tg.wizardfirstrule-第50部分

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　It　was　as　close　as　he　would　e　to　a　reprimand。　Her　face　burned；　and　she　was　glad　he　wasn't　looking　at　her　to　see　it。　He　didn't　know　what　it　was　she　could　do；　but　he　knew　she　had　hesitated。　She　had　almost　made　a　fatal　mistake；　had　put　them　all　at　risk　because　she　hadn't　wanted　him　to　see。　He　hadn't　pressed　her　when　he　had　the　chance；　the　right；　just　as　now；　he　put　her　feelings　first。　Her　heart　felt　as　if　it　would　break。
　
　The　little　group　stepped　onto　the　platform　of　the　pole　building。　The　elders　stood　in　the　back；　the　Bird　Man　between　the　two　of　them　as　they　faced　the　crowd。
　
　The　Bird　Man　regarded　her　with　an　intense　expression。　〃Are　you　prepared　to　do　this？〃
　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　she　asked；　suspicious　of　his　tone。
　
　〃I　mean　that　if　the　two　of　you　want　to　bee　Mud　People；　then　you　must　do　that　which　is　required　of　Mud　People：　respect　our　laws。　Our　ways。　〃
　
　〃I　alone　know　what　we　are　up　against。　1　expect　to　die　in　the　quest。　〃　She　kept　her　tone　deliberately　hard。　〃I　have　already　escaped　death　more　times　than　anyone　has　a　right　to。　What　we　want　is　to　save　your　people。　We　are　sworn　on　our　lives　to　do　so。　What　more　could　be　asked　of　us　than　our　lives？〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　knew　she　was　avoiding　the　question　and　didn't　let　her　get　away　with　it。　〃This　is　not　something　1　do　lightly。　1　do　it　because　I　know　you　are　true　in　your　struggle；　that　you　mean　to　shield　my　people　from　the　storm　that　es。　But　1　must　have　your　help　in　this。　You　must　agree　to　our　ways。　Not　to　please　me；　but　out　of　respect　for　my　people。　They　expect　it。　〃
　
　Her　mouth　was　so　dry　she　could　hardly　swallow。　〃I　do　not　eat　meat；　〃　she　lied。　〃You　know　that　from　when；　I　have　been　here　before。　〃
　
　〃Though　you　are　a　warrior；　you　are　also　a　woman；　therefore　it　may　be　excused。　That　much　is　within　my　power。　Being　a　Confessor　excludes　you　from　the　other。　〃　His　eyes　showed　that　this　was　as　far　as　his　promise　would　go。　〃Not　the　Seeker。　He　must　do　these　things。　〃
　
　〃But。　。　。
　
　〃You　have　。said　you　will　not　choose　him　as　your　mate。　If　he　will　call　a　gathering；　it　must　be　as　one　of　us。〃
　
　Kahlan　felt　trapped。　If　she　turned　him　down　now；　Richard　would　be　furious；　for　good　reason。　They　would　lose　to　Rahl。　Being　from　Westland；　Richard　was　not　used　to　the　ways　of　the　different　peoples　of　the　Midlands。　He　might　not　willingly　go　along。　She　couldn't　take　the　chance。　Much　was　at　stake。　The　Bird　Man's　eyes　waited。
　
　〃We　will　do　what　your　law　requires；　〃　she　said；　trying　not　to　show　what　she　really　thought。
　
　〃Don't　you　wish　to　consult　the　Seeker　on　his　feelings　about　these　things？〃
　
　She　looked　away；　over　the　heads　of　the　waiting　；crowd。　〃No。〃
　
　He　took　her　chin　in　his　hand　and　turned　her　face　back　to　his。
　
　〃Then　it　will　be　your　responsibility　to　see　to　it　that　he　does　as　required。　By　your　word。　〃
　
　She　could　feel　the　heat　of　her　anger　rising。　Richard　leaned　around　the　Bird　Man。
　
　〃Kahlan；　what's　going　on？　What's　wrong'？〃
　
　Her　eyes　went　from　Richard　back　to　the　Bird　Man；　and　she　gave　him　a　nod。　〃Nothing。　It's　all　right。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　released　her　chin　and　turned　to　his　people；　blowing　the　silent　whistle　he　carried　around　his　neck。　He　began　talking　to　them　of　their　history；　their　ways；　why　they　avoided　the　influence　of　outsiders；　how　they　had　the　right　to　be　a　proud　people。　As　he　talked；　doves　began　ing　in；　landing　among　the　people
　
