rj.thegreathunt-第30章

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ausing　an　uproar；　was　he？　〃Housebreak　him？〃　she　muttered。　〃If　he　hasn't　learned　manners　by　this　time；　I'll　skin　him　alive。〃
　　　　　　　〃Sometimes　that　is　what　it　takes；〃　Nisura　said；　walking　quickly。　〃Men　are　never　more　than　half…civilized　until　they're　wedded。〃　She　gave　Egwene　a　sidelong　glance。　〃Do　you　intend　to　marry　Lord　Rand？　I　do　not　mean　to　pry；　but　you　are　going　to　the　White　Tower；　and　Aes　Sedai　seldom　wed　…　none　but　some　of　the　Green　Ajah；　that　I've　ever　heard；　and　not　many　of　them　…　and　。。。〃
　　　　　　　Egwene　could　supply　the　rest。　She　had　heard　the　talk　in　the　women's　apartments　about　a　suitable　wife　for　Rand。　At　first　it　had　caused　stabs　of　jealousy；　and　anger。　He　had　been　all　but　promised　to　her　since　they　were　children。　But　she　was　going　to　be　an　Aes　Sedai；　and　he　was　what　he　was。　A　man　who　could　channel。　She　could　marry　him。　And　watch　him　go　mad；　watch　him　die。　The　only　way　to　stop　it　would　be　to　have　him　gentled。　I　can't　do　that　to　him。　I　can't！　〃I　do　not　know；〃　she　said　sadly。
　　　　　　　Nisura　nodded。　〃No　one　will　poach　where　you　have　a　claim；　but　you　are　going　to　the　Tower；　and　he　will　make　a　good　husband。　Once　he　has　been　trained。　There　he　is。〃
　　　　　　　The　women　gathered　around　the　entrance　to　the　women's　apartments；　both　inside　and　out；　were　all　watching　three　men　in　the　hallway　outside。　Rand；　with　his　sword　buckled　over　his　red　coat；　was　being　confronted　by　Agelmar　and　Kajin。　Neither　of　them　wore　a　sword；　even　after　what　had　happened　in　the　night；　these　were　still　the　women's　apartments。　Egwene　stopped　at　the　back　of　the　crowd。
　　　　　　　〃You　understand　why　you　cannot　go　in；〃　Agelmar　was　saying。　〃I　know　that　things　are　different　in　Andor；　but　you　do　understand？〃
　　　　　　　〃I　didn't　try　to　go　in。〃　Rand　sounded　as　if　he　had　explained　all　this　more　than　once　already。　〃I　told　the　Lady　Nisura　I　wanted　to　see　Egwene；　and　she　said　Egwene　was　busy；　and　I'd　have　to　wait。　All　I　did　was　shout　for　her　from　the　door。　I　did　not　try　to　enter。　You'd　have　thought　I　was　naming　the　Dark　One；　the　way　they　all　started　in　on　me。〃
　　　　　　　〃Women　have　their　own　ways；〃　Kajin　said。　He　was　tall　for　a　Shienaran；　almost　as　tall　as　Rand；　lanky　and　sallow。　His　topknot　was　black　as　pitch。　〃They　set　the　rules　for　the　women's　apartments；　and　we　abide　by　them　even　when　they　are　foolish。〃　A　number　of　eyebrows　were　raised　among　the　women；　and　he　hastily　cleared　his　throat。　〃You　must　send　a　message　in　if　you　wish　to　speak　to　one　of　the　women；　but　it　will　be　delivered　when　they　choose；　and　until　it　is；　you　must　wait。　That　is　our　custom。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　have　to　see　her；〃　Rand　said　stubbornly。　〃We're　leaving　soon。　Not　soon　enough　for　me；　but　I　still　have　to　see　Egwene。　We　will　get　the　Horn　of　Valere　and　the　dagger　back；　and　that　will　be　the　end　of　it。　The　end　of　it。　But　I　want　to　see　her　before　I　go。〃　Egwene　frowned；　he　sounded　odd。
