Giogi drew his foil and rushed forward, shouting, “Stay back!”乔吉拔出花剑，冲上前去，高喊道：“退后！”1
In his left hand the finder’s stone flared with a light as bright as day.他左手中的寻物石迸发出亮如白昼的光芒。2
The undead backed away from the light, snarling and retreating to the back of the audience chamber.不死生物冲着亮光咆哮，连连后退，一直退到觐见厅后方。3
Flattery whirled around suddenly.弗拉特里猛然转过身来。4
“What is this?” he shouted.“这是怎么回事？”他吼道。5
He hurled at Dorath’s head the object she’d just handed him.他把多拉丝刚刚交给他的东西朝她头上掷去。6
The old woman’s shape had already begun to blur and grow, however, and the wooden darning sock bounced off her red wyvern scales and clattered harmlessly to the floor.然而，老妇人的身形已经开始变得模糊、膨大；那只木制补袜器撞上她红色的双足飞龙鳞片，又弹落在地，徒然发出一阵哐啷声。7
Without a second’s hesitation Dorath smashed her stinging tail down on the wizard, catching him in the shoulder with its venomous tip.多拉丝毫不迟疑地将带刺的尾巴猛砸向巫师，淬毒的尾尖正中他的肩膀。8
As Flattery crumbled to the ground screaming, Dorath snatched up in her mouth the globe that held Amberlee, and whirled around.弗拉特里惨叫着瘫倒在地，多拉丝一口叼起囚着安伯莉的圆球，转身便走。9
“Run, Aunt Dorath!”“快跑，多拉丝姑妈！”10
Giogi shouted.乔吉大喊。11
The wyvern plodded from the audience chamber as fast as its two birdlike legs could carry it, ducking to clear the door frame.双足飞龙低头避过门框，用两条鸟儿般的腿拼命迈动，以最快的速度奔出觐见厅。12
From the top of the dais Giogi saw Cat pulling out a scroll she’d concealed in the sash she wore.乔吉看见凯特站在高台顶端，从腰间的饰带里抽出一卷藏好的卷轴。13
Giogi rushed toward Flattery, but one undead, a dark shadow unafraid of the light, intercepted the nobleman.乔吉冲向弗拉特里，却被一个不死生物拦住了去路——那是一团不惧亮光的黑影。14
Giogi drew back.乔吉向后退去。15
He still couldn’t remember the entire rhyme about the undead, but the line “A shadow’s touch saps the strength” came to him in a flash.他仍然想不起那首关于不死生物的完整歌谣，但“暗影一触，力量衰竭”这一句却蓦然闪过脑海。16
He could hear Cat chanting, reading from her scroll.他听见凯特照着卷轴吟诵咒文。17
Flattery stumbled to his feet, a bloodstain spreading on his robe.弗拉特里踉跄着站起身，长袍上的血迹不断扩大。18
“After the wyvern!” he screamed.“去追那只双足飞龙！”他尖声吼道。19
A swarm of wraiths skimmed around the finder’s stone’s light, heading for the door, but they all bounced backward, repelled by an invisible barrier.一群幽魂绕过寻物石的光芒，掠向门口，却全都被一道无形的屏障弹了回来。20
Satisfied that his aunt would make good her escape, the nobleman turned his full attention to the shadow.确信姑妈能够顺利逃脱后，乔吉便将全部注意力转向那团黑影。21
He lunged at it with his foil, but the weapon did no more damage to the creature than a stick did to air.他挺起花剑刺去，可这武器对那怪物造成的伤害，就如同木棍击打空气一般微不足道。22
The shadow closed on Giogi, its hands outstretched, its body traveling up the length of the foil’s blade.黑影朝乔吉逼近，双手前伸，身躯沿着花剑的剑刃滑了过来。23
Just as the shadow reached the weapon’s guard, Giogi heard Cat cry out the word “coffin,” and the shadow halted.就在影子逼近剑格时，乔吉听见凯特喊出“棺材”这个词，影子顿时停住了。24
Giogi stepped back and withdrew his foil from the undead.乔吉后退一步，从那不死生物体内抽回了花剑。25
Cat ran to the nobleman.凯特跑到贵族身边。26
Flattery turned toward them.弗拉特里转身面向他们。27
“I taught you to hold undead, Cat.“我教过你如何定住不死生物，凯特。28
But where did you get the wall of force?” the wizard asked.可你是从哪儿弄来这道力场墙的？”巫师问道。29
“A scroll, Cat?“一张卷轴吗，凯特？30
You’ve blocked your own exit.你把自己的退路也堵死了。31
Why don’t you lower it and flee?”为什么不撤掉它，赶快逃命呢？”32
“No,” Giogi whispered to her.“不。”乔吉低声对她说。33
“We need to give Aunt Dorath time to reach Redstone.”“我们得给多拉丝姨妈争取时间，让她赶到红石。”34
“You’ve bought your miserable relatives a few hours,” Flattery replied.“你给那些可悲的亲戚争取了几个小时。”弗拉特里答道。35
“I will have the spur from them once I’ve dispensed with you.“等我解决掉你，就会从他们手里夺走马刺。36
Your Uncle Drone is dead.你的德罗恩叔叔已经死了。37
The old woman may be able to wield the spur, but she is the only other one, and she will be too weak to fight me, even if she can resist my magic.那个老太婆或许能使用马刺，但除此之外也只有她能用；就算她能抵抗我的魔法，也会虚弱得无力与我交战。38
If they do not surrender the spur, they all will die.”如果他们不交出马刺，就全都得死。”39
He doesn’t know Uncle Drone is alive, Giogi realized.他不知道德罗恩叔叔还活着，乔吉心想。40
If I can stall Flattery long enough for Aunt Dorath to reach Redstone, Uncle Drone will come to help.只要我能把弗拉特里拖住，直到多拉丝姨妈抵达红石，德罗恩叔叔就会来帮忙。41
“Let’s see, Catling.“让我想想，小猫崽。42
Besides holding that undead,” Flattery said, motioning to the immobile shadow that had nearly gotten Giogi, “you assaulted me with missiles.除了定住那个不死生物之外，”弗拉特里指了指那个一动不动、刚才险些抓住乔吉的影子，“你还用飞弹袭击了我。43
You summoned me earlier today with a whispering wind bird.今天早些时候，你还用一只风语鸟召唤了我。44
You have more power still.你还有更多力量。45
Cast something else at me.”再对我施个别的法术吧。”46
“Why bother?“何必白费力气？47
It’s obvious you’ve made yourself invulnerable to my attacks,” she said, indicating the reddish glow that outlined his body.很明显，你已经让自己不受我的攻击伤害了。”她说着，指了指勾勒出他身体轮廓的淡红色光芒。48
“I’ll save my attacks for your undead, should any more of them have the courage to brave the light of Giogi’s stone.”“我的攻击还是留给你的亡灵吧——要是它们之中还有谁胆敢闯进乔吉那块石头的光芒里。”49
