tg.wizardfirstrule-第36部分

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　Darken　Rahl　straightened　his　body；　smoothed　his　hair　and　then　his　robes　with　the　flats　of　his　hands。　He　took　a　deep　breath；　letting　his　anger　out　with　it。　Frowning；　his　blue　eyes　searched　up　at　Demmin；　who　stood　calmly　beside　him。
　
　〃I　ask　nothing　else　of　them。　Only　that　they　care　for　my　father's　tomb。　Their　needs　are　seen　to；　they　are　fed　and　clothed　and　taken　care　of。　It　is　a　simple　request。〃　His　face　took　on　a　hurt　look。　〃Why　do　they　mock　me　with　their　carelessness？〃　He　looked　over　to　his　father's　coffin；　then　back　to　the　other's　face。　〃Do　you　think　I　am　too　harsh　with　them；　Demmin？〃
　
　The　mander's　hard　eyes　scowled　back。　〃Not　harsh　enough。　If　you　were　not　so　passionate；　if　you　didn't　allow　them　a　quick　punishment；　maybe　the　others　would　learn　to　treat　your　heartfelt　requests　with　more　mitment。　I　would　not　be　as　lenient。〃
　
　Darken　Rahl　stared　off　at　nothing　in　particular；　and　nodded　absently。　After　a　time　he　took　another　deep　breath　and　strode　through　the　door；　with　Demmin　at　his　side；　and　the　remaining　guard　following　at　a　respectful　distance：　They　went　down　long　corridors　of　polished　granite　lit　by　torches；　up　spiral　stairs　of　white　stone；　down　more　corridors　with　windows　that　let　the　light　out　into　the　darkness。　The　stone　smelled　damp；　stale。　Several　levels　up；　the　air　regained　its　freshness。　Small　tables　of　lustrous　wood　stationed　at　intervals　along　the　halls　held　vases　with　bouquets　of　fresh　flowers　that　lent　a　light　fragrance　to　the　rooms。
　
　As　they　came　to　a　pair　of　doors　with　a　scene　of　hillsides　and　forests　carved　in　relief；　the　second　guard　rejoined　them；　the　task　assigned　him　pleted。　Demmin　pulled　on　the　iron　rings；　and　the　heavy　doors　opened　smoothly；　silently。　Beyond　。was　a　room　of　dark；　brown　oak　panels。　It　gleamed　in　the　light　of　the　candles　and　lamps　set　about　on　heavy　tables。　Books　lined　two　walls；　and　an　immense　fireplace　warmed　the　two…story　room。　Rahl　stopped　for　a　short　time　to　consult　an　old　leather…bound　book　sitting　on　a　pedestal；　then　he　and　his　mander　walked　on　through　a　labyrinth　of　rooms；　most　covered　in　the　same　warm　wood　panels。　A　few　were　plastered　and　painted　with　scenes　of　the　D'Hara　countryside；　forests　and　fields；　game　and　children。　The　guards　followed　at　a　distance；　watching　everywhere；　alert　but　silent：　the　Master's　shadows。'
　
　Logs　crackled　and　popped　as　flames　wavered　in　a　brick　hearth；　providing　the　only　light　in　one　of　the　smaller　rooms　they　passed　into。　On　the　walls　hung　trophies　of　the　hunt；　heads　of　every　sort　of　beast。　Antlers　jutted　out；　lit　by　the　light　of　the　flames。　Darken　Rahl　stopped　suddenly　in　midstride；　his　robes　made　pink　in　the　firelight。
　
　〃Again；〃　he　whispered。
　
　Demmin　had　stopped　when　Rahl　did；　and　now　watched　him　with　questioning　eyes。
　
　〃Again　she　es　to　the　boundary。　To　the　underworld。〃　He　licked　his　fingertips；　smoothing　them　carefully　over　his　lips　and　eyebrows　as　his　eyes　fixed　in　a　stare。
　
　〃Who？〃　Demmin　asked。
　
