tg.wizardfirstrule-第47部分

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　〃Very　much。　〃
　
　〃And　is　your　power　enough？〃　〃No；〃　she　admitted。
　
　〃And　does　the　Seeker's　blade　have　enough　power　to　kill　him？〃
　
　〃No。　Why　do　you　ask？〃
　
　The　clouds　were　getting　darker　as　the　day　was　drawing　to　an　end。　Light　rain　was　beginning　to　fall　once　more；　and　the　gloom　among　the　buildings　was　deepening。
　
　〃As　you　said　yourself；　it　is　dangerous　to　be　with　a　Confessor　who　is　in　great　want　of　something。　I　think　this　is　also　true　of　the　Seeker。　Maybe　even　more　so。　〃
　
　She　paused　a　moment；　then　spoke　softly。　〃I　do　not　wish　to　put　words　to　what　Darken　Rahl　did　with　his　own　hands　to　Richard's　father；　it　would　make　you　fear　the　Seeker　all　the　more。　But　know　that　Richard　would　also　have　let　the　bird　fly　free。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　seemed　to　laugh　without　sound。　〃You　and　I　are　too　smart　for　these　tricks　with　words。　Let　us　speak　without　them。　〃　He　sat　back　and　folded　his　arms　across　his　chest。　〃I　have　tried　to　tell　the　other　elders　what　a　wonderful　thing　the　Seeker　is　doing　for　our　people；　how　good　it　is　that　he　is　teaching　us　these　things。　They　are　not　so　sure；　as　they　are　set　in　their　ways　and　can　be　stubborn；　。sometimes　almost　beyond　my　tolerance。　I　fear　what　you　and　the　Seeker　will　do　to　my　people　if　the　elders　say　no。　〃
　
　〃Richard　has　given　you　his　word　that　he　will　not　harm　your　people。　〃
　
　〃Words　are　not　as　strong　as　a　father's　blood。　Or　as　strong　as　a　sister's。　〃
　
　Kahlan　leaned　back　against　the　wall；　pulling　her　cloak　around　her；　shutting　out　the　wet　breeze。　〃I　am　a　Confessor　because　I　was　born　so。　I　did　not　seek　the　power。　I　would　have　chosen　otherwise；　would　have　chosen　to　be　like　other　people。　But　I　must　live　with　what　J　was　given；　and　make　the　best　of　it。　Despite　what　you　may　think　of　the　Confessors；　despite　what　most　people　think；　we　are　here　to　serve　the　people；　to　serve　the　truth。　1　love　all　the　people　of　the　Midlands；　and　would　give　my　life　to　protect　them；　to　keep　them　free。　That　is　all　I　wish　to　do。　And　vet　I　am　alone。　〃
　
　〃Richard　keeps　his　eyes　on　you；　he　watches　over　you；　cares　for　you。　〃
　
　She　looked　over　out　of　the　corner　of　her　eye。　〃Richard　is　from　Westland。　He　does　not　know　what　I　am。　If　he；　knew　。　。　。　〃　The　Bird　Man　lifted　his　eyebrow　at　hearing　this。　〃For　one　who　serves　the　truth　。　。　。　〃
　
　〃Please　do　not　remind　me。　It　is　trouble　of　my　own　making；　with　consequences　1　must　bear；　and　fear　greatly。　And　that　only　proves　my　words。　The　Mud　People　live　in　a　land　distant　from　the　other　peoples。　That　has　given　them　the　luxury　of　being　out　of　reach　of　trouble　in　the　past。　This　trouble　has　long　arms；　it　will　reach　you。　The　elders　can　argue　against　helping　all　they　want；　but　they　will　not　be　able　to　argue　against　the　fangs　of　truth。　All　of　your　people　will　pay　the　price　if　these　few　put　pride　before　wisdom。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　listened　carefully；　respectfully。　Kahlan　turned　to　him。
　
