tg.wizardfirstrule-第35部分

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　Richard　kicked　one　that　got　too　close；　sending　it　tumbling　through　the　leaves　and　sticks　on　the　floor　of　the　split。　Landing　on　its　back；　it　clawed　at　the　air；　snapping　and　hissing；　twisting　and　rocking；　until　it　righted　itself。　When　it　did；　the　gripper　rose　up　on　its　claw…tipped　feet　and　let　out　a　clicking　growl　before　ing　on　once　again。
　
　Both　turned　quickly　to　follow　the　path。　Richard　held　the　night　stone　out　to　light　the　Narrows　trail
　
　Kahlan　drew　a　sharp　breath。
　
　The　warm　light　illuminated　the　hillside　where　the　Narrows　path　should　have　been。　Spread　out　before　them　as　far　as　they　could　see　was　a　mass　of　rubble。　Rocks；　tree　limbs；　splintered　wood；　and　mud；　all　tumbled　together。　A　slide　had　recently　plunged　down　the　hillside。
　
　The　Narrows　trail　had　been　swept　away。
　
　They　took　a　step　beyond　the　rock　to　have　a　better　look。
　
　Green　light　of　the　boundary　came　on；　surprising　them。　They　stepped　back　as　one。
　
　〃Richard　。。。
　
　Kahlan　clutched　his　arm。　The　grippers　were　at　their　heels。　The　shadows　floated　in　the　split
　
　CHAPTER　19
　TORCHES　SET　IN　ORNATE　gold　brackets　lit　the　walls　of　the　crypt　with　flickering　light；　reflected　off　the　polished　pink　granite　of　the　huge；　vaulted　room；　lending　their　smell　of　pitch　to　the　fragrance　of　roses　in　the　dead；　still　air。　White　roses；　replaced　every　morning　without　fail　for　the　last　three　decades；　filled　each　of　the　fifty…seven　gold　vases　set　in　the　wall　beneath　each　of　the　fifty…seven　torches　that　represented　each　year　in　the　life　of　the　deceased。　The　floor　was　white　marble；　so　that　any　white　rose　petal　that　fell　would　not　be　a　distraction　before　it　could　be　whisked　away。　A　large　staff　saw　to　it　that　no　torch　was　allowed　to　go　spent　for　longer　than　a　few　moments；　and　that　rose　petals　were　not　allowed　to　rest　long　upon　the　floor。　The　staff　was　attentive　and　devoted　to　their　tasks。　Failure　to　be　so　resulted　in　an　immediate　beheading。　Guards　watched　the　tomb　day　and　night　to　be　sure　the　torches　burned；　the　flowers　were　fresh；　and　no　rose　petal　sat　too　long　on　the　floor。　And　of　course　to　carry　out　executions。
　
　Staff　positions　were　filled　from　the　surrounding　D'Haran　countryside。　Being　a　member　of　the　crypt　staff　was　an　honor；　by　law。　The　honor　brought　with　it　the　promise　of　a　quick　death　if　an　execution　was　in　order。　A　slow　death　in　D'Hara　was　greatly　feared；　and　mon。　New　recruits；　for　fear　they　would　speak　ill　of　the　dead　king　while　in　the　crypt；　had　their　tongues　cut　out。
　
　The　Master；　on　the　evenings　when　he　was　at　home　in　the　People's　Palace；　would　visit　the　tomb。　No　staff　or　tomb　guards　were　allowed　to　be　present　during　these　visits。　The　staff　had　spent　a　busy　afternoon　replacing　the　torches　with　freshly　burning　ones　and　testing　each　of　the　hundreds　of　white　roses　by　gently　shaking　them　to　make　sure　none　of　the　petals　were　loose；　since　any　torch　going　out　during　the　royal　visit；　or　any　rose　petal　falling　to　the　floor；　would　result　in　an　execution。
　
