第一百五十三章
和艦娘一起打章魚的日子 作者：王舜 投票推薦 加入書簽 留言反饋
防盜章節請勿訂閱，恢複之後刷新即可
weshouldstartback，”garedurgedasthewoodsbegantogrowdarkaroundthem.
“thewildlingsaredead.”
“dothedeadfrightenyou?”serwaymarroyceaskedwithjustthehintofasmile.
gareddidnotrisetothebait.hewasanoldman，pastfifty，andhehadseenthelordlingseandgo.“deadisdead，”hesaid.“wehavenobusinesswiththedead.”
“aretheydead?”royceaskedsoftly.“whatproofhavewe?”
“willsawthem，”garedsaid.“ifhesaystheyaredead，that’sproofenoughforme.”
willhadknowntheywoulddraghimintothequarrelsooneroter.hewishedithadbeeterratherthansooner.“mymothertoldmethatdeadmensingnosongs，”heputin.
mywetnursesaidthesamething，will，”roycereplied.“neverbelieveanythingyouhearatawoman’stit.therearethingstobelearnedevenfromthedead.”hisvoiceechoed，tooloudinthetwilitforest.
“wehavealongridebeforeus，”garedpointed1out.“eightdays，maybenine.andnightisfalling.”serwaymarroycencedattheskywithdisinterest.“itdoesthateverydayaboutthistime.areyouunmannedbythedark，gared?”
willcouldseethetightnessaroundgared’smouth，thebarelysuppressedangerinhiseyesunderthethickckhood2ofhiscloak.garedhadspentfortyyearsinthenight’swatch，manandboy，andhewasnotustomedtobeingmadelightof.yetitwasmorethanthat.underthewoundedpride，willcouldsensesomethingelseintheolderman.youcouldtasteit;anervoustensionthatcameperilousclosetofear.
willsharedhisunease.hehadbeenfouryearsonthewall.thefirsttimehehadbeensentbeyond，alltheoldstorieshaderushingback，andhisbowels3hadturnedtowater.hehaughedaboutitafterward4.hewasaveteranofahundredrangingsbynow，andtheendlessdarkwildernessthatthesouthroncalledthehauntedforesthadnomoreterrorsforhim.untiltonight.somethingwasdifferenttonight.therewasanedgetothisdarknessthatmadehishacklesrise.ninedaystheyhadbeenriding，northandnorthwestandthennorthagain，fartherandfartherfromthewall，hardonthetrackofabandofwildlingraiders.eachdayhadbeenworsethanthedaythathadebeforeit.todaywastheworstofall.acoldwindwasblowingoutofthenorth，anditmadethetreesrustle5likelivingthings.allday，willhadfeltasthoughsomethingwerewatchinghim，somethingcoldandimcablethatlovedhimnot.garedhadfeltittoo.willwantednothingsomuchastoridehellbentforthesafetyofthewall，butthatwasnotafeelingtosharewithyourmander.
especiallynotamanderlikethisone.
serwaymarroycewastheyoungestsonofanancienthousewithtoomanyheirs.hewasahandsomeyouthofeighteen，grey-eyedandgraceful6andslenderasaknife.mountedonhishugeckdestrier，theknight7toweredabovewindgaredontheirsmallergarrons.heworeckleatherboots，ckwoolen8pants，ckmoleskingloves，andafinesupple9coatofgleamingckringmailoveyersofckwondboiledleather.serwaymarhadbeenaswornbrotherofthenight’swatchforlessthanhalfayear，butnoonecouldsayhehadnotpreparedforhisvocation10.atleastinsofarashiswardrobewasconcerned.
hiscloakwashiscrowningglory;sable11，thickandckandsoftassin.“bethekilledthemallhimself，hedid，”garedtoldthebarracksoverwine，“twistedtheirlittleheadsoff，ourmightywarrior.”theyhadallsharedthugh.itishardtotakeordersfromamanyoughedatinyourcups，willreflectedashesatshiveringatophisgarron.garedmusthavefeltthesame.
“mormontsaidasweshouldtrackthem，andwedid，”garedsaid.“they’redead.theyshan’ttroubleusnomore.there’shardridingbeforeus.idon’tlikethisweather.ifitsnows，wecouldbeafortnightgettingback，andsnow’sthebestwecanhopefor.everseenanicestorm，mylord?”
thelordlingseemednottohearhim.hestudiedthedeepeningtwilight12inthathalf-bored，half-distractedwayhehad.willhadriddenwiththeknightlongenoughtounderstandthatitwasbestnottointerrupthimwhenhelookedlikethat.“tellmeagainwhatyousaw，will.allthedetails.leavenothingout.”
willhadbeenahunterbeforehejoinedthenight’swatch.well，apoacherintruth.mallisterfreeridershadcaughthimred-handedinthemallisters’ownwoods，skinningoneofthemallisters’
ownbucks13，andithadbeenachoiceofputtingontheckorlosingahand.noonecouldmovethroughthewoodsassilentaswill，andithadnottakentheckbrotherslongtodiscoverhistalent.“thecampistwomilesfartheron，overthatridge14，hardbesideastream，”willsaid.“igotcloseasidared.there’seightofthem，menandwomenboth.nochildrenicouldsee.theyputupalean-toagainsttherock.thesnow’sprettywellcovereditnow，buticouldstillmakeitout.nofireburning，butthefirepitwasstillinasday.noonemoving.iwatchedalongtime.nolivingmaneveysostill.”
“didyouseeanyblood?”
“well，no，”widmitted.
