tg.stone of tears-第74部分

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　‘But　I　finally　was　able　to　do　better。　I　saved　every　copper；　and　bought　more　land　in　the　years　I　could。　Planted；　tended；　picked；　hauled；　and　sold　it　all　by　myself。　Over　time；　people　came　to　know　my　fruit　as　the　best；　and　I　became　more　successful。　In　the　last　few　years；　I’ve　hired　people　to　tend　things　for　me。　But　I　still　keep　my　hand　to　the　work；　so　that　it　lives　up　to　what　people　know　me　for。　Would　you　hope　for　any　less　success；　in　your　work？’
　
　Zedd　sat　back；　smiling；　proud　of　the　story　he　had　just　invented　on　the　spot。　Ahern　held　out　his　cup　for　more　tea。
　
　‘Where　are　these　orchards？’
　
　‘In　Westland。　Moved　there　before　the　boundary　went　up。’
　
　‘And　why　are　you　here　now？’
　
　Zedd　leaned　forward；　lowering　his　voice。　‘Well；　you　see；　my　wife　is　not　doing　well。　We’re　both　old；　and　now　that　the　boundary　is　down；　she　wants　to　visit　her　homeland。　She　knows　healers　there　who　may　be　able　to　help　her。　I’d　do　anything　to　help　that　woman。　She’s　too　sick　to　travel　on　horseback　any　longer；　what　with　this　weather；　so　I’d　like　to　hire　someone　to　take　us　to　her　healers。　I’d　pay　any　price；　any　price　I　can　afford；　to　get　her　there。’
　
　Ahern’s　face　softened；　somewhat。　‘Sounds　a　fair　enough　journey。　Where　do　you　be　headed？’
　
　‘Nicobarese。’
　
　Ahern　slammed　his　cup　down　on　the　table。　Some　of　the　tea　sloshed　out。　‘What！’　He　lowered　his　voice　and　leaned　forward；　the　table’s　edge　pressing　into　his　husky　middle。　‘It’s　the　dead　of　winter；　man！’
　
　Zedd　ran　his　finger　around　the　rim　of　his　cup。　‘I　thought　you　said　spring　was　the　worst。’
　
　Ahern　grunted　with　a　suspicious　glare。　‘That’s　back　northwest；　the　other　side　of　the　Rang’Shada　Mountains。　If　you　came　from　Westland；　to　go　to　Nicobarese；　why　would　you　cross　the　Rang’Shada　first？　Now　you　just　have　to　cross　it　back　again。’
　
　Zedd　was　caught　off　guard；　and　had　to　scramble　to　find　an　answer。　At　last　he　did。　‘I’m　from　up　near　Aydindril。　We　were　going　to　go　there　for　a　visit　to　my　homeland；　before　we　went　in　the　spring　to　Nicobarese。　I　thought　to　cross　the　mountains　to　the　south；　then　go　northeast　to　Aydindril。　But　Elda；　that’s　my　wife；　she　took　sick；　and　I　decided　that；　well；　it　would　be　better　we　go　see　her　healers。’
　
　‘You　would　have　been　better　off　to　have　gone　to　Nicobarese　first；　before　you　crossed　the　mountains。’
　
　Zedd　folded　his　hands　over　his　cane。　‘So；　Ahern；　do　you　know　how　to　undo　something　done　in　error；　so　I　may　relive　my　life　as　you　suggest？’
　
　Ahern　grunted　a　laugh。　‘Guess　not。’　He　thought　a　moment；　finally　letting　out　a　tired　sigh。　‘I’ll　tell　you；　Ruben；　it’s　a　long　way。　You’re　asking　for　trouble。　I　don’t　know　that　I　want　any　part　of　it。’
　
　Zedd　arched　an　eyebrow。　‘Really？’　He　made　a　deliberate　survey　of　the　room。　Tell　me　then；　Ahern；　if　you　find　the　task　so　formidable；　which　of　these　men　here　would　be　up　to　the　job？　Which　are　better　drivers　than　you？’
　
