Very quietly Cat snuck back out of Drone’s lab.凯特悄无声息地溜出了德罗恩的实验室。1
She had received Lord Frefford’s permission to be there, but there was, after all, no reason to disturb Aunt Dorath.她虽已得到弗雷福德勋爵的许可，可以待在那里，但毕竟没有理由惊动多拉丝姑妈。2
Cat crept down the outer staircase, clutching her sack of scrolls.凯特紧紧抱着装满卷轴的布袋，蹑手蹑脚地走下外侧楼梯。3
In the excitement of Steele’s leap from the tower and her recovery of the spur, she’d forgotten about the magic she’d so painstakingly collected.先是斯蒂尔从塔上纵身跃下，接着她又夺回了马刺，这一连串激动人心的事让她忘了自己煞费苦心收集来的魔法。4
She remembered the sack after Giogi had left for the crypt and decided she could fetch it and be back at the townhouse before Giogi returned.乔吉动身去墓穴后，她才想起那个布袋，便想着可以把它取回来，赶在乔吉回来之前回到城里的宅邸。5
She had to hurry now, or Giogi would worry.她现在必须快些了，否则乔吉会担心的。6
It had only taken a moment to retrieve the sack, but getting to Redstone had been another matter.取回布袋只花了片刻工夫，可赶到红石却是另一回事。7
She might have tried galloping Poppy across the fields, but she’d ridden the mare along the roads, keeping her at a walk all the way.她本可以骑着波比飞奔穿过田野，但她还是沿道路骑着这匹母马，一路都只让它缓步而行。8
She had no intention of riding her back to Giogi’s townhouse.她无意再骑着它回乔吉在城里的宅邸。9
Cat felt safer on foot.凯特觉得步行更安全。10
The tower’s outer stairs brought her down to the second level of the castle.塔楼外侧的楼梯将她带到了城堡二层。11
She stood on the balcony overlooking the two curved grand staircases leading to the entrance hall below.她站在阳台上，俯瞰着两道弧形的宏伟楼梯，它们通往下方的门厅。12
To the northwest and northeast stretched hallways leading to the family living quarters.西北和东北两个方向各有一条走廊延伸出去，通往家族成员的起居区。13
The memory of how nice Gaylyn had been to her earlier in the morning sprang to Cat’s mind.凯特忽然想起，今天早些时候盖琳对她是多么友善。14
She felt an urge to say hello to the woman.她很想去跟那位女士打声招呼。15
Thinking Frefford’s lady might be sitting in the parlor, the mage turned from the staircases and headed down the northwest corridor.女法师想着弗雷福德夫人或许正坐在客厅里，便转身离开楼梯，沿西北方向的走廊走去。16
Cat had just reached the parlor door when a shout came from the entrance hall below.凯特刚走到客厅门口，下方的门厅里便传来一声呼喊。17
Curious, she ran back to the nearest staircase and looked down.她心生好奇，跑回最近的楼梯口，向下望去。18
Giogi stood in the hallway, calling out for Frefford.乔吉站在门厅里，高声呼唤弗雷福德。19
From some room below, a tall, burly man with dark but graying hair ran into the hallway in answer to the noble’s cries.听见这位贵族的呼喊，一个身材高大壮硕、黑发中已夹杂着灰白的男人从楼下某个房间跑进了门厅。20
“Sudacar!”“苏达卡！”21
Giogi gasped, grasping the man’s shoulders excitedly.乔吉喘着气，激动地抓住那人的双肩。22
“Thank Waukeen!“感谢沃金！”23
It’s the baby.“是那个孩子。”24
He’s after Amber Leona.“他要对安伯·利奥娜下手。”25
Where is she?”“她在哪里？”26
“She should be in the nursery,” Sudacar replied.“她应该在育婴室里。”苏达卡答道。27
Giogi and Sudacar dashed up the staircase opposite the one Cat stood over.乔吉和苏达卡冲上了凯特俯视着的那座楼梯对面的楼梯。28
Neither man noticed the mage standing on the shadowy balcony.两人都没有注意到站在昏暗回廊上的法师。29
Sudacar led Giogi down a corridor at the other end of the building.苏达卡领着乔吉沿大宅另一头的一条走廊奔去。30
With an uneasy, disturbed feeling, Cat hurried after them.凯特怀着一股不安而烦乱的感觉，匆匆追了上去。31
Sudacar opened the door to the baby’s nursery with his heart pounding wildly.苏达卡心脏狂跳着，推开了育婴室的门。32
He sighed with relief.他松了口气。33
Dorath kept watch over her great-grandniece like a she-dragon over her treasure.多拉丝守着自己的曾侄孙女，就像一条母龙守着她的宝藏。34
Amber lay sleeping in the cradle.安伯正躺在摇篮里熟睡。35
Dorath sat in the rocking chair, darning socks.多拉丝坐在摇椅上织补袜子。36
She looked up at the lord of Immersea with disdain, hastily pocketing her wooden darning sock and sweeping her mending into a basket on the floor.她抬头轻蔑地看着伊默海领主，匆忙把木制的补袜模塞进口袋，又将手里的针线活一股脑扫进地上的篮子里。37
“Is there something I can do for you, Lord Samtavan?” she asked haughtily.“有什么是我能为您效劳的吗，萨姆塔万大人？”她傲慢地问道。38
Giogi pushed past Sudacar and strode over to the cradle.乔吉从苏达卡身旁挤过去，大步走到摇篮边。39
He swept the baby up in his arms.他一把将婴儿抱进怀里。40
“Giogioni Wyvernspur, just what do you think you’re doing, you fool?”“乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺，你这个蠢货，到底想干什么？”41
Dorath demanded.多拉丝厉声质问。42
“You’ll wake her up.”“你会把她吵醒的。”43
As if on cue, Amber began to cry.仿佛应声而起，安伯哭了起来。44
Cat peeked into the room from behind Sudacar’s broad back.凯特从苏达卡宽阔的后背旁探头朝房间里看去。45
“Hand me that baby this instant,” Dorath insisted, rising to her feet and closing in on Giogi.“马上把那个婴儿交给我。”多拉丝坚持道，一边站起身来，逼近乔吉。46
Giogi cracked Dorath across the face with the back of his hand, sending her sprawling across the room.乔吉反手狠狠抽在多拉丝脸上，将她打得飞出去，狼狈地摔在房间另一头。47
Cat gasped.凯特倒吸了一口气。48
Giogi looked to the door and spotted the mage.乔吉望向门口，发现了那名法师。49
“Catling,” he said.“小猫崽。”他说。50
“How convenient.“来得正好。51
Come hold this brat, and I’ll take us all home.”过来抱住这个小崽子，我带大家一起回家。”52
Amber began bawling louder, and her face turned bright red.安伯哭得更响了，脸也涨得通红。53
