ggk.asongforarbonne-第74章

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rness　and　then　the　same　sound　a　second　time；　not　far　away。　They　had　e。　It　was　time。　With　an　awareness　of　all　that　might　turn　on　this　in　the　next　moments；　and　with　the　fear　that　came…that　had　to　e…hand…in…glove　with　that；　Thaune　went　quickly　along　the　rampart　walk　to　the　stairwell　and　started　down　to　the　guardhouse；　one　hand　on　the　wall　for　balance　in　the　murk。
　　When　he　appeared　in　the　doorway　all　four　guards　jumped　up　from　the　table。　He　nodded　his　head　briefly。
　　〃It　is　time；〃　he　said。
　　〃Time　for　what？〃　said　Erthon；　just　before　Girart　brought　the　hilt　of　his　knife　smartly　down　on　the　back　of　his　fellow　guard's　head。　Erthon；　whom　Thaune　hadn't　been　able　to　decide　whether　or　not　to　trust；　slumped　forward；　and　Thaune　had　to　be　quick　to　catch　him　before　he　knocked　over　the　table　and　sent　the　dice　rattling。
　　〃My　luck；〃　said　Girart。　〃I　was　about　to　win　for　the　first　time　all　night。〃　Thaune　was　able　to　smile；　the　other　two　guards；　younger；　visibly　nervous；　were　not。
　　〃We're　in　a　bigger　game　now；〃　Thaune　said。　〃Say　your　prayers　and　open　the　gate　and　the　bridge。〃　He　went　out　to　stand　behind　the　iron　portcullis　as　it　began　rolling　up。　There　was　a　noise；　of　course；　as　the　chains　turned；　but　for　once　the　fog　was　useful　and　Thaune　doubted　anyone　would　hear　the　muffled　sound　from　across　the　courtyard　inside　the　castle。
　　When　the　bars　were　high　enough　he　stepped　forward；　ducking　to　pass　under　the　lowest　spikes；　and　waited　again；　staring　out　into　the　cold　mist　of　the　night。　No　torches　yet；　nothing　at　all　to　be　seen；　only　the　sound　of　horses　again；　faintly；　through　the　low；　drifting　fog。　Then　another　noise　behind　him　as　the　portcullis　slotted　with　a　clang　into　its　niche　at　the　top　of　the　gate　and　the　guards　began　quickly　winding　down　the　drawbridge　over　the　dry　moat。
　　When　the　bridge　was　down；　Garsenc　Castle　lay　open　to　those　waiting　in　the　fog；　and　the　first　part　of　what　Thaune　had　e　home　to　do　was　acplished。　The　easy　part。
　　He　stepped　out　onto　the　wooden　bridge　and　felt　more　than　he　heard　the　simultaneous　tread　of　someone　approaching　from　the　other　end。　He　still　could　not　see。　The　mist　redoubled　his　anxiety；　inducing　primitive；　irrational　feelings　of　dread。　He　couldn't　even　make　out　the　planks　of　the　bridge　beneath　his　boots。　He　stopped　walking。　〃Light　your　torch；〃　he　said；　his　tone　as　calm　as　he　could　make　it。　The　sound　of　his　voice　went　out　feebly　into　the　enveloping　darkness　and　was　swallowed　up。
　　There　was　silence　as　the　approaching　footsteps　also　came　to　a　halt。　Thaune　felt　as　if　he　were　wrapped　in　a　grey　shroud；　ready　for　burial。　He　shuddered　at　the　thought。
　　〃Light　your　torch；〃　he　said　again　to　the　silent　figures　on　the　bridge　with　him。
　　Finally　he　heard　the　scraping　sound　of　flint　being　struck；　and　a　moment　later　the　resinous　scent　of　a　torch　catching　came　to　him。　In　the　fog　the　light　spun　out　only　a　little　way；　a　small　circle；　a　tenuous　island　of　illumination　on　the　bridge。
　　Bright　enough　to　reveal　Galbert　de　Garsenc；　the　High　Elder　of　Gorhaut；　huge　and　unmistakable；　standing　directly　in　front　of　him　with　two　corans　on　either　hand。
　　〃I　am　most　happy　to　oblige　you；〃　said　the　High　Elder　in　his　unforgettable　voice。　〃To　illuminate　the　first　of　the　traitors　we　will　now　be　pleased　to　burn。　I　will　light　your　own　pyre　with　the　torch　you　requested。〃
　　Thaune　felt　as　if　the　world　had　dropped　away　beneath　his　feet；　as　if　the　final　darkness　at　the　end　of　time　had　e。
　　His　breath　was　snatched　away　in　horror。　He　couldn't　move。　He　was　actually　afraid　he　was　going　to　fall　down。
　　〃Do　not　even　think　about　fleeing；〃　Galbert　added；　the　deep　tones　conveying　infinite　contempt。　〃There　are　four　archers　behind　me　with　their　bows　trained　on　you；　and　this　light　is　more　than　good　enough　for　them。〃
