cb.imajica2-第87章

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y　for　the　Maestro；　until　they　reached　the　mounds　of　dark　rubble　that　marked　the　walls　of　the　palace。　Rising　from　them；　the　columns　from　which　had　once　hung　an　enormous　pair　of　gates　were　turned　to　playthings　by　the　waters；　which　climbed　the　right　pillar　in　rivulets　and　threw　themselves　across　the　gap　in　a　drizzling　arch　that　squarely　struck　the　top　of　the　left。　It　was　a　most　beguiling　spectacle；　and　one　。　that　claimed　Gentle's　attention　pletely；　leaving　Monday　to　head　between　the　columns　alone。
　After　a　short　time　his　shout　came　back　to　fetch　Gentle；　and　it　was　blissful。
　〃Boss？　Boss！　e　here！〃
　Gentle　followed　where　Monday's　cries　led；　through　the　warm　rain　beneath　the　arch　and　into　the　palace　itself。　He　found　Monday　wading　across　a　courtyard；　fragrant　with　the　lilies　that　trembled　on　its　flood；　towards　a　figure　standing　beneath　the　colonnade　on　the　other　side。　It　was　Hoi…Polloi。　Her　hair　was　plastered　to　her　scalp；　as　though　she'd　just　swum　the　pool；　and　the　bosom　upon　which　Monday　was　so　eager　to　lay　his　head　was　bare。
　〃So　you're　here　at　last；〃　she　said；　looking　past　Monday　towards　Gentle。
　Her　eager　beau　lost　his　footing　halfway　across；　and　lilies　flew　as　he　hauled　himself　to　his　feet。
　〃You　knew　we　were　ing？〃　he　said　to　the　girl。
　〃Of　course；〃　she　replied。　〃Not　you。　But　the　Maestro。　We　knew　the　Maestro　was　ing。〃
　〃But　it's　me　you're　glad　to　see；　right？〃　Monday　spluttered。　〃I　mean；　you　are　glad？〃
　She　opened　her　arms　to　him；　〃What　do　you　think？〃　she　said。
　He　whooped　his　whoop　and　splashed　on　towards　her；　peeling　off　his　soaked　shirt　as　he　went。　Gentle　followed　in　his　wake。　By　the　time　he　reached　the　other　side　Monday　was　stripped　down　to　his　underwear。
　〃How　did　you　know　we　were　ing　here？〃　Gentle　asked　the　girl。
　〃There　are　prophetics　everywhere；〃　she　said。　〃e　on。　I'll　take　you　up。〃
　〃Can't　he　go　on　his　own？〃　Monday　protested。
　〃We'll　have　plenty　of　time　later；〃　Hoi…Polloi　said；　taking　his　hand。　〃But　first　I　have　to　take　him　up　to　the　chambers。〃
　The　trees　within　the　ring　of　the　demolished　walls　dwarfed　those　outside；　inspired　to　unprecedented　growth　by　the　almost　palpable　sanctity　of　this　place。　There　were　women　and　children　in　their　branches　and　among　their　gargantuan　roots；　but　Gentle　saw　no　men　here　and　supposed　that　if　Hoi…Polloi　hadn't　been　escorting　them　they'd　have　been　asked　to　leave。　How　such　a　request　would　have　been　enforced　he　could　only　guess；　but　he　didn't　doubt　that　the　presences　which　charged　the　air　and　earth　here　had　their　ways。　He　knew　what　those　presences　were：　the　promised　Goddesses；　whose　existence　he'd　first　heard　mooted　in　Beatrix；　while　sitting　in　Mother　Splendid's　kitchen。
