The Immer Inn catered to an exclusive clientele.伊默旅店只接待少数上等客人。1
It was patronized by only those travelers and members of Immersea society who were able and willing to pay exorbitant prices for board, drink, and lodging.只有那些付得起、也愿意为膳食、酒水和住宿支付高昂价钱的旅客和伊默海社会人士，才会光顾这里。2
Giogi, who had on occasion slept off one too many drinks at the inn, could attest that the guest rooms were very nice.乔吉偶尔也会在这家旅店里醉睡一宿，因此可以作证，客房确实很不错。3
As a local resident, though, he was generally more familiar with the board and drink aspects of the inn.不过，作为本地居民，他通常更熟悉旅店的膳食和酒水。4
The decor of the dining hall was the inn’s biggest attraction, though.然而，餐厅里的装潢才是这家旅店最大的卖点。5
The floor was covered with plush carpeting, the walls lined with elaborate tapestries, and the ceiling hung with crystal chandeliers.地上铺着柔软厚实的地毯，墙上挂满精美繁复的织锦，天花板上则垂着水晶吊灯。6
The room was warm and dry and furnished with tables covered with elegant linen and surrounded by the most comfortably cushioned chairs in Cormyr.厅内温暖干燥，桌上铺着雅致的亚麻桌布，四周摆放着科米尔坐垫最舒适的椅子。7
Giogi had patronized the Immer Inn since he’d come of age six years before, but, after being away nearly a year, he thought the dining room seemed as strange as his own home had felt.自从六年前成年起，乔吉便一直是伊默旅店的常客；可离开将近一年后，他觉得这里的餐厅和自己的家一样，显得如此陌生。8
He thought that perhaps it was because the inn was nearly empty this evening, but his friends were there, and their company was strange, too.他想，也许是因为今晚旅店里几乎空无一人，可他的朋友们都在，他们的陪伴也同样让他觉得陌生。9
They’d welcomed him back heartily enough, but they had cut short the tale of his travels with their pointed lack of interest, insisted his yellow crystal must be ordinary quartz, and teased him about his boots.他们固然热情地欢迎他回来，却用毫不掩饰的冷淡打断了他的游历故事，坚持说他的黄色水晶不过是普通石英，还拿他的靴子取笑他。10
In addition, he no longer understood half the things to which they alluded in their conversations and jokes.此外，他们谈话和说笑时提到的事情，他有一半已经听不懂了。11
So, though he was not really keen on it, he’d accepted their offer to play a game of Elemental Empires.所以，尽管他其实没什么兴致，还是接受了他们的提议，玩起了元素帝国。12
The game, at least, was familiar.至少这游戏还是熟悉的。13
Giogi began drinking too much and losing lots of money, habits that also were familiar.乔吉开始喝得过多，也开始输掉大笔金钱——这些习惯同样熟悉。14
With a roll of a pair of ivory dice on a felt-covered gaming table, Chancy Lluth had just vanquished all Shaver Cormaeril’s troops.在铺着毡布的游戏桌上，钱西·卢思刚掷出一对象牙骰子，将谢弗·科梅里尔的所有部队尽数击溃。15
In response, Shaver sacrificed all his leaders to protect a hidden card.作为回应，谢弗牺牲了自己所有的首领，以保护一张暗牌。16
“Primary of flames—that’s a guarded assassin,” Giogi announced when Shaver revealed the card to Chancy.“火焰本源——那是个有护卫的刺客。”谢弗向钱西亮出那张牌时，乔吉宣布道。17
Giogi grinned.乔吉咧嘴一笑。18
One could always count on Shaver to do something vindictive just before he lost.谢弗总会在输掉之前干上一件泄愤的事，这一点从来不会让人失望。19
With a scowl, Chancy tossed one of his knights into the discard pile.钱西皱着脸，把自己的一名骑士扔进了弃牌堆。20
Shaver surrendered his unused cards to Chancy and signaled a servant to bring him a fresh drink.谢弗把没用过的牌交给钱西，又示意一名侍者给他送来一杯新酒。21
Shaver drew a priest from Chancy’s unused cards to replace his murdered knight.谢弗从钱西未使用的牌中抽出一名祭司，取代自己被杀的骑士。22
“How many cards do you want, Giogi?”“你想要几张牌，乔吉？”23
Lambsie Danae asked.兰姆西·达娜伊问道。24
Lambsie had folded much earlier, as usual, unwilling to risk as much money as the others.兰姆西和往常一样，早早就弃牌了，不愿像其他人那样拿那么多钱冒险。25
Lambsie’s father, while one of the wealthiest farmers in Immersea, kept Lambsie on a strict gambling allowance, and Lambsie never exceeded his limit.兰姆西的父亲虽是伊默海最富有的农场主之一，却严格限制兰姆西赌钱的额度，而兰姆西也从不超出限额。26
Giogi stared at the crystal chandelier hanging over the game table and tried to calculate the odds of his drawing a card he could use.乔吉盯着悬在牌桌上方的水晶吊灯，试图算出自己抽到一张可用之牌的概率。27
His element was earth, and there weren’t too many stone cards left in the deck.他的元素是土，而牌堆里剩下的石系牌已经不多了。28
Nor were there too many major cards he could use without the minor stone suit cards to act as armies to protect them.况且，没有低阶石系牌充当军队保护，他能使用的高阶牌也没有几张。29
Each unused card he held doubled the price of a new card, but he could not afford to discard those he held—they were mostly wave cards, which Chancy, whose element was water, would snatch up and use against him.他手中每留一张未使用的牌，买下一张新牌的价格就会翻倍，可他又不能把手里的牌弃掉——那些大多是波浪牌，而元素属水的钱西会立刻捡走，用来对付他。30
“First card will cost you sixty-four, and if you can’t play it, the second one will cost a hundred twenty-eight,” Lambsie said.“第一张要花六十四分，要是打不出去，第二张就得花一百二十八分，”兰姆西说。31
“I can multiply by two, thank you, Lambsie,” Giogi said with an insulted sniff, though after the last brandy he’d downed, he probably couldn’t.“我会乘以二，谢谢你，兰姆西。”乔吉觉得受了冒犯，哼了一声说道，尽管灌下最后那杯白兰地之后，他大概已经不会算了。32
Giogi counted out sixty-four points’ worth of his yellow scoring sticks.乔吉从自己的黄色计分棒中数出价值六十四分的一把。33
Lambsie dealt him a card, a jester—nearly useless, but playable.兰姆西给他发了一张牌，是个小丑——几乎毫无用处，但还打得出去。34
