世界之脊第十章(页 1) - 文字翻译室 - 龙骑士城堡奇幻论坛奇幻文学,翻译,原创,龙与地下城

jarod 发表于 2005-4-24 13:47

世界之脊第十章

第十章转换   第二天早上，玛萝达一边提心吊胆地走进厨房，一边有意地偷偷盯着并排而行的父亲。她同时也观察着母亲，搜寻着某些迹象－－说明她父亲已经将她昨晚同贾卡之间发生的轻率举动告诉了这个女人的迹象。但柏丝特明显是一副不知情的样子，容光焕发。   “哦，花园！”柏丝特全然微笑着喊道，“告诉我关于那花园的事。真的有戈蒂·哈金斯说得那么漂亮吗？”   玛萝达瞥了瞥父亲。当发现他也在微笑时这才放下心来，坐到了自己紧靠母亲的椅子上。“还要漂亮呢，”她笑着说道，“到处都是五颜六色，甚至在日落后也如此！而当月亮出来时，尽管不是很亮，但那芳香一直围绕在身体边。”   “而且那还不是最令我高兴的，”玛萝达说道，努力用一种愉快的嗓音道出了他们一直等待着想要听到的消息，“弗林戈领主已经请求我嫁给他了。”   柏丝特欢快地尖叫起来。托瑞的尖叫则听上去有些惊异，当然发出奇怪声音的一部分原因是她的嘴里塞满了食物。德尼·甘德蕾高兴地用手掌猛拍着桌面。   柏丝特，这个一周前还几乎不能在床上爬起来的人，现在几乎都准备要冲出屋去了，她坚持要立刻去告诉她所有的朋友，特别是戈蒂·哈金斯，这个女人因为曾有幸为普里西拉女士缝过几次衣服而总是表现出一副比他人优越的样子。   “你昨晚回来时为什么那么狼狈慌乱、哭成一团？”当两姐妹一回到自己的房间时托瑞就问姐姐。   “关心你自己的事去吧。”玛萝达回答。   “你就要生活在奥克城堡中了，能去海德尔之石和火剪镇旅行，甚至还能去路斯坎，以及所有有趣的地方，”顽固的托瑞坚持道，“但你却哭了。我听到你哭的。”   玛萝达的眼睛再次湿润了，她瞪了瞪女孩，然后转回到自己忙着的家务杂事中。   “是贾卡，”托瑞自己道出原因，她的脸上咧出一道坏笑，“你还在想着他。”   玛萝达停下手里的活，向妹妹靠近了些－－这个动作告诉托瑞她猜对了－－然后突然间抡起一个枕头拍到了托瑞的脸上，随后将妹妹按到了那张小床上。   “叫我王后！”大女孩命令道。   “你才可能是而已。”顽强的托瑞把枕头拍了回去，这使得玛萝达开始使劲地胳肢她。马上托瑞就放弃了抵抗，不断大声叫道：“王后！王后！”   “但你会令贾卡伤心的。”过了一会儿托瑞严肃地说道，此时姐姐已经起身回去整理床单了。   “我昨晚看到他了，”玛萝达承认，“在我回家的路上。他担心我和弗林戈之间发生什么，都想得病了。”   托瑞喘着气摆动着身体靠得更近了些，以使自己能够不漏掉每一个字。   “他还吻我了。”   “比起弗林戈领主还要让你难以忘怀？”   玛萝达叹了口气，点点头，闭上了眼睛，好像自己已经沉浸在了那段同贾卡短暂、温柔的回忆中了。   “噢，玛萝达，你准备怎么办？”托瑞问。   “贾卡想让我跟他逃走。”她回答。   托瑞抱着枕头发出了呻吟：“那么你呢？”   玛萝达站得更直了，她冲着年轻的女孩闪现出一道勇敢的微笑：“我该去的地方是弗林戈领主身边。”她解释道。   “但是贾卡－－”   “贾卡不能为妈做任何事，也不能为你带来什么，”玛萝达继续说道，“你可以将心给任何想给的人，但你必须把一生给那个能为你和你所爱的人们带来最大利益的人。”   托瑞刚想要再次表示反对，但德尼·甘德蕾走了进来。“你们该去工作了。”他命令道，同时看了一眼玛萝达，用目光告诉了这个年轻姑娘他已经听到，确切地说，偷听到这段对话了。在走出房间之前，德尼甚至冲她赞成地微微点了点头。   玛萝达这一整天都陷在迷惘之中，尽力尝试着排列心中的各种责任。她想去做对得起自己家庭的事，而且的确这么做了，但女孩仍然没法忽略自己心中的那股吸引力，那股希望躺在她真正喜欢的男人臂弯中享受爱情的吸引力。   工作在半山腰被分隔开的一块块地里，德尼·甘德蕾的恐惧丝毫不见减少。他早上在地里又见到了贾卡·斯库利，肿胀着左眼的贾卡没有同他交换一丝眼神的意思。德尼真的很希望自己能把这个正在危害他家庭的年轻人掐死，但他也无法否认自己年轻时那种恋爱的记忆，就是这种记忆使他看向被痛扁过的贾卡时心头涌上了一种犯罪感。昨天晚上是某种比责任还要顽强执着的东西将贾卡和玛萝达拉到了一起，德尼特别地提醒着自己，不要嫉恨他们，不管是他女儿还是贾卡，这个年轻人唯一的错误，就德尼所知，就是爱上了玛萝达。 *****   迎来黄昏后夜晚的房子仍然显得平静和谐，这只使得玛萝达每一个动作所发出的声响都被放大了。家人在结束了一天的劳作并为玛萝达接到了来自城堡的又一次定在三天以后的邀请而兴奋激动之后都早已上床休息了，而伴随这次邀请到来的还有一件甘德蕾家女孩子们所见过的最美丽的绿丝绸晚礼服。玛萝达努力试着保持安静地穿上礼服，她特地放慢动作，但这种轻柔的材质还是起了很多褶皱。   “你在干吗？”困乏的托瑞嘟囔着。   “嘘！”玛萝达答道，她迅速靠近女孩床边跪了下来，这样托瑞就能听清那耳语般的回答了，“睡觉并闭上你的嘴。”她命令。   “你是去见贾卡。”托瑞惊呼起来，玛萝达立刻一把捂住了她的嘴。   “没那回事儿，”她否认道，“我只是出去试试这件衣服。”   “不，才不是这样呢！”托瑞说道，她已经完全清醒，坐了起来，“你是要去见贾卡。告诉我是不是，否则我就去告诉爸。”   “向我保证你不会说的，”玛萝达坐到妹妹床边说道。托瑞的脑袋兴奋地上下跳动着。“我希望能在夜里找到贾卡，”玛萝达解释，“他每晚都会出来看月亮和星星。”   “然后你就会和他私奔并结婚？”   玛萝达露出一个哀伤的笑容。“不，不会那样的，”她回答，“为了妈和爸还有你，我会把自己的一生都给弗林戈领主的，”当她解释完后见到妹妹想要反驳时又快速补充了一句，“而且不会感到遗憾。”她对托瑞说道：“不会的，他会让我在城堡中过着不错的生活，我肯定。弗林戈领主不是个坏人，尽管他还需要学习很多东西。但今晚我必须要以真心度过。这是同贾卡说再见的一晚。”玛萝达拍拍托瑞的胳膊站起身来离开，“现在，回去睡觉。”   “除非你保证明天告诉我今晚发生的每一件事，”托瑞回答，“向我保证，要不我就去举报。”   “你不会说的。”玛萝达充满信心地说道，因为她知道托瑞已经完全被这件事中的浪漫味道所深深吸引。也许更深一步说，因为年轻的女孩还根本不懂玛萝达所作出的这一系列决定所牵连的终生含意。   “回去睡觉。”玛萝达吻了吻托瑞的前额再次轻声叮嘱了一句。在整了整衣服、紧张地朝门帘瞥了一眼之后，玛萝达一头钻出了小窗户奔进了黑夜之中。 *****   德尼·甘德蕾看着他的大女儿消失在了黑暗中，清楚地知道她的意图。他心里很大一部分意愿是想要跟着她，把她和贾卡逮个正着，然后杀了那个讨厌的麻烦男孩，一了百了，但德尼也保留了信心相信他女儿会回来，她会选择干有利于家庭的事的，就像早上亲口对妹妹讲的那样。   当然，他心中肯定还是存在着恐惧的，因为德尼知道年轻人之间的爱情所表现出的吸引力和坚持不懈。