铁杖客 The Man with the Steel Cane

作者： Odin Austin Shafer

一。

One.The gun in his hand was simply a tool—but a perfectly crafted one. Gold type was inlaid into the blackish-green metal. It spelled the smith’s name: this detail spoke of its creator’s pride and confidence. It was not a Piltovan weapon—those gaudy things that attempted to function with the minuscule amounts of magic available in those lands. This gun was made by a true forge master. Magic pulsed from its bronze, Ionian heart.

他手里的这把枪只是个工具——但却是工艺精湛的工具。墨绿色的金属中镶嵌着金线，勾勒出工匠的名字：这样的细节印证着制作者的骄傲与自得。这不是来自皮尔特沃夫的武器——那些华而不实的东西是为了在那片魔法微乎其微的土地上发挥作用的。而这把枪则出自真正的锻造大师之手。它的艾欧尼亚铜心中脉动着魔法。

He wiped the gun’s stock a fourth time. He couldn’t be sure it was clean until he wiped it down four times. Didn’t matter that he hadn’t used it. Didn’t matter that he was only going to stow it in the bag under the bed. He couldn’t put it away until he was sure it was clean, and he couldn’t be sure it was clean until he had wiped it down four times. It was getting clean though. Four times makes it clean.

他第四次擦拭枪托。只有擦完第四次以后他才能确认擦干净。虽然他一次都没用过。虽然他只是想要把它装进袋子里放到床底下。但把它收纳起来之前他必须确认擦干净，而只有擦完第四次以后他才能确认擦干净。总之现在它干净了。四次一定干净。

It was clean, and it was wonderful. His new patrons had been generous. But did the finest painters not deserve the finest brushes?

它干净，而且精彩绝伦。他的新主顾出手阔绰。可最顶尖的画家不就该配上最顶尖的画笔吗？

The scale and precision of the new device made his previous work with blades seem insignificant by comparison. Understanding firearm mechanics had taken him weeks of study, but evolving his ki techniques from blades had taken months.

新工具的精密和准确让他之前自利刃的作品相形见绌。理解火器的机理耗费了他数周时间，但将刀剑的气功技艺提升到新的高度则花费了数月。

The gun held four shots. Each bullet had been infused with magical energy. Each bullet was as perfect as a Lassilan monk’s blade. Each bullet was the paint from which his art would flow. Each bullet was a masterpiece. It didn’t just cut apart the body. It rearranged it.

枪中共有四枚子弹。每一颗都灌注了魔法的能量。每一颗都堪与拉司兰僧侣的佩刀媲美。每一颗都让他的艺术奔流喷溅。每一颗都是绝世妙作。它不仅仅能穿透身体。它能使血肉重构。

The rehearsal at the mill town had already shown the gun’s potential. And his new employers had been pleased with the work’s reception.

磨坊镇的那次排练已经展示了这把枪的潜力。作品的反响也让他的新雇主们十分满意。

He had finished polishing it, but with the gun in his right hand, the temptation was too great. He knew he shouldn’t, but he unpacked the black, eel-skin bodysuit. He drew the fingertips of his left hand across the slick surface of the clothes. The feel of the skin’s oily surface quickened his breath. He picked up the tight, leather mask, then—unable to help himself—slid it over his face. It covered his right eye and mouth. It constricted his breathing and removed his depth perception…

他已经擦干净了，但枪就握在他的右手上，这诱惑实在太强烈了。他知道自己不该这么做，但他还是展开了那件黑色的鳗鱼皮连体紧身衣。他用左手的指尖轻抚皮衣的表面。油滑的皮面让他呼吸急促。他又捡起了那张紧致的皮面具，然后情不自禁地，把面具滑到脸上。面具遮住了他的右眼和嘴。面具限制了他的呼吸，消除了他的景深感知。

Delightful.

心旷神怡。

He was putting on the shoulder armor when the bells he’d hidden on the steps leading up to his room sounded. He quickly folded up the weapon and removed the mask.

正当他戴上肩甲的时候，铃声响起，那是他藏在自己房门前台阶上的铃铛。他快速折起武器并摘下面具。

“Hello?” the maid asked through the door. The lilt in her voice hinted to an upbringing far south of this town.

“你好？”女佣隔着门说。她的活泼音调里透着这座镇南方很远处的出生地。

“You did what I asked?” he said.

“按我吩咐做完了？”他说。

“Yes, sir. A white lantern every four yards. A red lantern every sixteen.”

