cacb.thefarkingdoms-第75部分

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crystal　decanters　of　heavy　crystal；　filled　with　a　red　wine　so　heady　its　sweet　odor　filled　the　room。　The　food　was　heaped　upon　great　platters　of　gold。　Forty　men　sat　at　this　table；　and　near　the　entrance　there　were　places　set　for　eighteen　more。
　At　the　head　of　the　table；　in　a　green；　throne…backed　chair；　sat　a　man　with　the　features　of　a　fierce　scavenger　of　the　air。　He　rose　when　he　saw　us；　lifting　his　hands　so　his　flowing　red　robe　winged　out　like　that　great　desert　bird。　It　could　be　no　other　than　the　man　who　had　issued　the　invitation…Lord　Mortacious。　He　spoke　first　to　his　panions　of　the　table。　〃Gentlemen。　We　have　the　honor　to　host　distinguished　guests　this　day。〃　There　were　murmurs　all　around：　dark　or　joyous；　I　could　not　tell。　〃Gentlemen；　may　I　introduce　you　to　Sir　Janos　Greycloak　of　Orissa。〃　Janos　flinched。　I　felt　my　own　features　twitch　in　stung　surprise。　I　covered；　as　did　Janos。　〃I　believe　the　man　beside　him…he　of　the　glorious　red　hair…is　Lord　Antero。　Also　of　Orissa。〃　I　bowed　low；　manner　calm；　mind　swirling　with　fearful　questions：　How　did　he　know　us？　What　was　his　purpose？
　〃We　are　the　ones　to　be　honored；　Lord　Mortacious；〃　Janos　said　I　echoed　his　response。　Behind　me　I　heard　one　of　our　men　cough　nervously　and　Sergeant　Maeen's　harsh　whisper　of　warning。
　Mortacious　adjusted　the　scarf　about　his　neck；　it　was　made　of　costly　black　silk。　He　smiled　a　smile　of　lordly　benevolence；　but　his　eyes　were　so　smoky　and　burning　with　deadliness；　I　knew　him　to　be　a　wizard。
　〃e　sup　with　us；　please；〃　he　said；　indicating　empty　seats　of　honor　on　either　side　of　his　dining　throne。　〃Your　men　will　find　places　set　for　them　as　well　by　the　door。〃　Janos　and　I　walked　forward。　Behind　us；　our　small　party　sat　where　they　had　been　directed。　With　each　step　that　we　took　away　from　our　panions；　I　felt　the　line　of　safety　stretch　thin。　Mortacious　was　most　gracious　as　we　took　our　seats。　He　fussed　with　our　place　settings　and　poured　us　each　a　glass　of　wine。　I　murmured　thanks　and　sipped。　The　wine　was　so　sweet；　I　nearly　gagged；　but　out　of　politeness；　I　forced　myself　to　sip　again。　This　time　it　was　more　tolerable；　powerful　stuff　that　stoked　fires　in　the　belly　and　smoke　in　the　mind。　I　vowed　caution。
　〃Tell　me；　Lord　Mortacious；〃　Janos　said；　〃how　is　it　you　know　of　such　lowly　travelers　as　ourselves？〃
　Mortacious　chuckled；　fingering　the　black　scarf　at　his　neck。　〃Lowly？　I　think　not。　As　for　my　knowledge　of　you；　it　is　no　great　trick　for　a　wizard。　As　ruler　of　this　realm；　which　many　evil　men　envy；　such　knowledge　is　a　necessity。〃
　Janos　suddenly　relaxed；　he　drank　his　wine　and　loudly　smacked　his　lips　in　pleasure。　〃To　be　perfectly　frank；　my　lord；　when　your　men　first　approached　we　feared　our　intentions　had　been　mistook。　For　we　e　to　these　parts　by　accident；　not　design。　Our　purposes　are　entirely　peaceful。〃
　〃So　you　say；〃　Mortacious　murmured。　〃But　there　is　a　bloody　trail　behind　you　that　might　indicate　otherwise。〃
　〃If　they　had　let　us　pass；〃　Janos　said；　〃they　would　have　lived。　The　barbed　remark　hooked　amusement　rather　than　anger。　Mor…tacious　smiled。　〃Exactly；　dear　Greycloak。　Ignorance　can　be　fatal。〃　He　topped　our　glasses。　〃When　I　learned　of　your　approach；　I　was　seized　with　curiosity。　I　had　to　meet　the　men　who　so　ardently　sought　the　Far　Kingdoms。〃
