tg.wizardfirstrule-第40部分

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　Richard　rose　to　his　knees　and　took　the　cloth　from　her　hand；　to　wipe　her　face；　as　if　to　wipe　from　her　mind　the　sight　of　what　he　had　done。　Before　he　could；　she　threw　her　arms　around　him；　embracing　him　tighter　than　he　would　have　thought　her　capable　of。　He　hugged　her　back　just　as　tight　while　her　fingers　went　up　the　back　of　his　neck；　into　his　hair；　holding　his　head　to　her　as　she　cried。　He　couldn't　believe　how　good　it　felt　to　have　her　back。　He　didn't　want　to　let　her　go；　ever。
　
　〃I'm　so　very　sorry；　Richard；〃　she　sobbed。
　
　〃For　what？〃
　
　〃That　you　had　to　kill　a　man　on　my　account。〃
　
　He　rocked　her　gently；　stroking　her　hair。　〃It's　all　right。〃
　
　She　shook　her　head　against　his　neck。　〃I　knew　how　much　the　magic　would　hurt　you。　That's　why　I　didn't　want　you　to　have　to　fight　the　men　back　at　the　inn。〃
　
　〃Zedd　told　me　the　anger　would　protect　me　from　the　pain。　Kahlan；　I　don't　understand；　There　is　absolutely　no　way　I　could　have　been　any　more　angry。〃
　
　She　separated　from　him；　her　hands　on　leis　arms；　squeezing　as　if　to　keep　testing　that　he　was　real。　〃Zedd　told　me　to　watch　out　for　you；　if　you　used　the　sword　to　kill　a　man。　He　told　me　that　what　he　said　about　the　anger　protecting　you　was　true；　but　he　said　the　first　time　was　different；　that　the　magic　tested；　took　a　measure　of　the　Seeker　with　the　pain；　and　nothing　could　protect　you　from　it。　He　said　that　he　couldn't　tell　you　because　if　you　knew；　it　would　make　you　hold　back；　be　more　cautious　in　its　use；　and　that　could　be　disastrous。　He　said　the　magic　has　to　join　to　the　Seeker　with　its　first　ultimate　use；　to　ascertain　his　intent　when　he　kills。〃　She　squeezed　his　arms。　〃He　said　the　magic　could　do　terrible　things　to　you。　It　tests　with　the　pain；　to　see　who　will　be　the　master；　who　the　ruled。〃
　
　Richard　sat　back　on　his　heels；　startled。　Adie　had　said　the　wizard　kept　a　secret　from　him。　This　must　have　been　it。　Zedd　must　have　been　very　worried；　and　afraid　for　him。　Richard　felt　sorry　for　his　old　friend。
　
　For　the　first　time；　Richard　truly　understood　the　meaning　of　being　Seeker；　in　a　way　no　one　else　but　a　Seeker　could。　Bringer　of　death。　He　understood　it　now。　Understood　the　magic；　how　he　used　it；　how　it　used　him；　how　they　were　now　joined。　For　better　or　worse；　he　would　never　be　the　same　again。　He　had　tasted　fulfillment　of　his　darkest　desire。　It　was　done。　There　was　no　going　back　to　being　as　he　was　before。
　
　Richard　brought　the　cloth　up　and　wiped　the　blood　from　Kahlan's　face。
　
　〃I　understand。　I　know　now　what　he　was　talking　about。　You　were　right　to　not　tell　me。〃　He　touched　the　side　of　her　face；　his　voice　gentle。　〃I　was　so　afraid　you　were　killed。〃
　
　She　put　her　hand　over　his。　〃I　thought　you　were　dead。　One　minute　I　was　holding　your　hand；　and　then　I　realized　I　wasn't。〃　Her　eyes　filled　with　tears　again。　〃I　couldn't　find　you。　I　didn't　know　what　to　do。　The　only　thing　I　could　think　of　was　to　go　get　Zedd；　to　wait　for　him　to　wake；　to　get　him　to　help　me。　I　thought　you　were　lost　to　the　underworld。〃
　
