卷十二 2920年

Evening Star

夜星(月份)

Book Twelve of 2920

卷十二 2920年

The Last Year of the FirstEra

第一纪元的最后一年

by

Carlovac Townway

卡罗瓦克唐威

1Evening Star, 2920, Balmora, Morrowind

1st，夜星，2920，巴尔莫拉，晨风

Thewinter morning sun glinted through the cobweb of frost

冬日早晨的阳光透进霜痕遍布的窗户，阿玛莱希雅睁开双眼。一个上了年纪的医

onthe window, and Almalexia opened her eyes. An ancient

者正用一块湿布擦拭她的额头和脸颊，脸上挂着欣慰的笑容。她床边还摆着一张

healermopped a wet cloth across her head, smiling with

椅子，维瓦克安静地坐在上面睡着了。医者见她醒了，便匆匆走向橱柜，从里面

relief.Asleep in the chair next to her bed was Vivec. The

拿出一壶水递给她。

healerrushed to a side cabinet and returned with a flagon of water.

“Howare you feeling, goddess?” asked the healer.

“您感觉怎样，女神殿下?”医者问道。

“LikeI've been asleep for a very long time,” said Almalexia.

“感觉像是从一次长眠中清醒过来，”阿玛莱希雅回答。

“Soyou have. Fifteen days,” said the healer, and touched

“确实如此，您睡了足足十五天，”医者说着，走到维瓦克身边轻拍他的手臂。

Vivec'sarm. “Master, wake up. She speaks.”

“主人，醒醒。她醒了。”

Vivecrose with a start, and seeing Almalexia alive and

维瓦克像是被吓了一跳一样醒过来，看见坐在床上的阿玛莱希雅业已清醒过来，

awake,his face broke into a wide grin. He kissed her

脸上露出一个孩童般的大大笑容。他走上前，轻吻阿玛莱希雅的额头，然后握住

forehead,and took her hand. At last, there was warmth

她的手。终于，她感觉温度又回到她的体内。

againin her flesh.

Almalexia'speaceful repose suddenly snapped: “Sotha Sil—”

突然，阿玛莱希雅像是想起什么似的，原本平和的脸上也显出惊恐：“索塔 希尔—”

“He'salive and well,” replied Vivec. “Working on one of

“他还活着，一切都好，”维瓦克回答。“再一次在一个不知名的地方摆弄他的机

hismachines again somewhere. He would have stayed here

器。他本来也想留下来的，但很快他意识到与其坐在这儿干等着，他还不如去研

too,but he realized he could do you more good working that

究研究那些奇怪的魔法，看有什么能帮到你。”

peculiarsorcery of his.”

Thecastellan appeared in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt

这时，城主忽然出现在门口。“很抱歉叨扰到您，主人，但我想要告知您昨晚您

you,master, but I wanted to tell you that your fastest

最快的信使出发去了帝都。”

messengerleft late last night for the Imperial City.”

“Messenger?”asked Almalexia. “Vivec, what has happened?”

“信使?”阿玛莱希雅问。“维瓦克，发生了什么?”

“Iwas to go and sign a truce with the Emperor on the sixth,

“我本来得在6日时和皇帝在那儿签订停战协定，但因为你还在沉睡中，所以我

soI sent him word that it had to be postponed.”

给他送了封信通知他这个仪式可能得推迟了。”

“Youcan't do me any good here,” said Almalexia, pulling

“你在我这儿做不了什么有用的事，”阿玛莱希雅说着，正努力从床上起身。“若

herselfup with effort. “But if you don't sign that truce,

是你不去签署那个停战协议，晨风又将回到水深火热的战争时代，或许要再这样

you'llput Morrowind back to war, maybe for another eighty

过个八十年。要是你今天带着护卫队出发往那里赶，或许能在约定时间的一两天

years.If you leave today with an escort and hurry, perhaps

后到达帝都。”

youcan get to the Imperial City only a day or two late.”

“Areyou certain you don't need me here?” asked Vivec.

“你确定你在这儿不需要我吗?”维瓦克担忧地问。

“Iknow that Morrowind needs you more.”

“我清楚整个晨风现在比我更需要你。”

6Evening Star, 2920, The Imperial City, Cyrodiil

6th，夜星，2920，帝都，塞洛蒂尔

TheEmperor Reman III sat on his throne, surveying the

雷曼三世皇帝坐在王座上，打量着整个大厅。这是一幅异常壮观的景象：银色缎

audiencechamber. It was a spectacular sight: silver

带悬于穹顶之下，大厅的每个角落都摆有缓缓燃烧的，装有香料的炉子，潘多尼

ribbonsdangled from the rafters, burning cauldrons of

恩(海精灵居住之地)的凤尾蝶在空中自在舞蹈，悦耳的歌声回荡于大厅。等到

sweetherbs simmered in every corner, Pyandonean swallowtails sweeping through theair, singing their songs.

