rj.theshadowrising-第69章

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e　did　not　add。　〃。。。he　recognized　it；　even　if　he　didn't　know　what　it　was；　enough　to　show　me　four　on　an　old　map　of　Tear　…　〃
　　　　　　　〃Four？〃　Moiraine　sounded　startled。　〃All　in　Tear？　Portal　Stones　are　not　so　mon　as　that。〃
　　　　　　　〃Four；〃　Rand　said　definitely。　The　bony　old　librarian　had　been　certain；　even　digging　out　a　tattered　yellowed　manuscript　telling　of　efforts　to　move　the　〃unknown　artifacts　of　an　earlier　Age〃　to　the　Great　Holding。　Every　attempt　had　failed；　and　the　Tairens　had　finally　given　up。　That　was　confirmation　to　Rand；　Portal　Stones　resisted　being　moved。　〃One　lies　not　an　hour's　ride　from　where　we　are；〃　he　continued。　〃The　Aiel　allowed　the　peddler　to　leave；　since　he　was　a　peddler。　With　one　of　his　mules　and　as　much　water　as　he　could　carry　on　his　back。　Somehow　he　made　it　as　far　as　a　stedding　in　the　Spine　of　the　World；　where　he　met　a　man　named　Soran　Milo；　who　was　writing　a　book　called　The　Killers　of　the　Black　Veil。　The　librarian　brought　me　a　battered　copy　when　I　asked　for　books　on　the　Aiel。　Milo　apparently　based　it　all　on　Aiel　who　came　to　trade　at　the　stedding；　and　he　got　almost　everything　wrong　anyway；　according　to　Rhuarc；　but　a　Portal　Stone　can't　be　anything　but　a　Portal　Stone。〃　He　had　examined　other　maps　and　manuscripts；　dozens　of　them；　supposedly　studying　Tear　and　its　history；　learning　the　land；　no　one　could　have　had　a　clue　what　he　intended　before　a　few　minutes　ago。
　　　　　　　Moiraine　sniffed；　and　her　white　mare；　Aldieb；　frisked　a　few　steps；　picking　up　her　irritation。　〃A　supposed　story　told　by　a　supposed　peddler　who　claimed　to　have　seen　a　golden　city　floating　in　the　clouds。　Has　Rhuarc　seen　this　Portal　Stone？　He　has　actually　been　to　Rhuidean。　Even　if　this　peddler　did　go　into　the　Waste；　and　did　see　a　Portal　Stone；　it　could　have　been　anywhere。　A　man　telling　a　story　usually　tries　to　better　what　really　happened。　A　city　floating　in　the　clouds？〃
　　　　　　　〃How　do　you　know　it　doesn't？〃　he　said。　Rhuarc　had　been　willing　to　laugh　at　all　the　wrong　things　Milo　had　written　about　Aiel；　but　he　had　not　been　very　forthing　about　Rhuidean。　No；　more　than　that；　or　less；　rather。　The　Aielman　had　refused　even　to　ment　on　the　parts　of　the　book　supposedly　about　Rhuidean。　Rhuidean；　in　the　lands　of　the　Jenn　Aiel；　the　clan　which　is　not；　that　was　almost　the　extent　of　what　Rhuarc　would　say　about　it。　Rhuidean　was　not　to　be　spoken　of。
　　　　　　　The　Aes　Sedai　was　not　best　pleased　with　his　flippant　remark；　but　he　did　not　care。　She　had　kept　too　many　secrets　herself；　made　him　follow　her　on　blind　trust　too　often。　Let　it　be　her　turn。　She　had　to　learn　that　he　was　not　a　puppet。　I'll　take　her　advice　when　I　think　it's　right；　but　I　won't　dance　on　Tar　Valon's　strings　again。　He　would　die　on　his　own　terms。