　Ahern　regarded　the　crowd　with　a　sour　look。　‘I’m　not　saying　I’m　the　best　there　is；　but　this　lot’s　more　boast　than　brains。　Don’t　think　there’s　a　one　of　them　that　would　make　it。’
　
　Zedd　shifted　irritably　on　his　bench。　Ahern；　I　think　you’re　simply　trying　to　boost　price。’
　
　‘And　I　think　you’re　trying　to　lower　it。’
　
　Zedd　let　his　slightest　smile　touch　his　lips。　‘I　don’t　think　it　as　difficult　a　job　as　you　make　it。’
　
　Ahern’s　frown　returned。　‘You　think　it　easy？’
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　‘You　drive　in　the　winter　now。　I　simply　want　you　to　drive　in　a　different　direction；　that’s　all。’
　
　Ahern　leaned　forward；　his　jaw　muscles　tightening。　‘Well；　the　direction　you　want　to　go　in　is　trouble！　First　of　all；　there　are　rumors　of　civil　war　in　Nicobarese。　Worse；　the　shortest　way；　unless　you　want　to　spend　weeks　going　to　the　passes　far　to　the　south；　is　across　Galea。’
　
　His　voice　lowered。　‘There’s　trouble　between　Galea　and　Kelton。　I　hear　tell　there’s　fighting　along　the　border。　Keltish　towns　have　been　sacked。　The　people　here　in　Penverro　are　nervous；　what　with　being　so　close　to　the　border　with　Galea。　It’s　all　the　talk。　Going　into　Galea　is　sure　trouble。’
　
　‘Fighting？　Wagging　tongues　of　gossips。　The　war　is　ended。　The　D’Haran　troops　have　been　called　home。’
　
　Ahern　slowly　shook　his　head。　‘Not　D’Haran　raids。　Galean。’
　
　‘Piffle！’　Zedd　snapped。　‘Keltans　think　it’s　a　Galean　attack　every　time　a　farmer　knocks　a　lantern　over　and　a　barn　catches　fire；　and　the　Galeans　see　Keltans　every　time　a　lamb　is　taken　by　wolves。　I’d　like　to　have　the　price　of　all　the　arrows　that　have　been　shot　into　shadows。’　He　shook　a　finger　at　the　man。　‘If　either　Kelton　or　Galea　were　to　attack　the　other；　the　Central　Council　would　have　the　heads　of　those　who　spoke　the　orders；　no　matter　who　they　were！’　He　thumped　his　cane。　‘It　would　not　be　allowed！’
　
　Ahern　shrank　back　a　little。　‘I　don’t　know　anything　about　politics；　and　less　about　those　wicked　Confessors。　I　just　know　that　going　through　Galea　can　get　a　man　shot　full　of　arrows　ing　out　of　those　shadows。　What　you　want　is　not　as　easy　as　you　think。’
　
　Zedd　was　tiring　of　the　game。　He　didn’t　have　time　for　this。　Something　Adie　had　said　was　nagging　at　the　back　of　his　mind。　Something　about　light。　Deciding　to　resolve　the　discussion　one　way　or　the　other；　he　drained　his　tea　in　one　gulp。
　
　‘Thank　you　for　conversation；　Ahern。　But　I　can　see　you’re　not　the　man　able　to　get　me　to　Nicobarese。’
　
　He　rose；　reaching　for　his　hat。　Ahern　laid　a　big　paw　on　Zedd’s　arm　and　urged　him　down。　He　squirmed　forward　on　his　bench。
　
　‘Look；　Ruben；　times　have　been　hard。　The　war　with　D’Hara　disrupted　trade。　Kelton　was　spared　the　brunt　of　the　war；　but　many　of　our　neighbors　weren’t。　It’s　hard　to　trade　with　dead　people。　There’s　not　as　much　cargo　as　there　used　to　be；　but　we　still　have　more　than　enough　men　wanting　to　haul。
　
　You　can’t　blame　a　fellow　for　trying　to　get　his　best　price　when　an　opportunity　es　along。’　His　eyebrows　lifted　as　he　leaned　in　a　little　more。　Trying　to　get　the　best　price　for　the　best　fruit；　as　it　were。’
　
