grrm.thehedgeknight-第14部分

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　Then　he　saw　the　others：　the　one…eyed　man　with　the　salt…and…pepper　beard；　the　young　knight　in　the　striped　yellow…and…black　surcoat　with　the　beehives；　on　the　shield。　Robyn　Rhysling　and　Humfrey　Beesbury；　he　thought　in　astonishment。　And　Ser　Humfrey　Hardyng　as　well。　Hardyng　was　mounted　on　Aerion's　red　charger；　now　barded　in　his　red…and…white　diamonds。
　He　went　to　them。　〃Sers；　I　am　in　your　debt。〃
　〃The　debt　is　Aerion's；〃　Ser　Humfrey　Hardyng　replied；　〃and　we　mean　to　collect　it。〃
　〃I　had　heard　your　leg　was　broken。〃
　〃You　heard　the　truth〃　Hardyng　said。　〃I　cannot　walk。　But　so　long　as　I　can　sit　a　horse；　I　can　fight。〃
　Raymun　took　Dunk　aside。　〃I　hoped　Hardyng　would　want　another　chance　at　Aerion；　and　he　did。　As　it　happens；　the　other　Humfrey　is　his　brother　by　marriage。　Egg　is　responsible　for　Ser　Robyn；　whom　he　knew　from　other　tourneys。　So　you　are　five。〃
　〃Six；〃　said　Dunk　in　wonder；　pointing。　A　knight　was　entering　the　paddock；　his　squire　leading　his　charger　behind　him。　〃The　Laughing　Storm。〃　A　head　taller　than　Ser　Raymun　and　almost　of　a　height　with　Dunk；　Ser　Lyonel　wore　a　cloth…of…gold　surcoat　bearing　the　crowned　stag　of　House　Baratheon；　and　carried　his　antlered　helm　under　his　arm。　Dunk　reached　for　his　hand。　〃Ser　Lyonel；　I　cannot　thank　you　enough　for　ing；　nor　Ser　Steffon　for　bringing　you。〃
　〃Ser　Steffon？〃　Ser　Lyonel　gave　him　a　puzzled　look。　〃It　was　your　squire　who　came　to　me。　The　boy；　Aegon。　My　own　lad　tried　to　chase　him　off；　but　he　slipped　between　his　legs　and　turned　a　flagon　of　wine　over　my　head。〃　He　laughed。　〃There　has　not　been　a　trial　of　seven　for　more　than　a　hundred　years；　do　you　know　that？　I　was　not　about　to　miss　a　chance　to　fight　the　Kingsguard　knights；　and　tweak　Prince　Maekar's　nose　in　the　bargain。〃
　〃Six；〃　Dunk　said　hopefully　to　Raymun　Fossoway　as　Ser　Lyonel　joined　the　others。　〃Your　cousin　will　bring　the　last；　surely。〃
　A　roar　went　up　from　the　crowd。　At　the　north　end　of　the　meadow；　a　column　of　knights　came　trotting　out　of　the　river　mist。　The　three　Kingsguard　came　first；　like　ghosts　in　their　gleaming　white　enamel　armor；　long　white　cloaks　trailing　behind　them。　Even　their　shields　were　white；　blank　and　clean　as　a　field　of　new…fallen　snow。　Behind　rode　Prince　Maekar　and　his　sons。　Aerion　was　mounted　on　a　dapple　grey；　orange　and　red　flickering　through　the　slashes　in　the　horse's　caparison　at　each　stride。　His　brother's　destrier　was　a　smaller　bay；　armored　in　overlapping　black　and　gold　scales。　A　green　silk　plume　trailed　from　Daeron's　helm。　It　was　their　father　who　made　the　most　fearsome　appearance；　however。　Black　curved　dragon　teeth　ran　across　his　shoulders；　along　the　crest　of　his　helm；　and　down　his　back；　and　the　huge　spiked　mace　strapped　to　his　saddle　was　as　deadly…looking　a　weapon　as　any　Dunk　had　ever　seen。
　〃Six；〃　Raymun　exclaimed　suddenly。　〃They　are　only　six。〃
　It　was　true；　Dunk　saw。　Three　black　knights　and　three　white。　They　are　a　man　short　as　well。　Was　it　possible　that　Aerion　had　not　been　able　to　find　a　seventh　man？　What　would　that　mean？　Would　they　fight　six　against　six　if　neither　found　a　seventh？
　Egg　slipped　up　beside　him　as　he　was　trying　to　puzzle　it　out。　〃Ser；　it's　time　you　donned　your　armor。〃
　〃Thank　you；　squire。　If　you　would　be　so　good？〃　Steely　Pate　lent　the　lad　a　hand。　Hauberk　and　gorget；　greaves　and　gauntlet；　coif　and　codpiece；　they　turned　him　into　steel；　checking　each　buckle　and　each　clasp　thrice。　Ser　Lyonel　sat　sharpening　his　sword　on　a　whetstone　while　the　Humfreys　talked　quietly；　Ser　Robyn　prayed；　and　Raymun　Fossoway　paced　back　and　forth；　wondering　where　his　cousin　had　got　to。