　〃I　cannot　honestly　say　at　this　moment　what　I　will　do　if　the　elders　say　no。　It　is　not　my　wish　to　harm　your　people；　but　to　save　them　from　the　pain　I　have　seen。　I　have　seen　what　Darken　Rahl　does　to　people。　I　know　what　he　will　do。　If　I　knew　l　could　somehow　stop　Rahl　by　killing　Savidlin's　precious　little　boy；　1　would　do　it　without　hesitation；　with　my　bare　hands　if　need　be；　because　as　much　as　the　doing　of　it　would　wound　my　heart；　1　know　1　would　be　saving　all　the　other　precious　little　children。　It　is　a　terrifying　burden　I　carry；　the　burden　of　the　warrior。　You　are　one　who　has　killed　other　men　to　save　others；　and　I　know　you　take　no　joy　in　it。　Darken　Rahl　takes　joy　in　it；　believe　me。　Please；　help　me　save　your　people　without　hurting　any　of　them。　〃　Tears　ran　down　her　cheeks。　〃I　want　so　much　not　to　hurt　anyone。　〃
　
　Tenderly　he　drew　her　to　him　and　let　her　sob　against　his　shoulder。　〃The　people　of　the　Midlands　are　fortunate　to　have　you　as　their　warrior。　〃
　
　〃If　we　can　find　the　thing　we　seek；　and　keep　it　from　Darken　Rahl　until　the　first　day　of　winter；　he　will　die。　No　one　else　will　have　to　be　hurt。　But　we　must　have　help　to　find　it。〃
　
　〃The　first　day　of　winter。　Child；　that　is　not　much　time。　This　season　withers　away；　the　next　will　be　here　soon。　〃
　
　〃I　do　not　make　the　rules　of　life；　honored　elder。　If　you　know　the　secret　to　stopping　time；　please　tell　me；　that　I　might　make　it　so。　〃
　
　He　sat　quietly；　without　an　answer。　〃I　have　watched　you　among　our　people　before。　You　have　always　respected　our　wishes；　never　acted　to　bring　us　harm。　It　is　the　same　with　the　Seeker。　I　am　on　your　side；　child　I　will　do　my　best　to　win　over　the　others。　I　only　hope　my　words　to　them　will　be　enough。　I　wish　my　people　to　e　to　no　harm。　〃
　
　〃It　is　not　the　Seeker　or　me　you　must　fear　if　they　say　no；　〃　she　said　as　she　lay　against　his　shoulder；　staring　off　at　nothing　in　particular。　〃It　is　the　one　from　D'Hara。　He　will　e　like　a　storm　and　destroy　you。　You　have　no　chance　against　him。　He　will　butcher　you。　〃
　
　That　night　in　the　warmth　of　Savidlin's　home；　sitting　on　the　floor；　Kahlan　told　Siddin　the　story　of　the　fisherman　who　turned　into　a　fish　and　lived　in　the　lake；　cleverly　stealing　bait　from　hooks　without　ever　being　caught。　It　was　an　old　story　her　mother　had　told　her　when　she　was　as　little　as　he。　The　wonder　in　his　face　made　her　remember　her　own　excitement　when　she　had　first　heard　it。
　
　Later；　while　Weselan　cooked　sweet　roots；　the　pleasant　aroma　mingling　with　the　smoke；　Savidlin　showed　Richard　how　to　carve　proper　arrow　points　for　different　animals；　harden　them　in　the　coals　of　the　cooking　fire；　and　apply　poison　to　their　tips。　Kahlan　lay　on　a　skin　on　the　floor　with　Siddin　curled　up　in　a　ball；　snuggled　asleep　against　her　stomach　as　she　stroked　his　dark　hair。　She　had　to　swallow　back　the　lump　in　her　throat　as　she　thought　about　how　she　had　told　the　Bird　Man　she　would　even　be　willing　to　kill　this　little　boy。
　
　She　wished　she　could　take　back　those　words。　She　hated　that　it　was　true；　but　wished　she　had　not　put　words　to　it。　Richard　hadn't　seen　her　talking　to　the　Bird　Man；　and　she　did　not　tell　him　of　their　conversation。　She　saw　no　point　in　worrying　him；　what　would　happen　would　happen。　She　only　hoped　the　elders　would　listen　to　reason。
