Whenever Alias saw Shadow Gap she thought of some weary titan dragging his axe behind him as he stepped over the hills.每当阿莉亚丝看见阴影隘口，都会想起某个疲惫的泰坦巨人，跨过群山时拖着斧头走在身后。1
At least that was how she imagined the creation of the steep-sided, steep-sloped gorge that split the mountains in two.至少，她想象中这道把山脉一分为二、两壁陡峭、坡面险峻的峡谷就是这样形成的。2
No more than an hour of noon sunlight ever reached the floor of the pass.正午的阳光每天至多只有一个小时能照到隘口底部。3
At all other times, it remained in the shadow of the mountains, hence its name.其余时间里，它始终笼罩在群山的阴影之中，因而得名。4
The gap was barren, save for a scattering of short, scrubby bushes.隘口一片荒芜，只有零星几丛低矮杂乱的灌木。5
The road through it wound upward in an interminable series of hairpin curves and ascending switchbacks, resembling a dry wash.穿过隘口的道路蜿蜒向上，无穷无尽地连着发夹弯和之字形陡坡，看起来就像一条干涸的冲沟。6
Alias had passed through the gap as a caravan guard many times and remembered how, in the spring, water followed the same course down the hill as the merchant wagons.阿莉亚丝曾多次以商队护卫的身份穿过这里；她记得到了春天，流水会沿着商旅货车走过的同一条路线冲下山坡。7
Heavily laden wagons draped with thick rugs and waterproof slickers would rumble up the gorge at a snail’s pace.满载货物、盖着厚毯和防水油布的马车，会以蜗牛般的速度隆隆驶上峡谷。8
The lord merchants urged the drivers on, while mercenary sell-swords watched the cliffs for ambush.商人老爷们催促车夫赶路，受雇的佣兵则警惕地注视着悬崖，提防伏击。9
Occasionally, a procession of pilgrims on foot interruputed the flow, oblivious to the bustling world around them.偶尔，一队徒步朝圣者会截断车流，对周遭熙攘的世界浑然不觉。10
More rarely a wizard’s wagon, with lumber sprouting fresh, spring leaves, clattered through the vale on ancient wheels, pulled by oxen, gorgons, or more fantastic beasts.更罕见的是，一辆法师的马车会用古老的车轮哐啷哐啷地驶过山谷，车上的木料竟抽出了春日的新叶，拉车的则可能是牛、戈尔贡，或更加奇异的野兽。11
Today, all that was absent, banished as if by magic.可今天，这一切都不见了，仿佛被魔法驱逐得一干二净。12
The vale was emptier than a tax collector’s Yule party.山谷里空荡荡的，比收税官的仲冬节宴会还冷清。13
The only sound the travelers heard was the clopping of the horse hooves beneath them.旅人们能听见的，只有身下马蹄的嗒嗒声。14
Alias wondered what could have halted the trade so completely.阿莉亚丝不明白，究竟是什么让商贸往来如此彻底地停了下来。15
A war, perhaps, or rumor of one.也许是战争，或是战争的传言。16
But she’d heard nothing of that sort in Cormyr, and the Cormyrians were not, as a rule, insular.可她在科米尔并未听说过这类消息，而科米尔人通常也并不闭塞。17
Akabar, having never passed through the gap before, rode at the head of the party as if nothing was amiss.阿卡巴以前从未穿过这道隘口，此刻骑在队伍最前面，仿佛一切都很正常。18
Behind him, Olive found the stillness jarring.跟在他身后的奥利芙却觉得这片死寂令人不安。19
Dragonbait hissed once, never a good sign, and Alias caught a whiff of something that smelled like ham.龙饵嘶了一声——这从来都不是好兆头——而阿莉亚丝也闻到了一丝火腿般的气味。20
She furrowed her brow in puzzlement and sniffed again.她困惑地皱起眉头，又嗅了嗅。21
Nothing.什么也没有。22
Must have imagined it, she thought, but she made sure that her longsword was loose in its scabbard and her knives were handy.一定是自己的错觉，她想，但还是确认了一下长剑在鞘中可以随时拔出，匕首也都放在顺手之处。23
Something croaked her name, harsh and low, and she came up with a dagger in hand.有什么东西用沙哑低沉的声音叫出了她的名字，她立刻拔出一把匕首握在手中。24
The others seemed not to hear the voice.其他人似乎都没有听见那个声音。25
Did the wind carry it to her ears alone?难道那声音只有她听见，是风送到她耳边的？26
Or did sorcery? she wondered, remembering the attack at the abandoned druid’s circle, where the wind had drowned out her cries for help.还是魔法作祟？她暗自思忖，想起了废弃的德鲁伊法阵中那场袭击，当时风声淹没了她的呼救。27
The swordswoman reigned in her horse behind the others and listened.女剑士勒住马，落在其他人身后，侧耳倾听。28
