grrm.astormofswords-第114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！


　Would　that　I　had　known　how　to　wield　an　axe；　perhaps　I　might　have　been　able　to　protect　them　better。
　Day　followed　day；　and　still　the　rain　kept　falling。　All　the　way　up　the　Blue　Fork　they　rode；　past　Sevenstrearns　where　the　river　unraveled　into　a　confusion　of　rills　and　brooks；　then　through　Hag's　Mire；　where　glistening　green　pools　waited　to　swallow　the　unwary　and　the　soft　ground　sucked　at　the　hooves　of　their　horses　like　a　hungry　babe　at　its　mother's　breast。　The　going　was　worse　than　slow。　Half　the　wayns　had　to　be　abandoned　to　the　muck；　their　loads　distributed　amongst　mules　and　draft　horses。
　Lord　Jason　Mallister　caught　up　with　them　amidst　the　bogs　of　Hag's　Mire。　There　was　more　than　an　hour　of　daylight　remaining　when　he　rode　up　with　his　column；　but　Robb　called　a　halt　at　once；　and　Ser　Raynald　Westerling　came　to　escort　Catelyn　to　the　king's　tent。　She　found　her　son　seated　beside　a　brazier；　a　map　across　his　lap。　Grey　Wind　slept　at　his　feet。　The　Greatjon　was　with　him；　along　with　Galbart　Glover；　Maege　Mormont；　Edmure；　and　a　man　that　Catelyn　did　not　know；　a　fleshy　balding　man　with　a　cringing　look　to　him。　No　lordling；　this　one；　she　knew　the　moment　she　laid　eyes　on　the　stranger。　Not　even　a　warrior。
　Jason　Mallister　rose　to　offer　Catelyn　his　seat。　His　hair　had　almost　as　much　white　in　it　as　brown；　but　the　Lord　of　Seagard　was　still　a　handsome　man；　tall　and　lean；　with　a　chiseled　clean…shaven　face；　high　cheekbones；　and　fierce　blue…grey　eyes。　〃Lady　Stark；　it　is　ever　a　pleasure。　I　bring　good　tidings；　I　hope。〃
　〃We　are　in　sore　need　of　some；　my　lord。〃　She　sat；　listening　to　the　rain　patter　down　noisily　against　the　canvas　overhead。
　Robb　waited　for　Ser　Raynald　to　close　the　tent　flap。　〃The　gods　have　heard　our　prayers；　my　lords。　Lord　Jason　has　brought　us　the　captain　of　the　Myraham；　a　merchanter　out　of　Oldtown。　Captain；　tell　them　what　you　told　me。〃
　〃Aye；　Your　Grace。〃　He　licked　his　thick　lips　nervously。　〃My　last　port　of　call　afore　Seagard；　that　was　Lordsport　on　Pyke。　The　ironmen　kept　me　there　more'n　half　a　year；　they　did。　King　Balon's　mand。　Only；　well；　the　long　and　the　short　of　it　is；　he's　dead。〃
　〃Balon　Greyjoy？〃　Catelyn's　heart　skipped　a　beat。　〃You　are　telling　us　that　Balon　Greyjoy　is　dead？〃
　The　shabby　little　captain　nodded。　〃You　know　how　Pyke's　built　on　a　headland；　and　part　on　rocks　and　islands　off　the　shore；　with　bridges　between？　The　way　I　heard　it　in　Lordsport；　there　was　a　blow　ing　in　from　the　west；　rain　and　thunder；　and　old　King　Balon　was　crossing　one　of　them　bridges　when　the　wind　got　hold　of　it　and　just　tore　the　thing　to　pieces。　He　washed　up　two　days　later；　all　bloated　and　broken。　Crabs　ate　his　eyes；　I　hear。〃
　The　Greatjon　laughed。　〃King　crabs；　I　hope；　to　sup　upon　such　royal　jelly；　eh？〃