Giogi turned it over and sifted it into his single army line.乔吉把牌翻过来，插进自己唯一的一列军队牌中。35
“You’ve got a two-strength army stacked with a sorceress, a bard, and a jester, Giogi,” Chancy said.“你这支强度为二的军队里，叠着一个女巫师、一个吟游诗人和一个小丑，乔吉，”钱西说。36
“Are they leading your troops or entertaining them?”“他们是在率领你的部队，还是在给他们逗乐？”37
Ignoring Chancy’s taunt, Giogi paid another sixty-four points.乔吉没理会钱西的嘲讽，又付了六十四分。38
“Another card, please,” he asked Lambsie.“请再给我一张牌。”他对兰姆西说。39
Lambsie dealt him a four of winds, unplayable, but safe to discard, except, once he discarded, Giogi could buy no more cards.兰姆西给他发了一张风系四点牌，无法打出，但弃掉倒也安全，只是一旦弃牌，乔吉就不能再买牌了。40
He slid the card into his unused pile.他把那张牌塞进自己未使用的牌堆。41
“One more,” he said sliding one hundred twenty-eight points’ worth of sticks across the table to Lambsie.“再来一张。”他说着，把价值一百二十八分的计分棒推过桌面，送到兰姆西面前。42
Lambsie dealt him a third card.兰姆西给他发了第三张牌。43
Giogi drew a priest out from his unused stack and played it with the new card.乔吉从自己未使用的牌堆里抽出一张祭司牌，和新牌一起打了出去。44
“The moon!”“月亮！”45
Shaver exclaimed.谢弗惊呼道。46
“How lucky can you get?”“你的运气怎么能这么好？”47
“You know what they say,” Lambsie said, “Tymora looks out for fools.”“你们知道那句话怎么说，”兰姆西说道，“泰摩拉会眷顾傻瓜。”48
“The tide goes out, wave troops retreat,” Giogi said.“潮水退去，浪兵撤退。”乔吉说道。49
Visibly annoyed, Chancy picked all his minor Talis cards off the table and slipped them into his unused stack of cards.钱西显然很恼火，他把自己所有的次级塔利斯牌从桌上拿起来，塞进了尚未使用的那摞牌里。50
“I think my leaders will challenge yours to personal combat,” Giogi said.“我想，我的首领会向你的首领发起单挑。”乔吉说道。51
“My sorceress against your priest and my rogue against your warrior.”“我的女术士对你的祭司，我的游荡者对你的战士。”52
“That doesn’t leave anyone to command your troops,” Chancy pointed out.“那样一来，就没人指挥你的部队了。”钱西指出。53
“Jesters can command troops when the moon is in play,” Giogi said.“月亮牌在场时，小丑也能指挥部队。”乔吉说道。54
“That’s right,” Lambsie agreed.“没错。”兰姆西赞同道。55
Confronted with the possibility of losing big, Chancy asked.面对可能惨败的局面，钱西开口问道。56
“What kind of surrender terms are you offering?” he asked.“你打算提出什么样的投降条件？”他问。57
“Half your debt,” Giogi offered magnanimously.“免掉你一半的债。”乔吉宽宏大量地提议道。58
“Accepted,” Chancy said, offering his knight and priest to Giogi.“成交。”钱西说着，把自己的骑士和祭司交给了乔吉。59
“Earth wins,” Shaver declared.“大地获胜。”谢弗宣布。60
“You let him off too easy, Giogi.”“你放他一马放得太轻松了，乔吉。”61
“It’s getting late,” Giogi said.“时候不早了。”乔吉说道。62
“I have to be going.”“我得走了。”63
“So soon?”“这么快？”64
Giogi nodded, signaling a servant for his check.乔吉点点头，示意一名侍者把账单送来。65
His friends counted up their scoring sticks.他的朋友们清点起各自的计分棒。66
Lambsie paid out his eight silver pieces’ worth of debt while Shaver and Chancy wrote out IOUs.兰姆西付清了价值八枚银币的欠债，谢弗和钱西则写下了欠条。67
Shaver would be good for his before a day had passed.不出一天，谢弗准会把自己的债还清。68
As head of the second noble family in Immersea, Shaver’s father was always keen to prove to any Wyvernspur that the Cormaerils had no problem meeting their obligations.谢弗的父亲身为伊默海第二大贵族家族的族长，总是急于向任何一个飞龙刺证明，科迈里尔家族绝不会拖欠债务。69
It would take some time before he could wheedle Chancy’s money out of him, though.不过，要想哄得钱西把钱掏出来，恐怕得花上一段时间。70
Chancy’s father, like Lambsie’s was a very wealthy farmer, as well as a successful merchant.钱西的父亲和兰姆西的父亲一样，既是非常富有的农场主，也是成功的商人。71
He lavished his money on Chancy, but Chancy had more gambling debts than Cormyr had trees, or so people said.他在钱西身上挥金如土，可钱西欠下的赌债比科米尔的树还多——至少人们是这么说的。72
Bottles, the inn’s owner, came up to their table and presented the tab without a word.酒馆老板博特尔斯走到他们桌边，一言不发地递上了账单。73
People didn’t generally argue over a check presented by Bottles.一般没人会对博特尔斯递来的账单提出异议。74
The retired soldier’s massive physique discouraged the timid, and his gruff, unsophisticated manner indicated to his haughtiest customers that he was not a man one could intimidate.这名退役军人魁梧的体格足以让胆小之人望而却步，而他粗声粗气、不加修饰的态度也让最傲慢的客人明白，他可不是能被人吓住的。75
Giogi glanced at the check for the total and reached for his purse.乔吉瞥了一眼账单总额，伸手去掏钱袋。76
Then he began patting down his pockets frantically while Bottles cleared away their glasses.随后，他开始慌乱地拍遍全身口袋，而博特尔斯则收走了他们的酒杯。77
Chancy smacked him on the back and asked, “Something wrong, Giogi?”钱西在他背上拍了一巴掌，问道：“出什么事了，乔吉？”78
Giogi turned to his drinking buddies and muttered, “I seem to have mislaid my purse.”乔吉转向酒友们，嘟囔道：“我的钱袋好像不知放到哪儿去了。”79
“Oh, dear.“哎呀，糟糕。80
We’ll have to call out the sheriff now,” Shaver announced in a deadpan voice.看来这下得去叫治安官了。”谢弗面无表情地宣布。81
“Bottles doesn’t take anyone’s chits.“博特尔斯可不收任何人的欠条。82
Cash and carry only.”只收现钱，概不赊账。”83
Giogi swallowed hard.乔吉艰难地咽了口唾沫。84
When Bottles had married the inn’s previous owner’s widow, the inn had been debt-ridden.博特尔斯娶了酒馆前任老板的遗孀时，这家酒馆正债台高筑。85