The sound came again, a harsh, dying croak that called her name, this time from one of the scrub bushes on Alias’s left.那声音又响了起来，粗哑低沉，气息奄奄地唤着她的名字；这一次，声音来自阿莉亚丝左侧的一丛灌木。29
Spotting Alias behind them, Olive harrumphed.奥利芙发现阿莉亚丝落在他们身后，不满地哼了一声。30
Akabar called back, “Alias?阿卡巴回头喊道：“阿莉亚丝？31
Are—”你——”32
Suddenly, the bush near Alias rustled and exploded in a flurry of feathers.突然，阿莉亚丝身旁的灌木沙沙作响，随即在一阵纷飞的羽毛中猛然炸开。33
Old reflexes took over, and Alias felt like some mechanical toy.旧日的本能支配了她，阿莉亚丝觉得自己仿佛成了一只机械玩偶。34
She aimed, snapped her wrist back, and flicked her knife forward, loosing the dagger.她瞄准目标，手腕向后一收，随即向前一甩，将匕首掷了出去。35
The spinning weapon struck the bird, a huge raven, at the base of its left wing and stuck there.旋转的匕首击中了那只鸟——一只硕大的渡鸦——左翼根部，并扎在了那里。36
A smaller creature would have been skewered, but the raven took to the air with the blade embedded in its flesh—the dagger’s gold-wrapped hilt jutting out and flashing in the sun.换作小一些的生物，早就被刺穿了，可渡鸦却带着嵌入血肉的刀刃飞上天空——匕首那缠着金线的刀柄支棱在外，在阳光下闪闪发亮。37
Hissing, Dragonbait drew his sword.龙饵嘶嘶作声，拔出了剑。38
“Lee-as, Lee-as, Lee-as,” the bird shrieked as it rose straight up, spun, and flapped in an ungainly manner toward the nearest cliff wall, taking Alias’s weapon with it.“阿莉亚丝，阿莉亚丝，阿莉亚丝！”那只鸟尖叫着直冲而上，打了个转，笨拙地拍着翅膀飞向最近的崖壁，把阿莉亚丝的武器也一并带走了。39
The woman warrior shook her head angrily.女战士恼火地摇了摇头。40
The unnatural silence had unsettled her, and her little flash of paranoia had cost her a good throwing dagger.那种反常的寂静令她心神不宁，而方才那一瞬间的疑神疑鬼，让她损失了一把上好的飞刀。41
“I thought it was something more dangerous than a blasted bird,” Alias said, rejoining the group.“我还以为是什么比一只该死的鸟更危险的东西呢。”阿莉亚丝一边说，一边回到队伍中。42
“I thought it was calling my name.”“我还以为它在叫我的名字。”43
Then she laughed, one of the first deep-hearted laughs she’d permitted herself in gods knew how long.接着她大笑起来——天知道多久以来，这是她难得允许自己发出的一次由衷大笑。44
“It was only a robberwing,” the mage said, surprised by her reaction.“那只是一只盗翼鸟。”法师说道，对她的反应颇感惊讶。45
“They’re quite common on the southern shores of the Inner Sea.“它们在内海南岸十分常见。46
I thought they were well-known in the north, too.我还以为北方人也都知道这种鸟呢。47
They take shiny objects on occasion, but otherwise they’re harmless.”它们偶尔会顺走闪亮的东西，但除此之外并没有什么危害。”48
“In Waterdeep,” chimed in the halfling, “a corrupt lord trained a flock of robberwings to steal for him.”“在深水城，”半身人插嘴道，“有个腐败的领主训练了一群盗翼鸟替他偷东西。”49
“Natives of Waterdeep,” replied the mage, “have all sorts of odd ways to pass the time … when they aren’t counting their money.”“深水城的本地人，”法师答道，“消磨时间的怪法子多得很……只要他们没在数钱。”50
“Robberwings are considered an ill omen in Thay,” Olive added.“在塞尔，盗翼鸟被视为不祥之兆。”奥利芙补充道。51
Dragonbait hissed again.龙饵又发出一声嘶鸣。52
His dead, yellow eyes glared at the cliff where the raven had disappeared.他那双死气沉沉的黄色眼睛怒视着乌鸦消失的那处悬崖。53
Alias’s laughter subsided.阿莉亚丝的笑声渐渐平息下来。54
“It’s all right, Dragonbait,” she said, patting him on the back.“没事的，龙饵，”她拍着他的背说道。55
“I know it was just a raven.’“我知道那不过是只乌鸦。”56
She turned to the others.她转向其他人。57
“It’s just that I was expecting … a dragon.“只是我原本以为会碰上……一条龙。58
Or a harpy.或者一只鹰身女妖。59
Or at least a nest of blood-sucking stirges.再不济，也该有一窝吸血的蚊蝠。60
I feel a little foolish at having lost a weapon to … just a bird.”居然为了……区区一只鸟折损了一件武器，我觉得自己有点傻。”61
“A lost weapon’s like a lost meal,” said the halfling, wheeling around on her pony.“丢了武器就像少吃了一顿饭，”半身人一边说，一边骑着小马掉转身来。62
“Replaceable, but you have to know where to look.“都能补回来，但你得知道去哪里找。63
Speaking of which, are we going to sit here until dark or press on to this marvelous inn of yours?”说到这个，我们是打算坐在这里一直等到天黑，还是继续赶路，去你说的那家绝妙旅店？”64
