rh.royalassassin-第103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！


　the　Six　Duchies　to　their　own　devices。　But　as　the　Fool　had　once　warned　me；　there　was　no　point　to　trying　to　measure　Regal's　wheat　with　my　bushels。　We　had　no　mon　standard。　Perhaps　to　insist　the　Dukes　and　nobles　of　Bearns　and　Rippon　and　Shoaks　e　to　witness　him　assume　Verity's　crown　was　some　subtle　form　of　revenge　I　could　not　understand。　Little　enough　did　he　care　what　hardship　it　worked　upon　them　to　e　to　Buckkeep　at　a　time　when　their　shores　were　so　beleaguered。　I　was　not　surprised　that　they　were　slow　to　arrive；　and　that　when　they　did；　they　were　shocked　at　the　sacking　of　Buckkeep。　Word　of　Regal's　plan　to　remove　himself　and　the　King　and　Kettricken　had　not　been　spread　to　the　Coastal　Duchies　by　any　means　other　than　rumor。
　　　　　　　But　long　before　the　Coastal　Dukes　arrived；　while　I　still　endured　the　greater　general　chaos；　the　rest　of　my　life　began　to　rattle　into　pieces。　Serene　and　Justin　began　to　haunt　me。　I　was　aware　of　them；　often　physically　following　me；　but　just　as　often　Skilling　at　the　edges　of　my　consciousness。　They　were　like　pecking　birds　e　after　any　loose　thoughts　I　might　have；　snatching　at　casual　daydreams　or　any　unguarded　moment　of　my　life。　That　was　bad　enough。　But　I　saw　them　now　as　only　the　distraction；　the　diversion　created　to　keep　me　from　being　aware　of　Will's　more　subtle　haunting。　So　I　set　my　guards　most　strongly　about　my　mind；　knowing　I　probably　shielded　out　Verity　as　well。　I　feared　this　was　their　actual　intent；　but　dared　reveal　that　fear　to　no　one。　I　watched　constantly　behind　myself；　using　every　sense　Nighteyes　and　I　possessed。　I　vowed　I　would　be　more　wary；　and　set　myself　the　task　of　discovering　what　the　other　coterie　members　worked　at。　Burl　was　at　Tradeford；　ostensibly　helping　prepare　the　place　for　King　Shrewd's　fort。　I　had　no　idea　where　Carrod　was；　and　there　was　no　one　I　could　discreetly　ask。　The　only　thing　I　could　discover　for　certain　was　that　he　was　no　longer　on　the　Constance。　So　I　worried。　And　became　almost　mad　with　worry　that　I　did　not　detect　Will　shadowing　after　me　anymore。　Did　he　know　I　had　bee　aware　of　him？　Or　was　he　so　good　I　could　not　detect　him？　I　began　to　live　my　life　as　if　every　move　I　made　were　watched。
　　　　　　　Horses　and　breeding　stock　were　not　all　that　was　taken　from　the　stables。　Burrich　told　me　one　morning　that　Hands　was　gone。　He　had　not　had　time　to　bid　anyone　good…bye。　〃They　took　the　last　of　the　good　stock　yesterday。　The　best　is　long　gone；　but　these　were　good　horses；　and　they　were　taking　them　overland　to　Tradeford。　Hands　was　simply　told　he　was　to　go　along。　He　came　to　me；　protesting；　but　I　told　him　to　go。　At　least　the　horses　will　have　well…trained　hands　taking　care　of　them　in　their　new　home。　Besides；　there　is　nothing　for　him　here。　There　is　no　stable　left　for　anyone　to　be　stablemaster　over。〃
　　　　　　　I　followed　him　silently　on　what　had　once　been　our　morning　rounds。　The　mews　held　only　ancient　or　injured　birds。　The　clamor　of　dogs　had　been　reduced　to　a　sparse　baying　and　a　few　yips。　The　horses　that　remained　were　the　unsound；　the　almost　promising；　the　past　their　prime；　the　injured　that　had　been　kept　in　the　hopes　of　breeding　something　from　them。　When　I　came　to　Sooty's　empty　stall；　my　heart　stood　still。　I　could　not　speak。　I　leaned　on　her　manger；　my　face　in　my　hands。　Burrich　put　a　hand　on　my　shoulder。　When　I　looked　up　at　him；　he　smiled　oddly。　He　shook　his　cropped　head。　〃They　came　for　her　and　Ruddy　yesterday。　I　told　them　they　were　fools；　they　had　taken　them　last　week。　And　truly　they　were　fools；　for　they　believed　me。　They　did　get　your　saddle。〃
　　　　　　　〃Where？〃　I　managed　to　ask。
　　　　　　　〃Better　you　don't　know；〃　Burrich　said　darkly。　〃One　of　us　dangling　as　a　horse　thief　would　be　quite　enough。〃　No　more　would　he　say　of　it　to　me。
