Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Journey

Snowflakes mixed with fine raindrops falling. Pug sat on his horse, shivering under his broad cloak.He had been in the saddle for ten minutes, waiting for the rest of the Duke's entourage to be ready. There was a hurry in the courtyard, shouting men, whipping the stubborn mules, loading their packs on their backs.Dawn was coming, bringing some color to the gray courtyard, greeting Pug as he stepped out of the tower.The gatekeeper has helped him lift his luggage down and put it together with other luggage. An exclamation came from behind Pug, "Wow." He turned to see Thomas reining in the horse hard, his head thrown high.Like Pug's mount, it was a slender and handsome war horse, which was very different from the old horse they rode to Shipwreck Beach. "Don't pull too hard," cried Pug. "You're pulling on its mouth and that's going to drive it crazy. Just relax a little bit."

Thomas did so, and the horse quietened down, pacing up to Pug's side.Thomas sat firmly on the horse's back like a fixed saddle.His concentrated expression seemed to guess the horse's next move. "If you were not fined yesterday, you can practice your riding skills. Now I can only teach you on the road." Thomas's face was full of gratitude, and Pug smiled. "When you get to Borodom, you'll ride like a Lancer King." "And then you'll walk like a bruised spinster." Thomas shifted in the saddle. "I've ridden here from the stables like I've been sitting on a rock for hours." Pug hopped off his mount to inspect Thomas' saddle, lifting Thomas' leg so he could get a good look at the saddle's flanks, and then asked, "Who sadled you?"

"Rufo. What's the matter?" "I suppose so. He got revenge on you about the sword or because we were friends. He doesn't dare challenge me anymore, and I'm a sergeant now, but he probably thinks it's easier for you. You just sit on this and ride two Within a month, you can only eat standing up, if you don’t fall off your horse and die because of leaning forward. Here, I’ll show you when you come down.” Thomas turned and jumped off his horse.Pag pointed out to him the knot. "They'll wear down your inner thighs all day long. And they're not long enough." Pug undid the knots and adjusted the pedals to the proper length. "It might feel awkward at first, but at least it puts your heels off. I'll warn you until you get tired of hearing it, but it will save you from trouble if you don't think about it. And don't Try to tighten your knees; that's wrong, it'll just make your legs sore, and you'll have a hard time walking tomorrow." He went on to explain the basics and went on to inspect the saddle's girth, which was loose.He tried to fasten it tight, and Pug held the strap on one side as the horse breathed in, and the horse let out a neigh.Pug quickly tightened the girdle into place. "Otherwise, sometime today you might find yourself on a slanted side, which would be a bad position." "That Rufo!" Thomas turned to the stables. "I'm going to kill him!"

Pug grabbed his friend's arm. "Wait. We don't have time." Thomas stopped clenching his fists, then let them loose slowly with a sigh. "I'm not ready for a fight anyway." He turned to watch Pug inspect the horse. Pug shook his head, then flinched. "Me too." The horse backed away in a little panic, and Pug stopped checking the saddle and reins, comforting it gently. "Jufe gave you a strong horse. It'll throw you off its back before noon and run back to the stables before you hit the ground. Let's change it." Thomas looked as if he was ready to climb another horse. The saddle of the horse was both relieved and a little scared.Pug readjusted the stirrups of both mounts. "We can exchange luggage at lunch time." Pug calmed the sensitive steed and quickly climbed into the saddle.Feeling the horse's approval, and putting one leg over the other, the horse remains calm. "Oh! Martin," shouted Thomas, the duke's Master Cong, as soon as he appeared. "Are you going with us?"

A twisted smile appeared on the hunter's face, and under the thick green cloak was the unique leather jacket of the forest ranger. "Only a short stretch, Thomas. I'm here to lead the trackers near the border of Kared. I'll head east when we reach the southern branch of the great river. Two of my trackers were on the road an hour ago, breaking the track Mark of." "What do you think these Tsurani are up to, Martin?" Pug asked. Master Yan Cong's still young face was covered with a cloud. "If the elves are starting to worry, there must be something to worry about here." He turned to the crowd gathered ahead. "Sorry, I have to go give orders to my men." He turned away from the boys. "How's your head feeling this morning?" Pug asked Thomas.

Thomas made a face. "When I first woke up, my head felt twice as big." There was a happy look on his face. "Don't, it's like a hard hit on the head. I feel pretty good." Pug looked at the castle.Recalling what happened last night and trying to maintain sanity, he suddenly regretted having to travel with the Duke. Thomas noticed his friend's sullen mood. "Why so gloomy? Aren't you excited to go on an adventure?" "Nothing. Just thinking." Thomas looked at Pug for a moment. "I think I understand." He sighed deeply and sat back in the saddle, his horse stomping and neighing. "At least me, I'd be happy to leave. Nora's already gone crazy over some of the things we talked about yesterday." Pug laughed. "That will teach you to be mindful of who you're sneaking into the pantry with."

Thomas smiled sheepishly. The gate of the castle opened, and the Duke and Arusha came out, followed by Kugan, Tarry, Ryan and Roland.Karin and Mrs. Marna followed behind.The Duke and the others went straight to the front of the queue, while Karin hurried to where Pug and Thomas were sitting.The guards saluted her as she passed, but she paid no attention.She came up to Pug, and when he bowed politely, she said, "Oh, get off that stupid horse." Pug dismounted, and Karin put her arms around his neck and held him tight for a moment. "Take care of yourself," she said. "You must be safe." She let go of him, and then kissed briefly. "You must come back." Holding back her tears, she hurriedly walked towards her father and elder brother who were waiting to say goodbye to her.Thomas laughed and whistled as Pug climbed back on his horse; the nearby soldiers tried to suppress their laughter. "Looks like the princess is yours already, my lord." Thomas sneered.He ducked to avoid Pug's backhand.This motion set his horse forward, and Thomas had to get into a fight with his mount, trying to get it back in line; the horse seemed determined, and it could go in any direction except Thomas wished.Now it was Pug's turn to laugh, and finally he rode up to Thomas and put the irritable mare back into the ranks.Its ears quieted down and it turned to follow Pug's horse, and the shorter boy said, "We all have a debt to settle with Ruffer, and he gave us two special horses. We'd better put your horse and A soldier's change." Thomas climbed off his horse with a sigh of relief, almost fell to the ground, and Pug took the horse to exchange with the soldiers outside the line.The transaction was quickly completed, Thomas was back on his horse, and Roland came over and held out his hand to them. "Now you have to be careful yourself. There are many dangers and troubles outside that you don't know about."

They understood, and Rowland went on to Pug, "I'll keep watching for you." Noticing his wry smile, Pug looked back to where Karin and his father were standing, and said, "Of course," he added, "good luck, Roland, whatever happens. "Thank you. I will." He turned to Thomas. "It's going to be dull here without you." "Sometimes it's better to be dull," Thomas said. Roland laughed, "Don't let this be dull for too long, okay? Take care of yourself! You two are troublemakers, but I don't want to lose you." Thomas smiled, and Rowland waved away in a friendly manner.Watching the sergeant walk toward the duke's procession, and Karin standing beside her father, Pug turned to Thomas. "I'm happy to be on the road. I need to rest."