　A　short　pillar　in　the　center　of　the　immense　room　supported　the　coffin　itself；　giving　it　the　effect　of　floating　in　the　air。　The　golden　shrouded　coffin　glowed　in　the　torchlight。　Carved　symbols　covered　its　sides；　and　continued　in　a　ring　around　the　room；　cut　into　the　granite　beneath　the　torches　and　gold　vases：　instructions　in　an　ancient　language　from　a　father　to　a　son　on　the　process　of　going　to　the　underworld；　and　returning。　Instructions　in　an　ancient　language　understood　by　only　a　handful　other　than　the　son；　none　but　the　son　lived　in　D'Hara。　All　the　others　in　D'Hara　who　understood　had　long　ago　been　put　to　death。　Someday；　the　rest　would　be。
　
　The　crypt　staff　and　guards　had　been　sent　away。　The　Master　was　visiting　his　father's　tomb。　Two　of　his　personal　guards　stood　watch　over　him；　one　to　each　side　of　the　massive；　elaborately　carved　and　polished　door。　Their　sleeveless　leather…and…mail　uniforms　helped　display　their　bulky　forms；　the　sharp　contours　of　their　heavy　muscles；　and　the　bands　they　wore　around　their　arms　just　above　their　elbows；　bands　with　raised　projections　sharpened　to　deadly　edges；　used　in　close　bat　to　tear　apart　an　adversary。
　
　Darken　Rahl　ran　his　delicate　fingers　over　the　carved　symbols　on　his　father's　tomb。　An　immaculate　white　robe；　its　only　decoration　gold　embroidery　in　a　narrow　band　around　the　neck　and　down　the　front；　covered　his　lean　frame　to　within　an　inch　of　the　floor。　He　wore　no　jewelry；　other　than　a　curved　knife　in　a　gold　scabbard　embossed　with　symbols　warning　the　spirits　to　give　way。　The　belt　that　held　it　was　woven　of　gold　wire。　Fine；　straight；　blond　hair　hung　almost　to　his　shoulders。　His　eyes　were　a　pain…　fully　handsome　shade　of　blue。　His　features　set　off　his　eyes　perfectly。
　
　Many　women　had　been　taken　to　his　bed。　Because　of　his　striking　looks；　and　his　power；　some　went　eagerly。　The　others　went　despite　his　looks；　but　because　of　his　power。　Whether　or　not　they　were　eager　did　not　concern　him。　Were　they　unwise　enough　to　be　repulsed　when　they　saw　the　scars；　they　entertained　him　in　ways　they　could　not　have　foreseen。
　
　Darken　Rahl；　as　had　his　father　before　him；　considered　women　merely　vessels　for　the　man's　seed；　the　dirt　it　grew　in；　unworthy　of　higher　recognition。　Darken　Rahl；　as　his　father　before　him；　would　have　no　wife。　His　own　mother　had　been　nothing　more　than　the　first　to　sprout　his　father's　wondrous　seed；　and　then　she　had　been　discarded；　as　was　only　fitting。　If　he　had　siblings；　he　didn't　know；　nor　did　it　matter；　he　was　firstborn；　all　glory　fell　to　him。　He　was　the　one　born　with　the　gift；　and　the　one　to　whom　his　father　passed　the　knowledge。　If　he　had　half　brothers　or　sisters；　they　were　merely　weeds；　to　be　expunged　if　discovered。
　
　Darken　Rahl　spoke　the　words　silently　in　his　mind　as　his　fingers　traced　the　symbols。　Although　it　was　of　the　utmost　importance　that　the　directives　were　followed　exactly；　he　had　no　fear　of　making　an　error；　the　instructions　were　burned　into　his　memory。　But　he　enjoyed　reliving　the　thrill　of　the　passage；　of　hanging　between　life　and　death。　He　savored　going　into　the　underworld；　manding　the　dead。　He　was　impatient　for　the　next　journey。
　
