溪澗上橫着一根雨後的倒木,一隻灰麂立抖動着耳朵,在上面警覺地張望,等覺得安全,適才低下頭啃食着其樹杈上的嫩葉。倒木很高大,頂梢新生的的嫩葉和青果對它來說是很罕見的美食。就在它沉浸在咀嚼着準備在這個霧氣瀰漫的清晨果腹時,一隻從灌木後飛出的箭射穿了它的頭顱。灰麂只哀嗚了一聲便落入澗中,麂血把溪水染紅,流向遠處。585Please respect copyright.PENANAayVlf3YYwx
585Please respect copyright.PENANARSkggu74g5
從灌木後走出一個男人,他向後揮了揮手,遂從遠處跟來兩個牽馬的扈從,灰發男人把弓插進馬的弓袋裡,指揮他們把灰麂皮帶回營地硝一下。接着便獨自往上遊走了。585Please respect copyright.PENANAkghQDXJhps
585Please respect copyright.PENANAX3UQnBjauB
男人徑自走着,聽到身後傳來馬蹄聲,便不動聲色地把手落到馬刀柄上,調過頭看,是黎明時分出去的游騎葉格爾默,他衝來人笑了一下,手又往後挪了挪,解開一個水袋,遞給葉格爾默。葉接過水袋便開始仰頭喝,從嘴邊流出的水把他被汗水侵濕的麻衫淋得更濕。」好甜的淡水注。我要是天天能喝到這樣質量的淡水,便是天天往那鬼林子里走也不會覺得不快。」他說。585Please respect copyright.PENANASjPuPzWdv5
585Please respect copyright.PENANAoqklewhTHV
註:坎韃喀地表雖然不乏淡水,但十分苦澀,長期飲用會得一種類似痛痛病的慢性病,還會咯血。585Please respect copyright.PENANAOZQCdwaCN4
585Please respect copyright.PENANAwW61K5Cl8j
兩個人騎馬並肩走着,葉格爾默說:「昨夜的暴雨把他們的行跡都抹掉了,我去了那人昨天和我們傳信的位置,並沒有發現伊澤尼族人。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAc1hGBMbCk7
585Please respect copyright.PENANA8arEzKUBZl
「方糖注回來了嗎?」灰發男人問。585Please respect copyright.PENANADKsyQsDsAf
585Please respect copyright.PENANAPelBWOIyAa
註:這是男人豢養的一隻梨子隼的名字585Please respect copyright.PENANAbSRqBPzYa5
585Please respect copyright.PENANAeC6JorsJV2
「沒有。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAPMLyEUgHt5
585Please respect copyright.PENANAs6Hg4slHGT
「那蠻人的女人在我們手上,他又吸了我們的麻粉。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAeGriFdwyFd
585Please respect copyright.PENANAOsg9cxAdz2
「許是事情做得不夠隱秘,露了馬腳。我們……」585Please respect copyright.PENANAhEgSkVt4pg
585Please respect copyright.PENANAbf3p7xuavk
「也可能只是吸多了發瘋了。」灰發男人打斷了他的話,又沉聲說:「葉格爾默,你知道的,我們不能輕易罷手,那件祭器也必需要拿到。等這次伊澤尼大巡獵過了,那東西就要被封存起來,直到下一個「荒月年!」585Please respect copyright.PENANAqjRNEEjBLX
585Please respect copyright.PENANAMmMQs73DL5
葉格爾默嘆道:「已經不少人病死在這裡了,等以後和他們起了衝突,我們也還折損更多人手,小艾哈德,我不知道那人許諾給你什麼報酬,但這真的值得嗎?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAMQlDxiomUP
585Please respect copyright.PENANAaZqLcGcepA
灰發男人聽他喊自己名字,面色一僵,轉而又緩和不少,他的嘴角甚至微微翹起,他也不再看葉格爾默,而是盯着前面遠處河邊空地上的營地。585Please respect copyright.PENANAFv337LmWzW
585Please respect copyright.PENANAv8pXbeorgq
「葉格爾默,我的朋友,事成之後,金銀、貨物、女人,我任你索取。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAlTMQGDyDGW
585Please respect copyright.PENANAib2P9t0trU
艾哈德回到營地又命兩個游騎帶足三日的水和乾糧到林子里去搜尋伊澤尼部族的蹤跡,他靠近篝火,就着肉湯吃了幾個烤餅。他等身體暖和了開始覺得有些困,就鑽進帳篷裹着氈布睡了。585Please respect copyright.PENANAC5NYfDlnYS
585Please respect copyright.PENANAb47ojJYz6M
艾哈德記得自己做了一個無比荒誕的夢,但等夢醒時那段記憶卻又抓不到一點片段。他翻過身,覺得頭又脹又痛,用手一摸,額頭上全是冷掉的汗。585Please respect copyright.PENANA8w7uDTyqFq
