rj.thegreathunt-第25章

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　　　　　　　The　pause　made　his　hackles　rise。　She　was　lying；　somehow。　Aes　Sedai　never　lied；　but　they　did　not　always　tell　the　truth；　either。　He　was　not　certain　what　was　going　on　…　Liandrin　looking　for　him；　Leane　lying　to　him　…　but　he　thought　it　was　time　he　got　away　from　Aes　Sedai。　There　was　nothing　he　could　do　for　Mat。
　　　　　　　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said。　〃I'd　better　let　him　sleep；　then。　Excuse　me。〃
　　　　　　　He　tried　to　slide　around　her　to　the　door；　but　suddenly　her　hands　shot　out　and　grabbed　his　face；　tilting　it　down　so　she　could　peer　into　his　eyes。　Something　seemed　to　pass　through　him；　a　warm　ripple　that　started　at　the　top　of　his　head　and　went　to　his　feet；　then　came　back　again。　He　pulled　his　head　out　of　her　hands。
　　　　　　　〃You're　as　healthy　as　a　young　wild　animal；〃　she　said；　pursing　her　lips。　〃But　if　you　were　born　with　those　eyes；　I　am　a　Whitecloak。〃
　　　　　　　〃They're　the　only　eyes　I　ever　had；〃　he　growled。　He　felt　a　little　abashed；　speaking　to　an　Aes　Sedai　in　that　tone；　but　he　was　as　surprised　as　she　when　he　took　her　gently　by　the　arms　and　lifted　her　to　one　side；　setting　her　down　again　out　of　his　way。　As　they　stared　at　each　other；　he　wondered　if　his　eyes　were　as　wide　with　shock　as　hers。　〃Excuse　me；〃　he　said　again；　and　all　but　ran。
　　　　　　　My　eyes。　My　Light…cursed　eyes！　The　morning　sunlight　caught　his　eyes；　and　they　glinted　like　burnished　gold。
　
　　　　　　　Rand　twisted　on　his　bed；　trying　to　find　a　fortable　position　on　the　thin　mattress。　Sunlight　streamed　through　the　arrowslits；　painting　the　bare　stone　walls。　He　had　not　slept　during　the　remainder　of　the　night；　and　tired　as　he　was；　he　was　sure　he　could　not　sleep　now。　The　leather　jerkin　lay　on　the　floor　between　his　bed　and　the　wall；　but　aside　from　that　he　was　fully　dressed；　even　to　his　new　boots。　His　sword　stood　propped　beside　the　bed；　and　his　bow　and　quiver　rested　in　a　corner　across　the　bundled　cloaks。
　　　　　　　He　could　not　rid　himself　of　the　feeling　that　he　should　take　the　chance　Moiraine　had　given　him　and　leave　immediately。　The　urge　had　been　with　him　all　night。　Three　times　he　had　risen　to　go。　Twice　he　had　gone　as　far　as　opening　the　door。　The　halls　had　been　empty　except　for　a　few　servants　doing　late　chores；　the　way　had　been　clear。　But　he　had　to　know。
　　　　　　　Perrin　came　in；　head　down　and　yawning；　and　Rand　sat　up。　〃How　is　Egwene？　And　Mat？〃
　　　　　　　〃She's　asleep；　so　they　tell　me。　They　wouldn't　let　me　into　the　women's　apartments　to　see　her。　Mat　is　…　〃　Suddenly　Perrin　scowled　at　the　floor。　〃If　you're　so　interested；　why　haven't　you　gone　to　see　him　yourself？　I　thought　you　were　not　interested　in　us　anymore。　You　said　you　weren't。〃　He　pulled　open　his　door　of　the　wardrobe　and　began　rummaging　for　a　clean　shirt。
