tg.stone of tears-第13部分

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　I　hold　the　Sword　of　Truth；　and　the　responsibilities　that　go　with　it；　whatever　they　are。　Do　you　think　you　can　be　happy　being　the　wife　of　the　Seeker？’
　
　‘I　would　be　happy　living　in　a　tree　stump；　if　you　were　there　with　me。　But　Richard；　I’m　afraid　I’m　still　the　Mother　Confessor。　I　have　responsibilities；　too。’
　
　‘Well；　you　told　me　what　it　meant　to　be　a　Confessor；　how　when　you　touch　someone　with　your　power　it　forever　destroys　who　they　were；　replacing　it　with　absolute；　magical　devotion　to　you；　to　your　wishes；　and　in　that　way　you　can　have　them　confess　the　truth　of　their　crimes；　or　for　that　matter　you　can　make　them　do　anything　you　would　wish；　but　what　other　responsibilities　do　you　have？’
　
　‘I　guess　I　never　told　you　about　everything　else　that　it　means　to　be　the　Mother　Confessor。　It　wasn’t　important　at　the　time；　I　didn’t　think　we　could　ever　be　together。　I　thought　we　would　die；　or　even　if　we　somehow　won；　you　would　go　home　to　Westland　and　I　would　never　see　you　again。’
　
　‘You　mean　the　part　about　it　mea’ning　that　you　are　more　than　a　queen？’
　
　She　nodded。　‘The　Central　Council　of　the　Midlands　in　Ay…dindril　is　made　up　of　representatives　of　the　more　important　lands　of　the　Midlands。　Together；　the　Central　Council　more　or　less　rules　the　Midlands。　Even　though　the　lands　are　independent；　they　still　bow　to　the　word　of　the　Central　Council。　In　that　way；　through　the　Confederation　of　Lands；　mon　goals　are　protected　and　peace　is　maintained。　It　keeps　people　talking　instead　of　fighting。　If　one　land　were　to　attack　an…other；　it　would　be　viewed　as　an　attack　against　unity；　against　all；　and　all　would　put　the　aggression　down。　Kings；　queens；　rulers；　officials；　merchants；　and　others　e　to　the　Central　Council　to　petition　for　what　they　want：　trade　agreements；　boundary　treaties；　accords　dealing　with　magic　…　an　endless　list　of　wants　and　wishes。’
　
　‘I　understand。　It’s　something　like　that　in　Westland。　The　council　rules　in　much　the　same　way。　Although　Westland　isn’t　nearly　big　enough　to　have　kingdoms；　there　are　districts　that　govern　themselves；　but　are　represented　by　councilors　in　Hartland。
　
　‘Since　my　brother　was　a　councilor；　and　then　First　Councilor；　I　was　around　the　dealings　of　government。　I　saw　the　councilors　ing　from　different　places　to　ask　for　things。　Being　a　guide；　I　was　always　leading　them　to　and　from　Hartland。　I　learned　a　lot　about　it　from　talking　to　them。’
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms。　‘So　what　is　the　Mother　Confessor’s　part　in　it？’
　
　‘Well；　the　Central　Council　rules　the　Midlands　。。。’　She　cleared　her　throat　as　she　looked　down　at　her　hands　in　her　lap。　‘。。。　and　the　Mother　Confessor　rules　the　Central　Council。’
　
　His　arms　came　unfolded。　‘You　mean　to　say　that　you　rule　all　the　kings　and　queens？　All　the　lands？　You　rule　the　Midlands？’
　
