Giogi felt as if he’d been pole-axed.乔吉觉得自己像是挨了当头一棒。1
The color drained from his face.他脸上的血色褪得一干二净。2
He did not reply to Frefford’s news at once, but stood looking out at the lake in the distance.听到弗雷福德带来的消息，他没有立刻回答，只是站在那里，望着远处的湖。3
Wind whipped his hair about his face, but he seemed not to notice.风吹得他的头发在脸旁乱舞，他却似乎毫无察觉。4
“Giogi, are you all right?”“乔吉，你没事吧？”5
Frefford asked, squeezing his cousin’s shoulder gently.弗雷福德问道，同时轻轻捏了捏表弟的肩膀。6
“No,” Giogi said.“不，”乔吉说。7
“There has to be some mistake.“一定是哪里弄错了。8
He can’t be dead.”他不可能死了。”9
“I’m afraid it isn’t a mistake.“恐怕没有弄错。10
I’m sorry, Giogi.我很难过，乔吉。11
We all cared for him very much,” Frefford said.我们大家都非常在乎他。”弗雷福德说。12
“Come on, let’s get off this cold hill,” he suggested, pulling on his stunned cousin’s arm, leading him down the hill.“走吧，我们离开这座冷飕飕的山丘。”他提议道，拉着仍在发怔的表弟的胳膊，带他朝山下走去。13
Olive and Cat followed, with the disk carrying Steele trailing behind them.奥利芙和凯特跟在后面，载着斯蒂尔的圆盘则尾随在她们身后。14
Frefford’s and Giogi’s cloaks whipped out behind them in a wind that swept up the hill.风席卷山丘，吹得弗雷福德和乔吉的斗篷在身后猎猎翻飞。15
Olive glanced sideways at the mage and was surprised to see she wasn’t shivering with only her satin robes to protect her from the weather.奥利芙侧眼看了看那位法师，惊讶地发现，她身上只有一袭缎袍抵御风寒，竟然没有发抖。16
Cat was deep in thought.凯特正陷入沉思。17
I’ll bet she’s weighing her chances with Giogi without his Uncle Drone to protect her from her master, Olive thought.奥利芙心想，她准是在权衡：没有乔吉的叔叔德罗恩保护她免受主人加害，她跟乔吉在一起还有几分胜算。18
What are the chances, she wondered, that Drone killed Jade and retribution caught up with him the very next morning?她思忖着，有没有可能是德罗恩杀了杰德，结果第二天一早报应就找上了他？19
Olive shook her head.奥利芙摇了摇头。20
It hadn’t seemed very likely that the old man Giogi had described as sweet and gentle would be Jade’s murderer.乔吉曾说那个老人和蔼温柔，所以他不太可能是杀害杰德的凶手。21
Now I won’t be able to identify Drone for sure, Olive realized, since he’s been turned to a pile of ash.奥利芙意识到，现在我没法确切辨认德罗恩了，因为他已经化成了一堆灰烬。22
A pile of ash—like Jade!一堆灰烬——就像杰德一样！23
Did Drone meet his fate at the same hands?德罗恩也是死在同一个人手里的吗？24
Was the murdering Wyvernspur running around killing all of his kin?那个杀人凶手飞龙刺家族成员，难道正在四处残杀自己的亲族？25
Olive trotted closer to Giogi and pricked up her ears to eavesdrop on the two men’s conversation.奥利芙小跑着凑近乔吉，竖起耳朵偷听两个男人的谈话。26
“How could this have happened?”“怎么会发生这种事？”27
Giogi asked, rubbing tears from his cheeks.乔吉一边问，一边抹去脸颊上的泪水。28
“We think he used a gate spell to bring in something dangerous and evil, then lost control of it, and the thing killed him.”“我们认为，他用传送门法术召来了某种危险而邪恶的东西，后来又失去了对它的控制，结果被那东西杀死了。”29
“But he hated gating things,” Giogi protested.“可他最讨厌用传送门召唤东西了。”乔吉反驳道。30
“That spell always ages him horribly.“那个法术每次都会让他衰老得非常厉害。31
Why would he do a thing like that?”他为什么要做这种事？”32
“To help him find the spur,” the Wyvernspur lord explained.“为了帮他找到那枚马刺。”飞龙刺家的领主解释道。33
“You see, after the baby was born, Gaylyn and Aunt Dorath both wanted me to lend a hand in the crypt.“你看，孩子出生后，盖琳和多拉丝姨妈都想让我去墓穴里帮忙。34
Gaylyn was worried for you, and Aunt Dorath, of course, is frantic to have the spur returned.盖琳很担心你，而多拉丝姨妈当然急得发疯，一心想把马刺找回来。35
Uncle Drone said that there was no sense wasting my time, because once you got past the guardian, you’d be fine, and the thief and the spur weren’t in the catacombs anyway.”德罗恩叔叔说，没必要浪费我的时间，因为只要你过了守卫那一关，就不会有事；况且窃贼和马刺根本不在地下墓穴里。”36
“Oh,” Giogi murmured listlessly.“哦。”乔吉无精打采地喃喃道。37
He thought that if he hadn’t been wasting his time saving Steele’s miserable hide, he might have been with Uncle Drone.他心想，要不是自己把时间浪费在救斯蒂尔那条烂命上，或许就能陪在德罗恩叔叔身边了。38
“Oh?“哦？”39
Is that all you can say?”“你就只会说这个吗？”40
Frefford asked.弗雷福德问道。41
“Giogi, did you know about that?” he asked, suspicious.“乔吉，这件事你早就知道吗？”他狐疑地问。42
“Uncle Drone told me last night,” the noble admitted, “but he wouldn’t tell me why he misled us all.“德罗恩叔叔昨晚告诉了我，”这位贵族承认道，“但他不肯告诉我，为什么要误导我们所有人。43
He said I was supposed to go down to keep up the charade, and tell him later everything that happened.”他说我应该下去继续把戏演下去，之后再把发生的一切都告诉他。”44
“Well, when Uncle Drone told us this morning,” Frefford said, “he claimed it was some sort of ruse to see what Steele would do.“嗯，今天早上德罗恩叔叔告诉我们这件事时，”弗雷福德说，“他声称这是什么计策，想看看斯蒂尔会怎么做。45
Aunt Dorath hit the ceiling.多拉丝姑妈大发雷霆。46
She demanded Uncle Drone return the spur.她勒令德罗恩叔叔归还那枚马刺。47
Uncle Drone swore he didn’t have it and didn’t know where it was.德罗恩叔叔发誓说东西不在他手里，他也不知道在哪里。48
