tg.wizardfirstrule-第11部分

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　Crossing　a　small　brook　near　a　beaver　pond；　they　came　upon　a　patch　of　late　wildflowers；　their　yellow　and　pale　blue　blossoms　blanketing　the　ground　in　a　sparsely　wooded　hollow。　Kahlan　stopped　to　pick　some。　Finding　a　scoop…shaped　piece　of　dead　wood；　she　started　arranging　the　flowers　within　the　hollow　of　the　wood。　Richard　thought　she　must　be　hungry。　He　found　an　apple　tree　he　knew　to　be　nearby　and　filled　his　pack　half　full　while　she　bent　to　her　task。　It　was　always　a　good　idea　to　bring　food　when　going　to　see　Zedd。
　
　Richard　finished　before　Kahlan；　and　waited；　leaning　against　a　log；　wondering　what　she　was　doing。　When　she　was　satisfied　with　the　arrangement；　she　lifted　the　hem　of　her　dress　and　knelt　beside　the　pond；　floating　the　wood　out　onto　the　water。　She　sat　back　on　her　boots　with　her　hands　folded　in　her　lap；　watching　for　a　time　as　the　small　raft　of　flowers　drifted　out　onto　the　quiet　water。　When　she　turned　and　saw　him　leaning　against　the　log；　she　stood　and　joined　him。
　
　〃An　offering　to　the　spirits　of　our　two　mothers；〃　she　explained。　〃To　ask　their　protection　and　help　in　finding　the　wizard。〃　Kahlan　looked　to　his　face；　and　concern　came　over　her　features。　〃Richard；　what's　wrong？〃
　
　He　held　out　an　apple。　〃Nothing。　Here；　eat　this。〃
　
　She　slapped　his　hand　away　and　in　a　blink　had　him　by　the　throat　with　her　other　hand。　Anger　flared　in　her　green　eyes。　〃Why　would　you　do　this？〃　she　demanded。
　
　Shock　raced　through　his　mind。　He　went　rigid。　Something　told　him　not　to　move。　〃Don't　you　like　apples？　I'm　sorry；　I'll　find　you　something　else　to　eat。〃
　
　The　fury　in…her　eyes　faltered；　changing　to　doubt。　〃What　did　you　call　them？〃
　
　〃Apples；〃　he　said；　still　not　moving。　〃Don't　you　know　what　apples　are？　They're　good　to　eat；　I　promise。　What　did　you　think　they　were？〃
　
　Her　hand　loosened　its　grip　a　little。　〃You　eat　these　。　。　。　apples？〃
　
　Richard　kept　himself　still。　〃Yes。　All　the　time。〃
　
　Embarrassment　replaced　her　anger。　She　released　his　throat　and　put　her　fingers　over　her　mouth。　Her　eyes　were　wide。　〃Richard；　I'm　so　sorry。　I　didn't　know　you　could　eat　these　things。　In　the　Midlands；　any　red　fruit　is　deadly　poison。　I　thought　you　meant　to　poison　me。〃
　
　Richard　laughed　as　the　tension　went　out　in　a　rush。　Kahlan　laughed；　too；　while　protesting　that　it　wasn't　funny。　He　took　a　bite　to　show　her；　then　offered　her　another。　This　time　she　took　it；　but　looked　at　it　long　and　hard　before　taking　a　bite。
　
　〃Umm；　these　things　are　good　to　eat。〃　Kahlan's　brow　wrinkled。　She　put　her　hand　on　his　forehead。　〃I　thought　there　was　something　wrong。　You　are　burning　with　fever。〃
　
　〃I　know；　but　there's　nothing　we　can　do　until　we　get　to　Zedd's。　We're　almost　there。〃
　
　Zedd's　squat　house　came　into　sight　a　short　distance　farther　up　the　trail。　A　single　plank　from　the　sod…covered　roof　served　as　a　ramp　for　his　old　cat；　who　was　better　at　getting　up　than　down。　White　lace　curtains　hung　on　the　inside　of　the　windows；　flower　boxes　on　the　outside。　The　flowers　had　dried　and　wilted　with　the　passing　of　the　season。　The　log　walls　were　dull　gray　with　age；　but　a　bright　blue　door　greeted　visitors。　Other　than　the　door；　the　whole　place　gave　the　appearance　of　hunkering　into　the　grasses　surrounding　it；　of　trying　to　go　unnoticed。　The　house　wasn't　large；　but　it　did　have　a　porch　running　the　length　of　the　front。
