tg.stone of tears-第5部分

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on　to　the　terrible　betrayal　he　had　been　forced　into。　I　was　relieved　when　he　knelt；　I　thought　that　would　be　the　end　of　it。　I　was　thankful　I　had　seen　only　auras；　for　the　most　part；　and　not　true　visions。　I　didn’t　want　to　see　any　visions　from　that　man。’　She　stared　off；　seemingly　lost　in　the　memory　of　it。
　
　‘But　that　wasn’t　the　end　of　it？’
　
　Her　eyes　came　back　to　where　she　was。　‘No。　I　thought　the　worst　of　it　was　over；　but　what　I　had　seen　didn’t　touch　what　was　to　e。’
　
　Jebra　dry…washed　her　hands　for　a　moment。　‘We　were　saying　the　chant　to　Father　Rahl；　and　all　of　a　sudden　he　sprang　up　He　had　a　smile　on　his　face。　He　had　solved　the　puzzle　that　trapped　him。　The　last　piece　had　snapped　into　place。　The　woman’s　face　and　his　love　for　her　filled　the　aura。’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘I　pity　the　person　who　ever　puts　a　finger　between　those　two。　They　will　lose　the　finger；　maybe　the　hand；　and　maybe　the　whole　arm　before　they　have　the　time　to　think　to　pull　it　back。’
　
　‘Her　name　is　Kahlan；’　Zedd　said　with　a　little　smile。　‘And　then　what　happened？’
　
　Jebra　crossed　her　arms　across　her　abdomen。　Then　the　visions　started。　I　saw　him　killing　a　man；　but　I　couldn’t　tell　how。　Not　with　blood；　but　killing　him　just　the　same。　And　then　I　saw　the　man　he　was　going　to　kill：　Darken　Rahl。　And　then　I　saw　that　it　was　his　father；　but　he　didn’t　know　it。　That　was　when　I　knew　who　he　was：　the　son　of　Darken　Rahl；　the　soon　to　be　new　Master　Rahl。　The　aura　was　flashing　in　terrible　conflicts。　moner　to　king。’
　
　Zedd　put　a　forting　hand　to　her　shoulder。　‘Darken　Rahl　wanted　to　rule　the　world　with　a　frightful　magic。　By　stopping　him；　Richard　saved　a　great　many　from　torture　or　death。　Even　though　killing　is　terrible；　by　doing　so　he　has　saved　the　lives　of　many　more。　Surely　you　would　not　be　frightened　of　Richard　because　of　that。’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘No。　It　was　by　what　came　next。　The　two　Mord…Sith　stood；　because　he　was　going　to　leave　a　devotion。　One　raised　her　Agiel；　threatening　him。　I　was　surprised　to　see　he　wore　one　at　his　neck；　red；　just　like　theirs。　He　held　it　out　in　his　fist。　He　told　them　that　if　they　didn’t　let　him　pass；　he　would　kill　them。　The　aura　of　violence　around　him　took　my　breath　away。　He　wanted　them　to　try。　They　sensed　it　and　let　him　pass。’
　
　‘As　he　turned　to　leave　。。。　that　was　when　I　saw　the　other　visions。’　She　put　a　hand　to　her　heart　as　tears　ran　down　her　cheeks。　‘Zedd　。。。　my　visions　are　not　always　clear。　Sometimes。　I　don’t　know　what　they　mean。　Once　I　saw　a　farmer’s　vision。　Birds　were　pecking　at　the　stomachs　of　him　and　his　family。　I　didn’t　know　what　it　meant。　It　turned　out　that　a　flock　of　blackbirds　came　and　ate　the　seed　he　had　just　planted。　He　was　able　to　replant；　and　guard　the　field。　But　he　and　his　family　could　have　starved　if　he　hadn’t。’
　
　She　wiped　her　fingers　at　the　tears　on　her　cheeks。　‘Sometimes　I　can’t　tell　what　the　visions　mean；　or　if　they　will　turn　out　to　be　true；　not　all　of　that　kind　do。’　She　fussed　with　her　hair。　‘But　sometimes　they　e　to　pass　exactly　as　I　see　them。　I　can　tell　when　they　are　true；　and　will　happen　without　a　doubt。’
