈德說，“請?jiān)徫掖驍_你們休息塞耕，有人留給我一封信蚀腿。”

?? Ned looked irritated. “Been left? By whom?Has there been a rider? I was not told.”

奈德面帶慍色地問：“有人留給你一封信扫外？誰留的莉钙？今天有信使來過？我如何不知情筛谚？”

?? “There was no rider, my lord. Only a carvedwooden box, left on a table in my observatory while I napped. My servants sawno one, but it must have been brought by someone in the king’s party. We havehad no other visitors from the south.”

“老爺磁玉，不是信使帶來的。有人趁我打盹時(shí)驾讲，把一個(gè)雕工精巧的木盒放在我觀星室的書桌上蚊伞。我的仆人說沒看到人進(jìn)出，但想來一定是跟國王一道的人留下的吮铭，我們沒有其他從南方來的訪客时迫。”

?? “A wooden box, you say?” Catelyn said.

“你說是個(gè)木盒子谓晌？”凱特琳問掠拳。

?? “Inside was a fine new lens for theobservatory, from Myr by the look of it. The lenscrafters of Myr are withoutequal.”

“里面裝了個(gè)精美的透鏡，專用于觀星纸肉，看來應(yīng)該是密爾的做工碳想。密爾產(chǎn)的透鏡可稱舉世無雙』侔校”

?? Ned frowned. He had little patience for thissort of thing, Catelyn knew. “A lens,” he said. “What has that to do with me?”

奈德又皺起眉頭，凱特琳知道他對這類瑣事一向毫無耐性逊移≡み海“透鏡？”他說胳泉，“這與我有何關(guān)系拐叉？”

?? “I asked the same question,” Maester Luwinsaid. “Clearly there was more to this than the seeming.”

“當(dāng)時(shí)，我也抱著相同的疑問扇商，”魯溫師傅道凤瘦，“顯然這里面暗藏玄機(jī)“钙蹋”

?? Under the heavy weight of her furs, Catelynshivered. “A lens is an instrument to help us see.”

躲在厚重毛皮下的凱特琳顫抖著說：“透鏡的用途是看清真相蔬芥。”

?? “Indeed it is.” He fingered the collar ofhis order; a heavy chain worn tight around the neck beneath his robe, each linkforged from a different metal.

“沒錯(cuò)”仕校”學(xué)士摸了摸象征自己身份的項(xiàng)圈返吻，那是一串用許多片不同金屬打造而成的沉重項(xiàng)鏈。

?? Catelyn could feel dread stirring inside heronce again. “What is it that they would have us see more clearly?”

凱特琳只覺一股恐懼從心底升起乎婿〔饨“那究竟想讓我們看清什么呢？”

?? “The very thing I asked myself.” MaesterLuwin drew a tightly rolled paper out of his sleeve. “I found the true messageconcealed within a false bottom when I dismantled the box the lens had come in,but it is not for my eyes.”

“這正是問題所在谢翎『纯浚”魯溫學(xué)士從衣袖里取出一封卷得密密實(shí)實(shí)的信箋∩“于是我把整個(gè)木盒分解開來榨婆，在假的盒底找到真正的信。不過這封信不是給我的吊宋「倭桑”

?? Ned held out his hand. “Let me have it,then.”

奈德伸出手：“那就交給我罷×眩”

?? Luwin did not stir. “Pardons, my lord. Themessage is not for you either. It is marked for the eyes of the Lady Catelyn,and her alone. May I approach?”

魯溫學(xué)士沒有反應(yīng)拖吼。“老爺这吻，很抱歉吊档，可信也不是給您的。上面清楚寫著只能讓凱特琳夫人拆看唾糯。我可以把信送過去嗎怠硼？”

?? Catelyn nodded, not trusting to speak. Themaester placed the paper on the table beside the bed. It was sealed with asmall blob of blue wax. Luwin bowed and began to retreat.

凱特琳點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，沒有答話移怯。魯溫把信放在她床邊的矮桌上香璃，信封乃是用一滴藍(lán)色蠟油封箋。魯溫鞠了個(gè)躬舟误，準(zhǔn)備告退葡秒。

?? “Stay,” Ned commanded him. His voice wasgrave. He looked at Catelyn. “What is it? My lady, you’re shaking.”

