TWENTY - MORTAL COMBAT-1
Fightsbetweenbearswereon,andthesubjeuchritual.Forabeartokillanotherwasrare,though,ahathappewasusuallybyact,orwhenonebearmistookthesignalsfromanother,asinthecaseoflorekByrnison.Caseshtforwardmurder,likelofurskillingofhisownfather,wererarerstill.
Butoccasionallytherecamecircumstanwhichtheonlywayofsettlingadisputewasafighttothedeath.Andforthat,awholeceremonialrescribed.
AssoonaslofurannouhatlorekByrnisonwasonhisway,andabatwouldtakeplace,thebatgroundwassweptandsmoothed,andarmorerscameupfromthefiremiochecklofursarmor.Everyrivetwasexamined,everylied,aeswereburhthefisand.Justasmuchattentionaidtohisclaws.Thegoldleafwasrubbedoff,andeachseparatesix-inchhookwassharpenedandfiledtoadeadlypoint.Lyrawatchedwithagrowingsiessiofherstomach,forlorekByrnisonwouldntbehavingthisattention;hehadbeenmargovertheicefornearlytwenty-fourhoursalreadywithoutrestorfood;hemighthavebeenihecrash.Andshehadlethiminforthisfightwithouthisknowledge.Atonepoint,afterlofurRaknisonhadtestedthesharpnessofhisclawsonafresh-killedwalrus,sligitsskinopenlikepaper,andthepowerofhiscrashingblowsonthewalrussskull(twoblows,anditwascrackedlikeanegg),Lyrahadtomakeanexcusetoloawaybyherselftoweepwithfear.
EvenPantalaimon,whocouldnormallycheerherup,hadlittletosaythateful.Allshecoulddowassultthealethiometer:heisanhouraway,ittoldher,andagaitrusthim;and(thiswashardertoread)sheeventhoughtitwasrebukingherforaskingthesamequestiontwice.
Bythistime,wordhadspreadamongthebears,andeverypartofthebatgroundwascrowded.Bearsofhighrankhadthebestplaces,andthereecialenclosurefortheshe-bears,including,ofcourse,lofurswives.Lyrarofoundlycuriousaboutshe-bears,becausesheknewsolittleaboutthem,butthiswasnotimetowanderaboutaskiions.InsteadshestayedclosetolofurRaknisonandwatchedthecourtiersaroundhimasserttheirraheonbearsfromoutside,andtriedtoguessthemeaningofthevariousplumesandbadgesandtokenstheyallseemedtowear.Someofthehighest-ranking,shesaw,carriedlittlemanikinslikel-dolldaemtocurryfavor,perhaps,byimitatingthefashionhedbegun.Shewassardonicallypleasedtonoticethatwhentheysawthatlofurhaddiscardedhis,theydidntknowwhattodowiththeirs.Shouldtheythrowthemaway?Weretheyoutoffavornow?Howshouldtheybehave?
{Becausethatwastheprevailingmoodinhiscourt,shewasbeginningtosee.
Theywerentsurewhattheywere.TheywerentlikelorekByrnison,pureaainandabsolute;therewasastantpallofuaintyhangihem,astheywatchedoherandwatchedlofur.
Achedher,withopencuriosity.Sheremainedmodestlyclosetolofurandsaidnothing,lhereyeswheneverabearlookedather.
Thefoghadliftedbythistime,andtheairwasclear;andascewouldhaveit,thebriefliftingofdarkowardnooncidedwiththetimeLyrathoughtlorekwasgoingtoarrive.Asshestoodshiveringonalittleriseofdense-packedsnowattheedgeofthebatground,shelookeduptowardthefaintlightnessinthesky,andlohallherhearttoseeaflightedelegantblackshapesdesdingtobearheraway;ortoseetheAurorashiddencity,whereshewouldbeabletowalksafelyalongthosebroadboulevardsinthesunlight;ortoseeMaCostasbroadarms,tosmellthefriendlysmellsoffleshandcookingthatenfoldedyouinherpresence....
Shefoundherselfg,withtearsthatfrozealmostassoonastheyformed,andwhichshehadtobrushaainfully.Shewasshtened.Bears,whodidntcry,couldntuandwhateningtoher;itwassomehumanprocess,meaningless.AndofcoursePantalaimoncouldntfortherashenormallywould,thoughshekeptherhandinherpocketfirmlyaroundhiswarmlittlemouse-form,andhenuzzledatherfingers.
