tw.togreenangeltower2-第43章

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s　with　the　Anitullean　Road　snaking　between　them。　If　he　narrowed　his　eyes；　Tiamak　could　make　out　the　shapes　of　Josua's　tents　nestled　in　the　purple　shadows　of　the　hillside　to　the　southwest。
　　　　　　　My　panions　may　think　we　Wrannamen　live　like　savages；　he　thought　to　himself；　but　I　am　as　happy　as　anyone　to　be　in　one　place　for　a　few　days　and　to　have　a　solid　roof　over　my　head。
　　　　　　　One　of　the　monks　walked　by；　hands　folded　in　his　sleeve。　He　gave　Tiamak　a　look　that　lasted　the　length　of　several　steps；　but　only　nodded　his　head　in　formal　greeting。
　　　　　　　The　monks　do　not　seem　happy　to　have　us　here。　He　felt　himself　smiling。　Unwilling　as　they　are　to　be　caught　up　in　a　war；　how　much　more　dubious　must　they　be　about　having　women　and　marsh　men　within　the　cloisters；　too？
　　　　　　　Still；　Tiamak　was　glad　that　Josua　had　chosen　this　spot　as　a　temporary　refuge；　and　that　he　had　allowed　his　wife　and　many　others　to　remain　here　as　the　army　moved　farther　down　the　gorge。　The　Wrannaman　sighed　as　he　felt　the　cool；　dry　breeze；　the　sunshine　on　his　face。　It　was　good　to　have　shelter；　even　for　just　a　little　while。　It　was　good　that　the　rains　had　let　up；　that　the　sun　had　returned。
　　　　　　　But　as　Josua　said；　he　reminded　himself；　it　means　nothing。　A　respite　is　all…the　Storm　King　has　not　been　slowed　by　anything　we　have　done　so　far。　If　we　cannot　solve　the　riddles　before　us；　if　we　cannot　gain　the　swords　and　learn　how　to　use　them；　this　moment　of　peace　will　mean　nothing。　The　deadly　winter　will　return…and　there　will　be　no　sunshine　then。　He　Who　Always　Steps　on　Sand；　let　me　not　fail！　Let　Strangyeard　and　me　find　the　answers　we　seek！
　　　　　　　But　answers　were　being　fewer　and　farther　between。　The　search　was　a　responsibility　that　had　begun　to　feel　more　and　more　burdensome。　Binabik　was　gone；　Geloe　was　dead；　and　now　only　Tiamak　and　the　diffident　priest　remained　of　all　the　Scrollbearers　and　other　wise　ones。　Together　they　had　pored　over　Morgenes'　manuscript；　searching　it　minutely　from　one　end　to　the　other　in　hope　of　finding　some　clues　they　had　missed；　some　help　with　the　riddle　of　me　Great　Swords。　They　had　also　scrutinized　the　translated　scrolls　of　Binabik's　master　Ookequk；　but　so　far　these　had　provided　nothing　but　a　great　deal　of　trollish　wisdom；　most　of　which　seemed　to　concern　predicting　avalanches　and　singing　away　the　spirits　of　frostbite。
　　　　　　　But　if　Strangyeard　and　I　do　not　find　more　success　soon；　Tiamak　thought　grimly；　we　may　have　more　need　of　Ookequk's　wisdom　than　we　will　like。
