tg.stone of tears-第103部分

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　of　this　duty　is　placed　upon　us　…　to　teach　him　to　dance　with　the　spirits。　You　have　learned　something　this　night；　have　you　not？’
　
　Richard　gave　a　grim　nod。
　
　‘I　am　the　keeper　of　the　laws　of　our　people。　It　was　our　calling　to　teach　you　this。　If　we　were　to　ignore　what　the　old　words　tell　us　we　must　do；　then　the　Caharin　would　not　learn　what　is　within　himself；　and　he　would　be　defenseless　against　the　forces　of　death。　In　the　end；　death　would　have　everyone。
　
　The　Majendie　sacrifice　us；　to　remind　us　always　of　our　duty　to　the　spirits；　and　to　remind　us　to　practice　with　the　blades。　The　witch　women　to　the　other　side　aid　the　Majendie；　so　that　we　will　be　surrounded；　with　no　way　of　escape；　and　nowhere　to　go；　so　that　we　will　always　be　under　threat；　and　unable　to　ever　forget　our　duty。
　
　‘It　is　proclaimed　that　the　Caharin　will　announce　his　arrival　by　dancing　with　the　spirits；　and　spilling　the　blood　of　thirty　Baka　Ban　Mana；　a　feat　none　but　the　chosen　one　could　acplish　except　with　the　aid　of　the　spirits。　It　is　said　that　when　this　happens；　then　we　are　his　to　rule。　We　are　no　longer　a　free　people；　but　bound　to　his　wishes。　To　your　wishes；　Caharin。
　
　The　old　words　say　that　if　every　year　the　one　who　wears　the　prayer　dress　goes　to　our　land；　to　give　our　prayers　to　the　spirits；　then　one　year；　they　will　send　the　Caharin；　and　if　we　carry　out　our　duty；　then　he　will　return　our　land　to　us。’
　
　Richard　stood；　as　if　in　a　dream；　glaring　down　at　the　woman。　‘You　have　taken　something　precious　from　me　this　night；　Du　Chaillu。’
　
　She　came　to　her　feet；　straightening　before　him。　‘Do　not　speak　to　me　of　sacrifice；　Caharin。　My　five　husbands；　whom　I　loved；　whom　my　children　loved；　who　have　not　seen　me　since　I　was　captured；　were　among　the　thirty　you　have　just　killed。’
　
　Richard　sank　to　his　knees。　He　felt　like　he　might　be　sick。　‘Du　Chaillu；　forgive　me　for　what　I　have　done　this　night。’
　
　She　gently　put　a　hand　to　his　bowed　head。　‘It　has　been　my　honor　to　be　the　spirit　woman　of　our　people　when　the　Caharin　has　e；　to　be　the　one　to　wear　the　prayer　dress　and　bring　him　to　his　people。　You　must　do　your　duty；　now；　and　return　our　land；　as　the　old　words　tell　us。’
　
　Richard　lifted　his　head。　‘And　do　the　old　words　say　how　I　am　to　acplish　this　task？’
　
　She　slowly　shook　her　head。　‘Only　that　we　are　to　help　you；　and　that　you　will。　We　are　yours　to　mand。’
　
　In　the　dark；　Richard　felt　a　tear　run　down　his　cheek。　Then　I　mand　that　the　killing　stop。　You　will　do　as　I　have　already　ordered。　You　will　use　the　bird　whistle　to　bring　peace　with　the　Majendie。　While　you　are　doing　that；　you　will　do　as　you　promised；　and　have　someone　guide　us　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。’
　
　Without　looking　up；　Du　Chaillu　snapped　her　fingers。　Richard　realized；　for　the　first　time；　that　people　in　the　shadows　surrounded　the　bloody　clearing。　All　were　on　their　knees；　bowed　toward　him。　At　the　snap　of　her　fingers；　several　sprang　forward。
　
　‘Guide　them　to　the　big　stone　house。’
　
