cb.imajica1-第39章

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the　puppeteers。　This　earned　applause　from　the　audience；　during　which　Gentle　caught　sight　of　Pie　in　the　street。　At　the　mystif's　side　was　a　jug…eared　adolescent　with　hair　down　to　the　middle　of　his　back。　Gentle　went　to　join　them。
　〃This　is　Efreet　Splendid；〃　Pie　said。　〃He　tells　me…wait　for　this…he　tells　me　his　mother　has　dreams　about　white　furless　men　and　would　like　to　meet　you。〃
　The　grin　that　broke　through　Efreet's　facial　thatch　was　crooked　but　beguiling。
　〃She'll　like　you；〃　he　announced。
　〃Are　you　sure？〃　Gentle　said。
　〃Certainly！〃
　〃Will　she　feed　us？〃
　〃For　a　furless　whitey；　anything；〃　Efreet　replied。
　Gentle　threw　the　mystif　a　doubtful　glance。　〃I　hope　you　know　what　we're　doing；〃　he　said。
　Efreet　led　the　way；　chattering　as　he　went；　asking　mostly　about　Patashoqua。　It　was；　he　said；　his　ambition　to　see　the　great　city。　Rather　than　disappoint　the　boy　by　admitting　that　he　hadn't　stepped　inside　the　gates；　Gentle　informed　him　that　it　was　a　place　of　untold　magnificence。
　〃Especially　the　Merrow　Ti'　Ti'；〃　he　said。
　The　boy　grinned　and　said　he'd　tell　everybody　he　knew　that　he'd　met　a　hairless　white　man　who'd　seen　the　Merrow　Ti'　Ti'。　From　such　innocent　lies；　Gentle　mused；　legends　came。
　At　the　door　of　the　house；　Efreet　stood　aside；　to　let　Gentle　be　first　over　the　threshold。　He　startled　the　woman　inside　with　his　appearance。　She　dropped　the　cat　she　was　bing　and　instantly　fell　to　her　knees。　Embarrassed；　Gentle　asked　her　to　stand；　but　it　was　only　after　much　persuasion　that　she　did　so；　and　even　then　she　kept　her　head　bewed；　watching　him　furtively　from　the　corners　of　her　small　dark　eyes。　She　was　short…barely　taller　than　her　son；　in　fact…her　face　fine…boned　beneath　its　down。　Her　name　was　Larumday；　she　said；　and　she　would　very　happily　extend　to　Gentle　and　his　lady　（as　she　assumed　Pie　to　be）　the　hospitality　of　her　house。　Her　younger　son；　Emblem；　was　coerced　into　helping　her　prepare　food　while　Efreet　talked　about　where　they　could　find　a　buyer　for　the　car。　Nobody　in　the　village　had　any　use　for　such　a　vehicle；　he　said；　but　in　the　hills　was　a　man　who　might。　His　name　was　Coaxial　Tasko；　and　it　came　as　a　considerable　shock　to　Efreet　that　neither　Gentle　nor　Pie　had　heard　of　the　man。
　〃Everybody　knows　Wretched　Tasko；〃　he　said。　〃He　used　to　be　a　king　in　the　Third　Dominion；　but　his　tribe's　extinct。〃
　〃Will　you　introduce　me　to　him　in　the　morning？〃　Pie　asked。
　〃That's　a　long　time　off；〃　Efreet　said。
　〃Tonight　then；〃　Pie　replied；　and　it　was　thus　agreed　between　them。
