The orcs escorting Finder and Olive herded the pair of adventurers through naturally carved tunnels for what seemed to the halfling to be miles.押送芬德和奥利芙的兽人赶着这两个冒险者穿过天然形成的隧道；在半身人看来，他们似乎走了好几英里。1
Olive had to jog to keep up with Finder and ahead of the orcs, and she stumbled frequently on the rough, uneven ground.奥利芙不得不一路小跑，才能跟上芬德，又不至于落到兽人后面；崎岖不平的地面让她频频踉跄。2
Her wounded shoulder was throbbing, and every jar sent a stabbing pain down her arm and across her back.她受伤的肩膀一阵阵抽痛，每次颠簸都会让一股刺痛蹿下手臂，横贯后背。3
Finally they reached a series of passages that looked like circular bores through the rock, as smooth as polished marble.终于，他们来到了一连串仿佛在岩石中钻出的圆形通道，洞壁光滑得如同磨亮的大理石。4
Although these were far easier to move through, to Olive they were more unsettling, since they indicated the work of the beholder’s disintegrating eye.尽管这些通道好走得多，却让奥利芙更加不安，因为这表明它们是由眼魔那只能令物体解体的眼睛开凿出来的。5
Thinking of the beholder, as Olive could not help but do, and listening to the cadence of the orcs’ boots as they trudged behind the prisoners brought to the halfling’s mind the adventurer’s rhyme:奥利芙情不自禁地想着眼魔，又听着兽人跟在俘虏身后跋涉时靴子踏出的节奏，脑海中不由得浮现出那首冒险者歌谣：6
One eye to lift and one eye to sleep, One to charm man and one for beast.一眼托举，一眼催眠；一眼魅人，一眼惑兽。7
One eye to wound and one eye to slow, One to bring fear and one to make stone.一眼致伤，一眼迟缓；一眼生惧，一眼化石。8
One eye makes dust and one eye brings death, But the last eye kills wizards more than all of the rest.一眼成尘，一眼索命；最后一眼最克法师，胜过其余众眼。9
The last eye of a beholder, Olive knew, disrupted magic.奥利芙知道，眼魔的最后一只眼睛能够扰乱魔法。10
Without it, Xaran would be evenly matched with any powerful mage, but with it, not even wizards stood a chance against the the creature.没有这只眼睛，扎兰与任何强大的法师交手都只能算势均力敌；可有了它，就连法师对上这只怪物也毫无胜算。11
Without the ability to cast spells, a mage was about as useful as a bard with laryngitis.无法施法的法师，就和患了喉炎的吟游诗人一样派不上用场。12
Fortunately there was nothing wrong with Finder’s voice, and they were relying on his glib tongue, not his magical abilities, to deal with the beholder.幸好芬德的嗓子没有任何毛病，而且他们要靠的是他的三寸不烂之舌，而不是他的魔法能力，来应付眼魔。13
He’d better be at his glibbest, too, Olive thought.他最好把能说会道的本事发挥到极致，奥利芙心想。14
Beholders aren’t stupid.眼魔可不蠢。15
Finder stepped in front of the halfling and stopped suddenly, bringing Olive up short and startlinging her out of her reverie.芬德跨到半身人前面，猛地停下脚步，害得奥利芙也骤然止步，从沉思中惊醒过来。16
“Pocket the light for a while,” Finder whispered.“先把光收起来一会儿。”芬德低声说道。17
Olive did as the bard asked.奥利芙照吟游诗人的吩咐做了。18
There was a dim glow up ahead.前方透出一片微弱的光亮。19
Olive peered around Finder’s hip and saw that they had arrived at the main entrance of the orc warren’s common cave.奥利芙从芬德腰侧探头望去，看见他们已经来到兽人巢穴公共洞窟的主入口。20
The common cave of an Orcish community was always the largest and most central in the warren, and when another creature, such as a beholder, assumed leadership of an orc tribe, it often made the common cave its own quarters.兽人聚居地的公共洞窟总是巢穴中最大、位置最居中的洞窟；而当眼魔之类的其他生物成为兽人部落的首领时，往往会把公共洞窟据为自己的居所。21
Despite the cave’s great size and desirable location, it was still part of an orc warren, and since orcs lacked any sense of style or gracious living, it looked like a pretty miserable place to live.尽管这座洞窟十分宽敞，位置也很理想，它终究还是兽人巢穴的一部分；而兽人既毫无格调，也不懂舒适生活，因此这里看起来仍是个相当糟糕的住处。22
Numerous low charcoal fires burned within, but since the ceiling was only seven feet high at most and sloped downward at the edges, the dim red light from the fires didn’t penetrate very far, making the cave seem much smaller.洞内燃着许多低矮的炭火，但洞顶最高也不过七英尺，而且边缘处还向下倾斜，因此炭火发出的暗红微光照不了多远，让洞穴显得小了许多。23
Water seeped down from the surface, dripped from the ceiling and walls, and hissed onto the fires’ hot coals, sending up clouds of water vapor and noxious gases.水从地表渗下来，沿着洞顶和洞壁滴落，在炽热的炭火上嘶嘶作响，腾起团团水汽和有毒气体。24
The smell of rancid fat dripping from rotting animal carcasses onto the coals masked the odor of the orcs with an even more unpleasant smell.腐烂的动物尸体上滴下酸败的脂肪，落在炭火上，那股气味甚至比兽人的体臭更难闻，把后者完全盖了过去。25
All in all, Olive thought, it was a pretty homey place for a creature from hell.总而言之，奥利芙心想，对一个来自地狱的生物而言，这地方还真挺有家的感觉。26
Orcs swarmed into the common room to get a look at the intruders who demanded an audience with their master.兽人蜂拥进公共洞室，争相围观这些要求觐见他们主人的闯入者。27
Only the largest and toughest-looking males carried well-maintained weaponry and wore anything resembling armor.只有块头最大、看起来最凶悍的雄性才携带保养得当的武器，身上也只有他们穿着勉强称得上盔甲的东西。28
Most of the rest had at least an axe.其余兽人大多至少也有一把斧头。29
The females wore daggers, and even the young played with sharpened sticks.雌性都佩着匕首，就连幼崽也拿削尖的木棍玩耍。30
For every face Olive was able to discern in the dim light, she saw two more pairs of red eyes glowing in the darkness of the passages adjacent to the common room.奥利芙在昏暗光线中每看清一张脸，就能在公共洞室相邻通道的黑暗里看到另外两双闪着红光的眼睛。31
Unable to imagine even someone as talented as Finder able to defeat these vicious creatures, Olive commented wryly, “It looks like a tough bunch.”奥利芙无法想象，即便是芬德这样才华出众的人，怎么可能打败这些凶残的生物，于是讥诮地说道：“看来这群家伙很不好对付。”32
“I’ve seen worse,” Finder replied coolly, but he gave the horn on his belt a pat as if to reassure himself of its presence.“更糟的我也见过。”芬德冷静地答道，却伸手拍了拍腰带上的号角，仿佛是在确认它还在，好让自己安心。33
Sure you have, Olive thought silently.你当然见过，奥利芙默默想道。34
At the center of the cave, the floor rose a few feet.洞穴中央的地面隆起了几英尺。35
Atop the rise was a pile of moldy, water-stained pillows, mementos from some long-forgotten caravan raid.隆起处顶端堆着一摞发霉、带着水渍的靠枕，是某次早已被遗忘的商队劫掠留下的纪念品。36
