tg.stone of tears-第113部分

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leaving　Richard　and　Warren　in　silence。
　
　Warren　stared　at　the　metal　plate。　‘How　did　you　do　that？　You　are　just　a　beginning　wizard。　You　should　not　be　able　to　effect　a　shield　with　your　Han　for　a　very　long　time　yet。’
　
　Richard　didn’t　have　an　answer　for　the　question；　and　so　he　ignored　it。　Tell　me　what　you　meant　about　knowing　what　the　Sisters　would　do　to　you　if　they　caught　you　telling　that　kind　of　lie。’
　
　Warren’s　hand　went　to　his　collar。　‘Well；　they　would　hurt　me。’
　
　‘You　mean　they　would　use　the　collar’s　magic　to　give　you　pain？’
　
　Warren　nodded　as　he　took　a　knot　of　his　robes　in　his　fists。
　
　‘Do　they　do　that　often？　Give　us　pain　with　the　collar？’
　
　Warren　twisted　the　knot　of　robe。　‘No；　not　often。　But　to　be　a　wizard；　you　must　pass　a　test　of　pain。　They　e　from　time　to　time　and　give　you　pain　with　the　Rada’Han；　to　see　if　you　have　learned　enough　to　pass　the　test　of　pain。’
　
　‘And　how　do　you　pass　the　test？’
　
　‘Well；　I　can　only　imagine　that　when　you　can　endure　the　pain　without　begging　them　to　stop；　you　pass。　They　never　tell　me　what　must　be　done　to　pass。’　His　face　had　gone　ashen。　‘I’ve　never　been　able　to　keep　from　begging　them　to　stop。　Once　you　learn　to　endure　what　they　give；　they　give　more。’
　
　‘I　thought　it　might　be　something　like　that。　Thanks　for　telling　me。’　Richard　stroked　his　beard。　‘Warren；　I　need　your　help。’
　
　Warren　lifted　the　sleeve　of　his　robes　and　wiped　it　at　his　wet　eyes。　‘What　help　can　I　give？’
　
　‘You　said　there　are　prophecies　about　me。　I　want　you　to　study　everything　about　me　you　can　find。　And　about　the　Towers　of　Perdition；　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　I　also　need　to　know　everything　I　can　about　the　veil。’　Richard　pointed　at　the　book　on　the　table。　There　was　a　drawing　a　few　pages　before　you　stopped　on　the　prophecy。　It　was　a　teardrop　shape。　Do　you　know　what　it　is？’
　
　Warren　went　to　the　book　and　turned　the　pages　back。　This？’
　
　‘Yes。　That’s　it。’　He　remembered　seeing　it　around　Rachel’s　neck；　in　his　vision　of　her　and　Chase　in　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　An　image　of　Zedd　came　into　Richard’s　mind。　His　heart　thumped　faster。　That　looks　like　the　thing　I　saw。　What　is　it？’
　
　Warren　gave　him　a　puzzled　look。　The　Stone　of　Tears。　What　do　you　mean　you　saw　it？’
　
　‘What　is　the　Stone　of　Tears？’
　
　‘Well；　I’m　not　sure。　I’d　have　to　study　about　it；　but　I　think　it　might　have　something　to　do　with　the　veil；　if　drauka　could　be　interpreted　to　have　something　to　do　with　the　underworld。　What　do　you　mean　you　saw　it？’
　
　Richard　ignored　the　question　for　a　second　time。　‘Warren；　I　also　need　to　know　about　the　Stone　of　Tears；　and　everything　you　can　find　about　the　people　who　used　to　live　in　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　The　Baka　Ban　Mana。　Their　name　means　‘those　without　masters。’　And　about　one　they　call　the　Caharin。’
　
　Warren　stared　dumbly　at　him。　This　is　all　a　lot　of　work。’
　
　‘Will　you　help　me；　Warren？’
　
