ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
°ËÍòÐ¡ËµÍø ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

tw.togreenangeltower2-µÚ1²¿·Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡



PART¡¡ONE
The
Turning¡¡Wheel

End¡¡of¡¡PART¡¡ONE

1
Tears¡¡and¡¡Smoke

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tiamak¡¡found¡¡the¡¡empty¡¡treelessness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡High¡¡Thrithing¡¡oppressive¡£¡¡Kwanitupul¡¡was¡¡strange£»¡¡too£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡had¡¡been¡¡visiting¡¡that¡¡place¡¡since¡¡childhood£»¡¡and¡¡its¡¡tumbledown¡¡buildings¡¡and¡¡ubiquitous¡¡waterways¡¡at¡¡least¡¡reminded¡¡him¡¡a¡¡little¡¡of¡¡his¡¡marshy¡¡home¡£¡¡Even¡¡Perdruin£»¡¡where¡¡he¡¡had¡¡spent¡¡time¡¡in¡¡lonely¡¡exile£»¡¡was¡¡so¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡close¡­leaning¡¡walls¡¡and¡¡narrow¡¡pathways£»¡¡so¡¡riddled¡¡with¡¡shadowy¡¡hiding¡¡places¡¡and¡¡blanketed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡salt¡¡smell¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sea£»¡¡that¡¡Tiamak¡¡had¡¡been¡¡able¡¡to¡¡live¡¡with¡¡his¡¡homesickness¡£¡¡But¡¡here¡¡on¡¡the¡¡grasslands¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡tremendously¡¡exposed¡¡and¡¡utterly¡¡out¡¡of¡¡place¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡not¡¡a¡¡forting¡¡feeling¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡Who¡¡Watch¡¡and¡¡Shape¡¡have¡¡indeed¡¡made¡¡a¡¡strange¡¡life¡¡for¡¡me£»¡¡he¡¡often¡¡reflected¡£¡¡The¡¡strangest£»¡¡perhaps£»¡¡of¡¡any¡¡they¡¡have¡¡made¡¡for¡¡my¡¡people¡¡since¡¡Nuobdig¡¡married¡¡the¡¡Fire¡¡Sister¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sometimes¡¡there¡¡was¡¡solace¡¡in¡¡this¡¡thought¡£¡¡To¡¡have¡¡been¡¡marked¡¡out¡¡for¡¡such¡¡unusual¡¡events¡¡was£»¡¡after¡¡all£»¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡repayment¡¡for¡¡the¡¡¡¡years¡¡of¡¡misunderstanding¡¡that¡¡his¡¡own¡¡people¡¡and¡¡the¡¡drylanders¡¡on¡¡Perdruin¡¡had¡¡shown¡¡him¡£¡¡Of¡¡course¡¡he¡¡was¡¡not¡¡understood¡­he¡¡was¡¡special£º¡¡what¡¡other¡¡Wrannaman¡¡could¡¡speak¡¡and¡¡read¡¡the¡¡drylander¡¡tongues¡¡as¡¡he¡¡could£¿¡¡But¡¡lately£»¡¡surrounded¡¡again¡¡by¡¡strangers£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡no¡¡knowledge¡¡of¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡folk£»¡¡it¡¡filled¡¡him¡¡with¡¡loneliness¡£¡¡At¡¡such¡¡times£»¡¡disturbed¡¡by¡¡the¡¡emptiness¡¡of¡¡these¡¡queer¡¡northern¡¡surroundings£»¡¡he¡¡would¡¡walk¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡river¡¡that¡¡ran¡¡through¡¡the¡¡middle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡camp¡¡to¡¡sit¡¡and¡¡listen¡¡to¡¡the¡¡calming£»¡¡familiar¡¡sounds¡¡of¡¡the¡¡water¡­world¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡been¡¡doing¡¡just¡¡that£»¡¡dangling¡¡his¡¡brown¡¡feet¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Stefflod¡¡despite¡¡the¡¡chill¡¡of¡¡water¡¡and¡¡wind£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡returning¡¡to¡¡camp¡¡a¡¡little¡¡heartened