《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》　第三部分
兒童日記（15）

    「One candidate I would propose to you would be Reana Brodsmat.
    Unfortunately, she is not here with us,」 Shirley said.

    「Can she read and write?」 Hemlin asked.

    「Well, er, no.」 Even Shirley could not lie when asked a direct question.

    「Then who can read?」 Hemlin asked.

    「Kathryn Karlsman,」 Shirley said. Kathryn felt a surge of hope. She

    had been taught to read and write when she was only three years old, and

    she was quite a bookworm.

    「Where is she?」 Hemlin asked.

    「Kathryn, stand up please,」 Shirley said. Kathryn stood up. Hemlin

    surveyed her, a smile on his face.

    「Now,」 Hemlin said. 「Would you please write for me the word

    『dilapidated』?」

    「Yes, my lordship,」 Kathryn said. She quickly wrote out the word.

    「What about scurrilous?」 Kathryn scribbled the word. Then:

    「True or false—Sir Gareth Mayflower』s shield was decorated with

    daisies.」

    「Yes, I believe Sir Mayflower』s shield was decorated with daisies…」

    「Good, good!」 Hemlin exclaimed, clapping his hands. 「Who is your

    father?」

    「Sir Roland Karlsman,」 Kathryn said.

    「Sir Roland! Yes, I have heard many a thing about your father,」

    Hemlin said.

    「Good or bad?」 Kathryn asked.

    「Ah, I see! Both, of course,」 Hemlin said. 「On the whole, I believe

    that he must be quite the gentleman.」

    「Well, yes, if you put it that way,」 Kathryn said, blushing.

    「Sir Hemlin?」 Shirley asked. 「You…er…were searching for a wife?」

    「Quite true,」 Hemlin said. 「I think I』ve already found her.」 Just then,

    Reana entered.

    「Dame,」 Reana said in her fake-sweet voice, 「is Sir Hemlin here?」 Just

    then, Reana turned and noticed the knight sitting in the chair.

    「Oh!」 Reana squealed. 「Sir Hemlin!」 Kathryn rolled her eyes. She

    knew Reana』s routine. It was all false.

    「Er, well, I』m glad to know that…um…someone supports me,」

    Hemlin said awkwardly, shifting in his chair. Kathryn wished more than

    ever that she could kick Reana.

    「This is Reana Brodsmat,」 Shirley said, putting on a false smile. 「I』ve

    told you about her before.」

    The Rebel』s Reward

    81

    「Yes,」 Hemlin said, scratching his stubbly beard. 「You』re the one who

    can』t read and write?」 Reana turned pink. Kathryn had to put her hand

    over her mouth so that nobody would hear or see her laughing.

    「Would you like to meet the rest of the girls?」 Shirley asked hastily.

    Kathryn pretended to cough, although she was really laughing.

    「If they know how to read and write, yes,」 Hemlin said doubtfully. 「I

    like Kathryn here the best.」 Kathryn was satisfied to see Reana』s face turn

    white.

    「Would you like to take her on a private walk through the grounds

    to…get to know her better?」 Dame Shirley asked, her fingers twitching

    nervously.

    「Well, I』m not sure. I really came past here to see my father, who is

    ailed with a terrible malady,」 Hemlin said, leaning against the blackboard.

    「My mother wished for me to find a bride along the way, so I am merely

    cooperating with her wishes. If I had Sir Roland』s permission, I would

    take Kathryn along with me to Verlliones.」 Kathryn could barely contain

    herself from jumping up and down. Take me to Verlliones! she thought. That

    would be a real adventure!

    「I am sure that I could contact Sir Roland, if it be your wish, Sir

    Hemlin,」 Dame Shirley said, batting her eyelashes.

    「I can do so myself,」 Sir Hemlin said, leaping up from his chair.

    Kathryn watched with awe as he closed his eyes in concentration and

    murmured a few words under his breath. Finally he opened his eyes.

    「I have Sir Roland』s permission. But most importantly, Kathryn—I

    need yours,」 Hemlin said impatiently. Kathryn was so pleasantly surprised

    that she stood gaping at Hemlin. Finally she said 「yes.」

    「Good!」 Hemlin cried, evidently pleased. 「Then we shall make our

    leave, shan』t we?」

    As they left the sinister iron gates of the Academy, Kathryn looked

    into the distance and smiled. Far, far away, the great castles of Verlliones

    could be seen.

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
參考譯文

    grubby – dirty ( 髒的)
    street urchin – scamp, brat（小壞蛋）

    disdainfully – in a scornful way（不屑的）

    despicable – loathsome, deserving of contempt（卑劣的）

    curtly – a rudely brief manner of speaking（簡短的）

    sly – crafty, mischievous, cunning（狡猾的）

    scurrilous – foul mouthed or vulgar（說話粗鄙惡劣的）

    reprimand – scold　（責備）

    distinctly – clearly（清楚地）

    reluctant – hesitant, somewhat unwilling　（不情願的）

    hastily – hurriedly（急速地）

    bickering – arguing（爭吵）

    dilapidated – ramshackle, falling to pieces　（荒廢的）

TO BE CONTINUE

謝謝BABY，辛苦了。頂上去，方便你發貼。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
叛女鬧學（1）

    凱瑟琳　卡爾斯曼正在花園裡刨土，　雙手髒兮兮的。　安娜夫人在不遠處不滿地看著她。
    「去梳洗打扮，　你現在象一個街上的小混混。　」 安娜夫人說。

    「可是，　夫人―――」卡瑟琳乞求地說。

    「打扮打扮去，愛麗絲將會去幫你，把衣服換了吧。　」這是凱瑟琳最喜歡的衣服，一點也不拖拉，活動非常自如。可是安娜夫人卻讓她換衣服去。

    「別穿那雙方方的靴子，　象個男孩子。真想不出來為什麼你父親要買這麼一雙鞋。」

    「那雙鞋很舒服！」凱瑟琳說。

    「你要給大家留下一個好印象，　現在你得去洗洗你的臟手。」安娜夫人簡短的說。

    凱瑟琳五分鐘后跑進了教室。齊爾瓦娜老師不屑地看著凱瑟琳的臟手套，滿是沙子的頭髮，　和皺巴巴的衣服。班裡其他的女孩咯咯地笑著。

    「坐，」　 齊爾瓦娜老師指著李亞娜　布羅德薩特旁邊的位子說。李亞娜是學校里最霸道的學生。

    「你又去和山羊打滾了吧？　」李亞娜湊過來說。

    「李亞娜！」老師嚴厲地叫她。　

    「我在看書，老師，我是近視眼。」李亞娜用一種很假的聲音說。凱瑟琳知道她在撒謊。什麼近視眼！　但是凱瑟琳不想理她。

    「李亞娜！」老師又批評她把胳臂架在桌子上。

    「火，火，不停的燒，」李亞娜嘀咕著，　同時瞪著凱瑟琳的桌子。不一會，凱瑟琳的桌子就著火了。

    「凱瑟琳！」老師慌張走到凱瑟琳桌子旁邊，差點被自己的裙子絆倒。

    「不是我弄的！」凱瑟琳說。　

    「一定是你。你自從來了就不斷地練魔法。不是告訴過你，除了魔法課，別的時候不能亂用魔法。這周你會被關禁閉，下課後到我辦公室來。」

    凱瑟琳的眼淚流下來了。多麼不公平呀！　儘管她確實在魔法課後練過魔法，可是老師連想都不想，就說是她點的火。凱瑟琳把東西收到了包里，跑到了樓上去。那裡，她的哥哥哈姆正在練習魔法。　

