tg.wizardfirstrule-第12部分

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　Richard　was　thunderstruck
　
　From　the　secret　book；　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows；　the　book　his　father　had　had　him　mit　to　memory　before　they　destroyed　it；　the　line　jumped　into　his　mind：　And　when　the　three　boxes　of　Orden　are　put　into　play；　the　snake　vine　shall　grow。　Richard's　worst　nightmares…everyone's　worst　nightmares…were　ing　to　pass
　
　CHAPTER　7
　PAIN　AND　DIZZINESS　FROM　the　fever　made　Richard　only　dimly　aware　that　his　head　had　sunk　to　the　table。　He　groaned　while　his　mind　spun　with　the　implications　of　what　Kahlan　had　told　Zedd；　of　the　prophecy　of　the　secret　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　e　to　life。　Then　Zedd　was　at　his　side；　lifting　him；　telling　Kahlan　to　help　get　him　into　the　house。　As　he　walked　with　their　help；　the　ground　slipped　this　way　and　that；　making　it　difficult　to　catch　it　with　his　feet。　Then　they　were　laying　him　down　on　a　bed；　covering　him　up。　He　knew　they　were　talking；　but　he　couldn't　make　sense　of　the　words；　which　slurred　in　his　mind。
　
　Darkness　sucked　his　mind　in；　then　there　was　light。　He　seemed　to　float　back　up；　only　to　spiral　down　again。　He　wondered　who　he　was　and　what　was　happening。　Time　passed　as　the　room　spun　and　rolled　and　tilted。　He　gripped　the　bed　to　keep　from　being　flung　off。　Sometimes　he　knew　where　he　was；　and　tried　desperately　to　hold　on　to　what　he　knew　。　。　。　only　to　slip　away　again　into　blackness。
　
　He　became　aware　again；　realizing　that　time　had　passed；　though　he　didn't　have　any　idea　how　much。　Was　it　dark？　Maybe　it　was　just　that　the　curtains　were　pulled。　Someone；　he　realized；　was　putting　a　cool；　wet　cloth　on　his　forehead。　His　mother　smoothed　back　his　hair。　Her　touch　felt　forting；　soothing。　He　could　almost　make　out　her　face。　She　was　so　good；　she　always　took　such　good　care　of　him。
　
　Until　she　died。　He　wanted　to　cry。　She　was　dead。　Still；　she　smoothed　his　hair。　That　couldn't　be；　it　had　to　be　someone　else。　But　who？　Then　he　remembered。　It　was　Kahlan。　He　spoke　her　name。
　
　Kahlan　was　smoothing　his　hair。　〃I　am　here。〃
　
　It　came　back　to　him；　rushing　back　in　a　torrent：　the　murder　of　his　father；　the　vine　that　bit　him；　Kahlan；　the　four　men　on　the　cliff；　his　brother's　speech；　someone　waiting　for　him　at　his　house；　the　gar；　the　night　wisp　telling　him　to　seek　the　answer　or　die；　what　Kahlan　said；　that　the　three　boxes　of　Orden　were　in　play；　and　his　secret；　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　。。。。
　
　He　remembered　how　his　father　had　taken　him　to　the　secret　place　in　the　woods；　and　had　told　him　how　he　had　saved　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　from　the　peril　it　was　in　from　the　beast　that　guarded　it　until　its　master　could　e。　How　he　had　brought　it　with　him　to　Westland　to　keep　it　from　those　covetous　hands；　hands　that　the　keeper　of　the　book　didn't　know　threatened。　His　father　had　told　him　how　there　was　danger　as　long　as　the　book　existed；　but　he　couldn't　destroy　the　knowledge　in　it；　he　had　no　right。　It　belonged　to　the　keeper　of　the　book；　and　it　must　be　kept　safe　until　it　could　be　returned。　The　only　way　to　do　that　was　to　mit　the　book　to　memory；　and　then　burn　it。　Only　in　that　way　could　the　knowledge　be　preserved；　but　not　stolen；　as　it　otherwise　surely　would　be。