但他最后还是决定将这一晚给她，自己不去做任何审问和判断。 *****   玛萝达害怕地行走在黑暗中。不是在害怕有什么怪物可能会跳到她的面前－－不，这里是她的家，而且年轻的姑娘也不害怕这样的东西－－她所担心的是家人的反应，尤其是爸爸，如果他们发现她失踪了的话。   但是很快地，姑娘就把房子抛在了后面，完全被繁星闪烁的夜空所吸引住了。她来到一块空地，开始旋转、舞蹈，享受着赤脚同湿润草地的接触，感觉自己好像已经飞伸到了天堂，融入进了那些魔法制造出的光芒之中。她对自己轻声唱着，曲调仿佛发自内心精神般得使人安逸平静，切合着自己此刻的感情，孤独、平和、与群星共舞。   玛萝达几乎没有想到弗林戈领主、想到她的双亲、她的责任，甚至她深爱着的贾卡。她什么事都没去想，现在唯一与她共存的只有星光下的舞蹈。   “为什么你会在这里？”她背后传来一声提问，是贾卡那有些含糊不清的声音。   魔法般的感觉消失不见了，玛萝达慢慢停下来面对着年轻人。他站在那里，手插裤袋，低着头，卷曲的褐发正巧盖在了前额上，使得女孩没法看到他的眼睛。突然有另一种恐惧紧紧地抓住了年轻的姑娘，这种恐惧感来自她有些预计到了的今晚会发生在这个男人身上的事。   “弗林戈领主肯放你出来了？”贾卡的问话中充满讽刺。   “我又不是他的木偶。”玛萝达回答。   “那么你也不是他的妻子吗？”贾卡反问道。他抬起头狠狠地将目光投向姑娘，令他满意的是女孩眼中发出了潮湿的闪光。“那是村里人们在讲的，”他继续说道，之后转变了腔调，“玛萝达·甘德蕾。”贾卡发出咯咯的笑声，装出一个老侏儒女人的声音。   “哦，她是多么幸运的家伙啊！想想吧，弗林戈领主亲自来向她求婚。”   “别说了。”玛萝达轻声乞求道。   但贾卡只是表现得更起劲了，他的嗓音开始提高。“他在想什么哪，这个愚蠢的，弗林戈？”他说道，现在又模仿着某一个村民声音，“同地位这么底的人结婚，他会给我们所有人丢脸的。他在干什么哪，有一百多个美丽富有的商人女儿都在乞求他的关注。哦，这个傻瓜！”   玛萝达转过了身去，她突然觉得自己穿着的那件漂亮绿色礼服显得是那么愚蠢。她同时也发觉了有一双手按到了她的肩膀上，那是贾卡，就在她身后。   “你必须知道，”他柔声说道，“村里有一半人认为弗林戈领主是个傻瓜，还有另一半人则已经被不切实际的希望蒙蔽了双眼，他们想通过对你的奉承来达到改善自己悲惨生活的目的，能够得到像你现在一样的际遇。”   “那么你是怎么想的呢？”玛萝达转过脸来面对着这个男人语气坚定地问道，她所清楚看到的是他脸上的淤伤、他那肿起的嘴唇和因为肿胀而紧闭的左眼。在那一瞬间女孩强迫自己要镇静下来，但是，她仍然清楚地知道贾卡是在谁那儿找来这份毒打的。   “我想弗林戈领主相信自己是屈尊爱上你了的。”贾卡坦率地回答道。   “的确，他是这么做地。”   “不！”反驳来的如此锐利激烈，令玛萝达吃惊地向后跳去。“不，他不会给你幸福的，”贾卡恢复了平静，继续说道，他抬起手温柔地抚摸着玛萝达湿润的脸颊，“的确，较他而言你是那么的完美，但弗林戈是不会这么看待事情的。绝对不会，他只会将你当作自己发泄性欲的工具，之后在把你抛在一边。”   玛萝达想要争辩，但她不能肯定这年轻人所说的是错的。不过这没关系，因为不管怎么说弗林戈领主已经中意上她了，最重要的是他能为她家庭所做的那些事情。   “为什么你会来这儿？”贾卡又问了一遍这个问题，并表现的好像才注意到玛萝达上身所穿的那件礼服一样，因为他冲女孩的一只袖子伸出拇指和食指，感受着这件衣服的材质。   “我出来是为了度过一个属于玛萝达的夜晚，”年轻姑娘解释道，“一个我的愿望能够在天平上超过责任的夜晚。一个......”   她停了下来，因为贾卡把一根手指放到了她的嘴唇上，放了很长一段时间。“愿望？”他狡猾地问道，“那么在那里面有我吗？你跑出家来这里，打扮得漂漂亮亮的，就是为了来见我吗？”   玛萝达慢慢地点了点头，而在她还没结束这个动作时，贾卡便抱住了她，用双唇压住了她，充满热情地、饥渴地吻着她。此刻她觉得自己好像飘了起来，之后才发现是贾卡正引导着自己躺倒在了柔软的草地上，并持续不断地吻着她。他的双手游走在女孩的身上，而玛萝达并没有阻止，即使是当它们抚过自己最为私密的地方而使身体变得僵硬时。不，这是属于她的夜晚，是她在自己所选择的男人的帮助下变成一个女人的夜晚，和她渴望的男人一起，而不是她的那些责任。   贾卡一路摸了下去，把那件礼服拉到了她的膝盖以下，并毫不浪费时间地将双腿伸到了她的两腿之间。   “请，等一下，”玛萝达柔声说着，她捧起贾卡的脸，将他拉到非常近的距离，这样以使得他不得不看向自己的眼睛。“我想让这一刻变得完美。”她解释道。   “玛萝达，”年轻的男人喘息着，看上去一副不顾一切的样子，“我可一分钟都不能再等了。”   “你不需要等。”女孩确切地对他说道，她将他拉近，温柔地吻着他。   过了不多久，这一对儿便已经赤裸着并排躺在了潮湿的草地上，来自海洋带有寒意的空气包围着他们的躯体，两人盯着布满繁星的夜空看着。玛萝达感到了与以往的不同，她觉得几乎头昏眼花，而且在精神上，好像已经通过了某种魔法般的过程，某种转换的仪式。她脑海里好像有成千上万的思绪搅扰成了漩涡。在与贾卡进行了这么奇妙的做爱过程之后她还怎么可能愿意回到弗林戈领主那里呢？她还怎么能在这种纯洁的乐趣和热情所带给她的种种感受面前转头离去呢？她感受到了那一刻的奇妙，她想要那一刻持续下去，在她一生中剩余的时间里都持续下去。她同贾卡所剩余的一生。   但是这是不可能的，姑娘知道。当黎明破晓之时这一切都会消失，不再回来。她只能拥有这么一瞬间。玛萝达感到喉咙中就像堵上了什么似的。   而对于贾卡·斯库利，尽管同样的，他也感受到了充分的满足，但这一刻的意义又有所不同了。他已经得到了玛萝达的贞洁，已经在一个关键点上击败了奥克尼的领主。他，一个在弗林戈领主眼中地位低下的农民，已经从弗林戈那里夺得了他永远都不可能再取回去的东西，一件比奥克尼城堡中所有的黄金和宝石都还要有价值的东西。   贾卡喜欢这种感觉，但他也在恐惧，因为玛萝达的原因，他担心这种感觉就像夕阳余辉一样，持续不了多长时间。“你会嫁给他吗？”他突然问道。   在月光下展现得美丽异常的玛萝达将一双困乏的眼睛转向了他。“我们今晚讨论这样的事情好吗？”姑娘恳求他，“弗林戈领主或者其他任何别的人的事情。”   “我必须要知道，玛萝达，”贾卡坚持地说道，他坐了起来低头盯着她，“告诉我。”   玛萝达给了年轻人一个他从没见过的哀伤眼神。“他能帮我妈和我爸，”女孩努力解释道，“你必须懂得，这个选择不是我能做的。”愈加绝望的玛萝达并不是很完整地结束了这段话。   “懂得？”贾卡充满疑惑地重复着这个词，之后他马上跳了开来，“懂得！在我们做完刚刚那件事后你叫我怎么去懂得？噢，既然你已经计划要嫁给弗林戈领主了那你为什么还要来找我？”   玛萝达赶了上去抓住他的双肩。