Wings of Fire 火之翼

这是我翻译的另外一篇奇幻小说，没事干，练练笔。


Wings of Fire 火之翼
by
Sharon Partington ?


Armon watched the shadow advance, moving across the plain like an inescapable tide. For five years he had managed to keep it at bay, using all of the strength and magic he possessed. None of it had been enough. How could he have known it would come to this?
艾蒙看着暗影就像无法阻挡的潮水一样飘过平原。 五年来，他一直用他所拥有的力量和魔法将它控制在海边。但他的力量和魔法一直不够。他怎么知道最终会变成这样呢？
He chuckled bitterly. How could he not? It had been prophesied from the day of their birth.
他轻声地苦笑了。为什么他就做不到呢？从出生那天起，他们就被这样预言了。
Mirror images of one another, he and his brother had both been blessed with the gift of their mother's Fire, but while Armon tempered his gift with wisdom and knowledge, Ryel had been drawn down a different, darker path. Exiled and condemned for his foray into the shadow reals, he had been denied his share of their father's kingdom. Now, the one known as The Dark star had returned to reclaim his birthright.
在那天，他和哥哥就像镜像一样，都获得了他们的母亲用火给予的祝福。艾蒙用智慧和知识来接受所他所获得的礼物，而雷尔却走上了一条完全不同而更加黑暗的道路。因为袭击了暗黑领域，被宣判为有罪，遭到流放，并被剥夺了对他父亲的王国的继承权。现在，这个被称为黑暗之星的人，回来争夺他的长子继承权了。
Thunder rumbled overhead, though the sky was cloudless and blue. Ryel, making his presence known, Armon thought, as though the vast black shadow advancing toward Lesslyn were not enough.
空中传来轰隆隆的雷声，尽管碧空万里无云。艾蒙想，雷尔就这样明目张胆，好像这么巨大的暗影朝着勒斯林城移动还不够似的。
"We will not defeat him."
“我们打不过他。”
The voice interrupted Armon's reverie. "He has not won yet," he countered, shaking his head.
这个声音打断了艾蒙的沉思。“但他还没有赢。”他反驳自己道，摇了摇头。
"Yes, he has. With every advance, our numbers dwindle."
“不，他赢了。他每前进一步，我们的人数量就减少了。”
"Is that why you have come, Dagen? To inspire me with your boundless optimism?"
“这就是你到这里来的原因吗，达恩？用你那无穷的乐观精神来鼓励我？”
Armon's son lowered his eyes. "No, father. The Duke of Andrath and the Earl of Myrin seek audience."
艾蒙的儿子低下了头。“不，爸爸。安德拉斯公爵和梅因伯爵在接见群众。”
"Do they?" muttered Armon.
“他们？”艾蒙嘀咕道。
He turned from the wall and descended the stone steps leading to the inner courtyard. "Where?"
他从墙边转过身来，沿着通向院子中心的石阶往下走。“他们在哪里？”
"In the Great Hall."
“在大礼堂。”

Armon barely glanced at the soldiers who saluted him as he strode past. Dagen hurried ahead to open the bronze palace doors, and he swept through them and down the marble corridor. He stood for a moment in the doorway of the Great Hall, listening to the two nobles natter. They were afraid.
艾蒙大步走过士兵的身边，对他们的敬礼视而不见。达恩匆匆跑到前面去开青铜色的宫殿大门。艾蒙快速地穿过他们，走到了下面的大理石走廊里。他在大厅的门口站了一会，听到两个贵族在喋喋不休。他们都很恐惧。
As well they should be.
他们也应该感到恐惧。
"My Lords," he said, his boots echoing on the tiled floor as he crossed the room.
“先生们，”他说道。他穿过屋子，他的靴子敲击着花砖地板发出了回音。
"King Armon," said a small man with silver hair and watery blue eyes. "How goes the battle?"
“艾蒙陛下，”一个眼珠子淡绿色留着银白胡子的小个子男人问道：“战争进行得怎么样了？”
" wasting my time."
“浪费我的时间。”
"We have called you here to remind you that it cannot continue, Sire," said Arvid of Andrath. "The city has been under besiege for nigh on six years, as you say. We are running out of supplies, men and time."
“我们请您来这里是想提醒您战争不能继续下去了，陛下。” Andrath市的阿维德说：“如您所说，城市已经被围困了差不多六年之久。我们现在缺少物资、人力和时间。”
Armon closed his eyes. "I am aware of that, but my brother抯 terms are not open to negotiation, and I am not prepared to accept them."
艾蒙闭上眼睛，“我知道。但我哥哥提出的条件不容我们有谈判的余地，我也不准备接受他的条件。”
"Then we must find a way to defeat him before we are overrun," said Rashin of Myrin.
“那么我们得在我们被侵占前想办法打败他。”Myrin市的拉申说。
"What would you suggest?" asked Armon, looking to the stocky, dark haired man at the end of the table. "He demands our absolute surrender. He sends our messengers back to us in pieces, and it takes all of my power to maintain the wards that protect us."
“你有什么建议？” 艾蒙问道，一边看着桌子另一端的这个健壮的长着一头深色头发的男人。“他要求我们彻底投降。他把我们的使者砍成几块，给我们送回来了。我要尽全力才能维护我们的防御体。”
"I realise that, Sire," said Rashin, "but there must be something we can do besides sit and wait to be destroyed!"
“我知道，陛下” 拉申说，“但我们必须做点什么，才不至于坐以待毙。”
"Forgive the intrusion, Father, but perhaps there is," said Dagen from the back of the room.
“请原谅我插嘴，爸爸，但或许我们真可以做点什么。”达恩在屋子的后面说道。
Armon turned, the others following his gaze.
艾蒙转过身，其他人也都顺着他的目光看过去。
"Speak, my son," said Armon. "If you think you know a way to save us, then I will gladly hear it."
“说吧，我的孩子。” 艾蒙说道。“如果你认为你知道有什么办法可以挽救我们，我很乐意听你说一下。”
Dagen approached the council table. "What about the Dragon Lords?"
达恩走近会议桌。“为什么不试试召唤龙神呢？”
Armon chuckled. "The Dragon Lords have been silent for a thousand years."
艾蒙轻声地笑了。“龙神已经沉寂了一千年了。”
"Silent," Dagen agreed. "But not vanished. The temple still stands."
“沉寂。”达恩表示同意地说，“但还没有消逝，神庙还在。”
Armon stared at his son, thoughtfully. The boy was serious.
