tg.wizardfirstrule-第67部分

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oeing　across　the　carpet　with　the　pictures　of　the　boats　on　it；　she　reached　the　entryway　set　back　from　the　hall。　She　snuck　into　it；　checking　the　。hall　again。　Carefully；　she　opened　the　door　a　sliver。　The　room　was　dark。　She　slipped　in　and　shut　the　door　tight。
　
　There　was　a　fire　in　the　fireplace；　but　no　lamps　were　lit。　She　sneaked　across　the　floor；　feeling　the　fur　rug　on　her　bare　feet。　She　got　down　on　her　hands　and　knees　and　crept　into　her　sleeping　box；　and　pulled　the　blanket　back　with　one　hand。　She　gasped。　Sara　wasn't　there。　She　felt　just　as　if　a　cold　wind　had　blown　across　her　skin。
　
　〃Looking　for　something？〃　It　was　Princess　Violet's　voice。
　
　For　a　minute；　she　couldn't　move。　She　started　to　breathe　hard；　but　she　kept　the　tears　from　ing。　She　couldn't　let　Princess　Violet　see　her　cry。　She　backed　out　of　the　box　and　saw　there　was　a　black　form　standing　in　front　of　the　fire。　It　was　the　Princess。　She　took　a　step　forward；　away　from　the　fireplace；　toward　Rachel。　Her　hands　were　behind　her　back。　Rachel　couldn't　see　what　she　had。
　
　〃I　was　just　ing　up　to　get　in　my　box。　To　go　to　sleep。〃
　
　〃Is　that　so。〃　Rachel　could　see　better　in　the　dark　now；　could　see　the　smile　on　Princess　Violet's　face。　〃You　wouldn't　happen　to　be　looking　for　this；　would　you？〃
　
　She　slowly　pulled　her　hands　out　from　behind　her　back。　She　had　Sara。　Rachel's　eyes　went　wide　and　she　suddenly　felt　like　she　had　to　go　potty。
　
　〃Princess　Violet；　please　。。　。〃　she　whined。　Her　hands　reached　out；　pleading。
　
　〃e　here；　and　we'll　talk　about　it〃
　
　Rachel　stepped　slowly　to　the　Princess；　stopping　in　front　of　her；　twisting　her　finger　in　the　hem　of　her　dress。　The　Princess　suddenly　slapped　her；　harder　than　she　had　ever　slapped　her　before。　It　was　so　hard　that　it　made　Rachel　give　out　a　little　scream　as　she　was　knocked　a　step　backward。　She　put　her　left　hand　over　the　stinging　pain。　Tears　welled　up　in　her　eyes。　She　jammed　her　fist　into　her　pocket；　determined　that　she　would　not　cry　this　time。
　
　The　Princess　stepped　to　her　and　hit　her　across　the　other　cheek　with　the　back　of　her　hand。　Her　knuckles　hurt　more　than　the　first　slap。　Rachel　gritted　her　teeth　and　clutched　her　fist　around　something　in　her　pocket　to　keep　from　letting　the　tears　e。
　
　Princess　Violet　stepped　back　to　the　fireplace。　〃What　did　I　tell　you　I　would　do　if　you　ever　had　a　doll？〃
　
　〃Princess　Violet；　please　don't。。。：'　She　was　shaking　because　her　face　hurt　so　much；　and　because　she　was　so　scared。　〃Please；　let　me　keep　her？　She's　no　harm　to　you。〃
　
　The　Princess　laughed　her　awful　laugh。　〃No。　I'm　going　to　throw　it　in　the　fire；　just　like　I　told　you　I　would。　To　teach　you　a　lesson。　What's　her　name？〃
　
　〃She　doesn't　have　a　name。〃
　
　〃Well；　no　matter；　she'll　burn　just　as　well。〃
　
　She　turned　around　to　the　fire。　Rachel's　fist　was　still　clutched　around　the　thing　in　her　pocket。　It　was　the　magic　fire　stick　Giller　had　given　her。　She　pulled　it　out　of　her　pocket　and　looked　at　it。
　
　〃Don't　you　dare　throw　my　doll　in　the　fire　or　you'll　be　sorry！〃
