《無法控制的魔力》: 美國7歲神童 作者: [美]鄒奇奇

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分  
　　迪多尼站在了城市廣場中央。 一位十六歲的小提琴手正在表演， 過往的人們紛紛往他的帽子里扔錢。 有幾個人沖迪多尼和麥爾斯點了點頭。 迪多尼沖麥爾斯皺了皺鼻子，麥爾斯就知道該吆喝了。  


《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
你要寫什麼？

    你的故事闡明了什麼
    主題：故事的本質含義，可以直接表達，也以間接闡述。

    讓孩子明確說出自己剛剛創作的故事的主題絕非易事。不應該為此而擔憂。只要孩子喜歡故事創作的過程就值得慶賀。在他們深深愛上寫作后，我們就可以慢慢引導他們進行抽象的思考。畢竟，主題不像情節那樣顯而易見；傳達主題需要對日常生活潛在的深層意義有著深刻的理解。

    奇奇在能夠真正理解主題的概念以前，就已經能夠挖掘 戲劇性衝突的基本原則，並能夠想象出整個文化背景。許多孩子在把握類似主題這樣的抽象概念時都存在很大困難，除非這些抽象概念與具體例子（如他們自己的作品）存在直接聯繫。通過自己的作品，他們可以慢慢確立抽象與具體之間的聯繫。在《The Spoiled Prince》中， 奇奇用十分精彩的情節表達了一個很深刻的主題，但是，在她的寫作老師和我問她一些問題，讓她把抽象的思想何具體的情節聯繫起來之前，她並沒有意識到二者之間的聯繫。如今她對自己的故事更加自信、更加熱情高漲，因為她明白故事體現的內在含義。如果你覺得孩子對寫作充滿熱情，並且對自己的能力十分自信，你可以開始逐漸提問一些問題，引導他/她寫出更有深度的作品。

    奇奇訪談

    鄒燦： 為什麼找到故事的主題對你是一項挑戰？

    奇奇：因為我常常忘記它是什麼意思。

    鄒燦： 你常寫哪種主題？

    奇奇：善戰勝了惡，過程比目的更重要。

    鄒燦： 創作的時候你思考主題嗎還是只是享受寫作的過程？

    奇奇：不考慮，只是享受寫作的過程。

    鄒燦： 創作的時候你思考自己的故事嗎還是只關注情節？

    奇奇： 我只關注情節。

    鄒燦： 主題對你的故事有多重要？

    奇奇：主題對我的故事很重要，但是在強調主題前我通常已經設計好了情節。   

    給家長和教師的提示

    學生在寫故事的時候，頭腦中往往沒有明確的主題。你最好是等到他們寫完故事以後，再何他們討論有關主題的問題。在和你的學生或孩子一起讀故事的時候，問他們一些問題，語氣要友好、不要有脅迫性、運用鼓勵的語言。你的學生和孩子會慢慢引導自己的思維和創造過程超越簡單的情節線索，走向更加複雜、深刻的主題 。

    趁熱打鐵：

    1.寫下五個你看過的電影和書所突出的主題。

    2.找一個 你喜歡的主題，然後寫一個故事情節表現這個主題。

    3.改變你最喜歡的一個童話故事中的主題，並相應地改變主題。

    4.寫一個故事，通讀這個故事，找出其中的一個或多哥主題。

    5.《哈里

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（1）

    「Arani, you goat!」 This irritated cry
    came from Anders, the village shepherd

    boy, as he jumped up from his resting place

    on the Big Rock. Anders』s sharp hazel eyes

    followed the playful goat for a distance.

    「Come back here!」 Sighing and throwing

    down his long yew staff and shepherd

    horn, Anders ran after the mischievous

    goat. Casting a few troubled glances at the

    rest of the herd, Anders ran towards the

    rocky crags of Mt. Thaed, blocking the

    goat』s path. His shoulder-length brown hair

    flopped in the breeze.

    「Arani, Arani,」 Anders said, panting. He

    waved his long arms wildly, unaware of the

    cliff edge behind him. 「Don』t try to run off

    again.」 The goat grinned, as well as a goat

    could grin, and rammed his horns on a low

    branch of an oak tree in reply. Anders took

    his staff from the ground and watched with

    pleasure as the goats enjoyed their daily

    meal of dewy grass, occasionally nibbling

    on a daisy or two. The shepherd boy

    suddenly felt a tingling seep through his veins and out through his hands.

    He yelped and leapt backwards as a pale green light shot out from his

    fingertips. Immediately the magic died down. The goats surrounded him,

    licking him with their rough tongues in concern.

    「What』d I just do that for…?」 Anders muttered to himself, although

    he well knew the reason. From what he had overheard from Auld Marina

    the Storyteller, when boys came of age at fourteen, they were granted a

    magical gift from the supreme god Darius. It was an ancient but wellknown

    myth. People claimed that those who could not control their

    power would eventually die as the magic sapped all their strength. Anders

    quickly banished the idea and tried to concentrate on watching the goats

    eat. It was a difficult project—his active mind was prone to wandering

    back on things he did not wish to remember. As a gray-bearded stranger

    wearing a long, dark robe strode past him, Anders wished more than ever

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    201

    prone – inclined to

    despised – hated, loathed

    bombastic – overbearing,

    pretentious, long-winded

    malicious – solely to

    harm others

    arrogantly – selfimportantly,

    betraying a

    belief in one』s own

    superiority

    menacing – threatening

    indignation – annoyance

    at something that seems

    unfair

    hinterlands – a remote

    region far from the

    cultural influence of cities.

    meekly – timidly

    skeptical – showing

    doubt

    oligarchy – government

    by a few, instead of many

    (dictatorship, monarchy)

    orator – public speaker

    entranced – fascinated,

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（2）

    put a spell on
    balderdash – nonsense

    VOCABULARY LIST

    that he was not thinking about his uncontrollable magic. Suddenly the

    stranger turned back as if startled and, raising his dry, bony hands, cried,

    「Kazadoom!」 Dark blue shot out of the

    man』s fingers. Anders shuddered as the man

    said the word. He felt as if there was a

    strange coldness enveloping his body.

    「Boy,」 the stranger said to Anders,

    suddenly serious. 「Are you aware that you

    are in the possession of magic?」

    「What?」 Anders asked, jumping up

    from the rock.

    「You were invisible to me when I

    walked past you,」 the man said, his brow

    furrowed. 「I first suspected nothing. But

    when I noticed the ring of goats without a

    shepherd…there was a problem. If you are

    unwillingly invisible, there are only two

    options—either you cannot control your

    magic, or another mage is holding you

    captive under an invisibility spell. However,

    if a person wishes to make another

    invisible, he will have to remain visible

    himself. Therefore I came to the conclusion

    that you cannot control your magic.」

    「No—really—I don』t have any magic,」

    Anders said anxiously, stepping in front of

    his goats.

    「I am aware that you do have magic,」 the man said, smiling crookedly.

    「Therefore, you must come to study with me.」

    「But who shall take care of the goats!?」 Anders exclaimed, standing

    in front of the goats protectively.

    「They will take care of themselves,」 the man said smoothly. 「And if

    you wish to know my name, I am Aelfdane, Shaman of the Warring

    Tribes.」

    So began Anders』s studies. He was joined by two other boys, Enad

    and Minivar, whom he utterly despised. Enad, a short, stocky boy with

    short red hair and a bombastic manner, was an annoying braggart. The

    shaman continually gave him detentions for lack of attention and

    intelligence in class. Minivar was almost exactly the opposite. He was tall

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    202

    coffer – a box or chest

    used to store valuables

    severe – stern, serious,

    harsh

    shaman – sage, a priest

    who uses magic to heal

    the sick

    vary – differ, be different

    preposterous –

    ridiculous, outrageous

    selfless – someone who

    puts others before

    themselves

    curtly – briskly, briefly,

    snappishly

    intently – fixated,

    absorbed, paying close

    attention

    ornate – elaborately

    decorated

    sneer – a look that mocks

    or suggests contempt

    inappropriate – not

    suitable or fitting to the

    occasion

    burnoose – an Arabian

     hooded cloak

    marauded – to raid for

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（3）

    plunder
    VOCABULARY LIST

    and long-limbed, not unlike Anders, with long black hair and pale skin. He

    was sly and crafty, always spending his silence in plotting malicious tricks.

    「Minivar, tell me, what power do amulets have over fate?」 Aelfdane

    asked, passing by Anders』s desk with a sweeping of his long robes.

    「None, sir,」 Minivar said, pushing back his chair superiorly. 「Amulets

    cannot hold the might of the Supreme Ones. If they choose to ignore the

    wearer, the amulet will have no use and can possibly turn against the

    wearer.」 Enad made a face as Aelfdane nodded.

    「Precisely,」 the shaman said, conjuring a large picture on the wall.

    「Magic amulets can be ignored by the great gods. However, if the minor

    gods favor the wearer, their charms combined will turn fate to the

    wearer』s advantage.」 Minivar stared arrogantly at Anders, his black eyes

    glinting wickedly. But Anders』s eyes were not focused on Minivar』s

    menacing pupils. The young shepherd boy』s eyes were focused on the

    girl who had just entered the large tent. She was tall, and fair, with long

    golden-reddish curls running down her back. Her nose was long and

    pointed, like Anders』s, and her face was sunburned on the side. She wore

    a dark crimson tunic belted tightly around her slender waist and sandals

    strapped about her ankle.