　
　Zedd　patted　her　shoulder。　‘I　understand；　Jebra。　Visions　are　a　form　of　prophecy；　and　I　know　how　confusing　prophecy　can　be。　What　kind　of　vision　did　you　see　from　Richard？　The　confusing　kind；　or　the　ones　that　are　clear？’
　
　She　shared　a　deep　gaze　with　his　eyes。　‘I　saw　every　kind。　I　saw　every　kind　of　vision　I　have　ever　had；　from　the　confusing　to　clear；　from　the　possible　to　the　certain。　They　came　in　a　rush。　They　have　never　done　that　before。　Mostly　I　only　have　a　single　vision；　and　I　either　know　what　it　means　and　that　it　is　true；　or　I　don’t　understand　it　and　can’t　tell　if　it　will　e　to　pass。　The　visions　from　this　man　came　in　a　torrent。　They　rushed　past　like　wind…driven　rain。　But　every　one　was　pain　and　hurt　and　danger。
　
　The　ones　that　stood　out　the　hardest；　and　I　knew　to　be　true；　were　the　worst。　One　was　of　something　around　his　neck。　I　couldn’t　tell　what；　but　it　was　something　that　will　cause　him　great　pain；　and　take　him　from　the　woman　。。。　Kahlan；　you　said　her　name　was。。。　take　him　from　everyone　he　loves。　Lock　him　away。’
　
　‘Richard　was　captured　by　a　Mord…Sith；　and　tortured　by　her。　Perhaps　that　is　what　you　saw；’　Zedd　offered。
　
　Jebra　shook　her　head　vehemently。　‘It　wasn’t　what　was：　it　was　what　will　be。　And　not　the　pain　of　a　Mord…Sith。　Different。　I　am　sure　of　it。’
　
　Zedd　nodded　in　thought。　‘What　else？’
　
　‘I　saw　him　in　an　hourglass。　He　was　on　his　knees　in　the　bottom　half；　crying　in　anguish；　the　sand　falling　all　around　him；　but　not　a　grain　touching　him。　The　gravestones　of　all　those　he　loved　were　in　the　top　half；　where　he　couldn’t　reach　them　against　the　fall　of　the　sand。
　
　‘I　saw　a　knife　at　his　heart；　a　killing　knife；　held　in　his　own　shaking　hands。　Before　I　could　see　what　would　happen；　another　vision　came　…　they　are　not　always　in　order　of　events。　He　was　in　his　fine　red　coat；　the　one　with　gold　buttons　and　brocade　trim。　He　was　facedown　。。。　a　knife　in　his　back。　He　was　dead；　but　at　the　same　time；　he　wasn’t。　His　own　hands　reached　down　to　roll　him　over；　but　before　I　saw　his　dead　face；　another　vision　came。
　
　‘It　was　the　worst。　The　strongest。’　The　tears　welled　up　again；　and　she　began　to　sob　softly。　Zedd　squeezed　her　shoulder　to　encourage　her　to　go　on。　‘I　saw　his　flesh　burning。’　She　wiped　at　the　tears　and　rocked　back　and　forth　a　little　as　she　cried。　‘He　was　screaming。　I　could　even　smell　the　burning　skin。　Then；　whatever　was　burning　him　…　I　couldn’t　tell　what　it　was　…　when　it　pulled　back；　he　was　unconscious；　and　there　was　a　mark　upon　him。　A　mark　burned　into　him。’
　
　Zedd　worked　his　tongue　in　his　mouth；　trying　to　wet　it。　‘Could　you　see　what　the　mark　was？’
　
　‘No；　not　what　it　looked　like。　But　I　knew　what　it　was　as　surely　as　I　know　the　sun　when　I　see　it。　It　was　the　mark　of　the　dead；　a　mark　of　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld。　The　Keeper　had　marked　him　to　be　his　own。’
　
　Zedd　worked　to　steady　his　breathing；　his　trembling　hands。　‘Were　there　more　visions？’
