amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第53部分

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　　〃Told　me　what？〃　She　glared　at　both　of　them。
　　〃You　were　right；　Rosheen；〃　Tagetarl　said　with　a　sad　grimace。　〃There　is　trouble　ing　our　way。〃
　　〃Abominators？〃　she　exclaimed　when；　between　them；　Tagetarl　and　Pinch　disclosed　all　they　knew。
　　As　ever；　Rosheen　did　not　react　the　way　Tagetarl　thought　she　would。
　　〃You　mean；　you　didn't　tell　me　to　cook　enough　to　feed　your　friends　a　decent　supper；　Pinch？　You　left　them　waiting　up　there　in　that　awful　loft　all　day　long？〃
　　〃They　brought　food　and　they've　slept　most　of　the　day；〃　Pinch　added　as　if　that　was　occupation　enough。　〃Couldn't　let　anyone　know　they　were　here。〃
　　Abruptly　she　sat　down　on　the　stairs；　her　face　suddenly　white　as　she　absorbed　the　danger　the　Hall　was　in。
　　〃You　mean；〃　and　now　her　white　skin　was　flushed　with　angry　spots　on　her　cheeks；　〃you　let　me　go　through　the　entire　day　oblivious　to　all　this？〃
　　〃Now；　now；　Rosheen；　one　of　us　had　to　act　natural；〃　Tagetarl　said。
　　〃Well；　now；　I've　a　thing　or　two　to　say　to　that；　MasterPrinter　Tagetarl…〃
　　〃Later；　Rosheen；〃　Pinch　said。　〃You　can　say　anything　you　want　to　him　when　we've　got　all　this　behind　us。〃
　　She　paused；　one　hand　raised　to　point　accusingly　at　her　spouse。　〃When？〃　she　repeated　in　a　very　scared；　small　voice。
　　〃Tonight；　if　we're　lucky；〃　Pinch　replied。
　　〃That's　lucky？〃　She　blinked。　〃Is　that　why　Ola　hasn't　let　me　out　of　her　sight　all　day？〃
　　〃Quite　likely；〃　Pinch　agreed　amiably。　〃Now；　we'll　eat　dinner；　and　drink　merrily　from　whatever　you　have　in　the　hold　that's　safe　to　drink。　Some　of　your　good　cider？〃　he　asked　ingenuously。
　　Rosheen　took　a　deep　breath；　started　to　say　something；　changed　her　mind　and　pointed　down　the　cellar　hallway。　〃Harper；　you　know　exactly　where　I　store　the　cider！〃　She　turned　and　started　up　the　stairs；　slamming　each　foot　down　hard　on　the　riser　to　disperse　her　anger。
　　〃I　think　she　took　it　rather　well；〃　Pinch　said　to　Tagetarl。　He　rewrapped　his　rags。　〃Now；　this　drudge　will　hobble　out　and　disappear　in　the　lanes　and　byways。　And　shortly　a　very　respectably　dressed　gentleman　will　arrive　from　the　direction　of　the　wharf　with　a　mission　for　the　MasterPrinter　that　will　be　discussed　while　his　hosts　visibly　toast　the　Lord　Holder's　health。〃
　　And　that　was　exactly　what　happened　as　dusk　settled　over　Wide　Bay。　Then；　with　a　great　show　of　having　enjoyed　the　wine；　Tagetarl　and　Pinch　went　to　close　the　outer　gates　for　the　night。　The　heavy　sky…broom　wood　bar　took　considerable　heaving　to　get　into　place。　Tagetarl　clipped　over　the　unusual　fastenings　at　both　ends。
　　〃Now　don't　worry；　my　good　friend；〃　Pinch　said　as　they　walked　back　to　the　kitchen　porch；　giving　him　a　reassuring　shake　on　the　shoulder。　〃They　may　get　in；　but　I　assure　you；　they　won't　find　it　so　easy　to　get　out。　Nor　a　chance　to　do　any　harm。　Now　we　go　inside；　like　the　innocents　we　are；　and　lock　the　door。〃
　　Though　Pinch　had　explained　the　various　precautions　he　had　taken　during　the　day　and　where　his　helpers　were　now　hiding；　Tagetarl　was　realist　enough　to　know　that　Thread　could　fall　in　unexpected　tangles。
　　〃Try　to　relax；　Tag；〃　Pinch　advised　him。　〃I　think　every　fire…lizard　in　the　town　is　ready　to　e　when　Ola　warbles。〃
　　〃If　they　remember；〃　Tagetarl　muttered　to　himself；　shivering　a　little。　The　night　air　was　chilly。
　　Pinch　gave　a　soft；　wry　chuckle；　〃Bista's　there；　too；　you　know；　and　she'll　remember。　Now；　I've　one　more　trick　to　see　to。〃　He　clapped　him　once　more　on　the　shoulder　and　took　the　short　interior　corridor　to　the　Hall。
　　〃Relax？〃　Tagetarl　repeated　under　his　breath。
　　〃How　could　you　leave　me　in　ignorance　all　day；　Tag？〃　Rosheen　demanded；　ing　out　of　the　kitchen。
