tg.wizardfirstrule-第44部分

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　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　。services　to　a　queen。　The　other　was　struck　down　by　an　underworld　beast；　and　lies　in　a　sleep。　There　are　none　left　to　protect　me。　All　the　other　Confessors　have　been　killed。　We　are　in　dark　times。　〃
　
　His　eyes　looked　genuinely　sympathetic；　but　his　tone　still　was　not。　〃It　is　dangerous　for　a　Confessor　to　be　alone。　〃
　
　〃Yes；　and　it　is　also　dangerous　for　a　man　to　be　alone　with　a　Confessor　who　is　in　great　want　of　something。　From　where　I　sit；　it　would　seem　that　you　are　in　greater　danger　than　1。　〃
　
　〃Perhaps；　〃　he　said；　stroking　the　hawk；　his　slight　smile　returning。　〃Perhaps。　This　one　is　a　true　Seeker？　One　named　by　a　wizard？〃
　
　〃Yes。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded。　〃It　has　been　many　years　since　I　have　seen　a　true　Seeker。　A　Seeker　who　was　not　a　real　Seeker　came　here　one　time。　He　killed　some　of　my　people　when　we　would　not　give　him　what　he　wanted。〃
　
　〃I　am　sorry　for　them；　〃　she　said。
　
　He　shook　his　head　slowly。　〃Do　not　be。　They　died　quickly。　Be　sorry　for　the　Seeker。　He　did　not。　〃　The　hawk　blinked　as　it　looked　at　her。
　
　〃l　have　never　seen　a　pretend　Seeker；　but　1　have　seen　this　one　in　the　rage。　Believe　me；　you　and　your　people　do　not　want　to　ever　give　this　one　cause　to　draw　his　sword　in　anger。　He　knows　how　to　use　the　magic。　1　have　even　seen　him　strike　down　evil　spirits。　〃
　
　He　studied　her　eyes　for　a　moment；　seeming　to　judge　the　truth　of　what　she　said。　〃Thank　you　for　the　warning。　I　will　remember　your　words。　〃
　
　Richard　spoke　up　at　last。　〃Are　you　two　about　done　threatening　each　other？〃
　
　Kahlan　looked　at　him　in　surprise。　〃I　thought　you　couldn't　understand　their　language。〃
　
　〃Can't。　But　I　can　understand　eyes。　If　looks　caused　sparks；　this　place　would　be　ablaze。〃
　
　Kahlan　turned　back　to　the　Bird　Man。　〃The　Seeker　wishes　to　know　if　we　are　finished　threatening　each　other。　〃
　
　He　glanced　at　Richard　and　then　back　to　her。　〃He　is　an　impatient　man；　is　he　not？〃
　
　She　nodded。　〃l　have　told　him　so　myself。　He　denies　it。　〃　〃It　must　be　a　burden　traveling　with　him。　〃
　
　Kahlan　broke　into　a　smile。　〃Not　at　all。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　returned　her　smile；　and　then　addressed　his　gaze　to　Richard。　〃If　we　choose　not　to　help　you；　how　many　of　us　will　you　kill？〃
　
　Kahlan　interpreted　the　words　as　they　spoke。
　
　〃None。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　studied　the　hawk　as　he　asked；　〃And　if　we　choose　not　to　help　Darken　Rahl；　how　many　of　us　will　he　kill？〃
　
　〃Sooner　or　later；　a　great　many。〃
　
　He　took　his　hand　away　from　the　hawk；　and　looked　at　Richard　with　his　sharp　eyes。　〃It　。would　seem　you　argue　for　us　to　help　Darken　Rahl。　〃
　
　A　smile　spread　across　Richard's　face。　〃If　you　choose　not　to　help　me　and　remain　neutral；　foolish　as　that　would　be；　it　is　your　right；　and　I　will　harm　none　of　your　people。　But　Rahl　will。　I　will　press　on　and　fight　against　him　with　my　last　breath　if　need　be。〃
　