“I don’t think you have any power left,” the wizard taunted, “which makes you just a woman.”“我看你已经没有任何力量了，”那巫师嘲弄道，“这样一来，你就只是个女人而已。”50
Flattery advanced toward her menacingly.弗拉特里气势汹汹地向她逼近。51
“A woman under my protection,” Giogi said, stepping forward with his foil leveled at the wizard.“一个受我保护的女人。”乔吉说着上前一步，将花剑平指向巫师。52
With the hand that held the finder’s stone the nobleman pushed Cat behind him.这位贵族用握着寻物石的那只手把凯特推到自己身后。53
Without undead to shield him, Giogi wondered, can I run Flattery through before he can cast a spell?没有亡灵替他挡剑，乔吉心想：我能不能赶在弗拉特里施法之前一剑刺穿他？54
Flattery snorted at Giogi’s foil.弗拉特里看着乔吉的花剑，嗤笑了一声。55
“So, the men of the clan still learn to use that ridiculous weapon,” the wizard said, stepping back and assuming a fencing stance.“这么说，家族里的男人还在学着使用这种可笑的武器。”巫师一边说，一边后退一步，摆出击剑的架势。56
He snapped his fingers and whispered, “Ward.”他打了个响指，低声念道：“防护。”57
A foil appeared in his hand.一柄花剑出现在他手中。58
“Well, Giogioni,” Flattery said, saluting with his foil.“好吧，乔吉奥尼。”弗拉特里说着，举起花剑致礼。59
“Do we fight over the lady’s honor?“我们这是要为这位女士的名誉而战吗？60
I use the word ‘lady’ loosely, of course.”当然，我这里所谓的‘女士’，是很勉强的说法。”61
Giogi returned the salute with a cold anger.乔吉带着冰冷的怒意举剑回礼。62
“On guard,” he replied, crouching into his stance.“请出招。”他答道，俯身摆好架势。63
Behind him he could hear Cat begin whispering another chant.他听见身后的凯特开始低声念起另一段咒语。64
In his back hand, the finder’s stone remained bright.他后面的那只手中，寻物石依然光芒明亮。65
For the first few minutes, Flattery parried Giogi’s attacks without attacking back, taking the measure of his opponent.最初几分钟里，弗拉特里只是招架乔吉的进攻，并不还击，借此摸清对手的实力。66
The wizard’s parries were flawless.那巫师的每一次格挡都无懈可击。67
“I take it,” Flattery said, “that beyond defending that witch, your intention is to avenge the deaths of your father and uncle.”“我想，”弗拉特里说道，“除了保护那个女巫之外，你还打算为你父亲和叔叔的死报仇。”68
“Naturally,” Giogi replied.“当然。”乔吉答道。69
He beat at his opponent’s blade, forcing the wizard into a step backward.他猛击对手的剑身，逼得巫师向后退了一步。70
“What kind of fool would fight for a doddering old man, a father who’d abandoned him, and a slut without a memory?”“什么样的蠢货才会为一个老糊涂、一个抛弃了他的父亲，还有一个失去记忆的荡妇而战？”71
Flattery asked, finally making an attack lunge at Giogi’s shoulder.弗拉特里问道，终于挺剑刺向乔吉的肩头。72
Giogi parried high, but Flattery’s motion proved to be a feint for a lower attack at his ribs.乔吉举剑格挡，但弗拉特里的动作原来只是佯攻，真正的一击却从下方刺向他的肋部。73
Giogi was forced to retreat a step.乔吉被迫后退了一步。74
Giogi fought down the anger the wizard’s words ignited in him.乔吉强压下男巫那番话在他心中激起的怒火。75
It looked as if he might be sorely outclassed in this battle.看来在这场战斗中，他的实力恐怕远不及对手。76
It was imperative that he remain levelheaded.他必须保持冷静。77
It was true that Uncle Drone was a bit of a duffer, and secretly Giogi had harbored hostility toward Cole for dying and abandoning him, and there was no doubt that Cat had made a very unwise decision allying herself with Flattery.德罗恩叔叔确实有点老糊涂；乔吉内心深处也确实怨恨过科尔，恨他死去，抛下了自己；而凯特与弗拉特里结盟，无疑也是一个极不明智的决定。78
None of those things, however, were as important as the fact that he loved all those people.然而，与他爱着这些人这一事实相比，所有这些都无关紧要。79
They were his family.他们是他的家人。80
Giogi was just beginning to understand why he always stood up for them in spite of their failings.乔吉这才开始明白，为什么尽管他们各有缺点，他却总会挺身维护他们。81
They wouldn’t be a family without failings.若没有这些缺点，他们也就不成其为一家人了。82
Poor Steele only feels Frefford’s rank and my wealth because he’s had to live second to them.可怜的斯蒂尔之所以会对弗雷福德的地位和我的财富耿耿于怀，只是因为他一直不得不屈居二者之下。83
Julia only wants to be loved.朱莉娅只是想得到爱。84
Aunt Dorath only wanted to protect me from her own fears.多拉丝姑妈只是想保护我，不让我面对那些令她自己恐惧的事。85
As for the others, …至于其他人……86
“My uncle was foully ambushed,” Giogi stated.“我叔叔遭到了卑鄙的伏击，”乔吉说道。87
“My father died defending the family honor.“我父亲是为了捍卫家族荣誉而死的。88
And the lady never loved you; she was terrified of you.而那位女士从来没有爱过你；她怕你怕得要命。89
Who could blame her?”谁又能怪她呢？”90
Flattery scowled for just a moment, and his blade wavered.弗拉特里只阴沉了片刻，手中的剑便动摇了。91
Giogi thought, Can’t take what he dishes out, eh?乔吉心想：只会说别人，轮到自己就受不了了，是吧？92
“I wonder,” Giogi continued, suddenly feeling more confident and mixing feints in with his attacks, “What kind of man has no respect for the elderly, no loyalty to his family, and prefers the company of undead to a beautiful woman?“我倒想知道，”乔吉继续说道，忽然间信心大增，进攻中也开始夹杂佯攻，“什么样的男人会不尊重老人，对家人毫无忠诚，还宁可与不死生物为伍，也不愿陪伴一位美丽的女子？93
You know, Flattery, I don’t think you’re a man at all.”你知道吗，弗拉特里，我觉得你根本算不上男人。”94
Flattery made a direct attack, low and clumsy, which Giogi parried easily.弗拉特里径直攻来，剑势低沉而笨拙，乔吉轻易便格开了这一击。95
“Close to the mark, eh?” the nobleman said with a chill disdain.“猜得八九不离十，是吧？”贵族冷冷地轻蔑道。96
“My guess would be you’re some sort of lich with an illusion spell to mimic the face of a true Wyvernspur.”“依我看，你大概是某种巫妖，用幻术模仿一个真正的飞龙刺的面容。”97
