方舟 生存進化 焦土全生存者筆記內容

海倫娜的筆記

海倫娜的筆記1

I had to pickthe desert. Why the hell did I pick the desert?

Well, I suppose “pick” is a rather strong word for it. I’m still notentirely certain just how I got that console working, but it suddenly startedcycling through holographic images of different destinations far from theisland that I’d been living on. Of course, I just had to go and press anotherbutton while it was showing off one that contained miles and miles of bloodydesert, and here I am.

That’s just typical of me, isn’t it? Always leaping, never looking. Oh well,better make the best of it, and by that, I mean “better not die of heatexhaustion.”

我非得選擇沙漠！為什麼非得選擇沙漠？

好吧，我承認“選擇”這個詞用得不恰當。我仍然不是很確定我是如何讓那個操控台運轉的，不過它突然就開始迴圈播放一些距離孤島非常遙遠的地區的全息圖像，我從沒有到過這些地方。當然了，當它顯示到了一個有著無邊無際的沙漠的地方的時候，我便走上去按下了操控臺上的另一個按鈕，然後我就到了這裡。

真是典型啊，不是麼？總是一股腦向前沖，從不顧及周邊環境。哦好吧，隨遇而安吧，在這兒我是指，最好不要死於中暑。

海倫娜的筆記2

My huntingskills are seriously out of practice. Not that I was ever spectacular, but Ifeel like I’d graduated from smashing bugs with a rock at some point.

At least I was thoroughly rewarded for my efforts. My hunch was spot on thesebig green bastards are carrying drinkable water on their backs, and thankgoodness for that! I may have never known if I’d killed a red one first, sincethose carry oil instead. Far less useful when you’re dying of thirst, let metell you.

I may be fighting the inevitable, though. I’m still on foot and still alone.Definitely miss Athena.

我的狩獵技巧嚴重退步了。雖然我從來不擅長打獵，但是我現在感覺好像我以前就是靠著用石頭砸蟲子湊合著的。

至少我的努力還是有所回報的。我的直覺告訴我那些綠色混*蛋（水壺蟲）的背上儲藏了可以飲用的水，謝天謝地！如果我先殺了一隻紅色的蟲子（油壺蟲）的話，我恐怕永遠不會知道這一點，因為紅色的蟲子儲藏的油。如果你快要渴死了的話，油一點都不管用，相信我。

或許我現在正在和不可抗拒的命運作鬥爭。我現在還是孤身一人徒步前行。我很想念雅典娜（海倫娜在孤島上飼養的阿根廷巨鷹，由於孤島上的戰亂沒有帶入焦土）。

海倫娜的筆記3

I’m on a roll.By sheer coincidence, I stumbled into another group of survivors today, andthey didn’t try to kill me or anything. If I didn’t know how probabilityactually worked, I’d say that this recent string of good luck is the universemaking up for sending me to the bloody desert in the first place.

The caravaners were welcoming, and the creatures they ride are fascinating.They seem like dinosaurs, but they also appear to share some biology withcamels. Bizarre! For all its oddities, the island never had anything like that.

I’ll have to study them… after a nap. All this desert survival’s left meknackered.

我真是好運不斷。在機緣巧合之下，我撞見了另外一群生存者，而且他們並沒有試圖殺了我或是對我做別的什麼。如果不是我撞大運了，那麼就是上天為了補償將我扔到這個該死的沙漠中。

這個旅行隊的人很好客，而且他們騎得生物很迷人。它們看起來像恐龍，但是它們又好像和駱駝有什麼生物學上的關係（駝峰獸）。太奇怪了！我在孤島上從沒有見過任何像它們的生物。

我必須研究它們……不過我先要睡一覺。沙漠求生讓我筋疲力盡。

海倫娜的筆記4

If I’d ended upin this place instead of on that island, I’d have never imagined the ecosystemwas natural. Not for two seconds.

Take these morellatops: they’re a cross between a ceratops, a morelladon and acamel, and the strangest part? There are places in its humps where you canstick a spigot and get clean drinking water. Tastes like piss, but not only isit safe, it doesn’t even harm the morellatops. It’s crackers.

Definitely the result of genetic engineering, but I knew that, didn’t I? It’stime to get to the “why.” Maybe studying the creatures here with my newperspective will yield some insight.

如果我最先到達的是焦土而不是孤島，我一定不會認為這裡的生態系統是正常的，一秒都不會。

拿這些駝峰獸來說吧，它們好像是角龍、morelladon（這個生物沒有中文名，貌似是一種有背帆的禽龍……？）和駱駝的混合體。最奇怪的是，它們的駝峰上有些地方可以讓你插一根龍頭進去喝到新鮮的水。那水喝起來像尿（我發誓我再也不喝駝峰獸的水了！），不過這個水是無害的，而且這麼做根本不會傷到駝峰獸。真是瘋狂。

這絕對是是基因改造的結果，不過我早就知道了，不是嗎？現在該想想這是為什麼了。也許研究這裡的生物會為我帶來一些新的發現。

海倫娜的筆記5

Today, I caughta glimpse of what the caravaners call the “Endless Dunes”. Thedesolate sea of sand that apparently surrounds the livable portion of thedesert on all sides.

Now those dunes can’t literally be endless, but it’s easy to see why one wouldthink that. Not only do they, stretch on to the horizon, but they’re home to getto… get this… giant sand “worms” that will devour anything thatsets foot in their domain.

I laughed that off at first. Then I saw a creature the size of a train burst upfrom the sand and devour a wild morellatops that had wandered into its territory.I suppose I’ll just have to learn to walk without rhythm…

今天我看到了被旅行隊稱為“無盡沙丘”的地方。這片無際的沙海似乎從四周包圍了這片沙漠中可以居住的地方。

當然啦，這片沙丘不可能這的是無盡的，不過很容易可以看出人們為什麼這麼稱呼它。這片沙丘不僅綿延萬里，而且這裡還是這些……這些巨大的“沙蟲”（死亡蠕蟲）的家園。它們會吞噬任何踏足它們領土的東西。

一開始我還對這些說法嗤之以鼻，直到我看到了一個如同火車般大小的生物從沙子裡沖出來，吞噬了一頭誤入它領土的野生駝峰獸。我想我以後走路要非常小心了……

海倫娜的筆記6

As absurd as theDeath Worms are, I see their purpose. They are a natural barrier.

If this whole place is a space station posing as a real ecosystem, then itneeds to keep the wildlife and humans inside it contained in a way that appearsnatural. The island accomplished that by simply being an island, and the desertdoes it via the Death Worms.

Granted, a large population of predators with ludicrous kilocalorie needs wouldnever last long in a place as devoid of prey, but as this is an artificialenvironment, the station can feed or, replace the Death Worms as needed. It’s alittle convoluted, but it makes sense.

儘管死亡蠕蟲很古怪，不過我能明白它們存在的意義。它們就是天然的屏障。

如果這個宇宙空間站想要偽裝成一個真正的生態系統，那麼它就需要做到能夠把居住在其中的野生動物和人類限定在一定的活動範圍內，同時又要顯得自然。孤島通過成為一座孤島（四面環海，沒有出路）來達到這一目的，而焦土就通過利用死亡蠕蟲。

當然了，如此大量的食欲旺盛的捕食者（為什麼我在焦土就沒見過幾隻蠕蟲）肯定不會再一個食物如此匱乏的地區活這麼久的，但是這裡是一個人為製造的空間，空間站能根據需要餵養或者替換這些死亡蠕蟲。這有點繞，但是是合理的。

備註：可能有很多玩家認為方舟（Ark）指的是地圖中漂浮的三個巨大的塔，這其實是一個誤解。方舟指的是搭載了整個地圖的宇宙空間站。如果有玩家打通了孤島的最終boss，就會看到方舟的全景。那三個塔的正確叫法應該是方尖碑（官方名字Obelisk，原意是來自古埃及的方尖碑）。為了避免在後續的翻譯中出現誤解，我就按照正確的叫法來翻譯了，大家如果不習慣的話也請諒解。

海倫娜的筆記7

Time to go overthe facts.

Like the island, this desert is a space station posing as a naturalenvironment. It is inhabited by a large population of dangerous, geneticallyengineered creatures, and a small population of humans that are struggling tosurvive. This whole environment is then deliberately contained by a combinationof a holographic horizon and natural barriers.

Assuming the other space stations are at all similiar, then this whole thing isstarting to look like some kind of bizarre experiment on a grand scale. Yes,each station would represent an experimental group, and…

I’ll have to continue this later. One of the caravan’s scouts just returned ina panic. Something about rocks being alive, which is of course ridic.

是時候理清一下事實了。

就像孤島一樣，焦土是一個偽裝成正常生態系統的宇宙空間站。焦土中居住著大量危險的基因改造過的生物，以及少量掙扎求生的人類。這整個空間四周由全息投影出的邊境線和天然的屏障包圍著的。

假設其他的空間站也是類似的情況，那麼這整個東西現在看上去就是一個規模巨大的怪異實驗。對，每個空間站就是一個實驗組，然後……（我們就是小白鼠）。

我稍後會繼續記錄。旅行隊的一個偵察兵剛剛一臉驚恐地回來了。好像在說什麼石頭活過來了，這當然是在說胡話。

海倫娜的筆記8

I long for thedays when I thought a tyrannosaurus frolicking through the snow was the heightof absurdity. Compared to yesterday, that seems commonplace.

As the scout had so eloquently put, the rocks were indeed alive. Alive, in theshape of a massive, bipedal golem and exceedingly angry. I was too shocked toscatter like the others when it charged, and for a moment, I was certain that Iwould die.

Then something even more ludicrous happened – lightning crashed into the golem,but it didn’t come from the sky. It came from the mouth of a bloody dragon.

I don’t recall much else. Fear and instinct pretty much took over for the restof the day, and while that helped me survive, I’m once again on my own.

我曾有過很長一段時間認為暴龍們在雪地中嬉戲是一件非常詭異的事。和昨天發生的事情相比，這都不算什麼。

根據偵察兵生動的表述，石頭真的是活的。活生生的，如同一個兩腳行走的巨人，而且非常生氣（樓主在石頭人這裡翻了無數次車，慘不忍睹的歷史）。我見到它的時候嚇呆了，沒有和其他人一樣在它沖過來的時候四散奔逃。有一瞬間我認為我死定了。

然後一件更為荒唐的事情發生了——一道閃電打中了岩石巨人（說好的石頭人不吃元素攻擊的呢？），但是那道閃電並非來自天空。發出那道閃電的是一條***（髒話，不翻譯了）的龍。

其他的事情我不記得了。那天，恐懼和本能操控著我所有的行動，雖然我活了下來，但我又是孤身一人了（你體驗過被石頭人團滅的恐懼嗎）。

海倫娜的筆記9

I remember now,the dragon had a rider. Rather, the wyvern did. Two legs means its a wyvern.Strewth, listen to me, fighting to survive and still finding time forsemantics.

The rider was covered up too well to get a good look at them. Could it havebeen Mei Yin? No, that’s stupid. I don’t know if she’s even alive, much less inthis desert with me. It would be just like her though, to have tamed themeanest thing here so quickly.

It’s nice to pretend that a friend might be looking out for me, at least. Wewere sort of mates, right? Sort of.

I could really use one right now. A friend, I mean.

我現在想起來了，那條龍有一個騎手。好吧，那是一條雙足飛龍。兩條腿，雙足飛龍（注：在西方，龍有很多種叫法，dragon、wyver、drake等等，相應的龍的分類也非常繁瑣，有興趣的童鞋可以自己去研究，反正樓主已經暈了）。呼，瞧瞧我，在掙扎求生的同時還有時間搞學問。

那個龍騎士全身裹得很嚴實，根本看不清面貌。會不會是美盈（孤島的獨狼——獸林女王）？不，這個想法太蠢了。我都不知道她是不是還活著，她不可能跟著我來焦土。不過這很有她的作風，如此迅速地馴服了最兇猛的野獸（有誰還記得美盈單人馴南巨的）。

至少假裝自己有一個會替自己望風的朋友還是不錯的。我們是朋友，對吧？大概。

我現在真的需要一個。我是指，朋友。

海倫娜的筆記10

Well, I found anew best mate. The little fuzzball isn’t exactly what I meant, but I’ll takeher.

I’ve dubbed her species Renopila Amplexus. They’re small, cuddly littleherbivores, and as far as I can tell, taming one has no practical use. I justcouldn’t let the her starve to death, though. I guess all this rubbish withgolems and wyverns has quelched what was left of my scientific instinct toleave nature to nature.

At least we provide each other with a little warmth at night, and her anticshave helped to keep my spirits up. I suppose I’ll need to give her a name.

好吧，我找到了我的新朋友。這個小毛球並不是我最初要找的，不過我會帶著她。

我認為她屬於一種跳鼠。跳鼠是一種小小的、非常可愛的小型食草生物，據我所知，馴養它們並沒有實際的用途。但我只是不忍心讓她餓死（我也不忍心，所以我養了一群）。我想，那些岩石巨人和雙足飛龍已經把我的科學家精神打了個稀巴爛，自然該是怎樣就聽之任之了吧。

至少我們兩個在晚上可以互相取暖，而且她可愛的舉動能讓我開心一下。我想我應該給他起一個名字。

海倫娜的筆記11

I may have been wrong about Renopila not having a practical use. Earlier today,my furry new companion started bouncing around so excitedly that I couldn’tcalm her down, and then soon enough it started raining.

I brushed that off as a coincidence, but soon after filling my waterskins andsetting off once more, she started acting skittish. I decided to find shelterjust in case, and within minutes light rainfall had turned into an electricalstorm.

I’ll need more evidence to draw any firm conclusions of course, but I wouldn’tmind having a fuzzy little weather radar with me.

You know… It’s a little on the nose, but Radar’s not a bad name.

或許我不應該說跳鼠沒有實際的用途。今天早些時候，我的毛茸茸的夥伴突然開始興奮地四處亂跳，我根本無法讓她停下，然後天空突然開始下雨。

一開始我以為這只是巧合，但是當我把我的水袋灌滿並準備再次啟程時，她又開始變得很激動。我決定以防萬一先找一個庇護所，很快一場小雨就變成了一場雷暴。

在我下定結論之前我還需要更多的證據，不過我不介意隨身帶著一個毛茸茸的天氣雷達。

你知道……這似乎正好，“雷達”是個不錯的名字。

海倫娜的筆記12

Thank goodnessthat I decided to find some high ground two days ago, or I’d have never spottedthis settlement. That’s twice now that I’ve stumbled into my own salvation. Ican’t count on that happening again. I’ll need to stay here for a while andprepare before setting out once more.

Fortunately, the villagers are willing to let me trade work for supplies andshelter. Another stroke of luck, and another factor I can’t rely on. On theIsland, Rockwell’s name got me far, but here I’m just another stranger. Noteveryone will trust or help me. I need to be prepared to survive on my own.

感謝上帝，要不是我兩天前決定在前往高地，我恐怕永遠都不會發現這片營地。到現在為止，我已經有兩次快要餓死了。我不能再讓這種事情發生了。我需要在這裡居住一段時間，並準備再次出發。

幸運的是，這裡的居民願意為我提供補給和住所，前提是我要為他們工作。我又走運了，但是我不能過分依靠這一點。在孤島上，羅克韋爾的名字讓我能夠去我想要去的地方，但是在這裡，我只是一個陌生人。並不是所有的人都會相信並説明我。我需要做好獨立生存的準備。

海倫娜的筆記13

In some ways,surviving on my own was less work. At least then I wasn’t conscripted intomanual labor. Ugh, my whole body feels sore!

I bet I wouldn’t have to work if I were as adorable as Radar. The whole villageis in love with her. I swear, they spoil her like a furry little princess.

Rockwell would be livid about this arrangement. I can just hear him rantingabout treating scholars with propriety. I hope the old Brit is doing well.Maybe when I’ve broken this mystery wide open, I’ll figure out a way to get himoff the Island and we can discuss it all over tea like old times.

從某些方面來說，獨立生存會輕鬆一些。至少我不會被調去做體力勞動。唉，我全身都疼！

我敢打賭如果我和雷達一樣可愛，我就根本不會需要工作了。整個村莊的人都愛她。我發誓他們都把她當做一個毛茸茸的小公主寵著了。

羅克韋爾一定會為這種安排大發雷霆的。我幾乎可以聽到他對於“學者優先”的觀點大講特講。我希望這位英國佬現在過得不錯。或許當我解開方舟的謎團後，我能夠找到一個方法帶他離開孤島，然後我們能夠像過去一樣互相探討這件事。

海倫娜的筆記14

While my mindstill can’t recall the last time I fired a gun, my muscle memory is muchbetter. According to my would be instructor, I wasn’t a complete disaster onthe firing range.