Aunt Dorath said he had darn well better find out.多拉丝姑妈说，他最好赶紧查清楚。49
Uncle Drone said he darn well would.德罗恩叔叔说，他当然会查个清楚。50
Then he went stomping up to his lab with orders that he was not to be disturbed—that it would be dangerous to interrupt him.”然后他气冲冲地上楼去了实验室，还吩咐任何人都不准打扰他——说打断他会很危险。”51
Frefford took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then continued his grim tale.弗雷福德深吸一口气，缓缓吐出，接着讲述这桩可怕的事。52
“When he didn’t come down for morning tea, Aunt Dorath sent me after him.“他没下来喝早茶，多拉丝姑妈就派我去找他。53
Both doors to his lab were locked and bolted.他实验室的两扇门都锁着，还插上了门闩。54
Aunt Dorath insisted I force one of them.多拉丝姑妈坚持要我强行破开一扇门。55
It looked like there’d been a fight when we got inside.我们进去以后，里面看起来像是发生过一场搏斗。56
Papers were scattered about.纸张散落得到处都是。57
Furniture was overturned.家具也被掀翻了。58
Then we found the ashes beneath his robes and hat.”然后，我们在他的长袍和帽子底下发现了灰烬。”59
Frefford’s word hung on the cold air with the vapor of his breath.弗雷福德说出的那个词，和他呼出的白气一起凝滞在冰冷的空气中。60
Then he asked his cousin, “Giogi, did you talk to the guardian?随后他问自己的表弟：“乔吉，你跟那位守护者谈过吗？61
Did she say anything?”她说什么了吗？”62
“Freffie, I’d really rather not talk about her right now,” Giogi replied.“弗雷菲，我现在真的不太想谈她。”乔吉回答。63
Frefford put his hand on his cousin’s shoulder again.弗雷福德又把手搭在表弟肩上。64
“Giogi, it could be important,” the Wyvernspur lord insisted, giving Giogi’s shoulder a squeeze.“乔吉，这件事可能很重要。”飞龙刺领主坚持道，同时捏了捏乔吉的肩膀。65
“You know you’re the only one she communicates with.”“你知道，她只和你一个人交流。”66
Giogi kicked at a rock on the path.乔吉踢了踢小路上的一块石头。67
The guardian spoke to only one member of each generation of Wyvernspurs.守护者只会与飞龙刺家族每一代中的一人交谈。68
Giogi wished she would have picked someone else—someone like Steele.乔吉真希望她选的是别人——比如斯蒂尔。69
Steele didn’t believe in her.斯蒂尔根本不相信她的存在。70
He had teased Giogi about her since they were children, when Giogi had first admitted hearing her voice.从小到大，斯蒂尔一直拿她取笑乔吉；那时乔吉第一次承认自己听见了她的声音。71
Frefford believed, though.不过弗雷福德相信。72
And he was right, it could be important.而且他说得对，这件事可能很重要。73
Giogi said, “I asked her why she didn’t stop the thief, and she said that she’s supposed to let Wyvernspurs pass unslain.乔吉说：“我问她为什么不阻止那个贼，她说她必须放飞龙刺家族的人安然通过，不能杀害他们。74
I asked her who had taken the spur, and she said she couldn’t tell—that we’re all alike—except me.”我问她是谁拿走了那根刺，她说她分辨不出来——我们所有人都一样——除了我。”75
“Nothing about the curse?”“她没提到诅咒吗？”76
Frefford asked.弗雷福德问。77
“Freffie, that’s just superstition,” Giogi said.“弗雷菲，那不过是迷信。”乔吉说。78
“Aunt Dorath doesn’t seem to think so,” Frefford said softly.“多拉丝姑妈好像不这么认为。”弗雷福德轻声说。79
“Maybe she’s right.“也许她是对的。80
Uncle Drone and Steele both risked their lives because of it, and Uncle Drone—” Frefford broke off his sentence.德罗恩叔叔和斯蒂尔都因为它而冒了生命危险，而且德罗恩叔叔——”弗雷福德没有再说下去。81
There was no need to say it again.没必要再说一遍了。82
They reached the bottom of the hill and stepped out onto the road, where Frefford’s carriage waited.他们走到山脚，踏上大路，弗雷福德的马车正在那里等候。83
A wedding gift from Gaylyn’s father, the carriage’s gilded surface still sparkled, even in the gray light.这辆马车是盖琳的父亲送的结婚礼物，车身的镀金表面即使在灰蒙蒙的光线下依然闪闪发亮。84
Giogi and Frefford transferred Steele from Cat’s magical disk to the carriage’s back seat.乔吉和弗雷福德把斯蒂尔从凯特的魔法圆盘转移到了马车后座上。85
“Steele must see a healing cleric right away,” Frefford said, “but I can drive you into town, at least.”“斯蒂尔必须马上去见治疗牧师，”弗雷福德说，“不过至少我可以驾车送你们进城。”86
Giogi excused himself, using Birdie as an excuse.乔吉拿小鸟儿当借口，婉言谢绝了。87
Cat explained she had business with Giogi.凯特解释说，她和乔吉还有事要办。88
“Stop by later and see the baby,” Frefford invited as he climbed into the carriage, beside his wounded cousin.“晚些时候过来看看孩子吧。”弗雷福德一边邀请他们，一边爬上马车，坐到受伤的表兄身旁。89
Steele moaned softly in his sleep.斯蒂尔在睡梦中轻轻呻吟了一声。90
“Thanks.“谢谢。91
I will,” Giogi promised.我会的。”乔吉答应道。92
Frefford signaled his driver, who clucked the horses into motion.弗雷福德向车夫示意，车夫咂了咂嘴，催动马匹。93
As the carriage rattled down the road, Giogi felt a sense of relief.马车辚辚驶上道路，乔吉感到一阵轻松。94
He didn’t want to be around when Steele fully recovered and found out Uncle Drone had deceived them.他可不想等斯蒂尔完全恢复、发现德罗恩叔叔欺骗了他们时还待在旁边。95
Frefford could handle Steele’s rage far better than Giogi could.弗雷福德应付斯蒂尔的怒火，可比乔吉在行得多。96
“Perhaps I’d better leave,” Cat suggested, “now that your uncle is no longer here to aid you.”“或许我最好还是离开，”凯特提议道，“既然你叔叔已经不在这里帮你了。”97
Good idea, Olive thought, nodding her burro head in agreement.好主意，奥利芙心想，点了点毛驴脑袋，表示赞同。98
