grrm.astormofswords-第185章

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e　way；　but　none　of　the　cuts　so　much　as　touched　him。　And　then　the　Tickler　leapt　over　a　bench　quick　as　a　snake；　and　slashed　at　the　back　of　the　Hound's　neck　with　the　edge　of　his　short　sword。
　They're　killing　him。　Arya　had　no　more　cups；　but　there　was　something　better　to　throw。　She　drew　the　dagger　they'd　robbed　off　the　dying　archer　and　tried　to　fling　it　at　the　Tickler　the　way　he'd　done。　It　wasn't　the　same　as　throwing　a　rock　or　a　crabapple；　though。　The　knife　wobbled；　and　hit　him　in　the　arm　hilt　first。　He　never　even　felt　it。　He　was　too　intent　on　Clegane。
　As　he　stabbed；　Clegane　twisted　violently　aside；　winning　himself　half　a　heartbeat's　respite。　Blood　ran　down　his　face　and　from　the　gash　in　his　neck。　Both　of　the　Mountain's　men　came　after　him　hard；　Polliver　hacking　at　his　head　and　shoulders　while　the　Tickler　darted　in　to　stab　at　back　and　belly。　The　heavy　stone　flagon　was　still　on　the　table。　Arya　grabbed　it　with　two　hands；　but　as　she　lifted　it　someone　grabbed　her　arm。　The　flagon　slipped　from　her　fingers　and　crashed　to　the　floor。　Wrenched　around；　she　found　herself　nose　to　nose　with　the　squire。　You　stupid；　you　forgot　all　about　him。　His　big　white　pimple　had　burst；　she　saw。
　〃Are　you　the　puppy's　puppy？〃　He　had　his　sword　in　his　right　hand　and　her　arm　in　his　left；　but　her　own　hands　were　free；　so　she　jerked　his　knife　from　its　sheath　and　sheathed　it　again　in　his　belly；　twisting。　He　wasn't　wearing　mail　or　even　boiled　leather；　so　it　went　right　in；　the　same　way　Needle　had　when　she　killed　the　stableboy　at　King's　Landing。　The　squire's　eyes　got　big　and　he　let　go　of　her　arm。　Arya　spun　to　the　door　and　wrenched　the　Tickler's　knife　from　the　wall。
　Polliver　and　the　Tickler　had　driven　the　Hound　into　a　corner　behind　a　bench；　and　one　of　them　had　given　him　an　ugly　red　gash　on　his　upper　thigh　to　go　with　his　other　wounds。　Sandor　was　leaning　against　the　wall；　bleeding　and　breathing　noisily。　He　looked　as　though　he　could　barely　stand；　let　alone　fight。　〃Throw　down　the　sword；　and　we'll　take　you　back　to　Harrenhal；〃　Polliver　told　him。
　〃So　Gregor　can　finish　me　himself？〃
　The　Tickler　said；　〃Maybe　he'll　give　you　to　me。〃
　〃If　you　want　me；　e　get　me。〃　Sandor　pushed　away　from　the　wall　and　stood　in　a　half…crouch　behind　the　bench；　his　sword　held　across　his　body。
　〃You　think　we　won't？〃　said　Polliver。　〃You're　drunk。〃
　〃Might　be；〃　said　the　Hound；　〃but　you're　dead。〃　His　foot　lashed　out　and　caught　the　bench；　driving　it　hard　into　Polliver's　shins。　Somehow　the　bearded　man　kept　his　feet；　but　the　Hound　ducked　under　his　wild　slash　and　brought　his　own　sword　up　in　a　vicious　backhand　cut。　Blood　spattered　on　the　ceiling　and　walls。　The　blade　caught　in　the　middle　of　Polliver's　face；　and　when　the　Hound　wrenched　it　loose　half　his　head　came　with　it。