　
　Zedd's　〃reason〃　chair　was　empty。　The　reason　chair　was　where　Zedd　sat　and　thought　until　he　figured　out　the　reason　for　whatever　it　was　that　had　snagged　his　curiosity。　He　had　once　sat　in　the　chair　for　three　days　straight；　trying　to　figure　out　why　people　were　always　arguing　over　how　many　stars　there　were。　He　himself　didn't　care。　He　thought　the　question　trivial；　and　he　only　wondered　why　people　spent　so　much　time　debating　the　subject。　At　last　he　stood　and　pronounced　that　it　was　because　anyone　could　express　his　profound　conviction　on　the　subject　without　fear　of　being　proven　wrong；　as　it　was　impossible　to　know　the　answer。　Such　fools　simply　didn't　have　to　worry　about　contradiction　when　proclaiming　expertise。　Having　settled　the　matter；　Zedd　then　went　in　the　house　and　ate　in　earnest　for　three　solid　hours。
　
　Richard　called　out　but　received　no　answer。　He　smiled　at　Kahlan。　〃I　bet　I　know　where　he　is。　Out　back　on　his　cloud　rock；　studying　the　latest　batch　of　clouds。〃
　
　〃Cloud　rock？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　〃It's　his　favorite　place　to　stand　and　watch　clouds。　Don't　ask　me　why。　Ever　since　I've　known　him；　whenever　he　sees　an　interesting　cloud；　he　runs　out　back　to　watch　it　while　standing　on　that　rock。〃　ichard　had　grown　up　with　the　rock；　and　didn't　think　the　behavior　peculiar；　it　was　just　part　of　the　old　man。
　
　The　two　of　them　walked　through　the　tall；　wild　grasses　that　surrounded　the　house　and　up　a　rise　to　the　top　of　a　small　barren　hill；　where　the　cloud　rock　sat。　Zedd　was　standing　on　the　flat　cloud　rock　with　his　arched　back　to　them；　his　spindly　arms　outstretched　and　his　wavy　white　hair　hanging　away　from　his　head　as　it　tilted　back　in　scrutiny。
　
　Zedd　was　stark　naked。
　
　Richard　rolled　his　eyes；　Kahlan　averted　hers。　Pale　leathery　skin　draped　loosely　over　a　collection　of　bony　projections　made　him　look　as　frail　as　a　dry　stick。　Richard　knew　him　to　be　anything　but　frail；　though。　His　bottom　lacked　any　padding　whatsoever；　leaving　the　skin　there　to　droop。
　
　One　scrawny　finger　rose；　pointing　skyward。　〃I　knew　you　were　ing；　Richard。〃　His　voice　was　as　thin　as　the　rest　of　him。
　
　The　plain；　unadorned　robes　that　were　his　only　clothes　lay　in　a　heap　behind　him。　Richard　bent　and　picked　them　up　while　Kahlan；　smiling；　turned　around　to　avoid　any　further　embarrassment。　〃Zedd；　we　have　pany。　Put　on　your　clothes。〃
　
　〃Do　you　know　how　I　knew　you　were　ing？〃　Still　he　did　not　move　or　turn。
　
　〃I　would　say　it　has　something　to　do　with　a　cloud　that　has　been　following　me　for　the　last　few　days。　Here；　let　me　help　get　this　on　you。〃
　
　Zedd　spun　around；　arms　flailing　in　excitement。　〃Days！　Bags！　Richard；　that　cloud　has　been　following　you　for　three　weeks！　Ever　since　your　father　was　killed！　I　haven't　seen　you　since　George's　death。　Where　have　you　been？　I've　been　looking　all　over　for　you。　I　can　find　a　lost　bug　in　a　barn　easier　than　I　can　find　you　when　you　get　it　in　your　head　not　to　be　found！〃
