tg.wizardfirstrule-第18部分

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　Richard　was　a　little　frightened　by　this；　by　the　look　in　Kahlan's　eyes　after　she　had　used　the　sword；　but　it　didn't　dissuade　him。　He　glanced　up　at　the　mountains　of　the　boundary。　They　stood　out；　pale　pink　in　the　light　of　the　setting　sun。　Behind　them；　from　the　east；　darkness　was　ing。　Darkness　ing　for　them。　He　had　to　find　a　way　across　the　boundary；　into　that　darkness。　The　sword　would　help　him；　that　was　what　mattered。　There　was　much　at　stake。　There　was　a　cost　to　everything　in　life；　he　would　pay　this　one。
　
　His　old　friend　placed　his　hands　on　Richard's　shoulders　and　looked　hard　into　his　eyes。　Zedd's　features　were　set　in　grim　warning。
　
　〃Now　I　have　to　tell　you　something　you　are　not　going　to　like。〃　His　fingers　tightened；　almost　painfully。　〃You　cannot　use　the　Sword　of　Truth　on　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　〃What！〃
　
　Zedd　gave　him　a　shake。　〃He　is　too　powerful。　The　magic　of　Orden　protects　him　during　the　year　of　search。　If　you　try　to　use　the　sword；　you　will　be　dead　before　it　reaches　him。〃
　
　〃This　is　crazy！　First　you　want　me　to　be　the　Seeker　and　take　the　sword；　now　you　tell　me　I　can't　use　it！〃　Richard　was　furious。　He　felt　cheated。
　
　〃Just　against　Rahl；　it　won't　work　against　him！　Richard；　I　didn't　make　the　magic；　I　only　know　how　it　works。　Darken　Rahl　knows　how　it　works　too。　He　may　try　to　make　you　use　the　sword　against　him。　He　knows　it　would　kill　you。　If　you　give　in　to　the　rage　and　use　the　sword　against　him；　he　will　win。　You　will　be　dead　and　he　will　have　the　boxes。〃
　
　Kahlan's　brow　wrinkled　in　frustration。　〃Zedd；　I　agree　with　Richard。　This　makes　it　impossible。　If　he　cannot　use　his　most　important　weapon；　then　。　。　。〃
　
　Zedd　cut　her　off。　〃No！　This〃…he　rapped　Richard　on　the　head　with　his　knuckles…〃this　is　a　Seeker's　most　important　weapon。〃　He　jabbed　his　long　finger　at　the　center　of　Richard's　chest。　〃And　this。〃
　
　Everyone　stood　in　silence　for　a　moment。
　
　〃The　Seeker　is　the　weapon；〃　Zedd　said　with　emphasis。　〃The　sword　is　just　a　tool。　You　can　find　another　way。　You　must。〃
　
　Richard　thought　he　should　be　upset；　that　he　should　feel　angry；　frustrated；　overwhelmed；　but　he　didn't。　His　first　view　of　his　options　lifted　from　him；　letting　him　see　beyond。　He　felt　strangely　calm　and　determined。
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　my　boy。　I　wish　I　could　change　the　magic；　but　I　。。。〃
　
　Richard　put　his　hand　on　Zedd's　shoulder。　〃It's　all　right；　my　friend。　You're　right。　We　must　stop　Rahl。　That's　all　that　matters。　I　have　to　know　the　truth　to　succeed；　and　you　have　given　me　the　truth。　Now　it's　up　to　me　to　use　it。　If　we　gain　one　of　the　boxes；　justice　will　have　Rahl。　I　don't　need　to　see　it。　I　need　only　know　it　is　done。　I　said　I　wouldn't　be　an　assassin；　and　so　I　shall　not　be。　The　sword　will　be　invaluable；　I'm　sure；　but　as　you　said；　it's　only　a　tool；　and　that's　the　purpose　I　will　put　it　to。　The　magic　of　the　sword　isn't　an　end　in　itself。　I　can't　allow　myself　to　make　that　mistake；　or　I　will　be　only　a　pretend　Seeker。〃
　
