rh.royalassassin-第17章

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es　far　inland　to　the　Inland　Duchies。　The　land　closest　to　the　river　mouth　was　susceptible　to　flooding；　and　the　anchorage　unpredictable　as　the　river　shifted　in　its　course。　So　the　folk　of　Buckkeep　Town　lived　crowded　together　on　the　steep　cliffs　above　the　harbor　like　the　birds　on　Egg　Bluffs。　It　made　for　narrow；　badly　cobbled　streets　that　wound　back　and　forth　across　the　steepness　as　they　made　their　way　down　to　the　water。　The　houses；　shops；　and　inns　clung　humbly　to　the　cliff　face；　endeavoring　to　offer　no　resistance　to　the　winds　that　were　almost　constant　there。　Higher　up　the　cliff　face；　the　more　ambitious　homes　and　businesses　were　of　timber；　with　their　foundations　cut　into　the　stone　of　the　cliffs　themselves。　But　I　knew　little　of　that　stratum。　I　had　run　and　played　as　a　child　among　the　humbler　shops　and　sailors　inns　that　fronted　almost　on　the　water　itself。
　　　　　　　By　the　time　I　reached　this　area　of　Buckkeep　Town；　I　was　ironically　reflecting　that　both　Molly　and　I　would　have　been　better　off　had　we　never　bee　friends。　I　had　promised　her　reputation；　and　if　I　continued　my　attentions；　she　would　most　likely　bee　a　target　for　Regal's　malice。　As　for　myself；　the　anguish　I　had　felt　at　believing　she　had　blithely　left　me　for　another　was　but　a　scratch　pared　with　the　bleeding　now　at　knowing　she　thought　I　had　deceived　her。
　　　　　　　I　came　out　of　my　bleak　thoughts　to　realize　that　my　traitorous　feet　had　carried　me　to　the　very　door　of　her　chandlery。　Now　it　was　a　tea…and…herb　shop。　Just　what　Buckkeep　Town　needed；　another　tea…and…herb　shop。　I　wondered　what　had　bee　of　Molly's　beehives。　It　gave　me　a　pang　to　realize　that　for　Molly　the　sense　of　dislocation　must　be　ten　times　…　no；　a　hundred　times　worse。　I　had　so　easily　accepted　that　Molly　had　lost　her　father；　and　with　him　her　livelihood　and　her　prospects。　So　easily　accepted　the　change　that　made　her　a　servant　in　the　Keep。　A　servant。　I　clenched　my　teeth　and　kept　walking。
　　　　　　　I　wandered　the　town　aimlessly。　Despite　my　bleak　mood；　I　noticed　how　much　it　had　changed　in　the　last　six　months。　Even　on　this　cold　winter　day；　it　bustled。　The　construction　of　the　ships　had　brought　more　folk；　and　more　folk　meant　more　trade。　I　stopped　in　a　tavern　where　Molly；　Dirk；　Kerry；　and　I　had　used　to　share　a　bit　of　brandy　now　and　then。　The　cheapest　blackberry　brandy　was　usually　what　we　got。　I　sat　by　myself　and　drank　my　short　beer　in　silence；　but　around　me　tongues　wagged　and　I　learned　much。　It　was　not　just　the　ship　construction　that　had　bolstered　Buckkeep　Town's　prosperity。　Verity　had　put　out　a　call　for　sailors　to　man　his　warships。　The　call　had　been　amply　answered；　by　men　and　women　from　all　of　the　Coastal　Duchies。　Some　came　with　a　grudge　to　settle；　to　avenge　those　killed　or　Forged　by　the　Raiders。　Others　came　for　the　adventure；　and　the　hope　of　booty；　or　simply　because　in　the　ravaged　villages；　they　had　no　other　prospects。　Some　were　from　fisher　or　merchant　families；　with　sea　time　and　water　skills。　Others　were　the　former　shepherds　and　farmers　of　ravaged　villages。　It　mattered　little。