　　Another　tread　resounded　on　the　far　side　of　the　bridge；　approaching　from　behind　the　Elder；　just　beyond　the　spill　of　light。　〃It　would　be　good　enough；　I　agree；〃　said　a　lighter；　cooler　voice。　〃If　they　were　still　conscious　and　therefore　still　holding　their　bows。　It　is　all　right；　Thaune；〃　said　Blaise　de　Garsenc；　〃we　have　this　under　control。〃
　　There　came　another　sound；　twice　in　quick　succession；　and　the　corans　beside　Galbert　grunted　and　slid　to　the　planks；　their　swords　rattling　on　the　wood。　The　torch　was　dropped　but　then　seized　by　an　invisible　hand　before　it　could　go　out。
　　〃Do　tell　me；　father；〃　said　Blaise；　ing　forward　into　the　light；　〃what　is　it　that　makes　you　so　anxious　to　burn　people　alive？〃　His　words　were　flippant　but　Thaune　could　hear　the　stiff　tension　running　beneath　them。　He　wondered　when　father　and　son　had　last　seen　each　other。　Galbert　said　nothing　at　all；　the　rage　in　his　eyes　was　genuinely　frightening　in　the　torchlight。
　　〃Blaise；〃　came　a　Portezzan　accent　from　the　murk　beyond；　〃it　seems　your　brother　is　here　too。〃
　　〃How　splendid！　A　reunion！〃　said　Blaise；　again　with　that　forced　gaiety。　〃Bring　him；　Rudel；　let　me　see　those　dear；　kind　features　again。〃
　　Galbert　still　had　not　spoken。　Thaune　was　unable　to　look　at　the　High　Elder's　face。　He　heard　footsteps　again；　and　two　men　brought　forward　a　third　between　them。
　　〃We　have　dealt　with　all　the　others；〃　said　a　voice　Thaune　remembered　from　Arbonne；　〃About　fifteen　of　them；　as　you　guessed。〃　They　were　lighting　more　torches　now；　by　their　light　Thaune　recognized　Bertran　de　Talair。
　　〃Nicely　done；　Thaune；〃　Blaise　said；　not　taking　his　eyes　from　his　father　and　the　handsome　figure　of　Ranald　de　Garsenc　beside　him。　〃We　had　to　make　the　assumption　that　there　would　be　an　informer　though；　that　you　would　need　to　trust　too　many　people　for　them　all　to　be　reliable。　We　were　here　two　days　earlier　than　I　told　you；　and　I　had　men　watching　the　roads　east　to　see　who　might　be　ing。　I　thought　my　father　might　want　to　do　the　honours　himself。　After　all；〃　he　added；　with　sudden；　corrosive　irony；　〃it　has　been　months　since　he　had　anyone　burned；　and　that　hardly　counts　because　he　wasn't　able　to　be　at　Aubry　himself。　Tell　me；　dear　brother；　did　you　enjoy　it　there？　Was　it　a　fine　hunt？　Did　the　women　scream　amusingly？〃　Ranald　de　Garsenc　shifted　his　feet　but　made　no　reply。
　　Men　were　walking　up　now；　passing　Thaune　on　either　side；　entering　the　castle。　The　big　Arbonnais　coran　named　Valery　stopped　beside　him。　〃Well　done；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃Now　tell　me　the　numbers　inside。　Do　we　have　a　fight　on　our　hands？〃
　　〃How　many　of　you　are　there？〃
　　〃Only　fifty。　Trained　mercenaries；　though；　from　Portezza　and　Gotzland。　This　isn't　an　invasion　of　Gorhaut　from　Arbonne。　This　is　a　rising　from　within。　We　hope。〃
　　Thaune　cleared　his　throat。　〃I　think　about　half　the　castle　will　be　with　us。〃　He　reached　for　his　belt　and　unhooked　a　large　key　ring。　〃This　unlocks　the　weapons　room…to　the　right　across　the　courtyard；　the　double　doors　with　the　arch。　Girart；　who　is　just　behind　me；　will　show　you。　You　may　trust　him　with　anything。　There　might　be　a　hundred；　perhaps　more；　who　resist；　but　they　will　not　be　well　armed。〃　He　cleared　his　throat　again。　〃I　think　if　En　Blaise　lets　them　know　he　is　here　there　may　be　fewer　who　fight。〃
　　Blaise　heard　that。　〃Let　them　know？〃　he　echoed　in　mock　indignation。　〃Of　course　I'll　let　them　know。　I'm　the　wayward　son　e　home　to　his　father's　open　arms。　There　ought　to　be　music；　a　feast；　wine　and　burning　women　for　my　delight。　Perhaps　that　is　why　you　came；　father？　To　surprise　me　with　the　warmth　of　your　wele？〃　His　tone　was　brittle；　febrile。　Beside　Thaune；　Valery　of　Talair　made　a　small　sound　but　said　nothing。