　His　face　took　on　a　dangerous　expression。　He　leaned　forward。　〃If；　on　the　other　hand；　you　choose　to　help　Darken　Rahl；　and　I　defeat　him；　I　will　e　back；　and　。　。　。〃　He　pulled　his　finger　across　his　throat　in　a　quick　gesture　that　needed　no　translation。
　
　The　Bird　Man　sat　stone…faced；　no　quick　retort　at　hand。　〃We　wish　only　to　be　left　alone；　〃　he　said　at　last。
　
　Richard　shrugged；　looking　down　at　the　ground。　〃I　can　understand　that。　I　too　wished　only　to　be　left　alone。〃　His　eyes　came　up。　〃Darken　Rahl　killed　my　father；　and　sends　evil　spirits　that　haunt　me　in　my　father's　guise。　He　sends　men　to　try　to　kill　Kahlan。　He　brings　down　the　boundary；　to　invade　my　homeland。　His　minions　have　struck　down　my　two　oldest　friends。　They　lie　in　a　deep　sleep；　near　death；　but　at　least　they　will　live　。　。　。　unless　he　is　successful　the　next　time。　Kahlan　has　told　me　of　many　he　has　killed。　Children；　stories　that　would　make　your　heart　sick。〃　He　nodded；　his　voice　soft；　hardly　more　than　a　whisper。　〃Yes；　my　friend；　I　too　wished　only　to　be　left　alone。　On　the　first　day　of　winter；　if　Darken　Rahl　gains　the　magic　he　seeks；　he　will　have　a　power　no　one　can　stand　against。　Then　it　will　be　too　late。〃　His　hand　went　to　his　sword。　Kahlan's　eyes　widened。　〃If　he　were　here；　in　my　place；　he　would　pull　this　sword　and　have　your　help　or　have　your　head。〃　He　took　his　hand　away。　〃That；　my　friend；　is　why　I　cannot　harm　you　if　you　choose　not　to　help　me。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　sat　quiet　and　still　for　a　while。　〃I　can　see　now　that　I　do　not　want　Darken　Rahl　for　an　enemy。　Or　you。　〃　He　got　up　and　went　to　the　door；　casting　the　hawk　into　the　sky。　The　Bird　Man　sat　once　more；　sighing　heavily　with　the　weight　of　his　thoughts。　〃Your　words　seem　to　flow　true；　but　1　cannot　know　for　sure　yet。　It　would　also　seem　that　although　you　want　us　to　help　you；　you　also　wish　to　help　us。　I　believe　you　are　sincere　in　this。　It　is　a　wise　man　who　seeks　help　by　helping；　and　not　by　threats　or　tricks。　〃
　
　〃If　I　wanted　to　get　your　help　by　tricks；　I　would　have。　let　you　believe　me　to　be　a　spirit。〃
　
　The　corners　of　the　Bird　Man's　mouth　turned　up　in　a　small　smile。　〃If　we　had　held　a　gathering；　we　would　have　discovered　you　were　not。　A　wise　man　would　suspect　that　too。　So　which　reason　is　it　that　made　you　tell　the　truth？　You　did　not　want　to　trick　us；　or　you　were　afraid　to？〃
　
　Richard　smiled　back。　〃In　truth？　Both。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded。　〃Thank　you　for　the　truth。　〃
　
　Richard　sat　quietly；　took　a　deep　breath；　and　let　it　out　slowly。　〃So；　Bird　Man；　I　have　told　you　my　tale。　You　must　judge　it　true　or　not。　Time　works　against　me。　Will　you　help？〃
　
　〃It　is　not　that　simple。　My　people　look　to　me　for　direction。　If　you　asked　for　food；　I　could　say　‘Give　him　food；'　and　they　would　do　so。　But　you　have　asked　for　a　gathering。　That　is　different。　The　council　of　seers　are　the　six　elders　you　spoke　to；　plus　myself。　They　are　old　men；　firm　in　the　ways　of　their　past。　An　outsider　has　never　been　given　a　gathering　before；　never　been　permitted　to　disturb　the　peace　of　our　ancestors'　。spirits。　Soon　these　six　will　join　the　ancestors'　spirits；　and　they　do　not　want　to　think　they　will　be　called　from　the　spirit　world　for　an　outsider's　needs。　If　they　break　the　tradition；　they　will　be　forever　burdened　with　the　results。　I　cannot　order　them　to　do　this。　〃