“No,” Cat whispered in horror.“不。”凯特惊恐地低声说道。54
“That’s not Giogi,” she said to Sudacar.“那不是乔吉。”她对苏达卡说。55
“It’s Flattery.“他是弗拉特里。56
You must stop him.”你必须阻止他。”57
Sudacar gave a sharp glance at the woman now standing beside him.苏达卡猛地瞥了一眼此刻站在他身旁的女人。58
Her face was familiar somehow.不知为何，她的面孔有些眼熟。59
That wasn’t a sufficient reason to believe her—he didn’t even know who this Flattery was supposed to be—but when it was combined with the display of violence he’d just witnessed, the Lord of Immersea was inclined to take the woman’s word for it.光凭这一点还不足以让他相信她——他甚至不知道这个弗拉特里究竟是什么人——但再加上他方才亲眼目睹的暴行，伊默海领主便倾向于相信这个女人的话了。60
“Put the baby down,” Sudacar ordered, drawing his sword, “whoever you are.”“不管你是谁，把婴儿放下。”苏达卡拔出剑，命令道。61
The would-be Giogi snorted.那个冒充乔吉的人嗤了一声。62
He dropped the baby in the cradle.他把婴儿扔进摇篮。63
Then he whirled on Sudacar with his hands extended, saying, “Flame spears.”接着，他猛地转向苏达卡，伸出双手说道：“火焰长矛。”64
Cat dodged out of the doorway just before jets of fire shot out from the wizard’s fingertips.就在一道道火焰从巫师指尖喷射出来之前，凯特闪身躲开了门口。65
Caught unprepared, Sudacar took the full brunt of the magic, his face and hands turned red from the heat, and his shirt and hair burst into flame.苏达卡毫无防备，结结实实地承受了魔法的全部威力，脸和双手被热浪灼得通红，衬衫和头发也燃起了火焰。66
He collapsed in the doorway with a groan.他呻吟一声，倒在门口。67
Cat threw her cape over his back and head to extinguish the flames.凯特把自己的斗篷盖在他的后背和头上，扑灭火焰。68
Then she drew the fur back from his head so he could breathe.接着，她将毛皮从他头上往后掀开，好让他能够呼吸。69
“Catling, get in here!”“小猫崽，给我进来！”70
Flattery shouted with Giogi’s voice.弗拉特里用乔吉的声音喊道。71
Cat dodged out of the doorway again and cowered in the corridor, not wanting to obey, too frightened to run.凯特再次闪身躲到门外，畏缩在走廊里；她不愿服从，却又吓得不敢逃跑。72
“Now, Catling, or I’ll hurt the brat,” the wizard threatened.“马上进来，小猫崽，不然我就伤害这个小崽子。”巫师威胁道。73
Amber gave an especially loud shriek, as if she’d been pinched or worse.安伯发出一声格外响亮的尖叫，仿佛被狠狠掐了一把，或是遭到了更糟的对待。74
Cat fought back her terror.凯特竭力压下心中的恐惧。75
It’s Gaylyn’s baby, she told herself.这是盖琳的孩子，她对自己说。76
You can’t let him hurt Gaylyn’s baby.你不能让他伤害盖琳的孩子。77
When Cat appeared in the doorway, Flattery held the baby again.凯特出现在门口时，弗拉特里又抱着孩子了。78
Amber was sobbing and hiccuping at the same time.安伯一边抽泣，一边打嗝。79
Flattery sneered at her.弗拉特里朝她冷笑。80
It was awful seeing Giogi’s face twisted in such a look of hatred, but Cat stepped over Sudacar’s body and walked toward her master, holding out her arms to take Gaylyn’s screaming infant.看到乔吉的脸扭曲成那样一副充满仇恨的表情，实在令人难受，但凯特还是跨过苏达卡的尸体，朝她的主人走去，同时伸出双臂，想接过盖琳那尖声哭叫的婴儿。81
Flattery gave the mage a suspicious glance.弗拉特里疑心地瞥了女法师一眼。82
“No. Maybe I’d better hold onto her,” he said, pulling the baby closer to his chest.“不。也许还是由我抱着她为好。”他说着，把婴儿往胸前搂得更紧。83
“Take that scroll of paper out from my belt and put it in the cradle.”“把我腰带里的那卷纸拿出来，放进摇篮里。”84
“What is it?”“这是什么？”85
Cat asked, pulling out the scroll.凯特一边问，一边抽出卷轴。86
“My terms, you witch.“我的条件，你这个女巫。87
This is all your fault.这全是你的错。88
If you’d brought me the spur, I wouldn’t need to be wasting my time here.”要是你把那枚马刺带给了我，我就不必在这里浪费时间了。”89
In the corner of the room, Dorath was struggling to her feet.房间角落里，多拉丝正挣扎着站起身来。90
“Give me my Amber!” she screamed.“把我的安伯还给我！”她尖叫道。91
With a huff of annoyance, Flattery turned toward the old Wyvernspur dame.弗拉特里恼怒地哼了一声，转向飞龙刺家的老太太。92
Cat pointed a finger at the wizard’s back and muttered the words, “Soul daggers.”凯特抬起一根手指，指向巫师的后背，低声念道：“灵魂匕首。”93
Three shimmering daggers of light shot from her hand and buried themselves in Flattery’s back.三把闪烁着微光的光之匕首从她手中射出，深深没入弗拉特里的后背。94
The wizard cried out in pain and surprise.法师因疼痛和惊讶叫出声来。95
He whirled around, his eyes burning with fury.他猛地转过身，双眼燃烧着怒火。96
“You want combat, woman?“你想打架吗，女人？97
I’ll show you combat,” he screamed, pulling out a crystal cone.那我就让你见识见识什么叫战斗！”他尖叫着，掏出一个水晶锥。98
“Death ice!” he growled.“死亡冰霜！”他低吼道。99
A freezing blast of cold covered the female mage from head to toe.一股刺骨的寒气从头到脚笼罩了女法师。100
Her skin felt as if it were on fire and her lungs and heart ached as if she’d been stabbed.她的皮肤仿佛在燃烧，肺腑和心脏也疼得像被利刃刺穿了一般。101
Unable to breathe, she collapsed to the floor.她无法呼吸，倒在了地板上。102
Flattery stepped up to her and slammed his foot into her stomach.弗拉特里走到她跟前，一脚狠狠踹在她肚子上。103
“I should kill you,” he snarled.“我真该杀了你。”他咆哮道。104
He kicked her again.他又踢了她一脚。105
“Stop that!”“住手！”106
Dorath screamed, slamming a porcelain water pitcher over the wizard’s head.多拉丝尖叫着，将一只瓷水罐狠狠砸在法师头上。107
Flattery spun to face his new challenger.弗拉特里猛地转身，面对这个新对手。108
The quarters were too close to cast one of his offensive spells at her.这里空间太过狭窄，他无法对她施展攻击法术。109