　In　the　gathering　gloom；　Zedd　patted　Richard　affectionately　on　the　shoulder。　〃You　have　gotten　it　all　right；　my　boy。　All　of　it。〃　He　broke　into　a　broad　grin。　〃I　have　chosen　the　Seeker　well。　I　am　proud　of　myself。〃　Richard　and　Kahlan　laughed　at　Zedd's　self…congratulation。
　
　Kahlan's　smiled　faded。　〃Zedd；　I　cut　down　the　tree　you　planted　in　memory　of　your　wife。　That　bothers　me。　I'm　deeply　sorry　for　doing　it。〃
　
　〃Don't　be；　dear　one；　her　memory　has　aided　us。　She　has　helped　show　the　Seeker　the　truth；　there　could　be　no　more　fitting　tribute　to　her。〃
　
　Richard　didn't　hear　them　talking。　Already　he　was　looking　to　the　east；　to　the　massive　wall　of　mountains；　trying　to　think　of　solutions。　Cross　the　boundary；　he　thought；　cross　the　boundary　without　going　through　it。　How？　What　if　it　was　impossible？　What　if　there　was　no　way　across　the　boundary？　Would　they　be　stuck　here　while　Darken　Rahl　searched　for　the　boxes？　Were　they　to　die　without　a　chance？　He　wished　there　were　more　time　and　fewer　limitations。　Richard　reprimanded　himself　for　wasting　time　wishing。
　
　If　only　he　knew　it　could　be　done；　then　he　could　find　out　how。　Something　in　the　back　of　his　mind　nagged　at　him；　insisting　that　it　could　be　done；　insisting　he　knew　the　truth　of　it。　There　was　a　way；　there　had　to　be。　If　he　only　knew　that　it　was　possible。
　
　All　around　them；　the　night　was　ing　alive　with　sounds。　Frogs　called　from　the　ponds　and　streams；　night　birds　from　the　trees；　and　insects　from　the　grass。　From　the　distant　hills　came　the　cry　of　wolves；　mournful　and　plaintive…　against　the　dark　wall　of　mountains。　Somehow　they　had　to　cross　those　mountains；　cross　the　unknown。
　
　The　mountains　were　like　the　boundary；　he　thought。　You　couldn't　go　through　them；　but　you　could　cross　them。　You　had　only　to　find　a　pass。　A　pass。　Was　it　possible？　Could　there　be　one？
　
　Then　it　struck　him　like　a　bolt　of　lightning。
　
　The　book。
　
　Richard　spun　on　his　heels；　excited。　To　his　surprise　Zedd　and　Kahlan　were　both　standing　quietly；　watching　him；　as　if　waiting　for　a　pronouncement。
　
　〃Zedd；　have　you　ever　helped　anyone　other　than　yourself　go　through　the　boundary？〃
　
　〃Like　who？〃
　
　〃Anyone！　Yes　or　no！〃
　
　〃No。　No　one。〃
　
　〃Can　anyone　other　than　a　wizard　send　a　person　through　the　boundary？〃
　
　Zedd　shook　his　head　emphatically。　〃None　but　a　wizard。　And　Darken　Rahl；　of　course。〃
　
　Richard　frowned　at　him。　〃Our　lives　depend　on　this；　Zedd。　Swear。　You　have　never；　ever；　sent　anyone　other　than　yourself　through　the　boundary。　True？〃
　
　〃True　as　a　boiling　bog　full　of　toasted　toads。　Why？　What　have　you　thought　of？　Do　you　have　a　way？〃
　
　Richard　ignored　the　question；　too　deep　in　his　own　stream　of　thought　to　answer；　and　instead　turned　back　to　the　mountains。　It　was　true；　there　was　a　pass　across　the　boundary！　His　father　had　found　it；　and　used　it！　That　was　the　only　way　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　could　have　been　in　Westland。　He　couldn't　have　brought　it　with　him　when　he　moved　here；　before　the　boundary；　and　he　couldn't　have　found　it　in　Westland；　the　book　had　magic。　The　boundary　wouldn't　have　worked　if　magic　had　been　here　then。　Magic　could　only　be　brought；　into　Westland　after　the　boundary　was　up。
