grrm.astormofswords-第34章

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　〃It's　better　when　there's　stew　to　sop　up；〃　said　Lem。
　〃No；　it　isn't；〃　said　Anguy；　〃but　you're　less　like　to　break　your　teeth。〃
　〃You　can　eat　it　or　go　hungry；〃　said　Husband。　〃Do　I　look　like　some　bloody　baker？　I'd　like　to　see　you　make　better。〃
　〃I　could；〃　said　Hot　Pie。　〃It's　easy。　You　kneaded　the　dough　too　much；　that's　why　it's　so　hard　to　chew。〃　He　took　another　sip　of　ale；　and　began　talking　lovingly　of　breads　and　pies　and　tarts；　all　the　things　he　loved。　Arya　rolled　her　eyes。
　Tom　sat　down　across　from　her。　〃Squab；〃　he　said；　〃or　Arry；　or　whatever　your　true　name　might　be；　this　is　for　you。〃　He　placed　a　dirty　scrap　of　parchment　on　the　wooden　tabletop　between　them。
　She　looked　at　it　suspiciously。　〃What　is　it？〃
　〃Three　golden　dragons。　We　need　to　buy　those　horses。〃
　Arya　looked　at　him　warily。　〃They're　our　horses。〃
　〃Meaning　you　stole　them　yourselves；　is　that　it？　No　shame　in　that；　girl。　War　makes　thieves　of　many　honest　folk。〃　Tom　tapped　the　folded　parchment　with　his　finger。　〃I'm　paying　you　a　handsome　price。　More　than　any　horse　is　worth；　if　truth　be　told。…
　Hot　Pie　grabbed　the　parchment　and　unfolded　it。　〃There's　no　gold；〃　he　plained　loudly。　〃It's　only　writing。〃
　〃Aye；〃　said　Tom；　〃and　I'm　sorry　for　that。　But　after　the　war；　we　mean　to　make　that　good；　you　have　my　word　as　a　king's　man。〃
　Arya　pushed　back　from　the　table　and　got　to　her　feet。　〃You're　no　king's　men；　you're　robbers。〃
　〃If　you'd　ever　met　a　true　robber；　you'd　know　they　do　not　pay；　not　even　in　paper。　It's　not　for　us　we　take　your　horses；　child；　it's　for　the　good　of　the　realm；　so　we　can　get　about　more　quickly　and　fight　the　fights　that　need　fighting。　The　king's　fights。　Would　you　deny　the　king？〃
　They　were　all　watching　her；　the　Archer；　big　Lem；　Husband　with　his　sallow　face　and　shifty　eyes。　Even　Shama；　who　stood　in　the　door　to　the　kitchen　squinting。　They　are　going　to　take　our　horses　no　matter　what　I　say；　she　realized。　We'll　need　to　walk　to　Riverrun；　unless　。　。　。　〃We　don't　want　paper。〃　Arya　slapped　the　parchment　out　of　Hot　Pie's　hand。　〃You　can　have　our　horses　for　that　boat　outside。　But　only　if　you　show　us　how　to　work　it。〃
　Tom　Sevenstrings　stared　at　her　a　moment；　and　then　his　wide　homely　mouth　quirked　into　a　rueful　grin。　He　laughed　aloud。　Anguy　joined　in；　and　then　they　were　all　laughing；　Lem　Lemoncloak；　Shama　and　Husband；　even　the　serving　boy；　who　had　stepped　out　from　behind　the　casks　with　a　crossbow　under　one　arm。　Arya　wanted　to　scream　at　them；　but　instead　she　started　to　smile　。　。　。
　〃Riders！〃　Gendry's　shout　was　shrill　with　alarm。　The　door　burst　open　and　there　he　was。　〃Soldiers；〃　he　panted。　〃ing　down　the　river　road；　a　dozen　of　them。〃
