rh.royalassassin-第7章

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　　　　　　　I　refused　them　both。　I　took　the　chair　by　the　hearth　and　stared　into　the　flames；　pondering。
　　　　　　　When　Burrich　came　at　first　light　to　bid　me　farewell；　I　was　ready　to　ride　with　him。
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　CHAPTER　TWO
　　　　　　　The　Homeing
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　BUCKKEEP　HOLD　OVERLOOKS　the　finest　deep…water　harbor　in　the　Six　Duchies。　To　the　north；　the　Buck　River　spills　into　the　sea；　and　with　its　waters　carries　most　of　the　goods　exported　from　the　interior　Duchies　of　Tilth　and　Farrow'　Steep　black　cliffs　provide　the　seat　for　the　castle；　which　overlooks　the　river　mouth；　the　harbor；　and　the　waters　beyond。　The　town　of　Buckkeep　clings　precariously　to　those　cliffs；　well　away　from　the　great　river's　floodplain；　with　a　good　portion　of　it　built　on　docks　and　quays。　The　original　stronghold　was　a　log　structure　built　by　the　original　inhabitants　of　the　area　as　a　defense　against　Outislander　raids。　It　was　seized　in　ancient　time；　by　a　raider　named　Taker；　who　with　the　seizing　of　the　fort　became　a　resident。　He　replaced　the　timber　structure　with　walls　and　towers　of　black　stone　quarried　from　the　cliffs　themselves；　and　in　the　process　sank　the　foundations　of　Buckkeep　deep　into　the　stone。　With　each　succeeding　generation　of　the　Farseer　line；　the　walls　were　forted　and　the　towers　built　taller　and　stouter。　Since　Taker；　the　founder　of　the　Farseer　line；　Buckkeep　has　never　fallen　to　enemy　hands。
　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　Snow　kissed　my　face；　wind　pushed　the　hair　back　from　my　forehead。　I　stirred　from　a　dark　dream　to　a　darker　one；　to　a　winterscape　in　forestland。　I　was　cold；　save　where　the　rising　heat　of　my　toiling　horse　warmed　me。　Beneath　me；　Sooty　was　plodding　stolidly　along　through　wind…banked　snow。　I　thought　I　had　been　riding　long。　Hands　the　stable　boy　was　riding　before　me。　He　turned　in　his　saddle　and　shouted　something　back　to　me。
　　　　　　　Sooty　stopped；　not　abruptly；　but　I　was　not　expecting　it；　and　I　nearly　slid　from　the　saddle。　I　caught　at　her　mane　and　steadied　myself。　Steadily　falling　flakes　veiled　the　forest　around　us。　The　spruce　trees　were　heavy　with　accumulated　snow；　while　the　interspersed　birches　were　bare　black　silhouettes　in　the　clouded　winter　moonlight。　There　was　no　sign　of　a　trail。　The　woods　were　thick　around　us。　Hands　had　reined　in　his　black　gelding　in　front　of　us；　and　that　was　why　Sooty　halted。　Behind　me　Burrich　sat　his　roan　mare　with　the　practiced　ease　of　the　lifelong　horseman。
　　　　　　　I　was　cold；　and　shaky　with　weakness。　I　looked　around　dully；　wondering　why　we　had　stopped。　The　wind　gusted　sharply；　snapping　my　damp　cloak　against　Sooty's　flank。　Hands　pointed　suddenly。　〃There！〃　He　looked　back　at　me。　〃Surely　you　saw　that？〃
　　　　　　　I　leaned　forward　to　peer　through　snow　that　fell　like　fluttering　lace　curtains。　〃I　think　so；〃　I　said；　the　wind　and　falling　snow　swallowing　my　words。　For　an　instant　I　had　glimpsed　tiny　lights。　They　had　been　yellow　and　stationary；　unlike　the　pale　blue　will　o'　the　wisps　that　still　occasionally　plagued　my　vision。
　　　　　　　〃Do　you　think　it's　Buckkeep？〃　Hands　shouted　through　the　rising　wind。
　　　　　　　〃It　is；〃　Burrich　asserted　quietly；　his　deep　voice　carrying　effortlessly。　〃I　know　where　we　are　now。　This　is　where　Prince　Verity　killed　that　big　doe　about　six　years　ago。　I　remember　because　she　leaped　when　the　arrow　went　in；　and　tumbled　down　that　gully。　It　took　us　the　rest　of　the　day　to　get　down　there　and　pack　the　meat　out。〃