　　〃Now　you　know；　would　you　rather　have　known　earlier？〃　he　replied　more　bitingly　than　he　meant　and　put　his　arms　about　her　in　a　tight；　apologetic　embrace。　He　could　feel　her　trembling。
　　〃No；　I　guess　not；　but　you've　been　very　brave；　Tag。〃
　　〃I'm　scared　stiff。　If　only　we　could　have　put　in　steel　doors！〃
　　〃Steel　doors　didn't　keep　the　Abominators　out　of　the　Healer　Hall；　now　did　they？　They　just　walked　themselves　in。　Well；　at　least　they　can't　just　walk　in　here！〃
　　He　reached　over　to　turn　out　the　kitchen　lights。
　　〃Shall　I　giggle　drunkenly　or　something？　Having　enjoyed　the　Lord　Holder's　wine？　Or　s…s…should　we　reel　up　the　s…s…stairs？〃　She　spoiled　her　casual　manner　by　stammering。
　　〃A　waste　of　effort；　dear；〃　he　said；　trying　not　to　sound　grim。　〃Now　the　gates　are　closed；　no　one　can　see　in。〃
　　He　transferred　one　arm　to　her　waist　as　they　climbed　to　their　sleeping　room；　dowsing　the　lights　as　they　went　up。　Then　they　crept　back　down　the　stairs。　Fully　dressed；　they　made　themselves　as　fortable　as　possible　on　the　long　kitchen　bench。　Rosheen　had　padded　it　with　pillows　to　ease　a　long　wait。
　　〃Is　Ola　on　watch？〃　he　asked　Rosheen　softly。
　　〃If　she　were　more　on　watch；　she'd　give　her　vigilance　away。〃　She　gestured　to　a　long　shadow　on　the　wide　sill。
　　Even　the　pillows　could　not　make　the　upright　design　of　the　bench　fortable。　After　the　very　long　tense　day　he　had　spent；　Tagetarl　found　waiting　in　the　dark　for　the　expected　attack　the　worst　part。　He　could　have　used　the　time　to　edit　the　copy　to　be　printed　the　next　day…if　his　presses　still　worked。　Surely；　with　most　of　Pinch's　folk　hidden　in　the　Hall；　his　presses　would　be　untouched？　He　tried　to　remember　the　latest　verses　Menolly　had　sent　him　for　setting　and　found　he　remembered　her　new　tunes　better。　Then　he　was　aware　of　a　sleepy　murmur　from　his　spouse　and　realized　that　Rosheen；　her　head　pillowed　on　his　shoulder；　had　actually　managed　to　fall　asleep。　He　was　further　distracted　by　the　many　soft　noises　the　building　could　make。　He　had　to　identify　each　one　as　normal。　And　inside　the　hold。　Not　outside。
　　He　was　struggling　to　keep　awake　when　Ola's　soft　hiss　roused　him。　He　shook　Rosheen　and　she　mumbled　before　she　realized　that　she　shouldn't　make　any　sound。　He　felt　her　body　tense。
　　Then　the　fire…lizard　disappeared。　What　had　she　heard　that　he　hadn't？　Could　he　risk　looking　out　the　window？　His　ears　hurt　with　the　strain　of　listening。
　　A　noise！　Outside。　The　muted　thud　of　the　sky…broom　bar　rattled　in　its　slots。　He　grinned。　They'd　have　trouble　just　finding　the　safety　catches。　A　sudden　flare　of　light：　a　match？　Hunching　down；　he　got　to　the　kitchen　door；　crammed　his　body　to　one　side　so　he　had　a　partial　view　of　the　outer　gates　but　wouldn't　be　seen。　Since　his　eyes　were　accustomed　to　the　night；　he　made　out　two　dark　burly　figures　struggling　to　lift　the　sky…broom　bar。　Then　another　black　shadow；　visible　crossing　the　pale　cobbles；　joined　them。　Three？　That　was　the　number　Pinch　reckoned　would　e　over　the　weaver's　roof。　Their　initial　job　would　be　to　open　the　outer　gates　and　let　the　others　in。　He　heard　once　again　the　muted　thud　as　the　sky…broom　bar　refused　to　lift　from　its　brackets。　He　suppressed　a　malicious　delight　in　their　frustration。　Suddenly；　outlined　against　the　lighter　building　across　the　road；　three　shadows…heads　and　shoulders…loomed　over　the　top　of　the　gate。　The　figures　disappeared　back　the　way　they　had　e。　Had　he　heard　muted　cries？　The　three　inside　huddled　together　briefly　and　once　again　tried　to　lift　the　bar。
