《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【二十七】阿爾卑斯山區之二：兇險的旅程

陳約翰一行人才離開獵人村沒幾公里，就已經被半獸人裡的狼族斥候偵察到，一路上被沿路盯梢。陳約翰當然不是省油的燈，他隨即從狼族牙齒反射的微光中，和泥地腳印旁脫落的狼毫，警覺到可能被狼族半獸人跟蹤監控。這些狼族半獸人，陳約翰在史料書裡讀到過，上半身是狼形，下半身是人身，體型高大，非常兇狠驃悍，卻在這趟任務裡遭遇，倒是他原先沒預料到的。陳約翰隨即以傳音入密告知林曉陽，當然，和曉陽心意相通的黃敏華也同時接收到這訊息。曉陽回想起昨天夜裡狼嚎陣陣，很可能是嗅覺靈敏的狼族，早已聞到陌生人的氣味，不同家族間相互傳遞警訊，對他們這群來意不明的外來客提高警覺。
一行人放慢腳步，陳約翰手舞足蹈唱著歌曲，暗中把幾句警訊置入歌曲裡，他要大夥兒保持愉快心情，就像小學生的旅行那般；夥伴們也很給面子，很快地一行人輕快愉悅地邊唱歌邊走路，這情景卻令監控他們的狼族斥候，看得一頭霧水。然而，林曉陽和黃敏華背包裡的刀劍，劍柄上的金屬反光，還是引起狼族的戒心。
這列隊伍歌聲漸漸減弱，大夥兒喉嚨沙啞，但他們的腳步並沒有慢下來。直到中午，他們在一棵大樹樹蔭下用餐，大夥兒都圍攏在一起，輪流一面警戒一面用餐，因為他們發現盯著他們看的眼睛，似乎越來越多。
陳約瀚提醒夥伴說：「我們必須在天黑前，趕到下一個村落借住，我憂心入夜後，狼族會大舉採取攻擊行動。」
林曉陽說：「那麼我們就不要再耽擱，趕緊走人。」
匆忙用過午餐，一行人不敢多耽擱，又啟程趕路。黃敏華忍住雙腿酸麻，讓曉陽一路攙扶著，她知道不能因為自己，讓夥伴們陷入險境。
黃昏將近，他們抵達一個小市集，但眼前的景象令他們感到訝異。來趕集的市民多數是鄰近的半獸人，有狼族和熊族，他們帶來鹿皮、鹿茸、鹿肉和羊肉，和少數的人類收貨商進行交易，以黃金和白銀作為貨幣。市集交易已接近尾，半獸人紛紛離去，商人也陸續盤點打包貨物。
陳約翰上前問了一個中年大漢：「這位大哥，請問這裡有旅店可以過夜嗎？」
那漢子說：「你往前走到市場尾端轉過彎，有家熊媽媽旅店，那裡提供住宿飲食和熱水。」
一行人隨即跟著陳約翰，來到那家旅店。走進店裡，大夥兒總算鬆了一口氣。

