The first two temples she tried, the Shrine of Lliira and the Silent Room, the Temple of Deneir, were locked.她先后去了两座神殿——莉拉圣殿和德内尔神殿“静默之室”，却都大门紧锁。1
Both were posted with identical signs stating they were closed until dawn services.两处都贴着一模一样的告示，声称要等到黎明礼拜时才会开放。2
She passed by the Towers of Good Fortune—the huge temple to Tymora—because it looked too expensive, and the Shrine to Tyr, because it looked too prim and stuffy.她从“幸运双塔”——那座供奉泰摩拉的宏大神殿——门前经过，觉得那里看起来太昂贵；她也略过了提尔圣殿，因为那里看上去太过拘谨古板。3
Upon reaching the Shrine of Oghma, Alias glared at the note tacked to the door.来到欧格玛圣殿后，阿莉亚丝怒视着钉在门上的告示。4
She ripped the paper from the tiny nails and let it flutter down the stairs.她一把将那张纸从小钉子上扯下来，任它飘落台阶。5
Pounding on the door with the side of her fist, her assault was answered by a sleepy caretaker who cracked the temple door open all of two inches and peered out at her suspiciously.她用拳头侧面猛砸大门，一个睡眼惺忪的看守应声而来，把神殿大门拉开一道仅仅两英寸宽的缝，满腹狐疑地从门缝里打量她。6
“I need a curse removed!“我中了诅咒，得找人解除！”7
Immediately!” she gasped with her best maiden-in-distress voice.“马上！”她气喘吁吁地说，使出了自己最拿手的落难少女腔调。8
The caretaker’s look softened, but he shook his head, explaining that the holy mother was out of town arranging a wedding and that they had only acolytes within, new officiates who lacked the power to deal with such things.看守的神色缓和下来，却摇了摇头，解释说圣母为了筹办一场婚礼去了外地，殿内只剩下一些侍僧，都是刚刚任职、无力处理这类事情的新人。9
“Try Tyr Grimjaws, Miss,” he suggested.“去铁颚提尔那儿试试吧，小姐。”他建议道。10
Alias backtracked to the Shrine of Tyr the Just only to find her entry barred by two heavily armed guards.阿莉亚丝原路折返回公正者提尔圣殿，却发现两名全副武装的守卫拦住了入口。11
“Unless it’s life or death,” one informed her, “you’ll have to wait.”其中一人告诉她：“除非事关生死，否则你只能等着。”12
Apparently the church of Tyr had hired an adventuring party to deal with a dragon terrorizing the Storm Horn Mountains.原来，提尔教会雇了一支冒险队，去对付一条正在风暴号角山脉肆虐的巨龙。13
The party’s dealings with the monster had been anything but successful.那支队伍与怪物交锋的结果糟糕透顶。14
The priests of Tyr were all occupied with healing the survivors and resurrecting the bodies of their comrades who had not been incinerated.提尔的祭司们全都忙着救治幸存者，并复活那些没有被烧成灰烬的同伴遗体。15
Alias was feeling desperate by the time she screwed up her courage to enter the Towers of Good Fortune, the Temple of Tymora.等阿莉亚丝终于鼓足勇气走进泰摩拉神殿“幸运双塔”时，她已经近乎绝望。16
At least there was no sign on its front gates.至少它的正门上没有贴告示。17
She jerked on the bellpull incessantly until a priest appeared, yawning but not cross.她不停地猛拽铃绳，直到一名祭司现身；他打着哈欠，倒没有发火。18
A corpulent, pasty-faced man, he waddled forward to unbar the gates.那是个身材肥胖、面色苍白的男人，他蹒跚着走上前来，取下门闩。19
“I must speak with your superior immediately,” Alias demanded.“我必须立刻见你们的上级。”阿莉亚丝强硬地说。20
“This is an emergency.”“这是紧急情况。”21
The priest bowed as much as his bulk would allow and stood up again, grinning.那名牧师尽力弯下肥硕的身躯鞠了一躬，又直起身来，咧嘴笑着。22
“Curate Winefiddle at your service.“助理牧师酒琴为您效劳。23
An improbable name for a priest, I know, but we must play the cards we’re dealt, right?我知道，这名字安在牧师身上实在离奇，可发到手里的牌总得照打，对吧？24
I’m afraid, lady, that I’m all there is.恐怕，女士，这里就只有我了。25
His worship and the others are helping the minions of Tyr with healing and resurrecting the would-be dragon slayers.主祭大人和其他人正在帮提尔的仆从治疗并复活那些想要屠龙的人。26
Unless, by my superiors, you meant to have a word with Lady Luck herself.除非您说的上司，是指想亲自和幸运女神谈谈。27
It’s possible, but very costly, in more ways than one.这倒并非不可能，但代价极其高昂，而且还不只一个方面。28
I wouldn’t recommend it.”我可不建议您这么做。”29
Alias shook her head.阿莉亚丝摇了摇头。30
Before the curate could babble anymore, she burst out, “I need a curse removed.”不等助理牧师继续喋喋不休，她便脱口而出：“我需要解除一个诅咒。”31
“Now, that does sound serious.“哦，那听起来确实很严重。32
Come in.”请进。”33
Winefiddle ushered her past the silver-plated altar to Tymora, Lady Luck, and into a private study for an audience.酒琴领她走过供奉幸运女神泰摩拉的镀银祭坛，进入一间私人书房谈话。34
An oil lamp lit the musty chamber.一盏油灯照亮了这间散发着霉味的屋子。35
Dark oak cabinets lined the walls.深色橡木柜沿墙排列。36
A single, high window framed the night sky.一扇高高的窄窗框住了夜空。37