艾蒙盯着儿子，陷入了沉思。这孩子是认真的。
"Sire!" said Rashin. "You cannot seriously consider such a thing! The Dragon Lords are far too dangerous and unpredictable. They—"
“陛下。” 拉申说，“您不能真的考虑这件事情！龙神太危险而且高深莫测。他们-----”
"They can hardly be worse than the threat we face from the Darkstar, Lord Rashin," Dagen interrupted. "You have said yourself we must do something besides wait."
“它们不可能比我们正面临的黑暗之星的威胁更危险，拉申阁下”达恩打断了他的话，“你也说了我们不能坐以待毙。”
"We do not even know if they still exist," insisted Arvid. "The temple stands, but that is all. I doubt there is anyone left alive who knows the invocation."
“我们甚至不知道它们是否还存在。”阿维德坚持道，“神庙还在，但也仅此而已。我怀疑是否还有什么活着的人懂那些咒语。”
"I know it," said Dagen.
“我懂。”
Armon looked at his son with surprise. "You? How?"
艾蒙惊讶的看着他的儿子。“你？你怎么知道的？”
"I have been studying the Texts," said Dagen.
“我一直在研究咒文。”达恩说。
"The Dragon Texts are forbidden," said Rashin.
“龙神的文字都是禁文。”拉申说。
"They contain knowledge that can save us, Lord Rashin," said Dagen. "The invocation is described in great detail."
“它们含有能拯救我们的知识，拉申阁下。”达恩说，“咒文描述得很清楚。”
"And you think you can use it to summon the Dragon Lords from a thousand years of slumber?" laughed Rashin.
“你认为你能用它来召唤沉睡了一千年的龙神？”拉申笑道。
"Why not?" asked Dagen. He looked to his father. "It cannot hurt to try. If it fails, we are no worse off than we are now; if it succeeds…"
“为什么不行呢？”达恩问道。他看着父亲。“试一试是不会有什么损失的。即使失败了，情况也不会变得比现在更糟，如果成功了------”
"We will owe a debt we may not be able to repay," said Arvid. "What do your Texts say about the price that will be demanded of us?"
“我们可能会欠下无法偿付的恩情。”阿维德说，“你的咒文上对我们要支付的代价是怎么说的？”
"I…am not sure. The histories are incomplete."
“这个，我不太清楚。历史记录不完整。”
"So, the cost is unknown?" asked Rashin. "I hardly think the Dragon Lords will come to our aid out of kindness."
“那么，就是说代价是不清楚的？”拉申问道，“我认为龙神不会出于善意而来帮助我们。”
"Whatever the price, it has to be better than waiting to be overwhelmed."
“不论代价是什么，这总比坐以待毙强得多。”
"Sire!" insisted Rashin.
“陛下！”拉申仍然坚持道。
"Enough!" snapped Armon, running a weary hand across his eyes. "Thank you, Dagen. I will consider your suggestion, though I would rather not find myself in debt to the Dragon Lords if an alternative exists."
“够了。” 艾蒙不耐烦地打断了争论，一边用疲惫的手揉着眼睛。“谢谢你，达恩。我会考虑你的建议的，尽管如果还有其他办法的话我是不愿接受龙神的恩情的。”
He looked to the two nobles. "Is there anything else?"
他转过去看着两个贵族。“还有什么其他的事情吗？”
They muttered negative replies, staring fixedly at the table.
他们两个人咕隆了一阵，但是没有回答，只是盯着桌子看。
"Very well, then," said Armon. "This audience is concluded."
“那好吧。”艾蒙说，“接见会结束。”
***
Dagen sat in the vaults, the Dragon Lord Texts open before him. The pages were thin and crumbling, he had to be careful as he turned them, his eyes scanning the ancient words. The more he read, the more in awe he was. That beings of such power should pass from the world seemed somehow unfair.
达恩坐在拱顶上，龙神的文字在他面前打开了。这些书页都很薄而且像是由碎片拼在一起的。他翻书时不得不特别小心，他的眼睛扫描着这些古老的文字。他看的越多，就越感到恐怖。
He looked up when the door to the vaults creaked open, and smiled as his father approached.
拱顶的门被吱吱地推开了，他抬起头来，微笑地看着他的父亲走进来。
Armon looked tired, the strain of constantly maintaining the wards showing in his eyes. He ate little and slept less, and sometimes Dagen wondered how he was able to function at all. Dagen worried about him.
艾蒙看上去很疲倦，他的眼中看得到因为不断的维护防卫而引起的疲惫。他的饮食和睡眠都很少，有时达恩都不禁想知道他是怎么行使职责的。达恩很担心他的父亲。
"I have been thinking about your Dragon Lords," said Armon. "Were our situation not so desperate, I would never seriously consider it, but…" He sighed. "Arvid and Rashin are correct. I am running out of options, as well as time."
“我一直在想你所说的龙神”，艾蒙说，“如果我们的处境不是这样令人绝望，我是不会认真考虑这件事的，但是---------”他叹了口气，“阿维德和拉申是对的，我没有选择，也没有时间。”
Dagen lowered his eyes. "I can do this, Father. The words of summoning are here."
达恩低垂着眼睛。“我可以做到，爸爸。召唤龙神的咒文就在这里。”
"What of the magic required?" asked Armon. "It cannot be that just anyone may summon a Dragon Lord."
“这个魔法有什么要求？” 艾蒙问道“不可能是任何一个人都可以召唤龙神的。”
"At the time the histories were written, it was forbidden for anyone to enter the temple without the permission of the Mages. They controlled and performed all the rituals, including the rituals of summoning and return. But they are gone, Father. The temple stands, however, and the words are here. No where in the texts does it say that the ritual must be performed by a Dragon Mage—it just always was."
“根据历史记载，当时没得到法师们的允许是不能进去神庙的。法师们控制和举行所有的仪式，包括召唤和送走神龙。但现在他们都死了，父亲。而神庙还在，这些祭文也在这里。文字中并没有说必须由龙法师举行仪式--------尽管以前一直是这样。”
"And you think you can do this? Summon a Dragon Lord to save us?"
“那你认为你可以做到？召唤神龙来拯救我们？”
"I can speak the words. I understand the ritual," said Dagen. "Yes, Father. I believe I can."
“我会念咒语，我知道仪式。”达恩说道，“是的，爸爸。我相信我可以做到。
"I do not know which is worse," muttered Armon. "To owe an unknown debt to a God a thousand years dead, or to watch my cursed brother destroy all that I have built." He sighed. "Very well. If you think you can do this, we will make the attempt. Before he sends his horde against the walls again."