“留下來∏兑纾”奈德語氣沉重地命令眯牧，他看看凱特琳±挡荩“夫人学少，怎么了？你在發(fā)抖秧骑“嫒罚”

?? “I’m afraid,” she admitted. She reached outand took the letter in trembling hands. The furs dropped away from hernakedness, forgotten. In the blue wax was the moon-and-falcon seal of HouseArryn. “It’s from Lysa.” Catelyn looked at her husband. “It will not make usglad,” she told him. “There is grief in this message, Ned. I can feel it.”

“我害怕啊扣囊。”她坦承阀坏。她伸出顫抖的雙手拿起信封如暖，皮毛從她身上滑落，她完全忘記了自己赤裸的身體忌堂。只見藍(lán)色封蠟上印有艾林家族的新月獵鷹家徽盒至。“是萊莎寫的信士修，”凱特琳看著她丈夫說枷遂，“只怕不會(huì)是什么好消息∑宄埃”她告訴他酒唉，“奈德，這封信里蘊(yùn)藏著無盡的哀傷沸移，我感覺得出來痪伦。”

?? Ned frowned, his face darkening. “Open it.”

奈德雙眉深鎖雹锣，臉色轉(zhuǎn)陰网沾。“拆開蕊爵』愿纾”

?? Catelyn broke the seal.

凱特琳揭開封印。

?? Her eyes moved over the words. At first theymade no sense to her. Then she remembered. “Lysa took no chances. When we weregirls together, we had a private language, she and I.”

她的眼神掃過內(nèi)文攒射，起初看不出所以醋旦，隨后才猛然醒悟：“萊莎行事謹(jǐn)慎，不肯冒險(xiǎn)会放。我們年幼時(shí)發(fā)明了一種秘密語言饲齐，只有我和她懂∵肿睿”

?? “Can you read it?”

“那你能否讀出信上的內(nèi)容箩张？”

?? “Yes,” Catelyn admitted.

“能〈笆校”凱特琳表示。

?? “Then tell us.”

“告訴我們饮笛∽刹欤”

?? “Perhaps I should withdraw,” Maester Luwinsaid.

“我想我還是先告退為好「Ｇ啵”魯溫學(xué)士道摄狱。

?? “No,” Catelyn said. “We will need yourcounsel.” She threw back the furs and climbed from the bed. The night air wasas cold as the grave on her bare skin as she padded across the room.

“不脓诡，”凱特琳說，“我們需要你的意見媒役∽Ｑ瑁”她掀開毛皮，翻身下床酣衷，走到房間的另一頭交惯。午夜的冷氣寒徹心肺，凄冷有如墳?zāi)埂?/p>

?? Maester Luwin averted his eyes. Even Nedlooked shocked. “What are you doing?” he asked.

魯溫學(xué)士見狀立刻別過頭去穿仪，連奈德都被她突如其來的舉動(dòng)給嚇住席爽。“你要做什么啊片？”他問只锻。

?? “Lighting a fire,” Catelyn told him. Shefound a dressing gown and shrugged into it, then knelt over the cold hearth.

“生火∽瞎龋”凱特琳告訴他齐饮。她從衣柜里找出一件睡袍，披上之后在早已冷卻的火爐前蹲了下來笤昨。

?? “Maester Luwin...” Ned began.

“魯溫師傅……”奈德開口祖驱。

?? “Maester Luwin has delivered all mychildren,” Catelyn said. “This is no time for false modesty.” She slid thepaper in among the kindling and placed the heavier logs on top of it.

“我每一個(gè)孩子都是魯溫師傅接生的，”凱特琳道咬腋，“現(xiàn)在可不是講究虛偽禮數(shù)的時(shí)候羹膳。”說完她把信紙塞進(jìn)甫燃的火中根竿，然后將幾根粗木堆在上面陵像。

?? Ned crossed the room, took her by the arm,and pulled her to her feet. He held her there, his face inches from her. “Mylady, tell me! What was this message?”