　　　　　　　A　late…afternoon　visit　to　Patience　and　Lacey　was　not　the　quiet　interlude　I　had　hoped　for。　I　knocked；　and　there　was　an　uncharacteristic　pause　before　the　door　was　opened。　I　found　the　sitting　room　in　a　shambles；　worse　than　I　had　ever　seen　it；　and　Lacey　dispiritedly　trying　to　put　things　to　rights。　A　great　many　more　things　were　on　the　floor　than　usual。
　　　　　　　〃A　new　project？〃　I　hazarded；　attempting　a　bit　of　levity。
　　　　　　　Lacey　looked　at　me　glumly。　〃They　came　this　morning　to　take　my　lady's　table　away。　And　my　bed。　They　claimed　they　were　needed　for　guests。　Well；　I　shouldn't　be　surprised；　with　so　much　of　the　rest　of　the　things　gone　upriver。　But　I　greatly　doubt　that　we'll　see　either　item　again。〃
　　　　　　　〃Well；　perhaps　they'll　be　waiting　for　you　when　you　get　to　Tradeford；〃　I　suggested　inanely。　I　had　not　realized　the　whole　extent　of　the　liberties　Regal　was　taking。
　　　　　　　There　was　a　very　long　silence　before　Lacey　spoke。　〃Then　they'll　wait　a　long　time；　FitzChivalry。　We　are　not　among　those　to　be　taken　to　Tradeford。〃
　　　　　　　〃No。　We're　among　the　odd　folk　to　be　left　here；　with　the　oddments　of　furniture。〃　This　from　Patience　as　she　abruptly　reentered　the　room。　Her　eyes　were　red　and　her　cheeks　pale；　and　I　suddenly　knew　she　had　hidden　herself　when　I　first　knocked　until　she　had　her　tears　under　control。
　　　　　　　〃Then　surely　you　shall　return　to　Withywoods；〃　I　suggested。　My　mind　was　working　very　swiftly。　I　had　assumed　that　Regal　was　moving　the　entire　household　to　Tradeford。　Now　I　wondered　who　else　was　to　be　abandoned　here。　I　put　myself　at　the　head　of　the　list。　I　added　Burrich　and　Chade。　The　Fool？　Perhaps　that　was　why　he　seemed　lately　to　be　Regal's　creature。　That　he　might　be　allowed　to　follow　the　King　to　Tradeford。
　　　　　　　Odd；　how　I　had　not　even　considered　that　the　King　and　Kettricken　were　to　be　whisked　not　only　out　of　Chade's　reach；　but　mine。　Regal　had　renewed　his　orders　confining　me　to　Buckkeep　itself。　I　had　not　wanted　to　trouble　Kettricken　to　override　them。　I　had；　after　all；　promised　Chade　not　to　make　waves。
　　　　　　　〃I　cannot　return　to　Withywoods。　August　rules　there；　the　King's　nephew：　He　who　was　head　of　Galen's　coterie；　before　his　accident。　He　has　no　fondness　for　me；　and　I　have　no　right　to　demand　to　be　there。　No。　We　shall　be　staying　here；　and　making　the　best　we　can　of　it。〃
　　　　　　　I　floundered　for　whatever　fort　I　could　offer。　〃I　have　a　bed　still。　I　shall　have　it　brought　down　here　for　Lacey。　Burrich　will　help　me　bring　it。〃
　　　　　　　Lacey　shook　her　head。　〃I've　made　up　a　pallet；　and　I'll　be　fortable　enough。　Keep　it　where　it　is。　Perhaps　they　daren't　take　it　from　you。　Were　it　down　here；　no　doubt　it　would　just　be　carried　off　tomorrow。〃
　　　　　　　〃Has　King　Shrewd　no　care　for　what　is　happening？〃　Lady　Patience　asked　of　me　sadly。
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　know。　All　are　turned　away　from　his　door　these　days。　Regal　has　said　he　is　too　ill　to　see　anyone。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　thought　perhaps　it　was　just　me　he　would　not　see。　Ah；　well。　Poor　man。　To　lose　two　sons；　and　see　his　kingdom　e　to　this。　Tell　me；　how　is　Queen　Kettricken？　I　have　not　had　a　chance　to　go　see　her。〃
　　　　　　　〃Well　enough；　last　I　saw　her。　Grieved　by　her　husband's　death；　of　course；　but…〃
　　　　　　　〃Then　she　was　not　injured　in　her　fall？　I　feared　she　would　miscarry。〃　Patience　turned　aside　from　me；　to　gaze　at　a　wall　bereft　of　a　familiar　tapestry。　〃I　was　too　cowardly　to　go　and　see　her　myself；　if　you　would　know　the　truth。　I　know　too　well　the　pain　of　losing　a　child　before　you　have　held　it　in　your　arms。〃
　　　　　　　〃Her　fall？〃　I　said　stupidly。
　　　　　　　〃Had　not　you　heard？　On　those　awful　steps　ing　down　from　the　Queen's　Garden。　There　was　talk　that　some　statuary　had　been　removed　from　the　gardens；　and　she　had　gone　up　to　see　what；　and　on　her　way　back　down　she　fell。　Not　a　great　tumbling　fall；　but　heavily。　On　her　back　on　those　stone　steps。〃
