《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》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（11）

    「You cannot!」 Myles cried out, immediately biting his lip.
    「Boy! You! Stop it!」 Iyvin exclaimed to Myles, whirling around.

    「The boy is right,」 Iyvina』s lips curled into an eerie smile. 「We cannot

    attack without using him first, can we?」

    「No, Iyvina, we』ve talked about this before,」 Iyvin put in hurriedly.

    「Let』s just plan our attack.」 Everybody put their heads together. Myles,

    seeing a chance, snuck past them. It happened that he stepped on Iyvin』s

    foot at just the last second, so a great cry arose. Myles ran past them, but

    they were nearing. He put even greater speed into his running. Then with

    a splash he fell into cold water and his mind was an abyss of swirling

    darkness.

    When Myles awoke he was surprised to find himself laid out on grass.

    There was a warm night breeze that was most refreshing. He found that

    his wet clothes were quite an annoyance, but the breeze dried them

    quickly.

    「Myles!」 It was King Johann! 「What are you doing here?」

    「My master gave me permission to wander the lands,」 Myles said

    hurriedly.

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    142

    「And here you are, laid out on the grass dripping wet!」 Johann

    exclaimed. 「Do you not prefer life as a page?」

    「No,」 Myles said, forgetting to say 「your majesty.」

    「No! Well, at least come back to the palace to get some dry clothes.」

    「I must continue with my journey. But thank you for the offer,」 Myles

    said stiffly.

    「Ah, well, then, I』ve seen that you』ve made up your mind. Have good

    luck!」 And Johann was gone.

    Myles made his shelter that day under the branches of a weeping

    willow. He was glad that he had slept there instead of out in the open, as

    there was a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, when Myles peeked out, he

    realized that the stream was undoubtedly too high for him to cross.

    「Oh, fie!」 Myles muttered to himself. 「I just might as well have stayed

    at the palace with Didoni! I rather find myself missing the old bat. It』s

    raining, there』s thunder, and there』s no way I』ll be able to get to the other

    side of that horrible stream!」 But as it so turned out, it was only a typical

    night of grumpiness.

    The next day was quite a beautiful day. The sun was shining, casting

    its rays of lights everywhere and almost blinding Myles. The stream had

    lowered somewhat, although it was still not shallow enough to cross.

    「Those Tyrs up in the North are lucky. They have those handy reed

    boats,」 Myles muttered to himself. He wandered around until he finally

    found a shallow spot in the stream he could wade across. When he

    emerged from the water on the other side, he was drenched and in a very

    bad mood.

    「Curse those Gadians for leading me off the path!」 Myles muttered,

    as well as various swearwords.

    When Myles finally started on the path leading to Aroda, a holy city,

    he bumped into an old man who was wearing a dark burgundy hooded

    cloak. The man also happened to be walking to Aroda.

    「Excuse me,」 Myles stammered. The stranger pulled back his hood.

    He was an old man, with long, unwashed gray hair. Myles guessed that the

    man was making a pilgrimage to Aroda, to see the holy relics of Saint

    Orada.

    「It is a trivial matter, lad. My fault,」 the man said. 「Allow me to

    introduce myself. I am Friar John, of the Franciscan Order.」 Myles

    immediately realized that he should have known this easily. It was obvious

    —the friar』s gray habit was the symbol of the Franciscan Order.

    「Well, er,」 Myles stood there stuttering. He was in a rather an

    awkward position. Neither knew what to say.

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（12）

    「Well, let us be off to Aroda,」 John said merrily, taking Myles』s hand.
    「You』re going there, I presume?」 Myles nodded.

    「Well, I have a few friends there. I』m sure they would be glad to give

    you some shelter for the night—I』ve heard that the inns there are filthy

    and serve terrible food. So let us not waste time,」 John said.

    「Thank you kindly,」 Myles said, who could not think of anything else

    to say. So, after being much delayed, Myles and John set off.

    A grand cathedral overlooked all the buildings in Aroda. It had a great

    massive bell that tolled each hour. There were no gates to protect Aroda,

    nor any guards. It was a very friendly place, with folk chatting and

    exchanging the latest gossip of the day. Fishmongers sold slimy fish and

    who-knew-what to laughing women, while grim-faced men wheeled carts

    loaded with bread and other goods around, bargaining about prices with

    cooks. It was very much like Myles』s own home in North Yurxl.

    「Come, come into Saint Orada』s Cathedral,」 John muttered, making

    Myles come out of his daydream. The cathedral was very splendid, with

    its gold statues and great paintings. There were long tapestries with

    golden crucifixes, and a pair of steps encircling a platform led up to the

    archbishop』s smooth wooden pulpit. The archbishop, however, was

    absent from the platform; praying in the back of the cathedral.

    「Ah, Brother John!」 A gallant voice rang out. 「You have arrived at

    last, and with a youngster at your side! Have you given up the holy life and

    retired to a life of luxury? Is the boy your faithful servant?」 Laughter

    broke out. The archbishop looked on with a disapproving look on his

    wrinkled face, although Myles noticed that he had just a hint of a smile

    on his withered gray lips.

    「No, Brother Thomas! I met—well, what is your name, lad?」 John

    said, turning to Myles, rather embarrassed.

    「Myles,」 Myles said, fidgeting nervously.

    「Well, I met Myles on the path to Aroda. Myles, this is Brother

    Thomas, Brother Augustine, Brother George, Brother Edmund, Brother

    Julian, Brother Stephen, and of course, Archbishop Peter,」 John said.

    Myles head was in a jumble. Brother who? Brother Jumund?

    No…Brother Steorge?

    「Anyways, I』m hungry,」 John announced. 「Let』s see if Mother』s got

    anything.」

    「Mother」 actually happened to be a tall woman by the name of

    Glorienne with a gray wool dress and a much-stained apron. She ran an

    ancient inn by the name of 「The King』s Bed.」 John and the rest were

    immediately seated.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    144

    「Only good inn in Aroda,」 John said to Myles, taking a mouthful of

    leek soup and wiping his face on the threadbare tablecloth.

    「The others look horrid,」 Myles said, chewing on some sourdough

    bread.

    「Yes. I particularly would not like to go to that Green Eyes Tavern. It

    looks extremely uncivilized,」 John said.

    「Less luxurious buildings are not to your liking, John, eh?」 Thomas

    joked with a grin.

    「Luxurious indeed!」 John sputtered. 「Why—why—how dare you

    suggest such a thing!」

    「Er, could I please have some more bread?」 Myles asked awkwardly,

    nibbling on the edge of his crisp herring.

    「It shall be done! The lad is quite right! We do need some more food

    and drink!」 Stephen exclaimed. Myles was immediately served a fresh loaf

    of bread, along with a small dish of olive oil and vinegar. Glorienne

    proudly bragged that she had made the bread herself, 「with not the help

    of any of those kitchen sluggards.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（13）

    Though his lodgings were pleasant enough, Myles soon tired of the
    monks. Unfortunately, everybody wanted him to stay. One day Myles

    could bear it no longer, and packing his few possessions, slipped down

    from the window. He landed down on the ground with a thump and ran

    away. He had no sense of direction, and found himself always doubling

    back to check. Finally he got onto the South Trail and continued along the

    stream. He crossed the shallowest part, going back to where he had been

    captured by the Gadians. Only this time there were no Gadians in sight.

    Finally on the path leading to Branwole, Myles collapsed onto the ground

    with exhaustion. His eyelids soon became droopy and he fell asleep within

    seconds.

    When Myles woke up, he was much rested and ready to continue

    walking. He breathed in the good scent of the beautiful roses that grew

    along the path, stopping to rest at each one.

    When Myles arrived at Branwole, he made it just in time to run into

    the city before the gates were shut with a clang and a new group of

    knights took their nightly shifts. It was completely dark in the streets

    except for the dim light from a sinister building labeled 「The Traveling

    Man.」 It was the lowest-rated inn in all of Branwole, and Myles did not

    quite relish the idea of staying there for the night. Unfortunately he had

    no choice. Although Myles was not afraid of the ghosts and spirits who

    were said to haunt the streets at night, the nightly curfew prohibited any

    The Tools of the Trade

    145

    folk from being outside past eleven. He gulped down his fears and

    timidly entered The Traveling Man.

    「Hi! Robert, we』ve got a newcomer!」 A loud voice shouted across the

    small room. Myles took a step back.

    「Come, lad,」 said a boy to Myles. 「The room on seventh floor is

    open.」 Myles stepped back and suddenly realized that the entire inn was

    constructed of eight rickety rooms, one on top of the other. The topmost

    room was balanced on four thin sticks, one of which was rotten.

    「Lad!」 The boy tugged at Myles arm impatiently

    「Are you coming or not?」 Myles could do nothing but gape at the boy,

    who merely shrugged.

    「You』ll be wanting food, boy?」 the innkeeper, a short, stocky man,

    shouted over.

    「Yes,」 Myles said gratefully.

    「Well, then, ya gotta work for it. Robert, show him to the kitchens,」

    the innkeeper said, pounding his fist on the counter. Myles was dragged

    away to the back of the inn, where he was made to chop carrots.

    「Do that and you』ll get some bread and coffee,」 the innkeeper

    commanded. Myles nodded, so great was his hunger.

    「Good. Now to work,」 the innkeeper said.

    After about an hour of chopping, Myles was sent up to his room with

    a loaf of crusty rye bread and a cup of awful black stuff mixed with

    water, which was said to be coffee. It was very bitter and Myles poured it

    out of the small window after only a few sips.

    「Ugh,」 Myles said to no one in particular. 「That stuff is awful.」

    Although nobody responded, he felt contented that at least someone had

    heard his remark. Talking to himself always made him miss Didoni.

    Yawning, Myles fell back onto his bed and was soon overtaken by sleep.

    Myles was awakened late in the morning by a deep, melodious voice.

    「Who is it?!」 Myles exclaimed, jumping around and waving his sword.

    「I come with tidings of his majesty King Johann,」 the voice said back.