　Hot　Pie　leapt　up；　knocking　over　his　tankard；　but　Tom　and　the　others　were　unpertubed。　〃There's　no　cause　for　spilling　good　ale　on　my　floor；〃　said　Shama。　〃Sit　back　down　and　calm　yourself；　boy；　there's　rabbit　ing。　You　too；　girl。　Whatever　harm's　been　done　you；　it's　over　and　it's　done　and　you're　with　king's　men　now。　We'll　keep　you　safe　as　best　we　can。〃
　Arya's　only　answer　was　to　reach　over　her　shoulder　for　her　sword；　but　before　she　had　it　halfway　drawn　Lem　grabbed　her　wrist。　〃We'll　have　no　more　of　that；　now。〃　He　twisted　her　arm　until　her　hand　opened。　His　fingers　were　hard　with　callus　and　fearsomely　strong。　Again！　Arya　thought。　It's　happening　again；　like　it　happened　in　the　village；　with　Chiswyck　and　Raff　and　the　Mountain　That　Rides。　They　were　going　to　steal　her　sword　and　turn　her　back　into　a　mouse。　Her　free　hand　closed　around　her　tankard；　and　she　swung　it　at　Lem's　face。　The　ale　sloshed　over　the　rim　and　splashed　into　his　eyes；　and　she　heard　his　nose　break　and　saw　the　spurt　of　blood。　When　he　roared　his　hands　went　to　his　face；　and　she　was　free。　〃Run！〃　she　screamed；　bolting。
　But　Lem　was　on　her　again　at　once；　with　his　long　legs　that　made　one　of　his　steps　equal　to　three　of　hers。　She　twisted　and　kicked；　but　he　yanked　her　off　her　feet　effortlessly　and　held　her　dangling　while　the　blood　ran　down　his　face。
　〃Stop　it；　you　little　fool；〃　he　shouted；　shaking　her　back　and　forth。　〃Stop　it　now！〃　Gendry　moved　to　help　her；　until　Tom　Sevenstrings　stepped　in　front　of　him　with　a　dagger。
　By　then　it　was　too　late　to　flee。　She　could　hear　horses　outside；　and　the　sound　of　men's　voices。　A　moment　later　a　man　came　swaggering　through　the　open　door；　a　Tyroshi　even　bigger　than　Lem　with　a　great　thick　beard；　bright　green　at　the　ends　but　growing　out　grey。　Behind　came　a　pair　of　crossbowmen　helping　a　wounded　man　between　them；　and　then　others　。　。　。
　A　more　ragged　band　Arya　had　never　seen；　but　there　was　nothing　ragged　about　the　swords；　axes；　and　bows　they　carried。　One　or　two　gave　her　curious　glances　as　they　entered；　but　no　one　said　a　word。　A　one…eyed　man　in　a　rusty　pothelm　sniffed　the　air　and　grinned；　while　an　archer　with　a　head　of　stiff　yellow　hair　was　shouting　for　ale。　After　them　came　a　spearman　in　a　lioncrested　helm；　an　older　man　with　a　limp；　a　Braavosi　sellsword；　a　。　。　。
　〃Harwin？〃　Arya　whispered。　It　was！　Under　the　beard　and　the　tangled　hair　was　the　face　of　Hullen's　son；　who　used　to　lead　her　pony　around　the　yard；　ride　at　quintain　with　Jon　and　Robb；　and　drink　too　much　on　feast　days。　He　was　thinner；　harder　somehow；　and　at　Winterfell　he　had　never　worn　a　beard；　but　it　was　him…her　father's　man。　〃Harwin！〃　Squirming；　she　threw　herself　forward；　trying　to　wrench　free　of　Lem's　iron　grip。　〃It's　me；〃　she　shouted；　〃Harwin；　it's　me；　don't　you　know　me；　don't　you？〃　The　tears　came；　and　she　found　herself　weeping　like　a　baby；　just　like　some　stupid　little　girl。　〃Harwin；　it's　me！〃
　Harwin's　eyes　went　from　her　face　to　the　flayed　man　on　her　doublet。　〃How　do　you　know　me？〃　he　said；　frowning　suspiciously。　〃The　flayed　man　。　。　。　who　are　you；　some　serving　boy　to　Lord　Leech？〃
