tg.wizardfirstrule-第38部分

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　〃How　many　times；　dear　father；〃　Richard　asked　through　tears　and　gritted　teeth；　〃must　I　slay　your　shade？〃
　
　His　father　only　shimmered　and　then　dissolved　into　the　dim　morning　air。
　
　Bitter　satisfaction　replaced　the　anger；　then　it；　too；　was　gone　as　he　turned　once　again　to　the　path。　Tears　ran　in　streaks　through　the　dirt　and　sweat　on　his　face。　He　wiped　。them　on　his　shirtsleeve　as　he　swallowed　back　the　lump　in　his　throat。　Woods　enveloped　him　indifferently　as　he　rejoined　the　trail。
　
　Laboriously；　Richard　slid　his　sword　home；　into　its　scabbard。　When　he　did　so；　he　noticed　the　light　from　the　night　stone　shining　through　his　pocket；　it　still　being　just　dark　enough　to　cause　it　to　glow　weakly。　He　stopped　and　took　the　smooth　stone　out　once　more　and　replaced　it　in　its　leather　pouch；　quenching　the　dim　yellow　light。
　
　His　face　set　in　grim　determination；　Richard　slogged　ahead；　his　fingers　reaching　up　to　touch　the　tooth　under　his　shirt。　Loneliness；　deeper　than　he　had　never　known；　sagged　his　shoulders。　All　his　friends　were　lost　to　him。　He　knew　now　that　his　life　was　not　his　own。　It　belonged　to　his　duty；　to　his　task。　He　was　the　Seeker。　Nothing　more。　Nothing　less。　Not　his　own　man；　but　a　pawn　to　be　used　by　others。　A　tool；　same　as　his　sword；　to　help　others；　that　they　might　have　the　life　he　had　only　glimpsed　for　a　twinkling。
　
　He　was　no　different　from　the　dark　things　in　the　boundary。　A　bringer　of　death。
　
　And　he　knew　quite　clearly　who　he　was　going　to　bring　it　to。
　
　…＋
　
　The　Master　sat　straight…backed　and　cross…legged　on　the　grass　in　front　of　the　sleeping　boy；　his　hands　resting　palm　up　on　his　knees；　a　smile　on　his　lips；　as　he　thought　about　what　had　happened　with　Confessor　Kahlan　at　the　boundary。　Morning　sunlight　streamed　crossways　through　the　windows　overhead；　making　the　colors　of　the　garden　flowers　vibrant。　Slowly；　he　brought　the　fingers　of　his　right　hand　to　his　lips；　licking　the　tips　and　then　smoothing　his　eyebrows　before　carefully　returning　the　hand　to　its；　resting　place。　Thoughts　of　what　he　would　do　to　the　Mother　Confessor　had　caused　his　breathing　to　quicken。　He　slowed　it　now；　returning　his　mind　to　the　matter　at　hand。　His　fingers　wriggled；　and　Carl's　eyes　popped　open。
　
　〃Good　morning；　my　son。　Good　to　see　you　again；〃　he　said　in　his　most　friendly　voice。　The　smile；　though　for　another　reason；　was　still　on　his　lips。
　
　Carl　blinked　and　squinted　at　the　brightness　of　the　light。　〃Good　morning；〃　he　said　in　a　groan。　Then；　his　eyes　looking　about；　thought　to　add；　〃Father　Rahl。〃
　
　〃You　slept　well；〃　Rahl　assured　the　boy。
　
　〃You　were　here？　Here　all　night？〃　　。。
　
　〃All　night。　As　I　promised　you　I　would　be。　I　would　not　lie　to　you；　Carl。〃
　
　Carl　smiled。　〃Thanks。〃　He　lowered　his　eyes　shyly。　〃I　guess　I　was　kind　of　silly　to　be　scared。〃
　
　〃I　don't　think　it's　silly　at　all。　I　am　glad　I　could　be　here　to　reassure　you。〃
　
　〃My　father　says　I'm　being　foolish　when　I　get　afraid　of　the　dark。〃
　
