Ⅲ 冰雨的风暴 Chapter14 凯特琳

CATELYN

是罗柏，兽舍沸腾的那一刻，她就知道了。

Robb, she knew, the moment she heard the kennels erupt.

她的长子已带着灰风回到奔流城，只有那硕大的灰色冰原狼的气味会惹得猎狗们如此疯狂吠叫。他会来见我，她心想，艾德慕见了她一次以后，便再没来过，成天跟马柯·派柏和派崔克·梅利斯特在一起，听打油诗人雷蒙德歌颂石磨坊之役。罗柏不是艾德慕，罗柏会来见我。

Her son had returned to Riverrun, and Grey Wind with him. Only the scent of the great grey direwolf could send the hounds into such a frenzy of baying and barking. He will come to me, she knew. Edmure had not returned after his first visit, preferring to spend his days with Marq Piper and Patrek Mallister, listening to Rymund the Rhymer’s verses about the battle at the Stone Mill. Robb is not Edmure, though. Robb will see me.

雨连着下了好几天，冰冷灰暗，正与凯特琳的心境相符。日子一天天过去，父亲变得越发虚弱，越发神志不清，每当醒来，只会喃喃低语：“艾菊，”然后恳求原谅。艾德慕躲着她，戴斯蒙·格瑞尔爵士虽不情愿，仍禁止她在城堡内自由行动，惟有罗宾·莱格爵士的空手而归给了她不少安慰。兵士们回城时步伐疲倦，浑身湿透，看来是走回来的。韦曼学士说，他们的船被弑君者设计弄沉了。凯特琳请求和罗宾爵士谈话，以详细了解情况，却遭到拒绝。

It had been raining for days now, a cold grey downpour that well suited Catelyn’s mood. Her father was growing weaker and more delirious with every passing day, waking only to mutter, “Tansy,” and beg forgiveness. Edmure shunned her, and Ser Desmond Grell still denied her freedom of the castle, however unhappy it seemed to make him. Only the return of Ser Robin Ryger and his men, footweary and drenched to the bone, served to lighten her spirits. They had walked back, it seemed. Somehow the Kingslayer had contrived to sink their galley and escape, Maester Vyman confided. Catelyn asked if she might speak with Ser Robin to learn more of what had happened, but that was refused her.

有什么事不对劲。弟弟回来当天，他们争执之后不久，下面院子里传来愤怒的叫嚣，她爬上堡顶察看。只见一群人聚集在城堡正门处，牵着上好鞍配的战马，高声喝骂，凯特琳离得太远，听不清在说什么。一面白色冰原狼旗帜搁在地上，一名骑士飞弛而前，践踏旗帜，冲出城门，另有几人也依样而行。这些人在渡口之役里跟艾德慕并肩作战，她明白，而今为何如此愤怒？难道弟弟怠慢了他们，侮辱了他们？在人群中，她认出派温·佛雷爵士——他曾保护她往返苦桥和风息堡——以及他同父异母的兄弟马丁·河文。离得这么远，其他人都看不清楚，反正将近四十人离开奔流城，去往哪里不得而知。

Something else was wrong as well. On the day her brother returned, a few hours after their argument, she had heard angry voices from the yard below. When she climbed to the roof to see, there were knots of men gathered across the castle beside the main gate. Horses were being led from the stables, saddled and bridled, and there was shouting, though Catelyn was too far away to make out the words. One of Robb’s white banners lay on the ground, and one of the knights turned his horse and trampled over the direwolf as he spurred toward the gate. Several others did the same. Those are men who fought with Edmure on the fords, she thought. What could have made them so angry? Has my brother slighted them somehow, given them some insult? She thought she recognized Ser Perwyn Frey, who had traveled with her to Bitterbridge and Storm’s End and back, and his bastard half brother Martyn Rivers as well, but from this vantage it was hard to be certain. Close to forty men poured out through the castle gates, to what end she did not know.

他们没有回来。韦曼爵士不肯透露他们是谁，去了哪儿，以及他们愤怒的原因。“我是来照顾您父亲的，仅此而已，夫人，”他道，“您弟弟很快就会成为奔流城公爵，一切消息，可以由他亲口告诉您。”

They did not come back. Nor would Maester Vyman tell her who they had been, where they had gone, or what had made them so angry. “I am here to see to your father, and only that, my lady,” he said. “Your brother will soon be Lord of Riverrun. What he wishes you to know, he must tell you.”

现在罗柏已从西境凯旋而归。他会原谅我，凯特琳告诉自己，他必须原谅我，我是他的母亲，而艾莉亚和珊莎不仅是我的女儿，也是他的妹妹。他会放我出去，然后我就知道外面发生的事了。

But now Robb was returned from the west, returned in triumph. He will forgive me, Catelyn told herself. He must forgive me, he is my own son, and Arya and Sansa are as much his blood as mine. He will free me from these rooms and then I will know what has happened.

戴斯蒙爵士来找她时，她已洗浴完毕，穿戴整齐，枣红的头发也梳理安好。“国王陛下西征归来，夫人，”骑士说，“命您去大厅见他。”

By the time Ser Desmond came for her, she had bathed and dressed and combed out her auburn hair. “King Robb has returned from the west, my lady,” the knight said, “and commands that you attend him in the Great Hall.”

这是她梦寐以求的时刻，也是她所惧怕的时刻。我失去了两个儿子，还是三个？答案很快就要揭晓。

It was the moment she had dreamt of and dreaded. Have I lost two sons, or three? She would know soon enough.

他们进去时，厅内已站满了人，每双眼睛都看着高台，但凯特琳认得出那些背影：穿着打补丁锁甲的莫尔蒙伯爵夫人，比在场所有人都高的大琼恩父子，一头白发、掖下夹着飞鹰盔的杰森·梅利斯特，穿着华丽的鸦羽披风的泰陀斯·布莱伍德……他们中有的人想吊死我，有的人假装不认识我。除此之外，她还有一种不安的感觉，似乎缺了什么。

The hall was crowded when they entered. Every eye was on the dais, but Catelyn knew their backs: Lady Mormont’s patched ringmail, the Greatjon and his son looming above every other head in the hall, Lord Jason Mallister white-haired with his winged helm in the crook of his arm, Tytos Blackwood in his magnificent raven-feather cloak … Half of them will want to hang me now. The other half may only turn their eyes away. She had the uneasy feeling that someone was missing, too.