“是的，先生。每隔一丈一盏白灯笼。每隔四丈一盏红灯笼。”

“Then I can begin,” Khada Jhin said as he swung open the door to his room.

“那我就可以开始了，”卡达•烬说着打开了房门。

The woman’s eyes widened as he exited his room. Jhin was well aware of how he looked. Normally, it elicited pangs of self-conscious loathing, but today was a performance day.

女佣瞪大眼睛看他走出房间。烬很清楚自己的样貌。通常，他感到的是对自己痛入骨髓般的厌恶，但今天可是演出的日子。

Today, Khada Jhin cut a slender, elegant figure as he walked out with a cane. He was hunched, and his cloak seemed to cover some huge deformity on his shoulder, but a jaunty stride belied this. He forcefully tapped the cane ahead of him as he marched toward the window. He tapped the frame rhythmically—three beats, then a fourth. His gold sparkled, his cream cloak flowed, and his jewels glittered in the sun.

今天，瘦高的卡达•烬优雅地走出房间，手握着一把铁杖。他有些驼背，身上的斗篷似乎掩盖着肩膀上巨大的畸形部位，但从他矫健的步伐可看不出任何身体异常。他向窗口走去，用力地用手杖点着地面。他有节奏地敲打地面——连着三下，然后第四下。他身上金光猎猎，斗篷翩翩，珠宝首饰在太阳下熠熠生辉。

“What… What is that?” the maid asked, indicating Jhin’s shoulder.

“那个……那个是什么？”女佣指着烬的肩膀问。

Jhin paused for a moment to study the woman’s cherubic face. It was round and perfectly symmetrical. A dull and predictable design. Removed, it would make a terrible mask.

烬稍作停留，打量起这名女子天真无邪的脸庞。轮廓圆润，标致对称。这是无聊俗套的图画。如果取下来，做的面具肯定很糟糕。

“It’s for the crescendo, my darling,” Khada Jhin said.

“是在为了制造渐强音啊，亲爱的，”卡达•烬答道。

From the inn’s window, he had a clear view of the rest of the town in the valley below him. This performance had to be wonderful, but there was still so much work to do. The councilman would be returning this evening—and so far, all of Jhin’s plans for tonight seemed… uninspired.

从酒馆的窗口，他可以清楚地鸟瞰到山谷中小镇的全貌。他的演出必须精彩绝伦，还有大量的准备工作要做。本镇的知事应该会在今晚回来——可目前看来，烬为今晚制定的计划感觉十分……缺乏灵性。

“I brought some flowers for your room,” the woman said, walking past him.

“我给你的房间拿了一束花，”女佣说着，与他擦肩而过。

He could have used someone else to place the lanterns. But he didn’t. He could have changed clothes before opening his door. But he didn’t. Now she had seen Khada Jhin in his finery.

他本可以差遣别人布置灯笼。但他没有。他本可以在开门之前换掉衣服。但他没有。现在她已经看到了身着盛装的卡达•烬。

The inspiration he needed was so obvious now. So preordained. There was never a choice. There was no escaping the Art.

他所需要的灵感启发现在显而易见。如同天命。从来都没有选择的余地。没人能逃脱艺术。

He would have to make this maid’s face... more interesting.

他必须把这位女佣的面孔变得……更有意思。

Two.The candied pork glistened on top of the five-flavor broth. The aroma entranced Shen, but he set aside his spoon. As the waitress left, she smiled and nodded in approval. The fat had yet to melt into the broth. Doubtless, the soup was already excellent, but in a moment, the flavor would be at its peak. Patience.

二。

Shen considered the interior of the White Cliffs Inn. It was deceptively simple and rough. The wood weavers had been masters, removing the tree bark and living leaves only where necessary.

渍了糖的肉块浮在五味汤的表面，莹莹闪动着。香气诱人，但慎放下了勺子。女侍者转身离去时，带着赞许的微笑点了点头。虽然这碗汤已经足够美味，但汤汁上的脂肪还未融化。稍待片刻，才是味蕾的巅峰享受。需要耐心。

The candle on Shen’s table flickered… wrongly. He slid away from the table, retrieving his blades from under his cloak.

慎端详了一阵白崖旅店的内饰，发觉这里的粗糙和简朴是刻意营造的表象。织木人的手艺堪称妙绝，只在必要的时候才会将多余的枝桠和树叶除去。

“Your students are as quiet as a pregnant worax,” he said.