£»¡¡when¡¡a¡¡shape¡¡flashed¡¡past¡¡him¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡someone¡¡running£»¡¡pale¡¡hair¡¡streaming£»¡¡but¡¡whoever¡¡it¡¡was¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡move¡¡as¡¡swiftly¡¡as¡¡a¡¡dragonfly£»¡¡far¡¡faster¡¡than¡¡anyone¡¡human¡¡should¡¡travel¡£¡¡Tiamak¡¡had¡¡only¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡to¡¡stare¡¡after¡¡the¡¡fleeing¡¡form¡¡before¡¡another¡¡dark¡¡shape¡¡swept¡¡past¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡bird£»¡¡a¡¡large¡¡one£»¡¡flying¡¡low¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡as¡¡though¡¡the¡¡first¡¡figure¡¡was¡¡its¡¡prey¡£
As¡¡both¡¡shapes¡¡vanished¡¡up¡¡the¡¡slope¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡heart¡¡of¡¡the¡¡prince's¡¡encampment£»¡¡Tiamak¡¡stood¡¡in¡¡stunned¡¡amazement¡£¡¡It¡¡took¡¡some¡¡moments¡¡for¡¡him¡¡to¡¡realize¡¡who¡¡the¡¡first¡¡shape¡¡had¡¡been¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sitha¡­woman£¡¡¡he¡¡thought¡£¡¡Chased¡¡by¡¡a¡¡hawk¡¡or¡¡an¡¡owl£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡made¡¡no¡¡sense£»¡¡but¡¡then¡¡she¡­Aditu¡¡was¡¡her¡¡name¡­¡¡made¡¡little¡¡sense¡¡to¡¡Tiamak¡¡either¡£¡¡She¡¡was¡¡like¡¡nothing¡¡he¡¡had¡¡ever¡¡seen¡¡and£»¡¡in¡¡fact£»¡¡frightened¡¡him¡¡a¡¡little¡£¡¡But¡¡what¡¡could¡¡be¡¡chasing¡¡her£¿¡¡From¡¡the¡¡look¡¡on¡¡her¡¡face¡¡she¡¡had¡¡been¡¡running¡¡from¡¡something¡¡dreadful¡£
Or¡¡to¡¡something¡¡dreadful£»¡¡he¡¡realized£»¡¡and¡¡felt¡¡his¡¡stomach¡¡clench¡£¡¡She¡¡had¡¡been¡¡heading¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡camp¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡Who¡¡Always¡¡Steps¡¡on¡¡Sand£»¡¡Tiamak¡¡prayed¡¡as¡¡he¡¡set¡¡out£»¡¡protect¡¡me¡­protect¡¡us¡¡all¡¡from¡¡evil¡£¡¡His¡¡heart¡¡was¡¡beating¡¡swiftly¡¡now£»¡¡faster¡¡than¡¡the¡¡pace¡¡of¡¡his¡¡running¡¡feet¡£¡¡This¡¡is¡¡an¡¡ill¡­omened¡¡year£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡nearest¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡vast¡¡field¡¡of¡¡tents£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡reassured¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡quiet£»¡¡and¡¡few¡¡campfires¡¡burned¡£¡¡But¡¡there¡¡was¡¡too¡¡much¡¡quiet£»¡¡he¡¡decided¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡later¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡not¡¡early£»¡¡but¡¡still¡¡well¡¡before¡¡midnight¡£¡¡People¡¡should¡¡be¡¡about£»¡¡or¡¡at¡¡least¡¡there¡¡should¡¡be¡¡some¡¡noise¡¡from¡¡those¡¡not¡¡yet¡¡asleep¡£¡¡What¡¡could¡¡be¡¡wrong£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡had¡¡been¡¡long¡¡moments¡¡since¡¡he¡¡had¡¡caught¡¡his¡¡most¡¡recent¡¡glimpse¡¡of¡¡the¡¡swooping¡¡bird¡­he¡¡was¡¡certain¡¡now¡¡it¡¡was¡¡an¡¡owl¡­and¡¡he¡¡hobbled¡¡on¡¡in¡¡the¡¡direction¡¡he¡¡had¡¡last¡¡seen¡¡it£»¡¡his¡¡breath¡¡now¡¡ing¡¡in¡¡harsh¡¡gasps¡£¡¡His¡¡injured¡¡leg¡¡was¡¡not¡¡used¡¡to¡¡running£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡burned¡¡him£»¡¡throbbed¡£¡¡He¡¡did¡¡his¡¡best¡¡to¡¡ignore¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