grrm.astormofswords-第174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！


ck　to　make　enough　room　for　the　fight。　Some　had　dragged　out　chairs　to　watch　more　fortably；　while　others　perched　on　barrels。　We　should　have　done　this　in　the　Dragonpit；　Tyrion　thought　sourly。　We　could　have　charged　a　penny　a　head　and　paid　for　Joffrey's　wedding　and　funeral　both。　Some　of　the　onlookers　even　had　small　children　sitting　on　their　shoulders；　to　get　a　better　view。　They　shouted　and　pointed　at　the　sight　of　Tyrion。
　Cersei　seemed　half　a　child　herself　beside　Ser　Gregor。　In　his　armor；　the　Mountain　looked　bigger　than　any　man　had　any　right　to　be。　Beneath　a　long　yellow　surcoat　bearing　the　three　black　dogs　of　Clegane；　he　wore　heavy　plate　over　chainmail；　dull　grey　steel　dinted　and　scarred　in　battle。　Beneath　that　would　be　boiled　leather　and　a　layer　of　quilting。　A　flat…topped　greathelm　was　bolted　to　his　gorget；　with　breaths　around　the　mouth　and　nose　and　a　narrow　slit　for　vision。　The　crest　atop　it　was　a　stone　fist。
　If　Ser　Gregor　was　suffering　from　wounds；　Tyrion　could　see　no　sign　of　it　from　across　the　yard。　He　looks　as　though　he　was　chiseled　out　of　rock；　standing　there。　His　greatsword　was　planted　in　the　ground　before　him；　six　feet　of　scarred　metal。　Ser　Gregor's　huge　hands；　clad　in　gauntlets　of　lobstered　steel；　clasped　the　crosshilt　to　either　side　of　the　grip。　Even　Prince　Oberyn's　paramour　paled　at　the　sight　of　him。　〃You　are　going　to　fight　that？〃　Ellaria　Sand　said　in　a　hushed　voice。
　〃I　am　going　to　kill　that；〃　her　lover　replied　carelessly。
　Tyrion　had　his　own　doubts；　now　that　they　stood　on　the　brink。　When　he　looked　at　Prince　Oberyn；　he　found　himself　wishing　he　had　Bronn　defending　him　。　。　。　or　even　better；　Jaime。　The　Red　Viper　was　lightly　armored；　greaves；　vambraces；　gorget；　spaulder；　steel　codpiece。　Elsewise　Oberyn。　was　clad　in　supple　leather　and　flowing　silks。　Over　his　byrnie　he　wore　his　scales　of　gleaming　copper；　but　mail　and　scale　together　would　not　give　him　a　quarter　the　protection　of　Gregor's　heavy　plate。　With　its　visor　removed；　the　prince's　helm　was　effectively　no　better　than　a　halfhelm；　lacking　even　a　nasal。　His　round　steel　shield　was　brightly　polished；　and　showed　the　sun…and…spear　in　red　gold；　yellow　gold；　white　gold；　and　copper。
　Dance　around　him　until　he's　so　tired　he　can　hardly　lift　his　arm；　then　put　him　on　his　back。　The　Red　Viper　seemed　to　have　the　same　notion　as　Bronn。　But　the　sellsword　had　been　blunt　about　the　risks　of　such　tactics。　I　hope　to　seven　hells　that　you　know　what　you　are　doing；　snake。
　A　platform　had　been　erected　beside　the　Tower　of　the　Hand；　halfway　between　the　two　champions。　That　was　where　Lord　Tywin　sat　with　his　brother　Ser　Kevan。　King　Tommen　was　not　in　evidence；　for　that；　at　least；　Tyrion　was　grateful。
　Lord　Tywin　glanced　briefly　at　his　dwarf　son；　then　lifted　his　hand。　A　dozen　trumpeters　blew　a　fanfare　to　quiet　the　crowd。　The　High　Septon　shuffled　forward　in　his　tall　crystal　crown；　and　prayed　that　the　Father　Above　would　help　them　in　this　judgment；　and　that　the　Warrior　would　lend　his　strength　to　the　arm　of　the　man　whose　cause　was　just。　That　would　be　me；　Tyrion　almost　shouted；　but　they　would　only　laugh；　and　he　was　sick　unto　death　of　laughter。
　Ser　Osmund　Kettleblack　brought　Clegane　his　shield；　a　massive　thing　of　heavy　oak　rimmed　in　black　iron。　As　the　Mountain　slid　his　left　arm　through　the　straps；　Tyrion　saw　that　the　hounds　of　Clegane　had　been　painted　over。　This　morning　Ser　Gregor　bore　the　seven…pointed　star　the　Andals　had　brought　to　Westeros　when　they　crossed　the　narrow　sea　to　overwhelm　the　First　Men　and　their　gods。　Very　pious　of　you；　Cersei；　but　I　doubt　the　gods　will　be　impressed。
