Dragonbait was waiting for Akabar halfway up the stairs.龙饵正在楼梯半途等着阿卡巴。1
The lizard’s breathing was fast, but nowhere near as labored as the mage’s. Akabar staggered up the stairs with his hands clutching his chest.蜥蜴呼吸急促，但远不及法师那般艰难；阿卡巴双手紧捂胸口，踉踉跄跄地走上楼梯。2
The pain there had changed from sharp needle pricks to a deep, crushing sensation.那里的疼痛已经从针扎般的刺痛变成了一种深沉的压迫感。3
His face was drenched with sweat.他满脸大汗。4
His shoulder and back ached.他的肩膀和后背隐隐作痛。5
“Why?” he gasped, his furor burned out by the fire in his lungs, “why did you let her die?”“为什么？”他喘息着问，肺里的灼痛已将他的怒火烧尽，“你为什么任她死去？”6
Dragonbait made a quick dismissive shake of his head such as an adult might use to warn an overbearing child.龙饵飞快地摇了摇头，带着不容置辩的否定，就像大人警告一个任性的孩子。7
Then, noticing the perspiration dripping down the Turmishman’s anguished face, the lizard reached out to take his shoulder.随后，蜥蜴注意到汗水正从图米什人痛苦的脸上淌下，便伸手去扶他的肩膀。8
Akabar retreated from his grasp.阿卡巴后退一步，躲开了他的手。9
“No,” he insisted.“不。”他坚持道。10
“You go ahead.“你先走。11
I can’t run.我跑不动了。12
Muscle cramp,” he lied.抽筋了。”他撒谎道。13
“If it climbs up the walls, maybe I can slow it, maybe have a chance still to free her.“如果它爬上墙，也许我能拖住它，也许还有机会救她出来。14
Go!”快走！”15
The mage collapsed in a heap on the stairs.法师瘫倒在楼梯上，蜷成一团。16
Dragonbait slipped past Akabar a few steps lower and knelt to get a better look at him.龙饵从阿卡巴身旁挤过，走到下方几级台阶上跪下，以便看清他的状况。17
He put the finder’s stone down beside him and reached out with both clawed hands.他把寻物石放在阿卡巴身旁，然后伸出两只长着利爪的手。18
He laid his palms and fingers over the slime-spattered robe covering Akabar’s chest.他将手掌和手指按在阿卡巴胸前那件溅满黏液的长袍上。19
The smell of woodsmoke enveloped them.木柴燃烧的烟味笼罩了他们。20
A small aura of light flared around the reptile’s claws.一小圈光晕在这爬行动物的利爪周围骤然亮起。21
Nowhere but in the blackness of this pit would Akabar have been able to see the light the lizard generated.若不是身处这深坑的黑暗之中，阿卡巴根本看不见蜥蜴发出的微光。22
A feeling of warmth and relief spread out from Akabar’s torso.一股温暖舒缓的感觉从阿卡巴的躯干向外扩散。23
Akabar stood and the pain in his chest, back, and shoulder was gone.阿卡巴站起身来，胸口、后背和肩膀的疼痛全都消失了。24
He stared at the lizard in confusion.他困惑地盯着蜥蜴。25
“Who in Gehenna are you?“你到底是谁？26
What are you?”你是什么东西？”27
But Dragonbait’s attention was fixed on the pit.但龙饵的注意力全在那座深坑上。28
He stared over the edge of the staircase into the earth’s depths.他越过楼梯边缘，凝视着大地深处。29
Akabar tried to adjust his eyes to the darkness to see what held the lizard’s gaze.阿卡巴努力让眼睛适应黑暗，想看清是什么吸引了那只蜥蜴的目光。30
A bright, blue light shimmered in the depths.一道明亮的蓝光在深处闪烁。31
At first, Akabar thought it might be the moon reflected in water, but the sky above the pit was dark.起初，阿卡巴以为那或许是水中的月影，但深坑上方的天空一片漆黑。32
“Alias!” he whispered excitedly.“阿莉亚丝！”他激动地低声喊道。33
“She might still be alive.“她可能还活着。34
Look, the light’s coming closer.”看，那道光越来越近了。”35
The light was indeed approaching them, the blue light shed by the sigils on the warrior woman’s arm, but it was not Alias propelling herself upward.那道光确实在向他们靠近，正是女战士手臂上的符印散发出的蓝光，但并不是阿莉亚丝在凭自己的力量向上移动。36
The bottom of the pit, a mass of rot and oozing garbage, was rising up the shaft.坑底那团由腐烂物和渗着污液的垃圾构成的东西，正沿着坑道向上升起。37
Alias was just a tiny human figure pinned to the muck.阿莉亚丝不过是一个被黏在污物上的渺小人影。38
Dragonbait pointed up the stairs and nudged Akabar to climb in front of him.龙饵指了指上方的楼梯，轻推阿卡巴，让他走在前面。39
The mage nodded and ascended without further argument or complaint.法师点点头，没再争辩，也没有抱怨，径直向上攀登。40
When he reached the top, he was only mildly winded.到达顶端时，他只是微微有些气喘。41
The pain had not reasserted itself with the exertion of the climb.攀爬的劳累并没有让疼痛再次发作。42