Besideher,thesmithsweremakingthefinaladjustmentstolofurRaknisonsarmor.Herearedlikeagreatmetaltower,shininginpolishedsteel,thesmoothplatesinlaidwithwiresofgold;hishelmetenclosedtheupperpartofhisheadinaglisteningcarapaceofsilver-gray,withdeepeyeslits;andtheundersideofhisbodyrotectedbyaclose-fittingsarkofmail.ItwaswhehisthatLyrarealizedthatshehadbetrayedlorekByrnison,forlorekhadnothinglikeit.Hisarmorprotectedonlyhisbadsides.ShelookedatlofurRaknison,sosleekandpowerful,aadeepsiessinher,likeguiltandfearbined.
Shesaid“Excuseme,YourMajesty,ifyourememberwhatIsaidtoyoubefore...”
Hershakingvoicefeltthinandweakintheair.lofurRaknisonturnedhismightyhead,distractedfromthetargetthreebearswereholdingupinfrontforhimtoslashatwithhisperfectclaws.
“Yes?Yes?”
“Remember,IsaidIdbettergoaolorekByrnisonfirst,aend—”
Butbeforeshecouldevenfinishhersenteherewasaroarfromthebearsochtower.Theothersallknewwhatitmeantandtookitupwithatriumphaement.Theyhadseenlorek.
“Please?”Lyrasaidurgently.“Illfoolhim,youllsee.”
“Yes.Yes.Gonow.Goandencehim!”
lofurRaknisonwashardlyabletospeakfeaement.
Lyralefthissideandwalkedacrossthebatground,bareandclearasitwas,leavitlefootprintsinthesnow,andthebearsonthefarsidepartedtoletherthrough.Astheirgreatbodieslumberedaside,thehorizonopened,gloomyinthepallorofthelight.WherewaslorekByrnison?Shecouldseenothing;butthechtowerwashigh,andtheycouldseewhatwasstillhiddenfromher.Allshecoulddowaswalkforwardinthesnow.
Hesawherbeforeshesawhim.Therewasaboundingandaheavykofmetal,andinaflurryofsnowlorekByrnisonstoodbesideher.
“Oh,lorek!Ivedoerriblething!Mydear,yoingtohavetofightlofurRaknison,andyouentready—youretiredandhungry,andyourarmors—”
“Whatterriblething?”
“Itoldhimyouwasing,becauseIreaditonthesymbolreader;andhesdesperatetobelikeapersonandhaveadaemon,justdesperate.SoItrickedhimintothinkingthatIwasyourdaemon,andIwasgoingtodesertyouandbehisinstead,buthehadtofightyoutomakeithappen.Becauseotherwise,lorek,dear,theydyoufight,theyweregoingtojustburnyouupbeforeyougotclose—”
“YoutrickedlofurRaknison?”
“Yes.Imadehimagreethathedfightyouinsteadofjustkillingyhtofflikeanoutcast,andthewinnerwouldbekingofthebears.Ihadtodothat,because—”
“Belacqua?No.YouareLyraSilvertongue,”hesaid.“TofighthimisallIwant.
e,littledaemon.”
ShelookedatlorekByrnisoninhisbatteredarmor,leanandferocious,aasifherheartwouldburstwithpride.
Theywalkedtogethertowardthemassivehulkoflofurspalace,wherethebatgroundlayflatahefootofthewalls.Bearsclusteredatthebattlements,whitefacesfilledeverywindow,andtheirheavyformsstoodlikeadensewallofmistywhiteahead,markedwiththeblackdotsofeyesandnoses.
Theonesmovedaside,makingtwolinesforlorekByrnisonandhisdaemontowalkbetween.Everybearseyeswerefixedonthem.
lorekhaltedacrossthebatgroundfromlofurRaknison.Thekingcamedownfromtheriseoftroddensnow,awobearsfacedeachotherseveralyardsapart.
Lyrawassoclosetolorekthatshecouldfeelatremblinginhimlikeagreatdynamo,geingmightyanbaricforces.Shetouchedhimbrieflyonthetheedgeofhishelmetandsaid,“Fightwell,lorekmydear.Youretherealking,a.Hesnothing.”
Theoodback.
