grrm.astormofswords-第52章

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elf。　A　king　must　have　an　heir。〃
　The　girl　smiled　at　that。　〃My　mother　says　the　same。　She　makes　a　posset　for　me；　herbs　and　milk　and　ale；　to　help　make　me　fertile。　I　drink　it　every　morning。　I　told　Robb　I'm　sure　to　give　him　twins。　An　Eddard　and　a　Brandon。　He　liked　that；　I　think。　We　。　。　。　we　try　most　every　day；　my　lady。　Sometimes　twice　or　more。〃　The　girl　blushed　very　prettily。　〃I'll　be　with　child　soon；　I　promise。　I　pray　to　our　Mother　Above；　every　night。〃
　〃Very　good。　I　will　add　my　prayers　as　well。　To　the　old　gods　and　the　new。〃
　When　the　girl　had　gone；　Catelyn　turned　back　to　her　father　and　smoothed　the　thin　white　hair　across　his　brow。　〃An　Eddard　and　a　Brandon；〃　she　sighed　softly。　〃And　perhaps　in　time　a　Hoster。　Would　you　like　that？〃　He　did　not　answer；　but　she　had　never　expected　that　he　would。　As　the　sound　of　the　rain　on　the　roof　mingled　with　her　father's　breathing；　she　thought　about　Jeyne。　The　girl　did　seem　to　have　a　good　heart；　just　as　Robb　had　said。　And　good　hips；　which　might　be　more　important。
　
　CHAPTER　21
　JAIME
　
　Two　days'　ride　to　either　side　of　the　kingsroad；　they　passed　through　a　wide　swath　of　destruction；　miles　of　blackened　fields　and　orchards　where　the　trunks　of　dead　trees　jutted　into　the　air　like　archers'　stakes。　The　bridges　were　burnt　as　well；　and　the　streams　swollen　by　autumn　rains；　so　they　had　to　range　along　the　banks　in　search　of　fords。　The　nights　were　alive　with　howling　of　wolves；　but　they　saw　no　people。
　At　Maidenpool；　Lord　Mooton's　red　salmon　still　flew　above　the　castle　on　its　hill；　but　the　town　walls　were　deserted；　the　gates　smashed；　half　the　homes　and　shops　burned　or　plundered。　They　saw　nothing　living　but　a　few　feral　dogs　that　went　slinking　away　at　the　sound　of　their　approach。　The　pool　from　which　the　town　took　its　name；　where　legend　said　that　Florian　the　Fool　had　first　glimpsed　jonquil　bathing　with　her　sisters；　was　so　choked　with　rotting　corpses　that　the　water　had　turned　into　a　murky　grey…green　soup。
　Jaime　took　one　look　and　burst　into　song。　〃Six　maids　there　were　in　a　spring…fed　pool　。　。　。〃
　〃What　are　you　doing？〃　Brienne　demanded。
　〃Singing。　'Six　Maids　in　a　Pool/　I'm　sure　you've　heard　it。　And　shy　little　maids　they　were；　too。　Rather　like　you。　Though　somewhat　prettier；　I'll　warrant。〃
　〃Be　quiet；〃　the　wench　said；　with　a　look　that　suggested　she　would　love　to　leave　him　floating　in　the　pool　among　the　corpses。
　〃Please；　Jaime；〃　pleaded　cousin　Cleos。　〃Lord　Mooton　is　sworn　to　Riverrun；　we　don't　want　to　draw　him　out　of　his　castle。　And　there　may　be　other　enemies　hiding　in　the　rubble　。　。　。〃
　〃Hers　or　ours？　They　are　not　the　same；　coz。　I　have　a　yen　to　see　if　the　wench　can　use　that　sword　she　wears。〃
　〃If　you　won't　be　quiet；　you　leave　me　no　choice　but　to　gag　you；　Kingslayer。〃
