The Eye of the World_23 Flashcards
The [mori] had long swallowed it; [kigi] grew [migi] through everything, and spiderwebs of old [kurīpā] enveloped the big [ishi] [burokku].
The forest had long swallowed it; trees grew right through everything, and spiderwebs of old creeper enveloped the big stone blocks.
Another [jikan] they came on a [ishi] [tawā], broken-topped and [chairo] with old [mosu], leaning on the huge [ōku zai] whose thick [rūtsu] were slowly toppling it.
Another time they came on a stone tower, broken-topped and brown with old moss, leaning on the huge oak whose thick roots were slowly toppling it.
[shikashi] they found no [basho] where [dansei] had breathed in living [omoide].
But they found no place where men had breathed in living remembrance.
[omoide] of Shadar Logoth kept them away from the [iseki] and hurried their [ashioto] until they were once more [fukai] in [basho] that seemed never to have known a [ningen] [ashioto].
Memories of Shadar Logoth kept them away from the ruins and hurried their footsteps until they were once more deep in places that seemed never to have known a human footstep.
Dreams plagued Perrin’s [suimin], fearful dreams.
Dreams plagued Perrin’s sleep, fearful dreams.
Ba’alzamon was in them, chasing him through [meiro], hunting him, [shikashi] Perrin never met him [kao]-to-[kao], so far as he remembered.
Ba’alzamon was in them, chasing him through mazes, hunting him, but Perrin never met him face-to-face, so far as he remembered.
And their [tabi] had been enough to bring a few bad dreams.
And their journey had been enough to bring a few bad dreams.
Egwene complained of [akumu] about Shadar Logoth, especially the two [yoru] after they found the ruined [toride] and the abandoned [tawā].
Egwene complained of nightmares about Shadar Logoth, especially the two nights after they found the ruined fort and the abandoned tower.
Perrin kept his own [bengoshi] even when he woke sweating and shaking in the [kurai].
Perrin kept his own counsel even when he woke sweating and shaking in the dark.
She was looking to him to [rīdo] them safely to Caemlyn, not [kyōyū shite imasu] worries about which they could do nothing.
She was looking to him to lead them safely to Caemlyn, not share worries about which they could do nothing.
He was walking at Bela’s [atama], wondering [baai] they would find anything to eat this [yūgata], when he [saisho] caught the [nioi].
He was walking at Bela’s head, wondering if they would find anything to eat this evening, when he first caught the smell.
The [māre] flared her [hana no ana] and swung her [atama] in the next [shunkan].
The mare flared her nostrils and swung her head in the next moment.
He seized her [tazuna] before she could whicker.
He seized her bridle before she could whicker.
“That’s [kemuri],”
“That’s smoke,”
Egwene said excitedly.
Egwene said excitedly.
She leaned forward in the [sadoru], drew a [fukai] [iki].
She leaned forward in the saddle, drew a deep breath.
“A cookfire.
“A cookfire.
Somebody is roasting [yūshoku].
Somebody is roasting dinner.
[usagi].”
Rabbit.”
“Maybe,”
“Maybe,”
Perrin said cautiously, and her eager [egao] faded.
Perrin said cautiously, and her eager smile faded.
He exchanged his [suringu] for the wicked [hanbun]-[mūn] of the [ono].
He exchanged his sling for the wicked half-moon of the axe.
His [te] opened and closed uncertainly on the thick [hafuto].
His hands opened and closed uncertainly on the thick haft.
It was a [buki], [shikashi] neither his hidden [renshū] behind the forge nor Lan’s [oshie] had really [go yōi shimashita] him to [shiyō] it as one.
It was a weapon, but neither his hidden practice behind the forge nor Lan’s teachings had really prepared him to use it as one.
Even the [tatakai] before Shadar Logoth was too vague in his [kokoro] to give him any [jishin].
Even the battle before Shadar Logoth was too vague in his mind to give him any confidence.
He could never quite manage that void that Rand and the [kanshu] talked about, either.
He could never quite manage that void that Rand and the Warder talked about, either.
[nikkō] slanted through the [kigi] behind them, and the [mori] was a still [masu] of dappled [kage].
Sunlight slanted through the trees behind them, and the forest was a still mass of dappled shadows.