Sergeant Gardan rode up and ordered the procession to begin, and they set off.The Duke and Arusha were in the carriage, with Kugan and Gardan behind.Martin Longbow and his followers trotted after the duke's horse.Twenty pairs of cavalry guards followed, including Thomas and Pug, and five pairs stood between them and the wagon.All was slow at first, and then the speed picked up, and they made their way through the great gates of the castle to the south. They had been riding for three days, and after passing the last two patches of dense jungle, Martin Longbow and his men turned eastward early in the morning, heading towards the southern branch of the Kared River.There is the dividing line between Kared and the Baron Plain, which is ruled by the vassals bestowed by the Duke.

The early and sudden winter snow buried the beauty of autumn in white.Most of the residents in the forest couldn't predict the sudden winter, the fur of the hares was still brown and yellow instead of white, and the wild ducks and swans scrambled to escape from the almost frozen pond, and they could not migrate to the south for the winter.The snow was accompanied by strong winds and heavy raindrops, melting during the day and freezing at night to form a hard layer of ice.Horses and donkeys groaned through the snow and ice, and the frigid air was filled with the creak of frozen leaves and flowers crumbling underfoot.

In the afternoon, Kulgan saw a group of drakes circling in the air through the thick grass.It was a herd of gorgeous beasts, red, gold, green, and blue, skimming the treetops out of sight, and then reappearing as if spiraling upward, belching little flames and smoke.Kulgan reined in, waiting for Pug and Thomas to catch up with him.When they came to him, he pointed to the air, "Look, that's a mating ceremony in the air. It's the males who show off their aggressive flight maneuvers, and it's mostly the females who respond. Oh, I wish, We can take a closer look when we have time." Pug rode his horse across the clearing, staring at the creatures, and then, slightly shocked, said, "Kulgan, isn't the one hovering around the outer circle Fantes?" Coulgan's eyes widened. "My God! I think it's it." "Should I stop it?" Pug asked. The magician chuckled. "Just watch the ladies respond to it, I think it did a good job." As they followed the Duke's procession, the gathered drakes disappeared from view."Unlike most animals, Charmant is always looking for a mate during the first snow season," Coogan said. "The female will lay her eggs in a den, then sleep through the winter, keeping them warm. By spring the cubs will be born." Will break out of its shell under the mother's care. Fanters will be happy to be the father of a bunch of cubs for the next few days... ahem, and then he will return to the castle and mess with Mag and the cooks peaceful. Thomas and Pug laughed.Thomas' father vainly believed that the playful Charmander was a disaster sent by the gods because they were jealous of his well-ordered kitchen, but both boys noticed that Mago always spoiled the best leftovers from the feast. part to feed the beast.In the fifteen months that Pug has been Kulgan's apprentice, Fantes has become the winged and scaled pet of most of the duke's subjects, with only a few people, such as the princess, resenting Fantes' dragon-like appearance. feel uneasy. They continued to move from east to south, making rapid progress as geographically as possible.The duke feared not being able to reach the southern passes before heavy snows blocked them, cutting them off from the east until spring.Kulgan's climatic premonition made them even more concerned about the possibility of a terrible snowstorm.Soon, they will enter the deepest part of the southern forest, the Green Heart. At the intended destination, a glade deep in the jungle.Two groups of guards from Castle of the Plains will be waiting for them, leading vigorous horses.Duke Bolic has sent pigeons to Baron Belmy, and has received a reply that he will bring horses.The guards came hastily from Joel Fort with horses provided by Belmi and Torbat Turan near the edge of the great forest.By replacing the tired animals, the duke could save three or even four days in reaching Bordeaux.Longbow Martin's follower had left a clear signpost for the Duke, and arrived at the first meeting point a day earlier. Pug turned to Thomas. The tall boy was getting used to his mount, though he still flapped his arms like a chicken trying to soar when he ran.Gardan followed on horseback at the end of the procession, and the boys followed closely behind the guards carrying their luggage. "Be careful," he yelled. "The Green