tg.wizardfirstrule-第10部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


he　would　on　the　subject；　so　he　remained　still　to　let　her　feel　safe。　Without　looking　over；　he　put　his　hand　on　her　forearm；　and　she　put　her　other　hand　over　his。
　
　〃How　are　you　to　know　this　wizard？〃
　
　〃I　only　know　I　must　find　him；　and　soon；　or　we　are　all　lost。〃
　
　Richard　thought　in　silence。　〃Zedd　will　help　us；〃　he　said　at　last。　〃He's　a　cloud　reader。　Finding　lost　people　is　what　a　cloud　reader　does。〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　him　a　suspicious　look。　〃That　sounds　like　magic。　There　is　not　supposed　to　be　any　magic　in　Westland。〃
　
　〃He　says　it's　not；　that　anyone　can　learn。　He's　always　trying　to　teach　me。　He　mocks　me　whenever　I　say　it　looks　like　it　will　rain。　His　eyes　get　real　big　and　he　says；　‘Magic！　You　must　have　magic；　my　boy；　to　read　the　clouds　and　know　the　future　so。'　〃
　
　Kahlan　laughed。　It　was　a　good　sound　to　hear。　He　didn't　want　to　press　her　further　even　though　the　weave　of　her　story　had　many　loose　threads；　there　was　much　she　wasn't　telling　him。　At　least　he　knew　more　than　he　did　before。　The　important　thing　was　to　find　the　wizard　and　then　get　away；　another　quad　would　be　ing　for　her。　They　would　have　to　go　west　while　the　wizard　did　whatever　it　was　he　had　to　do。
　
　She　opened　her　waist　pouch　and　pulled　something　out。　Untying　a　string；　she　laid　back　the　folds　of　a　waxed　cloth　that　held　a　tan　substance。　Dipping　her　finger　in　it；　she　turned　to　him。　〃This　will　help　the　fly　bites　heal。　Turn　your　head。〃
　
　The　ointment　soothed　the　sting。　He　recognized　the　fragrances　of　some　of　the　plants　and　herbs　it　was　made　from。　Zedd　had　taught　him　to　make　a　similar　ointment；　but　with　aum；　that　would　take　pain　from　flesh　wounds。　When　finished　with　him；　she　put　some　on　herself。　He　held　out　his　sore　red　hand。
　
　〃Here；　put　some　on　this；　too。〃
　
　〃Richard！　What　have　you　done？〃　〃I　was　stuck　by　a　thorn；　this　morning。〃
　
　She　dabbed　the　ointment　carefully　on　his　wound。　〃I　have　never　seen　a　thorn　do　this。〃
　
　〃It　was　a　big　thorn。　I'm　sure　I'll　be　better　by　morning。〃
　
　The　ointment　didn't　help　the　pain　as　much　as　he　had　hoped；　but　he　told　her　that　it　did；　not　wanting　to　worry　her。　His　hand　was　nothing　pared　to　the　things　she　had　to　worry　about。　He　watched　as　she　retied　the　string　around　the　little　package　and　replaced　it　in　her　waist　pouch。　Her　forehead　was　creased　in　thought。
　
　〃Richard；　are　you　afraid　of　magic？〃
　
　He　thought　carefully　before　answering。　〃I　was　always　fascinated　by　it；　it　sounded　exciting。　But　now　I　know　there　is　magic　to　fear。　But　I　would　guess　it's　like　people：　some　you　stay　clear　of　and　some　you　are　fortunate　to　know。〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled；　apparently　satisfied　with　his　answer。　〃Richard；　before　I　can　sleep；　there　is　something　；l　must　tend　to。　It　is　a　creature　of　magic。　If　you　would　not　be　afraid；　I　will　let　you　see　it。　The　opportunity　is　a　rare　one。　Few　have　ever　seen　it；　and　few　ever　will。　But　you　must　promise　me　you　will　leave　and　take　a　walk　when　I　ask；　and　not　ask　me　any　more　questions　when　you　return。　I　am　very　tired　and　must　sleep。〃