I’m no pacifist. Death and violence are a part of life, that’s just nature. Yeta gun still makes me a little uncomfortable. The idea of shooting at anotherhuman just seems instinctively wrong to me. I couldn’t even fire at the NewLegion back on the island.

But I need to pull my weight. The villagers have been welcoming and patientwith me. For their sakes, I need to practice.

儘管我已經不記得我上一次開槍是什麼時候了，但是我的肌肉記憶要好一些。根據我未來的指導員的說法，我在耍槍方面還不算無藥可救。

我並不是一個和平主義者。死亡和暴力是生活的一部分，這很自然。但是槍械仍然讓我有些不適。對我而言，用槍射殺其他人類根本就是錯誤的。在孤島上我甚至不能對新軍的人開槍。（注：新軍就是服霸涅爾瓦在孤島上建立起來的軍隊）。

但是我需要加把勁了。這裡的村民對我很熱情並且耐心。我需要訓練，不能對不起他們。

海倫娜的筆記15

I may have toput my freshly polished marksmanship skills to the test sooner than I thought.A hunting party spotted a swarm of giant mantises heading in our direction.

Yes, giant mantises. I haven’t spotted them with my own eyes, but the villagershave spoken of them every now and again. They say the insects have these littlehands that can actually grip and wield weapons or tools. Sounds absolutelyloony, but so is the idea of a mantis swarm at all. They must share GhostMantis’ distaste for cannibalism.

No one seems keen on fighting them, but they’re too close to outrun. Hopefullythey’ll just pass us by.

我剛剛撿回來的槍法很快就要派上用處了，這比我預計的要早。

一個狩獵小隊發現了一群巨大的螳螂正向我們這裡前進。

沒錯，巨型螳螂。我沒有親眼看到它們，但是村民們會是不是地提起它們。他們說，這些蟲子擁有能夠拿起並使用武器和工具的小手。這聽上去相當瘋狂，但是一大群螳螂聚集在一起這個概念也很瘋狂。它們一定和幽靈螳螂一樣不喜歡同類相食（沒錯，螳螂出了名的喜歡吃同類）。

沒有人想和它們幹一架，但是它們距離我們太近了，無法避開。希望它們只會從我們旁邊經過。

海倫娜的筆記16

My hopes thatthe Mantises would ignore the village were unfounded, and I think we were allwondering if this morning’s sunrise would be our last. Despite all my practice,my rifle felt heavy and foreign in my shaking hands as the swarm advanced.Fortunately, they weren’t our only visitors.

The villagers erupted in cheers as lightning and fire tore through theadvancing insects from above. Some chanted a name: Wali al Aswad. The rider,still hidden behind black robes, didn’t acknowledge the ovation. With swiftefficiency, their small flight of Wyverns decimated the Mantis swarm and madefor the horizon.

Wali al Aswad… I need to meet this person, if only to thank them.

我對於螳螂會無視村莊的希望落空了。所有人都在擔心，這或許會是我們見過的最後一個日出。儘管我已經有訓練過，但是當螳螂群向我們沖來的時候，我顫抖的雙手中抓著的步槍異常沉重而陌生。幸運的是，螳螂並不是唯一造訪我們的生物。

當從天而降的雷電和火焰落在蟲群中的時候，村民們發出了歡呼。有些人吟誦著一個名字：瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德（這裡只能憑我自己的感覺音譯了）。那個騎手仍然裹著黑色的長袍，無視了我們的歡呼。這一小隊飛龍迅速且高效地掃清了螳螂群，然後便消失在地平線。

瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德……我需要和這個人見一面，哪怕只能夠道個謝。

海倫娜的筆記17

Just who or whatWali al Aswad is depends on who you ask. Some of the villagers have attached areligious connotation to the figure, believing it to be some sort of heavenlyguardian who appears to worthy in their time of need, One villager is evenconvinced Wali is an extraterrestrial.

I don’t deal in beliefs. I deal in empirical evidence, and that means nothingabout Wali is certain until I can meet them. I won’t forget this village’skindness, especially after granting me a morellatops and supplies for myjourney, but this is why I’m here – to find answers.

瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德是誰或者什麼東西，每個人的回答都不一樣。有的村民把這個人和宗教信仰搭上了關係，認為他是一名來自上天的守護神，在需要的時候才會出現。一名村民甚至深信瓦力是一個外星人。

我不接受信仰。我只接受事實證據，這表明在我見到瓦力之前，一切都是不確定的。我不會忘記村民的善意，尤其是在他們送給我一頭駝峰獸和旅途所需的補給品之後，但這就是我來這裡的原因——尋找答案。

海倫娜的筆記18

I’m definitelymore prepared for this desert than before, and better equipped. With mymorellatops offering a large, mobile supply of water and Radar looking out forthe weather, the only threat I really have to worry about is major predators.Also giant golems.

I’m actually impressed with the shape I’m in, if I do say so myself. I think Ieven saw some ab definition the other day. Took me long enough. I’ve beenliving without sweets for ages, after all, You’d think I’d get fit muchquicker.

Great, now I miss sweets. The things I’d to do taste chocolate again…

相較於之前，我對於沙漠旅行的準備更加充分了，而且裝備也更好了。我的駝峰獸提供了大量的可移動水源，而雷達會預報天氣，我唯一需要擔心的就是大型食肉動物。還有岩石巨人。

要我自己評價的話，我對我自己現在的狀態感覺很好。（這裡兩句我實在看不懂，不知道是語法錯誤還是俗語，請高手指教）我已經很久沒有吃過糖了，不然我很快就會發胖了。

好極了，現在我開始想念糖了。為了吃巧克力我會豁出去的……

海倫娜的筆記19

It took weeks ofsearching, but I finally caught a glimpse of Wali al Aswad. I knew I wasgetting close when I found a series of fulgurite formations this morning, andsure enough, I spotted several wyverns later in the afternoon with a lone rideramong them.

The rider clearly saw me too, because soon enough the wyverns were circlingoverhead. I waved and yelled in greeting, even calling out Mei Yin’s name justin case. Yet without so much as a nod, the wyverns regrouped and flew off.

Wali’s not a social butterfly it seems, but I’m not letting them off the hookthat easily.

我花了好幾個禮拜搜索，不過我終於看到了瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德一眼。今天早上當我發現一連串的雷擊石時，我就知道我離他很近了。果然，下午的時候我就看到了幾條雙足飛龍和一名騎手。

那名龍騎士一定也看到我了，因為很快飛龍就開始在我頭頂盤旋。我朝他揮手並大聲地到招呼，甚至叫出了美盈的名字，只為了以防萬一。但是那名騎手沒有任何回應，飛龍重新排成一隊飛走了。

看上去瓦力並不擅長社交，但我不會就這樣放他走的。

海倫娜的筆記20

Of course Walilives on a bloody mountain. Of course they do. I saw their wyverns land at thesummit yesterday, and they haven’t left. This has to be theirhome…unfortunately.

The paths were too narrow for my morellatops, so I had to leave it behind. Itshould know to wander off if I don’t return for it, not that I can reallyafford to worry about it. The climb’s doing a fine job of kicking my ass evenwithout distractions.

I swear, if I don’t have a six pack after climbing a mountain in the bloodydesert, I’m going to be awfully cross.

瓦力當然住在一座該*死的山上了！當然了！我昨天看到飛龍降落在一座山峰上，並且沒有離開。不幸的是……這一定是它們的家了。

上山的道路對我的餓駝峰獸而言太狹窄了，所以我不得不把它留在原地。如果我回不來的話，它應該會自己走開的，對此我倒不是很擔心。哪怕沒有別的什麼東西讓我分心，爬山真的把我折騰得死去活來。

我發誓，如果我發現自己爬上沙漠裡的一座山峰後沒有練出六塊腹肌來，我一定會發飆的。

海倫娜的筆記21

I don’t knowwhat kind of reception I expected when I reached the summit, but laughterwasn’t one of them. Yet that was exactly what I heard when I finally let myselfcollapse and started flinging every obscenity I could think of at this damnedmountain – the bemused laughter of an old woman.

Wali al Aswad is definitely no guardian angel. She was quick to dismiss thoseparticular rumors with remarks about how the gods have abandoned this wretchedplace.

As long I avoided that subject though, she’s welcomed my questions withsurprising warmth, though often enigmatically. I have a feeling that I’ll needto be patient with her.

當我爬到山頂的時候，我不知道我所預期的會面會是如何，但是我絕對沒有預料到會有笑聲。當我終於癱倒在山頂上並對這座萬惡的山吼出我所能想到的所有詛咒時，我聽到了笑聲——一個被逗樂的老婦人的笑聲。

瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德絕對不是什麼守護天使。她很快便告訴我說神明們已經放棄了這塊被詛咒的土地，而她更不可能是什麼天使。

只要我不提起與此相關的事情，她很樂意回答我的問題，而且儘管有一些難以理解，她的態度出乎意料得熱情。我有一種感覺，那就是對待她我必須要耐心。

海倫娜的筆記22

It turns outthat I didn’t find Wali al Aswad. She found me.

While the portal I used to get here opened with little fanfare on my end,apparently the other side created quite the spectacle. According to Wali, itwas easy for her to spot from atop her wyvern, and she started tailing me soonafterwards. I guess her timely interventions were no coincidence.

She didn’t seem very surprised when I told her about the obelisks, theirguardians or even that this desert is actually a space station. Either sheknows more than she’s saying, or experience has grinded the surprise right outof her.

看來不是我找到了瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德，而是她先找到了我。

儘管把我送到這裡的傳送門在孤島上沒有搞出很大的動靜，但是顯然在焦土這裡鬧得驚天動地。根據瓦力的說法，她騎著飛龍很容易就找到了我，並且自那以後就一直在跟蹤我。我猜她過去會偶爾幫我一把並不是什麼巧合。

當我告訴她關於方尖碑、守護者（也就是孤島的三大boss和最終boss監察者）的事情，甚至這片焦土實際上是一個巨大的宇宙空間站時，她似乎並不驚訝。要麼是她知道的事情比她說出來的要多，要麼就是多年來的生存經驗已經讓她不會再對任何事情感到驚訝了。

海倫娜的筆記23

I really missedflying. There’s no replicating the feeling, and no replacement for seeing asunrise amongst the clouds.

Wali probably started these wyvern riding sessions just to give herself anescape hatch when our conversations get too personal, but I can’t say I mind.Despite their appearance, riding a wyvern is just as pleasant as riding anargentavis, even without a saddle. By design, perhaps?

No matter. Genetically engineered or not, they are magnificent creatures. It’sa risky proposition, but I absolutely must observe them in the wild sometime. Ican’t pass up an opportunity like that.

我真的很懷念飛行。沒有什麼可以替代飛行以及在雲端觀賞日出的感覺。

當我和瓦力的對話扯到太過於私人的內容時，她似乎就會突然提出騎飛龍出去散散心，以此回避我的問題，不過我並不介意。儘管這些飛龍看上去嚇人，但是騎飛龍就和騎阿根廷巨鷹一樣令人愉悅，即使沒有鞍子。或許這些飛龍就是被人為構造成如此？

無論如何，不管它們是不是被基因改造過的，它們仍然是非常壯觀的生物。我必須觀察一下野生狀態下的雙足飛龍，儘管這很危險。我絕不能錯過這樣的一個機會。

海倫娜的筆記24

Now that Walihas deemed by wyvern riding skills acceptable, she’s finally agreed to show mearound the region.

From what I can gather, Wali has been here for a very long time, maybe longerthan Rockwell was on the island. She knows the history of every village andruin. Apparently there was once a great city to the southeast, but it was wipedout at some point.

She’s still mum on a lot of details, but I’ll just have to keep prying. Radar’sbeen helpful in that regard. Wali definitely seems to be in a better mood whenthe fuzzball’s around. That little charmer’s certainly earned her keep.

瓦力認為我的飛龍騎行技術已經可以了，她終於同意帶我到那片區域去了。

據我瞭解，瓦力在這裡已經居住了很久，甚至肯能比羅克韋爾在孤島上居住的時間還要長。她熟知每個村莊和廢墟的歷史。顯然在東南面曾經有過一個巨大的城市，但是在某一天突然被抹除了。

她對於很多細節內容都保持沉默，但是我會試著繼續套她的話。雷達在這一方面幫了大忙。有這個小毛球在身邊，瓦力明顯看上去要高興的多（跳鼠通殺一片人哈哈）。我帶這個小傢伙來真是值了。

海倫娜的筆記25

I’m gratefulthat Wali allows me time to study the local wildlife, but I suspect she onlydoes so out of amusement. She always says something like, “Why do youspend so much time on these scribbles that no one will read?”

I never have a good retort. It’s true that no one else may ever read mydossiers, as I have no way to reproduce or distribute them as long as I’mtrapped on one of these space stations. When I started them, they were apassion project, created out of my love for nature and its creatures.

Now? I guess they’re just part of my identity. Writing them helps remind me whoI am.

我很感謝瓦力能夠給我時間研究當地的野生動物，但我懷疑她這麼做只是為了找樂子。她總是問我：“為什麼你總是在這些沒有人會去讀懂的東西上花費這麼多時間？”

我沒有什麼好的回答。確實，因為我被困住了一個宇宙空間站中，沒有辦法印刷並分發我的生物圖鑒，沒有人會來閱讀它們的（我有認真地全讀了一遍啊海倫娜姐姐）。我剛開始記錄的時候，這僅僅是我的一廂情願，因為我喜愛自然和生物。

而現在呢？我想這些筆記就是我的身份的一部分。寫下記錄能讓我記住我的身份。

海倫娜的筆記26

I can’t believeit! Wali spotted someone wandering in the desert the other day, and it turnedout to be none other than Edmund Rockwell! I just about burst into tears when Irecognized him.

Apparently, he heard that Nerva was holding me captive and sought to negotiatemy release. That lead him to the cave, and eventually he wound up here. Awfullysweet of him to go through all that trouble for my sake!

Strangely, Wali claims that she saw a portal open up far away from herterritory shortly before mine did. I guess that was Rockwell’s, though Waliarrived at the scene too late to track him. Rockwell theorized that the portalsmay have taken us through time as well as space. Considering my present company,I’m inclined to agree with him.

我真的不敢相信！瓦力幾天前發現有一個人在沙漠裡亂逛，而那個人正是艾德蒙·羅克韋爾！當我認出他的時候我幾乎要哭了出來。

顯然，他聽說了涅爾瓦抓走了我，便想要找他進行談判來釋放我。這讓他一路跟著進了泰克洞穴，並最終到了這裡。他為了我經歷了這麼多苦難，真是太貼心了。

奇怪的是，瓦力聲稱在她看見我的傳送門之前沒多久，她在距離她領土非常遠的地方看到有另一個傳送門打開過。我猜那個就是羅克韋爾的傳送門，但是當瓦力到達那裡的時候已經沒有人的蹤跡了。羅克韋爾認為那個傳送門不僅讓我們穿越了空間，甚至還讓我們穿越了時間。考慮到我現在的狀況，我不得不同意他的觀點。

海倫娜的筆記27

Wali has beenmuch quieter since we found Rockwell. I guess she’s just letting us catch up.However, she did say something interesting when we were recounting Nerva’sambitions for the Island.

“This place would never allow anyone to master it,” she said, andwhen I asked her to explain, she told me that the great city to the southeastwas destroyed by the obelisk itself.

Now it’s just conjecture, but it’s interesting to think about. Could the curatorsof these stations be monitoring human behavior and clipping its wings shouldthe survivors ever band together and fly too close to the sun? If each stationrepresents a different group in a larger experiment, “resetting”human progress would make a lot of sense.

It’s a bit grim though, isn’t it? Yikes.

