西塔拉與獅子 Sitara and the Lion

Written in 2023 by James Mahu

中文翻譯校稿：AI+Dadael

西塔拉與獅子 Sitara and the Lion

E3 : S2

蒼白的光，隨著他們的走近，變成了篝火的動力，把它的火花和光線投向眼睛能看到的每一個方向。如果火焰可以跳舞，這些就是這樣的火焰--幾乎和人一樣高。

The pale light, as they came closer, became the dynamics of a campfire, throwing its sparks and light in every direction the eye could see. If flames could dance, these were such flames — almost the same height as a human.

這個人轉過身來面對他的同伴們。他們仍然在一百碼之外。"我去通知他們，我們帶來了一位客人。我不希望出現任何意外。我們的人在這裡不會看到外來者...... "他停頓了一下，"......從來沒有。最好通知他們，確保他們知道你為什麼在這裡。"

The man turned around to face his companions. They were still a hundred yards away. 「I will go and inform them that we brought a guest. I don’t want any surprises. Our people do not see outsiders here...」 he paused, 「...ever. Better to inform them and make sure they know why you are here.」

"我從未想過要打擾，"訪客回答說，微微鞠躬。

「I never meant to intrude,」 the visitor replied, bowing slightly.

"他們會理解的，"那人說。"這只是禮貌。當你可以接近時，我會給你一個信號。"

「They will understand,」 the man said. 「It’s just protocol. I’ll give you a signal when you can approach.」

"這些是你的人，對嗎？"訪客對她的同伴低聲說。

「These are your people, right?」 the visitor whispered to her driver-companion.

"他們是親戚。他們的祖先和我們一樣。但一百年前，我們漸漸疏遠了，主要是因為我們的領土朝相反的方向發展，隨著我們各自的擴張，我們變得更加孤立。我們偶爾會有一個節日，讓我們聯合在一起，但一年幾次並不足以讓我們......完全信任。"

「They are relatives. Their ancestors were ours. But a hundred years ago we drifted apart, mostly because our territories went in opposite directions and as we each expanded we became more isolated. We’d have an occasional festival that would unite us, but a few times a year isn’t enough to keep us...fully trusting.」

"嗯...... "訪客喃喃自語。"而西塔拉，你敬愛的老師，是這個部落的一員，而嚴格上來說不是你們的部落的？" 她的話與其說是問題，不如說是陳述。"你們為什麼需要擴張領土？"

「Hmm...」 the visitor mumbled. 「And Sitara, your beloved teacher, is part of this tribe, not yours, technically speaking?」 Her words were spoken more as a statement than a question. 「Why did you need to expand your territories?」

"實際上，是為了木材。我們需要進入高原，採集木材來生火，用於烹飪和取暖。"

「Wood, actually. We needed to get into the highlands and gather wood for our fires, for cooking and warmth.」

"嗯......"

「Hmm...」

他們看著那人走近營地，兩個人扛著步槍走了出來。他們離得太遠，聽不清他們的對話是什麼，但語氣只能用”敷衍”來形容。沒有友好的笑聲。

They watched as the man approached the encampment, and two men came out carrying rifles. They were too far away to hear what their conversation was, but the tone could only be described as: perfunctory. There were no friendly laughs.

過了一會兒，那人轉身回來，帶著他的駱駝緩慢地奔跑著。當他走到足夠近的地方時，他拉起駱駝，停了下來。"他們想見見你。"

A moment later, the man turned and came back, in a slow gallop with his camel. As he came close enough he pulled up and stopped. 「They want to meet you.」

"那麼，我們都一起去嗎？"訪客問。

「So, do we all go together?」 the visitor asked.

"不。" 他搖了搖頭。"他們想要見你，而且只有你。" "出於什麼原因？"

「No.」 He shook his head. 「They want to meet you, and only you.」 「For what reason?」

"他們非常保護他們的老師。他們甚至不喜歡陌生人知道西塔拉的存在。這對他們來說是個秘密。對我們來說......就不是了。" 他笑了笑，從駱駝身上滑下來，命令它跪下。"你可以騎我的。"

「They’re very protective of their teacher. They don’t like strangers even knowing that Sitara exists. It’s a secret to them. To us...not so much.」 He smiled, and slid off his camel, commanding it to kneel. 「You can take mine.」

"我從來沒有自己騎過駱駝。"

「I’ve never driven a camel by myself.」

"琥珀知道路。你所要做的就是坐著......安靜地坐著。她會做其餘的事。"

「Amber knows the way. All you have to do is sit...quietly. She’ll do the rest.」

"是的，我明白，而且我一點也不害怕，我只是告訴你，讓你知道我的經驗程度是零。"

「Yes, I understand, and I’m not the least bit afraid, I’m only telling you so you know my level of experience is zero.」

"我想也是，"那人說，自嘲地笑了笑。

「I assumed as much,」 the man said, chuckling to himself.

她從駱駝上下來，爬到琥珀的身邊，他們沒有再說話就大步走了。

She got off her camel and climbed up Amber’s side, and they strode off without another word.

隨著訪客越來越近，她注意到現在有三個人在等著接待她。當她走到20米以內時，他們停止了相互之間的交談，他們站在原地。他們穿的衣服與她的同伴們不同。琥珀徑直地走到他們面前，微微聳肩，輕聲咕噥著停了下來。訪客放開了繮繩。接待委員會中的一個人抓住了它們，把琥珀拉到地上，讓訪客從駱駝身上滑落到岩石和硬沙的混合物上。

As the visitor got closer, she noticed that there were now three people waiting to receive her. As she got within twenty meters, they stopped chatting among themselves and they stood at attention. They wore different clothes than her companions. Amber came right up to them, and stopped with a slight shrug and soft grunt. The visitor released the reins. One of the men in the reception committee grabbed them, pulling Amber to the ground, allowing the visitor to slide off the camel onto a mixture of rock and hard-packed sand.

一個相對高大的蒙面人物走了過來。"我是西塔拉。你是來見我的？" 她張開雙臂。"在這裡？在沙漠深處的星空下？"

A relatively tall, hooded figure stepped forward. 「I am Sitara. You have come to meet me?」 She swept her arms wide. 「Here? Underneath the stars in the deep desert?」

訪客看了看她的肩膀。"應我的新朋友的請求，我來到這裡。" "他們說你是一個獸語者。"

The visitor looked over her shoulder. 「At the behest of my new friends, I am here.」 「They say you are an animal-talker.」

"是的。"

「Yes.」

"我也是，但我們抓到了一隻山獅，它什麼也不願意跟我說。你願意和他談談嗎......至少試一試？"

「I am, too, but we’ve captured a mountain lion and he will say nothing to me. Would you be willing to speak with him...at least try?」

訪客點了點頭，西塔拉回了一個微微的鞠躬和淺淺的微笑。

The visitor nodded, and Sitara returned a slight bow and thin smile.

"好，那就跟我來吧。" 西塔拉像個執行任務的人一樣大步離開。

「Good, then follow me.」 Sitara strode away like a person on a mission.

"你是怎麼抓到他的？"訪客問，跑著追上她。

「How did you capture him?」 the visitor asked, running to catch up with her.

