tw.togreenangeltower2-第102部分

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ut　only　turned　the　cloth　in　her　hands。　〃We　are　at　war。　People　are　dying。　It　is　not　even　a　week　since　we　buried　little　Leieth！〃
〃Oh；　I　am　sorry；〃　Vorzheva　said。　〃I　did　not　mean　to　be　cruel。　You　were　very　close　to　her。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　was　just　a　child。　She　suffered　terrible　things；　may　God　grant　her　peace。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　did　not　seem　to　have　any　pain　at　the　end。　That　is　something。　Did　you　think　she　would　e　awake；　after　all　that　time？〃
　　　　　　　〃No。〃　The　duchess　frowned。　〃But　that　does　not　make　the　sadness　less。　I　hope　I　am　not　the　one　who　must　tell　young　Jeremias　when　he　es　back。〃　Her　voice　dropped。　〃If　he　es　back。〃
Vorzheva　looked　at　the　older　woman　intently。　〃Poor　Gutrun。　It　is　not　just　Leieth；　is　it？　You　are　frightened　for　Isgrimnur　also。〃
　　　　　　　〃My　old　fellow　will　e　back　well；〃　Gutrun　muttered。　〃He　always　does。〃　She　peered　up　at　Vorzheva；　who　still　stood　before　the　open　window；　a　sweep　of　ash…gray　sky　behind　her。　〃But　what　of　you；　who　feared　so　much　for　Josua？　Where　is　your　worry？〃　She　shook　her　head。　〃Saint　Skendi　protect　us；　I　should　not　speak　of　such　things。　Who　knows　what　ill　luck　it　could　bring？〃
　　　　　　　Vorzheva　smiled。　〃Josua　will　e　back　to　me。　I　had　a　dream。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　do　you　mean？　Has　all　that　nonsense　of　Aditu's　turned　your　head？〃
〃No；〃　The　Thrithings…woman　looked　down　at　her　girl…child；　Vorzheva's　thick　hair　fell　like　a　curtain；　so　that　for　a　moment　the　faces　of　both　mother　and　daughter　were　hidden。　〃But　it　was　a　true　dream。　I　know。　Josua　came　to　me　and　said；　'I　have　what　I　always　have　wanted。'　And　he　was　at　peace。　So　I　know　that　he　will　win；　and　he　will　e　back　to　me。〃
Gutrun　opened　her　mouth　to　say　something；　then　shut　it　again。　Her　face　was　fearful。　Quickly；　while　Vorzheva　still　gazed　at　little　Derra；　the　duchess　made　the　sign　of　the　Tree。
　　　　　　　Vorzheva　shivered　and　looked　up。　〃Perhaps　you　are　right；　Gutrun。　It　is　getting　cold。　I　will　shut　the　windows。〃
　　　　　　　The　duchess　levered　herself　up　from　her　chair。　〃Nonsense。　I'll　do　it。　You　take　those　little　ones　right　back　and　get　under　the　blankets。〃　She　paused　in　front　of　the　window。　〃Merciful　Elysia；〃　she　said。　〃Look。〃
　　　　　　　Vorzheva　turned。　〃What？〃
　　　　　　　〃It's　snowing。〃

　　　　　　　〃You　would　think　we　were　stopping　for　a　visit　to　a　local　shrine；〃　Sangfugol　observed。　〃That　these　were　boatloads　of　pilgrims。〃
　　　　　　　Tiamak　was　huddled　with　the　harper　and　Strangyeard　on　a　windy；　snow…clad　slope　east　of　Swertclif。　Below　them；　landing　boats　bounced　Josua's　army　across　the　choppy　Kynslagh　toward　the　shore；　the　prince　and　the　martial　arm　of　his　household　were　at　the　landing　site；　overseeing　the　plex　enterprise。
　　　　　　　〃Where　is　Elias？〃　Sangfugol　demanded。　〃Aedon's　Bones；　his　brother　is　landing　an　army　on　his　doorstep。　Where　is　the　king？〃
　　　　　　　Strangyeard　winced　ever　so　slightly　at　the　oath。　〃You　sound　as　though　you　want　him　to　e！　We　know　where　the　High　King　is；　Sangfugol。〃　He　gestured　toward　the　Hayholt；　a　cluster　of　spiky　shadows　almost　hidden　by　whirling　snow。　〃Waiting。　But　we　do　not　know　why。〃
　　　　　　　Tiamak　sank　deeper　into　his　cloak。　His　bones　felt　frozen。　He　could　understand　that　the　prince　might　not　want　them　underfoot；　but　surely　they　could　have　found　a　place　to　stay　out　of　the　way　that　was　less　exposed　to　the　wind　and　snow？
