Note/L10N/Integration_TSL/1.0/Books/zbgSKLxMercantile3?
zbgSKLxMercantile3 
原文
<font face=1><br>
Sun's Height<br>
Book Seven of 2920, <br>
The Last Year of the First Era<br>
by Carlovac Townway<br>
<br>
4 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
The Imperial City, Cyrodiil<br>
<br>
<IMG src="Book/fancy_font/t_52x61.dds" width=52 height=61>he Emperor Reman III and his Potentate Versidue-Shaie took a stroll around the Imperial Gardens. Studded with statuary and fountains, the north gardens fit the Emperor's mood, as well as being the coolest acreage in the City during the heat of summertide. Austere, tiered flowerbeds of blue-gray and green towered all around them as they walked.<br>
<br>
"Vivec has agreed to the Prince's terms for peace," said Reman. "My son will be returning in two weeks' time."<br>
<br>
"This is excellent news," said the Potentate carefully. "I hope the Dunmer will honor the terms. We might have asked for more. The fortress at Black Gate, for example. But I suppose the Prince knows what is reasonable. He would not cripple the Empire just for peace."<br>
<br>
"I have been thinking lately of Rijja and what caused her to plot against my life," said the Emperor, pausing to admire a statue of the Slave Queen Alessia before continuing. "The only thing I can think of to account for it is that she admired my son too much. She may have loved me for my power and my personality, but he, after all, is young and handsome and will one day inherit my throne. She must have thought that if I were dead, she could have an Emperor who had both youth and power."<br>
<br>
"The Prince ... was in on this plot?" asked Versidue-Shaie. It was a difficult game to play, anticipating where the Emperor's paranoia would strike next.<br>
<br>
"Oh, I don't think so," said Reman, smiling. "No, my son loves me well."<br>
<br>
"Are you aware that Corda, Raja's sister in an initiate of the Morwha conservatorium in Hegathe?" asked the Potentate.<br>
<br>
"Morwha?" asked the Emperor. "I've forgotten: which god is that?"<br>
<br>
"Lusty fertility goddess of the Yokudans," replied the Potentate. "But not too lusty, like Dibella. Demure, but certainly sexual."<br>
<br>
"I am through with lusty women. The Empress, Rijja, all too lusty, a lust for love leads to a lust for power," the Emperor shrugged his shoulders. "But a priestess-in-training with a certain healthy appetite sounds ideal. Now what were you saying about the Black Gate?"<br>
<br>
<br>
6 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
Thurzo Fortress, Cyrodiil<br>
<br>
Rijja stood quietly looking at the cold stone floor while the Emperor spoke. He had never before seen her so pale and joyless. She might at least be pleased that she was being freed, being returned to her homeland. Why, if she left now, she could be in Hammerfell by the Merchant's Festival. Nothing he said seemed to register any reaction from her. A month and a half's stay in Thurzo Fortress seemed to have killed her spirit.<br>
<br>
"I was thinking," said the Emperor at last. "Of having your younger sister Corda up to the palace for a time. I think she would prefer it over the conservatorium in Hegathe, don't you?"<br>
<br>
