Ⅲ 冰雨的风暴 Chapter67 詹姆

JAIME

白色的房间里，一本白色的大书放在一张白色的桌子上。

A white book sat on a white table in a white room.

这间会议室是圆形，刷白的石墙上挂着许多白羊毛织锦。这是白剑塔的底楼，整个建筑共分四层，十分促窄，靠在城墙边，恰好俯瞰海湾。楼底的地下室陈列着武器和铠甲，二楼与三楼则是御林铁卫其他六名兄弟起居的小房间。

The room was round, its walls of whitewashed stone hung with white woolen tapestries. It formed the first floor of White Sword Tower, a slender structure of four stories built into an angle of the castle wall overlooking the bay. The undercroft held arms and armor, the second and third floors the small spare sleeping cells of the six brothers of the Kingsguard.

他曾在二楼住了十八年，直到今天早上，才把东西搬到顶楼——御林铁卫队长专属的楼层。房间虽然大了，仍极朴素，好在高过外墙一截，可以时时观看外海的景色。我会喜欢的，他心想，喜欢这景色，喜欢这一切。

One of those cells had been his for eighteen years, but this morning he had moved his things to the topmost floor, which was given over entirely to the Lord Commander’s apartments. Those rooms were spare as well, though spacious; and they were above the outer walls, which meant he would have a view of the sea. I will like that, he thought. The view, and all the rest.

詹姆穿着和会议室色调一致的全身白甲，读着那本白书，等待他的白骑士兄弟们。一柄长剑悬于臀间。却是在错误的一边。他爱把剑挂在左边，好趁拔剑之机顺势出击。今天，他将剑挂到右边，企图必要时用左手复制同样的招式。可惜力度不够，实验起来，整个动作笨拙而不连贯。连衣服也不搭调，虽然特意换上御林铁卫的冬装，包括漂白羊毛马裤和上衣，外罩厚重的白披风，却总觉得不够威严，没有气势。

As pale as the room, Jaime sat by the book in his Kingsguard whites, waiting for his Sworn Brothers. A longsword hung from his hip. From the wrong hip. Before he had always worn his sword on his left, and drawn it across his body when he unsheathed. He had shifted it to his right hip this morning, so as to be able to draw it with his left hand in the same manner, but the weight of it felt strange there, and when he had tried to pull the blade from the scabbard the whole motion seemed clumsy and unnatural. His clothing fit badly as well. He had donned the winter raiment of the Kingsguard, a tunic and breeches of bleached white wool and a heavy white cloak, but it all seemed to hang loose on him.

这几天来，詹姆参加了弟弟的审判，但只远远站在大厅底部，所以毫不奇怪地，提利昂没有看到他，更不知道他来过。其实，宫里一大半人都不太在意他。连我自己的族亲都把我当成陌生人。儿子死了，父亲正在气头上，而姐姐……姐姐自从他回来当天，与他在王家圣堂里、在乔佛里的棺材边做爱之后，就不肯见他。连将小乔安葬于贝勒大圣堂坟墓的仪式上，她也小心翼翼地和他保持距离。

Jaime had spent his days at his brother’s trial, standing well to the back of the hall. Either Tyrion never saw him there or he did not know him, but that was no surprise. Half the court no longer seemed to know him. I am a stranger in my own House. His son was dead, his father had disowned him, and his sister … she had not allowed him to be alone with her once, after that first day in the royal sept where Joffrey lay amongst the candles. Even when they bore him across the city to his tomb in the Great Sept of Baelor, Cersei kept a careful distance.

他再度环顾圆形会议室。白羊毛织锦覆盖墙壁，壁炉上挂着一面白盾和两柄交叉的白剑。桌后有张黑色老橡木椅，铺的漂白牛皮垫，业已磨得厉害。这张椅子，骨瘦矍铄的巴利斯坦坐过，在他之前，有杰洛·海塔尔爵士、龙骑士伊蒙王子与莱安·雷德温爵士，有戴瑞家的戴莫、“高个”邓肯爵士和“白狮鹫”埃林·克林顿……和这些光辉形象相比，弑君者真是格格不入。

He looked about the Round Room once more. White wool hangings covered the walls, and there was a white shield and two crossed longswords mounted above the hearth. The chair behind the table was old black oak, with cushions of blanched cowhide, the leather worn thin. Worn by the bony arse of Barristan the Bold and Ser Gerold Hightower before him, by Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, Ser Ryam Redwyne, and the Demon of Darry, by Ser Duncan the Tall and the Pale Griffin Alyn Connington. How could the Kingslayer belong in such exalted company?

但他却坐在他们的椅子上。

Yet here he was.

桌子本身由古老的鱼梁木制成，灰白如骨，雕成三匹骏马支撑一面巨盾的形状。根据传统，铁卫队长坐在盾牌后面，六位兄弟则于三匹骏马两侧分居——当然，很少出现七人全部到场的情形。躺在他肘边的这本书极为庞大，两尺长，一尺半宽，厚度则有一千多页，黄金的铰链和丝线将上等白牛皮纸与漂白皮革封面装订在一起。它的正式名称是《白骑士之书》，一般简称为“白典”。

The table itself was old weirwood, pale as bone, carved in the shape of a huge shield supported by three white stallions. By tradition the Lord Commander sat at the top of the shield, and the brothers three to a side, on the rare occasions when all seven were assembled. The book that rested by his elbow was massive; two feet tall and a foot and a half wide, a thousand pages thick, fine white vellum bound between covers of bleached white leather with gold hinges and fastenings. The Book of the Brothers was its formal name, but more often it was simply called the White Book.

《白骑士之书》保存着御林铁卫的全部历史，每个加入铁卫的骑士都在书中留有一页，用来记载名姓与事迹。每页左上方绘有该页的主人加入御林铁卫前使用的纹章，而右下方无一例外都是御林铁卫的徽记：空旷而纯净的雪白盾牌。上面的纹章页页不同，下面的符号张张相似，中间是骑士们的生活记录。绘制纹章由贝勒大圣堂的修士负责，他们一年拜访三次，但书写文字是铁卫队长的职责。

Within the White Book was the history of the Kingsguard. Every knight who’d ever served had a page, to record his name and deeds for all time. On the top left-hand corner of each page was drawn the shield the man had carried at the time he was chosen, inked in rich colors. Down in the bottom right corner was the shield of the Kingsguard; snow-white, empty, pure. The upper shields were all different; the lower shields were all the same. In the space between were written the facts of each man’s life and service. The heraldic drawings and illuminations were done by septons sent from the Great Sept of Baelor three times a year, but it was the duty of the Lord Commander to keep the entries up to date.

我的职责。我得尽快学会用左手写字。白典已荒废了一年多，它没有记载普列斯顿·格林菲尔爵士和曼登·穆尔爵士的死，也没有记载桑铎·克里冈短暂而血腥的服役，还有新的页码得为巴隆·史文爵士、奥斯蒙·凯特布莱克爵士和百花骑士填加。我要尽快召修士们前来绘制。

My duty, now. Once he learned to write with his left hand, that is. The White Book was well behind. The deaths of Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Preston Greenfield needed to be entered, and the brief bloody Kingsguard service of Sandor Clegane as well. New pages must be started for Ser Balon Swann, Ser Osmund Kettleblack, and the Knight of Flowers. I will need to summon a septon to draw their shields.