　The　captain　bobbed　his　head。　〃Aye；　but　that's　not　all　of　it；　no！〃　He　leaned　forward。　〃The　brother's　back。〃
　〃Victarion？〃　asked　Galbart　Glover；　surprised。
　〃Euron。　Crow's　Eye；　they　call　him；　as　black　a　pirate　as　ever　raised　a　sail。　He's　been　gone　for　years；　but　Lord　Balon　was　no　sooner　cold　than　there　he　was；　sailing　into　Lordsport　in　his　Silence。　Black　sails　and　a　red　hull；　and　crewed　by　mutes。　He'd　been　to　Asshai　and　back；　I　heard。　Wherever　he　was；　though；　he's　home　now；　and　he　marched　right　into　Pyke　and　sat　his　arse　in　the　Seastone　Chair；　and　drowned　Lord　Botley　in　a　cask　of　seawater　when　he　objected。　That　was　when　I　ran　back　to　Myraham　and　slipped　anchor；　hoping　I　could　get　away　whilst　things　were　confused。　And　so　I　did；　and　here　I　am。〃
　〃Captain；〃　said　Robb　when　the　man　was　done；　〃you　have　my　thanks；　and　you　will　not　go　unrewarded。　Lord　Jason　will　take　you　back　to　your　ship　when　we　are　done。　Pray　wait　outside。〃
　〃That　I　will；　Your　Grace。　That　I　will。〃
　No　sooner　had　he　left　the　king's　pavilion　than　the　Greatjon　began　to　laugh；　but　Robb　silenced　him　with　a　look。　〃Euron　Greyjoy　is　no　man's　notion　of　a　king；　if　half　of　what　Theon　said　of　him　was　true。　Theon　is　the　rightful　heir；　unless　he's　dead　。　。　。　but　Victarion　mands　the　Iron　Fleet。　I　can't　believe　he　would　remain　at　Moat　Cailin　while　Euron　Crow's　Eye　holds　the　Seastone　Chair。　He　has　to　go　back。〃
　〃There's　a　daughter　as　well；〃　Galbart　Glover　reminded　him。　〃The　one　who　holds　Deepwood　Motte；　and　Robett's　wife　and　child。〃
　〃If　she　stays　at　Deepwood　Motte　that's　all　she　can　hope　to　hold；〃　said　Robb。　〃What's　true　for　the　brothers　is　even　more　true　for　her。　She　will　need　to　sail　home　to　oust　Euron　and　press　her　own　claim。〃　Her　son　turned　to　Lord　Jason　Mallister。　〃You　have　a　fleet　at　Seagard？〃
　〃A　fleet；　Your　Grace？　Half　a　dozen　longships　and　two　war　galleys。　Enough　to　defend　my　own　shores　against　raiders；　but　I　could　not　hope　to　meet　the　Iron　Fleet　in　battle。〃
　〃Nor　would　I　ask　it　of　you。　The　ironborn　will　be　setting　sail　toward　Pyke；　I　expect。　Theon　told　me　how　his　people　think。　Every　captain　a　king　on　his　own　deck。　They　will　all　want　a　voice　in　the　succession。　My　lord；　I　need　two　of　your　longships　to　sail　around　the　Cape　of　Eagles　and　up　the　Neck　to　Greywater　Watch。〃
　Lord　Jason　hesitated。　〃A　dozen　streams　drain　the　wetwood；　all　shallow；　silty；　and　uncharted。　I　would　not　even　call　them　rivers。　The　channels　are　ever　drifting　and　changing。　There　are　endless　sandbars；　deadfalls；　and　tangles　of　rotting　trees。　And　Greywater　Watch　moves。　How　are　my　ships　to　find　it？〃