　
　Richard　smiled　at　the　honor。　〃Promise。〃
　
　Opening　her　waist　pouch　once　more；　Kahlan　withdrew　a　small　round　bottle　with　a　stopper。　Blue　and　silver　lines　spiraled　around　the　fat　part。　There　was　light　inside。
　
　Her　green　eyes　came　to　his。　〃The　creature　is　a　night　wisp。　Her　name　is　Shar。　A　night　wisp　cannot　be　seen　in　the　day；　only　at　night。　Shar　is　part　of　the　magic　that　helped　me　cross　the　boundary；　she　was　my　guide。　Without　her；　I　would　have　been　lost。〃
　
　Kahlan's　eyes　filled　with　tears；　but　her　voice　remained　steady　and　calm。　〃Tonight；　she　dies。　She　can　live　no　longer　away　from　her　home　place　and　the　others　of　her　kind；　and　she　does　not　have　the　strength　to　cross　the　boundary　again。　Shar　has　sacrificed　her　life　to　help　me　because　if　Darken　Rahl　succeeds；　all　her　kind；　among　others；　will　perish。〃
　
　Pulling　the　stopper　free；　Kahlan　placed　the　little　bottle　in　the　flat　of　her　palm　and　held　it　out　between　them
　
　A　tiny　flare　of　light　lifted　clear　of　the　bottle；　floating　up　into　the　cool；　dim　air　of　the　wayward　pine；　giving　everything　a　silvery　cast。　The　light　softened　as　the　wisp　came　to　a　stop　in　the　air　between　them；　hovering。　Richard　was　astonished。　His　mouth　hung　open　as　he　watched；　transfixed。
　
　〃Good　evening；　Richard　Cypher；〃　it　said　in　a　tiny　little　voice。
　
　〃Good　evening　to　you；　Shar。〃　His　own　voice　was　not　much　more　than　a　whisper。
　
　〃Thank　you　for　helping　Kahlan　today。　In　so　doing　you　are　also　helping　my　kind。　If　you　ever　need　the　help　of　the　night　wisps；　say　my　name　and　they　will　help　you；　for　no　enemy　may　know　it。〃
　
　〃Thank　you；　Shar；　but　the　Midlands　are　the　last　place　I　would　want　to　go。　I'll　help　Kahlan　find　the　wizard；　but　then　I　must　take　us　west　and　get　us　safely　away　from　those　who　would　kill　us。〃
　
　The　night　wisp　seemed　to　turn　in　the　air　for　a　time；　considering。　The　silvery　light　felt　warm　and　safe　on　his　face。
　
　〃If　that　is　what　you　wish；　then　you　must　do　so；〃　Shar　said。　Richard　felt　relieved。　The　tiny　point　of　light　spun　in　the　air　before　them　again。
　
　Shar　spun　to　a　stop。　〃But　know　this；　Darken　Rahl　hunts　you　both。　He　will　not　rest。　He　will　not　stop。　If　you　run；　he　will　find　you。　There　is　no　doubt　of　that。　You　have　no　defense　against　him。　He　will　kill　you　both。　Soon。〃
　
　Richard's　mouth　was　so　dry　he　could　hardly　swallow。　At　least　the　gar　would　have　been　quick；　he　thought；　and　then　it　would　be　over。　〃Shar；　isn't　there　a　way　for　us　to　escape？〃
　
　The　light　spun　again；　making　flashes　on　his　face　and　the　branches　of　the　wayward　pine。
　
　Shar　stopped　again。　〃If　your　back　is　to　him；　your　eyes　will　not　be。　He　will　get　you。　He　enjoys　it。〃
　
　Richard　stared。　〃But　。　。　。　is　there　nothing　we　can　do？〃
　
　The　tiny　point　of　light　spun　again；　ing　closer　to　him　this　time　before　stopping。　〃Better　question；　Richard　Cypher。　The　answer　you　want　is　within　yourself。　You　must　seek　it。　You　must　seek　it　or　he　will　kill　you　both。　Soon。〃
　
　。　〃How　soon？〃　His　voice　turned　harder；　he　couldn't　help　him
　
