Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Starport

Go away. Twenty-four riders galloped by the Xinghu Lake at a steady speed.In the past one and a half weeks, they have been rushing south. After arriving at Landrace in the Beibu Gulf of the Sea of ​​Dreams, they sailed from there, and then followed the galaxy to the south.After setting off from Krondor City, the first thing you step into is the lush Dream Valley, from where you can see the rugged Ash Pasture Mountains.This fertile land changed hands several times during border wars between the Kingdom and the Empire.The inhabitants here speak two languages, the language of the southern part of the kingdom and the language of the northern part of the empire with equal influence.Even a band of armed mercenaries could not attract the attention of the residents here, and many armed groups cross the valley.

In the middle of the river, near a small waterfall, they waded to the south bank.They rode until they reached Xinghu, the source of Xinghe, where they headed south again.Now they are advancing along the shore of the lake, looking for a place closest to the center of the lake, where they will find the ferry to the island in the middle of the lake, and the Academy of Magic is located on the small island in the middle of the lake. A few farms and small fishing villages passed them, many of them not really villages at all, consisting of only one clan, scattered in a few huts or huts, but all of them seemed to be well developed.The independent magical society in Starport has continued to improve over the past few years, and now it has developed to the point where other members of the public are also coming into contact with them.

Borric rode on, and when they came to a knoll on the shore, they could see clearly for the first time the islet in the lake.The setting sun shone orange, while in the distance, the approaching night stained the sky gray and violet. "Brilliant, Uncle Jimmy. Look there." James nodded and said, "I heard that they built a huge building as a center for studying magic, but the rumors are far from that." Locklear said, "The Duke Gorton went there many years ago. He said they dug a huge foundation for their building, but this, it's the biggest building I've ever seen."

Glancing at the fading sun, James said, "If we hurry, we'll be there in two hours. I'd rather have a hot meal and a warm bed waiting for me than Traveling in the dark." Cracking his stirrups, he went on. It was a rare night—three moons rising at the same time, and they drove under a canopy studded with brilliant stars, through a valley flanked by small plateaus, and they entered a town that looked lively.Torches and streetlamps lit every storefront—a luxury only found in the wealthiest towns—and the children ran after them, laughing and screaming.Beggars and prostitutes are busy begging or selling themselves.One after another, the inns that were about to collapse provided drinks, hot food and warm companions for the weary travellers.

It took Locklear to shout over the noise, "This town is developing quite prosperously." James noticed the mess and filth.He celebrated, "Of course, may the gods bless these citizens." Borric said, "Maybe we should look into these little hotels." "No," James said. "Of course there are refreshments for you at the academy." Eland couldn't help but smiled bitterly, "Don't even think about a glass of sweet, smooth low-alcohol wine. I can think of something from those old pedants, sitting among piles of manuscripts and playing cards."

James shook his head.They came to the intersection formed by the two principal streets of the town, from which they turned toward the lake.As James imagined, there is a built pier on the waterfront, where some ferries transport passengers and goods to the island.It doesn't matter how late it is now, the workers are still piling up the goods, so as to get a chance to sleep late tomorrow. Reining in the horse, James called to the nearest boatman, "Good evening, let's find a boat to go to Starport." A man walked over, his hooked nose took up most of his face, and the hair on his forehead completely blocked his eyes, "Sir, I can quickly ferry people across. Five children each, but your horses to exist here."

Jimmy smiled and said, "Why don't I pay ten gold coins to cross us and the horse?" The man turned and walked back, "The transaction failed, sir." Borric slapped his sword and said half-jokingly, "What, how dare you turn your back on us?" The man turned his head again, and, touching his brow, said in a contemptuous and sarcastic tone, "I am sorry, young sir, but I did not intend any insolence." Borric nearly exploded when James tapped his arm and gave it a finger.A young man wearing an ordinary woven robe sat in an unlit place by the canal, quietly watching the quarrel here.

Borric said, "Who is he?" "A local sheriff, I suppose." "He?" Borric called. "He's more a beggar or a monk than a warrior." The boatman nodded, "You are right, sir. He is our peacekeeper." He grinned and said to James, "You know your situation very well. Yes. That is a mage from the island. Star Island The town council up here want us to keep the peace, they want to make sure we understand what they mean. He doesn't carry a sword, young sir," he said to Borric, "but he can make you feel like a war with a single movement of his hand. It's even more painful to beheaded by an axe. Believe me, sir. I've proven it." At this point, his voice dropped to a whisper, "Or you'd rather die than suffer from that magic... Returning to the original topic, he raised his voice again, "Like you will bargain as much as possible, sir, I also like to make as much money as possible, but the reality is that the academy sets the rules." He scratched his chin, "If you can talk the young spellcaster over there. But I think he'll tell you the same. Bring your horses back, and the deal will be done."

