Akabar was one of the first to emerge from under the cloth, his red and white silk robes only slightly stained with grass.阿卡巴是最先从篷布底下钻出来的人之一，他那身红白相间的丝袍只沾上了些许草渍。1
He immediately scanned the area for Alias’s figure, but his view of the grounds was blocked by the growing throng of refugees.他立刻四下搜寻阿莉亚丝的身影，可越来越多的逃难者挡住了他望向场地的视线。2
He waited by the edge of the collapsed structure, assisting others to their feet and hoping the swordswoman would appear.他守在坍塌的棚架边，扶其他人站起来，同时盼着那位女剑士现身。3
When Giogi emerged from beneath the tent, he kept crawling until he bumped into the knees of a dowager Wyvernspur.乔吉从帐篷底下钻出来后仍继续往前爬，直到一头撞上飞龙刺家一位老夫人的膝盖。4
“Giogioni, you are a fool,” the lady declared.“乔吉奥尼，你真是个蠢货。”那位夫人断言道。5
“This civil unrest is a direct consequence of your open disrespect for our sovereign.“这场骚乱，正是你公然不敬我们的君主所造成的直接后果。6
I’ve warned you time and again that you were courting disaster.”我一次又一次警告过你，你这是在自寻祸端。”7
“Yes, Aunt Dorath.”“是，多拉丝姨妈。”8
“Get off your knees, you idiot.”“别跪着了，你这个白痴。”9
“Yes, Aunt Dorath.”“是，多拉丝姨妈。”10
The bride and groom and their attendants rolled out from the tent, giggling hysterically.新娘、新郎和他们的随从们从帐篷底下接连滚了出来，一个个歇斯底里地咯咯直笑。11
Lady Leona emerged near Dragonbait, looking less than amused.莉奥娜夫人在龙饵附近钻了出来，看起来一点也不觉得好笑。12
Upon seeing whose scaly hand had helped her rise, the woman jerked her arm back while blasting the Turmishman with a withering glare.一看清扶自己起身的是谁那只覆着鳞片的手，她猛地抽回胳膊，同时向那名图米什人投去一道凌厉得令人发怵的目光。13
She looked about impatiently for Sir Dimswart.她不耐烦地四下寻找迪姆斯沃特爵士。14
When the sage finally appeared, empty mug in hand, Leona drew him aside.那位贤者终于现身时，手里还拿着一只空杯子，莉奥娜把他拉到一旁。15
In quiet but threatening tones she declared, “I will not have Gaylyn’s wedding day ruined.她压低声音，却满含威胁地说道：“我绝不容许盖琳的婚礼被毁掉。16
I am taking our guests into the garden to continue with the celebration.我要带宾客们到花园里继续庆祝。17
You must deal with this … situation.”你必须处理好这个……局面。”18
Spying Olive Ruskettle, who was smoothing out her bulging pockets as best she could, Leona made her way to the bard and escorted her to the garden.莉奥娜瞥见奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔正竭尽所能地抚平她那几个鼓鼓囊囊的口袋，便走到这位吟游诗人身边，领着她去了花园。19
Dimswart turned to Akabar.迪姆斯沃特转向阿卡巴。20
“Your adventuress has caused a great deal of trouble.”“你那位女冒险家惹出了不小的麻烦。”21
His voice was even, but his upraised eyebrows made his point.他的语气平静，但扬起的眉毛已经充分表明了他的意思。22
“If you could have spared fifteen minutes from testing ale this morning,” Akabar said in equally polite tones, “and not kept her waiting, this would not have happened.”“要是你今天早上能从品鉴麦酒中抽出十五分钟，”阿卡巴也用同样客气的语气说道，“没有让她一直等下去，这事就不会发生。”23
“You forget she is my hireling,” Dimswart said.“你忘了，她是我雇的人。”迪姆斯沃特说道。24
“I am not hers.”“我可不是她雇的。”25
“In the south we say the gods bless all duties faithfully performed.“在南方，我们常说，诸神会赐福于一切忠实履行的职责。26
Alias has accomplished her task, while you have yet to complete your end of the bargain.”阿莉亚丝已经完成了她的任务，而你还没有履行完你在交易中应尽的义务。”27
Dimswart grimaced but accepted the chastisement with good grace.迪姆斯沃特皱了皱脸，却还是大度地接受了这番责备。28
Like many sages, he liked to consider himself a man of the people.和许多贤者一样，他喜欢把自己视为平民百姓中的一员。29
It wasn’t in him to behave haughtily.他生性就摆不出高高在上的架子。30
“That’s still no reason to start a brawl at my daughter’s wedding,” he replied with a sniff.“可那也不是在我女儿的婚礼上大打出手的理由。”他哼了一声，答道。31
“It was not her, I believe, but the sigils.”“我认为不是她，而是那些符印。”32
“Really?”“当真？”33
Dimswart’s scholarly curiosity was peaked.迪姆斯沃特身为学者的好奇心被勾了起来。34
Akabar described how Alias’s glove had burned just prior to the attack.阿卡巴讲述了阿莉亚丝的手套如何在袭击发生前一刻燃烧起来。35
“Fascinating,” the sage muttered.“有意思。”贤者喃喃道。36
“Where did she go?”“她去哪儿了？”37
A handful of servants rolled back the tent, revealing a few more guests, but no Alias.几个仆人把帐篷卷了起来，露出另外几位宾客，却不见阿莉亚丝的踪影。38
The refreshment tables stood on the bare lawn like the skeletal remains of some huge beast.摆放茶点的桌子矗立在光秃秃的草坪上，宛如某头巨兽的森森遗骸。39
The ale keg was immediately carried off to the garden, followed by the punch bowl and tables to hold them.麦酒桶立刻被搬到花园里，随后潘趣酒碗和用来摆放它们的桌子也被搬了过去。40
The food was a little crushed, but already reserves were being carried from the kitchen.食物虽然有些被压坏了，但厨房已经开始送来备用的食物。41
Akabar spotted Dragonbait circling the beaten grass where the tent had stood, emitting interrogative whines.阿卡巴看见龙饵正绕着帐篷原先所在的那片踩平的草地打转，发出带着疑问的呜咽声。42
“He sounds confused,” Dimswart commented.“他听起来很困惑。”迪姆斯沃特评论道。43
Akabar went to the lizard.阿卡巴走到那只蜥蜴身边。44
“We’ll find her, don’t worry.”“我们会找到她的，别担心。”45
Dragonbait gave him a distressed look and issued a sort of chirp.龙饵不安地看了他一眼，发出一声近似啾鸣的叫声。46
“You look in her room,” he ordered the lizard.“你去她的房间找找。”他命令那只蜥蜴。47
“I’ll search the stable.”“我去搜马厩。”48
Their search of the house and grounds came up empty.他们搜遍了宅邸和庭院，却一无所获。49
Akabar found Dragonbait on the lawn, staring off at the horizon.阿卡巴在草坪上找到了龙饵，只见他正凝望着远方的地平线。50
“We’ll have to try the roads,” the mage said.“我们只好沿路去找了，”法师说道。51
“I need to study my spells.“我得研习法术。52
You pack and ready the horses.”你收拾行装，把马匹准备好。”53
An hour later, Akabar, dressed for traveling, cornered Dimswart, demanding Alias’s information.一小时后，换好旅行装束的阿卡巴堵住迪姆斯沃特，非要他交出有关阿莉亚丝的资料。54
With a shrug the sage ushered him into his study and reviewed what he had discovered about the sigils on the swordswoman’s arm.贤者耸了耸肩，把他领进书房，将自己对女剑士手臂上的符印所查到的情况向他讲了一遍。55
“Where will you search?”“你打算去哪里找？”56
Dimswart asked Akabar when they’d finished.谈完之后，迪姆斯沃特问阿卡巴。57
“I’m not certain,” the mage answered.“我还不确定，”法师答道。58
“There’s a good chance she’s gone back to Suzail, since that’s where we first met.“她很可能回苏萨尔去了，因为我们就是在那里初次相遇的。59
But if she’s gone in another direction …”但如果她往别的方向去了……”60
His voice trailed off, and he shrugged his shoulders.他的声音渐渐低了下去，又耸了耸肩。61