　Richard　stood　before　her；　looking　into　her　dark　eyes。　‘Du　Chaillu；　I’m　so　sorry　I　killed　your　husbands。　I　begged　you　to　stop　it；　but　I’m　so　sorry。’
　
　Her　eyes　bore　the　timeless　look　he　had　seen　in　the　eyes　of　others；　Sister　Verna；　Shota　the　witch　woman；　and　Kahlan。　He　knew　now　that　it　was　the　gift　he　was　seeing。　A　ghost　of　a　smile　came　to　her　lips。　He　didn’t　know　how　she　could　smile　at　a　time　like　this。
　
　They　fought　as　hard　as　any　Baka　Ban　Mana　have　ever　fought。　They　had　the　honor　of　teaching　the　Caharin。　They　have　given　their　lives　for　their　people。　They　brought　honor　to　themselves；　and　will　live　on　as　legends。’
　
　She　reached　out　and　placed　her　hand　on　his　bare　chest。　On　the　handprint　there。　‘You　are　my　husband；　now。’
　
　Richard’s　eyes　widened。　‘What？’
　
　She　gave　a　curious　frown。　‘I　wear　the　prayer　dress。　I　am　the　spirit　woman　of　our　people。　You　are　the　Caharin。　It　is　the　old　law。　You　are　my　husband。’
　
　Richard　shook　his　head。　‘No；　I’m　not。　I　already　have　。。。’
　
　He　was　going　to　say　he　already　had　a　love。　But　the　words　caught　in　his　throat。　Kahlan　had　sent　him　away。　He　had　nothing。
　
　She　shrugged。　‘It　could　be　worse　for　you。　The　last　one　who　wore　the　prayer　dress　was　old　and　wrinkled。　She　had　no　teeth。　I　hope　that　I　bring　at　least　some　pleasure　to　your　eyes；　and　maybe　someday　a　song　to　your　heart；　but　I　belong　to　the　Caharin。　It　is　not　for　you；　or　me；　to　decide。’
　
　‘Yes　it　is！’　He　looked　about　and　then　snatched　up　his　shirt。　As　he　put　it　on；　he　saw　Sister　Verna　at　the　edge　of　the　clearing；　watching　him；　like　a　bug　in　a　box。　He　turned　to　Du　Chaillu。
　
　‘You　have　a　job　to　do。　You　will　do　it。　The　killing　is　ended。　The　Sister　and　I　must　get　to　the　palace　so　I　can　get　this　collar　off。’
　
　Du　Chaillu　leaned　over　and　kissed　his　cheek。　‘Until　I　see　you　again；　Richard；　Seeker；　Caharin；　husband。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　49
　
　Richard　and　Sister　Verna　sat　on　their　horses；　anchoring　long；　thin　shadows；　as　they　looked　down　from　the　grassy　prominence。　Trees　meandered　along　the　low　places　among　some　of　the　hills；　and　blanketed　others　in　dusky　green。　The　vast　city　below　lay　awash　in　a　straw…colored　haze　that　muted　the　colors　into　a　mellow　monotone。　The　distant　tiled　and　shingled　roofs　shimmered　in　the　rays　of　the　setting　sun　like　points　of　light　on　a　pond。
　
　Richard　had　never　seen　so　many　buildings　laid　out　in　such　an　orderly　array。　Off　to　the　edges　they　were　smaller；　but　toward　the　core　they　seemed　to　grow；　both　in　size　and　in　grandeur。　The　faraway　sounds　of　tens　of　thousands　of　people　and　horses　and　wagons　drifted　all　the　way　up　to　them　on　the　hill；　carried　on　the　light；　salty　breeze。
　
　A　river　meandered　through　the　collection　of　countless　buildings；　dividing　the　city；　with　the　part　on　the　far　side　twice　as　large。　At　the　edge　of　the　city；　docks　lined　the　banks　along　the　mouth　of　the　majestic　river。　Boats　of　all　sizes　were　not　only　moored　there；　but　dotted　the　river；　their　white　sails　filled　with　air。　Some　of　the　boats；　he　could　just　make　out；　had　three　masts。　Richard　had　never　imagined　that　such　large　boats　might　exist。
