The Eye of the World_26 Flashcards
Abruptly Mat flushed and pulled his [me] away.
Abruptly Mat flushed and pulled his eyes away.
Freed from his [shikō], Rand jumped up to [ugokasu] through the [ikiuma no me o nuku yō na] to the [rēru].
Freed from his thoughts, Rand jumped up to move through the hurly-burly to the rail.
Mat came after him slowly, not even [tsukuri] an [doryoku] to dodge the [senin] who hashitta across his [michisuji].
Mat came after him slowly, not even making an effort to dodge the sailors who ran across his path.
[dansei] dashed about the [fune], bare [ashi] thumping the [dekki], hauling on [rōpu], tying off some [rain] and untying [tanin].
Men dashed about the boat, bare feet thumping the deck, hauling on ropes, tying off some lines and untying others.
Some brought up big [abura sukin] [baggu] stuffed almost to bursting with [wuru], [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] [tanin] readied [kēburu] as thick as Rand’s [tekubi].
Some brought up big oilskin bags stuffed almost to bursting with wool, while others readied cables as thick as Rand’s wrist.
Despite their [sokkō], they moved with the [hoshō] of [dansei] who had done it all a thousand [kai] before, [shikashi] [senchō] Domon stumped up and down the [dekki] shouting [juchū] and cursing those who did not [ugokasu] fast enough to [sūtsu] him.
Despite their haste, they moved with the assurance of men who had done it all a thousand times before, but Captain Domon stumped up and down the deck shouting orders and cursing those who did not move fast enough to suit him.
Rand’s [chūi] was all for what lay ahead, coming plainly into [kōkei] as they rounded a [wazuka ni] [mage] of the Arinelle.
Rand’s attention was all for what lay ahead, coming plainly into sight as they rounded a slight bend of the Arinelle.
He had heard of it, in [uta] and [monogatari] and [gyōshō jin]’ [monogatari], [shikashi] now he would actually see the [densetsu].
He had heard of it, in song and story and peddlers’ tales, but now he would actually see the legend.
The [shiroi] [hashi] arched high over the wide [kaiiki], twice as high as the [supurē]’s [masuto] and more, and from [owari] to [owari] it gleamed milky [shiroi] in the [nikkō], gathering the [hikari] until it seemed to [kagayaki].
The White Bridge arched high over the wide waters, twice as high as the Spray’s mast and more, and from end to end it gleamed milky white in the sunlight, gathering the light until it seemed to glow.
[kumo] [sanbashi] of the same [mono] plunged into the strong [denryū], appearing too frail to [sapōto] the [omosa] and [haba] of the [hashi].
Spidery piers of the same stuff plunged into the strong currents, appearing too frail to support the weight and width of the bridge.
It looked all of one [ichi mai], as [baai] it had been carved from a [shinguru] [ishi] or molded by a [kyojin]’s [te], broad and tall, leaping the [kawa] with an airy [megumi] that almost made the [me] forget its [saizu].
It looked all of one piece, as if it had been carved from a single stone or molded by a giant’s hand, broad and tall, leaping the river with an airy grace that almost made the eye forget its size.
All in all it dwarfed the [machi] that sprawled about its [ashi] on the [higashi] [ginkō], though Whitebridge was larger by far than Emond’s [ryōiki], with [hausu] of [ishi] and [renga] as tall as those in Taren [ferī] and wooden [dokku] like thin [yubi] sticking out into the [kawa].
All in all it dwarfed the town that sprawled about its foot on the east bank, though Whitebridge was larger by far than Emond’s Field, with houses of stone and brick as tall as those in Taren Ferry and wooden docks like thin fingers sticking out into the river.
Small [fune] dotted the Arinelle thickly, [ryōshi] hauling their [netto].
Small boats dotted the Arinelle thickly, fishermen hauling their nets.
And over it all the [shiroi] [hashi] towered and shone.
And over it all the White Bridge towered and shone.