“We press on,” Alias said.“继续赶路。”阿莉亚丝说道。65
“Thank heavens,” the bard said, kicking her pony past Akabar’s stallion.“谢天谢地。”吟游诗人说着，一踢坐骑，从阿卡巴的种马旁赶了过去。66
“Great adventure can wait.“伟大的冒险可以等等。67
Hark, I hear something calling my name, too.”听，我也听见有什么东西在呼唤我的名字。”68
She held her hand up to her ear.她抬起一只手放到耳边。69
“It’s a warm bed and something else … a hot meal, one not spiced to within an inch of my life.”“是一张温暖的床，还有别的什么……一顿热腾腾的饭，而且不会放香料放得辣死人。”70
Ruskettle peeked out from under her wide-brimmed hat to catch Akabar’s reaction, but his face remained impassive.拉斯凯特尔从宽边帽下偷眼观察阿卡巴的反应，但他仍旧面无表情。71
Five nights before, Olive had complained about the mage’s cooking and announced that, if Akabar didn’t go easier on the pepper, she’d be forced to take a hand in the cooking herself.五天前的晚上，奥利芙曾抱怨过这位法师的厨艺，还宣称如果阿卡巴再不少放点胡椒，她就只好亲自插手做饭了。72
Since then, she had continued to complain about the spicing, but had yet to lift a finger to help prepare meals.从那以后，她一直在抱怨调味太重，却始终连一根手指都没动过，更别说帮忙准备饭菜了。73
The halfling set her pony in a trot.半身人催胯下的小马小跑起来。74
Akabar followed, looking regal on his white mount.阿卡巴骑着白色坐骑跟在后面，显得威仪十足。75
Dragonbait waited for Alias to pass him, then brought up the rear, still watching the cliff-side warily.龙饵等阿莉亚丝从身旁经过，才走到队伍最后，仍警惕地注视着崖壁。76
“Don’t worry,” Alias told him.“别担心，”阿莉亚丝对他说。77
“I can get another dagger when we reach Shadowdale.”“到了阴影谷，我可以再弄一把匕首。”78
Dragonbait did not look away from the cliffs for a long time.龙饵久久没有把目光从悬崖上移开。79
Olive’s dreams of a warm bed and a less-seasoned meal were shattered when they topped the last set of switchbacks.当他们登上最后一段之字形山路的顶端时，奥利芙对温暖床铺和清淡饭菜的美梦破灭了。80
Instead of a charming house and a warm, welcoming cup of mulled wine, they found the remains of a great hall, its massive timbers blackened by flame, its stone floor littered with slate from the collapsed roof.他们没有看到雅致的屋舍，也没有热气腾腾、温暖迎客的香料酒；映入眼帘的却是一座大厅的残骸，粗大的梁木已被火焰熏黑，石板地面上散落着坍塌屋顶掉下来的石瓦。81
“Don’t tell me, let me guess,” Olive snapped angrily.“别告诉我，让我猜猜，”奥利芙恼怒地厉声说道。82
“This place has gone downhill somewhat since you last visited it.”“自从你上次来过之后，这地方多少有些败落了。”83
“Obviously, the clientele has changed,” Akabar said dryly, gingerly poking his foot through the rubble.“显然，来这里的客人换了一拨，”阿卡巴冷冷地说，一边小心翼翼地用脚拨弄瓦砾。84
He, too, had been looking forward to a comfortable bed.他也一直盼着能睡上一张舒服的床。85
“Nine circles of Hell,” Alias muttered.“九层地狱啊，”阿莉亚丝低声咒骂道。86
Above the shattered roof, the last rays of the evening sun were playing against the eastern cliff, turning it as red as blood.破碎的屋顶上方，夕阳最后的余晖映照着东面的悬崖，将它染得鲜红如血。87
“There are no bodies,” Akabar pointed out, “and the fire damage looks several months old, so I don’t think there can be much danger.“这里没有尸体，”阿卡巴指出，“而且这些火烧的痕迹看起来已经有好几个月了，所以我想应该不会有什么危险。88
As to comforts, there’s still some roof left in that corner and the firepit is serviceable.至于住得舒不舒服，那个角落还剩下一部分屋顶，火塘也还能用。89
Shall we stay or ride on?”我们是留下，还是继续赶路？”90
Alias sighed.阿莉亚丝叹了口气。91
“We may as well stay.”“那就留下吧。”92
Inwardly, she was thankful for the mage’s calm assessment.她心里很感激这位法师冷静的判断。93
She had been looking forward to collapsing in the inn, and her disappointed muscles revolted at the thought of riding any farther.她原本一直盼着进了旅店便倒头休息，此刻失望的肌肉一想到还要继续骑马，便开始强烈抗议。94
Akabar nodded.阿卡巴点点头。95
“Stay it is.”“那就留下。”96
“I say we should go,” Olive objected vehemently.“我说我们应该走，”奥利芙激烈地反对道。97
“There’s still daylight left, and we can be a few miles beyond this place when whatever did this comes back.”“天还没黑，等毁掉这里的东西回来时，我们已经能离这儿好几英里了。”98