　
　〃I've　been　busy。　Hold　your　arms　up　so　I　can　help　you　put　this　on。〃　Richard　shoved　the　robes　over　Zedd's　outstretched　arms　and　helped　pull　the　folds　down　the　bony　body　while　the　old　man　shrugged　his　way　into　the　outfit。
　
　〃Busy！　Too　busy　to　look　up　once　in　a　while？　Bags；　Richard；　do　you　know　where　that　cloud　is　from？〃　Zedd's　eyes　were　wide　with　concern　as　his　forehead　wrinkled　above　his　raised　brow。
　
　〃Don't　curse；〃　Richard　said。　〃And　I　would　say　the　cloud　is　from　D'Hara。〃　Zedd's　arms　shot　back　into　the　air。　〃D'Hara！　Yes！　Very　good；　my　boy！　Tell　me；　what　gave　it　away　for　you。　Was　it　the　texture？　The　density？〃　Zedd　was　being　ever　more　excited　as　he　wiggled　around　in　his　robe；　dissatisfied　with　the　way　it　twisted。
　
　〃Neither。　It's　an　assumption　I　make　based　on　independent　information。　Zedd；　as　I　said　before；　we　have　pany。〃
　
　〃Yes；　yes；　I　heard　you　the　first　time。〃　He　waved　the　matter　away　with　his　hand。　〃Independent　information；　you　say。〃　He　drew　his　forefinger　and　thumb　down　his　smooth　jaw。　His　hazel　eyes　lit　up。　〃That's　very　good　too。　Very　good；　indeed！　Did　this　information　also　tell　you　this　is　bad　business？　Well　yes；　of　course　it　did；〃　he　said；　in　answer　to　his　own　question。　〃Why　are　you　sweating？〃　He　put　his　twiglike　fingers　to　Richard's　forehead。　〃You　have　a　fever；〃　he　pronounced。　〃Did　you　bring　me　anything　to　eat？〃
　
　Richard　already　had　an　apple　at　hand；　he　knew　Zedd　would　be　hungry。　Zedd　was　always　hungry。　The　old　man　bit　into　the　apple　with　a　vengeance。
　
　〃Zedd；　please　listen　to　me。　I'm　in　trouble；　and　I　need　your　help。〃
　
　Zedd　put　his　scrawny　fingers　on　the　top　of　Richard's　head　while　he　chewed；　and　with　his　thumb；　lifted　an　eyelid。　Leaning　forward；　he　thrust　his　sharply　featured　face　close　to　Richard's　and　peered　into　his　eye；　then　repeated　the　procedure　on　the　other　eye。　〃I　always　listen　to　you；　Richard。〃　He　lifted　Richard's　arm　by　the　wrist；　feeling　his　pulse。　〃And　I　agree；　you　are　in　trouble。　In　three　hours；　maybe　four；　no　more；　you　will　be　unconscious。〃
　
　Richard　was　taken　aback；　Kahlan　looked　worried；　too。　Zedd　knew　about　fevers；　among　other　things；　and　did　not　make　precise　pronouncements　like　this　that　ever　proved　in　error。　Richard's　legs　had　felt　weak　since　he　awoke　with　chills；　and　he　knew　he　was　getting　worse。　〃Can　you　do　anything　to　help？〃
　
　〃Probably；　but　it　depends　on　what　caused　it。　Now；　stop　being　rude　and　introduce　me　to　your　girlfriend。〃
　
　〃Zedd；　this　is　my　friend；　Kahlan　Amnell　。　。　。　。〃
　
　The　old　man　peered　closely　into　his　eyes。　〃Oh；　was　I　wrong？　She　is　not　a　girl　then？〃　Zedd　cackled。　He　smiled　over　the　trick　as　he　shuffled　to　Kahlan；　bowed　dramatically　at　the　waist；　lifted　her　hand　only　a　little；　kissed　it　lightly；　and　said；　〃Zeddicus　Zu'1　Zorander；　humbly　at　your　whim；　my　dear　young　lady。〃　He　straightened　himself　up　to　have　a　look　at　her　face。　When　their　eyes　met；　his　smile　evaporated　and　his　eyes　went　wide。　His　keen　features　transformed　to　anger。　He　released　her　hand　as　if　he　had　discovered　himself　holding　a　poisonous　snake。　Zedd　spun　to　Richard。