　
　The　Princess　spun　around。　〃What　did　you　say？　How　dare　you　speak　to　me　in　that　tone　of　voice。　You're　just　a　nobody。　I'm　a　Princess。〃
　
　Rachel　touched　the　magic　fire　stick　to　the　doily　on　a　small　round　marble　table　next　to　her。　〃Light　for　me；〃　she　whispered。
　
　The　doily　burst　into　flames。　The　Princess's　face　looked　surprised。　Rachel　touched　the　fire　stick　to　a　book　on　a　short　marble　table。　She　looked　quickly　to　the　Princess's　eyes　to　make　sure　she　was　watching；　then　whispered　again；　and　with　a　roar　it；　too；　burst　'into　flames。　Princess　Violet's　eyes　were　wide。　Rachel　picked　up　the　book　by　a　corner　and　threw　it　in　the　fireplace　while　the　Princess　watched　her。　Rachel　spun　around；　took　a　step；　and　put　the　fire　stick　against　the　Princess。
　
　〃Give　me　my　doll；　or　r　1l　burn　you　up。〃
　
　〃You　wouldn't　dare。　。　。　：　'
　
　〃Right　now！　If　you　don't；　I'll　set　you　on　fire；　and　your　skin　will　burn　up。〃
　
　Princess　Violet　pushed　the　doll　at　her。　〃Here。　Please；　Rachel；　don't　burn　me。　I'm　afraid　of　fire。〃
　
　Rachel　took　the　doll　with　her　left　hand；　hugging　it　to　her；　still　holding　the　fire　stick　against　the　Princess。　Rachel　was　starting　to　feel　sorry　for　her。　Then　she　thought　about　how　much　her　face　hurt。　More　than　it　had　ever　hurt　before
　
　〃Let's　just　forget　all　about　this；　Rachel。　You　may　keep　the　doll；　all　right？〃　Her　voice　was　getting　real　nice　now；　not　mean　like　before。
　
　Rachel　knew　it　was　a　trick。　As　soon　as　there　were　guards　around；　she　knew　the　Princess　would　say　to　chop　her　head　off。　Then　Princess　Violet　would　really　laugh　at　her；　and　burn　Sara　up　too。
　
　〃Get　in　the　box；〃　Rachel　said。　〃Then　you　can　see　how　you　like　it。〃
　
　〃What！〃
　
　Rachel　pushed　the　fire　stick　a　little　harder。　〃Right　now；　or　I'll　burn　you　up。〃
　
　Princess　Violet　walked　across　the　floor　slow；　with　the　fire　stick　at　her　back。　〃Rachel；　think　about　what　you're　doing；　are　you　really　。　。　。
　
　〃Be　quiet　and　get　inside。　Unless　you　want　me　to　burn　you。〃
　
　The　Princess　got　down　on　her　knees　and　crawled　inside。　Rachel　looked　in　at　her。
　
　〃Go　to　the　back。〃
　
　She　did　as　she　was　told。　Rachel　shut　the　door　with　a　clang　and　went　to　the　drawer　and　got　the　key。　She　locked　the　iron　door　on　the　iron　box；　then　put　the　key　in　her　pocket。　She　got　down　on　her　knees　and　looked　inside　through　the　little　window。　She　could　hardly　see　the　Princess's　eyes　looking　back　in　the　dark。
　
　〃Good　night；　Violet。　Go　to　sleep。　I'm　going　to　sleep　in　your　bed　tonight。　I'm　sick　of　your　voice。　If　you　make　any　noise　at　all；　I'll　e　over　and　light　your　skin　on　fire。　Do　you　understand？〃
　
　〃Yes；〃　came　back　the　weak　voice　from　the　dark　hole　in　the　door。
　
　Rachel　set　Sara　down　while　she　pulled　the　fur　rug　close　and　turned　it　over　on　the　box；　covering　it　all　up。　She　went　and　bounced　on　the　bed　to　make　it　squeak；　to　make　Princess　Violet　think　she　was　going　to　sleep　in　it。　'
　
　Rachel　smiled　and　tiptoed　all　the　way　to　the　door　as　she　hugged　Sara。
　
