ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
°ËÍòС˵Íø ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

srdonaldson.thepowerthatpreserves-µÚ37²¿·Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£¡¡¨¡¡Covenant¡¡shrieked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡Lena¡¡charged¡¡again£»¡¡Pietten¡¡caught¡¡her¡¡knife¡¡wrist¡¡neatly¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡the¡¡blade¡¡away¡¡from¡¡him¡£¡¡Slowly£»¡¡he¡¡twisted¡¡her¡¡arm£»¡¡forcing¡¡her¡¡down¡£¡¡She¡¡hammered¡¡at¡¡him¡¡with¡¡her¡¡free¡¡hand£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡held¡¡her¡£¡¡She¡¡could¡¡not¡¡resist¡¡his¡¡strength¡£¡¡She¡¡fell¡¡to¡¡her¡¡knees¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡Ranyhyn£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡gasped¡¡to¡¡Covenant¡£¡¡¡¨Call¡¡the¡¡Ranyhyn£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lena£¡¡¨¡¡Using¡¡the¡¡spear£»¡¡he¡¡lunged¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet£»¡¡fell£»¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡crawl¡¡forward¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Slowly£»¡¡inexorably£»¡¡Pietten¡¡bent¡¡her¡¡backward¡¡until¡¡she¡¡lay¡¡writhing¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡£¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡pulled¡¡his¡¡sharp¡¡wooden¡¡stave¡¡from¡¡his¡¡belt¡£¡¡With¡¡one¡¡savage¡¡blow¡¡he¡¡stabbed¡¡her¡¡in¡¡the¡¡stomach£»¡¡spiked¡¡her¡¡to¡¡the¡¡frozen¡¡earth¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Horror¡¡roared¡¡in¡¡Covenant's¡¡head¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡feel¡¡himself¡¡shattering£»¡¡stricken¡¡with¡¡pain£»¡¡he¡¡lost¡¡consciousness¡¡momentarily¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡opened¡¡his¡¡eyes£»¡¡he¡¡found¡¡Pietten¡¡standing¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pietten¡¡was¡¡licking¡¡the¡¡blood¡¡off¡¡his¡¡hand¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Covenant¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡the¡¡spear£»¡¡but¡¡Pietten¡¡snatched¡¡it¡¡from¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¨Now£»¡¡Ringthane£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡cried¡¡ecstatically¡£¡¡¡¨Now¡¡I¡¡will¡¡slay¡¡you¡£¡¡Kneel¡¡there¡­grovel¡¡before¡¡me¡£¡¡Bring¡¡my¡¡dreams¡¡to¡¡life¡£¡¡I¡¡will¡¡be¡¡fair¡­I¡¡will¡¡allow¡¡you¡¡a¡¡chance¡£¡¡From¡¡ten¡¡paces¡¡I¡¡will¡¡hurl¡¡my¡¡spear¡£¡¡You¡¡may¡¡dodge¡­if¡¡your¡¡ankle¡¡permits¡£¡¡Do¡¡so¡£¡¡I¡¡relish¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡a¡¡grin¡¡like¡¡a¡¡snarl¡¡on¡¡his¡¡face£»¡¡he¡¡strode¡¡away£»¡¡turned¡¡and¡¡balanced¡¡the¡¡spear¡¡on¡¡his¡¡palm¡£¡¡¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡not¡¡choose¡¡to¡¡live£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡jeered¡£¡¡¡¨Kneel£»¡¡then¡£¡¡Groveling¡¡bees¡¡you¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Numbly£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡know¡¡what¡¡he¡¡was¡¡doing£»¡¡Covenant¡¡raised¡¡the¡¡two¡¡fingers¡¡of¡¡his¡¡right¡¡hand¡¡to¡¡his¡¡mouth¡¡and¡¡let¡¡out¡¡a¡¡weak¡¡whistle¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡Ranyhyn¡¡appeared¡¡instantly¡¡over¡¡the¡¡hillcrest£»¡¡and¡¡came¡¡galloping¡¡down¡¡into¡¡the¡¡hollow¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡miserably¡¡gaunt£»¡¡reduced¡¡by¡¡the¡¡long¡¡winter¡¡to¡¡such¡¡inanition¡¡that¡¡only¡¡its¡¡chestnut¡¡coat¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡its¡¡skeleton¡¡together¡£¡¡But¡¡it¡¡ran¡¡like¡¡indomitable¡¡pride¡¡straight¡¡toward¡¡Covenant¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pietten¡¡did¡¡not¡¡appear¡¡to¡¡see¡¡it¡¡ing¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡in¡¡a¡¡personal¡¡trance£»¡¡exalted¡¡by¡¡blood¡£¡¡Obliviously£»¡¡he¡¡drew¡¡back¡¡his¡¡arm£»¡¡bent¡¡his¡¡body¡¡until¡¡his¡¡muscles¡¡strained¡¡with¡¡passion¡­obliviously¡¡he¡¡launched¡¡the¡¡spear¡¡like¡¡a¡¡bolt¡¡of¡¡retribution¡¡at¡¡Covenant's¡¡heart¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Ranyhyn¡¡veered£»¡¡flashed¡¡between¡¡the¡¡two¡¡men£»¡¡then¡¡fell¡¡tumbling¡¡like¡¡a¡¡sack¡¡of¡¡dismembered¡¡bones¡£¡¡When¡¡it¡¡came¡¡to¡¡rest¡¡on¡¡its¡¡side£»¡¡both¡¡men¡¡saw¡¡Pietten's¡¡spear¡¡jutting¡¡from¡¡its¡¡bloodstained¡¡coat¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡sight¡¡struck¡¡Pietten¡¡like¡¡a¡¡blast¡¡of¡¡chaos¡£¡¡He¡¡gaped¡¡at¡¡what¡¡he¡¡had¡¡done¡¡in¡¡disbelief£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡were¡¡inconceivable£»¡¡unendurable¡£¡¡His¡¡shoulders¡¡sagged£»¡¡eyes¡¡stared¡¡widely¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡lack¡¡language¡¡for¡¡what¡¡he¡¡saw¡£¡¡His¡¡lips¡¡fumbled¡¡over¡¡meaningless¡¡whimpers£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡muscles¡¡of¡¡his¡¡throat¡¡jerked¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡could¡¡not¡¡swallow¡£¡¡If¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡Covenant¡¡crawling¡¡terribly¡¡toward¡¡him£»¡¡he¡¡gave¡¡no¡¡sign¡£¡¡His¡¡arms¡¡dangled¡¡at¡¡his¡¡sides¡¡until¡¡Covenant¡¡reared¡¡up¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡him¡¡on¡¡one¡¡leg¡¡and¡¡drove¡¡a¡¡sharp¡¡Stonedownor¡¡knife¡¡into¡¡his¡¡chest¡¡with¡¡both¡¡hands¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Covenant¡¡delivered¡¡the¡¡blow¡¡like¡¡a¡¡double¡¡fistful¡¡of¡¡hate¡£¡¡Its¡¡momentum¡¡carried¡¡him¡¡forward£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡toppled¡¡across¡¡Pietten's¡¡corpse¡£¡¡Blood¡¡pumping¡¡from¡¡around¡¡the¡¡blade¡¡scored¡¡his¡¡jacket£»¡¡slicked¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡stained¡¡his¡¡shirt¡£¡¡But¡¡he¡¡paid¡¡no¡¡attention¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¡That¡¡one¡¡blow¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡spent¡¡all¡¡his¡¡rage¡£¡¡He¡¡pushed¡¡himself¡¡off¡¡the¡¡body£»¡¡and¡¡crawled¡¡away¡¡toward¡¡Lena£»¡¡dragging¡¡his¡¡broken¡¡ankle¡¡like¡¡a¡¡millstone¡¡of¡¡pain¡¡behind¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡her£»¡¡he¡¡found¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡still¡¡alive¡£¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡front¡¡of¡¡her¡¡robe¡¡was¡¡soaked£»¡¡and¡¡blood¡¡coughed¡¡thinly¡¡between