tg.wizardfirstrule-第101部分

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　they　spotted　people　on　the　ground；　only　to　have　to　tell　Scarlet　each　time　that　it　wasn't　his　friends。
　
　The　dragon　went　low；　skimming　the　tops　of　pine　trees　at　the　edge　of　a　field。　She　let　out　a　piercing　scream　that　made　Richard　jump　and　banked　into　a　steep　turn　that　made　him　dizzy。　A　buck　broke　into　a　run　across　the　field；　flushed　from　cover　by　the　dragon's　roar。　Building　speed　in　a　quick　dive；　she　swooped　into　the　field。　Without　effort；　Scarlet　snatched　the　deer　from　the　tall　brown　grass；　snapping　its　neck　in　the　process。　Richard　felt　intimidated　by　how　easy　it　was　for　her　to　take　the　prey。
　
　Scarlet　pulled　higher　into　the　air；　into　the　golden　light　of　the　setting　sun；　among　the　puffy　clouds。　Richard　felt　as　if　his　heart　were　sinking　with　the　sun。　He　knew　Scarlet　was　heading　back　to　her　egg。　He　wanted　to　tell　her　to　search　some　more；　while　there　was　still　light；　but　he　knew　she　had　to　get　back　to　her　nest；　her　egg。
　
　In　near　darkness；　Scarlet　landed　on　the　ledge　of　rock；　waiting　for　him　to　climb　down　over　her　red　scales　before　she　hurried　to　her　egg。　Richard　went　to　one　side　and　curled　up　in　his　cloak；　shivering　with　the　cold。
　
　After　she　checked　her　egg；　cooed　to　it；　and　warmed　it　with　fire；　she　turned　to　see　about　the　buck。　She　paused　to　say　to　Richard。　〃You　don't　look　like　you　could　eat　much。　I　guess　I　could　let　you　have　some。〃
　
　〃Will　you　cook　it　for　me？　I　don't　eat　raw　meat。〃
　
　She　said　she　would；　so　he　cut　himself　a　chunk；　stuck　it　on　the　end　of　his　sword；　and；　holding　it　up；　turned　his　head　from　the　heat　while　she　blew　a　thin　stream　of　flame　over　it。　Richard　returned　to　the　side；　eating　his　meal；　trying　not　to　watch　as　the　dragon　tore　the　buck　apart　with　fang　and　claw；　tossing　great　chunks　in　the　air　and　swallowing　with　hardly　a　chew。
　
　〃If　we　don't　find　your　friends；　what　will　you　do？〃
　
　Richard　swallowed。　〃We　had　better　find　them；　that's　all。〃
　
　〃The　first　day　of　winter　is　four　days　from　tomorrow。〃
　
　With　a　finger　and　thumb；　he　pulled　off　a　small　strip　of　meat。　〃I　know。〃
　
　〃For　a　dragon；　it　is　better　to　die　than　be　ruled。〃
　
　Richard　looked　up　at　her　as　she　swished　her　tail。　〃If　choosing　for　yourself；　maybe；　but　what　of　others？　You　chose　to　be　ruled；　to　save　your　egg；　to　give　it　a　chance　at　life。〃
　
　Scarlet　grunted　without　answering　and　turned　once　more　to　her　egg；　stroking　her　talons　over　it。
　
　Richard　knew　that　if　he　couldn't　find　the　last　box　and　stop　Rahl；　he　would　have　to　save　everyone　else's　life；　he　would　have　to　spare　Kahlan　the　torture　of　a　Mord…Sith　…　he　would　have　to　agree　to　help　Darken　Rahl　open　the　right　box。　Then　Kahlan　could　live　the　kind　of　life　a；　Confessor；　was　used　to。
　
　It　was　a　desperately　depressing　thought…that　he　could　help　Darken　Rahl　gain　unchallenged　power　over　everyone。　But　what　choice　did　he　have？　Maybe　what　Shota　said　was　right。　Maybe　Zedd　and　Kahlan　would　try　to　kill　him。　Maybe　he　should　be　killed　for　even　thinking　of　helping　Darken　Rahl。　If　he　had　to　choose；　though；　he　would　not　let　Kahlan　be　hurt　by　a　Mord…Sith。　He　would　have　to　help　Rahl。
