译者述：英汉对照形式，没有其他意思，I就是这样一段一段译的，又懒得再分出来了。另外，依照疯魂的意思，一般性的重要名字不译，以后他补（他说过的），其他次要的则译了一下。最后，I想说一件事，当自己看原文奇幻小说的时候，总是感觉清爽自然，没有疙瘩，可是看译文的时候，总是感觉别扭。所以I的翻译准则，是让人看着不感觉别扭。但这个准则不好把握，先是，I是南方人，遣词造句在广东话里顺口，可是对于标准普通话来说则可能比较不自然。见谅。
PS：有错望指出。明天I要回家了，所以今晚完成，最迟两天后回来，希望能够看到大家的意见。

CHAPTER 2

第二章

KE'LITH KEEP, DANDRAK, MID REALM

MID REALM, DANDRAK, 柯力斯要塞

"HERE is THE ASSASSIN, MAGICKA," SAID GARETH, GESTURING TO THE bound-and-gagged prisoner.
“法师，这就是那个刺客，”盖利斯说道，指着被五花大绑的囚徒。

"Did he give you any trouble?" asked a well-formed man of perhaps forty cycles, who gazed at Hugh with a sorrowful air, as though he found it impossible to believe that so much evil could reside in one human being.
“捉到他可不容易吧？”一个身材健硕、大约40岁左右的男人问道，一副悲天悯人的神态，注视着修，彷佛不能相信这样一个人类居然如此胆大妄为。

"None that I couldn't handle, Magicka," said GARETH, subdued in the presence of the house magus.
“我尽力而为。”盖利斯答道，在护院法师面前显得卑躬屈膝。

The wizard nodded and—conscious of a vast audience— straightened to his full height and folded his hands ceremoniously over his brown velvet cassock; he was a land magus and so wore the colors of the magic he favored. He did not, however, wear in addition the mantle of royal magus—a title he had, according to rumor, long coveted but one which Lord Rogar, for reasons of his own, refused to grant.
巫师点点头，想起自己正身处大庭广众，他便挺直了腰杆，一本正经的翘起双手来，他身穿棕色丝绒法衣，因为自己份属大地法师，衣服颜色便相应的是他中意的魔法颜色。不过他没有另外披上大法师披风——谣传他觊觎这个头衔已久，然而罗伽大人基于自己的原因一直没有首肯授予。

Those standing in the muddy courtyard saw the prisoner being led before the person who was now—by default—the highest voice of authority in the fiefdom, and crowded around to hear. The light of their torches flared and danced in the cold evening breeze. The lord's dragon, mistaking the tenseness and confusion for battle, trumpeted loudly, demanding to be unleashed upon the enemy. The stablemaster patted it soothingly. Soon it would be sent to fight an Enemy that neither man nor even the long-lived dragon can finally avoid.
站在泥泞大院中的人们看见囚徒被带到巫师面前，都纷纷围聚起来听他说话。按照惯例，巫师的意思如今已经是封地里的最高权威。人们手中的火炬越烧越旺，在夜幕的寒风中飞舞起来。罗伽大人的飞龙坐骑误以为如今的紧张气氛和混乱是战斗将至，高声呜鸣，要挣开束缚扑向敌人。龙厩主事轻拍着它，要让它安静下来。很快，这匹飞龙便要被派去与一个无论是人类还是活得长久得多的龙族都无法避免的敌人战斗了。

"Remove the gag from his mouth," ordered the wizard.
“拿掉他口里的东西。”巫师命令道。

GARETH coughed, cleared his throat, and cast the Hand a sidelong glance. Leaning near the wizard, the knight spoke in low tones. "You will hear nothing but a string of lies. He'll say anything—"
盖利斯咳嗽了一下，清了清喉咙，瞥了魔手一眼。他趋近巫师，低声说道：“他尽会口出诳言。他说的所有东西——”

"I said, remove it," remonstrated Magicka in a commanding tone that left no doubt in the minds of anyone standing in the courtyard who was now the master of Ke'lith Keep.
“我说，拿掉他口里的东西。”巫师不容分说的命令道，站在大院里的人们听着他的口气，心里已经明白，谁才是如今柯力斯要塞的主人。