自從我們找到了羅克韋爾之後，瓦力就變得安靜了許多。我猜她或許只是為了讓我們兩個敘敘舊。但是當我們說到涅爾瓦試圖統治孤島的時候，她說了一些有趣的東西。

“這片土地不會允許任何人統治它。”她說。我想她尋求解釋，她說位於東南面的大城市是被方尖碑摧毀的。（官方禁止服霸？）

這只是一個猜想，不過引人深思。這些空間站的管理者會不會時時監控著空間站中人類的動向，當生存者的行為太為過激的時候便予以制止？如果每個空間站代表一個巨大實驗中的一個實驗組，那麼“重置”實驗組中人類的發展狀況似乎很合理。

聽上去有一點殘忍不是嗎？真噁心。

海倫娜的筆記28

I don’t thinkRockwell’s been sleeping much. I awoke last night to find him studying astrange piece of metal by firelight. I guess some tribe gave it to him as .jpgt, along with a very familiar looking artifact.

I insisted that we show those items to Wali, and she recognized them as theproperty of this station’s lone guardian. With all that she knows, I’m notsurprised that she’s activated the obelisks before. Hell, it sounds like theold battle ax has even slain the beast herself!

Since we have said guardian’s artifact, Wali says that we can leave thisstation at any time. I suppose we may as well. Rockwell’s eager to depart, andas much as I like Wali, I’ve had my fill of sand.

我認為羅克韋爾最近都沒怎麼睡覺。昨天晚上我醒來，發現他在火光下研究一塊很奇怪的金屬。我猜是一些部落把它作為禮物送給了他，還有一個看上去非常眼熟的神器。

我堅持認為我們應該把這些東西給瓦力看一下，而她看了一眼後說它們屬於這個空間站唯一的守護者。考慮到她對這裡的瞭解程度，我對於她曾經啟動過方尖碑一點都不驚奇。天啊，聽起來這位老婦人甚至親自殺了那頭野獸！（單挑獅蠍……？老太太威武啊！）

自從我們提起守護者的神器後，瓦力就說我們可以隨時離開這個空間站。我想我們也最好離開。羅克韋爾急切地想要離開，至於我，儘管我挺喜歡瓦力，但是我已經受夠了沙子。

海倫娜的筆記29

The transporterthat can take us back to the “control center” station is in the ruinsof another city, south of the mountains. Wali believes that it was destroyed bythe obelisks, just like the city in the southeast.

I didn’t press her for details, not that I’d have gotten any. Wali’s more tightlipped about those ruins than anything. I had to practically beg her to take meto the southeastern city, and while we were there, she spent most of her timejust gazing out into the distance.

No sense in bringing her mood down with that rubbish now. After all that she’sdone for me, I’d like give her a nice, proper farewell.

在群山的南面有另外一個城市的廢墟，把我們傳送回控制中心的傳送器就在這裡。瓦力認為這座城市也是被方尖碑摧毀的，就像東南面的那座城市一樣。

我沒有追問她詳細的細節，我也問不出什麼來。瓦力對於這些廢墟的事情守口如瓶。我曾請求她帶我前往東南面的廢墟，而當我們身處廢墟的時候，她常常會望向遠方。

我現在不應該讓那些瑣事困擾她。她幫了我那麼多，我想給她一個美好的告別。

海倫娜的筆記30

Having seen usthrough the ruins and safely to the platform, Wali has taken her leave. Afterdoing so much for me, I was sad to see her go, but at least I got her to smilebefore she left. Well, me and Radar. I can’t very well take the little critterwith me, so I officially gave Wali ownership of her. They’ll be good for eachother, I think.

Gah, I wrote “Wali” up there. Twice! I suppose old habits die hard,but it’s not really her name, is it? I always knew that was the case, but she’dnever told me to call her anything else. At least not until now.

Well at any rate – cheers, Raia. It was a pleasure to have known you.

帶領我們穿過廢墟並安全地抵達了傳送平臺後，瓦力就準備離開了。在她為我做了這麼多之後，看著她離開讓我很傷心，但至少在她離開之前，我給了她一個驚喜。好吧，是我和雷達。我不太可能帶著這個小可愛一起離開，所以我把她送給了瓦力。我想她們能夠相處融洽。

哎呀，我一直都寫的是“瓦力”！還寫了兩次！我想舊習難改吧，但這又不是她的真名不是嗎？我早就知道該是如此，但是她從沒有讓我改口叫她的真名。至少一直到現在為止沒有。

好吧不管怎樣——再見了，拉亞。很高興認識你。（注：沒錯，焦土中你會發現大量拉亞的石板，就是她留下的記錄，我會在後面一點點翻譯出來的）

羅克韋爾的筆記

羅克韋爾的筆記1

Confound thoseconfused contraptions! Despite my best efforts, I could make neither heads nortails of the mysterious machine that brought me here.

If only I still had that jittery bespectacled assistant of mine from all thoseyears ago. What was his name? Gerald? Gerande? The one that loved tinkeringwith the devices we’d salvage from the arms of the Island’s less fortunateinhabitants. Good lad. The inscriptions he found on the inside of those littletrinkets were where I first saw the word “ARK” as I recall.

Shame about the incident with the Compsognathus. If I still had his services,perhaps I’d never be in this God forsaken desert. Ah well. Stiff upper lip,Rockwell. Make the best of it.

詛咒這些奇奇怪怪的裝置！無論我怎麼努力，我都搞不懂這個把我帶到這裡的機器的工作原理。

我真希望那個幾年前跟隨我的那個戴眼鏡的神經兮兮的助手還在。他的名字是啥來著的？傑拉德？傑蘭德？那傢伙喜歡對著我們從孤島上不走運的生存者手上回收得來的裝置敲敲打打。不錯的小夥。我記得就是他最先在這些小物件上發現了“ARK（方舟）”這個詞。

發生在他身上的事真是太不幸了（貌似被美頜龍吞了噗）。如果他還是我的助手的話，我絕對不會來到這片被上帝遺忘的沙漠。啊好吧，打起精神來羅克韋爾，努力活下去。

羅克韋爾的筆記2

Right then! Nowthat I have found a shady spot where I can enjoy a brief respite from thisdesert’s dreadful heat, it’s high time that I set some goals for thisexpedition. If I wander about aimlessly then I’m sure to meet the same fate aspoor Gerald.

First, I shall find a local tribe if for no other reason than to obtain aproper mount and supplies.

Second, I simply must learn more about that strange metal that lined the wallsof the sanctuary. Even with a cursory study I could tell that it possesseswondrous properties. But where could I find more of it?

很好！現在我找到了一個陰涼處，在這裡我可以短暫地躲避熱浪，現在我該為我的探索制定一個目標。如果我只是漫無目的地四處亂走的話，我一定會和可憐的傑拉德遭遇相同的命運（焦土有美頜龍嗎？）。

首先，我應該找到一個當地的部落，從而獲得一個合適的坐騎以及補給。

其次，我需要更進一步地研究圍繞在聖壇周圍的奇怪金屬（注：羅克韋爾所說的聖壇就是孤島最終boss監察者的房間）。僅僅是對它粗略地研究了一下，我就發現它擁有神奇的特性。但是我要去哪裡找到更多的這種金屬？

羅克韋爾的筆記3

I must saynothing reminds a man of his own mortality quite like a desolate wasteland. Asa strapping young lad, I could have survived alone in this desert for years!Why on one occasion, I fought off a Bengal tiger with nought but an empty flashand my favourite pipe. With this makeshift spear, the beasts of this land wouldnever have a prayer!

Yet in my old age, I can feel this damnable sun sapping my strength with everyminute I spend under its unforgiving gaze. Each day I cover less ground thanthe day before.

I must find civilization soon, no matter how primitive. Without the right toolsand supplies, I fear that this expedition will be incredibly short lived.

我不得不說，沒有什麼能夠比一片被廢棄的焦土更能夠讓人想起自己是多麼脆弱了。當我還是一個魁梧的年輕小夥時，我可以在這種沙漠裡獨自活上好幾年！有一次，我僅僅依靠一個手電筒和我最愛的煙斗就擊退了一頭孟加拉虎。有了這根簡易的長矛，這片土地上的野獸想從我這裡逃走都來不及！

但是我已經老了，我能感覺到隨著時間一點點流逝，我的力氣正在被這該*死的陽光慢慢榨幹。我所能前進的距離一天比一天少。

我必須儘快找到有人居住的地方，哪怕那地方很原始。沒有合適的工具和補給，恐怕我的探索會很快結束。

羅克韋爾的筆記4

Eureka! At last,I have found signs of human life!

This afternoon, I came across a fresh series of footprints, some from humansand some from what I assume are large beasts of burden. I cannot be sure whomade them or how civilized they may be, but neither can I afford to be tooparticular in my choice of saviors.

Whoever they are, I must track them down immediately. As soon as I gather mystrength I shall pursue my quarry with the utmost haste and vigor. The tale ofthe brilliant and impeccably groomed Sir Edmund Rockwell shall not end thisday!

我找到了！我終於找了人類活動的蹤跡了！

今天下午，我發現了一串新鮮的腳印，有一些是人類的，有一些我認為可能是來自用於駝貨的大型生物的。我不能確定他們是誰，以及他們的文化程度如何，但是我已經不能對此再挑挑揀揀了。

不管他們是誰，我很快就追蹤到了他們。等我恢復體力，我就會以我最快的速度追趕我的獵物。聰明且完美的艾德蒙·羅克韋爾爵士的傳奇故事絕對不會就到此為止的！

羅克韋爾的筆記5

Salvation, thyname is Prophet’s Rest.

After a proper meal and some time out of the sun, the makeshift fortressdoesn’t look half as grand as its name might imply. Yet when I first sightedits walls from across the dunes, it may as well have been El Dorado itself, sograteful was I to find it.

Thus far, I have seen little of the inhabitants, but they seem a hospitablesort. I’ve been given food, shelter, and even a wet cloth to clean myself with.Quite generous of them, considering how scarce water is in these lands.

Their clothing is a curiosity, however. Those robes seem more ceremonial thanfunctional.

我的救助者的名字是“先知之息”。

避開陽光並好好吃了一頓飯之後，這個臨時的要塞看上去還沒有它的名字來得霸氣。然而當我最初從沙丘堆裡看到它的時候，它就像是傳說中的黃金鄉，感謝上天我找到了它。

到現在為止，我還沒怎麼見過這裡的居民，但是他們看上去挺好客的。他們給了我食物和住所，還有一塊濕布讓我清潔身體。他們真大方，要知道水在這片土地上是很珍貴的。

他們的服裝很有趣。那些長袍好像沒有什麼實際用途，倒是更像禮服。

羅克韋爾的筆記6

It seems thatProphet’s Rest is less a fortress and more an enclave or monastery. I supposethat would explain the name, now wouldn’t it?

Yes as strange as it may sound, the natives have created a primitive religioncentered around the ARK’s obelisks. They pray three times a day, each timefacing a different obelisk, and their robes bear a unique symbol – a threepointed star coloured red, green and blue. The blue obelisk appears to receiveparticular reverence due to is proximity.

As charmingly ignorant as their superstitions may be, it’s far from the mostsavage religion I’ve encountered. Besides, Prophet’s Rest is in need of adoctor, and I am in need of supplies.

看起來先知之息更像是一個修道院而不是什麼要塞。我想這能夠更好地詮釋這個名字不是麼？

儘管這聽起來很怪異，但是當地的居民似乎以方舟的方尖碑為中心建立起了一種原始的宗教。他們一天祈禱三次，每次面向不同的方尖碑，而且他們的長袍上有一個獨特的符號——一個塗成紅色、綠色和藍色的三角星星。藍色的方尖碑因為距離近，似乎受到了更多的崇拜。

儘管他們的迷信無知到讓人覺得可愛，這比我見識過的最野蠻的宗教相去甚遠。此外，先知之息裡需要一名醫生，而我則需要補給。

羅克韋爾的筆記7

I havediscovered why Prophet’s Rest is so generous with their water. The well at theedge of the compound is built directly on top of what the locals call a ‘watervein’ – an endless supply water bubbles up from beneath the earth.

It’s existence is a minor miracle, though compared to what I saw in the starlitsanctuary, minor is the operative word. I suppose this ARK must be floatingamong the stars just as the Island was. What an extraordinary thought! I cannotfathom how such a thing is possible, but that remarkable metal must be at theheart of it. I am certain.

我發現為什麼先知之息對於水是如此得大方了。院子邊緣的水井正好坐落在被當地人稱為“水脈”的東西上，能夠從地下獲取無盡的水源。

水脈的存在是一個小小的奇跡，當然比起我在星光閃爍的聖壇中看到的景象，這都不算什麼。我想這個方舟和孤島一樣是漂浮在星空之中的。多麼不尋常的想法！我無法想像這種事是怎麼可能發生的，但是那種神奇的金屬一定是其中的關鍵。我非常確定。

羅克韋爾的筆記8

Most of my workwork at the monastery’s doctor has been trivial. Every now and then one of theguards gets injured by the local wildlife, but I usually find myself treatingheat stroke and common illnesses. As such, I have had plenty of time to learnall the priests know about the obelisks.

All told, they are stunningly ill informed about the literal pillars of theirfaith. They are unaware that the obelisks are actually devices that can beactivated, and needless to say they have never activated one themselves.

They showed a flicker of understanding when I described the artifacts I foundon the island, however. I shall have to keep digging.

我作為修道院醫生的工作大部分都是瑣碎的。時不時地會有一名守衛被當地的野生動物弄傷，但是我發現更多時候我要對付的是中暑以及常見的疾病。正因如此，我有足夠的時間獲取這些信徒對於方尖碑的相關情報。

從他們的話語中我瞭解到，他們對於方尖碑的瞭解錯得離譜。他們完全不知道這些方尖碑是可以啟動的裝置，更不用說他們從未啟動過一個方尖碑。

但是當我向他們描述了一個我在孤島上找到的神器後，他們臉上閃過一絲理解。我需要繼續挖掘情報。

羅克韋爾的筆記9

Unbelievable.Have these idol worshipping ninnies replaced all their common sense with blinddevotion? Have years of oppressive heat completely addled their brains?

I was finally allowed to see the monastery’s inner sanctum, and lo and behold,there they were. Sitting upon an altar before a flock of protesting primitiveswere these glowing artifacts, just like the ones I had found in the cavernsbeneath the island. Yet instead of making use of them or even studying them,these halfwits are praying to them!

The true value of those artifacts is completely lost on these simpletons.Sacred relics, indeed!

難以置信！難道這些膜拜方尖碑的白*癡的腦子裡的常識都被盲目的信仰吃了嗎？還是因為常年的高溫讓他們的腦子徹底壞了？

我終於被准許進入修道院的內部祭壇，然後，看啊，它們就在這兒！在一群抗議著的原始人面前，這幾個神器正在祭壇上閃閃發光，就和我在孤島洞穴中發現的神器一樣。但是這些智*障並沒有使用甚至研究神器，相反地，他們居然對著神器祈禱！

在這些傻*瓜手裡，這幾個神器的真正價值完全不能體現。聖物，哼！

羅克韋爾的筆記10

It took time,but I finally pilfered enough supplies and tools to survive on my own. Loadingthem onto these camel-like beasts of burden was laborious, but the real trialwas absconding with the artifacts.

There is always someone watching the inner sanctum, so I carefully studied theguard’s shifts until I identified whose drink I had to spoil with my knockoutserum. Even then I acted with great haste and guile, for my heist will surelybe discovered when the priests convene for their morning prayers.

Alas, they will be too late! Sir Edmund Rockwell is always ahead of his foes,but not by a mere step. No, I am miles and miles beyond their reach!

我花了不少時間，終於偷到了足夠我供一個人生存的補給和工具。我用了很大功夫把它們裝載到那些像駱駝一樣的生物身上，但是真正的問題是如何帶著神器溜走。

總是會有一個人守著內部祭壇，所以我很小心地研究了守衛的輪班方式，並最終確定了一個人，往他的飲料裡加入了我的麻藥。即便如此，我的行動還是很迅速且小心的，因為到了早上信徒們集合起來祈禱的時候，他們肯定會發現我偷了神器。

唉，不過等他們發現就太遲啦！艾德蒙·羅克韋爾爵士永遠走在他敵人的前面，而且不止提前一點點。不，我會讓他們望塵莫及！

羅克韋爾的筆記11

It has beenseveral days since I left Prophet’s Rest, and I have seen no sign of pursuit. Iam unsurprised. They probably assumed that I would make for the blue obelisk,as it was nearest. By setting out for the green obelisk instead, I alreadyoutwitted those simple minded zealots. As I said – miles ahead! Miles!

With those fools out of the way, I can slow my pace and take some time toproperly study these so called sacred relics of theirs. I am curious to see ifthe materials they are made of bear any similarity to the metal in the starlitsanctuary.

