Giogi circled the castle walls to the front gate, strode into the courtyard, and tapped on the hall door.乔吉绕着城堡围墙走到正门，大步穿过庭院，敲了敲大厅的门。1
An unfamiliar footman opened the portal a crack and peered out at the shaggy, gangly noble dressed in yellow pants and a red-and-white striped shirt covered with a black tabard.一名陌生的男仆把门打开一条缝，向外打量着这个头发蓬乱、身材瘦长的贵族；他穿着黄色长裤和红白条纹衬衫，外面罩着一件黑色纹章罩袍。2
The tabard was emblazoned with the Wyvernspur coat of arms, but the man who wore it looked more like a traveling juggler than an Immersea noble.罩袍上绣着飞龙刺家族的纹章，但穿着它的男人看起来更像个四处卖艺的杂耍艺人，而不像伊默海的贵族。3
The servant stood waiting impatiently for the man to speak.男仆站在那里，不耐烦地等着他开口。4
Giogi was unaccustomed to having to announce his business at the doorstep of his own family’s ancestral home.乔吉不习惯在自家祖宅门前还得通报来意。5
He, too, stood in silence, waiting to be recognized.他也默不作声地站着，等对方认出自己。6
Finally the footman spoke.最后，男仆开口了。7
“Well, what is it?” he asked, his face creased with irritation.“怎么，有什么事？”他问道，脸上满是不耐烦。8
“I’m here to see my Aunt Dorath.”“我是来见多拉丝姑妈的。”9
The footman opened the door an inch wider.男仆把门又开大了一英寸。10
“And you are?”“那么您是？”11
“Giogi.“乔吉。12
Giogioni Wyvernspur.”乔吉奥尼·飞龙刺。”13
The footman’s facial creases retreated just a fraction.男仆脸上的不耐之色稍稍淡去了一点。14
“Oh,” he said without enthusiasm.“哦。”他毫无热情地说道。15
He held the door open so that Giogi could enter the main hall.他把门敞开，让乔吉进入大厅。16
As the noble clomped in, the footman eyed Giogi’s clodders; his attention was not lost on Giogi.这位贵族咚咚地走进来时，男仆瞥了瞥乔吉脚上的大笨靴；乔吉没有漏过他的目光。17
“Great boots, aren’t they?“这靴子很棒，是不是？18
Bought them in Westgate.”我在西门城买的。”19
The servant maintained his stoic expression and did not comment on the boots.男仆依旧面无表情，对那双靴子不置一词。20
He held out his arm for Giogi’s cloak and said, “The gentlemen are still in the dining room having their brandy.他伸出胳膊接乔吉的斗篷，说道：“先生们还在餐厅里喝白兰地。21
The ladies are in the parlor.女士们在客厅。22
I presume you know the way.”我想您认得路。”23
“Yes,” Giogi replied, handing over his cloak.“是的。”乔吉答道，把斗篷递了过去。24
Laden with Giogi’s outdoor gear, the footman disappeared through a small door.男仆抱着乔吉的一应外出衣物，从一扇小门后消失了。25
Left alone again, Giogi felt hesitant to return to the bosom of his family.再次独自一人后，乔吉有些不敢回到家人的怀抱中去。26
There had been a reason he’d moved from Redstone to his parents’ old townhouse.他从红石搬到父母留下的旧联排宅邸，自有他的理由。27
His family thought him a fool and made a habit of reminding him of it.家里人都觉得他是个傻瓜，而且总不忘提醒他这一点。28
He was branded for life just because, as a boy, he’d accidentally let an evil efreet out of a bottle in Uncle Drone’s lab and had once tried to fly off the stable roof with pigeon feathers—and had gotten himself locked in the family crypt—which had really been Cousin Steele’s fault.只因为小时候，他曾不小心从德罗恩叔叔实验室的瓶子里放出一个邪恶的火巨灵，还曾插着鸽子羽毛试图从马厩屋顶飞下去——另外还把自己锁进了家族墓穴，不过那件事其实要怪斯蒂尔表兄——他便一辈子被打上了烙印。29
If only he could get them to forget the foibles of his youth and judge him on his behavior as an adult—except for when he’d lost Aunt Dorath’s pet land urchin in the provisions wagon of the seventh division of His Majesty’s Purple Dragoons and the time he’d gone skinny-dipping in the Wyvernwater on Midwinter Day.要是能让他们忘掉他年少时干的那些蠢事，只根据他成年后的表现评判他就好了——当然，得除去他把多拉丝姑妈养的陆地海胆弄丢在国王陛下第七师紫龙骑兵的补给车里那次，还有仲冬节那天在飞龙湖裸泳那次。30
After all, he had no idea a land urchin could eat so much, and no one as inebriated as he on that Midwinter Day would have passed up such a profitable wager.毕竟，他根本不知道一只陆地海胆能吃那么多东西；而在那个仲冬节，任谁醉得像他一样厉害，都不会放过那种有利可图的赌局。31
He hadn’t done anything that foolish since—well, not since last spring, when he’d done his impersonation of King Azoun and ended up in a brawl with the crazy Alias of Westgate, knocking down a tent on top of two hundred people and nearly breaking up Frefford’s wedding reception.从那以后，他再没干过那么蠢的事——嗯，至少从去年春天以后没有；那次他模仿阿祖恩国王，结果和西门城那个疯疯癫癫的阿莉亚丝打了起来，掀翻一顶帐篷，压住了两百人，还差点毁掉弗雷福德的婚宴。32
He hadn’t wanted to do the impersonation, but his girlfriend, Minda, had nagged him into it.他本来不想模仿的，可他的女友明达一直缠着他，硬是逼他演了。33