    「哥哥，」凱瑟琳把書包扔到柜子里。

    「怎麼了？　」哈姆轉過頭來看著凱瑟琳。

    「李亞娜放火燒了我的桌子，可是老師卻說我。　這周我要被禁閉兩次，爸爸要是知道了會多失望！」突然，凱瑟琳跺著腳說，　

    「我可不想當個什麼夫人！　永遠不！　爸爸許諾過要帶我穿過雙子門，到未知國度去。再從那去媽媽出生的地方――山谷，　還要去更遠的愛歐西斯！」

    「你並不知道，是不是？」哈姆問。　

    「別說了。　我要換衣服了，　你先出去吧。」凱瑟琳從衣服架上取下工作服。　哈姆趕快跑了。凱瑟琳把她的漂亮衣服換了下來，穿上工作服。

    「你穿工作服好看。」哈姆回來了，說。

    「安娜夫人看見我的鞋會暈的。象個男孩子！」凱瑟琳學著安娜夫人的調子說。哈姆笑得趴到了地上，說，

    「你和別的女孩不一樣。」

    「當然，我是爸爸的女兒， 不象那些糟糕的夫人。她們只知道　『訓練』她們的女兒。看她們被寵的樣子！　我真想給李亞娜來點黑色魔法。」

    「你不能那樣。」哈姆遺憾地說。

    「真不公平。你們男孩子就可以在學校里隨便練習魔法。」凱瑟琳恨恨地說。

    「那是因為男孩子需要魔法打魔鬼，殺巨龍，保護弱小。象你這樣的貴族小姐學魔法只是為了應急，比如說，茶要是太涼了，或者太熱了，你用咒語就給解決了。」

    「還是不公平呀！ 」凱瑟琳說，「我也想殺壞人，打魔鬼，我也想當魔法騎士!」

    「你不行，你是個女孩。」哈姆說。

    「凱瑟琳？跟我去愛狄斯夫人的辦公室。」安娜夫人叫她。

    「我告訴過你了，我沒有放火，是李亞娜！」

    「嗯，我們進行了真話魔法測驗，李亞娜已經承認了是她放的火。」

    「所以，你們錯了。　」凱瑟琳說。

    「是的，」安娜夫人說，　「但是愛狄斯夫人還是要見你。」

    「好吧。」凱瑟琳說。她跑到了旁邊的校長辦公室，愛狄斯夫人的屋裡。　木門上掛著寫的滿滿的日程安排。安娜夫人敲了兩次門。　　

    「請進，　」 屋裡傳來了愛狄斯夫人陰沉的聲音。安娜夫人開了門，把凱瑟琳推了進去。

    「凱瑟琳？」愛狄斯夫人正在綉一塊手帕，眼睛都沒抬。

    「校長夫人，」凱瑟琳本想向她行禮，可是不由自主地摔倒了地上。

    「哎，你真是讓人沒辦法。」 愛狄斯夫人用鷹一樣的眼睛看著她。

    「嗯， 」凱瑟琳不知說什麼好。 別的女校的校長一定會說，「乾的好，可愛的小朋友」之類的話。可是愛狄斯夫人從來沒這麼客氣過， 她總是想什麼就說什麼。 凱瑟琳的確令人絕望。連她自己都這麼認為。

    凱瑟琳從地上爬了起來，撣了撣土。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
叛女鬧學（2）

    「你的衣服也不象話，這件衣服是從山谷里買來的吧。真糟糕， 你還看過魯恩詩歌。我也不幸地看過魯恩詩歌。 我母親不大明白，送我上詩歌課。」凱瑟琳有點不耐煩了。 她爸爸就愛看魯恩詩歌， 而且他是這裡最富有的人！ 即使肯斯威爾的學者也沒有他富有。
    「對不起，您找我到底有什麼事？　」凱瑟琳說。

    「對了，是這個東西。」 愛狄斯夫人從抽屜里拿出幾張紙遞給凱瑟琳。凱瑟琳翻著看了看。

    「這是關於你和哈姆的報告，你肯定認為都是胡說八道。　我會把這份報告給你父親看。」 愛狄斯夫人偷偷地笑了。

    「我能再看看嗎？ 」凱瑟琳問。

    「可以」。愛狄斯夫人又把報告遞給了凱瑟琳。報告上寫著：

    貴族學校報告

    凱瑟琳 卡爾斯曼， 羅納德 卡爾斯曼爵士之女

    進展：

    魔法：10  滿分為10分

    女容：3滿分為10分

    女工：1滿分為10分

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
貴族學校報告（1）

    哈姆 卡爾斯曼， 羅納德 卡爾斯曼爵士之養子及繼承人
    進展：以下課程滿分為１０分。

    魔法：１０擊劍：８防守：3

    弓箭：６紳士：４向長輩致辭：９

    向長輩鞠躬：8向小姐致辭：2格鬥： 2

    凱瑟琳把報告還給了愛狄斯夫人。

    「怎麼樣？把報告帶回去給哈姆看看。哈姆是個優秀的學生。」凱瑟琳沒說什麼。大家都這麼說---只是因為哈姆將來會繼承父親的產業而成為舉足輕重的紳士。

    「好的，我走了，」凱瑟琳回到了自己的房間。

    「你沒看見我讓這些動物們跑的多快！」哈姆激動地說。「當然，我施了魔法，別人聽不到。真可惜！」

    「看看這個。」凱瑟琳把報告遞給哈姆。她確認安娜夫人不在附近，就癱到床上去。　哈姆也坐在她的旁邊。

    「多麼的不公平，你還能上擊劍課！」

    哈姆皺了皺鼻子。　

    「我也同情你，凱瑟琳。刺繡是很糟糕的東西。」

    「你還能學怎麼和貴族們說話！」

    「我討厭那個課。」

    「可是你的成績很好呀！」

    「那我也討厭它。」

    突然，凱瑟琳跳了起來。

    「我知道了，你可以教我擊劍！」

    「可是我們上哪去找劍呢？」哈姆問。

    「你把劍從劍室里偷出來。」凱瑟琳說。

    「什麼？　劍室上了兩道鎖呢！　而且，還有魔法保護。」

    「真糟糕！」凱瑟琳叫道。 解除魔法的魔杖在愛狄斯夫人辦公室的金柜子里，每次都要用不同的鑰匙鎖上。只有三四個最有學問的魔術師們才能使用魔杖。 學生們只能用手掌施魔法。

    「所以我不能教你擊劍。 我沒有足夠的法力進入劍室。 」哈姆說。

    「那我們就用棍子。」

    「棍子？　那恐怕不一樣吧。」哈姆說。

    「沒關係。還記得嗎？ 爸爸以前幫我們削棍當劍玩？」

    「你有削棍用的刀嗎？」

    「嗯---」凱瑟琳不說話了。她的確有一把小斧頭，可是她把斧頭落在了家裡。而且，為了防止被人偷走，她和哈姆施了好幾種魔法。所以她現在不能用魔法讓斧頭出現。

    「愛狄斯把阿馬，鷹眼，我的小刀， 還有兩個古代國王都沒收了。」哈姆說。阿馬是一匹有翅膀的小馬，它可以打開任何東西的鎖。鷹眼是一隻小鷹，它有翅膀，尖尖的嘴。 鷹眼會任意變形。

