tg.stone of tears-第120部分

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　They　all　saluted　to　indicate　that　they　did。　Inside；　Kahlan　threw　the　white　mantle　around　her　shoulders　and　went　out　onto　the　balcony；　into　the　bitter　cold　night。　She　stood　with　her　back　straight；　near　the　railing；　as　she　looked　down　on　the　scene　in　the　courtyard　below。
　
　She　wanted　to　run；　but　she　couldn’t。　She　was　the　Mother　Confessor。　She　had　to　do　what　all　the　Mother　Confessors　before　her　had　done　…　protect　the　Midlands。　She　was　alone；　and　had　no　one　to　help　her　in　her　duty。
　
　Tears　rolled　down　her　cheeks　as　she　watched　flames　leap　up　from　her　bed；　the　bed　she　had　promised　Richard。
　
　
　CHAPTER　58
　
　The　reflections　of　the　Mother　Confessor；　in　her　white　dress；　rotated　around　the　polished　black　columns　as　she　marched　down　the　gallery；　the　Mother　Confessor’s　private　entrance　to　the　council　chambers。　Kahlan　was　an　hour　early。　She　planned　to　be　sitting　in　the　First　Chair　as　she　watched　all　the　councilors　arrive。　She　didn’t　want　them　talking　among　themselves　before　she　was　present。
　
　She　froze　to　a　halt　as　she　threw　the　doors　open。　The　room　was　packed。　Every　council　chair　was　occupied。　The　galleries　were　all　packed　with　people　…　not　only　officials；　administrators；　staff；　and　nobility；　but　ordinary　people：　farmers；　shopkeepers；　merchants；　cooks；　tradesmen；　wagon　drivers；　and　laborers。　Men　and　women　of　every　sort。　Every　eye　was　on　her　as　she　stood　before　the　doors。
　
　Across　the　huge　room；　the　councilors　all　sat　in　their　chairs。　No　one　made　a　sound。　Someone　was　sitting　in　the　First　Chair。　From　this　distance；　she　couldn’t　see　who　it　was；　but　she　knew。
　
　Kahlan　touched　her　fingers　to　the　bone　necklace　at　her　throat　and　prayed　to　the　good　spirits　for　protection　and　strength。　Her　boots　echoed　off　the　marble　as　she　strode　through　patches　of　sunlight。　There　was　something　on　the　floor　before　the　dais；　but　she　couldn’t　tell　what　it　was。
　
　When　Kahlan　reached　the　curved　desk；　the　man　sitting　in　the　First　Chair　was　not　the　one　she　expected。　Stretched　out　on　a　litter　before　the　dais　lay　the　body　of　Prince　Fyren。　His　skin　was　pasty。　His　arms　were　folded；　his　hands　laid　over　the　blood…soaked　ruffles　of　his　shirt。　His　sword　rested　across　his　body。　Prince　Fyren’s　throat　had　been　sliced　open　nearly　to　his　spinal　column。
　
　Kahlan　looked　up　to　the　solemn；　dark　eyes　watching　her。　He　came　forward　from　the　back　of　the　First　Chair　and　folded　his　hands　together　on　the　desk。　A　quick　glance　revealed　what　she　hadn’t　noticed　before：　a　ring　of　guards　around　the　room。
　
　She　glared　up　at　the　man　with　the　dark　hair　and　beard。　‘Get　out　of　my　chair；　or　I　will　kill　you　myself。’
　
　The　room　rang　with　the　sound　of　swords　being　drawn。　Without　taking　his　dark　eyes　from　her；　the　man　gestured　with　a　flick　of　his　hand。　Every　sword　went　hesitantly　back　into　its　scabbard。
　
　‘You　are　done　killing　people；　Mother　Confessor；’　he　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　‘Prince　Fyren　was　your　last　victim。’
　
　Kahlan　frowned。　‘Who　are　you？’
