The Eye of the World_4 Flashcards
Tam’s [sakebu] halted him as he turned to [jikkō] back to the [mura].
Tam’s shout halted him as he turned to run back to the village.
“Hold, [wakamono], hold!
“Hold, lad, hold!
Do you think I waited this long to speak for no [riyū]?”
Do you think I waited this long to speak for no reason?”
Reluctantly Rand kept on beside the [kāto], still creaking along behind [kanja] Bela.
Reluctantly Rand kept on beside the cart, still creaking along behind patient Bela.
“What made you [henkō] your [kokoro]?
“What made you change your mind?
Why can’t I tell the [tanin]?”
Why can’t I tell the others?”
“They’ll know soon enough.
“They’ll know soon enough.
At least, Perrin will.
At least, Perrin will.
Mat, I’m not sure of.
Mat, I’m not sure of.
[kotoba] must be gotten to the [nōjō] as best it can, [shikashi] in another [jikan] there won’t be anyone in Emond’s [ryōiki] above sixteen, those who can be responsible about it, at least, who doesn’t know a [gaijin] is skulking around and likely not the [sōto] you would invite to [matsuri].
Word must be gotten to the farms as best it can, but in another hour there won’t be anyone in Emond’s Field above sixteen, those who can be responsible about it, at least, who doesn’t know a stranger is skulking around and likely not the sort you would invite to Festival.
The [fuyu] has been bad enough without this to scare the young ones.”
The winter has been bad enough without this to scare the young ones.”
“[matsuri]?”
“Festival?”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“[baai] you had seen him you wouldn’t want him closer than ten [mairu].
“If you had seen him you wouldn’t want him closer than ten miles.
A hundred, maybe.”
A hundred, maybe.”
“Perhaps so,”
“Perhaps so,”
Tam said placidly.
Tam said placidly.
“He could be just a [nanmin] from the [meiwaku] in Ghealdan, or more likely a [dorobō] who thinks the [saishū butsu] will be easier here than in Baerlon or Taren [ferī].
“He could be just a refugee from the troubles in Ghealdan, or more likely a thief who thinks the pickings will be easier here than in Baerlon or Taren Ferry.
Even so, no one around here has so much they can afford to have it stolen.
Even so, no one around here has so much they can afford to have it stolen.
[baai] the [otoko] is trying to [dasshutsu] the [sensō]…
If the man is trying to escape the war…
[yoku], that’s still no [īwake] for scaring [hitobito].
well, that’s still no excuse for scaring people.
Once the [udedokei] is mounted, it should either find him or frighten him off.”
Once the watch is mounted, it should either find him or frighten him off.”
“I [kibō] it frightens him off.
“I hope it frightens him off.
[shikashi] why do you [shinjiru] me now, when you didn’t this [asa]?”
But why do you believe me now, when you didn’t this morning?”
“I had to [shinjiru] my own [me] then, [wakamono], and I [mimashita] nothing.”
“I had to believe my own eyes then, lad, and I saw nothing.”
Tam shook his grizzled [atama].
Tam shook his grizzled head.
“Only young [dansei] see this [nakama], it seems.
“Only young men see this fellow, it seems.
When Haral Luhhan mentioned Perrin jumping [kage], though, it all came out.
When Haral Luhhan mentioned Perrin jumping shadows, though, it all came out.
Jon Thane’s oldest [musuko] [mimashita] him, too, and so did Samel Crawe’s [otokonoko], Bandry.
Jon Thane’s oldest son saw him, too, and so did Samel Crawe’s boy, Bandry.
[yoku], when four of you say you’ve seen a [koto] – and [kotai] [wakamono], all – we [kaishi, hajimeru] thinking maybe it’s there whether we can see it or not.
Well, when four of you say you’ve seen a thing – and solid lads, all – we start thinking maybe it’s there whether we can see it or not.
All except Cenn, of [mochiron].
