uplift4.brightnessreef-第17章

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　　Alas；　my　rings。　Are　we　not　also　potential　witnesses　to　their　villainy？
　　
　　Sara
　　NOBODY　EXPECTED　AN　AMBUSH。　It　was　the　perfect　place　for　one。　Still；　no　one　aboard　the　Haupb…woa　had　any　idea　of　danger　until　it　actually　happened。
　　A　century　of　peace　had　blurred　the　once…jealously　guarded　domains　of　old。　Urrish　and　g'Kek　settlers　were　few；　since　the　former　could　not　raise　young　near　water；　and　the　latter　preferred　smooth　terrain。　Still；　all　types　were　seen　crowding　tiny　docks　when　the　Hauph…woa　glided　by；　eager　to　share　scant　news。
　　Alas；　there　had　been　none　from　downstream　since　that　terrible　spectacle　crossed　the　sky。
　　Mostly；　the　river　folk　were　reacting　constructively；　rushing　to　reinforce　their　facade　screens；　cleaning　the　baffles　of　their　smokestacks；　or　hauling　boats　under　cover…but　one　forlorn　tribe　of　traeki　marsh…dwellers　had　gone　much　further；　burning　their　entire　stilt　village　in　a　spasm　of　fear　and　fealty　to　the　Scrolls。　Pzora's　topknot　shivered　at　the　aroma　of　woebegone　ring…stacks；　floundering　in　the　ashes。　The　Hauph…woa's　captain　promised　to　spread　word　of　their　plight。　Perhaps　other　traeki　would　send　new　basal　segments　for　the　locals　to　wear；　making　them　better　suited　for　evacuation　inland。　At　worst；　the　swamp　traeki　could　gather　rotting　matter；　settle　on　top；　and　shut　down　higher　functions　till　the　world　became　a　less　scary　place。
　　The　same　could　not　be　said　for　an　urrish　trade　caravan　they　passed　later；　stranded　with　their　pack　beasts　on　the　desolate　west　bank；　when　the　panicky　citizens　of　Bing　Village　blew　up　their　beloved　bridge。
　　The　hoonish　boat　crew　back…pedaled　with　frantic　haste；　rowing　against　the　current　to　avoid　getting　caught　in　a　tangle　of　broken　timbers　and　mule…fiber　cables；　shattered　remnants　of　a　beautiful　span　that　had　been　the　chief　traverse　for　an　entire　region。　A　marvel　of　clever　camouflage；　the　bridge　used　to　resemble　a　jagged　snag　of　jumbled　logs。　But　even　that　apparently　wasn't　enough　for　local　orthodox　scroll　thumpers。　Maybe　they　were　burning　it　while　I　had　my　nightmare　last　night；　Sara　thought；　observing　charred　timbers　and　recalling　images　of　flame　that　had　torn　her　sleep。
　　A　crowd；of　villagers　stood　on　the　east　bank；　beckoning　the　Hauph…woa　to　draw　near。
　　Blade　spoke　up。　〃I　would　not　approach；〃　the　blue　qheuen　hissed　from　several　leg…vents。　He　wore　a　rewq　over　his　vision…ring　while　peering　at　the　folk　on　shore。
　　〃And　why　not？〃　Jop　demanded。　〃See？　They're　pointing　to　a　way　past　the　debris。　Perhaps　they　have　news；　as　well。〃
　　Sure　enough；　there　did　appear　to　be　a　channel；　near　the　shore；　unobstructed　by　remnants　of　the　broken　bridge。
　　〃I　don't　know；〃　Blade　went　on。　〃I　sense　that。。。　something　is　wrong。〃
　　〃You're　right　avout　that；〃　Ulgor　added。　〃I'd　like　to　know　why　they　have　done　nothing　for　the　stranded　caravan。　The　villagers　have　voats。　The　urs　could　have　veen　ferried　across　vy　now。〃
　　Sara　wondered。　It　certainly　would　not　be　fun　for　any　of　Ulgor's　race　to　ride　a　little　coracle；　with　icy　water　lapping　just　an　arm's　breadth　away。　〃The　urs　may　have　refused；〃　she　suggested。　〃Perhaps　they're　not　that　desperate　yet。〃
　　The　captain　made　his　decision；　and　the　Hauph…woa　turned　toward　the　village。　As　they　drew　near；　Sara　saw　that　the　only　construct　still　intact　was　the　hamlet's　camouflage　lattice。　Everything　else　lay　in　ruins。　They've　probably　sent　their　families　into　the　forest；　she　thought。　There　were　plenty　of　garu　trees　for　humans　to　live　in；　and　qheuenish　citizens　could　join　cousins　upstream。　Still；　the　toppled　village　was　a　depressing　sight。
