Out from the battlements poured a storm of arrows, a cloud of javelins4. The squat6 catapults leaped forward. From them came a hail of boulders7. Before that onrushing tempest of death I flinched9.
I heard Norhala’s golden laughter and before they could reach us arrow and javelin5 and boulder8 were checked as though myriads10 of hands reached out from the Thing under us and caught them. Down they dropped.
Forth11 from the great spindle shot a gigantic arm, hammer tipped with cubes. It struck the wall close to where the scarlet12 armored Kulun had vanished.
Under its blow the stones crumbled13. With the fragments fell the soldiers; were buried beneath them.
A hundred feet in width a breach15 gaped16 in the battlements. Out shot the arm again; hooked its hammer tip over the parapet, tore away a stretch of the breastwork as though it had been cardboard. Beside the breach an expanse of the broad flat top lay open like a wide platform.
The arm withdrew, and out from the whole length of the spindle thrust other arms, hammer tipped, held high aloft, menacing.
From all the length of the wall arose panic outcry. Abruptly17 the storm of arrows ended; the catapults were still. Again the trumpets18 sounded; the crying ceased. Down fell a silence, terrified, stifling19.
Kulun stepped forth again, both hands held high. Gone was his arrogance20.
“A parley21,” he shouted. “A parley, Norhala. If we give you the maid and man, will you go?”
“Go get them,” she answered. “And take with you this my command to Cherkis — that HE return with the two!”
For an instant Kulun hesitated. Up thrust the dreadful arms, poised22 themselves to strike.
“It shall be so,” he shouted. “I carry your command.”
He leaped back, his red mail flashed toward a turret23 that held, I supposed, a stairway. He was lost to sight. In silence we waited.
On the further side of the city I glimpsed movement. Little troops of mounted men, pony24 drawn25 wains, knots of running figures were fleeing from the city through the opposite gates.
Norhala saw them too. With that incomprehensible, instant obedience26 to her unspoken thought a mass of the Metal Things separated from us; whirled up into a dozen of those obelisked forms I had seen march from the cat eyes of the City of the Pit.
In but a breath, it seemed, their columns were far off, herding28 back the fugitives29.
They did not touch them, did not offer to harm — only, grotesquely30, like dogs heading off and corraling frightened sheep, they circled and darted31. Rushing back came those they herded32.
From the watching terraces and walls arose shrill33 cries of terror, a wailing34. Far away the obelisks35 met, pirouetted, melted into one thick column. Towering, motionless as we, it stood, guarding the further gates.
There was a stir upon the wall, a flashing of spears, of drawn blades. Two litters closed with curtainings, surrounded by triple rows of swordsmen fully36 armored, carrying small shields and led by Kulun were being borne to the torn battlement.
Their bearers stopped well within the platform and gently lowered their burdens. The leader of those around the second litter drew aside its covering, spoke27.
Out stepped Ruth and after her — Ventnor!
“Martin!” I could not keep back the cry; heard mingled37 with it Drake’s own cry to Ruth. Ventnor raised his hand in greeting; I thought he smiled.
The cubes on which we stood shot forward; stopped within fifty feet of them. Instantly the guard of swordsmen raised their blades, held them over the pair as though waiting the signal to strike.
And now I saw that Ruth was not clad as she had been when we had left her. She stood in scanty38 kirtle that came scarcely to her knees, her shoulders were bare, her curly brown hair unbound and tangled39. Her face was set with wrath40 hardly less than that which beat from Norhala. On Ventnor’s forehead was a blood red scar, a line that ran from temple to temple like a brand.
The curtains of the first litter quivered; behind them someone spoke. That in which Ruth and Ventnor had ridden was drawn swiftly away. The knot of swordsmen drew back.
Into their places sprang and knelt a dozen archers41. They ringed in the two, bows drawn taut42, arrows in place and pointing straight to their hearts.
Out of the litter rolled a giant of a man. Seven feet he must have been in height; over the huge shoulders, the barreled chest and the bloated abdomen43 hung a purple cloak glittering with gems44; through the thick and grizzled hair passed a flashing circlet of jewels.
The scarlet armored Kulun beside him, swordsmen guarding them, he walked to the verge45 of the torn gap in the wall. He peered down it, glancing imperturbably46 at the upraised, hammer-banded arms still threatening; examined again the breach. Then still with Kulun he strode over to the very edge of the broken battlement and stood, head thrust a little forward, studying us in silence.