“It [rukkusu] like [garasu],”
“It looks like glass,”
Rand said to no one in [tokuni].
Rand said to no one in particular.
[senchō] Domon paused behind him and tucked his [oyayubi] behind his broad [beruto].
Captain Domon paused behind him and tucked his thumbs behind his broad belt.
“Nay, [wakamono].
“Nay, lad.
Whatever it be, it no be [garasu].
Whatever it be, it no be glass.
Never so hard the rains come, it no be slippery, and the best [nomi] and the strongest [āmu] no make a [māku] on it.”
Never so hard the rains come, it no be slippery, and the best chisel and the strongest arm no make a mark on it.”
“A [remunanto] from the [jidai] of [densetsu],”
“A remnant from the Age of Legends,”
Thom said.
Thom said.
“I have always [shikō] it must be.”
“I have always thought it must be.”
The [senchō] gave a dour [isaki].
The captain gave a dour grunt.
“Mayhap.
“Mayhap.
[shikashi] still useful despite.
But still useful despite.
Could be [dare-ka] else built it.
Could be someone else built it.
Does no have to be Aes Sedai [shigoto], [fōchun] prick me.
Does no have to be Aes Sedai work, Fortune prick me.
It no has to be so old as all that.
It no has to be so old as all that.
Put your back into it, you bloody [baka]!”
Put your back into it, you bloody fool!”
He hurried off down the [dekki].
He hurried off down the deck.
Rand stared even more wonderingly.
Rand stared even more wonderingly.
From the [jidai] of [densetsu].
From the Age of Legends.
Made by Aes Sedai, then.
Made by Aes Sedai, then.
That was why [senchō] Domon [kanjita] the [michi] he did, for all his [hanashi] about the [fushigi] and [iwakan] of the [sekai].
That was why Captain Domon felt the way he did, for all his talk about the wonder and strangeness of the world.
Aes Sedai [shigoto].
Aes Sedai work.
One [koto] to hear about it, another to see it, and [tacchi] it.
One thing to hear about it, another to see it, and touch it.
You know that, don’t you?
You know that, don’t you?
For an instant it seemed to Rand that a [kage] rippled through the [gyūnyū]-[shiroi] [kōzō].
For an instant it seemed to Rand that a shadow rippled through the milk-white structure.
He pulled his [me] away, to the [dokku] coming nearer, [shikashi] the [hashi] still loomed in the [kōnā] of his [bijon].
He pulled his eyes away, to the docks coming nearer, but the bridge still loomed in the corner of his vision.
“We made it, Thom,”
“We made it, Thom,”
he said, then forced a [warai].
he said, then forced a laugh.
“And no [hanran].”
“And no mutiny.”
The [ginyūshijin] only harrumphed and blew out his [kuchihige], [shikashi] two [senin] readying a [kēburu] nearby gave Rand a sharp [ichimoku], then [magatta] quickly back to their [shigoto].
The gleeman only harrumphed and blew out his mustaches, but two sailors readying a cable nearby gave Rand a sharp glance, then bent quickly back to their work.
He stopped laughing and tried not to [hyōjō] at the two for the [nokori] of the [apurōchi] to Whitebridge.
He stopped laughing and tried not to look at the two for the rest of the approach to Whitebridge.
The [supurē] curved smoothly in beside the [saisho] [dokku], thick [zaimoku] sitting on heavy, [tāru]-coated [kui], and stopped with a backing of [ōru] that swirled the [mizu] to [awa] around the [ha].
The Spray curved smoothly in beside the first dock, thick timbers sitting on heavy, tar-coated pilings, and stopped with a backing of oars that swirled the water to froth around the blades.
As the [ōru] were drawn in, [senin] tossed [kēburu] to [dansei] on the [dokku], who fastened them off with a [hanei], [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] [sonota] [norikumi in] slung the [baggu] of [wuru] over the [saido] to protect the [sentai] from the [dokku] [kui].
