3 The Prophecy

CHAPTER 3

第三章

The Prophecy Lucas and Clara galloped toward the palace gates. Colorful banners flew from the top of every wall and turret. Each one showed the family crest of someone who had come to enter the Knight Spires competition. The children led their horses to the stables. Then they raced to the great hall, where all the competitors and their families had gathered. Queen Tasha greeted them as they entered. All the excitement made Lucas wish he could compete. "I would love to become a Knight Spire," he said. "Then I would be the noblest prince ever!" Queen Tasha rested her hand on her son's shoulder. "You already are the noblest prince ever," she said.

卢卡斯和克拉拉向宫殿大门疾驰而去。 每堵墙和每座角楼的顶上都飘扬着五颜六色的旗帜。 每一个都有一个参加骑士尖塔比赛的人的家族徽章。 孩子们把马牵到马厩里。 然后他们跑到大厅，所有的选手和他们的家人都聚集在那里。 他们进来时，塔莎女王向他们打招呼。 所有的兴奋使卢卡斯希望他能参加比赛。 “我很想成为一名骑士尖塔，”他说。 “那么我将成为有史以来最高贵的王子！”塔莎王后把手搭在儿子的肩上。 “你已经是有史以来最高贵的王子了。”她说。

Lucas rolled his eyes. "You have to say that," he said, "because you're my mom." Clara laughed, then she quickly covered her mouth before the queen heard her.

卢卡斯翻了个白眼。“你必须这么说，”他说，“因为你是我妈妈。” 克拉拉笑了，然后在女王听到之前迅速捂住了嘴。

Queen Tasha smiled. "But it's also true!" she said. "You're already a great swordsman, and each day you learn how to care for the people of Wrenly—just like your father." Clara nodded. "That's right. Plus, one day you'll oversee the kingdom, including the Knight Spires." Lucas blushed. The truth was that he already had perhaps one of the most important roles in the kingdom. Queen Tasha turned her attention to Clara. "And what about you, dear Clara?" she asked. "Have you any thoughts of competing?" Clara breathed deeply. It sounded like such an astounding idea. "Of course I'd love to," she said, "but I'm still too young."

塔莎王后笑了。“但这也是真的！”她说。 “你已经是一个伟大的剑客了，你每天都在学习如何照顾兰利的人民——就像你父亲一样。” 克拉拉点点头。“这是正确的。 而且，总有一天你会掌管整个王国，包括骑士尖塔。” 卢卡斯脸红了。事实是，他可能已经是王国最重要的人物之一了。 塔莎王后把注意力转向克拉拉。 “你呢，亲爱的克拉拉？”她问。 “你有参加比赛的想法吗？”克拉拉深深地吸了一口气。 这听起来是一个令人震惊的想法。 “我当然愿意，”她说，“但我还太年轻。”

The queen smiled. There was a twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps not," she said. "There has been a prophecy announced while you two were in Flatfrost." Lucas and Clara both raised an eyebrow. "What kind of prophecy?" Lucas asked. The queen stepped back from the crowded reception, and the children followed her. "Well," the queen answered, "the dragons of Crestwood have foretold that this year's search for a Knight Spire would require a broader range of contestants." "Really?" Lucas questioned.

王后笑了。她的眼睛里闪烁着光芒。 “也许不会，”她说。“你们俩在弗罗斯特的时候，有人宣布了一个预言。” 卢卡斯和克拉拉都扬起了眉毛。 “什么样的预言？”卢卡斯问道。 女王从拥挤的招待会上退了下来，孩子们跟着她。 “嗯，”王后回答，“克雷斯伍德的恶龙预言，今年寻找骑士尖塔的活动需要更多的参赛者。” “真的吗?”卢卡斯质疑。