    「等一等---哈姆---有辦法了！」凱瑟琳激動地說，「阿馬會開鎖呀！ 」

    「你忘了它也被鎖起來了？」

    「沒忘！　可是我知道愛狄斯把鑰匙藏在哪了。你把愛狄斯引開，我溜進去拿鑰匙把阿馬拿出來。」

    「為什麼要我引開愛狄斯？！」哈姆叫道。

    「你到底想不想要阿馬？　」凱瑟琳問他。　

    「不」

    「那算了。」

    哈姆後來一直都嘟嘟噥噥的。可是凱瑟琳卻非常高興。　她要學習男孩子會的東西―――擊劍了！

    泰勒老師不大情願讓凱瑟琳和哈姆進擊劍室。凱瑟琳告訴他，哈姆把東西落在裡面了。泰勒老師念了個咒語，門就開了。　凱瑟琳激動地呼吸都急促了。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
貴族學校報告（2）

    「別這樣。別忘了我丟了東西了。」哈姆小聲說。他彎下腰，假裝從地上撿起了什麼東西。
    「找到了， 泰勒老師！」哈姆大聲喊道。

    「好吧。那我開會去了。」泰勒老師轉身正要走。　

    「好！」哈姆高興地叫了起來。泰勒老師又回過身來。

    「到底怎麼回事？ 」老師問。

    「嗯，哈姆想起他要過生日了」， 凱瑟琳趕快說。哈姆從來不喜歡過生日。

    「好吧。」老師又向樓梯上走去。

    「他走了。太好了。你去拿阿馬。現在把我關起來。」哈姆說。   

    「好的」，凱瑟琳把門關上，然後跑到愛狄斯校長的辦公室去。凱瑟琳一走，哈姆就開始喊：

    「救命啊！救命啊！　我被鎖起來了！　」一會的功夫，全學校的人都來了。　愛狄斯校長辦公室的門開著。　凱瑟琳趁機溜進去，拿了鑰匙。　阿馬就在柜子里。　它看見凱瑟琳也高興地叫了起來。

    「噓，阿馬，別出聲，好嗎？　」阿馬點了點頭。

    凱瑟琳把阿馬從柜子里拿了出來。鷹眼也看著她。

    「好吧，我把你也帶走吧。」　說著，凱瑟琳把它也抱了出來。

    「哈姆，我要給你關禁閉，你在擊劍室到底幹什麼呢？　」　凱瑟琳聽到了校長的聲音。她趕快把阿馬揣到懷裡，藏到了一件掛毯下。　愛狄斯走了進來，看到大開的柜子不禁吃了一驚。　

    「哈姆，　是不是有你一份？」 愛狄斯問。

    「校長，我怎麼可能跟這事有關呢？」哈姆無辜地說。「我被關在擊劍室里啦！」凱瑟琳在掛毯後面直笑。

    「什麼聲音？」 校長問。

    「肯定是外面女孩子的聲音。」　哈姆說。

    「凱瑟琳還在等我呢。我得走了。」　還沒等愛狄斯回過神來，哈姆已經走了。原來愛狄斯校長也罵人。凱瑟琳跑回到了他們的房間。　阿馬在她的懷裡興奮地大叫！

    「我拿到阿馬了！」凱瑟琳把它從懷裡掏出來。

    「可憐的小東西」， 哈姆溫柔地捋著阿馬的紅鬃。

    「阿馬回來了。我們要做真正重要的事了。」凱瑟琳說。

    「好，好」哈姆不情願的說。整個擊劍室空無一人。

    「沒人，　」凱瑟琳對哈姆說。哈姆臉變綠了。

    「你覺得這能行嗎？　」他膽怯的問。

    「當然」，凱瑟琳不耐煩地說。「即使我們被開除了，　也沒什麼大不了的。」

    哈姆把阿馬放在鎖前。阿馬研究了一下擊劍室的鎖，就開始咬鎖的邊。　卡拉一聲，門就開了。

    「太好了！」　凱瑟琳激動地說。屋裡掛著一牆的劍，鞘上還鑲著寶石。

    「給你」，哈姆遞給凱瑟琳一把劍和一件皮鎧甲。

    「我們在這練習吧」，　哈姆說。

    凱瑟琳同意了。　但是她很快發現擊劍並沒有看上去那麼好玩。　夜晚降臨了，她渾身上下青一塊，紫一塊。

    「練練就會好的」，哈姆安慰她說。他們把劍藏了起來，反正這麼多劍，也沒有人會找。

    第二天，凱瑟琳幾乎沒耐心上自己的課了。即使李亞娜也不能破壞她的好心情。

    凱瑟琳與哈姆相約在地窖里。 他們旁邊堆著乳酪，臘肉，蘋果酒和葡萄酒。

    「除了佩伯和比怡， 沒有人到這裡來。」 哈姆告訴凱瑟琳。佩伯是看地窖的老頭，一副壞脾氣。他的親戚比怡和他總爭誰的歲數更大。現在他們都去了別的地方。

    「真荒涼呀！」凱瑟琳說。一隻老鼠從木板縫裡鑽出來。 另外一隻老鼠從房樑上跑過。

    「呦，這些酒都發霉了！」哈姆聞著酒桶說。　

    「它們在這都存了一年了。你每天都喝這些酒。」

    「凱瑟琳！你知道你在說什麼嗎？」哈姆喊道。

    「咱們開始練習吧」，凱瑟琳舉起了劍。哈姆也把他的劍從地上撿起來。

    「開始！」兩支劍交叉在一起。凱瑟琳不斷地抵擋哈姆的進攻。下午的時候， 兩個人都累了。

    「咱們到上面去吧， 」哈姆把劍放到了地上。

     「呸！」凱瑟琳叫道。她其實很高興哈姆這樣建議。她也累壞了。

    「你上沒上你的小姐課？」哈姆問。凱瑟琳才突然想起來她還有課要上呢。

    「呀，她們要上了―――我不想想了。」凱瑟琳看著自己的紅寶石手錶說。

    「　一個真正的小姐不是應該問問她的老師們才知道該做什麼嗎？」哈姆說。

    「是呀。我還是走吧。」凱瑟琳硬著頭皮去上課。

    「去吧。」哈姆說。凱瑟琳遺憾地點了點頭，向樓上跑去。

    雪莉夫人看到她一點也不高興。至少沒有李亞娜捉弄她。

    「你遲到了」，雪莉夫人說。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
貴族學校報告（3）

    「是，」凱瑟琳不安地回答。雪莉夫人看著她的眼睛，而凱瑟琳也毫不膽怯地望著老師。她的目光往往令大人們有些不舒服。　
    「你的頭髮亂七八糟，衣服也該洗了。」 雪莉夫人說。凱瑟林臉羞得通紅。　她看看自己，衣服皺巴巴地掛在她瘦瘦的身體上。

    「好吧。」 雪莉夫人轉向全班同學，說，「同學們，今天有一位尊貴的客人來看我們。他就是赫姆林爵士―――雙子門的護城爵爺。　

    一位年輕人走了進來。

    「歡迎您，赫姆林爵士， 您想吃點什麼嗎？ 」 雪莉夫人優雅地問。

    「當然。我們一路風塵僕僕，也餓壞了。」 赫姆林爵士笑著說。他的一個護衛皺了皺鼻子。雪莉夫人不快地看了看他。

    「那， 好吧，」通常客人們會先拒絕用餐。 但是赫姆林爵士顯然不同尋常。他把新鮮麵包撕成小塊，扔到空中，再用嘴去接。凱瑟琳笑了起來。雪莉夫人趁赫姆林爵士不注意，打了她一下。