　　　　　　　Egwene　moved　her　gray　horse　closer；　riding　almost　knee　to　knee　with　him。　〃Rand；　do　you　really　mean　to　risk　our　lives　on　a。。。　a　chance？　Rhuarc　did　not　tell　you　anything；　did　he？　When　I　ask　Aviendha　about　Rhuidean；　she　shuts　up　tight　as　a　hickory　nut。〃　Mat　looked　sick。
　　　　　　　Rand　kept　his　face　still；　not　letting　his　flash　of　shame　show。　He　had　not　meant　to　frighten　his　friends。　〃There　is　a　Portal　Stone　there；〃　he　maintained。　He　rubbed　the　hard　shape　in　his　pouch　again。　This　had　to　work。
　　　　　　　The　librarian's　maps　had　been　old；　but　in　a　way　that　was　a　help。　The　grasslands　they　rode　now　had　been　forest　when　those　maps　were　drawn；　but　few　trees　remained；　far…scattered　scraggly　copses　of　white　oak　and　pine　and　maidenhair；　tall　solitary　trees　he　did　not　recognize；　with　gnarled　spindly　trunks。　He　could　make　out　the　shape　of　the　land　easily；　hills　shrouded　mainly　in　high　grass　now。
　　　　　　　On　the　maps　two　tall　bent　ridges；　one　close　behind　the　other；　had　pointed　to　the　cluster　of　round　hills　where　the　Portal　Stone　was。　If　the　maps　had　been　well　made。　If　the　librarian　really　had　recognized　his　description；　and　the　green　diamond　mark　actually　meant　ancient　ruins　as　he　claimed。　Why　would　he　lie？　I'm　getting　too　suspicious。　No；　I　have　to　be　suspicious。　As　trusting　as　a　viper；　and　as　cold。　He　did　not　like　it；　though。
　　　　　　　To　the　north　he　could　just　make　out　hills　with　no　trees　at　all；　speckled　with　moving　shapes　that　must　be　horses。　The　High　Lords'　herds；　grazing　across　the　site　of　the　old　Ogier　grove。　He　hoped　Perrin　and　Loial　had　gotten　away　safely。　Help　them；　Perrin；　he　thought。　Help　them　somehow；　because　I　can't。
　　　　　　　The　Ogier　grove　meant　the　folded　ridges　must　be　close；　and　soon　he　spotted　them　a　little　to　the　south；　like　two　arrows　one　inside　the　other；　a　few　trees　along　the　top　making　a　thin　line　against　the　sky。　Beyond；　low　round　hills　like　grass…covered　bubbles　ran　into　one　another。　More　hills　than　on　the　old　map。　Too　many；　for　all　the　patch　enpassed　less　than　a　square　mile。　If　they　did　not　correspond　to　the　map；　which　one　held　the　Portal　Stone　on　its　side？
　　　　　　　〃The　Aiel　have　numbers；〃　Lan　said　quietly；　〃and　sharp　eyes。〃
　　　　　　　With　a　nod　of　gratitude；　Rand　reined　Jeade'en　in；　falling　back　to　put　the　problem　before　Rhuarc。　He　only　described　the　Portal　Stone；　not　saying　what　it　was；　there　would　be　time　enough　for　that　when　it　was　found。　He　was　good　at　keeping　secrets　now。　Rhuarc　probably　had　no　idea　what　a　Portal　Stone　was；　anyway。　Few　did　except　for　Aes　Sedai。　He　had　not　known　until　someone　told　him。
　　　　　　　Striding　along　beside　the　dapple　stallion；　the　Aielman　frowned　slightly　…　as　much　as　a　worried　grimace　from　most　other　men　…　then　nodded。　〃We　can　find　this　thing。〃　He　raised　his　voice。　〃Aethan　Dor！　Far　Aldazar　Din！　Duadhe　Mahdi'in！　Far　Dareis　Mai！　Seia　Doon！　Sha'mad　Conde！〃