Reaction, at last. Rijja looked at the Emperor with animal hatred, flinging herself at him in a rage. Her fingernails had grown long since her imprisonment and she raked them across his face, into his eyes. He howled with pain, and his guards pulled her off, pummeling her with blows from the back of their swords, until she was knocked unconscious.<br>
<br>
A healer was called at once, but the Emperor Reman III had lost his right eye.<br>
<br>
<br>
23 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
Balmora, Morrowind<br>
<br>
Vivec pulled himself from the water, feeling the heat of the day washed from his skin, taking a towel from one of his servants. Sotha Sil watched his old friend from the balcony.<br>
<br>
"It looks like you've picked up a few more scars since I last saw you," said the sorcerer.<br>
<br>
"Azura grant it that I have no more for a while," laughed Vivec. "When did you arrive?"<br>
<br>
"A little over an hour ago," said Sotha Sil, walking down the stairs to the water's edge. "I thought I was coming to end a war, but it seems you've done it without me."<br>
<br>
"Yes, eighty years is long enough for ceaseless battle," replied Vivec, embracing Sotha Sil. "We made concessions, but so did they. When the old Emperor is dead, we may be entering a golden age. Prince Juilek is very wise for his age. Where is Almalexia?"<br>
<br>
"Collecting the Duke of Mournhold. They should be here tomorrow afternoon."<br>
<br>
The men were distracted at a sight from around the corner of the palace - a rider was approaching through the town, heading for the front steps. It was evident that the woman had been riding hard for some time. They met her in the study, where she burst in, breathing hard.<br>
<br>
"We have been betrayed," she gasped. "The Imperial Army has seized the Black Gate."<br>
<br>
<br>
24 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
Balmora, Morrowind<br>
<br>
It was the first time in seventeen years that the three members of the Morrowind Tribunal had met in the same place, since Sotha Sil had left for Artaeum. All three wished that the circumstances of their reunion were different.<br>
<br>
"From what we've learned, while the Prince was returning to Cyrodiil to the south, a second Imperial Army came down from the north," said Vivec to his stony-faced compatriots. "It is reasonable to assume Juilek didn't know about the attack."<br>
<br>
"But neither would it be unreasonable to suppose that he planned on being a distraction while the Emperor launched the attack on Black Gate," said Sotha Sil. "This must be considered a break of the truce."<br>
<br>
"Where is the Duke of Mournhold?" asked Vivec. "I would hear his thoughts on the matter."<br>
<br>
"He is meeting with the Night Mother in Tel Aruhn," said Almalexia, quietly. "I told him to wait until he had spoken with you, but he said that the matter had waited long enough."<br>
<br>
"He would involve the Morag Tong? In outside affairs?" Vivec shook his head, and looked to Sotha Sil: "Please, do what you can. Assassination will only move us backwards. This matter must be settled with diplomacy or battle."<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
25 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
Tel Aruhn, Morrowind<br>
<br>
The Night Mother met Sotha Sil in her salon, lit only by the moon. She was cruelly beautiful dressed in a simple silk black robe, lounging across her divan. With a gesture, she dismissed her red-cloaked guards and offered the sorcerer some wine.<br>
<br>
