tg.wizardfirstrule-第32部分

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　Her　smile　widened。　〃That　be　true；　Richard　Cypher。〃
　
　〃Now；　what　about　these　two？〃
　
　〃Do　you　know　how　to　heal　them？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃No。　If　I　did；　I　obviously　would　have　already　done　so。〃
　
　〃Your　impatience　is　to　be　forgiven；　it　be　only　right　for　you　to　fear　for　the　lives　of　your　friends。　I　bear　you　no　ill　will　for　your　concern。　But　be　at　ease；　they　have　been　receiving　help　from　the　moment　you　brought　them　in。〃
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　confused　look。　〃Really？〃　She　nodded。　〃They　be　struck　down　by　underworld　beasts。　It　will　take　time　for　them　to　wake；　days。　How　many　I　cannot　say。　But　they　be　dry。　Lack　of　water　will　be　the　death　of　them；　therefore　they　must　be　brought　awake　enough　to　drink；　or　they　will　die。　The　wizard　breathes　slow　not　because　he　be　worse；　but　because　that　be　the　way　wizards　save　strength　in　time　of　trouble　they　go　into　a　deeper　sleep。　I　must　bring　them　both　awake　to　drink。　You　will　not　be　able　to　talk　to　them；　they　will　not　know　you；　so　be　not　afraid　when　you　see　it。　Go　to　the　corner；　bring　the　water　bucket。〃
　
　Richard　retrieved　the　water　and　then　helped　Adie　lower　herself　to　sit　cross…legged　at　the　heads　of　Zedd　and　Chase。　She　pulled　Kahlan　down　next　to　her。　She　asked　Richard　to　bring　a　bone　implement　from　the　shelf。
　
　Part　of　it　looked　very　much　like　a　human　thighbone。　The　entire　object　had　a　dark　brown　patina；　and　looked　to　be　ancient。　Down　the　shaft　of　the　bone　were　carved　symbols　Richard　didn't　recognize。　At　one　end　were　two　skull　tops；　one　to　each　side　of　the　ball。　They　had　been　cut　smoothly　into　half　spheres；　and　covered　with　dried　skin　of　some　kind。　In　the　center　of　each　skin　was　a　knot　that　looked　like　a　navel。　Spaced　evenly　around　each　skin；　where　it　stretched　across　the　skull　edge；　were　tufts　of　coarse　black　hair　tied　on　with　beaded　thread　that　matched　that　around　the　neck　of　Adie's　robe。　The　skull　tops　looked　like　they　could　be　human。　Something　inside　rattled。
　
　Richard　handed　it　respectfully　to　Adie。　〃What　makes　the　rattle？〃
　
　Without　looking　up；　she　said；　〃Dried　eyes。〃　　‘
　
　Adie　shook　the　bone　rattle　gently　from　side　to　side　over　the　heads　of　Zedd　and　Chase　while　mumbling　a　chant　in　the　strange　language　in　which　she　had　spoken　to　Kahlan。　The　rattle　made　a　hollow；　wooden　sound。　Kahlan　sat　cross…legged　next　to　her；　head　bowed。　Richard　stood　back　and　watched。
　
　After　ten　or　fifteen　minutes；　Adie　motioned　with　her　hand　for　him　to　e　closer。　Zedd　suddenly　sat　up　and　opened　his　eyes。　Richard　realized　she　wanted　him　to　give　him　water。　She　continued　to　chant　as　he　dipped　the　ladle　in　and　held　it　up　to　Zedd's　mouth。　He　drank　thirstily。　Richard　was　thrilled　to　see　the　old　man　sit　up　and　open　his　eyes；　even　if　he　couldn't　talk；　even　if　he　didn't　know　where　he　was。　Zedd　drank　half　a　bucket　of　water。　When　finished；　he　lay　back　down　and　closed　his　eyes。　Chase　was　next；　and　he　drank　the　other　half　of　the　water。
　