　　　　　　　The　gully　he　gestured　to　was　no　more　than　a　line　of　brush　glimpsed　through　the　falling　snow。　But　suddenly　it　all　snapped　into　place　for　me。　The　lay　of　this　hillside；　the　types　of　trees；　the　gully　there；　and　so　Buckkeep　was　that　way；　just　a　brief　ride　before　we　could　clearly　see　the　fortress　on　the　sea　cliffs　overlooking　the　bay　and　Buckkeep　Town　below。　For　the　first　time　in　days；　I　knew　with　absolute　certainty　where　we　were。　The　heavy　overcast　had　kept　us　from　checking　our　course　by　the　stars；　and　the　unusually　deep　snowfall　had　altered　the　lay　of　the　land　until　even　Burrich　had　seemed　unsure。　But　now　I　knew　that　home　was　but　a　brief　ride　away。　In　summer。　But　I　picked　up　what　was　left　of　my　determination。
　　　　　　　〃Not　much　farther；〃　I　told　Burrich。
　　　　　　　Hands　had　already　started　his　horse。　The　stocky　little　gelding　surged　ahead　bravely；　breaking　trail　through　the　banked　snow。　I　nudged　Sooty　and　the　tall　mare　reluctantly　stepped　out。　As　she　leaned　into　the　hill　I　slid　to　one　side。　As　I　scrabbled　futilely　at　my　saddle　Burrich　nudged　his　horse　abreast　of　mine。　He　reached　out；　seized　me　by　the　back　of　my　collar；　and　dragged　me　upright　again。　〃It's　not　much　farther；〃　he　agreed。　〃You'll　make　it。〃
　　　　　　　I　managed　a　nod。　It　was　only　the　second　time　he'd　had　to　steady　me　in　the　last　hour　or　so。　One　of　my　better　evenings；　I　told　myself　bitterly。　I　pulled　myself　up　straighter　in　the　saddle；　resolutely　squared　my　shoulders。　Nearly　home。
　　　　　　　The　journey　had　been　long　and　arduous。　The　weather　had　been　foul；　and　the　constant　hardships　had　not　improved　my　health。　Much　of　it　I　remembered　like　a　dark　dream；　days　of　jolting　along　in　the　saddle；　barely　cognizant　of　our　path；　nights　when　I　lay　between　Hands　and　Burrich　in　our　small　tent　and　trembled　with　a　weariness　so　great　I　could　not　even　sleep。　As　we　had　drawn　closer　to　Buck　Duchy　I　had　thought　our　travel　would　bee　easier。　I　had　not　reckoned　on　Burrich's　caution。
　　　　　　　At　Turlake；　we　had　stopped　a　night　at　an　inn。　I　had　thought　that　we'd　take　passage　on　a　river　barge　the　next　day；　for　though　ice　might　line　the　banks　of　the　Buck　River；　its　strong　current　kept　a　channel　clear　year…round。　I　went　straight　to　our　room；　for　I　had　not　much　stamina。　Burrich　and　Hands　were　both　anticipating　hot　food　and　panionship；　to　say　nothing　of　ale。　I　had　not　expected　them　to　e　soon　to　the　room。　But　scarcely　two　hours　had　passed　before　they　both　came　up　to　ready　themselves　for　bed。
　　　　　　　Burrich　was　grim　and　silent；　but　after　he　had　gone　to　bed；　Hands　whispered　to　me　from　his　bed　how　poorly　the　King　was　spoken　of　in　this　town。　〃Had　they　known　we　were　from　Buckkeep；　I　doubt　they　would　have　spoken　so　freely。　But　clad　as　we　are　in　Mountain　garments；　they　thought　us　traders　or　merchants。　A　dozen　times　I　thought　Burrich　would　challenge　one　of　them。　In　truth；　I　do　not　know　how　he　contained　himself。　All　plain　about　the　taxes　for　defending　the　coast。　They　sneer；　saying　that　for　all　the　taxes　they　bleed；　the　Raiders　still　came　unlooked　for　in　autumn；　when　the　weather　lasted　fine；　and　burned　two　more　towns。〃　Hands　had　paused；　and　uncertainly　added；　〃But　they　speak　unmonly　well　of　Prince　Regal。　He　passed　through　here　escorting　Kettricken　back　to　Buckkeep。　One　man　at　the　table　called　her　a　great　white　fish　of　a　wife；　fit　for　the　coast　King。　And　another　spoke　up；　saying　that　at　least　Prince　Regal　bore　himself　well　despite　his　hardships；　and　looked　ever　as　a　Prince　should。　Then　they　drank　to　the　Prince's　health　and　long　life。〃
　　　　　　　A　cold　settled　in　me。　I　whispered　back；　〃The　two　Forged　villages。　Did　you　hear　what　ones　they　were？〃
　　　　　　　〃Whalejaw　up　in　Bearns。　And　Siltbay　in　Buck　itself。〃
　　　　　　　The　darkness　settled　darker　around　me；　and　I　lay　watching　it　all　night。
　　　　　　　The　next　morning　we　left　Turlake。　On　horseback。　Overland。　Burrich　would　not　even　let　us　keep　to　the　road。　I　had　protested　in　vain。　He　listened　to　me　plain；　then　took　me　aside；　to　fiercely　demand；　〃Do　you　want　to　die？〃
　　　　　　　I　looked　at　him　blankly。　He　snorted　in　disgust。　。