If his family could only forget that incident, and if no stories of his exploits in Westgate reached their ears, they might just begin treating him like a normal person.只要家里人能忘掉那件事，而且他在西门城的种种壮举没有传进他们耳朵里，他们说不定就会开始把他当成一个正常人看待。34
Granted, that was more luck than the goddess Tymora usually dealt anyone, but it was still possible.诚然，这种好运远超泰摩拉女神通常会赐予任何人的份额，但仍不是没有可能。35
Prepared to make a fresh start with his family, Giogi considered whether to go straight to the parlor to pay his respects to Aunt Dorath, or to join the gentlemen in the dining room for some brandy.乔吉准备与家人重新开始，于是思量着是径直去客厅向多拉丝姑妈问安，还是去餐厅与男士们一起喝点白兰地。36
If he entered the parlor while the ladies were still discussing “female things,” his Aunt Dorath would be annoyed with his intrusion.要是女士们还在谈论“女人家的事”时他闯进客厅，多拉丝姑妈一定会恼火，嫌他打扰。37
He did want to speak with Uncle Drone, but the old wizard would not be alone in the dining room.他的确想和德罗恩叔叔说说话，可这位老法师在餐厅里不会是独自一人。38
Giogi’s second cousins, Frefford and Steele, would be with him, and, while Frefford might tease him a little about the wedding reception fiasco, Steele’s taunts would be as mean and vicious as possible.乔吉的远房表兄弟弗雷福德和斯蒂尔也会在那里；弗雷福德或许会拿婚宴上的闹剧稍稍取笑他几句，斯蒂尔的讥讽却一定会刻薄恶毒到极点。39
Giogi liked a room full of people to serve as a buffer between Steele and himself.乔吉喜欢有一屋子人挡在自己和斯蒂尔之间，好起个缓冲作用。40
Of course, Steele’s sister, Julia, would be with the ladies.当然，斯蒂尔的妹妹朱莉娅会和女士们待在一起。41
She could be mean, too, but she wasn’t so bad when she wasn’t in Steele’s company.她有时也很刻薄，不过不和斯蒂尔在一起时，倒没那么糟糕。42
Giogi decided that he might as well break in on the ladies.乔吉决定，干脆还是去打扰女士们好了。43
That way, Aunt Dorath couldn’t accuse him of lapping up her brandy whenever her back was turned.这样一来，多拉丝姑妈就不能指责他总趁她一转身便偷喝她的白兰地了。44
Besides, Frefford’s new wife, Gaylyn, would no doubt be with the ladies, and she was the cheeriest, most amusing woman Giogi had ever met.再说，弗雷福德的新婚妻子盖琳想必也会和女士们在一起，而她是乔吉见过的最开朗、最风趣的女人。45
The nobleman knocked timidly on the parlor door, just in case they were discussing petticoats or something equally personal, then he entered.这位贵族怯生生地敲了敲客厅的门，以防她们正在谈论衬裙或其他同样私密的事情，随后才走了进去。46
Redstone’s parlor had not changed since Giogi’s last visit, nearly a year ago.自从乔吉上次来访至今，已将近一年，红石的客厅还是老样子。47
It was warmer and drier than the parlor in Giogi’s townhouse, but it was quite a bit shabbier.这里比乔吉城中宅邸的客厅更温暖、更干燥，却也破旧得多。48
Faded tapestries depicting ancient events covered the flaking stone walls.褪色的挂毯遮盖着石屑剥落的墙壁，上面描绘着古老的往事。49
The once-rich carpets were stained.曾经华贵的地毯已是污迹斑斑。50
The furniture coverings were worn thin.家具的蒙面也磨得很薄了。51
Giogi’s mother’s money had refurbished his townhouse, but the Wyvernspur fortune was shrinking, and servants, horses, and clothing had a higher priority than Redstone’s fashionable appearance.乔吉用母亲留下的钱翻修了自己的城中宅邸，但飞龙刺家族的财富正日益缩水，而仆从、马匹和衣着都比让红石保持时髦气派更为要紧。52
Some generation soon, the family would need a new source of revenue, though the decision to find one was unlikely in Aunt Dorath’s lifetime.再过不了几代，这个家族就得寻找新的收入来源了，不过在多拉丝姑妈有生之年，他们多半不会下定决心这么做。53
Aunt Dorath sat perfectly erect in her chair by the fire.多拉丝姑妈坐在炉火边的椅子上，腰板挺得笔直。54
She looked up from her knitting and squinted at Giogi.她从手中的针织活上抬起头，眯眼打量着乔吉。55
She was a tall, robust old woman with the classic Wyvernspur face, thin lips, hawklike nose, and all.她是个高大健壮的老妇人，长着一张典型的飞龙刺家族面孔——薄嘴唇、鹰钩鼻，一应俱全。56
Her black hair, which she wore in a severe bun, was streaked with steel-gray strands.她把黑发一丝不苟地绾成一个发髻，其中夹杂着钢灰色的发丝。57
More streaks had appeared since Giogi had last seen her, and her squint had grown more pronounced, but, otherwise, time had not touched her much.自乔吉上次见她以来，灰白的发丝又多了些，她眯眼的样子也更明显了，但除此之外，岁月几乎没在她身上留下什么痕迹。58
It wouldn’t dare, Giogi thought.岁月可不敢，乔吉心想。59
Gaylyn and Julia were immersed in a game of backgammon and did not notice him until a gasp from Aunt Dorath alerted them.盖琳和朱莉娅正全神贯注地下着双陆棋，直到多拉丝姑妈倒吸一口气，她们才注意到他。60
“Giogioni!“乔吉奥尼！61
Sweet Selune!仁慈的塞露恩啊！62