“Bears!”lorekByrnisonroared.Anechbathepalacewallsandstartledbirdsoutoftheirs.Hewenton:“Thetermsofthisbatarethese.IflofurRaknisonkillsme,thenhewillbekingforever,safefromchallengeordispute.IfIkilllofurRaknison,Ishallbey.Myfirstordertoyouallwillbetoteardoalace,thatperfumedhouseofmockeryandtinsel,andhurlthegoldandmarbleintothesea.Ironisbear-metal.Goldisnot.
lofurRaknisonhaspollutedSvalbard.Ihaveetoseit.lofurRaknison,Ichallengeyou.”
Thenlofurboundedforortwo,asifhecouldhardlyholdhimselfback.
“Bears!”heroaredinhisturn.“lorekByrnisonhasebackatmyinvitation.
Idrewhimhere.Itisformetomakethetermsofthisbat,andtheyarethese:ifIkilllorekByrnison,hisfleshshallbetornapartandscatteredtothecliff-ghasts.Hisheadshallbedisplayedabovemypalace.Hismemoryshallbeobliterated.Itshallbeacapitalcrimetospeakhisname....”
Hetinued,andtheneachbearspokeagain.Itwasaformula,aritualfaithfullyfollowed.Lyralookedatthetwoofthem,soutterlydifferent:llossyandpowerful,immenseinhisstrengthah,splendidlyarmored,proudandkinglike;andloreksmaller,thoughshehadhoughthewouldlooksmall,andpoorlyequipped,hisarmorrustyaed.Buthisarmorwashissoul.Hehadmadeitanditfittedhim.Theywereone.lofurwasnottentwithhisarmor;hewantedanothersoulaswell.Hewasrestlesswhilelorekwasstill.
Andshewasawarethatalltheotherbearsweremakingtheparisontoo.Butlorekandlofurweremorethanjusttwobears.Thereweretwokindsofbeardomopposedhere,twofutures,twodestinies.lofurhadbeguntotaketheminonedire,andlorekwouldtaketheminanother,andinthesamemoment,ourewouldcloseforeverastheantounfold.
Astheirritualbatmovedtowardthesedphase,thetwantoprowlrestlesslyonthesnow,edgingforward,swingingtheirheads.Therewasnotafliovementfromthespectators:butalleyesfollowedthem.
Finallythewarriorswerestillandsilent,watgeachotherfacetofaceacrossthewidthofthebatground.
Thenwitharoarandablurofsnowbothbearsmovedatthesamemoment.Liketwogreatmassesofrockbalanadjoiningpeaksandshakenloosebyahquake,whichbounddownthemountaiheringspeed,leapingovercrevassesandknogtreesintosplinters,untiltheycrashintoeachothersohardthatbotharesmashedtopowderandflyingchipsofstohatwashowthetwobearscametogether.Thecrashastheymetresouhestillairandechoedbathepalacewall.Buttheywereroyed,asrockwouldhavebeehfellaside,andthefirsttorisewaslorek.Hetwistedupinalithespringandgrappledwithlofur,whosearmorhadbeendamagedbythecollisionandwhocouldnteasilyraisehishead.lorekmadeatohevulnerablegapathisneck.Herakedthewhitefur,andthenhookedhisclawsbeheedgeoflofurshelmetandwreforward.
Sensingthedanger,lofursnarledandshookhimselfasLyrahadseenlorekshakehimselfatthewatersedge,sendisofwaterflyinghighintotheair.
Andlorekfellaway,dislodged,andwithascreechoftwistiallofurstooduptall,straightenieelofhisbackplatesbysheerstrength.Thenlikeanavalanchehehurledhimselfdownonlorek,whowasstilltryingtorise.
Lyrafeltherowhkofherbytheforceofthatcrashingfall.
Certainlytheverygroundshookbehher.Howcouldloreksurvivethat?Hewasstrugglingtotwisthimselfandgainapurchaseontheground,buthisfeetwereuppermost,andlofurhadfixedhisteethsomewherenearloreksthroat.
Dropsofhotbloodwereflyingthroughtheair:onelandedonLyrasfurs,andshepressedherhandtoitlikeatokenoflove.
Thenloreksrearclawsdugintothelinksoflofurs-mailsarkandrippeddownward.Thewholefrontcameaway,andlofurlurchedsidewaystolookatthedamage,leavinglorektoscrambleuprightagain.