　〃There　are　things　in　the　dark　that　can　get　you；〃　Rahl　said　solemnly。　〃You　are　wise　to　know　it；　and　to　be　on　guard　for　them。　Your　father…　would　do　himself　a　favor　to　listen；　and　learn　from　you。〃
　
　Carl　brightened。　〃Really？〃　Rahl　nodded。　〃Well；　that's　what　I　always　thought　too。〃　　‘
　
　〃If　you　truly　love　someone；　you　will　listen　to　them。〃
　
　〃My　father　always　says　for　me　to　keep　my　tongue　still。〃
　
　Rahl　shook　his　head　disapprovingly。　It　surprises　me　to　hear　this。　I　had　thought　they　loved　you　very　much。〃
　
　〃Well；　they　do。　Most　of　the　time　anyway。〃
　
　〃I'm　sure　you　are　right。　You　would　know　better　than　L〃
　
　The　Master's　long　blond　hair　glistened　in　the　morning　light；　his　white　robe　shone　brightly。　He　waited。　There　was　a　long　moment　of　awkward　silence。。
　
　〃But　I　do　get　pretty　tired　of　them　always　telling　me　what　to　do。〃
　
　Rahl's　eyebrows　went　up。　〃You　seem　to　me　to　be　of　the　age　where　you　can　think　and　decide　things　for　yourself。　A　fine　boy　like　you；　almost　a　man；　and　they　tell　you　what　to　do；〃　he　added；　half　to　himself；　shaking　his　head　again。　As　if　he　couldn't　believe　what　Carl　was　telling　him；　he　asked；　〃You　mean　they　treat　you　like　a　baby？〃
　
　Carl　nodded　his　earnest　confirmation；　then　thought　to　correct　the　impression。　〃Most　of　the　time；　though；　they're　good　to　me。〃
　
　Rahl　nodded；　somewhat　suspiciously。　〃That　is　good　to　hear。　It　is　a　relief　to　me。〃
　
　Carl　looked　up　at　the　sunlight。　〃But　I　can　tell　you　one　thing；　my　parents　are　going　to　be　madder　than　hornets　that　I've　been　gone　so　long。〃
　
　〃They　get　mad　because　of　when　you　e　home？〃
　
　〃Sure。　One　time；　I　was　playing　with　a　friend；　and　I　got　home　late；　and　my　mother　was　real　mad。　My　father　took　his　belt　to　me。　He　said　it　was　for　worrying　them　so。〃
　
　〃A　belt？　Your　father　hit　you　with　his　belt？〃　Darken　Rahl　hung　his　head；　then　came　to　his　feet；　turning　his　back　to　the　boy。　〃I'm　sorry；　Carl；　I　had　no　idea　it　was　like　this　with　them。〃
　
　〃Well；　it's　only　because　they　love　me；〃　Carl　hastened　to　add。　〃That's　what　they　said；　they　love　me　and　I　caused　them　to　worry。〃　Rahl　still　kept　his　back　to　the　boy。　Carl　frowned。　〃Don't　you　think　that　shows　they　care　about　me？〃
　
　Rahl　licked　his　fingers　and　smoothed　them　over　his　eyebrows　and　lips　before　he　turned　back　to　the　boy　and　sat　once　more　in　front　of　his　anxious　face。
　
　〃Carl〃…his　voice　was　so　soft　that　the　boy　had　to　strain　to　hear…〃do　you　have　a　dog？〃
　
　〃Sure；〃　he　nodded；　〃Tinker。　She's　a　fine　dog。　I　had　her　since　she　was　a　pup。〃
　
　〃Tinker；〃　Rahl　rolled　the　name　out　pleasantly。　〃And　has　Tinker　ever　been　lost；　or　run　away？〃
　
　Carl　scrunched　up　his　eyebrows；　thinking。　〃Well；　sure；　a　couple　times　before　she　was　grown。　But　she　came　back　the　next　day。〃
　
　〃Were　you　worried；　when　your　dog　was　gone？　When　she　was　missing？〃
　
　〃Well；　sure。〃
　
　Why？〃　〃Because　1　love　her。〃
　
　〃I　see。　And　so　then　when　Tinker　came　back　the　next　day；　what　did　you　do？〃
　
　〃I　picked　her　up　in　my　arms　and　I　hugged　her　and　hugged　her。〃
　
　〃You　didn't　beat　Tinker　with　your　belt？〃
　
　〃No！〃
　
　〃Why　not？〃
　
　〃Because　I　love　her！〃
　
　〃But　you　were　worried？〃。
　
　〃Yes。〃
　
