“Well, that’s a switch,” Alias muttered as she drew back the curtains to let daylight into her room.“嘿，真是反过来了。”阿莉亚丝一边嘟囔，一边拉开窗帘，让日光照进房间。1
Dragonbait lay by the fireside, snoozing away.龙饵躺在炉火边，睡得正香。2
She was awake before him.她竟比他先醒。3
Of course, he’d been up late last night keeping an eye on Olive, and he had walked, not ridden, from Cormyr.当然，他昨晚为了看住奥利芙熬到很晚，而且他是从科米尔一路走来的，并没有骑马。4
He must need rest very badly, she thought, more than the rest of us.他一定非常需要休息，她心想，比我们其他人都更需要。5
And he’s done the most to earn it, too.而且，他也最有资格好好休息。6
Still, she couldn’t help wondering mischievously what he would think and feel and do if she were gone when he awoke.不过，她还是忍不住顽皮地想，要是他醒来时发现她不见了，会怎么想、有什么感受，又会做些什么。7
When she’d returned to The Old Skull the night before, he’d been standing near the door of the inn, obviously torn between keeping an eye on the halfling and leaving to find the swordswoman.昨晚她回到老骷髅酒馆时，他正站在旅店门口附近，显然左右为难，不知该继续看着那个半身人，还是离开去找女剑士。8
She had offered to stay in the taproom with Olive so that he could retire, but he had shaken his head in refusal.她提出由自己留在酒馆大厅里陪着奥利芙，好让他去休息，可他摇头拒绝了。9
Alias, feeling worn from their forced march and with her ankle throbbing from her trip in the darkness, had accepted his gallantry gratefully and gone to bed herself.阿莉亚丝因一路被迫急行而疲惫不堪，脚踝也因为摸黑时绊了一跤而阵阵作痛，于是感激地接受了他的好意，自己上床睡觉去了。10
She had no idea what time he’d come up to sleep.她根本不知道他是什么时候上楼来睡的。11
Now she felt just a touch guilty.此刻，她感到了一丝愧疚。12
She crept about quietly as she dressed.她轻手轻脚地走动着，穿好衣服。13
Another pang assaulted her conscience as she sat on the bed, pulling on her boots.她坐在床上穿靴子时，良心又是一阵刺痛。14
Dragonbait always slept on the floor.龙饵总是睡在地板上。15
It had never occurred to her to rent him his own room; she’d always assumed he would want to stay near her.她从没想过要单独给他租一间房；她一直以为他会愿意待在她身边。16
She might at least have asked for something with an extra bed for him.她至少也该要一间多放一张床、能让他睡下的房间。17
“I’ll make it all up to you.“我会把这一切都补偿给你的。18
Somehow,” she whispered to the sleeping lizard as she slipped out of the room and very gently pulled the door closed.总会有办法的。”她对着熟睡的蜥蜴低声说道，随后溜出房间，极轻地带上了门。19
The taproom was empty when Alias came down the stairs, but Jhaele popped her head out of the kitchen to wish her a good day and ask if she’d slept well.阿莉亚丝走下楼梯时，酒馆大厅里空无一人，但杰尔从厨房里探出头来，祝她今天过得愉快，又问她睡得好不好。20
“Very well, thank you,” Alias assured her.“睡得很好，谢谢。”阿莉亚丝向她保证道。21
“Do you have any idea where my friends have gone?”“你知道我的朋友们去哪儿了吗？”22
“Did you try their rooms, lady?”“您去他们的房间找过了吗，女士？”23
Jhaele asked.杰尔问道。24
“I would have thought they’d all still be sleeping.”“我还以为他们肯定都在睡觉呢。”25
“Oh.“哦。26
No, I just assumed they’d be up and about by now.”没有，我只是以为他们这会儿早该起来活动了。”27
Jhaele shook her head.杰尔摇了摇头。28
“Mistress Ruskettle didn’t retire until the very small hours, and she drank a good deal of bottled sleep, if you catch my meaning.“拉斯凯特尔女士一直到后半夜才睡，而且还喝了不少瓶装的‘睡意’——你懂我的意思吧。29
And your Mister Akash was out all night.至于你那位阿卡什先生，他整夜都在外面。30
Didn’t come home until after dawn.直到天亮以后才回来。31
Same with the lizard-creature.那个蜥蜴怪物也一样。32
He sat by the fire until morning, slipped upstairs for a minute, then left the inn for about an hour and returned with Master Akash.”他在炉火旁一直坐到早晨，上楼待了一小会儿，随后离开旅店约莫一个钟头，回来时和阿卡什先生在一起。”33
Alias ordered breakfast, then took a seat at a table.阿莉亚丝点了早餐，随后在一张桌旁坐下。34
She stared around the room, feeling a little sad.她环顾着房间，心里有些伤感。35
Everything here was so familiar (except of course the new lord, Mourngrym, and the elusive Elminster), and it hurt that no one remembered her.这里的一切都是如此熟悉（当然，除了新领主莫恩格林和那位神出鬼没的伊尔明斯特），可竟没有一个人记得她，这令她很难受。36
Last night, however, she’d come to the conclusion that that was part of her curse.不过昨晚她已经得出结论，这也是她所受诅咒的一部分。37
Besides making her forget things, the azure brands made other people forget her.那些蔚蓝色的烙印不但让她忘记一些事情，也让别人忘记她。38
Both conditions were bound up in the same spell.这两种情形都与同一道法术紧密相连。39
Akabar came down the stairs just as Jhaele was bringing in a tray loaded with waffles, ham, fruit, and tea.杰尔端着一只盛满华夫饼、火腿、水果和茶的托盘走进来时，阿卡巴正好从楼梯上下来。40
“I’ll whip up more of the same,” the innkeep offered.“我再照样做一份。”旅店老板娘主动说道。41
Alias nodded and pulled out a chair for her companion.阿莉亚丝点点头，为同伴拉出一把椅子。42
“I understand your meeting with the wise Elminster kept you out all night,” she said.“听说你去见睿智的伊尔明斯特，整夜都没回来，”她说。43
“How’d it go?”“谈得怎么样？”44
Akabar smiled weakly.阿卡巴勉强笑了笑。45
“It was all right, I suppose.”“还行吧，我想。”46
“And?”“然后呢？”47
Alias prompted.阿莉亚丝追问道。48
“What did he have to say?”“他都说了些什么？”49
“Say?”“说了什么？”50
Akabar echoed.阿卡巴重复道。51
Something in his manner made Alias suspicious.他的神态中有些什么，引起了阿莉亚丝的疑心。52
“Something bad?” she whispered after Jhaele had laid out extra tableware for Akabar and left.等杰尔为阿卡巴多摆了一套餐具离开后，她低声问：“是什么坏消息吗？”53
Akabar shook his head.阿卡巴摇了摇头。54
“I waited half the night to see him, and I came away with nothing more than what we learned from Dimswart back in Suzail.”“我等了他大半夜，结果得到的还是我们在苏萨尔从迪姆斯沃特那里打听到的那些事。”55
“Did he mention the lay of Zrie Prakis and Cassana?”“他提到兹里·普拉基斯和卡萨娜的歌谣了吗？”56
Akabar made a noncommittal noise as he poured syrup over some waffles.阿卡巴往几块华夫饼上浇着糖浆，含糊地哼了一声，未置可否。57
“Did he?”“他提了吗？”58
Alias asked, taking the syrup from him.阿莉亚丝一边问，一边从他手中接过糖浆。59
“Did he what?”“他提什么了？”60
Akabar grumbled, feigning listlessness.阿卡巴嘟囔道，装出一副无精打采的样子。61
