srdonaldson.theillearthwar-第82章

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f　expected　thick；　Laval　ichor　to　e　rushing　up　through　it。　As　he　moved；　he　played　nervously　with　his　ring；　as　if　that　small　circle　were　the　binding　of　his　self…control。
　Elena　quickened　her　steps。　He　could　see　in　her　back　that　she　was　impelled　by　her　mounting　eagerness　for　the　Power　of　mand。
　At　last；　the　tunnel　changed。　Its　floor　swung　in　a　tight　curve　to　the　left；　and　its　right　wall　broke　off；　opening　into　another　crevice。　This　rift　immediately　became　a　substantial　gulf。　The　stone　shelf　of　the　road　narrowed　until　it　was　barely　ten　feet　wide；　then　divided　into　rude　steep　stairs　as　it　curved　downward。　In　moments；　the　High　Lord's　party　was　on　a　stairway　which　spiraled　around　a　central　shaft　into　the　chasm。
　Many　hundreds　of　feet　below　them；　a　fiery　red　glow　lit　the　bottom　of　the　gulf。　Covenant　felt　that　he　was　peering　into　an　inferno。
　He　remembered　where　he　had　seen　such　light　before。　It　was　rocklight…radiated　stone…shine　like　that　which　the　Cavewights　used　under　Mount　Thunder。
　The　descent　affected　him　like　vertigo。　Within　three　rounds　of　the　shaft；　his　head　was　reeling。　Only　Elena's　unwavering　light；　and　his　acute　concentration　as　he　negotiated　the　uneven　steps；　saved　him　from　pitching　headlong　over　the　edge。　But　he　was　grimly　determined　not　to　ask　either　Elena　or　Bannor　for　help。　He　could　afford　no　more　indebtedness；　it　would　nullify　his　bargain；　tip　the　scales　of　payment　against　him。　No！　he　muttered　to　himself　as　he　lurched　down　the　steps。　No。　No　more。　Don't　be　so　bloody　helpless。　Save　something　to　bargain　with。　Keep　going。　Distantly；　he　heard　himself　panting；　〃Don't　touch　me。　Don't　touch　me。〃
　A　spur　of　nausea　roweled　him。　His　muscles　bunched　as　if　they　were　bracing　for　a　fall。　But　he　hugged　his　chest；　and　clung　to　Elena's　light　for　support。　Her　flame　bobbed　above　her　like　a　tongue　of　courage。
　Slowly　its　blue　illumination　took　on　a　red　tinge　as　she　worked　down　toward　the　gulf's　glow。
　He　made　the　descent　grimly；　mechanically；　like　a　volitionless　puppet　stalking　down　the　irregular　steps　of　his　designated　end。　Round　by　round；　he　approached　the　source　of　the　rocklight。　Soon　the　red　illumination　made　the　Staffs　flame　unnecessary；　and　High　Lord　Elena　extinguished　it。　Ahead　of　her；　Amok　began　to　move　more　swiftly；　as　if　he　were　impatient；　jealous　of　all　delays　which　postponed　the　resolution　of　his　existence。　But　Covenant　followed　at　his　own　pace；　effectively　unconscious　of　anything　but　the　spiraling　stairs　and　his　imperious　dizziness。　He　went　down　the　last　distance　through　a　high　wash　of　rocklight　as　numbly　as　if　he　were　sleepwalking。
　When　he　reached　the　flat　bottom；　he　took　a　few　wooden　steps　toward　the　lake；　then　stopped；　covered　his　eyes　against　the　deep；　fiery；　red　light；　and　shuddered　as　if　his　nerves　jangled　on　the　edge　of　hysteria。
　Ahead　of　him；　Amok　crowed　jubilantly；　〃Behold；　High　Lord！　The　sunless　lake　of　Earthroot！　Unheavened　sap　and　nectar　of　great　Melenkurion　Skyweir；　the　sire　of　mountains）　Ah；　behold　it。　The　long　years　of　my　purpose　are　nearly　done。〃　His　words　echoed　clearly　away；　as　if　they　were　seconded　by　scores　of　light　crystal　voices。
　Drawing　a　tremulous　breath；　Covenant　opened　his　eyes。　He　was　standing　on　the　gradual　shore　of　a　still　lake　which　spread　out　before　him　as　far　as　he　could　see。　Its　stone　roof　was　high；　hidden　in　shadows；　but　the　lake　was　lit　everywhere　by　rocklight　burning　in　the　immense　pillars　which　stood　up　like　columns　through　the　lakeor　like　roots　of　the　mountain　reaching　down　to　the　water。　These　columns　or　roots　were　evenly　spaced　along　and　across　the　cavern；　they　were　repeated　regularly　into　the　vast　distance。　Their　rocklight；　and　the　vibrant　stillness　of　the　lake；　gave　the　whole　place　a　cloistral　air；　despite　its　size。　Earthroot　was　a　place　to　make　mere　mortals　humble　and　devout。