　　　　　　　As　he　called　out；　members　of　the　named　warrior　societies　trotted　forward；　until　a　good　quarter　of　the　Aiel　clustered　around　him　and　Rand。　Red　Shields。　Brothers　of　the　Eagle。　Water　Seekers。　Maidens　of　the　Spear。　Black　Eyes。　Thunder　Walkers。
　　　　　　　Rand　picked　out　Egwene's　friend；　Aviendha；　a　tall；　pretty　woman　with　a　haughty　unsmiling　stare。　Maidens　had　guarded　his　door；　but　he　did　not　think　he　had　seen　her　before　the　Aiel　gathered　to　leave　the　Stone。　She　looked　back　at　him；　proud　as　a　green…eyed　hawk；　then　tossed　her　head　and　turned　her　attention　to　the　clan　chief。
　　　　　　　Well；　I　wanted　to　be　ordinary　again；　he　thought；　a　touch　ruefully。　The　Aiel　certainly　gave　him　that。　They　offered　even　the　clan　chief　only　a　respectful　hearing；　without　any　of　the　elaborate　deference　a　lord　would　exact；　and　obedience　that　seemed　between　equals。　He　could　hardly　expect　more　for　himself。
　　　　　　　Rhuarc　gave　instructions　in　few　words；　and　the　listening　Aiel　fanned　out　ahead　into　the　patch　of　hills；　running　easily；　some　veiling　themselves　just　in　case。　The　rest　waited；　standing　or　squatting　beside　the　loaded　pack　mules。
　　　　　　　They　represented　almost　every　clan　…　except　the　Jenn　Aiel；　of　course；　Rand　could　not　get　it　straight　whether　the　Jenn　really　existed　or　not；　since　the　way　the　Aiel　mentioned　them；　which　they　seldom　did；　it　could　be　either　way　…　including　some　clans　that　had　blood　feuds；　and　others　that　often　fought　each　other。　He　had　learned　that　much　about　them。　Not　for　the　first　time；　he　wondered　what　had　held　them　together　so　far。　Was　it　just　their　prophecies　of　the　Stone　falling；　and　the　search　for　He　Who　es　With　the　Dawn？
　　　　　　　〃More　than　that；〃　Rhuarc　said；　and　Rand　realized　he　had　spoken　his　thoughts　aloud。　〃Prophecy　brought　us　over　the　Dragonwall；　and　the　name　that　is　not　spoken　drew　us　to　the　Stone　of　Tear。〃　The　name　he　meant　was　〃People　of　the　Dragon；〃　a　secret　name　for　the　Aiel；　only　clan　chiefs　and　Wise　Ones　knew　or　used　it；　apparently　seldom　and　only　with　each　other。　〃For　the　rest？　No　one　may　shed　the　blood　of　another　of　the　same　society；　of　course；　yet　mixing　Shaarad　with　Goshien；　Taardad　and　Nakai　with　Shaido。。。　Even　I　might　have　danced　the　spears　with　the　Shaido；　if　the　Wise　Ones　had　not　made　everyone　who　crossed　the　Dragonwall　swear　water　oath　to　treat　any　Aiel　as　of　the　same　society　on　this　side　of　the　mountains。　Even　sneaking　Shaido。。。〃　He　shrugged　slightly。　〃You　see？　It　is　not　easy；　even　for　me。〃
　　　　　　　〃These　Shaido　are　enemies　of　yours？〃　Rand　fumbled　the　name；　in　the　Stone；　the　Aiel　had　gone　by　societies；　not　clans。
　　　　　　　〃We　have　avoided　blood　feud；〃　Rhuarc　said；　〃but　Taardad　and　Shaido　have　never　been　friendly；　the　septs　sometimes　raid　each　other；　steal　goats　or　cattle。　But　the　oaths　have　held　with　us　all　against　three　blood　feuds　and　a　dozen　old　hatreds　between　clans　or　septs。　It　helps　now　that　we　journey　toward　Rhuidean；　even　if　some　will　leave　us　before。　None　may　shed　the　blood　of　one　traveling　to　or　from　Rhuidean。〃　The　Aielman　looked　up　at　Rand；　face　pletely　expressionless。　〃It　may　be　that　soon　no　one　of　us　will　shed　another's　blood。〃　It　was　impossible　to　say　whether　he　found　the　prospect　pleasing。