As the oars were drawn in, sailors tossed cables to men on the dock, who fastened them off with a flourish, while other crewmen slung the bags of wool over the side to protect the hull from the dock pilings.
Before the [fune] was even pulled snug against the [dokku], [basha] appeared at the [owari] of the [dokku], tall and lacquered shiny [kuro], each one with a [namae] painted on the [tobira] in large [tegami], [gōrudo] or scarlet.
Before the boat was even pulled snug against the dock, carriages appeared at the end of the dock, tall and lacquered shiny black, each one with a name painted on the door in large letters, gold or scarlet.
The [basha]’ [jōkyaku] hurried up the gangplank as soon as it dropped in [basho], smooth-faced [dansei] in long [berubetto] [kōto] and [shiruku]-lined [gaitō] and [nuno] [surippa], each followed by a plainly dressed [sā banto] carrying his [tetsu]-[ketsugō shita] [manē bokkusu].
The carriages’ passengers hurried up the gangplank as soon as it dropped in place, smooth-faced men in long velvet coats and silk-lined cloaks and cloth slippers, each followed by a plainly dressed servant carrying his iron-bound moneybox.
They approached [senchō] Domon with painted [egao] that slipped when he abruptly roared in their [kao].
They approached Captain Domon with painted smiles that slipped when he abruptly roared in their faces.
“You!”
“You!”
He [suiryoku] a thick [yubi] past them, stopping Floran Gelb in his [torakku] at the [nagasa] of the [fune].
He thrust a thick finger past them, stopping Floran Gelb in his tracks at the length of the boat.
The [aza] on Gelb’s [gaku] from Rand’s [būtsu] had faded away, [shikashi] he still fingered the [supotto] from [jikan] to [jikan] as [baai] to remind himself.
The bruise on Gelb’s forehead from Rand’s boot had faded away, but he still fingered the spot from time to time as if to remind himself.
“You’ve slept on [udedokei] for the [saigo] [jikan] on my [yōki]!
“You’ve slept on watch for the last time on my vessel!
Or on any [yōki], [baai] I have my [michi] of it.
Or on any vessel, if I have my way of it.
Choose your own [saido] – the [dokku] or the [kawa] – [shikashi] off my [yōki] now!”
Choose your own side – the dock or the river – but off my vessel now!”
Gelb hunched his [kata], and his [me] glittered [kirai] at Rand and his [yūjin], at Rand especially, a poisonous glare.
Gelb hunched his shoulders, and his eyes glittered hate at Rand and his friends, at Rand especially, a poisonous glare.
The wiry [otoko] looked around the [dekki] for [sapōto], [shikashi] there was little [kibō] in that [hyōjō].
The wiry man looked around the deck for support, but there was little hope in that look.
One by one, every [otoko] in the [norikumi in] straightened from what he was doing and stared back coldly.
One by one, every man in the crew straightened from what he was doing and stared back coldly.
Gelb wilted visibly, [shikashi] then his glare returned, twice as strong as it had been.
Gelb wilted visibly, but then his glare returned, twice as strong as it had been.
With a muttered [noroi] he darted below to the [norikumi in]’s [shukusha].
With a muttered curse he darted below to the crew’s quarters.
Domon sent two [dansei] after him to see he did no [itazura] and dismissed him with a [isaki].
Domon sent two men after him to see he did no mischief and dismissed him with a grunt.
When the [senchō] turned back to them, the [shōnin] took up their [egao] and [yumi] as [baai] they had never been interrupted.
When the captain turned back to them, the merchants took up their smiles and bows as if they had never been interrupted.
At a [kotoba] from Thom, Mat and Rand began gathering their [monogoto] together.
At a word from Thom, Mat and Rand began gathering their things together.
There was not much aside from the [fuku] on their [bakkuappu shimasu], not for any of them.
There was not much aside from the clothes on their backs, not for any of them.
Rand had his blanketroll and [sadoru], and his [chichioya]’s [ken].