All except Cenn, of course.
Anyway, that’s why we’re going home.
Anyway, that’s why we’re going home.
With both of us away, this [gaijin] could be up to any [shinsetsu] of [itazura] there.
With both of us away, this stranger could be up to any kind of mischief there.
[baai] not for [matsuri], I wouldn’t come back tomorrow, either.
If not for Festival, I wouldn’t come back tomorrow, either.
[shikashi] we can’t make ourselves [shūjin] in our own [jūtaku] just because this [nakama] is lurking about.”
But we can’t make ourselves prisoners in our own homes just because this fellow is lurking about.”
“I didn’t know about Ban or Lem,”
“I didn’t know about Ban or Lem,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“The [nokori] of us were going to the [shichō] tomorrow, [shikashi] we were worried he wouldn’t [shinjiru] us, either.”
“The rest of us were going to the Mayor tomorrow, but we were worried he wouldn’t believe us, either.”
“[gurē] [ke] don’t mean our [nō] have curdled,”
“Gray hairs don’t mean our brains have curdled,”
Tam said dryly.
Tam said dryly.
“So you [kīpu] a sharp [me].
“So you keep a sharp eye.
Maybe I’ll [kyacchi] [kōkei] of him, too, [baai] he shows up again.”
Maybe I’ll catch sight of him, too, if he shows up again.”
Rand settled down to do just that.
Rand settled down to do just that.
He was surprised to realize that his [suteppu] [kanjita] lighter.
He was surprised to realize that his step felt lighter.
The [notto] were gone from his [kata].
The knots were gone from his shoulders.
He was still scared, [shikashi] it was not so bad as it had been.
He was still scared, but it was not so bad as it had been.
Tam and he were just as alone on the [saiseki jō] [dōro] as they had been that [asa], [shikashi] in some [michi] he [kanjita] as [baai] the entire [mura] were with them.
Tam and he were just as alone on the Quarry Road as they had been that morning, but in some way he felt as if the entire village were with them.
That [tanin] knew and believed made all the [chigai].
That others knew and believed made all the difference.
There was nothing the [kuro]-cloaked [kishu] could do that the [hitobito] of Emond’s [ryōiki] could not [handoru] together.
There was nothing the black-cloaked horseman could do that the people of Emond’s Field could not handle together.
[akira] 5
Chapter 5
Winternight
Winternight
The [nichi] stood halfway down from its [mahiru] high by the [jikan] the [kāto] reached the [nōka].
The sun stood halfway down from its noonday high by the time the cart reached the farmhouse.
It was not a big [hausu], not nearly so large as some of the sprawling [nōka] to the [higashi], [jūkyo] that had [zōshoku saseta] over the [toshi] to hold entire [kazoku].
It was not a big house, not nearly so large as some of the sprawling farmhouses to the east, dwellings that had grown over the years to hold entire families.
In the Two [kawa], that often included three or four [sedai] under one [yane], including [oba], [oji], [itoko], and [oi].
In the Two Rivers, that often included three or four generations under one roof, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews.
Tam and Rand were considered out of the ordinary as much for [kōfuku] two [dansei] living alone as for farming in the Westwood.
Tam and Rand were considered out of the ordinary as much for being two men living alone as for farming in the Westwood.
Here most of the [heya] were on one [yuka], a neat [shikakkei] with no [tsubasa] or [tsuika].
Here most of the rooms were on one floor, a neat rectangle with no wings or additions.
Two [shinshitsu] and an [yaneura heya] [monooki] fitted up under the steeply sloped [ka yabuki].
Two bedrooms and an attic storeroom fitted up under the steeply sloped thatch.
[baai] the [shikkui] was all [shikashi] gone from the stout wooden [kabe] after the [fuyu] [arashi], the [hausu] was still in a tidy [jōtai] of [shūri], the [ka yabuki] tightly mended and the [tobira] and [shattā] [yoku]-hung and snug fitting.