Just what are you doing in those ridiculous boots?”你穿着那双荒唐的靴子，到底是在干什么？”63
Aunt Dorath demanded.多拉丝姑妈厉声质问。64
Her voice boomed like the thunder of a god’s wrath.她的声音如神明震怒时的雷霆一般轰鸣。65
That part of Dorath had not changed in the least.多拉丝的这一点倒是丝毫未变。66
“These boots?”“这双靴子？”67
Giogi replied, his voice cracking slightly.乔吉答道，嗓音微微发颤。68
“They’re just something I threw on to walk over.”“我只是随手穿上，好走过来而已。”69
“You should consider throwing them away.“你该考虑把它们扔掉。70
Whatever did you walk for?你究竟为什么要走路来？71
What happened to your carriage?”你的马车怎么了？”72
“Nothing.“没什么。73
I just felt like walking.”我只是想走走。”74
“The idea!“真亏你想得出来！75
Sinister forces have dealt our family a tragic blow while you’ve been gadding about the Realms.你在诸界四处闲逛的时候，邪恶势力给了我们家族惨痛的一击。76
I summon the family together, and you just stroll over here as if nothing’s wrong.我把全家召集起来，你却像什么事也没发生似的，就这么溜达过来了。77
It’s just like you.你向来就是这样。78
You are a fool,” Aunt Dorath chided.你真是个傻瓜。”多拉丝姑婆训斥道。79
Giogi stood frozen, afraid that anything else he might say would only dig him deeper into his great-aunt’s contempt.乔吉僵立在那里，生怕再说什么只会让姑婆更加鄙视自己。80
“Well, don’t just stand there,” Dorath ordered.“好了，别光站在那里。”多拉丝命令道。81
“Come take a seat.”“过来坐下。”82
Giogi bowed before Gaylyn and Julia and positioned himself in a chair where he could attend to Aunt Dorath as well as address the younger women, should they address him.乔吉先向盖琳和朱莉娅鞠了一躬，然后在一把椅子上坐下；从这个位置，他既能专心听多拉丝姑婆说话，也能在两位年轻女子开口同他说话时回应她们。83
Giogi glanced at his Cousin Julia.乔吉瞥了一眼表亲朱莉娅。84
Her tall, well-proportioned body was clad in the latest velvet fashions, jewels glistened in her silky black hair, and gold rings flashed from her long, slender fingers.她高挑匀称的身躯裹在最时新的天鹅绒衣裙中，珠宝在她丝缎般的黑发间熠熠生辉，修长纤细的手指上，一枚枚金戒指闪烁着光芒。85
She, too, had the aristocratic Wyvernspur features, which were more striking on her youthful face than they were on Aunt Dorath’s. In addition, she sported, from her mother’s side of the family, a tiny mole to the right of her mouth.她同样有着飞龙刺家族特有的贵族相貌，而在她年轻的脸上，这些特征比在多拉丝姑婆脸上更为醒目。 此外，她还从母亲那一系遗传了一个小小的美人痣，正好长在嘴角右边。86
As far as Giogi was concerned, though, Julia was too haughty to be beautiful.不过在乔吉看来，朱莉娅太过傲慢，称不上美丽。87
The nobleman preferred to gaze on Gaylyn.这位贵族更喜欢凝望盖琳。88
Her golden hair lit up the room, and her pink, glowing complexion reminded him of a wild rose.她的金发仿佛照亮了整个房间，红润焕发的面庞令他想起一朵野玫瑰。89
Her gown and jewels were as remarkable as Julia’s but Giogi didn’t notice them.她的礼服和珠宝与朱莉娅的同样引人注目，乔吉却根本没有留意。90
It was impossible, though, for him to miss her swollen abdomen.然而，她隆起的腹部却不可能不引起他的注意。91
According to Thomas, Freffie and Gaylyn’s firstborn was due any time now.据托马斯说，弗雷菲和盖琳的第一个孩子随时都可能降生。92
So, Giogi thought, the family is going to continue another generation despite the loss of the wyvern’s spur.这么说来，乔吉心想，尽管飞龙刺遗失了，这个家族还是会延续到下一代。93
Gaylyn, unaware that the tradition of her new family was to generally ignore Giogi, turned her sweet smile on him and asked, “How was your journey home, Cousin?”盖琳并不知道自己新加入的这个家族向来都不怎么理会乔吉，便朝他甜甜一笑，问道：“表亲，你回家这一路还顺利吗？”94
“Just marvelous.“简直棒极了。95
Very exciting,” Giogi replied, grinning back at the young woman.非常刺激。”乔吉咧嘴冲年轻女子一笑，答道。96
“Exciting,” Aunt Dorath scoffed.“刺激？”多拉丝姑妈嗤之以鼻。97
“Traveling is never exciting.“旅行从来都不刺激。98
Only tedious.只有烦闷。99
Waits, delays, ruffians, strangers, and highwaymen.等待、耽搁、恶棍、陌生人，还有拦路强盗。100
Only someone as foolish as yourself would revel in it.只有像你这么愚蠢的人才会乐在其中。101
You’ll end up like your father,” she added darkly.你最后会落得跟你父亲一样的下场。”她阴沉地补充道。102
Giogi debated asking his aunt exactly what she meant by that, trying to work in some reference to what he’d just learned from Sudacar, but just then the parlor door swung open and the gentlemen entered.乔吉正犹豫要不要问姑妈这话究竟是什么意思，并设法顺带提一提自己刚从苏达卡那里听来的事，可就在这时，客厅门忽然打开，男士们走了进来。103
Frefford made a beeline to Gaylyn’s side and took her hand in his own, looking down on her with solicitous devotion.弗雷福德径直走到盖琳身边，牵起她的手，低头望着她，满脸体贴与爱慕。104