"他掉進了我們的一個坑裡，然後我們用厚厚的網蓋住了它。他出不來，所以不用害怕。" "他安全嗎？"

「He fell into one of our pits, which we then covered with a thick net. He cannot get out, so have no fear.」「Is he safe?」

"那頭獅子？"

「The lion?」

訪客點了點頭。"是的。"

The visitor nodded. 「Yes.」

"就我所知。" 西塔拉對訪客的問題顯得很驚訝。

「As far as I know.」 Sitara looked surprised at the visitor’s question.

他們默默地走了一會兒，好像兩個女人都在自己的世界裡，卻又試圖找到進入對方世界的方法。

They walked for a while silently, as if the two women were in their own worlds, yet trying to find the way into the other’s.

"我從來沒有遇到過另一個獸語者，"西塔拉說。"有這樣的共同點很好，因為現在我們知道我們可以相互信任。"

「I have never met another animal-talker,」 Sitara said. 「It’s good to have that in common, because now we know we can trust one another.」

"為什麼你覺得獅子不會和你說話？"

「Why do you feel the lion would not speak with you?」

"也許是因為他知道如果獅子搶了我們的食物，我們就會殺了它們。"西塔拉回答說。

「Perhaps because he knows we kill lions if they take our food,」 Sitara replied.

"那他拿了你們的食物嗎？"

「And did he take your food?」

"我相信我們在他能拿之前，抓住了他。"

「I believe we caught him before he could.」

這個營地比訪客預期的要大。大帳篷鋪滿了各個方向。

The encampment was larger than the visitor had expected. Large tents sprawled in every direction.

"你們有多少人？"

「How many of you are there?」

"在這裡，在這個營地？嗯，大約120人，取決於季節。"

「Here, in this camp? Um, about 120, depending on the season.」

"那水和食物，是從哪裡來的？"

「And water and food, where does it come from?」

"在這片沙漠裡，我們的人有充足的食物和水，但不能再多了。"她晃了晃腦袋，以示強調。"不過，如果你確實是一個能與動物說話的人，我們很樂意歡迎你。"

「In this desert there is ample food and water for our people, but not one more,」 she bobbed her head for emphasis. 「However, if you are indeed an animal-talker we would gladly welcome you.」

"你是說留下來？"

「You mean stay?」

"只要你願意的話，"西塔拉說。

「As long as you’d like,」 Sitara said.

"嗯......"

「Hmm...」

他們繼續走，西塔拉在前面走了一米左右，帶路去獅子坑。

They kept walking, Sitara out ahead by a meter or so, leading the way to the lion pit.

"我們到了那裡，你要我對獅子說什麼？"

「What do you want me to say to the lion when we get there?」

"告訴他我們的食物不是他的食物。如果他的目的是要吃我們的食物，我們將別無選擇，只能殺了他。"

「Tell him our food is not his food. And if his intention is to eat our food we will have no choice but to kill him.」

訪客震驚地盯著她的新東道主。"你怎麼能以一個獸語者的身份說出這種話？"

The visitor stared at her new host with shock. 「How can you be an animal-talker and say this?」

"我視我的人民為優先。獅子將不得不照顧自己。在食物供應如此緊張的情況下，我不可能兩者兼得。"

「I regard my people as my priority. Lions will have to take care of themselves. I can’t do both when food supplies are so tight.」

"那獅子應該吃什麼？"

「And what are the lions supposed to eat?」

在遠處可以聽到一聲咆哮。他們很接近了。

A growl could be heard in the distance. They were close.

"兔子、老鼠、鹿、鳥，它們有很多食物。只是比山羊要難抓得多。而且除了鹿以外，它們提供的肉的質量和數量都比不上山羊。" 西塔拉停了下來，轉身看向訪客。"山羊是一場盛宴。兔子......是一頓簡單的早餐。捕捉兔子的能量只是隨著兔子的消耗而得到恢復。我們的山羊是容易的獵物，可以提供一兩個星期的能量。而這就是區別。"

「Rabbits, mice, deer, birds, they have plenty of food. It’s just a lot harder to catch than a goat. And other than deer, they don’t provide the quality or quantity of meat that a goat provides.」 Sitara stopped and turned to the visitor. 「The goat is a feast. The rabbit...a light breakfast. The energy to catch the rabbit is simply restored with the consumption of the rabbit. Our goats are easy prey and provide a week or two of energy. And that is the difference.」

"嗯......"

「Hmm...」

有兩個男人坐在坑邊，手裡拿著步槍，當女人走近時，兩人都站了起來。"告訴他離開我們的領地，否則我們會射殺他。"

There were two men sitting at the pit, rifles in hand, and both stood up as the women got closer. 「Tell him to leave our territory or we will shoot him.」

"我不會做這種事。"

「I will do no such thing.」

西塔拉停了下來，再次轉身，將雙手放在臀部。"那你打算怎麼說？"

Sitara stopped and turned again, placing her hands on her hips. 「Then what do you intend to say?」

"我不知道。我會問問題，然後看看他的答案叫我怎麼說。"

「I don’t know. I will ask questions, and then I will see what his answers call me to say.」

"是的，好吧，只要記住，這是一隻山獅，它可以在短短幾秒鐘內殺死一個人。而且不應該被當作人對待。它們是野蠻的殺手，因為生存需要它們這樣做，所以，我們別無選擇，只能把它們看作是敵人和競爭對手。即使我不想殺他們，我的部落裡也有一百個人希望我們消滅他們，這樣我們就不必再擔心我們的食物供應減少或我們的孩子離我們的營地太遠。" 她停頓了一下，然後眯起眼睛看著訪客。"這對我們來說，不是一個抽象的概念。你明白嗎？"

「Yes, well, just remember that it is a mountain lion who can kill a human in mere seconds. And should not be treated as a human being. They are savage killers because survival requires them to be this, and so, we have no choice but to see them as an enemy and competitor. Even if I do not want to kill them, there are a hundred people in my tribe who would prefer us to exterminate them, so we no longer have to worry about our food supply diminishing or our children straying too far from our camp.」 She paused and then narrowed her eyes at the visitor. 「This is not an abstraction to us. Do you understand?」

訪客點了點頭。"這是你們的世界，我只是一個客人。你要求我幫助你，即使我在你的世界裡，當你要求我幫忙時，我也有義務遵循我自己的良心，我自己的道德感。你能明白嗎？"

The visitor nodded. 「This is your world and I am merely a guest. You have asked me to help you, and even while I am in your world, when you ask me for my help, I am obliged to follow my own conscience, my own sense of morality. Do you understand?」

"嗯......我明白你陷入了困境，"西塔拉說，"而你甚至還沒有開始和我們好戰的獅子說話。" 她自嘲地笑了笑，走了一小段路到坑口。

「Hmm...I understand you are in a quandary,」 Sitara said, 「and you haven’t even started to speak with our belligerent lion.」 She chuckled to herself and walked the short distance to the mouth of the pit.

坑裡覆蓋著一張用繩索做成的手工網。幾英尺深的地方有木棒，木棒的尖頭向下傾斜，使爬上坑邊成為非常危險的嘗試，甚至是致命的嘗試。在坑底，也許是四米深的地方，訪客可以看到有什麼東西在踱步，但光線太暗了，以至於使它成為一個虛無縹緲的影子集合體，像一片憤怒的雲一樣在翻滾。

The pit was covered with a handmade net made of ropes. A few feet down were wooden rods with sharp points angled downward, making a climb up the side of the pit a very perilous, if not fatal, endeavor. On the bottom of the pit, perhaps four meters down, the visitor could see something pacing, but the light was so dim as to make it a vaporous collection of shadows, roiling like an angry cloud.