“didyouseeanyweapons?”
“someswords，afewbows.onemanhadanaxe15.heavy-looking，double-ded，acruelpieceofiron.itwasonthegroundbesidehim，rightbyhishand.”
“didyoumakenoteofthepositionofthebodies?”
willshrugged16.“acouplearesittingupagainsttherock.mostofthemontheground.fallen，like.”
“orsleeping，”roycesuggested.
“fallen，”willinsisted.“there’sonewomanupanironwood，half-hidinthebranches.afar-eyes.”hesmiledthinly.“itookcaresheneversawme.whenigotcloser，isawthatshewasn’tmovingneither.”despitehimself，heshivered.
“youhaveachill?”royceasked.
“some，”willmuttered.“thewind，m’lord.”
theyoungknightturnedbacktohisgrizzledman-at-arms.frost-fallenleaveswhisperedpastthem，androyce’sdestriermovedrestlessly.“whatdoyouthinkmighthavekilledthesemen，gared?”serwaymaraskedcasually17.headjustedthedrapeofhislongsablecloak.
“itwasthecold，”garedsaidwithironcertainty.“isawmenfreezstwinter，andtheonebefore，wheniwashalfaboy.everyalksaboutsnowsfortyfootdeep，andhowtheicewindeshowlingoutofthenorth，buttherealenemyisthecold.itstealsuponyouquieterthanwill，andatfirstyoushiverandyourteethchatter18andyoustampyourfeetanddreamofmulledwineandnicehotfires.itburns，itdoes.nothingburnslikethecold.butonlyforawhile.thenitgetsinsideyouandstartstofillyouup，andafterawhileyoudon’thavethestrenhtofightit.it’seasierjusttositdownorgotosleep.theysayyoudon’tfenypaintowardtheend.firstyougoweakanddrowsy，andeverythingstartstofade，andthenit’slikesinkingintoaseaofwarmmilk.peaceful，like.”“sucheloquence19，gared，”serwaymarobserved.“ineversuspectedyouhaditinyou.”
“i’vehadthecoldinmetoo，lordling.”garedpulledbackhishood，givingserwaymaragoodlonglookatthestumps20wherehisearshadbeen.“twoears，threetoes，andthelittlefingeroffmylefthand.igotofflight.wefoundmybrotherfrozenathiswatch，withasmileonhisface.”
serwaymarshrugged.“yououghtdressmorewarmly，gared.”
garedredatthelordling，thescarsaroundhisearholesflushedredwithangerwheremaesteraemonhadcuttheearsaway.“we’llseehowwarmyoucandresswhenthewinteres.”hepulleduphishoodandhunched21overhisgarron，silentandsullen22.
“ifgaredsaiditwasthecold…”willbegan.
“haveyoudrawn23anywatchesthispastweek，will?”
“yes，m’lord.”thereneverwasaweekwhenhedidnotdrawadozenbloody24watches.whatwasthemandrivingat?
“andhowdidyoufindthewall?”
“weeping，”willsaid，frowning.hesawitclearenough，nowthatthelordlinghadpointeditout.
“theycouldn’thavefroze.notifthewallwasweeping.itwasn’tcoldenough.”
roycenodded.“brighd.we’vehadafewlightfroststhispastweek，andaquickflurryofsnownowandthen，butsurelynocoldfierceenoughtokilleightgrownmen.mendinfurandleather，letmeremindyou，withshelternearathand，andthemeansofmakingfire.”theknight’ssmilewascocksure.“will，leadusthere.iwouldseethesedeadmenformyself.”
andthentherewasnothingtobedoneforit.theorderhadbeengiven，andhonorboundthemtoobey.
willwentinfront，hisshaggylittlegarronpickingthewaycarefullythroughtheundergrowth.alightsnowhadfallenthenightbefore，andtherewerestonesandrootsandhiddensinkslyingjustunderitscrust，waitingforthecarelessandtheunwary.serwaymarroycecamenext，hisgreatckdestriersnortingimpatiently.thewarhorsewasthewrongmountforranging，buttryandtellthattothelordling.garedbroughtuptherear.theoldman-at-armsmutteredtohimselfasherode.
twilightdeepened.thecloudlessskyturnedadeeppurple，thecolorofanoldbruise26，thenfadedtock.thestarsbegantoeout.ahalf-moonrose.willwasgratefulforthelight.
“wecanmakeabetterpacethanthis，surely，”roycesaidwhenthemoonwasfullrisen.
“notwiththishorse，”willsaid.fearhadmadehiminsolent27.“perhapsmylordwouldcaretotakethelead?”
serwaymarroycedidnotdeign28toreply.
somewhereoffinthewoodawolfhowled.
willpulledhisgarronoverbeneathanancientgnarledironwoodanddismounted.
“whyareyoustopping?”serwaymarasked.
“bestgotherestofthewayonfoot，m’lord.it’sjustoverthatridge.”
roycepausedamoment，staringoffintothedistance，hisfacereflective.acoldwindwhisperedthroughthetrees.hisgreatsablecloakstirredbehindlikesomethinghalf-alive.
“there’ssomethingwronghere，”garedmuttered.
theyoungknightgavehimadisdainfulsmile.“isthere?”
“can’tyoufeelit?”garedasked.“listentothedarkness.”
willcouldfeelit.fouryearsinthenight’swatch，andhehadneverbeensoafraid.whatwasit?