　Warren　looked　down；　picking　at　his　robes。　‘On　a　condition。　I　never　get　out　of　this　place。　Not　that　I　don’t　like　working　with　the　prophecies；　you　understand；　but　people　think　that　I　have　no　interest　in　anything　else。　I’d　like　to　see　the　country　around　the　palace　…　the　woods；　the　hills。’
　
　He　twisted　his　fingers　together。　‘I’m　afraid　of　big　places。　The　sky　is　so　big。　That’s　the　other　reason　I　stay　down　here；　because　it　feels　safe　to　me。　But　I’m　sick　of　living　like　a　mole。　I　would　like　to　try　going　outside　and　seeing　it。　Would　you；　well；　show　me　the　countryside？　You　look　to　me　like　someone　familiar　with　the　out…of…doors。　I　think　I　would　feel　safe　if　you　went　with　me。’
　
　Richard　smiled　warmly。　‘You’ve　e　to　the　right　person；　Warren。　I　was　a　woods　guide；　before　all　this　started。　I　don’t　know　all　the　country　around　the　palace　yet；　but　I　surely　intend　to。　I’d　really　enjoy　guiding　you　around。　It　would　be　just　like　old　times。’
　
　Warren’s　expression　brightened。　‘Thank　you；　Richard。　I　look　forward　to　seeing　open　places。　I　need　some　adventure　in　my　life。　I’ll　start　right　away　on　the　things　you　want；　but　the　Sisters　give　me　work；　so　I　must　search　when　I　can　find　the　time。　And　I’m　afraid　that　I　must　be　honest；　it　will　take　a　long　time。　There　are　thousands　of　volumes　here。　It　will　take　months；　just　to　get　a　good　start。’
　
　‘Warren；　this　may　be　the　most　important　thing　you　ever　studied。　You　may　be　able　to　save　time　if　you　start　by　reading　everything　the　Prelate　has　been　reading。’
　
　A　sly　smile　came　to　Warren’s　lips。　‘I　thought　you　said　you　weren’t　good　with　riddles。　That　is　what　I　was　thinking。’　His　smile　turned　to　a　concerned　frown。　‘Why　do　you　want　to　know　these　things？’
　
　Richard　studied　the　other’s　blue　eyes　for　a　long　moment。　‘I　am　fuer　grissa　ost　drauka。　Warren；　I　know　what　it　means。’
　
　Warren　clutched　his　fingers　to　the　sleeve　of　Richard’s　red　coat。　‘You　know？　You　know　which　is　the　correct　translation？’　His　fingers　trembled。　‘Would　you　tell　me？’
　
　‘If　you　promise　not　to　tell　anyone　else；　for　now。’　Warren　nodded　eagerly。　‘No　one　has　been　able　to　figure　out　which　one　of　the　three　is　the　true　translation　because　in　trying　to　justify　one；　they　invalidate　the　whole。’　Warren　frowned。　Richard　leaned　toward　him。　They　are　all　true；　Warren。’
　
　‘What？’　he　whispered。　‘How　can　that　be？’
　
　‘I　have　killed　people　with　this　sword。　I　am　the　bringer　of　death　in　that　sense。　That　is　the　first　meaning　of　drauka。
　
　‘In　order　to　prevail　against　otherwise　impossible　odds；　such　as　defeating　the　mriswith；　I　use　the　sword’s　magic　to　bring　forth　the　spirits　of　those　who　have　used　it　before　me。　I　have　called　the　dead　forth；　called　the　past　into　the　present。　In　that　way；　I　am　the　bringer　of　spirits。　That　is　the　second　meaning　of　drauka。
　
　As　for　the　third　meaning；　bringing　forth　the　underworld；　I　have　reason　to　believe　that　I　may　have　somehow　torn　the　veil。　That　is　the　third　meaning　of　drauka。’
　
　Warren　gasped。
　
　‘It’s　very　important　that　you　find　out　the　information　I　asked　you　about。　I　don’t　think　I　have　a　lot　of　time。’