熊媽媽旅店，女主人是熊族，身材壯碩頗有威儀，但招呼客人態度和藹親切。
一行人圍坐餐桌享用熱食，有說有笑，心情似乎還不錯。
陳約翰向女主人簡單說明此行目的，並打聽往「幽冥山谷」的路程。
熊媽媽表情嚴肅說：「即使是我們半獸人，也不曾靠近那座山谷。如果你們堅持要前往，就得先經過地獄穀，再穿過恐怖的妖怪森林。」
陳約翰隨即從懷裡掏出那張地圖，地圖上的確有標示地獄谷和妖怪森林。
陳約翰探問：「有別的路徑可繞過地獄谷和妖怪森林嗎？」
熊媽媽搖頭說：「沒有！」
林曉陽好奇問：「地獄穀是怎樣情形？」
熊媽媽說：「我沒去過，但聽長輩說那裡是火山地形，山腰間有持續噴發岩漿的噴孔，會排放出硫磺氣體和二氧化碳，二氧化碳沉積在穀底，人和動物經過穀底，會因缺氧窒息而死，而且穀底的泉水含有劇毒，不能飲用。」
林曉陽又問：「妖怪村又是怎樣情形？」
熊媽媽說：「那裡不只有各種會吃人的妖怪，隨時還有大蟒蛇、大蜈蚣、大蜘蛛和大蠍子出沒，你們一行人目標顯著，很難不被妖怪給盯上。」
夥伴們聽完，面面相覷，原本愉快的心情瞬間凝重起來。
陳約翰說：「我們前來的路上，感覺一直被狼族跟蹤，可對方並未現身阻攔。」
熊媽媽說：「你們應該是從西邊的山徑，經過獵人村進來的。這一帶山麓區是狼族的傳統獵場，他們一路監視你們，是要確認你們是否有敵意，會不會對他們構成威脅。」
陳約翰說：「原來如此。」
熊媽媽說：「狼族很少主動攻擊人類，他們跟人類保持距離，不像我們熊族，和人類較親近，並且有頻繁的商務往來。幽冥山谷不是你們該去的地方，從來沒人知道裡面的情形，因為聽說根本進不去。我勸你們還是回頭，走南面下山的山徑，南面是我們熊族控制的領域，我們的族人可確保你們的安全。」
陳約翰拱手致意說：「謝謝熊媽媽提供這些訊息，我們有任務在身，一定得進去幽冥山谷。」
熊媽媽環視這夥人，嘆氣說：「唉！你們都還年輕，犯不著去那種地方啊！」

經過一夜休息，次日上午，陳約翰一行人備妥糧食和飲水，離開熊媽媽旅店。在前往地獄穀的路途上，他們持續被狼族跟蹤監控，隊伍裡的林曉陽左看右瞧著沿途的山景，
卻漸漸有一種似曾相識的感覺，黃敏華以為是這裡清幽的山景吸引他。
陳約翰一行人直到抵達地獄穀入口處，二三十人的一夥狼族人攔住他們的去路，帶頭的是隻灰白毛髮的老公狼朗恩。
「你們哪位是帶頭大哥？」
隊伍前的陳約翰走出來，拱手行禮說：「我是。」
「看樣子你們的目的地，應該是去幽冥山谷？」
陳約翰說：「是的，頭目大哥。」
「我叫朗恩，狼族的總頭目。」朗恩目光直盯著林曉陽和黃敏華。
「幸會，朗恩頭目。」
朗恩說：「我們一路上觀察你們數天，我們大膽地假設，你們可能會是我們一直在等待的人。」
陳約翰不解地問：「喔？你們一直在等待我們？」
「是的。」朗恩說著走到林曉陽和黃敏華身旁：「你是大衛吧？」
林曉陽受寵若驚反問：「頭目認得大衛？」
朗恩主動伸出雙手握住林曉陽說：「我在這裡等待你三百多年了，我一直相信你一定會回來。」
林曉陽這時想起他夢境裡曾經出現的那一幕：「你，你是阿奇․朗恩？我的狼兄弟。」
這時，朗恩雙肩顫動，眼眶裡淚光閃閃，林曉陽主動抱他。
不只陳約翰和史特龍看得一頭霧水，連黃敏華也被眼前的情狀給搞迷糊了。
「阿奇，狼爸和狼媽他們…」曉陽眼裡同樣淚光婆娑。
朗恩拭著淚水說「狼爸兩百多年前就過世了，狼媽一直等不到你回來，一百年前也過世了。」
曉陽問：「阿奇，你怎麼認出我來的？」
朗恩破涕為笑說：「就你身上，那股獨一無二的麝香味道啊！」
曉陽嗅了一下自己的腋窩問：「可是，我轉世到東方後，身上就聞不出那股味道了。」
朗恩說：「你自己聞不出來，但我的嗅覺聞得到啊！上個月有個叫魯夫的，經過這裡被我給攔下來，他跟我說你已經轉世成東方人，還說你會回來。」
陳約翰一行人聽著兩人旁若無人的對話，逐漸弄懂這兩人的關係。
曉陽說：「是啊！這回我身負重要任務，沒想到在這裡跟你重逢，難怪我這一路走來，有種似曾相似的感覺。」
朗恩說：「魯夫說是你的朋友，要去幽冥山谷，於是我派人送他穿過地獄穀。」
曉陽說：「原來如此。」
朗恩問：「兄弟，你去幽冥山谷出什麼任務？」
曉陽說：「我要去見坦雅，鬼王安德列的女兒。」
朗恩納悶著說：「坦雅？沒聽說過這人，你確定她在幽冥山谷？」
陳約翰說：「魯夫信上說，坦雅應該就隱居在幽冥山谷。」
朗恩問：「這位是？」
曉陽說：「他是我的大師兄，來自羅馬教廷的陳約翰神父。」
朗恩主動跟陳約翰握手：「幸會，大師兄。」
朗恩說：「既然你決定去幽冥山谷，我帶一夥孩子陪你一起去。」
曉陽說：「可妖怪森林，不是很危險嗎？」
朗恩說：「就算是龍潭虎穴，我也會陪著你去，因為，你是我兄弟啊！大衛。」
陳約翰微笑說：「朗恩頭目，你們的兄弟感情，令我感動啊！」
朗恩問：「你身旁這位標誌的女人，是你媳婦吧？」
曉陽說：「是啊！」
朗恩微笑說：「你很有眼光喔！兄弟」
黃敏華被朗恩讚美，覺得很開心。
朗恩拱手行禮說：「嫂子，我的模樣很嚇人，不過，我很好相處的。」