　　Thaune　became　aware　that　the　High　Elder　had　now　begun　murmuring　softly；　but　not　to　any　of　them。　Somehow　the　quality　of　the　man's　voice；　his　inward；　intense　manner；　shaped　a　silence　on　the　bridge　in　the　mist；　and　gradually；　with　a　growing　horror　that　bit　deeper　than　the　cold；　Thaune　became　aware　that　the　High　Elder　was　intoning　the　denunciation　of　the　god。
　　〃　。。。　to　the　infinite　cold　that　was　before　the　world　was　or　the　moons　were　spoken；　before　the　sun　was　moved　and　the　stars　allowed　their　light。　O；　most　holy　Corannos　of　ice　and　all　the　sacred　tongues　of　fire；　unworthy　as　I　surely　am　in　your　sight；　I　beseech　thee；　in　the　name　of　your　own　ancient　gifts　to　us；　that　there　shall　be　for　this　man　torments　without　number　to　the　ending　of　time。　Maggots　beneath　the　skin　and　worms　in　his　heart；　the　rotting　sickness　and　the　black　blood　that　cannot　be　stanched。　I　pray　that　you　send　down　upon　this　man　who　is　my　son　no　longer…〃
　　〃That　is　enough。〃　A　second　voice；　cold　with　distaste。　Bertran　de　Talair。　Blaise　himself　was　silent；　immobile　in　the　face　of　what　his　rather　was　doing。
　　〃…foul　madness　and　a　twisting　agony　in　his　bowels；　blindness；　boils；　the　stinking　corruption　of　his　flesh…〃
　　〃I　said　that　is　enough！〃
　　〃…all　of　these　and　more；　I　most　holy　Corannos。　I　pray　that　he　be　stricken　also　with　the　pestilence　that…〃
　　Bertran　came　around　in　front　of　Galbert　and；　in　the　midst　of　this　pronunciation　of　the　blackest　curse　known　to　the　Elders　of　Corannos；　struck　him　full　in　the　face　with　an　open　palm；　the　way　one　might　slap　a　servant。　Galbert　stopped；　out　of　genuine　shock　as　much　as　anything　else。　Blaise　still　hadn't　moved。　He　opened　his　mouth　to　speak；　and　then　closed　it　wordlessly。　Ranald　de　Garsenc　looked　pale　and　unsteady　beside　his　father。
　　〃You　will　be　silent；〃　Bertran　said　savagely。　〃Ten　more　words　and　an　archer　will　shoot。　Your　son　may　be　unwilling　to　give　such　an　order；　for　reasons　that　escape　me；　but　he　assured　that　I　am　not。　Do　not　put　this；　I　beg　you；　to　the　test。〃
　　〃Who　are　you？〃　Galbert　snarled；　through　gritted　teeth。
　　En　Bertran　laughed　aloud　then；　as　strange　a　sound　in　the　fog　as　Thaune　had　heard　all　night。　〃That　is　three　words；〃　he　said。　〃Seven　left。　Hoard　your　store。　I　am　sorely　offended；　though；　I　would　have　thought　you　would　surely　know　the　appearance　of　a　man　you　paid　so　much　to　kill　last　summer。〃
　　〃Bertran　de　Talair；〃　said　Ranald　de　Garsenc；　his　first　words。　〃I　remember　you　from　the　tournaments。〃
　　Galbert's　eyes　narrowed　to　slits；　but　he　kept　silent；　his　body　rigid　with　anger。　His　gloved　hands；　Thaune　saw；　were　ceaselessly　working；　opening　and　closing　at　his　sides；　as　if　longing　for　someone's　throat。
　　Ranald　turned　from　the　duke　of　Talair　to　stare　at　his　brother。　〃What　have　you　done？　Turned　traitor　entirely？　Invaded　with　Arbonne？〃
　　〃Hardly；〃　said　Blaise；　beginning　to　regain　his　posure　but　carefully　not　looking　at　his　father。　〃Bertran　is　here　as　a　friend。　My　men　are　mercenaries　recruited　by　Rudel　Correze　for　me；　you'll　very　likely　know　a　number　of　them…mostly　from　Gotzland。　This　is　a　seizing　of　Garsenc　Castle　from　you；　brother。　I　am　sorry；　but　it　seems　a　necessary　first　step；　since　you　yourself　are　doing　nothing　at　all。　Worse　than　nothing；　actually。　I　intend　to　take　Gorhaut　from　Ademar　with　my　own　countrymen；　and　without　burning　women；　either。〃
　　〃I　had　no　choice　about　that；〃　Ranald　said　fiercely。　
　　〃Not　so。〃　It　was；　surprisingly；　Valery　of　Talair；　behind　Thaune　by　the　portcullis。　He　was　invisible　in　the　fog；　his　disembodied　voice　flat　and　final　as　that　of　some　judge　at　the　iron　gates　of　the　afterworld。　〃We　can　say　no　and　die。　It　is　a　choice；　my　lord　of　Garsenc。　In　the　face　of　some　things　asked　of　us　it　is　the　only　choice。〃
　　No　one　spoke　in　reply。　There　was　silence　on　the　bridge；　heavy　as　the　fog。　Thaune　heard　only　quick　footsteps　and　saw　cl