Heart is the worst part of the road to the Gray Tower. Even the elves have to pass it carefully and quickly." The sergeant of the Duke's guard turned his horse and galloped to the head of the line. They moved forward steadily, every pair of eyes vigilantly searching the forest for potential dangers.Thomas and Pug were talking in low tones, and Thomas was talking about the best time to fight.The voices of the boys talking and laughing sounded hollow among the guarded silent soldiers around them.They reached their meeting point before sunset.It was a fairly empty space for its size, with only a few tree stumps sticking out of the snow-covered ground and vegetation, and it looked like the trees had long since been felled. The brand-new horses stood neatly and tied in a straight line, and six guards stood cautiously around them to watch over them.When the duke's party appeared on horseback, they had drawn their weapons.They lowered their weapons only when they saw the familiar Kharidan banner.These were the Baron's warriors, clad in scarlet with the image of a raging griffin embroidered on the breast.The same pattern is also printed on their shields. The guards came forward and saluted, "You are welcome, my king." Bolick nodded back. "The horses are ready?" "Already ready, my lord, with little rest for waiting. Like these people." Borric dismounted as another Baron warrior eagerly passed his horse. "Is there any trouble?" "No, my lord, but this is by no means a place for honest men. All night we took turns standing guard two by two, always feeling a pair of squirming eyes watching us." Experienced and scarred, the sergeant, He has fought to the death with goblins and bandits.He's definitely not the type to be intimidated by certain imaginings.The Duke is well aware of this. "You'd better be careful tonight. Tomorrow you will escort the horses back to your stronghold. Although this is a barren place, I would like to let them rest for the night." Prince Arusha stepped forward. "I've felt something spying on us the last few hours too, Father." Bolick turned to the sergeant. "We may be targeted by the bandits. They are testing us. I will send two men back with you. There is no difference between forty-eight and fifty, but eight is better than six." If the sergeant felt a little comfort, He didn't show it either, but simply said, "I thank you, my king." Bolik said goodbye to the man, and returned to the center of the camp with Arusha, where a huge bonfire had already been lit.Soldiers pitched tents as usual to escape the cold night wind.The Duke saw two mules and a horse bearing a great bundle and marked the hay.Arusha followed his gaze. "Belmi is a caring person and he did a very good job." Kulgan, Gardan, and the boys approached two royals standing in front of a warm campfire.The darkness was quickly dispelled, and even at noon, only a faint sunlight could be seen in the snowy forest.Bolik looked around, and couldn't help but feel a chill beyond the cold. "This is an ominous place. We should stay as far away from it as possible." They ate in a hurry and rested.Pug and Thomas huddled together, alert to every sound, until exhaustion utterly paralyzed them into a stupendous slumber. Bao Jue and his party went through the depths of the forest and got stuck in it. The sticky swamp made the trackers have to change their routes constantly, and it was even more difficult to find a way for the horses to pass.The forest was filled with darkness and distortion, and the suffocating thick grass also hindered the troops' progress. "I doubt the sun ever got here," Pug said softly to Thomas.Thomas nodded slowly, his eyes on the bushes.Every day since leaving Keith Plains three days ago has become more nerve-wracking.The sounds of the forest died away as they went deeper, until they were marching in an unsettling silence. It seems that animals and birds are also reluctant to come here.Although Pug knew it was only because most of the animals had flown south for the winter, it didn't ease his and Thomas' uneasiness. Thomas lowered his head slowly. "I felt something terrible was about to happen." Pug said, "You said that two days ago." After a moment he added, "I hope we don't have to fight. No matter how much you show me, I still don't know how to use this weapon." sword." "Use this," Thomas said, pulling out something.Pug took it, a small bag containing some smooth stones and a slingshot. "I think you might feel better with this one. I've prepared one too." They continued on for an hour, then stopped to rest the horses and eat some cold meat.It was morning, and Gardan checked each of the mounts to make sure they were all right.Not