tg.wizardfirstrule-第23部分

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tinue　to　follow　from　within　the　boundary；　where　I　can't　pursue　them。　That's　why　I　didn't　want　you　to　go　too　fast。　I　wouldn't　have　been　able　to　keep　up　through　the　woods；　they　would　have　gotten　ahead　of　me；　and　then　they　would　have　had　you。　I　took　us　away　from　the　boundary　now　because　I　wanted　to　get　our　scent　away　from　them　for　the　night。　It's　too　dangerous　to　travel　that　close　to　the　boundary　at　night。　We'll　camp　on　one　of　those　hills　up　there。〃　He　looked　over　his　shoulder　at　Richard。　〃By　the　way；　why　did　you　stop　back　there？　I　told　you　not　to。〃
　
　〃I　was　worried　about　you。　I　heard　the　howling。　I　was　going　to　e　and　help。　Zedd　and　Kahlan　talked　me　out　of　it。〃　Richard　thought　Chase　would　be　angry；　but　he　wasn't。
　
　〃Thanks；　but　don't　do　it　again。　While　you　were　standing　there　thinking　about　it；　they　almost　had　you。　Zedd　and　Kahlan　were　right。　Don't　argue　with　them　the　next　time。〃
　
　Richard　felt　his　ears　burning。　He　knew　they　were　right；　but　it　didn't　make　him　feel　any　better　about　not　helping　a　friend。
　
　〃Chase；〃　Kahlan　asked；　〃you　said　they　had　gotten　someone；　was　that　true？〃
　
　His　face　was　cold　stone　in　the　moonlight。　〃Yes。　One　of　my　men。　I　don't　know　which　one。〃　He　turned　back　to　the　trail　and　rode　on　in　silence。
　
　They　set　up　camp　on　a　high　hill　to　give　a　clear　view　of　anything　that　approached。　Chase　and　Zedd　tended　to　the　horses　while　Richard　and　Kahlan　started　the　fire；　unpacked　the　bread；　cheese；　and　dried　fruit；　and　began　cooking　a　simple　stew。　She　went　with　him　and　scouted　for　firewood　among　the　sparse　trees；　helping　carry　it　back。　He　told　her　the　two　of　them　made　a　good　team。　She　smiled　a　little　smile　and　turned　away。　He　took　her　arm　and　turned　her　back。
　
　〃Kahlan；　if　it　had　been　you；　I　would　have　e　after　you；〃　he　said；　meaning　more　than　the　words　he　spoke。
　
　She　studied　his　eyes。　〃Please；　Richard；　don't　even　say　that。〃　She　gently　pulled　her　arm　away　and　went　back　to　camp。
　
　When　the　other　two；　back　from　tending　the　horses；　came　into　the　firelight；　Richard　could　see　that　the　scabbard　strapped　over　Chase's　shoulder　was　empty；　the　short　sword　missing。　One　of　his　battle　axes　and　several　long　knives　were　gone；　too。　Not　that　this　left　him　defenseless…far　from　it。
　
　The　mace　hanging　from　his　belt　was　covered　in　blood　from　one　end　to　the　other；　his　gauntlets　were　soaked　with　it；　and　it　was　splattered　everywhere　on　him。　Without　ment　he　pulled　a　knife；　pried　a　three…inch　yellowish　tooth　from　the　mace　where　it　was　wedged　between　two　of　the　blades；　and　threw　the　tooth　over　his　shoulder　into　the　darkness。　After　wiping　the　blood　off　his　hands　and　face　he　sat　down　in　front　of　the　fire　with　the　others。
　
　Richard　tossed　a　stick　in　the　fire。　〃Chase；　what　were　those　creatures　that　were　after　us？　And　how　could　anything　go　in　and　out　of　the　boundary？〃
　
