rj.eyeoftheworld-第77部分

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〃
　　　　　　　As　if　that　had　been　a　signal　the　music　sprang　up　again；　and　the　children　took　up　their　laughter　and　ran　with　the　dogs。　Everyone　in　the　camp　went　back　to　what　they　had　been　doing　just　as　though　the　newers　were　long　accepted　friends。
　　　　　　　The　gray…haired　man　hesitated；　though；　and　looked　at　Elyas。　〃Your　。。。　other　friends？　They　will　stay　away？　They　frighten　the　poor　dogs　so。〃
　　　　　　　〃They'll　stay　away；　Raen。〃　Elyas's　headshake　had　a　touch　of　scorn。　〃You　should　know　that　by　now。〃
　　　　　　　The　gray…haired　man　spread　his　hands　as　if　to　say　nothing　was　ever　certain。　As　he　turned　to　lead　them　into　the　camp；　Egwene　dismounted　and　moved　close　to　Elyas。　〃You　two　are　friends？〃　A　smiling　Tinker　appeared　to　take　Bela；　Egwene　gave　the　reins　up　reluctantly；　after　a　wry　snort　from　Elyas。
　　　　　　　〃We　know　each　other；〃　the　fur…clad　man　replied　curtly。
　　　　　　　〃His　name　is　Mahdi？〃　Perrin　said。
　　　　　　　Elyas　growled　something　under　his　breath。　〃His　name's　Raen。　Mahdi's　his　title。　Seeker。　He's　the　leader　of　this　band。　You　can　call　him　Seeker　if　the　other　sounds　odd。　He　won't　mind。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　was　that　about　a　song？〃　Egwene　asked。
　　　　　　　〃That's　why　they　travel；〃　Elyas　said；　〃or　so　they　say。　They're　looking　for　a　song。　That's　what　the　Mahdi　seeks。　They　say　they　lost　it　during　the　Breaking　of　the　World；　and　if　they　can　find　it　again；　the　paradise　of　the　Age　of　Legends　will　return。〃　He　ran　his　eye　around　the　camp　and　snorted。　〃They　don't　even　know　what　the　song　is；　they　claim　they'll　know　it　when　they　find　it。　They　don't　know　how　it's　supposed　to　bring　paradise；　either；　but　they've　been　looking　near　to　three　thousand　years；　ever　since　the　Breaking。　I　expect　they'll　be　looking　until　the　Wheel　stops　turning。〃
　　　　　　　They　reached　Raen's　fire；　then；　in　the　middle　of　the　camp。　The　Seeker's　wagon　was　yellow　trimmed　in　red；　and　the　spokes　of　its　tall；　red…rimmed　wheels　alternated　red　and　yellow。　A　plump　woman；　as　gray　as　Raen　but　smooth…cheeked　still；　came　out　of　the　wagon　and　paused　on　the　steps　at　its　back　end；　straightening　a　blue…fringed　shawl　on　her　shoulders。　Her　blouse　was　yellow　and　her　skirt　red；　both　bright。　The　bination　made　Perrin　blink；　and　Egwene　made　a　strangled　sound。
　　　　　　　When　she　saw　the　people　following　Raen；　the　woman　came　down　with　a　weling　smile。　She　was　Ila；　Raen's　wife；　a　head　taller　than　her　husband；　and　she　soon　made　Perrin　forget　about　the　colors　of　her　clothes。　She　had　a　motherliness　that　reminded　him　of　Mistress　al'Vere　and　had　him　feeling　wele　from　her　first　smile。
　　　　　　　Ila　greeted　Elyas　as　an　old　acquaintance；　but　with　a　distance　that　seemed　to　pain　Raen。　Elyas　gave　her　a　dry　grin　and　a　nod。　Perrin　and　Egwene　introduced　themselves；　and　she　clasped　their　hands　in　both　of　hers　with　much　more　warmth　than　she　had　shown　Elyas；　even　hugging　Egwene。
　　　　　　　〃Why；　you're　lovely；　child；〃　she　said；　cupping　Egwene's　chin　and　smiling。　〃And　chilled　to　the　bone；　too；　I　expect。　You　sit　close　to　the　fire；　Egwene。　All　of　you　sit。　Supper　is　almost　ready。〃
　　　　　　　Fallen　logs　had　been　pulled　around　the　fire　for　sitting。　Elyas　refused　even　that　concession　to　civilization。　He　lounged　on　the　ground；　instead。　Iron　tripods　held　two　small　kettles　over　the　flames；　and　an　oven　rested　in　the　edge　of　the　coals。　Ila　tended　them。
　　　　　　　As　Perrin　and　the　others　were　taking　their　places；　a　slender　young　man　wearing　green　stripes　strolled　up　to　the　fire。　He　gave　Raen　a　hug　and　Ila　a　kiss；　and　ran　a　cool　eye　over　Elyas　and　the　Emond's　Fielders。　He　was　about　the　same　age　as　Perrin；　and　he　moved　as　if　he　were　about　to　begin　dancing　with　his　next　step。