　
　‘Neville　Ranson。’　Still；　his　eyes　did　not　leave　her　as　he　turned　his　hand　up。　A　ball　of　flame　ignited　above　his　palm。　‘Wizard　Neville　Ranson。’
　
　Still；　his　eyes　did　not　leave　her　as　he　cast　the　ball　of　flame　skyward。　It　rose　obediently　toward　the　peak　of　the　dome；　where　it　broke；　with　a　pop；　into　thousands　of　sparkles。　Astonished　gasps　filled　the　room。
　
　Wizard　Ranson　leaned　back　and　drew　open　a　scroll。　‘We　have　a　great　many　charges；　Mother　Confessor。　Where　would　you　like　to　begin？’
　
　Without　turning　her　head；　Kahlan’s　eyes　took　a　sweep　of　what　she　could　see　of　the　room。　There　was　no　chance　of　escape。　None。　Even　if　the　man　before　her　were　not　a　wizard。
　
　‘Since　they　will　all　be　invented；　I　guess　it　doesn’t　matter。　Why　don’t　we　just　dispense　with　the　mockery；　and　simply　proceed　to　the　execution。’
　
　The　room　remained　dead　silent。　Wizard　Ranson　did　not　smile。　His　eyebrows　lifted。
　
　‘Oh；　no　mockery；　Mother　Confessor；　but　serious　charges。　We　are　here　to　get　to　the　truth　of　them。　Unlike　the　Confessors；　I　refuse　to　put　an　innocent　person　to　death。　Before　we　are　finished　today；　everyone　here　will　know　the　truth　of　your　treason。　I　want　the　people　to　know　the　full　extent　of　your　vile　tyranny。’
　
　Kahlan　clasped　her　hands　together　as　she　stood　with　her　back　straight。　She　wore　her　Confessor’s　face。　The　people　all　leaned　forward　a　little。
　
　‘Since　it　is　a　long　list；’　Ranson　said；　‘we　might　as　well　begin　with　the　most　serious　charge。’　He　glanced　down。　‘Treason。’
　
　‘And　since　when　is　defending　the　people　of　the　Midlands　treason？’
　
　Wizard　Ranson　slammed　his　fist　to　the　desk　as　he　shot　to　his　feet。　‘Defending　the　people　of　the　Midlands！　I　have　never　in　my　life　heard　such　filth　from　the　mouth　of　a　woman！’　He　smoothed　his　tan　robes　at　his　stomach　and　then　sat　back　down。　‘Your　‘defense’　of　the　people　was　to　plunge　them　into　war。　You　would　condemn　thousands　to　die；　to　assuage　your　dread　that　someone　other　than　yourself　would　rule。　And　rule　with　the　unanimous　agreement　of　the　council；　I　might　add。’
　
　‘It　is　hardly　unanimous　if　the　Mother　Confessor　dissents。’
　
　‘Dissents　for　her　own　selfish　motives。’
　
　‘And　who　is　it　that　you　would　have　rule　the　Midlands？　Kelton？　Yourself？’
　
　The　saviors　of　all　people。　The　Imperial　Order。’
　
　A　prickling　sensation　rose　up　her　legs。　Kahlan　felt　as　if　the　whole　of　the　dome　overhead　were　collapsing　down　on　her。　Her　head　spun。　She　thought　she　might　be　sick　right　there；　in　front　of　everyone。　She　forced　her　stomach　to　behave。
　
　‘The　Imperial　Order！　The　Imperial　Order　slaughtered　Ebi…nissia！　They　crush　all　opposition　to　steal　rule　for　themselves！’
　
　‘Lies。　The　Imperial　Order　is　dedicated　to　benevolent　rule。　They　simply　wish　to　put　your　murderous　intents　to　an　end。’
　
　‘Benevolent！　They　raped　and　butchered　the　people　of　Ebinissia！’
　
　Ranson　chuckled。　‘e；　e；　Mother　Confessor。　The　Imperial　Order　has　murdered　no　one。’　He　turned　to　a　man　Kahlan　didn’t　recognize。　‘Councilor　Thurstan；　has　your　crown　city　been　harmed　by　anyone？’
　