　
　〃What　are　you　doing　with　this　creature！〃
　
　Kahlan　was　calm　and　impassive。　Richard　was　aghast。　〃Zedd　。。。
　
　〃Has　she　touched　you？〃
　
　〃Well；　I　。　。　。〃　Richard　was　trying　to　remember　the　times　she　had　touched　him；　when　Zedd　cut　him　off　again。
　
　〃No；　of　course　not。　I　can　see　she　hasn't。　Richard；　do　you　know　what　she　is？〃　He　turned　to　her。　〃She's　a　。　。　。〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　Zedd　a　look　of　such　cold　danger　that　it　froze　him　in　place。
　
　Richard　kept　his　voice　calm；　but　firm。　〃I　know　exactly　what　she　is：　she　is　my　friend。　A　friend　who　yesterday　saved　me　from　getting　killed　as　my　father　was；　and　again　saved　me　from　being　killed　by　some　beast　called　a　gar。〃　Kahlan's　expression　relaxed。　The　old　man　stared　at　her　a　little　longer　before　turning　to　Richard。　〃Zedd；　Kahlan　is　my　friend。　We　are　both　in　a　lot　of　trouble　and　need　to　help　each　other。〃　；
　
　Zedd　stood　in　silence；　searching　Richard's　eyes。　He　nodded。　〃Trouble　indeed。〃
　
　〃Zedd；　we　need　your　help。　Please？〃　Kahlan　came　and　stood　next　to　him。　〃We　don't　have　much　time。〃　Zedd　didn't　look　inclined　to　be　any　part　of　it；　but　Richard　went　on　anyway；　watching　Zedd's　eyes。　〃Yesterday；　after　I　found　her；　she　was　attacked　by　a　quad　Another　will　e　soon。〃　He　saw　what　he　was　looking　for；　a　quick　flash　of　hatred；　softening　into　empathy。
　
　Zedd　looked　to　Kahlan　as　if　seeing　her　for　the　first　time。　They　faced　each　other　for　a　long　while。　At　the　mention　of　the　quad　the　look　on　Kahlan's　face　became　one　of　torment。　Zedd　came　forward　and　put　his　spindly　arms　around　her　protectively；　holding　her　head　to　his　shoulder。　She　reached　around　and　embraced　him　gratefully；　burying　her　face　in　his　robes　to　conceal　her　tears。　〃It's　all　right；　dear　one；　you　are　safe　here；〃　he　said　softly。　〃Let's　go　down　to　the　house　and　you　can　tell　me　of　this　trouble；　and　then　we　must　tend　to　Richard's　fever。〃　She　nodded　against　his　shoulder。
　
　Kahlan　parted　from　him。　〃Zeddicus　Zu'1　Zorander。　I　have　never　heard　such　a　name。〃
　
　He　smiled　proudly；　his　thin　lips　pushing　back　his　cheeks　into　deep　wrinkles。　〃I'm　sure　you　haven't；　dear　one；　I'm　sure　you　haven't。　By　the　way；　can　you　cook？〃　He　put　his　arm　around　her　shoulder；　holding　her　tight　as　he　started　walking　her　down　the　hill。　〃I'm　hungry　and　haven't　had　a　suitably　cooked　meal　in　years。〃　He　glanced　back。　〃e　along；　Richard；　while　you　still　can。〃
　
　〃If　you　help　Richard's　fever；　I　will　make　you　a　big　pot　of　spice　soup；〃　she　offered。
　
　〃Spice　soup！〃　Zedd　swooned。　〃I　haven't　had　a　proper　spice　soup　in　years。　Richard　is　lousy　at　making　it。〃
　
　Richard　trudged　behind；　the　emotional　strain　having　taken　much　of　his　remaining　strength。　The　casual　way　Zedd　was　handling　the　fever　scared　him。　He　knew　this　was　his　old　friend's　way　of　trying　not　to　frighten　him　about　the　seriousness　of　the　matter。　He　could　feel　his　pulse　in　his　sore　hand。
　