Besides, he was forced to clench his hands tightly around the baby to keep the old woman from pulling her away from him.而且，他还得用双手紧紧抱住婴儿，免得那个老妇人把她从自己怀里抢走。110
Frefford appeared in the doorway.弗雷福德出现在门口。111
“What in nine hells is going on here?” he asked.“九重地狱在上，这里到底发生了什么？”他问道。112
“Giogi!“乔吉！113
What are you doing with Amber?”你抱着安伯做什么？”114
“Frefford, stop him!”“弗雷福德，拦住他！”115
Dorath hollered.多拉丝高声喊道。116
Flattery released one hand from the baby and grabbed Dorath’s wrist.弗拉特里腾出一只抱着婴儿的手，一把抓住多拉丝的手腕。117
“Silver path, castle keep,” he whispered.“银色之路，城堡主塔。”他低声念道。118
Before Lord Frefford’s astonished eyes, his cousin, his grandaunt and his daughter vanished.就在弗雷福德大人惊愕的注视下，他的表亲、姑婆和女儿消失了。119
Giogi stepped back from the parlor window of his townhouse.乔吉从自家联排宅邸的客厅窗前退开。120
“I’ve got to get to Redstone fast!” he said.“我得赶快去红石！”他说。121
“If we’re not too late already,” Drone muttered.“但愿现在还不算太迟。”德罗恩低声说道。122
“Thomas, notify the watch,” he ordered.“托马斯，通知卫队。”他命令道。123
“Giogi, take my hand, boy.“乔吉，孩子，拉住我的手。124
You, too, Mistress Ruskettle.”拉斯凯特尔夫人，您也一样。”125
This may not be one of the smarter things I’ve ever done, Olive thought, taking the wizard’s left hand while Giogi grasped the right.这恐怕不是我这辈子做过的最明智的事之一，奥利芙心想；她握住巫师的左手，而乔吉则抓住了他的右手。126
“Silver path, home tower,” Drone intoned.“银色之路，归家之塔。”德罗恩吟诵道。127
Something buzzed in Olive’s ear, and her flesh tingled.奥利芙耳边响起一阵嗡鸣，皮肤也随之刺痛发麻。128
She involuntarily blinked, and when she opened her eyes, she, the wizard, and Giogi were standing in Drone’s lab in Redstone Castle.她不由自主地眨了眨眼，等再睁开时，她、巫师和乔吉已经站在红石城堡里德罗恩的实验室中。129
From a room downstairs came the shriek of an anguished woman.楼下的一间房里传来一个女人痛苦的尖叫。130
“Gaylyn!”“盖琳！”131
Giogi cried.乔吉喊道。132
He rushed to the door to the outer stair and dashed down.他冲向通往外侧楼梯的门，飞奔而下。133
Olive followed closely on his heels.奥利芙紧随其后。134
Three stories down, the door to the nursery stood open.下了三层楼，育婴室的门敞开着。135
Sudacar lay slumped in the doorway, unconscious.苏达卡瘫倒在门口，不省人事。136
His face and chest were horribly burned, and his hair was scorched to the scalp.他的脸和胸口被严重烧伤，头发一直焦到了头皮。137
Julia knelt over him, pouring a healing potion very carefully down his throat.朱莉娅跪在他身旁，极其小心地将一瓶治疗药水灌进他的喉咙。138
Her eyes were streaming with tears.她泪流不止。139
Inside the room, Gaylyn was seated on the rocker, sobbing hysterically.房间里，盖琳坐在摇椅上，歇斯底里地抽泣着。140
Frefford knelt beside her with his arms around her waist, but he was pale and silent, without the strength to console his wife.弗雷福德跪在她身旁，双臂搂着她的腰，但他面色苍白，一言不发，连安慰妻子的力气都没有。141
Cat lay in a heap beside the baby’s cradle.凯特蜷成一团，倒在婴儿摇篮旁。142
Her flesh was a deathly white, and her lips and eyelashes were covered with rime.她的肌肤惨白如死，嘴唇和睫毛上都覆着一层白霜。143
She clutched a cloth sack to her chest.她将一个布袋紧紧抱在胸前。144
Giogi stepped over Sudacar’s body and rushed to the mage’s side.乔吉跨过苏达卡的身体，冲到女法师身边。145
He took up her hand and shuddered at the cold.他执起她的手，被那冰冷冻得打了个寒战。146
He pulled the platinum band from his forehead and held its smooth inner surface near her lips.他从额头上取下铂金环，将光滑的内侧凑近她的嘴唇。147
Still cold from the nobleman’s flight, the metal dimmed with the tiniest bit of moisture.金属环仍因这位贵族方才的飞行而冰冷，表面蒙上了极细微的一层水汽。148
“She’s alive!”“她还活着！”149
Giogi cried excitedly.乔吉激动地喊道。150
Sudacar stirred in Julia’s arms.苏达卡在朱莉娅怀中动了动。151
“Sam,” Julia whispered.“萨姆，”朱莉娅低声唤道。152
“Sam, can you hear me?”“萨姆，你能听见我吗？”153
From between his cracked lips Sudacar snarled, “Fell for it.苏达卡从干裂的双唇间咬牙挤出一句：“我上当了。154
Oldest trick in the book, and I fell for it.”最老套的把戏，我居然上当了。”155
Julia unstoppered another potion vial.朱莉娅又拔开一瓶药剂的塞子。156
“Drink some more,” she ordered gently, but Sudacar shook his head.“再喝一点。”她温柔地命令道，可苏达卡摇了摇头。157
“Girl,” he gasped.“那姑娘……”他喘息道。158
“What?”“什么？”159
Julia asked.朱莉娅问道。160
“Give it to the girl.“给那姑娘喝。161
She’s worse off.她伤得更重。162
He hit her hard.”他下手太狠了。”163
“Here,” Olive said, holding out her hand.“给我吧，”奥利芙伸出手说道。164
“I’ll handle it.”“我来处理。”165
Julia looked uncertainly down at her lover’s fire-ravaged face.朱莉娅犹疑地低头望着爱人那张被烈火摧残的脸。166
“It’s the last one in the house,” she argued.“这是家里最后一瓶了。”她争辩道。167
Sudacar patted her hand reassuringly.苏达卡安抚地拍了拍她的手。168
Unwilling but obedient, the noblewoman handed the halfling the vial.这位贵族女子虽不情愿，却还是顺从地把药瓶递给了半身人。169
Olive skipped over Sudacar’s legs and hurried to Giogi’s side.奥利芙跨过苏达卡的双腿，匆匆来到乔吉身边。170
The nobleman held the mage close to his body with his cape wrapped about both of them, trying to warm her.这位贵族用斗篷裹住两人，把法师紧紧搂在怀里，试图让她暖和起来。171
“She could probably use a swig of this,” Olive suggested, handing Giogi the vial.“她大概该喝一口这个，”奥利芙说着，把小瓶递给乔吉。172
Giogi accepted it with a weak but grateful smile.乔吉虚弱却感激地一笑，接过了小瓶。173
Olive peered in the baby’s cradle.奥利芙探头看了看婴儿的摇篮。174