　Dunk　was　fully　armored　by　the　time　Ser　Steffon　finally　appeared。　〃Raymun；〃　he　called；　〃my　mail；　if　you　please。〃　He　had　changed　into　a　padded　doublet　to　wear　beneath　his　steel。
　〃Ser　Steffon；〃　said　Dunk；　〃what　of　your　friends？　We　need　another　knight　to　make　our　seven。〃
　〃You　need　two；　I　fear；〃　Ser　Steffon　said。　Raymun　laced　up　the　back　of　the　hauberk。
　〃M'lord？〃　Dunk　did　not　understand。　〃Two？〃
　Ser　Steffon　picked　up　a　gauntlet　of　fine　lobstered　steel　and　slid　his　left　hand；　into　it；　flexing　his　fingers。　〃I　see　five　here；〃　be　said　while　Raymun　fastened　his　sword　belt。　〃Beesbury；　Rhysling；　Hardyng；　Baratheon；　and　yourself。〃
　〃And　you；〃　said　Dunk。　〃You're　the　sixth。〃
　〃I　am　the　seventh；〃　said　Ser　Steffon；　smiling；　〃but　for　the　other　side。　I　fight　with　Prince　Aerion　and　the　accusers。〃
　Raymun　had　been　about　to　hand　his　cousin　his　helm。　He　stopped　as　if　struck。　〃No。〃
　〃Yes。〃　Ser　Steffon　shrugged。　〃Ser　Duncan　understands；　I　am　sure。　I　have　a　duty　to　my　prince。〃
　〃You　told　him　to　rely　on　you。〃　Raymun　had　gone　pale。
　〃Did　I？〃　He　took　the　helm　from　his　cousin's　hands。　〃No　doubt　I　was　sincere　at　the　time。　Bring　me　my　horse。〃
　〃Get　him　yourself；〃　said；Raymun　angrily。　〃If　you　think　I　wish　any　part　of　this；　you're　as　thick　as　you　are　vile。〃
　〃Vile？〃　Ser　Steffon　tsked。　〃Guard　your　tongue；　Raymun。　We're　both　apples　from　the　same　tree。　And　you　are　my　squire。　Or　have　you　forgotten　your　vows？〃
　〃No。　Have　you　forgotten　yours？　You　swore　to　be　a　knight。〃
　〃I　shall　be　more　than　a　knight　before　this　day　is　done。　Lord　Fossoway。　I　like　the　sound　of　that。〃　Smiling；　he　pulled　on　his　other　gauntlet；　turned　away；　and　crossed　the　paddock　to　his　horse。　Though　the　other　defenders　stared　at　him　with　contemptuous　eyes；　no　one　made　a　move　to　stop　him。
　Dunk　watched　Ser　Steffon　lead　his　destrier　back　across　the　field。　His　hands　coiled　into　fists；　but　his　throat　felt　too　raw　for　speech。　No　word　would　move　the　likes　of　him　anyway。
　〃Knight　me。〃　Raymun　put　a　hand　on　Dunk's　shoulder　and　turned　him。　〃I　will　take　my　cousin's　place。　Ser　Duncan；　knight　me。〃　He　went　to　one　knee。
　Frowning；　Dunk　moved　a　hand　to　the　hilt　of　his　longsword；　then　hesitated。　〃Raymun；　I　。　。　。　I　should　not。〃
　〃You　must。　Without　me；　you　are　only　five。〃
　〃The　lad　has　the　truth　of　it；〃　said　Ser　Lyonel　Baratheon。　〃Do　it；　Ser　Duncan。　Any　knight　can　make　a　knight。〃
　〃Do　you　doubt　my　courage？〃　Raymun　asked。
　〃No；〃　said　Dunk。　〃Not　that；　but　。　。　。〃　Still　he　hesitated。
　A　fanfare　of　trumpets　cut　the　misty　morning　air。　Egg　came　running　up　to　them。　〃Ser；　Lord　Ashford　summons　you。
　The　Laughing　Storm　gave　an　impatient　shake　of　the　head。　〃Go　to　him；　Ser　Duncan。　I'll　give　squire　Raymun　his　knighthood。〃　He　slid　his　sword　out　of　his　sheath　and　shouldered　Dunk　aside。　〃Raymun　of　House　Fossoway；〃　he　began　solemnly；　touching　the　blade　to　the　squire's　right　shoulder；　〃in　the　name　of　the　Warrior　I　charge　you　to　be　brave。〃　The　sword　moved　from　his　right　shoulder　to　his　left。　〃In　the　name　of　the　Father　I　charge　you　to　be　just。〃　Back　to　the　right。　〃In　the　name　of　the　Mother　I　charge　you　to　defend　the　young　and　innocent。〃　The　left。　〃In　the　name　of　the　Maid　I　charge　you　to　protect　all　women。〃