　‘Well　。。。　yes；　in　a　way；　I　guess。　You　see；　not　all　the　lands　are　represented　on　the　Central　Council。　Some　are　too　small；　like　Queen　Milena’s　Tamarang；　and　the　Mud　People；　and　a　few　others　are　lands　of　magic；　the　land　of　the　night　wisps；　for　example。　The　Mother　Confessor　is　the　advocate　for　these　lesser　lands。　Left　to　their　own　wishes；　the　council　would　decide　to　carve　up　these　smaller　lands。　And　they　have　the　armies　to　do　it　easily。　Only　the　Mother　Confessor　stands　for　those　who　have　no　voice。
　
　‘The　other　problem　is　that　these　lands　are　often　in　disagreement。　Some　have　been　bitter　adversaries　for　as　long　as　anyone　can　remember。　The　council　is　often　deadlocked　as　rulers　or　their　representatives　each　stubbornly　demands　his　own　way；　to　the　detriment　of　the　greater　interests　of　the　Midlands。　The　Mother　Confessor　has　no　interest　but　the　good　of　the　Midlands。
　
　‘Without　leadership　the　different　lands；　through　the　Central　Council；　would　only　be　interested　in　vying　for　power。　The　Mother　Confessor　counters　these　parochial　interests　with　a　larger　view；　with　direction　and　leadership。
　
　‘Just　as　the　Mother　Confessor　is　the　final　arbiter　of　truth　through　her　magic；　she　is　also　the　final　arbiter　of　power。　The　word　of　the　Mother　Confessor　is　law。’
　
　‘So　it　is　you　who　tells　all　the　kings　and　queens；　all　the　lands；　what　to　do？’
　
　She　took　one　of　his　hands　and　held　it。　‘I；　and　most　of　the　Mother　Confessors　before　me；　let　the　Central　Council　decide　for　themselves　what　they　wish；　how　they　want　the　Midlands　ruled。　But　when　they　fail　to　e　to　agreement；　or　to　a　just　agreement；　it　is　to　the　disadvantage　of　those　not　represented。　Only　then　do　I　step　in　and　tell　them　how　it　shall　be。’
　
　‘And　they　always　do　as　you　say？’
　
　‘Always。’
　
　‘Why？’
　
　She　took　a　deep　breath。　‘Well；　they　know　that　if　they　don’t　bow　to　the　Mother　Confessor’s　leadership；　they　will　be　alone　and　vulnerable　to　any　stronger　neighbor　who　craves　power。　There　would　be　war　until　the　strongest　among　them　crushed　all　the　rest；　as　Darken　Rahl’s　father；　Panis　Rahl；　did　in　D’Hara。　They　know　that　ultimately　it　is　in　their　own　interest　to　have　an　independent　council　leader；　who　sides　with　no　land。’
　
　‘But　it’s　not　in　the　best　interest　of　the　strongest。　Something　other　than　a　good　heart　or　mon　sense　must　keep　the　strongest　of　these　lands　in　line。’
　
　She　nodded　with　a　smile。　‘You　understand　the　games　of　power　well。　You　are　right。　They　know　that　if　they　were　bold　enough　to　allow　their　ambitions　a　free　rein；　I；　or　any　of　the　Confessors；　could　take　their　ruler　with　our　magic。　But　there　is　more。　The　wizards　back　the　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　‘I　thought　wizards　didn’t　want　anything　to　do　with　power。’
　
　‘They　don’t；　exactly。　The　threat　of　their　intervention　makes　it　unnecessary。　Wizards　call　it　the　paradox　of　power：　if　you　have　power；　and　are　ready；　able；　and　willing　to　use　it；　you　don’t　need　to　exercise　your　power。　The　lands　know　that　if　they　don’t　work　together；　and　use　the　impartial　leadership　of　the　Mother　Confessor；　then　the　wizards　are　always　in　the　background；　ready　to　teach　the　disadvantages　of　being　unreasonable　or　greedy。
　
