tg.wizardfirstrule-第43部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


n　and　Richard　both　took　one；　and　following　the　elder's　example；　rolled　them　in　the　。bread。　She　noticed　just　in　time　that　Richard　was　keeping　his　right　hand　near　his　sword　and　was　about　to　eat　with　his　left
　
　〃Richard！〃　she　warned　in　a　harsh　whisper。　〃Don't　put　food　in　your　mouth　with　your　left　hand。〃
　
　He　froze。　〃Why？〃
　
　〃Because　they　believe　that　evil　spirits　eat　with　their　left　hand。〃
　
　〃That's　foolish；〃　he　said；　an　intolerant　tone　in　his　voice。
　
　〃Richard；　please。　They　outnumber　us。　All　their　weapons　are　tipped　with　poison。　This　is　a　poor　time　for　theological　arguments。〃
　
　She　could　feel　his　gaze　on　her　as　she　smiled　at　the　elders。　Out　of　the　er　of　her　eye　she　saw　with　relief　that　he　switched　the　food　to　his　right　hand。
　
　〃Please　forgive　our　meager　offering　of　food；　〃　Toffalar　said。　〃We　will　call　a　banquet　for　tonight。〃
　
　〃No！〃　Kahlan　blurted　out。　〃I　mean；　we　do　not　want　to　impose　upon　your　people。　〃
　
　〃As　you　wish；　〃　Toffalar　said　with　a　shrug；　a　little　disappointed。
　
　〃We　are　here　because　the　Mud　People；　among　others；　are　in　great　danger。　〃
　
　The　elders　all　nodded　and　smiled。　〃Yes；　〃　Surin　spoke　up。　〃But　now　that　you　have　brought　Richard　With　The　Temper　to　us；　all　is　well。　We　thank　you；　Confessor　Kahlan；　we　will　riot　forget　what　you　have　done。〃
　
　Kahlan　looked　around　at　their　happy；　smiling　faces。　She　didn't　know　what　to　make　of　this　development；　and　so　took　a　bite　of　the　flat…tasting　tava　bread　with　roasted　peppers　to　gain　time　to　think　it　over。
　
　〃What　are　they　saying？〃　Richard　asked　before　he　took　a　bite　himself。
　
　〃For　some　reason；　they　are　glad　I　brought　you　here。〃
　
　He　looked　over　at　her。　〃Ask　them　why。〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　nod；　and　turned　to　Toffalar。　〃Honored　elder；　I　am　afraid　I　must　admit　that　I　am　without　your　knowledge　of　Richard　With　The　Temper。　〃
　
　He　smiled　knowingly。　〃I　am　sorry；　child。　I　forget　you　were　not　here　when　we　called　the　council　of　seers。　You　see；　it　was　dry；　our　crops　were　withering；　and　our　people　were　in　danger　of　starvation。　So　we　called　a　gathering；　to　ask　the　spirits　for　help。　They　told　us　one　would　e；　and　bring　the　rain　with　him。　The　rains　came；　and　here　is　Richard　With　The　Temper；　just　as　they　promised。　〃
　
　〃And　so　you　are　happy　that　he　is　here；　because　he　is　an　omen？〃
　
　〃No；　〃　Toffalar　said；　eyes　wide　with　excitement；　〃we　are　happy　that　one　of　the　spirits　of　our　ancestors　has　chosen　to　visit　us。　〃　He　pointed　at　Richard。　〃He　is　a　spirit　man。　〃
　
　Kahlan　almost　dropped　her　bread。　She　sat　back　in　surprise。
　
　〃What　is　it？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　She　stared　into　his　eyes。　〃They　had　a　gathering；　to　bring　rain。　The　spirits　told　them　someone　would　e；　and　bring　the　rain。　Richard；　they　think　you　are　a　spirit　of　their　ancestors。　A　spirit　man。〃
　
　He　studied　her　face　a　moment。　〃Well；　I'm　not。〃
　
　〃They　think　you　are。　Richard；　they　would　do　anything　for　a　spirit。　They　will　call　a　council　of　seers　if　you　ask。〃
　
