ggk.thelionsofal-rassan-第78章

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ke　animals；　a　rage　in　his　heart。
　　He　stood　there；　fighting　for　control；　and　looked　at　the　girl。　She　eyed　him　in　terror。　Was　she　twelve；　thirteen？
　　〃Where　are　your　parents？〃　he　gasped；　trying　to　master　his　voice。
　　〃They　are　dead；〃　she　replied；　her　voice　flattened　out。　〃Upstairs。　Men　came　in　with　torches　and　a　spear。〃　Her　eyes　were　too　wide；　opening　on　a　world　given　over　to　horror。　No　tears。
　　She　ought　to　be　crying；　Alvar　thought。　He　looked　up　again。　Rodrigo　was　shouting　something；　and　gesturing　to　the　next　doorway：　he　couldn't　hear　the　words。　The　child　behind　the　girl　was　no　more　than　four　years　old。　He　was　crying　in　harsh；　convulsive　bursts；　scarcely　able　to　draw　breath。
　　〃e　with　me；〃　Alvar　snapped；　his　voice　sharp　with　urgency。　He　bent　down　abruptly　and　picked　up　the　little　boy　and　then　pushed　the　girl　out　of　the　doorway　with　a　hand　on　her　back。　A　burly　figure　came　rushing　up　to　them；　an　axe　raised。　Still　holding　the　small　child；　Alvar　twisted　away　from　a　blow；　pivoted；　and　thrust　his　reddened　blade　into　the　man's　chest。
　　There　was　a　huge；　roaring　sound　behind　him。　He　looked　up。　The　girl's　house　was　alight　now；　flames　in　all　the　upper　windows。　The　whole　of　the　Kindath　Quarter　was　on　fire。　He　carried　the　terrified　child　and　guided　the　girl　towards　the　doorway　Rodrigo　had　indicated　from　above。
　　He　gasped　with　relief　when　he　got　there。　Jehane　stood　in　the　doorway　with　two　people　who　had　to　be　her　parents。　Rodrigo　came　hurtling　down　the　stairs。
　　〃Where's　Ammar？〃　Jehane　asked　quickly。　He　couldn't　ever　remember　seeing　her　look　so　frightened。
　　〃Don't　know。　Think　he's　holding　the　gate　with　the　guards。〃
　　〃Husari's　right　over　there；〃　Rodrigo　said。　Alvar　looked　back。　Ibn　Musa　was　wielding　his　blade　again；　fighting　a　slow　retreat　in　the　street；　letting　the　running　Kindath　stream　past　him　towards　the　square。
　　〃We　have　to　get　out。　It's　all　going　up；〃　Alvar　gasped。　He　was　still　carrying　the　little　boy。　He　handed　the　child　over　to　the　nearest　person；　who　happened　to　be　Jehane's　mother。　〃Is　there　a　way　out？〃
　　〃There　is；〃　Jehane　said。　〃We　have　a　long　way　to　go　to　get　there；　though；　and…oh；　thank　the　god　and　the　moons！〃
　　Ammar　ibn　Khairan；　bleeding　from　a　gash　in　one　arm；　came　running　up。　〃The　Muwardis　are　here；〃　he　snapped。　〃This　will　end　soon；　but　we　have　to　be　gone　before　they　round　everyone　up！〃
　　Alvar；　a　day　ago；　half　a　day；　would　have　been　unable　to　conceive　of　how　tidings　of　the　arrival　of　the　veiled　ones　could　ever　have　brought　him　relief。
　　〃Jehane；　which　way？〃　It　was　Rodrigo。　〃Past　the　sanctuary？〃
　　〃No。　The　other　way！　There's　a　place　in　the　wall；　but　it's　on　the　far　side　of　the　Quarter。〃　She　pointed　past　where　Asharites　were　still　streaming　in　pursuit　of　her　kindred。　Even　as　he　looked；　Alvar　saw　a　running　woman　clubbed　down　from　behind。　The　man　who　had　felled　her　stopped　running　and　began　beating　her　where　she　lay。　Alvar　took　a　step　towards　them；　but　felt　Rodrigo's　hand　grip　his　arm。
　　〃We　cannot　save　them　all。　We　must　do　what　we　can。　What　we　came　to　do。〃　The　Captain's　eyes　were　bleak。
　　〃Let's　go；〃　said　Ammar　ibn　Khairan。
　　〃These　two　e　with　us；〃　Alvar　said　flatly；　gesturing　to　the　children。
　　〃Of　course　they　do；〃　said　Eliane　bet　Danel。　〃Can　you　get　us　through？〃
　　〃Yes　we　can；〃　said　Alvar；　speaking　before　ibn　Khairan；　before　the　Captain。　〃No　one　is　going　to　stop　us。〃　He　looked　at　the　two　leaders。　〃I　go　first；　with　your　permission。〃
　　They　glanced　at　each　other。　He　saw　something　in　both　faces：　a　kind　of　acknowledgment。　〃You　lead；〃　said　ibn　Khairan。　〃Jehane　guides。　Let's　go。〃