訪客看了看西塔拉。"我需要你和衛兵們離開。"

The visitor looked at Sitara. 「I need you and the guards to leave.」

"不，"西塔拉說。"我將留下來。" 她看了看衛兵，簡單地點了點頭。他們走了。

「No,」 Sitara said. 「I will stay.」 She looked at the guards and simply nodded. They walked away.

西塔拉坐在地上，假裝是一個不可移動的物體。

Sitara sat on the ground, pretending to be an immovable object.

"你比我想像的要年輕，"訪客說。

「You are younger than I expected,」 the visitor said.

"好吧，我會把這當作一種讚美。"

「Well, I will take that as a compliment.」

"我是在和獅子說話...... "訪客半笑著說。

「I was speaking to the lion...」 the visitor said with a half smile.

"啊，有幽默感，我很欣賞。我的人民是非常嚴肅的人。為了在沙漠中生存，他們必須如此。幽默不是我們的長處之一。所以你必須原諒我，因為我沒有練習的經驗。"

「Ah, a sense of humor, I appreciate that. My people are very serious people. They have to be to survive in the desert. Humor is not one of our strengths. So you’ll have to forgive me, as I am out of practice.」

"我以為你是老師，你的族人敬重你？聽起來你對他們的影響很小，"訪客觀察到。

「I thought you were the teacher, and your people revered you? It sounds like you’ve had very little influence upon them,」 the visitor observed.

西塔拉開始說些什麼，然後戛然而止，因為山獅突然發出了強烈的吼聲。這個坑包含了大部分的音量，但它的聲音仍然足以肯定下面的"影子"是有形的，強大的，而且很可能是憤怒的。

Sitara began to say something, and then stopped abruptly, as the mountain lion suddenly let loose a vigorous roar. The pit contained most of the volume, but it was still loud enough to affirm that the 「shadows」 below were both corporeal, powerful, and quite likely angry.

"我將開始，"訪客說。"請閉上你的眼睛，想像一個對所有參與者來說都是和平的解決方案。當我說'所有'時，我指的就是這個，全體。"

「I will begin,」 the visitor said. 「Please close your eyes and imagine a peaceful solution for all involved. And when I say ‘all’ I mean just that, All.」

西塔拉抬頭看了看仍然站著的訪客。她閉上眼睛，把頭縮了回去。訪客走到坑的遠處，坑的寬度約為三米，大致呈圓形，看起來像一隻眼睛的瞳孔，盯著天空。

Sitara looked up at the visitor who remained standing. She closed her eyes and brought her head back down. The visitor went to the far side of the pit, which was about three meters in width, roughly circular, and looked like the pupil of an eye staring up at the sky.

訪客彎下腰，拿起一個乳白色的東西。"這是什麼？"

The visitor stooped down and picked up something cream-colored. 「What is this?」

西塔拉睜開眼睛。"某種類型的骨頭。我們在挖坑的時候發現它們。我們總是把它們留在洞口外--不管我們找到什麼。"

Sitara opened her eyes. 「A bone of some kind. We find them when we dig the pits. We always leave them outside of the opening — whatever we find.」

"這是來自一隻山獅。"

「It is from a mountain lion.」

西塔拉笑了。"啊，你也看骨頭......"

Sitara smiled. 「Ah, you read bones, too...」

訪客保持了一段時間的沈默。她似乎在思考著什麼，同時她開始繞著坑洞走，走得很慢，但又很慎重。"你是一隻山獅，在沙漠中的一個坑裡。我是一個剛到沙漠的人類。我尊重你，非常尊重。我願意把你當作一個朋友，作為你的朋友，我必須告訴你，我們正處於一個困難的境地。我是代表困住你的人前來幫忙的。"

The visitor remained quiet for a while. She seemed to be tuning into something while she began to circle the pit, walking very slowly, yet deliberately. 「You are a mountain lion in a pit in the middle of the desert. I am a human that is new to the desert. I respect you, very deeply. I would like to consider you a friend, and as your friend, I must tell you that we are in a difficult position. I am here to help on behalf of the people who trapped you.」

"那麼，你就是他們的棋子。"獅子說話了，然而只有訪客能聽到他的話。

「Then, you are their pawn,」 the lion spoke, yet only the visitor could hear him.

"你為什麼來這裡？"訪客問。

「Why did you come here?」 the visitor asked.

"這些人殺了我的伴侶。就在這個地方，我現在是個囚犯。"

「These people killed my mate. Right here in this very spot that I am now a prisoner.」

他抬起頭來。"你現在正拿著她的鎖骨。"他的聲音裡有一絲顫抖。訪客將手中的骨頭攥得更緊了些。

He looked up. 「You are now holding her collar bone,」 there was a slight tremble in his voice. The visitor clenched the bone in her hand a little tighter.

"我是來向她表示敬意的，不是為了復仇，也不是為了食物。"獅子說，他的聲音從冰冷變得柔和。"我還沒有準備好離開這個地方，我知道我的復仇只會導致我死亡。"

「I came to pay my respects to her, not for vengeance and not for food,」 the lion said, his voice softening from ice to water. 「I am not ready to leave this place, and I know my vengeance would only cause my death.」

"他們擔心你會搶走它們的食物，他們對食物的佔有欲很強。" "那是因為他們人數太多。"

「They fear that you will take their food and they are very possessive of their food.」 「That is because they are too many in number.」

"不，那是因為他們的數量正好是他們應該有的。他們只是要對彼此負責，保護他們的食物和水。他們像你一樣，是有智慧的生命。"

「No, it is because they are exactly the number they should be. They simply have to be responsible to one another and protect their food and water. They are intelligent beings like you.」

"我不是來偷他們的食物的。" 獅子繼續踱步，偶爾往上看一眼訪客。

「I did not come to steal their food.」 The lion continued to pace, occasionally looking upwards to catch a glimpse of the visitor.

"你的伴侶什麼時候死的？"

「When did your mate die?」

"我不知道如何準確地回答這個問題，也許自從他們殺死她之後，已經過去了五個月。"

「I don't know how to answer that with any precision, perhaps five moons have passed since they killed her.」

"而你仍然在哀悼？" "我有時間。"

「And still you mourn?」 「I have time.」

獅子終於停止了他的踱步，坐了下來。

The lion finally stopped his pacing and sat down.

"你想讓他們做什麼？"訪客問。

「What would you like them to do?」 the visitor asked.

"嗯，這不是很明顯嗎......讓我走。"

「Um, isn't that obvious...let me go.」

訪客轉過身來。"你能看到我的手臂嗎？你能看到它指的是哪個方向嗎？"

The visitor turned around. 「Can you see my arm? Can you see which way it is pointing?」

獅子向後移動，直到接觸到坑的背面。"是的，我可以看到。"

The lion moved back until he was touching the back of the pit. 「Yes, I can see.」

"我指的是一個地方，大約要走五個小時。有一隻住在岩石上的母獅。她也失去了她的伴侶，儘管與你不同，她不知道為什麼。"

「I am pointing to a place that is about a five-hour walk. There is a lioness who lives on a rock outcropping. She lost her mate as well, though, unlike you, she doesn't know why.」

"嗯......"