　The　jowly　man　looked　surprised。　‘I　have　just　arrived　two　days　ago　from　the　beautiful　city　of　Ebinissia；　and　they　know　nothing　of　their　slaughter。’
　
　The　crowd　chuckled　with　him。　Ranson　smiled　petulantly　at　her。
　
　‘Did　you　not　expect；　Mother　Confessor；　that　we　would　have　witnesses　to　expose　your　preposterous　stories？　This　is　simply　a　fiction　meant　to　inflame　people’s　fears；　and　stir　them　to　war。’
　
　Ranson　snapped　his　fingers。　A　woman　in　drab；　worn　clothes　came　in　and　stood　to　the　side。　Ranson　gently　told　her　not　to　be　frightened；　and　to　tell　her　story。　The　woman　told　of　how　her　children　had　to　go　to　bed　hungry；　because　she　had　no　money。　She　said　she　had　been　forced　into　prostitution　to　feed　her　children。　Kahlan　knew　it　was　a　lie。　There　was　no　scarcity　of　charitable　people　and　groups　who　would　help　anyone　truly　needing　it。
　
　For　the　next　hour；　one　witness　after　another　was　paraded　in；　and　each　told　a　story　of　hunger　and　want；　and　how　the　palace　would　not　give　them　money　to　feed　and　clothe　themselves；　not　caring　if　their　children　starved。　The　people　in　the　balconies　listened　with　rapt　attention　to　the　sad　stories；　some　weeping　with　the　witnesses。
　
　Kahlan　recognized　a　few　of　the　people　testifying。　She　remembered　Mistress　Sanderholt　offering　them　work　in　the　past。　She　had　told　Kahlan　that　when　they　had　e　in；　they　scoffed　at　the　things　they　were　asked　to　do。　Mistress　Sander…holt　ended　up　having　to　do　many　of　the　tasks　herself。
　
　Wizard　Ranson　rose　to　his　feet；　after　the　last　witness　had　told　his　tearful　story；　and　turned　to　each　side；　addressing　the　people　gathered。　The　Mother　Confessor　has　a　vast　treasury；　and　she　intended　to　use　it　to　finance　a　war　against　the　people　of　the　Midlands　who　would　wish　to　be　free　of　her　rule。　She　first　takes　the　food　from　your　mouths；　and　the　mouths　of　your　children；　and　then；　to　keep　you　from　thinking　about　the　gnawing　hunger　in　your　gut；　invents　an　enemy；　and　starts　a　war　with　your　hard…earned　money；　which　she　has　stolen　for　her　already　wealthy　friends。
　
　‘While　you　people　go　hungry；　she　eats　well！　While　you　need　clothes；　she　would　buy　weapons！　While　your　sons　would　bleed　to　death　in　battle；　she　lounges　in　the　lap　of　luxury！　When　your　family　members　are　unjustly　accused　of　crimes；　she　uses　her　magic　to　make　them　confess　to　crimes　they　did　not　mit　to　silence　their　protests　against　her　tyranny！’
　
　People　were　weeping。　A　few　cried　out　with　anguish　at　the　last　part。　Still　more　angrily　demanded　justice。　Kahlan　began　to　doubt　that　she　would　be　beheaded。　This　mob　would　probably　tear　her　apart　before　she　ever　made　it　to　the　block。
　
　Ranson　held　his　arms　open　to　the　people　gathered。　As　a　representative　of　the　Imperial　Order；　I　direct　that　the　people　get　what　they　really　need。　The　treasury　of　Aydindril　will　be　put　to　its　best　use。　It　will　be　turned　back　to　the　oppressed。　I　direct　that　every　family　shall　be　entitled　to　one　gold　piece　a　month；　to　clothe　and　feed　your　children。　There　will　be　no　starvation　allowed　under　the　rule　of　the　Imperial　Order。’
　
