卷三 2920年
First Seed
首种(月份)
Book Three of 2920
卷三 2920年
The Last Year of the First Era
第一纪元的最后一年
by
Carlovac Townway
卡罗瓦克唐威
15 First Seed, 2920 Caer Suvio, Cyrodiil
15th,首种,2920,凯尔萨维奥,塞洛蒂尔
From their vantage point high in the hills, the Emperor Reman
从丘陵上的制高点望去,皇帝雷曼三世仍然可以看到皇城的塔尖,但他心里知道
III could still see the spires of the Imperial City, but he
knew he was far away from hearth and home. Lord Glavius had
他已经离那温暖的壁炉和家很远很远。盖拉缪斯领主有一栋奢华的别墅,但很明
a luxurious villa, but it was not close to being large enough to house the entire army within its walls. Tents lined the
显它还没大到能装下整个军队。军营帐篷就围绕在山腰上,而士兵们则聚在一起
hillsides, and the soldiers were flocking to enjoy his lordship's famous hot springs. Little wonder: winter chill
享受着他们阁下著名的温泉。尽管专属于冬天的寒冷气流还没离去。
still hung in the air.
“Prince Juilek, your son, is not feeling well.”
“朱历克王子,您的儿子,他觉得有点不对劲。”
When Potentate Versidue-Shaie spoke, the Emperor jumped. How
没等君主贝西多—沙耶说完这话,皇帝已经跳起来了。那个亚龙人是如何滑过
that Akavir could slither across the grass without making a
草坪并且没发出一点动静来到他身边的,这对于皇帝来讲一直是个谜。
sound was a mystery to him.
“Poisoned, I'd wager,” grumbled Reman. “See to it he gets a
“我敢打赌,他一定被下毒了,”皇帝嘟囔着。“给他带一个医者去。我告诉过他
healer. I told him to hire a taster like I have, but the boy's
要找一个专门尝菜的,就像我那一个,但男孩子总是任性的。我们周围到处都是
headstrong. There are spies all around us, I know it.”
间谍,我一直都清楚这一点。”
“I believe you're right, your imperial majesty,” said
“我认为您是正确的,陛下,”贝西多—沙耶说。“这是个满是谎言和背叛的时
Versidue-Shaie. “These are treacherous times, and we must take
代,而如果我们还想活着看见晨风输掉这场战争,不管是用明面上的方法,还是
precautions to see that Morrowind does not win this war, either
暗中阴险的办法,我们都必须保持警惕。这就是为什么我不推荐您在战场上带领
on the field or by more insidious means. That is why I would suggest that you not lead the vanguard into battle. I know
先锋队。我清楚您很不乐意,因为您的祖先,雷曼一世及雷曼二世都曾领队过,
you would want to, as your illustrious ancestorsReman I, Brazollus Dor, and Reman II did, but I fear it would be
但我害怕那会太过鲁莽。我希望您不介意我如此直白的这样说。”
foolhardy. I hope you do not mind me speaking frankly like this.”
“No,” nodded Reman. “I think you're right. Who would lead the
“不,”雷曼点点头说。“我觉得你是对的。那么谁会领导先锋队呢?”
vanguard then?”
“I would say Prince Juilek, if he were feeling better,” replied
“我认为若是朱历克王子感觉好点的话,他会是个很好的选择,”亚龙人回答道。
the Akavir. “Failing that, Storig of Farrun, with Queen Naghea
“如果没有,那么法尔伦的施杜里希也是个很好的选择,再加上河堡城的娜歌赫
of Riverhold at left flank, and Warchief Ulaqth of Lilmoth
皇后率领左翼,以及里尔莫斯的乌拉奎夫酋长率领右翼。”
at right flank.”
“A Khajiit at left flank and an Argonian at right,” frowned
“一个虎人在左翼和一个亚龙人在右翼,”皇帝皱着眉头,不同意君主的建议。
the Emperor. “I never do trust beastfolk.”