“Why are you bothering, Akash?“你何必多管这闲事，阿卡什？62
She’s nothing to do with you.她和你毫无关系。63
You just met the woman.”你才刚认识这个女人。”64
“She needs help.“她需要帮助。65
Isn’t that reason enough?”这个理由还不够吗？”66
“A lot of people in the Realms need help.“诸界里需要帮助的人多得很。67
That doesn’t usually get them the attention of wealthy Turmish merchants.可他们通常不会因此得到富有的图米什商人的关心。68
House Akash probably wouldn’t think too highly of you galloping off after some northern warrioress.”阿卡什商号恐怕也不会赞同你骑马飞奔而去，追着某个北方女战士。”69
That was true enough, Akabar knew.阿卡巴知道，这话确实没错。70
House Akash, his first wife’s firm and its partner, Kasim, his second wife’s business, would probably never understand.阿卡什商号——他第一任妻子的商行——以及它的合作伙伴卡西姆——他第二任妻子的生意——大概永远都不会理解。71
He shrugged again.他又耸了耸肩。72
“The dragon destroyed my inventory.“那条龙毁了我的全部存货。73
I have no other duties in this region.”我在这一带已经没有别的事务了。”74
“Any other merchant would cut his losses and head home while he still could,” Dimswart pointed out.“换作别的商人，都会及时止损，趁还能走的时候赶回家去，”迪姆斯沃特指出。75
“But not you.“可你不会。76
You’ve got it bad, haven’t you, my friend?”你已经深陷其中了，对不对，我的朋友？”77
Akabar stiffened angrily.阿卡巴愤怒地绷紧了身子。78
“Adventure-lust,” Dimswart sighed.“是冒险欲啊，”迪姆斯沃特叹道。79
“Not content to remain a greengrocer, are you?”“你不甘心一辈子只做个蔬果商，对吧？”80
No, I’m not, Akabar realized.没错，我不甘心，阿卡巴意识到。81
How is it this northerner understands me better than I understood myself?这个北方人怎么会比我自己更了解我？82
“You could have picked an easier quest to begin with,” Dimswart continued.“你的第一次冒险，本可以挑个容易些的任务，”迪姆斯沃特继续说道。83
“This woman, these sigils, are very dangerous.“这个女人，还有这些符印，都非常危险。84
They represent very evil powers.”它们代表着极其邪恶的力量。”85
“You have a saying up north, do you not, concerning the number of times opportunity knocks.“你们北方不是有句谚语，说机会只会敲一次门吗？86
Besides, I like her.”再说，我喜欢她。”87
“No reason why you shouldn’t. She’s talented, headstrong, arrogant.“你当然没有理由不喜欢她。她才华出众、刚愎自用，又傲慢自大。88
The two of you have so much in common.”你们俩有这么多共同之处。”89
Akabar grinned.阿卡巴咧嘴一笑。90
“All the things upon which my friendship with you is based.“这些也正是我与你结交的基础。91
Amarast, Master Dimswart.”阿玛拉斯特，迪姆斯沃特大师。”92
“Amarast, Akash.”“阿玛拉斯特，阿卡什。”93
Dragonbait was waiting in the stables with the three horses they had bought after freeing Olive Ruskettle.龙饵正在马厩里等候，身边是他们救出奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔后买下的三匹马。94
He left Olive’s mount, a pony she had named High Roll, behind for the halfling.他把奥利芙的坐骑留给了那个半身人，那是一匹被她取名为“豪赌”的小马。95
Akabar had named the first horse, a white stallion, Windove, in honor of its speed.第一匹马是一匹白色种马，阿卡巴为了赞颂它的速度，给它取名为“风鸽”。96
The pack horse, a black gelding, they jokingly called Lightning because it was the only mount docile enough to allow Dragonbait’s touch.那匹黑色阉马是用来驮行李的；他们开玩笑地称它为闪电，因为它是唯一温顺到肯让龙饵触碰的坐骑。97
Alias had chosen a purebred chestnut for herself.阿莉亚丝给自己挑了一匹纯种栗色马。98
“That one’s a real lady killer,” she had said when they bought it.“这匹可是真正的少女杀手，”买下它时，她曾这样说道。99
“Lady Killer,” Akabar whispered as he patted Alias’s horse before mounting Windove.“淑女杀手。”阿卡巴一边轻拍阿莉亚丝的马，一边低声说道，随后跨上了温多夫。100
He shuddered, wondering if the chestnut’s name hadn’t been a bad omen.他打了个寒战，心想这匹栗色马的名字会不会是个不祥之兆。101
He and Dragonbait walked the horses out of the stable and away from Dimswart Manor.他和龙饵牵着马走出马厩，离开了迪姆斯沃特庄园。102
The mage led them toward the main road to Suzail.法师领着他们朝通往苏萨尔的大路走去。103
Dragonbait, still dressed in motley, snuffled and snorted in the road’s dust.龙饵仍穿着那身花花绿绿的衣裳，在路上的尘土中呼哧喷着鼻息。104
Akabar had just mounted when he caught the sound of short legs trotting toward them.阿卡巴刚刚上马，就听见一双短腿正小跑着朝他们赶来。105
A shrill voice blew over the hill.一个尖细的声音从山丘那边飘了过来。106
“Akabar, you charlatan, wait up!“阿卡巴，你这个江湖骗子，等等我！107
You’re likely to get hurt traveling out here alone!”你一个人在外头赶路，很可能会受伤的！”108
“If we double time it,” the mage said to Dragonbait without looking back, “we can probably lose her in the dust.”“要是加快速度，”法师头也不回地对龙饵说，“我们大概能把她甩在尘土里。”109
Upon hearing the halfling’s voice, however, Dragonbait’s face broke out in a grin and he halted, keeping a firm grip on Lightning’s reins.然而，一听见半身人的声音，龙饵便咧嘴笑了起来，停在原地，牢牢攥住闪电的缰绳。110
Since the pack horse held most of Akabar’s belongings, the merchant-mage had no choice but to wait, too, as Olive Ruskettle came charging over the hill, bouncing up and down on her pony.驮马载着阿卡巴的大部分行李，因此商人法师也只好等着；奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔骑着她的小马冲过山丘，身子在马背上颠上颠下。111
“You can’t leave yet,” Akabar said.“你还不能走。”阿卡巴说。112
“The celebration is supposed to last until midnight.”“庆典不是应该一直持续到午夜吗？”113
“Look,” Olive said, “I’ve done my three sets.“听着，”奥利芙说，“我的三场表演都已经完成了。114
If I don’t put my foot down, that Leona woman will have me singing till I lose my voice.我要是再不坚持一下，那个叫莉奥娜的女人非得让我一直唱到失声不可。115
They don’t pay me enough to lose my voice.”他们给的报酬可不够赔我的嗓子。”116
“They won’t pay you at all if you don’t give them satisfaction.”“你要是不让他们满意，他们一分钱也不会付你。”117
“Show’s what you know, clod.“这就显出你有多无知了，笨蛋。118
I’m an artiste.我是艺术家。119
I get paid in advance.我的报酬都是预付的。120
Now, which way do you think our lady’s heading?”现在，你觉得咱们那位小姐会往哪个方向走？”121
Akabar scowled.阿卡巴皱起了眉头。122
He wondered if it were really true that someone as supposedly wise as Dimswart had paid Ruskettle in advance, yet it seemed impossible that the woman would leave without what was owed her—and not just to help Alias.他心想，像迪姆斯沃特这样据说颇有智慧的人，真会预先付钱给拉斯凯特尔吗？可那女人似乎绝不可能没拿到应得的报酬就离开——而且，她留下也不只是为了帮助阿莉亚丝。123
Akabar remembered the way she’d smoothed her pockets after crawling from under the tent.阿卡巴想起她从帐篷底下爬出来后抚平衣兜的样子。124
Even if she hasn’t been paid, he realized, she’s already picked up her share of the wedding loot.就算她还没拿到报酬，他恍然想到，她也已经顺走了自己那份婚礼赃物。125