　The　journey　was　circuitous。　There　were　several　places　where　the　rivers　ran　too　hard　and　deep　to　be　forded；　and　Hoi…Polloi　had　to　lead　them　to　bridges　or　stepping　stones；　then　double　back　along　the　opposite　bank　to　pick　up　the　track　again。　But　the　farther　they　went；　the　more　sentient　the　air　became；　and　though　Gentle　had　countless　questions　to　ask　he　kept　them　to　himself　rather　than　display　his　naivete。
　There　were　tidbits　from　Hoi…Polloi　once　in　a　while；　so　casually　dropped　they　were　enigmas　in　themselves。　〃。。。　the　fires　are　so　ical。。。〃　she　said　at　one　point；　as　they　passed　a　pile　of　twisted　metalwork　that　had　been　one　of　the　Autarch's　war　machines。　And　at　another　place；　where　a　deep　blue　pool　housed　fish　the　size　of　men；　said：　〃。。。　apparently　they　have　their　own　city　。　。　。　but　it's　so　deep　in　the　ocean　I　don't　suppose　I'll　ever　see　it。　The　children　will；　though。　That's　what's　wonderful。。。。〃
　Finally；　she　brought　them　to　a　door　that　was　curtained　with　running　water　and；　turning　to　Gentle；　said；　〃They're　waiting　for　you。〃
　Monday　went　to　step　through　the　curtain　at　Gentle's　side；　but　Hoi…Polloi　restrained　him　with　a　kiss　on　his　neck。
　〃This　is　just　for　the　Maestro；〃　she　said。　〃e　along。　We'll　go　swimming。〃
　〃Boss？〃
　〃Go　ahead；〃　Gentle　told　him。　〃No　harm's　going　to　e　to　me　here。〃
　〃I'll　see　you　later　then；〃　Monday　said；　content　to　have　Hoi…Polloi　tug　him　away。
　Before　they'd　disappeared　into　the　thicket；　Gentle　turned　to　the　door；　dividing　the　cool　curtain　with　his　fingers　and　stepping　into　the　chamber　beyond。　After　the　riot　of　life　outside；　both　its　scale　and　its　austerity　came　as　a　shock。　It　was　the　first　structure　he'd　seen　in　the　city　that　preserved　something　of　his　brother's　lunatic　ambition。　Its　vastness　was　uninvaded　by　all　but　a　few　shoots　and　tendrils；　and　the　only　waters　that　ran　here　were　at　the　door　behind　him　and　those　falling　from　an　arch　at　the　other　end。　The　Goddesses　had　not　left　the　chamber　entirely　unmarked；　however。　The　walls　of　what　had　been　built　as　a　windowless　hall　were　now　pierced　on　all　sides；　so　that　for　all　its　immensity　the　place　was　a　honeyb；　penetrated　by　the　soft　light　of　evening。　There　was　only　one　item　of　furniture：　a　chair；　close　to　the　distant　arch；　and　seated　upon　it；　with　a　baby　on　her　lap；　was　Judith。
　As　Gentle　entered；　she　looked　up　from　the　child's　face　and　smiled　at　him。　〃I　was　beginning　to　think　you'd　lost　your　way；〃　she　said。
　Her　voice　was　light：　almost　literally；　he　thought。　When　she　spoke；　the　beams　that　came　through　the　walls　flickered；
　〃I　didn't　know　you　were　waiting；〃　he　said。
　〃It's　been　no　great　hardship；〃　she　said。　〃Won't　you　e　closer？〃　As　he　crossed　the　chamber　towards　her；　she　said；　〃I　didn't　expect　you　to　follow　us　at　first；　but　then　I　thought；　He　will；　he　will；　because　he'll　want　to　see　the　child。〃
　〃To　be　honest。。。　I　didn't　think　about　the　child。〃
　〃Well；　she　thought　about　you；〃　Jude　said；　without　rebuke。