　〃The　Mother　Confessor。　Kahlan。　She　has　the　help　of　a　wizard；　you　know。〃
　
　〃Giller　is　with　the　queen；〃　Demmin　insisted；　〃not　with　the　Mother　Confessor。〃
　
　A　thin　smile　spread　on　Darken　Rahl's　lips。　〃Not　Giller；〃　he　whispered；　〃the　Old　One。　The　one　I　seek。　The　one　who　killed　my　father。　She　has　found　him。〃
　
　Demmin　stood　straight　in　surprise。　Rahl　turned　and　walked　over　to　the　window　at　the　end　of　the　room。　Made　up　of　small　panes　and　round　at　the　top；　it　stood　twice　his　height。　Firelight　glinted　off　the　curved　knife　at　his　belt。　Clasping　his　hands　behind　him；　he　stood　gazing　down　on　the　darkened　countryside；　on　the　night；　on　the　things　others　couldn't　see。　He　turned　back　to　Demmin；　his　blond　hair　brushing　his　shoulders。
　
　〃That　is　why　she　went　to　Westland；　you　know。　Not　to　run　from　the　quad；　as　you　thought；　but　to　find　the　great　wizard。〃　His　blue　eyes　sparkled。　〃She　has　done　me　a　great　favor；　my　friend；　she　has　flushed　out　the　wizard。　It　is　fortunate　she　slipped　past　the　ones　in　the　underworld。　Fate　。　is　truly　on　our　side。　You　see；　Demmin；　why　I　tell　you　not　to　worry　so？　It　is　my　destiny　to　succeed；　all　things　have　a　way　of　working　toward　my　ends。〃
　
　Demmin's　brow　knitted　into　a　frown。　〃Just　because　one　quad　failed；　that　does　not　mean　she　has　found　the　wizard。　Quads　have　failed　before。〃　Rahl　slowly　licked　his　fingertips。　He　stepped　closer　to　the　big　man。　〃The　Old　One　has　named　a　Seeker；〃　he　whispered。
　
　Demmin　unclasped　his　hands　in　surprise。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　
　Rahl　nodded。　〃The　old　wizard　vowed　never　to　help　them　again。　No　one　has　seen　him　in　many　years。　No　one　has　been　able　to　offer　his　name；　even　to　save　their　own　lives。　Now　the　Confessor　crosses　into　Westland；　the　quad　vanishes；　and　a　Seeker　is　named。〃　He　smiled　to　himself。　〃She　must　have　touched　him；　to　make　him　help。　Imagine　his　surprise　when　he　saw　her。〃　Rahl's　smile　faded。　He　clenched　his　fists。　〃I　almost　had　them。　Almost　had　all　three；　but　I　was　distracted　by　other　matters；　and　they　slipped　away。　For　the　time　being。〃　He　considered　this　silently　for　a　moment；　then　announced；　〃The　second　quad　will　fail　too；　you　know。　They　will　not　be　expecting　to　encounter　a　wizard。〃
　
　〃Then　I　will　send　a　third　quad；　and　I　will　tell　them　of　the　wizard；〃　Demmin　promised。
　
　〃No。〃　Rahl　licked　his　fingertips；　thinking。　〃Not　yet。　For　now；　let's　wait　and　see　what　happens。　Maybe　she　is　meant　to　help　me　again。〃　He　considered　this　a　moment。　〃Is　she　attractive？　The　Mother　Confessor？〃
　
　Demmin　scowled。　〃I　have　never　seen　her；　but　some　of　my　men　have。　They　fought。　over　who　would　be　named　to　the　quads；　who　would　have　her。〃
　
　〃Don't　send　another　quad　for　now。〃　Darken　Rahl　smiled。　〃It　is　time　I　had　an　heir。〃　He　nodded　absently。　〃I　will　have　her　for　myself；〃　he　declared。
　
　〃If　she　tries　to　go　through　the　boundary；　she　will　be　lost；〃　Demmin　cautioned。
　
　Rahl　shrugged。　〃Maybe　she　will　be　smarter　than　that。　She　has　already　shown　herself　to　be　clever。　Either　way；　I　will　have　her。〃　He　glanced　over　at　Demmin。　〃Either　way；　she　will　squirm　for　me。〃
　
