grrm.astormofswords-第18章

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　They　walked　the　rest　of　the　way；　past　more　cookflres　and　more　tents；　with　Ghost　following　at　their　heels。　Jon　had　never　seen　so　many　wildlings。　He　wondered　if　anyone　ever　had。　The　camp　goes　on　forever；　he　reflected；　but　it's　more　a　hundred　camps　than　one；　and　each　more　vulnerable　than　the　last。　Stretched　out　over　long　leagues；　the　wildlings　had　no　defenses　to　speak　of；　no　pits　nor　sharpened　stakes；　only　small　groups　of　outriders　patrolling　their　perimeters。　Each　group　or　clan　or　village　had　simply　stopped　where　they　wanted；　as　soon　as　they　saw　others　stopping　or　found　a　likely　spot。　The　free　folk。　If　his　brothers　were　to　catch　them　in　such　disarray；　many　of　them　would　pay　for　that　freedom　with　their　life's　blood。　They　had　numbers；　but　the　Night's　Watch　had　discipline；　and　in　battle　discipline　beats　numbers　nine　times　of　every　ten；　his　father　had　once　told　him。
　There　was　no　doubting　which　tent　was　the　king's。　It　was　thrice　the　size　of　the　next　largest　he'd　seen；　and　he　could　hear　music　drifting　from　within。　Like　many　of　the　lesser　tents　it　was　made　of　sewn　hides　with　the　fur　still　on；　but　Mance　Rayder's　hides　were　the　shaggy　white　pelts　of　snow　bears。　The　peaked　roof　was　crowned　with　a　huge　set　of　antlers　from　one　of　the　giant　elks　that　had　once　roamed　freely　throughout　the　Seven　Kingdoms；　in　the　times　of　the　First　Men。
　Here　at　least　they　found　defenders；　two　guards　at　the　flap　of　the　tent；　leaning　on　tall　spears　with　round　leather　shields　strapped　to　their　arms。　When　they　caught　sight　of　Ghost；　one　of　them　lowered　his　spearpoint　and　said；　〃That　beast　stays　here。〃
　〃Ghost；　stay；〃　Jon　manded。　The　direwolf　sat。
　〃Longspear；　watch　the　beast。〃　Rattleshirt　yanked　open　the　tent　and　gestured　Jon　and　Ygritte　inside。
　The　tent　was　hot　and　smoky。　Baskets　of　burning　peat　stood　in　all　four　corners；　filling　the　air　with　a　dim　reddish　light。　More　skins　carpeted　the　ground。　Jon　felt　utterly　alone　as　he　stood　there　in　his　blacks；　awaiting　the　pleasure　of　the　tumeloak　who　called　himself　King…beyond…the…Wall。　When　his　eyes　had　adjusted　to　the　smoky　red　gloom；　he　saw　six　people；　none　of　whom　paid　him　any　mind。　A　dark　young　man　and　a　pretty　blonde　woman　were　sharing　a　hom　of　mead。　A　pregnant　woman　stood　over　a　brazier　cooking　a　brace　of　hens；　while　a　grey…haired　man　in　a　tattered　cloak　of　black　and　red　sat　crosslegged　on　a　pillow；　playing　a　lute　and　singing：
　The　Dornishman's　wife　was　as　fair　as　the　sun；　and　her　kisses　were　warmer　than　spring。
　But　the　Dornishman's　blade　was　made　of　black　steel；　and　its　kiss　was　a　terrible　thing。
　Jon　knew　the　song；　though　it　was　strange　to　hear　it　here；　in　a　shaggy　hide　tent　beyond　the　Wall；　ten　thousand　leagues　from　the　red　mountains　and　warm　winds　of　Dome。
