rh.royalassassin-第29章

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　　　　　　　I　had　not　moved。　Suddenly　neither　of　us　could　look　at　the　other。　〃e　here；〃　he　repeated　gruffly。　〃Sit　down　here　with　me。　Look　into　the　flames。〃
　　　　　　　And　in　the　space　of　an　hour；　he　gave　me　an　exercise　to　practice；　one　that　would　keep　my　dreams　to　myself；　or　more　likely；　ensure　that　I　had　no　dreams　at　all。　With　a　sinking　heart　I　realized　I　would　lose　even　the　Molly　of　my　imagination　as　surely　as　I'd　lost　the　real　one。　He　sensed　my　glumness。
　　　　　　　〃e；　Fitz；　it　will　pass。　Keep　a　rein　on　yourself　and　endure。　It　can　be　done。　May　e　a　day　when　you　will　wish　your　life　to　be　as　empty　of　women　as　it　is　now。　As　I　do。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　didn't　mean　to　get　lost；　sir。〃
　　　　　　　Verity　shot　me　a　baleful　glance。　〃Intentions　cannot　be　exchanged　for　results。　She　is　queen…in…waiting；　boy。　She　must　always　think；　not　once；　but　thrice；　before　she　takes　action。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　told　me　that　Softstep　followed　Regal's　horse；　and　would　not　respond　to　the　rein。　You　can　fault　Burrich　and　I　for　that；　we're　supposed　to　have　trained　that　horse。〃
　　　　　　　He　sighed　suddenly。　〃I　suppose　so。　Consider　yourself　rebuked；　and　tell　Burrich　to　find　my　lady　a　less　spirited　horse　to　ride　until　she　is　a　better　horsewoman。〃　He　sighed　again；　deeply。　〃I　suppose　she　will　consider　that　a　punishment　from　me。　She　will　look　at　me　sadly　with　those　great　blue　eyes；　but　speak　not　a　word　against　it。　Ah；　well。　It　cannot　be　helped。　But　did　she　have　to　kill；　and　then　to　speak　of　it　so　blithely？　What　will　my　people　think　of　her？〃
　　　　　　　〃She　scarcely　had　a　choice；　sir。　Would　it　have　been　better　for　her　to　die？　As　to　what　folk　will　think　。。。　well。　The　soldiers　who　first　found　us　thought　her　plucky。　And　capable。　Not　bad　qualities　for　a　Queen；　sir。　The　women；　especially；　in　your　guard　spoke　warmly　of　her　as　we　returned。　They　see　her　as　their　queen　now；　much　more　than　if　she　were　a　weeping；　quailing　thing。　They　will　follow　her　without　question。　In　times　like　these；　perhaps　a　Queen　with　a　knife　will　give　us　more　heart　than　a　woman　who　drapes　herself　in　jewels　and　hides　behind　walls。〃
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps；〃　Verity　said　quietly。　I　sensed　he　did　not　agree；　〃But　now　all　shall　know；　most　vividly；　of　the　Forged　ones　who　are　gathering　about　Buckkeep。〃
　　　　　　　〃They　shall　know；　too；　that　a　determined　person　can　defend　herself　from　them。　And　from　the　talk　of　your　guard　as　we　came　back；　I　think　there　shall　be　far　fewer　Forged　ones　a　week　hence。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　know　that。　Some　will　be　slaying　their　own　kin。　Forged　or　not；　it　is　Six　Duchies　blood　we　are　shedding。　I　had　sought　to　avoid　having　my　guard　kill　my　own　people。〃
　　　　　　　A　small　silence　fell　between　us　as　we　both　reflected　he　had　not　scrupled　to　set　me　to　that　same　task。　Assassin。　That　was　the　word　for　what　I　was。　I　had　no　honor　to　preserve；　I　realized。