　The　whole　thing　is　a　very　plex；　interwoven　relationship；　but　what　it　all　es　down　to　is　that　I　rule　the　Central　Council；　and　if　I’m　not　there　to　do　so；　the　weak；　the　defenseless；　and　the　peaceful　will　eventually　be　overrun；　and　the　rest　will　be　drawn　into　a　war　until　all　but　the　strongest　are　crushed。’
　
　Richard　sank　back　to　contemplate　this　with　a　slight　frown　on　his　face。　She　watched　the　firelight　play　on　his　features。　She　could　feel　what　he　was　thinking　about：　he　was　remembering　the　way　she　had；　with　only　a　gesture　of　her　hand；　demanded　that　Queen　Milena　fall　to　her　knees；　kiss　the　Mother　Confessor’s　hand；　and　swear　loyalty。　She　wished　she　hadn’t　had　to　show　him　the　power　she　wielded；　and　how　much　she　was　feared；　but　what　she　had　done　had　been　necessary。　Some　deferred　only　to　power。　When　necessary；　a　leader　had　to　show　that　power；　or　be　cut　down。
　
　When　he　looked　up　at　last；　his　face　held　a　serious　cast。　‘There　is　going　to　be　trouble。　The　wizards　are　all　dead；　they　killed　themselves　before　they　sent　you　looking　for　Zedd。　The　threat　backing　the　Mother　Confessor　is　gone。　The　other　Confessors　are　all　dead；　killed　by　Darken　Rahl。　You　are　the　last。　You　have　no　allies。　There　is　no　one　to　take　your　place　if　anything　happens　to　you。　Zedd　told　us　to　meet　him　in　Aydindril；　he　must　know　this　too。
　
　‘From　what　I　have　seen　of　powerful　people；　from　councilors　in　my　homeland；　even　my　own　brother；　to　queens　here；　to　Darken　Rahl；　they　will　view　you　as　a　lone　obstacle　in　their　way。　If　the　Midlands　is　to　be　kept　from　being　torn　apart；　the　Mother　Confessor　must　rule；　and　you　are　going　to　need　help。　You　and　I　both　must　serve　the　truth。　I’m　going　to　help　you。’
　
　A　sly　smile　parted　his　lips。　‘If　those　councilors　were　afraid　to　plot　against　the　Mother　Confessor；　or　give　her　trouble；　because　of　the　wizards；　wait　until　they　meet　the　Seeker。’
　
　Kahlan　touched　her　fingers　to　his　face。　‘You　are　a　rare　person；　Richard　Cypher。　You　are　with　the　most　powerful　person　in　the　Midlands。　Yet　you　make　me　feel　as　if　I　am　riding　your　coattails　to　greatness。’
　
　‘I’m　nothing　more　than　the　one　who　loves　you　with　all　my　heart。　That　is　the　only　greatness　I　wish　to　live　up　to。’　Richard　sighed。　‘It　seemed　a　lot　simpler　when　it　was　just　you　and　me　all　by　ourselves　in　the　woods；　and　I　cooked　you　dinner　on　a　stick　over　an　open　fire。’　He　gave　her　a　sidelong　glance。　‘You　are　still　going　to　let　me　cook　you　dinner；　aren’t　you；　Mother　Confessor？’
　
　‘I　don’t　think　Mistress　Sanderholt　would　like　that。　She　doesn’t　like　anyone　in　her　kitchens。’
　
　‘You　have　a　cook？’
　
　‘Well；　I’ve　never　seen　her　cook　anything；　e　to　think　of　it。　Mostly　she　just　whisks　all　about；　ruling　her　domain　with　a　wooden　spoon　she　wields　like　a　scepter；　tasting　food　and　scolding　cooks；　assistants；　and　scullions。　She　is　the　head　cook。
　
　‘She　frets　something　awful　when　I　e　down　to　the　kitchens　to　cook。　Mistress　Sanderholt　begs　me　to　take　up　another　interest。　She　says　I　scare　her　people。　She　says　they　shake　for　the　rest　of　the　day　whenever　I　e　to　the　kitchens　and　ask　for　pots。　So　I　try　not　to　do　it　too　often。　But　I　do　so　like　to　cook。’
　