"Where's the stable?" James asked.Soon several little boys ran up cheering and wanted to lead their horses. "They'll take care of your horses to clean stables." James nodded and dismounted, and the other riders followed suit.Immediately a little hand reached out and took hold of the reins for James, and the other children grabbed the reins of the other horses. "Now," said James, "take them carefully to the stables, give them fresh hay and oats, and get a horseshoe to check the shoes, will you?" He didn't finish his sentence because his eyes caught something.He reached out and jerked a child off Borric's horse.James put the child on the ground and stared at him sternly. "Bring it back." There was a threat in his tone.The kid rebelled against James, who grabbed him and shook him so hard that a small purse fell off the kid and into Borric's face.Borric opened his mouth in surprise, jumped off his horse and retrieved his purse.

James put the kid on his feet, stood in front of him, and lowered himself so they could look each other in the eye. "Boy, when I was less than half your height, I knew more than twice as much about theft as you. Do you believe me?" The boy only nodded, and he was terrified when things were revealed. "So mark my words. You're not skilled at stealing. If you keep doing it, you'll end up with a piece of rope before you're twelve. Find a decent job. Now, if we I found something was missing when I left, so I know who to go to, don't I?" The boy nodded again. James let the kid go, and turned to find the boatman. "Now we are twenty-four walkers, going to the island."

At this time, the young magician stood up, "There are very few soldiers with weapons coming to the academy. May I ask you what's the matter?" "You should ask," said James, "but we will answer that question to someone else. If you will allow me, please send word to Archmage Pug that his old friend is coming." The young mage raised his eyebrows, "Then I want to tell him, who is here?" James smiled, "Just... Baron James of Crondor and..." He glanced at the twin brothers, "Two relatives of him." A small party was preparing to meet them when the ferry boat hit the shore and came to a halt.A loading dock was the only sign that this was the entrance to Mekemia's most curious society, the Academy of Magic.Sailors help soldiers onto the pier.Many people get a little seasick after their first flatbed ride.Lights rise from the poles on the pier, illuminating the welcoming people. A small, middle-aged man stood in the middle of the line, wearing only a black robe and sandals.To his right stood a conspicuous woman with dark skin and iron-gray hair.Standing to his left are an old man in a robe and a hunter in a leather coat and trousers.Behind them were two young men in robes, waiting patiently. When James, Locklear and the two brothers got off the ferry, the middle-aged man took a step forward and bowed slightly, "It is a great honor for us to be here with His Highness." Then he said, "Welcome to Starport." Borric and Elland took a step forward, and awkwardly extended their hands in a very informal greeting.Since they were born, they have been used to using their status to awe different classes, but the title and legend of this person in front of them are far above them.Borric said, "Thank you for picking us up, Uncle Pug." Pug smiled.Although he is close to 48 years old in age, he seems to be under 30 years old from the outside.His brown eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and a black beard could not make him look any older than a youth.With such a young face, it is hard to believe that he is recognized as the strongest person in the entire world. After Eland finished greeting him, James took a step forward. "Master Pug," he said. "Just call me Pug, James." Pug said with a smile, "Official positions are of no use to us here. No matter how King Lyme establishes his territorial concept on the land outside Starport, we rarely consider my lord and master title of . He grabbed James, "Come on, do you remember my wife?" " Both James and his companion greeted the lady.Looking closely, James is amazed at the woman's elegance.He hadn't seen her in seven years, but she