grrm.astormofswords-第27章

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　〃Only　the　last　joint。　I　still　have　fingers；　only　shorter。〃
　〃Show　me。〃
　Davos　peeled　his　glove　off。　The　boy　studied　his　hand　carefully。　〃He　did　not　shorten　your　thumb？〃
　〃No。〃　Davos　coughed。　〃No；　he　left　me　that。〃
　〃He　should　not　have　chopped　any　of　your　fingers；〃　the　lad　decided。　〃That　was　ill　done。〃
　〃I　was　a　smuggler。〃
　〃Yes；　but　you　smuggled　him　fish　and　onions。〃
　〃Lord　Stannis　knighted　me　for　the　onions；　and　took　my　fingers　for　the　smuggling。〃　He　pulled　his　glove　back　on。
　〃My　father　would　not　have　chopped　your　fingers。〃
　〃As　you　say；　my　lord。〃　Robert　was　a　different　man　than　Stannis；　true　enough。　The　boy　is　like　him。　Aye；　and　like　Renly　as　well。　That　thought　made　him　anxious。
　The　boy　was　about　to　say　something　more　when　they　heard　steps。　Davos　turned。　Ser　Axell　Florent　was　ing　down　the　garden　path　with　a　dozen　guards　in　quilted　jerkins。　On　their　breasts　they　wore　the　fiery　heart　of　the　Lord　of　Light。　Queen's　men；　Davos　thought。　A　cough　came　on　him　suddenly。
　Ser　Axell　was　short　and　muscular；　with　a　barrel　chest；　thick　arms；　bandy　legs；　and　hair　growing　from　his　ears。　The　queen's　uncle；　he　had　served　as　castellan　of　Dragonstone　for　a　decade；　and　had　always　treated　Davos　courteously；　knowing　he　enjoyed　the　favor　of　Lord　Stannis。　But　there　was　neither　courtesy　nor　warmth　in　his　tone　as　he　said；　〃Ser　Davos；　and　undrowned。　How　can　that　be？〃
　〃Onions　float；　ser。　Have　you　e　to　take　me　to　the　king？〃
　〃I　have　e　to　take　you　to　the　dungeon。〃　Ser　Axell　waved　his　men　forward。　〃Seize　him；　and　take　his　dirk。　He　means　to　use　it　on　our　lady。〃
　
　CHAPTER　11
　JAIME
　
　Jaime　was　the　first　to　spy　the　inn。　The　main　building　hugged　the　south　shore　where　the　river　bent；　its　long　low　wings　outstretched　along　the　water　as　if　to　embrace　travelers　sailing　downstream。　The　lower　story　was　grey　stone；　the　upper　whitewashed　wood；　the　roof　slate。　He　could　see　stables　as　well；　and　an　arbor　heavy　with　vines。　〃No　smoke　from　the　chimneys；〃　he　pointed　out　as　they　approached。　〃Nor　lights　in　the　windows。〃
　〃The　inn　was　still　open　when　last　I　passed　this　way；〃　said　Ser　Cleos　Frey。　〃They　brewed　a　fine　ale。　Perhaps　there　is　still　some　to　be　had　in　the　cellars。〃
　〃There　may　be　people；〃　Brienne　said。　〃Hiding。　Or　dead。〃
　〃Frightened　of　a　few　corpses；　wench？〃　Jaime　said。
　She　glared　at　him。　〃My　name　is…〃
　〃…Brienne；　yes。　Wouldn't　you　like　to　sleep　in　a　bed　for　a　night；　Brienne？　We'd　be　safer　than　on　the　open　river；　and　it　might　be　prudent　to　find　what's　happened　here。〃
　She　gave　no　answer；　but　after　a　moment　she　pushed　at　the　tiller　to　angle　the　skiff　in　toward　the　weathered　wooden　dock。　Ser　Cleos　scrambled　to　take　down　the　sail。　When　they　bumped　softly　against　the　pier；　he　climbed　out　to　tie　them　up。　Jaime　clambered　after　him；　made　awkward　by　his　chains。