　　　　　　　〃Not　true；　Fitz。〃　He　answered　my　thought。　〃You　preserve　my　honor。　And　I　honor　you　for　that；　for　doing　what　must　be　done。　The　ugly　work；　the　hidden　work。　Do　not　be　shamed　that　you　work　to　preserve　the　Six　Duchies。　Do　not　think　I　do　not　appreciate　such　work　simply　because　it　must　remain　secret。　Tonight；　you　saved　my　queen。　I　do　not　forget　that　either。〃
　　　　　　　〃She　needed　little　saving；　sir。　I　believe　that　even　alone；　she　would　have　survived。〃
　　　　　　　〃Well。　We　won't　wonder　about　that。〃　He　paused；　then　said　awkwardly；　〃I　must　reward　you；　you　know。〃
　　　　　　　When　I　opened　my　mouth　to　protest；　he　held　up　a　forbidding　hand。　〃I　know　you　require　nothing。　I　know；　too；　that　there　is　already　so　much　between　us　that　nothing　I　could　give　you　would　be　sufficient　for　my　gratitude。　But　most　folk　know　nothing　of　that。　Will　you　have　it　said　in　Buckkeep　Town　that　you　saved　the　Queen's　life；　and　the　King…in…Waiting　acknowledged　you　not　at　all？　But　I　am　at　a　loss　to　know　what　to　gift　you　with　。。。　it　should　be　something　visible；　and　you　must　carry　it　about　with　you　for　a　while。　That　much　I　know　of　statecraft；　at　least。　A　sword？　Something　better　than　that　piece　of　iron　you　were　carrying　tonight？〃
　　　　　　　〃It's　an　old　blade　Hod　told　me　to　take　to　practice　with；〃　I　defended　myself。　〃It　works。〃
　　　　　　　〃Obviously。　I　shall　have　her　select　a　better　one　for　you；　and　do　a　bit　of　fancywork　on　the　hilt　and　scabbard。　Would　that　do　it？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　think　so；〃　I　said　awkwardly。
　　　　　　　〃Well。　Let's　back　to　bed；　shall　we？　And　I　shall　be　able　to　sleep　now；　won't　I？〃　There　was　no　mistaking　the　amusement　in　his　voice　now。　My　cheeks　burned　anew。
　　　　　　　〃Sir。　I　have　to　ask。。。。〃　I　fumbled　the　hard　words　out。　〃Do　you　know　who　I　was　dreaming　about？〃
　　　　　　　He　shook　his　head　slowly。　〃Do　not　fear　you　have　promised　her　honor。　I　know　only　that　she　wears　blue　skirts；　but　you　see　them　as　red。　And　that　you　love　her　with　an　ardency　that　is　appropriate　to　youth。　Do　not　struggle　to　stop　loving　her。　Only　to　stop　Skilling　it　about　at　night。　I　am　not　the　only　one　open　to　such　Skilling；　though　I　believe　I　am　the　only　one　who　would　recognize　your　signature　on　the　dream　so　plain。　Still；　be　cautious。　Galen's　coterie　is　not　without　Skill；　even　if　they　use　it　clumsily　and　with　little　strength。　A　man　can　be　undone　when　his　enemies　learn　what　is　dearest　to　him　from　his　Skill　dreams。　Keep　your　guard　up。〃　He　gave　an　inadvertent　chuckle。　〃And　hope　your　Lady　Red…Skirts　has　no　Skill　in　her　blood；　for　if　she　does　at　all；　she　must　have　heard　you　all　these　many　nights。〃
　　　　　　　And　having　put　that　unsettling　thought　into　my　head；　he　dismissed　me　back　to　my　chambers　and　bed。　I　did　not　sleep　again　that　night。
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　CHAPTER　EIGHT
　　　　　　　The　Queen　Awakes