　The　food；　when　it　came；　was　simpler　than　the　fare　they'd　been　served　along　the　highway　but　no　less　tasty　for　that：　doeki　meat　marinated　in　a　root　wine；　acpanied　by　bread；　a　selection　of　pickled　goods…including　eggs　the　size　of　small　loaves…and　a　broth　which　stung　the　throat　like　chili；　bringing　tears　to　Gentle's　eyes；　much　to　Efreet's　undisguised　amusement。　While　they　ate　and　drank…the　wine　strong；　but　downed　by　the　boys　like　water…Gentle　asked　about　the　marionette　show　he'd　seen。　Ever　eager　to　parade　his　knowledge；　Efreet　explained　that　the　puppeteers　were　on　their　way　to　Patashoqua　ahead　of　the　Autarch's　host；　who　were　ing　over　the　mountains　in　the　next　few　days。　The　puppeteers　were　very　famous　in　Yzordderrex；　he　said；　at　which　point　Larumday　hushed　him。
　〃But；　Mams…〃　he　began。
　〃I　said　hush。　I　won't　have　talk　of　that　place　in　this　house。　Your　father　went　there　and　never　came　back。　Remember　that。〃
　〃I　want　to　go　there　when　I've　seen　the　Merrow　Ti'　Ti'；　like　Mr。　Gentle；〃　Efreet　replied　defiantly；　and　earned　a　sharp　slap　on　the　head　for　his　troubles。
　〃Enough；〃　Larumday　said。　〃We've　had　too　much　talk　tonight。　A　little　silence　would　be　wele。〃
　The　conversation　dwindled　thereafter；　and　it　wasn't　until　the　meal　was　finished　and　Efreet　was　preparing　to　take　Pie　up　the　hill　to　meet　Wretched　Tasko；　that　the　boy's　mood　brightened　and　his　spring　of　enthusiasms　burst　forth　afresh。　Gentle　was　ready　to　join　them；　but　Efreet　explained　that　his　mother…who　was　presently　out　of　the　room…　wanted　him　to　stay。
　〃You　should　acmodate　her；〃　Pie　remarked　when　the　boy　had　headed　out。　〃If　Tasko　doesn't　want　the　car　we　may　have　to　sell　your　body。〃
　〃I　thought　you　were　the　expert　on　that；　not　me；〃　Gentle　replied。
　〃Now；　now；〃　Pie　said；　with　a　grin。　〃I　thought　we'd　agreed　not　to　mention　my　dubious　past。〃
　〃So　go；〃　Gentle　said。　〃Leave　me　to　her　tender　mercies。　But　you'll　have　to　pick　the　fluff　from　between　my　teeth。〃
　He　found　Mother　Splendid　in　the　kitchen；　kneading　dough　for　the　morrow's　bread。
　〃You've　honored　our　home；　ing　here　and　sharing　our　table；〃　she　said　as　she　worked。　〃And　please；　don't　think　badly　of　me　for　asking；　but。　。　。〃…her　voice　became　a　frightened　whisper…〃what　do　you　want？〃
　〃Nothing；〃　Gentle　replied。　〃You've　already　been　more　than　generous。〃
　She　looked　at　him　balefully；　as　though　he　was　being　cruel；　teasing　her　in　this　fashion。
　〃I've　dreamt　about　somebody　ing　here；〃　she　said。　〃White　and　furless；　like　you。　I　wasn't　sure　whether　it　was　a　man　or　a　woman；　but　now　you're　here；　sitting　at　the　table；　I　know　it　was　you。〃
　First　Tick　Raw；　he　thought；　now　Mother　Splendid。　What　was　it　about　his　face　that　made　people　think　they　knew　him？　Did　he　have　a　doppelganger　wandering　around　the　Fourth？
　〃Who　do　you　think　I　am？〃　he　said。
　〃I　don't　know；〃　she　replied。　〃But　I　knew　that　when　you　came　everything　would　change。〃