狼族頭目阿奇․朗恩帶著一夥精壯的子弟兵，引導陳約翰一行人，進到地獄穀。他們避開穀底那條死亡便道，改走繞行山腰那條地勢險惡的山徑。那條山徑，一邊是峭壁，一邊是深廣的順向坡，他們小心避開間歇性噴發岩漿和硫磺的噴口。天空裡不時有體型碩大的老鷹盤旋，幾隻老鷹幾度俯衝，想偷襲他們，都被朗恩的手下以弓箭逼退。
一行人都看見穀底散落著狐狸、山豬等動物和禽鳥的屍體，而且注意到那些屍體除了呈現脫水的乾屍狀態，屍體並沒有腐敗或被其他動物啃咬過的明顯痕跡。
黃敏華一臉疑惑問：「朗恩大哥，谷底這些動物和禽鳥屍體，似乎都還很完整，這是什麼原因？」
朗恩解釋說：「這穀底瀰漫劇毒的氣體，連速度飛快的老鷹，都不敢飛下去叼起那些飛禽走獸屍體，加上細菌無法在谷底生存，所以牠們的屍身都能保持完整。」
黃敏華理解說：「原來如此！難怪這裡被稱為地獄穀。」
這時，走在隊伍最前方的兩個狼族青年，以手勢要大家暫停下來。朗恩知道前方有情況，立即快步走到隊伍前方。
「頭目，前方山徑轉角處，有兩個蜥蜴人哨兵盯著我們。」那個叫夏波的青年伸手指著山徑轉角處：「就在轉角陰暗處，兩對眼珠子。」
朗恩皺著眉頭說：「看情形，我們已驚動這夥蜥蜴人了，稍後出了地獄穀，進入他們的地界，我們得提高警覺。」
夏波憂心問：「頭目，如果他們不肯借道，放我們過去呢？」
朗恩說：「這回我們帶著人類，經過他們地界，的確打破雙方長久以來的默契。等進到石灰林山，遇到他們攔路，能談條件就跟他們談，談不攏只好硬闖。」
夏波說：「萬一他們傾巢而出，我們恐怕…」
朗恩惱怒說：「恐怕什麼？就算我們都戰死在石灰林山，也要護送我兄弟安然通過。」
夏波無奈說：「既然頭目已下定決心，我們是絕不會貪生怕死的！」
朗恩說：「夏波，你通知兄弟們提高警戒，務必保護我兄弟一行人周全。」
「是，頭目！」夏波隨即轉身面向隊伍，以低沉的狼嚎聲通知弟兄。
蜥蜴人的斥候，持續接力監控這一行人，並沒有在險惡的山徑上採取任何行動。

[Twenty-Seven] The Alps, Part Two: A Perilous Journey

Not long after Father John Chen and his group had left the Hunters’ Village, they were spotted by scouts from the wolf clan of the beastmen. They were watched and followed all along the way.

Of course, Father John Chen was no pushover. He immediately became alert to the possibility that they were being tracked and monitored by wolf-clan beastmen from the faint glint reflected off their teeth and the wolf fur shed beside footprints in the muddy ground.

