cb.imajica1-第68章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


of　boots　on　stone　announced　the　proximity　of　guards；　but　Huzzah　was　as　alive　to　their　danger　as　Gentle　and　twice　saved　them　from　discovery。
　And　then；　as　they　climbed　the　final　flight　of　stairs　that　would　bring　them　out　into　the　open　air；　a　din　erupted　not　far　from　them。　They　both　froze；　drawing　back　into　the　shadows；　but　they　weren't　the　cause　of　the　motion。　It　was　N'ashap's　voice　that　came　echoing　along　the　corridor；　acpanied　by　a　dreadful　hammering。　Gentle's　first　thought　was　of　Pie；　and　before　mon　sense　could　intervene　he'd　broken　cover　and　was　heading　towards　the　source　of　the　sound；　glancing　back　once　to　signal　that　Huzzah　should　stay　where　she　was；　only　to　find　that　she　was　already　on　his　heels。　He　recognized　the　passageway　ahead。　The　open　door　twenty　yards　from　where　he　stood　was　the　door　of　the　cell　he'd　left　Pie　in。　And　it　was　from　there　that　the　sound　of　N'ashap's　voice　emerged；　a　garbled　stream　of　insults　and　accusations　that　was　already　bringing　guards　running。　Gentle　drew　a　deep　breath；　preparing　for　the　violence　that　was　surely　inevitable　now。
　〃No　further；〃　he　told　Huzzah；　then　raced　towards　the　open　door。
　Three　guards；　two　of　them　Oethacs；　were　approaching　from　the　opposite　direction；　but　only　one　of　the　two　had　his　eyes　on　Gentle。　The　man　shouted　an　order　which　Gentle　didn't　catch　over　N'ashap's　cacophony；　but　Gentle　raised　his　arms；　open…palmed；　fearful　that　the　man　would　be　trigger…happy；　and　at　the　same　time　slowed　his　run　to　a　walk。　He　was　within　ten　paces　of　the　door；　but　the　guards　were　there　ahead　of　him。　There　was　a　brief　exchange　with　N'a…shap；　during　which　Gentle　had　time　to　halve　the　distance　between　himself　and　the　door；　but　a　second　order…this　time　plainly　a　demand　that　he　stand　still；　backed　up　by　the　guard's　training　his　weapon　at　Gentle's　heart…brought　him　to　a　halt。
　He'd　no　sooner　done　so　than　N'ashap　emerged　from　the　cell；　with　one　hand　in　Pie's　ringlets　and　the　other　holding　his　sword；　a　gleaming　sweep　of　steel；　to　the　mystif　s　belly。　The　scars　on　N'ashap's　swollen　head　were　inflamed　by　the　drink　in　his　system；　the　rest　of　his　skin　was　dead　white；　almost　waxen。　He　reeled　as　he　stood　in　the　doorway；　all　the　more　dangerous　for　his　lack　of　equilibrium。　The　mystif　had　proved　in　New　York　it　could　survive　traumas　that　would　have　laid　any　human　dead　in　the　gutter。　But　N'ashap's　blade　was　ready　to　gut　it　like　a　fish；　and　there'd　be　no　surviving　that。　The　mander's　tiny　eyes　fixed　as　best　they　could　on　Gentle。
　〃Your　mystif　s　very　faithful　all　of　a　sudden；〃　he　said；　panting。　〃Why's　that？　First　it　es　looking　for　me；　then　it　won't　let　me　near　it。　Maybe　it　needs　your　permission；　is　that　it？　So　give　it。〃　He　pushed　the　blade　against　Pie's　belly。　〃Go　on。　Tell　it　to　be　friendly；　or　it's　dead。〃
　Gentle　lowered　his　hands　a　little；　very　slowly；　as　if　in　an　attempt　to　appeal　to　Pie。　〃I　don't　think　we　have　much　choice；〃　he　said；　his　eyes　going　between　the　mystif　s　impassive　face　and　the　sword　poised　at　its　belly；　putting　the　time　it　would　take　for　a　pneuma　to　blow　N'ashap's　head　off　against　the　speed　of　the　captain's　blade。
　N'ashap　was　not　the　only　player　in　the　scene；　of　course。　There　were　three　guards　already　here；　all　armed；　and　doubtless　more　on　their　way。
　〃You'd　better　do　what　he　wants；〃　Gentle　said；　drawing　a　deep　breath　as　he　finished　speaking。
　N'ashap　saw　him　do　so；　and　saw　too　his　hand　going　to　his　mouth。　Even　drunk；　he　sensed　his　danger　and　loosed　a　shout　to　the　men　in　the　passageway　behind　him；　stepping　out　of　their　line　of　fire；　and　Gentle's；　as　he　did　so。