　
　‘Yes；　but　not　as　strong　and　I　didn’t　understand　them。　They　rushed　by　so　fast　I　couldn’t　grasp　their　form；　only　their　pain。　Then　he　was　gone。
　
　‘While　the　Mord…Sith　were　turned；　watching　him　go；　I　ran　back　to　my　room　and　locked　myself　in。　I　lay　on　the　bed　for　hours；　crying　uncontrollably　with　the　hurt　of　what　I　had　seen。　The　Lady　Ordith　banged　at　my　door；　wanting　me；　but　I　called　to　her　that　I　was　sick　and　she　finally　went　away　in　a　huff。　I　cried　until　my　insides　were　jelly。　I　saw　virtue　in　that　man；　and　I　wept　in　fear　of　the　evil　I　saw　snatching　for　him。
　
　‘Though　the　visions　were　all　different；　they　were　the　same。　They　all　had　the　same　feel：　danger。　Danger　presses　in　around　that　man　as　tightly　as　water　presses　around　a　fish。’　She　regained　some　of　her　posure　as　Zedd　sat　silently　watching　her。　That　is　why　I　will　not　work　for　him。　The　good　spirits　protect　me；　I　don’t　want　anything　to　do　with　the　danger　around　that　man。　With　the　underworld。’
　
　‘Maybe　you　could　help　him；　with　your　talent；　help　him　to　avoid　the　danger。　That　is　what　I　was　hoping　anyway；’　Zedd　said　in　a　quiet　voice。
　
　Jebra　dabbed　her　cheeks　dry　with　the　back　of　her　sleeve。　‘Not　for　all　the　duke’s　gold　and　power　would　I　want　to　be　in　Lord　Rahl’s　wake。　I　am　no　coward；　but　I　am　no　heroine　in　a　song；　and　no　fool　either。　I　did　not　wish　my　guts　put　back　to　have　them　ripped　out　again；　and　this　time　my　soul　with　them。’
　
　Zedd　quietly　watched　her　sniffling　herself　back　under　control；　putting　the　frightening　visions　away。　She　took　a　deep　breath　and　sighed。　Her　blue　eyes　finally　looked　to　his。
　
　‘Richard　is　my　grandson；’　he　said　simply。
　
　Her　eyes　winced　shut。　‘Oh；　good　spirits　forgive　me。’　Her　hand　covered　her　mouth　for　a　long　moment；　then　her　eyes　came　open；　her　eyebrows　wrinkled　together　in　horror。　‘Zedd　。。。　I’m　so　sorry　for　telling　you　what　I　saw。　Forgive　me。　Had　I　known；　I　never　would　have　told　you。’　Her　hands　trembled。　‘Forgive　me。　Oh　please；　forgive　me。’
　
　The　truth　is　the　truth。　I　am　not　one　who　would　shut　a　door　in　your　face　for　seeing　it。　Jebra；　I　am　a　wizard；　I　already　know　of　the　danger　he　is　in。　That　is　why　I　asked　you　to　help。　The　veil　to　the　underworld　is　torn。　That　thing　that　ripped　you　open　escaped　into　the　world　of　the　living　through　the　tear。　If　the　veil　tears　enough；　the　Keeper　will　escape。　Richard　has　done　things　that　the　prophecies　say　mark　him　as　maybe　the　only　one　able　to　close　the　tear。’
　
　He　lifted　the　purse　of　gold　and　slowly　settled　it　in　her　lap；　her　eyes　following　it　down。　He　withdrew　his　empty　hand。　Her　gaze　stayed　on　the　purse　as　if　it　were　a　beast　that　might　bite。
　
　‘Would　it　be　very　dangerous？’　she　asked　at　last　in　a　weak　voice。
　
　Zedd　smiled　when　her　eyes　came　up。　‘No　more　dangerous　than　going　for　an　afternoon　stroll　in　a　fortress　palace。’
　
　With　a　reflex　jerk；　her　hand　clutched　her　abdomen　where　the　wound　had　been。　Her　eyes　rose　to　look　off　down　the　wide；　resplendent　halls；　as　if　seeking　escape；　or　maybe　fearing　an　attack。　Without　looking　to　him　she　spoke。
　
