tg.wizardfirstrule-第106部分

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ing　for　him。　A　cold　feeling　ran　through　his　gut；　it　was　a　long　way　off。　He　had　misjudged　how　far　he　was　from　it；　it　was　a　lot　farther　than　he　had　thought。　He　had　no　time　to　waste。　When　the　sun　was　at　its　zenith；　the　boxes　could　be　opened。
　
　As　he　turned；　movement　caught　his　eye。　The　horse　let　out　a　terrified　neigh。　Howls　split　the　morning　silence。　Heart　hounds。
　
　Richard　drew　his　sword　as　they　poured　over　the　rock。　Before　he　could　start　for　the　horse；　the　hounds　took　it　down。　In　a　dead　run；　more　came　for　him。　Frozen　in　shock　for　only　an　instant；　he　leapt　up　onto　the　rock　he　had　slept　under。　The　hounds；　teeth　snapping；　bounded　up　the　rock　toward　him。　He　cut　down　the　first　wave；　then　retreated　farther　up　the　rock　as　more　hounds　came　for　him。　Richard　swung　the　sword；　cutting　through　them　as　they　advanced；　snarling　and　howling。
　
　It　was　like　a　sea　of　tan　fur；　ing　for　him　in　waves。　Frantically；　he　slashed　and　stabbed　at　them；　trying　to　back　away　at　the　same　time。　Hounds　came　over　the　rock　behind。　He　jumped　to　the　side　as　the　two　groups　crashed　together；　tearing　at　each　other　for　the　chance　to　be　the　first　to　get　at　his　heart。
　
　Richard　climbed　higher；　fighting　the　beasts　back；　killing　any　that　got　close　enough。　It　was　a　futile　effort；　he　knew；　there　were　more　than　he　would　be　able　to　hold　back。　He　released　himself　into　the　anger　of　the　sword's　magic；　fighting　with　fury　as　he　advanced　into　their　ranks。　He　couldn't　fail　Kahlan；　not　now。　The　air　seemed　filled　with　yellow　teeth；　all　ing　for　him。　Blood　from　the　killing　was　everywhere。　The　world　turned　to　red。
　
　And　then　it　turned　to　flame。
　
　Fire　erupted　all　about。　Hounds　howled　in　mortal　pain。　The　dragon　roared　in　anger。　Scarlet's　shadow　swept　over　him。　Richard's　sword　cut　through　the　hounds　that　came　close　enough。　The　air　smelled　of　blood　and　burning　fur。
　
　Scarlet's　claw　gripped　him　around　the　middle；　lifting　him　away　from　the　leaping；　snapping　beasts。　Richard　panted　in　exhaustion　from　the　fierce　fight　as　the　dragon　flew　to　a　clearing　on　another　mountain。　She　set　him　gently　on　the　ground　and　landed。
　
　Richard；　nearly　in　tears；　threw　his　arms　against　her　red　scales；　stroking　them；　and　laid　his　head　against　her　〃Thank　you；　my　friend。　You　have　saved　my　life。　You　have　saved　many　lives。　You　are　a　dragon　of　honor。〃
　
　〃I　made　a　bargain；　that　is　all。〃　She　snorted　a　puff　of　smoke。　〃Besides；　someone　has　to　help　you；　you　can't　seem　to　stay　out　of　trouble　on　your　own。〃
　
　Richard　smiled。　〃You　are　the　most　beautiful　beast　I　have　ever　seen。〃　Still　panting　as　he　tried　to　catch　his　breath；　he　pointed　to　the　plateau。　〃Scarlet；　I　need　to　get　to　the　People's　Palace。　Will　you　take　me？　Please？〃
　
　〃You　didn't　find　your　friends？　Your　brother？〃
　
　He　swallowed　the　lump　in　his　throat。　〃My　brother　has　betrayed　me。　Betrayed　me；　and　everyone；　to　Darken　Rahl。　I　wish　people　had　half　the　honor　of　dragons。〃
　
　Scarlet　gave　a　grumble；　vibrating　the　scales　on　her　throat。　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard　Cypher。　Climb　on。　I　will　take　you。〃
