Ten years a wolf, and you land here and think to prince about the islands, but you know nothing and no one. Why should men fight and die for you? “ “I am their
lawful1 prince,” Theon said stiffly. “By the laws of the green lands, you might be. But we make our own laws here, or have you forgotten?”
Scowling2, Theon turned to
contemplate3 the leaking trencher before him. He would have
stew4 in his lap before long. He shouted for a
thrall5 to clean it up. Half my life I have waited to come home, and for what? Mockery and disregard? This was not the Pyke he remembered. Or did he remember? He had been so young when they took him away to hold hostage. The feast was a
meager6 enough thing, a succession of fish
stews7, black bread, and spiceless goat. The tastiest thing Theon found to eat was an onion pie. Ale and wine continued to flow well after the last of the courses had been cleared away. Lord Balon Greyjoy rose from the Seastone Chair. “Have done with your drink and come to my solar,” he commanded his companions on the dais. “We have plans to lay.” He left them with no other word, flanked by two of his guards. His brothers followed in short order. Theon rose to go after them. “My little brother is in a rush to be off.” Asha raised her drinking horn and
beckoned8 for more ale. “Our lord father is waiting.” “And has, for many a year. It will do him no harm to wait a little longer... but if you fear his
wrath9,
scurry10 after him by all means. You ought to have no trouble
catching11 our uncles.” She smiled. “One is drunk on seawater, after all, and the other is a great grey bullock so dim he’ll probably get lost.” Theon sat back down, annoyed. “I run after no man.” “No man, but every woman?” “It was not me who grabbed your cock.” “I don’t have one, remember? You grabbed every other bit of me quick enough.” He could feel the flush creeping up his cheeks. “I’m a man with a man’s hungers. What sort of
unnatural12 creature are you?” “Only a shy maid.” Asha’s hand
darted13 out under the table to give his cock a squeeze. Theon nearly jumped from his chair. “What, don’t you want me to
steer14 you into port, brother?” “Marriage is not for you,” Theon
decided15. “When I rule, I believe I will pack you off to the silent sisters.” He lurched to his feet and strode off unsteadily to find his father. Rain was falling by the time he reached the swaying bridge out to the Sea Tower. His stomach was crashing and churning like the waves below, and wine had unsteadied his feet. Theon
gritted16 his teeth and gripped the rope tightly as he made his way across, pretending that it was Asha’s neck he was clutching. The solar was as damp and drafty as ever. Buried under his sealskin robes, his father sat before the brazier with his brothers on either side of him. Victarion was talking of tides and winds when Theon entered, but Lord Balon waved him silent. “I have made my plans. It is time you heard them.” “I have some suggestions-” “When I require your counsel I shall ask for it,” his father said. “We have had a bird from Old Wyk. Dagmer is bringing the Drumms and Stonehouses. If the god grants us good winds, we will sail when they arrive... or you will. I mean for you to strike the first blow, Theon. You shall take eight longships north-” “Eight?” His face reddened. “What can I hope to accomplish with only eight longships?” “You are to
harry17 the
Stony18 Shore, raiding the fishing villages and sinking any ships you chance to meet. It may be that you will draw some of the northern lords out from behind their stone walls. Aeron will accompany you, and Dagmer Cleftjaw.” “May the Drowned God bless our swords,” the priest said. Theon felt as if he’d been slapped. He was being sent to do reaver’s work, burning fishermen out of their hovels and
raping19 their ugly daughters, and yet it seemed Lord Balon did not trust him
sufficiently20 to do even that much. Bad enough to have to suffer the Damphair’s
scowls21 and chidings. With Dagmer Cleftjaw along as well, his command would be
purely22 nominal23. “Asha my daughter,” Lord Balon went on, and Theon turned to see that his sister had slipped in silently, “you shall take thirty longships of picked men round Sea Dragon Point. Land upon the tidal flats north of Deepwood Motte. March quickly, and the castle may fall before they even know you are upon them.” Asha smiled like a cat in cream. “I’ve always wanted a castle,” she said sweetly. “Then take one.” Theon had to bite his tongue. Deepwood Motte was the stronghold of the Glovers. With both Robett and Galbart warring in the south, it would be lightly held, and once the castle fell the ironmen would have a secure base in the heart of the north. I should be the one sent to take Deepwood. He knew Deepwood Motte, he had visited the Glovers several times with Eddard
Stark24. “Victarion,” Lord Balon said to his brother, “the main thrust shall fall to you. When my sons have struck their blows, Winterfell must respond. You should meet small
