srdonaldson.theillearthwar-第87章

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ms；　and　bore　him　like　a　child　through　the　weight　of　the　falls。
　In　the　rocklight　of　Earthroot；　Bannor　moved　even
　more　urgently。'　He　hastened　to　the　waiting　boat；　installed　　Covenant　on　one　of　the　seats；　then　leaped　aboard　as　he　shoved　out　into　the　burnished　lake。　Without　hesitation；　he　began　to　recite　something　in　the　native　tongue　of　the　Haruchai。　Smoothly；　the　boat　made　its　way　among　the　cloistral　columns。
　But　his　efforts　did　not　carry　the　craft　far。　Within　a　few　hundred　yards；　its　prow　began　to　tug　against　its　intended　direction。　He　stopped　speaking；　and　at　once　the　boat　swung　off　to　one　side。　Gradually；　it　gained　speed。
　It　was　in　the　grip　of　a　current。　Standing　in　the　center　of　Covenant's　sightless　gaze；　Bannor　cocked　one　eyebrow　slightly；　as　if　he　perceived　an　ordeal　ahead。　For　long　moments；　he　waited　for　the　slow　increase　of　the　current　to　reveal　its　destination。
　Then　in　the　distance　he　saw　what　caused　the　current。　Far　ahead　of　the　craft；　rocklight　flared　along　a　line　in　the　lake　like　a　cleft　which　stretched　out　of　sight　on　both　sides。　Into　this　cleft　Earthroot　rushed　and　poured　in　silent　cataracts。
　He　reacted　with　smooth　efficiency；　as　if　he　had　been　preparing　for　this　test　throughout　the　long　centuries　of　his　service。　First　he　snatched　a　coil　of　clingor　from　his　pack；　with　it；　he　lashed　Covenant　to　the　boat。　In　answer　to　the　vague　question　in　Covenant's　face；　he　replied；　〃The　battle　of　Kevin　and　the　High　Lord　has　opened　a　crevice　in　the　floor　of　Earthroot。　We　must　ride　the　water　down；　and　seek　an　outlet…　below。〃　He　did　not　wait　for　a　response。　Turning；　he　braced　his　feet；　gripped　one　of　the　gilt　gunwales；　and　tore　it　loose。　With　this　long；　curved　piece　of　wood　balanced　in　his　hands　for　a　steering　pole；　he　swung　around　to　gauge　the　boat's　distance　from　the　cataract。
　The　hot　line　of　the　crevice　was　less　than　a　hundred　yards　away　now；　and　the　boat　slipped　rapidly　toward　it；　caught　in　the　mounting　suction。　But　Bannor　made　one　more　preparation。　Bending　toward　Covenant；　he　said　quietly；　〃Ur…Lord；　you　must　use　the　orcrest。〃　His　voice　echoed　with　authority　through　the　silence。
　Covenant　stared　at　him　without　prehension。
　〃You　must。　It　is　in　your　pocket。　Bring　it　out。〃
　For　a　moment；　Covenant　continued　to　stare。　But　at　last　the　Bloodguard's　mand　reached　through　his　numbness。　Slowly；　he　dug　into　his　pocket；　pulled　out　the　smooth　lucid　stone。　He　held　it　awkwardly　in　his　right　hand；　as　if　he　could　not　properly　grip　it　with　only　two　fingers　and　a　thumb。
　The　cataract　loomed　directly　before　the　boat　now；　but　Bannor　spoke　calmly；　firmly。　〃Hold　the　stone　in　your　left　hand。　Hold　it　above　your　head；　so　that　it　will　light　our　way。〃
　As　Covenant　placed　the　orcrest　in　contact　with　his　troubled　ring；　a　piercing　silver　light　burst　from　the　core　of　the　stone。　It　flared　along　the　gunwale　in　Bannor's　hands；　paled　the　surrounding　rocklight。　When　Covenant　numbly　raised　his　fist；　held　the　stone　up　like　a　torch；　the　Bloodguard　nodded　his　approval。　His　face　wore　a　look　of　satisfaction；　as　if　all　the　conditions　of　his　Vow　had　been　fulfilled。
　Then　the　prow　of　the　boat　dropped。　Bannor　and　Covenant　rode　the　torrent　of　Earthroot　into　the　dark　depths。
　The　water　boiled　and　heaved　wildly。　But　one　end　of　the　crevice　opened　into　other　caverns。　The　cataracts　turned　as　they　fell；　and　thrashed　through　the　crevice　as　if　it　were　an　immense　chute　or　channel。　By　the　orcrest　light；　Bannor　saw　in　time　which　way　the　water　poured。　He　poled　the　boat　so　that　it　shot　downward　along　the　torrent。