　self。　The　light　backed　away　a　little　as　it　spun。　He　would　not　let　this　opportunity　pass　without　finding　out　at　least　something　he　could　hold　on　to。
　
　The　night　wisp　stopped。　〃The　first　day　of　winter；　Richard　Cypher。　When　the　sun　is　in　the　sky。　If　Darken　Rahl　does　not　kill　you　before　then；　and　if　he　is　not　stopped；　then　on　the　first　day　of　winter　when　the　sun　is　in　the　sky；　my　kind　will　all　die。　You　both　will　die。　He　will　enjoy　it。〃
　
　Richard　tried　to　decide　the　best　way　to　question　a　spinning　point　of　light。　〃Shar；　Kahlan　is　trying　to　save　the　others　of　your　kind。　I　am　trying　to　help　her。　You　are　giving　your　life　to　help　her。　If　we　fail；　everyone　dies；　you　just　said　so。　Please；　is　there　anything　you　can　tell　me　to　help　us　against　Darken　Rahl？〃
　
　The　light　spun　and　went　in　a　little　circle　around　the　inside　of　the　wayward　pine；　bringing　light　to　the　areas　it　went　near。　It　stopped　again　in　front　of　him。
　
　〃Already　told　you　the　answer。　It　is　in　you。　Seek　it　or　die。　Sorry；　Richard　Cypher。　Want　to　help。　Don't　know　the　answer。　Just　that　it　is　in　you。　Sorry　sorry。〃
　
　Richard　nodded；　running　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　He　didn't　know　who　was　more　frustrated；　Shar　or　himself。　Glancing　over；　he　saw　Kahlan　sitting　calmly；　watching　the　night　wisp。　Shar　spun　and　waited。
　
　〃All　right；　can　you　tell　me　why　he's　trying　to　kill　me？　Is　it　because　I　help　Kahlan；　or　is　there　another　reason？〃
　
　Shar　came　close。　〃Other　reasons？　Secrets？〃
　
　〃What！〃　Richard　jumped　to　his　feet。　The　night　wisp　followed　him　up。
　
　〃Don't　know　why。　Sorry。　Just　that　he　will。〃
　
　〃What's　the　wizard's　name？〃
　
　〃Good　question；　Richard　Cypher。　Sorry。　Don't　know。〃
　
　Richard　sat　back　down　and　put　his　face　in　his　hands。　Shar　spun；　throwing　off　shafts　of　light；　and　flew　in　slow　circles　around　his　head。　Somehow　he　knew　she　was　trying　to　fort　him；　and　that　she　was　near　her　end。　She　was　dying；　and　she　was　trying　to　fort　him。　He　tried　to　swallow　back　the　lump　in　his　throat；　so　he　could　talk。
　
　〃Shay；　thank　you　for　helping　Kahlan。　My　life；　as　short　as　it　seems　it　will　be；　has　already　been　made　longer　because　she　saved　me　from　doing　something　foolish　today。　My　life　is　also　better　for　knowing　her。　Thank　you　for　helping　bring　my　friend　safely　through　the　boundary。〃　His　vision　turned　watery。
　
　The　night　wisp　floated　to　him　and　touched　against　his　forehead。　Her　voice　seemed　to　be　as　much　in　his　head　as　in　his　ears。
　
　〃I　am　sorry；　Richard　Cypher。　I　do　not　know　the　answers　that　would　save　you。　If　I　did；　please　believe　I　would　give　them　eagerly。　But　I　know　the　good　in　you。　I　believe　in　you。　I　do　know　that　you　have　within　you　what　you　must　to　succeed。　There　will　be　times　when　you　doubt　yourself。　Do　not　give　up。　Remember　then　that　I　believe　in　you；　that　I　know　you　can　acplish　what　you　must。　You　are　a　rare　person；　Richard　Cypher：　Believe　in　yourself。　And　protect　Kahlan。〃
　
　He　realized　his　eyes　were　closed。　Tears　were　running　down　freely；　and　the　lump　in　his　throat　kept　catching　his　breath。
　
　〃There　are　no　gars　about。　Please　let　me　be　alone　with　Kahlan　now。　My　time　es。〃
