TWENTY-EIGHT - MIDNIGHT
LordAsrielsaid,"Marisa,.Wereabouttoland."
Ablusterydawnwasbreakihebasaltfortressastheiioncraftflewinfromthesouth.Mrs.Coulter,soreasick,openedhereyes;shehadnotbeenasleep.ShecouldseetheangelXaphaniaglidingabovethelandingground,andthenrisingandwheelinguptothetowerasthecraftmadefortheramparts.
Assoonasthecrafthadlanded,LordAsrielleaptoutandrantojoinKingOguhewesternwatchtnMrs.Coultereheteiswhocameatotendtotheflyingmaetooknonoticeofher,either;nooionedheraboutthelossoftheaircraftshedstolen;itwasasifshedbeeinvisible.Shemadeherwaysadlyuptotheroomintheadamanttower,wheretheorderlyofferedthersomefoodandcoffee.
"Whateveryouhave,"shesaid."Andthankyou.Oh,bytheway,"shewentonasthemanturogo:"LordAsrielsalethiometrist,Mr...."
"Mr.Basilides?"
"Yes.Ishefreetoehereforamoment?"
"Heswwithhisbooksatthemoment,maam.Illaskhimtostepupherewhenhe."
Shewashedandgedintotheoneshirtshehadleft.Thecoldwindthatshookthewindowsandthegraymlightmadehershiver.Sheputsomemorecoalsontheironstove,hopingitwouldstophertrembling,butthecoldwasinherbones,notjustherflesh.
Tenmiertherewasaknothedoor.Thepale,dark-eyedalethiometrist,withhisnightingaledaemononhisshoulder,cameinandbowedslightly.Amomentlatertheorderlyarrivedwithatrayofbread,cheese,andcoffee,andMrs.Coultersaid:
"Thankyouforing,Mr.Basilides.MayIofferyousomerefreshment?"
"Iwilltakesomecoffee,thankyou."
"Pleasetellme,"shesaidassoonasshedpouredthedrink,"becauseImsureyouvebeenfollowingwhatshappened:ismydaughteralive?"
Hehesitated.Thegoldenmonkeyclutchedherarm,
"Sheisalive,"saidBasilidescarefully,"butalso..."
"Yes?Oh,please,whatdoyoumean?"
"Sheisintheworldofthedead.ForsometimeIcouldnotinterpretwhattheinstrumentwastelliseemedimpossible.Butthereisnodoubt.Sheandtheboyhavegootheworldofthedead,andtheyhaveopenedawayfhoststoeout.Assoonasthedeadreachtheopen,theydissolveastheirdaemonsdid,anditseemsthatthisisthemostsweetanddesirableendforthem.Ahiometertellsmethatthegirldidthisbecausesheoverheardaprophecythattherewouldeaodeath,ahoughtthatthiswasataskforhertoaplish.Asaresult,thereisnowawayoutoftheworldofthedead."
Mrs.Coultercouldntspeak.Shehadtoturnawayandgotothewindowtocealtheemotiononherface.Finallyshesaid:
"Andwillsheeoutalive?,Butno,Iknowyoutpredict.Isshe,howisshe,hasshe..."
"Sheissuffering,sheisinpain,sheisafraid.Butshehasthepanionshipoftheboy,andofthetwoGallivespianspies,andtheyarestillalltogether."
"Andthebomb?"
"Thebombdidnothurther."
Mrs.Coulterfeltsuddenlyexhausted.Shewahingmorethantoliedownandsleepformonths,foryears.Outside,theflagropesnappedandclatteredinthewind,andtherookscawedastheywheeledaroundtheramparts.
"Thankyou,sir,"shesaid,turningbacktothereader."Imverygrateful.Pleasewouldyouletmeknowifyoudiscoveranythingmoreabouther,orwheresheis,orwhatshesdoing?"
Themanboweda.Mrs.Coulterwenttoliedownonthecampbed,buttryasshewould,shecouldntkeephereyesclosed.
"Whatdoyoumakeofthat,King?"saidLordAsriel.
Hewaslookingthroughthewatchtowertelescopeatsomethingiernsky.Ithadtheappearanountainhangingintheskyahandsbreadthabovethehorizon,andcoveredincloud.Itwasaverylongwayoff,sofar,infact,thatitwasnobiggerthanathumbnailheldoutatarmslength.Butithadheref,andithungthereabsolutelystill.
Theteleschtitcloser,buttherewasnomoredetail:cloudstilllookslikecloudhowevermuchitsmagnified.
"TheCloudedMountain,"saidOgunwe."Or,whatdotheycallit?TheChariot?"
"WiththeRegentatthereins.Hescealedhimselfwell,thisMetatron.Theyspeakofhimintheapocryphalscriptures:hewasamanonce,amancalledEnoch,thesonofJared,sixgeionsawayfromAdam.AndnowherulestheKingdom.Aendingtodomorethanthat,ifthataheyfoundbythesulphurlakewascorrect,theonewhoeheCloudedMountaintospy.Ifhewinsthisbattle,heiointervenedirectlyinhumanlife.Imagi,OgunermaInquisition,worsethananythingthesistorialCourtofDisciplinecoulddreamup,staffedbyspiesandtraitorsineveryworldanddirectedpersonallybytheintelligeskeepingthatmountainaloft...TheoldAuthorityatleasthadthegracetowithdraw;thedirtyworkheretidhangingwitcheswaslefttohispriests.Thisnewonewillbefar,farworse."