“我不知道哪种选择会更糟，”艾蒙说，“是该向已经灭绝了千年的龙神求助呢，还是眼看着我那邪恶的哥哥摧毁我所建立起来的一切，”他叹了口气道。“好吧。我想你可以这样做，我们可以试一下。要赶在他再派出游牧部落来进攻之前。”
***
The Temple of the Dragon sat on an island in the middle of a weed-choked lake, connected to the city by a narrow stone bridge. It was surrounded by high, vine-covered obsidian walls; dense thickets of holly and shrouding stands of cedar and pine only added to the sense of wildness and abandonment.
龙神庙坐落在一个杂草丛生的湖中心的岛上，一座狭窄的石桥将它连接到城市。它被高高的、上面长满藤蔓的十胜石墙围着。茂密的冬青树丛和大片的雪松和松树更增添了荒芜和遗弃感。
Armon shivered as he and Dagen crossed the bridge. The air felt different on the island, heavier and warmer. A damp mist curled through the trees.
在他们走在桥上时，艾蒙打了一个冷颤。岛上的空气感觉与别处不同，更凝重更温暖一些。一片潮湿的薄雾在树间袅袅上升。
A warm wind swirled the dust at their feet as they entered the temple's courtyard. Dead weeds and grass outlined the paving stones, and a cracked, broken fountain decorated the yard. Four stone dragons guarded the square, their black wings unfurled, their ruby and emerald eyes winking in the pale light shining through the trees.
当他们走进神庙的院子时，一阵温暖的风吹起他们脚下的尘土打着转。枯死的杂草点缀着铺路石。一个已经破裂了的喷泉点缀着院子。四条石头雕刻的龙守卫着院子，他们的黑色翅膀展开着，他们的红宝石和蓝宝石眼睛在透过树林穿过来的暗淡的光线下闪闪发光。
Armon shuddered. There was power here, ancient power.
艾蒙直发抖。这里有很强的力量，来自于远古的力量。
He looked over at his son. Dagen's blond hair was shining in the filtered sunlight, but his grey eyes were pensive as he stared at the shadowed portal of the temple's door. "Come on, boy," he muttered, "before I lose my nerve."
他看着他的儿子。达恩的金黄色头发在透过树林射进来的阳光下闪耀着，但当他盯着神庙大门的阴暗的入口时，他的眼睛尽是沉思。“来吧，孩子。”艾蒙轻声说道，“趁我现在还比较清醒。”
It was warm inside. Flaked and broken rock littered the floor, and the air smelled of dust and crumbling stone. An altar stood on a raised dais at one end of the room, but the ceremonial torches had long since died. Squinting in the dim light streaking the walls, Armon tried to imagine what this place had looked like before being abandoned for the worship of other, newer Gods. Before it had fallen prey to weeds and neglect, it must have been magnificent.
神庙里面很暖和。地板上满是丢得乱七八糟的石头，空气中也弥漫着尘土和碎石的味道。祭坛位于房子一端的高台上，而祭祀用的火把早就熄灭了。借着墙上反射过来的微弱的光线仔细地观察着，艾蒙在努力想象着这里未被人们因为崇拜了其他新的神灵而遗弃以前的样子。以前没有杂草和有人照料的时候，它一定是非常辉煌的。
Dagen approached the altar and knelt, drawing several items from the bag he carried: fresh torches, a vial of scented oil, incense, and a small velvet sack of coloured gems. After annointing the torches with the incense, he placed them in tarnished silver sconces and lit them.
达恩走到祭坛前跪下，从他所带来的袋子里取出一些东西：一个新火把、一小瓶的香油、熏香和一个装着各色宝石的天鹅绒麻布袋。在用熏香把香油涂抹在火把上之后，他把它们放到已经失去光泽的银烛台上，点亮了火把。
As the torches sputtered to life, Armon gasped.
火把噼噼啪啪地燃烧起来，艾蒙踹了口气。
Hidden in the shadows behind the altar was a mural, depicting a great silver and black dragon flying through a raging storm. It was so lifelike Armon could almost feel the power of its wings, carrying it on the wild winds.
祭坛后面的阴影里是一幅壁画，一条巨大的银黑色的龙在怒涛中翱翔。这幅画是如此逼真以至艾蒙可以感受到龙的翅膀的力量，带着龙在狂风中飞翔。
Dagen removed the last item from his bag, a shallow silver bowl that he placed on the altar. When everything was ready, he stepped away from the dais.
达恩从他的袋子里取出了最后一件东西，那是一个很浅的银碗。他把碗放在祭坛上。一切都准备就绪了，他从祭坛走开。
"The invocation is very powerful," he said, his voice hushed. "The words have not been spoken in a thousand years, and I cannot know their effect. Whatever happens, you must not interfere."
“咒语有强大的力量。”他说，他的声音很沉静，“这些咒语已经有一千年没念过了，我不知道效果如何。不管发生什么事情，你都不要管。”
Armon stared at the mural and nodded.
艾蒙盯着壁画，点点头。
Dagen returned to the dais. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened his arms in supplication and began to chant.
达恩回到祭台。他闭上眼睛，过了一会他张开双臂开始祈祷和颂经。
Dragon Master, hear me. Fire Heart, Spirit of Storm, Wings of Fire, I summon thee!
“龙之主，请倾听我，火之心，风暴之精灵，火之翼，我在召唤你们。”
Dagen poured the oil into the bowl and set it alight, then shook a handful of gems from the bag. One by one, he dropped them into the flaming oil. The jewels hissed and evaporated, dissolving into a multicoloured mist that hovered above the dais.
达恩把油倒在碗里，把油灯点亮了。然后从袋子里取出了一把宝石，把它们一颗一颗地丢到燃烧的油里。宝石嘶嘶作响并蒸发了，变成了五彩斑斓的薄雾盘旋在祭台上方。
Night Rider, waken! I summon thee from slumber. Hear my voice. Feel my need. Fire Heart, Wings of Fire, I summon thee!
“暗夜之神，请醒来！我将把你从睡梦中召唤。请倾听我的声音。感受我的需要。火之心，火之翼，我在召唤你们。”
A breath of wind caused the torches to flicker, and Armon felt a chill run through him as the image on the mural began to waver and melt.
一阵风吹来，火把忽明忽暗地闪烁不定。艾蒙感到一丝寒意流遍全身，因为壁画上龙的图象开始摇晃和融化。
Lord of Thunder, Sword of Lightning, Wings of Fire, come to me! Heart of Darkness, Spirit Rising, Waken Dragon, I summon thee!
“雷之主，电之剑，火之翼，请来到我面前。黑暗之心，灵魂复活，唤醒龙神，我在召唤你。”
The mist thickened about the altar, mingling with the scent of the incense as the steady, thumping boom of a giant heart filled the temple. It grew ever louder, until Armon was sure it would shake the building apart. He watched in horrified fascination as a figure stepped from the mural. The heartbeat suddenly stopped and an eerie silence descended as Dagen stepped back a pace.