“我从来都不信任兽种人。”
The Potentate took no offense. He knew that “beastfolk”
君王并没有被触怒。他知道“兽种人”指代的是塔姆瑞尔的本土居民,而不是
referred to the natives of Tamriel, not to the Tsaesci of Akavir
像他这样来自阿卡维尔的塞尔赛人。“我同意这一点,陛下,但您必须承认他们
like himself. “I quite agree your imperial majesty, but you
恨极了暗精灵。特别是乌拉奎夫,在哀伤之城的公爵席卷了他的土地,带走了不
must agree that they hate the Dunmer. Ulaqth has a particular
少人来充当奴隶之后,他对暗精灵就有着一股独特的恶意。”
grudge after all the slave-raids on his lands by the Duke of Mournhold.”
The Emperor conceded it was so, and the Potentate retired.
皇帝承认了这个事实,接着不久君王向皇帝告退,离开了房间。这正让人吃惊,
It was surprising, thought Reman, but for the first time, the
雷曼想道,但他第一次认为,这位滑溜溜的君王看上去很可靠。不得不说他是个
Potentate seemed trustworthy. He was a good man to have on
人才,如果是作为盟友的话。
one's side.
18 First Seed, 2920 Ald Erfoud, Morrowind
18th,首种,2920,艾尔弗德,晨风
“How far is the Imperial Army?” asked Vivec.
“帝国军离我们还有多远?”维瓦克问道。
“Two days' march,” replied his lieutenant. “If we march all
“两天的路程,”他的中尉回答。“如果我们今夜连夜赶路的话,明天早晨便能争
night tonight, we can get higher ground at the Pryai tomorrow
取到普莱艾的高地。根据我们的情报,这一次皇帝会统领后方军队,法尔伦的施
morning. Our intelligence tells us the Emperor will be commanding the rear, Storig of Farrun has the vanguard, Naghea
杜里希率领先锋队,河堡城的娜歌赫带领左翼,还有里尔莫斯的乌拉奎夫在右翼。”
of Riverhold at left flank, and Ulaqth of Lilmoth at right flank.”
“Ulaqth,” whispered Vivec, an idea forming. “Is this
“乌拉奎夫,”维瓦克小声说着,脑海中忽然蹦出一个主意。“这份情报可靠吗?
intelligence reliable? Who brought it to us?”
是谁带来的消息?”
“A Breton spy in the Imperial Army,” said the lieutenant and
“一个在帝国军队中的布列塔尼间谍,”中尉回答并将手指向旁边的一个风尘仆
gestured towards a young, sandy-haired man who stepped forward
仆的年轻人,青年向前走到维瓦克面前,向他鞠了个躬。
and bowed to Vivec.
“What is your name and why is a Breton working for us against
“你叫什么名字,为什么一个布列塔尼人会帮助我们打败塞洛蒂尔?”维瓦克微
the Cyrodiils?” asked Vivec, smiling.
笑着问道。
“My name is Cassyr Whitley of Dwynnen,” said the man. “And
“我是凯索 惠特利,来自德温安,”年轻人回答。“而我之所以会为您工作是因
I am working for you because not everyone can say he spied
为不是每个人都可以说他曾为一位神做过间谍。而我清楚地了解到那即将会发生,
for a god. And I understood it would be, well, profitable.”
且结果一定是良好而有益的。”
Vivec laughed, “It will be, if your information is accurate.”
维瓦克豪迈地大笑出声,“那会发生的,如果你的信息够准确的话。”
19 First Seed, 2920 Bodrums, Morrowind
19th,首种,2920,堡德朗穆,晨风
The quiet hamlet of Bodrum looked down on the meandering river,
宁静的小村庄向下俯视着曲折的普莱艾河。这个地点给人种悠游闲适的感觉,
the Pryai. It was an idyllic site, lightly wooded where the
稀疏的树林点缀在小河的转弯处,向东直达不远处的悬崖峭壁,向西流经绚丽的
water took the bend around a steep bluff to the east with a gorgeous wildflower meadow to the west. The strange flora of
花田。在这里,晨风的植物群与塞洛蒂尔的植物群在边界处交合,华丽地混合成
Morrowind met the strange flora of Cyrodiil on the border and
一种独特的风格。
commingled gloriously.
“There will be time to sleep when you've finished!”
“别偷懒,干完活会有让你们睡觉的时间的!”
