tg.wizardfirstrule-第31部分

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　She　stared　at　him。　〃One　be　true；　one　be　a　lie。　How　much　more　difference　could　there　be？〃
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms　across　his　chest　again；　frowning。　〃Chase　must　have　a　very　difficult　time　telling　you　the　stories　of　his　adventures。〃
　
　Adie's　small　smile　carne　back。　〃'True；〃　she　nodded。　She　leaned　a　little　closer；　motioning　with　her　hand。　〃Bring　your　friends　inside。〃
　
　She　turned；　put　the　crutch　back　under　her　arm；　and　worked　her　way　to　the　house。　Richard　anti　Kahlan　looked　at　each　other；　and　then　went　to　get　Chase；　putting　the　blankets　away　first。　He　had　Kahlan　take　the　boundary　warden's　feet；　he　took　the　heavy　half。　As　soon　as　they　lugged　Chase　through　the　door；　Richard　discovered　why。　she　was　called　the　bone　woman。
　
　Bones　of　every　kind　stood　out　in　stark　relief　against　the　dark　walls。　Every　wall　was　covered。　Against　one　were　shelves　that　held　skulls。　Skulls　of　beasts　Richard　didn't　recognize。　Most　were　fearsome…looking；　with　long；　curved　teeth。　At　least　none　were　human；　he　thought。　Some　of　the　bones　were　assembled　into　necklaces。　Some　were　decorated　into　objects　of　purpose　with　feathers　and　colored　beads；　chalk　circles　drawn　around　them　on　the　surface　of　the　wall。　There　were　stacks　of　bones　in　the　corner；　looking　unimportant　en　masse。　The　ones　on　the　wall　were　displayed　carefully；　with　space　around　them　to　signify　their　importance。　On　the　mantel　over　the　fireplace　was　a　rib　bone　as　thick　as　Richard's　arm；　as　long　as　he　was　tall；　with　symbols　he　didn't　recognize　carved　in　dark　lines　along　its　length。　There　were　so　many　bleached　bones　around　him　that　Richard　felt　as　if　he　were　in　the　belly　of　a　dead　beast。
　
　They　set　Chase　down　while　Richard's　head　swiveled　around；　looking。　Rainwater　dripped　off　Kahlan；　Chase；　and　himself。　Adie　towered　over　him。　She　was　as　dry　as　the　bones　around　her。　She　had　stood　outside　in　the　rain；　yet　she　was　dry。　Richard　reconsidered　the　wisdom　of　his　decision　to　e　here。　If　Chase　hadn't　told　him　Adie　was　his　friend；　he　would　not　be　doing　this。
　
　He　looked　to　Kahlan。　〃I'll　go　get　Zedd。〃　It　was　more　of　a　question　than　a　statement。
　
　〃I　will　help　carry　in　the　supplies；〃　she　offered；　casting　a　glance　at　Adie。
　
　Richard　gently　laid　Zedd　at　the　bone　woman's　feet。　Together；　he　and　Kahlan　stacked　the　supplies　on　the　table。　When　they　had　finished；　both　went　and　stood　next　to　their　friends；　in　front　of　Adie；　both　peering　at　the　bones。　Adie　watched　them。
　
　〃Who　be　this　one？〃　she　asked；　pointing　at　Zedd。
　
　〃Zeddicus　Zu'1　Zorander。　My　friend；〃　he　said。
　
　〃Wizard！〃　Adie　snapped。
　
　〃My　friend！〃　Richard　yelled；　his　anger　unhinged。
　
　Adie　calmly　looked　at　him　with　her　white　eyes　while　he　glared　back。　Zedd　was　going　to　die　if　he　didn't　get　help；　and　Richard　was　in　no　mood　to　allow　that　to　happen。　Adie　leaned　forward；　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　chest　again；　frowning。　〃Chase　must　have　a　very　difficult　time　telling　you　the　stories　of　his　adventures。〃
　
　Adie's　small　smile　came　back。　〃True；〃　she　nodded。　She　leaned　a　little　closer；　motioning　with　her　hand。　〃Bring　your　friends　inside。〃
　
　She　turned；　put　the　crutch　back　under　her　arm；　and　worked　her　way　to　the　house。　Richard　and　Kahlan　looked　at　each　other；　and　then　went　to　get　Chase；　putting　the　blankets　away　first。　He　had　　Kahlan　take　the　boundary　warden's　feet；　he　took　the　heavy　half。　As　soon　as　they　lugged　Chase　through　the　door；　Richard　discovered　why。　she　was　called　the　bone　woman。