罗柏站在高台上。他不再是孩子了，她心痛地意识到，他已经十六岁，迈入成人阶段，而战争将他脸上柔和的线条通通融掉，将他变得精瘦而坚强。他把胡子剃光，但枣红的头发没有剪，一直披到肩头。近来的雨水锈掉他的锁甲，在白披风和外套上留下棕色的污点。或许那是血吧。罗柏戴着青铜和黑铁的剑冠，戴得自在多了，戴得像个国王。

Robb stood on the dais. He is a boy no longer, she realized with a pang. He is sixteen now, a man grown. Just look at him. War had melted all the softness from his face and left him hard and lean. He had shaved his beard away, but his auburn hair fell uncut to his shoulders. The recent rains had rusted his mail and left brown stains on the white of his cloak and surcoat. Or perhaps the stains were blood. On his head was the sword crown they had fashioned him of bronze and iron. He bears it more comfortably now. He bears it like a king.

艾德慕站在拥挤的高台下，谦恭地低下头，罗柏正在表彰他的胜利。“……永不会忘记在石磨坊英勇献身的战士。正因为他们所显示出的北境和奔流城的力量，才使泰温公爵倍感挫折，不得不回头对付史坦尼斯。”这番话引起一阵笑闹和赞同，罗柏举手示意安静。“但我们不能放松警惕，兰尼斯特必将再度进犯，为了王国安泰，还得继续战斗。”

Edmure stood below the crowded dais, head bowed modestly as Robb praised his victory. “… fell at the Stone Mill shall never be forgotten. Small wonder Lord Tywin ran off to fight Stannis. He’d had his fill of northmen and rivermen both.” That brought laughter and approving shouts, but Robb raised a hand for quiet. “Make no mistake, though. The Lannisters will march again, and there will be other battles to win before the kingdom is secure.”

大琼恩吼道：“北境之王万岁！”并将一只钢甲拳头冲天举起。三河流域的领主们也大喊：“三河之王万岁！”。大厅里击拳跺脚的声音如雷鸣般响亮。

The Greatjon roared out, “King in the North!” and thrust a mailed fist into the air. The river lords answered with a shout of “King of the Trident!” The hall grew thunderous with pounding fists and stamping feet.

一片喧嚣中，起初少有人关注凯特琳和戴斯蒙爵士，但人们用胳膊互相捅挤，渐渐安静下来。她高昂着头，不去在意别人的目光。随他们怎么看，我只在乎罗柏。

Only a few noted Catelyn and Ser Desmond amidst the tumult, but they elbowed their fellows, and slowly a hush grew around her. She held her head high and ignored the eyes. Let them think what they will. It is Robb’s judgment that matters.

高台上布林登·徒利粗犷的脸，使她感到安心。一个她不认识的男孩正担任罗柏的侍从，孩子后面站一个年轻骑士，穿着画了六只海贝的沙色外套，另一个年长骑士的徽章则是三个黑色胡椒罐，底色为绿银相间的斑纹。他们间有一位端庄的老妇人和一位美貌少女，看来是她女儿。此外，还有一个跟珊莎年纪相仿的女孩。海贝是西境某家小诸侯的纹章，凯特琳知道，但那个老骑士的纹章她不认识。他们是囚犯吗？罗柏为何让俘虏站到高台上？

The sight of Ser Brynden Tully’s craggy face on the dais gave her comfort. A boy she did not know seemed to be acting as Robb’s squire. Behind him stood a young knight in a sand-colored surcoat blazoned with seashells, and an older one who wore three black pepperpots on a saffron bend, across a field of green and silver stripes. Between them were a handsome older lady and a pretty maid who looked to be her daughter. There was another girl as well, near Sansa’s age. The seashells were the sigil of some lesser house, Catelyn knew; the older man’s she did not recognize. Prisoners? Why would Robb bring captives onto the dais?

戴斯蒙爵士护她上前，乌瑟莱斯·韦恩将权杖往地上重重一击，表示肃静。若罗柏象艾德慕一样待我，怎么办？但从儿子眼中，她看到的不是愤怒，而是别的什么……忧惧？不，这不可能，他有什么好怕的？他是少狼主，三叉戟河与北境之王啊。

Utherydes Wayn banged his staff on the floor as Ser Desmond escorted her forward. If Robb looks at me as Edmure did, I do not know what I will do. But it seemed to her that it was not anger she saw in her son’s eyes, but something else … apprehension, perhaps? No, that made no sense. What should he fear? He was the Young Wolf, King of the Trident and the North.

叔叔首先向她致意。这条黑鱼从不管别人的看法，他径直跳下高台，将凯特琳揽进怀中，“回家见到你真好，凯特。”她不得不挣扎着保持镇静。“你也一样，”她低声说。

Her uncle was the first to greet her. As black a fish as ever, Ser Brynden had no care for what others might think. He leapt off the dais and pulled Catelyn into his arms. When he said, “It is good to see you home, Cat,” she had to struggle to keep her composure. “And you,” she whispered.

“母亲。”

“Mother.”

凯特琳抬头望向她那威严高大的儿子。“陛下，我曾为您的安全回归而祈祷，听说您受了伤。”

Catelyn looked up at her tall kingly son. “Your Grace, I have prayed for your safe return. I had heard you were wounded.”

“攻打峭岩城时，一支箭射穿手臂，”他道，“但伤口愈合得很好，因为我受到世上最好的照料。”

“I took an arrow through the arm while storming the Crag,” he said. “It’s healed well, though. I had the best of care.”

“诸神保佑。”凯特琳长出一口气。说吧，无法逃避的。“他们一定把我的作为禀报了您，是否也解释过我的理由呢？”

“The gods are good, then.” Catelyn took a deep breath. Say it. It cannot be avoided. “They will have told you what I did. Did they tell you my reasons?”

“为了两个女孩。”

“For the girls.”

“我有过五个孩子，现在只剩下三个。”

“I had five children. Now I have three.”

“是的，夫人。”瑞卡德·卡史塔克伯爵推开大琼恩走上前，黑锁甲和又长又粗的灰胡子使他看起来活象个阴沉的幽灵，那张长脸冰冷而痛苦。“我也有过三个儿子，现在只剩下一个……您剥夺了我复仇的权利！”

“Aye, my lady.” Lord Rickard Karstark pushed past the Greatjon, like some grim specter with his black mail and long ragged grey beard, his narrow face pinched and cold. “And I have one son, who once had three. You have robbed me of my vengeance.”

凯特琳平静地面对他。“瑞卡德大人，弑君者的死不能换得你儿子的生命，让他活着回去却能保我女儿归来。”

Catelyn faced him calmly. “Lord Rickard, the Kingslayer’s dying would not have bought life for your children. His living may buy life for mine.”