　Her　eyes　suddenly　filled　with　tears　as　she　spoke；　and　they　ran　down　the　silky　fur　on　her　cheeks。　The　sight　of　her　distress　in　turn　distressed　him；　not　least　because　he　knew　he　was　the　cause　of　it；　but　he　didn't　know　why。　Undoubtedly　she　had　dreamt　of　him…the　look　of　shocked　recognition　on　her　face　when　he'd　first　stepped　over　the　threshold　was　ample　evidence　of　that…but　what　did　that　fact　signify？　He　and　Pie　were　here　by　chance。　They'd　be　gone　again　by　morning；　passing　through　the　millpond　of　Beatrix　leaving　nary　a　ripple。　He　had　no　significance　in　the　life　of　the　Splendid　household；　except　as　a　subject　of　conversation　when　he'd　gone。
　〃I　hope　your　life　doesn't　change；〃　he　said　to　her。　〃It　seems　very　pleasant　here。〃
　〃It　is；〃　she　said；　wiping　the　tears　away。　〃This　is　a　safe　place。　It's　good　to　raise　children　here。　I　know　Efreet　will　leave　soon。　He　wants　to　see　Patashoqua；　and　I　won't　be　able　to　stop　him。　But　Emblem　will　stay。　He　likes　the　hills；　and　tending　the　doeki。〃
　〃And　you'll　stay　too？〃
　〃Oh；　yes。　I've　done　my　wandering；〃　she　said。　〃I　lived　in　Yzordderrex；　near　the　Oke　T'Noon；　when　I　was　young。　That's　where　I　met　Eloign。　We　moved　away　as　soon　as　we　were　married。　It's　a　terrible　city；　Mr。　Gentle。〃
　〃If　it's　so　bad；　why　did　he　go　back　there？〃
　〃His　brother　joined　the　Autarch's　army；　and　when　Eloign　heard　he　went　back　to　try　and　make　him　desert。　He　said　it　brought　shame　on　the　family　to　have　a　brother　taking　a　wage　from　an　orphan…maker。〃
　〃A　man　of　principle。〃
　〃Oh；　yes；〃　said　Larumday；　with　fondness　in　her　voice。　〃He's　a　fine　man。　Quiet；　like　Emblem；　but　with　Efreet's　curiosity。　All　the　books　in　this　house　are　his。　There's　nothing　he　won't　read。〃
　〃How　long　has　he　been　away？〃
　〃Too　long；〃　she　said。　〃I'm　afraid　perhaps　his　brother's　killed　him。〃
　〃A　brother　kill　a　brother？〃　Gentle　said。　〃No。　I　can't　believe　that。〃
　〃Yzordderrex　does　strange　things　to　people；　Mr。　Gentle。　Even　good　men　lose　their　way。〃
　〃Only　men？〃　Gentle　said。
　〃It's　men　who　make　this　world；〃　she　said。　〃The　Goddesses　have　gone；　and　men　have　their　way　everywhere。〃
　There　was　no　accusation　in　this。　She　simply　stated　it　as　fact；　and　he　had　no　evidence　to　contradict　it　with。　She　asked　him　if　he'd　like　her　to　brew　tea；　but　he　declined；　saying　he　wanted　to　go　out　and　take　the　air；　perhaps　find　Pie　'oh'　pah。
　〃She's　very　beautiful；〃　Larumday　said。　〃Is　she　wise　as　well？〃
　〃Oh；　yes；〃　he　said。　〃She's　wise。〃
　〃That's　not　usually　the　way　with　beauties；　is　it？〃　she　said。　〃It's　strange　that　I　didn't　dream　her　at　the　table　too。〃
　〃Maybe　you　did；　and　you've　forgotten。〃
　She　shook　her　head。　〃Oh；　no；　I've　had　the　dream　too　many　times；　and　it's　always　the　same：　a　white　furless　someone　sitting　at　my　table；　eating　with　me　and　my　sons。〃
　〃I　wish　I　could　have　been　a　more　sparkling　guest；〃　he　said。
　〃But　you're　just　the　beginning；　aren't　you？〃　she　said。　〃What　es　after？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　he　said。　〃Maybe　your　husband；　home　from　Yzordderrex。〃
　She　looked　doubtful。　〃Something；〃　she　said。　〃Something　that'll　change　us　all。〃