a single soldier was wounded or sick.If a horse limped, its rider had to share the horse with another and return as far as he could, for the Duke could not tolerate any delay.This is extremely dangerous, and no one wants to discuss it out loud. They will meet with the second horse-changing team in the afternoon.For the first four days they traveled cautiously in this dangerous place, and it was extremely dangerous to try to rush through this dense swamp.However, according to the speed they were traveling, they could still arrive on time, but the Duke was still scratched during the slow march. They continued on, only to stop when the guards had to swing their swords to cut down the bushes that blocked their way, the echoes of their swings passing through the silent forest, following the arrows left by the pursuers. path of. Pug was lost in thoughts of the princess when suddenly a cry erupted from the front of the line, out of the boy's view.Thomas immediately led the horse forward, forgetting that they were being defended by thick bushes, and relying on instinct to avoid the low overhanging branches. Pug and Thomas and the others rode forward, and soon they caught a glimpse of a mass of brown and white, snow-stained bushes coming towards them.They lowered their bodies and pulled the horse's neck, trying to stay seated, avoiding most of the branches.Pug looked over his shoulder and saw Thomas fall off his horse.Branches and branches tore at Pug's cloak, and he burst out of the forest into a field.The sound of fighting immediately reached his ears, and the boy saw the fierce battle.Fighting broke out all around them, as the horses to be replaced struggled to break free from the stakes that bound them.Pug could just make out their foe, a figure shrouded in darkness, slashing wildly upwards at the knights. A figure fled in Pug's direction, dodging the berserk guards a few yards in front of him.Seeing that there was only one boy in front of him, the strange warrior couldn't help grinning maliciously at Pug, raised his long sword high, and suddenly he let out a scream and covered his face with his hands, blood flowing from the gap between his fingers .Thomas reined in behind Pug and shot a second stone. "I think you're in trouble," he yelled.He rode his horse over to the fallen warrior.Pug sat dumbfounded for a while, then kicked his own horse too.He pulled out his slingshot and fired at two targets, but wasn't sure if the stone hit the target. Pug calmed down from the fight.He saw figures in black and gray cloaks and leather armor pouring out of the forest on all sides. They looked like elves, but their hair was darker, and they shouted in a language that was uncomfortable for Pug's ears. .Arrows flew from the bushes and rained down on the knights of Khared. On the ground lay a pile of dead bodies, both attackers and soldiers.Pug looked at the dead bodies of a dozen Caith warriors, and the two longbow guides tied to stumps around the campfire and pretended to be alive. The snow beside them was covered with scarlet blood.The trick worked, and the duke and the others walked into the open space unsuspecting and fell into the trap. Lord Bolic's voice shouted over the tumult of battle. "Come to me! Come to me! We're surrounded." Pug slammed his mount toward the Duke and the others, looking around for Thomas.The arrow flew down from the air, and the screams echoed in the forest. Bolik shouted, "This way!" The surviving people followed him closely.They rushed into the forest, leaving the attacking archers behind.The shouts followed as they sped past the ambushes, their heads lower than the necks of their mounts, dodging bows and low branches. Pug yanked his horse wildly away from a huge tree.He looked around, but couldn't find Thomas.He turned his eyes to the back of the knight in front again. Pug knew that he could only focus on one thing now, not letting the man's back out of his sight.He could hear a loud, unfamiliar cry behind him, and another voice answered from one side.Pug's mouth felt dry, and his hands were sweaty in heavy gloves. They moved swiftly through the forest, the calls and shouts still echoing around them.Pug had lost his sense of distance, but he must have been more than a mile from the battle.The shout still traveled through the forest, conveying the Duke's escape route. Suddenly Pug rushed into a thick patch of grass, reining in the foaming, panting horse and slowing it down.All around him was a patchwork of shades of gray and green, with occasional flecks of white.Ahead the Duke was waiting, his sword unsheathed, like those around him.Arusha rode beside his father, his face covered with