「Hmm...」

"如果我讓你去，你會去那裡，然後不再來這個地方嗎？"

「If I let you go, will you go there and then never come to this place again?」

"我很樂意去那裡。"

「I will gladly go there.」

"......然後再也不來這個地方了？"訪客重復道，她的語氣略顯陰沈。

「...And never come to this place again?」 the visitor repeated, her tone slightly darker.

"永不，是一段很長的時間，"獅子隱晦地回應道。

「Never is a long time,」 the lion responded cryptically.

"它既不短也不長。它是絕對的，"訪客說。

「It is neither short nor long. It is absolute,」 the visitor said.

"好吧，我不能給出絕對的答案，但我肯定會盡一切努力避開這個地方。事實證明，它對我的身體和情感都很不利。" 訪客仍然沈默不語。

「Well, I’m not able to give absolutes, but I will certainly make every effort to avoid this place. It has proven itself to be terrible for both my physical and emotional well being.」 The visitor remained silent.

獅子站起來，又開始踱步。"那麼，你怎麼知道在五個小時之外......在那個特定的方向有一頭母獅？"

The lion stood up and started pacing again. 「So, how do you know there is a lioness five hours away...in that specific direction?」

"我和她說話的方式，和我現在和你說話的方式一樣。"

「I spoke with her the same way I am speaking to you.」

"多長時間以前？"

「How long ago?」

"大約六個小時前。"

「About six hours ago.」

"嗯。"

「Hmm.」

"好吧，我同意你的絕對意見，但這些人類必須遠離你提到的區域。這個協議必須是相互的，這樣我們就不會有任何可能引起麻煩的事件。如果他們的牧羊人進入我的聽覺範圍，那麼這個絕對協議就不會被遵守。這是一個有條件的相互絕對協議。而且我認為你不能代表這些人說話。對嗎？"

「Okay, I will agree with your absolute, but these humans must stay away from the area you mentioned. The agreement must be mutual so we do not have any incidents that could cause trouble. If their shepherds come within my audible range, then the absolute will not be honored. It is a mutual absolute with conditions. And I don’t think you can speak for these humans. Correct?」

"你所要求的似乎很公平。讓我問問他們的一個領導人。我很快就回來找你。"

「What you ask for seems fair. Let me ask one of their leaders. I will be back to you soon.」

"我將......等待...... "獅子哀嘆道，他躺在深邃黑暗的坑洞的地上。

「I will...wait...」 the lion lamented, as he laid down on the floor of the deep and dark pit.

訪客睜開了眼睛。她幾乎站在西塔拉對面。她清了清嗓子。"西塔拉？"

The visitor opened her eyes. She was standing almost opposite Sitara. She cleared her throat. 「Sitara?」

她的眼皮翻開了，看到了訪客的眼睛。"我已經談妥了一項協議，"訪客說。

Her eyelids flung open into the eyes of the visitor. 「I have negotiated an agreement,」 the visitor said.

"很好。那麼告訴我，協議是什麼？" 西塔拉問道。

「Excellent. Then tell me, what is it?」 Sitara asked.

"獅子將離開，再也不會回來了。"

「The lion will leave and will never come back.」

 "離開去哪裡？"

「Leave where?」

"在那個方向，騎駱駝要五個小時--"

「It’s a five-hour camel ride in that direction —」

"去岩壁上......" 西塔拉說。

「To the rock outcroppings...」 Sitara said.

訪客點了點頭。

The visitor nodded.

"我們對那裡非常尊重。"

「We hold those in high esteem.」

"為什麼？"

「Why?」

"那是我們的聖地之一。那裡的岩層看起來像人類。自從時間被創造出來以後，我們的人就訪問了那個地方。"

「It’s one of our holy places. There are rock formations there that look human-like. Our people have visited that place since time was created.」

"他要求是相互的。如果他退縮到岩壁上，他相信你也不應該冒險去那裡。這樣一來，就不會再發生其他的事件。"

「He asked that it be mutual. If he retreats to the rock outcroppings, he believes you should never venture there. In this way, there can be no further incidents」

西塔拉發出了一聲長嘆。"我不能代表我的人民說話，但我認為這些將是不可接受的條件。我很抱歉。"

Sitara let out a long sigh. 「I can’t speak for my people, but I think those would be unacceptable terms. I’m sorry.」

"怎樣才能讓他們接受？"訪客問。

「What would make them acceptable?」 the visitor asked.

"他們需要允許我們也許在某些時間訪問，例如，我們的人可以在滿月的時候訪問。"

「They would need to allow us to visit perhaps at certain times, for example, our people can visit during the time of the full moon.」

"那牧羊人呢？"

「And what about shepherds?」

"這不是一個放牧綿羊或山羊的地方。我們將同意永遠不在那片區域放牧。"

「It’s not a place to graze a few sheep or goats. We will agree never to use that area for our herds.」

訪客閉上眼睛，竪起食指。"請稍等......"

The visitor closed her eyes and raised her index finger. 「One moment...」

"我回來了，"她對獅子說。"那個地方對這些人來說是個聖地。他們不會放棄訪問該地區的權利。"

「I’m back,」 she said to the lion. 「That site is a holy site to these people. They will not relinquish their rights to visit that area.」

"那麼我們就陷入了僵局。"獅子說，他的聲音遙遠得就像一個沒有希望的人。

「Then we are at an impasse,」the lion said, his voice distant like someone who is hopeless.

"什麼能讓我們繞過這個僵局？"訪客輕聲問道。

「What would allow us to move around the impasse?」 the visitor asked quietly.

"也許，如果他們能將他們的到訪集中在一個特定的時間......比如......"

「Perhaps if they would consolidate their visits to a specific time...like...」

"月亮週期？"訪客打斷了他的話。

「Lunar cycles?」 the visitor interrupted.

"是的，這可能行得通。"

「Yes, that could work.」

"還有，不能放牧。"獅子突然補充道。"牧羊人和他們的羊群必須呆在我們的聽覺範圍之外。"

「And no grazing,」 the lion suddenly added. 「Shepherds and their flock must stay outside of our audible range.」

"明白了。"訪客點了點頭。"我馬上回來。"

「Understood,」 the visitor nodded. 「I’ll be right back.」

當訪客睜開眼睛時，西塔拉就在她身邊，低頭看著這頭獅子。

When the visitor opened her eyes, Sitara was by her side, looking down at the lion.

