Giogi drove the carriage through the heart of town and then south into the countryside.乔吉驾着马车穿过市中心，随后向南驶入乡间。1
Since the nobleman sat outside the carriage, making normal conversation with him impossible, and Cat sat looking out the window, lost in her own thoughts, Olive napped for the length of the half-hour trip.那位贵族坐在车厢外，没法同他正常交谈，而凯特又望着窗外，沉浸在自己的思绪中，于是奥利芙在这半个小时的路程里打了个盹。2
Cat nudged her awake as they drove through the front gate of Castle Redstone.马车驶过红石城堡的正门时，凯特轻轻推醒了她。3
The Wyvernspurs’ ancestral home was an imposing edifice, but Olive always thought castles ostentatious, and red sandstone buildings made her think of rust.飞龙刺家族的祖宅气势恢宏，但奥利芙一向觉得城堡过于浮华，而红砂岩建筑总会让她想到铁锈。4
She could see why Giogi chose to live in a townhouse in Immersea.她明白乔吉为什么选择住在伊默海的城中宅邸里了。5
Even Cat shuddered when she saw the castle.就连凯特看到这座城堡时也打了个寒战。6
A servant ushered them into the parlor, where Gaylyn lay knitting, alone on the couch.一名仆人领他们进了客厅，盖琳独自斜倚在沙发上织着东西。7
“Giogi, you’ve brought company.“乔吉，你带客人来了。”8
How wonderful,” the young woman said, peering intently at Olive and Cat.“真是太好了。”年轻女子说着，目不转睛地端详着奥利芙和凯特。9
“Don’t I know you?“我是不是认识你？”10
Olive Ruskettle the bard, isn’t it?“你是吟游诗人奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔，对不对？”11
What a delightful surprise.“真是个令人愉快的惊喜。”12
Everyone was so pleased with your performance at the wedding reception.“大家都非常喜欢你在婚宴上的表演。”13
We were disappointed that you had to leave early.“你不得不提前离开，我们都很失望。”14
Aren’t you Alias?” she asked Cat.“你不是阿莉亚丝吗？”她问凯特。15
“She’s, um, a relative of Alias’s,” Giogi explained.“她是，呃，阿莉亚丝的一位亲戚。”乔吉解释道。16
“Gaylyn, allow me to present Cat of Ordulin, a mage.“盖琳，请允许我介绍来自奥杜林的法师凯特。”17
Mistress Cat, this is my Cousin Frefford’s wife, Gaylyn.”“凯特女士，这位是我表亲弗雷福德的妻子盖琳。”18
Cat curtsied and whispered a hello.凯特行了个屈膝礼，低声问了声好。19
“You’ll excuse me for not rising, I hope.”“希望你们原谅我不能起身相迎。”20
“Of course,” Olive replied.“当然。”奥利芙答道。21
“We’ve all heard your good news.“我们都听说你的喜讯了。”22
How is your little girl, Lady Gaylyn?”“你的小女儿怎么样了，盖琳夫人？”23
“If I ever see her again, I’ll let you know,” Gaylyn said, laughing.“要是我还能见到她，我一定告诉你们。”盖琳笑着说。24
“Amberlee’s Great-grandauntie Dorath stole her away the moment she was born and has spent all her time since then doting on the child.“安伯莉的曾姨婆多拉丝在她一出生时就把她抱走了，从那以后整天只顾着宠她。25
Actually, you’ve just missed her.其实，你们刚好错过她。26
Aunt Dorath brought her down here for breakfast, and when Amberlee was finished, her Aunt Dorath took her away to sleep in the nursery so I could entertain without waking her,” Gaylyn explained.多拉丝姨婆带她下来吃了早饭，安伯莉吃完后，她又把她抱回育儿室睡觉，好让我招待客人，又不至于吵醒她。”盖琳解释道。27
“Please, sit down,” the new mother encouraged them.“请坐吧。”这位初为人母的女子招呼他们。28
“You must be freezing from your ride.“你们一路骑马过来，一定冻坏了。29
There’s a pot of tea over there,” Gaylyn said, pointing to a silver tea set desperately in need of polishing.那边有一壶茶。”盖琳指着一套亟待擦亮的银茶具说道。30
“Giogi, since we ladies outnumber you, you may do the honors.”“乔吉，既然我们女士人多势众，就由你来效劳吧。”31
Giogi filled and handed out teacups.乔吉斟好茶，一一递给众人。32
Gaylyn passed a plate of cookies around.盖琳把一盘饼干传给大家。33
“It’s lucky you’re here, actually.“其实，你们来得正巧。34
Freffie has been so busy looking for someone who might be a lost member of the family.弗雷菲一直忙着寻找一个可能是失散家族成员的人。35
He spent all night questioning people at the inns—merchants, mercenaries, adventurers, farmers, fishermen, and now he has to deliver some packages for the memorial service tonight for Uncle Drone.他整整一夜都在各家旅店盘问人——商人、佣兵、冒险者、农夫、渔夫——现在还得为今晚给德罗恩叔叔举办的追悼仪式送些包裹。36
He’s up in the tower.”他在塔楼上。”37
She fixed Giogi with the bright green eyes that had ensnared his cousin.她用那双曾迷住乔吉表亲的明亮绿眼睛直视着乔吉。38
“You wouldn’t mind running the packages up to the Temple of Selune for him, would you, so I could get a little more of his attention?”“你不会介意替他把包裹送到塞露恩神殿去吧？这样我也能让他多陪陪我。”39
“Of course,” Giogi agreed.“当然不介意。”乔吉答应道。40
“I was going there later, anyway.“反正我晚些时候也要去那里。41
But I thought Julia was handling the arrangements for the memorial service.”不过，我还以为追悼仪式是由朱莉娅操办的。”42
“She was, but she twisted her ankle while walking in the ice last night, so she’s out of commission.“本来是她，可她昨晚走在冰面上时扭伤了脚踝，现在什么也做不了了。43
Aunt Dorath was beside herself, claiming how the curse had found another victim.”多拉丝姨妈急得六神无主，一口咬定诅咒又找上了一个受害者。”44
“That must have put her in a foul mood.“那一定让她心情糟透了。45
Julia, I mean.”我是说朱莉娅。”46
Gaylyn laughed.盖琳笑了。47
“Silly boy.“傻小子。48
It’s been the luckiest break she’s had all year.这是她一整年里交过的最好的运了。49
There’s nothing like an ankle injury.没有什么比伤了脚踝更妙的了。50
No one can say you’re malingering, because its so gruesome-looking, but you can cover it up with your petticoat and still look marvelous for all the suitors who come to wait on you hand and foot.”谁也不能说你是在装病，因为那伤看起来吓人得很；可你又能用衬裙把它遮住，在那些前来把你伺候得无微不至的追求者面前，照样显得光彩照人。”51
“Julia has suitors?”“朱莉娅有追求者？”52
Giogi asked with mild surprise.乔吉略感惊讶地问。53
“Well, only one, but that’s all she wants.“唔，只有一个，不过她想要的也就这一个。54
She’s in heaven right now.她现在快活得像在天堂里。55
Sudacar couldn’t have found a better excuse to fuss over her unless she’d been kidnapped by a dragon.”除非她被一条龙掳走，否则苏达卡再也找不到比这更好的借口来对她嘘寒问暖了。”56
“Samtavan Sudacar is Julia’s suitor?”“萨姆塔万·苏达卡是朱莉娅的追求者？”57
Giogi asked, astonished.乔吉吃惊地问。58
“Who else?“不然还能是谁？59
Sudacar is so commanding.苏达卡多有威势啊。60
Of course, Steele isn’t keen on it, because Sudacar doesn’t come from forty generations of nobility and isn’t rich.当然，斯蒂尔对此不太乐意，因为苏达卡既不是出身于传承了四十代的贵族世家，也没有钱。61
