tg.wizardfirstrule-第107部分

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　Chase　gave　a　troubled　look。　〃What's　the　second。〃
　
　Zedd　hesitated。　〃The　boxes。　Their　covers　are　removed。　I　can　sense　them。　They；　too；　are　in　the　Garden　of　Life。〃　Something　was　wrong。　He　knew　what　it　was　to　sense　one　of　the　boxes；　and　two　should　be　twice　as　strong。　But　the　feeling　wasn't；　it　was　three　times　as　strong。
　
　The　wizard　directed　the　Mother　Confessor　down　the　proper　halls　as　they　came　to　them；　and　up　the　proper　stairways　as　they　appeared。　Each　hall；　each　different　level；　had　stone　of　unique　color　or　type。　In　some　places　the　columns　stood　several　levels　high。　Balconies　between　them　looked　down　on　the　hall。　Stairways　were　all　marble；　each　of　a　different　color。　They　passed　huge　statues；　standing　like　stone　sentinels　at　the　walls　to　each　side。　The　three　walked　for　several　hours；　working　their　way　higher　into　the　center　of　the　People's　Palace。　It　was　impossible　to　go　in　a　straight　course；　there　was　none。
　
　At　last　they　came　to　closed　doors；　carved　in　a　country　scene；　clad　in　gold。　Kahlan　stopped　and　looked　to　the　wizard。
　
　〃This　is　the　place；　dear　one。　The　Garden　of　Life。　The　boxes　are　in　here。　Darken　Rahl　will　be；　too。〃　She　gave　him　a　deep　stare。　〃Thank　you；　Zedd；　and　you；　too；　Chase。〃
　
　Kahlan　turned　to　the　door；　but　Zedd　put　his　hand　gently　on　her　shoulder　and　turned　her　back　around。　〃Darken　Rahl　has　only　two　boxes。　He　will　be　dead　soon。　Without　your　help。〃
　
　Her　eyes　were　cold　fire　in　the　heart　of　the　sharp；　red　lightning　bolts　drawn　on　her　resolute　face。　〃Then　I　have　no　time　to　waste。〃
　
　She　pushed　the　doors　open；　and　strode　into　the　Garden　of　Life
　
　CHAPTER　49
　　THE　FRAGRANCE　OF　FLOWERS　engulfed　them　as　they　stepped　into　the　Garden　of　Life。　Zedd　knew　immediately　that　something　was　wrong。　There　was　no　doubt；　all　three　boxes　were　in　the　room。　He　had　been　wrong。　Rahl　did　have　all　three。　He　sensed　something　else；　too；　something　out　of　place；　but　with　his　power　diminished；　he　couldn't　put　his　trust　in　the　feeling。　With　Chase　at　his　heels；　Zedd　stayed　close　behind　Kahlan　as　she　walked　along　the　path；　among　the　trees；　past　the　vine…covered　walls　and　colorful　flowers。　They　came　to　grass。　Kahlan　stopped。
　
　Across　the　lawn　was　a　circle　of　white　sand。　Sorcerer's　sand。　In　his　whole　life；　Zedd　had　never　seen　so　much　of　it　in　one　place；　never　seen　more　than　a　pouchful。　This　much　was　worth　ten　kingdoms。　Tiny　flecks　of　prismatic　light　reflected　up　at　him。　With　rising　trepidation；　Zedd　wondered　what　Rah　l　needed　with　that　much　sorcerer's　sand；　what　tie　did　with　it。　He　found　it　hard　to　take　his　eyes　from　the　lure　of　it。
　
　Beyond　the　sorcerer's　sand　sat　a　sacrificial　altar。　There；　on　the　stone　altar；　were　the　three　boxes　of　Orden。　Zedd's　heart　felt　as　if　it　skipped　a　beat；　to　see；　for　sure；　that　all　three　were　
　
　there　together。　Each　had　its　cover　removed。　Each　was　black　as　midnight。
　
　In　front　of　the　boxes；　with　his　back　to　them；　stood　Darken　Rahl。　Zedd　raged　at　seeing　the　one　who　had　harmed　Richard。　The　sunlight　ing　straight　down　from　the　glass　roof　lit　the　white　robes　and　long　blond　hair；　making　them　glow。　Rahl　stood　gazing　at　the　boxes；　his　prizes。