He turned around to check on the lizard’s progress up the stairs.他转过身，查看那只蜥蜴沿楼梯上来的进度。43
Having judged the speed of the monster to be less than their own, Dragonbait now took his time, turning back often to study it.龙饵断定怪物的速度不及他们，便不再着急，不时回头仔细观察它。44
Is he some sort of tribal shaman?他是某种部落萨满吗？45
Akabar wondered.阿卡巴心想。46
What other secrets has he kept hidden?他还隐藏了什么秘密？47
Akabar peered back down the pit.阿卡巴探头向坑底望去。48
Far below, the oozing mass that had kidnapped Alias was still crawling up the sides of the midden.远在下方，那个掳走阿莉亚丝、不断渗着黏液的庞然巨物仍在沿着垃圾坑四壁向上爬。49
It rose like lava in a volcano and had already regained the height of the ruined platform.它像火山里的熔岩一样涌升，已经重新爬到了那座坍毁平台的高度。50
The titanic effort of hauling its vast bulk did not seem to tire it.拖动如此庞大的身躯似乎耗不尽它的体力。51
If anything, it seemed to be moving faster now.真要说有什么变化，那就是它现在似乎爬得更快了。52
“Don’t move, mooncalf,” a strange, rough voice ordered.“别动，蠢货。”一个陌生而粗哑的声音命令道。53
Then it shouted, “Captain!”接着，那声音高喊：“队长！”54
Akabar looked up from the pit.阿卡巴把目光从坑底抬起。55
Ten feet away, a single soldier was sitting on the pile of rubble about the midden.十英尺外，一名士兵独自坐在垃圾坑周围的瓦砾堆上。56
He was wrapped in a faded red robe, and a red-plumed helmet lay beside him, next to an overful bucket of kitchen waste.他身上裹着一件褪色的红袍，旁边放着一顶插有红羽的头盔，紧挨着一只装得满满当当、几乎溢出的厨余桶。57
He held a loaded crossbow aimed at Akabar’s chest.他手持一把上了弦的弩，正瞄准阿卡巴的胸口。58
Dragonbait’s head rose over the rim of the pit.龙饵的脑袋从坑沿上冒了出来。59
He ducked back quickly, but it was already too late.他赶紧缩了回去，可已经太迟了。60
“No good, pigeon,” the soldier barked toward the pit.“没用的，鸽子。”那士兵冲着坑里厉声喝道。61
“Bring your carcass over the side, or we’ll push your buddy in.”“把你那副臭皮囊翻过坑沿来，不然我们就把你朋友推进去。”62
Akabar watched Dragonbait shove the finder’s stone into his shirt and sheathe his sword across his back, though the soldier did not have his line of sight and could not have noticed.阿卡巴看着龙饵把寻物石塞进衬衣，又将剑插回背上的剑鞘；不过那士兵的视线被挡住了，不可能注意到这些动作。63
The lizard scrambled over the edge with both his hands held out before him.蜥蜴人双手伸在身前，翻过坑沿爬了上来。64
He positioned his body between Akabar and the crossbow.他挪动身子，挡在阿卡巴和弩之间。65
The mage had always assumed that in the event of Alias’s inability to take charge, he would be the next leader.这位法师一直以为，一旦阿莉亚丝无法主持大局，接下来就该由自己领头。66
Obviously, Dragonbait did not agree.显然，龙饵并不这么认为。67
He took responsibility for their safety and put himself at the greatest risk.他担起了保护众人安全的责任，把自己置于最危险的境地。68
The captain and four more fighters strode through the ruins toward the midden.队长和另外四名战士大步穿过废墟，朝垃圾坑走来。69
Two carried lanterns and handheld crossbows.其中两人提着灯笼，手持弩弓。70
The rest were armed with short swords, drawn and ready.其余的人都拔出了短剑，严阵以待。71
“I got me some looters,” their captor announced.“我逮着几个劫掠者。”抓住他们的那人宣布道。72
“Or maybe spies,” he added.“也可能是奸细。”他又补充道。73
By the brightening of his face, Akabar could see that this thought had just entered the man’s head.看着他骤然亮起来的脸色，阿卡巴知道这人刚刚才想到这种可能。74
The glee it brought him indicated that there was a bounty paid on spies.这念头让他如此兴奋，显然抓到奸细是有赏金的。75
Akabar looked to Dragonbait.阿卡巴看向龙饵。76
Leader or not, he would need an interpreter.不管是不是首领，他都需要一个翻译。77
He stepped forward to stand beside the lizard as the captain approached.队长走近时，他迈步上前，站到蜥蜴人身旁。78
Dragonbait stood motionless, but Akabar could sense the lizard’s tension.龙饵一动不动，但阿卡巴能感觉到他的紧张。79
The fragrance of violets wafted from his body.紫罗兰的芬芳从他身上飘散出来。80
The mage could smell his own sweat.法师能闻到自己身上的汗味。81
Dragonbait glanced meaningfully at the pit and back at Akabar, raising his scaly brows.龙饵意味深长地瞥了瞥坑，又看向阿卡巴，扬起覆着鳞片的眉毛。82