　
　Despite　being　there　against　his　will；　Richard　found　himself　fascinated　by　the　city；　by　all　the　people　and　all　the　sights　it　must　hold。　He　had　never　seen　such　a　place。　He　imagined　a　person　could　probably　walk　around　for　days　and　days；　and　not　begin　to　see　it　all。
　
　Beyond；　shimmering　with　golden　sparkles　and　reflections；　lay　the　sea；　stretching　to　a　knife’s…edge　line　at　the　horizon。
　
　Dominating　the　city；　near　the　center；　rising　up　on　an　island　of　its　own；　stood　a　vast　palace；　its　imposing；　crenellated　west　wall　bathed　in　the　sun’s　golden　rays。　Baileys　and　ramparts　and　towers　and　sections　and　roofs；　all　of　grand　design；　joined　together　into　a　plex　structure　that　held　labyrinthine　courtyards　with　trees；　or　grass；　or　ponds。　The　palace　seemed　to　be　stretching　its　stone　arms；　jealously　trying　to　enclose　the　whole　of　the　island　atop　which　it　sat。
　
　Seen　from　this　distance；　with　the　thread…thin　streets　radiating　out　from　the　the　island　at　the　core　of　the　city；　and　strandlike　bridges　spanning　the　river　all　around；　the　palace　reminded　Richard　of　nothing　as　much　as　a　fat　spider　sitting　in　the　center　of　its　web。
　
　‘The　Palace　of　the　Prophets；’　Sister　Verna　said。
　
　‘Prison；’　Richard　said　without　looking　to　her。
　
　She　ignored　the　ment。　The　city　is　Tanimura；　and　through　it；　the　River　Kern。　The　palace　itself　sits　on　Halsband　Island。’
　
　‘Halsband。’　His　hackles　rose。　‘Is　that　some　kind　of　sardonic　joke？’
　
　‘What　do　you　mean？　Does　Halsband　have　significance？’
　
　Richard　raised　an　eyebrow。　‘A　halsband　is　a　collar　used　to　launch　a　hunting　hawk　on　an　attack。’
　
　She　shrugged　dismissively。　‘You　read　too　much　into　things。’
　
　‘Do　I？　We　shall　see。’
　
　She　let　out　a　small　sigh　as　she　lifted　her　hips；　starting　her　horse　down　the　hill；　and　changed　the　subject。　‘It’s　been　many　years　since　I　was　home；　but　it　looks　as　it　always　has。’
　
　The　two　Baka　Ban　Mana　men　who　had　guided　them　through　the　swampy；　trackless　forest　for　the　last　two　days　had　left　them　that　morning；　once　Sister　Verna　was　at　last　in　familiar　territory。　Although　he　never　lost　his　sense　of　direction；　Richard　could　easily　see　how　people　could　bee　disoriented　there。　But　he　was　at　home　in　such　places　of　vast　desolation；　and　was　more　likely　to　bee　lost　in　a　building　than　in　dense　woods。
　
　The　two　men　had　spoken　little　over　those　two　days。　Though　they　were　swordsmen　as　fierce　as　those　Richard　had　fought；　they　were　in　awe　of　him。　Richard　had　to　shout　before　they　would　stop　all　the　bowing。　No　amount　of　shouting；　though；　could　make　them　stop　calling　him　Caharin。
　
　One　night；　before　he　went　to　stand　his　usual　watch；　Sister　Verna　had　told　him；　in　a　quiet　tone；　that　she　was　sorry　that　he　had　had　to　kill　those　thirty　people。　A　little　surprised　by　her　sincerity　and　the　seeming　lack　of　meaning　other　than　that　stated；　and　haunted　by　the　memory；　he　had　thanked　her　for　understanding。
　
　Richard　scanned　the　fertile　hills　and　valleys。　‘Why　isn’t　this　land　farmed？　With　all　those　people；　they　must　need　to　plant　food。’