　‘Best　fruit　indeed。’　Zedd　waved　his　hand　impatiently　toward　the　room。　‘Any　one　of　these　men　will　gladly　offer　to　hire　out。　Any　one　of　them　can　offer　me　a　boastful　story　just　as　good　as　yours；　as　to　why　they　would　be　the　best　driver。　You’re　working　up　to　asking　top　price。　That’s　fair　enough；　but　stop　playing　games　with　me；　Ahern。　I　want　to　know　why　I　should　pay　it。’
　
　With　the　tip　of　one　thick　finger；　Ahern　slid　his　cup　to　the　middle　of　the　table；　indicating　he　wanted　a　refill。　Zedd　smoothed　out　his　sleeves　before　obliging　him。　Ahern　drew　his　cup　into　the　protective　shroud　of　his　big　arms　as　he　leaned　in。　He　glanced　around　the　room。
　
　Everyone　was　watching　the　bard　sing　a　love　song　to　one　of　the　serving　girls。　He　was　holding　her　hand；　singing　words　of　eternal　devotion。　The　girl’s　face　was　red。　She　held　her　tray　behind　her　back　with　her　other　hand　as　she　studied　her　feet　and　giggled。
　
　Ahern　extracted　a　chain　with　a　silver　medallion　from　under　his　green　flannel　shirt。　‘The　reason　I　want　top　price　is　because　of　this。’
　
　Zedd　frowned　down　his　nose　at　the　regal　image　on　the　medallion。　That　looks　to　be　Galean。’
　
　Ahern　gave　a　single　nod。　‘In　the　spring　and　summer；　D’Hara　laid　siege　to　Ebinissia。　The　Galeans　were　slowly　being　choked　to　death；　and　no　one　would　help　them。　Everyone　had　troubles　of　their　own；　with　the　D’Harans；　and　didn’t　want　a　piece　of　theirs。　The　people　there　needed　weapons。
　
　‘I　took　loads　of　weapons；　and　some　badly　needed　salt；　up　through　some　of　the　more　isolated　passes。　The　Galean　guard　had　offered　to　escort　any　who　would　risk　the　run；　but　few　took　the　offer。　Those　back　passes　are　treacherous。’
　
　Zedd　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘Very　noble　of　you。’
　
　‘Nothing　noble　to　it。　They　paid　handsomely。　I　just　didn’t　like　to　see　them　folks　trapped　like　that。　Especially　knowing　what　D’Haran　soldiers　do　to　those　they　vanquish。　Anyway；　I　reasoned　that　some　Keltish　swords　might　give　them　a　better　chance　to　defend　themselves；　that’s　all。　Like　I　said；　we　make　the　best。’
　
　Zedd　lifted　a　hand　from　where　it　was　folded　over　his　cane；　and　gestured　to　the　medallion；　now　back　under　Ahern’s　shirt。　‘So　what　is　that　about？’
　
　‘After　the　siege　was　lifted；　I　was　called　before　the　Galean　court。　Queen　Cyrilla　herself　gave　this　to　me。　She　said　I　had　helped　her　people　defend　themselves；　and　I　was　always　wele　in　Galea。’　He　tapped　his　chest；　where　the　medallion　hung　under　his　shirt。　This　is　a　royal　pass。　It　says　I　may　go　anywhere　I　wish　in　Galea；　unhindered。’
　
　And　so　now；’　Zedd　said；　looking　up　from　under　his　eyebrows；　‘you　wish　to　put　a　price　on　something　that　is　priceless。’
　
　Ahern’s　eyes　narrowed。　‘What　I　did　was　a　small　bit；　they　bore　the　brunt　of　the　hardship。　I　helped　those　people　because　they　needed　help；　and　because　I　was　paid　well。　I’m　not　claiming　to　be　a　hero。　I　did　it　for　both　reasons。　I　wouldn’t　have　done　it　for　one　alone。　Now　I　have　this　pass；　and　if　it　will　help　me　to　make　a　living；　well；　I　don’t　see　anything　wrong　with　that。’
　