“Did he tell you about the lay of Zrie Prakis and Cassana?”“他有没有跟你说兹里·普拉基斯和卡萨娜的歌谣？”62
“No, he didn’t,” Akabar answered and promptly stuffed his mouth with waffles to give himself time to think.“没有，他没说。”阿卡巴答道，随即往嘴里塞满华夫饼，好给自己争取时间思考。63
What was he going to do?他该怎么办？64
So far, all his answers had been the truth.到目前为止，他所有的回答都是实话。65
He had waited half the night for Elminster and longer.他确实等了伊尔明斯特大半夜，甚至更久。66
He had not learned anything new, and Elminster had not told him about any lay.他确实没有得知任何新消息，伊尔明斯特也确实没跟他提过什么歌谣。67
He could not keep up the ambiguous and vague answers much longer, though.然而，这种模棱两可、含糊其词的回答，他也撑不了多久了。68
He would either have to admit his failure or lie to her.他要么承认自己的失败，要么对她撒谎。69
He had thought that, when the time came, one action or the other would come easily to him, but they did not.他原以为事到临头，这两个选择中总有一个能轻易做出，可事实并非如此。70
He had been little help protecting Alias, rather the reverse, needing her to rescue him from the kalmari.在保护阿莉亚丝这件事上，他几乎没帮上什么忙，反倒还要她从卡尔玛里手中救他。71
Now his role as information-gatherer had completely collapsed.如今，就连他搜集情报的职责也彻底搞砸了。72
His pride could not cope with the admission of his own uselessness.他的自尊心无法承受让他承认自己竟如此无用。73
Yet, surprisingly, the alternative—lying to her—did not come any easier.然而，出乎意料的是，另一个选择——对她撒谎——也同样不容易。74
In his dealings as a merchant, Akabar could stretch the truth with a skill that would make Olive Ruskettle’s head swim, but that skill did not extend to deceiving women.阿卡巴做生意时，能以一种足以让奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔都头晕目眩的技巧歪曲事实，可这本事一到欺骗女人时就不灵了。75
He had never been able to lie to his wives either, even though it might have made some of his nights a little less tumultuous.他也从来没办法对妻子们撒谎，尽管那样或许能让他少过几个鸡飞狗跳的夜晚。76
“What’s the lay of Zrie Prakis and Cassana?” a shrill voice chirped.“兹里·普拉基斯和卡萨娜之间到底是怎么回事？”一个尖细的声音叽叽喳喳地问道。77
Olive climbed into a chair and promptly popped one of Alias’s strawberries into her mouth.奥利芙爬上一把椅子，随即把阿莉亚丝的一颗草莓塞进嘴里。78
“Apparently,” Alias explained, “they were lovers before they went at each other in the duel that killed Zrie Prakis.”“显然，”阿莉亚丝解释道，“他们在那场决斗之前曾是情人，而那场决斗最终要了兹里·普拉基斯的命。”79
“Ooo.“哦——80
You humans are such fascinating people.你们人类可真是有意思。81
Did Cassana throw herself off a cliff in remorse?”卡萨娜有没有因为悔恨而跳崖自尽？”82
Olive asked, using an extra fork to swipe a large piece of one of Alias’s waffles.奥利芙问道，同时用一把多余的叉子从阿莉亚丝的一块华夫饼上叉走了一大块。83
Alias shook her head.阿莉亚丝摇了摇头。84
“No. She did keep his bones, though.“没有。不过她确实留下了他的骨头。85
By her bedside as a keepsake.”就放在床边，当作纪念品。”86
“Yuck,” the halfling muttered as she chewed.“真恶心。”半身人边嚼边嘟囔。87
“Definitely.“确实。88
I’m surprised Elminster didn’t mention it.真奇怪，伊尔明斯特居然没提过这件事。89
It’s supposed to be a common story up north.据说这故事在北方广为流传。90
There’s even supposed to be an opera about it.”甚至还有一部以它为题材的歌剧呢。”91
“Perhaps Elminster is not a big opera-lover,” Akabar sniffed and stuffed more waffle into his mouth.“也许伊尔明斯特不怎么喜欢歌剧。”阿卡巴哼了一声，又往嘴里塞了一块华夫饼。92
“I don’t blame him,” the bard said.“这也不能怪他。”吟游诗人说道。93
“I’ve heard that people commit murders at operas, and no one notices because everyone on stage is bellowing at the top of his lungs.”“我听说，有人在歌剧院里犯下谋杀案都没人察觉，因为台上的每个人都在扯着嗓子吼叫。”94
“I don’t see how this story about the mages helps us any,” Akabar said.“我看不出这个关于法师的故事对我们有什么帮助。”阿卡巴说道。95
“It doesn’t, really,” Alias admitted, “but I just wanted to show that you’re not the only one able to get information.“其实没什么帮助，”阿莉亚丝承认道，“我只是想让你知道，不是只有你才有本事打听到消息。96
I pick up bits here and there.”我也能东听一点，西听一点。”97
Inwardly injured by the swordswoman’s remark and encouraged by the presence of the halfling, Akabar somehow found the strength to invent a meeting with Elminster.阿莉亚丝的话暗暗刺伤了阿卡巴，而半身人在场又给了他几分勇气，他不知怎的竟鼓起力气，编造出了一次与伊尔明斯特的会面。98
“I got nothing from this supposedly renowned sage but the standard material we already know.“这位据说声名显赫的贤者，除了那些我们早已知道的老一套，什么也没告诉我。99
He might have looked it all up in the same book Dimswart used.他大概也是从迪姆斯沃特用过的同一本书里查来的。100
He had no idea what the last sigil was, either.他同样不知道最后一个符印是什么意思。101
His reputation is overrated.他的名声言过其实。102
It must be based on past victories.那肯定都是靠昔日的成就挣来的。103
I only hope when I’m that decrepit and befuddled, I’ll have a profitable business in the hands of my daughters and not have to rely on gulling foolish adventurers.”我只希望自己到了那般衰朽昏聩的年纪，能有一门赚钱的生意交给女儿们经营，不必靠蒙骗愚蠢的冒险者过活。”104
“Elminster was decrepit and befuddled?”“伊尔明斯特已经衰朽昏聩了？”105
Alias asked, remembering Mourngrym’s description of the sage as the wisest in the Realms.阿莉亚丝问道；她还记得莫恩格林曾说，那位贤者是诸界最有智慧的人。106
Still, perhaps Mourngrym’s standards weren’t up to those of Cormyr or the lands farther south.不过，莫恩格林的评判标准或许比不上科米尔或更南方地区的人。107
She had harbored one odd idea, however, so she had to ask, “What did he look like?”然而，她心里一直有个古怪的猜想，因此不得不问：“他长什么样？”108
“He looked like a spider,” lied the Turmishman, leaning over the table and speaking in a low voice.“他看起来活像一只蜘蛛，”图米什人撒谎道，俯身凑过桌面，压低了声音。109
He had to be carried about from room to room.他从一个房间到另一个房间，都得让人抬着走。110
His hands were shriveled into useless sticks, so that he had to be dressed and fed by his manservant.他的双手萎缩得像两根毫无用处的枯枝，所以穿衣吃饭都得由男仆伺候。111
I know.我知道。112
I watched him eat.我亲眼看着他吃过东西。113
It was most unpleasant.”那场面实在令人不快。”114
Alias pondered the mage’s description while she sipped her tea.阿莉亚丝一边啜饮着茶，一边琢磨法师的这番描述。115
