PART THREE SVALBARD EIGHTEEN - FOG AND ICE-1
LeeScoresbyarrangedsomefursoverLyra.ShecurledupcloseterandtheylaytogetherasleepastheballooontowardthePole.Theaeronautcheckedhisinstrumentsfromtimetotime,chewedonthecigarhewouldneverlightwiththeinflammablehydrogensoclose,andhuddleddeeperintohisownfurs.
“Thislittlegirlsprettyimportant,huh?”hesaidafterseveralminutes.
“Morethanshewillknow,”SerafinaPekkalasaid.
“Doesthatmeantheresgonnabemuthewayofarmedpursuit?Youuand,Imspeakingasapracticalmanwithalivingtoearn.Itaffetbusteduporshottopieceswithoutsomekindofpensatiooinadvance.Iainttryingtolowerthetohisexpedition,believeme,maam.ButJohnFaaaianspaidmeafeethatsenoughtoytimeandskillandthenormalwearandtearontheballoon,andthatsall.Itdidntincludeacts-of-warinsurandletmetellyou,maam,whenwelandlorekByrnisononSvalbard,thatwilltasanactofwar.”
Hespatapieokeleafdelicatelyoverboard.
“SoIdliketoknoeexpethewayofmayhemandrus,”hefinished.
“Theremaybefighting,”saidSerafinaPekkala.“Butyouhavefoughtbefore.”
“Sure,whenImpaid.Butthefactis,IthoughtthiswasastraightforwardtransportationtradIchargedacc.AndImawnow,afterthatlittledust-updownthere,Imawhowfarmytransportationresponsibilityextends.WhetherImboundtoriskmylifeandmyequipmentinawaramongthebears,forexample.OrwhetherthislittlechildhasenemiesonSvalbardashot-temperedastheonesbackatBolvangar.Imerelymentionallthisbywayofmakingversation.”
“Mr.Scoresby,”saidthewitch,“IwishIcouldansweryourquestion.AllIsayisthatallofus,humans,witches,bears,areengagedinawaralready,althoughnotallofusknowit.WhetheryoufinddangeronSvalbardorwhetheryouflyoffunharmed,youarearecruit,underarms,asoldier.”
“Well,thatseemskindaprecipitate.Seemstomeamanshouldhaveachoicewhethertotakeuparmsornot.”
“Wehavenomorechoithatthaniherornottobeborn.”
“Oh,Ilikechoice,though,”hesaid.“IlikechoosingthejobsItakeandtheplacesIgoandthefoodIeatandthepanionsIsitandyarnwith.Dontyouwishforachoiawhile?”
SerafinaPekkalasidered,andthensaid,“Perhapswedohesamethingbychoice,Mr.Scoresby.Witchesownnothing,sowerenotiedinpreservingvalueormakingprofits,andasforthechoicebetweehingandanother,whenyouliveformanyhundredsofyears,youknowthateveryopportunitywilleagain.Wehavedifferentneeds.Youhavetorepairyourballoonaingooddition,andthattakestimeandtrouble,Iseethat;butforustofly,allwehavetodoistearoffabranchofcloud-pine;anywilldo,andthereareplentymore.Wedontfeelcold,soweneednowarmclothes.Wehavenomeansofexgeapartfrommutualaid.Ifawiteedssomething,achwillgiveittoher.Ifthereisawartobefought,wedontsidercostohefactorsindegwhetherornotitisrighttofight.Nordowehaveanynotionofhonor,asbearsdo,forinstaninsulttoabearisadeadlything.Tous...inceivable.Howcouldyouinsultawitch?Whatwoulditmatterifyoudid?”
“Well,Imkindawithyouonthat.Stidstones,Illbreakyerbones,butnamesaintworthaquarrel.Butmaam,youseemydilemma,Ihope.Imasimpleaeronaut,andIdliketoendmydaysinfort.Buyalittlefarm,afewheadofcattle,somehorses...Nothinggrand,younotiopalaceorslavesorheapsofgold.Justtheeveningwihesage,andaceegar,andaglassofbourbonwhiskey.Nowthetroubleis,thatoney.SoIdomyflyinginexgeforcash,andaftereveryjobIsendsomegoldbacktotheWellsFargoBank,andwheenough,maam,Imgohisballoonandbookmeapassageonasteamertalveston,andIllneverleavethegroundagain.”