　　　　　　　An　ululating　cry　came　from　one　of　the　Maidens；　standing　atop　a　hill　and　waving　her　arms　over　her　head。
　　　　　　　〃They　have　found　your　stone　column；　it　seems；〃　Rhuarc　said。
　　　　　　　Gathering　her　reins；　Moiraine　gave　Rand　a　level　look　as　he　rode　past　her；　eagerly　heeling　Jeade'en　to　a　gallop。　Egwene　reined　her　mare　near　to　Mat；　leaning　from　her　saddle　with　a　hand　on　the　high　pommel　of　his　to　engage　him　in　close　conversation。　She　seemed　to　be　trying　to　make　him　tell　her　something；　or　admit　something；　and　from　the　vehemence　of　Mat's　gestures；　he　was　either　innocent　as　a　babe　or　lying　in　his　teeth。
　　　　　　　Flinging　himself　out　of　the　saddle；　Rand　hurriedly　climbed　up　the　gentle　slope　to　examine　what　the　Maiden　…　it　was　Aviendha　…　had　found　half　buried　in　the　ground　and　obscured　by　long　grass。　A　weathered　gray　stone　column；　at　least　three　spans　long　and　a　pace　thick。　Strange　symbols　covered　every　exposed　inch；　each　surrounded　by　a　narrow　line　of　markings　he　thought　were　writing。　Even　if　he　could　have　read　the　language　…　if　it　was　one　…　the　script　…　if　that　was　what　it　was　…　had　long　since　worn　to　illegibility。　The　symbols　he　could　make　out　a　little　better。　Some　of　them；　many　might　as　well　have　been　the　marks　of　rain　and　wind。
　　　　　　　Pulling　grass　by　the　handful　so　he　could　see　better；　he　glanced　at　Aviendha。　She　had　dropped　her　shoufa　around　her　shoulders；　baring　short　reddish　hair；　and　was　watching　him　with　a　flat；　hard　expression。　〃You　don't　like　me；〃　he　said。　〃Why？〃　There　was　one　symbol　he　had　to　find；　the　only　one　he　knew。
　　　　　　　〃Like　you？〃　she　said。　〃You　may　be　He　Who　es　With　the　Dawn；　a　man　of　destiny。　Who　can　like　or　dislike　such？　Besides；　you　walk　free；　a　wetlander　despite　your　face；　yet　going　to　Rhuidean　for　honor；　while　I。。。〃
　　　　　　　〃While　you　what？〃　he　asked　when　she　stopped。　He　searched　his　way　slowly　upslope。　Where　was　it？　Two　parallel　wavy　lines　crossed　at　an　angle　by　an　odd　squiggle。　Light；　if　it's　buried；　it'll　take　us　hours　to　turn　this　over。　Abruptly　he　laughed。　Not　hours。　He　could　channel　and　lift　the　thing　out　of　the　ground；　or　Moiraine　could；　or　Egwene。　A　Portal　Stone　might　resist　being　moved；　but　surely　they　could　move　it　that　much。　Channeling　would　not　help　him　find　the　wavy　lines；　though。　Only　feeling　his　way　along　the　stone　would　do　that。
　　　　　　　Instead　of　answering；　the　Aiel　woman　squatted　easily　with　her　short　spears　across　her　knees。　〃You　have　treated　Elayne　badly。　I　would　not　care；　but　Elayne　is　near…sister　to　Egwene；　who　is　my　friend。　Yet　Egwene　likes　you　still；　so　for　her　sake　I　will　try。〃
　　　　　　　Still　searching　the　thick　column；　he　shook　hi