　Denied　one　target；　Gentle　unleashed　his　breath　against　the　other。　The　pneuma　flew　at　the　guards　as　their　trigger　fingers　tightened；　striking　the　nearest　with　such　violence　his　chest　erupted。　The　force　of　the　blow　threw　the　body　back　against　the　other　two。　One　went　down　immediately；　his　weapon　flying　from　his　hand。　The　other　was　momentarily　blinded　by　blood　and　a　shrapnel　of　innards　but　was　quick　to　regain　his　balance；　and　would　have　blown　Gentle's　head　off　had　his　target　not　been　on　the　move；　flinging　himself　towards　the　corpse。　The　guard　fired　once　wildly；　but　before　he　could　fire　again　Gentle　had　snatched　up　the　dropped　weapon　and　answered　the　fire　with　his　own。　The　guard　had　enough　Oethac　blood　to　be　indifferent　to　the　bullets　that　came　his　way；　till　one　found　his　spattered　eye　and　blew　it　out。　He　shrieked　and　fell　back；　dropping　his　gun　to　clamp　both　hands　to　the　wound。
　Ignoring　the　third　man；　still　moaning　on　the　floor；　Gentle　went　to　the　cell　door。　Inside；　Captain　N'ashap　stood　face　to　face　with　Pie　'oh'　pah。　The　mystif　s　hand　was　on　the　blade。　Blood　ran　from　the　sliced　palm；　but　the　mander　was　making　no　attempt　to　do　further　damage。　He　was　staring　at　Pie's　face；　his　own　expression　perplexed。
　Gentle　halted；　knowing　any　intervention　on　his　part　would　snap　N'ashap　out　of　his　distracted　state。　Whoever　he　was　seeing　in　Pie's　place…the　whore　who　resembled　his　mother；　perhaps；　another　echo　of　Tishalulle；　in　this　place　of　lost　mamas？…it　was　sufficient　to　keep　the　blade　from　removing　the　mystif　s　fingers。
　Tears　began　to　well　in　N'ashap's　eyes。　The　mystif　didn't　move；　nor　did　its　gaze　flicker　from　the　captain's　face　for　an　instant。　It　seemed　to　be　winning　the　battle　between　N'ashap's　desire　and　his　murderous　intention。　His　hand　un…knotted　from　around　the　sword。　The　mystif　opened　its　own　fingers；　and　the　weight　of　the　sword　carried　it　out　of　the　captain's　grip　to　the　ground。　The　noise　it　made　striking　the　stone　was　too　loud　to　go　unheard　by　N'ashap；　however　entranced　he　was；　and　he　shook　his　head　violently；　his　gaze　going　instantly　from　Pie's　face　to　the　weapon　that　had　fallen　between　them。
　The　mystif　was　quick：　at　the　door　in　two　strides。　Gentle　drew　breath；　but　as　his　hand　went　to　his　mouth　he　heard　a　shriek　from　Huzzah。　He　glanced　down　the　corridor　towards　the　child；　who　was　retreating　before　two　more　guards；　both　Oethacs；　one　snatching　at　her　as　she　fled；　the　other　with　his　sights　on　Gentle。　Pie　seized　his　arm　and　dragged　him　back　from　the　door　as　N'ashap；　still　rising　as　he　came；　ran　at　them　with　his　sword。　The　time　to　dispatch　him　with　a　pneuma　had　passed。　All　Gentle　had　space　to　do　was　seize　the　door　handle　and　slam　the　cell　closed。　The　key　was　in　the　lock；　and　he　turned　it　as　N'ashap's　bulk　slammed　against　the　other　side。
　Huzzah　was　running　now；　her　pursuer　between　the　second　guard　and　his　target。　Tossing　the　gun　to　Pie；　Gentle　went　to　snatch　Huzzah　up　before　the　Oethac　took　her。　She　was　in　his　arms　with　a　stride　to　spare；　and　he　flung　them　both　aside　to　give　Pie　a　clear　line　of　fire。　The　pursuing　Oethac　realized　his　jeopardy　and　went　for　his　own　weapon。　Gentle　looked　around　at　Pie。
　〃Kill　the　fuckers！〃　he　yelled；　but　the　mystif　was　staring　at　the　gun　in　its　hand　as　though　it　had　found　shite　there。
　〃Pie！　For　Christ's　sake！　Kill　them！〃
　Now　the　mystif　raised　the　gun；　but　still　it　seemed　incapable　of　pulling　the　trigger。
　〃Do　it！〃　Gentle　yelled。
　The　mystif　shook　its　head；　however；　and　would　have　lost　them　all　their　lives　had　two　clean　shots　not　struck　the　back　of　the　guards'　necks；　dropping　them　both　to　the　ground。
　〃Papa！〃　Huzzah　said。
　It　was　indeed　the　sergeant；　with　Scopique　in　tow；　who　emerged　through　the　smoke。　His　eyes　weren't　on　his　daughter；　whom　he'd　just　saved　from　death。　They　were　on　the　soldiers　he'd　dispatched　to　do　so。　He　looked　traumatized　by　the　deed。　Even　when　Huzzah　went　to　him；　sobbing　with　relief　and　fear；　he　barely　noticed　her。　It　wasn't　until　Gentle　shook　him　from　his　daze　of　guilt；　saying　they　should　get　going　while　they　had　half　a　chance；　that　he　spoke。
