60Please respect copyright.PENANA73YKfKDwtV
不過現在就算要舉劍也來不及了——劍的長度太長,在這樣的距離無法造成有效傷害。60Please respect copyright.PENANAhz6Bn7uWuA
60Please respect copyright.PENANA8jxJOcuYAQ
說時遲那時快,一道尖銳的破空聲迅速接近!60Please respect copyright.PENANAZONIAfLo4d
60Please respect copyright.PENANAWjHv98h1cn
克里斯直覺地偏過頭,寒銳的刀鋒與頸部擦身而過,準確地沒入那怪物的頸項間。60Please respect copyright.PENANAut3m5UWyH8
60Please respect copyright.PENANAzZpUTdbFQy
那東西的動作停頓了一下,給予克里斯喘息的機會。他伸出一腳絆住它的腿,扯住那東西剩下的獨臂猛地用力將它摔出去,恰恰投入凶猛燃燒的火堆之中。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmGLjIeSBq9
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9SNgKVBG5t
像是指甲刮過玻璃的尖銳聲音彷彿被放大無數倍,淒厲又令人毛骨悚然,克里斯摀起耳朵朝方才解圍那一劍的來處看去——60Please respect copyright.PENANA9HnFzKsgbT
60Please respect copyright.PENANAKBcqh21CW5
他連呼喊出聲的時間都沒有——因為他看見正艱難地奔跑著的熟悉少年身後竟跟著同樣的怪物,只是那東西的身材壯碩、行動也明顯比剛剛葬身火海的那個要來得熟練流暢。60Please respect copyright.PENANAejrbmVmRny
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9DPbybo4ti
克里斯完全無暇細想,三、兩步衝了過去,一把將卡萊爾不穩地就要向前倒的身體扯入懷中,右手猛揮劍!60Please respect copyright.PENANA6aucU2uXOu
60Please respect copyright.PENANAfdovWU0ec9
特別打造的劍鋒剛烈地砍在怪物頸項間,那東西的體重和往前衝刺的速度加劇了砍擊的破壞力,克里斯怒吼一聲用全身的力量壓了上去。劍身橫劈開頭不與身體之間的頸子,將其斬成兩段。60Please respect copyright.PENANA88x4Mrphx3
60Please respect copyright.PENANAf7NBaOsXJR
被砍下的頭顱斜斜飛出,眼看失去頭部的壯漢身軀就要壓下來,懷中的少年突然將他往下扯。克里斯尚未反應就整個人往後跌,在卡萊爾的拉扯下兩人的身體往旁邊滾了兩滾,停下來時他們都心有餘悸地看著那仍抽動不止的無頭屍體,以及從斷頸處流淌成整片的鮮紅顏色。60Please respect copyright.PENANAkUqXGk6DV2
60Please respect copyright.PENANAVTPbu6uGkQ
直到那屍體僵硬不動,兩人才轉過身體,仰躺在地上喘著氣。60Please respect copyright.PENANADh4bC3MDn7
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdGpysnjnUT
他們現在都沒有心情詢問對方為什麼會在這裡,現在,從危機中逃過一劫的鬆弛感主宰了全身,讓他們一時間除了沉默之外什麼都做不到。60Please respect copyright.PENANAtBVffI6Jxm
60Please respect copyright.PENANAryb1iP7UMb
但這沉默沒有維持多久。60Please respect copyright.PENANAUiO8j3Y4gA
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdIpUlQ5jX8
卡萊爾很快站起來。花兒拍打翅膀落在他肩膀上,身體依偎在主人頸側,牠已經不再顫抖。而金髮少年環視四周,也沒有發現窺探的人。60Please respect copyright.PENANAGjaF8f8aG7
60Please respect copyright.PENANAtNsambicvX
——離開了嗎?60Please respect copyright.PENANAznekpJ4Llo
60Please respect copyright.PENANACy3H8YDkH2
他沉吟一會,然後馬上開始動作。60Please respect copyright.PENANAhk2mNAA5wd
60Please respect copyright.PENANAgLg0NM3Or6
他將那顆頭顱踢進火堆裡,接著從已經燃燒起來的馬車殘骸拆下一根著火的木棒,可正要轉身,一隻手卻握住了他,從他手中拿走火把。60Please respect copyright.PENANAoe9SSi84Cq
60Please respect copyright.PENANAa1qBlwGAYR
看著拿過火把的褐髮男人轉身走近屍體,在上面點火。60Please respect copyright.PENANADUOMSE5kIZ
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPJQQb0rP2Q
「還有血——」卡萊爾提醒。60Please respect copyright.PENANA4EQaFBCB5K
60Please respect copyright.PENANA77sMA5bAZN
克里斯轉頭看了他一眼,而後依言將火把丟進在青石地面上蔓延開來的血紅之中。60Please respect copyright.PENANAvlrJI7r3uy
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdBb7PzucIf
做完這一切,兩人還是沒有說話,只看著對方的面孔在火光與陰影裡明滅。60Please respect copyright.PENANAKCk83RMiOK
60Please respect copyright.PENANA70v7UP2FKe
最後,還是男人率先開口,「......你的腳怎麼了。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAzjswTR0U6m
60Please respect copyright.PENANA53u3U8oGur
似乎是沒料到克里斯會先問這個,卡萊爾一時間有些忡怔,然後別開頭,轉移話題,「你怎麼會在這裡?我不是跟你說晚上沒事不要亂跑嗎?」60Please respect copyright.PENANA0jcqUKOLmI