　〃I　thought　that's　what　happened　to　you　too。　I　almost　went　on；　alone。〃　He　grinned。　〃Seems　I　have　to　keep　ing　back　for　you。〃
　
　She　smiled　for　the　first　time　since　he　had　found　her；　then　put　her　arms　around　him　again。　Quickly；　she　pushed　away。
　
　〃Richard；　we　have　to　get　out　of　here。　There　are　beasts　about。　They　will　e　for　his　body；　we　can't　be　here　when　they　do。〃
　
　He　nodded；　turned；　picked　up　his　sword；　and　got　to　his　feet。　He　reached　down　for　her；　to　help　her　up。　She　took　his　hand。
　
　The　magic　ignited　in　a　rage；　warning　its　master。
　
　Startled；　Richard　stared　at　her　in　shock。　Just　as　the　last　time；　when　she　had　touched　his　hand　when　he　held　the　sword；　the　magic　had　e　to　life；　only　this　time　it　was　stronger。　Smiling；
　
　292
　
　she　didn't　seem　to　feel　anything。　Richard　forced　the　anger　down。　It　went　with　great　reluctance。
　
　She　hugged　him　once　more；　a　quick　hug　with　her　free　arm。　〃I　still　can't　believe　you　are　alive。　I　was　so　sure　I　had　lost　you。〃
　
　〃How　did　you　get　away　from　the　shadows？'。'
　
　Kahlan　shook　her　head：　〃I　don't　know。　They　were　following　us；　and　when　we　became　separated　and　I　went　back；　I　didn't　see　them　anymore。　Did　you　see　any？〃
　
　Richard　nodded　solemnly。　〃Yes；　I　saw　them。　And　my　father　again。　They　came　for　me；　tried　to　push　me　into　the　boundary。〃
　
　Concern　came　over　Kahlan's　face。　〃Why　just　you？　Why　not　both　of　us？〃
　
　〃I　don't　know。　Last　night　at　the　split　rock；　and　later；　when　they　started　following　us；　it　must　have　been　me　they　were　after；　not　you。　The　bone　protected　you。〃
　
　〃The　last　time　at　the　boundary；　they　came　for　everyone　but　you；〃　she　said。　〃What's　different　this　time？〃
　
　Richard　thought　a　moment。　〃I　don't　know；　but　we　have　to　get　across　the　pass。　We're　too　tired　to　have　to　spend　tonight　fighting　shadows　again。　We　must　get　to　the　Midlands　before　dark。　And　this　time；　I　promise　I　won't　let　go　of　your　hand。〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　and　squeezed　his　hand。
　
　〃I　won't　let　go　of　yours　either。〃
　
　〃I　ran　back　through　the　Narrows。　It　didn't　take　long　that　way。　You　up　to　that？〃
　
　She　nodded　arid　they　started　running　at　an　easy　pace　he　thought　she　could　keep　up。　As　the　last　time　he　crossed；　no　shadows　followed；　although　several　floated　above　the　path。　And　as　before；　Richard…　went　through　them　sword…first　without　waiting　to　find　out　what　they　would　do。　Kahlan　flinched　at　their　howls。　He　watched　the　tracks　as　he　ran；　pulling　her　through　the　turns；　keeping　her　on　the　trail。
　
　When　they　were　clear　of　the　slide；　and　on　the　forest　path　on　the　other　side　of　the　Narrows；　they　slowed　to　a　fast　walk　to　catch　their　breath。　Drizzle　wet　their　faces　and　hair。　Happiness　over　finding　her　alive　dimmed　his　worry　about　the　difficulties　that　lay　ahead。　They　shared　bread　and　fruit　as　they　kept　moving。　Even　though　his　stomach　was　grumbling　with　hunger；　he　didn't　want　to　stop　for　anything　more　elaborate
　