“As I said—this damage occurred some time ago,” the mage argued.“正如我刚才所说——这里的破坏是有一阵子以前造成的。”魔法师争辩道。99
“Increasing the likelihood that whatever caused it will return,” retorted the bard.“那就更有可能意味着，造成这一切的东西还会回来。”吟游诗人反驳道。100
“There are no bodies,” Akabar insisted.“这里没有尸体。”阿卡巴坚持道。101
“That’s even worse,” Olive cried, her voice growing shrill.“那更糟糕。”奥利芙尖声叫道，嗓音越发刺耳。102
“It just proves that whatever did this burns or swallows people whole, probably vomiting up their bones in its lair.“这恰恰证明，干出这种事的东西会把人烧得一干二净，或者整个吞下去，多半还会在自己的巢穴里把他们的骨头吐出来。103
Look!”看！”104
Ruskettle lifted up a very large, heavy, two-handed sword.拉斯凯特尔举起一把又大又沉的双手剑。105
“Not even the owner of this sword could defend himself.”“连这把剑的主人都保护不了自己。”106
She dropped the blade in disgust.她厌恶地扔下了剑。107
“Or—” Alias interrupted, “—or it proves that this was just an ordinary fire—an accident—and everyone got out in time or other humans buried the corpses.“或者——”阿莉亚丝打断她，“——或者这恰恰证明，那只是一场普通的火灾——一次意外——所有人都及时逃了出去，要不就是其他人埋葬了尸体。108
Try not to overreact, Olive.”别反应过度，奥利芙。”109
“Me?”“我？”110
Olive squeaked.奥利芙尖声叫道。111
“You’re the one who tried to skewer a robberwing for calling out your name.“就因为一只强盗翼鸟喊出了你的名字，你可是差点把它刺个对穿。112
If it were just an ordinary fire, why didn’t they rebuild the inn?如果只是一场普通的火灾，他们为什么没有重建旅店？113
Why isn’t anyone using the pass?”为什么没有人走这条山口？”114
Alias shrugged.阿莉亚丝耸了耸肩。115
“They’d have to import the building materials, and that would take a few months.“他们得从外面运来建筑材料，那要花上几个月。116
I’m sure we simply went through the pass on a slow day.”我敢肯定，我们只是在一个没什么人经过的日子穿过了山口。”117
She knew her last comment was improbable, but she also knew she’d feel foolish giving in to the halfling’s anxieties.她知道自己最后那句话不太可信，但她也知道，要是因为这个半身人的担忧就让步，自己会觉得很傻。118
“Ha!“哈！119
This is just the kind of place you tell children about to keep them from straying into the woods.”这种地方正是大人会讲给孩子听、吓唬他们别乱跑进树林的那一种。”120
Alias reached under her stallion to unbuckle the saddle straps.阿莉亚丝伸手探到公马腹下，解开了马鞍带。121
“Well, Olive,” she said, lifting the saddle from her horse, “just be sure you don’t stray too far, then.”“好吧，奥利芙，”她一边说，一边从马上提下马鞍，“那你可千万别走得太远。”122
Olive growled in frustration and left to tend to her pony.奥利芙懊恼地低吼一声，走开去照料她的小马。123
Dragonbait, who was snuffling over a pile of timbers, snarled once.龙饵正对着一堆木料嗅来嗅去，忽然低吼了一声。124
“See!”“瞧！”125
Olive turned excitedly.奥利芙兴奋地转过身来。126
“Even Dragonbait votes we should go.”“连龙饵都投票赞成我们走。”127
Alias laughed.阿莉亚丝笑了。128
“He’s more likely snarling at a garden spider.“他更可能是在冲一只花园蜘蛛低吼。129
Besides, Dragonbait doesn’t get a vote.再说了，龙饵没有投票权。130
He can’t talk.他又不会说话。131
He barely understands what we’re saying.”他几乎听不懂我们在说什么。”132
“He understands well enough when it really matters,” Olive muttered.“真到了要紧的时候，他听得懂就够了。”奥利芙嘟囔道。133
“Pardon?”“你说什么？”134
“I said, we could be halfway down the gap, away from this place before night fell.”“我说，天黑之前，我们本来都能沿着山隘走到半途，远离这个地方了。”135
“Then we’d have to eat a cold supper,” the mage teased.“那我们就只能吃冷晚餐了。”法师打趣道。136
That was food for thought to the halfling.这倒让半身人陷入了沉思。137
In the end, she decided safety was more important than comfort.最终，她认定安全比舒适更重要。138
“It wouldn’t matter, you’d only add too much spice anyway.”“那也没什么，反正你只会放太多香料。”139
“Perhaps you should show me how to do it properly.”“也许你该教教我怎么做才对。”140
“I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of the joy of figuring it out for yourself,” Olive replied.“我可不想剥夺你自行摸索的乐趣。”奥利芙答道。141