    「Rowena!」 Aelfdane cried. 「We』re very glad to see you!」 Rowena

    smiled, revealing a dimple on the side of her mouth. 「As I am to see you,

    Master Anewor.」

    「Now it』s Aelfdane,」 the shaman said abruptly, raising his hand. 「After

    the Great Battle, Anewor seemed too…too gloomy a name. It was cursed

    with bloodshed and despair.」

    「I can understand your plight,」 Rowena said, smiling wryly. 「Father

    wished for me to change my name also, but I told him that my mother

    had named me Rowena and I would remain so for as long as I live.」

    「I bear the mark of a man who has seen too many terrible things in

    a lifetime,」 Aelfdane sighed, turning to Anders. 「Might I introduce my

    new student, Anders?」 Rowena smiled again, holding out her hand.

    「I』m pleased to meet you, Anders,」 she said softly, shaking Anders』s

    hand daintily. Minivar stared at her haughtily.

    「And what do I get, cousin?」 he asked, his eyes now concentrated on

    Rowena. 「Surely more than a shepherd boy of low birth.」

    「You deserve no more and no less, Minivar,」 Rowena said, staring at

    Minivar with obvious dislike. 「You and I have met before.」

    「I am directly related to you, Rowena,」 Minivar said with contempt.

    「It is obvious that I deserve more respect than the doltish Enad.」 Rowena

    turned away from Minivar.

    Uncontrollable Magic

    203

    「I trust you are doing well,」 she said coldly, not bothering to put out

    her hand to Enad.

    「I am Minivar, son of the great Minivat, son of the omnipotent

    Minivab, Warlord of the Lion Clan!」 Minivar cried with indignation.

    「Why do I not receive the proper amount of respect!?」

    「Yeah, Mini Vats of milk,」 Enad muttered, ignoring Rowena. Minivar

    turned red with fury and raised his hand. Anders, fearing a fight,

    immediately ducked under his chair.

    「Let there be peace!」 Aelfdane cried, raising his hand. Streams of

    dark blue shot out of his fingers, surrounding Minivar, Enad, and

    Rowena. Anders watched with awe from under his desk. After leaving

    them in frozen positions for a few moments, Aelfdane lifted the spell.

    「Rowena and Anders, sit in the front of the room. Minivar, Enad, to

    the back,」 the shaman ordered. 「Anders, you』ll have to borrow a

    textbook.」 Anders nodded, biting his lip.

    「Rowena, you brought your things, I』m sure,」 Aelfdane said, giving

    Rowena a penetrating stare.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（4）

    「Yes, Master Aelfdane,」 Rowena said coolly, reaching into her bundle.
    「I have a spare textbook also, if Anders wants to have one.」

    「That』s very kind of you, Rowena,」 Aelfdane said shortly. 「Would you

    like to accept Rowena』s gift, Anders?」

    「Yes—thank you,」 Anders said, gaping as Rowena passed him a small,

    thick volume.

    「All please skip to Chapter Two, Page Forty-Five,」 Aelfdane said,

    rapping the desk with his ruler. Anders flipped through the pages, often

    peeking over Rowena』s shoulders, until he found Chapter Two. By then

    Aelfdane was already reading from the fourth paragraph, so Anders

    hastily scanned the page as Aelfdane continued,

    「The War of the Wizards took place mainly in Jarrod, long before our

    time. The reigning monarch was at that time King Eldon, a wise and

    caring ruler. However, he was not gifted with magic as most boys are,

    from the start being too weak to wield the power. Therefore he dedicated

    his time to good deeds and much reading, all of which would help him in

    his later years. By the time he had passed his sickly state, it was too late

    for him to receive a gift of magic from the great god Darius. When

    neighboring mages from the vast hinterlands beyond learned of Eldon』s

    lack of magic, they gathered armies and marched to Jarrod, storming

    Jarrod』s main strongholds and fortresses. As for Eldon, he sent the most

    skilled wizards out to meet the enemy sorcerers. He wanted to weaken the

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    204

    magic powers of his opponents and then drive them away with real

    weaponry. Who can tell me who was the victor of the War of the

    Wizards?」 Rowena immediately raised her hand. Minivar did likewise.

    「Rowena,」 Aelfdane called, ignoring Minivar.

    「Nobody won,」 Rowena said rapidly. 「After besieging King Eldon for

    many years, the enemy drifted away to their homelands.」

    「Quite true,」 Aelfdane said, nodding in approval. 「Anders—were you

    listening?」 Anders turned red.

    「Yes, sir,」 he said meekly, staring down at the floor. Enad sniggered.

    Minivar stared at him smugly.

    「Then let us proceed,」 said Aelfdane, turning a page. 「Skip to Chapter

    Six, Page Ninety, please. Anders, begin reading.」

    「Queen Hil-Hildegard of Jarrod,」 Anders began, pronouncing the

    long name with much difficulty, 「was the cleverest sorceress of her time.

    She could create earthquakes at a distance of one hundred miles. She

    could move boulders countless feet away. Most importantly of all, she was

    a magic mapmaker. Great philosophers and scientists sought her great

    magic maps for their experiments. Her maps were unlike any of those

    ever seen in the realm of magic. They showed a person』s every single

    movement, depending on who you wanted to see. Hildegard—」

    「That』s enough,」 Aelfdane said abruptly. 「Minivar, read the next

    paragraph.」

    「However, many nobles were skeptical about Hildegard』s abilities.

    Being the first feminine ruler since Queen Alexia, townspeople were

    reluctant to support the young princess. More than fifty percent of

    Jarrod』s population formed parties who wished to uphold the existing

    oligarchy. Others wanted her younger stepbrother, Jacque, Prince of

    Moy, to become ruler. But Hildegard was a powerful orator. She

    entranced the townspeople with her soft, gentle words, and her oaths to

    protect Jarrod and make it great. She was elevated to the throne a month

    later,」 Minivar finished off with an unattractive curling of his lips.

    「Precisely,」 Aelfdane said, nodding curtly. 「Rowena, continue.」

    「Hildegard』s map played a gigantic role in the War of the Wizards,」

    Rowena read smoothly. 「With her maps, they could see enemy locations

    and spoil any plans of surprise attacks. Hildegard made one great map

    that wielded even more power than the others. And it was stolen.」

    「That concludes our reading for the day,」 Aelfdane said stiffly. 「Please

    line up in the front of the room.」 Enad swaggered forward, followed by

    Minivar, Rowena, and lastly Anders.

    Uncontrollable Magic

    205

    「To communicate with each other, mages must concentrate deeply,」

    Aelfdane said, closing his eyes. 「You must think of the wizard you are

    trying to communicate with and put your effort into breaking through the

    barrier of the mind.」 Rowena and Minivar closed their eyes. Enad blinked

    stupidly. Anders stood still, confused.

    「Breathe in deeply,」 Aelfdane said, inhaling and exhaling. 「Send your

    telepathic messages to each other through relaxation and concentration of

    the mind.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（5）

    「Sir—Master Aelfdane—I don』t think Anders has it quite yet,」
    Rowena said, opening her eyes. Anders reddened.

    「Oh—Anders—maybe you should try to do something a little bit

    simpler,」 Aelfdane said, coming out of his trance. 「Rowena, could you

    please teach him the Stretching Spell?」

    「Yes, of course,」 Rowena said, taking Anders』s hand. 「Come on, we』ll

    have to go outside.」

    The weather was hot and dry. Rowena cut a thick branch from an oak

    tree, set it down, and laid her hands on it. With a flash from Rowena』s

    hands, the branch had stretched to four times its original size.

    「Here, you try,」 Rowena said, handing the branch to Anders. 「The

    magic will flow through your body, onto the branch.」 Anders clumsily

    attempted to spread his magic to the branch, failing dismally. The branch

    backfired and hit Anders in the stomach. He stumbled back, groaning

    with pain.

    「Hmm…that does sometimes happen…I wonder if you should try a

    simpler spell…」 Rowena mused, taking the branch away. 「How about an

    easy flying charm?」

    「No, really, uh, Rowena, I think I need a rest,」 Anders said, moving

    towards the tent entrance. 「Excuse me.」

    「Stop!」 Rowena cried, grabbing his arm. 「First you have to learn. It』s

    really not hard—I』m sure you can do it.」

    「I wouldn』t be so sure about that, Ro,」 Enad drawled, sauntering

    towards the two. 「Anders can』t even do an easy charm—」

    「For that matter, neither can you,」 Rowena said heatedly, her black

    eyes flashing. 「And stop calling me Ro!」

    「All I was trying to tell you was that maybe you would want to choose

    your company more carefully,」 Enad said loudly, jabbing Anders in the

    leg. 「This shepherd boy has limited magic powers and has no great cities

    to inherit when he comes of age. My grandfather』s place as warlock of the

    tribe is secured, as well as my father』s title of tribe treasurer. My money

    and inheritance is strong. As for—」

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    206

    「Is money and inheritance all you care about?」 Rowena demanded,

    eyes narrowed. 「At least Anders』s first thought isn』t about his wealth!」

    「Quite true, cousin,」 Minivar said silkily, striding towards Rowena.