"Well,hesbegunbyinvadingtheRepublic,"saidOgunwe."Look,isthatsmoke?"
AdriftofgraywasleavingtheCloudedMountain,aslowlyspreadingsmudgeagainstthebluesky.Butitcouldnthavebeensmoke:itwasdriftingagainstthewindthattoreattheclouds.
Thekingputhisfieldglassestohiseyesandsawwhatitwas."Angels,"hesaid.
LordAsrielcameawayfromthetelescopeandstoodup,handshadinghiseyes.Inhundreds,ahousands,andtensofthousands,untilhalfthatpartoftheskywasdarkeheminutefiguresflewandflewaoning.LordAsrielhadseenthebillion-strongflocksofbluestarlingsthatwheeledatsuaroundthepalaceoftheEmper-Po,buthehadneverseensovastamultitudeinallhislife.Theflyingbeingsgatheredthemselvesareamedawayslowly,slowly,tothenorthah.
"Ah!Andwhatsthat?"saidLordAsriel,pointing."Thatsnotthewind."
Thecloudwasswirlingohernflankofthemountain,andlongtatteredbannersofvaporstreamedoutinthepowerfulwinds.ButLordAsrielwasright:themovementwasingfromwithin,notfromtheairoutside.Thecloudroiledandtumbled,apartedforased.
Therewasmorethanamountainthere,buttheyonlysawitforamoment;ahecloudswirledback,asifdrawnacrossbyanunseenhand,tocealitagain.
KingOgudownhisfieldglasses.
"Thatsnotamountain,"hesaid."Isawgunemplats..."
"SodidI.Awholeplexityofthings.heseeoutthroughthecloud,Iwonder?Insomeworlds,theyhavemaestodothat.Butasforhisarmy,ifthoseangelsarealltheyvegot...”
Thekinggaveabriefexclamation,halfofastonishment,halfofdespair.LordAsrielturnedandgrippedhisarmwithfihatallbutbruisedhimtothebone.
"Theyhaventgotthis!"hesaid,andshookOgunwesarmviolently."TheyhaventgotZesh!"
Helaidhishandagainsthisfriendsroughcheek.
"Fewasweare,"hewenton,"andshort-livedasweare,andweak-sightedasweare,inparisonwiththem,werestillstroheyenvyus,Oguhatswhatfuelstheirhatred,Imsureofit.Theylongtohaveourpreciousbodies,sosolidandpowerful,sowell-adaptedtothegoodearth!Andifwedriveatthemwithforddetermination,wesweepasidethoseinfinitenumbersasyousweepyourhandthroughmist.Theyhavenomorepowerthanthat!"
"Asriel,theyhavealliesfromathousandworlds,livingbeingslikeus."
"Weshallwin."
"Andsupposehessentthoseaolookforyhter?"
"Mydaughter!"criedLordAsriel,exulting."Isntitsomethingtachildlikethatintotheworld?Youdthinkitwasenoughtogoalohekingofthearmoredbearsandtrickhiskingdomoutofhispaws,buttogodownintotheworldofthedeadandcalmlyletthemallout!Andthatboy;Iwanttomeetthatboy;Iwanttoshakehishand.Didweknoeweretakingonwheartedthisrebellion?No.Butdidtheyknow,theAuthorityandhisRegent,thisMetatron,didtheyknowwhattheyweretakingonwhenmydaughtergotinvolved?"
"LordAsriel,"saidtheking,"doyouuandherimportahefuture?"
"Frankly,no.ThatswhyIwanttoseeBasilides.Wheredidhego?"
"TotheLadyCoulter.Butthemaniswornout;heoreuntilhesrested."
"Heshouldhaverestedbefore.Sendforhim,wouldyou?Oh,onemorething:pleaseaskMadameOxeoetothetowerassoonasitsve.Imustgivehermydolences."
MadameOxentielhadbeentheGallivespianssed-in-and.NowshewouldhavetotakeoverLordRokesresponsibilities.KingOgunwebowedahisandersingthegrayhorizon.
Allthroughthatdaythearmyassembled.AngelsofLordAsrielsforceflewhighovertheCloudedMountain,lookingforanopening,butwithoutsuccess.Nothingged;nelsflewoutorinward;thehighwindstoreattheclouds,andthecloudsendlesslyrehemselves,nevenforased.Thesuncrossedthecoldblueskyandthenmoveddowntothesouthwest,gildingthecloudsandtintingthevaporaroundthemountaineveryshadeofcreamandscarlet,ofapride.Whenthesunsank,thecloudsglowedfaintlyfromwithin.
WarriorswerenowinplaeveryworldwhereLordAsrielsrebellionhadsupporters;meidartificerswerefuelingaircraft,loadingons,andcalibratingsightsandmeasures.Asthedarknesscame,somewelereinfortsarrived.Paddingsilentlyoverthecoldgroundfromthenorth,separately,singly,cameanumberofarmoredhears,alargenumber,andamongthemwastheirking.Notlongafterward,therearrivedthefirstofseveralwitchs,thesoundoftheairthroughtheirpinebrancheswhisperinginthedarkskyforalongtime.