　〃Unchain　my　hands　and　I'll　play　mute　all　the　way　to　King's　Landing。　What　could　be　fairer　than　that；　wench？〃
　〃Brienne！　My　name　is　Brienne！〃　Three　crows　went　flapping　into　the　air　startled　at　the　sound。
　〃Care　for　a　bath；　Brienne？〃　He　laughed。　〃You're　a　maiden　and　there's　the　pool。　I'll　wash　your　back。〃　He　used　to　scrub　Cersei's　back；　when　they　were　children　together　at　Casterly　Rock。
　The　wench　turned　her　horse's　head　and　trotted　away。　Jaime　and　Ser　Cleos　followed　her　out　of　the　ashes　of　Maidenpool。　A　half　mile　on；　green　began　to　creep　back　into　the　world　once　more。　Jaime　was　glad。　The　burned　lands　reminded　him　too　much　of　Aerys。
　〃She's　taking　the　Duskendale　road；〃　Ser　Cleos　muttered。　〃it　would　be　safer　to　follow　the　coast。〃
　〃Safer　but　slower。　I'm　for　Duskendale；　coz。　If　truth　be　told；　I'm　bored　with　your　pany。〃　You　may　be　half　Lannistei；　but　you're　a　far　cry　from　my　sister。
　He　could　never　bear　to　be　long　apart　from　his　twin。　Even　as　children；　they　would　creep　into　each　other's　beds　and　sleep　with　their　arms　entwined。　Even　in　the　womb。　Long　before　his　sister's　flowering　or　the　advent　of　his　own　manhood；　they　had　seen　mares　and　stallions　in　the　fields　and　dogs　and　bitches　in　the　kennels　and　played　at　doing　the　same。　Once　their　mother's　maid　had　caught　them　at　it　。　。　。　he　did　not　recall　just　what　they　had　been　doing；　but　whatever　it　was　had　horrified　Lady　Joanna。　She'd　sent　the　maid　away；　moved　Jaime's　bedchamber　to　the　other　side　of　Casterly　Rock；　set　a　guard　outside　Cersei's；　and　told　them　that　they　must　never　do　that　again　or　she　would　have　no　choice　but　to　tell　their　lord　father。　They　need　not　have　feared；　though。　It　was　not　long　after　that　she　died　birthing　Tyrion。　Jaime　barely　remembered　what　his　mother　had　looked　like。
　Perhaps　Stannis　Baratheon　and　the　Starks　had　done　him　a　kindness。　They　had　spread　their　tale　of　incest　all　over　the　Seven　Kingdoms；　so　there　was　nothing　left　to　hide。　Why　shouldn't　I　marry　Cersei　openly　and　share　her　bed　every　night？　The　dragons　always　married　their　sisters。　Septons；　lords；　and　smallfolk　had　turned　a　blind　eye　to　the　Targaryens　for　hundreds　of　years；　let　them　do　the　same　for　House　Lannister。　It　would　play　havoc　with　Joffrey's　claim　to　the　crown；　to　be　sure；　but　in　the　end　it　had　been　swords　that　had　won　the　iron　Throne　for　Robert；　and　swords　could　keep　Joffrey　there　as　well；　regardless　of　whose　seed　he　was。　We　could　marry　him　to　Myrcella；　once　we've　sent　Sansa　Stark　back　to　her　mother。　That　would　show　the　realm　that　the　Lannisters　are　above　their　laws；　like　gods　and　Targaryens。
　Jaime　had　decided　that　he　would　return　Sansa；　and　the　younger　girl　as　well　if　she　could　be　found。　It　was　not　like　to　win　him　back　his　lost　honor；　but　the　notion　of　keeping　faith　when　they　all　expected　betrayal　amused　him　more　than　he　could　say。