　Richard　was　still　confused　by　the　reaction　of　the　magic　when　Kahlan　had　taken　his　hand。　Was　it　something　the　magic　felt　in　her；　or　was　the　magic　reacting　to　something　in　his　own　mind？　Was　it　because　he　was　afraid　of　her　secret？　Or　was　it　something　more；　something　the　magic　itself　felt　in　her？　He　wished　Zedd　was　around；　so　he　could　ask　him　what　he　thought。　But　then；　Zedd　had　been　there　the　last　time；　and　he　hadn't　asked　him　about　it　then。　Was　he　afraid　of　what　Zedd　might　tell　him？
　
　After　they　had　eaten　a　little　and　the　afternoon　had　worn　on；　they　heard　growls　off　in　the　woods。　Kahlan　said　it　was　the　beasts。　They　decided　to　run　again；　to　get　clear　of　the　pass　as　soon　as　possible。　Richard　was　beyond　being　tired。　He　was　simply　numb　as　they　ran　through　the　thick　wood。　Light　rain　on　the　leaves　washed　out　the　sound　of　their　footfalls。
　
　Before　dark　they　came　to　the　edge　of　along　ridge。　Below；　the　trail　descended　in　a　series　of　switchbacks。　They　stood　at　the　top　of　the　ridge；　in　the　woods；　as　if　at　the　mouth　of　a　cave；　looking　out　over　an　open　grassland　swept　with　rain。
　
　Kahlan　held　herself　erect；　rigid。　〃I　know　this　place；〃　she　whispered。
　
　〃So　what　is　it？〃
　
　〃It　is　called　the　Wilds。　We　are　in　the　Midlands。〃　She　turned　to　him。　〃I　am　returned　home。〃
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃The　place　doesn't　look　that　wild　to　me。〃
　
　〃It　is　not　named　after　the　land。　It　is　named　after　those　who　live　in　it。〃
　
　After　descending　the　steep　ridge；　Richard　found　a　small　protected　spot　under　a　slab　of　rock；　but　it　wasn't　deep　enough　to　keep　out　all　the　rain；　so　he　cut　pine　boughs　and　leaned　them　against　the　jut　of　rock；　making　a　small；　reasonably　dry　shelter　where　they　could　spend　the　night。　Kahlan　crawled　inside；　and　Richard　followed；　pulling　boughs　over　the　entrance；　sealing　out　most　of　the　rain。　Both　slumped　down；　wet　and　exhausted。
　
　Kahlan　took　her　cloak　off　and　shook　out　the　water。　〃I've　never　seen　it　be　overcast　so　long；　or　rain　so　much。　I　can't　even　remember　what　the　sun　looks　like。　I'm　being　weary　of　it。〃
　
　〃Not　me；〃　he　said　quietly。　She　frowned；　so　he　explained。　〃Re…　member　the　snakelike　cloud　that　followed　me；　the　one　sent　by　Rahl　to　track　me？〃　She　nodded。　〃Zedd　cast　a　wizard's　web　to　bring　other　clouds　to　hide　it。　As　long　as　it's　cloudy；　and　we　can't　see　the　snake　cloud；　neither　can　Rahl。　I　prefer　the　rain　to　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　Kahlan　thought　this　over。　〃From　now　on；　I　will　be　happier　about　the　clouds。　But　next　time；　could　you　ask　him　to　bring　clouds　that　are　not　so　wet？〃　Richard　smiled　and　nodded。　〃Do　you　want　anything　to　eat？〃　she　asked。
　
　He　shook　his　head。　〃I'm　too　tired。　I　just　want　to　sleep。　Is　it　safe　here？〃
　
　〃Yes。　No　one　lives　near　the　boundary　in　the　Wilds。　Adie　said　we　are　protected　from　the　beasts；　so　the　heart　hounds　should　not　bother　us。〃
　
　The　sound　of　steady　rain　was　making　him　all　the　more　sleepy。　They　wrapped　themselves　in　their　blankets；　the　night　being　cold　already。　In　the　dim　light　Richard　could　just　make　out　the　features　of　Kahlan's　face　as　she　leaned　up　against　the　rock　wall。　The　shelter　was　too　small　for　a　fire；　and　everything　too　wet　anyway。　He　reached　into　his　pocket；　fingering　the　pouch　with　the　night　stone；　considering　if　he　should　take　it　out；　to　see　better；　but　at　last　decided　against　it。