　　　　　　　〃I　did　go　to　the　infirmary；　Perrin。　There　was　an　Aes　Sedai　there；　that　tall　one　who's　always　with　the　Amyrlin　Seat。　She　said　Mat　was　asleep；　and　I　was　in　the　way；　and　I　could　e　back　some　other　time。　She　sounded　like　Master　Thane　ordering　the　men　at　the　mill。　You　know　how　Master　Thane　is；　all　full　of　snap　and　do　it　right　the　first　time；　and　do　it　right　now。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　did　not　answer。　He　just　shucked　off　his　coat　and　pulled　his　shirt　off　over　his　head。
　　　　　　　Rand　studied　his　friend's　back　for　a　moment；　then　dug　up　a　laugh。　〃You　want　to　hear　something？　You　know　what　she　said　to　me？　The　Aes　Sedai　in　the　infirmary；　I　mean。　You　saw　how　tall　she　is。　As　tall　as　most　men。　A　hand　taller；　and　she　could　almost　look　me　in　the　eyes。　Well；　she　stared　me　up　and　down；　and　then　she　muttered；　'Tall；　aren't　you？　Where　were　you　when　I　was　sixteen？　Or　even　thirty？'　And　then　she　laughed；　as　if　it　was　all　a　joke。　What　do　you　think　of　that？〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　finished　tugging　on　a　clean　shirt　and　gave　him　a　sidelong　look。　With　his　burly　shoulders　and　thick　curls；　he　made　Rand　think　of　a　hurt　bear。　A　bear　that　did　not　understand　why　had　he　been　hurt。
　　　　　　　〃Perrin；　I'm　…〃
　　　　　　　〃If　you　want　to　make　jokes　with　Aes　Sedai；〃　Perrin　broke　in；　〃that's　up　to　you。　My　Lord。〃　He　began　stuffing　his　shirttail　into　his　breeches。　〃I　don't　spend　much　time　being　…　witty；　is　that　the　word？　…　witty　with　Aes　Sedai。　But　then；　I'm　only　a　clumsy　blacksmith；　and　I　might　be　in　somebody's　way。　My　Lord。〃　Snatching　his　coat　from　the　floor；　he　started　for　the　door。
　　　　　　　〃Burn　me；　Perrin；　I'm　sorry。　I　was　afraid；　and　I　thought　I　was　in　trouble　…　maybe　I　was；　maybe　I　still　am；　I　don't　know　…　and　I　didn't　want　you　and　Mat　to　be　in　it　with　me。　Light；　all　the　women　were　looking　for　me　last　night。　I　think　that's　part　of　the　trouble　I'm　in。　I　think　so。　And　Liandrin　。。。　She　。。。〃　He　threw　up　his　hands。　〃Perrin；　believe　me；　you　don't　want　any　part　of　this。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　had　stopped；　but　he　stood　facing　the　door　and　only　turned　his　head　enough　for　Rand　to　see　one　golden　eye。　〃Looking　for　you？　Maybe　they　were　looking　for　all　of　us。〃
　　　　　　　〃No；　they　were　looking　for　me。　I　wish　they　hadn't　been；　but　I　know　better。〃
　　　　　　　Perrin　shook　his　head。　〃Liandrin　wanted　me；　anyway；　I　know。　I　heard。〃
　　　　　　　Rand　frowned。　〃Why　would　she　。。。？　It　doesn't　change　anything。　Look；　I　opened　my　mouth　and　said　what　I　shouldn't。　I　did　not　mean　it；　Perrin。　Now；　please；　would　you　tell　me　about　Mat？〃
　　　　　　　〃He's　asleep。　Leane　…　that's　the　Aes　Sedai　…　said　he　would　be　on　his　feet　in　a　few　hours。〃　He　shrugged　unfortably。　〃I　think　she　was　lying。　I　know　Aes　Sedai　never　lie；　not　so　you　can　catch　them；　but　she　was　lying；　or　keeping　something　back。〃　He　paused；　looking　at　Rand　sideways。　〃You　didn't　mean　all　that？　We　will　leave　here　together？　You；　and　me；　and　Mat？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　can't；　Perrin。　I　can't　tell　you　why；　but　I　really　do　have　to　go　by　myse…　Perrin；　wait！〃