前任队长乃“无畏的”巴利斯坦·赛尔弥爵士，他的页面上绘有赛尔弥家的纹章：棕褐底色上三束金黄小麦。詹姆饶有兴致，但并不吃惊地发现巴利斯坦爵士在逃亡前连自己的离职缘故都一一记录在案：

Ser Barristan Selmy had preceded Jaime as Lord Commander. The shield atop his page showed the arms of House Selmy: three stalks of wheat, yellow, on a brown field. Jaime was amused, though unsurprised, to find that Ser Barristan had taken the time to record his own dismissal before leaving the castle.

赛尔弥家族的巴利斯坦爵士。丰收厅莱昂诺·赛尔弥伯爵之长子。幼年时代为曼佛德·史文爵士的侍从。十岁那年，穿着借来的盔甲，打扮成神秘骑士，匿名参加于黑港举办的比武会，在其中赢得“无畏的”外号，但最终为龙芙莱王子邓肯所败，并被挑开面甲。十六岁那年，匿名参加于君临举办的冬季大比武会，连续大败“矮个”邓肯王子和御林铁卫队长“高个”邓肯爵士之后，由国王伊耿·坦格利安五世亲手册封为骑士。随后，在“九铜板王之战”中，一对一决斗杀死末代黑火“凶暴的”马里斯。曾打败“长枪”罗梅勒和铜门城的私生子塞德克·风暴。二十三岁那年，由御林铁卫队长杰洛·海塔尔爵士引荐为御林铁卫。之后，在银桥城举办的比武会上，打败所有挑战者；在女泉城的比武会上，赢得团体比武的胜利；暮谷城反叛期间，在胸膛中箭的情形下，仍坚持护送国王伊里斯·坦格利安二世回到安全地带；为铁卫兄弟加尔温·戈特爵士报仇；从御林兄弟会手中营救出简妮·史文夫人和她的修女，击败西蒙·托因和微笑骑士，并杀了前者；在旧镇比武会上，打败神秘的黑盾骑士，挑开对方面甲，揭示其为高地的私生子；在史蒂芬公爵于风息堡举办的比武会上，成为独一无二的冠军，相继打败劳勃·拜拉席恩、奥柏伦·马泰尔亲王、雷顿·海塔尔伯爵、琼恩·克林顿伯爵、杰森·梅利斯特伯爵和王太子雷加·坦格利安；三叉戟河一战中，与铁卫兄弟们和龙石岛亲王雷加并肩奋战，身负多处箭伤、矛伤和剑伤。之后，被国王劳勃·拜拉席恩一世赦免，随即任命为御林铁卫队长。有幸担任荣誉护卫，护送兰尼斯特家族的瑟曦小姐前往君临与劳勃国王完婚。在巴隆·葛雷乔伊之乱中，率军攻打老威克岛。五十七岁那年，成为君临比武大会的冠军。六十一岁那年，被国王乔佛里·拜拉席恩一世解职，理由是年老体衰。

Ser Barristan of House Selmy. Firstborn son of Ser Lyonel Selmy of Harvest Hall. Served as squire to Ser Manfred Swann. Named “the Bold” in his 10th year, when he donned borrowed armor to appear as a mystery knight in the tourney at Blackhaven, where he was defeated and unmasked by Duncan, Prince of Dragonflies. Knighted in his 16th year by King Aegon V Targaryen, after performing great feats of prowess as a mystery knight in the winter tourney at King’s Landing, defeating Prince Duncan the Small and Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Slew Maelys the Monstrous, last of the Blackfyre Pretenders, in single combat during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Defeated Lormelle Long Lance and Cedrik Storm, the Bastard of Bronzegate. Named to the Kingsguard in his 23rd year, by Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower. Defended the passage against all challengers in the tourney of the Silver Bridge. Victor in the mêlée at Maidenpool. Brought King Aerys II to safety during the Defiance of Duskendale, despite an arrow wound in the chest. Avenged the murder of his Sworn Brother, Ser Gwayne Gaunt. Rescued Lady Jeyne Swann and her septa from the Kingswood Brotherhood, defeating Simon Toyne and the Smiling Knight, and slaying the former. In the Oldtown tourney, defeated and unmasked the mystery knight Blackshield, revealing him as the Bastard of Uplands. Sole champion of Lord Steffon’s tourney at Storm’s End, whereat he unhorsed Lord Robert Baratheon, Prince Oberyn Martell, Lord Leyton Hightower, Lord Jon Connington, Lord Jason Mallister, and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Wounded by arrow, spear, and sword at the Battle of the Trident whilst fighting beside his Sworn Brothers and Rhaegar Prince of Dragonstone. Pardoned, and named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, by King Robert I Baratheon. Served in the honor guard that brought Lady Cersei of House Lannister to King’s Landing to wed King Robert. Led the attack on Old Wyk during Balon Greyjoy’s Rebellion. Champion of the tourney at King’s Landing, in his 57th year. Dismissed from service by King Joffrey I baratheon in his 61st year, for reasons of advanced age.

巴利斯坦爵士身世的前面部分由杰洛·海塔尔爵士那强健、刚劲的字体所书写，从三叉戟河一战起，才换为赛尔弥纤细而优雅的笔锋。

The earlier part of Ser Barristan’s storied career had been entered by Ser Gerold Hightower in a big forceful hand. Selmy’s own smaller and more elegant writing took over with the account of his wounding on the Trident.

与之相比，詹姆的记录很简单：

Jaime’s own page was scant by comparison.

兰尼斯特家族的詹姆爵士。凯岩城泰温·兰尼斯特公爵和乔安娜夫人所生之长子。少年时代担任萨姆纳·克雷赫伯爵的侍从，随其清剿御林兄弟会。十五岁那年，因作战英勇，被御林铁卫的亚瑟·戴恩爵士亲手册封为骑士。同年，被国王伊里斯·坦格利安二世选入御林铁卫。君临城陷时，在铁王座下杀害国王伊里斯·坦格利安二世，由此得到“弑君者”的外号。之后，被国王劳勃·拜拉席恩一世赦免。有幸担任荣誉护卫，护送其姐兰尼斯特家族的瑟曦小姐前往君临与劳勃国王完婚，并在为庆祝婚礼而举办的比武大会上，赢得冠军。

Ser Jaime of House Lannister. Firstborn son of Lord Tywin and Lady Joanna of Casterly Rock. Served against the Kingswood Brotherhood as squire to Lord Summer Crakehall. Knighted in his 15th year by Ser Arthur Dayne of the Kingsguard, for valor in the field. Chosen for the Kingsguard in his 15th year by King Aerys II Targaryen. During the Sack of King’s Landing, slew King Aerys II at the foot of the Iron Throne. Thereafter known as the “Kingslayer.” Pardoned for his crime by King Robert I Baratheon. Served in the honor guard that brought his sister the Lady Cersei Lannister to King’s Landing to wed King Robert. Champion in the tourney held at King’s Landing on the occasion of their wedding.