　Chase　picked　up　a　loaf　of　bread　and　tore　off　about　a　third。　He　met　Richard's　eyes。　〃They're　called　heart　hounds。　They're　about　twice　the　size　of　a　wolf；　big　barrel　chests；　heads　are　kind　of　flat；　big　snout　full　of　teeth。　Fierce。　I'm　not　sure　what　color　they　are。　They　only　prowl　at　night；　until　today；　that　is。　But　it　was　too　dark　in　those　woods　to　tell；　and；　anyway；　I　was　kind　of　busy。　There
　
　were　more　than　I've　ever　seen　together　before。〃　…
　
　〃Why　are　they　called　heart　hounds？〃
　
　Chase　chewed　a　piece　of　bread　as　he　stared　back　with　intense　eyes。　〃That's　a　matter　of　some　debate。　Heart　hounds　have　big　rounded　ears；　good　hearing。　Some　say　they　can　find　a　man　by　hearing　the　beating　of　his　heart。〃　Richard's　eyes　widened。　Chase　took　another　bite　of　bread；　chewing　for　a　minute。　〃Others　say　they're　called　heart　hounds　because　that's　how　they　kill。　They　e　at　your　chest。　Most　predators　go　for　the　throat；　but　not　heart　hounds；　they　go　straight　for　your　heart；　and　they　have　big　enough　teeth　to　get　the　job　done。　It's　the　first　thing　they　eat；　too。　If　there's　more　than　one　hound；　they'll　fight　over　the　heart。〃
　
　Zedd　dished　himself　a　bowl　of　stew　and　handed　the　ladle　to　Kahlan。
　
　Richard　was　losing　his　appetite；　but　he　had　to　ask。　〃And　what　do。　you　think？〃
　
　Chase　shrugged。　〃Well；　I've　never　sat　real　quiet　in　the　dark　next　to　the　boundary；　just　to　find　out　if　they　could　hear　my　heart　beating。〃　He　took　another　bite　of　bread；　looking　down　at　his　chest　as　he　chewed。　He　pulled　the　heavy　mail　away　from　himself。　There　were　two　long　ragged　rips　in　the　chain。　Broken　pieces　of　yellow　teeth　were　jammed　into　mangled　links。　The　leather　tunic　behind　it　was　soaked　with　hound's　blood。　〃The　one　that　did　this　had　the　blade　of　my　short　sword　broken　off　in　his　chest；　and　I　was　still　on　my　horse　at　the　time。〃　He　looked　back　to　Richard　and　raised　an　eyebrow。　〃That　answer　your　question？〃
　
　Bumps　ran　up　Richard's　arms。　〃What　about　the　way　they　can　go　in　and　out　of　the　boundary？〃
　
　Chase　took　the　bowl　of　stew　from　Kahlan　as　she　handed　it　to　him。　〃They　have　something　to　do　with　the　magic　of　the　boundary；　they　were　created　with　it。　They　are'　the　boundary's　watchdogs；　so　to　speak。　They　can　go　in　and　out　without　being　claimed　by　it。　But　they're　tied　to　it　too；　and　can't　go　far　from　it。　With　the　boundary　weakening；　they've　been　straying　farther　and　farther　all　the　time。　That　makes　traveling　Hawkers　Trail　dangerous；　but　to　go　another　way　would　add　a　good　week　to　the　journey　to　Kings'　Port。　The　cutoff　we　took　is　the　only　one　that　veers　away　from　the　boundary　until　we　get　to　Southaven。　I　knew　I　had　to　reach　you　before　you　passed　it；　or　we　would　have　had　to　spend　the　night　back　there；　with　them。　Tomorrow；　in　the　daylight；　when　it's　safer；　I'll　show　you　the　boundary；　how　it's　weakening。〃
　
　Richard　nodded　as　they　all　went　back　to　their　own　thoughts。
　
　〃They　are　tan；〃　Kahlan　said　softly。　They　all　turned　to　her。　She　sat　staring　into　the　fire。　〃The　heart　hounds　are　tan；　with　short　fur；　like　that　on　the　back　of　a　deer。　They　are　seen　everywhere　now　in　the　Midlands；　having　been　released　from　their　bonds　when　the　other　boundary　failed。　Crazed　with　lack　of　purpose；　now　they　even　e　out　in　the　daytime。〃
　