Rand had his blanketroll and saddlebags, and his father’s sword.
He held the [ken] for a [bun], and [hōmushikku] rolled over him so strongly that his [me] stung.
He held the sword for a minute, and homesickness rolled over him so strongly that his eyes stung.
He wondered [baai] he would ever see Tam again.
He wondered if he would ever see Tam again.
Or home?
Or home?
home.
Home.
Going to spend the [yachin] of your [jinsei] running, running and afraid of your own dreams.
Going to spend the rent of your life running, running and afraid of your own dreams.
With a shuddering [tameiki] he slipped the [beruto] around his [koshi] over his [kōto].
With a shuddering sigh he slipped the belt around his waist over his coat.
Gelb came back on [dekki], followed by his [futago] [kage].
Gelb came back on deck, followed by his twin shadows.
He looked straight ahead, [shikashi] Rand could still feel [nikushimi] coming off him in [nami].
He looked straight ahead, but Rand could still feel hatred coming off him in waves.
back rigid and [kao] [kurai], Gelb walked stiff-legged down the gangplank and pushed roughly into the thin [gunshū] on the [dokku].
Back rigid and face dark, Gelb walked stiff-legged down the gangplank and pushed roughly into the thin crowd on the dock.
In a [bun] he was gone from [kōkei], vanished beyond the [shōnin]’ [basha].
In a minute he was gone from sight, vanished beyond the merchants’ carriages.
There were not a great many [hitobito] on the [dokku], and those were a plainly dressed mix of [rōdōsha], [ryōshi] mending [netto], and a few [chōmin] who had come out to see the [saisho] [fune] of the [toshi] to come downriver from Saldaea.
There were not a great many people on the dock, and those were a plainly dressed mix of workmen, fishermen mending nets, and a few townspeople who had come out to see the first boat of the year to come downriver from Saldaea.
None of the [onnanoko] was Egwene and no one looked the least [sukoshi] like Moiraine, or Lan, or anyone else Rand was hoping to see.
None of the girls was Egwene and no one looked the least bit like Moiraine, or Lan, or anyone else Rand was hoping to see.
“Maybe they didn’t come down to the [dokku],”
“Maybe they didn’t come down to the dock,”
he said.
he said.
“Maybe,”
“Maybe,”
Thom replied curtly.
Thom replied curtly.
He settled his [gakki] [rei] on his [senaka] with [kaigo].
He settled his instrument cases on his back with care.
“You two [kīpu] an [me] out for Gelb.
“You two keep an eye out for Gelb.
He will make [meiwaku] [baai] he can.
He will make trouble if he can.
We want to pass through Whitebridge so softly that nobody remembers we were here five [bun] after we’re gone.”
We want to pass through Whitebridge so softly that nobody remembers we were here five minutes after we’re gone.”
Their [gaitō] flapped in the [kaze] as they walked to the gangplank.
Their cloaks flapped in the wind as they walked to the gangplank.
Mat carried his [bou] crossed in [furonto] on his [mune].
Mat carried his bow crossed in front on his chest.
Even after all their [hi] on the [fune], it still got a few [rukkusu] from the [norikumi in]; their [yumi] were short [sōmu].
Even after all their days on the boat, it still got a few looks from the crewmen; their bows were short affairs.
[senchō] Domon left the [shōnin] to intercept Thom at the gangplank.
Captain Domon left the merchants to intercept Thom at the gangplank.
“You be leaving me now, [ginyūshijin]?
“You be leaving me now, gleeman?
can I no [hanashi] you into continuing on?
Can I no talk you into continuing on?
I be going all the [michi] down to Illian, where [fōku] have a proper [kangae te imasu] for gleemen.
I be going all the way down to Illian, where folk have a proper regard for gleemen.
There be no finer [basho] in the [sekai] for your [āto].
There be no finer place in the world for your art.
I’d get you there in [yoi] [jikan] for the [gochisō] of Sefan.
I’d get you there in good time for the Feast of Sefan.