“wind.treesrustling29.awolf.whichsoundisitthatunmansyouso，gared?”whengareddidnotanswer，royceslidgracefully30fromhissaddle.hetiedthedestriersecurelytoalow-hanginglimb，wewayfromtheotherhorses，anddrewhislongswordfromitssheath.jewelsglitteredinitshilt，andthemoonlightrandowntheshiningsteel.itwasasplendidweapon，castle-forged，andnew-madefromthelookofit.willdoubtedithadeverbeenswunginanger.
“thetreespressclosehere，”willwarned.“thatswordwilltangle31youup，m’lord.betteraknife.”
“ifineedinstruction，iwiskforit，”theyounglordsaid.“gared，stayhere.guardthehorses.”
gareddismounted.“weneedafire.i’llseetoit.”
“howbigaforeyou，oldman?ifthereareenemiesinthiswood，afireisthstthingwewant.”
“there’ssomeenemiesafirewillkeepaway，”garedsaid.“bearsanddirewolvesand…andotherthings…”
serwaymar’smouthbecameahardline.“nofire.”
gared’shoodshadowedhisface，butwillcouldseethehardglitterinhiseyesashestaredattheknight.foramomenthewasafraidtheoldermanwouldgoforhissword.itwasashort，uglything，itsgripdiscoloredbysweat，itsedgenickedfromharduse，butwillwouldnothavegivenanironbobforthelordling’slifeifgaredpulleditfromitsscabbard.
finallygaredlookeddown.“nofire，”hemuttered，lowunderhisbreath.
roycetookitforacquiescence32andturnedaway.“leadon，”hesaidtowill.
willthreadedtheirwaythroughathicket33，thenstarteduptheslopetothelowridgewherehehadfoundhisvantagepointunderasentineltree.underthethincrustofsnow，thegroundwasdampandmuddy，slickfooting，withrocksandhiddenrootstotripyouup.willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallic34slitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreachingbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtugged35onhissplendidsablecloak.
dfoundhisvantagepointunderasentineltree.underthethincrustofsnow，thegroundwasdampandmuddy，slickfooting，withrocksandhiddenrootstotripyouup.willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallicslitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreachingbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtuggedonhissplendidsablecloak.
thegreatsentinelwasrightthereatthetopoftheridge，wherewillhadknownitwouldbe，itslowestbranchesabarefootofftheground.willslidinunderneath36，tonhisbelly37inthesnowandthemud，andlookeddownontheemptyclearingbelow.
hisheartstoppedinhischest.foramomenthedarednotbreathe.moonlightshonedownontheclearing，theashesofthefirepit，thesnow-coveredlean-to，thegreatrock，thelittlehalf-frozenstream.
everythingwasjustasithadbeenafewhoursago.
theyweregone.allthebodiesweregone.
“gods!”heheardbehindhim.aswordshed38atabranchasserwaymarroycegainedtheridge.hestoodtherebesidethesentinel，longswordinhand，hiscloakbillowingbehindhimasthewindcameup，outlinednoblyagainstthestarsforalltosee.
“getdown!”willwhisperedurgently.“something’swrong.”
roycedidnotmove.helookeddownattheemptyclearinganughed.“yourdeadmenseemtohavemovedcamp，will.”
will’svoiceabandonedhim.hegropedforwordsthatdidnote.itwasnotpossible.hiseyessweptbackandforth40overtheabandonedcampsite，stoppedontheaxe.ahugedouble-dedbattle-axe，stilllyingwherehehadseenist，untouched.avaluableweapon…“onyourfeet，will，”serwaymarmanded.“there’snoonehere.iwon’thaveyouhidingunderabush.”
reluctantly，willobeyed.
serwaymarlookedhimoverwithopendisapproval41.“iamnotgoingbacktocastleckafailureonmyfirstranging.wewillfindthesemen.”hencedaround.“upthetree.bequickaboutit.
lookforafire.”
willturnedaway，wordless.therewasnousetoargue.thewindwasmoving.itcutrightthroughhim.hewenttothetree，avaulting42grey-greensentinel，andbegantoclimb.soonhishandswerestickywithsap，andhewaslostamongtheneedles.fearfilledhisgut43likeamealhecouldnotdigest.
hewhisperedaprayertothenamelessgodsofthewood，andslippedhisdirkfreeofitssheath.heputitbetweenhisteethtokeepbothhandsfreeforclimbing.thetasteofcoldironinhismouthgavehimfort.
downbelow，thelordlingcalledoutsuddenly，“whogoesthere?”willhearduncertainty44inthechallenge.hestoppedclimbing;helistened;hewatched.
thewoodsgaveanswer:therustleofleaves，theicyrushofthestream，adistanthoot45ofasnowowl.
theothersmadenosound.
willsawmovementfromthecornerofhiseye.paleshapesgliding46throughthewood.heturnedhishead，glimpsedawhiteshadowinthedarkness.thenitwasgone.branchesstirredgentlyinthewind，scratchingatoneanotherwithwoodenfingers.willopenedhismouthtocalldownawarning，andthewordsseemedtofreezeinhisthroat.perhapshewaswrong.perhapsithadonlybeenabird，areflectiononthesnow，sometrickofthemoonlight.whathadheseen，afterall?
