Giogi leaped out of bed, burst from his room, and dashed down the dark corridor to the door of the lilac room.乔吉从床上一跃而起，冲出房间，沿着昏暗的走廊飞奔到丁香色房间门前。1
Before he got there, the shrieking had stopped.还没等他赶到，尖叫声就停了。2
Bursting into a lady’s room could prove awkward, but the silence coming from the room seemed even more ominous to Giogi.贸然闯进一位女士的房间或许会很尴尬，但在乔吉看来，房间里传出的沉寂更是不祥。3
He flung open the door without knocking.他没敲门便猛地推开了房门。4
Cat had lit a fire in the fireplace, but a few glowing embers were all that remained.凯特曾在壁炉里生了火，但此刻只剩下几块微微发亮的余烬。5
Dressed only in his nightshirt, Giogi shivered with cold.乔吉身上只穿着睡衣，冷得直打哆嗦。6
Moonlight streaming through the windows silhouetted everything in the room.月光透过窗户倾泻而入，勾勒出房间里一切事物的轮廓。7
The mage, looking pale and shaken, sat up in her bed.法师脸色苍白，惊魂未定，从床上坐起身来。8
“Are you all right?“你没事吧？9
What’s wrong?”出什么事了？”10
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。11
“There was someone in here!”“刚才这里有人！”12
Cat gasped.凯特喘着气说道。13
“He tried to smother me with a pillow!”“他想用枕头闷死我！”14
“Where did he go?”“他去哪儿了？”15
“Through the wall!”“穿墙走了！”16
Cat cried, pointing to a spot next to the fireplace.凯特指着壁炉旁边的一处地方喊道。17
“Like a ghost!”“就像鬼一样！”18
The woman’s cool, analytical manner had crumbled.这个女人一贯冷静而善于分析的姿态已经彻底崩溃。19
She sounded terror-stricken.她的声音里充满了恐惧。20
Giogi turned up the wick in the lamp on the dressing table, and lit it with a bit of burning straw from the fireplace.乔吉把梳妆台上油灯的灯芯拨高，又用壁炉里一小撮燃烧的稻草将它点亮。21
He drew aside a silk wall hanging, but there was nothing behind it but wall.他掀开一幅丝绸壁挂，但后面除了墙壁，什么也没有。22
He tapped it.他敲了敲墙。23
It sounded solid.听起来是实心的。24
“I’ve never heard of a ghost in this room before,” Giogi said.“我以前从没听说过这个房间里闹鬼，”乔吉说道。25
“What did he look like?”“他长什么样？”26
“Like Flattery,” Cat said with a sob.“像弗拉特里。”凯特抽泣着说。27
“But that’s impossible.”“但这不可能。”28
“Is it?”“是吗？”29
Giogi asked, uncertain.乔吉不确定地问道。30
“If Flattery were trying to kill me, he wouldn’t leave the job half-finished,” Cat insisted.“如果弗拉特里想杀我，他绝不会半途而废。”凯特坚持道。31
“He wouldn’t have needed a pillow, either.”“而且他也根本用不着枕头。”32
Giogi positioned himself prudently at the foot of Cat’s bed.乔吉谨慎地站在凯特的床尾。33
She now wore one of his mother’s nightgowns, and though it was a prim flannel thing, it was, after all, only a nightgown.她此时穿着他母亲的一件睡袍，尽管那是件端庄保守的法兰绒睡袍，可说到底，也不过是一件睡袍。34
“Are you all right?” he asked.“你没事吧？”他问。35
Cat lowered her head and nodded.凯特低下头，点了点头。36
Her long, loose hair veiled her face, but from the way her shoulders shook, Giogi could tell she was crying.她披散的长发遮住了脸，但从她双肩颤抖的样子，乔吉看得出她在哭。37
Damn propriety! the nobleman thought as he rushed to her side.去他的礼数！这位贵族想着，冲到了她身边。38
“It’s all right,” he insisted, sitting beside her on the bed and wrapping his arms around her.“没事了，”他一边坚持说，一边坐到她身旁的床上，伸出双臂搂住她。39
“Everything’s going to be fine.”“一切都会好起来的。”40
Cat laid her head against Giogi’s chest and hugged him close.凯特把头靠在乔吉胸前，紧紧抱住了他。41
It was a full minute before her sobbing subsided.足足过了一分钟，她的抽泣才平息下来。42
Then she sniffed and pulled gently away from his arms.随后她吸了吸鼻子，轻轻挣开了他的怀抱。43
“I’m sorry to be such a coward, but I’ve cast all the magic I can for the day.“对不起，我这么胆小，可我今天能施的魔法已经全都施完了。44
I’m helpless until I’ve slept and studied.”在睡过一觉、重新研习之前，我毫无自保之力。”45
Her voice quivered, and Giogi was afraid she would go to pieces again.她的声音颤抖着，乔吉担心她又会崩溃。46
“Anyone would be upset by what you’ve just been through,” Giogi replied.“不管是谁，刚经历了你这样的事，都会心神不宁的。”乔吉回答。47
He stood up.他站起身来。48
“I think you should wait here,” he said.“我觉得你应该留在这里等着。”他说。49
“Where are you going?”“你要去哪儿？”50
Cat asked with alarm, grabbing at his arm but stopping herself.凯特惊慌地问道，伸手想抓住他的胳膊，却又忍住了。51
“I’m going to get Thomas and search the house,” Giogi said.“我去叫上托马斯，搜查这所房子，”乔吉说。52
He lit a second lamp and carried it with him out into the hallway.他又点亮一盏灯，提着它走进了走廊。53
Halfway down the stairs, he met Thomas hurrying up in the darkness.下楼梯走到一半时，他遇见托马斯正摸黑匆匆上楼。54
“Sir!“先生！55
I thought I heard a scream!我好像听见了一声尖叫！56
Is something wrong?” the servant asked.出什么事了吗？”仆人问道。57
“Yes, Thomas,” Giogi explained.“是的，托马斯，”乔吉解释道。58
“Someone attacked Mistress Cat in her room.“有人在凯特小姐的房间里袭击了她。59
We may have a burglar or worse.”房子里可能进了窃贼，甚至可能是更糟的人。”60
“In the red room, sir?“是在红色房间吗，先生？61
Are you sure?”您确定吗？”62
Thomas asked.托马斯问道。63
“No. Someone in the lilac room.“不，是淡紫色房间里的人。64
Mistress Cat preferred it to the red room, just as I thought she might, so I invited her to use it instead.凯特小姐果然像我料想的那样，更喜欢那间房，不喜欢红色房间，所以我便请她改住那里。65
Someone tried to smother her, but fled when she screamed.有人试图闷死她，但她一尖叫，那人就逃走了。66
She says her attacker went through the wall, but she may have been confused or the attacker capable of magic.她说袭击她的人穿墙而去，不过她当时也许神志不清，也可能那人会魔法。67
In any case, we ought to search the house.”无论如何，我们都应该搜查一下这所房子。”68
Thomas nodded and moved up the stairs toward Giogi.托马斯点点头，沿着楼梯朝乔吉走去。69
“Perhaps we should start in the lady’s room,” the servant suggested.“也许我们该从那位小姐的房间查起，”仆人提议道。70
“I was just in there, Thomas.“我刚才就在里面，托马斯。71
I told you, the intruder fled when Mistress Cat screamed.”我已经告诉你了，入侵者在凯特小姐尖叫时逃走了。”72
“There may be, um, footprints, or some other evidence, sir,” Thomas offered.“那里也许有，呃，脚印，或者别的什么证据，先生，”托马斯说道。73
“Hmmm.“嗯……74
You’re right,” Giogi agreed.你说得对。”乔吉赞同道。75
He turned around and marched back to the lilac room with Thomas right behind him.他转过身，大步走回淡紫色房间，托马斯紧随其后。76
The door stood open.房门敞开着。77
Cat had risen from the bed and wrapped herself in a robe.凯特已经从床上起身，披上了一件睡袍。78
She stood staring out the window at the grounds below.她站在窗前，凝望着下方的庭院。79
Giogi knocked on the door frame to announce his presence.乔吉敲了敲门框，示意自己来了。80
The mage whirled around, brandishing a small crystal dagger.法师猛地转过身，手中挥舞着一把小巧的水晶匕首。81
“It’s just me, with Thomas,” Giogi said.“是我，还有托马斯。”乔吉说道。82
Cat gave a relieved sigh.凯特如释重负地叹了口气。83
She crossed the room to stand at Giogi’s side and lean against him.她穿过房间，走到乔吉身边，倚在他身上。84
Thomas nodded politely to Cat before entering the room.托马斯进屋前，礼貌地朝凯特点了点头。85
“Perhaps I could use that lamp, sir,” he suggested.“先生，或许我可以用一下那盏灯。”他提议道。86
Giogi handed him the light.乔吉把灯递给了他。87
As the nobleman stood beside Cat, watching his servant investigate the windows, something brushed against his legs.这位贵族站在凯特身旁，看着仆人检查窗户时，有什么东西蹭过了他的双腿。88
Giogi let out a cry and jumped aside.乔吉惊叫一声，跳到了一旁。89
A large black-and-white cat looked up at him and meowed with annoyance.一只黑白相间的大猫抬头望着他，不耐烦地喵了一声。90
“Spot!“斑点！91
Thomas, it’s Spot.”托马斯，是斑点。”92
Giogi said, picking up the large tomcat and brushing its face fur.乔吉说着，抱起那只大公猫，轻抚它脸上的毛。93
The cat began purring immediately.那只猫立刻呼噜起来。94
“Is it possible, Mistress Cat,” Thomas asked with an exaggerated patience, “that Spot tried lying on your face and you mistook him for a smothering pillow?“凯特小姐，有没有可能，”托马斯以一种刻意显得耐心的口吻问道，“斑点想躺在您脸上，而您把它误当成了一个要闷死您的枕头？95