　
　Zedd　felt　his　face　heat。　How　had　Rahl　found　the　last　box？　How　had　he　gotten　it？　He　dismissed　the　questions；　they　were　irrelevant。　The　question　was　what　to　do　now。　With　all　three；　Rahl　could　open　one。　Zedd　watched　Kahlan　as　she　stared　across　at　Darken　Rahl。　If　she　could　in　fact　touch　Rahl　with　her　power；　they　would　be　saved；　but　he　doubted　that　she　had　the　necessary　power。　In　this　palace；　especially　in　this　room；　Zedd　could　feel　that…his　own　power　was　virtually　useless。　The　whole　place　was　one　giant　spell　against　any　wizard　but　a　Rahl。　If　Darken　Rahl　was　to　be　stopped；　only　Kahlan　could　do　it。　He　felt　the　Blood　Rage　emanating　from　her；　the　seething　fury。
　
　Kahlan　started　across　the　grass。　Zedd　and　Chase　followed；　but　when　they　had　almost　reached　the　sand　opposite　Rahl；　she　turned　and　placed　a　hand　on　the　wizard's　chest。
　
　〃Both　of　you　will　wait　here。〃
　
　Zedd　felt　the　wrath　in　her　eyes；　and　understood　it　because　he　shared　it。　He；　too；　felt　the　pain　of　losing　Richard。
　
　When　Zedd's　head　came　up；　he　was　staring　into　the　blue　eyes　of　Darken　Rahl。　They　held　each　other's　gaze　a　moment。　Rahl's　eyes　shifted　to　Kahlan　as　she　walked　around　the　circle　of　sand；　her　countenance　dead　calm。
　
　Chase　leaned　closer　and　whispered；　〃What　are　we　going　to　do　if　this　doesn't　work？〃
　
　〃We　are　going　to　die。〃
　
　Zedd's　hopes　lifted　when　he　saw　the　look　of　alarm　on　Darken　Rahl's　face。　Alarm；　and　fear；　at　seeing　Kahlan　painted　with　the　twin　lightning　bolts　of　the　Con　Dar。　Zedd　smiled。　Darken　Rahl　hadn't　counted　on　that；　and　appeared　to　be　frightened　by　it。
　
　The　alarm　turned　to　action。　As　Kahlan　approached；　Darken　Rahl　suddenly　drew　the　Sword　of　Truth。　It　hissed　ing　out；　and　it　came　out　white。　He　held　it　out；　stopping　Kahlan　at　its　point
　
　They　were　too　close　to　be　stopped　now。　Zedd　had　to　help　her；　help　her　use　the　only　thing　that　could　save　them。　The　wizard　used　every　bit　of　strength　he　had；　which　wasn't　as　much　as　he　wished；　and　threw　a　bolt　of　lightning　across　the　white　sorcerer's　sand。　He　drained　all　his　power　into　it。　The　blue　lightning　hit　the　sword；　knocking　it　from　Rahl's　hands。　It　flew　through　the　air；　landing　a　good　distance　away。　Darken　Rahl　screamed　something　to　Zedd；　then　turned　to　Kahlan；　speaking　to　her；　but　neither　could　understand　him。
　
　Darken　Rahl　backed　away　as　Kahlan　advanced。　He　bumped　into　the　altar；　able　to　back　away　no　farther。　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair　as　Kahlan　stopped　in　front　of　him。
　
　Zedd's　smile　faded。　Something　was　wrong。　The　way　Rahl　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair　sparked　his　memory。
　
　The　Mother　Confessor　reached　out　and　seized　Darken　Rahl　by　the　throat。　〃This　is　for　Richard。〃
　
　Zedd's　eyes　went　wide。　Ice　flashed　through　him。　He　understood　what　was　wrong。　He　gasped　in　recognition。
　
　That　wasn't　Darken　Rahl。
　
　Zedd　screamed。　〃Kahlan；　no！　Stop！　That's　。　。　。〃
　
　There　was　an　impact　to　the　air；　thunder　with　no　sound。　The　leaves　on　the　trees　about　shuddered。　The　grass　shook　in　a　wave；　radiating　outward　。
　