寥寥可数的几句，他的生命竟如此贫乏和空虚。至少，詹姆认为杰洛爵士应该少记录几句巴利斯坦的比武经历，而提到他随亚瑟·戴恩爵士一举平定御林兄弟会的事迹。其实，当“大肚子”本恩要撞碎萨姆纳伯爵的头颅时，正是他救了伯爵的命——虽然没能抓住凶手。他曾独斗微笑骑士，但了结对方的却是亚瑟爵士。啊，那是多么光荣的战斗，多么伟大的敌人。微笑骑士有些疯癫，处事虽残酷，却又带着骑士风度，关键是他全不知恐惧为何物。而当年的戴恩，黎明在手的戴恩……眼见土匪的剑破了无数豁口，便主动停手，要对方取把新的。“其实我想要你那把白剑，”继续开打时，强盗骑士不顾全身十几处伤口，依旧轻松地说。“很好，我给你，爵士先生。”拂晓神剑回答，随后一剑杀了他。

Summed up like that, his life seemed a rather scant and mingy thing. Ser Barristan could have recorded a few of his other tourney victories, at least. And Ser Gerold might have written a few more words about the deeds he’d performed when Ser Arthur Dayne broke the Kingswood Brotherhood. He had saved Lord Sumner’s life as Big Belly Ben was about to smash his head in, though the outlaw had escaped him. And he’d held his own against the Smiling Knight, though it was Ser Arthur who slew him. What a fight that was, and what a foe. The Smiling Knight was a madman, cruelty and chivalry all jumbled up together, but he did not know the meaning of fear. And Dayne, with Dawn in hand … The outlaw’s longsword had so many notches by the end that Ser Arthur had stopped to let him fetch a new one. “It’s that white sword of yours I want,” the robber knight told him as they resumed, though he was bleeding from a dozen wounds by then. “Then you shall have it, ser,” the Sword of the Morning replied, and made an end of it.

那个时候，世界多么单纯，詹姆心想，身边的人都如新铸的长剑，锋利而明亮。我的十五岁，毕竟是一场梦幻么？大家都进了坟墓：拂晓神剑、微笑骑士、白牛、勒文亲王、爱来点黑色幽默的奥斯威尔·河安爵士、古道热肠的琼恩·戴瑞爵士、西蒙·托因和他的御林兄弟会、甚至直率的老萨姆纳·克雷赫……他们都不在了。而我呢，那个曾经的少年……他，又在何时进了坟墓？穿上白袍时？割开伊里斯的喉咙时？那个少年，从小想当亚瑟·戴恩，但不知怎地，生命拐了个弯，最后成为了微笑骑士。

The world was simpler in those days, Jaime thought, and men as well as swords were made of finer steel. Or was it only that he had been fifteen? They were all in their graves now, the Sword of the Morning and the Smiling Knight, the White Bull and Prince Lewyn, Ser Oswell Whent with his black humor, earnest Jon Darry, Simon Toyne and his Kingswood Brotherhood, bluff old Sumner Crakehall. And me, that boy I was … when did he die, I wonder? When I donned the white cloak? When I opened Aerys’s throat? That boy had wanted to be Ser Arthur Dayne, but someplace along the way he had become the Smiling Knight instead.

开门声传来，他立刻阖上白典，起立迎接兄弟。首先抵达的是奥斯蒙·凯特布莱克爵士，他冲詹姆咧嘴一笑，好似彼此是多年共事的战友。“詹姆爵士，”他道，“当日您若有今天这么精神，我就不会错认啦。”

When he heard the door open, he closed the White Book and stood to receive his Sworn Brothers. Ser Osmund Kettleblack was the first to arrive. He gave Jaime a grin, as if they were old brothers-in-arms. “Ser Jaime,” he said, “had you looked like this t’other night, I’d have known you at once.”

“是吗？”詹姆很怀疑。连日来，仆人为他沐浴、修面、梳洗头发。对镜查看，已找不到那个随布蕾妮穿越河间地的男子……但也找不到从前的自己。脸庞变得细瘦，眼角出现皱纹。我好像一夜间老了十几岁。“请坐，爵士。”

“Would you indeed?” Jaime doubted that. The servants had bathed him, shaved him, and washed and brushed his hair. When he looked in a glass, he no longer saw the man who had crossed the riverlands with Brienne … but he did not see himself either. His face was thin and hollow, and he had lines under his eyes. I look like some old man. “Stand by your seat, ser.”

凯特布莱克遵命。其他兄弟也一个接一个地走进来。“爵士先生们，”当六人齐集后，詹姆开始仪式，“谁在守护国王？”

Kettleblack complied. The other Sworn Brothers filed in one by one. “Sers,” Jaime said in a formal tone when all five had assembled, “who guards the king?”

“我弟弟奥斯尼爵士和奥斯佛利爵士。”奥斯蒙爵士回答。

“My brothers Ser Osney and Ser Osfryd,” Ser Osmund replied.

“我哥哥加兰爵士。”百花骑士说。

“And my brother Ser Garlan,” said the Knight of Flowers.

“他们能否保护陛下周全？”

“Will they keep him safe?”

“誓死捍卫，大人！”

“They will, my lord.”

“请坐。”仪式结束——御林铁卫开会期间，也必须确保国王安全。

“Be seated, then.” The words were ritual. Before the seven could meet in session, the king’s safety must be assured.

柏洛斯爵士和马林爵士坐在他右手，中间隔着一个位子，为现在多恩的亚历斯·奥克赫特爵士所留。左手则有奥斯蒙爵士、巴隆爵士和洛拉斯爵士。新旧两派，詹姆惴惴地想。历史上，御林铁卫曾数度分裂，其中最为著名的当数“血龙狂舞”时期那对孪生兄弟高贵而苦涩的决斗。现今我的队伍可也有危机？

Ser Boros and Ser Meryn sat to his right, leaving an empty chair between them for Ser Arys Oakheart, off in Dorne. Ser Osmund, Ser Balon, and Ser Loras took the seats to his left. The old and the new. Jaime wondered if that meant anything. There had been times during its history where the Kingsguard had been divided against itself, most notably and bitterly during the Dance of the Dragons. Was that something he needed to fear as well?

十几年来，他看着无畏的巴利斯坦坐在首座，如今换他来坐，感觉颇为古怪。最古怪的莫过于我是个残废。但不管怎么说，位置已经属于了他，必须管好手下弟兄们。他们，共同组成托曼的七铁卫。

It seemed queer to him to sit in the Lord Commander’s seat where Barristan the Bold had sat for so many years. And even queerer to sit here crippled. Nonetheless, it was his seat, and this was his Kingsguard now. Tommen’s seven.

