tg.wizardfirstrule-第2部分

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　Still　winded　from　the　earlier　run；　Richard　panted　in　labored　breaths；　running　down　the　trail　as　fast　as　he　could　go。　The　path　had　quickly　turned　back　in　to　the　trees；　so　at　least　he　didn't　have　to　worry　about　the　men　being　able　to　see　him。　Shafts　of　sunlight　flashed　by　as　he　raced　along。　Old　pine　trees　lined　the　path；　leaving　a　soft　mat　of　needles　to　cushion　his　footfalls。
　
　After　a　time；　driving　himself　headlong　down　the　path；　he　started　looking　for　the　side　trail。　He　couldn't　be　sure　how　far　he　had　gone；　the　forest　offered　no　view　for　a　fix；　and　he　didn't　remember　exactly　where　the　cutoff　was。　It　was　small　and　would　be　easy　to　miss。　With　every　bend　bringing　new　hope　that　this　would　be　the　place　he　found　the　cutoff；　he　pushed　himself　on。　He　tried　to　think　of　what　he　would　say　to　the　woman　when　he　finally　reached　her。　His　mind　raced　as　fast　as　his　legs。　She　might　think　he　was　with　her　pursuers；　or　be　frightened　by　him；　or　not　believe　him。　He　wouldn't　have　much　time　to　convince　her　to　go　with　him；　that　he　wanted　to　help。
　
　ing　over　the　top　of　a　small　rise；　he　looked　anew　for　the　fork；　but　didn't　see　it　and　kept　running。　Now　his　breath　came　in　ragged　gasps。　He　knew　that　if　he　didn't　reach　the　split　before　she　did；　they　would　be　trapped；　and　their　only　options　would　be　to　outrun　the　men；　or　to　fight。　He　was　too　winded　for　either。　That　thought　drove　him　on　harder。　Sweat　ran　down　his　back；　making　his　shirt　stick　to　his　skin。　The　coolness　of　the　morning　had　turned　to　choking　heat；　though　he　knew　it　was　only　his　exertion　that　made　it　seem　that　way。　The　forest　passed　in　a　blur　to　each　side　as　he　ran。
　
　Just　before　a　sharp　bend　to　the　right；　he　came　at　last　to　the　cutoff；　almost　missing　it。　He　made　a　quick　search　for　tracks　to　if　she　had　been　there　and　taken　the　small　path。　There　were　none。　Relief　washed　over　him。　He　dropped　to　his　knees　and　sat　back　on　his　heels　in　exhaustion；　trying　to　catch　his　breath。　The　first　part　had　worked。　He　had　beaten　her　here。　Now　he　had　to　make　her　believe　him　before　it　was　too　late。
　
　Holding　his　right　hand　over　a　painful　stitch　in　his　side　and　still　trying　to　catch　his　breath；　he　started　to　worry　that　he　was　going　to　look　silly。　What　if　it　was　just　a　girl　and　her　brothers　playing　a　game？　He　would　be　the　fool。　Everyone　but　him　would　have　a　good　laugh。
　
　He　looked　down　at　the　bite　on　the　back　of　his　hand。…It　was　red　and　throbbed　painfully。　He　remembered　the　thing　in　the　sky。　He　thought　about　the　way　she　had　been　walking；　with　a　sense　of　purpose；　not　like　a　child　at　play。　It　was　a　woman；　not　a　girl。　He　remembered　the　cold　fear　he　had　felt　when　he　saw　the　four　men。　Four　men　warily　shadowing　a　woman：　the　third　strange　thing　to　happen　this　morning。　The　third　child　of　trouble。　No…he　shook　his　head…this　was　no　game；　he　knew　what　he　had　seen。　It　was　no　game。　They　were　stalking　her。
　
　Richard　came　partway　to　his　feet。　Waves　of　heat　rolled　from　his　body。　Bent　over　at　the　waist　with　his　hands　braced　on　his　knees；　he　took　a　few　deep　breaths　before　straightening　to　his　full　height。