GARETH sullenly did as he was told, yanking the gag from Hugh's mouth with such force that he wrenched the man's head sideways and left an ugly weal on one side of his face.
盖利斯阴沉着面，猛力抽掉修嘴里的东西，连他的头也被抽得扭到一边，还在一侧脸上划出一道血痕。

"Every man, no matter how heinous his crime, has the right to confess his guilt and cleanse his soul. What is your name?" questioned the wizard crisply.
“每一人，无论他的罪孽如何深重，同样有权利忏悔他的罪过，净化他的心灵。你叫什么名字？”巫师干脆利落的问道。

The assassin, gazing over the wizard's head, did not answer. GARETH smote Hugh rebukingly.
刺客没有应声，眼睛望向巫师头顶上方。盖利斯狠狠的抽了他一下以示惩戒。

"He is known as Hugh the Hand, Magicka."
“法师，人们称他作魔手—修。”

"Surname?"      
“姓什么？”

Hugh spit blood.
修啐了一口血。

The wizard frowned. "Come, Hugh the Hand can't be your real name. Your voice. Your manners. Surely you are a nobleman! The baton sinister, no doubt. Yet, we must know the names of your ancestors in order to commend to them your unworthy spirit. You will not speak?" Reaching out a hand, the wizard caught hold of Hugh's chin and jerked the man's face to the torchlight. "The bone structure is strong. The nose aristocratic, the eyes exceedingly fine, although I seem to see something of the peasant in the deep lines in the face and the sensuality of the lips. But there is undoubtedly noble blood in your veins. A pity it runs black. Come, sir, reveal your true identity and confess to the murder of Lord Rogar. Such confession will cleanse your soul."
巫师皱起了眉头。“来吧，魔手－修不可能是你的真名。从你的声音和举止可知，你肯定是一位贵族。毫无疑问是某位贵族的庶出。可是我们还得知道你祖上的名字，告诉他们你卑劣的心灵。你不说话？”巫师伸出手抓住修的下巴，把他的脸拉向火炬的光亮。“骨骼结构强健，鼻子充满贵族气质，眼睛异常优雅，虽然从面上的深皱纹和嘴唇的质感我好像看到一些农民的特征，但你脉络里流淌的血液绝对是高贵的。真遗憾如今竟然变成了黑色。来吧，阁下，告诉我你真实的身份，忏悔你谋害了罗伽大人吧。忏悔能够净化你的心灵。”

The prisoner's swollen mouth widened in a grin; there was a flicker of flame deep in the sunken black eyes. "Where my father is, his son will shortly follow," Hugh replied. "And you know better than any here that I did not murder your lord."
囚徒红肿的嘴唇翕动了一下，露齿一笑。深陷的漆黑眼睛深处闪过一阵烈焰。“我父亲的去向，他儿子我很快便跟随。”修答道，“你比这里所有的人都清楚得很，我没有杀死你们的主公。”

GARETH raised his fist, intending to punish the Hand for his speech. A glimpse of the wizard's face caused him to hesitate. Magicka's brow cleared in an instant, his face smooth as a pail of fresh cream. The sharp eyes of the captain, however, had noted the ripple that passed across its surface at Hugh's accusation.
盖利斯举起拳头，正要惩罚魔手出言不逊，眼角瞥了一下巫师脸面的表情，不由犹豫起来。只见他眉毛瞬时松了一下，脸上平静得就像一桶新鲜的奶油。然而骑兵队队长盖利斯锐利的目光还是捕捉到，修的指控使平面上泛起的丝许波澜。

            "Insolence," the wizard said coldly. "You are bold for a man facing a terrible death, but we will hear you cry out for mercy before long."
“不可理喻。”巫师冰冷的说道，“面对可怕的死亡你可算是无畏无惧，不过很快你便会叫着喊着，乞求慈悲的了。”

