anner.vittoriothevampire-第14章

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　a　lure；　a　mighty　molten　lure；　even　if　it　is　hopeless。
　One　blow　from　this　sword　and　I　can　strike　off　her　head；　I　thought；　and　heave　it　out　that　window；　and　then　what　will　she　be　but　a　demon　stripped　of　all　worldly　power？　Now　and　then　I　half…drew　my　sword；　then　put　it　back。　I　took　out　my　longest　dagger　and　slapped　the　palm　of　my　left　hand　with　its　blade。　I　never　stopped　walking。
　Suddenly；　as　I　made　one　of　my　boring　circumlocutions；　I　happened　to　spy　far　away；　on　a　distant　mountain；　in　which　direction　I　really　didn't　know　…　but　not　the　direction　by　which　I　had　e　…　a　great　quantity　of　light　playing　behind　the　mesh　of　the　sylvan　darkness。
　At　first　I　thought　this　might　be　a　fire；　there　was　so　much　light；　but　as　I　narrowed　my　eyes　and　focused　my　mind；　I　saw　that　this　was　out　of　the　question。
　There　was　no　riotous　glare　on　the　few　visible　clouds　above；　and　the　illumination；　for　all　the　breadth　of　it；　was　contained　as　if　it　emanated　from　a　vast　congregation　gathered　together　with　a　fantastical　quantity　of　candles。　How　steady　yet　pulsing　was　this　orgy　of　fierce　light！
　I　felt　a　chill　in　my　bones　as　I　looked　at　it。　It　was　a　dwelling！　I　leant　over　the　window　edge。　I　could　see　its　plex　and　sprawling　outline！　It　stood　out　from　all　the　land；　this　one　luxuriantly　lighted　castle；　all　by　itself；　and　obviously　visible　from　one　entire　side　of　this　town；　this　spectacle　of　forest…shrouded　house　in　which　some　celebration　appeared　to　require　that　every　torch　and　taper　be　lighted；　that　every　window；　battlement　and　coping　be　hung　with　lanterns。
　North；　yes；　north；　for　the　town　dropped　straight　off　behind　me；　and　this　castle　lay　north；　and　it　was　that　direction　of　which　I'd　been　warned；　and　who　in　this　town　could　not　have　known　of　this　place；　yet　there　had　not　been　one　single　solitary　mention　save　for　the　whisper　of　the　terrified　Franciscan　in　the　Inn　at　my　table。
　But　what　was　I　looking　at？　What　could　I　see？　Thick　woods；　yes；　it　was　very　high　but　surrounded　by　close　and　concealing　woods；　through　which　its　light　again　and　again　palpitated　like　a　great　menace；　but　what　was　that　ing　from　it；　what　was　that　wild；　half…visible　movement　in　the　darkness；　over　the　slopes　that　fell　away　from　the　mysterious　promontory？
　Were　there　things　moving　in　the　night？　Moving　from　that　very　distant　castle　right　towards　this　village？　Amorphous　black　things；　as　if　they　were　great　soft　shapeless　birds　following　the　alignment　of　the　land　but　free　of　its　gravity。　Were　they　ing　towards　me？　Had　I　been　charmed？　No；　I　saw　this。　Or　did　I？　There　were　dozens　of　them！　They　were　ing　closer　and　closer。
　They　were　tiny　shapes；　not　large　at　all；　the　largeness　having　been　a　delusion　caused　by　the　fact　that　they　traveled　in　packs；　these　things；　and　now；　as　they　came　near　to　the　town；　the　packs　broke　apart　and　I　saw　them　springing　up　to　the　very　walls　beyond　me　on　either　side　like　so　many　giant　moths。　I　turned　around　and　ran　to　the　window。
　They　had　descended　in　a　swarm　upon　the　town！　I　could　see　them　dip　down　and　vanish　in　the　blackness。　Below　me　on　the　piazza；　there　appeared　two　black　shapes；　men　in　streaming　capes；　who　ran　or　rather　leapt　into　the　mouths　of　the　streets；　issuing　from　their　lips　an　audible　and　audacious　laughter。　I　heard　crying　in　the　night；　I　heard　sobs。　I　heard　a　thin　wail；　and　a　muffled　groan。　No　lights　appeared　in　the　town。
　Then　out　of　the　darkness；　these　evil　things　appeared　again；　on　the　tops　of　the　walls；　running　right　on　the　edge　and　then　leaping　free。　〃God；　I　see　you！　Curse　you！〃　I　whispered。
　There　was　a　sudden　loud　noise　in　my　ears；　a　great　brush　of　soft　cloth　against　me；　and　then　the　figure　of　a　man　reared　up　before　my　face。