火把被点亮，仆人开始准备之时，这个房间会转变成一个如桃花源一般的仙境。

Whenthe torches were lit and servants began fanning, the

他甚至能闻到厨房那儿飘来的烤肉和香料的味道。

roomwould be transfigured into a shimmering fantasy land. He could smell thekitchen already, spices and roasts.

ThePotentate Versidue-Shaie and his son Savirien-Chorak

首相贝西多—沙耶以及他的儿子萨维利恩—卓拉克无声无息地滑进房间，两个人

slitheredinto the room, both bedecked in the headdress and

都穿着蛇人传统的头饰和首饰。他们金色的脸上没有一丝笑容，虽说他们平常也

jewelryof the Tsaesci. There was no smile on their golden

不苟言笑。皇帝仍然热情地迎接他忠诚的顾问兼劝告者。

face,but there seldom was one. The Emperor still greeted his trusted advisor withenthusiasm.

“Thisought to impress those savage Dark Elves,” he laughed.

“这肯定能让那些野蛮的暗精灵大开眼界，”他大笑着说。“他们什么时候能到?”

“Whenare they supposed to arrive?”

“Amessenger's just arrived from Vivec,” said the Potentate

“刚才有一个来自维瓦克的信使，”首相严肃地说道。“我想陛下您还是亲自见见

solemnly.“I think it would be best if your Imperial Majesty

他为好。”

methim alone.”

TheEmperor lost his laughter, but nodded to his servants

笑声不再充斥于大厅中，皇帝向侍从们点了点头示意他们退下。接着大门打开，

towithdraw. The door then opened and the Lady Corda walked

科尔达手中拿着羊皮纸走了进来。她转身关上门，却没有抬头看向皇帝的脸。

intothe room, with a parchment in her hand. She shut the door behind her, but didnot look up to meet the Emperor's face.

“Themessenger gave his letter to my mistress?” said Reman,

“信使将信给了女主人?”雷曼难以置信地说，把信从科尔达手中拿过来。“这

incredulous,rising to take the note. “That's a highly

显然不是传递信件的传统模式。”

unorthodoxway of delivering a message.”

“Butthe message itself is very orthodox,” said Corda,

“那是因为信使他自己并不是恪守传统的人，”科尔达说着，抬起头看向皇帝仅

lookingup into his one good eye. With a single blinding

剩的那只眼睛。她的手一晃，信纸就升到皇帝的喉咙下面。皇帝的瞳孔猛然变大，

motion,she brought the letter up under the Emperor's chin.

血液从开口流出，溅在空白的羊皮纸上。不，也不全是空白，信纸的角落印着一

Hiseyes widened and blood poured down the blank parchment. Blank that is, exceptfor a small black mark, the sign of

个小小的标志，莫拉格帮会的标志。手一张，信纸落到地上，露出科尔达手中握

theMorag Tong. It fell to the floor, revealing the small

着的小小匕首，科尔达一用力，将匕首深深插进皇帝的喉咙，深至骨髓。皇帝的

daggerhidden behind it, which she now twisted, severing

身体如落叶般坠向地面，无声地抽搐着。

histhroat to the bone. The Emperor collapsed to the floor, gasping soundlessly.

“Howlong do you need?” asked Savirien-Chorak.

“你需要多长时间?”萨维利恩—卓拉克平静地问。

“Fiveminutes,” said Corda, wiping the blood from her hands.

“五分钟，”科尔达边说边将手上的血擦干净。“当然，如果你能给我十分钟的话，

“Ifyou can give me ten, though, I'll be doubly grateful.”

我会感激不尽的。”

“Verywell,” said the Potentate to Corda's back as she

“很好，”首相看着科尔达渐渐远去的身影评价道。“她肯定曾跟随一个亚龙人学

racedfrom the audience chamber. “She ought to have been

习过，这个女孩使用匕首的技巧确实很出众。”

anAkaviri, the way the girl handles a blade is truly remarkable.”

“Imust go and establish our alibi,” said Savirien-Chorak,

“我现在得去给我们弄一个不在场证明，”萨维利恩—卓拉克说着，在其中一个

disappearingbehind one of the secret passages that only

只有皇帝真正信任的人才知道的密道入口消失了。

theEmperor's most trusted knew about.