There was nothing in it but a scroll.里面除了一卷卷轴，什么也没有。175
Olive unrolled it and read through it silently.奥利芙展开卷轴，默默读了一遍。176
Drone appeared in the doorway.德罗恩出现在门口。177
“I’ve secured the castle,” he said.“我已经控制住城堡了，”他说。178
“Too late,” Olive replied.“太迟了，”奥利芙答道。179
“What happened?” the old wizard asked.“发生什么事了？”老巫师问。180
“Flattery took the baby,” Olive explained, looking up from the scroll.“弗拉特里把孩子带走了，”奥利芙从卷轴上抬起头，解释道。181
“Uncle Drone!”“德罗恩叔叔！”182
Julia cried in surprise.朱莉娅惊讶地叫道。183
“You’re alive!”“你还活着！”184
Frefford and Gaylyn looked up.弗雷福德和盖琳抬起头来。185
“That pile of ash wasn’t you, then?”“这么说，那堆灰不是你？”186
Frefford asked.弗雷福德问道。187
“No, it wasn’t,” Drone replied as he knelt beside Sudacar.“不，不是我，”德罗恩一边回答，一边在苏达卡身旁跪下。188
“How did he get in?” the wizard asked the king’s man.“他是怎么进来的？”巫师问这位国王的臣属。189
“What spells did he use?”“他用了什么法术？”190
“Looked like Giogi,” Sudacar explained.“他看起来像乔吉，”苏达卡解释道。191
“Said the baby was in danger.“他说孩子有危险。192
I led him right up here.我就这么把他一路领到这里来了。193
Selune, I’m such a fool.”塞露恩啊，我真是个蠢货。”194
“Shh, Sam,” Julia said.“嘘，山姆。”朱莉娅说。195
“Conserve your strength.”“省着点力气。”196
Sudacar shook his head.苏达卡摇了摇头。197
“Drone needs to know.“德罗恩必须知道。198
Dorath was here.多拉丝当时在这里。199
He snatched up the baby.他一把抢走了孩子。200
Dorath tried to stop him.多拉丝想阻止他。201
He hit Dorath.他打了多拉丝。202
I pulled my sword, and he fried me.我拔出剑，他用魔法把我轰倒了。203
The girl missiled him with magic.那姑娘用魔法飞弹击中了他。204
He froze her with a ray of cold.他用一道寒冰射线冻住了她。205
Kicked her twice for good measure.还踢了她两脚，唯恐不够狠。206
Dorath hit him, fought like a tiger.多拉丝打中了他，像猛虎一样跟他搏斗。207
I passed out before he disappeared.”他消失之前，我就昏过去了。”208
“Gaylyn, Julia, and I were in the parlor.“盖琳、朱莉娅和我当时都在客厅里。209
We heard Aunt Dorath shouting,” Frefford explained.我们听见多拉丝姑妈在喊叫。”弗雷福德解释道。210
“When I ran in, he was still struggling to keep Aunt Dorath from pulling Amberlee away.“我跑进去时，他还在拼命阻止多拉丝姑妈把安伯莉抢回去。211
I thought it was Giogi, until he blinked out with Amberlee and Aunt Dorath.”我还以为他是乔吉，直到他带着安伯莉和多拉丝姑妈一闪就消失了。”212
Gaylyn looked up plaintively at the wizard.盖琳抬起头，哀求地望着法师。213
“Oh, Uncle Drone.“哦，德罗恩叔叔。214
You’ll get my baby back, won’t you?” she sobbed.你会把我的孩子救回来，是不是？”她抽泣着问。215
“It’s out of his hands,” Olive said.“这已经不是他能左右的了。”奥利芙说。216
Sudacar and the Wyvernspurs turned to the bard for an explanation.苏达卡和飞龙刺家族的人都转向吟游诗人，等她解释。217
“He left a note,” she said, rattling the scroll.“他留了张字条，”她说着，把卷轴抖得哗啦作响。218
“It’s for Giogi.“是给乔吉的。219
‘The brat for the spur and my Cat,’ ” she read.‘用马刺和我的凯特来换那小崽子，’”她念道。220
“ ‘Bring no one else.“‘别带其他人来。221
Cat can lead you to my audience chamber.凯特可以带你去我的谒见厅。222
If you keep her or try to bring anyone else, you seal the child’s doom.’ ”如果你扣下她，或是试图带别人来，那孩子就必死无疑。’”223
Strengthened by the healing potion, Cat stirred in Giogi’s arms.治疗药水让凯特恢复了些力气，她在乔吉怀里动了动。224
“Giogi,” she whispered, “I’m sorry.“乔吉，”她低声说，“对不起。225
I tried to stop him.我想阻止他的。226
I really did.我真的尽力了。227
I fought him.”我跟他搏斗了。”228
“It’s all right,” Giogi whispered.“没事的，”乔吉低声说。229
“I surprised him, too,” she added, her voice very weak.“我也让他吃了一惊，”她又说道，声音十分虚弱。230
“He didn’t believe I would do it.”“他没想到我真会动手。”231
Giogi looked up at Frefford, unable to say what he must.乔吉抬头望向弗雷福德，却说不出那句非说不可的话。232
“I understand, Giogi,” the young lord said.“我明白，乔吉，”年轻的领主说道。233
“No one expects you to trade one life for another.”“没人指望你拿一条命去换另一条命。”234
Giogi kissed Cat gently and untangled himself from the cloak he’d wrapped around both of them.乔吉轻轻吻了吻凯特，从裹住两人的斗篷里抽身出来。235
“I’ll take him the spur,” Giogi said, rising to his feet.“我会把马刺带给他，”乔吉说着站起身来。236
“He’ll give me Amberlee or …“他会把安伯莉交给我，不然……”237
I’ll kill him.”“我就杀了他。”238
He trembled as he realized that he wanted to do it.当他意识到自己竟真想这么做时，不禁浑身发抖。239
Olive shook her head.奥利芙摇了摇头。240
He can’t go up there alone, she thought, when another idea struck her.他不能一个人上去，她心想，就在这时，她忽然有了另一个主意。241
“Jade’s sack,” she said, pulling out the magical pouch Jade had given her to hold.“杰德的袋子。”她说着，掏出杰德交给她保管的魔法口袋。242
“If I can fit into Jade’s sack, he won’t know I’m with you.“要是我能钻进杰德的袋子里，他就不会知道我跟你在一起。243
I can sneak attack him, in case he cheats us—correction, when he cheats us.万一他耍诈——更正，是等他耍诈的时候——我就可以偷袭他。244
He hasn’t changed from the time he killed your father,” she pointed out to Giogi.他和杀死你父亲时相比一点儿也没变。”她提醒乔吉。245
“Jade’s sack?”“杰德的袋子？”246
Drone asked.德罗恩问道。247
“The miniature bag of holding I gave her?“就是我给她的那个微型储物袋？248
Not even you would fit, Ruskettle.连你也装不进去，拉斯凯特尔。249
Twenty pounds is its limit.它的上限是二十磅。250
Hold on.等等。251
Wasn’t there a potion of healing in it?”里面是不是有一瓶治疗药水？”252
Olive opened the sack and drew out a minty-smelling vial.奥利芙打开袋子，取出一个散发着薄荷气味的小瓶。253
“Take that, Giogi,” Drone ordered.“把那个拿上，乔吉。”德罗恩命令道。254
