tg.wizardfirstrule-第30部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


　shoulder。　'
　
　〃I　wouldn't　have　missed　this　journey　for　anything。　Gives　me　time　to　be　with　my　friend。〃　She　looked　at　him　out　of　the　corner　of　her　eye　as　he　smiled。
　
　She　smiled　back　and　put　her　head　against　the　side　of　his　shoulder　for　a　second　before　eating　the　potato。　Her　smile　warmed　him。
　
　〃Why　did　you　want　me　to　ask　the　boy　to　take　care　of　the　horses？〃
　
　〃Results。　That's　what　you　said　was　most　important。　The　poor　kid　is　hopelessly　in　love　with　you。　/Since　you　were　the　one　who　asked；　he　will　guard　the　horses　better　than　we　could　ourselves。〃　She　looked　at　him　as　if　she　didn't　believe　him。　〃You　have　that　effect　on　men；〃　he　assured　her。
　
　Her　smiled　faded　a　little；　taking　on　a　haunted　look。　Richard　knew　he　was　getting　too　close　to　her　secrets；　so　he　said　nothing　else。　When　they　finished　eating；　she　walked　to　the　basin；　dipped　the　end　of　a　towel　in　the　water；　and　went　to　Zedd。　She　wiped　his　face　tenderly；　then　looked　over　to　Richard。
　
　〃He　is　the　same；　no　worse。　Please；　Richard；　let　me　have　first　watch；　get　some　sleep？〃
　
　He　nodded；　rolled　himself　into　the　bed；　and　was　asleep　in　seconds。　Sometime　in　the　early　morning　she　woke　him　for　his　watch。　As　she　went　to　sleep　he　washed　his　face　with　the　cold　water；　trying　to　wake　up；　then　sat　on　the　bench；　leaning　against　the　wall；　waiting　for　any　sign　of　trouble。　He　sucked　on　a　piece　of　dried　fruit；　trying　to　get　the　bad　taste　out　of　his　mouth：
　
　An　hour　before　sunrise；　there　was　an　urgent　knock　at　the　door。
　
　〃Richard？〃　a　muffled　voice　called。　〃It's　Bill。　Unbolt　the　door。　There's　trouble。〃　
　
　CHAPTER　16
　KAHLAN　SPRANG　OUT　OF　bed；　rubbing　the　sleep　from　her　eyes　as　Richard　unbolted　the　door。　She　pulled　her　knife。　Bill；　breathing　hard；　squeezed　in　and　pushed　the　door　shut　with　his　back。　Beads　of　sweat　dotted　his　forehead。
　
　〃What　is　it？　What's　happened？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　〃Everything　was　pretty　quiet。〃　Bill　swallowed；　catching　his　breath。　〃Then　a　little　while　ago　these　two　fellows　showed　up。　Right　out　of　nowhere。　Big　men；　thick　necks；　blond　hair。　Good　looking。　Armed　to　the　teeth。　The　kind　of　men　you　try　not　to　look　in　the　eye。〃　He　took　a　few　deep　breaths。
　
　Richard　stole　a　quick　glance　at　Kahlan's　eyes。　There　was　no　doubt　in　them　as　to　who　the　men　were。　Apparently　the　wizard　trouble　the　quad　had　run　into　wasn't　trouble　enough。
　
　〃Two？〃　Richard　asked。　〃You're　sure　there　weren't　more？〃
　
　〃Only　saw　two　e　in；　but　that　was　enough。〃　Bill's　wide　eyes　looked　out　from　under　his　curly　eyebrows。　〃One　was　tore　up　pretty　good；　arm　in　a　sling；　big　claw　cuts　down　his　other　arm。　Didn't　seem　to　bother　him　any；　though。　Anyway；　they　started　asking　about　a　woman　that　sounded　a　lot　like　your　lady　here。　Except　she　isn't　wearing　a　white　dress　like　they　described。　They　started　for　the　stairs；　and　a　quarrel　broke　out　about　who　was　going　to　do　what　with　her。　Your　red…haired　friend　jumped　the　one　with　the　sling　and　slit　his　throat　from　ear　to　ear。　The　other　fellow　cut　down　a　bunch　of　my　customers　in　a　heartbeat。　I've　never　seen　anything　like　it。　Then　all　of　a　sudden　he　just　wasn't　there　anymore。　Vanished　into　nothing。　There's　blood　everywhere。