伯爵毫不信服，“詹姆·兰尼斯特拿您当枪使，把您当傻瓜！您得到的不过一堆空话，仅此而已！我的托伦和艾德决不会就此埋没。”

The lord was unappeased. “Jaime Lannister has played you for a fool. You’ve bought a bag of empty words, no more. My Torrhen and my Eddard deserved better of you.”

“算了吧，卡史塔克，”大琼恩将两条粗胳膊交叠在胸，咕哝道，“这是母亲的疯狂，女人天生就这个样。”

“Leave off, Karstark,” rumbled the Greatjon, crossing his huge arms against his chest. “It was a mother’s folly. Women are made that way.”

“母亲的疯狂？”卡史塔克伯爵转身面对安柏伯爵，“我说这是背叛！”

“A mother’s folly?” Lord Karstark rounded on Lord Umber. “I name it treason.”

“够了。”片刻之间，罗柏听上去更象布兰登，而不是他父亲。“不准在我面前说临冬城的夫人是叛徒，瑞卡德大人。”他转向凯特琳，声音柔和下来。“我要将弑君者抓回来。你私自放走了他，既没通知我，更没征得我的同意……但我明白，你所做的一切都是为了爱，为了艾莉亚和珊莎，为了失去布兰和瑞肯的悲哀。从自己的角度出发，我已经明白，爱并不总是明智的，它往往会将我们引向愚行，但我们生而为人，遵循情感行动……而不管其后果如何。对吗，母亲？”

“Enough.” For just an instant Robb sounded more like Brandon than his father. “No man calls my lady of Winterfell a traitor in my hearing, Lord Rickard.” When he turned to Catelyn, his voice softened. “If I could wish the Kingslayer back in chains I would. You freed him without my knowledge or consent … but what you did, I know you did for love. For Arya and Sansa, and out of grief for Bran and Rickon. Love’s not always wise, I’ve learned. It can lead us to great folly, but we follow our hearts … wherever they take us. Don’t we, Mother?”

是么？“假如我的情感导致我的愚行，我真诚地向您和卡史塔克大人道歉。”

Is that what I did? “If my heart led me into folly, I would gladly make whatever amends I can to Lord Karstark and yourself.”

瑞卡德伯爵怒气不息，“弑君者杀害我的托伦和艾德，您道个歉就算完了？”他从大琼恩和梅姬·莫尔蒙中间挤过，离开大厅。

Lord Rickard’s face was implacable. “Will your amends warm Torrhen and Eddard in the cold graves where the Kingslayer laid them?” He shouldered between the Greatjon and Maege Mormont and left the hall.

罗柏没有阻止他，“原谅他吧，母亲。”

Robb made no move to detain him. “Forgive him, Mother.”

“如果您愿意原谅我的话。”

“If you will forgive me.”

“我已经原谅你了。爱到深切，让你无法考虑其余。”

“I have. I know what it is to love so greatly you can think of nothing else.”

凯特琳低下头，“谢谢。”至少我还没有失去这个孩子。

Catelyn bowed her head. “Thank you.” I have not lost this child, at least.

“我们得谈谈，”罗柏续道，“你和舅公、舅舅留下来，谈谈这事……以及其他一些事情。总管，宣布会议结束。”

“We must talk,” Robb went on. “You and my uncles. Of this and … other things. Steward, call an end.”

乌瑟莱斯·韦恩用权杖敲击地面，高喊散会，三河诸侯和北地人便一起离开。凯特琳猛然意识到缺的是什么——狼。狼不在。灰风怎么了？那头冰原狼明明跟罗柏一起回来，她听见狗群吠叫。但他却不在厅内，不在她儿子身边，他上哪儿去了？

Utherydes Wayn slammed his staff on the floor and shouted the dismissal, and river lords and northerners alike moved toward the doors. It was only then that Catelyn realized what was amiss. The wolf. The wolf is not here. Where is Grey Wind? She knew the direwolf had returned with Robb, she had heard the dogs, but he was not in the hall, not at her son’s side where he belonged.

她还来不及问罗柏，就被一群前来表达善意的人所包围。莫尔蒙夫人拉住她的手，“夫人，若我有两个女儿被瑟曦·兰尼斯特抓住，也会这么做。”不拘礼节的大琼恩用毛绒绒的大胳膊使劲捏她双臂，将她提起来，“您的小狼崽打败过弑君者，日后疆场相逢，再干一次就是了。”盖伯特·葛洛佛和杰森·梅利斯特伯爵比较平静，杰诺斯·布雷肯则近乎冷漠，但他们的话都说得相当有礼。弟弟最后一个走来，“我也为你的女儿们祈祷，凯特，希望你不要怀疑。”

Before she could think to question Robb, however, she found herself surrounded by a circle of well-wishers. Lady Mormont took her hand and said, “My lady, if Cersei Lannister held two of my daughters, I would have done the same.” The Greatjon, no respecter of proprieties, lifted her off her feet and squeezed her arms with his huge hairy hands. “Your wolf pup mauled the Kingslayer once, he’ll do it again if need be.” Galbart Glover and Lord Jason Mallister were cooler, and Jonos Bracken almost icy, but their words were courteous enough. Her brother was the last to approach her. “I pray for your girls as well, Cat. I hope you do not doubt that.”

“当然不会，”她吻他，“我爱你。”

“Of course not.” She kissed him. “I love you for it.”

祝福完毕后，奔流城的大厅里空空荡荡，只剩罗柏、三个徒利家的人和六个凯特琳不认识的陌生人。她好奇地打量着他们，“先生们女士们，您们是新近参加我儿子的事业的吗？”

When all the words were done, the Great Hall of Riverrun was empty save for Robb, the three Tullys, and the six strangers Catelyn could not place. She eyed them curiously. “My lady, sers, are you new to my son’s cause?”

“是，”海贝徽章的年轻骑士说，“我们虽然新近加入，但勇气非凡，忠贞不移，您会看到的，夫人。”

“New,” said the younger knight, him of the seashells, “but fierce in our courage and firm in our loyalties, as I hope to prove to you, my lady.”

罗柏看上去不大自在。“母亲，”他说，“请允许我向你介绍希蓓儿夫人，峭岩城伯爵加文·维斯特林的妻子。”老妇人仪态端庄地走向前，“她的丈夫被我们在呓语森林俘虏。”

Robb looked uncomfortable. “Mother,” he said, “may I present the Lady Sybell, the wife of Lord Gawen Westerling of the Crag.” The older woman came forward with solemn mien. “Her husband was one of those we took captive in the Whispering Wood.”