　She　didn't　like　asking　him　to　do　this；　she　didn't　feel　at　all　right　about　deceiving　the　Mud　People；　but　they　needed　to　know　where　the　box　was。　Richard　considered　her　words。
　
　〃No；〃　he　said　quietly　while　holding　her　gaze。
　
　〃Richard；　we　have　an　important　task　to　attend　to。　If　they　think　you　are　a　spirit；　and　that　will　help　us　get　the　last　box；　what　does　it　matter？〃
　
　〃It　matters　because　it's　a　lie。　I　won't　do　it。〃
　
　〃Would　you　rather　have　Rahl　win？〃　she　asked　quietly。
　
　He　gave　her　a　cross　look。　〃First　of　all；　I　will　not　do　it　because　it's　wrong　to　deceive　these　people　about　something　as　important　as　this。　Secondly；　these　people　have　a　power；　that　is　why　we　are　here。　They　have　proven　it　to　me　by　the　fact　that　they　said　one　would　e　with　the　rains。　That　part　is　true。　In　their　excitement；　they　have　jumped　to　a　conclusion　that　is　not。　Did　they　say　the　one　who　would　e　would　be　a　spirit？〃　She　shook　her　head。　〃People　sometimes　believe　things　simply　because　they　want　to。〃
　
　〃If　it　works　to　our　advantage；　and　theirs；　what　harm　is　there？〃
　
　〃The　harm　is　in　their　power。　What　if　they　call　the　gathering　and　they　see　the　truth；　that　I'm　not　a　spirit？　Do　you　think　they　will　be　pleased　that　we　lied　to　them；　tricked　them'？　Then　we　will　be　dead；　and　Rahl　wins。〃　She　leaned　back　and　took　a　deep　breath。　The　wizard　chooses　his　Seekers　well；　she　thought。
　
　〃Have　we　aroused　the　temper　of　the　spirit？〃　Toffalar　asked；　a　look　of　concern　on　his　weathered　face。
　
　〃He　wants　to　know　why　you　are　angry；〃　she　said。　〃What　shall　I　tell　him？〃
　
　Richard　looked　at　the　elders；　then　to　her。　〃I　will　tell　them。　Translate　my　words。〃
　
　Kahlan　nodded　her　agreement。
　
　〃The　Mud　People　are　wise；　and　strong；〃　he　began。　〃That　is　why　I　have　e　here。　Your　ancestor　spirits　were　right　that　I　would　bring　the　rains。〃　They　all　seemed　pleased　when　Kahlan　told　them　his　words。　Everyone　else　in　the　village　was　stone　silent　as　they　listened。　〃But　they　have　not　told　you　everything。　As　you　know；　that　is　the　way　of　spirits。〃　The　elders　nodded　their　understanding。　〃They　have　left　it　to　your　wisdom　to　find　the　rest　of　the　truth。　In　this　way　you　remain　strong；　as　your　children　bee　strong　because　you　guide　them；　not　because　you　provide　them　their　every　want。　It　is　the　hope　of　every　parent　that　their　children　will　bee　strong　and　wise；　to　think　for　themselves。〃
　
　There　were　nods；　but　not　as　many。　〃What　are　you　saying；　great　spirit？〃　asked　Arbrin；　one　of　the　elders　in　the　back。
　
　Richard　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair　after　Kahlan　translated。　〃I　am　saying　that；　yes；　I　brought　the　rains；　but　there　is　more。　Perhaps　the　spirits　saw　a　greater　danger　for　your　people；　and　that　is　the　more　important　reason　I　have　e。　There　is　a　very　dangerous　man　who　would　rule　your　people；　make　you　his　slaves。　His　name　is　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　There　were　snickers　among　the　elders。　〃Then　he　sends　fools　to　be　our　masters；　〃　Toffalar　said。
　