"You better silence me and silence me quick," said Hugh, his tongue running across his cracked and bleeding lips. "Otherwise people might remember that you're now guardian of the new little lord, aren't you, Magicka? Which means you can run things around here until the kid's . . . What? Eighteen? Or maybe longer than that if you can keep your web wound tight around him. And I've no doubt you'll be a great comfort to the grieving widow. What mantle will you wear tonight—the purple of royal magus? And wasn't it strange, my dagger disappearing like that. As if by magic—"
“你最好让我沉默，马上封住我的口。”修说道，舌头舔了舔破裂流血的嘴唇，“否则人们便要记起你现在是刚即位的小主公的监护人了，是吧，法师？即是说你可以管理这里的所有一切直到孩子……什么？18岁？甚至还不止，只要你的罗网把小主公套得更牢一点。我肯定你还会是那位丧偶的寡妇最好的慰藉。今晚你要披什么披风哪——大法师的紫色披风？我的匕首就那样不见了，不觉得奇怪吗？就好像魔法——”

The wizard lifted his hands. "The ground quakes in fury at this man's blasphemy!" he shouted. The courtyard began to shake and tremble. Granite towers swayed. People cried out in panic, huddling close together. Some fell to their knees, wailing and pressing their hands in the muck and mud, shouting in supplication to the magus to ease his anger.
巫师举起双手，“这人的亵渎言行让大地愤怒震动。”他喊道。大院开始震动颤抖。花岗石塔楼也在晃动，人们叫喊着，丧失了理智，紧紧的抱在一起。有些人跪倒在地，号啕着双手叉在粪土泥污的地面上，叫喊着恳求法师令大地息怒。

Magicka glared down his long nose at the captain of the knights. A punch from GARETH, given somewhat reluctantly, it seemed, in the small of Hugh's back, caused the assassin to gasp and draw a painful breath. The Hand's gaze, however, never wavered or faltered, but remained fixed on the wizard, who was pale with fury.
巫师在鼻子底下瞪着骑兵队队长。盖利斯好像于心不忍的一拳打在修背后腰部，刺客透不过来，痛苦的吸了一口气。然而他的目光丝毫没有摇摆不定，还是死死的盯着巫师，巫师已经恼怒得面色苍白了。

"I have been patient," said Magicka, breathing heavily, "but I will not be subjected to such filth. I apologize to you, captain," the wizard continued, shouting to be heard above the rumbling of the ground and the cries of the people. "You were right. He will say anything to save his miserable life."
“我够耐心的了，”巫师说道，深深的吸着气，“但现在我不能再忍受他的粗言秽语了。队长，我向你致歉，”他继续喊道，声音盖过大地的隆隆声以及人们的叫喊，“你说得对，他为拯救自己可悲的生命什么都敢说出口。”

GARETH grunted but did not reply. Magicka raised his hands placatingly and, gradually, the ground ceased to shake. People drew deep breaths of relief and rose to their feet again. The knight's gaze flicked aside at Hugh, met the Hand's own intense, penetrating stare. GARETH frowned; his eyes went from the assassin to the wizard, and they were dark and thoughtful.
盖利斯支吾着，却没有回答。巫师举起双手，作安抚状，渐渐地，大地停止摇动，人们喘着气，放松了下来，重新站起身。骑士盖利斯的目光闪过一边的修，与他激烈的刺穿心灵的瞪视相接。盖利斯皱了皱眉，目光阴沉，若有所思，从刺客身上转到巫师。

Magicka, speaking to the crowd, did not notice.
巫师正向人群说话，并没有注意到。

"I am sorry, truly sorry, that this man must leave this life with such black spots upon his soul," said the wizard in grieved and pious tones. "Yet so he chooses. All here are witness that I have given him ample opportunity to confess."
“我很遗憾，真的很遗憾，这人要在心灵上留下这样的污点才肯离开人世。”巫师语调沉痛，声音虔诚。“但这就是他的选择。这里的所有的人都看见，我已经给了他充足的机会忏悔了。”

There were sympathetic, respectful murmurs.
人群里响起同情尊敬的低语。

"Bring forth the block."
“请出断头台。”