　　Another　flare　of　light；　carefully　shielded；　but　then　held　against　one　end　of　the　stubborn　bar。　Tagetarl　chuckled。　They'd　need　full　daylight　to　puzzle　the　mechanics：　an　old；　old　device。　Another　huddle；　one　was　left　examining　the　catch。　A　match　was　struck　and　he　saw　it　passing　from　the　head　of　one　torch　to　another。　In　that　light；　he　followed　the　progress　of　the　arsonist　across　the　court；　saw　him　jam　one　torch　under　the　edge　of　the　first　shed　door；　the　second　under　the　farther　one。　They　burned　merrily　and　Tagetarl　held　his　breath。　Maybe　that　paint　wasn't　a　retardant。　Fearfully　he　watched　but；　although　the　flame　leaped　up　along　the　lower　edge　of　the　door；　all　that　was　really　burning　was　the　torch；　its　light　reflecting　back　from　whatever　covered　the　wood。　The　man　who　had　placed　the　torches　didn't　seem　to　notice；　returning　to　the　stubborn　bar　securing　the　outer　gates。
　　Movement　there　caught　Tagetarl's　eye。　He　caught　a　glimpse　of　someone　scraping　the　arch　in　an　effort　to　avoid　the　top　of　the　gates。　That　was　a　very　awkward　method　of　clearing　a　height；　wasn't　it？　One　of　Pinch's　surprises？　When　had　Pinch　had　a　chance　to　trick　out　the　gates？　Not　that　Tagetarl　had　noticed　since　the　heavy　leaves　reached　a　good　half　meter　above　his　head。　There　was　some　kind　of　argument；　carried　on　in　emphatic　gestures；　some　indicating　the　gates　and　another　undeniably　made　to　the　person's　crotch。　Whatever　that　had　been　about；　now　they　were　concentrating　on　both　ends　of　the　restraining　bar。　He　counted　those　now　inside　and　came　up　with　at　least　ten　different　shadows。　The　attempts　to　shift　the　bar　were　abandoned　and　the　group　moved　toward　the　Print　Hall。　Tagetarl　wondered　if　they　were　falling　behind　their　schedule。
　　What　had　been　in　those　barrels？　He　couldn't　see　the　Hall　doors　as　easily　as　the　outer　gate　but　he　did　hear　the　scuff　of　heavy　soles　on　the　stone　steps　leading　to　the　kitchen　porch。　A　dark　figure；　a　big　man；　was　silhouetted　against　the　useless　torches　across　the　court。
　　Pinch　had　given　Tagetarl　the　task　of　preventing　anyone　from　entering　the　link　from　the　hold　to　the　Hall。　He　took　a　firm　grip　on　his　cudgel；　wishing　he　had　chosen　a　thicker　one。　The　man　looked　huge　in　the　shadows。　Not　since　his　journeyman's　days　had　Tagetarl　been　in　a　brawl。　He　heard　the　clink　of　something　against　the　pane　and　smiled　to　himself。　It　took　a　smashing　blow　to　break　glass　of　Master　Morilton's　manufacture。　And　would　make　a　lot　of　noise；　too。
　　But　it　didn't；　because　the　intruder　held　something　over　the　pane　as　he　hit　it　again。　The　glass　made　a　tinkling　sound　as　the　splinters　fell　on　the　inside　carpet。　Another　dull　sound　and　the　door　lock　was　broken。　If　he　and　Rosheen　had　been　drugged　and　asleep；　they　would　not　have　heard　those　sounds。　Then　he　had　no　time　to　think　because　the　man　pushed　open　the　door　and　crouched；　listening。　Tagetarl　pulled　back　his　arm　and　just　as　the　man　moved　forward；　so　did　he。　But　the　man　suddenly　tripped；　swearing　as　he　fell。　Tagetarl　aimed　at　his　head　and　brought　down　his　cudgel；　numbing　his　arm　to　the　shoulder　when　his　cudgel　connected　with　something　else；　much　harder。
　　〃Got　'ya。〃　Rosheen　said　in　a　low　and　very　smug　voice　and　then　saw　Tagetarl's　cudgel　lying　across　the　heavy　iron　pan　with　which　she　had　clouted　the　intruder。　〃I　didn't　see　you；　Tag！〃
　　Tagetarl　was　reeling　somewhat　with　the　shock　that　was　still　coursing　up　his　arm；　his　hand　numb　from　forceful　contact　with　an　iron　skillet。　A　whirr　and　Ola　arrived；　hissing　down　at　the　intruder。　Three　more　fire…lizards　neatly　zipped　in　through　the　broken　pane。
　　〃How'd　you　drop　him？〃　he　whispered。
　　〃Tripped　him　with　the　broom；〃　she　said。　〃I　heard　the　glass　go。　Where　were　you？〃
　　Tagetarl　jerked　his　head　over　his　shoulder。
　　〃Let's　throw　him　down　the　cellar　steps；　out　of　the　way；〃　she　said　so　coolly　that　Tagetarl　regarded　his　spouse　with　surprise。
　　She　was　generally　the　kindest　of　women。　〃Ola　will　make　sure　her　friends　don't　let　him　go　anywhere。〃
　　〃If　you　haven't　killed　him。〃
　　〃If　I　killed　him；　what　was　he　doing　where　I　could　do　so？〃　she　demanded　in　a　hoarse　whisper。
　　He　was　still　alive　when　they　took　him　by　the　shoulders；　dragged　him　the　short　distance　to　the　top