　
　〃It　is　not　only　an　outsider's　needs；〃　Kahlan　said；　telling　them　both　her　words。　〃Helping　us　also　helps　the　Mud　People。〃
　
　〃Maybe　in　the　end；　〃　the　Bird　Man　said；　〃but　not　in　the　beginning。　〃　〃What　if　I　were　one　of　the　Mud　People？〃　Richard　asked；　his　eyes　narrowing。
　
　〃Then　they　would　call　the　gathering　for　you；　and　not　violate　the　tradition。　〃
　
　〃Could　you　make　me　one　of　the　Mud　People？〃
　
　The　Bird　Man's　silver…gray　hair　glistened　in　the　firelight　as　he　considered。　〃If　you　were　to　first　do　something　that　helped　our　people；　something　that　benefited　them；　with　no　advantage　to　you；　proved　you　were　a　man　of　good　intentions　toward　us；　doing　so　without　promise　of　aid　for　your　help；　and　the　elders　wished　it；　1　could。　〃
　
　〃And　once　you　named　me　as　one　of　the　Mud　People；　I　could　ask　for　a　gathering。　and　they　would　call　it？〃
　
　〃If　you　were　one　of'　us；　they　would　know　you　had　our　interests　in　your　heart。　They　would　call　a　council　of　seers　to　help　you。　〃
　
　〃And　if　they　called　the　council；　would　they　be　able　to　tell　me　where　the　object　I　seek　is　located？〃
　
　〃1　cannot　answer　that。　Sometimes　the　spirits　will　not　answer　our　questions；　sometimes　they　do　not　know　the　answers　to　our　questions。　There　is　no　guarantee　that　we　could　help　you；　even　if　we　held　a　gathering。　All　I　could　promise　is　that　we　would　try　our　best。　〃
　
　Richard　looked　down　at　the　ground；　thinking。　With　his　finger；　he　pushed　some　dirt　into　one　of　the　puddles　where　the　rain　dripped。
　
　〃Kahlan；〃　he　asked　quietly；　〃do　you　know　of　anyone　else　who　would　have　the　power　to　tell　us　where　to　look　for　the　box？〃
　
　Kahlan　had　been　giving　this　consideration　all　day。　〃I　do。　But　of　all　the　ones　I　know　of；　I　do　not　know　of　any　who　would　be　any　more　eager　to　help　us　than　the　Mud　People　are。　Some　would　kill　us　just　for　asking。〃
　
　〃Well；　of　the　ones　who　wouldn't　kill　us　just　for　asking；　how　far　away　are　they？〃
　
　〃Three　weeks；　at　least；　north；　through　very　dangerous　country　controlled　by　Rahl。〃
　
　〃Three　weeks；〃　Richard　said　out　loud　with　a　heavy　tone　of　disappointment。
　
　〃But　Richard；　the　Bird　Man　is　able　to　promise　us　precious　little。　If　you　could　find　a　way　to　help　them；　if　it　pleases　the　elders；　if　they　ask　the　Bird　Man　to　name　you　one　of　the　Mud　People；　if　the　council　of　seers　can　get　an　answer；　if　the　spirits　even　know　the　answer　。　。　。　if；　if；　if。　Many　opportunities　for　a　wrong　step。〃
　
　〃Was　it　not　you　who　told　me　I　would　have　to　win　them　over？〃　he　asked　with　a　smile。
　
　〃It　was。〃
　
　〃So；　what　do　you　think？　Do　you　think　we　should　stay　and　try　to　convince　them　to　help；　or　we　should　go　to　find　the　answers　elsewhere'？〃
　
　She　shook　her　head　slowly。　〃I　think　you　are　the　Seeker；　and　you　will　have　to　decide。〃
　
　He　smiled　again。　〃You　are　my　friend。　I　could　use　your　advice。〃
　
　She　hooked　some　hair　behind　her　ear。　〃I　don't　know　what　advice　to　give；　Richard；　and　my　life；　too；　depends　upon　you　making　the　right　choice。　But　as　your　friend；　I　have　faith　that　you　will　decide　wisely。〃