Xaran was propped on the pillows in the manner of a merchant raj.扎兰倚在那些靠枕上，摆出一副商贾王公的派头。37
The leader of the orcs paused just inside the entrance to the cave.兽人首领刚进洞穴入口便停下了脚步。38
Finder strode past him, with Olive in tow, leaving the leader and the guards to straggle through the phalanx of orcs who parted to make way for the human bard and his tiny companion.芬德牵着奥利芙大步从他身旁走过，将首领和守卫甩在后面；他们只能拖拖拉拉地穿过兽人组成的密集队列，而兽人们纷纷让开，为人类吟游诗人和他那娇小的同伴腾出一条路。39
The bard stopped just before the pile of pillows and released the halfling’s hand.吟游诗人在那堆靠枕前停下，松开了半身人的手。40
He bowed low, with his right hand covering his heart and his left hand sweeping outward, as though he were doffing an invisible hat.他深深鞠了一躬，右手按在心口，左手向外一挥，仿佛正摘下一顶看不见的帽子。41
“Greetings, Xaran.“你好，扎兰。42
I have come to resume our discussion,” the bard said.我是来继续我们上次的谈话的。”吟游诗人说道。43
“Please don’t bother to rise.”“不必劳驾起身。”44
Disregarding Finder’s suggestion, the beholder levitated from its repose and hovered over the cushions, at eye level with the bard.眼魔没有理会芬德的客套，从躺卧之处悬浮起来，停在软垫上方，与吟游诗人的双眼齐平。45
The beholder wobbled as it levitated and its movements were jerky, unlike any beholder Olive had every encountered, as if Xaran was an elderly invalid trying to get out of a sickbed.眼魔悬浮时摇摇晃晃，动作也断断续续，与奥利芙遇见过的任何眼魔都不一样，仿佛扎兰是个正竭力从病床上起身的年迈病人。46
Now that she had an opportunity to study Xaran more carefully, she noted that its great central eye and all its smaller eyes were coated with a milky film.现在有机会更仔细地端详扎兰，奥利芙注意到，它那只巨大的中央眼睛和所有小眼睛上都蒙着一层乳白色的薄翳。47
The stalks supporting the smaller eyes drooped like thirsty plants.支撑那些小眼睛的眼梗像缺水的植物一样低垂着。48
A thin garland of silver moss hung about the stalks, reminding Olive of gray hair and reinforcing the image of Xaran as a sick old man.一圈稀薄的银色苔藓挂在眼梗周围，令奥利芙想起灰白的头发，更加觉得扎兰像个病弱的老人。49
“It was wise of you to rejoin us,” Xaran commented.“你能回来加入我们，是明智之举，”扎兰评论道。50
The beholder’s high-pitched voice grated in Olive’s ears and sent a shiver down her spine.眼魔尖细的嗓音刺得奥利芙耳朵难受，也让她脊背一阵发凉。51
“I hope you found everything in order in your workshop,” the beholder added.“希望你发现自己的工坊里一切井然有序，”眼魔又说道。52
“Naturally,” Finder said, smiling broadly, eager that Xaran should believe he was here of his own free will, not because he had no other choice.“那是自然，”芬德满面笑容地说，极力想让扎兰相信，他是出于自愿才来到这里，而不是因为别无选择。53
“Of course, there’s nothing of interest in there to anyone but myself—just old musical instruments and such.”“当然，那里除了我自己感兴趣的东西，对别人来说什么也没有——不过是些旧乐器之类的玩意儿。”54
“Of course,” repeated the beholder.“当然，”眼魔重复道。55
Its toothy maw turned up at the corners into a hideous smile.它那长满利齿的大嘴两角向上翘起，露出一个狰狞的笑容。56
“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” the bard said.“我们谈正事吧，如何？”吟游诗人说道。57
“You were offering me immortality.“你本来要赐予我永生。58
A rare commodity, and certainly worth whatever the market will bear.这是稀罕的商品，自然值市场所能接受的任何价码。59
I presume it did not hinge on remaining in this place.”我想，这项交易的条件应该不包括必须留在这里。”60
Finder’s eyes wandered disdainfully over the orc warren’s common room.芬德的目光轻蔑地扫过这座兽人巢穴的公共厅。61
“No. If we come to terms that are satisfactory to me,” Xaran said, “you will be free to leave.“不包括。如果我们能谈妥令我满意的条件，”扎兰说道，“你就可以自由离开。62
As you pointed out, though, immortality is worth a great deal on the market.”不过，正如你所指出的，永生在市场上价值不菲。”63
“Suppose I were to forego your offer of immortality for the moment and ask only for safe passage out of here for myself and my companion?”“假如我暂且放弃你赐予永生的提议，只要求让我和我的同伴安全离开这里呢？”64
Finder asked.芬德问道。65
“It’s a package deal,” Xaran said sharply.“这是一揽子交易，”扎兰厉声说道。66
“All or nothing.“要么全盘接受，要么一无所有。67
If you wish to leave here under my protection, you must accept my offer for immortality and pay my price.如果你想在我的庇护下离开这里，就必须接受我赐予永生的提议，并付出我开出的代价。68
Of course, if you choose not to accept my offer, you are free to make a deal with my associates.”当然，如果你选择不接受我的提议，也可以自由地去和我的同伙谈条件。”69
Finder glanced sideways once at the orc leader and his brother.芬德斜眼瞥了兽人首领和他的兄弟一眼。70
Both glared at him with undisguised hatred.两人都毫不掩饰地对他怒目而视，眼中满是仇恨。71
Even if the bard’s workshop had been brimming with gold to ransom his and Olive’s lives, the creatures weren’t likely to let them go.即便这位吟游诗人的工坊里堆满了足以赎回他和奥利芙性命的黄金，那些怪物也不大可能放他们走。72
The adventurers had wounded or killed three members of the tribe, and Finder had challenged the leader’s authority.冒险者们打伤或杀死了部落里的三名成员，而芬德还挑战了首领的权威。73
“I see,” Finder said, turning his attention back to Xaran.“我明白了。”芬德说着，将注意力重新转回扎兰身上。74
“And what is the going rate these days for immortality?”“那么，如今永生的市价是多少？”75
“You’ll be pleased to hear that the price has not risen in the past hour.“你听了一定会高兴：过去这一个小时里，价钱并没有上涨。76
As a matter of fact, because I think a man of your talents was made for immortal life, I’m prepared to make you a special offer.”事实上，我认为像你这样才华横溢的人生来就该享有永生，所以我准备给你一个特别的条件。”77
“Such as?”“什么条件？”78
Finder asked, suddenly more cautious.芬德问道，突然变得更加谨慎。79
“I’m willing to forego the interest my faithful orc followers have in your workshop.“我愿意让那些忠诚的兽人追随者放弃对你工坊的觊觎。80
As I said before, it is your services that interest me.我之前说过，我感兴趣的是为我效劳的你。81
I wish for you to reveal to me all the secret knowledge of simulacra you have acquired and bring Akabar Bel Akash to me.”我要你把自己掌握的所有拟像秘术都告诉我，并把阿卡巴·贝尔·阿卡什带到我面前。”82
“Is Akabar aware of your interest in him?”“阿卡巴知道你对他感兴趣吗？”83
Finder asked.芬德问道。84
“But of course,” Xaran replied.“那当然。”扎兰答道。85
“Akabar and I are old friends.”“阿卡巴和我是老朋友了。”86
“That’s curious,” Finder replied.“这倒奇怪了。”芬德答道。87