　　Sara　pondered　how　much　worse　things　might　be　if　Jop　ever　got　his　wish。　If　Dolo　Dam　blew　up；　every　dock；　weir；　and　cabin　they　had　seen　below　the　flood　line　would　be　swept　away。　Native　creatures　would　also　suffer；　though　perhaps　no　more　than　in　a　natural　flood。　Lark　says　it　is　species　that　matter；　not　individuals。　No　eco…niches　would　be　threatened　by　demolishing　our　small　wooden　structures。　Jijo　won't　be　harmed。
　　Still；　it　seems　dubious；　all　of　this　burning　and　wrecking　just　to　persuade　some　Galactic　big　shots　we're　farther　along　the　Path　of　Redemption　than　we　really　are。
　　Blade　sidled　alongside；　his　blue　carapace　steaming　as　dew　evaporated　from　the　seams　of　his　shell…a　sure　sign　of　anxiety。　He　rocked　a　plex　rhythm　among　his　five　chitinous　legs。
　　〃Sara；　do　you　have　a　rewq？　Can　you　put　it　on　and　see　if　I'm　mistaken？〃
　　〃Sorry。　I　gave　mine　up。　All　those　colors　and　raw　emotions　get　in　the　way　of　paying　close　attention　to　language。〃　She　did　not　add　that　it　had　grown　painful　to　wear　the　things；　ever　since　she　made　the　mistake　of　using　one　at　Joshu's　funeral。　〃Why？〃　she　asked。　〃What's　got　you　worried？〃
　　Blade's　cupola　trembled；　and　the　rewq　that　was　wrapped　around　it　quivered。　〃The　people　onshore…they　seem。。。　strange　somehow。〃
　　Sara　peered　through　the　morning　haze。　The　Bing　Villagers　were　mostly　human；　but　there　were　also　hoon；　traeki；　and　qheuens　in　the　mix。　Likes　attract；　she　thought。　Orthodox　fanaticism　crossed　racial　lines。
　　As　does　heresy；　Sara　noted；　recalling　that　her　own　brother　was　part　of　a　movement　no　less　radical　than　the　folk　who　had　brought　down　this　bridge。
　　Several　coracles　set　forth　from　tree…shrouded　shelters；　aiming　to　intercept　the　riverboat。　〃Are　they　ing　to　pilot　us　through？〃　young　Jomah　asked。
　　He　got　his　answer　when　the　first　grappling　hook　whistled；　then　fell　to　the　deck　of　the　Hauph…woa。
　　Others　swiftly　followed。
　　〃We　mean　you　no　harm。〃　shouted　a　thick…armed　man　in　the　nearest　skiff。　〃e　ashore；　and　we'll　take　care　of　you。　All　we　want　is　your　boat。〃
　　That　was　the　wrong　thing　to　say　to　the　proud　crew　of　a　river…runner。　Every　hoon　but　the　helmsman　ran　to　seize　and　toss　overboard　the　offending　hooks。　But　more　grapplers　sailed　aboard　for　every　one　they　removed。
　　Then　Jomah　pointed　downstream。　〃Look！〃
　　If　anyone　still　wondered　what　the　Bingites　planned　for　the　Hauph…woa；　all　doubts　vanished　at　the　sight　of　a　charred　ruin；　blackened　ribs　spearing　upward　like　a　huge；　half…burned　skeleton。　It　triggered　an　umble　of　dismay　from　the　crew；　resonating　down　Sara's　spine　and　sending　the　noor　beasts　into　frenzied　fits　of　barking。
　　The　hoon　redoubled　their　efforts；　tearing　frantically　at　the　hooks。
　　Sara's　first　instinct　was　to　shield　the　Stranger。　But　the　wounded　man　seemed　safe；　still　unconscious　under　Pzora's　protecting　bulk。
　　〃e　on；〃　she　told　Blade。　〃We　better　help。〃
　　Pirates　often　used　to　attack　ships　this　way　until　the　Great　Peace。　Perhaps　the　attackers'　own　ancestors　used　the　technique　in　deadly　earnest；　during　the　bad　old　days。　The　grapples；　made　of　pointy　Buyur　metal；　dug　deep　when　the　cables　tautened。　Sara　realized　in　dismay　that　the　cords　were　mule　fiber；　treated　by　a　traeki　process　that　made　them　damnably　hard　to　cut。　Worse；　the　lines　stretched　not　just　to　the　coracles　but　all　the　way　to　shore；　where　locals　hauled　them　taut　with　blocks　and　tackle。　Hoon　strength；　helped　by　Blade's　great　claws；　barely　sufficed　to　wrestle　the　hooks　free。　Still；　Sara　tried　to　help；　and　even　the　g'Kek　passenger　kept　lookout　with　four　keen　eyes；　shouting　to　warn　when　another　boat　drew　near。　Only　Jop　leaned　against　the　mast；　watching　with　clear　amusement。　Sara　had　no　doubt　who　the　orthodox　tree　farmer　was　rooting　for。
　　The　beach　loomed　ever　closer。　If　the　Hauph…woa　made　it　past　midpoint；　she'd　have　the　river's　pull　on　her　side。　But　even　that　force　might　be　too　little　to　break　the　strong　cords。　When　the　keel　scraped　sand；　it　would　spell　the　end。