    「Enad often finds it difficult for his small intelligence to pierce his thick

    skull. As for Anders, he belongs nowhere but with the goats.」 Hot fury

    overtook Anders.

    「I』m just as good as you!」 he shouted angrily, jumping up. 「Why can』t

    you treat me decently?!」 Green fire shot out of Anders』s hands, hitting

    Minivar squarely on the nose. Blood spurted out of Minivar』s wound.

    「Stop!」 Aelfdane commanded angrily, emerging from the tent.

    「Minivar, to your healer. Rowena, Enad, review Chapter Two of the

    textbook. Anders, I want to have a talk with you.」 Anders bit his lip

    nervously. Whatever he』s going to tell me, he thought, is not going to be good.

    When the two were out of earshot, Aelfdane turned to face Anders.

    「You must learn to control your magic,」 he said severely, wagging his

    finger in Anders』s face. 「If you are not more conscious of your power it

    will overtake you. You may end up hurting people.」

    「It』s not my fault!」 Anders cried, stomping his foot. 「Minivar has his

    prejudiced notions about low birth, high birth, and the whole lot of

    balderdash! Enad is always trying to convince Rowena I』m no good and

    that his coffers are filled with gold and silver! And—」 He was about to

    say 「and you always blame me for things that Minivar and Enad started」

    but he stopped abruptly. It would be disrespectful to talk of the shaman

    in such a way.

    「What about Rowena?」 Aelfdane asked calmly. 「Does she annoy

    you?」

    「Not at all!」 Anders cried. 「By far she』s the kindest maiden I』ve ever

    met!」

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（7）

    「I think you overuse the word 『nice』,」 Anders said coolly, edging away
    from Enad. 「A synonym would be better.」

    「How dare you mock me, you son of a goat, you inferior person!」

    Enad fumed with rage.

    「I am no more inferior than you are,」 Anders said coldly. 「Aelfdane is

    awakening, so ask him to prepare your breakfast.」 Slowly he moved

    towards the snoring shaman, watching Aelfdane』s every intake of breath.

    「Just tap on him,」 Enad said carelessly, bringing his fist down on

    Aelfdane』s wrinkled face. The shaman groaned.

    「No!」 Anders cried, stepping back. Enad pushed Anders forward.

    「Aelfdane, I』m afraid that Anders took it into his hands to wake you,」

    Enad said loudly, pushing Anders aside. 「But now at least that you』re

    awakened, I can have a proper breakfast.」

    「Is this true, Anders?」 Aelfdane asked sternly, rising from the ground.

    Not wanting to start an argument, Anders bowed his head in respect.

    「I』m too tired to inflict any punishments on anybody today,」 Aelfdane

    sighed. 「Maybe I』ll just forget about it for now. We might as well take a

    course in making our own breakfast.」 He smiled weakly. Anders stared at

    him.

    「That』s preposterous!」 Enad sputtered, falling backwards into the

    wet grass. 「I, the son of the great tribe treasurer, do my own labor! Why,

    it』s—」

    「He』s only jesting,」 Minivar said coldly. 「If it had been otherwise, my

    reaction would have been similar to yours.」 Aelfdane nodded.

    「However, I would be pleased if you could learn to conjure food out

    of midair,」 he said, stepping out of his purple nightshirt. 「For

    now…Fatheron!」 Anders gawked at Aelfdane as four silver plates appeared

    on the grass, followed by cutlery and a warm loaf of bread. Minivar

    immediately stepped forward and examined each of the plates carefully.

    Finally he selected a flawless silver platter with a sweet, pleasant aroma.

    Next Enad stepped forward, only to be blocked by Rowena.

    「I am the daughter of the Grand Tribe Chieftain,」 she said haughtily,

    choosing a medium-sized plate with a slight dent in the middle. 「It is my

    right to take my pick before you.」 Enad made a face but made no attempt

    to go past Rowena』s slender body. When she moved aside he grabbed a

    gleaming plate. Finally Anders was left to take his dish.

    「I suppose I』ll just have this one, then,」 he muttered, picking up a tiny

    plate with particles of dirt and breadcrumbs covering its surface.

    Uncontrollable Magic

    209

    「You have shown to me that you are the selfless one, Anders,」

    Aelfdane said, stepping forward. 「For that, let me do this—」 Shouting a

    word of command, the plates were switched around. Anders was left with

    Minivar』s plate and Minivar with Anders』s. Rowena had Enad』s and Enad

    had Rowena』s.

    「That solves our…little problem,」 Aelfdane said, scooping large

    helpings of lentil soup into separate bowls. 「You might be surprised to

    learn that since we shall not need plates at all, these moves were useless.

    Rowena, some tea?」

    「No, thank you, Master Aelfdane,」 Rowena said curtly. 「I would

    enjoy pumpkin juice, however.」 Anders stared as Aelfdane handed him

    his bowl of soup.

    「Isn』t there any shepherd gruel?」 he asked, gaping. 「I mean, er, it』s

    what Auld Marina made all the time—」

    「Did I not claim that he was unaccustomed to your teachings,

    Aelfdane?」 Minivar asked coldly. 「Now only shall you believe me. He is

    unfit for magic.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（8）

    「Never will I believe you unless he proves himself unworthy,」
    Aelfdane said abruptly. 「Do not judge a land by its color. Do not judge a

    man by his birth.」 Anders turned red.

    「I』m not quite a man yet…er…sir,」 he said, bowing his head. 「I』m

    still a boy, aren』t I?」

    「Your youth is not everlasting,」 Aelfdane said firmly. 「You are now

    twelve, and therefore you have entered into the world of an adult. You

    must take on the life and duties of a man.」

    「I』m sure I was eleven or ten yesterday,」 Anders managed to say,

    shaking.

    「Then perhaps today is your birthday.」

    Rowena nodded.

    「Aelfdane may be right. It is our custom to honor those who are born

    on such days,」 she said, reaching into her pouch. 「Luck is it that I have a

    gift for you in my pouch…here.」 From the small brownish sack she wore

    belted around her waist Rowena drew out a shiny gemstone. Because of

    its dark blue color, Anders knew it to be a sapphire. Anders stepped back

    with astonishment.

    「Accept it,」 Aelfdane said gruffly, pushing Anders forward. 「It is a gift

    from the heiress of the Warring Tribes.」 Anders watched with fascination

    as Rowena slipped a small knife from its string on the belt.

    「Take this also,」 she said, handing the two presents to Anders. 「May

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    210

    they grant you luck on your adventures, wherever you roam.」 Anders was

    out of words.

    「Thank you,」 he said gratefully, pocketing the sapphire and tying the

    knife to his belt as Rowena had done. 「I will remember these gifts

    forever.」 Rowena nodded and turned away.

    The entire morning was spent in a curses lesson. Aelfdane

    demonstrated how much damage a temporary curse could do, therefore

    making a permanent curse all the worse.

    「Anders, could you please tell me the inventor of the Perpetual

    Curse?」 Aelfdane asked pleasantly.

    「Er, Indrajit the Crafty,」 Anders said with difficulty, looking down at

    his textbook page. 「I think.」

    「Correct,」 Aelfdane said, looking up from his desk. 「However, it was

    Indrajit the Clever, not Indrajit the Crafty. Not much difference. So…let

    us continue with our lesson.」 Rowena raised her hand.

    「Master Aelfdane,」 she said, looking down at her textbook. 「I believe

    Anders was reading it correctly. It does say Indrajit the Crafty.

    Perhaps…?」 Anders stared at his feet.

    「Hmm…」 Aelfdane mused. 「You are right, Rowena. It does say

    Indrajit the Crafty. But I am positively sure that it was Indrajit the Clever

    who invented the Perpetual Curse.」

    「Indrajit』s son, Indrajit the Crafty, followed in his father』s footsteps. He made

    revisions on the Perpetual Curse and hired several slaves for his various magical

    experiments,」 Rowena read. 「I suppose that』s the root of our confusion.」

    「Er, sir,」 Anders began. 「It doesn』t say that in my textbook.」 Rowena

    peered over his shoulder.

    「You』re right,」 she said with wonder. 「Only a powerful wizard could

    have performed a successful Sentence Switching Spell. And I think

    Aelfdane put a magical barrier around the tent.」

    「You think,」 Aelfdane said grimly. 「Unfortunately, I didn』t.」 Minivar

    leered wickedly, his black eyes glinting menacingly.

    「The least we can do is try to find hints as to who the culprit is and

    where he went,」 Rowena said gravely, staring at Aelfdane. 「We should

    split up.」

    「Yes, Rowena, you go with Anders. Minivar, Enad, together,」

    Aelfdane ordered, pointing out towards the horizon beyond. Anders

    shrunk back. 「If one of you sees something, shout.」 I』ll need my knife more

    than ever for this, Anders thought gloomily. Great Gods, we』ll need a lot of luck.

    As afternoon faded into dusk and dusk into midnight, Anders plowed

    Uncontrollable Magic

    211

    his way through a large thicket of brambles. Rowena crawled by his side,

    followed by a small procession of spiders.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（9）

    「Great Gods!」 Anders cried with pain as his hose ripped on a thorn
    bush. 「If you weren』t with me I would have bolted back ten miles!」

    Rowena smiled weakly.