The faint [nioi] of woodsmoke drifted around them, tinged with the [kaori] of [ryōri] [niku].
The faint smell of woodsmoke drifted around them, tinged with the aroma of cooking meat.
It could be [usagi], he [shikō], and his [i] grumbled.
It could be rabbit, he thought, and his stomach grumbled.
And it could be something else, he reminded himself.
And it could be something else, he reminded himself.
He looked at Egwene; she was watching him.
He looked at Egwene; she was watching him.
There were [sekinin] to [kōfuku] [tōryō].
There were responsibilities to being leader.
“[taiki] here,”
“Wait here,”
he said softly.
he said softly.
She frowned, [shikashi] he cut her off as she opened her [kuchi no naka].
She frowned, but he cut her off as she opened her mouth.
“And be [shizuka]!
“And be quiet!
We don’t know who it is, yet.”
We don’t know who it is, yet.”
She nodded.
She nodded.
Reluctantly, [shikashi] she did it.
Reluctantly, but she did it.
Perrin wondered why that did not [shigoto] when he was trying to make her take his [tān] riding.
Perrin wondered why that did not work when he was trying to make her take his turn riding.
[zumen] a [fukai] [iki], he started for the [sōsu] of the [kemuri].
Drawing a deep breath, he started for the source of the smoke.
He had not spent as much [jikan] in the [mori] around Emond’s [ryōiki] as Rand or Mat, [shikashi] still he had done his [kyōyū shite imasu] of hunting [usagi].
He had not spent as much time in the forests around Emond’s Field as Rand or Mat, but still he had done his share of hunting rabbits.
He crept from [tsurī] to [tsurī] without so much as snapping a [shō eda].
He crept from tree to tree without so much as snapping a twig.
It was not long before he was peering around the [ki no miki] of a tall [ōku zai] with spreading, serpentine [teashi] that [magatta] to [tacchi] the [gurando] then [jōshō shita] again.
It was not long before he was peering around the bole of a tall oak with spreading, serpentine limbs that bent to touch the ground then rose again.
Beyond lay a [kyanpufaiyā], and a lean, [nichi]-browned [otoko] was leaning against one of the [teashi] not far from the [honoo].
Beyond lay a campfire, and a lean, sun-browned man was leaning against one of the limbs not far from the flames.
At least he was not a Trolloc, [shikashi] he was the strangest [nakama] Perrin had ever seen.
At least he was not a Trolloc, but he was the strangest fellow Perrin had ever seen.
For one [koto], his [fuku] all seemed to be made from [dōbutsu] [sukin], with the [kegawa] still on, even his [būtsu] and the odd, [furatto]-topped round [kyappu] on his [atama].
For one thing, his clothes all seemed to be made from animal skins, with the fur still on, even his boots and the odd, flat-topped round cap on his head.
His [gaitō] was a crazy [kiruto] of [usagi] and [risu]; his [zubon] appeared to be made from the long-haired hide of a [chairo] and [shiroi] [yagi].
His cloak was a crazy quilt of rabbit and squirrel; his trousers appeared to be made from the long-haired hide of a brown and white goat.
Gathered at the [rimen] of his [kubi] with a [kōdo], his graying [chairo] [kami] hung to his [koshi].
Gathered at the back of his neck with a cord, his graying brown hair hung to his waist.
A thick [hige] fanned across [hanbun] his [mune].
A thick beard fanned across half his chest.
A long [naifu] hung at his [beruto], almost a [ken], and a [bou] and [yazutsu] stood propped against a [teashi] [tojiru] to [te].
A long knife hung at his belt, almost a sword, and a bow and quiver stood propped against a limb close to hand.
The [otoko] leaned back with his [me] closed, apparently asleep, [shikashi] Perrin did not [kakimazeru] from his [inpei].
The man leaned back with his eyes closed, apparently asleep, but Perrin did not stir from his concealment.
Six sticks slanted over the [nakama]’s [kasai], and on each [sutikku] a [usagi] was skewered, roasted [chairo] and now and then dripping [jūsu] that hissed in the [honoo].
Six sticks slanted over the fellow’s fire, and on each stick a rabbit was skewered, roasted brown and now and then dripping juice that hissed in the flames.
The [nioi] of them, so [tojiru], made his [kuchi no naka] [mizu].