　Cheering　erupted　in　the　great　hall。　The　wild　applauding　and　huzzahs　went　on　unabated　for　a　good　five　minutes。　Ranson　sat　and　steepled　his　fingers　while　he　listened　to　the　celebration。　He　never　took　his　eyes　from　Kahlan；　nor　she　from　his。
　
　Kahlan　knew　that　life’s　hardships　were　not　that　simple　to　eradicate。　She　knew　that　seeming　kindness　could　in　truth　be　cruel。　She　calculated　that　the　payments　would　take；　at　most；　six　months　to　empty　the　treasury。　She　wondered　what　would　happen　the　following　month；　when　the　money　was　gone；　and　people　would　have　by　then　stopped　working；　or　planting；　to　provide　for　themselves。　Then　there　certainly　would　be　hunger　and　starvation　…　in　the　guise　of　generosity。
　
　At　last　the　noise　died　out。　Ranson　leaned　forward。
　
　There　is　no　way　of　telling　how　many　people　have　gone　hungry；　or　starved　to　death；　or　died　in　war；　by　your　mand；　Mother　Confessor。　It　is　obvious　you　are　guilty　of　treason　against　the　people　of　the　Midlands。　I　see　no　reason　to　draw　the　evidence　out；　as　we　could；　for　weeks。’　The　other　councilors　all　voiced　yeas　of　agreement。　Ranson　slapped　his　hand　to　the　desk。　‘Guilty　of　the　first　charge　then：　treason。’
　
　The　people　cheered；　again。　Kahlan　stood　with　her　back　stiff；　wearing　her　Confessor’s　face。　Ranson　read　off　charges　she　could　scarcely　believe　could　be　read　with　a　straight　face。　Witnesses　came　forward　and　testified　to　atrocities　that　Kahlan　thought　anyone　with　mon　sense　would　laugh　at。　No　one　laughed。
　
　People　she　had　never　met　before　confided　their　intimate　knowledge　of　what　Confessors　did　in　secret。　A　lump　rose　in　Kahlan’s　throat　as　she　heard　what　people　thought　of　her。　People　repeated　irrational　fears　and　rumors　of　every　sort　of　outrage　mitted　by　Confessors；　and　the　Mother　Confessor　in　particular。
　
　For　her　whole　life　she　had　sacrificed　everything；　as　had　the　other　Confessors；　to　protect　these　people；　and　the　whole　time　they　believed　these　monstrosities　instead。　Kahlan　thought；　when　she　heard　a　witness　testify　that　in　order　to　retain　their　magical　power；　Confessors　had　to　dine　regularly　on　human　flesh；　that　there　would　be　laughter　at　the　charge。　Instead；　wide…eyed　people　leaned　forward　and　gasped。　She　had　to　bite　the　inside　of　her　cheek　to　keep　from　bursting　into　tears；　not　because　she　was　being　charged　with　such　things；　but　because　people　truly　believed　them　of　her。
　
　Kahlan　finally　stopped　listening。　As　Ranson　listed　charges；　brough　forth　witnesses；　and　the　council　found　her　guilty　of　charge　after　charge；　she　thought　about　Richard。　She　tried　to　remember　all　the　moments　she　had　spent　with　him；　all　the　times　he　had　smiled；　all　the　times　he　had　touched　her。　She　tried　to　remember　every　kiss。
　
　‘You　think　it　amusing！’　Ranson　railed。
　
　Kahlan　looked　up。　She　realized　she　was　smiling。　‘What？’
　
　A　woman　was　standing　to　the　side；　weeping　into　a　kerchief。　Kahlan　blinked　at　her；　and　then　looked　up　to　Ranson。
　
　‘I’m　sorry；　I　guess　I　missed　her　performance。’
　
　The　crowd　grumbled　in　anger。　Ranson　leaned　back　in　his　chair　with　a　disgusted　shake　of　his　head。
　