奈德走過房間，挽著她的胳膊寇壳，把她扶起醒颖。他的手緊握她不放，臉離她只有幾寸壳炎∨⑶福“夫人，快告訴我匿辩！信里面究竟寫了些什么腰耙？”

?? Catelyn stiffened in his grasp. “A warning,”she said softly. “If we have the wits to hear.”

凱特琳在他的逼問下渾身僵直〔颍“那是封警告信挺庞，”她輕聲道，“如果我們夠聰明稼病，聽得進(jìn)去的話选侨∫从悖”

?? His eyes searched her face. “Go on.”

他的眼神在她臉上搜索≡疲“請說下去戏挡。”

?? “Lysa says Jon Arryn was murdered.”

“萊莎說瓊恩·艾林乃是被人謀害晨仑『质”

?? His fingers tightened on her arm. “By whom?”

他的手指握得更緊⊙捌纾“被誰謀害掌栅？”

?? “The Lannisters,” she told him. “The queen.”

“蘭尼斯特家÷敕海”她告訴他說猾封，“當(dāng)今的王后≡肷海”

?? Ned released his hold on her arm. There weredeep red marks on her skin. “Gods,” he whispered. His voice was hoarse. “Yoursister is sick with grief. She cannot know what she is saying.”

奈德松開手晌缘，她的臂膀上留下了鮮明的深紅指印×≌荆“老天磷箕，”他粗聲低語，“你妹妹傷心過度阵难，她根本不知道自己在說些什么岳枷。”

?? “She knows,” Catelyn said. “Lysa isimpulsive, yes, but this message was carefully planned, cleverly hidden. Sheknew it meant death if her letter fell into the wrong hands. To risk so much,she must have had more than mere suspicion.” Catelyn looked to her husband.“Now we truly have no choice. You must be Robert’s Hand. You must go south withhim and learn the truth.”

“她當(dāng)然知道呜叫，”凱特琳道空繁，“萊莎本人是很沖動(dòng)，但這封信乃是經(jīng)過精密策劃朱庆，小心隱藏的盛泡。她一定很清楚信若是落入他人手里，她必死無疑娱颊，可見這絕非空穴來風(fēng)傲诵，否則她不會(huì)甘冒這么大的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)∠渌叮”凱特琳注視著她的丈夫拴竹，“這下我們真的別無選擇，你非當(dāng)勞勃的首相不可剧罩，你得親自南下去查個(gè)水落石出殖熟。”

?? She saw at once that Ned had reached a verydifferent conclusion. “The only truths I know are here. The south is a nest ofadders I would do better to avoid.”

她立即明白奈德已然下了個(gè)截然相反的結(jié)論斑响×馐簦“我知道的是，南方是個(gè)充滿毒蛇猛獸的地方舰罚，我還是避開為宜纽门。”

?? Luwin plucked at his chain collar where ithad chafed the soft skin of his throat. “The Hand of the King has great power,my lord. Power to find the truth of Lord Arryn’s death, to bring his killers tothe king’s justice. Power to protect Lady Arryn and her son, if the worst betrue.”

魯溫?fù)芰藫茼?xiàng)鏈刮傷喉嚨皮膚的地方：“老爺营罢，御前首相握有大權(quán)赏陵，足以查出艾林公爵的真正死因，并將兇手繩之以法饲漾。就算情況不妙蝙搔，要保護(hù)艾林夫人和她的

幼子，卻也綽綽有余考传〕孕停”

?? Ned glanced helplessly around thebedchamber. Catelyn’s heart went out to him, but she knew she could not takehim in her arms just then. First the victory must be won, for her children’ssake. “You say you love Robert like a brother. Would you leave your brothersurrounded by Lannisters?”

奈德無助地環(huán)視房間四周，凱特琳的心也隨著他的視線飄移僚楞，但她知道此刻還不能擁他入懷勤晚。為了她的子女著想，她必須先打贏眼前這場仗泉褐〈托矗“你說你愛勞勃?jiǎng)龠^親生兄弟，你難道忍心眼看自家兄弟被蘭尼斯特家的人包圍嗎膜赃？”

?? “The Others take both of you,” Ned muttereddarkly. He turned away from them and went to the window. She did not speak, nordid the maester. They waited, quiet, while Eddard Stark said a silent farewellto the home he loved. When he turned away from the window at last, his voicewas tired and full of melancholy, and moisture glittered faintly in the cornersof his eyes. “My father went south once, to answer the summons of a king. Henever came home again.”