Alongtheplaintothesouthoftheflimmeredthousandsoflights,markingthecampsofthosewhohadarrivedfromfaroff.Fartheraway,inallfourersofthepass,flightsofspy-angelscruisedtirelessly,keepingwatch.
Atmidnightintheadamanttower,LordAsrielsatindiscussionwithKingOguheangelXaphania,MadameOxeheGallivespian,andTeukrosBasilides.Thealethiometristhadjustfinishedspeaking,andLordAsrielstoodup,crossedtothewindow,andlookedoutatthedistantglowoftheCloudedMountainhangingiernsky.Theothersweresilent;theyhadjustheardsomethingthathadmadeLordAsrielturremble,andhemquiteknewhowtorespond.
FinallyLordAsrielspoke.
"Mr.Basilides,"hesaid,"youmustbeveryfatigued.Iamgratefulforallyourefforts.Pleasetakesomewihus."
"Thankyou,mylord,"saidthereader.
Hishandswereshaking.KingOgunwepouredthegoldenTokayandhandedhimtheglass.
"Whatwillthismean,LordAsriel?"saidtheclearvoiadameOxentiel.
LordAsrielcamebacktothetable.
"Well,"hesaid,"itwillmeanthatwhenwejoinbattle,weshallhaveanewobjective.Mydaughterandthisboyhavebeeseparatedfromtheirdaemons,somehow,andmaosurvive;andtheirdaemonsaresomewhereinthisworld,correctmeifImsummarizingwrongly,Mr.Basilides,theirdaemohisworld,aronisioncapturingthem.Ifhecapturestheirdaemons,thechildrenwillhaveto
follow;andifhetrolthosetwochildreureishis,forever.Ourtaskisclear:wehavetofindthedaemonsbeforehedoes,ahemsafetillthegirlandtheboyrejointhem."
TheGallivespianleadersaid,"Whatformdotheyhave,thesetwolostdaemons?"
"Theyarefixed,madame,"saidTeukrosBasilides."Theymightbeanyshape."
"So,"saidLordAsriel,"tosumitup:allofus,ourRepublic,thefutureofeverysciousbeing,wealldependonmydaughtersremainingalive,andonkeepingherdaemonandtheboysoutofthehandsofMetatron?"
"Thatisso."
LordAsrielsighed,almostwithsatisfa;itwasasifhedetotheendofalongandplexcalculation,andreachedanahatmadequiteuedsense.
"Verywell,"hesaid,spreadinghishandswideoable."Thenthisiswhatweshalldowhelebegins.KingOgunwe,youwillassumeandofallthearmiesdefendiress.MadameOxentiel,youaretosendyourpeopleoutatooseareverydirefirlandtheboy,awodaemons.Whenyoufindthem,guardthemwithyourlivesuntiltheyetogetheragain.Atthatpoint,Iuand,theboywillbeabletohelpthemescapetoanotherworld,andsafety."
Theladynodded.Herstiffgrayhaircaughtthelamplight,glintinglikestaieel,andthebluehawkshehadiedfromLordRokespreadhiswingsbrieflyonthebracketbythedoor.
"Nohania,"saidLordAsriel."WhatdoyouknowofthisMetatron?Hewasonceaman:doeshestillhavethephysicalstrengthofahumanbeing?"
"HecametoprominengafterIwasexiled,"theangelsaid."Ihaveneverseenhimupclose.ButhewouldnothavebeeodomiheKingdomunlesshewasverystrongirongineveryway.Mostangelswouldavoidfightinghand-to-haronwouldrelishthebat,andwin."
OgunwecouldtellthatLordAsrielhadbeenstruckbyanidea.Hisattentionsuddenlywithdrew,hiseyeslostfocusforaninstant,andthensnappedbaomentwitharachargeofiy.
"Isee,"hesaid."Finally,Xaphania,Mr.Basilidestellsusthattheirbombnotonlyopenedanabyssbelowtheworlds,butalsofracturedthestructureofthingssoprofoundlythattherearefissuresandcrackseverywhere.Somewherenearbytheremustbeawaydowntotheedgeofthatabyss.Iwantyoutolookforit."
"Whatareyougoingtodo?"saidKingOgunweharshly.
"ImgoingtodestroyMetatron.Butmypartisnearlyover.Itsmydaughterwhohastolive,anditsourtasktokeepalltheforcesoftheKingdomawayfromhersothatshehasacetofindherwaytoasaferworld,sheandthatboy,andtheirdaemons."
"AndwhataboutMrs.Coulter?"saidtheking.
LordAsrielpassedahandoverhisforehead.
"Iwouldnothavehertroubled,"hesaid."Leaveheraloneandprotectherifyou.Although...Well,maybeImdoingheraninjustice.Whateverelseshesdone,shesneverfailedtosurpriseme.Butweallknoemustdo,andwhywemustdoit:wehavetoprotectLyrauntilshehasfoundherdaemonandescaped.OurRepublicmighthaveeintobeingforthesolepurposeofhelpihat.Letusdoitaswellaswe."
Mrs.CoulterlayinLordAsrielsbeddoor.Hearingvoitheotherroom,shestirred,forshewasntdeeplyasleep.Shecameoutofhertroubledslumberuneasyandheavywithlonging.