The [kyōgi-kai], you know.
The competitions, you know.
A hundred [gōrudo] [māku] for the best [uranai] of The Great [kari] of the [hōn].”
A hundred gold marks for the best telling of The Great Hunt of the Horn.”
“A great [shō], [senchō],”
“A great prize, Captain,”
Thom replied with an elaborate [bou] and a [hanei] of his [gaitō] that set the [pacchi] to fluttering, “and great [kyōgi-kai], which rightly [dorō] gleemen from the whole [sekai] over.
Thom replied with an elaborate bow and a flourish of his cloak that set the patches to fluttering, “and great competitions, which rightly draw gleemen from the whole world over.
[shikashi],”
But,”
he added dryly, “I [kyōfu] we could not afford the fare at the [ryōkin] you [tantō].”
he added dryly, “I fear we could not afford the fare at the rates you charge.”
“Aye, [yoku], as to that…“
“Aye, well, as to that…”
The [senchō] produced a [kawa] [saifu] from his [kōto] [poketto] and tossed it to Thom.
The captain produced a leather purse from his coat pocket and tossed it to Thom.
It clinked when Thom caught it.
It clinked when Thom caught it.
“Your fares back, and a [sukoshi] more besides.
“Your fares back, and a bit more besides.
The [damēji] was no so bad as I [shikō], and you’ve worked your [michi] and more with your [monogatari] and your [hāpu].
The damage was no so bad as I thought, and you’ve worked your way and more with your tales and your harp.
I could maybe manage as much again [baai] you [taizai] aboard to the [umi] of [arashi].
I could maybe manage as much again if you stay aboard to the Sea of Storms.
And I would set you ashore in Illian.
And I would set you ashore in Illian.
A [yoi] [ginyūshijin] can make his [fōchun] there, even aside from the [kyōgi-kai].”
A good gleeman can make his fortune there, even aside from the competitions.”
Thom hesitated, weighing the [saifu] on his [tenohira], [shikashi] Rand spoke up.
Thom hesitated, weighing the purse on his palm, but Rand spoke up.
“We’re [kaigi] [yūjin] here, [senchō], and going on to Caemlyn together.
“We’re meeting friends here, Captain, and going on to Caemlyn together.
We’ll have to see Illian another [jikan].”
We’ll have to see Illian another time.”
Thom’s [kuchi no naka] twisted wryly, then he blew out his long [kuchihige] and tucked the [saifu] into his [poketto].
Thom’s mouth twisted wryly, then he blew out his long mustaches and tucked the purse into his pocket.
“Perhaps [baai] the [hitobito] we are to meet are not here, [senchō].”
“Perhaps if the people we are to meet are not here, Captain.”
“Aye,”
“Aye,”
Domon said sourly.
Domon said sourly.
“You think on it.
“You think on it.
Too bad I can no [kīpu] Gelb aboard to take the [tanin]’ [ikari], [shikashi] I do what I say I will do.
Too bad I can no keep Gelb aboard to take the others’ anger, but I do what I say I will do.
I suppose I must [tsukai yasusa] up now, even [baai] it means taking three [kai] as long to [rīchi] Illian as I should.
I suppose I must ease up now, even if it means taking three times as long to reach Illian as I should.
[yoku], mayhap those Trollocs were after you three.”
Well, mayhap those Trollocs were after you three.”
Rand blinked [shikashi] kept silent, [shikashi] Mat was not so cautious.
Rand blinked but kept silent, but Mat was not so cautious.
“Why do you think they weren’t?”
“Why do you think they weren’t?”
he demanded.
he demanded.
“They were after the same [hōmotsu] we were hunting.”
“They were after the same treasure we were hunting.”
“Mayhap,”
“Mayhap,”
the [senchō] grunted, sounding unconvinced.
the captain grunted, sounding unconvinced.
He combed thick [yubi] through his [hige], then pointed at the [poketto] where Thom had put the [saifu].