Father John Chen had read about these wolf-clan beastmen in historical records. Their upper bodies were wolf-like, while their lower bodies were human. They were tall, extremely fierce, and formidable. Encountering them on this mission, however, was something he had never anticipated.

Father John Chen immediately used secret voice transmission to inform Lin Xiaoyang. Naturally, Huang Minhua, whose heart was attuned to Xiaoyang’s, received the message at the same time.

Xiaoyang recalled the repeated howling of wolves the previous night. It was very likely that the wolf clan, with its keen sense of smell, had already detected the scent of strangers and passed warnings among the different families, putting them on heightened alert because of these outsiders whose intentions were unknown.

The group slowed their pace. Father John Chen waved his arms and sang songs, secretly inserting several warning messages into the lyrics. He wanted everyone to maintain a cheerful mood, as though they were on a field trip like elementary school students.

His companions played along, and soon the entire group was walking along cheerfully, singing as they went. This scene left the wolf-clan scouts watching them completely bewildered.

However, the metallic reflections from the sword and saber hilts in Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua’s backpacks still aroused the wolf clan’s suspicions.

The singing of the group gradually grew weaker. Everyone’s throats became hoarse, but their pace did not slow down.

作者：noon, they stopped beneath the shade of a large tree for a meal. Everyone gathered close together, taking turns keeping watch while eating, because they had noticed that the number of eyes watching them seemed to be increasing.

Father John Chen reminded his companions, “We must reach the next village and find a place to stay before dark. I’m worried that once night falls, the wolf clan will launch a large-scale attack.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Then let’s stop wasting time and get moving.”

After hurriedly finishing lunch, the group did not dare delay any longer and set off again.

Huang Minhua endured the soreness and numbness in her legs and let Xiaoyang support her along the way. She knew she could not allow her companions to be placed in danger because of her.

As dusk approached, they arrived at a small marketplace, but the scene before them surprised them.

Most of the townspeople who had come to the market were nearby beastmen, including wolf-clan and bear-clan members. They had brought deer hides, antlers, venison, and mutton to trade with a small number of human merchants. Gold and silver were used as currency.

Trading at the market was nearly over. The beastmen gradually departed, while the merchants began counting and packing their goods one after another.

Father John Chen approached a middle-aged man and asked, “Excuse me, brother. Is there a place here where we can stay overnight?”

The man said, “Keep walking to the end of the market, turn the corner, and you’ll find Mama Bear Inn. They provide lodging, meals, and hot water.”

The group immediately followed Father John Chen to the inn. Once they walked inside, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At Mama Bear Inn, the hostess was a member of the bear clan. She was large and powerfully built, with an imposing presence, but she treated her guests with warmth and friendliness.

The group sat around the dining table enjoying hot food, chatting and laughing, and their spirits seemed fairly good.

Father John Chen briefly explained the purpose of their journey to the hostess and asked about the route to “Netherworld Valley.”

Mama Bear’s expression became serious. “Even we beastmen have never approached that valley. If you insist on going there, you’ll first have to pass through Hell Valley and then cross the terrifying Monster Forest.”

Father John Chen immediately pulled the map from inside his clothing. The map indeed marked Hell Valley and Monster Forest.

Father John Chen asked, “Is there another route that would allow us to bypass Hell Valley and Monster Forest?”

Mama Bear shook her head. “No!”

Lin Xiaoyang asked curiously, “What is Hell Valley like?”

Mama Bear said, “I’ve never been there, but according to what the elders have told me, it is volcanic terrain. There are vents along the mountainside that continuously erupt lava and release sulfur gas and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide settles at the bottom of the valley, and when people or animals pass through the valley floor, they will suffocate and die from the lack of oxygen. The spring water at the bottom of the valley is also highly poisonous and cannot be drunk.”

Lin Xiaoyang asked again, “Then what is Monster Village like?”

Mama Bear said, “There are not only all kinds of man-eating monsters there, but also giant pythons, giant centipedes, giant spiders, and giant scorpions roaming around at any time. The seven of you are such conspicuous targets that it will be difficult not to attract the monsters’ attention.”

