rh.royalassassin-第51章

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If　you've　finished　with　FitzChivalry；　you　may　go。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　haven't　even　looked　at…〃
　　　　　　　〃He's　fine。〃　Burrich　had　run　a　length　of　bandaging　across　my　chest　and　under　my　opposite　arm　and　up　again　in　an　effort　to　keep　a　dressing　in　place　on　my　neck。　It　was　useless。　The　bite　was　right　atop　the　muscle　between　the　tip　of　my　shoulder　and　my　neck。　I　tried　to　find　something　amusing　in　the　irritated　look　the　healer　gave　Burrich　before　he　left。　Burrich　didn't　even　notice　it。
　　　　　　　Verity　dragged　up　a　chair　to　face　me。　I　began　to　lift　the　mug　to　my　lips；　but　Burrich　casually　reached　over　and　took　it　from　my　hand。　〃After　you've　talked。　There's　enough　valerian　in　here　to　drop　you　in　your　tracks。〃　He　took　it　and　himself　out　of　the　way。　Over　by　the　hearth；　I　watched　him　dump　out　half　of　the　tea　and　dilute　what　was　left　with　more　hot　water。　That　done；　he　crossed　his　arms　on　his　chest　and　leaned　against　the　mantelpiece；　watching　us。
　　　　　　　I　shifted　my　gaze　to　Verity's　eyes；　and　waited　for　him　to　speak。
　　　　　　　He　sighed。　〃I　saw　the　child　with　you。　Saw　them　fighting　over　her。　Then　you　were　suddenly　gone。　We　lost　our　joining；　and　I　couldn't　find　you　again；　not　even　with　all　my　strength。　I　knew　you　were　in　trouble　and　set　out　to　reach　you　as　soon　as　I　could。　I'm　sorry　I　wasn't　faster。〃
　　　　　　　I　longed　to　open　myself　up　and　tell　Verity　everything。　But　it　might　be　too　revealing。　To　possess　a　Prince's　secrets　does　not　give　one　the　right　to　divulge　them。　I　glanced　at　Burrich。　He　was　studying　the　wall。　I　spoke　formally。　〃Thank　you；　my　prince。　You　could　not　have　e　faster。　And　even　if　you　had；　it　would　have　been　too　late。　She　died　at　almost　the　same　instant　I　saw　her。〃
　　　　　　　Verity　looked　down　at　his　hands。　〃I　knew　that。　Knew　it　better　than　you　did。　My　concern　was　for　you。〃　He　looked　up　at　me　and　tried　for　a　smile。　〃The　most　distinctive　part　of　your　fighting　style　is　the　incredible　way　you　have　of　surviving　it。〃
　　　　　　　From　the　corner　of　my　eye；　I　saw　Burrich　shift；　open　his　mouth　to　speak；　then　close　it　again。　Cold　dread　uncoiled　in　me。　He　had　seen　the　bodies　of　the　Forged　ones；　seen　the　tracks。　He　knew　I　hadn't　fought　alone　against　them。　It　was　the　only　thing　that　could　have　made　the　day　worse。　I　felt　as　if　my　heart　were　suddenly　caught　in　a　cold　stillness。　That　Burrich　had　not　spoken　of　it　yet；　that　he　was　reserving　his　accusations　for　a　private　time　only　made　it　worse。
　　　　　　　〃FitzChivalry？〃　Verity　called　my　attention　back　to　him。
　　　　　　　I　started。　〃I　beg　your　pardon；　my　prince。〃
　　　　　　　He　laughed；　almost；　a　brief　snort。　〃Enough　of　‘my　prince。'　Rest　assured　that　I　do　not　expect　it　of　you　just　now；　and　neither　does　Burrich。　He　and　I　know　each　other　well　enough；　he　did　not　‘my　prince'　my　brother　at　moments　like　this。　Recall　that　he　was　king's　man　to　my　brother。　Chivalry　drew　on　his　strength；　and　oftentimes　not　gently。　I　am　sure　Burrich　knows　that　I　have　used　you　likewise。　And　knows　also　that　I　rode　with　your　eyes　today；　at　least　as　far　as　the　top　of　that　ridge。　〃
