tg.stone of tears-第111部分

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　Richard　put　his　back　to　Pasha　and　leaned　even　closer　to　the　guard。　‘You　understand。’　He　rolled　his　eyes　meaningfully　toward　Pasha　and　then　gave　the　man　a　wink。　Kevin　glanced　to　Pasha　as　she　fussed　with　her　tangled　mat　of　hair。　‘Eh？　You　understand；　I’m　sure。　Look；　Kevin；　say　you’ll　let　me　buy　you　an　ale。　Will　you？　I　better　get　in　there　before　I　get　you　in　trouble；　but　before　I　go；　promise　me　you’ll　let　me　buy　you　an　ale；　to　make　it　up　to　you？’
　
　‘Well；　I　suppose　I　could　let　you　buy　me　an　ale。　。。。’
　
　Richard　clapped　Kevin　on　the　shoulder。　‘There’s　a　good　man。’
　
　Pasha　was　right　on　Richard’s　heels　as　he　stormed　past　the　guard　and　through　the　gate。　He　turned　and　gave　Kevin　a　wave　and　a　smile。
　
　Pasha　leaned　close。　‘How　did　you　do　that？　No　one　gets　through　the　Prelate’s　guards。’
　
　Richard　held　the　door　into　the　building　open　for　her。　‘I　just　gave　him　too　much　to　think　about；　and　a　worry　he　feared　might　be　true。’
　
　When　an　answer　came　to　her　knock；　they　stepped　into　a　dimly　lit　room　with　two　desks；　and　two　Sisters。
　
　Pasha　curtsied。　‘Sisters。　I　am　novice　Pasha　Maes；　and　this　is　our　new　student；　Richard　Cypher。　He　was　wondering　if　he　might　meet　the　Prelate。’
　
　Both　Sisters　glowered　at　her。　The　one　on　the　right　spoke。　‘The　Prelate　is　busy。　Dismissed；　novice。’
　
　A　little　pale；　Pasha　curtsied　again。　Thank　you　for　your　time；　Sisters。’
　
　Richard　gave　a　little　bow。　‘Yes；　thank　you；　Sisters。　Please　give　the　Prelate　my　kindest　regards。’
　
　‘I　told　you　she　wouldn’t　see　us；’　Pasha　said　on　the　way　out。
　
　Richard　hiked　his　pack　up　higher　on　his　shoulder。　‘Well；　we　gave　it　our　best　try。　Thanks　for　indulging　me。’
　
　He　had　known　that　Pasha　had　been　right；　that　the　Prelate　wouldn’t　see　them；　but　he　had　seen　what　he　had　e　to　see。　He　had　only　been　interested　in　knowing　the　layout　of　the　building　and　grounds　for　future　reference。
　
　Richard　hadn’t　changed　his　mind　about　his　captivity；　but　he　had　decided　to　try　a　different　approach　for　a　while。　He　would　bide　his　time；　and　see　what　they　could　teach　him。　Nothing　would　please　him　more　than　to　be　released　from　the　collar　without　having　to　hurt　anyone。
　
　In　the　building　that　housed　his　room；　Gillaume　Hall；　named　after　a　prophet；　Richard　had　learned；　a　young　man　came　hesitantly　out　of　the　shadows　on　the　lower　level；　before　the　wide　marble　stairs。　His　head　of　curly　blond　hair　was　cut　short　at　the　sides。　His　hands　were　stuck　into　the　opposite　sleeves　of　his　violet　robes。　Silver　brocade　circled　the　cuffs　and　neck。　He　looked　smaller　than　he　was　because　of　the　way　he　hunched　over。
　
　His　head　bowed　to　Pasha　while　his　blue　eyes　searched　for　a　safe　place　to　settle。　‘Blessings　on　you；　Pasha；’　he　said　softly。　‘You　look　lovely　tonight。　I　pray　you　are　well。’
　
　Pasha　squinted　in　thought。　‘Warren；　isn’t　it？’　His　head　bobbed；　surprised　that　she　knew　his　name。　‘I’m　fine；　Warren。　Thank　you　for　asking。　This　is　Richard　Cypher。’
　
　Warren　smiled　shyly　at　Richard。　‘Yes；　I　saw　you　before　the　Sisters；　yesterday。’