　
　〃The　rest　of　the　lot　are　down　there　right　now　arguing　about　who's　going　to　be　first　to　。　。　。　〃　He　glanced　at　Kahlan；　leaving　the　rest　unsaid。　He　wiped　his　forehead　with　the　back　of　his　arm。　〃Randy's　bringing　the　horses　to　the　back；　you　have　to　get　out　now。　Head　for　Adie's。　The　sun's　an　hour　away；　the　hounds　two；　so　you'll　be　all　right。　But　not　if　you　delay。〃
　
　Richard　grabbed　Chase's　legs；　Bill　his　shoulders。　He　told　Kahlan　to　bolt　the　door　and　get　their　things　together。　With　Chase　in　their　arms　they　trudged　down　the　back　stairs　and　out　into　the　darkness　and　rain。　Lamplight　ing　from　the　windows　reflected　in　the　puddles；　giving　the　wet；　black　forms　of　the　horses　yellow　highlights。　Randy　was　waiting；　looking　worried　as　he　held　the　horses。　They　dropped　Chase　in　a　litter　and　ran　as　quietly　as　possible　up　the　stairs。　Bill　scooped　Zedd　into　his　arms；　while　Richard　and　Kahlan　threw　on　their　cloaks　and　grabbed　the　packs。　The　three　of　them；　Bill；　Richard；　then　Kahlan；　raced　down　the　stairs　and　for　the　door。
　
　As　they　burst　out　the　door　they　almost　tripped　over　Randy；　sprawled　on　the　ground。　Richard　looked　up　just　in　time　to　see　the　red…haired　man　lunging。　He　leapt　back；　narrowly　missing　the　sweep　of　the　long　knife。　The　man　went　face…first　into　the　mud。　With　surprising　quickness　he　came　to　his　knees；　enraged；　and　then　went　rigid；　the　sword　point　an　inch　from　his　nose。　The　air　rang　with　the　sound　of　steel。　The　man　looked　up　with　vicious；　black　eyes。　Water　and　mud　ran　from　the　strings　of　his　hair。　Richard　flicked　the　sword　a　quarter　turn　in　his　hand　and　whacked　him　hard　over　the　head　with　the　flat　of　the　blade。　He　went　down　in　a　limp　heap。
　
　Bill　laid　Zedd　in　the　litter　while　Kahlan　turned　Randy　over。　One　eye　was　swollen　shut。　Rain　splattered　on　his　face。　He　groaned。　When　he　saw　Kahlan　with　his　one　good　eye　he　broke　into　a　grin。　Relieved　that　he　wasn't　hurt　worse；　she　gave　him　a　quick　hug　and　helped　him　up。
　
　〃He　jumped　me；〃　Randy　said　apologetically。　〃I'm　sorry。〃
　
　〃You　are　a　brave　young　man。　You　have　nothing　to　be　sorry　for。　Thank　you　for　helping　us。〃　She　turned　to　Bill。　〃You；　too。〃
　
　Bill　smiled　and　gave　a　nod。　Zedd　and　Chase　were　quickly　covered　with　blankets　and　oilcloth　and　the　packs　loaded。　Bill　told　them　that　Adie's　supplies　were　already　on　Chase's　horse。　Richard　and　Kahlan　mounted　their　horses。　She　flipped　the　silver　coin　to　Randy。
　
　〃Payment　on　delivery；　as　promised；〃　she　told　him。　He　caught　the　coin　and　grinned。
　
　Richard　bent　down　and　clasped　hands　with　Randy　and　thanked　him　earnestly；　then　pointed　angrily　at　Bill。
　
　〃You！　I　want　you　to　add　everything　to　your　tally　book。　Include　all　the　damage；　all　your　time　and　trouble；　even　the　grave　markers。　I　want　you　to　add　a　fair　fee　for　saving　our　lives。　If　the　council　doesn't　want　to　approve　payment；　you　tell　them　that　you　saved　the　life　of　the　brother　of　the　First　Councilor；　and　Richard　Cypher　said　if　they　don't　pay；　I'll　personally　have　the　head　of　the　man　responsible　and　I　will　put　it　on　a　pike　on　the　front　lawn　of　my　brother's　house！〃
