Olive stamped her hoof and cursed Cat for the twentieth time.奥利芙跺着蹄子，第二十次咒骂起凯特来。1
Why do mages always have to be so damned efficient? she wondered.为什么法师总非得这么该死的干净利落？她心想。2
As if it’s not bad enough she’s going to betray good ol’ Giogi, she’s got to go and leave me locked in the carriage house so I can’t get out to stop her.她要背叛老好人乔吉还不够糟，居然还非得把我锁在马车房里，让我出不去阻止她。3
I knew that woman was trouble from the moment I set eyes on her.我第一眼见到那个女人，就知道她是个祸害。4
With some effort, Olive had gotten her burro mouth around the door handle and turned it, but found that Cat had taken the precaution of sliding the bolt on the outside of the door.奥利芙费了好一番力气，才用毛驴的嘴含住门把手转动起来，却发现凯特早有防备，从门外插上了门闩。5
Ordinarily, given sufficient time, Olive could have worked the bolt over with a wire or something, but hooves severely limited her dexterity.平常只要时间充足，奥利芙本可以用铁丝之类的东西拨开门闩，可蹄子严重限制了她的灵巧程度。6
I’d give a small fortune for a thumb, she thought, rattling the door handle with her teeth.要是能有一根拇指，我愿意拿一小笔财产来换，她一边想着，一边用牙齿摇晃门把手。7
The burro paced the carriage house like a nervous cat.这头毛驴像只焦躁不安的猫一样，在马车房里来回踱步。8
I may never make Giogi understand I’m not a burro.我可能永远也没法让乔吉明白，我不是毛驴。9
I’ve got to get out of here and find someone a little brighter than he and powerful enough to change me back into a halfling.我得离开这里，找个比他聪明一点、又有足够法力把我变回半身人的人。10
Then I have to get back here and warn Giogi that Flattery is one of his relatives, as well as a murdering lunatic, and that Cat is really a viper.然后我还得赶回来警告乔吉，弗拉特里不仅是他的亲戚，还是个杀人不眨眼的疯子，而凯特根本就是条毒蛇。11
Olive made a mental list of the few halfling adventurers in town who might be trusted with the secret of her awful and embarrassing transformation, and began thinking up ways to communicate with them.奥利芙在脑中列出城里寥寥几个或许能托付这一秘密的半身人冒险者——她那可怕又丢人的变形经历——并开始琢磨该如何与他们沟通。12
She found that with some effort she could scratch her own name in the dirt with a forehoof.她发现，只要费些力气，自己就能用一只前蹄在泥地上划出名字。13
Now, if I could just get out of this carriage house, corner one of my people, and make them hold still for an hour while I demonstrate my abilities, I’m all set, Olive thought.现在，只要我能离开这间马车房，堵住一个族人，再让对方老老实实待上一个钟头，看我展示自己的本事，那就万事大吉了，奥利芙心想。14
After an hour of planning, though, she grew tired of anticipating her escape and the heroics that would follow.不过，谋划了一个钟头之后，她开始厌倦一遍遍设想自己如何逃脱，以及随之而来的英勇壮举。15
Each version she imagined ended in a spine-tingling tale of derring-do and last-minute rescues, but all ignored the problem of getting out of the carriage house.她想象的每一种版本，最终都会成为一个充满惊险壮举和最后一刻救援的动人故事，却全都忽略了该怎么离开马车房这个难题。16
With nothing better to do, she began exploring the carriage house more fully.反正无事可做，她便开始更加仔细地探索这间马车房。17
The last rays of the setting sun broke through the clouds and streamed through the windows, so there was enough light for her to make out her surroundings.夕阳的最后几缕光线穿破云层，从窗户里照了进来，亮度足以让她看清周围的环境。18
On the other side of the buggy was quite an organized assortment of adventuring gear.轻便马车的另一边，整整齐齐地摆放着各式各样的冒险装备。19
Not the kind of stuff one would expect to find in the carriage house of a man-about-town, Olive mused.这可不像是一个城中阔少的马车房里该有的东西，奥利芙暗自思忖。20
This was where all the things that Giogi loaded on me this morning came from.乔吉今天早上装到我背上的那些东西，原来全是从这里拿的。21
Everything Olive had carted into the catacombs was stashed neatly in a long line of open chests and crates, which also held sacks and backpacks, tents, blankets, saddlebags, chains, knives and whetstones, camp dishes, a beat-up shield, a Talis deck, dice, a backgammon board, mirrors, snares, nets, magnifying glasses, a few bottles of wine, and even lockpicks.奥利芙驮进地下墓穴的所有东西，都整整齐齐地收在一长排敞开的箱子和木条箱里；其中还放着布袋和背包、帐篷、毯子、鞍囊、锁链、刀子和磨刀石、露营餐具、一面破旧的盾牌、一副塔利斯牌、骰子、一块西洋双陆棋盘、镜子、捕兽套、网、放大镜、几瓶葡萄酒，甚至还有开锁工具。22
In the loft overhead Olive could spy a few more chests, but she was unable to navigate the ladder to the loft.奥利芙还能瞧见头顶阁楼里另外几口箱子，可她没法爬上通往阁楼的梯子。23
Gardening tools hung from the back wall, beside varying sizes of tack and saddles.后墙上挂着园艺工具，旁边则是大小不一的马具和鞍子。24
The halfling studied everything.半身人仔细察看了所有东西。25
Most of the equipment was old and worn, though well maintained.大部分装备都已陈旧磨损，不过保养得很好。26
In the end, however, her interest in the carriage house’s trove waned.然而到最后，她对马车房里的这批宝贝渐渐失去了兴趣。27
A burro had limited options with human tools.一头小毛驴能用人类工具做的事实在有限。28
I’m going to die of boredom, Olive thought, walking back into her stall.我非得无聊死不可，奥利芙一边想着，一边走回自己的畜栏。29
Cat had left Nameless’s portrait leaning against the wall, presumably to prevent a repeat of Flattery’s flame-flinging at their next rendezvous.凯特把无名者的画像斜靠在墙边，大概是为了防止下次碰头时弗拉特里又朝他们挥洒火焰。30
The sun had set, but in the gray twilight within the building Olive could see the splotch of black paint on the portrait’s back, which blotted out the bard’s given name.太阳已经落山，但借着建筑内灰蒙蒙的暮光，奥利芙仍能看见画像背面那片黑色颜料；它涂掉了那位吟游诗人的本名。31
The paint had begun peeling from the heat of Flattery’s outburst.受弗拉特里爆发时的高温炙烤，颜料已经开始剥落。32
Let’s have a closer look, shall we?咱们凑近瞧瞧，好不好？33
Olive thought.奥利芙想。34
She brushed against the back of the canvas with her muzzle, and paint flaked away.她用鼻口蹭了蹭画布背面，颜料便片片剥落下来。35
She had to step back to focus both her eyes.她不得不往后退一步，好让双眼都能对准焦点。36
Nameless, you aren’t nameless anymore, she thought excitedly.无名者，你现在不再是无名者了，她兴奋地想。37
Your name is …你的名字是……38
Finder?芬德？39
Finder Wyvernspur.芬德·飞龙刺。40