“我今晚出来去哪儿是我自己的选择，”她解释道，“我出来是因为我爱你，我全心地希望事情要是能有所改变该多好。”   “我们刚才还一起度过了那短暂的一刻。”贾卡抱怨着，转回来面对着她。   玛萝达踮起脚尖温情地吻着他。“我们还有时间。”她解释道，这是个贾卡无法拒绝的提议。一小会儿之后，贾卡再次躺在了草地上，而玛萝达则站在他身边穿着衣服。   “拒绝他，”贾卡突然出人意料地说了句，年轻的姑娘停下手来向下盯着他。“拒绝弗林戈领主，”贾卡又说了一遍，语气随便地就好像这是世界上最简单的一个决定，“忘记他，和我一起逃跑吧。到路斯坎，或者直接沿路到深水城去。”   玛萝达叹了口气摇了摇头。“我求你不要再问我这个了。”她开始说道。但贾卡并没有由此变得妥协。   “想想和我一起你能享受到的生活吧，”他说道，“奔跑在深水城的那些街道上，魔法般的深水城！奔跑着、欢笑着、一起做爱。一起组成一个家庭－－我们的孩子该有多么漂亮啊。”   “别说了！”玛萝达猛地打断了他的话，如此有力，使得贾卡将后面的滔滔不绝一下子咽回了喉咙。“你知道我想这样，你也知道我不能这样。”玛萝达再次深深地哀叹着。这是她一生之中最为忍耐的一刻了，但女孩还是倾过身子最后一次吻了吻贾卡生着气的嘴唇，然后开始向家走去。   贾卡在山坡上躺了好长一段时间，他的思绪奔马般变化着。他已经赢得了自己的战利品，而且这件战利品同他期望中的一样甜蜜。但是，还没有完。弗林戈领主将会娶玛萝达，会打击他直到最后一刻。这个想法令他觉得痛苦、他抬头盯着月亮，现在它已经躲到了迅速移动过来的云层背后了。“去你的生活。”他抱怨着。   接下来他必须要去做些能做的事来打击弗林戈领主，做些事把玛萝达拉回到自己身边来。   一道自信的微笑展现在了贾卡那不可否认英俊漂亮的脸上。他回忆着玛萝达发出的阵阵声音，她的躯体同他融洽地配合着的样子。   他不想失去这一切。

jarod 发表于 2005-4-24 13:51

原文 Chapter 10 PASSAGE Meralda walked tentatively into the kitchen the next morning, conscious of the stare her father leveled her way. She looked to her mother as well, seeking some indication that her father had told the woman about her indiscretion with Jaka the previous night. But Biaste was beaming, oblivious. "Oh, the garden!" Biaste cried, all smiles. "Tell me about the garden. Is it as pretty as Gurdy Harkins says?" Meralda glanced at her father. Relieved to find him smiling as well, she took her seat and moved it right beside Biaste's chair. "Prettier," she said, her grin wide. "All the colors, even in the late sun! And under the moon, though it's not shining so bright, the smells catch and hold you. "That's not all that caught my fancy," Meralda said, forcing a cheerful voice as she launched into the news they were all waiting to hear. "Lord Feringal has asked me to marry him." Biaste squealed with glee. Tori let out a cry of surprise, and a good portion of her mouthful of food, as well. Dohni Ganderlay slammed his hands upon the table happily. Biaste, who could hardly get out of bed the week before, rushed about, readying herself, insisting that she had to go out at once and tell all of her friends, particularly Curdy Harkins, who was always acting so superior because she sometimes sewed dresses for Lady Priscilla. "Why'd you come in last night so flustered and crying?" Tori asked Meralda as soon as the two were alone in their room. "Just mind what concerns you," Meralda answered. "You'll be living in the castle and traveling to Hundelstone and Fireshear, and even to Luskan and all the wondrous places," pressed Tori, insisting, "but you were crying. I heard you." Eyes moistening again, Meralda glared at the girl then went back to her chores. "It's Jaka," Tori reasoned, a grin spreading across her face. "You're still thinking about him." Meralda paused in fluffing her pillow, moved it close to her for a moment-a gesture that revealed to Tori her guess was true-then spun suddenly and launched the pillow into Tori's face, following it with a tackle that brought