If he could stall the soldiers, they would soon be too busy dealing with an ancient god to bother with two stray adventurers.只要他能拖住这些士兵，他们很快就会忙着应付一位远古神祇，无暇理会两个落单的冒险者。83
“I am no looter, but a mage of no small water,” Akabar announced to the captain.“我不是劫掠者，而是个水可不浅的法师。”阿卡巴对队长宣称。84
“I have important information for the commander of your unit.”“我有重要情报，要禀告你们这支部队的指挥官。”85
“No small water,” mimicked the crossbowman who’d discovered them.“水可不浅。”发现他们的那个弩手学着他的腔调说道。86
“Sounds like a southerner,” one of the other soldiers said.“听起来像个南方人。”另一名士兵说道。87
“Don’t like southerners,” the first one said.“我不喜欢南方人。”先前那人说道。88
“They lie and stink.”“他们满嘴谎话，还臭烘烘的。”89
The Red Plumes captain held up his hand, silencing everyone.红羽军队长举起一只手，让所有人安静下来。90
“Who are you, and what is your information?” he asked Akabar.“你是什么人？有什么情报？”他问阿卡巴。91
Akabar could not keep from glancing at the pit.阿卡巴忍不住瞥向坑里。92
Using the lumbering garbage pile of a god as a diversion would not work if Moander engulfed them before engaging the Red Plumes.如果莫安德还没同红羽军交手就先把他们吞没，那么想利用那位蹒跚笨重、活像一堆垃圾的神祇转移注意力，便行不通了。93
“Let us go to your camp, where I will tell you,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.“带我们去你们的营地，我会在那里告诉你。”他说道，竭力让自己的声音保持平稳。94
“You’ll tell me here and now,” replied the captain, “or your bodies will be lying at the bottom of the pit.”“你现在就在这里告诉我，”队长答道，“否则你们的尸体就会躺在坑底。”95
The bottom of the pit may be here any minute, the mage thought nervously.坑底下的东西随时都可能上来，法师紧张地想。96
Aloud he said, “There is something very dangerous in this pit.他开口说道：“这坑里有个极其危险的东西。97
A threat to you and everyone else in this city.它威胁着你，也威胁着城里的所有人。98
It climbs out even as we speak.就在我们说话的此刻，它正往外爬。99
You must fetch fire, oil, and powerful mages, quickly.你必须赶快找来火、油和强大的法师。100
We might still repel it.”我们或许还来得及将它击退。”101
The captain chuckled.队长低声笑了起来。102
“Our mages are asleep, southerner, resting after a powerful contention with the forces of Zhentil Keep.“我们的法师都睡了，南方人，他们刚与散提尔堡的军队激烈交锋过，正在休息。103
It would not be worth your life or mine to roust them.为了叫醒他们，赔上你我的性命可不值得。104
Your story sounds to me like a looter’s tale, but it will not help you escape the noose.依我看，你这套说辞像是劫掠者编的故事，但它救不了你上绞刑架的命运。105
We have firm laws against looters.我们有严厉的法律惩治劫掠者。106
But I’m sure you know that.”不过我相信你早就知道了。”107
“No,” Akabar replied.“不，”阿卡巴答道。108
“I do not.”“我不知道。”109
He looked around at the ruined city.他环顾四周这座沦为废墟的城市。110
“I wasn’t even aware there was anything worth looting in this pile of rubble.”“我甚至不知道这堆瓦砾里还有什么值得劫掠的东西。”111
“I’ll bet,” the captain said, smiling with amusement at Akabar’s cool denial.“我信才怪。”队长说道，阿卡巴镇定自若的否认令他觉得颇为有趣，脸上露出了笑容。112
“However, ignorance of the law is no excuse.“不过，不知法并不能成为借口。113
The Hillsfar Red Plumes are here at the request of the Yulash government in Hillsfar.希尔斯法红羽军是应尤拉什在希尔斯法的政府之请来到这里的。114
On their behalf, we are authorized to hang all looters.我们受其授权，可以绞死所有劫掠者。115
No exceptions.”概不例外。”116
“I can understand that,” Akabar said.“这我能理解。”阿卡巴说道。117
“Please,” he pleaded, “let us move away from the edge of this pit.”“求你了，”他恳求道，“让我们离这坑边远一点。”118
The captain surveyed the mage and the lizard.队长打量着法师和蜥蜴人。119
For the first time that evening, Akabar missed the presence of the glib-tongued Ruskettle.那天晚上，阿卡巴第一次怀念起巧舌如簧的拉斯凯特尔在场的时候。120
By now, the dratted halfling could probably have convinced the captain to organize a full alert, the mage mused, were she here and not snoring away at camp.阿卡巴暗想，要是那个该死的半身人此刻在这里，而不是待在营地里呼呼大睡，她大概早已说服队长下令全员戒备了。121
He wondered if he would ever have another chance to scold her for her laziness.他不知道自己是否还有机会斥责她懒惰。122