If the whitewash was all but gone from the stout wooden walls after the winter storms, the house was still in a tidy state of repair, the thatch tightly mended and the doors and shutters well-hung and snug fitting.
[hausu], [naya], and [ishi] [hitsuji] [pen] formed the [pointo] of a [sankakkei] around the [nōjō], where a few [niwatori] had ventured out to [kizu] at the [samui] [gurando].
House, barn, and stone sheep pen formed the points of a triangle around the farmyard, where a few chickens had ventured out to scratch at the cold ground.
An [ōpun] shearing shed and a [ishi]-dipping [torafu] stood next to the [hitsuji] [pen].
An open shearing shed and a stone-dipping trough stood next to the sheep pen.
Hard by the [ryōiki] between the [nōjō] and the [kigi] loomed the tall [kōn] of a tight-walled curing shed.
Hard by the fields between the farmyard and the trees loomed the tall cone of a tight-walled curing shed.
Few [nōka] in the Two [kawa] could make do without both [wuru] and [tabakku] to sell when the [shōnin] came.
Few farmers in the Two Rivers could make do without both wool and tabac to sell when the merchants came.
When Rand took a [hyōjō] in the [ishi] [pen], the heavy-horned [mure] ram looked back at him, [shikashi] most of the [kuro]-faced [mure] remained placidly where they lay, or stood with their [heddo] in the [fīdo] [torafu].
When Rand took a look in the stone pen, the heavy-horned herd ram looked back at him, but most of the black-faced flock remained placidly where they lay, or stood with their heads in the feed trough.
Their [kōto] were thick and curly, [shikashi] it was still too [samui] for shearing.
Their coats were thick and curly, but it was still too cold for shearing.
“I don’t think the [kuro]-cloaked [otoko] came here,”
“I don’t think the black-cloaked man came here,”
Rand called to his [chichioya], who was walking slowly around the [nōka], [yari] held at the ready, examining the [gurando] intently.
Rand called to his father, who was walking slowly around the farmhouse, spear held at the ready, examining the ground intently.
“The [hitsuji] wouldn’t be so settled [baai] that one had been around.”
“The sheep wouldn’t be so settled if that one had been around.”
Tam nodded [shikashi] did not [teishi].
Tam nodded but did not stop.
When he had made a complete [kairo] of the [hausu], he did the same around the [naya] and the [hitsuji] [pen], still studying the [gurando].
When he had made a complete circuit of the house, he did the same around the barn and the sheep pen, still studying the ground.
He even checked the [kunsei] and the curing shed.
He even checked the smokehouse and the curing shed.
[zumen] a [baketsu] of [mizu] from the [yoku], he filled a cupped [te], sniffed the [mizu], and gingerly touched it with the [sentan] of his [shita].
Drawing a bucket of water from the well, he filled a cupped hand, sniffed the water, and gingerly touched it with the tip of his tongue.
Abruptly he barked a [warai], then drank it down in a quick gulp.
Abruptly he barked a laugh, then drank it down in a quick gulp.
“I suppose he didn’t,”
“I suppose he didn’t,”
he told Rand, wiping his [te] on his [kōto] [furonto].
he told Rand, wiping his hand on his coat front.
“All this about [dansei] and [uma] I can’t see or hear just makes me [hyōjō] [kurosuweizu] at everything.”
“All this about men and horses I can’t see or hear just makes me look crossways at everything.”
He emptied the [yoku] [mizu] into another [baketsu] and started for the [hausu], the [baketsu] in one [te] and his [yari] in the [sonota].
He emptied the well water into another bucket and started for the house, the bucket in one hand and his spear in the other.
“I’ll [kaishi, hajimeru] some [shichū] for [yūshoku].
“I’ll start some stew for supper.
And as long as were here, we might as [yoku] get caught up on a few [zatsuyō].”
And as long as were here, we might as well get caught up on a few chores.”