　Since　Zedd　was　from　the　Midlands；　Richard　had　thought　he　could　gain　his　passion　with　the　mention　of　the　quad。　Richard　was　relieved；　if　somewhat　surprised；　at　how　the　two　of　them　were　suddenly　so　amiable。　He　reached…up　as　he　walked；　touching　the　tooth　for　reassurance。
　
　He　was；　however；　quite　disturbed　by　what　he　now　knew。
　
　Near　a　back　corner　of　the　house　sat　a　table　where　Zedd　liked　to　take　his　meals　in　good　weather。　It　afforded　him　the　opportunity　to　keep　an　eye　to　the　clouds　while　he　ate。　Zedd　sat　them　down　together　on　a　bench　while　he　went　inside　and　brought　out　carrots；　berries；　cheese；　and　apple　juice；　putting　them　on　the　wooden　tabletop　worn　smooth　with　years　of　use；　then　sat　himself　on　the　bench　opposite　them。　He　gave　Richard　a　mug　of　something　brown　and　thick　that　smelled　of　almonds　and　told　him　to　drink　it　slowly。
　
　His　eyes　came　to　Richard。　〃Tell　me　of　the　trouble。〃　Richard　related　how　he　was　bitten　by　a　vine；　and　told　Zedd　about　seeing　the　thing　in　the　sky；　seeing　Kahlan　at　Trunt　Lake；　and　being　followed　by　the　four　men。　He　told　the　whole　story　with　every　detail　he　could　remember。　He　knew　Zedd　liked　to　have　every　detail；　no　matter　how　unimportant。　Occasionally　Richard　stopped　to　take　a　sip　from　the　mug。　Kahlan　ate　some　carrots　and　berries；　and　drank　the　apple　juice；　but　she　pushed　away　the　plate　with　the　cheese。　She　nodded　or　offered　help　when　he　couldn't　remember　a　particular　point。　The　only　thing　he　left　out　was　the　story　Kahlan　had　told　him　of　the　history　of　the　three　lands　and　about　Darken　Rahl　taking　over　the　Midlands。　He　thought　it　better　that　she　tell　it　in　her　own　words。　At　the　end；　Zedd　made　him　go　back　to　the　beginning；　wanting　to　know　what　Richard　had　been　doing　in　the　high　Ven　in　the　first　place。
　
　〃When　I　went　to　my　father's　house　after　the　murder；　I　looked　in　the　message　jar。　It　was　about　the　only　thing　not　broken。　Inside　was　a　piece　of　vine。　For　the　last　three　weeks；　I've　been　looking　for　the　vine；　trying　to　find　out　what　my　father's　last　message　meant。　And　when　I　found　it；　well；　that's　the　thing　that　bit　me。〃　He　was　glad　to　be　finished；　his　tongue　felt　thick。
　
　Zedd　bit　off　a　chunk　of　carrot　while　thinking。　〃What　did　the　vine　look　like？〃
　
　〃It　was　。　。　。　Wait；　I　still　have　it　in　my　pocket。〃　He　took　out　the　sprig　and　plunked　it　down　on　the　table。
　
　〃Bags！〃　Zedd　whispered。　〃That's　a　snake　vine！〃
　
　Richard　felt　a　shock　of　icy　cold　sweep　through　him。　He　knew　the　name　from　the　secret　book。　He　hoped　against　hope　it　did　not　mean　what　he　feared　it　did。
　
　Zedd　sat　back。　〃Well；　the　good　part　is　now　I　know　the　root　to　use　to　cure　the　fever。　The　bad　part　is　I　have　to　find　it。〃　Zedd　asked　Kahlan　to　tell　her　part　but；　to　make　it　short；　as　there　were　things　he　must　do　and　not　much　time。　Richard　thought　about　the　story　she　had　told　in　the　wayward　pine　the　night　before；　and　wondered　how　she　could　possibly　make　it　shorter。
　
　〃Darken　Rahl；　son　of　Panis　Rahl；　has　put　the　three　boxes　of　Orden　in　play；〃　Kahlan　said　simply。　〃I　have　e　in　search　of　the　great　wizard。〃
　
　Richard　was　thunderstruck
　
　From　the　secret　book；　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows；　the　book　his　father　had　had　him　mi