THAT NIGHT, I went out into the fields behind our camp, my chest exploding with rage.

I needed to be alone. I headed past the sentries¹ manning our perimeter². What did I care if I was in danger? I wanted to hurl³ the blasted lance against the castle walls. Keep it, Stephen. My life has been sorrow and misery⁴ since I found it!

Behind me, the flames of a hundred fires sparkled in the night, my men dozing⁵ or making bets on what tomorrow would bring: fight or surrender.

I began to feel heartened, my shoulders free of strain. Maybe I would see Emilie if I walked close to the walls. Just for a moment, as I passed by the gates. The thought lifted me-that I might see her beautiful face one more time.

I let out a breath, cradling the lance in my palms, staring at the massive walls.

Suddenly I felt a muscular arm around my neck. I gulped⁶ for air, the grip tightening⁷. The tip of a blade was pressed into my back.

Most accommodating, jester, hissed⁸ a voice in my ear.

You've picked a daring place for a murder. If I shout out, you will be meat for our dogs.

And if you shout, you would be out a very dear friend, boar-slayer.

I slowly turned and was face-to-face with the Moor⁹ who always guarded Anne.

What are you doing here, Moor? Your mistress, Anne, is no friend of mine. You're not welcome either.

I come with a message, he said. You must listen, just listen.

I have already seen your lady's message, but my wife died in her dungeon¹⁰.

A message not from my lady, the Moor said with a smile, but fromyours. Emilie. She bids you come with me tonight. I told her no

点击收听单词发音  

1 sentries
哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 )
参考例句：
We posted sentries at the gates of the camp. 我们在军营的大门口布置哨兵。 We were guarded by sentries against surprise attack. 我们由哨兵守卫，以免遭受突袭。

2 perimeter
n.周边，周长，周界
参考例句：
The river marks the eastern perimeter of our land.这条河标示我们的土地东面的边界。 Drinks in hands,they wandered around the perimeter of the ball field.他们手里拿着饮料在球场周围漫不经心地遛跶。

3 hurl
vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂
参考例句：
The best cure for unhappiness is to hurl yourself into your work.医治愁苦的最好办法就是全身心地投入工作。 To hurl abuse is no way to fight.谩骂决不是战斗。

4 misery
n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦
参考例句：
Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。 He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。

5 dozing
v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡
参考例句：
The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。 He never falters in his determination. 他的决心从不动摇。

6 gulped
v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住
参考例句：
He gulped down the rest of his tea and went out. 他把剩下的茶一饮而尽便出去了。 She gulped nervously, as if the question bothered her. 她紧张地咽了一下，似乎那问题把她难住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 tightening
上紧，固定，紧密
参考例句：
Make sure the washer is firmly seated before tightening the pipe. 旋紧水管之前，检查一下洗衣机是否已牢牢地固定在底座上了。 It needs tightening up a little. 它还需要再收紧些。

8 hissed
发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对
参考例句：
Have you ever been hissed at in the middle of a speech? 你在演讲中有没有被嘘过？ The iron hissed as it pressed the wet cloth. 熨斗压在湿布上时发出了嘶嘶声。

9 moor
n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊
参考例句：
I decided to moor near some tourist boats.我决定在一些观光船附近停泊。 There were hundreds of the old huts on the moor.沼地上有成百上千的古老的石屋。

10 dungeon
n.地牢，土牢
参考例句：
They were driven into a dark dungeon.他们被人驱赶进入一个黑暗的地牢。 He was just set free from a dungeon a few days ago.几天前，他刚从土牢里被放出来。

11 sane
adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的
参考例句：
He was sane at the time of the murder.在凶杀案发生时他的神志是清醒的。 He is a very sane person.他是一个很有头脑的人。