“Besides, I have a more important job this evening.”“再说了，今晚我还有一件更重要的事要做。”142
She drew out a set of pasteboard cards from a jacket pocket.她从外套口袋里掏出一副硬纸牌。143
“Oh?“哦？144
And what job is that?”是什么事？”145
Alias asked with a smile.阿莉亚丝微笑着问道。146
“Teaching your lizard to vote,” the halfling announced, grabbing Dragonbait firmly by the arm and hustling him to a far corner of the ruins.“教你的蜥蜴投票。”半身人宣布道，一把牢牢抓住龙饵的胳膊，拽着他快步走向废墟远处的一角。147
“You keep an eye on Olive, Dragonbait,” Alias called.“龙饵，你看好奥利芙。”阿莉亚丝喊道。148
“Don’t let her wander into the woods.”“别让她跑进树林。”149
Akabar started the fire, using pieces of charred wood from the inn.阿卡巴用客栈里烧焦的木头生起了火。150
The mage struck a spark off his flint onto some wool and soon had a small blaze going.法师用燧石打出火星，点燃了一团羊毛，很快便生起一小簇火焰。151
Alias squatted on her haunches and blew into the flames, spreading them among the drier tinder until the heavier kindling caught.阿莉亚丝蹲下身，对着火焰吹气，让火苗在较干的引火物间蔓延，直到较粗的引柴也燃烧起来。152
Akabar pulled out a pan, some cooking utensils, and a package of meat from a saddle bag.阿卡巴从一只鞍袋里取出一口平底锅、几件炊具和一包肉。153
“Lamb, I think.”“我想是羊肉。”154
Carving the meat into strips, he added, “We’re going to have to start hunting soon.”他把肉切成长条，又说道：“我们很快就得开始打猎了。”155
“I know,” Alias sighed, staring into the flames.“我知道。”阿莉亚丝盯着火焰，叹了口气。156
“If I hadn’t been such a frightened ninny and had hit that bird square on, I’d still have my dagger and we’d be eating fresh meat tonight.”“要不是我当时吓得像个傻瓜，没能正中那只鸟，我的匕首现在还在，今晚我们也能吃上鲜肉了。”157
“Your aim can’t always be perfect,” he said.“你的准头不可能每次都十全十美。”他说。158
“Why not?”“为什么不能？”159
The mage laughed.法师笑了。160
He poured a splash of oil into the cooking pan and balanced it on two large logs which straddled the fire.他往平底锅里倒了一点油，把锅架在横跨火堆的两根大木头上。161
“You’re only human.”“你毕竟只是凡人。”162
“What’s that got to do with it?”“这跟那有什么关系？”163
“Why is perfection so important?” he asked her.“为什么十全十美对你这么重要？”他问她。164
“Why is being alive important?” she returned.“那活着为什么重要？”她反问道。165
“One miss too many and I could end up someone else’s supper.”“只要多失手一次，我就可能成了别人的晚餐。”166
“You lead a hard life.”“你的日子过得真不容易。”167
“It’s worth it,” the swordswoman insisted.“但值得。”女剑士坚持道。168
“Why?”“为什么？”169
Alias shrugged.阿莉亚丝耸了耸肩。170
“The feeling of being free, I guess.”“我想，是因为那种自由的感觉吧。”171
“Free of needing others?”“不必依赖别人的自由？”172
Alias did not reply.阿莉亚丝没有回答。173
She fished a brush from her saddle bag and walked over to where Lady Killer stood munching the stiff mountain grass.她从鞍袋里摸出一把刷子，走到正嚼着硬韧山草的“淑女杀手”身旁。174
The mage smiled as he watched her grooming the purebred stallion.法师看着她给那匹纯种牡马梳理毛发，微微一笑。175
If she took that brush to her own hair, he thought, she would look as well bred.他心想，要是她肯拿那把刷子梳梳自己的头发，看起来也会像是出身名门。176
Akabar believed he understood why she spent her affection on the horse.阿卡巴觉得自己明白她为何把感情都倾注在那匹马上。177
The creature would never betray her, it didn’t really need her, and it didn’t ask questions.这畜生永远不会背叛她，并不真正需要她，也不会问东问西。178
Rather like her other companion, the lizard.倒很像她的另一个伙伴——那只蜥蜴。179
He shook off the pity he felt for her, knowing that if she saw it, she would go for his throat.他甩开了对她的怜悯，因为他知道，要是让她看出来，她准会直取他的咽喉。180
The oil in the pan spat, and the mage added the strips of lamb.锅里的油噼啪作响，法师把切成条的羊肉放了进去。181
The mountain air was chill.山间的空气寒意逼人。182
Before long, Alias returned to the fire to warm her hands.没过多久，阿莉亚丝便回到火堆旁暖手。183
“Do you think a dragon may have caused this damage?”“你觉得这里的破坏会不会是龙造成的？”184
Akabar asked.阿卡巴问道。185
The thought had been preying on his mind, but he had not wanted to appear nervous.这个念头一直萦绕在他心头，但他不想显得紧张。186