　
　Warren　nodded。　‘I’ll　try。　But　I　think　you　put　too　much　faith　in　me。’
　
　Richard　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘I　have　faith　in　a　man　able　to　break　Jedidiah’s　leg。’
　
　‘I　did　nothing　to　Jedidiah。　Jedidiah　is　a　powerful　wizard。　I　would　never　dare　to　oppose　one　of　his　powers。’
　
　‘Oh；　e　on；　Warren。　There　are　ashes　of　the　burned　carpet　on　the　shoulder　of　your　robe。’
　
　Warren　brushed　frantically　at　his　shoulder。　There　is　no　ash　there。　I　see　no　ash。’
　
　Richard　waited　for　Warren’s　eyes　to　e　up。　Then　why　are　you　brushing　at　your　robes？’
　
　‘Well；　I　。。。　I　was。。。　I　just　。。。’
　
　Richard　put　a　reassuring　hand　on　Warren’s　back。　‘It’s　all　right；　Warren。　I’m　a　believer　in　justice。　I　think　Jedidiah　got　what　he　deserved。　I　won’t　tell　anyone。　And　you　must　not　tell　anyone　about　any　of　this。’
　
　‘I　must　warn　you；　Richard；　you　did　a　very　dangerous　thing　yesterday　when　you　told　all　the　Sisters　that　you　were　the　bringer　of　death。　That　is　a　well…known；　and　hotly　debated；　prophecy。　There　are　Sisters　who　believe　it　means　you　are　one　who　kills。　They　will　try　to　fort　you。　There　are　others　who　think　it　means　you　will　bring　forth　the　dead；　call　the　spirits。　They　will　want　to　study　you。’　He　leaned　a　little　closer。　There　are　others　who　think　it　means　you　will　tear　the　veil；　and　bring　the　Nameless　One　to　swallow　us　all。　They　might　try　to　kill　you。’
　
　‘I　know；　Warren。’
　
　Then　why　would　you　let　them　know　you　are　the　one　in　the　prophecy？’
　
　‘Because　I　am　fuer　grissa　ost　drauka。　When　the　time　es；　I　will　kill　any　of　them　I　must　in　order　to　get　this　collar　off。　I　had　to　give　them　fair　warning　first；　give　them　the　chance　to　live。’
　
　Warren　touched　his　fingers　to　his　lower　lip。　‘But　you　wouldn’t　hurt　Pasha。　Not　Pasha。’
　
　‘I　hope　to　hurt　no　one；　Warren。　Maybe　with　the　information　you　help　me　with；　I　won’t　have　to　hurt　anyone。　I　hate　being　fuer　grissa　ost　drauka；　but　that　is　who　I　am。’
　
　Warren’s　eyes　teared。　‘Please；　you　wouldn’t　hurt　Pasha。’
　
　‘Warren；　I　like　her。　I　think　she　is　a　lovely　person；　inside；　like　you　said。　I　only　kill　to　protect　my　life；　or　the　lives　of　innocent　people。　I　don’t　believe　Pasha　would　ever　give　me　cause；　but　you　must　understand　that　if　I　am　right；　and　the　veil　is　torn；　then　more　is　at　stake　than　any　one　person’s　life。　Mine；　yours；　or　Pasha’s。’
　
　Warren　nodded。　‘I　have　read　the　prophecies。　I　understand。　I　will　search　for　the　things　you　need。’
　
　Richard　tried　to　reassure　him　with　a　warm　smile。　‘It　will　be　all　right；　Warren。　I’m　the　Seeker；　I’ll　do　my　best。　I　don’t　want　to　harm　anyone。’
　
　‘Seeker？　What　is　the　Seeker？’
　
　Richard　slapped　his　hand　to　the　metal　plate。　‘I’ll　tell　you　about　it　later。’
　
　Warren　glanced　down　at　the　plate　as　the　door　slid　opened。　‘How　are　you　able　to　do　that？’
　
　Pasha　was　standing　calmly；　waiting；　her　face　making　a　good　effort　at　not　showing　her　anger。
　
　‘And　just　what　was　that　all　about？’
　
　Richard　stepped　through　the　doorway。　‘Boy　talk。’
　
　Pasha　stopped　him　with　a　hand　to　his　arm。　‘What　do　you　mean；　boy　talk？’