我離開先知之息已經好幾天了，而我到現在為止還沒有看到他們追上來。對此我一點也不驚訝。他們大概以為我會前往藍色的方尖碑，因為那裡距離最近。但是我可比那些頭腦簡單的狂熱信徒聰明多了，因為我的目標是綠色的方尖碑。如我所說，他們望塵莫及！

現在這些傻*瓜已經被我甩在了身後，我終於可以放慢腳步，花一些時間好好研究這些他們所謂的聖物了。我很好奇，鑄造這些神器的金屬和構成聖壇的金屬有什麼相似的屬性。

羅克韋爾的筆記12

The obelisk isreacting to the presence of the artifacts with even more intensity than Iexpected. Each obelisk on the Island required eight artifacts to generate thatsort of response, not three. In other words, I may not need to do anyspelunking before summoning whatever terrifying beast this ARK has in store forme.

Ah, the beast. Now that poses entirely different conundrum. Even with my youthand my favorite pipe, I doubt that I could slay a monster such as that dragonMister Nerva fought. Not alone, anyway. I shall need to find a partner for thisventure, but who?

方尖碑對神器的反應比我預計的要劇烈。在孤島上，每個方尖碑需要集齊八個神器才會有如此大的反應，而不是三個。換而言之，如果我要召喚這個方舟上關著的恐怖野獸，不管它會是什麼，我可能不需要在到洞穴裡去探索一番了。

啊，那頭野獸。這可真是一個與眾不同的謎題。即使我年少力壯，即使我帶著我最喜歡的煙斗，我恐怕都不能夠像涅爾瓦先生一樣屠了像那頭火龍一樣的野獸。至少我單身一人不行。我需要一個人和我搭檔，但是找誰？

羅克韋爾的筆記13

I have turnedback north in hope of making contact with some of the natives. It is a risk, asI cannot be sure how many bumbling savages are under the sway of thatludicrous, obelisk worshipping cult, but it is also the only region that Idefinitively know is occupied.

I do not have much to offer in exchange for their aid, but I am sure that I cannegotiate an alliance with at least one of this ARK’s tribes. I was at thecenter of the Island’s diplomatic disputes for years, after all. Why I am aseasoned, silver tongued negotiator! Surely I can coax a partnership out ofthese primitive desert dwellers.

我掉頭像北面進發，希望能夠找到一些當地的居民。這有些冒險，因為我不知道有多少笨拙的野蠻人信奉著那個崇拜方尖碑的可笑的神教，但是那個區域是我唯一確定有人居住的地方。

我沒有什麼東西可以用來換取他們的幫助，但是我確信我至少可以和方舟上的一個部落達成協議。畢竟在孤島上我可是當了好幾年的外交官的。我可是一個經驗豐富、巧舌如簧的談判專家！我肯定能夠說服這些原始的沙漠居民協助我。

羅克韋爾的筆記14

What terriblemisfortune! My keen sense of direction finally led me to a local settlement,but as it happened, I was not the first party to visit it that day. That honorbelonged to the Burning Phoenix Clan, a band of raiders that were plunderingits storehouses and enslaving its surviving residents as I arrived.

Naturally, the hoodlums fell upon me and stripped me of my valuables withinminutes of my arrival. Ruffians! I managed to keep hold of my journal, butlittle else. This won’t do, not at all!

Then again, I was seeking out a tribe skilled in the art of violence. Perhaps Ican turn this to my advantage.

真是不幸！我敏銳的方向感把我領到了一個當地的居民區，但是看上去，我並不是在那天唯一到訪的人。火鳳凰部落比我更早到了那裡，當我抵達的時候那群土匪正在搶奪居民的物資，並把倖存的居民抓走當作奴隸。

一看到我，這些暴徒自然就把我也抓了，並奪走了我身上有價值的東西。這些惡棍！我成功地保住了我的日記，但是其他東西都被搶走了。這可不行，一點都不行！

但是轉念一想，我正在尋找一個擅長打架的部落。也許我可以翻盤。

羅克韋爾的筆記15

Curse thesestubborn brutes! Despite a litany of polite, gentlemanly requests, they refuseto allow me to parlay with their leader. Surely any leader of men is not halfthe imbecile that these barbarians are. I am positive that we could come tosome sort of…

Damn this noise! It is impossible to concentrate with all this insufferablewhingeing! Half of these prisoners won’t stop moaning about one injury oranother and the other half are in constant hysterics.

Very well. Perhaps if I tend to some of the wounded, it will dim thisdistracting cacophony.

詛咒這些固執的暴徒！儘管我一個勁地禮貌且紳士地請求他們讓我和他們的首領談判，但是他們就是拒絕。這世界上肯定不會有哪個首領會比這些野蠻人更弱*智的了。我確定我一定能夠和他們打成某種……

這聲音真煩人！這哀鳴煩得我都不能集中精神了！這兒一半的囚犯因為身上各種各樣的傷而不停的呻吟，另一半則會時不時地歇斯底里起來。

很好。或許如果我治療一些傷者，我能讓他們安靜下來。

羅克韋爾的筆記16

At last, I canhear myself think! The guards have moved me to a private cell, and while theyhave not divulged the reason for my transfer, I suspect that they took noticeof my medical expertise. I caught them staring in my direction on severaloccasions as I worked.

It seems that doctors are in high demand in these lands. I suppose that’s nogreat surprise. The Island was no different. No matter. While my skills in therealm of medicine are more in line with a field medic than a true physician, Ishall continue to play the role as long as it serves me.

我終於能夠靜下心來思考了！那些守衛把我轉移到了一個單獨的牢房，儘管他們沒有吐露轉移我的原因，但是我懷疑他們已經注意到了我有高明的醫術。我發現有幾次在我給人治療的時候他們會朝我這邊看過來。

開來在這片焦土上，對於醫生的需求很迫切。我想這不是什麼奇怪的事情。孤島上也是差不多這樣。無論如何，儘管我的醫學造詣更接近一個戰地醫生而不是什麼真正的臨床醫生，但只要這能夠為我提供便利，我就會好好地扮演我的角色。

羅克韋爾的筆記17

After days oftravel, we finally arrived at the Burning Phoenix Clan’s compound, and while myformer peers were shuffled to the slave pens, I stood before the clan’s leader.

I’d heard tales of the once great Tatar empires, thought I had never travelledto their lands. By all appearances, Timur is cut from the same cloth as theirfabled Khans. He was at once imperious and casual, questioning me withimpatience from a throne of hide and bone.

Naturally, he was impressed by my intellect and gentlemanly demeanor. Grantedhe did not say so aloud, but I was escorted to a small, private chamber insteadof a cell. Surely that says as much.

經過了幾天的顛簸，我們終於抵達了火鳳凰部落的大本營。儘管和我一起被抓住的人都被趕進了奴隸圍欄裡，我卻被帶到了他們部落領袖的面前。

我聽說過關于一度雄偉的韃靼帝國的故事，但是我以為我永遠沒有機會到他們的土地上一領風光。眼前的這位提木爾看上去就和韃靼帝國傳奇的可汗是從同一個模子裡刻出來的。他看上去既專橫又隨意，坐在由毛皮和屍骨做成測王座上，不耐煩地問我問題。

很自然地，他對我的智慧和紳士風度影響深刻。儘管他沒有說什麼特別的，但是我並沒有被帶回牢房，而是被護送到了一件小小的私人房間裡。這算是有所改進吧。

羅克韋爾的筆記18

I had beenpondering why Timur required the services of a doctor. He seemed to be inexcellent health and I had seen no patients since I arrived. Well now I shallponder no longer!

Timur has a wife, and she’s with child.

I suppose that even bloodthirsty raiders can fall in love, or at the veryleast, desire a family. The whole affair would be rather quaint were I notexpected to care for the woman and deliver the child. Should either the childor the woman die during the birth, I fear that I will follow them in shortorder.

我一直在琢磨，為什麼提木爾需要一位元醫生為他提供服務。他看上去很健康，而我自從到了這裡之後就一直沒見過有病人。好吧，我現在沒時間繼續琢磨了

提木爾有一個妻子，而且她懷孕了。

我想就算是這些嗜*血的土匪也會墜入愛河，或者至少，他們會想要一個家庭。如果沒有我在一旁照顧那個女人並助產的話，整件事看上去會相當古怪。如果那個女人或者孩子在生產過程中死去的話，恐怕我也會小命不保的。

羅克韋爾的筆記19

Nasrin is quitedifferent from her husband. She is a timid little flower of a woman, or rather,she would be if she were not many months pregnant.

I am still undecided as to whether my timing is impeccable or unfortunate. Afew weeks from now, Timur may have had no need of a doctor, but as it stands Ihave been thrust into an unfamiliar scenario with scant time to prepare.

Despite my unpleasant circumstances, this whole affair is rather intriguing. Inever considered the possibility of new generations being born on the ARK, yetclearly it was inevitable. Like any common animal, humans have the urge toprocreate. How else could the species endure?

娜絲琳和她的丈夫非常不同。她是一個羞怯且嬌小的女人，如果她沒有懷孕數月的話。

我不確定我的出現時間是完美還是不幸。如果我提前幾周到這裡的話，提木爾可能根本不需要一個醫生，但現在的情況是，我在沒有充足時間準備的狀況下就被扔進了產房。

儘管現在的狀況令人不悅，整件事兒實際上相當有趣。我從沒有考慮過在方舟上會有嬰兒誕生，但很明顯這種事不可避免。和所有的動物一樣，人類會有繁衍後代的衝動。不然一個種族要如何延續呢？

羅克韋爾的筆記20

Rockwell, oldbean, you’ve done it again! Both mother and child made it through, Timur is aproud father, and your head is still attached to its shoulders. Why I was evena guest of honor at Timur’s celebratory feast! I cannot say I enjoyed the bloodsport that serves as the Burning Phoenix’s entertainment, but the food wasdelectable.

I was also sure to seize upon Timur’s momentary goodwill by filling his earswith whispers of obelisks, artifacts and the untold power they grant to mortalmen. It may take time for those thoughts to turn to action, but with constantcare, I may yet turn him into my unwitting general.

羅克韋爾你這個老傢伙，你又做到了！母子平安，提木爾現在是一名驕傲的父親了，而你的腦袋保住了。我現在甚至是提木爾的慶祝宴會上的主賓！我不能說我喜歡火鳳凰部落為了娛樂而舉行的血*腥的活動，但是宴會上的食物還不錯。

趁著提木爾現在心情大好，我抓住機會朝他的腦子裡灌輸了一大堆關於方尖碑、神器以及它們能夠賜予凡人未知的力量的事情。或許把想法轉為行動需要花一些時間，但是只要我時不時地添油加醋一下，我就會讓他不知不覺地成為我的大將。

羅克韋爾的筆記21

The silvertongue of Sir Edmund Rockwell has prevailed once again! After spending far toolong watching the Burning Phoenix enslave and decimate hapless caravans andvillages, I have convinced Timur to test his might against the guardian of theobelisk.

I admit, I am somewhat anxious. Timur is not the commander that Mister Nervawas, and should he fall, I shall fall with him. Yet I have little choice, andthe rewards of success are worth the risk. The obelisks, the starlit sanctuaryand that precious ore shall be the foundation of my legacy as a scientist,gentleman and explorer. I am sure of it.

艾德蒙·羅克韋爾爵士的口才有一次大獲全勝！看著火鳳凰部落奴役並消滅不走運的商隊和村莊浪費了我太多時間，終於我說服了提木爾拿方尖碑的守護者開刀。

我承認我有點焦慮。提木爾不是涅爾瓦先生那樣的領導者，如果他失敗了的話，我也會和他一起失敗。但是我別無選擇，而且如果我們成功了，那結果必然值得我冒險。方尖碑、聖壇以及那個珍貴的礦石將會讓我成為一名傳奇的科學家、紳士和探險者。我很確定。

羅克韋爾的筆記22

I found it! Ireally found it! Raw, untainted samples of that same, mysterious ore from thesanctuary!

That fearsome beast must have been guarding it. Thank the heavens for Timur andhis berserk savagery! When he leapt from the back of his wyvern, I thought hewas surely doomed, but the madman actually managed to grab hold of thatmonster’s horns and turn its eyes into a bloody mess. I have never seen suchbrutally effective barbarism.

Many of his band did not survive the encounter of course, but that was to beexpected. Progress requires sacrifice, and whether those brutes knew it or not,their deaths have helped humanity leap into the future.

我找到了！我真的找到了！和來自聖壇的神秘礦石一樣的，未經加工、沒有被污染的樣品！

那頭令人恐懼的野獸一定是在守衛這些金屬。感謝上帝提木爾足夠兇殘！當他從他的飛龍背上跳下來的時候，我以為他死定了，但是那個瘋子居然成功地抓住了那頭怪獸的角並捅瞎了它的眼睛（還有這種操作？）。我從沒見如此野蠻且高效的打鬥。

提木爾的小分隊基本全軍覆沒，但這在預料之內。進步需要有人做出犧牲，不管這些野蠻人有沒有意識到這一點，他們的死幫助人類朝著未來邁進了一大步。

羅克韋爾的筆記23

This ore issimply extraordinary! It is warm to the touch, even during these cold desertnights, and it pulses as though it has its own heartbeat. It is at once lightand more sturdy than any natural material I have encountered. The uses onecould find for such a substance…

I shall have to name it at some point. What would do? Rockwellium? Edmunium?

A dilemma for another time. For now I have more pressing matters. Timur and hisBurning Phoenix savages have played their part, and I cannot remain in theircustody. It is time for the great warrior chief to receive his just reward.

這塊礦石真是超乎尋常！即使在沙漠寒冷的夜晚，它摸上去仍然是溫熱的，而且它仿佛有心臟一樣會發出脈動。它比我見過的任何天然礦物都要輕而且更加堅硬。這種物質的用途簡直……

我應該找個機會給它命名。叫什麼好呢？羅克韋金屬？艾德蒙金屬（您老以為是艾德曼合金呢）？

這個問題以後再考慮吧。現在我有更加重要的事情。提木爾和火鳳凰的野蠻人已經完成了他們的任務，我不能夠繼續在他們這裡逗留了。是時候該給這位偉大的戰士首領獻上他應得的回報了。

羅克韋爾的筆記24

Alas, poorTimur. He was so focused on celebrating his victory over one foe, that he neversaw his greatest threat. Now he lies beneath the severed head of the beast hevanquished, eyes bulging and blood seeping from his open mouth.

At least, that is how I imagine him. I did not stay to admire my handiwork. Assoon as the first group of Burning Phoenix warriors succumbed to their poisonedfeast, I stole away into the night, Edmunium and artifact in tow.

Serves those ruffians right, I say! They never did treat me with the proprietythat a gentleman and scholar of my caliber deserves. This desert is better offwithout them.

唉，可憐的提木爾。他把全部的注意力都放在了慶祝他的勝利上，根本沒有注意到他所面臨的最大的威脅。現在他被壓在被他砍下的那頭野獸的腦袋下，眼睛向外突出，血從他的嘴裡流了出來。

至少，我認為他的死狀就是如此。我沒有留下來欣賞我的傑作。當第一批火鳳凰部落的戰士因為食物中的毒素倒下的時候，我就帶著艾德蒙金和神器悄悄溜走了（羅克韋爾你太過分了吧）。

要我說，這些暴徒是罪有應得！他們從沒好好優待我，我可是一名紳士和學者，我的身份值得讓我被優待。這片沙漠沒了他們會更好的。

羅克韋爾的筆記25

As my withdrawalfrom the Burning Phoenix’s camp demanded haste, I did not have the time todouble check my supplies. It appears that I shall have to do some hunting.

No matter! I may not be as spry as I was when felled a charging rhino on theplains of the Serengeti, but with all the small armory I managed to abscondwith, I can surely manage. I had planned on trading those weapons forinformation as soon as I encountered a peaceful tribe, but I can spare a fewrounds of ammunition.

由於我從火鳳凰部落撤退的時候太過匆忙，我沒來得及檢查我的補給。現在看來我需要通過打獵來獲取食物了。

沒關係！也許我已經不再像年輕的時候一樣敏捷，能夠在塞倫蓋提草原上幹翻一頭衝鋒的犀牛，但是我在潛逃的時候帶走了一個小小的軍火庫，我肯定能夠獵到一些東西的。我原本打算在遇到一個和平的部落的時候，用這些武器換取情報，但是我自己可以用掉一些彈藥。

羅克韋爾的筆記26

Despite mylimited equipment, I have managed to run some initial tests on the Edmunium.Based on my observations, a typical forge may not be enough to smelt a sampleof Edmunium ore into any sort of useable ingot. I suspect that it has extremelystrong metallic bonds and therefore a much higher melting point than anyconventional metallic element.