　The　three　men　sat　motionless；　considering　her　words。　Even　Zedd　stopped　eating。
　
　〃Great；〃　Richard　said　under　his　breath。　〃And　what　else　does　the　Midlands　have　that　is　even　worse？〃
　
　He　didn't　mean　it　as　a　question；　more　as　a　curse　of　frustration。　The　fire　crackled；　warm　on　their　faces。
　
　Kahlan's　eyes　were　in　a　faraway　place。　〃Darken　Rahl；〃　she　whispered
　
　CHAPTER　13
　RICHARD　SAT　AWAY　FROM　the　camp；　leaning　against　a　cold　rock；　his　cloak　wrapped　tightly　around　himself　as　he　looked　out　toward　the　boundary。　What　little　wind　there　was　bore　a　breath　of　ice。　Chase　had　given　him　the　first　watch；　Zedd　was　to　have　the　second；　and　the　warden　the　third。　Kahlan　had　protested　when　she　wasn't　given　a　watch；　but　in　the　end　went　along　with　Chase's　wishes。
　
　Moonlight　illuminated　the　open　land　between　where　he　sat　and　the　boundary。　It　was　an　expanse　of　gentle　hills；　a　few　trees　and　small　streams；　a　pleasant…looking　place；　considering　how　near　it　was　to　the　grim　boundary　woods。　Of　course；　the　woods　had　probably　been　pleasant　at　one　time；　too；　before　Darken　Rahl　had　put　the　boxes　in　play；　and　started　the　destruction　of　the　boundary。　Chase　had　said　he　didn't　think　the　heart　hounds　could　stray　this　far；　but　if　he　was　wrong；　Richard　intended　to　see　them　ing。　He　ran　his　hand　over　the　hilt　of　his　sword　for　reassurance；　fingering　the　word　Truth　on　it；　tracing　its　raised　letters　absently　while　he　scanned　the　night　sky；　vowing　not　to　let　the　gars　take　him　by　surprise　again。　He　was　glad　he　was　given　the　first　watch；　since　he　wasn't　sleepy。　He　was　fatigued；　but　not　sleepy。　Still；　he　yawned。
　
　The　mountains　that　were　part　of　the　boundary　lay　off　at　the　edge　of　darkness；　beyond　the　tangle　mat　of　woods；　rising　up　like　the　spine　of　a　dark　beast　too　big　to　hide　itself。　Richard　wondered　what　manner　of　things　were　looking　back　at　him　from　that　black　maw。　Chase　had　said　the　boundary　mountains　diminished　as　they　went　south；　and　would　be　all　but　gone　where　they　were　going。
　
　Unexpectedly；　Kahlan；　her　cloak　also　wrapped　snug　about；　slipped　up　silently　in　the　darkness　and　wedged　herself　tight　against　him　for　warmth。　She　didn't　talk；　simply　sat　close。　Stray　wisps　of　her　silky　hair　touched　the　side　of　his　face。　The　handle　of　her　knife　jabbed　into　his　side；　but　he　didn't　say　anything　for　fear　that　if　he　did　she　would　move　away。　He　didn't　want　her　to　move。
　
　〃The　others　asleep？〃　he　asked　quietly；　glancing　over　his　shoulder。　She　nodded。　〃How　can　you　tell？〃　he　asked　with　a　smile。　〃Zedd　sleeps　with　his　eyes　open。〃
　
　She　smiled　back。　〃All　wizards　do。〃
　
　〃Really？　I　thought　it　was　just　Zedd。〃
　
　As　he　scanned　the　valley　for　any　movement；　he　could　feel　her　eyes　on　him。　He　looked　back　at　her。　〃Aren't　you　sleepy？〃　She　was　so　close　he　didn't　have　to　speak　in　much　more　than　a　whisper。
　
　She　shrugged。　The　light　breeze　pulled　some　of　her　long　hair　across　her　face。　She　reached　up　and　pulled　it　back。　Her　eyes　found　his。　〃I　wanted　to；　tell　you　I　was　sorry。〃
　
　He　wished　she　would　lay　her　head　on　his　shoulder；　but　she　didn't。　〃About　what？〃
　
