rj.eyeoftheworld-第39部分

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ran　east　from　the　town；　and　another　west；　each　with　at　least　a　dozen　wagons　and　twice　as　many　ox…carts　trudging　toward　the　palisade。　Farms　lay　scattered　about　the　town；　thickest　to　the　north　while　only　a　few　broke　the　forest　to　the　south；　but　they　might　as　well　not　have　existed　so　far　as　Rand　was　concerned。　It's　bigger　than　Emond's　Field　and　Watch　Hill　and　Deven　Ride　all　put　together！　And　maybe　Taren　Ferry；　too。
　　　　　　　〃So　that's　a　city；〃　Mat　breathed；　leaning　forward　across　his　horse's　neck　to　stare。
　　　　　　　Perrin　could　only　shake　his　head。　〃How　can　so　many　people　live　in　one　place？〃
　　　　　　　Egwene　simply　stared。
　　　　　　　Thom　Merrilin　glanced　at　Mat；　then　rolled　his　eyes　and　blew　out　his　moustaches。　〃City！〃　he　snorted。
　　　　　　　〃And　you；　Rand？〃　Moiraine　said。　〃What　do　you　think　of　your　first　sight　of　Baerlon？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　think　it's　a　long　way　from　home；〃　he　said　slowly；　bringing　a　sharp　laugh　from　Mat。
　　　　　　　〃You　have　further　to　go　yet；〃　Moiraine　said。　〃Much　further。　But　there　is　no　other　choice；　except　to　run　and　hide　and　run　again　for　the　rest　of　your　lives。　And　short　lives　they　would　be。　You　must　remember　that；　when　the　journey　bees　hard。　You　have　no　choice。〃
　　　　　　　Rand　exchanged　glances　with　Mat　and　Perrin。　By　their　faces；　they　were　thinking　the　same　thing　he　was。　How　could　she　talk　as　if　they　had　any　choice　after　what　she　had　said？　The　Aes　Sedai's　made　our　choices。
　　　　　　　Moiraine　went　on　as　if　their　thoughts　were　not　plain。　〃The　danger　begins　again　here。　Watch　what　you　say　within　those　walls。　Above　all；　do　not　mention　Trollocs；　or　Halfmen；　or　any　such。　You　must　not　even　think　of　the　Dark　One。　Some　in　Baerlon　have　even　less　love　for　Aes　Sedai　than　do　the　people　of　Emond's　Field；　and　there　may　even　be　Darkfriends。〃　Egwene　gasped；　and　Perrin　muttered　under　his　breath。　Mat's　face　paled；　but　Moiraine　went　on　calmly。　〃We　must　attract　as　little　attention　as　possible。〃　Lan　was　exchanging　his　cloak　of　shifting　grays　and　greens　for　one　of　dark　brown；　more　ordinary；　though　of　fine　cut　and　weave。　His　color…changing　cloak　made　a　large　bulge　in　one　of　his　saddlebags。　〃We　do　not　go　by　our　own　names　here；〃　Moiraine　continued。　〃Here　I　am　known　as　Alys；　and　Lan　is　Andra。　Remember　that。　Good。　Let　us　be　within　the　walls　before　night　catches　us。　The　gates　of　Baerlon　are　closed　from　sundown　to　sunrise。〃
　　　　　　　Lan　led　the　way　down　the　hill　and　through　the　woods　toward　the　log　wall。　The　road　passed　half　a　dozen　farms…none　lay　close；　and　none　of　the　people　finishing　their　chores　seemed　to　notice　the　travelers…ending　at　heavy　wooden　gates　bound　with　wide　straps　of　black　iron。　They　were　closed　tight；　even　if　the　sun　was　not　down　yet。
　　　　　　　Lan　rode　close　to　the　wall　and　gave　a　tug　to　a　frayed　rope　hanging　down　beside　the　gates。　A　bell　clanged　on　the　other　side　of　the　wall。　Abruptly　a　wizened　face　under　a　battered　cloth　cap　peered　down　suspiciously　from　atop　the　wall；　glaring　between　the　cut…off　ends　of　two　of　the　logs；　a　good　three　spans　over　their　heads。
　　　　　　　〃What's　all　this；　eh？　It's　too　late　in　the　day　to　be　opening　this　gate。　Too　late；　I　say。　Go　around　to　the　Whitebridge　Gate　if　you　want　to　…　〃　Moiraine's　mare　moved　out　to　where　the　man　atop　the　wall　had　a　clear　view　of　her。　Suddenly　his　wrinkles　deepened　in　a　gap…toothed　smile；　and　he　seemed　to　quiver　between　speaking　and　doing　his　duty。　〃I　didn't　know　it　was　you；　mistress。　Wait。　I'll　be　right　down。　Just　wait。　I'm　ing。　I'm　ing。〃