“你們兩個(gè)都叫異鬼給抓去吧挺邀。”奈德喃喃咒道跳座。他轉(zhuǎn)身背對他們兩人端铛，徑往窗邊走去。她沒有開口躺坟，學(xué)士也一言不發(fā)沦补。他們默默地等待奈德向他摯愛的家園靜靜地道別，當(dāng)他終于從窗邊回首時(shí)咪橙，他的聲音是如此疲憊而感傷夕膀，眼角也微微濕潤，“我父親一生之中只去過南方一次美侦，就是響應(yīng)國王的召喚产舞。結(jié)果一去不返〔な＃”

?? “A different time,” Maester Luwin said. “Adifferent king.”

“時(shí)局不同易猫，”魯溫師傅道，“國王也不一樣具壮∽纪牵”

?? “Yes,” Ned said dully. He seated himself ina chair by the hearth. “Catelyn, you shall stay here in Winterfell.”

“是嗎哈蝇？”奈德木然地應(yīng)了一聲，在火爐邊找了張椅子坐下攘已∨谏猓“凱特琳，你留在臨冬城样勃》涂保”

?? His words were like an icy draft through herheart. “No,” she said, suddenly afraid. Was this to be her punishment? Never tosee his face again, nor to feel his arms around her?

他的話有如寒冰刺進(jìn)她心口∠靠簦“不要剧防。”她突然害怕起來辫樱，難道這是對她的懲罰峭拘？再也見不到他？再也得不到他的溫情擁抱搏熄？

?? “Yes,” Ned said, in words that would brookno argument. “You must govern the north in my stead, while I run Robert’serrands. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Robb is fourteen. Soonenough, he will be a man grown. He must learn to rule, and I will not be herefor him. Make him part of your councils. He must be ready when his time comes.”

“一定要棚唆。”奈德的語氣不容許任何辯駁心例∠瑁“我南下輔佐勞勃期間，你必須代替我管理北方止后。無論如何瞎惫，臨冬城一定得有史塔克家的人坐鎮(zhèn)。羅柏已經(jīng)十四歲译株，很快就會(huì)長大成人瓜喇，他得開始學(xué)習(xí)如何統(tǒng)御，而我沒法陪在他身邊教導(dǎo)他歉糜。你要讓他參與你的機(jī)要會(huì)議乘寒。在需要獨(dú)當(dāng)一面的時(shí)刻來臨前，他必須做好萬全的準(zhǔn)備匪补∩⌒粒”

?? “Gods will, not for many years,” MaesterLuwin murmured.

“諸神保佑，讓您早日回來夯缺≡槭希”魯溫學(xué)士囁嚅道。

?? “Maester Luwin, I trust you as I would myown blood. Give my wife your voice in all things great and small. Teach my sonthe things he needs to know. Winter is coming.”

“魯溫師傅踊兜，我一直把你當(dāng)成自己血親骨肉一般看待竿滨，請不論事情大小，都給我妻子意見，并教導(dǎo)我的孩子必須了解的知識于游。別忘記毁葱，凜冬將至》“”

?? Maester Luwin nodded gravely. Then silencefell, until Catelyn found her courage and asked the question whose answer shemost dreaded. “What of the other children?”

魯溫師傅沉重地點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭头谜，屋里又復(fù)歸寂靜，直到凱特琳鼓起勇氣問了她最害怕聽到答案的問題：“其他孩子呢鸠澈？”

?? Ned stood, and took her in his arms, andheld her face close to his. “Rickon is very young,” he said gently. “He shouldstay here with you and Robb. The others I would take with me.”

奈德站起身，擁她入懷截驮，捧著她的臉靠近自己說：“瑞肯年紀(jì)還小笑陈，”他溫柔地說，“他留在這里跟你和羅柏作伴葵袭。其他孩子跟我一起南下涵妥。”

?? “I could not bear it,” Catelyn said,trembling.