　　　　　　　All　had　e　to　Buckkeep　Town；　eager　to　shed　Red…Ship　blood。
　　　　　　　For　now；　many　were　housed　in　what　had　once　been　warehouses。　Hod；　the　Buckkeep　weaponsmaster；　was　giving　them　weapons　training；　winnowing　out　those　she　thought　might　be　suitable　for　Verity's　ships。　The　others　would　be　offered　hire　as　soldiers。　These　were　the　extra　folk　that　swelled　the　town　and　crowded　the　inns　and　taverns　and　eating　places。　I　heard　plaints；　too；　that　some　of　those　who　came　to　man　the　warships　were　immigrant　Outislanders；　displaced　from　their　own　land　by　the　very　Red…Ships　that　now　menaced　our　coasts。　They；　too；　claimed　to　be　eager　for　revenge；　but　few　Six　Duchies　folk　trusted　them；　and　some　businesses　in　town　would　not　sell　to　them。　It　gave　an　ugly　charged　undercurrent　to　the　busy　tavern。　There　was　a　snickering　discussion　of　an　Outislander　who　had　been　beaten　on　the　docks　the　day　before。　No　one　had　called　the　town　patrol。　When　the　speculation　became　even　uglier；　that　these　Outislanders　were　all　spies　and　that　burning　them　out　would　be　a　wise　and　sensible　precaution；　I　could　no　longer　stomach　it；　and　left　the　tavern。　Was　there　nowhere　I　could　go　to　be　free　of　suspicions　and　intrigues；　if　only　for　an　hour？
　　　　　　　I　walked　alone　through　the　wintry　streets。　A　storm　was　blowing　up。　The　merciless　wind　prowled　the　twisting　streets；　promising　snow。　The　same　angry　cold　twisted　and　churned　inside　me；　switching　from　anger　to　hatred　to　frustration　and　back　to　anger　again；　building　to　an　unbearable　pressure。　They　had　no　right　to　do　this　to　me。　I　had　not　been　born　to　be　their　tool。　I　had　a　right　to　live　my　life　freely；　to　be　who　I　was　born　to　be。　Did　they　think　they　could　bend　me　to　their　will；　use　me　however　they　would；　and　I　would　never　retaliate？　No。　A　time　would　e。　My　time　would　e。
　　　　　　　A　man　hurried　toward　me；　face　shrouded　in　his　hood　against　the　wind。　He　glanced　up　and　our　eyes　met。　He　blanched　and　turned　aside；　to　hurry　back　the　way　he　had　e。　Well；　and　so　he　might。　I　felt　my　anger　building　to　an　unbearable　heat。　The　wind　whipped　at　my　hair　and　sought　to　chill　me；　but　I　only　strode　faster；　and　felt　the　strength　of　my　hatred　grow　hotter。　It　lured　me　and　I　followed　it　like　the　scent　of　fresh　blood。
　　　　　　　I　turned　a　corner　and　found　myself　in　the　market。　Threatened　by　the　ing　storm；　the　poorer　merchants　were　packing　up　their　goods　from　their　blankets　and　mats。　Those　with　stalls　were　fastening　their　shutters。　I　strode　past　them。　People　scuttled　out　of　my　way。　I　brushed　past　them；　not　caring　how　they　stared。
