anner.bloodandgold-第103部分
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Latin such as no one speaks today。〃
〃Is my gold repense enough？ 〃 I asked。 I rose from the bench。 It was now time for me to be off。
〃Oh； yes； and I look forward to your return。 I'll see the letter is sent tomorrow。 If the Lord of Lorwich in East Anglia has sworn his
allegiance to Henry VIII； you'll no doubt have your answer。〃
I was off so swiftly that to my new friend； it no doubt seemed that I had disappeared。
And as I returned to the shrine； I observed for the first time the beginnings of a human settlement all too close to us。
Of course we were concealed in a tiny valley high upon an ominous cliff。 Nevertheless； a small group of huts had caught my eye far below at the foot of the cliff； and I knew what was going to happen。
When I entered the shrine I found Bianca sleeping。 No question came from her as to where I had been； and I realized the lengths I had gone to avoid her knowledge of my letter。
I wondered if I might reach England were I to travel the skies alone。 But what would I say to her？ I had never left her alone and it seemed wrong ever to do so。
Little less than a year went by during which time I passed nightly within hearing distance of the priest to whom I had entrusted my letter。
By this time； Bianca and I had frequently hunted the streets of small Alpine cities in one guise； while buying from their merchants in another。
Now and then we rented rooms for ourselves so that we might enjoy mon things； but we were far too fearful to remain anywhere but in the shrine at morning。
All the while； I continued to approach the Queen at intervals。 How I chose my moments； I do not know。 Perhaps she spoke to me。 All I can avow is that I knew when I might drink from her and I did it； and always there came the rapid healing afterwards； the renewal of vigor； and the desire to share my replenished gifts with Bianca。
At last there came a night； when having left a weary Bianca in the shrine once more； I came near to the Alpine monastery and saw my monk standing in the garden with his arms out to the sky in a gesture of such romance and piety that I almost wept to see it。
Softly； without a sound； I entered the cloister behind him。
At once he turned to face me； as if his powers were as great as mine。 The wind swept his full brown robes as he came towards me。
〃Marius；〃 he said in a whisper。 He gestured to me to be quiet； and led me into the scriptorium。
When I saw the thickness of the letter he drew from his desk I was astonished。 That it was open； that the seal was broken； gave me pause。
I looked at him。
〃Yes； I read it；〃 he said。 〃Did you think I would give it to you without
doing so？〃
I couldn't waste any more time。 I had to read what was inside the letter。 I sat down and unfolded the pages immediately。
Marius；
Let these words not move you to anger or to hasty decision。 What I know of Pandora is as follows。 She has been seen by those of us who are knowledgeable in such things in the cities of Nuremberg； Vienna； Prague and Gutenberg。 She travels in Poland。 She travels in Bavaria。
She and her panion are most clever； seldom disturbing the human population through which they move； but from time to time they set foot in the royal courts of certain kingdoms。 It is believed by those who have seen them that they take some delight in danger。
Our archives are filled with accounts of a black carriage that travels by day； porting within two huge enameled chests in which these creatures are presumed to sleep； protected by a small garrison of pale…skinned human guards who are secretive； ruthless and devoted。
Even the most benign or clever approach to these human guards is followed by certain death as some of our members have learnt for themselves when seeking to penetrate the mystery
of these dark travelers。
It is the judgment of some among us here that the guards have received a small portion of the power so generously enjoyed by their master and mistress； thus binding them irrevocably
to Pandora and her panion。
Our last sighting of the pair was in Poland。 However these beings travel very fast and remain in no one place for any given length of time； and indeed seem more than content to move back and forth across the length and breadth of Europe
ceaselessly。
They have been known to go back and forth in Spain and to travel throughout France； but never to linger in Paris。 As regards this last city； I wonder if you know why they do not stay there long； or if I must be the one to enlighten you。
I shall tell you what I know。 In Paris； now； there exists a great dedicated group of the species which we both understand； indeed； so large a group that one must doubt that even Paris can content them。 And having received into our arms one desperate infidel from this group we have learnt much of how these unusual Parisian creatures characterize themselves。
I cannot mit to parchment what I know of them。 Let me only say that they are possessed of a surprising zeal； believing themselves to serve God Himself with their strenuous appetite。 And should others of the same ilk venture into their domain they do not hesitate to destroy them； declaring them to be blasphemers。
This infidel of which I speak has averred more than once that his brothers and sisters were among those who participated in your great loss and injury。 Only you can confirm this for me； as I do not know what is madness here or boasting； or perhaps a blending of the two； and you can well imagine how confounded we are to have one so loquacious and hostile beneath our roof； so eager to answer questions and so frightened to be left unguarded。
Let me also add that piece of intelligence which may matter to you as much now as any which I have pertaining to your lost Pandora。
He who guides this voracious and mysterious band of Paris creatures is none other than your young panion from Venice。
Won over by discipline； fasting； penance and the loss of his former Master…so says this young infidel…your old panion
has proved to be a leader of immeasurable strength and well capable of driving out any of his kind who seek to gain a foothold in Paris。
Would that I could tell you more of these creatures。 Allow me to repeat what I have suggested above。 They believe themselves to be in the service of Almighty God。 And from this principle； a considerable number of rules follow。
Marius； I cannot imagine how this information will affect you。 I write here only that of which I am most certain。
Now； allow me to play an unusual role； given our respective ages。
Whatever your response to my revelations here； under no circumstances travel overland North to see me。 Under no circumstances travel overland North to find Pandora。 Under no circumstances travel overland North to find your young panion。
I caution you on all these accounts for two reasons。 There are at this time； as you must surely know； wars all over Europe。 Martin Luther has fomented much unrest。 And in England； our sovereign Henry VIII has declared himself independent of Rome； in spite of much resistance。
Of course we at Lorwich are loyal to our King and his decisions earn only our respect and honor。
But it is no time to be traveling in Europe。
And allow me to warn you on another account which may surprise you。 Throughout Europe now there are those who are willing to persecute others for witchcraft on slender reasons； that is； a superstition regarding witches reigns in villages and towns； which even one hundred years ago would have been dismissed as ridiculous。
You cannot allow yourself to travel overland through such places。 Writings as to wizards； Sabbats and Devil worship cloud human philosophy。
And yes； I do fear for Pandora that she and her panion take no seeming notice of these dangers； but it has been municated to us many times that though she travels overland； she travels very swiftly。 Her servants have been known to purchase fresh horses twice or three times within a day； demanding only that the animals be of the finest quality。
Marius； I send you my deepest good wishes。 Please write