looked as healthy as she had been in her early forties, with slightly tanned cheeks and jet-black hair.Now she looked ten years older than his husband. "Ma'am," said James, bowing deeply to her. "Call me Katara, James. How is our son?" She smiled, the years fading from her face. James smiled and replied, "William is living happily. He is now the temporary colonel in Arusha. He is very hardworking, and I think he will succeed Waudis in this position in the future. He has also attracted many people around the Prince's wife. Maid. He is competent and will be promoted to a higher position." Pug said, "He should stay here—" Seeing his wife's face change, he added, "I see, dear. Let's drop that subject. Now," he turned to the two princes, "I Can I introduce someone else?" Seeing Borric's head, Pug said, "I think you remember Kulgan, my old teacher. And, Macomb, he was in charge of our food and many other things. The two on his left handed over to the Prince Bowing, Borric and Eland shook hands with them respectively. Pug's teacher had some difficulty in walking, he was on crutches and needed other people's support. Macomb, a very burly man, blamed Coulgan for calling the nagging woman, "You should have stayed in your room." Kulgan shook off the extended help, and Erland stepped forward to stand in front of Pug's old master. "I'm old, Macomb. But I'm not dying yet." The old man's hair was white as the first winter snow, and his skin was dark and wrinkled like old leather.But those basket eyes still shine. "Your Highness," he said to Elland. The prince returned a smile.When they were kids, they were glad that Kulgan came to see them, because the old mage would tell them stories, with little tricks in between. "Looks like we're not very regular yet, Uncle Coogan. Nice to see you again, long time no see." The two young men standing in the back were strangers to James.Pug said, "They are our leaders. They were the first to come to Starport to learn the greater magic. They are now teachers to others. This is Kosh." The first was Dark-skinned, tall and chesty, with sparkling eyes, a pair of gold earrings dangled from his shoulders. The second man was almost a duplicate of the previous one, except that he had a full beard and a head of greasy curly hair. "With his brother, Vatum." Pug said, "You must be exhausted from the journey." He looked around, "I think our daughter, Jamina, will join us. But she's helping feed the kids, and I think she's being delayed There it is. But you will see her soon. Go to your accommodation now. We have a room for you in the college. Although you missed dinner, we will send a hot meal to your room. Tomorrow We'll look for you again in the morning." After a group of people went ashore, they saw the monster-like building just now.It is forty stories high, and the most attractive thing is the towering spire hundreds of feet high on the roof.It looks a bit like a column around the staircase, with a podium at the top.The building is illuminated by basket lights from below, making it appear to be floating in the air. "Our Tower of Trials astonished everyone," Pug commented. "It's where those who learn Higher Magic first cast their powers. They've dropped the title of Apprentice ever since." The two dark-skinned brothers cleared their throats in a way that contained some meaning, and Pug laughed, "Many of us don't feel the same way as 'outsiders.'" Turning around the shore of the lake, they saw a more prosperous town behind the building.She was cleaner than the previous town on the shore, and just as lively.Regardless of the time, many people are still walking the streets doing their own thing. "Xinggang Town." Katara said very proudly. Locklear said, "I thought it was Xinggang Town that was on the shore just now." "That's what the people who live there say," Pug said. But it's the town that's really on the island, where our brothers and sisters live in magic. Here they start their families. A safe haven has been built for those feared and harassed by their society." He guided the guests to the main building on the island, the Academy of Magic, and they walked through the gate.At the intersection of the two promenades, more welcoming