　
　…＋
　
　The　next　day　was　windy　and　exceptionally　warm；　with　occasional　periods　of　driving　rain。　By　early　afternoon　a　crowd　had　gathered　at　the　spirit　house　as　the　roof　was　pleted　and　a　fire　started　in　the　new　fireplace。　Cries　of　excitement　and　wonder　rose　from　the　people　when　the　fist　wisps　of　smoke　emerged　from　the　chimney。　They　peeked　in　the　doorway　to　see　the　fire　burning　without　filling　the　room　with　smoke。　The　idea　of　living　without　smoke　in　their　eyes　seemed　as　thrilling　as　living　without　water　dripping　on　their　heads。　A　wind…driven　rain　like　this　was　the　worst。　It　went　right　through　the　grass　roofs。
　
　Everyone　watched　with　glee　as　water　ran　off　the　tiles　of　the　roof　and　none　went　inside。　Richard　was　in　a　good　mood　as　he　climbed　down。　The　roof　was　finished；　it　didn't　leak；　the　fireplace　drew　well；　and　everyone　was　joyous　because　of　what　he　had　done　for　them。　The　men　who　had　helped　were　proud　of　what　they　had　acplished；　what　they　had　learned。　They　acted　as　guides；　excitedly　showing　off　the　finer　points　of　the　construction。
　
　Ignoring　the　onlookers；　stopping　only　to　strap　on　his　sword；　Richard　headed　for　the　center　of　the　village；　where　the　elders　waited　under　one　of　the　open　pole　buildings。　Kahlan　fell　in　to　his　left；　Savidlin　to　the　right；　intending　to　stand　up　for　him。　The　crowd　watched　him　go；　then　swept　behind；　spilling　around　the　buildings；　laughing　and　shouting。　Richard's　jaw　was　set　tight。
　
　〃Do　you　think　you　need　to　take　the　sword？〃　she　asked。
　
　He　looked　to　her　as　he　continued　his　long　strides。　He　smiled　crookedly。　Rainwater　ran　from　his　wet；　matted　hair。　〃I　am　the　Seeker。〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　disapproving　look。　〃Richard；　don't　play　games　with　me。　You　know　what　I　mean。〃
　
　His　smile　widened。　〃I'm　hoping　it　will　serve　as　a　reminder　of　why　they　should　do　the　right　thing。〃
　
　Kahlan　had　a　bad　feeling　in　the　pit　of　her　stomach；　that　things　were　spinning　beyond　her　control；　that　Richard　was　going　to　do　something　terrible　if　the　elders　turned　him　down。　He　had　been　working　hard；　from　when　he　woke　until　he　fell　into　bed；　the　whole　time　with　the　single　thought　that　he　would　win　them　over。　He　had　won　over　most　people；　but　they　were　not　the　people　who　counted。　She　was　afraid　he　hadn't　given　rational　thought　to　what　he　would　do　if　the　word　was　no。
　
　Toffalar　stood　tall　and　proud　at　the　center　of　the　leaking　pole　structure。　The　rain　dripping　around　him　splashed　in　little　puddles　on　the　floor。　Surin；　Caldus；　Arbrin；　Breginderin；　and　Hajanlet　stood　to　his　sides。　They　each　wore　their　coyote　hides；　something　Kahlan　had　learned　they　did　only　when　official　events　were　taking　place。　It　seemed　as　if　the　whole　village　was　out。　They　spread　around　the　open　area；　sitting　under　roofs　of　the　open　buildings；　filling　windows；　all　watching　as　work　stopped　and　they　waited　to　hear　the　elders　speak　of　their　future。
　
　Kahlan　caught　sight　of　the　Bird　Man　standing　among　some　armed　men　to　the　side　of　a　pole　that　held　up　the　roof　over　the　elders'　heads。　When　their　eyes　met；　her　heart　sank。　She　grabbed　the　sleeve　of　Richard's　shirt；　leaning　toward　him。