    「聽說您想挑一位小姐與之成親，好一起旅遊， 是嗎？」 雪莉夫人坐在了她的搖椅上。凱瑟琳豎起了耳朵。

    「是的。可惜大部分女孩子只會刺繡什麼的。而我希望我的妻子有真才實學會施魔法，會讀書，寫字。」

    「我們有這樣一個女孩，她叫李亞娜 布羅德薩特。 可惜今天她不在。」 雪莉夫人說。

    「她會看書寫字嗎？　」 赫姆林爵士問。　

    「嗯，不會。」雪莉夫人也不能撒謊。

    「那誰會呢？」

    「凱瑟琳卡爾斯曼，　」雪莉夫人說。凱瑟琳從三歲起就學習讀書寫字，而且她也喜歡看書。

    「她在哪？」 赫姆林爵士問道。

    「凱瑟琳，請起立， 」凱瑟琳應聲而起。赫姆林爵士打量著她，臉上掛著一絲笑容。

    「你會寫『破舊不堪』嗎？」 赫姆林爵士問。

    「會」，　她迅速地寫了這幾個字。

    「那麼『粗鄙惡劣』呢？　」凱瑟琳又寫了出來。然後，赫姆林爵士問，

    「迦瑞斯 梅弗洛爾爵士的盾上刻著雛菊圖案, 是嗎？ 」

    「是的。」凱瑟琳說。

    「太棒了。你的父親是哪位？ 」 赫姆林爵士問。

    「羅蘭　卡爾斯曼爵士。」

    「羅蘭爵士！　我聽說過很多關於他的事。」

    「是好話還是壞話呢？　」凱瑟琳問。

    「都有。　總的來說，我覺得羅蘭爵士是個人物。」

    「好吧。」凱瑟琳紅著臉說。

    雪莉夫人不禁插話道，「赫姆林爵士，　您還在選妻嗎？」

    「是的。我想我已經挑好了。」正在這時，李亞娜進來了。

    「夫人，赫姆林爵士在嗎？　」李亞娜甜甜地說。然後，她看見坐在椅子里的赫姆林爵士。

    「噢，　赫姆林爵士！　」李亞娜用一種尖利的高聲說。凱瑟琳知道這都是她想討好別人時裝出來的。

    「嗯，非常高興有人喜歡我。」 赫姆林爵士尷尬地說。凱瑟琳真想上去踢李亞娜兩腳。

    「這就是李亞娜 布羅德薩特。 我已經向您介紹過她了。」 雪莉夫人也假笑著說。

    「是嗎？ 你就是不看書，不會寫字的那個女孩？」 李亞娜臉窘得通紅。凱瑟琳偷偷地笑個不停。

    「您還想認識認識別的女孩嗎？」雪莉夫人問。凱瑟琳假裝咳嗽，其實她還在笑。

    「如果她們認字的話，我就有興趣認識她們。我還是最喜歡凱瑟琳。」 赫姆林爵士說。李亞娜的臉一下就變白了。

    「您願意和她在學校里走走，好增進一下了解嗎？」雪莉夫人叉著手，緊張地問。

    「恐怕不行。我其實是來看我父親的，他現在重病在身。 我母親希望我在路上找個新娘來安慰她。如果羅蘭爵士允許，我會帶凱瑟琳和我一起去衛里昂。」 凱瑟琳激動地快跳起來了。去衛里昂！這才是真正的探險呢！

    「我可以幫您聯繫羅蘭爵士，赫姆林爵士。」 雪莉夫人眨著眼睛說。

    「我自己也可以。」  赫姆林爵士從椅子上跳了起來。凱瑟琳吃驚地看到他緊閉雙眼，嘟噥了幾個字。然後，他睜開眼睛說，

    「羅蘭爵士同意了。　但是，最重要的是―――凱瑟琳，你同意嗎？」 赫姆林爵士不耐煩地說。凱瑟琳有點發獃，她站在那裡看著赫姆林爵士。 最後，她說，「好的。」

    「好，我們走吧！」 赫姆林爵士高興地說。

    當他們一行人離開學校的大鐵門時，凱瑟琳望著遠方，笑了。她依稀看見衛里昂雄偉的城堡，等著她去探險呢。

Is this real?

Is this real?

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
貴族學校報告（4）

    接下來會發生什麼？
    情節發展的重要概念

    情節：作為故事主幹的一系列事件。

    儘管許多孩子知道，理論上來說故事有開頭、中間和結尾，但是一些學生仍然覺得動筆寫下第一句話很難，從一個情節過度到下一個情節，以及費盡心機給故事添加一個適當的結尾十分困難。通過練習可以對如何在故事中安排情節獲得直覺理解。

    因為奇奇是通過廣泛的閱讀不知不覺學會了許多技巧， 沒有指導她無法清楚地說出有關故事情節的概念和理論。儘管她很容易就能理解一些基本的概念，並且能夠很快說明構成情節的關鍵要素，但是她為了將這些知識應用到自己的寫作中還是付出了比平常多得多的努力。她如今創作的故事與幾個月前的相比，結構更強也更為複雜。反覆對與日常生活、活動有關的相同情節進行練習已經成了奇奇學習過程的重要組成部分。

    我們的座右銘始終是：通過練習/實踐掌握一門藝術或技能，然後再不斷完善或進行變通。孩子在練習/實踐的時候告訴他們一些有關情節的基本規則，在他們寫不下去的時候會給他們一個可供參考的框架。

    有關情節的重要概念

    引發事件：故事開頭推動情節繼續往前發展的事件。一般來說，引發事件應該包含引發對故事情節至關重要的其他事件或主題的種子。

    目標： 從傳統上來看，大多數故事情節圍繞主要人物對自己夢想或目標的追求。

    障礙：一個故事如果沒遇到任何阻礙順利發展，一般說來，這個故事不會非常有趣。因此，有必要設計一些障礙，阻礙主人公實現目標的道路。這些障礙可以是其他人（通常是指反面人物），有時是自然障礙（高山、險阻），有時是身體上或內在的弱點（害怕當眾講話，缺少自信），主人公必須學會克服這一切。

    危機： 危機出現在高潮之前，是賭注揭曉的時刻，或者換一種說法，是讓主人公或另一個重要人物剛出虎穴又入狼窩的時刻。關鍵時刻是檢驗主人公決心的一個瞬間或一個事件。

    高潮：故事中最激動人心的部分，通常靠近結尾處。故事的高潮部分通常同時包括正面人物和反面人物，並且與正面人物最初的目標息息相關。

    結局：故事的結尾，其他情節點在這裡也得到了解決。

    奇奇訪談

    鄒燦： 你在故事中都用過哪種類型的障礙阻止主人公實現自己的目標？

    奇奇：我特別喜歡使用一些討厭的人，有時這樣的人是我憑空想象出來的。

     