“Doyou remember, close to a year ago, your Imperial

“您还记得吗，将近一年前，陛下，”首相笑着，向下俯视地上躺着的奄奄一息

Majesty,”the Potentate smiled, looking down at the dying

的人。“当您让我记住‘你们亚龙人确实有着绚丽的移动技巧，但只需要一次我

man.“When you told me to remember 'You Akaviri have a lot

们的攻击，一切便结束了。’你看，我一直记着这句话呢。”

ofshowy moves, but if just one of our strikes comes through, it's all over foryou.' I remembered that, you see.”

TheEmperor spat up blood and somehow said the word: “Snake.”

皇帝又吐出一口鲜血，用嘴型说着：“毒蛇。”

“Iam a snake, your Imperial Majesty, inside and out. But

“我确实是一条蛇，陛下，不管是外在还是内心。但我可没撒谎。确实有一个来

Ididn't lie. There was a messenger from Vivec. It seems

自维瓦克的信使。但他看起来得迟到几天，”首相在进入密道之前耸了耸肩。“别

he'llbe a little late in arriving,” the Potentate shrugged

担心，陛下，我会确保大厅里的食物不会腐坏的。”

beforedisappearing behind the secret passage. “Don't worry yourself. I'm sure thefood won't go bad.”

TheEmperor of Tamriel died in a pool of his own blood in

泰姆瑞尔至高皇帝在他自己为一场盛大舞会而精心装扮的大厅的地板上，死在他

hisempty audience chamber decorated for a grand ball. He

自己吐出的血液里。他的尸体在十五分钟后被他的侍卫们发现。而那时科尔达早

wasfound by his bodyguard fifteen minutes later. Corda was

不见踪影了。

nowhereto be found.

8Evening Star, 2920, Caer Suvio, Cyrodiil

8th，夜星，2920，凯尔萨维奥，塞洛蒂尔

LordGlavius, apologizing profusely for the quality of the

盖拉缪斯领主，一路上不停地为森林中泥泞而凹凸不平的道路质量而道歉，他是

roadthrough the forest, was the first emissary to greet

维瓦克和他的护卫队从晨风出发以来第一个欢迎他们的领主。别墅四周的那些枝

Vivecand his escort as they arrived. A string of burning

叶稀疏的树上挂满了一串串发光的球状装饰物，温和却寒冷的夜风吹进房屋。

globesdecorated the leafless trees surrounding the villa, bobbing in the gentle butfrigid night breeze. From within,

维瓦克能看到里面举办的简单宴会，一首高音的悲伤旋律为其伴奏。那是一曲

Viveccould smell the simple feast and a high sad melody.

传统的亚龙人冬季颂歌。

Itwas a traditional Akaviri wintertide carol.

Versidue-Shaiegreeted Vivec at the front door.

贝西多—沙耶在前门接见并欢迎维瓦克的到来。

“I'mglad you received the message before you got all the

“我很高兴您能在到达城市之前收到那封信，”首相说着，领着维瓦克进入巨大

wayto the City,” said the Potentate, guiding his guest

而温暖的大厅。“帝国正处于一段困难的过渡时期，而在这段时间里，我们最好

intothe large, warm drawing room. “We are in a difficult

还是不要在首都谈论我们之间的事务。”

transitiontime, and for the moment, it is best not to conduct our business at thecapitol.”

“Thereis no heir?” asked Vivec.

“没有继承人?”维瓦克问道。

“Noofficial one, though there are distant cousins vying

“没有正式的，但仍然有许多远亲想要争夺王位。至少目前为止贵族们同意由我

forthe throne. While we sort the matter out, at least

代理我的前任主人—雷曼三世的各项事务，”贝西多—沙耶挥了挥手，一旁的侍

temporarilythe nobles have decided that I may act in the office of my late master,”Versidue-Shaie signaled for the

从便在火炉边摆上两把舒适的椅子。“您是希望先吃点东西呢，还是在这儿先搞

servantsto draw two comfortable chairs in front of the

定我们之间的协议?”

fireplace.“Would you feel most comfortable if we signed the treaty officially right now,or would you like to eat something first?”

“Youintend to honor the Emperor's treaty?”

“你能代替皇帝跟我签约?”

“Iintend to do everything as the Emperor,” said the

“我能做任何皇帝能做的事情，”首相回答。

Potentate.

14Evening Star, 2920, Tel Aruhn, Morrowind

14th，夜星，2920，泰尔阿汝因，晨风

Corda,dusty from the road, flew into the Night Mother's

科尔达，风尘仆仆地从道路上扑进夜母的怀抱中。这一刻，她们静静地抱在一起，

arms.For a moment, they stayed locked together, the Night Mother stroking herdaughter's hair, kissing her forehead.