　For　a　moment　she　did　not　know　how　to　answer。　She'd　had　so　many　names。　Had　she　only　dreamed　Arya　Stark？　〃I'm　a　girl；〃　she　sniffed。　〃I　was　Lord　Bolton's　cupbearer　but　he　was　going　to　leave　me　for　the　goat；　so　I　ran　off　with　Gendry　and　Hot　Pie。　You　have　to　know　me！　You　used　to　lead　my　pony；　when　I　was　little。〃
　His　eyes　went　wide。　〃Gods　be　good；〃　he　said　in　a　choked　voice。　〃Arya　Underfoot？　Lem；　let　go　of　her。〃
　〃She　broke　my　nose。〃　Lem　dumped　her　unceremoniously　to　the　floor。　〃Who　in　seven　hells　is　she　supposed　to　be？〃
　〃The　Hand's　daughter。〃　Harwin　went　to　one　knee　before　her。　〃Arya　Stark；　of　Winterfell。〃
　
　CHAPTER　14
　CATELYN
　
　Robb；　she　knew；　the　moment　she　heard　the　kennels　erupt。
　Her　son　had　returned　to　Riverrun；　and　Grey　Wind　with　him。　Only　the　scent　of　the　great　grey　direwolf　could　send　the　hounds　into　such　a　frenzy　of　baying　and　barking。　He　will　e　to　me；　she　knew。　Edmure　had　not　returned　after　his　first　visit；　preferring　to　spend　his　days　with　Marq　Piper　and　Patrek　Mallister；　listening　to　Rymund　the　Rhymer's　verses　about　the　battle　at　the　Stone　Mill。　Robb　is　not　Edmure；　though。　Robb　will　see　me。
　It　had　been　raining　for　days　now；　a　cold　grey　downpour　that　well　suited　Catelyn's　mood。　Her　father　was　growing　weaker　and　more　delirious　with　every　passing　day；　waking　only　to　mutter；　〃Tansy；〃　and　beg　forgiveness。　Edmure　shunned　her；　and　Ser　Desmond　Grell　still　denied　her　freedom　of　the　castle；　however　unhappy　it　seemed　to　make　him。　Only　the　return　of　Ser　Robin　Ryger　and　his　men；　footweary　and　drenched　to　the　bone；　served　to　lighten　her　spirits。　They　had　walked　back；　it　seemed。　Somehow　the　Kingslayer　had　contrived　to　sink　their　galley　and　escape；　Maester　Vyman　confided。　Catelyn　asked　if　she　might　speak　with　Ser　Robin　to　learn　more　of　what　had　happened；　but　that　was　refused　her。
　Something　else　was　wrong　as　well。　On　the　day　her　brother　returned；　a　few　hours　after　their　argument；　she　had　heard　angry　voices　from　the　yard　below。　When　she　climbed　to　the　roof　to　see；　there　were　knots　of　men　gathered　across　the　castle　beside　the　main　gate。　Horses　were　being　led　from　the　stables；　saddled　and　bridled；　and　there　was　shouting；　though　Catelyn　was　too　far　away　to　make　out　the　words。　one　of　Robb's　white　banners　lay　on　the　ground；　and　one　of　the　knights　turned　his　horse　and　trampled　over　the　direwolf　as　he　spurred　toward　the　gate。　Several　others　did　the　same。　Those　are　men　who　fought　with　Edmure　on　the　fords；　she　thought。　What　could　have　made　them　so　angry？　Has　my　brother　slighted　them　somehow；　given　them　some　insult？　She　thought　she　recognized　Ser　Perwyn　Frey；　who　had　traveled　with　her　to　Bitterbridge　and　Storm's　End　and　back；　and　his　bastard　half　brother　Martyn　Rivers　as　well；　but　from　this　vantage　it　was　hard　to　be　certain。　Close　to　forty　men　poured　out　through　the　castle　gates；　to　what　end　she　did　not　know。
