cb.imajica1-第67章

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　〃I　would　have　been　once；〃　Gentle　said。　〃But　it　didn't　mean　that　much　when　she　said　it。　After　a　few　weeks　with　you；　I　didn't　give　a　shit　what　sex　I　was。　See　how　you've　corrupted　me？〃
　〃My　pleasure。　Is　there　any　more　to　this　story；　or　is　that　it？〃
　〃No；　there's　more。　She　started　talking　about　Goddesses；　I　remember。　About　how　they　were　hidden　away。　。　。。〃
　〃And　you　think　Huzzah's　found　one？〃
　〃We　saw　acolytes　in　the　mountains；　didn't　we？　Why　not　a　Deity？　Maybe　Huzzah　did　go　dreaming　for　her　mother。　。　。〃
　〃。　。　。　but　instead　she　found　a　Goddess。〃
　〃Yes。　Tishalulle；　out　there　in　the　Cradle；　waiting　to　rise。〃
　〃You　like　the　idea；　don't　you？〃
　〃Of　hidden　Goddesses？　Oh；　yes。　Maybe　it's　just　the　woman　chaser　in　me。　Or　maybe　I'm　like　Huzzah；　waiting　for　someone　I　can't　remember；　wanting　to　see　some　face　or　other；　e　to　fetch　me　away。〃
　〃I'm　already　here；〃　Pie　said；　kissing　the　back　of　Gentle's　neck。　〃Every　face　you　ever　wanted。〃
　〃Even　a　Goddess？〃
　〃Ah…〃
　The　sound　of　the　bolts　being　drawn　aside　silenced　them。　The　guard　had　returned　with　the　news　that　Captain　N'a…shap　had　consented　to　see　the　mystif。
　〃If　you　see　Aping；〃　Gentle　said　as　it　left；　〃will　you　tell　him　I'd　love　to　sit　and　talk　painting　with　him？〃
　〃I'll　do　that。〃
　They　parted；　and　Gentle　returned　to　the　window。　The　clouds　had　thickened　their　defenses　against　the　suns；　and　the　Cradle　lay　still　and　empty　again　beneath　their　blanket。　Gentle　said　again　the　name　Huzzah　had　shared　with　him；　the　word　that　was　shaped　like　a　breaking　wave。
　〃Tishalulle。〃
　The　sea　remained　motionless。　Goddesses　didn't　e　at　a　call。　At　least；　not　his。
　He　was　just　estimating　the　time　that　Pie　had　been　away…　and　deciding　it　was　an　hour　or　more…when　Aping　appeared　at　the　cell　door；　dismissing　the　guard　from　his　post　while　he　talked。
　〃Since　when　have　you　been　under　lock　and　key？〃　he　asked　Gentle。
　〃Since　this　morning。〃
　〃But　why？　I　understood　from　the　captain　that　you　and　the　mystif　were　guests；　after　a　fashion。〃
　〃We　were。〃
　A　twitch　of　anxiety　passed　over　Aping's　features。　〃If　you're　a　prisoner　here；〃　he　said　stiffly；　〃then　of　course　the　situation's　changed。〃
　〃You　mean　we　won't　be　able　to　debate　painting？〃
　〃I　mean　you　won't　be　leaving。〃
　〃What　about　your　daughter？〃
　〃That's　academic　now。〃
　〃You'll　let　her　languish；　will　you？　You'll　let　her　die？〃
　〃She　won't　die。〃
　〃I　think　she　will。〃
　Aping　turned　his　back　on　his　tempter。　'The　law　is　the　law；〃　he　said。
　〃I　understand；〃　Gentle　replied　softly。　〃Even　artists　have　to　bow　to　that　master；　I　suppose。〃
　〃I　understand　what　you're　doing；〃　Aping　said。　〃Don't　think　I　don't。〃
　〃She's　a　child；　Aping。〃
　〃Yes。　I　know。　But　I'll　have　to　tend　to　her　as　best　I　can。〃
　〃Why　don't　you　ask　her　whether　she's　seen　her　own　death？〃
