grrm.astormofswords-第4章

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aggy　furs。　The　snow　was　drifting　in　to　cover　him。　He　looked　like　some　kind　of　soft　round　mountain。　Steel　whispered　on　leather　faint　as　hope　as　Chett　eased　his　dagger　from　its　sheath。　One　of　the　ravens　quorked。　〃Snow；〃　another　muttered；　peering　through　the　bars　with　black　eyes。　The　first　added　a　〃Snow〃　of　its　own。　He　edged　past　them；　placing　each　foot　carefully。　He　would　clap　his　left　hand　down　over　the　fat　boy's　mouth　to　muffle　his　cries；　and　then　。　。　。
　Uuuuuuuhoooooooooo。
　He　stopped　midstep；　swallowing　his　curse　as　the　sound　of　the　horn　shuddered　through　the　camp；　faint　and　far；　yet　unmistakable。　Not　now　Gods　be　damned；　not　NOW！　The　Old　Bear　had　hidden　far…eyes　in　a　ring　of　trees　around　the　Fist；　to　give　warning　of　any　approach。　Jarman　Buckwell's　back　from　the　Giant's　Stair；　Chett　figured；　or　Qhorin　Halfhand　from　the　Skirling　Pass。　A　single　blast　of　the　horn　meant　brothers　returning。　If　it　was　the　Halfhand；　Jon　Snow　might　be　with　him；　alive。
　Sam　Tarly　sat　up　puffy…eyed　and　stared　at　the　snow　in　confusion。　The　ravens　were　cawing　noisily；　and　Chett　could　hear　his　dogs　baying。　Half　the　bloody　camp's　awake。　His　gloved　fingers　clenched　around　the　dagger's　hilt　as　he　waited　for　the　sound　to　die　away。　But　no　sooner　had　it　gone　than　it　came　again；　louder　and　longer。
　Uuuuuuuuuuuuhooooooooooooooo。
　〃Gods；〃　he　heard　Sam　Tarly　whimper。　The　fat　boy　lurched　to　his　knees；　his　feet　tangled　in　his　cloak　and　blankets。　He　kicked　them　away　and　reached　for　a　chain…mail　hauberk　he'd　hung　on　the　rock　nearby。　As　he　slipped　the　huge　tent　of　a　garment　down　over　his　head　and　wriggled　into　it；　he　spied　Chett　standing　there。　〃Was　it　two？〃　he　asked。　〃I　dreamed　I　heard　two　blasts　。　。　。〃
　〃No　dream；〃　said　Chett。　〃Two　blasts　to　call　the　Watch　to　arms。　Two　blasts　for　foes　approaching。　There's　an　axe　out　there　with　Piggy　writ　on　it；　fat　boy。　Two　blasts　means　wildlings。　〃The　fear　on　that　big　moon　face　made　him　want　to　laugh。　〃Bugger　them　all　to　seven　hells。　Bloody　Harma。　Bloody　Mance　Rayder。　Bloody　Smallwood；　he　said　they　wouldn't　be　on　us　for　another…〃
　Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhooooooooooooooooooooooooo。
　The　sound　went　on　and　on　and　on；　until　it　seemed　it　would　never　die。　The　ravens　were　flapping　and　screaming；　flying　about　their　cages　and　banging　off　the　bars；　and　all　about　the　camp　the　brothers　of　the　Night's　Watch　were　rising；　donning　their　armor；　buckling　on　swordbelts；　reaching　for　battleaxes　and　bows。　Samwell　Tarly　stood　shaking；　his　face　the　same　color　as　the　snow　that　swirled　down　all　around　them。　〃Three；〃　he　squeaked　to　Chett；　〃that　was　three；　I　heard　three。　They　never　blow　three。　Not　for　hundreds　and　thousands　of　years。　Three　means…〃