　　　　　　　〃Fitz；　nothing　has　changed。　You're　still　a　royal　bastard；　and　Prince　Regal　still　regards　you　as　an　obstacle。　He's　tried　to　be　rid　of　you；　not　once；　but　twice。　Do　you　think　he's　going　to　wele　you　back　to　Buckkeep？　No。　Even　better　for　him　if　we　never　make　it　back　at　all。　So　let's　not　make　easy　targets　of　ourselves。　We　go　overland。　If　he　or　his　hirelings　want　us；　they'll　have　to　hunt　us　through　the　woods。　And　he's　never　been　much　of　a　hunter。〃
　　　　　　　〃Wouldn't　Verity　protect　us？〃　I　asked　weakly。
　　　　　　　〃You're　a　King's　Man；　and　Verity　is　king…in…waiting；〃　Burrich　had　pointed　out　shortly。　〃You　protect　your　king；　Fitz。　Not　the　reverse。　Not　that　he　doesn't　think　well　of　you；　and　would　do　all　he　could　to　protect　you。　But　he　has　weightier　matters　to　attend。　Red…Ships。　A　new　bride。　And　a　younger　brother　who　thinks　the　crown　would　sit　better　on　his　own　head。
　　　　　　　No。　Don't　expect　the　King…in…Waiting　to　watch　over　you。　Do　that　for　yourself。〃
　　　　　　　All　I　could　think　of　was　the　extra　days　he　was　putting　between　me　and　my　search　for　Molly。　But　I　did　not　give　that　reason。　I　had　not　told　him　of　my　dream。　Instead；　I　said；　〃Regal　would　have　to　be　crazy　to　try　to　kill　us　again。　Everyone　would　know　he　was　the　murderer。〃
　　　　　　　〃Not　crazy；　Fitz。　Just　ruthless。　Regal　is　that。　Let's　not　ever　suppose　that　Regal　abides　by　the　rules　we　observe；　or　even　thinks　as　we　do。　If　Regal　sees　an　opportunity　to　kill　us；　he'll　take　it。　He　won't　care　who　suspects　so　long　as　no　one　can　prove　it。　Verity　is　our　king…in…waiting。　Not　our　king。　Not　yet。　While　King　Shrewd　is　alive　and　on　the　throne；　Regal　will　find　ways　around　his　father。　He　will　get　away　with　many　things。　Even　murder。　〃
　　　　　　　Burrich　had　reined　his　horse　aside　from　the　well…traveled　road；　plunged　off　through　drifts　and　up　the　unmarked　snowy　hillside　beyond；　to　strike　a　straight　course　for　Buckkeep。　Hands　had　looked　at　me　as　if　he　felt　ill。　But　we　had　followed。　And　every　night　when　we　had　slept；　bundled　all　together　in　a　single　tent　for　warmth　instead　of　in　beds　in　a　cozy　inn；　I　had　thought　of　Regal。　Every　floundering　step　up　each　hillside；　leading　our　horses　more　often　than　not；　and　every　cautious　descent；　I　had　thought　of　the　youngest　Prince。　I　tallied　every　extra　hour　between　Molly　and　me。　The　only　times　I　felt　strength　surge　through　me　were　during　my　daydreams　of　battering　Regal　into　ruin。　I　could　not　promise　myself　revenge。　Revenge　was　the　property　of　the　crown。　But　if　I　could　not　have　revenge；　Regal　would　not　have　satisfaction。　I　would　return　to　Buckkeep；　and　I　would　stand　tall　before　him；　and　when　his　black　eye　fell　upon　me；　I　would　not　flinch。　Nor；　I　vowed；　would　Regal　ever　see　me　tremble；　or　catch　at　a　wall　for　support；　or　pass　a　hand　before　my　blurry　eyes。　He　would　never　know　how　close　he　had　e　to　winning　it　all。
　　　　　　　So　at　last　we　rode　to　Buckkeep；　not　up　the　winding　seacoast　road；　but　from　the　forested　hills　behind　her。　The　snow。　dwindled；　then　ceased。　The　night　winds　blew　the　clouds　aside；　and　a　fine　moon　made　Buckkeep's　stone　walls　shine　black　as　jet　against　the　sea。　Light　shone　yellow　in　her　turrets　and　beside　the　side　gate。　〃We're　home；〃　Burrich　said　quietly。　We　rode　down　one　last　hill；　struck　the　road　at　last；　and　rode　around　to　the　great　gate　of　Buckkeep。
　　　　　　　A　young　soldier　stood　night　guard。　He　lowered　his　pike　to　block　our　way　and　demanded　our　names。
　　　　　　　Burrich　pushed　his　hood　back　from　his　face；　but　the　lad　didn't　move。　〃I'm　Burrich；　the　stablemaster！〃　Burrich　informed　him　incredulously。　〃The　stablemaster　here　for　longer　than　you've　been　alive；　most　likely。　I　feel　I　should　be　asking　you　what　your　business　is　here　at　my　gate！〃
　　　　　　　Before　the　flustered　lad　could　reply；　there　was　a　tumble　and　rush　of　soldiers　from　the　guardhouse。　〃It　is　Burrich！〃　the　watch　sergeant　exclaimed。　Burrich　was　instantly　the　center　of　a　cluster　of　men；　all　shouting　greetings　and　talking　at　once　while　Hands　and　I　sat　our　weary　horses　at　th