　After　she　had　gone　all　the　way　back　the　way　she　had　e；　through　the　servants'　passageways　and　to　the　door　at　the　end；　she　looked　carefully　into　the　hall；　and　went　down　to　the　big　door　with　the　guards。　Rachel　didn't　say　anything。　She　couldn't　think　of　anything　to　say；　she　just　stood　and　waited　for　them　to　open　the　door。
　
　〃So　that's　it；　a　doll　you　forgot；〃　the　guard　said。
　
　She　just　nodded。
　
　She　heard　the　door　clang　shut　behind　as　she　went　into　the　dark；　to　the　garden。　There　were　more　guards　than　she　was　used　to　seeing。　The　regular　guards　had　new　ones　with　them；　dressed　different。　The　new　ones　looked　at　her　more　than　the　old　ones　did；　and　she　could　hear　the　regular　ones　telling　them　who　she　was。　She　tried　not　to　let　them　see　her　looking　back　as　she　walked　with　her　doll；　holding　it　tight　against　her；　trying　to　keep　her　feet　from　running。
　
　The　bundle　with　the　bread　with　the　box　in　it　was　where　she　had　left　it；　under　the　flowers。　Rachel　pulled　it　out；　holding　it　in　one　hand　by　the　knot；　while　she　held　Sara　to　her　chest　with　her　other。　As　she　walked　through　the　garden；　she　wondered　if　Princess　Violet　still　thought　she　was　sleeping　in　the　big　bed；　or　if　she　knew　it　was　a　trick　and　was　yelling　for　help。　If　she　yelled　for　help；　and　the　guards　had　e　and　found　her　in　the　box；　they　might　already　be　looking　for　her。　She　had　had　to　go　the　long　way；　it　had　taken　a　lot　of　time　for　her　legs　to　take　her　under　the　whole　castle　and　back　up　again。　Rachel　listened　carefully　for　shouts；　to　see　if　they　were　looking　for　her　yet。
　
　She　could　hardly　breathe；　hoping　she　could　get　out　of　the　castle　before　they　chased　after　her。　She　remembered　Mr。　Sanders　saying　they　were　going　to　search　the　castle。　She　knew　what　they　were　looking　for。　They　wanted　the　box。　She　had　promised　Giller　she　would　get　it　away；　so　they　couldn't　have　it　and　hurt　all　those　people。
　
　A　lot　of　men　were　on　the　walk　at　the　top　of　the　wall。　When　she　got　almost　to　the　door　through　the　wall；　she　slowed　down。　Before；　there　were　always　two　of　the　Queen's　guards　there。　Now　there　were　three　men。　Two　she　recognized…they　wore　the　red　tunics　with　the　black　wolf's　head；　the　Queen's　guard…but　the　other　was　dressed　different；　in　dark　leather；　and　he　was　a　lot　bigger。　He　was　one　of　the　new　men。　Rachel　didn't　know　if　she　should　keep　going　or　run　away。　But　run　away　where？　She　had　to　get　through　the　wall　before　she　could　really　run　away。
　
　Before　she　could　decide　what　to　do；　they　saw　her；　so　she　kept　going。　One　of　the　regular　guards　turned　to　lift　the　bolt。　The　new　man　put　his　arm　up　to　stop　him。
　
　〃It's　just　the　Princess's　playmate。　The　Princess　puts　her　out　sometimes。〃
　
　〃No　one　goes　out；〃　the　new　man　said　to　him。
　
　The　regular　guards　stopped　opening　the　door。　〃Sorry；　little　one；　but　you　heard　him；　no　one　goes　out。〃
　
　Rachel　stood　there　with　her　mouth　stuck　shut。　Her　eyes　stared　at　the　new　man　while　he　looked　down　at　her。　She　swallowed。　Giller　was　depending　on　her　to　get　the　box　out。　There　was　no　other　way　out。　She　tried　to　think　what　Giller　would　do。
　
　〃Well；　all　right；〃　she　said　at　last；　〃it's　cold　tonight；　I'd　rather　stay　in　anyway。〃