　
　His　father　chose　Richard。　That　it　was　to　be　Richard　and　not　Michael　was　for　reasons　of　his　own。　No　one　could　know　of　the　book；　not　even　Michael；　only　the　keeper　of　the　book；　no　one　else；　only　the　keeper。　He　said　Richard　might　never　find　the　keeper；　and　in　that　case　he　was　to　pass　the　book　on　to　his　child；　and　then　that　child　to　his　own；　and　so　on；　for　as　long　as　was　necessary。　His　father　couldn't　tell　him　who　the　keeper　of　the　book　was；　as　he　didn't　know。　Richard　asked　how　he　was　to　know　the　keeper；　but　his　father　said　only　that　he　would　have　to　find　the　answer　himself；　and　not　to　tell　anyone；　ever；　except　the　keeper。　His　father　told　Richard　he　was　not　to　tell　his　own　brother；　or　even　his　best　friend；　Zedd。
　
　Richard　swore　on　his　life。
　
　His　father　had　never　once　looked　in　the　book；　only　Richard。　Day　after　day；　week　after　week；　with　breaks　only　when　he　traveled；　his　father　took　him　to　the　secret　place　deep　in　the　woods；　where　he　sat　and　watched　Richard　reading　the　book；　over　and　over。　Michael　was　usually　off　with　his　friends；　and　had　no　interest　in　going　into　the　woods　even　if　he　was　at　home；　and　it　wasn't　unmon　for　Richard　not　to　visit　Zedd　when　his　father　was　home；　so　neither　had　reason　to　know　of　the　frequent　trips　to　the　woods。
　
　Richard　would　write　down　what　he　memorized　and　check　it　against　the　book。　Each　time；　his　father　burned　the　papers　and　had　him　do　it　again。　His　father　apologized　every　day　for　the　burden　he　was　placing　on　Richard。　He　asked　for　forgiveness　from　his　son　at　the　end　of　every　day　in　the　woods。
　
　Richard　never　resented　having　to　learn　the　book；　he　considered　it　an　honor　to　be　entrusted　by　his　father。　He　wrote　the　book　from　beginning　to　end　a　hundred　times　without　error　before　he　satisfied　himself　that　he　could　never　forget　a　single　word。　He　knew　by　reading　it　that　any　word　left　out　would　spell　disaster。
　
　When　he　assured　his　father　that　it　was　mitted　to　memory；　they　put　the　book　back　in　the　hiding　place　in　the　rocks　and　left　it　for　three　years。　After　that　time；　when　Richard　was　beyond　his　middle　teens；　they　returned　one　fall　day　and　his　father　said　if　Richard　could　write　the　whole　book；　without　a　single　mistake；　they　could　both　be　satisfied　it　was　learned　perfectly　and　they　would　burn　the　book。　Richard　wrote　without　hesitation　from　beginning　to　end。　It　was　perfect。
　
　Together　they　built　a　fire；　stacking　on　more　than　enough　wood；　until　the　heat　drove　them　back。　His　father　handed　him　the　book；　and　told　him　that　if　he　was　sure；　to　throw　the　book　into　the　fire。　Richard　held　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　in　the　crook　of　his　arm；　running　his　fingers　over　the　leather　cover。　He　held　his　father's　trust　in　his　arms；　held　the　trust　of　everyone　in　his　arms；　and　he　felt　the　weight　of　the　burden。　He　gave　the　book　to　the　fire。　In　that　moment；　he　was　no　longer　a　child。
　