　
　Richard　lay　back　down；　too　sick　at　his　choices　to　finish　his　meal。　He　put　his　head　against　his　pack；　pulling　the　cloak　around　himself；　and　thought　about　Kahlan。　He　was　asleep　in　moments。
　
　The　next　day；　Scarlet　took　him　into　D'Hara；　over　where　she　said　the　boundary　used　to　be；　searching　the　roads　and　trails。　Thin；　high　clouds　filtered　the　sunlight。　Richard　hoped　his　friends　wouldn't　be　this　close　to　Darken　Rahl；　but　if　Zedd　had　sought　the　night　stone　before　Rahl　had　destroyed　it；　and　knew　he　had　been　at　the　People's　Palace；　they　would　be　heading　there。　The　dragon　swept　low　over　people　they　saw；　giving　them　a　fright；　but　they　weren't　the　ones　he　sought。
　
　Near　midday；　Richard　saw　them。　Zedd；　Chase；　and　Kahlan　were　riding　horses　on　a　trail　near　the　main　road。　He　yelled　at　Scarlet　to　take　them　down。　The　dragon　rolled　into　a　banking　turn；　diving　toward　the　ground；　a　streak　of　red。　The　three　riders　saw　them　ing；　stopped；　and　dismounted。
　
　Scarlet　spread　her　crimson　wings；　stopping　their　descent；　and　set　them　in　a　clearing　next　to　the　trail。　Richard　jumped　off；　running　as　he　hit　the　ground。　The　three　stood　holding　the　reins　to　their　horses。　Chase　held　a　mace　in　his　other　hand。　Seeing　Kahlan　overwhelmed　Richard　with　elation。　Every　memory　of　her　was　suddenly　true　to　life　in　front　of　him　They　stood　still　as　he　ran　toward　them；　down　a　short；　steep　decline　in　the　trail。　Richard　watched　the　ground　so　he　wouldn't　trip　over　roots。
　
　When　he　looked　up；　wizard's　fire　was　wailing　toward　him。　He　froze　in　surprise。　What　was　Zedd　doing？　The　ball　of　liquid　fire　was　bigger　than　any　he　had　seen　before。　It　illuminated　the　trees　all　around　with　its　blue　and　yellow　flame；　shrieking　as　it　advanced。　Richard　watched；　wide…eyed；　as　it　came；　tumbling；　twisting；　expanding。
　
　With　the　fright　of　what　was　about　to　happen；　Richard's　hand　went　to　the　hilt；　feeling　the　word　Truth　press　into　the　flesh　of　his　palm。　With　a　strong　pull；　he　drew　the　sword；　sending　metallic　ringing　into　the　air。　Released；　the　magic　raced　instantly　through　him。　The　fire　was　almost　there。　As　he　had　done　when　he　had　been　with　Shota；　he　held　the　sword　up；　gripping　the　hilt　in　one　hand；　the　point　in　the　other；　arms　locked；　holding　it　before　him　as　a　shield。　Wrath　took　him；　at　the　thought　of　Zedd　betraying　them。　It　couldn't　be　Zedd。
　
　The　impact　drove　him　back　a　step。　Heat　and　fire　was　all　around　him。　The　anger　of　the　wizard's　fire　exploded；　scattering　back　into　the　air　from　where　it　came；　and　then　it　was　gone。
　
　〃Zedd！　What　are　you　doing？　Are　you　crazy！　It's　me；　Richard！〃　He　advanced；　angry。　Angry　that　Zedd　would　do　this；　angry　from　the　magic　of　the　sword。　The　heat　of　his　rage　pounded　through　his　veins。
　
　Zedd；　in　his　simple　robes；　looking　as　thin　and　frail　as　ever；　stood　his　ground。　Chase；　bristling　weapons；　looking　as　dangerous　as　ever；　stood　his。　Zedd　took　Kahlan's　arm　in　his　sticklike　hand　and　pulled　her　protectively　behind　himself。　Chase　started　forward；　the　look　in　his　eyes　as　dark　as　his　clothes。