“No,” Giogi said.“不行，”乔吉说。99
“Uncle Drone’s death doesn’t change anything.“德罗恩叔叔的死改变不了什么。100
You’re still in danger; you must stay with me.你仍然身处险境；你必须跟我待在一起。101
After all, if the guardian let you pass, you must be a Wyvernspur, and we Wyvernspurs look out for one another.”毕竟，既然守护者放你通过，你就一定是飞龙刺的一员，而我们飞龙刺家族的人会彼此照应。”102
Cat bowed her head.凯特低下了头。103
“Very well.“那好吧。104
I accept your kind offer, Master Giogioni.”我接受你的好意，乔吉奥尼少爷。”105
“Wonderful.”“太好了。”106
Giogi smiled at Cat, feeling excessively pleased with himself.乔吉朝凯特笑了笑，心里颇有些自鸣得意。107
“Gracious Tymora.“仁慈的泰摩拉啊。108
I never even noticed.我居然一直没注意到。109
You haven’t a cloak.你连件斗篷都没有。110
Here, you’d better wear mine.来，你最好披上我的。111
I insist,” the noble said, ignoring the mage’s protests as he wrapped her in his own cloak.我坚持。”这位贵族不理会法师的抗议，把自己的斗篷裹在了她身上。112
Humans are such fools, Olive noted, especially human men.人类真是愚蠢，奥利芙心想，尤其是人类男人。113
All this chivalry nonsense and family duty could get a person killed.这些骑士风度的蠢话和家族责任，能让人丢掉性命。114
Like Uncle Drone.就像德罗恩叔叔一样。115
“Come along, Birdie,” Giogi chided, giving the burro a tug on the lead rope.“走吧，小鸟儿，”乔吉一边轻斥，一边拽了拽驴子的牵绳。116
“Stop daydreaming.“别做白日梦了。117
We want to get home before the weather turns ugly.我们得赶在天气变糟之前回家。118
Ugh.呃。119
Make that uglier.”应该说，变得更糟。”120
Olive looked up.奥利芙抬头望去。121
The clouds overhead had gone from steel gray to black.头顶的云层已经从铁灰色变成了漆黑一片。122
Olive felt the first sharp, cold needles of sleet pierce through her fur.奥利芙感到第一阵尖锐冰冷的雨夹雪如针般刺透了她的毛皮。123
She began trotting alongside the two humans as they hurried down the road toward Giogi’s home.两个人类沿路匆匆赶往乔吉的家，她也开始在他们身旁小跑起来。124
The traffic in Immersea was lighter than it had been earlier that morning.伊默海街上的行人比当天早些时候少了。125
A few grimy urchins chased one another through the streets, but the foresters had returned to the forest, the field hands to the fields, and the fishermen to their beds.几个脏兮兮的街头小童在街巷间互相追逐，但护林人已经回到了森林，雇农回到了田间，渔夫则回到了床上。126
Servants were busy eating their noonday meals.仆人们正忙着吃午饭。127
By the time Giogi’s party reached his townhouse gate, the drizzling sleet became a heavy freezing rain, which hid the townhouse behind a curtain of water.等乔吉一行人抵达他那栋城中宅邸的大门时，淅淅沥沥的雨夹雪已经变成了猛烈的冻雨，在宅邸前垂下一道水幕，将其遮得严严实实。128
The nobleman, mage, and burro dashed through the garden and hustled into the carriage house.贵族、法师和驴子冲过花园，匆忙钻进了马车房。129
They all stood shaking water and ice from their hair, clothes, and fur for a minute.他们全都站在那里，花了一会儿抖落头发、衣服和毛皮上的水与冰。130
“Just as soon as I get Birdie settled, we’ll have our lunch,” Giogi promised Cat as he lit the lantern by the door.乔吉点亮门边的提灯，对凯特保证道：“等我把小鸟儿安顿好，我们马上就吃午饭。”131
“Haven’t you got a servant to take care of that?”“你难道没有仆人照料它吗？”132
Cat asked.凯特问道。133
Giogi nodded.乔吉点了点头。134
“Yes, Thomas usually handles it, but I like to look after them, too.“有，通常都是托马斯照料它们，不过我也喜欢亲自照看它们。135
I like animals,” he explained.我喜欢动物，”他解释道。136
Cat climbed into the parked buggy and sank into the cushioned seat with a sigh.凯特爬进停在一旁的轻便马车，叹息着陷进铺有软垫的座椅里。137
Giogi unloaded all the equipment from the burro’s back and led the beast back into her stall.乔吉卸下驮在驴背上的所有装备，把它牵回了畜栏。138
He unclipped the lead rope but left the halter on.他解开牵绳，却没有摘下笼头。139
He rubbed her dry with an old blanket and brushed the worst of the catacomb dust and cobwebs from her hide and the mud from her little feet.他用一条旧毯子擦干它的身子，又刷掉它身上大部分从地下墓穴沾来的尘土和蛛网，以及小蹄子上的泥。140
Olive submitted to the grooming philosophically.奥利芙逆来顺受地任他梳理。141
After all, she thought, how many halflings get their feet washed by Cormyte nobles?毕竟，它想，有几个半身人能让科米尔贵族给自己洗脚呢？142
“Some fresh water, more grain, and hay.”“有新鲜的水，还有更多谷料和干草。”143
Giogi pointed out all the provisions he’d brought in for the burro.乔吉一一指给它看自己为这头驴带来的食料。144
“You should try the hay, Birdie.“你该尝尝这干草，小鸟儿。145
It’s very good.这可是上好的。146
Just ask Daisyeye.”不信就问雏菊眼。”147
Daisyeye can have my share, Olive thought.我的那份就留给雏菊眼吧，奥利芙想。148
After shutting the burro in, Giogi took a few moments to stroke the chestnut mare.把驴关好后，乔吉又花了片刻抚摸那匹栗色母马。149
Finally he picked up the picnic basket and turned to Cat.最后，他提起野餐篮，转向凯特。150
“Shall we go?”“我们走吧？”151
Cat held out her hand.凯特伸出手。152
Hastily Giogi transferred the basket to his left hand to help Cat down with his right.乔吉连忙把篮子换到左手，好用右手扶凯特下来。153
The mage leaned on him heavily as she dismounted and landed very near him, so that her forehead brushed against his chin.这位法师下车时重重倚在他身上，落地后又站得离他极近，额头轻轻擦过了他的下巴。154