The murmurs changed in aspect, becoming loud and anticipatory. People shifted around to get a good view. Two burly warders, the strongest that could be found, emerged from a small doorway leading to the dungeon of the keep. Between them they carried a huge stone—not the lacy and delicate coralite1 of which almost everything in the city except the keep itself was constructed. Magicka, whose business it was to know the types and natures and powers of all rocks, recognized the stone as marble. It did not come from this island or from the larger, neighboring continent of Uylandia, for no such rock existed there. The marble, therefore, came from the larger, neighboring continent of Aristagon, which meant that this block had been dug out of the land of the enemy.
嗡嗡的低语声越来越多，变得越来越大，越来越急切。人们走来走去，以便找到个一览无遗的好位置。通向要塞地牢的窄小通道口处出现了高大的狱卒，粗壮得再也找不到其他人相比了。抬在两人之间是一块巨石——别以为是那种带状精巧的珊瑚岩**，城中除了要塞外，几乎所有的建筑物都是使用珊瑚岩建造的。巫师的要责便是辨识各种石头类型、性质和力量，当然认出那块石头竟是大理石了。这样的东西并非本岛所有，也不是来自面积更大的紧邻大陆Uylandia，因为那里不可能存在这种石头。因此它产自另一个领域更广的近邻大陆Aristagon，这就意味着这个断头台是从敌人的土地上挖掘出来的。

Either it was a very old piece of marble and had been brought over legitimately during one of the few periods of peace between the humans and the elves of the Tribus Empire—a theory the wizard discounted—or Three-Chop Nick, as he was known, had smuggled it over, which Magicka thought probable.
或者，这是一块年代古久的大理石，在人类和Tribus帝国的精灵之间几个零星的和平时间里合法的带到这里来，不过巫师对这种想法不屑一顾；又或者，人称三刀断的尼克走私偷运了进来，巫师倒认为极有可能。

Not that it mattered. There were numerous diehard nationalists among the lord's friends, family, and followers, but the wizard doubted if there were any who would object to a piece of dung such as Hugh the Hand losing his head on an enemy rock. Still, they were a hotheaded clan and the wizard was thankful that the marble was so covered with dried blood that few of Rogar's kin would recognize the stone. None would think to question its origin.
这都没有什么要紧的。主公的朋友中，家族里，甚至追随者都有为数众多的顽固的本土至上者，但巫师不相信会有哪个出来反对在一块敌人的石头上砍掉像魔手－修这样的混帐王八蛋的脑袋。而且，这里人都是属于性急的种族的；石上布满了已经干涸的血迹，罗伽的亲属中谁还会看出这是什么石头呢？巫师为此雀跃不已。更不会有人出来质询这块石头的出处了。

The marble block was about four feet by four feet and had a groove cut out of one side that was almost exactly the size of the average human neck. The warders—staggering under the weight-hauled the block out into the courtyard and placed it in front of Magicka. The executioner, Three-Chop Nick, ducked out from beneath the doorway and a tremor of excitement rippled through the crowd.
大理石断头台4尺见方，一面凿开一条沟槽，几乎就是一个人颈部的粗细。断头台太重，狱卒蹒跚拖到大院中，停在法师面前。刽子手三刀断尼克从通道里低头钻出，一阵兴奋的躁动掠过人群。

**All the floating isles in the Realm of Sky are composed of coralite. The excretion of a small, harmless, snake-shaped creature known as the coral grubb, coralite is spongelike in appearance. When it hardens, it is as strong as granite, though it cannot be cut and polished. Coralite forms very fast; structures made of the substance are not built so much as grown. Coral grubbs give off a gas that is lighter than air. This keeps the isles suspended in the sky, but can be a nuisance when attempting to construct buildings. The magic of first-house land wizards is necessary to remove it.