　
　〃Chase；〃　Zedd　cautioned　in　a　low　voice；　〃don't　be　a　fool。　Stay　where　you　are。〃
　
　Richard　looked　from　one　grim　face　to　another。　〃What's　the　matter　with　you　three？　What　are　you　doing　here？　I　told　you　not　to　e　after　me！　Darken　Rahl　has　sent　men　to　capture　you。　You　must　turn　back。〃
　
　Zedd；　his　white　hair　in　its　usual　disarray；　turned　a　little　to　Kahlan；　but　kept　his　eyes　on　Richard。　〃Do　you　know　what　he's　saying？〃
　
　Kahlan　shook　her　head；　pulling　some　of　her　long　hair　back。　〃No。　I　think　it's　high　D'Haran；　I　don't　speak　high　D'Haran。〃
　
　〃High　D'Haran？　What　are　you　talking　about？　What　are　。　。　。〃
　
　With　a　cold　wave　of　understanding；　he　remembered。　It　was　the　enemy　web　Darken　Rahl　had　put　on　him。　They　didn't　recognize　him。　They　thought　he　was　their　worst　enemy。　They　thought　he　was　Darken　Rahl。
　
　Another　thought　came　to　him。　Bumps　ran　up　his　arms　to　the　back　of　his　neck。　Zedd；　at　least；　thought　he　was　Darken　Rahl；　and　had　used　wizard's　fire　against　him。　Zedd　wasn't　the　traitor。　That　left　only　Kahlan。　Could　it　be　she　saw　him　for　who　he　really　was？
　
　Choked　with　fear　at　the　thought；　he　advanced　toward　her　as　his　stare　locked　on　her　green　eyes；　Kahlan's　back　stiffened；　her　hands　at　her　sides；　her　head　held　up。　Richard　recognized　the　stance；　it　was　one　of　warning。　Serious　warning。　He　knew　what　her　touch　would　do　to　him。　He　remembered　Shota's　warning　that　he　might　beat　Zedd；　but　that　Kahlan　would　not　fail。
　
　Zedd　tried　to　stay　between　them。　Richard　hardly　noticed　him　as　he　pushed　the　old　man　out　of　the　way。　Zedd　came　up　behind　him　and　put　his　thin　fingers　on　the　back　of　Richard's　neck。　They　gave　a　pain　something　like　the　Agiel　had　given。　Fire　burned　through　the　nerves　of　his　arms；　and　all　the　way　down　his　legs。　Before　all　the　time　spent　at　the　mercy　of　Denna；　the　wizard's　fingers　would　have　paralyzed　him　with　pain。　But　Denna　had　spent　a　long　time　training　him；　forcing　him　to　tolerate　pain；　to　deal　with　this　much　and　more。　Zedd　was　a　match　for　what　Denna　had　been　able　to　do；　but　Richard　pulled　resolve　from　deep　within　himself；　and　put　the　pain　from　his　mind；　letting　the　anger　of　the　sword　take　its　place。　He　gave　Zedd　a　look　of　warning。　The　wizard　didn't　back　off。　Richard　gave　him　another　shove。　He　pushed　harder　than　he　intended　to；　and　Zedd　tumbled　to　the　ground。　Kahlan　stood　frozen　in　front　of　him。
　
　〃Who　do　you　see　me　as？〃　the　Seeker　whispered。　〃Darken　Rahl；　or　Richard？〃
　
　She　trembled　slightly；　seemingly　unable　to　move。　Richard's　eye　was　caught　by　something；　his　view　flicked　down　for　an　instant；　and　he　saw　that　he　had　the　sword　point　at　her　throat；　at　the　hollow　of　her　neck。　He　hadn't　been　aware　of　putting　it　there；　it　was　as　if　the　magic　had　taken　it　there　of　its　own　accord。　But　he　knew　that　wasn't　true。　He　had　put　it　there。　That　was　why　she　was　trembling。　A　drop　of　blood　grew　against　her　skin；　under　the　sword's　point。　If　she　was　the　traitor；　he　had　to　kill　her。
　
　The　blade　had　turned　white。　So　had　Kahlan's　face。
　
　〃Who　do　you　see？〃　he　whispered　again。　'
　