“Excuse me,” Cat whispered.“对不起，”凯特低声说道。155
“It’s just that I’m so tired.“只是我实在太累了。156
I was afraid to sleep in that awful place.”我不敢在那个可怕的地方睡觉。”157
Giogi stood, momentarily stunned.乔吉站在那里，一时惊呆了。158
A feeling came over him even more odd than the one he’d felt offering Cat his liquor flask.一种奇异的感觉涌上心头，甚至比他把酒壶递给凯特时的感觉还要古怪。159
He’d never stood this close to a woman before, not even Minda.他从未与一个女人靠得这么近过，哪怕明达也不例外。160
It took him a moment before he could collect himself enough to step back and say, “You poor thing.过了片刻，他才勉强定下神来，后退一步说道：“你真可怜。161
I think right after lunch we should tuck you up in the guest room for a nap.”我想吃过午饭后，我们该让你去客房舒舒服服地睡上一觉。”162
Then he blushed, aware that his words could be misinterpreted.接着他脸红了，意识到自己的话可能会让人误会。163
In the dim lamplight, Cat seemed not to notice his embarrassment, nor did she object to his offer.昏暗的灯光下，凯特似乎没有注意到他的窘迫，也没有反对他的提议。164
“You’ve been so kind,” she said.“你真是太好了。”她说。165
“Not at all,” Giogi replied.“哪里。”乔吉答道。166
Giogi offered Cat his arm as he led her to the door and blew out the lantern.乔吉伸出手臂让凯特挽着，领她走到门边，又吹灭了提灯。167
“We could share this cloak,” Cat suggested before he opened the door.“我们可以共披这件斗篷。”乔吉还没开门，凯特便提议道。168
Through a knothole in her stall wall Olive watched as Giogi slid his arm around the mage’s shoulder, beneath the fabric of his cloak.奥利芙透过畜栏墙上的一个节孔，看见乔吉把手臂伸到斗篷下面，搂住了那位女法师的肩膀。169
The two humans dashed from the carriage house, slamming the door behind them.两个人飞奔出马车房，砰的一声关上了身后的门。170
Olive’s burro eyes squinted suspiciously.奥利芙眯起驴眼，满腹狐疑。171
That woman is up to no good, she insisted to herself, and, while Giogi is a nice boy, he’s no match for the machinations of a mage.那个女人准没安好心，她暗自断定；乔吉虽然是个好孩子，却绝不是那女法师的阴谋算计的对手。172
What’s a burro to do?一头驴又能怎么办呢？173
Keep up my strength for one thing, the halfling thought, sniffing daintily at her bucket of sweetened oats.至少得先养足精神，奥利芙心想，一边斯斯文文地嗅着桶里的甜燕麦。174
“Why don’t you make yourself comfortable by the fire while I go see about lunch,” Giogi suggested as he ushered Cat into the townhouse parlor.“你先在炉火边坐舒服些，我去看看午饭准备得怎么样了。”乔吉把凯特领进联排宅邸的客厅时提议道。175
Cat sat on a satin-covered chair, carefully keeping the muddy hem of her robes from the expensive fabric, and kicked off her dirty slippers.凯特在一把缎面椅子上坐下，小心地不让长袍沾满泥污的下摆碰到昂贵的面料，又踢掉了肮脏的便鞋。176
She curled her feet beneath her and closed her eyes to slits.她把双脚蜷在身下，眼睛眯成了两条缝。177
The noble scurried out with the picnic basket and headed back for Servant Land.这位贵族提着野餐篮匆匆出去，返回仆役区。178
Thomas looked up from his lunch with astonishment.托马斯吃惊地从午饭前抬起头来。179
Giogi, as wet as a river rat, stood in the door, looking very apologetic.乔吉站在门口，浑身湿得像只水老鼠，一脸歉意。180
“Sorry to disturb you, Thomas,” his master said, setting the picnic basket down on the table, “but the catacombs jaunt didn’t quite go over as expected.“抱歉打扰你，托马斯，”他的主人边说边把野餐篮放到桌上，“不过这趟地下墓穴之行不太顺利。181
Do you think you could manage lunch for myself and a guest—just a little nourishment, preferably something warm?”你能不能替我和一位客人准备午饭——只要一点能填肚子的东西就行，最好是热的？”182
“Of course, sir,” the servant replied, rising from the table.“当然可以，先生。”仆人答道，从桌旁站起身来。183
“Um, sir.“呃，先生。184
You have heard the news about your Uncle Drone?”您听说德罗恩叔叔的消息了吗？”185
“Yes,” Giogi said.“听说了。”乔吉说。186
“Lord Frefford told me.”“弗雷福德勋爵告诉我了。”187
“My condolences, sir.”“请节哀，先生。”188
His voice cracking with emotion, Giogi replied, “Thank you, Thomas.”乔吉的声音因激动而哽咽：“谢谢你，托马斯。”189
Giogi turned, about to leave, then, remembering that his lunch guest’s stay was to be more permanent, turned again.乔吉转身正要离开，却又想起这位午餐客人要住得久一些，便重新转过身来。190
“One more thing, Thomas.“还有一件事，托马斯。191
When you’ve finished your lunch, could you spark up the lilac room fire and turn down the bed?”你吃完午饭后，能把淡紫色房间的壁炉生起来，再把床铺好吗？”192
“The lilac room, sir?”“淡紫色房间，先生？”193
Thomas replied with confusion.托马斯困惑地问道。194
“Yes.“是的。195
My lunch guest will be staying with us for a while, and will need to rest immediately after lunch.”我的午餐客人要和我们住上一阵子，而且午饭后马上就需要休息。”196
“You wouldn’t want to offer anyone the lilac room, sir,” Thomas replied.“您不会想让任何人住淡紫色房间的，先生。”托马斯答道。197
The servant actually looked a little alarmed, though Giogi could hardly tell why, it wasn’t as if Thomas didn’t keep the lilac room in pristine condition.这个仆人看上去竟有些惊慌，乔吉却怎么也想不出缘由；托马斯明明一直把淡紫色房间打理得一尘不染。198
“The red room would be far superior,” Thomas said.“红色房间要好得多。”托马斯说。199