"You've only just missed your friend, the Duke," she whispered. "He was very unhappy, but I think we will solve his problem for him."<br>
<br>
"Did he hire the Morag Tong to assassinate the Emperor?" asked Sotha Sil.<br>
<br>
"You are straight-forward, aren't you? That's good. I love plain-speaking men: it saves so much time. Of course, I cannot discuss with you what the Duke and I talked about," she smiled. "It would be bad for business."<br>
<br>
"What if I were to offer you an equal amount of gold for you not to assassinate the Emperor?"<br>
<br>
"The Morag Tong murders for the glory of Mephala and for profit," she said, speaking into her glass of wine. "We do not merely kill. That would be sacrilege. Once the Duke's gold has arrived in three days time, we will do our end of the business. And I'm afraid we would not dream of entertaining a counter offer. Though we are a business as well as a religious order, we do not bow to supply and demand, Sotha Sil."<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
27 Sun's Height, 2920<br>
The Inner Sea, Morrowind<br>
<br>
Sotha Sil had been watching the waters for two days now, waiting for a particular vessel, and now he saw it. A heavy ship with the flag of Mournhold. The sorcerer took the air and intercepted it before it reached harbor. A caul of flame erupted over his figure, disguising his voice and form into that of a Daedra.<br>
<br>
"Abandon your ship!" he bellowed. "If you would not sink with it!"<br>
<br>
In truth, Sotha Sil could have exploded the vessel with but a single ball of fire, but he chose to take his time, to give the crew a chance to dive off into the warm water. When he was certain there was no one living aboard, he focused his energy into a destructive wave that shook the air and water as it discharged. The ship and the Duke's payment to the Morag Tong sunk to the bottom of the Inner Sea.<br>
<br>
"Night Mother," thought Sotha Sil, as he floated towards shore to alert the harbormaster that some sailors were in need of rescue. "Everyone bows to supply and demand."<br>
<br>
The Year is Continued in Last Seed.<br>
<br>
訳文
<font face=1><br>
Sun's_Height(7月)<br>
2920年、第1紀最後の年<br>
第7巻<br>
Carlovac_Townway著<br>
<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height月_4日<br>
Cyrodiil,_帝都にて<br>
<br>
<IMG src="Book/fancy_font/t_52x61.dds" width=52 height=61>he_Emperor_Reman_III(皇帝Reman三世)とVersidueは、並んで宮殿の庭園をぶらついている。結局、庭園の北の方で落ち着くことにした。何故なら、そこには彫像や噴水が散りばめられていて皇帝の今の気分に合っていたし、何より夏の暑さを避けるのに好都合だったからだ。青灰色と緑色に染まった簡素な花壇が、歩いて行く彼らに覆い被さるようにして並んでいる。<br>
「Vivecは皇子による和平の申し出を飲んだようだよ」皇帝は言う。「二週間もすれば帰って来るそうだ」<br>
「素晴らしい知らせですね」注意深くVersidueは答える。「ただ、Dunmerがこちらの約束を守ってくれればいいのですが。Black_Gate要塞の件もありますし、それに関しては、私達も強く出るべきでしょう。……しかし、皇子は妥当な方法を採ったと思います。決して、和平のために帝国を捨てるようなことにはならないでしょう」<br>
「最近、俺が考えていることは、な。どうしてRijiaが俺を裏切ったかということなんだ」そう言って立ち止まると、奴隷女王Alessiaの像に賛辞を投げてから続けた。「一つだけ考えられる理由は、彼女が皇子の方になびいていたかも知れない、ということだ。確かに俺の権力や人柄に惚れ込んでいただろうが、しかし、皇子は若いしハンサムだ。それに、行く行くは皇位を継ぐことになる。もしも俺を暗殺してしまえば、彼女は若さと権力を具えた皇帝を手に入れられるんだからな」<br>
「……皇子？ 彼がこの謀略に関係していると？」Versidueは問い返す。まったく、皇帝の被害妄想の飛んで行く先は予想も付かない。<br>
「いや、勿論、本心から思っちゃいないよ」皇帝は笑って言う。「皇子は俺のことを充分に愛してくれているんだからな」<br>
「Cordaについて知っていますか？ Rijiaの妹で、HegatheにあるMorwha修道院の生徒なんですが」<br>
「Morwha？」皇帝は尋ね返す。「何の神だったかね？」<br>
「官能と豊穣を司る、Yokudansの女神ですよ」Versidueは答える。「もっとも、Dibellaほどには好色でありませんが。つまり、上品な官能なんです」<br>