her sister down on the small bed. "Say I'm the queen!" the older girl demanded. "You just might be," stubborn Tori shot back, which made Meralda tickle her all the more. Soon Tori could take it no more and called out "Queen! Queen!" repeatedly. "But you are sad about Jaka," Tori said soberly a few moments later, when Meralda had gone back to fixing the bedclothes. "I saw him last night," Meralda admitted. "On my way home. He's gone sick thinking about me and Lord Feringal." Tori gasped and swayed, then leaned closer, hanging on every word. "He kissed me, too." "Better than Lord Feringal?" Meralda sighed and nodded, closing her eyes as she lost herself in the memory of that one brief, tender moment with Jaka. "Oh, Meralda, what're you to do?" Tori asked. "Jaka wants me to run away with him," she answered. Tori moaned and hugged her pillow. "And will you?" Meralda stood straighter then and flashed the young girl a brave smile. "My place is with Lord Feringal," she explained. "But Jaka-" "Jaka can't do nothing for Ma, and nothing for the rest of you," Meralda went on. "You can give your heart to whomever you want, but you give your life to the one who's best for you and for the ones you love." Tori started to protest again, but Dohni Ganderlay entered the room. "You got work," he reminded them, and he put a look over Meralda that told the young woman that he had, indeed, overheard the conversation. He even gave a slight nod of approval before exiting the room. Meralda walked through that day in a fog, trying to align her heart with acceptance of her responsibility. She wanted to do what was right for her family, she really did, but she could not ignore the pull of her heart, the desire to learn the ways of love in the arms of a man she truly loved. Out in the fields higher on the carved steps of the mountain, Dohni Ganderlay was no less torn. He saw Jaka Sculi that morning, and the two didn't exchange more than a quick glance-one-eyed for Jaka, whose left orb was swollen shut. As much as Dohni wanted to throttle the young man for jeopardizing his family, he could not deny his own memories of young love, memories that made him feel guilty looking at the beaten Jaka. Something more insistent than responsibility had pulled Jaka and Meralda together the previous night, and Dohni reminded himself pointedly not to hold a grudge, either against his daughter or against Jaka, whose only crime, as far as Dohni knew, was to love Meralda. ***** The house was quiet and perfectly still in the darkness just after dusk, which only amplified the noise made by every one of Meralda's movements. The family had retired early after a long day of work and the excitement of Meralda receiving yet another invitation to the castle, three days hence, accompanied by the most beautiful green silk gown the Ganderlay women had ever seen. Meralda tried to put the gown on quietly and