The business thrived under Bottles’s management, not just because he kept the same staff as had his predecessor, but because he had a shrewd head for business—in other words—no credit.在博特尔斯的经营下，生意蒸蒸日上；这不只是因为他保留了前任老板的原班人马，也因为他有精明的生意头脑——换句话说——概不赊账。86
His policy was renowned throughout Immersea, as were the two youths he kept on retainer for dealing with deadbeats and other heavy lifting.他的规矩在整个伊默海都赫赫有名，同样出名的还有他长期雇着的两个年轻人，专门对付赖账的家伙，顺带干其他重活。87
The young Wyvernspur rummaged through his pockets again, then checked his boots for good measure.年轻的飞龙刺又把口袋翻找了一遍，甚至还特意检查了靴子。88
He pulled out the yellow crystal, which glittered in the chandelier light.他掏出那块黄色水晶；它在枝形吊灯的光芒下闪闪发亮。89
It would be impossibly hard to let the stone out of his hand, let alone out of his sight, but he had announced he was hosting the evening’s revelries, and the humiliation of reneging on friends would be even more unbearable.要让这块石头离开自己的手都难如登天，更别说让它离开视线了；可他已经宣布今晚的狂欢由他做东，而在朋友面前食言的耻辱更加难以忍受。90
Giogi laid the crystal on the table.乔吉把水晶放在桌上。91
“Will you take this as collateral, Bottles?“博特尔斯，你肯收这个作抵押吗？92
I haven’t had it appraised, but I’m sure it’s worth a great deal.我还没找人估过价，但我敢肯定它非常值钱。93
It is to me, anyway.至少对我来说是这样。94
I’ll ransom it back tomorrow.”我明天就拿钱来赎回去。”95
“No, Bottles,” Lambsie cried, “hold out for those boots.“别答应，博特尔斯，”兰姆西嚷道，“坚持要他那双靴子。96
They’re the most comfortable pair in the Realms.”那可是诸界最舒服的一双靴子。”97
Giogi flushed.乔吉涨红了脸。98
Why doesn’t anyone like these boots? he wondered.为什么谁都不喜欢这双靴子？他心想。99
They’re so sensible.它们明明那么实用。100
“Already got a pair of them kind,” Bottles said.“这种靴子我已经有一双了。”博特尔斯说。101
Shaver, Lambsie, and Chancy broke into laughter.谢弗、兰姆西和钱西顿时大笑起来。102
Bottles eyed the three “gentlemen” with disdain.博特尔斯轻蔑地瞥了那三位“绅士”一眼。103
He pushed the yellow crystal away.他把那块黄色水晶推了回去。104
“Keep your stone, milord.“您的石头收起来吧，老爷。105
Your credit’s good here.”您在这儿可以赊账。”106
“Whoa!”“哟！”107
Shaver exclaimed.谢弗惊呼道。108
“Is that the breaking of a tradition I hear?”“我是不是听见有人打破惯例了？”109
“How come my credit isn’t good here?”“凭什么我在这儿就不能赊账？”110
Chancy demanded.钱西质问道。111
“ ’E feels bad about it.“他会觉得过意不去。112
You don’t,” Bottles replied.你可不会。”博特尔斯答道。113
Giogi smiled gratefully.乔吉感激地笑了。114
“Thanks, awfully, Bottles.“太感谢了，博特尔斯。115
I’ll have Thomas stop by to settle up first thing in the morning.”明天一早我就让托马斯过来把账结清。”116
“See that you do,” Bottles said, and walked off.“你最好说到做到。”博特尔斯说完便走开了。117
“First thing in the morning for Giogi, isn’t that somewhere around noon?”“对乔吉来说，明天一早不就是中午前后吗？”118
Shaver joked.谢弗打趣道。119
“For your information,” Giogi replied with a haughty tone, too inebriated to consider what he was saying, “I’ll be up before the crack of dawn tomorrow, crawling through the family crypt.”“告诉你吧，”乔吉傲慢地答道。他醉得太厉害，根本没想过自己在说什么，“明天天还没亮我就会起床，在家族墓穴里爬来爬去。”120
“Whatever for?”“去那儿干什么？”121
Chancy asked.钱西问道。122
“Someone’s stole the spur and he’s trapped down there,” Giogi explained in a conspiratorial whisper.“有人偷走了马刺，他被困在下面了。”乔吉用密谋般的低声解释道。123
“Or not,” he added, still confused by Uncle Drone’s mysterious confidence to the contrary.“也可能不是这样。”他又补充了一句，仍不明白德罗恩叔叔为何神秘兮兮地断言事实恰恰相反。124
“Not really?”“不是真的吧？”125
Shaver gasped.谢弗倒抽了一口气。126
Lambsie and Chancy looked up with horror.兰姆西和钱西惊恐地抬起头来。127
Too late Giogi recalled that Aunt Dorath hadn’t wanted outsiders to know about the theft.乔吉这才想起，多拉丝姑妈原本不想让外人知道失窃的事，可惜已经太迟了。128
“But the spur’s supposed to ensure your family’s success,” Chancy said.“可那枚马刺不是应该能确保你们家族兴旺吗？”钱西说。129
“No,” Shaver corrected, “his family succession.“不对，”谢弗纠正道，“是确保他家族传承不断。130
Right, Giogi?”对吧，乔吉？”131
“That’s just a superstition.“那不过是迷信。132
Look, do you think you might keep this between the four of us?”听着，你们能不能别把这事告诉别人，就我们四个知道？”133
Giogi asked.乔吉问。134
“It’s best if it doesn’t get around.”“这事最好别传出去。”135
“Of course,” Shaver said.“当然。”谢弗说。136
Lambsie and Chancy nodded in agreement.兰姆西和钱西也点头表示同意。137
Looking at his friends’ faces, Giogi did not feel reassured.看着朋友们的脸，乔吉并没有觉得安心。138
They were all too blank.他们一个个都显得太过面无表情。139
One of Uncle Drone’s little sayings popped into his head: Nothing flutters so frantically when caged like a secret, nor flies so fast when released.德罗恩叔叔的一句小格言突然跳进他脑海：没有什么像秘密一样，关起来时扑腾得那般疯狂，放出去后又飞得那般迅速。140
Giogi didn’t like to imagine Aunt Dorath’s reaction if, when she sat down to breakfast tomorrow, she were to find a letter of condolence from Lady Dina Cormaeril, Shaver’s mother.乔吉不愿想象，要是多拉丝姑妈明天坐下来吃早饭时，发现谢弗的母亲黛娜·科梅里尔夫人寄来一封慰问信，她会作何反应。141
At least I’ll be in the catacombs by then, Giogi thought.至少那时候我已经在地下墓穴里了，乔吉心想。142
Maybe Aunt Dorath will have calmed down by the time I come out.也许等我出来时，多拉丝姑妈已经消气了。143
No, he realized, Aunt Dorath could stew for hours and still be boiling mad by sunset.不，他随即意识到，多拉丝姑妈能生上好几个钟头的闷气，直到日落依旧怒火沸腾。144
With a feeling of doom, Giogi took leave of his friends and wove his way out of the Immer Inn.乔吉怀着大难临头的预感告别了朋友，穿行着走出伊默旅店。145
