ggk.thelionsofal-rassan-第17章

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ere　laden　with　such　folk　wisdom；　carrying　it　like　their　travelling　baggage；　well…worn；　never　far　from　reach。
　　So　Jehane　fought　against　her　tears　on　Rodrigo　Belmonte's　black　horse；　riding　east　under　moons　that　spelled　a　journey　for　her；　against　the　backdrop　of　the　summer　stars；　and　the　man　with　whom　she　rode　kept　blessedly　silent　until　they　reached　the　camp　and　saw　that　the　Muwardis　had　been　there。
　　
　　For　Alvar；　a　good　part　of　the　considerable　strain　of　that　night　came　from　feeling　so　hopelessly　behind　what　was　happening。　He　had　always　thought　of　himself　as　clever。　In　fact；　he　knew　he　was　intelligent。　The　problem　was；　the　events　unfolding　tonight　in　Al…Rassan　were　so　far　outside　the　scope　of　his　experience　that　cleverness　was　not　nearly　enough　to　show　him　how　to　deal　with　what　was　taking　place。
　　He　understood　enough　to　know　that　with　his　share　of　the　ransom　to　be　negotiated　for　Garcia　de　Rada　and　his　surviving　men　he　was　already　wealthier　than　he　had　ever　imagined　being　in　his　first　year　as　a　soldier　of　the　king　in　Esteren。　Even　now；　before　any　further　negotiations　took　place；　Alvar　had　been　assigned　a　new　horse　and　armor　by　Lain　Nunez…and　both　of　them　were　better　than　his　own。
　　This　was　how　soldiers　rose　in　the　world；　if　they　did；　through　the　plunder　and　ransom　of　war。　Only　he　had　really　not　expected　to　take　that　wealth　from　fellow　Valledans。
　　〃Happens　all　the　time；〃　Lain　Nunez　had　said　gruffly　as　they　divided　the　spoils　in　the　village。　〃Remind　me　to　tell　you　of　the　time　Rodrigo　and　I　served　as　privately　hired　mercenaries　of　the　Asharites　of　Salos　downriver。　We　raided　into　Ruenda　for　them　more　than　once。〃
　　〃But　not　into　Valledo；〃　Alvar　had　protested；　still　troubled。
　　〃All　one　back　then；　remember？　King　Sancho　was　still　on　the　throne　of　united　Esperana。　Three　provinces　of　one　country；　lad。　Not　the　division　we've　got　now。〃
　　Alvar　had　thought　about　that　on　the　way　back　to　the　camp。　He　was　struggling　with　so　many　difficult　things…including　his　own　first　killing…that　he　didn't　even　have　a　chance　to　enjoy　his　spoils　of　battle。　He　did　notice　that　Lain　Nunez　was　careful　to　allocate　a　substantial　share　of　the　ransomed　weapons　and　mounts　to　the　survivors　of　the　village；　though。　He　hadn't　expected　that。
　　Then；　back　at　the　camp；　where　the　Captain　and　the　Kindath　doctor　were　waiting　for　them；　Alvar　saw　the　chests　and　sacks　and　barrels；　and　came　to　understand　that　this　was　the　summer　parias　from　Fezana；　delivered　by　the　Muwardis…the　Veiled　Ones…out　here　at　night　on　the　plain。
　　〃The　merchant？〃　Lain　Nunez　asked　urgently；　swinging　down　from　his　horse。　〃They　came　for　him？〃　And　Alvar　abruptly　remembered　that　the　plump　Asharite　had　been　marked　to　die　in　Fezana's　castle　that　day。
