7 Three Semifinalists

CHAPTER 7

第七章

Three Semifinalists "Welcome, honored contestants!" the Head Spire called out. "The time has come for the first challenge—a test of bravery and strength." He held his hand toward the volcano. A glowing yellow dragon scale was wedged at the base of Mount Fireburst. "Whoever pulls the dragon scale out from the volcano will move on to the next round."

“欢迎，尊敬的选手们！” “现在是迎接第一个挑战的时候了，这是对勇气和力量的考验。” 他把手伸向火山。 一块发光的黄色龙鳞插在火爆山的底部。 “谁把龙鳞从火山里拉出来，谁就能进入下一轮。”

Clara studied the volcano and quickly spied the brilliant golden dragon scale. It sizzled and smoked with heat. "Contestants, BEGIN!" the Head Spire called out. A strong and giant knight in heat-protective armor and gloves marched up to the scale. "Psshaww," he scoffed. "This will be no problem for me!" He grabbed hold of the scale, and it hissed in his hands.

克拉拉仔细研究了火山，很快发现了灿烂的金色龙鳞。 它嘶嘶作响，热气腾腾。 “选手们，开始！”尖塔头喊道。 一位身披防热盔甲、戴着手套的高大强壮的骑士大步走向磅秤。 “呸！”他嘲笑道。“这对我来说不成问题！”他抓住天平，天平在他手里发出嘶嘶声。

"OWWW!" he cried, letting go of the scale and shaking off the burn. The horn sounded, and the knight made his exit from the challenge. One by one the contestants failed to remove the scale. Then it was Gilbert's turn. He walked toward the scale with his shoulders back and his head held high. Clara couldn't help but admire his courage. "Go, Gilbert!" she found herself saying.

“哇！”他叫了一声，松开了体重计，抖掉了烧伤的地方。 号角响起，骑士退出了挑战。 选手们一个接一个都没能把天平移开。 然后轮到吉尔伯特了。 他昂首挺胸地向磅秤走去。 克拉拉不禁钦佩他的勇气。 “走吧，吉尔伯特！”她发现自己在说。

Then Gilbert laid hold of the scale, and to everyone's surprise... it came right out! The crowd cheered and waved their Wrenly banners.

然后吉尔伯特拿起磅秤，出乎所有人的意料…… 它直接就出来了！人群欢呼着，挥舞着他们的威利横幅。

Then it was Clara's turn, but just as she stepped forward, another squire shoved her out of the way and rushed toward the gleaming scale. "Hey!" she shouted. But the rude squire ignored her. He walked up and grabbed hold of the dragon scale. Then he let go instantly, screeching in pain. Well, he got what he deserved, Clara thought. And now it was her turn. She moved toward the scale, and as she went she cleared her thoughts of anger and doubt. Then she grabbed hold of the scale.

然后轮到克拉拉了，但就在她走上前去的时候，另一个乡绅把她推开，向闪闪发光的天平冲去。 “嘿！”她喊道。但粗鲁的乡绅不理睬她。 他走上前，抓起龙鳞。 然后他立刻松手，痛苦地尖叫着。 好吧，他罪有应得，克拉拉想。 现在轮到她了。她朝天平走去，一边走一边清除了心中的愤怒和怀疑。 然后她抓住了磅秤。