He headed west, toward the Wyvernwater.他向西而去，朝飞龙湖走去。146
“A bracing sea breeze would fit the bill,” he said aloud, though there was no one present to hear him, nor did it matter to him at that moment that the Wyvernwater was a freshwater lake, not a salty sea.“来阵清爽提神的海风正合我意。”他大声说道，尽管周围根本没人能听见；而且在那一刻，他也毫不在意飞龙湖其实是座淡水湖，并非咸水海洋。147
He grew less anxious walking in the fresh, cold air, and by the time he’d turned south on the main road, he’d reasoned himself out of his fear.走在清新寒冷的空气中，他渐渐不再那么焦虑；等他拐上大路向南走时，已经把自己从恐惧中劝了出来。148
If Aunt Dorath finds out I babbled about the theft, he thought, I can always go abroad again.“要是多拉丝姑妈发现我把失窃的事说漏了嘴，”他想，“我还可以再出国。”149
Maybe, though, if I find the spur, she’ll forgive me and I can stay home.“不过，也许只要我找回那只马刺，她就会原谅我，我也能留在家里。”150
A stiff gust of wind off the lake blew right through his cloak.湖面刮来一阵强风，径直穿透了他的斗篷。151
He shivered and suddenly felt very tired.他打了个寒战，忽然觉得疲惫不堪。152
What am I doing walking around in this cold?我在这么冷的天里四处乱走，到底是在干什么？153
I could be home sleeping in my warm bed.我本可以在家里温暖的床上睡觉。154
He quickened his stride, but before he turned down the road leading home he remembered the duties facing him in the morning.他加快了脚步，可还没拐上回家的路，便想起了早晨等着他的那些任务。155
His desire to sleep vanished, and he slowed his pace.他的睡意顿时消失，脚步也慢了下来。156
If he stayed awake, it would be hours before he had to go into the crypt with Freffie and Steele and face the guardian.只要不睡，他就还有好几个小时，才需要和弗雷菲、斯蒂尔一起进入墓穴，面对那名守卫。157
Somewhere nearby Giogi heard the strumming of a yarting and the jangle of a tantan.乔吉听见附近某处传来雅廷琴的拨弦声和坦坦铃的叮当声。158
He turned toward the music to find the door to the Five Fine Fish standing open as a crowd of travelers squeezed its way in.他循着音乐转过身，只见一群旅人正挤进“五条好鱼”酒馆，门大敞着。159
“Sudacar,” Giogi whispered, suddenly remembering the local lord’s invitation to stop by the Fish to talk about Cole.“苏达卡。”乔吉低声说道，忽然想起当地领主曾邀请他来“五条好鱼”，谈谈科尔的事。160
The Fish was renowned for its ale and very popular as a meeting place among adventurers who passed through Immersea.“五条好鱼”以麦酒闻名，也是途经伊默海的冒险者们极爱聚会的地方。161
Giogi’s friends all patronized the Immer Inn, so Giogi, who had never felt very comfortable among strangers, had not been in the Five Fine Fish very often.乔吉的朋友们全都光顾“伊默”旅店，因此一向不太能适应陌生人的乔吉，很少来“五条好鱼”。162
It would be full of strangers tonight, but Sudacar, while not exactly a friend, could hardly be considered a stranger—not if he knew things about Cole that Uncle Drone hadn’t even spoken of.今晚这里肯定满是陌生人，但苏达卡虽算不上朋友，却也很难说是陌生人——毕竟，他知道一些就连德罗恩叔叔都不曾提起过的科尔的事情。163
Determined to learn more about his father’s adventuring life, Giogi strode purposefully toward the inn.乔吉决心多了解一些父亲的冒险生涯，便目标明确地大步走向酒馆。164
He slipped through the front door behind the last of the travelers and squeezed his way past them into the common room.他跟在最后几名旅人身后溜进前门，又从他们中间挤过去，进了公共厅。165
The room was packed with people.厅里挤满了人。166
Five musicians in the corner struck up a reel, and several people began dancing on the wooden floor.角落里的五名乐师奏起一支里尔舞曲，几个人随即在木地板上跳起舞来。167
The dancers’ shadows swayed against the wall whenever someone bumped into one of the oil lamps hanging from the low ceilings.每当有人撞到悬在低矮天花板下的油灯，舞者们的影子便会在墙上摇曳。168
The tables and chairs of the Fish’s common room were built for durability rather than style, not carved, but hewn, and polished, not with wax, but by generations of oily hands and elbows.“五条好鱼”公共厅里的桌椅重耐用而不重式样，不是雕刻而成，而是粗粗凿削出来的；它们的光泽也不是用蜡打磨出的，而是由一代代人油腻的手掌与臂肘磨出来的。169
Lem, the inn’s owner, was tapping a fresh keg of ale, banging the spigot into the barrel in time to the music.酒馆老板莱姆正在给一桶新麦酒装龙头，伴着乐曲的节拍，把龙头一下下敲进酒桶。170
He looked up at Giogi and gave him a wink.他抬头看了看乔吉，朝他眨了眨眼。171
Giogi searched the room for Sudacar while people coming in and out jostled him.进进出出的人不断挤撞着乔吉，他在人群中寻找苏达卡。172
Finally the young noble spotted the local lord in a corner opposite the musicians.终于，这位年轻贵族在乐师对面的一个角落里发现了本地领主。173
He was seated with a few members of the town guard and some adventurers Giogi did not recognize.他和几名镇卫兵以及一些乔吉不认识的冒险者坐在一起。174
Sudacar rose to greet one of the travelers who’d just come in—a wool merchant.苏达卡站起身，迎接一位刚刚进门的旅客——一个羊毛商人。175
The two men gave each other a hearty handshake.两人热情地握了握手。176
Sudacar offered the newcomer a seat and signaled for more drinks before sitting back down himself.苏达卡请新来的客人坐下，又示意再上些酒，这才重新落座。177
Giogi suddenly felt very nervous.乔吉突然感到非常紧张。178
True, Sudacar had invited him, but the local lord was obviously very busy with friends and associates.诚然，苏达卡邀请过他，但这位本地领主显然正忙着招呼朋友和熟人。179
Uncertain as to what sort of reception Sudacar would have for him, Giogi turned about and left the inn.乔吉拿不准苏达卡会怎样接待自己，便转身离开了旅店。180
Once outside again, Giogi felt aimless.再次来到外面，乔吉顿觉茫然无措。181
He meandered toward the market green with his hands stuffed deep in his cloak pockets and his head tilted back toward the stars.他双手深深插在斗篷口袋里，仰头望着星空，漫无目的地朝集市草坪走去。182