　〃So　you　hugged　Tinker　when　she　came　back　because　you　loved　her　and　you　were　worried　about　her。〃
　
　〃Yes。〃
　
　Rahl　leaned　back　a　little；　his　blue　eyes　intense。　〃I　see。　And　if　you　had　beaten　Tinker　with　your　belt　when　she　came　back　to　you；　what　do　you　think　she　would　have　done？〃
　
　〃I　bet　she　might　not　have　e　back　the　next　time。　She　wouldn't　want　to　e　back　so　I　could　beat　her。　She'd　have　gone　somewhere　else　where　people　loved　her。〃
　
　〃I　see；〃　Rahl　said　meaningfully。
　
　Tears　streamed　down　Carl's　cheeks。　He　looked　away　from　Rahl's　eyes　as　he　cried。　At　last；　Rahl　reached　out；　stroking　back　the　boy's　hair。
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Carl。　I　did　not　mean　to　upset　you。　But　I　want　you　to　know　that　when　this　is　all　over；　and　you　go　home　again；　that　if　you　ever　need　a　home；　you　will　always　be　wele　here。　You　are　a　fine　boy；　a　fine　young　man；　and　I　would　be　proud　to　have　you　stay　here；　with　me。　Both　you　and　Tinker。　And　I　want　you　to　know　I　trust　you　to　think　for　yourself；　and　you　may　e　and　go　as　you　please。〃
　
　Carl　looked　up　with　wet　eyes。　〃Thank　you；　Father　Rahl。〃
　
　Rahl　smiled　warmly。　〃Now；　how　about　some　food？〃
　
　Carl　nodded　his　approval。
　
　〃What　would　you　like？　We　have　anything　you　could　want。〃
　
　Carl　thought　a　minute；　and　a　smile　came　to　him。　〃I　like　blueberry　pie。　It's　my　favorite。〃　He　cast　his　eyes　down；　the　smile　fading。　〃But　I'm　not　allowed　to　have　it　for　breakfast。〃　A　big　grin　came　to　Darken　Rahl's　face。　He　stood。　〃Blueberry　pie　it　is；　then。　I'll　go　get　it　and　be　right　back。〃
　
　The　Master　walked　off　through　the　garden　to　a　small　vine　covered　door　at　the　side。　The　door　opened　for　him　as　he　approached；　the　big　arm　of　Demmin　Nass　holding　it　back　as　Rahl　passed　through　into　the　dark　room。　Foul…smelling　gruel　boiled　in　an　iron　kettle　hung　over　a　fire　in　a　small　forge。　The　two　guards　stood　silently　against　the　far　wall；　a　sheen　of　sweat　covering　them。
　
　〃Master　Rahl。〃　Demmin　bowed　his　head。　〃I　trust　the　boy　meets　with　your　approval。〃
　
　Rahl　licked　his　finger　tips。　〃He　will　do　nicely。〃　He　smoothed　his　eyebrows　down。　〃Dish　me　out　a　bowl　of　that　slop　so　it　can　cool。〃
　
　Demmin　picked　up　a　pewter　bowl　and　started　ladling　gruel　into　it　with　the　wooden　spoon　from　the　kettle。
　
　〃If　everything　is　all　right〃…a　wicked　grin　came　over　his　pockmarked　face…〃then　I　will　be　off　to　pay　our　respects　to　Queen　Milena。〃
　
　〃Fine。　On　the　Way；　stop　and　tell　the　dragon　I　want　her。〃
　
　Demmin　stopped　ladling。　〃She　doesn't　like　me。〃
　
　〃She　doesn't　like　anyone；〃　Rahl　said　flatly。　〃But　don't　worry；　Demmin；　she　will　not　eat　you。　She　knows　what　I　will　do　if　she　stretches　my　patience。〃　'
　
　Demmin　started　ladling　again。　〃She　will　ask　how　soon　you　will　need　her。〃
　
　Rahl　glanced　at　him　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。　〃That　is　none　of　her　concern；　and　tell　her　I　said　so。　She　is　to　e　when　I　ask；　and　wait　until　I　am　ready。〃　He　turned　and　looked　out　a　small　slit；　off　through　the　foliage；　at　the　side　of　the　boy's　head。　〃But　I　want　you　back　here　in　two　weeks。〃
　
　〃Two　weeks；　all　right。〃　Demmin　set　the　bowl　of　gruel　down。　〃But　does　it　really　need　to　take　that　long　with　the　boy？〃