The smell of them, so close, made his mouth water.
“You done drooling?”
“You done drooling?”
The [otoko] opened one [me] and cocked it at Perrin’s hiding [basho].
The man opened one eye and cocked it at Perrin’s hiding place.
“You and your [yūjin] might as [yoku] sit and have a [hitokuchi].
“You and your friend might as well sit and have a bite.
I haven’t seen you eat much the [saigo] [kappuru] of [hi].”
I haven’t seen you eat much the last couple of days.”
Perrin hesitated, then stood slowly, still gripping his [ono] tightly.
Perrin hesitated, then stood slowly, still gripping his axe tightly.
“You’ve been watching me for two [hi]?”
“You’ve been watching me for two days?”
The [otoko] chuckled [fukai] in his [nodo].
The man chuckled deep in his throat.
“Yes, I been watching you.
“Yes, I been watching you.
And that [kawaii] [onnanoko].
And that pretty girl.
Pushes you around like a [bantamu] [rū sutā], doesn’t she?
Pushes you around like a bantam rooster, doesn’t she?
Heard you, mostly.
Heard you, mostly.
The [uma] is the only one of you doesn’t trample around loud enough to be heard five [mairu] off.
The horse is the only one of you doesn’t trample around loud enough to be heard five miles off.
You going to ask her in, or are you intending to eat all the [usagi] yourself?”
You going to ask her in, or are you intending to eat all the rabbit yourself?”
Perrin bristled; he knew he did not make much [noizu].
Perrin bristled; he knew he did not make much noise.
You could not get [tojiru] enough to a [usagi] in the Waterwood to fetch it with a [suringu] [baai] you made [noizu].
You could not get close enough to a rabbit in the Waterwood to fetch it with a sling if you made noise.
[shikashi] the [nioi] of [usagi] made him remember that Egwene was hungry, too, not to [genkyū] waiting to discover [baai] it was a Trolloc [kasai] they had smelled.
But the smell of rabbit made him remember that Egwene was hungry, too, not to mention waiting to discover if it was a Trolloc fire they had smelled.
He slipped the [hafuto] of his [ono] through the [beruto] [rūpu] and raised his [koe].
He slipped the haft of his axe through the belt loop and raised his voice.
“Egwene!
“Egwene!
It’s all [migi]!
It’s all right!
It is [usagi]!”
It is rabbit!”
offering his [te], he added in a more normal [kuchō], “My [namae] is Perrin.
Offering his hand, he added in a more normal tone, “My name is Perrin.
Perrin Aybara.”
Perrin Aybara.”
The [otoko] considered his [te] before taking it awkwardly, as [baai] unused to shaking [te].
The man considered his hand before taking it awkwardly, as if unused to shaking hands.
“I’m called Elyas,”
“I’m called Elyas,”
he said, looking up.
he said, looking up.
“Elyas Machera.”
“Elyas Machera.”
Perrin gasped, and nearly dropped Elyas’s [te].
Perrin gasped, and nearly dropped Elyas’s hand.
The [otoko]’s [me] were [kiiro], like bright, polished [gōrudo].
The man’s eyes were yellow, like bright, polished gold.
Some [memori] tickled at the [rimen] of Perrin’s [kokoro], then fled.
Some memory tickled at the back of Perrin’s mind, then fled.
All he could think of [migi] then was that all of the Trollocs’ [me] he had seen had been almost [kuro].
All he could think of right then was that all of the Trollocs’ eyes he had seen had been almost black.
Egwene appeared, cautiously leading Bela.
Egwene appeared, cautiously leading Bela.
She tied the [māre]’s [tazuna] to one of the smaller [eda] of the [ōku zai], and made polite [saundo] when Perrin introduced her to Elyas, [shikashi] her [me] kept drifting to the [usagi].
She tied the mare’s reins to one of the smaller branches of the oak, and made polite sounds when Perrin introduced her to Elyas, but her eyes kept drifting to the rabbits.
She did not seem to [chūi shite kudasai] the [otoko]’s [me].
She did not seem to notice the man’s eyes.
When Elyas motioned them to the [tabemono], she fell to with a will.
When Elyas motioned them to the food, she fell to with a will.
Perrin hesitated only a [bun] longer before joining her.
Perrin hesitated only a minute longer before joining her.