When you screamed, he would have jumped away.您尖叫时，它应该就跳开了。96
His shadow in the moonlight could have been mistaken for a larger figure.它在月光下的影子可能会让人误以为是一个更高大的身影。97
When he landed, he would have disappeared from your sight and perhaps slunk beneath a piece of furniture.”它落地后，应该就从您的视线里消失了，也许还悄悄钻到了某件家具下面。”98
“It was not a cat,” Cat insisted.“那不是猫。”凯特坚持道。99
“Someone must have sneaked in somehow, Thomas,” Giogi said.“一定是有人不知怎么偷偷溜了进来，托马斯。”乔吉说。100
“I will check all the doors and windows, sir, though it is also possible that someone broke in magically, in which case, they would undoubtedly have left by that way as well.”“我会检查所有的门窗，先生，不过也有可能是有人用魔法闯了进来；如果真是这样，那人无疑也会用同样的方式离开。”101
“Well, Thomas, we’d better have a look around, just in case.”“好吧，托马斯，我们最好四处看看，以防万一。”102
Master and servant went through every room in the house but turned up no forced or broken windows or doors, nor any house-breakers.主仆二人查遍了宅中的每个房间，却没有发现任何被撬开或破坏的门窗，也没找到什么闯入者。103
Giogi dismissed Thomas and trudged back upstairs to the lilac room.乔吉让托马斯退下，拖着沉重的脚步回到楼上的淡紫色房间。104
“Nothing,” he reported to Cat.“什么也没发现。”他告诉凯特。105
“Is it possible Flattery might have sent someone else to do his dirty work, someone less competent than he would be?”“会不会是弗拉特里派了别人替他干这桩脏活，而那个人又远不如他能干？”106
Cat paled.凯特脸色发白。107
“I don’t know,” she whispered.“我不知道。”她低声说。108
“Perhaps.”“也许吧。”109
“I think, just to be safe, you had better sleep in my bed.“我想，为安全起见，你最好睡到我的床上去。110
I’ll stay in here.”我留在这里。”111
Cat nodded.凯特点了点头。112
Giogi escorted her to his room.乔吉护送她去了自己的房间。113
He checked behind all the curtains and wall hangings and under the bed.他查看了所有窗帘和壁毯的后面，又检查了床底。114
“All clear,” he said.“一切安全。”他说。115
“I don’t know if I can sleep,” Cat said.“我不知道自己能不能睡得着。”凯特说。116
“You must try.“你得试着睡一睡。117
I’ll be right next door if you need me.”你要是需要我，我就在隔壁。”118
Feeling a little more confident, Giogi bent over and kissed Cat on the forehead before he turned and left the room.乔吉心里稍稍踏实了些，俯身吻了吻凯特的额头，这才转身离开房间。119
Back in the lilac room, Giogi sat on the edge of the bed, wondering if Thomas could be right about Cat mistaking Spot as her attacker.回到淡紫色房间后，乔吉坐在床沿，心想托马斯会不会说对了，凯特或许误把斑点当成了袭击她的人。120
The nobleman certainly hoped so, for the lady’s sake.为了那位女士着想，这位贵族当然希望事实果真如此。121
But suppose Thomas had been wrong.可万一托马斯错了呢？122
Who but Flattery would want to harm the mage?除了弗拉特里，还有谁会想伤害这位法师？123
Cat felt sure that Flattery wouldn’t have failed if he meant to kill her, but suppose the wizard had meant his attack as a warning?凯特确信，如果弗拉特里真想杀她，就绝不会失手；可万一那名巫师的袭击只是一次警告呢？124
Suppose Flattery were trying to frighten Cat into returning to his side?万一弗拉特里是想吓得凯特回到他身边呢？125
I have to find some way to protect her from him, Giogi thought with determination.“我必须想个办法保护她，不让他伤害她。”乔吉坚定地想。126
He lay in bed debating whether or not to tell Sudacar about Cat and Flattery.他躺在床上，反复思量是否该把凯特和弗拉特里的事告诉苏达卡。127
Before he came to a decision, though, he fell asleep.然而，他还没拿定主意便睡着了。128
Despite the nobleman’s anxieties, no more screams or dreams disturbed his rest.尽管这位贵族满心忧虑，却再没有尖叫或梦境扰乱他的安眠。129
Maela’s boarding house, where Olive had taken a room for the winter, catered to an exclusive clientele.奥利芙在梅拉的寄宿屋租了一个房间过冬，这里只接待特定的客人。130
While Maela’s rates were reasonable, and her home clean and comfortable, not everyone would consider crossing her doorstep.虽然梅拉的收费合理，家里也干净舒适，却并非人人都愿意跨进她家的门槛。131
Maela was a halfling, and she kept a halfling-sized townhouse in the heart of Immersea.梅拉是个半身人，在伊默海中心有一栋按半身人身材建造的联排住宅。132
Olive could have stayed at a room in the Five Fine Fish.奥利芙本可以住进“五条好鱼”旅店的一个房间。133
The Fish was at the center of Immersea night life and where Jade had chosen to stay.“好鱼”位于伊默海夜生活的中心，杰德也选择住在那里。134
The attractions of the Fish could not compete with the comfort of living at Maela’s, though.不过，“好鱼”的种种诱人之处，仍比不上住在梅拉家里的舒适自在。135
At Maela’s, a halfling didn’t need to scramble onto the furniture or use her hands to scale the staircases or stand on tiptoes to see out the windows or climb upon chairs to slide door bolts shut.在梅拉家，半身人不用费力爬上家具，不用手脚并用地攀登楼梯，不用踮起脚尖才能望出窗外，也不用爬到椅子上才能插上门闩。136
Maela’s low ceilings were enough to make Olive feel safe and cozy.梅拉家低矮的天花板足以让奥利芙感到安全又温馨。137
The nicest thing about Maela’s house was its larder, which Maela kept well stocked and unlocked.梅拉家最妙的地方是食品储藏室，梅拉总把那里塞得满满当当，而且从不上锁。138
Olive’s first action upon returning home to Maela’s the night before had been to visit that larder.前一晚，奥利芙回到梅拉家后做的第一件事，就是去光顾那间食品储藏室。139
The remainders of that raid lay on a plate on the dressing table in Olive’s bedroom.那次搜刮后剩下的食物，如今正放在奥利芙卧室梳妆台上的一只盘子里。140
Olive popped another piece of ham into her mouth and licked her fingertips clean before turning back to the mirror at her vanity table.奥利芙又往嘴里塞了一片火腿，把指尖舔干净，随后才重新转向梳妆台上的镜子。141
Last night she’d soaked and scrubbed at her hands and feet for half and hour before she was satisfied they revealed no trace of the catacomb muck she’d been through the day before.昨晚，她把手脚浸泡又擦洗了半个小时，直到确信上面再也看不出半点前一天穿过地下墓穴时沾染的污泥，才终于满意。142
Upon waking this morning, she’d inspected her best gown carefully, stitched up a tear in the lace, and rubbed away a spot of extra spicy mustard before she slipped it over her head.今早醒来后，她仔细检查了自己最好的长裙，缝补好蕾丝上的一道裂口，又擦掉一小块特辣芥末酱的污渍，这才把裙子从头上套了下去。143
Now she brushed her auburn hair until it gleamed and every stray bit of straw had been removed.现在，她一遍遍梳理着赤褐色的头发，直到发丝闪闪发亮，夹在其中的每一小根稻草也都被清理干净。144
With a disgusted crinkle of her nose, the halfling rummaged through the pile of dirty, smelly clothing at the foot of her bed until she had fished out her quilted vest.半身人厌恶地皱起鼻子，在床脚那堆又脏又臭的衣服里翻找，终于掏出了她的夹棉背心。145
Holding the vest on her lap, she turned out an inner pocket and unclasped the pin fastened there for security.她把背心放在膝上，翻出一个内袋，解开了为防遗失而别在里面的胸针。146
The pin, a miniature harp and crescent moon, had been a gift from the Nameless Bard—Finder Wyvernspur, Olive reminded herself.这枚胸针是竖琴与新月形状的微缩饰物，乃是那位号称“无名者”的吟游诗人——芬德·飞龙刺——送给她的礼物，奥利芙提醒自己。147
Tossing the vest aside, she reached for the jar of silver polish she’d borrowed from the larder.她把背心扔到一旁，伸手拿过从食品储藏室借来的银器擦亮膏。148
She removed every trace of tarnish from the jewelry and buffed it to a brilliant luster.她将饰品上的每一丝锈暗都擦去，又把它抛光得灿然生辉。149
Finally, taking a deep breath, Olive pinned it to her dress, right over her heart.最后，奥利芙深吸一口气，把胸针别在裙子上，正好位于心口。150
She had never actually displayed the Harper’s symbol before, which some people would have found remarkable, considering the potential for exploitation the pin presented her.她以前从未真正佩戴过竖琴手的徽记；有些人若知道这一点，恐怕会大感惊奇，毕竟这枚胸针能给她带来不少可乘之机。151