　〃The　two　of　them　are　dangerous；　the　wizard　and　the　Mother　Confessor。　They　could　cause　us　trouble。　Confessors　subvert　the　word　of　Rahl；　they　are　an　annoyance。　I　think　we　should　do　as　you　first　planned。　We　should　kill　her。〃
　
　Rahl　gave　a　wave　of　his　hand。　〃You　worry　too　much；　Demmin。　As　you　said；　Confessors　are　an　annoyance；　nothing　more。　I　will　kill　her　myself；　if　she　proves　troublesome；　but　after　she　bears　me　a　son。　A　Confessor　son。　The　wizard　cannot　harm　me；　as　he　did　my　father。　I　will　see　him　squirm　and　then　I　will　kill　him。　Slowly。〃
　
　〃And　the　Seeker？〃　Demmin's　face　was　lined　with　apprehension。
　
　Rahl　shrugged。　〃Even　less　than　an　annoyance。〃　　…
　
　〃Lord　Rahl；　I　need　not　remind　you；　winter　approaches。〃
　
　The　Master　lifted　an　eyebrow；　the　firelight　flickering　in　his　eyes。　〃The　Queen　has　the　last　box。　I　will　have　it　soon　enough。　There　is　no　need　for　concern。〃
　
　Demmin　leaned　his　grim　face　closer。　〃And　the　book？〃
　
　Rahl　took　a　deep　breath。　〃After　I　have　traveled　to　the　underworld；　I　will　search　out　the　Cypher　boy　again。　Worry　yourself　of　it　no　more；　my　friend。　Fate　is　on　our　side。〃
　
　He　turned　and　walked　off。　Demmin　followed；　the　guards　slipping　through　the　shadows　behind。
　
　…＋
　
　The　Garden　of　Life　was　a　cavernous　room　in　the　center　of　the　People's　Palace。　Leaded　windows　high　overhead　let　in　light　for　the　lush　plants。　This　night　they　let　in　the　moonlight。　Around　the　outside　of　the　room　were　flowers　set　in　beds；　with　walkways　winding　through。　Beyond　the　flowers　were　small　trees；　short　stone　walls　with　vines　covering　them；　and　well…tended　plants　pleting　the　landscaping。　Except　for　the　windows　overhead；　it　mimicked　an　outdoor　garden。　A　place　of　beauty。　A　place　of　peace。
　
　In　the　center　of　the　expansive　room　was　an　area　of　lawn　that　swept　around　almost　into　a　circle；　the　grass　ring　broken　by　a　wedge　of　white　stone；　upon　which　sat　a　slab　of　granite；　smooth　but　for　grooves　carved　near　the　edge　of　the　top；　leading　to　a　small　well　in　one　corner。　It　was　held　up　by　two　short　fluted　pedestals。　Beyond　the　slab　stood　a　polished　stone　block　set　next　to　a　fire　pit。　…The　block　held　an　ancient　iron　bowl　covered　with　beasts　which　served　as　legs　to　support　the　round　bottom。　The　iron　lid　in　the　same　half…sphere　shape　had　but　one　beast　upon　it；　a　Shinga；　an　underworld　creature；　reared　up　on　its　two　hind　legs；　serving　as　a　handle。　In　the　center　of　the　lawn　lay　a　round　area　of　white　sorcerer's　sand；　ringed　with　torches　that　burned　with　fluid　flames。　Geometric　symbols　crisscrossed　in　the　white　sand。
　
　In　the　center　of　the　sand　was　the　boy；　buried　in　an　upright　position　to　his　neck。
　
　Darken　Rahl　approached　slowly；　his　hands　clasped　behind　his　back。　Demmin　waited　off　by　the　trees；　before　the　grass。　The　Master　stopped　at　the　border　of　the　grass　and　white　sand；　looking　down　at　the　boy。　Darken　Rahl　smiled。
　
　〃What　is　your　name；　my　son？〃
　
　The　boy's　lower　lip　quivered　as　he　looked　up　at　Rahl。　His　eyes　shifted　to　the　big　man　back　by　the　trees。　It　was　a　fearful　look。　Rahl　turned　and　looked　to　the　mander。
　