　　　　　　　I　came　to　the　animal　vendor's　stall；　and　stood　face…to…face　with　myself。　He　was　gaunt；　with　bleak　dark　eyes。　He　glared　at　me　balefully；　and　the　waves　of　hatred　pulsing　out　from　him　washed　over　me　in　greeting。　Our　hearts　beat　to　the　same　rhythm。　I　felt　my　upper　lip　twitch；　as　if　to　snarl　up　and　bare　my　pitiful　human　teeth。　I　straightened　my　features；　battered　my　emotion　back　under　control。　But　the　caged　wolf　cub　with　the　dirty　gray　coat　stared　up　at　me；　and　lifted　his　black　lips　to　reveal　all　his　teeth。　I　hate　you。　All　of　you。　e；　e　closer。　I'll　kill　you。　I'll　rip　out　your　throat　after　I　hamstring　you。　I'll　feast　on　your　entrails。　I　hate　you。
　　　　　　　〃You　want　something？〃
　　　　　　　〃Blood；〃　I　said　quietly。　〃I　want　your　blood。〃
　　　　　　　〃What？〃
　　　　　　　I　jerked　my　eyes　from　the　wolf　up　to　the　man。　He　was　greasy　and　dirty。　He　stank；　by　El；　how　he　reeked。　I　could　smell　sweat　and　rancid　food　and　his　own　droppings　on　him。　He　was　swaddled　in　poorly　cured　hides；　and　the　stench　of　them　hung　about　him　as　well。　He　had　little　ferret　eyes；　and　cruel　dirty　hands；　and　an　oak　stick　bound　in　brass　that　hung　at　his　belt。　It　was　all　I　could　do　to　keep　from　seizing　that　hated　stick　and　splattering　his　brains　out　with　it。　He　wore　thick　boots　on　his　kicking　feet。　He　stepped　too　close　to　me　and　I　gripped　my　cloak　to　keep　from　killing　him。
　　　　　　　〃Wolf；〃　I　managed　to　get　out。　My　voice　sounded　guttural；　choking。　〃I　want　the　wolf。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　certain；　boy？　He's　a　mean　one。〃　He　nudged　the　cage　with　his　foot　and　I　sprang　at　it；　clashing　my　teeth　against　the　wooden　bars；　bruising　my　muzzle　again；　but　I　didn't　care；　if　I　could　get　just　one　grip　on　his　flesh；　I'd　tear　it　loose　or　never　let　go。
　　　　　　　No。　Get　back；　get　out　of　my　head。　I　shook　my　head　to　clear　it。　The　merchant　regarded　me　strangely。　〃I　know　what　I　want。〃　I　spoke　flatly；　refusing　the　wolf's　emotions。
　　　　　　　〃Do　you；　eh？〃　The　man　stared　at　me；　judging　my　worth。　He'd　charge　what　he　thought　I　could　afford。　My　outgrown　clothes　didn't　please　him；　nor　my　youth。　But　I　surmised　he'd　had　the　wolf　for　a　while。　He'd　hoped　to　sell　him　as　a　cub。　Now；　with　the　wolf　needing　more　food　and　not　getting　it；　the　man　would　probably　take　whatever　he　could　get。　As　well　for　me。　I　didn't　have　much。　〃What　do　you　want　him　for？〃　the　man　asked　casually。
　　　　　　　〃Pits；〃　I　said　nonchalantly。　〃He's　scrawny；　but　there　might　be　a　bit　of　sport　left　in　him。〃
　　　　　　　The　wolf　suddenly　flung　himself　against　the　bars；　jaws　wide；　teeth　flashing。　I'll　kill　them；　I'll　kill　them　all；　rip　their　throats　out；　tear　their　bellies　open　。。。。
　　　　　　　Be　silent；　if　you　want　your　freedom。　I　mentally　gave　him　a　push　and　the　wolf　leaped　back　as　if　stung　by　a　bee。　He　retreated　to　the　far　corner　of　his　cage　and　cowered　there；　teeth　bared；　but　tail　down　between　his　legs。　Uncertainty　flooded　him。
　　　　　　　〃Dog　fights；　eh？　Oh；　he'll　put　up　a　good　fight。〃　The　merchant　nudged　at　the　cage　again　with　a　thick　boot；　but　the　wolf　didn't　respond。　〃He'll　win　you　a　lot　of　coin；　this　one　will。　He's　meaner　than　a　wolverine。〃　He　kicked　the　cage；　harder。　The　wolf　cowered　smaller。