Just between you and me—I shouldn’t be saying this to outsiders,” she whispered to Olive and Cat, “but Steele is acting like an old poop.这话只在咱们之间说说——我不该对外人讲这些，”她压低声音对奥利芙和凯特说道，“可斯蒂尔现在活像个老糊涂蛋。62
He just wants to keep Julia under his thumb, because he’ll never get a nice girl to do things for him if he doesn’t sweeten himself up.”他只想把朱莉娅牢牢捏在手心里，因为他要是不让自己变得讨喜一点，就永远也找不到一个好姑娘替他做事。”63
She has Steele’s number, all right, Olive thought.她可真把斯蒂尔看得透透的，奥利芙心想。64
Giogi tried to imagine Sudacar fussing over Julia, and Julia being pleased about it.乔吉试着想象苏达卡对朱莉娅嘘寒问暖，而朱莉娅还很享受的情景。65
No one has that much imagination, he thought and shook his head.谁也没有那么丰富的想象力，他一边想，一边摇了摇头。66
“Gaylyn, I’m afraid we’ve really come on business,” he said.“盖琳，恐怕我们这次确实是有正事才来的，”他说。67
“I know,” Gaylyn said with a sigh.“我知道。”盖琳叹了口气。68
“I was just pretending otherwise.“我只是假装不是这么回事。69
I know it’s awful about the spur and Uncle Drone, but it’s hard for me to be gloomy, what with Amberlee and all.我知道，马刺失窃、德罗恩叔叔去世，这一切都糟透了，可有了安伯莉，还有其他这些事，我实在很难闷闷不乐。70
Uncle Drone wouldn’t mind.德罗恩叔叔不会介意的。71
You know, right after Uncle Drone died, I dreamt of his spirit while I was sleeping with little Amberlee lying beside me.你知道吗，德罗恩叔叔刚去世后不久，有一次小安伯莉躺在我身边，我睡着后梦见了他的灵魂。72
In my dream, Uncle Drone appeared by my bed and bent over the baby.在梦里，德罗恩叔叔出现在我的床边，俯身看着宝宝。73
He tickled her under her chin and made funny faces at her.他挠她的下巴逗她痒，还冲她扮鬼脸。74
Then he disappeared.然后他就消失了。75
I know it was his spirit, because he was dead by then, but not even being dead stopped him from playing with his new niece.”我知道那是他的灵魂，因为那时他已经死了，可即便死了，也没能阻止他逗弄自己新添的小侄女。”76
Olive smiled at the young woman’s fanciful notion.奥利芙听了这年轻女子异想天开的说法，微微一笑。77
“That sounds like Uncle Drone’s spirit,” Giogi agreed.“听起来确实像是德罗恩叔叔的灵魂。”乔吉表示赞同。78
“Gaylyn, we need to look over things in Uncle Drone’s lab.“盖琳，我们需要检查一下德罗恩叔叔实验室里的东西。79
I was hoping he might have written something in his journal about the theft of the spur.我希望他或许在日记里写过一些有关马刺失窃的事。80
We’ll be looking through his magic, too, in case there’s something there we can use.”我们也会查看他的魔法物品，看看里面有没有什么能为我们所用的东西。”81
“Oh, dear.“哎呀。82
It’s a good idea, but Aunt Dorath has forbidden it.这是个好主意，可多拉丝姑妈已经禁止任何人这么做了。83
Steele wanted to do it yesterday.斯蒂尔昨天就想去查看。84
She told him it was too dangerous and sent him off on other duties.她告诉他那太危险了，便派他去执行其他任务。85
She’s probably right, you know.”你也知道，她多半是对的。”86
“Yes.“是啊。87
That’s why I brought Mistress Cat and Mistress Olive along as advisors.”所以我才请凯特女士和奥利芙女士一起来当顾问。”88
“Well, in that case.”“嗯，既然这样。”89
Gaylyn stopped for a moment, tilting her head like a child considering some mischief.盖琳停了一会儿，像个正琢磨着恶作剧的孩子似的歪着头。90
“You might want to sneak up the back stairs, so you don’t disturb Aunt Dorath in the nursery.“你们最好从后楼梯悄悄上去，免得打扰育儿室里的多拉丝姑妈。91
I kept a catalog for Drone.我替德罗恩编了一本目录。92
It’s a lovely pink book with pressed flowers on the cover, and it’s on his desk.”那是一本可爱的粉红色册子，封面上装饰着压花，就放在他的书桌上。”93
“You cataloged his magic?”“你把他的魔法编成目录了？”94
Cat asked.凯特问道。95
“Have you studied magic?”“你学过魔法吗？”96
“Oh, no,” Gaylyn said, laughing again.“哦，没有，”盖琳再次笑着说道。97
“My father was a sage, though.“不过，我父亲是一位贤者。98
I used to catalog all his things for him.我以前常替他把所有东西编成目录。99
When I helped Uncle Drone, he was always around to keep me from anything chancy.我帮德罗恩叔叔的时候，父亲总是在旁边，不让我碰任何危险的东西。100
You will be careful, won’t you, Mistress Cat?”你会小心的，对吧，凯特女士？”101
Cat nodded.凯特点了点头。102
“You know, you really are much prettier than your relative,” Gaylyn complimented the mage.“你知道吗，你真的比你那位亲戚漂亮多了，”盖琳恭维这位法师道。103
“I like the way you’ve done your hair.”“我喜欢你梳头发的样子。”104
Cat flushed and bowed her head.凯特红了脸，低下头去。105
“We should get started,” Giogi muttered, obviously annoyed with Gaylyn’s admiration of the mage.“我们该开始了，”乔吉嘟囔道，显然对盖琳如此欣赏这位法师颇为恼火。106
Apparently, Olive realized, it’s going to be a long time before he forgives Cat for suggesting he would abandon her.奥利芙意识到，看来，他还要过很久才能原谅凯特说他会抛下她这件事。107
They took their leave of Gaylyn and left the parlor.他们向盖琳告辞，离开了客厅。108
Giogi led them through a maze of hallways and stairways.乔吉领着她们穿过迷宫般的走廊和楼梯。109
They headed in every conceivable direction, including up and down.他们朝所有能想得到的方向前进，时而上楼，时而下楼。110
“Are you sure we aren’t lost?”“你确定我们没有迷路吗？”111
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。112
“Oh, no,” Giogi said.“哦，没有，”乔吉说。113
“After my mother died, I lived here at Redstone.“母亲去世后，我就住在红石。114
There are simpler routes, but I thought, as long as we’re avoiding disturbing Aunt Dorath, we may as well try avoiding disturbing Steele, too.”还有更简单的路，不过我想，既然我们不想打扰多拉丝姑妈，那不妨也尽量别打扰斯蒂尔。”115
“Why did you move back to town?”“那你为什么又搬回城里去了？”116
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。117
“Well, town is so much more interesting than the country.“嗯，城里可比乡下有意思多了。118
The inns and the adventurers passing through and—”那些旅店啦，来来往往的冒险者啦，还有——”119
“And not needing to avoid disturbing Aunt Dorath,” Cat suggested with a smile.“还有不用总担心打扰多拉丝姑妈，”凯特微笑着接话道。120
“Aunt Dorath isn’t that bad,” Giogi snapped at the mage.“多拉丝姑妈没那么糟，”乔吉厉声对那法师说道。121
Olive groaned inwardly.奥利芙暗自呻吟了一声。122
Loyalty to your family is fine, Giogi, my boy, she thought, but you don’t want to get tetchy with our mage just before you start going through your uncle’s magic.忠于家人当然没错，乔吉，我的孩子，她心想，可你马上就要去翻查你叔叔的魔法物品了，这时候可不该跟我们的法师闹脾气。123