　Adie　handed　Richard　the　bone　rattle　and　asked　him　to　return　it　to　the　shelf。　Next　she　had　him　bring　the　bone　pile　from　the　corner　and　stack　half　over　Zedd's　body；　half　over　Chase's；　directing　him　on　how　to　place　each　bone；　to　some　alignment　that　only　she　could　see　or　understand。　Finally　she　had　him　stack　rib　bones　in　a　wagon…wheel　pattern　with　the　hub　centered　over　each　man's　chest。　When　he　finished；　she　plimented　him　on　doing　a　fine　job；　but　he　felt　no　pride；　because　she　had　directed　his　hand　at　each　turn。　Adie　looked　up　at　him　with　her　white　eyes。
　
　〃Can　you　cook？〃
　
　Richard　thought　about　the　time　Kahlan　had　told　him　that　his　spice　soup　was　like　hers；　and　that　their　two　lands　were　much　the　same。　Adie　was　from　the　Midlands；　maybe　she　would　like　something　from　her　homeland。　He　smiled　at　her。
　
　〃I　would　be　honored　to　make　you　some　spice　soup。〃
　
　She　put　her　hands　together　in　a　swoon。　〃That　would　be　wonderful。　I　have　not　had　a　proper　spice　soup　in　years。〃
　
　Richard　went　to　the　opposite　corner　of　the　room　and　sat　at　the　table；　cutting　up　vegetables　and　mixing　spices。　For　over　an　hour；　as　he　worked；　he　watched　the　two　women　sitting　on　the　floor；　talking　in　the　strange　language。　Two　women　catching　up　on　the　news　from　home；　he　thought　happily。　He　was　in　a　good　mood；　someone　was　finally　doing　something　to　help　Zedd　and　Chase。　Someone　who　knew　what　the　problem　was。　When　he　was　finished　and　had　the　soup　on　the　fire；　he　didn't　want　to　disturb　them…they　looked　like　they　were　enjoying　themselves…so　he　asked　Adie　if　he　could　cut　some　firewood　for　her。　She　seemed　pleased　by　the　idea。
　
　He　went　outside　and　removed　the　tooth　from　around　his　neck；　putting　it　in　his　pocket；　and　left　his　shirt　on　the　porch　to　keep　it　dry。　He　took　the　sword　with　him　to　the　back　of　the　house；　where　Adie　had　told　him　he　would　find　the　firewood　pile。　Placing　logs　on　the　sawbuck；　he　cut　off　pieces　to　length。　Most　of　the　wood　was　birch；　easiest　for　an　old　woman　to　cut。　He　picked　out　the　rock　maple；　excellent　firewood　but　tough　cutting。　The　woods　nearby　were　dark　and　dense；　but　they　didn't　feel　threatening
　
　They　felt。　weling；　enveloping；　safe。　Still；　there　was　the　last　man　of　the　quad　out　there　somewhere；　hunting　Kahlan。
　
　He　thought　about　Michael；　hoped　he　was　safe。　Michael　didn't　know　what　Richard　was　doing　and　probably　wondered　where　he　was。　He　was　probably　worried。　Richard　had　planned　on　going　to　Michael's　house　after　they　left　Zedd's　place；　but　there　had　been　no　time。　Rahl　had　almost　caught　them。　He　wished　he　had　been　able　to　get　word　to　his　brother。　Michael　was　going　to　be　in　great　danger　when　the　boundary　failed。
　
　When　he　tired　of　sawing；　he　split　what　he　had　cut。　It　felt　good　to　use　his　muscles；　to　sweat　from　labor；　to　do　something　that　didn't　require　him　to　think。　The　cool　rain　felt　good　on　his　hot　body；　making　the　work　easier。　To　amuse　himself；　he　imagined　the　wood　was　Darken　Rahl's　head　as　he　brought　the　axe　down。　For　variation　he　sometimes　imagined　it　to　be　a　gar。　When　the　piece　of　wood　was　particularly　tough；　he　imagined　it　to　be　the　red…haired　man's　head。
　