　　　　　　　In　the　past　few　days；　Tiamak　had　set　Strangyeard　to　relate　every　bit　of　information　that　the　archivist　possessed　about　the　Great　Swords　and　their　undead　enemy…his　own　book…learning；　the　things　old　Jarnauga　had　taught　him；　the　experiences　of　the　youth　Simon　and　his　panions；　everything　that　had　happened　in　the　last　year　that　might　contain　some　clue　to　their　dilemma。　Tiamak　prayed　that　a　pattern　might　show　somewhere；　as　the　ripples　in　a　river　demonstrated　the　presence　of　a　rock　beneath　the　surface。　In　all　the　lore　of　these　wise　men　and　women；　these　adventurers　and　accidental　witnesses；　someone　must　know　something　of　how　to　use　the　Great　Swords。
　　　　　　　Tiamak　sighed　again　and　wiggled　his　toes。　He　longed　to　be　just　a　little　man　with　little　problems　again。　How　important　those　problems　had　seemed！　And　how　he　longed　to　have　only　those　problems　now。　He　held　up　his　hand　and　looked　at　the　play　of　light　across　his　knuckles；　a　gnat　that　crept　across　the　thin　dark　hairs　on　his　wrist。　The　day　was　deceptively　pleasant；　just　like　the　surface　of　a　stream。　But　there　was　no　question　that　rocks　or　worse　lay　hidden　beneath。

　　　　　　　〃Please　lie　back；　Vorzheva；〃　said　Aditu。
　　　　　　　The　Thrithings…woman　made　a　face。　〃Now　you　talk　like　Josua。　It　is　only　a　little　pain。〃
　　　　　　　〃You　see　what　she's　like。〃　Gutrun　wore　an　air　of　grim　satisfaction。　〃If　I　could　tie　her　to　that　bed；　I　would。〃
　　　　　　　〃I　do　not　think　that　she　needs　to　be　tied　to　anything；〃　the　Sitha　woman　replied。　〃But　Vorzheva；　neither　is　there　any　dishonor　in　lying　down　when　you　are　in　pain。〃
　　　　　　　The　prince's　wife　reluctantly　slumped　back　against　the　cushions　and　allowed　Gutrun　to　pull　the　blanket…up。　〃1　was　not　raised　to　be　weak。〃　In　the　light　filtering　down　from　the　high　small　window　she　was　very　pale。
　　　　　　　〃You　are　not　weak。　But　both　your　life　and　the　child's　life　are　precious；〃　Aditu　said　gently。　〃When　you　feel　well　and　strong；　move　around　as　you　like。　When　you　are　hurting　or　weak；　lie　down　and　let　Duchess　Gutrun　or　me　help　you。〃　She　stood　and　took　a　few　steps　toward　the　door。
　　　　　　　〃You　are　not　going　to　leave？〃　Vorzheva　asked　in　dismay。　〃Stay　and　talk　to　me。　Tell　me　what　is　happening　outside。　Gutrun　and　I　have　been　in　this　room　all　day。　Even　the　monks　do　not　speak　to　us。　I　think　they　bate　women。〃
　　　　　　　Aditu　smiled。　〃Very　well。　My　other　tasks　can　wait　in　such　a　good　cause。〃　The　Sitha　seated　herself　upon　the　bed　once　more；　folding　her　legs　beneath　her。　〃Duchess　Gutrun。　if　you　wish　to　stretch　your　legs；　I　will　be　here　to　sit　with　Vorzheva　for　a　little　while　longer。〃　
　　　　　　　Gutrun　sniffed　dismissively。　〃I'm　just　where　I　should　be。〃　She　turned　back　to　her　sewing。
　　　　　　　Vorzheva　reached　out　her　hand　and　clasped　Aditu's　fingers。　〃Tell　me　what　you　have　seen　today。　Did　you　go　to　Leieth？〃
　　　　　　　The　Sitha　nodded；　her　silver…white　hair　swinging。　〃Yes。　She　is　just　a　few　rooms　away…but　there　is　no　change。　And　she　is　growing　very　thin。　I　mix　nurturing　herbs　with　the　small　draughts　of　water　she　will　swallow；　but　even　that　is　not　enough；　I　fear。　Something　still　tethers　her　to　her　body…to　look　at　her　she　seems　only　to　be　sleeping…　but　I　wonder　how　much　longer　that　tie　will　hold。〃　A　troubled　look　seemed　to　pass　over　Aditu's　alien　face。　〃This　is　another　way　that　Geloe's　passing　has　lessened　us。　Surely　the　forest　woman　would　know　some　root；　some　leafy　thing　that　might　draw　Leieth's　spirit　back。〃