Herdaemonsatupbesideher,butshedidntwanttomoveclosertothedoor;itwassimplythesoundofLordAsrielsvoiceshewaohearratherthananyparticularwords.Shethoughttheywerebothdoomed.Shethoughttheywerealldoomed.
Finallysheheardthedoorclosingiherroomandrousedherselftostandup.
"Asriel,"shesaid,goingthroughintothewarmnaphthalight.
Hisdaemongrowledsoftly;thegoldenmonkeydroppedhisheadlowtopropitiateher.LordAsrielwasrollingupalargemapanddidnotturn.
"Asriel,whatwillhappentousall?"shesaid,takingachair.
Hepressedtheheelsofhishandsintohiseyes.Hisfacewasravagedwithfatigue.Hesatdownaedanelbowoable.Theirdaemonswereverystill,themonkeycrougonthechairback,thesnowleopardsittinguprightaLordAsrielsside,watgMrs.Coulterunblinkingly.
"Youdidnthear?"hesaid.
"Iheardalittle.Icouldntsleep,butIwasntlistening.WhereisLyranow,doesanyoneknow?"
"No."
Hestillhadntansweredherfirstquestion,andhewasntgoingto,andshek.
"Weshouldhavemarried,"shesaid,"andbroughtherupourselves."
Itwassuuedremarkthatheblinked.Hisdaemohesoftestpossiblegrowlatthebackofherthroat,aleddownwithherpawsoutstretchedinthemaheSphinx.Hesaidnothing.
"Ithearthethoughtofoblivion,Asriel,"shetinued."Sooneranythingthanthat.Iusedtothinkpainwouldheworse,tobetorturedforever,Ithoughtthatmustheworse...Butaslongasyouwerescious,itwouldbebetter,wouldntit?Betterthanfeelingnothing,justgoingintothedark,everythinggoingoutforeverandever?"
Hispartwassimplytolisten.Hiseyeswerelockedonhers,andheayingprofoundattention;therewasorespond.Shesaid:
"Theotherday,whenyouspokeabouthersobitterly,andaboutme...Ithoughtyouhatedher.Icoulduandyourhatingme.Iveedyou,butIcoulduand...Icouldseewhyyoumighthateme.ButIcouldntseewhyyouhatedLyra."
Heturnedhisheadawayslowly,andthenlookedback.
"Irememberyousaidsomethingstrange,onSvalbard,onthemountaintop,justbeforeyouleftourworld,"shewenton."Yousaid:ewithme,andwelldestroyDustforever.Youremembersayingthat?Butyoudid.Youmeanttheveryopposite,didntyou?Iseenow.Whydidntyoutellmewhatyouwerereallydoing?WhydidntyoutellmeyouwerereallytryingtopreserveDust?Youcouldhavetoldmethetruth."
"Iwantedyoutoeandjoinme,"hesaid,hisvoicehoarseandquiet,"andIthoughtyouwouldpreferalie."
"Yes,"shewhispered,"thatswhatIthought."
Shecouldntsitstill,butshedidntreallyhavethestrengthtostandup.Foramomefaint,herheadswam,soundsreceded,theroomdarkened,butalmostatoncehersensescamebackeveilesslythanbefore,andnothingiuationhadged.
"Asriel..."shemurmured.
Thegoldenmoatentativehandouttotouchthepawofthesnowleopard.Themanwatchedwithoutaword,andStelmariadidntmove;hereyeswerefixedonMrs.Coulter.
"Oh,Asriel,whatwillhappentous?"Mrs.Coultersaidagain."Isthistheendofeverything?"
Hesaidnothing.
Movinglikesomeoneinadream,shegottoherfeet,pickeduptherucksackthatlayintheeroftheroom,andreachediforherpistol;andwhatshewouldhavedo,nooneknew,becauseatthatmomenttherecamethesoundoffootstepsrunningupthestairs.
Bothmanandwoman,andbothdaemons,turolookattheorderlywhocameinandsaid
breathlessly:
"Excuseme,mylord,thetwodaemons,theyvebeenseen,notfarfromtheeasterheformofcats,thesentrytriedtotalktothem,bringthemitheywouldntenear.Itwasonlyaminuteo..."
LordAsrielsatup,transfigured.Allthefatiguehadbeenwipedoffhisfaamoment.Hesprangtohisfeetandseizedhisgreatcoat.
IgnMrs.Coulter,hefluaroundhisshouldersandsaidtotheorderly:
"TellMadameOxeothisorderout:thedaemoobethreatened,htened,orcoeranyway.Anyohemshouldfirst..."
Mrs.Coulterheardnomoreofwhathewassaying,becausehewasalreadyhalfwaydowairs.Whenhisrunningfootstepshadfaded,too,theonlysouhegentlehissofthenaphthalampandthemoanofthewildwindoutside.
Hereyesfoundtheeyesofherdaemon.Thegoldenmonkeysexpressionwasassubtleandplexasithadeverbeeninalltheirthirty-fiveyearsoflife.
"Verywell,"shesaid."Itseeanyotherway.Ithink...Ithinkwell..."