　‘My　grandmother　was　a　Seer；　and　my　only　guide。　She　told　me　once　that　the　visions　would　bring　me　a　lifetime　of　hurt；　and　there　was　nothing　I　would　ever　be　able　to　do　to　stop　them。　She　said　that　if　ever　I　was　presented　with　the　opportunity　to　use　the　visions　for　good；　to　take　the　chance；　and　it　would　make　up　for　some　of　the　burden。　That　was　the　day　she　put　her　Stone　in　my　hand。’
　
　Jebra　lifted　the　purse　and　set　it　back　in　Zedd’s　lap。　‘I　will　not　do　it　for　all　the　gold　in　D’Hara。　But　I　will　do　it　for　you。’
　
　Zedd　smiled　and　patted　her　cheek。　‘Thank　you；　child。’　He　put　the　gold　back　in　her　lap；　the　coins　making　a　muffled　clink。　‘You　will　be　needing　this。　You　will　have　expenses。　What　is　left　is　yours。　That　is　the　way　I　wish　it。’
　
　She　nodded　resignedly。　‘What　must　I　do？’
　
　‘Well；　first　we　must　both　get　a　good　night’s　sleep。　You　will　need　to　rest　for　a　few　days　to　regain　your　strength。　And　then　you　have　some　traveling　to　do；　Lady　Bevinvier。’　He　smiled　at　the　way　one　of　her　eyebrows　lifted。　‘We　are　both　very　tired　right　now。　Tomorrow　after　I　have　rested；　I　must　be　off　on　important　business。　Before　I　leave；　I　will　e　to　you　and　we　will　talk　more　of　this。　But　starting　right　now；　I　would　ask　you　not　to　wear　the　Stone　where　it　can　be　seen。　No　good　can　e　of　declaring　your　talent　to　eyes　in　the　shadows。’
　
　‘So　my　new　employer　shall　use　me　covertly　too？　Not　the　most　honorable　of　things。’
　
　‘The　ones　who　would　recognize　you　now　are　not　vying　for　gold。　They　serve　the　Keeper。　They　want　much　more　than　gold。　If　they　discover　you；　you　will　wish　I　had　not　saved　you　today。’
　
　She　winced　before　finally　nodding。
　
　
　CHAPTER　4
　
　Zedd　stood　with　the　aid　of　a　hand　to　his　knee。　He　helped　Jebra　up。　As　he　expected；　she　was　unable　to　stand　without　leaning　heavily　on　him。　She　apologized　for　the　burden。　He　made　her　smile　by　telling　her　he　would　use　any　excuse　to　have　his　arm　around　the　waist　of　a　pretty　maiden。
　
　People　were　starting　to　go　back　to　their　business；　engaged　in　hushed　conversation　as　their　eyes　darted　about　the　suddenly　not　so　safe　palace。　Those　hurt　had　been　helped　away；　and　the　dead　carried　off。　Maidservants　in　heavy　skirts　worked　tearfully　at　the　task　of　cleaning　up　the　blood；　sloshing　mops　in　buckets　of　reddening　water。　Soldiers　of　the　First　File　were　spread　out　everywhere。　Zedd　motioned　to　mander　Trimack　across　the　hall。
　
　‘Anyway；　I　shall　be　glad　to　be　away　from　this　place；’　Jebra　said。　‘I　have　seen　auras　here　that　make　me　sweat　in　my　sleep。’
　
　As　the　officer　started　toward　them；　Zedd　asked；　‘Do　you　see　anything　of　this　man　ing　toward　us？’
　
　She　studied　him　a　moment　as　he　strode　toward　them；　checking　the　placement　of　his　men。　‘A　faint　aura。　Duty。’　She　frowned　as　she　stared。　‘It　has　always　been　a　burden　for　him。　He　is　daring　to　hope　that　maybe　he　will　now　find　pride　in　it。　Does　that　help　you　any？’
　
　Zedd　smiled　a　little。　‘Yes　it　does。　Any　visions？’
　
　‘No。　Just　the　faint　aura。’
　
　The　wizard　nodded　in　thought；　then　brightened。　‘By　the　way；　why　has　a　woman　as　lovely　as　you　not　found　herself　a　husband？’