"我們有協議了嗎？你能保證，現在就讓他自由嗎？"

「Do we have an agreement? Do I have your word that you will set him free, now?」

"他同意讓我們在滿月時來訪？"

「He agreed to let us visit during the full moon?」

"是的。"

「Yes.」

西塔拉發出一聲嘆息，似乎是針對下面的獅子的。"我會的。"

Sitara let out a sigh that seemed directed at the lion below. 「I will.」

訪客閉上了眼睛。"我們達成了協議，我的朋友。我們會讓你自由，請耐心等待。"

The visitor closed her eyes. 「We have an agreement, my friend. We will set you free, be patient.」

"現在，你就能放我走嗎？"

「You will set free, now?」

"是的，但需要一點時間來讓你離開那個坑。要有耐心。"

「Yes, but it will take a little time to get you out of that pit. Be patient.」

"我會的。"

「I will.」

訪客睜開了眼睛。"我們應該叫警衛回來嗎？"

The visitor opened her eyes. 「Should we call the guards back?」

"這取決於你希望他多快獲得自由？"

「It depends on how fast you want him free?」

"以最快的速度。"

「As fast as we can.」

西塔拉立即倒在地上，開始費力地把其中一根尖銳的棒子從地下扳出來。獅子在下面看著，很清楚她在做什麼。訪客加入了她的行列。

Sitara immediately fell to the ground and began wrenching one of the sharp rods out of the ground, with great effort. The lion watched from below, knowing exactly what she was doing. The visitor joined her.

"我往那邊，"來訪者指著逆時針方向說。

「I’ll go that way,」 the visitor said, pointing counter-clockwise.

"只要一半就夠了，"西塔拉說。

「Just half will do,」 Sitara said.

幾分鐘後，一半的棒子被移除，兩個女人退了出來。

After a few minutes, half of the rods were removed, and the two women stepped back.

"你確定他現在可以出來了嗎？"

「Are you sure he can get out now?」

"你對山獅的瞭解遠不及我對它們的瞭解。西塔拉笑著說。"它會出來的。片刻之後，獅子掙扎著爬出了坑口，面對著站在五米開外的兩位女士，坐了下來。

「You do not know mountain lions like I know them,」 Sitara chuckled. 「He’ll get out.」 A moment later the lion struggled out of the mouth of the pit, and came to a sitting position, facing the two women who were standing five meters away.

訪客閉上了眼睛。"你可以走了，"她對獅子說。她又指了指露出地表的方向。

The visitor closed her eyes. 「You are free to go,」 she said to the lion. She pointed again in the direction of the outcrops.

"在我離開之前，我想和另一個人類談談。他們是負責人，對嗎？"

「Before I leave, I want to speak with the other human. They're in charge, correct?」

"是的。"訪客點了點頭。"她是個獸語者，你可以直接和她說話。"

「Yes,」 the visitor nodded. 「She is an animal-talker, you can talk with her directly.」

"不，我只想看到她直接承認我們的協議。問她一個簡單的問題，然後我想看到她要麼點頭表示同意，要麼搖頭表示不同意。你明白嗎？"

「No, I just want to see her directly acknowledge our agreement. Ask her one simple question and then I want to see either a nod in agreement or a shaking of their head in disagreement. Do you understand?」

"我明白。你的問題是什麼？"

「I do. What is your question?」

"你相信所有人都有自由意志嗎？"

「Do you believe in free will for all?」

"這是個好問題，我會問她。"

「It is a good question, I will ask her.」

訪客睜開眼睛，轉向西塔拉。"他問了一個問題，他希望你要麼點頭'是'，要麼搖頭'不是'。"

The visitor opened her eyes, and turned to Sitara. 「He has asked one question, to which he wants you to either nod ‘yes’, or shake your head ‘no’.」

"好，他的問題是什麼？" 西塔拉問道。

「Okay, what is his question?」 Sitara asked.

"你相信所有生命都有自由意志嗎？"

「Do you believe in free will for all?」

獅子看著西塔拉的臉微微皺起，他推測，她陷入了深思。

The lion watched as Sitara’s face crinkled slightly, deep in thought, he presumed.

然後，她的頭開始緩慢地上下搖擺，每搖擺一次，速度就快一點。當她凝視著獅子的眼睛時，臉上綻開了笑容，同時還流下了一滴眼淚。就這樣，獅子轉身向新家和新伴侶的方向走去。

And then, very slowly, her head began to sway up and down, getting a little faster with each cycle. A smile spread across her face, accompanied with a single tear, as she stared into the lion’s eyes. And with that, the lion turned and walked in the direction of his new home and new mate.

西塔拉開始哭泣。來訪者摟著她。"你為什麼哭？

Sitara began to weep. The visitor put her arm around her. 「Why are you crying?」

"他知道是我害死了他的伴侶。

「He knows I had his mate killed.」

"你為什麼要這麼做？"訪客問。

「Why would you have done that?」 the visitor asked.

"她攻擊了我們牧羊人的一隻山羊......所以我們建了這個坑來抓她。但是一旦她被抓住，我的族人就要求殺死這頭母獅，因為她只會把更多的山獅帶入我們的領地。"

「She attacked one of our shepherd’s goats...so we built this pit to capture her. But once she was captured my people demanded the lioness should be killed, because she would only bring more mountain lions into our territory.」

"那你們抓捕她的計劃是什麼？"訪客問。

「And what was your plan in capturing her?」 the visitor asked.

"我本來打算把她餓得服服帖帖，用食物把她哄進籠子裡，然後讓一個小商隊把她運到一個遙遠的地方，在那裡我們再也不會有交集。我發誓，這就是我的全部計劃，但我的族人堅持認為，對於一心想偷吃我們食物的山獅來說，這太麻煩了。"

「I was planning to starve her into submission, coax her with food into a cage, and then have a small caravan transport her to a faraway place where we would never cross paths again. I swear, that was all I had planned, but my people insisted that it was too much trouble for a mountain lion who was intent on stealing our food.」

西塔拉停頓了一下，擦去了她的淚水。"我本來可以說服他們釋放她，但我沒有反抗。我感到害怕，如果我嘗試了，我就會與他們疏遠。所以，我愚蠢地向他們妥協了，此後，我每天都感到內疚。"

Sitara paused to wipe her tears away. 「I might have been able to convince them to release her, but I didn’t resist. I felt afraid that I would distance myself from them if I tried. So, I foolishly gave into them, and I have felt guilt every day since.」

"你怎麼知道他知道？"

「How do you know that he knows?」

"因為他拒絕與我交談。"

「Because he refused to talk with me.」

"我以為你聽不到他的話，或者他聽不到你的話？"

「I thought you couldn’t hear him or he couldn’t hear you?」

"他聽到了，他只是拒絕和我說話。"

「He heard me, he just refused to speak with me.」

"他告訴你的？"訪客以新的力度問道。"他拒絕與你說話？"

「He told you this?」 the visitor asked with new intensity. 「That he refused to speak with you?」

西塔拉點了點頭。"他馬上問我，我告訴他，我剛跟你講的故事。"

Sitara nodded. 「He asked me right away, and I told him the story I just told you.」

訪客退後一步，看著西塔拉的臉。她們距離營地邊緣大概有一百米遠。她們是兩個女人，站在一片漆黑之下，周圍是深不可測的遙遠光線，但她們卻能很清楚地看到彼此。

The visitor stepped back and looked into Sitara’s face. They were perhaps a hundred meters from the edges of the encampment. They were two women who stood beneath a blackness punctuated with unfathomably distant light, yet they could see one another perfectly fine.