　Richard　regarded　them　angrily。　The　laughter　died　out。　〃It　is　his　way；　to　lull　you　into　overconfidence。　Do　not　be　fooled。　He　has　used　his　power　and　his　magic　to　conquer　peoples　of　greater　numbers　than　you。　When　he　chooses；　he　will　crush　you。　The　rains　came　because　he　sends　clouds　to　follow　me；　to　know　where　I　am；　that　he　might　try　to　kill　me　at　a　time　of　his　choosing。　I　am　not　a　spirit；　I　am　the　Seeker。　Just　a　man。　I　want　to　stop　Darken　Rahl；　so　that　your　people；　and　others；　may　live　their　own　lives；　as　they　wish。〃　Toffalar's　eyes　narrowed。　〃If　what　you　say　is　true；　then　the　one　called　Rahl　sent　the　rains；　and　has　saved　our　people。　That　is　what　his　missionary　tried　to　teach　us；　that　Rahl　would　save　us。　〃
　
　〃No。　Rahl　sent　the　clouds　to　follow　me；　not　to　save　you。　I　chose　to　e　here；　just　as　your　spirit　ancestors　said　I　would。　They　said　the　rains　would　e；　and　a　man　would　e　when　they　did。　They　did　not　say　I　would　be　a　spirit。〃
　
　There　was　great　disappointment　in　the　expressions　of　the　elders　as　Kahlan　interpreted；　she　hoped　it　wouldn't　turn　to　anger。
　
　〃Then　maybe　the　message　of　the　spirits　was　a　warning　about　the　man　that　would　e；　〃　Surin　said。
　
　〃And　maybe　it　was　a　warning　about　Rahl；〃　Richard　answered　right　back。　〃I　am　offering　you　the　truth。　You　must　use　your　wisdom　to　see　it；　or　your　people　are　lost。　I　offer　you　a　chance　to　help　save　yourselves。〃
　
　The　elders　considered　in　silence。　〃Your　words　。seem　to　flow　true；　Richard　With　The　Temper；　but　it　is　yet　to　be　decided；〃　Toffalar　said　at　last。　〃What　is　it　you　want　from　us？〃
　
　The　elders　sat　quietly；　the　joy　gone　from　their　faces。　The　rest　of　the　village　waited　in　quiet　fear。　Richard　regarded　the　face　of　each　elder　in　turn；　then　spoke　quietly。
　
　〃Darken　Rahl　looks　for　a　magic　that　will　give　him　the　power　to　rule　everyone；　including　the　Mud　People。　I　look　for　this　magic　also；　so　that　I　might　deny　him　the　power。　I　would　like　you　to　call　a　council　of　seers；　to　tell　me　where　I　might　find　this　magic；　before　it　is　too　late；　before　Rahl　finds　it　first。〃
　
　Toffalar's　face　hardened。　〃We　do　not　call　gatherings　for　outsiders。　〃
　
　Kahlan　could　tell　that　Richard　was　getting　angry　and　straining　to　control　himself。　She　didn't　move　her　head；　but　her　eyes　swept　around；　gauging　where　everyone　was；　especially　the　men　with　weapons；　in　case　they　bad　to　fight　their　way　out。　She　didn't　judge　their　chances　of　escape　to　be　very　good。　Suddenly；　she　wished　she　had　never　brought　him　here。
　
　Richard's　eyes　were　full　of　fire　as　he　looked　around　at　the　people　of　the　village　and　then　back　to　the　elders。　〃In　return　for　bringing　you　the　rain；　I　ask　of　you　only　that　you　do　not　decide　right　now。　Consider　what　manner　of　man　you　find　me　to　be。〃　He　was　keeping　his　voice　calm；　but　there　was　no　mistaking　the　import　of　his　words。　〃Think　it　over　carefully。　Many　lives　depend　upon　your　decision。　Mine。　Kahlan's。　Yours。〃
　
　As　Kahlan　translated；　she　was　suddenly　suffused　with　the　cold　feeling　that　Richard　was　not　talking　to　the　elders。　He　was　speaking　to　someone　else。　She　suddenly　felt　the　eyes　of　that　other　on　her。　Her　own　gaze　swept　the　crowd。　All　eyes　were　on　the　two　of　them；　she　didn't　know　whose　gaze　she　still　felt。
　