“will，whereareyou?”serwaymarcalledup.“canyouseeanything?”hewasturninginaslowcircle，suddenlywary25，hisswordinhand.hemusthavefeltthem，aswillfeltthem.therewasnothingtosee.“answerme!whyisitsocold?”
itwascold.shivering，willclungmoretightlytohisperch47.hisfacepressedhardagainstthetrunkofthesentinel.hecouldfeelthesweet，stickysaponhischeek.
ashadowemergedfromthedarkofthewood.itstoodinfrontofroyce.tall，itwas，andgauntandhardasoldbones，withfleshpaleasmilk.itsarmorseemedtochangecolorasitmoved;hereitwaswhiteasnew-fallensnow，thereckasshadow，everywheredappledwiththedeepgrey-greenofthetrees.thepatternsranlikemoonlightonwaterwitheverystepittook.
willheardthebreathgooutofserwaymarroyceinalonghiss48.enofarther，”thelordlingwarned.hisvoicecrackedlikeaboy’s.hethrewthelongsablecloakbackoverhisshoulders，tofree hisarmsforbattle，andtookhisswordinbothhands.thewindhadstopped.itwasverycold.
theotherslidforwardonsilentfeet.initshandwasalongswordlikenhatwillhadeverseen.
nohumanmetalhadgoneintotheforgingofthatde.itwasalivewithmoonlight，translucent49，ashardofcrystalsothinthatitseemedalmosttovanishwhenseenedge-on.therewasafaintblueshimmertothething，aghost-lightthatyedarounditsedges，andsomehowwillknewitwassharperthananyrazor.
serwaymarmethimbravely.“dancewithmethen.”heliftedhisswordhighoverhishead，defiant.hishandstrembledfromtheweightofit，orperhapsfromthecold.yetinthatmoment，willthought，hewasaboynolonger，butamanofthenight’swatch.
theotherhalted.willsawitseyes;blue，deeperandbluerthananyhumaneyes，abluethatburnedlikeice.theyfixed51onthelongswordtremblingonhigh，watchedthemoonlightrunningcoldalonhemetal.foraheartbeathedaredtohope.
theyemergedsilentlyfromtheshadows，twinstothefirst.threeofthem…four…five…serwaymarmayhavefeltthecoldthatcamewiththem，butheneversawthem，neverheardthem.willhadtocallout.itwashisduty.andhisdeath，ifhedid.heshivered，andhuggedthetree，andkeptthesilence.
thepaleswordcameshiveringthroughtheair.
serwaymarmetitwithsteel.whenthedesmet，therewasnoringofmetalonmetal;onlyahigh，thinsoundattheedgeofhearing，likeananimalscreaminginpain.roycecheckedasecondblow，andathird，thenfellbackastep.anotherflurryofblows，andhefellbackagain.
behindhim，toright，toleft，aroundhim，thewatchersstoodpatient，faceless，silent，theshiftingpatternsoftheirdelicatearmormakingthemallbutinvisibleinthewood.yettheymadenomovetointerfere.
againandagaintheswordsmet，untilwillwantedtocoverhisearsagainstthestrangeanguishedkeeningoftheirsh.serwaymarwaspantingfromtheeffortnow，hisbreathsteaminginthemoonlight.hisdewaswhitewithfrost;theother’sdancedwithpalebluelight.
thenroyce’sparrycameabeattote.thepaleswordbitthroughtheringmailbeneathhisarm.
theyounglordcriedoutinpain.bloodwelledbetweentherings.itsteamedinthecold，andthedropletsseemedredasfirewheretheytouchedthesnow.serwaymar’sfingersbrushedhisside.hismoleskinglovecameawaysoakedwithred.
theothersaidsomethinginnguagethatwilldidnotknow;hisvoicewaslikethecrackingoficeonawinteke，andthewordsweremocking.
serwaymarroycefoundhisfury.“forrobert!”heshouted，andhecameupsnarling52，liftingthefrost-coveredlongswordwithbothhandsandswingingitaroundinatsidearmsh39withallhisweightbehindit.theother’sparrywasalmoszy.
whenthedestouched，thesteelshattered.
ascreamechoedthroughtheforestnight，andthelongswordshiveredintoahundredbrittle53pieces，theshards54scattering55likearainofneedles.roycewenttohisknees，shrieking56，andcoveredhiseyes.
bloodwelledbetweenhisfingers.
thewatchersmovedforwardtogether，asifsomesignalhadbeengiven.swordsroseandfell，allinadeathlysilence.itwascoldbutchery.thepaledesslicedthroughringmasifitweresilk.
willclosedhiseyes.farbeneathhim，heheardtheirvoicesanughtersharpasicicles.
whenhefoundthecouragetolookagain，alongtimehadpassed，andtheridgebelowwasempty.
hestayedinthetree，scarcedaringtobreathe，whilethemooncreptslowlyacrossthecksky.
finally，hismusclescramping57andhisfingersnumb58withcold，heclimbeddown.
royce’sbodyfacedowninthesnow，onearmoutflung.thethicksablecloakhadbeenshedinadozences.lyingdeadlikethat，yousawhowyounghewas.aboy.
hefoundwhatwasleftoftheswordafewfeetaway，theendsplinteredandtwistedlikeatreestruckbylightning.willknelt，lookedaroundwarily59，andsnatcheditup.thebrokenswordwouldbehisproof.garedwouldknowwhattomakeofit，andifnothim，thensurelythatoldbearmormontormaesteraemon.wouldgaredstillbewaitingwiththehorses?hehadtohurry.
willrose.serwaymarroycestoodoverhim.
hisfineclotheswereatatter，hisfacearuin.ashard50fromhisswordtransfixedtheblindwhitepupilofhislefteye.
therighteyewasopen.thepupilburnedblue.itsaw.
thebrokenswordfellfromnervelessfingers.willclosedhiseyestopray.long，eleganthandsbrushedhischeek，thentightened60aroundhisthroat.theywereglovedinthefinestmoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
brushedhischeek，thentightenedaroundhisthroat.theywereglovedinthefinestmoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
weshouldstartback，”garedurgedasthewoodsbegantogrowdarkaroundthem.