Flattery pressed at the nobleman’s blade, thrust, and lunged.弗拉特里压住贵族的剑，接连直刺、突进。98
The foil pierced through Giogi’s tabard and pricked the skin below his ribs before the nobleman managed to retreat.贵族还没来得及后退，花剑便刺穿了乔吉的战袍，扎破了他肋骨下方的皮肤。99
Giogi nearly backed into Cat, who was still behind him reciting the words to some involved magic spell.乔吉后退时险些撞上凯特；她仍站在他身后，念诵着某个复杂魔法的咒语。100
Startled, the mage broke off her chant for a fraction of a second as she retreated to avoid being trampled by the nobleman.法师吃了一惊，为躲开后退的贵族、免得被他踩倒，吟诵中断了短短一瞬。101
Upon recovering her balance, she resumed chanting, even faster than before.一站稳脚跟，她便继续吟诵起来，语速比先前更快。102
“People say you’re nothing but a useless wastrel with delusions of being a warrior,” Flattery snarled.“人人都说你不过是个没用的纨绔废物，却妄想自己是个战士。”弗拉特里咆哮道。103
“You aren’t even competent with the foil.“你连花剑都使不好。104
I’ve drawn first blood already.”我已经让你先见血了。”105
“Ah, but at least I have blood you can draw.“啊，但至少我还有血可让你放。106
What have you got, Flattery?你又有什么呢，弗拉特里？107
If I get lucky and score a hit, will there be blood on my weapon or just some oozing ichor?”要是我走运刺中你，我的武器上会沾血，还是只会沾上些渗出的脓液？”108
Flattery thrust and lunged again, but Giogi parried and riposted.弗拉特里再次直刺突进，但乔吉挡开来剑，随即还击。109
Flattery retreated slightly.弗拉特里稍稍退后。110
Both men slowed their attacks.两人都放缓了攻势。111
Somewhere in his past Flattery had learned to fence very well, but it was not a skill he’d exercised for some while.弗拉特里过去不知何时练就了一手高超的剑术，但已有好一阵子没用过了。112
He was tired.他累了。113
Giogi, who’d been riding and walking regularly, making his journey home, could last for some time, provided he wasn’t dealt a mortal wound—which ultimately Flattery could deliver.乔吉在返乡途中一直规律地骑马和步行，体力还能支撑一段时间，前提是别受致命伤——而弗拉特里终究有能力给他致命一击。114
Since Giogi’s purpose was to buy time for his Uncle Drone to arrive, not get himself killed, he slowed his attacks as well.乔吉的目的是拖延时间，等他的德罗恩叔叔赶到，而不是让自己送命，因此他也放缓了攻势。115
Still chanting, Cat pulled from her sash the special component the spell required.凯特一边继续吟诵，一边从腰带里取出施展这个法术所需的特殊材料。116
It was wrapped in a piece of paper and still smelled quite strong.那东西包在一张纸里，气味依然十分浓烈。117
She dipped all her fingers into it.她把所有手指都伸进去蘸了蘸。118
Flattery’s attacks began to speed up again, and Giogi renewed his taunting banter.弗拉特里的攻势又开始加快，乔吉也再次出言嘲弄起来。119
“So.“这么说吧。120
What happened to all the zombies and ghouls?那些僵尸和食尸鬼都到哪儿去了？121
Did the Shard’s mist destroy every last one?碎片的迷雾把它们杀得一个不剩了吗？122
Are those undead cowering from the light over there all that’s left of your army?”那边那些畏缩在光线外的不死生物，就是你大军仅剩的兵力了吗？”123
“Undead are easy to recruit,” Flattery growled.“不死生物很容易招募，”弗拉特里低吼道。124
“When we’ve finished with this battle, I shall give you a firsthand demonstration.”“等这场战斗结束，我会让你亲身见识一下。”125
Giogi felt Cat very close behind him.乔吉感觉到凯特就在自己身后，贴得很近。126
While he realized she needed to stay in the circle of light shed by the finder’s stone, so the undead did not attack her, he wished she would back away a little more, for both their safety.他明白，她必须待在寻物石洒下的光圈里，才不会遭到不死生物的袭击，但为了他们两人的安全，他还是希望她能再退开一点。127
She was practically chanting in his ear, words that made no sense at all to him.她几乎是在他耳边吟唱着一些他完全听不懂的词句。128
Her hands reached about his head, and she ran her fingers down his cheeks, smearing them with her spell component.她双手伸到他头部两侧，用手指顺着他的脸颊抹下，将施法材料涂在上面。129
She intoned, “Be as the beast.”她吟诵道：“化身为兽。”130
Giogi crinkled his nose.乔吉皱起了鼻子。131
The scent of the spell components Cat had used to hold the shadow, garlic and sulfur, lingered on her hands, mingled in with a much stronger and more unpleasant odor—rather like dung.凯特先前用来困住暗影的施法材料——大蒜和硫黄——气味仍残留在她手上，其中还混杂着一股浓烈得多、也难闻得多的臭味，颇像粪便。132
Cat pulled her hands back.凯特收回双手。133
“This is the only spell I have left,” she whispered in Giogi’s ear.“这是我仅剩的法术了，”她在乔吉耳边低声说道。134
“I’ve saved it for you, my love.”“我特意为你留着的，亲爱的。”135
Then she stepped back.随后，她向后退去。136
Flattery’s nose twitched from the smell.弗拉特里闻到那股气味，鼻子抽动了一下。137
“You can give him the strength of a golem, Catling, but it won’t improve his fencing.“你可以给他魔像般的力量，小猫崽，但这可不会让他的剑术有所长进。138
His skill is abysmal.”他的本事糟透了。”139
The wizard’s prediction, however, proved wrong.然而，法师的预言被证明是错的。140
With the muscles in Giogi’s arms strengthened, his weapon suddenly felt lighter, and he wielded it with more speed and fluidity.乔吉双臂的肌肉得到强化后，手中的武器骤然变轻，他挥舞起来也更加迅疾流畅。141
He broke through one of Flattery’s parries and stabbed the wizard’s chest.他突破了弗拉特里的一次格挡，一剑刺进法师的胸膛。142
“One-one, Flattery,” the nobleman said.“一比一，弗拉特里。”贵族说道。143
His tone was grim.他的语气十分冷峻。144
He knew he could not afford to grow cocky.他知道自己绝不能得意忘形。145
“Hmm,” he said, eyeing the tip of his foil as it danced before him.“嗯，”他说着，端详起在眼前跳动的花剑剑尖。146
“Blood.“血。147
Red blood.红色的血。148
Liches don’t bleed I’m going to have to reevaluate my opinion of you.巫妖是不会流血的。看来我得重新评价你了。149