585Please respect copyright.PENANA37wSGgRK24
他甚至有一刻突然想在這個暖和的帳篷窩着一睡不醒,這塊坎韃喀的深谷中的森林常年又濕又冷,谷間的濃霧吸入多了還會染上嚴重的熱病,也確實不是什麼怡人的所在。他在這裡蹲了近一個月,早已是苦不堪言。585Please respect copyright.PENANAObUdaVsEKd
585Please respect copyright.PENANA2DYIx5vzmU
但他很快就打消這個念頭了,葉格爾默的僕人進到他的帳篷里,小聲告訴他說他手下的幾個武士把那個女野人弄到了林子里去。585Please respect copyright.PENANApUtT7vx6We
585Please respect copyright.PENANAMMJgKgKG5r
「那葉格爾默呢,你不和他說?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAv2iIRo7v6D
585Please respect copyright.PENANApf2qRO2Sqd
「大人,那是您的手下,向來不服主人的管。更何況主人現在抽不開手……」那僕人露出一個似哭又像笑的表情,緊張地搓着手。585Please respect copyright.PENANAelUt20Kssn
585Please respect copyright.PENANALvdHfVkGPi
艾哈德盯着那人,似乎想說什麼但最後還是未吐詞組。他深呼了口氣,轉身披上斗篷,從口袋裡掏出幾枚霍澤盾丟給葉的僕人,掀開帳篷帘子就往林子里走。585Please respect copyright.PENANAtkE1iHE1Jc
585Please respect copyright.PENANAHP25e2e2NZ
在路上的時候小艾哈德還道:「可別被那群畜生弄死。」話不經意,卻不料一語成讖,等他到的時候,就看到那個衣不遮體的伊澤尼女族人橫在一棵樹下,她的右邊的乳房下面有一段很深的刀口,身下淌着血,她面色蒼白,兩隻手緊捂着喉嚨,張着嘴,眼睛睜得很大,上面映着灰暗的天空和黑色的林影。幾個武士站在她不遠處,其中一人解了皮甲,胸膛外露,虛握着把紅得鮮艷的短劍。585Please respect copyright.PENANAN58gWv4gn5
585Please respect copyright.PENANAbsgRPXTpPz
艾哈德嘴角顫抖,他沖武士們啐了口痰,罵道:585Please respect copyright.PENANAhDS2PtuwOQ
585Please respect copyright.PENANAas5Aws7gy2
「你們弄這女野人也就罷了,可為什麼把弄死了?她現在還有用!」585Please respect copyright.PENANAAY3JRDo5pz
585Please respect copyright.PENANAJKgCALUK45
「我們也沒要把她整死……」拿着劍的徠絲瑞慌忙解釋道。585Please respect copyright.PENANAegQXjXOYGG
585Please respect copyright.PENANAkTzFNNWvaG
「大人,這不全是培根注的錯,是我們起鬨讓培根把她拖來,和大家泄泄火,雖然她是個野人,但怎說也是個娘們……」培根旁邊的男孩接著說。585Please respect copyright.PENANA4bzR0lQhBv
585Please respect copyright.PENANAKlZMqZmfEW
註:培根這裡確實是指鹹豬肉 徠絲瑞曾經因被人搶去塊豬肉乾而把那人一對眼睛挖掉。585Please respect copyright.PENANAfYodh1kyWY
585Please respect copyright.PENANAc9GrdEieah
「那女野人不肯脫,哭哭啼啼地,培根就把劍拔出來嚇她,那女人才開始褪衣服……誰知道等我和鐸爾弄完她突然往培根劍上沖。她抱着培根胳膊等劍整個沒入胸口才放手。她肯定是,是被血嗆死的,嘖,真是野人,有夠賤的。」另一個男人啐道。見小艾哈德還看着自己,他又急着說:「我是布哈林教徒,雖然我殺人放火,但絕不說謊!」585Please respect copyright.PENANAyu3A2hjTgB
585Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8yZxcbLvO
艾哈德揉了揉太陽穴,看着這群和他出生入死的武士終是說不出狠話,他嘆口氣說:「那野人是祭司哈拉薩的孫女,又是勇士鐸爾的女人。我費盡心力把她掠來不是供你們胡鬧的。不過此事已畢,鐸爾那邊已經沒了消息,這女人作用已大不如前,死了,就死了吧。」585Please respect copyright.PENANANJgCl56ZR4
585Please respect copyright.PENANAv9rWz3mBay
不過還沒等武士們松下一口氣,他又笑着說:「不過你們這次的酬勞我會以嫖資的形式付給你們,你們得去最髒的妓館嫖最丑最便宜的女人,錢沒花完,不許離開!」585Please respect copyright.PENANA9cQER8JuZZ
585Please respect copyright.PENANANIqV9jPxvj
武士們笑了笑,也不管那屍體,直接跟着他往回走,他們不覺得艾哈德會真的這麼對他們,在坎韃喀,一個忠心可靠的下屬強過過世間君王最華麗的皇冠,勝過與仙女在床榻上的無數歡好。585Please respect copyright.PENANAlj9za59VRD
