Now it is to be said of Zigg that he failed not to fulfil Spitfire’s behest, but gathered hastily an army of more than fifteen hundred horse and foot out of the northern dales and the habitations about Shalgreth Heath and the pasture-lands of Kelialand and Switchwater Way and the region of Rammerick, and came in haste over the Stile. But when Corinius knew of this faring from the west, he marched three thousand strong to meet them above Moonmere Head, to deny them the way to Galing. But Zigg, being yet in the upper defiles4 of Breakingdale, now for the first time had advertisement of the great slaughter5 at Thremnir’s Heugh, and how the forces of Spitfire and Volle were broken and scattered6 and themselves fled up into the mountains; and, so deeming it small gain with so little an army to give battle to Corinius, he turned back without more ado and returned hastily over the Stile whence he came. Corinius sent light forces to harry7 his retreat, but being not minded as then to follow them into the west country, let build a burg in the throat of the pass in a place of vantage, and stationed there sufficient men to ward2 it, and so came again to Owlswick.
They that were with Corinius in Demonland numbered now more than five thousand fighting, men: a great and redoubtable8 army. With these, the weather being fine and open, he in a short time laid under him all eastern Demonland, save Galing alone. Bremery of Shaws with but seventy men held Galing for Lord Juss against all assaults. So that Corinius, thinking this fruit should ripen9 later and drop into his hand when the rest had been gathered, resolved at winter’s end to march with his main army into the west country, leaving a small force to hold down the eastlands and contain Bremery in Galing. To this determination he was led by all arguments of sound soldiership, most happily seconding his own inclinations10. For besides this of warlike policy two scarce weaker lodestones drew him westward: first the old cankered malice11 he bare in his heart against the Lord Brandoch Daha, that made Krothering his dearest prey12; and next, his own lustful13 desires most outrageously14 burning for the Lady Mevrian. And this only for the sight of her picture, found by him in Spitfire’s closet among his pens and inkstands and other trinkets, which once looked on he swore that with Heaven’s will (ay, or without if so it must be) she should be his paramour.
So on the fourteenth day of March, of a bright frosty morn, he with his main army marched up Breakingdale and over the Stile, by that same road that Lord Juss fared by and Lord Brandoch Daha, that summer’s day when they went to take counsel in Krothering before the Impland expedition. So came the Witches down to the watersmeet and turned aside to Many Bushes. There they found not Zigg nor his lady wife nor any of his folk, but found the house desolate15. So they robbed and burned and went their way. And a famous castle of Juss’s they sacked and burned in the confines of Kelialand, and an other on Switchwater Way, and a summer palace of Spitfire’s on a little hill above Rammerick Mere3. In such wise they marched victoriously16 down Switchwater Way, and there was none to dispute their progress but all fled at the approach of that great army and hid themselves in the secret places of the mountains, avoiding death and fate.
When he was come through the straits of Gashterndale up on to Krothering Side, Corinius let pitch his camp under Erngate End, at the foot of the scree-strewn slopes that rise steeply to the high western face of the mountain, where the lean embattled crags far aloft stand like a wall against high heaven.
Corinius came to Lord Gro and said to him, “To thee will I entrust17 mine embassage to this Mevrian. Thou shalt go with a flag of truce18 to gain thee entry to the castle; or if they will not admit thee, then bid her parley19 with thee without the wall. Then shalt thou use what fantastic courtier’s jargon20 nature and thine invention shall lightliest counsel thee, and say, ‘Corinius, by the grace of the great King and the might of his own hand king of Demonland, sitteth as thou well mayst see in power invincible21 before this castle. But he willed me let thee know that he is not come for to make war against ladies and damosels, and be thou of this sure, that neither to thee nor to none of thy fortress22 he will nought23 say nor hurt. Only this honour he proffereth thee, to wed24 thee in sweet marriage and make thee his queen in Demonland.’ Whereto if she say yea, well and good, and we will go up peaceably into Krothering and possess it and the woman. But if she deny me this, then shalt thou say unto her right fiercely that I will set on against the castle like a lion, and neither rest nor give over until I have beaten it all to a ruin about her ears and slain25 the folk with the edge of the sword. And that which she refuseth me to have in peaceful love and kindness I will have of my own violent deed, that she and her stiff-necked Demons26 may know that I am their king, and master of all that is theirs, and their own bodies but chattels27 to serve my pleasure.”
Gro said, “My Lord Corinius, choose I pray thee another who shall be fitter than I to do this errand for thee;” and so for a long time most earnestly besought28 him. But Corinius, the more he perceived the duty hateful to Gro, the firmer became his resolution that none but Gro should undertake it. So that in the end Gro perforce consented, and in the same hour went with eleven up to the gates of Krothering, and a white flag of truce was borne before him.
He sent his herald29 up to the gate to desire speech of the Lady Mevrian. And in a while the gates were opened, and she came down attended to meet Lord Gro in the open garden before the bridge-gate. It was by then late afternoon, and the burning sun swam low amid streaked30 level clouds incarnadine, setting aflame the waters of Thunderfirth with the reflection of his beams. From the horizon, high beyond the pine-clad hills of Westmark, a range of clouds reared themselves, solid and of an iron hue31; so hard-edged against the vapoury sky of sunset, that they seemed substantial mountains, not clouds: unearthly mountains (a man might fancy) divinely raised up for Demonland, for whom not all her ancient hills gave any longer refuge against her enemies. Here, in Krothering gates, wintersweet and the little purple daphne bush that blooms before the leaf breathed fragrance32 abroad. Yet was it not this sweetness in the air that troubled the Lord Gro, nor that western glory burning that dazzled his eyes; but to look upon that lady standing33 in the gate, white-skinned and dark, like the divine Huntress, tall and proud and lovely.