Elyas waited silently [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] they ate.
Elyas waited silently while they ate.
Perrin was so hungry he tore off [ko] of [niku] so [atsui] he had to [jaguringu] them from [te] to [te] before he could hold them in his [kuchi no naka].
Perrin was so hungry he tore off pieces of meat so hot he had to juggle them from hand to hand before he could hold them in his mouth.
Even Egwene showed little of her usual [seiso]; greasy [jūsu] hashitta down her [ago].
Even Egwene showed little of her usual neatness; greasy juice ran down her chin.
[ichi nichi] faded into [towaihikari] before they began to [yurumeru], moonless [yami] closing in around the [kasai], and then Elyas spoke.
Day faded into twilight before they began to slow down, moonless darkness closing in around the fire, and then Elyas spoke.
“What are you doing out here?
“What are you doing out here?
There isn’t a [hausu] [uchigawa] fifty [mairu] in any [hōkō].”
There isn’t a house inside fifty miles in any direction.”
“We’re going to Caemlyn,”
“We’re going to Caemlyn,”
Egwene said.
Egwene said.
“Perhaps you could—”
“Perhaps you could —”
Her [mayuge] lifted coolly as Elyas threw back his [atama] and roared with [warai].
Her eyebrows lifted coolly as Elyas threw back his head and roared with laughter.
Perrin stared at him, a [usagi] [ashi] [hanbun] raised to his [kuchi no naka].
Perrin stared at him, a rabbit leg half raised to his mouth.
“Caemlyn?”
“Caemlyn?”
Elyas wheezed when he could [hanashi] again.
Elyas wheezed when he could talk again.
“The [michisuji] you’re following, the [rain] you’ve taken the [saigo] two [hi], you’ll pass a hundred [mairu] or more [kita] of Caemlyn.”
“The path you’re following, the line you’ve taken the last two days, you’ll pass a hundred miles or more north of Caemlyn.”
“We were going to ask [hōkō],”
“We were going to ask directions,”
Egwene said defensively.
Egwene said defensively.
“We just haven’t found any [mura] or [nōjō], yet.”
“We just haven’t found any villages or farms, yet.”
“And none you will,”
“And none you will,”
Elyas said, chuckling.
Elyas said, chuckling.
“The [michi] you’re going, you can [ryokō] all the [michi] to the [sebone] of the [sekai] without [mite] another [ningen].
“The way you’re going, you can travel all the way to the Spine of the World without seeing another human.
Of [mochiron], [baai] you managed to [noboru] the [sebone] – it can be done, some [basho] – you could find [hitobito] in the Aiel [muda], [shikashi] you wouldn’t like it there.
Of course, if you managed to climb the Spine – it can be done, some places – you could find people in the Aiel Waste, but you wouldn’t like it there.
You’d [yaku] by [ichi nichi], and [tōketsu] by [yoru, kishi_knt], and [dai] of [nodo no kawaki] anytime.
You’d broil by day, and freeze by night, and die of thirst anytime.
It takes an Aielman to find [mizu] in the [muda], and they don’t like [gaijin] much.
It takes an Aielman to find water in the Waste, and they don’t like strangers much.
No, not much, I’d say.”
No, not much, I’d say.”
He set off into another, more furious, [bāsuto] of [warai], this [jikan] actually rolling on the [gurando].
He set off into another, more furious, burst of laughter, this time actually rolling on the ground.
“Not much at all,”
“Not much at all,”
he managed.
he managed.
Perrin shifted uneasily.
Perrin shifted uneasily.
Are we eating with a [kyōjin]?
Are we eating with a madman?
Egwene frowned, [shikashi] she waited until Elyas’s [warai] faded a little, then said, “Perhaps you could [shō] us the [michi].
Egwene frowned, but she waited until Elyas’s mirth faded a little, then said, “Perhaps you could show us the way.
You seem to know a [yoi] [keiyaku] more about where [basho] are than we do.”
You seem to know a good deal more about where places are than we do.”
Elyas stopped laughing.
Elyas stopped laughing.
Raising his [atama], he replaced his round [kegawa] [kyappu], which had fallen off [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] he was rolling about, and stared at her from under lowered [mayu].
Raising his head, he replaced his round fur cap, which had fallen off while he was rolling about, and stared at her from under lowered brows.