Though little was known of the Harpers, rumors regarding their power and good works were widespread enough that their symbol of membership could gain a person instant respect—though not necessarily safety.尽管世人对竖琴手同盟所知甚少，有关他们的力量与善行的传闻却流传甚广，因此，他们的成员徽记足以让一个人立刻赢得尊重——却未必能保障安全。152
Olive understood, however, that possession of the symbol alone did not make her a Harper, even if another Harper, Nameless, had given it to her.不过，奥利芙明白，单凭拥有这枚徽记并不能让她成为竖琴手，即便它是另一位竖琴手无名者送给她的。153
Nameless was a renegade, after all.毕竟，无名者是个叛逆者。154
Olive was shrewd enough to realize that another Harper might not look favorably on someone impersonating one of their number, and the farther north she traveled, the greater the likelihood that she would run into a real Harper.奥利芙精明得很，知道其他竖琴手未必会善待一个冒充他们成员的人；而她越往北走，遇上真正竖琴手的可能性也就越大。155
So, even though it lent credence to her claim of bardhood—since most Harpers were either bards or rangers—common sense outweighed ego and she had always kept it hidden.所以，尽管这枚胸针能让她自称吟游诗人一事显得更可信——毕竟大多数竖琴手不是吟游诗人就是游侠——理智终究压过了虚荣，她一直把它藏着。156
Until now.直到现在。157
This is an emergency, Olive thought, and no snooty, goody-goody Harper is going to keep me from seeing justice done.这是紧急情况，奥利芙心想，哪个傲慢自大、满嘴仁义的竖琴手也别想拦着我伸张正义。158
Besides, I’m only planning on doing what a real Harper should be doing—eliminating a menace.再说，我打算做的不过是真正的竖琴手本就该做的事——铲除一个祸患。159
Years of dealing with human prejudices had left Olive unwilling to leave justice in the hands of authorities.多年来饱受人类偏见之苦，使奥利芙不愿把正义交托到当权者手中。160
She doubted that any of them, even Harpers, ever felt any concern for people like her and Jade.她怀疑他们中的任何人，甚至包括竖琴手同盟，是否曾关心过她和杰德这样的人。161
She couldn’t trust them to believe her story about Flattery or do anything about him.她不能指望他们相信她对弗拉特里的指控，更不能指望他们采取任何行动对付他。162
She knew Giogi Wyvernspur was different, though.不过，她知道乔吉·飞龙刺不一样。163
She would take Giogi into her confidence.她会把真相告诉乔吉。164
Giogi, she figured, will be flattered if he thinks I’m a Harper, and it would never occur to him to check into my credentials.她寻思，要是乔吉以为我是竖琴手，肯定会受宠若惊，而且他绝不会想到要去核查我的身份。165
As far as he knows, I’m a bard of some renown, and Cat’s already prejudiced him against Flattery.在他看来，我可是个颇有名气的吟游诗人，而凯特已经让他对弗拉特里心存成见了。166
It won’t be hard to convince him of the truth.要说服他相信真相并不难。167
Besides, how can he deny assistance to the woman who restored the wyvern’s spur to his family?再说，他怎么能拒绝帮助一个替他家找回飞龙刺的女人呢？168
Olive thought, tossing her hair and watching it shimmer in the mirror.奥利芙一边想着，一边甩了甩头发，看着它在镜中闪闪发亮。169
The halfling couldn’t help but realize that once Flattery was dealt with, the gratitude of a Cormyrian noble, even one as minor as Giogi, could be extremely useful.这个半身人不由得意识到，等弗拉特里被解决之后，一位科米尔贵族的感激——哪怕只是乔吉这样的小贵族——也会极其有用。170
I won’t need to explain to Giogi all the details of how I recovered his family’s heirloom, of course; he can assume I’m just extraordinarily clever, which is fairly close to the truth.当然，我不必向乔吉解释我是怎样找回他家传宝物的所有细节；他大可以认为我只是聪明得非同寻常，而这也与事实相去不远。171
“Time to arm myself for battle,” Olive muttered.“该武装起来迎战了。”奥利芙低声说道。172
One at a time, over her bed, the halfling emptied the pockets of each item of her wardrobe that she’d worn the evening before.半身人把昨晚穿过的每件衣物逐一拿来，在床上方掏空了所有口袋。173
She had pockets in her pants, pockets in her tunic, pockets in her vest, pockets in her cloak, and pockets in her belt.她的裤子上有口袋，束腰外衣上有口袋，背心上有口袋，斗篷上有口袋，连腰带上也有口袋。174
Soon a pile of debris collected on the bedspread.没过多久，床罩上便堆起了一堆杂物。175
A job long overdue, she thought, appalled by all the clutter she found.这事早就该做了，她看着翻出来的满堆杂物，心惊不已地想道。176
Some of it was organized—capital and basic equipment—but most of it was junk she’d been unable to part with because she’d convinced herself that eventually it would prove useful.其中有些东西还算井井有条——本钱和基本装备——但大部分都是她舍不得扔掉的破烂，因为她总能说服自己，它们迟早会派上用场。177
Her own purse held plenty of coins: ten platinum tri-crowns, thirty-two gold lions, plus change—sixteen silver and twelve copper coins.她自己的钱袋里装着不少钱币：十枚三冠铂币、三十二枚金狮币，另有零散的十六枚银币和十二枚铜币。178
Much more lay stashed beneath the floorboards of her rented room.她租住房间的地板下面还藏着多得多的钱。179
A smaller sack contained twenty glass “rubies” for emergencies and four real rubies for real emergencies.另一个较小的袋子里装着二十颗供紧急情况使用的玻璃“红宝石”，以及四颗供真正紧急情况使用的真红宝石。180
She set both sack and purse aside.她把两个袋子都放到一旁。181
Her lockpicks and wires were nestled neatly in their leather case, though in the corner of the case, wrapped in rags, were twenty-some unsorted picks—some she’d found in her travels; others were broken tools she’d been meaning to replace.她的开锁器和金属丝整整齐齐地放在皮套里，不过皮套一角还有二十多件用破布包着、尚未分类的开锁器——有些是她旅途中捡到的，另一些则是她一直打算换掉的损坏工具。182
More than fifty odd-sized keys jangled from her iron key ring.她的铁钥匙环上挂着五十多把大小不一的钥匙，碰得叮当作响。183
A few were made to open more than their share of locks; others were rendered useless by distance from, or destruction of, the locks they’d once fit.其中几把能打开远不止一把锁；另一些则因为远离了原本匹配的锁，或是那些锁已经毁坏，而变得毫无用处。184
A spool of sturdy string, a penknife, and a flint with striker completed her “absolutely necessary” pile.一卷结实的细绳、一把小折刀和一套打火石与火镰，构成了她那堆“绝对必需品”的其余部分。185
Olive made a separate pile of four more balls of sturdy string, two corks, a fishhook and sinker, hair ties and fasteners, a comb, chalk, three empty glass vials—one missing a stopper—six mismatched buttons, a bag of raisins, two dirty handkerchiefs, a candle, a stick of charcoal, spectacle frames without the spectacles, a yarting thumb pick she’d been searching for all week, last week’s shopping list, nut shells, peas, and enough biscuit crumbs to keep a pigeon happy for a month.奥利芙又另外堆了一堆东西：四团结实的细绳、两个软木塞、一枚鱼钩和一块铅坠、发带和发扣、一把梳子、粉笔、三只空玻璃小瓶——其中一只少了塞子——六颗互不配套的纽扣、一袋葡萄干、两条脏手帕、一根蜡烛、一截木炭、一副没有镜片的眼镜框、她找了整整一星期的雅廷琴拇指拨片、上星期的购物清单、坚果壳、豌豆，以及足够让一只鸽子高兴上一个月的饼干屑。186
It was mostly stuff she would throw out—eventually.这些大多是她会扔掉的东西——迟早会扔。187
“And last but not least,” Olive said, pulling Jade’s magical pouch out of her vest and untying the strings, “the wyvern’s spur,” she announced, dumping the contents of the miniature bag of holding on her bed.“最后但同样重要的是，”奥利芙一边说，一边从背心里掏出杰德的魔法小袋，解开系绳，“飞龙刺。”她郑重宣布，随即把这个微型次元袋里的东西全倒在床上。188
“She’s as bad as me,” the halfling said, astonished by the assortment and number of things that tumbled from the enchanted leather sack.“她跟我一样糟糕。”半身人看着从魔法皮袋里滚落出来的东西种类之杂、数量之多，惊讶地说道。189
Two handfuls of coins—mostly copper and silver—a purple silk scarf, a brass shot glass, a minty-smelling potion in a crystal vial, a very nice pearl necklace, six keys, a silver spoon, a pair of gloves, a ball of string, a button hook, some regular dice, some loaded dice, a yard of lace, an apple, some chunks of cured, dried meat, and several pieces of hard candy covered in lint.两大把钱币——大多是铜币和银币——一条紫色丝巾、一只黄铜小酒杯、一瓶装在水晶小瓶里、散发着薄荷气味的药水、一条相当漂亮的珍珠项链、六把钥匙、一把银勺、一双手套、一团细绳、一枚纽扣钩、几颗普通骰子、几颗灌铅骰子、一码花边、一只苹果、几块腌制风干的肉，以及几颗沾满绒毛的硬糖。190