　Dunk　left　them　there；　feeling　as　relieved　as　he　was　guilty。　We　are　still　one　short；　he　thought　as　Egg　held　Thunder　for　him。　Where　will　I　find　another　man？　He　turned　the　horse　and　rode　slowly　toward　the　viewing　stand；　where　Lord　Ashford　stood　waiting。　From　the　north　end　of　the　lists；　Prince　Aerion　advanced　to　meet　him。　〃Ser　Duncan；〃　he　said　cheerfully；　〃it　would　seem　you　have　only　five　champions。〃
　〃Six；〃　said　Dunk。　〃Ser　Lyonel　is　knighting　Raymun　Fossoway。　We　will　fight　you　six　against　seven。〃　Men　had　won　at　far　worse　odds；　he　knew。　But　Lord　Ashford　shook　his　head。　〃That　is　not　permitted；　ser。　If　you　cannot　find　another　knight　to　take　your　side；　you　must　be　declared　guilty　of　the　crimes　of　which　you　stand　accused。〃
　Guilty；　thought　Dunk。　Guilty　of　loosening　a　tooth；　and　for　that　I　must　die。　〃M'lord；　I　beg　a　moment。〃
　〃You　have　it。〃
　Dunk　rode　slowly　along　the　fence。　The　viewing　stand　was　crowded　with　knights。　〃M'lords；〃　he　called　to　them；　〃do　none　of　you　remember　Ser　Arlan　of　Pennytree？　I　was　his　squire。　We　served　many　of　you。　Ate　at　your　tables　and　slept　in　your　halls。〃　He　saw　Manfred　Dondarrion　seated　in　the　highest　tier。　〃Ser　Arlan　took　a　wound　in　your　lord　father's　service。〃　The　knight　said　something　to　the　lady　beside　him；　paying　no　heed。　Dunk　was　forced　to　move　on。　〃Lord　Lannister；　Ser　Arlan　unhorsed　you　once　in　tourney。〃　The　Grey　Lion　examined　his　gloved　hands；　studiedly　refusing　to　raise　his　eyes。　〃He　was　a　good　man；　and　he　taught　me　how　to　be　a　knight。　Not　only　sword　and　lance；　but　honor。　A　knight　defends　the　innocent；　he　said。　That's　all　I　did。　I　need　one　more　knight　to　fight　beside　me。　One；　that's　all。　Lord　Caron？　Lord　Swann？〃　Lord　Swann　laughed　softly　as　Lord　Caron　whispered　in　his　ear。
　Dunk　reined　up　before　Ser　Otho　Bracken；　lowering　his　voice。　〃Ser　Otho；　all　know　you　for　a　great　champion。　Join　us；　I　beg　you。　In　the　names　of　the　old　gods　and　the　new。　My　cause　is　just。〃
　〃That　may　be；〃　said　the　Brute　of　Bracken；　who　had　at　least　the　grace　to　reply；　〃but　it　is　your　cause；　not　mine。　I　know　you　not；　boy。〃
　Heartsick；　Dunk　wheeled　Thunder　and　raced　back　and　forth　before　the　tiers　of　pale　cold　men。　Despair　made　him　shout。　〃ARE　THERE　NO　TRUE　KNIGHTS　AMONG　YOU？〃
　Only　silence　answered。
　Across　the　field；　Prince　Aerion　laughed。　〃The　dragon　is　not　mocked；〃　he　called　out。
　Then　came　a　voice。　〃I　will　take　Ser　Duncan's　side。〃
　A　black　stallion　emerged　from　out　of　the　river　mists；　a　black　knight　on　his　back。　Dunk　saw　the　dragon　shield；　and　the　red　enamel　crest　upon　his　helm　with　its　three　roaring　heads。　The　Young　Prince。　Gods　be　good；　it　is　truly　him？
　Lord　Ashford　made　the　same　mistake。　〃Prince　Valarr？〃
　〃No。〃　The　black　knight　lifted　the　visor　of　his　helm。　〃I　did　not　think　to　enter　the　lists　at　Ashford；　my　lord；　so　I　brought　no　armor。　My　son　was　good　enough　to　lend　me　his。〃　Prince　Baelor　smiled　almost　sadly。
　The　accusers　were　thrown　into　confusion；　Dunk　could　see。　Prince　Maekar　spurred　his　mount　forward。　〃Brother；　have　you　taken　leave　of　your　senses？〃　He　pointed　a　mailed　finger　at　Dunk。　〃This　man　attacked　my　son。〃
　〃This　man　protected　the　weak；　as　every　true　knight　must；〃　replied　Prince　Baelor。　〃Let　the　gods　determine　if　he　was　right　or　wrong。〃　He　gave　a　tug　on　his　reins；　turned　Valarr's　huge　black　destrier；　and　trotted　to　the　south　end　of　the　field。
　Dunk　brought　Thunder　up　beside　him；　and　the　other　defenders　gathered　round　them；　Robyn　Rhysling　and　Ser　Lyonel；　the　Humfreys。　Good　men　all；　but　are　they　good　enough？　〃Where　is　Raymun？〃
　〃Ser　Raymun；　if　you　please。〃　He　can