　　　　　　　〃No　need　to　be　so　fierce；〃　Kajin　said。　〃You　and　Ingtar　will　find　the　Horn；　or　not。　And　if　not；　then　another　will　retrieve　it。　The　Wheel　weaves　as　the　Wheel　wills；　and　we　are　but　threads　in　the　Pattern。〃
　　　　　　　〃Do　not　let　the　Horn　seize　you；　Rand；〃　Agelmar　said。　〃It　can　take　hold　of　a　man　…　I　know　how　it　can　…　and　that　is　not　the　way。　A　man　must　seek　duty；　not　glory。　What　will　happen；　will　happen。　If　the　Horn　of　Valere　is　meant　to　be　sounded　for　the　Light；　then　it　will　be。〃
　　　　　　　〃Here　is　your　Egwene；〃　Kajin　said；　spotting　her。
　　　　　　　Agelmar　looked　around；　and　nodded　when　he　saw　her　with　Nisura。　〃I　will　leave　you　in　her　hands；　Rand　al'Thor。　Remember；　here；　her　words　are　law；　not　yours。　Lady　Nisura；　do　not　be　too　hard　on　him。　He　only　wished　to　see　his　young　woman；　and　he　does　not　know　our　ways。〃
　　　　　　　Egwene　followed　Nisura　as　the　Shienaran　woman　threaded　her　way　through　the　watching　women。　Nisura　inclined　her　head　briefly　to　Agelmar　and　Kajin；　she　pointedly　did　not　include　Rand。　Her　voice　was　tight。　〃Lord　Agelmar。　Lord　Kajin。　He　should　know　this　much　of　our　ways　by　now；　but　he　is　too　big　to　spank；　so　I　will　let　Egwene　deal　with　him。〃
　　　　　　　Agelmar　gave　Rand　a　fatherly　pat　on　the　shoulder。　〃You　see。　You　will　speak　with　her；　if　not　exactly　in　the　way　you　wished。　e；　Kajin。　We　have　much　to　see　to　yet。　The　Amyrlin　still　insists　on　。。。〃　His　voice　trailed　away　as　he　and　the　other　man　left。　Rand　stood　there；　looking　at　Egwene。
　　　　　　　The　women　were　still　watching；　Egwene　realized。　Watching　her　as　well　as　Rand。　Waiting　to　see　what　she　would　do。　So　I'm　supposed　to　deal　with　him；　am　I？　Yet　she　felt　her　heart　going　out　to　him。　His　hair　needed　brushing。　His　face　showed　anger；　defiance；　and　weariness。　〃Walk　with　me；〃　she　told　him。　A　murmur　started　up　behind　them　as　he　walked　down　the　hall　beside　her；　away　from　the　women's　apartments。　Rand　seemed　to　be　struggling　with　himself；　hunting　for　what　to　say。
　　　　　　　〃I've　heard　about　your　。。。　exploits；〃　she　said　finally。　〃Running　through　the　women's　apartments　last　night　with　a　sword。　Wearing　a　sword　to　an　audience　with　the　Amyrlin　Seat。〃　He　still　said　nothing；　only　walked　along　frowning　at　the　floor。　〃She　didn't　。。。　hurt　you；　did　she？〃　She　could　not　make　herself　ask　if　he　had　been　gentled；　he　looked　anything　but　gentle；　but　she　had　no　idea　what　a　man　looked　like　afterwards。
　　　　　　　He　gave　a　jerk。　〃No。　She　didn't　。。。　Egwene；　the　Amyrlin　。。。〃　He　shook　his　head。　〃She　didn't　hurt　me。〃
　　　　　　　She　had　the　feeling　he　had　been　going　to　say　something　else　entirely。　Usually　she　could　ferret　out　whatever　he　wanted　to　hide　from　her；　but　when　he　really　wanted　to　be　stubborn；　she　could　more　easily　dig　a　brick　out　of　a　wall　with　her　fingernails。　By　the　set　of　his　jaw；　he　was　at　his　most　stubborn　right　now。