　　After　that；　the　craft　hurtled　down　the　frenetic　watercourse　in　a　long　nightmare　of　tumult；　jagged　rocks；　narrows；　sudden；　heart…stopping　falls；　close　death。　The　current　tumbled；　thundered；　raced　from　cavern　to　cavern　through　labyrinthian　gaps　and　tunnels　and　clefts　in　the　fathomless　bowels　of　Melenkurion　Skyweir。　Many　times　the　craft　disappeared　under　the　fierce　roil　of　the　rush；　but　each　time　its　potent　wood　capable　of　withstanding　Earthroot　bore　it　to　the　surface　again。　And　many　times　Bannor　and　Covenant　foundered　in　cascades　that　crashed　onto　them　from　above；　but　the　water　did　not　harm　them…either　it　had　lost　its　strength　in　the　fall；　or　it　was　already　diluted　by　other　buried　springs　and　lakes。
　Through　it　all；　Covenant　held　his　orcrest　high。　Some　last　unconscious　capacity　for　endurance　kept　his　forgers　locked　and　his　arm　raised。　And　the　stone's　unfaltering　fire　lighted　the　boat's　way；　so　that；　even　in　the　sharpest　hysteria　of　the　current；　Bannor　was　able　to　steer；　avoid　rocks　and　backwaters；　fend　around　curves…preserve　himself　and　the　Unbeliever。　The　torrent's　violence　soon　splintered　his　pole；　but　he　replaced　it　with　the　other　gunwale。　When　that　was　gone；　he　used　a　seat　board　as　a　rudder。
　Straining　and　undaunted；　he　brought　the　voyage　through　to　its　final　crisis。
　Without　warning；　the　boat　shot　down　a　huge　flow　into　a　cavern　that　showed　no　exit。　The　water　frothed　viciously；　seeking　release；　and　the　air　pressure　mounted；　became　more　savage　every　instant。　A　swift　eddy　caught　the　craft；　swung　it　around　and　under　the　massive　pour　of　water。
　Helplessly；　the　boat　was　driven　down。
　Bannor　clawed　his　way　to　Covenant。　He　wrapped　his　legs　around　Covenant's　waist；　snatched　the　orcrest　from　him。　Clutching　the　stone　as　if　to　sustain　himself　with　it；　Bannor　clamped　his　other　hand　over　Covenant's　nose　and　mouth。
　He　held　that　position　as　the　boat　sank。
　The　plunging　weight　of　water　thrust　them　straight　under。　Pressure　squeezed　them　until　Bannor's　eyes　pounded　in　their　sockets；　and　his　ears　yowled　as　if　they　were　about　to　rupture。　He　could　feel　Covenant　screaming　in　his　grasp。　But　he　held　his　grip　in　the　extremity　of　the　last　faithfulness…clung　to　the　bright　strength　of　the　orcrest　with　one　hand；　and　kept　Covenant　from　breathing　with　the　other。
　Then　they　were　sucked　into　a　side　tunnel；　an　outlet。　Immediately；　all　the　pressure　of　the　trapped　air　and　water　hurled　them　upward。　Covenant　went　limp；　Bannor's　lungs　burned。　But　he　retained　enough　alertness　to　swing　himself　upright　as　the　water　burst　free。　In　a　high；　arching　spout；　it　carried　the　two　men　into　the　cleft　of　Rivenrock；　and　sent　them　shooting　out　into　the　open　morning　of　the　Black　River　and　Garroting　Deep。
　For　a　moment；　sunshine　and　free　sky　and　forest
　reeled　around　Bannor；　and　fares　of　released　pressure　staggered　across　his　sight。　Then　the　fortitude　of　his　Vow　returned。　Wrapping　both　arms　around　Covenant；　he　gave　one　sharp　jerk　which　started　the　Unbeliever's　lungs　working　again。
　With　a　violent　gasp；　Covenant　began　breathing　rapidly；　feverishly。　Some　time　passed　before　he　showed　any　signs　of　consciousness；　yet　all　the　while　his　ring　throbbed　as　if　it　were　sustaining　him。　Finally；　he　opened　his　eyes；　and　looked　at　Bannor。
　At　once；　he　started　to　struggle　weakly　in　his　clingor　bonds。　Bannor　appeared　to　him　like　one　of　the　djinn　who　watches　over　the　accursed。　But　then　he　lapsed。　He　recognized　where　he　was…how　he　had　arrived　there…what　he　had　left　behind。　He　went　on　staring　nakedly　while　Bannor　untied　the　lines　which　lashed　him　to　the　boat。
　Over　the　Bloodguard's　shoulder；　he　could　see　the　great　cliff　of　Rivenrock…and　behind　it　Melenkurion　Skyweir…shrinking　as　the　boat　scudded　downriver。　From　the　cleft；　turgid　black　smoke　broke　upward　in　gouts　sporadically　emphasized　by　battle　flashes　deep　within　the　mountain。　Muffled　blasts　of　anguish　rent　the　gut…rock；　wreaking　havoc　in　the　very　grave　of　the　ages。　Covenant　felt　he　was　floating　away　on　a　wave　of　ravage　and　destruction。