　Except　for　the　conversation　between　Janos　and　Mortacious；　the　room　was　silent。　His　men　made　listless　motions　of　eating　and　drinking；　they　did　not　talk　with　one　another；　or　look　this　way　and　that。　Down　the　long　table　our　own　friends　whispered　amongst　themselves　and　shifted　restlessly。　But　I　saw　they'd　had　the　good　sense　to　help　themselves　to　some　joints　of　meat　and　bread　and　were　devouring　them　as　if　it　were　their　last　meal；　a　thought　not　far　from　my　own　mind　as　I　looked　at　my　still　empty　platter。
　Mortacious　caught　my　look　and　fussed。　〃Forgive　me；　dear　sirs；　for　forgetting　your　needs。　e；　let　me　assist　you　in　finding　a　tasty　morsel　or　two。〃
　He　carved　a　thick　slab　of　steaming　meat　for　me；　another　for　Janos；　and　put　them　on　our　plates　with　much　ceremony。　A　most　delicious　odor　arose　to　greet　my　senses　and　beg　me　to　sup。　I　cut　a　long　slice　and　lifted　it　eagerly　to　my　lips。　I　paused；　confused；　as　I　heard　Mortacious　give　a　malicious　snigger。　Suddenly；　the　tempting　strip　became　a　hissing；　wriggling　viper；　venom　dripped　from　its　fangs；　searing　the　table。
　〃Why；　Amalric　Antero；　you　are　a　greedy　beggar；〃　Janos　said；　voice　light　as　a　young　boy's。　〃You're　always　snatching　up　the　best　cut。　Here…allow　me　at　least　one　bite！〃　He　plucked　the　snake　away　with　a　flourish。　〃A　little　undercooked；　perhaps；〃　he　said。　His　other　hand；　fingers　arched　in　a　spell…making　curve；　brushed　by　the　viper's　jutting　fangs。　The　snake　became　a　strip　of　innocent　meat　again。　He　popped　it　into　his　mouth　and　washed　it　down　with　a　glass　of　wine。　〃Quite　tasty；〃　he　said；　and　cupped　a　hand　in　front　of　his　mouth　to　hide　a　polite　belch。
　Mortacious'　face　turned　grim。　He　plucked　at　the　neck　scarf；　irritated　at　Janos'　skillful　display。　But　my　friend　wasn't　done。　〃Why；　what　manner　of　dish　is　that　before　you；　Lord　Mortacious？〃　he　cried　in　mock　surprise。　He　snapped　his　fingers　at　the　heavy　gold　plate　before　our　host。　Mortacious　reared　back　as　the　plate　became　a　great　golden　scorpion；　its　tail　hard　arched；　sting　glistening　with　venom　as　deadly　as　that　viper's。
　〃e　here；　my　pretty；〃　Janos　cooed；　and　the　scorpion　sped　across　the　table　at　a　frightening　speed　and　ran　up　his　sleeve。　It　whipped　its　sting　in　anger　as　he　gave　it　a　pat；　then　became　a　small；　squeaky　mouse　with　soft　white　fur　and　a　tender　pink　nose。　Janos　set　it　down；　saying；　〃Can't　make　up　its　mind；　poor　thing。〃　Mortacious　hissed　and　pointed　a　long；　bony　finger　at　the　mouse。　It　gave　a　sharp　squeak　and　burst　into　flame；　in　a　moment　the　mouse　had　been　turned　to　golden　ash。　The　wizard　swept　up　the　ash；　then　let　it　sprinkle　back　down　on　the　table。　The　particles　swirled　and　then　formed　back　into　a　plate。　I　saw　that　its　edge；　perfect　before；　was　chipped；　but　Mortacious　was　so　proud　of　this　final　turnabout；　he　didn't　notice。　The　wizard　adjusted　the　scarf　and　displayed　a　wide　grin；　his　teeth　made　twin　groves　of　yellow　gnarled　trees。　He　clearly　believed　he'd　bested　Janos。
　Janos　dipped　his　head；　allowing　the　victory；　but　as　he　made　that　motion　of　humility；　he　slipped　his　hand　into　his　pocket　and　quickly　out　again。　〃I　fear　I　have　no　appropriate　return；〃　he　said　with　a　sheepish　smile。