　Kahlan　came　out；　and　asked　him　if　he　was　ready　to　e　eat。　He　。hadn't　even　realized　it　was　getting　dark。　After　she　left；　he　went　to　the　well　and　poured　a　bucket　of　cold　water　over　himself；　washing　off　the　sweat。　Kahlan　and　Adie　were　sitting　at　the　table；　and　since　there　were　only　two　chairs；　he　brought　in　a　log　round　to　sit　on。　Kahlan　set　a　bowl　of　soup　in　front　of　him　as　he　sat　down；　and　handed　him　a　spoon。
　
　〃You　have　given　me　a　wonderful　gift；　Richard；〃　Adie　said。
　
　〃And　what　would　that　be？〃　He　blew　on　a　spoonful　of　soup　to　cool　it。
　
　She　looked　at　him　with　her　white　eyes。　〃Without　taking　offense；　you　have　given　me　the　time　to　talk　to　Kahlan　in　my　native　tongue。　You　cannot　know　what　joy　that　be　for　me。　So　many　years　it　has　been。　You　are　a　very　perceptive　man。　You　are　a　true　Seeker。〃
　
　Richard　beamed　at　her。　〃You　have　given　me　something　very　precious　too。　The　lives　of　my　friends。　Thank　you；　Adie。〃　〃
　
　〃And　your　spice　soup　be　wonderful；〃　she　added；　with　a　hint　of　surprise。
　
　〃Yes。〃　Kahlan　winked　at　him。　〃It's　as　good　as　I　make。〃
　
　〃Kahlan　has　told　me　about　Darken　Rahl；　and　about　the　boundary　failing；〃　Adie　said。　〃It　explains　much。　She　has　told　me　that　you　know　of　the　pass；　and　wish　to　cross　into　the　Midlands。　Now　you　must　decide　what　you　will　do。〃　She　took　a　spoonful　of　soup。
　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　
　〃They　must　be　awakened　every　day　to　drink；　and　they　must　be　fed　a　gruel。　Your　friends　be　asleep　for　many　days；　five；　maybe　ten。　You　must　decide；　as　Seeker；　if　you　are　to　wait　for　them；　or　go　on。　We　cannot　help　you；　you　must　decide。〃
　
　〃That　would　be　a　lot　of　work　for　you　to　do　by　yourself。〃
　
　Adie　nodded。　〃Yes。　But　it　not　be　as　much　work　as　going　after　the　boxes；　as　stopping　Darken　Rahl。〃　She　ate　some　more　soup　as　she　watched　him。
　
　Richard　stirred　his　spoon　around　absently　in　his　bowl。　There　was　a　long　silence。　He　looked　to　Kahlan；　but　she　showed　nothing。　He　knew　she　didn't　want　to　interfere　with。　his　decision。　He　looked　back　down　at　his　soup。
　
　〃Every　day　that　passes；〃　he　said　quietly　at　last；　〃brings　Rahl　closer　to　the　last　box。　Zedd　told　me　he　has　a　plan。　That　does　not　mean　it　is　a　good　plan。　And　there　may　not　be　time　to　use　it　when　he　awakes　at　last。　We　could　lose　before　we　start。〃　He　looked　up　into　Kahlan's　green　eyes。　〃We　can't　wait。　We　can't　take　the　chance；　too　much　'is　at　risk。　We　must　leave　without　him。〃　Kahlan　gave　him　a　smile　of　reassurance。　〃I　wasn't　planning　on　letting　Chase　go　with　us　anyway。　I　have　a　more　important　job　for　him。〃
　
　Adie　reached　across　the　table　and　put　her　weathered　hand　on　his。　It　felt　soft　and　warm。　〃It　not　be　an　easy　choice　to　make。　It　not　be　easy　to　be　Seeker。　That　which　lies　ahead　be　difficult　beyond　your　worst　fears。〃
　
　He　forced　a　smile。　〃At　least　I　still　have　my　guide。〃
　
　The　three　of　them　sat　in　silence；　considering　what　must　be　done。
　
　〃You　both　will　have　a　good　sleep　tonight；〃　Adie　said。　〃You　will　need　it。　After　supper；　I　will　tell　you　what　you　will　need　to　know　to　get　through　the　pass。〃　She　looked　to　each　of　them　in　turn；　her　voice　became　even　raspier。　〃And　I　will　tell　you　how　I　lost　my　foot。〃　
　
　CHAPTER　17