Akabar’s fists clenched in frustration, but there was nothing he could do.阿卡巴沮丧地攥紧双拳，却无计可施。126
“We are going to look for her in Suzail.“我们去苏萨尔找她。127
It’s only a half day from here, and she knows the city.”从这里过去只要半天，而且她熟悉那座城。”128
“Ah, Suzail, gem of Cormyr, home of his most serene and wise marshmallowness, Azoun IV.“啊，苏萨尔，科米尔的明珠，至为安详睿智的棉花糖陛下阿祖恩四世的居城。129
Think she’s going after the king after practicing on that Wyvernspur buffoon?”你觉得她拿那个飞龙刺家的蠢货练过手之后，打算去对国王下手？”130
Akabar scowled.阿卡巴皱起了眉头。131
“Your disrespect for your own lawful king is appalling.”“你竟对自己的合法国王如此不敬，实在令人震惊。”132
Olive laughed.奥利芙笑了。133
“Down south your leaders behead people for that sort of talk, don’t they?“在南方，你们的领袖会因为这种话砍人的脑袋，对吧？134
We halflings have a saying: If you take your leaders too seriously, they’re going to start taking themselves too seriously.我们半身人有句老话：你要是把领袖太当回事，他们就会开始太把自己当回事。135
Azoun’s all right, for a human.阿祖恩还算不错——以人类而言。136
But he is a marshmallow.可他就是个软绵绵的棉花糖。137
He let his pet wizard keep him at court today, didn’t he?”今天他不就任由自己养的巫师把他留在宫廷里了吗？”138
“Perhaps the mage Vangerdahast had some idea of the danger there,” Akabar said.“也许法师范格达海斯特察觉到了那里的某种危险。”阿卡巴说。139
“Which leaves my original question.“那就又回到我最初的问题了。140
Do you think our madwoman’s going to try something foolish in Suzail?”你觉得咱们那位疯女人会去苏萨尔干什么蠢事吗？”141
“I fail to see what interest you have in the matter.”“我不明白此事与你有何关系。”142
“I already told you, I owe her.“我已经告诉过你了，我欠她的。143
I pay my debts.”我欠的债一定会还。”144
“With whose money, I wonder?”“拿谁的钱还呢，我倒很想知道？”145
The halfling gave the mage a sly smile, unruffled by his distrust.半身人冲法师狡黠一笑，对他的不信任毫不在意。146
From what Olive had seen, Alias did not rely on him for advice, and it was Alias who interested her.据奥利芙所见，阿莉亚丝并不倚重他的建议，而她感兴趣的正是阿莉亚丝。147
The halfling had no doubt the attractive warrior and her magical arm would lead to a fortune.半身人深信，那个迷人的女战士和她那条魔法手臂会带来一大笔财富。148
And even if the swordswoman didn’t, she would make a good subject for a song.就算这个女剑士发不了财，也会是个很好的歌谣题材。149
As they traveled south, Akabar remained buried deep in his own thoughts, trying to make up contingency plans should they discover Alias was not in Suzail, or worse, that she was, as Olive had suggested, attempting to assassinate King Azoun.一路南行时，阿卡巴始终沉浸在自己的思绪中，竭力拟定应变计划，以防他们发现阿莉亚丝并不在苏萨尔；或者更糟的是，她真如奥利芙所说，正企图刺杀阿祖恩国王。150
Dragonbait loped along beside the pony High Roll, with the bells from his jester’s costume jangling.龙饵迈着大步，走在小马“豪赌”旁边，身上那套弄臣服饰的铃铛叮当作响。151
Olive chattered away to the lizard about all the celebrations she’d played at.奥利芙对着蜥蜴喋喋不休，讲起自己曾在哪些庆典上演奏过。152
Akabar wished she had lost her voice singing.阿卡巴真希望她早就唱哑了嗓子。153
At dusk, three hours later, Dragonbait suddenly stopped moving.三个小时后的黄昏时分，龙饵突然停下了脚步。154
He tilted his head and placed his hand over his chest.他侧起脑袋，把一只手按在胸口。155
Then, he moved on down the road with more energy.随后，他精神大振，沿路继续前行。156
“Think he’s picked up her scent?” the bard asked.“你觉得他嗅到她的气味了？”吟游诗人问道。157
Akabar studied Dragonbait.阿卡巴端详着龙饵。158
“He senses something.”“他感觉到了什么。”159
They arrived in Suzail shortly after dark.天黑后不久，他们抵达了苏萨尔。160
Without hesitation Dragonbait led them right to The Hidden Lady and into the tavern room.龙饵毫不迟疑地领着他们径直来到“隐秘女士”，走进了酒馆大厅。161
Akabar wondered if the lizard could sense Alias’s presence, or if, like a dog, he simply expected her to be there.阿卡巴不知道这蜥蜴究竟是能感应到阿莉亚丝的存在，还是像狗一样，只是料定她会在那里。162
Whatever the case, there she was.不管怎样，她确实在那里。163
She sat in a booth at the back.她坐在后面的一处雅座里。164
The hem of her blue gown was dirty and tattered.她那件蓝色长袍的下摆又脏又破。165
Her legs were drawn up to her chest in a tight ball, and her head lay on her knees.她把双腿紧紧蜷到胸前，脑袋伏在膝盖上。166
She was crooning a love song, explaining the tears of Selune—the mysterious glittering shards that followed the moon’s path.她正低声哼唱着一首情歌，歌中讲述塞露恩之泪——那些沿着月亮轨迹飘行的神秘闪亮碎片。167
In all her travels, the bard had heard neither the haunting lyrics nor the lovely melody, marred somewhat by the swordswoman’s sniffling and drunken timing.吟游诗人游历各地，却从未听过那萦绕心头的歌词和美妙的旋律，只可惜女剑士的抽泣和醉醺醺的节拍多少坏了这首歌的韵味。168
A toppled mug oozed thick mead over the oak table in front of Alias.阿莉亚丝面前的橡木桌上，一只翻倒的酒杯正缓缓淌出浓稠的蜂蜜酒。169
She took no notice of the group as they approached—until Akabar’s height blocked out the light from the hanging lamp that illuminated her table.一行人走近时，她毫无察觉——直到高大的阿卡巴挡住了悬灯照在她桌上的光。170
She stirred herself and, with some effort, raised her head to look up at the trio.她动了动，费了好大劲才抬起头，仰望着三人。171
Her eyes were rimmed with red.她的眼眶一片通红。172
“Go way,” she croaked.“走开。”她声音嘶哑地说道。173
“Are you all right?”“你没事吧？”174
Akabar asked.阿卡巴问道。175
“It’s a shame you had to leave,” Ruskettle chirped up.“你不得不离开，真是太可惜了，”拉斯凯特尔快活地插嘴道。176
“I thought I might not survive the crush of people when the tent fell, but it was all for the best.“帐篷塌下来时，我还以为自己会被人群挤死呢，不过结果倒是因祸得福。177
Imagine trying to sing to three hundred people in there.想想看，要在那里面唱给三百个人听。178
The party got much better after we moved.我们换了地方以后，宴会可热闹多了。179
Everyone said so.”人人都这么说。”180
Dragonbait looked at Alias with his head cocked, making a soft mewling noise.龙饵歪着头望向阿莉亚丝，发出轻柔的咪呜声。181
The bells on his jester’s hat jingled when he moved his head.他一动脑袋，小丑帽上的铃铛便叮当作响。182
Again Alias told them, “Go away,” but her voice was much softer.阿莉亚丝又对他们说了一遍：“走开。”但这回她的声音轻柔了许多。183
The barkeep came to the booth.酒馆老板来到雅座旁。184
“Did you want company, lady?” he asked protectively.“小姐，你想让人陪陪吗？”他护着她似的问道。185
When Alias did not reply, the barkeep asked the others what they were having.阿莉亚丝没有回答，酒馆老板便问其他人想喝点什么。186
Dragonbait pointed to the overturned mug of mead.龙饵指了指那只打翻的蜂蜜酒杯。187
Akabar ordered white wine.阿卡巴点了白葡萄酒。188