“I thought the lilac room would be—well, it’s more suitable for a lady, don’t you think?”“我本以为淡紫色房间会——嗯，更适合女士住，你不觉得吗？”200
“A lady, sir?”“一位女士，先生？”201
Thomas asked, his eyebrows disappearing into his bangs.托马斯问道，眉毛高高扬起，几乎没入了刘海。202
“Um, yes, a lady.”“呃，是的，一位女士。”203
Giogi’s voice quavered slightly and he felt a trace of alarm.乔吉的声音微微发颤，心中也泛起一丝不安。204
He had forgotten how provincial people were in Immersea, especially the servants.他忘了伊默海的人有多么保守，尤其是仆人。205
“I know it’s irregular, but it’s an irregular situation—not one we need mention, though, to Aunt Dorath.”“我知道这不合规矩，但情况特殊——不过，我们没必要向多拉丝姑妈提起这件事。”206
“I would imagine not, sir,” Thomas agreed.“我想也是，先生。”托马斯表示赞同。207
“Still, the linen in the red room is in better condition.“不过，红房间里的床品状况更好。208
Your guest would be much more comfortable there.”您的客人住在那里会舒适得多。”209
“Very well,” Giogi agreed, dissatisfied but not wanting to antagonize the man on whose discretion he must depend.“那好吧，”乔吉答应道，心里虽不满意，却不愿得罪这个他必须仰仗其守口如瓶的人。210
“The red room.“就红房间吧。211
The lady’s name, by the way, is Cat.顺便说一句，那位女士名叫凯特。212
She’s a magic-user.她是个施法者。213
She may be able to help me find the wyvern’s spur.”她或许能帮我找到飞龙之距。”214
“Ah, I see.”“啊，我明白了。”215
Thomas nodded.托马斯点了点头。216
“Oh, sir.“哦，对了，先生。217
About two hours ago, a servant from Redstone delivered a package for you.大约两小时前，红石来了一名仆人，给您送了个包裹。218
I left it on your writing table in the parlor.”我把它放在客厅的写字台上了。”219
“A package?“包裹？220
Hmm,” Giogi mused, wondering what sort of package would be sent down from Redstone.嗯……”乔吉沉吟着，心想红石会送来什么样的包裹。221
“Well, thank you, Thomas.“好吧，谢谢你，托马斯。222
We’ll be in the parlor until you announce lunch.”午餐备好请你来通报，在那之前我们会待在客厅里。”223
“Very good, sir.”“好的，先生。”224
Giogi turned about again and nearly ran over a large, fat black-and-white tomcat, which meowed up at him with annoyance.乔吉再次转过身，险些撞上一只肥硕的黑白花大公猫；它抬头冲他喵喵叫着，显得很是不满。225
“Thomas, is that Spot?”“托马斯，那是斑点吗？”226
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。227
“Yes, sir,” Thomas said.“是的，先生。”托马斯说道。228
“He appeared on the doorstep about an hour ago.“大约一小时前，它出现在门阶上。229
I didn’t have the heart to turn him away.”我实在狠不下心把它赶走。”230
“No. You were quite right,” Giogi said.“不，你做得很对，”乔吉说。231
“He’ll need looking after now that Uncle Drone is gone.“德罗恩叔叔走了，现在得有人照顾它。232
Aunt Dorath always threatened to turn him into a muff someday.多拉丝姑妈总威胁说，有朝一日要把它做成皮手筒。233
Can’t have that, can we, boy?”咱们可不能让她这么干，对不对，小家伙？”234
Giogi bent over and picked up the heavy feline.乔吉弯下腰，抱起这只沉甸甸的猫。235
Cradling Spot in his arms, Giogi returned to the parlor and his guest.乔吉把斑点搂在怀里，回到客厅和客人身边。236
Spot leaped from the noble’s arms, sat by the fireplace, and began washing himself.斑点从这位贵族怀里跳下来，在壁炉旁坐定，开始舔洗自己。237
Giogi looked over at Cat.乔吉朝凯特望去。238
Her eyes were closed, and her head rested against the overstuffed wing of the chair.她双眼紧闭，头靠在扶手椅厚实饱满的翼状靠背上。239
Her face was relaxed now that her fear and pride had drained away in sleep.睡梦中，她的恐惧与骄傲都已消退，脸庞也放松下来。240
Actually, Giogi thought, she’s much prettier than Alias of Westgate.其实，乔吉心想，她比西门城的阿莉亚丝漂亮多了。241
Giogi crept quietly over to his desk so as not to disturb the young woman.乔吉悄悄走到书桌旁，以免惊扰这位年轻女子。242
A bundle of red velvet cloth wrapped with twine lay upon the blotter.吸墨垫上放着一卷用麻绳捆好的红色天鹅绒。243
The noble sat at his desk and picked up the parcel.这位贵族在书桌前坐下，拿起包裹。244
Something hard, nearly two feet long, eight inches around, and quite heavy lay within the cloth.布里裹着一件硬物，长近两英尺，周长八英寸，而且相当沉重。245
Giogi picked away the knot in the string.乔吉一点点挑开绳结。246
Giogi unwound the velvet cloth carefully, revealing a gleaming black statue of a beautiful woman.乔吉小心翼翼地展开天鹅绒，露出一尊闪闪发亮的黑色雕像，刻的是一位美丽女子。247
Her lithe and scantily clad form was slightly arched, and her shapely arms were swept up over her head in a circle.她身姿轻盈，衣着单薄，身体微微后仰，一双匀称的手臂高举过头，在头顶围成一圈。248
Her face was round and pretty.她脸庞圆润秀美。249
Her lips were parted slightly, and her eyes were closed, like a woman waiting to be surprised.她双唇微启，双目紧闭，宛如一名正等着惊喜降临的女子。250
The rest of her physical features Uncle Drone had once described as ample, though Aunt Dorath had argued they were scandalous.至于她身体的其他特征，德罗恩叔叔曾形容为丰满，多拉丝姑妈却坚持说那简直伤风败俗。251
“Sweet Selune,” Giogi whispered, recognizing the statue immediately.“仁慈的塞露恩啊，”乔吉一眼认出雕像，低声说道。252
“What’s wrong?”“怎么了？”253
Cat asked sleepily.凯特睡意蒙眬地问道。254
Giogi started and turned in his chair.乔吉吓了一跳，在椅子上转过身来。255