60Please respect copyright.PENANAYuvlc0Ntgq
「你還沒有回答我的問題。」克里斯挑眉,頓了下又說:「況且,我沒問你同樣的問題,你不覺得你也不該問嗎。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAP26Ag3lG7z
60Please respect copyright.PENANAIvTTafw1TM
少年回頭瞪著他,良久才從勉強勾起的唇間吐出話語,「牙尖嘴利。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAUG6y6iWUCs
60Please respect copyright.PENANABGS5KlrtJ5
「彼此彼此。」克里斯回答。他走近少年身前,然後蹲下來。60Please respect copyright.PENANA2FxK1xqBk2
60Please respect copyright.PENANAUpL1ydHfgI
「嘿!你......」60Please respect copyright.PENANAROHw410fO6
60Please respect copyright.PENANAjr9jKkwPIU
見他的手朝自己的腳伸來,卡萊爾驚恐的想收回腳,可惜慢了一步。克里斯將他扭傷的那隻腳握在手裡,稍微捲起褲角看了下。60Please respect copyright.PENANA1ebXF8AwQt
60Please respect copyright.PENANAQFsRWNd8eC
扭傷的部位已經紅腫,摸起來有些燙。60Please respect copyright.PENANAf2FK30apxi
60Please respect copyright.PENANADXJ7MhrjWl
放開那隻傷腳,蹲下身的男人抬頭望著少年,卡萊爾一時間有些緊張,他看出那雙灰色眼睛裡犀利的詢問。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmLEyBckuvA
60Please respect copyright.PENANAOipAXO9ecV
「......快走吧。」他在男人開口前搶先提醒,「等一下就會驚動巡夜守衛了。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAav9hpkrVtH
60Please respect copyright.PENANA4qLKDtv1xx
說完,街童少年轉身就想離開,卻在那剎那被拉住手臂。60Please respect copyright.PENANAdP62CjHVY3
60Please respect copyright.PENANA64NfODvv8C
「——你......」本來是想藉著怒氣衝衝的質問逃脫這尷尬場面,可在轉身之後,卡萊爾卻看到男人轉身背對著他,仍然蹲著。60Please respect copyright.PENANAkKi7pnlYc6
60Please respect copyright.PENANAmn6xalnusA
「上來,我背你走。」克里斯說。語氣平靜地令人討厭。60Please respect copyright.PENANA7bbjBPtp5J
60Please respect copyright.PENANAiDuVGEaijL
「......我不需要你幫忙。」卡萊爾皺眉,不過也沒有馬上離開。60Please respect copyright.PENANAlTDHiBus8q
60Please respect copyright.PENANAkhwb7NyKCa
蹲在地上的男人稍微回過頭,「別逞強,快點。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAxCDIiGqmsF
60Please respect copyright.PENANARfSCihLcza
這一次的語氣裡多了分嚴厲。少年不甘心地偏頭咕噥幾聲,還是乖乖趴到男人寬厚的背上。60Please respect copyright.PENANASfOocEjQfa
60Please respect copyright.PENANA3GmoK7HCq3
待卡萊爾趴好,克里斯將手臂繞過少年的膝蓋扣穩,然後站起身——卡萊爾因突然的高度改變而雙手環住男人的脖子,他僵硬的動作看起來有些緊張,不過男人強壯的臂膀牢牢托著他的大腿和臀部,他很快就安下心來。60Please respect copyright.PENANAkRO7jynPpR
60Please respect copyright.PENANARglgnZjCFK
克里斯不費吹灰之力地邁開步伐走進巷子裡,打算盡快遠離事發廣場。即使身上背了一個人,他的腳步也不慢——這一切得歸功於少年的瘦弱——卡萊爾的身材在他這個年紀不算高,但也可稱得上標準,不過他卻非常輕盈,克里斯不由得懷疑他到底有沒有長肌肉。60Please respect copyright.PENANAUmcxS5UC3z
60Please respect copyright.PENANAF6rrQMX2RB
「你要走去哪?」卡萊爾在男人轉進另外一條更小的巷子時詢問。60Please respect copyright.PENANAl9ey2iXwbj
60Please respect copyright.PENANAs1csi7YAVy
他已經聽見從廣場方向傳來的吵雜人聲,顯然巡夜的守衛隊已經趕到。60Please respect copyright.PENANAWXEJJrMpJk
60Please respect copyright.PENANAWOjL6iu0ur
「我家。」克里斯簡單回答,「除非你有更好的主意。」卡萊爾的腳傷並不嚴重,不過還是必須盡快處理,從這個位置要回到自己家,以他的速度也得走一時左右,如果有更好的選擇,他不會捨近求遠。60Please respect copyright.PENANAUs4810Eb9f
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqr2lwaF1vf
背後的少年沉吟一會,然後提出建議,「不,去我家——」60Please respect copyright.PENANAY687ijmtZ3
60Please respect copyright.PENANAd8GaQvKN8g
「你家?」60Please respect copyright.PENANAtZFSTWWX05
60Please respect copyright.PENANAI4YMNsqnUK
「在那裡——」60Please respect copyright.PENANAcTNS7WFHZ5
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdGleaSJ7Im
順著從肩膀上伸出來的手臂看去,在一片低矮的房舍間,那棟建築物鶴立雞群般獨自聳立在夜空中。60Please respect copyright.PENANAHfxmRi1X0Q
60Please respect copyright.PENANA1dgJ42auKU