After hearing this, the companions exchanged looks. Their cheerful mood instantly became heavy.

Father John Chen said, “On our way here, we felt that we were being followed by the wolf clan, but they never showed themselves or tried to stop us.”

Mama Bear said, “You must have come in from the mountain trail in the west, passing through the Hunters’ Village. The foothills around here are traditional hunting grounds of the wolf clan. They have been watching you all the way to determine whether you are hostile and whether you pose a threat to them.”

Father John Chen said, “I see.”

Mama Bear said, “The wolf clan rarely attacks humans on its own. They keep their distance from humans. We bear clan members, on the other hand, are closer to humans and conduct frequent business with them.

“Netherworld Valley is not a place you should go. No one has ever known what it is like inside because people say it is impossible to enter in the first place. I advise you to turn back and take the mountain trail down the southern side. The south is territory controlled by our bear clan, and our people can ensure your safety.”

Father John Chen cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Thank you, Mama Bear, for providing us with this information. We have a mission to carry out, so we must enter Netherworld Valley.”

Mama Bear looked around at the group and sighed. “Alas! You’re all still young. There’s no need to go to a place like that!”

After a night of rest, the next morning, Father John Chen and his group prepared food and drinking water and left Mama Bear Inn.

On the way to Hell Valley, they continued to be followed and monitored by the wolf clan.

Lin Xiaoyang, walking in the group, kept looking from side to side at the mountain scenery along the way, but he gradually began to feel that he had seen it somewhere before.

Huang Minhua assumed that the quiet and secluded mountain scenery here was what attracted him.

When Father John Chen and the group finally reached the entrance to Hell Valley, a group of twenty or thirty wolf-clan members blocked their path. Their leader was an old male wolf named Lang En, with grayish-white fur.

“Which one of you is the leader?”

Father John Chen stepped forward from the front of the group, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, “I am.”

“Judging from the looks of things, your destination must be Netherworld Valley?”

“Yes, Chief.”

“My name is Lang En, the supreme leader of the wolf clan.” Lang En stared directly at Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua.

“Pleased to meet you, Chief Lang En.”

Lang En said, “We’ve been observing you for several days along the way. We’re going to make a bold assumption: you may be the people we’ve been waiting for all this time.”

Father John Chen asked in confusion, “Oh? You’ve been waiting for us?”

“Yes.” As he spoke, Lang En walked over to Lin Xiaoyang. “You’re David, aren’t you?”

Lin Xiaoyang asked, somewhat flattered, “Chief, you recognize David?”

Lang En reached out with both hands and grasped Lin Xiaoyang’s hands. “I’ve been waiting here for you for more than three hundred years. I always believed that you would come back.”

At that moment, Lin Xiaoyang remembered a scene that had appeared in one of his dreams.

“You… you’re Aki Lang En? My wolf brother.”

Lang En’s shoulders trembled, and tears glistened in his eyes. Lin Xiaoyang took the initiative and embraced him.

Not only were Father John Chen and Father Stylon completely bewildered by what they were seeing, but even Huang Minhua was confused by the situation before her.

“Aki, Wolf Dad and Wolf Mom…” Tears also glistened in Xiaoyang’s eyes.

Lang En wiped away his tears and said, “Wolf Dad passed away more than two hundred years ago. Wolf Mom kept waiting for you to come back, but she passed away a hundred years ago, too.”

Xiaoyang asked, “Aki, how did you recognize me?”

Lang En smiled through his tears and said, “That one-of-a-kind musk scent on you, of course!”

Xiaoyang sniffed his own armpit and asked, “But after I was reincarnated in the East, I couldn’t smell that scent on myself anymore.”

Lang En said, “You can’t smell it yourself, but my sense of smell can! Last month, a man named Ruf passed through here. I stopped him, and he told me that you had been reincarnated as an Easterner and that you would come back.”

Father John Chen and the others listened to the two men talking as though no one else were around, gradually coming to understand their relationship.

Xiaoyang said, “That’s right! This time, I’m carrying an important mission. I never expected to meet you again here. No wonder I’ve had this feeling of familiarity all along the way.”

Lang En said, “Ruf said he was your friend and that he was going to Netherworld Valley, so I sent some people to escort him through Hell Valley.”