“Yech,” Olive muttered.“呸，”奥利芙嘟囔道。191
She shook the pouch some more, but nothing else fell out.她又抖了抖袋子，可再也没有东西掉出来。192
“Damn!” she said.“该死！”她说道。193
“Where is it?”“到底在哪儿？”194
Olive sat on the bed and picked through the debris.奥利芙坐到床上，在那堆杂物里翻找起来。195
“It has to be here,” she insisted.“肯定就在这里，”她坚持道。196
“I’m the only ass in Immersea.“我是伊默海唯一的笨蛋。197
Steele said so.”斯蒂尔就是这么说的。”198
Face it, Olive-girl, she told herself, trying to overcome her disappointment at not finding the spur.认清现实吧，奥利芙姑娘，她对自己说道，竭力压下没找到马刺的失望。199
Steele must have been wrong, as usual.斯蒂尔肯定又像往常一样弄错了。200
But Jade being the thief had made so much sense.可小偷是杰德这个推断原本是那么合情合理。201
If the guardian accepted her as a daughter of Finder, the Nameless Bard, Jade could have entered the crypt.如果守卫承认她是无名吟游诗人芬德的女儿，杰德就能够进入墓穴。202
Flattery had told Cat that twice his magic had failed to detect the spur.弗拉特里曾告诉凯特，他的魔法有两次都没能探测到马刺。203
Jade, just like Alias, had been proofed against magical detection and scrying.杰德和阿莉亚丝一样，也受到保护，不会被魔法探测或窥视。204
Jade would have thwarted Flattery’s attempts at magical detection.杰德本可以挫败弗拉特里的魔法探测。205
Then a more unsettling thought occurred to Olive.接着，奥利芙想到了一个更令人不安的可能。206
Suppose Jade did steal the spur and it was on her when Flattery disintegrated her?假如杰德确实偷了马刺，而弗拉特里将她化为齑粉时，马刺就在她身上呢？207
Wouldn’t that be ironic?那岂不是很讽刺？208
But, then, would Steele’s divination reveal that the spur was in the little ass’s pocket?可话说回来，斯蒂尔的占卜难道不会显示马刺就在那个小个子笨蛋的口袋里吗？209
Could Steele’s god have lied to him?斯蒂尔的神会不会对他说了谎？210
Or was there another little ass that Steele had missed somewhere?还是说，某个地方另有一个斯蒂尔没注意到的小个子笨蛋？211
Giogi might be considered a bit of an ass, but he was far from little; he was taller than Jade had been.乔吉或许也算有点笨，可他一点也不矮；他比杰德生前还要高。212
Cat was an ass for sticking with Flattery, but if she had the spur, she’d have turned it over to the evil wizard.凯特执意跟着弗拉特里，实在是个笨蛋，可如果马刺在她手里，她早就把它交给那个邪恶的巫师了。213
There could be other Wyvernspurs who were fools, or, for that matter, any one of them could have secretly wed some fool to steal the spur for them, as Flattery had.飞龙刺家族中或许还有别的蠢人；再说，他们中的任何一个都有可能像弗拉特里那样，暗中与某个傻瓜成婚，让对方替自己偷走马刺。214
Olive wondered idly, Had Flattery really married Cat just to make her a Wyvernspur, or was he just trying to bind her to him?奥利芙漫不经心地想：弗拉特里真的只是为了让凯特成为飞龙刺家族的一员才娶她，还是仅仅想把她拴在自己身边？215
Even if the evil wizard hadn’t any idea that Cat was already a Wyvernspur, he still didn’t need to marry her to get past the guardian.即使这个邪恶法师根本不知道凯特已经是飞龙刺家族的人，他也不需要娶她才能通过守护者那一关。216
He could have gone in the crypt himself.他本可以亲自进入墓穴。217
Why hadn’t he?他为什么没进去？218
What had he been afraid of?他究竟在害怕什么？219
Olive wished Finder were there now.奥利芙真希望芬德此刻就在这里。220
If Flattery hated him so much, there was a good chance Finder knew Flattery and could tell her something useful about the evil mage.既然弗拉特里那么恨他，芬德很可能了解弗拉特里，能告诉她一些关于这个邪恶法师的有用信息。221
Finder was far off in Shadowdale, though.可芬德远在阴影谷。222
This time of year it would take more than a month to ride up to Shadowdale and back.每年这个时节，骑马去阴影谷再赶回来得花一个多月。223
Olive and Giogi needed each other’s help now.眼下，奥利芙和乔吉需要彼此相助。224
Even if they didn’t have the spur, they still had Cat to use against her master.即便他们没有飞龙刺，也还有凯特可以用来对付她的主人。225
The problem is how to convince Cat that Flattery can’t do anything to her and that he has nothing to offer her.问题是，怎样才能让凯特相信，弗拉特里伤害不了她，也给不了她任何东西。226
The first part’s easy enough, the halfling thought.前一件事倒很容易，半身人心想。227
Just use the old amulet of protection scam.只要使出那套老掉牙的护身符骗局就行了。228
Olive looked down at the junk lying on her bed.奥利芙低头看着散落在床上的那些破烂。229
What do we have here that’s uglier than a monkey’s paw? she pondered.这里有什么东西比猴爪还丑？她思忖着。230
She scooped up the chunks of cured meat from Jade’s purse and tied them tightly in Jade’s silk scarf.她把杰德钱袋里的腌肉块一把拢起来，用杰德的丝巾紧紧包好。231
That’ll do for now, she thought, scooping all of Jade’s things along with the homemade “amulet of protection” back into Jade’s magic pouch.眼下这样就行了，她心想，随即把杰德的所有东西连同那枚自制的“护身符”一起塞回杰德的魔法袋里。232
Olive sighed.奥利芙叹了口气。233
The sun had risen.太阳已经升起来了。234
It was time to join forces with Giogioni Wyvernspur—right after a light breakfast.是时候和乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺联手了——不过得先吃顿简单的早餐。235
About an hour after Olive had gone down to eat at Maela’s, back at Giogi’s townhouse, the Wyvernspur noble knocked softly on the door to his own room.奥利芙下楼去梅拉那里吃饭约一个小时后，在乔吉的城中宅邸里，那位飞龙刺家族的贵族轻轻敲了敲自己房间的门。236
“Come in,” Cat called sleepily.“进来吧。”凯特睡意蒙眬地喊道。237
Giogi peeked in the doorway.乔吉从门口探头往里看。238
“Just need to get some clothes,” he said.“我只来拿几件衣服。”他说。239
“Fine,” Cat mumbled, pulling up the thick down comforter to her chest and rolling over.“好吧。”凯特咕哝着，把厚厚的羽绒被拉到胸前，翻了个身。240
Giogi crossed the room and removed an ensemble from his winter clothes chest.乔吉穿过房间，从冬衣箱里取出一套衣服。241
He was searching for matching stockings when there was a soft knock on the door.他正翻找配套的长袜，这时门上传来轻轻的敲门声。242
Giogi shot a quick glance from his search to see Thomas entering with his morning tea tray.乔吉从衣箱上匆匆抬眼一瞥，只见托马斯端着晨茶托盘走了进来。243
The servant crossed to the bed and set the tray on the nightstand by his master’s bed, as had been his custom every morning for years.仆人走到床边，把托盘放在主人床边的床头柜上；多年来，他每天早晨都是如此。244
Giogi returned to pawing through the chest.乔吉又低头在衣箱里翻找起来。245
“I say, Thomas,” Giogi said, examining a worn patch in the heel of a stocking, “I’m going to need some more warm footgear.“我说，托马斯，”乔吉一边查看一只长袜后跟磨薄的地方，一边说道，“我还需要些保暖的袜子。246
And this one will need darning.”这一只也得织补一下。”247
Giogi held the stocking out in Thomas’s direction, his head still buried in his clothing chest.乔吉把长袜朝托马斯的方向递去，脑袋仍埋在衣箱里。248
When several seconds passed without Thomas taking the piece, Giogi looked up.过了好几秒，托马斯还是没有接过那只袜子，乔吉便抬起头来。249
“I say, Thomas …” he began, but Thomas was not present.“我说，托马斯……”他刚开口，却发现托马斯已经不见了。250
From the bed, Cat giggled.床上的凯特咯咯笑了起来。251
“He took one look at me and bolted,” she explained as she sat up in bed and pushed her hair out of her eyes.“他看了我一眼，拔腿就跑了。”她解释道，一边从床上坐起来，把垂在眼前的头发拨开。252
“Why would he do …“他为什么会……253
Oh, I say!哦，我说呢！254
He couldn’t have thought …他不会是以为……255
Oh, dear.哦，天哪。256
I’d better go have a word with him.”我最好去跟他解释一下。”257
“Why?”“为什么？”258
Cat asked, now grinning from ear to ear.凯特问道，此刻已经笑得合不拢嘴。259
“Well, to clear your honor, for starters,” Giogi replied, amazed that she didn’t understand.“嗯，首先得还你清白。”乔吉答道，惊讶于她居然不明白。260
Cat laughed.凯特笑了起来。261
“What about your honor?” she asked.“那你的清白呢？”她问道。262
“Well, um …”“这个，呃……”263
Giogi flushed.乔吉涨红了脸。264
“I’ll be back,” he said, hurrying after his manservant.“我马上回来。”他说着，匆匆追上自己的男仆。265
Giogi had to track Thomas all the way down to the kitchen.乔吉一路追到厨房，才找到托马斯。266