　Zedd　leaned　back。　‘You’re　right；　Ahern。　The　Galeans；　after　all；　put　a　price　in　gold　to　your　work　for　them。　I　shall；　too；　if　I　can。　Name　your　price　to　take　us　to　Nicobarese。’
　
　The　teacup　looked　tiny　in　Ahern’s　big　hands　as　he　rolled　it　back　and　forth。　Thirty　gold。　Not　one　less。’
　
　Zedd　arched　an　eyebrow。　‘My；　my。　Don’t　we　think　a　lot　of　ourselves。’
　
　‘I　can　get　us　there；　and　that’s　my　price。　Thirty　gold。’
　
　Twenty　now；　ten　more　when　you　get　us　to　Aydindril。’
　
　‘Aydindril！　You　never　said　anything　about　Aydindril。　I　don’t　want　anything　to　do　with　Aydindril；　with　their　wizards　and　Confessors。　Besides；　we’d　have　to　cross　the　Rang’Shada　again！’
　
　‘You　will　have　to　cross　anyway　to　e　back　here。　So　you　cross　in　the　north。　It’s　hardly　out　of　your　way。　If　you　don’t　like　the　offer；　then　I’ll　offer　twenty　to　take　us　to　Nicobarese；　and　I’m　sure　I　can　find　someone　there　more　than　willing　to　take　us　to　Aydindril　for　the　other　ten；　if　we　even　need　carriage　after　my　wife　is　healed。　If　you　want　all　thirty；　then　I’ll　mit　to　it　now；　if　you　agree　to　take　us　all　the　way。　That’s　my　offer。’
　
　Ahern　rolled　his　cup　back　and　forth。　‘All　right。　To　Aydindril。　Twenty　now；　ten　in　Aydindril。’　He　pointed　a　meaty　finger　in　Zedd’s　direction。　‘But　you　have　to　agree　to　one　condition。’
　
　‘Such　as？’
　
　Ahern’s　finger　moved；　to　point　at　Zedd’s　red　hat。　‘You　can’t　wear　that　hat。　That　feather　will　spook　the　horses　sure。’
　
　Zedd’s　wrinkly　cheeks　spread　in　a　grin。　‘One　condition　of　my　own；　then。’　Ahern　cocked　his　head。　‘　You　have　to　tell　my　wife　that　it’s　your　condition。’
　
　Ahern　grinned　back。　‘Done。’　His　grin　vanished　as　quickly　as　it　had　e。　This　isn’t　going　to　be　an　easy　journey；　Ruben；　up　into　and　across　those　mountains。　I　have　a　coach　I　bought　with　my　earnings　from　hauling　to　Ebinissia。　I　can　mount　runners　to　it。　Make　easier　going　in　the　deep　snow。’　He　tapped　a　finger　against　the　side　of　the　cup。　‘Now；　the　gold？’
　
　The　bard’s　fingers　danced　across　the　strings；　playing　an　enthralling　tune　without　words。　Practically　every　toe　in　the　room　was　moving　in　time　with　it；　adding　a　drumlike　acpaniment。　Zedd　reached　into　his　robes　and　put　a　hand　around　the　two　purses　of　silver　coins。　He　watched　the　room　without　seeing　it。
　
　And　then　the　wizard　did　again　that　which　he　had　had　to　do　far　too　often　of　late：　he　channeled　a　warm　flow　of　magic　into　the　bags　of　silver　coins　…　and　changed　them　to　gold。
　
　But　what　choice　did　he　have？　To　fail　in　this　endeavor　was　to　see　the　world　of　the　living　die。　He　hoped　he　was　not　simply　providing　himself　justification　for　an　act　he　knew　was　dangerous。
　
　‘Nothing　is　ever　easy；’　he　muttered　under　his　breath。
　
　‘What　was　that？’
　
　‘I　said　I　know　it’s　not　easy；　this　journey。’　He　plunked　the　dark　brown　bag　of　gold　on　the　table。　This　should　make　it　possible。　Twenty　now；　as　agreed。’
　
　Ahern　pulled　open　the　draw　top　and　put　two　big　fingers　into　the　bag；　counting；　while　Zedd　idly　watched　people　enjoying　the　food　and　drink　and　music。　He　was　anxious　to　be　off　to　Nicobarese。