At the near end of the green stood a statue of Azoun III, grandfather of the present king.草坪近端矗立着一尊阿祖恩三世的雕像，他是当今国王的祖父。183
The stone monarch sat on a granite stallion frozen in the act of rearing and trampling rock-carved bandits.石雕君王骑在一匹花岗岩骏马上；骏马定格在扬蹄而起、践踏石雕强盗的那一刻。184
Giogi leaned against a stone bandit and sighed loudly.乔吉倚在一个石雕强盗身上，重重地叹了口气。185
“This was not the homecoming I expected,” he explained to the bandit.“这可不是我期待的归乡情景。”他向那强盗解释道。186
The wind, chill and damp, blew from the lake.阴冷潮湿的风从湖面吹来。187
Giogi sighed again and watched the ghosts of his breath drift east toward his own home.乔吉又叹了口气，看着自己呼出的白气如幽灵般向东飘去，飘向他的家。188
“The house felt like a tomb when I got in last night,” he told the bandit.“昨晚回去时，那栋房子感觉就像一座坟墓。”他对那强盗说道。189
“I have to spend my second day back, tomorrow, visiting the family crypt.“明天是我回来后的第二天，我却得去拜谒家族墓穴。190
Shaver says I missed the best summer regatta in ten years.谢弗说，我错过了十年来最精彩的夏季帆船赛。191
His yacht, The Dancing Girl, came in second against four hundred-to-one odds.他的游艇‘舞女号’在四百比一的赔率下拿了第二名。192
And Chancy says that his sister, Minda, did not wait for me.而且钱西说，他妹妹明达没有等我。193
She married Darol Harmon, from over in Arabel.她嫁给了阿拉贝尔那边的达罗尔·哈蒙。194
Not that there was anything official between us, mind you.不过你要知道，我们之间并没有正式定下什么。195
I thought we had an understanding, but I guess a year is a long time for a girl to wait.”我原以为我们彼此有默契，可现在看来，让一个姑娘等上一年，终究还是太久了。”196
Giogi studied the bandit’s grimace.乔吉端详着那强盗脸上的狰狞表情。197
“I suppose, though, that you have your own troubles.”“不过，我想你也有自己的烦恼。”198
The bandit did not keep up his end of the conversation, so Giogi continued.那强盗没有接话，于是乔吉继续说道。199
“Everyone laughs at my boots, and no one wants to listen to the tale of my travels.“人人都笑话我的靴子，也没人愿意听我讲旅途中的故事。200
I’ll admit, there aren’t any princes or elves or casts of thousands in it, but it does have a whopping big dragon, and an evil sorceress, and a lovely, but quite mad, lady sell-sword.我承认，故事里没有王子，没有精灵，也没有成千上万的角色，可里面有一条大得惊人的巨龙、一个邪恶的女术士，还有一位美丽却疯得厉害的女佣兵。201
Wait.等等。202
There was one person who was interested,” Giogi amended.倒是有一个人感兴趣，”乔吉改口道。203
“Gaylyn, Freffie’s wife.“盖琳，弗雷菲的妻子。204
Nice girl, and pretty, too.人很好，也很漂亮。205
Olive Ruskettle, the renowned bard, wrote a song in honor of their wedding—Freffie and Gaylyn’s wedding, that is.著名吟游诗人奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔还为他们的婚礼写过一首歌——我是说，弗雷菲和盖琳的婚礼。206
Now, how did it go?”那歌是怎么唱的来着？”207
Giogi began singing snatches of the song: “Something, something, syncopated breath.乔吉开始断断续续地唱起那首歌：“什么什么，错落的呼吸。208
Something, something, love transcends even death.”什么什么，爱情连死亡也能跨越。”209
“Giogioni!”“乔吉奥尼！”210
Giogi was so startled, he slid off the stone bandit.乔吉吓了一跳，从石头强盗身上滑了下来。211
Samtavan Sudacar had to grin at the sight of the young nobleman lying beneath the hooves of the stone monarch’s stallion as if he were being trampled with the bandits about him.萨姆塔万·苏达卡看见这位年轻贵族躺在石像君王那匹骏马的蹄下，仿佛正和周围的强盗一起遭受践踏，不禁咧嘴一笑。212
“That’s no sort of company for you to keep, boy,” Sudacar said, offering him a hand up.“小子，你可不该跟这种家伙混在一起，”苏达卡说着，伸手拉他起来。213
Giogi accepted the assistance gratefully, and as Sudacar hefted him to his feet, he could easily imagine the well-muscled arms slaying giants.乔吉满怀感激地接受了他的帮助；苏达卡一把将他提起来时，他很容易便能想象那双肌肉发达的臂膀斩杀巨人的情景。214
“What are you doing here?”“你在这里做什么？”215
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。216
Sudacar laughed.苏达卡笑了。217
“Coming to fetch you.“来接你。218
Lem said you came in but left.莱姆说你回来过，但又出去了。219
Couldn’t find me in the crush, eh?”人太多，没找着我，是吧？”220
Giogi nodded, then shook his head.乔吉先是点了点头，接着又摇了摇头。221
It would be too difficult to explain that he was afraid he wouldn’t be welcome.要解释自己是因为害怕不受欢迎，实在太难了。222
“I came out to bring you back inside, unless you’re too busy rendering assistance to Azoun’s granddad.“我是出来叫你回去的，除非你正忙着给阿祖恩的祖父帮忙。223
Getting to be a habit with you, I hear.”我听说，这都快成你的习惯了。”224
“What?”“什么？”225
Giogi asked, wondering if Sudacar meant that rumors abounded that he drank heavily and often collapsed beneath town monuments.乔吉问道，心想苏达卡是不是听说了什么传言，说他常常酗酒，还屡次醉倒在城里的纪念碑下。226
“Lending the royal family a hand.“帮王室的忙啊。227
Someone told me tonight you weren’t just abroad, you were on a mission south for His Highness.”今晚有人告诉我，你不只是出了趟远门，而是奉殿下之命去南方执行任务了。”228
“Oh, that,” Giogi replied.“哦，那件事啊，”乔吉答道。229
“It wasn’t much, really.“其实没什么大不了的。230
Just a messenger job.”不过是替人送个信罢了。”231
Sudacar chuckled at the nobleman’s modesty.苏达卡见这位贵族如此谦逊，不禁轻笑起来。232
“You’ll have to tell us all about it inside.“你得进去把事情从头到尾讲给我们听。233
If you’re not too hoarse or too tired to tell it again.”只要你嗓子还没哑，也没累得不想再讲一遍。”234
Giogi grinned.乔吉咧嘴笑了。235
Someone wanted to hear his story.有人想听他的故事。236