　The　Tickler　backed　away。　Arya　could　smell　his　fear。　The　shortsword　in　his　hand　suddenly　seemed　almost　a　toy　against　the　long　blade　the　Hound　was　holding；　and　he　wasn't　armored　either。　He　moved　swiftly；　light　on　his　feet；　never　taking　his　eyes　off　Sandor　Clegane。　it　was　the　easiest　thing　in　the　world　for　Arya　to　step　up　behind　him　and　stab　him。
　〃Is　there　gold　hidden　in　the　village？〃　she　shouted　as　she　drove　the　blade　up　through　his　back。　〃Is　there　silver？　Gems？〃　She　stabbed　twice　more。　〃Is　there　food？　Where　is　Lord　Beric？〃　She　was　on　top　of　him　by　then；　still　stabbing。　〃Where　did　he　go？　How　many　men　were　with　him？　How　many　knights？　How　many　bowmen？　How　many；　how　many；　how　many；　how　many；　how　many；　how　many？　is　there　gold　in　the　village？〃
　Her　hands　were　red　and　sticky　when　Sandor　dragged　her　off　him。　〃Enough；〃　was　all　he　said。　He　was　bleeding　like　a　butchered　pig　himself；　and　dragging　one　leg　when　he　walked。
　〃There's　one　more；〃　Arya　reminded　him。
　The　squire　had　pulled　the　knife　out　of　his　belly　and　was　trying　to　stop　the　blood　with　his　hands。　When　the　Hound　yanked　him　upright；　he　screamed　and　started　to　blubber　like　a　baby。　〃Mercy；〃　he　wept；　〃please。　Don't　kill　me。　Mother　have　mercy。〃
　〃Do　I　look　like　your　bloody　mother？〃　The　Hound　looked　like　nothing　human。　〃You　killed　this　one　too；〃　he　told　Arya。　〃Pricked　him　in　his　bowels；　that's　the　end　of　him。　He'll　be　a　long　time　dying；　though。〃
　The　boy　didn't　seemed　to　hear　him。　〃I　came　for　the　girls；〃　he　whimpered。　〃　。　。　。　make　me　a　man；　Polly　said　。　。　。　oh；　gods；　please；　take　me　to　a　castle　。　。　。　a　maester；　take　me　to　a　maester；　my　father's　got　gold　。　。　。　it　was　only　for　the　girls　。　。　。　mercy；　ser。〃
　The　Hound　gave　him　a　crack　across　the　face　that　made　him　scream　again。　〃Don't　call　me　ser。〃　He　turned　back　to　Arya。　〃This　one　is　yours；　she…wolf。　You　do　it。〃
　She　knew　what　he　meant。　Arya　went　to　Polliver　and　knelt　in　his　blood　long　enough　to　undo　his　swordbelt。　Hanging　beside　his　dagger　was　a　slimmer　blade；　too　long　to　be　a　dirk；　too　short　to　be　a　man's　sword　。　。　。　but　it　felt　just　right　in　her　hand。
　〃You　remember　where　the　heart　is？〃　the　Hound　asked。
　She　nodded。　The　squire　rolled　his　eyes。　〃Mercy。〃
　Needle　slipped　between　his　ribs　and　gave　it　to　him。
　〃Good。〃　Sandor's　voice　was　thick　with　pain。　〃If　these　three　were　whoring　here；　Gregor　must　hold　the　ford　as　well　as　Harrenhal。　More　of　his　pets　could　ride　up　any　moment；　and　we've　killed　enough　of　the　bloody　buggers　for　one　day。〃
　〃Where　will　we　go？〃　she　asked。
　〃Saltpans。〃　He　put　a　big　hand　on　her　shoulder　to　keep　from　falling。　〃Get　some　wine；　she…wolf。　And　take　whatever　coin　they　have　as　well；　we'll　need　it。　If　there's　ships　at　Saltpans；　we　can　reach　the　Vale　by　sea。〃　His　mouth　twitched　at　her；　as　more　blood　ran　down　from　where　his　ear　had　been。　〃Maybe　Lady　Lysa　will　marry　you　to　her　little　Robert。　There's　a　match　I'd　like　to　see。〃　He　started　to　laugh；　then　groaned　instead。