Anxious to stem any flood of bad feeling, and remembering something Giogi had said to his burro, Birdie, about his family interfering in his life, Olive volunteered an observation of her own.奥利芙急于阻止不快的情绪泛滥开来，又想起乔吉曾对他的驴子小鸟儿说过，家人总要干涉他的生活，便主动说出了自己的看法。124
“Everyone needs to make his own life for himself, though,” she said aloud.“不过，每个人都得过自己的人生，”她说道。125
“Cyrrollalee knows, I loved my mother, but she never understood why I chose music over merchandising, so I hit the road.“希罗拉莉知道，我爱我的母亲，可她始终不明白我为什么宁愿选择音乐也不愿从商，所以我便上路闯荡了。126
The people who love us the most have more trouble accepting that we’re different from them than strangers do.”最爱我们的人，往往比陌生人更难接受我们与他们不同。”127
“That’s true,” Giogi agreed as he opened a rusty door.“确实如此，”乔吉一边打开一扇锈迹斑斑的门，一边表示赞同。128
Olive noticed that, despite the rust, the hinges were well oiled.奥利芙注意到，尽管门上满是铁锈，铰链却上足了油。129
A cool, dry darkness lay beyond the door.门后是一片凉爽、干燥的黑暗。130
Giogi drew the finder’s stone from his boot and held it out in front of him.乔吉从靴子里取出寻路石，举到身前。131
It illuminated a long, low tunnel.石头照亮了一条低矮狭长的隧道。132
Giogi and Cat were both forced to stoop to get through, though Olive could walk upright.乔吉和凯特都不得不弯腰才能通过，奥利芙却可以直起身子行走。133
The tunnel ran into a round room no more than ten feet in diameter but several stories high, more like a chimney than a room.隧道通向一间圆形房间，直径不超过十英尺，却有好几层楼那么高，与其说是房间，不如说更像一座烟囱。134
Centered in the room was a steep, tightly spiraled iron staircase rising into the blackness above.房间中央立着一道陡峭而盘旋紧密的铁楼梯，向上伸入一片漆黑之中。135
Loviatar’s Lackeys, Olive groaned inwardly.洛维塔的爪牙啊，奥利芙在心里呻吟道。136
What possesses humans to construct such torture devices?人类究竟着了什么魔，才会造出这种折磨人的玩意儿？137
“You two go on ahead.“你们俩先走。138
I’ll catch up,” she said.我会赶上来的。”她说道。139
“We can’t leave you behind,” Giogi objected.“我们不能把你丢在后面。”乔吉反对道。140
“It’s too dark.”“这里太黑了。”141
“Not for me,” Olive said, massaging a calf muscle.“对我来说不黑。”奥利芙一边揉着小腿肌肉，一边说道。142
“I can see just fine in the dark.”“我在黑暗里看得一清二楚。”143
“You can?“你能？144
How extraordinary,” Giogi commented.真是非同寻常。”乔吉评论道。145
“But are you sure you’ll be all right?”“但你确定自己不会有事吗？”146
“I’ll be fine.”“我不会有事的。”147
“Very well.“那好吧。148
It’s just at the top of the stairs.”就在楼梯顶上。”149
With his long legs, Giogi clambered up the stairs two at a time.乔吉仗着腿长，一次跨两级，飞快地爬上楼梯。150
His boots sounded against the steps like a gong.他的靴子踏在阶梯上，响得像敲锣一样。151
Cat followed, taking one step at a time, but her feet moved quickly enough to keep up with the nobleman.凯特跟在后面，每次只上一级，但她脚步够快，仍能跟上那位贵族。152
Her boots tapped a noise like a cobbler’s hammer.她的靴子敲出鞋匠锤子般的嗒嗒声。153
Olive waited until they were too far ahead to look back and witness the undignified methods a halfling had to resort to, to climb human stairs.奥利芙等到他们走得足够远，无法回头看见一个半身人为爬上人类的楼梯而不得不采用的那些不雅姿势，这才动身。154
With a sigh, she hiked her skirt up over her arm and began scaling the tower stairs, using both her hands and feet.她叹了口气，把裙摆撩起搭在胳膊上，然后手脚并用，开始攀登塔楼的阶梯。155
Olive climbed for a few minutes, then looked up.奥利芙爬了几分钟，然后抬头望去。156
The light from Giogi’s finder’s stone had vanished.乔吉那块寻物石发出的光已经消失了。157
Presumably he and Cat had reached the top and turned some corner.想必他和凯特已经到了顶端，拐过了某个转角。158
But the stairs still reverberated under her hands with someone’s tread.可楼梯仍在她手下震颤，回荡着某个人的脚步。159
Olive looked down.奥利芙低头望去。160
A lamp glowed far below her.一盏灯在她下方很远处发着光。161
Who could that be?那会是谁？162
Olive wondered.奥利芙暗自纳闷。163
Her dark vision had never been as reliable as that of other halflings, so she was unable to make out any details of a face or even clothing from a distance.她的夜视能力从来不像其他半身人那样可靠，因此隔着这么远，她既看不清那人的脸，也辨不出对方的衣着。164
She could rule out Gaylyn and Julia.她可以排除盖琳和朱莉娅。165
It was unlikely to be Aunt Dorath.也不大可能是多拉丝姑妈。166
It has to be a servant, Steele, or Frefford, Olive concluded, unless the Wyvernspurs keep some monstrous guardian here, too.奥利芙断定，那一定是仆人、斯蒂尔或弗雷福德，除非飞龙刺家族也在这里养了什么怪物守卫。167
She began climbing more quickly.她加快了攀登的速度。168
At the top of the stairs was another rusty door, which Giogi had left standing open.楼梯顶端还有一扇锈迹斑斑的门，乔吉离开时没有关上。169
Olive stepped through it and into Drone’s lab.奥利芙穿过门，走进德罗恩的实验室。170
She closed the door quietly behind her.她轻轻关上了身后的门。171
There was a key in the lock, so she turned it.锁孔里插着一把钥匙，于是她转动钥匙，锁上了门。172
Whoever’s down there can knock if he wants to join us, she thought.她心想，底下那人要是想加入我们，自会敲门。173
Olive had seen the labs of more than a few powerful wizards in her travels.奥利芙在旅途中见识过不少强大巫师的实验室。174
They all shared one thing in common: clutter of mythic proportions.它们都有一个共同点：乱得堪称传奇。175
Telescopes and astrolabes stood in front of every window, even though the view at every window was blocked on the inside by potted herbs and on the outside by kudzu vine.每扇窗前都摆着望远镜和星盘，尽管每扇窗从里面都被盆栽香草挡住，从外面又被葛藤遮得严严实实。176
On a large bench, a maze of alchemic equipment distilled the life out of a blackened muck.一张宽大的工作台上，迷宫般错综复杂的炼金器具正从一团焦黑的烂泥中蒸馏出生命精华。177
There was no bowl catching the final product—a green ichor that had burrowed a hole an inch deep into the bench’s granite surface.没有任何碗接住最终产物——一种绿色黏液；它已经在工作台的花岗岩表面蚀出了一个一英寸深的洞。178
Notebooks full of internal anatomical charts of squirrels and rabbits and mice and rats and birds and fish covered pans containing the models from which the studies were drawn—all with their heads chewed away.一册册笔记本里画满了松鼠、兔子、小鼠、大鼠、鸟和鱼的内部解剖图，盖在盛着绘图所依据标本的浅盘上——所有标本的脑袋都被啃掉了。179
Baskets of rock were stacked beside a kiln.一篮篮石头堆放在一座窑炉旁。180
