tg.stone of tears-第140部分

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　She　put　a　bandaged　hand　to　his　side。　‘e；　Richard。　You　look　as　if　you　could　use　a　meal。　Let　me　get　you　bowl　of　soup。’
　
　Richard　dropped　his　pack；　bow；　and　quiver　to　the　floor。
　
　The　Central　Council　sentenced　her　to　death？’
　
　She　gave　a　weak　nod。　‘She　escaped；　but　was　caught。　The　Central　Council　reiterated　the　sentence　before　the　people　at　the　behead　。。。　at　the　execution。　And　then　the　members　of　the　council　all　stood　smiling　while　the　people　cheered　them。’
　
　‘Maybe　she　escaped　again。　She’s　a　resourceful　woman。　。。。’
　
　‘I　was　there；’　she　said　in　a　broken　voice；　tears　running　down　her　face。　‘Please　don’t　make　me　tell　you　what　I　saw。　I’ve　known　Kahlan　since　she　was　born。　I　loved　her。’
　
　Maybe　there　was　a　way　to　go　back　somehow；　and　get　here　in　time。　There　had　to　be　a　way。　He　felt　hot　and　dizzy。
　
　No。　He　was　too　late。　Kahlan　was　dead。　He　had　had　to　let　her　die　to　stop　the　Keeper。　The　prophecy　had　beaten　him。
　
　Richard　gritted　his　teeth。　‘Where　is　the　council。’
　
　At　last　she　managed　to　take　her　eyes　from　him。　She　pointed　a　bandaged　hand　down　the　hall　and　gave　him　directions。
　
　She　turned　back。　‘Please；　Richard；　I　loved　her；　too。　Nothing　can　be　done　now。　You　can　acplish　nothing。’
　
　But　he　was　already　moving；　the　mriswith　cape　flying　behind　as　he　swept　down　the　hall。　He　saw　only　enough　of　what　was　around　him　as　he　moved　swiftly　along　to　follow　the　directions　she　had　given　him。　He　moved　toward　the　council　chambers　the　way　his　arrows　flew　to　the　target　when　he　called　it。
　
　Guards　were　everywhere；　but　he　paid　them　no　heed。　He　had　no　idea　if　they　paid　him　any；　nor　did　he　care。　He　flew　single…mindedly　toward　his　target。　He　heard　the　movement　of　men…at…arms　around　him；　in　the　side　halls。　He　barely　noted　them　on　the　balconies。
　
　At　the　end　of　a　column…lined　hall　stood　the　doors　to　the　council　room。　As　he　marched　down　the　hall；　men　moved　in　front　of　the　doors。　He　only　dimly　noticed　them。　He　saw　only　the　doors。
　
　His　sword　still　hadn’t　left　its　scabbard　at　his　hip；　but　the　magic　was　coursing　through　him　at　full　fury。　The　soldiers　closed　rank　before　the　doors。　He　didn’t　slow；　the　black　cape　billowing　open；　his　brow　set　in　a　glare；　as　he　charged　ahead。
　
　They　made　their　move　to　stop　him。　Richard　marched　on。　He　wanted　them　out　of　his　way。　The　power　came　by　instinct；　without　conscious　effort。　He　felt　the　concussion。　In　his　peripheral　vision　he　saw　blood　hit　the　white　marble。
　
　Without　missing　a　stride；　he　emerged　from　the　ball　of　flame　in　a　gaping　hole　twice　the　size　the　doorway　had　been。　Huge　chunks　of　stone　hurtled　through　the　air；　trailing　smoke。　Debris　rained　down　about　him。　One　of　the　doors　spiraled　through　the　air　in　an　arc；　the　other　spun　like　a　top　as　it　skittered　across　the　floor　of　the　council　chamber　along　with　ragged　pieces　of　armor　and　shattered　weapons。
　
　At　the　far　end　of　the　room；　men　behind　a　curved　desk　rose　angrily　to　their　feet。　As　he　advanced　relentlessly　onward；　Richard　drew　the　sword。　The　unique　sound　of　steel　rang　in　the　huge　room。