    鄒燦： 為什麼你認為障礙對故事情節很重要？

    奇奇：如果主人公沒有遇到任何障礙，她/他就會使故事迅速結束，這樣會使得故事單調無趣。   

    鄒燦： 你認為故事的高潮中包含什麼內容很重要？

    奇奇：我喜歡加入重大決定。我覺得這樣可以吊起讀者的胃口。

    鄒燦： 寫不下去了時候你會做什麼？

    奇奇：通常我會跑出去嚇唬我姐姐。 如果我不想面對一個模仿的怪物，我會讓媽媽幫忙或者畫一個。

    鄒燦： 你在寫故事結尾的時候遇到過困難嗎？

    奇奇：當然。我回頭讀寫過的故事時，可能靈機一動想出一個結尾。我在回頭寫完本書中的一些故事的時候，常常不會完全按照我計劃的情節發展結尾，因為我會有別的想法。如果你讀一下我以前寫的故事，會發現有些尚未完成，它們陷入了寫作障礙的迷霧。我放棄舊故事，開始寫另一個故事時，會對舊故事失去興趣，因為寫新故事的時候我的寫作能力已大大提高。

    鄒燦： 你通常怎樣塑造故事中的次要角色？

    奇奇：他們只是……隨著故事的發展應運而生。我寫的故事總是有眾多人物，無論他們多麼微不足道。我得把他們放在適當的位置。如果一個故事你讀來讀去說的就是一個人的事兒，那該多無聊啊。

      

    給家長和教師的提示:

    鼓勵孩子告訴你他們新的故事構思。當孩子們想說些趣事兒的時候，大多數孩子喜歡聽到父母的正面評價。奇奇以前每天都會產生一些新的故事構思，二她根本沒有時間把自己在寫的故事寫完。為了不打擊她的積極性，我允許她把構思寫下來，這樣她就可以以後有時間的時候再寫這些故事。

    鼓勵孩子與你分享他們的創意。讓他/她在動筆前與你討論一下故事的構思。向你講述新故事的情節可以創造機會對自己的構思加以組織和分析。要支持這些構思，鼓勵孩子把它們寫下來。為了能夠記住這些構思，有時讓學生提前設計一個情節會很有幫助。問孩子一些問題，從而鼓勵他/她想象故事中的人物，如：主人公希望一生中能得到什麼？誰或者什麼事情可能阻礙該目標的實現？ 主人公會怎樣克服這一障礙？儘管避免千篇一律的情節很重要，但是畫一幅簡圖對闡釋故事的確很有幫助。讓孩子把空白處填滿，確定引發事件、關鍵情節點等。下面給出的表格是一個很好的學習工具。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（1）

    情節發展的重要概念
    情節：作為故事主幹的一系列事件。

    儘管許多孩子知道，理論上來說故事有開頭、中間和結尾，但是一些學生仍然覺得動筆寫下第一句話很難，從一個情節過度到下一個情節，以及費盡心機給故事添加一個適當的結尾十分困難。通過練習可以對如何在故事中安排情節獲得直覺理解。

    因為奇奇是通過廣泛的閱讀不知不覺學會了許多技巧， 沒有指導她無法清楚地說出有關故事情節的概念和理論。儘管她很容易就能理解一些基本的概念，並且能夠很快說明構成情節的關鍵要素，但是她為了將這些知識應用到自己的寫作中還是付出了比平常多得多的努力。她如今創作的故事與幾個月前的相比，結構更強也更為複雜。反覆對與日常生活、活動有關的相同情節進行練習已經成了奇奇學習過程的重要組成部分。

    我們的座右銘始終是：通過練習/實踐掌握一門藝術或技能，然後再不斷完善或進行變通。孩子在練習/實踐的時候告訴他們一些有關情節的基本規則，在他們寫不下去的時候會給他們一個可供參考的框架。

    有關情節的重要概念

    引發事件：故事開頭推動情節繼續往前發展的事件。一般來說，引發事件應該包含引發對故事情節至關重要的其他事件或主題的種子。

    目標： 從傳統上來看，大多數故事情節圍繞主要人物對自己夢想或目標的追求。

    障礙：一個故事如果沒遇到任何阻礙順利發展，一般說來，這個故事不會非常有趣。因此，有必要設計一些障礙，阻礙主人公實現目標的道路。這些障礙可以是其他人（通常是指反面人物），有時是自然障礙（高山、險阻），有時是身體上或內在的弱點（害怕當眾講話，缺少自信），主人公必須學會克服這一切。

    危機： 危機出現在高潮之前，是賭注揭曉的時刻，或者換一種說法，是讓主人公或另一個重要人物剛出虎穴又入狼窩的時刻。關鍵時刻是檢驗主人公決心的一個瞬間或一個事件。

    高潮：故事中最激動人心的部分，通常靠近結尾處。故事的高潮部分通常同時包括正面人物和反面人物，並且與正面人物最初的目標息息相關。

    結局：故事的結尾，其他情節點在這裡也得到了解決。

    奇奇訪談

    鄒燦： 你在故事中都用過哪種類型的障礙阻止主人公實現自己的目標？

    奇奇：我特別喜歡使用一些討厭的人，有時這樣的人是我憑空想象出來的。

     

    鄒燦： 為什麼你認為障礙對故事情節很重要？

    奇奇：如果主人公沒有遇到任何障礙，她/他就會使故事迅速結束，這樣會使得故事單調無趣。   

    鄒燦： 你認為故事的高潮中包含什麼內容很重要？

    奇奇：我喜歡加入重大決定。我覺得這樣可以吊起讀者的胃口。

    鄒燦： 寫不下去了時候你會做什麼？

    奇奇：通常我會跑出去嚇唬我姐姐。 如果我不想面對一個模仿的怪物，我會讓媽媽幫忙或者畫一個。

    鄒燦： 你在寫故事結尾的時候遇到過困難嗎？

    奇奇：當然。我回頭讀寫過的故事時，可能靈機一動想出一個結尾。我在回頭寫完本書中的一些故事的時候，常常不會完全按照我計劃的情節發展結尾，因為我會有別的想法。如果你讀一下我以前寫的故事，會發現有些尚未完成，它們陷入了寫作障礙的迷霧。我放棄舊故事，開始寫另一個故事時，會對舊故事失去興趣，因為寫新故事的時候我的寫作能力已大大提高。

    鄒燦： 你通常怎樣塑造故事中的次要角色？

    奇奇：他們只是……隨著故事的發展應運而生。我寫的故事總是有眾多人物，無論他們多麼微不足道。我得把他們放在適當的位置。如果一個故事你讀來讀去說的就是一個人的事兒，那該多無聊啊。

      

    給家長和教師的提示:

    鼓勵孩子告訴你他們新的故事構思。當孩子們想說些趣事兒的時候，大多數孩子喜歡聽到父母的正面評價。奇奇以前每天都會產生一些新的故事構思，二她根本沒有時間把自己在寫的故事寫完。為了不打擊她的積極性，我允許她把構思寫下來，這樣她就可以以後有時間的時候再寫這些故事。

    鼓勵孩子與你分享他們的創意。讓他/她在動筆前與你討論一下故事的構思。向你講述新故事的情節可以創造機會對自己的構思加以組織和分析。要支持這些構思，鼓勵孩子把它們寫下來。為了能夠記住這些構思，有時讓學生提前設計一個情節會很有幫助。問孩子一些問題，從而鼓勵他/她想象故事中的人物，如：主人公希望一生中能得到什麼？誰或者什麼事情可能阻礙該目標的實現？ 主人公會怎樣克服這一障礙？儘管避免千篇一律的情節很重要，但是畫一幅簡圖對闡釋故事的確很有幫助。讓孩子把空白處填滿，確定引發事件、關鍵情節點等。下面給出的表格是一個很好的學習工具。