He stood up straighten “Love to oblige.”他站起身，挺直腰板。“乐意之至。”237
The two men walked toward the Five Fine Fish, but just outside, Giogi hesitated.两人朝五条鲜鱼走去，可到了门外，乔吉却迟疑起来。238
“I just remembered.“我刚想起来。239
I, uh, seem to have mislaid my purse.”我，呃，好像把钱袋弄丢了。”240
Sudacar looked at the nobleman darkly.苏达卡阴沉地看着这位贵族。241
“You, too, eh?“你也丢了，是吧？242
A lot of that going around lately.最近这类事可真不少。243
Seems we have a new element in town.看来镇上来了一伙新人物。244
I’ve got to have Culspiir look into it.我得让卡尔斯皮尔查查这事。245
Don’t worry.别担心。246
Tonight you’re in my hands.今晚有我照应你。247
We’ve got to raise that glass in honor of your father.”我们怎么也得为你父亲举杯。”248
Entering the Fish with Sudacar was very different from entering it alone.和苏达卡一起走进五条好鱼酒馆，感觉与独自进去截然不同。249
Sudacar knew everyone, and everyone in turn seemed to know and like Sudacar.苏达卡认识所有人，而所有人似乎也都认识他、喜欢他。250
The crowd parted for him.人群纷纷给他让路。251
He had the best table in the house.他坐的是店里最好的桌子。252
He sat Giogi down at his right-hand side and introduced him around as Cole Wyvernspur’s son.他让乔吉坐在自己右手边，又向周围的人介绍说，这是科尔·飞龙刺的儿子。253
Many of the older merchants and their even older adventurer bodyguards nodded in approval.许多年长的商人，以及他们年纪更大的冒险者保镖，都赞许地点了点头。254
Giogi saw some of the younger adventurers whisper a question to their elders, and when the veterans whispered back the answer, the younger adventurers turned friendly smiles on the nobleman.乔吉看见几个年轻冒险者低声向长辈询问；老手们悄声答过之后，那些年轻冒险者便转向这位贵族，露出了友善的笑容。255
As the tavernkeeper set fresh mugs of ale down in front of Giogi and Sudacar, the local lord asked, “Lem, Mistress Ruskettle come in yet?”酒馆老板把新斟满的几杯麦酒放到乔吉和苏达卡面前时，这位本地领主问道：“莱姆，拉斯凯特尔女士来了吗？”256
“Not yet,” Lem replied.“还没有，”莱姆答道。257
“Odd thing.“怪事。258
You know, usually you could set the town clock by her stomach.”你知道，平时照着她肚子饿的时间，都能给镇上的钟对时了。”259
“I’m looking for that woman she goes around with, Jade More.”“我在找总跟她一起四处走动的那个女人，杰德·莫尔。”260
“So’s Ruskettle.“拉斯凯特尔也在找她。261
Been asking all week if anyone’s seen her.”她这一整个星期都在问有没有人见过她。”262
Sudacar knitted his brow.苏达卡皱起眉头。263
“Jade leave town?”“杰德离开镇子了？”264
Lem shook his head uncertainly.莱姆迟疑地摇了摇头。265
“Her packs are still up in her room, not stuffed with rags, either.“她的行李还在楼上她房间里，也不是拿破布塞出来的样子。266
I checked.我检查过了。267
Full of nice clothes, and plenty of money.里面装满了漂亮衣服，还有不少钱。268
I’m holding it for her return.”我替她保管着，等她回来。”269
“Business must be good, whatever it is she’s in.”“不管她做的是什么营生，看来生意一定不错。”270
“Aye,” Lem agreed with a smirk.“没错。”莱姆坏笑着表示赞同。271
When Lem had left their side, Sudacar gave a toast, “To Cole Wyvernspur, a brave adventurer.”莱姆从他们身边离开后，苏达卡举杯祝酒：“敬科尔·飞龙刺，一位勇敢的冒险者。”272
Giogi drank to his father, but his curiosity was suddenly running in another direction.乔吉为父亲饮了一杯，但他的好奇心忽然转向了另一件事。273
“This Mistress Ruskettle,” he said.“这位拉斯凯特尔小姐，”他说。274
“Is she Olive Ruskettle, the bard?”“她就是吟游诗人奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔吗？”275
“Yes.“是的。276
She’s been wintering here.她一直在这里过冬。277
You know about her?”你知道她？”278
Sudacar asked.苏达卡问道。279
“She sang at Freffie’s—um—Lord Frefford’s wedding to Gaylyn.“她曾在弗雷菲的——呃——弗雷福德勋爵与盖琳的婚礼上献唱。280
In a way, she’s responsible for my being sent on my mission for the king.”从某种意义上说，我会被派去为国王执行任务，还是她促成的。”281
“Oh?”“哦？”282
Sudacar said encouragingly.苏达卡鼓励他继续说下去。283
“She had this bodyguard with her, named Alias, you see.“你瞧，她身边带着一个叫阿莉亚丝的保镖。284
Very pretty but quite mad.非常漂亮，可是疯得厉害。285
Alias, that is.”我是说阿莉亚丝。”286
“Yes, Ruskettle’s told us all about her.“对，拉斯凯特尔已经把她的事全告诉我们了。287
Wait a minute!”等等！”288
Sudacar said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.苏达卡说道，眼中闪烁着愉悦的光芒。289
“Are you the noble whom Alias attacked after doing an impression of Azoun?”“你就是阿莉亚丝模仿完阿祖恩之后袭击的那位贵族吗？”290
Giogi nodded.乔吉点了点头。291
“Guilty as charged,” he admitted, relieved to see that Sudacar did not seem to be offended that he’d done an impression of His Highness.“正是在下，罪名成立。”他承认道；苏达卡似乎并未因他模仿过殿下而生气，这让他松了口气。292
“Anyway,” Giogi continued, “on my way home after the wedding, I was waylaid by this dragon who ate my horse—a monstrous, ancient red beast—the dragon, that is, not my horse.“总之，”乔吉接着说，“婚礼结束后，我在回家的路上遭到一条龙伏击，它吃了我的马——那是条硕大无比、年岁古老的红色恶兽——我是说那条龙，不是我的马。293
A good horse, too.那匹马可是匹好马。294
Then this dragon sent me to His Majesty with the offer that she would leave the country if he could tell her where Alias was.”然后，那条龙派我去见陛下，提出只要陛下能告诉她阿莉亚丝在哪里，她就会离开这个国家。”295
Sudacar’s brow furrowed.苏达卡皱起了眉头。296
He didn’t like the idea of making deals with evil red dragons.他不喜欢与邪恶的红龙做交易这种主意。297
“What did His Majesty do?”“陛下怎么做的？”298
“His Majesty didn’t want to have anything to do with it, but Vangy told him that Alias could be an assassin and convinced him to settle with the dragon.”“陛下本来不想插手，但范吉对他说，阿莉亚丝可能是个刺客，还说服他与那条龙达成了协议。”299
“Sounds like Vangerdahast,” Sudacar muttered.“一听就是范格达海斯特的作风。”苏达卡嘟囔道。300
