tg.stone of tears-第91部分

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　The　Queen　Mother　is　sending　her　representatives　to　take　you　to　the　sacrificial　offering。’　Sister　Verna　glanced　up　at　him；　then　fussed　with　the　corner　of　her　cloak。　‘We　are　fortunate。　This　means　they　have　one　to　be　sacrificed。　If　we　came　here　and　they　didn’t；　we　would　have　to　wait　until　one　of　their　enemy　was　captured。　Sometimes　that　can　take　weeks；　even　months。’
　
　Richard　said　nothing。
　
　She　turned　her　back　to　the　approaching　women　in　black　and　faced　him。　‘You　will　be　taken　to　a　place　where　the　prisoner　is　held。　There　you　will　be　offered　the　chance　to　give　your　blessing。　Not　giving　your　blessing　means　you　wish　to　precede　the　prisoner　in　sacrifice。　If　you　don’t　give　your　blessing；　it　will　only　insure　that　you　die；　too。
　
　‘You　give　your　blessing　by　kissing　the　sacred　knife　they　will　offer　you。　You　don’t　have　to　kill　the　person　with　your　own　hand。　You　have　only　to　kiss　the　knife　to　give　your　blessing；　to　give　the　spirits’　blessings；　and　they　will　do　the　killing。　But　you　must　watch　them　do　it；　so　the　spirits　will　see　the　sacrifice　through　your　eyes。’　She　glanced　over　her　shoulder　at　the　approaching　women　in　black。　‘The　beliefs　of　these　people　are　obscene。’
　
　She　sighed　in　resignation　and　turned　to　face　him　again。　Richard　folded　his　arms　and　glared　at　her。
　
　‘I　know　you　don’t　like　this；　Richard；　but　it　has　kept　peace　for　three　thousand　years　between　us　and　the　Majendie。　Though　it　sounds　a　paradox；　it　saves　lives；　more　lives　than　it　costs。　The　savages　who　are　their　enemy　make　war　not　only　on　them；　but　also　on　us。　The　palace；　and　the　civilized　people　of　the　Old　World；　are　sporadically　subjected　to　their　raids　and　fierce　attacks。’
　
　Small　wonder；　Richard　thought；　but　he　said　nothing。
　
　Sister　Verna　stepped　aside　to　stand　at　his　shoulder　as　the　women　in　black　formed　into　a　dark　knot　before　the　two　of　them。　All　were　older；　perhaps　the　age　of　grandmothers。　They　were　all　portly；　and　their　black　outfits　covered　their　hair　and　everything　else　except　their　wrinkled　hands　and　faces。
　
　With　gnarled　fingers；　one　drew　the　coarse　black　fabric　tight　at　her　chin。　She　bowed　her　head　to　Sister　Verna。　‘Wele；　wisewoman。　Our　sentries　have　told　us　of　your　approach　for　nearly　a　day　now。　We　are　pleased　to　have　you　among　us；　for　it　is　the　time　of　the　planting　sacrifice。　Though　we　had　not　expected　your　presence；　it　will　be　a　great　homage　to　the　spirits　to　have　the　blessing　in　the　sacrifice。’
　
　The　old　woman；　who　only　came　up　to　the　height　of　his　breastbone；　looked　Richard　up　and　down；　then　she　spoke　again　to　Sister　Verna。
　
　‘This　is　a　magic　man？　He　is　not　a　boy。’
　
　‘We　have　never　before　brought　one　so　old　to　the　palace　of　the　wisewomen；’　Sister　Verna　said。　‘But　he　is　a　magic　man；　the　same　as　the　others。’
　
　The　old　woman　in　black　looked　into　Richard’s　eyes　as　he　watched　her　without　expression。　‘He　is　too　old　to　give　the　blessing。’
　
　Sister　Verna　tensed。　‘He　is　still　a　magic　man。’
　