　RICHARD　PLACED　THE　LAMP　on　the　side　of　the　table；　close　to　the　wall；　and　lit　it　with　a　stick　from　the　fire。　The　sound　of　gentle　rain　and　night　creatures　drifted　in　from　the　window。　The　chirps　and　calls　of　small　animals　going　about　their　nocturnal　lives　were　familiar　to　him；　forting　sounds　of　home。　Home。　His　last　night　in　his　homeland；　and　then　he　was　to　cross　into　the　Midlands。　As　his　father　had　done。　He　smiled　to　himself　at　the　irony。　His　father　had　brought　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　out　of　the　Midlands；　and　now　he　was　taking　it　back。
　
　He　sat　down　on　the　log　round；　across　from　Kahlan　and　Adie。　〃So；　tell　me；　how　do　we　find　the　pass？〃
　
　Adie　leaned　back　in　her　chair　and　swept　her　hand　through　the　air。　〃You　already　have。　You　be　in　the　pass。　The　mouth　of　it　anyway。〃
　
　〃And　what　do　we　need　to　know　to　get　through　it？〃
　
　〃The　pass　be　a　void　in　the　underworld；　but　it　still　be　a　land　of　the　dead。　You　be　living。　The　beasts　hunt　the　living　if　the　living　be　big　enough　to　be　of　interest。〃　Richard　looked　at　Kahlan's　impassive　face；　then　back　to　Adie。　〃What　beasts？〃
　
　Adie's　long　finger　pointed　to　each　wall　of　the　room　in　turn。　〃They　be　the　bones　of　the　beasts。　Your　friends　were　touched　by　things　of　the　underworld。　The　bones　confuse　their　powers。　That　be　why　I　said　your　friends　were　being　helped　from　the　moment　you　brought　them　in　here。　The　bones　cause　the　magic　poison　to　leave　their　bodies；　letting　the　death　sleep　lift。　The　bones　keep　the　evil　away　from　here。　The　beasts　cannot　find　me　because　they　feel　the　evil　of　the　bones　and　it　blinds　them；　makes　them　think　I　be　one　of　them。〃
　
　Richard　leaned　forward。　〃If　we　took　some　of　the　bones　with　us；　would　that　protect　us？〃
　
　Adie　smiled　her　little　smile；　making　her　eyes　wrinkle。　〃Very　good。　That　be　exactly　what　you　must　do。　These　bones　of　the　dead　have　the　magic　to　help　protect　you。　But　there　be　more。　Listen　carefully　to　what　I　tell　you。〃
　
　Richard　folded　his　fingers　together　and　nodded。
　
　〃You　cannot　take　your　horses；　the　trail　be　too　small　for　them。　There　be　places　they　cannot　fit。　You　must　not　wander　from　the　trail…it　be　very　dangerous　to　do　so。　And　you　must　not　stop　to　sleep。　It　will　take　one　day；　one　night；　and　most　of　the　next　day　to　cross。〃
　
　〃Why　can't　we　stop　to　sleep？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　Adie　looked　to　each　of　them　with　her　white　eyes。　〃There　be　other　things；　besides　the　beasts；　in　the　pass。　They　will　get　you　if　you　stop　long　enough。〃
　
　〃Things？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　Adie　nodded。　〃I　go　into　the　pass　often。　If　you　are　careful；　it　be　safe　enough。　If　you　are　not　careful；　there　；be　things　that　will　get　you。〃　Her　raspy　voice　lowered　bitterly。　〃I　became　overconfident。　One　day　I　was　walking　a　long　time；　and　became　very　tired。　I　was　sure　of　myself；　sure　I　knew　the　dangers　well；　so　I　sat　against　a　tree　and　took　a　small　nap。　For　a　few　minutes　only。〃　She　put　her　hand　on　her　leg；　rubbing　it　slowly。　〃When　I　was　asleep；　a　gripper　fixed　itself　on　my　ankle。〃
　
　Kahlan　scrunched　up　her　features。　〃What's　a　gripper？〃
　