**Realm of Sky里面所有的浮岛都由珊瑚岩组成。珊瑚岩是一种细小无害，蛇状，叫作珊瑚虫的生物的排泄物，外形像海绵。变硬后，坚如花岗岩，虽然不能加工或者磨光。珊瑚岩的形成非常快速，以其为材料的建筑与其说是建成不如说是生长形成的。珊瑚虫会放出一种比空气还轻的气体，这种气体使诸岛悬浮于空中，但对于兴建楼房屋宇却又是阻碍不少。必须使用第一护院大地巫师的魔法方能清除。

Occasionally, deposits of iron and other minerals have been discovered embedded in the coralite. How they got there is not known, but it is presumed to have been a phenomenon that occurred during the Sundering.
铁和其他矿物偶尔也能发现包含在珊瑚岩里面。没有人知道珊瑚岩里怎么会有这些矿物。不过据推测可能是大分裂期间发生的现象。

Nick was a giant of a man and not one soul on Dandrak knew who he really was or what he looked like. Whenever he performed an execution, he wore black robes and a black hood over his head so that, when passing among the populace on a daily basis, he would not be recognized and shunned. Unfortunately, the result of his clever disguise was that people began to suspect every man over seven footspans in height of being an executioner and tended to avoid them all indiscriminately.
人们只知道尼克身形巨大，Dandrak里面谁也不清楚他究竟是谁，又或是他长得什么样子。当他行刑的时候，他都穿上黑色袍子，一顶黑色兜帽盖过他的头颅，如此劳作，都是希望日常生活中在平民百姓间来往不会被认出而为人所趋避。然而适得其反，他聪明伪装的结果是人们开始对每个超出七个脚掌高度的男人都疑神疑鬼，以为就是刽子手，趋于不分好歹的全部避开他们。

            When it came time to deal out justice, however, Nick was the most popular and sought-after executioner on Dandrak. Whether an incredible bungler or the most talented showman of his time, Three-Chop certainly knew how to entertain an audience. No victim ever died swiftly, but lingered on in screaming agony as Nick hacked and chopped away with a sword that was as dull as his wits.
不过当时机来临，正义需要得到伸张的时候，尼克却是人们首先要找的刽子手，在Dandrak上他算是最得人心的了。无论被人叫做闻所未闻的笨伯，还是被称作当其时最具天赋的表演家，这并不要紧，三刀断尼克却肯定懂得怎样娱乐观众。尼克的行刑刀如同他的资质一样又笨又钝，他挥舞着砍下来，人却死不了，反而在弥留着痛苦尖叫，从来没有哪个受害者死的干脆利落。

All eyes went from the hooded Nick to the black-haired prisoner, who—it must be admitted—had impressed most of those present with his coolness. But all those in the courtyard that night had either admired or actually been fond of their murdered liege lord, and it was going to be a distinct pleasure for them to see his killer die horribly. The people noted with satisfaction, therefore, that—at the sight of the executioner and the bloodstained weapon in his hand—Hugh's face set in masklike calm, and though he carried himself well and forbore to tremble, they could see his breath come quick and hard.
人们的目光从帽子遮面的尼克身上转到黑头发的囚徒身上，大都承认他的冷酷深刻在在场的人们心中。但是当晚在院子里的人们不但对被害主公深怀敬仰，对主公喜爱关怀的也大有人在。谁都满怀快意看到杀人犯悲惨的死去。因此，当人们注意到，修看见刽子手和他手中沾血的武器，面上纵然像戴了面具一样冷静，表现得毫不失礼，尽力克制着颤抖，呼吸还是越来越急促、沉重的时候，人们便满意起来了。

GARETH grabbed the Hand by the arms and, dragging him out of the wizard's presence, led the prisoner the few steps to the block.
盖利斯抓住魔手修的手臂，拖着他离开巫师的面前，把他带到断头台几步之遥的地方。

"What you said about Magicka . . ." GARETH hissed the words in a low undertone, and, perhaps feeling the wizard's eyes boring into his back, let the sentence stand unfinished, contenting himself with interrogating the assassin with a glance.
“你说的关于法师的事情……”盖利斯丝声低语道，可能感觉到巫师的眼睛盯着他的背脊，话语说到一半便没有继续了，只是向刺客瞥了一下探询的眼光。

Hugh returned his gaze, his eyes black hollows in the flickering torchlit night. "Watch him," he said.
修回望了他一眼，他的眼睛在闪动火光照亮的夜里如同漆黑的空洞。“小心他。”他说道。