　〃Go　upriver　flying　my　banner。　The　crannogmen　will　find　you。　I　want　two　ships　to　double　the　chances　of　my　message　reaching　Howland　Reed。　Lady　Maege　shall　go　on　one；　Galbart　on　the　second。〃　He　turned　to　the　two　he'd　named。　〃You'll　carry　letters　for　those　lords　of　mine　who　remain　in　the　north；　but　all　the　mands　within　will　be　false；　in　case　you　have　the　misfortune　to　be　taken。　If　that　happens；　you　must　tell　them　that　you　were　sailing　for　the　north。　Back　to　Bear　Island；　or　for　the　Stony　Shore。〃　He　tapped　a　finger　on　the　map。　〃Moat　Cailin　is　the　key。　Lord　Balon　knew　that；　which　is　why　he　sent　his　brother　Victarion　there　with　the　hard　heart　of　the　Greyjoy　strength。〃
　〃Succession　squabbles　or　no；　the　ironborn　are　not　such　fools　as　to　abandon　Moat　Cailin；〃　said　Lady　Maege。
　〃No；〃　Robb　admitted。　〃Victarion　will　leave　the　best　part　of　his　garrison；　I'd　guess。　Every　man　he　takes　will　be　one　less　man　we　need　to　fight；　however。　And　he　will　take　many　of　his　captains；　count　on　that。　The　leaders。　He　will　need　such　men　to　speak　for　him　if　he　hopes　to　sit　the　Seastone　Chair。〃
　〃You　cannot　mean　to　attack　up　the　causeway；　Your　Grace；〃　said　Galbart　Glover。　〃The　approaches　are　too　narrow。　There　is　no　way　to　deploy。　No　one　has　ever　taken　the　Moat。〃
　〃From　the　south；〃　said　Robb。　〃But　if　we　can　attack　from　the　north　and　west　simultaneously；　and　take　the　ironmen　in　the　rear　while　they　are　beating　off　what　they　think　is　my　main　thrust　up　the　causeway；　then　we　have　a　chance。　Once　I　link　up　with　Lord　Bolton　and　the　Freys；　I　will　have　more　than　twelve　thousand　men。　I　mean　to　divide　them　into　three　battles　and　start　up　the　causeway　a　half…day　apart。　If　the　Greyjoys　have　eyes　south　of　the　Neck；　they　will　see　my　whole　strength　rushing　headlong　at　Moat　Cailin。
　〃Roose　Bolton　will　have　the　rearguard；　while　I　mand　the　center。　Greatjon；　you　shall　lead　the　van　against　Moat　Cailin。　Your　attack　must　be　so　fierce　that　the　ironborn　have　no　leisure　to　wonder　if　anyone　is　creeping　down　on　them　from　the　north。〃
　The　Greatjon　chuckled。　〃Your　creepers　best　e　fast；　or　my　men　will　swarm　those　walls　and　win　the　Moat　before　you　show　your　face。　I'll　make　a　gift　of　it　to　you　when　you　e　dawdling　up。〃
　〃That's　a　gift　I　should　be　glad　to　have；〃　said　Robb。
　Edmure　was　frowning。　〃You　talk　of　attacking　the　ironmen　in　the　rear；　sire；　but　how　do　you　mean　to　get　north　of　them？〃
　〃There　are　ways　through　the　Neck　that　are　not　on　any　map；　Uncle。　Ways　known　only　to　the　crannogmen…narrow　trails　between　the　bogs；　and　wet　roads　through　the　reeds　that　only　boats　can　follow。〃　He　turned　to　his　two　messengers。　〃Tell　Howland　Reed　that　he　is　to　send　guides　to　me；　two　days　after　I　have　started　up　the　causeway。　To　the　center　battle；　where　my　own　standard　flies。　Three　hosts　will　leave　the　Twins；　but　only　two　will　reach　Moat　Cailin。　Mine　own　battle　will　melt　away　into　the　Neck；　to　reemerge　on　the　Fever。　if　we　move　swiftly　once　my　uncle's　wed；　we　can　all　be　in　position　by　year's　end。　We　will　fall　upon　the　Moat　from　three　sides　on　the　first　day　of　the　new　century；　as　the　ironmen　are　waking　with　hammers　beating　at　their　heads　from　the　mead　they'll　quaff　the　night　before。〃