The curate offered her a seat and plopped down into a chair beside her.助理牧师请她坐下，自己也一屁股坐进她身旁的椅子里。38
“Now, tell me about this curse,” he prompted her.“好了，跟我说说这个诅咒吧。”他示意她开口。39
Alias explained how she’d awakened after her unusually long sleep and discovered the tattoo on her arm.阿莉亚丝讲述了自己如何从那场异常漫长的睡眠中醒来，又如何发现了手臂上的文身。40
At a loss for any other theory, she told him the barkeep’s story that she was a drunk left on the doorstep of The Hidden Lady.由于想不出别的解释，她便把酒馆老板的说法告诉了他：她是个醉鬼，被人丢在了“隐秘女士”门口。41
Then, she related what had happened when the Turmish merchant-mage had cast a spell to detect magic on the tattoo.接着，她又讲了那名图米什商人法师对文身施放侦测魔法时发生的事。42
“I don’t remember getting it—the tattoo,” she concluded.“我不记得自己是什么时候弄上它的——我是说这个文身，”她最后说道。43
“I would never have agreed to it, not even drunk.“我绝不会同意弄这种东西，就算喝醉了也不会。44
This has to be some sort of stupid prank pulled on me while I was unconscious, but I have no idea who would have done it.”这肯定是有人趁我不省人事时对我搞的什么愚蠢恶作剧，可我根本不知道会是谁干的。”45
Alias did not bother to mention her hazy memory of the past few weeks—it was too embarrassing—and she omitted the incident with the lizard as inconsequential.阿莉亚丝没有提起自己对过去几周模糊不清的记忆——那太难为情了——也略去了蜥蜴那件事，因为她觉得无关紧要。46
Curate Winefiddle nodded reassuringly, as if Alias had brought him nothing more troublesome than a kitten with earmites.酒琴助祭宽慰地点了点头，仿佛阿莉亚丝带给他的不过是一只长了耳螨的小猫，根本算不上什么麻烦。47
“No problem,” he declared.“没问题，”他断言道。48
“There remains only the question of how you would like to arrange payment?”“现在只剩一个问题：你打算怎么付酬劳？”49
Alias knew from experience that her coins were an insufficient “offering.”阿莉亚丝凭经验知道，她那点钱币远不足以充作“奉献”。50
She pulled out the only real valuable in her money sack—the small, greenish gem.她从钱袋里掏出唯一真正值钱的东西——那颗泛着绿光的小宝石。51
Winefiddle accepted the terms with a smile and a nod.酒琴微笑着点点头，接受了这个条件。52
“No. Don’t put it there,” he admonished her before she set it down on the desk.她还没来得及把宝石放到桌上，他便告诫道：“不，别放在那里。”53
“Very unlucky.“非常不吉利。”54
Drop it in the poor box as you leave.”“离开时把它投进济贫箱里。”55
Alias nodded.阿莉亚丝点了点头。56
Winefiddle began removing a number of tattered scrolls from a cabinet.酒琴开始从一只柜子里取出一卷卷破旧的卷轴。57
“The one advantage to serving an adventurer’s goddess,” he yawned as he spoke, “is a steady stream of worshippers in need of your special services, worshippers willing to pay in magical items.”“侍奉一位冒险者的女神，唯一的好处，”他说着打了个哈欠，“就是总有源源不断的信徒需要你的特殊服务，而且他们愿意用魔法物品来付账。”58
The cleric stifled another yawn, and Alias gave him a blank look she bestowed on fools she needed to tolerate.这位牧师又强忍住一个哈欠，阿莉亚丝则面无表情地看着他——她一向用这种眼神看那些自己不得不忍受的蠢货。59
As far as she was concerned, clerics were merely puttering quasi-mages who couldn’t cast spells without worrying about converts, theology, relics, and other nonsense.在她看来，牧师不过是一群磨磨蹭蹭的半吊子法师，施个法还得操心皈依者、神学、圣物和其他种种蠢事。60
If they weren’t so useful when sickness, famine, and war struck, they would probably have died out altogether, Alias decided, taking their gods with them.阿莉亚丝心想，要不是疾病、饥荒和战争降临时他们还颇有用处，他们恐怕早就彻底绝迹了，连同他们的神一起。61
Perhaps the gods knew that, and that’s why they put up with the fools.也许众神自己也明白这一点，所以才容忍这些蠢货。62
Winefiddle pulled bundles of scrolls from the cabinet with all the grace of a fishmonger hoisting salmon.酒琴从柜子里拖出一捆捆卷轴，那姿态就像鱼贩提起鲑鱼一样毫无优雅可言。63
He hummed as he checked their tags.他一边查看卷轴上的标签，一边哼着小曲。64
Alias sat there as quietly and patiently as possible, wishing she had stopped at another inn for a pouch of decent rum.阿莉亚丝尽可能安静而耐心地坐在那里，暗自后悔没在另一家旅店停一停，买上一袋像样的朗姆酒。65
Finally, the priest pulled two from the lot that seemed to please him.最后，牧师从那一大堆里挑出了两卷，似乎颇为满意。66
Despite Alias’s warning of what had happened in The Hidden Lady, Winefiddle wanted to begin with a standard magical detection.尽管阿莉亚丝已经警告过他在“隐秘女士”发生的事，酒琴还是想先从一次常规的魔法探测开始。67
He waved aside her objections, insisting, “I need to see this extreme reaction myself.他对她的反对置之不理，坚持道：“我得亲眼看看这种极端反应。”68
Nothing to be afraid of since we know what to expect this time, right?”“既然这回我们知道会发生什么，就没什么可怕的，对吧？”69
Alias submitted with a grudging sigh.阿莉亚丝不情愿地叹了口气，答应下来。70