　〃What　have　you　done　to　Richard？〃　Her　whisper　was　ragged　with　rage。　〃If　you　have　harmed　him；　I　swear　I　will　kill　you。〃
　
　He　remembered　the　way　she　had　kissed　him。　It　was　not　the　kiss　of　a　traitor；　it　was　a　kiss　of　love。　He　realized　there　was　no　way　he　could　kill　her；　even　if　his　fear　was　true。　But　he　knew　now　it　wasn't。　With　tears　in　his　eyes；　he　slid　the　sword　into　its　scabbard。
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Kahlan。　May　the　good　spirits　forgive　me　for　what　I　almost　did。　I　know　you　can't　understand　me；　but　I'm　sorry。　Darken　Rahl　is　using　the　Wizard's　First　Rule　on　me；　trying　to　turn　us　against　one　another。　He　is　trying　to　make　me　believe　a　lie；　and　I　almost　did。　I　know　you　and　Zedd　would　never　betray　me。　Forgive　me　for　thinking　it。〃
　
　〃What　do　you　want？〃　Zedd　asked。　〃We　can't　understand　you。〃
　
　〃Zedd　。　。　。〃　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair　in　frustration。　〃How　can　I　make　you　understand？〃　He　grabbed　the　wizard's　robes　in　his　fists。　〃Zedd；　where's　the　box？　I　have　to　have　the　box　before　Rahl　finds　it！　We　can't　let　him　get　it！〃
　
　Zedd　frowned。　Richard　knew　this　was　doing　no　good；　none　of　them　could　understand　him。　He　went　to　the　horses　and　started　searching　through　the　packs。
　
　〃Look　all　you　want；　you'll　never　find　it；〃　the　wizard　smiled。　〃We　don't　have　the　box。　You　are　going　to　die　in　four　days。〃
　
　Richard　sensed　something　move　behind　him。　He　spun　around；　Chase　had　the　mace　raised。　A　stream　of　fire　shot　past；　between　them。　Scarlet　kept　the　fire　up　until　Chase　stepped　back。
　
　〃Some　friends　you　have；〃　the　dragon　grumbled。
　
　〃Darken　Rahl　put　a　wizard's　web　on　me。　They　don't　recognize　me。〃
　
　〃Well；　if　you　stay　with　them　much　longer；　they　are　going　to　kill　you。〃
　
　Richard　…realized　that　they　wouldn't　have　the　box。　Not　if　they　were　ing　to　D'Hara　to　save　him。　They　wouldn't　have　risked　taking　the　box　to　Rahl。　The　three　of　them　silently　watched　him　and　the　dragon。
　
　　〃Scarlet；　say　something　to　them；　see　if　they　can　understand　you。〃
　
　The　dragon's　head　swept　closer　to　the　three。　〃This　is　not　Darken　Rahl；　but　your　friend；　hidden　by　a　wizard's　web。　Can　any　of　you　understand　me？〃
　
　The　three　stood　mute。　Aggravated；　Richard　stepped　closer　to　Zedd。
　
　〃Zedd；　please　try　to　understand　me。　Don't　seek　the　night　stone。　If　you　do；　Rahl　will　trap　you　in　the　underworld。　Try　to　understand！〃
　
　None　of　the　three　grasped　a　word　he　was　saying。　He　had　to　get　the　box　first；　then　he　would　e　back　and　protect　them　from　the　men　Rahl　had　sent。　Reluctantly；　he　climbed　back　up　onto　Scarlet。　She　kept　a　wary　eye　to　the　three；　puffing　a　little　smoke　and　flame　in　warning。　Richard　wanted　desperately　to　stay　with　Kahlan；　but　he　couldn't…he　had　to　get　the　box　first。
　
　〃bet's　get　out　of　here。　We　have　to　go　find　my　brother。〃
　
　With　a　roar　of　flame；　warning　the　three　to　stay　back；　Scarlet　took　to　the　air。　Richard　held　her　spikes　tight。　Her　red；　scaled　neck　stretched　out　as　she　climbed　into　the　sky　among　the　drifting　white　clouds；　weaving　between　them。　He　watched　his　three　friends　watching　back　until　he　could　see　them　no　more。　He　felt　desperately　helpless。　He　wished　he　could　have　seen　Kahlan's　smile；　just　once。