　
　Bones　of　every　kind　stood　out　in　stark　relief　against　the　dark　walls。　Every　wall　was　covered。　Against　one　were　shelves　that　held　skulls。　Skulls　of　beasts　Richard　didn't　recognize。　Most　were　fearsome　looking；　with　long；　curved　teeth。　At　least　none　were　human；　he　thought。　Some　of　the　bones　were　assembled　into　necklaces。　Some　were　decorated　into　objects　of　purpose　with　feathers　and　colored　beads；　chalk　circles　drawn　around　them　on　the　surface　of　the　wall。　There　were　stacks　of　bones　in　the　corner；　looking　unimportant　en　masse。　The　ones　on　the　wall　were　displayed　carefully；　with　space　around　them　to　signify　their　importance。　On　the　mantel　over　the　fireplace　was　a　rib　bone　as　thick　as　Richard's　arm；　as　long　as　he　was　tall；　with　symbols　he　didn't　recognize　carved　in　dark　lines　along　its　length。　There　were　so　many　bleached　bones　around　him　that　Richard　felt　as　if　he　were　in　the　belly　of　a　dead　beast。
　
　They　set　Chase　down　while　Richard's　head　swiveled　around；　looking。　Rainwater　dripped　off　Kahlan；　Chase；　and　himself。　Adie　towered　over　him。　She　was　as　dry　as　the　bones　around　her。　She　had　stood　outside　in　the　rain；　yet　she　was　dry。　Richard　reconsidered　the　wisdom　of　his　decision　to　e　here。　If　Chase　hadn't　told　him　Adie　was　his　friend；　he　would　not　be　doing　this。
　
　He　looked　to　Kahlan。　〃I'll　go　get　Zedd。〃　It　was　more　of　a　question　than　a　statement。
　
　〃I　will　help　carry　in　the　supplies；〃　she　offered；　casting　a　glance　at　Adie。
　
　Richard　gently　laid　Zedd　at　the　bone　woman's　feet。　Together；　he　and　Kahlan　stacked　the　supplies　on　the　table。　When　they　had　finished；　both　went　and　stood　next　to　their　friends；　in　front　of　Adie；　both　peering　at　the　bones。　Adie　watched　them。
　
　〃Who　be　this　one？〃　she　asked；　pointing　at　Zedd。
　
　〃Zeddicus　Zu'1　Zorander。　My　friend；〃　he　said。
　
　〃Wizard！〃　Adie　snapped。
　
　〃My　friend！〃　Richard　yelled；　his　anger　unhinged。
　
　Adie　calmly　looked　at　him　with　her　white　eyes　while　he　glared　back。　Zedd　was　going　to　die　if　he　didn't　get　help；　and　Richard　was　in　no　mood　to　allow　that　to　happen。　Adie　leaned　forward；　placing　her　wrinkled　hand　flat　against　his　stomach。　A　little　surprised；　he　stood　still　while　she　rubbed　her　hand　in　a　slow　circle；　as　if　seeking　to　discern　something。　She　took　her　hand　back；　carefully　folding　it　over　the　other　on　the　crutch。　Her　thin　lips　pulled　to　the　sides　in　a　slight　smile　as　she　looked　up。
　
　〃The　righteous　rage　of　a　true　Seeker。　Good。〃　She　looked　over　to　Kahlan。　〃You　have　nothing　to　fear　from　him；　child。　It　be　the　anger　of　truth。　It　be　the　anger　of　the　teeth。　The　good　need　not　fear　it。〃　With　the　aid　of　her　crutch；　she　took　a　few　steps　to　Kahlan。　Adie　placed　her　hand　on　Kahlan's　stomach　and　repeated　the　procedure。　When　she　was　finished；　she　laid　her　hand　over　the　crutch　and　nodded。　She　looked　to　Richard；
　
　〃She　has　the　fire。　The　anger　burns　in　her　too。　But　it　be　the　anger　of　the　tongue。　You　have　to　fear　it。　All　have　to　fear　it。　It　be　dangerous　if　she　ever　lets　it　out。〃
　
　Richard　gave　Adie　a　leery　look。　〃I　dislike　riddles；　they　leave　too　much　room　for　misinterpretation。　If　you　want　to　tell　me　something；　then　tell　me。〃
　
　〃Tell　me；〃　she　mocked。　Her　eyes　narrowed。　〃What　be　stronger；　teeth　or　tongue？〃
　
　Richard　took　a　deep　breath。　〃The　answer　is　obviously　teeth。　Therefore　I　choose　tongue。〃
　
　Adie　gave　him　a　disapproving　scowl。　〃Sometimes　your　tongue。　moves　when　it　shouldn't。　Make　it　be　still；〃　she　manded　in　a　dry　rasp。