詹姆和马林·特兰、柏洛斯·布劳恩同事多年，此二人武艺尚可，但特兰狡猾而残忍，布劳恩则色厉内荏。新派中，巴隆·史文素以武艺高强闻名，百花骑士无疑是少年英雄的典范，只有第五个，奥斯蒙·凯特布莱克，他全然陌生。

Jaime had served with Meryn Trant and Boros Blount for years; adequate fighters, but Trant was sly and cruel, and Blount a bag of growly air. Ser Balon Swann was better suited to his cloak, and of course the Knight of Flowers was supposedly all a knight should be. The fifth man was a stranger to him, this Osmund Kettleblack.

他试图想象亚瑟·戴恩爵士看到这支队伍会作何反应。“御林铁卫竟沦落到这般地步了啊！”多半如此感叹。“都是我的错，”我只好回答，“是我先走了后门，让无良之辈纷纷爬了进来。”

He wondered what Ser Arthur Dayne would have to say of this lot. “How is it that the Kingsguard has fallen so low,” most like. “It was my doing,” I would have to answer. “I opened the door, and did nothing when the vermin began to crawl inside.”

“先王已逝，”詹姆开始讲话，“他是我姐姐的儿子，年仅十三，却被人在婚宴进行中途谋杀在自己的厅堂。当时你们五人全部在场，你们五人宣誓守护他，然而陛下还是死了。”他顿了一顿，借机观察听众的反应。他们连清喉咙的工夫都省了，但我看得出，提利尔这孩子有些忿怒，巴隆·史文带着羞愧，其他三人则完全无动于衷。“这次谋杀，是我弟弟干的吗？”他单刀直入地问，“是提利昂毒死了我外甥？”

“The king is dead,” Jaime began. “My sister’s son, a boy of thirteen, murdered at his own wedding feast in his own hall. All five of you were present. All five of you were protecting him. And yet he’s dead.” He waited to see what they would say to that, but none of them so much as cleared a throat. The Tyrell boy is angry, and Balon Swann’s ashamed, he judged. From the other three Jaime sensed only indifference. “Did my brother do this thing?” he asked them bluntly. “Did Tyrion poison my nephew?”

巴隆爵士不安地在座位上挪动。柏洛斯爵士捏紧拳头。奥斯蒙爵士懒洋洋地一耸肩。最后开口的是马林·特兰，“乔佛里陛下死前曾喝了您弟弟斟的酒，估计他就在那时下了毒。”

Ser Balon shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Ser Boros made a fist. Ser Osmund gave a lazy shrug. It was Meryn Trant who finally answered. “He filled Joffrey’s cup with wine. That must have been when he slipped the poison in.”

“你确定毒药下在酒里面？”

“You are certain it was the wine that was poisoned?”

“还会在哪儿？”柏洛斯·布劳恩爵士道，“事后，小恶魔连忙把杯子倒空，不就为掩盖证据么？”

“What else?” said Ser Boros Blount. “The Imp emptied the dregs on the floor. Why, but to spill the wine that might have proved him guilty?”

“他知道杯中有毒。”马林爵士解释。

“He knew the wine was poisoned,” said Ser Meryn.

巴隆·史文爵士皱紧眉头，“高台上人很多，远不止小恶魔一人。当时已是婚宴末尾，不断有人走来走去，交换座位、上厕所等等，仆人们更是进出忙碌……国王与王后切开馅饼时，所有人的目光都放在他们和那些该死的鸽子身上，无暇关注酒杯。”

Ser Balon Swann frowned. “The Imp was not alone on the dais. Far from it. That late in the feast, we had people standing and moving about, changing places, slipping off to the privy, servants were coming and going … the king and queen had just opened the wedding pie, every eye was on them or those thrice-damned doves. No one was watching the wine cup.”

“高台上究竟有哪些人？”詹姆问。

“Who else was on the dais?” asked Jaime.

马林爵士答道：“国王的亲族，王后的亲族，派席尔大学士，总主教……”

Ser Meryn answered. “The king’s family, the bride’s family, Grand Maester Pycelle, the High Septon …”

“哈，一定是这家伙下的毒，”奥斯蒙·凯特布莱克爵士咧嘴一笑，“老不死，自以为虔诚，我啊，从来就不喜欢他。”他继续自己的玩笑。

“There’s your poisoner,” suggested Ser Oswald Kettleblack with a sly grin. “Too holy by half, that old man. Never liked the look o’ him, myself.” He laughed.

“不对，”百花骑士正色道，“依我看，珊莎·史塔克才是真凶。你们都忘了，那酒杯不止国王陛下用，我妹妹也在用，而整个大厅里，只怕唯有珊莎·史塔克才希望将玛格丽和国王一起毒死。在酒杯中下毒，便能一箭双雕。瞧，若非自承犯罪，她干吗逃走呢？”

“No,” the Knight of Flowers said, unamused. “Sansa Stark was the poisoner. You all forget, my sister was drinking from that chalice as well. Sansa Stark was the only person in the hall who had reason to want Margaery dead, as well as the king. By poisoning the wedding cup, she could hope to kill both of them. And why did she run afterward, unless she was guilty?”

这孩子有点眼光。提利昂很可能是无辜的。现在的难题在于，他老婆竟如土遁一般，消失得无影无踪。或许此事我该亲自接管，首先弄清她打哪里逃走。就从查问瓦里斯开始吧。世上没有人对红堡地形的了解有瓦里斯那么深。

The boy makes sense. Tyrion might yet be innocent. No one was any closer to finding the girl, however. Perhaps Jaime should look into that himself. For a start, it would be good to know how she had gotten out of the castle. Varys may have a notion or two about that. No one knew the Red Keep better than the eunuch.

但眼下他还做不了那么多，眼下他有更重要的责任。你说你是御林铁卫的队长，父亲言道，我就不耽误你履行公务了。这五位兄弟，并非他亲手挑选，但他只有这五个人，必须将其一一收服。

That could wait, however. Just now Jaime had more immediate concerns. You say you are the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, his father had said. Go do your duty. These five were not the brothers he would have chosen, but they were the brothers he had; the time had come to take them in hand.

“不管谁下的手，”他总结，“乔佛里终归已死，铁王座传给了托曼。我要他牢牢地坐江山，直到头发变白，牙齿疏松，绝不能再受毒药之流的危害。”詹姆转向柏洛斯·布劳恩爵士，此人近年来日益肥胖，且势头不减。“柏洛斯爵士，看来你颇喜美食。从今往后，托曼吃的每道菜、喝的每杯酒，都由你先行品尝。”

“Whoever did it,” he told them, “Joffrey is dead, and the Iron Throne belongs to Tommen now. I mean for him to sit on it until his hair turns white and his teeth fall out. And not from poison.” Jaime turned to Ser Boros Blount. The man had grown stout in recent years, though he was big-boned enough to carry it. “Ser Boros, you look like a man who enjoys his food. Henceforth you’ll taste everything Tommen eats or drinks.”