“I’m sorry.“对不起。256
I didn’t mean to wake you.”我不是故意吵醒你的。”257
“That’s all right,” the mage said, rising from her chair.“没关系，”女法师说着，从椅子上站了起来。258
“I was just napping.“我刚才只是在打盹。259
Oh!哦！260
What a beautiful statue,” she said, padding over to Giogi’s side.好漂亮的雕像啊，”她说着，轻手轻脚地走到乔吉身旁。261
“Where did you get it?”“你从哪儿弄来的？”262
“It’s Uncle Drone’s—well, it was Uncle Drone’s. Thomas says a servant brought it over this morning.“这是德罗恩叔叔的——嗯，原来是德罗恩叔叔的。托马斯说，今天早上有个仆人把它送了过来。263
It’s a carving of Selune by Cledwyll.”这是克莱德维尔雕刻的塞露恩像。”264
“Really?“真的吗？265
I’ve never seen a Cledwyll before.我以前从没见过克莱德维尔的作品。266
It must be worth a fortune.”这一定价值连城。”267
“I suppose.“大概吧。268
Not that we’d ever sell it.不过我们绝不会卖掉它。269
It was a gift from the artist to Paton Wyvernspur, the founder of our family line.”这是那位艺术家送给我们家族始祖佩顿·飞龙刺的礼物。”270
Giogi set the statue on the writing table and idly stroked the glistening black stream of hair that flowed down its back.乔吉把雕像放在写字台上，漫不经心地抚摸着从它背后披垂而下、乌黑发亮的如瀑长发。271
Why did Uncle Drone send me this? the nobleman wondered.德罗恩叔叔为什么把这个送给我？这位贵族心想。272
I wouldn’t have thought he’d have ever parted with it.我还以为他永远也舍不得把它送人。273
Unless he had some premonition of his death and was afraid Aunt Dorath would lock it away from sight.除非他预感到自己将死，担心多拉丝姑妈会把它锁起来，不让人看见。274
Giogi took his hand off the statue to search the cloth wrapping for a note of explanation.乔吉把手从雕像上移开，在包裹雕像的布料中翻找起来，想看看有没有说明缘由的字条。275
“Down, Spot.“下来，斑点。276
Naughty boy,” a wheezy voice suddenly chided.坏孩子。”一个气喘吁吁的声音突然斥责道。277
Giogi sat up and stared at the statue.乔吉坐起身，凝视着雕像。278
The lovely lips of the carving of Selune moved, and from them issued an old man’s voice—Uncle Drone’s voice.塞露恩雕像那优美的双唇动了起来，从中传出一个老人的声音——是德罗恩叔叔的声音。279
The voice spoke again, saying, “Giogi, listen.那声音再次响起：“乔吉，听着。280
The wyvern’s spur is your destiny.双足飞龙的马刺是你的宿命。281
Steele mustn’t get it.不能让斯蒂尔得到它。282
You must find it first.你必须抢先找到它。283
Search for the thief.”去找那个窃贼。”284
The statue’s mouth froze back into its normal alluring shape and was silent.雕像的嘴恢复成平常那诱人的形状，静默无声。285
The room was quiet, except for the wind and rain on the windows.房间里一片寂静，只有风雨敲打窗户的声音。286
Spot jumped up on the desk and sniffed at the statue.斑点跳上书桌，嗅了嗅雕像。287
Cat’s brow furrowed in puzzlement.凯特困惑地皱起眉头。288
There was something very unusual about the magical message.这道魔法讯息有个很不寻常的地方。289
She did a quick mental calculation.她迅速在心里估算了一番。290
Yes, she realized, something’s missing.没错，她意识到，少了点什么。291
“Who’s voice was that?” she asked.“那是谁的声音？”她问。292
“Uncle Drone’s,” Giogi replied.“德罗恩叔叔的。”乔吉答道。293
An ache settled in his heart.他的心中泛起一阵痛楚。294
That’s the last time I’ll ever hear his voice, he realized.他意识到：这是我这辈子最后一次听到他的声音了。295
“And who’s Spot?” the mage asked.“斑点又是谁？”法师问。296
“His cat.“他的猫。297
This beast,” Giogi explained, reaching out to stroke Spot’s fur.就是这只畜生。”乔吉解释道，伸手去抚摸斑点的毛。298
Spot pushed Giogi’s quill pen off the desk to the floor and leaped down after it.斑点把乔吉的羽毛笔从书桌上推到地板上，又跟着跳了下去。299
“What did your Uncle Drone mean,” Cat asked, “by the wyvern’s spur being your destiny?”“你德罗恩叔叔说，双足飞龙的马刺是你的宿命，”凯特问，“这是什么意思？”300
“I’m not sure.“我不太确定。301
I suppose it has something to do with my father.我想这大概和我父亲有关。302
He used the spur somehow.他曾用过那枚马刺。303
I guess Uncle Drone expects me to, as well.”我猜德罗恩叔叔也希望我使用它。”304
“How can the spur be used?” the mage asked curiously.“那枚马刺要怎么用？”法师好奇地问道。305
Giogi shrugged.乔吉耸了耸肩。306
“I don’t know.”“我不知道。”307
Cat sank down onto the thick Calimsham carpeting and sat cross-legged beside the writing table.凯特在厚厚的卡林珊地毯上坐下，盘腿坐在书桌旁。308
“Do you think your uncle was telling the truth when he told your aunt he didn’t have the spur or know where it was?”“你觉得你叔叔对你姑妈说他没有那枚马刺，也不知道它在哪里时，说的是真话吗？”309
“Oh, Uncle Drone would never lie,” Giogi said.“哦，德罗恩叔叔从来不会撒谎。”乔吉说。310
“But he told your family the thief was in the catacombs,” Cat pointed out with a skeptical smile.“可他告诉你的家人，那个贼在地下墓穴里。”凯特带着怀疑的微笑指出。311
“Actually, what he said was the would-be thief was stuck in the catacombs.“其实，他说的是那个想当贼的家伙被困在地下墓穴里了。312
He was right, wasn’t he?” the nobleman asked.他说得没错，不是吗？”那位贵族问道。313
He meant the question to be a chastisement, but he couldn’t help grinning at the mage.他本想用这个问题责备她一番，却忍不住冲法师咧嘴一笑。314
Cat blushed with embarrassment and stared down at her lap.凯特尴尬得红了脸，低头盯着自己的膝头。315