“Theresanotherdiffereweenus,Mr.Scoresby.Awitchwouldnosiveupflyingthangiveupbreathing.Toflyistobeperfectlyourselves.”
“Iseethat,maam,andIenvyyou;butIaintgotyoursourcesofsatisfa.Flyingisjustajobtome,andImjustatei.Imightaswellbeadjustingvalvesinagasengineupanbariccircuits.ButIchoseit,yousee.Itwasmyownfreechoice.WhichiswhyIfindthisnotionofawarIaioldnothingaboutkindatroubling.”
“lorekByrnisonsquarrelwithhiskingispartofittoo,”saidthewitch.
“Thischildisdestioplayapartinthat.”
“Youspeakofdestiny,”hesaid,“asifitwasfixed.AndIaintsureIlikethatanymorethanawarImenlistedinwithoutknowingaboutit.Wheresmyfreewill,ifyouplease?AndthischildseemstometohavemorefreewillthananyoneIevermet.Areyoutellishesjustsomekindofclockworktoywoundupagoingonacourseshetge?”
“Weareallsubjecttothefates.Butwemustallactasifwearenot,”saidthewitch,“ordieofdespair.Thereisacuriousprophecyaboutthischild:sheisdestiabouttheendofdestiny.Butshemustdosowithoutknowingwhatsheisdoing,asifitwerehernatureandnotherdestinytodoit.Ifshestoldwhatshemustdo,itwillallfail;deathwillsweepthroughalltheworlds;itwillbethetriumphofdespair,forever.Theuniverseswillallbeenothingmorethaninterlogmaes,blindayofthought,feeling,life...”
TheylookeddownatLyra,whosesleepingface(whatlittleofittheycouldseeinsideherhood)woreastubbornlittlefrown.
“Iguesspartofherknowsthat,”saidtheaeronaut.“Lookspreparedforit,anyways.Howaboutthelittleboy?Youknowshecameallthiswaytosavehimfromthosefiendsbackthere?Theywereplaymates,baOxfordorsomewhere.
Didyouknowthat?”
“Yes,Ididknowthat.Lyraiscarryingsomethingofimmensevalue,anditseemsthatthefatesareusingherasamesseakeittoherfather.Soshecameallthiswaytofindherfriend,notknowingthatherfriendwasbroughttotheNorthbythefates,ihatshemightfollowandbringsomethingtoherfather.”
“Thatshowyoureadit,huh?”
Forthefirsttimethewitchseemedunsure.
“Thatishowitseems....Butwetreadthedarkness,Mr.Scoresby.ItismorethanpossiblethatImightbewrong.”
“Andwhatbroughtyouintoallthis,ifIask?”
“WhatevertheyweredoingatBolvangar,wefeltitwaswrongwithallourhearts.Lyraistheirenemy;soweareherfriends.Wedontseemoreclearlythanthat.Butalsothereismysfriendshipfyptianpeople,whichgoesbacktothetimewhenFardersavedmylife.Wearedoingthisattheirbidding.AndtheyhavetiesofobligationwithLordAsriel.”
“Isee.SoyouretowingtheballoontoSvalbardfyp-tianssake.Ahatfriendshipextendtotowingusbackagain?OrwillIhavetowaitforakindlywind,anddependontheindulgehebearsinthemeantime?Onceagain,maam,Imaskingmerelyinaspiritoffriendlyenquiry.”
“IfwehelpyoubacktoTrollesund,Mr.Scoresby,weshalldoso.ButwedontknoeshallmeetonSvalbard.Thebearsnewkinghasmademanyges;theoldwaysareoutoffavor;itmightbeadifficultlanding.AndIdontknowhowLyrawillfindherwaytoherfather.NordoIknowwhatlorekByrnisonhasitinmindtodo,exceptthathisfateisinvolvedwithhers.”
“Idontkher,maam.Ithiachedhimselftothelittlegirlasakindofprotector.Shehelpedhimgethisarmorback,yousee.Whoknowswhatbearsfeel?Butifabeareverlovedahumanbeing,helovesher.AsforlandingonSvalbard,itsneverbeeneasy.Still,ifIcallonyintherightdire,Illfeelkindaeasierinmymind;andiftheresanythingIdoforyouiurn,youonlyhavetosay.ButjustsoasIknow,wouldyoumindtellingmewhosesideImoninthisinvisiblewar?”