groups greeted them.Pug led the traveler to a long hallway flanked by a series of doors. "I don't think we have temporary housing for the emperor, but these little rooms are warm and cozy. You'll find a bath in the house." If you leave your bags outside, they will be washed. The wardrobe is at the end of the corridor. Rest now, we can talk about things in the morning." Pug bade them good night.The brothers soon discovered that food was waiting for them in the room.Immediately the corridors were filled with the clang of disarming weapons and armor, the splash of showers, and the clang of knives on plates.Soon everyone disappeared into the corridor, and Locklear stood beside James with a relaxed expression, "Is there anything else that bothers you?" James shrugged. "Nothing. Tired, I guess, or..." He drew his voice out.He thought of Coulgan's age and Katara's unrealistic health. "Time doesn't budge." Then he added cheerfully, "Maybe my childhood crimes are haunting me again, and I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of ​​spending the night in a 'cubby'." Locklear smiled ironically, nodded in agreement with what James said, and then said good night to him.After a while, only James was left standing alone in the long empty corridor.Something is wrong.But he saved that thought for tomorrow, now all he needs is food and a bath. James woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window.As a habit, he gets up before the sun rises every day.To his surprise, his clothes had been washed and folded in the house.The consistent training allowed him to quickly get rid of his drowsiness. He didn't notice when others entered the room, which made him feel uncomfortable.James put on a coat and trousers, then benzene heavy traveling boots.From childhood he had preferred to go barefoot, and over the years it had become almost a court joke, as a man who walked into the Baron's office was likely to find a pair of spaced and wrinkled boots left under his desk. He walked out of the room silently.Make sure the others are still asleep right now.His stealth wasn't born with him, it was a habit.He grew up in the ghetto, stealing to make ends meet, and moving around quietly was second nature to him. Walking out of the gate of the academy, he gently closed it.The sky was gray, and the eastern horizon was a little red.All around were the chirping of birds and the thud of an ax falling, as if someone were getting wood for the morning fire.He left the huge college building and walked alone on the path to the village. The sound of chopping wood stopped, perhaps the farmer or a fisherman's wife had finished her work.After walking about a hundred paces, the path forked, leading to the village on one side and the lake on the other.James felt in no mood to waste his morning conversations with the villagers, so he chose the road to the water. In the gloom he didn't see the black-robed figure that almost bumped into Pug.Pug turned and smiled, pointing to the east and saying, "That's one of my favorite things of the day." James nodded, "I thought I was the first to get up." Pug's eyes were focused on the horizon. "No, I sleep very little." "You can't tell from the outside. I don't think you've aged in the seven years since we last saw each other." Pug nodded. "I just found out about this too, James. When I took the development of witchcraft as my own responsibility..." He drew out his voice. "We never really talked, did we?" James shook his head. "I think you mean nothing far-reaching has been said about it. To be fair, our thoughts crossed multiple times. We first met at Arusha and Anita's wedding," he breaks off. He pointed his finger and said, "Then after the battle of Saisanon." The two looked at each other, and neither of them had to explain what happened to them in that catastrophic battle. "And then twice in Krondor City." Pug returned his attention to the east, where the first rays of sunlight had turned the clouds red. "When I was a kid living in Corridi, I was just a little country guy from the Far Bay. I worked in the kitchen of the family home where I was adopted, and I only hoped to be a soldier." He was silent when he finished. James hesitated.He