I must find a proper base of operations where I can run more extensiveexperiments. I mustn’t be overeager, however. I have limited samples and…

Drat! I shall have to ruminate on this later. A sandstorm may be brewing and Ihave no desire to be caught in it.

儘管設備有限，但是我成功地對艾德蒙金進行了一些初級的測試。根據我的觀察，普通的熔爐可能還不夠把艾德蒙金粗礦提煉成可用的礦錠。我懷疑這種金屬記憶體在非常強的金屬鍵，因此它比任何常見的金屬元素擁有更高的熔點。

我必須尋找一個能夠讓我進行更為深入研究的合適的基地。但是我不能太過急切。我手上的樣品有限，而且……

見*鬼！我要晚一些考慮這件事了。一場沙塵暴正在醞釀中，我可不想被困在沙塵暴中。

羅克韋爾的筆記27

Confoundedweather! Not only did that sandstorm separate me from my steed, but when itcleared I was beset upon by none other than the traitorous Miss Walker herself!Oh she put on quite the act, spouting all sorts of nonsense about how good itwas to see me. Rubbish! I see right through her ruse.

I am certain that she is after my Edmunium. The only reason she has not simplylooted it from my corpse is that she requires my superior intellect tounderstand it. Well two can play this game, Miss Walker! I can fill the role ofthe benign old scientist for a time, but I shall not be betrayed again!

這討厭的天氣！這場沙塵暴不僅讓我和我的坐騎走散了，而且當它終於散去的時候，我和背信棄義的沃克（海倫娜全名海倫娜·沃克）小姐撞了個正著！哦她戲演的不錯，不停地胡說著見到我是多麼的高興。胡扯吧！我已經看穿了她的詭計了。

我肯定她一定是為了我的艾德蒙金才來的。她沒有殺了我再把艾德蒙金劫走的唯一理由就是她需要借助我高超的智商來瞭解它。好吧，我們兩個就好好地玩這場遊戲吧，沃克小姐！我會暫時扮演一個溫和的老科學家，但我不會再一次被背叛的！（好吧羅克韋爾你太噁心了）

羅克韋爾的筆記28

I am glad that Ipossessed the foresight to hide my presence from Miss Walker after her captureon the island. She clearly believes that I never learned of her betrayal. Bycunningly taking advantage of this fact, I have managed to completely deceivethe deceiver!

The grim old bat she travels with is another matter. I often catch her glaringin my direction, her eyes sharp and mistrusting. If I could, I would deal withher as I dealt with Timur, but I fear she is far too observant. For now I mustmaintain my deception as best I can.

我現在很慶倖，在孤島上，當沃克小姐被抓住的時候，我很有先見地沒有讓她看到我。我很明顯認為我還不知道她背叛了我。我狡猾地利用了這一點，成功地把這個騙子完全騙過去了。

和她一起旅行的那個陰沉沉的老蝙蝠則是完全不同了。我總是發現她盯著我，她的眼神尖銳而且充滿懷疑。如果我有機會的話，我會像對付提木爾一樣把她給滅了的，但是我恐怕她太過敏銳了。眼下，我必須好好地保持我的偽裝。

羅克韋爾的筆記29

I may have givenMiss Walker too much credit. Although I carelessly allowed her to catch sightof my Edmunium ore samples, she was more interested in the artifact I possess.

I should have realized this sooner. Miss Walker’s specialty is biology. Shewould not recognize the unique properties of Edmunium if they hit her square inthe forehead!

That fact has eased some of my tension. Even if Miss Walker seeks to takeadvantage of my genius, she is focusing on the wrong discoveries. So long as Iam careful in my studies of Edmunium, I shall remain miles ahead of her.

也許我太高估了沃克小姐。儘管我不經意間讓她看到了我的艾德蒙金粗礦樣品，但她對我的神器更加感興趣。

我真應該早點意識到的。沃克小姐的專長是生物學。就算我把艾德蒙金砸在她的腦門上，她都不會認識到它獨一無二的屬性！

這一事實讓我放鬆了不少。就算沃克小姐想要利用的我的智慧，她的注意力也完全放在了錯誤的地方。只要我小心保管我對於艾德蒙金的研究，我就能夠把她甩在身後。

羅克韋爾的筆記30

I cannot wait tobe rid of that glowering menace of a woman, this so called Wali al Aswad. Isuspect the feeling is mutual. She has offered little in the way of farewellswhile seeing us to this ARK’s entrance to the starlit sanctuary.

Things will be much easier once Miss Walker and I have parted ways with thedesert witch, I suspect. Miss Walker is thoroughly oblivious to both thewonders of Edmunium and my knowledge of her underhanded scheming back on theIsland.

She can continue to fiddle with trinkets and relics. I may even assist her ifit suits me. Meanwhile, I shall unlock the secrets of the most extraordinaryelement in the universe right under her nose!

我迫不及待地想要擺脫那個被稱為瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德的女人了，她一直瞪著我，實在煩人。我想我們兩個都不喜歡彼此。當她目送我們進入這個方舟的聖壇的時候，她甚至沒有什麼表示。

我想，當我和沃克小姐擺脫了這個沙漠女巫之後，事情就會簡單多了。沃克小姐完全不知道艾德蒙金的事情，也沒意識到我已經知道了她在孤島上制定的卑鄙的陰謀。

她大可以繼續對著這些毫無價值的小物件和神器瞎胡搞。如果可以的話我還會幫助她。與此同時，我會在她鼻子底下揭開這個宇宙中最為超凡的元素的秘密！

達克亞的筆記

根據已知的線索，達克亞可能是一個來自19世紀美國西部開荒時期的阿帕奇印第安人（有可能是混血），確切地時間點貌似是1880年代的德克薩斯/亞利桑那領土。在進入方舟之前的身份是強盜團的頭領。

達克亞的筆記1

Old habits diehard. I suppose I’m living proof.

I woke up stark naked who knows where with who knows what lodged in my arm, butjust weeks later and I’m already back to robbing folks at gunpoint. This placemay not be Texas or the Arizona Territory, but I’m the same John Dahkeya.

I don’t know why that makes me restless. I didn’t mind this life before, butthen I didn’t exactly choose it. I just stumbled into it, or at least that’swhat I told myself. So much for that. Maybe this is just who I am.

舊習難改，我想我就是活生生的證據。

當我醒來的時候，我發現身上一絲*不掛，不知道我自己身處何方，而且天曉得誰在我的手臂上埋進去了一個東西。但是僅僅過了幾周，我就又開始拿著槍搶劫別人了。這個地方或許不是德克薩斯或者亞利桑那，但是我還是約翰·達克亞。

我不知道為什麼這讓我坐立不安。我以前就對自己的生活沒有什麼指望，但話又說回來，在這事上我又沒得選。我只是隨波逐流罷了，或者至少我是這麼認為的。這就足夠了。或許這就是我的本性。

達克亞的筆記2

Sometimes thepennies a man won’t part with willingly are worth less than the words he’llshare with any stranger. Some of my new partners don’t see that.

Blondie’s particularly blind to it. He’s always looking for an excuse to pullthe trigger, and he’s stubborn as hell. He even still gets mad we call himBlondie, as if any of us can pronounce that name of his.

But if Blondie were calling the shots, that hunter wouldn’t have told us aboutthe group gathering to the southeast, and they’ll have a lot more for thetaking than animal hides.

有時候，一個人說什麼都不願意丟棄的物件還沒他能夠提供的情報來的值錢。我的一些新朋友就是不理解這一點。

尤其是那個金髮小子。他總是找能夠讓他開槍的機會，而且他實在太固執了。我們叫他金髮女郎的時候他甚至發飆了，搞得好像我們真的能夠叫出他那個發音詭異的名字一樣的（所以他到底叫啥……）。

但如果不是金髮女郎在一旁嚷嚷著要開槍的話，那個獵人可能永遠不會告訴我們在東南面有一個聚居區，而且擁有的可不止是動物皮毛那麼簡單。

達克亞的筆記3

I can’t believehow easy this was. There weren’t many guards here to begin with, and the few they’vegot are more likely to shoot you a smile than a bullet. We just walked rightin.

The settlement is even bigger than we expected. It’s impressive, protectionaside. Everyone working together to build their own little paradise, not thatit’ll last. If you ask them, they’ll credit their leader, a woman called Raia.

The others have spread out to find where the supplies are stored, but I’mfeeling curious. Maybe I’ll go find this mystery woman. Might be interesting.

這真是太簡單了。這裡沒有太多的守衛，而且這些守衛僅僅是沖我們笑了笑，沒有開槍。我們就這麼大搖大擺地走了進去。

這片居住區比我們預期的要大得多。不考慮他們的防禦措施，這裡讓人印象深刻。每個人都在合作共築這個小小的天堂，不過這肯定持續不了多久。如果你問他們中的任何一個人，他們都很信賴他們的領袖，一個叫拉亞的女人。

其他人都分散開來去尋找這裡的補給品存放點，但是我感覺有些好奇。也許我應該去找找這個神秘的女人，這或許會一點意思。

（拉亞就是前文中提到的，幫助了海倫娜和羅克韋爾進入焦土的傳送平臺的瓦力·阿爾·奧斯瓦德，但是三人的相遇明顯是在寫下這本筆記之後的很多年才發生的。）

達克亞的筆記4

I don’t knowwhat brought me to this desert. My old man would say it was the spirits of ourancestors. Other folks might say God. Whatever it was, after talking to thatwoman, I realize now that I’ve been wasting what it’s given to me.

I have no history here. There are no posters showing off my sneering face, noposses hunting me. I can be any man I choose. So today, I’m making a choice –the folks here don’t deserve to be robbed. What they deserve is protection, andI’m the man to protect them.

Hell, maybe they’ll even call me Sheriff.

我不知道是什麼我把帶到這個沙漠來的。我的老爸一定會說這是先人的靈魂幹的。其他人則說這是由神所為的。不管怎樣，當我和那個女人談過之後，我意識到我正在浪費我現在所擁有的優勢。

我在這裡沒有什麼不良記錄。這裡可沒有到處貼著海報，上面印著我冷笑的臉並寫明瞭懸賞。我可以成為任何我想成為的人。所以今天，我做出了一個選擇——這些人不應該被我劫了。他們需要保護，而我就是那個會保護他們的人。

見*鬼，也許他們會開始叫我警官了。

達克亞的筆記5

達克亞的筆記6

Now I know howthe old man felt while he was teaching me how to hunt. We stopped seeing eye toeye even before I left the tribe, but I’ll always thank him for the time hespent telling me the same damn things over and over again. Must have drove himwold inside, but he never showed it.

Hasn’t been easy to imitate that patience. Half of this sorry bunch is green asgrass, and the half that isn’t would rather hold a spear than a gun. At leastthey’re improving, even if it’s at the speed of molasses.

Her highness stops by on occasion, but thankfully it’s just for a gander.This’d be even harder with distractions.

現在我終於知道當我的老爸在教我打獵的時候是怎樣的心情了。在我離開部落之前我們兩個就已經互相看不順眼了，但我會一直感謝他花時間對我一遍又一遍地說同樣的注意事項。我肯定已經讓他內心崩潰了，但是他一直沒有表現出來。

要想像老爸一樣耐心真的不容易。這些軟*蛋中有一半嫩的不行，而另一半稍微好一些，但他們更喜歡用長矛而不是槍。至少他們有所長進，即使進步的速度就和糖漿流動的速度一樣慢。

女王陛下偶爾會過來拜訪，但是幸好她只是在一邊看著。就算沒有她在一旁讓我分心，訓練這些軟*蛋也已經很困難了。

達克亞的筆記7

My patchworkposse had their first real test today. Some of our gatherers ran into those biglizards a few miles west of the village, and one of them managed to come callfor help. Luckily the others had tucked themselves away in an outcropping andwe got everyone back safe and sound.

Well, except for the Frenchman. He forgot that when you shoot at those bigbastards, they’ll shoot right back. Took them hours to get those barbs out ofhis arm.

When we got back, I think I heard the words thank you more than any other dayin my life. I didn’t real know what to say in return.

我東平西湊起來的民兵團今天第一次進行了實戰。有一些居民在距離村子西面好幾公里的地方遭遇了一群大蜥蜴，他們中的一人成功地逃回來求助。幸運的是其他人躲進了一個岩洞中，我們把所有人都安然無恙地營救了出來。

嗯，除了那個法國人。他忘了一件事，那就是如果你想那些巨大的混*蛋開槍的時候，它們也會反擊。他們花了好幾個小時來拔出他手臂上的刺。（撞上棘蜥了哈哈哈哈哈）

當我們回到村莊的時候，我想我聽到的道謝聲比我以前聽到過的都要多。我真的不知道我該如何回應。

達克亞的筆記8

達克亞的筆記9

My band ofmisfit lawmen may finally be coming together. It’s been a whole week sincesomeone shot themselves in the leg or pissed their britches over a raptor.Maybe I’ll finally be able to get some decent shut eye.

Probably too much to hope for. Every day, Nosti grows a little bigger and Ihave a few more problems to solve. These giant bugs from the other day, forexample. Found two of them playing around with a pickaxe a few miles north ofthe river. I’ve never heard of any animals using tools, not outside of thelegends the elders used to tell about Big Owl and Coyote. Doesn’t seem natural.

我這一小隊勉強湊合的警官終於能夠幹正事了。已經有一周沒發生過槍支走火射中自己大腿的事了，也沒有人會看到迅猛龍就尿褲子了。或許我終於可以踏實地睡上一覺了。

但我可能太過奢求了。隨著日子一天天過去，諾斯提長得越來越大，而我需要解決的問題則越來越多。就拿我們幾天前見到的巨型蟲子來說吧，在距離那條河北面好幾公里的地方，我發現它們居然拿著鎬子在玩（螳螂：驚不驚喜，意不意外？）。除了我以前從長者那裡聽到過的關於大貓頭鷹和郊狼的故事之外，我可從沒有聽說過有動物會使用工具。這不正常。

達克亞的筆記10

Somethingdamaged a water pipe outside of town yesterday, and when a crew went to repairit, they were attacked by a whole mess of mantises. My boys and I drove themoff, but we were too late to save the engineers.

I know it sounds crazy, but I think those mantises cut through that pipe onpurpose to draw us out. If I’m right, then I’m more concerned about them thananything.

In the stories about Big Owl and Coyote, Big Owl was the huge, scary one, butCoyote was more dangerous because he was clever. He’d trick man and monsteralike, and everyone feared him. I never believed those stories, but I sureremember the lesson.

昨天在村莊外面有什麼東西弄壞了水管，當一個維修小隊趕去修理的時候，他們被一大群螳螂襲擊了。我和我的小夥子們把它們趕走了，但是我們沒來得及拯救那些工程師。

我知道這聽起來很瘋狂，但是我認為這些螳螂是故意弄壞水管的，為了把我們引出來。如果我沒錯的話，我現在最擔心的就是它們了。

在大貓頭鷹和郊狼的故事裡，大貓頭鷹是一個巨大且可怕的生物，但是郊狼更加危險，因為他很聰明。不管是人還是怪物都能被他戲弄，所有人的畏懼他。我一直不相信這些故事，但是這其中的道理我可記著。

達克亞的筆記11

I was worriedthat Raia would fight some of the new precautions my boys have been taking, butI guess I’ve earned a looser leash. I suppose I ought to lay off the”highness” talk then. Seems only fair.

The other day we even shot the breeze a little. First time we’ve talked aboutsomething besides what needs doing. Seems we’re both a little worn out.

Unlike me, she’s used to being respectable and responsible, but being in chargemeans everyone wants your time and attention.

This place hasn’t been easy on either of us or anyone else, but I’m stillkicking so far. Come what may, I don’t plan on stopping.