　
　His　eyes　fell　on　the　young　woman　as　she　came　around　the　bend　in　front　of　him。　His　breath　caught　for　an　instant。　Her　brown　hair　was　full；　lush；　and　long；　plementing　the　contours　of　her　body。　She　was　tall；　almost　as　tall　as　he；　and　about　the　same　age。　The　dress　she　wore　was　like　none　he　had　ever　seen：　almost　white；　cut　square　at　the　neck；　interrupted　only　by　a　small；　tan　leather　waist　pouch。　The　weave　of　the　fabric　was　fine　and　smooth；　almost　glistening；　and　bore　none　of　the　lace　or　frills　he　was　used　to　seeing；　no　prints　or　colors　to　distract　from　the　way　it　caressed　her　form。　The　dress　was　elegant　in　its　simplicity。　She　halted；　and　long　graceful　folds　regally　trailing　her　gathered　about　her　legs。
　
　Richard　approached　and　stopped　three　strides　away　so　as　not　to　appear　a　threat。　She　stood　straight　and　still；　her　arms　at　her　side。　Her　eyebrows　had　the　graceful　arch　of　a　raptor's　wings　in　flight。　Her　green　eyes　came　unafraid　to　his。　The　connection　was　so　intense　that　it　threatened　to　drain　his　sense　of　self。　He　felt　that　he　had　always　known　her；　that　she　had　always　been　a　part　of　him；　。　that　her　needs　were　his　needs。　She　held　him　with　her　gaze　as　surely　as　a　grip　of　iron　would；　searching　his　eyes　as　if　searching　his　soul；　seeking　an　answer　to　something。　I　am　here　to　help　you；　he　said　in　his　mind。　He　meant　it　more　than　any　thought　he　had　ever　had。
　
　The　intensity　of　her　gaze　relaxed；　loosening　its　hold　on　him。　In　her　eyes　he　saw　something　that　attracted　him　more　than　anything　else。　Intelligence。　He　saw　it　flaring　there；　burning　in　her；　and　through　it　all　he　felt　an　overriding　sense　of　her　integrity。　Richard　felt　safe。
　
　A　warning　flashed　in　his　mind；　making　him　remember　why　he　was　there；　that　time　was　dear。
　
　〃I　was　up　there〃…he　pointed　toward　the　hill　he　had　been　on　〃and　I　saw　you。〃　She　looked　where　he　pointed。　He　looked；　too；　and　realized　he　was　pointing　to　a　tangle　of　tree　limbs。　They　couldn't　see　the　hill；　because　the　trees　blocked　the　view。　He　dropped　his　arm　dumbly；　trying　to　ignore　the　miscue。　Her　eyes　returned　to　his；　waiting。
　
　Richard　started　over；　keeping　his　voice　low。　〃I　was　up　there　on　a　hill；　above　the　lake。　I　saw　you　walking　on　the　path　by　the　shore。　There　are　some　men　following　you。〃
　
　She　betrayed　no　emotion；　but　continued　to　hold　his　gaze。　〃How　many？〃
　
　He　thought　her　question　strange；　but　answered　it。　〃Four。〃
　
　The　color　drained　from　her　face。
　
　She　turned　her　head；　surveying　the　woods　behind　her；　scanning　the　shadows　briefly；　then　looked　back　to　him　once　more；　her　green　eyes　searching　his。
　
　〃Do　you　choose　to　help　me？〃　Except　for　her　color；　her　exquisite　features　gave　no　hint　as　to　her　emotions。
　
　Before　his　mind　could　form　a　thought；　he　heard　himself　say；　〃Yes。〃
　
　Her　countenance　softened。　〃What　would　you　have　us　do？〃
　
　〃There's　a　small　trail　that　turns　off　here。　If　we　take　it；　and　they　stay　on　this　one；　we　can　be　away。〃
　
　〃And　if　they　don't？　If　they　follow　our　trail？〃
　