“I remember speaking with Akabar after he’d witnessed the destruction of the beholder head of the fiend Phalse.“我记得，阿卡巴亲眼目睹邪魔法尔斯的眼魔头颅被摧毁后，我曾和他谈过。88
He told me he’d never seen a beholder before.”他告诉我，他以前从未见过眼魔。”89
Xaran’s eye stalks all stood on end, and its central eye squinted angrily.扎兰所有的眼梗都猛然竖起，中央巨眼也愤怒地眯了起来。90
“Phalse!” it exclaimed and spat on the ground with disgust.“法尔斯！”它惊叫一声，厌恶地朝地上啐了一口。91
Finder had struck a nerve by mentioning the fiend.芬德提起这个邪魔，正戳中了它的痛处。92
“The servant you created, the one you call Alias, did well to rid the world of that bottle imp.”“你创造的那个仆人，就是你称作阿莉亚丝的那个，替这个世界除掉了那只瓶中小魔，干得不错。”93
More calmly, the beholder added, “I’m sure what Akabar meant was that he’d never seen such a ridiculous-looking beholder head as Phalse’s. Each of Phalse’s stalks ended in a mouth, you know, instead of an eye—a thoroughly disgusting-looking creature.”眼魔平静了一些，又补充道：“我相信阿卡巴的意思是，他从未见过像法尔斯那样长相荒唐的眼魔头颅。你也知道，法尔斯的每根眼梗末端长的都不是眼睛，而是一张嘴——真是个模样恶心得彻头彻尾的怪物。”94
Olive, whose attention had been focused on all the orcs staring at her, was suspicious of something the beholder had said.奥利芙原本一直留意着那些盯着她看的兽人，此时却对眼魔所说的某句话起了疑心。95
Xaran’s hatred of Phalse wasn’t surprising, since Phalse was pretty despicable, and it could just be a coincidence that Xaran should know both Phalse and Akabar.扎兰憎恨法尔斯并不奇怪，毕竟法尔斯着实卑劣，而扎兰恰好既认识法尔斯又认识阿卡巴，也可能纯属巧合。96
But how had the creature known about Alias?可这个生物怎么会知道阿莉亚丝？97
Even if it had heard some of the tales Olive told of Alias’s adventures, it couldn’t have known that Finder had created Alias.即使它听过一些奥利芙讲述的阿莉亚丝冒险故事，也不可能知道阿莉亚丝是芬德创造的。98
Out of loyalty to Alias, Olive had never revealed the swordswoman’s origins.出于对阿莉亚丝的忠诚，奥利芙从未泄露过这位女剑士的身世。99
How had Xaran known that, and where had it gained such thorough knowledge of Nameless—the location of his workshop and his all-consuming desire for immortality?扎兰是怎么知道的？它又是从哪里对无名者有了如此详尽的了解——连他的工坊所在，以及他对永生那压倒一切的渴望都一清二楚？100
“So.“那么。”101
What guarantee do I have that you’ll make me immortal once I’ve done all you ask?”“我做完你要求的一切之后，你有什么保证会让我获得永生？”102
Finder asked.芬德问道。103
Wait a minute, Olive thought.等等，奥利芙心想。104
For all his faults, Nameless never thought of Alias as a servant.无名者固然有种种缺点，却从未把阿莉亚丝当作仆人。105
He always referred to her as simply Alias.他提起她时，始终只是称她为阿莉亚丝。106
The only being that ever called Alias “the servant” was …唯一曾把阿莉亚丝称作‘那个仆人’的存在是……107
“I will make you immortal before I send you after Akabar Bel Akash,” Xaran said.“我会先让你获得永生，再派你去追捕阿卡巴·贝尔·阿卡什。”扎兰说道。108
Moander!莫安德！109
Olive remembered.奥利芙想起来了。110
“Finder!” the halfling whispered urgently.“芬德！”半身人急切地低声说道。111
Finder put a heavy hand on Olive’s head as a signal for her to remain quiet.芬德把一只沉重的手按在奥利芙头上，示意她保持安静。112
“Then how can you be sure that I’ll return with Akabar?” he asked.“那么，你怎么能确定我会把阿卡巴带回来？”他问道。113
“There are ways to ensure your good faith,” Xaran said cryptically.“有的是办法确保你信守承诺。”扎兰意味深长地说道。114
“Finder!”“芬德！”115
Olive said more loudly, tugging on the bard’s sleeve.奥利芙提高了声音说道，同时扯了扯吟游诗人的袖子。116
“Don’t worry,” Finder whispered hurriedly to the halfling, then addressed Xaran again.“别担心。”芬德匆匆对半身人低声说道，随后又转向扎兰。117
“I’m not leaving without my companion.“我不会丢下我的同伴离开。”118
She is far too useful to me to trust in the care of your … troops.”“她对我太有用了，我可不放心把她交给你的……部队照管。”119
“Believe me, I had nothing so … crude in mind.“相信我，我想的可没那么……粗野。120
Take this,” Xaran said.拿着这个。”扎兰说。121
He unrolled his tongue from his mouth.他将卷在嘴里的舌头伸展开来。122
Resting on the end of his tongue was a green, spine-covered burr about the size and shape of a horse chestnut burr.他的舌尖上托着一颗绿色的刺果，浑身长满尖刺，大小和形状都像七叶树的带刺果壳。123
Finder reached out and took the bur.芬德伸手取过那颗刺果。124
It was covered with a sticky substance, and the tips of the spines had tiny hooks on them.刺果表面覆着一层黏性物质，尖刺末端还生着细小的钩子。125
“What is it?” the bard asked.“这是什么？”吟游诗人问道。126
“Your immortality,” Xaran explained.“让你长生不死的东西。”扎兰解释道。127
Olive pinched Finder’s thigh.奥利芙掐了一把芬德的大腿。128
The bard glared down at the halfling.吟游诗人低头怒瞪着半身人。129
“Excuse me, Xaran.“失陪一下，扎兰。130
I have to confer with my companion.”我得和我的同伴商量商量。”131
“Is she interested in a similar deal?”“她也有兴趣做一笔类似的交易吗？”132
Xaran asked, turning several eyestalks in the halfling’s direction.扎兰问道，同时把几根眼梗转向半身人。133
“No thanks,” Olive replied.“不用了，谢谢。”奥利芙答道。134
“Life would be dreadfully dull without the constant terror of death hanging over me,” she said glibly.“要不是死亡的恐惧始终悬在头顶，生活该无聊透顶了。”她油嘴滑舌地说。135
“I just wanted to remind Finder of something.”“我只是想提醒芬德一件事。”136
The bard bent over the halfling.吟游诗人弯下腰，凑近半身人。137
“I have everything under control, Olive,” he whispered.“一切都在我的掌控之中，奥利芙。”他低声说道。138
“Please trust me.”“请相信我。”139
“He called Alias ‘the servant,’ ” Olive hissed back.“他把阿莉亚丝称作‘仆人’。”奥利芙低声回敬道。140
“So?”“那又怎样？”141
“That was Moander’s name for her, remember?”“莫安德以前就是这么叫她的，记得吗？”142
Olive said softly.奥利芙轻声说道。143
“Olive, you’re getting paranoid,” Finder said.“奥利芙，你开始疑神疑鬼了。”芬德说。144
“Moander used vines to control Akabar,” the halfling reminded him, trying to keep her voice from being overheard.“莫安德曾用藤蔓控制阿卡巴，”半身人提醒他，同时尽量压低声音，不让旁人听见。145
“The vines made him talk and walk and cast spells, all against his will.“那些藤蔓逼他说话、走路、施法，一切都违背他的意愿。146
Kyre had a flower in her hair.凯尔的头发里插着一朵花。147
Xaran’s got moss on its head.扎兰的脑袋上长着苔藓。148
What sort of self-respecting beholder wears moss on its head?” the halfling demanded.哪个有点自尊的眼魔会把苔藓戴在脑袋上？”半身人质问道。149