我一開始還擔心拉亞會對我的小夥子們執行的預防措施提出抗議，但是我猜我已經獲得了她的信任。我想我應該不再叫她女王陛下了，這樣我們倆扯平了。

幾天前我們倆甚至閒聊了一會。這是我們第一次談到關於工作以外的事情。看來我們倆都有一點疲憊了。

和我不同的是，她習慣了身負重任且受人尊重的生活，但是擔當一個領導者意味著每個人都想要佔用你的時間和精力。

這片土地對我們倆和其他所有人來說都是一個不小的挑戰，但是到現在為止我還撐得住。放馬過來吧，我可不打算就此放棄。

達克亞的筆記12

Something likethis was bound to happen one day. The bigger the town gets, the more value Raiahas to it, and what happens to valuable things? People try to steal them.

It wasn’t a bad idea, holding her for ransom like that. Too bad for thoseraiders this is my town.

I picked most of them off with a rifle as they tried to force her onto a packanimal, and my men finished a few others as they fled. One tried surrendering,but I had to send a message. If you pull a stunt like that in my goddamn town,you wont get any mercy. Not a single shred of it.

我早就知道會發生這種事。隨著鎮子的規模越來越大，拉亞對於鎮子的價值也越來越大，而對於價值高的東西會發生什麼呢？肯定會有人試圖偷走它們。

綁架她然後索要贖*金這件事並不是一個糟糕的點子。但是這可是我的鎮子，這些劫匪倒了大黴。

當他們試著把她趕上一頭駝畜的時候，我用一把來福槍解決了他們中的絕大多數人，我的隊友們則解決了其他四散奔逃的劫匪。有一個人試圖投降，但是我需要向外界傳遞一個資訊。如果你敢在我***（髒話）的鎮子裡耍花招，我是不會心慈手軟的，絕對不會。

達克亞的筆記13

That woman’s gotsome nerve. I save her hide and the next day, Raia’s scolding me for puttingdown a “defenseless” kidnapper. Hardly even thanked me first.

What did she expect me to do? Give him free room and board for the rest of hisdays? Let him go so he can tell every bandit in the desert how soft we are?

I told her that if she didn’t like the way I protected her then she can protectherself. Should have kept my damn mouth shut. Now I’m stuck teaching her how toshoot three times a week. Gonna be at it forever, too. She couldn’t hit abison’s äss from five paces.

那個女人膽子真大。我才救了拉亞一命，第二天她就指責我不應該殺死一個“手無寸鐵”的綁票犯。她甚至都沒有先向我道謝。

她指望我要幹啥？給那個人一個空房間並讓他在那裡住一輩子？或者乾脆放他走，讓他告訴沙漠裡的每一個強盜，我們都是一群軟*蛋？

我告訴她，如果她不喜歡我保護她的方式，那她大可以自己保護自己。我當時真應該***（髒話）閉嘴。現在我不得不一周抽出三天來教她用槍。這可能要花我一輩子的時間。就算在她面前擺著一頭野牛的屁股她都射不中。

達克亞的筆記14

I do believethat my pupil is the first dead eye Egyptian priestess the world’s ever seen.It took a few months but Raia’s too stubborn to quit.

I shouldn’t have been so hard on her. Trying to keep your faith and traditionsin a dog eat dog world isn’t easy. HeIl I couldn’t even do it myself, and thatwas before giant lizards were looking to take a bite out of my backside.

During one lesson, she told me this story about how her goddess had a nice sideand a nasty one. I think she meant something else, but the way I see it we’rethe goddess. She’s nice, I’m nasty, and we keep each other in check.

我可以打包票我的學生是這個世界上最死心眼的埃及女祭司。已經過了好幾個月了，而拉亞還是很固執不願意放棄。

我不應該對她這麼嚴格的。在這個人吃人的世界裡還要保持你的信仰和傳統，這很不容易。見*鬼，我自己就做不到，哪怕沒有那些巨型蜥蜴時時刻刻想要偷襲我，我都做不到。

在一次教學過程中，她告訴我她所信仰的神明既有善良的一面也有邪惡的一面。我認為這說明了我們就是神明，但我想她可能想表達的是別的什麼意思。她代表善，我代表惡，我們兩個需要互相照應。

達克亞的筆記15

Even after allthis time in Nosti, I have trouble sleeping in the same bed every night.Sometimes I’ll just toss and turn until I give up and go to sleep beneath thestars.

Hell, I’m not sure we ever slept in (the) same spot twice back in the Russogang. Thought I’d live that way forever, wild and free like Doc Russo. Probablydie guns blazing like him too. Sounded better to me than withering away withthe rest of my tribe as the world passed us by.

I don’t think Doc would recognize me now. I’m not the “Apache nephew”he taught to read and shoot. Matter of fact, if he were here, I’d probably haveto shoot him.

就算在諾斯提住了這麼久，我還是不能每晚躺在同一張床上安然入睡。有時候我會翻來覆去好久，最終放棄並到來到戶外，在群星下入睡。

見*鬼，當我還在盧梭幫的時候，我甚至不確定我們會在同一個地方過夜。我還以為我會像多克·盧梭（貌似是一個虛構人物吧？）一樣，永遠狂野而自由地活下去。或許當我死的時候也會和他一樣手裡握著槍。這總比和部落其他人一起慢慢老去，看著世界把我們甩在後面聽上去要好得多。

我想如果多克肯定認不出現在的我。我已經不再是接受他教導識字和耍槍的“侄子阿帕奇”了。事實上，如果他現在在這裡的話，我可能還不得不開槍射他。

達克亞的筆記16

I expected thosemantises to come back, but not like this. They came at the village from twosides at the same time, and the way they moved… they were more coordinatedthan any wolf pack. They worked together like men would.

Took nearly half a day to fend them off, and they didn’t leave us withoutscars. If attacks like this become common, we’re going to be in a heap oftrouble, so I’ve decided to round up my best men to track these monsters down.We’ve got to at least find out where they’re coming from.

我預料到那些螳螂會回來，但絕不是這樣。它們同一時間從村莊的兩面包抄過來，而且它們的行動方式……它們比任何狼群協調得都要好。它們就像人類一樣互相配合。（螳螂妖……？）

我們用了將近半天的時間把他們趕走，而且我們都受了傷。如果這樣的襲擊變得更加頻繁的話，我們就會有大麻煩了，所以我決定帶上我最優秀的夥計們跟蹤這些怪物。至少我們要找出它們是從哪裡冒出來的。

達克亞的筆記17

We’ve beentracking these damn things for ages. I can’t believe the traveled so far justto attack us. Something like that has to be deliberate. I already knew thesebugs were smart, but if they’re that determined to kill us, then we’ve got towipe them out here and now.

That’s easier said than done. There’s a whole mess of them here. Can’t say I’veheard of any mantises living in a group like this, but I’m no expert when itcomes to animals. Certainly not in this crazy place.

At any rate, I’ve got to come up with some kind of plan. Shooting them one byone won’t do the trick.

我們跟蹤這些該*死的東西好久了。我不敢相信它們走了這麼遠就是為了來襲擊我們。這種襲擊一定是有目的的。我已經知道這些蟲子很聰明了，但是如果它們下定決心要殺了我們，我們一定要趁現在在這裡把它們全滅了。

說起來容易做起來難。這裡有一大群螳螂。我從沒有聽說過任何螳螂能夠像這樣一大群生活在一起，但是我又不是什麼生物學家，而且這個地方太瘋狂了。

不管怎樣，我需要制定一個計畫。一槍放倒一個這種方法實在不行。

達克亞的筆記18

達克亞的筆記19

達克亞的筆記20

How long have Iwanted this? I can’t place it exactly, but it feels like I always have. Isuppose that’s how I know it’s right.

It’s not just that Raia’s beautiful. I’ve known beautiful women before, but Inever got the same feeling when I looked at them. I never felt this at homearound them, or anyone for that matter. What happened between us when I wasstuck in that room, it wasn’t a heat of the moment decision. At least I don’tthink.

All I know is that now, I don’t mind sleeping in the same bed every night. Notanymore.

我渴望這一刻有多久了？我不是很清楚，但是感覺好像我一直在渴望著。我想，正因如此，我知道這樣做沒有錯。

這不僅僅是因為拉亞很漂亮。我以前就認識不少漂亮的女人，但是看著她們的時候我沒有那種感覺。在她們身邊我沒有家的感覺，在其他人身邊也都沒有過。當我被關在那間屋子裡的時候，發生在我們倆之間的事絕對不是心血來潮。至少我不這麼認為。

我知道，現在我不會介意每天晚上睡在同一張床上了，再也不會了。

達克亞的筆記21

Maybe I shouldchange my name again. Seems fitting. I started calling myself John about a weekafter joining up with Doc Russo. The others never called me Dahkeya anyway, soI figured they may as well call me by a name I chose myself.

That was part of it, but I think that deep down, I also knew that the boy whoearned the name Dahkeya was gone for good. Now I think the outlaw named JohnDahkeya is gone too, so it would make sense to call myself something else.

Then again, that may just confuse folks. Probably not worth the hassle.Besides, I kind of like the way it sounds with an Egyptian accent.

或許我應該再改一次我的名字。看上去很合適。當我加入多克·盧梭的幫派一周後我就改名叫“約翰”了。反正其他人都不叫我“達克亞”，所以我想他們不會介意我給自己另取一個名字的。

這只是其中的一個原因，更深一層的原因是，我知道那個名叫達克亞的男孩已經再也不會回來了。那個名叫約翰·達克亞的不法之徒也已經不復存在了，所以我想給自己改個名字挺合理的。

但是轉念一想，這或許會讓其他的人感到困惑。或許這不值得我搞出那麼多麻煩。而且，我有點喜歡她用埃及腔叫我的名字。

達克亞的筆記22

Things have beenquiet for a while now. Downright pleasant, even. At least, that was the caseuntil one of our hunting parties went missing about five days ago. Well they’renot missing anymore, at least what’s left of them.

We scoured every inch of their camp and still can’t figure out who attackedthem. There aren’t many prints from animals, and what ones we found aren’t likeany creature I’ve seen. There are scorch marks aplenty, though. Maybe it was agroup of raiders with some of those new, flame spewing weapons that I’ve heardtell about?

Whoever it was, I’ll see it to it that they live just long enough to regret it.

最近一切都很風平浪靜，甚至有些讓人感到非常愉悅。不過好景不長，五天前，我們的一個狩獵小隊失蹤了。好吧，我們現在找到他們了，或者說找到了他們的碎片。

我們翻遍了他們營地的每一寸土地，仍然搞不清楚是什麼襲擊了他們。地面上沒有多少動物的足跡，而且我們找到的足跡不屬於任何我所見過的生物。倒是有很多燒焦的痕跡。也許是我曾聽說過的一群攜帶新式噴火武器的強盜？

不管是誰，我保證我會讓他們後悔一輩子的。

達克亞的筆記23

We finallytracked down our culprit this morning, and damn was he one big, mean son of agun. He had wings like a bat, a head like lizard and spat fire from his mouth.I’ve never seen anything like it, not even here. Fortunately, anything will dieif you put enough bullets in its head.

One of my men called it a wyvern, but he’d never actually seen one before. Saidit was just a legend. No one in town had seen one either.

So where’d it come from? Did it just suddenly fly here from parts unknown? Thiswhole affair doesn’t sit right with me. Gives me a bad feeling.

今天早上我們終於追蹤到了我們的犯人，而且，見*鬼，那是一頭巨大的***（很髒的話）。它有著像蝙蝠一樣的翅膀和蜥蜴一樣的腦袋，而且嘴巴裡能夠噴火。我從沒有見過這種東西，即使是在這裡也沒見過。幸運的是，只要你沖著腦門開槍，沒什麼東西死不了。

我的一個隊友稱它為雙足飛龍，但他從沒有真的見過一頭。他說那玩意只是一個傳說。鎮子裡的人也都沒有見過這種生物。

所以它到底是從哪裡來的？難道它只是突然從一個未知的地區突然飛過來的？我覺得這件事不對勁。這給我一種不好的感覺。

達克亞的筆記24

Folks have beenspotting a lot more of these wyvern creatures, and they’re not just throwingfire every which way, either. Some spit lightning or acid.

On top of that, those big pillars are acting funny. I checked with Sasha, sinceshe doesn’t buy into that Hathor business, and she sees it too. It’s making merestless. Between this and the mantises, it’s starting to feel like this placewants us gone.

I know that can’t be right. There were no spirits of the land to stop thefrontiersman back home, and there are none here. Still, I should talk to Raia.If that tower’s dangerous, she shouldn’t be worshipping it.

最近村民們看到的雙足飛龍越來越多，而且它們不僅僅只噴火。有的還會噴閃電或者強酸。

最麻煩的事情時，那些巨大的柱子（方尖碑）有點不對勁。我諮詢了一下薩沙，因為她和我一樣也不相信這些柱子和哈索爾（埃及神話中的愛神）有什麼關係，她也覺得這事不正常。這讓我不安。介於我們之前還受到過螳螂的襲擊，我開始感覺這個地方想讓我們滾出去。

我知道這是不可能的。在我老家可沒有什麼當地的神靈阻止開荒者的腳步，這裡也不會有。但是我仍然應該找拉亞談談。如果那些塔有危險，她就不應該膜拜那玩意。

達克亞的筆記25

I shouldn’t haveexpected her to listen. Raia’s kept her faith this long, so there was no way afew wyverns and a talking to were going to change that, even if that talking tocame from me.

Still, I’m not about to take any chances. Whether it’s wyverns, mantises orgiant towers, nothing’s harming this town and it’s especially not harming her.Her prayer groups are getting extra guards and I don’t care if she likes it.

I expect she won’t. In fact, I’ll probably have to sleep under the stars forthe for the next few nights. Oh well. I suppose that’s what you’d call a”long-term investment”.

我就不應該指望她會聽我的。拉亞已經堅持她的信仰很久了，所以幾條飛龍和話語都改變不了她的信仰，即使是我也不行。

但是我不準備冒險。管他是飛龍、螳螂還是巨塔，沒有什麼東西能夠傷害到這個鎮子，尤其不能傷害到她。她的禱告團現在被層層保護著，而且我不在乎她喜不喜歡這樣。

我希望她不會介意。事實上，在接下來的幾天，我可能需要露天睡了。哦好吧，我想這就是所謂的“長期投資”。

達克亞的筆記26

For all mycaution, I could have never prepared for this.

Yesterday, the towers started flashing and glowing like a damn lightning storm.When I saw that, I saddled up one of our cats and went to find Raia as fast asI could. Within minutes, the ground was crumbling beneath us, like the land wastrying to swallow the Nosti whole.

Once I swung Raia up onto the saddle, I had to ride like a man possessed, ourcat leaping across broken buildings as they slipped into the ground. Even thenwe barely made it, but we’re the only ones. I spotted Sasha hanging onto aledge as we escaped, but I couldn’t get to him in time.

We’re all that’s left.

儘管我已經處處提防了，但是我對此根本沒有準備。

就在昨天，那座塔開始閃閃發光，就像一個該*死的雷暴一樣。當我看到這個狀況的時候，我就以最快的速度給一頭大貓（劍齒虎？）裝上鞍子，然後飛快地跑去找拉亞。就在幾分鐘內，我們腳下的地面開始塌陷，就好像這片土地要把諾斯提整個的吞了。

把拉亞拉上鞍子後，我就像瘋了一樣地騎著大貓從倒塌的建築中穿了過去，眼睜睜地看著那些樓房沉入地下。就算如此我們也才勉強逃了出來，但只有我們倖存了。當我們逃出來的時候，我看到薩沙懸掛在一個岩架上，但是我沒能及時把她救出來。

只剩下我們了。

達克亞的筆記27

I wish I werebetter with words. I just don’t know what to tell Raia after all that’shappened. A loss like that is always going to ache, but nothing I do or sayseems to ease the hurt at all. You know things are ugly when I’m the optimisticone.

For now, I’ve just got to keep us focused on staying alive, step by step. We’regoing back to the basics: finding water, finding food and finding shelter. Thissnaggletoothed cat and I are all she’s got left, and that means I’ve got to besteady for her. Somehow, we’ll make it through this.

我希望我能夠更加擅長言辭。我真不知道在發生了那麼多事情之後，要和拉亞說什麼好。如此巨大的損失肯定會讓人痛苦，但是不論我說什麼做什麼都好像不能減輕她的痛苦。你知道，當我開始扮演那個樂觀的角色的時候，那麼事情肯定糟糕透了。

現在，我只能一步步地努力讓我們活下去。我們從最基礎的開始：找到水源、食物和庇護所。那頭齙牙貓（劍齒虎：喵喵喵？）和我是她現在僅有的同伴了，這意味著為了她，我必須要穩重。不管怎樣，我們一定會撐過去的。

達克亞的筆記28

So far so good.The cat has helped keep the critters away, so I’ve conserved ammunition, andwe’re all stocked up on supplies. For the immediate future, I’d say we’re safeand secure.