　。　。　。　Richard！〃　Too　late；　the　wizard　realized　the　truth。　Pain　gripped　him。
　
　〃Mistress；〃　he　whispered；　falling　to　his　knees　before　her。
　
　Zedd　stood　frozen。　Despair　crushed　the　elation　of　Richard　being　alive。　A　vine…covered　door　in　a　wall　to　the　side　opened。　The　real　Darken　Rahl　emerged；　followed　by　Michael　and　two　big　guards。　Kahlan　blinked　in　confusion。
　
　The　enemy　web　wavered；　and　in　a　shimmer　of　light　the　one　who　had　been　Darken　Rahl　was　returned　to　who　he　really　was。　Richard。
　
　Kahlan's　eyes　went　wide　in　horror　as　she　backed　away。　The　power　of　the　Con　Dar　faltered；　and　extinguished。　She　screamed　in　anguish　at　what　she　had　done。
　
　The　two　guards　stepped　behind　her。　Chase　reached　up　for　his　sword。　He　was　frozen　in　place　before　his　hand　reached　it。　Zedd　brought　his　hands　up；　but　there　was　no　power　left。　Nothing　happened。　He　ran　for　…them；　but　before　he　could　take　two　steps；　he　hit　an　invisible　wall。　He　was　encased　in　it；　held　like　a　prisoner　in　a　stone　cell。　He　railed　in　rage　at　his　own　stupidity。
　
　At　seeing　what　she　had　done；　Kahlan　yanked　a　knife　from　the　belt　of　a　guard。　With　a　cry　of　anguish；　she　held　it　up　in　both　hands　to　plunge　it　into　herself。
　
　Michael　grabbed　her　from　behind；　twisted　the　knife　from　her　hands；　and　held　it　to　her　throat。　Richard　launched　himself　in　a　fury　at　his　brother　but　crashed　into　an　invisible　wall　and　was　knocked　back。　Kahlan　had　expended　all　her　energy　in　the　Con　Dar；　and　was　too　weak　to　fight　back；　she　collapsed　in　tears。　One　of　the　guards　tied　a　gag　to　her　mouth；　preventing　her　from　even　mumbling　Richard's　name。
　
　Richard；　on　his　knees；　fell　against　Darken　Rahl；　gripping　his　robes；　pleading　up　to　him。　〃Don't　hurt　her！　Please。　Don't　hurt　her。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　put　a　hand　on　Richard's　shoulder。　〃So　glad　to　see　you　have　e　back；　Richard。　I　thought　you　might。　I'm　glad　you've　decided　to　help　me。　I　admire　your　devotion　to　your　friends。〃
　
　Zedd　was　bewildered。　What　help　could　Darken　Rahl　possibly　need　from　Richard？
　
　〃Please；〃　Richard　begged　in　tears；　〃don't　hurt　her。〃
　
　〃Well　now；　that's　entirely　up　to　you。〃　He　pulled　Richard's　hands　from　his　robes。
　
　〃Anything！　I'll　do　anything。　Just　don't　hurt　her。〃
　
　A　smile　spread　on　Darken　Rahl's　lips。　He　licked　the　tips　of　his　fingers。　He　ran　his　other　hand　through　Richard's　hair。　〃I'm　sorry　it　had　to　be　this　way；　Richard。　I　really　am。　It　would　have　been　a　pleasure　having　you　around　as　you　were。　Although　you　don't　realize　it；　you　and　I　are　very　much　alike。　But　I'm　afraid　you　have　fallen　victim　to　the　Wizard's　First　Rule。〃
　
　〃Don't　hurt　Mistress　Kahlan；〃　Richard　cried。　〃Please。〃
　
　〃If　you　do　as　I　say；　I　will　do　as　I　promised；　and　she　will　be　treated　well。　I　may　even　turn　you　into　something　pleasant；　something　you　would　like　to　be；　maybe　a　lapdog。　I　may　even　let　you　sleep　in　our　bedchamber　so　you　might　see　that　I　keep　my　word。　Maybe　I　will　even　name　my　son　in　honor　of　you；　for　helping　me
　
　Would　you　like　that？　Richard　Rahl。　Sort　of　ironic；　don't　you　think。〃
　
