srdonaldson.theillearthwar-第14章

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t　out　all　darkness。　Covenant　could　survey　the　cave　clearly　from　bottom　to　top。　At　intervals　up　the　walls　were　railed　coigns　with　doors　behind　them　which　provided　access　to　the　open　space　above　the　court。
　Bannor　paused　for　a　moment　to　allow　Covenant　to　look　around。　Then　he　walked　barefoot　out　onto　the　shining　floor。　Tentatively；　Covenant　followed；　fearing　that　his　feet　would　be　burned。　But　he　felt　nothing　through　his　boots　except　a　quiet　resonance　of　power。　It　set　up　a　tingling　vibration　in　his　nerves。
　Only　after　he　became　accustomed　to　the　touch　of　the　floor　did　he　notice　that　there　were　doors　widely　spaced　around　the　courtyard。　He　counted　fifteen。　Bloodguard　sentries　stood　at　nine　of　them；　and　several　feet　into　the　shining　floor　from　each　of　these　nine　was　a　wooden　tripod。　Three　of　these　tripods　held　Lords'　staffs…and　one　of　the　staffs　was　the　Staff　of　Law。　It　was　distinguished　from　the　smooth　wood　of　the　other　staffs　by　its　greater　thickness；　and　by　the　plex　runes　carved　into　it　between　its　iron　heels。
　Bannor　took　Covenant　to　the　door　behind　the　Staff。　The　Bloodguard　there　stepped　forward　to　meet　them；　greeted　Bannor　with　a　nod。
　Bannor　said；　〃I　have　brought　ur…Lord　Covenant　to　the　High　Lord。〃
　〃She　awaits　him。〃　Then　the　sentry　leveled　the　impassive　threat　of　his　gaze　at　Covenant。　〃We　are　the　Bloodguard。　The　care　of　the　Lords　is　in　our　hands。　I　am　Morin；　First　Mark　of　the　Bloodguard　since　the　passing　of　Tuvor。　The　High　Lord　will　speak　with　you　alone。　Think　no　harm　against　her；　Unbeliever。　We　will　not　permit　it。〃　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　Morin；　stepped　aside　to　let　him　approach　the　door。
　Covenant　was　about　to　ask　what　harm　he　could　possibly　do　the　High　Lord；　but　Bannor　forestalled　him　〃In　this　place；〃　the　Bloodguard　explained；　〃the　Lords　set　aside　their　burdens。　Their　staffs　they　leave　here；　and　within　these　doors　they　rest；　forgetting　the　cares　of　the　Land。　The　High　Lord　honors　you　greatly　in　speaking　to　you　here。　Without　Staff　or　guard；　she　greets　you　as　a　friend　in　her　sole　private　place。　UrLord；　you　are　not　a　foe　of　the。　Land。　But　you　give　little　respect。　Respect　this。〃
　He　held　Covenant's　gaze　for　a　moment　as　if　to　enforce　his　words。　Then　he　went　and　knocked　at　the　door。
　When　the　High　Lord　opened　her　door；　Covenant　saw　her　clearly　for　the　first　time。　She　had　put　aside　her　blue　Lord's　robe；　and　instead　wore　a　long；　light　brown　Stonedownor　shift　with　a　white　pattern　woven　into　the　shoulders。　A　white　cord　knotted　at　her　waist　emphasized　her　figure；　and　her　thick　hair；　a　rich　brown　with　flashes　of　pale　honey；　fell　to　her　shoulders；　disguising　the　pattern　there。　She　appeared　younger　than　he　had　expected…he　would　have　said　that　she　was　in　her　early　thirties　at　most…but　her　face　was　strong；　and　the　white　skin　of　her　forehead　and　throat　knew　much　about　sternness　and　discipline；　though　she　smiled　almost　shyly　when　she　saw　Covenant。
　But　behind　the　experience　of　responsibility　and　mitment　in　her　features　was　something　strangely　evocative。　She　seemed　distantly　familiar；　as　if　in。　the　background　of　her　face　she　resembled　someone　he　had　once　known。　This　impression　was　both　heightened　and　denied　by　her　eyes。　They　were　gray　like　his　own；　but　though　they　met　him　squarely　they　had　an　elsewhere　cast；　a　disunion　of　focus；　as　if　she　were　watching　something　else…as　if　some　other；　more　essential　eyes；　the　eyes　of　her　mind；　were　looking　somewhere　else。　Her　gaze　touched　parts　of　him　which　had　not　responded　for　a　long　time。
　〃Please　enter；〃　she　said　in　a　voice　like　a　clear　spring。