Jars full of dead frogs and snakes and live caterpillars and ants and crickets and vials of potions filled an entire bookcase.装着死青蛙、死蛇、活毛毛虫、活蚂蚁和活蟋蟀的罐子，以及一小瓶一小瓶的魔药，塞满了整整一个书架。181
There was no telling what was in the locked cabinets.那些上了锁的柜子里装着什么，就无从得知了。182
Saucers of water and bones and dried cheese and curdled milk lay beside a desk.盛着水、骨头、干奶酪和凝结牛奶的碟子散放在一张书桌旁。183
The finishing touch, of course, was the paper—paper littered every available flat surface.当然，最后的点睛之笔是纸——所有能放东西的平面上都散满了纸。184
Stacks of tomes and notes and letters lay on the desk and improvised tables of old crates and sawhorses covered with planks.书桌上，以及用旧木箱、锯木架和铺在上面的木板拼成的临时桌子上，都堆着一摞摞大部头书、笔记和信件。185
Folded paper animals roamed the mountains of paper.折成的纸动物在重重纸山间漫游。186
Charts pasted to the walls overlapped other charts pasted to the walls.贴在墙上的图表层层叠叠，覆盖着其他图表。187
Finally, a crisis in housing had occurred, and the paper stacks had migrated to the floors beside walls and beneath tables.最后，纸张终于遭遇了无处容身的危机，于是纸堆便迁徙到了墙边的地板上和桌子底下。188
To Olive’s astonishment, nothing littered the ceiling.令奥利芙惊讶的是，天花板竟然没有被任何东西占据。189
Drone’s lab was more spacious than most, about forty feet in diameter, and it took the halfling a minute to thread her way through the maze of equipment and junk before she found her companions.德罗恩的实验室比大多数实验室宽敞，直径约有四十英尺；半身人花了一分钟，才穿过设备与杂物组成的迷宫，找到她的同伴。190
Giogi and Cat stood beside a desk, speaking to Frefford Wyvernspur.乔吉和凯特站在一张书桌旁，正同弗雷福德·飞龙刺说话。191
Giogi’s cousin held a silver urn, a sheet of paper, and a floor brush.乔吉的堂兄手里拿着一只银瓮、一张纸和一把地板刷。192
Freffie was saying, “I think you’re right.弗雷菲正说道：“我想你说得对。193
There is evidence that it might not have been something he summoned himself.有迹象表明，那东西也许不是他自己召唤来的。194
A window pane was broken.有一扇窗的玻璃碎了。195
Nothing out of the ordinary with that, considering Drone, but all the kudzu vine from the roof to the window was blighted and withered.考虑到德罗恩，这本身倒没什么反常的，可从屋顶到窗户的葛藤全都染病枯萎了。196
Those piles of papers by his desk were scattered across the floor.”他书桌旁的那些纸堆也散落得满地都是。”197
“Any other signs of a struggle?” asked Cat.“还有别的搏斗痕迹吗？”凯特问。198
Frefford gave a shrug, “With this mess, who could tell?弗雷福德耸了耸肩：“这里乱成这样，谁看得出来？199
I’d really better start heading down.我真的该动身下去了。200
Aunt Dorath is standing at the foot of the outer stairs, waiting for me.多拉丝姑妈正站在外面楼梯底下等我。201
If I take too long, she’s liable to send a division of the purple dragoons up.我要是耽搁太久，她说不定会派一个师的紫衣龙骑兵上来。202
“It was so kind of you to offer Giogi your aid,” Frefford said as he bowed over Cat’s hand, “in bringing Steele down from the mausoleum.”“你愿意帮助乔吉，把斯蒂尔从陵墓里带下来，真是太好心了。”弗雷福德说着，俯身在凯特手上行了一礼。203
“It was nothing,” Cat muttered.“没什么。”凯特低声说道。204
“I hope you’ve shown her your appreciation, Giogi,” Frefford said, his eyes still fixed on the beautiful mage.“希望你已经向她表达过谢意了，乔吉。”弗雷福德说道，目光依然牢牢落在那位美丽的法师身上。205
“Yes,” Giogi replied flatly.“表达过了。”乔吉冷淡地答道。206
“Well, then,” Frefford said, not noticing his cousin’s frown, “I’ll have the things to take to the temple piled in your carriage before you leave.“那么好吧，”弗雷福德没有注意到堂弟皱起的眉头，说道，“你们离开前，我会让人把要带去神殿的东西堆到你的马车上。207
Be careful up here.”在这上面要小心。”208
Frefford turned and left the tower room by a second door, which led to a wider, windowed staircase running along the outside of the tower.弗雷福德转身从另一扇门离开了塔楼房间，那扇门通往一段更宽敞、带窗的楼梯，沿着塔楼外侧延伸。209
Olive popped out from behind a large brass gong.奥利芙从一面巨大的黄铜锣后面突然钻了出来。210
“I take it your cousin was only up here to collect the last of your uncle’s remains,” she said.“看来你堂兄上来只是为了收走你叔叔最后的一点遗骸。”她说。211
“Yes.“是的。212
There wasn’t very much to collect, though,” Giogi said.不过，也没剩下多少可收的了。”乔吉说。213
“No. There wasn’t much of Jade, either,” Olive said.“是啊。杰德也没剩下多少。”奥利芙说。214
“I went back to look for her ashes, but the rain had washed them away.”“我回去找过她的骨灰，可都被雨水冲走了。”215
Cat said nothing but flipped open a book on the desk.凯特一言不发，只是翻开了书桌上的一本书。216
It was the pink catalog Gaylyn had kept for Drone.那是盖琳替德罗恩整理的粉红色目录簿。217
Inside were lines and lines of small, neat handwriting.里面一行又一行，全是细小工整的字迹。218
Cat lifted a few scrolls and manuscripts off a pile beneath the desk and compared each one to a list in the book.凯特从书桌下的一堆东西里拿起几卷卷轴和手稿，逐一与书中的清单对照。219
“Your cousin’s wife has done a remarkable job.“你堂兄的妻子干得真出色。220
There is some organization to this whole mess.这一团乱麻多少还是有些条理的。221
Only a small minority of these papers are actually magic, however.不过，这些纸张中真正具有魔力的只占很少一部分。222
It will still take some time to separate the gold from the dross.”要从废渣中筛出黄金，仍然得花些时间。”223
“Can’t you just cast a detect magic and find the most useful things?”“你就不能施个侦测魔法，把最有用的东西找出来吗？”224
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。225
Cat’s face broke into a grin.凯特脸上绽开了笑容。226
“Good thinking, Mistress Ruskettle.“好主意，拉斯凯特尔女士。227
I will cast the spell while you collect everything that glows.我来施法，你把所有发光的东西都收集起来。228
Look sharp, we do not want to miss anything,” the mage warned.眼睛放亮点，我们可不想漏掉任何东西。”法师提醒道。229
“I’m ready,” Olive declared.“我准备好了。”奥利芙宣布道。230
Cat walked to the outer doorway and turned to face the room.凯特走到外侧门口，转身面向房间。231
Holding her hands clasped behind her back, she closed her eyes and began a whispering chant.她双手在背后交握，闭上眼睛，开始低声吟唱。232
Olive tensed with excitement, her eyes wide.奥利芙兴奋得绷紧了身体，双眼睁得大大的。233
Blue light flared all around her—light so bright that Olive instinctively closed her eyes and raised her hands up to cover them.蓝光在奥利芙四周骤然迸发——那光亮得刺眼，她本能地闭上双眼，抬手遮住。234
She tried squinting and peeking through her fingers.她眯起眼睛，试着从指缝间窥看。235