　〃Do　whatever　you　want　with　me；　but　please　don't　hurt　Mistress　Kahlan。　Tell　me　what　you　want　me　to　do；　please。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　patted　Richard's　head。　〃Soon；　my　son；　soon。　Wait　here。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　left　Richard　on　his　knees；　and　glided　around　the　circle　of　white　sand　to　Zedd。　The　blue　eyes　locked　on　the　old　man　as　he　came。　Zedd　felt　hollow；　empty。
　
　Rahl　stopped　in　front　of　him　and　licked　his　fingers；　stroking　them　over　his　eyebrows。
　
　〃What　is　your　name；　Old　One？〃
　
　Zedd　stared　back；　his　hopes　destroyed。　〃Zeddicus　Zu'l　Zorander。〃　He　held　his　chin　up。　〃I　am　the　one　who　killed　your　father。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　nodded。　〃And　do　you　know　that　your　wizard's　fire　also　burned　me？　Do　you　know　it　almost　killed　me　when　I　was　but　a　child？　And　that　I　spent　months　in　agony？　And　that　to　this　day　I　carry　the　scars　of　what　you　did；　both　those　on　the　outside；　and　others　on　the　inside？〃
　
　〃I'm　sorry　I　hurt　a　child；　regardless　of　who　the　child　was。　But　in　this　case；　I　would　call　it　premature　punishment。〃
　
　Rahl's　face　remained　pleasant；　the　hint　of　a　smile　still　on　his　lips。　〃We　are　going　to　have　a　long　time　together；　you　and　I。　I　am　going　to　teach　you　of　the　pain　I　endured；　and　more。　You　will　know　what　it　was　like。〃
　
　Zedd　gave　a　bitter　look。　〃Nothing　could　match　the　pain　you　have　already　given　me。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　licked　his　fingertips　as　he　turned　away。　〃We　will　see。〃
　
　Zedd　watched　in　hopeless　frustration　as　Rahl　returned　to　stand　once　more　in　front　of　Richard。　〃Richard！〃　Zedd　screamed。　〃Don't　help　him！　Kahlan　would　rather　die　than　have　you　help　him！〃
　
　Richard　looked　blankly　to　the　wizard　before　he　gazed　up　at　Darken　Rahl。　〃I'll　do　anything　if　you　don't　hurt　her。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　motioned　him　to　his　feet。　〃You　have　my　word；　my　son。　If　you　do　as　I　ask。〃　Richard　nodded。　〃Recite　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。〃　Zedd　reeled　in　shock。　Richard　turned　to　Kahlan。
　
　〃What　should　I　do；　Mistress？〃
　
　Kahlan　struggled　against　Michael；　against　the　knife　at　her　throat；　screamed　muffled　words　against　the　gag。
　
　Rahl's　voice　was　calm；　gentle。　〃Recite　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows；　Richard；　or　I　will　have　Michael　start　by　cutting　off　her　fingers　one　at　a　time。　The　longer　you　remain　silent；　the　more　he　will　cut　her。〃
　
　Richard　spun　back　to　Rahl；　panic　in　his　eyes。　〃Verification　of　the　truth　of　the　words　of　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows；　if　spoken　by　another；　rather　than　read　by　the　one　who　mands　the　boxes；　can　only　be　insured　by　the　use　of　a　Confessor　。　。　。　。　〃
　
　Zedd　sank　to　the　ground。　He　couldn't　believe　what　he　was　hearing。　As　he　listened　to　Richard　reading　out　the　book；　he　knew　it　was　true；　he　recognized　the　unique　syntax　of　a　book　of　magic。　Richard　couldn't　be　making　it　up。　It　was　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　Zedd　didn't　have　the　strength　to　wonder　at　how　Richard　had　learned　it。
　
　The　world　as　they　knew　it　was　ending。　This　was　the　first　day　of　the　rule　of　Rahl。　All　was　lost。　Darken　Rahl　had　won。　The　world　was　his。