“這樣子我承受不了坡锡∨钔”她顫抖著回答。

?? “You must,” he said. “Sansa must wedJoffrey, that is clear now, we must give them no grounds to suspect ourdevotion. And it is past time that Arya learned the ways of a southron court.In a few years she will be of an age to marry too.”

“你必須忍耐鹉勒》妫”他說：“珊莎要嫁給喬佛里，這已經(jīng)是既成的事實(shí)禽额，我們絕不能留下讓他們懷疑忠誠的口實(shí)锯厢。艾莉亞也早該學(xué)學(xué)南方宮廷仕女的規(guī)矩和禮節(jié)，再過幾年脯倒，她也要準(zhǔn)備出嫁了实辑。”

?? Sansa would shine in the south, Catelynthought to herself, and the gods knew that Arya needed refinement. Reluctantly,she let go of them in her heart. But not Bran. Never Bran. “Yes,” she said,“but please, Ned, for the love you bear me, let Bran remain here at Winterfell.He is only seven.”

珊莎在南方會(huì)成為一顆璀璨耀眼的明珠藻丢，凱特琳心想剪撬，而艾莉亞確實(shí)需要好好學(xué)點(diǎn)規(guī)矩。于是她很不情愿地暫時(shí)拋開心中對兩個(gè)女兒的執(zhí)著悠反，但是布蘭不能走残黑，布蘭一定要留下來∥噬鳎“好罷萍摊，”她說，“但是奈德如叼，看在你對我的愛的份上冰木，求求你讓布蘭留在臨冬城，他才七歲呀∮环校”

?? “I was eight when my father sent me tofoster at the Eyrie,” Ned said. “Ser Rodrik tells me there is bad feelingbetween Robb and Prince Joffrey. That is not healthy. Bran can bridge thatdistance. He is a sweet boy, quick to laugh, easy to love. Let him grow up withthe young princes, let him become their friend as Robert became mine. Our Housewill be the safer for it.”

“當(dāng)年我父親把我送去鷹巢城做養(yǎng)子時(shí)歇终，我也只有八歲”乒辏”奈德道评凝，“羅德利克爵士說羅柏和喬佛里王子處得不太好，這可不是好現(xiàn)象腺律。布蘭恰好可以成為兩家之間的橋梁奕短，他是個(gè)可愛的孩子，笑容滿面匀钧，討人喜歡翎碑，讓他和王子們一同長大，自然而然地產(chǎn)生友誼之斯，就像當(dāng)年我和勞勃一樣日杈，如此一來我們家族的地位也會(huì)更加安全穩(wěn)固∮铀ⅲ”

?? He was right; Catelyn knew it. It did notmake the pain any easier to bear. She would lose all four of them, then: Ned,and both girls, and her sweet, loving Bran. Only Robb and little Rickon wouldbe left to her. She felt lonely already. Winterfell was such a vast place.“Keep him off the walls, then,” she said bravely. “You know how Bran loves toclimb.”

凱特琳很清楚他說的是實(shí)話莉擒，但她的痛苦卻并未因此而稍減。眼看著她就要失去他們?nèi)浚耗蔚绿毙酢蓚€(gè)女兒涨冀，還有她最疼惜的心肝寶貝布蘭，只剩下羅柏和瑞肯檀何。此刻的她已感寂寞蝇裤，臨冬城畢竟是個(gè)很大的地方啊∑导“那就別讓他靠墻太近栓辜，”她勇敢地說，“你知道布蘭最愛爬上爬下垛孔∨核Γ”

?? Ned kissed the tears from her eyes beforethey could fall. “Thank you, my lady,” he whispered. “This is hard, I know.”

奈德輕吻了她眼里還未掉下的淚滴≈芗觯“謝謝你狭莱，我親愛的夫人，”他悄聲道概作，“我知道這很痛苦腋妙。”

?? “What of Jon Snow, my lord?” Maester Luwinasked.

“老爺讯榕，瓊恩·雪諾該怎么辦骤素？”魯溫學(xué)士問匙睹。

?? Catelyn tensed at the mention of the name.Ned felt the anger in her, and pulled away.