opposition25 as you sail up Saltspear and the Fever River. At the headwaters, you will be less than twenty miles from Moat Cailin. The Neck is the key to the kingdom. Already we command the western seas. Once we hold Moat Cailin, the pup will not be able to win back to the north... and if he is fool enough to try, his enemies will seal the south end of the causeway behind him, and Robb the boy will find himself caught like a rat in a bottle.” Theon could keep silent no longer. “A bold plan, Father, but the lords in their castles-” Lord Balon rode over him. “The lords are gone south with the pup. Those who remained behind are the cravens, old men, and green boys. They will yield or fall, one by one. Winterfell may defy us for a year, but what of it? The rest shall be ours, forest and field and hall, and we shall make the folk our
thralls26 and salt wives.” Aeron Damphair raised his arms. “And the waters of wrath will rise high, and the Drowned God will spread his
dominion27 across the green lands! “ “What is dead can never die,” Victarion intoned. Lord Balon and Asha echoed his words, and Theon had no choice but to
mumble28 along with them. And then it was done. Outside the rain was falling harder than ever. The rope bridge twisted and
writhed29 under his feet. Theon Greyjoy stopped in the center of the span and
contemplated30 the rocks below. The sound of the waves was a crashing roar, and he could taste the salt spray on his lips. A sudden
gust31 of wind made him lose his footing, and he stumbled to his knees. Asha helped him rise. “You can’t hold your wine either, brother.” Theon leaned on her shoulder and let her guide him across the rainslick boards. “I liked you better when you were Esgred,” he told her accusingly. She laughed. “That’s fair. I liked you better when you were nine.”
点击
收听单词发音
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1
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 |
参考例句： |
- It is not lawful to park in front of a hydrant.在消火栓前停车是不合法的。
- We don't recognised him to be the lawful heir.我们不承认他为合法继承人。
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2
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- There she was, grey-suited, sweet-faced, demure, but scowling. 她就在那里，穿着灰色的衣服，漂亮的脸上显得严肃而忧郁。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
- Scowling, Chueh-hui bit his lips. 他马上把眉毛竖起来。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
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3
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 |
参考例句： |
- The possibility of war is too horrifying to contemplate.战争的可能性太可怕了，真不堪细想。
- The consequences would be too ghastly to contemplate.后果不堪设想。
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4
stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 |
参考例句： |
- The stew must be boiled up before serving.炖肉必须煮熟才能上桌。
- There's no need to get in a stew.没有必要烦恼。
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5
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 |
参考例句： |
- He treats his wife like a thrall.他把妻子当作奴隶看待。
- He is not in thrall to the media.他不受制于媒体。
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6
meager
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| adj.缺乏的，不足的，瘦的 |
参考例句： |
- He could not support his family on his meager salary.他靠微薄的工资无法养家。
- The two men and the woman grouped about the fire and began their meager meal.两个男人同一个女人围着火，开始吃起少得可怜的午饭。
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7
stews
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| n.炖煮的菜肴( stew的名词复数 )；烦恼，焦虑v.炖( stew的第三人称单数 )；煨；思考；担忧 |
参考例句： |
- Corn starch is used as a thickener in stews. 玉米淀粉在炖煮菜肴中被用作增稠剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Most stews contain meat and vegetables. 炖的食物大多是肉类和蔬菜。 来自辞典例句
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8
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill. 他招手示意服务生把账单送过来。
- The seated figure in the corner beckoned me over. 那个坐在角落里的人向我招手让我过去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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9
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 |
参考例句： |
- His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
- The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。
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10
scurry
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| vi.急匆匆地走；使急赶；催促；n.快步急跑，疾走；仓皇奔跑声；骤雨，骤雪；短距离赛马 |
参考例句： |
- I jumped on the sofa after I saw a mouse scurry by.看到一只老鼠匆匆路过,我从沙发上跳了起来。
- There was a great scurry for bargains.大家急忙着去抢购特价品。
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 |
参考例句： |
- There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
- Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
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12
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 |
参考例句： |
- Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？
- She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。
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13
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 |
参考例句： |
- The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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14
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 |