　　　　　　　I　looked　to　Burrich；　who　nodded　slowly。　Neither　of　us　was　certain　why　he　was　being　included　here。
　　　　　　　〃I　lost　touch　with　you　when　you　went　into　a　battle　frenzy。　If　I　am　to　use　you　as　I　wish；　that　cannot　happen。〃　Verity　drummed　his　fingers　lightly　on　his　thighs　for　a　moment；　in　thought。　〃The　only　way　I　can　see　for　you　to　learn　this　thing　is　to　practice　it。　Burrich。　Chivalry　once　told　me　that　in　a　tight　spot；　you　were　better　with　an　ax　than　a　sword。〃
　　　　　　　Burrich　looked　startled。　Plainly　he　had　not　expected　Verity　to　know　this　about　him。　He　nodded　again；　slowly。　〃He　used　to　mock　me　about　it。　Said　it　was　a　brawler's　tool；　not　a　gentleman's　weapon。〃
　　　　　　　Verity　permitted　himself　a　tight　smile。　〃Appropriate　for　Fitz's　style；　then。　You　will　teach　him　to　use　one。　I　don't　believe　it's　something　Hod　teaches　as　a　general　rule。　Though　no　doubt　she　could　if　I　asked　her。　But　I'd　rather　it　was　you。　Because　I　want　Fitz　to　practice　keeping　me　with　him　while　he　learns　it。　If　we　can　tie　the　two　lessons　together；　perhaps　he　can　master　them　both　at　once。　And　if　you　are　teaching　him；　then　he'll　not　be　too　distracted　about　keeping　my　presence　a　secret。　Can　you　do　it？〃
　　　　　　　Burrich　could　not　pletely　disguise　the　dismay　that　crept　over　him。　〃I　can；　my　prince。〃
　　　　　　　〃Then　do　so；　please。　Beginning　tomorrow。　Earlier　is　better　for　me。　I　know　you　have　other　duties　as　well；　and　few　enough　hours　to　yourself。　Don't　hesitate　to　pass　some　of　your　duties　on　to　Hands　while　you　are　busy　with　this。　He　seems　a　very　capable　man。〃
　　　　　　　〃He　is；〃　Burrich　agreed。　Guardedly。　Another　tidbit　of　information　that　Verity　had　at　his　fingertips。
　　　　　　　〃Fine；　then。〃　Verity　leaned　back　in　his　chair。　He　surveyed　us　both　as　if　he　were　briefing　a　whole　roomful　of　men。　〃Does　anyone　have　any　difficulties　with　any　of　this？〃
　　　　　　　I　saw　the　question　as　a　polite　closing。
　　　　　　　〃Sir？〃　Burrich　asked。　His　deep　voice　had　gone　very　soft　and　uncertain；　〃If　I　may　。。。　I　have　。。。　I　do　not　intend　to　question　my　prince's　judgment；　but　。。。〃
　　　　　　　I　held　my　breath。　Here　it　came。　The　Wit。
　　　　　　　〃Speak　it　out；　Burrich。　I　thought　I　had　made　it　clear　that　the　‘my　princing'　was　to　be　suspended　here。　What　worries　you？〃
　　　　　　　Burrich　stood　up　straight；　and　met　the　King…in…Waiting's　eyes。　〃Is　this　。。。　fitting？　Bastard　or　no；　he　is　Chivalry's　son。　What　I　saw　up　there；　today　。。。〃　Once　started；　the　words　spilled　out　of　Burrich。　He　was　fighting　to　keep　anger　from　his　voice。　〃You　sent　him　。。。　He　went　into　a　slaughterhouse　situation；　alone。　Most　any　other　boy　of　his　age　would　be　dead　now。　I　。。。　try　not　to　pry　into　what　is　not　my　area。　I　know　there　are　many　ways　to　serve　my　king；　and　that　some　are　not　as　pretty　as　others。　But　up　in　the　Mountains　。。。　and　then　what　I　saw　today。　Could　not　you　find　someone　besides　your　brother's　child　for　this？〃