　〃…Others。〃　Chett　made　a　sound　that　was　half　a　laugh　and　half　a　sob；　and　suddenly　his　smallclothes　were　wet；　and　he　could　feel　the　piss　running　down　his　leg；　see　steam　rising　off　the　front　of　his　breeches。
　
　CHAPTER　1
　JAIME
　
　An　east　wind　blew　through　his　tangled　hair；　as　soft　and　fragrant　as　Cersei's　fingers。　He　could　hear　birds　singing；　and　feel　the　river　moving　beneath　the　boat　as　the　sweep　of　the　oars　sent　them　toward　the　pale　pink　dawn。　After　so　long　in　darkness；　the　world　was　so　sweet　that　Jaime　Lannister　felt　dizzy。　I　am　alive；　and　drunk　on　sunlight。　A　laugh　burst　from　his　lips；　sudden　as　a　quail　flushed　from　cover。
　〃Quiet；〃　the　wench　grumbled；　scowling。　Scowls　suited　her　broad　homely　face　better　than　a　smile。　Not　that　Jaime　had　ever　seen　her　smiling。　He　amused　himself　by　picturing　her　in　one　of　Cersei's　silken　gowns　in　place　of　her　studded　leather　jerkin。　As　well　dress　a　cow　in　silk　as　this　one。
　But　the　cow　could　row。　Beneath　her　roughspun　brown　breeches　were　calves　like　cords　of　wood；　and　the　long　muscles　of　her　arms　stretched　and　tightened　with　each　stroke　of　the　oars。　Even　after　rowing　half　the　night；　she　showed　no　signs　of　tiring；　which　was　more　than　could　be　said　for　his　cousin　Ser　Cleos；　laboring　on　the　other　oar。　A　big　strong　peasant　wench　to　look　at　her；　yet　she　speaks　like　one　highborn　and　wears　longsword　and　dagger。　Ah；　but　can　she　use　them？　Jaime　meant　to　find　out；　as　soon　as　he　rid　himself　of　these　fetters。
　He　wore　iron　manacles　on　his　wrists　and　a　matching　pair　about　his　ankles；　joined　by　a　length　of　heavy　chain　no　more　than　a　foot　long。　〃You'd　think　my　word　as　a　Lannister　was　not　good　enough；〃　he'd　japed　as　they　bound　him。　He'd　been　very　drunk　by　then；　thanks　to　Catelyn　Stark。　Of　their　escape　from　Riverrun；　he　recalled　only　bits　and　pieces。　There　had　been　some　trouble　with　the　gaoler；　but　the　big　wench　had　overe　him。
　After　that　they　had　climbed　an　endless　stair；　around　and　around。　His　legs　were　weak　as　grass；　and　he'd　stumbled　twice　or　thrice；　until　the　wench　lent　him　an　arm　to　lean　on。　At　some　point　he　was　bundled　into　a　traveler's　cloak　and　shoved　into　the　bottom　of　a　skiff。　He　remembered　listening　to　Lady　Catelyn　mand　someone　to　raise　the　portcullis　on　the　Water　Gate。　She　was　sending　Ser　Cleos　Frey　back　to　King's　Landing　with　new　terms　for　the　queen；　she'd　declared　in　a　tone　that　brooked　no　argument。
　He　must　have　drifted　off　then。　The　wine　had　made　him　sleepy；　and　it　felt　good　to　stretch；　a　luxury　his　chains　had　not　permitted　him　in　the　cell。　Jaime　had　long　ago　learned　to　snatch　sleep　in　the　saddle　during　a　march。　This　was　no　harder。　Tyrion　is　going　to　laugh　himself　sick　when　he　hears　how　I　slept　through　my　own　escape。　He　was　awake　now；　though；　and　the　fetters　were　irksome。　〃My　lady；〃　he　called　out；　〃if　you'll　strike　off　these　chains；　I'll　spell　you　at　those　oars。〃
　She　scowled　again；　her　face　all　horse　teeth　and　glowering　suspicion。　〃You'll　wear　your　chains；　Kingslayer。〃