　
　〃It　does　if　I　want　to　return　from　the　underworld。〃　Rahl　continued　to　look　out　the　slit。　〃It　may　take　longer。　Whatever　it　takes；　it　takes。　I　must　have　his　plete　trust；　the　freely　given　pledge　of　his　unconditional　loyalty。〃
　
　Demmin　hooked　a　thumb　in　his　belt。　〃We　have　another　problem。〃　Rahl　glanced　back　over　his　shoulder。　〃Is　that　all　you　do；　Demmin？　Go　around　looking　for　problems？〃
　
　〃It　keeps　my　head　attached　to　my　shoulders。〃
　
　Rahl　smiled。　〃So　it　does；　my　friend；　so　it　does。〃　He　sighed。　〃Get　it　off　your　tongue；　then。〃
　
　Demmin　shifted　his　weight　to　his　other　foot。　〃Last　night　I　received　reports　that　the　tracer　cloud　has　vanished。〃
　
　〃Vanished？〃
　
　〃Well；　not　so　much　vanished；　as　hidden。〃　He　scratched　the　side　of　his　face。　〃They　said　clouds　moved　in　and　hid　it。〃
　
　Rahl　laughed。　Demmin　frowned　in　confusion。
　
　〃Our　friend；　the　old　wizard。　It　sounds　like　he　saw　the　cloud　and　has　been　up　to　his　little　tricks　to　vex　me。　It　was　to　be　expected。　This　one　is　not　a　problem；　my　friend。　It　is　not　important。〃
　
　〃Master　Rahl；　that　was　how　you　were　to　find　the　book。　Other　than　the　last　box；　what　could　be　more　important？〃
　
　〃I　did　not　say　the　book　was　unimportant。　I　said　the　cloud　was　unimportant。　The　book　is　very　important；　that　is　why　I　would　not　trust　it　only　to　a　tracer　cloud。　Demmin；　how　do　you　suppose　I　hooked　the　cloud　to　the　Cypher　boy？〃
　
　〃My　talents　lie　in　areas　other　than　magic；　Master　Rahl。〃
　
　〃True　enough；　my　friend。〃　Rahl　licked　his　fingertips。　〃Many　years　ago；　before　my　father　was　murdered　by　that　evil　wizard；　he　told　me　of　the　boxes　of　Orden；　and　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　He　was　trying　to　recover　them　himself；　but　he　was　not　well　enough　studied。　He　was　too　much　a　man　of　action；　of　battle。〃　Rahl　looked　up　into　Demmin's　eyes。　〃Much　the　same　as　you；　my　big　friend。　He　didn't　have　the　necessary　knowledge。　But　he　was　wise　enough　to　teach　me　the　value　of　the　head　over　the　sword；　how　by　using　your　head；　you　could　defeat　any　number　of　men。　He　had　the　best　instructors　tutor　me。　Then　he　was　murdered。〃　Rahl　pounded　his　fist　down　on　the　table。　His　face　turned　red。　After　a　moment；　he　calmed　himself。　〃So　I　studied　harder；　for　many　years；　so　that　I　might　succeed　where　my　father　failed；　and　return　the　house　of　Rahl　to　its　rightful　place　as　rulers　of　all　the　lands。〃
　
　〃You　have　exceeded　your　father's　deepest；；　hopes；　Master　Rahl。〃
　
　Rahl　smiled　his　slight　smile。　He　took　another　look　through　the　slit　as　he　went　on。　〃In　my　studies；　I　found　where　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　lay　hidden。　It　was　in　the　Midlands；　on　the　other　side　of　the　boundary；　but　I　was　not　yet　able　to　travel　the　underworld；　to　go　there　and　retrieve　it。　So　I　sent　a　guard　beast；　to　watch　over　it　for　me；　until　the　day　when　I　could　go　myself　and　liberate　it。〃
　
　He　stood　up　straight；　turning　back　to　Demmin；　a　dark　look　on　his　face。　〃Before　I　could　get　the　book；　a　man　named　George　Cypher　killed　the　guard　beast；　and　stole　the　book。　My　book。　He　took　a　tooth　from　the　beast　as　a　trophy。　A　very　stupid　thing　to　do；　as　the　beast　was　sent　by　magic；　my　magic〃…he　lifted　an　eyebrow…〃and　I　can　find　my　magic。〃