「......大鐘樓?」60Please respect copyright.PENANA1yPp9OKBqV
60Please respect copyright.PENANAxThvUjua9k
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEqw03hdi1a
60Please respect copyright.PENANAo98I5PtGhg
在踏上那陳舊、沾滿灰塵,每走一步就會咯吱作響的木樓梯時,克里斯只能靠卡萊爾高高舉在他旁邊的燭台提供微弱的照明,才免於隨時可能一腳踏空的危機。60Please respect copyright.PENANAjyCVndtuSr
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbeuxLLO0zP
「小心點——那塊木板是鬆的。」卡萊爾及時提醒——在克里斯抬起的腳即將落下的那一刻。60Please respect copyright.PENANAEqbivewFo4
60Please respect copyright.PENANALeT9r481Cs
因為他整個人趴在男人身上,所以他能清楚的感覺到克里斯在那瞬間渾身僵硬,然後有些狼狽地收回腳,再次衡量距離之後邁開步。60Please respect copyright.PENANALgrUWn5Y4Q
60Please respect copyright.PENANAM0QigEuaxp
雖然沒聽清楚,但卡萊爾肯定褐髮男人絕對在小聲地咒罵,所以他得意的輕輕笑起來。60Please respect copyright.PENANAwUwhCqbGZX
60Please respect copyright.PENANAh2XtfN52kv
當然,彼此貼得如此靠近,克里斯對身後少年的一舉一動也都清晰地如同自己的感覺。他透過背部那具身軀感覺到少年低笑時的頻率,還有他因為好心情而稍微晃動的腿。60Please respect copyright.PENANAWPn1p060pq
60Please respect copyright.PENANAOvWdRG8YEe
他知道自己被戲弄了,「下次早點說。」可他也只能做出這樣的反擊。60Please respect copyright.PENANAwEf6r7TCUW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAuaRdWPSAt5
「嗯哼。」少年低哼一聲,沒有好、或不好的確切回答,不過很明顯地因為自己扳回一城而高興。60Please respect copyright.PENANAGOwOC3158B
60Please respect copyright.PENANAViHioFDajx
克里斯無奈地嘆氣,然後繼續往上走。60Please respect copyright.PENANA1zp4DpZMoI
60Please respect copyright.PENANAU8azelAhVa
空氣裡木頭陳舊的味道、石塊經大雨沖刷特有的潮溼氣味、燈油與銅油混雜的味道等等,隨著越往上走就越清晰且越分明。狹窄的螺旋通道在這些氣味的襯托下像是無限蔓延的迷宮,不知道會通往哪個異想世界。60Please respect copyright.PENANAWbs4BJAU4q
60Please respect copyright.PENANA05Nsl5Q9XQ
克里斯一步步往上,繞過他已經數不清是第幾個彎道,而上面還有許多彎道。60Please respect copyright.PENANA4S2ZTIzhRc
60Please respect copyright.PENANA0RFChBUlDn
他走在大鐘樓——這個城市裡僅次於蘭豋塔、第二高的建築物——的裡面,不是敲鐘人平常所走的樓梯,而是再它後方,曾經通往更大、懸掛著更多大鐘的敲鐘室的樓梯。60Please respect copyright.PENANATvtgGF2fiJ
60Please respect copyright.PENANABmiSlGL01T
在那些鐘由於新統治者的一聲令下、從二十口音色高低不一的鐘被熔鑄成六口更巨大,但笨重、音色雄渾的鐘之後,原先懸掛它們的空間就被封閉廢棄,連同當時所使用的樓梯一起被人遺忘。60Please respect copyright.PENANAxQDJdc3Hgb
60Please respect copyright.PENANAETLjfAaj2G
而如今,這條寂寞已久的通道在第一個發現它的少年之後,又迎來一個新的訪客。60Please respect copyright.PENANAuOhg7y26EP
60Please respect copyright.PENANAV5Wt1l5m4h
狹窄通道那一側不時自通風口吹進帶著潮溼氣味的風,混著銀色蕩漾的月光,落在地上,彷彿搖晃的湖水清澈。60Please respect copyright.PENANA1fWGp5eNDU
60Please respect copyright.PENANA2owiRqMzXz
克里斯的腳踏在上面,彷彿踏入了虛幻之水一樣,輕盈而迷濛。60Please respect copyright.PENANAt7wdkq8qKr
60Please respect copyright.PENANAAZUsFpmezY
而後,在樓梯的盡頭處,他看見那好似霧氣凝成,散發著淡淡銀光的入口。60Please respect copyright.PENANASgfqbozy2i
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqqnKPA5Z5u
踏進那裡面,就像來到異國神話裡充滿不可思議的夜晚。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmHjgo6VMMP
60Please respect copyright.PENANA5NN3w5CKIG
殘缺了一角的月亮就像一塊純白的銀片鑲嵌在天鵝絨般的夜幕上,不規則的陰影襯托它光芒的潔白,而分割了天空的隔柱四周像以銀線勾勒邊緣、夜色織就的帷幕一樣。60Please respect copyright.PENANAdf63BsybPm
60Please respect copyright.PENANAHEvV7lVdIn
在偌大空間一角,雙面都是牆壁的角落裡,許多說不出來歷、混亂又奇異的雜物堆放在那,它們圍繞著一塊以菱形、方形、圓形和各種捲曲線條組成的寬闊毯子,營造出自己的小小空間。60Please respect copyright.PENANA29Jg0cWN7A
60Please respect copyright.PENANA1koSA1sv8F
「那裡。」肩上的少年拍拍他,將男人從奇異中喚醒。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmIhGfC5YB9
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqvwVZuiu5U
