tg.stone of tears-第82部分

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　She　leaned　the　slightest　bit　forward。　‘You’re　a　treasonous　bastard　and　an　outlaw　cutthroat　without　conscience。　I　leave　to　Prince　Fyren　the　honor　of　condemning　you　to　death。　It　will；　of　course；　be　a　posthumous　sentence。’
　
　Karsh　pounded　his　fist。　‘The　good　spirits　know　of　your　treachery　against　the　people　of　the　Midlands！　This　proves　their　words　true！　They’ve　told　us　we　cannot　be　free　as　long　as　you　live！　They’ve　called　upon　us　to　kill　all　those　like　you！　All　those　who　blaspheme！　The　good　spirits　will　not　abandon　us　in　our　struggle。　We　shall　defeat　all　who　do　the　Keeper’s　bidding。’
　
　‘No　real　officer；’　she　said；　contemptuously；　‘would　listen　to　the　babbling　of　the　Blood。’
　
　The　wizard　had　made　an　angry…looking　ball　of　liquid　fire；　and　was　slowly　juggling　it　back　and　forth　between　his　hands　while　he　watched　her。　The　flames　spit　and　hissed；　dropping　little　sparks。　General　Riggs　belched　and　then　put　his　knuckles　on　the　table　as　he　leaned　toward　her。
　
　‘Enough　talking。　Get　down　here；　you　little　wench；　so　we　can　start　the　party。　Us　brave　freedom　fighters　need　a　little　fun。’
　
　General　Karsh　at　last　smiled。。　‘And　then　tomorrow；　or　perhaps　the　next　day；　you　will　be　beheaded。　Our　men；　our　people；　will　rejoice　at　your　death。　They　will　exult　in　our　triumph　over　the　Mother　Confessor；　the　symbol　of　oppression　by　magic。’　His　smile　left　as　he　turned　red…faced　once　more；　‘The　people　must　see　your　punishment　to　know　that　good　can　prevail！　To　have　hope！　When　we　have　your　head；　our　people　can　rejoice！’
　
　‘Rejoice　that　all　you　brave　freedom　fighters　are　strong　enough　to　kill　a　single　woman？’
　
　‘No；’　General　Riggs　said。　He　appeared　for　the　first　time　sober　as　he　looked　up　at　her。　‘You　miss　the　true　meaning　of　what　we　do。　You　fail　to　see　its　significance。’
　
　His　voice　lowered；　his　tone　softened。　‘It’s　a　new　age　we　enter；　Confessor。　An　age　that　has　no　place　for　your　old　religions。　The　line　of　Confessors　and　their　wizards　is　at　an　end。
　
　There　was　a　time；　three　thousand　years　ago；　when　nearly　everyone　was　born　with　the　gift。　Magic　held　sway　over　all　things。　That　magic　was　used　to　vie　for　power。　Wizards　abused　their　power。　In　their　greed；　they　killed　one　another。　They　killed　others　who　had　the　gift；　and　so　fewer　lived　to　pass　it　on。　Over　time；　those　with　the　gift　were　culled　from　the　race　of　men。
　
　‘Yet　those　left　still　contested　for　rule；　and　further　thinned　the　ranks　of　those　born　with　the　gift。　The　magic；　the　other　creatures　of　magic　who　were　their　charges；　such　as　you；　have　been　steadily　stripped　of　their　protection　and　fount　of　magic。　Today　there　are　almost　none　born　with　the　gift。　Magic　itself　is　dying　with　them。　They　have　had　their　chance　to　rule；　just　as　did　Darken　Rahl　with　his　magic；　and　they　have　failed。　Their　time；　the　time　of　wizards；　is　past。
　