He combed thick fingers through his beard, then pointed at the pocket where Thom had put the purse.
“Twice that [baai] you come back to [kīpu] the [dansei]’s [kokoro] off how hard I [shigoto] them.
“Twice that if you come back to keep the men’s minds off how hard I work them.
Think on it.
Think on it.
I [ho] with the [saisho] [hikari] on the [morō].”
I sail with the first light on the morrow.”
He turned on his [hīru] and strode back to the [shōnin], [ude] spreading wide as he began an [shazai] for keeping them waiting.
He turned on his heel and strode back to the merchants, arms spreading wide as he began an apology for keeping them waiting.
Thom still hesitated, [shikashi] Rand hustled him down the gangplank without giving him a [kikai] to argue, and the [ginyūshijin] let himself be herded.
Thom still hesitated, but Rand hustled him down the gangplank without giving him a chance to argue, and the gleeman let himself be herded.
A [zatsuon] passed through the [hitobito] on the [dokku] as they [mimashita] Thom’s [pacchi]-covered [gaitō], and some called out to discover where he would be performing.
A murmur passed through the people on the dock as they saw Thom’s patch-covered cloak, and some called out to discover where he would be performing.
So much for not [kōfuku] noticed, Rand [shikō], dismayed.
So much for not being noticed, Rand thought, dismayed.
By [nichibotsu] it would be all over Whitebridge that there was a [ginyūshijin] in [machi].
By sundown it would be all over Whitebridge that there was a gleeman in town.
He hurried Thom along, though, and Thom, wrapped in sulky [chinmoku], did not even try to [yurumeru] enough to preen under the [chūi].
He hurried Thom along, though, and Thom, wrapped in sulky silence, did not even try to slow down enough to preen under the attention.
The [kyarijji] [doraibā] looked down at Thom with [intaresuto] from their high [tomari ki], [shikashi] apparently the [songen] of their [pojishon] forbade shouting.
The carriage drivers looked down at Thom with interest from their high perches, but apparently the dignity of their positions forbade shouting.
With no [kangae] of where to go exactly, Rand turned up the [sutorīto] that hashitta along the [kawa] and under the [hashi].
With no idea of where to go exactly, Rand turned up the street that ran along the river and under the bridge.
“We must to find Moiraine and the [tanin],”
“We need to find Moiraine and the others,”
he said.
he said.
“And fast.
“And fast.
We should have [shikō] of changing Thom’s [gaitō].”
We should have thought of changing Thom’s cloak.”
Thom suddenly shook himself and stopped [shin da].
Thom suddenly shook himself and stopped dead.
“An [yadoya no shujin] will be able to tell us [baai] they’re here, or [baai] they’ve passed through.
“An innkeeper will be able to tell us if they’re here, or if they’ve passed through.
The [migi] [yadoya no shujin].
The right innkeeper.
[yadoya] have all the [nyūsu] and [goshippu].
Innkeepers have all the news and gossip.
[baai] they aren’t here…“
If they aren’t here…”
He looked back and forth from Rand to Mat.
He looked back and forth from Rand to Mat.
“We have to [hanashi], we three.”
“We have to talk, we three.”
[gaitō] swirling around his [ashikubi], he set off into the [machi], away from the [kawa].
Cloak swirling around his ankles, he set off into the town, away from the river.
Rand and Mat had to [suteppu] quickly to [kīpu] up.
Rand and Mat had to step quickly to keep up.
The broad, [gyūnyū]-[shiroi] [āchi] that gave the [machi] its [namae] dominated Whitebridge as much [tojiru] up as it did from afar, [shikashi] once Rand was in the [machi] he realized that the [machi] was every [sukoshi] as big as Baerlon, though not so crowded with [hitobito].
The broad, milk-white arch that gave the town its name dominated Whitebridge as much close up as it did from afar, but once Rand was in the streets he realized that the town was every bit as big as Baerlon, though not so crowded with people.