slowly, but the material ruffled and crackled. "What're you doing?" came a sleepy whisper from Tori. "Shh!" Meralda replied, moving right beside the girl's bed and kneeling so that Tori could hear her whispered reply. "Go back to sleep and keep your mouth shut," she instructed. "You're going to Jaka," Tori exclaimed, and Meralda slapped her hand over the girl's mouth. "No such thing," Meralda protested. "I'm just trying it out." "No you're not!" said Tori, coming fully awake and sitting up. "You're going to see Jaka. Tell me true, or I'll yell for Da." "Promise me that you'll not say," Meralda said, sitting on the bed beside her sister. Tori's head bobbed excitedly. "I'm hoping to find Jaka out there in the dark," Meralda explained. "He goes out every night to watch the moon and the stars." "And you're running away to be married?" Meralda gave a sad chuckle. "No, not that," she replied. "I'm giving my life to Lord Feringal for the good of Ma and Da and yourself," she explained. "And not with regrets," she added quickly, seeing her sister about to protest. "No, he'll give me a good life at the castle, of that I'm sure. He's not a bad man, though he has much to learn. But I'm taking tonight for my own heart. One night with Jaka to say good-bye." Meralda patted Tori's arm as she stood to leave. "Now, go back to sleep." "Only if you promise to tell me everything tomorrow," Tori replied. "Promise, or I'll tell." "You won't tell," Meralda said with confidence, for she understood that Tori was as enchanted by the romance of it all as she was. More, perhaps, for the young girl didn't understand the lifelong implications of these decisions as much as Meralda did. "Go to sleep," Meralda said softly again as she kissed Tori on the forehead. Straightening the dress with a nervous glance toward the curtain door of the room, Meralda headed for the small window and out into the night. ***** Dohni Ganderlay watched his eldest daughter disappear into the darkness, knowing full well her intent. A huge part of him wanted to follow her, to catch her with Jaka and kill the troublesome boy once and for all, but Dohni also held faith that his daughter would return, that she would do what was right for the family as she had said to her sister that morning. It tore at his heart, to be sure, for he understood the allure and insistence of young love. He decided to give her this one night, without question and without judgment. ***** Meralda walked through the dark in fear. Not of any monsters that might leap out at her-no, this was her home and the young woman had never been afraid of such things-but of the reaction of her parents, particularly her father, if they discovered her missing. Soon enough, though, the woman left her house behind and fell into the allure of the sparkling starry sky. She came to a field and began spinning and dancing, enjoying the touch of the wet grass