　〃Oh；　Jesu；〃　Aping　said；　stricken。　He　began　to　shake　his　head。　〃Why　must　this　happen　to　me？〃
　〃It　needn't。　You　can　save　her。〃
　〃It　isn't　so　clear…cut；〃　Aping　said；　giving　Gentle　a　harried　look。　〃I　have　my　duty。〃
　He　took　a　handkerchief　from　his　trouser　pocket　and　wiped　hard　at　his　mouth；　back　and　forth；　as　though　a　residue　of　guilt　clung　there　and　he　was　afraid　it　would　give　him　away。
　〃I　have　to　think；〃　he　said；　going　back　to　the　door。　〃It　seemed　so　easy。　But　now。　。　。　I　have　to　think。〃
　The　guard　was　at　his　post　again　when　the　door　opened；　and　Gentle　was　obliged　to　let　the　sergeant　go　without　having　the　chance　to　broach　the　subject　of　Scopique。
　There　was　further　frustration　when　Pie　returned。　N'a…shap　had　kept　the　mystif　waiting　two　hours　and　had　finally　decided　not　to　grant　the　promised　interview。
　〃I　heard　him　even　if　I　didn't　see　him；〃　Pie　said。　〃He　sounded　to　be　roaring　drunk。〃
　〃So　both　of　us　were　out　of　luck。　I　don't　think　Aping's　going　to　help　us。　If　the　choice　is　between　his　daughter　and　his　duty　he'll　choose　his　duty。〃　〃So　we're　stuck　here。〃　〃Until　we　plot　another　plot。〃　〃Shit。〃
　
　Night　fell　without　the　suns　appearing　again；　the　only　sound　throughout　the　building　that　of　the　guards　proceeding　up　and　down　the　corridors；　bringing　food　to　the　cells；　then　slamming　and　locking　the　doors　until　dawn。　Not　a　single　voice　was　raised　to　protest　the　fact　that　the　privileges　of　the　evening…games　of　Horsebone；　recitations　of　scenes　from　Quexos；　and　Malbaker's　Numbubo；　works　many　here　knew　by　heart…had　been　withdrawn。　There　was　a　universal　reluctance　to　make　a　peep；　as　if　each　man；　alone　in　his　cell；　was　prepared　to　forgo　every　fort；　even　that　of　praying　aloud；　to　keep　themselves　from　being　noticed。
〃N'ashap　must　be　dangerous　when　drunk；〃　Pie　said；　by　way　of　explanation　for　this　breathless　hush。
　〃Maybe　he's　fond　of　midnight　executions。〃
　〃I'd　take　a　bet　on　who's　top　of　his　list。〃
　〃I　wish　I　felt　stronger。　If　they　e　for　us；　we'll　fight；　right？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　Pie　said。　〃But　until　they　do；　why　don't　you　sleep　for　a　while？〃
　〃You　must　be　kidding。〃
　〃At　least　stop　pacing　about。〃
　〃I've　never　been　locked　up　by　anybody　before。　It　makes　me　claustrophobic。〃
　〃One　pneuma　and　you　could　be　out　of　here；〃　Pie　reminded　him。
　〃Maybe　that's　what　we　should　be　doing。〃
　〃If　we're　pressed。　But　we're　not　yet。　For　Christ's　sake；　lie　down。〃
　Reluctantly；　Gentle　did　so；　and　despite　the　anxieties　that　lay　down　beside　him　to　whisper　in　his　ear；　his　body　was　more　interested　in　rest　than　their　pany；　and　he　quickly　fell　asleep。
　He　was　woken　by　Pie；　who　murmured；　〃You've　got　a　visitor。〃
　He　sat　up。　The　cell's　light　had　been　turned　off；　and　had　it　not　been　for　the　smell　of　oil　paint　he'd　not　have　known　the　identity　of　the　man　at　the　door。
　〃Zacharias。　I　need　your　help。〃