　They　did　not　e　back。　Nor　would　Maester　Vyman　tell　her　who　they　had　been；　where　they　had　gone；　or　what　had　made　them　so　angry。　〃I　am　here　to　see　to　your　father；　and　only　that；　my　lady；〃　he　said。　〃Your　brother　will　soon　be　Lord　of　Riverrun。　What　he　wishes　you　to　know；　he　must　tell　you。〃
　But　now　Robb　was　returned　from　the　west；　returned　in　triumph。　He　will　forgive　me；　Catelyn　told　herself。　He　must　forgive　me；　he　is　my　own　son；　and　Arya　and　Sansa　are　as　much　his　blood　as　mine。　He　will　free　me　from　these　rooms　and　then　I　will　know　what　has　happened。
　By　the　time　Ser　Desmond　came　for　her；　she　had　bathed　and　dressed　and　bed　out　her　auburn　hair。　〃King　Robb　has　returned　from　the　west；　my　lady；〃　the　knight　said；　〃and　mands　that　you　attend　him　in　the　Great　Hall。〃
　It　was　the　moment　she　had　dreamt　of　and　dreaded。　Have　I　lost　two　sons；　or　three？　She　would　know　soon　enough。
　The　hall　was　crowded　when　they　entered。　Every　eye　was　on　the　dais；　but　Catelyn　knew　their　backs：　Lady　Mormont's　patched　ringmail；　the　Greatjon　and　his　son　looming　above　every　other　head　in　the　hall；　Lord　Jason　Mallister　white…haired　with　his　winged　helm　in　the　crook　of　his　arm；　Tytos　Blackwood　in　his　magnificent　raven…feather　cloak　。　。　。　Half　of　them　will　want　to　hang　me　now。　The　other　half　may　only　turn　their　eyes　away。　She　had　the　uneasy　feeling　that　someone　was　missing；　too。
　Robb　stood　on　the　dais。　He　is　a　boy　no　longer；　she　realized　with　a　pang。　He　is　sixteen　now；　a　man　grown。　fust　look　at　him。　War　had　melted　all　the　softness　from　his　face　and　left　him　hard　and　lean。　He　had　shaved　his　beard　away；　but　his　auburn　hair　fell　uncut　to　his　shoulders。　The　recent　rains　had　rusted　his　mail　and　left　brown　stains　on　the　white　of　his　cloak　and　surcoat。　Or　perhaps　the　stains　were　blood。　On　his　head　was　the　sword　crown　they　had　fashioned　him　of　bronze　and　iron。　He　bears　it　more　fortably　now　He　bears　it　like　a　king。
　Edmure　stood　below　the　crowded　dais；　head　bowed　modestly　as　Robb　praised　his　victory。　〃　。　。　。　fell　at　the　Stone　Mill　shall　never　be　forgotten。　Small　wonder　Lord　Tywin　ran　off　to　fight　Stannis。　He'd　had　his　fill　of　northmen　and　rivermen　both。〃　That　brought　laughter　and　approving　shouts；　but　Robb　raised　a　hand　for　quiet。　〃Make　no　mistake；　though。　The　Lannisters　will　march　again；　and　there　will　be　other　battles　to　win　before　the　kingdom　is　secure。〃
　The　Greatjon　roared　out；　〃King　in　the　North！〃　and　thrust　a　mailed　fist　into　the　air。　The　river　lords　answered　with　a　shout　of　〃King　of　the　Trident！〃　The　hall　grew　thunderous　with　pounding　fists　and　stamping　feet。
　Only　a　few　noted　Catelyn　and　Ser　Desmond　amidst　the　tumult；　but　they　elbowed　their　fellows；　and　slowly　a　hush　grew　around　her。　She　held　her　head　high　and　ignored　the　eyes。　Let　them　t