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（2）

    趁熱打鐵：
    小說寫作方案

    主角：

    反面角色：

    次要反面角色：

    主角的主要目標：

    外部障礙：

    內部障礙：

    在整個故事發展的過程中，主角發生了怎樣的變化？

    為什麼反面角色想組織主角的行動？

    主角最大的優點是什麼？

    主角最大的弱點是什麼？

    這些優點和弱點是如何融入故事情節之中的？

    什麼令主角高興？

    什麼使主角悲傷？

    什麼使主角憤怒？

    主角試圖掩飾這些情感嗎？

    引發事件：（故事開頭引發情節發展的事件）

    主題：

    背景：

    背景如何與故事結合起來？你能夠利用背景強化任務的優缺點嗎？

    高潮：

    問自己一些有關高潮的問題：

    我的高潮部分如何強調主人公在故事發展過程中的改變的方式？

    我的高潮部分如何迫使主人公做出重大決定？

    優秀的高潮部分應該迫使主人公做一些或說一些對他們來說極為困難的事情或話。

    優秀的高潮部分應該強調故事內在主題（例：愛比金錢更重要，過程比目的更重要等）。

    思考能夠戲劇性闡釋潛在主題的事件或場景，同時將各個情節要點聯繫以來。情節大綱：

    次要情節：

    針對故事中的每個新的場景，都問一下自己下列問題：

    這個場景如何告訴讀者一些有關主要人物的新方面？

    這個場景如何推動情節的往前發展？

     

    Danger Ship

    「Amber!」 The gruff cry of an old

    sailor startled the girl, who spun around and

    nearly tripped on a coil of rope which was

    directly behind her.

    「Steady, steady,」 the sailor said as he

    made his way up the wharf. 「Ye wouldn』t

    want yer Uncle Ian to see yer dress mussed.

    Oh, here he comes.」 The sailor said this

    with a twinkle in his misty gray eyes as Ian

    drew nearer to them, increasing his speed

    when he noticed Amber』s sandy hair.

    「Amber! Hurry—and get your sisters.

    Edmond』s in my cabin, but we have to leave

    soon,」 Ian said impatiently, shivering and

    burying his hands in his pockets.

    「I』m coming…just wait,」 Amber said

    crossly, taking one last deep breath of the

    London air and stepping onto the rocking

    ship.

    The White Minnow was not quick in

    leaving. A few of the sailors had to be

    dragged out of a pub by a disgusted Uncle

    Ian. Amber privately thought he looked out

    of place wearing his fine suit in the muddy

    streets of one of London』s nastiest slums.

    Finally, with all of the sailors grunting

    with effort, the battered ship gave a great

    lurch and pulled away from the dock.

    Once Amber was aboard the ship, she

    joined Edmond, her sickly brother, in Ian』s

    cabin. Edmond was very white in the face and laid propped up in a

    narrow bunk.

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（3）

    「Why did we ever have to go on this horrid old soaking hulk?」
    Edmond moaned, pulling the thin covers over his face.

    「You know quite as well as I do that Uncle Ian is the closest relation

    we have,」 said Amber, lying back on the bunk, 「and unless you want to

    go to live in an old shack, you shall have to stop your complaining this

    forecastle - raised section

    of deck at the front of the

    ship

    accustomed - familiar,

    used to

    collided - crashed into

    hoisted - lifted up

    lurched - moved violently

    and unsteadily

    seething - a pent-up

    quality, usually applied to

    anger or resentment

    traversing - moving up,

    down, over, or across

    scurrilous - insulting

    commotion - hubbub,

    ruckus, noisy disturbance

    cringe - flinch or shy away

    in embarrassment or fear

    sufficient - enough,

    adequate

    relish - savor, enjoy

    menacingly -

    threateningly

    gnash - to grind one's

    teeth in anger

    kirtle - a long dress or

    skirt popular from the

    Middle Ages through the

    17th C.

    mutiny - sailors' rebellion

    flamboyant - showy,

    flashy or colorful

    scalawags -

    troublemakers

    VOCABULARY LIST

    89

    Danger Ship

    instant.」 Just then Ian opened the door, looking as though he could have

    done with some serious rest.

    「Oh, Amber. It』s you,」 he said,

    collapsing into a rickety chair and gulping

    down a mouthful of a steaming hot liquid.

    「I just had to pull your sister, er, Joanna,

    away from the forecastle.」 Amber had no

    idea what a forecastle was, but she did not

    want to show her ignorance by asking.

    From the bunk, Edmond gave a moan. Ian

    looked over at the boy, putting down his

    mug.

    「I hope you』re doing well, Edmond,」

    Ian said weakly, attempting to smile. Amber

    rose from the bunk, brushed herself off,

    and made a move towards the door.

    「Where are the ladies』 facilities?」

    Amber asked curtly, not bothering to look

    at Ian.

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（4）

    「What?」 Ian asked blankly. 「Oh, er, well
    about that…perhaps I should do some

    construction on the ship later. But for now,

    could you please just do it in here?」 Ian held

    out a soaked wooden bucket, held together

    with an assorted number of rags. She

    jumped back with a shriek, gasping.

    「Amber!」 Ian shouted.

    「I refuse to use that filthy bucket!」

    Amber shouted, shuddering as a slug

    wormed its way across the rim. 「Now please show me my room!」

    A sailor took Amber to a small room a few feet away from Ian』s cabin.

    It had an unusually low ceiling, so Amber was forced to stoop down as

    she entered. A small lantern hung from a large beam, swaying each time

    the ship rocked. It was very dim, and also very hard to get accustomed

    to the musty smell.

    「What!」 Amber shrieked, enraged. She kicked the bunk. 「These are

    unacceptable lodgings!」

    「Good enough for the rest of the crew,」 the sailor said darkly. 「We

    share this, sleeping in hammocks. In the pitch dark to boot.」

    brig - ship's prison

    malady - illness

    sufficient - enough, as

    much as is needed

    furrowed - forehead

    wrinkle, groove, plow

    trench

    galley - a boat's kitchen

    scandalous - disgraceful

    or shameful

    indignant - angry at

    unfairness

    cherub - a chubby faced

    child angel

    trump - in a card game

    the suit that has a higher

    value than others, slang

    for an outstanding person

    rigging - the ropes that

    attach to masts and sails

    on a boat

    vigor - strength, vitality

    cartilage - the substance

    that our noses and ears

    are made of

    hysterically -

    uncontrollably

    grog - a mix of rum, hot

    water, sugar, and lemon

    juice

    dehydration - loss of

    bodily fluids

    VOCABULARY LIST

    THE JOY OF WRITING

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（5）

    「Why would you think that I care?」 Amber exclaimed. 「I must see my
    uncle about this immediately.」

    「He has his orders. None are to see him but his nephew,」 the sailor

    said, making a move to block the door. His nephew! The words rang in

    Amber』s head. How she wished she could have stopped the carriage

    accident. The duel. Just everything. Everything that had led to this

    horrible ship.

    「Well, then bring me some food,」 Amber said haughtily, placing her

    hands on her hips.

    「Find it yourself. I have my own duties,」 the sailor said, walking out

    and closing the door, leaving Amber in darkness.