　The　flames　swirled　around　the　book；　embracing；　caressing；　consuming。　Colors　and　forms　spiraled　up；　and　a　roaring　cry　came　forth。　Strange　beams　of　light　shot　skyward。　Wind　made　their　cloaks　flap　as　the　fire　sucked　leaves　and　twigs　into　itself；　adding　to　the　flames　and　heat。　Phantoms　appeared；　spreading　their　arms　as　if　being　fed　by　the　blaze；　their　voices　racing　away　on　the　wind。　The　two　of　them　stood　as　if　turned　to　stone；　unable　to　move；　unable　even　to　turn　away　from　the　sight。　Searing　heat　turned　to　wind　as　cold　as　the　deepest　winter　night；　sending　chills　up　their　spines；　taking　their　breath　from　them。　Then　the　cold　was　gone　and　the　fire　turned　to　a　white　light　that　consumed　everything　in　its　brightness；　as　if　they　were　standing　in　the　sun。　Just　as　suddenly；　it　was　gone。　In　its　place；　silence。　The　fire　was　out。　Wisps　of　smoke　rose　slowly　from　the　blackened　wood　into　the　autumn　air。　The　book　was　gone。
　
　Richard　knew　what　he　had　seen；　he　had　seen　magic。
　
　…＋
　
　Richard　felt　a　hand　resting　on　his　shoulder　and　opened　his　eyes。　It　was　Kahlan。　In　the　firelight　ing　through　the　doorway　he　could　see　she　was　sitting　in　a　chair　pulled　close　to　his　bed。　Zedd's　big　old　coon　cat　was　curled　up　sleeping　in　her　lap。
　
　〃Where's　Zedd？〃　he　asked；　sleepy…eyed。
　
　〃He　has　gone　to　find　the　root　you　need。〃　Her　voice　was　soft　and　calming。　〃It　has　been　dark　for　hours　now；　but　he　said　not　to　be　concerned　if　it　took　him　time　to　find　the　root。　He　said　that　you　would　go　in　and　out　of　sleep　but　would　be　safe　until　he　returned。　He　said　the　drink　he　gave　you　before　would　keep　you　safe　until　he　is　back。〃
　
　Richard　realized；　for　the　first　time；　that　she　was　the　most　beautiful　woman　he　had　ever　seen。　Her　hair　was　tumbled　down　around　her　face　and　shoulders；　and　he　wanted　very　much　to　touch　it；　but　didn't。　It　was　enough　to　feel　her　hand　on　his　shoulder；　to　know　she　was　there　and　that　he　was　not　alone。
　
　〃How　do　you　feel？〃　Her　voice　was　so　soft；　so　gentle；　that　he　couldn't　imagine　why　Zedd　had　been　afraid　of　her。
　
　〃I　would　rather　fight　another　quad　than　another　snake　vine。〃
　
　She　smiled　her　special　smile；　her　private　smile　of　sharing　
　
　something　with　him；　as　she　wiped　his　brow　with　the　cloth。　He　reached　up　and　grabbed　her　wrist。　She　stopped　and　looked　into　his　eyes。
　
　〃Kahlan；　Zedd　is　my　friend　of　many　years。　He　is　like　a　second　father　to　me。　Promise　me　you　won't　do　anything　to　hurt　him。　I　could　not　bear　it。〃
　
　She　looked　at　him　reassuringly。　〃I　like　him；　too。　Very　much。　He　is　a　good　man；　just　as　you　said。　I　have　no　desire　to　hurt　him。　Only　to　seek　his　help　in　finding　the　wizard。〃
　
　He　gripped　her　wrist　tighter。　〃Promise　me。〃
　
　〃Richard；　everything　will　be　fine。　He　will　help　us。〃
　
　He　remembered　her　fingers　on　his　throat　and　the　look　in　her　eyes　when　she　thought　he　was　trying　to　poison　her　with　an　apple。　〃Promise　me。〃
　
　〃I　have　already　made　promises；　to　others；　some　of　whom　have　given　their　lives。　I　have　responsibilities　to　the　lives　of　others。　Many　others。〃
　
　〃Promise　me。〃
　
　She　put　her　other　hand　on　the　side　of　his　face。　〃I　am　sorry；　Richard；　I　cannot。〃
　