　
　〃Will　you　hate　me；〃　he　grinned；　〃if　I　make　the　wrong　choice'？〃
　
　She　looked　into　his　gray　eyes；　eyes　that　could　see　into　her；　eyes　that　made　her　weak　with　longing。　〃Even　if　you　choose　wrong；　and　it　costs　me　my　life；〃　she　whispered；　swallowing　back　the　lump　in　her　throat；　〃I　could　never　hate　you。〃
　
　He　looked　away　from　her；　back　down　at　the　dirt　awhile；　then　once　again　up　to　the　Bird　Man。　〃Do　your　people　like　having　roofs　that　leak？〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　raised　an　eyebrow。　〃Would　you　like　it　if　water　dripped　on　your　face　when　you　were　asleep？〃
　
　Smiling；　Richard　shook　his　head。　〃Then　why　don't　you　make　roofs　that　don't　leak？〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　shrugged。　〃Because　it　cannot　be　done。　We　have　no　materials　at　hand　to　use。　Clay　bricks　are　too　heavy　and　would　fall　down。　Wood　is　too　scarce；　it　must　be　carried　long　distances。　Grass　is　all　we　have；　and　it　leaks。　〃
　
　Richard　took　one　of　the　pottery　bowls　and　turned　it　upside　down　under　one　of　the　drips。　〃You　have　clay　from　which　you　make　pottery。〃
　
　〃Our　ovens　are　small；　we　could　not　make　a　pot　that　big；　and　besides；　it　would　crack；　then　it　too　would　leak。　It　cannot　be　done。　〃
　
　〃It　is　a　mistake　to　say　something　cannot　be　done　simply　because　you　don't　know　how　to　do　it。　I　would　not　be　here　otherwise。〃　He　said　this　gently；　without　malice。　〃Your　people　are　strong；　and　wise。　I　would　be　honored　if　the　Bird　Man　would　allow　me　to　teach　his　people　how　to　make　roofs　that　do　not　leak；　and　also　let　the　smoke　out　at　the　same　time。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　considered　this　without　showing　any　emotion。
　
　〃If　you　could　do　this；　it　would　be　a　great　benefit　to　my　people；　and　they　would　give　you　many　thanks。　But　I　can　make　no　promises　beyond　that。　〃
　
　Richard　shrugged。　〃None　asked　for。〃
　
　〃The　answer　may　still　be　no。　You　must　accept　that；　if　that　is　the　answer；　and　bring　no　harm　to　my　people。　〃
　
　〃I　will　do　my　best　for　your　people；　and　hope　only　that　they　judge　me　fairly。〃
　
　〃Then　you　are　free　to　try；　but　I　cannot　see　how　you　will　make　a　roof　of　clay　that　will　not　crack　and　leak。　〃
　
　〃I　will　make　you　a　roof　for　your　spirit　house　that　will　have　a　thousand　cracks；　but　will　not　leak。　Then　I　will　teach　you　to　make　more　for　yourselves。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　smiled　and　gave　a　nod
　
　CHAPTER　24
　〃I　HATE　MY　MOTHER。〃
　
　The　Master；　sitting　cross…legged　on　the　grass；　looked　down　at　the　bitter　expression　on　the　boy's　face　and　waited　a　moment　before　he　answered　in　a　quiet　voice。　〃That　is　a　very　strong　thing　to　say；　Carl。　I　would　not　want　you　to　say　something　you　would　e　to　regret　when　you　had　thought　it　over。〃
　
　〃I've　thought　it　over　plenty；〃　Carl　snapped。　〃We've　talked　about　it　a　long　time。　I　know　now　how　they've　twisted　me　around；　deceived　me。　How　selfish　they　are。〃　He　squinted　his　eyes。　〃How　they　are　enemies　of　the　people。〃
　