　The　woman　nodded　to　the　Sister。　‘But　he　is　too　old　to　have　others　perform　the　sacrifice　for　him。　He　must　do　it　himself。　He　must　give　our　sacrifice　to　the　spirits　by　his　own　hand。’　She　gestured　for　a　woman　behind　to　e　forward。　‘Lead　him　to　where　the　offering　waits。’
　
　With　a　bob　of　her　head；　the　woman　came　forward　and　indicated　he　was　to　follow。　Sister　Verna　tugged　on　his　shirtsleeve。　Richard　could　feel　the　heat　of　magic　radiating　from　her　fingers；　up　his　arms；　terminating　in　an　unfortable　tingling　sensation　at　his　neck　under　the　Rada’Han。
　
　‘Richard；’　she　whispered；　‘don’t　you　dare　swing　the　axe　this　time。　You　know　not　what　you　will　bring　to　ruin。’
　
　Richard　met　her　eyes　before　turning　away　without　a　word。
　
　The　round　old　woman　led　him　off　down　a　muddy　street；　past　old　men　sitting　in　doorways；　watching；　and　then　turned　them　down　a　narrow　alley。　At　the　end　she　stooped　through　a　low　doorway。　Richard　had　to　bend　nearly　in　half　to　follow。
　
　Inside；　carpets　of　intricate　designs　but　dull　colors　covered　the　floor。　There　was　no　furniture　except　several　low；　leather…covered　chests　holding　oil　lamps。　Four　men　with　shaved　heads　squatted；　rather　than　sat；　on　the　rugs；　two　to　each　side　of　a　passageway　hung　with　a　heavy　tapestry　instead　of　a　door。　Short　spears　with　sharp；　leaf…shaped　iron　heads　rested　across　their　knees。　The　unexpectedly　high　ceiling　held　a　cloud　of　pipe　smoke。
　
　The　men　stood　and　bowed　to　the　old　woman。　She　bobbed　her　head　to　them　and；　as　she　did　so；　drew　Richard　forward。
　
　‘This　is　the　magic　man。　Since　he　is　the　age　of　a　man；　the　Queen　Mother　directs　that　the　spirits　take　the　sacrifice　through　his　hands。’
　
　They　all　nodded　and　gave　grim　agreement　that　it　was　a　wise　decision；　and　prayed　she　would　tell　the　Queen　Mother　that　it　would　be　done　as　directed。　The　woman　in　black　bid　them　fair　fortune　in　the　task。　She　closed　the　rough　spruce　door　behind　herself　after　stooping　through　the　low　opening。　；　When　she　was　gone；　the　men　broke　into　grins。　They　all　slapped　Richard　on　the　back；　as　if　taking　him　into　their　confidence。　The　back　of　one　man’s　shaved　neck　wrinkled　in　rows　of　furrows　as　he　turned　to　glance　at　the　tapestry…covered　passageway。　He　put　an　arm　around　Richard’s　shoulder；　giving　it　a　squeeze　with　powerful　fingers。
　
　‘You　are　fortunate　indeed；　lad。　You’ll　like　what　we　have　for　you。’　His　sly　smile　revealed　a　missing；　bottom　tooth。　‘e　with　us。　You’ll　like　this；　lad。　We　can　promise　you；　you　will。’　He　gave　a　hardy　chuckle。　Today　you’ll　be　a　man；　if　you’re　not　one　yet。’　The　other　three　laughed　with　him。
　
　The　three　pushed　the　tapestry　aside；　taking　one　of　the　lamps　with　them。　The　last　man　patted　Richard’s　back；　ushering　him　through。　They　all　chuckled　with　anticipation。
　
　The　next　room　was　much　the　same　as　the　first；　minus　the　pipe　smoke。　They　led　on　through　a　sequence　of　rooms；　each　bare　of　decoration　except　for　a　few　carpets　scattered　about。　The　men　finally　squatted　beside　a　last　covered　passageway；　planted　the　butts　of　their　spears；　and　with　a　hand　on　them　for　support　leaned　toward　him。　They　all　shared　the　same　cunning　smiles。