    「Six or seven more miles to go till Indra,」 she said, taking Anders』s

    hand. 「Port city.」 Anders groaned.

    「I hope they』ll have a bite to eat there,」 he said darkly. 「I』m feeling

    particularly ravenous.」 Suddenly, a wild howl broke out, followed by loud

    growls and barks.

    「Indra werewolves,」 Rowena whispered, clutching Anders』s hand.

    Anders gulped and felt his mouth turn dry. He muttered faintly, falling

    forward.

    「Be quiet!」 Rowena hissed, grabbing his arm. 「If we』re lucky we』ll

    escape with a few broken limbs!」 Anders shuddered as the howls came

    closer.

    「Don』t draw your knife!」 Rowena whispered, dropping to the ground

    behind a humongous oak tree. 「Werewolves are immediately attracted to

    anything shiny!」 Anders vomited onto the turf. Out of the corner of his

    eye, Anders could see a hefty werewolf coming closer.

    「We』re really in for it now,」 he muttered under his breath. 「Great

    Gods.」 Another wild howl broke out. Sniffing the ground on which

    Anders and Rowena had trodden moments before, an entire pack of

    werewolves slunk past their hiding spot. Anders held his breath, hardly

    daring to breathe. When the werewolves were finally out of sight, he rose.

    「Don』t!」 Rowena cried, pulling him down. 「They』re not gone yet!」

    The lead wolf pricked up his ears and advanced towards Rowena and

    Anders with a wild cry. The rest of the pack followed intently. They

    closed around the two, licking their chops hungrily.

    「Draw your knife!」 Rowena screamed, throwing a stick at the wolves.

    「Hurry!」 Anders grabbed his blade and slashed ruthlessly at the animals.

    Dodging an attack, he grabbed Rowena』s clammy hand and hoisted

    himself up onto the lowest branch of the gigantic oak tree.

    「I-I』ve g-got to g-get to the n-next b-branch,」 he panted, wiping sweat

    from his forehead. The werewolves had surrounded the tree trunk and

    were yapping loudly.

    「Go away!」 Rowena cried, raising her hand. Streams of white fire shot

    out, hitting the pack directly. The wolves let out wild yelps.

    「Good one, Rowena!」 Anders shouted, jumping up with excitement.

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    212

    「Don』t! You』ll lose your balance!」 Rowena cried, trying to grab

    Anders』s hand. It was too late. Anders clung to the bottom branch,

    wriggling and writhing in his attempt to climb up.

    「Ropia!」 In answer to the spell, a long coil of rope immediately

    appeared in Rowena』s hands. Anders pushed himself up.

    「Catch on!」 Rowena shouted, throwing the rope down for Anders to

    catch. With the agility he had mastered in his years as a shepherd, Anders

    leapt onto the firm rope and waited as Rowena hauled him up.

    「Gods, you』re a heavy load,」 she gasped, wiping her hands on her

    tunic.

    「Didn』t I feel the same when I had to bring you up here?」 Anders

    asked, grinning. 「We』re equal, then.」 The werewolves had drifted away in

    search of easier prey, and even Anders, with his keen eyes, could see

    nothing on the plain below.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（10）

    They met up with Minivar and Enad an hour later in Indra. Aelfdane
    was questioning the city magistrate about the whereabouts of a certain

    powerful mage. Anders wanted to go with Aelfdane, but Rowena

    immediately disagreed.

    「He』ll be busy talking with the magistrate,」 she said, turning to

    Anders. 「I』m sure he wouldn』t wish to be bothered, and after all, Enad

    does need…a little help.」 Minivar turned away arrogantly.

    「But shan』t we be safer if we』re with Aelfdane?」 Anders asked meekly,

    quivering. 「Er, after the werewolves and all…」 Rowena placed her hands

    on her hips.

    「Normally I wouldn』t speak to you like this, Anders,」 she said, her

    eyes flashing, 「but sometimes you just have to master your fear!」

    Sighing, Aelfdane stared at the magistrate.

    「You』re sure you didn』t see anyone strange entering the gates?」 he

    persisted, leaning forward.

    「We keep strict records on the gates,」 was Indrajit』s cold reply.

    Aelfdane sighed again.

    「I can see that I will squeeze no information out of you today,」 he

    said, raising his staff. 「But perhaps a day of drinking will loosen your

    tongue.」

    「I drink not,」 Indrajit said. 「It is improper for a ruler to drink.」

    Anders followed Rowena through a series of winding alleyways and

    passages, Minivar and Enad bringing up the rear.

    「Isn』t Aelfdane going to be out by now?」 Anders asked breathlessly,

    offering his hand to Rowena as she bent down to inspect a large footprint.

    「I mean, it』s already midnight and everything—」

    Uncontrollable Magic

    213

    「Do me a favor and try not to talk!」 Rowena snapped, turning to look

    at him. 「It』s getting hard to see and we need to concentrate!」 Anders hung

    his head.

    「Stupid, stupid,」 Enad jeered. 「Stupid Anders, stupid Anders!」

    「Shut up!」 Rowena cried, turning around. 「Just because you were

    born with wealth and an inheritance doesn』t mean you have the right to

    taunt Anders!」 Enad glared at Rowena.

    「He』s lower than me,」 he said sourly, kicking Anders. 「He』s only a

    peon.」

    「I am not!」 Anders cried. 「If you want to tease me, do it in privacy!

    I don』t want to hear your blabber ringing in my ears every time I try to

    relax!」

    「I hope you are aware of our nightly curfew?」 A smooth, cool voice

    called out from the shadows. 「All men, women, and children must be

    inside their dwellings by nine o』clock.」 Anders shuddered.

    「Show yourself!」 Rowena cried, pointing her finger at the shadow. 「If

    you refuse, I will use magic force!」 A tall, angular man stepped out from

    the shadows. A steel helmet with a short red plume was set on his head,

    a purple cape billowing out behind him. He wore an elegant brocade

    doublet and wielded a fine diamond sword.

    「We are newcomers to this area,」 Rowena said, crossing her arms,

    「and we know of no curfew.」

    「Know of no curfew?」 The man chuckled, his bitter laugh steely cold.

    「Know of no curfew?」 he repeated again. 「That is impossible. Everyone

    within ten miles of Indra knows of our strict rules, made by our ruling

    oligarchy.」

    「We are not within ten miles of Indra,」 Rowena said coolly. 「We dwell

    in Dyrn, where the lush grass grows fair and sweet.」

    「Dyrn.」 The man laughed again. 「Barely a city, I』ve heard. What

    tidings do you bring of…Dyrn?」

    「None until you step aside,」 Rowena said icily. 「We must continue on

    with our quest.」 Still the man barred the way, his muscular arms blocking

    the only narrow escape.

    「Guards!」 the man cried, suddenly flinging off his cape and doublet

    to reveal a suit of armor. 「Come to my aid! Four mages stand before me!」

    With wild cries, men brandishing broadswords and daggers leapt into the

    alleyway.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（11）

    「To the jail for lawbreakers!」 the tallest cried, waving a great white
    flag. 「To the jail!」 Anders shot fire at them, but a pike man grabbed him.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    214

    Enad had been taken first, but Minivar and Rowena were still fighting.

    Finally Minivar collapsed with exhaustion and Rowena』s magic died down.

    They were dragged away to the city prison, a miniscule, filthy place on the

    outskirts of Indra. Being tired and weary, Anders fell asleep almost as

    soon the guard grabbed him. Rowena did not fall asleep so fast and

    started gnawing at the slippery glove of her captor. Finally her eyelids

    drooped and she fell into slumber. Anders and Rowena were put into one

    cell, Minivar and Enad into another. At first, Anders was somewhat

    comforted that he had been put next to Rowena, who could probably

    easily free them with her magic. He was disappointed to note her closed

    eyes, but soon fell back asleep himself.

    The next morning Anders was awakened by a knock on the door of

    their cell. Not wanting to wake Rowena, he stayed silent. Without warning

    the door burst open and Aelfdane walked in.

    「So I see you roamed about past Indra curfew?」 Aelfdane chuckled,

    untying the ropes that bound Anders and Rowena tight. 「I need your help

    finding Minivar and Enad』s cell. This labyrinth of dungeons is too big for

    a weary man like me to wander.」

    「I think they』re two cells away from us,」 Anders said, frowning. 「But

    I don』t remember very well.」 Rowena groaned, rolling over in her sleep.

    「You can get up now, Rowena,」 Aelfdane said kindly, nudging Rowena

    in the side. 「We』re going to find Minivar and Enad.」 Rowena sprang up.

    「They should be in the room next to us, but I』m not sure,」 Rowena

    said, tossing the ropes into a corner. 「I wonder who that man was. And

    who rules here, anyways?」

    「Lords and magistrates,」 Aelfdane said. 「All very stern and powerhungry.

    Indra is the only city in the entire realm to have a curfew.」 Anders

    rose from his sitting position.

    「Shouldn』t we go now?」 he mumbled. 「Er, if you want to…」 He

    stared at the shaman nervously.