　The　baby　in　her　lap　could　not　be　more　than　a　few　weeks　old　but；　like　the　trees　and　flowers　here；　was　burgeoning。　She　sat　on　Jude's　lap　rather　than　lay；　one　small　strong　hand　clutching　her　mother's　long　hair。　Though　Jude's　breasts　were　bare　and　fortable；　the　child　had　no　interest　in　nourishment　or　sleep。　Her　gray　eyes　were　fixed　on　Gentle；　studying　him　with　an　intense　and　quizzical　stare。
　〃How's　Clem？〃　Jude　asked　when　Gentle　stood　before　her。
　〃He　was　fine　when　I　last　saw　him。　But　I　left　rather　suddenly；　as　you　know。　I　feel　rather　guilty　about　that。　But　once　I'd　started　。。。〃
　〃I　know。　There　was　no　turning　back。　It　was　the　same　for　me。〃
　Gentle　went　down　on　his　haunches　in　front　of　Jude　and　offered　his　hand；　palm　up；　to　the　child。　She　grasped　it　instantly。
　〃What's　her　name？〃　he　said。
　〃I　hope　you　won't　mind　。。。〃
　〃What？〃
　〃I　called　her　Huzzah。〃
　Gentle　smiled　up　at　Jude。　〃You　did？〃　Then　back　to　the　baby；　called　by　her　scrutiny：　〃Huzzah？〃　he　said；　leaning　his　face　towards　hers。　〃Huzzah。　I'm　Gentle。〃
　〃She　knows　who　you　are；〃　Jude　said；　without　a　trace　of　doubt。　〃She　knew　about　this　room　before　it　even　existed。　And　she　knew　you'd　e　here；　sooner　or　later。〃
　Gentle　didn't　inquire　as　to　how　the　child　had　shared　her　knowledge。　It　was　just　one　more　mystery　to　add　to　the　catalogue　in　this　extraordinary　place。
　〃And　the　Goddesses？〃　he　said。
　〃What　about　them？〃
　〃They　don't　mind　that　she's　Sartori's　child？〃
　〃Not　at　all；〃　Jude　said；　her　voice　daintier　at　the　mention　of　Sartori。　〃The　whole　city。。。　the　whole　city's　here　to　prove　how　good　can　e　from　bad。〃
　〃She's　better　than　good；　Jude；〃　Gentle　said。
　She　smiled；　and　so　did　the　child。　〃Yes；　she　is。〃
　Huzzah　was　reaching　for　Gentle's　face；　ready　to　topple　from　Jude's　lap　in　pursuit　of　her　object。
　〃I　think　she　sees　her　father；〃　Jude　said；　lifting　the　child　back　into　the　crook　of　her　arm　and　standing　up。
　Gentle　also　stood；　watching　Jude　carry　Huzzah　to　a　litter　of　playthings　on　the　ground。　The　child　pointed　and　gurgled。
　〃Do　you　miss　him？〃　he　said。
　〃I　did　in　the　Fifth；〃　Jude　replied；　her　back　still　turned　while　she　picked　up　Huzzah's　chosen　toy。　〃But　I　don't　here。　Not　since　Huzzah。　I　never　felt　quite　real　till　she　appeared。　I　was　a　figment　of　the　other　Judith。〃　She　stood　up　again；　turning　to　Gentle。　〃You　know　I　still　can't　really　remember　all　those　missing　years？　I　get　snatches　of　them　once　in　a　while；　but　nothing　solid。　I　suppose　I　was　living　in　a　dream。　But　she's　woken　me；　Gentle。〃　Jude　kissed　the　baby's　cheek。　〃She's　made　me　real。　I　was　only　a　copy　until　her。　We　both　were。　He　knew　it　and　I　knew　it。　But　we　made　something　new。〃　She　sighed。　〃I　don't　miss　him；〃　she　said。　〃But　I　wish　he　could　have　seen　her。　Just　once。　Just　so　he　could　have　known　what　it　was　to　be　real　too。〃
　She　started　to　cross　back　to　the　chair；　but　the　child　reached　out　for　Gentle　again；　letting　out　a　little　cry　to　emphasize　her　wishes。