　
　His　father　had　found　a　pass；　gone　into　the　Midlands；　and　brought　the　book　back。　Richard　was　shocked　and　excited　at　the　same　time。　His　father　had　done　it！　He　had　gone　across　the　boundary。　Richard　was　elated。　Now　he　knew　there　Was　a　way　across；　it　could　be　done。　He　still　had　to　find　the　pass；　but　that　didn't　matter　for　now。　There　was　a　pass；　that　was　what　mattered。
　
　Richard　turned　back　to　the　other　two。　〃We　will　go　have　supper。〃
　
　〃I　put　a　stew　on；　just　before　you　awoke；　and　there　is　fresh　bread；〃　Kahlan　offered。
　
　〃Bags！〃　Zedd　threw　his　scarecrow　arms　up　into　the　air。　〃It's　about　time　someone　remembered　supper！〃
　
　Richard　gave　a　little　smile　in　the　dark。　〃After　we've　eaten；　we'll　make　preparations；　decide　what　we　need　to　take；　what　we；　can　carry；　get　our　provisions　together　and　packed　tonight。　We'll　need　to　get　a　good　night's　sleep。　We　leave　at　first　light。〃　He　turned　and　headed　for　the　house。　The　faint　glow　of　the　fire　ing　from　the　windows　offered　warmth　and　light。
　
　Zedd　held　up　an　arm。　〃Where　are　we　headed；　my　boy？〃
　
　〃The　Midlands；〃　Richard　called　back　over　his　shoulder。
　
　…＋
　
　Zedd　was　halfway　through　his　second　bowl　of　stew　before　he　could　bring　himself　to　stop　eating　long　enough　to　talk。　〃So；　what　have　you　Figured　out？　Is　there　truly　a　way　to　cross　the　boundary？〃
　
　〃There　is。〃
　
　〃Are　you　sure？　How　can　it　be？　How　can　we　cross　without　going　through？〃
　
　Richard　smiled　as　he　stirred　his　stew。　〃You　don't　have　to　get　wet　to　cross　…a　river。〃　The　lamp　light　flickered　on　their　faces　as　Kahlan　and　Zedd　frowned　in　puzzlement。　Kahlan　turned　and　threw　a　small　piece　of　meat　to　the　cat；　who　was　sitting　on　his　haunches；　waiting　for　any　handout。　Zedd　ate　another　slab　of　bread　before　he　was　able　to　ask　his　next　question。
　
　〃And　how　do…　you　know　there　is　a　way　across？〃
　
　〃There　is。　That's　all　that　matters。〃
　
　Zedd　had　an　innocent　look　on　his　face。　〃Richard。〃　He　ate　two　more　spoonfuls　of　stew。　〃We　are　your　friends。　There　are　no　secrets　among　us。　You　can　tell　us。〃
　
　Richard　looked　from　one　big　pair　of　eyes　to　the　other；　and　laughed　out　loud。　〃I've　had　strangers　tell　me　more　of　themselves。〃
　
　Zedd　and　Kahlan　both　backed　away　a　little　at　the　rebuff　and　looked　at　each　other；　but　neither　dared　repeat　the　question。
　
　They　talked　on　as　they　ate；　of　what　they　had　at　hand　to　take　with　them；　how　much　they　could　do　to　prepare　in　such　a　short　time；　and　what　their　priorities　should　be。　They　listed　everything　they　could　think　of；　each　offering　items　to　be　taken。　There　was　much　to　do　and　little　time。　Richard　asked　Kahlan　if　she　traveled　the　Midlands　often。　She　said　that　was　almost　all　she　ever　did。
　
　〃And　you　wear　that　dress　when　you　travel'
　
　〃I　do。〃　She　hesitated。　〃People　recognize　me　by　it。　I　don't　stay　in　the　woods。　Wherever　I　go；　I　am　always　provided　with　food　and　a　place　to　stay；　and　anything　else　I　might　require。〃
　