“I’ll have a Red Rum Swirl,” Ruskettle said.“我要一杯红朗姆旋涡，”拉斯凯特尔说。189
“Never met one,” the barkeep answered.“没见过这号东西，”酒馆老板答道。190
“How ’bout a Dragon’s Bite?” the bard asked.“那来杯龙噬怎么样？”吟游诗人问道。191
“What’s that when it’s at home?” the barkeep asked.“那又是什么玩意儿？”酒馆老板问。192
“All right.“好吧。193
A Yeti’s Breath.来一杯‘雪人之息’。194
You must know that one.”这个你总该知道吧。”195
The barkeep shook his head.酒馆老板摇了摇头。196
The halfling sighed.半身人叹了口气。197
“Rivengut then.”“那就来裂肠酒吧。”198
“Sorry, all out.“抱歉，卖光了。199
Don’t get much call for it so’s I don’t order much of it.”点这个的人不多，所以我也没进多少。”200
“I’ll have a Black Boar then.”“那我要一杯‘黑野猪’。”201
“I’ll see what I can do.”“我看看能不能弄到。”202
Before the man could walk away, the southern mage took his arm gently and whispered, “How many has she had?”那人还没来得及走开，南方来的法师便轻轻拉住他的胳膊，低声问道：“她喝了几杯？”203
The barkeep held up two fingers.酒馆老板竖起两根手指。204
“Two?“两杯？205
Just two?”就两杯？”206
Akabar mouthed.阿卡巴无声地做着口型。207
The bartender shrugged his shoulders, unable to explain Alias’s intoxication.酒保耸了耸肩，无法解释阿莉亚丝为何会醉成这样。208
Akabar slid into the booth next to Olive.阿卡巴挤进卡座，在奥利芙身旁坐下。209
Dragonbait perched on the stool at the end of the table.龙饵在桌子一端的凳子上坐定。210
“Would you like another drink?” the mage asked Alias.“还想再喝一杯吗？”法师问阿莉亚丝。211
“They can’t make good liquor in this god-forsaken hellhole,” said the woman warrior, not raising her head.“这鬼神不管的破地方根本酿不出好酒。”女战士头也不抬地说道。212
“I’ll say,” agreed the halfling, “Imagine not knowing how to make a Yeti’s Breath.“可不是嘛，”半身人附和道，“居然连‘雪人之息’都不会调。213
Now there’s a drink with … um.”那酒可有……呃。”214
Olive grew silent under Akabar’s glare.在阿卡巴的怒视下，奥利芙不吭声了。215
Dragonbait reached over and placed his hand on Alias’s shoulder.龙饵伸过手，把手搭在阿莉亚丝的肩上。216
She tried to shrug it off at first, but when the lizard gave a little worried chirp she let the hand remain.起初她想耸肩甩开他的手，但蜥蜴担忧地轻轻唧了一声，她便任由那只手继续搭在那里。217
The barkeep brought their drinks and another mead for Alias.酒馆老板端来了他们点的饮料，又给阿莉亚丝送来一杯蜂蜜酒。218
“Perhaps a tray of food would be in order,” Akabar suggested.“或许该叫一盘吃的来，”阿卡巴提议道。219
“Great idea,” Olive agreed.“好主意，”奥利芙赞同道。220
“I’m starving.“我都快饿死了。221
Would you like to hear the ode to the couple?” she asked Alias.你想听那首歌颂那对情侣的颂歌吗？”她问阿莉亚丝。222
“Since you didn’t get to hear all of it before.“你之前没能把它听完。223
They made me repeat it three times afterward.后来他们让我又唱了三遍。224
Everyone was so impressed by it.”大家听了都赞叹不已。”225
“Not now,” Akabar answered quietly, elbowing the bard.“现在别唱，”阿卡巴低声答道，同时用胳膊肘碰了碰吟游诗人。226
Ruskettle frowned and guzzled her drink.拉斯凯特尔皱起眉头，把杯里的酒一饮而尽。227
She set her glass back down on the table and took a deep breath.她把杯子放回桌上，深吸了一口气。228
“Hey!“喂！229
That wasn’t a Black Boar.这不是‘黑野猪’。230
Barkeep!”老板！”231
“It happened again, just like the last time,” Alias said softly, her voice cracking on the final word.“又发生了，跟上次一模一样，”阿莉亚丝轻声说道，说到最后一个字时，声音哽咽了。232
“I should have known it was coming.“我早该知道这事会发生。233
I remember my arm hurt.我记得当时手臂很疼。234
I didn’t want to lunge at that poor fool or grab that knife, but I wasn’t in control.我不想扑向那个可怜的傻瓜，也不想去抓那把刀，可我控制不了自己。235
It was like a nightmare.就像一场噩梦。236
Then the tent fell.然后帐篷塌了。237
I ducked out before anyone else and took off.我抢在其他人之前钻了出去，拔腿就跑。”238
“I couldn’t stop myself from running.“我控制不住自己，只能不停地跑。239
Whatever was controlling me would have made me run until I dropped, but I caught a ride into Suzail on a farmer’s wagon.不管是什么东西控制着我，它都会逼我一直跑到倒下为止，不过我搭上了一个农夫的马车，来到了苏萨尔。240
When I remembered the information Dimswart had for me, I tried to jump off and go back, but I couldn’t move.等我想起迪姆斯沃特有消息要告诉我时，我试着跳下车赶回去，可身体根本动不了。241
It wasn’t until twilight that I was free to do as I choose.直到黄昏，我才恢复自由，能够按自己的意愿行事。242
I came here.于是我来了这里。243
I didn’t know where else to go.”我不知道还能去哪里。”244
She put her head down again on her knees, and her lean form shook with sobbing.她再次把头埋到膝间，瘦削的身躯因抽泣而颤抖。245
Dragonbait pulled the hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear.龙饵把她脸上的头发拨开，掖到她耳后。246
He stroked her head gently.他轻柔地抚摸着她的头。247
Ruskettle waved her empty glass, trying to attract the barkeep’s attention, but finally settled for stealing Alias’s untouched mug of mead.拉斯凯特尔挥了挥空酒杯，想引起酒馆老板的注意，最后却干脆偷拿了阿莉亚丝那杯一口未动的蜂蜜酒。248
Akabar stared at the table until the warrior had calmed down.阿卡巴一直盯着桌面，直到女战士平静下来。249
Then he asked, “So, was it the sigils that made you drink yourself into a stupor?”随后他问道：“这么说，是那些符印害得你把自己灌得烂醉如泥？”250
Alias’s head snapped up, and she glared at the mage.阿莉亚丝猛地抬起头，怒视着法师。251
“Listen, Turmite, you don’t know what it’s like to not remember anything.“听着，图尔米佬，你根本不知道什么都记不起来是什么滋味。252
To not know if you’re going to forget even more things.不知道自己会不会忘掉更多事情。253
To not know who you’re going to attack next.不知道下一个会袭击谁。254
First a priest, then a Corrnyrian noble—”先是一个祭司，然后又是一个科米尔贵族——”255
Olive, whose mind had been occupied with memorizing snatches of the song Alias had been singing when they arrived, looked up suddenly, asking, “Did you say a priest?”奥利芙原本正专心记忆她们到来时阿莉亚丝所唱的零星几段歌，此刻突然抬起头问道：“你刚才说祭司？”256
“Didn’t Akabar tell you?”“阿卡巴没告诉你吗？”257
Alias retorted icily.阿莉亚丝冷冷地反问。258
“I tried to kill the priest who attempted to remove this curse.“我试图杀死那个想替我解除诅咒的祭司。259
But it wasn’t a curse, it’s a thing alive in me.”可这并不是什么诅咒，而是一个活在我体内的东西。”260
“The thing, not you, tried to kill the priest,” Akabar corrected.“是那个东西想杀死祭司，不是你。”阿卡巴纠正道。261
“What difference does it make?“这有什么区别？262
I can’t get rid of it.我摆脱不了它。263
It’s not going to let me go back to Dimswart to get the information he found for me.它不会让我回迪姆斯沃特那里，去拿他替我查到的情报。264
Gods!天哪！265
I’m lucky it didn’t make me kill Dimswart.”幸好它没逼我杀了迪姆斯沃特。”266
“Maybe this thing was keeping you from the scene of the crime, so to speak,” Akabar suggested.“也许可以说，这东西只是不想让你出现在案发现场。”阿卡巴推测道。267