“thewildlingsaredead.”
“dothedeadfrightenyou?”serwaymarroyceaskedwithjustthehintofasmile.
gareddidnotrisetothebait.hewasanoldman，pastfifty，andhehadseenthelordlingseandgo.“deadisdead，”hesaid.“wehavenobusinesswiththedead.”
“aretheydead?”royceaskedsoftly.“whatproofhavewe?”
“willsawthem，”garedsaid.“ifhesaystheyaredead，that’sproofenoughforme.”
willhadknowntheywoulddraghimintothequarrelsooneroter.hewishedithadbeeterratherthansooner.“mymothertoldmethatdeadmensingnosongs，”heputin.
mywetnursesaidthesamething，will，”roycereplied.“neverbelieveanythingyouhearatawoman’stit.therearethingstobelearnedevenfromthedead.”hisvoiceechoed，tooloudinthetwilitforest.
“wehavealongridebeforeus，”garedpointed1out.“eightdays，maybenine.andnightisfalling.”serwaymarroycencedattheskywithdisinterest.“itdoesthateverydayaboutthistime.areyouunmannedbythedark，gared?”
willcouldseethetightnessaroundgared’smouth，thebarelysuppressedangerinhiseyesunderthethickckhood2ofhiscloak.garedhadspentfortyyearsinthenight’swatch，manandboy，andhewasnotustomedtobeingmadelightof.yetitwasmorethanthat.underthewoundedpride，willcouldsensesomethingelseintheolderman.youcouldtasteit;anervoustensionthatcameperilousclosetofear.
willsharedhisunease.hehadbeenfouryearsonthewall.thefirsttimehehadbeensentbeyond，alltheoldstorieshaderushingback，andhisbowels3hadturnedtowater.hehaughedaboutitafterward4.hewasaveteranofahundredrangingsbynow，andtheendlessdarkwildernessthatthesouthroncalledthehauntedforesthadnomoreterrorsforhim.untiltonight.somethingwasdifferenttonight.therewasanedgetothisdarknessthatmadehishacklesrise.ninedaystheyhadbeenriding，northandnorthwestandthennorthagain，fartherandfartherfromthewall，hardonthetrackofabandofwildlingraiders.eachdayhadbeenworsethanthedaythathadebeforeit.todaywastheworstofall.acoldwindwasblowingoutofthenorth，anditmadethetreesrustle5likelivingthings.allday，willhadfeltasthoughsomethingwerewatchinghim，somethingcoldandimcablethatlovedhimnot.garedhadfeltittoo.willwantednothingsomuchastoridehellbentforthesafetyofthewall，butthatwasnotafeelingtosharewithyourmander.
especiallynotamanderlikethisone.
serwaymarroycewastheyoungestsonofanancienthousewithtoomanyheirs.hewasahandsomeyouthofeighteen，grey-eyedandgraceful6andslenderasaknife.mountedonhishugeckdestrier，theknight7toweredabovewindgaredontheirsmallergarrons.heworeckleatherboots，ckwoolen8pants，ckmoleskingloves，andafinesupple9coatofgleamingckringmailoveyersofckwondboiledleather.serwaymarhadbeenaswornbrotherofthenight’swatchforlessthanhalfayear，butnoonecouldsayhehadnotpreparedforhisvocation10.atleastinsofarashiswardrobewasconcerned.
hiscloakwashiscrowningglory;sable11，thickandckandsoftassin.“bethekilledthemallhimself，hedid，”garedtoldthebarracksoverwine，“twistedtheirlittleheadsoff，ourmightywarrior.”theyhadallsharedthugh.itishardtotakeordersfromamanyoughedatinyourcups，willreflectedashesatshiveringatophisgarron.garedmusthavefeltthesame.
“mormontsaidasweshouldtrackthem，andwedid，”garedsaid.“they’redead.theyshan’ttroubleusnomore.there’shardridingbeforeus.idon’tlikethisweather.ifitsnows，wecouldbeafortnightgettingback，andsnow’sthebestwecanhopefor.everseenanicestorm，mylord?”
thelordlingseemednottohearhim.hestudiedthedeepeningtwilight12inthathalf-bored，half-distractedwayhehad.willhadriddenwiththeknightlongenoughtounderstandthatitwasbestnottointerrupthimwhenhelookedlikethat.“tellmeagainwhatyousaw，will.allthedetails.leavenothingout.”
willhadbeenahunterbeforehejoinedthenight’swatch.well，apoacherintruth.mallisterfreeridershadcaughthimred-handedinthemallisters’ownwoods，skinningoneofthemallisters’
ownbucks13，andithadbeenachoiceofputtingontheckorlosingahand.noonecouldmovethroughthewoodsassilentaswill，andithadnottakentheckbrotherslongtodiscoverhistalent.“thecampistwomilesfartheron，overthatridge14，hardbesideastream，”willsaid.“igotcloseasidared.there’seightofthem，menandwomenboth.nochildrenicouldsee.theyputupalean-toagainsttherock.thesnow’sprettywellcovereditnow，buticouldstillmakeitout.nofireburning，butthefirepitwasstillinasday.noonemoving.iwatchedalongtime.nolivingmaneveysostill.”
“didyouseeanyblood?”
“well，no，”widmitted.
“didyouseeanyweapons?”