　
　This　some　kind　of　joke？’
　
　Zedd　brought　his　attention　back　to　Ahern。　With　two　fingers；　the　big　man　drew　a　coin　from　the　bag　and　flicked　it　across　the　table。　The　coin　spun　with　a　dull　color　before　finally　toppling　over；　making　a　sound　just　as　dull。　Zedd　stared　incredulously。
　
　The　coin　looked　just　like　an　ordinary　coin。　Except　it　was　wood　instead　of　gold。
　
　‘I　。。。　I。。。　well　。。。’
　
　Ahern　had　poured　the　rest　of　the　gold　coins　into　his　big　mitt　and　was　now　letting　them　tumble　back　into　the　purse。　‘And　there　are　only　eighteen　here。　You’re　two　short。　I’m　not　taking　wooden　coins。’
　
　Zedd　smiled　indulgently　as　he　pulled　the　light　brown　purse　from　his　robes。　‘I　apologize；　Ahern。’　He　swept　the　wooden　coin　from　the　table。　‘It　would　seem　I　gave　you　the　wrong　purse；　the　one　with　my　lucky　coin。　I　would　never　give　that　away；　of　course。　It’s　more　valuable　to　me　than　gold。’
　
　He　peered　into　his　purse。　Seventeen。　And　two　of　those　were　wood；　too。　There　should　have　been　nineteen；　altogether。　His　mind　reeled　as　he　tried　to　make　sense　of　it。　Could　Master　Hillman　have　tried　to　short　him？　No；　that　would　be　too　clumsy　a　theft。　Besides；　to　carve　a　coin　from　wood；　hoping　to　pass　it　off　as　gold；　would　be　witless。
　
　‘My　other　two　gold？’
　
　‘Oh　yes；　yes。’　Zedd　pulled　two　gold　coins　from　the　purse　and　slid　them　across　the　table。
　
　Ahern　added　them　to　his　purse；　jerked　the　drawstring　tight；　and　stuffed　the　dark　brown　bag　into　a　pocket。　‘I’m　at　your　bidding；　now。　When　would　you　like　to　leave？’
　
　The　silver　coins　that　were　turned　to　wood　instead　of　gold　did　not　concern　the　wizard；　that　could　be　explained。　Somehow。　But　there　were　three　coins　missing。　Vanished。　That　could　not　be　explained。　That　did　concern　him。　Concern　him　down　to　the　bones　in　his　toes。
　
　‘I　would　like　to　leave　as　soon　as　possible。　At　once。’
　
　‘You　mean　tomorrow？’
　
　Zedd　snatched　up　his　hat。　‘No；　I　mean　at　once。’　He　glanced　at　the　man’s　puzzled　frown。　‘My　wife　。。。　there　is　no　time　to　waste。　She　needs　to　get　to　her　healers。’
　
　Ahern　shrugged。　‘Well；　I　just　got　back　from　Tristen。　I’ll　need　to　catch　a　little　sleep。　It’s　going　to　be　a　long；　hard　run。’
　
　Zedd　reluctantly　nodded　his　acquiescence。　‘First　I’ll　put　the　runners　on　the　coach。　That’ll　take　a　couple　of　hours。　Less　if　I　can　get　one　of　these　fellows　to　help　me。’
　
　Zedd　thumped　his　cane。　‘No！　Tell　no　one　what　you’re　doing；　or　where　you’re　going。　Don’t　even　tell　anyone　you’re　leaving。’　He　snapped　his　mouth　shut　when　he　saw　Ahern’s　frown；　and　thought　he　had　better　say　something　to　ease　it。　Those　shadows　you　spoke　of。　Does　no　good　to　let　them　know　where　to　point　an　arrow。’
　
　Ahern　stared　down　suspiciously　as　he　stood　to　his　full；　towering　height；　drawing　his　longcoat　on。　‘First　you　talk　me　into　taking　you　to　the　accursed　land　of　wizards　and　Confessors；　and　now　this。　I　think　I　asked　too　little。’　He　flicked　the　ends　of　the　coat’s　belt　together　into　a　loose　knot。　‘But　a　bargain　is　a　bargain。　I’ll　get　the　coach　set　up；　and　get　some　provisions　toge