So much light flooded the room that it was like being underwater.强光充斥了整个房间，仿佛让人置身水下。236
“Do you have everything, Mistress Ruskettle?”“东西都带齐了吗，拉斯凯特尔女士？”237
Cat’s voice asked mockingly through the azure radiance.凯特的声音从蔚蓝的光辉中传来，带着嘲弄。238
“Very funny,” Olive said with a sniff, “You’ve had your little joke.“真有意思，”奥利芙哼了一声，说道，“你的小玩笑也开够了。239
Now, if you don’t mind—”现在，如果你不介意的话——”240
The light dimmed and faded.光芒暗淡下去，渐渐消失。241
“I thought you said only a few things here were magic,” Giogi said testily, trying to rub the spots from his eyes.“我记得你说过，这里只有几样东西有魔法，”乔吉恼火地说道，一边揉着眼睛，想把眼前的光斑揉掉。242
Cat shook her head.凯特摇了摇头。243
“No, I said a minority of these papers were magic.“不，我说的是，这些文件中只有少数带有魔法。244
There are still many, many papers, and the room itself has enchantments cast on it, as do many of the items.”可文件还是多得很，而且房间本身也被施了魔法，许多物品也一样。”245
“I see.“我明白了。246
Well, you’d better start sorting through the magic,” Giogi said.好吧，你最好开始把有魔法的东西分拣出来，”乔吉说。247
“That’s what we brought you for,” he added.“我们带你来就是为这个。”他又补充道。248
Then he turned sharply away from the mage.随后，他猛地转过身去，不再看那位法师。249
Olive saw Cat look down at the floor as if she’d been slapped by Flattery.奥利芙看见凯特低头望着地板，那模样仿佛刚挨了弗拉特里一记耳光。250
The mage returned to Drone’s desk.法师回到了德罗恩的书桌旁。251
“Mistress Ruskettle, you and I can start looking for clues Uncle Drone might have left about who the thief was,” Giogi said more enthusiastically.“拉斯凯特尔女士，我们可以开始找找德罗恩叔叔有没有留下什么线索，说明那个贼是谁，”乔吉兴致更高地说道。252
Olive nodded wordlessly, wishing she could shake Giogi and explain to him that it was imperative he win the mage’s loyalty—something he wasn’t going to do by treating her like a dust rag.奥利芙默默点了点头，恨不得抓住乔吉摇醒他，告诉他赢得这位法师的忠心至关重要——而把她当抹布一样使唤，可做不到这一点。253
With a sigh, the halfling began studying the papers piled on the floor.半身人叹了口气，开始查看堆在地上的文件。254
The nobleman drifted toward the stone table holding the alchemy setup and sniffed at the air.贵族踱到摆放着炼金器具的石桌旁，嗅了嗅空气。255
He thought of all the time he used to spend in the room when he was little—begging his Uncle Drone to teach him magic.他想起小时候在这个房间里度过的漫长时光——那时他总缠着德罗恩叔叔，求他教自己魔法。256
The wizard had always told him he should concentrate on his other talents.那位巫师却总是告诉他，应该专心发挥自己的其他才能。257
Giogi had never figured out what other talents he had, though.可乔吉始终没弄明白，自己究竟还有什么别的才能。258
Olive perused a letter dated nearly thirty years before.奥利芙细读着一封日期在将近三十年前的信。259
It was signed by King Azoun’s father, Rhigaerd II.信上的署名是阿祖恩国王的父亲里加德二世。260
Wax imprinted with the royal seal was still affixed to the letter.印有王室纹章的封蜡仍粘在信上。261
The halfling looked up at Giogi and Cat.半身人抬头看了看乔吉和凯特。262
Giogi was sifting through the papers on the stone table, and the mage had her nose buried in Gaylyn’s catalog.乔吉正在翻检石桌上的文件，女法师则埋头查看盖琳的目录。263
Olive slid the document into her skirt pocket.奥利芙把那份文件塞进了裙子口袋。264
“Here’s Uncle Drone’s journal,” Giogi said, “propped under this alcohol burner.”“德罗恩叔叔的日记在这儿，”乔吉说道，“垫在这盏酒精灯下面。”265
Olive, her eyes still fixed on Cat, saw the mage’s head snap up in alarm as she heard the sound of the book’s leather cover sliding along the stone tabletop.奥利芙的目光仍盯着凯特；听见书的皮封面擦过石桌面的声音，女法师猛然抬起头来，神色惊恐。266
The mage wheeled in place as Giogi said, “Ick.女法师猛地转过身去，这时乔吉说道：“咦。267
What’s this yellow powder all over it?”这上面怎么沾满了黄色粉末？”268
“Giogi!“乔吉！269
No!”不要！”270
Cat cried, throwing herself at the nobleman just as he flipped open the journal’s cover.凯特大叫着扑向那名贵族，恰在此时，他翻开了日记的封面。271
Olive instinctively threw herself in the opposite direction.奥利芙本能地朝相反方向扑倒。272
An explosion thundered through the room, pressing the halfling to the floor like a great hand.爆炸声轰然响彻房间，仿佛一只巨手将半身人死死压在地板上。273
Papers gushed up and fluttered back down.纸张腾空飞起，又纷纷扬扬地飘落下来。274
Glass alembics and vials from the alchemy set smashed into the far wall and slid to the floor, their contents streamed out in greasy rivulets.炼金器具中的玻璃蒸馏器和小瓶砸上远处的墙壁，随后滑落到地板上，里面的东西化作一道道油腻的细流淌了出来。275
“Giogi?”“乔吉？”276
Olive whispered into the smoke.奥利芙朝烟雾中低声唤道。277
“Did I do that?”“这是我弄的吗？”278
Giogi whispered in reply.乔吉也低声答道。279
Olive picked herself up off the floor and stumbled across to help Giogi, who lay pinned beneath the mage.奥利芙从地板上爬起来，踉踉跄跄地走过去帮助乔吉；他被女法师压在身下，动弹不得。280
“Are you all right?” she asked.“你没事吧？”她问道。281
“I think so.“我想没事。282
Cat?”凯特呢？”283
Cat lay still on top of the nobleman.凯特一动不动地趴在那位贵族身上。284
The back of her cream-colored gown was scorched yellow and brown.她那件奶油色长袍的后背被烧焦了，泛着黄褐色。285
Giogi rolled on his side and slid the mage over gently.乔吉翻身侧躺，轻轻地把女法师挪到一旁。286
Her face was very pale.她脸色惨白。287
Damn!该死！288
Olive thought.奥利芙心想。289
“Cat?”“凯特？”290
Giogi whispered.乔吉低声唤道。291
“Oh, please, say something.”“求求你，说句话吧。”292
Cat remained silent and motionless.凯特依旧一声不吭，一动不动。293
“Mistress Ruskettle,” Giogi ordered, “run and get Freffie!“拉斯凯特尔女士，”乔吉命令道，“快去把弗雷菲叫来！294
He’s in the room two stories down.他就在楼下两层的房间里。295
Tell him to bring a healing potion.告诉他带一瓶治疗药水来。296
Tell him to hurry!”叫他快点！”297
Olive tore down the outer stairs.奥利芙沿着外面的楼梯飞奔而下。298
It might be all right, she tried to convince herself.也许不会有事的，她竭力说服自己。299
Cat might not be as bad as she looks.凯特的伤势也许没有看上去那么严重。300
She can’t die.她不能死。301
We need her.我们需要她。302
Damn that stupid fop!那个愚蠢的纨绔子弟，真该死！303
Giogi cradled the mage’s head in his lap.乔吉把法师的头抱在怀里。304
Hot tears streamed down his cheeks.滚烫的泪水顺着他的脸颊淌下。305
“Cat,” he whispered.“凯特，”他低声道。306
“Don’t die.“别死。307
Please, don’t die.求你了，别死。308
I’m so sorry.”真的对不起。”309