　　　　　　　The　head　dipped　out　of　sight；　but　Rand　could　still　hear　muffled　shouts　for　them　to　stay　where　they　were；　that　he　was　ing。　With　great　creaks　of　disuse；　the　right…hand　gate　slowly　swung　outward。　It　stopped　when　open　just　wide　enough　for　one　horse　to　pass　through　at　a　time；　and　the　gatekeeper　poked　his　head　into　the　gap；　flashed　his　half…toothless　smile　at　them　again　and　darted　back　out　of　the　way。　Moiraine　followed　Lan　through；　with　Egwene　right　behind　her。
　　　　　　　Rand　trotted　Cloud　after　Bela　and　found　himself　in　a　narrow　street　fronted　by　high　wooden　fences　and　warehouses；　tall　and　windowless；　broad　doors　closed　up　tight。　Moiraine　and　Lan　were　already　on　foot；　speaking　to　the　wrinkle…faced　gatekeeper；　so　Rand　dismounted；　too。
　　　　　　　The　little　man；　in　a　much…mended　cloak　and　coat；　held　his　cloth　cap　crumpled　in　one　hand　and　ducked　his　head　whenever　he　spoke。　He　peered　at　those　dismounting　behind　Lan　and　Moiraine；　and　shook　his　head。　〃Downcountry　folk。〃　He　grinned。　〃Why；　Mistress　Alys；　you　taken　up　collecting　downcountry　folk　with　hay　in　their　hair？〃　His　look　took　in　Thom　Merrilin；　then。　〃You　ain't　a　sheepfarmer。　I　remember　letting　you　go　through　some　days　back；　I　do。　Didn't　like　your　tricks　downcountry；　eh；　gleeman？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　hope　you　remembered　to　forget　letting　us　through；　Master　Avin；〃　Lan　said；　pressing　a　coin　into　the　man's　free　hand。　〃And　letting　us　back　in；　too。〃
　　　　　　　〃No　need　for　that；　Master　Andra。　No　need　for　that。　You　give　me　plenty　when　you　went　out。　Plenty。〃　Just　the　same；　Avin　made　the　coin　disappear　as　deftly　as　if　he　were　a　gleeman；　too。　〃I　ain't　told　nobody；　and　I　won't；　neither。　Especially　not　them　Whitecloaks；〃　he　finished　with　a　scowl。　He　pursed　up　his　lips　to　spit；　then　glanced　at　Moiraine　and　swallowed；　instead。
　　　　　　　Rand　blinked；　but　kept　his　mouth　shut。　The　others　did；　too；　though　it　appeared　to　be　an　effort　for　Mat。　Children　of　the　Light；　Rand　thought　wonderingly。　Stories　told　about　the　Children　by　peddlers　and　merchants　and　merchants'　guards　varied　from　admiration　to　hatred；　but　all　agreed　the　Children　hated　Aes　Sedai　as　much　as　they　did　Darkfriends。　He　wondered　if　this　was　more　trouble　already。
　　　　　　　〃The　Children　are　in　Baerlon？〃　Lan　demanded。
　　　　　　　〃They　surely　are。〃　The　gatekeeper　bobbed　his　head。　〃Came　the　same　day　you　left；　as　I　recall。　Ain't　nobody　here　likes　them　at　all。　Most　don't　let　on；　of　course。〃
　　　　　　　〃Have　they　said　why　they　are　here？〃　Moiraine　asked　intently。
　　　　　　　〃Why　they're　here；　mistress？〃　Avin　was　so　astonished　he　forgot　to　duck　his　head。　〃Of　course；　they　said　why　…　Oh；　I　forgot。　You　been　downcountry。　Likely　you　ain't　heard　nothing　but　sheep　bleating。　They　say　they're　here　because　of　what's　going　on　down　in　Ghealdan。　The　Dragon；　you　know　…　well；　him　as　calls　himself　Dragon。　They　say　the　fellow's　stirring　up　evil　…　which　I　expect　he　is　…　and　they're　here　to　stamp　it　out；　only　he's　down　there　in　Ghealdan；　not　here。　Just　an　excuse　to　meddle　in　other　people's　business；　is　what　I　figure。　There's　already　been　the　Dragon's　Fang　on　some　people's　doors。〃　This　time　he　did　spit。
　　　　　　　〃Have　they　caused　much　trouble；　then？〃　Lan　said；　and　Avin　shook　his　head　vigorously。