桌上的蜡烛荧荧跳动得……有些古怪。慎向后滑离桌子，从大衣下取出双刀。

Alone and dressed like a merchant, Zed entered the inn. Brushing past the waitress, he sat down three tables away. Every part of Shen wanted to dash at his foe, to avenge his father. But such was not the way of twilight. He calmed himself as he realized the distance was too far… even if only by the length of his index finger.

“你的学生，安静得像是怀孕的沃牛。”慎开口道。

Shen looked over at Zed, expecting to see him grin. Instead, his rival sighed. His skin was sallow, and dark folds hung beneath his eyes.

商人打扮的劫一个人走进了旅店。他掠过侍者身边，拣了张离慎三张桌子远的椅子坐了下来。虽然他全身每一个细胞都想冲向他的杀父仇人，但暮光之道不容如此。当他强迫自己冷静下来时，才发觉劫离他的距离只是在他能触及的范围之外，多出了一根食指的长度。

“Years, I have waited,” said Shen.

慎看向劫，本以为会看到一抹冷笑。然而，劫叹了口气。他肤色灰黄，脸上挂着层层阴影。

“Have I misjudged the distance?” Zed asked wearily.

“这么多年来，我一直在等。”慎说

“Even if my head is cut off, I will still close and strike,” Shen continued, sliding his foot backward and cocking it against the floor. Zed was ten paces and one half of a finger length away.

“难道我没把握好距离吗？”劫疲惫地问。

“Your path’s closer to mine. Your father’s ideals were a weakness. Ionia could no longer afford them,” Zed said. He leaned back in his chair, keeping himself just outside of the range Shen would need to strike a killing blow. “I know that’s not something I can make you understand. But I will offer you a chance for vengeance.”

“就算你斩下了我的头，我也能近得了身，然后出手。”慎一边说一边伸出腿，抵在身后的地板上。劫就在十步外加一根半手指的距离之外。

Shen inched forward to the edge of his chair. “I do not act because of vengeance. You defy the balance. For that, you are damned.”

“你的道义与我接近。而你父亲的理想是一种弱点。艾欧尼亚已经无法再承担。”劫翘起椅子的前脚向后仰去，刚刚好能躲过慎的致命杀招。“我明白我没法让你理解，但我会给你一个复仇的机会。”

“The Golden Demon escaped,” Zed said, simply.

慎朝着他的椅子靠近了几寸。“我的所为并非为了复仇。而是你破坏了平衡。所以，你该当死罪。”

“Impossible,” Shen replied, feeling a hollowness that caught in his chest.

“金魔跑了。”劫说。

“Your father’s greatest victory. And now, again, his foolish mercy has tarnished his legacy.” Zed shook his head. “You know what that… thing is capable of.” Then Zed leaned over the table, well within Shen’s range—his neck intentionally exposed. “And you know that we are the only two people who can get close enough to stop him.”

“这不可能。”慎感到胸口猛地空了一块。

Shen remembered the first time he’d seen the body of someone killed by the infamous Khada Jhin. His skin prickled from the memory; his teeth clenched. Only his father had been strong enough to still believe a merciful justice could be served.

“那可是你父亲最伟大的成就。而现在，他愚蠢的仁慈再一次败坏了他生前的荣光。”劫摇头叹道。“你很清楚那个……东西的能耐。”然后他向前倾身，有意将自己的脖颈暴露在慎的攻击范围内。“你也很清楚，只有你和我有办法追到并阻止他。”

Something in Shen had changed that day. Something in Zed had broken.

慎回想起第一次看到卡达•烬留下的尸体。他的皮肤感到一阵刺痛，不禁咬紧了牙关。只有他的父亲才会坚信，仁慈的公正能够由此彰显。

Now, that monster had returned.

正是那一天，慎心中的某些东西改变了。而劫心中的某些东西却崩塌了。

Shen put his swords on the table. He looked down at the perfect bowl of soup in front of him. Little droplets of the pork fat’s oil shimmered on its surface, but he wasn’t hungry anymore.

现在，怪物又回来了。

Three.

慎把剑刃放在桌上。他低头看着面前那碗已臻完美的浓汤，滴滴分明的油膏在表面微微发亮，但他却再无半点饿意。

There was still no sign of Zed. It was disappointing. Very disappointing. He certainly must have sought out his former friend. It was likely Zed was hiding, watching. Jhin needed to be careful.

三。

From the jetty, Jhin looked back to the foreign ship. The tide had come in, and the ship would be leaving in a few moments. He would have to return soon if he was going to perform in Zaun next month. Risk on top of risk.