That’s a peculiar sort of name.这名字可真古怪。41
Sounds like a—like the finder’s stone!听起来就像——就像那块寻物石！42
Could the stone have been the Nameless Bard’s?那块石头会不会原本属于无名吟游诗人？43
Olive wondered.奥利芙暗自琢磨。44
Is that why Elminster gave it to Alias?伊尔明斯特把它交给阿莉亚丝，难道就是因为这个？45
Is it only coincidence that it’s fallen into the hands of another Wyvernspur?如今它落到了另一个飞龙刺手中，难道只是巧合吗？46
Olive’s nostrils twitched at the smell of the charred painting.奥利芙闻到那幅烧焦的画散发出的气味，鼻翼抽动了一下。47
Was Flattery’s violent reaction to the painting merely a reflection of his hatred for his entire family?弗拉特里对那幅画的激烈反应，难道仅仅反映了他对整个家族的憎恨？48
No, Olive realized.不，奥利芙明白了。49
Flattery’s first words upon flaming the portrait were “curse him.”弗拉特里放火烧那幅肖像时，脱口而出的第一句话是“诅咒他”。50
His anger had been directed most specifically at Finder.他的怒火显然主要是冲着芬德去的。51
Finder’s been in magical exile for nearly two hundred years, though.可是，芬德遭到魔法放逐至今已经快两百年了。52
How could Flattery have recognized him?弗拉特里怎么可能认出他？53
Has Flattery lived that long and remained as young as he looks by using magic?难道弗拉特里已经活了那么久，还靠魔法一直保持着看起来这般年轻的模样？54
Well, I’m never going to answer all these questions by just thinking about them, Olive sighed.唉，光靠坐在这里想，我永远也找不到所有这些问题的答案，奥利芙叹息道。55
I need to get out of here.我得离开这里。56
She left the stall to stand next to the outside door; she planned to try to slip out the next time someone opened it.她离开马厩隔间，站到通往外面的门边；她打算等下次有人开门时，找机会溜出去。57
I have to be ready to spring into action.我得做好随时行动的准备。58
I have to be as vigilant as a spider in a web, able to strike with the speed of a snake, as fierce and as wild as a panther, she thought.我必须像网上的蜘蛛一样警觉，出击时要像蛇一样迅捷，还要像黑豹一样凶猛狂野，她想。59
As she waited for her chance, Olive fell asleep on her feet.奥利芙一边等着机会，一边站着睡着了。60
Voices out in the garden woke her.花园里传来的说话声惊醒了她。61
Darkness had fallen completely.天已经完全黑了。62
Olive stiffened with alertness.奥利芙立刻绷紧身体，警觉起来。63
The carriage house door opened a crack.马车房的门打开了一条缝。64
Olive waited for her chance.奥利芙等待着机会。65
“All clear,” a male voice whispered.“没有异样，”一个男人低声说道。66
The door opened farther, but it was blocked by two bodies.门开得更大了，却被两个人的身体堵住。67
A man and a woman slipped in quickly and closed the door behind them.一男一女迅速溜了进来，随手关上了身后的门。68
I could get that door open with my teeth if they would just move away from it, Olive thought.只要他们肯从门边走开，我用牙都能把那扇门打开，奥利芙想。69
“Steele, this is crazy,” the woman hissed.“斯蒂尔，这太疯狂了。”女人低声斥道。70
Olive recognized Julia’s voice.奥利芙认出了朱莉娅的声音。71
The man unshuttered his lantern, and its glow illuminated Julia’s lovely features.男人打开提灯的遮光罩，灯光照亮了朱莉娅姣好的面容。72
She looked less haughty at the moment.此刻，她看上去没那么傲慢了。73
Her face was drawn with exhaustion, and her eyes were glazed with confusion.她满脸倦容，双眼因困惑而显得茫然。74
The halfling stepped back into the shadow of the ruined buggy.半身人退进破马车的阴影里。75
Olive wouldn’t put it past the little witch to exact revenge on the burro for foiling her plan to drug Giogi.奥利芙一点也不怀疑，这个小巫婆会为了那头毛驴破坏了她给乔吉下药的计划而报复它。76
“Sister, dear,” the man hissed, “would you stop whining and try to show some spine?”“亲爱的妹妹，”男人低声说道，“你能不能别再抱怨，拿出点骨气来？”77
Interesting advice, Olive thought, from a man who tortures kobolds and nearly had his own spine crushed in one of their traps.这建议可真有意思，奥利芙心想，居然出自一个折磨狗头人、还差点被他们的陷阱压断脊梁的男人之口。78
Steele held his lantern up to survey the interior of the carriage house.斯蒂尔举起提灯，察看马车房内部。79
There’s a simple way, Olive realized, to tell Steele apart from Frefford, Nameless, and Flattery, aside from his age and the birthmark by his lip.奥利芙意识到，除了年龄和唇边的胎记之外，还有一个简单的办法，能把斯蒂尔同弗雷福德、无名者和弗拉特里区分开来。80
Frefford had a sympathetic, pleasant smile, which would be impossible for the others to imitate.弗雷福德的笑容亲切和善，另外几个人绝不可能模仿得出来。81
Nameless’s years of exile and subsequent tortures had taken a lot out of him, so he generally stared into space with a stern, thoughtful look—void of haughtiness, unlike Steele’s face.多年的流放和之后遭受的酷刑令无名者元气大伤，因此他通常只是神情严肃、若有所思地凝视着虚空——不像斯蒂尔，他脸上毫无傲慢之色。82
Steele’s demeanor most resembled Flattery’s. They had the same cold, calculating look, and, Olive suspected, the same icy laugh.斯蒂尔的气质最像弗拉特里。他们都有同样冷酷而精于算计的神情，而且奥利芙怀疑，他们连阴冷的笑声也一模一样。83
Except for that moment when he’d been burning down the barn—and had resembled a mad dog—Flattery’s coolness seemed imperturbable.除了放火烧谷仓时的那一刻——当时他像条疯狗——弗拉特里的冷静似乎从不会被动摇。84
Steele, on the other hand, was unable to hide a desperation that lay just beneath the surface.而斯蒂尔却无法掩饰潜藏在表面之下的绝望。85
And, while Olive doubted he was half as powerful as the mage Flattery, Steele managed to look twice as arrogant.而且，尽管奥利芙怀疑他的力量连法师弗拉特里的一半都不到，斯蒂尔表现出的傲慢却是对方的两倍。86
“You still haven’t told me why, in the worst possible weather, we’ve come all the way out here from Redstone just to sneak into this awful barn,” Julia said, not bothering to hide her annoyance.“你还是没告诉我，为什么我们偏要在这种糟糕透顶的天气里，一路从红石赶到这里，就为了偷偷溜进这间可怕的谷仓。”朱莉娅说道，毫不掩饰自己的恼火。87
“It’s a carriage house, not a barn,” Steel corrected, “and we’re here because it’s unthinkable that our weak-willed, idiot Cousin Giogi should have the spur.“这是马车房，不是谷仓，”斯蒂尔纠正道，“我们来这里，是因为绝不能让我们那个意志薄弱的白痴表弟乔吉拥有那枚马刺。88
It should be in the hands of someone who knows how to wield power.它应该掌握在懂得如何运用力量的人手中。89
Someone who knows how to make the best use of it.一个懂得如何将它发挥到极致的人。90
Someone of strength and valor.”一个有力量、有勇气的人。”91