　
　‘I　am　Supreme　Councilor　Thurstan！’　the　one　in　the　center；　at　the　tallest　chair；　said。　‘I　demand　to　know　the　meaning　of　this　intrusion！’
　
　Richard　was　still　ing。　‘Be　there　one　of　you　who　did　not　vote　to　sentence　the　Mother　Confessor　to　death？’
　
　‘She　was　sentenced　to　death　for　treason！　Legally；　and　unanimously；　sentenced　by　this　council！　Guards！　Remove　this　man！’
　
　Men　came　running　across　the　vast　floor；　but　Richard　had　already　closed　on　the　dais。　The　councilors　drew　knives。
　
　Richard　leapt　to　the　top　of　the　desk　with　a　scream　of　rage。　The　blade　cleaved　Thurstan　in　two；　from　ear　to　crotch。　A　swing　to　each　side　took　off　heads。　Several　of　the　men　tried　to　stab　him。　They　weren’t　close　to　fast　enough。　The　sword　found　every　robed　figure；　including　the　ones　who　tried　to　run。　It　was　over　in　seconds；　before　the　guards　had　made　half　the　distance。
　
　Richard　leapt　back　atop　the　desk。　He　stood　in　the　grip　of　unbridled　wrath；　holding　the　sword　in　both　hands。　He　waited　for　them　to　e。　He　wanted　them　to　e。
　
　‘I　am　the　Seeker！　These　men　have　murdered　the　Mother　Confessor！　They　have　paid　the　price　of　murder！　Decide　if　you　wish　to　be　on　the　side　of　dead　cutthroats；　or　on　the　side　of　right！’
　
　The　ring　of　men　slowed　their　advance；　looking　tentatively　to　one　another。　Finally　they　stopped。　Richard　stood　panting。
　
　One　man　looked　back　at　the　hole　in　the　wall　where　the　doors　had　been；　and　then　glanced　over　the　debris　scattered　across　the　floor。　‘You　are　a　wizard？’
　
　Richard　met　the　man’s　eyes。　‘Yes。　I　guess　I　am。’
　
　The　man　sheathed　his　sword。　This　is　wizard’s　business。　It’s　not　our　place　to　challenge　wizards。　I’ll　not　die　for　something　that’s　not　my　place。’
　
　Another　sheathed　his　weapon。　Soon；　the　room　rang　with　the　clatter　of　steel　being　returned　to　hangers　and　scabbards。　They　began　leaving；　the　room　echoing　with　the　sound　of　their　boots。　In　a　matter　of　moments；　the　vast　council　chamber　was　empty　but　for　Richard。
　
　He　sprang　down　from　the　desk　and　stared　at　the　tall　chair　in　the　center。　It　was　about　the　only　thing　not　dripping　with　gore。　That　would　have　been　the　Mother　Confessor’s　chair；　Kahlan’s　chair。　She　would　have　sat　in　that　chair。
　
　Woodenly；　Richard　sheathed　the　sword。　It　was　over。　He　had　done　everything　there　was　to　do。
　
　The　good　spirits　had　deserted　him。　They　had　deserted　Kahlan。　He　had　sacrificed　everything　to　see　right　done；　and　the　good　spirits　had　done　nothing　to　help。
　
　To　the　Keeper　with　the　good　spirits。
　
　Richard　dropped　to　his　knees。　He　thought　about　the　Sword　of　Truth。　It　had　magic；　he　decided　that　he　couldn’t　count　on　it　working　for　what　he　needed　now。
　
　Instead；　he　drew　the　knife　at　his　belt。
　
　He　had　done　everything　there　was　to　do。
　
　Richard　put　the　point　of　the　knife　to　his　chest。
　
　With　cold　precision；　he　looked　down；　to　make　sure　it　was　pointed　at　his　heart。　Kahlan’s　hair；　the　hair　he　had　taken　from　the　hawker；　stuck　from　his　shirt。　Richard　pulled　the　lock　she　had　given　him　from　his　pocket。
　
