rh.theassassinsapprentice-第66章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　into　the　city。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　many　of　us　were　not；　and　would　truly　have　enjoyed　the　chance　to　walk　leisurely　through　Jhaampe。　I　have　been　told　of　the　Blue　Fountains；　and　look　forward　to　seeing　them。〃　I　only　faltered　slightly　as　I　said　this；　and　hoped　it　had　some　bearing　on　what　she　had　been　saying　to　me。　At　least　it　had　nothing　to　do　with　poison。
　　　　　　　〃I　will　be　sure　you　are　guided　to　them；　perhaps　this　evening。　But　for　now；　e　this　way。〃　And　with　no　more　ado　or　formality　than　that；　she　led　me　away　from　the　gathering。　August　watched　after　us　as　we　walked　away；　and　I　saw　Regal　turn　and　say　something　in　an　aside　to　Rowd。　King　Eyod　had　withdrawn　from　the　crowd　and　was　looking　benignly　down　on　all　from　an　elevated　platform。　I　wondered　why　Rowd　had　not　remained　with　the　horses　and　other　servants；　but　then　Kettricken　was　drawing　a　painted　screen　aside　from　a　door　opening　and　we　were　leaving　the　main　room　of　the　palace。
　　　　　　　We　were　outside；　in　fact；　walking　on　a　stone　pathway　under　an　archway　of　trees。　They　were　willows；　and　their　living　branches　had　been　interlaced　and　woven　overhead；　to　form　a　green　screen　from　the　noon　sun。　〃And　they　shed　rain　from　the　path；　too。　At　least；　most　of　it；〃　Kettricken　added　as　she　noted　my　interest。　〃This　path　leads　to　the　shade　gardens。　They　are　my　favorites。　But　perhaps　you　would　wish　to　see　the　herbary　first？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　shall　enjoy　seeing　any　and　all　of　the　gardens；　my　lady；〃　I　replied；　and　this　at　least　was　true。　Out　here；　away　from　the　crowd；　I　would　have　more　chance　to　sort　my　thoughts　and　ponder　what　to　do　in　my　untenable　position。　It　was　occurring　to　me；　belatedly；　that　Prince　Rurisk　had　shown　none　of　the　signs　of　injury　or　illness　that　Regal　had　reported。　I　needed　to　withdraw　from　the　situation　and　reevaluate　it。　There　was　more；　much　more；　going　on　than　I　had　been　prepared　for。
　　　　　　　But　with　an　effort　I　pulled　my　thoughts　away　from　my　own　dilemma　and　focused　on　what　the　Princess　was　telling　me。　She　spoke　her　words　clearly；　and　I　found　her　conversation　much　easier　to　follow　away　from　the　background　chatter　of　the　Great　Hall。　She　seemed　to　know　much　about　the　gardens　and　gave　me　to　understand　that　it　was　not　a　hobby　but　knowledge　that　was　expected　of　her　as　a　princess。
　　　　　　　As　we　walked　and　talked　I　constantly　had　to　remind　myself　that　she　was　a　princess；　and　betrothed　to　Verity。　I　had　never　encountered　a　woman　like　her　before。　She　wore　a　quiet　dignity；　quite　unlike　the　awareness　of　station　that　I　usually　encountered　in　those　better　born　than　I。　But　she　did　not　hesitate　to　smile；　or　bee　enthused；　or　stoop　to　dig　in　the　soil　around　a　plant　to　show　me　a　particular　type　of　root　she　was　describing。　She　rubbed　the　root　free　of　dirt；　then　sliced　a　bit　with　her　belt　knife　from　the　heart　of　the　tuber　to　allow　me　to　taste　its　tang。　She　showed　me　certain　pungent　herbs　for　seasoning　meat　and　insisted　I　taste　a　leaf　of　each　of　three　varieties；　for　though　the　plants　were　very　similar；　the　flavors　were　very　different。　In　a　way；　she　was　like　Patience；　without　her　eccentricity。　In　another　way；　she　was　like　Molly；　but　without　the　callousness　that　Molly　had　been　forced　to　develop　to　survive。　Like　Molly；　she　spoke　directly　and　frankly　to　me；　as　if　we　were　equals。　I　found　myself　thinking　that　Verity　might　find　this　woman　more　to　his　liking　than　he　expected。