　　　　　　　〃Well；　Aram〃　…　Ila　smiled　fondly　…　〃you　have　decided　to　eat　with　your　old　grandparents　for　a　change；　have　you？〃　Her　smile　slid　over　to　Egwene　as　she　bent　to　stir　a　kettle　hanging　over　the　cookfire。　〃I　wonder　why？〃
　　　　　　　Aram　settled　to　an　easy　crouch　with　his　arms　crossed　on　his　knees；　across　the　fire　from　Egwene。　〃I　am　Aram；〃　he　told　her　in　a　low；　confident　voice。　He　no　longer　seemed　aware　that　anyone　was　there　except　her。　〃I　have　waited　for　the　first　rose　of　spring；　and　now　I　find　it　at　my　grandfather's　fire。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　waited　for　Egwene　to　snicker；　then　saw　that　she　was　staring　back　at　Aram。　He　looked　at　the　young　Tinker　again。　Aram　had　more　than　his　share　of　good　looks；　he　admitted。　After　a　minute　Perrin　knew　who　the　fellow　reminded　him　of。　Wil　al'Seen；　who　had　all　the　girls　staring　and　whispering　behind　his　back　whenever　he　came　up　from　Deven　Ride　to　Emond's　Field。　Wil　courted　every　girl　in　sight；　and　managed　to　convince　every　one　of　them　that　he　was　just　being　polite　to　all　the　others。
　　　　　　　〃Those　dogs　of　yours；〃　Perrin　said　loudly；　and　Egwene　gave　a　start；　〃look　as　big　as　bears。　I'm　surprised　you　let　the　children　play　with　them。〃
　　　　　　　Aram's　smile　slipped；　but　when　he　looked　at　Perrin　it　came　back　again；　even　more　sure　than　before。　〃They　will　not　harm　you。　They　make　a　show　to　frighten　away　danger；　and　warn　us；　but　they　are　trained　according　to　the　Way　of　the　Leaf。　〃
　　　　　　　〃The　Way　of　the　Leaf？〃　Egwene　said。　〃What　is　that？〃
　　　　　　　Aram　gestured　to　the　trees；　his　eyes　fastened　intently　on　hers。　〃The　leaf　lives　its　appointed　time；　and　does　not　struggle　against　the　wind　that　carries　it　away。　The　leaf　does　no　harm；　and　finally　falls　to　nourish　new　leaves。　So　it　should　be　with　all　men。　And　women。〃　Egwene　stared　back　at　him；　a　faint　blush　rising　in　her　cheeks。
　　　　　　　〃But　what　does　that　mean？〃　Perrin　said。　Aram　gave　him　an　irritated　glance；　but　it　was　Raen　who　answered。
　　　　　　　〃It　means　that　no　man　should　harm　another　for　any　reason　whatsoever。〃　The　Seeker's　eyes　flickered　to　Elyas。　〃There　is　no　excuse　for　violence。　None。　Not　ever。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　if　somebody　attacks　you？〃　Perrin　insisted。　〃What　if　somebody　hits　you；　or　tries　to　rob　you；　or　kill　you？〃
　　　　　　　Raen　sighed；　a　patient　sigh；　as　if　Perrin　was　just　not　seeing　what　was　so　clear　to　him。　〃If　a　man　hit　me；　I　would　ask　him　why　he　wanted　to　do　such　a　thing。　If　he　still　wanted　to　hit　me；　I　would　run　away；　as　I　would　if　he　wanted　to　rob　or　kill　me。　Much　better　that　I　let　him　take　what　he　wanted；　even　my　life；　than　that　I　should　do　violence。　And　I　would　hope　that　he　was　not　harmed　too　greatly。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　you　said　you　wouldn't　hurt　him；〃　Perrin　said。
　　　　　　　〃I　would　not；　but　violence　harms　the　one　who　does　it　as　much　as　the　one　who　receives　it。〃　Perrin　looked　doubtful。　〃You　could　cut　down　a　tree　with　your　axe；〃　Raen　said。　〃The　axe　does　violence　to　the　tree；　and　escapes　unharmed。　Is　that　how　you　see　it？　Wood　is　soft　pared　to　steel；　but　the　sharp　steel　is　dulled　as　it　chops；　and　the　sap　of　the　tree　will　rust　and　pit　it。　The　mighty　axe　does　violence　to　the　helpless　tree；　and　is　harmed　by　it。　So　it　is　with　men；　though　the　harm　is　in　the　spirit。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　…〃