　〃What's　wrong？〃
　〃Huzzah　is　。　。　。　I　think　she's　going　crazy。　You've　got　to　e。〃　His　whispering　voice　trembled。　So　did　the　hand　he　laid　on　Gentle's　arm。　〃I　think　she's　dying；〃　he　said。
　〃If　I　go；　Pie　es　too。〃
　〃No；　I　can't　take　that　risk。〃
　〃And　I　can't　take　the　risk　of　leaving　my　friend　here；〃　Gentle　said。
　〃And　I　can't　take　the　risk　of　being　found　out。　If　there　isn't　somebody　in　the　cell　when　the　guard　passes…〃
　〃He's　right；〃　said　Pie。　〃Go　on。　Help　the　child。〃
　〃Is　that　wise？〃
　〃passion's　always　wise。〃
　〃All　right。　But　stay　awake。　We　haven't　said　our　prayers　yet。　We　need　both　our　breaths　for　that。〃
　〃I　understand。〃
　Gentle　slipped　out　into　the　passage　with　Aping；　who　winced　at　every　click　the　key　made　as　he　locked　the　door。　So　did　Gentle。　The　thought　of　leaving　Pie　alone　in　the　cell　sickened　him。　But　there　seemed　to　be　no　other　choice。
　〃We　may　need　a　doctor's　help；〃　Gentle　said　as　they　crept　down　the　darkened　corridors。　〃I　suggest　you　fetch　Scopique　from　his　cell。〃
　〃Is　he　a　doctor？〃
　〃He　certainly　is。〃
　〃It's　you　she's　asking　for；〃　Aping　said。　〃I　don't　know　why。　She　just　woke　up；　sobbing　and　begging　me　to　fetch　you。　She's　so　cold！〃
　With　Aping's　knowledge　of　how　regularly　each　floor　and　passageway　was　patrolled　to　aid　them；　they　reached　Huzzah's　cell　without　encountering　a　single　guard。　The　girl　wasn't　lying　on　her　bed；　as　Gentle　had　expected；　but　was　crouched　on　the　floor；　with　her　head　and　hands　pressed　against　one　of　the　walls。　A　single　wick　burned　in　a　bowl　in　the　middle　of　the　cell；　her　face　unwarmed　by　its　light。　Though　she　registered　their　appearance　with　a　glance；　she　didn't　move　from　the　wall；　so　Gentle　went　to　where　she　was　crouching　and　did　the　same。　Shudders　passed　through　her　body；　though　her　bangs　were　plastered　to　her　brow　with　sweat。
　〃What　can　you　hear？〃　Gentle　asked　her。
　〃She's　not　in　my　dreams　any　more；　Mr。　Zacharias；〃　she　said；　pronouncing　his　name　with　precision；　as　though　the　proper　naming　of　the　forces　around　her　would　offer　her　some　little　control　over　them。
　〃Where　is　she？〃　Gentle　inquired。
　〃She's　outside。　I　can　hear　her。　Listen。〃
　He　put　his　head　to　the　wall。　There　was　indeed　a　murmur　in　the　stone；　though　he　guessed　its　source　was　either　the　asylum's　generator　or　its　furnace　rather　than　the　Cradle　Lady。
　〃Do　you　hear？〃
　〃Yes；　I　hear。〃
　〃She　wants　to　e　in；〃　Huzzah　said。　〃She　tried　to　e　in　through　my　dreams；　but　she　couldn't；　so　now　she's　ing　through　the　wall；〃
　〃Maybe　。　。　。　we　should　move　away　then；〃　Gentle　said；　reaching　to　put　his　hand　on　the　girl's　shoulder。　She　was　icy。　〃e　on；　let　me　take　you　back　to　bed。　You're　cold。〃
　〃I　was　in　the　sea；〃　she　said；　allowing　Gentle　to　put　his　arms　around　her　and　draw　her　to　her　feet。