　Adie　regarded　her　in　silence　for　a　minute。　〃A　gripper　be　an　animal　that　has　armor　all　over　his　back；　spikes　all　around　the　bottom　edge。　Many　legs　underneath；　each　with　a　sharp；　hooked　claw　at　the　end；　a　mouth　like　a　leech　with　teeth　all　around。　He　wraps　himself　around；　so　only　his　armor　is　out。　With　his　claws　he　digs　into　the　flesh　to　hold　tight　so　you　cannot　pull　him　off；　and　then　he　fixes　his　mouth　to　you；　sucking　the　blood　from　you；　tightening　with　the　claws　all　the　time。〃
　
　Kahlan　put　her　hand　reassuringly　on　Adie's　arm。　The　light　from　the　lamp　made　the　old　woman's　white　eyes　a　pale　shade　of　orange。　Richard　didn't　move；　his　muscles　tense。
　
　〃I　had　my　axe　with　me。〃　Kahlan　closed　her　eyes　as　her　head　lowered。　Adie　went　on。　〃I　tried　to　kill　the　gripper；　or　at　least　get　him　off　me。　I　knew　that　if　I　did　not；　he　would　suck　all　the　lifeblood　from　me。　His　armor　be　harder　than　the　axe。　I　was　very　angry　with　myself。　The　grippers　be　one　of　the　slowest　creatures　in　the　pass；　but　he　be　faster　than　a　sleeping　fool。〃　She　looked　into　Richard's　eyes。　〃There　be　only　one　thing　I　could　do　to　save　my　life。　I　could　stand　the　pain　no　longer；　his　teeth　were　scraping　into　the　bone。　I　tied　a　strip　of　cloth　tight　around　my　thigh；　and　laid　my　lower　leg　across　a　log。　I　used　the　axe　to　chop　off　my　foot　and　ankle。〃
　
　The　silence　in　the　small　house　was　brittle。　Only　Richard's　eyes　moved；　to　meet　Kahlan's。　He　saw　sorrow　there　for　the　old　woman；　saw　his　own　sorrow　reflected。　He　couldn't　imagine　the　resolve　it　would　take　to　use　an　axe　to　cut　off　your　own　foot。　His　stomach　felt　sick。　Adie's　thin　lips　spread　in　a　grim　smile。　With　one　hand　she　reached　across　the　table　to　take　Richard's　hand；　and　with　the　other　hand；　took　Kahlan's。　She　held　their　hands　in　a　firm　grip。
　
　〃I　tell　you　this　story　not　to　have　you　feel　sorry　for　me。　I　tell　you　only　so　you　two　will　not　bee　prey　to　something　in　the　pass。　Confidence　can　be　a　dangerous　thing。　Fear　can　keep　you　safe；　sometimes。〃
　
　〃Then　I　think　we　shall　be　very　safe；〃　Richard　said。
　
　Adie　continued　to　smile；　and　gave　a　single　nod。　〃Good。　There　be　one　more　thing。　There　be　a　place　halfway　through　the　pass；　where　the　two　walls　of　the　boundary　e　very　close　together；　almost　touching。　It　be　called　the　Narrows。　When　you　e　to　a　rock　the　size　of　this　house；　split　down　the　middle；　that　be　the　place。　You　must　pass　through　the　rock。　Do　not　go　around　it　even　though　you　may　want　to；　death　be　that　way。　And　then　beyond；　you　must　pass　between　the　walls　of　the　boundary。　It　be　the　most　dangerous　place　in　the　pass。〃　She　put　a　hand　on　Kahlan's　shoulder；　and　squeezed　Richard's　hand　tighter；　looking　to　each　in　turn。　〃They　will　call　to　you　from　the　boundary。　They　will　want　you　to　e　to　them。〃
　
　〃Who？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　Adie　leaned　closer　to　her。　〃The　dead。　It　could　be　anyone　you　know　who　be　dead。　Your　mother。〃
　
　Kahlan　bit　her　bottom　lip。　〃Is　it　really　them？〃
　
　Adie　shook　her　head。　〃I　don't　know；　child。　But　I　do　not　believe　it　to　be。〃
　
　〃I　don't　think　so；　either；〃　Richard　said；　almost　more　to　reassure　himself。
　
　〃Good；〃　Adie　rasped。