    「Yes, we are, indeed, wasting time. Let us set off,」 Aelfdane said,

    opening the cell door. 「Minivar and Enad must be bursting with

    impatience.」

    As Anders had guessed, Minivar and Enad were held in the cell next

    to them. They were both angry and indignant over being forced to wait

    for about thirty minutes to be rescued.

    「Why did you have to rescue the shepherd boy and a girl first?」 Enad

    demanded, blocking Aelfdane』s path. 「I』m much more important than

    them both combined!」

    Uncontrollable Magic

    215

    「Silence,」 Aelfdane commanded. Enad shut his mouth hastily. 「Just

    hold onto my hand—tightly, Minivar—and here we go.」 Anders felt as if

    he were being pressed between two very narrow walls. Suddenly he was

    dropped into his tent back at Dyrn. Rowena stood next to him.

    「What was that?」 Anders asked, gaping at Rowena. 「I mean…the

    thing we just went through.」

    「That?」 Rowena asked. 「It was a Transportation Spell. I haven』t

    mastered it yet, but my father was famous for his ability to move from one

    province to another like a flash of lightning.」

    「Who is your father, anyways?」 Anders asked curiously. 「From all I』ve

    heard he』s the head of a tribe.」

    「Not just a tribe!」 Rowena cried, jumping up. 「The Warring Tribes of

    Dyrn! They defend their ancient homelands and beat back invaders. He』s

    their grand chieftain Aldberht Belghard.」

    「Aldberht Belghard,」 Anders repeated, savoring the sound of the

    name. 「He sounds like he』s noble and courageous.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（12）

    「Oh, indeed he is!」 Rowena exclaimed emphatically, picking up a
    pebble and throwing it towards a large boulder. 「Even if he has the lesser

    army, he』ll charge at the enemy, ambush, and attack. But he』s got

    advantages in both ways—his massive army is equipped with modern

    weapons and commanded by brilliant generals. Even the privates in his

    army are fed four times a day, drilled nine times a week, and have decent

    beds. The generals live in grand-」 Anders was growing bored.

    「I think it』s lunchtime,」 he said, patting his stomach as it let out a long

    rumble. 「That is, of course, if you』re hungry.」

    「I』m feeling particularly voracious,」 Rowena laughed, taking Anders』s

    hand. 「Come, let』s go see what Aelfdane』s prepared for us.」

    The next morning it was dark and foggy. Rowena had been suddenly

    called home by her father, Ald, for some war ceremony, and Minivar and

    Enad had been sent away to work as apprentices for the imperial wizard.

    Anders was left alone with nobody to talk to, nobody to play with. He

    even missed Minivar』s leering face and Enad』s taunts.

    The weather turned worse. One rainy morning a few days later,

    Anders entered Aelfdane』s tent and noticed Aelfdane looked unusually

    grim. He was surveying a letter, his eyes scanning the parchment gravely.

    「What』s wrong?」 Anders asked, plopping down onto the ground.

    「Rowena has been kidnapped,」 Aelfdane said gravely. 「By bandits in

    the Desert of Dyrn.」

    「WHAT!」 Anders sprang to his feet, immediately unsheathing his

    knife. 「This must be a lie!」 He fell down, gasping.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    216

    「It is only too true,」 Aelfdane said, burying his face in his hands.

    「With all my magic powers, I can do nothing to save her. I am an old man.

    A young rider would be needed to overtake the swift bandits of the

    desert.」 He looked at Anders meaningfully.

    「I shall do it or die trying!」 Anders cried, raising his knife. 「By Darius,

    I swear that I shall do it!」

    「Make no oaths before you set out,」 Aelfdane warned, raising his

    hand. 「Foolish bravado was often the ruin of many a valiant mage. Plan

    your path carefully.」

    「I must have the swiftest horse in all of Dyrn,」 Anders said rapidly.

    「Otherwise there will be no hope.」

    「Take my treasured steed, Aurick,」 Aelfdane sighed, making a

    snapping noise between his fingers. Almost at once there was a great

    galloping. A snorting white stallion appeared, his hooves shaking the soft

    earth of the camp. At once Aurick bent down to nuzzle Aelfdane』s hand.

    Anders stared in awe.

    「Take him now,」 Aelfdane said, fastening a glittering saddle to

    Aurick』s sleek back. 「Ride hard.」 Anders could barely make himself

    mount the magnificent animal as it stood majestically.

    「Go on,」 Aelfdane said, pushing Anders up into the saddle. 「He will

    take you many miles.」 Anders nodded and gave a jerk of the reins. With

    a loud neigh, Aurick galloped into the foggy mist.

    Anders rode through the Desert of Dyrn for three hours nonstop.

    Gasping for breath, Anders finally stopped at a large boulder.

    Dismounting, he collapsed onto the huge rock. Aurick』s eye flashed in the

    brightening sunlight. Anders stared at him, shielding his eyes from the

    bright glare of the rising sun.

    「I-I t-thought it was s-supposed to b-be foggy,」 he panted, stroking

    Aurick. A voice inside of his head scolded him.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（13）

    Of course it isn』t! he thought. Don』t you remember anything Aelfdane told you?
    The Desert of Dyrn is the only place that has sunlight all the time! Aurick whinnied

    impatiently, rubbing Anders with his side.

    「I know you want to go,」 Anders sighed, hoisting himself up onto

    Aurick. 「I suppose we can』t delay any furt—」 He was cut off by the

    sound of galloping hooves in the distance, perhaps twenty seconds away.

    Aurick reared up, throwing Anders off balance.

    「Aurick!」 Anders cried as he fell into the scorching sand. 「Help!」 But

    Aurick had already sprinted off towards the rider, his golden mane flying

    in the wind.

    Uncontrollable Magic

    217

    Anders opened his eyes to see Minivar, seated on a grand brown

    horse. It was not nearly so magnificent as his own horse, and Anders was

    pleased to see Minivar』s staring jealously at Aurick.

    「If you are looking for Rowena, go away,」 Minivar said abruptly. 「I

    am brave and gallant. I shall take the quest.」

    「Am I not as brave and gallant as you?」 Anders asked, mounting

    Aurick. 「Am I not as well armed as you? I shall take up the quest, whether

    it goes against your wishes or not.」 Minivar scowled and galloped on.

    Anders soon overtook him and rode ahead.

    As he glanced back, Anders noticed Minivar riding behind him. Three

    men drove dusty packhorses with great bundles tied to their backs further

    into the swirling sands of the desert. Anders sighed and patted his

    stomach, suddenly realizing how hungry he was. Aurick slowed to a trot,

    sensing his master』s weakness. Minivar』s mount stopped abruptly.

    「Too cowardly to continue?」 Minivar sneered, kicking his horse

    absentmindedly with his sharp silver spurs. 「Too cowardly to continue?」

    「I』m not cowardly,」 Anders said, frowning. 「I』m only resting.」

    「Excuses are for cowards,」 Minivar said, waving his hand impatiently.

    「I have no time to listen to such prattle.」 And with that, Minivar galloped

    forward. Anders gritted his teeth.

    The brightness of afternoon soon faded into the darkness of evening.

    Anders stopped by a tall cactus and dismounted. Minivar was by now

    many miles behind him. Sighing, he brushed himself off and lay down on

    the ground. Aurick watched him, his sharp eyes alert.

    「It』s been a long day,」 Anders said aloud, sifting the warm sand

    through his fingers. 「Tomorrow can』t be much different.」 Aurick

    whinnied in reply.

    I wonder what Rowena』s doing right now, he thought. He could just barely

    make out the smoke of Minivar』s fire drifting to the clouds. With a smile,

    Anders fell into slumber.

    「Let me go!」 Rowena cried as a heavy man grabbed her from behind.

    「Be quiet, little missy,」 the man said, holding his grubby hand to her

    mouth. 「Or else you』ll wish you』d never spoken.」

    「Let her go, Aldus,」 A taller man emerged from behind a cactus. 「They

    want her back alive.」

    「She』s going to be a problem, Baldred!」 Aldus barked, drawing a

    dagger from his gray baldric. 「You』re not the only boss around here, you

    know!」 Rowena shuddered, tugging at the cord which bound her.

    「Just don』t injure her!」 Baldred shouted, shaking Aldus. 「If I see a

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    218

    single mark on her, you』ll be punished!」 Aldus scowled, but he made no

    protest. Baldred turned to Rowena.

    「Get up,」 he ordered, jabbing her in the side. Rowena was about the

    point out that she couldn』t get up while she was tied from hand to foot,

    but Aldus pushed her up and kicked the horse, which galloped forward

    with a neigh of terror. Aldus grinned wickedly and jumped up onto the

    saddle beside Rowena. Disgusted with his smelly breath and blackened

    teeth, Rowena looked away.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（14）

    「One hundred miles till Aeldra,」 Baldred said, turning back towards
    Aldus. 「Look sharp.」 Aldus grunted and pulled a cigar from his pouch.

    「Don』t smoke that!」 Baldred exclaimed, wincing. 「It smells—awful!」

    「Come on,」 Aldus wheedled, putting the mossy cigar to his lips. 「Just

    one go.」

    「Oh fine,」 Baldred sighed, plugging his nose. 「Just don』t get anywhere

    near me.」 Rowena wished she could have had the freedom of her arms as

    an odoriferous green substance drifted out of Aldus』s cigar.