The cleric passed his silver disk of Tymora over her outstretched arm.牧师将那枚泰摩拉的银碟从她伸出的手臂上方划过。71
The words he muttered were different from the Turmish mage’s, but the effect was the same.他喃喃念出的咒语与那位图米什法师不同，效果却一模一样。72
Alias shuddered as the symbols writhed beneath her skin, and she squinted in anticipation of the bright, sapphire radiance which soon lit every corner of the musty study.皮肤下的符号蜿蜒扭动，阿莉亚丝浑身一颤，眯起眼睛，等着那耀眼的蓝宝石色光芒出现；很快，光芒便照亮了这间霉味书房的每个角落。73
Winefiddle’s eyebrows disappeared into his low hairline, amazed at the brilliance of the glow.酒琴的眉毛高高挑起，几乎没入低低的发际线中，显然对这光芒的璀璨程度大为震惊。74
Alias clenched her muscles involuntarily, and the rays swayed about the room like signal beacons, bouncing off the darkened window and the priest’s silver holy symbol.阿莉亚丝不由自主地绷紧肌肉，光束便如信号灯般在房间里来回摇曳，从昏暗的窗户和牧师的银制圣徽上反射回来。75
The glow peaked and began to ebb slowly.光芒达到顶峰，随后开始缓缓消退。76
Winefiddle cleared his throat nervously a few times before he reached for the larger of the two scrolls on the desk.酒琴紧张地清了几次嗓子，这才伸手去拿书桌上两卷卷轴中较大的那一卷。77
In the blue light he looked less pasty and more powerful, but Alias was beginning to wonder if he knew what he was doing.在蓝光映照下，他显得不那么面色灰白，倒更多了几分威势，但阿莉亚丝开始怀疑他究竟知不知道自己在做什么。78
“You really think that piece of paper’s going to be strong enough?” she asked doubtfully.“你真觉得那张纸的力量够强吗？”她怀疑地问道。79
Maybe I should put this off until morning, she thought.也许我该等到早上再说，她心想。80
The Shrine of Oghma or the Temple of Deneir might have more competent help.欧格玛神殿或德内尔神庙里，说不定有更能干的人帮忙。81
“This scroll was written by the hand of the Arch-cleric Mzentul himself.“这卷轴可是大祭司姆曾图尔亲笔写成的。82
It should remove these horrors without delay.”它应该能立刻除掉这些可怕的东西。”83
He stroked his chin thoughtfully and added, “It being such an old and irreplaceable scroll, perhaps you wouldn’t mind, should you come into further funds …”他若有所思地抚着下巴，又补充道：“不过，这卷轴如此古老，又无可替代，所以要是您日后手头宽裕……想必不会介意……”84
Alias gave an impatient nod, and Winefiddle undid the scroll’s leather binding.阿莉亚丝不耐烦地点了点头，酒琴便解开了卷轴的皮制绑带。85
With one hand on her arm and the other holding the scroll, he began to read.他一只手按在她的手臂上，另一只手拿着卷轴，开始诵读。86
“Dominus, Deliverus,” he intoned.“Dominus，Deliverus。”他抑扬顿挫地念道。87
A cold shudder ran down Alias’s spine, a feeling quickly overwhelmed by a burning sensation on her forearm.一阵寒战沿着阿莉亚丝的脊背窜下，但她的前臂很快燃起灼痛，将那感觉彻底淹没。88
The pain was familiar, but she could not remember why.这疼痛似曾相识，她却想不起缘由。89
Is this how the magics felt that put the damned thing here?当初把这该死的东西弄到她身上的魔法，带来的就是这种感觉吗？90
The fire on her arm intensified, and she clamped her jaw shut to avoid crying out.她手臂上的灼烧感愈发强烈，她死死咬紧牙关，免得叫出声来。91
She couldn’t have been in more pain if molten metal had been poured over her sword arm.即使有人把熔化的金属浇在她持剑的手臂上，也不可能让她更加痛苦。92
“Ketris, Ogos, Diam—” Winefiddle continued, breathing heavily, his teeth clenched.“Ketris，Ogos，Diam——”酒琴继续念着，呼吸粗重，牙关紧咬。93
Alias wondered if he could feel the heat of her arm beneath his hand.阿莉亚丝不知道他能否隔着手掌感受到她手臂的灼热。94
Light beams arced from Alias’s arm like water from a fountain, but instead of spilling to the floor, they wrapped around her until she was surrounded by blue light.一道道光束如喷泉中的水一般从阿莉亚丝的手臂上呈弧形喷涌而出，但它们并未泼洒到地板上，而是缠绕在她周身，直至她被蓝光笼罩。95
Suddenly, she wrenched her arm away from the cleric’s grasp and reached down to her boot for her throwing dagger.突然，她猛地从牧师手中抽回手臂，俯身去摸靴筒里的飞刀。96
As if she was in some horrible nightmare her arm moved of its own accord, like a viper she could not control.仿佛置身于某场可怕的噩梦之中，她的手臂自行活动起来，像一条不受她控制的毒蛇。97
The priest had ignored the swordswoman’s arm jerking from his grasp.女剑士的手臂猛然挣脱，祭司却没有理会。98
It wasn’t really necessary that he hold onto it, and he could not afford to lose his concentration and break off his incantation.其实他并非一定要抓着她的手臂，而他也不能分神，不能中断咒语。99
“Mistra, Hodah, Mzentil, Coy!” he finished triumphantly.“米斯特拉，霍达，姆曾提尔，科伊！”他得意地念完了咒语。100
Winefiddle looked up at his client.酒琴抬头望向他的委托人。101
She was still bathed in a blue light from the symbols, and her face was a mask of rage.那些符号发出的蓝光依然笼罩着她，她的脸犹如一张愤怒的面具。102