　Moving　woodenly；　Covenant　went　past　her　into　her　rooms；　and　she　shut　the　door　behind　him；　closing　out　the　light　from　the　courtyard。　Her　antechamber　was　illumined　simply　by　a　pot　of　graveling　in　each　corner。　Covenant　stopped　in　the　center　of　the　room；　and　looked　about　him。　The　space　was　bare　and　unadorned；　containing　nothing　but　the　graveling；　a　few　stone　chairs；　and　a　table　on　which　stood　a　white　carving；　but　still　the　room　seemed　quiet　and　fortable。　The　light　gave　this　effect；　he　decided。　The　warm　graveling　glow　made　even　flat　stone　panionable；　enhanced　the　essential　security　of　Revelstone。　It　was　like　being　cradled…wrapped　in　the　arms　of　the　rock　and　cared　for。
　High　Lord　Elena　gestured　toward　one　of　the　chairs。　〃Will　you　sit？　There　is　much　of　which　I　would　speak　with　you。〃
　He　remained　standing；　looking　away　from　her。　Despite　the　room's　ambience；　he　felt　intensely　unfortable。　Elena　was　his　summoner；　and　he　distrusted　her。　But　when　he　found　his　voice；　he　half　surprised　himself　by　expressing　one　of　his　most　private　concerns。　Shaking　his　head；　he　muttered；　〃Bannor　knows　more　than　he's　telling。〃
　He　caught　her　off　guard。　〃More？〃　she　echoed；　groping。　〃What　has　he　said　that　leaves　more　concealed？〃
　But　he　had　already　said　more　than　he　intended。　He　kept　silent；　watching　her　out　of　the　corner　of　his　sight。
　〃The　Bloodguard　know　doubt；〃　she　went　on　unsurely。　〃Since　Kevin　Landwaster　preserved　them　from　the　Desecration　and　his　own　end；　they　have　felt　a　distrust　of　their　own　fidelity…though　none　would　dare　to　raise　any　accusation　against　them。　Do　you　speak　of　this？〃
　He　did　not　want　to　reply；　but　her　direct　attention　pelled　him。　〃They've　already　lived　too　long。　Bannor　knows　it。〃　Then；　to　escape　the　subject；　he　went　over　to　the　table　to　look　at　the　carving。　The　white　statuette　stood　on　an　ebony　base。　It　was　a　rearing　Ranyhyn　mare　made　of　a　material　that　looked　like　bone。　The　work　was　blunt　of　detail；　but　through　some　secret　of　its　art　it　expressed　the　power　of　the　great　muscles；　the　intelligence　of　the　eyes；　the　oriftlamme　of　the　guttering　mane。
　Without　approaching　him；　Elena　said；　〃That　is　my　craft…marrowmeld。　Does　it　please　you？　It　is　Myrha；　the　Ranyhyn　that　bears　me。〃
　Something　stirred　in　Covenant。　He　did　not　want　to　think　about　the　Ranyhyn；　but　he　thought　that　he　had　found　a　discrepancy。　〃Foamfollower　told　me　that　the　marrowmeld　craft　had　been　lost。〃
　〃So　it　was。　I　alone　in　the　Land　practice　this　Ramen　craft。　Anundivian　yajna；　also　named　marrowmeld　or　bonesculpting；　was　lost　to　the　Ramen　during　their　exile　in　the　Southron　Range…during　the　Ritual　of　Desecration。　I　do　not　speak　in　pride…I　have　been　blessed　in　many　things。　When　I　was　a　child；　a　Ranyhyn　bore　me　into　the　mountains。　For　three　days　we　did　not　return；　so　that　my　mother　thought　me　dead。　But　the　Ranyhyn　taught　me　much…much…　In　my　learning；　I　recovered　the　ancient　craft。…　The　lore　to　reshape　dry　bones　came　to　my　hands。　Now　I　practice　it　here；　when　the　work　of　the　Lords　wearies　me。〃
　Covenant　kept　his　back　to　her；　but　he　was　not　studying　her　sculpture。　He　was　listening　to　her　voice　as　if　he　expected　it　to　change　at　any　moment　into　the　voice　of　someone　he　knew。　Her　tone　resonated　with　implicit　meanings。　But　he　could　not　make　them　out。　Abruptly；　he　turned　to　meet　her　eyes。　Again；　though　；‘　she　faced　him；　she　seemed　to　be　looking　at　or　thinking　about　something　else；　something　beyond　him。　Her　a　elsewhere　glance　disturbed　him。　Studying　her；　his　frown　deepened　until　he　wore　the　healing　of　his　forehead　like　a　crown　of　thorns。
　〃What　do　you　want？〃　he　demanded。
　〃Will　you　sit？〃　she　said　quietly。　〃。There　is　much　I　would　speak　of　with　you。〃
　〃Like　what？〃
　The　hardness　of　his　tone　did　not　make　her　flinch；　but　she　spoke　more　quietly　still。　〃I　hope　to　find　a　way　to　win　your　help　against　the　Despiser。〃
　Thinking　self…contemptuous　thoughts；　he　。　retorted；　〃How　far　are　you　willing　to　go？〃