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　Oh；　some　folk　ride　to　the　wild…boar　hunt
Or　for　elk　they　nock　their　arrows
But　my　love　rode　with　the　Vixen　Queen
To　lay　to　rest　our　sorrows。
　　　　　　　She　did　not　dream　of　fame　that　day
Nor　fear　what　pain　might　find　her。
She　rode　to　heal　her　people's　hearts
And　my　love　rode　behind　her。
　　　　　　　…〃The　Vixen　Queen's　Hunt〃
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　The　whole　Keep　was　astir　early　the　next　day。　There　was　a　fevered；　almost　festival　air　in　the　courtyard　as　Verity's　personal　guard　and　every　warrior　who　had　no　scheduled　duties　that　day　massed　for　a　hunt。　Tracking　hounds　bayed　restively；　while　the　pull…down　dogs　with　their　massive　jaws　and　barrel　chests　huffed　excitedly　and　tested　their　restraints。　Bets　were　already　being　set　on　who　would　hunt　the　most　successfully。　Horses　pawed　the　earth；　bowstrings　were　checked；　while　pages　ran　helter…skelter　everywhere。　Inside　the　kitchen；　half　the　cooking　staff　was　busy　putting　up　packages　of　food　for　the　hunters　to　take　with　them。　Soldiers　young　and　old；　male　and　female；　strutted　and　laughed　aloud；　bragging　of　past　confrontations；　paring　weapons；　building　spirit　for　the　hunt。　I　had　seen　this　a　hundred　times；　before　a　winter　hunt　for　elk；　or　bear。　But　now　there　was　an　edge　to　it；　a　rank　smell　of　bloodlust　on　the　air。　I　heard　snatches　of　conversations；　words　that　made　me　queasy：
　　　　　　　〃。。。　no　mercy　for　that　dung　。。。〃；　〃。。。　cowards　and　traitors；　to　dare　to　attack　the　Queen　。。。〃；　〃。。。　shall　pay　dearly。　They　don't　deserve　a　swift　death　。。。。〃　I　ducked　hastily　back　into　the　kitchen；　threaded　my　way　through　an　area　busy　as　a　stirred　anthill。　Here；　too；　I　heard　the　same　sorts　of　sentiments　voiced；　the　same　craving　for　revenge。
　　　　　　　I　found　Verity　in　his　map　room。　I　could　tell　he　had　washed　and　dressed　himself　afresh　this　day；　but　he　wore　last　night　as　plainly　as　a　dirty　robe。　He　was　attired　for　a　day　inside；　among　his　papers。　I　tapped　lightly　at　the　door；　although　it　stood　ajar。　He　sat　in　a　chair　before　the　fire；　his　back　to　me。　He　nodded；　but　did　not　look　up　at　me　as　I　entered。　For　all　his　stillness；　there　was　a　charged　air　to　the　room；　the　gathering　of　a　storm。　A　tray　of　breakfast　rested　on　a　table　beside　his　chair；　untouched。　I　came　and　stood　quietly　beside　him；　almost　certain　I　had　been　Skilled　here。　As　the　silence　grew　longer　I　wondered　if　Verity　himself　knew　why。　At　length　I　decided　to　speak。
　　　　　　　〃My　prince。　You　do　not　ride　with　your　guard　today？〃　I　ventured。
　　　　　　　It　was　as　if　I　had　opened　a　floodgate。　He　turned　to　look　at　me；　the　lines　in　his　face　had　been　graven　deeper　overnight。　He　looked　haggard；　sickened。　〃I　do　not。　I　dare　not。　How　could　I　countenance　such　a　thing；　this　hunting　down　of　our　own　folk　and　kin！　And　yet　what　is　my　alternative？　To　hide　and　mope　within　the　Keep　walls　while　others　go　out　to　avenge　this　insult　to　my　queen…in…waiting！　I　dare　not　forbid　my　men　to　uphold　their　honor。　