Uncle Drone scuffled over to a tomcat in the window seat and began feeding it drippy tidbits of venison from his cupped hand.德罗恩叔叔拖着脚走到窗边座位上的一只公猫跟前，开始用捧起的手心喂它滴着肉汁的鹿肉小块。105
Steele remained in the doorway, leaning against the jamb and sizing up Giogi with an evil grin.斯蒂尔仍站在门口，倚着门框，挂着不怀好意的笑容打量乔吉。106
Like his sister, Julia, Steele had the Wyvernspur face with a mole to the right of his mouth.和妹妹朱莉娅一样，斯蒂尔也长着一张飞龙刺家族特有的脸，嘴角右侧有一颗痣。107
Many people would have called him tall, dark, and handsome, but his grin reminded Giogi of the red dragon Mist—an impression heightened by the way the firelight caught Steele’s blue eyes and made them glint red.许多人都会说他高大、黑发、英俊，可他的笑容却让乔吉想起红龙米斯特——炉火映入斯蒂尔的蓝眼睛，令其闪烁出红光，更加深了这种印象。108
As he had in Mist’s presence, Giogi winced when Steele spoke.就像当初面对米斯特时一样，斯蒂尔一开口，乔吉便畏缩了一下。109
“So the exiled family jester has returned.“这么说，被流放的家族小丑回来了。110
Everyone in Suzail was talking about your remarkable impersonation at the wedding last season.苏萨尔人人都在谈论你在上个社交季那场婚礼上惟妙惟肖的模仿。111
And, of course, about the “duel” that followed.当然，还有随后那场‘决斗’。112
I trust you have fresh entertainment lined up for us this year.我相信你今年已经为我们准备好了新的余兴节目。113
Maybe you can debut at Gaylyn’s baby’s blessing ceremony.”也许你可以在盖琳孩子的祝福仪式上首次登台。”114
Giogi winced again.乔吉又畏缩了一下。115
It didn’t look as though the family was going to forget the wedding incident any time soon.看来，家里人一时半会儿是不会忘记婚礼上那件事了。116
Wondering if Gaylyn could ever forgive him, Giogi shot her a guilty glance.乔吉心想，不知道盖琳是否能原谅自己，于是愧疚地瞥了她一眼。117
The bride had the most right to be angry.新娘最有理由生气。118
Gaylyn laughed, though.盖琳却笑了起来。119
“I thought I would just die when that tent collapsed on all of us,” she said.“那顶帐篷塌下来，把我们所有人都压在下面时，我真以为自己要死了，”她说。120
“Remember what fun we had crawling out from under it?“还记得我们从帐篷底下爬出来时有多好玩吗？121
It was such a relief to have an excuse to leave that stuffy old canvas and just revel in the garden.”终于有借口离开那顶闷热的旧帆布帐篷，尽情在花园里玩乐，真是让人松了口气。”122
Steele squinted with annoyance at Gaylyn, and Aunt Dorath raised an eyebrow at the woman’s frivolous attitude, but Lord Frefford smiled at his wife’s high spirits.斯蒂尔恼火地眯眼瞪着盖琳，多拉丝姨妈也因她那轻佻的态度扬起一边眉毛，弗雷福德勋爵却因妻子兴致高昂而露出了笑容。123
A stranger might have guessed Frefford and Steele were brothers and not just second cousins, because Frefford, too, sported most of the Wyvernspur features.陌生人或许会以为弗雷福德和斯蒂尔是亲兄弟，而不只是隔房堂兄弟，因为弗雷福德身上也有飞龙刺家族的大部分特征。124
Frefford’s face was always softened by a friendly smile, though, and his eyes were more hazel than blue.不过，弗雷福德的脸庞总因亲切的微笑而显得柔和，他的眼睛也更接近榛色，而非蓝色。125
He whispered something in his wife’s ear, and she giggled.他在妻子耳边低语了几句，逗得她咯咯直笑。126
Giogi smiled at the couple with gratitude.乔吉感激地朝这对夫妇笑了笑。127
Aunt Dorath sniffed.多拉丝姨妈哼了一声。128
“Now that we’re all here, it’s time to get down to business,” she announced imperiously.“既然人都到齐了，也该谈正事了，”她盛气凌人地宣布。129
“Drone, leave that infernal cat and join your family.”“德罗恩，别管那只该死的猫了，过来和家人坐在一起。”130
It was hard to believe, watching Uncle Drone shuffle across the room, that Aunt Dorath’s wizard cousin was eight years her junior.看着德罗恩叔叔拖着脚步穿过房间，实在很难相信，多拉丝姨妈这位巫师表弟竟比她小八岁。131
If time had avoided Dorath, it made up its loss by visiting Drone twice over.岁月若是绕过了多拉丝，便把少下的那一份加倍补到了德罗恩身上。132
His black hair and beard, besides being shaggy and unkempt, was splotched with gray and white, much more so than Aunt Dorath’s hair.他的黑发和胡须不仅蓬乱不堪，还斑驳地夹杂着灰白，远比多拉丝姨妈的头发明显。133
His blue eyes were rheumy, and his Wyvernspur features were lost in the cracks and wrinkles that lined his face.他蓝色的眼睛浑浊含泪，飞龙刺家族的面貌特征也淹没在了满脸的沟壑与皱纹中。134
Magic had taken its toll on him.魔法在他身上留下了沉重的代价。135
Years of puttering in his lab, brewing magic potions, had also left Drone a little careless of his appearance.多年来窝在实验室里摆弄东西、调制魔法药剂，也让德罗恩变得有些不修边幅。136
Forgetting he did not wear a lab apron, he wiped his hand on his chest, leaving a venison blood stain across his yellow silk robe.他忘了自己没穿实验围裙，随手在胸前擦了擦手，在黄色丝袍上留下一道鹿血污迹。137