夜母用手指抚摸女儿的头发，轻吻她的额头。最后，夜母将手伸进袖子里，拿出

Finally,she reached into her sleeve and handed Corda a

一封信递给科尔达。

letter.

“Whatis it?” asked Corda.

“这是什么?”科尔达问。

“Aletter from the Potentate, expressing his delight at

“一封来自首相的信，对你专业的刺杀技术深表满意，”夜母回答道。“他答应我

yourexpertise,” replied the Night Mother. “He's promised

们要给很多报酬，但我已经给他回了封信拒绝了他。前皇后已经花了大价钱来买

tosend us payment, but I've already sent him back a reply.

她丈夫的死。梅法拉不会允许我们的贪婪多于我们的需求。你不需要为同一个

Thelate Empress paid us enough for her husband's death. Mephala would not have usbe greedy beyond our needs. You

刺杀目标付两次的钱，我是这样回复他的。

shouldnot be paid twice for the same murder, so it is written.”

“Hekilled Rijja, my sister,” said Corda quietly.

“但他杀了蕾加，我的姐姐，”科尔达平静地说。

“Andso it should be that you struck the blow.”

“而那更坚定了你刺杀皇帝的决心。”

“Wherewill I go now?”

“那我现在该去哪里?”

“Wheneverany of our holy workers becomes too famous to

“不管哪一位为我们工作的神圣刺客因为太过著名而无法继续刺杀行动时，我们

continuethe crusade, we send them to an island called

会将他送往一座叫做沃瑙拉的岛屿。坐船过去花不了一个月，且我还为你在那里

Vounoura.It's not more than a month's voyage by boat, and

准备了一座漂亮的庄园作为你暂时的避难所，”夜母轻轻吻走女孩脸上的眼泪。

I'vearranged for a delightful estate for your sanctuary,” the Night Mother kissedthe girl's tears. “You meet many

“你会在那儿遇到许多故友，我知道你最终定能在那儿享受一段和平幸福的生活，

friendsthere, and I know you will find peace and happiness

我的孩子。”

atlast, my child.”

19Evening Star, 2920, Mournhold, Morrowind

19th，夜星，2920，哀伤之城，晨风

Almalexiasurveyed the rebuilding of the town. The spirit

阿玛莱希雅审视着城镇中重新建起的房屋。这些居民的精神实在是令人敬佩，她

ofthe citizens was truly inspirational, she thought, as

想着，走过在焦黑色的破碎骷髅中重新建起新建筑。即使是这里的植物也展现出

shewalked among the skeletons of new buildings standing in the blackened,shattered remains of the old. Even the

了一种惊人的恢复力。在咒语攻击后的废墟里也仍有幸存下来的野莓丛和灌木，

plantlifeshowed a remarkable resilience. There was life

它们原本应该整齐地排列在主道路两旁。她能感受到大地的脉搏。等到春风开始

yetin the blasted remains of the comberry and roobrush

吹拂大地，生命的碧绿将驱赶走寂静的死黑残骸。

shrubsthat once lined the main avenue. She could feel the pulse. Come springtide,green would bolt through the black.

TheDuke's heir, a lad of considerable intelligence and

公爵的继承人，一个才华横溢，拥有暗精灵专属的勇气的小伙子正从北方赶来继

sturdyDunmer courage, was coming down from the north to

承他父亲的位子。这片土地在不久之后就不会仅仅生存：它会不断变强，不断扩

takehis father's place. The land would do more than survive:

张。阿玛莱希雅确信不久之后，这片土地能比现在她所看到的更加坚强。

itwould strengthen and expand. She felt the future much more strongly than shesaw the present.

Ofall the things she was most certain of, she knew that

在所有她现在所思所想的一切中，她最确信的一点就是哀伤之城会是至少

Mournholdwas forever home to at least one goddess.

一个女神心中永远的故乡。

22Evening Star, 2920, The Imperial City, Cyrodiil

22nd，夜星，2920，帝都，塞洛蒂尔

“TheCyrodiil line is dead,” announced the Potentate to the

“属于塞洛蒂尔家族的时代已经结束了，”首相对着聚集在皇宫用来演讲的阳台

crowdgathered beneath the Speaker's Balcony of the

下的人群宣布道。“但帝国的统治会继续延续下去。一些值得信赖的，一直在陛

ImperialPalace. “But the Empire lives. The distant

下漫长而恢宏的统治时期帮助他的贵族们，不得不裁决，承认我们挚爱的皇帝陛

relativesof our beloved Emperor have been judged unworthy

下的远亲们没有足够的实力来继承王位。他们已经做出决定，我，作为雷曼三世

ofthe throne by the trusted nobility who advised his

皇帝一直以来公正而忠诚的朋友，将以他的名义继承他的责任。”

ImperialMajesty throughout his long and illustrious reign. It has been decided that asan impartial and faithful friend of Reman III, I will have the responsibilityof continuing on in his name.”