Let’s see.让我想想。150
What bleeds and looks human but isn’t?什么东西会流血，长得像人，却又不是人？151
Flesh golems or those devilish little homonculi.血肉魔像，或者那些邪门的小小人造人。152
Are you a golem, Flattery?”你是魔像吗，弗拉特里？”153
Flattery growled, beat at Giogi’s blade, and lunged for his heart.弗拉特里低吼一声，击开乔吉的剑，挺剑直刺他的心脏。154
Giogi tried a stop-thrust with only partial success.乔吉试图用截击反刺应对，却只成功了一半。155
His foil went harmlessly through the robe of Flattery’s sleeve while Flattery’s foil pierced Giogi’s shoulder blade.他的花剑毫无杀伤地穿过了弗拉特里的袍袖，而弗拉特里的花剑却刺中了乔吉的肩胛骨。156
Giogi clenched his teeth against the pain.乔吉咬紧牙关，忍住疼痛。157
“Flesh golems don’t get angry, but you’re awfully tall for a homonculous.”“血肉魔像不会发怒，可要说你是个人造小人，你又未免太高了。”158
Olive Ruskettle crept down the front hall of Flattery’s keep.奥利芙·拉斯凯特尔蹑手蹑脚地穿过弗拉特里城堡的前厅。159
Once Dorath had returned with Amber, Drone changed into a pegasus, and he and Olive had flown to Flattery’s lair.多拉丝带着安伯回来后，德罗恩便变成了一匹飞马，带着奥利芙飞到了弗拉特里的巢穴。160
The halfling had convinced Drone to wait outside to give her time to scout out the territory.这个半身人说服德罗恩在外面等候，好给她时间侦察里面的情况。161
If Giogi was still alive, she would get the spur to him, and he could handle Flattery.如果乔吉还活着，她就把马刺交给他，让他来对付弗拉特里。162
If it was too late, then Drone was her only way off the rock, and she didn’t want him captured or killed.如果已经太迟了，那么德罗恩就是她离开这块岩石的唯一办法，她可不想让他被抓或被杀。163
She arrived at the audience hall in time to catch the last minute of Giogi’s fencing duel with Flattery.她赶到接见大厅时，正好看见乔吉与弗拉特里剑斗的最后一分钟。164
Olive stood in the doorway and watched with interest.奥利芙站在门口，饶有兴致地观看。165
The wizard’s fury was out of all proportion to the taunts Giogi made.与乔吉的嘲弄相比，巫师的暴怒实在太过强烈。166
Olive realized that those taunts must have some basis in truth.奥利芙意识到，那些嘲弄一定有几分事实根据。167
The halfling moved to enter the room but found her passage blocked by an unseen barrier.半身人正要走进房间，却发现一道看不见的屏障挡住了去路。168
As she ran her hands across the smooth surface, it crumbled at her touch like a dried sand castle or a spell that had reached its maximum duration.她用双手摸索着那光滑的表面，屏障一触之下便像干透的沙堡一般崩塌了，又仿佛一道持续时间已到极限的法术。169
Within the passage of a breath, the way was clear to where Giogi mocked the increasingly furious wizard.转瞬之间，通往乔吉所在之处的道路便畅通无阻；他正在那里嘲弄愈发暴怒的法师。170
Unfortunately, while Flattery did grow careless in his anger, he did not grow careless enough to give Giogi the winning edge.可惜的是，弗拉特里的确因愤怒而变得粗心，却还没粗心到足以让乔吉占据制胜的上风。171
Then Giogi said, “You’re not a Wyvernspur.这时乔吉说道：“你根本不是飞龙刺家的人。172
You’re an overgrown homonculous, some wizard’s imp who escaped.”你不过是个长过头的人造小魔怪，是从某个法师手里逃出来的魔仆。”173
Flattery made a running charge at Giogi, missing him completely in his rage.弗拉特里猛冲过去刺向乔吉，却因盛怒而完全刺了个空。174
The charge so startled Giogi that he tripped and fell over backward, losing both his foil and the finder’s stone.这一冲把乔吉吓了一跳，他脚下一绊，仰面摔倒，花剑和寻踪石都脱了手。175
The wizard loomed over Giogi, with his foil pointed at the nobleman’s throat.法师高高俯视着乔吉，花剑直指这名贵族的咽喉。176
Flattery put a foot on Giogi’s chest and said, “I will tell you what I told your father in his dying moments, as we fell toward the earth.弗拉特里一脚踩在乔吉胸口，说道：“我要把你父亲临终之际、我们一同坠向地面时我对他说过的话，也告诉你。177
My father was a Wyvernspur so vile that the Harpers wiped his name from the Realms and banished him to a Limbo.”我的父亲是个邪恶至极的飞龙刺，竖琴手同盟将他的名字从诸界抹去，还把他放逐到了一处灵薄狱。”178
“Nameless!”“无名者！”179
Olive cried out with excitement.奥利芙兴奋地叫出了声。180
“I was right!“我猜对了！181
You did mean the Nameless Bard.”你指的果然是无名者吟游诗人。”182
Flattery whirled around, with the same look on his face he’d worn the night he’d murdered Jade and Olive had screamed at him.弗拉特里猛地转过身来，脸上正是那天夜里他谋杀杰德、奥利芙冲他尖叫时的神情。183
Olive gulped, but she stood her ground.奥利芙咽了口唾沫，却没有退缩。184
Giogi took advantage of the wizard’s inattention to roll away and rise to his feet.乔吉趁法师分神，翻滚到一旁，站起身来。185
“You!”“是你！”186
Flattery screamed at Olive.弗拉特里冲奥利芙尖叫道。187
“You freed him!”“是你放了他！”188
“Me?”“我？”189
Olive squeaked.奥利芙尖声说道。190
“No.”“不是。”191
“Don’t lie.“别撒谎。192
I’ve heard you singing his songs.我听见过你唱他的歌。193
And you’re a Harper.而且你还是个竖琴手。194
Only Harpers knew where his prison was.只有竖琴手同盟知道他的监狱在哪里。195
I’ll find him, and with the spur I can destroy him.我会找到他，有了那根马刺，我就能毁掉他。196
I can destroy his whole family.”我能毁掉他全家。”197
“But why?”“可为什么？”198
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。199
“Why?“为什么？200
Look what he did to me!”看看他把我害成什么样了！”201
Flattery demanded.弗拉特里厉声反问道。202
Olive stared hard at Flattery.奥利芙仔细端详着弗拉特里。203
“You look all right to me.“我觉得你看起来挺好的。204
Pretty near perfect, actually.”其实，简直近乎完美。”205
Flattery screamed.弗拉特里尖叫起来。206
“I do not look all right.“我看起来一点也不好。207
I look exactly like him.我长得和他一模一样。208
He made me that way.是他把我变成这样的。209
I don’t want to be exactly like him.我不想和他一模一样。210
I don’t want his face.我不想要他的脸。211