Rand grimaced, regretting Winternight in Emond’s [ryōiki].
Rand grimaced, regretting Winternight in Emond’s Field.
[shikashi] Tam was [migi].
But Tam was right.
Around a [nōjō] the [shigoto] never really got done; as soon as one [koto] was finished two more always needed doing.
Around a farm the work never really got done; as soon as one thing was finished two more always needed doing.
He hesitated about it, [shikashi] kept his [bou] and [yazutsu] [tojiru] at [te].
He hesitated about it, but kept his bow and quiver close at hand.
[baai] the [kurai] [raidā] did appear, he had no [ito] of facing him with nothing [shikashi] a [kuwa].
If the dark rider did appear, he had no intention of facing him with nothing but a hoe.
[saisho] was stabling Bela.
First was stabling Bela.
Once he had unharnessed her and put her into a [sutōru] in the [naya] next to their [ushi], he set his [gaitō] aside and rubbed the [māre] down with [nigiri] of [dorai] [wara], then curried her with a [pea] of [burashi].
Once he had unharnessed her and put her into a stall in the barn next to their cow, he set his cloak aside and rubbed the mare down with handfuls of dry straw, then curried her with a pair of brushes.
Climbing the [semai] [hashigo] to the [rofuto], he pitched down [hoshikusa] for her [fīdo].
Climbing the narrow ladder to the loft, he pitched down hay for her feed.
He fetched a scoopful of [ōto mugi] for her as [yoku], though there was little enough left and might be no more for a long [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] unless the [tenkō] warmed soon.
He fetched a scoopful of oats for her as well, though there was little enough left and might be no more for a long while unless the weather warmed soon.
The [ushi] had been milked that [asa] before [saisho] [hikari], giving a [shihanki] of her usual yield; she seemed to be drying up as the [fuyu] hung on.
The cow had been milked that morning before first light, giving a quarter of her usual yield; she seemed to be drying up as the winter hung on.
Enough [fīdo] had been left to see the [hitsuji] for two [hi] – they should have been in the [bokusō-chi] by now, [shikashi] there was none [kachi ga aru] calling it so – [shikashi] he topped off their [mizu].
Enough feed had been left to see the sheep for two days – they should have been in the pasture by now, but there was none worth calling it so – but he topped off their water.
Whatever [tamago] had been laid needed to be gathered, too.
Whatever eggs had been laid needed to be gathered, too.
There were only three.
There were only three.
The [niwatori] seemed to be getting cleverer at hiding them.
The hens seemed to be getting cleverer at hiding them.
He was taking a [kuwa] to the [yasai] [niwa] behind the [hausu] when Tam came out and settled on a [endai] in [furonto] of the [naya] to mend [hānesu], propping his [yari] beside him.
He was taking a hoe to the vegetable garden behind the house when Tam came out and settled on a bench in front of the barn to mend harness, propping his spear beside him.
It made Rand feel [yori yoi] about the [bou] lying on his [gaitō] a [hochō] from where he stood.
It made Rand feel better about the bow lying on his cloak a pace from where he stood.
Few [zassō] had pushed above [gurando], [shikashi] more [zassō] than anything else.
Few weeds had pushed above ground, but more weeds than anything else.
The [kyabetsu] were stunted; barely a [moyashi] of the [mame] or [endō] showed, and there was not a [sain] of a [bīto].
The cabbages were stunted; barely a sprout of the beans or peas showed, and there was not a sign of a beet.
Not everything had been planted, of [mochiron]; only [ichibu], in [kitai shite iru] the [samui] might [kyūkei] in [jikan] to make a [sakumotsu] of some [shinsetsu] before the [serā] was empty.
Not everything had been planted, of course; only part, in hopes the cold might break in time to make a crop of some kind before the cellar was empty.
It did not take long to [shiagari] hoeing, which would have suited him just [bakkin] in [toshi] past, [shikashi] now he wondered what they would do [baai] nothing came up this [toshi].