A low, feral snarl issued from her lips.一声低沉而野性的咆哮从她唇间逸出。103
He caught the flash of silver as Alias thrust the knife toward him.阿莉亚丝将匕首刺向他时，他瞥见一道银光。104
With an unexpected dexterity, he shifted sideways.他以出人意料的敏捷向旁边一闪。105
The weapon sliced through his robes and bit into his flesh, but it was stopped by his lowest rib.利刃划破他的长袍，咬进血肉，却被他最下方的肋骨挡住了。106
Alias looked down in horror at her hand—it moved with its own volition.阿莉亚丝惊恐地低头看着自己的手——它正自行其是。107
Blood from the dagger bubbled and burned as it dripped over the glowing tattoo.匕首上的血滴落在发光的刺青上，冒着泡灼烧起来。108
Suddenly, the scroll Winefiddle had been reading burst into flame, its magic used.突然，酒琴一直诵读的卷轴燃起火来，其中的魔力已消耗殆尽。109
The curate threw the burning page in Alias’s face.助理牧师把燃烧的书页扔向阿莉亚丝的脸。110
The swordswoman swatted the fiery parchment away, and the priest circled around her.女剑士一掌拍开燃烧的羊皮纸，祭司则绕到她身后。111
Just as he reached the door, Alias felt an electric pulse run down her right arm.就在他抵达门口时，阿莉亚丝感到一道电流般的脉冲沿右臂传下。112
She tried to grab the wrist with her left hand, but she was too late.她试图用左手抓住右腕，却已经太迟了。113
The arm hurled the dagger at the priest.那条手臂将匕首掷向祭司。114
The weapon whirred past his ear and buried itself in the doorjamb.利刃嗖地掠过他的耳边，深深扎进门框。115
Yanking the door open so hard that it banged against the wall behind it, the priest fled from the study.祭司猛地拉开门，力道之大，门板砰然撞上后面的墙；随即他逃出了书房。116
Alias raced after him, no longer in control of any part of her body.阿莉亚丝飞奔着追了上去，此时她身体的任何部分都已不受自己控制。117
She tried to pull the silvered steel weapon from the wood as she passed by, but the blade had buried itself too deep; she abandoned it so as not to lose sight of her prey.经过门口时，她试图从木头里拔出那柄镀银钢刃，但刀身扎得太深；为了不让猎物脱离视线，她只得将它舍下。118
Alias found Winefiddle climbing the steps to the silver altar.阿莉亚丝发现酒琴正沿着台阶爬向银质祭坛。119
She leaped after him and grabbed at the back of the chain around his neck, the chain that held his holy symbol—the silver disk of Tymora.她纵身追上去，一把抓住他颈后那条挂着圣徽——泰摩拉的银圆盘——的链子。120
She yanked on it hard, trying to throttle him with it.她猛力拉扯，想用链子勒死他。121
Winefiddle lost his balance and tumbled backward down the steps into his assailant, knocking her over as well.酒琴失去平衡，向后滚下台阶，撞上袭击他的阿莉亚丝，也把她撞倒在地。122
The priest’s fall was broken by Alias’s body, but the swordswoman was not so lucky.阿莉亚丝的身体缓冲了祭司坠落的冲势，可这位女剑士自己就没那么幸运了。123
The crack her head made on the marble stone echoed through the temple, and the priest’s great bulk on top of her forced all the air from her lungs.她的脑袋撞在大理石地面上，发出的脆响回荡在神殿中，而祭司庞大的身躯压在她身上，将她肺里的空气全都挤了出去。124
When Alias opened her eyes again, she was still lying on the floor.阿莉亚丝再次睁开眼睛时，发现自己仍躺在地上。125
The light on her arm had faded to a very dim glow.她手臂上的光已经褪成了极其微弱的光晕。126
Her head was throbbing with unbearable agony.她的脑袋阵阵抽痛，痛苦得难以忍受。127
Gods! she thought, as panic gripped her heart.诸神啊！她心想，恐慌攫住了她的心。128
I killed a priest!我杀了一个祭司！129
These hell-spawned markings made me kill a priest!这些地狱孽生的印记逼我杀了一个祭司！130
No one will ever believe it wasn’t my fault.绝不会有人相信这不是我的错。131
She tried to sit up, knowing she had to flee, but the pain in her head made it impossible.她知道自己必须逃走，于是试图坐起身来，可头部的剧痛令她根本无法动弹。132
Then she heard chanting.这时，她听见了吟唱声。133
Winefiddle knelt beside her—not dead after all.酒琴跪在她身旁——原来他并没有死。134
In the dimness of the temple lamps Alias could see his hands were glowing very slightly.借着神殿灯火的微光，阿莉亚丝看见他的双手正泛着极其微弱的光芒。135
He held them over the wound in his side and then over her forehead.他先把双手悬在自己侧腹的伤口上方，然后又移到她的额头上方。136
The throbbing subsided.抽痛渐渐平息了。137
“How are you feeling?” the curate asked.“你感觉怎么样？”助祭问道。138
“All right, I guess,” she muttered, sitting up slowly.“还好吧，我想。”她咕哝着，缓缓坐起身来。139
She was unable to meet the priest’s eyes.她不敢直视祭司的眼睛。140
“I might have killed you,” she whispered.“我差点杀了你。”她低声说道。141
“Not very likely,” Winefiddle replied lightly.“不大可能。”酒琴轻松地答道。142
“We are in Tymora’s temple, and Her luck was with me, not you.”“这里是泰摩拉的神殿，而祂的好运眷顾的是我，不是你。”143
His nonchalance startled Alias.他那副满不在乎的样子令阿莉亚丝吃了一惊。144