Olive recalled how Alias had once called Nameless a man with overweening vanity.奥利芙想起，阿莉亚丝曾称无名者是个虚荣心过盛的人。92
No doubt it runs in the family, the halfling thought.这肯定是他们家族的遗传，半身人心想。93
Compared to Steele and Flattery, though, Nameless is downright modest.不过，跟斯蒂尔和弗拉特里相比，无名者简直称得上谦逊。94
“Steele, would you get to the point,” Julia snapped.“斯蒂尔，你能不能直奔主题？”朱莉娅厉声道。95
“You said Giogi had a burro,” Steele said.“你说乔吉有头小毛驴，”斯蒂尔说道。96
“Yes,” Julia replied.“没错，”朱莉娅答道。97
“A vicious little creature that I would rather not run into again.”“一头凶巴巴的小畜生，我可不想再碰上它。”98
She looked around the interior of the carriage house nervously.她紧张地环顾马车房内部。99
The feeling is mutual, I’m sure, Olive thought.我敢肯定，它也是这么想的，奥利芙心想。100
“I need to find that burro,” Steele said.“我得找到那头小毛驴，”斯蒂尔说道。101
Olive backed deeper into the shadows.奥利芙往阴影深处又退了退。102
She didn’t especially want to be found by a known torturer of kobolds.她可不怎么想被一个以折磨狗头人闻名的家伙发现。103
If only Julia would move away from that door, Olive thought.但愿朱莉娅能从那扇门前走开，奥利芙心想。104
“What’s so special about the burro?”“那头小毛驴有什么特别的？”105
Julia asked, leaning wearily against the door.朱莉娅疲惫地倚着门问道。106
“It cost me a small fortune,” Steele told her, “but I paid the priest at the church of Waukeen to perform a divination for me.“这花了我一大笔钱，”斯蒂尔告诉她，“不过我付钱请沃金神殿的祭司替我施了一次占卜术。107
I asked where the spur was.我问他马刺在哪里。108
He told me: ‘In the little ass’s pocket.’ ”他告诉我：‘在那头小蠢驴的口袋里。’”109
“If it’s in Giogi’s pocket, why are we out here?”“如果在乔吉的口袋里，我们为什么还要跑到这里来？”110
Julia complained.朱莉娅抱怨道。111
“It’s not in Giogi’s pocket,” Steele replied with exasperation.“不在乔吉的口袋里，”斯蒂尔恼火地答道。112
“It’s in the little ass’s pocket.”“是在那头小蠢驴的口袋里。”113
Very slowly, as if talking to a child, he explained to his sister, “A burro is a little ass.”他非常缓慢地对自己的姐妹解释道，仿佛在跟小孩子说话：“burro就是一头小蠢驴。”114
Wherever I go, Olive whined silently, people are always blaming me when something goes missing.不管我走到哪儿，奥利芙都在心里哀叹，只要有什么东西不见了，人们总要怪到我头上。115
It’s not fair.这不公平。116
I’ve never even laid eyes on this stupid spur.我连这根蠢马刺长什么样都没见过。117
Besides—再说了——118
“Asses don’t have pockets,” Julia snapped.“驴根本没有口袋，”朱莉娅厉声道。119
Took the words right out of my mouth, Olive thought.她把我想说的话全说了，奥利芙心想。120
“Obviously it’s some sort of riddle,” Steele said.“很明显，这是什么谜语。”斯蒂尔说。121
Feigning patience, Steele continued to explain to Julia in a slow, steady voice, “The spur could be in the burro’s saddlebags, or maybe Giogi made it a little jacket—that’s the sort of fool thing he’s always doing.斯蒂尔装出耐心的样子，继续用缓慢而平稳的语气向朱莉娅解释：“马刺可能在驴子的鞍袋里，也可能是乔吉给它做了件小外套——他总爱干这种蠢事。122
Maybe the spur is inside the burro.也许马刺就在驴子肚子里。123
Then I’ll have to skin it.”那我只好剥了它的皮。”124
Olive’s heart thudded in her chest as she looked around for some place safer to hide than the shadows.奥利芙环顾四周，想找一个比阴影中更安全的藏身之处，心脏在胸腔里怦怦直跳。125
This isn’t fair, she thought again.这不公平，她再次想道。126
I haven’t got the spur in my pocket.马刺又不在我的口袋里。127
Unless—unless it’s in Jade’s magic purse, she realized.除非——除非它在杰德的魔法钱袋里，她猛然想到。128
Steele stepped into the stall that had been Olive’s. “Waukeen’s wits,” he snarled, “what a mess.”斯蒂尔走进原本属于奥利芙的畜栏。“沃金的智慧啊，”他咆哮道，“这里可真是一团糟。”129
“What is it?”“怎么了？”130
Julia asked, too nervous to stray from her post by the door.朱莉娅问道，她紧张得不敢离开门边的岗位。131
“Looks like there’s been a fire in here,” Steele said.“这里看起来像是失过火，”斯蒂尔说。132
“Maybe Giogi had an accident with a lamp.”“也许乔吉用灯时出了意外。”133
“Look at his carriage,” Julia said.“看看他的马车，”朱莉娅说。134
“He told Aunt Dorath last night that there was nothing wrong with it.”“他昨晚还告诉多拉丝姨妈，说马车一点问题也没有。”135
Steele stepped out of the burro’s stall.斯蒂尔走出驴子的畜栏。136
“Something snapped the wheel in two.“有什么东西把轮子折成了两半。137
I’ve never seen a break like that before.”我从没见过这样的断口。”138
He shook his head and turned to continue his search.他摇摇头，转身继续搜寻。139
“Maybe he keeps the burro with the mare,” Steele muttered.“也许他把驴子和母马养在一起，”斯蒂尔低声嘟囔道。140
He opened the door to Daisyeye’s stall.他打开了雏菊眼畜栏的门。141
Olive’s stomach suddenly felt very queasy.奥利芙的胃里突然一阵翻江倒海。142
Lady of Luck, don’t let it be the oats, she prayed silently.幸运女神啊，千万别是那些燕麦，她默默祈祷。143
Daisyeye nickered.雏菊眼轻嘶了一声。144
“Easy, girl,” Steele whispered, handing the horse a handful of oats.“乖，姑娘。”斯蒂尔低声说着，喂给那匹马一把燕麦。145
“You have any company in here?“这里面还有谁陪着你吗？146
No.”没有。”147
Olive held her breath and tried to keep herself from lowing in pain.奥利芙屏住呼吸，竭力不让自己痛得哞叫出声。148
Unable to double over, her first instinct was to lie down.她没法弯腰蜷起身子，第一个念头便是躺下。149
You can’t do that, Olive-girl! she berated herself, that’s the worst thing you can do.你不能那么做，奥利芙姑娘！她斥责自己，那是你最不该做的事。150
You need to walk around.你得走动走动。151
Fear of discovery by the spur hunters, though, kept Olive frozen in place.然而，害怕被马刺猎人发现，奥利芙僵在原地，一动也不敢动。152
“Aren’t you a beauty,” Steele said to Daisyeye.“你可真漂亮。”斯蒂尔对雏菊眼说。153
“Giogi always has the best horses,” he bemoaned, “and then names them all the same idiot name.”“乔吉总有最好的马，”他抱怨道，“可他偏偏给它们全都起同一个蠢名字。”154
“Maybe the burro’s out in the garden,” Julia suggested.“也许那头驴在花园里。”朱莉娅猜测道。155
“In weather like this?”“这种天气？”156
Steele shook his head.斯蒂尔摇了摇头。157
“Giogi’s too softhearted to leave an animal out in the cold and wet.”“乔吉心太软，不会把动物留在外面挨冷受淋。”158
“Maybe he rented it or boards it out.”“也许他把它租出去了，或者寄养在别处。”159
“I checked all the other stables in town.“镇上其他所有马厩我都查过了。160
I found four mules, but no asses anywhere.我找到了四头骡子，可哪里都没有驴。161