维斯特林？是了，凯特琳心想，他们家的旗帜正是沙黄底色上的六枚白海贝。这个小家族效忠兰尼斯特。

Westerling, yes, Catelyn thought. Their banner is six seashells, white on sand. A minor house sworn to the Lannisters.

罗柏依次招呼其他陌生人上前。“罗佛·斯派瑟（注）爵士，希蓓儿夫人的哥哥，我军攻打峭岩城时，他担任代理城主。”胡椒罐纹章的骑士点点头。他身材壮硕，有断鼻子和短短的灰胡须，看上去相当勇猛。“这几位是加文大人和希蓓儿夫人的孩子。雷纳德·维斯特林爵士。”海贝徽章的骑士在浓密的小胡子底微微一笑。他年轻，精瘦，粗犷，牙齿健康，栗色头发十分密实。“艾琳妮亚，”小女孩飞快地行了个屈膝礼。“洛拉姆·维斯特林，我的侍从，”男孩想跪下，见在场诸人都没跪，便慌忙改成鞠躬。

Robb beckoned the other strangers forward, each in turn. “Ser Rolph Spicer, Lady Sybell’s brother. He was castellan at the Crag when we took it.” The pepperpot knight inclined his head. A square-built man with a broken nose and a close-cropped grey beard, he looked doughty enough. “The children of Lord Gawen and Lady Sybell. Ser Raynald Westerling.” The seashell knight smiled beneath a bushy mustache. Young, lean, rough-hewn, he had good teeth and a thick mop of chestnut hair. “Elenya.” The little girl did a quick curtsy. “Rollam Westerling, my squire.” The boy started to kneel, saw no one else was kneeling, and bowed instead.

“非常荣幸，”凯特琳说。罗柏收服了峭岩城的维斯特林家族？若是这样，就没什么好奇怪的了。可是，凯岩城遭到如此背叛，一定咽不下这口气。是的，自打泰温·兰尼斯特能骑马上战场起就不会……

“The honor is mine,” Catelyn said. Can Robb have won the Crag’s allegiance? If so, it was no wonder the Westerlings were with him. Casterly Rock did not suffer such betrayals gently. Not since Tywin Lannister had been old enough to go to war …

那美貌少女最后一个走上前，表现得很羞涩。罗柏执起她的手。“母亲，”他说，“我怀着最大的荣幸向你介绍简妮·维斯特林小姐，加文大人的长女，我的……呃……我的夫人。”

The maid came forward last, and very shy. Robb took her hand. “Mother,” he said, “I have the great honor to present you the Lady Jeyne Westerling. Lord Gawen’s elder daughter, and my … ah … my lady wife.”

闪过凯特琳脑海的第一个想法是：不，这不可能，你只是个孩子。

The first thought that flew across Catelyn’s mind was, No, that cannot be, you are only a child.

第二个是：况且你已经许了一个。

The second was, And besides, you have pledged another.

第三个是：圣母慈悲，罗柏，你都干了些什么？

The third was, Mother have mercy, Robb, what have you done?

这时她明白了。为爱而犯下的愚行？他干净利落地把我象兔子一样套进陷阱，让我不得不原谅他，接受他。凯特琳虽恼火，却又感到一丝沮丧的钦佩，这出戏演得真巧妙……国王的游戏就该这样。凯特琳别无选择，只好握住简妮·维斯特林的手。“我又添了一个女儿，”她说，却觉得声音比较生硬，于是亲吻对方的双颊，“欢迎来到我们的大厅，与我们共享壁炉。”

Only then came her belated remembrance. Follies done for love? He has bagged me neat as a hare in a snare. I seem to have already forgiven him. Mixed with her annoyance was a rueful admiration; the scene had been staged with the cunning worthy of a master mummer … or a king. Catelyn saw no choice but to take Jeyne Westerling’s hands. “I have a new daughter,” she said, more stiffly than she’d intended. She kissed the terrified girl on both cheeks. “Be welcome to our hall and hearth.”

“谢谢您，夫人，我会成为罗柏忠诚的好妻子，我发誓，尽力做个贤明的王后。”

“Thank you, my lady. I shall be a good and true wife to Robb, I swear. And as wise a queen as I can.”

王后。对，这个漂亮小姑娘是王后了，我必须记住。她的美貌无可挑剔，栗色卷发和心形的脸，还有那羞涩的笑容。她虽苗条，但臀部很大，凯特琳心想，生孩子应该没问题。

Queen. Yes, this pretty little girl is a queen, I must remember that. She was pretty, undeniably, with her chestnut curls and heart-shaped face, and that shy smile. Slender, but with good hips, Catelyn noted. She should have no trouble bearing children, at least.

希蓓儿夫人举起一只手，“夫人，我们很荣幸加入史塔克家族的事业，但此刻从西境急匆匆赶来，业已人困马乏。陛下，是否可以准我们先回房间，让您们母子好好聊聊呢？”

Lady Sybell took a hand before any more was said. “We are honored to be joined to House Stark, my lady, but we are also very weary. We have come a long way in a short time. Perhaps we might retire to our chambers, so you may visit with your son?”

“如此最好，”罗柏亲吻简妮，“总管会为你们安排住处。

“That would be best.” Robb kissed his Jeyne. “The steward will find you suitable accommodations.”

“我带您们去找他，”艾德慕·徒利爵士自告奋勇。

“I’ll take you to him,” Ser Edmure Tully volunteered.

“您真好心，”希蓓儿夫人道。

“You are most kind,” said Lady Sybell.

“我也得去吗？”男孩洛拉姆问，“我是您的侍从呀。”

“Must I go too?” asked the boy, Rollam. “I’m your squire.”

罗柏笑道：“但我暂时不需要随侍。”

Robb laughed. “But I’m not in need of squiring just now.”

“噢。”男孩一本正经地说。

“Oh.”

“陛下没有你已经过了十六年，洛拉姆，”海贝徽章的雷纳德爵士说，“依我看，再多过个几小时也无碍。”他牢牢拉住弟弟的手，将对方带离大厅。

“His Grace has gotten along for sixteen years without you, Rollam,” said Ser Raynald of the seashells. “He will survive a few hours more, I think.” Taking his little brother firmly by the hand, he walked him from the hall.

“你的夫人很可爱，”当维斯特林家的人全部走出耳力范围，凯特琳道，“他们家族看来也很值得敬重……嗯，加文大人是泰温·兰尼斯特的封臣，对吧？”

“Your wife is lovely,” Catelyn said when they were out of earshot, “and the Westerlings seem worthy … though Lord Gawen is Tywin Lannister’s sworn man, is he not?”