“I don’t much like [hitobito],”
“I don’t much like people,”
he said in a [furatto] [koe].
he said in a flat voice.
“[toshi] are full of [hitobito].
“Cities are full of people.
I don’t go near [mura], or even [nōjō], [hijō ni] often.
I don’t go near villages, or even farms, very often.
[murabito], [nōka], they don’t like my [yūjin].
Villagers, farmers, they don’t like my friends.
I wouldn’t even have helped you [baai] you hadn’t been stumbling around as helpless and [mujitsu] as newborn [kabusu].”
I wouldn’t even have helped you if you hadn’t been stumbling around as helpless and innocent as newborn cubs.”
“[shikashi] at least you can tell us which [michi] to go,”
“But at least you can tell us which way to go,”
she insisted.
she insisted.
“[baai] you direct us to the nearest [mura], even [baai] it’s fifty [mairu] away, surely they’ll give us [hōkō] to Caemlyn.”
“If you direct us to the nearest village, even if it’s fifty miles away, surely they’ll give us directions to Caemlyn.”
“Be still,”
“Be still,”
Elyas said.
Elyas said.
“My [yūjin] are coming.”
“My friends are coming.”
Bela suddenly whinnied in [kyōfu], and began jerking to [puru] her [tazuna] [muryō desu].
Bela suddenly whinnied in fear, and began jerking to pull her reins free.
Perrin [hanbun] [jōshō shita] as shapes appeared all around them in the [kurai]ening [mori].
Perrin half rose as shapes appeared all around them in the darkening forest.
Bela reared and twisted, screaming.
Bela reared and twisted, screaming.
“[shizuka] the [māre],”
“Quiet the mare,”
Elyas said.
Elyas said.
“They won’t [kizutsuketa] her.
“They won’t hurt her.
Or you, [baai] you’re still.”
Or you, if you’re still.”
Four [ōkami] stepped into the [hi akari], shaggy, [koshi]-high forms with [ago] that could [kyūkei] a [otoko]’s [ashi].
Four wolves stepped into the firelight, shaggy, waist-high forms with jaws that could break a man’s leg.
As [baai] the [hitobito] were not there they walked up to the [kasai] and lay down between the [ningen].
As if the people were not there they walked up to the fire and lay down between the humans.
In the [yami] among the [kigi] [hi akari] reflected off the [me] of more [ōkami], on all [sokumen].
In the darkness among the trees firelight reflected off the eyes of more wolves, on all sides.
[kiiro] [me], Perrin [shikō].
Yellow eyes, Perrin thought.
Like Elyas’s [me].
Like Elyas’s eyes.
That was what he had been trying to remember.
That was what he had been trying to remember.
Carefully watching the [ōkami] among them, he reached for his [ono].
Carefully watching the wolves among them, he reached for his axe.
“I would not do that,”
“I would not do that,”
Elyas said.
Elyas said.
“[baai] they think you mean [gai], they’ll [teishi] [kōfuku] friendly.”
“If they think you mean harm, they’ll stop being friendly.”
They were staring at him, those four [ōkami], Perrin [mimashita].
They were staring at him, those four wolves, Perrin saw.
He had the [kanji] that all the [ōkami], those in the [kigi], as [yoku], were staring at him.
He had the feeling that all the wolves, those in the trees, as well, were staring at him.
It made his [hada] itch.
It made his skin itch.
Cautiously he moved his [te] away from the [ono].
Cautiously he moved his hands away from the axe.
He imagined he could feel the [kinchō] [tsukai yasusa] among the [ōkami].
He imagined he could feel the tension ease among the wolves.
Slowly he sat back down; his [te] shook until he gripped his [hiza] to [teishi] them.
Slowly he sat back down; his hands shook until he gripped his knees to stop them.
Egwene was so stiff she almost quivered.
Egwene was so stiff she almost quivered.
One [ōkami], [tojiru] to [kuro] with a lighter [gurē] [pacchi] on his [kao], lay nearly touching her.
One wolf, close to black with a lighter gray patch on his face, lay nearly touching her.
Bela had ceased her screaming and rearing.
Bela had ceased her screaming and rearing.