Quiet£»¡¡quiet¡­it¡¡was¡¡still¡¡as¡¡a¡¡stagnant¡¡pond¡¡here¡£¡¡The¡¡tents¡¡stood£»¡¡dark¡¡and¡¡lifeless¡¡as¡¡the¡¡stones¡¡drylanders¡¡set¡¡in¡¡fields¡¡where¡¡they¡¡buried¡¡their¡¡dead¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡there£¡¡¡Tiamak¡¡felt¡¡his¡¡stomach¡¡turn¡¡again¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡movement£¡¡¡One¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tents¡¡not¡¡far¡¡away¡¡shook¡¡as¡¡though¡¡in¡¡a¡¡wind£»¡¡and¡¡some¡¡light¡¡inside¡¡it¡¡threw¡¡strange¡¡moving¡¡shadows¡¡onto¡¡the¡¡walls¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Even¡¡as¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡it¡¡he¡¡felt¡¡a¡¡tickling¡¡in¡¡his¡¡nostrils£»¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡burning£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡it¡¡came¡¡a¡¡sweet£»¡¡musky¡¡scent¡£¡¡He¡¡sneezed¡¡convulsively¡¡and¡¡almost¡¡tripped£»¡¡but¡¡caught¡¡himself¡¡before¡¡falling¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground¡£¡¡He¡¡limped¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡tent£»¡¡which¡¡pulsed¡¡with¡¡light¡¡and¡¡shadow¡¡as¡¡though¡¡some¡¡monstrous¡¡thing¡¡was¡¡being¡¡born¡¡inside¡£¡¡He¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡his¡¡voice¡¡to¡¡cry¡¡out¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡ing¡¡and¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡an¡¡alarm£»¡¡for¡¡his¡¡fear¡¡was¡¡rising¡¡higher¡¡and¡¡higher¡­but¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡make¡¡a¡¡sound¡£¡¡Even¡¡the¡¡painful¡¡rasp¡¡of¡¡his¡¡breathing¡¡had¡¡bee¡¡faint¡¡and¡¡whispery¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡tent£»¡¡too£»¡¡was¡¡strangely¡¡silent¡£¡¡Pushing¡¡down¡¡his¡¡fright£»¡¡he¡¡caught¡¡at¡¡the¡¡flap¡¡and¡¡threw¡¡it¡¡back¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡first¡¡he¡¡could¡¡see¡¡nothing¡¡more¡¡than¡¡dark¡¡shapes¡¡and¡¡bright¡¡light£»¡¡almost¡¡an¡¡exact¡¡reflection¡¡of¡¡the¡¡shadow¡¡puppets¡¡on¡¡the¡¡outside¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tent¡£¡¡Within¡¡a¡¡few¡¡instants£»¡¡the¡¡moving¡¡images¡¡began¡¡to¡¡e¡¡clear¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡tent's¡¡far¡¡wall¡¡stood¡¡Camaris¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡been¡¡struck£»¡¡for¡¡blood¡¡rilled¡¡from¡¡some¡¡cut¡¡on¡¡his¡¡head£»¡¡staining¡¡his¡¡cheek¡¡and¡¡hair¡¡black£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡reeled¡¡as¡¡though¡¡his¡¡wits¡¡had¡¡been¡¡addled¡£¡¡Still£»¡¡bowed¡¡and¡¡leaning¡¡against¡¡the¡¡fabric¡¡for¡¡support£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡yet¡¡fierce£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡bear¡¡beset¡¡by¡¡hounds¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡no¡¡blade£»¡¡but¡¡held¡¡a¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡firewood¡¡clenched¡¡in¡¡one¡¡fist¡¡and¡¡waved¡¡it¡¡back¡¡and¡¡forth£»¡¡holding¡¡off¡¡a¡¡menacing¡¡shape¡¡that¡¡was¡¡almost¡¡all¡¡black¡¡but¡¡for¡¡a¡¡flash¡¡of¡¡white¡¡hands¡¡and¡¡something