“You may need to use it.”“你可能会用得着。”255
Olive held out the vial.奥利芙递出小瓶。256
“No,” Cat said, snatching the vial.“不行。”凯特说着，一把抢过小瓶。257
She unstoppered it and quaffed the potion in one fluid motion.她拔掉瓶塞，一仰头便把药水喝了个精光。258
Her skin glowed with a trifle more pink, and she rose to her feet on her own, still clutching the cloth sack she’d held while unconscious.她的肌肤恢复了一丝血色，随即自己站起身来，手里依然紧攥着昏迷时一直抱着的布袋。259
“There.“好了。260
I’m better now.我现在好多了。261
I’m going with you,” she told Giogi.我要跟你一起去。”她对乔吉说。262
“No, you are not,” the nobleman retorted.“不，你不能去。”那位贵族反驳道。263
“I’m not letting you near that madman ever again.”“我绝不会再让你靠近那个疯子。”264
“You haven’t got a choice,” Cat snapped.“你别无选择。”凯特厉声说道。265
“If you won’t carry me with you, I’ll fly up on my own.“你要是不带我一起飞，我就自己飞上去。266
I won’t leave you to face him alone.”我不会让你独自面对他。”267
“Mistress Cat, you can’t go,” Gaylyn said softly.“凯特小姐，你不能去。”盖琳轻声说道。268
“He’ll kill you.“他会杀了你的。269
I won’t let you.我不能让你去。270
Not even for my Amberlee.”哪怕是为了我的安伯莉也不行。”271
Gaylyn broke down in tears.盖琳再也忍不住，失声痛哭起来。272
“What makes you think I won’t kill him?”“你凭什么认为我不会杀了他？”273
Cat snapped with steely determination.凯特斩钉截铁地厉声反问。274
Now she sounds like Alias, Olive thought grimly.她现在说起话来简直像阿莉亚丝，奥利芙心情沉重地想。275
“Cat,” Giogi whispered, “I don’t want you to come.”“凯特，”乔吉低声说道，“我不想让你来。”276
“I know.“我知道。277
I don’t want you to go, either.我也不想让你去。278
Neither of us has any other choice, though, do we?”可我们俩都别无选择，不是吗？”279
“You may as well give in, Master Giogioni,” Olive said.“乔吉奥尼少爷，您还是答应了吧。”奥利芙说道。280
“She’ll find a way to follow you.“她总会想办法跟着您的。281
You’re better off if you look after each other.”你们最好彼此照应。”282
Giogi turned away from Cat, struggling to hide his rage.乔吉转过身去，不再面对凯特，竭力掩饰自己的怒火。283
“I’ll change in the courtyard,” he said as he left the room.“我去院子里变身。”他说着离开了房间。284
Cat picked her cape off the floor and followed behind him.凯特从地板上捡起斗篷，跟在他身后。285
“We can watch them from the tower,” Drone suggested.“我们可以从塔楼上看着他们。”德罗恩提议道。286
Frefford, Gaylyn, Sudacar, and Julia remained in the nursery, but Olive followed behind the old wizard with interest.弗雷福德、盖琳、苏达卡和朱莉娅留在育婴室里，奥利芙却兴致勃勃地跟在老巫师身后。287
The last of the daylight was fading, and the countryside reflected the deep blues of dusk.最后一抹天光正渐渐消逝，乡野映着暮色深沉的蓝。288
Steele was in the tower room, looting through papers, when they got there.他们到达时，斯蒂尔正在塔楼的房间里翻找文件，搜掠其中的东西。289
“Steele Wyvernspur, haven’t I told you to keep your paws off my toys?”“斯蒂尔·飞龙刺，我没告诉过你，别拿你的爪子碰我的玩具吗？”290
Drone growled.德罗恩低吼道。291
Steele stood up sharply as if struck by lightning.斯蒂尔猛地站起身来，仿佛被雷劈中一般。292
“Uncle Drone.“德罗恩叔叔。293
You’re not dead.你没死。294
How?”怎么会？”295
“I just keep breathing—in, then out,” Drone snapped.“我只是不停地呼吸——先吸气，再呼气，”德罗恩厉声道。296
“You’re just the person I wanted to see, for a change.“难得有一回，你正是我想见的人。297
Saddle up two horses and ride up to the House of the Lady.备好两匹马，骑去夫人之家。298
Fetch back Mother Lleddew.把莱杜嬷嬷接回来。299
We need her to heal Sudacar, and if our luck goes from bad to worse, we’ll need her to bash a few heads, too.”我们需要她医治苏达卡；要是运气越来越糟，还得让她敲破几个脑袋。”300
“Mother Lleddew?”“莱杜嬷嬷？”301
Steele whined.斯蒂尔哼哼唧唧地说道。302
“She’s an old woman.“她是个老太太。303
Sixty at least.”至少六十岁了。”304
“I’m sixty,” Drone snarled.“我就六十岁，”德罗恩咆哮道。305
“She’s eighty-eight.“她八十八岁。306
Get your prejudices straight, boy.先搞清楚你该看不起谁，小子。307
Now scat!现在快滚！308
You’d make an ugly toad.”你变成癞蛤蟆也会是只丑癞蛤蟆。”309
Steele opened his mouth to retort, then thought better of it.斯蒂尔张嘴想要反驳，转念一想，还是算了。310
He hurried from the room and down the outer staircase.他匆匆走出房间，沿着外侧楼梯下去了。311
Olive opened one of the tower windows and looked at the courtyard.奥利芙打开塔楼的一扇窗户，望向庭院。312
“They’re down there now,” she told Drone.“他们现在已经在下面了，”她对德罗恩说道。313
“Keep an eye on ’em,” Drone ordered, “while I dig out some scrolls.“盯着他们，”德罗恩吩咐道，“我去翻几张卷轴出来。314
I’ll need more power than I usually carry.”我需要的力量得比平时随身带的更强才行。”315
He began rooting through the scrolls, tossing them about willy-nilly.他开始在卷轴堆里翻找，把它们胡乱扔得到处都是。316
“Gods, that girl really took the cream of the crop.“诸神在上，那姑娘真把最好的全拿走了。317
If I find one good scroll, I’ll be lucky.我能找到一张好卷轴就算走运。318
Aha!啊哈！319
Perfect!太好了！320
I’m lucky.我运气不错。321
Has Giogi transformed yet?”乔吉变身了吗？”322
“Not yet,” Olive said, putting her eye to one of the telescopes and focusing it on the nobleman and the mage.“还没有。”奥利芙说着，把眼睛凑到一架望远镜前，将镜头对准那位贵族和法师。323
Cat ran to catch up to Giogi as he strode out into the center of the courtyard.乔吉大步走向庭院中央，凯特跑上去追他。324
She touched his arm, but he wouldn’t look at her.她碰了碰他的手臂，可他不肯看她。325
“I love you,” she said.“我爱你。”她说。326
Giogi whirled around angrily.乔吉愤怒地猛然转身。327
“If you loved me, you would stay here as I’ve asked you.”“如果你爱我，就会照我的话留在这里。”328