Hekoshemeant.Heleapttoherbreast,andtheyembraced.Thenshefoundherfur-linedcoat,andtheyveryquietlyleftthechamberandmadetheirwaydownthedarkstairs.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Ablusterydawnwasbreakihebasaltfortressastheiioncraftflewinfromthesouth.Mrs.Coulter,soreasick,openedhereyes;shehadnotbeenasleep.ShecouldseetheangelXaphaniaglidingabovethelandingground,andthenrisingandwheelinguptothetowerasthecraftmadefortheramparts.
Assoonasthecrafthadlanded,LordAsrielleaptoutandrantojoinKingOguhewesternwatchtnMrs.Coultereheteiswhocameatotendtotheflyingmaetooknonoticeofher,either;nooionedheraboutthelossoftheaircraftshedstolen;itwasasifshedbeeinvisible.Shemadeherwaysadlyuptotheroomintheadamanttower,wheretheorderlyofferedthersomefoodandcoffee.
"Whateveryouhave,"shesaid."Andthankyou.Oh,bytheway,"shewentonasthemanturogo:"LordAsrielsalethiometrist,Mr...."
"Mr.Basilides?"
"Yes.Ishefreetoehereforamoment?"
"Heswwithhisbooksatthemoment,maam.Illaskhimtostepupherewhenhe."
Shewashedandgedintotheoneshirtshehadleft.Thecoldwindthatshookthewindowsandthegraymlightmadehershiver.Sheputsomemorecoalsontheironstove,hopingitwouldstophertrembling,butthecoldwasinherbones,notjustherflesh.
Tenmiertherewasaknothedoor.Thepale,dark-eyedalethiometrist,withhisnightingaledaemononhisshoulder,cameinandbowedslightly.Amomentlatertheorderlyarrivedwithatrayofbread,cheese,andcoffee,andMrs.Coultersaid:
"Thankyouforing,Mr.Basilides.MayIofferyousomerefreshment?"
"Iwilltakesomecoffee,thankyou."
"Pleasetellme,"shesaidassoonasshedpouredthedrink,"becauseImsureyouvebeenfollowingwhatshappened:ismydaughteralive?"
Hehesitated.Thegoldenmonkeyclutchedherarm,
"Sheisalive,"saidBasilidescarefully,"butalso..."
"Yes?Oh,please,whatdoyoumean?"
"Sheisintheworldofthedead.ForsometimeIcouldnotinterpretwhattheinstrumentwastelliseemedimpossible.Butthereisnodoubt.Sheandtheboyhavegootheworldofthedead,andtheyhaveopenedawayfhoststoeout.Assoonasthedeadreachtheopen,theydissolveastheirdaemonsdid,anditseemsthatthisisthemostsweetanddesirableendforthem.Ahiometertellsmethatthegirldidthisbecausesheoverheardaprophecythattherewouldeaodeath,ahoughtthatthiswasataskforhertoaplish.Asaresult,thereisnowawayoutoftheworldofthedead."
Mrs.Coultercouldntspeak.Shehadtoturnawayandgotothewindowtocealtheemotiononherface.Finallyshesaid:
"Andwillsheeoutalive?,Butno,Iknowyoutpredict.Isshe,howisshe,hasshe..."
"Sheissuffering,sheisinpain,sheisafraid.Butshehasthepanionshipoftheboy,andofthetwoGallivespianspies,andtheyarestillalltogether."
"Andthebomb?"
"Thebombdidnothurther."
Mrs.Coulterfeltsuddenlyexhausted.Shewahingmorethantoliedownandsleepformonths,foryears.Outside,theflagropesnappedandclatteredinthewind,andtherookscawedastheywheeledaroundtheramparts.
"Thankyou,sir,"shesaid,turningbacktothereader."Imverygrateful.Pleasewouldyouletmeknowifyoudiscoveranythingmoreabouther,orwheresheis,orwhatshesdoing?"
Themanboweda.Mrs.Coulterwenttoliedownonthecampbed,buttryasshewould,shecouldntkeephereyesclosed.
"Whatdoyoumakeofthat,King?"saidLordAsriel.
Hewaslookingthroughthewatchtowertelescopeatsomethingiernsky.Ithadtheappearanountainhangingintheskyahandsbreadthabovethehorizon,andcoveredincloud.Itwasaverylongwayoff,sofar,infact,thatitwasnobiggerthanathumbnailheldoutatarmslength.Butithadheref,andithungthereabsolutelystill.
Theteleschtitcloser,buttherewasnomoredetail:cloudstilllookslikecloudhowevermuchitsmagnified.
"TheCloudedMountain,"saidOgunwe."Or,whatdotheycallit?TheChariot?"
"WiththeRegentatthereins.Hescealedhimselfwell,thisMetatron.Theyspeakofhimintheapocryphalscriptures:hewasamanonce,amancalledEnoch,thesonofJared,sixgeionsawayfromAdam.AndnowherulestheKingdom.Aendingtodomorethanthat,ifthataheyfoundbythesulphurlakewascorrect,theonewhoeheCloudedMountaintospy.Ifhewinsthisbattle,heiointervenedirectlyinhumanlife.Imagi,OgunermaInquisition,worsethananythingthesistorialCourtofDisciplinecoulddreamup,staffedbyspiesandtraitorsineveryworldanddirectedpersonallybytheintelligeskeepingthatmountainaloft...TheoldAuthorityatleasthadthegracetowithdraw;thedirtyworkheretidhangingwitcheswaslefttohispriests.Thisnewonewillbefar,farworse."