　There　were　fifty　yards　between　them。　Prince　Oberyn　advanced　quickly；　Ser　Gregor　more　ominously。　The　ground　does　not　shake　when　he　walks；　Tyrion　told　himself。　That　is　only　my　heart　fluttering。　When　the　two　men　were　ten　yards　apart；　the　Red　Viper　stopped　and　called　out；　〃Have　they　told　you　who　I　am？〃
　Ser　Gregor　grunted　through　his　breaths。　〃Some　dead　man。〃　He　came　on；　inexorable。
　The　Domishman　slid　sideways。　〃I　am　Oberyn　Martell；　a　prince　of　Dome；〃　he　said；　as　the　Mountain　turned　to　keep　him　in　sight。　〃Princess　Elia　was　my　sister。〃
　〃Who？〃　asked　Gregor　Clegane。
　Oberyn's　long　spear　jabbed；　but　Ser　Gregor　took　the　point　on　his　shield；　shoved　it　aside；　and　bulled　back　at　the　prince；　his　great　sword　flashing。　The　Domishman　spun　away　untouched。　The　spear　darted　forward。　Clegane　slashed　at　it；　Martell　snapped　it　back；　then　thrust　again。　Metal　screamed　on　metal　as　the　spearhead　slid　off　the　Mountain's　chest；　slicing　through　the　surcoat　and　leaving　a　long　bright　scratch　on　the　steel　beneath。　〃Elia　Martell；　Princess　of　Dome；〃　the　Red　Viper　hissed。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。〃
　Ser　Gregor　grunted。　He　made　a　ponderous　charge　to　hack　at　the　Domishman's　head。　Prince　Oberyn　avoided　him　easily。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。〃
　〃Did　you　e　to　talk　or　to　fight？〃
　〃I　came　to　hear　you　confess。〃　The　Red　Viper　landed　a　quick　thrust　on　the　Mountain's　belly；　to　no　effect。　Gregor　cut　at　him；　and　missed。　The　long　spear　lanced　in　above　his　sword。　Like　a　serpent's　tongue　it　flickered　in　and　out；　feinting　low　and　landing　high；　jabbing　at　groin；　shield；　eyes。　The　Mountain　makes　for　a　big　target；　at　the　least；　Tyrion　thought。　Prince　Oberyn　could　scarcely　miss；　though　none　of　his　blows　was　penetrating　Ser　Gregor's　heavy　plate。　The　Dornishman　kept　circling；　jabbing；　then　darting　back　again；　forcing　the　bigger　man　to　turn　and　turn　again。　Clegane　is　losing　sight　of　him。　The　Mountain's　helm　had　a　narrow　eyeslit；　severely　limiting　his　vision。　Oberyn　was　making　good　use　of　that；　and　the　length　of　his　spear；　and　his　quickness。
　It　went　on　that　way　for　what　seemed　a　long　time。　Back　and　forth　they　moved　across　the　yard；　and　round　and　round　in　spirals；　Ser　Gregor　slashing　at　the　air　while　Oberyn's　spear　struck　at　arm；　and　leg；　twice　at　his　temple。　Gregor's　big　wooden　shield　took　its　share　of　hits　as　well；　until　a　dog's　head　peeped　out　from　under　the　star；　and　elsewhere　the　raw　oak　showed　through。　Clegane　would　grunt　from　time　to　time；　and　once　Tyrion　heard　him　mutter　a　curse；　but　otherwise　he　fought　in　a　sullen　silence。
　Not　Oberyn　Martell。　〃You　raped　her；〃　he　called；　feinting。　〃You　murdered　her；〃　he　said；　dodging　a　looping　cut　from　Gregor's　greatsword。　〃You　killed　her　children；〃　he　shouted；　slamming　the　spearpoint　into　the　giant's　throat；　only　to　have　it　glance　off　the　thick　steel　gorget　with　a　screech。
　〃Oberyn　is　toying　with　him；〃　said　Ellaria　Sand。
　That　is　fool's　play；　thought　Tyrion。　〃The　Mountain　is　too　bloody　big　to　be　any　man's　toy。〃
　All　around　the　yard；　the　throng　of　spectators　was　creeping　in　toward　the　two　batants；　edging　forward　inch　by　inch　to　get　a　better　view。　The　Kingsguard　tried　to　keep　them　back；　shoving　at　the　gawkers　forcefully　with　their　big　white　shields；　but　there　were　hundreds　of　gawkers　and　only　six　of　the　men　in　white　armor。
　〃You　raped　her。〃　Prince　Oberyn　parried　a　savage　cut　with　his　spearhead。　〃You　murdered　her。〃　He　sent　the　spearpoint　at　Clegane's　eyes；　so　fast　the　huge　man　flinched　back。　〃You　killed　her　children。〃　The　spear　flickered　sideways　and　down；　scraping　against　the　Mountain's　breastplate。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。〃　The　spear　was　two　feet　longer　than　Ser　Gregor's　sword；　more　than　enough　to　keep　him　at　an　awkward　distance。　He　hacked　at　the　shaft　whenever　Oberyn　lunged　at　him；　trying　to　lop　off　the　spearhead；　but　he　might　as　well　have　been　trying　to　hack　the　wings　off　a　fly。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。〃　Gregor　tried　to　bull　rush；　but　Oberyn　skipped　aside　and　circled　round　his　back。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。〃