Finally, the captain made up his mind.队长终于拿定了主意。123
He motioned permission for Dragonbait and Akabar to move away from the pit.他打了个手势，准许龙饵和阿卡巴离开坑边。124
The crossbowmen kept their weapons leveled on the prisoners.弩手们依旧端着武器，瞄准俘虏。125
The captain, having apparently sensed and caught Akabar’s and Dragonbait’s nervousness, moved away from the pit first, though he tried to appear calm and unperturbed as he leaned on his weapon.队长显然察觉并受到了阿卡巴和龙饵紧张情绪的影响，率先离开了坑边，不过他倚着武器时仍竭力显得镇定自若。126
The other two men rested their swords on their shoulders.另外两人则把剑搁在肩上。127
The two adventurers moved cautiously through the rubble, away from the edge of the pit, until they stood with their backs against a half-toppled wall.两名冒险者小心翼翼地穿过瓦砾，远离坑沿，直到背靠着一堵倾倒了一半的墙站定。128
“Try again, looter,” the captain ordered.“再编一次，掠夺者，”队长命令道。129
“I’m sure you can come up with a better story than a pit fiend.”“我相信你能编出一个比深狱炼魔更像样的故事。”130
Why is it one’s friends will believe one’s lies, but one’s enemies are incapable of recognizing the truth when one speaks it?为什么朋友会相信一个人的谎言，敌人却偏偏在他说真话时认不出来呢？131
Akabar pondered.阿卡巴思忖着。132
He knew better than to backtrack.他知道绝不能改口。133
“Sir,” he said urgently, “as one civilized man to another, I assure you, there is indeed a horrible creature in that pit, no mere fiend, but an ancient god.”“阁下，”他急切地说道，“同为文明人，我向您保证，那坑里的确有一个可怕的怪物，不是什么普通的魔鬼，而是一位远古神祇。”134
“I’ve heard of you ‘civilized Southerners’,” their discoverer said, “you’re baby-killers, every man-jack of you.“我听说过你们这些‘文明的南方人’，”发现他们的那个人说道，“你们都是杀婴儿的凶手，一个也不例外。135
Worship gods darker than those who squat at the Keep.”你们崇拜的神，比盘踞在城堡里的那些还要阴暗。”136
Either bards are spreading the tales about baby-killers in every society, Akabar thought, or they’re neglecting their duty to disabuse people of these absurd notions.阿卡巴心想，要么是吟游诗人走到哪里都在散播杀婴者的故事，要么就是他们玩忽职守，没有消除人们这些荒谬的观念。137
The captain, not quite as obtuse and single-minded as his subordinates, gave an order to a crossbowman.队长并不像手下那般迟钝而一根筋，他向一名弩手下了命令。138
“Soldier, take a look down the pit.“士兵，去朝坑里看一眼。139
The rest of you, watch this pair.其他人盯紧这两个家伙。140
If they so much as sneeze, skewer them.”他们哪怕只是打个喷嚏，也给我把他们射个对穿。”141
The crossbowman climbed over the rubble to peer down into the pit.弩手翻过瓦砾，探头朝坑里望去。142
“Looks fine to me,” he insisted, holding the lantern over his head.“我看没什么问题，”他坚持道，把提灯举过头顶。143
“Kinda full.“就是有点满了。144
We’re going to have to find another dump soon.我们很快就得另找一个倾倒垃圾的地方。145
Hey, there’s a body in there, a wo—”嘿，里面有具尸体，是个女——”146
The crossbowman never had a chance to finish his sentence.弩手再也没有机会把话说完。147
A slimy tendril whipped up over the edge of the pit, wrapped around the man’s neck, and yanked him over the edge.一条黏滑的触须猛地越过坑沿，缠住那人的脖子，将他拽了下去。148
The sickening crack of shattering bones followed.紧接着传来骨头碎裂的可怕脆响。149
The monster crested the rim of the pit and then rose above it.怪物越过坑沿，随即高高耸立在坑口上方。150
It had used the slimy refuse of the midden to increase its size and its stench was overpowering.它利用垃圾坑里黏滑的废物增大了身躯，散发出的恶臭令人窒息。151
But more hideous were the thousand singing mouths, some pitched gratingly high, others grindingly low, some smaller than a babe’s, a few the size of a dragon’s maw, all lined with gleaming, sharp fangs.但更为骇人的是那一千张歌唱的嘴：有的声音尖锐刺耳，有的低沉得如同碾磨；有的比婴儿的嘴还小，少数则像巨龙的血盆大口一般巨大，而每一张嘴里都排满了闪亮的尖牙。152
In the center of the mass facing them, clustered around the immobile form of Alias, a set of mismatched eyes scanned the soldiers.在朝向他们的那团躯体正中，一组大小形状各不相同的眼睛簇拥在一动不动的阿莉亚丝周围，扫视着士兵们。153
“Fire!” the captain shouted, flinging his own lantern at the beast.“放箭！”队长大喊着，将自己的提灯掷向怪物。154