　For　an　instant；　the　other　focus　of　her　eyes　came　close　to　him；　touched　him　like　a　lick　of　fire。　Blood　rushed　to　his　face；　and　he　almost　recoiled　a　step…so　strongly　did　he　feel　for　that　instant　that　she　had　the　capacity　to　go　far　beyond　anything　he　could　imagine。　But　the　glimpse　passed　before　he　could　guess　at　what　it　was。　She　turned　unhurriedly　away；　went　briefly　into　one　of　her　other　rooms。　When　she　returned；　she　bore　in　her　hands　a　wooden　casket　bound　with　old　iron。
　Holding　the　casket　as　if　it　contained　something　precious；　she　said；　〃'The　Council　has　been　much　concerned　in　this　matter。　Some　said；　‘Such　a　gift　is　too　great　for　anyone。　Let　it　be　kept　and　safe　for　as　long　as　we　may　be　able　to　endure。'　And　others　said；　‘It　will　fail　of　its　purpose；　for　he　will　believe　that　we　seek　to　buy　his　aid　with　gifts。　He　will　be　angered　against　us；　and　will　refuse。'　So　spoke　Lord　Mhoram；　whose　knowledge　of　the　Unbeliever　is　more　than　any　other's。　But　I　said；　‘He　is　not　our　foe。　He　gives　us　no　aid　because　he　cannot　give　aid。　Though　he　holds　the　white　gold；　its　use　is　beyond　him　or　forbidden　him。　Here　is　a　weapon　which　surpasses　us。　It　may　be　that　he　will　be　able　to　master　it；　and　that　with　such　a　weapon　he　will　help　us；　though　he　cannot　use　the　white　gold。'
　〃After　much　thought　and　concern；　my　voice　prevailed。　Therefore　the　Council　asks　to　give　you　this　gift；　so　that　its　power　will　not　lie　idle；　but　will　turn　against　the　Despiser。
　〃Ur…Lord　Covenant；　this　is　no　light　offering。　Forty　years　ago；　it　was　not　in　the　possession　of　the　Council。　But　the　Staff　of　Law　opened　doors　deep　in　Revelstone　…doors　which　had　been　closed　since　the　Desecration。　The　Lords　hoped　that　these　chambers　contained　other　Wards　of　Kevin's　Lore…but　no　Wards　were　there。　Yet　among　many　things　of　forgotten　use　or　little　power　this　was　found…this　which　we　offer　to　you。〃
　She　pressed　curiously　on　the　sides　of　the　casket；　and　the　lid　swung　open；　revealing　a　cushioned　velvet　interior；　on　which　lay　a　short　silver　sword。　It　was　a　two　edged　blade；　with　straight　guards　and　a　ribbed　hilt；　and　it　was　forged　around　a　clear　white　gem；　which　occupied　the　junction　of　the　blade；　guards；　and　hilt。　This　gem　looked　strangely　lifeless；　it　reflected　no　light　from　the　graveling；　as　if　it　were　impervious　or　dead　to　any　ordinary　flame。
　With　awe　in　her　low　voice；　Elena　said；　〃This　is　the　krill　of　Loric　Vilesilencer　son　of　Damelon　son　of　Berek。　With　this　he　slew　the　Demondim　guise　of　moksha　Raver；　and　delivered　the　Land　from　the　first　great　peril　of　the　ur…viles。　Ur…Lord　Covenant；　Unbeliever　and　Ringthane；　will　you　accept　it？〃
　Slowly；　full　of　a　leper's　fascinated　dread　of　things　that　cut；　Covenant　lifted　the　krill　from　its　velvet　rest。　Hefting　it；　he　found　that　its　balance　pleased　his　hand；　though　his　two　fingers　and　thumb　could　not　grip　it　well。　Cautiously；　he　tested　its　edges　with　his　thumb。　They　were　as　dull　as　if　they　had　never　been　honed　as　dull　as　the　white　gem。　For　a　moment；　he　stood　still；　thinking　that　a　knife　did　not　need　to　be　sharp　to　harm　him。
　〃Mhoram　was　right；〃　he　said　out　of　the　dry；　lonely　hebetude　of　his　heart。　〃I　don't　want　any　gifts。　I've　had　more　gifts　than　I　can　bear。〃
　Gifts！　It　seemed　to　him　that　everyone　he　had　ever　known　in　the　Land　had　tried　to　give　him　gifts…Foamfollower；　the　Ranyhyn；…　Lord　Mhoram；　even　Atiaran。　The　Land　itself　gave　him　an　impossible　nerve…health。　But　the　gift　of　Lena　Atiaran…daughter　was　more　terrible　than　all　the　others。　He　had　raped　her；　raped！　And　afterward；　she　had　gone　into　hiding　so　that　her　people　would　not　learn　what　had　happened　to　her　and　punish　him。　She　had　acted　with　an　extravagant　forbearance　so　that　he　could　go　free…free　to　deliver　Lord　Foul's　prophecy　of　doom　to　the　Lords。　Beside　that　self…abnegation；　even　Atiaran's　sacrifices　paled。
　Lena！　he　cried。　A　violence　of　grief　and　self…recrimination　bl