　〃Be　quiet。〃　Ser　Gregor　seemed　to　be　moving　a　little　slower；　and　his　greatsword　no　longer　rose　quite　so　high　as　it　had　when　the　contest　began。　〃Shut　your　bloody　mouth。〃
　〃You　raped　her；〃　the　prince　said；　moving　to　the　right。
　〃Enough！〃　Ser　Gregor　took　two　long　strides　and　brought　his　sword　down　at　Oberyn's　head；　but　the　Domishman　backstepped　once　more。　〃You　murdered　her；〃　he　said。
　〃SHUT　UP〃　Gregor　charged　headlong；　right　at　the　point　of　the　spear；　which　slammed　into　his　right　breast　then　slid　aside　with　a　hideous　steel　shriek。　Suddenly　the　Mountain　was　close　enough　to　strike；　his　huge　sword　flashing　in　a　steel　blur。　The　crowd　was　screaming　as　well。　Oberyn　slipped　the　first　blow　and　let　go　of　the　spear；　useless　now　that　Ser　Gregor　was　inside　it。　The　second　cut　the　Domishman　caught　on　his　shield。　Metal　met　metal　with　an　ear…splitting　clang　sending　the　Red　Viper　reeling。　Ser　Gregor　followed；　bellowing。　He　doesn't　use　words；　he　just　roars　like　an　animal；　Tyrion　thought。　Oberyn's　retreat　became　a　headlong　backward　flight　mere　inches　ahead　of　the　greatsword　as　it　slashed　at　his　chest；　his　arms；　his　head。
　The　stable　was　behind　him。　Spectators　screamed　and　shoved　at　each　other　to　get　out　of　the　way。　One　stumbled　into　Oberyn's　back。　Ser　Gregor　hacked　down　with　all　his　savage　strength。　The　Red　Viper　threw　himself　sideways；　rolling。　The　luckless　stableboy　behind　him　was　not　so　quick。　As　his　arm　rose　to　protect　his　face；　Gregor's　sword　took　it　off　between　elbow　and　shoulder。　〃Shut　UP！〃　the　Mountain　howled　at　the　stableboy's　scream；　and　this　time　he　swung　the　blade　sideways；　sending　the　top　half　of　the　lad's　head　across　the　yard　in　a　spray　of　blood　and　brains。　Hundreds　of　spectators　suddenly　seemed　to　lose　all　interest　in　the　guilt　or　innocence　of　Tyrion　Lannister；　judging　by　the　way　they　pushed　and　shoved　at　each　other　to　escape　the　yard。
　But　the　Red　Viper　of　Dome　was　back　on　his　feet；　his　long　spear　in　hand。　〃Elia；〃　he　called　at　Ser　Gregor。　〃You　raped　her。　You　murdered　her。　You　killed　her　children。　Now　say　her　name。〃
　The　Mountain　whirled。　Helm；　shield；　sword；　surcoat；　he　was　spattered　with　gore　from　head　to　heels。　〃You　talk　too　much；〃　he　grumbled。　〃You　make　my　head　hurt。〃
　〃I　will　hear　you　say　it。　She　was　Elia　of　Dome。〃
　The　Mountain　snorted　contemptuously；　and　came　on　。　。　。　and　in　that　moment；　the　sun　broke　through　the　low　clouds　that　had　hidden　the　sky　since　dawn。
　The　sun　of　Dorne；　Tyrion　told　himself；　but　it　was　Gregor　Clegane　who　moved　first　to　put　the　sun　at　his　back。　This　is　a　dim　and　brutal　man；　but　he　has　a　warrior's　instincts。
　The　Red　Viper　crouched；　squinting；　and　sent　his　spear　darting　forward　again。　Ser　Gregor　hacked　at　it；　but　the　thrust　had　only　been　a　feint。　Off　balance；　he　stumbled　forward　a　step。
　Prince　Oberyn　tilted　his　dinted　metal　shield。　A　shaft　of　sunlight　blazed　blindingly　off　polished　gold　and　copper；　into　the　narrow　slit　of　his　foe's　helm。　Clegane　lifted　his　own　shield　against　the　glare。　Prince　Oberyn's　spear　flashed　like　lightning　and　found　the　gap　in　the　heavy　plate；　the　joint　under　the　arm。　The　point　punched　through　mail　and　boiled　leather。　Gregor　gave　a　choked　grunt　as　the　Domishman　twisted　his　spear　and　yanked　it　free。　〃Elia。　Say　it！　Elia。　of　Dome！〃　He　was　circling　spear　poised　for　another　thrust。　〃Say　it！〃
　Tyrion　had　his　own　prayer。　Fall　down　and　die；　was　how　it　went。　Damn　you；　fall　down　and　die！　The　blood　trickling　from　the　Mountain's　armpit　was　his　own　now；　and　he　must　be　bleeding　even　more　heavily　inside　the　breastplate。　When　he　tried　to　take　a　step；　one　knee　buckled。　Tyrion　thought　he　was　going　dow