祭坛旁边的薄雾变得更浓了，混合着熏香的香气。这时一颗巨大的心脏的有规则的巨大的轰隆声音充满了整个神庙。声音更大了，艾蒙相信它会震裂这座建筑物。他怀着恐惧的好奇心看到一个人从壁画中走出来。心跳突然停止了，接下来是一阵可怕的沉寂。达恩往后面退了一步。
The figure moved out of the mist, dressed in black that shimmered like scales in the light from the torches. He was tall, with waist-length raven hair and silver eyes that burned with a deep blue fire. He wore no weapons that the king could see.
神秘人物从迷雾中走出来，他全身穿着黑色衣服，在火把的微光下衣服像鱼的鳞片一样闪着光。他身材高大，长着一头乌黑齐腰的头发，银色的眼睛里闪着深蓝色的光。他没有带武器，艾蒙看得出来。
"Who awakens the Dragon?" the man asked. His voice was soft and musical, reminding Armon of moonlight on the high snows.
“谁在呼唤龙神？”神秘人物问道。他的声音很柔和动听，富有音乐感，让艾蒙想起了雪原上的月光。
"I do," he replied, struggling to keep the tremor from his voice. "I am Armon, High King of Lesslyn."
“是我。”他答道，努力控制自己话音中的颤抖。“我是艾蒙，Lesslyn的至高无上的国王。
"Yours is not the voice who called me from my sleep," said the man. "That…was a younger voice."
“你的声音不是唤醒我的那个声音。“神秘人说，”那是一个年轻得多的声音。”
"I am the one who called."
“是我召唤的。”
The man fixed his silver-blue gaze on Dagen.
神秘人的银蓝色眼睛盯着达恩。
"You are not a Dragon Mage. How do you know the words of Summoning?"
“你不是龙法师。你怎么知道召唤的咒语的？”
"The Dragon Mages are dead," said Dagen, "but their words remain."
“龙法师都死了。”达恩说，“但他们的咒语留下来了。”
The man shuddered, torchlight rippling like lightning through his hair. "Much has changed since last I woke. I am called Londhar. Why have you called me from the fire dreams?"
神秘人颤栗着，火把的光芒像闪电一样流过他的头发。“从我上次醒来到现在已经变了很多。我叫Londhar。你为什么把我从火之梦中唤醒？”
"Our city is besieged and we will soon be overrun," said Armon. "We need your help…your power."
“我们的城市被包围了并很快会被摧毁。”艾蒙说道，“我们需要你的帮助-----你的力量。”
"You have your own power," said Londhar, looking to Armon. "I feel it in you. Why do you need mine?"
“你有自己的力量，” Londhar说，他看着艾蒙，“我在你身上感觉到了。为什么你还要借用我的力量呢？”
"My power goes to ward the city," said Armon. "I cannot fight and maintain the wards as well."
“我的力量都用在城市的防卫上了。” Londhar说道，“我不能同时战斗和保持防卫。”
"And what do you require of me?"
“那你要我做什么呢？”
"I require you to slay my enemy. To defeat his army, and free my kingdom of his threat."
“我要你杀死我的敌人，打败他的军队，并让我的王国免受他的威胁。”
"And you are prepared to pay the required price?"
“那你准备好要付出要求的代价了吗？”
Armon closed his eyes as he thought of his brother抯 horde advancing toward Lesslyn. How much longer could he hold them back? A day? A week? Certainly no longer.
艾蒙闭上眼睛，他想起他的哥哥正在向Lesslyn进发。他到底能抵挡多久呢？一天？一星期？当然不可能更长了。
"I will pay whatever is required to keep my kingdom from being destroyed."
“为了让我的王国不遭到毁灭，我会支付任何你所要的代价。”
The Dragon Lord smiled faintly, his silver-blue eyes burning into Armon抯.
龙神淡淡地笑了，他那银蓝色的眼睛看着艾蒙闪着光。
"So be it," he said. "I will slay your enemy. I will defeat his army, and free your city. When that is done, I will tell you what the covenant demands."
“那好吧，”他说，“我会杀掉你的敌人。我会打败他的军队，让你的城市获得自由。当我实现了自己的承诺，我会告诉你盟约的代价是什么。”
***
Londhar gazed across the plain to where the shadow had stopped its advance, within five miles of the city walls. It had merged into the gathering dusk and was visible now only as a deeper shade of black against the horizon.
Londhar看着远处阴影停止的平原，那是离城墙只有5公里的地方。阴影融入了无尽的薄暮中，只能从地平线上看到它比薄暮的夜色更深更黑。
The night wind was cool, carrying the scent of sun-scorched grass and the murmur of voices along the wall. The torches guttered in the breeze, casting wavering shadows upon the battlements. Londhar felt a profound sadness that he had been awakened once more to battle and death. The fire dreams had soothed his rage for a thousand years, and he had no desire to call upon it again.
凉爽的晚风带来了被太阳烤焦了的草的香气和城墙边人们在小声交谈的声音。火把在风中闪烁不定，它的影子也随着在墙壁上摇曳着。Londhar为自己被再次唤醒并为新的战斗和死亡而深感悲哀。一千年了，火之梦已经平息了他的愤怒，他再也不想回到愤怒中去。

He felt grim satisfaction within the shadow, as the Darkstar contemplated his impending victory. Londhar knew little of the war between the brothers, but the reasons for their battle were unimportant. The request had been issued—and answered. The requirements of the covenant would be satisfied.
在影子里面，他感到一种令人讨厌的满足，因为暗黑之星还以为他马上就能成功了。Londhar对他们两兄弟之间的争斗知之甚少，但他们为什么争斗却是不重要的。艾蒙提出了要求----他也答应了，那么他就得履行条约。
Londhar trembled as the memory of all those sacrificed to the Dragon Rage rose within him, unbidden and unwelcome. He closed his eyes, pushing the images away as he sent his consciousness deeper into the heart of the shadow, seeking the essence of the Darkstar. Through a shifting maze of thought and feeling, he followed the crimson ribbon of hatred and rage to its source.
Londhar浑身颤栗起来，因为那种自发的、讨厌的记忆在他的身上激发了龙的狂暴情绪。他闭上双眼。他把这些幻象从头脑中抛开，让自己的意识更深入到阴影的中心，去探索暗黑之星的元神。穿过变幻着的思想和知觉的迷宫，他终于找到了“暗黑之星”仇恨和愤怒的根源。

There.