奥斯蒙·凯特布莱克爵士捧腹大笑，百花骑士也忍俊不禁，柏洛斯爵士脸色转为深红，“我不是品酒师！我是御林铁卫的骑士！”

Ser Osmund Kettleblack laughed aloud and the Knight of Flowers smiled, but Ser Boros turned a deep beet red. “I am no food taster! I am a knight of the Kingsguard!”

“很遗憾，你说得对。”瑟曦擅自剥夺铁卫的白袍是不对，但父亲将他召回来则是可耻。“我姐姐将你如何把我外甥欣然出卖给提利昂的手下的事迹告诉了我。好，既然如此，那你就换种活法，胡萝卜和豌豆没那么可怕。往后，当兄弟们在院子里操练长剑盾牌时，你就在厨房内操练盘子汤勺。托曼喜欢苹果蛋糕，千万别让佣兵偷吃了它。”

“Sad to say, you are.” Cersei should never have stripped the man of his white cloak. But their father had only compounded the shame by restoring it. “My sister has told me how readily you yielded my nephew to Tyrion’s sellswords. You will find carrots and pease less threatening, I hope. When your Sworn Brothers are training in the yard with sword and shield, you may train with spoon and trencher. Tommen loves applecakes. Try not to let any sellswords make off with them.”

“你！……你敢这样对我说话？”

“You speak to me thus? You?”

“你应该誓死保护托曼的。”

“You should have died before you let Tommen be taken.”

“正如你誓死保护伊里斯，爵士？”柏洛斯爵士霍地起立，抓住剑柄。“我……我不接受这个指示。照我看，当品酒师的该是你才对，你……你不能用剑，还能做什么？”

“As you died protecting Aerys, ser?” Ser Boros lurched to his feet, and clasped the hilt of his sword. “I won’t … I won’t suffer this. You should be the food taster, it seems to me. What else is a cripple good for?”

詹姆笑道：“同意，看来我和你一样，都不适合保护国王。那好吧，请拔剑，跟我做个了断，看看两只手能不能打过一只。我们中谁倒下，算是给御林铁卫扫清垃圾。”他也站起来，“如果你不想打的话，就乖乖履行公务去。”

Jaime smiled. “I agree. I am as unfit to guard the king as you are. So draw that sword you’re fondling, and we shall see how your two hands fare against my one. At the end one of us will be dead, and the Kingsguard will be improved.” He rose. “Or, if you prefer, you may return to your duties.”

“呸！”柏洛斯爵士将一大泡绿痰吐到詹姆脚边，头也不回地走了，始终没敢拔剑。

“Bah!” Ser Boros hawked up a glob of green phlegm, spat it at Jaime’s feet, and walked out, his sword still in its sheath.

此人果然胆怯，我过了第一关。柏洛斯爵士虽然年长、肥胖、武艺中庸，但击败现在的他仍旧绰绰有余。好在柏洛斯不知道实情，我也不会让其他人知道。他们害怕曾经的我，如今的我会令他们轻视。

The man is craven, and a good thing. Though fat, aging, and never more than ordinary, Ser Boros could still have hacked him into bloody pieces. But Boros does not know that, and neither must the rest. They feared the man I was; the man I am they’d pity.

詹姆坐下来，望向凯特布莱克。“奥斯蒙爵士，咱俩竟然素昧平生，对此我深感诧异。你知道，我曾踏遍七国上下，四处参加比武会和真正的战斗，任何有过一点表现的雇佣骑士、自由骑手和崭露头角的侍从，都有所耳闻。可为什么就记不得你呢，奥斯蒙爵士？”

Jaime seated himself again and turned to Kettleblack. “Ser Osmund. I do not know you. I find that curious. I’ve fought in tourneys, mêlées, and battles throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I know of every hedge knight, freerider, and upjumped squire of any skill who has ever presumed to break a lance in the lists. So how is it that I have never heard of you, Ser Osmund?”

“这问题我无法回答，大人，”奥斯蒙爵士夸张地笑笑，好像在跟詹姆分享老友间独有的乐子，“我是个堂堂正正的兵，不是只会比武的骑士。”

“That I couldn’t say, my lord.” He had a great wide smile on his face, did Ser Osmund, as if he and Jaime were old comrades in arms playing some jolly little game. “I’m a soldier, though, not no tourney knight.”

“那么，被我姐姐发掘之前，你在哪里做事？”

“Where had you served, before my sister found you?”

“四处云游，有时在这里，有时在那里，大人。”

“Here and there, my lord.”

“我刚才说过，我曾踏遍七国上下，北至临冬城，南达旧镇，西起兰尼斯港，东到君临。但我从没去过‘这里’，也没到过‘那里’。”詹姆习惯性地举起断肢，指着奥斯蒙爵士的鹰钩鼻。“我再问你一次：你在哪里做事？”

“I have been to Oldtown in the south and Winterfell in the north. I have been to Lannisport in the west, and King’s Landing in the east. But I have never been to Here. Nor There.” For want of a finger, Jaime pointed his stump at Ser Osmund’s beak of a nose. “I will ask once more. Where have you served?”

“在石阶列岛。那些岛屿属于争议之地，战争不断。我加入了侠客团，有时为里斯人打仗，有时为泰洛西人打仗。”

“In the Stepstones. Some in the Disputed Lands. There’s always fighting there. I rode with the Gallant Men. We fought for Lys, and some for Tyrosh.”

反正是为钱打仗。“你怎么当上骑士的？”

You fought for anyone who would pay you. “How did you come by your knighthood?”

“因为作战勇猛。”

“On a battlefield.”

“由谁册封？”

“Who knighted you?”

“劳勃……石东爵士。不过，他已经死了，大人。”

“Ser Robert … Stone. He’s dead now, my lord.”

“毫无疑问。”或许真有劳勃·石东爵士这么个人，他心想，身为谷地的私生子，流落到石阶列岛当佣兵；又或许这不过是奥斯蒙爵士拿死去的国王和石头这名词胡诌的。给这种人披上白袍，瑟曦到底在想什么？

“To be sure.” Ser Robert Stone might have been some bastard from the Vale, he supposed, selling his sword in the Disputed Lands. On the other hand, he might be no more than a name Ser Osmund cobbled together from a dead king and a castle wall. What was Cersei thinking when she gave this one a white cloak?

但至少，这凯特布莱克有些能耐，佣兵虽无荣誉心，防身之术却不可少，否则早在战斗中送了命。“很好，爵士先生，”詹姆说，“你可以走了。”

At least Kettleblack would likely know how to use a sword and shield. Sellswords were seldom the most honorable of men, but they had to have a certain skill at arms to stay alive. “Very well, ser,” Jaime said. “You may go.”

对方恢复了笑容，大摇大摆地离开。

The man’s grin returned. He left swaggering.