　　　　　　　And　yet；　another　part　of　me　worried　what　Verity　would　think　of　his　bride。　He　was　not　a　womanizer；　but　his　taste　in　women　was　obvious　to　anyone　who　had　been　much　around　him。　And　those　that　he　smiled　upon　were　usually　small　and　round　and　dark；　often　with　curly　hair　and　girlish　laughter　and　tiny　soft　hands。　What　would　he　think　of　this　tall　pale　woman；　who　dressed　as　simply　as　a　servant　and　declared　she　took　much　pleasure　in　tending　her　own　gardens？　As　our　talk　turned；　I　found　she　could　speak　as　familiarly　about　falconry　and　horse　breeding　as　any　stableman。　And　when　I　asked　her　what　she　did　for　pleasure；　she　told　me　of　her　small　forge　and　tools　for　working　metal；　and　lifted　her　hair　to　show　me　the　earrings　she　had　made　for　herself。　The　finely　hammered　silver　petals　of　a　flower　clasped　a　tiny　gem　like　a　drop　of　dew。　I　had　once　told　Molly　that　Verity　deserved　a　petent　and　active　wife；　but　now　I　wondered　if　she　would　much　beguile　him。　He　would　respect　her；　I　knew。　But　was　respect　enough　between　a　king　and　his　queen？
　　　　　　　I　resolved　not　to　borrow　trouble；　but　to　keep　my　word　to　Verity　instead。　I　asked　her　if　Regal　had　told　her　much　of　her　husband；　and　she　became　suddenly　quiet。　I　sensed　her　drawing　on　her　strength　as　she　replied　that　she　knew　he　was　a　king…in…waiting　with　many　problems　facing　his　realm。　Regal　had　warned　her　that　Verity　was　much　older　than　she　was；　a　plain　and　simple　man；　who　might　not　take　much　interest　in　her。　Regal　had　promised　to　be　ever　by　her；　helping　her　to　adapt；　and　doing　his　best　to　see　that　the　court　was　not　a　lonely　place　for　her。　So　she　was　prepared　。。。。
　　　　　　　〃How　old　are　you？〃　I　asked　impulsively。
　　　　　　　〃Eighteen；〃　she　replied；　and　then　smiled　to　see　the　surprise　on　my　face。　〃Because　I　am　tall；　your　people　seem　to　think　I　am　much　older　than　that；〃　she　confided　in　me。
　　　　　　　〃Well；　you　are　younger　than　Verity；　then。　But　not　so　much　more　than　between　many　wives　and　husbands。　He　will　be　thirty…three　this　spring。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　had　thought　him　much　older　than　that；〃　she　said　wonderingly。　〃Regal　explained　they　share　but　a　father。〃
　　　　　　　〃It　is　true　that　Chivalry　and　Verity　were　both　sons　of　King　Shrewd's　first　queen；　but　there　is　not　that　great　a　span　between　them。　And　Verity；　when　he　is　not　burdened　with　the　problems　of　state；　is　not　so　dour　and　severe　as　you　might　imagine　him。　He　is　a　man　who　knows　how　to　laugh。〃
　　　　　　　She　cast　me　a　sideways　glance；　as　if　to　see　if　I　was　trying　to　put　a　better　face　on　Verity　than　he　deserved。
　　　　　　　〃It　is　true；　Princess。　I　have　seen　him　laugh　like　a　child　at　the　puppet　shows　at　Springfest。　And　when　all　join　in　for　luck　at　the　fruit　press　to　make　fall　wine；　he　does　not　hold　back。　But　his　greatest　pleasure　has　always　been　the　hunt。　He　has　a　wolfhound；　Leon；　whom　he　holds　dearer　than　some　men　hold　their　sons。〃
　　　　　　　〃But；〃　Kettricken　ventured　to　interrupt；　〃surely　this　is　as　he　was；　once。　For　Regal　speaks　of　him　as　a　man　older　than　his　years；　bent　down　by　the　cares　of　his　people。〃
　　　　　　　〃Bent　down　as　a　tree　burdened　by　snow；　that　springs　erect　again　with　the　ing　of　spring。　His　last　words　to　me　before　I　left；　Princess；　were　to　desire　me　to　speak　well　of　him　to　you。〃
　　　　　　　She　cast　her　eyes　down　quickly；　as　if　to　hide　from　me　the　sudden　lift　of　her　heart。　〃I　see　a　different　man；　When　you　speak　of　him。〃　She　paused；　and　then　closed　her　mouth　firmly；　forbidding　herself　the　request　I　heard　anyway。
　　　　　　　〃I　have　always　seen　him　as　a　kind　man。　As　kind　as　one　lifted　to　such　a　responsibility　can　be。　He　takes　his　duties　very　seriously；　and　will　not　spare　himself　from　what　his　folk　need　of　him。　This　it　is　that　has　made　him　unable　to　e　here；　to　you。　He　engages　in　a　battle　with　the　Red…Ship　Raiders；　one　he　couldn't　fight　from　here。　He　gives　up　the　interests　of　a　man　to　fulfill　his　duty　as　a　prince。　Not　through　a　coldness　of　spirit；　or　a　lack　of　life　in　himself。〃
　　　　　　　She　gave　me　a　sideways　glance；　fighting　the　smile　from　her　face　as　if　what　I　told　her　were　sweetest　flattery　such　as　a　princess　must　not　believe。