　They　were　riding　past　a　trampled　wheatfield　and　a　low　stone　wall　when　Jaime　heard　a　soft　thrum　from　behind；　as　if　a　dozen　birds　had　taken　flight　at　once。　〃Down！〃　he　shouted；　throwing　himself　against　the　neck　of　his　horse。　The　gelding　screamed　and　reared　as　an　arrow　took　him　in　the　rump。　other　shafts　went　hissing　past。　Jaime　saw　Ser　Cleos　lurch　from　the　saddle；　twisting　as　his　foot　caught　in　the　stirrup。　His　palfrey　bolted；　and　Frey　was　dragged　past　shouting；　head　bouncing　against　the　ground。
　Jaime's　gelding　lumbered　off　ponderously；　blowing　and　snorting　in　pain。　He　craned　around　to　look　for　Brienne。　She　was　still　ahorse；　an　arrow　lodged　in　her　back　and　another　in　her　leg；　but　she　seemed　not　to　feel　them。　He　saw　her　pull　her　sword　and　wheel　in　a　circle；　searching　for　the　bowmen。　〃Behind　the　wall；〃　Jaime　called；　fighting　to　turn　his　halfblind　mount　back　toward　the　fight。　The　reins　were　tangled　in　his　damned　chains；　and　the　air　was　full　of　arrows　again。　〃At　them！〃　he　shouted；　kicking　to　show　her　how　it　was　done。　The　old　sorry　horse　found　a　burst　of　speed　from　somewhere。　Suddenly　they　were　racing　across　the　wheatfield；　throwing　up　clouds　of　chaff。　Jaime　had　just　enough　time　to　think；　The　wench　had　better　follow　before　they　realize　they're　being　charged　by　an　unarmed　man　in　chains。　Then　he　heard　her　ing　hard　behind。　〃Evenfall！〃　she　shouted　as　her　plow　horse　thundered　by。　She　brandished　her　longsword。　〃Tarth！　Tarth！〃
　A　few　last　arrows　sped　harmlessly　past；　then　the　bowmen　broke　and　ran；　the　way　unsupported　bowmen　always　broke　and　ran　before　the　charge　of　knights。　Brienne　reined　up　at　the　wall。　By　the　time　Jaime　reached　her；　they　had　all　melted　into　the　wood　twenty　yards　away。　〃Lost　your　taste　for　battle？〃
　〃They　were　running。〃
　〃That's　the　best　time　to　kill　them。〃
　She　sheathed　her　sword。　〃Why　did　you　charge？〃
　〃Bowmen　are　fearless　so　long　as　they　can　hide　behind　walls　and　shoot　at　you　from　afar；　but　if　you　e　at　them；　they　run。　They　know　what　will　happen　when　you　reach　them。　You　have　an　arrow　in　your　back；　you　know。　And　another　in　your　leg。　You　ought　to　let　me　tend　them。〃
　〃YOU？〃
　〃Who　else？　The　last　I　saw　of　cousin　Cleos；　his　palfrey　was　using　his　head　to　plow　a　furrow。　Though　I　suppose　we　ought　to　find　him。　He　is　a　Lannister　of　sorts。〃
　They　found　Cleos　still　tangled　in　his　stirrup。　He　had　an　arrow　through　his　right　arm　and　a　second　in　his　chest；　but　it　was　the　ground　that　had　done　for　him。　The　top　of　his　head　was　matted　with　blood　and　mushy　to　the　touch；　pieces　of　broken　bone　moving　under　the　skin　beneath　the　pressure　of　Jaime's　hand。
　Brienne　knelt　and　held　his　hand。　〃He's　still　warm。〃
　〃He'll　cool　soon　enough。　I　want　his　horse　and　his　clothes。　I'm　weary　of　rags　and　fleas。〃
　〃He　was　your　cousin。〃　The　wench　was　shocked。
　〃Was；〃　Jaime　agreed。　〃Have　no　fear；　I　am　amply　provisioned　in　cousins。　I'll　have　his　sword　as　well。　You　need　someone　to　share　the　watches。〃
