rj.eyeoftheworld-第89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！


over　everything；　clanging　from　blacksmiths；　shouts　from　the　wagon　drivers；　raucous　laughter　from　the　town's　inns。
　　　　　　　Rand　swung　down　from　the　back　of　a　merchant's　canvas…topped　wagon　as　they　came　abreast　of　a　garishly　painted　inn；　all　greens　and　yellows　that　caught　the　eye　from　afar　among　the　leaden　houses。　The　line　of　wagons　kept　moving。　None　of　the　drivers　even　seemed　to　notice　that　he　and　Mat　had　gone；　dusk　was　falling；　and　they　all　had　their　eyes　on　unhitching　the　horses　and　reaching　the　inns。　Rand　stumbled　in　a　rut；　then　leaped　quickly　to　avoid　a　heavy…laden　wagon　clattering　the　other　way。　The　driver　shouted　a　curse　at　him　as　the　wagon　rolled　by。　A　village　woman　stepped　around　him　and　hurried　on　without　ever　meeting　his　eye。
　　　　　　　〃I　don't　know　about　this　place；〃　he　said。　He　thought　he　could　hear　music　mixed　in　the　din；　but　he　could　not　tell　from　where　it　was　ing。　From　the　inn；　maybe；　but　it　was　hard　to　be　sure。　〃I　don't　like　it。　Maybe　we'd　better　go　on　this　time。〃
　　　　　　　Mat　gave　him　a　scornful　look；　then　rolled　his　eyes　at　the　sky。　Dark　clouds　thickened　overhead。　〃And　sleep　under　a　hedge　tonight？　In　that？　I'm　used　to　a　bed　again。〃　He　cocked　his　head　to　listen；　then　grunted。　〃Maybe　one　of　these　places　doesn't　have　musicians。　Anyway；　I'll　bet　they　don't　have　a　juggler。〃　He　slung　his　bow　across　his　shoulders　and　started　for　the　bright　yellow　door；　studying　everything　through　narrowed　eyes。　Rand　followed　doubtfully。
　　　　　　　There　were　musicians　inside；　their　zither　and　drum　almost　drowned　in　coarse　laughter　and　drunken　shouting。　Rand　did　not　bother　to　find　the　landlord。　The　next　two　inns　had　musicians　as　well；　and　the　same　deafening　cacophony。　Roughly　dressed　men　filled　the　tables　and　stumbled　across　the　floor；　waving　mugs　and　trying　to　fondle　serving　maids　who　dodged　with　fixed；　long…suffering　smiles。　The　buildings　shook　with　the　racket；　and　the　smell　was　sour；　a　stench　of　old　wine　and　unwashed　bodies。　Of　the　merchants；　in　their　silk　and　velvet　and　lace；　there　was　no　sign；　private　dining　rooms　abovestairs　protected　their　ears　and　noses。　He　and　Mat　only　put　their　heads　in　the　doors　before　leaving。　He　was　beginning　to　think　they　would　have　no　choice　but　to　move　on。
　　　　　　　The　fourth　inn；　The　Dancing　Cartman；　stood　silent。
　　　　　　　It　was　as　gaudy　as　the　other　inns；　yellow　trimmed　in　bright　red　and　bilious；　eye…wrenching　green；　though　here　the　paint　was　cracked　and　peeling。　Rand　and　Mat　stepped　inside。
　　　　　　　Only　half　a　dozen　men　sat　at　the　tables　that　filled　the　mon　room；　hunched　over　their　mugs；　each　one　glumly　alone　with　his　thoughts。　Business　was　definitely　not　good；　but　it　had　been　better　once。　Exactly　as　many　serving　maids　as　there　were　patrons　busied　themselves　around　the　room。　There　was　plenty　for　them　to　do　…　dirt　crusted　the　floor　and　cobwebs　filled　the　corners　of　the　ceiling　…　but　most　were　not　doing　anything　really　useful；　only　moving　so　they　would　not　be　seen　standing　still。
　　　　　　　A　bony　man　with　long；　stringy　hair　to　his　shoulders　turned　to　scowl　at　them　as　they　came　through　the　door。　The　first　slow　peal　of　thunder　rumbled　across　Four　Kings。　〃What　do　you　want？〃　He　was　rubbing　his　hands　on　a　greasy　apron　that　hung　to　his　ankles。　Rand　wondered　if　more　grime　was　ing　off　on　the　apron　or　on　the　man's　hands。　He　was　the　first　skinny　innkeeper　Rand　had　seen。　〃Well？　Speak　up；　buy　a　drink；　or　get　out！　Do　I　look　like　a　raree　show？〃
　　　　　　　Flushing；　Rand　launched　into　the　spiel　he　had　perfected　at　inns　before　this。　〃I　play　the　flute；　and　my　friend　juggles；　and　you'll　not　see　two　better　in　a　year。　For　a　good　room　and　a　good　meal；　we'll　fill　this　mon　room　of　yours。〃　He　remembered　the　filled　mon　rooms　he　had　already　seen　that　evening；　especially　the　man　who　had　vomited　right　in　front　of　him　at　the　last　one。　He　had　had　to　step　lively　to　keep　his　boots　untouched。　He　faltered；　but　caught　himself　and　went　on。　〃We'll　fill　your　inn　with　men　who　will　repay　the　little　we　cost　twenty　times　over　with　the　food　and　drink　they　buy。　Why　should　…〃