　He　released　her　wrist；　turned；　and　closed　his　eyes　as　she　took　her　hand　from　his　face。　He　thought　about　the　book；　all　that　it　meant；　and　realized　he　was　making　a　selfish　request。　Would　he　trick　her　to　save　Zedd；　only　to　have　him　die　with　them？　Would　he　doom　all　the　others　to　death　or　slavery　just　to　see　his　friend　live　a　couple　more　months？　Could　he　condemn　her　to　death；　too；　for　nothing？　He　felt　ashamed　at　his　own　stupidity。　He　had　no　right　to　。ask　her　to　make　such　a　promise。　It　would　be　wrong　for　her　to　do　so。　He　was　glad　she　had　not　lied　to　him。　But　he　knew　that　just　because　Zedd　had　asked　about　the　trouble　they　were　in　did　not　mean　he　would　help　with　anything　to　do　from　across　the　boundary。
　
　〃Kahlan；　this　fever　is　making　me　foolish。　Please　forgive　me。　I　have　never　met　another　with　your　courage。　I　know　you　are　trying　to　save　us　all。　Zedd　will　help　us；　I　will　see　to　it。　Promise　me　only　that　you　will　wait　until　I　am　better。　Give　me　the　chance　to　convince　him。〃
　
　She　squeezed　her　hand　on　his　shoulder。　〃That　is　a　promise　1　can　make。　I　know　you　care　about　your　friend；　I　would　despair　if　you　didn't。　That　does　not　make　you　foolish。　Rest　now。〃
　
　He　tried　not　to　close　his　eyes；　since　when　he　did；　everything　started　spinning　uncontrollably。　But　talking　had　sapped　his　strength；　and　soon　the　blackness　pulled　him　back　in。　His　thoughts　were　once　again　sucked　into　the　void。　Sometimes　he　came　partway　back　and　wandered　in　troubled　dreams；　sometimes　he　wandered　in　places　empty　even　of　illusion。
　
　…＋
　
　The　cat　came　awake；　his　ears　perking　up。　Richard　slept　on。　Sounds　that　only　the　cat　could　hear　made　him　jump　off　Kahlan's　lap；　trot　to　the　door；　and　sit　on　his　haunches；　waiting。　Kahlan　waited；　too；　and　since　the　cat　didn't　raise　his　fur；　she　stayed　by　Richard。　A　thin　voice　came　from　outside。
　
　〃Cat？　Cat！　Where　have　you　gotten　to？　Well；　you　can　just　stay　out　here　then。〃　The　door　squeaked　open。　〃There　you　are。〃　The　cat　ran　out　the　doorway。　〃Suit　yourself；〃　Zedd　called　after　him。　〃How　is　Richard？〃　he　called　to　her。
　
　When　he　came　into　the　room；　Kahlan　answered　from　the　chair。　〃He　came　awake　several　times；　but　he　is　sleeping　now。　Did　you　find　the　root　you　need？〃
　
　〃I　wouldn't　be　here　otherwise。　Did　he　have　anything　to　say　when　he　was　awake？〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　up　at　the　old　man。　〃Just　that　he　was　worried　about　you。〃
　
　He　turned　and　went　back　into　the　front　room；　grumbling。　〃Not　without　good　reason。〃
　
　Sitting　at　the　table；　he　peeled　the　roots；　cut　them　into　thin　wafers；　put　the　wafers　into　a　pot　with　some　water；　and　then　hung　the　pot　on　the　crane　over　the　fire。　He　threw　the　peels　and　then　two　sticks　of　wood　into　the　fire　before　going　to　the　cupboard　and　pulling　down　a　number　of　different…sized　jars。　Without　hesitation　he　selected　first　one　jar；　then　another；　pouring　different…colored　powders　into　a　black　stone　mortar。　With　a　white　pestle；　he　ground　the　reds；　blues；　yellows；　browns；　and　greens　together　until　it　was　all　the　color　of　dry　mud。　After　licking　the　end　of　his　finger；　he　dipped　it　in　the　mortar　to　collect　a　sample。　He　put　the　finger　to　his　tongue　for　a　taste　and　lifted　an　eyebrow　while　he　smacked　his　lips　and　pondered。　At　last　he　smiled　and　nodded　in　satisfaction。　He　poured　the　powder　into　the　pot；　blending　it　in　with　a　spoon　from　a　hook　at　the　side　of　the　fireplace。　He　stirred　slowly　while　watching　the　concoction　bubble。　For　nearly　two　hours　he　stirred　and　watched。　When　at　last　he　determined　that　the　work　was　done；　he　plunked　the　pot　on　the　table　to　cool。