　
　Bill　nodded　and　laughed　over　the　sound　of　the　rain。　Richard　pulled　back　on　the　reins　to　keep　his　horse　in　place　as　it　danced　about；　eager　to　go。　He　pointed　down　at　the　unconscious　man　in　the　mud。　He　was　furious。
　
　〃The　only　reason　I　didn't　kill　this　man　is　because　he　killed　a　man　worse　than　himself；　and　in　so　doing　may　have　unwittingly　saved　Kahlan's　life。　But　he　is　guilty　of　murder；　intent　to　murder；　and　intent　to　rape。　I　suggest　you　hang　him　before　he　wakes。〃
　
　Bill　looked　up　at　him　with　hard　eyes。　〃Done。〃
　
　〃Don't　forget　what　I　said　about　the　boundary。　Trouble　es。　Take　care　with　yourself。〃
　
　Bill　held　Richard's　eyes　as　he　put　his　hairy　arm　around　his　son's　shoulders。　〃We　won't　forget。〃　A　slight　smile　curled　the　corners　of　his　mouth。　〃Long　life　to　the　Seeker。〃　'
　
　Richard　looked　down　at　him　in　surprise　and　then　grinned。　Smiling　quenched　some　of　the　fire　of　his　rage。　〃When　I　first　saw　you；〃　Richard　said；　〃my　thought　was　that　you　were　not　a　devious　man。　I　find　I　was　mistaken。〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　pulled　their　hoods　up　and　urged　their　horses　on　into　the　dark　rain；　toward　the　bone　woman。
　
　…＋
　
　The　rain　had　quickly　drowned　the　lights　from　Southaven　and　left　the　travelers　to　grope　their　way　through　the　blackness。　Chase's　horses　had　carefully　picked　their　way　down　the　trail；　trained　by　the　wardens　for　this　kind　of　duty；　they　were　fortable　in　the　adverse　conditions。　Dawn　had　struggled　interminably　at　bringing　light　to　the　new　day。　Even　after　Richard　knew　the　sun　was　up；　the　world　still　hung　in　half…light　between　night　and　day；　a　ghost　of　morning。　The　rain　had　helped　to　cool　his　hot　rage。
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　knew　that　the　last　member　of　the　quad　was　loose　somewhere；　and　they　watched　every　movement　as　a　potential　threat。　They　knew　that；　sooner　or　later；　he　would　e　at　them。　The　uncertainty　of　when　ate　at　their　concentration。　Worry　over　what　Bill　had　said；　that　Zedd　and　Chase　wouldn't　last　long；　gnawed　at　his　spirit。　If　this　woman；　Adie；　couldn't　help；　he　didn't　know　what　he　would　do。　If　she　couldn't　help；　his　two　friends　would　die。　He　couldn't　imagine　a　world　without　Zedd。　A　world　without　his　tricks　and　help　and　fort　would　be　a　dead　world。　He　realized　that　he　was　getting　a　lump　in　his　throat　thinking　about　it。　Zedd　would　tell　him　not　to　worry　about　what　might　be；　but　to　worry　about　what　was。
　
　But　what　was　seemed　almost　as　bad。　His　father　had　been　murdered。　Darken　Rahl　was　close　to　obtaining　all　the　boxes。　Richard's　two　oldest　friends　were　near　death。　He　was　alone　with　a　woman　he　cared　about；　but　wasn't　supposed　to　care　about。　She　still　kept　her　secrets　closed　to　him；　locked　away。
　
　He　could　tell　she　fought　a　constant　battle　over　it　in　her　mind。　Sometimes　when　he　felt　he　was　getting　closer　to　her；　he　saw　pain　and　fear　in　her　eyes。　Soon　they　would　be　in　the　Midlands；　where　people　knew　what　she　was。　He　wanted　her　to　be　the　one　to　tell　him；　he　didn't　want　to　learn　it　from　someone　he　didn't　know。　If　she　didn't　tell　him　soon；　he　would　have　to　ask　her。　Against　his　nature　or　not；　he　would　have　to。