　　　　　　　〃Enough；〃　Elyas　growled；　cutting　Perrin　off。　〃Raen；　it's　bad　enough　you　trying　to　convert　village　younglings　to　that　nonsense　…　it　gets　you　in　trouble　almost　everywhere　you　go；　doesn't　it？　…　but　I　didn't　bring　this　lot　here　for　you　to　work　on　them。　Leave　over。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　leave　them　to　you？〃　Ila　said；　grinding　herbs　between　her　palms　and　letting　them　trickle　into　one　of　the　kettles。　Her　voice　was　calm；　but　her　hands　rubbed　the　herbs　furiously。　〃Will　you　teach　them　your　way；　to　kill　or　die？　Will　you　lead　them　to　the　fate　you　seek　for　yourself；　dying　alone　with　only　the　ravens　and　your　。。。　your　friends　to　squabble　over　your　body？〃
　　　　　　　〃Be　at　peace；　Ila；〃　Raen　said　gently；　as　if　he　had　heard　this　all　and　more　a　hundred　times。　〃He　has　been　weled　to　our　fire；　my　wife。〃
　　　　　　　Ila　subsided；　but　Perrin　noticed　that　she　made　no　apology。　Instead　she　looked　at　Elyas　and　shook　her　head　sadly；　then　dusted　her　hands　and　began　taking　spoons　and　pottery　bowls　from　a　red　chest　on　the　side　of　the　wagon。
　　　　　　　Raen　turned　back　to　Elyas。　〃My　old　friend；　how　many　times　must　I　tell　you　that　we　do　not　try　to　convert　anyone。　When　village　people　are　curious　about　our　ways；　we　answer　their　questions。　It　is　most　often　the　young　who　ask；　true；　and　sometimes　one　of　them　will　e　with　us　when　we　journey　on；　but　it　is　of　their　own　free　will。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　try　telling　that　to　some　farm　wife　who's　just　found　out　her　son　or　daughter　has　run　off　with　you　Tinkers；〃　Elyas　said　wryly。　〃That's　why　the　bigger　towns　won't　even　let　you　camp　nearby。　Villages　put　up　with　you　for　your　mending　things；　but　the　cities　don't　need　it；　and　they　don't　like　you　talking　their　young　folks　into　running　off。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　would　not　know　what　the　cities　allow。〃　Raen's　patience　seemed　inexhaustible。　He　certainly　did　not　appear　to　be　getting　angry　at　all。　〃There　are　always　violent　men　in　cities。　In　any　case；　I　do　not　think　the　song　could　be　found　in　a　city。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　don't　mean　to　offend　you；　Seeker；〃　Perrin　said　slowly；　〃but　。。。　Well；　I　don't　look　for　violence。　I　don't　think　I've　even　wrestled　anybody　in　years；　except　for　feastday　games。　But　if　somebody　hit　me；　I'd　hit　him　back。　If　I　didn't；　I　would　just　be　encouraging　him　to　think　he　could　hit　me　whenever　he　wanted　to。　Some　people　think　they　can　take　advantage　of　others；　and　if　you　don't　let　them　know　they　can't；　they'll　just　go　around　bullying　anybody　weaker　than　they　are。〃
　　　　　　　〃Some　people；〃　Aram　said　with　a　heavy　sadness；　〃can　never　overe　their　baser　instincts。〃　He　said　it　with　a　look　at　Perrin　that　made　it　clear　he　was　not　talking　about　the　bullies　Perrin　spoke　of。
　　　　　　　〃I'll　bet　you　get　to　run　away　a　lot；〃　Perrin　said；　and　the　young　Tinker's　face　tightened　in　a　way　that　had　nothing　to　do　with　the　Way　of　the　Leaf。
　　　　　　　〃I　think　it　is　interesting；〃　Egwene　said；　glaring　at　Perrin；　〃to　meet　someone　who　doesn't　believe　his　muscles　can　solve　every　problem。〃
　　　　　　　Aram's　good　spirits　returned；　and　he　stood；　offering　her　his　hands　with　a　smile。　〃Let　me　show　you　our　camp。　There　is　dancing。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　would　like　that。〃　She　smiled　back。
　　　　　　　Ila　straightened　from　taking　loaves　of　bread　from　the　small　iron　oven。　〃But　supper　is　ready；　Aram。〃
　　　　　　　〃I'll　eat　with　mother；〃　Aram　said　over　his　shoulder　as　he　drew　Egwene　away　from　the　wagon　by　her　hand。　〃We　will　both　eat　with　mother。〃　He　flashed　a　triumphant　smile　at　Perrin。　Egwene　was　laughing　as　they　ran。
　　　　　　　Perrin　got　to　his　feet；　then　stopped。　It　was　not　as　if　she　could　e　to　any　harm；　not　if　the　camp　f