　　　　　　　The　door　slammed　behind　his　friend。
　　　　　　　Rand　fell　back　on　the　bed。　〃I　can't　tell　you；〃　he　muttered。　He　pounded　his　fist　on　the　side　of　the　bed。　〃I　can't。〃　But　you　can　go　now；　a　voice　said　in　the　back　of　his　head。　Egwene's　going　to　be　all　right；　and　Mat　will　be　up　and　around　in　an　hour　or　two。　You　can　go　now。　Before　Moiraine　changes　her　mind。
　　　　　　　He　started　to　sit　up　when　a　pounding　on　the　door　made　him　leap　to　his　feet。　If　it　was　Perrin　e　back；　he　would　not　knock。　The　pounding　came　again。
　　　　　　　〃Who　is　it？〃
　　　　　　　Lan　strode　in；　pushing　the　door　to　behind　him　with　his　boot　heel。　As　usual；　he　wore　his　sword　over　a　plain　coat　of　green　that　was　nearly　invisible　in　the　woods。　This　time；　though；　he　had　a　wide；　golden　cord　tied　high　around　his　left　arm；　the　fringed　ends　hanging　almost　to　his　elbow。　On　the　knot　was　pinned　a　golden　crane　in　flight；　the　symbol　of　Malkier。
　　　　　　　〃The　Amyrlin　Seat　wants　you；　sheepherder。　You　can't　go　like　that。　Out　of　that　shirt　and　brush　your　hair。　You　look　like　a　haystack。〃　He　jerked　open　the　wardrobe　and　began　pawing　through　the　clothes　Rand　meant　to　leave　behind。
　　　　　　　Rand　stood　stiff　where　he　was；　he　felt　as　though　he　had　been　hit　in　the　head　with　a　hammer。　He　had　expected　it；　of　course；　in　a　way；　but　he　had　been　sure　he　would　be　gone　before　the　summons　came。　She　knows。　Light；　I'm　sure　of　it。　〃What　do　you　mean；　she　wants　me？　I'm　leaving；　Lan。　You　were　right。　I　am　going　to　the　stable　right　now；　get　my　horse；　and　leave。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　should　have　done　that　last　night。〃　The　Warder　tossed　a　white　silk　shirt　onto　the　bed。　〃No　one　refuses　an　audience　with　the　Amyrlin　Seat；　sheepherder。　Not　the　Lord　Captain　mander　of　the　Whitecloaks　himself。　Pedron　Niall　might　spend　the　trip　planning　how　to　kill　her；　if　he　could　do　it　and　get　away；　but　he　would　e。〃　He　turned　around　with　one　of　the　high…collared　coats　in　his　hands　and　held　it　up。　〃This　one　will　do。〃　Tangled；　long…thorned　briars　climbed　each　red　sleeve　in　a　thick；　gold　embroidered　line；　and　ran　around　each　cuff。　Golden　herons　stood　on　the　collars；　which　were　edged　with　gold。　〃The　color　is　right；　too。〃　He　seemed　to　be　amused　at　something；　or　satisfied。　〃e　on；　sheepherder。　Change　your　shirt。　Move。〃
　　　　　　　Reluctantly　Rand　pulled　the　coarse　wool　workman's　shirt　over　his　head。　〃I'll　feel　a　fool；〃　he　muttered。　〃A　silk　shirt！　I　never　wore　a　silk　shirt　in　my　life。　And　I　never　wore　so　fancy　a　coat；　either；　even　on　a　feastday。〃　Light；　if　Perrin　sees　me　in　that　。。。　Burn　me；　after　all　that　fool　talk　about　being　a　lord；　if　he　sees　me　in　that；　he'll　never　listen　to　reason。
　　　　　　　〃You　can't　go　before　the　Amyrlin　Seat　dressed　like　a　groom　fresh　out　of　the　stables；　sheepherder。　Let　me　see　your　boots。　They'll　do。　Well；　get　on　with　it；　get　on　with　it。　You　don't　keep　the　Amyrlin　waiting。　Wear　your　sword。〃