　　In　desperation；　the　crew　hit　on　a　new　tactic。　Taking　up　axes；　they　chopped　away　at　planks　and　rails；　wherever　a　grapple　had　dug　in；　tearing　out　whole　wooden　chunks　to　throw　overboard；　attacking　their　own　vessel　with　a　fury　that　was　dazzling　to　behold；　given　normal　hoon　placidity。
　　Then；　all　at　once；　the　deck　jerked　under　Sara's　feet　as　the　whole　boat　suddenly　shuddered；　slewing；　as　if　the　center　mast　were　a　pivot。
　　〃They've　hooked　the　rudder！〃　someone　cried。
　　Sara　looked　over　the　stern　and　saw　a　massive　metal　barb　speared　through　the　great　hinged　paddle　the　helmsman　used　to　steer　the　ship。　The　rudder　could　not　be　pulled　aboard　or　chopped　loose　without　crippling　the　Hauph…woa；　leaving　it　adrift　and　helpless。
　　Prity　bared　her　teeth　and　screamed。　Though　shivering　with　fear；　the　little　ape　started　climbing　over　the　rail；　till　Sara　stopped　her　with　a　firm　hand。
　　〃It's　my　job；〃　she　said　tersely；　and　without　pause　shrugged　out　of　her　tunic　and　kilt。　A　sailor　handed　her　a　hatchet　with　a　strap…thong　through　the　haft。
　　Don't　everybody　speak　up　all　at　once　to　argue　me　out　of　doing　this；　she　thought　sardonically；　knowing　no　one　would。
　　Some　things　were　simply　obvious。
　　The　hatchet　hung　over　one　shoulder。　It　wasn't　forting　to　feel　its　metal　coolness　stroke　her　left　breast　as　she　climbed；　even　though　the　cutting　edge　still　bore　a　leather　cover。
　　Clothes　would　have　been　an　impediment。　Sara　needed　her　toes；　especially；　to　seek　footholds　on　the　Hauph…woa's　stern。　The　clinker　construction　style　left　overlaps　in　the　boards　that　helped　a　bit。　Still；　she　could　not　prevent　shivering；　half　from　the　morning　chill　and　partly　from　stark　terror。　Sweaty　palms　made　it　doubly　hard；　even　though　her　mouth　felt　dry　as　urrish　breath。
　　I　haven't　done　any　climbing　in　years！
　　To　nonhumans；　this　must　look　like　another　day's　work　for　a　tree…hugging　Earthling。　Kind　of　like　expecting　every　urs　to　be　a　courier　runner；　or　all　traekis　to　make　a　good　martini。　In　fact；　Jop　was　the　logical　one　for　this　task；　but　the　captain　didn't　trust　the　man；　with　good　reason。
　　The　crew　shouted　tense　encouragement　as　she　clambered　down　the　stern；　holding　the　rudder　with　one　arm。　Meanwhile；　derisive　scorn　came　from　the　coracles　and　those　ashore。　Great。　More　attention　than　I　ever　had　in　my　life；　and　I'm　stark　naked　at　the　time。
　　The　mule…cable　groaned　with　tension　as　villagers　strained　on　pulleys　to　haul　Hauph…woa　toward　the　beach；　where　several　gray　qheuens　gathered；　holding　torches　that　loomed　so　frighteningly　close　that　Sara　imagined　she　could　hear　the　flames。　At　last；　she　reached　a　place　where　she　could　plant　her　feet　and　hands…bracing　her　legs　in　a　way　that　forever　surrendered　all　illusions　of　personal　modesty。　She　had　to　tear　the　leather　cover　off　the　ax　with　her　teeth　and　got　a　bitter　electrical　taste　from　the　reddish　metal。　It　made　her　shudder…then　tense　up　as　she　almost　lost　her　grip。　The　boat's　churning　wake　looked　oily　and　bitter　cold。
　　Jeers　swelled　as　she　hacked　at　the　rudder　blade；　sending　chips　flying；　trying　to　cut　a　crescent　around　the　embedded　hook。　She　soon　finished　gouging　away　above　the　grapple　and　was　starting　on　the　tougher　part　below；　when　something　smacked　the　back　of　her　left　hand；　sending　waves　of　pain　throbbing　up　her　arm。　She　saw　blood　ooze　around　a　wooden　sliver；　protruding　near　the　wrist。
　　A　slingshot　pellet　lay　buried　halfway　in　the　plank　nearby。
　　Another　glanced　off　the　rudder；　ricocheting　from　the　boat's　stern；　then　skipping　across　the　water。
　　Someone　was　shooting　at　her！
　　Why　you　jeekee；　slucking；　devoluted。。。
　　Sara　found　an　unknown　aptitude　for　cursing；　as　she　went　through　a　wide　vocabulary　of　oaths　from　five　different　languages；　hacking　away　with