　It　made　Covenant　feel　like　a　sacrilege　in　the　sanctified　and　august　temple　of　the　mountains。
　The　lake　was　so　still…it　conveyed　such　an　impression　of　weight；　massiveness…that　it　looked　more　like　fluid　bronze　than　water；　a　liquid　cover　for　the　unfathomable　abysses　of　the　Earth。　The　rocklight　gleamed　on　it　as　if　it　were　burnished。
　〃Is　this…？〃　Covenant　croaked；　then　caught　himself　as　his　question　ran　echoing　lightly　over　the　water；　restating　itself　without　diminishment　into　the　distance。　He　could　not　bring　himself　to　go　on。　Even　the　low　shuffling　of　his　boots　on　the　stone　echoed　as　if　it　carried　some　kind　of　prophetic　significance。
　But　Amok　took　up　the　question　gaily。　〃Is　the　Power　of　mand　here；　in　Earthroot？〃　The　echoes　laughed　as　he　laughed。　〃No。　Earthroot　but　partakes。　The　heart　of　the　Seventh　Ward　lies　beyond。　We　must　cross　over。〃
　High　Lord　Elena　asked　the　next　question　carefully；　as　if　she；　too；　were　timid　in　the　face　of　the　awesome　lake。　〃How？〃
　〃High　Lord；　a　way　will　be　provided。　I　am　the　way　and　the　door…I　have　not　brought　you　to　a　pathless　end。　But　the　use　of　the　way　will　be　in　your　hands。　This　is　the　last　test。　Only　one　word　am　I　permitted　to　say：　do　not　touch　the　water。　Earthroot　is　strong　and　stern。　It　will　take　no　account　of　mortal　flesh。〃
　〃What　must　we　do　now？〃　she　inquired　softly　to　minimize　the　echoes。
　〃Now？〃　Amok　chuckled。　〃Only　wait；　High　Lord。　The　time　will　not　be　long。　Behold！　Already　the　way　approaches。〃
　He　was　standing　with　his　back　to　the　lake；　but　as　he　spoke　he　gestured　behind　him　with　one　arm。　As　if　in　answer　to　this　signal；　a　boat　came　into　sight　around　a　pillar　some　distance　from　the　shore。
　The　boat　was　empty。　It　was　a　narrow　wooden　craft；　pointed　at　both　ends。　Except　for　a　line　of　bright　reflective　gilt　along　its　gunwales　and　thwarts；　it　was　unadorned…a　clean；　simple　work　smoothly　formed　of　light　brown　wood；　and　easily　long　enough　to　seat　five　people。　But　it　was　unoccupied；　no　one　rowed　or　steered　it。　Without　making　a　ripple；　it　swung　gracefully　around　the　pillar；　and　glided　shoreward。　Yet　in
　Earthroot's　sacramental　air；　it　did　not　seem　strange；　it　was　a　proper　and　natural　adjunct　of　the　bronze　lake。　Covenant　was　not　surprised　to　see　that　it　carried　no　oars。
　He　watched　its　approach　as　if　it　were　an　instrument　of　dread。　It　made　his　wedding　ring　itch　on　his　finger。　He　glanced　quickly　at　his　hand；　half　expecting　to　see　that　the　band　glowed　or　changed　color。　The　argent　metal　looked　peculiarly　vivid　in　the　rocklight；　it　weighed　heavily　on　his　hand；　tingled　against　his　skin。　But　it　revealed　nothing。　〃Have　mercy；〃　he　breathed　as　if　he　were　speaking　directly　to　the　white　gold。　Then　he　winced　as　his　voice　tripped　away　in　light　echoes；　spread　by　a　multitude　of　crystal　repetitions。
　Amok　laughed　at　him；　and　clear　peals　of　glee　joined　the　mimicry。
　High　Lord　Elena　was　now　too　enrapt　in　Earthroot　to　attend　Covenant。　She　stood　on　the　shore　as　if　she　could　already　smell　the　Power　of　mand；　and　waited　like　an　acolyte　for　the　empty　boat。
　Soon　the　craft　reached　her。　Silently；　it　slid　its　prow　up　the　dry　slope；　and　stopped　as　if　it　were　ready；　expectant。
　Amok　greeted　it　with　a　deep　obeisance；　then　leaped　lithely　aboard。　His　feet　made　no　sound　as　they　struck　the　planks。　He　moved　to　the　far　end　of　the　craft；　turned；　and　seated　himself　with　his　arms　on　the　gunwales；　grinning　like　a　monarch。
　First　Mark　Morin　followed　Amok。　Next；　High　Lord　Elena　entered　the　craft；　and　placed　herself　on　a　seat　board　near　its　middle。　She　held　the　Staff　of　Law　across　her　knees。　Covenant　saw　that　his　turn　had　e。　Trembling；　he　walked　down　the　shore　to　the　wooden　prow。　Apprehension　beat　in　his　temples；　but　he　repressed　it。　He　clutched　the　gunwales　with　both　hands；　climbed　into　the　craft。　His　boots　thudded　and　echoed　on　the　planks。　As　he　sat　down；　he　seemed　to　be　surrounded　by　the　clatter　of　unseemly　burdens。