    「Phew,」 Baldred said, fanning the air in front of his nose. 「That is one

    stinky cigar.」

    「You weren』t even breathing!」 Aldus exclaimed, raising his fist.

    「Well still, it』s foul…」 Baldred』s voice trailed off as the shining

    rooftops of a city came to view.

    Anders groaned. What time was it? Finally he remembered. Rowena

    had been kidnapped, and it was his duty to find her.

    「Ugh,」 Anders groaned again, leaning against Aurick. 「I should have

    brought something to eat.」 Aurick did nothing.

    「I』m feeling particularly sick today,」 Anders said, mounting Aurick.

    No sound or movement came from the horse as Anders jerked the reins.

    「What is wrong with you!?」 Anders cried, losing his patience. He

    kicked Aurick. 「You』re as still as stone!」 Stone! That was it! Someone had

    snuck into his camp and performed a spell on Aurick that turned him to

    stone. If only Anders knew how to break the spell…

    「Kazadoom!」 Anders tried, pointing his finger at Aurick. Nothing

    happened.

    「Dalrennia!」 he tried hopelessly. Aurick did not move.

    「Verdgmagon!」

    「Need a little help?」 Minivar sneered, coming up behind him. 「I don』t

    suppose you ever thought you could overcome my great power.」

    「It was you!」 Anders cried, clenching his fists.

    「Indeed it was I,」 Minivar said, advancing closer. 「And only I know

    Uncontrollable Magic

    219

    the magic that shall break the spell.」 With one last effort, Anders shouted,

    「Ahasfer!」 It was a spell that came out of nowhere. Aelfdane had never

    taught it to him—it simply came to Anders. Aurick gave a great neigh and

    sprinted forward, kicking Minivar squarely in the stomach. This time

    Minivar would not give way to pain.

    「Come out and fight like a man!」 Minivar cried, drawing a

    broadsword from an ornate copper scabbard.

    「No, I think I』d rather skip,」 Anders said, and with that, he leapt onto

    Aurick』s back.

    「Coward!」 Minivar cried with rage, racing after Anders. 「Cowardly

    dastard!」 But by then Anders was far, far away.

    Rowena was tossed down from the horse into the arms of another

    man, taller than both Baldred and Aldus, with sharp, sunburned features.

    「She is not as I expected,」 the man said silkily, his eyes glinting

    penetratingly from under his black hood. 「You have been taking good care

    of her?」

    「Aldus found it an amusing sport to disobey your commands, my

    lord,」 Baldred said, bowing very low. 「However, I did my best to

    discourage any inappropriate behavior.」 Aldus spat at Baldred』s feet.

    「Baldred exaggerates, lord,」 Aldus said loudly. 「I—」 The man in the

    black hood narrowed his eyes.

    「You have not been molesting her in any way?」 he asked, staring at the

    two men in turn.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（15）

    「No, Lord Cadarn,」 Baldred said hastily. 「We would not think of it.」
    「Good,」 the hooded man said. 「Take the girl and lock her in my

    uppermost tower. I will have a talk with her afterward.」

    「Let me go!」 Rowena shouted as she found herself being dragged

    away to a high pinnacle. 「My father shall have revenge!」

    「Your father won』t think about having revenge, now that we』ve

    kidnapped his little girl,」 Aldus laughed, hoisting Rowena up onto his

    shoulders. 「But for now you must remain imprisoned.」 Rowena groaned.

    Anders stopped Aurick amid a swirling sand dune. It was almost

    impossible to navigate one』s way through the blinding sand, so Anders

    rested for a while beside Aurick. The sound of Minivar』s horse』s hooves

    could no longer be heard over the whirling circles of sand, so Anders

    guessed that Minivar had stopped also.

    「This desert is so unpredictable,」 Anders sighed, straightening the

    burnoose Aelfdane had given him. 「Yesterday it was calm and today it』s

    like a sea of swirling sand.」 Aurick nodded serenely, swatting at a fly with

    his long golden tail.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    220

    「Finally a chance to ride on,」 Anders said, remounting Aurick as the

    sand cleared. Galloping on, they could just barely make out the glinting

    rooftops of a desert city.

    「Hurry, Aurick!」 Anders cried, urging the horse on. 「Rowena might

    be trapped there!」 He was not far from the truth.

    Aldus threw Rowena onto her crude wooden bed. It was one hard

    mattress and a few faded covers put on top the wooden bed frame.

    Scrawny rats and other vermin scurried about, putting their filth into the

    thin sheets. Although Rowena felt nauseated at the sight, her weariness

    overcome her and she drifted into sleep.

    Anders peered into the keyhole of the city gates, interested. The

    streets, dark and sinister, could barely be seen through the narrow hole. I

    hope Rowena』s not trapped in there, he thought as he stared at the streets. I

    would certainly be scared. A tall tower stood high above all the rest, the

    striking point of a large gray stone castle. Two guards stood at attention

    in front of the great doors of the castle, their sharpened pikes at the

    ready. It was beginning to grow dark, and Anders felt tired.

    I suppose we must go in here, Anders thought, testing one of the entrance

    gates to the city. At least they』ll have something to eat and drink. He led Aurick

    through the shadowy streets up to the castle. The guards did not even

    glance at him. Anders stood waiting at the entrance, unsure of what to do.

    If he simply walked in, he might be cut down by the guards. But every

    minute he wasted on talking would give him less time to search for

    Rowena.

    「Boy!」 one of the guards suddenly barked, pointing his pike at

    Anders. 「What be your name?」

    「Er, Anders,」 Anders said, staring nervously at the pike.

    「You wish admittance to the castle?」 the other guard said, his voice

    deep and melodious. 「Where is your pass?」

    「What pass?」 Anders asked, confused.

    「To enter this fortress, one must have a letter or pass issued by Lord

    Cadarn of Darkness,」 the guard said, crossing his pike with the other

    guard』s. 「If thou does not bear one, thou will not pass.」

    「But why can』t I go in and just have a look around?」 Anders asked,

    moving forward. The guard raised his pike. As though sensing Anders』

    wishes, Aurick charged forward, knocking both guards onto the ground.

    Anders leapt up the stairs and into the castle foyer.

    「Someone is tracking us,」 a low voice hissed next to Rowena』s ear.

    Rowena immediately stiffened, cupping her ear to the bed. She could hear

    pounding footsteps, getting closer and closer.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
Uncontrollable Magic（16）

    「Anders,」 she breathed, hardly daring to believe it.
    「Hurry!」 Cadarn exclaimed, running to the window. 「Bar the doors!

    Someone has taken our trail!」 Baldred and Aldus immediately ran to carry

    out their master』s orders. Cadarn sprinted towards the watchtower,

    alerting the bowmen at once.

    「Set your longbows!」 he commanded, surveying the dark plains

    beyond the city. 「I can see a dim shape approaching the castle!」

    「But—Sire—it shall be impossible to find a good aim in this

    darkness,」 the captain of the archers protested, dropping his bow onto

    the balcony ground. Cadarn spat at the captain and dealt a blow to his

    face.

    「Cowardly dog!」 the angry lord sputtered, kicking the captain. 「How

    dare you question my commands!? Leave your absurd counsels in the back

    of your mind and bother me no more with foolish babble.」 The captain

    nodded, trembling with fear.

    「Let that stand as a lesson to all of you bowmen!」 Cadarn shouted,

    turning to the frightened shooters. 「Shoot straight and true—I hear

    hooves approaching!」

    Panting, Anders dashed up a series of winding steps. Rowena』s prison

    couldn』t be much further. Aurick stood waiting in a richly ornamented

    hallway, chewing on some decorative grass. Anders took a sharp sword

    from its place on the wall and tested it against a gold mirror. The glass

    shattered into tiny shards.

    「I』ll be right back,」 he promised, stroking Aurick as the horse kicked

    the glass aside. 「I just need to rescue Rowena and bolt out of this place.」

    Aurick nodded, licking a long golden tapestry with his rough tongue.

    Anders smiled despite the dire situation and scrambled up the steps.

    Rowena listened to Anders』s footsteps, each pounding a shimmer of

    hope for her. Aldus and Baldred were in very bad moods and shouted at

    Rowena in turn as a stream of pale green magic flowed up through the

    floorboards.

    「Ye damn bitch,」 Aldus swore, gritting his teeth. 「Curse ye.」

    「Stupid lass,」 Baldred said, raising a fist. 「If it weren』t for the lord』s

    orders I would have pounded you into mincemeat.」 Rowena bit her lip

    nervously.

    「She is to be hidden!」 Cadarn had returned, and he was angrier than

    ever. 「Hurry up with it, you doltish simpletons! Do you think a great lord

    has all the time in the world?」 Baldred scurried away as Aldus heaved

    Rowena onto his shoulders. Rowena let out a groan.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    222

    「Hurry!」 Cadarn shouted, stomping his foot. 「I hear footsteps

    approaching!」 He grabbed Rowena and shoved her into a small, dirty

    closet. Baldred and Aldus quickly took posts guarding Rowena. Anders

    burst in, splintering the door with a burst of green sparks.