一聽這名字，凱特琳立刻全身僵硬济竹。奈德察覺到她的怒意痕檬，便抽身放開她。

?? Many men fathered bastards. Catelyn hadgrown up with that knowledge. It came as no surprise to her, in the first yearof her marriage, to learn that Ned had fathered a child on some girl chance meton campaign. He had a man’s needs, after all, and they had spent that yearapart, Ned off at war in the south while she remained safe in her father’scastle at Riverrun. Her thoughts were more of Robb, the infant at her breast,than of the husband she scarcely knew. He was welcome to whatever solace hemight find between battles. And if his seed quickened, she expected he wouldsee to the child’s needs.

凱特琳打小就知道送浊，貴族男子在外偷生私生子是常有的事梦谜，因此她在新婚不久，得知奈德在作戰(zhàn)途中與農(nóng)家少女生了個(gè)私生子時(shí)袭景，絲毫不感意外唁桩。再怎么說，奈德有他男人的需求耸棒，而他征戰(zhàn)的那一年朵夏，只和她婚后團(tuán)聚數(shù)日便匆匆南下，留她安然地待在后方父親的奔流城榆纽，兩人分隔兩地。那時(shí)她的心思都放在襁褓中的羅柏身上捏肢，甚少念及她幾乎不認(rèn)識的丈夫奈籽。他在戎馬倥傯間，自然不免尋求慰藉鸵赫。而一旦他留下了種衣屏，她也希望他至少能讓那孩子衣食無虞。

?? He did more than that. The Starks were notlike other men. Ned brought his bastard home with him, and called him “son” forall the north to see. When the wars were over at last, and Catelyn rode toWinterfell, Jon and his wet nurse had already taken up residence.

但他做的不只如此辩棒，史塔克家和別人不一樣狼忱，奈德把他的私生子帶回家來，在眾人面前叫他“兒子”一睁。當(dāng)戰(zhàn)爭終于結(jié)束钻弄，凱特琳返回臨冬城時(shí)，瓊恩和他的奶媽已經(jīng)在城里住了下來者吁。

?? That cut deep. Ned would not speak of themother, not so much as a word, but a castle has no secrets, and Catelyn heardher maids repeating tales they heard from the lips of her husband’s soldiers.They whispered of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, deadliest of theseven knights of Aerys’s Kingsguard, and of how their young lord had slain himin single combat. And they told how afterward Ned had carried Ser Arthur’ssword back to the beautiful young sister who awaited him in a castle calledStarfall on the shores of the Summer Sea. The Lady Ashara Dayne, tall and fair,with haunting violet eyes. It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage,but finally, in bed one night, Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it,asked him to his face.

這件事傷她很深窘俺，奈德非但不肯說出孩子的母親，連關(guān)系情形半個(gè)字也不跟她提复凳。然而城堡里沒有不透風(fēng)的墻瘤泪，凱特琳很快就從她的侍女群中聽說了幾種揣測，這些都是從跟隨她丈夫打仗的士兵嘴里傳出來的育八。她們交頭接耳說著外號“拂曉神劍”的亞瑟·戴恩爵士对途，說他是伊里斯麾下御林七鐵衛(wèi)中武藝最高強(qiáng)的騎士，但他們的年輕主子卻在一對一的決斗中擊斃了他髓棋。她們還繪聲繪影地?cái)⑹鍪潞竽蔚率侨绾蔚貛е鴣喩羰康呐鍎κ堤矗巴⑾暮０兜男菈嫵菍ふ襾喩拿妹没讨蕖Ｋ齻冋f亞夏拉·戴恩小姐皮膚白皙，身材高挑劲妙，一雙紫羅蘭色的眸子深邃而幽冷湃鹊。她想了兩個(gè)星期才終于鼓起勇氣，某天夜里在床上向丈夫當(dāng)面問起镣奋。

?? That was the only time in all their yearsthat Ned had ever frightened her. “Never ask me about Jon,” he said, cold asice. “He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. And now I will learnwhere you heard that name, my lady.” She had pledged to obey; she told him; andfrom that day on, the whispering had stopped, and Ashara Dayne’s name was neverheard in Winterfell again.