　　　　　　　〃I've　got　a　man　plays　the　dulcimer；〃　the　innkeeper　said　sourly。
　　　　　　　〃You　have　a　drunk；　Saml　Hake；〃　one　of　the　serving　maids　said。　She　was　passing　him　with　a　tray　and　two　mugs；　and　she　paused　to　give　Rand　and　Mat　a　plump　smile。　〃Most　times；　he　can't　see　well　enough　to　find　the　mon　room；〃　she　confided　in　a　loud　whisper。　〃Haven't　even　seen　him　in　two　days。〃
　　　　　　　Without　taking　his　eyes　off　Rand　and　Mat；　Hake　casually　backhanded　her　across　the　face。　She　gave　a　surprised　grunt　and　fell　heavily　to　the　unwashed　floor；　one　of　the　mugs　broke；　and　the　spilled　wine　washed　rivulets　in　the　dirt。　〃You're　docked　for　the　wine　and　breakage。　Get　'em　fresh　drinks。　And　hurry。　Men　don't　pay　to　wait　while　you　laze　around。〃　His　tone　was　as　offhand　as　the　blow。　None　of　the　patrons　looked　up　from　their　wine；　and　the　other　serving　maids　kept　their　eyes　averted。
　　　　　　　The　plump　woman　rubbed　her　cheek　and　stared　pure　murder　at　Hake；　but　she　gathered　the　empty　mug　and　the　broken　pieces　on　her　tray　and　went　off　without　a　word。
　　　　　　　Hake　sucked　his　teeth　thoughtfully；　eyeing　Rand　and　Mat。　His　gaze　clung　to　the　heron…mark　sword　before　he　pulled　it　away。　〃Tell　you　what；〃　he　said　finally。　〃You　can　have　a　couple　of　pallets　in　an　empty　storeroom　in　the　back。　Rooms　are　too　expensive　to　give　away。　You　eat　when　everybody's　gone。　There　ought　to　be　something　left。〃
　　　　　　　Rand　wished　there　was　an　inn　in　Four　Kings　they　had　not　yet　tried。　Since　leaving　Whitebridge　he　had　met　coolness；　indifference；　and　outright　hostility；　but　nothing　that　gave　him　the　sense　of　unease　that　this　man　and　this　village　did。　He　told　himself　it　was　just　the　dirt　and　squalor　and　noise；　but　the　misgivings　did　not　go　away。　Mat　was　watching　Hake　as　if　he　suspected　some　trap；　but　he　gave　no　sign　of　wanting　to　give　up　The　Dancing　Cartman　for　a　bed　under　a　hedge。　Thunder　rattled　the　windows。　Rand　Sighed。
　　　　　　　〃The　pallets　will　do　if　they're　clean；　and　if　there　are　enough　clean　blankets。　But　we　eat　two　hours　after　full　dark；　no　later；　and　the　best　you　have。　Here。　We'll　show　you　what　we　can　do。〃　He　reached　for　the　flute　case；　but　Hake　shook　his　head。
　　　　　　　〃Don't　matter。　This　lot'll　be　satisfied　with　any　kind　of　screeching　so　long　as　it　sounds　something　like　music。〃　His　eyes　touched　Rand's　sword　again；　his　thin　smile　touched　nothing　but　his　lips。　〃Eat　when　you　want；　but　if　you　don't　bring　the　crowd　in；　out　you　go　in　the　street。〃　He　nodded　over　his　shoulder　at　two　hard…faced　men　sitting　against　the　wall。　They　were　not　drinking；　and　their　arms　were　thick　enough　for　legs。　When　Hake　nodded　at　them；　their　eyes　shifted　to　Rand　and　Mat；　flat　and　expressionless。
　　　　　　　Rand　put　one　hand　on　his　sword　hilt；　hoping　the　twisting　in　his　stomach　did　not　show　on　his　face。　〃As　long　as　we　get　what's　agreed　on；〃　he　said　in　a　level　tone。
　　　　　　　Hake　blinked；　and　for　a　moment　he　seemed　uneasy　himself。　Abruptly　he　nodded。　〃What　I　said；　isn't　it？　Well；　get　started。　You　won't　bring　anybody　in　just　standing　there。〃　He　stalked　off；　scowling　and　shouting　at　the　serving　maids　as　if　there　were　fifty　customers　they　were　neglecting。
　　　　　　　There　was　a　small；　raised　platform　at　the　far　end　of　the　room；　near　the　door　to　the　back。　Rand　lifted　a　bench　up　on　it；　and　settled　his　cloak；　blanketroll；　and　Thom's　bundled　cloak　behind　the　bench　with　the　sword　lying　atop　them。