“WearebothonLyrasside.”
“Oh,nodoubtaboutthat.”
Theyflewon.Becauseofthecloudsbelowtherewasnowayoftellinghowfasttheyweregoing.Normally,ofcourse,aballoonremaiillwithrespecttothewind,floatingatwhateverspeedtheairitselfwasmoving;butnow,pulledbythewitches,theballoonwasmovingthroughtheairinsteadofwithit,aingthemovement,too,becausetheunwieldygasbaghadhestreamlinedsmoothnessofazeppelin.Asaresult,thebasketswungthiswayandthat,rogandbumpingmuchmorethanonanormalflight.
LeeScoresbywasntedforhisfortsomuchasforhisinstruments,andhespentsometimemakingsuretheyweresecurelylashedtothemainstruts.
Acctothealtimeter,theywerenearlytenthousaup.Thetemperaturewasminus20degrees.Hehadbeencolderthanthis,butnotmudhedidntwanttogetanycoldernow;soheunrolledthevassheetheusedasanemergencybivouadspreaditinfrontofthesleepingchildrentokeepoffthewind,beforelyingdownbacktobackwithhisoldradeinarms,lorekByrnison,andfallingasleep.
WhenLyrawokeup,themoonwashighinthesky,ahinginsightwassilver-plated,fromtheroilingsurfaceofthecloudsbelowtothefrostspearsandiciclesontheriggingoftheballoon.
Rogerwassleeping,andsowereLeeScoresbyandthebear.Besidethebasket,however,thewitchqueenwasflyingsteadily.
“HowfararewefromSvalbard?”Lyrasaid.
“Ifwemeetnowinds,weshallbeoverSvalbardintwelvehoursorso.”
“Wherearewegoingtoland?”
“Itdependsoher.Welltrytoavoidthecliffs,though.Therearecreatureslivingtherewhopreyonanythingthatmoves.Ifwe,wellsetyoudownierior,awayfromlofurRaknisonspalace.”
“WhatsgoingtohappenwhenIfindLordAsriel?WillhewanttoebacktoOxford,orwhat?IdontknowifIoughttotellhimIknowhesmyfather,her.Hemightwanttopreteillmyuncle.Idonthardlyknowhimatall.”
“HewontwanttogobacktoOxford,Lyra.Itseemsthatthereissomethingtobedoneinanotherworld,andLordAsrielistheonlyonewhobridgethegulfbetweenthatworldandthis.Butheneedssomethingtohelphim.”
“Thealethiometer!”Lyrasaid.“TheMasteraveittomeandIthoughttherewassomethiedtosayaboutLordAsriel,exceptheneverhadthece.Iknewhedidntreallywanttopoisonhim.Ishegoingtoreaditaomakethebridge?IbetIcouldhelphim.Iprobablyreaditasgoodasanyonenow.”
“Idontknow,”saidSerafinaPekkala.“Howhelldoit,andwhathistaskwillbe,wettell.Therearepowerswhospeaktous,andtherearepowersabovethem;andtherearesecretsevenfromthemosthigh.”
“Thealethiometerwouldtellme!Icouldreaditnow....”
Butitwastoocold;shewouldneverhavemaoholdit.Shebundledherselfupandpulledthehoodtightagainstthechillofthewind,leavingonlyaslittoloh.Farahead,andalittlebelow,thelongropeextendedfromthesuspensioftheballoon,pulledbysixorsevenwitchessittingontheircloud-pinebrahestarsshoneasbrightandcoldandhardasdiamonds.
“Whyentyoucold,SerafinaPekkala?”
“Wefeelcold,butwedontmindit,becausewewillnotetoharm.Andifedupagainstthecold,wewouldherthings,likethebrighttihestars,orthemusicoftheAurora,orbestofallthesilkyfeelingofmoonlightonourskin.Itsworthbeingcoldforthat.”“CouldIfeelthem?”
“No.Youwoulddieifyoutookyourfursoff.Stayedup.”
“Howlongdowitcheslive,SerafinaPekkala?Fardersayshundredsofyears.Butyoudontlookoldatall.”
“Iamthreehundredyearsormore.Ouroldestwitchmotherisnearlyathousand.