The soldiers had been hearing that all morning. It was not
这句话士兵们在这个早上已经不知道听了多少遍了。连夜的行军后不是疲倦的结
enough that they had been marching all night, now they were
束,而是噩梦的开始,他们在命令下不得不继续干活,砍下绝壁上的树木,还得
chopping down trees on the bluff and damming the river so its
给河流筑堤建坝,这使得河水满溢而出,无处宣泄。大多数人已经累到连开口抱
waters spilled over. Most of them had reached the point where
怨的精力都没有了。
they were too tired to complain about being tired.
“Let me be certain I understand, my lord,” said Vivec's
“让我确认一下我所了解的,殿下,”维瓦克的中尉说。“我们占领了悬崖所以我
lieutenant. “We take the bluff so we can fire arrows and spells
们可以从上至下地向敌人射箭或投射魔法。这也是为什么我们需要砍下所有的树。
down on them from above. That's why we need all the trees cleared out. Damming the river floods the plain below so
抑制住河水来淹掉下面的平原这样敌人在攻击我们之前就必须穿过一大片泥潭,
they'll be trudging through mud, which should hamper their
这势必会阻碍他们的移动脚步。”
movement.”
“That's exactly half of it,” said Vivec approvingly. He
“你说对了一半,”维瓦克满意地称赞道。他随意伸手抓来一个正把砍下来的树
grabbed a nearby soldier who was hauling off the trees. “Wait,
干拖走的士兵。“等一下,我需要你去折断一些最笔直,最强壮的树枝并把它们
I need you to break off the straightest, strongest branches of the trees and whittle them into spears. If you recruit a
削成长矛。如果你叫来其他人做帮手,这最多只需要花费几小时的时间。
hundred or so others, it won't take you more than a few hours to make all we need.”
The soldier wearily did as he was bade. The men and women got
士兵疲倦地服从他的殿下的命令。一些男女开始工作,将一条条树枝加工成长矛。
to work, fashioning spears from the trees.
“If you don't mind me asking,” said the lieutenant. “The
“如果您不建议我的询问的话,”中尉说。“士兵们不需要更多武器,他们已经太
soldiers don't need any more weapons. They're too tired to
疲惫了,甚至连自己原来的武器也握不紧。”
hold the ones they've got.”
“These spears aren't for holding,” said Vivec and whispered,
“这些长矛不是用来握在手上的,”维瓦克说道,接着降低音量耳语,“只要他们
“If we tired them out today, they'll get a good night's sleep
认真工作,他们会在今晚休息得好好的。”接着他又开始监督士兵们完成任务。
tonight” before he got to work supervising their work.
It was essential that they be sharp, of course, but equally
当然,这些长矛很快被削尖,同时每根长矛也要保证是均衡的,完美的。
important that they be well balanced and tapered proportionally. The perfect point for stability was a pyramid,
长矛的重心处有一个角锥体,不像其他普通长矛一样是圆锥体。
not the conical point of some lances and spears. He had the men hurl the spears they had completed to test their strength,
他让一个士兵将长矛投掷出去来测试它的强度,尖锐度和平衡性,接着他让士兵
sharpness, and balance, forcing them to begin on a new one
测试长矛能在折断前承受多少压力。随着时间流逝,士兵们终于不在疲倦于制作
if they broke. Gradually, out of sheer exhaustion from doing
品质欠佳的长矛并被长官折断,他们学会了如何正确地制作木质长矛。
it wrong, the men learned how to create the perfect wooden spears. Once they were through, he showed them how they were
同时,他们也知晓了,当这些完美的长矛被扔出去时会落在哪里
to be arranged and where.
That night, there was no drunken pre-battle carousing, and
那天晚上,没有酒池肉林的战前聚会,也没有因为紧张或担心即将到来的战争而
no nervous neophytes stayed up worrying about the battle to
无法入睡的新兵。当夕阳余晖洒在军营所在的山坡上时,除了可怜的哨兵之外,
come. As soon as the sun sank beneath the wooded hills, the
所有人都拖着疲累的身躯陷入梦神的怀抱。
camp was at rest, but for the sentries.