　　　　　　　I　glanced　back　to　Verity。　For　the　first　time　in　my　life　I　saw　full　anger　on　his　face。　Not　expressed　in　a　sneer　or　a　frown；　but　simply　as　two　hot　sparks　deep　in　his　dark　eyes。　The　line　of　his　lips　was　flat。　But　he　spoke　evenly。　〃Look　again；　Burrich。　That's　no　child　sitting　there。　And　think　again。　I　did　not　send　him　alone。　I　went　with　him；　into　a　situation　that　we　expected　to　be　a　stalk　and　a　hunt；　not　a　direct　confrontation。　It　didn't　turn　out　that　way。　But　he　survived　it。　As　he　has　survived　similar　things　before。　And　likely　will　again。〃　Verity　stood　suddenly。　The　whole　air　of　the　room　was　abruptly　charged　to　my　senses；　boiling　with　emotion。　Even　Burrich　seemed　to　feel　it；　for　he　gave　me　a　glance；　then　forced　himself　to　stand　still；　like　a　soldier　at　attention　while　Verity　stalked　about　the　room。
　　　　　　　〃No。　This　isn't　what　I　would　choose　for　him。　This　isn't　what　I　would　choose　for　myself。　Would　that　he　had　been　born　in　better　times！　Would　that　he　had　been　born　in　a　marriage　bed；　and　my　brother　still　upon　the　throne！　But　I　was　not　given　that　situation；　nor　was　he。　Nor　you！　And　so　he　serves；　as　I　do。　Damn　me；　but　Kettricken　has　had　it　right　all　along。　The　King　is　the　sacrifice　of　the　people。　And　so　is　his　nephew。　That　was　carnage　up　there　today。　I　know　of　what　you　speak；　I　saw　Blade　go　aside　to　puke　after　he　saw　that　body；　I　saw　him　walk　well　clear　of　Fitz。　I　know　not　how　the　boy　。。。　this　man　survived　it。　By　doing　whatever　he　had　to；　I　suppose。　So　what　can　I　do；　man？　What　can　I　do？　I　need　him。　I　need　him　for　this　ugly；　secret　battling；　for　he　is　the　only　one　equipped　and　trained　to　do　it。　Just　as　my　father　sets　me　in　that　tower；　and　bids　me　burn　my　mind　out　with　sneaking；　filthy　killing。　Whatever　Fitz　must　do；　whatever　skills　he　must　call　upon…〃
　　　　　　　（My　heart　stood　still；　my　breath　was　ice　in　my　lungs。）
　　　　　　　〃then　let　him　use。　Because　that　is　what　we　are　about　now。　Survival。　Because…〃
　　　　　　　〃They　are　my　people。〃　I　did　not　realize　I　had　spoken　until　they　both　swung　to　stare　at　me。　Sudden　silence　in　the　room。　I　took　a　breath。　〃A　long　time　ago　an　old　man　told　me　that　I　would　someday　understand　something。　He　said　that　the　Six　Duchies　people　were　my　people；　that　it　was　in　my　blood　to　care　about　them；　to　feel　their　hurts　as　my　own。〃　I　blinked　my　eyes；　to　clear　Chade　and　that　day　at　Forge　from　my　vision。　〃He　was　right；〃　I　managed　to　say　after　a　moment。　〃They　killed　my　child　today；　Burrich。　And　my　smith；　and　two　other　men。　Not　the　Forged　ones。　The　Red…Ship　Raiders。　And　I　must　have　their　blood　in　return；　I　must　drive　them　from　my　coast。　It　is　as　simple　now　as　eating　or　breathing。　It　is　a　thing　I　must　do。〃