Mevrian, seeing him speechless, said at last, “My lord, I heard thou hadst some errand to declare unto me. And seeing a great camp of war gathered under Erngate End, and having heard of robbers and evil-doers rife34 about the land these many moons, I look not for soft speech. Take heart, therefore, and declare plainly what ill thou meanest.”
Gro answered and said, “Tell me first if thou that speakest art in truth the Lady Mevrian, that I may know whether to human kind I speak or to some Goddess come down from the shining floor of heaven.”
She answered, “Of thy compliments I have nought to do. I am she thou namest.”
“Madam,” said Lord Gro, “I would not have brought your highness this message nor delivered it, but that I know full well that did I refuse it another should bear it thee full speedily, and with less compliment and less sorrow than I.”
She nodded gravely, as who should say, Proceed. So, with what countenance35 he might, he rehearsed his message, saying when it was ended, “Thus, madam, saith Corinius the king: and thus he charged me deliver it unto your highness.”
Mevrian heard him attentively36 with head erect37. When he had done she was silent a little, still studying him. Then she spake: “Methinks I know thee now. Thou art Lord Gro of Goblinland that bearest me this message.”
Gro answered, “Madam, he thou namest went years ago from this earth. I am Lord Gro of Witchland.”
“So it seemeth, from thy talk,” said she; and was silent again.
The steady contemplation from that lady’s eyes was like a knife scraping his tender skin, so that he was ill at ease well nigh past bearing.
After a little she said, “I remember thee, my lord. Let me stir thy memory. Eleven years ago, my brother went to war in Goblinland against the Witches, and overcame them on Lormeron field. There slew38 he the great King of Witchland in single combat, Gorice X., that until that day was held for the mightiest39 man-at-arms in all the world. My brother was as then but eighteen winters old, and that was the first blazing up of his great fame and glory. So King Gaslark made great feasting and great rejoicing in Zaj? Zaculo because of the ridding of his land of the oppressors. I was at those revels40. I saw thee there, my lord; and being but a little maid of eleven summers, sat on thy knee in Gaslark’s halls. Thou didst show me books, with pictures in strange colours of gold and green and scarlet41, of birds and beasts and distant countries and wonders of the world. And I, being a little harmless maid, thought thee good and kind of heart, and loved thee.”
She ceased, and Gro, like a man hath taken some drowsy42 drug, stood looking on her confounded.
“Tell me,” said she, “of this Corinius. Is he such a fighter as men say?”
“He is,” said Gro, “one of the most famousest captains that ever was. That might not his worst enemies gainsay43.”
Mevrian said, “A likely consort44, think’st thou, for a lady of Demonland? Remember, I have said nay45 to crowned kings. I would know thy mind, for doubtless he is thy very familiar friend, since he made thee his go-between.”
Gro saw that she mocked, and be was troubled at heart. “Madam,” said he, and his voice shook somewhat, “take not in too great scorn this vile46 part in me. Verily this I brought thee is the most shamefullest message, and flatly against my will did I deliver it unto thee. Yet with such constraint47 upon me, how could I choose but strike my forehead into dauntless marble and word by word deliver my charge?”
“Thy tongue,” said Mevrian, “hath struck hot irons in my face. Go back to thy master. If he look for an answer, tell him he may read it in letters of gold above the gates.”
“Thy noble brother, madam,” said Gro, “is not here to make good that answer.” And he came near to her, saying in a low voice so that only they two should hear it, “Be not deceived. This Corinius is a naughty, wicked, and luxurious48 youth, that will use thee without any respect if once he break in by force into Krothering Castle. It were wiselier carried to make some open show to receive him; so by fair words and putting of him off thou mayst yet escape.”
But Mevrian said, “Thou hast mine answer. I have no ears to his request. Say too that my cousin the Lord Spitfire hath healed his wounds, and hath an army afoot shall whip these Witches from my gates ere many days be passed by.”
So saying she returned in great scorn within the castle.
But the Lord Gro returned again to the camp and to Corinius, who asked him how he had sped.
He answered, she did utterly49 refuse it.
“So,” said Corinius; “doth the puss thump50 me off? Then pause my hot desires an instant, only the more thunderingly to clap it on. For I will have her. And this coyness and pert rejection51 hath the more fixedly52 confirmed me.”
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1
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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2
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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3
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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4
defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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5
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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6
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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7
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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8
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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9
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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10
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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11
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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12
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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13
lustful
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| a.贪婪的；渴望的 | |
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14
outrageously
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| 凶残地； 肆无忌惮地； 令人不能容忍地； 不寻常地 | |
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15
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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16
victoriously
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| adv.获胜地，胜利地 | |
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17
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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18
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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19
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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20
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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21
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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22
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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23
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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24
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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25
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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26
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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27
chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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28
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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29
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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30
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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31
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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32
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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33
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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34
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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35
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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36
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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37
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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38
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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39
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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40
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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41
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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42
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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43
gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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44
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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45
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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46
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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47
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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48
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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49
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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50
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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51
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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52
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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