　
　Somewhat　embarrassed；　Richard　kept　quiet。
　
　Adie　smiled　and　gave　a　nod。　〃See？〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃No。〃
　
　〃The　anger　of　teeth　be　force　by　contact。　Violence　by　touch。　bat。　The　magic　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　be　the　magic　of　the　anger　of　teeth。　Ripping。　Tearing。　The　anger　of　the　tongue　need　not　touch；　but　it　be　force　just　the　same。　It　cuts　just　as　quick。〃
　
　〃I'm　not　sure　what　you　mean；〃　Richard　said。
　
　Adie　reached　out；　her　long　finger　stretching　to　him　and　lightly　touching　his　shoulder。　His　head　was　suddenly　filled　with　a　vision；　a　vision　that　was　a　memory：　a　memory　of　the　night　before。　He　saw　the　men　at　the　inn。　He　was　standing　in　front　of　them　with　Kahlan；　and　the　men　were　ready　to　attack。　He　was　grasping　the　Sword　of　Truth；　ready　for　the　violence　necessary　to　stop　them；　knowing　that　nothing　short　of　blood　would　suffice。　Then　he　saw　Kahlan　next　to　him；　talking　to　the　mob；　stopping　them；　holding　them　with　her　words；　running　her　tongue　across　her　lip；　giving　meaning　without　speaking。　She　was　taking　the　fire　from　them；　disarming　the　depraved　without　touching　them；　doing　what　the　sword　could　not。　He　began　to　understand　what　Adie　meant。。
　
　Kahlan's　hand　swept　up　sharply　and　snatched　Adie's　wrist；　pulling　the　hand　away　from　Richard。　There　was　a　dangerous　look　in　her　eyes；　one　that　wasn't　lost　on　Adie。
　
　〃I　am　sworn　to　protect　the　life　of　the　Seeker。　I　do　not　know　what　you　are　doing。　You　will　forgive　me　if　I　overreact；　I　mean　no　disrespect；　but　I　could　not　forgive　myself　if　I　failed　in　my　task。　There　is　much　at　risk。〃
　
　Adie　looked　down　at　the　hand　around　her　wrist。　〃I　understand；　child。　Forgive　me　for　thoughtlessly　giving　you　cause　for　alarm。〃
　
　Kahlan　held　the　wrist　a　moment　longer　to　make　her　point；　then　released　it。　Adie　laid　the　hand　over　her　other　on　the　top　of　the　crutch。　She　looked　back　to　Richard。
　
　〃Teeth　and　tongue　work　together。　Same　with　the　magic。　You　mand　the　magic　of　the　sword；　the　magic　of　the　teeth。　But　that　gives　you　magic　of　the　tongue　also。　The　magic　of　the　tongue　works　because　you　back　it　with　the　sword。〃　She　turned　her　head　slowly　to　Kahlan。　〃You　have　both；　child。　Teeth　and　tongue。　You　use　them　together；　one　backing　the　other。〃
　
　〃And　what　is　a　wizard's　magic？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　Adie　looked　at　him；　considering　the　question。　〃There　be　many　kind　of　magic；　teeth　and　tongue　be　only　two。　Wizards　know　them　all；　save　those　of　the　underworld。　Wizards　use　most　of　what　they　know。〃　She　looked　down　at　Zedd。　〃He。　be　a　very　dangerous　man。〃
　
　〃He　has　never　shown　me　anything　but　kindness　and　understanding。　He　is　a　gentle　man。〃
　
　〃True。　But　he　also　be　a　dangerous　one；〃　Adie　repeated。
　
　Richard　let　it　drop。　〃And　Darken　Rahl？　Do　you　know　of　him；　what　kind　he　can　use？〃
　
　Adie's　eyes　narrowed。　〃Oh；　yes；〃　she　hissed。　〃I　know　of　him。　He　can　use　all　the　magic　a　wizard　does；　and　the　magic　a　wizard　cannot。　Darken　Rahl　can　use　the　underworld。〃
　
　Icy　bumps　rippled　up　Richard's　arms。　He　wanted　to　ask　what　kind　of　magic　Adie　had；　but　decided　better　of　it。　She　turned　once　more　to　Kahlan。
　
　〃Be　warned；　child；　you　have　the　true　power　of　the　tongue。　You　have　never　seen　it。　It　will　be　a　terrible　doing　if　you　ever　let　it　loose。〃
　
　〃I　don't　know　what　you　are　talking　about；〃　Kahlan　said；　her　eyebrows　in　a　frown。
　