　
　Sister　Verna　lifted　a　hand　holding　the　reins　and　indicated　the　land　on　the　other　side　of　the　city。　‘Farms　cover　the　land　on　that　side　of　the　river。　On　this　side；　it’s　not　safe　for　man　nor　beast。’　Tilting　her　head　back；　she　indicated　the　land　behind。　‘The　Baka　Ban　Mana　are　always　a　threat。’
　
　‘So　they　don’t　farm　here　because　they’re　afraid　of　the　Baka　Ban　Mana？’
　
　She　cast　a　glance　to　her　left。　‘Do　you　see　that　dark　forest？’　She　watched　him　as　he　took　in　the　fringe　of　the　dense　tangle　in　the　next　valley。　Huge；　old；　gnarled　trees　were　packed　close　together；　covered　with　vines　and　moss；　and　harboring　gloomy　shadows。　‘This　edge　runs　for　miles　more　toward　the　city。　It’s　the　Hagen　Woods。　Stay　far　away　from　it。　All　who　let　the　sun　set　on　them　in　the　Hagen　Woods　die。　Many　who　set　foot　there　die　before　they　have　a　chance　to　wait　for　the　sun　to　go　down。　It’s　a　place　of　vile　magic。’
　
　As　they　rode；　he　kept　glancing　toward　the　Hagen　Woods。　He　felt　a　longing　for　that　gloomy　place；　as　if　it　plemented　his　dark　mood；　as　if　he　belonged　in　there。　He　found　it　hard　to　draw　his　eyes　away。
　
　Up　close；　the　streets　of　Tanimura　were　not　the　orderly　place　they　appeared　from　a　distance。　The　fringes　of　the　city　were　a　confusion　of　squalor。　Men　pushing　or　pulling　carts　laden　with　loads　of　rice　sacks；　or　carpets；　or　firewood；　or　hides；　or　even　garbage；　wove　around　and　past　each　other；　sometimes　clogging　the　way。　Lining　the　road　were　hawkers　of　every　sort；　selling　everything　from　fruits　and　vegetables　and　strips　of　meat　cooked　on　little　sticks　over　tiny　smoky　fires　in　impromptu　stone　hearths；　to　herbs　and　fortunes；　to　boots　and　beads。　At　least　the　cooking　gave　spotty　relief　from　the　reeking　stench　of　tanneries。
　
　Huddled　groups　of　men　in　worn；　dirty　clothes　shouted　with　excitement　or　burst　into　laughter　around　games　of　cards　and　dice。　Side　streets　and　narrow　alleyways　were　clogged　with　people　and　lined　with　ramshackle　huts　of　tarp　and　tin。　Naked　children　ran　and　played　among　the　flimsy　shelters；　splashing　in　muddy　puddles　and　chasing　each　other　in　games　of　catch…the…fox。　Women　squatted　around　buckets；　washing　clothes　and　chatting　among　themselves。
　
　Sister　Verna　muttered　to　herself　that　she　didn’t　remember　the　squalor　and　the　unhoused　multitudes。　Richard　thought　that；　despite　their　condition；　they　looked　happier　than　they　had　a　right　to。
　
　Despite　having　lived　out…of…doors；　and　being　a　little　dirty　and　rumpled；　Sister　Verna；　pared　to　these　people；　looked　like　royalty。　Anyone　ing　close　bowed　in　reverence　to　the　Sister；　and　she　prayed　for　the　Creator’s　blessing　on　them　in　return。
　
　The　timeworn　buildings；　some　faced　with　faded；　crumbling　plaster；　some　with　age…darkened　wood；　were　just　as　packed　as　the　streets。　Colorful　wash　hung　from　the　rusty　iron　railings　of　nearly　every　tiny　balcony。　A　few　held　pots　of　flowers　or　herbs。　Laughter　and　the　hum　of　conversation　came　from　taverns　and　inns。　A　butcher　shop　displayed　fly…covered　carcasses　on　the　street　out　front。　Other　shops　sold　dried　fish；　or　grain；　or　oils。