GARETH nodded. -His eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot, his face unshaven. He had not slept since the death of his lord two nights previous. He wiped his hand across his sweat-rimed mouth; then the hand went to his belt. Hugh caught a flash of fire, reflecting off a sharp-edged blade.
盖利斯点点头。他的眼睛充血，四围布满血丝，也没有剃脸。两天前他的主公死去以来他都没有睡过。他用手抹了一下自己汗珠淋漓的嘴巴，跟着手便垂到他的腰带上。修看到火光一闪，映出一把刀子的尖锐刃边。

"I can't save you, Hugh," GARETH mumbled. "They'd cut us both to ribbons. But I can end it for you quick. It'll likely cost me my captaincy"—the knight glanced back darkly at the wizard—
“我救不了你，修，”盖利斯咕哝着，“他们会把我俩跺成肉酱的。但我可以让你了结得干脆点。这已经够让我丢掉骑兵队队长头衔的了。”——骑士盖利斯阴沉的回望了巫师一眼。

"but then, after what I've heard, it's likely I've lost that anyhow. You're right. I owe that much to her."
“不过听到你刚才的话，我可能就已经丢掉这职位了。你说的对，我欠她的多的很。”

He shoved the Hand around to stand in front of the block. The executioner solemnly removed his black robes—he disliked having them fouled with blood—and handed them to a young boy standing nearby. Highly elated, the child stuck out his tongue at an unfortunate friend who had been hovering near, hoping for the same honor.
他把魔手修推向前，让他站在断头台前面。刽子手郑重其事的脱下他的黑袍子——他才不愿让衣服沾血呢——交给站在旁边的一个男孩。男孩欣喜若狂，向附近徘徊的一个运气欠佳，同样也希望这份荣幸的朋友伸伸舌头。

Grasping the sword, Nick took two or three practice swings to limber up his arms and then indicated, with a nod of his head, that he was ready.
尼克抓起砍刀挥舞了两三下，让手臂先作作预备，点了一下头，表示他准备好了。

GARETH forced Hugh to his knees before the block. The knight stepped back, but not far, only two or three paces. His fingers flexed nervously around the knife concealed in the folds of his cape. His excuse was framing itself in his mind. When the blade sank into his neck, Hugh screamed out that it was you, Magicka, who killed my lord. I heard it clearly. The words of a dying man are, they say, always true. Of course, I know that he lied, but I feared the peasants—being a superstitious lot—would take it ill. I thought it best to cut his miserable life short. Magicka wouldn't believe it. He'd know the truth. Ah, well, GARETH didn't have that much left to live for anyway.
盖利斯强迫修跪到断头台前，向后退了一下，间隔两三步之遥。手指在藏在斗篷褶层里的小刀上紧张的握来握去。他在心中思量着借口。当刀刃陷进他的颈项，修突然尖叫出来，说是你，法师，是你杀死了我们的主公。我听得清清楚楚。据说人之将死，其言也善。当然我知道他说谎，但我害怕那些农民会想不开来，他们都是群非常迷信的人们。所以我像最好即刻结束他可悲的生命。法师不会相信。他早知道真相。呵，不过我盖利斯也没有什么好活的了。

The executioner grabbed hold of Hugh's hair, intending to position the prisoner's head on the block. But Magicka, perhaps sensing an uneasiness in the crowd that not even the excitement of a forthcoming execution could quite banish, raised a restraining hand.
刽子手抓住修的头发，意想将囚徒的头颅在断头台上端正位置。然而巫师可能感觉到人群里连行将的极刑刺激也无法驱散的不安，举起了一只手示意先停止。

"Halt," he cried. His robes swirling around him in the chill wind that had sprung up, the wizard walked toward the block. "Hugh the Hand," said Magicka in a loud, stern voice, "I give you one more chance. Tell us—now that you are near the Realm of Death—have you anything to confess?"
“住手，”巫师喊道，走向断头台，他的袍子在乍起的一阵寒风里绕着旋转着。“魔手－修，”巫师严厉的高声说道，“我再给你一次机会。如今你已经离冥界近在咫尺，告诉我们，你有什么要忏悔吗？”