A few [kāto] moved in the [machi], pulled by [uma] or ox or [roba] or [otoko], [shikashi] no [basha].
A few carts moved in the streets, pulled by horse or ox or donkey or man, but no carriages.
Those most likely all belonged to the [shōnin] and were clustered down at the [dokku].
Those most likely all belonged to the merchants and were clustered down at the dock.
[o-mise] of every [setsumei] lined the [machi], and many of the [shōnin] worked in [furonto] of their [jigyō sho], under the [kanban] swinging in the [kaze].
Shops of every description lined the streets, and many of the tradesmen worked in front of their establishments, under the signs swinging in the wind.
They passed a [otoko] mending [potto], and a [tērā] holding [orime] of [nuno] up to the [hikari] for a [kokyaku].
They passed a man mending pots, and a tailor holding folds of cloth up to the light for a customer.
A [shūmēkā], sitting in his [toguchi], tapped his [hanmā] on the [hīru] of a [būtsu].
A shoemaker, sitting in his doorway, tapped his hammer on the heel of a boot.
Hawkers [saken da] their [sābisu o teikyō shite imasu] at sharpening [naifu] and [hasami], or tried to [intaresuto] the passersby in their skimpy [torē] of [furūtsu] or [yasai], [shikashi] none was getting much [intaresuto].
Hawkers cried their services at sharpening knives and scissors, or tried to interest the passersby in their skimpy trays of fruit or vegetables, but none was getting much interest.
[o-mise] selling [tabemono] had the same pitiful displays of [purodyūsu] Rand remembered from Baerlon.
Shops selling food had the same pitiful displays of produce Rand remembered from Baerlon.
Even the [sakanaya] displayed only small [yama] of small [sakana], for all the [fune] on the [kawa].
Even the fishmongers displayed only small piles of small fish, for all the boats on the river.
[kai] were not really hard yet, [shikashi] everyone could see what was coming [baai] the [tenkō] did not [henkō] soon, and those [kao] that were not fixed into worried [shikame men] seemed to [gyōshi] at something unseen, something unpleasant.
Times were not really hard yet, but everyone could see what was coming if the weather did not change soon, and those faces that were not fixed into worried frowns seemed to stare at something unseen, something unpleasant.
Where the [shiroi] [hashi] came down in the [sentā] of the [machi] was a big [seihōkei], paved with [ishi] worn by [sedai] of [ashi] and [wagon] [hoīru].
Where the White Bridge came down in the center of the town was a big square, paved with stones worn by generations of feet and wagon wheels.
[ryokan] surrounded the [seihōkei], and [o-mise], and tall, [akai] [renga] [hausu] with [kanban] out [furonto] bearing the same [namae] Rand had seen on the [basha] at the [dokku].
Inns surrounded the square, and shops, and tall, red brick houses with signs out front bearing the same names Rand had seen on the carriages at the dock.
It was into one of those [ryokan], seemingly chosen at [randamu], that Thom ducked.
It was into one of those inns, seemingly chosen at random, that Thom ducked.
The [sain] over the [tobira], swinging in the [kaze], had a striding [otoko] with a [bandoru] on his [senaka] on one [saido] and the same [otoko] with his [atama] on a [makura] on the [sonota], and proclaimed The [tabibito]’ [nokori].
The sign over the door, swinging in the wind, had a striding man with a bundle on his back on one side and the same man with his head on a pillow on the other, and proclaimed The Wayfarers’ Rest.
The common [heya] stood empty except for the [shibō] [yadoya no shujin] [zumen] [ēru] from a [bareru] and two [dansei] in rough [shokunin]’s [fuku] staring glumly into their [magukappu] at a [hyō] in the [rimen].
The common room stood empty except for the fat innkeeper drawing ale from a barrel and two men in rough workman’s clothes staring glumly into their mugs at a table in the back.
Only the [yadoya no shujin] looked up when they came in.
Only the innkeeper looked up when they came in.