I don’t want his memories.我不想要他的记忆。212
I don’t want his thoughts.我不想要他的思想。213
I don’t want his voice, and I don’t want his songs.我不想要他的声音，也不想要他的歌。214
No one can make me say his name or sing his songs.谁也别想逼我说出他的名字，或唱他的歌。215
I’ll kill him before he tries to make me sing them again.”在他再次企图逼我唱那些歌之前，我会先杀了他。”216
“Oh, my gosh,” Olive said.“哦，我的天哪。”奥利芙说道。217
The realization of exactly who Flattery was dawned on her and made her tremble.她终于意识到弗拉特里究竟是谁，不由得浑身发抖。218
“You aren’t his son.“你不是他的儿子。219
You’re the first creature he made to sing his songs, the one that got him in all the trouble with the Harpers in the first place.”你是他创造出来演唱他歌曲的第一个生物，也正是你一开始害他惹上了竖琴手同盟的那些麻烦。”220
Olive knew that many wizards had died in Nameless’s bizarre experiments to create living vessels for his works.奥利芙知道，许多法师都死在了无名者那些离奇的实验中；他企图为自己的作品创造活生生的载体。221
“What do you mean the first creature?”“你说‘第一个生物’是什么意思？”222
Flattery demanded.弗拉特里厉声问道。223
“Well, he made another one.“这个嘛，他还造了另一个。224
Woman.是个女人。225
Very pretty.非常漂亮。226
Sings like a bird,” Olive said.歌声像鸟儿一样动听。”奥利芙说道。227
She kept Flattery’s attention fixed on her.她让弗拉特里的注意力始终牢牢集中在自己身上。228
Behind the wizard, Cat retrieved Giogi’s foil and returned it to him.在法师身后，凯特捡回乔吉的花剑，交还给了他。229
Olive bragged, “Everyone loves the songs she sings.奥利芙夸口道：“人人都喜欢她唱的歌。230
The songs he wrote.”那些歌都是他写的。”231
“You lie!”“你撒谎！”232
Flattery shouted, closing on Olive.弗拉特里大吼着，向奥利芙逼近。233
“I will kill you and slay him with the spur.“我要杀了你，再用马刺杀掉他。234
His name will never be spoken again.”从此再也不会有人说出他的名字。”235
His eyes wide with rage, Flattery raised a ring-bedecked hand and pointed at the halfling.弗拉特里怒目圆睁，举起一只戴满戒指的手，指向那个半身人。236
Giogi slammed into Flattery, spoiling whatever magic the wizard had intended to cast at Olive.乔吉猛地撞上弗拉特里，破坏了法师原本打算施向奥利芙的魔法。237
“Stay behind me, Mistress Ruskettle,” the young noble said as the halfling scurried to his side.“躲到我身后，拉斯凯特尔女士。”半身人匆匆跑到年轻贵族身旁时，他说道。238
“Little present from your aunt,” Olive whispered, slipping the wyvern’s spur into the top of Giogi’s boot.“你姨妈送你的小礼物。”奥利芙低声说道，把飞龙的距刺塞进乔吉的靴筒。239
Giogi concentrated on the dream.乔吉凝神想着那个梦。240
From behind the nobleman’s body the halfling taunted the wizard.半身人躲在贵族身后，出言嘲弄那名法师。241
“You’re too late, you know, Flattery.“你来得太迟了，弗拉特里。242
Nameless’s true name is on everyone’s lips.如今人人嘴边都挂着无名者的真名。243
Best bard in the Realms-Finder Wyvernspur.”诸界最出色的吟游诗人——芬德·飞龙刺。”244
Flattery lunged at Giogi to get at Olive but found himself confronted with a wyvern.弗拉特里猛扑向乔吉，想抓住奥利芙，却发现挡在面前的是一条飞龙。245
Flattery leaped backward with a snarl.弗拉特里咆哮一声，向后跃去。246
His foil was not likely to penetrate the wyvern’s scales, and Giogi’s transformed body was immune to his spells.他的细剑不可能刺穿飞龙的鳞甲，而乔吉变形后的身体也不受他的法术影响。247
Flattery might have run, but he spotted Cat picking up the finder’s stone.弗拉特里原本或许会逃走，但他瞥见凯特正在捡起芬德的石头。248
Backing away farther, the wizard drew something out of his pocket.法师继续后退，同时从口袋里掏出了一件东西。249
It was a crystal as dark as a new moon.那是一块如朔月之夜般漆黑的水晶。250
Just like the one Jade had stolen, Olive thought.跟杰德偷走的那块一模一样，奥利芙心想。251
“Catling, you want this?“小猫崽，你想要这个吗？252
Come and get it,” said Flattery, circling to keep the enchantress between him and the wyvern, Giogi.过来拿啊。”弗拉特里说道，同时绕着圈子移动，始终让女魔法师挡在自己与飞龙乔吉之间。253
Cat looked with confusion at the crystal.凯特困惑地望着那块水晶。254
Her eyes shone with desire.她的眼中闪烁着渴望。255
She took a hesitant step forward.她迟疑地向前迈了一步。256
“It’s a trick, Cat,” Olive shouted.“这是诡计，凯特！”奥利芙喊道。257
“He destroyed the real crystal.“他已经毁掉了真正的水晶。258
He just wants to use you against Giogi.”他只是想利用你来对付乔吉。”259
Flattery was a fast thinker and a faster liar.弗拉特里脑子转得快，撒谎更快。260
“I made a second crystal, Cat.“我又做了一块水晶，凯特。261
It’s everything the first was.第一块有的一切，它都有。262
Just come here, and I will give it to you.”只要到我这儿来，我就把它给你。”263
Cat froze, then stepped back, taking up a position behind Giogi.凯特僵住了，随后退后一步，站到了乔吉身后。264
“It doesn’t matter anymore, Flattery,” she said proudly.“已经不重要了，弗拉特里，”她骄傲地说。265
“I can make myself new memories.”“我可以为自己创造新的记忆。”266
With that, Olive said, “Time to go,” took Cat’s hand, and pulled her toward the exit.说罢，奥利芙道：“该走了。”她拉起凯特的手，拽着她朝出口奔去。267
Giogi backed slowly in the same direction, waving his tail over his head.乔吉朝同一个方向缓缓后退，尾巴在头顶挥舞。268
He had to get the mage and the bard to safety before he finished with the wizard.他必须先让魔法师和吟游诗人脱离险境，再去解决那个巫师。269
The three of them slipped from the audience chamber quickly.三人迅速溜出了谒见厅。270
Something exploded behind them.他们身后有什么东西爆炸了。271
Flattery shrieked, and a howl went up from the undead.弗拉特里尖声惨叫，不死生物也发出一阵嚎叫。272
“Run!”“快跑！”273
Olive shouted.奥利芙喊道。274
The halfling and the mage pounded down the corridor.半身人和魔法师沿着走廊狂奔。275
Behind them, Giogi continued backing away as fast as he could.在她们身后，乔吉仍以自己所能达到的最快速度向后退去。276