　She　had　given　it　to　him　to　remind　him　she　would　always　love　him。　He　wanted　only　to　end　his　uncontrollable　agony。
　
　
　‘She　is　awake；’　Prince　Harold　said。　‘She　is　asking　for　you。’
　
　Kahlan　finally　pulled　her　gaze　from　the　flames　in　the　hearth。　She　darted　a　cool　glance　at　the　wizard　sitting　next　to　Adie　on　a　wooden　bench。　Though　Zedd　had　recovered　his　memory；　Adie　had　not。　She　still　thought　of　herself　as　Elda；　and　was　still　blind。
　
　Kahlan　crossed　the　dark　dining　hall。　When　they　had　arrived；　the　inn　had　been　deserted；　as　had　the　rest　of　the　town；　for　fear　of　the　advance　of　the　Keltish　forces。　The　empty　town　was　a　good　place　to　rest　in　their　run　from　Aydindril。　Two　weeks　on　the　run　had　left　them　all　in　need　of　a　rest；　and　a　little　warmth。
　
　A　week　out　of　Aydindril；　their　little　pany；　Zedd；　Adie；　Ahern；　Jebra；　Chandalen；　Orsk；　and　Kahlan；　had　been　intercepted　by　a　small　force　led　by　Prince　Harold。　Prince　Harold　and　a　handful　of　his　men　had　escaped　the　slaughter　of　his　forces　in　Aydindril；　and　had　lain　in　wait。　When　Queen　Cyrilla　was　taken　out　to　be　beheaded；　he　made　a　daring　raid；　and　in　the　confusion　of　people　e　to　see　the　execution；　he　snatched　his　sister　from　the　axeman。
　
　Four　days　after　joining　with　Prince　Harold；　they　encountered　Captain　Ryan　and　his　remaining　nine　hundred　men。
　
　They　had　wiped　out　the　Imperial　Order　to　a　man。　It　had　cost　them　dearly；　but　they　had　carried　out　their　mission。
　
　Even　her　pride　in　them　failed　to　rally　her　spirits；　though　she　refused　to　betray　that　to　those　men。
　
　After　she　wrung　out　a　cloth　in　the　basin；　Kahlan　sat　on　the　edge　of　her　half　sister’s　bed。　Cyrilla　was　aware；　as　she　was　from　time　to　time；　though　she　always　slipped　back　into　the　dazed　stupor　before　long。　When　she　was　in　that　state；　she　saw　nothing；　heard　nothing；　and　said　nothing。　She　simply　stared。
　
　Kahlan　was　heartened　to　see　her　tears　now；　as　it　meant　she　was　awake。　When　she　was　alert；　only　Kahlan　could　talk　to　her。　The　sight　of　men　sent　her　either　into　a　screaming　fit　or　back　into　a　stupor。
　
　Cyrilla　clutched　Kahlan’s　arm　as　Kahlan　wiped　the　cool　cloth　over　her　brow。　‘Kahlan；　have　you　thought　about　what　I　said？’
　
　Kahlan　pulled　the　cloth　back。　‘I　don’t　want　to　be　the　queen　of　Galea。　You　are　the　queen；　my　sister。’
　
　‘Please；　Kahlan；　our　people　need　a　leader。　I　am　not　fit　to　do　it　now。’　She　clutched　her　hand　tighter　to　Kahlan’s　arm。　Tears　poured　forth。　‘Kahlan；　you　must　do　this　for　me；　for　them。’
　
　Kahlan　wiped　the　tears　with　the　cloth。　‘Cyrilla；　things　will　turn　out　well；　you　will　see。’
　
　She　clutched　a　fist　over　her　belly。　‘I　cannot　lead；　now。’
　
　‘Cyrilla；　I　understand。　I　do。　Though　they　did　not　do　to　me　what　they　did　to　you；　I　was　in　that　pit。　I　understand。　But　you　will　recover　yourself。　You　will；　I　promise。’
　
　‘And　you　will　be　the　queen？　For　our　people？’
　
　‘If　I　agree；　it　would　only　be　temporary。　Only　until　you　have　regained　your　strength。’
　
　‘No　。。。’　she　moaned。　She　sobbed；　hiding　her　face　against　the　pillow。　‘Don’t　。。。　Please。　Dear　spirits；　help　me。　No　。。。’
　