It did not take long to finish hoeing, which would have suited him just fine in years past, but now he wondered what they would do if nothing came up this year.
Not a pleasant [shikō].
Not a pleasant thought.
And there was still [takigi] to split.
And there was still firewood to split.
It seemed to Rand like [toshi] since there had not been [takigi] to split.
It seemed to Rand like years since there had not been firewood to split.
[shikashi] complaining would not [kīpu] the [hausu] [atatakai], so he fetched the [ono], propped up [bou] and [yazutsu] beside the chopping [burokku], and got to [shigoto].
But complaining would not keep the house warm, so he fetched the axe, propped up bow and quiver beside the chopping block, and got to work.
[matsu] for a quick, [atsui] [honoo], and [ōku zai] for long [moeru].
Pine for a quick, hot flame, and oak for long burning.
Before long he was [atatakai] enough to put his [kōto] aside.
Before long he was warm enough to put his coat aside.
When the [yama] of split [mokuzai] grew big enough, he stacked it against the [saido] of the [hausu], beside [sonota] [sutakku] already there.
When the pile of split wood grew big enough, he stacked it against the side of the house, beside other stacks already there.
Most reached all the [michi] to the [nokishita].
Most reached all the way to the eaves.
Usually by this [jikan] of [toshi] the woodpiles were small and few, [shikashi] not this [toshi].
Usually by this time of year the woodpiles were small and few, but not this year.
Chop and [sutakku], chop and [sutakku], he lost himself in the [rizumu] of the [ono] and the [ugoki] of stacking [mokuzai].
Chop and stack, chop and stack, he lost himself in the rhythm of the axe and the motions of stacking wood.
Tam’s [te] on his [kata] brought him back to where he was, and for a [shunkan] he blinked in [odoroki].
Tam’s hand on his shoulder brought him back to where he was, and for a moment he blinked in surprise.
[gurē] [towaihikari] had come on [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] he worked, and already it was fading quickly toward [yoru, kishi_knt].
Gray twilight had come on while he worked, and already it was fading quickly toward night.
The full [mūn] stood [yoku] above the [kozue], shimmering pale and bulging as [baai] about to [aki] on their [heddo].
The full moon stood well above the treetops, shimmering pale and bulging as if about to fall on their heads.
The [kaze] had [zōshoku saseta] colder without his noticing, too, and tattered [kumo] scudded across the [kurai]ling [sora].
The wind had grown colder without his noticing, too, and tattered clouds scudded across the darkling sky.
“Let’s [wosshu] up, [wakamono], and see about some [yūshoku].
“Let’s wash up, lad, and see about some supper.
I’ve already carried in [mizu] for [atsui] [furo] before [suimin].”
I’ve already carried in water for hot baths before sleep.”
“Anything [atsui] [saundo] [yoi] to me,”
“Anything hot sounds good to me,”
Rand said, snatching up his [gaitō] and tossing it round his [kata].
Rand said, snatching up his cloak and tossing it round his shoulders.
[ase] soaked his [shatsu], and the [kaze], forgotten in the [netsu] of swinging the [ono], seemed to be trying to [tōketsu] it now that he had stopped [shigoto].
Sweat soaked his shirt, and the wind, forgotten in the heat of swinging the axe, seemed to be trying to freeze it now that he had stopped work.
He stifled a [akubi], shivering as he gathered the [nokori] of his [monogoto].
He stifled a yawn, shivering as he gathered the rest of his things.
“And [suimin], too, for that.
“And sleep, too, for that.
I might just [suimin] [migi] through [matsuri].”
I might just sleep right through Festival.”
“Would you [kaigo] to make a small [kake] about that?”
“Would you care to make a small wager about that?”
Tam smiled, and Rand had to grin back.
Tam smiled, and Rand had to grin back.