“someswords，afewbows.onemanhadanaxe15.heavy-looking，double-ded，acruelpieceofiron.itwasonthegroundbesidehim，rightbyhishand.”
“didyoumakenoteofthepositionofthebodies?”
willshrugged16.“acouplearesittingupagainsttherock.mostofthemontheground.fallen，like.”
“orsleeping，”roycesuggested.
“fallen，”willinsisted.“there’sonewomanupanironwood，half-hidinthebranches.afar-eyes.”hesmiledthinly.“itookcaresheneversawme.whenigotcloser，isawthatshewasn’tmovingneither.”despitehimself，heshivered.
“youhaveachill?”royceasked.
“some，”willmuttered.“thewind，m’lord.”
theyoungknightturnedbacktohisgrizzledman-at-arms.frost-fallenleaveswhisperedpastthem，androyce’sdestriermovedrestlessly.“whatdoyouthinkmighthavekilledthesemen，gared?”serwaymaraskedcasually17.headjustedthedrapeofhislongsablecloak.
“itwasthecold，”garedsaidwithironcertainty.“isawmenfreezstwinter，andtheonebefore，wheniwashalfaboy.everyalksaboutsnowsfortyfootdeep，andhowtheicewindeshowlingoutofthenorth，buttherealenemyisthecold.itstealsuponyouquieterthanwill，andatfirstyoushiverandyourteethchatter18andyoustampyourfeetanddreamofmulledwineandnicehotfires.itburns，itdoes.nothingburnslikethecold.butonlyforawhile.thenitgetsinsideyouandstartstofillyouup，andafterawhileyoudon’thavethestrenhtofightit.it’seasierjusttositdownorgotosleep.theysayyoudon’tfenypaintowardtheend.firstyougoweakanddrowsy，andeverythingstartstofade，andthenit’slikesinkingintoaseaofwarmmilk.peaceful，like.”“sucheloquence19，gared，”serwaymarobserved.“ineversuspectedyouhaditinyou.”
“i’vehadthecoldinmetoo，lordling.”garedpulledbackhishood，givingserwaymaragoodlonglookatthestumps20wherehisearshadbeen.“twoears，threetoes，andthelittlefingeroffmylefthand.igotofflight.wefoundmybrotherfrozenathiswatch，withasmileonhisface.”
serwaymarshrugged.“yououghtdressmorewarmly，gared.”
garedredatthelordling，thescarsaroundhisearholesflushedredwithangerwheremaesteraemonhadcuttheearsaway.“we’llseehowwarmyoucandresswhenthewinteres.”hepulleduphishoodandhunched21overhisgarron，silentandsullen22.
“ifgaredsaiditwasthecold…”willbegan.
“haveyoudrawn23anywatchesthispastweek，will?”
“yes，m’lord.”thereneverwasaweekwhenhedidnotdrawadozenbloody24watches.whatwasthemandrivingat?
“andhowdidyoufindthewall?”
“weeping，”willsaid，frowning.hesawitclearenough，nowthatthelordlinghadpointeditout.
“theycouldn’thavefroze.notifthewallwasweeping.itwasn’tcoldenough.”
roycenodded.“brighd.we’vehadafewlightfroststhispastweek，andaquickflurryofsnownowandthen，butsurelynocoldfierceenoughtokilleightgrownmen.mendinfurandleather，letmeremindyou，withshelternearathand，andthemeansofmakingfire.”theknight’ssmilewascocksure.“will，leadusthere.iwouldseethesedeadmenformyself.”
andthentherewasnothingtobedoneforit.theorderhadbeengiven，andhonorboundthemtoobey.
willwentinfront，hisshaggylittlegarronpickingthewaycarefullythroughtheundergrowth.alightsnowhadfallenthenightbefore，andtherewerestonesandrootsandhiddensinkslyingjustunderitscrust，waitingforthecarelessandtheunwary.serwaymarroycecamenext，hisgreatckdestriersnortingimpatiently.thewarhorsewasthewrongmountforranging，buttryandtellthattothelordling.garedbroughtuptherear.theoldman-at-armsmutteredtohimselfasherode.
twilightdeepened.thecloudlessskyturnedadeeppurple，thecolorofanoldbruise26，thenfadedtock.thestarsbegantoeout.ahalf-moonrose.willwasgratefulforthelight.
“wecanmakeabetterpacethanthis，surely，”roycesaidwhenthemoonwasfullrisen.
“notwiththishorse，”willsaid.fearhadmadehiminsolent27.“perhapsmylordwouldcaretotakethelead?”
serwaymarroycedidnotdeign28toreply.
somewhereoffinthewoodawolfhowled.
willpulledhisgarronoverbeneathanancientgnarledironwoodanddismounted.
“whyareyoustopping?”serwaymarasked.
“bestgotherestofthewayonfoot，m’lord.it’sjustoverthatridge.”
roycepausedamoment，staringoffintothedistance，hisfacereflective.acoldwindwhisperedthroughthetrees.hisgreatsablecloakstirredbehindlikesomethinghalf-alive.
“there’ssomethingwronghere，”garedmuttered.
theyoungknightgavehimadisdainfulsmile.“isthere?”
“can’tyoufeelit?”garedasked.“listentothedarkness.”
willcouldfeelit.fouryearsinthenight’swatch，andhehadneverbeensoafraid.whatwasit?
“wind.treesrustling29.awolf.whichsoundisitthatunmansyouso，gared?”whengareddidnotanswer，royceslidgracefully30fromhissaddle.hetiedthedestriersecurelytoalow-hanginglimb，wewayfromtheotherhorses，anddrewhislongswordfromitssheath.jewelsglitteredinitshilt，andthemoonlightrandowntheshiningsteel.itwasasplendidweapon，castle-forged，andnew-madefromthelookofit.willdoubtedithadeverbeenswunginanger.