"Well,hesbegunbyinvadingtheRepublic,"saidOgunwe."Look,isthatsmoke?"
AdriftofgraywasleavingtheCloudedMountain,aslowlyspreadingsmudgeagainstthebluesky.Butitcouldnthavebeensmoke:itwasdriftingagainstthewindthattoreattheclouds.
Thekingputhisfieldglassestohiseyesandsawwhatitwas."Angels,"hesaid.
LordAsrielcameawayfromthetelescopeandstoodup,handshadinghiseyes.Inhundreds,ahousands,andtensofthousands,untilhalfthatpartoftheskywasdarkeheminutefiguresflewandflewaoning.LordAsrielhadseenthebillion-strongflocksofbluestarlingsthatwheeledatsuaroundthepalaceoftheEmper-Po,buthehadneverseensovastamultitudeinallhislife.Theflyingbeingsgatheredthemselvesareamedawayslowly,slowly,tothenorthah.
"Ah!Andwhatsthat?"saidLordAsriel,pointing."Thatsnotthewind."
Thecloudwasswirlingohernflankofthemountain,andlongtatteredbannersofvaporstreamedoutinthepowerfulwinds.ButLordAsrielwasright:themovementwasingfromwithin,notfromtheairoutside.Thecloudroiledandtumbled,apartedforased.
Therewasmorethanamountainthere,buttheyonlysawitforamoment;ahecloudswirledback,asifdrawnacrossbyanunseenhand,tocealitagain.
KingOgudownhisfieldglasses.
"Thatsnotamountain,"hesaid."Isawgunemplats..."
"SodidI.Awholeplexityofthings.heseeoutthroughthecloud,Iwonder?Insomeworlds,theyhavemaestodothat.Butasforhisarmy,ifthoseangelsarealltheyvegot...”
Thekinggaveabriefexclamation,halfofastonishment,halfofdespair.LordAsrielturnedandgrippedhisarmwithfihatallbutbruisedhimtothebone.
"Theyhaventgotthis!"hesaid,andshookOgunwesarmviolently."TheyhaventgotZesh!"
Helaidhishandagainsthisfriendsroughcheek.
"Fewasweare,"hewenton,"andshort-livedasweare,andweak-sightedasweare,inparisonwiththem,werestillstroheyenvyus,Oguhatswhatfuelstheirhatred,Imsureofit.Theylongtohaveourpreciousbodies,sosolidandpowerful,sowell-adaptedtothegoodearth!Andifwedriveatthemwithforddetermination,wesweepasidethoseinfinitenumbersasyousweepyourhandthroughmist.Theyhavenomorepowerthanthat!"
"Asriel,theyhavealliesfromathousandworlds,livingbeingslikeus."
"Weshallwin."
"Andsupposehessentthoseaolookforyhter?"
"Mydaughter!"criedLordAsriel,exulting."Isntitsomethingtachildlikethatintotheworld?Youdthinkitwasenoughtogoalohekingofthearmoredbearsandtrickhiskingdomoutofhispaws,buttogodownintotheworldofthedeadandcalmlyletthemallout!Andthatboy;Iwanttomeetthatboy;Iwanttoshakehishand.Didweknoeweretakingonwheartedthisrebellion?No.Butdidtheyknow,theAuthorityandhisRegent,thisMetatron,didtheyknowwhattheyweretakingonwhenmydaughtergotinvolved?"
"LordAsriel,"saidtheking,"doyouuandherimportahefuture?"
"Frankly,no.ThatswhyIwanttoseeBasilides.Wheredidhego?"
"TotheLadyCoulter.Butthemaniswornout;heoreuntilhesrested."
"Heshouldhaverestedbefore.Sendforhim,wouldyou?Oh,onemorething:pleaseaskMadameOxeoetothetowerassoonasitsve.Imustgivehermydolences."
MadameOxentielhadbeentheGallivespianssed-in-and.NowshewouldhavetotakeoverLordRokesresponsibilities.KingOgunwebowedahisandersingthegrayhorizon.
Allthroughthatdaythearmyassembled.AngelsofLordAsrielsforceflewhighovertheCloudedMountain,lookingforanopening,butwithoutsuccess.Nothingged;nelsflewoutorinward;thehighwindstoreattheclouds,andthecloudsendlesslyrehemselves,nevenforased.Thesuncrossedthecoldblueskyandthenmoveddowntothesouthwest,gildingthecloudsandtintingthevaporaroundthemountaineveryshadeofcreamandscarlet,ofapride.Whenthesunsank,thecloudsglowedfaintlyfromwithin.
WarriorswerenowinplaeveryworldwhereLordAsrielsrebellionhadsupporters;meidartificerswerefuelingaircraft,loadingons,andcalibratingsightsandmeasures.Asthedarknesscame,somewelereinfortsarrived.Paddingsilentlyoverthecoldgroundfromthenorth,separately,singly,cameanumberofarmoredhears,alargenumber,andamongthemwastheirking.Notlongafterward,therearrivedthefirstofseveralwitchs,thesoundoftheairthroughtheirpinebrancheswhisperinginthedarkskyforalongtime.