He offered his hand to Giogi, saying, “Welcome back, boy.他向乔吉伸出手，说道：“欢迎回来，孩子。138
Heard you’ve been jousting with red dragons.”听说你一直在和红龙骑枪比武。”139
Giogi held out his own hand nervously, afraid he was about to be censured again.乔吉紧张地伸出手，生怕自己又要挨训。140
A cloud of Tymora’s blackest luck seemed to hang over him this evening.今晚，泰摩拉最阴沉的厄运似乎一直笼罩着他。141
It hadn’t been his fault that he’d been kidnapped by the red dragon Mist.他被红龙米斯特绑架，又不是他的错。142
Giogi then saw that his uncle’s eyes twinkled with amusement.随后，乔吉发现叔叔的眼睛里闪烁着笑意。143
The young man relaxed and jokingly replied, “Uh, actually, it’s a little difficult jousting with them, don’t you know, because they tend to eat your horse first.”年轻人放松下来，开玩笑地答道：“呃，其实吧，跟它们马上比枪有点困难，你也知道，因为它们往往会先吃掉你的马。”144
Dorath, Steele, and Julia glared frostily at Giogi for treating the incident so lightly, but Drone wheezed out a cackle and plopped down beside Dorath.多拉丝、斯蒂尔和朱莉娅冷冷地瞪着乔吉，怪他把这件事说得如此轻描淡写；德罗恩却喘着气咯咯笑了起来，一屁股坐到多拉丝身旁。145
Giogi used his handkerchief to wipe the blood from the hand Uncle Drone had shaken.乔吉掏出手帕，擦去德罗恩叔叔握过的那只手上的血迹。146
“Did you really joust with a dragon?”“你真的跟一条龙马上比过枪吗？”147
Gaylyn asked, her eyes shining with excitement.盖琳问道，双眼兴奋得闪闪发亮。148
“Well, actually I—”“嗯，其实我——”149
“Of course he didn’t,” Aunt Dorath snapped.“他当然没有。”多拉丝姑妈厉声说道。150
“Giogi could no more joust with a dragon than he could match his own stockings.“乔吉连自己的袜子都配不成一对，怎么可能跟龙马上比枪。”151
Enough of this nonsense.这种胡话说够了。152
Drone, it’s time you explained to all of us what happened to the spur.”德罗恩，该向我们大家解释一下那枚马刺出了什么事了。”153
Uncle Drone sighed a deep sigh, like a bellows letting out all its air.德罗恩叔叔深深叹了口气，仿佛一只风箱放尽了所有空气。154
When he spoke, it was in a measured, professorial voice, his tone as dry as the ancient paper scrolls he kept in his lab.开口时，他语调沉稳，俨然一位教授，口吻枯燥得如同他实验室里收藏的古老羊皮纸卷。155
“Last night,” he began, “an hour before dawn, someone got into the family crypt, where the wyvern’s spur has been stored for years.“昨晚，”他开始说道，“黎明前一个小时，有人进入了家族墓室，那枚双足飞龙马刺多年来一直存放在那里。”156
Awakened by a magical alarm, I immediately attempted to scry into the crypt, but a powerful darkness obscured my vision.我被一道魔法警报惊醒，立刻试图用探知术察看墓室内部，但一片强大的黑暗遮蔽了我的视野。157
I teleported to the graveyard and found both the mausoleum door and the crypt door within locked.我传送到墓地，发现陵墓的大门和里面的墓室门都锁着。158
There was no sign that anyone had broken in or out.没有任何人破门而入或破门而出的迹象。159
All the magical wards I had placed to keep spell-casters from by-passing the locks were intact.我设下的所有魔法结界都完好无损；那些结界本是为了防止施法者绕过门锁。160
However, both the spur and its thief were gone.”然而，马刺和窃贼都不见了。”161
“Why was the spur kept in the family crypt?”“为什么要把马刺存放在家族墓室里？”162
Gaylyn asked.盖琳问道。163
“Wouldn’t it have been easier to guard it in the castle?”“放在城堡里，不是更容易看守吗？”164
“The guardian lives in the crypt,” Frefford explained softly to his wife.“守护者就住在墓室里。”弗雷福德轻声向妻子解释道。165
“What’s ‘the guardian’?” she asked.“‘守护者’是什么？”她问。166
“The spirit of a powerful monster, which will slay any being in the crypt that is not a Wyvernspur by blood or marriage,” Aunt Dorath said.“那是一头强大怪物的幽灵，会杀死墓室中任何既非飞龙刺家族血亲、也非姻亲的生灵。”多拉丝姑妈说道。167
“So it had to be a Wyvernspur who stole the spur,” Gaylyn reasoned.“这么说，偷走马刺的人必定是飞龙刺家族的人。”盖琳推断道。168
“One of us,” agreed Uncle Drone, pausing for a moment to let the thought sink in.“是我们中的一个。”德罗恩叔叔表示赞同，停顿片刻，好让众人领会这句话的含义。169
Then he added, “But probably a long-lost relative.随后他又说道：“但很可能是个失散多年的亲戚。170
We’ve never been able to discover any before, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.”我们以前一直没能找到这样的人，但这并不意味着他们不存在。”171
“Why steal the spur?“为什么要偷马刺？172
What good is it to anyone?”它对别人有什么用？”173
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。174
“It’s said to have powers beyond that of ensuring the continuance of the family line,” replied the wizard.“据说，它除了能确保家族血脉延续之外，还拥有其他力量。”法师回答道。175
“I never heard about that,” Giogi protested.“我从没听说过这回事。”乔吉抗议道。176
“What sort of powers?”“是什么样的力量？”177