She had suspected her goatherd to be Elminster, though he had tried to lead her away from that idea.她原本怀疑那个放羊人就是伊尔明斯特，尽管他曾试图打消她的这个念头。116
Powerful, famous people often traveled around dressed as commoners, at least in lays and songs.有权势的名人常常乔装成平民四处游历，至少叙事诗和歌谣里都是这么说的。117
But if the sage was chair-ridden, her goatherd had to be someone else.但如果那位贤者离不开椅子，那个放羊人就必定另有其人。118
That didn’t mean she valued the old man’s advice any less, and she certainly appreciated his finder’s stone, kept safely tucked away in her boot top.这并不意味着她会轻视老人给的忠告，而他送的那块寻物石，她自然也十分珍惜，此刻正安安稳稳地藏在她的靴筒里。119
It made her feel a lot less nervous, knowing he had been just a wise, old man.知道他只是一位睿智的老人，她安心了许多。120
Had Elminster himself taken such an interest in her singing, she’d know she was in more trouble than she could handle.要是伊尔明斯特本人都对她的歌声如此感兴趣，她就会明白，自己惹上的麻烦已经远非她所能应付。121
Jhaele brought out another breakfast tray and unloaded the contents onto their table.杰尔又端来一只早餐托盘，把里面的东西一一摆到他们桌上。122
“Pass the strawberries,” Olive demanded, dumping the contents of the fruit bowl on top of another grilled cake and handing the empty bowl back to Akabar, who put it aside without noticing.“把草莓递给我，”奥利芙吩咐道，把水果碗里的东西全倒在另一块烤饼上，又将空碗递回给阿卡巴；阿卡巴心不在焉地把碗放到了一旁。123
He was nearly holding his breath, afraid Alias might make some comment about Elminster that Jhaele would hear and contradict, belying his story.他几乎屏住了呼吸，生怕阿莉亚丝提起伊尔明斯特，而杰尔听见后会出言反驳，戳穿他的谎话。124
“I need to do some shopping,” Alias announced, draining her tea cup.“我得去买些东西，”阿莉亚丝喝干杯里的茶，宣布道。125
“Would you mind very much taking care of the food provisioning?” she asked the Turmishman.“采买食物的事，能不能劳烦你负责？”她问图米什人。126
“Not at all,” Akabar assured her, forcing a smile to his lips.“当然没问题，”阿卡巴强挤出一丝笑容，向她保证道。127
That’s all he felt good for lately, buying the groceries from other greengrocers like himself.近来他似乎也就只配干这个了：从其他和他一样的果蔬商那里采买食物。128
Alias rose from the table and went over to knock on the kitchen door.阿莉亚丝从桌旁起身，走过去敲了敲厨房的门。129
Jhaele handed her another tray.杰尔递给她另一个托盘。130
“I’m taking this up to Dragonbait,” she explained to the others.“我把这个端上去给龙饵，”她向其他人解释道。131
“Why?“为什么？132
Is he sick?”他病了吗？”133
Olive asked.奥利芙问。134
“No. I just thought he deserved breakfast in bed for a change.”“没有。我只是觉得也该让他换换花样，享受一次躺在床上吃早餐。”135
Akabar tried not to look too anxious when he asked, “When are we leaving here?”阿卡巴竭力不让自己显得过分焦急，问道：“我们什么时候离开这里？”136
The sooner they were gone from Shadowdale, the sooner his lie about Elminster would be safe from revelation.他们越早离开阴影谷，他关于伊尔明斯特的谎言就越不容易被揭穿。137
Also, it would be easier to keep an eye on the lizard when they were on the road.而且上路之后，要盯住那只蜥蜴也会更容易些。138
“About two hours.“大约两小时后。139
There’s a way station up the road about ten miles.沿路往前约十英里有一处驿站。140
I’d like to reach it by nightfall.”我想在天黑前赶到那里。”141
“Anything I can do?”“有什么我能帮忙的吗？”142
Olive asked offhandedly.奥利芙随口问道。143
“Keep out of trouble,” Alias suggested.“别惹麻烦就行，”阿莉亚丝建议道。144
“I might manage that,” the halfling said with a prim nod.“这我或许办得到，”半身人一本正经地点点头，说道。145
Dragonbait was still asleep when Alias returned to the room.阿莉亚丝回到房间时，龙饵还在睡觉。146
She set the tray down by his nose.她把托盘放到他鼻子旁边。147
He inhaled before he opened his eyes.他还没睁眼，就先吸了吸鼻子。148
“Hungry, sleepy-head?”“饿了吗，瞌睡虫？”149
The lizard sat up and smiled.蜥蜴坐起身来，露出了笑容。150
His cloak fell away as he broke off some waffle and popped it in his mouth.他掰下一块华夫饼塞进嘴里，斗篷也随之滑落。151
The scent of lemon wafted about the room.柠檬的香气在房间里飘荡开来。152
Aren’t we too far north for lemon trees to bloom?这里这么靠北，柠檬树应该还开不了花吧？153
Alias wondered.阿莉亚丝心想。154
She began packing up her clothes.她开始收拾自己的衣物。155
The turquoise wool tunic lay across a chair.那件绿松石色的羊毛束腰外衣搭在一把椅子上。156
Last night it had been mud-spattered from her fall.昨晚她摔倒后，衣服上还溅满了泥点。157
Now it was mysteriously laundered and dried.如今却不知怎么已经洗净晾干了。158
She gathered it up in her hands and went to sit beside Dragonbait.她双手捧起衣服，走到龙饵身边坐下。159
“Look, you’ve got to stop doing things like this.”“听着，你不能再做这种事了。”160
Dragonbait tilted his head and made a chirping noise.龙饵歪着脑袋，发出一声啾鸣。161
“Don’t give me that I-don’t-understand look,” Alias said.“别摆出那副‘我听不懂’的样子，”阿莉亚丝说。162
“I don’t care if you tease Olive, but I know you understand me.“你逗奥利芙玩，我不在乎，但我知道你听得懂我的话。163
I want you to stop this servant routine.我希望你别再摆出这副仆人的做派。164
You’re not my servant.你不是我的仆人。165
You’re … my traveling companion.你是……和我一起旅行的同伴。166
I know I’m lazy about looking after my things sometimes, but you’ll spoil me if you keep this up.我知道自己有时懒得打理东西，可你再这样下去，会把我宠坏的。167
I know how useful you are.我知道你很能干。168
You don’t have to keep proving it to me.你不必一直向我证明这一点。169
Do you understand?”你明白吗？”170
Dragonbait met her gaze with his unblinking yellow eyes.龙饵用那双一眨不眨的黄色眼睛迎着她的目光。171
He nodded.他点了点头。172
“All right, then.“那就好。173
Better finish your breakfast.快把早饭吃完吧。174
We’re leaving in a few hours.我们几个小时后出发。175
I’m going to the smithy to have the kinks ground out of my blade.我要去铁匠铺，把剑刃上的豁口磨平。176
You can bring your sword down too if you want.”你要是愿意，也可以把你的剑带过去。”177
Suddenly anxious to leave for the open road, Alias hurried to finish packing.阿莉亚丝忽然迫不及待地想踏上旅途，于是赶紧收拾完行装。178
While the lizard polished off his meal, she wrote out the words to the Standing Stone song and left them for Jhaele to give to the songhorn player.趁蜥蜴人风卷残云般吃完饭时，她写下《立石之歌》的歌词，留给杰尔转交给那位歌号手。179