　　　　　　　〃What　did　she　want　with　you；　Rand？〃
　　　　　　　〃Nothing　important。　Ta'veren。　She　wanted　to　see　ta'veren。　〃　His　face　softened　as　he　looked　down　at　her。　〃What　about　you；　Egwene？　Are　you　all　right？　Moiraine　said　you　would　be；　but　you　were　so　still。　I　thought　you　were　dead；　at　first。〃
　　　　　　　〃Well；　I'm　not。〃　She　laughed。　She　could　not　remember　anything　that　had　happened　after　she　had　asked　Mat　to　go　to　the　dungeons　with　her；　not　until　waking　in　her　own　bed　that　morning。　From　what　she　had　heard　of　the　night；　she　was　almost　glad　she　could　not　remember。　〃Moiraine　said　she　would　have　left　me　a　headache　for　being　foolish　if　she　could　have　Healed　the　rest　and　not　that；　but　she　couldn't。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　told　you　Fain　was　dangerous；〃　he　muttered。　〃I　told　you；　but　you　wouldn't　listen。〃
　　　　　　　〃If　that's　the　way　you　are　going　to　talk；〃　she　said　firmly；　〃I　will　give　you　back　to　Nisura。　She　won't　talk　to　you　the　way　I　am。　The　last　man　who　tried　to　push　his　way　into　the　women's　apartments　spent　a　month　up　to　his　elbows　in　soapy　water；　helping　with　the　women's　laundry；　and　he　was　only　trying　to　find　his　betrothed　and　make　up　an　argument。　At　least　he　knew　enough　not　to　wear　his　sword。　The　Light　knows　what　they'd　do　to　you。〃
　　　　　　　〃Everybody　wants　to　do　something　to　me；〃　he　growled。　〃Everybody　wants　to　use　me　for　something。　Well；　I　won't　be　used。　Once　we　find　the　Horn；　and　Mat's　dagger；　I'll　never　be　used　again。〃
　　　　　　　With　an　exasperated　grunt；　she　caught　his　shoulders　and　made　him　face　her。　She　glared　up　at　him。　〃If　you　don't　start　talking　sense；　Rand　al'Thor；　I　swear　I　will　box　your　ears。〃
　　　　　　　〃Now　you　sound　like　Nynaeve。〃　He　laughed。　As　he　looked　down　at　her；　though；　his　laughter　faded。　〃I　suppose　…　I　suppose　I'll　never　see　you　again。　I　know　you　have　to　go　to　Tar　Valon。　I　know　that。　And　you'll　bee　an　Aes　Sedai。　I　am　done　with　Aes　Sedai；　Egwene。　I　won't　be　a　puppet　for　them；　not　for　Moiraine；　or　any　of　them。〃
　　　　　　　He　looked　so　lost　she　wanted　to　put　his　head　on　her　shoulder；　and　so　stubborn　she　really　did　want　to　box　his　ears。　〃Listen　to　me；　you　great　ox。　I　am　going　to　be　an　Aes　Sedai；　and　I'll　find　a　way　to　help　you。　I　will。〃
　　　　　　　〃The　next　time　you　see　me；　you　will　likely　want　to　gentle　me。〃
　　　　　　　She　looked　around　hastily；　they　were　alone　in　their　stretch　of　the　hall。　〃If　you　don't　watch　your　tongue；　I　will　not　be　able　to　help　you。　Do　you　want　everyone　to　know？〃
　　　　　　　〃Too　many　know　already；〃　he　said。　〃Egwene；　I　wish　things　were　different；　but　they　aren't。　I　wish　。。。　Take　care　of　yourself。　And　promise　me　you　won't　choose　the　Red　Ajah。〃
　　　　　　　Tears　blurred　her　vision　as　she　threw　her　arms　around　him。　〃You　take　care　of　yourself；〃　she　said　fiercely　into　his　chest。　〃If　you　don't；　I'll　…　I'll。。。〃　She　thought　she　heard　him　murmur；　〃I　love　you；〃　and　then　he　was　firmly　unwrapping　her　arms；　gently　moving　her　away　from　him。　He　turned　and　strode　away　from　her；　almost　running。