    Myles jumped up, pulled his breeches over his night shirt, and flung a few

    dirty rats by their tails at the window. Finally he opened the door. A tall,

    slender man with dark black hair stepped in, his fine brown boots not

    leaving a single trace on the floor. He wore a tattered hooded cloak of

    dark violet which dragged behind him, and the gold pocket watch hanging

    from his thick leather belt was the only thing that suggested he was of

    noble birth.

    「Er, why don』t you sit down?」 Myles asked awkwardly.

    「You may not remember me,」 the man sighed, rubbing his thinning

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    146

    hair absentmindedly. 「I am your companion of old, Sherwin. The news I

    bring is urgent.」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（14）

    「Sherwin!」 Myles cried, jumping up and knocking his earthenware
    mug from the table.

    「Yes, it is I,」 Sherwin said, smiling halfheartedly.

    「And how did you come to earn that magnificent watch?」 Myles

    asked, eyeing the pocket watch suspiciously. Sherwin immediately stuffed

    the watch into his canvas hunting pouch and repeated as if he had not

    heard Myles,

    「The news I bring is urgent.」

    「Oh dear,」 Myles said, sighing. 「I do rather think that I』ve had enough

    to put up with that awful innkeeper. But blast on.」 Just then the innkeeper

    stormed in, his bulging face red.

    「Boy,」 he snarled, 「it』s late in the morning, and you』ve just missed

    breakfast.」 Sherwin sprung to his feet.

    「If we are not welcome here, we will leave immediately,」 the boy said,

    his freckles looking redder than usual. Myles could have sworn he saw

    Sherwin』s hand move to his belt, where a very sharp dagger was tied.

    「No, no, you can s-stay h-here,」 the innkeeper stuttered, quickly

    backing away.

    「That rids us of that troublesome fool,」 Sherwin said, settling back

    into his chair. 「Now I must tell you of my grim news. The King Johann,

    Lord bless his soul, has caught it.」

    「What is that?」 Myles asked blankly.

    「My, your years with the artist have made you ignorant! Do you not

    remember?」 And then Sherwin leaned so close that Myles could feel

    Sherwin』s breath on his face. Myles suddenly had a fleeting image of

    wailing women and putrid corpses being dragged away. And then he

    remembered. It was a memory he still did not want to remember. Hardly

    daring to face that the King himself had caught the deadly sickness.

    Myles took a deep breath and asked Sherwin, his voice shaking, 「King

    Johann has caught the…」 He hardly dared to say it. But he forced himself

    to. 「The Hebre?」

    Sherwin grimly nodded his affirmation. 「Unfortunately, it is so.」

    Sherwin offered to accompany Myles, and he gratefully received the

    addition of Sherwin』s company. Myles left in the early afternoon, running

    to keep up with Sherwin』s long strides. Townsfolk barely glanced at them,

    merely going on about their daily business. Myles inhaled the cool, fresh

    air, and waved to the regular surly passerby. However, he noted that

    Sherwin was obviously disturbed. He was frowning, and often fumbled

    The Tools of the Trade

    147

    around in his hunting pouch for something that never seemed to be there.

    Finally Myles felt it was his duty to step in.

    「Sherwin?」 Myles asked timidly one night when they were sleeping

    under the protection of a broad oak tree. 「Has anything

    been…bothering…you lately?」

    「No, nothing,」 Sherwin muttered. But Myles knew that there was

    more to it then just that.

    Myles was awakened in the early morning by the chirping and

    twittering of a couple of a few blue jays, who flew around Sherwin and

    himself excitedly. He groaned, rolled over, and tried to go back to sleep.

    He was roused by Sherwin, who had started a fire and was munching on

    some meat.

    「Get up, lazybones, or else the day will be wasted before you know it,」

    said Sherwin brightly, seeming to have forgotten all of the troubles of the

    previous day. When Myles did not respond, Sherwin poked Myles』s ribs

    with an unusually sharp stick.

    「Oi!」 Myles shouted with rage, jumping up. 「That hurt, you know!」

    Sherwin almost tumbled over backwards with laughter, clutching his

    chest. Myles pulled on his breeches, still muttering angrily. When he was

    fully dressed, he took a piece of meat from the fire and popped it into his

    mouth. He scalded his tongue accidentally, swearing all the more.

    When Myles had finally contented his stomach, Sherwin took his arm

    and they started off on the path, singing an old milkmaid』s ditty merrily

    again. He skulked around the borders of the farmlands, often bringing

    back mutton for supper. Myles suspected that he had been stealing from

    the shepherds』 flocks, but he thought it best to keep silent. In the early

    afternoon Sherwin was back to his usual moodiness again.

    It was a hot summer day that Myles suddenly blurted out to Sherwin,

    「Why are you so unhappy…these days?」 Sherwin turned to face

    Myles, and Myles noticed that a long, red gash ran down the side of his

    face. He took a step back.

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（15）

    「There are many things that I am displeased with,」 Sherwin said
    bitterly. 「But amongst them are my fears of the Dark Horror.」

    「Him?」 Myles cried. 「And I did think that he was locked away in the

    old monastery quite safely!」 He could imagine that gigantic gray wolf

    lurking in the shadows of a mysterious forest, and shuddered.

    「Yes, he was, I』m afraid. But he recently escaped, and is returning to

    his old home. Along this path, I』m afraid,」 Sherwin said grimly.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    148

    「I don』t think I particularly like thinking about that,」 Myles said, his

    voice shaking.

    「And all the more reason to think about it. The Dark Horror has a

    taste for human meat, you might remember?」 Sherwin smiled slyly. Myles

    groaned.

    「Now I do very well wish I were with Didoni!」 he exclaimed. 「Safe

    within the walls of that nice palace, eating that putrid horsemeat!」

    「There shall be many things you wish for,」 Sherwin said. 「And I do

    agree that this journey will be long and perilous. But I am sure that when

    this comes to an end, you will be thankful.」

    「Sherwin, do you like to paint?」 Myles asked suddenly.

    「Yes, I dabble in it. I watched the artist, and I nicked a canvas or two

    and tried it out myself,」 Sherwin said dryly.

    「Do you have any canvases or paints or brushes right now?」 Myles

    asked excitedly.

    「No, I』m afraid not—who』s that?」 Sherwin jumped up, drawing his

    dagger.

    「You fool!」 Myles cried, laughing. 「Why, it』s only Didoni!」 And

    indeed it was—a Didoni clad in silver mail. He was only recognizable by

    his twinkling gray eyes, which were hidden somewhat by his bushy

    eyebrows. Myles immediately ran over to greet his master.

    「What are you doing here?」 Myles asked, staring at the rich mail.

    「I have come to bring you back to where you will have safety,」 Didoni

    said firmly. 「The Dark Horror lurks near, and it is my duty to see to your

    safety. And who is this, may I ask?」 Didoni gestured to Sherwin.

    「An old companion of mine from the cottars』 village,」 Myles said

    quickly. 「His name is Sherwin.」

    「Well, then, make sure that both of you reach home safely,」 Didoni

    said.

    「What do you mean, home?」 Myles asked, fear rising in his stomach.

    He never wanted to return to the smoky cottar』s house!

    「Well, King Johann has granted me a pleasant little stone cottage near

    the ocean, and I am glad to teach you there,」 Didoni said, taking off his

    gray helmet to reveal his large smile.

    「Really…teach me?」 Myles asked, hardly daring to believe it.

    「Yes, teach you the technique of the brush, the quality of the paints,

    and anything else you want to learn,」 Didoni said.

    「Sir…would you mind if I joined you also?」 Myles turned around and

    looked at Sherwin in surprise.

    The Tools of the Trade

    149

    「No, no, of course not! You』re free to come!」 Didoni exclaimed.

    「Oh, and I meant to ask you,」 Myles said quietly, 「Why did King

    Johann give you that cottage?」

    「I』ve been promoted to the rank of a marquis!」 Didoni cried joyfully.

    「By the law, the king has to give the marquis housing and a sum of ninetyfour

    thousand gold coins a year!」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
The Tools of the Trade（16）

    And so Myles, leaning contentedly on Didoni』s shoulder, with Sherwin
    in front of them, made their way to the little stone cottage. Didoni

    opened the low wooden door, stooped under, and took Myles』s hand.

    「Come in, come in!」 Didoni cried. Although it was a little dim at first,

    soon Didoni had opened all of the shutters.

    「You know, I think that I feel like I』m really at home,」 Myles

    remarked, glancing out the window. Although life was always

    unpredictable, Myles somehow knew that he would always be happy.

    參考譯文

    commission – an order to produce piece of work（委任）

    pert – jesting, bold（魯莽的）

    haversack – a heavy bag carried on back（帆布背包）

    cottar – someone who works on a farm in exchange for a place to live （用勞動換得村舍居住權的人）

    ascertained – found out, determined to be true（確認）

    pomp – ceremonial splendor, self-importance（華麗，排場）

    odoriferous – having or diffusing a strong odor（氣味農的）

    trudged – walked wearily（跋涉）

    flagons – a large narrow necked bottle used to store alcohol （大肚酒壺）

    treachery – betrayal（背叛）

    minion – a servant or enslaved person （手下）

    abyss – endless space（深淵）

    relic – something that has existed for a long time, often the only thing that still

    remains of something that was once grand（遺物）

    pilgrimage – religious journey（朝聖）

    habit – clothing of religious order（衣服)

    sluggards – lazy person（懶漢）

    relish – enjoy（享受）

    skulk – to move furtively（偷偷的走）

    dabble – to participate in something without ever becoming seriously dedicated（弄濕，涉水）

    dryly – with subtle humor（微妙的）

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（1）

    麥爾斯抬起頭， 發現迪多尼 馬賽列尼皺著眉，正看著他。
    「我不是叫你給我洗畫筆了嗎？ 」迪多尼雙手叉腰，說。

    「主人，對不起，我給忘了。」麥爾斯訕訕地說。

    「忘了！明天我們要去布爾洛斯公爵的領地。運氣好的話，公爵會讓我給他畫像，或者畫公爵夫人！」

    「主人，我們難道不會有好運氣嗎？」麥爾斯笑著說。

    「別貧嘴了！趕緊幹活去吧！」

    麥爾斯把正在看的書放到肩包里，回答道，「是的」。

    洗畫筆的工作可不簡單。 他首先要從小溪里打上水來。 小溪水流很急，很容易就把畫筆帶走，所以麥爾斯不在小溪里直接洗。 麥爾斯討厭洗畫筆的活，可是他知道，畫筆是他們生存的手段。