　
　The　dragon　made　slow；　steady　strokes　of　her　wings；　lifting　him　above　the　sea　of　clouds　that　covered　the　Azrith　Plains；　carrying　him　to　the　last　place　in　the　world　he　would　wish　to　go；　had　he　a　choice。　The　journey；　which　would　have　taken　him　a　good　part　of　the　day　on　a　horse；　took　less　than　an　hour　on　the　dragon。　She　folded　her　wings　back；　diving　toward　the　plateau。　The　wind　tore　at　his　clothes　as　she　plunged　downward。　From　the　air；　Richard　could　see　how　big　the　People's　Palace　really　was。　It　was　hard　to　believe　it　had　been　made　by　men；　it　seemed　beyond　even　a　dream。　It　was　like　the　biggest　of　cities；　all　melted　together　into　one　plex。
　
　Scarlet　flew　once　around　the　plateau；　past　towers；　walls；　and　roofs。　They　flashed　past　in　endless　variety；　making　him　dizzy。　She　lifted　over　the　outer　wall；　and　swooped　down　into　a　vast　courtyard；　fluttering　her　wings　to　stop　their　descent。　There　were　no　guards；　no　people；　to　be　seen。
　
　Richard　slid　down　her　red　scales；　landing　on　his　feet　with　a　thump。　She　swept　her　head　about；　then　tilted　it　down；　gazing　at　him。　Her　ears　swiveled　forward。
　
　〃Are　you　sure　you　want　me　to　leave　you　here？〃　Richard　nodded；　casting　his　eyes　to　the　ground。　Scarlet　snorted。　〃Then　the　six　days　are　at　an　end。　Our　bargain　is　at　an　end。　The　next　time
　
　I　see　you；　you　will　be　fair　game。〃
　
　Richard　smiled　up　at　her。　〃Fair　enough；　my　friend。　But　you'll　not　get　the　chance。　Today；　I　am　going　to　die。〃
　
　Scarlet　watched　him　with　one　yellow　eye。　〃Try　not　to　let　that　happen；　Richard　Cypher。　I　would　still　like　to　eat　you。〃
　
　Richard's　smile　widened　as　he　rubbed　a　glossy　scale。　〃Take　care　of　your　little　dragon；　when　it　hatches。　I　wish　I　had　had　a　chance　to　see　it。　It　will　be　beautiful　too；　I　know。　I　realize　you　hate　flying　men　about；　because　it's　against　your　will；　but　thanks　for　letting　me　know　the　joy　of　flying。　I　considered　it　a　privilege。〃
　
　She　nodded。　〃I　like　flying　too。〃　She　let　out　a　puff　of　smoke。　〃You　are　a　rare　man；　Richard　Cypher。　I　have　never　seen　one　the　match　of　you：〃
　
　〃I　am　the　Seeker。　The　last　Seeker。〃
　
　She　gave　another　nod　of　her　big　head。　〃Take　care；　Seeker。　You　have　the　gift。　Use　it。　Use　everything　you　have　to　fight。　Don't　give　in。　Don't　let　him　rule　you。　If　you　are　to　die；　die　fighting　with　everything　you　have；　everything　you　know。　That　is　the　way　of　a　dragon。〃
　
　〃If　it　were　only　that　easy。〃　Richard　looked　up　at　the　red　dragon。　〃Scarlet；　before　the　boundary　came　down；　did　you　carry　Darken　Rahl　into　Westland？〃
　
　She　gave　a　nod。　〃A　number　of　times。〃
　
　〃Where　did　you　take　him？〃
　
　〃To　a　house；　bigger　than　the　other　houses。　It　was　made　of　white　stone；　with　slate　roofs。　One　time；　I　took　him　to　another。　A　simple　house。　He　killed　a　man　there。　I　heard　the　screams。　And　once　to　another　simple　house。〃
　
　Michael's　house。　And　his　father's。　And　his　own。
　
　With　the　pain　of　hearing　it；　Richard　looked　down　at　his　feet；　nodding。　〃Thanks；　Scarlet。〃　He　fought　back　the　lump　in　his　throat；　and　looked　back　up。　〃If　Darken　Rahl　ever　tries　to　rule　you　again；　I　hope　your　little　dragon　will　be　safe；　and　you　will　be　able　to　fight　to　the　death。　You　are　too　noble　to　be　ruled。〃