Foramomewobearsstoodapart,gettingtheirbreathback.lofurerednowbythatmail,becausefromaproteithadgedallatooahindrawasstillfastehebottom,andtrailedaroundhisrearlegs.However,lorekwasworseoff.Hewasbleedingfreelyfromawoundathisnedpantingheavily.
Butheleapedatlofurbeforethekingcoulddisentanglehimselffromthegingmail,andknockedhimheadoverheels,followingupwithaluhebarepartoflofursneck,wheretheedgeofthehelmetwasbent.lofurthrewhimoff,ahetwobearswereateachain,throwingupfountainsofsnorayedinalldiresandsometimesmadeithardtoseewhohadtheadvantage.
Lyrawatched,hardlydaringtobreathe,andsqueezingherhandstogethersotightithurt.Shethoughtshesawlofurtearingatawoundinloreksbelly,butthatcouldntberight,becauseamomentlater,afteranothervulsiveexplosionofsnow,bothbearswerestandinguprightlikeboxers,andlorekwasslashingwithmightyclawsatlofursface,withlofurhittingbackjustassavagely.
Lyratrembledattheweightofthoseblows.Asifagiantwereswingingasledgehammer,andthathammerwerearmedwithfivesteelspikes...
Irongedonirohcrashedoh,breathroaredharshly,feetthuhehard-packedground.Thesnowaroundlashedwithredandtroddendownforyardsintoacrimsonmud.
lofursarmorwasinapitifulstatebythistime,theplatestornanddistorted,thegoldinlaytornoutorsmearedthicklywithblood,andhishelmetgoogether.lorekswasinmuchbetterdition,forallitsugliness:
dented,butintact,standingupfarbettertothegreatsledgehammerblowsofthebear-king,andturningasidethosebrutalsix-inchclaws.
Butagainstthat,lofurwasbiggerandstrohanlorek,andlorekwaswearyandhungry,andhadlostmoreblood.Hewaswouhebelly,onbotharms,andattheneck,whereaslofurwasbleedingonlyfromhislowerjaw.Lyraloohelpherdearfriend,butwhatcouldshedo?
Anditwasgoingbadlyforloreknow.Hewaslimping;everytimeheputhisleftforepawontheground,theycouldseethatithardlyborehisweight.Heneverusedittostrikewith,andtheblowsfromhisrighthandwerefeebler,too,almostlittlepatsparedwiththemightycrushingbuffetsheddeliveredonlyafewminutesbefore.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Butoccasionallytherecamecircumstanwhichtheonlywayofsettlingadisputewasafighttothedeath.Andforthat,awholeceremonialrescribed.
AssoonaslofurannouhatlorekByrnisonwasonhisway,andabatwouldtakeplace,thebatgroundwassweptandsmoothed,andarmorerscameupfromthefiremiochecklofursarmor.Everyrivetwasexamined,everylied,aeswereburhthefisand.Justasmuchattentionaidtohisclaws.Thegoldleafwasrubbedoff,andeachseparatesix-inchhookwassharpenedandfiledtoadeadlypoint.Lyrawatchedwithagrowingsiessiofherstomach,forlorekByrnisonwouldntbehavingthisattention;hehadbeenmargovertheicefornearlytwenty-fourhoursalreadywithoutrestorfood;hemighthavebeenihecrash.Andshehadlethiminforthisfightwithouthisknowledge.Atonepoint,afterlofurRaknisonhadtestedthesharpnessofhisclawsonafresh-killedwalrus,sligitsskinopenlikepaper,andthepowerofhiscrashingblowsonthewalrussskull(twoblows,anditwascrackedlikeanegg),Lyrahadtomakeanexcusetoloawaybyherselftoweepwithfear.
EvenPantalaimon,whocouldnormallycheerherup,hadlittletosaythateful.Allshecoulddowassultthealethiometer:heisanhouraway,ittoldher,andagaitrusthim;and(thiswashardertoread)sheeventhoughtitwasrebukingherforaskingthesamequestiontwice.