“No,” Alias replied.“不会，”阿莉亚丝答道。187
“A dragon wouldn’t leave things so neat.“龙不会把现场弄得这么整齐。188
It’d burrow through the stones on the floor, looking for treasure.它会为了寻找财宝，在地面的石头间掘来掘去。189
The damage was probably caused by an ordinary fire.这里的破坏多半只是普通火灾造成的。190
Unless two mages decided to fight it out here with heavy magic.”除非有两个法师在这里用强大的魔法狠狠干了一架。”191
“I was just wondering,” the mage explained as he covered a pan of boiling broth and millet, “because you said Mist had ravens as familiars.“我只是有些疑惑，”法师一边解释，一边给那锅沸腾的肉汤和小米盖上盖子，“因为你说过，米斯特以渡鸦为使魔。192
This is the height of the trading season.现在正值贸易旺季。193
It is unusual, is it not, for this route to be so deserted?”这条路线竟如此荒无人烟，不是很反常吗？”194
“Yes,” Alias admitted.“是的，”阿莉亚丝承认道。195
“But it might have nothing to do with the inn’s destruction.“但这未必和客栈被毁有关。196
Trade routes go out of fashion for other reasons than monsters.商路没落，也可能是怪物以外的原因造成的。197
Sometimes it’s just the rumor of monsters, put out by secret societies to discourage competition.有时候，不过是秘密组织为了吓退竞争对手，故意放出了怪物出没的谣言。198
Wars.战争。199
Too little grain to trade.可供交易的粮食太少。200
Import taxes and tolls.进口税和过路费。201
You know more about trading.做生意的事，你比我懂得多。202
What do you think?”你怎么看？”203
“I think something is wrong, but it may or may not concern … us.”“我觉得有些不对劲，但这件事也许和……我们有关，也许无关。”204
“You mean me, of course.“你指的当然是我。205
And my affliction.”还有我的怪病。”206
“Have there been any problems?” the mage asked.“最近出过什么问题吗？”法师问道。207
“Not since the wedding.”“婚礼之后就没有了。”208
Alias watched as Akabar lifted the lid from the pan and crushed a fistful of dried peppers over the steaming grain, letting most of it settle in a quarter of the pan.阿莉亚丝看着阿卡巴掀开锅盖，将满满一把干辣椒捏碎，撒在热气腾腾的谷物上，其中大部分都落在了锅内四分之一的区域里。209
“I take it that’s Olive’s portion,” Alias noted, smiling.“我想，那一份是给奥利芙的吧。”阿莉亚丝微笑着说道。210
The mage grinned fiendishly.法师露出了恶魔般的坏笑。211
“The vengeance of wizards and cooks can be subtle but terrible.“法师和厨子的报复或许不动声色，却也可怕至极。212
Each day I add another quarter fistful.我每天都再多加四分之一把。213
Eventually Mistress Ruskettle will help prepare a meal, or her tongue will fall out of her head.”拉斯凯特尔女士最后要么会来帮忙做顿饭，要么舌头就会从嘴里掉出来。”214
“More likely, you’ll run out of spices.”“更可能的是，你会先把香料用光。”215
Akabar chuckled.阿卡巴轻声笑了起来。216
Alias looked over to the far corner of the ruined inn, where Olive sat cross-legged before Dragonbait.阿莉亚丝望向客栈废墟的远角，只见奥利芙盘腿坐在龙饵面前。217
The bard held a card in front of the lizard and said something Alias could not hear.吟游诗人举着一张牌给那蜥蜴看，还说了句阿莉亚丝听不见的话。218
Dragonbait looked at the card with a deadpan stare, then abruptly plucked it out of her hand and started to nibble on the edge.龙饵面无表情地盯着那张牌，随即猛然从她手中将牌抽走，开始啃起牌边来。219
“The halfling has less chance for success than a fat school priest trying to convert kobolds,” Alias said with a smirk.“这半身人的胜算，比一个胖校牧试图让狗头人改宗还要小。”阿莉亚丝讥笑着说。220
“You remind me of my younger wife.“你让我想起我那位年轻些的妻子。221
What she cannot see, she will not believe.凡是她亲眼看不见的，她一概不信。222
When I return, she’ll sit and count the money I bring home, but she’ll laugh in disbelief at the wondrous things I tell her about the north country.”等我回去，她会坐下来数我带回家的钱，可我若给她讲北方的种种奇闻，她只会不相信地哈哈大笑。”223
“She’ll be laughing pretty hard about this troupe,” Alias predicted.“听说了这支队伍的事，她准会笑得很厉害。”阿莉亚丝断言。224
“Perhaps when you have finished your quest you might accompany me back to Alaghon, where my wives base our business.”“也许等你完成使命后，可以陪我回阿拉洪一趟；我的妻子们在那里打理我们的生意。”225