　
　Scarlet　gave　a　dragon's　grin　and　lifted　into　the　air。　Richard　watched　as　she　circled　overhead；　looking　down　at　him。　Her　head　turned　to　the　west　and　the　rest　of　her　followed。　Richard　watched　a　few　minutes　as　she　became　smaller　in　the　distance。　He　turned　to　the　palace。
　
　Richard　eyed　the　guards　at　an　entrance；　prepared　for　a　fight；　but　they　only　gave　a　polite　nod。　A　guest　returning。　The　vast　halls　swallowed　him。
　
　He　knew　the　general　direction　of　the　garden　room　where　Rahl　kept　the　boxes；　and　headed　that　way。　For　a　long　time；　he　didn't　recognize　the　halls；　but　after　a　time；　some　of　them　started　looking　familiar。　He　recognized　the　arches　and　columns；　the　devotion　squares。　He　passed　the　hall　where　Denna's　quarters　were。　He　didn't　look　down　it　as　he　walked　past　the　intersection。
　
　His　mind　was　in　a　daze；　overpowered　by　the　decision　he　had　made。　He　was　overwhelmed　by　the　very　idea　of　being　the　one　who　would　deliver　the　power　of　Orden　to　Darken　Rahl。　He　knew　he　would　be　saving　Kahlan　from　a　worse　fate；　and　many　others　from　death；　but　he　still　felt　like　a　traitor。　He　wished　it　could　be　anyone　but　him　who　would　help　Rahl。　But　no　one　else　could。　Only　he　had　the　answers　Rahl　needed。
　
　He　stopped　at　a　devotion　square　with　a　pool　and　watched　the　fish　gliding　through　the　water　as　he　stared　at　the　ripples。　Fight　with　everything　he　knew；　Scarlet　had　said。　What　would　that　gain　him？　What　would　that　gain　anyone？　The　same　in　the　end；　or　worse。　He　could　gamble　with　his　own　life；　but　not　with　everyone　else's。　Not　with　Kahlan's。　He　was　here　to　help　Darken　Rahl；　and　that　was　what　he　had　to　do。　His　mind　was　made　up。
　
　The　bell　for　devotion　tolled。　Richard　watched　people　gather　around　and　bow　down　as　they　began　chanting。　Two　Mord…Sith　dressed　in　red　leather　approached　and　eyed　him　standing　there
　
　This　was　no　time　for　trouble。　He　went　to　his　knees；　touched　his　forehead　to　the　tile；　and　began　chanting　the　devotion。　Since　he　had　already　decided；　there　was　no　reason　to　think；　and　he　let　his　mind　go　empty。
　
　〃Master　Rahl　guide　us。　Master　Rahl　teach　us。　Master　Rahl　protect　us。　In　your　light　we　thrive。　In　your　mercy　we　are　sheltered。　In　your　wisdom　we　are　humbled。　We　live　only　to　serve。　Our　lives　are　yours。　〃
　
　He　chanted　over　and　over；　letting　himself　go；　letting　his　worry　go。　His　mind　calmed　as　he　sought　the　peace　within　and　joined　with　it。
　
　A　thought　caught　the　words　in　his　throat。
　
　If　he　was　going　to　give　a　devotion；…　it　was　going　to　be　one　that　meant　something　to　him。　He　changed　the　words。
　
　〃Kahlan　guide　me。　Kahlan　teach。　me。　Kahlan　protect　me。　In　your　light　I　thrive。　In　your　mercy　I　am　sheltered。　In　your　wisdom　I　am　humbled。　I　live　only　to　love　you。　My　life　is　yours。〃
　
　The　shock　of　realization　made　sit　bolt　upright　on　his　heels；　his　eyes　wide。
　
　He　knew　what　he　must　do。
　