“It’s possible,” Giogi admitted, “that Uncle Drone knew more about the real thief than he let on.“德罗恩叔叔对真正的窃贼所知的，可能比他透露出来的更多，”乔吉承认道，316
I don’t see how he expected me to find the spur without telling me more about the thief, though,” he added irritably.“不过，他什么也不多告诉我，又怎么指望我找到那枚马刺呢？”他恼火地补充道。317
Cat looked back up at the nobleman.凯特重新抬眼看向那位贵族。318
“He may have meant to include something more about the thief in his message, but it got cut off,” the mage conjectured.“他本来或许还想在留言里多说些关于窃贼的事，但讯息中途断掉了。”法师推测道。319
“Cut off?“中途断掉了？320
What do you mean?”你是什么意思？”321
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。322
Cat repeated the message, holding up a finger for every word.凯特把那段口信重复了一遍，每念一个词就竖起一根手指。323
“ ‘Giogi listen.“‘乔吉，听着。324
The wyvern’s spur is your destiny.双足飞龙之刺是你的命运。325
Steele mustn’t get it.绝不能让斯蒂尔得到它。326
You must find it first.你必须抢先找到它。327
Search for the thief.’去找那个小偷。’328
That’s twenty-one words.一共二十一个词。329
The spell he used to send the message only has magic enough to send twenty-five words.他用来传递口信的法术，魔力只够传送二十五个词。330
That leaves four words.”还剩四个词。”331
“Four words,” Giogi mused.“四个词。”乔吉沉吟道。332
“He could have told me the thief’s name and city, at least.“他至少可以告诉我那个小偷的名字和所在的城市。333
Why didn’t he?”他为什么没说呢？”334
“He probably did, but he used four words at the beginning of the message, probably by accident.“他大概说了，只不过他在口信开头用掉了四个词，可能是不小心说的。335
Remember?”还记得吗？”336
“ ‘Down, Spot.“‘趴下，斑点。337
Naughty boy,’ ” Giogi said with a sigh.坏孩子。’”乔吉叹了口气，说道。338
He looked at the tomcat chewing on his quill pen.他看了看那只正嚼着他羽毛笔的公猫。339
“You are a naughty boy, too,” the noble said, pulling the feather from the cat’s mouth and setting it back up on the desk.“你也是个坏孩子。”那贵族说着，从猫嘴里抽出羽毛，重新放回书桌上。340
“Well, that’s that.”“好吧，就这样吧。”341
“A priest might be able to try speaking with his spirit,” Cat suggested.“祭司或许能试着与他的灵魂交谈。”凯特提议道。342
“Aunt Dorath would never allow that.“多拉丝姑妈绝不会允许的。343
Not even to find the spur.就算是为了找到双足飞龙之刺也不行。344
We don’t disturb the dead in our family.”我们家从不惊扰死者。”345
“Then you’re back to scratch unless there’s anything else you can think of that your uncle might have mentioned.“那你只好从头查起了，除非你还能想起你叔叔可能提过的别的事情。346
Is there?” the mage queried.有吗？”法师追问道。347
“He told me to watch my step, that my life could be in danger,” Giogi recalled.“他叫我小心行事，说我可能会有生命危险。”乔吉回忆道。348
“From whom?”“谁会害你？”349
Cat asked.凯特问道。350
Giogi shook his head uncertainly.乔吉茫然地摇了摇头。351
He considered Julia’s attempt to drug him at Steele’s request.他想起了朱莉娅受斯蒂尔指使，企图给他下药的事。352
Steele wouldn’t have killed me, he thought.斯蒂尔不会杀我的，他想。353
The guardian would never harm a Wyvernspur, even if she is always talking about cracking bones.守护者绝不会伤害飞龙刺家的人，哪怕她总把敲断骨头挂在嘴边。354
Uncle Drone wouldn’t have bothered to warn me about the disgusting stirges or the awful kobolds or the bugbears—he knew I already knew about them.德罗恩叔叔不会特意提醒我提防那些恶心的血蚊、可怕的狗头人或熊地精——他知道我早就清楚它们的存在。355
The only other person down there was Cat.当时在下面的另一个人只有凯特。356
Giogi looked at the lovely mage.乔吉望着这位美丽的法师。357
Her face was still pale and drawn from exhaustion, but her green eyes glittered.她的脸依然因疲惫而苍白憔悴，但那双绿眼睛却熠熠生辉。358
She saved my life in the catacombs, he thought, so it couldn’t have been her that Uncle Drone meant.她在地下墓穴里救了我的命，他想，所以德罗恩叔叔指的不会是她。359
She must have been freezing down there, Giogi realized, noting the way the firelight shone through Cat’s shimmering robes, outlining her slender figure.乔吉注意到火光透过凯特那身闪光的长袍，勾勒出她纤细的身形，这才意识到她在下面一定冻坏了。360
Her long, shining copper hair would have kept her warmer than that foolish frock, he thought.他想，她那头修长闪亮的赤铜色头发，恐怕都比那件愚蠢的裙袍更能保暖。361
“Master Giogioni?“乔吉奥尼少爷？”362
Who are you thinking of?“您在想谁？”363
Who would want to kill you?”“谁会想杀您？”364
Cat asked, noting the faraway look in the young noble’s eyes.凯特问道，她注意到这位年轻贵族眼中露出了恍惚的神色。365
Giogi snapped out of his reverie.乔吉猛然从遐思中回过神来。366
“No one.“没有人。”367
I haven’t got any enemies.”“我没有任何仇敌。”368
“Does the guardian know about your fate?“守护者知道您的命运吗？”369
Is that what she meant by ‘not long now’?”“她说‘时间不多了’，指的就是这个吗？”370
“I don’t know.”“我不知道。”371
“You said before that you don’t want to know, I would want to know if it were my fate.“你之前说过你不想知道。要是关乎我的命运，我会想知道的。372
Why don’t you want to know?”你为什么不想知道？”373
Giogi shuddered.乔吉打了个寒战。374
“Because it has something to do with dreaming about the death cry of prey, the taste of warm blood, and the crunch of bone.”“因为那似乎与梦见猎物临死前的哀号、温热鲜血的滋味，还有骨头碎裂的喀嚓声有关。”375