Further than “immediate” though? I’m not so sure. Neither of us arebuilders, and there are bigger, tougher animals than long-toothed cats outthere. Eventually we’ll need to find some new friends. Nosti was the biggestsettlement in the desert, but it couldn’t have been the only one.

I’d heard rumors that a hunting party had seen some buildings to the west.Sounds like as good a place to start as any.

到現在為止一切順利。大貓幫我趕走了那些小怪物，這樣我就能夠剩下不少彈藥，而且我們的補給也很充足。我可以說，在短時間內，我們很安全。

但是長久考慮呢？我就不確定了。我們倆都不是建築師，而且在外面有比長牙貓（劍齒虎：喵喵喵？）更大更危險的生物。到頭來我們還是需要找一些新的朋友。諾斯提曾一度是沙漠中最大的居住區，但它不可能是唯一的一個。

我曾聽說過有一個狩獵小隊在西面看到過一些建築。這聽起來會是一個不錯的開端。

達克亞的筆記29

Damn it all tohell! I had everything under control. We were going to make it, but I just hadto go searching for that town. What a stupid, bone-headed decision!

It’s not that the rumor was wrong. There are buildings, all right: crumbling,abandoned buildings that are half-buried in sand…and home to a group ofdamned wyverns that attacked us on the way in. We managed to give them the slipby taking shelter in this big, circular building, but they’ve been circling itever since.

We’ve got enough supplies for nearly a week. Hopefully they’ll lose interestbefore we start to run dry.

真見*了*鬼了！事情一度都在我的掌控之下。我們本來可以撐過去的，但我非要去尋找那個鎮子。這真是一個蠢到家的爛點子。

傳言並沒有錯。這裡確實有建築：倒塌的、廢棄的建築都半埋在沙子裡……而且這裡是一群該*死的飛龍的老巢。我們一踏進來它們就開始攻擊我們。我們躲進了這個巨大的圓形建築，這才成功地甩開了它們，但是從那以後它們就一直在周圍盤旋。

我們的補給能夠支撐一周。希望在我們的補給耗盡之前它們會對我們失去興趣。

達克亞的筆記30

The wyvernshaven’t left. They’re fixated on us. Well if they want me so bad, they’ll getit. I’m not foolhardy enough to fight them on my own, but I can at least insistthat Raia take our mount. If things go south, then she’ll have a chance to run.

Raia, if that happens and you’re reading this, don’t go crying on my account.The time we’ve had is more than I could have hoped for. Besides, it’d bedownright selfish of me to keep you to myself when you’ve got so much to offerthe world.

As for me, I’ve only got one true talent, and those ugly, overgrown lizardswill find out just what that is when I drag them to hell.

飛龍並沒有離開。它們咬定我們了。好吧，如果它們這麼急切地想要了我的命，那我就給它們。我沒有蠢到單槍匹馬地和它們打一架，但是至少我可以說服拉亞騎上我們的坐騎。如果事情不順利，她還能有機會他跑。

拉亞，如果你能夠看到這個，不要為了我哭泣。我們在一起的時光比我渴求的要多得多。而且，你能夠給這個世界作出那麼多貢獻，我一個人獨佔著你是在是太自私了。

至於我，我只能夠作出一個真正的貢獻，當我把這些醜陋的大蜥蜴帶下地獄的時候它們就會知道那是什麼了。

拉亞的石板

拉亞的石板1

Even at thisdistance the great Obelisk is beautiful. It is like a pillar of Amun-Ra’s lightgiven solid form. I wish we could have made our camp right beside it but theothers thought that might draw unwanted attention. At least we are close enoughto be in its shadow and drink from the river that runs beneath it.

I always face it when I pray to Hathor andthough i can feel the scepticism in my companions’ gazes, my faith is unshaken,for it was my faith that guided us here to this place rich with water andresources. All agree it is the ideal location for a settlement. Wherever we arethe gods are watching over us I know it.

即使是在這個距離，那個巨大的方尖碑依然很漂亮。它就好像是阿蒙-拉的光芒化作的實物一般。我真希望我們能夠在它旁邊安營紮寨，但是其他人認為這會招來多餘的注意。至少我們現在距離足夠近，能夠處在它的陰影中，並從流經它的河中飲水。

每當我向哈索爾祈禱的時候，我就會面朝方尖碑。我能感覺到我同伴們眼中的懷疑，但是我的信仰很堅定，因為正是我的信仰引導我們來到這片肥沃的土地。所有人都同意這個地方非常適合居住。我知道，不論我們身處何方，諸神都在注視著我們。

拉亞的石板2

Construction has been going well. None of us are architects, but we havebeen adjusting to our roles.

Girisha’s broad shoulders and a boominglaugh conceal a keen mind, and we started making better progress once Iconvinced him to stop hauling rocks and start drawing up plans that let Amirfocus on starting a garden where he is more at home.

I have focused on trying to keep usorganized and maintaining our spirits myself. I wish I could do more, sadlywhile a priestess has many.jpgts, manual labor is not one of them. I often findmyself winded before midday. I pray that the others do not find me burdensome.

建築工程進行得很順利。我們之中並沒有建築師，但是我們都在適應各自的角色。

吉麗莎那寬闊的肩膀和低沉的笑聲下隱藏著一個敏銳的頭腦。自從我說服他停止運輸石頭的工作，讓他接替阿米爾制定設計圖的工作後，我們的進展就越來越好了。阿米爾則能夠把精力集中在建設花園上，這方面他更為擅長。

我則一直努力讓所有人的工作都井井有條，同時維持好大家的情緒。我希望我能做到更多，可惜的是，儘管一個女祭司多才多藝，體力活並不包括在其中。我常常還沒到中午就累垮了。我祈禱其他人不要覺得我是一個累贅。

拉亞的石板3

拉亞的石板4

拉亞的石板5

It took longer than I’d hope but I believe the gods have heard my prayers.At least I believe so. When I imagined what a true warrior might be like Icannot say that I imagined Captain Dahkeya.

He speaks tersely, has no sense of decorumand in general is rather prickly. He was nigh unapproachable for a whole daywhen we decided his position should be called captain instead of the nonsenseword he proposed.

Yet he has been getting results or soI am told. When I find time I ought to observe him in action myself.

我相信諸神聽到了我的祈禱，儘管這比我期望的花了更多時間。至少我是這麼相信的。當我想像一個真正的戰士會是什麼樣的時候，我不能說我會想到達克亞隊長。

他說話幹練，一點也不端莊而且愛生氣。當我們決定他的職稱應該是“隊長”而不是他自己亂取的什麼稱號時，他發了整整一天的脾氣。

但是他有取得成果，這是我是這麼被告知的。等我有了時間，我應該親自去看看他在幹什麼。

拉亞的石板6

拉亞的石板7

It has been sucha blessing to be able to spread Hathor’s joy and love to so many people. Atfirst my daily prayers garnered but a few curious observers. Yet soonobservations turned to questions, and questions turned to participation. Nowthere are so many of us that we have even begun to construct a shrine.

I truly wish that I could teach these eagernew students all day long, but my duty to the village must come first. Perhapswhen our future here is finally secured I shall be able to live the life of apriestess again, but for now I have too many people counting on me. I cannotabandon them.

能夠把哈索爾的快樂與愛帶給如此多的人真是太好了。一開始我每日的祈禱只能夠吸引到幾個好奇的觀察者。但是很快觀察變成了提問，而提問變成了參與。現在我們的組織是如此龐大，我們甚至開始建造一個祭壇。

我真的希望我能夠一整天都用來教導這些熱情的新學生，但是我必須優先考慮我對這個村莊的職責。或許當我們的未來不再受到威脅的時候，我能夠回歸祭祀的生活，但是現在有太多的人都指望著我。我不能夠拋下他們。

拉亞的石板8

Names are acurious thing. We assign them great weight, yet they do not change thesubstance of the person, place, or thing they belong to. I suppose that line ofthinking is why I never dwelled on the name of our humble village. Yet now thatit has grown to become somewhat less humble our home can go nameless no longer.People must call it something.

To that end Nosti is as good a name as any. Iam told that it means to know in some old important language, and whatever ourcitizens intended that to symbolize when they chose it I know this: while weare here, we are under the protection of the gods.

名字是一個很奇怪的東西。我們認為名字非常重要，但是它們並不能改變一個人、一個地方或者一件物品的本質。我想正是因為我的這種思想導致了我以前從沒有考慮過給我們這個樸素的小鎮取一個名字。但是現在這個小鎮已經擴大了不少，而且我們的家園不能一直沒有個名字。人們總得有個名字叫它。

諾斯提是一個不錯的名字。有人告訴我，它在一種古老的語言中代表了“尋求知識”。不論居民們在選擇這個名字的時候是怎麼想的，我知道只要我們還在這裡，我們就會受到眾神的庇護。

拉亞的石板9

Lost souls from all across the desert continue to prostrate themselvesbefore Nosti’s gates. I adamantly refuse to turn away anyone that does not meanus any harm, but I realize that has left us with many mouths to feed.

As a result, Nosti’s fields are its mostvaluable asset. Fortunately, Girisha’s designs, and my organization of laborand resources have once again proven effective. Not only did we implement anefficient irrigation system, but we have encased our crops in a largeprotective structure made of a clear, shiny substance called glass.

Every morning it sparkles with aAmun-Ra’s light, like a great gem, a beautiful reminder of what we canaccomplish when we are united in purpose.

現在仍然會有來自沙漠各處的無家可歸的人倒在諾斯提的大門外。我堅決不同意拒絕任何一個沒有惡意的人，但是我意識到這讓我們要給很多人提供食物。

正因如此，諾斯提的農田是這裡最珍貴的資源。幸運的是，吉麗莎的設計以及我對於勞動力和資源的分配都很有效。我們不僅造出了一個高效的灌溉系統，我們還用一種透明的、閃閃發光的物質建造出了能夠把農作物都圍起來的建築。那種物質叫玻璃。

每天早晨，那幢建築都會像阿蒙-拉的光芒一樣閃爍，就像一塊巨大的寶石。這美麗的東西提醒著我們，只要我們齊心協力，我們就可以無所不能。

拉亞的石板10

Despite our bestefforts and the blessing of the gods, tragedy is unavoidable in these strangelands. Yesterday it struck Nosti once more in the form of a mantis attack, andwhile I could not undo what had been done I hope that I was able to bring somesmall comfort to those who knew the victims best.

Though we lack the resources to properly interthe dead in tombs, we still held a ceremony in their memory and I made time tospeak privately with anyone who wished to. Between that and my usual duties Iam physically and emotionally exhausted, but when my people are suffering I cannot afford to rest.

儘管我們已經盡了最大的努力，諸神也都庇佑這我們，但是在這片陌生的土地上，悲劇在所難免。昨天，諾斯提受到了螳螂的襲擊。儘管我不能改變已經發生了的事情，但是我希望我能夠給那些逝*者最親近的人帶去一點安慰。

儘管我們沒有足夠的資源來好好地安葬死*者，我們依然舉辦了一場追悼會，而我擠出了一些時間和所有希望找我談話的人私下裡好好地談了談。經歷了這麼多事情後我還要顧及我常規的職責，這讓我身心俱疲，但是我的人們正在受苦，我不能坐視不理。

拉亞的石板11

Early on Ihandled all of Nosti’s trade negotiations, and I have had trouble growing outof the habit. I suppose that is why every caravan or hunter that passes throughour gates knows my name. Some still insist on speaking with me personally. ButI do not mind. I find these dealings rather engaging. It is like playing a gameof words.

One such caravan arrived yesterday bearing ahaul of metal ingots. Our venerable captain has suggested that I bring acontingent of guards to the negotiations, but I would rather not. If our guestsare intimidated, they may back out and I would be remiss to waste such an opportunity.

在以前，有關於諾斯提的貿易協商都是我一手操辦的，而現在我已經習慣了做這事兒。我想這就是為什麼每一個走進我們的大門的商隊和獵手都知道我的名字。有些人任然堅持要和我面對面地談，但是我不介意。我覺得和它們協商非常有趣。這就像在玩一場文字遊戲一樣。

昨天有一個商隊帶著一大貨車的金屬錠來到這裡。我們尊貴的隊長建議我帶著一隊護衛去和他們談判，但是我情願不要。如果我們的客人受到了恐嚇，也許他們會就此離開，而我不能錯過這麼一個好機會。

拉亞的石板12

I shall gladly admit that I erred. I shall even admit that I owe CaptainDahkeya my life and offer him all the gratitude he is due. Yet that does notexcuse such merciless behavior.

Those so called merchants may have stoopedto viciousness and cruelty by trying to kidnap me, but that one hadsurrendered. There was no need to execute him on the spot, was there? It is sohard to see where light ends and darkness begins in this violent place.

Perhaps if I could adequately protectmyself we could have avoided needless blood shed. Yes, I think it is time Ishall master these explosive weapons, and Captain Dahkeya is going to help me.

我承認我犯了錯。我甚至承認我欠達克亞隊長一命，並因此對他感激不盡。但這不能彌補他如此無情的行為。

或許這些所謂的商人綁架我的原因純粹是出於惡意，但是他們中有一個人投降了。根本就沒有必要當場處*決他，不是嗎？在這個充滿暴*力的地方，很難分清楚哪裡是正確的，而哪裡是錯誤的。

如果我能夠充分地保護好我自己，我沒就可以避免不必要的流*血。沒錯，我認為是時候學習如何使用那些會爆炸的武器了，而達克亞隊長會負責教導我。

拉亞的石板13

Step by step I am learning how to shoot. During my first few lessons theweapons almost jumped out of my hand when I fired them, but my arms have grownstronger and my aim truer.

Captain Dahkeya’s presence has beenhelpful. The same calm that is found unnerving from afar has been steadyingfrom up close. He does not waste his breath in exaggerated praise or criticism,he simply keeps me focused on what I need to do and every thing else just fallsaway.

Considering where I started, he hasbeen very patient with me. Perhaps I should be more patient with him.

我一點點地學習著如何射擊。在我最早的幾次課程中，我扣下扳機的時候那杆*槍幾乎從我的手中跳了出去，但是我的雙臂越發強壯，而我的準頭越來越好。

隊長達克亞的存在對我而言非常有幫助。從遠處觀看他教學時讓我感到不安的那種冷靜，在如此近的距離下能夠讓我平靜下來。他沒有浪費口舌來誇獎或者批評我，只是單純地讓我把注意力集中在我要做的事情上，其他的事情都要靠邊站。

考慮到我基本上沒有什麼基礎，他對我可以說是非常耐心了。也許我也應該對他更加耐心一點。

拉亞的石板14

In ancient times, gentle Hathor took the form of the fierce warriorgoddess Sekhmet, and unleashed her wrath upon the human world. Yet even duringher relentless slaughter, Hathor was within Sekhmet as Sekhmet was alwayswithin Hathor, and when she was eventually calmed the peaceful goddess of joyand love returned.

As it is with the goddess, so it is withmankind. The vicious can become kind, and the kind hearted can become violentfor all his past transgressions. Captain Dahkeya is no different.

He did not grasp Hathor and Sekhment’stale when I told it to him the other day, but if he keeps trying to betterhimself, then perhaps one day he will.

在遠古時期，溫柔的哈索爾也會以勇猛的戰爭女神塞赫邁特的形象出現，將她的怒火傾撒在人間。但是即使是在她無情屠殺的時候，哈索爾任然在塞赫邁特的內心裡，而塞赫邁特也在哈索爾的內心裡。當她最終平靜下來的時候，象徵著快樂與愛情的和平的女神就會回歸。

神靈尚且如此，凡人何嘗不是？惡毒的人也可以變得善良，而善良的心靈也會因為過去的種種罪過而變得狂暴。達克亞隊長也是這樣的。

幾天前，當我把哈索爾和塞赫邁特的故事告訴他的時候，他沒有聽明白。但是如果他原意努力思考的話，也許總有一天他會搞懂的。

拉亞的石板15

In principle, I have turned into a competent marksman. Yet in practice howwould I fare? When the time comes, could I end another human life?

I am not so sure. My mouth grows dry withfear at the very thought. The warrior spirit of Sekhmet surely residessomewhere within the recesses of my heart, but search as I may, I can not findit.