Oneday,Yambe-Akkawilleforher.Onedayshelleforme.Sheisthegoddessofthedead.Sheestoyousmilingandkindly,andyouknowitistimetodie.”
“Aretheremenwitches?Oronlywomen?”
“Therearemenwhoserveus,likethesulatTrollesund.Andtherearemeakeforloversorhusbands.Youaresoyoung,Lyra,tooyoungtouandthis,butIshalltellyouanywayandyoulluanditlater:menpassinfrontofoureyeslikebutterflies,creaturesofabriefseason.Welovethem;theyarebrave,proud,beautiful,clever;andtheydiealmostatoheydiesosoonthatourheartsaretinuallyrackedwithpain.Webeartheirchildren,whoarewitchesiftheyarefemale,humanifnot;aheblinkofaheyaregone,felled,slain,lost.Oursons,too.Whenalittleboyisgrowihinksheisimmortal.Hismotherknowsheisimebeorepainful,untilfinallyyourheartisbroken.PerhapsthatiswhenYambe-Akkaesforyou.Sheisolderthaundra.Perhaps,forher,witcheslivesareasbriefasmeous.”
“DidyouloveFarder?”
“Yes.Doesheknowthat?”
“Idontknow,butIknowhelovesyou.”
“Whenherescuedme,hewasyoungandstrongandfullofprideay.Ilovedhimatonce.Iwouldhavegedmynature,Iwouldhaveforsakear-tihemusicoftheAurora;Iwouldneverhaveflownagain—Iwouldhavegivenallthatupinamoment,withoutathought,tobeagyptianboatwifeandcookforhimandsharehisbedandbearhischildren.Butyouotgewhatyouare,onlywhatyoudo.Iamawitch.Heisahuman.Istayedwithhimfenoughtobearhimachild....”
“Heneversaid!Wasitagirl?Awitch?”
“No.Aboy,andhediedinthegreatepidemicoffortyyearsago,thesiessthatcameoutoftheEast.Poorlittlechild;heflickeredintolifeandoutofitlikeamayfly.Andittorepiecesoutofmyheart,asitalwaysdoes.Itbrokes.Ahecallcameformetoreturntomyownpeople,becauseYambe-Akkahadtakenmymother,andIwasqueen.SoIleft,asIhadto.”
“DidyouneverseeFarderagain?”
“Never.Iheardofhisdeeds;IheardhoouheSkraelings,oisonedarrow,aherbsaohelphimrecover,butIwasntstrongenoughtoseehim.Iheardhowbrokenhewasafterthat,andhowhiswisdomgrew,howmuchhestudiedandread,andIroudofhimandhisgoodness.ButIstayedaway,fortheyweredangeroustimesformy,andwitchwarswerethreatening,andbesides,Ithoughthewouldfetmeandfindahumanwife....”
“Heneverwould,”saidLyrastoutly.“Yououghtergoandseehim.Hestilllovesyou,Iknowhedoes.”
“Buthewouldbeashamedofhisownage,andIwouldntwanttomakehimfeelthat.”
“Perhapshewould.Butyououghttosendamessagetohim,atleast.ThatswhatIthink.”
SerafinaPekkalasaidnothingforalongtime.Pantalaimonbecameaternaoherbranchforased,toaowledgethatperhapstheyhadbeeni.
ThenLyrasaid,“Whydopeoplehavedaemons,SerafinaPekkala?”
“Everyoneasksthat,andnooneknowstheanswer.Aslongastherehavebeenhumanbeings,theyhavehaddaemons.Itswhatmakesusdifferentfromanimals.”
“Yeah!Weredifferentfromthemallright....Likebears.Theyrestrahey,bears?Youthinktheyrelikeaperson,andthensuddenlytheydosomethingseorferociousyouthinkyoullneveruandthem....Butyouknowwhatloreksaidtome,hesaidthathisarmorforhimwaslikewhatadaemonisforaperson.Itshissoul,hesaid.Butthatswheretheyredifferentagain,becausehemadethisarmorhis-self.Theytookhisfirstarmorawaywhentheysenthimintoexile,andhefoundsomeskyironandmadesomenewarmor,likemakinganewsoul.Wetmakeourdaemons.ThenthepeopleatTrollesund,theygothimdrunkonspiritsandstoleitaway,andIfoundoutwhereitwasaitback....ButwhatIwonderis,whysheingtoSvalbard?Theyllfighthim.Theymightkillhim....Ilovelorek.IlovehimsomuchIwishhewasnting.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
“Thislittlegirlsprettyimportant,huh?”hesaidafterseveralminutes.