No, it has to be here somewhere.不，它一定就在这里的什么地方。162
Do you think he was stupid enough to leave it tied to his carriage?”你觉得他会蠢到把它拴在自己的马车旁吗？”163
He’s going to search this side of the carriage house!他要搜马车房的这一边了！164
Olive thought with panic.奥利芙惊慌地想。165
She hugged herself nervously in the darkness.她在黑暗中紧张地抱住自己。166
I’ll never be able to fend off both of them.我绝对应付不了他们两个人。167
What should I do?我该怎么办？168
Think, Olive-girl, she ordered herself, massaging her temples with her fingers.快想，奥利芙姑娘，她一边用手指揉着太阳穴，一边命令自己。169
Olive’s eyes widened with the sudden realization of what she was doing.奥利芙猛然意识到自己在做什么，惊讶地睁大了眼睛。170
She brought her fingers down in front of her and wiggled them in disbelief.她把双手伸到面前，难以置信地动了动手指。171
I have fingers!我有手指了！172
Arms!胳膊！173
I have arms!我有胳膊了！174
Olive looked down at her body.奥利芙低头看了看自己的身体。175
She was a halfling once again.她又变回了半身人。176
Thank Tymora! she thought.感谢泰摩拉！她心想。177
Steele’s lantern light began to creep around to the back of the buggy.斯蒂尔的提灯光开始缓缓绕向马车后方。178
Olive slipped as quietly as she could toward the ladder to the loft.奥利芙尽可能悄无声息地溜向通往阁楼的梯子。179
She tested the first step gingerly.她小心翼翼地试了试第一级梯档。180
It felt quite sturdy.感觉相当牢固。181
She scampered up the ladder, rolled into the loft, and nearly choked herself to death.她飞快地爬上梯子，翻滚着进了阁楼，却险些把自己活活勒死。182
Upon her transformation back to a halfling, her halter had slipped around her neck.变回半身人后，她的笼头滑下来套在了脖子上。183
A strap of the leather caught on the top of the ladder as she dove over the top.她纵身翻过梯顶时，一根皮带钩在了梯子顶端。184
Olive rolled back and extricated herself quickly from the leather binding, but not before she’d gagged out loud.奥利芙滚了回去，迅速从皮革的束缚中挣脱出来，但还是忍不住大声干呕了一下。185
“What was that?”“什么声音？”186
Julia demanded as a small bit of hay drifted down in the lantern light.朱莉娅厉声问道，一小撮干草在提灯的光线中飘落下来。187
“A cat or an owl or something,” Steele insisted.“是猫、猫头鹰之类的东西。”斯蒂尔一口咬定。188
He stood beneath the ladder and held his lamp over his head, looking into the loft.他站在梯子下面，把灯举过头顶，朝阁楼里望去。189
“Steele,” Julia said with the tone of a woman who would put up with no more nonsense, “burro’s cannot climb ladders.”“斯蒂尔，”朱莉娅用一种再也不肯容忍任何胡闹的语气说道，“小毛驴可不会爬梯子。”190
She’s right, Steele, Olive thought.她说得对，斯蒂尔，奥利芙心想。191
Better listen to her.你最好听她的。192
“You didn’t even know what a burro was until this morning,” Steele pointed out.“直到今天早上，你连小毛驴是什么都不知道。”斯蒂尔指出。193
“How would you know?”“你怎么会知道？”194
“It walks around on four feet, Steele.“它用四条腿走路，斯蒂尔。195
For heaven’s sake, be reasonable.”看在老天的分上，讲点道理吧。”196
She slapped her arms at her sides and snapped, “I don’t know why I’ve put up with this madness of yours.她猛地用双臂拍打身体两侧，厉声说道：“我真不知道为什么一直忍受你这种疯狂行径。197
I agreed to help you sneak the spur from the crypt,” Julia said, desperately trying to convince her brother of her loyalty.我答应帮你从墓穴里偷偷取出那枚马刺，”朱莉娅说道，拼命想让哥哥相信她对他的忠心。198
“It’s not my fault the door opened twelve days early and someone else stole the spur.”“门提前十二天打开，马刺又被别人偷走了，这又不是我的错。”199
“We only have Drone’s word for that,” Steele said.“这只是德罗恩的一面之词，”斯蒂尔说。200
“Why would Uncle Drone lie about that?”“德罗恩叔叔为什么要在这件事上撒谎？”201
Julia asked with disbelief.朱莉娅难以置信地问道。202
“Think, Julia.“想想看，朱莉娅。203
Giogi is away for three seasons, supposedly on a mysterious mission for the crown.乔吉离开了整整三个季节，据说是为王室执行一项神秘任务。204
He comes back late one evening.一天深夜，他回来了。205
The crypt alarm goes off the next morning.”第二天早上，墓穴的警报就响了。”206
“You think Giogi was using the spur on his trip?”“你觉得乔吉这趟出门一直在使用那枚马刺？”207
Julia asked.朱莉娅问道。208
“Precisely,” Steele said.“正是如此，”斯蒂尔说。209
“Uncle Drone was covering for him, just like he covered for Cole.“德罗恩叔叔在替他遮掩，就像他当初包庇科尔一样。210
Drone must have forgotten to turn off the magical alarm so Giogi could return the spur when he got back from his trip.德罗恩一定忘了关掉魔法警报，好让乔吉结束旅程回来后把马刺放回去。211
Uncle Drone told us he couldn’t see who the thief was—because he didn’t want to give Giogi away.”德罗恩叔叔告诉我们，他没看清小偷是谁——因为他不想暴露乔吉。”212
Steele continued by digging through the chests of adventuring equipment and looking in every tiny nook of the carriage house.斯蒂尔继续翻找装着冒险装备的箱子，并查看马车房里的每一个细小角落。213
“But if Giogi went into the crypt to return the spur,” Julia objected, “why was it missing?”“可如果乔吉进墓穴是为了归还马刺，”朱莉娅反驳道，“那马刺为什么不见了？”214
Steele shrugged.斯蒂尔耸了耸肩。215
“Giogi changed his mind at the last moment.“乔吉在最后一刻改变了主意。216
Not realizing the alarm had alerted everyone at Redstone, he thought it didn’t matter if he kept the spur or not.”他没意识到警报已经惊动了红石的所有人，所以觉得自己留不留下马刺都无所谓。”217
“But Giogi went into the catacombs looking for the thief,” Julia pointed out.“可乔吉还进了地下墓穴寻找小偷，”朱莉娅指出。218
“Only to keep up the appearance of innocence,” Steele said.“那只是为了继续装出一副无辜的样子，”斯蒂尔说。219
“Why would Drone say the thief was locked in the catacombs?”“德罗恩为什么要说那个贼被关在地下墓穴里？”220
“To stall for time, so I didn’t have a divination done sooner.“为了拖延时间，好让我不会那么早找人占卜。221
I’m on to their game now.我现在已经识破他们的把戏了。222
Without Uncle Drone, Giogi is no match for me.”没有德罗恩叔叔，乔吉根本不是我的对手。”223
Steele thumped his fist on the buggy.斯蒂尔一拳捶在轻便马车上。224
It wobbled a little on its three good wheels.马车靠着三个完好的轮子，微微晃了晃。225
“There’s no burro in here,” he growled at last.“这里面没有驴子。”他终于低声吼道。226
“Where else could it be?”“那它还能在哪儿？”227
“Giogi could have left it with a friend,” Julia suggested.“乔吉可能把它留在朋友那里了。”朱莉娅提议道。228
“Shaver Cormaeril keeps a private stable.“谢弗·科梅里尔有一座私人马厩。229