Finder scowled for a moment, but when he looked up at Xaran again, he couldn’t dismiss Olive’s fears.芬德皱着眉沉思了片刻，但当他再次抬头望向扎兰时，却无法再对奥利芙的恐惧置之不理。150
He tossed the burr onto a pillow beneath Xaran.他把刺果扔到扎兰下方的一个枕头上。151
The sticky substance it left on his fingers he wiped off on his tunic.他把刺果留在手指上的黏液擦在了自己的上衣上。152
“I will do your bidding in exchange for our lives, but I cannot accept such a gift from the Darkbringer,” he said.“只要你饶我们性命，我愿意听命于你，但我不能接受黑暗使者的这种礼物。”他说。153
Xaran’s eyes, all eleven of them, widened in astonishment.扎兰的十一只眼睛全都惊讶地睁大了。154
“My, but aren’t you perceptive?“哎呀，你可真是敏锐啊。155
Yet now that you have guessed the source of the largess offered, you must realize you have no choice.不过，既然你已经猜到了这份厚礼的来历，就该明白自己别无选择。156
You cannot refuse the gift of the Darkbringer.你不能拒绝黑暗使者的馈赠。157
It would be most hazardous to your well-being.那会严重危及你的安危。158
In Moander’s name, I must insist that you accept the immortality he offers you.”以莫安德之名，我必须坚持要你接受他赐予你的永生。”159
The beholder barked a few commands in orcish, and Olive heard the sounds of steel blades being drawn from leather and bolts being snapped into crossbows.眼魔用兽人语厉声吼出几道命令，奥利芙随即听见钢刃从皮鞘中拔出的声音，以及弩箭扣入弩机的咔嗒声。160
“Then let me drive my point home,” the bard growled.“那我就让你好好领教一下我的意思。”吟游诗人低吼道。161
In one fluid motion, he pulled his grandfather’s dagger from his belt and sent it sailing at the beholder.他一气呵成地从腰带上拔出祖父的匕首，甩手掷向眼魔。162
Olive watched in horror as at least twenty orcs raised their crossbows and daggers and aimed at the bard’s back.奥利芙惊恐地看着至少二十名兽人举起弩和匕首，对准吟游诗人的后背。163
With a shout, she pulled out the light stone from her pocket and held it up behind Finder.她大喊一声，从口袋里掏出发光石，在芬德身后高高举起。164
The sudden appearance of brilliant magical light caused the orcs to shriek out in pain.耀眼的魔法强光骤然出现，令兽人们痛苦地尖叫起来。165
Several fled from the common room.有几个逃出了大厅。166
A green light beam shot out at Finder’s dagger from one of Xaran’s eyestalks, but the blade split through the beam unscathed and buried itself in Xaran’s central eye.扎兰的一根眼梗射出一道绿光，直击芬德的匕首，但刀刃毫发无损地穿过光束，深深扎进了扎兰的中央眼。167
White fluid oozed from the puncture.白色液体从伤口里渗了出来。168
Finder had already whirled around and pulled his magic horn from his belt.芬德早已猛地转过身，从腰带上取下了魔法号角。169
He shouted, “Siege strike,” raised the instrument to his lips, and blew into it.他高喊一声：“攻城一击！”随即将号角举到唇边，吹了起来。170
With its magic triggered by Finder’s words, the horn emitted a terrific blast of sound that knocked most of the remaining orcs to the ground and shook the cavern roof.芬德的话触发了号角的魔法，号角顿时发出一声惊天动地的巨响，将剩下的兽人大半震倒在地，也震撼了洞穴顶部。171
Already weakened by the seeping water, the roof began to sag like a fortress wall hit by a catapult missile.洞顶本就被渗水削弱，此刻开始像遭到投石机轰击的堡垒城墙一样塌陷。172
Great chunks of rock and showers of dirt cascaded from the roof, scattering the remaining orcs.大块岩石和阵阵泥土从洞顶倾泻而下，将残余的兽人冲得四散奔逃。173
Dust and dirt from the ceiling and charcoal soot and sparks from the fires began to swirl in the air.洞顶落下的尘土、火堆扬起的炭灰与火星，开始在空中盘旋飞舞。174
Olive looked back at Xaran, expecting the beholder to shoot a death ray at them at any moment, but the old beholder had sunk into the pillows and disappeared like a wounded creature going to ground.奥利芙回头望向扎兰，料想这个眼魔随时都会朝他们射出死亡射线，但那只年迈的眼魔已经陷进软垫里，像受伤的野兽躲回巢穴一般消失不见了。175
She looked back at Finder.她又回头望向芬德。176
The old bard was grinning arrogantly at the chaos all around him as he slipped the horn back in his belt.老吟游诗人正傲然咧嘴笑着，环顾四周的混乱，同时把号角插回腰带。177
The sagging portion of the ceiling crashed just in front of them.正在塌陷的那部分洞顶轰然坠落，就砸在他们面前。178
With alarm, Olive noticed the ceiling directly over their heads was beginning to sag.奥利芙惊恐地发现，他们头顶正上方的洞顶也开始塌陷。179
The room grew darker as the light stone failed to penetrate the falling rock and dirt and rising dust.坠落的岩石与泥土和升腾的尘埃遮住了发光石的光芒，洞穴里变得更加昏暗。180
“Which way is out?”“出口在哪边？”181
Olive screamed.奥利芙尖声喊道。182
Finder spun around, then pointed toward a passage leading off the side of the cavern.芬德猛地转身，随即指向洞穴一侧延伸出去的一条通道。183
“That way,” he cried, grabbing the halfling by the waist and carrying her away moments before the ceiling over Xaran’s pile of pillows collapsed.“那边！”他大喊着，一把搂住半身人的腰，将她抱起带走；就在片刻之后，扎兰那堆软垫上方的洞顶轰然坍塌。184
As they ran down the passageway, Xaran’s voice cried, “Freeze!”他们沿着通道奔跑时，身后传来扎兰的厉喝：“站住！”185
“Keep going!”“继续跑！”186
Finder ordered, pushing Olive deeper into the dark tunnel.芬德命令道，把奥利芙推向幽暗隧道的更深处。187
The bard whirled around to face the dark spherical shadow that hovered in the tunnel just behind them.吟游诗人猛然转身，面对紧随在他们身后、悬浮于隧道中的那团黑色球形阴影。188
Finder’s dagger still protruded from the beholder’s central eye socket.芬德的匕首依然插在眼魔中央眼球的眼窝里。189
“You cannot refuse the gift of the Darkbringer,” the beholder cried.“你不能拒绝黑暗使者的馈赠！”眼魔高喊道。190
He spat the green, sticky burr at the bard and laughed maniacally.他朝吟游诗人吐出那颗绿色黏刺果，随即疯狂地大笑起来。191
Finder fell backward, brushing frantically at his tunic.芬德向后倒去，慌乱地拍打着自己的上衣。192
He caught the burr in one hand, but he couldn’t pull the sticky thing away from his clothing.他一把抓住刺果，却怎么也无法将这个黏糊糊的东西从衣服上扯下来。193
Suddenly the burr opened with the crack of a small explosion.突然，那颗刺球随着一声小小的爆响裂开了。194
A cloud of moldy dust wafted into the bard’s face, and he choked and sneezed and spat, trying to keep from inhaling whatever it was.一团带着霉味的尘雾扑到吟游诗人脸上，他又呛又打喷嚏，还不停地啐着，竭力不把那不知是什么的东西吸进去。195
“Finder!”“芬德！”196
Olive shouted as she turned and lunged forward to help.奥利芙一边大喊，一边转身扑上前去帮忙。197
She grabbed the bard’s belt to pull him away from the beholder.她抓住吟游诗人的腰带，想把他从眼魔身边拉开。198