    「Fight, villains!」 he cried, raising the sword which he had found in the

    hallway. 「Give me the fair damsel whom you took!」 Cadarn sneered and

    raised his rapier. Its narrow steel gleamed in the candlelight, giving off

    eerie reflections.

    「I, Anders, challenge you to a duel!」 Anders cried, raising his own

    sword with much difficulty.

    「Prepare to perish, peasant boy!」 Cadarn roared. And with that he

    thrust his rapier, missing Anders by an inch. Shocked by Cadarn』s sudden

    attack, he fell to the ground. Cadarn advanced towards him, his slit eyes

    glinting menacingly. Anders jumped up and slashed at Cadarn』s thick belt.

    The belt fell off and hit Anders in the eye with its sharp metal fastening

    piece. Anders stumbled back, but was not shocked for long. As Cadarn

    walked towards him, Anders threw his sword directly at Cadarn』s chest.

    With a great shriek, Cadarn fell to the ground. Blood spurted out from his

    chest. Aldus and Baldred ran for their lives. Just as Rowena emerged from

    the closet Minivar ran in the room.

    「Come, Rowena,」 he said, ignoring Anders. 「I was delayed by some

    bowmen. Aelfdane wishes for me to take you back.」

    「I found her, and I shall take her back to Aelfdane,」 Anders said,

    smiling as he glanced at Rowena, who was slipping away.

    「You dastard!」 Minivar cried. Anders ran through the open door,

    following Rowena. He jumped onto Aurick, shooting a volley of magic

    fireballs at Minivar as he gave Rowena Minivar』s nag.

    「Aaaaaah!」 Minivar roared, singeing his eyebrows as he fell headfirst

    into the fire. Suddenly he began to shrink, his skin crackling and

    withering. As if out of nowhere, a small, ugly dragon hopped out of the

    fire. Although its glinting black eyes reminded Anders distinctly of

    Minivar, he saw no other similarities.

    「Hurry up, let』s get out of here,」 Rowena whispered, turning back to

    look at the growing fire. They marauded through the castle and out into

    the chilly breeze, leaving Aeldra (and the Minivar dragon) behind.

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
參考譯文

    prone – inclined to （傾向於）
    despise – hate, loath （厭惡，蔑視）

    bombastic – overbearing, pretentious, long-winded （誇大的, 言過其實的, 誇誇其談的）

    malicious – solely to harm others （懷惡意的, 惡毒的）

    arrogantly – self-importantly, betraying a belief in one』s own superiority （驕傲自大的, 傲慢無禮的）

    menacing – threatening （威脅的, 險惡的）

    indignation – annoyance at something that seems unfair （憤怒：因不公正的、自私或不值得的事而引發的憤怒）

    hinterlands – a remote region far from the cultural influence of cities （內地, 窮鄉僻壤, 腹地）

    meekly – timidly （溫順地, 懦弱地）

    skeptical – showing doubt （懷疑地）

    oligarchy – government by a few, instead of many (dictatorship, monarchy) （寡頭政治, 寡頭政治的執政團）

    orator – public speaker （演說者, 演講者, 雄辯家）

    entrance – fascinate, put a spell on （使出神; 使神志恍惚）

    balderdash – nonsense （胡言亂語, 夢囈）

    coffer – a box or chest used to store valuables （保險箱）

    severe – stern, serious, harsh （嚴厲的, 嚴格的, 劇烈的, 嚴重的, 嚴峻的）

    shaman – sage, a priest who uses magic to heal the sick （薩滿教的道士, 僧人或巫師）

    vary – differ, be different （改變, 變更, 使多樣化）

    preposterous – ridiculous, outrageous （反常的, 是非顛倒的, 十分荒謬的）

    selfless – someone who puts others before themselves （忘我的, 無私的）

    curtly – briskly, briefly, snappishly （簡略的; 草率的, 敷衍了事的, 三言兩語的）

    intent – fixated, absorbed, paying close attention （專心的, 決心的, 熱心的）

    ornate – elaborately decorated （裝飾華麗的：精心地、過度地和經常過分地裝飾的）

    inappropriate – not suitable or fitting to the occasion （不適當的, 不相稱的）

    burnoose – an Arabian  hooded cloak （帶帽斗篷：尤指阿拉伯人穿著的帶帽兜的斗篷）

    maraud – to raid for plunder （劫掠, 掠奪, 襲擊）

    sneer – a look that mocks or suggests contempt （譏笑：顯示出一種鄙視、瞧不起或自得的面部表情）

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
無法控制的魔力（1）

     
    「阿拉尼，你這隻可惡的山羊！」村裡的放羊娃安德斯生氣地大叫著，從大岩石上跳起身來。那是他通常休息的地方。安德斯敏銳的淡褐色眼睛追蹤著遠處那隻頑皮的山羊。「回來，到這兒來！」安德斯嘆了口氣，扔下手裡的紫杉木和牧羊喇叭，起身去追那隻淘氣的山羊。他有些不安地望了望其餘的羊，跑上薩艾德山崎嶇的峭壁，擋住了那隻山羊的去路。他齊肩的棕色頭髮在微風中舞動。

    「阿拉尼，阿拉尼，」安德斯氣喘吁吁地叫道。他拚命揮舞著長長的手臂，完全無視於身後的懸崖，「你別想再跑掉。」山羊彷彿咧嘴笑了一下，作為回答，它用角猛撞一棵橡樹的低矮枝條。安德斯把自己的東西從地上撿起來，心滿意足地看著山羊愉快地吃著帶露珠的青草，還偶爾啃掉一兩朵雛菊。這時，放羊娃突然感覺有一股刺痛襲遍全身的血管，蔓延到他的雙手，他發出尖利的叫喊聲，向後跳去，與此同時，一道淡綠色的光束從他的手指尖兒發散出去。魔力立即消退了。山羊們圍著他，用粗糙的舌頭舔著他的身體，表示安慰。

    「剛才是怎麼回事兒……？」安德斯小聲嘀咕，心裡卻非常明白個中的原因。他無意中聽故事家奧德

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
無法控制的魔力（2）

    「羅伊娜，我想你應該把課本帶來了吧。」阿爾法達尼用銳利的目光看了她一眼。
    「是的，阿爾法達尼大師，」羅伊娜把手伸進包里，冷冷地說：「如果安德斯想用的話，我有一本多餘的可以借給他。」

    「羅伊娜，你真是太好了，」阿爾法達尼簡短地說：「安德斯，你願意接受羅伊娜的好意嗎？」

    「當然願意，謝謝你。」安德斯從羅伊娜手裡接過一本厚厚的小書。「把書翻到第二章第四十五頁，」阿爾法達尼用尺子敲打著課桌。  安德斯一邊瀏覽課本，一邊偷偷地從羅伊娜的肩膀上方看過去，直到找到第二章為止。阿爾法達尼這時候已經開始從第二段開始朗讀，安德斯一邊聽阿爾法達尼朗讀，一邊粗略地掃視這一頁的內容。

    「巫師之戰發生在很久很久以前，主要是在加洛德進行的。當時在位的君主是埃爾頓國王。他是一個明智而富有同情心的君主，但是他不像大多數男孩那樣具有魔力，因為他從一開始就體弱多病，無力支配魔法。因此，他把時間都花在做善事和讀書上，這些在以後的日子裡都給他帶來了很大的幫助。等到他擺脫了疾病的糾纏，已經為時過晚，他已經不能從大流士那裡獲得魔力了。當來自廣闊腹地的魔法師得知埃爾頓 不具有魔力時，就集結了大批軍隊向加洛德進發，席捲了加洛德的主要堡壘和要塞。埃爾頓國王派出最有才能的巫師去迎戰來犯的魔法師。他想削弱對手的魔力，然後用真正的武器將他們趕走。誰能告訴我巫師之戰的勝利者是誰？ 羅伊娜立即舉起手來，米尼瓦爾也緊隨其後。

    「羅伊娜，」阿爾法達尼沒有理睬米尼瓦爾。

    「誰也沒有贏，」羅伊娜飛快地說：「敵人圍攻埃爾頓國王多年，最後逐漸退回了自己的國家。」

    「非常正確，」阿爾法達尼點頭表示讚許。「安德斯 — 你在聽嗎？」 安德斯的臉紅了。

    「是的，先生。」他低頭看著地板，怯懦地說。埃那德吃吃竊笑，米尼瓦爾則洋洋得意地望著他。

    「我們繼續進行，」阿爾法達尼又翻開一頁書，「請打開第六章，第九十頁，安德斯，請你來讀一下。」

    「加洛德王國的希爾，希爾德加德女王，」安德斯開始誦讀，這個拼寫較長的名字使他讀起來有些困難，「希爾德加德女王是當時最為聰明的女魔法師。她可以在一百英里以外的地方製造地震，還可以把大石頭移到無限遠的地方。最為重要的是，她是一個不可思議的製圖師。許多偉大的哲學家和科學家都千方百計地尋找由她繪製的地圖來做試驗。她的地圖與在我們魔法世界見到的地圖截然不同。不論你想見到誰，這些地圖都能向你顯示這個人的每一個舉動。希爾德加德……」