“Unless it can make you deaf, I hardly see how it can prevent you from learning Dimswart’s information.”“除非它能让你变聋，否则我实在不明白，它怎么能阻止你得知迪姆斯沃特的情报。”268
“What?”“什么？”269
“I brought Dimswart’s information.”“我把迪姆斯沃特的情报带来了。”270
Ruskettle’s ears perked up, and the bells on Dragonbait’s cap jingled again as he tilted his head with interest.拉斯凯特尔顿时竖起了耳朵，龙饵也饶有兴趣地歪过头，帽子上的铃铛再次叮当作响。271
“Well?”“然后呢？”272
Alias prompted.阿莉亚丝催促道。273
“First, I want you to promise me something.”“首先，我要你答应我一件事。”274
“I don’t have to promise you anything.“我什么都不必答应你。275
This is my information.这是我的情报。276
I earned it.”是我应得的。”277
“True.“没错。278
But who knows what might happen if you try to return to the sage’s manor to ask for it.”但要是你想回那位智者的宅邸去讨要情报，谁知道会发生什么事呢。”279
Alias snarled at the mage.阿莉亚丝冲法师怒吼。280
“You desert snake—”“你这条沙漠毒蛇——”281
“All I want,” Akabar interjected, “is for you to let me accompany you on your quest to remove this thing.”“我只希望，”阿卡巴打断她，“你去寻找除掉这东西的办法时，让我和你同行。”282
“Are you crazy?”“你疯了吗？”283
Alias hissed.阿莉亚丝咬牙说道。284
“Don’t I have enough trouble without dragging my frien—complete strangers in on it.”“难道我的麻烦还不够多，非得把我的朋——几个素不相识的人也拖下水吗？”285
“Who better to drag in it than frien—complete strangers?”“不拉朋——完全陌生的人下水，还能拉谁？”286
Akabar smiled, then he lifted his head proudly.阿卡巴笑了笑，随即骄傲地昂起头。287
“Besides, I still owe you a debt of honor for helping me to recover my spell book.”“再说了，你帮我找回了法术书，我还欠你一份荣誉之债。”288
Yes, Alias realized, even if he wasn’t so anxious to prove he isn’t a greengrocer, he’d help me because he’s the type who takes debts of honor seriously.是啊，阿莉亚丝心想，就算他没有那么急于证明自己不是个菜贩子，他也会帮我，因为他是那种把荣誉之债看得很重的人。289
“I’m not exactly socially acceptable these days,” Alias pointed out weakly.“我最近可不太受社交界欢迎。”阿莉亚丝底气不足地指出。290
“As a rule, men of my nationality are not invited to many parties in the north,” Akabar replied with a shrug.“通常来说，我国的男人在北方很少会受邀参加宴会。”阿卡巴耸耸肩回答。291
While Akabar was insinuating himself into Alias’s quest, Olive was frantically trying to make up her mind.阿卡巴正设法挤进阿莉亚丝的征途时，奥利芙却在心急如焚地拿不定主意。292
People who tried to kill priests weren’t, as a rule, to be trusted, she argued with herself.一般来说，企图杀死祭司的人不值得信任，她暗自思量。293
But it would make such a fascinating addition to the song.可这件事要是加进歌里，一定精彩极了。294
Better make it a lay.最好把它写成一首长篇叙事歌谣。295
Or maybe even a book.说不定甚至可以写成一本书。296
The Magic Arm Chronicles, as told by Olive Ruskettle.《魔法手臂编年史》，奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔讲述。297
All thoughts of danger faded before the imaginary promise of gold and fame.在想象中黄金与名声的诱惑面前，一切关于危险的念头都烟消云散了。298
Besides, Olive told herself, I have to find out the rest of that song about the tears of Selune.再说了，奥利芙对自己说，我还得弄清楚那首关于塞露恩之泪的歌后面唱了些什么。299
“Hang on,” the halfling interrupted.“等一下。”半身人插嘴道。300
“If anyone owes this swordswoman a debt of gratitude, it’s me.“要说有谁欠这位女剑士一份恩情，那也该是我。301
She saved my life.她救了我的命。302
If you take this one along,” Olive said to Alias, jerking her head toward Akabar, “you’re going to need someone to keep him out of trouble.你要是带上这家伙，”奥利芙朝阿卡巴偏了偏头，对阿莉亚丝说，“就得有个人看着他，免得他惹麻烦。303
A fast thinker.”一个脑子转得快的人。”304
The corner of Alias’s mouth twitched in amusement.阿莉亚丝忍俊不禁，嘴角抽动了一下。305
She had no illusions about Olive.她对奥利芙可不抱任何幻想。306
Pure greed motivated her.驱使她的纯粹是贪欲。307
Still, the halfling’s debt was even greater than Akabar’s. It was likely she’d prove more hindrance than help, but at least she was an experienced traveler.不过，半身人欠下的人情甚至比阿卡巴更重。她很可能帮不上忙，反倒碍事，但至少她是个经验丰富的旅行者。308
“My journey may prove perilous,” Alias warned, hoping to discourage the small woman.“我的旅途也许会十分凶险。”阿莉亚丝警告道，希望能让这个小个子女人打消念头。309
Olive shrugged.奥利芙耸了耸肩。310
“As the halflings in Luiren say, From perils come pearls and power.’“正如路依伦的半身人所说：‘险境孕育珍珠与力量。’311
I’ve seen my share of danger.”我经历过的危险也不少。”312
“And more than your share of pearls, I’ll warrant,” Akabar muttered under his breath.“我敢说，你拥有的珍珠可远不止你应得的那份。”阿卡巴低声嘟囔道。313
Alias looked at Dragonbait.阿莉亚丝看向龙饵。314
“I don’t suppose you’ll be leaving my side either.”“想必你也不会离开我身边吧。”315
The lizard tilted his head with a jingle.蜥蜴人歪了歪脑袋，身上发出一阵叮当声。316
Something inside Alias’s chest grabbed her heart.阿莉亚丝胸中仿佛有什么东西猛地揪住了她的心。317
She had an uncomfortable suspicion the lizard wouldn’t know what to do if he wasn’t serving her.她隐隐有种不安的猜想：要是不再侍奉她，这个蜥蜴人恐怕根本不知道自己该做什么。318
Alias sighed.阿莉亚丝叹了口气。319
“All right.“好吧。320
You can help, but remember—I tried to talk you out of it.”你们可以帮忙，但记住——我可是劝过你们别掺和的。”321
She turned to Akabar.她转向阿卡巴。322
“Now what did Dimswart tell you?”“现在告诉我，迪姆斯沃特跟你说了什么？”323
The mage pulled a small package from a pocket.法师从口袋里掏出一个小包。324
He unknotted the yellow cord that bound it and flipped away its leather wrapping.他解开捆在外面的黄色细绳，将皮革包裹翻开。325
Within lay five copper plates.里面放着五块铜片。326
“Flaming dagger,” said the mage, laying the first plate on the table.“燃烧的匕首。”法师说着，将第一块铜片放到桌上。327
A flaming dagger sigil was etched into the soft metal surface, and beneath it in neat, delicate letters of Thorass, was a paragraph of explanation.柔软的金属表面刻着一枚燃烧匕首的徽记，下面则用工整纤秀的托拉斯字母写着一段说明。328
“Interlocking rings, mouth in a palm, three concentric circles, and a squiggle that looks like an insect leg.”“相扣的圆环、手掌中的一张嘴、三个同心圆，还有一条看起来像昆虫腿的弯线。”329
Akabar laid down a corresponding copper with each description.阿卡巴每描述一个图案，便放下一块相应的铜片。330
“Which would you like me to cover first?” he asked Alias.“你想让我先讲哪一个？”他问阿莉亚丝。331
Alias pointed to the plate with the flaming dagger.阿莉亚丝指了指刻有燃烧匕首的铜片。332
“The assassins who attacked me carried a card with this design.”“袭击我的刺客身上带着一张印有这个图案的卡片。”333
Nodding, Akabar stacked the five plates together with the dagger on top.阿卡巴点点头，把五只盘子摞在一起，将绘有匕首的那只放在最上面。334