　Richard　wondered　why。　He　didn't　press；　but　he　knew　the　dress　she　wore　was　more　than　something　she　bought　in　a　shop。　〃Well；　with　the　three　of　us　being　hunted；　I　don't　think　we　want　people　to　recognize　you。　I　think　we　need　to　stay　away　from　people　as　much　as　possible；　keep　to　the　woods　when　we　can。〃　She　and　Zedd　both　nodded　their　agreement。　〃We　will　need　to　find　you　some　traveling　clothes；　forest　garb；　but　there　is　nothing　here　that　will　fit　you。　We'll　have　to　find　something　on　the　way。　I　have　a　hooded　cloak　here。　It　will　keep　you　warm　for　now。〃
　
　〃Good；〃　she　said　smiling；　〃I'm　tired　of　being　cold；　and　I　can　tell　you；　a　dress　is　not　right　for　the　woods。〃
　
　Kahlan　finished　before　the　men　and　put　her　half…full　bowl　on　the　floor　for　the　cat。　The　cat　seemed　to　have　the　same　appetite　as　Zedd　and　was　eating　out　of　the　bowl　before　she　could　set　it　down。
　
　They　discussed　each　item　they　would　take；　and　planned　how　they　would　do　without　others。　There　was　no　telling　how。　long　they　would　be　gone；　…but　Westland　was　a　big　place；　and　the　Midlands　bigger。　Richard　wished　they　could　go　to　his　house；　since　he　often　went　on　long　treks　and　had　the　right　kinds　of　provisions；　but　it　was　too　big　a　risk。　He　would　rather　find　the　things　they　needed　elsewhere；　or　go　without；　than　go　back　to　what　waited　there。　He　didn't　know　yet　where　they　were　going　to　cross　the　boundary；　but　he　wasn't　worried。　He　still　had　until　morning　to　think　about　it。　He　was　just　relieved　to　know　there　was　a　way。
　
　The　cat's　head　came　up。　He　crossed　half　the　distance　to　the　door　and　stopped；　back　and　fur　rising。　Everyone　noticed　and　fell　silent。　There　was　firelight　in　the　front　window；　but　it　wasn't　reflecting　from　the　hearth。　It　was　ing　from　outside。
　
　〃I　smell　burning　pitch；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　In　an　instant　the　three　were　on　their　feet。　Richard　grabbed　the　sword　from　the　back　of　his　chair　and　had　it　on　almost　before　he　was　to　his　feet。　He　went　to　look　out　the　window；　but　Zedd　didn't　waste　the　time　and　went　through　the　door　in　a　rush　with　Kahlan　in　tow。　Richard　got　only　a　glimpse　of　torches　before　he　hurried　out　after　the　other　two。
　
　Spread　out　in　the　long　grass　in　front　of　the　house　was　a　mob　of　about　fifty　men；　some　carrying　torches；　but　most　carrying　crude　weapons；　axes；　pitchforks；　scythes；　or　axe　handles。　They　were　dressed　in　their　work　clothes。　；Richard　recognized　many　of　the　faces；　good　men；　honest；　hardworking　family　men。　They　didn't　look　like　good　men　this　night；　though。　They　looked　to　be　in　a　foul　mood；　their　faces　grim　and　angry。　Zedd　stood　in　the　center　of　the　porch；　hands　on　his　skinny　hips；　smiling　out　at　them；　the　red　light　from　the　torches　making　his　white　hair　pink。
　
　〃What's　this　then；　boys？〃　Zedd　asked。
　
　They　mumbled　among　themselves；　and　several　men　in　front　took　a　step　or　two　forward。　Richard　knew　the　one；　John；　who　spoke　for　the　rest。
　
　〃There's　trouble　about。　Trouble　caused　by　magic！　And　you're　at　the　bottom　of　it；　old　man！　You're　a　witch！〃
　
　〃A　witch？〃　Zedd　asked　in　bewilderment。　〃A　witch？〃　〃That's　what　I　said；　a　witch！〃　John's　dark　eyes　shifted　to　Richard　and　Kahlan。　〃This　doesn't　concern　you　two。　Our　business　is　with　the　old　man。　Leave　now　or　you'll　get　the　same　as　him。〃　Richard　couldn't　believe　the　men　he　knew　were　saying　this。