    麥爾斯非常喜歡畫畫， 可是他沒有勇氣試一試。 主人把油彩都鎖在箱子里。 即使他想偷偷打開箱子， 他也沒有時間。主人給他安排了一萬件事， 麥爾斯整天忙個不停。 他嘆了口氣， 想起原來住的的農舍連房頂都沒有，便接受了現在學徒的生活。

    「麥爾斯！」迪多尼大喊著朝他走來。

    「你是一個糟糕的學徒。我需要把畫布曬乾，你稍微集中精力行不行？」

    「隨你便吧。」迪多尼故意這樣說，讓麥爾斯內疚去吧。然後，他搖著頭走掉了。

    麥爾斯趕快打滿一桶水，挑在了肩上。他走過雜亂的草地， 來到住的地方。 迪多尼正在等著他。

    「你遲到了, 我罰你洗一夜衣服。」說著，他把一大堆臟衣服扔到麥爾斯腳下， 「快洗吧，天亮之前把活幹完。 」

    麥爾斯累得癱到了地上。 迪多尼就在他身邊打著呼嚕。 麥爾斯看了看天色， 估計大概是午夜時分。

    第二天一大早，麥爾斯終於幹完了活， 迪多尼叫上他一起騎著驢去布爾洛斯。

    布爾洛斯的城門依然非常擁擠。 城門邊有衛士站崗，他們開著粗俗的玩笑，大聲的打著嗝。

    迪多尼和麥爾斯進了城。 布爾洛斯每天四點開城門， 通常都是熙熙攘攘。 麥爾斯獃獃地看著城牆上掛著的壁毯和無數高高聳立的樓房。

    「閉上你的嘴， 小子，」一個士兵對麥爾斯說。麥爾斯不敢傻傻地看了。

    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。

    「畫像! 畫像了! 大畫家迪多尼主畫！」 麥爾斯喊道。 大家從小提琴手那都涌到了迪多尼身邊。 一位年輕女士過來問多少錢一幅畫。

    「二十個硬幣畫一次，」麥爾斯鞠躬說。

    「啊，我畫一幅吧。 我叫瑪麗。」 她笑著說。麥爾斯馬上拽出了一把摺椅。

    「請坐，」他說。 瑪麗優雅地坐下了。 迪多尼已經開始擺弄他那些油彩和炭筆了。

    「請笑一笑，」 迪多尼說。瑪麗笑了，陽光照在她的紅唇上。

    「好，」迪多尼拿著炭筆說。「麥爾斯，你在這寫上瑪麗， 好嗎？ 」麥爾斯激動地拿筆寫上了。

    很快，更多的人圍在迪多尼和麥爾斯身邊， 等著畫像。 天越來越熱，他們也漸漸散去了。

    「畫像！ 畫像！世界著名畫家迪多尼先生主畫！」麥爾斯喊道。可是現在廣場上已經沒有什麼人了，迪多尼把四十個硬幣裝到兜里，從凳子上站了起來。

    「夠買今天的飯的了，可是我們還得在外面睡覺。」 迪多尼說。

    「是的，主人，」麥爾斯把畫筆收起來。找一個商店可不容易，店主們怕熱，六點就都打烊， 乘涼去了。

    還有一家小店開著門，店主叫馬格，他長得短小精悍。 馬格看見他們並不熱情，他皺著眉頭， 說，

    「你們要幹嘛？ 」

    「我們只要點麵包和乳酪。」迪多尼回答道。

    「三十二個硬幣，」迪多尼把錢遞給馬格。

    「你們現在走吧！」馬格喊道。麥爾斯和迪多尼趕快走了。夕陽西沉，他們走到了城鎮邊上，在玉米地里鋪上了床。勞累了一天，這裡就是他們的天堂了。

    晚上，麥爾斯啃著乾麵包和乳酪，迪多尼坐在一邊寫生。麥爾斯躺在地上，看著灰藍色的天空和天邊赤紫色的晚霞，美美地睡著了。

    第二天，迪多尼把他叫醒了。

    「快點，公爵要出巡了，咱們得快點！」麥爾斯一骨碌爬了起來。他們跑到了公路上，看到公爵和夫人喬安娜正坐在轎子里巡街。

    「公爵萬歲！」市民們扔著帽子，歡呼著。迪多尼打了個手勢，麥爾斯也開始喊了起來，

    「精美畫像！由大畫家迪多尼 馬賽列尼主筆！」 公爵回過頭來。

    「停下，」 公爵吩咐道，迪多尼和麥爾斯上前一步。

    「迪多尼 馬賽列尼， 我是布爾洛斯地區的公爵。 你會畫畫是嗎？」

    「是的， 大人， 」迪多尼深深地鞠了一躬。

    「好，」公爵然後對麥爾斯說，

    「孩子，你覺得他畫的怎麼樣？」

    「很好，他用筆熟練， 運用色彩尤其得心應手。」麥爾斯說道。

    「喬安娜！」公爵看了看夫人，

    「這個畫家可以給你畫像， 」公爵又對迪多尼說，

    「七十個硬幣怎麼樣？」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（2）

    麥爾斯吃了一驚。 七十個硬幣可是一大筆錢呢。比他在農村時交的稅都多！
    「小夥子，你發什麼呆呢？」一個帶著灰色眼罩的老人問他。

    「流浪漢，滾開！」騎士揮舞著金手杖， 叫喊著。

    「我又不礙你們闊佬爺的事，我跟這個小夥子說說話，不行嗎？好吧，我現在走了。。。」老人拄著拐杖，走了。

    「我付你一百四十個硬幣，你給我和夫人各畫一張畫像，好不好？」公爵問。

    「好的，大人。」迪多尼馬上說。

    「騎士們，清街！」公爵吩咐道。不一會，廣場上只剩下了公爵，夫人，麥爾斯，迪多尼和幾位保鏢。夫人躺下來休息，她的傭人為她按摩，扇扇子。公爵正在和迪多尼說話。

    「我要顯得威武強壯，可不能像我的哥哥，國王那樣猥瑣怯懦。」

    「畫您穿著盔甲怎麼樣？」麥爾斯脫口而出。

    「不錯！這個孩子挺有主意的！我要穿著閃亮的盔甲，眼睛如同鷹一樣炯炯有神，鼻子高挺。嘴唇嗎―――得看上去很威嚴。」

    迪多尼點著頭。

    「一定照您的意思辦，大人」，迪多尼已經開始素描了。

    布爾洛斯地區最偉大的藝術作品就此誕生了。迪多尼畫的公爵大人威武莊嚴，有點像上帝。

    「這回那些西邊的人們再也不敢侵犯我的地盤了！現在你畫夫人吧！」公爵說。

    夫人的要求與公爵的可不一樣。她要自己溫柔裊娜，鼻子又直又細，她想穿一件酒紅色的長裙來配她的金髮。

    「謝謝，很美。」夫人如此評價她的畫像。

    「問問您的臣民，看他們要不要畫像可以嗎？」麥爾斯又建議道。

    「這個主意不錯，」公爵拍著麥爾斯的後背，笑著說。 迪多尼也不敢責怪麥爾斯多嘴了。

    「大人，請接受我們最高的敬意，願上天保佑您。 」迪多尼鞠躬說。

    「好的。」公爵熱情的握著迪多尼的手，搖了搖。公爵作了個手勢，他的傭人們就把轎子又抬了過來。從此，麥爾斯再也沒有見過他了。

    當天下午，眼看就要熱起來了，迪多尼和麥爾斯騎著他們的驢， 沿著一條又窄又泥濘的小路向克萊斯提托方向走去。 克萊斯提托是個比布爾洛斯還要熱鬧龐大的一座城市。 喬漢國王在這裡有一座夏宮。

    「如果國王允許我給他或者一位公主畫像， 我就一下成名了。」迪多尼幻想道。

    「我看沒希望。公爵讓你畫像是因為你站在人群最前面。 可是國王出巡時，騎士們會站在人群的前面和後面來保證國王的安全的。」

    「你得說國王大人！」迪多尼訓斥道。

    「為什麼呢？ 」麥爾斯問。

    「我可不想因為你不會說話而坐牢。」迪多尼看麥爾斯不大相信的樣子，又接著說，「這種事是有的。」

    「是嗎？」麥爾斯屏住氣，說。

    第二天，他們又繼續騎了幾個小時，（麥爾斯頭一天屁股就已經酸痛的不行了），迪多尼在驛站停下。他扔給麥爾斯幾條褲子，長襪，和一件長長的白襯衫。

    「快點把衣服換了，別忘了跟國王說話時要說國王大人。」麥爾斯幾下子就換好了衣服。

    「你應該再洗洗臉，洗洗頭。可是我們太晚了，算了。」迪多尼不耐煩地說。

    麥爾斯在克萊斯提托的城門看見許多奇人怪事。一個女人正在與護衛調情。另外一個女人抱怨嗓子痛，可是藥店偏偏沒有開門。突然，教堂的鐘聲響起，護衛們全都清醒過來，等教堂的鐘聲響二遍時，他們就把城門打開了。