"你是真的悲傷，還是你的內疚在尋求離開？"

「Are you really sad, or is your guilt seeking its departure?」

西塔拉抬起頭來，凝視著訪客的眼睛。"你並不瞭解我，所以才會問這樣的問題。"

Sitara looked up, staring into the visitor’s eyes. 「You do not know me well enough to ask such questions.」

"不是我是否足夠瞭解你，而是你是否希望足夠瞭解我，以至於你無法抗拒我的問題。"

「It is not whether I know you well enough, it is whether you wish to know me well enough that you cannot resist my questions.」

"把你介紹給我的那個人。西塔拉說："你才認識他幾個小時，但他認為你是我應該見的人。那個人當了我 26 年的學生。我信任他。因此我信任你。然而，幾個小時並不意味著我相信你能提出這樣的問題，並回答它們。

「The man who introduced you to me,」 Sitara said, 「you have only known him for a few hours, and yet he thought you were someone I should meet. That man has been my student for 26 years. I trust him. And therefore I trust you. Yet still, a few hours, does not mean I trust you with such questions and their accompanying answers.」

"那是為什麼呢？"

「And why is that?」

"因為你是那些摘下一百個面具的人之一。"

「Because you are one of those people who remove the hundred masks.」

"一百個面具？"

「Hundred masks?」

"啊，你沒有聽說過這個故事......" 西塔拉自嘲地笑了笑，然而訪客卻能聽到。

「Ah, you have not heard of this story...」 Sitara chuckled to herself, yet the visitor could hear.

"如果它不是一個太長的故事，也許你可以和我分享它......" 訪客晃了晃腦袋，坐了下來。

「If it’s not too long a story, perhaps you could share it with me...」 The visitor bobbed her head and sat down.

"請...... "她說，抬頭看著西塔拉。

「Please..,」 she said, looking up at Sitara.

她在旁邊坐下。她們兩人都面對著坑口，坑口現在似乎空空如也，一片荒涼，但不久前一隻山獅爬了出來，那壯麗的身影不知為何還留了下來。

She sat down next to her. The two of them were both facing the mouth of the pit, which now seemed to be empty and forlorn, but a short time ago a mountain lion climbed out, and that magnificent presence somehow managed to remain.

"一百個面具 西塔拉開始說，"這是一個關於注定要成為國王的王子的故事。王子是個善良的人。他強大而寬容。他聰明，但心胸開闊。堅強而又脆弱。所有這些品質都是你想要的國王......或者任何人，真的。她停頓了一下，瞥了來訪者一眼，後者閉上了眼睛，似乎傾聽是她唯一的目的。

「The hundred masks,」 Sitara began, 「is a story about a prince who was destined to be king. The prince was a kind soul. He was powerful, yet forgiving. Intelligent, yet open minded. Strong, yet vulnerable. All of the qualities you would want in a king...or anyone, really.」 She paused and glanced at the visitor, who had closed her eyes, as if listening was her only purpose.

"我在聽，"訪客告知，感覺到西塔拉的凝視。

「I am listening,」the visitor announced, feeling Sitara’s stare.

"王子是個好人，不適合當國王。他們畢竟不是生活在烏托邦里。在野心的驅使下，其他一些國家也想獨攬大權，其中一些國家與王子的國家接壤。

「The prince was too good of a man to be king. They did not, after all, live in a utopia. There were other nations driven by ambition to wield power over all, and some of those nations had borders with the land of the prince.

"王子的父親隨著年齡的增長越來越虛弱，疾病最終將他帶入了墳墓。他父親臨終前的一個指示是，王子要徵求他父親最聰明的夥伴--顧問的意見。顧問是王位背後的力量，皇室內部的每個人都很清楚這一點，甚至是僕人。

"隨著年齡的增長，王子的父親越來越虛弱，最終被疾病奪去了生命。父親臨終前的囑託之一是讓王子向父親最睿智的夥伴--顧問尋求建議。顧問是王位背後的力量，王宮裡的每個人都很清楚這一點，就連僕人也不例外。

「As the prince’s father grew weaker and weaker with age, disease finally took him to his grave. One of his father’s directives before he died was that the prince seek the advice of his father’s wisest associate, The Counselor. The Counselor was the power behind the throne, and everyone within the Royal Court was well aware of it, even the servants.

"顧問看出戰爭正在醖釀之中，他迅速向王子示好。他告訴王子，他應該與鄰國的國王會面，並透露自己將在幾個月甚至幾周內成為下一任國王，他至少和他們一樣精明狡猾，但他擁有更強大的資源、技術和高層的朋友。

「The Counselor could see that war was building, and he quickly ingratiated himself to the prince. He told the prince that he should meet with the king’s of his neighboring rivals, and reveal that he would be the next king in a matter of months, if not weeks. That he was at least as shrewd and as cunning as they were, but he had more powerful resources, technologies, and friends in high places.

"為了讓王子執行這項任務，顧問認為王子在巡視鄰國時應該戴上面具。顧問向王子解釋說，他的外表暴露了他過於仁慈和溫柔。這些鄰國的國王會看出他的弱點，等他父親死後再發動進攻。於是，顧問說服王子戴上面具。面具的另一個作用是，王子在王室做客時不能吃喝。因此，不會發生中毒事件。

「In order for the prince to carry this out, the Counselor thought that the prince should wear a mask as he made his rounds to the neighboring territories. The counselor explained to the prince that his appearance revealed that he was too kind and gentle. These neighboring kings would see his weakness and wait for his father’s death, and then attack. So, the Counselor convinced the prince to wear a mask. The mask also served the purpose that the prince would not be able to eat or drink while a guest of a royal family. Therefore, there could be no poisoning.

"所以，王子戴上了顧問的面具。西塔拉接著說。"每次與人會面，他都會戴上不同的面具。有一位皇家面具師為顧問工作。大臣會指示面具師他想要什麼樣的面部表情。這其中有一些微妙的區別，比如一個面具上的表情是不屑一顧，而下一個面具上的表情則可能是不祥之兆或浪跡天涯。

「So, the prince wore the Counselor's masks,」 Sitara continued. 「Each time he met with someone he would wear a different mask. There was a royal mask maker who worked on behalf of the Counselor. And the Counselor would instruct the mask maker what kind of a facial expression he wanted for a particular mask. There were subtle distinctions, like one mask would hold a look of disdain, and the very next mask might hold a look of foreboding or wanderlust.

"當王子最終被加冕為國王時，他戴著一個新的面具，專門為他的加冕儀式而設計。而顧問給面具製作者的話是：隱蔽的蔑視。新國王在加冕後僅三天就被政變所殺。自然，由於王子沒有兄弟姐妹，顧問被要求成為新國王。而正是這位顧問，在他所有的人民面前，打碎了隱藏的蔑視的面具，併發誓作為他們的新國王，他將永遠不戴面具。人民歡欣鼓舞"。

"當王子最終加冕成為國王時，他戴上了專門為他的加冕禮設計的新面具。顧問交代面具師的話是：隱藏的蔑視。新國王在加冕三天後就因政變被殺害了。因為王子沒有兄弟姐妹，顧問自然被要求成為新國王。正是這位顧問，在他所有的子民面前，砸碎了那張隱藏著蔑視的面具，並發誓，作為他們的新國王，他永遠不會戴面具。人民歡欣鼓舞。

「When the prince was finally crowned as the king, he wore a new mask, specifically designed for his coronation. And the words that the Counselor gave to the mask maker were: concealed contempt. The new king was killed by a coup, only three days after he was crowned. Naturally, because the prince had no siblings, the Counselor was asked to become the new king. And it was the counselor who, before all of his people, smashed the mask of concealed contempt, and swore that he would never wear a mask, as their new king. The people rejoiced.」

西塔拉停頓了很久，傾聽著遠處營地的聲音。有一次，她覺得自己甚至聽到了山獅在它走過的那個磁性方向的原始寂靜中發出的吼叫聲。

Sitara paused for a long time, listening to the sounds of her encampment in the far distance. At one point, she thought she even heard the mountain lion roar in the pristine silence of that magnetic direction he walked.