585Please respect copyright.PENANAEZYfWb9hc5
他們甚至在路上唱起了歌:585Please respect copyright.PENANAqXF1ELR4cN
585Please respect copyright.PENANAYLSpfbS6BY
雪白的荒原掠過的陰影585Please respect copyright.PENANAmPP9ydbxws
585Please respect copyright.PENANAli3FmEOSoB
是我們蘇忒斯的灰狐狸585Please respect copyright.PENANAkj3OV0fNPA
585Please respect copyright.PENANA6WE5oI3t76
燒殺搶掠 生啖人心585Please respect copyright.PENANAxZn6zZkyVc
585Please respect copyright.PENANAIJ4QYEs7mB
我們壘起敵人的屍骸做窩585Please respect copyright.PENANAeow9l46k3I
585Please respect copyright.PENANASrjGkONNbG
他們的妻兒是我們的僕役585Please respect copyright.PENANAvG0mkGvVLT
585Please respect copyright.PENANAleDQO6V1yz
嘿 蘇忒斯的灰狐狸585Please respect copyright.PENANA4rLT9gygcP
585Please respect copyright.PENANA72IPJbLKrU
我們血腥殘酷 好施詭計585Please respect copyright.PENANA7RYwLzQKRF
585Please respect copyright.PENANAMhNM9cPJ9z
我們出手闊綽 穿戴金銀585Please respect copyright.PENANAopPcgV6p64
585Please respect copyright.PENANAMej9APWkXu
我們流連妓館 四處留情585Please respect copyright.PENANAoIouauq2J8
585Please respect copyright.PENANAWaEHXfb2Li
我們族群強大 團結有力585Please respect copyright.PENANAdtR4h7qdsX
585Please respect copyright.PENANAIjG29NUQus
嘿 蘇忒斯的灰狐狸585Please respect copyright.PENANA4XAYDzDM69
585Please respect copyright.PENANAHANdjEM8Df
即便遇到狼群585Please respect copyright.PENANAXaSShpiNWg
585Please respect copyright.PENANAX6dNizzatr
拚死一搏也在所不惜585Please respect copyright.PENANA49fF0ewBBD
585Please respect copyright.PENANA8CIdBpHQh2
等到艾哈德繞到營地前面時,他看到篝火前的葉格爾默和一個陌生人正站起身往他這邊走。這個陌生人大概有5.5英尺高,比葉格爾默矮一個頭,他穿着一身單薄的黑色麻衣,一手握着一支手杖樣的粗樹枝。陌生人一頭濕漉漉的黑色長髮緊貼額頭,,其中幾綹甚至蓋過他的眼睛,下半張臉又矇著一髒兮兮的白布,從頭到尾都是古派的亞森尼僧侶打扮。葉格爾默看到他時有些驚訝,道:「我送這人去出谷的大路,我有些事,等回來與你細說。」585Please respect copyright.PENANA95l6SQn1qH
585Please respect copyright.PENANApj2W75C6SG
「霧都沒起,還不急着走。這人是誰?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAfDtbEYSyS4
585Please respect copyright.PENANA8xS5G03R0H
「是細鹽注,從霧葉湖穿林子過來的。他是琅契斯Lankeizi人,我的同鄉。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAim4CUGPQZt
585Please respect copyright.PENANAlc8wRwQgL0
註:坎韃喀黑話里細鹽指的是被流放到這裡的不懂規矩的雛兒585Please respect copyright.PENANAeNSzUKlGXv
585Please respect copyright.PENANA9QGcLwOq1S
「霧葉湖我們派去的人還沒回來,這人是從那邊來的,可曾看到野人?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAYzNrLMzt9u
585Please respect copyright.PENANAc26DnTnEZA
「他正是來逃野人的。他看到野人把自己的一個族人追到湖裡用箭射死了。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAEUvY1bHvJf
585Please respect copyright.PENANALZ2hfZP2I9