　
　So　deep　was　he　in　thought；　he　hadn't　realized　they　had　been　on　the　trail　for　over　four　hours。　The　forest　was　drinking　in　the　rain。　Trees　loomed　dark　and　huddled　in　the　mist；　the　moss　on　their　trunks　was　vibrant　and　lush。　It　stood　out　on　the　bark　of　trees；　and　in　round　humps　on　the　ground；　green　and　spongy。　The　lichen　on　the　rocks　shone　bright　yellow　and　rust　in　the　damp。　In　some　places　water　ran　down　the　trail；　turning　it　into　a　temporary　creek。　The　poles　of　Zedd's　litter　splashed　through　it；　going　over　rocks　and　roots；　rocking　the　old　man's　head　from　side　to　side　on　the　rougher　sections。　His　feet　rode　inches　from　water　when　they　crossed　runoff　streams。
　
　Richard　smelled　the　sweetness　of　wood　smoke　in　the　stillness。　Birch　wood。　He　realized　that　the　area　they　were　entering　had　changed　somehow。　It　looked　the　same　as　it　had　for　hours；　yet　it　was　different。　Rain　floated　down　in　quiet　reverence　for　the　forest。　The　whole　place　felt　somehow　sacred。　He　felt　like　an　intruder；　disturbing　the　peace　of　timeless　ages。。　He　wanted　to　say　something　to　Kahlan；　but　it　seemed　as　if　talking　would　be　a　sacrilege。　He　understood　why　the　men　from　the　inn　wouldn't　e　up　here；　their　foul　presence　would　be　a　violation。
　
　They　came　to　a　house　that　so　blended　with　its　surroundings；　it　was　almost　invisible　next　to　the　trail。　A　wisp　of　wood　smoke　curled　from　its　chimney；　up　into　the　misty　air。　The　logs　of　the　walls　were　weathered　and　ancient；　matching　the　color　of　the　Surrounding　trees；　with　nothing　other　than　the　ground　it　sat　upon　disturbed。　The　house　seemed　to　be　growing　from　the　forest　floor；　with　trees　towering　around　it　protectively。　The　roof　was　covered　in　a　mass　of　ferns。　A　smaller；　slanted　roof　covered　a　door　and　a　porch　large　enough　for　only　two　or　three　people　to　stand　on　at　once。　There　was　a　square；　four…paned　window　in　the　front；　and　another　on　the　side　of　the　house　Richard　could　see。　None　had　curtains。
　
　In　front　of　the　old　house；　a　patch　of　ferns　bowed　and　nodded　when　water　from　the　trees　dripped　onto　them。　Mist　turned　their　distinctive　dusty　pale　green　bright　in　the　wetness。　A　narrow　path　slipped　through　their　midst。
　
　In　the　center　of　the　ferns；　in　the　center　of　the　path；　stood　a　tall　woman；　taller　than　Kahlan；　not　as　tall　as　Richard。　She　wore　a　simple　tan　robe　of　a　coarse　weave；　with　red　and　yellow　symbols　and　decorations　at　the　neck。　Her　hair　was　fine　and　straight；　a　mix　of　black　and　gray；　parted　in　the　middle；　chopped　square　with　her　strong　jaw。　Age　had　not　stolen　the　handsome　features　of　her　weathered　face。　She　leaned　on　a　crutch。　She　had　but　one　foot。　Richard　brought　the　horses　to　a　slow　halt　in　front　of　her。
　
　The　woman's　eyes　were　pletely　white。
　
　〃I　be　Adie。　Who　be　you？〃　Adie's　voice　had　a　harsh；　throaty；　raspy　quality　that　sent　a　shiver　up　Richard's　spine。
　
　〃Four　friends；〃　Richard　said　in　a　respectful　tone。　Light　rain　fell　in　a　hushed；　soft　patter。　He　waited。
　