Bythistime,wordhadspreadamongthebears,andeverypartofthebatgroundwascrowded.Bearsofhighrankhadthebestplaces,andthereecialenclosurefortheshe-bears,including,ofcourse,lofurswives.Lyrarofoundlycuriousaboutshe-bears,becausesheknewsolittleaboutthem,butthiswasnotimetowanderaboutaskiions.InsteadshestayedclosetolofurRaknisonandwatchedthecourtiersaroundhimasserttheirraheonbearsfromoutside,andtriedtoguessthemeaningofthevariousplumesandbadgesandtokenstheyallseemedtowear.Someofthehighest-ranking,shesaw,carriedlittlemanikinslikel-dolldaemtocurryfavor,perhaps,byimitatingthefashionhedbegun.Shewassardonicallypleasedtonoticethatwhentheysawthatlofurhaddiscardedhis,theydidntknowwhattodowiththeirs.Shouldtheythrowthemaway?Weretheyoutoffavornow?Howshouldtheybehave?
{Becausethatwastheprevailingmoodinhiscourt,shewasbeginningtosee.
Theywerentsurewhattheywere.TheywerentlikelorekByrnison,pureaainandabsolute;therewasastantpallofuaintyhangihem,astheywatchedoherandwatchedlofur.
Achedher,withopencuriosity.Sheremainedmodestlyclosetolofurandsaidnothing,lhereyeswheneverabearlookedather.
Thefoghadliftedbythistime,andtheairwasclear;andascewouldhaveit,thebriefliftingofdarkowardnooncidedwiththetimeLyrathoughtlorekwasgoingtoarrive.Asshestoodshiveringonalittleriseofdense-packedsnowattheedgeofthebatground,shelookeduptowardthefaintlightnessinthesky,andlohallherhearttoseeaflightedelegantblackshapesdesdingtobearheraway;ortoseetheAurorashiddencity,whereshewouldbeabletowalksafelyalongthosebroadboulevardsinthesunlight;ortoseeMaCostasbroadarms,tosmellthefriendlysmellsoffleshandcookingthatenfoldedyouinherpresence....
Shefoundherselfg,withtearsthatfrozealmostassoonastheyformed,andwhichshehadtobrushaainfully.Shewasshtened.Bears,whodidntcry,couldntuandwhateningtoher;itwassomehumanprocess,meaningless.AndofcoursePantalaimoncouldntfortherashenormallywould,thoughshekeptherhandinherpocketfirmlyaroundhiswarmlittlemouse-form,andhenuzzledatherfingers.
Besideher,thesmithsweremakingthefinaladjustmentstolofurRaknisonsarmor.Herearedlikeagreatmetaltower,shininginpolishedsteel,thesmoothplatesinlaidwithwiresofgold;hishelmetenclosedtheupperpartofhisheadinaglisteningcarapaceofsilver-gray,withdeepeyeslits;andtheundersideofhisbodyrotectedbyaclose-fittingsarkofmail.ItwaswhehisthatLyrarealizedthatshehadbetrayedlorekByrnison,forlorekhadnothinglikeit.Hisarmorprotectedonlyhisbadsides.ShelookedatlofurRaknison,sosleekandpowerful,aadeepsiessinher,likeguiltandfearbined.
Shesaid“Excuseme,YourMajesty,ifyourememberwhatIsaidtoyoubefore...”
Hershakingvoicefeltthinandweakintheair.lofurRaknisonturnedhismightyhead,distractedfromthetargetthreebearswereholdingupinfrontforhimtoslashatwithhisperfectclaws.
“Yes?Yes?”
“Remember,IsaidIdbettergoaolorekByrnisonfirst,aend—”
Butbeforeshecouldevenfinishhersenteherewasaroarfromthebearsochtower.Theothersallknewwhatitmeantandtookitupwithatriumphaement.Theyhadseenlorek.
“Please?”Lyrasaidurgently.“Illfoolhim,youllsee.”
“Yes.Yes.Gonow.Goandencehim!”
lofurRaknisonwashardlyabletospeakfeaement.
Lyralefthissideandwalkedacrossthebatground,bareandclearasitwas,leavitlefootprintsinthesnow,andthebearsonthefarsidepartedtoletherthrough.Astheirgreatbodieslumberedaside,thehorizonopened,gloomyinthepallorofthelight.WherewaslorekByrnison?Shecouldseenothing;butthechtowerwashigh,andtheycouldseewhatwasstillhiddenfromher.Allshecoulddowaswalkforwardinthesnow.
Hesawherbeforeshesawhim.Therewasaboundingandaheavykofmetal,andinaflurryofsnowlorekByrnisonstoodbesideher.
“Oh,lorek!Ivedoerriblething!Mydear,yoingtohavetofightlofurRaknison,andyouentready—youretiredandhungry,andyourarmors—”
“Whatterriblething?”