　　　　　　　She　jumped　when　Nisura　touched　her　arm。　〃He　looks　as　if　you　set　him　a　task　he　won't　enjoy。　But　you　mustn't　let　him　see　you　cry　over　it。　That　negates　the　purpose。　e。　Nynaeve　wants　you。〃
　　　　　　　Scrubbing　her　cheeks；　Egwene　followed　the　other　woman。　Take　care　of　yourself；　you　wool…headed　lummox。　Light；　take　care　of　him。


Chapter　9
（Flame　of　Tar　Valon）
Leavetakings

　　　　　　　The　outer　courtyard　was　in　ordered　turmoil　when　Rand　finally　reached　it　with　his　saddlebags　and　the　bundle　containing　the　harp　and　flute。　The　sun　climbed　toward　midday。　Men　hurried　around　the　horses；　tugging　at　saddle　girths　and　pack　harness；　voices　raised。　Others　darted　with　last…minute　additions　to　the　pack…saddles；　or　water　for　the　men　working；　or　dashed　off　to　fetch　something　just　remembered。　But　everyone　seemed　to　know　exactly　what　they　were　doing　and　where　they　were　going。　The　guardwalks　and　archers'　balconies　were　crowded　again；　and　excitement　crackled　in　the　morning　air。　Hooves　clattered　on　the　paving　stones。　One　of　the　packhorses　began　kicking；　and　stablemen　ran　to　calm　it。　The　smell　of　horses　hung　thick。　Rand's　cloak　tried　to　flap　in　the　breeze　that　rippled　the　swooping…hawk　banners　on　the　towers；　but　his　bow；　slung　across　his　back；　held　it　down。
　　　　　　　From　outside　the　open　gates　came　the　sounds　of　the　Amyrlin's　pikemen　and　archers　forming　up　in　the　square。　They　had　marched　around　from　a　side　gate。　One　of　the　trumpeters　tested　his　horn。
　　　　　　　Some　of　the　Warders　glanced　at　Rand　as　he　walked　across　the　courtyard；　a　few　raised　eyebrows　when　they　saw　the　heron…mark　sword；　but　none　spoke。　Half　wore　the　cloaks　that　were　so　queasy…making　to　look　at。　Mandarb；　Lan's　stallion；　was　there；　tall；　and　black；　and　fierce…eyed；　but　the　man　himself　was　not；　and　none　of　the　Aes　Sedai；　none　of　the　women；　were　in　evidence　yet　either。　Moiraine's　white　mare；　Aldieb；　stepped　daintily　beside　the　stallion。
　　　　　　　Rand's　bay　stallion　was　with　the　other　group　on　the　far　side　of　the　courtyard；　with　Ingtar；　and　a　bannerman　holding　Ingtar's　Gray　Owl　banner；　and　twenty　other　armored　men　with　lances　tipped　with　two　feet　of　steel；　all　mounted　already。　The　bars　of　their　helmets　covered　their　faces；　and　golden　surcoats　with　the　Black　Hawk　on　the　chest　hid　their　plate…and…mail。　Only　Ingtar's　helmet　had　a　crest；　a　crescent　moon　above　his　brow；　points　up。　Rand　recognized　some　of　the　men。　Rough…tongued　Uno；　with　a　long　scar　down　his　face　and　only　one　eye。　Ragan　and　Masema。　Others　who　had　exchanged　a　word；　or　played　a　game　of　stones。　Ragan　waved　to　him；　and　Uno　nodded；　but　Masema　was　not　the　only　one　who　gave　him　a　cold　stare　and　turned　away。　Their　packhorses　stood　placidly；　tails　swishing。
　　　　　　　The　big　bay　danced　as　Rand　tied　his　saddlebags　and　bundle　behind　the　high…cantled　saddle。　He