on her bare feet, feeling as if she were stretching up to the heavens above to join with those magical points of light. She sang softly to herself, a quiet tune that sounded spiritual and surely fit her feelings out here, alone, at peace, and as one with the stars. She hardly thought of Lord Feringal, of her parents, of her responsibility, even of her beloved Jaka. She wasn't thinking at all, was just existing in the glory of the night and the dance. "Why are you here?" came a question from behind her, Jaka's lisping voice. The magic vanished, and Meralda slowly turned around to face the young man. He stood, hands in pockets, head down, curly brown hair flopping over his brow so that she couldn't even see his eyes. Suddenly another fear gripped the young woman, the fear of what she anticipated would happen this night with this man. "Did Lord Feringal let you out?" Jaka asked sarcastically. "I'm no puppet of his," Meralda replied. "Are you not to be his wife?" Jaka demanded. He looked up and stared hard at the woman, taking some satisfaction in the moisture that glistened in her eyes. "That's what the villagers are saying," he went on, then he changed his voice. "Meralda Ganderlay," he cackled, sounding like an old gnome woman. "Oh, but what a lucky one, she is! To think that Lord Feringal himself'd come a-calling for her." "Stop it," Meralda begged softly. Jaka only went on more forcefully, his voice shifting timbre. "And what's he thinking, that fool, Feringal?" he said, now in the gruff tones of a village man. "He'll bring disgrace to us all, marrying so low as that. And what, with a hunnerd pretty and rich merchant girls begging for his hand. Ah, the fool!" Meralda turned away and suddenly felt more silly than beautiful in her green gown. She also felt a hand on her shoulder, and Jaka was there, behind her. "You have to know," he said softly. "Half of them think Lord Feringal a fool, and the other half are too blind by the false hopes of it all, like they're reliving their own courtships through you, wishing that their own miserable lives could be more like yours." "What're you thinking?" Meralda said firmly, turning about to face the man, and starting as she did to see more clearly the bruises on his face, his fat lip and closed eye. She composed herself at once, though, understanding well enough where Jaka had found that beating. "I think that Lord Feringal believes himself to be above you," Jaka answered bluntly. "And so he is." "No!" The retort came out sharply, making Meralda jump back in surprise. "No, he is not your better," Jaka went on quietly, and he lifted his hand to gently stroke Meralda's wet cheek. "Rather, you are too good for him, but he will not view things that way. Nay, he will use you at his whim, then cast you aside." Meralda wanted to argue, but she wasn't sure the young man was wrong. It didn't matter, though, for whatever