　
　Kahlan　smiled　over　at　him。　〃Wele　to　the　Midlands。　You　have　done　as　you　said　you　would：　you　got　us　here。　Now　the　hard　work　begins。　What　would　you　have　us　do？〃
　
　Richard's　head　was　throbbing；　he　leaned　back　next　to　her。　〃We　need　someone　with…　magic　who　can　tell　us　where　the　last　box　is；　where　to　find　it。　Or　at　least　where　to　look　for　it。　We　can't　just　go　running　around　blindly。　We　need　someone　who　can　point　us　in　the　right　direction。　Who　do　you　know　like　that？〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　him　a　sideways　glance。　〃We　are　a　long　way　from　anyone　who　would　want　to　help　us。〃
　
　She　was　avoiding　telling　him　something。　His　anger　jumped。　〃I　didn't　say　they　had　to　want　to　help　us；　I　said　they　had　to　be；　able　to。　You　just　take　me　to　them　and　I'll　worry　about　the　rest！〃　Richard　immediately　regretted　his　tone　of　voice。　He　leaned　his　head　back　against　the　rock　wall　and　put　the　anger　down。　〃Kahlan；　I'm　sorry。〃　He　rolled　his　head　away　from　her。　〃I've　had　a　hard　day。　Besides　killing　that　man；　I　had　to　run　my　sword　through　my　father　again。　But　the　worst　of　it　was　I　thought　my　best　friend　was　lost　to　the　underworld。　I　just　want　to　stop　Rahl；　to　end　this　nightmare。〃
　
　He　turned　his　face　to　hers；　and　she　gave　him　one　of　her　special；　tight…upped　smiles。　Kahlan　watched　his　eyes　in　the　near　darkness　for　a　few　minutes。
　
　〃Not　easy；　being　Seeker；〃　she　said　softly。
　
　He　smiled　back　at　her。　〃Not　easy；〃　he　agreed。
　
　〃The　Mud　People；〃　she　said　at　last。　〃They　may　be　able　to　tell　us　where　to　search；　but　there　is　no　guarantee　they　will　agree　to　help　us。　The　Wilds　are　a　remote　part　of　the　Midlands；　and　the　Mud　People　are　not　used　to　dealing　with　outsiders。。　They　have　strange　customs。　They　do　not　care　about　the　problems　of　others。　They　wish　only　to　be　left　alone。〃
　
　〃If　he　succeeds；　Darken　Rahl　will　not　respect　their　wishes；〃　he　reminded　her。
　
　Kahlan　took　a　deep　breath；　letting　it　out　slowly。　〃Richard；　they　can　be　dangerous。〃
　
　〃Have　you　dealt　with　them　before？〃
　
　She　nodded。　〃A　few　times。　They　do　not　speak　our　language；　but　I　speak　theirs。〃
　
　〃Do　they　trust　you？〃
　
　Kahlan　looked　away　as　she　wrapped　her　blanket　tighter。　〃I　guess　so。〃　She　looked　up　at　him　from　under　her　eyebrows。　〃But　they　are　afraid　of　me；　and　with　the　Mud　People；　that　may　be　more　important　than　trust。〃
　
　Richard　had　to　bite　the　inside　of　his　lip　to　keep　from　asking　why　they　were　afraid　of　her。　〃How　far？〃
　
　〃I'm　not　sure　exactly　where　we　are　in　the　Wilds。　I　didn't　see　enough　to　tell　for　certain；　but　I'm　sure　they　are　no　more　than　a　week　to　the　northeast。〃
　
　〃Good　enough。　In　the　morning　we　head　northeast。〃
　
　〃When　we　get　there；　you　must　follow　my　lead；　and　if　I　tell　you　something；　you　must　pay　heed。　You　must　convince　them　to　help　you；　or　they　will　not；　sword　or　no　sword。〃　He　gave　her　a　nod。　She　took　her　hand　out　from　under　the　blanket　and　put　in　on　his　arm。　〃Richard；〃　she　whispered；　〃thank　you　for　ing　back　for　me。　I'm　sorry　for　what　it　cost　you。〃
　