No one in town would let them pay for supplies or services.镇上没有一个人肯收他们购买补给或接受服务的钱。180
Mourngrym had passed the word that bills were to be submitted to the tower.莫恩格林已经传下话来，所有账单都送到塔里去。181
Alias was glad she hadn’t assigned the halfling any shopping tasks.阿莉亚丝很庆幸自己没派那半身人去采买任何东西。182
Who knew what the bard would pick up on the town’s tab?谁知道那个吟游诗人会记在镇上的账上买些什么？183
For herself, Alias picked up a new dagger and shield from the smithy and had him sharpen her blade.阿莉亚丝自己从铁匠铺拿了一把新匕首和一面新盾牌，还让铁匠磨快了她的剑。184
Dragonbait looked a little anxious about turning his own bizarre weapon over to the craftsmen, but the man reassured him with the special care he took handling the sword before he began working on it.龙饵似乎有点不放心把自己那件古怪的武器交给工匠，但铁匠开工前拿取那把剑时格外小心，这才让他安下心来。185
They left town four hours before sunset.他们在日落前四个小时离开了镇子。186
A few townsfolk bid them farewell as they traveled along the road, but Alias caught no glimpse of her goatherd.他们沿路离去时，有几个镇民向他们道别，但阿莉亚丝始终没瞧见她的牧羊人。187
* * * * ** * * * *188
The weather held fair and warm, and no extraordinary encounters marred their travels.天气一直晴朗温暖，旅途中也没有什么非同寻常的遭遇来搅扰他们。189
A singularly stupid troll attacked Dragonbait on watch their second night out from Shadowdale, but when the rest of the party woke up the troll was burning merrily on the fire.离开阴影谷后的第二夜，一只蠢得出奇的巨魔在龙饵守夜时袭击了他，可等其他人醒来，那巨魔已经在火堆上欢快地烧了起来。190
The next day, they lost several hours in the Elven Wood, hiding uncomfortably in a damp cave to avoid a large party of orcs.第二天，他们为了躲避一大队兽人，不得不憋屈地藏在一处潮湿的洞穴里，结果在精灵森林耽搁了好几个小时。191
Their stay in the town of Voonlar was cut short when a sheriff’s deputy’s purse was found in Olive’s room at the inn.治安官副手的钱袋在奥利芙所住的客栈房间里被人发现后，他们在沃恩拉尔镇的逗留便提前结束了。192
Rather than arrest them, the deputy accepted an apology accompanied by the return of all his gold, thrice what could have possibly fit in the leather pouch.副手没有逮捕他们，而是在收到道歉和全部失金后接受了和解——那些金币足有那个皮袋最多能装下的三倍。193
They also had to agree to leave town immediately.他们还不得不同意立刻离开镇子。194
Alias was ready to throttle the halfling, but Olive argued her innocence so vehemently that the swordswoman believed her.阿莉亚丝恨不得掐死那个半身人，但奥利芙极其激烈地辩称自己无辜，最终令这位女剑士相信了她。195
More than the loss of a night in clean sheets troubled Alias.令阿莉亚丝烦心的，远不止没能在干净的床单间睡上一夜。196
There were rumors of a war to the east, and she hadn’t had any time to confirm them.东方盛传战事将起，而她一直没机会确认消息是真是假。197
They camped outside of town and continued toward Yulash in the morning.他们在镇外扎营，第二天早晨继续向尤拉什进发。198
Twice that day the shadow of some great, flying beast crossed the sun, causing all the horses to panic and rear on their hind legs.那天，有只巨大的飞兽两度从太阳前掠过，阴影令所有马匹惊慌失措，纷纷扬起前蹄。199
Still, Alias remained unperturbed.尽管如此，阿莉亚丝依旧泰然自若。200
She felt that “they,” the people who had branded her, had given up.她觉得给她烙上印记的“他们”已经放弃了。201
There were no more disturbing dreams or giant monsters or assassins in black.再也没有令人不安的梦境，没有巨怪，也没有黑衣刺客。202
The swordswoman was willing to bet that the kalmari in Shadow Gap had been their last card.女剑客敢断定，阴影隘口的卡尔玛里怪就是他们打出的最后一张牌。203
I’ve passed out of their range, she assured herself.我已经走出了他们的势力范围，她这样安慰自己。204
Only Moander is up here, and he’s been locked up beneath Yulash.这附近只有莫安德，而他已经被封禁在尤拉什地下了。205
By twilight they were in sight of the great mound on which the city of Yulash stood.黄昏时分，他们已经能望见尤拉什城所在的那座巨大丘陵。206
The single hill sloped gently, resembling a giant shield lying face-up on the plain.那座孤丘坡势平缓，宛如一面正面朝上、平放在原野上的巨盾。207
According to Olive, once upon a time an individual standing in the highest citadel atop the crown of the hill could see the smoke rise from the dark furnaces of Zhentil Keep, and the fog roll off the shores of the Moonsea.据奥利芙说，从前若有人站在山顶最高处的堡垒里，便能看见散提尔堡幽暗熔炉中升起的烟雾，也能望见从月海岸边滚滚涌来的雾气。208
“One of the merchants in Shadowdale told me that the Yulashians could have seen the glow of fire when dragons destroyed Phlan, except they were being destroyed by dragons themselves at the time.“阴影谷有个商人告诉我，巨龙摧毁弗兰的时候，尤拉什人本来可以看到那边的火光，只可惜当时他们自己也正被巨龙摧毁。209
A horde of them came down on the Dales two years back,” Olive explained.两年前，一大群巨龙从天而降，袭击了谷地，”奥利芙解释道。210
“Destroyed one of Shadowdale’s high-muckety witches.”“还杀死了阴影谷一个了不起的女巫。”211
“Sylune,” Alias snapped.“希露妮。”阿莉亚丝厉声纠正道。212
“Yes.“对。213
That was her name.她是叫这个名字。214
Anyway, the dragons left Phlan and Yulash in ruins, killed all the rulers and mages, and scattered the commoners.”总之，巨龙把弗兰和尤拉什都变成了废墟，杀光了所有统治者和法师，又把平民驱散了。”215
“Now Zhentil Keep forces occupy the rubble,” Akabar reminded them.“如今散提尔堡的军队占据了那片废墟，”阿卡巴提醒他们。216
“Its altitude makes it a strategic location.”“那里地势高，是个战略要地。”217
As the darkness settled, they could see there were fires on Yulash mound, punctuated by flashes of fireball and other magical flames.随着夜幕降临，他们可以看见尤拉什的山丘上燃着火焰，其间不时闪现火球术和其他魔法火焰的光芒。218
“The war is at Yulash.”“战火已经烧到尤拉什了。”219
Alias spat with annoyance.阿莉亚丝恼火地啐道。220
“Hillsfar forces trying to take it away from the Zhentil Keep army stationed there,” Akabar guessed.“是希尔斯法的军队，想从驻守在那里的散提尔堡军手中夺走尤拉什。”阿卡巴猜测道。221
The next day they traveled more cautiously as they passed great, burned stretches of overgrown fields, untended orchards completely shattered by lightning, and ridges of ground torn up by the claws of great beasts.第二天，他们赶路时更加谨慎；沿途大片杂草丛生的田野被烧得焦黑，无人照料的果园被闪电彻底摧毁，还有一道道土岗被巨兽的利爪撕得支离破碎。222