The manservant was polishing tableware with the furious gusto of a man who expected a finicky demon to dine with them.男仆正怒气冲冲地擦拭餐具，那股卖力劲儿，活像是料定有个挑剔的恶魔要来与他们共进晚餐。267
“I say, Thomas,” Giogi began, “I think we need to have a chat.”“我说，托马斯，”乔吉开口道，“我想我们需要谈一谈。”268
“That won’t be necessary, sir,” Thomas responded quickly and primly.“没这个必要，先生。”托马斯迅速而一本正经地答道。269
“If you shan’t be requiring my services as a gentleman’s gentleman, two weeks notice will be more than sufficient for me to find myself other employment.“如果您不再需要我做您的贴身男仆，提前两周通知我，就足够我另寻一份差事了。270
Master Cormaeril has already given me to understand he could use the services of someone like myself.”科梅里尔少爷已经向我表示，他正需要我这样的人为他效劳。”271
“Shaver Cormaeril’s been trying to pinch my servants?“谢弗·科梅里尔一直想挖走我的仆人？272
By Selune!塞露恩在上！273
Some friend.真够朋友。274
I ought to skin him alive.我该活剥了他的皮。275
Now, see here, Thomas, Mistress Cat spent the night in my bed,” Giogi explained, then added hastily, “and I spent the night in her bed.好了，听我说，托马斯，凯特小姐昨晚睡在我的床上，”乔吉解释道，随即又连忙补充，“而我昨晚睡在她的床上。276
That is, I spent the night in the lilac room, in case whoever attacked her returned.”我是说，我昨晚睡在丁香花房间里，以防袭击她的人再回来。”277
“I see, sir,” Thomas replied.“我明白了，先生。”托马斯答道。278
His tone had become less formal, though not exactly apologetic.他的语气没那么拘谨了，尽管也谈不上是在道歉。279
He did, however, put aside the polishing and look at his master.不过，他确实放下了手中正在擦拭的餐具，抬眼看向主人。280
“My relationship with Mistress Cat is completely professional,” Giogi added.“我和凯特小姐之间完全是公务关系。”乔吉又补充道。281
“Yes, sir.”“是，先生。”282
Thomas said.托马斯说道。283
“Naturally, I am not blind to the fact that she is an incredibly beautiful woman, but my intentions where she is concerned are completely honorable.”“当然，我并非没有注意到她是一位美得不可思议的女子，但我对她绝无非分之想。”284
The young noble began to pace the kitchen as he spoke.年轻的贵族一边说，一边开始在厨房里踱步。285
“Of course, sir,” Thomas said, though he suspected that perhaps Cat’s intentions might not be as pure as his master’s.“当然，先生。”托马斯说道，心里却怀疑，凯特的意图或许不像主人那般纯正。286
“So let’s have no more of this nonsense about giving notice or that scurrilous cove, Shaver Cormaeril.”“所以，别再胡扯什么辞职不辞职的，也别再提谢弗·科梅里尔那个卑鄙的家伙了。”287
“No, sir,” Thomas agreed.“不会了，先生。”托马斯应道。288
“You know, Thomas,” Giogi confided, “I have noticed that Mistress Cat does seem a little taken with me.”“你知道吗，托马斯，”乔吉向他吐露道，“我发现凯特小姐似乎对我颇有好感。”289
“I do not imagine, however, that your Aunt Dorath would feel the same way about her, sir.”“不过，先生，我想多拉丝姑妈对她恐怕不会有同样的好感。”290
“Well, dash it, Thomas,” Giogi replied hotly, “I can’t spend the rest of my life trying to please Aunt Dorath, can I?”“哎呀，托马斯，”乔吉激动地答道，“我总不能一辈子都只顾着讨多拉丝姑妈欢心，对不对？”291
With that, he spun around and marched out of the kitchen.说罢，他猛地转过身，大步走出了厨房。292
Thomas gulped nervously.托马斯紧张地咽了口唾沫。293
He suddenly realized that the situation was much more serious than before.他突然意识到，事情远比先前严重。294
Late last night, after the unpleasantness in the lilac room, Thomas had consulted with his advisor about Giogi and his “professional” relationship with the mage Cat.昨夜很晚的时候，在丁香房间那场不愉快之后，托马斯曾向自己的顾问请教过乔吉以及他与法师凯特之间的“职业”关系。295
Thomas had laid out his concerns, but his advisor had assured him there was nothing to worry about.托马斯陈述了自己的忧虑，但他的顾问向他保证，没什么可担心的。296
The servant wondered what his advisor would say if he’d just heard Giogi’s declaration.这个仆人不禁寻思，要是他的顾问刚才听见了乔吉那番宣言，会说些什么。297
A staccato knock at the front door forced Thomas to focus on his more conventional duties.前门响起一阵短促急切的敲门声，迫使托马斯把注意力转回那些更常规的职责上。298
Slipping off his apron, he hurried out to the front hall, and, regathering his composure, opened the door.他脱下围裙，匆匆赶到前厅，重新镇定下来后，打开了门。299
A very small figure dressed in a fur-trimmed cape stood on the stoop.门阶上站着一个身披毛皮镶边斗篷、身形极其矮小的人。300
At first, Thomas assumed it was a young child, noble-born he would have guessed, based on the cape and the well-groomed russet hair flowing from beneath the hood.起初，托马斯以为那是个年幼的孩子；从那件斗篷，以及兜帽下披散出来、梳理得整整齐齐的赤褐色头发来看，他猜这孩子出身贵族。301
The figure looked up at him with a very grim expression, and Thomas could see that it was no child, but an adult female halfling.那人抬头看着他，神情极其严肃，托马斯这才看清，对方并不是孩子，而是一名成年的女性半身人。302
“I must speak with Giogioni Wyvernspur,” the halfling declared.“我必须和乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺谈谈。”半身人宣告道。303
She slipped past Thomas’s legs and through the doorway.她从托马斯两腿之间钻过，径直穿过了门口。304
“Master Giogioni has not yet dressed or had breakfast,” Thomas argued, still holding the door open, hoping the little creature would take the hint and leave.“乔吉奥尼少爷还没穿衣服，也没吃早餐呢。”托马斯争辩道，仍扶着敞开的门，希望这个小家伙能领会他的暗示，自行离开。305
“I can wait,” Olive said.“我可以等。”奥利芙说道。306
“Thomas, isn’t it?” she asked, pulling off her gloves.“你是托马斯，对吧？”她一边脱下手套，一边问道。307
“Yes,” the servant admitted.“是的。”仆人承认道。308
“Is the mage known as Cat still here?” the halfling interrogated the servant.“那个名叫凯特的法师还在这里吗？”半身人盘问仆人。309
“Uh, yes,” Thomas said, closing the front door in surprise.“呃，在。”托马斯惊讶地说道，同时关上了前门。310
It was a little startling to be confronted with someone who seemed to know the household’s goings-on.突然遇上一个似乎对这家里发生的一切都了如指掌的人，着实让他有些吃惊。311
“Time may be of the essence.“时间紧迫。312
Would you be so good as to tell your master that Olive Ruskettle requests an interview with him?”能否劳驾您转告主人，就说奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔请求与他面谈？”313
Olive said, swinging her cape from her shoulders and holding it and her gloves out in Thomas’s general direction.奥利芙说着，将斗篷从肩头甩下，连同手套一起递向托马斯所在的大致方向。314
“Of course,” Thomas said, accepting the halfling woman’s items.“当然可以。”托马斯说着，接过了这位半身人女子的衣物。315
Trying to regain some marginal control of the situation, he suggested, “Perhaps you would care to wait in the parlor.”为了多少重新掌控一下局面，他提议道：“或许您愿意到客厅里稍候。”316
“That will be fine,” Olive replied.“好。”奥利芙答道。317
Thomas ushered the halfling into the next room, where she sat on a low footstool.托马斯领着半身人走进隔壁房间，她在一张矮脚凳上坐了下来。318
Her posture, so perfectly straight and still, reminded Thomas of Giogi’s Aunt Dorath, and her tone and demeanor were so solemn that Thomas grew more than concerned; he became alarmed.她腰背挺得笔直，纹丝不动，令托马斯想起了乔吉的多拉丝姑妈；而她的语气与举止又如此严肃，让托马斯不只是担忧，简直开始惊慌了。319
This Olive Ruskettle was nothing like any of the halflings Thomas had ever met before.这个奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔，和托马斯从前见过的任何半身人都截然不同。320
What sort of awful business could she possibly have with my master? he wondered as he hurried from the parlor.她究竟会有什么可怕的事要找我家主人？他匆匆离开客厅时暗自思忖。321
Without rising, Olive surveyed the plush room around her.奥利芙没有起身，只是环顾着四周陈设华美的房间。322
The boy has money, all right, she decided.这小子确实有钱，她断定。323
And taste, too, she added upon catching sight of a marble statue of Selune.而且还很有品位，她瞥见一尊塞露恩的大理石雕像后又补充道。324
I do believe that’s an original Cledwyll.我敢说，那是克莱德维尔的真迹。325
Overly endowed and scantily clad.身材过于丰满，衣着又少得可怜。326