She had to make him understand, even if it didn’t matter to him.她必须让他明白，即使他根本不在意。145
“It wasn’t me, though,” she explained.“可那不是我干的，”她解释道。146
“My arm … it took me over somehow.”“是我的手臂……不知怎么控制了我。”147
“Yes.“没错。148
The symbols must have instructions to destroy anyone who would try to remove them, discouraging you from seeking out help.这些符号里一定设有指令，会摧毁任何试图去除它们的人，好让你不敢求助于人。149
I thought you looked possessed—but it couldn’t have been a real possession.”我当时觉得你像是被附了身——但那不可能是真正的附身。”150
“Why not?”“为什么不可能？”151
“An alarm would have gone off if any possessed person approached the altar.“任何被附身的人只要靠近祭坛，警报就会响起。152
You didn’t set it off.你却没有触发警报。153
I don’t think you’re cursed exactly either, or the scroll I used would have worked.我认为你也不完全是中了诅咒，否则我用的卷轴就该奏效了。154
The symbols on your arm are magical, but they aren’t just magical.你手臂上的符号具有魔力，但又不只是魔法。155
There’s some mechanistic component to them that protects them from being exorcised.”其中还包含某种机械式的机制，使它们不会被驱除。”156
“But I have to get them off,” Alias insisted.“可我非得把它们去掉不可，”阿莉亚丝坚持道。157
“I can’t run around with markings that make me try to kill priests.“我不能带着这些会迫使我杀害祭司的印记到处乱跑。158
Who knows what else they might make me do?”谁知道它们还会逼我做出什么事？”159
“Indeed” Winefiddle agreed, “but removing them might prove to be complicated and costly.“确实如此，”酒琴赞同道，“不过，要去除它们，恐怕既复杂又昂贵。160
If it can be done, it would require the power of many clerics and mages, as well as a surgeon.即便真能做到，也需要许多牧师和法师合力，还得有一名外科医生。161
And you would have no guarantee that the markings would let you live through the procedure.而且你根本无法保证，这些印记会让你活着撑过整个过程。162
It might be easier and safer for you to cut off the arm and retire.”对你来说，砍掉这条手臂然后退隐，或许反倒更简单、更安全。”163
“No!”“不！”164
“But these markings are very dangerous.“可这些印记非常危险。165
You could learn to fight left-handed,” Winefiddle suggested.你可以学着用左手战斗，”酒琴建议道。166
“I can already do that,” Alias declared.“这个我已经会了。”阿莉亚丝断然说道。167
“That’s not the point.“重点不在这里。168
I’m not going to let these things, or whoever put them on me, ruin my life.我不会让这些东西，或是把它们弄到我身上的人，毁掉我的生活。169
Besides, suppose they had roots or something that went into my body.”再说，万一它们有根须之类的东西，扎进了我的身体呢？”170
“Well, then, I would advise you to learn all you can about the markings.“那么，我建议你尽可能多了解这些印记。171
None of them are familiar to me.这些印记我一个也不认识。172
Perhaps if you can discover their origins, you can discover who put them on you and get them to remove them for you.”或许，只要查出它们的来历，你就能查出是谁把它们弄到你身上的，再让那个人替你除掉它们。”173
Alias looked down at the blue glyphs.阿莉亚丝低头看着那些蓝色符文。174
None of them were familiar to her either.她也一个都不认识。175
Even the Turmishman, Akabar Bel Akash, had found them unusual.就连那个图米什人阿卡巴·贝尔·阿卡什也觉得它们不同寻常。176
“That’ll take a sage’s service, and sages aren’t cheap.”“这得请贤者帮忙，可贤者的收费并不便宜。”177
“True,” Winefiddle agreed.“确实如此。”酒琴表示赞同。178
“However, I happen to know of a very good one who might be willing to exchange his services for yours.“不过，我碰巧认识一位非常出色的贤者，他或许愿意用自己的服务来换取你的效力。179
His name is Dimswart.他叫迪姆斯沃特。180
He lives about half a day’s ride outside of Suzail.”他住在苏萨尔城外，骑马大约半天的路程。”181
“What kind of services might he be looking for?”“他可能需要我提供什么服务？”182
Alias asked suspiciously.阿莉亚丝疑心地问道。183
“Better to let him explain that,” Winefiddle said evasively.“还是让他自己向你解释比较好。”酒琴含糊其词地说道。184
Five minutes later Alias left the temple, a letter of introduction in her pocket, along with the small greenish gem originally intended for Tymora’s poor box.五分钟后，阿莉亚丝离开了神殿，口袋里装着一封介绍信，还有那颗原本打算投入泰摩拉济贫箱的淡绿色小宝石。185
She had made a motion toward the box with her hand as she passed it, but the gem remained firmly in her grip.经过济贫箱时，她曾抬手朝箱子比画了一下，但那颗宝石依然牢牢攥在她手中。186
As she had pointed out, sages weren’t cheap.正如她所说，贤者的收费并不便宜。187
Her services might not be sufficient to barter with this Dimswart, she told herself.她告诉自己，光靠她能提供的服务，或许还不足以同这个迪姆斯沃特交换。188
As she walked away from the temple, an uneasy suspicion occurred to her that perhaps it wasn’t her own frugalness that prompted her to hold onto the gem, but some desire of the sigils not to reward the priest who had tried to help her remove them.走出神殿时，她心中忽然生出一个令人不安的疑念：促使她留下宝石的，或许并非她自己的节俭，而是那些符印不愿让那个曾试图帮她除掉它们的祭司得到回报。189