　
　‘I　suppose　you；　too；　want　to　know　about　the　mriswith；’　Pasha　said　with　a　sigh。
　
　‘Mriswith？’
　
　‘Richard　killed　a　mriswith。　Isn’t　that　what　you　wanted　to　ask　about？’
　
　‘Really？　A　mriswith？　No　。。。’　He　turned　back　to　Richard。　‘I　wanted　to　ask　if　you　would　care　to　e　down　to　the　vaults　sometime；　and　look　at　the　prophecies　with　me。’
　
　Richard　didn’t　want　to　embarrass　the　young　man；　but　he　had　no　interest　in　prophecies。　‘I’m　honored　by　the　offer；　Warren；　but　I’m　afraid　that　I’m　not　much　good　with　riddles。’
　
　Warren　diverted　his　eyes　to　the　floor。　‘Of　course；　I　understand。　Not　many　of　the　others　are　much　interested　in　the　books；　either。　I　just　thought　that　maybe；　well；　I　just　thought　that　since　you　mentioned　that　particular　prophecy　yesterday；　that　maybe　you　would　want　to　talk　about　it。　It’s　a　unique　piece　of　work。　But　I　understand。　I’m　sorry　to　have　bothered　you。’
　
　Richard　frowned。　‘What　prophecy？’
　
　‘The　one　you　mentioned　at　the　end。　About　you　being；　well’　…　Warren　swallowed　…　‘the　bringer　of　death。　It’s　just　that　I　don’t　think　I’ve　ever　met　anyone　from　the　prophecies　before。’　He　blinked　in　awe。　‘Since　you　are　in　the　prophecies；　I　thought；　well；　I　thought　maybe　。。。’　His　voice　trailed　off。　He　looked　down　at　the　floor　as　he　started　to　turn　away。　‘But　I　understand。　I’m　sorry　to　have　。。。’
　
　Richard　gently　caught　hold　of　Warren’s　arm　and　turned　him　back。　‘Like　I　said；　I’m　not　very　good　with　riddles。　But　maybe　you　could　teach　me　something　about　them；　so　I　wouldn’t　be　so　ignorant。　I　do　like　to　learn。’
　
　Warren’s　face　brightened。　His　whole　body　seemed　to　swell。　When　he　straightened；　he　was　almost　as　tall　as　Richard。
　
　‘I’d　like　that。　I　would　really　like　to　talk　to　you　about　that　prophecy。　It’s　a　real　conundrum。　To　this　day；　the　argument　over　it　has　never　been　settled。　Maybe　with　your　help　。。。’
　
　A　broad…shouldered　man　in　plain　robes；　and　wearing　a　Rada’Han；　slipped　up　silently；　took　a　fistful　of　Warren’s　robe　at　the　shoulder；　and　moved　him　aside。　His　eyes　were　locked　on　Pasha　the　whole　time。　He　gave　her　a　smooth　smile。
　
　‘Good　evening；　Pasha。　It　will　be　dinnertime　soon。　I’ve　decided　to　take　you。’　His　eyes　glided　down　the　length　of　her　and　then　back　up。　‘If　you　can　get　yourself　cleaned　up。　And　do　something　with　your　hair。　You　look　a　mess。　You　better　get　to　it。’
　
　He　started　to　turn　away。　Pasha　put　her　arm　through　Richard’s。
　
　‘I’m　afraid　I　have　other　plans；　Jedidiah。’
　
　Jedidiah　gave　Richard　a　cursory　glance。　‘What；　this　country　boy？　The　two　of　you　going　to　go　chop　wood；　or　maybe　skin　rabbits？’
　
　‘You’re　the　one；’　Richard　said。　‘I　remember　your　voice。　You’re　the　one　who　called　down　from　the　balcony；　yesterday；　asking；　‘All　by　yourself？’’
　
　Jedidiah’s　condescending　smile　looked　to　e　easily　to　him。　‘An　appropriate　question；　don’t　you　think？’
　
　Pasha　lifted　her　chin。　‘Richard　killed　a　mriswith。’
　
　Jedidiah’s　eyebrows　went　up　in　mock　wonder。　‘Well；　how　brave　of　the　country　boy。’
　
　‘You’ve　never　killed　a　mriswith；’　Warren　spoke　up。