　　　　　　　〃My　sword！〃　The　silk　shirt　over　his　head　muffled　Rand's　yelp。　He　yanked　it　the　rest　of　the　way　on。　〃In　the　women's　apartments？　Lan；　if　I　go　for　an　audience　with　the　Amyrlin　Seat　…　the　Amyrlin　Seat！　…　wearing　a　sword；　she'll　…　〃
　　　　　　　〃Do　nothing；〃　Lan　cut　him　off　dryly。　〃If　the　Amyrlin　is　afraid　of　you　…　and　it's　smarter　for　you　to　think　she　isn't；　because　I　don't　know　anything　that　could　frighten　that　woman　…　it　won't　be　for　a　sword。　Now　remember；　you　kneel　when　you　go　before　her。　One　knee　only；　mind；〃　he　added　sharply。　〃You're　not　some　merchant　caught　giving　short　weight。　Maybe　you　had　better　practice　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　know　how；　I　think。　I　saw　how　the　Queen's　Guards　knelt　to　Queen　Morgase。〃
　　　　　　　The　ghost　of　a　smile　touched　the　Warder's　lips。　〃Yes；　you　do　it　just　as　they　did。　That　will　give　them　something　to　think　about。〃
　　　　　　　Rand　frowned。　〃Why　are　you　telling　me　this；　Lan？　You're　a　Warder。　You're　acting　as　if　you　are　on　my　side。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　am　on　your　side；　sheepherder。　A　little。　Enough　to　help　you　a　bit。〃　The　Warder's　face　was　stone；　and　sympathetic　words　sounded　strange　in　that　rough　voice。　〃What　training　you've　had；　I　gave　you；　and　I'll　not　have　you　groveling　and　sniveling。　The　Wheel　weaves　us　all　into　the　Pattern　as　it　wills。　You　have　less　freedom　about　it　than　most；　but　by　the　Light；　you　can　still　face　it　on　your　feet。　You　remember　who　the　Amyrlin　Seat　is；　sheepherder；　and　you　show　her　proper　respect；　but　you　do　what　I　tell　you；　and　you　look　her　in　the　eye。　Well；　don't　stand　there　gaping。　Tuck　in　your　shirt。〃
　　　　　　　Rand　shut　his　mouth　and　tucked　in　his　shirt。　Remember　who　she　is？　Burn　me；　what　I　wouldn't　give　to　forget　who　she　is！
　　　　　　　Lan　kept　up　a　running　flow　of　instructions　while　Rand　shrugged　into　the　red　coat　and　buckled　on　his　sword。　What　to　say　and　to　whom；　and　what　not　to　say。　What　to　do；　and　what　not。　How　to　move；　even。　He　was　not　sure　he　could　remember　it　all　…　most　of　it　sounded　odd；　and　easy　to　forget　…　and　he　was　sure　whatever　he　forgot　would　be　just　the　thing　to　make　the　Aes　Sedai　angry　with　him。　If　they　aren't　already。　If　Moiraine　told　the　Amyrlin　Seat；　who　else　did　she　tell？
　　　　　　　〃Lan；　why　can't　I　just　leave　the　way　I　planned？　By　the　time　she　knew　I　was　not　ing；　I'd　be　a　league　outside　the　walls　and　galloping。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　she'd　have　trackers　after　you　before　you　had　gone　two。　What　the　Amyrlin　wants；　sheepherder；　she　gets。〃　He　adjusted　Rand's　sword　belt　so　the　heavy　buckle　was　centered。　〃What　I　do　is　the　best　I　can　for　you。　Believe　it。〃
　　　　　　　〃But　why　all　this？　What　does　it　mean？　Why　do　I　put　my　hand　over　my　heart　if　the　Amyrlin　Seat　stands　up？　Why　refuse　anything　but　water　…　not　that　I　want　to　eat　a　meal　with　her　…　then　dribble　some　on　the　floor　and　say　'The　land　thirsts'　？　And　if　she　asks　how　old　I　am；　why　tell　her　how　long　it　is　since　I　was　given　the　sword？　I　don't　understand　half　of　what　you've　told　me