Yes, definitely a Cledwyll.没错，绝对是克莱德维尔。327
How extraordinary.真不寻常。328
Olive looked down at her dress.奥利芙低头看了看自己的裙子。329
The pin was still firmly in place, as was her determination.别针依然牢牢别在原处，她的决心也同样坚定。330
She had to throw herself into this role, she thought.她心想，自己必须全身心投入这个角色。331
How does one play a Harper?竖琴手该怎么演？332
Should she act certain and serious, like all the archetypal, snooty paladins she’d known as a child, or did she dare model herself after the Saurial paladin Dragonbait, who’d befriended Alias, and add a touch of concern and self-effacing humor?她该像儿时认识的那些典型而傲慢的圣武士一样，表现得笃定又严肃，还是该大胆效仿那位曾与阿莉亚丝结为朋友的蜥蜴族圣武士龙饵，再添上一丝关切和自嘲式的幽默？333
What would Dragonbait do in this situation? she wondered.龙饵遇到这种情形会怎么做？她思忖道。334
Probably track Flattery down and run him through with a sword, she answered sternly.大概会追踪到弗拉特里，然后一剑把他刺个对穿，她神情严肃地回答自己。335
All right, but what would he do if he were me?好吧，可如果他是我，他会怎么做？336
He wouldn’t say much, she thought, allowing herself a slight grin.他不会多说什么，她想，嘴角不由得泛起一丝笑意。337
Dragonbait was mute, which was part of his charm and mystique, Olive realized.奥利芙意识到，龙饵是个哑巴，这也正是他的魅力与神秘感的一部分。338
He didn’t babble.他从不喋喋不休。339
Try not to babble, Olive-girl, she ordered herself.别喋喋不休，奥利芙姑娘，她命令自己。340
Get to the point.直奔正题。341
Then again, it might not be a good idea to fire on Giogi suddenly.不过话说回来，一上来就突然向乔吉开火，或许不是什么好主意。342
Might spook him.可能会吓着他。343
Try a little polite conversation first.先礼貌地寒暄几句。344
Hello.你好。345
So sorry to hear about good old Drone.听说可怜的老德罗恩出了事，真叫人难过。346
How’s the rest of your family?你家里其他人都好吗？347
Then let Giogi know his houseguest is married to a murdering dog who happens to be a relative.然后再让乔吉知道，他家的客人嫁给了一条杀人恶犬，而那条恶犬碰巧还是他的亲戚。348
Giogioni did not keep Olive waiting long, and the genuine smile he wore as he entered the parlor did a lot to bolster Olive’s confidence.乔吉奥尼没让奥利芙久等；他走进客厅时脸上真诚的笑容，也让奥利芙信心大增。349
“Mistress Ruskettle, what an honor!“拉斯凯特尔女士，真是荣幸！350
I’d heard you were in Immersea,” the young man said.我听说您来了伊默海。”年轻人说道。351
“I’m so pleased you remember me, Master Giogioni.“真高兴您还记得我，乔吉奥尼少爷。352
Our last meeting, at your cousin’s wedding, was so brief,” Olive replied, holding out her hand.我们上次在您堂亲的婚礼上见面，实在太匆忙了。”奥利芙一边回答，一边伸出手。353
Giogioni took the tiny fingers in his own and bowed low over the half ling’s hand.乔吉奥尼将那纤小的手指握在手中，对着半身人的手深深躬下身去。354
He released her and stepped back.他松开她的手，退后一步。355
“It would be impossible to forget a songstress with your talent, and, of course, the day was, um, memorable for other reasons.”“像您这样才华横溢的歌唱家，实在不可能让人忘记；当然，那一天，呃，也因为别的缘故而令人难忘。”356
“Yes,” Olive said, nodding.“是啊。”奥利芙点头说道。357
“There was that unfortunate attack on your life.”“那天不幸有人企图取您性命。”358
“Well, Sage Dimswart did explain that your friend, Alias, was under a curse.“不过，迪姆斯沃特贤者确实解释过，您的朋友阿莉亚丝当时中了诅咒。359
I don’t blame her.”我不怪她。”360
“That’s very civil of you, Master Giogioni.“您太客气了，乔吉奥尼老爷。361
I’m pleased to say that we did manage to find a cure for Alias.”很高兴能告诉您，我们确实设法找到了治愈阿莉亚丝的办法。”362
“Oh, that’s marvelous,” Giogi said, seating himself across from the bard.“哦，那真是太好了。”乔吉说着，在吟游诗人对面坐了下来。363
“Tell me, is she in Immersea as well?” he asked, testing his theory that Alias had stolen the spur.“告诉我，她也在伊默海吗？”他问道，想验证自己关于阿莉亚丝偷走了那枚马刺的猜测。364
Olive shook her head.奥利芙摇了摇头。365
“No. She’s wintering in Shadowdale.”“不。她在阴影谷过冬。”366
“Oh.”“哦。”367
Giogi’s brow furrowed for a moment, but he recovered from his disappointment quickly.乔吉皱了片刻眉头，但很快便从失望中恢复过来。368
Olive went on to a new topic.奥利芙转而谈起另一个话题。369
“I heard that your grandfather’s cousin, Drone Wyvernspur, has passed on.“我听说，您祖父的堂弟德罗恩·飞龙刺去世了。370
May I extend my condolences,” she said.请允许我向您表示哀悼，”她说道。371
“I understand you were very close to him.”“听说您和他非常亲近。”372
“Thank you,” Giogi replied.“谢谢。”乔吉答道。373
He looked away from Olive and stared into the flames in the fireplace.他移开望着奥利芙的目光，凝视着壁炉里的火焰。374
Olive could see moisture sparkling in his eyes.奥利芙看见他眼中闪烁着泪光。375
After a few moments, the nobleman turned to face his guest once again.片刻之后，这位贵族再次转身面对客人。376
“It came as quite a shock.“这件事来得太突然了。377
He was more than a cousin to me.对我而言，他不只是祖父的堂弟。378
He and my Aunt Dorath raised me after both my parents died.我父母双亡后，是他和多拉丝姑妈把我抚养长大的。379
I always called him Uncle Drone.我一直叫他德罗恩叔叔。380
He was a little absentminded but always very kind.”他有点健忘，但始终非常慈祥。”381
“Your family is in the midst of another tragedy as well, I understand,” Olive commented.“据我所知，您家眼下似乎还遭逢着另一桩悲剧。”奥利芙说道。382
“An heirloom is missing, which, according to legend, is supposed to ensure that our line never dies out.“有一件传家宝失踪了；据传说，它本应保佑我们的家系永不断绝。383
The family’s a bit on edge, what with its disappearance and Drone’s death.这件东西失踪了，再加上德罗恩之死，家里人都有些惴惴不安。384
You know, Mistress Ruskettle, it’s really most extraordinary that you should have come to visit me this morning.您知道吗，拉斯凯特尔女士，您今天早晨竟会来拜访我，实在太不同寻常了。385
You see, I was planning to come speak with you about the spur.”其实，我原本正打算来找您谈谈那枚距刺。”386
Olive managed to hide her surprise.奥利芙设法掩住了自己的惊讶。387
There would be time enough to find out what Giogi thought she knew.以后有的是时间弄清楚乔吉以为她知道些什么。388
“Perhaps my coming isn’t as extraordinary as you might think,” the halfling said with a knowing smile.“也许我的到来并不像您想的那么不同寻常。”半身人露出心照不宣的微笑说道。389
She raised her right hand to the Harper’s pin and fiddled with it, seemingly absentmindedly.她抬起右手，似乎漫不经心地摆弄着竖琴手徽针。390
Then she let her hand rest back in her lap.随后，她又把手放回膝上。391
“Perhaps you are already aware, Master Giogioni, that the wyvern’s spur has attracted the attention of a certain powerful and dangerous wizard.”“也许您已经知道了，乔吉奥尼先生，那枚双足飞龙距刺引起了某位强大而危险的法师的注意。”392
Giogi gulped.乔吉咽了口唾沫。393
“You mean Flattery?” he squeaked.“你是说弗拉特里？”他尖声问道。394
“Precisely,” Olive replied, leaning forward in her chair.“正是。”奥利芙答道，身子在椅中向前倾去。395
Without realizing it, Giogi leaned forward in response.乔吉不由自主地也向前倾了倾身子。396
“Perhaps it’s time I got to the point, Master Giogioni.“也许我该开门见山了，乔吉奥尼先生。397
This Flattery murdered my partner, and my organization cannot let his crime go unpunished.”这个弗拉特里谋杀了我的搭档，而我的组织不能让他的罪行得不到惩罚。”398
“Your organization—excuse me, but I couldn’t help noticing; that is a Harper’s pin you’re wearing, isn’t it?”“您的组织——恕我冒昧，可我不禁注意到，您佩戴的是一枚竖琴手徽针，对吗？”399
“Yes, Master Giogioni, it is.”“是的，乔吉奥尼先生，正是。”400
“I hadn’t realized …“我竟不知道……401
You weren’t wearing one at Freffie’s wedding last spring.”去年春天弗雷菲举行婚礼时，您还没有佩戴它。”402
Olive sighed and smiled.奥利芙叹了口气，微微一笑。403
“Those were less fateful days.”“那时的日子还没这么多变故。”404
The door to the parlor opened, and Cat breezed in.客厅的门开了，凯特轻快地走了进来。405
She wore a cream-colored morning dress replete with pink ribbon-roses and white beadwork ferns.她身穿一袭奶油色晨装，上面缀满粉红色的缎带玫瑰和白色珠饰蕨叶。406