    大家都跑了進去。

    「進去吧，女士，進去吧，先生，進去吧，小不點！」護衛們喊著。麥爾斯這才發現，布爾羅斯跟克萊斯提托簡直不能比，這裡的富裕和美麗超出了他的想象。

    「讓路，國王大人出巡！」騎士們從四面八方跑過來。等街上稍稍安定一些了，麥爾斯就開始喊，

    「畫像，著名大師迪多尼 馬賽列尼主筆的畫像！」

    「你要是真正的畫家就過來吧。 」一位騎士命令道。

    「韋恩， 我會處理的。」國王喬漢說。 他與公主安雅從轎子上下來。 迪多尼和麥爾斯都上前去，深深的鞠了一躬。

    「好吧，我其實不需要一個畫像， 可是去年夏天我把宮廷畫師給解僱了。而且，公主也到了出嫁的年齡。有人跟我要她的畫像了。我不能讓我的人民出錢了，所以我付你的錢不多。 這樣吧，你當我的宮廷畫師，你的學徒當我的侍衛，怎麼樣？」

    「我太榮幸了！」迪多尼喊道。 麥爾斯本來想拒絕國王的安排，可是他沒敢說。

    當天夜裡，麥爾斯和迪多尼住在了不同的屋裡，國王的宮殿並不大，可是非常溫暖舒適。

    麥爾斯從他的房間里能看到護城河。 他還看到國王和公主正在散步。

    「主人？」一個聲音問道。

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（3）

    麥爾斯轉身過去。一個侍女進了他的房間，有點驚恐的說，「陛下下令您吃飯。」 侍女把食盤放在小桌上。食物看上去非常誘人，可是麥爾斯吃了一口，卻發現味道非常難吃。
    「這是什麼東西？」麥爾斯問。

    「這是蝸牛，」侍女往後退了一步。

    「蝸牛？！」麥爾斯差點爆炸了， 一不小心又噎著了，嗆了身上全是水。侍女趕快拿餐巾給他擦。

    「瑞秋？給他穿上制服。」傳來了國王的聲音。

    「是的，陛下。」瑞秋打開了門，國王走了進來。

    「你不喜歡這個味道，是不是？只有高台上的人才有真正的肉吃呢。但是他們吃的肉也是硬硬的。」國王說。麥爾斯並不知道什麼是高台，可是他不敢問，怕顯得很無知。其實，高台是國王，公主和貴族們坐的地方。

    第二天一早，麥爾斯醒過來，發現瑞秋在給他點火。床邊放了一套新衣服，顯然是給他的。

    「國王陛下請你去大宴會廳， 您的老師畫家先生也已經在那了。」瑞秋說。

    「謝謝，」麥爾斯跑了出去，可是他並不知道大宴會廳在什麼地方。他看見打開的兩重大門，便偷偷往裡面看了看。喬漢坐在金碧輝煌的皇座上，迪多尼坐在國王旁邊，畫布已經準備好了。麥爾斯聽見迪多尼的鞋跟聲，嗒嗒的迴響在宴會廳里。

    「孩子，你到了。」國王說。迪多尼並不看麥爾斯。

    「陛下，」麥爾斯說，

    「你現在是我的貼身侍衛，可思利去當騎士了。我希望你能長期為我工作。」麥爾斯不認識可思利，可是他估計國王在說以前的侍衛。

    「總之，你坐吧。」麥爾斯坐下了。

    「首先，我得給你介紹一下，」國王說。一個老人走了進來。

    「這是羅德爵士。羅德，這是麥爾斯，」國王介紹道。

    「不是爵士了，」老人糾正道，他拄著銀頭鑲寶拐杖，說，「我兒子現在繼承了這個頭銜。」

    「好吧，羅德，你還是能拿你的拐杖把我的侍衛們打的落花流水。」國王大笑起來，麥爾斯可不覺得有什麼好玩的，只好假笑了幾下。誰知，大家都瞪著他看。

    「別笑了，咱們討論正經事吧。」 國王最後說。

    「對，」 羅德點著頭，用手捋了捋頭髮。

    「什麼事呢？」麥爾斯問。

    「小夥子， 你叫什麼來著？ 」國王問。

    「麥爾斯，」

    「麥爾斯，這個名字很適合你，一個強壯的小夥子 」 羅德說。麥爾斯有點不好意思。在村裡的時候，別人叫他普尼， 麥爾斯比他同齡的孩子顯小，也沒有寬肩厚臂， 但是羅德要是認為他魁梧，他也許真的不賴呢！   

    當侍衛原來並不容易。 羅德不是非常嚴厲，那也已經很難了。 畢竟麥爾斯是個農村孩子，沒有什麼高貴血統。羅德詢問了他父親的情況后就了解了。 麥爾斯不喜歡宮廷生活，儘管按他現在的級別，已經可以吃牛肉了。

    一天，麥爾斯正在宮殿周圍亂轉，他發現迪多尼不在他的屋裡，而且，他的箱子大開著。麥爾斯屏住呼吸，躡手躡腳的走了進去， 拿了迪多尼的畫筆， 油彩，和一塊畫布。 他照了照鏡子。

    「我可以畫自己呀，」他很喜歡這個想法，就馬上開始了。兩個小時以後，他完成了一幅傑作。畫中的麥爾斯與他本人一模一樣。這時，迪多尼進來了。

    「麥爾斯！」迪多尼使勁的抓著門把手，「這是什麼？」

    「你從沒讓我畫過畫，你是我的老師，應該教我畫畫的。」

    「孩子，你做了什麼呀？」迪多尼自言自語著，坐到了椅子上。

    「我畫的這幅畫！」麥爾斯把畫從身後拿出來。 迪多尼看了幾秒， 說，

    「不錯，可是你不聽我的話，我非常失望。」

    「你不肯教我畫畫， 我現在因為你的緣故，又作了國王的侍衛。」

    「要不是我，你現在還在那個小村子里呢，你這個忘恩負義的東西！」迪多尼生氣的說。

    「你沒有教我畫畫！你不負責任！」最後，迪多尼認輸了，他從椅子上站了起來。

    「好吧，可是你也是個不聽話的學生呀。」

    「你又沒說過不要動你的東西！」麥爾斯狡辯道。

    迪多尼說，「給國王當侍衛對你很有好處，看，你現在有屋住，在宮廷里也有地位。當初，你可是一個快餓死的孤兒，別抱怨了！」

    「侍衛的確是個好差事， 可是我喜歡畫畫， 我喜歡到處流浪!」

    「你是我的學徒，就得聽我的。我不許你到處亂跑。」

    「我會跑掉的。」麥爾斯自己都不相信他會跑掉。兩年前，他只有十歲，一個叫芬的孩子就跑掉了。第二天，三個釣魚的人發現了他的屍體。現在，他至少吃得飽，穿得暖。

    「麥爾斯，你得講道理。跑掉是個很蠢的想法。」麥爾斯不說話了。不管怎麼說，他現在過的挺好的，可是。。。

    「我會離開的，你就是打我，罵我，我還會走。」麥爾斯說。

    「好吧，你不會變主意的。你走吧，我祝福你。」

    第二天，麥爾斯收拾了行李，向迪多尼告別。迪多尼陪他走到大門口。

    「從這開始，走左邊的那條路。 直著走兩里後向右拐。 你就到博納了。 過了博納， 你就可以自己隨便走了。」 迪多尼說。

    「是的，老師，」 麥爾斯把包甩到肩上，向他揮手告別了。

    一個人趕路很寂寞， 麥爾斯嘆了嘆氣，把頭靠在驢背上。

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（4）

    「你也想你的朋友吧， 」他對驢說。 沒想到驢對他點了點頭。 突然，二十個人從樹頂上跳下來，手裡拿著滾燙的鐵棍。
    「他就是個小孩。」 麥爾斯聽見一個聲音說。待走近了，麥爾斯發現他們赤裸的胸上都有一個奇怪的符號。 他們的腰上還別著大肚酒壺。

    「抓住他，」有個人說。「老大會審他的。」有人揪住了麥爾斯的領子。

    「看在國王的分上， 別這樣。」麥爾斯喊道。

    「國王？我們可跟國王沒什麼關係！ 看在上帝的分上，哈哈哈！」他們喊道。 麥爾斯明白了，他們是加地安人， 到處燒殺掠奪 ， 他們沒有信仰， 不懂什麼叫仁慈。 麥爾斯絕望的在他的肩包里找他的刀，找到之後，他把刀拿出來，威脅這群歹徒。 可是他們的刀比麥爾斯的大得多。

    「這小子有傢伙， 抓住他！」又有一個人從樹后躥了出來。 麥爾斯奮力拚搏，左躲右閃。

    「我來對付他。 你們好好學學。」 那個人衝過來抓住麥爾斯把他從驢上拽了下來。 麥爾斯痛得大叫， 他的腳被扭傷了。

    「把他捆起來！」那個人命令道。 麥爾斯急得用嘴咬企圖捆他的人，可是最終還是寡不敵眾。

    「乾的不錯，格若爾。」賊頭說。麥爾斯被帶到了森林深處（迪多尼囑咐過他千萬不要到森林深處去）的一棵樹下。

    「加地安人萬歲，」首領伊萬說。

    「祝首領子孫滿堂，」手下們齊說。 麥爾斯有點害怕，他覺得他們要殺了他。實際上伊萬從來不殺小孩。 他只讓他們去謀害國王。可是沒有哪個小孩真敢去謀害國王。 麥爾斯瑟瑟發抖， 他發現其中的一個人就是那個戴著灰色眼罩，跟他說過話的那個老頭。