Uncle Drone shrugged.德罗恩叔叔耸了耸肩。178
“It isn’t in any of the family history books.”“家族的任何史书里都没有记载。”179
“What makes you think it was a long-lost relative?”“你为什么认为是个失散多年的亲戚？”180
Julia asked.朱莉娅问道。181
“Why not one of us?”“为什么不能是我们中的一个？”182
“Well, firstly,” Drone explained, “I was able to ascertain through magical means that none of the keys entrusted to the keeping of Frefford, Steele, and Giogioni—” Uncle Drone waved an arm at each of the men in turn— “were used to open the crypt.”“嗯，首先，”德罗恩解释道，“我通过魔法手段查明，交由弗雷福德、斯蒂尔和乔吉奥尼保管的钥匙——”德罗恩叔叔依次朝三个男人挥了挥手臂，“都没有被用来开启墓室。”183
“What about your own key?”“那你自己的钥匙呢？”184
Aunt Dorath interrupted.多拉丝姑妈打断了他。185
“Are you certain you haven’t mislaid it somewhere?”“你确定没有把它落在什么地方吗？”186
Her emphasis suggested the unspoken word “again.”她加重的语气仿佛暗含着一个没有说出口的词：“又”。187
In reply, Uncle Drone held up a large silver key hanging from a chain about his neck.德罗恩叔叔没有作声，只是举起挂在脖子上链条末端的一把银制大钥匙作为回答。188
“As everyone here but Gaylyn already knows,” the wizard continued, “besides the mausoleum entrance, the only other entrance to the crypt is from the catacombs below, and the only other way into the catacombs is from a secret magical door outside the graveyard.”“在场的人中，除了盖琳，大家都已经知道，”法师继续说道，“除去陵墓入口，通往墓室的另一个入口位于下方的地下墓穴中，而进入地下墓穴的另一条路，则是墓园外的一扇魔法密门。”189
“But you told us that that secret door only opens every fifty years,” Steele snapped peevishly, “on the first of Tarsakh.“可你告诉过我们，那扇秘门每五十年才开启一次，”斯蒂尔不耐烦地厉声说道，“就在塔萨克月一日。190
That’s still more than a ride away.”那还要一旬多呢。”191
“Twelve days.“十二天。192
That’s a ride and two days to spare,” Gaylyn corrected.正好一旬，还多两天。”盖琳纠正道。193
Steele scowled at the woman’s exactness.斯蒂尔对这女人事事精确的作风皱起了眉头。194
“Well, I seem to have miscalculated,” Drone said.“好吧，看来是我算错了，”德罗恩说道。195
“Apparently the door opens after three hundred sixty-five days multiplied by fifty.“显然，那扇门每隔三百六十五乘以五十天开启一次。196
In other words every eighteen thousand two hundred fiftieth day.换句话说，就是每隔一万八千二百五十天。197
The family records weren’t so precise and rounded the interval off to a half-century.”家族记录没那么精确，把这段间隔取整成了半个世纪。”198
“What’s the difference?”“这有什么区别？”199
Steele growled.斯蒂尔低吼道。200
“Shieldmeet,” Gaylyn cried excitedly, like a woman playing charades.“盾会节！”盖琳兴奋地喊道，活像个正在玩猜词游戏的女人。201
“Exactly,” Uncle Drone said.“正是，”德罗恩叔叔说道。202
“Shieldmeet, every four years, adds an extra day.“每隔四年，盾会节就会多出一天。203
After fifty years, the extra days add up, so the door opened earlier than I had expected.”五十年后，这些额外的日子累积起来，所以那扇门比我预想的更早开启了。”204
“By twelve days,” Gaylyn added.“早了十二天。”盖琳补充道。205
Gaylyn, Giogi guessed, was one of those women who were good with figures.乔吉猜想，盖琳大概是那种很会算数的女人。206
“Fortunately,” Drone continued, “I had the notion to check out that door within minutes of the theft.“幸好，”德罗恩继续说道，“失窃发生后没几分钟，我就想到要去查看那扇门。207
Sure enough, it stood open.果不其然，门敞开着。208
I sealed it with a wall of stone and left magical guards to tell me if anyone tries to break out by that door or the door from the crypt to the mausoleum.我用一道石墙将它封死，又留下魔法守卫；要是有人试图从那扇门，或是从墓室通往陵墓的门闯出去，它们就会通知我。209
No one has.至今没人这么做。210
The would-be thief is still stuck in the catacombs.那个偷窃未遂的家伙还困在地下墓穴里。211
So, you see, none of us can be the thief, since none of us are missing.”所以你们瞧，我们当中没有人失踪，也就没有人可能是那个贼。”212
Giogi wondered idly, if he hadn’t managed to return to Immersea before that evening, whether his family would be sitting around suspecting him of the crime.乔吉漫不经心地想，如果自己没能在那天傍晚之前赶回伊默海，家人会不会也正围坐在一起，怀疑这桩罪行是他干的。213
“Since only a member of our family can enter the crypt, it’s up to us to deal with this thieving rogue Wyvernspur,” Aunt Dorath said.“既然只有我们家族的成员才能进入墓室，那就得由我们来对付飞龙刺家这个偷东西的恶棍了。”多拉丝姑妈说道。214
“No one else need know about this notorious incident.“这桩不光彩的事不必让其他任何人知道。215
All we need to do is search the catacombs,” she announced.我们只需搜查地下墓穴即可。”她宣布道。216
“First thing in the morning.”“明天一早就去。”217
“And will you be leading us, Aunt Dorath?”“那您会带领我们吗，多拉丝姑妈？”218
Steele asked with a smirk.斯蒂尔一脸坏笑地问道。219