　　　　　　　He　wondered　if　he　had　been　wise　to　keep　wearing　the　sword　openly。　Swords　were　mon　enough；　but　the　heron…mark　attracted　attention　and　speculation。　Not　from　everybody；　but　any　notice　at　all　made　him　unfortable。　He　could　be　leaving　a　clear　trail　for　the　Myrddraal　…　if　Fades　needed　that　kind　of　trail。　They　did　not　seem　to。　In　any　case；　he　was　reluctant　to　stop　wearing　it。　Tam　had　given　it　to　him。　His　father。　As　long　as　he　wore　the　sword；　there　was　still　some　connection　between　Tam　and　him；　a　thread　that　gave　him　the　right　to　still　call　Tam　father。　Too　late　now；　he　thought。　He　was　not　sure　what　he　meant；　but　he　was　sure　it　was　true。　Too　late。
　　　　　　　At　the　first　note　of　〃Cock　o'　the　North〃　the　half…dozen　patrons　in　the　mon　room　lifted　their　heads　out　of　their　wine。　Even　the　two　bouncers　sat　forward　a　little。　They　all　applauded　when　he　finished；　including　the　two　toughs；　and　once　more　when　Mat　sent　a　shower　of　colored　balls　spinning　through　his　hands。　Outside；　the　sky　muttered　again。　The　rain　was　holding　off；　but　the　pressure　of　it　was　palpable；　the　longer　it　waited；　the　harder　it　would　fall。
　　　　　　　Word　spread；　and　by　the　time　it　was　dark　outside　the　inn　was　packed　full　with　men　laughing　and　talking　so　loud　that　Rand　could　barely　hear　what　he　was　playing。　Only　the　thunder　overpowered　the　noise　in　the　mon　room。　Lightning　flashed　in　the　windows；　and　in　the　momentary　lulls　he　could　faintly　hear　rain　drumming　on　the　roof。　Men　who　came　in　now　dripped　trails　across　the　floor。
　　　　　　　Whenever　he　paused；　voices　shouted　the　names　of　tunes　through　the　din。　A　good　many　names　he　did　not　recognize；　though　when　he　got　someone　to　hum　a　bit　of　it；　he　often　found　he　did　know　the　song。　It　had　been　that　way　other　places；　before。　〃Jolly　Jaim〃　was　〃Rhea's　Fling〃　here；　and　had　been　〃Colors　of　the　Sun〃　at　an　earlier　stop。　Some　names　stayed　the　same；　others　changed　with　ten　miles'　distance；　and　he　had　learned　new　songs；　too。　〃The　Drunken　Peddler〃　was　a　new　one；　though　sometimes　it　was　called　〃Tinker　in　the　Kitchen。〃　〃Two　Kings　Came　Hunting〃　was　〃Two　Horses　Running〃　and　several　other　names　besides。　He　played　the　ones　he　knew；　and　men　pounded　the　tables　for　more。
　　　　　　　Others　called　for　Mat　to　juggle　again。　Sometimes　fights　broke　out　between　those　wanting　music　and　those　who　fancied　juggling。　Once　a　knife　flashed；　and　a　woman　screamed；　and　a　man　reeled　back　from　a　table　with　blood　streaming　down　his　face；　but　Jak　and　Strom；　the　two　bouncers；　closed　in　swiftly　and　with　plete　impartiality　threw　everyone　involved　into　the　street　with　lumps　on　their　heads。　That　was　their　tactic　with　any　trouble。　The　talk　and　the　laughing　went　on　as　if　nothing　had　occurred。　Nobody　even　looked　around　except　those　the　bouncers　jostled　on　their　way　to　the　door。
　　　　　　　The　patrons　were　free　with　their　hands；　too；　when　one　of　the　serving　maids　let　herself　grow　unwary。　More　than　once　Jak　or　Strom　had　to　rescue　one　of　the　women；　though　they　were　none　too　quick　about　it。　The　way　Hake　carried　on；　screaming　and　shaking　the　woman　involved；　he　always　considered　it　her　fault；　and　the　teary　eyes　and　stammered　apologies　said　she　was　willing　to　accept　his　opinion。　The　women　jumped　whenever　Hake　frowned；　even　if　he　was　looking　somewhere　else。　Rand　wondered　why　any　of　them　put　up　with　it。
　　　　　　　Hake　smiled　when　he　looked　at　Rand　and　Mat。　After　a　while　Rand　realized　Hake　was　not　smiling　at　them；　the　smiles　came　when　his　eyes　slid　behind　them；　to　where　the　heron…mark　sword　lay。　Once；　when　Rand　set　the　gold…and…silver…chased　flute　down　beside　his　stool；　the　flute　got　a　smile；　too。
　　　　　　　The　next　time　he　changed　places　with　Mat　at　the　front　of　the　dais；　he　leaned　over　to　speak　in　Mat's　ear。　Even　that　close　he　had　to　speak　loudly；　but　with　all　the　noise　he　doubted　if　anyone　else　could　hear。　〃Hake's　going　to　try　to　rob　us。〃
　　　　　　　Mat　nodded　as　if　it　was　nothing　he　had　not　expected。　〃We'll　have　to　bar　our　door　tonight。〃
　　　　　　　〃Bar　our　door？　Jak　and　Strom　could　break　down　a