　
　Zedd　sat　numbly；　listening。　Some　of　the　words　themselves　were　magic；　and　none　but　one　with　the　gift　could　keep　the　words　in　his　head；　the　magic　would　erase　the　whole　of　it　at　certain　magic　trigger　words。　Protection　against　unseen　circumstances。　Protection　against　just　anyone　getting　hold　of　the　magic　within。　That　Richard　could　recite　them　was　proof　he　was　born　to　it。　Born　of　and　to　the　magic。　As　much　as　Richard　hated　the　magic；　he　was　magic；　as　the　prophecies　foretold。
　
　Zedd　mourned　the　things　he　had　done。　Mourned　that　he　had　tried　to　protect　Richard　from　the　forces　that　would　have　sought　to　use　him；　had　they　known　what　he　was。　。Those　born　with　the　gift　were　always　vulnerable　when　they　were　young。　Darken　Rahl　was　proof　of　that。　Zedd　had　deliberately　chosen　not　to　teach　Richard；　as　a　way　of　protecting　him　from　those　forces　learning　of　him。　Zedd　had　always　feared；　and　hoped；　that　Richard　had　the　gift；　but　had　hoped　he　would　grow　before　it　manifested　itself；　and　then　Zedd　might　have　the　time　to　teach　him　when　he　was　strong　enough；　when　he　was　old　enough。　And　before　it　could　kill　him。　It　had　been　a　futile　effort。　It　had　e　to　no　good　end。　Zedd　guessed　that　he　had　always　known　Richard　had　the　gift；　was　someone　special。　Everyone　who　knew　Richard　knew　he　was　someone　special。　Rare。　The　mark　of　magic。
　
　Zedd　wept　as　he　recalled　the　time　he　had　enjoyed　with　Richard。　They　had　been　good　years。　None　had　been　better　in　his　life。　The　years　away　from　the　magic。　To　have　someone　love　him　without　fear；　and　only　for　himself。　To　be　a　friend。
　
　Richard　read　out　the　book　without　hesitation　or　a　single　falter。　Zedd　marveled　that　he　knew　it　so　perfectly；　and　caught　himself　being　proud；　but　then　wished　Richard　weren't　so　talented。　Much　of　what　he　recited　was　about　things　already　finished　with；　such　as　removing　the　covers　from　the　boxes；　but　Darken　Rahl　didn't　stop　him　or　hurry　him　over　those　sections　for　fear　that　he　might　miss　something。　He　let　Richard　recite　it　at　his　own　pace；　and　stood　mute；　listening　carefully。　Occasionally；　Rahl　had　him　repeat　a　section；　to　be　sure　he　had　it　right；　and　stood　absorbed　in　thought　as　Richard　told　of　sun　angles；　of　clouds；　of　wind　patterns。
　
　The　afternoon　wore　on；　Richard　reciting；　Rahl　standing　before　him　listening；　Michael　with　a　knife　at　Kahlan's　throat；　the　two　guards　holding　her　arms；　Chase　frozen　in　place；　his　hand　halfway　to　his　sword；　and　Zedd　sitting　on　the　ground；　doomed；　locked　in　his　invisible　prison。　Zedd　realized　that　the　procedure　for　opening　the　boxes　was　going　to　take　longer　than　he　would　have　thought。　It　would　take　all　night。　There　were　enchantments　to　be　drawn。　That　was　the　reason　Darken　Rahl　needed　so　much　sorcerer's　sand。　The　boxes　had　to　be　placed　just　so；　the　winter's　first　sun　touching　them；　dictating　their　position　once　they　each　cast　a　shadow。
　
　Each　box；　although　they　looked　identical；　cast　a　different　shadow。　As　the　sun　sank　lower　in　the　sky；　the　fingers　of　shadows　grew　away　from　each　box。　One　of　the　boxes　cast　a　single　finger　of　shadow；　another　cast　two　fingers　of　shadow；　and　the　third　cast　three。　Now　he　knew　why　it