　At　the　end　of　the　dock；　a　flaking　shingle　swung　from　an　iron　post；　painted　with　the　likeness　of　a　king　upon　his　knees；　his　hands　pressed　together　in　the　gesture　of　fealty。　Jaime　took　one　look　and　laughed　aloud。　〃We　could　not　have　found　a　better　inn。〃
　〃Is　this　some　special　place？〃　the　wench　asked；　suspicious。
　Ser　Cleos　answered。　〃This　is　the　Inn　of　the　Kneeling　Man；　my　lady。　it　stands　upon　the　very　spot　where　the　last　King　in　the　North　knelt　before　Aegon　the　Conqueror　to　offer　his　submission。　That's　him　on　the　sign；　I　suppose。〃
　〃Torrhen　had　brought　his　power　south　after　the　fall　of　the　two　kings　on　the　Field　of　Fire；〃　said　Jaime；　〃but　when　he　saw　Aegon's　dragon　and　the　size　of　his　host；　he　chose　the　path　of　wisdom　and　bent　his　frozen　knees。〃　He　stopped　at　the　sound　of　a　horse's　whinny。　〃Horses　in　the　stable。　One　at　least。〃　And　one　is　all　I　need　to　put　the　wench　behind　me。　〃Let's　see　who's　home；　shall　we？〃　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　Jaime　went　clinking　down　the　dock；　put　a　shoulder　to　the　door；　shoved　it　open　。　。　。
　　。　。　。　and　found　himself　eye　to　eye　with　a　loaded　crossbow。　Standing　behind　it　was　a　chunky　boy　of　fifteen。　〃Lion；　fish；　or　wolf？〃　the　lad　demanded。
　〃We　were　hoping　for　capon。〃　Jaime　heard　his　panions　entering　behind　him。　〃The　crossbow　is　a　coward's　weapon。〃
　〃It'll　put　a　bolt　through　your　heart　all　the　same。〃
　〃Perhaps。　But　before　you　can　wind　it　again　my　cousin　here　will　spill　your　entrails　on　the　floor。〃
　〃Don't　be　scaring　the　lad；　now；〃　Ser　Cleos　said。
　〃We　mean　no　harm；〃　the　wench　said。　〃And　we　have　coin　to　pay　for　food　and　drink。〃　She　dug　a　silver　piece　from　her　pouch。
　The　boy　looked　suspiciously　at　the　coin；　and　then　at　Jaime's　manacles。　〃Why's　this　one　in　irons？〃
　〃Killed　some　crossbowmen；〃　said　Jaime。　〃Do　you　have　ale？〃
　〃Yes。〃　The　boy　lowered　the　crossbow　an　inch。　〃Undo　your　swordbelts　and　let　them　fall；　and　might　be　we'll　feed　you。〃　He　edged　around　to　peer　through　the　thick；　diamond…shaped　windowpanes　and　see　if　any　more　of　them　were　outside。　〃That's　a　Tully　sail。〃
　〃We　e　from　Riverrun。〃　Brienne　undid　the　clasp　on　her　belt　and　let　it　clatter　to　the　floor。　Ser　Cleos　followed　suit。
　A　sallow　man　with　a　pocked　doughy　face　stepped　through　the　cellar　door；　holding　a　butcher's　heavy　cleaver。　〃Three；　are　you？　We　got　horsemeat　enough　for　three；　The　horse　was　old　and　tough；　but　the　meat's　still　fresh。〃
　〃Is　there　bread？〃　asked　Brienne。
　〃Hardbread　and　stale　oatcakes。〃
　Jaime　grinned。　〃Now　there's　an　honest　innkeep。　They'll　all　serve　you　stale　bread　and　stringy　meat；　but　most　don't　own　up　to　it　so　freely。〃
　〃I'm　no　innkeep。　I　buried　him　out　back；　with　his　women。〃
　〃Did　you　kill　them？〃
　〃Would　I　tell　you　if　I　did？〃　The　man　spat。　〃Likely　it　were　wolves'　work；　or　maybe　lions；　what's　the　difference？　The　wife　and　I　found　them　dead。　The　way　we　see　it；　the　place　is　ours　now。〃