¡¡that¡¡glinted¡¡in¡¡one¡¡of¡¡those¡¡hands¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Kicking¡¡near¡¡Camaris'¡¡feet¡¡was¡¡an¡¡even¡¡less¡¡decipherable¡¡muddle£»¡¡although¡¡Tiamak¡¡thought¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡more¡¡black¡­clothed¡¡limbs£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡the¡¡pale¡¡nimbus¡¡of¡¡Aditu's¡¡hair¡£¡¡A¡¡third¡¡dark¡­clad¡¡attacker¡¡huddled¡¡in¡¡the¡¡corner£»¡¡warding¡¡off¡¡a¡¡swooping£»¡¡fluttering¡¡shadow¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Terrified£»¡¡Tiamak¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡his¡¡voice¡¡to¡¡call¡¡for¡¡help£»¡¡but¡¡could¡¡make¡¡no¡¡sound¡£¡¡Indeed£»¡¡despite¡¡what¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡life¡­or¡­death¡¡struggles£»¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡tent¡¡was¡¡silent¡¡but¡¡for¡¡the¡¡muffled¡¡sounds¡¡of¡¡the¡¡two¡¡batants¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡and¡¡the¡¡hectic¡¡flapping¡¡of¡¡wings¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Why¡¡can't¡¡I¡¡hear£¿¡¡Tiamak¡¡thought¡¡desperately¡£¡¡Why¡¡can't¡¡I¡¡make¡¡a¡¡sound£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Frantic£»¡¡he¡¡searched¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡for¡¡something¡¡to¡¡use¡¡as¡¡a¡¡weapon£»¡¡cursing¡¡himself¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡carelessly¡¡left¡¡his¡¡knife¡¡behind¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sleeping¡­place¡¡he¡¡shared¡¡with¡¡Strangyeard¡£¡¡No¡¡knife£»¡¡no¡¡sling¡­stones£»¡¡no¡¡blow¡­darts¡­nothing£¡¡¡She¡¡Who¡¡Waits¡¡to¡¡Take¡¡All¡¡Back¡¡had¡¡surely¡¡sung¡¡his¡¡song¡¡tonight¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Something¡¡vast¡¡and¡¡soft¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡him¡¡in¡¡the¡¡head£»¡¡sending¡¡Tiamak¡¡to¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡but¡¡when¡¡he¡¡looked¡¡up£»¡¡the¡¡several¡¡battles¡¡still¡¡raged£»¡¡none¡¡of¡¡them¡¡near¡¡him¡£¡¡His¡¡skull¡¡was¡¡throbbing¡¡even¡¡more¡¡painfully¡¡than¡¡his¡¡leg¡¡and¡¡the¡¡sweet¡¡smell¡¡was¡¡chokingly¡¡strong¡£¡¡Dizzy£»¡¡Tiamak¡¡crawled¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡encountered¡¡something¡¡hard¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡knight's¡¡sword£»¡¡black¡¡Thorn£»¡¡still¡¡sheathed¡£¡¡Tiamak¡¡knew¡¡it¡¡was¡¡far¡¡too¡¡heavy¡¡for¡¡him¡¡to¡¡use£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡dragged¡¡it¡¡out¡¡from¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡tangle¡¡of¡¡bedding¡¡and¡¡stood£»¡¡as¡¡unsteady¡¡now¡¡on¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡as¡¡Camaris¡£¡¡What¡¡was¡¡in¡¡the¡¡air£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡sword£»¡¡unexpectedly£»¡¡seemed¡¡light¡¡in¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡despite¡¡the¡¡heavy¡¡scabbard¡¡and¡¡dangling¡¡belt¡£¡¡He¡¡raised¡¡it¡¡high¡¡and¡¡took¡¡a¡¡few¡¡steps¡¡forward£»¡¡then¡¡swung¡¡it¡¡as¡¡hard¡¡as¡¡he¡¡could¡¡at¡¡what¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡was¡¡the¡¡head¡¡of¡¡Camaris'¡¡attacker¡£¡¡The¡¡impact¡¡shivered¡¡up¡¡his¡¡arm£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡thing¡¡did¡¡not¡¡fall¡£¡¡Instead£»¡¡the¡¡head¡¡turned¡¡slowly¡£¡¡Two¡¡eyes£»¡¡shining¡¡black£»¡¡stared¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡corpse¡­white¡¡face¡£¡¡Tiamak's¡¡throat¡¡moved¡¡convulsively¡£¡¡Even¡¡had¡¡his¡¡voice¡¡remained£»¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡have¡¡made¡¡a¡¡sound¡£¡¡He¡¡lifted¡¡his¡¡shaking¡¡arms£»¡¡holding¡¡the¡¡sword¡¡up¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡again£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡thing's¡¡white¡¡hand¡¡flashed¡¡out¡¡and¡¡Tiamak¡¡was¡¡knocked¡¡backward¡£¡¡The¡¡room¡¡whirled¡¡away¡¡from¡¡him£»¡¡the¡¡sword¡¡flew¡¡from¡¡his¡¡nerveless¡¡fingers¡¡and¡¡tumbled¡¡to¡¡the¡¡grass¡¡that¡¡was¡¡the¡¡tent's¡¡only¡¡floor¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tiamak's¡¡head¡¡was¡¡as¡¡heavy¡¡as¡¡stone£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡otherwise¡¡feel¡¡the¡¡pain¡¡of¡¡the¡¡blow¡£¡¡What¡¡he¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡were¡¡his¡¡wits¡¡slipping¡¡away¡£¡¡He¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡lift¡¡himself¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡once¡¡more¡¡but¡¡only¡¡got¡¡as¡¡far¡¡as¡¡his¡¡knees¡£¡¡He¡¡crouched£»¡¡shaking¡¡like¡¡a¡¡sick¡¡dog¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡could¡¡not¡¡speak¡¡but£»¡¡cursedly£»¡¡could¡¡still¡¡see¡£¡¡Camaris¡¡was¡¡stumbling£»¡¡wagging¡¡his¡¡head¡­as¡¡damaged£»¡¡seemingly£»¡¡as¡¡Tiamak¡£¡¡The¡¡old¡¡man¡¡was¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡off¡¡his¡¡attacker¡¡long¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡reach¡¡something¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡­the¡¡sword£»¡¡the¡¡Wrannaman¡¡realized¡¡groggily£»¡¡the¡¡black¡¡sword¡£¡¡Camaris¡¡was¡¡prevented¡¡from¡¡reaching¡¡it¡¡as¡¡much¡¡by¡¡the¡¡dark£»¡¡contorted¡¡forms¡¡of¡¡Aditu¡¡and¡¡her¡¡enemy¡¡rolling¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡beneath¡¡him¡¡as¡¡by¡¡the¡¡foe¡¡he¡¡was¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡at¡¡bay¡¡with¡¡his¡¡firelog¡¡club¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡other¡¡corner£»¡¡something¡¡glittered¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hand¡¡of¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡pale¡­faced¡¡things£»¡¡a¡¡shining¡¡something¡¡red¡¡as¡¡a¡¡crescent¡¡of¡¡firelight¡£¡¡The¡¡scarlet¡¡gleam¡¡moved£»¡¡swift¡¡as¡¡a¡¡striking¡¡snake£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡tiny¡¡cloud¡¡of¡¡dark¡¡shapes¡¡exploded¡¡outward£»¡¡then¡¡drifted¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground£»¡¡slower¡¡than¡¡snowflakes¡£¡¡Tiamak¡¡squinted¡¡helplessly¡¡as¡¡one¡¡settled¡¡on¡¡his¡¡hand¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡feather¡£¡¡An¡¡owl's¡¡feather¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Help¡£¡¡Tiamak's¡¡skull¡¡felt¡¡as¡¡though