“Morethanshewillknow,”SerafinaPekkalasaid.
“Doesthatmeantheresgonnabemuthewayofarmedpursuit?Youuand,Imspeakingasapracticalmanwithalivingtoearn.Itaffetbusteduporshottopieceswithoutsomekindofpensatiooinadvance.Iainttryingtolowerthetohisexpedition,believeme,maam.ButJohnFaaaianspaidmeafeethatsenoughtoytimeandskillandthenormalwearandtearontheballoon,andthatsall.Itdidntincludeacts-of-warinsurandletmetellyou,maam,whenwelandlorekByrnisononSvalbard,thatwilltasanactofwar.”
Hespatapieokeleafdelicatelyoverboard.
“SoIdliketoknoeexpethewayofmayhemandrus,”hefinished.
“Theremaybefighting,”saidSerafinaPekkala.“Butyouhavefoughtbefore.”
“Sure,whenImpaid.Butthefactis,IthoughtthiswasastraightforwardtransportationtradIchargedacc.AndImawnow,afterthatlittledust-updownthere,Imawhowfarmytransportationresponsibilityextends.WhetherImboundtoriskmylifeandmyequipmentinawaramongthebears,forexample.OrwhetherthislittlechildhasenemiesonSvalbardashot-temperedastheonesbackatBolvangar.Imerelymentionallthisbywayofmakingversation.”
“Mr.Scoresby,”saidthewitch,“IwishIcouldansweryourquestion.AllIsayisthatallofus,humans,witches,bears,areengagedinawaralready,althoughnotallofusknowit.WhetheryoufinddangeronSvalbardorwhetheryouflyoffunharmed,youarearecruit,underarms,asoldier.”
“Well,thatseemskindaprecipitate.Seemstomeamanshouldhaveachoicewhethertotakeuparmsornot.”
“Wehavenomorechoithatthaniherornottobeborn.”
“Oh,Ilikechoice,though,”hesaid.“IlikechoosingthejobsItakeandtheplacesIgoandthefoodIeatandthepanionsIsitandyarnwith.Dontyouwishforachoiawhile?”
SerafinaPekkalasidered,andthensaid,“Perhapswedohesamethingbychoice,Mr.Scoresby.Witchesownnothing,sowerenotiedinpreservingvalueormakingprofits,andasforthechoicebetweehingandanother,whenyouliveformanyhundredsofyears,youknowthateveryopportunitywilleagain.Wehavedifferentneeds.Youhavetorepairyourballoonaingooddition,andthattakestimeandtrouble,Iseethat;butforustofly,allwehavetodoistearoffabranchofcloud-pine;anywilldo,andthereareplentymore.Wedontfeelcold,soweneednowarmclothes.Wehavenomeansofexgeapartfrommutualaid.Ifawiteedssomething,achwillgiveittoher.Ifthereisawartobefought,wedontsidercostohefactorsindegwhetherornotitisrighttofight.Nordowehaveanynotionofhonor,asbearsdo,forinstaninsulttoabearisadeadlything.Tous...inceivable.Howcouldyouinsultawitch?Whatwoulditmatterifyoudid?”
“Well,Imkindawithyouonthat.Stidstones,Illbreakyerbones,butnamesaintworthaquarrel.Butmaam,youseemydilemma,Ihope.Imasimpleaeronaut,andIdliketoendmydaysinfort.Buyalittlefarm,afewheadofcattle,somehorses...Nothinggrand,younotiopalaceorslavesorheapsofgold.Justtheeveningwihesage,andaceegar,andaglassofbourbonwhiskey.Nowthetroubleis,thatoney.SoIdomyflyinginexgeforcash,andaftereveryjobIsendsomegoldbacktotheWellsFargoBank,andwheenough,maam,Imgohisballoonandbookmeapassageonasteamertalveston,andIllneverleavethegroundagain.”
“Theresanotherdiffereweenus,Mr.Scoresby.Awitchwouldnosiveupflyingthangiveupbreathing.Toflyistobeperfectlyourselves.”