Lord Feringal had in mind for her, the things he could do for her family remained paramount. "Why did you come out here?" Jaka asked again, and it seemed to Meralda as if he only then noticed her gown, for he ran the material of one puffy sleeve through his thumb and index finger, feeling its quality. "I came out for a night for Meralda," the young woman explained. "For a night when my desires would outweigh me responsibility. One night . . ." She stopped when Jaka put a finger over her lips, holding it there for a long while. "Desires?" he asked slyly. "And do you include me among them? Did you come out here, all finely dressed, just to see me?" Meralda nodded slowly and before she had even finished, Jaka was against her, pressing his lips to hers, kissing her hungrily, passionately. She felt as if she were floating, and then she realized that Jaka was guiding her down to the soft grass, holding the kiss all the way. His hands continued to move about her, and she didn't stop them, didn't even stiffen when they brushed her in private places. No, this was her night, the night she would become a woman with the man of her choosing, the man of her desires and not her responsibilities. Jaka reached down and pulled the gown halfway up her legs and wasted no time in putting his own legs between hers. "Slower, please," Meralda said softly, taking his face in both her hands and holding him very close to her, so that he had to look in her eyes. "I want it to be perfect," she explained. "Meralda," the young man breathed, seeming desperate. "I cannot wait another minute." "You don't have to," the young woman assured him, and she pulled him close and kissed him gently. Soon after, the pair lay side by side, naked on the wet grass, the chill ocean air tickling their bodies as they stared up at the starry canopy. Meralda felt different, giddy and lightheaded almost, and somehow spiritual, as if she had just gone through something magical, some rite of passage. A thousand thoughts swirled in her mind. How could she go back to Lord Feringal after this wondrous lovemaking with Jaka? How could she turn her back on these feelings of pure joy and warmth? She felt wonderful at that moment, and she wanted the moment to last and last for the rest of her life. The rest of her life with Jaka. But it would not, the woman knew. It would be gone with the break of dawn, never to return. She'd had her one moment. A lump caught in her throat. For Jaka Sculi, the moment was a bit different, though certainly no less satisfying. He had taken Meralda's virginity, had beaten the lord of Auckney himself to that special place. He, a lowly peasant in Lord Feringal's eyes, had taken something from Feringal that could never be replaced, something more valuable than all the gold and gems in Castle Auck. Jaka liked that feeling, but he feared, as did Meralda, that this afterglow would not