　
　Richard　looked　into　her　warm　brown　eyes。　‘I　was　twisting　Warren’s　arm；　making　him　tell　me　about　the　test　of　pain。　You　failed　to　mention　it；　so　I　had　to　ask　him　about　it。　Or　were　you　planning　on　waiting　until　you　came　to　do　it；　before　you　told　me？’
　
　Pasha　rubbed　her　bare　arms；　as　if　to　warm　them。　‘I　do　not　do　that；　Richard。　I’m　only　a　novice。　Full　Sisters　must　do　it。’
　
　‘Why　didn’t　you　tell　me　about　it？’
　
　Tears　welled　up　in　her　eyes。　‘I　don’t　like　to　see　people　hurt。　I　didn’t　want　to　frighten　you　about　what　may　not　e　for　a　long　time。　Sometimes　the　waiting　can　be　worse　than　the　actual　experience。　I　didn’t　want　you　to　have　to　wait　in　fear。’
　
　‘Oh。’　Richard　let　out　a　long　breath。　‘Well；　I　guess　that’s　a　good　reason。　I　apologize；　Pasha；　for　what　I　was　thinking　of　you。’
　
　She　forced　a　smile。　‘Shall　we　go　start　your　lessons？’
　
　Above　ground　again；　they　passed　down　halls　and　through　several　buildings　until　they　finally　reached　Gillaume　Hall；　where　his　room　was。　The　fabric　of　Pasha’s　dress　made　a　swishing　sound　as　they　climbed　the　wide　marble　stairway。　The　walls　and　columns　were　a　matching　tan；　variegated　marble。
　
　It　was　a　beautiful　place　with　elegant　rooms；　but　it　was　not　as　impressive　as　the　People’s　Palace；　in　D’Hara。　Before　he　had　seen　that　magnificent　edifice；　he　would　have　been　astonished　by　the　opulence　of　this　place。　Now；　he　simply　noted　its　layout　in　reference　to　everything　else。　Upstairs；　as　they　went　down　another　wide；　carpeted　hall；　he　saw　several　other　young　men　wearing　Rada’Han。　At　last　they　reached　his　room。
　
　Richard　caught　her　wrist　as　she　reached　for　the　door　handle。　She　looked　up　in　puzzlement。
　
　There’s　someone　inside；’　he　said。
　
　
　CHAPTER　55
　
　‘It　is　my　job　to　watch　over　you；’　Pasha　said。
　
　She　used　her　Han；　breaking　his　hold　on　her　wrist　and　throwing　him　aside　as　if　with　an　invisible　hand；　and　then　charged　through　the　door。　Richard　rolled；　finishing　on　his　feet；　drew　his　sword；　and　flew　in　after　her。　Only　the　small　flames　from　the　hearth　gave　light　to　the　otherwise　dark　room。　They　both　stumbled　to　a　halt　in　the　near　darkness。
　
　A　voice　came　from　a　chair　beside　the　fire。　‘Expecting　a　mriswith；　Richard？’
　
　‘Sister　Verna！’　Richard　slid　his　sword　back　into　its　scabbard。　‘What　are　you　doing　here？’
　
　She　rose　to　her　feet　and　swept　her　hand　in　the　direction　of　a　lamp；　bringing　the　wick　to　flame。　‘I　didn’t　know　if　you　heard。’　Her　face　was　unreadable。　‘I’m　once　again　a　Sister　of　the　Light。’
　
　‘Really？’　Richard　said。　That’s　great　news。’
　
　Sister　Verna　clasped　her　hands　in　a　relaxed　manner。　‘Since　I’m　a　Sister；　again；　I　wanted　to　e　and　speak　privately　to　you　for　a　moment。’　She　glanced　to　Pasha。　‘About　same　unfinished　business　Richard　and　I　have。’
　
　Pasha　looked　from　the　Sister　to　Richard。　‘Well；　I　guess　this　dress　is；　well；　not　the　most　fortable　thing　to　give　lessons　in。　Why　don’t　I　go　change。’　She　curtsied　to　Sister　Verna。　‘Good　night；　Sister。　I’m　so　happy　for　you；　you　should　be　a　Sister。　And　Richard；　thank　you　for　being　such　a　gentleman　tonight。　I　will　return　after　I　change。’