“Yes,” Giogi agreed, taking a sip from his mug.“是啊。”乔吉赞同道，端起杯子抿了一口。301
The young Wyvernspur had no love for the court wizard, who was an old chum of Aunt Dorath’s. In his few interviews with the wizard, Giogi felt more than a little intimidated by the man’s magic powers and overweening certainty that he was always right.这位年轻的飞龙刺家族子弟对宫廷法师毫无好感，而那法师恰好是多拉丝姑妈的老友。乔吉只与那位法师见过寥寥几次，却深深忌惮那人的魔法力量，以及他那种自负至极、坚信自己永远正确的态度。302
“Still,” Sudacar sighed, “the old mage keeps our king safe, and for that we should be grateful.“不过，”苏达卡叹了口气，“那位老法师一直保护着我们的国王，单凭这一点，我们也该心怀感激。303
The king’s health,” he added, raising his mug.敬国王身体安康。”他补充道，举起了杯子。304
“Long live the king,” Giogi agreed, raising his drink.“国王万岁。”乔吉应和道，也举起了酒杯。305
They both took a pull on their ale and sat quietly as it ran down their throats.两人都喝了一大口麦酒，静静地坐着，任酒液流过喉咙。306
“So why did you travel to Westgate?”“那么，你为什么要去西门城？”307
Sudacar asked.苏达卡问道。308
“Well, Vangy never really did know exactly where this Alias was.“嗯，范吉其实一直都不知道这个阿莉亚丝究竟在哪儿。309
Seems she couldn’t be magically detected, but she was supposed to come from Westgate.好像用魔法也探测不到她，不过据说她来自西门城。310
So His Majesty sent me down there to inquire of what the authorities knew about her, and to see if she showed up there.所以陛下派我到那儿去，打听当地官府对她了解多少，也看看她会不会在那里露面。311
She did.她的确出现了。312
I spotted her outside the city.我在城外看见了她。313
I spent the rest of the season in Westgate trying to find her again, or some information about her, without luck.那一季剩下的时间，我一直待在西门城，想再次找到她，或是打听到她的消息，可惜一无所获。314
I wintered there and came back as soon as a safe sea crossing could be made.”我在那里过了冬，一到可以安全渡海的时候就回来了。”315
“According to Ruskettle, Alias is up in Shadowdale now,” Sudacar said.“听拉斯凯特尔说，阿莉亚丝现在人在阴影谷。”苏达卡说道。316
“Really?“真的？317
Maybe I ought to bop off a letter to His Majesty about that,” Giogi said.也许我该赶紧写封信，把这事告诉陛下。”乔吉说。318
“Let me handle it.“交给我来办吧。319
According to Ruskettle, Alias was working for Elminster.听拉斯凯特尔说，阿莉亚丝当时在为伊尔明斯特办事。320
Vangy ought to know that before he tries making any more trouble for the lady.”范吉最好先知道这件事，再决定要不要继续找那位女士的麻烦。”321
Giogi grinned.乔吉咧嘴一笑。322
He wondered if a wizard as powerful as Elminster could make Vangerdahast as nervous as Vangerdahast made him.他心想，像伊尔明斯特这么强大的法师，会不会也能让范格达海斯特紧张得心神不宁，就像范格达海斯特总让他那样。323
“So how’d you like Westgate?“那么，你觉得西门城怎么样？324
I noticed you got yourself a pair of clodders.我注意到你给自己弄了双厚底靴。325
Won’t get a better pair of boots anywhere in the Realms, not even in Waterdeep.”整个诸界都找不到比这更好的靴子，就连深水城也没有。”326
“Got one of these, too,” Giogi said, pulling out the yellow crystal from the top of his boot.“我还弄到了这个。”乔吉说着，从靴筒里掏出那块黄色水晶。327
Sudacar sat up more attentively.苏达卡坐直了身子，神情专注起来。328
“Boy, where did you get that?” he asked.“小子，你从哪儿弄到这个的？”他问。329
“Found it lying in the mud just outside Westgate.”“就在西门城外的泥地里捡到的。”330
“Found it lying—” Sudacar’s words halted.“发现它躺在——”苏达卡的话戛然而止。331
He looked flabbergasted.他一脸惊愕。332
“Boy, that’s a finder’s stone.“小子，那可是块寻路石。333
I know, because Elminster himself loaned me one once.”我知道，因为伊尔明斯特本人以前借给过我一块。”334
“What’s a finder’s stone?”“寻路石是什么？”335
“It’s a magic crystal.“是一种魔法水晶。336
It helps the lost find their way.”它能帮助迷失的人找到方向。”337
“But I’m not lost,” Giogi said.“可我又没迷路。”乔吉说。338
Sudacar gave the nobleman a queer look.苏达卡古怪地看了这位贵族一眼。339
“Maybe you better hang onto it, just in case.”“也许你最好还是留着它，以防万一。”340
“Oh, I intend to.“哦，我正有此意。341
I like it.我喜欢它。342
It makes me—this is going to sound silly—”它让我觉得——这话听起来可能很傻——”343
“It makes you feel happy,” Sudacar said.“它让你觉得很开心。”苏达卡说。344
“Yes.“对。345
How’d you—oh, right, you said you had one once.”你怎么会——哦，对了，你说过自己以前有一块。”346
Giogi tucked the crystal back into his boot.乔吉把水晶塞回靴子里。347
“Tell me more about Westgate.“再跟我说说西门城吧。348
Things are shaking down there, I hear.”我听说那边最近闹得很厉害。”349
Giogi nodded.乔吉点了点头。350
“A dead dragon fell on their city just before I arrived, followed by an earthquake the day after.“就在我抵达前，一条死龙掉进了城里，第二天又发生了地震。351
Then there was a power struggle going on for the property and business of some sorceress and her allies.后来，各方又为某个女术士及其盟友的财产和生意争夺起来。352
A woman named Cassana, the Followers of Moander, and the Fire Knives all were missing after the earthquake.”一个名叫卡萨娜的女人、莫安德信徒和火刀帮，在地震后全都失踪了。”353
“The Fire Knives.“火焰刀帮。354
Now that is good news.这可真是个好消息。355
I remember the year His Majesty broke their charter for the murder of that scullery maid.我还记得那一年，他们谋杀了那个洗碗女佣，国王陛下为此废除了他们的特许状。356
Ever since Azoun sent the thugs packing they’ve been a threat to him.自从阿祖恩把那帮恶棍赶走以后，他们就一直对他构成威胁。357
May they stay missing,” he toasted and took another swig of ale.但愿他们永远别再出现。”他举杯祝道，又灌了一大口麦酒。358
Giogi did likewise.乔吉也照样喝了一口。359
The warmth of the ale augmented the warm, comfortable feeling he had in Sudacar’s company.麦酒的暖意，更增添了与苏达卡相伴时那种温暖惬意的感觉。360