¡¡her¡¡lips£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡was¡¡still¡¡alive¡£¡¡He¡¡gripped¡¡the¡¡spike¡¡to¡¡draw¡¡it¡¡out¡£¡¡But¡¡the¡¡movement¡¡drew¡¡a¡¡gasp¡¡of¡¡pain¡¡from¡¡her¡£¡¡With¡¡an¡¡effort£»¡¡she¡¡opened¡¡her¡¡eyes¡£¡¡They¡¡were¡¡clear£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡she¡¡were¡¡finally¡¡free¡¡of¡¡the¡¡confusion¡¡which¡¡had¡¡shaped¡¡her¡¡life¡£¡¡After¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡she¡¡recognized¡¡Covenant£»¡¡and¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡smile¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lena£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡panted¡£¡¡¡¨Lena¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡love¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡replied¡¡in¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡wet¡¡with¡¡blood¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡not¡¡changed¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lena¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡struggled¡¡to¡¡return¡¡her¡¡smile£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡attempt¡¡convulsed¡¡his¡¡face¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡were¡¡about¡¡to¡¡shriek¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡hand¡¡reached¡¡toward¡¡him£»¡¡touched¡¡his¡¡forehead¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡smooth¡¡away¡¡his¡¡scowl¡£¡¡¡¨Free¡¡the¡¡Ranyhyn£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡whispered¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡plea¡¡took¡¡her¡¡last¡¡strength¡£¡¡She¡¡died¡¡with¡¡blood¡¡streaming¡¡between¡¡her¡¡lips¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Covenant¡¡stared¡¡at¡¡it¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡were¡¡vituperation¡£¡¡His¡¡eyes¡¡had¡¡a¡¡feverish¡¡cast£»¡¡a¡¡look¡¡of¡¡having¡¡been¡¡blistered¡¡from¡¡within¡£¡¡No¡¡words¡¡came¡¡to¡¡his¡¡mind£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened¡£¡¡Rape£»¡¡treachery£»¡¡now¡¡murder¡­he¡¡had¡¡done¡¡them¡¡all£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡mitted¡¡every¡¡crime¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡broken¡¡the¡¡promise¡¡he¡¡had¡¡made¡¡after¡¡the¡¡battle¡¡of¡¡Soaring¡¡Woodhelven£»¡¡when¡¡he¡¡swore¡¡that¡¡he¡¡would¡¡not¡¡kill¡¡again¡£¡¡For¡¡a¡¡long¡¡moment£»¡¡he¡¡regarded¡¡his¡¡numb¡¡fingers¡¡as¡¡if¡¡they¡¡were¡¡things¡¡of¡¡no¡¡importance¡£¡¡Only¡¡the¡¡blood¡¡on¡¡them¡¡mattered¡£¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡pushed¡¡himself¡¡away¡¡from¡¡Lena¡£¡¡Crawling¡¡like¡¡an¡¡abject¡¡passion£»¡¡he¡¡moved¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡Ranyhyn¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Its¡¡muzzle¡¡was¡¡frothed¡¡with¡¡pain£»¡¡and¡¡its¡¡sides¡¡heaved¡¡horridly¡£¡¡But¡¡it¡¡watched¡¡Covenant's¡¡approach¡¡steadily£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡in¡¡its¡¡life¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡afraid¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bearer¡¡of¡¡white¡¡gold¡£¡¡When¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡it£»¡¡he¡¡went¡¡directly¡¡to¡¡its¡¡wound¡£¡¡The¡¡spear¡¡was¡¡deeply¡¡embedded£»¡¡at¡¡first¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡believe¡¡he¡¡could¡¡draw¡¡it¡¡out¡£¡¡But¡¡he¡¡worked¡¡at¡¡it¡¡with¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡digging¡¡his¡¡elbows¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Ranyhyn's¡¡panting¡¡ribs¡£¡¡At¡¡last¡¡the¡¡shaft¡¡tore¡¡free¡£¡¡Blood¡¡pulsed¡¡from¡¡the¡¡wound£»¡¡yet¡¡the¡¡horse¡¡lurched¡¡to¡¡its¡¡feet£»¡¡stood¡¡wavering¡¡weakly¡¡on¡¡splayed¡¡legs£»¡¡and¡¡nuzzled¡¡him¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡him¡¡that¡¡it¡¡would¡¡live¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡muttered£»¡¡speaking¡¡half¡¡to¡¡himself¡£¡¡¡¨Go¡¡back¡£¡¡Go¡­tell¡¡all¡¡the¡¡others¡£¡¡Our¡¡bargain¡¡is¡¡over¡£¡¡No¡¡more¡¡bargains¡£¡¡No¡¡more¡­''¡¡The¡¡fire¡¡was¡¡falling¡¡into¡¡embers£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡voice¡¡faded¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡were¡¡losing¡¡strength¡¡along¡¡with¡¡it¡£¡¡Dark¡¡fog¡¡blew¡¡into¡¡him¡¡along¡¡the¡¡wind¡£¡¡But¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡later£»¡¡he¡¡rallied¡£¡¡¡¨No¡¡more¡¡bargains¡£¡¡Tell¡¡them¡£¡¨
¡¡
¡¡The¡¡Ranyhyn¡¡stood¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡were¡¡unwilling¡¡to¡¡leave¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Go¡¡on£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡insisted¡¡thickly¡£¡¡¡¨You're¡¡free¡£¡¡You've¡¡got¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡them¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡­in¡¡the¡¡name¡¡of¡¡Kelenbhrabanal£»¡¡Father¡¡of¡¡Horses¡£¡¡Go¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡that¡¡name£»¡¡the¡¡Ranyhyn¡¡turned¡¡painfully¡¡and¡¡started¡¡to¡¡limp¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡hollow¡£¡¡When¡¡it¡¡reached¡¡the¡¡crest¡¡of¡¡the¡¡hill£»¡¡it¡¡stopped¡¡and¡¡faced¡¡him¡¡once¡¡more¡£¡¡For¡¡an¡¡instant£»¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡he¡¡could¡¡see¡¡it¡¡silhouetted¡¡against¡¡the¡¡night£»¡¡rearing¡£¡¡Then¡¡it¡¡was¡¡gone¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡wait£»¡¡did¡¡not¡¡rest¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡past¡¡taking¡¡any¡¡account¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cost¡¡of¡¡his¡¡actions¡£¡¡He¡¡caught¡¡up¡¡Pietten's¡¡spear¡¡and¡¡used¡¡it¡¡as¡¡a¡¡staff¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡himself¡¡erect¡£¡¡His¡¡ankle¡¡screamed¡¡at¡¡him¡¡as¡¡it¡¡dragged¡¡the¡¡ground£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡set¡¡his¡¡teeth¡¡and¡¡struggled¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡fire¡£¡¡As¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡he¡¡left¡¡the¡¡range¡¡of¡¡its¡¡warmth£»¡¡his¡¡wet¡¡clothing¡¡began¡¡to¡¡freeze¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡no¡¡idea¡¡where¡¡he¡¡was¡¡headed£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡he¡¡had¡¡to¡¡go¡£¡¡On¡¡each¡¡breath¡¡that¡¡panted¡¡through¡¡his¡¡locked¡¡teeth£»¡¡he¡¡whispered¡¡hate¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡were¡¡a¡¡question¡£