“Why?“为什么？329
So I can die of a broken heart like your mother did?”好让我像你母亲一样心碎而死吗？”330
“Don’t say that,” Giogi snapped.“别这么说。”乔吉厉声道。331
“I’m not the sort of woman who can sit around and wait, Giogi, unless I’m sitting around and waiting with you.“我不是那种能坐着干等的女人，乔吉——除非是和你一起坐着等。332
Mistress Ruskettle is right, you know.你知道，拉斯凯特尔夫人说得对。333
We’re better off if we look after each other.我们彼此照应，处境会更好。334
Isn’t that what Wyvernspurs are supposed to do?”飞龙刺家族的人不就应该这么做吗？”335
The anger in Giogi’s heart melted away, leaving only a sad feeling that, having just met and fallen in love, they might both die.乔吉心中的怒火消融了，只剩下一股悲伤：他们才刚刚相遇、坠入爱河，却可能双双死去。336
“We should say good-bye here,” he said softly.“我们应该在这里道别。”他轻声说。337
“We may not get another chance.”“也许不会再有机会了。”338
Cat laughed unexpectedly.凯特出人意料地笑了起来。339
“I’ve never seen you so grim.“我从没见过你这么严肃的样子。340
Adventurers never say good-bye.冒险者从不说再见。341
They say, ‘’Til next season.’他们会说：‘下个季节见。’342
What we should do is kiss each other good luck.”我们该做的是亲吻彼此，祝对方好运。”343
“We should,” he agreed, his heart lightening a little.“是该如此。”他赞同道，心里稍稍轻松了一些。344
Giogi pulled Cat close to him, and they wrapped their arms around one another.乔吉把凯特拉进怀里，两人紧紧相拥。345
“Has he transformed yet?”“他变身了吗？”346
Drone asked Olive again, impatiently.德罗恩不耐烦地又问了奥利芙一遍。347
“No,” Olive said with a quiet sigh, stepping away from the telescope.“没有。”奥利芙轻轻叹了口气，从望远镜前退开。348
“What is he waiting for?”“他还在等什么？”349
Drone looked out the window.德罗恩望向窗外。350
“Well, can’t begrudge them that,” he muttered, tucking a scroll into his shirt.“唔，这点倒不能怪他们。”他低声咕哝着，把一卷卷轴塞进衬衫里。351
“I don’t suppose you have a plan?”“你该不会有什么计划吧？”352
Olive asked hopefully.奥利芙满怀希望地问。353
“As you said, Ruskettle, it’s out of my hands.”“就像你说的，拉斯凯特尔，这事已经不由我做主了。”354
“Then what is that scroll for?”“那卷轴又是做什么用的？”355
“If they’re very lucky, I might have an opportunity to interfere.“如果他们非常幸运，我或许会有机会插手。356
If they’re very unlucky …”如果他们非常不幸……”357
Drone let his words trail off.德罗恩没有把话说完。358
“Then what?”“那会怎么样？”359
Olive asked.奥利芙问。360
“Then I will have no choice but to interfere.”“那我就别无选择，只能插手了。”361
The halfling and the wizard looked back down on the courtyard.半身人和法师重新低头望向庭院。362
Cat stood alone in the center.凯特独自站在庭院中央。363
She held the finder’s stone so that Giogi’s flight would not be made in complete darkness.她举着寻物石，好让乔吉飞行时不至于陷入一片漆黑。364
Giogi had taken wyvern shape and was already aloft.乔吉已经化作双足飞龙，飞上了天空。365
He flew in a low glide toward the mage, snatched her up gently in his talons and spiraled upward, beating his wings heavily.他低低地滑翔向女法师，用爪子轻柔地将她抓起，沉重地拍打着双翼，盘旋上升。366
When he’d cleared the towers, he flew away from the castle until he reached the edge of the massive rock that hung over Redstone.越过塔楼后，他朝远离城堡的方向飞去，直至抵达那块悬在红石上方的巨岩边缘。367
He spiraled up again and was lost to view.他再次盘旋上升，消失在视野中。368
It’s as if we fell off the edge of the world and now we’re trying to get back on top, Giogi thought as he climbed through the cold spring evening air to reach Flattery’s fortress.乔吉迎着春夜寒冷的空气向上攀升，飞往弗拉特里的堡垒，心想：这就像我们从世界边缘掉了下去，现在又想爬回顶上一样。369
He was several thousand feet above Immersea.他此时已在伊默海上空数千英尺处。370
Hundreds of miles to the west the nobleman could see the Storm Horn Mountains as dark purple silhouettes against the twilight sky.在西面数百英里之外，这位贵族能看见风暴角山脉如深紫色的剪影，映衬在暮色笼罩的天空下。371
The flying rock obstructed his view to the east.东面的视野则被那块飞岩挡住了。372
Finally he reached the top.他终于飞到了顶部。373
The moon hadn’t risen yet, but the finder’s stone shone out like a beacon, illuminating the vast desert plain that lay before them.月亮尚未升起，但寻物石如灯塔般闪耀，照亮了横亘在他们面前的广袤荒漠。374
Red boulders were strewn across the red-brown sand.红褐色的沙地上散落着一块块红色巨石。375
As they drew closer to the center of the plain, Giogi sighted other things scattered in the sand—corpses, thousands of them, arranged in orderly rows.随着他们逐渐接近平原中央，乔吉看见沙地上还散布着别的东西——尸体，成千上万具尸体，整整齐齐地排列成行。376
Then the fortress wall appeared in the stone’s light and Giogi pulled up to fly above it.随后，堡垒的城墙出现在寻物石的光芒中，乔吉拉升高度，飞到了墙上方。377
Mother Lleddew had not exaggerated; it was twice as high as the wall about Suzail.莱杜嬷嬷并没有夸大其词；这道城墙足有环绕苏萨尔的城墙两倍高。378
He swooped downward once they cleared the fortress wall.越过堡垒的城墙后，他便向下俯冲。379
Bodies lay within the inner ward, but these were not neatly stacked.内院里也躺着尸体，但这些尸体并未码放整齐。380
They lay in untidy piles.它们杂乱无章地堆成一摞摞。381
Even in the cold night air, they smelled strongly of decomposition.即使在寒冷的夜风中，它们依然散发着浓烈的腐臭。382
Giogi found a clear spot of sand, swooped low, and released Cat.乔吉找到一片没有尸体的沙地，低低俯冲而过，松开爪子放下了凯特。383
He skidded to a stop several yards away.他在几码外滑行着停了下来。384
The enchantress caught up to him by the time he’d shrunk back to his human shape.等他缩回人形时，女法师也已经赶到了他身边。385