　Zedd　had　told　him；　told　him　that　most　of　the。　things　people　believed　were　wrong。　Wizard's　First　Rule。　He　had　been　the　fool　long　enough；　listened　to　others　enough。　He　avoided　the　truth　no　longer。　A　smile　spread　on　his　face。
　
　He　stood。　He　believed　with　all　his　heart。　Excited；　he　turned；　stepping　among　the　people　chanting　the　devotion　on　their　knees。
　
　The　two　Mord…Sith　rose。　They　stood　grim…faced；　shoulder　to　shoulder；　blocking　his　way。　He　jerked　to　a　halt。　The　one　with　blond　hair　and　blue　eyes　brought　her　Agiel　up　to　a　menacing　posture；　waving　it　in　front　of　him。
　
　〃No　one　is　allowed　to　miss　a　devotion。　No　one。〃
　
　Richard　returned　the　threatening　glare。　〃I　am　the　Seeker。〃　He　lifted　Denna's　Agiel　in　his　fist。　〃Mate　to　Denna。　I　am　the　one　who　killed　her。　Killed　her　with　the　magic　by　which　she　held　me。　I　have　said　my　last　devotion　to　Father　Rahl。　The　next　move　you　make　will　determine　if　you　live　or　die。　Choose。〃
　
　An　eyebrow　lifted　over　a　cold　blue　eye。　The　two　Mord…Sith　glanced　at　each　other；　then　stepped　aside。　Richard　marched　off　to　the　Garden　of　Life；　to　Darken　Rahl
　
　…＋
　
　Zedd　warily　scanned　the　edges　as　they　ascended　the　road　up　the　side　of　the　plateau；　the　surroundings　brightening　the　higher　they　went。　The　three　of　them　emerged　from　the　fog　into　midmorning　sunlight。　Ahead；　a　drawbridge　began　lowering；　the　catch　on　the　gears　clattering　as　the　span　lowered　across　a　chasm。　Chase　loosened　the　short　sword　in　the　scabbard　over　his　shoulder　when　the　lowering　bridge　revealed　a　couple　of　dozen　soldiers　waiting　on　the　other　side。　Not　one　of　the　soldiers　brought　a　weapon　to　hand；　nor　did　they　move　to　block　the　way；　but　stood　at　ease　to　the　side；　seemingly　disinterested　in　the　three。
　
　Kahlan　gave　them　no　notice　as　she　strode　past。　Chase　did。　He　looked　like　a　man　about　to　preside　over　a　slaughter。　The　guards　nodded　and　smiled　politely。
　
　The　boundary　warden　leaned　a　little　closer　to　Zedd；　but　kept　his　eyes　on　the　well…armed　soldiers。　〃I　don't　like　this。　It's　too　easy。〃
　
　Zedd　smiled。　〃If　Darken　Rahl　is　to　kill　us；　he　must　first　let　us　get　to　where　we　are　to　be　killed。〃
　
　Chase　frowned　over　at　the　wizard。　〃That　doesn't　make　me　feel　any　better。〃
　
　Zedd　put　his　hand　on　Chase's　shoulder。　〃No　loss　of　honor；　my　friend。　Go　home；　before　the　door　closes　behind　us　forever。〃
　
　Chase　stiffened。　〃Not　until　it　is　done。〃
　
　Zedd　nodded　and　walked　a　little　faster　to　stay　close　to　Kahlan。　When　they　gained　the　top　of　the　plateau；　they　were　confronted　by　a　huge　wall　stretching　off　to　either　side。　The　battlements　at　the　top　were　alive　with　men。　Kahlan　didn't　pause；　but　marched　toward　the　gate。　Straining　with　the　weight；　two　guards　pushed　the　immense　doors　back　as　she　approached。　She　didn't　lose　a　step　as　she　went　through　the　opening　in　the　wall。
　
　Chase　glared　at　the　captain　of　the　guards。　〃You　let　anyone　in？〃
　
　The　captain　gave　a　surprised　stare。　〃She　is　expected。　By　Master　Rahl。〃　Chase　grunted　and　followed　after。　〃So　much　for　our　sneaking　up　on　him。〃
　
　〃One　does　not　sneak　up　on　a　wizard　of　Rahl's　talents。〃
　
　Chase　grabbed　Zedd's　arm。　〃Wizard！　Rahl　is　a　wizard？〃
　