“The symbol is derived from a Talis deck.“这个符号源自一副塔利斯牌。335
In Turmish, we use the suit of birds, but here in the north it has been converted to the suit of daggers.在图米什，我们使用飞鸟花色，但在北方这里，它被改成了匕首花色。336
In either case, the suit represents money and theft of the same.无论是哪一种，这个花色都代表金钱，以及窃取钱财。337
The symbol was adopted by a small group of thieves and assassins in Westgate that calls itself the Redeemer’s Guild, but the group is more commonly known as the Fire Knives—from its calling card.西门城有一个由盗贼和刺客组成的小团伙，自称救赎者公会，采用了这个符号，不过根据他们留下的标志卡片，人们更常称他们为火焰飞刀。338
“The Fire Knives are not native to Westgate, but came originally from Cormyr where they ran a very profitable operation.“火焰飞刀并非起源于西门城，他们最初来自科米尔，在那里经营着一门利润极其丰厚的生意。339
Until, that is, they incurred the wrath of His Royal Majesty, Azoun IV.直到他们惹怒了阿祖恩四世国王陛下。340
He broke their charter, executed their leaders, and sent the rest packing across the Lake of Dragons.他撤销了他们的特许状，处决了他们的首领，并把其余人统统赶过了龙湖。341
They set up shop anew in Westgate, with the permission of the local crime lords, the Night Masks.得到当地犯罪领主夜面具的许可后，他们在西门城另起炉灶。342
Naturally, they have no love for Cormyr, its king, or its people.”他们自然对科米尔、科米尔的国王和人民都毫无好感。”343
“Do any of them carry their symbol as a brand or tattoo?”“他们当中有人把这个符号烙在或刺在身上吗？”344
Alias asked.阿莉亚丝问道。345
Akabar shook his head.阿卡巴摇了摇头。346
“It has never been reported that they do.“从未听说他们这么做。347
Of course, your attack on someone who sounded just like King Azoun was the sort of thing they desire.当然，你袭击一个声音酷似阿祖恩国王的人，正是他们求之不得的事。348
Somehow, they might have ensorceled you to do so.”他们或许用了某种魔法蛊惑你这样做。”349
“Then why did they attack me the other night?”“那他们前几天夜里为什么要袭击我？”350
“Perhaps they thought you discovered their plan and would warn His Majesty,” the halfling guessed.“也许他们以为你发现了他们的计划，会去警告陛下。”半身人猜测道。351
“No,” Alias said.“不，”阿莉亚丝说。352
“I had no idea I was going to do something like I did.“我根本不知道自己会做出那种事。353
Besides, they went to a lot of trouble to capture, not kill me.”再说，他们大费周章是为了活捉我，而不是杀掉我。”354
“Perhaps they were planning on delivering you to the king’s court,” Akabar mused.“也许他们打算把你送到国王的宫廷去。”阿卡巴沉吟道。355
“You know, Azoun might have come to the wedding.“要知道，阿祖恩原本可能会出席那场婚礼。356
His mage, Vangerdahast, advised him against it.他的法师范格达海斯特劝他不要去。357
At least, that was the rumor I heard.”至少，我听到的传闻是这么说的。”358
“It’s just coincidence that I ended up at Dimswart’s,” Alias replied.“我最后会落到迪姆斯沃特那里，纯属巧合。”阿莉亚丝答道。359
Akabar shrugged.阿卡巴耸了耸肩。360
“Perhaps.“也许吧。361
But if Azoun had attended—”但要是阿祖恩出席了——”362
“I’d have tried to kill him instead of that fool Wyvernspur.”“那我就会去杀他，而不是飞龙刺那个蠢货。”363
“Not a chance,” Olive said.“绝不可能，”奥利芙说道。364
“Vangerdahast goes everywhere with His Marshmallowness.“范格达海斯特无论去哪儿都跟着那位棉花糖陛下。365
He would have fried you with a lightning bolt before you got within an arm’s length.”你还没靠近到一臂之内，他就会用一道闪电把你劈焦。”366
“I don’t think this conjecture will get us very far,” Akabar said, confused.“我觉得这样猜测下去也得不出什么结果，”阿卡巴困惑地说道。367
“Shall I continue with the other sigils?”“要我接着讲其他符印吗？”368
Alias nodded, and Akabar held up the card bearing the sign of three rings, each interlocked with the other two.阿莉亚丝点点头，阿卡巴举起那张画有三个圆环的卡片，每个环都与另外两个环环相扣。369
“The trinity of rings is pretty common as well.“三环图案也相当常见。370
It was used by several trading houses about the Inner Sea until the Year of Dust, over two centuries ago, when it was taken up as a banner by a pirate gang in Earthspur.两个多世纪前，在尘土之年以前，内海周边有好几家商行都使用这个图案；后来，地刺的一伙海盗把它用作了旗帜。371
After a few years new pirate leaders toppled the old and adopted a new banner.几年后，新的海盗头目推翻了旧首领，改用了一面新旗帜。372
“Since then the circles have been used as a signature mark for a notable Cormyrian portrait artist, as a stamp for a Procampurian silversmith, and the sign of an alehouse in Yhaunn in Sembia.“从那以后，这些圆环曾被一位著名的科米尔人肖像画家用作签名标记，也曾被一名普罗坎普银匠用作戳记，还是塞姆比亚雅恩一家酒馆的招牌。373
The alehouse, by the way, was fireballed fifty years ago by a wizard because their symbol happened to be his sigil.顺带一提，五十年前，一名巫师用火球术炸了那家酒馆，就因为他们的标志碰巧与他的符印相同。374
He claimed the exclusive right to use it.他声称自己拥有使用这个符印的专属权利。375
He was a pompous northerner known as Zrie Prakis.”他是个傲慢自大的北方人，名叫兹里·普拉基斯。”376
“I knew some fell wizard had to be involved,” muttered Alias.“我就知道，这事一定牵扯到了某个邪恶的巫师。”阿莉亚丝嘟囔道。377
Akabar held up a finger to continue.阿卡巴竖起一根手指，示意自己还没说完。378
“Prakis protected his mark religiously, seeking out any others who used it and destroying those who would not give it up.“普拉基斯近乎狂热地维护自己的标记，四处搜寻其他使用它的人，凡是不肯放弃这个标记的，他都会将其毁灭。379
It’s a mark of his success that the symbol is now considered unlucky among many taverns, silversmiths, and artists.这个符号如今被许多酒馆、银匠和艺术家视为不祥之物，足见他做得有多成功。380
However, Zrie Prakis was supposed to have died in a magical battle some forty years ago, somewhere near Westgate.”然而，据说兹里·普拉基斯早在大约四十年前就死于一场魔法大战，地点是西门城附近的某处。”381
“Someone must have made a mistake,” Olive pointed out.“肯定是有人弄错了，”奥利芙指出。382
“After all, when two mages are fighting, no one in their right mind gets close enough to tell who’s winning.“毕竟，两个法师交手时，凡是神志正常的人，都不会凑近到足以看清谁占上风的地方。383
This was the symbol on the crystal elemental that attacked us in the stone circle, isn’t it?”在石环里袭击我们的那个水晶元素怪身上，不正是这个符号吗？”384
Alias nodded, remembering how the sigil had blazed from the monster’s chest.阿莉亚丝点点头，想起那道徽记曾在怪物胸口炽烈地亮起。385
“Anyway,” Akabar concluded, “Master Dimswart got a cleric to do a divination for him.“总之，”阿卡巴总结道，“迪姆斯沃特大师请了一位牧师替他施展占卜术。386
The exact question was: Does Zrie Prakis, whose symbol was the triple rings, still live?问的原话是：以三重圆环为标记的兹里·普拉基斯是否仍然活着？387
The answer was: No.”得到的回答是：不。”388