　　　　　　　〃I'm　not　sure；〃　Gutrun　said　without　looking　up。　〃That　child　was　never　more　than　half　here…I　know；　and　I　cared　for　her　and　held　her　as　much　as　anyone。　Whatever　happened　to　her　in　the　forest　when　she　traveled　with　Miriamele；　those　dogs　and　merciful　Usires　only　knows　what　else；　it　took　a　part　of　her　away。〃　She　paused。　〃It's　not　your　fault；　Aditu。　You've　done　all　that　anyone　could；　I'm　sure。〃
　　　　　　　Aditu　turned　to　look　at　Gutrun；　but　betrayed　no　change　of　expression　at　the　duchess'　conciliatory　tone。　〃But　it　is　sad；〃　was　all　she　said。
　　　　　　　〃Sad；　yes；〃　Gutrun　replied。　〃God's　wishes　often　make　His　children　sad。　We　just　don't　understand；　I　suppose；　what　He　plans。　Surely　after　all　she　suffered。　He　has　something　better　in　mind　for　little　Leieth。〃
　　　　　　　Aditu　spoke　carefully。　〃I　hope　that　is　so。〃
　　　　　　　〃And　what　else　do　you　have　to　tell　me？〃　Vorzheva　asked。　〃I　guessed　about　Leieth。　You　would　have　told　me　first　if　there　was　any　new　thing。〃
　　　　　　　〃There　is　not　much　else　to　relate。　The　Duke　of　Nabban's　forces　have　fallen　back　a　little　farther；　but　soon　they　will　stop　and　fight　again。　Josua　and　the　others　are　trying　to　arrange　a　truce　so　that　they　can　stop　the　fighting　and　talk。〃
　　　　　　　〃Will　these　Nabbanai　talk　to　us？〃
　　　　　　　Aditu　shrugged　sinuously。　〃I　sometimes　wonder　if　I　understand　even　the　mortals　I　know　best。　As　to　those　who　are　pletely　strange　to　me　。。。　I　certainly　cannot　offer　any　firm　idea　as　to　what　these　men　may　do。　But　the　Nabbanai　general　is　a　brother　of　the　ruling　duke；　I　am　told；　so　I　doubt　that　he　will　be　very　sympathetic　to　anything　your　husband　has　to　say。〃
　　　　　　　Vorzheva's　face　contorted。　She　gasped；　but　then　waved　the　solicitous　Aditu　back。　〃No；　I　am　well。　It　was　just　a　squeezing。〃　After　a　moment　she　took　a　deep　breath。　〃And　Josua？　How　is　he？〃
　　　　　　　The　Sitha　looked　to　Gutrun；　who　raised　her　eyebrows　in　a　gesture　of　amused　helplessness。　〃He　was　just　here　this　morning；　Vorzheva；〃　the　duchess　said。　〃He　is　not　in　the　fighting。〃
　　　　　　　〃He　is　well；〃　Aditu　added。　〃He　asked　me　to　send　his　regards。〃
　　　　　　　〃Regards？〃　Vorzheva　sat　up。　〃What　sort　of　word　is　that　from　a　man；　from　a　husband？　Regards？〃
　　　　　　　〃Oh；　Elysia；　Mother　of　Mercy；〃　Gutrun　said　in　disgust。　〃You　know　that　he　cares　for　you；　Vorzheva。　Let　it　go。〃
　　　　　　　The　Thrithings…woman　sank　back；　her　hair　spreading　against　the　pillow　like　a　shining　dark　cloth。　〃It　is　only　because　I　cannot　do　anything。　Tomorrow　I　will　be　stronger。　Tomorrow　I　will　walk　to　where　I　can　see　the　battle。〃
　　　　　　　〃Only　if　you　can　drag　me　that　far；〃　said　the　duchess。　〃You　should　have　seen　her；　Aditu…she　couldn't　stand　this　morning；　the　pains　were　so　dreadful。　If　I　had　not　caught　her；　she　would　have　fallen　down　right　on　the　stone　floor。〃