The glass shattered and the burning oil spread out over the rotting decay.玻璃碎裂，燃烧的灯油泼洒在腐烂的污物上。155
It smoldered briefly, but the waste that made up the creature’s body was too wet to ignite.污物短暂地冒起了烟，但构成那怪物躯体的垃圾太过潮湿，根本无法点燃。156
Crossbow bolts disappeared into the garbage, but did not seem to cause much damage, except for puncturing an eye.弩箭没入垃圾之中，似乎并未造成多大伤害，只射穿了一只眼睛。157
Three more eyes opened around the injured eye, staring cross-eyed at the thick, green ichor oozing from it, then turned their attention to the fighters.受伤的眼睛周围又睁开了三只眼，斗鸡眼似的盯着从伤口中渗出的浓稠绿色脓液，随后又将目光转向那些战士。158
The mound of rot and refuse towered over its attackers.那堆腐物与垃圾高高耸立在袭击者头顶。159
Wet tendrils, as thick as broomsticks, dripping with mire, lashed out from the body and struck three of the soldiers, including the captain.一条条粗如扫帚柄、滴着污泥的湿滑触须从它身上抽出，击中了三名士兵，其中包括队长。160
They were all dragged screaming into a different large, open maw, feet first.他们全都惨叫着被拖进另一张敞开的巨口，双脚先没了进去。161
The Abomination bit each man in half before swallowing.憎恶体将每个人拦腰咬成两截，才吞进肚里。162
Dragonbait clutched at Akabar’s robes, pulling him toward the city wall.龙饵揪住阿卡巴的长袍，把他往城墙方向拽。163
Akabar tore loose from the lizard and planted his feet firm.阿卡巴挣脱蜥蜴，稳稳站住脚。164
“Look,” he said, unable to tear his gaze from the horror that was Moander, “I’m sorry about what I said before.“听着，”他说，目光无法从莫安德那恐怖的身躯上移开，“我很抱歉之前说了那些话。165
You were only doing what you thought best.你只是做了你认为最妥当的事。166
Now you have to go get Ruskettle.现在你得去找拉斯凯特尔。167
Go get help—Elminster or Dimswart.去搬救兵——找伊尔明斯特或迪姆斯沃特。168
The Harpers—anyone you can find.竖琴手同盟——随便什么人，只要你能找到。169
This is more than we can handle.这已经不是我们应付得了的了。170
I have to stay and try to free Alias.”我必须留下来，设法救出阿莉亚丝。”171
Dragonbait shook his head.龙饵摇了摇头。172
“It’s no use arguing.“争也没用。173
I’m not leaving.我是不会走的。174
There’s no sense in both of us risking our lives.我们两个没必要都拿性命冒险。175
Someone has to warn the world.”总得有人去警告世人。”176
Akabar did not bother to consider that Dragonbait had no voice to raise such an alarm.阿卡巴根本没去想，龙饵连发出这样的警告都做不到。177
He shoved the lizard toward the city wall and moved toward the battle, circling to keep in sight the “face” of Moander that held Alias.他把蜥蜴推向城墙，自己则朝战场走去，一路迂回绕行，好让困住阿莉亚丝的那张莫安德的“脸”始终留在视野中。178
Dragonbait loped from the pit.龙饵迈开大步奔出了深坑。179
He stopped a short distance away and turned to watch the battle.他在不远处停下，转身望着战场。180
The Abomination of Moander, singing its name, tore through the ruins, overrunning the camp of the Red Plumes.莫安德的憎恶体高唱着自己的名字，在废墟间横冲直撞，踏平了红翎军的营地。181
Akabar screwed his eyes shut and muttered, fast and furious, the opening lines of the spell.阿卡巴紧闭双眼，急促而凶狠地念起咒语开头的几句。182
When he opened them, the beast had turned back toward the pit to clean up the stray humans it had left behind.等他睁开眼睛时，那头怪兽已经转身朝深坑折返，要把先前落下的零星几个人类收拾干净。183
It was almost on top of him, its fanged mouths smiling and the eyes that clustered about Alias all fixed on his body.它几乎已经逼到他身上，一张张长满獠牙的嘴咧着笑，簇拥在阿莉亚丝周围的所有眼睛全都盯住了他的身体。184
Akabar aimed his spell square on those eyes.阿卡巴将法术直直对准了那些眼睛。185
A pool of light blossomed across the god’s “face.”一片光芒在神祇的“脸”上绽开。186
The eyes turned a blind, milky white or shut tightly to shield themselves from the brightness cast over them.那些眼睛不是变成了失明的乳白色，就是紧紧闭上，以躲避笼罩而来的强光。187
Akabar grabbed a tendril and hauled himself up the hulking body.阿卡巴抓住一根卷须，攀上了那具庞大的躯体。188
When he reached Alias’s side, he drew his dagger.来到阿莉亚丝身旁后，他拔出了匕首。189
He began hacking furiously at the roots which bound her to the monster.他开始疯狂劈砍那些将她缚在怪物身上的根须。190
The blinding light would not last long, and he did not stand a chance once an eye spotted him.致盲的强光维持不了多久，而一旦有一只眼睛发现他，他便毫无胜算。191