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　he　certainly　looks　as　if　he　will；〃　I　said　disdainfully。　I　turned　aside　from　the　wolf　as　if　I'd　lost　interest。　I　studied　the　caged　birds　behind　him。　The　pigeons　and　doves　looked　as　if　they　were　cared　for；　but　two　jays　and　a　crow　were　crowded　into　a　filthy　cage　littered　with　rotting　scraps　of　meat　and　bird　droppings。　The　crow　looked　like　a　beggar　man　in　black　tatters　of　feathers。　Pick　at　the　bright　bug；　I　suggested　to　the　birds。　Perhaps　you'll　find　a　way　out。　The　crow　perched　wearily　where　he　was；　head　sunk　deep　in　his　feathers；　but　one　jay　fluttered　to　a　higher　perch　and　began　to　tap　and　tug　at　the　metal　pin　that　held　the　cage　fastened。　I　glanced　back　at　the　wolf。
　　　　　　　〃I　hadn't　intended　to　fight　him　anyway。　I　was　only　going　to　throw　him　to　the　dogs　to　warm　them　up。　A　bit　of　blood　primes　them　for　a　fight。〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　but　he'd　make　you　a　fine　fighter。　Here；　look　at　this。　This　is　what　he　done　to　me　but　a　month　gone。　And　me　trying　to　give　him　food　when　he　went　for　me。〃
　　　　　　　He　rolled　back　a　sleeve　to　bare　a　grimy　wrist　striped　with　livid　slashes；　but　half…healed　still。
　　　　　　　I　leaned　over　as　if　mildly　interested。　〃Looks　infected。　Think　you'll　lose　your　hand？〃
　　　　　　　〃'S　not　infected。　Just　slow　healing；　that's　all。　Look　here；　boy；　a　storm's　ing　up。　I　got　to　put　my　wares　in　my　cart　and　haul　off　before　it　hits。　Now；　you　going　to　make　me　an　offer　for　that　wolf？　He'll　make　you　a　fine　fighter。〃
　　　　　　　〃He　might　make　bear　bait；　but　not　much　more　than　that。　I'll　give　you；　oh；　six　coppers。〃　I　had　a　grand　total　of　seven。
　　　　　　　〃Coppers？　Boy；　we're　talking　silvers　here；　at　least。　Look；　he's　a　fine　animal。　Feed　him　up　a　bit；　he'll　get　bigger　and　meaner。　I　could　get　six　coppers　for　his　hide　alone；　right　now。〃
　　　　　　　〃Then　you'd　best　do　it；　before　he　gets　any　mangier。　And　before　he　decides　to　take　your　other　hand　off。〃　I　leaned　closer　to　the　cage；　pushing　as　I　did　so；　and　the　wolf　cowered　more　deeply。　〃Looks　sick　to　me。　My　master　would　be　furious　with　me　if　I　brought　him　in　and　the　dogs　got　sick　from　killing　him。〃　I　glanced　up　at　the　sky。　〃Storm　is　ing。　I'd　better　be　off。〃
　　　　　　　〃One　silver；　boy。　And　that's　giving　him　to　you。〃
　　　　　　　At　that　moment　the　jay　succeeded　in　pulling　the　pin。　The　cage　door　swung　open　and　he　hopped　to　the　door's　edge。　I　casually　stepped　between　the　man　and　the　cage。　Behind　me；　I　heard　the　jays　hop　out　to　the　top　of　the　pigeons'　cage。　Door's　open；　I　pointed　out　to　the　crow。　I　heard　him　rattle　his　pathetic　feathers。　I　caught　up　the　pouch　at　my　belt；　hefted　it　thoughtfully。　〃A　silver？　I　don't　have　a　silver。　But　it's　no　matter；　really。　I　just　realized　I've　no　way　to　cart　him　home　with　me。　Best　I　don't　buy　him。〃