然而币呵，那卻是兩人結(jié)婚多年以來，奈德惟一嚇著她的一次侨颈∮嘤“永遠(yuǎn)不要跟我問起瓊恩的事，”他的口氣寒冷如冰哈垢，“他是我的親生骨肉妻柒，你只需知道這點(diǎn)就夠了。現(xiàn)在耘分，夫人举塔，我要知道你是打哪兒聽來這名字的∏筇”她向他保證以后不會(huì)再提起這件事央渣，于是便把消息來源告訴了他。翌日起渴频，城中一切謠言戛然而止芽丹，臨冬城中從此再聽不到亞夏拉·戴恩這個(gè)名字。

?? Whoever Jon’s mother had been, Ned must haveloved her fiercely, for nothing Catelyn said would persuade him to send the boyaway. It was the one thing she could never forgive him. She had come to loveher husband with all her heart, but she had never found it in her to love Jon.She might have overlooked a dozen bastards for Ned’s sake, so long as they wereout of sight. Jon was never out of sight, and as he grew, he looked more likeNed than any of the trueborn sons she bore him. Somehow that made it worse.“Jon must go,” she said now.

無論瓊恩的生母是誰卜朗，奈德對她鐵定是一往情深救湖，因?yàn)椴还軇P特琳說好說歹囚枪，就是沒法說服他把孩子送走速那。這是她永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)原諒他的一件事敢辩。她已經(jīng)學(xué)著全心全意去愛自己丈夫，但她怎么也無法對瓊恩產(chǎn)生感情逛万。其實(shí)只要?jiǎng)e在她眼前出現(xiàn)春叫，奈德愛在外面生多少私生子她都可以睜一只眼閉一只眼。然而瓊恩卻總是看得見摸得著泣港，怎么看怎么礙眼暂殖，更糟的是他越長越像奈德，竟比她生的幾個(gè)兒子都還要像父親当纱∏好浚“瓊恩非走不可∑侣龋”她回答晨横。

?? “He and Robb are close,” Ned said. “I hadhoped?.?.?.?”

“他和羅柏感情很好洋腮，”奈德說，“我本來希望……”

?? “He cannot stay here,” Catelyn said, cuttinghim off. “He is your son, not mine. I will not have him.” It was hard, sheknew, but no less the truth. Ned would do the boy no kindness by leaving himhere at Winterfell.

“他絕不能留下來手形∩豆”凱特琳打斷他，“他是你兒子库糠，可不是我的伙狐，我不會(huì)讓他留在這里∷才罚”她知道自己這樣有些過分贷屎，但她也是實(shí)話實(shí)說。奈德倘若真把他留在臨冬城艘虎，對那孩子本身也無好處唉侄。

?? The look Ned gave her was anguished. “Youknow I cannot take him south. There will be no place for him at court. A boywith a bastard’s name?.?.?.?you know what they will say of him. He will beshunned.”

奈德看她的眼神里充滿痛楚∫敖ǎ“你也知道我不能帶他南下属划，朝廷里根本沒他容身之處。一個(gè)冠著私生子姓氏的孩子……你應(yīng)該很清楚旁人會(huì)如何閑言閑語候生。他會(huì)被排擠榴嗅。”

?? Catelyn armored her heart against the muteappeal in her husband’s eyes. “They say your friend Robert has fathered a dozenbastards himself.”

凱特琳再次武裝起自己陶舞，對抗丈夫眼底無聲的訴求：“我聽說你的好朋友勞勃在外面也生了不少私生子⌒骼”

?? “And none of them has ever been seen atcourt!” Ned blazed. “The Lannister woman has seen to that. How can you be sodamnably cruel, Catelyn? He is only a boy. He...”

“但一個(gè)也沒在宮廷里出現(xiàn)過肿孵！”奈德怒道，“那個(gè)蘭尼斯特家的女人很堅(jiān)持這一點(diǎn)疏魏，天殺的停做，凱特琳，你怎么狠得下心這樣對他大莫？他不過是個(gè)孩子罷了蛉腌，他——”

?? His fury was on him. He might have saidmore, and worse, but Maester Luwin cut in. “Another solution presents itself,”he said, his voice quiet. “Your brother Benjen came to me about Jon a few daysago. It seems the boy aspires to take the black.”