　〃They　were　my　men；〃　he　said。
　〃And　this　is　your　daughter；〃　Gentle　replied。　〃You　made　the　right　choice。〃
　N'ashap　was　still　battering　at　the　cell　door；　yelling　for　help。　It　could　only　be　moments　before　he　got　it。
　〃What's　the　quickest　way　out？〃　Gentle　asked　Scopique。
　〃I　want　to　let　the　others　out　first；〃　Scopique　replied。　〃Father　Athanasius；　Izaak；　Squalling…〃
　〃There's　no　time；〃　Gentle　said。　〃Tell　him；　Pie！　We　have　to　go　now　or　not　at　all。　Pie？　Are　you　with　us？〃
　〃Yes。　。　。。〃
　〃Then　stop　dreaming　and　let's　get　going。〃
　Still　protesting　that　they　couldn't　leave　the　rest　under　lock　and　key；　Scopique　led　the　quintet　up　by　a　back　way　into　the　night　air。　They　came　out　not　onto　the　parapet　but　onto　bare　rock。
　〃Which　way　now？〃　Gentle　asked。
　There　was　already　a　proliferation　of　shouts　from　below。　N'ashap　had　doubtless　been　liberated　and　would　be　ordering　a　full　alert。
　〃We　have　to　head　for　the　nearest　landfall。〃
　〃That's　the　peninsula；〃　Scopique　said；　redirecting　Gentle's　gaze　across　the　Cradle　towards　an　arm　of　low…lying　land　that　was　barely　discernible　in　the　murk　of　the　night。
　That　murk　was　their　best　ally　now。　If　they　moved　fast　enough　it　would　cloak　them　before　their　pursuers　even　knew　which　direction　they'd　headed　in。　There　was　a　beetling　pathway　down　the　island's　face　to　the　shore；　and　Gentle　led　the　way；　aware　that　every　one　of　the　four　who　were　following　was　a　liability：　Huzzah　a　child；　her　father　still　racked　by　guilt；　Scopique　casting　backwards　glances；　and　Pie　still　dazed　by　the　bloodshed。　This　last　was　odd　in　a　creature　he'd　first　encountered　in　the　guise　of　assassin；　but　then　this　journey　had　changed　them　both。
　As　they　reached　the　shore；　Scopique　said；　〃I'm　sorry；　I　can't　go。　You　all　head　on。　I'm　going　to　try　and　get　back　in　and　let　the　others　out。〃
　Gentle　didn't　attempt　to　persuade　him　otherwise。　〃If　that's　what　you　want　to　do；　good　luck；〃　he　said。　〃We　have　to　go。〃
　〃Of　course　you　do！　Pie；　I'm　sorry；　my　friend；　but　I　couldn't　live　with　myself　if　I　turned　my　back　on　the　others。　We've　suffered　too　long　together。〃　He　took　the　mystifs　hand。　〃Before　you　say　it；　I'll　stay　alive。　I　know　my　duty；　and　I'll　be　ready　when　the　time　es。〃
　〃I　know　you　will；〃　the　mystif　replied；　drawing　the　handshake　into　an　embrace。
　〃It　will　be　soon；〃　Scopique　said。
　〃Sooner　than　I'd　wish；〃　Pie　replied；　then；　leaving　Scopique　to　head　back　up　the　cliff　face；　the　mystif　joined　Gentle；　Huzzah；　and　Aping；　who　were　already　ten　yards　from　the　shore。
　The　exchange　between　Pie　and　Scopique…with　its　intimation　of　a　shared　agenda　hitherto　kept　secret…had　not　gone　unnoted　by　Gentle；　nor　would　it　go　unquestioned。　But　this　was　not　the　time。　They　had　at　least　half　a　dozen　miles　to　travel　before　they　reached　the　peninsula；　and　there　was　already　a　swell　of　noise　from　behind　them；　signaling　pursuit。　Torch　beams　raked　the　shore　as　the　first　of　N'a…shap's　troops　emerged　to　give　chase；　and　from　within　the　walls　of　the　asylum　rose　the　din　of　the　prisoners；　finally　giving　voice　to　their　rage。　That；　like　the　murk；　might　confound　the　hounds；　but　not　for　long。
　The　torches　had　found　Scopique；　and　the　beams　now　scanned　the　shore　he'd　been　ascending　from；　each　sweep　wider　than　the　one　that　preceded　it。　Aping　was　carrying　Huzzah；　which　speeded　their　progress　somewhat；　and　Gentle　was　just　beginning　to　think　that　they　might　stand　a　chance　of　survival　when　one　of　the　torches　caught　them。　It　was　weak　at　such　a　distance；　but　strong　enough　that　its　light　picked　them　out。　Gunfire　followed　immediately。　They　were　difficult　targets；　however；　and　the　bullets　went　well　wide。
　〃They'll　catch　us　now；〃　Aping　gasped。　〃We　should　surrender。〃　He　set　his