Alongtheplaintothesouthoftheflimmeredthousandsoflights,markingthecampsofthosewhohadarrivedfromfaroff.Fartheraway,inallfourersofthepass,flightsofspy-angelscruisedtirelessly,keepingwatch.
Atmidnightintheadamanttower,LordAsrielsatindiscussionwithKingOguheangelXaphania,MadameOxeheGallivespian,andTeukrosBasilides.Thealethiometristhadjustfinishedspeaking,andLordAsrielstoodup,crossedtothewindow,andlookedoutatthedistantglowoftheCloudedMountainhangingiernsky.Theothersweresilent;theyhadjustheardsomethingthathadmadeLordAsrielturremble,andhemquiteknewhowtorespond.
FinallyLordAsrielspoke.
"Mr.Basilides,"hesaid,"youmustbeveryfatigued.Iamgratefulforallyourefforts.Pleasetakesomewihus."
"Thankyou,mylord,"saidthereader.
Hishandswereshaking.KingOgunwepouredthegoldenTokayandhandedhimtheglass.
"Whatwillthismean,LordAsriel?"saidtheclearvoiadameOxentiel.
LordAsrielcamebacktothetable.
"Well,"hesaid,"itwillmeanthatwhenwejoinbattle,weshallhaveanewobjective.Mydaughterandthisboyhavebeeseparatedfromtheirdaemons,somehow,andmaosurvive;andtheirdaemonsaresomewhereinthisworld,correctmeifImsummarizingwrongly,Mr.Basilides,theirdaemohisworld,aronisioncapturingthem.Ifhecapturestheirdaemons,thechildrenwillhaveto
follow;andifhetrolthosetwochildreureishis,forever.Ourtaskisclear:wehavetofindthedaemonsbeforehedoes,ahemsafetillthegirlandtheboyrejointhem."
TheGallivespianleadersaid,"Whatformdotheyhave,thesetwolostdaemons?"
"Theyarefixed,madame,"saidTeukrosBasilides."Theymightbeanyshape."
"So,"saidLordAsriel,"tosumitup:allofus,ourRepublic,thefutureofeverysciousbeing,wealldependonmydaughtersremainingalive,andonkeepingherdaemonandtheboysoutofthehandsofMetatron?"
"Thatisso."
LordAsrielsighed,almostwithsatisfa;itwasasifhedetotheendofalongandplexcalculation,andreachedanahatmadequiteuedsense.
"Verywell,"hesaid,spreadinghishandswideoable."Thenthisiswhatweshalldowhelebegins.KingOgunwe,youwillassumeandofallthearmiesdefendiress.MadameOxentiel,youaretosendyourpeopleoutatooseareverydirefirlandtheboy,awodaemons.Whenyoufindthem,guardthemwithyourlivesuntiltheyetogetheragain.Atthatpoint,Iuand,theboywillbeabletohelpthemescapetoanotherworld,andsafety."
Theladynodded.Herstiffgrayhaircaughtthelamplight,glintinglikestaieel,andthebluehawkshehadiedfromLordRokespreadhiswingsbrieflyonthebracketbythedoor.
"Nohania,"saidLordAsriel."WhatdoyouknowofthisMetatron?Hewasonceaman:doeshestillhavethephysicalstrengthofahumanbeing?"
"HecametoprominengafterIwasexiled,"theangelsaid."Ihaveneverseenhimupclose.ButhewouldnothavebeeodomiheKingdomunlesshewasverystrongirongineveryway.Mostangelswouldavoidfightinghand-to-haronwouldrelishthebat,andwin."
OgunwecouldtellthatLordAsrielhadbeenstruckbyanidea.Hisattentionsuddenlywithdrew,hiseyeslostfocusforaninstant,andthensnappedbaomentwitharachargeofiy.
"Isee,"hesaid."Finally,Xaphania,Mr.Basilidestellsusthattheirbombnotonlyopenedanabyssbelowtheworlds,butalsofracturedthestructureofthingssoprofoundlythattherearefissuresandcrackseverywhere.Somewherenearbytheremustbeawaydowntotheedgeofthatabyss.Iwantyoutolookforit."
"Whatareyougoingtodo?"saidKingOgunweharshly.
"ImgoingtodestroyMetatron.Butmypartisnearlyover.Itsmydaughterwhohastolive,anditsourtasktokeepalltheforcesoftheKingdomawayfromhersothatshehasacetofindherwaytoasaferworld,sheandthatboy,andtheirdaemons."
"AndwhataboutMrs.Coulter?"saidtheking.
LordAsrielpassedahandoverhisforehead.
"Iwouldnothavehertroubled,"hesaid."Leaveheraloneandprotectherifyou.Although...Well,maybeImdoingheraninjustice.Whateverelseshesdone,shesneverfailedtosurpriseme.Butweallknoemustdo,andwhywemustdoit:wehavetoprotectLyrauntilshehasfoundherdaemonandescaped.OurRepublicmighthaveeintobeingforthesolepurposeofhelpihat.Letusdoitaswellaswe."
Mrs.CoulterlayinLordAsrielsbeddoor.Hearingvoitheotherroom,shestirred,forshewasntdeeplyasleep.Shecameoutofhertroubledslumberuneasyandheavywithlonging.