　Bannor　shoved　the　boat　into　the　lake；　and　sprang　immediately　aboard。　But　by　the　time　he　had　taken　his　seat；　the　boat　had　glided　to　a　halt。　It　rested　as　if　it
　were　fused　to　the　burnished　water　a　few　feet　from　shore。
　For　a　moment；　no　one　moved　or　spoke。　They　sat　bated　and　hushed；　waiting　for　the　same　force　which　had　brought　the　boat　to　carry　it　away　again。　But　the　craft　remained　motionless…fixed　like　a　censer　in　the　red；　still　surface　of　the　lake。
　The　pulse　in　Covenant's　head　grew　sharper。　Harshly；　he　defied　the　echoes。　〃Now　what　do　we　do？〃
　To　his　surprise；　the　boat　slid　forward　a　few　feet。　But　it　stopped　again　when　the　repetitions　of　his　voice　died。　Once　again；　the　High　Lord's　party　was　held；　trapped。
　He　stared　about　him　in　astonishment。　No　one　spoke。　He　could　see　thoughts　concentrate　the　muscles　of　Elena's　back。　He　looked　at　Amok　once；　but　the　youth's　happy　grin　so　dismayed　him　that　he　tore　his　gaze　away。　The　ache　of　his　suspense　began　to　seem　unendurable。
　Bannor's　unexpected　movement　startled　him。　Turning；　he　saw　that　the　Bloodguard　had　risen　to　his　feet。　He　lifted　his　seat　board　from　its　slots。
　For　an　oar！　Covenant　thought。　He　felt　a　sudden　upsurge　of　excitement。
　Bannor　held　the　board　in　both　hands；　braced　himself　against　the　side　of　the　boat；　and　prepared　to　paddle。
　As　the　end　of　the　board　touched　the　water；　some　power　grabbed　it；　wrenched　it　instantly　from　his　grasp。　It　was　snatched　straight　down　into　the　lake。　There　was　no　splash　or　ripple；　but　the　board　vanished　like　a　stone　hurled　into　the　depths。
　Bannor　gazed　after　it；　and　cocked　one　eyebrow　as　if　he　were　speculating　abstractly　on　the　kind　of　strength　which　could　so　easily　tear　something　away　from　a　Bloodguard。　But　Covenant　was　not　so　calm。　He　gaped　weakly；　〃Hellfire。〃
　Again　the　boat　moved　forward。　It　coasted　for　several　yards　until　the　echoes　of　Covenant's　amazement　disappeared。　Then　it　stopped；　resumed　its　reverent　stasis。
　Covenant　faced　Elena；　but　he　did　not　need　to　voice
　his　question。　Her　face　glowed　with　prehension。　〃Yes；　beloved；〃　she　breathed　in　relief　and　triumph。　〃I　see。〃　And　as　the　boat　once　more　began　to　glide　over　the　lake；　she　continued；　〃It　is　the　sound　of　our　voices　which　causes　the　boat　to　move。　That　is　the　use　of　Amok's　way。　The　craft　will　seek　its　own　destination。　But　to　carry　us　it　must　ride　upon　our　echoes。〃

　The　truth　of　her　perception　was　immediately　apparent。　While　her　clear　voice　cast　replies　like　ripples　over　Earthroot；　the　boat　slid　easily　through　the　water。　It　steered　itself　between　the　pillars　as　if　it　were　pursuing　the　lodestone　of　its　purpose。　Soon　it　had　passed　out　of　sight　of　Earthrootstair。　But　when　she　stopped　speaking…when　the　delicate　echoes　had　chimed　themselves　into　silence…the　craft　halted　again。
　Covenant　groaned　inwardly。　He　was　suddenly　afraid　that　he　would　be　asked　to　talk；　help　propel　the　boat。　He　feared　that　he　would　give　his　bargain　away　if　he　were　forced　into　any　kind　of　extended　speech。　In　selfdefense；　he　turned　the　demand　around　before　it　could　be　directed　at　him。　〃Well；　say　something；〃　he　growled　at　Elena。
　A　light；　ambiguous　smile　touched　her　lips…a　response；　not　to　him；　but　to　some　satisfying　inner　prospect。　〃Beloved；〃　she　replied　softly；　〃we　will　have　no　difficulty。　There　is　much　which　has　not　been　said　between　us。　There　are　secrets　and　mysteries　and　sources　of　power　in　you　which　I　perceive　but　dimly。　And　in　some　ways　I　have　not　yet　spoken　of　myself。　This　is　a　fit　place　for　the　opening　of　hearts。　I　will　tell　you　of　that　Ranyhyn…ride　which　took　the　young　daughter　of　Lena　from　Mithil　Stonedown　into　the　Southron　Range；　and