　Efreet　had　said　the　climb　would　be　easy；　and　measuring　it　in　terms　of　incline；　so　it　was。　But　the　darkness　made　an　easy　route　difficult；　even　for　one　as　light…footed　as　Pie　'oh'　pah。　Efreet　was　an　acmodating　guide；　however；　slowing　his　pace　when　he　realized　Pie　was　lagging　behind　and　warning　of　places　where　the　ground　was　uncertain。　After　a　time　they　were　high　above　the　village；　with　the　snow…clad　peaks　of　the　Jokalaylau　visible　above　the　backs　of　the　hills　in　which　Beatrix　slept。　High　and　majestic　as　those　mountains　were；　the　lower　slopes　of　peaks　yet　more　monumental　were　visible　beyond　them；　their　heads　lost　in　cumulus。　Not　far　now；　the　boy　said；　and　this　time　his　promises　were　good。
　Within　a　few　yards　Pie　spotted　a　building　silhouetted　against　the　sky；　with　a　light　burning　on　its　porch。
　〃Hey；　Wretched！〃　Efreet　started　to　call　〃Someone　to　see　you！　Someone　to　see　you！〃
　There　was　no　reply　forthing；　however；　and　when　they　reached　the　house　itself　the　only　living　occupant　was　the　flame　in　the　lamp。　The　door　stood　open；　there　was　food　on　the　table。　But　of　Wretched　Tasko　there　was　no　sign。　Efreet　went　out　to　search　around；　leaving　Pie　on　the　porch。　Animals　corralled　behind　the　house　stamped　and　muttered　in　the　darkness；　there　was　a　palpable　unease。
　Efreet　came　back　moments　later。　〃I　see　him　up　the　hill！　He's　almost　at　the　top。〃
　〃What's　he　doing　there？〃　Pie　asked。
　〃Watching　the　sky；　maybe。　We'll　go　up。　He　won't　mind。〃
　They　continued　to　climb；　their　presence　now　noticed　by　the　figure　standing　on　the　hill's　higher　reaches。　〃Who　is　this？〃　he　called　down。
　〃It's　only　Efreet；　Mr。　Tasko。　I'm　with　a　friend。〃
　〃Your　voice　is　too　loud；　boy；〃　the　man　returned。　〃Keep　it　low；　will　you？〃
　〃He　wants　us　to　keep　quiet；〃　Efreet　whispered。
　〃I　understand。〃
　There　was　a　wind　blowing　on　these　heights；　and　its　chill　put　the　mystif　in　mind　of　the　fact　that　neither　Gentle　nor　itself　had　clothes　appropriate　to　the　journey　that　lay　ahead　of　them。　Coaxial　clearly　climbed　here　regularly；　he　was　wearing　a　shaggy　coat　and　a　hat　with　fur　ear　warmers。　He　was　very　clearly　not　a　local　man。　It　would　have　taken　three　of　the　villagers　to　equal　his　mass　or　strength；　and　his　skin　was　almost　as　dark　as　Pie's。
　〃This　is　my　friend　Pie　'oh'　pah；〃　Efreet　whispered　to　him　when　they　were　at　his　side。
　〃Mystif；〃　Tasko　said　instantly。
　〃Yes。〃
　〃Ah。　So　you're　a　stranger？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃From　Yzordderrex？〃
　〃No。〃
　〃That's　to　the　good；　at　least。　But　so　many　strangers；　and　all　on　the　same　night。　What　are　we　to　make　of　it？〃
　〃Are　there　others？〃　said　Efreet。
　〃Listen；〃　Tasko　said；　casting　his　gaze　over　the　valley　to　the　darkened　slopes　beyond。　〃Don't　you　hear　the　machines？〃
　〃No。　Just　the　wind。〃
　Tasko's　response　was　to　pick　the　boy　up　and　physically　point　him　in　the　direction　of　the　sound。
　〃Now　listen！〃　he　said　fiercely。
　The　wind　carried　a　low　rumble　th