　
　The　farther　he　and　the　Sister　went；　the　cleaner　the　city　became。　The　road　widened；　even　the　side　streets　were　wider；　and　none　had　huts　leaning　against　the　buildings。　The　shops　had　bigger　windows　with　painted　shutters；　and　better…looking　wares；　many　displaying　colorful；　locally　woven　carpets。　By　the　time　the　wide　road　became　lined　with　trees；　the　buildings　were　grand。　The　inns　looked　elegant；　with　doormen　standing　in　red　uniforms　before　them。
　
　On　the　stone　bridge　over　the　Kern；　men　were　lighting　lamps　hung　on　poles　to　show　the　way　in　the　gathering　darkness。　In　the　river；　below　the　bridge；　fishermen　in　small　boats　with　lanterns　rowed　through　the　dark　water。　Soldiers　in　ornate　uniforms　with　gold…trimmed　white　shirts　and　red　tunics；　and　carrying　polearms；　patrolled　each　side　of　the　river。　As　the　horses’　hooves　clopped　along　the　cobblestone；　Sister　Verna　finally　spoke。
　
　‘It’s　a　great　day；　at　the　palace；　when　a　new　one　with　the　gift　arrives。’　She　cast　him　a　brief；　sideways　glance。　‘It’s　a　rare　and　joyous　event。　They　will　be　happy　to　see　you；　Richard；　please　remember　that。　To　them；　this　is　an　event　of　note　in　their　calling。　Though　you　feel　differently；　their　hearts　will　be　warmed　by　the　sight　of　you。　They　will　want　you　to　feel　wele。’
　
　Richard　thought　otherwise。　‘Make　your　point。’
　
　‘I　just　did。　They　will　be　delighted。’
　
　‘What　you　are　saying；　in　other　words；　is　you　would　like　me　not　to　horrify　them　right　off。’
　
　‘I　didn’t　say　that。’　She　glanced　with　a　small　frown　at　the　soldiers　guarding　the　bridge。　She　finally　looked　back　to　him。　‘I　am　simply　asking　you　to　realize　that　these　women　live　for　this　very　thing。’
　
　Richard　stared　ahead　as　he　rode　past　more　guards　in　dress　uniforms。　A　wise　person；　a　person　I　love；　told　me　once　that　we　all　can　only　be　who　we　are；　no　more；　and　no　less。’　His　gaze　swept　the　top　of　the　wall　ahead；　noting　the　soldiers　there；　and　what　arms　they　carried。　‘I’m　the　bringer　of　death；　and　I　have　nothing　to　live　for。’
　
　‘That’s　not　true；　Richard；’　she　said　in　a　quiet　tone。　‘You’re　a　young　man；　and　you　have　much　to　live　for。　You　have　a　long　life　ahead　of　you。　And　though　you　may　have　named　yourself　the　bringer　of　death；　I　have　seen　you　do　nothing　but　strive　to　stop　the　killing。　Sometimes　you　will　not　listen；　and　make　matters　worse；　but　it’s　through　ignorance；　not　malice。’
　
　‘Since　you　abhor　lies；　Sister；　I’m　sure　you　wouldn’t　want　me　to　pretend　to　feel　other　than　I　do。’
　
　She　sighed　as　they　went　through　a　huge　gate　in　the　thick；　outer　bailey　wall；　the　horses’　hooves　echoing　inside　the　long；　arched　opening。　Beyond；　the　road　meandered　among　low；　spreading　trees。　Windows　in　the　buildings　rising　up　all　around　were　aglow　with　soft　yellow　light。　Many　of　the　buildings　were　connected　by　covered　colonnades；　or　enclosed　halls　with　arched　openings　covered　over　with　latticework。　Benches　dotted　the　far　side　of　the　courtyard；　against　a　wall　with　a　frieze　carved　with　figures　on　horses。
　
　Through　archways　with　white…painted　gates；　they　came　to　the　stables。　Horses　browsed　in　a　fi