Herdaemonsatupbesideher,butshedidntwanttomoveclosertothedoor;itwassimplythesoundofLordAsrielsvoiceshewaohearratherthananyparticularwords.Shethoughttheywerebothdoomed.Shethoughttheywerealldoomed.
Finallysheheardthedoorclosingiherroomandrousedherselftostandup.
"Asriel,"shesaid,goingthroughintothewarmnaphthalight.
Hisdaemongrowledsoftly;thegoldenmonkeydroppedhisheadlowtopropitiateher.LordAsrielwasrollingupalargemapanddidnotturn.
"Asriel,whatwillhappentousall?"shesaid,takingachair.
Hepressedtheheelsofhishandsintohiseyes.Hisfacewasravagedwithfatigue.Hesatdownaedanelbowoable.Theirdaemonswereverystill,themonkeycrougonthechairback,thesnowleopardsittinguprightaLordAsrielsside,watgMrs.Coulterunblinkingly.
"Youdidnthear?"hesaid.
"Iheardalittle.Icouldntsleep,butIwasntlistening.WhereisLyranow,doesanyoneknow?"
"No."
Hestillhadntansweredherfirstquestion,andhewasntgoingto,andshek.
"Weshouldhavemarried,"shesaid,"andbroughtherupourselves."
Itwassuuedremarkthatheblinked.Hisdaemohesoftestpossiblegrowlatthebackofherthroat,aleddownwithherpawsoutstretchedinthemaheSphinx.Hesaidnothing.
"Ithearthethoughtofoblivion,Asriel,"shetinued."Sooneranythingthanthat.Iusedtothinkpainwouldheworse,tobetorturedforever,Ithoughtthatmustheworse...Butaslongasyouwerescious,itwouldbebetter,wouldntit?Betterthanfeelingnothing,justgoingintothedark,everythinggoingoutforeverandever?"
Hispartwassimplytolisten.Hiseyeswerelockedonhers,andheayingprofoundattention;therewasorespond.Shesaid:
"Theotherday,whenyouspokeabouthersobitterly,andaboutme...Ithoughtyouhatedher.Icoulduandyourhatingme.Iveedyou,butIcoulduand...Icouldseewhyyoumighthateme.ButIcouldntseewhyyouhatedLyra."
Heturnedhisheadawayslowly,andthenlookedback.
"Irememberyousaidsomethingstrange,onSvalbard,onthemountaintop,justbeforeyouleftourworld,"shewenton."Yousaid:ewithme,andwelldestroyDustforever.Youremembersayingthat?Butyoudid.Youmeanttheveryopposite,didntyou?Iseenow.Whydidntyoutellmewhatyouwerereallydoing?WhydidntyoutellmeyouwerereallytryingtopreserveDust?Youcouldhavetoldmethetruth."
"Iwantedyoutoeandjoinme,"hesaid,hisvoicehoarseandquiet,"andIthoughtyouwouldpreferalie."
"Yes,"shewhispered,"thatswhatIthought."
Shecouldntsitstill,butshedidntreallyhavethestrengthtostandup.Foramomefaint,herheadswam,soundsreceded,theroomdarkened,butalmostatoncehersensescamebackeveilesslythanbefore,andnothingiuationhadged.
"Asriel..."shemurmured.
Thegoldenmoatentativehandouttotouchthepawofthesnowleopard.Themanwatchedwithoutaword,andStelmariadidntmove;hereyeswerefixedonMrs.Coulter.
"Oh,Asriel,whatwillhappentous?"Mrs.Coultersaidagain."Isthistheendofeverything?"
Hesaidnothing.
Movinglikesomeoneinadream,shegottoherfeet,pickeduptherucksackthatlayintheeroftheroom,andreachediforherpistol;andwhatshewouldhavedo,nooneknew,becauseatthatmomenttherecamethesoundoffootstepsrunningupthestairs.
Bothmanandwoman,andbothdaemons,turolookattheorderlywhocameinandsaid
breathlessly:
"Excuseme,mylord,thetwodaemons,theyvebeenseen,notfarfromtheeasterheformofcats,thesentrytriedtotalktothem,bringthemitheywouldntenear.Itwasonlyaminuteo..."
LordAsrielsatup,transfigured.Allthefatiguehadbeenwipedoffhisfaamoment.Hesprangtohisfeetandseizedhisgreatcoat.
IgnMrs.Coulter,hefluaroundhisshouldersandsaidtotheorderly:
"TellMadameOxeothisorderout:thedaemoobethreatened,htened,orcoeranyway.Anyohemshouldfirst..."
Mrs.Coulterheardnomoreofwhathewassaying,becausehewasalreadyhalfwaydowairs.Whenhisrunningfootstepshadfaded,too,theonlysouhegentlehissofthenaphthalampandthemoanofthewildwindoutside.
Hereyesfoundtheeyesofherdaemon.Thegoldenmonkeysexpressionwasassubtleandplexasithadeverbeeninalltheirthirty-fiveyearsoflife.
"Verywell,"shesaid."Itseeanyotherway.Ithink...Ithinkwell..."
Hekoshemeant.Heleapttoherbreast,andtheyembraced.Thenshefoundherfur-linedcoat,andtheyveryquietlyleftthechamberandmadetheirwaydownthedarkstairs.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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