卡萊爾指著那張充滿沙漠異國風情的毯子,示意他帶自己到那裡。60Please respect copyright.PENANAi7kMKZWKun
60Please respect copyright.PENANAf4C61Ats0r
克里斯依言照辦,將少年小心翼翼地放到地毯上幾個破舊但乾淨的靠枕邊。卡萊爾接著將燭台遞給他,指指一邊幾個櫃子上那些高矮胖瘦不一的瓶子。60Please respect copyright.PENANAuVpzLWBz17
60Please respect copyright.PENANACBFBkkjUkf
他走近一看,那些像是頑童將玻璃打碎再重組、毫無規則可循的彩色玻璃瓶子裡都放著蠟燭。將它們一一點燃,原本該是黃色的光線透過那些雜亂的玻璃,在四周投影出斑駁卻瑰麗的七彩光芒。60Please respect copyright.PENANAzI5vieNhcg
60Please respect copyright.PENANAa0AArgU44h
它們落在那些雜亂的陰影上,讓那些鑲嵌著天河石、卻缺了蓋子的百寶盒;沒有把手的掐絲琺瑯鏡子;裝滿玻璃珠、但一邊腳斷了一半的紅漆木盒;雕工精細、鎖片卻失蹤的黃金掐絲小櫃;表面光滑柔細、可少了衣邊手的青瓷人偶等等物品,染上最適合它們的顏色。60Please respect copyright.PENANAUAJzoyNkA8
60Please respect copyright.PENANATwVwRqZltW
這裡像是被拋棄物品的樂園。60Please respect copyright.PENANAhGfOur1kAW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAI2a5yI8bKH
「有些是我帶回來的,有一些是撿到的。」卡萊爾說。60Please respect copyright.PENANAcpm0gXfkcZ
60Please respect copyright.PENANASqxJP2y03w
克里斯朝他點點頭,把自己的思緒從這些看起來似乎很有故事的東西上移開,走回卡萊爾身邊。60Please respect copyright.PENANAKj3rz1XIiy
60Please respect copyright.PENANAMmsJyWgrOf
「你有藥嗎?」他一邊把少年的傷腳拉向自己、捲起他的褲管,一邊問。60Please respect copyright.PENANAgis9VPvEAS
60Please respect copyright.PENANARRLHlqbLmy
卡萊爾試著幾次把自己的腳收回來,但都徒勞無功,最後他很明智的放棄了。60Please respect copyright.PENANARPxLHwbiGi
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0YpmFrPpw
「在那個櫃子裡,第二個抽屜。」指指一個三層黑檀木小櫃子。它的把柄是金製的,櫃面上應該裝飾著輕薄的彩繪胎瓷,不過有兩面掉了,剩下的那一面左上角也已經剝落。60Please respect copyright.PENANACfuDJj6SHV
60Please respect copyright.PENANAeQuv3EDfvt
克里斯把小櫃子拉過來,打開第二層抽屜,裡面有個圓形的琺瑯盒子。60Please respect copyright.PENANApNBHmGvSTc
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdOqd8Qfd08
打開它,克里斯就聞到一股撲鼻而來的怪藥草味,那簡直就像是薄荷混著胡椒和剛發酵的起司之類的味道,說不出的怪異。他立刻摀起鼻子,疑惑地看向卡萊爾。60Please respect copyright.PENANAgQfKNWsPpf
60Please respect copyright.PENANAsWAtTq9los
「別那副表情,這東西有用得很。」卡萊爾像看笑話似地看他,這讓克里斯有些不平。60Please respect copyright.PENANA4n5CjThlWR
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbXdJLNLZvb
——反正又不是用在我身上!60Please respect copyright.PENANAPupmSWdiOY
60Please respect copyright.PENANAX4Nvo1wYzM
他恨恨地想著,用刮匙挖了一勺翠綠色的藥膏直接敷在卡萊爾的傷處。60Please respect copyright.PENANAqKMOvCOW9G
60Please respect copyright.PENANA5NdwF4E1yz
「——喔!嘿!」少年倒抽一口氣,破口大罵,「痛死了!」60Please respect copyright.PENANA0gTPCIGxhU
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPVPt9XvNjK
「你自己說有用的。」克里斯反駁。60Please respect copyright.PENANAa054HgMHVe
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqb7vGcF8u0
「有用也要看用法!笨蛋!粗手粗腳!」咒罵起一連串髒話,卡萊爾鐵青著臉色從旁邊抽來一塊布片,按在藥膏上慢慢揉著,間或嘟噥著幾句抱怨,卻理也不理克里斯。60Please respect copyright.PENANAHfqxYWEsUl
60Please respect copyright.PENANAewzgfzCNwe
少年因氣憤而漲紅的臉頰和噘起的嘴帶著難得一見的稚嫩,讓克里斯覺得有些好笑。今夜的心情終於輕快起來,決定展現點成年男性的氣度。60Please respect copyright.PENANAfmOa1kChSs
60Please respect copyright.PENANA6qVhn9npVO
「好了,是我不對。」說著,接過卡萊爾揉著腳的布片,稍微加點力道推揉起來。60Please respect copyright.PENANA69EdYFjQdI
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZbDABAfHIh
或許是因為方才的道歉,少年大方地讓他服務,絲毫不見困窘的意思。60Please respect copyright.PENANASXEDZe3SaN
60Please respect copyright.PENANA6eXVN82ULR
揉了一會,克里斯掀開布片確認傷處,紅腫已經消了不少,而翠綠色的藥膏大部分已滲入皮膚底下。60Please respect copyright.PENANAcnGRn45jNW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAwHP5WWkHXc