　
　〃Now　what？〃　Scarlet　asked　over　her　shoulder。
　
　〃We　have　to　find　my　brother。　He　should　be　with　an　army　of　about　a　thousand　men；　somewhere　between　here　and　the　Rang'Shada。　They　shouldn't　be　as　hard　to　find。〃　'
　
　〃They　couldn't　understand　my　words；　the　web　must　affect　me　too；　since　I'm　with　you。　But　it　must　be　a　web　for　people；　not　dragons；　for　I　see　the　truth。　If　these　three　wanted　to　kill　you　because　of　a　wizard's　web；　surely　the　others　will　too。　I　can't　protect　you　against　a　thousand　men。〃
　
　〃I　have　to　try。　I'll　think　of　something。　Michael　is　my　brother；　I'll　think　of　a　way　to　make　him　see　the　truth。　He's　on　his　way　with　the　army　to　help　me。　I　need　his　help　very　badly。〃
　
　Since　an　army　would　be　easier　to　spot；　they　flew　high；　to　see　more　ground。　Scarlet　made　gentle　sweeping　turns　among　the　immense；　cottony　clouds。　Richard　hadn't　realized　how　big　clouds　really　were；　when　viewed　this　close。　As　some　of　them　gathered；　it　was　like　being　in　a　wonderland　of　white　mountains；　and　valleys。　The　dragon　skimmed　under　their　dark　bases；　sometimes　passing　through　a　damp　wisp　that　hung　down；　her　head　disappearing　in　the　whiteness　at　the　end　of　her　neck；　the　tips　of　her　wings　vanishing；　too。　The　size　of　the　clouds　made　even　Scarlet　seem　small　and　insignificant。
　
　They　searched　for　hours　without　seeing　any　sign　of　an　army。　Richard　was　getting　so　used　to　flying；　he　didn't　have　to　hold　on　to　Scarlet's　spikes　all　the　time。　He　leaned　back　against　two　of　them；　letting　his　body　relax　while　he　looked　at　the　landscape　below。　'　As　they　flew；　Richard　thought　about　what　he　could　do　to　convince　Michael　of　who　he　was。　Michael　would　have　the　box；　that　had　to　be　where　Zedd　had　left　it。　Zedd　would　have　hidden　it　from　Rahl　with　magic；　and　let　the　army　protect　it。　He　had　to　think　of　a　way　to　show　Michael　who　he　was。　Once　he　had　the　box；　he　would　have　Scarlet　fly　it　up　to　her　cave　with　her　egg。　There　it　would　be　safe　from　Rahl。
　
　Then　he　could　go　back　to　Kahlan　and　protect　her　from　Rahl's　men。　Maybe　he　could　have　Scarlet　fly　her　to　the　cave；　too。　There　she　would　be　safe　from　the　men。
　
　Three　and　a　half　days；　and　then　Darken　Rahl　would　die。　Then　Kahlan　would　be　safe　for　sure。　Forever。　Then　he　would　go　back　to　Westland；　and　be　finished　with　the　magic。　Be　famished　with　Kahlan。　The　thought　of　never；　seeing　her　again　made　him　weak　with　pain。
　
　Late　in　the　afternoon；　Scarlet　spotted　the　army。　She　was　better　at　seeing　things　from　this　height　than　he。　They　were　still　a　long　way　off　and　Richard　had　to　stare　awhile。　At　first　he　saw　only　a　wispy　column　of　dust；　then　he　saw　the　ranks；　moving　along　a　road。
　
　〃Well；　what's　your　plan？　What　do　you　want　to　do？〃　she　called　back　to　him。
　
　〃Do　you　think　you　could　land　us　ahead　of　them；　without　letting　them　see　us？〃
　
　A　big　yellow　eye　frowned　back　at　him。　〃I'm　a　red　dragon。　I　could　land　us　in　the　middle　of　them；　and　they　wouldn't　see　me；　if　I　didn't　want　them　to。　How　close　do　you　want　to　be　to　them？〃
　
　〃I　don't　want　them　to　see