　Rahl　glanced　up　at　the　windows；　at　the　last　tinge　of　fading　sunlight　turning　the　wisps　of　clouds　a　beautiful　deep　reddish　purple；　frosted　with　tips　of　gold。　Tonight。　Tonight；　at　long　last；　would　be　the　night　he　returned　to　the　underworld。
　
　For　most　of　long　days　and　nights　he　had　kept　the　boy　awake　with　the　special　gruel；　allowing　him　to　sleep　for　only　brief　spells；　kept　him　awake　to　hammer　away　at　him　until　his　mind　was　empty；　and　could　be　molded。　He　had　talked　to　the　boy　endlessly；　convincing　him　how　others　had　used　him；　abused　him；　and　lied　to　him。　Sometimes　he　had　left　the　boy　to　think　over　what　he　had　been　told；　and　used　the　excuse　to　visit　his　father's　tomb　and　read　the　sacred　inscriptions　again；　or　to　snatch　some　rest。
　
　And　then；　last　night；　he　had　taken　that　girl　to　his　bed；　to　get　some　relaxation；　a　small；　momentary　diversion。　An　interlude　of　gentleness　to　feel　another's　soft　flesh　against　his；　to　relieve　his　pent…up　excitement。　She　should　have　been　honored；　especially　after　he　had　been　so　tender　with　her；　so　charming。　She　had　been　anxious　enough　to　be　with　him。
　
　But　what　did　she　do？　She　laughed。　When　she　saw　the　scars；　she　laughed。
　
　As　he　thought　of　it　now　Rahl　had　to　strain　to　control　his　rage；　strain　to　show　the　boy　a　smile；　strain　to　hide　his　impatience　to　get　on　with　it。　He　thought　of　what　he　had　done　to　the　girl；　the　exhilaration　of　his　violence　unleashed；　her　ripping　screams。　The　smile　came　more　easily　to　his　lips。　She　would　laugh　at　him　no　more。
　
　〃What's　the　big　grin　for？〃　Carl　asked。
　
　Rahl　looked　down　at　the　boy's　big　brown　eyes。　〃I　was　just　thinking　about　how　proud　1　am　of　you。〃　His　smile　widened　as　he　remembered　the　way　her　hot　sticky　blood　pumped　and　spurted　as　she　screamed。　Where　was　her　haughty　laughter　then？
　
　〃Me？〃　Carl　asked；　smiling　shyly。
　
　Rahl's　blond　head　nodded。　〃Yes；　Carl；　you。　Not　many　young　men　of　your　age　would　be　intelligent　enough　to　see　the　world　as　it　really　is。　To　see　beyond　their　own　lives　to　the　wider　dangers　and　wonders　all　about。　To　see　how　hard　I　work　to　bring　safety　and　peace　to　the　people。〃　He　shook　his　head　sadly。　〃Sometimes　it　hurts　my　heart　to　see　the　very　ones　for　whom　I　struggle　so　hard　turn　their　backs　to　me；　reject　my　tireless　efforts；　or　worse　yet；　join　with　the　enemies　of　the　people。
　
　〃I　have　not　wanted　to　burden　you　with　worry　for　me；　but　right　now；　as　I　speak　with　you；　there　are　evil　people　who　plot　to　conquer　us；　to　crush　us。　They　have　brought　down　the　boundary　that　protected　D'Hara；　and　now　the　second　boundary　too。　I　fear　they　plot　an　invasion。　I　have　tried　to　warn　the　people　of　the　danger　from　Westland；　to　get　them　to　do　something　to　protect　themselves；　but　they　are　poor　and　simple　people；　they　look　to　me　for　protection。〃　Carl's　eyes　widened。　〃Father　Rahl；　are　you　in　danger？〃
　
　Rahl　brushed　the　matter　away　with　a　wave　of　his　hand。　〃It's　not　me　I　fear　for；　it's　the　people。　If　I　were　to　die；　who　would　protect　them？〃
　
　〃Die？〃　Carl's　eyes　filled　with　tears。　〃Oh；　Father　Rahl！　We　need　you！　Please　don't　let　them　get　you！　Please　let　me　fight　at　your　side。　I　want　to　help　protect　you。　I　couldn't　stand　the　thought　of　you