¡¡
¡¡ELEVEN¡¡
¡¡The¡¡Ritual¡¡of¡¡Desecration
¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡Loerya¡¡left¡¡him£»¡¡High¡¡Lord¡¡Mhoram¡¡stayed¡¡on¡¡the¡¡tower¡¡for¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡the¡¡night¡£¡¡He¡¡kept¡¡himself¡¡warm¡¡against¡¡the¡¡bitter¡¡wind¡¡by¡¡calling¡¡up¡¡a¡¡flow¡¡of¡¡power¡¡through¡¡his¡¡staff¡¡from¡¡time¡¡to¡¡time¡¡and¡¡watched¡¡in¡¡silent¡¡dread¡¡as¡¡the¡¡pronged¡¡veins¡¡of¡¡malice¡¡in¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡pulsed¡¡at¡¡Revelstone¡¡like¡¡sick£»¡¡green¡­red¡¡lava¡¡oozing¡¡its¡¡way¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Keep's¡¡courage¡£¡¡The¡¡ill¡¡might¡¡which¡¡spread¡¡from¡¡samadhi¡¡Raver's¡¡Stone¡¡and¡¡the¡¡staves¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ur¡­viles¡¡lit¡¡the¡¡night¡¡garishly£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡irregular¡¡intervals£»¡¡fervid¡¡sparks¡¡writhed¡¡upward¡¡when¡¡the¡¡attack¡¡met¡¡resistance¡¡in¡¡the¡¡rock¡¡of¡¡the¡¡foothills¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Though¡¡it¡¡moved¡¡slowly£»¡¡the¡¡hungry¡¡agony¡¡of¡¡the¡¡attack¡¡was¡¡now¡¡only¡¡scant¡¡yards¡¡from¡¡Revelstone's¡¡walls¡£¡¡Through¡¡his¡¡feet£»¡¡Mhoram¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡the¡¡Keep¡¡moaning¡¡in¡¡silent¡¡immobility£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡it¡¡ached¡¡to¡¡recoil¡¡from¡¡the¡¡leering¡¡threat¡¡of¡¡those¡¡veins¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡that¡¡was¡¡not¡¡why¡¡Mhoram¡¡stood¡¡throughout¡¡the¡¡long¡¡night¡¡exposed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡immedicable¡¡gall¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wind¡£¡¡He¡¡could¡¡have¡¡sensed¡¡the¡¡progress¡¡of¡¡the¡¡assault¡¡from¡¡anywhere¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Keep£»¡¡just¡¡as¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡need¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡him¡¡how¡¡close¡¡the¡¡inhabitants¡¡of¡¡the¡¡city¡¡were¡¡to¡¡gibbering¡¡collapse¡£¡¡He¡¡watched¡¡because¡¡it¡¡was¡¡only¡¡by¡¡beholding¡¡Satansfist's¡¡might¡¡with¡¡all¡¡his¡¡senses£»¡¡perceiving¡¡it¡¡with¡¡all¡¡his¡¡resources¡¡in¡¡all¡¡its¡¡horror£»¡¡that¡¡he¡¡could¡¡deal¡¡with¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡was¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡sight£»¡¡dread¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡on¡¡him¡¡from¡¡nowhere£»¡¡adumbrate¡¡against¡¡his¡¡heart¡¡like¡¡the¡¡knell¡¡of¡¡an¡¡unmotivated¡¡doom¡£¡¡It¡¡confused¡¡his¡¡thoughts£»¡¡paralyzed¡¡his¡¡instincts¡£¡¡Walking¡¡through¡¡the¡¡halls¡¡of¡¡Revelstone£»¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡faces¡¡gray¡¡with¡¡inarticulate¡¡terror£»¡¡heard¡¡above¡¡the¡¡constant£»¡¡clenched¡¡mumble¡¡of¡¡sobs¡¡children¡¡howling¡¡in¡¡panic¡¡at¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡their¡¡parents£»¡¡felt¡¡the¡¡rigid¡¡moral¡¡exhaustion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡stalwart¡¡few¡¡who¡¡kept¡¡the¡¡Keep