As training I offered to put down someof our beasts that had grown deathly ill. It was a merciful act, but it stilldrew tears from my eyes and twisted my stomach in to knots. I must learn to actin spite of these feelings. My life may depend on it one day.

我已經基本上是一個能幹的射手了，但是如果要讓我來真的呢？如果有必要的話，我能否終結另一個人的生命？

我不那麼確定。這個想法讓我的嘴巴因為恐懼而變幹。塞赫邁特的戰士精神顯然是藏在我心靈的某個小角落裡了，但是不管我怎麼找都找不到它。

作為練習，我自告奮勇地射*殺了我們的一些快要病死的牲口。這是一種仁慈的行為，但是這仍然讓我流下了眼淚，而我的胃好像打了結。我必須學著拋棄這些情感，將來這或許會救我一命。

拉亞的石板16

Despite my best efforts, I know that I have strayed from the teachings andcustoms that I learned so meticulously back home. Out of necessity I haveadapted it to both the needs of Hathor’s new followers and the circumstances weall face in this desert.

For example, celebrating the gods withfeasts and festivals in their name would be wasteful. This sacrifice isparticularly unfortunate, for my students deserve some sort of reward for theirdiligence.

Perhaps I can still organize a modestcelebration of some sort. In fact, maybe the whole village should have one justto raise everyone’s spirits. Even our venerable Captain might enjoy that. Ah,but I ask for miracles.

儘管我已經盡了我最大的努力，我知道在我家鄉細緻地學習過的教誨和習俗已經離我很遠了。出於需求，我改進了一下這些教誨和習俗，讓它們既能夠滿足哈索爾的追隨者的需求，又能夠應對我們在這片沙漠中的現狀。

舉個例子，以眾神的名義舉辦宴會和節日會很浪費。做出這種犧牲真的很不幸，因為我的學生們如此勤奮，他們應該獲得一些獎勵。

也許我依然可以組織一些簡樸的慶祝活動。事實上，也許整個村子都應該舉辦一場慶祝，讓大家提提精神。也許甚至是我們尊貴的隊長也會喜歡的。啊，我需要一個奇跡。

拉亞的石板17

I trust our Captain’s judgment on matters of defense, but I still feel illat ease with his decision to sally against these mantises. It is not that hehas left the village unprotected. Quite the contrary. I fear that his owncontingent is too small.

I know that I should not be concerned. Hepersonally vouched for the caliber of his team, and I have more immediatepriorities. Our walls and gates need repairs, our infirmary needs supplies andour morale needs bolstering. I have been scrambling to and fro with suchconstant urgency that rings have formed beneath my eyes.

Yet when I finally earn a momentsrespite, I am restless with worry.

在防禦工事方面，我相信我們的隊長的判斷，但是他提出的圍剿這些螳螂的決定依然讓我感到不安。這不是因為他的離去讓村子失去了防護。恰恰相反，我擔心他帶的人手不夠。

我知道我不應該擔心。他以他的名義保證過這支小隊的水準沒有問題，而且我還有更為重要的事情要處理。我們的城牆和大門都需要修理，我們的醫院需要供給，而且我要想辦法重振士氣。不斷地有緊急狀況發生，我一直忙前忙後，都出了黑眼圈了。

但是當我最終一機會喘口氣的時候，我又因為擔心而無法好好休息。

拉亞的石板18

The people of Nosti come from so many different places, and they all havedifferent ways of thinking. On occasion this incites conflict.

Several weeks ago two newcomers came toblows over a long standing feud between their home nations, and just the otherday I had to harshly discipline one of my own disciples for harassing thevillagers who worship that wooden cross. One time a man even challenged me to aduel for Nosti’s leadership.

Yet those same two people who engagedin fisticuffs now work to repair our western gate, and it is stronger for theircombined efforts. Perhaps that is why the gods have brought us all here. Tohelp us understand each other.

諾斯提的居民來自許多不同的地方，而且他們都有著不同的思考方式。有時候這會導致衝突。

幾周前，兩個新來的人因為各自家鄉多年來的不和而大打出手，而就在幾天之前，我的一個信徒攻擊了一個膜拜木頭叉的人（天主教教徒/基督教教徒躺槍），這讓我不得不嚴厲地懲罰了這名信徒。有一次有一個人甚至為了諾斯提的領導權而向我提出了決鬥。

然而現在，那兩名鬥毆的人正在努力修復我們的西大門，而由於他們兩人的合作，大門比以前還要堅固。這或許就是為什麼眾神把我們帶到了這裡——讓我們更好地瞭解彼此。

拉亞的石板19

For days, I haveprayed for both Hathor’s compassion and Sekhmet’s healing powers, and for daysI have waited. I have faith that they heard me. When I first laid eyes on him,I thought for sure he was dead or dying, but the gods have not yet taken JohnDahkeya away from me.

My mind knows that I have otherresponsibilities to attend to, that I cannot afford to spend more time in thisroom. Yet I know that if I attempt to attend to my duties, my heart willinterfere and I cannot neglect it. Not any longer.

我已經等待並且祈禱了好幾天了，我向哈索爾祈求她的憐憫，而向塞赫邁特祈求她的治癒力。我相信她們聽到了我的祈禱。當我剛看到他的時候，我以為他已經死了或是快要死了，但是眾神並沒有把約翰·達克亞從我的身邊帶走。

我的大腦告訴我我有其他的事情需要處理，所以我不能再這間房間裡面呆更久了。但是我知道，如果我真的試圖去處理其他事情的話，我的心會擾亂我的思緒，而我沒辦法無視它。不過再也不會這樣了。

拉亞的石板20

Without question, it was Hathor’s divine will that sent me here, not onlyso I could spread her joy and compassion, but so I could understand her love.

I thought I knew it before. I loved myfamily, I loved my fellow priestesses, and I love all those under my care herein Nosti. Yet only when I finally surrendered myself to it, when I let it rushover my body and carry me like the current of a great river did I trulyunderstand it. Only now can I claim to embody Hathor’s teachings, thanks toJohn Dahkeya, this warrior from a distant time and place.

And now, together, we can turn thisdesert into a paradise.

毫無疑問，是哈索爾的神意把我帶到了這裡。不僅僅是為了讓我傳播她的快樂與憐憫，更是為了讓我更好地明白她的愛。

我以為在此之前我就知道了何為愛情。我愛著我的家庭、我的同行，我愛著所有受到我照顧的諾斯提居民。但是當我最終沉浸於愛情之中，讓它像湧入大海的激流一樣沖刷我的身體的時候，我才正真地明白了何為愛情。唯有現在我才能明白哈索爾的教誨。感謝約翰·達克亞，這位來自某個遙遠未來的戰士。

現在，我們兩個攜手可以把這片沙漠變為天堂。

拉亞的石板21

The mood in Nosti has been so jubilant lately that I think we may justhold a festival after all, and why not? We have plenty of cause to celebrate.

With the mantis threat diminished, ourscouts were able to establish an outpost in the north, where they discovered awealth of thick, black oil seeping through cracks in the earth. Thanks to thisbounty, we have been able to create amazing new tools, and fill our storehousesto the brim. A festival would hardly make a dent.

I am sure my beloved Captain willdisagree. Ever the dutiful worrier. Fortunately, I can be quite convincingwhere John Dahkeya is concerned, and for one day, we deserve to supplant worryand duty with song and dance.

最近諾斯提中到處彌漫著歡樂的氣氛，就好像我們剛剛舉辦了一場慶典一樣。為什麼不呢？我們有許多事情值得慶祝。

來自螳螂的威脅終於被清除了，我們的哨兵終於能夠在北面建立起一個哨崗。在那裡他們發現，從地面的一個裂縫中有粘稠的黑油不斷地滲出來。感謝有這個油礦的存在，現在我們能夠製造出許多驚人的新工具，而且我們的倉庫也塞滿了物資。僅僅是一場慶典根本不足夠表達我們心中的快樂。

我肯定我摯愛的隊長不會同意的，他一直都是一個盡職盡責的戰士。幸運的是，我很擅長打消他的疑慮，而且今天我們就應該用歌曲和舞蹈代替平日裡的工作與憂慮。

拉亞的石板22

拉亞的石板23

Over the last fewdays, the lights of the great obelisks have been pulsing with a rhythm andintensity that I have never seen before. It is a beautiful, soothing sight,particularly at night. It almost looks like they are singing a song to thestars above. Surely this is a sign of the gods’ favor. Hathor is offering usher blessing.

Havinganother festival would be exorbitant, so I have organized a special round ofceremonies and prayers after dusk instead. Thus far they have gone wonderfully,and everyone has left with renewed faith and vigor.

I wonderhow long this display will last?

在最近的幾天裡，那些巨大的方尖碑一直都在發出有節奏的劇烈閃光，這是我前所未見的。這幅光景美麗而又讓人舒心，尤其是在晚上。就好像它們再為天上的群星歌唱。這一定是諸神在表示他們的喜悅。哈索爾正在賜予我們祝福。

再舉辦一場慶典會顯得太過奢侈了，所以取而代之的，在黃昏後我組織了一場特殊的儀式和禱告。到現在為止一切都進行得很順利，每個人離開的時候都充滿了信仰和生機。

拉亞的石板24

Sometimes, Iwonder how John can carry on, with no faith in a higher purpose or power andeyes that see threats everywhere. Even when we are safe and secure, he insists onsleeping with a weapon at arms’ length. It is no wonder that he suddenlybelieves the obelisks could be dangerous.

Fortunately I have enough faith for the bothof us. I have faith that he will protect us from the flying lizards that haverecently appeared, I have faith that the obelisks would never harm us, and Ieven have faith that I shall forgive his constant prodding on the latter. Thatfinal matter might require some additional effort on his part, however. He hasbeen simply relentless about it.

有時候，我會好奇約翰是如何堅持下來的。他沒有對於更高的目標或力量的信仰，而且他的雙眼中看到的盡是危機四伏。即使現在我們的處境非常安全，他依然堅持要把武器放在身邊才能入睡。他會突然認為那些方尖碑可能有危險是很正常的。

幸好我的信仰很堅定。我相信他會保護我們不受那些最近出現的會飛的蜥蜴的侵襲，我相信那些方尖碑永遠不會傷害我們，我甚至相信我會原諒他不斷試探方尖碑的行為。但是，要我原諒他可能還需要他做出一些額外的努力。關於這件事他單純地不願意妥協。

拉亞的石板25

What did I do wrong? Despite every trial and tribulation, I kept my faithin Hathor, Amun-Ra and all the gods. No I did more than that. I gave them newfollowers, I built shrines for them, and held ceremonies for them.

So why? Why did the obelisks light up thesky and call down such a terrible doom upon my new home? Why would the godstear the very earth asunder and send all that I have built and cherishedtumbling into the abyss? Where did I betray them?

Were it not for John I would not evenbe able to ask such questions. I would just be some dead fool, whose last actwould have been to beg for salvation from the very gods who have forsaken me.

我做錯了什麼？就算經歷了那麼多的考驗和犧牲，我依然信仰著哈索爾、阿蒙-拉和其他的神明。不，我所做的比那更多。我給了他們新的追隨者，我為他們建起了神壇，並為他們舉辦祭祀。

所以，為什麼？為什麼方尖碑會照亮天空，並把末日降臨到我的新家上？為什麼諸神會撕裂大地，並把我建立起來的珍貴的一切送進深淵？我何時背叛過他們？

要不是約翰在，我甚至不會有機會問出這些問題。我會因為自己的愚*蠢死去，而我最後的舉動會是祈求那些拋棄了我的神明給予我救贖。

拉亞的石板26

My mind is filled with the dead. I see the smiling faces of my students,eager to learn. I hear Girisha’s laugh, deep and merry. I see the outstretchedhand of John’s trusted lieutenant as she fell into the darkness below.

John tells me not to blame myself, thatwhat happened was unpredictable. Yet how can I not feel guilty when I led somany to worship the instruments of our destruction, all the while promising tokeep them safe?

Somehow, I must bury these emotionsand focus on the present, as John does. If I cannot tear my mind away from whatI have lost, I will lose all I have left. I cannot let that happen. I cannotlet the gods take him too.

我的腦海裡全是那些逝者。我能看到我的學生們的笑臉，如此熱切地想要學習。我能聽到吉麗莎的笑聲，低沉而又快樂。我能看到深得約翰信賴的副官在落入深淵之前，竭力伸出她的手。

約翰讓我不要自責，因為發生的這一切完全沒人能夠預料到。但是是我帶領著那麼多的人向著毀滅了我們的武器進行朝拜，並向他們保證這會保護我們，要怎麼能讓我問心無愧？

不論如何，眼下我必須藏起這些情感，並著眼於當下，就像約翰那樣。如果我不能從我失去的東西中解脫出來，那我會把我現有的東西也給弄丟的。我不能讓那種事情發生。我不能讓諸神把他也奪走。

拉亞的石板27

You would have been proud of me. I controlled my breathing, just like youtaught me, even with the tears streaming down my face. Even with all the hateand anger in my heart, I kept my aim steady, and I killed them. I killed themall, John.

So why have you abandoned me, too? Youwere the survivor, not I. These creatures should not have been enough to killyou. You were too strong. I need you too much.

Please. Come back to me. I need tohear your voice. I need to see your smile. Please. Please.

你一定會為我感到驕傲的。即使眼淚從我的臉上不斷地滴落，我依然控制住了我自己的呼吸，就像你教我的那樣。即使我的心中充滿了仇恨與憤怒，我依然穩穩地端著槍，然後殺了它們。我把它們全殺*光了，約翰。

所以為什麼連你也棄我而去了？你才應該是那個倖存下來的人，不是我。這些畜*生根本殺不死你。你是那麼的強大。我是那麼的需要你。

求你了，回到我的身邊。我想要聽到你的聲音，想要看到到的笑臉。求你了。求你了。

拉亞的石板28

When I found them, I wanted to smash them to bits. Those eggs were thespawn of the monsters that slew my beloved, and they did not deserve my pity.Yet I also knew they could help me. If I could raise these creatures as my ownservants, then even those traitorous gods of mine could not strike me down.

I have constructed a great bonfire tomimic the warmth provided by their mother, and gathered milk from the mightiestof the fallen beasts so that I may feed them when they hatch. Hopefully it isenough.

No, it will be. I will raise thesecreatures, I will master them and I will survive. I promise you, John. I willlive for both of us.

當我發現它們的時候，我想把它們砸成碎片。這些蛋是殺了我的愛人的怪物的後代，它們不值得我的憐憫。但是我還知道它們可以幫助我。如果我能把這些生物撫養成我的僕從的話，即使是那些背叛了我的眾神都不能再擊敗我。

我建起了一個巨大的篝火堆用來模仿它們的母親提供的熱量，並從我擊殺的最大的那頭野獸身上收集了奶*水（精英飛龍……？），當它們孵化的時候我可以喂給它們。我希望我的準備足夠充分。

不，這一定會足夠的。我會撫養這些生物，駕馭它們並活下去。我向你保證，約翰，為了我們兩個人，我會活下去。

拉亞的石板29

拉亞的石板30

I have seen so much since we last spoke, John. There are secrets in thisdesert that you would never believe, dangers that would have paralyzed me withfear when we first met, but I am a different woman now. Would you recognize mestill, behind this black veil?

I still find ways to help people, thoughnot as I used to. I am no shepherd to the lost, no healer of wounded souls.Sometimes I simply defend the defenseless, or guide those few who seek thetruth behind this cursed place.

Perhaps one day, someone will findthat truth, strike down the false gods of this land, and at last grant me rest.Yet until that day comes, know that I will not falter. Know that I will carryon.

自從我們上次交談以來，我已經目睹過太多的事情了，約翰。在這片沙漠之中埋藏著你根本無法相信的秘密，以及能把把曾經未經風霜的我嚇軟的危險。但我現在已經不同了。現在我戴著黑色的面紗，你是否還能夠認出我來？

我依然想方設法地幫助他人，但不是用我以前的方法。我不是什麼帶領迷途羔羊的牧羊人，也不是什麼治癒受傷的靈魂的醫師。有時候我只是保護那些毫無防備的人，或者是為那些在這個被詛咒的地方尋求真相的人指點方向。

也許有一天會有人找到真相，並擊倒這片土地上的偽*神，並讓我最終獲得安寧。但是在那一天到來之前，我知道我不能退縮。我知道我必須要前進。