　‘Their　protection　of　the　twilight　beings　is　at　an　end；　and　so　the　age　of　magic　is　at　an　end。　The　time　of　man　is　upon　us　now；　and　there　is　no　place　in　that　world　for　the　ancient；　dying　religion　you　call　magic。　It　is　time　for　man　to　take　his　place　as　inheritor　of　the　world。　The　Imperial　Order　is　upon　the　world；　now；　and　if　it　were　not　them；　it　would　be　man　by　another　name。　It　is　time　for　man　to　rule；　for　magic　to　die。’
　
　Kahlan　felt　a　sudden　hollowness。　An　unexpected　tear　ran　down　her　cheek。　A　choking　feeling　of　true　panic　clawed　at　her　throat。
　
　‘Do　you　hear　that；　Slagle？’　she　whispered　hoarsely。　‘You　have　magic。　The　ones　you　aid　would　put　an　end　to　you；　too。’
　
　He　tossed　the　little　ball　of　fire　to　his　other　hand；　the　light　of　its　flames　dancing　across　his　grim　face。　‘It　is　as　it　must　be。　Magic；　chaste　or　foul；　is　the　Keeper’s　conduit　to　this　world。　When　I　have　helped　extinguish　magic　in　all　its　forms；　then　I；　too；　must　die。　In　that　way；　I　will　serve　the　people。’
　
　Riggs　gazed　up　to　her；　almost　sorrowfully；　as　he　went　on。
　
　‘Our　people　must　see　the　last　living　embodiment　of　that　religion　die。　You　are　its　symbol；　the　last　creature　of　magic　created　by　wizards。　With　your　death；　they　will　be　filled　with　hope　for　the　future；　and　be　emboldened　to　extinguish　all　the　remaining　pockets　of　filth　and　perversion　that　are　magic。
　
　‘We　are　the　plowshare。　Those　lands　now　infested　with　magic　will　be　freed　of　its　taint；　and　can　be　resettled　by　pious　people。　Then；　at　last；　we　shall　all　be　free　of　your　dogmas；　which　have　no　part　in　the　glory　of　the　future　of　man。’
　
　He　straightened；　taking　a　drink　from　his　mug。　The　harshness　returned　to　his　voice。　‘After　we　finish　with　you；　then　we’ll　bring　Galea　to　heel；　and　the　rest　of　the　lands。’　He　slammed　the　mug　down。　‘Until　plete　and　total　victory　is　ours；　we　demand　war！’
　
　Rage　swelled　in　her；　banishing　the　momentary　sensation　of　loss　and　panic；　swelled　on　behalf　of　all　those　beings；　the　twilight　beings；　who　depended　upon　her　for　voice　and　protection。
　
　She　nodded　slowly　as　she　held　the　general’s　gaze。
　
　‘In　my　capacity　as　Mother　Confessor；　the　highest　rank　of　authority　in　the　Midlands；　to　whose　mandate　all　must　bow；　I　grant　your　wish。’　She　leaned　forward　and　spoke　in　a　hiss。　‘Let　there　be　war。　On　my　word　and　office；　not　one　of　you　shall　be　granted　quarter。’
　
　Kahlan’s　fist　came　up　to　the　wizard。　It　was　for　him　she　had　e。
　
　Her　chest　heaved　with　wrath；　and　with　terror　at　the　madness　of　these　men。　She　let　the　magic　surge　within　her；　demanding　release；　demanding　this　wizard’s　death。
　
　It　was　for　him　she　had　e。　She　must　not　fail。　The　Blood　Rage　screamed　through　her。
　
　She　called　the　lightning　forth。
　
　Nothing　happened。
　
　She　froze　for　an　instant　in　the　panic　of　the　failure　of　the　magic。　Then　Riggs　lunged　for　her　leg。
　
　Kahlan　hauled　back　on　the　reins。　The　ferocious　warhorse　sprang　into　battle。　He　bellowed　as　he　reared；　kicking　his　front　legs。　Kahlan　grasped　his　mane　for　dear　life。　A　lashing　hoof　caught　Riggs　across　the　face；　throwing　him　back。　The　thrashing　hooves　crashed　down　on　the　table；　shattering　it　to　splinters。　Men　in　chairs　toppled　backward。　Nick’s　front　hooves　crushed　the　head　of　one　of　the　D’Haran　officers；　the　leg　of　another。