　　Alvar　stepped　from　the　doorway　in　the　direction　Jehane　had　indicated。　They　had　to　go　straight　into　the　stream　of　the　attackers…those　who　would　destroy　people；　small　children；　with　sickles　and　axes　and　cudgels。　With　utter　savagery。　The　Asharites　were　terrified　themselves；　he　tried　to　remind　himself。　There　were　invaders　approaching　their　walls。
　　It　didn't　matter。
　　Nuances　were　not　for　this　evening。　At　the　descent　of　twilight　in　the　burning　Kindath　Quarter　of　Fezana　in　Al…Rassan；　Alvar　de　Pellino　went　forward　with　a　shield　and　a　sword　and　an　undivided　heart；　and　he　could　not　be　stopped。
　　Banishing　ambiguities；　everything　but　the　need　to　be　swift　and　deadly　and　sure；　he　led　their　small　party　into　the　path　of　the　advancing　mob　and　he　carved　a　way　with　his　blade　for　the　others　to　follow。
　　He　became　aware　that　Husari　was　with　them　now；　that　the　merchant　had　sheathed　his　blade　and　was　guiding　the　blind　physician　who　was　Jehane's　father。　When　they　reached　the　head　of　the　street；　Alvar　felt　the　presence　of　Rodrigo　at　his　side　in　the　stinging　smoke　and　the　heat。　He　knew；　without　looking　back；　that　ibn　Khairan　would　be　guarding　their　rear。
　　They　dealt　with　a　sudden　swirl　of　assailants　in　the　open　space。　Alvar　blocked　a　blow；　chopped　his　sword　at　someone's　knees。　Turned　and　cut　back　the　other　way；　even　as　the　first　man　was　falling。　He　had　never　moved　so　quickly　in　his　life。
　　There　was　a　vast；　cracking　sound；　an　entire　building　collapsed　across　the　way　in　a　shower　of　sparks　and　a　rush　of　flame。　They　felt　the　heat　as　a　wave。
　　〃That　way！〃　Jehane　cried。
　　Alvar　saw　where　she　pointed。　Led　them；　slashing　with　his　blade。　Went　through　thick　smoke　and　the　heat　of　the　fires；　past　the　running　figures　of　Kindath　and　their　pursuers；　forging　a　path　against　the　flow。
　　Jehane　signalled　again　and　then　again；　and　one　more　time；　and　finally　they　came　to　a　place　at　the　other　end　of　the　Quarter；　a　dead…end　laneway　leading　only　to　the　outer　walls。
　　Alvar　looked　back。　No　one　was　following　through　the　smoke。　There　was　blood　in　his　eyes。　He　didn't　think　it　was　his　own。　He　swiped　at　it　with　his　forearm。
　　Rodrigo　was　beside　him；　breathing　quickly　but　calm　as　ever。　The　Captain　gave　him　a　searching　glance。　〃Bravely　done；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃I　could　have　done　no　better。　This　is　truth；　not　flattery。〃
　　〃Nor　I；〃　said　ibn　Khairan；　ing　up　to　them。　〃I　knew　you　were　a　soldier。　I　never　knew　how　much　of　one。　Forgive　me　that。〃
　　〃I'm　not；〃　said　Alvar；　but　he　rasped　it　under　his　breath；　and　he　didn't　think　they　heard。　With　the　fever　gone；　the　white　rage；　it　was　gradually　ing　to　him　how　many　terrified　people　he　had　just　sent　to　their　god。　He　looked　at　his　sword。　It　was　clotted　with　blood。
　　It　was　quieter　here。　In　the　distance　they　could　hear　new　sounds；　a　change　in　the　noise。　The　Muwardis　had　e。　They　would　care　nothing　for　the　butchered　Kindath　but　would　be　ruthless　in　suppressing　the　violence。　And　the　fires　would　have　to　be　contained　or　Fezana　would　be　at　the　mercy　of　the　Jaddites　outside。
　　But　I'm　a　Jaddite；　Alvar　thought。　He　knelt　and　began　wiping　his　slippery　blade　on　a　clump　of　weeds　by　the　wall。　This　is　good　for　us。
　　It　didn't　feel　that　way。　He　stood　up　and　sheathed　his　weapon。　He　looked　at　the　others。　The　little　boy　was　quiet　now；　clutching　the　neck　of　Jehane's　mother。　She　had　carried　him　all　the　way　here。　His　sister　stood　close　by；　her　face　white；　eyes　still　wide；　still　without　tears。　Jehane's　father　was　stone…faced　and　silent；　a　hand　on　Husari's　shoulder。
　　It　was　Husari　who　was　weeping。
　　Alvar　felt　his　heart　twist　for　his　friend。　This　was　Husari's　city；　he　would　have　known　so　many　of　these　maddened　people；　he　had　probably　killed　men　he　had　known　all　his　life。　Alvar　opened　his　mouth　and　then　closed　it。　There　was　nothing　he　could　think　of　to　say。　There　were　places　into　which　words　could　not　go。　Not　the　words　he　knew。