Giogi and Sudacar drank and compared stories about Westgate until Lem stood over them and coughed politely.乔吉和苏达卡一边喝酒，一边比较各自在西门城的见闻，直到莱姆走到他们桌旁，客气地咳了一声。361
Giogi looked up and realized that the other tables and booths were empty, and Lem’s waiters were stacking the chairs and benches.乔吉抬起头，这才发现其他桌子和隔间都已空了，莱姆手下的侍者正在把椅子和长凳摞起来。362
The two noblemen were the last customers in the tavern, and Giogi suspected Lem had stayed open well after hours just to oblige Sudacar.这两位贵族已是酒馆里最后的客人，乔吉猜想，莱姆之所以远过了打烊时间还没关门，只是为了迁就苏达卡。363
Sudacar left a small pile of gold lions on the table, stood, and led the way to the door.苏达卡在桌上留下一小堆金狮币，站起身来，领头朝门口走去。364
Giogi stumbled after him.乔吉踉踉跄跄地跟在他身后。365
Many of the streetlamps had burned all their day’s oil and expired or been blown out by the wind, but the waxing moon gave the two men plenty of light to see their way.许多街灯都已耗尽了一整天的灯油，或是自行熄灭，或是被风吹灭，但渐盈的月亮洒下了充足的光，足以让两人看清道路。366
They crossed the market green together and halted beneath the statue of “Azoun’s Triumph.”他们一同穿过市集草坪，在“阿祖恩的凯旋”雕像下停住脚步。367
“You know,” Giogi said, “you let me babble on so long, you never had a chance to tell me about my father.”“你知道吗，”乔吉说道，“你任我絮絮叨叨讲了这么久，自己都没机会跟我说说我父亲的事。”368
Sudacar grinned.苏达卡咧嘴一笑。369
“It’s part of my fiendish plot.“这正是我邪恶计划的一部分。370
Now you have to visit me another night,” he said.现在你非得另找一个晚上来拜访我不可了。”他说。371
“I’d like that,” Giogi said.“我很乐意。”乔吉说道。372
“We’ll keep an eye out for your purse, too.“我们也会替你留意那个钱袋的。373
You really ought to get yourself an enchanted one, you know.你真该给自己弄个附过魔的钱袋。374
The kind that makes some noise if it’s touched by someone else.”就是那种别人一碰便会发出声响的。”375
“It was enchanted.“它本来就附过魔。376
Trouble was, I kept leaving it places, so whenever the servants found it anywhere and touched it, there was a big fuss.问题是，我总把它落在各种地方，所以每当仆人在哪里找到它，一碰之下，便会闹出好大一番动静。377
Uncle Drone fixed it so it would do something only if someone besides myself actually opened it.”德罗恩叔叔把它改了一下，只有我以外的人真的把它打开时，它才会有反应。”378
“What was it supposed to do?”“它本来会怎么样？”379
“I think Uncle Drone said it would make a fool or something out of the thief.”“我记得德罗恩叔叔说过，它会把小偷变成傻瓜什么的。”380
“Well, I’ll tell my men to keep an eye out for any fools.”“好吧，我会叫手下留意一下，看有没有什么傻瓜。”381
Giogi giggled.乔吉咯咯笑了起来。382
“I’d hate to end up arrested for the theft of my own purse.”“我可不想最后因为偷了自己的钱袋而被捕。”383
Sudacar gave a disapproving frown and pointed a finger at Giogi.苏达卡不以为然地皱起眉头，伸出一根手指指着乔吉。384
“You shouldn’t put yourself down like that, boy.“别这么贬低自己，小子。385
His Majesty wouldn’t have entrusted you on a mission for the crown if you weren’t competent.要不是认为你能胜任，陛下也不会派你为王室执行任务。386
As a matter of fact, now that you and your cousins are grown, Azoun will soon be relying on the services of all three of you, just as he did with your father and his cousins.事实上，如今你和你的堂表兄弟们都长大了，阿祖恩很快就会仰仗你们三人为他效力，正如当年仰仗你父亲和他的堂表兄弟们一样。387
Once you get this spur nonsense cleared up, it’ll be time for you to take up the responsibility of nobility—serving your king.”等你解决了马刺这桩荒唐事，就该担起贵族的责任了——为你的国王效力。”388
“Me?”“我？”389
Giogi gasped.乔吉倒吸了一口气。390
“You,” Sudacar replied, chuckling at the shocked expression on the young man’s face.“就是你。”苏达卡看着年轻人脸上震惊的表情，轻笑着回答。391
Giogi had assumed he’d only been sent to find Alias in Westgate because he would recognize the sell-sword.乔吉一直以为，自己之所以被派往西门城寻找阿莉亚丝，只是因为他认得那名佣兵。392
It had never occurred to him that the king would ever require him on other missions.他从未想过，国王还会派他执行其他任务。393
Apparently, finding the spur was no guarantee that his life would return to normal—the way it had been before last spring.显然，即使找到了马刺，也不能保证他的生活会恢复正常——恢复到上个春天以前的样子。394
“Wait a minute.“等等。395
How’d you know about the spur?”你怎么知道马刺的事？”396
Giogi asked Sudacar.乔吉问苏达卡。397
“You said Aunt Dorath wouldn’t tell you what was going on?”“你不是说多拉丝姑妈不肯告诉你是怎么回事吗？”398
“I have my sources,” Sudacar replied with a wink.“我自有消息来源。”苏达卡眨了眨眼，回答道。399
“It’s getting late.“天色不早了。400
Time to go.”该走了。”401
He gave Giogi a pat on the back and strode south from the market square toward Redstone Manor.他拍了拍乔吉的后背，大步离开集市广场，向南朝红石庄园走去。402
He called out, “Good night, Giogioni,” before he disappeared into the darkness.消失在黑暗中之前，他高声喊道：“晚安，乔吉奥尼。”403
Automatically Giogi called back, “Good night, Sudacar.”乔吉不假思索地回喊道：“晚安，苏达卡。”404
Sudacar had left him feeling bemused and astonished, but not in the least bit anxious.苏达卡的离去让他既困惑又惊讶，却丝毫没有令他感到不安。405
He headed west down the side street that led to his townhouse.他沿着通往自己城中宅邸的小街向西走去。406
Tired and inebriated, the nobleman did not remember Drone’s warning that his life might “just possibly” be in danger.这位贵族又累又醉，早已不记得德罗恩曾警告过他，他的性命“说不定”会有危险。407
Nor did he notice the sound of clattering hooves on the paving stones made by the angry beast following him.他也没有留意到身后那头愤怒的野兽踩着铺路石追来时发出的嗒嗒蹄声。408