“马林爵士，”詹姆微笑着望向阴郁的骑士，只见对方眼袋下垂，发如铁锈。“我听说乔佛里陛下命你惩罚珊莎·史塔克，”他单手将白典调了个头，“请看看书，并告诉我，我们的誓言中可有准许殴打妇女和儿童。”

“Ser Meryn.” Jaime smiled at the sour knight with the rust-red hair and the pouches under his eyes. “I have heard it said that Joffrey made use of you to chastise Sansa Stark.” He turned the White Book around one-handed. “Here, show me where it is in our vows that we swear to beat women and children.”

“我只是遵命行事。您知道，我们发誓服从国王。”

“I did as His Grace commanded me. We are sworn to obey.”

“很好，你还记得誓言，今后把服从对象稍作调整。我姐姐是太后摄政王，我父亲是国王之手，我是御林铁卫队长。服从我们三人，别的不用管。”

“Henceforth you will temper that obedience. My sister is Queen Regent. My father is the King’s Hand. I am Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Obey us. None other.”

马林爵士表情顽固，“您竟要我们别服从国王？”

Ser Meryn got a stubborn look on his face. “Are you telling us not to obey the king?”

“国王只有八岁，当务之急是保护他，‘保护’包括保护陛下不受自己的伤害。今后多用用你头盔里的玩意儿，倘若托曼要你备马，你照办，倘若托曼要你杀马，来找我。”

“The king is eight. Our first duty is to protect him, which includes protecting him from himself. Use that ugly thing you keep inside your helm. If Tommen wants you to saddle his horse, obey him. If he tells you to kill his horse, come to me.”

“是，遵命，大人。”

“Aye. As you command, my lord.”

“你也可以走了。”他走后，詹姆转向巴隆·史文爵士，“巴隆爵士，我多次目睹你在比武场上的英姿，也亲自于团队比武中跟你结盟或敌对，外加最近大家都交口称赞你在黑水河一战中的武功。看来御林铁卫有你加入，真是莫大荣幸。”

“Dismissed.” As he left, Jaime turned to Ser Balon Swann. “Ser Balon, I have watched you tilt many a time, and fought with and against you in mêlées. I’m told you proved your valor a hundred times over during the Battle of the Blackwater. The Kingsguard is honored by your presence.”

“这是我的荣幸，大人。”巴隆爵士警惕地回答。

“The honor’s mine, my lord.” Ser Balon sounded wary.

“对你，我只有一个问题。你忠心耿耿，大家都知道……可另一方面，瓦里斯告诉我，你哥哥相继追随过蓝礼和史坦尼斯，而你父亲大人疏于整军，一直坐待于家堡石盔城观望，不曾有勤王之举。”

“There is only one question I would put to you. You served us loyally, it’s true … but Varys tells me that your brother rode with Renly and then Stannis, whilst your lord father chose not to call his banners at all and remained behind the walls of Stonehelm all through the fighting.”

“家父已经老了，大人，他年过四旬，且又多病，早不堪沙场驰骋。”

“My father is an old man, my lord. Well past forty. His fighting days are done.”

“你哥哥呢？”

“And your brother?”

“不瞒您说，大人，我哥哥唐纳尔在黑水河一战中负了伤，为埃伍德·哈特爵士所俘，之后他像众人一样付了赎金，并宣誓为乔佛里国王效命。”

“Donnel was wounded in the battle and yielded to Ser Elwood Harte. He was ransomed afterward and pledged his fealty to King Joffrey, as did many other captives.”

“是嘛，”詹姆道，“但我不得不提醒你，在短短一年中，你哥哥已经走马灯似地换了蓝礼、史坦尼斯、乔佛里、托曼……四个国王，而这会儿国内恰好还有两大叛逆，他该不会想成为七大王国历史上头一个服膺六位国王的骑士吧？”

“So he did,” said Jaime. “Even so … Renly, Stannis, Joffrey, Tommen … how did he come to omit Balon Greyjoy and Robb Stark? He might have been the first knight in the realm to swear fealty to all six kings.”

巴隆爵士极为不安，“唐纳尔犯了错，但业已洗心革面，死心塌地为托曼陛下效命，我向您担保。”

Ser Balon’s unease was plain. “Donnel erred, but he is Tommen’s man now. You have my word.”

“我关心的不是这位‘死心塌地的’爵士，而是你，”詹姆倾身靠前，“如果咱们英勇的唐纳尔某天又加入叛党，并带着军队冲进王座厅，你怎么做？身为御林铁卫，在国王和亲族之间，你该如何选择？”

“It’s not Ser Donnel the Constant who concerns me. It’s you.” Jaime leaned forward. “What will you do if brave Ser Donnel gives his sword to yet another usurper, and one day comes storming into the throne room? And there you stand all in white, between your king and your blood. What will you do?”

“我……大人，这事太疯狂，不可能发生的。”

“I … my lord, that will never happen.”

“这事在我身上就发生过。”

“It happened to me,” Jaime said.

史文用白衣袖擦拭额头。

Swann wiped his brow with the sleeve of his white tunic.

“你没有答案？”

“You have no answer?”

“大人，”巴隆爵士挺直身子，“我以我的宝剑、我的荣誉和家父之名起誓……我不会重蹈您的覆辙。”

“My lord.” Ser Balon drew himself up. “On my sword, on my honor, on my father’s name, I swear … I shall not do as you did.”

詹姆纵声长笑，“很好，你走吧……记得建议唐纳尔爵士为自己的纹章加上风向标。”

Jaime laughed. “Good. Return to your duties … and tell Ser Donnel to add a weathervane to his shield.”

这下，由他单独面对百花骑士。

And then he was alone with the Knight of Flowers.

洛拉斯·提利尔爵士纤细得像把长剑，体态虽柔弱，但肌肉健实。他穿雪白的亚麻布外衣和白羊毛马裤，腰缠一条金腰带，用一朵金玫瑰扣住精致的丝披风。他有柔软的棕色卷发，眼睛也是棕色，闪烁着傲气的光芒。他以为我在主持比武会，现在轮到他上场了。“年仅十七，就成为御林铁卫的一员，”詹姆道，“一定倍感骄傲。你知道吗？龙骑士伊蒙王子也是十七岁那年当上御林铁卫的。”

Slim as a sword, lithe and fit, Ser Loras Tyrell wore a snowy linen tunic and white wool breeches, with a gold belt around his waist and a gold rose clasping his fine silk cloak. His hair was a soft brown tumble, and his eyes were brown as well, and bright with insolence. He thinks this is a tourney, and his tilt has just been called. “Seventeen and a knight of the Kingsguard,” said Jaime. “You must be proud. Prince Aemon the Dragonknight was seventeen when he was named. Did you know that?”

“我很清楚，大人。”

“Yes, my lord.”

“那你可清楚我是十五岁时当上铁卫的？”

“And did you know that I was fifteen?”

“也很清楚，大人。”对方笑道。

“That as well, my lord.” He smiled.

詹姆痛恨这种笑，“当年的我比你强，洛拉斯爵士。我比你结实，比你强壮，比你敏捷。”

Jaime hated that smile. “I was better than you, Ser Loras. I was bigger, I was stronger, and I was quicker.”

“而现在您比我老，”这孩子说，“大人。”

“And now you’re older,” the boy said. “My lord.”