　　Jehane　was　on　her　knees；　scrabbling　at　a　stone　in　the　wall。　It　came　loose。　She　reached　in　a　hand；　swore　as　a　scorpion　scurried　away；　and　pulled　out　a　key。　She　stood　up。
　　〃Over　here；〃　she　gasped。　She　ran　a　short　distance　along　the　wall　to　a　clump　of　raspberry　bushes。　Ducking　in　behind　them；　she　dropped　to　her　knees　again；　inserted　the　key　and　pulled；　hard。
　　A　small；　low　section　of　the　stone　wall　swung　outwards。　The　hinging　mechanism　was　ingenious；　they　had　no　time　to　admire　it。
　　〃Is　this；〃　said　Eliane；　〃one　of　the　ways　out　your　friends　taught　you？〃
　　Jehane　glanced　up　at　her　mother。　〃How　do　you　know　about　them？〃
　　Eliane's　expression　was　bitter。　〃They　warned　me。　We　were　too　slow　to　move。〃
　　〃Then　we　must　not　be　now；〃　said　Ammar　ibn　Khairan。　〃e。〃
　　〃I'll　go；〃　Alvar　said。　〃Wait　for　my　signal。〃　Who　knew　what　lay　outside　in　the　darkness？　Whatever　it　was；　Alvar　was　going　to　be　first　to　meet　it。
　　〃There's　another　key　inside；〃　Jehane　said。　〃You　need　to　use　it　to　push　the　outer　piece　open。〃
　　He　slipped　behind　the　hushes　and　then　wriggled　into　a　hollowed…out　space　in　the　thick　stone　city　wall。　In　the　close　blackness　he　found　the　second　key　by　touch　and　then　the　keyhole。　He　inserted；　turned；　pushed。　The　outer　wall　piece　swung　away　and　Alvar　crawled　through。　He　felt　grass；　stood　up　and　looked　around；　blade　quickly　to　hand　again。
　　Only　twilight；　damp　earth　by　the　river；　the　first　stars　and　a　rising　white　moon。　The　water　rippled　just　ahead；　reflecting　the　pale　moonlight。
　　〃e　on；〃　he　said；　mouth　to　the　hollow　space　in　the　stone。
　　The　others　came　through　then；　one　by　one。　He　helped　them　slip　out　and　then　stand　outside　the　wall　between　stone　and　dark　water。　Rodrigo；　last　through；　dropped　the　key　back　inside　and　pushed　the　opening　shut。
　　They　crossed　the　water　immediately；　those　who　could　swim　helping　the　others。　The　river　was　very　cold　this　early　in　the　year。　They　climbed　up　on　the　far　bank　in　the　dark。　Alvar　collapsed　among　the　high　grass　and　the　reeds；　sucking　in　deep　breaths　of　the　clean　air。　His　face　stung；　it　felt　raw　and　burnt。
　　He　became　aware　of　something。　Slowly　he　rose　to　his　feet　again。　Rodrigo　had　walked　a　few　steps　from　the　rest　of　them　and　was　staring　out　into　the　darkness。　His　sword　was　drawn。
　　〃Who's　there？〃　the　Captain　called。
　　There　was　silence。　Ammar　ibn　Khairan　also　stood　up。
　　Then　there　came　an　answer　from　the　dark：　〃A　friend。　Someone　is　here　to　bid　you　wele；　Ser　Rodrigo。〃　The　speaker　had　a　deep；　calm　voice。
　　But　it　wasn't　the　tone；　it　was　the　language　spoken　that　caused　Alvar　to　step　forward　beside　Rodrigo；　his　heart　hammering　again。
　　He　was　close　enough　to　hear　the　Captain　draw　breath。
　　〃Light　a　torch；　then；〃　Rodrigo　said。　〃Darkness　offers　no　true　wele。〃
　　They　heard　a　mand。　Flint　was　struck。　Light　blazed。
　　〃Wele　back；　truly；〃　said　the　very　tall；　bearded　man　illuminated　by　that　torch。　Alvar　had　seen　him　twice　in　his　life。　He　forgot　to　breathe。
　　〃My　lord；〃　said　Rodrigo；　after　a　moment。　〃This　is　unexpected。〃
　　King　Ramiro　of　Valledo；　surrounded　by　a　pany　of　men；　smiled　his　pleasure。　〃I　had　hoped　it　might　be。　It　is　rare　that　any　of　us　are　able　to　surprise　you。〃
　　〃How　e　you　to　be　here？〃　Rodrigo　said。　His　voice　was　controlled；　but　Alvar　was　near　enough　to　know　there　was　effort　involved　in　that。　He　heard　ibn　Khairan　e　quietly　up　beside　them。
　　King　Ramiro's　smile　deepened。　He　gestured；　and　someone　stepped　from　the　group　of　men　behind　him。
　　〃Hello；　Papa；〃　said　a　young　boy；　ing　to　stand　beside　the　king。
　　Rodrigo　sucked　in　his　breath；　his　control　gone。　〃Fernan？　In　Jad's　name；　what…〃
　　〃It　was　Diego；〃　the　boy　said；　a　little　too　brightly。　He　wore　light　armor　and　a　sword。　〃He　knew　where　you　were；　this　morning；　and　told　us　where　to　wait　tonight。〃　Rodrigo　was　sil