　〃Do　you　see　us；　my　boy？〃　It　was　a　young　man's　voice；　hearty；　full　of　merriment。　〃My　very　curious　little　boy？〃
　He　was　too　close　for　my　sword。　I　could　see　nothing　but　rising　garments。
　With　my　elbow　and　shoulder　and　all　my　strength；　I　went　for　his　groin。　His　laughter　filled　the　tower。
　〃Ah；　but　that　does　not　hurt　me；　child；　and　if　you're　so　curious；　well　then；　we'll　take　you　too　with　us　to　e　and　see　what　you　long　to　see。〃
　He　caught　me　in　a　suffocating　swaddle　of　fabric。　And　suddenly　I　felt　myself　lifted　off　the　floor；　encased　in　a　sack；　and　I　knew　we　had　left　the　tower！
　I　was　head　down；　sick　to　nausea。　It　seemed　he　flew；　carrying　me　on　his　back；　and　his　laughter　was　now　half　blown　away　by　the　wind；　and　I　could　not　free　my　arms。　I　could　feel　my　sword；　but　couldn't　reach　the　handle。
　Desperately　I　felt　for　my　dagger；　not　the　one　which　I　must　have　dropped　when　I　had　been　caught　by　him；　but　the　other　in　my　boot；　and　then　having　that；　I　twisted　and　turned　towards　the　rough　back　on　which　I　rode；　bouncing　and　growling；　and　plunged　the　dagger　through　the　cloth　over　and　over　again。　He　gave　a　wild　scream。　I　stabbed　him　again。
　My　whole　body；　inside　the　sack；　was　whipped　up　into　the　air；　away　from　him。
　〃You　little　monster；〃　he　cried。　〃You　wretched　impudent　child。〃
　We　descended　sharply；　and　then　I　felt　myself　hit　the　ground；　the　rocky　grassy　ground；　and　I　rolled　over；　tearing　at　the　fabric　of　the　blinding　sack　with　my　knife。　〃You　little　bastard；〃　he　cursed。
　〃Are　you　bleeding；　you　filthy　devil？〃　I　called　out。　〃Are　you？〃　I　ripped　at　the　sack；　lost　in　it；　rolling　over　and　over；　then　feeling　the　wet　grass　with　my　naked　hand。　I　saw　the　stars。
　Then　the　cloth　was　torn　free　of　my　struggling　limbs。　I　lay　at　his　feet；　but　only　for　a　moment。
　
　
　6
　THE　COURT　OF　THE　RUBY　GRAIL
　
　NOTHING　could　have　wrenched　the　dagger　from　my　hand。　I　cut　deep　into　his　legs；　bringing　forth　another　riot　of　I　screams　from　him。　He　picked　me　up；　indeed　hurled　me　high　in　the　air；　and　I　fell；　stunned；　onto　the　dewy　ground。
　This　gave　me　my　first　blurred　but　imperative　glimpse　of　him。　A　great　rush　of　red　light　illuminated　him；　a　hooded　and　cloaked　figure　dressed　as　a　knight；　in　long　old…fashioned　tunic　and　sleeves　of　shining　mail。　He　twisted　his　torso；　his　golden　hair　tangling　over　his　face；　obviously　in　pain　from　the　wounds　inflicted　on　his　back；　and　now　stomped　his　wounded　leg。
　I　rolled　over　twice；　holding　tight　to　the　dagger；　as　I　freed　my　sword　sufficiently　to　draw　it　out　of　the　scabbard。　I　was　on　my　feet　before　he　even　so　much　as　moved；　and　swung　the　sword　with　one　hand；　clumsily；　but　with　all　my　force；　hearing　it　smash　into　his　side　with　a　sickening　moist　slosh　of　a　sound。　The　gush　of　blood　in　the　bright　light　was　horrific　and　monstrous。
　　There　came　his　worst　cry。　He　fell　to　his　knees。
　〃Help　me；　you　imbeciles；　he's　a　devil！〃　he　screamed。　His　hood　fell　back。
　I　scanned　the　immense　fortifications　rising　to　my　right；　the　high　crenelated　towers　with　their　fluttering　flags　in　the　unsteady　glow　of　countless　lights；　just　as　I'd　glimpsed　from　the　distance　of　the　town。　It　was　a　fantastical　castle　of　pointed　roofs；　sharply　broken　arched　windows；　and　high　battlements　crowded　with　dark　figures　moving　in　silhouette　as　they　looked　down　on　our　struggle。
　There　came　rushing　down　the　wet　grass　the　figure　of　Ursula　in　a　red　gown；　cloakless；　her　hair　in　long　braids　with　red　ribbon；　rushing　towards　me。
　〃Don't　hurt　him；　I　charge　you；〃　she　screamed。　〃Don't　touch　him。〃
　A　group　of　male　figures；　all　got　up　in　the　same　old…fashioned　knightly　tunics；　down　to　their　knees；　with　somber　pointed　steel　helmets；　followed　her。　They　had　bearded　faces　all；　and　ghastly　white　skin。
　My　adversary　pitched　forward　on　the　grass；　sprouting　blood　as　if　he　were　a　hideous　fountain。　〃Look　what　he's　done　to　me；　look！〃　he　shouted。