    他注意到樹上爬上來一條蛇，便想道，「希望他們別把蛇擱到我身上。」

    儘管他原來很討厭迪多尼，可是現在他想他了。

    加地安人把麥爾斯拖到了一個洞里，轉來轉去的，他們最後到了一個黑洞洞的走廊里。

    「把那個小子解開吧。」伊萬發話了。

    「開始慶祝吧！」伊萬喊道。

    伊萬是個至少有五百磅的大胖子，他的大肚子垂在腰帶下。胖胖的臉彷彿是個小嬰兒。麥爾斯現在不那麼害怕了，他覺得他們不會殺了他。

    「小夥子，你叫什麼名字？」伊萬問。

    「麥爾斯。」 他現在確信他們不會殺他了。不然，問他的名字幹嘛？

    「好的，麥爾斯，你現在是我們的人了。來吧，入席。」麥爾斯可不想吃加地安人的飯，傳說他們的飯里有毒，酒都帶魔力。伊萬看他不吃，有點生氣了。

    「你要是再不吃，我就想辦法讓你吃了。」

    「我不聽你們這些野人的。」麥爾斯憤怒的喊。

    「野人？我最恨別人叫加地安人野人了！ 我們是這裡的先住民， 國王喬漢才是後來的野人呢！ 他們殺了多少加地安人呀！」

    「天哪！ 天哪！」 伊萬氣的走來走去， 把盤子碗筷都打翻在地了。

    「頭！ 」他的手下們害怕生氣的伊萬， 說，「看，伊夫娜來了！」麥爾斯看見一個女孩走了進來，也鬆了一口氣。 女孩十四歲左右，伊萬跑過去抱了抱她。

    「可愛的伊夫娜！你來了多好呀！你今天為什麼上這來呢？你喝酒嗎？」麥爾斯猜伊夫娜是伊萬的女兒，她很瘦，長著黑黑的頭髮和黑色的眼睛。

    「我想喝點酒， 父親。我有個主意，喬漢要穿過平原。也許我們可以偷襲他。」

    「不行！」麥爾斯喊道。

    「小子，你，住嘴！」伊萬沖麥爾斯喊道。

    「他說的有道理，我們得用他做釣餌才行．」伊夫娜怪異的笑著。

    「不行，伊夫娜，咱們還是說說偷襲的事吧。」大家都湊到了伊萬的旁邊。麥爾斯看有機會，就偷偷的往外溜。誰想到，在最後一秒鐘的時候，他踩到了伊萬的腳上。伊萬大叫了一聲。麥爾斯拚命的跑，直到掉到了冰涼的冷水裡。

    當麥爾斯醒來的時候，他發現自己躺在草地上，溫暖的夜風吹拂著他，把他的濕衣服都吹乾了。

    「麥爾斯！」國王喬漢在喊他。「你在這幹什麼呢？」

    「我的老師允許我週遊世界。」麥爾斯趕快說。

    「你怎麼濕漉漉的在草地上？你不願意給我當侍衛嗎？」

    「不願意。」麥爾斯又沒有說「陛下。」

    「不？給我回宮拿點乾衣服總可以吧？」

    「我得繼續趕路，謝謝。」麥爾斯說。

    「看來你主意已定。祝你好運吧。」國王喬漢走了。

    麥爾斯當天在一棵柳樹下過了夜。夜裡下起了暴風雨，小河的水漲得很高，他現在不能過去了。

    「糟糕， 我還不如和迪多尼一起呆在宮殿里呢！ 還真有點想那個傢伙。 下雨了，我怎麼過河呢？」

    幸好第二天是個好天氣。 太陽金光萬丈， 河裡的水也落下去很多。

    「北面的泰爾人真幸運， 他們可以坐船過河。 」麥爾斯繞著走了幾圈，找到了一處較淺的地方。他趟著水過了河，渾身都濕透了。

    「都是那些加地安人，讓我走這樣的破路！」麥爾斯嘰嘰咕咕的罵著。

    麥爾斯開始向聖城阿羅達出發。阿羅達因為有聖人歐拉達的遺物而聞名。 一位穿著紅色斗篷的老人正好也要去阿羅達。

    「您好，」麥爾斯向他打招呼。老人把斗篷的帽子拉了下來，他的頭髮很長，象是一個超聖者。

    「你好，我是聖方際會的約翰修士。」老人向麥爾斯自我介紹。麥爾斯這才想起聖方際會的修士都是穿著灰頭篷的。

    「嗯，」麥爾斯不知道該說什麼好了，他站在哪裡有些尷尬。

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（5）

    「咱們一起去阿羅達吧。你也要去那，是不是？」老人熱情的拉起麥爾斯的手說。
    「我在那有幾個朋友，他們可以讓你住在他們家裡。因為阿羅達的旅店又臟又貴。」約翰說。

    「真太謝謝你了。」麥爾斯感動的說不出話來了。

    阿羅達最高的建築是一座教堂，每個小時教堂的鐘聲會響徹整個城市。阿羅達沒有門，也就沒有門衛。城市中央，可以看見市民們興奮地聊著小道消息，魚販們的生意也不錯。還有沉著臉的商販拉著滿是食物的車，和飯館的大廚們正討價還價。這裡的氣氛很象麥爾斯的家鄉北於爾克斯。

    「來，看看聖奧拉達教堂，」約翰對麥爾斯說。教堂確實是座宏偉的建築，教堂裡面有金塑的神像和名畫，教堂牆上還掛著金十字架。教堂前面是大主教佈道用的神壇。可是大主教現在卻在教堂後面做祈禱呢。

    「約翰修士！」有人喊道，「你遲到了，還帶來一個小夥子！難道你有傭人了嗎？」這個人大笑著說。大主教抬起頭來，要他肅靜。可是麥爾斯注意到大主教臉上也掛著笑。

    「托馬斯修士！我路上遇到的這個孩子，孩子，你叫什麼來著？」約翰有點尷尬的問麥爾斯。

    「麥爾斯，」麥爾斯有點緊張。

    「對，我在路上遇到的他。 麥爾斯，這位是托馬斯修士，奧古斯丁修士，喬治修士，愛德蒙修士，朱廉修士，斯蒂芬修士，還有彼得主教。 」 約翰一一介紹道。 麥爾斯被這麼多名字搞糊塗了。

    「嘿，我餓了， 咱們看看媽媽那有沒有好吃的。」 約翰最後說。

    「媽媽是個叫格勞瑞恩的高個子女人，她穿著灰色的毛裙，帶著個圍裙。 媽媽開了一家叫「國王的床」的飯館，約翰和其他人介紹道，

    「這是阿羅達最好的飯館，」約翰喝著大蔥湯說。

    「其他的看上去就不好。」麥爾斯吃著酸角包說。

    「最糟糕的就是綠眼餐館，那裡全是粗人。」

    「約翰，你不喜歡窮人是不是？」托馬斯笑著說。

    「胡說!」

    「我再吃點麵包行嗎？」麥爾斯吃著炸魚說。

    「沒問題！這孩子說的好，咱們得吃多點」斯蒂芬附和道。麥爾斯又吃了一塊麵包。媽媽格勞瑞恩驕傲的宣布，這些麵包是她一個人烤出來的。

    可是麥爾斯很快就厭煩了這些修士們。儘管他們都喜歡他，麥爾斯卻一天也不想多呆了。他收拾了自己的東西，從窗戶里就跳了出去。他不知道方向，經常走冤枉路，後來他沿著河走，又回到了被加地安人抓住的地方。最後在通往布然沃爾的路上，麥爾斯終於癱倒在了路上。

    當他醒來的時候，他接著趕路。沿路都是馥郁芳香的玫瑰，麥爾斯一邊走，一邊唱。

    麥爾斯到布然沃爾時，眼看就要關城門了。他緊走兩步，跑了進去。街道上都黑了，路邊的「旅行者」酒館里射出暗淡的光。這是本地最便宜的酒館了。麥爾斯沒找到其他的酒館，就只好來這裡了。因為街上有鬼，一到天黑這裡就實行宵禁了。

    「羅伯特，又來了個生人！」有人大聲喊道。麥爾斯向後退了退。

    「來，七樓還有一間房。」有個男孩說。麥爾斯環顧四周，發現整個酒店只有八個房間，分別在八層樓上。最上面的房間架在四根棍上，搖搖晃晃的。

    「你來不來？」麥爾斯看著和他說話的那個男孩，不知說什麼好。

    「你餓了吧？」酒店老闆身材矮胖， 對麥爾斯說。

    「是。」

    「那你得自己到廚房裡去幫羅伯特。」老闆說。麥爾斯被帶到了廚房，在那幫著切胡羅卜。

    「你幹活才能有飯吃。」老闆又說。麥爾斯餓極了，只好點點頭。

    「干吧。」

    切了一個小時之後，麥爾斯得到了一塊粗糧麵包，和一杯看不出是什麼東西的咖啡。 咖啡苦的要命，麥爾斯喝了幾口，就倒掉了。

    「這是什麼鬼東西。」麥爾斯自言自語道。他現在開始喜歡自言自語，但每當這種時候，他都有點想迪多尼。不一會，麥爾斯就睡著了。

    第二天早晨，麥爾斯被一個渾厚的聲音吵醒。

    「是誰？」麥爾斯馬上抓起他的劍， 跳了起來。

    「我是國王喬漢的使者。」麥爾斯趕快穿上褲子，把屋裡亂跑的老鼠扔出去。 然後開了門。 門外的人身材高大，長了一頭的黑髮。 靴子踩得地板咚咚響。他穿了一件長斗篷，一個金懷錶掛在皮帶上。

    「您請坐。」麥爾斯說。

    「你可能不認得我了。我是你的老朋友，社文。我有緊急的事找你。」

    「社文！」麥爾斯高興的把杯子都碰掉了。

    「是我。」社文不好意思的笑著說。

    「你怎麼弄來的那塊金錶呢？ 」麥爾斯懷疑的問。社文馬上把金錶塞到帆布袋裡，並不回答麥爾斯。

    「我有急事。」

    「天哪，這個破酒館已經夠糟的了，你又有什麼急事呀？」這時，老闆紅著臉進來了。

    「小子，你去不去吃早餐，都晚了！」

    社文跳了起來。「此處不留爺，自有留爺處！」社文氣的臉上的雀斑都紅了。麥爾斯看到他的手摸著腰帶上掛著的匕首。

    「你呆著吧。」老闆嚇得結結巴巴的說，趕緊跑出去了。

    「別管那個傻瓜。我有重要的事找你。喬漢國王，願上帝保佑他的靈魂，那個了。」

    「哪個了？」麥爾斯問。

    「天哪，都是那個畫匠把你教傻了！你不記得了嗎？」社文湊到麥爾斯的臉前來。 麥爾斯眼前浮現出垂死的病人們和腐臭的屍體。慢慢的，他想起了那些刻意要忘記的事情。終於， 他鼓足勇氣對社文說，「國王陛下也感染上了。。。赫伯爾病？」社文沉重的點了點頭，「是的。」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
麥爾斯學畫記（6）