　Kahlan　listened　without　hearing；　standing　still　on　the　platform；　feeling　like　a　trapped　animal。　When　she　had　thought　they　could　win　over　the　Mud　People；　and　have　themselves　named　Mud　People；　she　hadn't　contemplated　having　to　agree　to　these　things。　She　had　thought　their　initiation　to　be　a　mere　formality；　after　which　Richard　could　ask　for　a　gathering。　She　hadn't　given　consideration　to　events　going　this　way。
　
　Maybe　she　could　simply　not　tell　him　some　of　it。　He　wouldn't　even　know。　After　all；　he　didn't　understand　their　language。　She　would　just　keep　quiet。　It　was　for　the　best。
　
　But　other　things；　she　thought　despondently；　would　be　all　too　obvious。　She　could　feel　her　ears　turning　red；　could　feel　a　knot　in　the　pit　of　her　stomach。
　
　Richard　sensed　that　the　words　of　the　Bird　Man　were　not　yet　something　he　needed　to　understand　and　didn't　ask　for　a　translation。　The　Bird　Man　finished　his　introductory　remarks；　and　arrived　at　the　important　part。
　
　〃When　these　two　came　to　us；　they　were　outsiders。　By　their　actions；　they　have　proved　their　caring　for　our　people；　proved　their　worth。　From　this　day　forward；　let　all　know　that　Richard　With　The　Temper　and　Confessor　Kahlan　are　Mud　People。　〃
　
　Kahlan　translated；　dropping　her　title；　as　the　crowd　cheered。　Smiling；　Richard　held　his　hand　up　to　the　people；　and　they　cheered　ail　the　more。　Savidlin　reached　out　and　gave　him　a　friendly　slap　on　the　back。　The　Bird　Man　put　a　hand　on　each　of　their　shoulders；　giving　hers　a　sympathetic　squeeze；　trying　to　relieve　the　sting　of　the　agreement　he　had　forced　upon　her。
　
　She　took　a　deep　breath；　resigning　herself　to　it。　It　would　be　over　soon　enough；　and　then　they　would　be　gone；　on　their　way　to　stop　Rahl。　That　was　all　that　mattered。　Besides；　she；　of　all　people；　had　no　right　to　be　upset　about　it。
　
　〃There　is　one　more　thing；〃　The　Bird　Man　went　on。　〃These　two　were　not　born　Mud　People。　Kahlan　was　born　a　Confessor；　a　matter　of　blood；　not　choosing。　Richard　With　The　Temper　was　born　in　Westland；　across　the　boundary；　of　ways　that　are　a　mystery　to　us。　Both　have　agreed　to　be　Mud　People；　to　honor　our　laws　and　ways　from　this　day　on；　but　we　must　understand　that　our　ways　may　be　a　mystery　to　them。　We　must　have　patience　with　them；　understand　that　they　are　trying　for　the　first　time　to　be　Mud　People。　We　have　lived　our　lives　as　Mud　People；　this　is　their　first　day。　They　are　as　new　children　to　us。　Give　them　the　understanding　you　would　give　our　children；　and　they　will　do　their　best。　〃
　
　The　crowd　buzzed　with　talk；　heads　nodding；　all　agreeing　the　Bird　Man　was　wise。　Kahlan　let　out　a　sigh；　the　Bird　Man　had　given　himself；　and　the　two　of　them；　a　sliver　of　room　if　things　went　wrong。　He　was　indeed　wise。　He　gave　her　shoulder　another　squeeze；　and　she　placed　her　hand　over　his；　giving　her　own　appreciative　squeeze。
　
　Richard　didn't　waste　a　second。　He　turned　to　the　elders。
　
　〃I　am　honored　to　be　one　of　the　Mud　People。　Wherever　I　may　travel；　I　will　uphold　the　honor　of　our　people；　to　make　you　proud　of　me。　Right　now；　there　is　danger　to　our　people。　I　need　help　so　I　might　protect　them。　I　request　a　council　of　seers。　I　request　a　gathering。〃
　
　Kahlan　translated；　and　each　elder　in　turn　nodded　his　agreement。
　
　〃Granted；　〃　the　Bird　Man　said。　〃It　will　take　three　days　to　prepare　for　the　gathering。　〃
　
　〃Honored　elder；〃　Richard　said；　restraining　himself；　〃the　danger　is　great。　I　respect　your　ways；　but　is　there　any　way　it　can　be　done　faster？　The　lives　of　our　people　depend　on　this。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　took　a　deep　breath；　his　long　silver　hair　reflecting　the　gloomy　light。　〃In　this　special　circumstance；　we　will　do　our　best　to　help　you。　Tonight　we　will　hold　the　banquet；　tomorrow　night　we　will　hold　the　gathering。　This　is　as　fast　as　it　can　be　done。　There　are　preparations　that　must　be　made　for　the　elders　to　bridge　the　gap　to　the　spirits。〃