「讓他直接和我說!」艾哈德盯着葉格爾默。585Please respect copyright.PENANAg9JTQhcqHS
585Please respect copyright.PENANASb18f0AjBg
「他只會講琅契斯的土話,你聽不懂。」 葉格爾默也望着他的朋友。585Please respect copyright.PENANAwtB1qZav04
585Please respect copyright.PENANAh1aYeGBUoI
「我不信一個修士打扮的人不會說伯曼話,難道你們島的經文也是用土語寫的?」 艾哈德冷笑着。585Please respect copyright.PENANA0hwHu1J09O
585Please respect copyright.PENANAISlby8YeWh
葉格爾默,嘆了口氣,不作聲了。585Please respect copyright.PENANAN1HPj7XHvc
585Please respect copyright.PENANAyl0xZtIdoX
「eizlien hake.」(琅契斯語:讓我說吧)基爾巴特抬起頭對葉格爾默說道。585Please respect copyright.PENANAL2apmoMfJo
585Please respect copyright.PENANA94rBWZ8uhK
基爾巴特道向艾哈德道了句日安,她講通用語時是用的另一種腔調,一種很乾凈的稚嫩男孩的強調,接着她又說:「但在你問我問題前,我也想知道你們的事。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAXoa6amB9Au
585Please respect copyright.PENANAeBK3l0QB5w
「你很聰明,小子。」艾哈德笑着,又道:「難道葉格爾默沒與你說?」585Please respect copyright.PENANA4yt4i02tV5
585Please respect copyright.PENANAdLh4NKubLR
「我剛才一直在和他講我的事。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAFg6cAJuAnf
585Please respect copyright.PENANAQPDqr9Hv6F
艾哈德看了葉格爾默一眼,看到對方點了點頭,心便是一安,道:「請便。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAtmzyYUrcwU
585Please respect copyright.PENANA2HerlVbwIB
「你們是什麼人?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAq9FHQI1C3q
585Please respect copyright.PENANAxASo2icEI1
「我們是武裝商團,既是商人又是武士,我們和蠻人做生意,用烈酒和煙葉換他們的皮子。」585Please respect copyright.PENANACEEizPALB5
585Please respect copyright.PENANA7n8RZ7YkGj
「可你們既沒煙酒也沒皮子。」基爾巴特揶揄道。585Please respect copyright.PENANAPFqnT0gCCY
585Please respect copyright.PENANAd97mDcjmu7
「我們的貨被野人掠去了。他們理解不了交易,反而更喜歡搶。他們可能現在正在谷里的某處喝着酒跳舞呢,」585Please respect copyright.PENANAPn9DZW7E3c
585Please respect copyright.PENANAGhVjFrMP7O
「喝得醉醺醺把自己的族人射死?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAoXSjW8cfky
585Please respect copyright.PENANALHK7eNCaOp
「我們只想把東西追回來。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAKOyTrGLNyk
585Please respect copyright.PENANA26gVv73AJ6
「我問完了。你請吧。」585Please respect copyright.PENANA95WYSVrISg
585Please respect copyright.PENANA4CZG6kEmEJ
「那群人現在在哪?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAeNf3AGtSXj
585Please respect copyright.PENANAg5BT99qu3G
「早晨的時候我看到有兩個蠻族的戰士在林子里,可能是在找我,我躲到灌木叢里。他們找了一會兒。突然遠處傳來鳴鏑的聲音,他們就急匆匆回去了。」585Please respect copyright.PENANATGazqFJ9Ub
585Please respect copyright.PENANAWQjfeQ8zr3
「那鳴鏑射在什麼方向?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAT1PzytavQm
585Please respect copyright.PENANAlexDjxvGC8
「湖對面,那邊是一片枯木。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAQjad4o5kIZ