It could be there.”它可能就在那里。”230
“That’s a possibility.“有这个可能。231
Let’s go.”我们走。”232
Steele returned to the doorway.斯蒂尔回到门口。233
“Where?”“去哪儿？”234
“To the Cormaeril estate, of course.”“当然是去科梅里尔家的庄园。”235
“Steele, it’s dark and cold and slicker than oil out there.“斯蒂尔，外面又黑又冷，地上还滑得像抹了油一样。236
Couldn’t we just head home and check in the morning?”我们就不能先回家，明早再去查看吗？”237
“No. It will be easier in the dark, and I need you to keep watch,” he said, shuttering his lantern.“不行。天黑反而更方便，而且我需要你替我望风。”他说着，合上了提灯的遮光罩。238
He pushed open the door.他推开了门。239
“Steele, I want to go home,” Julia said with an iron determination.“斯蒂尔，我要回家。”朱莉娅斩钉截铁地说。240
“Fine,” her brother snapped.“好吧。”她哥哥厉声说道。241
He paused, silhouetted by the moonlight shining in the doorway.他停顿了一下，门口洒入的月光勾勒出他的身影。242
“Go home.“回家去吧。243
You’re useless, anyway.”反正你也没用。”244
Steele disappeared into the darkness.斯蒂尔消失在黑暗中。245
Julia stood in the open doorway, and Olive thought she heard the noblewoman sob.朱莉娅站在敞开的门口，奥利芙觉得自己听见这位贵族小姐抽泣了一声。246
After a few moments, though, Julia fled the carriage house without bothering to close the door.然而，片刻之后，朱莉娅便逃出了马车房，连门也顾不上关。247
Olive heard Julia whisper, “Steele, wait up.”奥利芙听见朱莉娅低声喊道：“斯蒂尔，等等我。”248
Still in the loft, Olive rolled over and sighed with relief.奥利芙仍躺在草料阁楼上，她翻了个身，如释重负地叹了口气。249
She stretched out on the straw, wriggling her fingers and toes in the hay.她舒展身体躺在稻草上，手指和脚趾在干草里扭动着。250
She was once again the lovely, talented halfling she’d been born and bred to be.她又变回了那个天生丽质、才华横溢的半身人，那正是她生来就该有的模样。251
Even better, the queasiness had left her.更妙的是，恶心的感觉也消失了。252
It wasn’t the oats, after all, she realized.她这才明白，原来不是燕麦的问题。253
Probably an effect of the transformation.大概是变形带来的影响。254
She was still wearing the clothing she’d worn the night before.她身上还穿着前一晚的衣服。255
She patted down her vest pockets.她把背心的口袋挨个摸了一遍。256
Jade’s magical purse was still there.杰德的魔法钱袋还在。257
“I am an ass,” Olive whispered with a chuckle, “for not having figured it out before.”“我真是个蠢货，”奥利芙轻笑着低声说道，“竟然到现在才想明白。”258
Who else, she thought, would have been so bold and cunning as to steal the Wyvernspur’s prize heirloom out from under their noses?她心想，除了她，还有谁能如此大胆而狡猾，竟敢在飞龙刺家眼皮底下偷走他们最珍贵的传家宝？259
Who else could have gotten past the guardian?还有谁能越过守护者？260
Only my protege, Jade.只有我的门生，杰德。261
Olive’s pride decayed within moments.不过片刻，奥利芙心中的自豪便消散了。262
Jade would never steal anything again.杰德再也不会偷任何东西了。263
The halfling’s stomach cramped up again, this time with renewed anguish over Jade’s death.半身人的胃又绞痛起来，这一次，是因为杰德之死带来的悲痛再度袭上心头。264
She curled into a ball with her fists clenched, trying to fight back her misery.她紧握双拳，蜷缩成一团，竭力压下心中的痛苦。265
It was no use.没有用。266
The emotion surged through her and took control.情绪汹涌而来，彻底控制了她。267
Olive wept, something she hadn’t done since her mother had died.奥利芙哭了起来，自从母亲去世后，她还从未哭过。268
She lay sobbing in the straw until she was weak with the effort and had given herself a headache.她躺在稻草上抽泣，直到哭得浑身无力，脑袋也疼了起来。269
She lay there a while longer feeling empty inside.她又躺了一会儿，只觉得心里空空荡荡。270
Finally her determination to avenge Jade’s death returned.终于，为杰德报仇的决心又回到了她心中。271
Flattery will pay, Olive thought.弗拉特里会付出代价的，奥利芙心想。272
He may think he’s tough, slapping Cat around and murdering my Jade, but he’s about to learn otherwise.他扇凯特耳光，又杀了我的杰德，或许还以为自己很厉害，但他马上就会知道自己错了。273
Once I return the spur to Giogi, we’ll find out what its secret powers are and use them against Flattery, she thought.等我把马刺还给乔吉，我们就能弄清它有什么神秘力量，再用它来对付弗拉特里，她想。274
Olive sat up and wiped the residue of the tears from her face.奥利芙坐起身，擦去脸上残留的泪痕。275
She sniffed, looked at her sleeve, and realized that the dirt and grime she’d accumulated as a burro remained with her.她吸了吸鼻子，看了看自己的袖子，这才意识到，当驴时沾上的污垢和尘土还留在身上。276
If I’m going to enlist Giogi’s help, though, she thought, I need to present a more formidable appearance.不过，如果我要请乔吉帮忙，她想，我得让自己看起来更有气势一些。277
I need a bath, clean clothes, a decent night’s sleep, and time to think up a plan.我得洗个澡，换上干净衣服，好好睡一晚，再花点时间想个计划。278
I’ll contact Giogi in the morning, she decided.我明早再联系乔吉，她决定。279
Olive stood, brushed the straw off her clothing, and climbed down from the loft.奥利芙站起身，掸掉衣服上的稻草，从阁楼爬了下去。280
In another minute, she was outside Giogi’s front gate and skating her way along the ice-covered roads, back to her room at Maela’s boarding house.没过一分钟，她便出了乔吉家的前门，沿着冰封的道路一路滑行，回到梅拉的寄宿公寓里自己的房间。281
Giogi stood at the bottom of the staircase, watching Cat descend.乔吉站在楼梯脚下，看着凯特走下来。282
He was sure there wasn’t a more beautiful woman in all of Cormyr.他确信，整个科米尔再也找不出比她更美的女人。283
She wore a low-cut gown of lavender satin covered with golden lace.她穿着一袭淡紫色缎面低胸礼服，上面覆着金色蕾丝。284
Her long hair was fastened high on her head with a matching golden lace net.她的长发高高盘在头顶，用一张与礼服相配的金色蕾丝发网束着。285
“Is this all right?”“这样行吗？”286
Cat asked, halting two steps above him.凯特在他上方两级台阶处停下，问道。287
“I don’t think I’d ever seen mother wear that,” Giogi said, trying hard to avoid staring at the dress’s decolletage.“我好像从没见母亲穿过这件，”乔吉说道，竭力不让自己盯着礼服低低的领口看。288
I didn’t know she had anything so, um—”“我都不知道她还有这么……呃——”289
“Revealing?”“太露了？”290
Cat suggested, crossing her hands coyly over the gown’s neckline, which was nowhere near her neck.凯特接口道，双手故作羞怯地交叠在礼服那道离脖子远得很的领口上。291
“Small,” Giogi said, recovering his wits.“太小了，”乔吉回过神来说道。292