“Your turn,” Xaran sang out gleefully, floating toward Olive.“轮到你了。”扎兰兴高采烈地唱道，朝奥利芙飘去。199
“All must serve the Darkbringer!”“所有人都必须侍奉黑暗使者！”200
Olive snatched the horn from Finder’s belt, intent on throwing it at the beholder, but some instinct prompted her to raise it to her lips instead.奥利芙从芬德的腰带上夺下号角，本想把它扔向眼魔，却在某种本能的驱使下将它举到了唇边。201
She shouted the command words she’d heard Finder use, “Siege strike,” and blew into the mouthpiece with all her might.她喊出曾听芬德用过的命令词——“攻城一击”——然后使尽全力吹响号角。202
No sound issued forth from the instrument.号角没有发出任何声音。203
Xaran’s lips puckered to spit a second seed at Olive.扎兰噘起嘴唇，准备朝奥利芙吐出第二颗种子。204
Frantic with terror, Olive blew again into the horn, and a feeble blat sounded in the beholder’s face.奥利芙吓得发了狂，又一次吹响号角，一声微弱的嘟鸣直冲眼魔的脸而去。205
The noise was nothing compared to the blast Finder had blown, but combined with the magic of the horn, it was more than enough to blow Xaran backward like a soap bubble caught in the wind.这声音远远比不上芬德吹出的那声巨响，但再加上号角的魔力，已绰绰有余，扎兰像一颗被风卷走的肥皂泡般向后飞去。206
“I did it!“我成功了！207
I did it!”我成功了！”208
Olive shouted.奥利芙大喊道。209
In her excitement, she was oblivious to the sagging ceiling over her head.她兴奋得浑然没有察觉，头顶的天花板正在下陷。210
Finder scrambled to his feet, grabbed up the halfling, and dashed down the tunnel a split second before the ceiling gave way.芬德连忙爬起来，一把抄起半身人，就在天花板坍塌前的一刹那沿隧道飞奔而去。211
Farther down the passage, he set Olive down and took his horn back from her.到了通道更远处，他放下奥利芙，从她手中拿回自己的号角。212
“You could have brought the roof down on yourself and been killed,” the bard chided.“你差点把顶板弄塌，砸死自己。”吟游诗人责备道。213
“That would’ve been better than being made immortal the Darkbringer way,” Olive retorted.“那也比以黑暗使者的方式获得永生强。”奥利芙反驳道。214
“At least I’ve sealed the tunnel between us and Xaran.“至少我已经封死了我们和扎兰之间的隧道。215
Are you all right?你没事吧？216
What happened when that thing exploded?” she asked.那东西爆开时发生了什么？”她问道。217
“Nothing,” Finder said with a shrug.“没什么。”芬德耸耸肩说。218
“Either my clothes protected me, or it was a dud.“要么是我的衣服护住了我，要么那东西根本没起作用。219
Maybe it was meant to be swallowed for it to work.”也许得吞下去才会生效。”220
“You’re sure you’re feeling all right?”“你确定自己没事吗？”221
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。222
“Better than you, I’ll bet.“我敢说，我可比你好多了。223
How’s your shoulder?”你的肩膀怎么样？”224
“Lousy.“糟透了。225
Um, Finder?”呃，芬德？”226
Olive said, looking down the corridor with her brow knit in concern.奥利芙望向走廊深处，担忧地皱着眉说道。227
“Yes, Olive?”“怎么了，奥利芙？”228
“This tunnel is a dead end.”“这条隧道是条死路。”229
“It can’t be,” Finder said spinning around.“不可能。”芬德猛地转过身来，说道。230
He walked down the passageway until he could inspect the end with his hands as well as his eyes.他沿着通道往前走，直到能用双手和眼睛一起查看尽头。231
He glared at the rock wall before them.他怒视着挡在他们面前的岩壁。232
There was no way out of the passage.这条通道根本没有出口。233
They were sealed in a cul-de-sac.他们被困在了一条死胡同里。234
“This is impossible.“这不可能。235
I’m sure I heard the wind whistling in this passageway.我确信自己听见了风在这条通道里呼啸。236
It has to lead to the outside,” the bard growled angrily.这里一定通向外面。”吟游诗人恼怒地低吼道。237
He stood very still for a moment.他一动不动地站了一会儿。238
“Listen,” he told Olive.“听。”他对奥利芙说。239
“Don’t you hear it?”“你没听见吗？”240
Olive stood still and listened.奥利芙站着不动，侧耳倾听。241
Sure enough, there was a whistling noise in the cul-de-sac, and a stream of cold air, too.果然，死胡同里传来一阵呼啸声，还有一股冷风。242
The halfling held her light stone up high.半身人高高举起照明石。243
The passageway ceiling was some twenty feet overhead.通道的顶端约在二十英尺高处。244
The cave must once have been full of water, for breaking through the ceiling was an old well shaft.这个洞穴从前一定曾灌满了水，因为有一口古井的井道穿透了洞顶。245
Even with the light stone, it was impossible to judge how much higher up the well went.即使借着照明石的光，也无法判断井道上方还有多高。246
“It would be a good way out,” Olive said.“这倒是条不错的出路，”奥利芙说。247
“If we were birds.”“要是我们是鸟的话。”248
Alias awoke in the dawn twilight before sunrise.阿莉亚丝在日出前的晨曦中醒来。249
She hadn’t slept well.她睡得很不好。250
She had had nightmares about the time Moander had captured her, and all through the dreams, she’d had the feeling that Nameless was in danger, too, though she couldn’t say what in the dream made her think so.她梦见了自己被莫安德抓走时的情景；整场噩梦中，她一直觉得无名者也身处险境，尽管她说不出梦里究竟是什么让她产生了这种想法。251
The sooner she found Grypht and made him tell her what he’d done with Nameless, the better she would feel.她越早找到格里夫特，逼他说出他把无名者怎么样了，心里就会越踏实。252
The swordswoman threw off Dragonbait’s blanket and cloak and stomped off into the forest.女剑士掀开龙饵的毯子和斗篷，气冲冲地走进森林。253
When she returned, she went to her own blanket and cloak at the edge of the clearing and began rolling them into her saddlebags.回来后，她走到林间空地边缘自己的毯子和斗篷旁，开始把它们卷起来，塞进马鞍袋。254
Dragonbait had left her enchanted chain mail on her saddle, and she slipped into it with righteous indignation.龙饵把她那件附魔锁子甲留在了她的马鞍上，她满怀义愤地穿上了它。255
She pulled on a clean tunic and clean socks and her pants and boots.她穿上一件干净的束腰外衣和一双干净的袜子，又套上长裤和靴子。256
Then she went over to the fire and poured herself a cup of tea from the kettle Dragonbait must have prepared earlier.接着，她走到火堆旁，从茶壶里给自己倒了一杯茶；那一定是龙饵早些时候准备好的。257
Dragonbait signed something to her, but Alias turned away to stand by the fire with her back to him.龙饵对她打了个手势，但阿莉亚丝转过身去，背对着他站在火边。258
Breck rose and joined her a few minutes later.几分钟后，布雷克起身走到她身旁。259
His face was scraggly with a day’s growth of beard, but he was fully dressed and armed.他脸上冒着一天没刮的凌乱胡茬，但已经穿戴整齐，全副武装。260
He gave the swordswoman an odd look as he poured himself some tea.他一边给自己倒茶，一边古怪地看了女剑士一眼。261