　Lord　Mortacious　reared　back　and　laughed。　His　breath　washed　over　me；　it　smelled　of　the　foul　smoke　outside。　〃We　have　had　games　enough；　my　friends。　Now　let　us　eat　and　drink　our　fill。　For　this　promises　to　be　a　most　enjoyable　visit。〃　He　clapped　his　hands　together；　in　delight；　I　supposed；　for　the　mood　among　his　men　shifted　abruptly。　They　began　to　move　about；　chatting　with　one　another　in　idle　table　gossip。　I　noticed；　however；　that　when　they　ate　it　was　only　a　nibble；　as　if　they　had　supped　before　our　arrival。　Here　and　there　I　noted　features　and　limbs　marred　by　wounds　such　as　I'd　witnessed　on　the　street。　Mortacious　eyed　me；　lifted　a　hunk　of　bread　from　his　plate；　and　broke　off　a　small　bit。　The　crumbs　tumbled　across　his　robe。　He　dipped　the　bread　into　his　wine　and　slipped　it　into　his　mouth。　I　was　suddenly　ravenous　and　fell　upon　my　food　like　a　direwolf。　But　what　was　appetizing　to　the　eye　was　tasteless　to　the　tongue；　the　meat　was　dry；　and　even　washed　down　with　wine　it　remained　a　hard　lump　in　my　belly。
　Mortacious　gave　me　a　knowing　smile；　as　if　he　held　a　malicious　secret。　〃I　hope　you　did　not　find　my　jest　rude；　Lord　Antero；〃　he　said。　He　waved　at　his　men。　〃They　make　such　dull　pany；　I　could　not　resist　poking　fun　at　an　intelligent　man。　Your　look　of　astonishment　was　a　rare　delight。〃
　〃Then　how　could　I　take　offense？〃　I　replied。　'To　give　innocent　amusement　to　such　a　gracious　host　is　small　repayment　for　your　generosity。〃
　〃You　are　not　disforted　in　the　presence　of　a　wizard？〃　he　asked。　He　plucked　at　the　scarf；　and　I　saw　a　brief　glimpse　of　what　appeared　to　be　an　ugly　wound。
　〃Not　at　all；〃　I　said；　wondering　if　it　was　a　wound；　what　was　its　cause？　〃It　will　make　a　remarkable　tale　someday　when　I　relate　my　adventures　to　my　grandchildren。〃
　Mortacious'　mouth　stretched　into　a　humorless　smile。　〃If　you　live　to　tell　it；〃　he　said。
　〃Oh；　I　fully　expect　to；〃　I　replied。　I　saw　Janos　give　a　slight　nod　at　my　correct　response。　〃The　gods　have　been　with　us　thus　far　in　our　quest。　Although　when　your　men　confronted　us；　I　admit　I　had　some　doubt。〃　I　raised　my　glass　to　him。　〃But　once　again；　instead　of　trial；　the　gods　permitted　me　to　enter　your　august　pany。〃　Mortacious　laughed。　〃Oh；　yes；　yes；　yes；〃　he　hissed　in　supreme　pleasure。　〃The　ways　of　the　gods　are　a　marvel　to　all；　but　a　blessing　to　few。〃　He　returned　my　toast；　and　we　both　drank。　Then　he　leaned　forward；　his　face　assuming　a　look　of　great　interest。　〃But　do　you　not　fear　their　wrath；　traveling　in　the　pany　of　a　man　whom　some　charge　has　gained　his　sorcerous　skills　through　blasphemy？〃
　If　he　meant　to　surprise　me；　he　succeeded；　if　he　meant　to　confound　me；　he　failed。　〃Why　should　it；　my　lord？　Was　not　this　undertaking　blessed　by　the　Evocators　of　Orissa　…　including　that　aged　and　holy　sage；　Gamelan；　himself？〃　Mortacious　grimaced　and　tugged　at　his　scarf；　and　I　could　see　it　was　his　fort　as　well　as　weakness；　betraying　emotion　he　intended　to　keep　hidden。
　He　turned　to　Janos；　who　was　busy　chewing　on　his　own　tasteless　repast。　〃Your　friend　brings　more　than　redheaded　luck　to　your　venture。　He　brings　cool　wisdom　as　well。〃
　〃That　is　what　sealed　our　friendship　long　ago；〃　Janos　said。　〃More　so；　even；　than　his　kindly　nature　and　amiable　manners。〃
　Mortacious　shook　his　head　in　mock　awe。　〃A　most　remarkable　partnership　for　a　most　remarkable　venture。　I　pray　for　your　sake　that　it　keeps。　For　when　such　a　friendship　sours；　it　makes　a　bitter　drink。〃　Janos　made　no　reply；　but　only　smiled　and　sipped　his　wine。　〃I　have　been　wondering；〃　Mortacious　said；　〃why　you　have　yet　to　ask　what　I　know　of　your　goal？　You　seek　the　answer　to　a　mystery；　but　you　make　no　inquiries　of　the　lord　whose　realm　lies　closest　to　the　Far　Kingdoms。〃
　Janos　made　his　most　charming　grin；　it　peeped　like　a　thief　from　the　black　thicket　of　his　beard。　〃I　would　have；　my　Lord　Mortacious　。。。　if　I　thought　you　would　answer。〃
　Mortacious　laughed；　this　time　with　genuine　amusement。　〃You　guessed　correctly；〃　he　replied。　〃Few　questions