TheAkaviri paused, allowing his words to echo and

亚龙人停下来，让他的话语经过翻译传到底下站着的每一个人的双耳中。他们只

translateinto the ears of the populace. They merely stared

是沉默地仰视着他。前不久雨水已经冲刷干净城里的每一条大街小巷，但太阳，

upat him in silence. The rain had washed through the

即使只是一小会儿，也给处于冬日风暴里的人们带来喘息的时间。

streetsof the city, but the sun, for a brief time, appeared to be offering a respitefrom the winter storms.

“Iwant to make it clear that I am not taking the title

“我想我得解释清楚，我刚才指的不是皇帝这个称号，”他继续说。“我曾是，

Emperor,”he continued. “I have been and will continue to

也一直会是首相贝西多—沙耶，一个一直以来支持帝国的外域人。保护我的第二

bePotentate Versidue-Shaie, an alien welcomed kindly to your shores. It will bemy duty to protect my adopted

个故乡是我的职责，而我保证会一直不知疲倦地工作直到有一个更有力量的人

homeland,and I pledge to work tirelessly at this task

代替我的位置，承担我的责任。作为我的第一个命令，我宣布为了纪念这一历史

untilsomeone more worthy takes the burden from me. As my first act, I declare thatin commemoration of this

性的时刻，我们将在明年晨星的开始之时进入第二纪元的第一年。届时，我们

historicalmoment, beginning on the first of Morning Star, we will enter year one of theSecond Era as time will be

会怀念已经逝去的皇室成员，并向前展望定会更加美好的未来。”

reckoned.Thus, we mourn the loss of our Imperial family, and look forward to thefuture.”

Onlyone man clapped at these words. King Dro'Zel of Senchal

宣布完毕后，只有一个人鼓起掌来。森夏尔的卓泽尔王发自内心地相信这会是泰

trulybelieved that this would be the finest thing to happen

姆瑞尔有史以来发生的最好的一件事情。当然，他一直以来都挺愚蠢的。

toTamriel in history. Of course, he was quite mad.

31Evening Star, 2920, Ebonheart, Morrowind

31st，夜星，2920，黑檀心，晨风

Inthe smoky catacombs beneath the city where Sotha Sil

隐藏在城市下方的烟雾缭绕的地下墓穴中，放着索塔希尔用来锻造未来的神秘

forgedthe future with his arcane clockwork apparatus,

的钟表机器那里，一些意想不到的事情发生了。一个油泡从坚固的齿轮处泄露出

somethingunforeseen happened. An oily bubble seeped from

来，砰地一下爆开。瞬间，巫师的注意力就被这个小变化以及它所引起的一连串

along trusted gear and popped. Immediately, the wizard's attention was drawn toit and to the chain that tiny action

反应吸引过去。一条管道向左边滑了半英寸。一个踏板弹了起来。一个线圈接着

triggered.A pipe shifted half an inch to the left. A tread skipped. A coil rewound itselfand began spinning in a

开始向相反的方向旋转。一个本来是左—右，左—右重复推挤的活塞，几十个世

counterdirection. A piston that had been thrusting left-

纪以来第一次突然开始右—左推挤。没有什么坏掉的东西，但一切都乱了套。

right,left-right, for millennia suddenly began shifting right-left. Nothing broke,but everything changed.

“Itcannot be fixed now,” said the sorcerer quietly.

“目前来讲，没有一点能修好它的可能性，”学者平静地总结。

Helooked up through a crick in the ceiling into the night

他的目光穿过天花板，看见繁星点点的夜空。现在正是午夜。第二纪元，混沌

sky.It was midnight. The second era, the age of chaos, had

时代，已经开始了。

begun.

Locations:地点

TwilightSepulcher, on a table.

暮光坟地，在一张桌子上。

Angeline'sAromatics, in the room upstairs with the business ledger.

安吉琳的芳香(孤独城的炼金药店)，在楼上有经营账目的房间里。

BrinewaterGrotto, in a shelf next to a locked chest in the room with the cages.

卤水石窟，在有很多笼子的房间里，一个上锁箱子旁边的架子上。

2920系列终于结束了

可以说最后的结尾留得十分有悬念，但至少最后几部把前面的伏笔和悬念都交代清楚了，也不会留有什么遗憾。

接下来就是各种杂书