　
　Jedidiah　slowly　turned　a　withering　glare　on　Warren。　Warren　shrank　away。　‘What　are　you　doing　above　ground；　Mole？’　He　turned　back　to　Pasha。　‘And　did　you　see　him　kill　it？　I　would　wager　he　was　alone　when　he　claimed　to　have　killed　it。　He　probably　found　a　mriswith　that　had　died　of　old　age；　stabbed　it　with　his　sword；　and　then　bragged　to　you；　to　try　to　impress　you。’　He　redirected　a　smirk　to　Richard。　‘Isn’t　that　about　the　way　it　happened；　country　boy？’
　
　Richard　grinned。　‘You’ve　caught　me　cold。　You　have　it　right。’
　
　‘As　I　thought。’　He　twitched　a　small　smile　to　Pasha。　‘e　to　me　later；　child；　and　I’ll　show　you　some　real　magic。　A　man’s　magic。’
　
　Jedidiah　strode　away　imperiously　and　disappeared　around　a　corner。　Pasha　put　her　fists　to　her　hips。
　
　‘Why　did　you　say　that！　Why　did　you　let　him　think　that！’
　
　‘I　did　it　for　you；’　Richard　said。　‘I　thought　you　wanted　me　to　stop　causing　trouble　and　act　a　gentleman。’
　
　She　folded　her　arms　in　a　huff。　‘Well；　I　do。’
　
　Richard　turned　to　Warren；　still　shrunk　back　against　the　marble　newel　post。　‘If　he　does　anything　to　you；　Warren；　I　want　you　to　e　tell　me。　It’s　me　that’s　the　thorn　in　his　pants。　If　he　takes　it　out　on　you；　you　e　tell　me。’
　
　Warren　brightened。　‘Really？　Thank　you；　Richard。　But　I　don’t　think　he　would　bother　with　me。　And　I’ll　be　seeing　you　down　in　the　vaults；　when　you　have　the　time。’　He　cast　a　shy　smile　at　Pasha。　‘Good　night；　Pasha。　So　nice　to　see　you　again。　You　look　lovely　tonight。　Good　night。’
　
　She　smiled。　‘Good　night；　Warren。’　She　watched　him　scurry　off　down　the　hall。　‘What　a　strange　young　man。　I　almost　couldn’t　remember　his　real　name。　Everyone　calls　him　the　Mole。　He　almost　never　es　up　from　the　vaults　under　the　palace。’
　
　She　glanced　sideways　to　Richard。　‘Well；　you’ve　made　a　friend　tonight　who　can　be　of　no　help　to　you；　and　an　enemy　who　can　harm　you。　You　stay　away　from　Jedidiah。　He’s　an　experienced　wizard；　close　to　being　released。　Until　you　learn　to　defend　yourself　with　your　Han；　he　can　hurt　you。　He　can　kill　you。’
　
　‘I　thought　we　were　one　big　happy　family。’
　
　There　is　a　pecking　order　among　wizards。　Wizards　with　the　strongest　power　vie　for　dominance。　It　sometimes　gets　very　dangerous。　Jedidiah　is　the　pride　of　the　palace；　and　does　not　take　well　to　the　idea　that　another　may　challenge　his　supremacy。’
　
　‘I’m　hardly　a　challenge　to　the　power　of　a　wizard。’
　
　Pasha　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘Jedidiah　never　killed　a　mriswith；　and　everyone　knows　that。’
　
　Feeling　decidedly　unfortable　in　the　red　coat　Pasha　had　selected；　Richard　tried　to　enjoy　the　lentil　porridge　they　had　prepared　especially　for　him。　Pasha　wore　a　stunning　dark　green　dress　that　did　more　to　reveal　her　figure　than　cover　it。　Richard　thought　it　revealed　more　of　her　breasts　than　was　prudent。　The　young　men　there　as　guests　of　Sisters　or　their　novices　did　little　eating；　and　a　lot　of　watching。　None　missed　a　move　Pasha　made。
　
　Many　of　the　young　men　in　collars　came　by　and　introduced　themselves　to　Richard；　saying　they　wanted　to　get　to　know　him　better。　They　promised　to　show　him　the　city　and　some　of　its　more　interesting　sights。　Pasha’s　face　reddened　at　the　last。