　〃About　what　I　said　to　you　before；　that　I　wouldn't　want　you　to　e　after　me。　I　did　not　want　you　to　think　I　don't　appreciate　your　friendship；　I　do。　It's　just　that　what　we　are　doing　is　more　important　than　any　one　person。〃
　
　He　knew　she　had　meant　much　more　than　she　said；　just　as　he　had。　He　looked　into　her　eyes；　felt　her　breath　on；　his　face。
　
　〃Kahlan；　do　you　have　someone？〃　He　feared　the　arrow　to　his　heart；　but　had　to　ask。　〃Someone　at　home　who　waits　for　you；　I　mean？　A　love？〃
　
　He　held　the　gaze　of　her　green　eyes　for　a　long　time。　She　didn't　look　away；　but　her　eyes　filled　with　tears。　More　than　anything　he　wanted　to　put　his　arms　around　her　and　kiss　her。
　
　She　reached　up；　letting　the　backs　of　her…　fingers　brush　his　face　gently。　She　cleared　her　throat。　〃It　is　not　that　simple；　Richard。〃
　
　〃Yes　it　is。　Either　you　do　or　you　don't。〃
　
　〃I　have　obligations。〃
　
　For　a　time　it　seemed　she　was　going　to　tell　him　something；　tell　him　her　secret。
　
　She　looked　so　beautiful　in　the　moonlight；　but　it　wasn't　only　the　way　she　looked；　it　was　what　was　inside　her；　everything　from　her　intelligence　and　courage　to　her　wit；　and　the　special　smile　she　gave　only　to　him。　He　would　slay　a　dragon；　if　there　were　such　a　thing；　just　to　see　that　smile。　He　knew　he　would　never　want　anyone　else　for　as　long　as　he　lived。　He　would　rather　spend　the　rest　of　his　life　alone　than　with　someone　else。　There　could　be　no　one　else。
　
　He　desperately　wanted　to　hug　her　close。　He　ached　to　taste　her　soft　lips。　But　he　was　inexplicably　getting　the　same　feeling　he　had　had　before　he　crossed　the　bridge。　It　was　a　strong　feeling　of　warning；　stronger　than　his　desire　to　kiss　her。　Something　told　him　that　if　he　did；　it　would　be　crossing　one　bridge　too　many。　He　remembered　how　the　magic　flared　when　she　had　touched　his　hand　as　he　held　the　sword。　He　had　been　right　about　the　bridge；　so　he　didn't　put　his　arms　around　her。
　
　She　broke　the　gaze　with　a　glance　to　the　ground。　〃Chase　said　the　next　two　days　are　going　to　be　rough。　I　guess　I　had　better　get　some　sleep。〃
　
　He　knew　that　whatever　was　going　on　in　her　head；　he　had　no　say　in　it。　He　couldn't　force　her。　It　was　something　she　had　to　handle　herself。
　
　〃You　have　an　obligation　to　me　too；〃　he　said。　She　looked　back　to　him　with　a　questioning　frown；　and　he　smiled。　〃You　have　promised　to　be　my　guide。　I　intend　to　hold　you　to　that　promise。〃
　
　She　smiled　and　could　only　nod；　too　close　to　tears　to　speak。　She　kissed　the　end　of　her　finger　and　pressed　it　against　his　cheek；　then　slipped　back　into　the　night。
　
　Richard　sat　in　the　dark；　trying　to　swallow　past　the　lump　in　his　throat。　Long　after　she　was　gone　he　could　still　feel　the　place　on　his　cheek　where　she　had　put　her　finger；　her　kiss
　
　The　night　was　so　still　that　Richard　felt　as　if　he　were　the　only　one　awake　in…　the　whole　world。　Stars　flickered；　looking　like　Zedd's　magic　dust　frozen　in　place　as　the　moon　stared　silently　down　at　him。　Not　even　the　wolves　sang　tonight。　Loneliness　threatened　to　crush　him。
　