“Giogi, you fool,” Cat whispered.“乔吉，你这个傻瓜。”凯特低声道。310
“Cat!“凯特！311
You’re all right!”你没事！”312
Giogi cried out.乔吉大叫起来。313
Cat gulped and swallowed with some effort.凯特喘了口气，费力地咽了咽。314
“Could’ve killed yourself, you idiot.”“你差点把自己害死，你这个白痴。”315
“I’m sorry.“对不起。316
I’m really sorry.我真的很对不起。317
I won’t do it again.我再也不会这么做了。318
Ever.永远不会。319
Tell me you’re all right.”告诉我你没事。”320
“Hurt like hell.”“疼得要命。”321
“Mistress Ruskettle’s gone for help.“拉斯凯特尔夫人去找人帮忙了。322
We’ll get you a healing potion.我们会给你弄一瓶治疗药水。323
You’ll be fine.”你会没事的。”324
Giogi bent over and kissed the mage’s forehead.乔吉俯下身，吻了吻法师的额头。325
“You had me so scared.“你把我吓坏了。326
I’m so happy you’re all right.”你没事，我真是太高兴了。”327
“I thought you hated me,” Cat muttered.“我还以为你恨我呢。”凯特嘟囔道。328
Giogi felt his heart pounding.乔吉感到自己的心怦怦直跳。329
“You little ass, I could never hate you.“你这个小笨蛋，我怎么可能恨你。330
I’m crazy about you.我爱你爱得发狂。331
I was an absolute fool to be so angry with you and act so mean.我真是个十足的傻瓜，竟然那么生你的气，还对你那么刻薄。332
I’m so sorry.”真的很对不起。”333
“Not a little ass,” Cat whispered.“才不是小笨蛋。”凯特低声说道。334
“Yes, you are.“你就是。335
You just threw yourself into an exploding book and saved my life,” Giogi pointed out.你刚才一头扑向一本正在爆炸的书，救了我的命。”乔吉指出。336
“Precisely,” Cat croaked.“正是如此。”凯特声音嘶哑地说。337
“I’m a big ass.”“我是个大笨蛋。”338
She smiled weakly.她虚弱地笑了笑。339
Giogi laughed and kissed the mage’s forehead again.乔吉笑了，又吻了吻这位法师的额头。340
An out-of-breath Olive burst back into the room with a similarly winded Frefford right behind her.气喘吁吁的奥利芙猛地冲回房间，同样上气不接下气的弗雷福德紧跟在她身后。341
“Giogi!“乔吉！342
What happened?”发生什么事了？”343
Frefford demanded, puffing.弗雷福德喘着粗气追问道。344
“I was stupid, as usual.“我又犯傻了，和往常一样。345
Did you bring a healing potion?”你带治疗药水来了吗？”346
Freffie handed Giogi a small crystal vial.弗雷菲递给乔吉一只小水晶瓶。347
Giogi uncorked it and held it to Cat’s lips.乔吉拔掉瓶塞，把瓶口凑到凯特唇边。348
“Drink this,” he urged her, helping her lift her head up so she could swallow the potion.“把这个喝下去。”他催促道，一边扶起她的头，好让她咽下药水。349
Cat emptied the vial and lay back, licking her lips.凯特喝空了小瓶，躺回去舔了舔嘴唇。350
“ ’S good,” she murmured.“真好喝，”她喃喃道。351
“Feeling better.”“感觉好多了。”352
The mage closed her eyes as if she’d fallen asleep.女法师闭上眼睛，仿佛睡着了。353
Giogi brought her left hand up to his lips and kissed it.乔吉把她的左手捧到唇边，吻了吻。354
Suddenly Cat’s eyes snapped open again and she sat up.突然，凯特猛地睁开眼睛，坐了起来。355
“I think I’ll live,” the mage said with surprise.“我想我死不了了。”女法师惊讶地说道。356
Giogi breathed a sigh of relief.乔吉如释重负地舒了口气。357
“But only because you need someone to remind you not to do anything else that stupid ever again,” Cat added sharply, climbing to her feet with Giogi’s support.“不过，我活下来也只是因为你需要有人提醒你，再也别干那种蠢事了。”凯特厉声补充道，在乔吉的搀扶下站起身来。358
Olive studied the pair with interest.奥利芙饶有兴味地打量着两人。359
It was a relief seeing Giogi get over his resentment.看到乔吉放下了心中的怨气，她松了口气。360
More astonishing, though, was Cat acting once again like the mage they’d met in the catacombs—saying what she thought.不过，更令人惊讶的是，凯特又变回了她们在地下墓穴里遇见的那个女法师——心里怎么想，嘴上就怎么说。361
All in all, that was probably a good sign, the halfling decided.总而言之，半身人认定，这大概是个好兆头。362
“Giogi,” Frefford said, “why didn’t you tell me Mistress Ruskettle was here as well?“乔吉，”弗雷福德说道，“你为什么没告诉我拉斯凯特尔女士也在这里？363
So pleased to see you again, ma’am.”很高兴再次见到您，女士。”364
“Thank you, Your Lordship,” Olive replied.“谢谢您，爵爷。”奥利芙答道。365
From down the outer staircase came an irate call, “Giogioni Wyvernspur!外侧楼梯下方传来一声怒气冲冲的喊叫：“乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺！366
Just what are you doing up there?你到底在上面干什么？367
Are you trying to blow us all to the seventh heaven, you fool?你这个傻瓜，是想把我们全都炸上七重天吗？368
Come down from that room this instant.”立刻从那个房间里下来。”369
“Aunt Dorath!”“多拉丝姑妈！”370
Giogi whispered, jumping to his feet.乔吉低声叫道，一跃而起。371
“She found out I’m here.”“她发现我在这里了。”372
The halfling ran to the door to the outer staircase and pushed it shut.半身人跑到通往外侧楼梯的门前，用力把门关上。373
“The lock’s broken on this side,” she whispered.“这一边的锁坏了。”她低声说道。374
“I had to break the door down yesterday,” Frefford reminded Giogi.“我昨天只好把门撞开了。”弗雷福德提醒乔吉。375
They could hear Dorath stomping up the stone staircase.他们听见多拉丝正跺着脚走上石阶。376
The sound of her footsteps echoed through the tower.她的脚步声在塔楼里回荡。377
Fortunately, Dorath had several flights to climb.幸好，多拉丝还得爬好几层楼梯。378
Cat looked at the door with annoyance.凯特懊恼地看着那扇门。379
“Seal,” she said.“封门。”她说道。380
Olive felt the door shudder beneath her shoulder.奥利芙感觉肩下的门颤动了一下。381
“That will buy us a few minutes,” the mage said.“这样能为我们争取几分钟。”法师说道。382
“What for?”“争取时间做什么？”383
Frefford asked.弗雷福德问道。384
Cat turned to Giogi and put her hands on his arms.凯特转向乔吉，把双手搭在他的胳膊上。385
“Giogi, we still need to search this room for clues about the spur and magic we can use.“乔吉，我们还得搜查这个房间，寻找与马刺有关的线索，以及我们能用的魔法。386
You must leave with your cousin and Mistress Ruskettle.你必须和你的表亲、拉斯凯特尔女士一起离开。387
Your aunt doesn’t know I’m here.你姑妈不知道我在这里。388
Lead her away so I can search the room.把她引开，好让我搜查这个房间。389
Go to the temple.去神殿。390
You need to speak to Mother Lleddew.你得和莱杜嬷嬷谈谈。391
I will join you back at your townhouse when I’m finished here.”我办完这里的事，就回你城里的宅子和你们会合。”392
Suddenly suspicious again of the mage’s motives, Olive suggested, “Maybe I should stay and help Mistress Cat.”奥利芙突然又对法师的动机起了疑心，便提议道：“也许我该留下来帮凯特女士。”393
“I can manage on my own,” Cat insisted.“我一个人应付得来。”凯特坚持道。394
She crossed the room to the small shelf of potions.她穿过房间，走到摆放药剂的小架子前。395