　And　then　she　was　gone　again。　Gone　into　the　visions。　She　went　limp；　still　as　death；　staring　up　at　the　ceiling。　Kahlan　kissed　her　cheek。
　
　Prince　Harold　waited　in　the　darkness　outside　the　door。　‘How　is　my　sister？’
　
　‘The　same；　I’m　afraid。　But　have　faith。　She　will　recover。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　you　must　do　as　she　asks。　She　is　the　queen。’
　
　‘Why　can’t　you　be　king？　That　would　make　more　sense。’
　
　‘I　must　fight　on　for　our　people；　for　all　the　Midlands。　I　cannot　devote　myself　to　the　struggle　if　I’m　burdened　with　concern　over　being　king；　too。　I’m　a　soldier；　and　I　wish　to　serve　in　the　way　I　know。　It　is　what　I　was　meant　to　do。　You　are　an　Amnell；　daughter　to　King　Wyborn；　you　must　be　the　queen　of　Galea。’
　
　Kahlan　started　to　flip　her　long　hair　back　over　her　shoulder；　but　it　wasn’t　there。　It　was　hard　to　forget　the　habits　of　a　lifetime；　to　remember　that　her　hair　was　chopped　short。
　
　‘I　will　think　on　it；’　she　said；　as　she　started　off。
　
　She　stood　once　more　before　the　fireplace；　the　only　source　of　light　in　the　dining　hall；　staring　into　the　flames；　watching　the　once　living　things　turn　to　ash。　Everyone　avoided　her；　and　left　her　to　herself。
　
　After　a　time；　she　realized　Zedd　was　standing　beside　her。　She　was　only　now　beginning　to　get　used　to　him　in　those　fancy　robes。
　
　He　held　his　cup　out。　‘Why　don’t　you　have　a　sip　of　spiced　tea。’
　
　She　didn’t　look　up　from　the　flames。　‘No；　thank　you。’
　
　He　rolled　the　cup　in　his　palms。　‘Kahlan；　you　can’t　go　on　blaming　yourself。　It　is　not　your　fault。’
　
　‘You　wear　lies　poorly；　wizard。　I　saw　the　look　in　your　eyes　when　I　told　you　what　I　had　done。　Remember？’
　
　‘I’ve　explained　that　to　you。　You　know　I　was　under　the　spell　cast　by　the　three　sorceresses；　and　only　great　emotional　shock　could　break　it。　Anger　could　do　the　task；　but　once　anger　is　brought　on；　it　must　be　allowed　to　rage　uncontrolled　if　it　is　to　break　the　spell。　I　have　told　you　how　sorry　I　am　for　what　I　did　to　you。’
　
　‘I　saw　the　look　in　your　eyes。　You　wanted　to　kill　me。’
　
　He　watched　from　under　his　eyebrows。　‘I　had　to　do　that；　Mother　Confessor。　。。。’
　
　‘Kahlan。　I　told　you；　I　am　no　longer　the　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　‘Call　yourself　what　you　will；　but　you　are　who　you　are。　Denying　the　name　does　not　make　it　so。　And　as　I　told　you；　I　had　to　do　that；　too。　To　bring　on　a　death　spell；　the　person　to　be　spelled　has　to　be　convinced　they　are　to　die；　or　it　will　not　work。
　
　‘Once　the　anger　brought　back　my　memory；　I　knew　I　had　to　use　a　death　spell；　so　I　simply　used　what　was　happening　to　do　what　had　to　be　done。　It　was　an　act　of　desperation。　Had　I　not　done　it　in　that　way；　people　would　not　have　believed　they　saw　you　beheaded。’
　
　Kahlan　shuddered　at　the　memory　of　that　magic。　As　long　as　she　lived；　she　would　never　forget　the　chill　touch　of　the　death　spell。
　
　‘You　should　have　used　magic　to　destroy　that　council　of　evil；　instead。　You　should　have　saved　me　by　killing　those　men。’
　