　He　found　himself　wishing　something　would　attack　just　so　he　would　have　something　else　to　think　about。　He　pulled　out　his　sword；　and　for　something　to　do；　polished　its　already　gleaming　blade　with　the　corner　of　his　cloak。　It　was　his　sword　to　use　as　he　saw　fit；　that's　what　Zedd　had　told　him。　Whether　Kahlan　liked　it　or　not；　he　was　going　to　use　it　to　protect　her。　She　was　hunted。　Anything　that　tried　to　touch　her　was　going　to　have　to　e　through　his　sword　first。
　
　The　thought　of　her　hunters；　the　quads；　and　Darken　Rahl　made　his　anger　heat。　He　wanted　them　to　e　now　so　he　could　put　an　end　to　the　threat。　He　hungered　for　them。　His　heart　pounded。　His　jaws　clenched。
　
　He　realized　suddenly　that　it　was　the　sword's　anger　awakening　his。　The　sword　was　free　from　its　scabbard　and　the　mere　thought　of　something　threatening　Kahlan　was　making　its　anger；　and　his　anger；　e　forth。　He　was　startled　at　how　it　had　seeped　into　him；　so　quiet；　so　unseen；　so　seductive。　Simply　perception；　the　wizard　had　said。　What　was　the　sword's　magic　perceiving　in　him？
　
　Richard　slid　the　sword　back　into　its　scabbard；　put　back　the　anger；　feeling　the　gloom　seep　through　him　once　again　as　he　resumed　his　scan　of　the　countryside　and　sky。　He　stood　and　walked　around　to　relieve　the　cramps　in　his　legs；　then　sat　once　more　against　the　rock；　inconsolable。
　
　An　hour　before　his　watch　was　due　to　end；　he　heard　quiet　footsteps　he　recognized。　It　was　Zedd；　a　piece　of　cheese　in　each　hand；　with　no　cloak；　wearing　only　his　simple　robes。
　
　〃What　are　you　doing　up？　It's　not　time　for　your　watch　yet。〃
　
　〃I　thought　you　might　like　the　pany　of　a　friend。　Here；　I　brought　you　a　piece　of　cheese。〃
　
　〃No；　thanks。　About　the　cheese；　I　mean。　I　could　use　the　friend　part；　though。〃
　
　Zedd　sat　down　next　to　him；　folded　his　bony　knees　up　to　his　chest；　and　pulled　the　robes　down　over　them；　making　himself　the　center　of　a　little　tent。　〃What's　the　problem？〃　Richard　shrugged。　〃Kahlan；　I　guess。〃　Zedd　didn't　say　anything。　Richard　looked　over。　〃She's　the　first　thing　in　my　mind　when　I　wake　and　the　last　thing　in　my　mind　before　I　sleep。　I've　never　felt　like　this　before；　Zedd；　never　felt　this　alone　before。〃
　
　〃I　see。〃　Zedd　laid　the　cheese　on　a　rock。
　
　〃I　know　she　likes　me；　but　I　get　the　feeling　she's　keeping　me　at　arm's　length。　When　we　were　setting　up　camp　tonight；　I　told　her　that　if　it　had　been　her；　like　Chase　today；　I　would　have　e　after　her。　A　while　ago　she　came　out　here　to　see　me。　She　said　she　didn't　want　me　ing　after　her；　but　she　meant　more　than　that。　She　meant　she　didn't　want　me　ing　after　her；　period。〃
　
　〃Good　girl；〃　Zedd　said　under　his　breath。
　
　〃What？？　。
　
　〃I　said　she's　a　good　girl。　We　all　like　her。　But　Richard；　she　is　other　things；　too。　She　has　responsibilities。〃
　
　Richard　frowned　at　the　old　man。　〃And　what　are　those　other　things？〃
　
　Zedd　leaned　back　a　little。　〃It's　not　for　me　to　say。　She　is　the　one　to　answer　that。　I　would　have　thought　she　would　have　done　so　by　now。〃　The　old　man　put　his　arm　around　Richard's　big　shoulders。　〃If　it　makes　you　feel　any　better；　the　only　reason　she　hasn't　is　because　she　cares　for　you　more　than　she　should。　She　is　afraid　of　losing　your　friendship。〃
　
　〃You　know　abou