He would not [misu] Bel [kōdinēto] [baai] he had had no [suimin] in a [shū].
He would not miss Bel Tine if he had had no sleep in a week.
No one would.
No one would.
Tam had been extravagant with the [kyandoru], and a [kasai] crackled in the big [ishi] [danro], so that the [mein] [heya] had a [atatakai], cheerful feel to it.
Tam had been extravagant with the candles, and a fire crackled in the big stone fireplace, so that the main room had a warm, cheerful feel to it.
A broad oaken [hyō] was the [mein] [kinō] of the [heya] [sonota] than the [danro], a [hyō] long enough to [shīto] a dozen or more, though there had seldom been so many around it since Rand’s [haha] died.
A broad oaken table was the main feature of the room other than the fireplace, a table long enough to seat a dozen or more, though there had seldom been so many around it since Rand’s mother died.
A few [kyabinetto] and [takara bako], most of them skillfully made by Tam himself, lined the [kabe], and high-backed [isu] stood around the [hyō].
A few cabinets and chests, most of them skillfully made by Tam himself, lined the walls, and high-backed chairs stood around the table.
The cushioned [isu] that Tam called his [dokusho] [isu] sat angled before the [honoo].
The cushioned chair that Tam called his reading chair sat angled before the flames.
Rand preferred to do his [dokusho] stretched out on the [shikimono] in [furonto] of the [kasai].
Rand preferred to do his reading stretched out on the rug in front of the fire.
The [tana] of [bukku] by the [tobira] was not nearly as long as the one at the Winespring [in], [shikashi] [bukku] were hard to come by.
The shelf of books by the door was not nearly as long as the one at the Winespring Inn, but books were hard to come by.
Few [gyōshō jin] carried more than a [ichi nigiri], and those had to be stretched out among everyone who wanted them.
Few peddlers carried more than a handful, and those had to be stretched out among everyone who wanted them.
[baai] the [heya] did not [hyōjō] quite so freshly scrubbed as most [nōjō] [tsuma] kept their [jūtaku]—Tam’s [paipu rakku] and The [ugokasu] of Jain Farstrider sat on the [hyō], [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] another [mokuzai]-[ketsugō shita] [hon] rested on the [kusshon] of his [dokusho] [isu]; a [sukoshi] of [hānesu] to be mended lay on the [endai] by the [danro], and some [shatsu] to be darned made a [hīpu] on a [isu] – [baai] not quite so spotless, it was still clean and neat enough, with a lived-in [hyōjō] that was almost as warming and comforting as the [kasai].
If the room did not look quite so freshly scrubbed as most farm wives kept their homes—Tam’s pipe-rack and The Travels of Jain Farstrider sat on the table, while another wood-bound book rested on the cushion of his reading chair; a bit of harness to be mended lay on the bench by the fireplace, and some shirts to be darned made a heap on a chair – if not quite so spotless, it was still clean and neat enough, with a lived-in look that was almost as warming and comforting as the fire.
Here, it was possible to forget the [samusa] beyond the [kabe].
Here, it was possible to forget the chill beyond the walls.
There was no false [doragon] here.
There was no false Dragon here.
No [sensō] or Aes Sedai.
No wars or Aes Sedai.
No [dansei] in [kuro] [gaitō].
No men in black cloaks.
The [kaori] from the [shichū nabe] hanging over the [kasai] permeated the [heya], and filled Rand with ravenous [kiga].
The aroma from the stewpot hanging over the fire permeated the room, and filled Rand with ravenous hunger.
His [chichioya] stirred the [shichū nabe] with a long-handled wooden [supūn], then took a [aji].
His father stirred the stewpot with a long-handled wooden spoon, then took a taste.
“A little [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] longer.”
“A little while longer.”
Rand hurried to [wosshu] his [kao] and [te]; there was a [tōshu] and [bonchi] on the washstand by the [tobira].