——看來這東西真的有用。他對那氣味頓時改觀不少。60Please respect copyright.PENANAkq5XIwKDPn
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbWMye25LQF
在少年揮開他的手,檢視自己傷處時,克里斯突然的問題打了卡萊爾一個措手不及。60Please respect copyright.PENANA2QRwWKR69U
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEcHnejXM1K
「那東西是什麼?你以前見過?」60Please respect copyright.PENANAjTQrIuMrzl
60Please respect copyright.PENANAxJkWgyknrV
他注意到金髮少年的動作有那麼一瞬間的停頓,「那東西和霧河裡的屍體有關嗎?」60Please respect copyright.PENANA0KpXUlmU4a
60Please respect copyright.PENANAApkJC2uhaF
如果說前兩個問題是從卡萊爾要他處理那東西的方式裡得出的結論,最後一個問題就是他的猜測。60Please respect copyright.PENANAqBACEj4LNW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAGqMrBbp4af
「你說過不問的。」少年抗議。60Please respect copyright.PENANAEgwrUuZN75
60Please respect copyright.PENANATJXApy8hh2
「我說過嗎?」他反駁,「發生了什麼事,卡萊爾。那東西是什麼?」60Please respect copyright.PENANABsnABAa5L5
60Please respect copyright.PENANAUyxrlLg5d3
克里斯的咄咄逼人讓本就沒想好該怎麼回答的卡萊爾有些慌亂,但他很快鎮定下來,晴空般的藍眸毫不退讓地瞪著男人。而克里斯發現他很難從那雙眼睛裡讀出任何有助於他判斷的情緒,街童之王將一切資訊藏在他的冷漠裡。60Please respect copyright.PENANAwIjoKLQWcB
60Please respect copyright.PENANAc1ZctrhYTq
「那是惡魔。」卡萊爾說:「除此之外,我不會告訴你更多。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAbTq5BFFPAK
60Please respect copyright.PENANASpcZ8Dt890
「卡萊爾——」克里斯還想抗議,但少年的眼神讓他閉上嘴。60Please respect copyright.PENANAgnGAYHk1X0
60Please respect copyright.PENANAYXkfNysRZR
那是幾近於苛責的眼神。60Please respect copyright.PENANArVyzm2jNrS
60Please respect copyright.PENANAP0sTE8baLS
「沒有覺悟為真相擔起責任之前,你沒有知道的必要。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAE1BHHhBRv0
60Please respect copyright.PENANAwpS6EzEGBb
「走吧,記得。晚上不要上街。」說完,卡萊爾就別過頭去。60Please respect copyright.PENANA8Y3COb9SfE
60Please respect copyright.PENANA11V8JceRtt
直到沉默中,單獨的腳步聲響起、漸漸遠去,他才回頭看向住所的出口。60Please respect copyright.PENANAqL8GaOeI13
60Please respect copyright.PENANAaSDuBBcIGk
那裡已經沒有半個人。60Please respect copyright.PENANAZLCEhx8wfT
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPHd59e3SVu
而空氣一如既往的冷凝。60Please respect copyright.PENANADlBRYZ6d2y
60Please respect copyright.PENANAgMj1t9RmzW
卡萊爾扁扁嘴,部份失落的心情湧上,不過很快就消散在沉靜的夜裡。60Please respect copyright.PENANAhSTJRZv5fr
60Please respect copyright.PENANAMrsPwVkjfk
他站起來,一跛一跛地走到窗台邊坐下。因為傷了一隻腳的關係,少年的動作不像以往那麼靈活,但還是輕而易舉地就坐到了略高的圍牆上。靠著柱子、屈起一條腿,坐在只有成年人手臂粗的牆頭上就像坐在舒適的沙發上一樣自在。60Please respect copyright.PENANAlWBQeU90TD
60Please respect copyright.PENANA2IpCiuicu4
遙望著下面在月光裡朦朧的城市,卡萊爾想起自己回到這裡來的那個時候。60Please respect copyright.PENANAde7nfxJHXR
60Please respect copyright.PENANAvG0rLO8Clg
他記得,自己回到這個國家的時候,一開始也是隱匿在小巷中。60Please respect copyright.PENANAy4cq9IdJlM
60Please respect copyright.PENANAiOWBMwqj8B
一方面,他知道自己是被驅逐的人,當時卡萊爾對英倫一點感情都沒有,也不知道這個國家是否會接納曾經被趕出去過的少年。60Please respect copyright.PENANAuh78ugqvtW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEbJQ0xfzvb
他穿梭在大街小巷中,運用自己已經學會的那些生存技巧討生活,同時,也探聽著自他離去後的一切。60Please respect copyright.PENANApkjyCe6Tjb
60Please respect copyright.PENANAAcq0jLBdPA
過去的生活經驗讓卡萊爾清楚,再也沒有什麼消息比街頭的傳言要來的迅速廣泛。60Please respect copyright.PENANASbgpM41eS8
60Please respect copyright.PENANAX4q23fHV70
很快的,他就擁有了屬於自己的小勢力,也開始探索這個城市裡被人遺忘的小小祕密。60Please respect copyright.PENANAMIHw8uuneH
60Please respect copyright.PENANA4NFjXLY46Z