“是的。他被杰森·梅利斯特在呓语森林俘虏，现关押于海疆城待赎。不管他愿不愿加入我方，我都将立刻释放他，恐怕我们未征得他的同意就结了婚，将他置于极其危险的境地。峭岩城势孤力薄，为了对我的爱，简妮可能失去一切。”

“Yes. Jason Mallister captured him in the Whispering Wood and has been holding him at Seagard for ransom. Of course I’ll free him now, though he may not wish to join me. We wed without his consent, I fear, and this marriage puts him in dire peril. The Crag is not strong. For love of me, Jeyne may lose all.”

“而你，”她柔声道，“失去了佛雷家族。”

“And you,” she said softly, “have lost the Freys.”

他怔了一下。她明白了，明白了那些愤怒的叫嚣，明白了派温·佛雷和马丁·河文的离开，明白了他们践踏冰原狼旗的举动。

His wince told all. She understood the angry voices now, why Perwyn Frey and Martyn Rivers had left in such haste, trampling Robb’s banner into the ground as they went.

“请问，你的新娘为你带来多少军队，罗柏？”

“Dare I ask how many swords come with your bride, Robb?”

“五十个人，其中有十来位骑士。”他声音阴郁，正如她所预料。当初孪河城方面为缔结婚约，可是慷慨地派出一千名骑士和近三千步兵。“母亲，简妮不仅聪明美丽，而且十分善良，她有一颗温柔的心。”

“Fifty. A dozen knights.” His voice was glum, as well it might be. When the marriage contract had been made at the Twins, old Lord Walder Frey had sent Robb off with a thousand mounted knights and near three thousand foot. “Jeyne is bright as well as beautiful. And kind as well. She has a gentle heart.”

你需要的是军队，不是温柔的心。你怎能这么做，罗柏？你怎能如此不计后果，如此卤莽？你怎能如此……如此……幼稚。然而现在说什么都无济于事了，她只问，“告诉我，这一切是怎么发生的。”

It is swords you need, not gentle hearts. How could you do this, Robb? How could you be so heedless, so stupid? How could you be so … so very … young. Reproaches would not serve here, however. All she said was, “Tell me how this came to be.”

“我攻占了她的城堡，她则攻占了我的心。”罗柏微笑。“峭岩城守备很弱，因此我们猛攻一晚就告成功。当时黑瓦德和小琼恩带队攀登城墙，我则督促攻城锤突击主城门。就在罗佛爵士献城投降时，我手上中了一箭。起初觉得没什么，但很快感染了。简妮让人把我抬到她床上，照料我直到退烧。期间大琼恩带来消息，关于……关于临冬城……关于布兰和瑞肯。她和我在一起。”说出弟弟们的名字，对他而言似乎很困难。“那一夜……那一夜，她……她安慰我，母亲。”

“I took her castle and she took my heart.” Robb smiled. “The Crag was weakly garrisoned, so we took it by storm one night. Black Walder and the Smalljon led scaling parties over the walls, while I broke the main gate with a ram. I took an arrow in the arm just before Ser Rolph yielded us the castle. It seemed nothing at first, but it festered. Jeyne had me taken to her own bed, and she nursed me until the fever passed. And she was with me when the Greatjon brought me the news of … of Winterfell. Bran and Rickon.” He seemed to have trouble saying his brothers’ names. “That night, she … she comforted me, Mother.”

凯特琳不用说也明白简妮·维斯特林给她儿子的是什么样的安慰。“你第二天就娶了她。”

Catelyn did not need to be told what sort of comfort Jeyne Westerling had offered her son. “And you wed her the next day.”

他望进她的眼睛，目光既骄傲又酸楚，“惟有这么做，才能保持荣誉。她既温柔又甜蜜，母亲，真的，她会成为我的好妻子。”

He looked her in the eyes, proud and miserable all at once. “It was the only honorable thing to do. She’s gentle and sweet, Mother, she will make me a good wife.”

“也许会吧，但这件事是不会让佛雷侯爵满意的。”

“Perhaps. That will not appease Lord Frey.”

“我明白，”儿子倍感挫折地说，“除了打仗，我把一切都搞砸了，不是吗？我真的以为打仗最困难，可……如果我听你的话，把席恩留做人质，就能保住北境，布兰和瑞肯就会活下来，安全地待在临冬城里。”

“I know,” her son said, stricken. “I’ve made a botch of everything but the battles, haven’t I? I thought the battles would be the hard part, but … if I had listened to you and kept Theon as my hostage, I’d still rule the north, and Bran and Rickon would be alive and safe in Winterfell.”

“也许会，也许不会。不管有没有席恩，巴隆大王都可能发动战争。别忘了，上次他为王冠付出了两个儿子，这次只需一个，或许会觉得是笔不错的买卖。”她碰碰他的手臂。“你结婚之后，佛雷家的人有何反应？”

“Perhaps. Or not. Lord Balon might still have chanced war. The last time he reached for a crown, it cost him two sons. He might have thought it a bargain to lose only one this time.” She touched his arm. “What happened with the Freys, after you wed?”

罗柏摇摇头。“如果史提夫伦爵士还在，好歹可以提出补偿，但莱曼爵士跟石头一样呆板，而黑瓦德……那家伙叫这个名字决不是因为胡子的颜色，我向你保证。他太过分！居然宣称他的姑婆们不介意跟鳏夫成婚。若非简妮求我慈悲，我早宰了他！”

Robb shook his head. “With Ser Stevron, I might have been able to make amends, but Ser Ryman is dull-witted as a stone, and Black Walder … that one was not named for the color of his beard, I promise you. He went so far as to say that his sisters would not be loath to wed a widower. I would have killed him for that if Jeyne had not begged me to be merciful.”

“你狠狠地侮辱了佛雷家族，罗柏。”

“You have done House Frey a grievous insult, Robb.”

“这不是我的本意。史提夫伦爵士为我战死，而奥利法做侍从忠勇可嘉，甚至请求继续留在我身边，最后是被莱曼爵士强行带走。他还带走了他们家所有的部队。大琼恩催促我加以攻击……”

“I never meant to. Ser Stevron died for me, and Olyvar was as loyal a squire as any king could want. He asked to stay with me, but Ser Ryman took him with the rest. All their strength. The Greatjon urged me to attack them …”

“强敌环饲，还要窝里斗？”她说，“简直胡说八道！”

“Fighting your own in the midst of your enemies?” she said. “It would have been the end of you.”