　　The　Captain　was　shaking　his　head　slowly。　〃The　merchant；〃　he　said；　〃is　no　more。〃
　　〃Rot　their　souls！〃　Lain　Nunez　swore　violently。　〃By　Jad's　fingers　and　toes；　I　hate　the　Muwardis！〃
　　〃Instead　of　the　merchant；〃　the　Captain　went　on　placidly；　〃we　appear　to　have　a　new　outrider　to　join　Martin　and　Ludus。　We'll　have　to　work　some　weight　off　him　before　he's　much　use；　mind　you。〃
　　Lain　Nunez　gave　his　sharp　bark　of　laughter　as　a　ponderous　figure　rose　from　the　far　side　of　the　fire；　clad…barely…in　the　garb　of　a　Jaddite　Horseman。　Husari　ibn　Musa　seemed；　improbably；　quite　at　ease。
　　〃I've　been　a　wadji　already　today；〃　he　said　calmly；　speaking　passable　Esperanan。　〃This　is　no　more　of　a　stretch；　I　suppose。〃
　　〃Untrue；〃　the　Captain　murmured。　〃Looking　at　Ramon's　clothing　on　you；　I'd　call　it　a　big　stretch。〃　There　was　laughter。　The　merchant　smiled；　and　patted　his　stomach　cheerfully。
　　Alvar；　joining　uncertainly　in　the　amusement；　saw　the　Kindath　doctor；　Jehane；　sitting　on　a　saddle　blanket　by　the　fire；　hands　about　her　drawn…up　knees。　She　was　looking　into　the　flames。
　　〃How　many　of　the　desert　dogs　were　here？〃　Lain　Nunez　asked。
　　〃Only　ten；　Martin　says。　Which　is　why　they　didn't　e　to　Orvilla。〃
　　〃He　told　them　we　were　dealing　with　it？〃
　　〃Yes。　They　are　obviously　under　orders　to　give　us　our　gold　and　hope　we　leave　quickly。〃
　　Lain　Nunez　removed　his　hat　and　ran　a　hand　through　his　thinning　grey　hair。　〃And　are　we？　Leaving？〃
　　〃I　think　so；〃　the　Captain　said。　〃I　can't　think　of　a　point　to　make　down　here。　There's　nothing　but　trouble　in　Fezana　right　now。〃
　　〃And　trouble　heading　home。〃
　　〃Well；　walking　home。〃
　　〃They'll　get　there　eventually。〃
　　Rodrigo　grimaced。　〃What　would　you　have　had　me　do？〃
　　His　lieutenant　shrugged；　and　then　spat　carefully　into　the　grass。　〃We　leave　at　first　light；　then？〃　he　asked；　without　answering　the　question。
　　The　Captain　looked　at　him　closely　for　a　moment　longer；　opened　his　mouth　as　if　to　say　something　more；　but　in　the　end　he　merely　shook　his　head。　〃The　Muwardis　will　be　watching　us。　We　leave；　but　not　in　any　hurry。　We　can　take　our　time　about　breaking　camp。　You　can　pick　a　dozen　men　to　ride　back　to　Orvilla　in　the　morning。　Spend　the　day　working　there　and　catch　us　up　later。　There　are　men　and　women　to　be　buried；　among　other　things。〃
　　Alvar　dismounted　and　walked　over　to　the　fire　where　the　doctor　was　sitting。　〃Is　there　。。。　can　I　help　you　with　anything？〃
　　She　looked　very　tired；　but　she　did　favor　him　with　a　quick　smile。　〃Not　really；　thank　you。〃　She　hesitated。　〃This　is　your　first　time　in　Al…Rassan？〃
　　Alvar　nodded。　He　sank　down　on　his　haunches　beside　her。　〃I　was　hoping　to　see　Fezana　tomorrow；〃　he　said。　He　wished　he　spoke　better　Asharic；　but　he　tried。　〃I　am　told　it　is　a　city　of　marvels。〃