　
　She　gave　him　a　sidelong　glance。　‘Three　have　asked。　As　each　was　on　bended　knee　before　me；　I　saw　a　vision　of　them　lying　with　another　woman。’
　
　Zedd　grinned。　‘Did　they　ask　why　you　said　no？’
　
　‘I　didn’t　say　no。　I　only　slapped　them　so　hard　it　made　their　heads　ring　like　a　bell。’
　
　Zedd　laughed　until　she　was　caught　up　in　it。　Trimack　came　at　last　to　a　halt　before　them。　mander　General　Trimack；　may　I　introduce　the　Lady　Bevinvier。’　Trimack　gave　a　smart　bow。　As　are　you；　as　am　I；　this　lady　is　one　who　is　at　the　task　of　keeping　harm　from　getting　a　glance　at　Lord　Rahl。　I　would　like　her　to　have　a　heavy　guard　at　all　times　while　she　is　in　the　palace。　Lord　Rahl　needs　her　help；　and　I　don’t　want　her　life　risked　again　as　it　was　today。’
　
　‘While　she　is　in　the　palace　she　will　be　as　safe　as　a　babe　in　her　mother’s　arms。　By　my　honor。’　He　turned　and　gave　a　coded　tap　to　his　shoulder。　A　good　two　dozen　men　of　the　First　File　came　at　a　dead　run；　freezing　to　a　halt　at　attention；　not　even　breathing　hard。　‘This　is　the　Lady　Bevinvier。　Every　one　of　your　lives　before　hers。’
　
　With　a　sharp　snap；　every　fist　came　to　an　armored　heart　as　one。　Two　of　them　took　Jebra’s　weight　from　Zedd。　She　kept　one　hand　tightly　closed　around　the　Stone。　The　purse　of　gold　bulged　in　a　pocket　of　her　long；　green　skirt。　It　was　covered　most　of　the　way　down　with　dried　blood。
　
　Zedd　addressed　the　men　holding　her　up。　‘She　will　need　suitable　quarters；　and　meals　brought　in。　Please　see　to　it　she　is　not　disturbed　by　anyone　but　me。’　He　looked　at　her　tired　blue　eyes　and　gently　touched　her　arm。　‘Rest　well；　child。　I　will　visit　you　in　the　morning。’
　
　She　smiled　weakly。　‘Thank　you；　Zedd。’　As　the　soldiers　helped　her　away；　the　wizard　turned　his　attention　to　Trimack。　‘There　is　a　woman　staying　in　the　palace；　a　Lady　Ordith　Condatith　de　Dackidvich。　Lord　Rahl　is　going　to　have　enough　trouble　without　her　kind　around。　I　want　her　out　of　here　before　the　day　is　finished。　If　she　refuses　to　leave；　offer　her　the　choice　of　a　carriage　or　a　noose。’
　
　Trimack　grinned　wickedly。　‘I　will　see　to　it　personally。’
　
　‘If　there　are　any　others　you　know　of　about　the　palace；　who　are　of　her　temperament；　feel　free　to　make　them　the　same　offer。　New　rule　brings　change。’　Zedd　couldn’t　see　auras；　but　he　was　sure　that　if　Jebra　had　been　standing　there；　she　would　have　seen　Trimack’s　brighten。
　
　‘Some　are　unfortable　with　change；　Wizard　Zorander。’　The　man　had　spoken　more　than　his　simple　words。　Are　there　any　above　you　in　mand　in　the　palace？　Other　than　Lord　Rahl？’
　
　Trimack　clasped　his　hands　behind　his　back　as　his　eyes　swept　the　hall。　There　is　one　named　Demmin　Nass；　mander　of　the　quads；　who　gave　orders　to　all　but　Darken　Rahl。’
　
　Zedd　let　out　a　heavy　breath　at　that　memory。　‘He　is　dead。’
　
　Trimack　nodded　with　what　might　have　been　relief。　‘Below　the　palace；　quartered　in　the　chambers　of　the　plateau；　there　are　perhaps　thirty　thousand　men　of　the　army。　Their　generals　outrank　me　in　the　field；　but　in　the　palace　the　word　of　the　mander　general　of　the　First　File　is　law。　Some　of　them　I　know