　
　Richard　nodded。　〃Good…bye；　Shar。　It　has　been　my　deep　honor　to　have　known　you。〃
　
　He　left　without　looking　at　either　of　them。
　
　…＋
　
　After　he　was　gone；　the　night　wisp　floated　to　Kahlan　and　addressed　her　properly。
　
　〃Mother　Confessor；　my　time　passes　soon。　Why　have　you　not　told　him　what　you　are？〃
　
　Kahlan's　shoulders　were　slumped；　and　her　hands　nested　in　her　lap　as　she　stared　into　the　fire。　〃Shar；　I　cannot；　not　yet。〃
　
　〃Confessor　Kahlan；　that　is　not　fair。　Richard　Cypher　is　your　friend。〃
　
　Tears　began　rolling　down　her　face。　〃Don't　you　see？　That　is　why　I　cannot　tell　him。　If　I　tell　him；　he　will　no　longer　be　my　friend；　will　no　longer　care　for　me。　You　cannot　know　what　it　is　like　to　be　a　Confessor；　to　have　everyone　fear　you。　He　looks　into　my　eyes；　Shar。　Not　many　have　ever　dared　that。　No　one　could　ever　look　into　me　the　way　he　does。　His　eyes　make　me　feel　safe。　He　makes　my　heart　smile。〃　〃Others　might　tell　him　before　you　do；　Confessor　Kahlan。　That　would　be　worse。〃
　
　She　looked　up　at　the　night　wisp；　her　eyes　wet。　〃I　will　tell　him　before　that　happens。〃
　
　〃You　play　a　dangerous　game；　Confessor　Kahlan；〃　Shar　warned。　〃He　could　fall　in　love　with。　you　first。　Then　your　telling　would　hurt　him　unforgivably。〃
　
　〃I　won't　let　that　happen。〃
　
　〃You　will　choose　him？〃
　
　〃No！〃
　
　The　night　wisp　spun　back　at　the　sound　of　Kahlan's　shriek；　then　slowly　came　back　by　her　face。　〃Confessor　Kahlan；　you　are　the　last　of　your　kind。　Darken　Rahl　has　killed　all　the　others。　Even　your　sister；　Dennee。　You　are　the　Mother　Confessor。　You　must　choose　a　mate。〃
　
　〃I　could　not　do　that　to　someone　I　cared　for。　No　Confessor　would；〃　she　sobbed。
　
　〃Sorry；　Mother　Confessor。　It　is　for　you　to　choose。〃
　
　Kahlan　pulled　her　legs　up；　wrapped　her　arms　around　them；　and　rested　her　forehead　against　her　knees。　Her　shoulders　heaved　as　she　cried；　her　thick　hair　cascading　down　to　encircle　her。　Shar　flew　slowly　around　her　head；　throwing　off　shafts　of　silvery　light；　forting　her　panion。　She　continued　to　circle　until　Kahlan's　weeping　slowed　and　finally　stopped。　When　it　did；　Shar　returned　to　hover　in　front　of　her。
　
　〃Hard　to　be　Mother　Confessor。　Sorry。〃
　
　〃Hard；〃　Kahlan　agreed。
　
　〃Much　on　your　shoulders。〃
　
　〃Much；〃　Kahlan　agreed　again。
　
　The　night　wisp　landed　lightly　on　the　woman's　shoulder　and　rested　there　quietly　while　Kahlan　watched　the　fire　glow　with　small　slow　flames。　After　a　time　the　night　wisp　rose　from　her　shoulder　and　floated　to　a　spot　in　the　air　in　front　of　her。
　
　〃Wish　to　stay　with　you　more。　Good　times。　Wish　to　stay　with　Richard　Cypher。　Asks　good　questions。　But　I　cannot　hold　on　longer。　Sorry。　I　die。〃
　
　〃You　have　my　word；　Shar；　that　I　will　give　my　own　life；　if　necessary；　to　stop　Darken　Rahl。　To　save　your　kind　and　the　others。〃　〃I　believe　in　you；　Confessor　Kahlan。　Help　Richard。〃　Shar　came　closer。　〃Please。　Before　I　die。　Touch　me？〃
　
　Kahlan　pushed　herself　away　from　the　wisp　until　her　back　was　against　the　trunk　of　the　tree。　〃No　。　。　。　please　。　。　。　no；〃　she　implored；　shaking　her　head。　〃Don't　ask　me　to　do　that。〃　Her　eyes　filled　with　tears　again。　She　put　her　trembling　fingers　to　her　lips；　trying　to　hold　back　the　crying。