last. "Will you marry him?" he asked suddenly. Beautiful in the moonlight, Meralda turned a sleepy eye his way. "Let's not be talking about such things tonight," the woman implored him. "Nothing about Lord Feringal or anyone else." "I must know, Meralda," Jaka said firmly, sitting up to stare down at her. "Tell me." Meralda gave the young man the most plaintive look he had ever seen. "He can do for my ma and da," she tried to explain. "You must understand that the choice is not mine to make," an increasingly desperate Meralda finished lamely. "Understand?" Jaka echoed incredulously, leaping to his feet and walking away. "Understand! How can I after what we just did? Oh, why did you come to me if you planned to marry Lord Feringal?" Meralda caught up to him and grabbed him by the shoulders. "I came out for one night where I might choose," she explained. "I came out because I love you and wish with all my heart that things could be different." "We had just one brief moment," Jaka whined, turning back to face her. Meralda came up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently. "We've more time," she explained, an offer Jaka couldn't resist. A short while later, Jaka was lying on the grass again, while Meralda stood beside him, pulling on her clothes. "Deny him," Jaka said unexpectedly, and the young woman stopped and stared down at him. "Deny Lord Feringal," Jaka said again, as casually as if it were the most simple decision. "Forget him and run away with me. To Luskan, or even all the way to Waterdeep." Meralda sighed and shook her head. "I'm begging you not to ask it of me," she started to say, but Jaka would not relent. "Think of the life we might find together," he said. "Running through the streets of Waterdeep, magical Waterdeep! Running and laughing and making love. Raising a family together-how beautiful our children shall be." "Stop it!" Meralda snapped so forcefully that she stole the words from Jaka's mouth. "You know I want to, and you also know I can't." Meralda sighed again profoundly. It was the toughest thing she had ever done in her entire life, but she bent to kiss Jaka's angry mouth one last time, then started toward home. Jaka lay on the field for a long while, his mind racing. He had achieved his conquest, and it had been as sweet as he had expected. Still, it would not hold. Lord Feringal would marry Meralda, would beat him in the end. The thought of it made him sick. He stared up at the moon, now shaded behind lines of swift-moving clouds. "Fie this life," he grumbled. There had to be something he could do to beat Lord Feringal, something to pull Meralda back to him. A confident smile spread over Jaka's undeniably handsome face. He remembered the sounds Meralda had made, the way her body had moved in harmony with his own. He wouldn't lose.

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龙骑士城堡奇幻论坛's Archiver

世界之脊第十章