When piles of rusted weapons and rotted carrion began to dot the side of the roads, they dismounted and walked beside the horses and pony to calm them and to avoid presenting themselves as targets.路旁开始散落着一堆堆锈蚀的兵器和腐烂的尸骸时，他们便下了坐骑，牵着马和矮种马步行，好让它们安定下来，也免得自己成为显眼的靶子。223
They could have ridden into Yulash before sunset if it had been a more peaceful season.若是在较为太平的时节，他们原本可以在日落前骑马进入尤拉什。224
Instead, they camped a quarter mile away, using an overturned wagon to shelter them from view of the forces defending and attacking the town’s main citadel.但他们却在四分之一英里外扎了营，借一辆翻倒的马车遮蔽身形，以免被攻守城中主堡的军队看见。225
Even if they could get closer without being hit by a stray arrow or magic spell, they could be caught by an army and executed as spies.即使他们能避开流矢和误击的法术，靠得更近，也可能被某支军队抓住，当作间谍处决。226
They were close enough to hear metal clashing on metal as some of the combatants met in swordplay, commands barked out by captains, cheers from men who’d just managed to kill someone or something, and cries of horror from men who had seen their last battle.他们离得很近，足以听见交战者以剑相搏时金属相击的铿锵声、队长们厉声发出的号令、刚刚杀死某个人或某个东西的士兵们的欢呼，以及打完人生最后一仗的士兵们惊恐的惨叫。227
After dark, a great, glowing whirlwind spun around the top of the mound, igniting members of the attacking force.天黑后，一股巨大的发光旋风绕着土丘顶端旋转，将进攻方的士兵纷纷点燃。228
As their bodies scattered down the slope, they looked to Alias, from a distance, like sparkling seeds falling away from a flaming dandelion.他们的身体四散着滚下山坡；从远处望去，在阿莉亚丝眼中，那景象就像一朵燃烧的蒲公英飘落下点点闪亮的种子。229
“Well, it certainly is more amusing to watch than your standard campfire,” Olive commented.“嗯，这可比寻常的篝火有趣多了。”奥利芙评论道。230
“Though it lacks a certain warmth.”“虽说少了那么几分暖意。”231
They hadn’t dared light their own campfire for fear of being discovered by a foraging patrol, so after a cold dinner, the four adventurers sat huddled against the overturned wagon as the night air grew more and more chill.他们怕被外出搜寻补给的巡逻队发现，没敢点起自己的篝火；于是吃过冰冷的晚餐后，四名冒险者便蜷缩着靠在翻倒的马车旁，夜气也变得越来越寒冷。232
Olive shivered, wrapped beneath her own cloak and two of Akabar’s. The mage affected a pose of calm unconcern, but Alias caught him blowing into his cupped hands, trying to keep them warm.奥利芙裹在自己的斗篷和阿卡巴的两件斗篷下面，仍冻得瑟瑟发抖。 法师摆出一副镇定自若、毫不在意的样子，但阿莉亚丝却看见他正朝拢起的双手中呵气，想让手暖和些。233
Dragonbait kept peering around the side of the wagon, fascinated by Yulash mound.龙饵不停地从马车侧边探头张望，似乎被尤拉什的土丘迷住了。234
The horses, tethered nearby behind the one remaining wall of an ancient farmer’s cottage, whickered uncomfortably.马匹就拴在附近一座古老农舍仅存的那面墙后，不安地低声嘶鸣。235
Dragonbait echoed the sound, though whether he was trying to comfort them or agreeing with them Alias could not tell.龙饵也学着发出同样的声音，不过他究竟是在安抚它们，还是在表示赞同它们，阿莉亚丝就分辨不出了。236
In the soft glow of the finder’s stone, Alias could not escape the halfling’s accusatory stare or Akabar’s expectant one.在寻物石柔和的光芒中，阿莉亚丝无处躲避半身人责问般的目光，也避不开阿卡巴满怀期待的眼神。237
“When I led us up here, I had no idea the area would be so unsettled.”“我带大家到这里来的时候，根本不知道这一带会如此动荡。”238
Each intermittent flash from the city’s ruins drew her attention.城中废墟里不时亮起的每一道闪光，都会吸引她的注意。239
I feel like a moth, she thought, trying to get into a lantern, beating against the glass.我感觉自己就像一只飞蛾，她想，拼命想钻进灯笼里，却只能不断扑打着玻璃。240
Somewhere in that maze of ruins lies the answer to my curse—I’m sure of it.那片迷宫般的废墟中，某处就藏着我所受诅咒的答案——我敢肯定。241
“I had assumed the city would be firmly in the hands of one side or the other.“我原以为，这座城肯定已经牢牢掌握在其中一方手里。242
Then we could use the same trick we used in the dragon’s lair.那样一来，我们就可以使出在巨龙巢穴里用过的同一招。243
Akabar would scout ahead with his wizard eye trick, Olive would accompany me to help with locks, traps, and other tricky parts, and Dragonbait would remain behind with the gear.”阿卡巴用他的巫师之眼法术先去前方侦察，奥利芙陪我一起行动，帮忙对付锁、陷阱和其他棘手之处，而龙饵则留在后面看守装备。”244
Olive muttered something about “thief’s tricks,” and Dragonbait scowled, but Alias ignored them both.奥利芙嘟囔了几句什么“盗贼的把戏”，龙饵则皱起眉头，但阿莉亚丝谁也没理。245
“However,” she continued, “that was all assuming we only had to elude a sleepy city guard.“不过，”她继续说道，“这一切的前提，是我们只需要躲过一队昏昏欲睡的城卫兵。246
With two active forces looking for enemy troops, our chances of sneaking in unnoticed are …” she hesitated, trying not to sound falsely optimistic.如今有两支严阵以待的军队都在搜寻敌军，我们想神不知鬼不觉地溜进去，机会……”她迟疑了一下，竭力不让自己的语气显得盲目乐观。247
“Slim,” Akabar suggested.“很渺茫，”阿卡巴提示道。248
“Try nil,” Olive retorted.“该说毫无机会才对，”奥利芙反驳道。249
“Humans.“人类啊。250
Always fighting over who gets the better view.”老是为了谁能占到视野更好的地方打个不停。”251
“They don’t battle over it just because it’s the only major terrain between the forest and the river,” Akabar lectured.“他们争夺那里，可不只是因为那是森林与河流之间唯一一处重要地势，”阿卡巴说教似的说道。252
“Remember, it sits on the route south from Zhentil Keep.“别忘了，它正坐落在从散提尔堡南下的路线上。253
If Hillsfar should take and hold the city, they would effectively blockade Zhentil Keep’s bulk trade.”要是希尔斯法攻下并守住这座城，就能有效封锁散提尔堡的大宗贸易。”254
“And there’s probably more gold and treasure left in the wreckage, in hidden cellars and dungeons, than in the active mines of the dwarves,” Alias added.“而且，那片废墟里、那些隐蔽的地窖和地下城中，很可能还留着大量黄金和财宝，比矮人仍在开采的矿山里还多，”阿莉亚丝补充道。255
Olive perked up a little, cheered by the thought of treasure.奥利芙顿时精神了一些，一想到财宝便振奋起来。256
Dragonbait stood and walked over to the horses to stroke Lightning.龙饵站起身，走到马匹旁，抚摸起闪电来。257
All the while the lizard’s eyes remained fixed on the glowing hill.这期间，蜥蜴人的目光始终没有离开那座发光的山丘。258
Akabar followed the lizard.阿卡巴跟了过去。259
