cacb.thefarkingdoms-第94部分

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slice　and　lifted　it　eagerly　to　my　lips。　I　paused；　confused；　as　I　heard　Mortacious　give　a　malicious　snigger。　Suddenly；　the　tempting　strip　became　a　hissing；　wriggling　viper；　venom　dripped　from　its　fangs；　searing　the　table。
　〃Why；　Amalric　Antero；　you　are　a　greedy　beggar；〃　Janos　said；　voice　light　as　a　young　boy's。　〃You're　always　snatching　up　the　best　cut。　Here…allow　me　at　least　one　bite！〃　He　plucked　the　snake　away　with　a　flourish。　〃A　little　undercooked；　perhaps；〃　he　said。　His　other　hand；　fingers　arched　in　a　spell…making　curve；　brushed　by　the　viper's　jutting　fangs。　The　snake　became　a　strip　of　innocent　meat　again。　He　popped　it　into　his　mouth　and　washed　it　down　with　a　glass　of　wine。　〃Quite　tasty；〃　he　said；　and　cupped　a　hand　in　front　of　his　mouth　to　hide　a　polite　belch。
　Mortacious'　face　turned　grim。　He　plucked　at　the　neck　scarf；　irritated　at　Janos'　skillful　display。　But　my　friend　wasn't　done。　〃Why；　what　manner　of　dish　is　that　before　you；　Lord　Mortacious？〃　he　cried　in　mock　surprise。　He　snapped　his　fingers　at　the　heavy　gold　plate　before　our　host。　Mortacious　reared　back　as　the　plate　became　a　great　golden　scorpion；　its　tail　hard　arched；　sting　glistening　with　venom　as　deadly　as　that　viper's。
　〃e　here；　my　pretty；〃　Janos　cooed；　and　the　scorpion　sped　across　the　table　at　a　frightening　speed　and　ran　up　his　sleeve。　It　whipped　its　sting　in　anger　as　he　gave　it　a　pat；　then　became　a　small；　squeaky　mouse　with　soft　white　fur　and　a　tender　pink　nose。　Janos　set　it　down；　saying；　〃Can't　make　up　its　mind；　poor　thing。〃　Mortacious　hissed　and　pointed　a　long；　bony　finger　at　the　mouse。　It　gave　a　sharp　squeak　and　burst　into　flame；　in　a　moment　the　mouse　had　been　turned　to　golden　ash。　The　wizard　swept　up　the　ash；　then　let　it　sprinkle　back　down　on　the　table。　The　particles　swirled　and　then　formed　back　into　a　plate。　I　saw　that　its　edge；　perfect　before；　was　chipped；　but　Mortacious　was　so　proud　of　this　final　turnabout；　he　didn't　notice。　The　wizard　adjusted　the　scarf　and　displayed　a　wide　grin；　his　teeth　made　twin　groves　of　yellow　gnarled　trees。　He　clearly　believed　he'd　bested　Janos。
　Janos　dipped　his　head；　allowing　the　victory；　but　as　he　made　that　motion　of　humility；　he　slipped　his　hand　into　his　pocket　and　quickly　out　again。　〃I　fear　I　have　no　appropriate　return；〃　he　said　with　a　sheepish　smile。
　Lord　Mortacious　reared　back　and　laughed。　His　breath　washed　over　me；　it　smelled　of　the　foul　smoke　outside。　〃We　have　had　games　enough；　my　friends。　Now　let　us　eat　and　drink　our　fill。　For　this　promises　to　be　a　most　enjoyable　visit。〃　He　clapped　his　hands　together；　in　delight；　I　supposed；　for　the　mood　among　his　men　shifted　abruptly。　They　began　to　move　about；　chatting　with　one　another　in　idle　table　gossip。　I　noticed；　however；　that　when　they　ate　it　was　only　a　nibble；　as　if　they　had　supped　before　our　arrival。　Here　and　there　I　noted　features　and　limbs　marred　by　wounds　such　as　I'd　witnessed　on　the　street。　Mortacious　eyed　me；　lifted　a　hunk　of　bread　from　his　plate；　and　broke　off　a　small　bit。　The　crumbs　tumbled　across　his　robe。　He　dipped　the　bread　into　his　wine　and　slipped　it　into　his　mouth。　I　was　suddenly　ravenous　and　fell　upon　my　food　like　a　direwolf。　But　what　was　appetizing　to　the　eye　was　tasteless　to　the　tongue；　the　meat　was　dry；　and　even　washed　down　with　wine　it　remained　a　hard　lump　in　my　belly。
　Mortacious　gave　me　a　knowing　smile；　as　if　he　held　a　malicious　secret。　〃I　hope　you　did　not　find　my　jest　rude；　Lord　Antero；〃　he　said。　He　waved　at　his　men。　〃They　make　such　dull　pany；　I　could　not　resist　poking　fun　at　an　intelligent　man。　Your　look　of　astonishment　was　a　rare　delight。〃
　〃Then　how　could　I　take　offense？〃　I　replied。　'To　give　innocent　amusement　to　such　a　gracious　host　is　small　repayment　for　your　generosity。〃
　〃You　are　not　disforted　in　the　presence　of　a　wizard？〃　he　asked。　He　plucked　at　the　scarf；　and　I　saw　a　brief　glimpse　of　what　appeared　to　be　an　ugly　wound。
　〃Not　at　all；〃　I　said；　wondering　if　it　was　a　wound；　what　was　its　cause？　〃It　will　make　a　remarkable　tale　someday　when　I　relate　my　adventures　to　my　grandchildren。〃
　Mortacious'　mouth　stretched　into　a　humorless　smile。　〃If　you　live　to　tell　it；〃　he　said。