“Cherkis!” whispered Norhala — the whisper was a hymn47 to Nemesis48. I felt her body quiver from head to foot.
A wave of hatred49, a hot desire to kill, passed through me as I scanned the face staring at us. It was a great gross mask of evil, of cold cruelty and callous50 lusts52. Unwinking, icily malignant54, black slits55 of eyes glared at us between pouches56 that held them half closed. Heavy jowls hung pendulous57, dragging down the corners of the thick lipped, brutal58 mouth into a deep graven, unchanging sneer59.
As he gazed at Norhala a flicker60 of lust51 shot like a licking tongue through his eyes.
Yet from him pulsed power; sinister61, instinct with evil, concentrate with cruelty — but power indomitable. Such was Cherkis, descendant perhaps of that Xerxes the Conqueror62 who three millenniums gone ruled most of the known world.
It was Norhala who broke the silence.
“Tcherak! Greeting — Cherkis!” There was merciless mirth in the buglings of her voice. “Lo, I did but knock so gently at your gates and you hastened to welcome me. Greetings — gross swine, spittle of the toads63, fat slug beneath my sandals.”
He passed the insults by, unmoved — although I heard a murmuring go up from those near and Kulun’s hard eyes blazed.
“We will bargain, Norhala,” he answered calmly; the voice was deep, filled with sinister strength.
“Bargain?” she laughed. “What have you with which to bargain, Cherkis? Does the rat bargain with the tigress? And you, toad64, have nothing.”
He shook his head.
“I have these,” he waved a hand toward Ruth and her brother. “Me you may slay65 — and mayhap many of mine. But before you can move my archers will feather their hearts.”
She considered him, no longer mocking.
“Two of mine you slew66 long since, Cherkis,” she said, slowly. “Therefore it is I am here.”
“I know,” he nodded heavily. “Yet now that is neither here nor there, Norhala. It was long since, and I have learned much during the years. I would have killed you too, Norhala, could I have found you. But now I would not do as then — quite differently would I do, Norhala; for I have learned much. I am sorry that those that you loved died as they did. I am in truth sorry!”
There was a curious lurking67 sardonicism68 in the words, an undertone of mockery. Was what he really meant that in those years he had learned to inflict69 greater agonies, more exquisite70 tortures? If so, Norhala apparently71 did not sense that interpretation72. Indeed, she seemed to be interested, her wrath abating73.
“No,” the hoarse74 voice rumbled14 dispassionately. “None of that is important — now. YOU would have this man and girl. I hold them. They die if you stir a hand’s breadth toward me. If they die, I prevail against you — for I have cheated you of what you desire. I win, Norhala, even though you slay me. That is all that is now important.”
There was doubt upon Norhala’s face and I caught a quick gleam of contemptuous triumph glint through the depths of the evil eyes.
“Empty will be your victory over me, Norhala,” he said; then waited.
“What is your bargain?” she spoke hesitatingly; with a sinking of my heart I heard the doubt tremble in her throat.
“If you will go without further knocking upon my gates”— there was a satiric75 grimness in the phrase —“go when you have been given them, and pledge yourself never to return — you shall have them. If you will not, then they die.”
“But what security, what hostages, do you ask?” Her eyes were troubled. “I cannot swear by your gods, Cherkis, for they are not my gods — in truth I, Norhala, have no gods. Why should I not say yes and take the two, then fall upon you and destroy — as you would do in my place, old wolf?”
“Norhala,” he answered, “I ask nothing but your word. Do I not know those who bore you and the line from which they sprung? Was not always the word they gave kept till death — unbroken, inviolable? No need for vows76 to gods between you and me. Your word is holier than they — O glorious daughter of kings, princess royal!”
The great voice was harshly caressing77; not obsequious78, but as though he gave her as an equal her rightful honor. Her face softened79; she considered him from eyes far less hostile.
A wholesome80 respect for this gross tyrant’s mentality81 came to me; it did not temper, it heightened, the hatred I felt for him. But now I recognized the subtlety82 of his attack; realized that unerringly he had taken the only means by which he could have gained a hearing; have temporized83. Could he win her with his guile84?
“Is it not true?” There was a leonine purring in the question.
“It IS true!” she answered proudly. “Though why YOU should dwell upon this, Cherkis, whose word is steadfast85 as the running stream and whose promises are as lasting86 as its bubbles — why YOU should dwell on this I do not know.”