　
　Shar　came　forward。　〃Please；　Mother　Confessor。　I　feel　such　pain　of　aloneness　away　from　the　others。　I　will　never　share　their　pany　again。　It　hurts　so。　I　pass　now。　Please。　Use　your　power。　Touch　me　and　let　me　drink　in　the　sweet　agony。　Let　me　die　with　the　taste　of　love。　I　have　forfeited　my　life　to　help　you。　I　have　asked　nothing　else　of　you。　Please？〃
　
　Shar's　light　was　growing　dimmer；　fainter。　Kahlan；　crying；　held　her　left　hand　over　her　mouth。　At　last；　she　reached　out　with　her　right　hand；　until　her　trembling　fingers　touched　the　wisp。
　
　All　about　there　was　thunder　but　no　sound。　The　violent　impact　to　the　air　jolted　the　wayward　pine；　causing　a　rain　of　dead　needles；　some　flaring　when　they　touched　the　fire。　Shar's　dim　silvery　color　changed　to　a　pink　glow；　growing　in　intensity。
　
　Shar's　voice　was　faint。　〃Thank　you；　Kahlan。　Good…bye；　my　love。〃
　
　The　spark　of　light　and　life　faded　and　was　gone。
　
　…＋
　
　After　the　thunder　without　sound；　Richard　waited　for　a　time　before　he　returned　to　her。　Kahlan　sat　with　her　arms　around　her　legs　and　her　chin　resting　on　her　knees　as　she　stared　into　the　fire。
　
　〃Shar？〃　he　asked。
　
　〃She　is　gone；〃　came　the　answer　in　a　distant　voice。
　
　He　nodded　and；　taking　her　arm；　led　her　to　the　mat　of　dry　grass　and　laid　her　down。　She　went　without　resistance　or　ment。　He　put　the　blanket　over　her　and　piled　on　some　of　the　dry　grass　to　help　keep　her　warm　through　the　night；　then　burrowed　himself　into　it　next　to　her。　Kahlan　turned　on　her　side；　away　from　him；　and　pushed　her　shoulders　back　against　him　the　way　a　child
　
　74
　
　would　put　its　back　to　a　parent　when　peril　approached。　He　sensed　it；　too。　Something　was　ing　for　them。　Something　deadly。
　
　Already；　she　was　asleep。　He　knew　he　should　feel　cold；　but　he　didn't。　His　hand　throbbed。　He　felt　warm。　Richard　lay　there；　thinking　about　the　thunder　without　sound。　He　wondered　what　she　would　do　to　make　the　great　wizard　do　what　she　wanted。　The　idea　frightened　him。　Before　he　could　worry　more　he；　too；　was　asleep
　
　CHAPTER　6
　BY　NOON　THE　NEXT　day；　Richard　knew　the　bite　of　the　vine　was　bringing　on　a　fever。　He　had　no　appetite。　At　times　he　was　unbearably　hot；　sweat　making　his　clothes　stick　to　his　skin；　then　he　would　shiver　with　chills。　His　head　pounded　in　a　way　that　made　him　sick　to　his　stomach。　There　was　nothing　he　could　do　about　it；　except　seek　Zedd's　help；　and　since　they　were　nearly　there　he　decided　not　to　tell　Kahlan。　Dreams　had　troubled　his　sleep；　whether　from　the　fever　or　the　things　he　had　learned；　he　didn't　know。　What　Shar　had　told　him　was　the　most　disturbing：　seek　the　answer　or　die。
　
　The　sky　was　thinly　overcast；　the　cold　gray　light　foretelling　the　ing　of　winter。　Trees　grown　large　and　close　held　back　the　breeze　and　its　chill；　making　the　trail　a　quiet　sanctuary　filled　with　the　aromatic　fragrance　of　balsam　fir：　a　refuge　from　winter's　breath　above。
　
　Crossing　a　small　brook　near　a　beaver　pond；　they　came　upon　a　patch　of　late　wildflowers；　their　yellow　and　pale　blue