sweat and frost. Panting horses and exhausted guards gathered around.Pug was relieved to see Thomas beside Kulgan and Gardan. When the last of the cavalry arrived, Lord Borric asked, "How many more?" Gardan counted the survivors and replied, "We lost eighteen men, six were wounded, and all our mules and gear." Bolick nodded. "Give the horses a rest. They'll be back soon." Arusha said, "Are we here to resist, Father?" Bolick shook his head. "There are too many of them. There are at least a hundred of them in the clearing." He slammed the palm. "We rode into the clearing like rats into a trap." He looked around. "We lost more than half." Pug asked the soldiers beside him, "Who are they?" The soldier looked at Pug. "Dark Clan, ser, perhaps Ka-Hawley will visit those bastards with hemorrhoids," he replied, citing the name of the Vengeful God.The soldier drew a circle with his hand. "They're rarely found in the Green Heart, though most of them live here in the mountains to the east, stretching all the way to the Northlands. It's illogical, damned luck." There was a shout from behind, and the Duke roared, "Here they come. Go!" The survivors turned their horses and galloped, following their leader into the bushes again.Time seemed to stand still as Pug rode through a dangerous, dense forest.Two people around him screamed, but Pug didn't know whether it was the branches or the arrows that hit them. Once more they ran into the clearing, and the Duke gave the signal to stop. "Your Majesty, the horses can't take it anymore." Gadan stepped forward and said. Bolick slapped his saddle in frustration, his face dark and angry. "Damn it! Where are we?" "We must go east, father, toward the mountains," Arusha said, and Borric nodded. "But which side is east?" The tall trees covered the sky and rejected the sunlight, making it impossible for them to find any basis for making a judgment. Kulgan said, "Wait a minute, Your Majesty," and closed his eyes.Kulgan snapped his eyes open and pointed in one direction as the shouts of pursuit passed through the thicket again. "This road, that's east." Without any questions or comments, the Duke drove his horse in the indicated direction and signaled others to follow.Pug had a strong feeling of wanting to get back to his chum, and tried to overtake Thomas, but he couldn't get past the other cavalry who stood in the way of the horse.He swallowed hard and realized he was terrified.The stern faces of the soldiers around him told him he wasn't alone. Most of the time they shuttled through the dark corridors of the Green Heart.Every step along the escape route was accompanied by the cries of the Dark Clan warning others of the whereabouts of the fugitives.Sometimes Pug could spot a figure running some distance away, and then the running figure quickly disappeared into the dark undergrowth.The runners didn't try to stop them, but they kept on. Once again the Duke ordered to stop.Turning to Gardan, "Send troops to scout! Find out how close they are to us. We must rest." Gardan pointed out three men who quickly dismounted and ran back to the route they had taken in their retreat.A crisp sound of metal clashing and dying screams announced that they had encountered the pursuers of the Dark Clan. "Damn it!" the Duke roared. "They're driving us in circles like a herd, driving us toward where they are. We're heading north instead of east." Pug took the opportunity to move to Thomas' side.The horses panted and shivered as their sweat met the freezing air.Thomas gave a feeble smile, but said nothing. The men moved quickly among the horses, checking each other for injuries.A few minutes later, the stragglers sent to reconnaissance ran back. Panting, one of them reported, "Lord, they are very close to us, at least fifty or sixty people." "How far?" The man stood there, sweat running down his cheeks, and he replied, "Five minutes, my lord." He smiled cruelly, "We took out two, it will slow them down for a while, but not much longer .” "Let's rest for a while, and then continue on the road," Bolik told the troops. "A moment or an hour, what does it matter? Those horses are doomed. We can stand and wait for more clans to come," Arusha said. Bolick shook his head. "I must reach Eland. He must hear of Tsurani's arrival." An arrow, followed by another, flew from the nearby bushes, and another rider fell from his horse.Bolick yelled, "Go!" Driving the exhausted horses into the deeper forest, they walked slowly, and they could see the pursuers coming.The duke directed the soldiers by hand to spread out into a line so that they could protect the flanks of the troops and the commander.The horses were foaming at