　I　stuck　my　dagger　in　my　belt；　grabbed　the　sword　with　two　hands　and　went　at　his　neck；　letting　a　roar　escape　my　teeth　as　I　did；　and　saw　the　head　roll　over　and　over　and　down　the　hill。　〃Ah；　now　you're　dead；　you're　bloody　dead！〃　I　cried　out。　〃You　murderous　fiend；　you're　dead。　Go　get　your　head。　Put　that　back　on！〃　Ursula　flung　her　arms　around　me；　her　breasts　sealed　against　my　back。　Her　hand　imprisoned　mine　once　more　and　forced　me　to　bow　the　tip　of　the　sword　to　the　ground。
　〃Don't　touch　him；〃　she　screamed　again；　with　a　threat　in　her　voice。　〃Don't　e　near；　I　charge　you。〃
　One　of　the　others　had　recovered　the　shaggy　blond　head　of　my　foe　and　held　it　up　as　the　others　watched　the　body　twitch　and　writhe。　〃Oh；　no；　it's　too　late；〃　said　one　of　the　men。
　〃No；　put　it　back；　put　it　on　his　neck；〃　cried　another。
　〃Let　me　go；　Ursula；〃　I　said。　〃Let　me　die　with　honor；　will　you　do　me　that　courtesy！〃　I　struggled。　〃Let　me　free；　to　die　in　my　own　way；　will　you　do　that　much？〃
　〃No；〃　she　said　hotly　into　my　ear。　〃I　will　not。〃
　I　was　absolutely　powerless　against　her　strength；　no　matter　how　soft　the　cushion　of　her　breasts　or　how　cool　and　soft　her　fingers。　She　had　plete　mastery　of　me。　〃Go　to　Godric；〃　cried　one　of　the　men。
　The　other　two　had　picked　up　the　writhing；　kicking；　headless　man。　〃Take　him　to　Godric；〃　said　the　one　who　carried　the　head。　〃Only　Godric　can　pronounce　on　this。〃
　Ursula　let　out　a　loud　wail。　〃Godric！〃　It　was　like　the　howl　of　the　wind　or　a　beast；　it　was　so　shrill；　so　immense；　echoing　off　the　walls。
　High　up；　against　the　wide　gaping　arched　doorway　of　the　citadel；　his　back　to　the　light；　there　stood　a　slender　elderly　figure；　limbs　bent　with　age。
　〃Bring　them　both；〃　he　called　out。　〃Ursula；　quiet　yourself；　lest　you　frighten　everyone。〃
　I　made　a　swift　bid　for　freedom。　She　tightened　her　grip。　There　came　the　pinprick　of　her　teeth　in　my　neck。　〃Oh；　no；　Ursula；　let　me　see　what's　to　happen！〃　I　whispered。　But　I　could　feel　the　murky　clouds　rising　about　me；　as　though　the　air　itself　had　thickened　and　was　enfolding　me　with　scent　and　sound　and　the　sensuous　force。
　Oh；　love　you；　want　you；　yes；　I　did　and　can't　deny　it。　I　felt　myself　holding　her　in　the　high　moist　grasses　of　the　field；　and　she　lay　beneath　me；　but　these　were　dreams　and　there　were　no　wild　red　flowers；　and　I　was　being　taken　somewhere；　and　she　had　but　weakened　me；　pulled　on　my　heart　with　the　force　of　her　own。
　I　tried　to　curse　her。　All　around　us　lay　the　flowers　and　the　grasses；　and　she　said；　〃Run；〃　but　this　was　quite　impossible　because　it　was　not　made　of　truth；　but　of　fantasy　and　the　sucking　of　her　mouth　on　me　and　her　limbs　entwining　me　as　if　she　were　a　serpent。
　A　French　castle。　It　was　as　though　I　had　been　transported　to　the　north。　I　had　opened　my　eyes。　All　the　accoutrements　of　a　French　court。
　Even　the　dim　sedate　music　which　I　could　hear　made　me　think　of　old…fashioned　French　songs　sung　at　suppers　in　long…ago　childhood。
　I　awoke；　sitting　cross…legged　on　a　carpet；　slumped　over；　and　came　to　myself　rubbing　my　neck　and　feeling　about　desperately　for　weapons　which　had　all　been　taken　from　me。　I　nearly　lost　my　balance　and　fell　backward。
　The　music　was　repetitive　and　dull　and　pounding　as　it　rose　up　from　some　faraway　place　below；　with　too　many　muffled　drums　and　the　thin　nasal　whine　of　horns。　It　had　no　melody。
　I　looked　up。　French；　yes；　the　high　narrow　pointed　archway　that　led　to　a　long　balcony　outside；　below　which　some　great　celebration　was　in　noisy　progress。　Fancy　French；　the　tapestries　of　the　ladies　with　their　tall　cone…shaped　hats；　and　their　snow…white　unicorns。
　Quaint　antique；　like　the　illustrations　in　prayer　books　of　courts　in　which　poets　sat　reading　aloud　the　boring　and　tedious　Roman　de　la　Rose；　or　the　fables　of　Reynard　the　Fox。
　The　window　was　draped　in　blue　satin　covered　in