　　　　　　　〃If　she　is　strong　enough；〃　Aditu　said；　〃then　for　her　to　walk　is　certainly　good…but　carefully；　and　not　too　great　a　distance。〃　She　paused；　looking　at　the　Thrithings…woman　carefully。　〃I　think　perhaps　you　are　too　excitable　to　look　at　the　battle；　Vorzheva。〃
　　　　　　　〃Hah。〃　Vorzheva's　disgust　was　plain。　〃You　said　your　people　hardly　ever　have　children。　Why　are　you　now　so　wise　about　what　I　should　do？〃
　　　　　　　〃Since　our　birthings　are　so　infrequent；　we　take　them　all　the　more　seriously。〃　Aditu　smiled　regretfully。　〃I　would　greatly　love　to　bear　a　child　one　day。　It　has　been　a　privilege　to　be　with　you　while　you　cany　yours。〃　She　leaned　forward　and　pulled　back　the　coverlet。　〃Let　me　listen。〃　
　　　　　　　〃You　will　only　say　that　the　baby　is　too　unhappy　to　go　walking　tomorrow；〃　Vorzheva　plained；　but　she　did　not　prevent　Aditu　from　laying　a　golden　cheek　against　her　tautly　rounded　stomach。
　　　　　　　Aditu　shut　her　upturned　eyes　as　though　she　were　falling　asleep。　For　a　long　moment；　her　thin　face　seemed　set　in　almost　perfect　repose。　Then　her　eyes　opened　wide；　a　flashing　of　brilliant　amber。　〃Venyha　s'ahn！〃　she　hissed　in　surprise。　She　lifted　her　head　for　a　moment；　then　placed　her　ear　back　against　Vorzheva's　belly。
　　　　　　　〃What？〃　Gutrun　was　out　of　her　chair　in　a　heartbeat；　stitchery　tumbling　to　the　floor。　〃The　child！　Is　the　child　。。。　is　something　wrong？〃
　　　　　　　'Tell　me；　Aditu。〃　Vorzheya　was　lying　perfectly　still；　but　her　voice　cracked　at　the　edges。　〃Do　not　spare　me。〃
　　　　　　　The　Sitha　began　to　laugh。
　　　　　　　〃Are　you　mad？〃　Gutrun　demanded。　〃What　is　it？〃
　　　　　　　Aditu　sat　up。　〃I　am　sorry。　I　was　marveling　at　the　continuing　astonishment　I　feel　around　you　mortals。　And　when　I　think　that　my　own　people　count　themselves　lucky　if　we　birth　a　handful　of　children　in　a　hundred　years！〃
　　　　　　　〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃　Gutrun　snapped。　Vorzheva　looked　too　frightened　to　ask　any　more　questions。
　　　　　　　〃I　am　talking　about　mortals；　about　the　gifts　you　have　that　you　do　not　know。〃　She　laughed　again；　but　more　quietly。　'There　are　two　heartbeats。〃
　　　　　　　The　duchess　stared。　〃What？。。〃
　　　　　　　〃Two　heartbeats；〃　Aditu　said　evenly。　'Two　children　are　growing　inside　of　Vorzheva。〃

12
Sleepless　in　Darkness

　　　　　　　Simon's　disappointment　was　an　emptiness　deep　and　hollow　as　the　barrow　in　which　they　stood。　〃It's　gone；〃　he　whispered。　〃Bright…Nail　isn't　here。〃
　　　　　　　〃Of　that　there　is　being　little　doubt。〃　In　the　torchlight；　Binabik's　face　was　grim。　〃Qinkipa　of　the　Snows！　I　almost　am　wishing　we　did　not　find　out　until　we　had　e　here　with　Prince　Josua's　army。　I　do　not　wish　to　take　him　such　news。〃
〃But　what　could　have　happened　to　it？〃　Simon　stared　down　at　the　waxen　face　of　Prester　John　as　though　the　king　might　wake　from　his　deathly　sleep