    「就到這裡，」阿爾法達尼突然插言道：「米尼瓦爾來讀下一段。」

    「但是，許多貴族對希爾德加德的能力表示懷疑。她是繼阿麗西亞女王之後的第一個女統治者，這個國家的公民不願意支持這位年輕的公主。加洛德王國一半以上的人結成黨派和團體擁護當時的寡頭政治執政者，其餘的人則希望她的同父異母弟弟莫伊王子執政。但希爾德加德女王是個雄辯家，她用柔和悅耳的言辭和全力保衛並振興加洛德王國的誓言迷惑了眾人。一個月後，她就登上了王位。米尼瓦爾讀完的時候撇了撇嘴，樣子很惹人討厭。

    阿爾法達尼說：「羅伊娜接下去讀。」

    「希爾德加德女王的地圖在巫師之戰中發揮了極大的作用。」羅伊娜流暢地朗讀道：「在地圖的幫助下，他們可以發現敵人的位置，從而粉碎敵人的所有突襲計劃。希爾德加德女王繪製了一幅更具魔力的地圖，但地圖被人偷走了。」

    「今天我們就讀到這裡，」 阿爾法達尼生硬地說：「下面請在教室前面排好隊。」 埃那德昂首闊步地走向前去，後面跟著米尼瓦爾和羅伊娜，安德斯走在最後面。

    「要想彼此溝通，魔法師們必須高度集中注意力，」 阿爾法達尼閉上眼睛說：「你心裡必須想著你想與之溝通的那個巫師，努力突破心靈的障礙。」羅伊娜和米尼瓦爾合上了眼睛，埃那德無聊地眨著眼睛，安德斯則困惑地站在那兒一動不動。

    「深呼吸，」阿爾法達尼自己一面深深地吸氣呼氣一面說：「通過意志的分散和集中把你們的心靈感應信息傳遞給對方。」

    「先生――阿爾法達尼大師，我覺得安德斯還沒有做好準備。」羅伊娜睜開眼睛說。安德斯羞紅了臉。

    「噢，安德斯，也許你可以從簡單的事情開始做起，」阿爾法達尼從心醉神迷的狀態清醒過來，說：「羅伊娜，你能先交教他施加符咒嗎？」,

    「當然可以，」羅伊娜拉起安德斯的手說：「我們到外面去吧。」

    天氣炎熱乾燥。羅伊娜從一棵橡樹上砍下一根粗樹枝，放在地上，然後把雙手放在上面。隨著羅伊娜手裡射出一道亮光，樹枝延長了三倍。

    「你來試試，」羅伊娜把樹枝遞給安德斯，說：「魔力會從你的體內發散到這根樹枝上。」安德斯姿勢很不雅觀地試著把魔力傳遞到樹枝上，但卻失敗了，他感到很難過。樹枝反彈回來，打在安德斯的肚子上。他跌跌絆絆地向後退去，痛苦地呻吟起來。

    「呣……這種情況時有發生……也許你可以試試再簡單一點兒的符咒……」 羅伊娜沉思著拿開了那根樹枝。「試試飛行魔法怎麼樣？」

    「不行，真的不行，噢，羅伊娜，我需要休息一會兒，」 安德斯說著走向帳篷入口。「對不起。」

    「別走！」羅伊娜抓住他的胳膊叫道：「首先你必須學習，這並沒有那麼難。我確信你能做得到。」

    「羅，我可不這麼想，」 埃那德懶洋洋地說：「安德斯連最簡單的魔法都不會……」

    「就此而言，你也不會，」羅伊娜的黑眼睛熠熠發光，她激動地說：「另外，不要叫我羅！」

    「我只是想告訴你也許你想更慎重地選擇自己的朋友，」 埃那德狠狠地踢了一下安德斯的腿，大聲說：「這個放羊孩子沒有什麼魔力，成年之後也沒有大城邦可以繼承。我的祖父是部落的頭領，而我的父親是部落的司庫，他們的地位都很穩固，我的金錢和遺產是不可勝數的。至於――」

    「金錢和遺產就是你所關心的一切嗎？」羅伊娜眯起眼睛，質問道：「至少安德斯最關心的不是財產！」

    「表妹，你說得完全正確，」米尼瓦爾大步走向羅伊娜，奉承道：「埃那德厚實的顱骨裡面容不下多少智慧，至於安德斯，他只配和山羊呆在一起。」安德斯勃然大怒。

《無法控制的魔力》　第五部分
無法控制的魔力（3）

    他跳起來，憤怒地喊道：「我和你一樣值得尊敬，你為什麼不尊重我的人格？」與此同時，他的手裡冒出綠色的火焰，恰好打在米尼瓦爾的鼻子上。鮮血從米尼瓦爾的傷口裡噴射出來。
    「停下！」阿爾法達尼從帳篷里走出來，生氣地命令道：「米尼瓦爾，你去找醫生。羅伊娜和埃那德複習課本的第二章。安德斯，我要和你談談。」安德斯不安地咬起嘴唇。不管他要說什麼，肯定沒有好事。安德斯想。當他們兩人走出一段距離，別人聽不到他們的談話時，阿爾法達尼才面朝安德斯，嚴肅地說：

    「你必須學會控制自己的魔力。」他在安德斯面前搖動著一根手指。「如果你不能更清楚地了解到自己的魔力，它就會壓倒你，結果你就會傷害別人。」

    「這不是我的錯！」安德斯跺著腳大聲叫道：「米尼瓦爾總是對出身低微、出身高貴報有成見，真是一派胡言亂語。埃那德總是試圖讓羅伊娜認為我是個低劣的人，而他的保險箱里裝滿了金銀財寶！還有……」他正要說「你總是把米尼瓦爾和埃那德挑起的事端歸咎於我」，但他突然停住了，意識到用這種口氣和巫師講話是不禮貌的。

    「那麼羅伊娜呢？」 阿爾法達尼平靜地問：「她也招你討厭嗎？」  「不，一點兒都沒有！」安德斯大聲說：「到目前為止，她是我所遇到的最好的女孩。」

    「對此我沒有絲毫的懷疑，」阿爾法達尼輕聲笑道：「羅伊娜出生在一個嚴格守法的家庭，她的父親是戰鬥部落的大酋長，而她的母親是一個富有的東方地主的女兒。她的家人從小就教育她要善待所有人，因此，她總是拒絕接受等級界限。」

    巫師繼續說：「她似乎對你有好感，她那已經去世的母親對鄉下人和平民非常關愛，羅伊娜好像繼承了這一點。」安德斯緊張不安地盯著自己的腳。

    「先生……我自己可以單獨練習法術嗎？」他怯生生地問，不敢抬頭看阿爾法達尼的臉。

    「我不能確信這一點，」阿爾法達尼輕輕撫摸著長長的灰色鬍鬚，神色嚴峻地說：「關於魔法，最重要的一點就是能夠在有別人在場的情況下進行演練， 我不知道你是否有足夠的時間來練習。當然，你可以試一試，但我建議你不要用太多時間。有時候你獨自一人學會的東西在班級里會忘掉。」

    「您能允許我試一試嗎？」安德斯抬起頭來看著阿爾法達尼的臉，充滿希望地問。

    「我不會阻止你的，」巫師淡淡一笑：「但是如果你開始忘記自己獨自學會的東西，就必須停止。」

    從那天起，安德斯就開始在自己的帳篷里練習魔法。他很快就掌握了如何施加符咒和進行飛行和心靈感應。對於他的每一次成功，羅伊娜都大加讚賞，這使安德斯信心倍增。終於有一天他在魔法技巧方面超過了米尼瓦爾。

    在一個天氣清朗的日子，他們沿著尼旺湖的西岸散布，阿爾法達尼讚許地說：「獨自練習似乎對你確實有所幫助，這可能是因人而異的。比方說，米尼瓦爾……」

    「我現在不想談論他，」安德斯在湖邊停下腳步，聲音低沉地說：「我希望這是一次愉快的漫步。」

    「你必須學會和其他魔法師打交道，」阿爾法達尼往枯瘦的手上撩了些水，嚴厲地說：「如果所有的魔法師都不進行相互溝通，而總是發生爭吵，那麼我們就會面臨一場大規模的戰爭。」安德斯做了個鬼臉兒。

    「我知道，」他嘆了口氣，說：「但是我現在沒有心情談論米尼瓦爾，我希望他早點開始過暑假。」

    「這是完全可能的，」阿爾法達尼用一種滑稽的口吻說：「米尼瓦爾家經常會有長期的休假，他父親也時常派人來接他。啊……也許我們應該往回走了。」安德斯彎下腰用手觸摸了一下冰冷的湖面，跟在阿爾法達尼身後，沿著陡峭的山路向暮色籠罩下的帳篷走去。

    清早，安德斯醒來發現裹在身上的被子還有整個帳篷都被雨水淋濕了。米尼瓦爾、羅伊娜和阿爾法達尼在各自的干毯子里舒舒服服地睡著，一點兒都不願意睜開眼睛。埃那德和安德斯一樣倒霉，他們倆都是魔法技巧的初學者。

    「我真不明白，我，作為部落首領的兒子，居然連一塊溫暖的毯子都沒有！」埃那德跺著腳大發脾氣。安德斯若無其事地看著他。

    「山那邊的青草總是更加翠綠，」他常聽到奧德