　　〃Not　really；〃　she　repeated　carelessly。　〃Ragosa；　Cartada　。。。　Silvenes；　of　course。　What's　left　of　it。　Those　are　the　great　cities。　Seria　is　beautiful。　There　is　nothing　marvellous　about　Fezana。　It　has　always　been　too　close　to　the　tagra　lands　to　afford　the　luxury　of　display。　You　won't　be　seeing　it　tomorrow？〃
　　〃We're　leaving　in　the　morning。〃　Again；　Alvar　had　the　unpleasant　sense　that　he　was　struggling　to　stay　afloat　in　waters　closing　over　his　head。　〃The　Captain　just　told　us。　I'm　not　sure　why。　I　think　because　the　Muwardis　came。〃
　　〃Well；　of　course。　Look　around　you。　The　parias　gold　is　here。　They　don't　want　to　open　the　gates　tomorrow；　and　they　particularly　won't　want　Jaddite　soldiers　in　the　city。　Not　with　what　happened　today。〃
　　〃So　we're　just　going　to　turn　around　and…〃
　　〃I'm　afraid　so；　lad。〃　It　was　the　Captain。　〃No　taste　of　decadent　Al…Rassan　for　you　this　time。〃　Alvar　felt　himself　flushing。
　　〃Well；　the　women　are　mostly　outside　the　walls　this　year；〃　the　doctor　said；　with　a　demure　expression。　She　was　looking　at　Ser　Rodrigo；　not　at　Alvar。
　　The　Captain　swore。　〃Don't　tell　my　men　that！　Alvar；　you　are　bound　to　secrecy。　I　don't　want　anyone　crossing　the　river。　Any　man　who　leaves　camp　walks　home。〃
　　〃Yes；　sir；〃　Alvar　said　hastily。
　　〃Which　reminds　me；〃　the　Captain　said　to　him；　with　a　sidelong　glance　at　the　doctor；　〃you　might　as　well　lower　your　stirrups　now。　For　the　ride　back。〃
　　And　with　those　words；　for　the　first　time　in　a　long　while；　Alvar　felt　a　little　more　like　his　usual　self。　He'd　been　waiting　for　this　moment　since　they'd　left　Valledo　behind。
　　〃Must　I；　Captain？〃　he　asked；　keeping　his　expression　innocent。　〃I'm　just　getting　used　to　them　this　way。　I　thought　I'd　even　try　bringing　them　up　a　bit　higher；　with　your　approval。〃
　　The　Captain　looked　at　the　doctor　again。　He　cleared　his　throat。　〃Well；　no；　Alvar。　It　isn't　really　。。。　I　don't　think　。。。　〃
　　〃I　thought；　if　I　had　my　knees　up　high　enough；　really　high；　I　might　be　able　to　rest　my　chin　on　them　when　I　rode；　and　that　would　keep　me　fresher　on　a　long　ride。　If　that　makes　sense　to　you；　Captain？〃
　　Alvar　de　Pellino　had　his　reward；　then；　for　uncharacteristic　silence　and　biding　his　time。　He　saw　the　doctor　smile　slowly　at　him；　and　then　look　with　arched　eyebrows　of　inquiry　at　the　Captain。
　　Rodrigo　Belmonte　was；　however；　a　man　unlikely　to　be　long　disfited　by　this　sort　of　thing。　He　looked　at　Alvar　for　a　moment；　then　he；　too；　broke　into　a　smile。
　　〃Your　father？〃　he　asked。
　　Alvar　nodded　his　head。　〃He　did　warn　me　of　some　things　I　might　encounter　as　a　soldier。〃
　　〃And　you　chose　to　accept　the　stirrup　business　nonetheless？　To　say　nothing　at　all？〃
　　〃It　was　you　who　did　it；　Captain。　And　I　want　to　remain　in　your　pany。〃
　　The　Kindath　doctor's　amusement　was　obvious。　Ser　Rodrigo's　brow　darkened。　〃In　Jad's　name；　boy；　were　you　humoring　me？〃
　　〃Yes；　sir；〃　said　Alvar　happily。