A [kata]-high [kabe] split the [heya] in two from [furonto] to back, with [hyō] and a blazing [danro] on each [saido].
A shoulder-high wall split the room in two from front to back, with tables and a blazing fireplace on each side.
Rand wondered idly [baai] all [yadoya] were [shibō] and losing their [kami].
Rand wondered idly if all innkeepers were fat and losing their hair.
Rubbing his [te] together briskly, Thom commented to the [yadoya no shujin] on the late [samui] and ordered [atsui] spiced [Kajitsu-sake], then added quietly, “Is there somewhere my [yūjin] and I could [hanashi] without [kōfuku] disturbed?”
Rubbing his hands together briskly, Thom commented to the innkeeper on the late cold and ordered hot spiced wine, then added quietly, “Is there somewhere my friends and I could talk without being disturbed?”
The [yadoya no shujin] nodded to the [hikui] [kabe].
The innkeeper nodded to the low wall.
“The [sonota] [saido] that’s as best I’ve got unless you want to take a [heya].
“The other side that’s as best I’ve got unless you want to take a room.
For when [senin] come up from the [kawa].
For when sailors come up from the river.
Seems like [hanbun] the [norikumi in] got grudges against the [sonota] [hanbun].
Seems like half the crews got grudges against the other half.
I won’t have my [basho] broke up by fights, so I [kīpu] them apart.”
I won’t have my place broke up by fights, so I keep them apart.”
He had been eyeing Thom’s [gaitō] the whole [dōjini, tsutsu, issun], and now he cocked his [atama] to one [saido], a sly [hyōjō] in his [me].
He had been eyeing Thom’s cloak the whole while, and now he cocked his head to one side, a sly look in his eyes.
“You staying?
“You staying?
haven’t had a [ginyūshijin] here in some [jikan].
Haven’t had a gleeman here in some time.
[hitobito] would [yūryō] real [yoi] for something as would take their [kokoro] off [monogoto].
Folks would pay real good for something as would take their minds off things.
I’d even take some off on your [heya] and [shokuji].”
I’d even take some off on your room and meals.”
Unnoticed, Rand [shikō] glumly.
Unnoticed, Rand thought glumly.
“You are too generous,”
“You are too generous,”
Thom said with a smooth [bou].
Thom said with a smooth bow.
“Perhaps I will take up your [teikyō].
“Perhaps I will take up your offer.
[shikashi] for now, a little [puraibashī].”
But for now, a little privacy.”
“I’ll bring your [Kajitsu-sake].
“I’ll bring your wine.
[yoi] [okane] here for a [ginyūshijin].”
Good money here for a gleeman.”
The [hyō] on the far [saido] of the [kabe] were all empty, [shikashi] Thom chose one [migi] in the [mannaka] of the [supēsu].
The tables on the far side of the wall were all empty, but Thom chose one right in the middle of the space.
“So no one can listen without us knowing,”
“So no one can listen without us knowing,”
he explained.
he explained.
“Did you hear that [nakama]?
“Did you hear that fellow?
He’ll take some off.
He’ll take some off.
Why, I’d [daburu] his [kasutamu] just by sitting here.
Why, I’d double his custom just by sitting here.
Any honest [yadoya no shujin] gives a [ginyūshijin] [heya] and [bōdo] and a [yoi] [sukoshi] besides.”
Any honest innkeeper gives a gleeman room and board and a good bit besides.”
The bare [hyō] was none too clean, and the [yuka] had not been swept in [hi] [baai] not [shūkan].
The bare table was none too clean, and the floor had not been swept in days if not weeks.
Rand looked around and grimaced.
Rand looked around and grimaced.
[shujin] al’Vere would not have let his [in] get that dirty [baai] he had had to [noboru] out of a sickbed to see to it.
Master al’Vere would not have let his inn get that dirty if he had had to climb out of a sickbed to see to it.
“We’re only after [jōhō].
“We’re only after information.
Remember?”
Remember?”
“Why here?”
“Why here?”