　〃Oh；　I　fully　expect　to；〃　I　replied。　I　saw　Janos　give　a　slight　nod　at　my　correct　response。　〃The　gods　have　been　with　us　thus　far　in　our　quest。　Although　when　your　men　confronted　us；　I　admit　I　had　some　doubt。〃　I　raised　my　glass　to　him。　〃But　once　again；　instead　of　trial；　the　gods　permitted　me　to　enter　your　august　pany。〃　Mortacious　laughed。　〃Oh；　yes；　yes；　yes；〃　he　hissed　in　supreme　pleasure。　〃The　ways　of　the　gods　are　a　marvel　to　all；　but　a　blessing　to　few。〃　He　returned　my　toast；　and　we　both　drank。　Then　he　leaned　forward；　his　face　assuming　a　look　of　great　interest。　〃But　do　you　not　fear　their　wrath；　traveling　in　the　pany　of　a　man　whom　some　charge　has　gained　his　sorcerous　skills　through　blasphemy？〃
　If　he　meant　to　surprise　me；　he　succeeded；　if　he　meant　to　confound　me；　he　failed。　〃Why　should　it；　my　lord？　Was　not　this　undertaking　blessed　by　the　Evocators　of　Orissa　…　including　that　aged　and　holy　sage；　Gamelan；　himself？〃　Mortacious　grimaced　and　tugged　at　his　scarf；　and　I　could　see　it　was　his　fort　as　well　as　weakness；　betraying　emotion　he　intended　to　keep　hidden。
　He　turned　to　Janos；　who　was　busy　chewing　on　his　own　tasteless　repast。　〃Your　friend　brings　more　than　redheaded　luck　to　your　venture。　He　brings　cool　wisdom　as　well。〃
　〃That　is　what　sealed　our　friendship　long　ago；〃　Janos　said。　〃More　so；　even；　than　his　kindly　nature　and　amiable　manners。〃
　Mortacious　shook　his　head　in　mock　awe。　〃A　most　remarkable　partnership　for　a　most　remarkable　venture。　I　pray　for　your　sake　that　it　keeps。　For　when　such　a　friendship　sours；　it　makes　a　bitter　drink。〃　Janos　made　no　reply；　but　only　smiled　and　sipped　his　wine。　〃I　have　been　wondering；〃　Mortacious　said；　〃why　you　have　yet　to　ask　what　I　know　of　your　goal？　You　seek　the　answer　to　a　mystery；　but　you　make　no　inquiries　of　the　lord　whose　realm　lies　closest　to　the　Far　Kingdoms。〃
　Janos　made　his　most　charming　grin；　it　peeped　like　a　thief　from　the　black　thicket　of　his　beard。　〃I　would　have；　my　Lord　Mortacious　。。。　if　I　thought　you　would　answer。〃
　Mortacious　laughed；　this　time　with　genuine　amusement。　〃You　guessed　correctly；〃　he　replied。　〃Few　questions　are　answered　with　kindness　by　those　who　dwell　in　the　Disputed　Lands。〃
　Janos　shrugged。　〃It　required　no　crystal　gazing；　good　sir。　There　were　signs　of　conflict　all　along　the　way。　And　we　witnessed　a　great　battle　just　before　your　men　came　upon　us。　If　I　lived　in　a　land　with　as　many　enemies　as　you　must　suffer；　I　would　suspect　any　questioner　as　well。〃　Janos　made　bold；　hooked　the　wine　decanter；　and　poured　all　around。　〃There　is　one　question；　however；　that　begs　an　answer；　and　can　cause　no　harm　if　I　ask　it。　And　that　is：　why　have　you　called　us　into　your　pany？〃
　Mortacious　smoothed　the　scarf。　〃It　is　as　I　said：　to　satisfy　my　curiosity。〃
　〃And　when　that　has　been　acplished？〃　Janos　pressed。
　The　wizard　eyed　him；　slowly　stroking　his　black　scarf　as　if　it　were　his　lover's　flesh。　The　hand　was　death　white　against　the　scarf；　fingers；　long　blind　worms。　Finally；　he　answered。　〃Then　you　shall　pass　from　my　kingdom　in　safety　。。。　and　with　my　blessing。　But　before　that　hour　is　upon　us；　I　have　questions　of　my　own。〃
　〃Ask　away；　sir；〃　Janos　said。　〃I　am　but　a　simple　soldier　with　no　secrets　but　the　sweet　words　I've　hoarded　to　please　a　maiden's　ear。〃
　〃If　that　were　so；〃　Mortacious　said；　〃you　would　not　be　at　my　table。　And　you　might　have　met　a　different　fate　at　my　men's　hands。〃　Janos　shrugged　…　point　conceded。　〃I　have　heard；　my　good　Greycloak；〃　Mortacious　continued；　〃that　you　were　born　to　wizardry；　but　have　no　formal　training。　Nor　were　you　permitted　another　sorcerer's　pany。　Yet　my　informants　say　you　are　as　skilled　as　any　in　the　land　…　and　that　skill　was　won　solely　by　hard　force　of　your　reasoning　powers。〃
　〃You　were　informed　correctly；〃　Janos　said。　〃Although　my　skills　may　have　been　overrated。　I　possess　enough　to　protect　myself　and　my　friends　。。。　and　to　amuse　an　amiable　dinner　panion。〃
　Mortacious　brushed　this　away；　impatient　with　further　byplay。　〃It　is　your　methods　that　interest　me；　sir。　Others　learn　by　dull　rote…you；　by　testing　theory。〃
　〃I　have　had　little　choice；〃　Janos　replied。　〃No　one　would　give　me　scrolls　to　memorize；　much　less　al