Xiaoyang said, “I see.”

Lang En asked, “Brother, what mission are you carrying out in Netherworld Valley?”

Xiaoyang said, “I’m going to meet Tanya, the daughter of Ghost King André.”

Lang En said doubtfully, “Tanya? I’ve never heard of her. Are you sure she’s in Netherworld Valley?”

Father John Chen said, “Ruf wrote in his letter that Tanya should be living in seclusion in Netherworld Valley.”

Lang En asked, “Who is this?”

Xiaoyang said, “He is my senior fellow apprentice, Father John Chen from the Roman Curia.”

Lang En took the initiative to shake Father John Chen’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Senior Brother.”

Lang En said, “Since you’ve decided to go to Netherworld Valley, I’ll bring a group of young men and go with you.”

Xiaoyang said, “But isn’t Monster Forest very dangerous?”

Lang En said, “Even if it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, I’ll go with you, because you’re my brother, David!”

Father John Chen smiled and said, “Chief Lang En, your brotherly bond truly moves me!”

Lang En asked, “The beautiful woman beside you is your wife, right?”

Xiaoyang said, “Yes!”

Lang En smiled and said, “You have good taste, brother!”

Huang Minhua was delighted by Lang En’s compliment.

Lang En cupped his hands respectfully and said, “Sister-in-law, I may look frightening, but I’m actually very easy to get along with.”

The wolf-clan supreme leader, Aki Lang En, led a group of strong young warriors and guided Father John Chen’s group into Hell Valley.

They avoided the deadly passage along the bottom of the valley and instead took the treacherous mountain trail winding along the mountainside.

On one side of the trail was a sheer cliff, while on the other was a deep, broad slope descending in the direction of the terrain. They carefully avoided the intermittently erupting lava and sulfur vents.

From time to time, enormous eagles circled overhead. Several of them repeatedly dove down in an attempt to ambush the group, but Lang En’s men drove them back with their bows and arrows.

Everyone saw the bodies of foxes, wild boars, and other animals and birds scattered across the valley floor. They also noticed that, aside from appearing dried out and dehydrated, the bodies showed no obvious signs of decay or being gnawed on by other animals.

Huang Minhua asked in confusion, “Brother Lang En, the bodies of these animals and birds at the bottom of the valley seem to be completely intact. Why is that?”

Lang En explained, “The bottom of this valley is filled with highly poisonous gases. Even the incredibly fast eagles don’t dare fly down to pick up the bodies of those birds and animals. On top of that, bacteria cannot survive at the bottom of the valley, so their bodies remain intact.”

Huang Minhua understood. “I see! No wonder this place is called Hell Valley.”

At that moment, two young wolf-clan men at the very front of the group gestured for everyone to stop.

Lang En realized that something was happening ahead and immediately hurried to the front of the group.

“Chief, there are two lizardman sentries watching us around the bend in the mountain trail.” The young man named Xia Bo pointed toward the bend. “Right there in the shadows around the corner. Two pairs of eyes.”

Lang En frowned and said, “Judging from the situation, we’ve already alerted these lizardmen. Once we leave Hell Valley and enter their territory, we’ll have to stay on high alert.”

Xia Bo asked worriedly, “Chief, what if they refuse to let us pass through their territory?”

Lang En said, “This time we’re bringing humans through their territory, which indeed breaks the long-standing understanding between the two sides. Once we enter Limestone Forest Mountain and they block our way, we’ll negotiate with them if terms can be reached. If we can’t reach an agreement, we’ll have no choice but to force our way through.”

Xia Bo said, “What if they come out in full force? We might…”

Lang En said angrily, “Might what? Even if every one of us dies in battle at Limestone Forest Mountain, we still have to escort my brother safely through.”

Xia Bo said helplessly, “Since the chief has made up his mind, none of us will be afraid of death or cling to our lives!”

Lang En said, “Xia Bo, tell our brothers to stay on high alert and make absolutely sure that my brother and everyone traveling with him remain safe.”

“Yes, Chief!” Xia Bo immediately turned toward the group and notified his brothers with a low, deep wolf howl.

The lizardmen scouts continued taking turns monitoring the group, but they did not take any action along the treacherous mountain trail.