“My mother was not as slender as you.”“我母亲可没你这么苗条。”293
He offered Cat his arm.他向凯特伸出手臂。294
“Not while she was your mother, perhaps,” Cat replied, laying her fingertips on his sleeve and moving down beside him, “but as a girl, she must have been.“或许，她当你母亲的时候不是，”凯特答道，指尖搭上他的衣袖，与他并肩往下走去，“但她年轻时一定很苗条。295
I found this at the very bottom of the chest.我是在箱子最底下找到这件礼服的。296
It might have been something she wore when she came out.”也许这是她初入社交界时穿的。”297
“Oh, she was never a debutante,” Giogi explained as he escorted the mage through the main hall.“哦，她从来没有作为名媛正式步入过社交界，”乔吉一边解释，一边陪着这位法师穿过大厅。298
“Her father, Shar of Suzail, was a carpenter.“她父亲是苏萨尔的沙尔，一个木匠。299
He made furniture, of course, but he also supervised the timberwork of all the bridges in Cormyr, and the locks at Wheloon, and they’re all still standing.他当然做家具，不过他还负责监造科米尔所有桥梁的木结构，以及维纶的船闸，而那些至今都完好无损。300
He made a lot of money, but, according to father, he was very humble.他赚了很多钱，但据父亲说，他为人非常谦逊。301
King Rhigaerd II, Azoun’s father, offered him a peerage for his work, but he turned it down.阿祖恩的父亲里加德二世国王为了表彰他的功绩，曾要赐给他爵位，可他拒绝了。302
He said he couldn’t do both—work and be a lord.他说自己没法既干活，又当贵族老爷。303
Old Shar begged Father to rescue his daughter, though, when she was kidnapped by an evil mage.不过，老沙尔的女儿被一个邪恶法师绑架后，他恳求父亲出手救她。304
That’s how my parents met.”我父母就是这样认识的。”305
“Your mother would have been presented to court, though, when she married your father.”“不过，你母亲嫁给你父亲时，应该被正式引见到宫廷了。”306
“Yes, I guess she must have.”“是啊，我想应该是吧。”307
“Perhaps she wore this then.“也许她当时穿的就是这件。308
I didn’t want to borrow anything too valuable, but this one fit so well.我不想借太贵重的东西，可这一件实在太合身了。309
I did pick out something especially nice for you.”我还特意为你挑了件特别漂亮的东西。”310
“Pardon?”“什么？”311
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。312
Cat halted and held Giogi back from the dining room door.凯特停下脚步，在餐厅门口拉住了乔吉。313
“Here,” she said, pulling something out of her sleeve.“给你，”她边说边从袖子里掏出一样东西。314
“I found it in the jewelry box.”“我在首饰盒里找到的。”315
Cat held out a platinum headpiece and latched it about Giogi’s forehead.凯特拿出一顶铂金头饰，扣在乔吉的额头上。316
“There.“好了。317
That’s just right.这样正合适。318
It gives you the look of nobility.”它让你看起来有贵族气派。”319
“It feels funny,” Giogi said, shifting it about on his head.“感觉怪怪的，”乔吉说着，挪了挪头饰的位置。320
Cat laughed.凯特笑了。321
“You’ll get used to it,” she said, steering him toward the dining room door.“你会习惯的，”她一边说，一边把他推向餐厅门口。322
Giogi turned the handle and led the enchantress in to dinner.乔吉转动门把手，领着女魔法师进去用餐。323
The nobleman was heartened to see that their fancy attire had pacified Thomas considerably.看到他们这身华丽的装束让托马斯的态度缓和了许多，这位贵族青年颇感振奋。324
The manservant dropped his earlier reserve and served dinner with considerable courtesy.男仆一改先前的拘谨，彬彬有礼地侍候他们用餐。325
Giogi caught the servant smiling at him once and sneaking appreciative glances at Cat often.乔吉有一次撞见仆人正冲他微笑，还常常偷眼欣赏凯特。326
Thomas wished his master had removed the rakish jewelry in his ear and hair, but the headdress actually pleased the servant.托马斯希望主人能摘掉耳朵上和头发间那些轻佻的饰物，不过那顶头饰倒着实令他满意。327
He decided it gave Giogi a commanding air—something he’d always lacked.他觉得那让乔吉显得颇有威严——而这正是乔吉一向欠缺的。328
As for the woman, though her earlier slip in decorum marked her of “lower” birth, her speech revealed a certain amount of education.至于那个女人，尽管她先前有失礼数，显露出她出身“低微”，但她的谈吐却表明她受过一定的教育。329
He could easily see that his master’s interest extended beyond the woman’s ability as a spell-caster.他不难看出，主人对她的兴趣远不止于她施法的本领。330
It would be impossible not to do so.要不对她动心，根本不可能。331
The woman’s attractiveness startled Thomas each time he looked at her.托马斯每次看向那个女人，都会为她的美貌所震撼。332
Ever alert to the dangers that beautiful women presented to a man of his master’s fortunes, Thomas considered carefully what course he should take to ensure that Giogioni did not entangle himself with this woman on a personal level.托马斯时刻警惕着美女会给他主人这般家境的男人带来的危险，因此仔细思量该采取什么办法，才能确保乔吉奥尼不与这个女人发生私情。333
Such a situation, he decided as he served the soup, could only lead to scandal.他一边端上汤，一边断定，这种情形只会招来丑闻。334
The servant considered letting news of the woman’s presence leak to Dorath, but he dismissed that idea almost immediately.男仆考虑过把这个女人出现的消息透露给多拉丝，但几乎立刻便打消了这个念头。335
Giogi’s aunt would take too heavy-handed an approach, the kind that drove couples closer together.乔吉的姑妈会采取过于强硬的手段，而那种做法只会让一对男女更加亲近。336
Similarly, Thomas realized while presenting the roast duck, a cautionary word of his own to the young nobleman could backfire drastically.同样，托马斯在端上烤鸭时意识到，若由他亲自告诫这位年轻贵族，也可能适得其反，造成严重后果。337
By the time he cleared the dinner plates and served the apples and cheese, Thomas felt the need to consult with someone who not only cared for Giogi, but who understood the subtlety of the situation, someone who could also keep an eye on Cat and make sure she wasn’t using her magic to influence him.等托马斯收走餐盘，端上苹果和奶酪时，他觉得有必要找个人商量一下：这人不仅要关心乔吉，还要明白此事的微妙之处，同时也能盯着凯特，确保她没有用魔法影响乔吉。338
The servant realized that he would have to wait until later for such a consultation, after Giogi had retired.仆人意识到，这事只能等乔吉就寝以后再找人商量。339
“So,” Cat began after Thomas had retreated to Servant Land for the final time, “this man you went to see, Sudacar, couldn’t tell you how your father used the spur?”“这么说，”托马斯最后一次退回仆役的天地后，凯特开口道，“你去见的那个人，苏达卡，也说不出你父亲是怎么使用那枚马刺的？”340