“Iseethat,maam,andIenvyyou;butIaintgotyoursourcesofsatisfa.Flyingisjustajobtome,andImjustatei.Imightaswellbeadjustingvalvesinagasengineupanbariccircuits.ButIchoseit,yousee.Itwasmyownfreechoice.WhichiswhyIfindthisnotionofawarIaioldnothingaboutkindatroubling.”
“lorekByrnisonsquarrelwithhiskingispartofittoo,”saidthewitch.
“Thischildisdestioplayapartinthat.”
“Youspeakofdestiny,”hesaid,“asifitwasfixed.AndIaintsureIlikethatanymorethanawarImenlistedinwithoutknowingaboutit.Wheresmyfreewill,ifyouplease?AndthischildseemstometohavemorefreewillthananyoneIevermet.Areyoutellishesjustsomekindofclockworktoywoundupagoingonacourseshetge?”
“Weareallsubjecttothefates.Butwemustallactasifwearenot,”saidthewitch,“ordieofdespair.Thereisacuriousprophecyaboutthischild:sheisdestiabouttheendofdestiny.Butshemustdosowithoutknowingwhatsheisdoing,asifitwerehernatureandnotherdestinytodoit.Ifshestoldwhatshemustdo,itwillallfail;deathwillsweepthroughalltheworlds;itwillbethetriumphofdespair,forever.Theuniverseswillallbeenothingmorethaninterlogmaes,blindayofthought,feeling,life...”
TheylookeddownatLyra,whosesleepingface(whatlittleofittheycouldseeinsideherhood)woreastubbornlittlefrown.
“Iguesspartofherknowsthat,”saidtheaeronaut.“Lookspreparedforit,anyways.Howaboutthelittleboy?Youknowshecameallthiswaytosavehimfromthosefiendsbackthere?Theywereplaymates,baOxfordorsomewhere.
Didyouknowthat?”
“Yes,Ididknowthat.Lyraiscarryingsomethingofimmensevalue,anditseemsthatthefatesareusingherasamesseakeittoherfather.Soshecameallthiswaytofindherfriend,notknowingthatherfriendwasbroughttotheNorthbythefates,ihatshemightfollowandbringsomethingtoherfather.”
“Thatshowyoureadit,huh?”
Forthefirsttimethewitchseemedunsure.
“Thatishowitseems....Butwetreadthedarkness,Mr.Scoresby.ItismorethanpossiblethatImightbewrong.”
“Andwhatbroughtyouintoallthis,ifIask?”
“WhatevertheyweredoingatBolvangar,wefeltitwaswrongwithallourhearts.Lyraistheirenemy;soweareherfriends.Wedontseemoreclearlythanthat.Butalsothereismysfriendshipfyptianpeople,whichgoesbacktothetimewhenFardersavedmylife.Wearedoingthisattheirbidding.AndtheyhavetiesofobligationwithLordAsriel.”
“Isee.SoyouretowingtheballoontoSvalbardfyp-tianssake.Ahatfriendshipextendtotowingusbackagain?OrwillIhavetowaitforakindlywind,anddependontheindulgehebearsinthemeantime?Onceagain,maam,Imaskingmerelyinaspiritoffriendlyenquiry.”
“IfwehelpyoubacktoTrollesund,Mr.Scoresby,weshalldoso.ButwedontknoeshallmeetonSvalbard.Thebearsnewkinghasmademanyges;theoldwaysareoutoffavor;itmightbeadifficultlanding.AndIdontknowhowLyrawillfindherwaytoherfather.NordoIknowwhatlorekByrnisonhasitinmindtodo,exceptthathisfateisinvolvedwithhers.”
“Idontkher,maam.Ithiachedhimselftothelittlegirlasakindofprotector.Shehelpedhimgethisarmorback,yousee.Whoknowswhatbearsfeel?Butifabeareverlovedahumanbeing,helovesher.AsforlandingonSvalbard,itsneverbeeneasy.Still,ifIcallonyintherightdire,Illfeelkindaeasierinmymind;andiftheresanythingIdoforyouiurn,youonlyhavetosay.ButjustsoasIknow,wouldyoumindtellingmewhosesideImoninthisinvisiblewar?”
“WearebothonLyrasside.”
“Oh,nodoubtaboutthat.”