Rand hurried to wash his face and hands; there was a pitcher and basin on the washstand by the door.
A [atsui] [furo] was what he wanted, to take away the [ase] and soak the [samusa] out, [shikashi] that would come when there had been [jikan] to [netsu] the big [yaka n] in the [rimen] [heya].
A hot bath was what he wanted, to take away the sweat and soak the chill out, but that would come when there had been time to heat the big kettle in the back room.
Tam rooted around in a [kyabinetto] and came up with a [kī o oshimasu] as long as his [te].
Tam rooted around in a cabinet and came up with a key as long as his hand.
He twisted it in the big [tetsu] [rokku] on the [tobira].
He twisted it in the big iron lock on the door.
At Rand’s questioning [hyōjō] he said, “Best to be safe.
At Rand’s questioning look he said, “Best to be safe.
Maybe I’m taking a [fanshī], or maybe the [tenkō] is blacking my [kibun], [shikashi]…“
Maybe I’m taking a fancy, or maybe the weather is blacking my mood, but…”
He sighed and bounced the [kī o oshimasu] on his [tenohira].
He sighed and bounced the key on his palm.
“I’ll see to the [rimen] [tobira],”
“I’ll see to the back door,”
he said, and disappeared toward the [rimen] of the [hausu].
he said, and disappeared toward the back of the house.
Rand could not remember either [tobira] ever [kōfuku] locked.
Rand could not remember either door ever being locked.
No one in the Two [kawa] locked [tobira].
No one in the Two Rivers locked doors.
There was no must.
There was no need.
Until now, at least.
Until now, at least.
From overhead, from Tam’s [shinshitsu], came a scraping, as of something [kōfuku] dragged across the [yuka].
From overhead, from Tam’s bedroom, came a scraping, as of something being dragged across the floor.
Rand frowned.
Rand frowned.
Unless Tam had suddenly decided to [ugokasu] the [kagu] around, he could only be pulling out the old [mune] he kept under his [shindai].
Unless Tam had suddenly decided to move the furniture around, he could only be pulling out the old chest he kept under his bed.
Another [koto] that had never been done in Rand’s [memori].
Another thing that had never been done in Rand’s memory.
He filled a small [yaka n] with [mizu] for [ocha] and hung it from a [fukku] over the [kasai], then set the [hyō].
He filled a small kettle with water for tea and hung it from a hook over the fire, then set the table.
He had carved the [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] and [supūn] himself.
He had carved the bowls and spoons himself.
The [furonto] [shattā] had not yet been closed, and from [jikan] to [jikan] he peered out, [shikashi] full [yoru, kishi_knt] had come and all he could see were [mūn] [kage].
The front shutters had not yet been closed, and from time to time he peered out, but full night had come and all he could see were moon shadows.
The [kurai] [raidā] could be out there easily enough, [shikashi] he tried not to think about that.
The dark rider could be out there easily enough, but he tried not to think about that.
When Tam came back, Rand stared in [odoroki].
When Tam came back, Rand stared in surprise.
A thick [beruto] slanted around Tam’s [koshi], and from the [beruto] hung a [ken], with a [buronzu] [heron] on the [kuro] [saya] and another on the long [moyō].
A thick belt slanted around Tam’s waist, and from the belt hung a sword, with a bronze heron on the black scabbard and another on the long hilt.
The only [dansei] Rand had ever seen wearing [ken] were the [shōnin]’ [keibi].
The only men Rand had ever seen wearing swords were the merchants’ guards.
And Lan, of [mochiron].
And Lan, of course.
That his [chichioya] might own one had never even occurred to him.
That his father might own one had never even occurred to him.
Except for the [sagi], the [ken] looked a [yoi] [keiyaku] like Lan’s [ken].
Except for the herons, the sword looked a good deal like Lan’s sword.
“Where did that come from?”
“Where did that come from?”
he asked.
he asked.
“Did you get it from a [gyōshō jin]?