　　　　　　　〃Not　that　they　don't　want　to；　I　expect；　only　the　Governor　don't　trust　them　no　more　than　I　do。　He　won't　let　but　maybe　ten　or　so　inside　the　walls　at　one　time；　and　ain't　they　mad　about　that。　The　rest　have　a　camp　a　little　ways　north；　I　hear。　Bet　they　got　the　farmers　looking　over　their　shoulders。　The　ones　that　do　e　in；　they　just　stalk　around　in　those　white　cloaks；　looking　down　their　noses　at　honest　folk。　Walk　in　the　Light；　they　say；　and　it's　an　order。　Near　e　to　blows　more　than　once　with　the　wagoneers　and　miners　and　smelters　and　all；　and　even　the　Watch；　but　the　Governor　wants　it　all　peaceful；　and　that's　how　it's　been　so　far。　If　they're　hunting　evil；　I　say　why　aren't　they　up　in　Saldaea？　There's　some　kind　of　trouble　up　there；　I　hear。　Or　down　in　Ghealdan？　There's　been　a　big　battle　down　there；　they　say。　Real　big。〃
　　　　　　　Moiraine　drew　a　soft　breath。　〃I　had　heard　that　Aes　Sedai　were　going　to　Ghealdan。　〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes；　they　did；　mistress。〃　Avin's　head　started　bobbing　again。　〃They　went　to　Ghealdan；　all　right；　and　that's　what　started　this　battle；　or　so　I　hear。　They　say　some　of　those　Aes　Sedai　are　dead。　Maybe　all　of　them。　I　know　some　folks　don't　hold　with　Aes　Sedai；　but　I　say；　who　else　is　going　to　stop　a　false　Dragon？　Eh？　And　those　damned　fools　who　think　they　can　be　men　Aes　Sedai　or　some　such。　What　about　them？　Course；　some　say　…　not　the　Whitecloaks；　mind；　and　not　me；　but　some　folks　…　that　maybe　this　fellow　really　is　the　Dragon　Reborn。　He　can　do　things；　I　hear。　Use　the　One　Power。　There's　thousands　following　him。〃
　　　　　　　〃Don't　be　a　fool；〃　Lan　snapped；　and　Avin's　face　folded　into　a　hurt　look。
　　　　　　　〃I'm　only　saying　what　I　heard；　ain't　I？　Just　what　I　heard；　Master　Andra。　They　say；　some　do；　that　he's　moving　his　army　east　and　south；　toward　Tear。〃　His　voice　became　heavy　with　meaning。　〃They　say　he's　named　them　the　People　of　the　Dragon。〃
　　　　　　　〃Names　mean　little；〃　Moiraine　said　calmly。　If　anything　she　had　heard　disturbed　her；　she　gave　no　outward　sign　of　it　now。　〃You　could　call　your　mule　People　of　the　Dragon；　if　you　wanted。〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　likely；　mistress。〃　Avin　chuckled。　〃Not　with　the　Whitecloaks　around；　for　sure。　I　don't　expect　anybody　else　would　look　kindly　on　a　name　like　that；　neither。　I　see　what　you　mean；　but　。。。　oh；　no；　mistress。　Not　my　mule。〃
　　　　　　　〃No　doubt　a　wise　decision；〃　Moiraine　said。　〃Now　we　must　be　off。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　don't　you　worry；　mistress；〃　Avin　said；　with　a　deep　bob　of　his　head；　〃I　ain't　seen　nobody。〃　He　darted　to　the　gate　and　began　tugging　it　closed　with　quick　jerks。　〃Ain't　seen　nobody；　and　ain't　seen　nothing。〃　The　gate　thudded　shut；　and　he　pulled　down　the　locking　bar　with　a　rope。　〃In　fact；　mistress；　this　gate　ain't　been　open　in　days。〃
　　　　　　　〃The　Light　illumine　you；　Avin；〃　Moiraine　said。
　　　　　　　She　led　them　away　from　the　gate；　then。　Rand　looked　back；　once；　and　Avin　was　still　standing　in　front　of　the　gate。　He　seemed　to　be　polishing　a　coin　with　an　edge　of　his　cloak　and　chuckling。
　　　　　　　The　way　led　through　dirt　streets　barely　the　width　of　two　wagons；　empty　of　people；　all　lined　with　warehouses　and　occasional　high；　wooden　fences。　Rand　walked　a　time　beside　the　gleeman。　〃Thom；　what　was　all　that　about　Tear；　and　the　People　of　the　Dragon？　Tear　is　a　city　all　the　way　down　on　the　Sea　of　Storms；　isn't　it？〃
　　　　　　　〃The　Karaethon　Cycle；〃　Thom　said　curtly。
　　　　　　　Rand　blinked。　The　Prophecies　of　the　Dragon。　〃Nobody　tells　the　。。。　those　stories　in　the　Two　Rivers。　Not　in　Emond's　Field；　anyway。　The　Wisdom　would　skin　them　alive；　if　they　did。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　suppose　she　would；　at　that；〃　Thom　said　dryly。　He　glanced　at　Moiraine　up　ahead　with　Lan；　saw　she　could　not　overhear；　and　went　on。　〃Tear　is　the　greatest　port　on　the　Sea　of　Storms；　and　the　Stone　of　T