　
　Zedd　collected　a　bowl　and　cloth　and　after　a　while　called　to　Kahlan　to　e　help　him。　She　came　quickly　to　his　side　and　he　instructed　her　how　to　hold　the　cloth　over　the　bowl　while　he　poured　the　mixture　through。
　
　He　spun　his　。finger　around　in　the　air。　〃Now　twist　the　cloth　around　and　around　to　squeeze　the　liquid　out。　When　it's　all　out；　throw　the　cloth　and　its　contents　in　the　fire。〃　She　looked　at　him；　puzzled。　Zedd　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃The　part　left　in　there　is　poison。　Richard　should　be　awake　any　time　now；　then　we　give　him　the　liquid　in　the　bowl。　You　keep　squeezing。　I　will　check　on　him。〃
　
　Zedd　went　into　the　bedroom；　bent　over　Richard；　and　found　him　to　be　deeply　unconscious。　He　turned　and　saw　that　Kahlan's　back　was　to　him　as　she　worked　at　her　task。　He　bent　over；　placing　a　middle　finger　to　Richard's　forehead。　Richard's　eyes　snapped　open。
　
　〃Dear　one；〃　Zedd　called　into　the　other　room；　〃we　are　in　luck。　He　has　just　e　awake。　Bring　the　bowl。〃
　
　Richard　blinked。　〃Zedd？　Are　you　all　right？　Is　everything　all　right？〃
　
　〃Yes；　yes；　everything　is　fine。〃
　
　Kahlan　came　in　holding　the　bowl　carefully；　trying　not　to　spill　any。　Zedd　helped　Richard　sit　up　so　he　could　drink。　When　he　finished；　Zedd　helped　him　to　lie　back　down。
　
　〃That　will　make　you　sleep；　and　break　the　fever。　The　next　time　you　awake；　you　will　be　well；　you　have　my　word；　so　worry　no　more　as　you　rest。〃
　
　〃Thank　you；　Zedd　。　。　。　。〃　Richard　was　asleep　before　he　could　say　more。
　
　Zedd　left　and　then　returned　with　a　tin　plate；　insisting　that　Kahlan　take　the　chair。　〃The　thorn　will　not　be　able　to　stand　the　root；〃　he　explained。　〃It　will　have　to　leave　his　body。〃　He　put　the　plate　under　Richard's　hand　and　sat　down　on　the　edge　of　the　bed　to　wait。　They　both　listened　to　Richard's　deep　breathing　and　the　crackling　of　the　fire　from　the　other　room；　otherwise　the　house　was　still。　It　was　Zedd　who　broke　the　silence　first。
　
　〃It　is　dangerous　for　a　Confessor　to　travel　alone；　dear　one。　Where　is　your　wizard？〃
　
　She　looked　up　at　him　with　tired　eyes。　〃My　wizard　sold　his　services　to　a　queen。〃
　
　Zedd　gave　a　disapproving　scowl。　〃He　abandoned　his　responsibilities　to　the　Confessors？　What　is　his　name？〃
　
　〃Giller。〃
　
　〃Giller。〃　He　repeated　the　name　with　a　sour　expression；　then　leaned　toward　her　a　bit。　〃So　why　did　another　not　e　with　you？〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　hard　look。　〃Because　they　are　all　dead；　at　their　own　hands。　Before　they　died；　they　all　gathered　and　cast　a　web　to　see　me　safely　through　the　boundary；　with　the　guidance　of　a　night　wisp。〃　Zedd　stood　at　this　news。　Sadness　and　concern　etched　his　face　as　he　rubbed　his　chin。　〃You　knew　the　wizards？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃Yes；　yes。　I　lived　in　the　Midlands　a