　
　‘Careful　now；　lad。　Don’t　be　too　anxious。　Keep　your　head　about　yourself；　and　you’ll　have　yourself　a　time　with　this　savage。’
　
　They　chuckled　again　with　the　private　joke　as　they　pushed　the　hanging　aside　and　went　through。　Inside；　the　small；　square　room　had　a　bare　dirt　floor。　The　ceiling　was　at　least　three　stories　high。　A　window　near　the　top　of　one　wall　cast　the　small　room　in　dim　light。　The　place　smelled　of　the　chamber　pot　off　to　the　side。
　
　Crouched　to　the　far　left　was　a　naked　woman。　She　tried　to　push　herself　farther　into　the　corner　when　she　saw　the　men。　Arms　around　her　knees；　she　pulled　them　tight　to　herself。
　
　She　was　covered　with　dirty　marks　and　smears；　cuts　and　bruises。　Her　mass　of　long；　tangled；　black　hair　frizzed　out；　framing　her　filthy　face。　Her　dark　eyes　narrowed　with　loathing　as　she　watched　the　four　men。　By　their　leering　smiles；　she　had　cause　to　know　them。
　
　Around　her　neck　was　a　thick　iron　collar　connected　by　heavy　chain　to　a　massive　pin　in　the　wall。
　
　The　men　spread　out　around　the　room；　squatted；　and　leaned　their　backs　against　the　walls。　Their　fists　held　their　spears　upright　between　their　knees。　Richard　imitated　them；　squatting　and　leaning　against　the　wall　to　the　woman’s　right。
　
　‘I　wish　to　speak　with　the　spirits；’　Richard　said。　The　four　men　blinked　at　him。　‘I　must　ask　them　how　they　wish　it　done。’
　
　There　is　only　one　way　to　do　it；’　the　man　with　the　missing　tooth　said。　‘You　must　cut　off　her　head。　Now　that　the　iron　collar　is　around　her　neck；　it’s　the　only　way　to　get　her　out。　Her　head　must　be　separated　from　her　body。’
　
　‘Even　so；　it　must　be　done　in　the　manner　the　spirits　wish。　I　must　talk　with　them。　I　must　know　exactly　how　to　do　this　。。。　to　please　them。’
　
　They　all　considered　this。　The　man　with　the　missing　tooth　pushed　his　cheek　out　with　his　tongue　as　he　pondered。　Finally　he　brightened。　The　Queen　Mother　and　her　women　drink　juka　to　speak　with　the　spirits。　I　could　bring　you　some　juka；　and　then　you；　too；　could　speak　with　the　spirits。’
　
　Then　bring　me　this　juka；　so　I　may　speak　with　the　spirits　and　do　as　they　mand。　I　would　not　want　to　make　a　mistake；　and　ruin　your　planting　sacrifice。’
　
　The　men　agreed　that　this　was　a　wise　request；　considering　that　Richard　was　to　make　the　sacrifice　himself　instead　of　simply　blessing　it。　One　of　the　men　hurried　off。
　
　The　other　three　waited　in　silence；　again　leering　at　the　woman。　She　moved　her　feet　closer　together　to　cover　herself　as　she　squatted　in　the　corner；　and　glowered　back。
　
　One　man　pulled　a　thin…stemmed　pipe　and　a　long　splinter　from　a　pocket。　He　lit　the　splinter　in　the　flame　of　the　lamp；　and　used　it　to　light　his　pipe。　He　puffed　as　he　watched　the　woman；　eyeing　her　in　an　intimate　way。　Her　chin　held　defiantly　up；　the　woman　glared　back。　The　smoke　drifted　up　into　the　dim　air　as　his　steady　puffing　quickened。
　