    社文主動要陪麥爾斯， 兩個人便一起出發了。路上的人們各忙各的，並不太在意他們。麥爾斯呼吸著新鮮的空氣， 不時還和行人們打招呼。他注意到社文不太自然， 他一會兒皺眉，一會兒在兜里找什麼東西。 當他們都在橡樹下休息的時候，麥爾斯禁不住問道，
    「社文？你有什麼事嗎？」

    「沒事，」社文說。但是麥爾斯感覺到事情不是這麼簡單。

    第二天早晨，麥爾斯被小鳥的叫聲吵醒。他本來想接著睡，可是社文已經點著了火，烤肉吃了。

    「快起來吧，懶骨頭，再過一會，太陽就要下山了，」社文開著玩笑說。麥爾斯沒動窩，社文便用一根棍子捅他。

    「唉呦，疼死了！」麥爾斯生氣的跳了起來。 社文笑得快倒到地上了。 麥爾斯穿上了褲子，吃了一塊烤肉。 他不小心還燙了嘴，又開始嘟噥了。

    麥爾斯吃飽了以後，兩人就唱著歌上路了。社文圍著農場走，不一會他就搞到了羊肉當晚餐。麥爾斯懷疑他偷了牧童的羊，可是他不敢說。到了下午，社文又開始不高興了。

    天氣很熱，麥爾斯突然對社文說，

    「你為什麼不高興呢？」社文的臉一下子變得通紅，他看著麥爾斯，向後退了一步。

    「我害怕黑色魔王，所以我不高興。」

    「他？他不是被關在一個修道院里嗎？」他的腦海里浮現出一匹巨狼正在森林深處咆哮的景象，不緊渾身發抖。

    「他原來是被關了起來。可是後來他就沿著這條路逃跑了。」社文說。

    「這的確讓人高興不起來。」 麥爾斯的聲音也開始顫抖了。

    「黑暗魔王還愛吃人肉呢。」社文又說。

    「我現在真希望我還是跟迪多尼呆在一起！ 就是吃馬肉我也情願！」

    「你想的倒美。 還要走很遠的路呢。」         

    「社文，你喜歡畫畫嗎？」麥爾斯突然問。

    「我喜歡塗塗抹抹，我看那些畫家們畫畫，然後自己也試試。」

    「你現在有畫筆，油彩，和畫布嗎？」麥爾斯激動地問。

    「沒有，那是誰？」 社文跳了起來，手握著匕首。

    「傻子， 那是迪多尼！」的確，迪多尼穿了件銀色的盔甲走了過來。麥爾斯認出了他灰色的眼睛和毛蟲似的眉毛。他跑過去迎接老師。

    「您在這幹嘛？」麥爾斯問。

    「我帶你回到安全的地方去。黑色魔王就在附近，我得保證你的安全。這位是誰？」迪多尼指著社文。

    「我村裡的老朋友。他叫社文。」麥爾斯介紹道。

    「那我要保證你們兩個人都安全回家。」迪多尼說。

    「您什麼意思？回家？」麥爾斯心底湧起一陣恐懼，他最不想回的地方就是那個貧窮的村莊了。

    「國王陛下賜給了我一處海邊的小屋， 我在那裡教你畫畫好不好？ 」迪多尼脫下盔甲，微笑著說。

    「教我畫畫？真的嗎？」麥爾斯都不敢相信了。

    「是的，教你用筆的技巧，教你分辨油彩的質量，你想學什麼我教你什麼。」迪多尼說。

    「先生，我也當您的學生可以嗎？」麥爾斯扭過頭來看著社文。

    「當然歡迎！ 」迪多尼說。

    「我想問您，國王為什麼賜給您一座小屋呢？」麥爾斯問。

    「國王提升我為侯爵了！ 根據法律規定， 侯爵每年有九萬四千個金幣，還有官邸呢！」

     麥爾斯靠在老師迪多尼的肩膀上， 社文走在前面， 三個人一起向海邊走去。 迪多尼打開了木門，說，

    「請進，請進！」屋裡一開始有點暗， 迪多尼把所有的窗戶都打開了。

    「我現在感覺像是到家了。」麥爾斯看著窗外說。儘管生活有不可預測處， 麥爾斯知道他將永遠快樂。

     

    如果「卓越」和「令人震驚」更貼切，為什麼要用「好」和「壞」呢？

    擴充辭彙

    辭彙：為一個人或團體使用或理解的所有詞語。

    由於有了《哈里

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（1）

    鄒燦： 為什麼你認為辭彙很重要？
    奇奇：我認為辭彙很重要，因為我不想用一些 蹩腳的詞兒。

    鄒燦：（笑）舉個例子？

    奇奇：比如，我可以說「瑪麗沿著大街走著，街道很原味。」 這句話就用了蹩腳的詞兒。不過，我可以用「單調」替代「原味」，因為「單調」聽起來好一些。瑪麗沿著單調的街道走著

    鄒燦： 為什麼聽起來好些？

    奇奇：不知道。

    鄒燦： 是更特別一些嗎？

    奇奇：正是。就像酸奶可以是「原味的」，但不會是「單調的」。

    鄒燦： 如果想不出更好的詞，你會怎麼辦？

    奇奇：有時我會利用電腦上的同義詞選擇功能，但是如果沒有找到合適的話，我會在真正的詞典中查找。

    鄒燦： 那麼，使用高級辭彙，你從中得到了很多樂趣嗎？

    奇奇：我感覺很平常，沒什麼兩樣。沒有覺得很有成就感或著水平很高。

    鄒燦： 你在故事中使用的辭彙量這麼大令你的讀者驚嘆不已，怎樣恰如其分地運用這些詞語？你是如何作到的？

    奇奇：在故事中使用這些詞語有助於我對它們的記憶。我喜歡在故事中使用新詞——這樣可以增加故事的趣味。有些詞兒我難以忘記。

    鄒燦： 你對其他孩子在增加辭彙量一事上有何建議？

    奇奇：我建議多讀一些高級水平的書 。儘管你可能無法完全理解故事情節，但是可以查字典，這樣可以學會很多新詞。無論如何，這樣做比單純一頁一頁翻看字典要有趣得多。如果你在自己的故事中，在同朋友、家人日常的交談中用到了這些詞，你酒會漸漸習慣它們，進而喜歡它們。

    給家長和教師的提示

    幽默是教授辭彙很好的工具。在用詞造句並讓學生模仿時，要讓你的句子可笑，或者適合學生獨特的感受——這樣可以使課堂不至於單調乏味。用你自己的名字或學生知道的人的名字。將熟悉的人物置於奇異的環境中，或者反過來。

    像Dictionary.com以及微軟英卡特百科全書這樣的網站對孩子們來說是選擇新辭彙並在自己的故事中使用的良好資源。鼓勵孩子在使用辭彙的時候要與眾不同，要大膽。支持孩子在說寫中使用不熟悉及不同詞語的願望。

    趁熱打鐵：

    1.如果寫的句子過於老套，可以讓學生寫一個有創意的段落說明（相對於講述）這個詞的意思。例如：寫一段一個自高自大的人和一個趨炎附勢的人之間的對話。列一個雜食動物可能吃的食品清單。寫一個嚴厲苛刻的評論。寫一個充滿艱險最終以田園牧歌式的場景結束的旅程。

    2.找一個文學網站（www.literature.org/authors/）� ... �寫這段文字。

     

    The Spoiled Prince

    In the brightness of his lavish

    antechamber, Prince Garrick scornfully

    tossed aside a beautifully gold-embossed

    leather-bound book.

    「Peasant』s trash,」 he scoffed to the

    trembling minion who had presented the

    gift.

    「B-beg p-pardon, y-your sup-superior

    h-highness, I n-never meant no h-harm,」

    the servant stuttered, stepping back and

    tripping over an ornately designed china

    pitcher.

    「As if you expect me, the intelligent and

    the clever, to believe that,」 Garrick said

    disdainfully, staring at the servant with

    contempt.

    「I s-shall b-bring another b-book at

    your behest, your highness,」 the man said,

    kneeling at Garrick』s feet.

    「Pah!」 Garrick exclaimed, kicking the

    book absentmindedly. 「I have no mind for

    boring, unexciting epics! Bring me my

    gelatin, a well-cooked sunny-side up egg

    that has a round yolk with heavily sprinkled

    sugar, two three-pound chocolate bars, a

    loaf of pumpernickel bread with perfectly

    red jelly, and crystallized sugar drops! And

    also bring my carmine robes and scepter!

    And don』t forget my extra sugared

    tangerines!」 At that moment Queen

    Hortensia entered. She was an overly

    plump, pimply faced woman who always

    liked to wear frumpy purple dresses with

    unusually low bodices.

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（2）

    「Sweetie plum!」 she cried when she saw
    Garrick. 「I just contacted that incompetent

    tailor, and he is to weave your new week』s adorable wardrobe!」

    「The regular perfumed carmine robes trimmed with mink fur, short

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    154

    lavish – bountiful,

    extravagant, over-the-top

    antechamber – a small

    room leading into a larger

    room

    scornful – feeling or

    expressing contempt for

    something

    embossed – decorated

    with a slightly raised

    design or lettering

    minion – a slavish

    follower of someone

    generally considered

    important

    disdainfully – showing

    contempt or scorn for

    something or someone

    epic – a long series of

    events characterized by

    adventure and struggle

    carmine – a deep purplish

    red color

    mortified – ashamed or

    humiliated

    brisk – cool and energetic

    incompetence – lack of

    skill

    discernable – visible

    vellum – fine parchment

    or animal skin

    ramshackle – poorly

    maintained or

    constructed, about to fall

    down

    leered – a look that

    suggests unpleasant intent

    drab – dull, lacking color

    and shine

    pompous – self-important

    impersonate – to

    pretend to be another

    person, to mimic

    VOCABULARY LIST

    gold satin tunic with jewels sewn in, green hose, white belt, long black

    velvet tunic for important occasions, yellow

    hose, gold belt, medium red tunic, white

    hose, green belt, hunting cap, hunting shirt,

    hunting trousers, and black welvet hunting

    jacket with brown belt?」 Garrick said

    rapidly, counting on his chubby fingers (In

    case you don』t know, welvet is a mixture of

    wool and velvet used for Garrick』s royal

    family).