“I have changed greatly, Princess, in the years since my great wickedness; I have learned much. He who speaks to you now is not he you were taught — and taught justly then — to hate.”
“You may speak truth! Certainly you are not as I have pictured you.” It was as though she were more than half convinced. “In this at least you do speak truth — that IF I promise I will go and molest87 you no more.”
“Why go at all, Princess?” Quietly he asked the amazing question — then drew himself to his full height, threw wide his arms.
“Princess?” the great voice rumbled forth. “Nay — Queen! Why leave us again — Norhala the Queen? Are we not of your people? Am I not of your kin53? Join your power with ours. What that war engine you ride may be, how built, I know not. But this I do know — that with our strengths joined we two can go forth from where I have dwelt so long, go forth into the forgotten world, eat its cities and rule.
“You shall teach our people to make these engines, Norhala, and we will make many of them. Queen Norhala — you shall wed88 my son Kulun, he who stands beside me. And while I live you shall rule with me, rule equally. And when I die you and Kulun shall rule.
“Thus shall our two royal lines be made one, the old feud89 wiped out, the long score be settled. Queen — wherever it is you dwell it comes to me that you have few men. Queen — you need men, many men and strong to follow you, men to gather the harvests of your power, men to bring to you the fruit of your smallest wish — young men and vigorous to amuse you.
“Let the past be forgotten — I too have wrongs to forget, O Queen. Come to us, Great One, with your power and your beauty. Teach us. Lead us. Return, and throned above your people rule the world!”
He ceased. Over the battlements, over the city, dropped a vast expectant silence — as though the city knew its fate was hanging upon the balance.
“No! No!” It was Ruth crying. “Do not trust him, Norhala! It’s a trap! He shamed me — he tortured —”
Cherkis half turned; before he swung about I saw a hell shadow darken his face. Ventnor’s hand thrust out, covered Ruth’s mouth, choking her crying.
“Your son”— Norhala spoke swiftly; and back flashed the cruel face of Cherkis, devouring90 her with his eyes. “Your son — and Queenship here — and Empire of the World.” Her voice was rapt, thrilled. “All this you offer? Me — Norhala?”
“This and more!” The huge bulk of his body quivered with eagerness. “If it be your wish, O Queen, I, Cherkis, will step down from the throne for you and sit beneath your right hand, eager to do your bidding.”
A moment she studied him.
“Norhala,” I whispered, “do not do this thing. He thinks to gain your secrets.”
“Let my bridegroom stand forth that I may look upon him,” called Norhala.
Visibly Cherkis relaxed, as though a strain had been withdrawn91. Between him and his crimson-clad son flashed a glance; it was as though a triumphant92 devil sped from them into each other’s eyes.
I saw Ruth shrink into Ventnor’s arms. Up from the wall rose a jubilant shouting, was caught by the inner battlements, passed on to the crowded terraces.
“Take Kulun,” it was Drake, pistol drawn and whispering across to me. “I’ll handle Cherkis. And shoot straight.”
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收听单词发音
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1
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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2
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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3
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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4
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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5
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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6
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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7
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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9
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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11
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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13
crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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15
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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17
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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18
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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25
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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27
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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28
herding
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| 中畜群 | |
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29
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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30
grotesquely
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| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
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31
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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32
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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33
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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34
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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35
obelisks
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| n.方尖石塔，短剑号，疑问记号( obelisk的名词复数 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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38
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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39
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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40
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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41
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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42
taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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43
abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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44
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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45
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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46
imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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47
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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48
nemesis
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| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
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49
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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50
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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51
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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52
lusts
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| 贪求（lust的第三人称单数形式） | |
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53
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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54
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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55
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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56
pouches
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| n.（放在衣袋里或连在腰带上的）小袋( pouch的名词复数 )；（袋鼠等的）育儿袋；邮袋；（某些动物贮存食物的）颊袋 | |
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57
pendulous
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| adj.下垂的；摆动的 | |
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58
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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59
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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60
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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61
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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62
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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63
toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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65
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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66
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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67
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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68
sardonicism
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| 讽刺 | |
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69
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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70
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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71
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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72
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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73
abating
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| 减少( abate的现在分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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74
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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satiric
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| adj.讽刺的，挖苦的 | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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mentality
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| n.心理，思想，脑力 | |
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subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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temporized
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| v.敷衍( temporize的过去式和过去分词 )；拖延；顺应时势；暂时同意 | |
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guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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