　Rattleshirt　took　off　his　yellowed　helm　as　he　waited　for　the　song　to　end。　Beneath　his　bone…and…leather　armor　he　was　a　small　man；　and　the　face　under　the　giant's　skull　was　ordinary；　with　a　knobby　chin；　thin　mustache；　and　sallow；　pinched　cheeks。　His　eyes　were　close…set；　one　eyebrow　creeping　all　the　way　across　his　forehead；　dark　hair　thinning　back　from　a　sharp　widow's　peak。
　The　Dornishman's　wife　would　sing　as　she　bathed；　in　a　voice　that　was　sweet　as　a　peach；
　But　the　Dornishman's　blade　had　a　song　of　its　own；　and　a　bite　sharp　and　cold　as　a　leech。
　Beside　the　brazier；　a　short　but　immensely　broad　man　sat　on　a　stool；　eating　a　hen　off　a　skewer。　Hot　grease　was　running　down　his　chin　and　into　his　snow…white　beard；　but　he　smiled　happily　all　the　same。　Thick　gold　bands　graven　with　runes　bound　his　massive　arms；　and　he　wore　a　heavy　shirt　of　black　ringmail　that　could　only　have　e　from　a　dead　ranger。　A　few　feet　away；　a　taller；　leaner　man　in　a　leather　shirt　sewn　with　bronze　scales　stood　frowning　over　a　map；　a　two…handed　greatsword　slung　across　his　back　in　a　leather　sheath。　He　was　straight　as　a　spear；　all　long　wiry　muscle；　clean…shaved；　bald；　with　a　strong　straight　nose　and　deepset　grey　eyes。　He　might　even　have　been　ely　if　he'd　had　ears；　but　he　had　lost　both　along　the　way；　whether　to　frostbite　or　some　enemy's　knife　Jon　could　not　tell。　Their　lack　made　the　man's　head　seem　narrow　and　pointed。
　Both　the　white…bearded　man　and　the　bald　one　were　warriors；　that　was　plain　to　Jon　at　a　glance。　These　two　are　more　dangerous　than　Rattleshirt　by　far。　He　wondered　which　was　Mance　Rayder。
　As　he　lay　on　the　ground　with　the　darkness　around；　and　the　taste　of　his　blood　on　his　tongue；
　His　brothers　knelt　by　him　and　prayed　him　a　prayer；　and　he　smiled　and　he　laughed　and　he　sung；
　〃Brothers；　oh　brothers；　my　days　here　are　done；　the　Dornishman's　taken　my　life；
　But　what　does　it　matter；　for　all　men　must　die；　and　I've　tasted　the　Dornishman's　wife！〃
　As　the　last　strains　of　〃The　Dornishman's　Wife〃　faded；　the　bald　earless　man　glanced　up　from　his　map　and　scowled　ferociously　at　Rattleshirt　and　Ygritte；　with　Jon　between　them。　〃What's　this？〃　he　said。　〃A　crow？〃
　〃The　black　bastard　what　gutted　Orell；〃　said　Rattleshirt；　〃and　a　bloody　warg　as　well。〃
　〃You　were　to　kill　them　all。〃
　〃This　one　e　over；〃　explained　Ygritte。　〃He　slew　Qhorin　Halfhand　with　his　own　hand。〃
　〃This　boy？〃　The　earless　man　was　angered　by　the　news。　〃The　Halfhand　should　have　been　mine。　Do　you　have　a　name；　crow？〃
　〃Jon　Snow；　Your　Grace。〃　He　wondered　whether　he　was　expected　to　bend　the　knee　as　well。
　〃Your　Grace？〃　The　earless　man　looked　at　the　big　white…bearded　one。　〃You　see。　He　takes　me　for　a　king。〃