　
　〃Well；　there　you　go　then。　You　get　to　stay　in　tonight；〃　the　regular　guard　said。
　
　〃What's　you　name？〃　Rachel　asked。
　
　He　looked　a　little　surprised。　〃Queen's　lancer　Reid。〃
　
　With　her　doll　in　her　hand；　Rachel　pointed　at　the　other　regular　guard。　〃What's　yours？〃
　
　〃Queen's　lancer　Walcott。〃
　
　〃Queen's　lancer　Reid　and　Queen's　lancer　Walcott；〃　she　repeated　to　herself。　〃All　right；　I　think　I　can　remember。〃　She　pointed　at　the　new　man；　the　doll　swinging　back　and　forth　by　its　arm　when　she　did。　〃And　what's　your　name？〃
　
　He　hooked　his　thumbs　in　his　belt。　〃What　do　you　want　to　know　for？〃
　
　She　hugged　Sara　back　to　her　chest。　〃Well；　the　Princess　yelled　at　me；　to　tell　me　to　be　put　out　tonight。　If　I　don't　go　out；　she'll　be　spitting　mad；　and　want　to　chop　my　head　off　for　not　doing　as　she　said；　so　I　want　to　tell　her　who　wouldn't　let　me　be　put　out。　I　want　your　names　so　she　won't　think　I'm　making　it　up；　so　she　can　e　and　ask　you　herself。　She　scares　me。　She's　been　starting　to　say　to　have　people's　heads　chopped　off。〃
　
　All　…three　of　them　stood　back　up　a　little　and　looked　at　each　other。　〃That's　true　enough；〃　Queen's　lancer　Reid　said　to　the　new　man。　〃The　Princess　is　turning　into　her　mother's　daughter。　A　little　handful；　what　with　the　Queen　letting　her　cut　her　teeth　on　the　axe　now。〃　〃No　one　goes　out；　those　are　our　orders；〃　the　new　man　repeated。
　
　〃Well；　the　two　of　us　are　for　doing　as　the　Princess　orders。〃　Queen's　lancer　Reid　turned　a　little　and　spat。　〃Now；　if　you　want　her　kept　in；　that's　fine　by　us；　so　long　as　it's　clear　whose　neck's　on　the　block。　If　it　es　down　to　it；　we　told　you　to　let　her　out；　just　like　the　Princess　said。　We're　not　going　to　the　block　with　you。〃　The　other　guard；　Walcott；　nodded　that　he　agreed。　〃Not　for　the　threat　from　a　little　girl；　no　taller　than　that。〃　He　held　his　hand　out；。　level　with　the　top　of　her　head。　〃I'll　not　tell　them　we　three　big　strong　soldiers　all　agreed　we　thought　she　was　dangerous。　It's　your　call；　but　it'll　be　your　head；　not　ours；　if　you　go　against　the　Princess。　You'll　answer　to　the　Queen's　axeman；　not　us。〃
　
　The　new　man　looked　down　at　her；　he　seemed　a　little　mad。　He　looked　back　at　the　other　two　a　minute；　then　down　at　her　again。　〃Well；　it's　obvious　she's　no　threat。　The　orders　were　meant　to　protect　from　threat；　so　I　guess　。　。　。〃
　
　Queen's　lancer　Walcott　started　lifting　up　the　heavy　bolt　on　the　door。
　
　〃But　I　want　to　know　what　she's　got　there；〃　the　new　man　said。
　
　〃Just　my　supper　and　my　doll；〃　Rachel　said；　trying　to　make　it　sound　unimportant。
　
　〃Let's　have　a　look。〃
　
　Rachel　laid　the　bundle　down　on　the　ground　and　untied　the　knots；　laying　the　corners　back。　She　handed　Sara　up　to　him。
　
　He　took　Sara　in　his　big　hand；　turning　her　around；　looking。　He　turned　her　upside　down　and　lifted　her　dress　with　his　big　finger。　Rachel　kicked　him　in　the　leg；　hard　as　she　could。
　
　〃Don't　you　do　that！　Don't　you　have　no　respect？〃　she　yelled。
　
　The　other　two　guards　laughed。　〃You　find　anything　dangerous　under　there？〃　Queen's　lancer　Reid　asked。
　