　
　Rahl　licked　his　fingers；　stroking　them　over　his　lips；　staring　off　absently。　〃After　I　put　the　boxes　of　Orden　in　play；　I　went　to　get　the　book。　That's　when　I　found　it　had　been　stolen。　It　took　time；　but　I　found　the　man　who　stole　it。　Unfortunately；　he　no　longer　had　the　book；　and　would　not　tell　me　where　it　was。〃　Rahl　smiled　up　at　Demmin。　〃I　made　him　suffer　for　not　helping　me。〃　Demmin　smiled　back。　〃But　I　did　learn　that　he　had　given　the　tooth　to　his　son。〃
　
　〃So　that　is　how　you　know　the　Cypher　boy　has　the　book。〃
　
　〃Yes；　Richard　Cypher　has　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　And　he　also　wears　the　tooth。　That's　how　I　hooked　the　tracer　cloud　to　him；　by　hooking　it　to　the　tooth　his　father　gave　him；　the　tooth　with　my　magic。　I　would　have　recovered　the　book　before　now；　but　I　have　had　many　matters　to　attend　to。　I　only　hooked　the　cloud　to　him　to　help　me　keep　track　of　him　in　the　meantime。　It　was　a　mere　convenience。　But　the　matter　is　as　good　as　settled；　I　can　get　the　book　at　any　time　of　my　choosing。　The　cloud　is　of　little　importance。　I　can　find　him　by　the　tooth。〃
　
　Rahl　picked　up　the　bowl　of　gruel；　handing　it　to　Demmin。　〃Taste　this；　see　if　it　is　cool　enough。〃　He　arched　an　eyebrow。　〃I　wouldn't　want　to　hurt　the　boy。〃
　
　Demmin　sniffed　the　bowl；　his　nose　turning　up　in　distaste。　He　handed　it　to　one　of　the　guards；　who　took　it　without　objection　and　put　a　spoon　of　gruel　to　his　lips。　He　gave　a　nod。
　
　〃Cypher　could　lose　the　tooth；　or　simply　throw　it　away。　Then　you　would　not　be　able　to　find　him；　or　the　book。〃　Demmin　gave　a　submissive　bow　of　his　head　as　he　spoke。　〃Please　forgive　me　for　saying　so；　Master　Rahl　but　it　would　seem　to　rite　you　leave　a　lot　to　chance。〃
　
　〃Sometimes；　Demmin；　I　leave　things　to　fate；　but　never　to　chance。　I　have　other　ways　of　finding　Richard　Cypher。〃
　
　Demmin　took　a　deep　breath；　relaxing　as　he　thought　about　Rahl's　words。　〃I　can　see　now　why　you　haven't　been　worried。　I　didn't　know　all　this。〃
　
　Rahl　frowned　up　at　his　loyal　mander。　〃We　have　scarcely　stroked　the　fur　of　what　you　do　not　know；　Demmin。　That　is　why　you　serve　me；　and　not　me　you。〃　His　expression　softened。　〃You　have　been　a　good　friend；　Demmin；　since　we　were　boys；　so　I　will　ease　your　mind　on　this　subject。　I　have　many　pressing　matters　that　require　my　time；　matters　of　magic　that　cannot　wait。　Like　this。〃　His　arm　went　out；　indicating　the　boy。　〃I　know　where　the　book　is；　and　I　know　my　own　talents。　I　can　get　the　book　at　a　time　of　my　convenience。　For　now；　I　look　upon　it　as　if　Richard　Cypher　is　simply　keeping　it　safe　for　me。〃　Rahl　leaned　closer。　〃Satisfied？〃
　
　Demmin　diverted　his　eyes　to　the　ground：　〃Yes；　Master　Rahl。〃　He　looked　back　up。　〃Please　know　that　I　only　bring　my　concerns　to　you　because　I　want　success　for　you。　You　are　rightfully　the　master　of　all　the　lands。　We　all　need　you　to　guide　us。　I　wish　only　to　be　part　of　delivering　you　victory。　I　fear　nothing　but　that　I　should