　　　　　　　At　least　I　have　drylander　breeches　now。　But　I　still　do　not　want　to　end　my　days　here；　in　this　cold　place。　Please　let　me　see　my　Wran　again。　Let　me　go　to　the　Wind　Festival　one　more　time。　Let　me　drink　too　much　fern　beer　and　play　snatch…the…feather。　I　don't　want　to　die　here　and　be　unburned　and　unremembered。
He　shivered　and　tried　to　slough　off　such　glum　thoughts。　〃Has　the　prince　sent　scouts　toward　the　castle？〃
　　　　　　　Sangfugol　shook　his　head；　pleased　to　be　knowledgeable。　〃Not　in　close。　I　heard　him　tell　Isgrimnur　that　stealth　was　　useless；　since　the　king　must　have　seen　us　ing　days　ago；　and　heard　of　it　long　before　that。　Now　that　he　has　made　sure　Elias　has　no　soldiers　hidden　in　Erchester…soldiers！　No　one　is　there　but　dogs　and　rats！…Josua　will　send　outriders　ahead　when　the　pany　moves　up　to　set　the　siege。〃
　　　　　　　As　the　harper　went　on　to　explain　how；　in　his　estimation；　the　prince　should　go　about　deploying　his　forces；　Tiamak　saw　someone　slogging　up　the　hill　through　the　snow。
　　　　　　　〃Look！〃　Father　Strangyeard　pointed。　〃Who　is　that？〃　〃It's　young　Jeremias。〃　Sangfugol　was　a　little　nettled　to　be　interrupted。　〃Been　driven　out　like　the　rest　of　us；　I　suppose。〃
　　　　　　　Tiamak！〃　Jeremias　called。　〃e　with　me！　Hurry！〃　〃Goodness！〃　Strangyeard　fluttered　his　hands。　〃Perhaps　they've　found　something　important！〃　Tiamak　was　already　standing。　〃What　is　it？〃　〃Josua　says　e　quickly。　The　Sitha…woman　is　sick。〃
〃Shall　we　e；　Tiamak？〃　Strangyeard　asked。　〃No；　I　am　sure　you　would　rather　not　be　crowded。　And　what　help　or　fort　could　I　give　to　one　of　the　Sithi？〃
　　　　　　　The　Wrannaman　started　down　the　hill；　leaning　into　the　wind。　As　the　snow　crunched　beneath　his　feet；　he　was　again　grateful　for　Sangfugol's　loan　of　boots　and　breeches；　although　both　were　too　large。
　　　　　　　I　am　in　a　strange　place；　he　marveled。　A　strange　time。　A　marsh　man　wading　through　the　snows　of　Erkynland　to　help　one　of　the　Sithi。　It　must　be　They　Who　Watch　and　Shape　who　have　drunk　too　much　fern　beer。

　　　　　　　Aditu　had　been　taken　to　a　makeshift　shelter；　a　cloth　cargo　cover　that　had　been　stretched　across　the　bottom　branches　of　a　tree　on　a　rise　above　the　shoreline。　Josua　and　Sludig　and　a　few　of　the　soldiers　stood　by　awkwardly；　hunched　beneath　the　low　roof。　〃Sludig　found　her；〃　the　prince　said。　〃I　feared　she　had　surprised　some　of　my　brother's　spies；　but　there　are　no　marks　of　violence　upon　her　and　Sludig　said　he　saw　no　signs　of　struggle。　No　one　heard　anything；　either；　although　she　was　only　a　hundred
paces　up　from　the　shore。〃　He　frowned　worriedly。　〃It　is　like　Leieth　after　Geloe　died。　She　is　sleeping；　but　will　not　wake。〃
　　　　　　　Tiamak　stared　at　the　Sitha's　face。　With　her　eyes　closed　she　appeared　nearly　human。　〃I　did　little　for　Leieth；〃　he　said；　〃and　I　have　no　idea　what　effect　my　herbs　would　have　on　one　of　the　immortals。　I　do　not　know　what　I　can　do　for　Aditu。〃
　　　　　　　Josua　made　a　gesture　of　helplessness。　〃At　least　see　that　she　is　fortable。〃
　　　　　　　〃Did　you　see　anything　that　might　have　caused　it？〃　Tiamak　asked　Sludig。
　　　　　　　The　Rimmersman　shook　his　head　vigorously。　〃Nothing。　I　found　her　as　you　see　her；　lying　on　the　ground　with　no　one　else　nearby。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　must　get　back　to　watch　over　the　unloading。　Unless　there　is　something　。　。　。〃　Josua　seemed　distracted；　as　though　even　this　upsetting　event　was　not　quite　enough　to　hold　his　full　attention。　The　prince　had　always　been　a　bit　remote；　but　in　the　day　since　they　had　made　landfall；　the　Wrannaman　had　found　him　to　be　unusually　preoccupied。　Still；　Tiamak　decided；　with　what　lay　ahead　of　them　all；　the　prince　had　a　right　to　be　a　little　distracted。