She studied the vials for a moment, checked in the pink notebook, then selected two potions, one a slate gray, the other a glittering gold.她端详了那些小瓶片刻，又查看了一下粉红色笔记本，随后挑出两瓶药剂：一瓶是石板灰色，另一瓶闪烁着金光。396
“What are those for?”“那些是做什么用的？”397
Giogi asked, following behind her.乔吉跟在她身后问道。398
“You and Mistress Ruskettle.”“给你和拉斯凯特尔夫人用的。”399
Cat pressed the golden vial into Giogi’s hands.凯特把金色小瓶塞进乔吉手中。400
“If you have any more trouble—lacedons, bears, anything—drink this,” she said.“要是再碰上什么麻烦——海尸鬼、熊，随便什么——就把这个喝下去。”她说。401
“What will it do?”“喝了会怎么样？”402
Giogi asked.乔吉问。403
“It will make you powerful.“它会让你变得强大。404
Now do me a favor.现在帮我个忙。405
Move the journal to your uncle’s desk so I can study it.”把日志搬到你叔叔的书桌上，好让我研究。”406
“Is it safe to touch now?”“现在碰它安全了吗？”407
Cat nodded like a mother encouraging her child to mount a pony.凯特点点头，活像一位母亲在鼓励孩子骑上小马。408
Giogi lugged the heavy wood-bound tome from the stone table to the desk while Cat joined Olive, who stood next to the door.乔吉费力地把那本木封面的沉重巨册从石桌搬到书桌上；与此同时，凯特走到站在门边的奥利芙身旁。409
The mage knelt beside the halfling and addressed her so quietly that her words could not be heard by the men.法师在半身人身旁跪下，低声对她说话，声音轻得那些男人一个字也听不见。410
“Please, Mistress Ruskettle.“求你了，拉斯凯特尔夫人。411
You’ve already made me safe with your amulet.你的护身符已经让我安全了。412
Go with Giogioni.跟乔吉奥尼一起去吧。413
He needs your protection more than I. Flattery commands many undead.他比我更需要你的保护。弗拉特里能驱使许多亡灵。414
This potion will help if you are attacked by any.”如果你们遭到任何亡灵袭击，这瓶药水会派上用场。”415
She handed Olive the slate-gray potion.她把那瓶石板灰色的药水递给奥利芙。416
Olive took the vial uncertainly, not sure what to make of Cat’s behavior.奥利芙迟疑地接过小瓶，不知道该如何理解凯特的举动。417
She’s encouraging Giogi to do just the thing Flattery warned her against, but she isn’t joining us in the activity.她在怂恿乔吉去做弗拉特里警告她不要做的事，自己却不和我们一起行动。418
So she’s still avoiding a direct confrontation with the wizard—a confrontation that would reveal exactly where her loyalties lie.所以她依然在避免与那个巫师正面冲突——那样的冲突会彻底暴露她究竟忠于哪一方。419
Am I going to regret giving her a free rein with Drone’s lab?我会不会后悔放手让她使用德罗恩的实验室？420
She could find something about the spur, or even find the spur itself and take it right to Flattery.她可能会找到有关那枚马刺的线索，甚至找到马刺本身，然后直接拿去交给弗拉特里。421
“Please, look out for him?”“求你了，照看好他，行吗？”422
Cat pleaded in a whisper.凯特低声恳求道。423
Olive wanted to say, Me?奥利芙真想说：“我？”424
Woman, I’m no hero, just a halfling that knows more than is good for the both of us.女人啊，我可不是什么英雄，不过是个知道得太多、多到对咱俩都没好处的半身人。425
Instead, she pocketed the vial and nodded grimly.但她只是把小瓶揣进口袋，神情凝重地点了点头。426
“Don’t worry,” she said.“别担心。”她说。427
The door handle rattled and shook, and someone began thumping on the door.门把手一阵摇晃，哐啷作响，接着有人开始砰砰地捶门。428
“Giogi,” Frefford whispered to his cousin, “I’m not sure that this is such a good idea.”“乔吉，”弗雷福德低声对表弟说，“我不太确定这是不是个好主意。”429
“Freffie, it’ll be just fine,” Giogi whispered back.“弗雷菲，不会有事的。”乔吉也低声说道。430
“Do me a favor and lend Cat a horse to ride home—I’ll have Thomas return it right away.”“帮我个忙，借匹马给凯特骑回去——我会让托马斯马上把马送回来。”431
“Giogi, she’s not staying at your house, is she?”“乔吉，她没住在你家吧？”432
“It’s more complicated than that,” Giogi tried to explain.“这事比你想的复杂。”乔吉试图解释。433
“She is.“她就是住在你家。434
You devil,” Frefford said with a grin.你这个坏小子。”弗雷福德咧嘴笑道。435
“Freffie, it’s not like that.”“弗雷菲，不是你想的那样。”436
“No?“不是吗？437
You know you’ll take as much heat for being innocent as for being guilty if Aunt Dorath finds out.”你知道，要是多拉丝姑妈发现了，不管你是清白还是有罪，挨的骂都一样多。”438
The pounding on the door stopped, and a voice that could wake the dead shouted from the other side, “Giogioni Wyvernspur, you open that door right now!”门外的捶门声停了，随即一个足以把死人吵醒的声音从另一边喊道：“乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺，你现在就把门打开！”439
“Just a minute, Aunt Dorath.“等一下，多拉丝姑妈。440
I’m, um, trapped under a—a gong,” Giogi called out, banging on the brass gong beside the desk.我，呃，被压在一面——一面铜锣底下，出不来了。”乔吉一边高声回答，一边敲打书桌旁的铜锣。441
Cat stepped away from the door and crept to Giogi’s side.凯特离开门边，蹑手蹑脚地走到乔吉身旁。442
“I have to hide now,” she said.“我现在得躲起来了。”她说。443
Good luck.祝你好运。444
Take care.”多保重。”445
She took another potion vial from the shelf and unstoppered it.她从架子上又拿起一小瓶药水，拔掉了瓶塞。446
After taking only a little sip, she restoppered and pocketed the rest of the potion.她只抿了一小口，便重新塞好瓶塞，把剩下的药水揣进口袋。447
In a moment, she vanished before their eyes.片刻之后，她就在他们眼前消失了。448
“Frefford, are you in there with your cousin?” called the voice of doom.“弗雷福德，你和你表亲在里面吗？”那个催命般的声音喊道。449
“Yes, Aunt Dorath.”“是的，多拉丝姑妈。”450
“Open this door immediately.”“立刻把门打开。”451
Frefford strode over to the door and yanked on the handle.弗雷福德大步走到门边，用力拽动门把手。452
“It seems to be stuck, Aunt Dorath.“门好像卡住了，多拉丝姑妈。453
I must have bent a hinge when I broke it down before.”一定是我之前破门而入时弄弯了一个铰链。”454
“Keep pulling at it,” Aunt Dorath demanded.“继续拉。”多拉丝姑妈命令道。455
“Giogi, you get out from under that gong and give Frefford a hand.”“乔吉，你从那面锣底下出来，帮弗雷福德一把。”456
“Yes, Aunt Dorath,” Giogi called out, giving the gong another bang.“好的，多拉丝姑妈。”乔吉高声应道，又敲了一下锣。457
He felt something brush against his lips.他感觉有什么东西轻轻擦过自己的嘴唇。458
“Cat?” he whispered.“凯特？”他低声问道。459
The invisible mage kissed him again, on his ear.隐形的法师又亲了他一下，这次亲在了他的耳朵上。460
“Behave yourself,” he whispered.“规矩点。”他低声说道。461
“I am behaving,” Cat whispered back.“我很规矩呀。”凯特也低声回答。462
“Yes.“是啊。463
Badly,” he replied, although he was unable to keep the grin from his lips.规矩得很糟。”他答道，嘴角却忍不住露出了笑容。464