　〃I'll　hide　our　tracks。〃　He　was　shaking　his　head；　trying　to　reassure　her。　〃They　won't　follow。　Look；　there's　no　time　。　。　。　。〃
　
　〃If　they　do？〃　she　cut　him　off。　〃Then　what　is　your　plan？〃　He　studied　her　face　a　moment。　〃Are　they　very　dangerous？〃
　
　She　stiffened。　〃Very。〃
　
　The　way　she　spoke　the　word　made　him　have　to　force　himself　to　breathe　again。　For　an　instant；　he　saw　a　look　of　blind　terror　pass　across　her　eyes。
　
　Richard　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　〃Well；　the　small　trail　is　narrow　and　sheer。　They　won't　be　able　to　surround　us。〃
　
　〃Do　you　have　a　weapon？〃　'
　
　He　answered　by　shaking　his　head　no；　too　angry　with　himself　for　forgetting　his　knife　to　voice　it　out　loud。
　
　She　nodded。　〃Let's　be　quick　then。〃
　
　…｜
　
　They　didn't　talk　once　the　decision　had　been　made；　not　wanting　to　give　away　their　location。　Richard　hurriedly　concealed　their　tracks　and　motioned　her　to　go　first　so　he　would　be　between　her　and　the　men。　She　didn't　hesitate。　The　folds　of　her　dress　flowed　behind　as　she　moved　quickly　at　his　direction。　The　lush；　young　evergreens　of　the　Ven　pressed　tight　at　their　sides；　making　the　path　a　narrow；　dark；　green；　walled　route　cut　through　the　brush　and　branches。　They　could　see　nothing　around　them。　Richard　checked　behind　as　they　went；　though　he　couldn't　see　far。　At　least　what　he　could　see　was　clear。　She　went　swiftly　without　any　encouragement　from　him。
　
　After　a　time；　the　ground　started　rising　and　being　rockier；　and　the　trees　thinned；　offering　a　more　open　view。　The　trail　twisted　along　deeply　shaded　cuts　in　the　terrain　and　across　leafstrewn　ravines。　Dry　leaves　scattered　at　their　passing。　Pines　and　spruce　gave　way　to　hardwood　trees；　mostly　white　birch；　and　as　the　limbs　swayed　overhead；　little　patches　of　sunlight　danced　on　the　forest　floor。　The　birches'　white　trunks　with　black　spots　made　it　look　as　if　hundreds　of　eyes　were　watching　the　two　pass。　Other　than　the　raucous　racket　of　some　ravens；　it　was　a　very　quiet；　peaceful　place。
　
　At　the　base　of　a　granite　wall　that　the　path　followed；　he　motioned　to　her；　putting　a　finger　over　his　lips；　letting　her　know　they　had　to　step　carefully　to　avoid　making　sounds　that　would　echo　him；　。　that　her　needs　were　his　needs。　She　held　him　with　her　gaze　as　surely　as　a　grip　of　iron　would；　searching　his　eyes　as　if　searching　his　soul；　seeking　an　answer　to　something。　I　am　here　to　help　you；　he　said　in　his　mind。　He　meant　it　more　than　any　thought　he　had　ever　had。
　
　The　intensity　of　her　gaze　relaxed；　loosening　its　hold　on　him。　In　her　eyes　he　saw　something　that　attracted　him　more　than　anything　else。　Intelligence。　He　saw　it　flaring　there；　burning　in　her；　and　through　it　all　he　felt　an　overriding　sense　of　her　integrity。　Richard　felt　safe。
　
　A　warning　flashed　in　his　mind；　making　him　remember　why　he　was　there；　that　time　was　dear。
　
　〃I　was　up　there〃…he　pointed　toward　the　hill　he　had　been　on　〃and　I　saw　you。〃　She　looked　where　he　pointed。　He　looked；　too；　and　realized　he　was　pointing　to　a　tangle　of　tree　limbs。　They　couldn't　see　the　hill；　because　the　trees　blocked　the　view。　He　dropped　his　arm　dumbly；　trying　to　ignore　the　miscue。　Her　eyes　returned　to　his；　waiting。