“Where are you going?”“你去哪儿？”260
Alias called to him.阿莉亚丝朝他喊道。261
“To help Dragonbait with the horses.”“去帮龙饵照料马匹。”262
“You’ve been fussing over him ever since we left Shadowdale,” the warrior noted.“我们离开阴影谷以后，你就一直在为他忙前忙后，”女战士指出。263
“Helping him fetch wood, keeping watch with him.“帮他捡柴，还和他一起守夜。264
He can take care of himself.”他自己照顾得了自己。”265
She tugged on the mage’s robes until he was forced to sit back down beside her.她扯着法师的长袍，直到他不得不重新在她身边坐下。266
“Now, what do you think our chances would be if we contacted one side or the other to make a deal?”“那么，你觉得，要是我们联系其中一方谈笔交易，会有几成把握？”267
Trying not to appear too distracted with keeping an eye on Dragonbait, Akabar said, “If you do, contact Hillsfar.阿卡巴一边留意着龙饵，一边尽量不让自己显得太过心不在焉，说道：“如果真要接洽，就找希尔斯法。268
Their ruler, I’ve heard, is a merchant-mage like myself.我听说，他们的统治者和我一样，是个商人法师。269
His name is Maalthir.他名叫马尔希尔。270
If one of these forces is indeed his, it will include a company of his prize mercenaries, the Red Plumes.如果这两支军队中确有一支属于他，里面一定会有一队他最得意的雇佣兵——红羽军。271
We need only look for their banner.”我们只需寻找他们的旗帜。”272
“Yes, then we’ll have found the Red Death,” Olive growled.“是啊，那样我们就找到‘红色死神’了。”奥利芙低吼道。273
“That’s what Maalthir’s mercenaries are called among my people.“在我的族人当中，马尔希尔的雇佣兵就是这么叫的。274
Under his orders, they carried out a campaign to purge Hillsfar of thieves.他们奉他的命令，在希尔斯法展开了一场肃清盗贼的行动。275
Human thieves could hide, but all halflings were thieves, as far as Maalthir’s Red Death was concerned.人类盗贼还能躲藏，可在马尔希尔手下的‘红色死神’眼里，所有半身人都是盗贼。276
They drove every halfling from the city in the middle of the night, forced them to leave their valuables behind, didn’t even give them a chance to sell the land or shops they owned.他们半夜里把每一个半身人都赶出了城，逼他们把财物留下，甚至连出售自家土地或店铺的机会都不给。”277
“As distasteful as Hillsfar’s policies might be, you can hardly expect us to deal with the baby-slaying Keepers.“希尔斯法的政策或许令人厌恶，但你总不能指望我们去和那些杀婴儿的守护者打交道。278
I’ve heard that they plight their troth with succubi, eat the brains of elves, and worship gods so black they make Moander seem nice.我听说他们与魅魔订立婚誓，吃精灵的脑子，还崇拜邪恶得连莫安德都显得和善的神祇。279
Their names are feared as far south as my native land.就连南方远至我的故乡，人们也对他们的名号闻之色变。280
And the council who rules them, the Zhentarim, are twice as dark as the Keepers.”而统治他们的议会——散塔林会——比守护者还要邪恶一倍。”281
“I didn’t suggest we deal with the Keepers,” Olive replied.“我可没提议和守护者打交道。”奥利芙回答。282
“I was only reporting on the firsthand news I have about the Hillsfar government.“我只是在说我亲身了解到的希尔斯法政府的情况。283
I have no reason to expect better of the Zhentil Keep soldiery.我没理由指望散提尔堡的军队会更好。284
They’re all human, too, at least mostly, I’m told.他们也全是人类，至少我听说绝大多数都是。285
You must realize, though, that all the accusations you’ve made against Zhentil Keep are the standard lies told about any successful city by its jealous enemies.”不过你得明白，你对散提尔堡提出的那些指控，都是嫉妒的敌人用来诋毁任何一座成功城市的老套谎言。”286
“There are too many stories told of the Zhentarim for them all to be lies.“关于散塔林会的传闻实在太多，不可能全是谎言。287
As a bard you must know stories of their methods—how they secretly support orcs so they will attack any who oppose the Zhentarim’s will.”身为吟游诗人，你一定知道他们行事手段的故事——比如他们如何暗中扶持兽人，好让兽人袭击任何违抗散塔林会意志的人。”288
“And as a bard,” Olive said, “I have the ability to separate the grain from the dross.”“正因为我是吟游诗人，”奥利芙说，“我才有本事把谷粒和渣滓分开。”289
“Gold,” corrected Akabar.“是黄金。”阿卡巴纠正道。290
“Gold from dross.“黄金才是从渣滓里淘出来的。291
Grain from chaff.”谷粒是从糠秕里筛出来的。”292
Alias sighed and stood up.阿莉亚丝叹了口气，站起身来。293
The mage and the bard could argue until Yulash was dust.法师和吟游诗人怕是能一直争到尤拉什化为尘土。294
She strode over to watch the battle with Dragonbait.她大步走过去，想和龙饵一起观战。295
As the finder’s stone illuminated their mounts, she could see the beasts stood alone.寻物石照亮了他们的坐骑，她这才看见那些牲口身边一个人也没有。296
She poked her head around the wall, but the lizard was not there.她从墙边探头望去，却不见那蜥蜴的踪影。297
She went back to the wagon and peeked around that, but he wasn’t there either.她回到马车旁，又探头朝车后看了看，可他也不在那里。298
Olive was continuing her testimony on the cruelty of the Hillsfar people, while Akabar was trying to interrupt her with some point about the evil of the Zhentarim.奥利芙还在历数希尔斯法人有多么残酷，阿卡巴则试图打断她，谈论散塔林会有多么邪恶。299
Made impatient with a sudden attack of anxiety, Alias snapped at both of them.一阵突如其来的不安令阿莉亚丝焦躁起来，她厉声喝住了两人。300
“Listen to yourselves.“听听你们自己都在说些什么。301
You’re not disagreeing with each other, you’re just arguing for the sake of arguing.你们的意见根本没有分歧，不过是为了争论而争论。302
Can’t you see something’s wrong?”你们难道看不出有什么不对劲吗？”303
“What is it?”“怎么了？”304
Akabar asked.阿卡巴问道。305
“Dragonbait’s gone,” she whispered.“龙饵不见了。”她低声说道。306
“Gone where?”“去哪儿了？”307
Akabar asked, glancing around their campsite while cursing himself for not keeping an eye on the potentially treacherous lizard.阿卡巴一边问，一边环顾他们的营地，心里暗骂自己竟没留意那只可能居心叵测的蜥蜴。308
“Just gone,” Alias said.“就是不见了。”阿莉亚丝说。309
A particularly bright flash filled the sky, and thunder rumbled all about them.一道格外明亮的闪电照彻天空，雷声在他们四周隆隆滚过。310
The swordswoman peered across the momentarily illuminated open fields, but she could not pick out the lizard’s figure.女剑士凝目望向被短暂照亮的空旷田野，却怎么也找不到那蜥蜴的身影。311
“Perhaps you better stay down,” Akabar suggested.“也许你最好还是趴下。”阿卡巴建议道。312
“He’s disappeared,” Alias whispered, still standing.“他消失了。”阿莉亚丝低声说道，依然站在那里。313
“He’s probably only out looking for firewood or something,” Olive suggested.“他大概只是出去找柴火什么的了。”奥利芙猜测道。314