他正在氣頭上，原本可能會(huì)說出更不堪入耳的話只厘，但魯溫學(xué)士卻適時(shí)插話：“我倒有個(gè)主意烙丛。您的弟弟班揚(yáng)前幾天來找過我，那孩子似乎對加入黑衫軍頗有興趣羔味『友剩”

?? Ned looked shocked. “He asked to join theNight’s Watch?”

奈德聽了大吃一驚：“他想加入守夜人？”

?? Catelyn said nothing. Let Ned work it out inhis own mind; her voice would not be welcome now. Yet gladly would she havekissed the maester just then. His was the perfect solution. Benjen Stark was aSworn Brother. Jon would be a son to him, the child he would never have. And intime the boy would take the oath as well. He would father no sons who mightsomeday contest with Catelyn’s own grandchildren for Winterfell.

凱特琳沒說什么赋元，就讓奈德自己理出一番頭緒罷忘蟹，現(xiàn)在她多說只會(huì)惹他生氣飒房。然而她卻高興得想親吻眼前這位老師傅呢！他所提出的這個(gè)建議正是最完美的解決方案媚值。班揚(yáng)·史塔克是個(gè)發(fā)過誓的黑衣弟兄狠毯，對他而言，瓊恩等于是此生不可能有的兒子褥芒。日子久了嚼松，那孩子自然而然也會(huì)跟著宣誓加入黑衣弟兄，這樣一來喂很，他就不能養(yǎng)兒育女惜颇，有朝一日來和凱特琳自己的孫子孫女搶奪臨冬城的繼承權(quán)了。

?? Maester Luwin said, “There is great honor inservice on the Wall, my lord.”

魯溫學(xué)士又說：“老爺少辣，加入長城守軍可是很高的榮譽(yù)凌摄。”

?? “And even a bastard may rise high in theNight’s Watch,” Ned reflected. Still, his voice was troubled. “Jon is so young.If he asked this when he was a man grown, that would be one thing, but a boy offourteen?.?.?.?”

　　“而且即使是私生子漓帅，在守夜人軍團(tuán)里也可能升到高位锨亏。”奈德思忖忙干，但他的語氣仍然有些困惑器予，“可瓊恩年紀(jì)還這么小，倘若他是個(gè)成人捐迫，說要加入一切還好乾翔，然而他只是個(gè)十四歲的孩子……∈┐鳎”

?? “A hard sacrifice,” Maester Luwin agreed.“Yet these are hard times, my lord. His road is no crueler than yours or yourlady’s.”

“這確實(shí)是個(gè)困難的抉擇反浓，”魯溫師傅同意，“但我們也身處艱難時(shí)刻赞哗，他所走的這條路雷则，不會(huì)比您或夫人走的路更崎嶇坎坷》舅瘢”

?? Catelyn thought of the three children shemust lose. It was not easy keeping silent then.

凱特琳又無可避免地想起她即將失去的三個(gè)孩子月劈，想要保持沉默太難了。

?? Ned turned away from them to gaze out thewindow, his long face silent and thoughtful. Finally he sighed, and turnedback. “Very well,” he said to Maester Luwin. “I suppose it is for the best. Iwill speak to Ben.”

奈德轉(zhuǎn)過身去藤乙，再次望向窗外猜揪，他那長長的臉龐寧靜中若有所思。最后他嘆口氣坛梁，又回過頭：“好罷湿右，”他對魯溫學(xué)士說，“看來這是目前最好的辦法了罚勾。我會(huì)跟班揚(yáng)談?wù)勔闳恕吭狡！?/p>

?? “When shall we tell Jon?” the maester asked.

“我們什么時(shí)候告訴瓊恩呢？”老師傅問丈莺。

?? “When I must. Preparations must be made. Itwill be a fortnight before we are ready to depart. I would sooner let Jon enjoythese last few days. Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well. Whenthe time comes, I will tell him myself.”

“還不是時(shí)候划煮，我們要先做些準(zhǔn)備，距離啟程足足還有兩個(gè)星期缔俄，就讓他盡情享受這段剩余的時(shí)光吧弛秋。夏天很快就要結(jié)束，童年的日子所剩無多俐载。時(shí)機(jī)一到蟹略，我會(huì)親自告訴他《粲叮”