20 First Seed, 2920, Bodrum, Morrowind
20th,首种,2920,博得朗姆,晨风
Miramor was exhausted. For last six days, he had gambled and
米拉莫觉得浑身上下每块骨头都在叫嚣着要休息。之前那六天里,他整夜赌博嫖
whored all night and then marched all day. He was looking
娼紧接着白天还得接着赶路。他整日整夜都期盼着下一秒就能到达战场,或者说,
forward to the battle, but even more than that, he was looking
他期盼着战争之后的平静。他现在身处军队后方,听从皇帝的命令,这也意味着
forward to some rest afterwards. He was in the Emperor's
command at the rear flank, which was good because it seemed
他不用担心自己哪天不知咋的就死了。另外,这也意味着他们得整天和泥潭斗争
unlikely that he would be killed. On the other hand, it meant
且只能追着前方部队的痕迹,被他们远远甩在后面。
traveling over the mud and waste the army ahead left in their wake.
As they began the trek through the wildflower field, Miramor
当他们穿过野花田,准备开始他们的艰苦旅途时,米拉莫以及他旁边所有的士兵
and all the soldiers around him sank ankle-deep in cold mud.
都陷进了脚踝深的冰冷泥沼里。在这种情况下保持移动都是个挑战。在很远很远
It was an effort to even keep moving. Far, far up ahead, he
的彼岸,他可以看见由施杜里希将军统领的先锋队正在峭壁边的草地上列队整军。
could see the vanguard of the army led by Lord Storig emerging from the meadow at the base of a bluff.
That was when it all happened.
那就是一切开始转折的时候。
An army of Dunmer appeared above the bluff like rising Daedra,
一支暗精灵军队突然出现在草地上方,就像魔族突然复活了一样,向下面的先锋
pouring fire and floods of arrows down on the vanguard.
队倾倒着如洪水般密集的箭矢和火球。同一时刻,一伙暗精灵举着哀伤之城公爵
Simultaneously, a company of men bearing the flag of the Duke
的旗帜,在河岸的四周飞速疾驰,一直跑到河水浅岸的边缘,整齐地向东边的密
of Mournhold galloped around the shore, disappearing along
林幽谷行旗礼后,又向远处跑去直至看不到踪影。统帅右翼的乌拉奎夫酋长看见
the shallow river's edge where it dipped to a timbered glen
to the east. Warchief Ulaqth nearby on the right flank let out a bellow of revenge at the sight and gave chase. Queen
这一幕后发出一声仇恨的怒吼,然后即可开始追逐。娜歌赫皇后让她的军队行进
Naghea sent her flank towards the embankment to the west to
至西边的堤岸处来拦截军队。
intercept the army on the bluff.
The Emperor could think of nothing to do. His troops were too
皇帝的脑子里霎时一片空白。他所率领的军队现在还深陷泥沼,动都动不了,更
bogged down to move forward quickly and join the battle. He
别提赶到前面加入战斗来帮助友军,他只能命令他们面向东方尽量快地赶到树林
ordered them to face east towards the timber, in case
那里,假如哀伤之城的军队想要不停地在那片树林那打转的话。但他们没有,没
Mournhold's company was trying to circle around through the
有人看到他们再出来过,倒是有很多人完全错过了峭壁上的战况。米拉莫却一直
woods. They never came out, but many men, facing west, missed
目不转睛地瞪着悬崖那边。
the battle entirely. Miramor kept his eyes on the bluff.
A tall Dunmer he supposed must have been Vivec gave a signal,
一个他猜测是维瓦克的高大的暗精灵打了个信号,然后战争法师们向西边发射了
and the battlemages cast their spells at something to the west.
许多不知名的魔法。从它的后果来看,米拉莫推测那个被击中的物体是个水坝。
From what transpired, Miramor deduced it was a dam. A great
被迫停留的河水泄愤般全力冲了出来,一眨眼便带着娜歌赫的左翼军队冲向悬崖
torrent of water spilled out, washing Naghea's left flank into
上先锋队留下的残骸,最后带着两个军队一起奔向下游。
the remains of the vanguard and the two together down river to the east.
The Emperor paused, as if waiting for his vanquished army to
皇帝一动不动,好像在等待他那被击溃的军队回到他身边,然后命令他们撤退。
return, and then called a retreat. Miramor hid in the bushes
米拉莫藏在灌木里一直等到军队掠过,然后他费力地在泥沼用他最快的速度前进。
until they had passed by and then waded as quietly as he could to the bluff.