　〃True；〃　Adie　nodded。　〃True。〃　She　reached　out　and　gently　placed　her　hand　on　Kahlan's　shoulder；　working　her　fingers；　bringing　her　closer。　〃Your　mother　died　before　you　became　a　woman；　before　you　were　of　the　age　when　she　could　teach　you　of　it。〃
　
　Kahlan　swallowed　hard。　〃What　can　you　teach　me　of　it？〃
　
　〃Nothing。　I　am　sorry；　but　I　have　no　understanding　of　its　workings。　It　be　something　only　your　mother　can　teach；　when　you　reached　the　age　of　woman。　Since　your　mother　did　not　show　you；　the　teaching　be　lost。　But　the　。power　be　still　there。　Be　warned。　Just　because　you　were　not　taught　its　use　does　not　mean　it　cannot　e　out。〃
　
　〃Did　you　know　my　mother？〃　Kahlan　asked　in　a　painful　whisper。
　
　Adie's　face　softened　as　she　looked　at　Kahlan。　She　nodded　slowly。　〃I　remember　your　family　name。　And　I　remember　her　green　eyes；　they　not　be　easy　to　forget。　You　have　her　eyes。　When　she　carried　you；　I　knew　her。〃
　
　A　tear　rolled　down　Kahlan's　cheek；　and　her　voice　came　in　the　same　painful　whisper。　〃My　mother　wore　a　necklace；　with　a　small　bone　on　it。　She　gave　it　to　me　when　I　was　a　child。　I　wore　it　always；　until　。　。　。　until；　Dennee；　the　girl　I　called　my　sister　。　。　。　when　she　died；　I　buried　it　with　her。　She　had　always　been　fond　of　it。　You　gave　that　necklace　to　my　mother；　didn't　you？〃
　
　Adie　closed　her　eyes　and　nodded。　〃Yes　child。　I　gave　it　to　her　to　protect　her　unborn　daughter；　to　keep　her　child　safe；　that　she　might　grow　to　be　strong；　like　her　mother。　I　can　see　that　she　has。〃
　
　Kahlan　slipped　her　arms　around　the　old　woman。　〃Thank　you；　Adie；〃　she　said　tearfully；　〃for　helping　my　mother。〃　Adie　held　the　crutch　With　one　hand；　and　with　the　other　rubbed　Kahlan's　back　in　genuine　sympathy。　After　a　few　moments　Kahlan　separated　from　the　old　woman　and　wiped　the　tears　from　her　eyes
　
　Richard　saw　his　opening；　and　went　for　it　with　single…minded　determination。
　
　〃Adie；〃　he　said　in　a　soft　voice；　〃you　helped　Kahlan　before　she　was　born。　Help　her　now。　Her　life　and　the　lives　of　a　great　many　others　are　at　stake。　Darken　Rahl　hunts　her；　hunts　me。　We　need　the　help　of　these　two　men。　Please　help　them。　Help　Kahlan。〃
　
　Adie　gave　him　her　small　smile。　She　nodded　her　head　a　little　to　herself。　〃The　wizard　chooses　his　Seekers　well。　Fortunately　for　you；　patience　be　not　a　prerequisite　for　the　post。　Be　at　ease；　I　would　not　have　had　you　bring　them　in　if　I　did　not　intend　to　help　them。〃
　
　〃Well；　perhaps　you　cannot　see；〃　he　pressed；　〃but　Zedd　especially　is　in　bad　shape。　His　breathing　is　hardly　there　at　all。〃
　
　Adie's　white　eyes　regarded　him　with　strained　tolerance。　〃Tell　me；〃　she　said　in　her　dry　rasp；　〃do　you　know　Kahlan's　secret；　the　one　she　keeps　from　you？〃
　
　Richard　said　nothing　and　tried　to　show　no　emotion。　Adie　turned　to　Kahlan。
　
　〃Tell　me；　child；　do　you　know　the　secret　he　keeps　from　you？〃　Kahlan　said　nothing。　Adie　looked　back　to　Richard。　〃Does　the　wizard　know　of　the　secret　you　keep　from　him？　No。　Do　you　know　the　secret　the　wizard　keeps　from　you？　No。　Three　blind　people。　Hmm？　Seems　I　be　able　to　see　better　than　you。〃
　
　Richard　wondered　what　secret　Zedd　was　keeping　from　him。　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃And　which　of　these　secrets　do　you　know；　Adie？〃
　
　She　pointed　a　thin　finger　at　Kahlan。　〃Hers　only。〃
　
　Richard　was　relieved；　but　tried　to　let　his　face　show　nothing。　He　had　been　on　the　verge　of　panic。　〃Everyone　has　secrets；　my　friend；　and　has　a　right　to　keep　them　when　there　is　need。〃
　
　Her　smile　widened。　〃That　be　true；　Richard　Cypher。〃
　
　〃Now；　what　about　these　two？〃
　
　〃Do　you　know　how　to　heal　them？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃No。　I