There was movement along the garbage hulk.那堆垃圾般的庞然巨物上有了动静。192
Akabar looked down to discover the source of the disturbance.阿卡巴低头望去，寻找骚动的源头。193
Dragonbait was using the jagged teeth of his sword to saw through the thicker tentacles entrapping Alias.龙饵正用剑刃上的锯齿，锯割困住阿莉亚丝的那些较粗的触手。194
Annoyed but not surprised, Akabar shouted, “You should have followed my orders.”阿卡巴虽然恼火，却并不意外，他大喊道：“你本该听从我的命令。”195
Dragonbait finally got one of Alias’s legs free and moved up to work on the restraints about her arm, but he suspected he was fighting a losing battle.龙饵终于解放了阿莉亚丝的一条腿，随即向上挪去，开始对付缠住她手臂的束缚，但他怀疑这场战斗注定要败。196
Tendrils were regrowing already, and Akabar had to slash them back, keeping him from making any progress toward liberating the swordswoman.卷须已经开始重新生长，阿卡巴不得不挥刀将它们斩退，根本无法继续解救那名女剑士。197
An eye opened near Akabar’s hand.阿卡巴手边的一只眼睛睁开了。198
He stabbed it and it shut up, tearing yellow ichor.他一刀刺了进去，那只眼睛随即闭上，流出黄色脓液般的泪水。199
Below him, a large branch, as thick as a boa constrictor, reached for Dragonbait.在他下方，一根蟒蛇般粗壮的大枝条伸向了龙饵。200
Shouting a warning, the mage launched himself over Alias’s body and kicked the lizard to the ground.法师高声示警，纵身跃过阿莉亚丝的身体，一脚将蜥蜴人踹倒在地。201
The tendril caught the mage’s wrist and snaked up his arm.卷须缠住法师的手腕，沿着他的手臂蜿蜒而上。202
At its tip was a venomous-looking flower shaped like a great, yellow hand that groped blindly toward the mage’s head.它的尖端长着一朵看似有毒的花，形如一只巨大的黄色手掌，盲目地摸向法师的头颅。203
Dragonbait watched in shocked horror.龙饵惊骇地看着这一幕。204
Akabar shouted, “Run, damn you, run!” before the foul blossom curled over his face.阿卡巴大喊：“快跑，该死的，快跑！”话音未落，那朵邪恶的花便卷住了他的脸。205
Akabar was dragged into the heart of the pulsing mass.阿卡巴被拖进了那团搏动巨物的中心。206
Tendrils grew over Alias’s body.卷须重新爬满了阿莉亚丝的身体。207
Dragonbait fled toward the city wall.龙饵朝城墙逃去。208
The heaving monstrosity shambled after him, swords and half-eaten bodies stuck out at all angles from the boundaries of its oozing flesh.那头起伏蠕动的怪物蹒跚着追在他身后，剑和被啃食了一半的尸体从它渗着黏液的肉体边缘横七竖八地支棱出来。209
There was no sign of the mage.法师已不见踪影。210
The light Akabar had cast was fading, and only the hot blue glow from the warrior woman’s buried arm revealed her position.阿卡巴施放的光芒正在消退，只有那名女战士被埋住的手臂发出的炽热蓝光，显露出她所在的位置。211
Diving through a hole in the city wall, the lizard curled himself into a tight ball and rolled down the slope of the mound with reckless speed.蜥蜴人纵身钻过城墙上的一个洞，把身子紧紧蜷成一团，以不顾一切的速度滚下土丘斜坡。212
A shower of brownish vines and tendrils shot out after him but fell short of their mark.一大片棕褐色的藤蔓和触须紧随其后激射而出，却没能够到他。213
Shouts came from the far side of the wall—more mercenaries alerted to the Abomination’s presence.城墙另一侧传来呼喊声——更多雇佣兵发现了憎恶体的存在。214
The whine of missiles, ordinary and magical, reached Dragonbait’s ears.普通飞射物和魔法飞射物的尖啸声传入龙饵耳中。215
The lizard stood up and dashed down the mound.蜥蜴人站起身，朝土丘下飞奔而去。216
At the bottom, he turned to check on the monster.到了丘底，他转身查看那怪物的动静。217
The city wall, already weakened from years of abuse, began to give under the pressure of the god’s bulk.城墙经年累月饱受摧残，早已摇摇欲坠，此刻在那神祇庞大身躯的重压下开始坍塌。218
Part of its body oozed over the wall, crushing beneath what it could not push aside.它的一部分躯体漫过城墙，把无法推开的东西统统压碎在身下。219
Dragonbait turned again and ran toward their camp, chased by the shrieks of the soldiers dying in the city.龙饵再次转身，朝他们的营地跑去，城中士兵临死的惨叫声紧追在他身后。220
He did not weep for Akabar; all his tears had been spent on Alias, and he had no time to make more.他没有为阿卡巴落泪；他的眼泪早已为阿莉亚丝流尽，也没有时间再流出新的泪水。221
* * * * ** * * * *222