¡¡it¡¡had¡¡been¡¡staved¡¡in¡£¡¡We¡¡need¡¡help¡£¡¡We¡¡will¡¡die¡¡if¡¡no¡¡one¡¡helps¡¡us¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Camaris¡¡at¡¡last¡¡bent¡¡and¡¡caught¡¡up¡¡the¡¡sword£»¡¡almost¡¡over¡­balancing£»¡¡then¡¡managed¡¡to¡¡lift¡¡Thorn¡¡in¡¡time¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡off¡¡a¡¡strike¡¡by¡¡his¡¡enemy¡£¡¡The¡¡two¡¡of¡¡them¡¡circled¡¡each¡¡other£»¡¡Camaris¡¡stumbling£»¡¡the¡¡black¡­clad¡¡attacker¡¡moving¡¡with¡¡cautious¡¡grace¡£¡¡They¡¡fell¡¡together¡¡once¡¡more£»¡¡and¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡old¡¡knight's¡¡hands¡¡shot¡¡out¡¡and¡¡pushed¡¡away¡¡a¡¡dagger¡¡blow£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡blade¡¡left¡¡a¡¡trail¡¡of¡¡blood¡¡down¡¡his¡¡arm¡£¡¡Camaris¡¡fell¡¡back¡¡clumsily£»¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡find¡¡room¡¡to¡¡swing¡¡his¡¡sword¡£¡¡His¡¡eyes¡¡were¡¡half¡­closed¡¡with¡¡pain¡¡or¡¡fatigue¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡is¡¡hurt£»¡¡Tiamak¡¡thought¡¡desperately¡£¡¡The¡¡throbbing¡¡in¡¡his¡¡head¡¡grew¡¡stronger¡£¡¡Maybe¡¡dying¡£¡¡Why¡¡does¡¡no¡¡one¡¡e£¿
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Wrannaman¡¡dragged¡¡himself¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡wide¡¡brazier¡¡of¡¡coals¡¡that¡¡provided¡¡the¡¡only¡¡light¡£¡¡His¡¡dimming¡¡senses¡¡were¡¡beginning¡¡to¡¡wink¡¡out¡¡like¡¡the¡¡lamps¡¡of¡¡Kwanitupul¡¡at¡¡dawn¡£¡¡Only¡¡a¡¡dim¡¡fragment¡¡of¡¡an¡¡idea¡¡was¡¡in¡¡his¡¡mind£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡lift¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡iron¡¡brazier¡£¡¡When¡¡he¡¡felt¡­as¡¡dimly¡¡as¡¡a¡¡distant¡¡echo¡­the¡¡heat¡¡of¡¡the¡¡thing¡¡against¡¡his¡¡fingers£»¡¡he¡¡pushed¡£¡¡The¡¡brazier¡¡tumbled¡¡over£»¡¡scattering¡¡coals¡¡like¡¡a¡¡waterfall¡¡of¡¡rubies¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡Tiamak¡¡collapsed£»¡¡choking£»¡¡the¡¡last¡¡things¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡were¡¡his¡¡own¡¡soot¡­blackened¡¡hand¡¡curled¡¡like¡¡a¡¡spider¡¡and£»¡¡beyond¡¡it£»¡¡an¡¡army¡¡of¡¡tiny¡¡flames¡¡licking¡¡at¡¡the¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tent¡¡wall¡£

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡don't¡¡need¡¡any¡¡more¡¡damnable¡¡questions£»¡¨¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡grumbled¡£¡¡¡¨We¡¡have¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡last¡¡three¡¡lifetimes¡£¡¡What¡¡we¡¡need¡¡are¡¡answers¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Binabik¡¡made¡¡an¡¡unfortable¡¡gesture¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡agreeing¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¡Duke¡¡Isgrimnur¡£¡¡But¡¡answers¡¡are¡¡not¡¡like¡¡a¡¡sheep¡¡that¡¡is¡¡ing¡¡when¡¡a¡¡person¡¡calls¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Josua¡¡sighed¡¡and¡¡leaned¡¡back¡¡against¡¡the¡¡wall¡¡of¡¡Isgrimnur's¡¡tent¡£¡¡Outside£»¡¡the¡¡wind¡¡rose¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡moaning¡¡faintly¡¡as¡¡it¡¡vibrated¡¡the¡¡tent¡¡ropes¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡know¡¡how¡¡difficult¡¡it¡¡is£»¡¡Binabik¡£¡¡But¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡is¡¡right¡­we¡¡need¡¡answers¡£¡¡The¡¡things¡¡you¡¡told¡¡us¡¡about¡¡this¡¡Conqueror¡¡Star¡¡have¡¡only¡¡added¡¡to¡¡the¡¡confusion¡£¡¡What¡¡we¡¡need¡¡to¡¡know¡¡is¡¡how¡¡to¡¡use¡¡the¡¡three¡¡Great¡¡Swords¡£¡¡All¡¡that¡¡the¡¡star¡¡tells¡¡us¡­if¡¡you¡¡are¡¡right¡­is¡¡that¡¡our¡¡time¡¡to¡¡wield¡¡them¡¡is¡¡running¡¡out¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡is¡¡what¡¡we¡¡are¡¡giving¡¡the¡¡largest¡¡attention¡¡to£»¡¡Prince¡¡Josua£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡troll¡£¡¡¡¨And¡¡we¡¡think¡¡we¡¡may¡¡perhaps¡¡be¡¡learning¡¡something¡¡soon£»¡¡for¡¡Strangyeard¡¡has¡¡found¡¡something¡¡that¡¡is¡¡of¡¡importantness¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡is¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡Josua¡¡asked£»¡¡leaning¡¡forward¡£¡¡¡¨Anything£»¡¡man£»¡¡anything¡¡would¡¡be¡¡heartening¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Father¡¡Strangyeard£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡been¡¡sitting¡¡quietly£»¡¡squirmed¡¡a¡¡little¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡as¡¡sure¡¡as¡¡Binabik£»¡¡Highness£»¡¡that¡¡it¡¡is¡¡of¡¡any¡¡use¡£¡¡I¡¡found¡¡the¡¡first¡¡of¡¡it¡¡some¡¡time¡¡ago£»¡¡while¡¡we¡¡were¡¡still¡¡traveling¡¡to¡¡Sesuad'ra¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Strangyeard¡¡was¡¡finding¡¡a¡¡passage¡¡that¡¡is¡¡written¡¡in¡¡Morgenes'¡¡book£»¡¨¡¡Binabik¡¡amplified£»¡¡¡¨something¡¡about¡¡the¡¡three¡¡swords¡¡that¡¡are¡¡so¡¡much¡¡concerning¡¡us¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And£¿¡¨¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡tapped¡¡his¡¡fingers¡¡on¡¡his¡¡muddy¡¡knee¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡spent¡¡a¡¡long¡¡time¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡secure¡¡his¡¡tentstakes¡¡in¡¡the¡¡loose£»¡¡damp¡¡ground¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡Morgenes¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡suggest£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡archivist¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨is¡¡that¡¡what¡¡makes¡¡the¡¡three¡¡swords¡¡special¡­no£»¡¡more¡¡than¡¡special£»¡¡powerful¡­is¡¡that¡¡they¡¡are¡¡not¡¡of¡¡Osten¡¡Ard¡£¡¡Each¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡in¡¡some¡¡way£»¡¡goes¡¡against¡¡the¡¡laws¡¡of¡¡God¡¡and¡¡Nature¡£¡¨
¡¨How¡¡so£¿¡¨¡¡The¡¡prince¡¡was¡¡listening¡¡intently¡£¡¡Isgrimnur¡¡saw¡¡a¡¡little¡¡ruefully¡¡that¡¡these¡¡sorts¡¡of¡¡inquiries¡¡would¡¡always¡¡interest¡¡Josua¡¡more¡¡than¡¡the¡¡less¡¡exotic¡¡business¡¡of¡¡being¡¡a¡¡ruler£»¡¡such¡¡as¡¡grain¡¡prices¡¡and¡¡taxes¡¡and¡¡the¡¡laws¡¡of¡¡fireeholding¡£
Strangyea
·µ»ØÄ¿Â¼ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨3£© ²È£¨3£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂܰÌáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæÐ´Ô­´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøÅ¶£¡