“thetreespressclosehere，”willwarned.“thatswordwilltangle31youup，m’lord.betteraknife.”
“ifineedinstruction，iwiskforit，”theyounglordsaid.“gared，stayhere.guardthehorses.”
gareddismounted.“weneedafire.i’llseetoit.”
“howbigaforeyou，oldman?ifthereareenemiesinthiswood，afireisthstthingwewant.”
“there’ssomeenemiesafirewillkeepaway，”garedsaid.“bearsanddirewolvesand…andotherthings…”
serwaymar’smouthbecameahardline.“nofire.”
gared’shoodshadowedhisface，butwillcouldseethehardglitterinhiseyesashestaredattheknight.foramomenthewasafraidtheoldermanwouldgoforhissword.itwasashort，uglything，itsgripdiscoloredbysweat，itsedgenickedfromharduse，butwillwouldnothavegivenanironbobforthelordling’slifeifgaredpulleditfromitsscabbard.
finallygaredlookeddown.“nofire，”hemuttered，lowunderhisbreath.
roycetookitforacquiescence32andturnedaway.“leadon，”hesaidtowill.
willthreadedtheirwaythroughathicket33，thenstarteduptheslopetothelowridgewherehehadfoundhisvantagepointunderasentineltree.underthethincrustofsnow，thegroundwasdampandmuddy，slickfooting，withrocksandhiddenrootstotripyouup.willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallic34slitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreachingbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtugged35onhissplendidsablecloak.
dfoundhisvantagepointunderasentineltree.underthethincrustofsnow，thegroundwasdampandmuddy，slickfooting，withrocksandhiddenrootstotripyouup.willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallicslitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreachingbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtuggedonhissplendidsablecloak.
thegreatsentinelwasrightthereatthetopoftheridge，wherewillhadknownitwouldbe，itslowestbranchesabarefootofftheground.willslidinunderneath36，tonhisbelly37inthesnowandthemud，andlookeddownontheemptyclearingbelow.
hisheartstoppedinhischest.foramomenthedarednotbreathe.moonlightshonedownontheclearing，theashesofthefirepit，thesnow-coveredlean-to，thegreatrock，thelittlehalf-frozenstream.
everythingwasjustasithadbeenafewhoursago.
theyweregone.allthebodiesweregone.
“gods!”heheardbehindhim.aswordshed38atabranchasserwaymarroycegainedtheridge.hestoodtherebesidethesentinel，longswordinhand，hiscloakbillowingbehindhimasthewindcameup，outlinednoblyagainstthestarsforalltosee.
“getdown!”willwhisperedurgently.“something’swrong.”
roycedidnotmove.helookeddownattheemptyclearinganughed.“yourdeadmenseemtohavemovedcamp，will.”
will’svoiceabandonedhim.hegropedforwordsthatdidnote.itwasnotpossible.hiseyessweptbackandforth40overtheabandonedcampsite，stoppedontheaxe.ahugedouble-dedbattle-axe，stilllyingwherehehadseenist，untouched.avaluableweapon…“onyourfeet，will，”serwaymarmanded.“there’snoonehere.iwon’thaveyouhidingunderabush.”
reluctantly，willobeyed.
serwaymarlookedhimoverwithopendisapproval41.“iamnotgoingbacktocastleckafailureonmyfirstranging.wewillfindthesemen.”hencedaround.“upthetree.bequickaboutit.
lookforafire.”
willturnedaway，wordless.therewasnousetoargue.thewindwasmoving.itcutrightthroughhim.hewenttothetree，avaulting42grey-greensentinel，andbegantoclimb.soonhishandswerestickywithsap，andhewaslostamongtheneedles.fearfilledhisgut43likeamealhecouldnotdigest.
hewhisperedaprayertothenamelessgodsofthewood，andslippedhisdirkfreeofitssheath.heputitbetweenhisteethtokeepbothhandsfreeforclimbing.thetasteofcoldironinhismouthgavehimfort.
downbelow，thelordlingcalledoutsuddenly，“whogoesthere?”willhearduncertainty44inthechallenge.hestoppedclimbing;helistened;hewatched.
thewoodsgaveanswer:therustleofleaves，theicyrushofthestream，adistanthoot45ofasnowowl.
theothersmadenosound.
willsawmovementfromthecornerofhiseye.paleshapesgliding46throughthewood.heturnedhishead，glimpsedawhiteshadowinthedarkness.thenitwasgone.branchesstirredgentlyinthewind，scratchingatoneanotherwithwoodenfingers.willopenedhismouthtocalldownawarning，andthewordsseemedtofreezeinhisthroat.perhapshewaswrong.perhapsithadonlybeenabird，areflectiononthesnow，sometrickofthemoonlight.whathadheseen，afterall?