　Richard　crouched；　leaning　against　the　wall；　with　his　arms　folded　across　his　lap　so　as　to　partially　hide　his　right　hand　draped　nonchalantly　near　the　hilt　of　his　sword。　The　fourth　man　finally　came　back；　carrying　a　round　clay　pot　in　both　hands。　The　pot　had　a　small　opening　in　the　top　and　white　symbols　painted　around　the　sides。
　
　The　Queen　Mother　and　her　women　agreed；　and　sent　this　juka　so　you　may　call　the　spirits。　When　you　drink　this；　the　spirits　will　visit　you。’　He　set　the　pot　in　front　of　Richard　and　then；　pulling　a　knife　from　his　belt；　held　the　green　malachite　handle　out　to　him。　It　was　carved　with　figures　in　obscene　poses。　This　is　the　sacred　knife；　to　be　used　in　the　sacrifice。’　When　Richard　took　the　knife　and　slid　the　stout　blade　behind　his　belt；　the　man　joined　his　fellows　squatting　against　the　walls。
　
　The　man　closest　to　the　woman；　on　the　other　side；　seemed　pleased　that　the　Queen　Mother　had　sent　the　juka。　He　gave　Richard　a　knowing　wink。　Then　he　lifted　his　spearpoint　to　the　woman’s　face。
　
　The　magic　man　has　e　to　offer　you　to　the　spirits。’　He　smiled　encouragement　past　her；　to　Richard。　‘But　first；　he　would　like　to　give　you　the　spirits’　gift　of　his　seed。’　She　didn’t　move。　His　smile　transformed　into　a　sneer　as　he　thumped　the　butt　of　his　spear　to　the　dirt。　‘Do　not　insult　the　spirits！　You　will　take　their　offering！’　His　voice　lowered　to　a　growl。　‘Now。’
　
　Her　eyes　never　leaving　him；　she　uncoiled　herself　and　obediently　lay　down　on　the　dirt；　on　her　back。　She　opened　her　legs　and　cast　Richard　a　defiant　glance。　She　obviously　knew　the　consequence　of　denying　these　men　what　they　wished。
　
　The　man　sprang　forward　and　stabbed　his　spear　into　her　thigh　muscle。　She　screamed　out　and　flinched　back。
　
　‘You　know　better　than　that！　You　will　not　insult　us！　We　are　not　stupid！’　He　feigned　another　jab。　‘Do　it　properly！’
　
　Richard’s　fingers　curled　around　the　hilt　of　his　sword；　but　otherwise　he　did　not　move。　The　woman　made　no　effort　to　tend　the　bleeding　gash　on　her　leg；　but　instead　obediently　turned　over　onto　her　elbows　and　knees；　sticking　her　bottom　up　in　the　air。
　
　The　men　chuckled　to　Richard。
　
　‘You　would　not　like　to　lie　with　this　one　face…to…face；’　the　man　with　the　missing　tooth　said。　‘She　bites。’　The　others　nodded　their　certain　knowledge　of　that。　‘Mount　her　this　way；　and　hold　her　by　her　hair。　She　will　not　be　able　to　bite　you　this　way；　and　you　can　have　all　you　wish。’
　
　The　men　waited。　Neither　Richard　nor　the　woman　moved。
　
　‘Can　you　fools　not　see？’　the　woman　said。　‘He　does　not　wish　to　mount　me　like　a　dog　in　front　of　you！’　Her　face　lying　against　the　dirt；　she　gave　Richard　a　mocking　smile。　‘He　is　shy。　He　does　not　wish　you　to　see　how　little　his　magic　stick　is。’
　
　Every　eye　was　on　him。　Richard’s　knuckles　were　white　around　the　hilt。　He　strained　to　put　an　emotionless　face　over　the　rage　of　the　magic　searing　through　him　from　the　sword。　He　struggled　to　maintain　reason。
　
　Letting　the　magic　loose　in　here　would　acplish　nothing。
　
　One　of　the　men　gave　a　playful　elbow　to　another　and　laughed。　‘Perhaps　she　is　right。　He　is　a　young　one。　Maybe　he　is　not　used　to　others　watching　his　pleasure。’
　