他逼自己微笑。太荒谬了。若提利昂在场，看到我和这未历世事的孩子争口舌之长，怕是会笑得背过气去。“不错，爵士，我比你年长，也更有智慧，你应该接受我的指导。”

He had to laugh. This is too absurd. Tyrion would mock me unmercifully if he could hear me now, comparing cocks with this green boy. “Older and wiser, ser. You should learn from me.”

“哦？正如您从前也接受柏洛斯爵士或马林爵士的指导？”

“As you learned from Ser Boros and Ser Meryn?”

这一次太过分。“我接受白牛和‘无畏的’巴利斯坦的指导，”詹姆反击，“我接受‘拂晓神剑’亚瑟·戴恩的指导——告诉你，他可以一边用右手撒尿，一边以左手使剑，砍翻你们五个废物——我也接受多恩的勒文亲王、奥斯威尔·河安爵士和琼恩·戴瑞爵士的指导。他们个个都是顶呱呱的好人。”

That arrow hit too close to the mark. “I learned from the White Bull and Barristan the Bold,” Jaime snapped. “I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could have slain all five of you with his left hand while he was taking a piss with the right. I learned from Prince Lewyn of Dorne and Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Jonothor Darry, good men every one.”

“死人，一群死人。”

“Dead men, every one.”

他就是从前的我，詹姆突然意识到，有着我那自以为是的勇气和不切实际的骑士精神。我在和自己对话。年轻人，你唯一的问题就是太年轻。

He’s me, Jaime realized suddenly. I am speaking to myself, as I was, all cocksure arrogance and empty chivalry. This is what it does to you, to be too good too young.

在武场上，拿不下对手就得变换节奏。“听说你在黑水河一役中表现杰出……还与蓝礼的鬼魂并肩作战。御林铁卫的兄弟在他们的队长面前没有秘密，告诉我，爵士，到底是谁穿上了蓝礼的盔甲？”

As in a swordfight, sometimes it is best to try a different stroke. “It’s said you fought magnificently in the battle … almost as well as Lord Renly’s ghost beside you. A Sworn Brother has no secrets from his Lord Commander. Tell me, ser. Who was wearing Renly’s armor?”

洛拉斯·提利尔起初打算拒绝回答，但最终守住了誓言。“是我哥哥，”他不高兴地说，“蓝礼比我高，胸膛也比我宽阔，他的盔甲我穿不上，但对加兰很合适。”

For a moment Loras Tyrell looked as though he might refuse, but in the end he remembered his vows. “My brother,” he said sullenly. “Renly was taller than me, and broader in the chest. His armor was too loose on me, but it suited Garlan well.”

“乔装的计策是你，还是你哥哥提出的？”

“Was the masquerade your notion, or his?”

“是小指头大人的建议，他说对史坦尼斯手下那些无知士兵而言，这是最管用的招数。”

“Lord Littlefinger suggested it. He said it would frighten Stannis’s ignorant men-at-arms.”

“的确，”对许多领主和骑士也管用，“干得不错，歌手将传唱你们兄弟的事迹，这是理所应得的荣誉。对了，蓝礼的遗体是被你带走的么？”

“And so it did.” And some knights and lordlings too. “Well, you gave the singers something to make rhymes about, I suppose that’s not to be despised. What did you do with Renly?”

“是，我亲手埋葬了他，那个地方我从前在风息堡当侍从时和他单独去过，没有别人知道，没有别人可以打搅他的安息。”他刚硬地望着詹姆，“我向您保证，会用自己的全部力量来守护托曼国王，献出生命也在所不惜。但蓝礼将永远在我心中占有一席之地，不管在言语还是行动上，我都决不会背叛他。因为他最有王者风范，他才是最好的国王。”

“I buried him with mine own hands, in a place he showed me once when I was a squire at Storm’s End. No one shall ever find him there to disturb his rest.” He looked at Jaime defiantly. “I will defend King Tommen with all my strength, I swear it. I will give my life for his if need be. But I will never betray Renly, by word or deed. He was the king that should have been. He was the best of them.”

不对，他只是最会打扮的国王，詹姆心想，但没说出口。谈起蓝礼，年轻的洛拉斯爵士脸上的傲气一扫而空，他变得诚恳。这孩子虽然狂妄、冲动、乳臭未干，但并不虚伪。至少还没学会虚伪。“诚如你所言，蓝礼是个好人。我还有最后一件事，说完你就可以回去继续工作了。”

The best dressed perhaps, Jaime thought, but for once he did not say it. The arrogance had gone out of Ser Loras the moment he began to speak of Renly. He answered truly. He is proud and reckless and full of piss, but he is not false. Not yet. “As you say. One more thing, and you may return to your duties.”

“大人，什么事？”

“Yes, my lord?”

“塔斯的布蕾妮还被我关在塔楼房间。”

“I still have Brienne of Tarth in a tower cell.”

对方抿紧嘴唇，“您该把她投进黑牢。”

The boy’s mouth hardened. “A black cell would be better.”

“你认为这是她应得的惩罚？”

“You are certain that’s what she deserves?”

“她应得的惩罚是死。我警告过蓝礼，女人无权加入彩虹护卫，况且她全靠下流诡计才赢得团体比武的胜利。”

“She deserves death. I told Renly that a woman had no place in the Rainbow Guard. She won the mêlée with a trick.”

“是么？我倒认识一位诡计多端的骑士。某天，他骑着发情的母马，去迎战骑坏脾气公马的对手。说到底，布蕾妮究竟做了什么呢？”

“I seem to recall another knight who was fond of tricks. He once rode a mare in heat against a foe mounted on a bad-tempered stallion. What sort of trickery did Brienne use?”

洛拉斯爵士的脸“刷”地一下红了，“她撞过来……算了，没关系，我承认是她赢。蓝礼陛下为此亲手替她披上彩虹披风，但她竟然杀了他，至少是听凭别人害了他。”

Ser Loras flushed. “She leapt … it makes no matter. She won, I grant her that. His Grace put a rainbow cloak around her shoulders. And she killed him. Or let him die.”

“这两者有天壤之别。”前者是我的背负，后者是柏洛斯·布劳恩的无耻。

“A large difference there.” The difference between my crime and the shame of Boros Blount.

“她发誓用生命来守护国王。埃蒙·库伊爵士、罗拔·罗伊斯爵士、帕门·克连恩爵士，他们也都发了誓。您倒说说，有她在帐内，其他三人在帐外，怎么可能有人进得去？毫无疑问，就是他们的阴谋。”

“She had sworn to protect him. Ser Emmon Cuy, Ser Robar Royce, Ser Parmen Crane, they’d sworn as well. How could anyone have hurt him, with her inside his tent and the others just outside? Unless they were part of it.”

“乔佛里的婚宴，你们五人还一起在场呢，”詹姆指出，“国王怎么死的？难不成你也参加了阴谋？”

“There were five of you at the wedding feast,” Jaime pointed out. “How could Joffrey die? Unless you were part of it?”