“We haven’t got a fire,” Akabar growled.“我们根本没生火。”阿卡巴低吼道。315
“Maybe he decided we should have one,” Olive retorted.“也许他觉得我们应该生一堆火。”奥利芙反驳道。316
If I hadn’t been such a fool, Akabar berated himself, arguing with the halfling and allowing myself to be distracted from watching the lizard, this wouldn’t have happened.要不是我这么蠢，阿卡巴暗暗责骂自己，跟那个半身人争个没完，分了心，没盯住那只蜥蜴，事情也不会变成这样。317
Who knows what sort of betrayal I’ve let us in for now?谁知道我现在给大家招来了什么样的背叛？318
“Or he could be out filching us a nice, hot, ten-course meal, with wine,” Olive continued brightly.“也可能他正忙着给我们顺一顿热腾腾的十道菜大餐回来，还带酒呢。”奥利芙兴高采烈地接着说。319
Alias scowled.阿莉亚丝皱起了眉头。320
She noticed Akabar frowning as well.她注意到阿卡巴也皱着眉。321
She hadn’t realized he cared for Dragonbait as much as she.她没想到他也像自己一样关心龙饵。322
Should I tell her about the lizard’s brands, Akabar debated.要不要把那只蜥蜴身上的烙印告诉她？阿卡巴犹豫着。323
I can’t prove it now, and it still might not make her doubt him.如今我又没法证明，而且就算说了，她也未必会怀疑他。324
No, better just to watch for him.不，还是留心防着他为好。325
Alias stared at the city.阿莉亚丝凝望着那座城市。326
The crackling of the fires and magics burning there pulled at her like a siren’s call.城中燃烧的烈火与魔法噼啪作响，宛如海妖的歌声般诱惑着她。327
Olive could be right.奥利芙也许说得没错。328
But suppose he’s scouting out the territory to prove he should not be left behind?可万一他是在侦察地形，想证明不该把他留下呢？329
It was one thing to leave him guarding the equipment or even to have him fighting at her side, but imagining him out there, alone, unable to call for help, not even if he were injured.…让他留下看守装备，甚至让他在自己身边并肩作战是一回事，可一想到他独自在那里，无法呼救，哪怕受了伤也不行……330
Alias moaned softly, feeling suddenly miserable.阿莉亚丝低低呻吟了一声，忽然感到无比难受。331
“He’ll come back,” Olive said again.“他会回来的。”奥利芙又说了一遍。332
“He always does.”“他每次都会回来。”333
The night grew even colder, and eventually, as the combatants on the hill wearied and let their fires and magics die out, it grew darker, too.夜里变得愈发寒冷，后来，随着山上的交战者渐渐疲惫，任由火焰与魔法熄灭，四周也越来越黑。334
Olive was a snoring lump in a bundle of furs, Akabar a motionless mannequin in his colored robes and one blanket.奥利芙裹在一堆毛皮里，蜷成一团，鼾声大作；阿卡巴则穿着彩色长袍，盖着一条毯子，像个人偶般一动不动。335
Alias shivered in her only cloak, but she could not stay wrapped in her blankets.阿莉亚丝只披着一件斗篷，冷得直打哆嗦，却无法一直裹在毯子里。336
She spent her watch pacing and staring into the darkness, waiting for Dragonbait to return.她值夜时来回踱步，凝视着黑暗，等待龙饵归来。337
She did not bother to wake Olive, but continued to watch past her turn.她没有费心叫醒奥利芙，轮值时间过了也继续守望。338
But Dragonbait still did not return.可是龙饵依然没有回来。339
A few pins of light from watchfires in the city pricked at Alias’s eyes.城中守夜篝火透出的几点针尖般的微光，刺痛了阿莉亚丝的眼睛。340
He’s there, was all she could think.她脑中只剩下一个念头：他就在那里。341
He went into the city without me.他没等我，独自进城了。342
Like I planned to do to him, she added.就像我原本打算对他做的那样，她又想道。343
Again she felt the draw of the city, an ache to learn the mystery within.她再次感受到那座城市的吸引力，心中隐隐作痛，渴望探知其中的秘密。344
Her heart prompted her to look in Yulash, but her head insisted she had no proof that he was there.她的心催促她去尤拉什寻找，可理智却坚持说，她没有证据证明他在那里。345
He could be anywhere.他可能在任何地方。346
He might have been captured by the Keepers or the Red Plumes.他或许已经被守护者或红羽军抓住了。347
That thought made her more anxious.这个念头令她更加焦虑。348
As far as she knew, both Akabar and Olive had been right in their claims of Hillsfar and Zhentil Keep atrocities.据她所知，阿卡巴和奥利芙对希尔斯法与散提尔堡暴行的说法都没有错。349
Actually, Alias couldn’t think of any army that would let a creature as blatantly non-human as Dragonbait pass unchallenged.事实上，阿莉亚丝想不出有哪支军队会让龙饵这样一个显然不是人类的生物不受盘查地通过。350
They’d try to capture or kill him immediately.他们会立刻设法抓住他，或者杀了他。351
Probably kill, Alias admitted, because he’d put up a fight.多半会杀了他，阿莉亚丝不得不承认，因为他一定会反抗。352
She was ready to wake the mage and bard and set out immediately when another thought made her hesitate.她正准备叫醒法师和吟游诗人，立刻动身，另一个念头却让她迟疑起来。353
If he’s wandering out on the plains, lost, but finds his way back to an empty camp, he’ll think we’ve been captured.要是他迷了路，正在平原上四处游荡，却又设法回到了空无一人的营地，他会以为我们被抓走了。354
Someone has to stay, she decided.必须有人留下，她决定。355
But Akabar looked so concerned by the lizard’s disappearance, Alias knew he would insist on accompanying her, and Olive would not stand for being left behind, believing there was treasure to be had in the city.但阿卡巴显然十分担心蜥蜴人的失踪，阿莉亚丝知道他一定会坚持与她同行；而奥利芙相信城里有宝藏可寻，也绝不会甘愿被留下。356
She hovered uncertainly over the two sleeping forms for several moments, trying to make up her mind.她犹豫不决地站在两个熟睡的身影旁，好一会儿都拿不定主意。357
Going alone would only perpetuate the lizard’s folly, but she could not help herself.独自前往，只会重蹈那蜥蜴人的愚行，可她控制不住自己。358
She bent down over Akabar’s pack and dug out a stick of charcoal and his map.她俯身翻找阿卡巴的背包，取出一截木炭和他的地图。359
On the back she wrote: “Looking for D. Wait here.”她在地图背面写道：“去找D。留在这里等。”360
She lay the parchment by Akabar’s head.她把那张羊皮纸放在阿卡巴头边。361
Then, after slipping the finder’s stone in her boot, she picked up her shield and sword and walked away.随后，她把寻踪石塞进靴子，拿起盾牌和剑，转身离去。362
Her steps drew her toward the great mound city.她一步步朝那座巨大的土丘之城走去。363
* * * * ** * * * *364
Akabar’s eyes snapped open the moment Alias opened his pack.阿莉亚丝一打开阿卡巴的背包，他便猛地睁开了眼睛。365