Drone, in his human form, stood waiting outside the door.德罗恩以人类形态站在门外等候。277
“Giogi?” said the old man.“乔吉呢？”老人问道。278
“Right behind us,” Olive gasped.“就在我们后面。”奥利芙喘着气说。279
The wyvern backed out of the keep door and changed quickly back into a human.双足飞龙倒退着出了主堡大门，迅速变回人形。280
“You know, this wyvern form is deucedly awkward enough to walk in going forward,” Giogi said with irritation.“要知道，这双足飞龙的形态，光是往前走就已经该死地笨拙了，”乔吉恼火地说。281
“I can’t see where I’m going at all when I go backward, let alone try to be graceful about it.”“往后退时，我根本看不见自己要走到哪儿，更别提还想走得优雅点了。”282
Drone took Cat by the shoulders.德罗恩抓住凯特的双肩。283
“Where are my scrolls, young lady?” he demanded.“我的卷轴在哪儿，年轻姑娘？”他厉声问道。284
Cat swallowed.凯特咽了口唾沫。285
“Gone,” she said.“没了，”她说。286
“Flattery took them.“弗拉特里拿走了。287
He’s already opened one, I think.我想，他已经打开了一卷。288
We heard an explosion as we fled the keep.”我们逃离城堡时，听见了一声爆炸。”289
“You knew the scrolls you took were covered in explosive runes?”“你知道自己拿走的卷轴上都布满了爆炸符文？”290
Drone asked.德罗恩问道。291
Cat grinned slyly.凯特狡黠地一笑。292
“Except for the few I used,” she said.“除了被我用掉的那几卷，”她说。293
“The exploding scroll will have destroyed all the others with it,” Drone snapped.“那卷轴一爆炸，其他卷轴也会跟着全毁掉，”德罗恩厉声说道。294
“All you needed for a booby trap was one.”“设陷阱只需要一卷就够了。”295
“If I’d only brought him one scroll, he’d be suspicious,” Cat explained.“要是我只给他带去一卷，他会起疑心的，”凯特解释道。296
“The more I brought him, the less suspicious he’d be.“我带去的越多，他就越不会怀疑。297
I had to bring all the ones with exploding runes to make sure he got hit by the first one he read.”我必须把所有带爆炸符文的卷轴都拿给他，才能确保他读到的第一卷就炸中他。”298
“Devious.“真狡猾。299
She’s very devious, Giogi.乔吉，她可真够狡猾的。300
She owes me twenty-seven scrolls, though,” Drone growled.不过，她欠我二十七卷卷轴，”德罗恩咆哮道。301
“I’ve spent all my power for the day.“我今天的法力已经全用光了。302
Without those scrolls, I’m no good to you in battle.没有那些卷轴，我在战斗中就帮不上你的忙。303
I can get the ladies safely to the ground, Giogi, if you can delay pursuit.”乔吉，如果你能拖住追兵，我可以把女士们安全送到地面。”304
Giogi nodded.乔吉点了点头。305
A horrendous howl erupted from the audience chamber, and everyone knew Flattery trailed them with renewed fury.谒见厅里爆发出一声骇人的嚎叫，所有人都知道，弗拉特里正带着更盛的怒火紧追在他们身后。306
“Lead Flattery away from this rock, as far away as you can get him to go,” Drone said.“把弗拉特里从这块岩石边引开，尽可能把他引得越远越好，”德罗恩说道。307
“Yes, sir.”“是，先生。”308
Drone pulled a small scroll from his sleeve, muttered a few words, and was surrounded by a milky blue glow.德罗恩从袖中抽出一小卷卷轴，低声念了几句咒语，乳蓝色的光芒顿时笼罩了他。309
When the glow subsided, the old Wyvernspur had been transformed into a pegasus.光芒消退后，年迈的飞龙刺已经变成了一匹天马。310
“Hand up, if you please, Master Giogioni,” Olive said.“劳驾托我一把，乔吉奥尼少爷。”奥利芙说道。311
Giogioni lifted the halfling onto his uncle’s back.乔吉奥尼把半身人托上了他叔叔的背。312
“Be careful,” Cat pleaded.“小心点。”凯特恳求道。313
Giogi kissed her once and set her behind Olive.乔吉亲了她一下，把她安置在奥利芙身后。314
“Don’t fall off this horse,” he warned.“别从这匹马上掉下去。”他警告道。315
“It’s a long way to the ground.”“这儿离地面可远着呢。”316
“Wait!”“等等！”317
Cat said.凯特说道。318
“The undead.“那些亡灵。319
If they get past the invisible barrier, they can still chase you, as they did your father.如果它们越过了隐形屏障，还是能像追赶你父亲那样追赶你们。”320
The mage untied her yellow sash, dropped the finder’s stone in it, and knotted it inside.女法师解下黄色腰带，把寻踪石放在上面，打了个结，将石头裹在里面。321
“Change to the wyvern,” she ordered Giogi.“变成双足飞龙。”她命令乔吉。322
Giogi quickly transformed.乔吉迅速变了身。323
“Bend your head down.”“把头低下来。”324
Cat wrapped her sash around Giogi’s wyvern throat and knotted the fabric tight.凯特把腰带缠在乔吉的双足飞龙脖颈上，将布料紧紧打了个结。325
“There,” she said.“好了。”她说道。326
The finder’s stone shone brightly through the fabric.寻踪石的光芒透过布料明亮地照了出来。327
Drone stamped his foot impatiently and whinnied.德罗恩不耐烦地跺了跺蹄子，嘶鸣一声。328
“Good luck,” Cat whispered.“祝你们好运。”凯特低声说道。329
Drone took off, flying just high enough to clear the fortress walls.德罗恩腾空而起，飞行的高度刚好足以越过堡垒的城墙。330
Giogi took to the air and circled over the fortress, near the large iron doors.乔吉也飞上天空，在堡垒上方盘旋，靠近那两扇巨大的铁门。331
The moon had just risen high enough to shine on the inner ward.月亮刚好升到足以照亮内院的高度。332
Flattery came out, just as Giogi knew he would, in the shape of a great sky-blue dragon.弗拉特里果然如乔吉所料现身了，化作一条巨大的天蓝色巨龙。333
The wizard looked no worse for all the injury Cat had done him with her magic missile in the nursery and the explosive runes on Uncle Drone’s scrolls.凯特先是在育婴室里用魔法飞弹打伤了巫师，后来又用德罗恩叔叔卷轴上的爆炸符文对付他，可他看起来却丝毫不见伤势。334
He looked like a dragon in his prime.他看上去就像一条正值壮年的龙。335
Giogi folded his wings and swooped down silently, his moon shadow behind him.乔吉收拢双翼，无声地俯冲而下，月光投下的影子拖在身后。336
Like a wasp, he delivered a stinging blow to Flattery’s head.他像黄蜂一样，狠狠蜇了弗拉特里的脑袋一下。337
Then Giogi tore off to the west.随后乔吉掉头向西疾飞而去。338