　Footsteps　echoed　at　someone's　approach。　Darken　Rahl　showed　no　concern；　or　interest；　but　his　guards　did；　they　drew　their　swords。　No　one　was　allowed　to　e　into　the　crypt　with　the　Master。　When　they　saw　who　it　was；　they　stood　down；　replacing　their　weapons。　No　one　but　Demmin　Nass；　that　is。
　
　Demmin　Nass；　the　right　hand　of　Rahl；　the　lightning　of　the　Master's　dark　thoughts；　was　a　man　as　big　as　those　he　manded。　As　he　strode　in；　ignoring　the　guards；　his　sharply　chiseled　muscles　stood　out　in　stark　relief　in　the　torchlight。　His　chest　was　covered　with　skin　as　smooth　as　that　of　the　young　boys　he　had　a　weakness　for。　In　stark　contrast；　his　face　was　riddled　with　pockmarks。　His　blond　hair　was　cropped　close　enough　to　cause　it　to　stand　up　in　a　collection　of　spikes。　A　streak　of　black　hair　started　in　the　middle　of　his　right　eyebrow　and　continued　back　over　his　head；　to　the　right　of　center。　It　made　him　recognizable　from　a　distance；　a　fact　appreciated　by　those　who　had　cause　to　know　of　him。
　
　Darken　Rahl　stood　absorbed　in　the　reading　of　the　symbols；　and　did　not　look　when　his　guards　drew　their　weapons；　or　when　they　replaced　them。　Although　his　guards　were　formidable；　they　were　unnecessary；　mere　accoutrements　of　his　position。　He　had　powers　enough　to　put　down　any　threat。　Demmin　Nass　stood　at　ease；　waiting　for　the　Master　to　finish。　When　at　last　Darken　Rahl　turned；　his　blond　hair　and　stark　white　robe　swished　around　with　him。　Demmin　gave　a　respectful　bow　of　his　head。
　
　〃Lord　Rahl。〃　His　voice　was　deep；　coarse。　He　kept　his　head　bowed。
　
　〃Demmin；　my　old　friend；　how　good　to　see　you　again。〃　Rahl's　quiet　tone　had　a　clear；　almost　liquid　quality　to　it。
　
　Demmin　straightened；　his　face　set　in　a　frown　of　displeasure。　〃Lord　Rahl；　Queen　Milena　has　delivered　her　list　of　demands。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　stared　through　the　mander；　as　if　he　weren't　there；　slowly　wetting　the　tips　of　the　first　three　fingers　of　his　right　hand　with　his　tongue　and　then　carefully　stroking　his　lips　and　eyebrows　with　them。
　
　〃Have　you　brought　me　a　boy？〃　Rahl　asked　expectantly。
　
　〃Yes；　Lord　Rahl。　He　awaits　you　in　the　Garden　of　Life。〃
　
　〃Good。〃　A　small　smile　spread　across　Darken　Rahl's　handsome　face。　〃Good。　And　he　is　not　too　old？　He　is　still　a　boy？〃
　
　〃Yes；　Lord　Rahl；　he　is　but　a　boy。〃　Demmin　looked　away　from　Rahl's　blue　eyes。
　
　Darken　Rahl's　smile　widened。　〃You　are　sure；　Demmin？　Did　you　take　off　his　pants　yourself；　and　check？〃
　
　Demmin　shifted　his　weight。　〃Yes；　Lord　Rahl。〃
　
　Rahl's　eyes　searched　the　other's　face。　〃You　didn't　touch　him；　did　you？〃　His　smile　vanished。　〃He　must　be　unsoiled。〃
　
　〃No；　Lord　Rahl！〃　Demmin　insisted；　looking　back　to　the　Master；　his　eyes　wide。　〃I　would　not　touch　your　spirit　guide！　You　have　forbidden　it！〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　again　wet　his　fingers　and　smoothed　his　eyebrows　as　he　took　a　step　closer。　〃I　know　you　wanted　to；　Demmin。　Was　it　hard　for　you？　Looking　but　not　touching？〃　His　smile　came　back；　teasing；　then　melted　again。　〃Your　weakness　has　caused　me　trouble　before。〃
　
　〃I　took　care　of　that！〃　Demmin　protested　in　his　deep　voice；　but　not　too　forcefully。　〃I　had　that　trader；　Brophy；　arrested　for　the　murder　of　that　boy。〃