　‘Guilty；　of　practicing　your　Confessor’s　magic　on　children。’
　
　‘What？　Are　you　insane？　Children？’
　
　Ranson　held　a　hand　out　toward　the　woman；　who　broke　into　wild　wailing。　‘She　has　just　testified　that　her　child　is　missing；　and　has　told　how　other　women　nave　had　their　children　disappear；　too；　and　how　it　is　mon　knowledge　that　the　children　are　taken　so　that　Confessors　may　practice　their　magic　on　them。　As　a　wizard；　I　can　verify　the　truth　of　this。’　The　crowd　howled　with　rage。
　
　Kahlan　blinked　up　at　him。　‘I　have　a　headache。　Why　don’t　you　just　chop　it　off　for　me。’
　
　‘Unfortable；　Mother　Confessor？　Unfortable　that　the　people　would　be　given　the　chance　to　face　their　oppressor；　and　hear　the　extent　of　her　heinous　crimes？’
　
　Kahlan　held　her　Confessor’s　face　to　keep　from　tears。　‘I　am　sorry　only　that　I　have　given　my　whole　life　to　the　people　of　the　Midlands。　Had　I　known　they　would　be　so　ungrateful；　and　believe　instead　such　filth　after　what　I　have　sacrificed　for　them；　I　would　have　been　more　selfish　and　left　them　to　true　tyranny。’
　
　Ranson　scowled　down　at　her。　‘You　have　worked　your　whole　life　for　the　Keeper。’　The　crowd　gasped　again。　That　is　who　you　serve。　That　is　what　you　work　for。　You　offer　the　souls　of　your　people　to　your　master；　the　Keeper；　in　the　underworld。’
　
　People　in　the　balconies　wailed　with　terror。　Cries　of　anger　and　calls　for　vengeance　echoed　in　the　dome。　Shaking　their　fists；　the　crowd　on　the　main　floor　tried　to　push　forward；　but　the　guards　spread　their　arms　and　held　them　back。　Ranson　lifted　his　hands；　calling　for　calm　and　quiet。
　
　Kahlan　moved　her　gaze　over　the　people　to　each　side。
　
　‘I　give　you　to　the　Imperial　Order；’　she　called　out　in　a　loud　voice。　‘I　work　no　longer　to　save　you。　You　will　be　punished　for　your　unthinking　willingness　to　believe　these　lies。　Punished　by　what　your　own　selfish　desires　will　bring　upon　you。　You　will　e　to　regret　the　torment　you　have　willingly　cast　yourselves　into。　I　am　joyful　that　I　will　be　dead；　so　I　will　not　be　tempted　to　help　you。　I　regret　only　that　I　have　ever　shed　a　tear　for　your　suffering。　To　the　Keeper　with　all　of　you！’
　
　Kahlan　glared　up　at　a　smirking　Wizard　Ranson。　‘Get　on　with　it！　Chop　off　my　head！　I’m　sickened　with　this　travesty　of　truth！　You　and　your　Imperial　Order　win。　Kill　me；　so　I　may　be　rid　of　this　life；　and　go　to　the　spirit　world；　where　I　will　not　have　to　suffer　to　help　anyone。　I　confess　to　everything。　Execute　me。　I　am　guilty　of　it　all。’　She　looked　down　at　the　body　at　her　feet。　‘Except　killing　this　Keltish　pig。　I　wish；　now；　that　I　had　killed　him；　but　unfortunately；　I　can’t　claim　credit。’
　
　Ranson　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘A　liar　to　the　end；　Mother　Confessor；　you　cannot　even　admit　the　truth　of　this　murder。’
　
　Lady　Ordith　came　in；　her　nose　in　the　air；　and　testified　that　she　had　heard　Kahlan　threaten　Prince　Fyren　only　the　night　before。　The　council　all　spoke　up；　that　they；　too；　had　heard　her　threaten　to　cut　his　throat。
　
　‘This　is　your　proof？’　Kahlan　asked。
　
　Ranson　gestured　to　the　side。　‘Bring　in　the　witness。　You　see；　Mother　Confessor；　we　kno