"這是個好故事，"來訪者睜開眼睛後，終於開口說道，"雖然我不明白我怎麼會被視為顧問。

「It is a good story,」the visitor finally said, as she opened her eyes.「Though I fail to understand how I can be seen as the Counselor.」

"這是一個在我的民族中流傳了幾個世紀的故事，以至於除了對孩子們講之外，再也沒有人講這個故事了。正因為如此，至少在成年人中間，"摘下面具"更像是一個速記詞，指的是摘下外在自我面具的人。通常這個過程只留給我們最親密的朋友，有時甚至不留給任何人。

「It’s a story that has been told for centuries among my people, for such a long time that no one tells the story any more except to children. And because of this, it has become, at least among adults, more of a shorthand phrase for someone who removes the masks of the outer self. Usually this process is reserved for only our closest friends, and sometimes for no one at all.」

"而我既不是這些人...... "訪客提出。她的話語中蘊含著一種能量，這種能量的含義非常微妙，就連能感覺到它的西塔拉也無法界定。

「And I am neither of those...」 the visitor offered. Her words held an energy that was so subtle in their meaning that even Sitara, who could sense it, could not define it.

"你哭了，"訪客轉過身面對西塔拉說。"我認為這是一種邀請。在我的文化中，當一個人公開哭泣時，往往是在呼喚他卸下面具。進入親密的關係......有時，即使是和陌生人，如果情況合適的話。

「You wept,」 the visitor said, turning to face Sitara. 「I took this as an invitation. In my culture, when someone weeps openly, it is often a call to remove a mask. To move into intimacy...sometimes, even with a stranger, if the circumstances feel right.」

西塔拉看了訪客一眼，然後轉身面向星空。"我明白了。你說得沒錯。我感覺到這是你經常喜歡做的事情。西塔拉微笑著說。

Sitara took a quick glance at the visitor and then turned to face the stars. 「I understand. You are right. I sense this is something you enjoy frequently.」 Sitara smiled.

"對不對？"

「Being right?」

西塔拉點了點頭，"是的。"

Sitara nodded,「Yes.」

"我把一切都看作是觀點，而且只是觀點。任何與文字有關的東西都是觀點，僅此而已。觀點沒有對錯之分。它們是不確定的。只有事實才有對錯。

「I look at everything as opinions, and only opinions. Anything connected with words is an opinion, and nothing more. Opinions are neither right or wrong. They are indeterminate. Only facts can be right or wrong.」

"那什麼是事實？" 西塔拉問。

「Then what is a fact?」 Sitara asked.

"它是壓倒性的邏輯。"

「It is overwhelming logic.」

"給我一個例子......"

「Give me an example...」

"假設我們是活著的，這是壓倒性的邏輯。我們有意識。"

「It is overwhelming logic to assume we are alive. That we have consciousness.」

"好吧，還有什麼？"

「Okay, what else?」

"就這些了，"訪客說，站起身來。"我需要回到我的東道主身邊。他們可能想知道我在哪裡。"

「That is it,」 the visitor said, standing to her feet. 「I need to return to my hosts. They’re probably wondering where I am.」

"你在這裡和我在一起，離獅子坑只有幾米遠，這難道不是事實嗎？這不是一個事實嗎？" 西塔拉問道，彷彿她還沒有準備好離開他們的談話，去尋找她的東道主。

「Isn’t it a fact that you are here with me, a few meters from the lion pit? Isn’t that a fact?」 Sitara asked, as if she wasn’t ready to leave their conversation in search of her hosts.

"這是個觀點，"訪客說。

「It is an opinion,」 the visitor said.

"但我們的意識告訴了我們這個事實，如果意識是一個事實，那麼這又何嘗不是一個事實呢？

「But our consciousness is informing us of this fact, and if consciousness is a fact, then how could this not also — if only by association — be a fact?」

訪客嘆了口氣，她掃視著天空。"你看到那顆星了嗎？" 訪客指了指北極星。

The visitor sighed as she scanned the sky. 「Do you see that star?」 The visitor pointed to the North Star.

"那顆明亮的？"

「The bright one?」

"是的，"訪客說。

「Yes,」 the visitor said.

"它是我們在清澈的黑暗中的導航儀，"西塔拉說。"我們所有人都很瞭解它。" 西塔拉站起來，伸了一下懶腰。

「It is our navigator in the clear darkness,」 Sitara said. 「All of us know it well.」 Sitara stood up and stretched for a moment.

訪客停頓了一下，等待西塔拉再次集中注意力。"那你應該知道，當太陽消失的時候，它的光芒可以幫助我們導航。然而，我可以很容易地追隨它的光芒回到那顆星星，就像我可以用它來找到我在這裡的路一樣。我不在你身邊。我在......我選擇的任何地方。從這一刻到下一刻，我的位置並不存在著事實。世界上的一切都是表象，就像你的面具故事一樣。

The visitor paused, waiting for Sitara’s attention to be gathered again. 「Then you know its light helps us to navigate our world when the sun is gone. Yet, I can just as easily follow its light back to that star, as I can use it to find my way here. I am not here with you. I am...everywhere I choose to be. There is no fact in my positional whereabouts from one moment to the next. Everything in this world is a matter of appearances just like your story of the masks.

"我不是這個身體，"訪客指著自己繼續說道。"你可以說，我的人類身體在這裡，你的人類身體也在這裡，而這些身體恰好在一個空的獅子坑附近。這就是事實。但沒有人會這樣說話，這是有道理的。這不切實際。觀點更容易表達，這就是觀點的功能之美。

「I am not this body,」 the visitor continued, pointing to herself. 「You could say that my human body is here, with your human body, and these bodies happen to be near an empty lion pit. That’s as much of a fact as you can make of it. But no one speaks like this, and for good reason. It is impractical. Opinions are much easier to express, and that is their functional beauty.

"我可能在監獄裡，但我在監獄裡不是事實。這只是一種觀點。這是因為我們不能代表他人的實相表面。只有我們自己的實相，即便如此，我們也必須知道，我們的理解僅限於表象、希望、夢想、信念、慾望、需求和感覺，這些都是通過人類特有的感官來理解的。我們的 "人性 "以前從未存在過，以後也不會再存在。而你知道這一點，如果你知道什麼的話。那就是，我們的意識相連結，就是事實。"

「I could be in jail, but it is not a fact that I am in jail. It is an opinion. And this is because we cannot speak for the appearances of another’s reality. Only our own reality, and even then, we must know that our understanding is limited to appearances, hopes, dreams, beliefs, desires, needs, and feelings as understood through human senses that are unique to us. Our humanness has never existed before and it will never exist again, and you know that, if you know anything. That, by association to our consciousness, is a fact.」

停頓了很久，西塔拉首先用柔和的、異想天開的聲音說話。"就在剛才，我想我聽到了遠處傳來的獅子吼叫聲......"