　When　the　time　came　to　leave；　he　needed　Arya's　help　to　get　back　up　on　Stranger。　He　had　tied　a　strip　of　cloth　about　his　neck　and　another　around　his　thigh；　and　taken　the　squire's　cloak　off　its　peg　by　the　door。　The　cloak　was　green；　with　a　green　arrow　on　a　white　bend；　but　when　the　Hound　wadded　it　up　and　pressed　it　to　his　ear　it　soon　turned　red。　Arya　was　afraid　he　would　collapse　the　moment　they　set　out；　but　somehow　he　stayed　in　the　saddle。
　They　could　not　risk　meeting　whoever　held　the　ruby　ford；　so　instead　of　following　the　kingsroad　they　angled　south　by　east；　through　weedy　fields；　woods；　and　marshes。　It　was　hours　before　they　reached　the　banks　of　the　Trident。　The　river　had　returned　meekly　to　its　accustomed　channel；　Arya　saw；　all　its　wet　brown　rage　vanished　with　the　rains。　It's　tired　too；　she　thought。
　Close　by　the　water's　edge；　they　found　some　willows　rising　from　a　jumble　of　weathered　rocks。　Together　the　rocks　and　trees　formed　a　sort　of　natural　fort　where　they　could　hide　from　both　river　and　trail。　〃Here　will　do；〃　the　Hound　said。　〃Water　the　horses　and　gather　some　deadwood　for　a　fire。〃　When　he　dismounted；　he　had　to　catch　himself　on　a　tree　limb　to　keep　from　falling。
　〃Won't　the　smoke　be　seen？〃
　〃Anyone　wants　to　find　us；　all　they　need　to　do　is　follow　my　blood。　Water　and　wood。　But　bring　me　that　wineskin　first。〃
　When　he　got　the　fire　going；　Sandor　propped　up　his　helm　in　the　flames；　emptied　half　the　wineskin　into　it；　and　collapsed　back　against　a　jut　of　moss…covered　stone　as　if　he　never　meant　to　rise　again。　He　made　Arya　wash　out　the　squire's　cloak　and　cut　it　into　strips。　Those　went　into　his　helm　as　well。　〃If　I　had　more　wine；　I'd　drink　till　I　was　dead　to　the　world。　Maybe　I　ought　to　send　you　back　to　that　bloody　inn　for　another　skin　or　three。〃
　〃No；〃　Arya　said。　He　wouldn't；　would　he？　If　he　does；　I'll　just　leave　him　and　ride　off。
　Sandor　laughed　at　the　fear　on　her　face。　〃A　jest；　wolf　girl。　A　bloody　jest。　Find　me　a　stick；　about　so　long　and　not　too　big　around。　And　wash　the　mud　off　it。　I　hate　the　taste　of　mud。〃
　He　didn't　like　the　first　two　sticks　she　brought　him。　By　the　time　she　found　one　that　suited　him；　the　flames　had　scorched　his　dog's　snout　black　all　the　way　to　the　eyes。　Inside　the　wine　was　boiling　madly。　〃Get　the　cup　from　my　bedroll　and　dip　it　half　full；〃　he　told　her。　〃Be　careful。　You　knock　the　damn　thing　over；　I　will　send　you　back　for　more。　Take　the　wine　and　pour　it　on　my　wounds。　Think　you　can　do　that？〃　Arya　nodded。　〃Then　what　are　you　waiting　for？〃　he　growled。