　
　The　horse　spun　and　kicked　at　the　men。　Kahlan　gave　him　her　heels；　and　he　leapt　into　a　gallop　as　the　wizard　was　rising　to　his　feet。　Surprised　men　threw　themselves　out　of　the　way。　She　took　a　quick　glance　over　her　shoulder　to　see　the　wizard　throwing　his　hands　out。　A　ball　of　wizard’s　fire　exploded　to　life　before　him；　turning　in　the　air；　awaiting　mand。　He　threw　his　arms　out　again；　sending　the　fire　on　its　way　toward　her。
　
　The　warhorse　leapt　over　fires　and　men；　kicking　up　both　snow　and　flaming　firewood。　His　legs　caught　tent　lines；　yanking　them　down。　Kahlan　spotted　what　she　wanted；　what　she　wanted　more　than　life　itself；　and　maneuvered　the　horse　for　it。
　
　She　could　hear　the　wail　of　the　wizard’s　fire　ing　for　her。　She　could　hear　the　screams　of　men　unexpectedly　caught　up　in　it。　She　stole　another　glance　to　see　the　blue　and　yellow　ball　of　flame　tumbling　through　the　tents　and　men；　growing　all　the　time；　taking　a　course　as　drunken　as　the　wizard。　Wizard’s　fire　had　to　be　guided；　and　in　his　state；　the　wizard　was　having　difficulty　controlling　what　he　had　wrought。　Were　he　sober；　she　would　be　dead　by　now。
　
　Dear　spirits；　she　prayed；　if　I’m　to　die；　let　me　have　time　enough　first　to　do　what　I　must。
　
　Kahlan　reached　her　goal。　As　she　galloped　past；　she　yanked　a　lance　from　a　snowbank　and　wheeled　her　horse。　She　dug　her　heels　in；　and　Nick　leapt　ahead　at　a　full　gallop。
　
　The　ball　of　fire　wailed　toward　her；　setting　tents　and　men　afire。　It　grew　and　tumbled　as　the　distance　closed。
　
　The　lance　was　unexpectedly　heavy；　made　for　men　who　had　more　muscle　than　she；　and　she　had　to　carry　it　upright　to　save　her　strength。　The　warhorse　didn’t　flinch　as　he　galloped；　not　at　the　noise；　the　confusion；　the　running　men；　or　the　wizard’s　fire。　She　pulled　to　one　side　and　then　the　other；　Nick’s　hooves　digging　into　the　packed　snow。　She　dodged　obstacles；　weaving　her　way　toward　the　wizard’s　fire　at　full　speed。　Toward　the　wizard。
　
　Slagle　tried　to　change　the　course　of　the　fire；　to　block　her　advance；　each　time　she　wove　in　her　headlong　rush。　His　reactions　were　slow；　but　as　the　distance　closed；　she　knew　he　wouldn’t　need　to　be　fast　to　catch　her　up　in　it。
　
　At　the　last　instant；　she　wheeled　her　horse　around　to　the　right。　The　fire　roared　by　so　close　she　could　smell　burnt　hair；　and　then　she　was　racing　again。
　
　As　she　charged　the　horse　ahead；　the　wizard’s　fire　exploded　behind；　cascading　across　the　ground　like　a　burst　dam。　The　horrifying　death　screams　of　man　and　beast　caught　in　the　conflagration　filled　the　night　air。　Dozens　of　men；　all　afire；　rolled　through　the　snow；　trying　to　put　out　the　flames。　But　wizard’s　fire　was　not　so　easy　to　extinguish；　it　was　alive　with　purpose。
　
　The　howls　of　pain　panicked　those　around　who　didn’t　know　what　was　happening。　Men　screamed　in　fear　of　spirits　they　thought　were　setting　upon　them。　Swords　were　drawn　and　wielded；　hacking　at　those　running　for　their　lives　from　the　fire。　Battle　erupted　out　of　nothing。　The　air　carried　not　only　the　choking　stench　of　burning　flesh；　but　now　blood。
　