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（3）

    「Yes, sugar plum,」 Hortensia said,
    beaming. 「And we』ve also made two new

    additions—for affairs of state, blue satin

    tunic with black belt, white hose, and for

    jousting matches, to watch, of course—

    green tunic with blue hose.」

    「Good. I did think that I needed some

    new clothing for that kind of thing,」

    Garrick said in a bored tone. 「Now I want

    to eat—be off with you, servant, and bring

    back my food!」

    The Seven Good Protector Fairies of

    Jarrod (Garrick』s kingdom) nervously glided

    to their usual meeting place in the Fairies』

    Forest.

    「That Garrick is getting terribly

    spoiled,」 Ailyra, the wisest of the fairies,

    remarked, the bright twilight reflecting off

    her crystal necklace. 「Did you see the way

    he treated that poor man?」

    「It』ll be the downfall of Jarrod, I

    predict it,」 Anya, her identical triplet sister,

    said, burying her white face in her hands.

    「Indeed it shall if nothing is done,」 the

    fairies』 leader, Wyddfa, said slyly, a twinkle

    in her black eyes. The dim sky reflected off

    her dark locks. 「It is still early enough for

    him to change.」 She had a reputation for

    being the craftiest fairy of them all, if not

    the prettiest.

    The Spoiled Prince

    155

    ambitious – having a

    strong desire for success

    henceforth – from now

    on

    pious – reverent, devout,

    serious about morals and

    religion

    rapier – a slender sword

    (often double edged) with

    a sharpened point

    uncouth – poorly

    mannered

    graveness – seriousness,

    somberness

    emerge – to appear out

    of or from behind

    something

    barbarous – uncivilized,

    cruel

    poultice – a warm damp

    preparation put on the

    body to relieve pain or

    improve circulation

    scrawny – unpleasantly

    thin

    undertones – quiet

    subdued tones

    carp – a large freshwater

    fish

    malevolent – harmful or

    evil

    grate – the bars in front

    of a fireplace, a word

    sometimes used to

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（4）

    describe the fireplace itself
    hearth – the floor of a

    fireplace that extends into

    a room

    obscured – clouded,

    darkened, made difficult

    to see

    yeomen - a loyal worker

    or a farmer who cultivates

    his own land

    utter – to say something,

    to emit a vocal sound

    sly – skillful, cunning, not

    straightforward

    VOCABULARY LIST

    「What are…oh…indeed…」 the fairies all drifted into deep thought,

    twisting their shining curls.

    「We could steal him away and raise him

    our way,」 Miria suggested.

    「Perhaps,」 Wyddfa said, a smile on her

    pink lips.

    In the morning, as usual, Garrick had

    his forty-two personal maids dress him (in

    his new short gold satin tunic with

    SUPERIOR ONE embroidered on it and a

    long carmine train) and then walk him into

    the Breakfast Hall, where the King Errold

    and Queen Hortensia were already seated at

    the head and foot of the table.

    「Garrick, my lad!」 Errold exclaimed

    gruffly, hastily wiping his mouth with the

    silk napkin which lay at his side. 「Come to

    your seat!」 He gestured to the thick gold

    chair which was at his side.

    To the servant who was eagerly awaiting

    his order, Garrick commanded haughtily,

    「Bring me my gelatin. And my hardboiled

    eggs heavily sprinkled with sugar, as well as

    strawberry chocolate crepe, two waffles,

    one with honey, the other with whipped

    cream, sweet bread pudding, classic

    chocolate cake, crystallized sugar grapes,

    and some white buns with shredded cheddar.」

    「At least have some tofu to help your attractive face, dear,」 Hortensia

    wheedled.

    「NO!!!!!」 Garrick bellowed, jumping up. He was enraged at the

    thought. 「THAT』S PEASANT』S STUFF!!!! HOW DARE YOU MAKE

    SUCH AN IDIOTIC SUGGESTION, WHY—」 He was cut off by a

    servant, who said politely,

    「Your highness』s breakfast?」

    「What about bacon strips and fried palace mouse with chocolate

    syrup?!」 Garrick shouted, jumping up.

    「Your highness did not state that he wanted any bacon or fried

    mouse,」 the minion said, reddening slightly.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    156

    nimble – fast, light on

    one』s feet

    chaos – a state of disorder

    unconscious – loss of

    senses, unaware

    opaque – the opposite of

    translucent - generally

    used to describe

    something that would

    normally be translucent,

    such as glass or water.

    tarry – linger, stay too

    long

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（5）

    wistfully – longingly
    mahogany – a type of

    hard reddish brown wood

    pillory – a wooden frame

    used to prevent a prisoner

    from moving their head or

    limbs

    barreled – moved at high

    speed

    chiffon – an extremely

    light, thin fabric

    haughtily – proudly,

    coldly, with an attitude of

    superiority

    acquaintance – someone

    you know, but don』t know

    very well

    VOCABULARY LIST

    「Well, get me some!」 Garrick exclaimed. 「I』m underfed, weak, and

    famished!」 Suddenly King Errold』s eyelids suddenly started drooping

    unexpectedly. Errold』s head lolled to one side and he started snoring, his

    mouth hanging open.

    「What the—」 Garrick began. He was shocked to see Queen

    Hortensia also fall into slumber, with her unusually large nose in the

    stinky tofu and her short, reddish hair in the jelly dish. Garrick himself

    began to feel drowsy, and soon he was peacefully snoring like the others

    around him.

    When Garrick woke up, he was astonished and also quite mortified

    to find that he was laid on a simple straw pallet, in a dim, dusty room with

    a thatch roof.

    「WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!!!」 he shouted.

    「WHOEVER STARTED THIS SILLY PRANK IS—」 He could no

    longer hear even his own words, due to the fact that his voice had

    degenerated into sobs. When seven fairies flew in the open window, he

    was so amazed that he stopped bawling immediately.

    「Now, boy, you』ll be quiet!」 the fairy in front (who was indeed

    Wyddfa), rapped him on the shoulder with a long wand that seemed to

    have formed from midair. The other fairies clustered curiously around

    Wyddfa to have a look at this Prince Garrick (although they had done so

    many times from afar).

    「We know,」 Ailyra began, very grandly, 「that you are the Prince

    Garrick, heir to the throne of Jarrod, unless your parents suddenly decide

    to abdicate in favor of Regan of Northwick whom none of us would like

    as a possible candidate. We also know,」 and here she gave Garrick a

    piercing stare, 「that you have been very wicked to your faithful minions,

    and ungrateful for your uncalculated wealth.」

    「And we are aware of the fact that you would make an evil ruler if you

    were allowed to rule. We are going to change you, and you must listen to

    us in every way,」 Anya added sternly.

    「Let us begin now,」 Miria said brightly, and tapping Garrick』s fine

    clothes with her wand, she muttered a word of command and suddenly

    Garrick was not wearing a shimmering satin tunic but a filthy plain wotton

    (wool and cotton mixed together, only for commoners and peasants)

    tunic, a worn brown leather belt, and uncomfortable wooden clogs.

    「You must make all the food you eat, wash all the dishes you use, and

    clean up after yourself. You will harvest the crops and cut the wheat with

    the other farmers. You must be kind to others and charitable to the less

    fortunate,」 Wyddfa told Garrick seriously. Garrick could only stare at her

    open-mouthed.

    The Spoiled Prince

    157

    That night Garrick had no dinner. He threw a fit after the fairies

    Andromeda and Arimthea reminded him that he would have to make his

    own food. That night he cried silently, tears running down his already

    tear-streaked face.

    「They shall be sorry they did this to me!」 Garrick had exclaimed,

    pounding his fists on anything within his reach.

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（6）

    The next day the fairies forced Garrick to join the farmers in the
    yearly wheat harvest. Although he had a sharp scythe with which to cut

    the wheat, he cut with much difficulty and the farmers sniggered at his

    every minor mistake. They found it particularly amusing when he dropped

    his scythe, horrified at the corpulent slug that was sliming its way over the

    handle. The fairies (invisible and inaudible to the other folk) made the slug

    vanish with a quick charm and hastily flew away. Garrick dragged his tool

    up to the next stock of wheat and clumsily chopped it down.

    「Not like that, laddie, like this,」 one farmer said braggingly, lifting up

    his scythe with one skillful movement and cutting a large bunch of wheat.

    「I know!」 Garrick cried with frustration, attempting again. He was

    cuffed soundly on the ear, by a ruddy, red-faced man.

    「Now don』t let me hear you talkin』 like that again, disrespectful

    youth,」 the man said, frowning. 「You』re not of their stock, I can see. New

    boy?」

    Garrick, who had no idea what the man meant, burst into tears,

    dropped the scythe, and ran as fast as he could back to the hut.

    Wyddfa, Miria, and Ailyra were waiting for him. Each held a basket

    full of different colored berries.

    「You must wash the bugs and dirt off of these berries,」 Wyddfa said

    sternly. 「Then you may eat them.」 Garrick was horrified to see that each

    berry was covered with particles of dirt, with little pill bugs and ants

    crawled along the round surface of the fruit.

    「But—」 Garrick began.

    「There is a well of clear water one mile away from here in the village,」

    Wyddfa said sharply. 「We shall now leave you.」 And with a flick of her

    wand, she and the other fairies had disappeared.

    Garrick lay on his straw pallet crying for a few minutes, but he soon

    realized he was famished and decided to take the baskets to the well. After

    all, hadn』t he looked upon the village women when they washed the fruit?