不過在收集有關宮廷的消息過程中,有個名字特別吸引他的注意力。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmfHj1jcHm9
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9HlwtDoAOC
阿諾德。60Please respect copyright.PENANAfSmngtbjzY
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9o3ddPSoRB
這個聽起來既不像名字又有點饒口的稱號,幾次之後,卡萊爾就確定這只是個代稱。但這個代稱後所隱藏的人卻令他感到好奇。除了這個名字的流傳之廣,他在許多消息網都曾聽過,另外還有,即便經過了好幾年的時間,有些人依然記得這個名字,甚至記得這個人曾經說過的一些話、做過的事情。60Please respect copyright.PENANAj6PGNuzIxy
60Please respect copyright.PENANAnMHBQIYNH2
街頭是個無情的地方。60Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6MSMmNt5p
60Please respect copyright.PENANA464fT2t7fQ
許多人來來去去,也許下一秒,在這裡活過的痕跡就會被其他更張狂的痕跡抹蓋。60Please respect copyright.PENANAUkUBivFlVF
60Please respect copyright.PENANAp3kly1DtNe
究竟是誰能夠讓自己的名號在這樣的地方流傳?卡萊爾對此好奇不已。60Please respect copyright.PENANAdd1xhf2J9t
60Please respect copyright.PENANASz5gWisg3Y
——也許當事人知道這些事情後會訝異不已。60Please respect copyright.PENANA9wflIgtfjN
60Please respect copyright.PENANAW5PnVJfHzl
他想。恐怕克里斯多福從不知道,其實有那麼多人都還記得他吧。60Please respect copyright.PENANAGhtOm53Qf8
60Please respect copyright.PENANAhWhHudnZ8i
知道那個讓他有些在意的代稱究竟是什麼身分,是在卡萊爾與親姊姊見面、決定成為她在民間的暗探之後,第一次造訪祕密情報機關的事情。他在那裡第一次聽見克里斯多福.杜邦這個名字,也第一次知道阿諾德就是這位年輕伯爵的稱號。60Please respect copyright.PENANAA2s764gEac
60Please respect copyright.PENANAQTwYJfkN12
以當年克里斯的自尊,他不允許自己使用假名,但在民間活動需要一個更不引人注意的名字。於是他採用大部分平民都不會知道的爵位稱號來代表自己。但只要對宮廷稍加了解的人,都能立刻聽出這個代稱指的是誰,這就是克里斯當時還不甚成熟的狂妄。60Please respect copyright.PENANA6okxJbf1uu
60Please respect copyright.PENANAOgWu6wMYbK
在那之後,卡萊爾總是有意無意地打聽關於這位杜邦伯爵的事情,然後從那些事情拼湊出的真相裡,他覺得這個人和自己很相像。60Please respect copyright.PENANA9CCQcvaOhW
60Please respect copyright.PENANAgoOPrZcLoz
他們都被曾依賴的一切拋棄,而後孓然一身。60Please respect copyright.PENANAXYkgwNoP9i
60Please respect copyright.PENANA1C7joPqakP
可是當時卡萊爾能失去的還很少,他能夠很快站起來,開始接納已經產生巨變的生活。60Please respect copyright.PENANANeL2Nd3eSX
60Please respect copyright.PENANAMocHF2bhlE
克里斯不同,他所失去的太多又太巨大,幾乎佔據了他整個人的全部身心,抽離那一切,就等於將靈魂也抽離。60Please respect copyright.PENANApjeAUTVLi1
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqXtlvlPF5E
那段時間,卡萊爾有時候會特地在聽取情報、和姊姊會面之後繞到財務部去,看一眼跟他有著同樣際遇的男人,然後有些失落的發現他依然一蹶不振的模樣。60Please respect copyright.PENANAWmDz7QW6KJ
60Please respect copyright.PENANAU21OezbUgZ
其實他也不知道自己希望看到些什麼,不過,就是有些失望。60Please respect copyright.PENANABaTpzZ3NBO
60Please respect copyright.PENANAtKMOeYHdxW
當克里斯為了其友人之死,而主動找上門來的時候,他才重新感到期待起來,並為此雀躍。60Please respect copyright.PENANAIWlpLwFEYd
60Please respect copyright.PENANAxW3BUzYhwt
而後,他才發覺自己期待的更多也更模糊......60Please respect copyright.PENANAeY7l1mGZ7Y
60Please respect copyright.PENANAyb3w7lKdbb
不過那個人是否能給予他回應?卡萊爾沒有自信,畢竟他所期待的答案,連他自己也不知道相應的問題。60Please respect copyright.PENANATGZv5kkLVn
60Please respect copyright.PENANAk0XFkAIUFz
而他對這樣沒有自信的自己感到相當迷惘。60Please respect copyright.PENANACdTIlRGJWe
60Please respect copyright.PENANAuawaKlyrUd
可這樣的惆悵並沒有持續多久,從空中畫過一道弧線、直朝自己而來的黑影讓卡萊爾立刻將那些有些感傷的緬懷拋在身後。60Please respect copyright.PENANArLtEnyCbYI
60Please respect copyright.PENANACQP4MuaYgS
小影安靜、迅速地落在主人伸出來的手上,牠輕柔地啄啄少年修長的手指,發出親暱的聲音,向主人傳達自己成功完成任務的驕傲。60Please respect copyright.PENANAKG2yyAzFGV
60Please respect copyright.PENANAFgyV5ABi8D
——無論如何,今晚終究不虛此行。60Please respect copyright.PENANAQkVz9wD6uR