　
　〃Don't　forget；　no　matter　what　these　men　say；　we　must　get　out　of　here　if　we　are　to　have　a　chance　of　stopping　Rahl。　We　are　two；　they　are　many；　sword　or　no　sword。〃
　
　He　ignored　her。　〃Honored　elders；〃　he　started　in　a　loud；　clear　voice。　She　translated　as　he　spoke。　〃It　is　my　privilege　to　report　to　you　that　the　spirit　house　has　a　new　roof　that　does　not　leak。　It　has　also　been　my　privilege　to　teach　your　people　how　to　build　these　roofs　so　they　may　improve　the　other　buildings　of　your　village。　I　did　this　out　of　respect　for　your　people；　and　I　expect　nothing　in　return。　I　only　hope　you　are　pleased。〃
　
　The　six　stood　grim…faced　as　Kahlan　translated。　There　was　a　long　silence　when　she　finished。
　
　At　last　Toffalar　spoke　in　a　determined　voice。　〃We　are　not　pleased。　〃
　
　Richard's　expression　turned　dark　when　she　told　him　Toffalar's　words。　〃Why？〃
　
　〃A　little　rain　does　not　melt　the　strength　of　the　Mud　People。　Your　roof　may　not　leak；　but　only　because　it　is　clever。　Clever　as　the　ways　of　outsiders。　They　are　not　our　ways。　It　would　only　be　the　beginning　of　outsiders　telling　us　what　to　do。　We　know　what　you　want。　You　want　to　be　named　one　of　us　so　we　will　call　a　gathering　for　you。　Just　another　clever　trick　of　an　outsider　to　get　from　us　what　will　serve　you。　You　wish　to　draw　us　into　your　fight。　We　say　no！〃　He　turned　to　Savidlin。　〃The　roof　of　the　spirit　house　will　be　put　back　to　the　way　it　was。　The　way　our　honored　ancestors　wanted　it。〃
　
　Savidlin　was　livid；　but　he　did　not　move。　The　elder；　a　slight　smile　on　his　pinched　lips；　turned　back　to　Richard。
　
　〃Now　that　your　tricks　have　failed；　〃　he　said　with　disdain
　
　〃would　you　think　to　harm　our　people；　Richard　With　The　Temper？〃　It　was　a　taunt；　aimed　to　discredit　Richard。
　
　Richard　looked　as　dangerous　as　she　had　ever　seen　him。　His　glare　turned　briefly　to　the　Bird　Man；　then　back　to　the　six　under　the　shelter。　She　held　her　breath。　The　crowd　was　dead　quiet。　He　turned　slowly　to　them。
　
　〃I　will　not　harm　your　people；〃　he　said　in　an　even　voice。　There　was　a　collective　sigh　of　relief　when　Kahlan　spoke　his　words。　When　it　was　quiet　again；　he　went　on。　〃But　I　will　mourn　for　what　is　going　to　happen　to　them。〃　Without　turning　back　to　the　elders；　his　arm　slowly　lifted　as　he　pointed　to　them。　〃For　you　six；　I　will　not　mourn。　I　do　not　mourn　the　death　of　fools。〃　His　words　came　out　like　poison。　The　crowd　gasped。
　
　Toffalar's　face　twisted　into　bitter　rage。　Whispers　and　fear　spread　through　the　onlookers。　Kahlan　glanced　over　to　the　Bird　Man。　He　seemed　to　have　aged　years。　She　could　see　in　his　heavy　brown　eyes　how　sorry　he　was。　For　a　moment　their　eyes　locked　and　they　shared　the　grief　of　what　they　both　knew　was　going　to　sweep　over　all　their　lives；　then　his　gaze　sank　to　the　ground。
　