在那里。

In a dimly lit pavilion, a man sat upon an iron throne, surrounded by armored guards. He wore deep crimson robes, belted about the waist with a heavy, gold torque. Ryel Darkstar looked much like his brother, with the same fair hair and noble bearing. But there was a darkness in him that the Lesslyn king did not possess, and Londhar felt the shadows surrounding his spirit.
在一个灯光微明的大帐篷里，一个人坐在宝座上，一群武装卫士护卫着他。他穿着深红色的泡子，腰间系着一根金属饰环。雷尔---暗黑之星长得很像他的弟弟，他们都长着金黄色的头发，气质高贵。但他有一种Lesslyn国王所没有的暗黑的气质，Lesslyn感觉阴影包住了他的整个灵魂。
The Dragon Lord lowered his mental shields, allowing himself to be seen. The man upon the throne hissed in surprise; his guards reached for their weapons.
龙神降下了他的精神护盾，让人们能看到他。坐在宝座上的人惊奇得发出唏嘘声，卫士们都伸手去拿武器。
"Your guards cannot touch me, Ryel Darkstar. Tell them to stand down."
“你们的人打不到我的，雷尔---暗黑之星，让他们退下。”
Ryel's eyes narrowed and he nodded to his guard. They sheathed their blades reluctantly, and watched Londhar with wary eyes. The Dragon Lord felt Ryel's consciousness probe his own and he allowed it for a moment, before shielding himself from the mental intrusion.
雷尔眼睛眯起来，向他的卫士们点点头。他们不情愿地还刀入鞘，都机警地盯着Londhar。龙神感到雷尔的知觉侵入了他的知觉，他让雷尔的知觉在那里停留了一会，然后他打开了防卫，把雷尔侵入的精神赶走了。
"So," said Ryel. "My brother has awakened a Dragon Lord to defend his city. Lesslyn has abandoned you and your kind. Why do you fight to save it?"
“那么。”雷尔说，“我的弟弟唤醒了龙神来保卫这座城市。Lesslyn已经抛弃了你和你的族类，你为什么还要拯救它呢？”
"My reasons need not concern you, Ryel Darkstar. I have come to offer you one final opportunity to withdraw."
“你不需要关心这个原因。雷尔---暗黑之星，我来，是给你最后一次撤退的机会。”
"Are you my brother’s messenger?" chuckled Ryel. "He has the power to come to me himself with his offer. Why does he not?"
“你是我哥哥的信使吗？” 雷尔轻声地笑道。“他自己能到这里来的，为什么他不自己来？”
"Because he does not offer," said Londhar. "Come the dawn, if your host is still before the walls of Lesslyn, I will destroy it."
“因为他不想来。”Londhar说，“到明天拂晓，如果你们的军队还在Lesslyn，我将会摧毁它。”
"A threat, Dragon Lord?"
“是威胁吗，龙神？”
"A certainty. You will not win."
“这是必然的事。你赢不了的。”
Londhar saw a momentary flicker of doubt in Ryel’s eyes.
Londhar看到雷尔的眼睛里闪过一丝疑虑。
"This is not your war."
“这场战争与你无关。”
"Your brother has made it my war."
“你弟弟把它变成了我的战争。”
"But it need not be. We are both beings of great power, and Lesslyn is a wealthy kingdom. Join with me, and together we can destroy him. You will find me to be a very generous and appreciative ally."
“但那完全不必要。我们两个都有很强大的力量，而Lesslyn是一个很富裕的王国。跟我联手，我们一起打败我弟弟。你会发现我是一个很慷慨而有魄力的盟友。”
"An interesting offer," said Londhar softly. "Unfortunately, the covenant has already been agreed upon. It cannot be changed."
“听起来倒挺有趣的。” Londhar轻轻说道，“但不幸的是，我早就跟艾蒙订立了盟约。我不能违背盟约。”
"A pity," said Ryel. "Together, we could have conquered the world."
“那真遗憾。”雷尔说道，“只要我们联手，我们将能征服全世界。”
Londhar smiled faintly. "I await your reply."
Londhar淡淡地笑了。“我等着你的答复呢。”
"Thank you," said Ryel, "but I am afraid I must decline. Tell my brother that by the setting of tomorrow’s sun, his kingdom shall be mine—as it was meant to be from the beginning."
“多谢了，”雷尔说道，“但恐怕我必须拒绝。告诉我弟弟到明天太阳下山的时候，他的王国将变成我的--------就跟最初一样。”
Londhar felt a pang of resigned regret as he withdrew from the Darkstar's presence.
Londhar感到因屈从和遗憾而引起的巨大的痛苦，他离开了暗黑之星。
"I will convey your message."
“我会转达你的口信。”



***
Londhar walked onto the plain, the Darkstar’s shadow looming before him, a poisonous mist glowing sickly green in the morning light. Shapes moved within it, flickering forms that were there had gone.
Londhar走在平原上，暗黑之星的阴影隐约出现在他面前，一阵有毒的薄雾在清晨的微光里闪着淡绿色的光。在薄雾里有一些什么东西在动，而刚在里面闪光的东西不见了。

He tested the strength of the King’s wards. Strong, but no longer strong enough to protect the city should he fail.
他测试了一下艾蒙所构筑的防护物的是否，发现它比较坚固，但如果他失败了，那它就再也不够坚固来保卫这座城市。
But he would not fail.
但他不会失败。
He closed his eyes and sent his consciousness diving inward towards the waiting pool of silver rage, felt it race like liquid lightning through his blood. Opening his arms, he held the fury tight as it throbbed through him, screaming for release.
他闭上眼睛,把他的意识送入到银色的怒涛之中，感觉它就像液态的闪电一样流过他的身体。睁开眼睛，他感觉到了狂怒紧紧地缠住了他的身体，从他的身上战栗而过，好象在尖叫着要获得释放一样。。
Not yet.
还没到时候。
The battlefield was silent. The only sounds were the whisper of wind through dry grass and the muted clank of weapons as soldiers stirred upon the walls.
战场一片寂静，只有风刮过干草发出的飒飒声和在城墙上巡逻的士兵的武器发出的沙哑的叮当声。
And then the drums began, a deep, booming cadence that rose up through the earth to be felt in the blood. Londhar’s heartbeat answered, matching their rhythm as the Dragon Rage flowed through him. He was one with the fury…one with the fire.
这时鼓声响起，一阵突然而深沉的声音升起，穿过地面，冲击着血液。Londhar的心跳做出了回应，龙的狂怒流过他的全身，与鼓声的旋律相和。他是一个充满了狂怒的人------一个充满了火的人。
Not yet.