the mouth and their nostrils were dilated.Pug knew they were dying. "Why don't they attack?" Thomas whispered. "I don't know," Pug replied. "They just drove us from the flanks and from behind." Bao Jue raised his arm, and the line stopped.There was no sound of any pursuit.He turned around and said in a low voice. "We might have lost them. Be careful, everyone—" An arrow slashed just over his head, just a foot away. "Go!" he cried, and they hurried on down the path. Gardan yelled, "My lord, it looks like they want us to flee." Borric cursed under his breath, and then he asked, "Kulgan, is that way east?" The wizard closed his eyes again, and Pug knew that this particular spell was draining his energy.It wouldn't be difficult in a calm situation, but it would just wear him out in this situation.Kulgan opened his eyes and pointed to the right.The team is heading north. Arusha said, "They lead us to where they are, Father." Bolick raised his voice and said loudly, "Only a fool or a child would go on this road. Give my order, turn right and go full speed." He waited for everyone to arm their weapons and prayed silently for the horses to bear. Next Mercedes.Then the Duke shouted, "Action!" The procession turned neatly to the right, and the knights kicked off their weary mounts.Arrows poured from the swab, crowds and horses screamed.Pug ducked under a branch, fumbling for sword and shield while trying to hold on to the reins.He grasped it and felt the smooth surface of the shield, felt the horse slowing down. He was never trained to control a mount while wielding a weapon. Pugle reined in the reins; he risked pausing for a moment to grab his gear.A sound made him look to the right.Not five yards away stood an archer of the Dark Clan.Pug froze for a while, and the archer remained motionless.Pug was struck by his resemblance to the elf prince Celen.There is only a very small difference between the two races, almost the same height and build, only the hair and eye color are different.The man's bowstring snapped, and he stood still, looking at Pug with black eyes, calmly restringing his bow.Pug was surprised that the Dark Clan stood so close that he forgot why he had stopped.He sat there dumbfounded watching the archer repair his weapon, absorbed in the dark elf's composed demeanor. Then the dark elf swiftly drew an arrow from his quiver and put it on the repaired bowstring.Pug woke up as if from a dream, and his mount responded to his frantic kicks and galloped again.He did not see the archer's arrow, but he could hear and feel it whizzing past his ears, and he galloped away, leaving the archer behind as if left behind by the duke's ranks . Pug spurred the horse forward, toward the sound ahead, despite every indication that the poor animal was going as fast as it could.He swayed through the forest, the dim light adding insult to injury.Suddenly he was following a cavalryman in the colors of the Duke's Guard, and Pug's horse carrying the lighter rider quickly passed him.The terrain became steeper, and Pug wondered if they had entered the hills of Gray Tower City. The whine of the horses made Pug look back.He saw the soldier he had just overtaken collapsed on his mount, and foamy blood spurted from the animal's nose.Pug and another soldier stopped, and the soldier turned back and rode up to where the first man stood.He held out his hand to those who fell off their horses to ride with him.The fallen soldier just shook his head, and he stepped forward and slapped the horse's rump to drive it away.Pug knew that the second man's horse could barely support one man, never two.The fallen knight raised his sword and slew the dying mount, then turned and waited silently for the Dark Clan that was following them.Tears welled up in Pug's eyes for the man's courage.Another soldier patted him on the shoulder, shouted something to him, and rode away. "Go, ser!" he cried.Pug tightened his legs, and the horse broke into a shambling trot again. The fleeing party trudged on, exhausted, and Pug made his way through to the duke's vicinity.After a few minutes, Lord Bolick gave the order to slow down.They went into another wilderness.Bolick scanned his team.The hopeless anger faded from his face, replaced by a look of amazement.He raised his arms high, and the knights stopped.Shouts came from the forest, but far away.Arusha opened his eyes wide in surprise, "Did we get rid of them?" 鲍爵缓缓地点点头，他的注意力集中在远方的叫喊声上。“暂时的。我们突围出他们的弓箭手包围时，我们一定是摆脱了他们的追击。不过他们会很快发现的并且以更快的速度追上来。我们最多只有十或十五分钟。”他望向他疲惫的队伍。“除非我们能找到一个可以隐藏的地方。” 库甘驱赶着他蹒跚的坐骑来到公爵的身旁。“吾王，我可能有一个办法，尽避它可能是危险而致命的。” “对我们来说没有什么比在这里等他们追上我们更致命的了。你的计划是什么？”博利克说道。 “我有一个护身符，它可以控制天气。我曾经用它对抗过海上的风暴，那是它能力的极限。