　
　Richard　started　over；　keeping　his　voice　low。　〃I　was　up　there　on　a　hill；　above　the　lake。　I　saw　you　walking　on　the　path　by　the　shore。　There　are　some　men　following　you。〃
　
　She　betrayed　no　emotion；　but　continued　to　hold　his　gaze。　〃How　many？〃
　
　He　thought　her　question　strange；　but　answered　it。　〃Four。〃
　
　The　color　drained　from　her　face。
　
　She　turned　her　head；　surveying　the　woods　behind　her；　scanning　the　shadows　briefly；　then　looked　back　to　him　once　more；　her　green　eyes　searching　his。
　
　〃Do　you　choose　to　help　me？〃　Except　for　her　color；　her　exquisite　features　gave　no　hint　as　to　her　emotions。
　
　Before　his　mind　could　form　a　thought；　he　heard　himself　say；　〃Yes。〃
　
　Her　countenance　softened。　〃What　would　you　have　us　do？〃
　
　〃There's　a　small　trail　that　turns　off　here。　If　we　take　it；　and　they　stay　on　this　one；　we　can　be　away。〃
　
　〃And　if　they　don't？　If　they　follow　our　trail？〃
　
　〃I'll　hide　our　tracks。〃　He　was　shaking　his　head；　trying　to　reassure　her。　〃They　won't　follow。　Look；　there's　no　time　。　。　。　。〃
　
　〃If　they　do？〃　she　cut　him　off。　〃Then　what　is　your　plan？〃　
　
　to　hide。　He　saw　nothing；　and　started　to　feel　better。　They　weren't　being　followed；　the　men　were　nowhere　to　be　seen；　and　were　probably　miles　down　Hawkers　Trail　by　now。　The　farther　from　the　boundary　and　the　closer　to　town　they　got；　the　better　he　felt。　His　plan　had　worked。
　
　Seeing　no　sign　that　they　were　being　followed；　Richard　wished　they　could　stop　for　a　rest；　as　his　hand　was　throbbing；　but　she　gave　no　sign　that　she　needed　or　wanted　a　break。　She　kept　pushing　on。　as　if　the　men　were　right　on　their　heels。　Richard　remembered　the　look　on　her　face　when　he　had　asked　if　they　were　dangerous；　and　quickly　rejected　any　thought　of　stopping。
　
　As　morning　wore　on；　the　day　became　warm　for　this　late　in　the　year。　The　sky　was　a　bright；　clear　blue；　with　only　a　few　white；　wispy　clouds　drifting　by。　One　of　the　clouds　had　taken　on　the　undulating　form　of　a　snake；　with　its　head　down　and　tail　up。　Because　it　was　so　unusual；　Richard　remembered　seeing　the　same　cloud　earlier　in　the　day…or　was　it　yesterday？　He　would　have　to　remember　to　mention　it　to　Zedd　the　next　time　he　saw　him。　Zedd　was　a　cloud　reader；　and　if　Richard　failed　to　report　his　sighting　he　would　have　to　endure　an　hour…long　lecture　on　the　significance　of　clouds。　Zedd　was　probably　watching　it　this　very　moment；　fretting　over　whether　or　not　Richard　was　paying　attention。
　
　The　path　took　them　to　the　south　face　of　small　Blunt　Mountain；　where　it　crossed　a　sheer　cliff　face　for　which　the　mountain　was　named。　Crossing　the　cliff　near　midheight；　the　trail　offered　a　panoramic　view　of　the　southern　Ven　Forest　and；　to　their　left；　in　cloud　and　mist；　almost　hidden　behind　the　cliff　wall；　the　high；　rugged　peaks　belonging　to　the　boundary。　Richard　saw　brown；　dying　trees　standing　out　against　the　carpet　of　green。　Up　closer　to　the　boundary　the　dead　trees　were　thick。　It　was　the　vine；　he　realized。
　