　〃Leave　us；　。and　please　take　my　guards　with　you。　I　wish　not　to　be　disturbed。〃
　
　Demmin　bowed　his　head　and　left；　the　guards　following。　Darken　Rahl　turned　back；　regarding　the　boy；　then　lowered　himself　to　sit　on　the　grass。　He　rearranged　his　robes　once　on　the　ground；　and　smiled　again　at　the　boy。
　
　〃Better？〃
　
　The　boy　nodded。　His　lip　still　quivered。
　
　〃Are　you　afraid　of　that　big　man？〃　The　boy　nodded。　〃Did　he　hurt　you？　Did　he　touch　you　where　he　shouldn't？〃
　
　The　boy　shook　his　head。　His　eyes；　reflecting　a　mix　of　fear　and　anger；　stayed　locked　on　Rahl。　An　ant　crawled　from　the　white　sand　onto　his　neck。
　
　〃What　is　your　name？〃　Rahl　asked　again。　The　boy　did　not　answer。　The　Master　watched　his　brown　eyes　closely。　〃Do　you　know　who　I　am？〃　‘
　
　〃Darken　Rahl；〃　the　boy　answered　in　a　weak　voice。
　
　Rahl　smiled　indulgently。　〃Father　Rahl；〃　he　corrected。
　
　The　boy　stared　at　him。　〃I　want　to　go　home。〃　The　ant　inspected　its　way　across　his　chin。
　
　〃Of　course　you　do；〃　Rahl　said　with　a　tone　of　sympathy　and　concern。　〃Please　believe　me；　I'm　not　going　to　harm　you。　You　are　simply　here　to　help　me　with　an　important　ceremony。　You　are　an　honored　guest；　meant　to　represent　the　innocence　and　strength　of　youth。　You　were　selected　because　people　told　me　what　a　fine　boy　you　are；　what　a　very　good　boy　you　are。　Everyone　has　spoken　highly　of　you。　They　tell　me　you　are　smart；　and　strong。　Do　they　speak　the　truth？〃
　
　The　boy　hesitated；　his　shy　eyes　looking　away。　〃Well；　I　guess　they　do。〃　He　looked　back　to　Rahl。　〃But　I　miss　my　mother；　and　I　want　to　go　home。〃　The　ant　went　in　a　circle　around　his　cheek。
　
　Darken　Rahl　stared　off　wistfully　and　nodded。　〃I　understand。　I　miss　my　mother　also。　She　was　such　a　wonderful　woman；　and　I　loved　her　so。　She　took　good　care　of　me。　When　I　would　do　a　chore　that　pleased　her；　she　would　make　me　a　special　supper；　whatever　I　wanted。〃
　
　The　boys　eyes　got　bigger。　〃My　mother　does　that　too。〃
　
　〃My　father；　mother；　and　I　had　wonderful　times　together。　We　all　loved　each　other　very　much　and　had　fun　together。　My　mother　had　a　merry　laugh。　When　my　father　would　tell　a　boastful　story；　she　would　poke　fun　at　him　and　the　three　of　；us　would　laugh；　sometimes　until　we　got　tears　in　our　eyes。〃
　
　The　boy's　eyes　brightened；　he　smiled　a　little。　〃Why　do　you　miss　her？　Is　she　gone　away？〃
　
　〃No；〃　Rahl　sighed；　〃she　and　my　father　died　a　few　years　ago。　They　were　both　old。　They　both　had　a　good　life　together；　but　I　still　miss　them。　So　I　understand　how　you　miss　your　parents。〃
　
　The　boy　nodded　a　little。　His　lip　had　stopped　quivering。　The　ant　walked　up　the　bridge　of　his　nose。　He　scrunched　up　his　face　trying　to　get　it　off。
　
　〃Let's　just　try　to　have　as　good　a　time　as　we　can　for　now；　and　you　will　be　back　with　them　before　you　know　it。〃
　
　The　boy　nodded　again。　〃My　name　is　Carl。〃
　
　Rahl　smiled。　〃Honored　to　meet　you；　Carl。〃　He　reached　out　and　carefully　picked　the　ant　off　the　boy's　face。
　
　〃Thanks；〃　Carl　said　with　relief。
　
　〃That's　what　I'm　here　for；　Carl；　to　be　your　friend　and　help　you　in　any　way　I　can。〃
　
　〃If　you're　my　friend；　then　dig　me　up　and　let　me　go　home？〃　His　eyes　glistened　wetly。
　