或许我可以用它来隐藏我们的行踪。让每一个人都把他们的马赶到空地的尽头去，靠近岩石。让牲口都保持安静。” 博利克按法师的话下达了命令，所有的动物被带到了空地的尽头，温和的手牵引着这些疲惫而兴奋的动物，马儿很快在长时间的疲于奔命后安静了下来。 他们都已经聚集在了狭窄空地的尽头，背靠着在头顶上高高凸起如同一灰色铁拳的花岗岩。四周是低缓的坡地。库甘走到聚集的队伍中。 他低声吟唱着，挥舞着护身符画出复杂的图形。慢慢地下午灰色的光线退去，一层薄雾在他身边聚集。一开始只是几缕而已，但很快，更多潮湿的水气填满其中，形成淡淡的大雾。 很快公爵的队伍和林木线之间模糊起来。库甘的动作越来越快，雾也越来越浓，从法师的身上辐射状地发散出去，整个旷野都被浓密的白色所弥漫。几分钟后就只能看到几码之内的景物了。 伴随着法师节奏，浓密的大雾被送进本来就十分灰暗的森林中。旷野上的迷雾也随着法师的每一句咒语而变得更加黑暗。 然后，库甘停了下来转身面对公爵，低声耳语，“现在只需要安静。祈祷黑暗精灵们会在迷失在大雾之中。我希望这里的地形坡度会让他们靠近岩石时从一边或是另一边绕过我们。但是大家都不要动，任何声音都会暴露我们。” 每一个人都点点头，明白危险即将到来。他们站在浓雾最深的中心期望黑暗氏族能够走开，将公爵和他的人落在他们身后。这是一场甭投一掷的赌博，如果他们成功了，就有机会在黑暗的氏族回来杀之前逃得远远的。 帕格看了看汤玛士然后低声道，“有岩石在这里真好，这让我们不会留下什么痕迹。” 汤玛士点点头，由于过于惊恐而难以启齿。附近的一个守卫示意帕格安静，年轻的爵士点了点头。 伽旦和几个守卫，还有公爵和阿鲁沙，轻声站到了队伍的前方，武器出鞘，为可能的失败做好了准备。喊叫声随着黑暗氏族的接近而响亮起来。库甘站在公爵附近，静静地凝聚着力量，更多的迷雾聚集在他周围，然后发散出去。帕格明白迷雾将会迅速展开，并随着库甘继续咒语而继续扩展到更大的地方。每多一分钟绿色之心就会有更大的地方被浓雾所遮掩，也让他们的敌人更难找到他们。 帕格感觉到潮湿的东西掉落在他的面颊，他向上望去。雪花开始飘落。他惊恐地望着浓雾，不知道新的状况是否会影响它。他观察了一会，然后静静地松了一口气，大雪增强了浓雾的掩盖力。 一声难以察觉的脚步声传来。帕格和他附近的所有人都感到浑身一冷。一个声音用黑暗精灵的陌生语言响起。 帕格感到一股冲动涌出肩头，但是他一动不动，努力忽视后背上难忍骚痒。他看了看汤玛士。汤玛士如岩石一般站立，他的手放在他坐骑的嘴上，看上去就象是一尊雕像。就像其他的马一样，汤玛士的坐骑明白手放在的脸上是命令它安静。 另一声叫喊从雾气中传出，帕格险些跳了起来。那声音的来源似乎就站在面前。很快传来一声回答，声音在更远的地方。 伽旦站到了帕格的前面，帕格看到军士的后背抽搐了一下。伽旦慢慢地跪下，静静地将他的长剑和盾牌放到地上。他站起身，慢慢地移动，掏出他的腰刀。然后他突然走进雾中，移动得如同一只消失在夜色中的猫一般安静轻盈。那里传出一声轻微的昏厥声，然后伽旦再次出现。 一个黑暗氏族奋力地挣扎着，伽旦黑色的大手牢牢地扣住了那生物的嘴，另一只胳膊则紧紧地勒住他的咽喉。帕格可以看到军士不敢冒险将刀子直接插入他的后背。伽旦紧咬牙关，忍受着那生物如同爪子般的指甲抠进他的手臂，双眼由于无法呼吸而突出。伽旦牢牢地站立着，将奋力挣扎着的黑暗精灵举离地面。那生物的脸涨得通红，然后变成了紫色，伽旦让他窒息。鲜血从那生物得的爪子间流淌过伽旦的手臂；但是强壮的战士动也没动。最后黑暗精灵瘫软下来，他在伽旦强壮的手臂间抽搐了几下，然后被无声地放倒在地上。 伽旦的双眼因用力而睁大，他安静地大口吸气很快恢复了平静的呼吸。慢慢地他转过身，跪下，将刀子放回到腰间。然后从新拾起长剑和盾牌。 他站起身，再次凝视着浓雾。 帕格对军士感到无比的敬畏与赞赏，但是就如其他所有人一样他只能默默地看着。时间一点一点流逝，他们愤怒地相互询问、搜寻逃亡者藏身之地的声音也变得微弱了。最终声音远去，接着，空地上的所有人都默默地长松了一口气。公爵低声道，“他们越过了我们。牵好马，我们往东走。” 帕格在黑暗中张望，前方，领头的是博利克公爵和阿鲁沙王子。伽旦守护在库甘身旁，法师还未从那耗尽其精力的魔法中恢复。汤玛士默默地走在他好友的身边。陪同公爵一起离开卡瑞德的五十个守卫如今只剩下十三个。也只有六匹马在今天幸存了下来。他们跌跌撞撞地在黑暗中行进，每个人都沉默不语。 他们向上跋涉，步入更高的山丘。太阳已经落下，但公爵命令他们继续前进，害怕可怕的追击者会杀回来。人们小心谨慎地向前迈出每一步，在夜色中试探着地势的高低。黑暗诅咒着男人们一次又一次地摔倒在冰冷的岩石之上。 帕格步伐沉重，他的身体麻木，又累又冷。这一天似乎永无尽头，他已经记不得上次停下来用餐是什么时候了。他曾经一次接过一个士兵的水袋，但痛饮的记忆已经模糊不清。他抓起一把雪塞进嘴里，但融化的冰雪并未让他感觉好点。沉重的积雪从枝头掉落，至少帕格是这样认为，他没有看到它的掉落，但是它多次沉重地打在他的脸上。那是让人痛苦的寒冷，他在斗蓬里瑟瑟发抖。 象是一声唐突的呼喊，公爵在黑暗中低语。“停下。我怀疑他们正在周围的黑暗中游荡。我们要在这里休息。” 前方的某处传来阿鲁沙低沉的话语：“早上掉落的雪会掩盖我们留下的痕迹。” 帕格双膝跪倒，紧了紧身上的斗蓬。汤玛士的声音从附近传来。“帕格？” “在这里。”他无力地回答。 汤玛士在他身边坐下。“我想，”他在痛苦的喘息中勉强说道，“我永远……也不能在动一动了。” 帕格只能点头。公爵的声音从不远处传来。“不要点火。” Gardan回答道，“对于一个寒冷的营地这将是一个痛苦的夜晚，陛下。” Borric点点头，“是的，但是如果那些地狱的子孙在这附近，火会把他们吸引过来。大家挤在一起取暖，就不会被冻僵了。轮班放哨，破晓之时，我希望他们能离我们尽可能的远。”帕格感到更多的身躯挤在他的周围，他毫不介意温暖所带来的不便。很快他便迷失在断断续续的瞌睡之中，频繁地在夜间醒来。然后，天突然亮了。 又有三匹马在夜间死去了，它们冻僵的躯体被积雪覆盖。帕格动了动脚趾，感到麻木而僵硬。他猛跺了跺脚，试图让僵硬、疼痛的身体活动起来，情不自禁地打了个寒战。汤玛士翻了个身，然后猛然惊醒，他看了看发生了什么事，随后笨拙地爬起身，和帕格一起跺着脚，挥舞着手臂。“我这辈子从来没这么冷过。”他从嗒嗒作响的牙齿间说道。 帕格向四周望去。他们在一块露出地面的花岗岩层所形成的空洞内，附近的地面裸露，没有任何植被的遮盖，岩石从他们身后三十尺出拔地而起，接连着后面的山脊。坡地的地势直指他们所途径的行程，帕格注意到这里的树木十分稀疏。“过来，”他对汤玛士说道，然后开始爬上岩石。 “该死的！”声音从后面传来，帕格和汤玛士回头望去，看到Gardan静静地跪在一名守卫身旁。军士看这公爵说道，“夜里死的，陛下。”他摇了摇头补充道，“他受了伤却隐瞒不说。 帕格默默地算着；除了他自己，汤玛士，库甘，公爵，还有他的儿子，这里只剩下十二名士兵了。汤玛士抬头望向爬在前面的帕格，“我们要去哪？” 帕格示意他小声。他朝一旁歪了歪脑袋，“去看看那边是什么。” 汤玛士点点头，然后他们继续攀爬。僵硬的手指抗议着抓住坚硬的岩石，但是帕格感觉自己的身体随着运动而暖和起来。他抓住岩石顶端的边缘，爬上山脊，然后等待着汤玛士。 汤玛士爬上山脊，大口地喘着气，向帕格身后望去，然后惊呼，“哦，赞美诸神！” 庄严肃穆地在他们身后升起的正是高耸的灰塔城。太阳在身后升起，给朝北的群山铸上了一层瑰红和金色的亮丽光芒，然而面西的那一边依然笼罩在靛青的黑暗之中。天空中万里无云，大雪已经停止。放眼望去，所有的景物都被披上了一层白装。 帕格朝伽旦挥挥手。军士走到岩石的底部，向上爬了一会，然后问道，“什么？”帕格回答，“灰塔城！不超过五里英里。” 伽旦招手让男孩们回来，他们爬了下来，在离地面还有几步时重重地跳了下来。目的地就在眼前，他们感觉充满了活力。他们走到正在与公爵、阿鲁沙和库甘商谈的伽旦身边。“卸下死马身上的行李，分给每个人携带。牵上剩下的马，但不要骑。不用掩盖动物的尸体了，无论如何我们都会留下明显的足迹。”博利克柔声说，他的说每一个字都清脆地传遍清晨晴朗的空气中。 朝伽行礼然后走回到士兵当中。他们两人或独自站着，双眼警惕着任何可能的追击者。 “你是否知道走那条路到南方关口？”博利克对库甘说道。 “我将使用我的魔力视觉察看，吾王。”库甘汇聚凝神，帕格仔细地看着，使用心灵之眼视物是另一项帕格在他的学业中努力避开的技艺。这有点类似使用水晶球，但是缺少图像，更多的是某种东西与魔法师关联的一些印象与感受。几分钟的沉默过去，库甘说道，“我无法说，陛下。如果我曾经到过这里，或许能感到的更多一些。但是现在我无法感应到任何可能通往关口的去路。” Bolick nodded. “我希望长弓在这里。他了解这个地区。”他转向东方，似乎穿过了山脊而凝视着灰塔城。 “对我来说这座山就和其他的山一样。” 阿鲁沙说道，“父亲，往北行进嘛？” 博利克对阿鲁沙的逻辑微微一笑。“是的。如果关口在北方，我们仍然有机会在它被大雪封锁之前穿过。一旦穿过山脉，东方的天气就会温和多了——至少按一般来说在每年的这个时节是这样的。我们可以一直走到波若敦。如果我们已经穿过了北方关口，我们就会到达矮人们那里。他们将会为我们提供庇护并且可能知道通往东方的其他路线。”他望了望精疲力竭的队伍。“三匹马和可以融化的雪水解渴，我们至少能坚持到下周。”他向四周环视，注视着碧空。“如果天气能保持晴朗的话。 “我们或许能有两、三天的好天气。更远的未来我也无法预测。”库甘说道，远处一声呐喊回响在林中，在浓密的森林深处。立刻所有人都安静下来。博利克望着伽旦。“军士，你估计他们离我们有多远？” 伽旦仔细倾听着。“这很难说，吾王。一、二英里，或者更远。声音在森林中总是很古怪，特别在如此寒冷的天气里。”博利克点点头。“召集人马。我们马上离开。” 鲜血从帕格破裂的手套的缝隙中流出。整整一天，公爵一刻不停地带领人们攀爬行进于山岩之上，以防黑暗氏族的追踪。每个小时都有守卫被派遣回去掩盖掉他们所留下的痕迹，将从死马身上拿下的毯子拖拉在身后，尽可能地消灭留下的足迹。 他们站在危岩至上一片空地，稀疏的松树和白杨树围绕着一块圆形光秃的岩石。树木随着不断向山顶前进而愈加稀疏，呆在崎岖不平，高耸陡峭的山地上所冒的风险总胜过面对身后的追击者。自从黎明，他们就开始沿着崎岖的山路，朝着东北方向移动，向灰塔城进发，但让帕格懊丧的是，那些山脉看上去并不是那么的近。 太阳已经高高升起在头顶，但是帕格一点也感觉不到它的温暖，寒冷的凉风从高耸的灰塔城吹落下来。帕格听到库甘的声音从身后传来。“只要东北风一直吹着，我们就不会遭遇大雪，潮湿的空气将会从山顶落下。如果风向转西，或是西北，来自遥远的无尽之海，那我们就要有大风雪了。” 帕格气喘吁吁地沿着岩石向上攀爬，努力在光滑的表面上保持平衡。“库甘，我们还必须要上课嘛？” 几个人笑了起来，短暂地驱散了过去两天来严酷的紧张气氛。他们在其他人还没上来之前到达了一片宽广的平坦之地，公爵下令停止。“生起火来，宰杀一匹牲畜。我们在这里等殿后的守卫。” 伽旦很快的派人去到树丛中收集木柴，一个人将两匹马牵开。