Olive Ruskettle turned in her sleep and moaned softly.奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔在睡梦中翻了个身，轻轻呻吟了一声。223
A shadow passed through her usual dreams of wealth and fame and food and wine.一道阴影掠过她惯常那些关于财富、名望、美食与美酒的梦境。224
Phalse’s face appeared briefly, his head split by that unhalfling-like grin, followed by a recurring nightmare—her abduction by Mist.法尔斯的脸一闪而过，那咧开的笑容仿佛将他的脑袋劈成两半，丝毫不像个半身人；紧随其后的，是一个反复出现的噩梦——她被米斯特掳走的情景。225
Panicked horses neighed over the rushing sound of the dragon’s wings.惊慌的马匹嘶鸣不止，盖过了巨龙双翼掠空的呼啸声。226
The dream was so real that Olive’s sleeping form curled into a tight ball and pulled the covers over her head.那梦境如此真实，沉睡中的奥利芙不禁紧紧蜷成一团，把被子蒙过头顶。227
Then something poked at her, a swift, sharp shove.接着，有什么东西戳了她一下，又快又狠地推了她一把。228
Alias, Olive guessed, demanding that I take my turn at watch.奥利芙猜，是阿莉亚丝来催我轮班守夜了。229
“Go ‘way,” Olive grumbled, clutching the covers more tightly about her.“走开，”奥利芙嘟囔着，把被子裹得更紧了。230
“It’s the lizard’s turn.“该那只蜥蜴值班了。231
Let me have five more minutes.再让我睡五分钟。232
Tops.”最多五分钟。”233
“Five more minutes,” an agreeable voice rumbled.“再睡五分钟吧，”一个随和的声音低沉地说道。234
“Then I will fry you where you sleep.”“然后我就把睡梦中的你烤熟。”235
Olive’s eyes shot open.奥利芙猛地睁开眼睛。236
Very slowly, she turned over to find herself looking square in the steaming face of the not-so-honorable Mistinarperadnacles.她极其缓慢地翻过身，发现自己正对着不那么尊贵的米斯蒂纳佩拉德纳克勒斯那张热气腾腾的脸。237
“Boogers,” the halfling whispered.“鼻屎。”半身人低声说道。238
She scanned the campsite for the others.她扫视营地，寻找其他人的踪影。239
There was no sign of them.他们不见踪影。240
They were gone—all three of them.他们走了——三个人全都走了。241
Dead already?已经死了？242
Olive puzzled.奥利芙纳闷。243
Without a fight?连一场搏斗都没有？244
The tethers of the horses had been pulled up, but the twisted, half-eaten form of the purebred chestnut, Lady Killer, lay not far away.马的缰绳都被拔了起来，但那匹名叫“淑女杀手”的纯种栗色马扭曲、被吃掉一半的尸身就躺在不远处。245
The dragon followed her gaze.巨龙顺着她的目光望去。246
“Yes,” Mist purred, “I had a wee bit to nosh before waking you.“没错，”米斯特惬意地咕噜道，“叫醒你之前，我先吃了一点儿东西垫肚子。247
I get so crabby trying to talk to people on an empty stomach.空着肚子跟人说话，我的脾气就会变得特别暴躁。248
The temptation to eat them wears on my nerves, you see.”你瞧，忍着不把他们吃掉的冲动，实在让我心烦意乱。”249
Steam poured from the creature’s nostrils, engulfing the halfling.蒸汽从那生物的鼻孔中喷涌而出，将半身人笼罩其中。250
Olive coughed back a breath of the noxious vapor.奥利芙咳嗽着，勉强吐出一口有毒的蒸气。251
“Now,” the she-dragon demanded, “where is the lawyer?”“现在，”母龙逼问道，“那个律师在哪里？”252
“Lawyer?”“律师？”253
Olive squeaked, trying to gain her mental footing.奥利芙尖声反问，竭力让自己镇定下来。254
How could the others leave me like this, unguarded, in so much danger?他们怎么能就这样丢下我，让我孤零零、毫无防备地身陷险境？255
Of all the inconsiderate behavior!真是太不替人着想了！256
“The woman who knows the old ways,” said the dragon.“那个通晓古老法门的女人，”龙说道。257
“The warrior.“那个战士。258
I understand she travels with a pet mage and a lizard-creature.”听说她带着一个宠物法师和一个蜥蜴生物四处旅行。”259
Olive’s heart leaped.奥利芙心头一跃。260
They were still alive!他们还活着！261
Somewhere.就在某个地方。262
They can rescue me!他们能来救我！263
Aloud she said, “Gee, they were here a little while ago.她大声说道：“这个嘛，他们不久前还在这里。264
Maybe they—” Her hand fell on Akabar’s parchment map.也许他们——”她的手落在了阿卡巴的羊皮纸地图上。265
Squinting in the moonlight, she could just make out writing on the back, but not what it said.她眯着眼借月光细看，勉强能辨认出背面写着字，却看不清写的是什么。266
Cautiously, explaining her every move to Mist in detail to avoid any sudden incinerations, the halfling drew out and lit a candle from her pack.半身人小心翼翼地从背包里取出一支蜡烛点燃，同时向米斯特详细解释自己的每一个动作，以免突然被烧成灰烬。267
She read the message to herself.她默默读完了留言。268
“A clue?”“是线索吗？”269
Mist asked hopefully.米斯特满怀希望地问道。270
“Yes,” the halfling nodded.“是的。”半身人点点头。271