　
　Richard　asked　if　they　knew　where　the　guards　went　for　ale；　and　they　promised　to　take　him　there　whenever　he　wished。
　
　Sisters　of　every　age；　shape；　and　size　came　to　greet　him。　They　all　acted　as　if　the　events　of　the　night　before　had　never　taken　place。　When　Richard　asked　Pasha　why；　she　said　all　the　Sisters　understood　the　difficulty　a　young　man　had　in　making　the　adjustment　of　ing　to　the　palace。　She　said　they　were　accustomed　to　such　outbursts　of　emotion；　and　didn’t　take　them　to　heart。　Richard　kept　to　himself　the　thought　that　this　time　they　should。
　
　Some　of　the　Sisters　smiled　and　said　they　hoped　they　would　be　given　the　opportunity　to　work　with　him；　and　a　few　scowled　and　promised　they　would　be　seeing　him；　and　promised　not　to　be　tolerant　of　anything　less　than　his　best　efforts。　Richard　smiled　and　said　he　would　give　them　nothing　less　than　his　best。　He　wondered　to　himself　what　he　was　mitting　to。
　
　Near　the　end　of　the　meal；　two　attractive　young　women；　one　in　a　satiny　pink　dress；　the　other　in　yellow；　rushed　in；　stopping　at　various　tables；　speaking　in　whispers　to　other　young　women。　They　at　last　came　to　the　corner　where　Richard　and　Pasha　sat。
　
　One　bent　close　to　Pasha。　‘Have　you　heard？’　Pasha　stared　with　a　blank　look。　‘Jedidiah　fell　down　a　flight　of　stairs。’　Her　eyes　sparkled　with　the　telling　of　the　gossip。　She　leaned　closer　with　the　titillation　of　what　she　had　to　tell　next。　‘Broke　his　leg。’
　
　Pasha　gasped。　‘No！　When？　We　just　saw　him　a　while　ago。’
　
　The　woman　giggled　and　nodded。　‘Yes；　it’s　true。　It　just　happened；　not　but　a　few　minutes　ago。　The　healers　are　with　him　now。　No　need　for　concern；　he’ll　be　back　to　good　by　morning。’
　
　‘How　did　it　happen？’
　
　The　woman　shrugged。　‘Just　clumsy。　Tripped　on　the　carpet　and　tumbled　down。’　She　lowered　her　voice。　‘He　was　so　furious　he　flamed　the　carpet　to　ash。’
　
　‘Wizard’s　fire！’　Pasha　whispered　incredulously。　‘In　the　palace？　Such　a　high　crime　。。。’
　
　‘No；　no；　not　wizard’s　fire；　of　course　not；　silly　girl。　Even　Jedidiah　is　not　that　brazen。　Just　simple　fire。　But　it　was　one　of　the　oldest　carpets　in　the　palace。　The　Sisters　are　not　pleased　at　his　display　of　temper。　They　ordered　the　bone；　and　the　pain；　not　be　mended　until　morning；　as　punishment。’
　
　Their　gossip　finally　expended；　the　two　young　women’s　eyes　and　smiles　settled　on　Richard。　Pasha　introduced　them　as　two　friends　of　hers；　Celia　and　Dulcy；　two　novices　with　charges　of　their　own。　Richard　was　polite；　plimenting　them　on　their　pretty　dresses；　and　the　way　their　hair　was　curled。　Their　smiles　widened。
　
　Taking　his　arm　when　they　finally　left；　Pasha　thanked　him。
　
　‘For　what？’
　
　‘I’ve　never　been　permitted　to　eat　with　the　Sisters；　or　with　the　novices　who　have　a　young　man　to　train。　This　is　the　first　time　I’ve　ever　been　to　dinner　just　like　I　was　a　Sister。　You　were　pleasant　and　considerate　of　everyone；　I　was　so　proud　to　have　you　with　me。　And；　you　look　very　handsome　in　those　clothes。’
　