　
　〃Yes；〃　Rahl　snapped　back；　〃and　then　he　submitted　to　a　Confessor；　to　prove　his　innocence。〃
　
　Demmin's　face　wrinkled　in　frustration。　〃How　was　I　to　know　he　would　do　that？　Who　could　expect　a　man　would　willingly　do　that？〃
　
　Rahl　held　up　his　hand。　Demmin　fell　silent。
　
　〃You　should　have　been　more　careful。　You　should　have　taken　the　Confessors　into　account。　And　is　that　job　finished　yet？〃
　
　〃All　but　one；〃　Demmin　admitted。　〃The　quad　that　went　after　Kahlan；　the　Mother　Confessor；　failed。　I　had　to　send　another。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　frowned。　〃Confessor　Kahlan　is　the　one　who　took　the　confession　of　this　trader；　Brophy；　and　found　him　innocent；　is　she　not？〃
　
　Demmin　nodded　slowly；　his　face　contorted　in　anger。　〃She　must　have　found　help；　or　the　quad　would　not　have　failed。〃
　
　Rahl　remained　silent；　watching　the　other。　At　last　Demmin　broke　the　silence。
　
　〃It　is　but　a　small　matter；　Lord　Rahl；　not　worthy　of　your　time　or　thought。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃I　will　decide　what　matters　are　worthy　of　my　attention。〃　His　voice　was　soft；　almost　kind。
　
　〃Of　course；　Lord　Rahl。　Please　forgive　me。〃　Demmin　didn't　need　to　hear　an　angry　tone　to　know　he　was　treading　on　dangerous　ground。
　
　Rahl　licked　his　fingers　again　and　rubbed　them　on　his　lips。　He　looked　sharply　back　up　into　the　other's　eyes。　〃Demmin；　if　you　touched　the　boy；　I　will　know。〃
　
　A　bead　of　sweat　rolled　into　Demmin's　eye。　He　tried　to　blink　it　away。　〃Lord　Rahl；〃　he　said　in　a　coarse　whisper；　〃I　would　gladly　give　my　life　for　you。　I　would　not　touch　your　spirit　guide。　I　swear。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　considered　Demmin　Nass　for　a　moment；　then　nodded。　〃As　I　said；　I　would　know　anyway。　And　you　know　what　I　would　do　to　you　if　you　ever　lied　to　me。　I　can't　tolerate　anyone　lying　to　me。　It's　wrong。〃
　
　〃Lord　Rahl；〃　Demmin　said；　anxious　to　change　the　subject；　〃what　of　Queen　Milena's　demands？〃
　
　Rahl　shrugged。　〃Tell　her　I　agree　to　all　her　demands　in　return　for　the　box。〃
　
　Demmin　stared　incredulously。　〃But　Lord　Rahl；　you　have　not　seen　them　listed。〃
　
　Rahl　shrugged　innocently。　〃Now；　they　are　truly　a　matter　not　worthy　of　my　time　or　thought。〃
　
　Demmin　shifted　his　weight　again；　making　the　leather　he　wore　creak。　〃Lord　Rahl；　I　do　not　understand　why　you　play　this　game　with　the　queen。　It　is　humiliating　to　be　issued　a　list　of　demands。　With　no　trouble；　we　could　crush　her　like　the　fat　toad　she　is。　Just　give　me　the　word；　allow　me　to　issue　my　own　demands；　on　your　behalf。　She　will　be　made　to　regret　not　bowing　down　to　you　as　she　should　have。〃
　
　Rahl　smiled　a　small　private　smile　as　he　studied　the　pockmarked　face　of　his　loyal　mander。　〃She　has　a　wizard；　Demmin；〃　he　whispered；　his　blue　eyes　intense。
　
　〃I　know。〃　Demmin's　fists　tightened。　〃Giller。　You　have　only　to　ask；　Lord　Rahl；　and　I　will　bring　you　his　head。〃
　