“Itoldhimyouwasing,becauseIreaditonthesymbolreader;andhesdesperatetobelikeapersonandhaveadaemon,justdesperate.SoItrickedhimintothinkingthatIwasyourdaemon,andIwasgoingtodesertyouandbehisinstead,buthehadtofightyoutomakeithappen.Becauseotherwise,lorek,dear,theydyoufight,theyweregoingtojustburnyouupbeforeyougotclose—”
“YoutrickedlofurRaknison?”
“Yes.Imadehimagreethathedfightyouinsteadofjustkillingyhtofflikeanoutcast,andthewinnerwouldbekingofthebears.Ihadtodothat,because—”
“Belacqua?No.YouareLyraSilvertongue,”hesaid.“TofighthimisallIwant.
e,littledaemon.”
ShelookedatlorekByrnisoninhisbatteredarmor,leanandferocious,aasifherheartwouldburstwithpride.
Theywalkedtogethertowardthemassivehulkoflofurspalace,wherethebatgroundlayflatahefootofthewalls.Bearsclusteredatthebattlements,whitefacesfilledeverywindow,andtheirheavyformsstoodlikeadensewallofmistywhiteahead,markedwiththeblackdotsofeyesandnoses.
Theonesmovedaside,makingtwolinesforlorekByrnisonandhisdaemontowalkbetween.Everybearseyeswerefixedonthem.
lorekhaltedacrossthebatgroundfromlofurRaknison.Thekingcamedownfromtheriseoftroddensnow,awobearsfacedeachotherseveralyardsapart.
Lyrawassoclosetolorekthatshecouldfeelatremblinginhimlikeagreatdynamo,geingmightyanbaricforces.Shetouchedhimbrieflyonthetheedgeofhishelmetandsaid,“Fightwell,lorekmydear.Youretherealking,a.Hesnothing.”
Theoodback.
“Bears!”lorekByrnisonroared.Anechbathepalacewallsandstartledbirdsoutoftheirs.Hewenton:“Thetermsofthisbatarethese.IflofurRaknisonkillsme,thenhewillbekingforever,safefromchallengeordispute.IfIkilllofurRaknison,Ishallbey.Myfirstordertoyouallwillbetoteardoalace,thatperfumedhouseofmockeryandtinsel,andhurlthegoldandmarbleintothesea.Ironisbear-metal.Goldisnot.
lofurRaknisonhaspollutedSvalbard.Ihaveetoseit.lofurRaknison,Ichallengeyou.”
Thenlofurboundedforortwo,asifhecouldhardlyholdhimselfback.
“Bears!”heroaredinhisturn.“lorekByrnisonhasebackatmyinvitation.
Idrewhimhere.Itisformetomakethetermsofthisbat,andtheyarethese:ifIkilllorekByrnison,hisfleshshallbetornapartandscatteredtothecliff-ghasts.Hisheadshallbedisplayedabovemypalace.Hismemoryshallbeobliterated.Itshallbeacapitalcrimetospeakhisname....”
Hetinued,andtheneachbearspokeagain.Itwasaformula,aritualfaithfullyfollowed.Lyralookedatthetwoofthem,soutterlydifferent:llossyandpowerful,immenseinhisstrengthah,splendidlyarmored,proudandkinglike;andloreksmaller,thoughshehadhoughthewouldlooksmall,andpoorlyequipped,hisarmorrustyaed.Buthisarmorwashissoul.Hehadmadeitanditfittedhim.Theywereone.lofurwasnottentwithhisarmor;hewantedanothersoulaswell.Hewasrestlesswhilelorekwasstill.
Andshewasawarethatalltheotherbearsweremakingtheparisontoo.Butlorekandlofurweremorethanjusttwobears.Thereweretwokindsofbeardomopposedhere,twofutures,twodestinies.lofurhadbeguntotaketheminonedire,andlorekwouldtaketheminanother,andinthesamemoment,ourewouldcloseforeverastheantounfold.
Astheirritualbatmovedtowardthesedphase,thetwantoprowlrestlesslyonthesnow,edgingforward,swingingtheirheads.Therewasnotafliovementfromthespectators:butalleyesfollowedthem.
Finallythewarriorswerestillandsilent,watgeachotherfacetofaceacrossthewidthofthebatground.