　〃Soon　enough；　my　son；　soon　enough。　I　wish　I　could　right　now；　but　the　people　expect　me　to　protect　them　from　evil　people　who　would　kill　them；　so　I　must　do　what　I　can　to　help。　You　are　going　to　be　a　part　of　that　help。　You　are　going　to　be　an　important　part　of　the　ceremony　that　will　save　your　mother　and　father　from　the　evil　ores　who　would　kill　mum。　…〃You　do　want　to　protect　your　mother　from　harm；　don't　you？〃
　
　The　torches　flickered　and　hissed　as　Carl　thought。
　
　〃Well；　yes。　But　I　want　to　go　home。〃　His　lip　began　quivering　again。
　
　Darken　Rahl　reached　out　and　stroked　the　boy's　hair　reassuringly；　bing　it　back　with　his　fingers；　then　smoothing　it　down。　〃I　know；　but　try　to　be　brave。　I　won't　let　anyone　harm；　you；　I　promise。　I　will　guard　you　and　keep　you　safe。〃　He　gave　Carl　a　warm　smile。　〃Are　you　hungry？　Would　you　like　something　to　eat？〃
　
　Carl　shook　his　head。
　
　〃All　right；　then。　It　is　late；　I　will　leave　you　to　rest。〃　He　stood；　straightening　his　robes；　brushing　off　grass。
　
　〃Father　Rahl？〃
　
　Rahl　stopped；　and　looked　back　down。　〃Yes；　Carl？〃
　
　A　tear　rolled　down　Carl's　cheek。　〃I'm　afraid　to　be　here　alone。　Could　you　stay　with　me？〃
　
　The　Master　regarded　the　boy　with　a　forting　expression。　〃Why；　of　course；　my　son。〃　Father　Rahl　lowered　himself　back　down　to　the　grass。　〃For　as　long　as　you　want；　even　all　night　if　you　want　me。〃　
　
　CHAPTER　20
　GREEN　LIGHT　GLOWED　ALL　about　as　they　cautiously　shuffled　their　feet　through　the　rubble　of　the　hillside；　climbing　over　or　under　tree　trunks；　kicking　limbs　aside　when　necessary。　The　iridescent　green　sheet　of　the　boundary　walls　pressed　against'　them　from　both　sides　as　they　groped　their　way　ahead。　Blackness　lay　thick　all　about　except　for　the　uncanny　illumination　that　made　them　feel　as　if　they　were　in　a　cave。
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　had　e　to　the　same　decision　at　the　same　time。　No　choice　had　been　left　to　the　two　of　them；　they　couldn't　go　back；　and　they　couldn't　stay　at　the　split　rock；　not　with　the　grippers　and　shadow　things　ing　for　them；　and　so　they　were　forced　ahead；　into　the　Narrows。
　
　Richard　had　put　the　night　stone　away；　it　was　useless　for　following　the　trail；　as　there　was　no　trail　to　follow；　and　it　made　it　difficult　to　tell　where　the　boundary　light　changed　to…　the　green　wall。　He　hadn't　put　it　back　into　its　leather　pouch；　in　case　it　was　needed　again　in　a'　hurry；　but　had　simply　dropped　it　into　his　pocket。
　
　〃Let　the　walls　of　the　boundary　show　us　the　way；〃　he　had　said；　his　quiet　voice　echoing　back　from　the　blackness。　〃Go　slow。　If　one　wall　turns　dark；　don't　take　another　step；　go　a　little　more　to　the　other　side。　That　way　we　can　stay　between　them；　and　get　through　the　pass。〃
　
　Kahlan　had　not　hesitated；　the　grippers　and　shadows　being　a　sure　death；　she　had　taken　Richard's　hand　as　they　had　stepped　back　into　the　green　glow。　Shoulder　to　shoulder；　they　had　entered　the　invisible　passage。　Richard's　heart　pounded；　he　tried　not　to　think　about　what　it　was　they　were　doing…walking　blindly　between　the　walls　of　the　boundary。
　
　He　knew　what　the　boundary　looked　like　from　wh