那些高大的牲畜伤了脚，又饥又饿，对它们所受的命令充满怨恨，伽旦希望它们能远离血腥的味道。 被选中的马发出嘶鸣，然后一切又归于沉寂，当篝火生起，士兵们将马肉放置在火焰之上。很快，空气中就充满了烤肉的芬香。顾不上之前对杀马的厌恶，帕格发现这味道让他的口水都撩此下来。很快，他就捧着一根穿有烤熟马肉的木棒如饿狼一般地啃着。旁边，汤玛士也在对一块烤得咝咝做响的烤马腰做着相同的事情。 当他们结束用餐，仍然热着的烤肉被包裹在马身上的毯子里和撕碎的大衣中，然后分给每一个人。 帕格和汤玛士做在库甘身边，看着人们收拾营地，熄灭营火，掩盖着所留下的痕迹，然后准备好继续上路。 伽旦走到公爵身边。“吾王，殿后的守卫还没有到。” Bolick nodded. “我知道。他们在半个小时前就应该回来了。”他向山坡下望去，凝视着包裹在薄雾中无尽的森林。 “我们再等五分钟，然后就走。” 他们在沉默中静静地等待着，但是守卫们没有回来。最后，伽旦发出命令，”好了，小伙子们。我们该走了。” 男人们站起身跟随着公爵和库甘，男孩们跟在最后。帕格默默地数着。只剩下十个士兵了。 两天后，狂风吼叫而至，暴露的皮肤冰冷的如刀割一般。斗蓬紧紧地包裹着每一个步伐沉重蹒跚地向北行进的身影，义无反顾地逆风而行。破碎的衣服布条被包裹缠绕在靴子上，无力地试图抗拒寒冷的冻伤。帕格徒劳地反抗着结在睫毛上的冰渣，但是猛烈的寒风让他的双眼流泪，并很快冻结。 扒过狂风，帕格听到库甘的声音。“吾王，风暴要来了。我们必须找一个躲避的地方不然会被冻死的。”公爵点点头并挥手示意两个人到前面去寻找避难所。那两人跌跌撞撞地跑了去，只是勉强地快过其他人，但他们依然英勇地拿出最后残存的力量投入到他们的任务中去。 乌云开始在西北方凝聚，天空灰暗了下来。“我们还有多长时间，库甘？”公爵在尖叫的狂风中喊道。 法师在头顶挥舞着他的手，狂风将他的头发和胡须都吹到了脸颊后侧，露出了宽阔的前额。“最多一个小时。”公爵再次点头并带着人们继续前进。 马儿发出一声悲鸣，刺破了寒风，一个士兵高喊着，最后一匹马倒了下去。Borric 停了下来，带着咒骂命令人们以最快的速度将马宰杀。士兵杀死了马匹，冒着热气的马肉被切割下来，却在他们还未来的及将其包裹起来之前就被冰冷的空气凝固。当他们做完，马肉被分给了每一个人。 “如果我们能找到避难所，我们就生火烤肉。”公爵喊道。 帕格默默地想，如果找不到避难所，这些肉就毫无用处了。他们继续前进。 不一会，两个守卫返了回来，带回了前方不到四分之一英里处有一个洞穴的消息。公爵命令他们带路。 在强劲狂风的鞭打下，雪花开始飘落。天空已经黑了下来，只能看到不到百尺以内的景物。帕格感到脑袋发轻，他努力在雪地上拖着沉重的双腿。两只手都早已毫无直觉，他怀疑自己已经生了冻疮。 汤玛士看上去要好一些，他有着坚强的意志，但是他也疲惫的难以言语。他沉重地走在朋友的身旁。 突然，帕格倒了下去，面颊深深地埋进雪中，惊讶于感到的温暖和困倦。汤玛士单膝跪倒在跌倒的法师学徒身旁。他摇晃着帕格，几乎昏迷的男孩呻吟着。 “起来，”汤玛士喊道。“很快就要到了。” 帕格在汤玛士和一个士兵的帮助下奋力地爬起。当他站起身，汤玛士示意自己就可以照顾好他的朋友。那士兵点点头，但仍然待在一旁。汤玛士解开一条为取暖而系在身上的马皮，将一端系在了帕格的皮带上，然后半拉半拖地带着个头稍小的男孩前进。 男孩们跟随着领路的守卫，在乱石凌厉的山岩中来到了洞穴的入口。他们蹒跚地向前走了几步，迈入黑暗的庇护之中，然后倒在了坚硬的石质地面上。与外面尖锐风雪相比，洞穴看上去是如此温暖，很快他们就迷失在疲惫的睡眠当中。 帕格在烤马肉的香味中醒来。他坐起身然后看到外面已经黑了，远处有一堆篝火。枯木朽枝堆满了周围，人们小心地添加着柴火。另一些人站在一旁，烘烤着肉块。帕格活动了以下手指并感到了钻心的疼痛，但他剥下手套，并没有看到冻伤的痕迹。他用肘部撞醒汤玛士，男孩用臂肘支撑着身体爬起来，被火光晃得看不清东西。 伽旦站在篝火的另一边，正在和一名守卫说话。公爵坐在附近，轻声地与他的儿子和库甘交谈着。而在伽旦和守卫身后，帕格只能看到一片漆黑。他无法记起他们是什么时候抵达的山洞，但是他和汤玛士肯定已经睡了好几个小时。 库甘看到他们醒来便走了过来。“感觉如何？”他满脸关切地问道。鉴于环境，男孩们表示感觉良好。帕格和汤玛士在库甘的命令下脱掉他们的靴子，他很高兴地宣布他们并没有染上冻疮，但有一个士兵就没有这么走运了。 “我们睡了多长时间？”帕格问。 “从昨天的整个晚上到今天一整天，”法师叹息道。 帕格注意到大部分工作已经被做完了。不仅是被砍伐的木柴，他和汤玛士身上都盖上了厚实的毯子。一对落入陷阱的兔子被挂在洞口附近，还有一排灌满水的皮囊堆在篝火旁。“你应该叫醒我们，”帕格满怀不安地说道。 库甘摇了摇头。“风暴过去之前公爵不准备离开的，那不过是几个小时之前的事情。不论如何，你和汤玛士也并不是这里唯一筋疲力尽的人。我想即使是无畏的军士，如果不休息一个晚上也无法再走多远了。明天公爵将会看到精力恢复的队员，如果天气好转，我期待那时我们可以离开这里。” 库甘站起身，做了个小手势表示如果男孩们愿意可以继续睡觉，然后走回到公爵身边。 帕格对于居然已经睡了整整一天而感到吃惊，他再次感到了疲倦，不过他认为在继续睡去之前最好先找点东西填满肚子。汤玛士对他没说出口的意见点头表示同意，然后两人迅速地溜到篝火旁。一个士兵正在忙于烧烤并递给他们一块烤得焦烫烤肉。 男孩们狼吞虎咽地消灭了食物，然后他们背靠着巨大洞穴的石壁而坐。帕格开始和汤玛士聊天，但当他望向洞口的守卫时不由得心头一紧。那正站立着和军士讲话的男人脸上突然浮现出一种奇怪的表情，然后他的膝盖软了下去。伽旦冲上去扶住他，将他慢慢放倒在地上。 当他看到插在那男人身侧的箭时魁梧的军士不由得双目圆睁。 时间就象是在一瞬间停止了，然后伽旦大喊，“有敌袭击！” 一声凄厉的嚎叫从洞口外传来，紧接着一个身影越过灌木，跳进光线中，然后越过篝火，打倒了正在烧烤的士兵。它就站在离男孩们几步远的地方，然后转过脸去面对着它刚刚越过的方向。它包裹着动物皮毛制成的外套和皮裤，一只布满战斗疤痕的手臂绑着一个小盾牌，另一只挥舞着弯刀的手臂高高举起。 帕格呆若木鸡地看着那生物打量着洞中的队伍，一声低沉的咆哮从野蛮的嘴唇中传出，双眼在篝火的映照下放出光芒，野兽般的獠牙裸露在外。汤玛士所经受的训练做出了反应，在长途跋涉中始终紧握在手中的长剑已经瞬间出鞘。那生物向下扫视着帕格，男孩向旁边挪动着，试图躲开扑面而来的气息。刀刃扫过地面发出一声脆响，汤玛士失去平衡地向前刺去，笨拙地插进那生物的胸口下方。它双膝跌倒，因鲜血充满它的肺部发出汩汩声，然后一头栽倒向前。 其他的攻击者跳跃着涌进洞来，立刻与卡瑞德的男人们激战在一起。谩骂和诅咒的声音不绝于耳，长剑在拥挤的洞穴中舞动。守卫们和攻击者面对面地站着，在不超过数尺的范围内移动。一些公爵的战士丢下长剑而从皮靴中掏出匕首来更好的进行战斗。 帕格抓住他的剑并寻找着目标，但是一无所获。火光舞动，他只能看到攻击者的数量远不足于剩下的守卫，基本上是两或三个卡瑞德的战士与一个攻击者缠斗着，它很快就被击倒并杀死。 突然洞穴里安静下来，只剩下士兵们沉重的呼吸声。帕格查看着，除了那个中了箭的男人倒在地上。其他人只受有一些轻伤。库甘在人群中忙碌着，检查他们的伤势，然后对公爵说，“吾王，我们没有受到其他严重的伤害。” 帕格望向死去的生物。六具尸体四肢伸直地倒在洞穴的地面上。它们比人类要小一些，但是并不明显。在浓密的眉梁上，倾斜的前额顶部覆盖着黑色的毛发。他们淡蓝绿色的皮肤光滑，除了一个脸颊上长有类似年轻人类的胡须。他们的眼睛，至死圆睁，巨大而浑圆，黑色瞳孔在黄色眼球中。他们丑陋的面孔在死亡中扭曲狰狞，可以看到如同野兽一般的尖牙。 帕格走到Gardan身边，望向阴郁的夜色中搜索是否还有更多这样的生物。“他们是什么？军士？” “地精，帕格。尽避我无法明白他们在这个远离他们领土的地方干什么。” 鲍爵站到他身旁说道，“只有六个，伽旦。我从来没听说过地精会在没有任何优势的情况下攻击有武装的人类。这是自杀。” “吾王，看这里，”库甘在地精的尸体旁跪下说道。他拉开那生物穿得脏兮兮的毛皮夹克并指着一条令人恶心的长绷带，它的胸口上有一条锯齿壮的伤口。“这不是我们干的。这是三、四天前的伤口而且治疗得很糟糕。” 守卫们检查了其他的尸体并且报告另外三具尸体也有同样的伤口，并不是刚才的战斗所留下的。其中一个拿着破碎的武器并且连盾牌都没有。 “陛下，他们没有穿盔甲。只有手上的武器。”他指了指一个地精尸背上背负的短弓和挂在它腰上的空箭袋说道。“他用唯一的一只箭伤了丹尼尔。” 阿鲁沙望着这场屠杀。“它们疯了。因绝望而疯狂。” “是的，殿下。它们厌倦了战斗，寒冷，还有饥饿。那烤肉的味道让它们疯狂。我敢说它们已经很久没有吃过东蚊此。它们宁愿孤投一掷，疯狂的攻击也不想看着我们吃而冻死。” 博利克再次看了地精一眼，然后命令他的人将尸体全部搬到洞外去。“但是它们究竟遇到了什么？” “黑暗氏族？”帕格说道。 博利克摇了摇头。“它们是氏族的走狗，即使没有相互的同盟，它们也会各走各的。不，是其他的什么东西。” 汤玛士东张西望地走到洞口前加入进来。与公爵说话让他有些不自在，但是最终他还是说了，“吾王，或许是矮人？” Bolick nodded. “如果是矮人袭幻此附近的地精村落，倒是能解释为什么他们没有着甲和补给。他们可能只来得及抓起离床最近的武器战斗，抓住最先的机会落荒而逃。是的，或许是矮人。” 搬运尸体的守卫匆匆跑进洞来。“陛下，”其中一个说道，“我们听到拭粗里有脚步声。” 博利克转向其他人。 "Ready to fight!" 洞里的每一个人都迅速准备好他的武器。不一会，所有人都能听到踏在冰雪上发出嘎吱嘎吱的脚步声。并且不断清晰，接近。帕格紧张地站着，握着他的剑，象是有什么东西在胸腔里搅动似的忐忑不安。 突然脚步声停止，外面的一切似乎都凝固了。跟着，一个单独的脚步声靠近过来。黑暗中一个身影径直朝着洞口走来。帕格仰起脖子从前面的士兵肩上望去，只听公爵问道，“何人深夜来访？” 一个矮小的身影，不超过六尺高，将他的斗蓬向后辙去，露出一个头盔罩在蓬乱浓密的棕发之上。两只闪闪发光的碧眼反射着篝火的光影。浓密的眉毛和棕红色的头发在大大的鹰勾鼻上方纠结在一起。他打量着队伍，然后向身后发出信号。更多的身影出现在夜色中，帕格终于挤过前面找到了一个更好的视野，汤玛士在他身旁。在那后面他们可以看到几个来者牵着骡子。 公爵和士兵们显然松了一口气，汤玛士低声说道，“他们是矮人！” 几个守卫和靠近的矮人一起笑了起来。矮人斜眼打量着汤玛士，“你以为是什么，小子？某个漂亮的森林女神来找你幽会？” 领头的矮人走到篝火的光芒中。他站到公爵身前然后说道，“从你们的衣着来看，我想你们是来自卡瑞德。”他朝自己胸口猛幻此一下郑重其事地宣布，“我，被称作道尔甘，考德尔村的领袖，灰塔城矮人国的将军。”他从长长的一直垂到腰带下的胡子底下的大衣中掏出一个烟斗，边打量着洞里的其他人边填装烟袋。然后爆发出一阵缺乏礼仪的大笑，“那么，请问这个被诸神指引到这个寒冷荒凉之地、看上去如此落魄的大个子队伍的名字？” 【注：卡—皓力（Ka-hooli）秩序之神，逃犯的追捕者、从不疲倦的追踪者、复仇的战神。 】