“Well, I’m not a work of art or a silver dinner service,” Alias said.“可我既不是什么艺术品，也不是一套银餐具，”阿莉亚丝说。389
“That leaves me branded by a defunct pirate gang or an alehouse.这么说来，给我烙下印记的，不是一个已经解散的海盗帮，就是一家酒馆。390
Neither very likely candidates.”这两者都不太可能。”391
Akabar, though tempted, did not disagree with her about the alehouse.阿卡巴虽然很想反驳，却没有否认她关于酒馆的说法。392
He held up the next copper plate engraved with the insect leg-shaped squiggle.他举起下一块铜板，上面刻着一道形似昆虫腿的曲线。393
“The sorceress who destroyed Zrie Prakis was named Cassana of Westgate.“消灭兹里·普拉基斯的女术士名叫西门城的卡萨娜。394
This happens to be her sigil.这恰好就是她的徽记。395
To the best of Dimswart’s knowledge, Cassana still makes her abode in Westgate.据迪姆斯沃特所知，卡萨娜如今仍住在西门城。396
She’s reputed to be fairly powerful, but she’s extremely reclusive.据说她法力相当强大，但极少与人来往。397
No one’s seen her for years.已经有很多年没人见过她了。398
She’s not dead, but she must be getting on in years.”她还没死，不过年纪想必已经很大了。”399
“Maybe this Prakis fellow had an apprentice,” Olive suggested.“也许这个普拉基斯收过一个学徒，”奥利芙猜测道。400
“The apprentice is greedy for power, see, and he teams up with his master’s enemy, this Cassana, and tells her how to defeat him.你看，这学徒贪图力量，于是跟师父的仇敌卡萨娜联手，把打败师父的方法告诉了她。401
Then, when Cassana kills Prakis, the apprentice takes his master’s sigil.”等卡萨娜杀死普拉基斯后，学徒就夺用了师父的徽记。”402
Akabar’s eyes narrowed into slits.阿卡巴眯起双眼，眼睛成了两道细缝。403
“Your expertise on the workings of betrayal is quite interesting.”“你对背叛的门道如此精通，倒真有意思。”404
Olive smiled sweetly.奥利芙甜甜地笑了。405
“Over the years I’ve made a study of all the evil you humans perpetrate on one another.”“这些年来，我一直在研究你们人类彼此犯下的种种恶行。”406
Alias’s head began to throb.阿莉亚丝的脑袋开始隐隐作痛。407
Anxious to get this discussion over with, she pulled out the next copper plate, but the writing blurred before her eyes.她急于结束这番讨论，便抽出下一块铜板，可上面的字迹却在她眼前模糊起来。408
She held the plate up to Akabar.她把铜板举到阿卡巴面前。409
“What about this mouth in the hand?” she asked.“那么，这只手掌里的嘴又是怎么回事？”她问道。410
“Dimswart found this most curious,” answered the mage, running his fingers along the engraved fangs in the mouth.“迪姆斯沃特觉得这个最为古怪，”法师答道，手指沿着嘴里雕刻出的獠牙划过。411
“This is a holy symbol—or the unholy symbol, rather—of a cult that has been dead for a thousand years or more.“这是一个教派的圣徽——或者更确切地说，是邪徽——而那个教派已经消亡一千多年了。412
They worshipped Moander the Darkbringer.他们崇拜的是黑暗使者莫安德。413
He, she, or it—the texts keep changing the pronoun over time—had a huge temple complex in the days of Myth Drannor, the elven kingdom, and was a continual menace to the forest peoples.他、她，或者它——典籍中的代词随着时代不断变化——在精灵王国迷斯卓诺的时代曾拥有一座庞大的神殿群，也是森林各族挥之不去的威胁。414
Eventually, the elves burned the complex to the ground, slaying all its priests and banishing the god-thing from the Realms.最终，精灵们将整座神殿群付之一炬，杀光了所有祭司，并把那个神怪逐出了诸界。415
“The town of Yulash was built on the site of the complex, but Yulash has itself long since been turned to rubble.“尤拉什镇建在那座神殿群的遗址上，但尤拉什本身也早已化为废墟。416
Hillsfar and Zhentil Keep are continually battling over its strategic location.希尔斯法和散提尔堡一直在争夺它那极具战略价值的位置。417
Dimswart gave me the name of another sage who may know more, but he warned me that getting an appointment with this person may prove to be a problem.”迪姆斯沃特告诉了我另一位贤者的名字，那人或许知道得更多，但他警告我，要约见此人恐怕会有些麻烦。”418
Alias held up the last copper plate.阿莉亚丝举起最后一块铜板。419
The blue upon blue bull’s-eye was represented on sheet metal by three concentric rings, its deepening shades of color not represented at all, but described in the upper right hand corner.那个层层蓝色的靶心图案，在金属片上被刻成了三个同心圆；颜色逐层加深的变化完全没有表现出来，只在右上角作了文字说明。420
Nothing was written below the sigil.符记下方什么也没写。421
Alias looked up at Akabar, her eyebrows raised.阿莉亚丝抬眼望向阿卡巴，扬起了眉毛。422
The mage shifted nervously.法师不安地挪了挪身子。423
“Dimswart has seen naught like this in his travels or his books.“迪姆斯沃特无论在旅途中还是在书本里，都从未见过类似的东西。424
He thinks it’s something new, perhaps an up-and-coming power.他认为这是某种新事物，也许是一股正在崛起的力量。425
Note that the two magic-user’s sigils are grouped together, but this sigil follows the marking of a dead and banished god.”注意，那两名施法者的符记被归在一起，而这个符记却紧跟在一位已经陨落并遭放逐的神祇标记之后。”426
“So Dimswart thinks it may be another cult,” said Alias.“所以迪姆斯沃特认为，这或许是另一个教派。”阿莉亚丝说道。427
She picked up her now empty mug and stared into it.她拿起已经空了的杯子，盯着杯底。428
The halfling studied the ceiling beams.半身人端详着天花板上的横梁。429
“Actually, that was my own observation,” Akabar replied.“其实，那是我自己的判断。”阿卡巴答道。430
“Balancing the sigils seemed logical to me, but …”“我觉得让这些符记彼此平衡很合逻辑，可是……”431
“But we may not be dealing with balanced or logical people,” Alias concluded for him.“但我们面对的，或许并不是一群讲求平衡或理性的人。”阿莉亚丝替他说完了下半句。432
Akabar nodded.阿卡巴点了点头。433
“The evidence that the Fire Knives are involved is pretty incontrovertible.“烈火飞刀牵涉其中的证据相当确凿，几乎无可辩驳。434
The attack of the summoned earth elemental would seem to indicate that some mage is definitely at work here as well.有人召唤土元素发动袭击，这似乎也表明，确实有某个法师参与了此事。435
The pattern circling the symbols is common throughout nations of the Inner Sea, symbolizing unions or contracts.这种环绕符号的图案在内海诸国十分常见，象征着结合或契约。436
Ivy and rose vines are generally used for weddings, dragons for royal charters …”常春藤和玫瑰藤一般用于婚礼，龙纹则用于王室宪章……”437
“Serpents for evil pacts,” Alias added in reference to the serpentine pattern that wound around the runes on her arm.“蛇纹则用于邪恶的契约。”阿莉亚丝补充道，指的是缠绕在她手臂符文周围的蛇形图案。438
“What about the sixth party?”“那第六方呢？”439
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。440
“What sixth party?”“什么第六方？”441
Akabar demanded.阿卡巴追问道。442
Alias held out her arm, wondering herself what Olive was talking about.阿莉亚丝伸出手臂，自己也不明白奥利芙在说什么。443
The bard pointed to the swordswoman’s wrist, where the serpentine pattern that linked the five sigils wound about an empty space.吟游诗人指着女剑士的手腕；连接五个印记的蛇形图案在那里绕出了一块空白。444