His tone was light, but Alias felt something underlying it, something deeper that he struggled to keep from surfacing, “I hope that wasn’t an invitation to join your little harem, Turmite.”他的语气很轻松，但阿莉亚丝察觉到话里还藏着什么，一种更深沉、被他竭力压住不让浮现的情感。“希望你这不是在邀请我加入你的小小后宫，图米什佬。”226
She intended the remark to sound like a sneer, but it became more of a question.她本想把这话说得像是讥讽，出口时却更像一句疑问。227
Akabar sighed inwardly; he’d made her shy away again.阿卡巴暗自叹了口气；他又一次把她吓退了。228
He forced a smile he did not feel.他强挤出一个毫无笑意的笑容。229
“The invitation was only for a traveling companion, not a future bedmate.“我只是邀请你做旅伴，并不是请你将来做我的床伴。230
I hoped to prove to my wives that women of the north wield dangerous weapons and travel where they please.我只是想向妻子们证明，北方女人会挥舞危险的武器，也能随心所欲地四处游历。231
You need not fear my desires.你不必担心我对你有什么欲望。232
Turmish women keep their mates so enraptured with their amorous abilities that foreign women pall by comparison.”图米什女人极擅床笫之欢，能令伴侣神魂颠倒；相比之下，异国女人只会让人觉得索然无味。”233
“I see,” Alias replied, looking down into the fire to keep her grin from showing.“我明白了。”阿莉亚丝答道，低头望向火堆，不让他看见自己的笑容。234
“Besides,” continued Akabar, “as I’ve explained once, they have veto power over co-wives.“再说，”阿卡巴继续道，“我已经解释过一回，她们有权否决新增的妻子。235
They would never approve of you joining the family.她们绝不会同意你加入这个家庭。236
You’re much too hot-tempered, and my older wife is offended by the smell of damp wool.”你的脾气实在太火爆了，而且我的大妻子受不了湿羊毛的气味。”237
Alias laughed and threw the horse brush at him.阿莉亚丝大笑起来，把马刷朝他扔了过去。238
“You smell like damp wool, too, Turmite.”“你身上也有股湿羊毛味，图米什佬。”239
She gave a tug on his cloak.她扯了扯他的斗篷。240
Akabar shrugged.阿卡巴耸了耸肩。241
“Yes, but my wives cannot veto me.”“是啊，但我的妻子们无权否决我。”242
Olive and Dragonbait joined them at the fireside, the only warmth and light for miles now that the sun had set.太阳已经落山，奥利芙和龙饵也来到火堆旁，方圆数英里内，只有这里还有温暖和光亮。243
The lizard carried wood for the fire.蜥蜴人抱来了木柴添火。244
The bard was all smiles.吟游诗人笑容满面。245
“I’ve done it,” Olive declared.“我成功了，”奥利芙宣布。246
“Done what?”“成功做了什么？”247
Akabar asked, tasting his concoction.阿卡巴一边尝着自己调制的食物，一边问道。248
“Taught Dragonbait to speak to us,” the bard said.“我教会龙饵跟我们说话了，”吟游诗人说道。249
Fixing Alias with a reproachful stare, she added, “It’s surprising no one thought of it before.”她用责备的目光盯着阿莉亚丝，又补充道：“真奇怪，以前居然没人想到这个办法。”250
“So, let’s hear what he says,” Alias said, holding out a piece of flat trailbread for Akabar to spread with the meat and grain mixture.“那就让我们听听他说什么吧。”阿莉亚丝说道，同时递出一块扁平的干粮饼，好让阿卡巴把肉和谷物的混合物抹在上面。251
“It doesn’t work like that,” the bard explained.“不是那样的，”吟游诗人解释道。252
She pulled out a deck of Talis cards from her pocket.她从口袋里掏出一副塔利斯牌。253
“He doesn’t speak any tongue I recognize, but he can understand us.“他说的语言我一种也听不懂，但他能听懂我们的话。254
Watch.”看着。”255
Ruskettle leafed through the cards, pulling out two.拉斯凯特尔翻了翻牌，从中抽出两张。256
“The Holed Plate, Primary of Stones, means yes,” Olive said.“穿孔盘，石之首牌，代表‘是’，”奥利芙说道。257
“The Flaming Dagger, no. He picked that one himself.”“燃烧的匕首代表‘否’。这张是他自己挑的。”258
“I wonder why,” Alias smirked.“真不知道为什么。”阿莉亚丝讥诮地笑道。259
“I ask him a question and he can give the answer.“我问他一个问题，他就能给出答案。260
Watch.”看着。”261
She turned back to the creature and, smiling like a maiden aunt, Alias thought, she asked, “Dragonbait, are you a lizard?”她转回身面对那生物，脸上带着笑容——在阿莉亚丝看来，活像个未婚的姨妈——问道：“龙饵，你是蜥蜴吗？”262
The lizard-creature held up the Holed Plate indicating yes.那蜥蜴模样的生物举起穿孔盘，表示“是”。263
“Are you hungry?”“你饿了吗？”264
Olive asked in the same cheerful tone.奥利芙用同样欢快的语气问道。265
Dragonbait held up the same card.龙饵举起了同一张牌。266