　〃Where　is　this　wife　of　yours？〃　Ser　Cleos　asked。
　The　man　gave　him　a　suspicious　squint。　〃And　why　would　you　be　wanting　to　know　that？　She's　not　here　。　。　。　no　more'n　you　three　will　be；　unless　I　like　the　taste　of　your　silver。〃
　Brienne　tossed　the　coin　to　him。　He　caught　it　in　the　air；　bit　it；　and　tucked　it　away。
　〃She's　got　more；〃　the　boy　with　the　crossbow　announced。
　〃So　she　does。　Boy；　go　down　and　find　me　some　onions。〃
　The　lad　raised　the　crossbow　to　his　shoulder；　gave　them　one　last　sullen　look；　and　vanished　into　the　cellar。
　〃Your　son？〃　Ser　Cleos　asked。
　〃Just　a　boy　the　wife　and　me　took　in。　We　had　two　sons；　but　the　lions　killed　one　and　the　other　died　of　the　flux。　The　boy　lost　his　mother　to　the　Bloody　Mummers。　These　days；　a　man　needs　someone　to　keep　watch　while　he　sleeps。〃　He　waved　the　cleaver　at　the　tables。　〃Might　as　well　sit。〃
　The　hearth　was　cold；　but　Jaime　picked　the　chair　nearest　the　ashes　and　stretched　out　his　long　legs　under　the　table。　The　clink　of　his　chains　acpanied　his　every　movement。　An　irritating　sound。　Before　this　is　done；　I'll　wrap　these　chains　around　the　wench's　throat；　seehowshe　likes　them　then。
　The　man　who　wasn't　an　innkeep　charred　three　huge　horse　steaks　and　fried　the　onions　in　bacon　grease；　which　almost　made　up　for　the　stale　oatcakes。　Jaime　and　Cleos　drank　ale；　Brienne　a　cup　of　cider。　The　boy　kept　his　distance；　perching　atop　the　cider　barrel　with　his　crossbow　across　his　knees；　cocked　and　loaded。　The　cook　drew　a　tankard　of　ale　and　sat　with　them。　〃What　news　from　Riverrun？〃　he　asked　Ser　Cleos；　taking　him　for　their　leader。
　Ser　Cleos　glanced　at　Brienne　before　answering。　〃Lord　Hoster　is　failing；　but　his　son　holds　the　fords　of　the　Red　Fork　against　the　Lannisters。　There　have　been　battles。〃
　〃Battles　everywhere。　Where　are　you　bound；　ser？〃
　〃King's　Landing。〃　Ser　Cleos　wiped　grease　off　his　lips。
　Their　host　snorted。　〃Then　you're　three　fools。　Last　I　heard；　King　Stannis　was　outside　the　city　walls。　They　say　he　has　a　hundred　thousand　men　and　a　magic　sword。〃
　Jaime's　hands　wrapped　around　the　chain　that　bound　his　wrists；　and　he　twisted　it　taut；　wishing　for　the　strength　to　snap　it　in　two。　Then　I'd　show　Stannis　where　to　sheathe　his　magic　sword。
　〃I'd　stay　well　clear　of　that　kingsroad；　if　I　were　you；〃　the　man　went　on。　〃it's　worse　than　bad；　I　hear。　Wolves　and　lions　both；　and　bands　of　broken　men　preying　on　anyone　they　can　catch。〃
　〃Vermin；〃　declared　Ser　Cleos　with　contempt。　〃Such　would　never　dare　to　trouble　armed　men。〃
　〃Begging　your　pardon；　ser；　but　I　see　one　armed　man；　traveling　with　a　woman　and　a　prisoner　in　chains。〃
　Brienne　gave　the　cook　a　dark　look。　The　wench　does　hate　being　reminded　that　she's　a　wench；　Jaime　reflected；　twisting　at　the　chains　again。　The　links　were　cold　and　hard　against　his　flesh；　the　iron　implacable。　The　manacles　had　chafed　his　wrists　raw。