She wore her copper-colored hair in an elaborate five-strand Sembian braid that hung halfway down her back.她那一头铜色秀发梳成精巧的森比亚式五股辫，一直垂到背部中央。407
She slipped behind Giogi and took up the braided lock of his hair.她闪身来到乔吉身后，拿起他那绺编成辫子的头发。408
It was obvious from her behavior that she did not notice the halfling visitor on the footstool across from Giogi’s chair.从她的举止来看，她显然没有注意到坐在乔吉椅子对面脚凳上的那位半身人访客。409
She held out three small green beads.她摊开手，露出三颗绿色的小珠子。410
“I found these in my bed,” she said with a smile, then began sliding them into the nobleman’s hair.“我在床上找到了这些。”她笑着说，随即开始把珠子穿进这位贵族的头发里。411
Giogi colored visibly.乔吉的脸明显红了起来。412
He rose and turned Cat to face Olive.他站起身，把凯特转过来，让她面对奥利芙。413
“We have company, my dear.“亲爱的，我们有客人。414
Mistress Ruskettle, may I present to you—”拉斯凯特尔女士，请允许我向您介绍——”415
“Cat the mage, apprentice to the wizard Flattery,” Olive finished for him, her tone chill.“法师凯特，巫师弗拉特里的学徒。”奥利芙冷冷地替他说完。416
Cat was taken aback at discovering that her flirtation not only had an audience, but one who knew too much about her.凯特吃了一惊，没想到自己调情时不仅有旁观者，而且对方还知道她太多底细。417
Nervously she slipped one of her hands into Giogi’s.她紧张地把一只手塞进乔吉手中。418
“Um, well, she’s decided to leave Flattery,” Giogi reported.“呃，是这样的，她已经决定离开弗拉特里了。”乔吉说道。419
“She’s here under my protection.”“她现在受我保护。”420
“A wise decision, Mistress Cat,” the halfling said, nodding sagely.“明智的决定，凯特女士。”半身人老成地点着头说道。421
“And not a moment too soon,” she added.“而且还不算太迟。”她又补充道。422
Even as she spoke, Olive realized she would have to handle Cat without any help from Giogi.说话间，奥利芙已经意识到，要应付凯特，她不能指望乔吉帮忙。423
From what the mage had just said to the nobleman, it was obvious that he had offered Cat more than his protection.从这位女法师刚才对贵族说的话来看，乔吉给凯特的显然不只是庇护。424
He’s not likely to welcome any suggestions that the woman might betray him, Olive thought.他大概不会乐意听到任何有关这个女人可能背叛他的说法，奥利芙心想。425
Human men are funny that way.人类男人在这种事上就是古怪。426
It’s a pity I can’t let him know that I’m sure of her disloyalty because I eavesdropped on her in his carriage house.可惜我不能告诉他，我之所以确信她不忠，是因为我曾在他的马车房里偷听过她说话。427
“Cat,” Giogi said, finishing the introductions smoothly, “this is the bard, Olive Ruskettle.“凯特，”乔吉从容地完成了介绍，“这位是吟游诗人奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔。428
We were just discussing Flattery when you came in.”你进来时，我们正好在谈弗拉特里。”429
Cat made a curtsy to Olive, not oblivious to the fact that Giogi had chosen to present her to Olive and not the other way around.凯特向奥利芙行了个屈膝礼，同时清楚地意识到，乔吉选择的是把她介绍给奥利芙，而不是反过来把奥利芙介绍给她。430
“It seems,” Giogi gulped, “that Flattery killed Mistress Ruskettle’s partner,” Giogi explained to the mage.“看样子，”乔吉咽了口唾沫，“弗拉特里杀了拉斯凯特尔女士的搭档。”乔吉向女法师解释道。431
Cat did not look surprised in the least.凯特一点也不显得惊讶。432
She merely blinked once and asked, “Why?”她只是眨了一下眼睛，问道：“为什么？”433
Olive was struck by an inspiration.奥利芙忽然灵机一动。434
She smiled knowingly.她心照不宣地笑了笑。435
“An interesting question, Mistress Cat,” she said.“这个问题很有意思，凯特女士，”她说道。436
“One that I suddenly realize you might be able to answer better than I.”“我突然意识到，或许你比我更适合回答。”437
“Me?”“我？”438
Cat paled, no longer so collected.凯特脸色发白，再也不像方才那般镇定。439
“You,” Olive replied.“就是你。”奥利芙答道。440
“My story is a little complicated,” the halfling said.“我的故事有点复杂，”半身人说道。441
“Please, won’t you both sit down?”“请二位都坐下，好吗？”442
Giogi sat on the sofa and drew Cat down beside him, still holding her hand in his own.乔吉在沙发上坐下，又拉着凯特坐到自己身旁，手里依然握着她的手。443
She looked as though she needed his strength.她看上去仿佛需要从他身上汲取力量。444
Maybe this will bring you to your senses, Cat, Olive thought.也许这能让你清醒过来，凯特，奥利芙心想。445
Perhaps we can make you more afraid of going back to Flattery than of leaving him.也许我们能让你觉得，回到弗拉特里身边比离开他更可怕。446
“You have no doubt noticed, Master Giogioni,” the halfling began, “that Mistress Cat bears a strong resemblance to Alias of Westgate.”“乔吉奥尼少爷，”半身人开口道，“想必你已经注意到，凯特女士和西门城的阿莉亚丝长得极为相像。”447
“Well, actually, yes, I have,” Giogi said, “but Cat said—”“呃，其实，是的，我注意到了，”乔吉说道，“可是凯特说——”448
“She’s never met anyone named Alias,” Olive supplied.“她从未见过任何一个叫阿莉亚丝的人。”奥利芙替他说完。449
“That she is from Ordulin.“她还说自己来自奥杜林。450
Mistress Cat comes from a branch of Alias’s family separated by … hard times.凯特女士出身于阿莉亚丝家族的一个旁支，这一支因为……时世艰难而与本家分离。451
Yet her relatives all show a striking family resemblance to one another, much like in the Wyvernspur family.然而，她的亲族彼此之间都有着惊人的家族相貌特征，很像飞龙刺家族。452
In addition, all of the women in Alias’s clan inherit an unusual marking on their right arm.此外，阿莉亚丝氏族的所有女性都会在右臂上继承一种异乎寻常的印记。453
It appears overnight without explanation, and cannot be dispelled magically.”那印记会毫无缘由地在一夜之间出现，而且无法用魔法消除。”454
Cat touched her right sleeve with her left hand.凯特用左手摸了摸自己的右袖。455
Giogi looked at her questioningly, and the mage nodded her head.乔吉疑惑地看着她，女法师点了点头。456
Olive continued her story.奥利芙继续讲述她的故事。457
“My partner, Jade, was also a member of this family.“我的搭档杰德也是这个家族的一员。458
She, too, resembled Alias of Westgate, as well as you, Mistress Cat.她也和西门城的阿莉亚丝长得很像，也像您，凯特小姐。459
At any rate, two nights ago, we sighted Flattery in the streets of Immersea.总之，两天前的夜里，我们在伊默海的街上发现了弗拉特里。460
We followed him, as we were aware that he had unscrupulous reasons for visiting your town.我们知道他到你们镇上来没安好心，所以便跟踪了他。461
“Jade has been specially trained in picking pockets—in the line of duty, you understand,” the halfling explained.“杰德受过专门的扒窃训练——当然是为了执行任务，你明白的，”半身人解释道。462
“We thought it likely that Flattery had stolen the wyvern’s spur, so Jade closed in on him to investigate the contents of his pockets.“我们认为弗拉特里很可能偷走了飞龙刺，所以杰德便靠近他，想查查他口袋里装了些什么。463
Jade liberated an unusual item from the wizard right off: a crystal as big as my fist and as dark as a new moon.杰德立刻从那个巫师身上顺来了一件不同寻常的东西：一块有我的拳头那么大、如新月之夜般漆黑的水晶。464
I know, because she held it up for me to see before she continued stalking Flattery.”我知道这件事，因为她在继续跟踪弗拉特里之前，曾把它举起来给我看。”465
Olive took a deep breath.奥利芙深吸了一口气。466
“Jade was just reaching for Flattery’s pocket again when he turned around.“杰德刚要再次伸手去掏弗拉特里的口袋，他却转过了身。467
He seemed to mistake Jade for someone he knew.他似乎把杰德错认成了一个他认识的人。468
He cried out, and I quote, ‘So, you treacherous witch, you’ve escaped, and now you try to steal what you have not earned.’他大喊道——这是他的原话——‘原来是你这个背信弃义的女巫！你逃出来了，现在又想偷走你无权得到的东西。’469
Then he … he killed my partner—disintegrated her with a vile magic spell.”然后他……他杀了我的搭档——用一道邪恶的法术将她化为了乌有。”470
Olive paused.奥利芙停顿了一下。471
She did not need to feign grief and rage; they came naturally.她无须假装悲痛和愤怒；这些情绪自然而然地涌了出来。472
Giogi was rapt with the bard’s tale.乔吉全神贯注地听着吟游诗人的故事。473
His mouth hung slightly open, and his eyes were wide.他的嘴微微张着，双眼睁得很大。474
The cool and rational Cat clutched Giogi’s hand tightly, and her gaze seemed to bore holes into Olive.一向冷静理智的凯特紧紧攥住乔吉的手，目光仿佛要在奥利芙身上烧出几个洞来。475