　‘And　then　everyone　would　have　known　you　were　still　alive。　Everyone　there　was　under　the　madness　of　hate。　Had　I　done　that；　then　we　would　have　had　the　entire　army；　and　tens　of　thousands　of　people；　chasing　after　us。　This　way；　no　one　chases　us。　We　can　now　proceed　with　what　must　be　done。’
　
　‘You　can　proceed。　I　have　quit　the　cause　of　the　good　spirits。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　you　know　what　would　happen　if　we　were　to　give　up。　It　was　you　yourself；　last　autumn；　who　came　to　Westland　to　find　me　and　tell　me　that　very　thing。　You　helped　convince　me　that　if　we　abandon　the　side　of　magic；　of　right；　of　helping　those　who　are　powerless；　then　the　enemy　is　handed　an　uncon…tested　victory。’
　
　The　spirits　saw　fit　to　leave　me　without　help。　They　stood　by　as　I　delivered　Richard　into　the　hands　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Light；　they　let　me　hurt　him；　let　him　be　taken　from　me　forever。　The　good　spirits　have　chosen　their　side；　and　it　is　not　with　me。’
　
　‘It　is　not　the　good　spirits’　job　to　govern　the　world　of　the　living。　It　is　our　job；　the　job　of　the　living；　to　tend　our　own　world。’
　
　‘Tell　it　to　someone　who　cares。’
　
　‘You　care。　You　just　don’t　realize　it　at　the　moment。　I’ve　lost　Richard；　too；　but　I　know　that　I　cannot　allow　that　to　deter　me　from　right。　Do　you　think　Richard　would　love　you　if　you　were　really　the　kind　of　person　who　could　abandon　those　who　needed　your　help？’
　
　She　said　nothing；　so　he　pressed　the　attack。
　
　‘Richard　loves　you　partly　because　of　your　passion　for　life。　He　loves　you　because　you　fight　for　it　with　everything　you　have；　with　the　same　ardor　as　his。　You　have　already　proven　that。’
　
　‘He　was　the　only　thing　I　ever　wanted　out　of　life；　the　only　thing　I　asked　the　good　spirits　for。　And　look　what　I　have　done　to　him。　He　thinks　I　betrayed　him。　I　made　him　put　a　collar　around　his　neck；　the　thing　he　feared　more　than　death。　I　am　not　fit　to　help　anyone。　I　only　bring　harm。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　you　have　magic。　I　have　told　you；　magic　must　not　be　allowed　to　die。　The　world　of　life　needs　magic。　If　magic　is　extinguished；　all　life　will　be　impoverished；　and　could　even　be　destroyed。
　
　‘No　one　knows　about　the　forces　we　have。　We　will　go　to　Ebinissia；　no　one　will　expect　that；　and　pull　the　Midlands　forces　together　from　there　to　strike　back　against　them。　No　one　will　know　we　have　brought　Ebinissia　back　from　the　ashes　of　death。’
　
　‘All　right！　If　it　will　still　your　tongue；　I　will　be　the　queen。　But　only　until　Cyrilla　is　better。’
　
　The　fire　crackled　and　popped。　Zedd　spoke　in　quiet　admonition。　‘You　know　that　is　not　what　I　mean；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　Kahlan　said　nothing。　She　bit　the　inside　of　her　cheek　to　keep　from　crying。　She　would　not　let　him　see　her　cry。
　
　The　wizards　of　old　created　the　Confessors。　You　have　unique　magic。　It　has　elements　to　it　that　no　other　magic　has；　not　even　mine。　Kahlan；　you　are　the　last　Confessor。　Your　magic　must　not　be　allowed　to　die　with　you。　Richard　is　lost　to　us。　That’s　the　way　it　is。　We　must　go　on。　Life；　and　magic；　must　go　on。
　
　‘You　must　take　a　mate　and　give　the　world　that　magic　into　the　future。’
　
　Still；　she　stared　in