　〃I　mean　to　follow　the　Trident　to　the　sea；〃　the　wench　told　their　host。　〃We'll　find　mounts　at　Maidenpool　and　ride　by　way　of　Duskendale　and　Rosby。　That　should　keep　us　well　away　from　the　worst　of　the　fighting。〃
　Their　host　shook　his　head。　〃You'll　never　reach　Maidenpool　by　river。　Not　thirty　miles　from　here　a　couple　boats　burned　and　sank；　and　the　channel's　been　silting　up　around　them。　There's　a　nest　of　outlaws　there　preying　on　anyone　tries　to　e　by；　and　more　of　the　same　downriver　around　the　Skipping　Stones　and　Red　Deer　Island。　And　the　lightning　lord's　been　seen　in　these　parts　as　well。　He　crosses　the　river　wherever　he　likes；　riding　this　way　and　that　way；　never　still。〃
　〃And　who　is　this　lightning　lord？〃　demanded　Ser　Cleos　Frey。
　〃Lord　Beric；　as　it　please　you；　ser。　They　call　him　that　'cause　he　strikes　so　sudden；　like　lightning　from　a　clear　sky。　It's　said　he　cannot　die。〃
　They　all　die　when　you　shove　a　sword　through　them；　Jaime　thought。　〃Does　Thoros　of　Myr　still　ride　with　him？〃
　〃Aye。　The　red　wizard。　I've　heard　tell　he　has　strange　powers。〃
　Well；　he　had　the　power　to　match　Robert　Baratheon　drink　for　drink；　and　there　were　few　enough　who　could　say　that。　Jaime　had　once　heard　Thoros　tell　the　king　that　he　became　a　red　priest　because　the　robes　hid　the　winestains　so　well。　Robert　had　laughed　so　hard　he'd　spit　ale　all　over　Cersei's　silken　mantle。　〃Far　be　it　from　me　to　make　objection；〃　he　said；　〃but　perhaps　the　Trident　is　not　our　safest　course。〃
　〃I'd　say　that's　so；〃　their　cook　agreed。　〃Even　if　you　get　past　Red　Deer　island　and　don't　meet　up　with　Lord　Beric　and　the　red　wizard；　there's　still　the　ruby　ford　before　you。　Last　I　heard；　it　was　the　Leech　Lord's　wolves　held　the　ford；　but　that　was　some　time　past。　By　now　it　could　be　lions　again；　or　Lord　Beric；　or　anyone。〃
　〃Or　no　one；〃　Brienne　suggested。
　〃If　m'lady　cares　to　wager　her　skin　on　that　I　won't　stop　her　。　。　。　but　if　I　was　you；　I'd　leave　this　here　river；　cut　overland。　If　you　stay　off　the　main　roads　and　shelter　under　the　trees　of　a　night；　hidden　as　it　were　。　。　。　well；　I　still　wouldn't　want　to　go　with　you；　but　you　might　stand　a　mummer's　chance。〃
　The　big　wench　was　looking　doubtful。　〃We　would　need　horses。〃
　〃There　are　horses　here；〃　Jaime　pointed　out。　〃I　heard　one　in　the　stable。〃
　〃Aye；　there　are；〃　said　the　innkeep；　who　wasn't　an　innkeep。　〃Three　of　them；　as　it　happens；　but　they're　not　for　sale。〃
　Jaime　had　to　laugh。　〃Of　course　not。　But　you'll　show　them　to　us　anyway。〃
　Brienne　scowled；　but　the　man　who　wasn't　an　innkeep　met　her　eyes　without　blinking；　and　after　a　moment；　reluctantly；　she　said；　〃Show　me；〃　and　they　all　rose　from　the　table。
　The　stables　had　not　been　mucked　out　in　a　long　while；　from　the　smell　of　them。　Hundreds　of　fat　black　flies　swarmed　amongst　the　straw；　buzzing　from　stall　to　stall　and　crawling　over　the