¡¡alive¡­Quaan£»¡¡the¡¡three¡¡Lords£»¡¡most¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Lorewardens£»¡¡lillianrill£»¡¡and¡¡rhadhamaerl¡£¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡could¡¡hardly¡¡master¡¡the¡¡passion¡¡of¡¡his¡¡futility£»¡¡the¡¡passion¡¡which¡¡urged¡¡him¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡at¡¡his¡¡friends¡¡because¡¡it¡¡blamed¡¡him¡¡for¡¡failing¡¡the¡¡Land¡£¡¡A¡¡wild¡¡hopelessness¡¡moved¡¡in¡¡him£»¡¡shouldered¡¡its¡¡way¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡front¡¡of¡¡his¡¡responses¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡alone¡¡of¡¡all¡¡the¡¡Lords¡¡knew¡¡how¡¡to¡¡make¡¡such¡¡hopelessness¡¡bear¡¡fruit¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡alone¡¡on¡¡the¡¡watchtower£»¡¡with¡¡Satansfist's¡¡army¡¡revealed¡¡below¡¡him£»¡¡he¡¡could¡¡clarify¡¡himself£»¡¡recognize¡¡what¡¡was¡¡being¡¡done¡¡to¡¡Revel¡­stone¡£¡¡The¡¡winter¡¡and¡¡the¡¡attack¡¡assumed¡¡a¡¡different¡¡meaning¡£¡¡He¡¡no¡¡longer¡¡accused¡¡himself£»¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡then¡¡that¡¡no¡¡one¡¡could¡¡be¡¡blamed¡¡for¡¡being¡¡inadequate¡¡in¡¡the¡¡face¡¡of¡¡such¡¡unanswerable¡¡malevolence¡£¡¡Destruction¡¡was¡¡easier¡¡than¡¡preservation£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡destruction¡¡had¡¡risen¡¡high¡¡enough£»¡¡mere¡¡men¡¡and¡¡women¡¡could¡¡not¡¡be¡¡condemned¡¡if¡¡they¡¡failed¡¡to¡¡throw¡¡back¡¡the¡¡tide¡£¡¡Therefore¡¡he¡¡was¡¡able¡¡to¡¡resist¡¡his¡¡own¡¡capacity¡¡for¡¡desecration¡£¡¡His¡¡eyes¡¡burned¡¡like¡¡yellow¡¡fury¡¡at¡¡the¡¡creeping¡¡attack£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡was¡¡searching¡¡for¡¡defenses¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡aspect¡¡of¡¡the¡¡assault¡¡which¡¡most¡¡daunted¡¡him¡¡was¡¡its¡¡unwavering¡¡ferocity¡£¡¡He¡¡could¡¡see¡¡that¡¡the¡¡ur¡­viles¡¡maintained¡¡their¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡power¡¡by¡¡rotating¡¡their¡¡positions£»¡¡allowing¡¡each¡¡wedge¡¡and¡¡loremaster¡¡to¡¡rest¡¡in¡¡turn¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡knew¡¡from¡¡experience¡¡that¡¡Lord¡¡Foul's¡¡strength¡­his¡¡own¡¡prodigious¡¡might¡¡making¡¡use¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Illearth¡¡Stone¡­was¡¡able¡¡to¡¡drive¡¡armies¡¡mad£»¡¡push¡¡them¡¡to¡¡greater¡¡savagery¡¡than¡¡their¡¡flesh¡¡could¡¡bear¡£¡¡But¡¡Satansfist¡¡was¡¡only¡¡one¡¡Giant£»¡¡one¡¡body¡¡of¡¡mortal¡¡thew¡¡and¡¡bone¡¡and¡¡blood¡£¡¡Even¡¡a¡¡Giant¡­Raver¡¡should¡¡not¡¡have¡¡been¡¡able¡¡to¡¡sustain¡¡such¡¡an¡¡extravagant¡¡exertion¡¡for¡¡so¡¡long¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡addition£»¡¡while¡¡samadhi¡¡concentrated¡¡on¡¡his¡¡attack£»¡¡he¡¡might¡¡reasonably¡¡have¡¡been¡¡expected¡¡to¡¡lose¡¡some¡¡of¡¡his¡¡control¡¡over¡¡his¡¡army¡£¡¡Yet¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡horde£»¡¡legion¡¡after¡¡legion£»¡¡remained¡¡poised¡¡around¡¡Revel¡­stone¡¡¡£¡¡Each¡¡creature¡¡in¡¡its¡¡own¡¡way¡¡bent¡¡the¡¡lust¡¡of¡¡its¡¡will¡¡at¡¡the¡¡Keep¡£¡¡And¡¡the¡¡emerald¡¡expenditure¡¡of¡¡samadhi's¡¡strength¡¡never¡¡blinked¡£¡¡Clearly£»¡¡Lord¡¡Foul¡¡supported