　The　new　man　looked　over　at　the　other　two；　handing　Sara　back　down　to　her。　〃What　else　have　you　got　there？〃
　
　〃I　told　you。　My　supper。〃
　
　He　started　to　bend　over。　〃Well；　a　little　thing　like　you　has　no　need　for　a　whole　loaf　of　bread。〃
　
　〃That's　mine！〃　she　yelled。　〃Leave　it　be！〃
　
　〃Leave　it　alone；〃　Queen's　lancer　Walcott　told　the　new　man
　
　〃She　gets　little　enough。　It　look　to　you　like　the　Princess　overfeed　her？〃
　
　The　new　man　straightened　up。　〃I　guess　not。〃　He　let　out　a　deep　breath。　〃Go　on。　Get　out　of　here。〃
　
　Rachel　tied　the　cloth　back　over　the　bread　and　other　food　as　fast　as　she　could。　She　held　Sara　tight　to　her　with　one　hand；　and　held　the　bundle　just　as　tight　with　the　other　as　she　went　between　the　men's　legs　and　out　the　door。
　
　When　she　heard　it　clang　shut；　she　started　running。　She　ran　fast　as　she　could；　not　looking　back；　too　afraid　to　know　for　sure　it　anyone　was　chasing　her。　After　a　time；　she　had　to　know；　and　finally　stopped　to　check。　No　one。　Out　of　breath；　she　sat　down　to　rest　on　a　fat　root　in　the　path。
　
　She　could　see　the　outline　of　the　castle　against　the　starry　sky；　the　notched　top　edge　of　the　wall；　the　towers　with　lights　in　them。　She　was　never　going　back　there　again；　never。　Her　and　Giller　were　going　to　run　away　to　where　people　were　nice　and　they　were　never　going　to　e　back。　While　she　was　panting；；　she　heard　a　voice。
　
　〃Rachel？〃　It　was　Sara；　she　realized。
　
　She　laid　Sara　in　her　lap；　on　top　of　the　bundle。　〃We're　safe　now；　Sara。　We　got　away。〃
　
　Sara　smiled。　〃I'm　so　glad；　Rachel。〃
　
　〃We're　never　going　back　to　that　mean　place　again。〃
　
　〃Rachel；　Giller　wants　you　to　know　something。〃
　
　She　had　to　lean　close；　she　could　hardly　hear　Sara's　voice。　〃What？〃
　
　〃That　he　can't　e　with　you。　You　must　go　on　without　him。〃
　
　Rachel　started　to　get　tears。　〃But　I　want　him　to　e　with　me。〃
　
　〃He　would　like　to；　more　than　anything；　child；　but　he　must　stay　and　keep　them　from　finding　you；　so　you　can　get　away。　It's　the　only　way　to　keep　you　safe。〃
　
　〃But　I'll　be　afraid　by　myself。〃
　
　〃You　won't　be　by　yourself；　Rachel；　you　will　have　me　with　you。　Always。〃　；
　
　〃But　what　am　I　to　do？　Where　am　I　to　go？〃
　
　〃You　must　run　away。　Giller　says　not　to　go　to　your　old　wayward　pine；　they　will　find　you　there。〃　Rachel's　eyes　got　big　when　she　heard　this。　〃Go　to　a　different　wayward　pine；　then　the　next　day；　another；　just　keep　running　away　and　hiding　until　the　winter　es。　Then　find　some　nice　people　who　will　take　good　care　of　you。〃
　
　〃All　right；　if　Giller　says　so；　that's　what　I'll　do。〃
　
　〃Rachel；　Giller　wants　you　to　know　he　loves　you。〃
　
　〃I　love　Giller　too；〃　Rachel　said；　〃more　than　anything。〃
　
　The　doll　smiled。
　
　All　at　once；　the　woods　lit　up　with　blue　and　yellow　light。　She　looked　up。　Then　came　a　sudden　loud　bang　that　made　her　jump。　Her　mouth　dropped　open；　her　eyes　were　wide　as　they　would　go。
　
　A　giant　ball　of　fire　came　up　from　the…castle；　from　behind　the　walls。
　
　The　ball　of　fire　lifted　into　the　air。　Sparks　dropped　from　it；　and　black　smoke　rolled　away。　The　fire　turned　to　black　smoke　as　it　went　higher；　until　it　was　all