　　　　　　　〃He　is　taller　than　I　am；　but　only　by　a　bit。　His　hair　is　very　dark；　as　is　his　beard；　when　he　lets　it　grow。　His　eyes　are　blacker　still；　yet　when　he　is　enthused；　they　shine。　It　is　true　there　is　a　scattering　of　gray　in　his　hair　now　that　you　would　not　have　found　a　year　ago。　True；　also；　that　his　work　has　kept　him　from　the　sun　and　the　wind；　so　his　shoulders　no　longer　tear　the　seams　of　his　shirts。　But　my　uncle　is　still　very　much　a　man；　and　I　believe　that　when　the　danger　of　the　Red…Ships　has　been　driven　from　our　shores；　he　will　ride　and　shout　and　hunt　with　his　hound　once　more。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　give　me　heart；〃　she　muttered；　and　then　straightened　herself　as　if　she　had　admitted　some　weakness。　Looking　at　me　gravely；　she　asked；　〃Why　does　Regal　not　speak　of　his　brother　so？　I　thought　I　went　to　an　old　man；　shaking　of　hand；　too　burdened　by　his　duties　to　see　a　wife　as　anything　other　than　another　duty。〃
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps　he　。。。〃　I　began；　and　could　think　of　no　courtier's　way　to　say　that　Regal　was　frequently　deceptive　if　it　gained　him　his　goal。　For　the　life　of　me；　I　had　no　idea　what　goal　might　be　served　by　making　Kettricken　so　dread　Verity。
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps　he　has　。。。　been　。。。　unflattering　about　other　things　as　well；〃　Kettricken　suddenly　supposed　aloud。　Something　seemed　to　alarm　her。　She　took　a　breath　and　became　suddenly　franker。　〃There　was　an　evening；　in　my　chamber；　when　we　had　dined；　and　Regal　had；　perhaps；　drunk　a　bit　too　well。　He　told　tales　of　you　then；　saying　you　had　once　been　a　sullen；　spoiled　child；　too　ambitious　for　your　birth；　but　that　since　the　King　had　made　you　his　poisoner；　you　seemed　content　with　your　lot。　He　said　it　seemed　to　suit　you；　for　even　as　a　boy；　you　had　enjoyed　eavesdropping　and　skulking　about　and　other　secretive　pursuits。　Now；　I　do　not　tell　you　this　to　make　a　mischief；　but　only　to　let　you　know　what　I　first　believed　of　you。　The　next　day　Regal　begged　me　to　believe　it　had　been　the　fancies　of　the　wine　rather　than　the　facts　he　had　shared　with　me。　But　one　thing　he　had　said　that　night　was　too　icy　a　fear　for　me　to　entirely　lay　aside。　He　said　that　if　the　King　did　send　you　or　Lady　Thyme；　it　would　be　to　poison　my　brother　so　that　I　might　be　the　sole　heir　to　the　Mountain　Kingdom。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　are　speaking　too　quickly；〃　I　chided　her　gently；　and　hoped　my　smile　did　not　look　as　dizzy　and　sickly　as　I　suddenly　felt。　〃I　did　not　understand　all　you　said。〃　Desperately　I　strove　to　think　of　what　to　say。　Even　as　acplished　a　liar　as　I　found　such　a　direct　confrontation　unfortable。
　　　　　　　〃I　am　sorry。　But　you　speak　our　language　so　well；　almost　like　a　native。　Almost　as　if　you　were　recalling　it；　rather　than　learning　it　new。　I　will　go　more　slowly。　Some　weeks；　no；　it　was　over　a　month　ago；　Regal　came　to　my　chambers。　He　had　asked　if　he　might　dine　alone　with　me；　that　we　might　get　to　know　one　another　better；　and…〃
　　　　　　　〃Kettricken！〃　It　was　Rurisk；　calling　down　the　path　as　he　came　seeking　us。　〃Regal　is　asking　that　you　would　e　and　meet　the　lords　and　ladies　who　have　e　so　far　to　see　your　marriage。
　　　　　　　Jonqui　was　at　his　shoulder；　hurrying　after　him；　and　as　the　second　and　unmistakable　wave　of　dizziness　hit　me；　I　thought　she　looked　too　knowing。　And；　I　asked　myself；　what　step　would　Chade　have　taken　if　someone　had　sent　a　poisoner　to　Shrewd's　court　to　eliminate　Verity？　All　too　obvious。
　　　　　　　〃Perhaps；〃　Jonqui　suddenly　suggested；　〃FitzChivalry　would　like　to　be　shown　the　Blue　Fountains　now。　Litress　has　said　she　would　gladly　take　him。〃
　　　　　　　〃Maybe　later　this　afternoon；〃　I　managed　to　say。　〃I　find　myself　suddenly　wearied。　I　think　I　shall　seek　my　chamber。〃
　　　　　　　None　of　them　looked　surprised。　〃Shall　I　have　some　wine　sent　to　you？〃　Jonqui　asked　graciously。　〃Or　perhaps　some　soup？　The　others　will　be　summoned　to　a　meal　soon。　But；　if　you　are　tired；　it　is　no　trouble　to　bring　food　to　you。〃
　　　　　　　Years　of　training　came　to　the　fore。　I　kept　my　posture　straight；　despite　the　sudden　fire　in　my　belly。　〃That　would　be　most　kind　of　you；〃　I　man