She handed back the finder’s stone.她将寻物石交还给他。386
“Why are all these bodies here?”“这里为什么会有这么多尸体？”387
Giogi whispered, holding the crystal high overhead to get a better view of the inner ward.乔吉低声问道，把水晶高高举过头顶，好看清内堡里的情形。388
“These are food for the ghasts and ghouls,” Cat explained.“这些是给尸妖和食尸鬼准备的食物。”凯特解释道。389
“And the bodies outside?”“那外面的尸体呢？”390
“Held in reserve to be changed to zombies as needed.”“留作备用，需要时就把它们变成僵尸。”391
Giogi shuddered.乔吉打了个寒战。392
“I wonder where all the undead are,” Cat mused.“不知道那些不死生物都去哪儿了。”凯特沉吟道。393
“He can’t have used all of them to attack you at Selune’s temple.“他不可能把它们全都派去塞露恩的神殿袭击你。394
Not all of them will go out in daylight.”它们也不是全都能在白天出门。”395
“I’d rather not find either kind,” Giogi said.“不管是哪一种，我都不想碰上。”乔吉说道。396
“Which way to Flattery?”“往哪边走能找到弗拉特里？”397
“To the keep” Cat said.“去主堡。”凯特说道。398
Giogi followed the mage as she threaded her way through the piles of carrion.乔吉跟着法师，在一堆堆腐尸之间穿行。399
The keep was a second fortress within the first.主堡是第一重堡垒内的第二重堡垒。400
A turret rose from each corner, and the roof was lined with crenellated parapets.四个角各耸立着一座塔楼，屋顶四周则是带垛口的女墙。401
Giogi estimated the main building to be four stories high, but it was hard to tell exactly, because the keep had no windows.乔吉估计主楼有四层高，但很难判断准确，因为主堡一扇窗户也没有。402
A pair of iron doors at ground level stood wide open.地面一层的一对铁门洞然大开。403
Cat reached for his hand, and they entered together.凯特伸手握住他的手，两人一起走了进去。404
They stood at one end of a long, wide corridor, bare of any ornamentation.他们站在一条宽阔而漫长的走廊尽头，四周没有任何装饰。405
Sconces holding torches lined the walls, but the torches had burned down to stumps.墙上排列着插有火把的壁台，但火把都已烧得只剩短短一截。406
Giogi held the finder’s stone above his head again.乔吉再次把寻踪石举过头顶。407
It sent a beam of light down the full length of the empty corridor.它射出一道光束，照彻了整条空荡荡的走廊。408
The light struck a second pair of iron doors.光束照在了另一对铁门上。409
“Dismal place,” Giogi muttered as he and Cat walked toward the white doors.“真是个阴森的地方。”乔吉嘟囔着，和凯特一起朝那两扇白色大门走去。410
“No wall hangings.“墙上连幅挂毯都没有。411
No furniture.”家具也没有。”412
“Only Flattery and the undead dwell here,” Cat explained.“这里只有弗拉特里和不死者居住，”凯特解释道。413
“The undead have no joy in decoration.”“不死者对装饰毫无兴趣。”414
“What about Flattery?”“那弗拉特里呢？”415
“Flattery only delights in power.”“弗拉特里只醉心于权力。”416
“Did you live here?”“你以前住在这里？”417
Cat nodded.凯特点了点头。418
“How could you stand it?”“你怎么受得了？”419
“Until yesterday, being in your home, I had no notion of living any better,” Cat said.“直到昨天，待在你家里，我才知道原来还可以过上更好的生活，”凯特说。420
She pushed at one of the doors before them.她推了推面前的一扇门。421
The door opened into a great chamber whose ceiling rose to the full height of the keep.门开了，里面是一座巨大的厅堂，屋顶高高升起，直达城堡主楼的最高处。422
At the far end, a pair of braziers flickered red near the base of a dais.在大厅尽头，一座高台脚下，两只火盆闪烁着红光。423
Aunt Dorath sat beside one of the braziers.多拉丝姑妈坐在其中一只火盆旁。424
She was not restrained by chain or rope.她身上没有锁链，也没有绳索束缚。425
She looked very frightened, and her hair had gone completely gray.她看上去十分惊恐，一头头发已经全白了。426
Atop the dais, on a throne made of human bones, sat the wizard Flattery, a faint reddish glow surrounded his body.高台之上，巫师弗拉特里坐在一张人骨制成的王座上，周身笼罩着一层淡淡的红光。427
Amberlee lay on a pillow at his feet, inside a shimmering globe two feet across.安伯莉躺在他脚边的一只枕头上，被罩在一个直径两英尺、微光闪烁的球体中。428
On either side of the dais, in the shadows, disfigured shapes milled about and darker shadows flickered with excitement.高台两侧的阴影里，畸形的身影来回游荡，更幽暗的影子则兴奋地闪动着。429
Giogi dropped Cat’s hand and strode into the room.乔吉松开凯特的手，大步走进厅堂。430
Flattery laid a threatening finger on the globe holding Amberlee.弗拉特里将一根带着威胁意味的手指按在囚禁安伯莉的球体上。431
“Hold,” he commanded.“站住。”他命令道。432
Giogi halted.乔吉停下了脚步。433
“Giogioni Wyvernspur, you were wise to come,” the wizard said.“乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺，你能来，算你明智，”巫师说道。434
“You, Catling, will pay for your treachery.“你这个小猫崽，会为自己的背叛付出代价。435
As you can see, Giogioni, your kin are alive.你也看到了，乔吉奥尼，你的亲人都还活着。436
My minions—” He motioned to the flickering shadows on either side of the dais—“hate them.我的仆从们——”他朝高台两侧闪烁不定的阴影示意了一下——“恨透了他们。437
Especially the brat.尤其是那个小崽子。438
You will note I’ve taken special precautions to protect her from their life-draining touch.你应该注意到了，我采取了特别的防护措施，以免她被它们吸干生命。439
Unfortunately, your aunt got out of control and I had no choice but to let one of my ghosts deal with her.不幸的是，你姑妈失去了控制，我别无选择，只能让我的一个幽灵收拾她。440
You can hardly object to her damaged condition, considering all the use you’ve had of my wife.想想你利用我妻子做了那么多事，你总不好还对她伤成这样表示不满。441
Come here, Catling,” he ordered.过来，小猫崽，”他命令道。442
“The lady is not part of the deal, Flattery,” Giogi retorted hotly.“这位女士不在交易之内，弗拉特里，”乔吉愤然反驳。443