“How are you feeling?” he asked.“你感觉怎么样？”他问。262
“Just fine,” Alias said.“好得很，”阿莉亚丝说。263
“Why didn’t you wake me to take second watch?” she asked.“你为什么没叫醒我接第二班岗？”她问。264
“Dragonbait offered to take it,” Breck said with a shrug.“龙饵主动提出守那一班岗，”布雷克耸耸肩说。265
Hastily he added, “I thought we’d break camp at sunrise and start searching in a circular pattern from the place where we lost Grypht’s trail.他连忙补充道：“我本想等日出就拔营，从我们跟丢格里夫特踪迹的地方开始，沿环形路线搜寻。266
We may as well keep Zhara with us.”不妨让扎拉继续跟着我们。”267
Alias nodded.阿莉亚丝点了点头。268
She didn’t want to lose any time finding Grypht now.此刻，她一点时间也不想浪费，只想尽快找到格里夫特。269
She’d resigned herself to the idea of remaining in Zhara’s and Dragonbait’s company until she could discover Nameless’s whereabouts.她已经接受了这个事实：在查明无名者的下落之前，她得一直和扎拉、龙饵待在一起。270
“In the meantime, I want to take another look at those treants,” the ranger said.“与此同时，我想再去看看那些树人，”游侠说道。271
He gulped down his tea.他一口喝光了茶。272
“I’ll be back by sunrise,” he promised, and he trudged out of camp.“日出前我会回来，”他保证道，随后步履沉重地走出了营地。273
Alias sipped her tea slowly.阿莉亚丝慢慢啜饮着茶。274
When she finished, she strapped on her sword.喝完后，她佩上了剑。275
Then she nudged the sleeping Zhara with the toe of her boot.接着，她用靴尖轻轻碰了碰熟睡中的扎拉。276
The priestess awoke with a tiny gasp.女祭司轻轻倒吸一口气，醒了过来。277
She sat up, immediately alert.她坐起身，立刻警觉起来。278
“What’s wrong?” she said.“出什么事了？”她问。279
Alias snorted.阿莉亚丝哼了一声。280
“I want to talk to you,” she said.“我想跟你谈谈，”她说。281
Akabar shook Grypht awake.阿卡巴摇醒了格里夫特。282
The beast growled at him.那头怪兽冲他低吼了一声。283
“It’s dawn,” the Turmishman said.“天亮了，”图米什人说道。284
“We should be going before this place collapses.”“我们该趁这地方还没塌掉赶紧离开。”285
Grypht didn’t understand a word the mage had said, but the tone was clear.格里夫特一个字也没听懂法师说的话，但语气中的意思却很清楚。286
Akabar was impatient to be on the road.阿卡巴已经迫不及待地想上路了。287
The saurial wizard looked around them.这位蜥族法师环顾四周。288
He’d forgotten they were in the extradimensional space he had created.他都忘了，他们还身处他创造的异次元空间里。289
They’d have to leave soon before it collapsed and they fell to the ground.他们必须尽快离开，免得空间坍塌，让他们摔到地上。290
Grypht already hurt all over his body, and he was anxious to avoid acquiring any extra bruises.格里夫特已经浑身疼痛，可不想再添几处瘀伤。291
Akabar lowered the rope out of the space and climbed down to the ground.阿卡巴把绳子从空间里放下去，顺着绳子爬到了地面。292
Grypht tossed down his staff and climbed down after it.格里夫特先把法杖扔下去，随后也爬了下来。293
He made a soft bellowing sound as he climbed.他一边爬，一边发出低沉轻柔的吼声。294
Akabar pointed to the ground.阿卡巴指了指地面。295
“Look there.“看那里。”296
We’ve been followed,” he said, indicating two sets of bootprints and another set of three-toed prints.“有人跟踪我们。”他说着，指向两组靴印和另一组三趾足印。297
“You know, these almost look like Dragonbait’s prints,” the Turmishman said.“你知道吗，这些脚印看起来几乎就像龙饵的。”图米什人说道。298
Grypht sniffed the air.格里夫特嗅了嗅空气。299
His head perked up and his eyes grew bright with surprise.他猛地抬起头，双眼因惊讶而亮了起来。300
Akabar could smell the lemony scent of the saurial.阿卡巴闻到了蜥族身上柠檬般的气味。301
“Shall we follow?”“我们要跟上去吗？”302
Akabar asked.阿卡巴问道。303
Grypht was already tracking Champion with his nose.格里夫特已经在用鼻子追踪勇士了。304
Zhara stood face-to-face with Alias.扎拉与阿莉亚丝面对面站着。305
From beside the fire, Dragonbait watched both women nervously.龙饵守在火堆旁，紧张地注视着两个女人。306
If Alias wouldn’t pay attention to his signing, Zhara was his only hope of reconciling with the swordswoman.如果阿莉亚丝不肯理会他的手势，扎拉就是他与这位女剑士和解的唯一希望。307
Now he prayed the priestess could calm Alias’s anger enough for her to give him a chance to apologize.此刻，他祈祷这位女祭司能让阿莉亚丝消消气，好给他一个道歉的机会。308
“Assuming you’re right and Moander is returning—which I still refuse to believe—I want to know why Akabar must be the one to destroy Moander,” Alias demanded.“就算你说得对，莫安德正在归来——尽管我还是不肯相信——我也想知道，为什么非得由阿卡巴来消灭莫安德？”阿莉亚丝质问道。309
“Why couldn’t the gods have picked some powerful wizard—like Elminster or Khelben of Waterdeep or King Azoun’s flunky, Vangerdahast.”“诸神为什么不能选一位强大的法师——比如伊尔明斯特，或是深水城的凯尔本，又或者阿祖恩国王的跟班范格达海斯特？”310
“I do not know,” Zhara answered calmly.“我不知道，”扎拉平静地回答。311
“I presume because Akabar has fought Moander once already.”“我想，大概是因为阿卡巴已经和莫安德交过一次手了。”312
“I think it’s because Akabar is the one you’ve got wrapped around your finger,” Alias retorted.“我看，是因为阿卡巴对你言听计从吧，”阿莉亚丝反驳道。313
“If you could have wormed your way into a more powerful mage’s heart, you’d have chosen him to fight Moander.“要是你能钻进一个更强大的法师心里，你就会选他去对付莫安德。314
If you really loved Akabar, you’d keep him as far away as possible from Moander.如果你真的爱阿卡巴，就该让他离莫安德越远越好。315
Don’t you know what Moander did to Akabar before?你难道不知道莫安德以前对阿卡巴做过什么吗？316
How it used him?”不知道它是怎么利用他的吗？”317
“I know,” Zhara whispered.“我知道，”扎拉低声说道。318
“But if Akabar does not destroy Moander, then Moander will destroy him.”“但如果阿卡巴不毁掉莫安德，莫安德就会毁掉他。”319
“What do you mean?”“什么意思？”320
Alias snapped.阿莉亚丝厉声问道。321
“Moander wants revenge on Akabar.“莫安德想找阿卡巴报仇。322
Tymora warned me that the Darkbringer’s minions are searching everywhere for my husband.泰摩拉警告过我，黑暗使者的爪牙正在四处搜寻我的丈夫。323
Our family decided that Akabar should flee to the north.我们全家决定让阿卡巴逃往北方。324
My co-wives sent me with him so he couldn’t be scried upon.丈夫的其他妻子派我和他同行，这样别人就无法用占卜术窥探他。325
I possess the same misdirection shield as you do,” Zhara explained.我和你一样，也拥有误导探查的护盾，”扎拉解释道。326
“Then you’re safe.“那你们就安全了。327
There’s no need to go looking for Moander,” Alias argued.根本没必要去找莫安德，”阿莉亚丝争辩道。328
“We cannot stay in hiding all our lives,” Zhara retorted.“我们不能一辈子都躲躲藏藏，”扎拉反驳道。329