The words just tumbled off his tongue before he could hold them back.他还没来得及阻止，这些话便脱口而出了。376
“Do you dream about those things?”“你会梦见这些吗？”377
Cat asked in an awed whisper.凯特满怀敬畏地低声问道。378
Her eyes widened with excitement.她兴奋地睁大了眼睛。379
“No,” Giogi said, then he amended, “not often.”“不会，”乔吉说，随即又改口道，“不常梦见。”380
“How interesting,” the mage said.“真有意思，”法师说。381
“What kind of prey?”“什么样的猎物？”382
Giogi shuddered, a little shocked by Cat’s reaction.乔吉打了个寒战，对凯特的反应有些吃惊。383
There was a knock at the parlor door.会客厅的门响起了敲门声。384
Giogi felt a flash of relief that the conversation was interrupted.谈话被打断，乔吉顿时感到一阵轻松。385
“Come in,” the noble called.“进来。”年轻贵族喊道。386
Thomas stepped one pace into the room.托马斯迈进房间一步。387
“Luncheon is served, sir,” he announced, then he retreated hastily.“先生，午餐已经备好了。”他禀报道，随即匆忙退了出去。388
The sight of the beautiful woman seated at his master’s feet flustered him.看到那位美丽的女子坐在主人脚边，他顿时慌了神。389
He withdrew from the parlor hurriedly.他急匆匆地退出了会客厅。390
Giogi rose and bent to help Cat stand.乔吉站起身，弯腰扶凯特起来。391
She placed her hand in his own and used it to steady herself as she stood.她把手放进他手中，借力稳住身子站了起来。392
Her thankful smile warmed the young noble.她感激的微笑令年轻贵族心中一暖。393
He led her from the parlor and into the dining room.他领着她走出会客厅，进入餐厅。394
Thomas had whipped up a simple meal: cheese fondue, venison broth with noodles, fish poached in wine, and crepes with boysenberry jam.托马斯匆匆张罗了一顿简单的饭菜：奶酪火锅、鹿肉汤面、葡萄酒煮鱼，以及配波森莓果酱的可丽饼。395
Cat seemed delighted with each course, which pleased Giogi, but the young man didn’t feel very hungry.凯特似乎对每一道菜都十分满意，这让乔吉很高兴，但他自己却没什么胃口。396
When I was younger, he thought, I had no trouble devouring a meal this size and asking how soon until tea.我小时候，他心想，吃掉这么一大顿饭不在话下，吃完还能问离下午茶还有多久。397
What’s happened to my appetite? he wondered.我的胃口怎么了？他纳闷道。398
Conversation was suspended briefly while they ate, but Cat resumed her questions as they finished off the lemon tea.吃饭时，他们暂且停止了交谈，但喝完柠檬茶时，凯特又问了起来。399
“If I must be a Wyvernspur because the guardian let me pass, then the spur’s thief must be a Wyvernspur, too, right?” she asked.“如果守护者放我通过，就说明我必定是飞龙刺家族的人，那么偷走飞龙刺的人也一定是飞龙刺家族的人，对吧？”她问道。400
Giogi nodded.乔吉点了点头。401
“How many of you are there?”“你们一共有多少人？”402
“Well, there’s me and Aunt Dorath and Uncle Drone and Frefford and Steele and Julia, oh, and Frefford’s wife and new baby daughter.“嗯，有我、多拉丝姑妈、德罗恩叔叔、弗雷福德、斯蒂尔和朱莉娅，哦，还有弗雷福德的妻子和刚出生的女儿。403
That’s all that’s left of Gerrin Wyvernspur’s line—that’s old Paton’s grandson.格林·飞龙刺这一脉就只剩下我们了——格林是老佩顿的孙子。404
There must be other lines of the family.家族里肯定还有别的支系。405
Gerrin had a brother.格林有个兄弟。406
I can’t remember his name, but, anyway, none of his descendants have kept in touch with the Immersea branch.我不记得他叫什么了，不过，他的后代没有一个跟伊默海这一支保持联系。407
We didn’t even know if there were any, but the real thief must be one of them.我们甚至不知道他究竟有没有后代，但真正的窃贼肯定就是他们中的一个。408
You must be one of them, too,” Giogi explained.你也一定是他们中的一个。”乔吉解释道。409
“I wouldn’t know,” Cat said with a disinterested shrug.“我可不知道。”凯特漠不关心地耸了耸肩。410
“I’m an orphan,” she explained.“我是个孤儿。”她解释道。411
Giogi gave the mage a sympathetic look.乔吉同情地看了这位法师一眼。412
“I’m so sorry,” he said.“真遗憾。”他说。413
“Why should you be?”“你有什么好遗憾的？”414
Cat asked sharply, annoyed by what she thought was pity.凯特厉声问道，以为他在怜悯自己，心里很是不快。415
“Well, it’s pretty awful being an orphan,” Giogi replied sincerely.“这个嘛，当孤儿实在太惨了。”乔吉诚恳地答道。416
“I know.“我知道。417
I’m one myself.我自己也是孤儿。418
My father died when I was eight.我八岁时，父亲去世了。419
My mother died a year later, of a broken heart, they say.一年后，母亲也去世了，听说她是心碎而死的。420
I miss them both.”我很想念他们。”421
The nobleman’s tenderheartedness disturbed the mage.这位贵族的柔情令法师感到不安。422
She explained hastily, “I don’t remember my parents.”她连忙解释道：“我不记得自己的父母了。”423
She stifled a yawn.她强忍住一个哈欠。424
“I shouldn’t be keeping you from your nap,” Giogi said.“我不该耽误你午睡，”乔吉说。425
“I’ll show you to your room.”“我带你去你的房间。”426
“What will you be doing this afternoon?” the mage asked.“你今天下午打算做什么？”法师问。427
“Well, I’d like to visit Frefford’s new daughter.“嗯，我想去看看弗雷福德新添的女儿。428
Then—” Giogi hesitated, trying to decide what he could do.然后——”乔吉迟疑了一下，琢磨着自己还能做些什么。429
“I think I need to speak to someone who knows more about the spur.”“我想，我得找个对那枚马刺更了解的人谈谈。”430
“Who’s that?”“那是谁？”431
Cat asked, stifling another yawn.凯特强忍着又一个哈欠，问道。432
“I don’t know,” Giogi replied.“我不知道，”乔吉答道。433
“There has to be somebody.”“总会有这么一个人的。”434