“will，whereareyou?”serwaymarcalledup.“canyouseeanything?”hewasturninginaslowcircle，suddenlywary25，hisswordinhand.hemusthavefeltthem，aswillfeltthem.therewasnothingtosee.“answerme!whyisitsocold?”
itwascold.shivering，willclungmoretightlytohisperch47.hisfacepressedhardagainstthetrunkofthesentinel.hecouldfeelthesweet，stickysaponhischeek.
ashadowemergedfromthedarkofthewood.itstoodinfrontofroyce.tall，itwas，andgauntandhardasoldbones，withfleshpaleasmilk.itsarmorseemedtochangecolorasitmoved;hereitwaswhiteasnew-fallensnow，thereckasshadow，everywheredappledwiththedeepgrey-greenofthetrees.thepatternsranlikemoonlightonwaterwitheverystepittook.
willheardthebreathgooutofserwaymarroyceinalonghiss48.enofarther，”thelordlingwarned.hisvoicecrackedlikeaboy’s.hethrewthelongsablecloakbackoverhisshoulders，tofree hisarmsforbattle，andtookhisswordinbothhands.thewindhadstopped.itwasverycold.
theotherslidforwardonsilentfeet.initshandwasalongswordlikenhatwillhadeverseen.
nohumanmetalhadgoneintotheforgingofthatde.itwasalivewithmoonlight，translucent49，ashardofcrystalsothinthatitseemedalmosttovanishwhenseenedge-on.therewasafaintblueshimmertothething，aghost-lightthatyedarounditsedges，andsomehowwillknewitwassharperthananyrazor.
serwaymarmethimbravely.“dancewithmethen.”heliftedhisswordhighoverhishead，defiant.hishandstrembledfromtheweightofit，orperhapsfromthecold.yetinthatmoment，willthought，hewasaboynolonger，butamanofthenight’swatch.
theotherhalted.willsawitseyes;blue，deeperandbluerthananyhumaneyes，abluethatburnedlikeice.theyfixed51onthelongswordtremblingonhigh，watchedthemoonlightrunningcoldalonhemetal.foraheartbeathedaredtohope.
theyemergedsilentlyfromtheshadows，twinstothefirst.threeofthem…four…five…serwaymarmayhavefeltthecoldthatcamewiththem，butheneversawthem，neverheardthem.willhadtocallout.itwashisduty.andhisdeath，ifhedid.heshivered，andhuggedthetree，andkeptthesilence.
thepaleswordcameshiveringthroughtheair.
serwaymarmetitwithsteel.whenthedesmet，therewasnoringofmetalonmetal;onlyahigh，thinsoundattheedgeofhearing，likeananimalscreaminginpain.roycecheckedasecondblow，andathird，thenfellbackastep.anotherflurryofblows，andhefellbackagain.
behindhim，toright，toleft，aroundhim，thewatchersstoodpatient，faceless，silent，theshiftingpatternsoftheirdelicatearmormakingthemallbutinvisibleinthewood.yettheymadenomovetointerfere.
againandagaintheswordsmet，untilwillwantedtocoverhisearsagainstthestrangeanguishedkeeningoftheirsh.serwaymarwaspantingfromtheeffortnow，hisbreathsteaminginthemoonlight.hisdewaswhitewithfrost;theother’sdancedwithpalebluelight.
thenroyce’sparrycameabeattote.thepaleswordbitthroughtheringmailbeneathhisarm.
theyounglordcriedoutinpain.bloodwelledbetweentherings.itsteamedinthecold，andthedropletsseemedredasfirewheretheytouchedthesnow.serwaymar’sfingersbrushedhisside.hismoleskinglovecameawaysoakedwithred.
theothersaidsomethinginnguagethatwilldidnotknow;hisvoicewaslikethecrackingoficeonawinteke，andthewordsweremocking.
serwaymarroycefoundhisfury.“forrobert!”heshouted，andhecameupsnarling52，liftingthefrost-coveredlongswordwithbothhandsandswingingitaroundinatsidearmsh39withallhisweightbehindit.theother’sparrywasalmoszy.
whenthedestouched，thesteelshattered.
ascreamechoedthroughtheforestnight，andthelongswordshiveredintoahundredbrittle53pieces，theshards54scattering55likearainofneedles.roycewenttohisknees，shrieking56，andcoveredhiseyes.
bloodwelledbetweenhisfingers.
thewatchersmovedforwardtogether，asifsomesignalhadbeengiven.swordsroseandfell，allinadeathlysilence.itwascoldbutchery.thepaledesslicedthroughringmasifitweresilk.
willclosedhiseyes.farbeneathhim，heheardtheirvoicesanughtersharpasicicles.
whenhefoundthecouragetolookagain，alongtimehadpassed，andtheridgebelowwasempty.
hestayedinthetree，scarcedaringtobreathe，whilethemooncreptslowlyacrossthecksky.
finally，hismusclescramping57andhisfingersnumb58withcold，heclimbeddown.
royce’sbodyfacedowninthesnow，onearmoutflung.thethicksablecloakhadbeenshedinadozences.lyingdeadlikethat，yousawhowyounghewas.aboy.
hefoundwhatwasleftoftheswordafewfeetaway，theendsplinteredandtwistedlikeatreestruckbylightning.willknelt，lookedaroundwarily59，andsnatcheditup.thebrokenswordwouldbehisproof.garedwouldknowwhattomakeofit，andifnothim，thensurelythatoldbearmormontormaesteraemon.wouldgaredstillbewaitingwiththehorses?hehadtohurry.
willrose.serwaymarroycestoodoverhim.
hisfineclotheswereatatter，hisfacearuin.ashard50fromhisswordtransfixedtheblindwhitepupilofhislefteye.
therighteyewasopen.thepupilburnedblue.itsaw.
thebrokenswordfellfromnervelessfingers.willclosedhiseyestopray.long，eleganthandsbrushedhischeek，thentightened60aroundhisthroat.theywereglovedinthefinestmoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
brushedhischeek，thentightenedaroundhisthroat.theywereglovedinthefinestmoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.