The spell that Cat had cast to hold the door shut wore off suddenly, with an almost tangible crack.凯特用来封住门的法术突然失效了，伴随着一声几乎有形有质的脆响。465
Unprepared, Frefford bashed the door into his head, and Aunt Dorath came tumbling into the room.弗雷福德猝不及防，门猛地撞上了他的脑袋，多拉丝姑妈也踉跄着跌进房间。466
Giogi rushed forward to help the elderly woman to her feet.乔吉连忙冲上前去，想扶那位老妇人站起来。467
Dorath rose on her own and shook off her nephew with a look of displeasure.多拉丝自己站起身来，一脸不悦地甩开了她的侄子。468
“Gaylyn told me you were up here.“盖琳告诉我你在楼上。469
You’ve frightened her half to death.你差点把她吓死。470
I demand to know what you’ve been doing!”我要求你立刻说清楚，你到底在干什么！”471
“I came up to look at Uncle Drone’s journal,” Giogi explained.“我上来是想看看德罗恩叔叔的日记。”乔吉解释道。472
“I thought he might have something to say about the spur in it, but it was—”“我原以为他也许会在日记里提到那只马刺，可是——”473
“Firetrapped, you fool!”“上面设了火焰陷阱，你这傻瓜！”474
Dorath interrupted.多拉丝打断了他。475
“How many times has your uncle told you not to touch things in his lab?“你叔叔告诉过你多少次，不许碰他实验室里的东西？476
You almost didn’t live to see your tenth year because of that incident with the bottled efreet, or have you forgotten?”就因为那次瓶装火巨灵的事，你差点没活到十岁，难道你忘了吗？”477
“No, Aunt Dorath.“没忘，多拉丝姑妈。478
I had not.我没有忘。479
I thought it was worth the risk if it helped us find the spur.”我觉得，要是能帮我们找到那枚马刺，就值得冒这个险。”480
“If your uncle knew anything about the spur, don’t you think he would have told me?”“要是你叔叔知道那枚马刺的任何事，你以为他会不告诉我吗？”481
Aunt Dorath snapped.多拉丝姑妈厉声说道。482
Giogi bit his tongue.乔吉强忍住没开口。483
“That book and this room are off-limits to you for good reason.“不许你碰那本书，也不许你进这个房间，这可不是没有道理的。484
Isn’t it bad enough that one of those spells killed your uncle?”那些法术里已经有一个害死了你叔叔，难道这还不够糟吗？”485
“But, I thought—” Giogi began, but, catching sight of Frefford, who stood behind Aunt Dorath, shaking his head warningly, he let his words trail off.“可是，我以为——”乔吉刚开口，却瞥见站在多拉丝姑妈身后的弗雷福德正警告地摇头，于是任由自己的话音渐渐消失。486
Obviously Frefford hadn’t wanted to worry the older lady with his theory that something had broken in.显然，弗雷福德并不想拿他那套“有什么东西闯了进来”的推测去让这位年长的女士担心。487
“I’m sorry, Aunt Dorath,” Giogi said simply.“对不起，多拉丝姑妈。”乔吉只简单地说道。488
“I shan’t do it again.”“我不会再这样了。”489
“And who is this?”“这又是谁？”490
Dorath asked, finally noticing Olive standing very quietly to one side.多拉丝问道，这才注意到奥利芙正一声不响地站在一旁。491
Frefford stepped forward.弗雷福德走上前来。492
“Surely, Aunt Dorath, you must remember Olive Ruskettle—the bard that sang at my wedding reception.”“多拉丝姑妈，你一定还记得奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔吧——就是在我婚宴上唱过歌的那位吟游诗人。”493
Dorath squinted at the halfling.多拉丝眯起眼睛打量着这个半身人。494
“You’re the one with the companion who tried to kill Giogi.”“你就是那个同伴曾企图杀死乔吉的人。”495
“Um, yes,” Olive admitted, “but we stopped her in time if you’ll remember.”“呃，是的，”奥利芙承认道，“不过你应该记得，我们及时阻止了她。”496
“Oh, I remember.“哦，我记得。497
I just don’t know why you bothered.我只是不明白你为什么还要费这个心。498
Giogi is determined not to see out his first quarter-century.乔吉是铁了心不想活过二十五岁。499
However did you get involved in this harebrained scheme?”可你究竟怎么会掺和进这个荒唐计划的？”500
Dorath asked Olive.多拉丝问奥利芙。501
Olive picked her words carefully.奥利芙谨慎地斟酌着措辞。502
“I came along as an advisor.“我是来当顾问的。503
I have some experience with magic.我对魔法略有些经验。504
Unfortunately, I was not quick enough to prevent your nephew from setting off the firetrap.遗憾的是，我没能及时阻止您的侄子触发烈火陷阱。505
I am so sorry that we alarmed you.惊扰了您，我实在抱歉。506
I think perhaps you are right.我想，或许您是对的。507
This room is beyond my expertise, as well as that of your nephew’s. We should all leave immediately.”这个房间超出了我的能力范围，也超出了您侄子的能力范围。我们都应该立刻离开。”508
Pacified some by the halfling’s agreeableness, Dorath grew calmer.半身人温和顺从的态度多少安抚了多拉丝，她渐渐平静下来。509
“Perhaps, Mistress Ruskettle, since you are here, you and my nephew would care to join us for lunch.“既然您来了，拉斯凯特尔女士，或许您和我侄子愿意留下来和我们一起吃午餐。510
I know Gaylyn would be glad for the company.我知道盖琳会很高兴有人作伴。511
Confinement has been so tedious for her.这段被困在这里的日子对她来说实在太无聊了。512
She’s such a high-spirited young woman.她是个多么活泼好动的年轻姑娘。513
Giogi will be glad to make some time in his castle-destroying schedule, won’t you?”乔吉也会很乐意从他那毁城堡的日程里抽出点时间，对吧？”514
“What are you having?”“午餐吃什么？”515
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。516
Aunt Dorath shot the young nobleman an angry look.多拉丝姑妈恼怒地瞪了这位年轻贵族一眼。517
“Glad to stay,” Giogi quickly amended.“我很乐意留下。”乔吉连忙改口道。518
“Then after lunch you can take some packages up to the House of the Lady, for the memorial service tonight.“那么午餐过后，你可以把几件包裹送到女士之家，供今晚的追悼仪式使用。519
Frefford can then devote some time to Gaylyn.”这样弗雷福德就能抽些时间陪陪盖琳了。”520
“I’d be happy to oblige,” Giogi said.“我很乐意效劳。”乔吉说道。521
“It’s just like your Uncle Drone to leave a note behind that we use Selune’s temple for his memorial service,” Dorath said as she began descending the stairs.“德罗恩叔叔就是这种人，留张字条，让我们在塞露恩神殿为他举行追悼仪式，”多拉丝边说边开始下楼。522
“He knew how much I hate traveling up that hill.”“他明知道我有多讨厌爬那座山。”523
Olive and the gentlemen followed the elderly woman down the outside staircase.奥利芙和几位男士跟着老妇人走下外面的楼梯。524
Olive shot a look back into the room, but, of course, she saw no one within, only the massive clutter.奥利芙回头朝房间里飞快地瞥了一眼，但她当然没看见任何人，只看到堆积如山的杂物。525
With the excitement of the last few minutes, and her state of confusion and indecision about Cat, and, of course, her anticipation of lunch, the halfling completely forgot the unseen figure that had followed them up the tower’s inner staircase.由于刚才几分钟里的种种激动，加上她对凯特既困惑又犹豫不决的心情，当然还有她对午餐的期待，这个半身人彻底忘记了那个跟着他们登上塔内楼梯、却未曾现身的身影。526