“Don’t be absurd.“别说傻话了。220
This is a job for healthy young men like yourself and Frefford.”这是像你和弗雷福德这样身强力壮的年轻男人该干的活。”221
“And Giogioni,” Uncle Drone said.“还有乔吉奥尼。”德罗恩叔叔说道。222
“Can’t leave him out.”“不能把他落下。”223
“That’s all right, Uncle Drone,” Giogi insisted.“没关系的，德罗恩叔叔。”乔吉坚持道。224
“I can guard the crypt door or something, in case the thief gets past Steele and Freffie.”“我可以守着墓室的门什么的，以防那个贼从斯蒂尔和弗雷菲手里逃脱。”225
“Nonsense,” Steele said.“胡说。”斯蒂尔说道。226
“We need you, Giogi.“我们需要你，乔吉。227
Besides, don’t you want to renew your acquaintance with the guardian?”再说，你难道不想和那位守护者重续旧交吗？”228
“Actually, no,” Giogi retorted sharply, glaring at his cousin.“说实话，不想。”乔吉厉声反驳，怒视着他的堂兄。229
If looks could kill, the rest of the family would have to have summoned a cleric for Steele.倘若眼神能杀人，家里其他人这会儿就得为斯蒂尔召来一位牧师了。230
Aunt Dorath gave Giogi a cold look.多拉丝姑妈冷冷地看了乔吉一眼。231
“Giogioni, I won’t have you shirking your family responsibilities.“乔吉奥尼，我不许你逃避家族责任。232
You can help by carrying the water flasks or something.”你可以帮忙拿水壶什么的。”233
“Yes, you can be our provisions officer,” Steele said.“对，你可以当我们的给养官。”斯蒂尔说道。234
“But leave the land urchins behind—and don’t forget your key.“不过把那些陆地海胆留下——还有，别忘了带上你的钥匙。235
It’ll remind the guardian that you are a Wyvernspur after all.”那会提醒守护者，你终究是飞龙刺家的人。”236
Giogi began breathing a little too deeply, and the room seemed to tilt.乔吉的呼吸开始变得有些过深，房间仿佛倾斜起来。237
Steele’s taunts were wasted on him—he was too busy fighting off a rising panic.斯蒂尔的嘲弄全都白费了——他正忙着压下不断涌起的恐慌，根本无暇理会。238
Frefford moved to his side and clamped a reassuring hand on his shoulder.弗雷福德走到他身边，把一只令人安心的手按在他肩上。239
“It’ll be fine, Giogi.“不会有事的，乔吉。240
We’ll all be down there together.”我们都会一起下去。”241
“You can’t possibly still be affected by that scare you had as a boy,” Aunt Dorath insisted.“你小时候受的那次惊吓，不可能到现在还影响着你吧。”多拉丝姑妈坚持说道。242
Giogi did not answer.乔吉没有回答。243
His mouth moved, but no words escaped.他的嘴动了动，却没发出任何声音。244
“Well, that’s settled, then,” Aunt Dorath said.“那么，这事就这么定了。”多拉丝姑妈说。245
“I suggest you all get a good night’s sleep so you can get an early start.“我建议你们今晚都好好睡一觉，明早也好尽早动身。246
That includes you, Giogioni.你也一样，乔吉奥尼。247
Don’t spend the rest of the evening carousing in town.别把今晚剩下的时间都花在城里寻欢作乐上。248
You must be at the crypt at dawn.天一亮，你们就必须到达墓穴。249
This is not a duty any of you dare take lightly.这项职责，你们谁都不敢掉以轻心。250
Until that spur is back in the crypt where it belongs, none of us are safe.在那根刺回到墓穴里它应在的位置之前，我们谁都不安全。251
You may scoff all you want, but I know for a fact that the spur’s curse is no silly superstition.你们尽管嘲笑好了，但我确切地知道，那根刺的诅咒绝不是什么愚蠢的迷信。252
Its absence will bring evil upon us.”它不在那里，就会给我们招来灾祸。”253
Giogi shuddered, anticipating meeting the guardian again.一想到又要见到那名守护者，乔吉便打了个寒战。254
Gaylyn lay her hand nervously on her belly.盖琳不安地把手放在腹部。255
Frefford returned to his wife’s side to comfort her.弗雷福德回到妻子身边安慰她。256
Julia watched Steele, who fidgeted with impatience.朱莉娅望着斯蒂尔，只见他不耐烦地坐立不安。257
Uncle Drone studied the stain on his robe.德罗恩叔叔端详着长袍上的污渍。258
Everyone remained speechless for several moments until Drone said, “I’ll see you to the door, Giogi,” and held an arm out for help in rising.众人沉默了片刻，直到德罗恩开口道：“我送你到门口，乔吉。”说着，他伸出一条胳膊，要乔吉扶他起身。259
Still in shock, Giogi stood automatically and helped Drone to his feet.乔吉仍惊魂未定，却下意识地站起身来，把德罗恩扶了起来。260
He held the parlor door open as the old man shuffled through, and he followed his uncle out.老人拖着脚步穿过客厅门时，他替他扶着门，随后跟着叔叔走了出去。261
After the door had closed behind them, the old man patted Giogi’s arm and said softly, “Dory’s right, you know.门在他们身后关上后，老人轻轻拍了拍乔吉的手臂，低声说：“多莉说得对，你知道的。262
It’s time you were over that fright you had as a child.”你儿时受的那场惊吓，也该放下了。”263
“Aunt Dorath wasn’t locked down there,” Giogi objected as they descended a staircase to the main entrance hall.“多拉丝姑妈没有被锁在下面。”他们沿楼梯走向正门大厅时，乔吉反驳道。264
“Well, actually she was once, but that’s neither here nor there.“唔，其实她确实被关在下面过一次，不过那无关紧要。265