    It was simple—just duck the basket underwater and all of the dirt and

    bugs would float away. This plan was foiled by a sign that read: THOSE

    WHO LET DIRT FLOW IN THIS WELL WILL BE PUNISHED. So

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    158

    he ended up hauling a heavy bucket of water to the hut, where he dipped

    the berries in the water, sunk them, and rubbed them. Finally all of the

    dirt and bugs were gone.

    「Now you may eat!」 Wyddfa cried, suddenly appearing at the window

    and quite frightening Garrick. Miria, who was directly behind her, carried

    a small block of moldy goat』s cheese.

    「NO! I shan』t eat that, I shan』t, and I shan』t!」 Garrick wailed,

    knocking the cheese out the window. Miria retrieved it at once.

    「Ungrateful little wretch,」 Wyddfa said menacingly, moving

    dangerously closer to Garrick』s face. And for the first time in his life,

    Garrick was slapped hard on the face.

    「WAAAA!」 Garrick cried like a baby. He rolled over to one side,

    knocking over a crude wooden stool and a rattling oxcart.

    「He needs to be taught,」 Miria pleaded to Wyddfa.

    「The problem with you, Miria, is that you are too soft. Use your inner

    eye. Can you see what will happen if this boy is allowed to rule without

    changing his ways?」 Wyddfa asked sharply, suddenly turning back to Miria

    and brandishing her wand in the frightened fairy』s face. Miria nodded

    slowly, backing towards the wall.

    「Good,」 Wyddfa said, her black eyes flashing. 「For if he is allowed to

    continue his ways, you will not even exist as a legend.」 From the corner,

    Garrick wailed again.

    「Be quiet, wench!」 Ailyra shouted, her sparkling wand transforming

    into a sharp, glinting sword. Garrick screamed in fright. Wyddfa silenced

    him with a hand to his mouth. Although the fairy』s hand looked small and

    delicate, Garrick felt as if he had been hit by a heavy plank of wood.

    「If you refuse to do this, I shall enlist you as an apprentice to the

    village』s baker,」 Ailyra said coolly, and right before Garrick』s eyes, her

    sword (or wand, Garrick could never tell) disappeared, and she took the

    form of a regular village woman. She wore a long apron which was much

    stained, and a blue-and-white checkered kerchief was tied about her head.

    Wyddfa nodded her approval, and followed after Ailyra and Garrick,

    invisible. Miria stayed in the hut.

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（7）

    The village baker was a plump little man with a small round head. His
    bald top shone in the bright light of his hot bakery, and his hands were

    always covered in flour and bits of dough. Sugar clung to his stained

    apron, and salt dotted his patched brown shoes. He always took in as

    many apprentices as his small house would hold, and was overjoyed to see

    Ailyra and Garrick.

    The Spoiled Prince

    159

    「Come in, come in, quite charmed to see you both, I suspect you』ll

    wanting a sample of my new blueberry bread?」 the baker said merrily,

    already reaching for a plate piled high with small blueberry bread squares.

    「Yes, of course,」 Ailyra said, taking one piece and popping it into her

    mouth. 「Delicious. I assume you would be wanting a new apprentice, ever

    since your old one—Curver, I believe—left your shop.」

    The baker』s merry smile faded as he said grimly, 「Ah, Curver. He

    became the leader of a shady gang who terrorized the shops at night.

    Came to a bad end, that one—drowned in the fishpond.」 He made an

    effort to laugh. Garrick』s face paled.

    「But of course you will accept this boy? I believe he』s been pampered

    by the…high society, one might call it, so I need him to learn the basics

    of your trade,」 Ailyra said, fixing her stare on the baker.

    「Yes, of course, my dear!」 the bakery cried, jolly once more. 「Yes, I

    just need a fee of about twenty coins.」 Ailyra reached into her apron

    pocket and pulled out a small pouch.

    「Here you are,」 she said, dumping the glittering gold contents into the

    baker』s hands. His eyes widened as he stared at the coins.

    「Of course, of course! What is your name, anyways?」 And he peered

    at Garrick.

    「Garrick,」 Garrick said between sobs.

    「Homesickness, I expect,」 the baker said briskly. 「Not that it』s really

    a problem; I expect I』ll fix him up in a week or two.」

    「Good. Now, just to make sure, here』s an extra ten coins…」 Ailyra

    poured more coins into the amazed man』s hands. 「Just be careful…」

    When Garrick had wiped away all his tears on his tunic』s frayed sleeve,

    the baker led him away to a small, hot room in the back of the bakery.

    Wood was blazing under a small brick oven, which contained three loaves

    of rye bread. Great amounts of sticky batter clung to the sides of a green

    mixing bowl, and yet there was still a sufficient amount inside the bowl.

    「Just shake these poppies into this batter while I stir,」 said the baker,

    rolling up his sleeve. He took a wooden spoon and began to stir the

    mixture. Garrick saw a small tin pail labeled 「POPPIES」 next to the oven,

    so he grabbed it and poured the contents in the batter.

    「No, no, no!」 the baker cried, wringing his hands. 「Not like that!

    Slowly, slowly, pour it in! And now I shall have to buy another packet from

    Monstraue』s, how expensive!」 Muttering on and on about the

    incompetence of new apprentices, the baker flung the batter out the

    window.

    THE JOY OF WRITING

    160

    「Call me 『sir』 when you address me, anyhow,」 the baker said stiffly,

    shaking his head as he stared at the wasted dough.

    「You!」 he finally cried to Garrick, who trembled. 「Get me a few cups

    of flour from that bin there—and make sure you don』t spill any!」

    Garrick, not wanting to face the wrath of 「sir」 again, took the cup

    that the red-faced baker handed him and scooped a fair amount from the

    bin which he lugged out of the cupboard.

    「Good, now,」 the baker said, evidently pleased. 「Just put this much

    into this bowl, add a biddle bit of yeast…just a pinch, here we go…crack

    an egg or two, the ladies like it that way…」 Garrick had a hard time

    following these instructions, but he did as best as he could. The baker

    stood near, often peering over through his cracked spectacles.

    「There, that』s good,」 the baker said when Garrick had stirred for at

    least fifteen minutes. 「Put it in here, put a damp towel over it, and leave

    it to do its magic!」

《無法控制的魔力》　第四部分
奇奇訪談（8）

    「What do you mean?」 Garrick asked, puzzled.
    「Rise, of course!」 the baker cried. 「Now, to take the loaves out of the

    oven!」 He took a long, paddle-shaped stick from the corner and

    cautiously stuck it in the oven. It emerged with a golden-brown loaf.

    「Perfect! Just smear that with butter, will you?」

    「Of course,」 bragged Garrick. 「I can do anything.」 Just then a

    sparrow flew in the open window, twittered, and pooped right on

    Garrick』s silky golden curls. Garrick yelped, tossing himself about and

    trying to rid himself of the dung.

    「Here,」 the baker said quickly, pouring a pail of cold water over

    Garrick』s head. Garrick yelped again, jumping up and jamming his head

    in the pail. He tugged on the pail, quite angry.

    「Well, here』s the butter,」 the baker said airily. 「Just smear it heavily

    over these two loaves. I』m getting the last loaf out.」 Garrick took a block

    of butter from the cupboard and smashed it into the bread. The butter

    immediately melted, drenching the bread in oil.

    「Do it delicately there, boy,」 the baker said absentmindedly, turning

    around. 「And put some more on…」 Humming a tune, he took the third

    loaf from the oven and dropped it on a plate.

    「Oh, gold fig trees,」 Garrick muttered angrily under his breath as he

    rubbed the butter on the hot loaf. 「This is a kitchen maid』s work.」

    「Finally, you』re done,」 the baker said, sighing. 「There』s a lot of work

    to put up with—what』s that?」 The sound of tingling bells rang in

    Garrick』s ears. A young girl, with a snub of a nose and small, pursed lips

    The Spoiled Prince

    161

    entered, her mother following close behind. For some reason Garrick felt

    as if he knew her. It was possible, actually, for she was attired in fine

    crimson velvet.

    「Oh dear,」 the baker said in a low voice. Garrick watched as he ran to

    the front of the shop and hastily hung a 「CLOSED」 sign on the door.

    「Er, I』m very sorry, madam, but these are not business hours,」 the

    baker said, looking rather flustered.

    「I just need one butter loaf,」 the woman said in a shrill, high-pitched

    voice. 「Four coins.」

    「Fine, fine!」 the baker exclaimed, handing the crisp golden brown loaf

    to the woman. 「Now please leave!」 Garrick suddenly knew why the

    people had seemed familiar to him. The girl was his second cousin』s halfsister!

    They had only been introduced once, the cause of Garrick』s

    confusion.

    Morning』s bright yellow sun faded into somewhat darker orange, and

    the heat slowly lowered. Garrick shivered as a breeze blew in the window.

    「Looks like we』re done for today, then,」 the baker said, glancing

    outside.

    「Yes, sir,」 Garrick said, remembering just in time to call the baker

    「sir.」

    「C』mon,」 the baker said, throwing his purse of jingling coins over his

    shoulder and leading Garrick out across the cobblestone street.

    Months passed. Garrick improved in his baking skills, and soon was

    at the level of a Master Baker. When the baker was sick or had other

    obligations, Garrick ran the shop. Gossip ran around the village about

    「the wee fellow who runs that bread shop.」 Even the Grand Magistrate

    heard word of it. Although Garrick had learned to be a responsible baker,

    he still believed that all others were his inferiors. At night he would lie on

    his pallet and wonder why he had ever ended up with such a common lot.

    One early night as Garrick was rounding the corner to the baker』s

    familiar house, Wyddfa suddenly appeared in front of him.

    「Next,」 she told Garrick, 「after you get some sleep, we will be going

    to the stonemason.」 Garrick slept for about nine hours. He joined

    Wyddfa, who was waiting at the hut, and walked for about a quarter-mile.

    When the two emerged from the pathway, they found themselves staring

    at an impressive stone structure. A crude wooden door was attached

    crookedly to the building by three leather hinges. Inside, a tall, slender

    man with hairy arms was hammering at a gray stone.

    「Mory!」 Wyddfa cried at once. 「I have brought you an apprentice!」