　
　Richard　stood　facing　the　door　once　he　had　closed　it　behind　Pasha。
　
　‘Gentleman；’　Sister　Verna　said。　‘I’m　delighted　to　hear　it；　Richard。　I　would　also　like　to　thank　you；　for　my　being　returned　to　Sister。　Sister　Maren　told　me　what　happened。’
　
　Richard　laughed　as　he　turned　to　her。　‘You’ve　been　around　me　too　long；　Sister。　But　you　need　more　practice　at　telling　lies；　you’re　not　yet　totally　convincing。’
　
　She　couldn’t　keep　a　small　smile　from　ing　to　her　lips。　‘Well；　Sister　Maren　told　me　that　she　had　prayed　for　guidance；　and　decided　I　would　serve　the　Creator　best　if　I　were　a　Sister；　in　view　of　my　experience。’　She　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘Poor　Sister　Maren；　lying　seems　to　have　bee　infectious　since　you　arrived　here。’
　
　He　shrugged。　‘Sister　Maren　did　what　was　right。　I　think　your　Creator　would　be　pleased　with　the　oute。’
　
　‘I　heard　that　you　killed　a　mriswith。　News　spreads　through　the　palace　like　a　blaze　through　dry　grass。’
　
　Richard　walked　to　the　hearth。　He　leaned　on　the　dark　granite　mantle　and　stared　into　the　flames。　‘Well；　I　had　no　choice。’
　
　Sister　Verna　stroked　a　hand　tenderly　down　his　hair。　‘Are　you　all　right；　Richard？　How　are　you　doing？’
　
　‘I’m　fine。’　Richard　pulled　the　baldric　over　his　head　and　set　it　and　the　sword　aside。　He　tossed　the　red　coat　on　a　chair。　‘I’d　be　better　if　I　didn’t　have　to　wear　these　silly　clothes。　But　I　guess　it’s　a　small　price　to　pay　for　peace。　For　now。　What　did　you　want　talk　to　me　about；　Sister？’
　
　‘I　don’t　know　what　you　did；　how　you　got　me　returned　to　Sister；　but　thank　you；　Richard。　Does　this　mean　you　would　like　for　us　to　be　friends？’
　
　‘Only　if　you　will　take　this　collar　off　me。’　She　looked　away　from　his　eyes。　‘Someday；　Sister；　you　will　have　to　make　your　choice。　I　hope　when　the　time　es；　you　choose　to　be　on　my　side。　After　all　we’ve　been　through；　I　would　hate　to　have　to　kill　you；　but　you　know　what　I　am　capable　of。　You　knew　what　my　answer　would　be；　surely；　you　came　here　for　more　than　that。’
　
　‘I　have　told　you　before　how　you　are　using　your　Han　without　knowing　what　you　are　doing；　remember？’
　
　‘Yes；　but　I　don’t　think　I’m　using　my　Han。’
　
　She　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘Richard；　you　killed　a　mriswith。　As　far　as　I　know；　that　has　not　been　done　in　the　last　three　thousand　years。　You　had　to　use　your　Han　to　do　that。’
　
　‘No；　Sister；　I　used　the　magic　of　the　sword　to　kill　it。’
　
　‘Richard；　I　have　observed　you；　and　learned　a　little　about　both　you　and　your　sword。　The　reason　no　one　has　ever　been　able　to　kill　a　mriswith　is　because　they　never　knew　it　was　ing。　Even　the　Han　of　Sisters　and　wizards　could　not　sense　its　approach。　Your　sword　may　have　killed　the　mriswith；　but　your　Han　let　you　know　it　was　ing。　You　are　calling　on　your　gift；　but　without　control。’
　
　Richard　was　tired。　He　didn’t　feel　like　arguing；　so　he　didn’t。
　
　He　flopped　into　a　plush　chair。　He　remembered　the　way　he　had　seen　the　mriswith　in　his　mind；　had　seen　it　ing。　‘I　don’t