“Did you get it from a peddler?
How much did it [kosuto]?”
How much did it cost?”
Slowly Tam drew the [buki]; [hi akari] played along the gleaming [nagasa].
Slowly Tam drew the weapon; firelight played along the gleaming length.
It was nothing at all like the [heiya], rough [ha] Rand had seen in the [te] of [shōnin]’ [keibi].
It was nothing at all like the plain, rough blades Rand had seen in the hands of merchants’ guards.
No [hōseki] or [gōrudo] adorned it, [shikashi] it seemed grand to him, nonetheless.
No gems or gold adorned it, but it seemed grand to him, nonetheless.
The [ha], [hijō ni] slightly curved and sharp on only one [hashi], bore another [heron] etched into the [hagane].
The blade, very slightly curved and sharp on only one edge, bore another heron etched into the steel.
Short quillons, worked to [hyōjō] like [mittsu ami], flanked the [moyō].
Short quillons, worked to look like braid, flanked the hilt.
It seemed almost fragile compared with the [ken] of the [shōnin]’ [keibi]; most of those were [daburu]-edged, and thick enough to chop down a [tsurī].
It seemed almost fragile compared with the swords of the merchants’ guards; most of those were double-edged, and thick enough to chop down a tree.
“I got it a long [jikan] ago,”
“I got it a long time ago,”
Tam said, “a long [michi] from here.
Tam said, “a long way from here.
And I paid entirely too much; two [dōka] is too much for one of these.
And I paid entirely too much; two coppers is too much for one of these.
Your [haha] didn’t approve, [shikashi] she was always wiser than I.
Your mother didn’t approve, but she was always wiser than I.
I was young then, and it seemed [kachi ga aru] the [kakaku] at the [jikan].
I was young then, and it seemed worth the price at the time.
She always wanted me to get rid of it, and more than once I’ve [shikō] she was [migi], that I should just give it away.”
She always wanted me to get rid of it, and more than once I’ve thought she was right, that I should just give it away.”
Reflected [kasai] made the [ha] seem aflame.
Reflected fire made the blade seem aflame.
Rand started.
Rand started.
He had often daydreamed about owning a [ken].
He had often daydreamed about owning a sword.
“Give it away?
“Give it away?
How could you give a [ken] like that away?”
How could you give a sword like that away?”
Tam snorted.
Tam snorted.
“Not much [shiyō] in herding [hitsuji], now is it?
“Not much use in herding sheep, now is it?
can’t [suki] a [ryōiki] or [shūkaku] a [sakumotsu] with it.”
Can’t plow a field or harvest a crop with it.”
For a long [bun] he stared at the [ken] as [baai] wondering what he was doing with such a [koto].
For a long minute he stared at the sword as if wondering what he was doing with such a thing.
At [saigo] he let out a heavy [tameiki].
At last he let out a heavy sigh.
“[shikashi] [baai] I am not just taken by a [kuro] [fanshī], [baai] our [un] runs sour, maybe in the next few [hi] we’ll be glad I tucked it in that old [mune], instead.”
“But if I am not just taken by a black fancy, if our luck runs sour, maybe in the next few days we’ll be glad I tucked it in that old chest, instead.”
He slid the [ken] smoothly back into its [shīsu] and wiped his [te] on his [shatsu] with a [shikamettsura].
He slid the sword smoothly back into its sheath and wiped his hand on his shirt with a grimace.
“The [shichū] should be ready.
“The stew should be ready.
I’ll [ippin] it out [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] you fix the [ocha].”
I’ll dish it out while you fix the tea.”
Rand nodded and got the [ocha] [kyanisutā], [shikashi] he wanted to know everything.
Rand nodded and got the tea canister, but he wanted to know everything.
Why would Tam have bought a [ken]?
Why would Tam have bought a sword?
He could not imagine.
He could not imagine.
And where had Tam come by it?
And where had Tam come by it?