When he took a moment to look back, he could see the dragon’s silhouette in the moonlight, much closer to him than he thought.片刻后，他回头望了一眼，只见那条龙的剪影映在月光中，离他比他以为的近得多。339
Dark clouds and white mist flew beside the wizard.乌云与白雾伴着巫师飞驰。340
Olive squinted through the telescope at the tiny, retreating figures of Giogi, Flattery, and the few flying minions he had left.奥利芙眯起眼睛，透过望远镜看着乔吉、弗拉特里和弗拉特里仅剩的几个会飞的爪牙渐渐远去的微小身影。341
The minions were already no more than a collection of motes in the glass.那些爪牙在镜中已经只剩下一簇微尘。342
Drone was balanced precariously on the tower roof, chanting some very powerful spell from a scroll.德罗恩摇摇欲坠地站在塔顶，一边念诵卷轴上某个威力极强的法术。343
Mother Lleddew was in courtyard below, praying some powerful prayer from another scroll.莱杜嬷嬷在下方的庭院里，对着另一张卷轴念诵某种威力强大的祷文。344
Their chants intermixed in a toneless song of magic.两人的吟诵交织成一首毫无抑扬顿挫的魔法之歌。345
Olive looked up at the flying fortress looming over the castle.奥利芙抬头望向高悬在城堡上空的飞行堡垒。346
Suddenly it began to shake then levitate upward very, very quickly, so that it looked as if it were shrinking.它突然震动起来，接着以快得惊人的速度向上升去，看起来仿佛正在缩小。347
The halfling could hear Drone jumping up and down, shouting, “Look at it go!” and Cat trying to keep him calm enough so that he didn’t slip off the tower and break his fool neck.半身人听见德罗恩在上面又蹦又跳，大喊：“瞧它飞得多快！”凯特则竭力让他冷静些，免得他从塔顶滑下去，摔断他那条蠢脖子。348
Drone slid down the kudzu vine and back into the room, still chuckling.德罗恩顺着葛藤滑下来，回到房间里，仍在咯咯直笑。349
Cat followed.凯特也跟了下来。350
“Did you see that?”“你看见了吗？”351
Drone asked.德罗恩问道。352
“You made it fly higher,” Olive said.“你让它飞得更高了。”奥利芙说。353
“No, no, no. You don’t understand how gravity works.“不，不，不。你根本不明白重力是怎么回事。354
I made it fall up.”我让它往上掉了。”355
“Nothing falls up,” Olive said.“没有东西会往上掉。”奥利芙说。356
“Hee, hee, hee,” Drone wheezed.“嘿，嘿，嘿，”德罗恩喘着气笑道。357
“Not without powerful magic, at any rate.”“无论如何，除非有强大的魔法，否则不可能。”358
“Will it fall back down?”“它会掉回来吗？”359
Olive asked.奥利芙问道。360
“Oh, I hope so,” Drone said.“哦，但愿如此，”德罗恩说。361
“But then it will destroy the town,” Olive objected.“可那样一来，它会毁掉镇子的，”奥利芙反驳道。362
“Burn up as it falls.“它会在坠落时烧起来。”363
Be quite a spectacular meteor.”“会变成一颗相当壮观的流星。”364
“What?”“什么？”365
“Don’t worry about it, Mistress Ruskettle.”“别担心，拉斯凯特尔小姐。”366
At the window, Cat fidgeted nervously.窗边，凯特不安地动来动去。367
Mother Lleddew was casting some sort of scrying spell so they knew what happened in Giogi’s battle with Flattery.莱杜嬷嬷正在施展某种遥视法术，好让他们知道乔吉与弗拉特里的战斗中发生了什么。368
Cat didn’t want to miss anything.凯特什么都不想错过。369
“Are we finished?” the enchantress asked impatiently.“我们弄完了吗？”女魔法师不耐烦地问道。370
“Don’t you snap at me, girl,” Drone told her.“别冲我发脾气，丫头，”德罗恩对她说。371
“You owe me twenty-seven scrolls.“你欠我二十七卷卷轴。”372
You’ll work off every one of them, too.”“而且每一卷你都得干活抵偿。”373
Cat looked at the floor.凯特低头看着地板。374
“Oh, stop that.“哦，别这样。375
Don’t mope.别闷闷不乐的。376
I hate it when pretty girls mope.我最讨厌漂亮姑娘愁眉苦脸了。377
I suppose we’re finished.我想我们已经弄完了。378
Lleddew should have her scrying spell set up by now.莱杜现在应该已经布置好窥探法术了。379
Let’s go watch the show.咱们去看好戏吧。380
Don’t want to miss Giogi beating the stuffing out of the villain.”可不能错过乔吉把那个恶棍揍个半死的场面。”381
His voice was light, but Olive could see the worry lines in the old man’s face tighten as he spoke.他的语气很轻松，但奥利芙看得出，老人说话时，脸上那一道道忧虑的皱纹绷得更紧了。382
My arms are going to fall off, Giogi thought.我的胳膊快要断了，乔吉心想。383
Wings, not arms, he corrected himself.是翅膀，不是胳膊，他纠正自己。384
The cold wind streaming over his scales whistled in his ears.寒风掠过他的鳞片，在他耳边呼啸。385
Behind him he heard Flattery’s dragon-shape pumping its leathery wings, and he knew that the undead must still be with him.他听见身后化作巨龙的弗拉特里正奋力扇动皮革般的双翼，便知道那些亡灵一定还跟着他。386
Undead fly as fast as dragons—and faster than me, he realized.亡灵飞得和巨龙一样快——而且比我更快，他意识到。387
This has to be far enough, the transformed Wyvernspur thought.应该已经飞得够远了，变了形的飞龙刺心想。388
Giogi rolled and banked to the south, then east, back toward Immersea and his pursuers.乔吉翻滚着向南倾斜转弯，接着又转向东方，折返伊默海，朝追兵飞去。389
Flattery climbed, positioning himself for a dive down on Giogi.弗拉特里向上爬升，调整位置，准备俯冲攻击乔吉。390
He’s still silhouetted against the moon, Giogi thought.他仍然被月光映成了一道剪影，乔吉心想。391
He hasn’t got any instinct for this kind of fighting.他对这种战斗毫无本能可言。392
Giogi slowed as the attackers closed the gap between them.随着袭击者逐渐缩短彼此间的距离，乔吉放慢了速度。393
The wyvern waited until the dragon and the undead cloud and mist shapes were almost on top of him, then he pulled up, baring his belly and the scarf-wrapped stone to his pursuers.飞龙等到巨龙以及那些化作云雾的亡灵几乎扑到他头顶，才猛然拉升，将自己的腹部和裹在围巾里的石头暴露给追兵。394
All right, finder’s stone, Giogi thought, squinting his eyes nearly shut, keep those undead from me.好吧，寻物石，乔吉眯起眼睛，几乎完全闭上了它们，心想，别让那些亡灵靠近我。395
The finder’s stone flared into light as bright as daylight.寻物石骤然迸发出如同白昼般明亮的光芒。396
The wraiths and specters flying with Flattery scattered across the night sky like spooked pigeons.与弗拉特里一同飞行的幽魂和阴灵，像受惊的鸽子一样四散逃入夜空。397