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZLv1xxSrsK
卡萊爾想著。60Please respect copyright.PENANAj2q46tyMtl
60Please respect copyright.PENANATqvLdQyTII
60Please respect copyright.PENANA0p7LVJ1IUZ
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbS7mHrxCwg
60Please respect copyright.PENANAc0aMWxW44P
60Please respect copyright.PENANAVCPh7I0hxz
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEM8Q2ADEil
60Please respect copyright.PENANArdeuhhqULb
60Please respect copyright.PENANAkFrmdBKejn
60Please respect copyright.PENANACLjEW72KZI
女人走在長廊上。60Please respect copyright.PENANAak5d92GkKM
60Please respect copyright.PENANADefpGDaffR
燭台微弱的光芒吞噬了她身邊的黑暗,她的腳步很輕,落在羊毛地毯上就像一抹幽魂,燭光帶來的紅潤反而讓那張精緻臉蛋更顯蒼白,與那頭閃耀著黃金般光芒的金髮大相逕庭。60Please respect copyright.PENANA01oR5zqeGp
60Please respect copyright.PENANA8PmeCEjzar
她灰藍色的眼睛死氣沉沉,如同被風暴籠罩的陰雨天空,燭火帶來的溫暖沒有一點進入她眼眸深處。60Please respect copyright.PENANAdaVsGlqYu7
60Please respect copyright.PENANADL8huFBbOb
那穿著白色絲綢睡衣的身影像幽靈一樣穿過走廊,下了樓,來到後門。60Please respect copyright.PENANAhJq4ruUU5y
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbom2dMiBSC
僕人都已經睡了,外面值夜的守夜人若非有動靜,否則不會刻意來到僕人用的小門邊。60Please respect copyright.PENANAtcf1Kpyd9K
60Please respect copyright.PENANApvxfj1R4k6
尤其是在這樣幽暗、星光月光都掩沒在雲層後的夜晚裡。60Please respect copyright.PENANA24AzCFlMKD
60Please respect copyright.PENANABU8UVspUcM
女人伸出她修長白皙、如同藝術品般的手,扭開門把。她沒有出聲,只是靜靜站在開了一人寬大小的門後,目光透過重重濃霧,注視著空無一人的後院——60Please respect copyright.PENANAYsymBSBcYE
60Please respect copyright.PENANA5hZoFSGioC
本該是如此的。60Please respect copyright.PENANAHnA0x395Ib
60Please respect copyright.PENANAjrYtRYkxoU
「......夫人。」一道輕柔的聲音從夜晚裡傳來。60Please respect copyright.PENANAtvOM4jacbM
60Please respect copyright.PENANAUwBbXuGwEb
聽起來有些沙啞,極輕,就像雲絮落在風裡,卻清楚地讓女人聽見。60Please respect copyright.PENANAJVqbxZz6cm
60Please respect copyright.PENANAu2MSpiqGdW
而那聲音也相信對方聽到自己所說得,沒有等她回答,繼續完成它傳達消息的任務。60Please respect copyright.PENANAU9WuAoXYc5
60Please respect copyright.PENANATLy0LwkfkQ
「今晚遇到了點麻煩,街上起了些騷動,寵物們已經被發現了——我們想,是杜邦家的人。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAaBkdCQce3C
60Please respect copyright.PENANAeljbgooG5D
「......杜邦?」女人深深嘆氣,「看來被拔去犬牙的狗,嗅覺還是很靈敏。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAEfNWr4HAfR
60Please respect copyright.PENANALzt7ljumhb
「公爵向您轉達他的關切之意,希望夫人能再小心一些,他還需要幾天時間才會抵達。」60Please respect copyright.PENANABfP8fOJ2TF
60Please respect copyright.PENANA55SuB6X1N8
「——告訴我。我哥哥他知道今晚所發生的事情嗎?」60Please respect copyright.PENANAzc7uvgFy9F
60Please respect copyright.PENANAvwApie9Tma
「不,還來不及通知。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAiP1ltCMMpk
60Please respect copyright.PENANAssYynbaPbF
「那麼別告訴他,事情我會解決,別讓我哥哥再操心,他已經夠煩的了。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAKKZHKA1hnp
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPIjIOHPa0r
「......是的,夫人。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAZZhmInQs2O
60Please respect copyright.PENANADAhMbDx93B
「很好。」女人滿意地點點頭,「回到你的崗位上去吧,小心點,我們現在得步步為營。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAyDpElCzUSJ
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9q07zib6zK