The Morrowind army was retiring as well back to their camp.
晨风的军队同样也退回了他们的军营里。当他轻声快步走过悬崖时,他可以听见
He could hear them celebrating above him as he padded along
他们在他上头高声欢庆。向东望去,他看见了帝国军。他们被河水冲向几排横放
the shore. To the east, he saw the Imperial Army. They had
在河面上的长矛,乌拉奎夫的左翼军、施杜里希的先锋队、娜歌赫的右翼军,都
been washed into a net of spears strung across the river,
被先后扎在那些长矛上,向被深棕色细线串起来的猩红色珠子。
Naghea's left flank on Storig's vanguard on Ulaqth's right flank, bodies of hundreds of soldiers strung together like beads.
Miramor took whatever valuables he could carry from the
米拉莫从尸体上搜过走了所有他能带上的,有价值的东西,然后沿着河往下游跑
corpses and then ran down the river. He had to go many miles
去。他得跑好几英里才能跑到有干净河水的地域,跑到没有被血肉污染的河岸。
before the water was clear again, unpolluted by blood.
29 First Seed, 2920, Hegathe, Hammerfell
29th,首种,2920,赫加瑟,落锤省
“You have a letter from the Imperial City,” said the chief
“你有一封来自皇城的信件,”首席女祭司说道,将手中的羊皮纸递给科尔达。
priestess, handing the parchment to Corda. All the young
那些年轻的女祭司们脸上还挂着微笑,但表情是掩不住的惊讶,但其实科尔达的
priestesses smiled and made faces of astonishment, but the
姐姐蕾加经常给她写信,至少一个月一封。
truth was that Corda's sister Rijja wrote very often, at least once a month.
Corda took the letter to the garden to read it, her favorite
科尔达带着信件走向花园,她最喜欢的地方—在音乐学院这个被沙色单色调地填
place, an oasis in the monochromatic sand-colored world of
满的地方一片仅存的绿洲。这封信跟之前的那些没什么区别:写满了皇城的八卦,
the conservatorium. The letter itself was nothing unusual: filled with court gossip, the latest fashions which were
最新的关于酒红色天鹅绒的流行,还有一份对于皇帝日益增长的妄想症的报告。
tending to winedark velvets, and reports of the Emperor's ever-growing paranoia.
“You are so lucky to be away from all of this,” wrote Rijja.
“我常常羡慕你竟然如此幸运能够离这些琐事远远的,”蕾加在信中写道。“皇帝
“The Emperor is convinced that his latest battlefield fiasco
深信他那最新的一次在战场上的惨败全都是因宫里的那些间谍才导致的。他甚至
is all a result of spies in the palace. He has even taken to
开始怀疑我的立场。雷普特加保佑,你千万不要有一天也过上跟我一样‘有趣’
questioning me. Ruptga keep it so you never have a life as
的生活。”
interesting as mine.”
Corda listened to the sounds of the desert and prayed to Ruptga
科尔达听着沙漠里呼呼的,一成不变的风声,在心里向雷普特加许下一个和她姐
the exact opposite wish.
姐截然不同的愿望。
The Year is Continued in Rain's Hand.
这一年会在‘雨手’中继续。
Location:
House of Clan Cruel-Sea (Windhelm), on a shelf in the bedroom
upstairs above the dining area with a cooking spit.
酷海家宅(风盔城),在一个有着烹饪锅的餐厅楼上,卧室里的书架上。
Palace of the Kings Upstairs (Windhelm), on a cupboard in the
first room to your left as you enter, go upstairs and turn left.
君王宫殿(风盔城),进门后左转上楼梯,左手边第一个房间的碗橱那里。
Wreck of the Brinehammer (The Pale), in the Brinehammer Below
Deck section in the back on the floor near the foot of a raised bed.
海锤沉船地(白地,晨星城领地,天际北方),在海锤号下甲班的截面处,在后方的地板上,靠近一个浮起的床。
Castle Volkihar, on the lower of two shelves on the wall, in a small study upstairs.
沃基哈尔城堡,楼上的一间书房中,墙上的两个架子中较低的那个上(黎明守卫)