　Fearfully；　he　looked　down　at　his　ring。　To　his　dismay；　he　found　that　it　still　throbbed　like　an　exclamation　of　purpose。　Instinctively；　he　clasped　his　right　hand　over　it；　concealed　it。　Then　he　faced　forward　in　the　boat；　turned　away　from　Bannor　and　Rivenrock　as　if　to　protect　his　shame　from　scrutiny。
　He　sat　huddled　there；　weak　and　staring　dismally；　throughout　the　swift　progress　of　the　day。　He　did　not　speak　to　Bannor；　did　not　help　him　bail　out　the　boat；　did　not　look　back。　The　current　spewing　from　Rivenrock　raised　the　Black　River　to　near…flood　levels；　and　the　light　Earthroot　craft　rode　the　rush　intrepidly　between　glowering　walls　of　forest。　The　morning　sun　glittered　and　danced　off　the　dark　water　into　Covenant's　eyes…but　he　stared　at　it　without　blinking；　as　if　even　the　protective　reflex　of　his　eyelids　were　exhausted。
　And　after　that；　nothing　interfered　with　his　sightless　vision。　The　sodden　food　which　Bannor　offered　to　him　he　ate　automatically；　with　his　left　hand　concealed　between　his　thighs。　Midday　and　afternoon　passed　unrecognized；　and　when　evening　came　he　remained　crouched　on　his　seat；　clenching　his　ring　against　his　chest　as　if　to　protect　himself　from　some　final　stab　of　realization。
　Then；　as　dusk　thickened　about　him；　he　became　aware　of　the　music。　The　air　of　the　Deep　was　full　of　humming；　of　voiceless　song…an　eldritch　melody　which　seemed　to　arise　like　passion　from　the　faint　throats　of　all　the　leaves。　It　contrasted　sharply　with　the　distant；　storming　climacteric　of　Melenkurion　Skyweir；　the　song　of　violence　which　beat　and　shivered　out　of　Rivenrock。　Gradually；　he　raised　his　head　to　listen。　The　Deep　song　had　an　inflection　of　sufferance；　as　if　it　were　deliberately　restraining　a　potent　melodic　rage；　sparing　him。
　In　the　light　of　the　orcrest；　he　saw　that　Bannor　was　guiding　the　boat　toward　a　high；　treeless　hill　which　rose　against　the　night　sky　close　to　the　south　bank。　The　hill　was　desolate；　bereft　of　life；　as　if　its　capacity　to　nourish　even　the　hardiest　plants　had　been　irremediably　scalded　out　of　it。　Yet　it　seemed　to　be　the　source　of　the　Deep's　song。　The　melody　which　wafted　riverward　from　the　hill　sounded　like　a　host　of　gratified　furies。
　He　regarded　the　hill　incuriously。　He　had　no　strength　left　to　care　about　such　places。　All　his　waning　sanity　was　focused　on　the　sounds　of　battle　from　Melenkurion　Skyweir…and　on　the　grip　which　concealed　his　ring。　When　Bannor　secured　the　boat；　and　took　hold　of　his　right　elbow　to　help　him　ashore；　Covenant　leaned　on　the　Bloodguard　and　followed　his　guidance　woodenly。
　Bannor　went　to　the　barren　hill。　Without　question；　Covenant　began　to　struggle　up　it。
　Despite　his　weariness；　the　hill　impinged　upon　his　awareness。　He　could　feel　its　deadness　with　his　feet　as　if　he　were　shambling　up　n　corpse。　Yet　it　was　eager　death；　its　atmosphere　was　thick　with　the　slaughter　of　enemies。　Its　incarnate　hatred　made　his　joints　ache　as
　he　climbed　it。　He　began　to　sweat　and　tremble　as　if　he　were　carrying　the　weight　of　an　atrocity　on　his　shoulders。
　Then；　near　the　hilltop；　Bannor　stopped　him。　The　Bloodguard　lifted　the　orcrest。　In　its　light；　Covenant　saw　the　gibbet　beyond　the　crest　of　the　hill。　A　Giant　dangled　from　it。　And　between　him　and　the　gibbet　staring　at　him　as　if　he　were　a　concentrated　nightmare　…were　people；　people　whom　he　knew。
　Lord　Mhoram　stood　there　erect　in　his　battle…grimed　robe。　He　clasped　his　staff　in　his　left　hand；　and　his　lean　face　was　taut　with　vision。　Behind　him　were　Lord　Callindrill　and　two　Bloodguard。　The　Lord　had　a　dark　look　of　failure　in　his　soft　eyes。　Quaan　and　Amorine　were　with　him。　And　on　Mhoram's　right；　supported　by　the　Lord's　right　hand；　was　Hile　Troy。
　Troy　had　lost　his　sunglasses　and　headband。　The　eyeless　skin　of　his　skull　was　knotted　as　if　he　were　straining　to　see。　He　cocked　his　head；　mov