It was some moments before the halfling could bring herself to finish, and when she did, her voice was no longer as steady as it had been.过了好一会儿，半身人才勉强让自己把话说完；开口时，她的声音已不再像先前那样平稳。476
“I think Flattery mistook my partner for you, Mistress Cat,” she explained.“我想，弗拉特里把我的搭档错认成您了，凯特小姐，”她解释道。477
“The question I have for you is: Is it possible your former master would kill you if he thought you were trying to steal something from him?”“我想问您的是：如果您从前的主人以为您想从他那里偷走什么东西，他有可能会杀了您吗？”478
Cat turned even paler.凯特的脸色变得更加苍白。479
She nodded wordlessly.她默默地点了点头。480
Olive nodded at her admission.奥利芙听她承认后，点了点头。481
“After seeing Jade murdered, I’m afraid I lost my head,” Olive said.“目睹杰德被杀后，恐怕我一时慌了神，”奥利芙说道。482
“I screamed, and Flattery spotted me, got a good look at me.“我尖叫起来，弗拉特里发现了我，把我的模样看得一清二楚。483
I managed to escape his pursuit with some magic of my own, but I was witness to his crime, and he has no love for Harpers.”我靠自己会的一点魔法设法逃过了他的追捕，但我目睹了他的罪行，而他对竖琴手同盟可没有半点好感。”484
Olive gave a shuddering sigh.奥利芙浑身一颤，叹了口气。485
“If I were farther north, I would have greater resources to draw upon to bring him to justice—companions with discretion.“如果我身在更北方，就能调动更多力量将他绳之以法——那里有行事谨慎的同伴可以相助。486
As it stands now, I am alone and far from home.可眼下，我孤身一人，又远离故乡。487
I could use your help.”我需要你的帮助。”488
“I’m honored that you would come to me, Mistress Ruskettle,” Giogi said, feeling a little astounded.“拉斯凯特尔女士，承蒙你来找我，我深感荣幸，”乔吉说道，心里颇为惊讶。489
“I will do all I can to help.“我会尽我所能相助。490
But why did you come to me?但你为什么来找我呢？491
Surely, in all of Immersea, you could find more powerful allies than myself.”偌大的伊默海，你肯定能找到比我更有能耐的盟友。”492
“But not as discrete, I fear, and I thought you would wish to keep this in the family.“但恐怕找不到像你这样守口如瓶的，而且我想，你大概希望这事由自家人来解决。493
Of course, I might have gone to your Cousin Frefford, but he has a young wife and new baby, and this may be a hazardous mission.当然，我原本也可以去找你的表亲弗雷福德，可他有年轻的妻子和刚出生的孩子，而这次任务可能十分危险。494
As for your Cousin Steele, he is, I’m afraid, unsuitable.”至于你的表亲斯蒂尔，恐怕他并不合适。”495
“I’m sorry.“抱歉。496
I don’t quite follow you,” Giogi said, “about keeping it in the family.”你说由自家人来解决，我不太明白是什么意思，”乔吉说道。497
“As Flattery is one of your own, I thought you might wish to bring him to justice, to help avoid a scandal, as it were.”“既然弗拉特里是你们家的人，我想你或许愿意亲自将他绳之以法，也好避免闹出丑闻，可以这么说吧。”498
“Flattery is …“弗拉特里是……499
You don’t mean to say that he’s a Wyvernspur?”你该不会是说，他也是飞龙刺家族的人吧？”500
Giogi gasped.乔吉倒吸了一口气。501
“Yes.“没错。502
You didn’t know?你不知道吗？503
I thought Mistress Cat would have explained that,” Olive said, though of course, she’d thought no such thing and would have been surprised to learn that Cat had told Giogi anything useful about her master.我以为凯特女士会向你解释这件事呢，”奥利芙说道；当然，她其实根本没这么想过，要是得知凯特曾对乔吉说过任何关于她主人且有用的事，她反倒会大吃一惊。504
Giogi turned to the mage beside him and waited silently for a denial, an explanation, an excuse.乔吉转向身旁的法师，默默等着她否认、解释，或是找个借口。505
Anything.什么都好。506
Cat looked down at her hands.凯特低头看着自己的双手。507
“I didn’t know for certain.“我之前并不能确定。508
I just began to suspect it yesterday.我也是昨天才开始怀疑的。509
He looks just like your cousins, Steele and Frefford.他长得和你的堂兄弟斯蒂尔、弗雷福德一模一样。510
I was afraid that if you realized he was a relative, you might not take my side against him and let me remain in your protection.”我怕你要是知道他是你的亲戚，就不会站在我这边对付他，也不会再让我受你庇护。”511
Not very good at making up lies, are you?真不会编谎话，是吧？512
Olive thought.奥利芙心想。513
Giogi looked wounded.乔吉一脸受伤。514
“How could you even think such a thing?” he asked.“你怎么会这么想？”他问道。515
“You’re always talking about how important your family is to you,” Cat whispered.“你总是在说，家人对你有多重要，”凯特低声说。516
“ ‘Wyvernspurs look out for one another,’ you said.”“你说过，‘飞龙刺家族的人会彼此照应。’”517
“But, you’re family, too,” Giogi protested.“可你也是我的家人啊，”乔吉反驳道。518
“Suppose I weren’t,” Cat said.“假如我不是呢？”凯特说。519
“But you are,” the nobleman insisted.“可你就是，”那位贵族坚持道。520
“The guardian let you past, so you must be.”“守护者让你通过了，所以你一定是。”521
And I’m willing to bet, Olive thought, that that’s not just because of your marriage to Flattery.而且我敢打赌，奥利芙心想，那并不只是因为你嫁给了弗拉特里。522
“But suppose I weren’t in your family?”“可假如我不是你们家族的人呢？”523
Cat insisted.凯特追问道。524
“It would make no difference,” Giogi replied coldly, offended that Cat did not think more highly of his honor.“那也没有任何区别，”乔吉冷冷地回答；凯特竟把他的品格想得如此不堪，这令他深感冒犯。525
“I’m not the sort of man who leaves young women in the hands of murdering wizards.”“我可不是那种会把年轻女子丢在杀人巫师手里的人。”526
Cat looked down at her lap, unable to explain her anxiety.凯特低头望着自己的膝头，无法解释心中的不安。527
Giogi sat stiffly beside her, no longer holding her hand.乔吉僵直地坐在她身旁，不再握着她的手。528
You’ve made a miscalculation, woman, Olive chided Cat mentally.“你失算了，女人。”奥利芙在心里责备凯特。529
You knew you couldn’t tell Giogi that he’s fallen in love with another man’s wife.“你明知道不能告诉乔吉，说他爱上了另一个男人的妻子。530
He might have accepted your not confiding in him, but, by suggesting he might turn you out, you’ve wounded his pride.你不对他吐露实情，他或许还能接受，可你暗示他可能会把你赶出去，却伤了他的自尊。”531
He’s not suspicious of her, but at least she’s on the defensive, Olive thought triumphantly.他并没有怀疑她，但至少她现在已经处于守势了，奥利芙得意地想。532
“Anyway, you are a member of the family,” Giogi insisted as if reminding himself he still had a duty toward her.“不管怎样，你都是这个家族的一员。”乔吉坚持道，仿佛是在提醒自己，他对她仍负有责任。533
“As a Wyvernspur himself, Flattery must have a record of the missing branches of our family tree.“弗拉特里自己也是飞龙刺家族的人，他手里一定有我们家谱中那些失落支系的记录。534
That’s how he knew it would be safe to send you in after the spur.”所以他才知道，派你进去取那枚马刺不会有危险。”535
Olive nodded, then caught herself.奥利芙点了点头，随即意识到自己露馅了。536
She wasn’t supposed to know Cat had been in the crypt.她本不该知道凯特去过墓穴。537
“Do you mean to say Flattery had Mistress Cat steal the spur?” she asked, acting surprised.“你是说，弗拉特里让凯特小姐去偷那枚马刺？”她装出惊讶的样子问道。538
Giogi flushed, realizing he’d just betrayed Cat.乔吉涨红了脸，意识到自己刚刚出卖了凯特。539
“Well, yes and no.”“嗯，算是，也不算是。”540
“My former master sent me after the spur, but it was gone when I got there,” Cat explained hurriedly.“我的前主人派我去取那枚马刺，可我赶到时，它已经不见了。”凯特急忙解释道。541
“You see, their family crypt has a secret door, which opens—”“你知道，他们家的墓穴里有一道暗门，那道门会——”542
“Every fifty years,” Olive concluded with a dismissive wave of her hand.“每五十年开启一次。”奥利芙不以为意地挥了挥手，替她说完。543
“Yes, we know about that as well.“对，这件事我们也知道。544
What I don’t understand is why Flattery sent you after the spur.”我不明白的是，弗拉特里为什么要派你去取那枚马刺。”545
The question that had plagued Olive occurred to Giogi in a flash.那个一直困扰着奥利芙的问题，刹那间也闪过乔吉的脑海。546
“Yes!“对啊！547
If Flattery is a Wyvernspur, why didn’t he just go after the spur himself?”如果弗拉特里是飞龙刺家族的人，他为什么不自己去取那枚马刺？”548
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。549
“If we knew the answer to that question, Master Giogioni,” Olive announced, “we might just know how to defeat Flattery.”“如果我们知道这个问题的答案，乔吉奥尼少爷，”奥利芙郑重说道，“或许我们就能知道该如何击败弗拉特里。”550