The mage had cast a magic mouth enchantment on his earring to tell him if Dragonbait returned, and at first he thought that was what had awakened him, but when the piece of jewelry repeated its magical warning, whispering, “Someone’s in your pack,” he realized his mistake.法师在自己的耳环上施了魔嘴术，好让龙饵一回来就通知他；起初他以为正是这道法术惊醒了自己，可那件首饰再次发出魔法警告，低声说道：“有人在翻你的背包。”他这才意识到自己弄错了。366
After the earlier disappearance of his magical tome, back when the halfling had joined his caravan, the mage had decided that it would not be squandering his power to use it to protect his property, even from a fellow traveler.早先那个半身人刚加入商队时，他的魔法书曾不翼而飞；自那以后，法师便认定，动用法力保护自己的财物并不算浪费，哪怕防的是同行的旅伴。367
Still, he wondered at Ruskettle’s nerve and dishonor.尽管如此，拉斯凯特尔的胆大妄为与卑劣无耻还是令他惊诧。368
He lay perfectly still, focusing on his baggage through the slits of his eyelids, but the figure rooting through his belongings was too big to be Ruskettle.他一动不动地躺着，眯起眼睛，透过眼缝盯着自己的行囊，可那个正在翻找他物品的人影块头太大，不可能是拉斯凯特尔。369
It couldn’t be Dragonbait; his other magic mouth spell would have warned him.也不可能是龙饵；他的另一道魔嘴术本该发出警告。370
When the figure straightened, Akabar nearly gasped and sat up in surprise.那人影直起身时，阿卡巴差点惊得倒吸一口气，坐起身来。371
It was Alias.是阿莉亚丝。372
She scrawled something hastily on his map and then took a step toward him.她匆匆在他的地图上写了些什么，随后朝他走近一步。373
Akabar closed his eyes.阿卡巴闭上了眼睛。374
He almost held his breath, but caught himself in time and began feigning the shallow breathing of a sleeper.他差点屏住呼吸，幸好及时警醒，开始装出熟睡之人轻浅的呼吸。375
Through his eyelids, he could sense the stone’s light on his face and then sense it move away.隔着眼皮，他能感觉到石头的光照在自己脸上，随后又移开了。376
He peeked through one eye.他睁开一只眼睛偷看。377
Alias took up her sword and shield and left the camp.阿莉亚丝拿起剑和盾牌，离开了营地。378
Slowly, Akabar rose and looked out across the plains.阿卡巴慢慢起身，眺望辽阔的平原。379
He caught a flash of moonlight glinting off of Alias’s polished shoulder-plates.他瞥见一道月光从阿莉亚丝擦得锃亮的护肩上闪过。380
She was headed toward Yulash.她正朝尤拉什而去。381
He spied the map.他看见了那张地图。382
He picked it up and tilted it until the letters could be read by Selune’s light.他把地图拿起来，调整角度，直到能借着塞露恩的光看清上面的字。383
Wait here, indeed! thought the mage, tossing the map onto his sleeping blanket with a deep frown.“在这里等着”，说得可真轻巧！法师阴沉着脸想道，随手把地图扔到自己的睡毯上。384
She lugs us all the way up here and when things get really dangerous, when she could use our help, she abandons us to chase after that lizard—who’s probably reporting us to his hidden masters, setting up a trap for her to walk into.她把我们一路拖到这里，等事情真正危险起来、正需要我们帮忙的时候，却抛下我们，独自去追那只蜥蜴——那家伙八成正在向藏在暗处的主人禀报我们的行踪，设下陷阱等她自投罗网。385
His first impulse was to chase after the warrior woman and convince her to return, use force if necessary to keep her from marching into Yulash.他的第一个念头是追上那个女战士，说服她回来，必要时就动用武力，阻止她进入尤拉什。386
He would tell her it was smarter to wait for daylight.他会告诉她，等到天亮才是更明智的选择。387
But he knew in his heart that once the sun had risen, he would only try to convince her that the nightfall might be a better time after all.但他心里明白，一旦太阳升起，他多半又只会反过来劝她，说到底还是等到夜幕降临时再行动更好。388
She would never hesitate to go searching for the creature she thinks is a friend, while I, Akabar Bel Akash, mage of no small water, cower behind an overturned merchant’s wagon.她认定那生物是朋友，便会毫不犹豫地去寻找它；而我，阿卡巴·贝尔·阿卡什，一个颇有道行的法师，却畏缩在一辆翻倒的商车后面。389
I am more greengrocer than master mage, the Turmishman thought, ashamed of his fear.我与其说是法术大师，倒不如说是个菜贩子，图米什人为自己的恐惧深感羞愧。390
He could wake the halfling, and they could follow Alias together.他可以叫醒那个半身人，然后两人一起去追阿莉亚丝。391
Olive would have no trouble making up her mind what to do, Akabar realized.阿卡巴心想，奥利芙肯定能毫不费力地拿定主意该怎么办。392
You could call her anything except late to looting.你怎么叫她都行，就是别等抢战利品时才叫她。393
Still, taking the halfling did not seem particularly wise.不过，带上那个半身人似乎并不特别明智。394
As the old Amnite saying went, when matters are bad, think how much worse they could get if halflings were involved.正如安姆人的老话所说，事情糟糕时，不妨想想若有半身人掺和进来，情况还能变得多糟。395
Akabar didn’t want to put her in any risk of running into the Red Plumes.阿卡巴不想让她冒上撞见红羽军的风险。396
Standing with his face toward the waning moon, Akabar began to intone a spell.阿卡巴面朝渐亏的月亮站着，开始吟诵一道咒语。397
The deep, rich words rolled off his tongue as his right hand sliced through the air.低沉浑厚的咒文从他舌尖滚滚而出，右手则划过空中。398
In it, he held a bit of his own eyelash embedded in a resin of tree gum.那只手里握着一小根他自己的睫毛，嵌在一团树胶中。399
At the end of the evocation, his left hand came down hard on the tree gum.念完咒语的最后一句，他的左手猛地拍在树胶上。400
The sticky pellet flared a bright blue, consumed by mystical energy.那颗黏糊糊的小丸骤然迸发出明亮的蓝光，被神秘能量吞噬殆尽。401
Akabar held his hands up in the moonlight and watched them go transparent, as though they were sculptures of ice.阿卡巴把双手举到月光下，看着它们变得透明，仿佛冰雕一般。402
Then they vanished completely.随后，它们彻底消失了。403
His vision blurred for a moment, then the world refocused for him.他的视野模糊了片刻，随即眼前的世界重新变得清晰。404
He could see normally, save that when he looked down at himself there was nothing to see but a pair of depressions in the grass.他仍能像平常一样看清一切，只是低头看自己时，除了草地上的两处凹痕，什么也看不见。405
The parchment map rose from the ground, hovered for a moment, then settled next to the sleeping halfling.那张羊皮纸地图从地上升起，悬停片刻，随后落在熟睡的半身人身旁。406
What Alias had written could apply to both of them.阿莉亚丝写下的话对他们两人都适用。407
Then he used his long legs to stride toward Yulash in the wake of the swordswoman.接着，他迈开长腿，循着女剑士的足迹大步走向尤拉什。408
Nothing but a wave of bent grass blades marked his invisible passing.除了一道被压弯的草叶，什么也没有留下他隐身经过的痕迹。409
点句末的编号，从那一句开始听