“我也不赞成……也许我们可以为瓦德侯爵的女儿安排其他人选。文德尔·曼德勒提议代我成婚，大琼恩则说他的叔父们希望续弦。如果瓦德侯爵通情达理——”

“Yes. I thought perhaps we could arrange other matches for Lord Walder’s daughters. Ser Wendel Manderly has offered to take one, and the Greatjon tells me his uncles wish to wed again. If Lord Walder will be reasonable—”

“他根本就不会‘通情达理’，”凯特琳道，“他这人既骄傲又暴躁，受不得半点轻慢。你明知他想成为国王的岳父，现在却硬塞给他两个年迈的老家伙和七国最大的胖子的次子，如何能让他满足？你可要想清楚，违背誓约是一层，娶一家小诸侯的姑娘为妻这件事本身就是对孪河城极大的轻侮。”

“He is not reasonable,” said Catelyn. “He is proud, and prickly to a fault. You know that. He wanted to be grandfather to a king. You will not appease him with the offer of two hoary old brigands and the second son of the fattest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Not only have you broken your oath, but you’ve slighted the honor of the Twins by choosing a bride from a lesser house.”

这番话让罗柏激动起来。“维斯特林家族的血脉远比佛雷家族古老，他们渊源悠久，乃是先民的后裔。征服战争之前，历代凯岩王常与维斯特林家族通婚，而在近三百年前，另一位简妮·维斯特林当过梅葛王的王后。”

Robb bristled at that. “The Westerlings are better blood than the Freys. They’re an ancient line, descended from the First Men. The Kings of the Rock sometimes wed Westerlings before the Conquest, and there was another Jeyne Westerling who was queen to King Maegor three hundred years ago.”

“所有这一切都在往瓦德侯爵的伤口上洒盐啊。他最恨这些世家名门，恨他们把佛雷家当暴发户。我到孪河城谈判那回，他已经表现得很明显了，他恨琼恩·艾林不愿收养他的孙子，更恨我父亲拒绝让艾德慕迎娶他的女儿。”弟弟办事回来，她朝他点点头。

“All of which will only salt Lord Walder’s wounds. It has always rankled him that older houses look down on the Freys as upstarts. This insult is not the first he’s borne, to hear him tell it. Jon Arryn was disinclined to foster his grandsons, and my father refused the offer of one of his daughters for Edmure.” She inclined her head toward her brother as he rejoined them.

“陛下，”黑鱼布林登说，“这事我们还是找个私密地点从长计议吧。”

“Your Grace,” Brynden Blackfish said, “perhaps we had best continue this in private.”

“是的，”罗柏听上去很疲惫，“天啊，我只想喝一杯红酒。我们去会客室。”

“Yes.” Robb sounded tired. “I would kill for a cup of wine. The audience chamber, I think.”

步上阶梯时，凯特琳问到从入厅起就困扰着她的问题。“罗柏，灰风在哪儿？”

As they started up the steps, Catelyn asked the question that had been troubling her since she entered the hall. “Robb, where is Grey Wind?”

“在院子里啃羊腿。我特地吩咐兽舍掌管准备的。”

“In the yard, with a haunch of mutton. I told the kennelmaster to see that he was fed.”

“你不总让他跟在身边吗？”

“You always kept him with you before.”

“让冰原狼待在大厅里于礼不合。你也见过，他会变得坐立不安，又吼又咬。唉，早知我就不带他上战场了，他杀了太多人，现在一点也不怕生。有他在旁边，简妮总是很不安，而她母亲则是怕他。”

“A hall is no place for a wolf. He gets restless, you’ve seen. Growling and snapping. I should never have taken him into battle with me. He’s killed too many men to fear them now. Jeyne’s anxious around him, and he terrifies her mother.”

这就对了，凯特琳心想。“他是你的一部分，罗柏，怕他就是怕你。”

And there’s the heart of it, Catelyn thought. “He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you.”

“我才不是狼，不管别人怎么说！”罗柏有些生气。“灰风在攻打峭岩城和烙印城时分别杀了一个人，在牛津一役中则咬死六七个，如果你看到——”

“I am not a wolf, no matter what they call me.” Robb sounded cross. “Grey Wind killed a man at the Crag, another at Ashemark, and six or seven at Oxcross. If you had seen—”

“我在临冬城亲眼见过布兰的狼撕开活人的喉咙，”她尖锐地说，“我喜欢他那样。”

“I saw Bran’s wolf tear out a man’s throat at Winterfell,” she said sharply, “and loved him for it.”

“这不是一回事。死在峭岩城的那个骑士简妮从小就认识，她会害怕，难道是她的错吗？而今灰风又讨厌她舅舅，每当见到罗佛爵士，就会呲牙咧齿，就会……”

“That’s different. The man at the Crag was a knight Jeyne had known all her life. You can’t blame her for being afraid. Grey Wind doesn’t like her uncle either. He bares his teeth every time Ser Rolph comes near him.”

一阵寒意掠过。“听我说，立刻遣走罗佛爵士。”

A chill went through her. “Send Ser Rolph away. At once.”

“遣走？笑话！遣去哪里？遣回峭岩城，好让兰尼斯特把他脑袋插枪上吗？母亲，简妮爱他，他不仅是她舅舅，还是个好骑士。我需要一千个罗佛·斯派瑟，而不是把忠勇的人拿掉，仅仅因为我的狼不喜欢他的味道。”

“Where? Back to the Crag, so the Lannisters can mount his head on a spike? Jeyne loves him. He’s her uncle, and a fair knight besides. I need more men like Rolph Spicer, not fewer. I am not going to banish him just because my wolf doesn’t seem to like the way he smells.”

“罗柏。”她停步抓住他的胳膊。“我曾劝告过你，把席恩·葛雷乔伊留在身边，你没有听；现在，我要再次对你提出劝告。让这个人走吧。我并非叫你拿掉他，你可以给他找一项任务，一项需要勇气、能获得光荣的任务，具体是什么并不重要……重要的是不能把他留在身边。”

“Robb.” She stopped and held his arm. “I told you once to keep Theon Greyjoy close, and you did not listen. Listen now. Send this man away. I am not saying you must banish him. Find some task that requires a man of courage, some honorable duty, what it is matters not … but do not keep him near you.”

他皱紧眉头。“如此说来，我该让灰风把我所有的骑士都嗅上一遍啰？若还有其他人的气味他不喜欢怎么办？”

He frowned. “Should I have Grey Wind sniff all my knights? There might be others whose smell he mislikes.”