Hugh raised his head. Perhaps the fear of approaching oblivion had finally struck him.
修抬起头来。或许，接近冥世的恐惧终于击溃了他。

"Yes. I have something to confess."
“是的，我要忏悔。”

"I'm glad we understand each other," said Magicka gently. The smile of triumph on the thin, aesthetic face was not lost on the watchful GARETH. "What is it you have to regret in leaving this life, my son?"
“很高兴你能够醒悟，”巫师温和的说道，他瘦削俊美的脸上没有忘了向小心提防着的盖利斯得胜的微笑了一下。

The Hand's swollen mouth twisted. Straightening his shoulders, he looked at Magicka and said coolly, "That I never killed one of your kind, wizard."
魔手－修肿胀的嘴唇扭曲着。他直了直肩膊，看着法师，冷酷的说道：“法师，我忏悔，忏悔竟然从来没有杀死过一个法师。”

The crowd gasped in pleasurable horror. Three-Chop Nick chuckled beneath his hood. The longer this death dragged out, the better the wizard would reward it.
人群在快意的恐怖中大气不敢出。三刀断尼克躲在帽子后面吃吃笑着。死刑拖得时间越长，巫师窝的气就越来越难以忍受。

Magicka smiled with cool pity.
巫师带着冷酷的怜悯微笑着。

"May your soul rot like your body," he said.
“愿你的心灵与肉体同朽。”他说道。

Casting Nick a look that plainly invited the executioner to have a good time, the wizard stepped back well out of the way, to keep the blood from spattering on his robes.
巫师向尼克抛了一眼，清楚明白的叫刽子手尽量享受一下，自己则走到远远的一边，免得溅出来的血玷污了他的法袍。

The executioner drew forth a black handkerchief and started to bind it around Hugh's eyes.
刽子手掏出一条黑色手巾，正要绑住修的眼睛。

"No!" the assassin shouted harshly. "I want to carry that face with me."
“不！”刺客生硬的叫道，“我要看着那张脸让跟着我去地狱。”

"Get on with it!" Foam flecked the wizard's lips.
“行刑！”巫师的嘴里溅出了泡沫。

Nick grabbed his hair, but Hugh shook the hand free. Voluntarily the prisoner laid his head down upon the bloodstained marble. His eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly, accusingly at Magicka. The executioner reached down, took hold of the man's short braid, and yanked it over to one side. Three-Chop liked a clear expanse of neck with which to work.
尼克抓住他的头发，但修挣掉他的手。他自己将头搁在沾血的大理石上。圆睁着双眼，控诉般的一眨不眨的紧盯着巫师。刽子手俯下身来，一把抓住他头上的短辫子，用力丢到一边。三刀断喜欢跟清楚明白的后颈背打交道。

Nick raised his blade. Hugh drew a breath, gritted his teeth, and kept his eyes focused on the wizard. GARETH, watching, saw Magicka blench, swallow, and dart hasty glances here and there, as though seeking escape.
尼克举起了砍刀。修吸了口气，紧咬着牙齿，眼睛聚焦在巫师身上。盖利斯看着，瞧见巫师开始畏缩着，吞着口水，目光胡乱的东张西望，像是在寻找避难之地。

"The horror of this man's evil is too much!" the wizard cried. "Be swift! I cannot bear it!"
“这人太邪恶，太恐怖了！”巫师叫喊着。“快动手！我忍受不了了！”

GARETH gripped his knife. Nick's arm muscles bulged, preparing for the downward stroke. Women covered their eyes and peeped out between their fingers, men craned to see over each other's heads, children were hastily lifted up to get a better view.
盖利斯紧抓住他的匕首。尼克手臂上的肌肉涨鼓起来，准备着向下一砍。妇人们双手遮面，在指缝间偷看着，男人探着身子，越过人们的头顶看着，孩子们焦急的跳着，想看得更加清楚。

And then there came, from the gates, the clash of arms.
接着人们便听到大门那边兵刃相交的声音。