　〃Demmin；　why　do　you　think　Queen　Milena　would　enlist　a　wizard　in　her　service？〃　Demmin　only　shrugged；　so　Rahl　answered　his　own　question。　〃To　protect　the　box；　that　is　why。　It　is　her　protection　too；　she　believes。　If　we　kill　her　or　the　wizard；　we　may　find　he　has　hidden　the　box　with　magic；　and　then　we　would　have　to　spend　time　finding　it。　So　why　move　too　quickly？　For　now；　the　easiest　path　is　to　go　along　with　her。　If　she　gives　me　any　trouble；　I　will　deal　with　her；　and　the　wizard。〃　He　walked　slowly　around　his　father's　coffin；　trailing　his　fingers　along　the　carved　symbols　as　he　kept　his　blue　eyes　on　Demmin。　〃And　anyway；　once　I　have　the　last　box；　her　demands　will　be　meaningless。〃　He　came　back　to　the　big　man；　stopping　in　front　of　him。　〃But　there　is　another　reason；　my　friend。〃
　
　Demmin　cocked　his　head　to　the　side。　〃Another　reason？〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　nodded；　leaned　closer；　and　lowered　his　voice。　〃Demmin；　do　you　kill　your　little　boyfriends　before　。　。　。　or　after？〃
　
　Demmin　leaned　back　a　little；　away　from　the　other；　hooking　a　thumb　in　his　belt。　He　cleared　his　throat。　At　last　he　answered。　〃After。〃
　
　〃And　why　after？　Why　not　before？〃　Rahl　asked；　his　face　in　a　coy；　questioning　frown。
　
　Demmin　avoided　the　Master's　eyes；　looked　down　at　the　floor；　and　shifted　his　weight　to　his　other　foot。　Darken　Rahl　continued　to　keep　his　face　close；　watching；　waiting。　In　a　voice　too　low　for　the　guards　to　hear；　Demmin　spoke。
　
　〃I　like　it　when　they　squirm。〃　　‘
　
　A　slow　smile　spread　over　Rahl's　face。　〃That　is　the　other　reason；　my　friend。　I　too　enjoy　it　when　they　squirm；　so　to　speak。　I　want　to　enjoy　watching　her　squirm；　before　I　kill　her。〃　He　licked　the　ends　of　his　fingers　again；　and　stroked　them　on　his　lips。
　
　A　knowing　grin　grew　across　the　pockmarked　face。　〃I　will　tell　Queen　Milena　that　Father　Rahl　has　graciously　agreed　to　her　terms。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　put　his　hand　on　Demmin's。　muscled　shoulder。　〃Very　good；　my　friend。　Now；　show　me　what　manner　of　boy　you　have　brought　me。〃
　
　Both　wearing　smiles；　they　strode　toward　the　door。　Before　they　reached　it；　Darken　Rahl　stopped　suddenly。　He　spun　on　his　heels；　his　robes　flinging　around　him。
　
　〃What　was　that　sound？〃　he　demanded。
　
　Except　for　the　hiss　of　the　torches；　the　crypt　was　as　silent　as　the　dead　king。　Demmin　and　the　guards　looked　slowly　around　the　chamber。
　
　〃There！〃　Rahl　thrust　out　his　arm。
　
　The　other　three　looked　where　he　pointed。　A　single　white　rose　petal　sat　on　the　floor。　Darken　Rahl's　face　reddened；　his　eyes　fierce。　Shaking；　his　hands　clenched　into　white…knuckled　fists；　his　eyes　filled　with　tears　of　wrath。　He　was　too　furious　to　speak。　Regaining　his　posure；　he　held　out　his　hand　toward　where　the　white　petal　lay　on　the　cold　marble　floor。　As　if　touched　by　a　breeze；　it　rose　into　the　air　and　floated　across　the　room；　settling　in　Rahl's　outstretched　hand。　He　licked　the　petal；　turned　to　one　of　the　guards；　and　stuck　it　to　the　man's　forehead。
　
　The　heavily　muscled　guard　looked　back　impassively。　He　knew　what　the　Master　wanted；　and　gave　a　single　grim　nod　before　turning　and　going　through　the　door　in　one　fluid　motion；　pulling　his　sword　as　he　went。
　
　Darken　Rahl　straightened　his　body；　smoothed　his　hair　and　then　his　robes　with　the　flats　of　his　hands。　H