夜色裡沒有其他聲音傳來,女人關上了門,就像它一直都牢牢地緊閉著、沒有打開過一樣。而後她轉身走回樓上,來到最大、最豪華的主臥室前,靜靜地開門進去。60Please respect copyright.PENANAJvLxmsdy2V
60Please respect copyright.PENANA6yxebUzetx
房間裡只有她帶進來的燭台光芒,而那張靠著牆壁正中央擺放的四柱大床,如同蟄伏的黑暗一樣佔據了最大片的陰影,在薄被包裹下扭曲的人形狀似吐絲的幼蟲般蜷縮其上。60Please respect copyright.PENANAkfi1SDmofs
60Please respect copyright.PENANAVP6erBpr0x
女人瞥了那東西一眼,端麗的唇角勾起似笑非笑的優雅弧度。60Please respect copyright.PENANAxXxaqrZbab
60Please respect copyright.PENANAcfd0a0KsMV
她注意到那東西動了動,於是走過去,將燭台放在床邊的櫃子上。60Please respect copyright.PENANAoXQC2lAD5D
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdzjOt7hkMT
被單下面傳來窸窸窣窣的聲音,和虛弱又扭曲的呻吟。60Please respect copyright.PENANAZxhOtZeBCv
60Please respect copyright.PENANAoMrF8owQGr
從那裡面像是掙扎地破繭而出的頭顱,是有著一頭白髮,微微發福的臉。60Please respect copyright.PENANAlQjIxSmbls
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEvQMMRTXMs
「啊......露薏絲......」老主教顫抖著嘴唇,從他艱難撐開一條縫的眼皮下依稀可見混濁的目光,和他看起來紅潤健康的臉龐完全不搭調。60Please respect copyright.PENANAMjTnUXhvOM
60Please respect copyright.PENANARIQXREbMzw
「是的,主教閣下。」露薏絲坐過去,湊近朗費羅身邊,低下頭聆聽他的需要。60Please respect copyright.PENANA4r1XAskSn6
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdCe0m0NLEu
「......我口渴,親愛的......」他朝她扯出一個扭曲的微笑,「給我一點那種飲料......那真是好東西......」60Please respect copyright.PENANAurx1eO0vqj
60Please respect copyright.PENANAh6WysXyfBz
金髮女性露出樂於遵從的甜美微笑,轉身從床邊櫃子上的水瓶裡,倒了一杯有著鮮豔粉紅色的飲料,端給老主教。60Please respect copyright.PENANAsXDomaGewO
60Please respect copyright.PENANAVhtyQiDtmi
她扶著他坐起來,將銀杯靠在他唇邊。60Please respect copyright.PENANAzRpVWRIwxf
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZW0KTNEJj0
彷彿被睡眠吸乾了生命力的老人,靠在年輕美貌的女子胸前,這景象突兀地令人毛骨悚然。可再這只有兩人的房間內,沒有人......或者說是部會有人注意到這氣氛的詭譎。60Please respect copyright.PENANAmjmJQtnA7K
60Please respect copyright.PENANAXUj1ZECxmj
看著朗費羅將飲料喝下,露薏絲拿開杯子,扶他再次躺下。「睡一覺吧,主教閣下,您得多休息,明天還有許多事情得忙。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAai47LdrPJ8
60Please respect copyright.PENANA52sn1IIpRc
「啊......當然、當然......親愛的。」朗費羅顫巍巍地閉上眼睛,顫抖的嘴唇仍在呢喃,「還有許多事情得忙......啊......許多事情......是什麼事情呢......」60Please respect copyright.PENANAKnSWZcNy09
60Please respect copyright.PENANAFzLo2CVuE5
「不是和杜邦家有關嗎?主教閣下。」露薏絲以輕柔地像是惡魔般的誘哄語氣說:「你有很多問題得問......像是那枚金幣......」60Please respect copyright.PENANAk0BpSXpCIW
60Please respect copyright.PENANApBcHD2JgGp
「啊......是的......當然,這是得記得、得記得......」60Please respect copyright.PENANA4g08QnYqVv
60Please respect copyright.PENANAApzZGjrsEz
「您得把它牢牢記在心裡,而且杜邦家的小子很狡猾......您得私下和他談談......」60Please respect copyright.PENANApnX6PoZ6p4
60Please respect copyright.PENANAU0bsjce8cP
「嗯......當然、當然......」老人發出感嘆,「啊......露薏絲......妳真是我的天使......」60Please respect copyright.PENANAsw0ISjBNda
60Please respect copyright.PENANAcgXITDhjKX
「當然,主教閣下。」她笑得更加甜美,「我是來帶領你前往主的國度的。」60Please respect copyright.PENANAQIK7Uuh7Qy
60Please respect copyright.PENANAYnmLxV467Z
她說,但已經昏沉睡去的老人是否能聽得出那天籟聲音之後的惡魔契約,似乎於現在,已經不重要了。60Please respect copyright.PENANA8XKx4r7bJw
60Please respect copyright.PENANAaJDB038Nix
從床邊直起身的女性,灰藍色眼睛像是盯著滿意的寵物似地盯著老人。60Please respect copyright.PENANAbiGkTmWPYu
60Please respect copyright.PENANAm0WRg8MSod
燭光將她的影子拉長,直到扭曲。60Please respect copyright.PENANAjsQiliRVSC
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPVP276ww4S
就像已在今夜裡無聲瀰漫開來的詭計......ns216.73.216.209da2