didn't want to say much about his childhood, although it was a household name in Krondor. "Back then, I was a thief." "Handy Jimmy," said Pug, "yes, but what kind of kid are you?" James considered the question for a moment. "Reckless. That's the first thing I thought of." He watched the dawn break.In a few minutes of conversation, the light on the eastern clouds had risen several fingers, and the edge of the fireball began to appear.James continued, "I...was kind of stupid at the time. I didn't know the limits of what I could do. I had no doubts about surviving at that time. If I didn't have a big transformation in the end, I don't think I would live to this day." "Reckless," repeated Pug, "and kind of silly." He pointed his head at the house. "Not like those princes." James laughed, "It's not like those two princes." "What else?" James said without false pretenses, "Talent, I think you will say that, at least talent. I can always see the essence of things when they still confuse people around them, at least I see more clearly Part of the world. I'm not sure if I was smarter as a kid or as an adult." Pug motioned for James to follow him, and the two strolled toward the lake. "When I was a kid, I thought my humble ambition was the brightest. Now..." "You look like you're in trouble," James said boldly. "It's not like you understand." Pug turned to answer James, and James saw the unreadable expression on Pug's face under the gray light. "Tell me about the attack on Borric, when you were with him." "The news travels really fast," James said. "Always. Any conflict between kingdoms and empires affects us here." "I can understand where you are. You are the window facing the empire." James pointed to the southern border of the kingdom.He told Pug the entirety of the attack, and finally said, "It is only a suspicion that the assassins were from Kesh, but the clues point to the fact that the court of Kesh planned the attack...it is too obvious. I think someone trying to kill us." He turned and stared at the college's superstructure, "You've got a lot of Kesh here." Pug nodded. "There are also people from Rodham, Queeg, Tul's Peak, and many other places. Here we don't pay attention to which country you come from, we only consider some key points." James said, "Those two people we met last night..." "Watum and Kosh. Yes, they're Cash. From their own country." Before James could answer, he added, "They're not here undercover, I know. Trust me. They don't think about any politics. .In fact, they were too keen on us to separate from people from other places." James turned back, "This is the territory of the kingdom, at least in name. But many people want to know what you built here. Many people in the court think this is a wonderful place." "It still feels dangerous," Pug added.James studied the mage's face. "That's why I try not to involve the Academy in conflicts between nations. Not on either side." James phrased it, "There are only a few nobles who like to take the advice of wizards as much as our king and his brother. Culgan watched them grow up in the court, they didn't think about it, but others..." "We'll still be driven out of town, or hanged and burned. I know that," said Pug. "In the twenty years we've been here, a lot of things have changed...and some haven't. Change." Finally James said, "Pug, I feel weird about you. I felt it last night. What's that?" Pug squinted his eyes and looked at James, "You can clearly see the weirdness, but I turned a blind eye." He walked to the edge of the lake and stopped, stretched his arms, pointed to the lake, a few snow-white feathers Egrets are playing there. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" James looked around and agreed, "It's a beautiful place." "It's not like it was when I first came here," said Pug. "The legend is that the impact of a fallen star created the lake, and that's where the Star Lake got its name from. But the island isn't the star, I figured." It won't be as big as an island." He circled a distance of six feet with his arms. "I think this island was formed from the magma that spewed out when the star hit the crust. When I first came here, it was just rocks and a wasteland. , only a little grass grows by the water, and some shrubs grow everywhere. These are all brought by me, green grass, trees, animals.” He smiled happily, looking younger, “The birds are my own Find your way here." James thought about the patches of dense reeds and jungle-like trees here, "This is an inestimable feat." Pug waved his hand and expounded his opinion, looking like a juggling liar, "Will war come?" A sigh, as if he had given up. "That's the problem, isn't it?" James asked exaggeratedly. "No, it's not the problem. There's always war. The problem is when and which two countries. If I can name the problem in that, it's in the There will be no more wars between kingdoms and empires in my lifetime, but then, I'll have no more problems to speak of." "You're walking on thin ice now." "It's not the first time. I hope the prince can be spared." "They are their father's sons," Pug pointed out, "and they must move where their responsibilities are called for, though that may mean more harm than good." Pug began to walk along the shore, and James followed him at his side. James could only nod in agreement, "Like their inheritance." "Well," said Pug, "come and relax for a little while, like this, go straight ahead, why don't you go through there?" He pointed to a row of willow trees that shaded the shore of the lake, "there's a hot spring formation on the other side It’s a refreshing experience. It’s good to warm up in the hot water and then jump in the lake. You’ll catch our breakfast too.” James smiled, "Thank you, this is exactly what I need right now. I'm used to taking a break from heavy work, and it's going to make me more motivated. It's going to be a fun and fulfilling hour." Pug took a few steps towards the village and turned back, "Oh, watch out for those weeds on the shore. They move at random, which can disorient you, remember when the wind blows they bend towards the shore. Before you Swim where your feet can reach the bottom, and then go deeper slowly.” "Thank you for reminding me, I will be cautious, goodbye." "Goodbye, James, I'll see you at breakfast." Passing through the thick tree trunks and pushing aside the curtain-like branches and leaves, he found a barren and narrow road leading to a small creek.Near the water's edge, he saw steam forming from the morning cold.James determined that this little pond was formed by warm underground water because all the steam was rising there.From one side of the pond flowed a brook, not more than twenty paces long, which led into the lake.James looked around.The pond was shaded by trees on the impact fan on three sides, providing him with a nice screen.He took off his clothes and stepped into the pond.The pool water was warmer than the tub water in his home.He sank into the pool, letting the warmth surround him, relaxing his tense body. Tight body?he thought worriedly.He just woke up, why is he nervous.A voice in his heart told him, because he was responsible for escorting the two boys of Kang Dongyin's family to play an adventurous game with the experienced court of Cash.He sighed.Pug is a strange but brilliant and powerful being.He was an adopted cousin to the king and duke.Maybe he could ask Pug for his opinion.But soon he reversed the idea.Pug was seen as the savior of the kingdom in those years - something odd about Starport came from her ruler.James decided to find out as much as he could about what was going on here before he felt confident talking to the mage again. God, I hate waking up so tired.He lay down as comfortably as he could and began to think about his troubles.Warmth slowly seeped into his limbs, and after a few minutes his thoughts began to wander.He was running along the street when suddenly a hand caught his arm.James closes his eyes as he recalls, his earliest memories, no more than three fragments.It was his mother, pushing him into the cabin of her body-trading hut, out of the sight of the slave traders who were prowling the night.He remembered her covering his mouth tightly.After a while she will disappear.As he got older, he understood that she was dead, but all he could remember was that night when a man yelled at his mother loudly, then hit her and the room was full