　〃You　figure　to　row　all　the　way　to　King's　Landing；　wench？〃
　〃You　will　call　me　Brienne。　Not　wench。〃
　〃My　name　is　Ser　Jaime。　Not　Kingslayer。〃
　〃Do　you　deny　that　you　slew　a　king？〃
　〃No。　Do　you　deny　your　sex？　If　so；　unlace　those　breeches　and　show　me。〃　He　gave　her　an　innocent　smile。　〃I'd　ask　you　to　open　your　bodice；　but　from　the　look　of　you　that　wouldn't　prove　much。〃
　Ser　Cleos　fretted。　〃Cousin；　remember　your　courtesies。〃
　The　Lannister　blood　runs　thin　in　this　one。　Cleos　was　his　Aunt　Genna's　son　by　that　dullard　Emmon　Frey；　who　had　lived　in　terror　of　Lord　Tywin　Lannister　since　the　day　he　wed　his　sister。　When　Lord　Walder　Frey　had　brought　the　Twins　into　the　war　on　the　side　of　Riverrun；　Ser　Emmon　had　chosen　his　wife's　allegiance　over　his　father's。　Casterly　Rock　got　the　worst　of　that　bargain；　Jaime　reflected。　Ser　Cleos　looked　like　a　weasel；　fought　like　a　goose；　and　had　the　courage　of　an　especially　brave　ewe。　Lady　Stark　had　promised　him　release　if　he　delivered　her　message　to　Tyrion；　and　Ser　Cleos　had　solemnly　vowed　to　do　so。
　They'd　all　done　a　deal　of　vowing　back　in　that　cell；　Jaime　most　of　all。　That　was　Lady　Catelyn's　price　for　loosing　him。　She　had　laid　the　point　of　the　big　wench's　sword　against　his　heart　and　said；　〃Swear　that　you　will　never　again　take　up　arms　against　Stark　nor　Tully。　Swear　that　you　will　pel　your　brother　to　honor　his　pledge　to　return　my　daughters　safe　and　unharmed。　Swear　on　your　honor　as　a　knight；　on　your　honor　as　a　Lannister；　on　your　honor　as　a　Sworn　Brother　of　the　Kingsguard。　Swear　it　by　your　sister's　life；　and　your　father's；　and　your　son's；　by　the　old　gods　and　the　new；　and　I'll　send　you　back　to　your　sister。　Refuse；　and　I　will　have　your　blood。〃　He　remembered　the　prick　of　the　steel　through　his　rags　as　she　twisted　the　point　of　the　sword。
　I　wonder　what　the　High　Septon　would　have　to　say　about　the　sanctity　of　oaths　sworn　while　dead　drunk；　chained　to　a　wall；　with　a　sword　pressed　to　your　chest？　Not　that　Jaime　was　truly　concerned　about　that　fat　fraud；　or　the　gods　he　claimed　to　serve。　He　remembered　the　pail　Lady　Catelyn　had　kicked　over　in　his　cell。　A　strange　woman；　to　trust　her　girls　to　a　man　with　shit　for　honor。　Though　she　was　trusting　him　as　little　as　she　dared。　She　is　putting　her　hope　in　Tyrion；　not　in　me。　〃Perhaps　she　is　not　so　stupid　after　all；〃　he　said　aloud。
　His　captor　took　it　wrong。　〃I　am　not　stupid。　Nor　deaf。〃
　He　was　gentle　with　her；　mocking　this　one　would　be　so　easy　there　would　be　no　sport　to　it。　〃I　was　speaking　to　myself；　and　not　of　you。　It's　an　easy　habit　to　slip　into　in　a　cell。〃
　She　frowned　at　him；　pushing　the　oars　forward；　pulling　them　back；　pushing　them　forward；　saying　nothing。
　As　glib　of　tongue　as　she　is　fair　of　face。　〃By　your　speech；　I'd　judge　you　nobly　born。〃
　〃My　father　is　Selwyn　of　Tarth；　by　the　grace　of　the　gods　Lord　of　Evenfall。〃　Even　that　was　given　grudgingly。