¡¡his¡¡army¡¡and¡¡its¡¡mander¡¡with¡¡might¡¡so¡¡immense¡¡that¡¡it¡¡surpassed¡¡all¡¡Mhoram's¡¡previous¡¡conceptions¡¡of¡¡power¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡could¡¡see¡¡no¡¡hope¡¡for¡¡Revelstone¡¡anywhere¡¡except¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cost¡¡of¡¡that¡¡unwavering¡¡exertion¡£¡¡The¡¡defenders¡¡would¡¡have¡¡to¡¡hope¡¡and¡¡pray¡¡that¡¡Satansfist's¡¡aegis¡¡broke¡¡before¡¡they¡¡did¡£¡¡If¡¡they¡¡could¡¡not¡¡contrive¡¡to¡¡endure¡¡the¡¡Raver's¡¡attack£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡doomed¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡Mhoram¡¡returned¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hollow¡¡stone¡¡halls¡¡in¡¡the¡¡first£»¡¡gray£»¡¡dim¡¡ridicule¡¡of¡¡dawn£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡ready¡¡to¡¡strive¡¡for¡¡that¡¡endurance¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡hushed£»¡¡tight¡¡wave¡¡of¡¡panic¡¡that¡¡struck¡¡him¡¡as¡¡he¡¡strode¡¡down¡¡the¡¡main¡¡passage¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Keep¡¡almost¡¡broke¡¡his¡¡resolve¡£¡¡He¡¡could¡¡feel¡¡people¡¡grinding¡¡their¡¡teeth¡¡in¡¡fear¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡walls¡¡on¡¡either¡¡side¡¡of¡¡him¡£¡¡Shouts¡¡reached¡¡him¡¡from¡¡a¡¡far¡¡gallery£»¡¡two¡¡parties¡¡had¡¡banded¡¡together¡¡to¡¡defend¡¡themselves¡¡from¡¡each¡¡other¡£¡¡Around¡¡a¡¡bend¡¡he¡¡surprised¡¡a¡¡hungry¡¡group¡¡that¡¡was¡¡attempting¡¡to¡¡raid¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡food¡¡storerooms£»¡¡the¡¡people¡¡believed¡¡that¡¡the¡¡cooks¡¡in¡¡the¡¡refectories¡¡were¡¡preparing¡¡poison¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡anger¡¡blazed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡surged¡¡forward£»¡¡intending¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡them¡¡where¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡in¡¡their¡¡folly¡£¡¡But¡¡before¡¡he¡¡reached¡¡them£»¡¡they¡¡fell¡¡into¡¡panic¡¡and¡¡fled¡¡from¡¡him¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡were¡¡a¡¡ghoul¡£¡¡Their¡¡retreat¡¡left¡¡two¡¡of¡¡Quaan's¡¡warriors¡¡standing¡¡guard¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡the¡¡storeroom¡¡as¡¡if¡¡they¡¡were¡¡watching¡¡each¡¡other¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡the¡¡supplies¡£¡¡Even¡¡these¡¡two¡¡regarded¡¡Mhoram¡¡with¡¡dread¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡mastered¡¡himself£»¡¡forced¡¡a¡¡smile¡¡onto¡¡his¡¡crooked¡¡lips£»¡¡said¡¡a¡¡few¡¡encouraging¡¡words¡¡to¡¡the¡¡guards¡£¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡hastened¡¡away¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡saw¡¡now¡¡that¡¡Revelstone¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡flash¡¡point¡¡of¡¡crisis¡£¡¡To¡¡help¡¡it£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡to¡¡provide¡¡the¡¡city¡¡with¡¡something¡¡more¡¡than¡¡moments¡¡of¡¡temporary¡¡aid¡£¡¡Grimly£»¡¡he¡¡ignored¡¡the¡¡other¡¡needs£»¡¡the¡¡mult
·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨2£© ²È£¨3£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