参考例句： |
- If you push the car, I'll steer it.如果你来推车，我就来驾车。
- It's no use trying to steer the boy into a course of action that suits you.想说服这孩子按你的方式行事是徒劳的。
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15
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 |
参考例句： |
- This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
- There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
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16
gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 |
参考例句： |
- He gritted his teeth and plunged into the cold weather. 他咬咬牙，冲向寒冷的天气。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- The young policeman gritted his teeth and walked slowly towards the armed criminal. 年轻警官强忍住怒火，朝武装歹徒慢慢走过去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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17
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 |
参考例句： |
- Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
- Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。
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18
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 |
参考例句： |
- The ground is too dry and stony.这块地太干，而且布满了石头。
- He listened to her story with a stony expression.他带着冷漠的表情听她讲经历。
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19
raping
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| v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的现在分词 )；强奸 |
参考例句： |
- In response, Charles VI sent a punitive expedition to Brittany, raping and killing the populace. 作为报复，查理六世派军讨伐布列塔尼，奸淫杀戮平民。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The conquerors marched on, burning, killing, raping and plundering as they went. 征服者所到之处烧杀奸掠，无所不做。 来自互联网
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20
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 |
参考例句： |
- It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
- The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。
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21
scowls
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| 不悦之色，怒容( scowl的名词复数 ) |
参考例句： |
- All my attempts to amuse the children were met with sullen scowls. 我想尽办法哄这些孩子玩儿，但是他们总是满脸不高兴。
- Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in. 1. 愁眉苦脸只会把人推开，而微笑却把人吸引过来。
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22
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 |
参考例句： |
- I helped him purely and simply out of friendship.我帮他纯粹是出于友情。
- This disproves the theory that children are purely imitative.这证明认为儿童只会单纯地模仿的理论是站不住脚的。
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23
nominal
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| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 |
参考例句： |
- The king was only the nominal head of the state. 国王只是这个国家名义上的元首。
- The charge of the box lunch was nominal.午餐盒饭收费很少。
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24
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 |
参考例句： |
- The young man is faced with a stark choice.这位年轻人面临严峻的抉择。
- He gave a stark denial to the rumor.他对谣言加以完全的否认。
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25
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 |
参考例句： |
- The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
- The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
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26
thralls
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| n.奴隶( thrall的名词复数 )；奴役；奴隶制；奴隶般受支配的人 |
参考例句： |
- He was accused of stirring up the thralls against their masters. 有人指责他鼓动奴隶反抗主人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He forced his thralls into hard labour. 他逼迫他的奴隶们干苦役。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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27
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 |
参考例句： |
- Alexander held dominion over a vast area.亚历山大曾统治过辽阔的地域。
- In the affluent society,the authorities are hardly forced to justify their dominion.在富裕社会里，当局几乎无需证明其统治之合理。
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28
mumble
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| n./v.喃喃而语，咕哝 |
参考例句： |
- Her grandmother mumbled in her sleep.她祖母含混不清地说着梦话。
- He could hear the low mumble of Navarro's voice.他能听到纳瓦罗在小声咕哝。
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29
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- He writhed at the memory, revolted with himself for that temporary weakness. 他一想起来就痛悔不已，只恨自己当一时糊涂。
- The insect, writhed, and lay prostrate again. 昆虫折腾了几下，重又直挺挺地倒了下去。
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30
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的
动词contemplate的过去分词形式 |
参考例句： |
- The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
- The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。
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31
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 |
参考例句： |
- A gust of wind blew the front door shut.一阵大风吹来，把前门关上了。
- A gust of happiness swept through her.一股幸福的暖流流遍她的全身。
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