　She　ignored　the　screams　and　sought　the　silence　within。
　
　The　wizard　stumbled　backward　and　fell。　He　came　to　his　feet　whirling　his　arms。　Fire　formed　in　the　air　at　the　arc　of　his　fingertips。
　
　Though　there　was　confusion　all　about；　only　one　thing　filled　her　vision。　The　wizard。
　
　She　couched　the　lance；　tucking　the　base　under　her　right　armpit；　jamming　her　grip　tight　against　the　leather　stop。　Gritting　her　teeth；　she　used　all　her　strength　to　lift　the　heavy　lance　over　Nick’s　bobbing　head；　to　the　left　side；　so　as　not　to　unbalance　herself　in　the　saddle。
　
　Nick　took　her　direction　as　if　he　could　read　her　mind。　She　steered　him　at　full　speed；　but　it　seemed　to　her　that　the　last　ten　yards　took　hours；　a　race　between　her　charge　and　the　wizard　calling　forth　fire。
　
　Wizard　Slagle　looked　up　to　direct　the　fire　just　as　her　lance　caught　him　in　the　chest。　The　impact　shattered　the　lance　to　splinters　at　midlength　and　nearly　tore　the　wizard　in　half。　She　and　her　horse　flew　through　a　spray　of　blood。
　
　Kahlan　swung　the　half　lance　at　a　man　lunging　for　her；　catching　him　across　the　head。　The　impact　tore　the　lance　from　her　grip。　She　wheeled　the　horse　and　leaned　forward　over　his　withers　as　she　galloped　at　full　speed　back　through　the　confusion　around　the　mand　tents。　Her　heart　pounded　as　fast　as　the　horse’s　hooves。
　
　One　of　the　D’Haran　officers　from　the　table　was　up　and　screaming　for　a　horse。　Men　leapt　onto　horses　bareback。　As　she　began　putting　distance　between　them；　she　could　hear　him　yell　that　if　they　failed　to　catch　her　they　would　be　drawn　and　quartered　to　a　man。　A　quick　glance　showed　a　good　three　dozen　riders　joining　the　chase。
　
　Away　from　the　mand　tents；　back　the　way　she　had　e；　men　didn’t　know　what　was　happening；　and　saw　a　galloping　rider　as　simply　part　of　the　drunken　festivities。　None　moved　to　stop　her。　Men；　tents；　fires；　polearms　and　lances　stuck　upright　in　the　snow；　stacks　of　pikes；　horses；　and　wagons　all　flashed　by　in　a　blur。
　
　Nick　jumped　anything　he　couldn’t　dodge。　The　threat　of　him　not　jumping　or　dodging　had　men　diving　for　cover。　Men　at　games　tumbled　out　of　the　way；　coin　and　dice　flying　into　the　air。　Tents　pulled　up　when　Nick’s　legs　caught　their　lines；　flew　up　and　billowed　in　a　tangle　behind；　snaring　her　pursuers。　Horses　and　riders　crashed　to　the　ground。　Others　ran　over　their　own　men　in　their　frenzied　attempt　to　keep　her　in　sight。
　
　Kahlan　spotted　a　sword　hanging　in　a　scabbard　that　was　fastened　to　the　side　of　a　wagon；　and　as　she　ran　past；　she　pulled　it　free。　Galloping　past　picket　lines；　she　swung　the　sword；　cutting　the　lead　lines。　She　hacked　the　rump　of　one　horse　as　she　charged　past。　He　kicked　and　screamed　in　fright　and　pain；　panicking　the　rest　of　the　horses。　They　bolted　headlong　in　every　direction。　Lanterns　on　poles　toppled　onto　tents；　setting　them　afire。
　
　The　horses　in　pursuit　balked　at　the　fires；　rearing　and　bucking；　throwing　their　riders　to　the　ground。　A　man　lunged　suddenly　into　her　path；　avoiding　Nick’s　flying　hooves　and　grabbing　for　her。　Kahlan　drove　the　sword　home　through　his　chest　as　she　flew　by。　The　hilt　tore　from　her　hand。　She　leaned　forward　and　held　on　as　Nick　raced　through　the　endless　camp。　The　men　chasing　weren’t　as　close；　but　they　were　still　ing。