　　　　　　　I　could　not　keep　my　mind　on　Patience's　conversation　after　that。　Much　of　it　centered　on　the　depletion　of　the　libraries；　a　thing　I　did　not　wish　to　think　of　anyway。　As　soon　as　I　graciously　could；　I　excused　myself；　on　the　flimsy　promise　that　I　would　bring　them　direct　word　of　the　Queen。
　　　　　　　I　was　turned　away　from　Kettricken's　door。　Several　ladies　told　me　at　once　not　to　fret；　not　to　worry；　she　was　fine；　she　but　needed　to　rest；　oh；　but　it　was　terrible　。。。。　I　endured　enough　to　be　sure　that　she　had　not　miscarried；　then　fled。
　　　　　　　But　I　did　not　go　back　to　Patience。　Not　yet。　Instead；　I　slowly　climbed　the　stairs　to　the　Queen's　Garden。　I　carried　a　lamp　with　me；　and　went　most　carefully。　On　the　tower　top；　I　found　it　was　as　I　had　feared。　The　smaller　and　more　valuable　of　the　statuary　had　been　removed。　Only　the　sheer　weight　had　saved　the　larger　pieces；　I　was　sure。　The　missing　bits　took　away　the　careful　balance　of　Kettricken's　creation　and　added　to　the　desolation　of　the　garden　in　winter。　I　shut　the　door　carefully　behind　me　and　went　down　the　steps。　Ever　so　slowly。　Ever　so　carefully。　On　the　ninth　step　down；　I　found　it。　I　nearly　discovered　it　as　Kettricken　had。　But　I　caught　my　balance　and　then　crouched　low　to　study　the　step。　Lampblack　had　been　mixed　with　the　grease；　to　take　the　sheen　off　it　and　blend　it　with　the　well…used　steps。　It　was　right　where　the　foot　would　most　naturally　fall；　especially　if　one　were　hastening　down　the　stairs　in　a　temper。　Close　enough　to　the　tower　top　that　a　slip　could　be　blamed　on　slush　or　mud　from　the　gardens　still　on　a　shoe。　I　rubbed　at　the　black　on　the　step　that　came　off　on　my　fingers；　then　sniffed　at　it。
　　　　　　　〃A　fine　bit　of　pork　fat；〃　observed　the　Fool。　I　leaped　to　my　feet　and　nearly　fell　down　the　steps。　A　wild　pinwheeling　of　my　arms　brought　my　balance　back。
　　　　　　　〃Interesting。　Do　you　think　you　could　teach　me　to　do　that？〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　funny；　Fool。　I　have　been　followed　of　late；　and　my　nerves　are　a　jangle。〃　I　peered　down　the　stairwell　into　the　darkness。　If　the　Fool　had　crept　up　on　me；　could　not　Will？　〃How's　the　King？〃　I　demanded　quietly。　If　this　attempt　had　been　made　on　Kettricken；　I　had　no　faith　in　Shrewd's　safety。
　　　　　　　〃You　tell　me。〃　The　Fool　stepped　out　of　the　shadows。　Gone　were　his　fine　clothes；　replaced　with　an　old　motley　of　blue　and　red。　It　went　well　with　the　new　bruises　that　mottled　one　side　of　his　face。　On　his　right　cheek；　the　flesh　had　been　split。　One　arm　carried　the　other　close　to　his　chest。　I　suspected　a　dislocated　shoulder。
　　　　　　　〃Not　again；〃　I　gasped。
　　　　　　　〃Exactly　what　I　said　to　them。　They　paid　small　attention。　Some　folk　just　have　not　the　knack　of　conversation。〃
　　　　　　　〃What　happened？　I　thought　you　and　Regal…〃
　　　　　　　〃Yes；　well；　not　even　a　Fool　can　seem　stupid　enough　to　please　Regal。　I　did　not　wish　to　leave　King　Shrewd's　side　today。　They　were　questioning　him　relentlessly　about　what　had　happened　the　night　of　the　feast。　I　became　perhaps　a　trifle　too　witty　in　suggesting　other　ways　they　might　amuse　themselves。　They　threw　me　out。〃
　　　　　　　My　heart　sank　in　me。　I　was　sure　I　knew　exactly　which　guard　had　assisted　him　out　the　door。　It　was　as　Burrich　had　always　warned　me。　One　could　never　know　what　Regal　might　dare。　〃What　did　the　King　tell　them？〃
　　　　　　　〃Ah！　Not；　was　the　King　all　right；　or　was　the　King　recovering？　No。　Only　what　did　the　King　tell　them？　Do　you　fear　your　precious　hide　is　in　danger；　Princeling？〃
　　　　　　　〃No。〃　I　could　feel　no　resentment　at　his　question；　or　even　how　he　phrased　it。　I　deserved　it。　I　had　not　taken　good　care　of　our　friendship　lately。　Despite　that；　when　he　needed　help；　he　had　e　to　me。　〃No。　But　as　long　as　the　King　says　nothing　of　Verity　being　alive；　then　Regal　has　no　reason　to…〃
　　　　　　　〃My　king　was　being　。。。　taciturn。　It　had　started　out　as　a　pleasant　conversation　between　father　and　son；　with　Regal　telling　him　how　pleased