Theyflewon.Becauseofthecloudsbelowtherewasnowayoftellinghowfasttheyweregoing.Normally,ofcourse,aballoonremaiillwithrespecttothewind,floatingatwhateverspeedtheairitselfwasmoving;butnow,pulledbythewitches,theballoonwasmovingthroughtheairinsteadofwithit,aingthemovement,too,becausetheunwieldygasbaghadhestreamlinedsmoothnessofazeppelin.Asaresult,thebasketswungthiswayandthat,rogandbumpingmuchmorethanonanormalflight.
LeeScoresbywasntedforhisfortsomuchasforhisinstruments,andhespentsometimemakingsuretheyweresecurelylashedtothemainstruts.
Acctothealtimeter,theywerenearlytenthousaup.Thetemperaturewasminus20degrees.Hehadbeencolderthanthis,butnotmudhedidntwanttogetanycoldernow;soheunrolledthevassheetheusedasanemergencybivouadspreaditinfrontofthesleepingchildrentokeepoffthewind,beforelyingdownbacktobackwithhisoldradeinarms,lorekByrnison,andfallingasleep.
WhenLyrawokeup,themoonwashighinthesky,ahinginsightwassilver-plated,fromtheroilingsurfaceofthecloudsbelowtothefrostspearsandiciclesontheriggingoftheballoon.
Rogerwassleeping,andsowereLeeScoresbyandthebear.Besidethebasket,however,thewitchqueenwasflyingsteadily.
“HowfararewefromSvalbard?”Lyrasaid.
“Ifwemeetnowinds,weshallbeoverSvalbardintwelvehoursorso.”
“Wherearewegoingtoland?”
“Itdependsoher.Welltrytoavoidthecliffs,though.Therearecreatureslivingtherewhopreyonanythingthatmoves.Ifwe,wellsetyoudownierior,awayfromlofurRaknisonspalace.”
“WhatsgoingtohappenwhenIfindLordAsriel?WillhewanttoebacktoOxford,orwhat?IdontknowifIoughttotellhimIknowhesmyfather,her.Hemightwanttopreteillmyuncle.Idonthardlyknowhimatall.”
“HewontwanttogobacktoOxford,Lyra.Itseemsthatthereissomethingtobedoneinanotherworld,andLordAsrielistheonlyonewhobridgethegulfbetweenthatworldandthis.Butheneedssomethingtohelphim.”
“Thealethiometer!”Lyrasaid.“TheMasteraveittomeandIthoughttherewassomethiedtosayaboutLordAsriel,exceptheneverhadthece.Iknewhedidntreallywanttopoisonhim.Ishegoingtoreaditaomakethebridge?IbetIcouldhelphim.Iprobablyreaditasgoodasanyonenow.”
“Idontknow,”saidSerafinaPekkala.“Howhelldoit,andwhathistaskwillbe,wettell.Therearepowerswhospeaktous,andtherearepowersabovethem;andtherearesecretsevenfromthemosthigh.”
“Thealethiometerwouldtellme!Icouldreaditnow....”
Butitwastoocold;shewouldneverhavemaoholdit.Shebundledherselfupandpulledthehoodtightagainstthechillofthewind,leavingonlyaslittoloh.Farahead,andalittlebelow,thelongropeextendedfromthesuspensioftheballoon,pulledbysixorsevenwitchessittingontheircloud-pinebrahestarsshoneasbrightandcoldandhardasdiamonds.
“Whyentyoucold,SerafinaPekkala?”
“Wefeelcold,butwedontmindit,becausewewillnotetoharm.Andifedupagainstthecold,wewouldherthings,likethebrighttihestars,orthemusicoftheAurora,orbestofallthesilkyfeelingofmoonlightonourskin.Itsworthbeingcoldforthat.”“CouldIfeelthem?”
“No.Youwoulddieifyoutookyourfursoff.Stayedup.”
“Howlongdowitcheslive,SerafinaPekkala?Fardersayshundredsofyears.Butyoudontlookoldatall.”
“Iamthreehundredyearsormore.Ouroldestwitchmotherisnearlyathousand.
Oneday,Yambe-Akkawilleforher.Onedayshelleforme.Sheisthegoddessofthedead.Sheestoyousmilingandkindly,andyouknowitistimetodie.”