of red.He plunged into the water to shake off the terrible memory, and soon he was taking a nap. He wakes up, he doesn't sleep very long in the sun, half an hour at most.The morning was quiet, but something disturbed him.He took out a dagger that he had grown accustomed to wearing from head to toe as a child—it would have troubled a court servant quite a bit, but he kept one anyway.He opened his eyes, but there was nothing in his line of sight.He turned to look but still saw nothing.And the pool bank overhead, and he propped himself up on his elbows, sober, feeling his own stupidity—who could be the threat on the island? James secretly searched the shore above the pool, but found nothing.He has a strange feeling, but he can't name it.It was like he walked into a room that another person had just left, not knowing why, but knowing that someone had just walked past him. His instincts set an alarm bell in his mind about the danger in the city, and this alarm bell kept him out of danger many times.This time the alarm was sounded, but it had not yet echoed the danger signal.Many years ago, James learned a nighttime practice of staying still and distracting the mind from the interest of the previous moment without triggering a response that would arise in the next moment.He calmed his breathing and continued to hold his breath.He looked at the bank of the pool again, and the feeling of someone passing by passed away.Xiaoshuiwan is still that Xiaoshuiwan. James lay back in the water again, tranquility surrounded him again, but he couldn't relax his thoughts.Another convulsion hit his mind, as if something shiny was approaching, it was a sad feeling, and also as if a strange thing touched him from a distance, and then left.A strange sense of dizzying joy and childlike sadness collided in him. Lacking a satisfactory answer, he dashed out of the water and yelled like a child failing at the bank, and began to swim.The icy water of the lake kept him wide awake. He's an unconcerned swimmer other than the location every time.Like most of the kids in the slums of Krondor City, when the hot summer winds blew past the pier, they would jump off the embankment into the water to pass the time.The clean water made him feel the wonderful feeling of swimming before he was thirteen years old. James found himself swimming lazily farther and farther, trees and reeds cutting into the water, leaving only a narrow channel leading to the opposite bank.He chose this road, and half-swimmed and half-drew to a water area full of reeds and aquatic plants.He saw that the reeds were not very close together, through which he could see the opposite shore.He slowly kicked the water and swam into the reeds.The sky was fully brightened, and the white clouds in the sky accelerated their movement.James noticed that the reeds on his head had grown taller unconsciously, and after swimming for a few minutes, he stopped and looked around. Things are in trouble, and the way behind him is gone.He calmed down and found himself surrounded by water plants and reeds.He remembered Pug's words and saw the weeds curve to his left.He wanted to swim to find the shore bed so he could walk ashore. A minute later, his toes touched the ground.He walked through the weeds and headed for the row of trees on the bank.Thick foliage blocked the light, and he could only see a few paces away.When the sun hits it, everything creates a dark pattern.He walked along the rising bottom until he was above the waist above the water.He thought it a little silly to go ashore naked like this, but there was no one around, and it only took him a short time to run to where he left his clothes. He took a step, but suddenly found himself falling into deep water.It was a small ditch formed by erosion, and he couldn't see clearly even after choking on it.He struggled to swim, but found that he still couldn't step on the bottom of the water. A bird chirped overhead, and it was unclear if the creature was laughing at his situation.Relying on the impression before he stumbled just now, he continued to move towards the bank of the pool, which was only a few steps away.At the height of his knees, he was impossibly blocked by tree roots