　〃I　had　to…what　good　would　it　do　to　go　to　the　Midlands　without　my　guide？〃
　
　Kahlan　grinned。　〃I　will　try　to　live　up　to　your　expectations。〃
　
　He　gave　her　hand　a　squeeze　before　they　both　lay　down。　Sleep　took　him　as　he　thanked　the　good　spirits　for　protecting　her
　
　CHAPTER　22
　ZEDD'S　EYES　POPPED　OPEN。　The　aroma　of　spice　soup　was　thick　in　the　air。　Without　moving；　he　looked　cautiously　about。　Chase　lay　next　to　him；　there　were　bones　hung　on　the　walls；　and　it　was　dark　outside　the　window。　He　looked　down　at　his　body。　Bones　were　piled　upon　him。　Without　moving；　he　carefully　caused　them　to　rise　slowly　into　the　air；　then　he　silently　made　them　float　aside；　and　finally　to　set　down。　Making　no　sound；　he　rose。　He　was　in　a　house　full　of　bones；　bones　of　beasts。　He　turned　around。
　
　He　was　surprised　to　e　face…to…face　with　a　woman　just　as　she　also　turned　around。
　
　In　a　fright；　they　both　screamed　and　'threw　their　skinny　arms　into　the　air。
　
　〃Who　are　you？〃　he　asked；　leaning　forward；　peering　into　her　white　eyes。
　
　She　snatched　her　crutch　just　before　it　toppled　over　and　put　it　back　under　her　arm。　〃I　be　Adie；〃　she　answered　in　a　raspy　voice。　〃You　gave　me　a　scare！　You　awoke　sooner　than　I　expected。〃
　
　　Zedd　straightened　his　robes。　〃How　many　meals　have　I　missed？〃　he　demanded
　
　Scowling；　Adie　looked　him　up　and　down。　〃Too　many；　by　the　looks　of　it。〃
　
　A　grin　creased　Zedd's　cheek。　He　in　turn　eyed　Adie　from　top　to　bottom。　〃You　are　a　fine…looking　woman；〃　he　announced。　With　a　bow　he　took　her　hand　and　kissed　it　lightly；　then　stood　up　proud　and　straight；　holding　one　bony　finger　skyward。　〃Zeddicus　Zu'1　Zorander；　humbly　at　your　whim；　my　dear　lady。〃　He　leaned　forward。　〃What's　wrong　with　your　leg？〃
　
　〃Nothing。　It　be　perfectly　fine。〃
　
　〃No；　no；〃　he　said　with　a　frown；　pointing。　〃Not　that　one；　the　other。〃
　
　Adie　looked　down　at　the　missing　foot；　then　back　up　to　Zedd。　〃It　does　not　go　all　the　way　to　the　ground。　What　be　the　matter　with　your　eyes？〃
　
　〃Well；　I　hope　you　learned　your　lesson；　you　only　have　one　foot　left；　you　know。〃　Zedd's　frown　melted　back　to　a　grin。　〃And　the　problem　with　my　eyes；〃　he　said　in　his　thin　voice；　〃is　that　they　have　been　famished；　but　now　they　are　feasting。〃
　
　Adie　smiled　a　little　smile。　〃Would　you　like　a　bowl　of　soup；　wizard？〃
　
　〃I　thought　you　would　never　ask；　sorceress。〃
　
　He　followed　her　as　she　worked　her　way　across　the　room　to　the　kettle　hanging　in　the。　fireplace　and；　after　she　had　dished　out　two　bowls　of　soup；　carried　them　to　the　table。　Leaning　her　crutch　against　the　wall；　she　sat　opposite　him；　and　cut　a　thick　slice　each　of　bread　and　cheese；　pushing　them　Across　the　table　to　him。　Zedd　bent　over　and　dug　right　in；　but　stopped　after　one　swallow　of　soup　and　looked　up　at　her　white　eyes。
　
　〃Richard　made　this　soup；〃　he　said　in　an　even　voice；　the　second　spoonful　hanging　midway　between　the　bowl　and　his　mouth。
　
　Adie　tore　off　…a　piece　of　bread　and　dunked　it　in　the　soup　as　she　watched　him。　〃That　be　true。　You　be　fortunate；　mine　would　not　be　this　good。〃
　
　Zedd　looked　around　as　he　put　the　spoon　down　in　the　bowl。　〃And　where　is　he？〃
　
　Adie　took　a　bi