依然没有劫的迹象。很失望。非常失望。他肯定已经找到自己曾经的朋友了。很有可能劫正藏在暗处，正在看。烬需要小心。

He stopped to check his reflection in a puddle. From the water, a worried, elderly merchant stared back at him. Years of acting practice combined with his martial training had given him total control of his facial muscles. It was a common face, and he had given it an unexceptional expression. When he walked up the hill, Jhin blended easily into the crowd.

烬站在码头，回身看向那艘外来船只。已经涨潮了，那艘船再过一会就会离开。他必须快点回来，否则下个月就无法在祖安表演了。险关重重。

He checked the white lanterns above him, counting the distance. If Zed appeared, he would need them. At the inn on the top of the hill, he glanced at the planters where he had hidden traps. Sharpened steel blades, shaped like flowers. They protected his escape route in case anything went wrong.

他停下脚步在一处水坑前查看自己的倒影。水中，一位愁容满面的年迈商人回望着他。多年的表演再加上武术训练让他可以完全控制自己的面部肌肉。这是一张普通的脸，他在这张脸上加了平凡的表情。烬走上坡道，轻而易举地混入了人群。

He thought of how the metal would slice through the crowd and splash the building’s freshly painted teal walls with red. It was tempting.

他检查上方的白色灯笼，计算着距离。如果劫突然出现，他将非常需要这些灯笼。在山顶的酒馆里，他瞥见了种植人布放陷阱的位置。打磨锋利的钢刃，形似花朵。它们将在出现意外的时候保护他的逃跑路线。

He was pushing through the crowd when he heard the village elder speaking to Shen.

他想到金属切过人群并在青色的墙上泼洒鲜艳的红色。那样的场面十分诱人。

“Why would the demon attack her and the councilmen?” the elder asked.

他在人群中穿行着，这时他听到了村庄长老对慎说话。

Shen, dressed in his blue outfit, didn’t answer.

“恶魔为什么要攻击她和知事？”长老问。

Another of the Kinkou, a young woman named Akali, stood beside Shen. She walked to the doorway of the inn.

慎穿着他那身蓝色的行头，没有回答。

“No,” Shen said as he blocked her path.

另一个均衡教派的人，一个名叫阿卡丽的年轻女子，站在慎旁边。她走到酒馆门前。

“What makes you think I’m not ready?” Akali demanded.

“不，”慎说着就挡住了她的路。

“Because I wasn’t when I was your age.”

“你凭什么觉得我不行？”阿卡丽质问道。

At that moment, a town guard stumbled from the entrance, his face pale and hollow.

“因为我在你这么大的时候就没准备好。”

“Her flesh, it was… It was…” He took a few steps, then collapsed to the ground in shock.

这时，一个镇里的卫兵从入口跌跌撞撞走出来，面色惨白，表情空洞。

Against the far wall, the tavern’s owner laughed. Then he began weeping—his face painted by madness. “He saw it. He saw the flower!”

“她的血肉，实在……实在是……”他走了几步，然后瘫倒在地。

These were not people who would forget seeing Khada Jhin’s work.

远处靠墙站着的酒馆老板大笑起来。然后又开始啜泣——他的脸上涂满了疯狂。“他看到了。他看到那朵花了！”

Shen scanned the faces of the onlookers.

这些人都将无法忘记他们所见到的卡达•烬的作品。

Clever boy, Jhin thought, before fading into the back of the crowd.

慎扫视围观人群的面孔。

He checked the rooftops for Zed as he walked back to the ship.

聪明孩子，烬心想道，然后消失在人群后方。

The work was inescapable. Together or apart, Zed and Shen would chase the clues he had left. They would follow them back to the Blossom Festival. Back to Jyom Pass. And when they became desperate, then they would have to work together again.

他抬头在屋顶寻找劫的踪影，同时向着船的方向往回走。

It would be like it had been when they were young. They would huddle together in awe and fear.

这次的作品是不可回避的。无论是共同还是单独，劫和慎都将追着他留下的线索。他们将追回到吉雍道。回到他们绝望的时刻，然后他们将再次合作。

Only then would the great Khada Jhin reveal himself…

这就像是他们小时候。他们将抱在一起，陷入惊悚和恐惧。

And his true masterpiece would begin.

只有到那个时候，伟大的卡达•烬才会揭开自己的面纱……

Four.

并开始他的至真代表作。

四。