　The　seams　around　his　control　were　strained　near　to　bursting。　Richard　concentrated　on　keeping　his　free　hand　steady　and　making　it　move　gracefully。　He　lifted　the　clay　pot　with　the　juka；　showing　it　to　them。　He　labored　mightily　to　keep　his　voice　even。　‘The　spirits　wish　to　speak　to　me　of　important　matters。’
　
　The　smiles　all　withered。　They　knew　him　as　a　magic　man；　but　not　a　young　one　as　they　were　used　to　seeing。　They　didn’t　have　any　idea　of　his　power；　but　were　obviously　worried　about　it；　worried　about　his　smoldering；　too　quiet　smoothness。
　
　‘We　must　leave　him　to　his　duty；’　one　of　the　men　said。　‘We　should　leave　him　to　be　with　the　spirits；　and　to　take　his　pleasure　from　the　savage　if　he　wishes　before　he　gives　the　spirits　this　offering。’　He　bowed　his　shiny　head　to　Richard。　‘We　will　leave　you　to　your　peace。　We　will　wait　in　the　room　where　you　saw　us　first。’
　
　Solemn…faced；　the　four　hurried　off。　After　they　were　gone；　and　she　could　be　sure　they　were　a　good　distance　away；　the　woman　spat　at　him。
　
　She　arched　her　back　like　a　cat　in　heat；　sticking　her　behind　higher　in　the　air。　‘You　may　mount　me　now；　like　the　dog　you　are。　e；　magic　man；　prove　you　can　mount　a　woman　when　she　is　held　for　you　by　a　chain。　You　can　do　no　worse　to　me　than　the　other　dogs。’　She　spat　at　him　again。　‘You　are　all　dogs。’
　
　Richard　extended　his　leg　and　shoved　a　foot　against　her　hip；　tipping　her　over。　‘I’m　not　like　those　men。’
　
　She　rolled　onto　her　back。　She　threw　her　arms　and　legs　open　and　gave　him　a　contemptuous　glare。　‘So。　You　wish　to　have　me　like　this；　to　prove　you　are　better　than　they？’
　
　Richard　gritted　his　teeth。　‘Stop　it。　I’m　not　here　for　that。’
　
　She　sat　up。　She　lifted　her　chin；　but　her　eyes　filled　with　sudden　terror。　‘So；　you　will　sacrifice　me　now？’
　
　Richard　realized　his　hand　was　still　gripping　the　hilt。　He　had　forgotten　to　maintain　a　calm　expression。　He　took　his　hand　away；　letting　the　magic　recede　and　his　rage　cool。　As　she　watched；　he　poured　the　juka　on　the　dirt　floor。
　
　‘I’m　going　to　get　you　out　of　this。　My　name　is　Richard。　What’s　yours？’
　
　Her　eyes　narrowed。　‘Why　do　you　wish　to　know？’
　
　‘Well；　if　I’m　going　to　take　you　out　of　here；　I　need　to　know　what　to　call　you。　I　can’t　call　you　‘woman。’’
　
　She　surveyed　him　silently　for　a　moment。　‘I　am　Du　Chaillu。’
　
　‘Do　I　call　you　Du？　Or　Chaillu？　Or　Du　Chaillu？’
　
　Puzzlement　wrinkled　her　brow。　‘Du　Chaillu。　That　is　my　name。’
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　smile　of　reassurance。　‘All　right；　then。　Du　Chaillu。　Who　are　your　people？　What　are　they　called？’
　
　‘We　are　Baka　Ban　Mana。’
　
　‘And　what　does　that　mean；　Baka　Ban　Mana？’
　
　Her　chin　came　up　again。　‘Those　without　masters。’
　
　Richard　smiled　to　himself。　‘I　think　you　are　worthy　of　your　people。　You　don’t　look　to　be　a　woman　to　be　mastered。’
　
　Chin　still　held　up；　she　studied　his　eyes。　‘You　say　these　words；　but　you　intend　to　mount　me　as　the　others。’
　
　Richard　shook　his　head。　‘No。　I　told　you　I　wouldn’t　do　that。　I’m　going　to　try　to　get　you　out　of　here；　and　back　to　your　people。’
　
　‘None　of　my　people　captured　by　the　Majendie　ever　returns。’
　
　Richa