　〃You　can　stand　a　watch　without　weapons。〃　She　rose。
　〃Chained　to　a　tree？　Perhaps　I　could。　Or　perhaps　I　could　make　my　own　bargain　with　the　next　lot　of　outlaws　and　let　them　slit　that　thick　neck　of　yours；　wench。〃
　〃I　will　not　arm　you。　And　my　name　is　…
　〃…Brienne；　I　know。　I'll　swear　an　oath　not　to　harm　you；　if　that　will　ease　your　girlish　fears。〃
　〃Your　oaths　are　worthless。　You　swore　an　oath　to　Aerys。〃
　〃You　haven't　cooked　anyone　in　their　armor　so　far　as　I　know。　And　we　both　want　me　safe　and　whole　in　King's　Landing；　don't　we？〃　He　squatted　beside　Cleos　and　began　to　undo　his　swordbelt。
　〃Step　away　from　him。　Now。　Stop　that。〃
　Jaime　was　tired。　Tired　of　her　suspicions；　tired　of　her　insults；　tired　of　her　crooked　teeth　and　her　broad　spotty　face　and　that　limp　thin　hair　of　hers。　Ignoring　her　protests；　he　grasped　the　hilt　of　his　cousin's　longsword　with　both　hands；　held　the　corpse　down　with　his　foot；　and　pulled。　As　the　blade　slid　from　the　scabbard；　he　was　already　pivoting；　bringing　the　sword　around　and　up　in　a　swift　deadly　arc。　Steel　met　steel　with　a　ringing；　bone…jarring　clang。　Somehow　Brienne　had　gotten　her　own　blade　out　in　time。　Jaime　laughed。　〃Very　good；　wench。〃
　〃Give　me　the　sword；　Kingslayer。〃
　〃Oh；　I　will。〃　He　sprang　to　his　feet　and　drove　at　her；　the　longsword　alive　in　his　hands。　Brienne　jumped　back；　parrying；　but　he　followed；　pressing　the　attack。　No　sooner　did　she　turn　one　cut　than　the　next　was　upon　her。　The　swords　kissed　and　sprang　apart　and　kissed　again。　Jaime's　blood　was　singing。　This　was　what　he　was　meant　for；　he　never　felt　so　alive　as　when　he　was　fighting；　with　death　balanced　on　every　stroke。　And　with　my　wrists　chained　together；　the　wench　may　even　give　me　a　contest　for　a　time。　His　chains　forced　him　to　use　a　two…handed　grip；　though　of　course　the　weight　and　reach　were　less　than　if　the　blade　had　been　a　true　two…handed　greatsword；　but　what　did　it　matter？　His　cousin's　sword　was　long　enough　to　write　an　end　to　this　Brienne　of　Tarth。
　High；　low；　overhand；　he　rained　down　steel　upon　her。　Left；　right；　backslash；　swinging　so　hard　that　sparks　flew　when　the　swords　came　together；　upswing；　sideslash；　overhand；　always　attacking；　moving　into　her；　step　and　slide；　strike　and　step；　step　and　strike；　hacking；　slashing；　faster；　faster；　faster　。　。　。
　　。　。　。　until；　breathless；　he　stepped　back　and　let　the　point　of　the　sword　fall　to　the　ground；　giving　her　a　moment　of　respite。　〃Not　half　bad；〃　he　acknowledged。　〃For　a　wench。〃
　She　took　a　slow　deep　breath；　her　eyes　watching　him　warily。　〃I　would　not　hurt　you；　Kingslayer。〃
　〃As　if　you　could。〃　He　whirled　the　blade　back　up　above　his　head　and　flew　at　her　again；　chains　rattling。
　Jaime　could　not　have　said　how　long　he　pressed　the　attack。　it　might　have　been　minutes　or　it　might　have　been　hours；　time　slept　when　swords　woke。　He　drove　her　away　from　his　cousin