　〃Tarth；〃　Jaime　said。　〃A　ghastly　large　rock　in　the　narrow　sea；　as　I　recall。　And　Evenfall　is　sworn　to　Storm's　End。　How　is　it　that　you　serve　Robb　of　Winterfell？〃
　〃It　is　Lady　Catelyn　I　serve。　And　she　manded　me　to　deliver　you　safe　to　your　brother　Tyrion　at　King's　Landing；　not　to　bandy　words　with　you。　Be　silent。〃
　〃I've　had　a　bellyful。　of　silence；　woman。〃
　〃Talk　with　Ser　Cleos　then。　I　have　no　words　for　monsters。〃
　Jaime　hooted。　〃Are　there　monsters　hereabouts？　Hiding　beneath　the　water；　perhaps？　In　that　thick　of　willows？　And　me　without　my　sword！〃
　〃A　man　who　would　violate　his　own　sister；　murder　his　king；　and　fling　an　innocent　child　to　his　death　deserves　no　other　name。〃
　Innocent？　The　wretched　boy　was　spying　on　us。　All　Jaime　had　wanted　was　an　hour　alone　with　Cersei。　Their　journey　north　had　been　one　long　torment；　seeing　her　every　day；　unable　to　touch　her；　knowing　that　Robert　stumbled　drunkenly　into　her　bed　every　night　in　that　great　creaking　wheelhouse。　Tyrion　had　done　his　best　to　keep　him　in　a　good　humor；　but　it　had　not　been　enough。　〃You　will　be　courteous　as　concerns　Cersei；　wench；〃　he　warned　her。
　〃My　name　is　Brienne；　not　wench。〃
　〃What　do　you　care　what　a　monster　calls　you？〃
　〃My　name　is　Brienne；〃　she　repeated；　dogged　as　a　hound。
　〃Lady　Brienne？〃　She　looked　so　unfortable　that　Jaime　sensed　a　weakness。　〃Or　would　Ser　Brienne　be　more　to　your　taste？〃　He　laughed。　〃No；　I　fear　not。　You　can　trick　out　a　milk　cow　in　crupper；　crinet；　and　charnfron；　and　bard　her　all　in　silk；　but　that　doesn't　mean　you　can　ride　her　into　battle。〃
　〃Cousin　Jaime；　please；　you　ought　not　speak　so　roughly。〃　Under　his　cloak；　Ser　Cleos　wore　a　surcoat　quartered　with　the　twin　towers　of　House　Frey　and　the　golden　lion　of　Lannister。　〃We　have　far　to　go；　we　should　not　quarrel　amongst　ourselves。〃
　〃When　I　quarrel　I　do　it　with　a　sword；　coz。　I　was　speaking　to　the　lady。　Tell　me；　wench；　are　all　the　women　on　Tarth　as　homely　as　you？　I　pity　the　men；　if　so。　Perhaps　they　do　not　know　what　real　women　look　like；　living　on　a　dreary　mountain　in　the　sea。〃
　〃Tarth　is　beautiful；　〃　the　wench　grunted　between　strokes。　〃The　Sapphire　Isle；　it's　called。　Be　quiet；　monster；　unless　you　mean　to　make　me　gag　you。〃
　〃She's　rude　as　well；　isn't　she；　coz？〃　Jaime　asked　Ser　Cleos。　〃Though　she　has　steel　in　her　spine；　I'll　grant　you。　Not　many　men　dare　name　me　monster　to　my　face。〃　Though　behind　my　back　they　speak　freely　enough；　I　have　no　doubt。
　Ser　Cleos　coughed　nervously。　〃Lady　Brienne　had　those　lies　from　Catelyn　Stark；　no　doubt。　The　Starks　cannot　hope　to　defeat　you　with　swords；　ser；　so　now　they　make　war　with　poisoned　words。〃
　They　did　defeat　me　with　swords；　you　chinless　cretin。　Jaime　smiled　knowingly。　Men　will　read　all　sorts　of　things　into　a　knowing　smile；　if　you　let　them。　Has　cousin　Cleos　truly　swallowed　this　kettle　of　dung；　or　is　he　striving　to　in