　Zedd　frowned　at　him。　〃Of　course。　How　do　you　suppose　he　is　able　to　mand　magic　the　way　he　does？　He　is　descended　from　a　long　line　of；　wizards。〃
　
　Chase　seemed　annoyed。　〃I　thought　wizards　were　only　supposed　to　help　people；　not　rule　them。〃
　
　Zedd　let　out　a　deep　breath。　〃Before　some　of　us　decided　to　no　longer　interfere　with　the　affairs　of　man；　wizards　used　to　rule。　There　was　a　rift…the　wizard　wars；　as　they　were　known。　A　few　on　their　side　survived；　and　continued　to　follow　the　old　ways；　continued　to　take　power　for　themselves；　continued　to　rule　people。　Darken　Rahl　is　a　direct　descendant　of　that　line…the　house　of　Rahl。　He　was　born　with　the　gift；　not　all　are。　But　he　uses　it　only　for　himself；　he　is　a　person　who　does　not　bear　the　burden　of　conscience。〃
　
　Chase　fell　silent　as　they　ascended　a　hillside　of　steps；　passing　into　the　shade　between　fluted　columns；　and　through　an　opening　surrounded　by　carved　stone　vines　and　leaves。　They　entered　the　halls。　Chase's　head　swiveled　about；　astonished　by　the　size；　the　beauty；　the　sheer　overwhelming　volume　of　polished　stone　about　them。　Kahlan　walked　down　the　center　of　the　vast　hall；　seeing　none　of　it；　the　folds　of　her　dress　flowing　fluidly　behind　her；　the　soft　sound　of　her　boots　on　the　stone　whispering　into　the　cavernous　distance。
　
　People　dressed　in　white　robes　strolled　the　halls。　A　few　sat　on　marble　benches；　and　others　knelt　at　squares　with　a　stone　and　bell；　meditating。　All　wore　the　same　perpetual　smile　of　the　divinely　deluded；　the　peaceful　countenance　of　those　self…assured　in　their　fantasy　of　certainty　and　understanding。　Truth　was　only　a　shifting　fog　to　them；　to　be　burned　off　by　the　light　of　their　convoluted　reasoning。　Followers；　disciples；　of　Darken　Rahl；　one　and　all。　Most　paid　the　three　no　attention；　giving　them　no　more　than　a　vacant　nod。
　
　Zedd　caught　a　glimpse　of　two　Mord…Sith；　proud　in　their　red　leather；　sauntering　up　a　side　hall　toward　them。　When　they　saw　Kahlan；　saw　the　twin　red　lightning　bolts　of　the　Con　Dar　painted　across　her　face；　the　two　blanched；　reversed　course；　and　quickly　vanished。
　
　The　route　they　followed　took　them　to　an　intersection　of　enormous　halls；　built　in　the　pattern　of　a　wheel。　Stained…glass　windows　that　formed　the　hub　high　overhead　let　in　sunlight　that　streamed　in　colored　shafts　through　the　cavernous　central　area。
　
　Kahlan　stopped　and　turned　her　green　eyes　to　the　wizard。　〃Which　way？〃
　
　Zedd　pointed　down　a　hall　to　the　right。　Kahlan　started　off　without　hesitation。
　
　〃How　do　you　know　where　we're　going？〃　Chase　asked。
　
　〃Two　ways。　First；　the　People's　Palace　is　built　on　a　pattern　I　recognize；　the　pattern　of　a　magic　spell。　The　entire　palace　is　one　giant　spell　drawn　on　the　face　of　the　ground。　It's　a　power　spell；　meant　to　protect　Darken　Rahl；　keep　him　safe　here；　amplify　his　power。　It's　a　spell　drawn　to　protect　him　from　other　wizards。　I　have　very　little　power　here。　I　am　next　to　helpless。　The　core　of　it　is　a　place　called　the　Garden　of　Life。　Darken　Rahl　will　be　there。〃
　
　Chase　gave　a　troubled　look。　〃What's　the　second。〃
　
　Zedd　hesitated。　〃The　boxes。　Their　covers　are　removed。　I　can　sens