　The　bearded　man　laughed　so　hard　he　sprayed　bits　of　chicken　everywhere。　He　rubbed　the　grease　from　his　mouth　with　the　back　of　a　huge　hand。　〃A　blind　boy；　must　be。　Who　ever　heard　of　a　king　without　ears？　Why；　his　crown　would　fall　straight　down　to　his　neck！　Har！〃　He　grinned　at　Jon；　wiping　his　fingers　clean　on　his　breeches。　〃Close　your　beak；　crow。　Spin　yourself　around；　might　be　you'd　find　who　you're　looking　for。〃
　Jon　turned。
　The　singer　rose　to　his　feet。　〃I'm　Mance　Rayder；〃　he　said　as　he　put　aside　the　lute。　〃And　you　are　Ned　Stark's　bastard；　the　Snow　of　Winterfell。〃
　Stunned；　Jon　stood　speechless　for　a　moment；　before　he　recovered　enough　to　say；　〃How　。　。　。　how　could　you　know　。　。　。〃
　〃That's　a　tale　for　later；〃　said　Mance　Rayder。　〃How　did　you　like　the　song；　lad？〃
　〃Well　enough。　I'd　heard　it　before。〃
　〃But　what　does　it　matter；　for　all　men　must　die；〃　the　King…beyond…the…Wall　said　lightly；　〃and　I've　tasted　the　Dornishman's　wife。　Tell　me；　does　my　Lord　of　Bones　speak　truly？　Did　you　slay　my　old　friend　the　Halffiand？〃
　〃I　did。〃　Though　it　was　his　doing　more　than　mine。
　〃The　Shadow　Tower　will　never　again　seem　as　fearsome；〃　the　king　said　with　sadness　in　his　voice。　〃Qhorin　was　my　enemy。　But　also　my　brother；　once。　So　。　。　。　shall　I　thank　you　for　killing　him；　Jon　Snow？　Or　curse　you？〃　He　gave　Jon　a　mocking　smile。
　The　King…beyond…the…Wall　looked　nothing　like　a　king；　nor　even　much　a　wildling。　He　was　of　middling　height；　slender；　sharp…faced；　with　shrewd　brown　eyes　and　long　brown　hair　that　had　gone　mostly　to　grey。　There　was　no　crown　on　his　head；　no　gold　rings　on　his　arms；　no　jewels　at　his　throat；　not　even　a　gleam　of　silver。　He　wore　wool　and　leather；　and　his　only　garment　of　note　was　his　ragged　black　wool　cloak；　its　long　tears　patched　with　faded　red　silk。
　〃You　ought　to　thank　me　for　killing　your　enemy；〃　Jon　said　finally；　〃and　curse　me　for　killing　your　friend。〃
　〃Har！〃　boomed　the　white…bearded　man。　〃Well　answered！〃
　〃Agreed。〃　Mance　Rayder　beckoned　Jon　closer。　〃If　you　would　join　us；　you'd　best　know　us。　The　man　you　took　for　me　is　Styr；　Magnar　of　Therm。　Magnar　means　'lord'　in　the　Old　Tongue。〃　The　earless　man　stared　at　Jon　coldly　as　Mance　turned　to　the　white…bearded　one。　〃Our　ferocious　chicken…eater　here　is　my　loyal　Tormund。　The　woman…〃
　Tormund　rose　to　his　feet。　〃Hold。　You　gave　Styr　his　style；　give　me　mine。〃
　Mance　Rayder　laughed。　〃As　you　wish。　Jon　Snow；　before　you　stands　Tormund　Giantsbane；　Tall…talker；　Horn…blower；　and　Breaker　of　lee。　And　here　also　Tormund　Thunderfist；　Husband　to　Bears；　the　Mead…king　of　Ruddy　Hall；　Speaker　to　Gods　and　Father　of　Hosts。〃
　〃That　sounds　more　like　me；〃　said　Tormund。　〃Well　met；　Jon　Snow。　I　am　fond　o'　wargs；　as　it　happens；　though　not　o'　Starks。〃
　〃The　good　woman　at　the　brazier；〃　Mance　Rayder　went　on；　〃is　Dalla。〃　The　pregnant　woman　smiled　shyly。　〃Treat　her　like　you　would　any　queen；　she　is　carrying　my　child。〃　He　turned　to　the　last　two。　〃This　beauty　is　her　sister　Val。　Young　Jarl　beside　her　is　her　latest　pet。〃
　〃I　am　no　man's　pet；〃　said　Jarl；　dark　and　fierce。