　　　　　　　Their　eyes　met　over　my　head。　〃Blood　will　tell；〃　Verity　observed　quietly。　But　there　was　a　fierceness　in　his　voice；　and　a　pride　that　stilled　the　daylong　trembling　of　my　body。　A　deep　calm　rose　in　me。　I　had　done　the　right　thing　today。　I　suddenly　knew　it　as　a　physical　fact。　Ugly；　demeaning　work；　but　it　was　mine；　and　I　had　done　it　well。　For　my　people。　I　turned　to　Burrich；　and　he　was　looking　at　me　with　that　considering　gaze　usually　reserved　for　when　the　runt　of　a　litter　showed　unusual　promise。
　　　　　　　〃I'll　teach　him；〃　he　promised　Verity。　〃What　few　tricks　I　know　with　an　ax。　And　a　few　other　things。　Shall　we　begin　tomorrow；　before　first　light？〃
　　　　　　　〃Fine；〃　Verity　agreed　before　I　could　object。　〃Now　let　us　eat。〃
　　　　　　　I　was　suddenly　famished。　I　rose　to　go　to　the　table；　but　Burrich　was　suddenly　beside　me。　〃Wash　your　face　and　hands；　Fitz；〃　he　reminded　me　gently。
　　　　　　　The　scented　water　in　Verity's　basin　was　dark　with　the　smith's　blood　when　I　was　through。
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　CHAPTER　FOURTEEN
　　　　　　　Winterfest
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　WINTERFEST　IS　AS　much　a　celebration　of　the　darkest　part　of　the　year　as　a　festival　of　the　returning　light。　For　the　first　three　days　of　Winterfest；　we　pay　homage　to　the　darkness。　The　tales　told　and　puppet　shows　presented　are　those　that　tell　of　resting　times　and　happy　endings。　The　foods　are　salt　fish　and　smoked　flesh；　harvested　roots　and　fruit　from　last　summer。　Then；　on　the　midday　of　the　festival；　there　is　a　hunt。　New　blood　is　shed　to　celebrate　the　breaking　point　of　the　year；　and　new　meat　is　brought　fresh　to　the　table；　to　be　eaten　with　grain　harvested　from　the　year　before。　The　next　three　days　are　days　that　look　toward　the　ing　summer。　The　looms　are　threaded　with　gayer　thread；　and　the　weavers　take　over　an　end　of　the　Great　Hall　to　vie　among　themselves　for　the　brightest　patterns　and　lightest　weave。　The　tales　told　are　ones　that　tell　of　beginnings　of　things；　and　of　how　things　came　to　be。
　　　　　　　I　tried　to　see　the　King　that　afternoon。　Despite　all　that　had　transpired；　I　had　not　forgotten　my　promise　to　myself。　Wallace　turned　me　away；　saying　that　King　Shrewd　felt　poorly　and　was　seeing　no　one。　I　longed　to　hammer　on　the　door　and　shout　for　the　Fool　to　make　Wallace　admit　me。　But　I　did　not。　I　was　not　so　sure　of　the　Fool's　friendship　as　I　had　once　been。　We'd　had　no　contact　since　that　last　mocking　song　of　his。　Thinking　of　him　put　me　in　mind　of　his　words；　and　when　I　went　back　to　my　room；　I　once　more　rooted　through　Verity's　manuscripts。
　　　　　　　Reading　made　me　sleepy。　Even　the　diluted　valerian　had　been　a　strong　dose。　Lethargy　took　over　my　limbs。　I　pushed　the　scrolls　aside；　no　wiser　than　when　I　had　begun。　I　pondered　other　avenues。　Perhaps　a　public　trumpeting　at　Winterfest　that　those　trained　in　the　Skill；　no　matter　how　old　or　how　weak；　were　being　sought？　Would　that　make　targets　of　any　who　responded？　I