Instead she stood trembling and shifting in an [kokoromi] to [kīpu] all of the [ōkami] in [iken], kicking occasionally to [shō] the [ōkami] that she could, intending to sell her [jinsei] dearly.
Instead she stood trembling and shifting in an attempt to keep all of the wolves in view, kicking occasionally to show the wolves that she could, intending to sell her life dearly.
The [ōkami] seemed to ignore her and everyone else.
The wolves seemed to ignore her and everyone else.
[shita] lolling out of their [kuchi], they waited at their [tsukai yasusa].
Tongues lolling out of their mouths, they waited at their ease.
“There,”
“There,”
Elyas said.
Elyas said.
“That’s [yori yoi].”
“That’s better.”
“Are they tame?”
“Are they tame?”
Egwene asked faintly, and hopefully, too.
Egwene asked faintly, and hopefully, too.
“They’re…
“They’re…
[petto]?”
pets?”
Elyas snorted.
Elyas snorted.
“[ōkami] don’t tame, [onnanoko], not even as [yoku] as [dansei].
“Wolves don’t tame, girl, not even as well as men.
They’re my [yūjin].
They’re my friends.
We [kīpu] each [sonota] [kaisha], [kari] together, converse, after a [fasshon].
We keep each other company, hunt together, converse, after a fashion.
Just like any [yūjin].
Just like any friends.
Isn’t that [migi], [ma dara]?”
Isn’t that right, Dapple?”
A [ōkami] with [kegawa] that faded through a dozen [iroai] of [gurē], [kurai] and [hikari], turned her [atama] to [hyōjō] at him.
A wolf with fur that faded through a dozen shades of gray, dark and light, turned her head to look at him.
“You [hanashi] to them?”
“You talk to them?”
Perrin marveled.
Perrin marveled.
“It isn’t exactly talking,”
“It isn’t exactly talking,”
Elyas replied slowly.
Elyas replied slowly.
“The [kotoba] don’t [mondai], and they aren’t exactly [migi], either.
“The words don’t matter, and they aren’t exactly right, either.
Her [namae] isn’t [ma dara].
Her name isn’t Dapple.
It’s something that means the [michi] [kage] [geki] on a [mori] [pūru] at a [mafuyu] [yoake], with the [soyokaze] [rippu ringu] the [hyōmen], and the tang of [kōri] when the [mizu] [tacchi] the [shita], and a [hinto] of [yuki] before [higure] in the [kūki].
It’s something that means the way shadows play on a forest pool at a midwinter dawn, with the breeze rippling the surface, and the tang of ice when the water touches the tongue, and a hint of snow before nightfall in the air.
[shikashi] that isn’t quite it, either.
But that isn’t quite it, either.
You can’t say it in [kotoba].
You can’t say it in words.
It’s more of a [kanji].
It’s more of a feeling.
That’s the [michi] [ōkami] [hanashi].
That’s the way wolves talk.
The [tanin] are [yakedo], Hopper, and [kaze].”
The others are Burn, Hopper, and Wind.”
[yakedo] had an old [kizuato] on his [kata] that might explain his [namae], [shikashi] there was nothing about the [sonota] two [ōkami] to give any [hyōji] of what their [namae] might mean.
Burn had an old scar on his shoulder that might explain his name, but there was nothing about the other two wolves to give any indication of what their names might mean.
For all the [otoko]’s [araarashisa], Perrin [shikō] Elyas was pleased to have the [kikai] to [hanashi] to another [ningen].
For all the man’s gruffness, Perrin thought Elyas was pleased to have the chance to talk to another human.
He seemed eager enough to do it, at least.
He seemed eager enough to do it, at least.
Perrin eyed the [ōkami]’ [ha] glistening in the [hi akari] and [shikō] it might be a [yoi] [kangae] to [kīpu] him talking.
Perrin eyed the wolves’ teeth glistening in the firelight and thought it might be a good idea to keep him talking.
“How…
“How…
how did you learn to [hanashi] to [ōkami], Elyas?”
how did you learn to talk to wolves, Elyas?”
“They found out,”
“They found out,”
Elyas replied, “I didn’t.
Elyas replied, “I didn’t.
Not at [saisho].
Not at first.
That’s always the [michi] of it, I understand.
That’s always the way of it, I understand.
The [ōkami] find you, not you them.
The wolves find you, not you them.