    Amber awoke the next morning with aches in her arms and legs. She

    had spent the night being tossed around in the bunk, and had collided

    with what she was sure was some kind of rat. Everybody was busy,

    muttering and swearing. To make matters worse, Ian put Amber in charge

    of her little twin sisters, Joanna and Mary.

    「Just get off me!」 Amber cried with disgust as Mary clambered onto

    her arm. Ian merely sighed and turned away. It was to be a busy day, with

    everyone knocking each other about and general confusion. Amber was

    going to have a hard time. She had her heart set on exploring the ship, and

    the only way to calm Joanna and Mary and keep them from jumping and

    hiding from everything they saw was to give them a piggyback ride. There

    really was no other way. Amber sighed as she hoisted first Joanna up to

    her shoulder and then Mary. Carrying them was going to be no easy task.

    It was not really Amber』s choice to go below decks, but everybody

    seemed to want the girls out of the way, including Ian, who was obsessed

    with Edmond』s worsening fever. Amber groaned as she staggered down

    the creaking stairs. Her lantern bounced against her side, making Mary

    shrink back with fright. It was wet and damp, not at all Amber』s dream

    liner. She grasped the wooden railing to steady herself. The ship lurched

    again, making Amber trip and the lantern fall. As Amber shrieked, the

    passage was plunged into darkness.

    When Amber woke up, she was lying in the bunk with Ian hovering

    anxiously over her.

    「What happened?」 Amber asked, somewhat annoyed at the previous

    event.

    「That was quite a fall you had back there,」 Ian said, whistling. 「Can』t

    you learn to keep your balance?」

    「Not when the thing I』m on has to be this old ship,」 Amber said

    fiercely, her pride stung by the scathing remark.

    91

    Danger Ship

    「Well, I suppose you』ve made up your mind about it. The next port

    should be about, say, about a day. There we can stop and pick up fresh

    supplies. And you can get some proper care,」 Ian said, taking a step back.

    Amber threw back her covers and slid out cautiously.

    「I need my baggage,」 Amber said impatiently. 「It has my things in it.」

    「Your trunk will be below decks,」 Ian said, making no move to the

    door.

    「Where is a sailor who can bring my baggage up?」 Amber asked,

    unintentionally betraying her impatience.

    「What?」 Ian asked blankly. 「Oh, er, I suppose you』ll have to do it

    yourself.」

    And so it was that Amber left the cabin seething and angry. She had

    not had a pleasant experience when traversing the stairs last time, and

    although an undersized sailor accompanied her this time, Amber was not

    reassured by the tiny sailor』s scurrilous words.

    The hold where Amber』s baggage was kept was dark and dank. Amber

    pulled her trunk out from the corner and shoved it into the sailor』s hands.

    「Here. Carry it up,」 she said coldly.

    「No,」 the sailor said calmly, sliding the trunk back to Amber』s feet.

    「No!? You dare refuse a lady』s wishes!」 Amber cried, enraged. 「I am

    the daughter of the Earl of Cambridge!」

    「You ain』t no lady,」 the sailor said, chuckling. 「Look at ye.」 Amber

    looked down and to her surprise realized that it was true. She was not at

    all the image of a fine lady. Her dress was spattered with mud and

    saltwater, and her hair was tangled and loose around her shoulders.

    Nobody would have mistaken her for an elegant, refined lady of high

    society. She was somewhat disheartened at this. After all, she had been

    sent to the best finishing school in all of London. Why hadn』t she come

    out right?

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（6）

    「If ye don』t move yer legs, I』ll leave ye.」 The sailor』s voice disturbed
    Amber. She gritted her teeth and dragged her trunk back up the stairs.

    Once she had pulled one of her favorite dresses out of her trunk,

    Amber dabbed perfume behind her ears and then dressed herself. She

    combed her hair and braided it into two long plaits, washed her face with

    a damp towel, and joined the rest of the company. Dinner that night was

    nothing more than some biscuits and sea beans. Ian was extremely

    worried about a storm that was gathering, and could be seen pacing the

    deck with a sharp eye focused on the foggy skies.

    「There』s a storm out there,」 he said grimly as he came back in the

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    92

    kitchen, shutting the door. 「We』ll have rain tonight, as well as some

    lightning and thunder.」 There were groans from crew members.

    「It can』t be stopped,」 Ian said wearily, sweeping the dishes up from

    the table and dumping them into one large bucket. 「Maybe we』ll have

    better weather as it nears midsummer.」

    The days passed. Soon Amber had lost track of time aboard The White

    Minnow. Edmond』s anguished cries could often be heard faintly from the

    cabin, and although many medicines were prescribed, none really did

    anything. Storms came and went. New cargoes of black slaves were

    loaded, unloaded, and reloaded.

    One particularly warm day as Amber stood on the deck of the ship,

    staring out at the yards of endless water, she was startled by the cabin boy

    in the middle of a grand daydream.

    What』d he have to come now for? I was just having that pleasant daydream about

    me dressed in a long beautiful kirtle with my hair braided into long plaits, while

    everyone was serving me and…

    「Ma』m,」 the boy said, trembling. 「Ye are wanted to tend to one of the

    n-negroes below d-decks.」

    「The slaves!」 Amber exclaimed. Regaining her prim, elegant posture,

    she said quietly, 「By whose orders do you summon me?」

    「Y-your uncle』s, ma』m,」 the cabin boy said, looking positively terrified.

    「Fine, then,」 Amber said, pulling away from the deck railing. She

    followed the cabin boy to the steps that led down into the hold. She had

    scarcely put her foot on the first step when she was hit on the back of her

    head and blindfolded.

    When Amber opened her eyes, it was dark and dim. She groped

    around and tried to get up, only to find that she was tied with strong

    lengths of rope. A large sailor came barreling towards her.

    「Right, you』ve finally woken,」 he said roughly, starting to untie the

    cords that bound her. A few other sailors came up from behind him and

    stared at her.

    「Right, boys, now that we』ve got her, we need the boy,」 the sailor said.

    The rest grunted. One made a move towards the stairs. The sailor who

    had been untying Amber grabbed the other sailor by the arm and pulled

    him back.

    「What do you think you』re doing?」 the sailor who had been untying

    Amber hissed. 「You could』ve just signed your death warrant, fool! Did

    you know that if you went up there, that blunderer Ian would have asked

    how everything was going and then come down here to check! He

    would』ve shot us all with that darned pistol of his!」

    93

    Danger Ship

    「You should really control your temper, Tom,」 the other sailor said

    calmly. Amber screamed, her own shrill voice piercing her eardrums. She

    had heard enough, seen enough. It did not take more than a few long

    statements to assure her that there was mutiny in the crew. Ian would

    have to be notified at once. And there was no other way to notify him

    with the sailors guarding the steps.

    「What do ye think yer doin』, girl?!」 Tom exclaimed angrily.

    「Quick! Hide her!」 The other sailors immediately dragged Amber to

    a dark, shadowy corner as Ian』s thin figure came into view.

    「Who screamed?」 Ian asked mildly, straightening his flamboyant

    jacket.

    「Nobody,」 Tom said hurriedly, and, at Ian』s raised eyebrows, he said,

    「Well, I think it might have been the cabin boy. Uh…he might』ve tripped

    on a shard of glass.」

    「Help!」 Amber bit her captor』s wrist (she was happy to note she drew

    blood), and struggled wildly to break free.

    「Amber! What in God』s name are you doing here?」 Ian asked, his

    hand immediately touching his pistol.