　He　looked　towards　Aping　and　mouthed　the　word　Sco…pique。　Seeing　his　daughter's　frailty；　the　sergeant　went　from　the　door　as　obediently　as　a　dog；　leaving　his　Huzzah　clinging　to　Gentle。　He　set　her　down　on　the　bed　and　wrapped　a　blanket　around　her。
　〃The　Cradle　Lady　knows　you're　here；〃　Huzzah　said。
　〃Does　she？〃
　〃She　told　me　she　almost　drowned　you；　but　you　wouldn't　let　her。〃
　〃Why　would　she　want　to　do　that？〃
　〃I　don't　know。　You'll　have　to　ask　her；　when　she　es　in。〃
　〃You're　not　afraid　of　her？〃
　〃Oh；　no。　Are　you？〃
　〃Well；　if　she　tried　to　drown　me…〃
　〃She　won't　do　that　again；　if　you　stay　with　me。　She　likes　me；　and　if　she　knows　I　like　you　she　won't　hurt　you。〃
　〃That's　good　to　know；〃　Gentle　said。　〃What　would　she　think　if　we　were　to　leave　here　tonight？〃
　〃We　can't　do　that。〃
　〃Why　not？〃
　〃I　don't　want　to　go　up　there；〃　she　said。　〃I　don't　like　it。〃
　〃Everybody's　asleep；〃　he　said。　〃We　could　just　tiptoe　away。　You　and　me　and　my　friends。　That　wouldn't　be　so　bad；　would　it？〃　She　looked　unpersuaded。　〃I　think　your　papa　would　like　us　to　go　to　Yzordderrex。　Have　you　ever　been　there？〃
　〃When　I　was　very　little。〃
　〃We　could　go　again。〃
　Huzzah　shook　her　head。　〃The　Cradle　Lady　won't　let　us；〃　she　said。
　〃She　might；　if　she　knew　that　was　what　you　wanted。　Why　don't　we　go　up　and　have　a　look？〃
　Huzzah　glanced　back　towards　the　wall；　as　if　she　was　expecting　Tishalull6's　tide　to　crack　the　stone　there　and　then。　When　nothing　happened；　she　said；　〃Yzordderrex　is　a　very　long　way；　isn't　it？〃
　〃It's　quite　a　journey；　yes。〃
　〃I've　read　about　it　in　my　books。〃
　〃Why　don't　you　put　on　some　warm　clothes？〃　Gentle　said。
　Her　doubts　banished　by　the　tacit　approval　of　the　Goddess；　Huzzah　got　up　and　went　to　select　some　clothes　from　her　meager　wardrobe；　which　hung　from　hooks　on　the　opposite　wall。　Gentle　took　the　opportunity　to　glance　through　the　small　stack　of　books　at　the　end　of　the　bed。　Several　were　entertainments　for　children；　keepsakes；　perhaps；　of　happier　times；　one　was　a　hefty　encyclopedia　by　someone　called　Maybellome；　which　might　have　made　informative　reading　under　other　circumstances　but　was　too　densely　printed　to　be　skimmed　and　too　heavy　to　be　taken　along。　There　was　a　volume　of　poems　that　read　like　nonsense　rhymes；　and　what　appeared　to　be　a　novel；　Huzzah's　place　in　it　marked　with　a　slip　of　paper。　He　pocketed　it　when　her　back　was　turned；　as　much　for　himself　as　her；　then　went　to　the　door　in　the　hope　that　Aping　and　Scopique　were　within　sighting　distance。　There　was　no　sign。　Huzzah　had　meanwhile　finished　dressing。
　〃I'm　ready；〃　she　said。　〃Shall　we　go？　Papa　will　find　us。〃
　〃I　hope　so；〃　Gentle　replied。
　Certainly　remaining　in　the　cell　was　a　waste　of　valuable　time。　Huzzah　asked　if　she　could　take　Gentle's　hand；　to　which　he　said　of　course；　and　together　they　began　to　thread　their　way　through　the　passageways；　all　of　which　looked　bewilderingly　alike　in　the　semidarkness。　Their　progress　was　halted　several　times　when　the　sound　of　bo