还不到时候。
The shadow advanced. The angry black clouds gathered overhead flickered and churned as brilliant blue lightning rippled through them. Londhar felt the taint of thousands of poisonous whispers brush the edges of his awareness, but the fury dissolved them to ash before they could fully reach him. His body trembled as the fire surged higher.
阴影继续前进。空中越集越多的愤怒的阴云飘忽不定而相互纠缠，一些蓝色耀眼的闪电像涟漪一样在它表面荡漾。Londhar感到成千上万的让人无法忍受的腐烂了的异物飒飒地擦过他意识的边缘，但在这些能达到他之前就全部被狂怒化成了灰。当怒火燃烧起来的时候，他的身体战抖着。
Now.
现在。
He surrendered himself to the Rage, allowing the fury to melt away his human form in a brilliant, searing eruption of silver fire. Thunder rumbled through earth and sky as the black and silver dragon rose up through the shadow, wings extended. With a roar of defiance, he released his fire into the Darkstar’s host as the city gates were flung open and the army of Lesslyn poured onto the field.
他向愤怒低头了，愤怒将他的身体融化成了一片耀眼而灼热的银色的火焰，爆发出来。当银黑色的龙张开翅膀，从阴影中飞起时，地面和天空中传来轰隆隆的雷声。城门被猛地推开，Lesslyn的敌人们-------暗黑之星的军队扑向平原。带着一声轻蔑的怒吼，Londhar把火焰掷向了他们。
***
Ryel Darkstar fumed. The field was littered with the dead and dying, blood soaking deeply into the grass. Three times, he sent his army against Lesslyn with orders to destroy the city. Three times, the Dragon Lord’s fire had scorched the earth, denying him his victory.
雷尔—暗黑之星愤怒了。地上到处是死尸和濒死的人，鲜血已经将地上的草染得很深红。他三次下令士兵进攻Lesslyn并摧毁这座城市，但是，三次他都失败了。龙神发出的大火栲焦了地面，无情地打击了他的胜利的信心。
His brother’s refusal to surrender infuriated him—how dare he be denied what was rightfully his? He was the stronger. His power, the greater. Lesslyn should be—would be his.
他弟弟拒绝投降大大激怒了他，他怎么敢否认那些应该属于他的东西？他是强者。他的力量要强大得多，Lesslyn本来就应该是他的，他一定会夺回来的。
In his fury and frustration, he sent all of his remaining strength into his host as they threw themselves against the city walls. He would pull down Lesslyn stone by stone. They would never—Never!—deny or defy him again.
在这种狂怒和挫败的情绪中，他将他剩下的所有力量都输入到了他的军队中，他们疯狂地向城墙发动猛攻。他要把Lesslyn城一块砖一块砖地拆光。他们将永远都不能否定或挑衅他的统治了。
***
The sun rose, glinting on the armor and broken weapons of the newly slain. Shattered banners lay trodden into the bloody grass. Overhead, the angry, black clouds, evidence of the Dragon Lord's wrath, dissipated beneath the strength of a rising wind. Londhar soared above the plain, seeking survivors of the Darkstar's host.
太阳升起来了。阳光照耀着大屠杀后的丢弃的装甲和损坏的武器闪闪发光。破损的旗帜被踩进了鲜血染红的草地里。空中龙神的愤怒所形成的那些乌云，在地面上升起的风的吹动下，开始慢慢地消散了。Londhar在平原上高飞，寻找着暗黑之星残存的军队。
There were none.
什么都没有了。
He no longer felt the wards, could not see the shimmering white film that had blanketed the city. The war was over. The threat was gone.
他再也感觉不到防卫了，也看不到原来笼罩着全城的闪着白色的薄雾了。战争结束了，威胁解除了。
He winged his way back toward the walls and settled on the battlements, his Dragon form wavering as he resumed his human shape. Leaving the wall, he made his way through the streets toward the palace. The jubilant crowds fell silent at his approach, parting to allow him through.
他飞回到城墙，在城垛上落下，他的龙身随着他转化为人身而在摇摆着。离开城墙后，他穿过街道走向宫廷。欢呼的人们看到他都安静了下来，让开路让他过去。
Gathered nobility filled the Great Hall, where Ryel knelt in chains at his brother’s feet. Londhar felt the shields keeping the fallen prince from his power.
贵族们都聚集在大厅里，Ryel身上挂着枷锁，跪在他弟弟的脚下。Londhar感到有一层防护物保护着这个失败的王子，让他的力量不丧失。
The Darkstar watched him approach, his eyes filled with contempt and dread.
暗黑之星看着他走近，眼里充满了屈辱和恐惧。
"You should have withdrawn," said Londhar softly.
“你应该撤退的。” Londhar轻声说道。
"And deny my brother the pleasure of killing me himself?"
“让我弟弟失去亲自杀了我的乐趣吗？”
Londhar’s gaze moved to Armon, to the sword in his hand. "I have defeated your enemy," he said. "I have freed your city. There is only one thing that remains."
Londhar的目光移向艾蒙，看着他手里握着的剑。“我打败了你的敌人，”他说道，“我让你的城市自由了。现在只有一件事情。”
A flicker of confusion passed across Armon’s face.
艾蒙的脸上闪过一丝疑惑。
"I am required to slay him. Was that not part of the request you made to me? That I should slay your enemy?"
“你们要我杀了他。那难道不是你的要求的一部分吗？我该杀了你的敌人吧？”
Londhar felt a surge of irritation and disappointment pass through the Lesslyn king.
Londhar感到一阵阵的愤怒和失望交织成巨大的浪潮涌过Lesslyn的国王。
"Kill him quickly, then," muttered Armon, offering Londhar his sword.
“好吧，马上杀了他。”艾蒙低声说道，把他的剑递给Londhar。
The Dragon Lord glanced from the blade, to Ryel before returning his gaze to Armon. "Your blade will not be required," he said. He looked to the guards. "Release him. I will not take him in chains."
龙神把目光从剑刃转到雷尔，最后他看着艾蒙。“你的剑没用的。”他说道，他看着士兵们。“放开他，他带着枷锁我抓不住他的。”
The guards hesitated, looking to Armon. The king nodded, sheathing his blade, and they hurried over. Londhar waited as they hauled Ryel to his feet and unlocked the shackles binding his ankles and wrists.
士兵们迟疑着。国王点了点头，把剑插回到鞘里，士兵们赶紧走上来开枷锁。Londhar等着士兵们把雷尔拉起来，并给他解开了锁住他的手腕和脚腕的枷锁。
The Hall was silent.
大厅里一片静寂。
"You are not my enemy, Ryel Darkstar. Know that I do not desire your death. I do this so that the requirements of the covenant may be satisfied."