　Kahlan　smiled　at　the　memory　of　Mistress　Sanderholt。　It　was　long　months　since　she　had　been　home。
　
　‘Cooks；’　Richard　muttered　to　himself。　‘I’ve　never　had　anyone　cook　for　me。　I　always　cooked　for　myself。’　His　smile　returned。　‘Well；　I　guess　this　Mistress　Sanderholt　will　be　able　to　make　a　little　room　for　me　if　I　want　to　cook　you　something　special。’
　
　‘I　would　wager　that　you　will　soon　have　her　doing　whatever　it　is　you　wish。’
　
　He　squeezed　her　hand。　‘Will　you　promise　me　one　thing？　Promise　me　that　one　day　you　will　let　me　take　you　back　to　Westland　and　show　you　some　of　the　beautiful　places　in　the　Hartland　woods；　places　that　only　I　know　of。　I’ve　dreamed　of　taking　you　to　them。’
　
　‘I　would　like　that；’　Kahlan　whispered。　Richard　leaned　forward　to　kiss　her。　Before　his　lips　touched　hers；　before　his　arms　could　embrace　her；　he　winced　in　pain。　His　head　sagged　forward　against　her　shoulder　as　he　moaned。　Kahlan　clasped　him　to　her　in　fear；　then　laid　him　back　down　as　he　clamped　his　arms　to　his　head；　unable　to　breathe。　Panic　gripped　her。　He　pulled　his　knees　up　to　his　chest　as　he　rolled　onto　his　side。
　
　She　braced　her　hand　on　his　shoulder　as　she　leaned　over　him。　‘I’m　going　to　get　Nissel。　I’ll　go　fast　as　I　can。’
　
　He　could　only　nod　as　he　shook。
　
　Kahlan　ran　to　the　door；　pushing　it　open；　out　into　the　still　night。　She　could　see　her　ragged　breaths　in　the　frigid　air　as　she　pushed　the　door　closed。　Her　eyes　flicked　over　the　short　wall。　Moonlight　washed　the　top　of　it　with　a　silver　cast。
　
　The　chickens　were　gone。
　
　A　dark　shape　hunched；　still；　behind　the　wall。
　
　It　moved　a　little　in　the　moonlight；　and　there　was　a　quick　flash　of　shiny；　golden　eyes。
　
　
　CHAPTER　7
　
　The　dark　thing　rose　up；　claws　rasping　over　the　top　of　the　short　wall。　It　laughed　a　low　cackle　that　sent　goose　bumps　up　her　arms　to　the　base　of　her　neck。　Kahlan　froze。　Breath　caught　in　her　throat。　The　form　was　a　black　void　in　the　pale　moonlight。　After　the　brief　flash；　the　eyes　had　vanished　into　a　pool　of　night。
　
　Her　mind　raced；　trying　to　fit　what　she　knew　with　what　she　was　seeing。　She　wanted　to　run；　but　didn’t　know　which　way。　Toward　Richard；　or　away？
　
　Though　she　couldn’t　see　the　eyes；　she　could　feel　them；　like　cold　death。　The　tiniest　of　sounds　rose　from　her　throat。　With　a　howling　laugh；　the　dark　shape　leaped　to　the　top　of　the　wall。
　
　The　heavy　door　crashed　open　behind　her；　banging　against　the　wall　of　the　spirit　house。　At　the　same　time；　she　heard　the　distinctive　ring　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　being　drawn　in　anger。　The　black　head　snapped　toward　Richard；　the　eyes　flashing　golden　again　in　the　moonlight。　Richard　reached　out；　snatching　her　by　the　arm；　and　tossed　her　back　through　the　doorway。　As　the　door　rebounded　from　hitting　the　wall；　he　kicked　it　shut　behind　himself。
　
　From　beyond　the　door；　Kahlan　heard　a　howling　laugh；　and　then　there　was　a　crash　against　the　door。　She　came　to　her　feet；　pulling　her　knife。　Through　the　door　she　could　hear　the　sword　tip　whistle；　and　bodies　thudding　against　the　wall　of　the　spirit　house。　She　could　hear　the　screaming　howls　of　laughter。