The cobblestone Promenade of Suzail appeared deserted, but as soon as Alias left the temple court a tall figure in rustling crimson-and-white robes stepped from the shadows.苏萨尔铺着鹅卵石的滨海大道上似乎空无一人，但阿莉亚丝刚离开神殿庭院，一个身披沙沙作响的深红白双色长袍的高大身影便从阴影中走了出来。190
He hesitated, uncertain whether he should follow the adventuress or try to discover her business with Tymora.他迟疑了一下，不知该跟踪这名女冒险者，还是去查明她到泰摩拉神殿所为何事。191
He made for the temple doors.他朝神殿大门走去。192
Then three more figures, dressed in dark leathers, emerged from a dark alley.随后，又有三个身穿深色皮甲的身影从一条昏暗的小巷里现身。193
Ignoring the first figure they trailed after Alias.他们没有理会先前那人，尾随阿莉亚丝而去。194
One last figure followed these three—a figure holding a massive tail over his shoulder.最后还有一个身影跟在这三人后面——他肩上扛着一条硕大的尾巴。195
* * * * ** * * * *196
Alias was in no hurry to return to The Hidden Lady.阿莉亚丝并不急着回“隐秘女士”。197
Three days of sleep had left her quite awake.睡了三天之后，她此刻毫无睡意。198
She wandered down to Suzail’s docks.她信步走到了苏萨尔的码头。199
The last of the schooners had shut down for the evening, and only a few firepots from the warehouses lit the water.最后几艘纵帆船也已收工歇业，只有仓库旁零星几只火盆的光芒映照着水面。200
The sea air rolled into the city, smelling considerably fresher than three-days worth of unlaundered linens.海风涌入城中，闻起来可比三天没洗的床单清新多了。201
She ran through a mental list of individuals who might be responsible for having her marked with the symbols and drew a blank.她在脑海里逐一筛过可能把那些符号烙在她身上的人，却毫无头绪。202
Any enemies she’d made were either ignorant of her name or dead.她树下的敌人，要么不知道她的名字，要么已经死了。203
No friends who were still drawing breath would do something like this.仍在人世的朋友中，没有谁会做出这种事。204
That left someone new—a stranger who had picked her off the street as a suitable vessel for trying out a new piece of magic.那就只剩下某个新出现的人——一个素不相识的陌生人，从街上挑中了她，把她当成试验某种新魔法的合适容器。205
Alias came to the end of the wooden plank sidewalk.阿莉亚丝走到了木板人行道的尽头。206
The beach spread out in a thin white line to her right.右边的沙滩铺展开来，宛如一道纤细的白线。207
The night sky had grown overcast.夜空已经阴云密布。208
Like my life, she thought.就像我的人生，她想。209
She began walking along the shoreline on the sand.她踏上沙地，沿着海岸线走了起来。210
Even if a complete stranger had done this to her, she was still left wondering where and when it had happened.即便这事真是一个完全陌生的人干的，她仍然想不明白，它究竟是在何时何地发生的。211
Now that she thought about it, her memory was missing more than just a few weeks.如今仔细想来，她记忆中缺失的可不只是短短几周。212
More time than an alcoholic binge could really account for, she decided.她断定，那段空白远比一场酗酒狂欢所能解释的时间要长。213
She could recall long-ago adventures quite clearly—like stealing one of the Eyes of Bane from an evil temple in Baldur’s Gate with the Adventurers of the Black Hawk, or her earliest sojourns with the Company of the Swanmays.很久以前的冒险，她倒是记得十分清楚——比如与黑鹰冒险团一起，从博德之门的一座邪恶神殿里偷走一颗班恩之眼，又比如她早年与天鹅女团一同出游的经历。214
Her mind went all fuzzy, trying to remember recent events like the sea trip.她努力回想航海之类的近期经历，脑子却变得一片混沌。215
And there was a sea trip, she insisted to herself, worried that she would forget that as well by the next morning.确实有过一次航海，她在心里坚持道，同时又担心到了第二天早晨，连这件事也会忘掉。216
Was the lizard-creature on the same ship?那只蜥蜴怪物也在同一条船上吗？217
I think so.我想是的。218
Maybe it’s the pet of the magician behind this mess.也许它是幕后策划这一切的魔法师养的宠物。219
Alias walked a quarter-mile along the beach before she drew her traitorous arm from beneath her cloak.阿莉亚丝沿着海滩走了四分之一英里，才从斗篷底下抽出那条背叛自己的手臂。220
The pain had dimmed, but the symbols still glowed faintly, like lichen.疼痛已经减弱，但那些符号仍像地衣一般散发着微光。221
Cursing did no good, but she cursed anyway.咒骂无济于事，可她还是骂了起来。222
If they can make me attack a priest, what else can they make me do?他们既然能让我袭击一名祭司，还能逼我做出什么事来？223
If she attacked someone else, she could end up with a bad reputation.要是她再袭击别人，名声可就要毁了。224
No one would hire her as a guard, and there weren’t many adventuring companies who’d have anything to do with her.不会再有人雇她当护卫，也没几个冒险团愿意同她打交道。225
