Will went in front, his shaggy little garron picking the way carefully through the undergrowth. 威尔打前锋，骑着他那匹长毛的马，在矮树丛里小小心翼翼地探路。

A light snow had fallen the night before, and there were stones and roots and hidden sinks lying just under its crust, 昨夜下了一场小雪，这会儿树丛底下有许多石块、树根和水洼，

waiting for the careless and the unwary. Ser Waymar Royce came next, his great black destrier snorting impatiently. 一不小心就会摔倒。威玛·罗伊斯爵士跟在后面，他那匹高壮骏马不耐烦地吐着气。

The warhorse was the wrong mount for ranging, but try and tell that to the lordling. 巡逻任务最不适合骑战马，但贵族子弟哪听得进去？

Gared brought up the rear. The old man-at-arms muttered to himself as he rode. 老兵盖瑞殿后，一路低声喃喃自语。

Twilight¹ deepened. The cloudless sky turned a deep purple, the color of an old bruise², then faded to black. 暮色渐沉，无云的天空转为淤青般的深紫，然后没入黑幕。

The stars began to come out. A half-moon rose. Will was grateful for the light. 星星出来了，新月也升起。威尔暗自感谢星月的光辉。

We can make a better pace than this, surely, Royce said when the moon was full risen. 我们应该可以再走快点。罗伊斯说。这时月亮已快升上天顶。

Not with this horse, Will said. Fear had made him insolent³. Perhaps my lord would care to take the lead? 你的马没这能耐，威尔道，恐惧使他无礼起来。少爷您走前面试试？

Ser Waymar Royce did not deign⁴ to reply. 威玛·罗伊斯爵士显然不屑回答

Somewhere off in the wood a wolf howled. 树林深处传来一声狼嗥。

Will pulled his garron over beneath an ancient gnarled ironwood and dismounted. 威尔在一棵长满树瘤的老铁树旁停住，下了马。

Why are you stopping? Ser Waymar asked. 为何停下？威玛爵士问。

Best go the rest of the way on foot, m'lord. It's just over that ridge⁵. 大人，后面的路步行比较好，翻过那道山脊就到。

Royce paused a moment, staring off into the distance, his face reflective. A cold wind whispered through the trees. 罗伊斯也停下来凝神远望，一脸思索的表情。阵阵冷风飒飒响彻林间，

His great sable⁶ cloak stirred behind like something half-alive. 他的貂皮大衣在背后抖了抖，仿佛有了生命。