There was a long pause and Sitara spoke first in a soft, whimsical voice. 「Just a little while ago I thought I heard the lion roar in the distance...」

"他的生活即將改變--"

「His life is about to change —」

"對，對，對，就是這樣！" 西塔拉打斷了他的話。"你是一個改變者。"

「Yes, yes, yes, that’s it!」 Sitara interrupted. 「You’re a Changer.」

"一個什麼？"

「A what?」

"改變者。他們非常罕見。他們是改變時空的人。在我們的傳說中，有一個叫拉索尼亞的人 她生活在很久以前但她是我們的改變者。改變者是自然界的哲學家，你就是這樣的人。你改變了你所處的時空，這意味著任何進入你軌道的人 都會被改變，他們會沿著新的軌跡前進。”

「A Changer. They’re very rare. They’re people who change spacetime. In our legends we had one of those whose name was Lasonia. She lived a long time ago, but she was our Changer. Changers are philosophers of nature. That’s what you are. You change the spacetime in which you live, and this means that anyone who comes into your orbit, they are changed. They follow a new trajectory.」

"每個人都會這樣做，"訪客不以為然地說。"根據這個定義，每個人都是一個改變者。"

「Everyone does that,」 the visitor said nonchalantly. 「By that definition, everyone is a Changer.」

西塔拉搖了搖頭。"不，他們不是。改變者不只是在改變事情，他們還在調整事情的方向，以便他們能更多地做自己--所有面具之下的自我。他們改變事情不是為了讓自己與眾不同，也不是為了迎合什麼。他們改變事情是為了讓一個人一次又一次地做自己。這就是標題的諷刺之處：改變者"。

Sitara shook her head. 「No, they don’t. Changers are not just changing things, they’re reorienting things so they can be more themselves — that thing underneath all of the masks. They aren’t changing things to make them different or to conform to anything. They’re changing things for a single individual to be themselves again and again and again. and that’s the irony of the title: Changers.」

"沒有人真正知道，另一個人應該怎麼做才能成為他們更多的內在自己，也就是我所說的Sovereign，"訪客回答說。

「No one really knows what another should do to become more of their inmost self, what I call the Sovereign,」 the visitor replied.

"你真的認為獅子在那個坑裡挨餓、孤獨地死去會更好嗎？你所做的是改變了那隻獅子在時空中的生活軌跡，以這樣的方式，獅子可以更完整地做他自己。"

「Do you really think it would have been better for the lion to starve in that pit and die alone? What you did was to change the trajectory of that lion’s life in spacetime, in such a way that the lion can be himself, more fully.」

訪客聳了聳肩。"你對改變者的稱呼給了一個名字，這個人只是把他們的想像力和直覺帶給他們所遇到的所有人，他們用他們的腦力和心靈合作來運作。其他一切都只是文字、標籤、盒子、測量，以滿足我們大腦的粉紅色物質。在這個定義中，我被正確地稱為"改變者"，但如果你將來在與我有關的情況下使用這個名字，我將堅決地予以駁斥。"訪客晃了晃腦袋以示強調。"你明白嗎？"

訪客聳了聳肩。你所說的 "改變者"是指這樣的人，他們只是將自己的想像力和直覺帶入他們所遇到的一切，他們用自己的腦力與心合作。其他一切都只是為了滿足我們大腦粉紅色物質的文字、標籤、框框和測量。根據這個定義，我被稱作"改變者 "是正確的，但如果你將來用這個名字來稱呼我，我會一概予以駁斥。訪客晃了晃頭，以示強調。"你明白了嗎？

The visitor shrugged. 「Your term for a Changer puts a name on someone who simply brings their imagination and intuition to all they meet, who operates with their mind and heart in partnership. Everything else is just words, labels, boxes, measurements to satisfy the pink matter of our brains. In that definition, I am correctly called a Changer, but I shall refute the use of the name at every turn, should you use it in the future in relation to me.」 The visitor bobbed her head for emphasis. 「You understand?」

西塔拉轉過身來，開始走開。"我們應該要找到你的朋友，免得他們為你擔心。"

Sitara turned and began to walk away. 「We should find your friends, lest they be worried about you.」

訪客很快追上了西塔拉，並肩而行。

The visitor quickly caught up with Sitara, walking side-by-side.

西塔拉瞥了一眼訪客。"我注意到這段時間你一直抱著那根鎖骨。為什麼？"

Sitara glanced at the visitor. 「I noticed all this time you have held that collarbone. Why?」

訪客把它遞給了西塔拉。"這是個禮物。"

The visitor handed it to Sitara. 「It is a gift.」

西塔拉猶豫了一下，還是接了過來。"為了什麼？"

Sitara hesitated to take it. 「For what?」

"為了記住。"

「To remember.」

"如果我不想記住呢？"

「What if I don’t want to remember?」

"那就把它埋在沙子裡。"訪客突然停了下來，伸出母獅的鎖骨讓西塔拉拿著。

「Then bury it in the sand.」 The visitor came to an abrupt stop, and held out the lioness’ collarbone for Sitara to take.

"這就是你的禮物？"西塔拉問道，她的雙臂仍然放在身側。

「This is your gift?」 Sitara asked, her arms remaining at her side.

訪客搖了搖頭。"不，是獅子讓我把它送給你的。這是他的禮物。" 西塔拉搖了搖頭，盯著地面。然後慢慢地，她抬頭看了看夜空。當她這樣做時，她深深地吸了一口氣，然後慢慢地吐了出來，在嘴唇之間仔細地解析著。她微笑著拿起鎖骨。"我可能兩者兼顧。"

The visitor shook her head. 「No. The lion asked me to give it to you. It is his gift.」 Sitara shook her head, staring at the ground. Then slowly, she looked up at the night sky. When she did, she took in a deep breath, and slowly released it, parsing it carefully between her lips. She took the collarbone with a smile. 「I may do both.」

"兩者都做？"

「Both?」

"我可能會把它作為一種記憶保存一段時間，然後，當這記憶不再困擾我時，我會把它放回沙漠之地。"

「I may hold it for a while as a memory, and then, when that memory no longer haunts me, I’ll return it to the desert sands.」

這兩個朋友一起走著。

The two friends walked together.

"我喜歡你，"西塔拉突然說。"我希望你能在這裡待越久越好。我會親自照顧你的生活。"

「I like you,」 Sitara suddenly remarked. 「I hope you will stay as long as you can. I will personally see to your comfort and care.」

訪客突然停下腳步，扶住西塔拉的肩膀，西塔拉也停在了半路上。"你聽到了嗎？" 訪客向獅子離開的方向望去。他們倆都沈默了大約五秒鐘。"我讓他吼最後一次。" 訪客眨了眨眼睛。

The visitor suddenly stopped and held Sitara’s shoulder, who also stopped in mid-stride. 「Did you hear that?」 The visitor looked in the direction that the lion had gone. They were both silent for about five seconds. 「I told him to roar one final time.」 The visitor winked.

從沙漠黑暗深處的某處，在寶石般的天空下，一聲巨大的轟鳴傳入他們的耳中，就像銀河系另一端一顆巨星發出的柔和光芒。

Somewhere from the dark depths of the desert, beneath a jeweled sky, a mighty roar came to their ears like the soft light of a giant star on the other side of a galaxy.