“你不是我的敌人，雷尔---暗黑之星，你要知道我并不想要你死。我这样做只是为了完成盟约的要求。
Ryel chuckled bitterly. "Forgive me, Dragon Lord, but that brings me little comfort. After all you have killed, one more death will hardly weigh heavily on your conscience."
雷尔苦笑了一下，“原谅我吧，龙神，但你这样说并没给我什么安慰。毕竟你已经杀了那么多人，所以再多杀一个也不会让你的良心感到沉痛的。“
Londhar heard the screams of those who had died by his fire echo through him.
Londhar听到那些被他用火烧死的那些人的尖叫声在他畔回响。
"But it will," he whispered. "More than you know." He felt a deep sadness as he kept his eyes locked with Ryel's.
“但我的良心会悲痛的。”他小声说道，“你不了解。”他盯着雷尔，他感到深深的悲哀。
One more sacrificed to the Dragon Rage. One more death to haunt him.
又一个龙神的愤怒的牺牲品，又一条鬼魂缠住了他。
He sent a thin thread of power behind the golden eyes, passing it easily through the frantic shields Ryel sought to erect. Anger and arrogance turned to fear, raw and ragged, as the Darkstar’s essence shimmered before him.
他那金黄色的眼睛后面射出一束很细的能量丝，轻易地就穿破了雷尔试图建立起来的已经错乱了的防护盾。暗黑之星的元神在他面前闪着光，他的愤怒和傲慢渐渐变成了恐惧，隐隐生痛。
He raised his arm, palm extended, gathering the threads binding the man’s essence to his mortal form in his hand. He closed his fingers, feeling Ryel’s body shudder, and snapped them, one by one. They withered and faded, and Londhar felt the spark of life wink out.
他抬起手臂，手掌伸出，把那些捆住了雷尔的元神的要命的丝收回来，放在手心。他双手交叉，感到雷尔的身体在颤抖，他一个一个捻着手指，弄出劈劈啪啪的声响 ，手指一个一个地枯槁而褪色了。Londhar感到生命的火花熄灭了。
With his power, he gently lowered the body to the floor. Ryel, known as The Darkstar, was no more.
他用法力把尸体轻轻地放回到地上。雷尔，著名的暗黑之星，不复存在了。
***
Dagen stared at the histories, his stomach twisting with dread.
达恩盯着这一切，他的胃因为恐惧而在翻腾着。
It was not here. The ritual of return was not here.
它不在那里！龙神返回的祭文不在这里！
At first, he thought he must have missed it. It must be near the ritual of summoning, somewhere; surely, the Mages would have placed the two most important invocations close to one another.
开始，他还以为是自己把它搞丢了。几乎可以肯定，它一定是挨着召唤的祭文的，放在某个地方，法师们肯定是把这两件最重要的咒文放在一起了的。
But it was not.
但是没有。
It was not in the section describing temple practices and other minor rituals, either, nor was it in the section dealing with the hierarchy of the Dragon Mage Order itself.
它不在描写神庙的和其他一些不重要的祭文里面，也不在涉及龙神法师的咒文等级的记述里面。
It was missing. Absent. Gone.
它弄丢了，没有了。是的，丢了。
Dagen closed his eyes. It had to be there. He would read the texts again, comb the histories…
达恩闭上眼睛。它应该在那里的。他要再读一遍这些经文，梳理一下历史--------
Yet he knew it was futile. He had searched for hours, to no avail.
但他知道那是没用的。他找了几个小时了，但是没有找到。
Very slowly, Dagen closed the texts, placing his trembling hands upon the intricately worked leather cover. He would have to tell his father.
慢慢地，达恩合上了书，把他颤抖的双手放在粗糙的皮纸封面上。他得告诉他父亲。
And then, he would have to tell the Dragon Lord.
然后，他得告诉龙神。
Dagen lowered his head onto his folded arms as his frantic mind tried to work out what he would say.
达恩低下头，双臂报住脑袋，他的脑子里一片混乱，他在想该怎么说呢。
How he would explain?
他该怎么解释呢？
***
The Temple of the Dragon was silent as Londhar gazed at the stone sentinels guarding the entrance. So much had changed since the last time he'd woken. He had forgotten how violent and unpredictable these human mortals could be. His spirit was weary, and he longed for the peace the fire dreams brought.
龙神庙很寂静，Londhar看着守卫在入口处的石头哨兵。自从他上次醒来，变化该是多么大啊。而他都忘了这些人类是多么残暴而变化莫测。他精神疲惫，多么怀念火之梦带给他的宁静啊。
He heard the soft scrape of boots on stone, felt the presence of the Lesslyn king's son.
他听到了靴子擦着地面的声音，知道Lesslyn的王子来了。
"Where is your father?" he asked. "I have fulfilled my portion of the covenant. It is time to pay the required price and return me to my dreams."
“你父亲呢？”他问道，“我已经完成了我的盟约，现在你们要实现你们的契约把我送回到我的梦中。”
"He… I needed to speak to you. Alone."
“他-----我要单独跟你谈谈。”
"Speak, then."
“那好，说吧。”
"I— We— There may be some, difficulty," stammered Dagen. "In reversing the summons."
“我------我们------，可能有一些，困难。”达恩结结巴巴地说道。“就是送你回去的事。”
Londhar felt a cold dread creep over him. He turned slowly to face the boy. "What difficulty?"
Londhar感到一股令人战栗的恐惧漫过全身。他转过身来，看着这个孩子，“有什么困难？”
"The histories are incomplete," said Dagen. "The ritual of return is…absent."
“历史记载不完整，”达恩说道，“回归的祭文--------丢了。”
"Absent," repeated Londhar.
“丢了。” Londhar重复道。
"Yes."
“是的。”
Londhar closed his eyes. "You summoned me knowing this?"
Londhar闭上了眼睛，“你把我唤醒，你知道吗？”
"We… I thought—hoped—I could find it before the time came. And our need was such that…"
“我们-----我想----我希望----我可以在时间到来之前找到它的。我们的要求就是这样的-----。”
The boy's voice trailed away.
达恩的声音渐渐地低沉下去了。
"So," whispered Londhar, "I am lost here?"
“那么，” Londhar低声说道，“我被困在这里了？“
"I… Yes. I am sorry."
“我----是的。我很抱歉。”
Londhar clenched his fists, his body trembling with the effort as he struggled to control his rising fury. The boy had to leave. If he did not, Londhar was almost certain that Dagen would die in a flash of dragon fire.
Londhar握紧了拳头，他的身体因为要努力控制怒火而战抖着。这个孩子必须离开，如果他不走，他敢肯定达恩会被龙神的火焰烧死的。
"Go," he said softly.
“滚。”他轻声说到。
"What?" asked Dagen in confusion.