　〃And　Val's　no　man；〃　white…bearded　Tormund　snorted。　〃You　ought　to　have　noticed　that　by　now；　lad。〃
　〃So　there　you　have　us；　Jon　Snow；〃　said　Mance　Rayder。　〃The　Kingbeyond…the…Wall　and　his　court；　such　as　it　is。　And　now　some　words　from　you；　I　think。　Where　did　you　e　from？〃
　〃Winterfell；〃　he　said；　〃by　way　of　Castle　Black。〃
　〃And　what　brings　you　up　the　Milkwater；　so　far　from　the　fires　of　home？〃　He　did　not　wait　for　Jon's　answer；　but　looked　at　once　to　Rattleshirt。　〃How　many　were　they？〃
　〃Five。　Three's　dead　and　the　boy's　here。　T'other　went　up　a　mountainside　where　no　horse　could　follow。〃
　Rayder's　eyes　met　Jon's　again。　〃Was　it　only　the　five　of　you？　or　are　more　of　your　brothers　skulking　about？〃
　〃We　were　four　and　the　Halfhand。　Qhorin　was　worth　twenty　mon　men。〃
　The　King…beyond…the…Wall　smiled　at　that。　〃Some　thought　so。　Still　。　。　。　a　boy　from　Castle　Black　with　rangers　from　the　Shadow　Tower？　How　did　that　e　to　be？〃
　Jon　had　his　lie　all　ready。　〃The　Lord　mander　sent　me　to　the　Halfhand　for　seasoning；　so　he　took　me　on　his　ranging。〃
　Styr　the　Magnar　frowned　at　that。　〃Ranging；　you　call　it　。　。　。　why　would　crows　e　ranging　up　the　Skirling　Pass？〃
　〃The　villages　were　deserted；〃　Jon　said；　truthfully。　〃It　was　as　if　all　the　free　folk　had　vanished。〃
　〃Vanished；　aye；〃　said　Mance　Rayder。　〃And　not　just　the　free　folk。　Who　told　you　where　we　were；　Jon　Snow？〃
　Tormund　snorted。　〃It　were　Craster；　or　I'm　a　blushing　maid。　I　told　you；　Mance；　that　creature　needs　to　be　shorter　by　a　head。〃
　The　king　gave　the　older　man　an　irritated　look。　〃Tormund；　some　day　try　thinking　before　you　speak。　I　know　it　was　Craster。　I　asked　Jon　to　see　if　he　would　tell　it　true。〃
　〃Har。〃　Tormund　spat。　〃Well；　I　stepped　in　that！〃　He　grinned　at　Jon。　〃See；　lad；　that's　why　he's　king　and　I'm　not。　I　can　outdrink；　outfight；　and　outsing　him；　and　my　member's　thrice　the　size　o'　his；　but　Mance　has　cunning。　He　was　raised　a　crow；　you　know；　and　the　crow's　a　tricksy　bird。〃
　〃I　would　speak　with　the　lad　alone；　my　Lord　of　Bones；〃　Mance　Rayder　said　to　Rattleshirt。　〃Leave　us；　all　of　you。〃
　〃What；　me　as　well？〃　said　Tormund。
　〃No；　you　especially；〃　said　Mance。
　〃I　eat　in　no　hall　where　I'm　not　wele。〃　Tormund　got　to　his　feet。　〃Me　and　the　hens　are　leaving。〃　He　snatched　another　chicken　off　the　brazier；　shoved　it　into　a　pocket　sewn　in　the　lining　of　his　cloak；　said　〃Har；〃　and　left　licking　his　fingers。　The　others　followed　him　out；　all　but　the　woman　Dalla。
　〃Sit；　if　you　like；〃　Rayder　said　when　they　were　gone。　〃Are　you　hungry？　Tormund　left　us　two　birds　at　least。〃
　〃I　would　be　pleased　to　eat；　Your　Grace。　And　thank　you。〃
　〃Your　Grace？〃　The　king　smiled。　〃That's　not　a　style　one　often　hears　from　the　lips　of　free　folk。　I'm　Mance　to　most；　The　Mance　to　some。　Will　you　take　a　horn　of　mead？〃
　〃Gladly；〃　said　Jon。
　The　king　poured　himself　as　Dalla　cut　the　well…crisped　hens　apart　and　brought　them　each　a　half。　Jon　peel