洛拉斯爵士气鼓鼓地挺直身子，“当时我们无能为力。”

Ser Loras drew himself up stiffly. “There was nothing we could have done.”

“妞儿也这么对我说。她和你一样，都深深地为蓝礼哀悼——而我向你保证，我对伊里斯可没有一丝一毫的感情。布蕾妮丑是丑，又长了个顽固的猪脑袋，可她说不了谎，对使命盲目地忠诚。你瞧，她发誓把我带回君临，所以我才能坐在这里和你谈话，除了手少了一只……但这个事故我和她有同样的责任。依路上种种见闻判断，我肯定她会拼死保护蓝礼，然而看不到敌人该怎么打？”詹姆摇摇头，“把剑拔出来，洛拉斯爵士，让我看看你怎么和影子打。说实话，我还真的不会。”

“The wench says the same. She grieves for Renly as you do. I promise you, I never grieve for Aerys. Brienne’s ugly, and pighead stubborn. But she lacks the wits to be a liar, and she is loyal past the point of sense. She swore an oath to bring me to King’s Landing, and here I sit. This hand I lost … well, that was my doing as much as hers. Considering all she did to protect me, I have no doubt that she would have fought for Renly, had there been a foe to fight. But a shadow?” Jaime shook his head. “Draw your sword, Ser Loras. Show me how you’d fight a shadow. I should like to see that.”

洛拉斯爵士没有动作。“但她逃了，”他说，“她和凯特琳·史塔克一起逃之夭夭，将他扔在血泊之中。如果没有参与，干吗心虚逃窜呢？”他瞪着桌子。“蓝礼要我担任前锋，否则为他穿戴盔甲的该是我，这个任务一直属于我。我们那天晚上一起……一起作祷告，随后我把他交给了她，并安排帕门爵士和埃蒙爵士把守帐门，罗拔·罗伊斯爵士在附近警卫。埃蒙爵士临死前发誓是布雷妮……可……”

Ser Loras made no move to rise. “She fled,” he said. “She and Catelyn Stark, they left him in his blood and ran. Why would they, if it was not their work?” He stared at the table. “Renly gave me the van. Otherwise it would have been me helping him don his armor. He often entrusted that task to me. We had … we had prayed together that night. I left him with her. Ser Parmen and Ser Emmon were guarding the tent, and Ser Robar Royce was there as well. Ser Emmon swore Brienne had … although …”

“嗯？”詹姆提示，他察觉到对方语中的怀疑。

“Yes?” Jaime prompted, sensing a doubt.

“整个护喉钢甲都被切开，只一刀！便干净利落地切开了钢板。蓝礼的铠甲防护精良，用的是上等材料，她怎么做到的？后来我自己试过，无论如何都不行。她虽有一身非人的蛮力，但依我看，就算魔山也得拿战斧才能劈动。更何况……要杀他的话，为何又先替他穿上铠甲？”他烦恼地望向詹姆，“但如果不是她，如果……影子又是怎么回事？”

“The gorget was cut through. One clean stroke, through a steel gorget. Renly’s armor was the best, the finest steel. How could she do that? I tried myself, and it was not possible. She’s freakish strong for a woman, but even the Mountain would have needed a heavy axe. And why armor him and then cut his throat?” He gave Jaime a confused look. “If not her, though … how could it be a shadow?”

“你自己去当面问个清楚，”詹姆下了决心，“去吧，去塔楼房间，提出你的问题，听取她的回答。如果事后你仍相信是她杀害了蓝礼大人，我便将主持审判。总之，继续指控，还是放了她，决定权操于你手，我唯一的要求是你必须公平处理这件事，以你身为骑士的荣誉发誓。”

“Ask her.” Jaime came to a decision. “Go to her cell. Ask your questions and hear her answers. If you are still convinced that she murdered Lord Renly, I will see that she answers for it. The choice will be yours. Accuse her, or release her. All I ask is that you judge her fairly, on your honor as a knight.”

洛拉斯爵士站起来，“我以我的荣誉发誓。”

Ser Loras stood. “I shall. On my honor.”

“那么，咱们的谈话就到此为止。”

“We are done, then.”

年轻人朝外走去，走到门边又转过身，“蓝礼说她是个可笑的女人，竟然穿着男人的铠甲，妄想当骑士。”

The younger man started for the door. But there he turned back. “Renly thought she was absurd. A woman dressed in man’s mail, pretending to be a knight.”

“若他见过穿粉红绸缎和密尔蕾丝的她，相信会改变看法。”

“If he’d ever seen her in pink satin and Myrish lace, he would not have complained.”

“我问他，既然认为她如此可笑，为何还留她在身边。他告诉我，其他骑士追随他都有所企图，要么为土地、要么为荣誉、要么为钱财，只有布蕾妮，唯一的愿望是为他而死。当日，我看到他倒在血泊中，她则逃得不见踪影，另外三名护卫面面相觑……如果她是无辜的，那罗拔和埃蒙……”他说不下去了。

“I asked him why he kept her close, if he thought her so grotesque. He said that all his other knights wanted things of him, castles or honors or riches, but all that Brienne wanted was to die for him. When I saw him all bloody, with her fled and the three of them unharmed … if she’s innocent, then Robar and Emmon …” He could not seem to say the words.

詹姆正在考虑这件事，“换我也会这么做，爵士。”一个便宜的谎言，但足以安慰洛拉斯爵士。

Jaime had not stopped to consider that aspect of it. “I would have done the same, ser.” The lie came easy, but Ser Loras seemed grateful for it.

五名铁卫全部离开后，队长独坐在纯白的会议室中，陷入沉思。百花骑士眼见蓝礼被杀，悲痛得发狂，甚至出手毙了两名誓言兄弟；我呢？我是不是也该杀了这五位辜负乔佛里的铁卫？他可是我亲儿子，是我不为人知的宝贝……莫非我就没勇气为自己的血脉和亲人复仇吗？至少，我该宰掉柏洛斯爵士，他是个全然的废物。

When he was gone, the Lord Commander sat alone in the white room, wondering. The Knight of Flowers had been so mad with grief for Renly that he had cut down two of his own Sworn Brothers, but it had never occurred to Jaime to do the same with the five who had failed Joffrey. He was my son, my secret son … What am I, if I do not lift the hand I have left to avenge mine own blood and seed? He ought to kill Ser Boros at least, just to be rid of him.

他望着断肢，扮个鬼脸。得想办法弥补才行。已故的拜瓦特·杰斯林爵士能装铁手，我就能装金手。瑟曦会喜欢的。我要用金手抚摸她的金发，并将她牢牢拥紧，不再分离。

He looked at his stump and grimaced. I must do something about that. If the late Ser Jacelyn Bywater could wear an iron hand, he should have a gold one. Cersei might like that. A golden hand to stroke her golden hair, and hold her hard against me.

真美妙。但手的事可以先等等，还有别的问题等着处理，还有笔债需要偿还。

His hand could wait, though. There were other things to tend to first. There were other debts to pay.