　〃Fair〃　Toffalar　proclaimed　at　last。　〃You　both　are　free　to　be　among　our　people　as　honored　guests　while　we　consider。　Please　enjoy　all　we　have；　share　our　food　and　our　homes。　〃
　
　The　elders　departed；　through　the　light　rain；　toward　the　munal　buildings。　The　crowd　went　back　to　their　business；　shooing　the　children　as　they　went。　Savidlin　was　the　last　to　leave。　He　smiled　and　offered　his　help　in　anything　they　might　need。　She　thanked　him　as　he　stepped　off　into　the　rain。　Kahlan　and　Richard　sat　alone　on　the　wet　wooden　floor；　dodging　the　drips　of　rainwater　leaking　through　the　roof。　The　woven　trays　of　tava　bread　and　the　bowl　of　roasted　peppers　remained　behind。　She　leaned　over　and　took　one　of　each；　wrapping　the　bread　around　the　pepper。　She　handed　it　to　Richard　and　made　herself　another。
　
　〃You　angry　with　me？〃　he　asked。
　
　〃No；〃　she　admitted　with　a　smile…　〃I　am　proud　of　you。〃
　
　A　little…boy　grin　spread　on　his　face。　He　began　eating；　with　his　right　hand；　and　made　short　work　of　it。　After　he　swallowed　the　last　bite；　he　spoke　again。
　
　〃Look　over　my　right　shoulder。　There　is　a　man　leaning　against　the　wall；　long　gray　hair；　arms　folded　across　his　chest。　Tell　me　if　you　know　who　he　is。〃
　
　Kahlan　took　a　bite　of　the　bread　and　pepper；　chewing　as　she　glanced　over　his　shoulder。
　
　〃He　is　the　Bird　Man。　I　don't　know　anything　about　him；　except　that　he　can　call　birds　to　himself。〃
　
　Richard　took　another　piece　of　bread；　rolled　it　up；　and　took　a　bite。　〃I　think　it's　time　we　went　and　had　a　talk　with　him。〃
　
　〃Why？〃
　
　Richard　looked　up　at　her　from　under　his　eyebrows。　〃Because　he's　the　one　who　is　in　charge　around　here。〃
　
　Kahlan　frowned。　〃The　elders　are　in　charge。〃　Richard　smiled　with　one　side　of　his　mouth。　〃My　brother　always　says　that　real　power　is　not　brokered　in　public。〃　He　watched　her　intently　with　his　gray　eyes。　〃The　elders　are　for　show。　They　are　respected；　and　so　are　put　on　display　for　others　to　see。　Like　the　skulls　on　the　poles；　only　they　still　have　the　skin　on　them。　They　have　authority　because　they　are　esteemed；　but　they　are　not　in　charge。〃　With　a　quick　flick　of　his　eyes；　Richard　indicated　the　Bird　Man　leaning　against　the　wall　behind　him。　〃He　is。〃
　
　〃Then　why　has　he　not　made　himself　known？〃
　
　〃Because；〃　he　said；　grinning；　〃he　wants　to　know　how　smart　we　are。〃
　
　Richard　stood　and　held　his　hand　out　to　her。　She　stuffed　the　rest　of　the　bread　in　her　mouth；　brushed　her　hands　on　her　pants；　and　took　his　hand。　As　he　hoisted　her　up；　she　thought　about　how　much　she　liked　the　way　he　always　offered　her　his　hand。　He　was　the　first　person　who　had　ever　done　that。　It　was　just　one　part　of　why　it　felt　so　easy　being　with　him。
　
　They　walked　across　the　mud；　through　the　cold　rain；　toward　the　Bird　Man。　He　still　leaned　against　the　wall；　his　sharp　brown　eyes　watching　them　e。　Long　hair；　mostly　silver…gray；　lay　on　his　shoulders；　flowing　partway　down　the　deerskin　tunic　that　matched　his　pants。　His　clothes　had　no　decoration；　but　a　bone　carving　hung　on　a　leather　thong　around　his　neck。　Not　old；　but　not　young；　and　still　handsome；　he　was　about　as　tall　as　she。　The　skin　of　his　weathered　face　was　as　tough…looking　as　the　deerskin　clothes　he　wore。