“No, but we think my father could use it to fly.”“说不出，不过我们觉得我父亲能用它飞行。”341
“It must have more power than that,” Cat said after sipping her brandy, “or Flattery wouldn’t have sent me after it.“它的力量肯定不止于此，”凯特抿了一口白兰地后说道，“否则弗拉特里不会派我来找它。342
He can already fly.”他本来就会飞。”343
“Well, Sudacar suggested I speak with Mother Lleddew.“嗯，苏达卡建议我去找莱杜嬷嬷谈谈。344
She adventured with my father once, so she may know something more.”她以前曾和我父亲一起冒险，所以或许知道得更多。”345
“Who is Mother Lleddew?”“莱杜嬷嬷是谁？”346
Cat asked.凯特问道。347
“The high priestess of the House of the Lady.“女神圣堂的大祭司。348
That’s our temple to Selune.那是我们供奉塞露恩的神殿。349
I hiked all the way up there tonight, by the Immer Stream path.今晚我沿着伊默溪的小路，一路爬到了那里。350
It got dark, and I fell in the stream.天黑了，我还掉进了溪里。351
I told you that already.”这些我已经告诉过你了。”352
“That’s when you were attacked by the lacedons but were saved by the bear,” Cat said, remembering.“就是那时候，你遭到了水尸鬼的袭击，却被那头熊救了，”凯特回想起来，说道。353
“Yes.“对。354
One of them scratched me right across my face—the lacedons, not the bear.其中一只正好抓伤了我的脸——我是说水尸鬼，不是熊。355
Then, when I got to the temple, there was a girl.”后来我到了神殿，那里有个女孩。”356
Giogi knit his brow.乔吉皱起眉头。357
“I didn’t think about it at the time, but that girl did look like the Cledwyll statue, except much younger.“当时我没想到这一点，不过那个女孩的确很像克莱德维尔雕像，只是年轻得多。358
Since the guardian said I’d been kissed by Selune, I sort of associated this girl with Selune, since she healed me with a kiss, and then—poof!—I was home.守护者说我得到了塞露恩的亲吻，所以我不知怎么就把那个女孩和塞露恩联系了起来，因为她用一个吻治好了我，然后——噗！——我就到家了。359
Oh, but first she told me Mother Lleddew wasn’t there, and that I should try tomorrow.哦，不过在那之前，她告诉我莱杜嬷嬷不在那里，让我明天再去。360
It was all very strange after the fight with the undead.与那些亡灵战斗过后，一切都变得非常古怪。361
Do you think I imagined it all?”你觉得这一切都是我幻想出来的吗？”362
“Well,…”“这个……”363
Cat hesitated and looked down at her lap, then she looked up again.凯特迟疑了一下，低头看着自己的膝头，随后又抬起头来。364
“Do you know what adventurers mean when they say someone was kissed by Selune, Master Giogioni?”“乔吉奥尼少爷，你知道冒险者说某人‘被塞露恩亲吻过’是什么意思吗？”365
“Well, Selune is the goddess of the moon, so I thought it meant I was born under a full moon or something.“嗯，塞露恩是月亮女神，所以我以为那是说我出生在满月之夜之类的。366
Sort of like being born under a lucky star.”就像生逢吉星一样。”367
Cat shook her head.凯特摇了摇头。368
“Sometimes it’s used to describe a person who goes a little mad.“有时候，这话用来形容一个有点疯疯癫癫的人。369
Usually, though, it means a person cursed with lycanthropy.”不过通常是指一个中了兽化诅咒的人。”370
Giogi paled.乔吉脸色煞白。371
“You mean like werewolves?”“你是说，像狼人那样？”372
Cat nodded.凯特点了点头。373
“Or wererats or tigers or bears.”“也可能是鼠人、虎人或熊人。”374
“Wererats or tigers or bears?“鼠人、虎人或熊人？375
Do you think that’s why I have those awful dreams about hunting things?”你觉得这就是我总做那些捕猎的可怕噩梦的原因吗？”376
“Have you ever noticed if they’re stronger when the moon is full?”“你有没有注意过，月圆时那些梦会不会更强烈？”377
Giogi thought for a moment, then shook his head.乔吉想了一会儿，随后摇了摇头。378
“I’ve never really kept track.“我从来没认真留意过。379
No, it’s too preposterous.不，这太荒谬了。380
I’d know if I was a lycanthrope.我要是个兽化人，自己肯定会知道。381
I’ll admit that sometimes I get in late after imbibing a little too much grape and things are pretty foggy the next morning, but I’ve never come home in torn clothes covered with blood.我承认，有时候我会因为多喝了几杯葡萄酒而很晚才回来，第二天早上的记忆也模模糊糊，可我从没穿着撕破的衣服、浑身是血地回过家。382
And tonight’s a full moon, isn’t it?再说，今晚就是满月，对吧？383
I haven’t shaved since this morning, but I’m not looking any hairier than usual, am I?”我是从早上起就没刮过脸，但看起来也没比平时毛更多，对不对？”384
“Sometimes such curses don’t show up until a person reaches a certain age.“有时候，这类诅咒要等一个人到了某个年龄才会显现。385
Twenty, usually.”通常是二十岁。”386
“I’m twenty-three.”“我都二十三岁了。”387
“Sometimes twenty-five or thirty.”“有时候是二十五岁或三十岁。”388
“Then what about Aunt Dorath?“那么多拉丝姑妈呢？389
She has the same dreams.”她也做同样的梦。”390
“She does?”“她也会？”391
“Well, she did.“嗯，她以前会。392
She said I had to ignore them.”她说我不该理会那些梦。”393
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Cat said.“我觉得那可不是什么好主意，”凯特说。394
“Our dreams tell us important things about ourselves, and sometimes the gods talk to us in them.“梦会告诉我们一些关于自己的重要事情，有时候众神也会在梦中与我们交谈。395
Do you plan to go back to this Mother Lleddew to find out more about your father and the spur?”你打算再去找那位莱杜嬷嬷，进一步打听你父亲和那枚马刺的事吗？”396
“Yes, the girl in the temple said to try again tomorrow afternoon,” Giogi explained.“是的，神殿里的那个姑娘叫我明天下午再去试试，”乔吉解释道。397
“May I come with you?”“我可以和你一起去吗？”398
“I think it would be safer if you stayed here, so we don’t run the risk of Flattery spotting you.”“我觉得你留在这里会更安全，这样就不会冒被弗拉特里发现的风险。”399
Cat looked down at her lap again.凯特再次垂眼望着自己的膝头。400
“I can’t hide in your home forever, Master Giogioni,” she whispered.“我不能永远躲在您家里，乔吉奥尼少爷，”她低声说道。401
Giogi was suddenly aware of the pounding of his heart.乔吉忽然意识到自己的心正怦怦狂跳。402
He wanted to say that he wished she could, but he bit back those words.他很想说，他希望她能永远躲在这里，但还是把这句话咽了回去。403
“Just a little while longer,” he assured her.“再多待一小阵子就好，”他安慰她道。404
“When we’ve found the spur and locked it safely away again, Flattery will give up and go home.“等我们找到那枚马刺，再把它稳妥地锁起来，弗拉特里就会放弃，回家去。405
If not, well, I’ll get Sudacar’s advice.要是他不肯，嗯，我就去请教苏达卡。406
He’s the king’s man.他是国王的人。407
He’s supposed to preserve the peace.他的职责就是维持治安。408
He’ll know what to do.”他会知道该怎么办的。”409
Cat looked up and smiled weakly, but Giogi was afraid he hadn’t reassured her.凯特抬起头，勉强笑了笑，但乔吉担心自己并没有让她安心。410