　The　two　of　them　advanced　quickly　across　the　cliff　trail。　They　were　so　clearly　in　the　open；　with　no　chance　to　hide；　that　anyone　could　spot　them　easily；　but　across　the　cliff　the　trail　would　begin　to　head　down　into　the　Hartland　Woods　and　then　into　town。　Even　if　the　men　did　figure　out　their　mistake　and　follow；　Richard　and　the　woman　had　a　safe　lead。
　
　As　it　neared　the　far　side　of　the　cliff　face；　the　path　started　to　broaden　from　its　treacherous；　narrow　width　to　a　space　wide　enough　for　two　to　walk　side　by　side。　Richard　trailed　his　right　hand　along　the　rock　wall　for　reassurance　while　looking　over　the　side　to　the　boulder　fields　several　hundred　feet　below。　He　turned　and　checked　behind。　Still　clear。
　
　As　he　turned　back；　she　froze　in　midstride；　the　folds　of　her　dress　swirling　around　her　legs。
　
　In　the　trail　ahead；　that　only　a　moment　earlier　had　been　empty；　stood　two　of　the　men。　Richard　was　bigger　than　most　men；　these　men　were　much　bigger　than　him。　Their　dark　green　hooded　cloaks　shaded　their　faces　but　couldn't　conceal　their　heavily　muscled　bulk。　Richard's　mind　raced；　trying　to　conceive　of　how　the　men　could　have　gotten　ahead　of　them。
　
　Richard　and　the　woman　spun；　prepared　to　run。　From　the　rock　above；　two　ropes　dropped　down。　The　other　two　men　plummeted　to　the　path；　landing　on　their　feet　with　heavy　thuds；　blocking　any　retreat。　They　were　as　big　as　the　first　two。　Buckles　and　leather　straps　beneath　their　cloaks　held　an　arsenal　of　weapons　that　glinted　in　the　sunlight。
　
　Richard　wheeled　back　to　the　first　two。　They　calmly　pushed　their　hoods　back。　Each　had　thick　blond　hair　and　a　thick　neck；　their　faces　were　rugged；　handsome。
　
　〃You　may　pass；　boy。　Our　business　is　with　the　girl。〃　The　man's　voice　was　deep；　almost　friendly。　Nonetheless；　the　threat　was　as　sharp　as　a　blade。　He　removed　his　leather　gloves　and　tucked　them　in　his　belt　as　he　spoke；　not　bothering　to　look　at　Richard。　He　obviously　didn't　consider　Richard　an　obstacle。　He　appeared　to　be　the　one　in　charge；　as　the　other　three　waited　silently　while　he　spoke。
　
　Richard　had　never　been　in　a　situation　like　this　before。　He　never　allowed　himself　to　lose　his　temper；　and　could　usually　turn　scowls　to　smiles　with　his　easy　manner。　If　talk　didn't　work；　he　was　quick　enough　and　strong　enough　to　stop　threats　before　anyone　was　hurt；　and　if　need　be　he　would　simply　walk　away。　He　knew　these　men　weren't　interested　in　talking；　and　they　clearly　weren't　afraid　of　him。　He　wished　he　could　walk　away　now。
　
　Richard　glanced　to　her　green　eyes　and　saw　the　visage　of　a　proud　woman　beseeching　his　help。
　
　He　leaned　closer；　and　kept　his　voice　low；　but　firm。　〃I　won't　leave　you。〃　Relief　washed　over　her　face。
　
　She　gave　a　slight　nod　as　she　settled　her　hand　lightly　on　his　forearm。　〃Keep　between　them；　don't　let　them　all　e　at　me　at　once；〃　she　whispered。　〃And　be　sure　you　aren't　touching　me　when　they　e。〃　Her　hand　tightened　on　his　arm　and　her　eyes　held　his；　waiting　for　confirmation　that　he　understood　her　instructions。　He　nodded　his　agreement。　〃May　the　good　spirits　be　with　us；〃　she　said。　She　let　her　hands　drop　to　her　sides；　turning　to　the　two　behind　them；　her　face　dead　calm；　devoid　of　emotion。
　
　〃Be　on　your