　〃I　like　this　plan；〃　said　the　Greatjon。　〃I　like　it　well。〃
　Galbart　Glover　rubbed　his　mouth。　〃There　are　risks。　If　the　crannogmen　should　fail　you　。　。　。〃
　〃We　will　be　no　worse　than　before。　But　they　will　not　fail。　My　father　knew　the　worth　of　Howland　Reed。〃　Robb　rolled　up　the　map；　and　only　then　looked　at　Catelyn。　〃Mother。〃
　She　tensed。　〃Do　you　have　some　part　in　this　for　me？〃
　〃Your　part　is　to　stay　safe。　Our　journey　through　the　Neck　will　be　dangerous；　and　naught　but　battle　awaits　us　in　the　north。　But　Lord　Mallister　has　kindly　offered　to　keep　you　safe　at　Seagard　until　the　war　is　done。　You　will　be　fortable　there；　I　know。〃
　Is　this　my　punishment　for　opposing　him　about　Jon　Snow？　Or　for　being　a　woman；　and　worse；　a　mother？　It　took　her　a　moment　to　realize　that　they　were　all　watching　her。　They　had　known；　she　realized。　Catelyn　should　not　have　been　surprised。　She　had　won　no　friends　by　freeing　the　Kingslayer；　and　more　than　once　she　had　heard　the　Greatjon　say　that　women　had　no　place　on　a　battlefield。
　Her　anger　must　have　blazed　across　her　face；　because　Galbart　Glover　spoke　up　before　she　said　a　word。　〃My　lady；　His　Grace　is　wise。　It's　best　you　do　not　e　with　us。〃
　〃Seagard　will　be　brightened　by　your　presence；　Lady　Catelyn；〃　said　Lord　Jason　Mallister。
　〃You　would　make　me　a　prisoner；〃　she　said。
　〃An　honored　guest；〃　Lord　Jason　insisted。
　Catelyn　turned　to　her　son。　〃I　mean　no　offense　to　Lord　Jason；〃　she　said　stiffly；　〃but　if　I　cannot　continue　on　with　you；　I　would　sooner　return　to　Riverrun。〃
　〃I　left　my　wife　at　Riverrun。　I　want　my　mother　elsewhere。　If　you　keep　all　your　treasures　in　one　purse；　you　only　make　it　easier　for　those　who　would　rob　you。　After　the　wedding；　you　shall　go　to　Seagard；　that　is　my　royal　mand。〃　Robb　stood；　and　as　quick　as　that；　her　fate　was　settled。　He　picked　up　a　sheet　of　parchment。　〃One　more　matter。　Lord　Balon　has　left　chaos　in　his　wake；　we　hope。　I　would　not　do　the　same。　Yet　I　have　no　son　as　yet；　my　brothers　Bran　and　Rickon　are　dead；　and　my　sister　is　wed　to　a　Lannister。　I've　thought　long　and　hard　about　who　might　follow　me。　I　mand　you　now　as　my　true　and　loyal　lords　to　fix　your　seals　to　this　document　as　witnesses　to　my　decision。〃
　A　king　indeed；　Catelyn　thought；　defeated。　She　could　only　hope　that　the　trap　he'd　planned　for　Moat　Cailin　worked　as　well　as　the　one　in　which　he'd　just　caught　her。
　
　CHAPTER　46
　SAMWELL
　
　Whitetree；　Sam　thought。　Please；　let　this　be　Whitetree。　He　remembered　Whitetree。　Whitetree　was　on　the　maps　he'd　drawn；　on　their　way　north。　If　this　village　was　Whitetree；　he　knew　where　they　were。　Please；　it　has　to　be。　He　wanted　that　so　badly　that　he　forgot　his　feet　for　a　little　bit；　he　forgot　the　ache　in　his　calves　and　his　lower　back　and　the　stiff　frozen　fingers　he　could　scarcely　feel。　He　even　forgot　about　Lord　Mormont　and　Craster　and　the　wights　and　the　Others。　Whitetree；　Sam　prayed；　to　any　g