and reeds.Moved a little to the right so it looked closer to the shore, but there were also more plants growing there waiting to play tricks on him.The water was chest deep, and he parted a curtain of thick reeds.Progress was slow, and he could only take a few steps at a time.The sheer stupidity of realizing how far he was trying to get was overwhelming his mind.What a nice swim before breakfast. When his knees touched the bank of the pond, he knew it was the end of the ditch, and he parted the reeds in front of him.Suddenly, James encountered a situation he never expected.A girl with fair skin like a newborn baby stood in front of him.To his embarrassment, he appeared directly behind this naked girl.She was squeezing water out of her wet blonde hair, and the curves of her ass were alluring. He couldn't breathe, danger and excitement thrashing through his mind at the same time.He felt bewildered, afraid that she would notice his intrusion.他停在那里，各种想法冲突在一起，逃走、解释、躲藏。 他的意识混乱起来，童年的训练也无法让他冷静下来。另一个感觉产生了，他生理上的反应。他几乎大声的讲出来，这是我见到过的最美的臀部。 突然这个女郎转过身来，她吓了一跳，双手捂住她的嘴巴。在这一瞬间，詹姆斯看到了他刚才无法看到的另一部分。她的身材如舞者一般苗条，颈部和手臂既纤细又优雅。她的腹部坦平，胸部不很突出但是秀丽丰满。当她的双手从她的脸前垂下，他看到了一张漂亮的脸蛋。她的双眼因吃惊而睁大，蓝如严冬中的坚冰。这些都是他在那一瞬间中的想法和感受。一时间千百个念头涌上心头，每一个都告诉他眼前的姑娘是他见到过的最美的女人。接着她眯起那迷人的蓝眼睛，詹姆斯感到脑袋中受了一记重击。 他如同被武器击中似的向后倒去，无声的喊叫只回响在自己的耳朵里。他跌入水中，好像有一柄刀刃刺入了他的头脑中让他失去意识。 这里不是他刚才游泳的地方，詹姆斯又陷入了回忆：他在铺满鹅卵石的街道上玩耍，无时不刻感受到恐惧。危险的陌生人，每天都有陌生人到母亲的屋中。那些可怕的吵闹的男人每天都从男孩身边经过，有些对他不理不睬，有些则使用奇怪的话语或是伴随着一记头锤的训斥来消遣他。 她死的那一夜没有人再来，那个男人扭曲着笑容，听到他的哭喊逃走了。詹姆斯找到了自己出去的路，孩子的双脚踏在溅满鲜血的地板上。 然后是他和别的孩子在打架，为了争夺那被扔在客栈和酒馆后面垃圾堆里的骨头和面包。嚼食停在港口粮车中溢出的尚未成熟的麦子和玉米；垂涎着那剩在瓶中的苦酒。也有很少的机会从好心的路人那里得到几枚硬币，买上个热乎乎的派。那时他总是很饿。 一个声音出现在黑暗中，还有几张无法记起的面孔，问他是否聪明。他是聪明的孩子，非常聪明。之后，他开始跟随欺骗者。 四周总是充满危险。没有朋友，没有同盟，只有公会的守则保护着巧手詹姆斯。至上者（Upright Man）可以容忍这个小小年级就能为公会带来巨大财富小孩的一些小过错。 当他十二岁时，那个有着扭曲笑容的男人又出现了。热血复仇没有引以为傲的荣誉。男孩潜入后用一瓶毒酒完成了这件事。男人就这样不知所以的死了。他藏在天花板上从裂缝中看到了他的死，铁青的面孔，从那肿胀的双唇中伸出的舌头，龇出眼眶的眼珠。詹姆斯没有凯旋的感觉，但他希望母亲能够安息。他从不知道他母亲的名字，他感觉自己想要哭，但却不知从何落泪。他哭过两次……正式的说三次。当阿妮塔被刺他认为阿鲁沙也同时遇害时他哭过，那次对他是一次重创，但为阿鲁沙痛哭不是懦弱的表现。还有一次是他在山洞中落入了满是巨蛇的陷阱里，在马丁公爵救他之前他哭了。但他从不承认他害怕过。 还有其他的景象也接踵而来：他的疑神疑鬼让他在他的同行中及近残忍。当他帮助克朗多的亲王和王妃逃避疯王罗德克的追捕后，他的命运也与一些大事有了联系。他在城市的屋顶上死战一名夜鹰成员，成功挽救了当时他还不认识的阿鲁沙的生命。他曾两次旅行到北地，参加了阿门格和赛萨农的两大战役，最终带回了和平并阻止了龙主的回归。 现在他是詹姆斯。 他效命于阿鲁沙，并且还会在他的宫廷里有很大的提升前途，先是一个头衔，然后又一个，现在他被任命为克朗多的总理大臣，这个官衔仅次于戈顿公爵，这些美好憧憬是他思想中唯一让人愉快的东西。接着是一张张面孔，有名字的，没有名字的。盗贼、刺客、贵族、农民各种行当。女人，他记起许多女人，在他成为一个贵族的过程中，是那种有受女人欢迎味道的男人，并且他也曾选择过一些伴侣。但这些都缺少了什么。一些重要的东西。一名赤裸的女人站在岸边从她的头发中挤水。这个情景是最震撼他的。 然后是一张有蓝色眼睛和玫瑰般粉红色的双唇的面孔。一张与他的生存关系紧密的面孔。一个魔幻般美丽的乳房也出现在詹姆斯的脑海中，他又想大哭一场。悲哀代替喜悦充斥了詹姆斯，他在一双明亮的眼睛前哭泣。那双眼睛看透了他的一切，他不再有秘密可言。他没有了秘密！I failed.他叫喊着，一个男孩在他死去的母亲身边呜咽，在被一枚刺客的弩箭射杀的年轻女人身边落泪，在他第一个可以相信的男人倒下的躯体旁痛哭，他为他从出生后所挺身面对的所有疼痛、烦恼、恐惧、孤独而哭泣。 詹姆斯在湖边醒来，疼痛和恐惧让他不禁呻吟。他坐起来，双臂护在他的头前，像孩子似的保护着自己。他仍很消沉，一丝不挂。一个声音说道，“疼痛将会过去。” 詹姆斯转过身，疼痛感正慢慢消失。他发现那名年轻的女郎坐在离他只有几步的岸边。她圈腿坐在那，双手拢在膝盖前，还没有穿上她的衣服。 詹姆斯一生中从没有过像现在如此强烈的逃跑念头。他没有经历过这样的恐惧，如此之近的坐在这样美的一位姑娘身边。眼泪不断的从他的眼中涌出。“你是谁？”他低声问。想逃离的想法和渴望留在她身边的念头一样热烈。 她慢慢站起来，毫不在意自己裸着身体，跪在詹姆斯身前，面对面的看着他。一个声音在詹姆斯的思想中响起，“我是嘉米娜，詹姆斯。” 恐惧再次降临詹姆斯，他发现自己无法移动。他说，“你在我的脑袋里讲话。” “是的。”她大声的回答，“你必须理解这些，我能看出你想的什么，读出你的心声”——她看起来像是正灌输一个概念，“这也不完全对。我能读出你的思想，除非你刻意的隐藏它们。” 詹姆斯试图把他所知的归纳在一起，“在那发生了什么？”他指着长满芦苇的湖面问。 “你的思想吓了我一跳，我就做出了反应。我会保护自己，像你刚才发现的那样。” 詹姆斯伸手摸了摸他的脑袋，疼痛的记忆尤在。他只能说道，“是的。” 她靠过来轻轻触碰他的面颊。“我很抱歉。我做了一件我不知道该怎么办的事情。我能伤害到别人的脑。这是我本领上的一个瑕疵。” 詹姆斯在她的触碰中既感到安心又感到烦乱。一种刺激从他的胸部向下扩散。他温柔的问道，“你究竟是谁？” 她笑了，她的笑容让詹姆斯完全抛离了恐惧和伤痛。“我叫嘉米娜，是帕格和卡塔拉的女儿。”然后她轻轻的亲吻他的双唇，“我们彼此找寻对方。” 詹姆斯感到一种伴随着轻微害怕的强烈欲望油然而生。他突然感觉自己好像是一个初尝爱情滋味的孩童。他不假思索的低语道，“我被吓傻了。” “不要这样。”她低声回答道。 她抱住他，在他的脑海中说道：*当我震晕你时，你向后落入湖中。如果我没把你推上岸，你会淹死在这里。治疗你时，你我的思想互相沟通。你有这个本领，你知道我的一切就如同我了解你一样详细，我的吉米。 " 詹姆斯小声的自语道，“这怎么能……” “就是这样。”她回答说，然后坐下来，擦去他脸上的泪珠“来，我给你看。”像个婴儿那样，他靠在她的胸前，让她抚摸他的头和肩膀，她的声音在他的头脑中响起：“你不会再孤独了。” 博瑞克和艾兰德坐在一起，正吃着早餐。在来自王国的食物旁边同样摆着许多凯许的佳肴。帕格一家、库甘和麦克姆陪客人们一同用膳。卡塔拉和洛克莱尔身边的两个座位是空着的。 当博瑞克被奶酪和葡萄酒塞满嘴时，艾兰德问，“帕格叔叔，有多少人住在这？” 帕格盘中的东西只动了少许，他吃得不多，笑着看着他的妻子说，“阿妮塔关注着这个群体管理的日志。” 卡塔拉说，“我们有将近1000个家庭，在这里也在对岸。这里，在岛上——”她的话语停住了。人们转身观看什么打断了卡塔拉的发言。 大厅尽头的大门打开了。詹姆斯走了进来，跟着他的是一位身穿淡紫色简单长裙和腰扎七彩虹色衬带的姑娘。 博瑞克、艾兰德和洛克莱尔同时起身。姑娘很急的在帕格面颊上亲了一下，然后她盯着卡塔拉的眼睛看了一阵，好像她们之间正在交谈，但却没有说出一个字。卡塔拉的眼睛被泪水打湿，一个笑容展现在她的脸上。 帕格转身看着詹姆斯，期待着他。 洛克莱尔说，“詹姆斯——” 詹姆斯清了清他的喉咙，像一个在给老师背课文的学生那样，用一个很自然的语调说，“帕格大人，我，我用我的荣誉询问您的允许……请允许我与您的女儿携手迈入婚礼殿堂的大门。” 博瑞克和艾兰德睁大双眼，无法相信眼前的一切，然后转向洛克莱尔。这个詹姆斯的老伙伴重重的坐回椅子上，脸上是一个和两兄弟相同震惊的表情。摇着他的头，他唯一想说的就是，“让我清醒一下吧。”