　
　Kahlan　came　forward；　stepping　in　front　of　Zedd；　the　folds　of　her　dress　swirling　around　her　legs　when　she　stopped。　She　held　her　fists　at　her　sides。　〃Leave　now；〃　she　warned　menacingly；　〃before　you　e　to　regret　what　you　have　chosen　to　do。〃
　
　The　mob　of　men　looked　around　at　each　other；　some　smirking；　some　making　crude　ments　under　their　breath；　some　laughing。　Kahlan　stood　her　ground　and　stared　them　down。　The　laughter　died　out。
　
　〃So；〃　John　said　with　a　sneer；　〃two　witches　to　take　care　of。〃　The　men　cheered　and　hollered；　brandishing　their　weapons。　John's　round；　heavyset　face　smiled　defiantly。
　
　Richard　stepped　slowly　and　deliberately　in　front　of　Kahlan；　putting　a　hand　behind　as　he　did　so；　forcing　her　and　Zedd　to　step　back。　He　kept　his　voice　calm；　friendly。　〃John。　How's　Sara？　I　haven't　seen　you　two　for　a　while。〃　John　didn't　answer。　Richard　surveyed　the　other　faces。　〃I　know　many　of　you；　know　you　to　be　good　men。　This　isn't　something　you　want　to　do。〃　He　looked　back　at　John。　〃Take　your　men　and　go　home　to　your　families。　Please；　John？〃
　
　John　pointed　an　axe　handle　at　Zedd。　〃That　old　man's　a　witch！　We're　going　to　put　an　end　to　him。〃　He　pointed　at　Kahlan。　〃And　her！　Unless　you　want　the　same；　Richard；　be　on　your　way！〃　The　mob　yelled　their　agreement。　The　torches　sizzled　and　popped　as　they　burned；　and　the　air　smelled　of　burning　pitch　and　sweat。　When　they　realized　that　Richard　wasn't　leaving；　the　rabble　started　to　push　forward。
　
　The　sword　was　free　in　a　blink。　The　men　took　a　step　back　as　the　metallic　ringing　filled　the　night　air。　John　stood　in　red…faced　anger。　The　ringing　died　out；　and　the　only　sound　was　from　the　burning　torches。　Grumbling　broke　out　about　Richard　being　in　with　the　witches。
　
　John　charged；　swinging　the　axe　handle　at。　Richard　as　he　came。　The　sword　flashed　through　the　air；　splintering　John's　weapon　with　a　loud　crack。　Only　two　ragged　inches　of　the　axe　handle　were　left　above　his　fist。　The　severed　piece　of　wood　spun　off　into　the　darkness；　landing　somewhere　with　a　hollow　thud。
　
　John　stood　frozen；　one　foot　on　the　ground；　one　on　the　porch；　and　the　point　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　pressed　to　the　underside　of　his　ample　chin。　The　polished　blade　glinted　in　the　torchlight。　Richard；　his　muscles　hard　with　restrained　need；　slowly　bent　forward　and　with　the　sword　point　tilted　John's　face　up　to　his　own。　In　a　voice　barely　more　than　a　whisper；　but　so　deadly　cold　it　make　John　stop　breathing；　he　said；　〃Another　step；　John；　and　your　head　follows。〃　John　didn't　move；　didn't　breathe。　〃Back　away；〃　Richard　hissed。
　
　The　man　did　as　he　was　ordered；　but　when　back　with　his　fellows；　regained　his　nerve。　〃You　can't　stop　us；　Richard；　we're　here　to　save　our　families。〃
　
　〃From　what！〃　Richard　yelled。　He　pointed　the　sword　at　one　of　the　other　men。　〃Frank！　When　your　wife　was　sick；　wasn't　it　Zedd　who　brought　her　a　potion　that　made　her　well？〃　He　pointed　the　sword　to　another。　〃And　Bill；　didn't　you　e　and　ask　Zedd　about　the　rains；　when　they　would　e　so　you　fellows　could　harvest　your　cr