　
　Kahlan　threw　her　shoulder　against　the　door　and　rolled　out　into　the　night。　As　she　sprang　to　her　feet　she　saw　a　small；　dark　form　hurtling　toward　her。　She　slashed　with　her　knife　and　missed。
　
　It　came　again；　but　before　it　was　on　her；　Richard　kicked　it；　slamming　it　back　against　the　short　wall。　In　the　moonlight　the　Sword　of　Truth　flashed　toward　the　shadow。　The　blade　caught　only　the　wall。　A　shower　of　mud…brick　fragments　and　plaster　exploded　into　the　air。　The　thing　howled　in　laughter。
　
　Richard　snatched　her　back　just　as　the　dark　shape　flew　past。　She　caught　it　with　her　blade；　ripping　through　something　hard　…　bone　hard。　A　claw　flashed　past　her　face；　the　sword　following；　missing。
　
　She　could　hear　Richard　panting　as　he　searched　the　darkness。　The　shadow　came　out　of　nowhere　and　knocked　him　to　the　ground。　Dark　forms　tumbled　across　the　dirt。　She　couldn’t　tell　which　was　Richard　and　which　was　the　attacker。　Claws　flung　dirt　into　the　air　as　it　flailed　at　him。
　
　With　a　grunt；　Richard　heaved　it　over　the　wall。　Instantly　it　sprang　to　the　top；　and　stood　there；　eyes　flashing　golden　in　the　moonlight；　cackling　that　awful　laugh　as　the　two　of　them　backed　away。　It　fell　silent　as　it　watched　them　walking　backward。
　
　The　air　was　suddenly　alive　with　the　zip　of　arrows。　Within　the　space　of　a　heartbeat；　a　dozen　thudded　into　the　black　body。　Not　one　missed。　A　breath　later　an　equal　number　followed。　The　thing　panted　in　laughter。　It　stood　on　the　wall　looking　like　a　black　pincushion。
　
　Kahlan’s　jaw　dropped　as　she　saw　it　snap　off　a　handful　of　arrows　that　stuck　out　of　its　chest。　The　thing　snarled　a　cackling　laugh　at　them；　then　blinked　as　it　watched　them　backing　away。　She　couldn’t　understand　why　it　just　stood　there。　Another　flight　of　arrows　thudded　into　the　black　body。　It　paid　no　attention；　but　dropped　from　the　wall　to　the　ground。
　
　A　dark　figure　ran　forward；　spear　in　hand。　From　the　shadow　of　the　wall；　the　thing　sprang　at　the　runner。　The　hunter　let　the　spear　fly。　With　impossible　speed；　the　black　form　ducked　to　the　side　and　with　its　teeth　snatched　the　spear　from　the　air。　Laughing；　it　bit　the　shaft　in　half。　The　hunter　who　had　thrown　it　backed　away；　and　the　thing　seemed　to　lose　interest；　turning　to　again　watch　her　and　Richard。
　
　‘What　in　the　world　is　it　doing？’　Richard　whispered。　‘Why　did　it　stop？　Why　is　it　just　watching　us？’
　
　With　a　cold　shock；　she　knew。
　
　‘It’s　a　screeling；’　Kahlan　whispered　more　to　herself　than　to　him。　‘Oh；　dear　spirits　protect　us；　it’s　a　screeling。’
　
　She　and　Richard　were　clutching　each　other’s　shirtsleeves　as　they　walked　backward；　watching　the　screeling。
　
　‘Get　away！’　she　yelled　at　the　hunters。　‘　Walk！　Don’t　run！’
　
　They　answered　with　another　useless　flight　of　arrows。
　
　‘This　way；’　Richard　said。　‘Between　the　buildings；　where　it’s　dark。’
　
　‘Richard；　that　thing　can　see　better　in　the　dark　than　we　can　see　in　the　light。　It’s　from　the　underworld。’
　
　He　kept　his　eyes　on　the　screeling　standing　in　the　open；　in　the　moonlight。　‘I’m　listening。　What　else　can　we　do？’