　
　Suddenly；　she　was　free　of　the　camp；　galloping　through　the　open　snow。　Kahlan　followed　her　own　tracks　across　the　flat　by　the　waning　light　of　the　moon。　The　muscular　horse　plowed　through　the　snow　almost　as　if　it　weren’t　there。
　
　She　reached　the　trees　at　last；　and　before　plunging　in　and　ascending　the　steep　slopes；　she　checked　over　her　shoulder。
　
　A　good　fifty　men　were　not　three　minutes　behind。　She　would　be　able　to　open　the　lead　as　she　went　up　along　the　forest　trail；　but　they　would　still　catch　her。
　
　She　would　see　to　that。
　
　
　CHAPTER　39
　
　Easy　now；’　she　cautioned。　One　hesitant　hoof　slipped。　‘Back；　back；　back。　e　on　boy；　back。’
　
　From　down　the　slope　behind；　she　could　hear　the　sounds　of　the　chase；　a　man；　probably　one　of　the　D’Haran　officers；　yelling　angrily　at　the　top　of　his　lungs　not　to　let　her　get　away；　and　others　urging　their　horses　up　the　steep　trail。　When　they　reached　the　flat　where　she　was；　they　would　be　in　a　full　gallop　again。
　
　Kahlan　tugged　gently　on　the　reins。　Nick　lifted　his　hoof　from　the　ice　and　backed　up；　into　the　tight　gap　between　the　snow…crusted　pines；　back　along　his　trail。
　
　She　found　the　long　branch；　with　the　forked　end　she　had　whittled　to　a　pushing　pole；　stuck　upright　in　the　snow　where　she　had　left　it　beside　the　twin　trunked　spruce。　She　hefted　it　up；　and　started　pushing　the　heavy；　snow…laden　branches。　Her　shoulder　ached　from　having　the　lance　shattered　as　she　held　it　under　her　arm。
　
　As　she　backed　Nick　between　the　trees；　off　her　trail；　she　held　the　long　push…stick　out　over　his　head；　jostling　the　limbs。　Relieved　of　their　loads；　they　sprang　up；　partly　screening　the　gap　between　the　trees。　More　importantly；　the　snow　tumbled　to　the　ground；　piling　over　her　tracks。　She　pushed　at　a　branch　here；　another　there；　sprinkling　their　snow　over　Nick’s　backing　trail；　covering　it　in；　making　it　look　natural；　as　if　wind　had　simply　freed　the　branches　of　their　load。
　
　She　said　a　silent　thank…you　to　Richard；　for　teaching　her　about　tracks。　He　had　said　he　would　make　a　woods　woman　of　her。　She　ached　for　Richard。　She　was　sure　he　wouldn’t　approve　of　the　desperate　risk　she　was　undertaking　with　the　aid　of　what　he　had　taught　her。
　
　But　she　couldn’t　allow　these　men　to　track　her　back　to　the　Galean　boys。　There　was　a　chance　that　some　would　carry　word　of　what　they　had　seen　back；　and　then　the　Galeans　would　be　slaughtered。　If　none　of　these　men　returned；　it　would　be　a　long　while　before　any　more　were　sent；　if　ever。
　
　Even　if　they　were；　by　then　it　would　be　too　late；　she　would　have　long　been　up　and　over　the　passes　from　which　she　had　e；　where　the　wind　howled　and　drifted　the　snow　constantly；　and　her　tracks　would　be　lost　to　them。　They　would　not　know　where　she　had　gone。　From　there；　the　mountains　and　forests　went　on　in　endless　tracts；　and　her　trail　would　have　been　last　seen　leading　steadily　away　from　her　true　destination。　Those　back　at　camp　would　have