「Rijiaみたいな女神様だね。ただ、Rijiaは官能的lustyに過ぎていた。まったく、強すぎる愛への切望lustは、強すぎる権力への切望lustに通じているものさね」皇帝は肩をすくめてみせる。「しかし、ある程度の健康的な欲求を持った司祭見習いなら、理想的というものじゃないかい？ ところで、Black_Gate要塞の件についてはどう思う？」<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height月_6日<br>
Cyrodiil,_Thurzo要塞にて<br>
<br>
皇帝がRijiaに話しかけたとき、彼女は冷たい石床にじっと目を落としていた。これほどまでに青白くやつれた姿を、彼は見たことが無い。少なくとも、自由の身になって故郷に戻れることを彼女は喜んでいるかも知れない。何故なら、彼女が帰る頃には、Hammerfellでは「商人の祝典」が開かれているだろうから。だが、彼の見たところ、彼女は何も反応を返そうとはしない。このThurzo要塞での一ヶ月半が、彼女の心をすっかり壊してしまったのだ。<br>
「俺はこう考えているんだが」ついに彼は切り出した。「お前の妹のCordaを、しばらく宮殿に置こうと思う。きっと、Hegatheの修道院よりは気に入ってくれると思うんだが。そう思わないかい？」<br>
少しは彼女も反応を見せた。キッと彼の方を見据えると、獣のような怒気を投げつけたのだ。そして、長年の監禁で伸び放題である爪でもって、彼の顔面、目に向かって振り下ろす。彼が痛みに呻いたところへ、衛兵がすぐに駆けて来ると、彼女を剣の峰でもって激しく打ち据える。それは、彼女が気絶するまで続いた。<br>
急いで治療師が呼ばれたものの、だが、皇帝は右眼を失ったのである。<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height月_23日<br>
Morrowind,_Balmoraにて<br>
<br>
水から体を上げると、Vivecは肌に照りつける陽の熱さを感じた。彼が召使からタオルを受け取るのを、Sotha_Silは古い友人とバルコニーで見ている。<br>
「傷跡がまた増えたようだね」Sotha_Silが言う。<br>
「Azuraが言うには、私はもう持たないようだよ」笑ってVivecが返す。「それで、何時こっちに？」<br>
「小一時間前だよ」そう言って、階段を降りると彼の傍に近寄る。「思うに、戦争は終わりに近付いているようだね。しかも、君の手によって、私無しでも」<br>
「ああ。幾ら泥沼の戦いとは言え、八十年間は長すぎる」そう返すと、Sotha_Silの体を抱きしめる。「こちらも譲歩したし、あちらも譲歩した。今の皇帝が死ねば、私達は黄金期に入るだろうね。Juilek皇子は、年の割に聡明な青年だ。ところで、Almalexiaは何処に？」<br>
「MournholdへDukeを呼びに行っているよ。明日の昼には、二人とも此処に到着するだろうね」<br>
――と、彼らは、ふと邸宅から街の方へと視線を転じた。二人に向かって、馬に乗った女が近付いて来ているのである。その疲労ぶりや旅塵から、長い道のりを走破して来たのは明白である。書斎に招じ入れられると、彼女は喘ぐ息を落ち着かせようともせずに切り出した。<br>
「裏切られました」喘ぎ喘ぎ、「Black_Gateが帝国軍によって奪取されたのです」<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height_24日<br>
Morrowind,_Balmoraにて<br>
<br>
Sotha_SilがArtaeum島に向かってからは、Tribunalの一同が会するのは、実に十七年振りである。このような形での再会は、しかし、三人の誰も願うものではなかった。<br>
「我々の情報によれば、皇子の指揮する帝国軍が南方のCyrodiilへと立ち去るのと入れ代わりに、別の帝国軍が北方から迫って来たようだね」石のように固まった表情の仲間に向かって、Vivecが言う。「もちろん、皇子がこの攻撃を知らなかったことは考えられるが」<br>
「だが、その逆を考えることだって出来る」Sotha_Silが答える。「何れにせよ、これは講和協定の破棄と見るべきだな」<br>
「Dukeは何処に？」Vivecが尋ねる。「彼の意見も聞きたいんだが」<br>
「Tel_AruhnのNight_Motherと会ってるわ」静かにAlmalexiaが答える。「あなたと話すまで待つように言ったんだけど、でも、『この問題については、もう充分に考えた』だって」<br>
「Morag_Tongかい？ それとも、別の？」首を振ると、Almalexiaに向かって言った。「この問題については、全力を尽くして欲しい。暗殺は事態を引き戻すだけだ。解決には、外交か戦闘しかない」<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height月_25日<br>
Morrowind,_Tel_Aruhnにて<br>
<br>
大広間のNight_Motherと_Sotha_Silを、月の光だけが照らしている。彼女は、ひどく美しいドレスの上に簡素な絹の黒ローブを羽織って、ディバン（壁際に置く、背もたれや肘掛の無い長椅子）にもたれかかっていた。手振りで赤マントの衛兵達を退室させると、彼にワインを勧める。<br>
「ちょうどDukeと入れ違いになったわね」彼女はささやく。「彼、こんなことになって悲しがってたわよ。でも、私達がしっかり解決してみせるわ」<br>
「Dukeは、皇帝を殺すMorag_Tongの暗殺者を雇ったんだろう？」Sotha_Silが尋ねる。<br>
「ふふ、真っ直ぐな物言いね。いいわ、そういう人ってあたし好き。時は金なり、だものね。もちろん、私とDukeとの話、あなたに教える訳にはいかないけど」彼女はにっこり笑う。「商売上の守秘義務って奴よ」<br>
「もしも、その暗殺を止めさせるために、同じだけの金を出すとしたら？」<br>
「私達Morag_Tongは、Mephalaの栄光と利益のためにあるのよ」ワインのグラスを傾けながら、「単なる殺しじゃない。そんなもの、冒涜に過ぎないもの。三日以内にDukeから入金があれば、こちらは仕事を始めて、そして終わらせるわ。ここにきて、それと逆の仕事が出来るなんて、現場の人間は夢にも思わないでしょうね。いい？ Sotha_Sil。確かに、私達は利益を求めて動くことはある。でも、需要が出来たからって、おいそれと供給を与える訳にはいかないの」<br>
<br>
2920年_Sun's_Height月_27日<br>
Morrowind,_The_Inner_Seaにて<br>
<br>
ここ二日間ずっとThe_Innner_Seaを眺めていたSotha_Silは、ついにお目当ての船がやってくるのを見付けた。Mournholdの旗を掲げた重装船である。彼は自分の声が空気を震わせて海岸へ飛んで行く前に、周囲の空気を振り上げた手で絡め取ってしまう。そして、自分の背中に劫火をまとわせると、姿と声をdaedraのそれに変じさせた。<br>
「その船を捨て去れ！」彼は大声で唸ってみせる。「さもなければ、お前らと一緒に海の藻屑にしちまうぞ！」<br>
実際に放ったのは火球一つだけだったが、彼の思惑通り、乗組員達は暖かい海へと飛び込んで行く。全員が飛び込んだのを見計らって、彼は強烈なエネルギーの弾を練り始める。ついに放たれたその弾は、空気と海水を震わせながら、Dukeの船をことごとく粉砕した。かくして、その船は、Morag_Tongに対する支払金と共に、The_Inner_Seaの深くへと沈んでしまったのである。<br>
「Night_Mother」岸の上を浮かんで行って、救助を求めている乗組員達のことを湾岸警備員に知らせる。そうしながら、彼はこう思っていた。「需要と供給のバランスは誰しもが守るべきなのですよ」<br>
<br>
1年はLast_Seed(8月)へと続いてゆく。<br>