    「The sailors kidnapped me,」 Amber said rapidly. 「A mutiny』s been

    started against you.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（7）

    「To arms, men! Fight for yer lives! Every man for himself!!!」 Tom
    barked, firing a crude pistol he had pulled from under his shirt. The

    smoke and confusion which followed next was so unpleasant that Amber

    wanted to just forget it. Whether it was luck or a mysterious force, Ian

    continually avoided the shots until one sailor had been killed and two

    more wounded. Finally the commotion died down. Tom was cursing as

    he sunk down onto the ground, shot in the thigh. Amber pushed herself

    up and ran to where Ian was crouching.

    「That was a close call,」 Ian whistled, tucking his pistol back into his

    belt.

    「Now can we go back to your cabin?」 Amber asked.

    「Yes, but first I need to take these—」 here Ian grimaced and kicked

    one of the sailors, 「scalawags to the brig.」

    「I』ll be in the cabin,」 Amber said quickly, sprinting up the steps.

    More days passed until finally it was Amber』s fifteenth birthday. Ian

    apologized for not being able to make a cake, but the cook scraped up a

    pie out of a few special ingredients. They all sat down at the table,

    munching on the delicious treat.

    「This is wonderful. What is it made out of?」 Amber asked,

    swallowing a mouthful.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    94

    「I』d rather not tell you,」 Ian said, cringing. 「You might…er…find it

    rather dissatisfactory after you were made aware of the ingredients.」

    Edmond groaned from his seat.

    「Oh,」 Amber said, disappointed. She glanced at Edmond, who

    looked as if he was going to be sick.

    「Edmond! What』s wrong?」 Amber exclaimed.

    「My stomach,」 Edmond groaned.

    「Are you feeling all right? Why don』t you just go back to the cabin?」

    Ian asked.

    「Alright,」 Edmond groaned.

    There was a large amount of commotion on Saturday as the black

    slaves were unloaded from the ship and given to the hands of white slave

    traders on the warm shores of Louisiana. Ian had some extra dealings

    with a plantation owner, so he had rented a room in a nearby inn.

    「It』ll be fast,」 he promised Amber. It was really the wrong thing to say.

    Amber wanted nothing more than to stay in the town for as long as

    possible.

    「Can we please stay for just another week?」 she begged Ian. 「This is

    the first civilized town I』ve seen since we sailed off from England.」

    「No, I』ve told you! I have business dealings elsewhere that need to be

    taken care of, and there』s bound to be a storm on the open water once we

    leave!」 Ian exploded, spinning around. Amber shrunk back, hurt.

    「I』m sorry,」 Ian said. 「But it』s very hard to be patient with all of this

    happening. A crew mutiny, trading with some of the most impatient

    plantation owners, it drives a man mad!」

    「Fine,」 Amber sighed, walking away.

    Their leave was delayed by the plantation owner, who proposed to

    throw a farewell party.

    「Jus』 thought might do good to ya』ll,」 he growled, clutching a bloody

    rod which he had used to beat a slave just moments before. Amber turned

    away with disgust at the brutality. Ian protested against the party, but the

    owner insisted. The party was hosted by the owner』s wife, who was a thin,

    solemn woman named Deborah.

    「I wouldn』t take her for a wife if I had a choice,」 Ian whispered to

    Edmond and Amber as they were seated at the long broad wooden table.

    「She is not at all someone I would like to be acquainted with,」 Amber

    whispered back, staring at the numerous stains which dotted the

    threadbare linen tablecloth. Ian ignored Amber, instead turning to

    Edmond.

《無法控制的魔力》　第三部分
接下來會發生什麼？（8）

    Danger Ship
    「How are you feeling?」 he asked the pale boy loudly, patting his

    stomach.

    「Not—very—well,」 Edmond croaked.

    「You, lad! You』ve got any spots on ya?!」 the plantation owner, Alec,

    barked. If he yells at his slaves like he』s doing to Edmond, they』ll attempt running

    away soon, Amber thought, staring at Edmond sympathetically.

    「No, he hasn』t got the spotted pox,」 Ian said hurriedly, dropping a

    spoonful of cilantro mashed potatoes onto his plate.

    「What』s that?」 Amber asked, certain it was some terrible malady.

    「Smallpox. You haven』t heard of it?」 Ian asked Amber, raising his

    bushy eyebrows.

    「Yes,」 Amber said, irritated. 「Of course I have. I just didn』t

    exactly…grasp what you were talking about.」

    「Most feared disease in the entire civilized world,」 Ian said, winking

    at Edmond. 「Most certainly brings death. Of course, there is ways you

    can avoid it…but it spreads like wildfire.」

    「Yes, I know,」 Amber said, even more annoyed. 「News of a recent

    epidemic was on the cover of The Informed Englishman.」

    「P』raps you need a checkup, too, gal?!」 Alec roared across the table.

    「No—you have my assurance that Amber is most delightfully healthy.

    She eats well and has sufficient weight, although I may say myself that

    outlandish girdle which young girls now wear so tightly does spoil a

    regular complexion,」 Ian said, blushing as he finished his statement.

    Amber glared at him, tenderly stroking the fine leather on the belt which

    was strung tightly about her waist.

    「Yah, I agree,」 the man growled, somewhat calmer. 「Me Deborah

    don』t wear nothin』 of the sort.」

    「And perhaps I should wear one, Alec, just to make you aware that I

    am not a household tool to be spoken of freely,」 Deborah said coldly to

    her husband.

    「Whaddya thinkin』 of, woman!」 Alec roared, bringing his fist down

    on the table with a splintering crash.

    「Let』s not get into an argument here,」 Ian said quickly. Amber nodded

    superiorly.

    「Fine, fine,」 Alec said grudgingly. And so all was well for the rest of

    the evening.

    When she woke up in the morning, Amber washed in the water-basin

    that was beside her bed, dressed in a pretty dark green gown, gave her

    thick hair a quick brush, plaited it, and skipped downstairs. Ian looked

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    96

    grave and serious as he sat in his chair by the inn』s fireplace. His stubble

    of a beard looked more ragged than usual, and his usually neat brown hair

    was unkempt.

    「Is there anything wrong?」 Amber whispered to Edmond with some

    anxiety.

    「Another one of Ian』s ships—The Merry Waters—was taken by

    pirates,」 Edmond whispered back, his little round face white with fear.

    「Damn. Darn it all,」 Ian swore from his chair. Amber shuddered.

    「And there』s more,」 Edmond whispered. 「We』ll have to go on a

    rescue mission to the site where the ship was attacked! Us! 」

    「Amber, I』m sorry to disappoint you, but we』ll be going on a different

    course today, er, to some important—」 Ian was cut off by Amber』s 「I

    know.」 She tried to sound cool and calm, but the trembling in her voice

    betrayed her fear.

    「You know about the pirates?」 Ian asked, his eyebrows raised.

    「Yes. Everything,」 Amber said grimly. 「Now I suppose we』ll have to

    board the wretched ship and forget about all the nice times we』ve had

    here.」

    「Well, actually, about that,」 Ian said, blushing. 「Another one of my

    ships, My Fair Lady, just arrived. It is larger and more luxurious—more

    fitting to a young lady of your rank. I am switching The White Minnow with

    the captain of My Fair Lady, so we will have comfortable sailing for the

    rest of our journey.」 Amber was so overjoyed that she was at loss for

    words. She stood gaping at Ian.