“Do you think that if your uncle did know more about the thief, he might have written it down somewhere?” she asked.“你觉得，如果你叔叔真的对那个盗贼知道得更多，他会不会把这些事写在了什么地方？”她问道。411
“Of course!”“当然！”412
Giogi said, smacking his head.乔吉拍了拍脑袋，说道。413
“He kept a journal.“他一直有写日记。414
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.我真不知道自己之前怎么没想到。415
He kept it in his lab.”他把日记放在实验室里。”416
“Perhaps, if you don’t think it’s too personal, you could let me help out by reading through it, to save you time while you visit Selune’s temple.“也许，如果你不觉得那太私密，可以让我帮忙通读一遍；这样你去塞露恩神殿的时候，也能省些时间。417
Maybe, too, you could ask Mother Lleddew to perform a divination for you.”或许你还可以请莱杜嬷嬷为你施展一次占卜术。”418
“Steele was supposed to be getting that done this afternoon.“斯蒂尔原本该在今天下午去办这件事。419
He may already have learned something.他或许已经打听到什么了。420
I’ll ask him.我会问问他。421
The list of things I have to do is getting pretty long, isn’t it?我要做的事情越来越多了，是不是？422
I know it’s not very late, but I’ve had a long day, and I should be getting to bed so I can get an early start tomorrow.我知道现在还不算太晚，可我今天过得很累，也该上床睡觉了，好让明天能早点开始。423
Would you think me a terrible host if I left you on your own?”要是我把你一个人留在这里，你会不会觉得我是个糟糕的主人？”424
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。425
“Of course not,” Cat said.“当然不会，”凯特说。426
“I’m tired as well.”“我也累了。”427
Giogi escorted the mage from the candlelit dining room to the hallway.乔吉陪着女法师离开烛光映照的餐厅，来到走廊。428
He felt very odd following her up the stairs.跟在她身后上楼时，他感到十分不自在。429
While he’d offered her his protection without hesitation, no other woman except his mother had ever stayed in his house before.虽然他毫不犹豫地提出要保护她，但除了母亲，从来没有别的女人在他家住过。430
Cat halted by his bedroom door and turned to face him.凯特在他的卧室门边停下，转身面对他。431
Giogi, feeling very awkward, stopped short and clasped his hands nervously behind his back.乔吉觉得十分尴尬，连忙停下脚步，紧张地把双手扣在背后。432
“So, you prefer to stay in the lilac room, then?” he asked.“那么，你还是更愿意住在淡紫色房间里？”他问道。433
“Yes.“是的。434
It’s too lovely to resist.”那房间太漂亮了，让人无法抗拒。”435
“I’ll let Thomas know in the morning.”“我早上会告诉托马斯的。”436
Cat stepped closer and stood on tiptoe to brush her lips against his.凯特走近一步，踮起脚尖，双唇轻轻掠过他的嘴唇。437
“Good night, Master Giogioni.“晚安，乔吉奥尼少爷。438
Sweet dreams,” she whispered.祝你好梦。”她低声说道。439
Giogi blinked hard.乔吉使劲眨了眨眼。440
“Good night,” he replied weakly.“晚安。”他有气无力地答道。441
Cat turned and walked down the hall to the lilac room.凯特转过身，沿着走廊走向淡紫色房间。442
She let herself in and closed the door behind her without looking back.她自行开门进去，随手关上身后的门，没有回头。443
Giogi stood in place for several moments.乔吉在原地站了好一会儿。444
With a sigh, he entered his own room.他叹了口气，走进自己的房间。445
It wasn’t until Giogi had finished undressing that he remembered that he meant to stop in at the Fish to look for Olive Ruskettle and ask her about Alias of Westgate.直到脱完衣服，乔吉才想起自己原本打算去一趟“鱼馆”，找奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔问问西门城的阿莉亚丝的事。446
“Bother,” he muttered, “I’m just too tired.“真麻烦，”他嘟囔道，“我实在太累了。447
It’ll wait until tomorrow,” he decided, sliding between the sheets.明天再说吧。”他打定主意，一边钻进被窝。448
As exhausted as he was, the nobleman lay awake for a long time, afraid to fall asleep and dream.尽管疲惫不堪，这位贵族还是久久未能入睡，生怕睡着后做梦。449
If only Cat’s wish of sweet dreams for him could come true, he wouldn’t feel so anxious.要是凯特祝愿他的好梦真能成真，他也不至于如此焦虑。450
He thought he heard Cat crying once, and he hovered on the edge of the bed for several minutes, debating whether he should leave her to her privacy or go in and try to comfort her.有一次，他觉得自己听见凯特在哭，于是在床边犹豫了好几分钟，拿不定主意是该让她独处，还是进去试着安慰她。451
The crying subsided before he’d made up his mind.他还没作出决定，哭声便渐渐止住了。452
Part of him was relieved, since offering comfort to a lady in the middle of the night could be misinterpreted, but part of him was disappointed he’d missed his opportunity to show he cared.他心里有一部分松了口气，因为半夜三更安慰一位女士可能会招致误会；可另一部分却又感到失望，因为他错过了向她表明自己关心她的机会。453
He got back into bed feeling agitated and unhappy.他心烦意乱、闷闷不乐地重新上了床。454
He sat propped up against the headboard, listening for any further sounds from the lilac room.他靠着床头板坐着，侧耳倾听淡紫色房间里是否还会传来什么动静。455
Finally, unable to resist the silence and his fatigue, he drifted off, still sitting up.最后，他终究抵挡不住寂静与疲倦，仍坐着便渐渐睡了过去。456
As the guardian had threatened, the dream came.正如守护者威胁的那样，那个梦来了。457
As usual, he soared over the meadow.像往常一样，他翱翔在草地上空。458
The field was different tonight, though.不过，今晚的田野不一样。459
It was the meadow atop Spring Hill, and the House of the Lady stood in the center.这是春山顶上的那片草地，夫人之殿坐落在中央。460
A great black bear stood on the temple stairs.一头巨大的黑熊站在神殿的台阶上。461
The young girl acolyte ran through the meadow.年轻的女侍祭在草地上飞奔。462
Giogi had no control over the dream.乔吉无法控制这个梦。463
His flight was quick and smooth, and the girl didn’t stand a chance.他飞得又快又稳，女孩根本没有逃脱的机会。464
She dodged and darted like a rabbit, but, in the end, Giogi dropped down on her with his rending claws.她像兔子一样左躲右闪，可最终，乔吉还是猛扑到她身上，用利爪将她撕裂。465
She shrieked with the death cry of all the other prey in his dreams.她发出一声尖厉的惨叫，和他梦中其他猎物临死时的叫声一模一样。466
Giogi started awake.乔吉猛然惊醒。467
He was drenched with sweat but very, very grateful he’d missed the end of the dream.他浑身被汗水湿透，却万分庆幸自己没有梦到结局。468
Then he realized he still heard the shriek.接着，他意识到那声尖叫仍在耳边回荡。469
It came from Cat’s room.声音是从凯特的房间传来的。470