“See?”“你看？”272
She held the map up to the dragon’s left eye.她把地图举到龙的左眼前。273
“And what does it say?”“上面写了什么？”274
Mist inquired.米斯特问道。275
“You don’t read Common?”“你不识通用语吗？”276
Olive asked meekly, afraid of offending the vain beast.奥利芙怯生生地问，生怕冒犯这头爱慕虚荣的野兽。277
“I prefer the more visual arts,” the lumbering creature said with a defensive snort.“我更喜欢视觉性强一些的艺术，”那头行动笨重的生物带着戒备哼了一声，说道。278
“Theater, sculpture, bards.’ ”“戏剧、雕塑、吟游诗人之类的。”279
How about opera?歌剧怎么样？280
Olive wondered.奥利芙心想。281
She held the parchment in front of her and read aloud: “ ‘Had a vision.她把羊皮纸举到面前，大声念道：“‘看到了一个异象。282
Off to Zhentil Keep.动身去散提尔堡了。283
Follow soon.尽快跟来。284
Hugs, Alias?’ ”抱抱，阿莉亚丝？’”285
“Are you certain?“你确定吗？286
There don’t seem to be that many words to me,” Mist said, her eyebrows raised in suspicion.我看这上面好像没那么多字啊。”米斯特怀疑地扬起眉毛，说道。287
“She uses a lot of abbreviations.“她用了很多缩写。288
Like scribes, you know,” the halfling replied.就像抄写员那样，你懂的。”半身人答道。289
“Do your friends usually leave you behind just because you sleep late?” the dragon asked.“你的朋友们平时也会只因为你睡过头，就把你丢下吗？”龙问道。290
“Well, you see, they knew I was a little reluctant to go to Zhentil Keep.“嗯，是这样的，他们知道我不太愿意去散提尔堡。291
I would have preferred visiting another city, like Hillsfar.我本来更想去另一座城市，比如希尔斯法。292
I guess they didn’t feel like waiting for me to make up my mind to join them or not.”我猜，他们不想等我决定到底要不要和他们一起去。”293
Mist raised up on her rear haunches, stretched, and yawned.米斯特用后腿支起身体，伸了个懒腰，又打了个哈欠。294
Then she settled back down.随后，她又伏了下来。295
“You have no idea the trouble I’ve gone to to find the two of you,” she said.“你根本不知道，为了找到你们两个，我费了多少周折，”她说道。296
“Matter of honor and all that.”“事关荣誉之类的。”297
Olive couldn’t have said what came over her, but some demon inside of her, tired of being pushed around and bullied, prompted her to ask rudely, “You mean you’ve brought us the chest of gold you promised us?”奥利芙也说不清自己究竟怎么了，但她心里某个早已受够了任人摆布、任人欺凌的恶魔，驱使她无礼地问道：“你的意思是，你把答应给我们的那箱黄金带来了？”298
Mist’s eyes narrowed into slits.米斯特眯起双眼，只剩下两条细缝。299
“Before I rush off to deal with the Zheeks for your friend’s hide, I think a little late lunch would be in order.”“在我急匆匆赶去对付那些吉克人、救你朋友的小命之前，我想，先吃顿迟来的午餐才合适。”300
The demon within vanished.她心中的恶魔消失了。301
“Oh,” Olive said, “you wouldn’t want to do that.“哦，”奥利芙说，“你可不想那么做。302
Flying on a full stomach, you’ll get cramps.吃得饱饱的再飞，你会抽筋的。303
Besides, you’ll need someone to help you negotiate with the Keepers.再说，你还需要有人帮你跟守护者交涉。304
They’re a terribly bureaucratic bunch.他们那帮人官僚作风严重得要命。305
Forms, red tape, memos.表格、繁文缛节、备忘录。306
They could give you the run-around for days.他们能让你来回折腾上好几天。307
I can be terribly useful in cutting through the paperwork, and you know how entertaining I am.我在处理这些文书手续时能派上大用场，而且你也知道我多会逗人开心。308
Remember the good times we had together in the cave—er, lair, I mean, your home.”还记得我们在山洞里共度的美好时光吗——呃，我是说，巢穴，你的家。”309
“I do,” the dragon agreed with a smirk.“当然记得。”巨龙坏笑着应道。310
“And I must confess that the desire to reclaim you, my little, lost trophy, motivated me almost as much as my desire for revenge.”“而且我必须承认，想把你——我那小小的、失落的战利品——夺回来，几乎和复仇的欲望一样令我心动。”311
Mist paused a moment before asking, “You’ve heard of singing for your supper?”米斯特顿了顿，随后问道：“你听说过靠唱歌换饭吃吧？”312
With a gulp, the bard nodded.吟游诗人咽了口唾沫，点点头。313
“Well, with me, you must sing or become supper.“嗯，在我这里，你要么唱歌，要么变成晚饭。314
I might just spare you … or not.”我说不定会饶你一命……也说不定不会。”315
Ruskettle sighed.拉斯凯特尔叹了口气。316
Repressing all the smart remarks that came to her head, she reached for her yarting.她强忍住脑海中冒出的所有俏皮话，伸手去拿自己的雅廷琴。317
点句末的编号，从那一句开始听