“Aretheremenwitches?Oronlywomen?”
“Therearemenwhoserveus,likethesulatTrollesund.Andtherearemeakeforloversorhusbands.Youaresoyoung,Lyra,tooyoungtouandthis,butIshalltellyouanywayandyoulluanditlater:menpassinfrontofoureyeslikebutterflies,creaturesofabriefseason.Welovethem;theyarebrave,proud,beautiful,clever;andtheydiealmostatoheydiesosoonthatourheartsaretinuallyrackedwithpain.Webeartheirchildren,whoarewitchesiftheyarefemale,humanifnot;aheblinkofaheyaregone,felled,slain,lost.Oursons,too.Whenalittleboyisgrowihinksheisimmortal.Hismotherknowsheisimebeorepainful,untilfinallyyourheartisbroken.PerhapsthatiswhenYambe-Akkaesforyou.Sheisolderthaundra.Perhaps,forher,witcheslivesareasbriefasmeous.”
“DidyouloveFarder?”
“Yes.Doesheknowthat?”
“Idontknow,butIknowhelovesyou.”
“Whenherescuedme,hewasyoungandstrongandfullofprideay.Ilovedhimatonce.Iwouldhavegedmynature,Iwouldhaveforsakear-tihemusicoftheAurora;Iwouldneverhaveflownagain—Iwouldhavegivenallthatupinamoment,withoutathought,tobeagyptianboatwifeandcookforhimandsharehisbedandbearhischildren.Butyouotgewhatyouare,onlywhatyoudo.Iamawitch.Heisahuman.Istayedwithhimfenoughtobearhimachild....”
“Heneversaid!Wasitagirl?Awitch?”
“No.Aboy,andhediedinthegreatepidemicoffortyyearsago,thesiessthatcameoutoftheEast.Poorlittlechild;heflickeredintolifeandoutofitlikeamayfly.Andittorepiecesoutofmyheart,asitalwaysdoes.Itbrokes.Ahecallcameformetoreturntomyownpeople,becauseYambe-Akkahadtakenmymother,andIwasqueen.SoIleft,asIhadto.”
“DidyouneverseeFarderagain?”
“Never.Iheardofhisdeeds;IheardhoouheSkraelings,oisonedarrow,aherbsaohelphimrecover,butIwasntstrongenoughtoseehim.Iheardhowbrokenhewasafterthat,andhowhiswisdomgrew,howmuchhestudiedandread,andIroudofhimandhisgoodness.ButIstayedaway,fortheyweredangeroustimesformy,andwitchwarswerethreatening,andbesides,Ithoughthewouldfetmeandfindahumanwife....”
“Heneverwould,”saidLyrastoutly.“Yououghtergoandseehim.Hestilllovesyou,Iknowhedoes.”
“Buthewouldbeashamedofhisownage,andIwouldntwanttomakehimfeelthat.”
“Perhapshewould.Butyououghttosendamessagetohim,atleast.ThatswhatIthink.”
SerafinaPekkalasaidnothingforalongtime.Pantalaimonbecameaternaoherbranchforased,toaowledgethatperhapstheyhadbeeni.
ThenLyrasaid,“Whydopeoplehavedaemons,SerafinaPekkala?”
“Everyoneasksthat,andnooneknowstheanswer.Aslongastherehavebeenhumanbeings,theyhavehaddaemons.Itswhatmakesusdifferentfromanimals.”
“Yeah!Weredifferentfromthemallright....Likebears.Theyrestrahey,bears?Youthinktheyrelikeaperson,andthensuddenlytheydosomethingseorferociousyouthinkyoullneveruandthem....Butyouknowwhatloreksaidtome,hesaidthathisarmorforhimwaslikewhatadaemonisforaperson.Itshissoul,hesaid.Butthatswheretheyredifferentagain,becausehemadethisarmorhis-self.Theytookhisfirstarmorawaywhentheysenthimintoexile,andhefoundsomeskyironandmadesomenewarmor,likemakinganewsoul.Wetmakeourdaemons.ThenthepeopleatTrollesund,theygothimdrunkonspiritsandstoleitaway,andIfoundoutwhereitwasaitback....ButwhatIwonderis,whysheingtoSvalbard?Theyllfighthim.Theymightkillhim....Ilovelorek.IlovehimsomuchIwishhewasnting.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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