　Her　knuckles　brushed　the　steel　the　first　time　she　filled　the　cup；　burning　her　so　badly　she　got　blisters。　Arya　had　to　bite　her　lip　to　keep　from　screaming。　The　Hound　used　the　stick　for　the　same　purpose；　clamping　it　between　his　teeth　as　she　poured。　She　did　the　gash　in　his　thigh　first；　then　the　shallower　cut　on　the　back　of　his　neck。　Sandor　coiled　his　right　hand　into　a　fist　and　beat　against　the　ground　when　she　did　his　leg。　When　it　came　to　his　neck；　he　bit　the　stick　so　hard　it　broke；　and　she　had　to　find　him　a　new　one。　She　could　see　the　terror　in　his　eyes。　〃Turn　your　head。〃　She　trickled　the　wine　down　over　the　raw　red　flesh　where　his　ear　had　been；　and　fingers　of　brown　blood　and　red　wine　crept　over　his　jaw。　He　did　scream　then；　despite　the　stick。　Then　he　passed　out　from　the　pain。
　Arya　figured　the　rest　out　by　herself。　She　fished　the　strips　they'd　made　of　the　squire's　cloak　out　of　the　bottom　of　the　helm　and　used　them　to　bind　the　cuts。　When　she　came　to　his　ear；　she　had　to　wrap　up　half　his　head　to　stop　the　bleeding。　By　then　dusk　was　settling　over　the　Trident。　She　let　the　horses　graze；　then　hobbled　them　for　the　night　and　made　herself　as　fortable　as　she　could　in　a　niche　between　two　rocks。　The　fire　burned　a　while　and　died。　Arya　watched　the　moon　through　the　branches　overhead。
　〃Ser　Gregor　the　Mountain；〃　she　said　softly。　〃Dunsen；　Raff　the　Sweetling；　Ser　Ilyn；　Ser　Meryn；　Queen　Cersei。〃　It　made　her　feel　queer　to　leave　out　Polliver　and　the　Tickler。　And　Joffrey　too。　She　was　glad　he　was　dead；　but　she　wished　she　could　have　been　there　to　see　him　die；　or　maybe　kill　him　herself。　Polliver　said　that　Sansa　killed　him；　and　the　Imp。　Could　that　be　true？　The　Imp　was　a　Lannister；　and　Sansa　。　。　。　I　wish　I　could　change　into　a　wolf　and　grow　wings　and　fly　away。
　If　Sansa　was　gone　too；　there　were　no　more　Starks　but　her。　Jon　was　on　the　Wall　a　thousand　leagues　away；　but　he　was　a　Snow；　and　these　different　aunts　and　uncles　the　Hound　wanted　to　sell　her　to；　they　weren't　Starks　either。　They　weren't　wolves。
　Sandor　moaned；　and　she　rolled　onto　her　side　to　look　at　him。　She　had　left　his　name　out　too；　she　realized。　Why　had　she　done　that？　She　tried　to　think　of　Mycah；　but　it　was　hard　to　remember　what　he'd　looked　like。　She　hadn't　known　him　long。　All　he　ever　did　was　play　at　swords　with　me。　〃The　Hound；〃　she　whispered；　and；　〃Valar　morghulis。〃　Maybe　he'd　be　dead　by　morning　。　。　。
　But　when　the　pale　dawn　light　came　filtering　through　the　trees；　it　was　him　who　woke　her　with　the　toe　of　his　boot。　She　had　dreamed　she　was　a　wolf　again；　chasing　a　riderless　horse　up　a　hill　with　a　pack　behind　her；　but　his　foot　brought　her　back　just　as　they　were　closing　for　the　kill。
　The　Hound　was　still　weak；　every　movement　slow　and　clumsy。　He　slumped　in　the　saddle；　and　sweated；　and　his　ear　began　to　bleed　through　the　bandage。　He　needed　all　his　strength　just　to　keep　from　falling　off　Stranger。　Had　the　Mountain's　men　e　hunting　them；　she　doubted　if　he　would　even　be　able　to　lift　a　sword。　Arya　glanced　over　her　shoulder；　but　there　was　nothing　behind　them　but　a　crow　flitting　from　tree　to　tree。　The　only　sound　was　the　river。
　Long　before　noon；　Sandor　Clegane　was　reeling。　Ther