　　　　　　　〃I　will　stay　with　her；　Prince　Josua。〃　He　bent　and　touched　the　Sitha's　cheek。　Her　skin　was　cool；　but　he　had　no　idea　whether　that　was　unusual。
　　　　　　　〃Good。　My　thanks；　Tiamak。〃　Josua　hesitated　for　a　moment；　then　ducked　out　from　beneath　the　lean…to。　Sludig　and　the　other　soldiers　followed。

　　　　　　　Tiamak　squatted　beside　Aditu。　She　was　dressed　in　mortal　clothes；　pale　breeches　and　a　jacket　made　of　hide；　neither　of　them　heavy　enough　for　the　weather…but　Sithi　cared　little　about　weather；　Tiamak　reminded　himself。　She　was　breathing　shallowly；　and　one　hand　was　curled　into　a　fist。　Something　about　the　way　her　long　fingers　were　bent　caught　Tiamak's　interest；　he　opened　her　hand。　Her　grip　was　surprisingly　strong。
Nestled　in　Aditu's　palm　was　a　small　round　mirror；　scarcely　larger　than　an　aspen　leaf。　Its　frame　was　a　narrow　ring　of　what　appeared　to　be　shiny　bone；　minutely　carved。　Tiamak　lifted　it　up　and　balanced　it　gently　in　his　own　hand。　It　was　heavy　for　its　size　and　oddly　warm。
　　　　　　　A　tingling；　prickling　sensation　crept　through　his　fingers。　He　tilted　the　mirror　so　that　he　could　see　his　face　reflected；　as　he　moved　the　angle；　he　could　find　no　trace　of　his　own　features；　but　only　roiling　darkness。　He　brought　it　closer　to　his　face　and　felt　the　tingling　grow　more　pronounced。
Something　struck　his　wrist。　The　mirror　tumbled　from　his　hand　onto　the　damp　ground。
　　　　　　　〃Leave　it。〃　Aditu　withdrew　her　hand　and　let　herself　fall　back；　covering　her　eyes　with　her　long　fingers。　Her　voice　was　thin　and　strained。　〃Do　not　touch　it；　Tiamak。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　are　awake！〃　He　looked　at　the　mirror　where　it　lay　in　the　grass；　but　felt　no　particular　urge　to　flout　Aditu's　warning。
　　　　　　　〃Yes；　I　am　now。　Were　you　sent　to　take　care　of　me？　To　heal　me？〃
　　　　　　　〃To　watch　over　you；　anyway。〃　He　moved　a　little　closer　to　her。　〃Are　you　well？　Is　there　anything　I　can　get　you？〃　
　　　　　　　〃Water。　Some　snowmelt　would　be　a　good　thing。〃
Tiamak　scrambled　out　from　under　the　heavy　cloth　and　scooped　up　a　double　handful　of　snow；　then　brought　it　back。　〃I　have　no　cup　or　bowl。〃
〃It　does　not　matter。〃　She　sat　up；　not　without　effort；　and　received　it　in　her　cupped　palms。　She　pushed　some　of　it　into　her　mouth　and　rubbed　the　rest　on　her　face。　〃Where　is　the　mirror？〃
Tiamak　pointed。　Aditu　bent　and　plucked　it　from　the　grass；　a　moment　later；　her　hand　was　empty　again。　Tiamak　had　not　seen　where　she　put　it。　〃What　happened　to　you？〃　he　asked。　〃Do　you　know？〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes　and　no。〃　She　pressed　her　hands　against　her　face。　〃You　have　learned　something　of　the　Witnesses？〃
　　　　　　　〃A　little。〃
'The　Dream　Road；　the　place　we　Zida'ya　go　when　we　use　such　Witnesses　as　the　mirror　you　held　for　a　moment；　has　been　almost　pletely　barred　to　us　since　Amerasu　Ship…Born　was　slain　in　the　Yasira。　Because　of　this；　I　have　not　been　able　to　confer　with　Jiriki　or　Likimeya　my　mother　or　any　of　my　people　since　I　left　them。　But　I　have　been　thinking　about　the　things　you　and　Strangyeard　asked　me…even　though；　as　I　told　you；　I　have　no　answers　myself。　I　agree　that　your　questions　may　be　very　important。　I　hoped　that　since　we　are　now　closer　to　my　kin；　perhaps　I　could　somehow　let　them　know　I　needed　to　speak　with　them。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　you　failed？〃
　　　　　　　〃Worse　than　that；　I　may　have　done　something　foolish。　I　underestimated　how　things　have　changed　on　the　Dream　Road。〃
　　　　　　　Tiamak　the　Scrollbearer；　glutton　for　knowledge；　was　starting　to　settle　in　for　the　tale　before　he　remembered　his　nominal　duty。　〃Is　there　anything　else　I　can　bring　to　you；