It was one thing to kill people in self-defense or in combat under command of king or church, but if she were to slay some innocent, unarmed person …为了自卫而杀人，或是奉国王或教会之命在战斗中杀人，是一回事；可要是她杀了某个无辜而又手无寸铁的人……226
Alias was lost in her thoughts, absentmindedly digging a half-covered shell from the sand with the side of her boot, so she failed to notice the trio stalking her.阿莉亚丝沉浸在思绪中，心不在焉地用靴子侧面从沙里刨出一枚半掩的贝壳，因此没有察觉到正悄悄逼近她的三个人。227
The rushing sound of the surf covered the noise of their approach.海浪奔涌的声响掩盖了他们靠近时的动静。228
One hung back and began chanting a spell, while the other two rushed the swordswoman.其中一人落在后面，开始吟诵咒语，另外两人则冲向了女剑士。229
The spell-caster’s incantation, a high-pitched female voice, inadvertently warned Alias of danger.施法者以尖细的女声念出的咒语，无意间向阿莉亚丝发出了危险的警告。230
The swordswoman whirled around and discovered the pair of armed men advancing on her.女剑士猛地转过身，发现两个手持武器的男人正向她逼近。231
They carried clubs, but light from the cloud-wrapped moon did not reflect off their black leather armor—armor that was the trademark of a particularly dangerous underworld class.他们拿着木棍，但云层笼罩下的月光却无法从他们的黑色皮甲上反射出来——这种盔甲正是地下世界中某个格外危险的行当所特有的标志。232
Assassins!刺客！233
Alias grabbed at the hilt of her sword and nearly jerked herself off her feet before remembering the blade was still tied to its scabbard.阿莉亚丝一把抓住剑柄，险些把自己拽得双脚离地，这才想起剑刃仍绑在剑鞘里。234
The awkward movement pulled her forward so, by dumb luck, she rolled within the swing of the first assailant and away from the second.这个笨拙的动作把她带得向前扑去，竟让她走了狗屎运，翻滚着钻入第一个袭击者挥击的内侧，同时躲开了第二个人。235
With one hand she tried to foil the knot at her sword.她用一只手摸索着，试图解开绑住佩剑的绳结。236
Then the spell-caster’s magic let loose—a pair of missiles of hissing energy, leaving a wake of glittering dust in their path.随后，施法者的魔法骤然迸发——两枚嘶嘶作响的能量飞弹破空而出，沿途拖曳着闪亮的尘屑。237
The bolts dove at Alias like hunting falcons and caught her in the left shoulder.飞弹如猎鹰般俯冲向阿莉亚丝，击中了她的左肩。238
The arm below that shoulder went dead from the shock, and the force knocked the swordswoman backward on the sand.冲击使她左肩以下的手臂顿时失去知觉，那股力量也将这名女剑士向后掀倒在沙滩上。239
Ignore the pain, just get the knot, she ordered herself.别管疼痛，只管解开绳结，她命令自己。240
Fortunately, the first assailant was an amateur.幸运的是，第一个袭击者只是个生手。241
He rushed forward while his wiser companion circled.他径直冲上前来，而他那更明智的同伴则绕向一旁。242
Alias brought her leg up hard and connected.阿莉亚丝猛地抬腿，结结实实地踢中了他。243
The fool dropped his club, clutching himself in pain.那蠢货扔下棍棒，痛苦地捂住自己。244
Get the knot, get the knot, her mind chanted as the fingers of her right hand tore frantically at the binding on her sword.解开绳结，解开绳结，她心里不停念着，右手手指疯狂撕扯着绑住剑的绳结。245
Don’t think about the spell-caster!别去想那个施法者！246
Work the knot!快解绳结！247
Alias attempted to rise, and the second assailant swung at her from behind, catching her left shoulder again.阿莉亚丝试图起身，第二个袭击者从背后挥棍打来，又一次击中了她的左肩。248
She rolled with the blow and came up at last with sword in hand.她顺着这一击翻滚出去，终于起身站定，手中握住了剑。249
The first assassin had recovered, so that Alias stood on the beach facing both armed assailants, shifting her eyes from one to the other.第一个刺客已经缓过劲来，于是阿莉亚丝站在海滩上，面对两个手持武器的袭击者，目光在两人之间来回移动。250
Worse than that, she could hear the rising chant in the distance of another spell.更糟的是，她听见远处又一段法术咒语的吟诵声渐渐高昂起来。251
The chant died with a sudden muffled scream, and the two assassins half-turned in surprise.一声突如其来的闷叫打断了吟诵，两个刺客惊讶地转过半个身子。252
Alias lunged, catching the first in the belly.阿莉亚丝猛扑上前，一剑刺中第一个刺客的腹部。253
She lost her grip on her sword’s hilt as the assassin crumbled to the sand.刺客瘫倒在沙滩上时，她的手也从剑柄上滑脱了。254
The remaining black figure thrust his club like a sword, seeking to catch Alias between the ribs.剩下的那个黑衣人把棍棒当剑一样直刺过来，想击中阿莉亚丝的肋骨之间。255
Alias dodged backward, so the force of his lunge knocked the assassin off balance.阿莉亚丝向后闪避，他猛刺的力道反倒使自己失去了平衡。256
She reached to the top of her boot with her good hand and flung a dagger underhand.她用那只完好的手探向靴口，反手掷出一把匕首。257
Her aim was true, and the second assailant fell, hands clawing at the protruding hilt, staining the sand with his blood.她掷得极准，第二个袭击者应声倒下，双手徒劳地抓挠着露在外面的刀柄，鲜血染红了沙滩。258