585Please respect copyright.PENANAtv6ijPoqo6
艾哈德聽後神情嚴肅,告訴葉格爾默準備人手,在日落前到枯林。585Please respect copyright.PENANApJ4dfIkGWp
585Please respect copyright.PENANAzVhPYBY37I
「我先送他上去。」 葉格爾默道。585Please respect copyright.PENANAmAcadhP5iA
585Please respect copyright.PENANABvHQGFjiCr
「不,讓他留在這裡。」585Please respect copyright.PENANA44dCFoCYOO
585Please respect copyright.PENANABBImgF2JTq
葉格爾默道沒吱聲,轉身去樹下牽了匹馬。585Please respect copyright.PENANA945Ys5AIZu
585Please respect copyright.PENANATtIoo1EEl1
他把馬交給基爾巴特,領着她上了對面河灘。585Please respect copyright.PENANAVbE2YsEADt
585Please respect copyright.PENANAEuPq92rz4p
「你本就該不做聲,那樣艾哈德或許還能放你走。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAklsUXtHBDS
585Please respect copyright.PENANApOZbKoZ0Oo
「那現在呢?」585Please respect copyright.PENANAgVh73oyUw3
585Please respect copyright.PENANART7JiCxXtX
「在坎韃喀,對的或許是錯的,好人也未必是好人。優良的品行有時候是生存的累贅。生死面前,你死守的人性怕是一錢不值。」葉格默爾嘆了口氣,輕聲說。585Please respect copyright.PENANAB4sFjlsekv
585Please respect copyright.PENANAwYFIdYqUID
「人要那樣低賤地活,可能會活得很久,但那樣渾渾噩噩又與行屍走肉有什麼區別。不過是還在喘氣的屍體罷了。而且,他終歸還是文明世界的人。」585Please respect copyright.PENANA2fYOJgRoBQ
585Please respect copyright.PENANAo0idDZqa2B
「蠻人的惡只是殺戮與掠奪,而文明人的惡卻是更令人驚悚的恐怖。」葉格默爾說。585Please respect copyright.PENANAySH9bfm0yJ
585Please respect copyright.PENANAQDAG293ma0
「總有人會去阻止。」基爾巴特說,又道:「葉格爾默,你是個義人。沒有你,我恐怕早凍死在林子里了。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAhehT2ltoSg
585Please respect copyright.PENANAypfDNgZwNi
葉格爾默聽到這兒不禁咂咂嘴,露出一個苦澀的笑容。他正要說什麼,卻看見遠處的小艾哈德拿着弓,正抽着箭。585Please respect copyright.PENANAniqWxjPC33
585Please respect copyright.PENANAVkDl5pNayx
「低下身,衝過那塊石壁,順着往上走!快!」 」葉格爾默拍了下馬,急道。585Please respect copyright.PENANAK6YaFYjwQe
585Please respect copyright.PENANArJkq8lxoKw
馬嘶叫了一聲就往前跑,基爾巴特剛低下身控制住馬。一根鋼頭的箭矢就飛掠過她的頭,射在前面的樹榦上,箭桿不住顫動。585Please respect copyright.PENANA0BimuDZsJh
585Please respect copyright.PENANAvw9uLU4Woy
等艾哈德再抽出一桿箭的時候,基爾巴特已經離開他的視野了,他暗罵一聲,看着雙手舉起的葉格爾默似笑不笑地走下來。585Please respect copyright.PENANAChSJZBOPxY
585Please respect copyright.PENANAhSgEyVM70A
艾哈德感覺頭更疼了,他放下弓,有氣無力地說:「伊澤尼巡獵沒走祖路,我們的事可能走漏,把他永遠留在這裡是最保險的。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAmkTDEsHMWa
585Please respect copyright.PENANAyXmMuunRf6
「他是我同鄉。我們很投緣。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAvvE6unvtxK
585Please respect copyright.PENANAB5mXUQNJwa
「你太相信他了,他能逃掉野人的追捕,怎麼會是個碰水就化的細鹽,這人絕非易與之輩。」585Please respect copyright.PENANAKIMoedaUBC
585Please respect copyright.PENANASX6apwV1p0
「艾哈德,還在坎韃喀這地界兒活着的人,哪一個是真正的易與之輩呢?」