In a softer voice, she added, “I know that you have good reason to be afraid of Moander, but you cannot run from your fears.”她放柔声音，又说道：“我知道你有充分的理由害怕莫安德，可你不能逃避自己的恐惧。”330
“Can’t I?“不能吗？331
You just watch me,” Alias said.那你就看着吧，”阿莉亚丝说道。332
“As soon as we find Grypht, and I get the finder’s stone, I’m leaving.“等我们一找到格里夫特，我拿到寻觅之石，就马上离开。333
I was stupid enough to get drawn in by Moander’s siren call once, but I’m not going to let it capture me again.我已经蠢过一次，被莫安德那海妖般的呼唤诱入陷阱，但我不会再让它抓住我。334
I’m going to go find Nameless and stay with him as far away from Moander as I can get.”我要去找无名者，和他待在一起，离莫安德能有多远就有多远。”335
“Akabar needs your help.“阿卡巴需要你的帮助。336
Don’t you care about him anymore?”你难道已经不在乎他了吗？”337
“Why should I?”“我为什么要在乎？”338
Alias growled.阿莉亚丝低吼道。339
“He obviously doesn’t care about me.”“他显然根本不在乎我。”340
“Don’t be ridiculous.“别胡说了。341
He cares about you very much,” Zhara persisted.他非常在乎你。”扎拉坚持道。342
“If Akabar cared about me, he wouldn’t have married you, would he?”“如果阿卡巴在乎我，他就不会娶你，不是吗？”343
Alias snapped.阿莉亚丝厉声说道。344
“He asked you to come to Turmish with him, and you turned him down.“他请你跟他一起去图米什，是你拒绝了他。345
What did you expect him to do, follow you around the Realms?你还指望他怎么做，跟着你走遍诸界吗？346
Please don’t abandon him when he needs your help just because you’re jealous of me.”求你别仅仅因为嫉妒我，就在他需要你帮助的时候抛下他。”347
Alias stepped up to Zhara and waved her forefinger in the priestess’s face.阿莉亚丝走到扎拉面前，用食指在女祭司眼前挥了挥。348
“For your information, this has absolutely nothing to do with being jealous of you.“告诉你吧，这跟我嫉妒你完全没有关系。349
You’re just a copy of me—one of Phalse’s second-rate copies.你不过是我的一个复制品——法尔斯造出的劣质复制品之一。350
Akabar told me he was my friend, that he thought of me as a human, and then he turned around and married you, as if my body was a thing he could have for the right price.”阿卡巴告诉我，他是我的朋友，他把我当作一个人，可他转过身就娶了你，仿佛我的身体是件只要出得起合适价钱就能到手的东西。”351
Alias’s voice cracked with anger and pain.阿莉亚丝的嗓音因愤怒与痛苦而颤抖。352
“I am not a thing,” Zhara snapped.“我不是一件东西，”扎拉厉声说道。353
“I am nothing like you.“我跟你一点也不像。354
I am a person, too—”我也是一个人——”355
“Did you know,” Alias interrupted, “that when we found you in the Citadel of Exile and Akabar saw how upset I was, he offered to destroy you for me?”“你知道吗，”阿莉亚丝打断她，“我们在流放堡垒找到你的时候，阿卡巴见我那么难受，曾提出要替我毁掉你？”356
“Yes,” Zhara replied quietly, nodding her head.“知道，”扎拉点点头，轻声回答。357
“He told me all about it.”“他把一切都告诉我了。”358
“And you married him anyway?“可你还是嫁给了他？359
Are you crazy?”你疯了吗？”360
Alias cried.阿莉亚丝叫道。361
“Of course you are,” she said bitterly.“你当然疯了，”她愤愤地说。362
“After all, Phalse made you.”“毕竟，你是法尔斯造出来的。”363
“Of all our sisters that I have met, you are the only one to treat me this way.“在我见过的姐妹当中，只有你这样对待我。364
The others were pleased to have a family.”其他人都很高兴能有一个家。”365
“Sisters!“姐妹！366
You mean the other eleven monsters are walking around?”你是说，另外十一个怪物也在外面到处走动？”367
Zhara gritted her teeth to hold back her anger.扎拉咬紧牙关，强忍怒火。368
She took a deep breath and spoke in measured, even tones.她深吸一口气，用克制而平稳的语调说道。369
“I have met three others.“我见过另外三个。370
One is a sage in Candlekeep, one a mage in Immersea, one a warrior like yourself from the eastern lands.一个是烛堡的贤者，一个是伊默海的法师，还有一个是像你一样、来自东方的战士。371
I know of two others.我还知道另外两个。372
One was a thief who was murdered this past spring.一个是窃贼，今年春天遭人谋杀了。373
The other is a lady of some power in Waterdeep.”另一个是深水城一位颇有权势的贵妇。”374
“Did Akabar marry any of these others, too?”“阿卡巴也娶了她们中的哪一个吗？”375
Alias asked.阿莉亚丝问道。376
“I’m surprised a shrewd merchant like him didn’t think of it when we discovered you in the Citadel of Exile.“我们在流放堡垒发现你的时候，像他那么精明的商人居然没想到这一点，真让我惊讶。377
He could have picked you up cheaper by the dozen and sold you off for a profit.”他本可以成打地把你们低价弄到手，再转卖出去赚上一笔。”378
Zhara’s face went livid with rage.扎拉气得脸色铁青。379
“You witch!“你这个恶毒的女人！380
How dare you!” she cried and backhanded Alias solidly across the face.你好大的胆子！”她怒喝一声，反手狠狠抽了阿莉亚丝一记耳光。381
The swordswoman stumbled back several feet.女剑士踉跄着倒退了好几英尺。382
Then she leaped forward onto Zhara.随后，她猛地向前一跃，扑到扎拉身上。383
“Let’s finish what we started yesterday, shall we?” she growled as they both fell to the ground.“昨天没打完的，今天就来做个了断，怎么样？”两人一同摔倒在地时，她低吼道。384
Zhara fought back with fury, but she had no weapons or armor to protect her now.扎拉怒不可遏地还击，但此刻她既无武器，也无护甲防身。385
She stubbed her toes kicking at the swordswoman and bruised her knuckles on Alias’s skull.她踢女剑士时踢伤了脚趾，拳头砸在阿莉亚丝的头骨上，也碰得指关节青肿。386
Alias punched at Zhara’s stomach, and Zhara curled up, whimpering like a dog.阿莉亚丝一拳打向扎拉的腹部，扎拉顿时蜷缩成一团，像狗一样呜咽起来。387
“Had enough?”“尝够苦头了吗？”388
Alias snarled, sitting up over the priestess.阿莉亚丝压在女祭司身上坐起身，龇牙低吼道。389
Zhara slammed her elbow into Alias’s kidney.扎拉猛地用手肘撞向阿莉亚丝的肾部。390
Alias raised her fist over the priestess’s head, but something overhead grabbed her wrist and lifted her off the ground by her arm.阿莉亚丝举起拳头，正要砸向女祭司的脑袋，上方却有什么东西一把抓住她的手腕，拽着她的胳膊将她提离了地面。391
She twisted her neck around to see what was holding her.她扭过脖子，想看看抓住自己的究竟是什么。392
A beast over ten feet tall, covered in scales and armor plates of bone, dangled the swordswoman in front of his face, studying her with some interest.一头十多英尺高、浑身覆盖着鳞片和骨质甲板的巨兽，将女剑士拎到自己面前，颇感兴趣地端详着她。393
In his other hand, he held out a lump of clay fashioned into a miniature four-story tower.他的另一只手中托着一团黏土，捏成了一座四层高塔的微缩模型。394
Alias looked around for Dragonbait.阿莉亚丝四下寻找龙饵。395
The saurial paladin stood at the edge of the forest, looking down at the ground.那名蜥蜴族圣武士站在森林边缘，低头望着地面。396