“灰风不喜欢的人，统统赶走。罗柏啊，你必须明白，这几头冰原狼不只是狼，而是诸神送给我们家的礼物，是你父亲的神，北方的旧神所赐予的。五只幼崽，罗柏，五只幼崽正好对应史塔克家的五个孩子。”

“Any man Grey Wind mislikes is a man I do not want close to you. These wolves are more than wolves, Robb. You must know that. I think perhaps the gods sent them to us. Your father’s gods, the old gods of the north. Five wolf pups, Robb, five for five Stark children.”

“共有六只，”罗柏说，“还有一只给琼恩。是我发现他们的，记得吗？我很清楚他们打哪儿来，有多少。从前，我和你想法一致，以为他们就是我们的保镖，是诸神的使者，直到……”

“Six,” said Robb. “There was a wolf for Jon as well. I found them, remember? I know how many there were and where they came from. I used to think the same as you, that the wolves were our guardians, our protectors, until …”

“直到？”她提示。

“Until?” she prompted.

罗柏抿紧嘴唇。“……直到他们告诉我席恩谋杀了布兰和瑞肯，很明显，两匹狼救不了弟弟们。母亲，我不再是孩子了，我是国王，可以自己保护自己。”他叹口气。“我会为罗佛爵士找个任务，让他离开。不是因为他的气味，而是为了你。你已经受够了折磨。”

Robb’s mouth tightened. “.… until they told me that Theon had murdered Bran and Rickon. Small good their wolves did them. I am no longer a boy, Mother. I’m a king, and I can protect myself.” He sighed. “I will find some duty for Ser Rolph, some pretext to send him away. Not because of his smell, but to ease your mind. You have suffered enough.”

趁其他人还没转过楼梯拐弯，凯特琳欣慰地在罗柏脸颊轻轻一吻。片刻间，他又成为她的孩子，而不是她的国王。

Relieved, Catelyn kissed him lightly on the cheek before the others could come around the turn of the stair, and for a moment he was her boy again, and not her king.

霍斯特公爵的私人会客室在大厅顶上，屋子较小，适合私秘交流。罗柏就座高位，脱下王冠，置于身边地上，凯特琳摇铃传唤上酒，艾德慕则向叔叔灌输石磨坊之役的经过。等仆人们离开后，黑鱼清清嗓子，“我们已经听够了你的卖弄，侄儿。”

Lord Hoster’s private audience chamber was a small room above the Great Hall, better suited to intimate discussions. Robb took the high seat, removed his crown, and set it on the floor beside him as Catelyn rang for wine. Edmure was filling his uncle’s ear with the whole story of the fight at the Stone Mill. It was only after the servants had come and gone that the Blackfish cleared his throat and said, “I think we’ve all heard sufficient of your boasting, Nephew.”

艾德慕糊涂了。“卖弄？您什么意思？”

Edmure was taken aback. “Boasting? What do you mean?”

“我的意思是，”黑鱼说，“你该感谢陛下的宽容。他在大厅里演戏，以免你在自家封臣面前出丑。如果换作我，将毫不留情地严斥你的愚笨，决不会赞扬那些许微功！”

“I mean,” said the Blackfish, “that you owe His Grace your thanks for his forbearance. He played out that mummer’s farce in the Great Hall so as not to shame you before your own people. Had it been me I would have flayed you for your stupidity rather than praising this folly of the fords.”

“渡口一战中，无数勇士献出生命，叔叔，您应该尊重他们。”艾德慕很生气，“怎么啦，除了少狼主，就没人该获得胜利？我抢走了属于您的荣耀，罗柏？”

“Good men died to defend those fords, Uncle.” Edmure sounded outraged. “What, is no one to win victories but the Young Wolf? Did I steal some glory meant for you, Robb?”

“陛下，”罗柏冷淡地纠正。“你是否承认我是你的国王，舅舅，是否连这点也记不住？”

“Your Grace,” Robb corrected, icy. “You took me for your king, Uncle. Or have you forgotten that as well?”

黑鱼道，“给你的命令是留守奔流城，艾德慕，仅此而已。”

The Blackfish said, “You were commanded to hold Riverrun, Edmure, no more.”

“我守住了奔流城，还挫败泰温公爵……”

“I held Riverrun, and I bloodied Lord Tywin’s nose—”

“确实如此，”罗柏说，“但挫败不等于胜利，对不对？你有没有扪心自问，牛津战役后我们为何还在西境久留？你知道我没有足够力量威胁兰尼斯港或凯岩城。”

“So you did,” said Robb. “But a bloody nose won’t win the war, will it? Did you ever think to ask yourself why we remained in the west so long after Oxcross? You knew I did not have enough men to threaten Lannisport or Casterly Rock.”

“为何……为了占领其他城堡……金钱，牲畜……”

“Why … there were other castles … gold, cattle …”

“见鬼，你以为我们留下来当强盗？”罗柏难以置信地说，“舅舅，我正是要引泰温公爵西进。”

“You think we stayed for plunder?” Robb was incredulous. “Uncle, I wanted Lord Tywin to come west.”

“我军是马队，”布林登爵士解释，“兰尼斯特军泰半是步兵。我们计划让泰温公爵高高兴兴地追上一段，直到海边，然后从旁溜过去，横穿黄金大道，占据稳固的防守位置。我的斥侯找到了地方，地形极为有利，如果他在那儿发动攻击，将付出惨重代价；如果他不进攻，则会被困在西境，不仅距离需要他的地方千里之遥，而且始终消耗着自己的资源，而不是掠夺三河诸侯。”

“We were all horsed,” Ser Brynden said. “The Lannister host was mainly foot. We planned to run Lord Tywin a merry chase up and down the coast, then slip behind him to take up a strong defensive position athwart the gold road, at a place my scouts had found where the ground would have been greatly in our favor. If he had come at us there, he would have paid a grievous price. But if he did not attack, he would have been trapped in the west, a thousand leagues from where he needed to be. All the while we would have lived off his land, instead of him living off ours.”

“与此同时，史坦尼斯公爵将打下君临城，”罗柏说，“帮我们一笔勾销乔佛里、太后和小恶魔，然后我就与他讲和。”

“Lord Stannis was about to fall upon King’s Landing,” Robb said. “He might have rid us of Joffrey, the queen, and the Imp in one red stroke. Then we might have been able to make a peace.”

艾德慕看看叔叔，又看看外甥，“你们从未把计划告诉我。”

Edmure looked from uncle to nephew. “You never told me.”