　Fine　wrinkles　covered　her　face。　She　took　the　crutch　from　under　her　arm　and　folded　both　thin　hands　over　the　top；　lending　her　weight　to　it。　Adie's　thin　lips　pulled　tighter　in　a　slight　smile。
　
　〃One　friend；〃　she　rasped。　〃Three　dangerous　people。　T　decide　if　they　be　friends。〃　She　nodded　slightly　to　herself。
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　stole　a　sidelong　glance　at　each　other。　His　guard　went　up。　He　felt　somehow　unfortable　sitting　on　the　horse；　as　if　talking　down　to　her　suggested　disrespect。　He　dismounted；　Kahlan　following　his　lead。　With　his　horse's　reins　in　his　hand；　he　moved　to　stand　in　front　of　the　animal；　Kahlan　next　to　him。
　
　〃I　am　Richard　Cypher。　This　is　my　friend；　Kahlan　Amnell。〃
　
　The　woman　studied　his　face　with　her　white　eyes。　He　had　no　idea　if　she　could　see；　but　he　didn't　know　how　it　could　be　possible。　She　turned　to　Kahlan。　The　woman's　raspy　voice　spoke　a　few　words　to　Kahlan　in　a　language　he　couldn't　understand。　Kahlan's　eyes　held　the　old　woman's；　and　she　gave　Adie　a　slight　bow　of　her　head。
　
　It　had　been　a　greeting。　A　greeting　of　deference。　Richard　hadn't　recognized　the　words　Kahlan　or　Amnell　anywhere　in　it。　The　fine　hairs　on　the　back　of　his　neck　stiffened。
　
　Kahlan　had　been　addressed　by　title。
　
　He　had　been　around　Kahlan　long　enough　to　know　that　by　the　way　she　was　standing；　with　her　back　straight　and　her　head　held　assertively　up；　she　was　on　guard。　Serious　guard。　If　she　had　been　a　cat；　her　back　would　be　arched；　her　fur　standing　on　end。　The　two　women　faced　each　other；　age　had　been　dismissed　for　the　moment　by　each。　They　measured　each　other　on　qualities　he　couldn't　see。　This　was　a　woman　who　could　bring　them　to　harm；　and　he　knew　the　sword　wasn't　going　to　protect　him。
　
　Adie　turned　back　to　Richard。　〃Put　words　to　your　need；　Richard　Cypher。〃
　
　〃We　need　your　help。〃
　
　Adie's　head　bobbed。　〃True。〃
　
　〃Our　two　friends　are　hurt。　One；　Dell　Brandstone；　told　me　he　is　your　friend。〃
　
　〃True；〃　Adie　said　again　in　her　raspy　voice。
　
　〃Another　man；　in　Southaven；　told　us　you　may　be　able　to　help　them。　In　return　for　your　help；　we　brought　you　supplies。　We　thought　it　would　be　fair　to　offer　you　something。〃
　
　Adie　leaned　closer。　〃Lie！〃　She　thumped　her　crutch　once　on　the　ground。　Richard　and　Kahlan　both　jerked　back　a　little。
　
　Richard　didn't　know　what　to　say。　Adie　waited。　〃It's　true。　The　supplies　are　right　here。〃　He　turned　a　little；　indicating　Chase's　horse。　〃We　thought　it　would　be　fair　。　。　。〃
　
　〃Lie！〃　She　thumped　her　crutch　once　again。
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms；　his　temper　rising。　His　friends　were　dying　while　he　played　games　with　this　woman。　〃What　is　a　lie？〃
　
　〃　‘We'　be　a　lie。〃　She　thumped　her　crutch　again。　〃You　be　the　one　who　thought　to　offer　supplies。　You　be　the　one　who　decided　to　bring　them。　Not　you　and　Kahlan。　You。　‘We'　be　a　lie。　‘I'　be　the　truth。〃
　
　Richard　unfolded　his　arms；　holding　them　out　to　his　sides。　〃What　difference　does　that　make？　‘I；'　‘we；'　what　does　it　matter？〃
　
　She　stared　at　him。　〃One　be　true；　one　be　a　lie。　How　much　more　difference　could　there　be？〃
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms　across　his　che