Akabar stood beside him with an astonished look on his face.阿卡巴站在他身旁，满脸惊愕。397
“Are you through beating my wife?”“你打我妻子打够了吗？”398
Akabar asked the swordswoman angrily.阿卡巴怒气冲冲地质问女剑士。399
“She started it,” Alias growled.“是她先动手的。”阿莉亚丝低吼道。400
“You must be Grypht,” she said to the creature holding her.“你一定就是格里夫特了。”她对抓着自己的生物说道。401
“Put me down.”“放我下来。”402
Akabar stepped into the clearing and helped Zhara to her feet.阿卡巴走进林间空地，扶着扎拉站起身来。403
“How could you do such a thing?” the Turmish mage asked his wife.“你怎么能做出这种事？”这名图米什法师质问妻子。404
“Have you forgotten the promise you made after you broke Kasim’s arm?“你忘了打断卡西姆的胳膊之后许下的承诺吗？405
You swore you would not hit another woman,” he said angrily.你发过誓，再也不会打别的女人。”他愤怒地说道。406
Zhara spat in Alias’s direction.扎拉朝阿莉亚丝的方向啐了一口。407
“That witch makes Kasim seem like an angel.“那个巫婆衬得卡西姆都像个天使。408
Alias is no different from her mother, Cassana.阿莉亚丝跟她母亲卡萨娜毫无区别。409
I do not care one bit if I hurt her.”就算伤了她，我也一点都不在乎。”410
Akabar looked up at Alias.阿卡巴抬头望向阿莉亚丝。411
“What is going on here?” he asked, motioning for Grypht to set the swordswoman down.“这里到底是怎么回事？”他问道，同时示意格里夫特把女剑士放下来。412
Grypht lowered Alias until her feet touched the ground.格里夫特把阿莉亚丝放低，直到她的双脚落地。413
The saurial wizard did not, however, release her wrist.然而，这位蜥蜴人巫师并没有松开她的手腕。414
The scent of fresh-mown hay rose from his body, and the tower in his hand glowed red hot, then shattered.他身上散发出新割干草的气味，手中的塔烧得通红，随即碎裂。415
Startled, Alias tried to pull away from the beast, but it wouldn’t release her.阿莉亚丝吃了一惊，试图挣脱这头野兽，可对方就是不肯放开她。416
Alias and Zhara both glared at each other but did not speak.阿莉亚丝和扎拉怒目相视，却谁也没有开口。417
“How could you hit my wife, your own sister?”“你怎么能打我的妻子，打你自己的妹妹？”418
Akabar asked Alias.阿卡巴质问阿莉亚丝。419
Alias glared at the mage.阿莉亚丝怒视着这名法师。420
“She seemed like a good substitute in your absence, Turmite,” Alias replied.“你不在的时候，她倒是个不错的替代品，图米什虫。”阿莉亚丝答道。421
“I beg your pardon?”“你说什么？”422
Akabar said coolly, offended by the vulgar term.阿卡巴被这个粗俗的称呼激怒了，冷冷地说道。423
“You heard me,” Alias shouted.“你听见了。”阿莉亚丝大喊。424
“You married this fiend spawn.“你娶了这个恶魔孽种。425
Why didn’t you just accept Cassana when she offered herself to you?当初卡萨娜主动把自己献给你时，你为什么不干脆接受她？426
Was Zhara better because she was younger, or because you could have her behind my back?”扎拉更好，是因为她更年轻，还是因为你可以背着我占有她？”427
The blood rushed from Akabar’s face, shocked as he was by Alias’s words.阿卡巴被阿莉亚丝的话惊呆了，脸上顿时血色尽失。428
In saurial, Grypht asked Dragonbait.格里夫特用蜥蜴人的语言问龙饵。429
“Who is Cassana?”“卡萨娜是谁？”430
“A dead sorceress,” the paladin answered in saurial.“一个死去的女术士。”圣武士用蜥蜴人语回答。431
“Please, Grypht, try to convince them to turn their energies to the dangers we face.”“拜托了，格里夫特，想办法说服他们把精力放到我们面临的危险上。”432
Grypht nodded.格里夫特点了点头。433
“Alias,” the beast began.“阿莉亚丝，”巨兽开口道。434
Alias turned suddenly and stared at the huge saurial in astonishment.阿莉亚丝猛地转过身，惊愕地盯着这个身形庞大的蜥蜴人。435
“You can talk!” she exclaimed.“你会说话！”她惊呼道。436
Grypht snorted with amusement.格里夫特觉得好笑，哼了一声。437
“Since I was two years old,” he said.“我两岁起就会了。”他说。438
“I mean, you can talk in common, not just in saurial,” Alias explained.“我是说，你会说通用语，不只是蜥蜴人语。”阿莉亚丝解释道。439
“I know what you meant,” Grypht said.“我知道你的意思。”格里夫特说。440
“I cast a tongues spell.“我施展了通晓语言法术。441
It will not last for long, so I need your undivided attention, child.法术维持不了多久，所以我需要你全神贯注地听我说，孩子。442
You must let go of your anger for now.你现在必须先放下怒火。443
We face a great danger, and you must behave now like an adult and set your differences with these people aside, for they are your allies.”我们正面临巨大的危险，你现在必须表现得像个成年人，把你和这些人的分歧暂且搁在一边，因为他们是你的盟友。”444
“I don’t need any allies,” Alias snapped.“我不需要任何盟友，”阿莉亚丝厉声说道。445
“All I need to know is what you did with Nameless.“我只想知道你把无名者怎么了。446
Where is he?” she demanded.他在哪里？”她追问道。447
“And Olive, too?”“还有奥利芙呢？”448
“The bard and the halfling must have fled to escape Kyre after she imprisoned me in a soul trap.“那个吟游诗人和半身人一定是在凯尔把我囚禁进灵魂陷阱后，为躲避她而逃走了。449
I do not know where they went.我不知道他们去了哪里。450
We have more important things to concern ourselves with at the moment.”眼下我们还有更重要的事要操心。”451
“Kyre imprisoned you in a soul trap?”“凯尔把你囚禁进了灵魂陷阱？”452
Alias asked incredulously.阿莉亚丝难以置信地问道。453
“Why didn’t she tell anyone?”“她为什么没告诉任何人？”454
“Because she was a minion of Moander, preparing the way for the Darkbringer’s return to your world,” Grypht said.“因为她是莫安德的爪牙，正在为黑暗使者重返你们的世界铺路。”格里夫特说。455
“You’re all crazy!”“你们全都疯了！”456
Alias declared.阿莉亚丝断言道。457
“Moander is dead.“莫安德已经死了。458
Dead!”死了！”459
“You merely destroyed the body of Moander in this world, but Moander’s power and spirit live on in the Abyss, and the Darkbringer’s slaves in this world are building it a new body, a new abomination for it to possess.“你们不过是摧毁了莫安德在这个世界的躯体，但莫安德的力量和灵魂仍存于无底深渊，而黑暗使者在这个世界的奴仆正在为它打造一具新的躯体，一具供它附身的新怪物。460
The Darkbringer will return once the body is finished.”那具躯体一完成，黑暗使者就会归来。”461
“Moander hasn’t got any followers left in the Realms to build him a body,” Alias protested.“莫安德在诸界已经没有追随者替他打造躯体了，”阿莉亚丝反驳道。462
“That,” Grypht explained, “is why Moander enslaved my tribe and brought them to the Realms—”“这正是莫安德奴役我的族人、把他们带到诸界来的原因——”格里夫特解释道。463
Grypht gurgled suddenly, released Alias, and clutched at his throat.格里夫特突然喉间咯咯作响，松开阿莉亚丝，双手扼住自己的喉咙。464
There was an arrow lodged in his neck.一支箭插在他的脖子上。465
The great creature teetered once, then fell over backward and landed on the forest floor with a crash.这头庞然大物摇晃了一下，随即仰面倒下，轰然砸在林地上。466