　〃My；　my；〃　Jude　said。　〃You　are　popular。〃
　She　sat　down　again　and　put　the　toy　she'd　picked　up　in　front　of　Huzzah。　It　was　a　small　blue　stone。
　〃Here；　darling；〃　she　cooed。　〃Look。　What's　this？　What's　this？〃
　Gurgling　with　pleasure；　the　child　claimed　the　plaything　from　her　mother's　finger　with　a　dexterity　far　beyond　her　tender　age。　The　gurgles　became　chuckles；　as　she　laid　it　to　her　lips；　as　if　to　kiss　it。
　〃She　likes　to　laugh；〃　Gentle　said。
　〃She　does；　thank　God。　Oh；　now　listen　to　me。　Still　thanking　God。〃
　〃Old　habits　。。。〃
　〃That　one'll　die；〃　Jude　said　firmly。
　The　child　was　putting　the　toy　to　her　mouth。
　〃No；　sweetie；　don't　do　that；〃　Jude　said。　Then；　to　Gentle：　〃Do　you　think　the　Erasure'11　decay　eventually？　I　have　a　friend　here　called　Lotti；　she　says　it　will。　It'll　decay；　and　then　we'll　have　to　live　with　the　stench　from　the　First　every　time　the　wind　es　that　way。〃
　〃Maybe　a　wall　could　be　built。〃
　〃By　whom？　Nobody　wants　to　go　near　the　place。〃
　〃Not　even　the　Goddesses？〃
　〃They've　got　their　work　here。　And　in　the　Fifth；　They　want　to　free　the　waters　there　too。〃
　〃That　should　be　quite　a　sight。〃
　〃Yes；　it　should。　Maybe　I'll　go　back　for　that；〃
　Huzzah's　laughter　had　subsided　during　this　exchange；　and　she　was　once　again　studying　Gentle；　reaching　up　towards　him　from　her　mother's　lap。　This　time　her　tiny　hand　was　not　open　but　clutching　the　blue　stone。
　〃I　think　she　wants　you　to　have　it；〃　Jude　said。
　He　smiled　at　the　child　and　said；　〃Thank　you。　But　you　should　keep　it。〃
　Her　gaze　became　more　intent　at　this；　and　he　was　certain　she　understood　every　word　he　was　saying。　Her　hand　still　proffered　its　gift；　determined　he　should　take　it。
　〃Go　on；〃　Jude　said。
　As　much　at　the　behest　of　the　eyes　as　at　Jude's　words；　Gentle　reached　down　and　gingerly　took　the　stone　from　Huzzah's　hand。　There　was　some　considerable　strength　in　her。　The　stone　was　heavy：　heavy　and　cool。
　〃Now　our　peace　is　really　made；〃　Jude　said。
　〃I　didn't　know　we'd　been　at　war；〃　Gentle　replied。
　〃That's　the　worst　kind；　isn't　it？〃　Jude　said。　〃But　it's　over　now。　It's　over　forever。〃
　There　was　a　subtle　modulation　in　the　plush　of　the　water…curtained　arch　behind　her；　and　she　glanced　around。　Her　expression　had　been　grave；　but　when　she　looked　back　at　Gentle　she　had　a　smile　on　her　face。
　〃I　have　to　go；〃　she　said　as　she　stood。
　The　child　was　chuckling　and　clutching　the　air。
　〃Will　I　see　you　again？〃　Gentle　said。
　Jude　shook　her　head　slowly；　looking　at　him　almost　indulgently。
　〃What　for？〃　she　murmured。　〃We've　said　all　we　have　to　say。　We've　forgiven　each　other。　It's　finished。〃
　〃Will　I　be　allowed　to　stay　in　the　city？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　she　said　with　a　little　laugh。　〃But　why　would　you　want　to？〃
　〃Because　I've　e　to　the　end　of　the　pilgrimage。〃
　〃Have　you？〃　she　sa