Thenwitharoarandablurofsnowbothbearsmovedatthesamemoment.Liketwogreatmassesofrockbalanadjoiningpeaksandshakenloosebyahquake,whichbounddownthemountaiheringspeed,leapingovercrevassesandknogtreesintosplinters,untiltheycrashintoeachothersohardthatbotharesmashedtopowderandflyingchipsofstohatwashowthetwobearscametogether.Thecrashastheymetresouhestillairandechoedbathepalacewall.Buttheywereroyed,asrockwouldhavebeehfellaside,andthefirsttorisewaslorek.Hetwistedupinalithespringandgrappledwithlofur,whosearmorhadbeendamagedbythecollisionandwhocouldnteasilyraisehishead.lorekmadeatohevulnerablegapathisneck.Herakedthewhitefur,andthenhookedhisclawsbeheedgeoflofurshelmetandwreforward.
Sensingthedanger,lofursnarledandshookhimselfasLyrahadseenlorekshakehimselfatthewatersedge,sendisofwaterflyinghighintotheair.
Andlorekfellaway,dislodged,andwithascreechoftwistiallofurstooduptall,straightenieelofhisbackplatesbysheerstrength.Thenlikeanavalanchehehurledhimselfdownonlorek,whowasstilltryingtorise.
Lyrafeltherowhkofherbytheforceofthatcrashingfall.
Certainlytheverygroundshookbehher.Howcouldloreksurvivethat?Hewasstrugglingtotwisthimselfandgainapurchaseontheground,buthisfeetwereuppermost,andlofurhadfixedhisteethsomewherenearloreksthroat.
Dropsofhotbloodwereflyingthroughtheair:onelandedonLyrasfurs,andshepressedherhandtoitlikeatokenoflove.
Thenloreksrearclawsdugintothelinksoflofurs-mailsarkandrippeddownward.Thewholefrontcameaway,andlofurlurchedsidewaystolookatthedamage,leavinglorektoscrambleuprightagain.
Foramomewobearsstoodapart,gettingtheirbreathback.lofurerednowbythatmail,becausefromaproteithadgedallatooahindrawasstillfastehebottom,andtrailedaroundhisrearlegs.However,lorekwasworseoff.Hewasbleedingfreelyfromawoundathisnedpantingheavily.
Butheleapedatlofurbeforethekingcoulddisentanglehimselffromthegingmail,andknockedhimheadoverheels,followingupwithaluhebarepartoflofursneck,wheretheedgeofthehelmetwasbent.lofurthrewhimoff,ahetwobearswereateachain,throwingupfountainsofsnorayedinalldiresandsometimesmadeithardtoseewhohadtheadvantage.
Lyrawatched,hardlydaringtobreathe,andsqueezingherhandstogethersotightithurt.Shethoughtshesawlofurtearingatawoundinloreksbelly,butthatcouldntberight,becauseamomentlater,afteranothervulsiveexplosionofsnow,bothbearswerestandinguprightlikeboxers,andlorekwasslashingwithmightyclawsatlofursface,withlofurhittingbackjustassavagely.
Lyratrembledattheweightofthoseblows.Asifagiantwereswingingasledgehammer,andthathammerwerearmedwithfivesteelspikes...
Irongedonirohcrashedoh,breathroaredharshly,feetthuhehard-packedground.Thesnowaroundlashedwithredandtroddendownforyardsintoacrimsonmud.
lofursarmorwasinapitifulstatebythistime,theplatestornanddistorted,thegoldinlaytornoutorsmearedthicklywithblood,andhishelmetgoogether.lorekswasinmuchbetterdition,forallitsugliness:
dented,butintact,standingupfarbettertothegreatsledgehammerblowsofthebear-king,andturningasidethosebrutalsix-inchclaws.
Butagainstthat,lofurwasbiggerandstrohanlorek,andlorekwaswearyandhungry,andhadlostmoreblood.Hewaswouhebelly,onbotharms,andattheneck,whereaslofurwasbleedingonlyfromhislowerjaw.Lyraloohelpherdearfriend,butwhatcouldshedo?
Anditwasgoingbadlyforloreknow.Hewaslimping;everytimeheputhisleftforepawontheground,theycouldseethatithardlyborehisweight.Heneverusedittostrikewith,andtheblowsfromhisrighthandwerefeebler,too,almostlittlepatsparedwiththemightycrushingbuffetsheddeliveredonlyafewminutesbefore.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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