“She’s returning with me.“她要跟我一起回去。444
You free Amberlee, Aunt Dorath, and Cat, and I will give you the spur.”你放了安伯莉、多拉丝姑妈和凯特，我就把飞龙刺交给你。”445
Flattery laughed.弗拉特里笑了。446
“You’re a fool, Giogioni.“你真是个蠢货，乔吉奥尼。447
Get over here, witch!” he shouted at the mage.给我滚过来，女巫！”他冲女法师吼道。448
“You’ve got three seconds before I make this infant wraith food.“你只有三秒钟，否则我就把这个婴儿变成幽魂的食物。449
Don’t leave that sack behind.别把那个袋子留下。450
Bring it with you.”把它一起带过来。”451
Cat picked up the sack of magic she’d tried to leave behind Giogi.凯特捡起了那袋魔法物品；她刚才本想把它留在乔吉身后。452
“You’re better off without me,” she said to Giogi as she passed him by, hurrying to Flattery’s side.“没有我，你会过得更好，”她从乔吉身边经过时对他说，随即匆匆赶到弗拉特里身旁。453
Giogi could see her eyes brimmed with tears.乔吉看见她眼中盈满了泪水。454
“No,” Giogi whispered.“不。”乔吉低声说道。455
“Don’t waste your breath,” Flattery said.“别白费口舌了，”弗拉特里说。456
“I’m the only one who can give her what she wants.“只有我能给她想要的东西。457
Isn’t that right, Catling?” the wizard asked, yanking on the mage’s hair.对不对，小猫崽？”巫师问道，一把揪住女法师的头发。458
“Yes,” Cat whispered, keeping her eyes down.“是的。”凯特垂着眼睛低声说道。459
Flattery pulled at the sack Cat carried.弗拉特里扯了扯凯特背着的袋子。460
“A little present for me, Cat?“给我的小礼物吗，凯特？461
Something by way of an apology, you witch?算是向我赔罪吗，你这女巫？462
Looted from Drone’s lab, I take it.”我猜，是从德罗恩的实验室里搜刮来的吧。”463
Cat clutched the sack for only a moment, then released it.凯特只把袋子攥紧了片刻，便松开了手。464
The wizard chuckled and tied it to his belt.巫师低声笑了起来，把袋子系在自己的腰带上。465
“Now, Giogioni, you will give me the spur this minute,” Flattery growled, rising to his feet and taking up the sphere holding Amberlee, “or I will feed this brat to a wraith.“现在，乔吉奥尼，你马上把马刺交给我，”弗拉特里低吼着站起身，拿起了囚禁着安伯莉的球体，“否则我就把这个小崽子喂给幽灵。466
Then you will give me the spur or your aunt will be next.到时候你还是得交出马刺，不然下一个就是你姑妈。467
Or maybe Cat.也可能是凯特。468
Try to change your shape, and they will be dead before you can cross the room.”你要是敢变形，还没等你走到房间另一头，她们就都死了。”469
Giogi drew the spur from his boot.乔吉从靴子里取出了马刺。470
“I want to be sure my aunt is well.“我要先确认我姑妈安然无恙。471
Send her to my side, and I will give her the spur to take to you.”让她到我身边来，我会把马刺交给她，让她拿给你。”472
Flattery snorted.弗拉特里嗤了一声。473
He descended the dais and shoved Dorath with his foot.他走下高台，用脚推了推多拉丝。474
“Go,” he ordered her.“去。”他命令道。475
Dorath rose slowly to her feet and crossed the room.多拉丝缓缓站起身，穿过房间。476
The wrinkles on her face had doubled, and she looked very feeble.她脸上的皱纹仿佛多了一倍，看上去十分虚弱。477
She stopped before Giogi and raised her hand to stroke his face.她在乔吉面前停下，抬手抚摸他的脸。478
“Don’t be a fool,” Dorath whispered, mustering as much of her grandaunt tones as she dared.“别犯傻，”多拉丝低声说道，尽可能摆出她敢用的姑婆口吻。479
“He can’t be trusted.“他不可信。480
Flee now.快逃。481
Once he has the spur, no spells will affect him.一旦他拿到马刺，任何法术都奈何不了他。482
None of us will leave here alive.”我们谁也别想活着离开这里。”483
“I can’t leave you,” Giogi said, pressing the spur into her gnarled hands.“我不能丢下你，”乔吉说着，把马刺塞进她那双枯槁的手里。484
“I won’t give him this,” she hissed.“我不会把这个给他的。”她低声嘶道。485
Giogi pushed his aunt’s hand down by her thigh.乔吉把姑妈的手按到她大腿旁。486
“Carry it to him like this.“就这样拿着它走到他面前。487
When you reach him, think of the dream,” he whispered.等走到他跟前，就想着那个梦。”他低声说道。488
“No,” Dorath said, her eyes widening with fear.“不行。”多拉丝说，双眼因恐惧而睁得老大。489
“Yes.“行。490
Do as I say,” Giogi commanded through clenched teeth.照我说的做。”乔吉咬紧牙关命令道。491
“I won’t become that beast,” Aunt Dorath whispered.“我不愿变成那头野兽。”多拉丝姑妈低声说道。492
“Stop being a foolish old woman,” Giogi said.“别再做个愚蠢的老太婆了。”乔吉说。493
“Be a hero, like your mother.“像你母亲一样，做个英雄。494
It’s our only chance.这是我们唯一的机会。495
Amberlee’s only chance.”也是安伯莉唯一的机会。”496
“Stop whispering!”“别再窃窃私语了！”497
Flattery shouted.弗拉特里吼道。498
“Bring the spur to me, now!”“现在就把马刺拿给我！”499
“Don’t keep him waiting, Aunt Dorath,” Giogi said.“别让他等急了，多拉丝姑妈。”乔吉说。500
“Do it.”“动手吧。”501
With her jaw still jutting out stubbornly, Dorath turned around.多拉丝依旧倔强地翘着下巴，转过身去。502
Her gnarled hands trembled with fear.她那双枯槁的手因恐惧而颤抖。503
She shuffled toward Flattery, hunched over with age.她年老体衰，佝偻着身子，拖着脚步朝弗拉特里走去。504
Flattery set Amberlee down and strode toward Dorath, holding his hand out impatiently.弗拉特里放下安伯莉，大步走向多拉丝，不耐烦地伸出手。505
Horrified, Giogi watched Dorath hold her hand out to the wizard.乔吉惊恐地看着多拉丝向那名法师伸出手。506
Flattery snatched the prize she offered.弗拉特里一把夺过她奉上的宝物。507
Sweet Selune, Giogi thought, she was too frightened.仁慈的塞露恩啊，乔吉心想，她实在太害怕了。508
We’re all doomed.我们都完了。509
Flattery turned his back on her, muttering casually, “Kill them.”弗拉特里转过身去，背对着她，漫不经心地低声说道：“杀了他们。”510
Misty black wraiths and corpse-gray wights began closing in on Giogi and Dorath at once.雾蒙蒙的黑色幽魂和尸灰色的尸妖立刻开始向乔吉和多拉丝逼近。511