“There’s nothing there, you fool,” Akabar snorted.“那里什么都没有，你这个傻瓜。”阿卡巴嗤了一声。445
“Not yet, there isn’t,” Olive said.“现在还没有。”奥利芙说道。446
“Maybe Alias escaped before they got around to adding it, or maybe they’re waiting for a sixth member to pay up their dues.“也许阿莉亚丝在他们来得及添上它之前就逃走了，又或许他们正等着第六名成员缴清会费。447
Maybe a sigil’s going to grow there.”说不定那里会长出一个印记来。”448
Alias shivered and curled her arms back around her knees.阿莉亚丝打了个寒战，又用双臂抱住了膝盖。449
Akabar tried giving the bard a kick on the ankle to shut her up, but the little woman’s feet swung too far off the floor for him to reach.阿卡巴想踢吟游诗人的脚踝一脚，好让她闭嘴，可这个小个子女人的双脚悬在地面上，离得太远，他根本够不着。450
“As much as I’d hate to slander a patron,” Olive continued, “I think you need better advice than Dimswart’s given you.”“尽管我很不愿意诋毁一位主顾，”奥利芙继续说道，“但我觉得，你需要比迪姆斯沃特给你的更好的建议。”451
Alias was inclined to agree.阿莉亚丝也倾向于赞同。452
“Where’d this other sage live, the one Dimswart recommended?” she asked Akabar.“迪姆斯沃特推荐的另一位贤者住在哪里？”她问阿卡巴。453
“Shadowdale.“阴影谷。454
That’s rather far off though,” the mage pointed out.不过那里相当远。”法师指出。455
“It would be simpler to investigate Westgate first.”“先调查西门城会更简单。”456
The barkeep came to their table and wordlessly unloaded a platter of sandwiches and fresh drinks.酒馆老板来到他们桌边，一言不发地放下一大盘三明治和新添的饮料。457
“Shadowdale is on the way to Yulash,” Alias said.“阴影谷正好在去尤拉什的路上。”阿莉亚丝说。458
“But it makes more sense to head for Westgate,” Akabar argued.“但先去西门城更合理。”阿卡巴争辩道。459
“The Fire—” he looked up at the barkeep “—two of the five guilty parties work out of Westgate.“火焰——”他抬头看了看酒馆老板，“——五个罪魁祸首中，有两个在西门城活动。460
Another one died there.”另一个也死在了那里。”461
He smiled at the barkeep.他朝酒馆老板笑了笑。462
“Thank you.“谢谢。463
That should do nicely for some time,” he said, dismissing the man.这些足够我们享用一阵子了。”他说着，打发那人离开。464
“We can reach Westgate by ship in two or three days.“我们坐船两三天就能到西门城。465
If we can discover nothing there, then a trek to the north would make more sense.”如果在那里什么也查不到，到时再跋涉北上就更说得通了。”466
Alias remained silent, feeling nauseated at the sight of food.阿莉亚丝一言不发，一看见食物便觉得恶心。467
With a last paternal glance toward the swordswoman, the barkeep left the table and returned to his other duties.酒馆老板最后又像父亲般关切地看了女剑士一眼，随后离开桌边，回去忙别的事了。468
Olive picked up the five copper plates and began idly shuffling them.奥利芙拿起那五块铜牌，漫不经心地洗弄起来。469
Her little hands moved the pieces with amazing dexterity.她那双小手以惊人的灵巧拨弄着这些铜牌。470
Annoyed, Akabar reached over and lifted the sigil engravings from the halfling’s palm.阿卡巴恼火地伸过手，从半身人掌中拿走了那些刻有符印的铜牌。471
He rewrapped and tied them and handed the bundle to Alias.他重新把它们包好扎紧，将包裹递给阿莉亚丝。472
“So, shall I arrange passage for the morning?”“那么，要我安排明早的船吗？”473
“I’m almost positive I came to Suzail by boat,” she mused.“我几乎可以肯定，我是坐小船来到苏萨尔的。”她若有所思地说。474
“By ship,” Akabar corrected.“是大船。”阿卡巴纠正道。475
“Couldn’t we travel to High Horn and circle around the Lake of Dragons?”“我们就不能先去高角堡，再绕过龙湖吗？”476
Olive suggested.奥利芙提议道。477
“The roads to Westgate are pretty good.”“去西门城的陆路相当好走。”478
Akabar remembered the little woman had claimed to dislike sea journeys.阿卡巴想起，这个小个子女人曾说过自己不喜欢海上旅行。479
“We’re going to Yulash,” Alias said quietly.“我们去尤拉什。”阿莉亚丝轻声说道。480
“What?” both the bard and the mage demanded in unison.“什么？”吟游诗人和法师异口同声地叫道。481
“Suppose I came to Suzail from Westgate,” Alias whispered, “fleeing from whoever did this to me—the Fire Knives or this Cassana person.“假设我是从西门城逃到苏萨尔来的，”阿莉亚丝低声说道，“为了躲避把我弄成这样的人——不管是火刀帮，还是这个叫卡萨娜的人。482
Instinct tells me to avoid Westgate.直觉告诉我，要避开西门城。483
I don’t know why—I can’t remember.我不知道为什么——我想不起来。484
Maybe I was there and tried taking care of someone else the Fire Knives don’t care for—then I could be wanted by the law, as well as by the underworld.也许我曾在那里，还试图收拾某个火刀帮看不顺眼的人——那样一来，官府和黑道可能都在通缉我。485
Besides, I don’t want to take on two enemies at once.再说，我不想同时对付两个敌人。486
I’ve already waltzed into one dragon’s lair this month.这个月我已经大摇大摆地闯过一次龙穴了。487
I don’t intend to do it again for at least another year.至少一年之内，我不打算再来一次。488
In Yulash, as far as we know, I have only one enemy.据我们所知，在尤拉什，我只有一个敌人。489
Also, this master sage you mentioned is on the road to Yulash.还有，你提到的那位贤者大师就在前往尤拉什的路上。490
We may get more information from him.”我们也许能从他那里得到更多消息。”491
“But the temple in Yulash is destroyed,” Akabar objected.“可尤拉什的神殿已经被摧毁了，”阿卡巴反驳道。492
“Yulash is in the hands of the Zhentarim, and they’re not … decent people.“尤拉什落在散塔林会手里，而他们可不是什么……正派人。493
It is too dangerous.”那里太危险了。”494
Alias frowned.阿莉亚丝皱起眉头。495
“Look, Akash, whose quest is this, anyway?“听着，阿卡什，这到底是谁的使命？496
You want to accompany me, you can come with me to Yulash.你想陪我，就跟我一起去尤拉什。497
If you’re afraid, you can go to Westgate without me, or better yet, just go home and forget about me.”你要是害怕，可以自己去西门城；或者更好，干脆回家，把我忘了。”498
Akabar colored.阿卡巴涨红了脸。499
Whether he was more angry that Alias would not take his sage counsel or embarrassed that his honor and courage had been called into question, Olive could not tell for sure.他究竟是因为阿莉亚丝不肯听从他的高见而更加恼火，还是因为自己的荣誉和勇气遭到质疑而更加难堪，奥利芙也说不准。500
She chimed in, “If this sage in Shadowdale can help, we may not even have to go to Yulash.”她插嘴道：“如果阴影谷的这位贤者能帮上忙，我们甚至可能根本不必去尤拉什。”501
Alias turned to glare at the halfling.阿莉亚丝转过头，怒视着这个半身人。502
“I’m going to Yulash,” she hissed.“我要去尤拉什，”她咬牙说道。503
“I leave in the morning!”“明早就出发！”504
With that, she rose from the table, staggered two feet, and passed out on the wooden floor.说完，她从桌旁站起身，踉踉跄跄地走了两英尺，便昏倒在木地板上。505
“Better make that late morning,” Akabar sighed.“最好改成上午晚些时候。”阿卡巴叹了口气。506
He rose to settle accounts with the barkeep while Dragonbait and Ruskettle hauled the fallen warrior to her room.他起身去跟酒馆老板结账，龙饵和拉斯凯特尔则把倒下的女战士拖回了她的房间。507
点句末的编号，从那一句开始听