　In　a　sudden　flash　of　movement；　Richard　spun　toward　the　elders；　pulling　free　the　Sword　of　Truth。　It　was　so　fast　almost　everyone；　including　the　elders；　flinched　back　a　step　in　shock　and　then　froze　in　place；　the　six　faces　reflecting　the　fear　that　kept　them　paralyzed。　The　crowd　began　creeping　back；　the　Bird　Man　had　not　moved。　Kahlan　feared　Richard's　anger；　and　understood　it；　too。　She　decided　not　to　interfere；　but　to　do　what　was　necessary　to　protect　the　Seeker；　whatever　he　did　next。　Not　even　a　whisper　was　uttered；　the　only　sound　in　the　dead　silence　was　the　distinctive　ringing　of　steel。　With　his　teeth　gritted；　Richard　pointed　the　glinting　sword　at　the　elders；　its　tip　inches　from　their　faces。
　
　〃Have　the　courage　to　do　one　last　thing　for　your　people。〃　Richard's　tone　sent　a　chill　through　her。　Kahlan　translated　out　of　reflex；　too　transfixed　to　do　anything　else。　Then；　unbelievably；　he　turned　the　sword　around；　holding　it　by　the　point；　holding　the　hilt　out　to　the　elders。　〃Take　my　sword；〃　he　manded。　〃Use　it　to　kill　the　women　and　children。　It　will　be　more　merciful　than　what　Darken　Rahl　will　do　to　them。　Have　the　courage　to　spare　them　the　torture　they　will　suffer。　Give　them　the　charity　of　a　quick　death。〃　His　countenance　withered　their　expressions
　
　Kahlan　could　hear　women　starting　to　cry　softly　as　they　clutched　their　children。　The　elders；　in　the　grip　of　a　terror　they　hadn't　expected；　did　not　move。　At　last　their　eyes　fled　from　Richard's　glare。　When　it　was　clear　to　all　they　did　not　have　the　courage　to　take　the　sword；　Richard　painstakingly　slid　it　back　into　its　scabbard；　as　if　slowly　extinguishing　their　last　chance　at　salvation…an　unequivocal　gesture　that　the　elders　had　forfeited　forever　the　aid　of　the　Seeker。　The　finality　of　it　was　frightening。
　
　Then　at　last　he　broke　his　hot　glare　at　them　and　turned　to　her；　his　face　changing。　When　she　saw　the　look　in　his　eyes；　she　swallowed　hard。　It　was　a　look　of　heartache　for　a　people　he　had　e　to　love；　but　could　not　help。　All　eyes　stayed　on　him　as　he　closed　the　distance　between　them　and　took　her　gently　by　the　arm。
　
　〃Let's　collect　our　things　and　get　moving；〃　he　said　softly。　〃We've　wasted　a　lot　of　time。　I　only　hope　it　wasn't　too　much。〃　His　gray　eyes　were　wet。　〃I'm　sorry；　Kahlan　。。。　that　I　chose　wrong。〃
　
　〃You　did　not　choose　wrong；　Richard；　they　did。〃　Her　anger　at　the　elders　had　a　finality　to　it；　too；　a　door　closing　on　any　hope　for　these　people。　She　cut　off　her　concern　for　them；　they　were　the　walking　dead。　They　had　been　offered　a　chance；　and　had　chosen　their　own　fate。
　
　When　they　passed　Savidlin；　the　two　men　locked　arms　for　a　moment　without　looking　at　each　other。　No；　one　else　made　a　move　to　leave；　they　stayed　and　watched　the　two　outsiders　walk　quickly　among　them。　As　they　passed；　a　few　reached　out　and　touched　Richard；　he　returning　the　wordless　sympathy　with　a　squeeze　of　his　hand　on　their　arms；　unable　to　bear　meeting　their　eyes。
　
　They　gathered　up　their　things　from　Savidlin's　house；　stuffing　their　cloaks　into　the　packs。　Neither　spoke。　Kahlan　felt　empty；　drained。　When　their　eyes　met　at　last；　they　suddenly　came　together　in　a　wordless　embrace；　a　shared　grief　for　their　new　friends；　for　what　they　both　knew　would　happen　to　them。　They　had　gambled　with　the　only　thing　they　had…time。　And　lost。
　
　When　they　separated；　Kahlan　put　the　last　of　her　things　in　the　pack　and　clos