“什么？”达恩疑惑地问道。
"I said, go. Now."
“我让你滚。马上。”
"But—"
“但是-----”
Londhar looked at Dagen, his voice trembling with barely suppressed fury as blue lightning flashed in his eyes. "Go," he repeated, "or die."
Londhar看着达恩。Londhar的眼睛里闪着兰色的光，他的声音因为几乎已经不能在抑制住的怒火而颤抖了，“快滚，”他重复道，“要不就死。”
The boy turned and ran. Londhar felt his terror as he raced across the bridge towards the city.
达恩转过身，跑了。看着他匆忙地穿过石桥跑向城市，Londhar感到了达恩的恐惧。
The Dragon Lord lowered his head as fear rose like an icy tide within him, fear that he would be forever lost in this transient, mortal world. Fear that he would never know the soothing peace of the fire dreams again. Fea iant fire of the Dragon Rage, but the desolate ache of betrayal.
龙神低下头，恐惧像冰冷的潮水一样覆盖了他，害怕自己将永远地迷失在眼前的人类社会中，害怕自己再也不能回到火之梦的平静中，害怕龙神愤怒的火焰，以及被出卖的被抛弃的悲痛。
It rose dark and cold within him, driving him to his knees in the courtyard. The wind howled, tearing at the trees. Lightning split the sky and thunder pealed as the heavens opened, battering the island with freezing rain. Londhar felt the pain expand within him until he thought he would choke.
内心不断升起的悲伤和寒意使他支撑不住身体，跪倒在地上。狂风怒吼，猛烈地摇着院子里的树，闪电撕裂长空，雷声轰轰隆隆，寒雨倾盆而下，小岛风雨飘摇。Londhar感到痛苦在全身蔓延，令他他感到窒息。
He lifted his face to the sky as it exploded from him in a single, anguished, despairing cry that echoed from the stone buttresses of the shattered temple before being carried away by the wind.
他昂首朝天，发出了一声悲痛而绝望的怒吼，悲伤的声音在破损的神庙的石柱间回荡，终于消失在狂风之中。
***
Londhar knelt in the courtyard all night. The storm passed as his rage and pain ebbed, until only a deep, aching weariness remained. He barely noticed the sunrise, looking up only when he felt the King of Lesslyn and his son approach the bridge.
Londhar在院子里跪了一个晚上。暴风雨已经过去，他的愤怒和痛苦也渐渐平息了，只剩下一种深深的、刺痛的疲惫感。直到他感到Lesslyn的国王和他的儿子在走近小桥时，他才抬起头来，但他没注意到太阳已经升起了。
They stepped into the courtyard, standing in silence for a long moment. Armon looked stiff and uncomfortable; Dagen refused to meet his gaze.
他们走进院子里，静静地站了一会。艾蒙看上去很拘谨不安；达恩不敢看他的眼睛。
"I did not know," said Armon at last. "If I had, I would never have agreed."
“我不知道，”艾蒙最后说道，“如果当时我知道，我不会同意召唤他的建议的。”
Londhar felt the truth in the king's words, but the truth meant nothing now.
Lesslyn感受到了国王话里的诚恳，但现在说什么都豪无意义了。
"The covenant must still be satisfied," he said dully. "I have fulfilled my part of our bargain. The time has come for you to fulfill yours."
“盟约必须完成，” Lesslyn有些迟钝地说，“我已经完成了我该做的事情。现在轮到你了。”
"Very well," said Armon. "What price does the covenant demand? Tell me, and I will pay it."
“很好，”艾蒙说道，“你要什么？告诉我，我会满足你的。”
"One life," said Londhar.
“一条生命。” Londhar说道。
Armon paled. "Whose?"
艾蒙的脸色刷地苍白了，“谁的？”
Londhar turned his silver-blue eyes on Dagen.
Londhar.那银蓝色的眼睛盯着达恩。
The boy blanched and Armon looked like he might be ill.
孩子的脸一下子变得非常苍白，艾蒙像一下子被击倒了。
"I…is there no one else? Please…" begged the king.
“我----不能是别的什么人吗？求您了-----”
"No," said Londhar. "It must be the boy."
“不，” Londhar.说道，“必须是他。”
Armon nodded faintly. "Take him then," he whispered. "Quickly, as you did the Darkstar."
Londhar.软弱无力地点点头，“把他带走，”他轻声说道，“快点，就像你杀死暗黑之星一样。”
Londhar chuckled bitterly. "I require the boy's life, Armon of Lesslyn, not his death. From this day forward, he is bound to me."
Londhar苦笑了。“我要了这孩子的性命，艾蒙陛下，不是要他死。从今以后，他就是我的了。”
He looked to where Dagen stood, trembling with fear and relief.
他朝达恩望去，看见他因为恐惧和解脱而颤抖着。
"Yours was the voice which called me from slumber; yours must be the voice to return me to it. Since your histories are incomplete, we will seek our answers elsewhere."
“是你把我从睡梦中唤醒，你必须把我送回去。既然你的历史记录不完备，我们得去别的地方寻找答案。”
"But where?" stammered Dagen. "The Dragon Mages are dead! They—"
“但是去哪里呢？”达恩结结巴巴地说道，“龙法师都死了！他们-----”
"They are scattered," corrected Londhar. "I feel them still, though their thoughts come to me from lands that are distant and unfamiliar. We will seek them, and they will teach you the words. You will reverse the summons, returning me to the fire dreams." He looked to Armon.
“他们是分散了，” Londhar纠正他的话说，“我还能感受到他们，尽管他们的思想在遥远而陌生的地方与我感应。我们要去找他们，让他们教你回归的祭文。你再用祭文把我送回到火之梦中。”他转过来看着艾蒙。
The king of Lesslyn nodded.
Lesslyn的国王点点头。
Londhar closed his eyes, sending a thread of power into each of the dragon sentinels, feeling the awakening of their protective power and magic. They would guard the island, protecting the temple until his return.
Londhar闭上双眼，向两个龙哨兵都发出一束能量，感到他们复活了，有了保护的力量和魔法。他们将会保护小岛，直到他回来。
He turned his silver-blue gaze back to Dagen. The boy had known, from the beginning, that the ritual of return was missing., had cast him adrift in a world where his kind were resigned to myth, memory and the whispered tales of ancient gods. But Dagen of Lesslyn would learn.
他又转过去看着达恩。这个孩子从一开始就知道，回归的祭文弄丢了，但却把他唤醒，把他召唤到一个他不得不听任神话、远古的神明的记忆和传说摆布的世界中，随波逐流。
The covenant would be satisfied. One life.
盟约必须实现。这就是：一条生命。