Flattery—momentarily blinded—pulled up.弗拉特里一时目不能视，猛然拉升。398
Giogi banked around again.乔吉侧过身，再次盘旋回来。399
He was below but behind the dragon now.此刻他位于那条龙的下方，却落在其身后。400
He increased his altitude while Flattery shook off the effects of the bright light.趁弗拉特里摆脱强光的影响时，他开始爬升。401
The wyvern positioned himself above the dragon, careful not to cast his own shadow on his prey.双足飞龙飞到那条龙的上方，小心不让自己的影子投到猎物身上。402
Flattery tried climbing, too, but Giogi was already diving on him.弗拉特里也试图爬升，但乔吉已经朝他俯冲下来。403
Flattery tried to swerve, but he moved too slowly for the plummeting wyvern.弗拉特里想转向躲避，但面对急坠而下的双足飞龙，他的动作太慢了。404
Giogi’s talons closed on the back of the dragon’s neck and he stabbed at the dragon’s throat with his stinger.乔吉的利爪扣住那条龙的后颈，同时用尾刺刺向他的喉咙。405
It was like striking the pillar in the crypt.感觉就像刺中了地下墓室里的石柱。406
Flattery’s scales were as hard as stone.弗拉特里的鳞片坚硬如石。407
Giogi stabbed again and again, uncertain whether he was doing any damage.乔吉刺了一次又一次，却不知道自己是否造成了任何伤害。408
The dragon did not cry out, so he doubted it.那条龙没有惨叫，所以他觉得恐怕没有。409
They lost altitude, then an updraft caught in both their beating wings and they soared, locked in combat.他们先是向下坠去，随后一股上升气流托住了双方不断拍动的翅膀，他们便在缠斗中直冲高空。410
Flattery raked one of his foreclaws back and upward along the wyvern’s neck, clawing a gash in Giogi’s scales.弗拉特里挥起一只前爪，沿着双足飞龙的脖颈向后上方猛抓，在乔吉的鳞片上撕开了一道口子。411
Pain shot along Giogi’s very long neck, and his flesh burned from the cold wind blowing on it.剧痛窜过乔吉那条长得出奇的脖颈，寒风吹拂着伤处，令他的血肉灼痛不已。412
In a rage, the wyvern began stabbing faster at the dragon’s neck until his tail muscles twitched.双足飞龙怒不可遏，开始更加迅猛地刺向那条龙的脖颈，直到尾部的肌肉都抽搐起来。413
The dragon had all four claws free to use, while Giogi’s two claws were occupied hanging onto his prey.那条龙的四只爪子全都可以自由攻击，而乔吉的两只爪子却都用来紧扣猎物。414
His tail seemed unable to penetrate any scales within its reach.他的尾刺似乎刺不穿触及范围内的任何一片鳞片。415
Still, Flattery was in an awkward position for clawing, even though he had managed it.不过，弗拉特里要用爪子攻击，姿势也很别扭，尽管他已经成功抓伤了乔吉。416
Giogi could not afford to let go, lest Flattery get a hold on him with his mouth facing the wyvern.乔吉绝不能松爪，否则弗拉特里一旦把嘴转向双足飞龙，就能制住他。417
Dragons could breathe deadly things, not to mention bite and swallow.龙能喷吐致命之物，更不用说还能撕咬和吞食了。418
Flattery clawed up along Giogi’s throat again, and the wyvern began to feel moisture around his neck.弗拉特里再次沿着乔吉的喉咙向上抓去，双足飞龙开始感觉脖颈周围湿漉漉的。419
He was bleeding.他在流血。420
He felt colder than before.他感觉比刚才更冷了。421
In pain and anger, he bit down on Flattery’s blue-plated neck.在疼痛与愤怒之中，他一口咬住弗拉特里覆着蓝色甲片的脖颈。422
Shocked by his action, Giogi ceased suddenly.乔吉被自己的举动吓了一跳，猛然停了下来。423
He couldn’t bring himself to chew his opponent.他实在下不了口去嚼碎对手。424
Flattery’s back claw caught and tore one of Giogi’s beating wings.弗拉特里的后爪钩住乔吉一只正在拍动的翅膀，将它撕裂了。425
The pain of the tear drove Giogi to frenzy.撕裂的剧痛令乔吉陷入疯狂。426
He sunk his teeth into Flattery’s neck again and shook it, like a dog baiting a bull.他再次把牙齿深深咬进弗拉特里的脖子，像一条撕咬公牛的狗那样猛烈甩动。427
One of the blue dragon’s neck plate’s came loose, and Giogi tasted blood.蓝龙颈上的一块鳞甲松脱了，乔吉尝到了鲜血的滋味。428
He pulled his head up and thunked his tail in the spot.他抬起头，尾巴砰地重击在那处。429
He did it again.他又来了一下。430
Flattery screeched with pain at last.弗拉特里终于痛苦地尖叫起来。431
Then Giogi noticed they were both dropping in the sky.这时，乔吉才注意到他们俩都在从空中坠落。432
He flapped his wings, but he could feel the tear widening with the effort.他拍动翅膀，却能感觉到裂口正因这番用力而不断扩大。433
Giogi folded his wings and became a dead weight, his stinger still embedded in Flattery’s throat.乔吉收拢翅膀，让自己变成一块沉重的死物，尾刺依然深嵌在弗拉特里的喉咙里。434
The added weight of the wyvern was too much for Flattery to support.翼龙增加的重量让弗拉特里再也支撑不住。435
Unable to fly together, the gigantic creatures fell faster.这两头庞然巨兽无法一同飞行，下坠得越来越快。436
The dragon tried to twist in Giogi’s grip, to break away, but the grip of the talons was too firm, and the daggerlike stinger kept jabbing him.巨龙试图在乔吉的钳制中扭转身体，挣脱出去，但利爪扣得太紧，匕首般的尾刺也不停地扎着他。437
The ground, covered in a thick forest, came up to meet them.覆盖着茂密森林的大地迎面扑来。438
Flattery tried to somersault, to dislodge Giogi, and they both began spinning as they plummeted.弗拉特里试图翻个筋斗甩掉乔吉，于是他们在急坠中双双旋转起来。439
At the last moment, one of the gigantic creatures pulled away from the other.在最后一刻，其中一头庞然巨兽挣脱了另一头。440
Its shadowy form spread its great batlike wings and swooped low, skimming the treetops and gliding swiftly to the north.那道阴暗的身影展开巨大的蝙蝠状翅膀，俯冲而下，擦过树梢，迅速向北滑翔而去。441
The other gigantic form smashed into the trees with an impact that rattled cottages miles away.另一个庞大的身躯轰然撞进树林，冲击之猛烈，令数英里外的农舍都为之震颤。442
The woods rumbled with the sound of the crash, and all the wildlife within was silent.坠撞的巨响震撼着树林，林中所有野生动物都沉寂下来。443
Then, softly, the spring peepers began to sing again.随后，春雨蛙又轻轻地鸣叫起来。444