So　I　must　behave　as　if　I　am　unaware　of　what　goes　on　in　the　courtyard。　As　if　I　am　a　simpleton；　or　a　laggard；　or　a　coward。　There　will　be　a　ballad　written　about　this　day；　I　doubt　it　not。　What　shall　it　be　called？　‘Verity's　Massacre　of　the　Witless'？　Or　‘Queen　Kettricken's　Sacrifice　of　the　Forged'？〃　His　voice　rose　on　every　word；　and　before　he　was　half…done；　I　had　stepped　to　the　door　and　shut　it　firmly。　I　looked　about　the　room　as　he　ranted；　wondering　who　else　besides　myself　was　hearing　these　words。
　　　　　　　〃Did　you　sleep　at　all；　my　prince？〃　I　asked　when　he　had　run　down。
　　　　　　　He　smiled　with　bleak　amusement。　〃Well　you　know　what　put　an　end　to　my　first　attempt　at　rest。　My　second　was　less　。。。　engaging。　My　lady　came　to　my　chamber。〃
　　　　　　　I　felt　my　ears　begin　to　warm。　Whatever　he　was　about　to　tell　me；　I　did　not　want　to　hear　it。　I　had　no　wish　to　know　what　had　passed　between　them　last　night。　Quarrel　or　amendment；　I　wanted　to　know　nothing　of　it。　Verity　was　merciless。
　　　　　　　〃Not　weeping；　as　you　might　think　she　would。　Not　for　fort。　Not　to　be　held　against　night　fears；　or　reassured　of　my　regard。　But　sword　stiff　as　a　rebuked　sergeant；　to　stand　at　the　foot　of　the　bed　and　beg　my　pardon　for　her　transgressions。　Whiter　than　chalk　and　hard　as　oak　。。。〃　His　voice　trailed　off；　as　if　he　realized　he　betrayed　too　much　of　himself。　〃She　foresaw　this　hunting　mob；　not　I。　She　came　to　me　in　the　middle　of　the　night；　asking　what　must　we　do。　I　had　no　answer　for　her；　any　more　than　I　do　now…〃
　　　　　　　〃At　least　she　foresaw　this；〃　I　ventured；　hoping　to　bring　some　respite　from　his　anger　for　Kettricken。
　　　　　　　〃And　I　did　not；〃　he　said　heavily。　〃She　did。　Chivalry　would　have。　Oh；　Chivalry　would　have　known　it　would　happen　from　the　moment　she　went　missing；　and　would　have　had　all　sorts　of　contingency　plans。　But　I　did　not。　I　thought　only　to　bring　her　swiftly　home；　and　hope　not　too　many　heard　of　it。　As　if　such　a　thing　could　be！　And　so　today　I　think　to　myself　that　if　ever　the　crown　does　e　to　rest　on　my　brow；　it　will　be　in　a　most　unworthy　place。〃
　　　　　　　This　was　a　Prince　Verity　I　had　never　seen　before；　a　man　with　his　confidence　in　tatters。　I　finally　saw　how　poor　a　match　Kettricken　was　for　him。　It　was　not　her　fault。　She　was　strong；　and　raised　to　rule。　Verity　often　said　himself　he　had　been　raised　as　a　second　son。　The　right　sort　of　woman　would　have　steadied　him　like　a　sea　anchor；　helped　him　rise　to　assume　his　kingship。　A　woman　who　had　e　weeping　to　his　bed；　to　be　cuddled　and　reassured；　would　have　let　him　arise　certain　he　was　a　man　and　fit　to　be　a　King。　Kettricken's　discipline　and　restraint　made　him　doubt　his　own　strength。　My　prince　was　human；　I　suddenly　perceived。　It　was　not　reassuring。
　　　　　　　〃You　should　at　least　e　out　and　speak　to　them；〃　I　ventured。
　　　　　　　〃And　say　what？　‘Good　hunting'？　No。　But　you　go；　boy。　Go　and　watch　and　bring　me　word　of　what　is　happening。　Go　now。　And　shut　my　door。　I　have　no　desire　to　see　anyone　else　until　you　retur