Listen, my boy, I have something very important to tell you, something I couldn’t tell you in front of the others.”听着，孩子，我有件非常重要的事要告诉你，一件我不能当着其他人的面说的事。”266
Suddenly reminded of Sudacar’s revelation, Giogi shook off his anxiety over the coming expedition.乔吉猛然想起苏达卡透露的秘密，顿时把对即将到来的探险的忧虑抛到脑后。267
“And I have a question for you that I couldn’t ask in front of the others.“我也有个问题，不能当着其他人的面问你。268
Why didn’t you ever tell me my father was an adventurer?”你为什么从来没告诉过我，我父亲曾是个冒险者？”269
“Found that out, did you?“你已经知道了，是吗？270
Who let it slip?”是谁说漏了嘴？”271
“It makes no difference,” Giogi retorted.“那不重要。”乔吉顶嘴道。272
“Why didn’t you tell me?”“你为什么不告诉我？”273
“Your Aunt Dorath made me swear not to.”“你多拉丝姑妈逼我发誓不能告诉你。”274
“How could you agree to something like that?”“这种事你怎么能答应？”275
Giogi demanded.乔吉质问道。276
“I thought you liked my father.”“我还以为你喜欢我父亲。”277
“I loved your father,” Drone whispered angrily.“我爱你父亲。”德罗恩愤怒地低声说道。278
“I had my reasons.“我有我的理由。279
Now hush up and listen.”现在别说话，听我讲。”280
When they’d reached the bottom of the staircase, the new footman popped out of an alcove and asked, “Shall I fetch Master Giogioni’s things, sir?”他们刚走到楼梯底下，新来的男仆便从一处壁龛里突然闪身出来，问道：“先生，要我去取乔吉奥尼少爷的东西吗？”281
“Yes, yes,” Uncle Drone snapped, annoyed at the interruption.“好，好，”德罗恩叔叔因被打断而恼火地厉声说道。282
He watched the footman’s back until the servant disappeared from sight.他一直盯着男仆的背影，直到对方消失在视线中。283
Drone swiveled his neck in all four cardinal points, making sure he and Giogi were alone in the hall before he spoke again.德罗恩朝四面八方转头察看，确认大厅里只有他和乔吉两人后，才再次开口。284
“Now, where was I?“好了，我刚才说到哪儿了？285
Oh, yes.哦，对了。286
The spur and the thief aren’t in the catacombs.”那枚马刺和那个贼并不在地下墓穴里。”287
“What!“什么！288
Then why did you tell us all—?”那你为什么要告诉我们大家——？”289
“Shh!“嘘！290
Keep your voice down.小点声。291
I had good reasons, but Dory would never understand.我这么做自有道理，可多拉丝绝不会明白。292
You must go down into the catacombs anyway to keep up the charade, and tell me everything that happens there.”但你还是必须下到地下墓穴去，好把这场戏演下去，然后把那里发生的一切都告诉我。”293
From the hallway upstairs they could hear Aunt Dorath bellow, “Drone!”他们听见楼上的走廊里传来多拉丝姑妈的吼声：“德罗恩！”294
“Look, I’ll explain it to you tomorrow night when you return.“听着，等你明晚回来，我会把一切都解释给你听。295
In the meantime—”在此之前——”296
The footman returned with Giogi’s cloak.男仆拿着乔吉的斗篷回来了。297
Drone took the cloak and waved the servant away.德罗恩接过斗篷，挥手让男仆退下。298
As the old wizard wrapped Giogi up in the garment, he whispered, “In the meantime, watch your step.老法师用斗篷把乔吉裹严实，同时低声说道：“在此之前，走每一步都要当心。299
Your life could possibly, just possibly, be in danger.”你有可能，只是有可能，会有生命危险。”300
He opened the front door, and cold air rushed into the hallway.他打开前门，冷空气顿时涌入门厅。301
“Because of the spur, you mean?”“你是说，因为那枚马刺？”302
Giogi asked.乔吉问道。303
“Not because of the spur—well, maybe because of it, but not the way you might think—”“不是因为那枚马刺——好吧，也可能与它有关，但并不是你以为的那种方式——”304
“Drone!”“德罗恩！”305
Aunt Dorath called out a second time.多拉丝姑妈又叫了一声。306
Uncle Drone pushed Giogi out the door, saying, “I’ll explain tomorrow.德罗恩叔叔把乔吉推出门外，说：“我明天再解释。307
Remember—watch your step.”记住——脚下当心。”308
The wizard closed the door on Giogi before he could protest further.不等乔吉再开口抗议，巫师便关上了门。309
My life could possibly, just possibly, be in danger, Giogi thought.我的小命有可能，只是有可能，会有危险，乔吉心想。310
He shuddered, not just from the cold.他打了个寒战，却不只是因为冷。311
A wizard such as Drone said “just possibly” only in cases where anyone else in the Realms would say, “most definitely.”像德罗恩这样的巫师，只有在诸界其他任何人都会说“千真万确”的情况下，才会说“只是有可能”。312
A hearty spring wind, fresh off the Wyvernwater, danced around the side of the castle and tore through Giogi’s cloak.一股从飞龙湖上吹来的强劲春风，清新凛冽，绕着城堡一侧飞舞，穿透了乔吉的斗篷。313
He shuddered again and wished that he’d stayed in Westgate, where all he’d had to worry about were dragons, earthquakes, and power struggles.他又打了个寒战，真希望自己当初留在西门城；在那里，他需要担心的不过是龙、地震和权力争斗。314
They really were insignificant compared to these family crises.同这些家族危机相比，那些事还真是微不足道。315