“我告诉你守住奔流城，”罗柏说，“这道命令，什么地方你无法理解？”

“I told you to hold Riverrun,” said Robb. “What part of that command did you fail to comprehend?”

“你在红叉河阻住泰温公爵，”黑鱼说，“呵，挡得可真久，刚好让苦桥来的信使赶上他的军队。泰温公爵立即让部队掉头，在黑水河源头附近跟马图斯·罗宛与蓝道·塔利会合，急行军到翻斗瀑——梅斯·提利尔和他两个儿子正带着大军和驳船队等在那里。于是他们合兵一股，顺流而下，在距离君临城半日马程的地方登陆，从后袭击史坦尼斯。”

“When you stopped Lord Tywin on the Red Fork,” said the Blackfish, “you delayed him just long enough for riders out of Bitterbridge to reach him with word of what was happening to the east. Lord Tywin turned his host at once, joined up with Matthis Rowan and Randyll Tarly near the headwaters of the Blackwater, and made a forced march to Tumbler’s Falls, where he found Mace Tyrell and two of his sons waiting with a huge host and a fleet of barges. They floated down the river, disembarked half a day’s ride from the city, and took Stannis in the rear.”

凯特琳在苦桥见过蓝礼国王的队伍。千百朵金玫瑰在风中飞舞，玛格丽王后笑容羞涩、语调温柔，她哥哥百花骑士虽然额上缠着亚麻绷带，却英俊不减。如果你非得投入女人的怀抱，我的儿子啊，为何不是玛格丽·提利尔？高庭的财富和军队足以扭转形势，或许灰风还会喜欢她的味道。

Catelyn remembered King Renly’s court, as she had seen it at Bitterbridge. A thousand golden roses streaming in the wind, Queen Margaery’s shy smile and soft words, her brother the Knight of Flowers with the bloody linen around his temples. If you had to fall into a woman’s arms, my son, why couldn’t they have been Margaery Tyrell’s? The wealth and power of Highgarden could have made all the difference in the fighting yet to come. And perhaps Grey Wind would have liked the smell of her as well.

艾德慕蔫了气，“我一点也不想……不想……罗柏，你得让我补偿，就准我在下场战役里担任前锋吧！”

Edmure looked ill. “I never meant … never, Robb, you must let me make amends. I will lead the van in the next battle!”

这是补偿，弟弟？还是为了荣誉？凯特琳很怀疑。

For amends, Brother? Or for glory? Catelyn wondered.

“下场战役，”罗柏沉吟道，“嗯，下场战役很快就会到来。乔佛里成亲之后，兰尼斯特就会再次开战，对此我毫不怀疑，这一回，他们有了提利尔家的支持……也许我还要对付佛雷家，若黑瓦德……

“The next battle,” Robb said. “Well, that will be soon enough. Once Joffrey is wed, the Lannisters will take the field against me once more, I don’t doubt, and this time the Tyrells will march beside them. And I may need to fight the Freys as well, if Black Walder has his way …”

“席恩·葛雷乔伊坐着你父亲的宝座，手上沾染了你弟弟们的鲜血，除了他，其他敌人都必须先放在一边。”凯特琳告诉儿子。“领主的首要职责是保护子民，罗柏，你身为国王，要么赢回临冬城，把席恩吊在鸦笼里，让他慢慢烂掉；要么就永远放弃王冠——因为人们将不会把你当成真正的国王。”

“So long as Theon Greyjoy sits in your father’s seat with your brothers’ blood on his hands, these other foes must wait,” Catelyn told her son. “Your first duty is to defend your own people, win back Winterfell, and hang Theon in a crow’s cage to die slowly. Or else put off that crown for good, Robb, for men will know that you are no true king at all.”

从罗柏瞧她的神情来看，她断定，已经很久没有人敢如此坦率直言了。“他们告诉我临冬城陷落时，我首先想到的就是返回北方，”他带着一丝辩解的意味道。“我想去营救布兰和瑞肯，但我以为……我做梦也想不到席恩会伤害他们，真的，如果我……”

From the way Robb looked at her, she could tell that it had been a long while since anyone had dared speak to him so bluntly. “When they told me Winterfell had fallen, I wanted to go north at once,” he said, with a hint of defensiveness. “I wanted to free Bran and Rickon, but I thought … I never dreamed that Theon could harm them, truly. If I had …”

“说‘如果’已太晚，要营救也太迟，”凯特琳说，“剩下的只有复仇。”

“It is too late for ifs, and too late for rescues,” Catelyn said. “All that remains is vengeance.”

“根据从北境得到的最新消息，罗德利克爵士在托伦方城附近击败了铁群岛的部队，然后于赛文城重新整军，准备夺回临冬城。”罗柏道。“他或许已经成功了，因为我们很久没有收到进一步的消息。退一步讲，假如我回师北上，三河地区怎么办？我不可能要求三河诸侯遗弃人民随我出征啊。”

“The last word we had from the north, Ser Rodrik had defeated a force of ironmen near Torrhen’s Square, and was assembling a host at Castle Cerwyn to retake Winterfell,” said Robb. “By now he may have done it. There has been no news for a long while. And what of the Trident, if I turn north? I can’t ask the river lords to abandon their own people.”

“不，”凯特琳说，“把他们留下，让他们自己管自己，我们靠北地人赢回北境。”

“No,” said Catelyn. “Leave them to guard their own, and win back the north with northmen.”

“您的北地人如何去得了北境？”弟弟艾德慕反问，“铁群岛方面不仅控制了落日之海，而且占领了卡林湾。一万年来，没有一支军队能从南面攻下卡林湾，即便朝那里进军也是疯狂之举。我们很可能被困在堤道上，铁民在前，愤怒的佛雷家族在后。”

“How will you get the northmen to the north?” her brother Edmure asked. “The ironmen control the sunset sea. The Greyjoys hold Moat Cailin as well. No army has ever taken Moat Cailin from the south. Even to march against it is madness. We could be trapped on the causeway, with the ironborn before us and angry Freys at our backs.”

“所以必须赢回佛雷家族，”罗柏说，“有了他们，才有成功的机会——不管机会多么渺茫；没有他们的支持，我看不到希望。我愿向瓦德侯爵提出一切……道歉，荣誉，土地，金钱……一定有东西可以抚平他受创的自尊心……”

“We must win back the Freys,” said Robb. “With them, we still have some chance of success, however small. Without them, I see no hope. I am willing to give Lord Walder whatever he requires … apologies, honors, lands, gold … there must be something that would soothe his pride …”

“东西办不到，”凯特琳道，“但人可以。”

“Not something,” said Catelyn. “Someone.”