　　The　woman　he　had　decided　he　would　love　forever　threw　back　her　head　and　laughed　aloud。　A　moment　later；　the　Captain　he　wanted　to　serve　all　his　days　did　exactly　the　same　thing。
　　Alvar　decided　it　hadn't　been　such　a　terrible　night；　after　all。
　　〃Do　you　see　how　clever　my　men　are？〃　Rodrigo　said　to　the　doctor　as　their　laughter　subsided。　〃You　are　quite　certain　you　won't　reconsider　and　join　us？〃
　　〃You　tempt　me；〃　the　doctor　said；　still　smiling。　〃I　do　like　clever　men。〃　Her　expression　changed。　〃But　Esperana　is　no　place　for　a　Kindath；　Ser　Rodrigo。　You　know　that　as　well　as　I。〃
　　〃It　will　make　no　difference　with　us；〃　the　Captain　said。　〃If　you　can　sew　a　sword　wound　and　ease　a　bowel　gripe　you　will　be　wele　among　my　pany。〃
　　〃I　can　do　both　those　things；　but　your　pany；　clever　as　its　men　may　be；　is　not　the　wider　world。〃　There　was　no　amusement　in　her　eyes　any　more。　〃Do　you　remember　what　your　Queen　Vasca　said　of　us；　when　Esperana　was　the　whole　peninsula；　before　the　Asharites　came　and　penned　you　in　the　north？〃
　　〃That　was　more　than　three　hundred　years　ago；　doctor。〃
　　〃I　know　that。　Do　you　remember？〃
　　〃I　do；　of　course；　but…
　　〃Do　you？〃　She　turned　to　Alvar。　She　was　angry　now。　Mutely；　he　shook　his　head。
　　〃She　said　the　Kindath　were　animals；　to　be　hunted　down　and　burned　from　the　face　of　the　earth。〃
　　Alvar　could　think　of　nothing　to　say。
　　〃Jehane；〃　the　Captain　said；　〃I　can　only　repeat；　that　was　three　hundred　years　ago。　She　is　long　dead　and　gone。〃
　　〃Not　gone！　You　dare　say　that？　Where　is　she？〃　She　glared　at　Alvar；　as　if　he　were　to　blame　for　this；　somehow。　〃Where　is　Queen　Vasca's　resting　place？〃
　　Alvar　swallowed。　〃On　the　Isle；〃　he　whispered。　〃Vasca's　Isle。〃
　　〃Which　is　a　shrine！　A　place　of　pilgrimage；　where　Jaddites　from　all　three　of　your　kingdoms　and　countries　beyond　the　mountains　e；　on　their　knees；　to　beg　miracles　from　the　spirit　of　the　woman　who　said　that　thing。　I　will　make　a　wager　that　half　this　so…clever　pany　have　family　members　who　have　made　that　journey　to　plead　for　blessed　Vasca's　intercession。〃
　　Alvar　kept　his　mouth　firmly　shut。　So；　too；　this　time；　did　the　Captain。
　　〃And　you　would　tell　me；〃　Jehane　of　the　Kindath　went　on　bitterly；　〃that　so　long　as　I　do　my　tasks　well　enough　it　will　not　matter　what　faith　I　profess　in　Esperanan　lands？〃
　　For　a　long　time　Ser　Rodrigo　did　not　answer。　Alvar　became　aware　that　the　merchant；　ibn　Musa；　had　e　up　to　join　them。　He　was　standing　on　the　other　side　of　the　fire　listening。　All　through　the　camp　Alvar　could　now　hear　the　sounds　and　see　the　movements　of　men　preparing　themselves　for　sleep。　It　was　very　late。
　　At　length；　the　Captain　murmured；　〃We　live　in　a　fallen　and　imperfect　world；　Jehane　bet　Ishak。　I　am　a　man　who　kills　much　of　the　time；　for　his　livelihood。　I　will　not　presume　to　give　you　answers。　I　have　a　question；　though。　What；　think　you；　will　happen　to　the　Kindath　in　Al…Rassan　if　the　Muwardis　e？〃
　　〃The