Another yes.又一个“是”。267
“Should we stay in this haunted place?”“我们该留在这个闹鬼的地方吗？”268
Olive demanded, suddenly stern, pointing to the burned rafters.奥利芙指着烧焦的椽木，突然神色严厉地质问道。269
Dragonbait lifted the Flaming Dagger card.龙饵举起了“烈焰匕首”牌。270
Olive turned back to face the swordswoman and mage.奥利芙转过身来，再次面对女剑士和法师。271
“You see.“你们瞧。272
You’ve held this poor creature, virtually as a bondservant, for weeks now without even trying to communicate with him.你们把这个可怜的家伙扣在身边，几乎当成了契约仆役，已经好几个星期了，却连试着跟他沟通一下都没有。273
I reached his mind in a single session.”我只用了一次，就触及了他的心灵。”274
Olive shook her head sadly.奥利芙悲哀地摇了摇头。275
“I wonder why you humans are running the world at all.”“我真不明白，为什么这个世界竟会由你们人类主宰。”276
Alias studied Dragonbait curiously.阿莉亚丝好奇地端详着龙饵。277
She had tried to communicate with him back at The Hidden Lady without success.之前在“隐秘女士”时，她也曾试着与他沟通，却没有成功。278
Why did I give up so soon? she wondered, but she knew the answer to that.我为什么那么快就放弃了？她心想，但她知道答案。279
Dragonbait seemed to understand what she wanted without her even having to ask, and besides, he’d offered her his sword, which made her his leader.龙饵似乎总能明白她想要什么，甚至不必等她开口；再说，他已经把剑交给了她，这便意味着他认她做了首领。280
Still … is it possible that I didn’t want to know anything he could tell me?可是……有没有可能，是我根本不想知道他能告诉我的任何事？281
She felt more than a little annoyed with herself.她对自己着实有些恼火。282
Akabar polished off his supper and licked his fingers.阿卡巴吃完了晚餐，又舔了舔手指。283
“Congratulations,” he said to Olive, handing her a folded meat and millet sandwich filled from the far side of the skillet.“恭喜你，”他对奥利芙说道，同时递给她一份对折起来的肉和小米夹饼，里面夹的是从煎锅另一边盛来的馅料。284
“May I try?”“可以让我试试吗？”285
“Of course,” the halfling replied, relinquishing her seat beside the lizard.“当然可以。”半身人回答道，把蜥蜴人身旁的座位让给了他。286
“Answers told, mysteries revealed.”“有问必答，谜团尽解。”287
Akabar sat in front of the lizard, frowning in deep concentration.阿卡巴坐到蜥蜴人面前，皱着眉头，全神贯注。288
“Dragonbait,” he asked, “can you understand me?”“龙饵，”他问道，“你能听懂我的话吗？”289
The lizard held up the Flaming Dagger.蜥蜴人举起了“烈焰匕首”牌。290
No.不能。291
“Well,” the mage said, “at least he’s honest.”“好吧，”法师说，“至少他很诚实。”292
With a smile he asked, “Is the halfling a perfect fool?”他微笑着问道：“这个半身人是不是个十足的傻瓜？”293
Dragonbait lifted up the Holed Plate.龙饵举起了穿孔盘。294
Yes.是。295
Alias giggled.阿莉亚丝咯咯笑了起来。296
Akabar screwed his face into a scowl.阿卡巴板起脸，露出怒容。297
“Would you mind very much if we threw her on the fire for kindling?”“要是我们把她扔进火里当引火柴，你会很介意吗？”298
The Flaming Dagger.火焰匕首。299
No.不。300
Akabar burst into laughter.阿卡巴放声大笑。301
“Idiot bard!“白痴吟游诗人！302
You’ve trained him to show the yes card when you smile and the no card when you frown.你训练他在你微笑时亮出‘是’的牌子，在你皱眉时亮出‘不’的牌子。303
He’s a quick study, but there are trained monkeys in Calisham who know that trick.他学得倒快，可卡利珊受过训练的猴子也会这一招。304
Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold.”现在，趁晚饭还没凉，赶紧吃吧。”305
He and Alias turned back to the pan for second helpings.他和阿莉亚丝转回煎锅旁，又各自添了一份。306
“The way you spice food, it could melt steel for hours,” the halfling grumbled.“照你这种给食物加香料的法子，这东西能让钢铁熔上好几个钟头。”半身人抱怨道。307
Before she took a bite of the peppery mixture, she glared at Dragonbait, saying, “I bet you’re proud of yourself, lizard.”她咬下那辛辣的混合物之前，先瞪了龙饵一眼，说道：“蜥蜴，我敢说你现在一定得意极了。”308
Dragonbait held up the Holed Plate, cocked his head at the halfling, and a strange clicking sound came through his stubby teeth.龙饵举起穿孔盘，歪着头看向半身人，短粗的牙齿间发出一阵奇怪的咔嗒声。309
Olive felt certain he was laughing at her.奥利芙确信他是在嘲笑她。310
点句末的编号，从那一句开始听