　‘In　that　dress；　I　would　imagine　you　could　easily　get　someone　better　bred　than　me　as　a　dinner　panion。’　Richard　pulled　open　the　fancy　shirt　collar。　‘I’ve　never　worn　a　shirt　this　ruffled；　or　white。　Nor　a　coat　this　red。　I　think　I　look　foolish。’
　
　A　self…satisfied　smile　spread　on　Pasha’s　face。　‘I　can　promise　you　that　Celia　and　Dulcy　do　not　think　you　look　foolish。　I’m　surprised　you　couldn’t　see　them　glowing　green。　I　thought　maybe　they　might　decide　to　sit　right　down　on　your　lap。’
　
　Richard　thought　that　if　Celia　and　Dulcy　liked　the　red　coat　so　much；　they　could　have　it；　but　he　kept　the　thought　to　himself。　‘Why　doesn’t　an　important　wizard　like　Jedidiah　wear　fancy　clothes？’
　
　‘Only　beginning　wizards　wear　clothes　like　this；　and　are　permitted　to　go　into　the　city。　At　certain　milestones　in　a　wizard’s　advancement；　they　change　to　a　particular　form　of　dress。　The　further　a　wizard　progress；　the　more　modest　his　dress。　That’s　why　Jedidiah　wears　simple　tan　robes；　because　he　has　nearly　reached　the　end　of　his　training。’
　
　‘What’s　the　purpose　of　such　an　odd　rule？’
　
　To　teach　humility。　Those　with　the　nicest　clothes；　the　most　freedom；　and　unlimited　money；　are　those　with　the　least　power。　No　one　respects　them　for　these　things。　It’s　meant　to　teach　the　young　men　that　mastery　es　from　within；　not　from　external　trappings。’
　
　Then；　wearing　these　things　is　a　demotion　for　me。　I　was　already　wearing　humble　clothes。’
　
　‘You　are　not　yet　entitled　to　wear　humble　robes。　You　may　wear　your　own　clothes　occasionally；　if　you　wish。　If　they　were　simple　robes；　though；　it　would　not　be　allowed。
　
　The　people　in　the　city　know　a　wizard’s　abilities　and　power　by　his　dress。　No　wizard　who　wears　simple　robes　is　permitted　to　go　into　the　city。’　She　smiled。　‘Someday；　when　you　have　advanced　enough；　you　will　be　permitted　to　wear　the　robes　of　a　wizard。’
　
　‘I　don’t　like　robes。　I　like　the　clothes　I　was　wearing。’
　
　‘When　you　have　your　collar　off；　and　leave　the　palace；　you　may　wear　what　you　wish。　Of　course；　most　e　to　respect　the　robes　of　their　profession；　and　wear　them　the　rest　of　their　lives。’
　
　Richard　changed　the　subject。　‘I　want　to　go　see　Warren。　Tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。’
　
　‘Now？　Tonight？　Richard；　it’s　been　a　long　day；　and　I　must　give　you　your　first　lesson　yet　tonight。’
　
　‘Just　tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。　Will　Warren　be　down　there　this　late？’
　
　‘I　don’t　know　that　he　is　ever　seen　anywhere　else。　I　think　he　must　sleep　on　the　books。　I　was　surprised　to　see　him　up　in　the　palace　today。　That　in　itself　will　be　gossip　for　weeks。’
　
　‘I　don’t　want　him　to　think　I　forgot　him。　Just　tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。’
　
　‘Well；’　she　sighed；　‘if　you　insist　on　going；　we　will　go　together。　I’m　supposed　to　escort　you　wherever　you　go　in　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。　For　now；　anyway。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　54
　
　In　the　core　of　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets；　they　began　their　descent　down　into