　
　They　stopped　in　front　of　him。　He　continued　to　lean　his　shoulders　against　the　wall；　and　his　right　knee　stuck　out　as　his　foot　propped　against　the　plastered　brick。　His　arms　lay　folded　across　his　chest　as　he　studied　their　faces。
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms　across　his　own　chest。　〃I　would　like　to　talk　to　you；　if　you　are　not　afraid　I　might　be　a　spirit。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man's　eyes　went　to　hers　as　she　translated；　then　back　to　Richard's。
　
　〃I　have　seen　spirits　before；　〃　he　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　〃They　do　not　carry　swords。　〃
　
　Kahlan　translated。　Richard　laughed。　She　liked　his　easy　laugh。
　
　〃I　also　have　seen　spirits；　and　you　are　right；　they　do　not　carry　swords。〃　A　small　smile　curled　the　corners　of　the　Bird　Man's　mouth。　He　unfolded　his　arms　and　stood　up　straight。　〃Strength　to　the　Seeker。〃　He　gave　Richard　a　gentle　slap。
　
　〃Strength　to　the　Bird　Man；〃　he　said；　returning　the　easy　slap。
　
　The　Bird　Man　took　the　bone　carving　that　hung　on　the　leather　thong　at　his　neck；　and　put　it　to　his　lips。　Kahlan　realized　it　was　a　whistle。　His　cheeks　puffed　out　as　he　blew；　。　but　there　was　no　sound。　Letting　the　whistle　drop　back；　he　held　his　arm　out　while　he　continued　to　hold　Richard's　eyes。　After　a　moment；　a　hawk　wheeled　out　of　the　gray　sky　and　alighted　on　his　outstretched　arm。　It　fluffed　its　feathers；　then　let　them　settle　as　its　black　eyes　blinked　and　its　head　swiveled　about　in　short；　jerky　movements。
　
　〃e；　〃　the　Bird　Man　said；　〃we　will　talk。　〃
　
　He　led　them　among　the　large　munal　buildings；　to　a　smaller　one　at　the　back；　set　away　from　the　others。　Kahlan　knew　the　building　with　no　windows；　although　she　had　never　been　in　it。　It　was　the　spirit　house；　where　the　gatherings　were　held。
　
　The　hawk　stayed　on　his　arm　as　the　Bird　Man　pulled　the　door　open　and　motioned　them　inside。　A　small　fire　was　burning　in　a　pit　at　the　back　end；　offering　a　little　light　to　the　otherwise　dark　room。　A　hole　in　the　roof　above　the　fire　let　the　smoke　out；　although　it　did　a　poor　job　of　it；　and　left　the　place　with　a　sharp　smoky　smell。　Pottery　bowls　left　from　past　meals　lay　about　the　floor；　and　a　plank　shelf　along　one　wall　held　a　good　two　dozen　ancestral　skulls。　Otherwise；　the　room　was　empty。　The　Bird　Man　found　a　place　near　the　center　of　the　room　where　the　rain　wasn't　dripping；　and　sat　down　on　the　dirt　floor。　Kahlan　and　Richard　sat　side　by　side；　facing　him；　as　the　hawk　watched　their　movements。
　
　The　Bird　Man　looked　at　Kahlan's　eyes。　She　could　tell　he　was　used　to　having　people　be　afraid　when　he　looked　at　them；　even　if　it　wasn't　warranted。　She　could　tell　because　she　was　used　to　the　same　thing。　This　time　he　found　no　fear。
　
　〃Mother　Confessor；　you　have　not　yet　chosen　a　mate。　〃　He　gently　stroked　the　hawk's　head　while　he　watched　her。
　
　Kahlan　decided　she　didn't　like　his　tone。　He　was　testing。　〃No。
　
　Are　you　offering　yourself？〃
　
　He　smiled　slightly。　〃No。　I　apologize。　I　did　not　mean　to　offend　you。　Why　are　you　not　with　a　wizard？〃
　
　〃All　the　wizards；　save　two；　are　dead。　Of　those　two；　one　sold　his　。s