Alias breathed deeply and recovered her weapons.阿莉亚丝深吸了一口气，收回了自己的武器。259
Both men were dead.两个男人都死了。260
She rubbed her sore shoulder, feeling the tingling of life returning to it.她揉着酸痛的肩膀，感觉知觉正随着阵阵刺麻重新恢复。261
Then she remembered the spell-caster.随后，她想起了那个施法者。262
Has she fled, or is she waiting in the shadows?她是逃走了，还是正躲在暗处等着？263
Alias moved cautiously in the direction the magic missiles had come from.阿莉亚丝小心翼翼地朝魔法飞弹射来的方向走去。264
The spell-caster lay face down in the sand about twenty yards away, a nasty gash across her back.施法者面朝下趴在约二十码外的沙地上，背后裂着一道狰狞的伤口。265
Bending over her body was the lizard-creature.那只蜥蜴怪物正俯身站在她的尸体上方。266
It’s just as ugly in the moonlight as it had been in the dusk, Alias thought.月光下的它和黄昏时一样丑陋，阿莉亚丝心想。267
In one paw the creature held an odd-looking blade that had too much steel and not enough grip.那怪物的一只爪子里握着一柄模样古怪的兵刃，刃身钢铁太多，握柄却短得可怜。268
The tip of the blade was an oversized diamond shape edged with curved teeth that curled backward.刃尖呈一个硕大的菱形，边缘长着向后弯卷的利齿。269
The teeth were bathed in the mage’s blood.那些利齿沾满了女法师的鲜血。270
Alias raised her own sword into a guard position.阿莉亚丝举起自己的剑，摆出戒备的架势。271
The lizard looked up and hissed.蜥蜴抬起头，发出嘶嘶声。272
Is that a hostile sign? she wondered.那是在表示敌意吗？她暗自思忖。273
She tightened her grip on her own blade.她握紧了手中的剑。274
The beast rose from the mage’s body.那野兽从女法师的尸体上起身。275
Swordswoman and lizard stood motionless, each waiting for the other to move first.女剑士与蜥蜴一动不动地对峙着，双方都在等对方先动手。276
Finally, the lizard-creature gave a muted snarl as it twisted its odd-shaped blade in its hands, spinning the weapon like a baton once, twice, thrice …终于，蜥蜴怪物低低咆哮了一声，双手一扭那柄形状古怪的兵刃，像转短棍一般将它旋了一圈、两圈、三圈……277
And drove it, point first, into the ground at Alias’s feet.接着刃尖朝下，将它插进了阿莉亚丝脚边的地面。278
The creature dropped to one knee beside the grounded blade, head down, offering its bare neck to Alias’s weapon.那怪物在插地的兵刃旁单膝跪下，垂着头，将毫无遮蔽的脖颈送到了阿莉亚丝的剑下。279
Alias raised her sword over the creature.阿莉亚丝把剑举到了怪物上方。280
I failed to kill the thing this afternoon, she realized, and I’ll never have a better chance to deal with it.今天下午我没能杀掉这东西，她意识到，而以后再也不会有比这更好的机会来解决它了。281
Putting it out of my misery would be the simplest, most logical thing to do.杀了它，让我自己解脱，是最简单、最合乎逻辑的做法。282
Four dead bodies on a beach attract no more attention than three.海滩上的四具尸体不会比三具引来更多注意。283
The lizard remained in its kneeling position, not reaching for its blade.蜥蜴仍跪在原地，没有伸手去拿自己的刀。284
The creature seemed to be holding its breath.那生物似乎屏住了呼吸。285
Alias hesitated.阿莉亚丝犹豫了。286
You’d think I was a follower of Bhaal, God of Murder.别人准会以为我是谋杀之神巴尔的信徒。287
First I try to kill a priest, and now I’m ready to slay a foe who’s surrendered.我先是企图杀死一名祭司，现在又准备宰掉一个已经投降的对手。288
For that matter I don’t know that it’s a foe.再说了，我甚至都不知道它算不算敌人。289
The creature took out the magic-user for me.是这生物替我解决了那个法师。290
It’s offering me its services like a knight.它还像个骑士似的，主动提出要为我效劳。291
Alias tapped the lizard-creature on the shoulder with the flat of the blade.阿莉亚丝用剑身平拍了一下蜥蜴怪的肩膀。292
“Okay, you can live.”“好吧，你可以活命。”293
Her voice sounded overloud and pompous.她的声音听起来响得过头，而且煞有介事。294
“But one false move and you’re dragon bait.“不过你要是敢轻举妄动，就会变成龙饵。295
Read me?听明白了吗？296
Dra-gon bait.”龙——饵。”297
The creature nodded and pointed to its chest with a long, clawed finger.那生物点点头，用一根长长的带爪手指指向自己的胸口。298
Alias rubbed her temples with annoyance.阿莉亚丝恼火地揉了揉太阳穴。299
“No, you’re not named Dragonbait.“不，你不叫龙饵。300
If you give me any trouble, you’ll become dragon bait.”你要是给我惹麻烦，就会变成龙饵。”301
The creature repeated the gesture toward itself.那生物又重复了一遍指向自己的动作。302
Alias sighed.阿莉亚丝叹了口气。303
“Dragonbait it is, then.”“好吧，那就叫龙饵。”304
She pointed toward herself.她指了指自己。305
“Alias,” she said.“阿莉亚丝。”她说道。306
“Now let’s search these bodies and get out of here before the watch arrives.”“现在我们搜搜这些尸体，然后赶在城卫队到来之前离开这里。”307
Dragonbait nodded and, using an overlong thumb-claw, started cutting the strings of the magician’s purse.龙饵点点头，用长得过分的拇指爪割起了法师钱袋上的系绳。308
点句末的编号，从那一句开始听