　
　Richard；　too；　took　a　deep　breath。　〃Tomorrow　night　then。〃
　
　The　bird　man　blew　the　whistle　again　and　the　doves　took　to　the　air。　Kahlan　felt　as　if　her　hopes；　impossible　and　foolish　as　they　had　been；　took　wing　with　them。
　
　…＋
　
　Preparations　were　quickly　set　underway；　and　Savidlin　took　Richard　to　his　home；　to　care　for　his　cuts　and　clean　him　up。　The　Bird　Man　took　Kahlan　to　the　healer；　to　have　her　wound　treated
　
　Blood　had　pletely　soaked　the　bandage；　and　the　cut　hurt　in　earnest。　He　guided　her　through　narrow　passageways　with　his　arm　protectively　around　her　shoulders。　She　was　thankful　he　didn't　speak　of　the　banquet。
　
　He　left　her　in　the　care　of　a　stooped　woman　named　Nissel；　instructing　her　to　care　for　Kahlan　as　if　she　were　his　daughter。　Nissel　smiled　little；　mostly　at　the　oddest　times；　and　spoke　little；　other　than　instructions。　Stand　here；　hold　your　arm　up；　put　it　down；　breathe；　don't　breathe；　drink　this；　lie　here；　recite　the　Candra。　Kahlan　didn't　know　what　the　Candra　was。　Nissel　shrugged　and　instead　had　her　balance　flat　stones　atop　one　another　on　her　stomach　while　the　wound　was　inspected。　When　it　hurt　and　the　stones　started　slipping。　Nissel　admonished　her　to　try　harder　to　keep　the　stones　balanced。　She　was　given　bitter…tasting　leaves　to　chew　while　Nissel　removed　Kahlan's　clothes　and　bathed　her。
　
　The　bath　did　more　for　her　than　the　leaves。　She　couldn't　remember　a　bath　feeling　so　good。　She　tried　to　let　her　depressing　thoughts　slough　away　with　the　mud。　She　tried　very　hard。　While　she　was　left　to　soak；　Nissel　washed　her　clothes　and　hung　them　by　the　fire；　where　a　little　pot　of　brown　paste　bubbled；　smelling　of　pine　pitch。　Nissel　dried　her　off；　wrapped　her　in　warm　skins；　and　sat　her　on　a　bench　built　into　the　wall　near　the　raised　fire　pit。　The　taste　of　the　leaves　seemed　to　get　better　the　more　she　chewed　them；　but　her　head　was　beginning　to　spin。
　
　〃Nissel；　what　are　the　leaves　for？〃
　
　Nissel　turned　from　studying　Kahlan's　shirt；　which　she　thought　very　curious。　〃It　will　make　you　relax；　so　you　will　not　feel　what　1　do。　Keep　chewing。　Do　not　worry；　child。　You　will　be　so　relaxed；　you　will　not　care　when　I　stitch。　〃
　
　Kahlan　immediately　spit　out　the　leaves。　The　old　woman　looked　at　them　on　the　floor；　lifting　an　eyebrow　to　Kahlan。
　
　〃Nissel；　I　am　a　Confessor。　If　1　am　relaxed　in　a　manner　like　that；　1　might　not　be　able　to　hold　back　the　power。　When　you　touch　me；　I　could　release　it　without　wanting　to。　〃
　
　Nissel　frowned　with　curiosity。　〃But　you　sleep；　child。　You　relax　then。　〃
　
　〃That　is　different。　I　have　slept　from　birth；　before　my　power　grew　in　me。　If　I　were　to　be　too　relaxed　or　distracted　in　a　way　I　do　not　know；　as　with　your　leaves；　1　could　touch　you　without　intending　it。〃
　
　Nissel　gave　a　crooked　nod。　Then　her　eyebrows　came　up。　She　leaned　closer。　〃Then　how　do　you　。　。　。　〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　a　blank　expression　that　said　nothing　and　everything。
　
　A　look　of　sudden　understanding　came　over　Nissel's　face。　The　healer　straightened　up。　〃Oh。　I　see　now。　〃
　
　She　stroked　Kahlan's　hair　sympathetically；　then　went　to　the　far　corner　and　came　shuffling　back　with　a　piece　of　leather。　〃Put　this　between　your　teeth。　〃　She　patted　Kahlan's　good　shoulder。　〃If　you　are　ever　hurt　again；　be　sure　to　have　them　bring　you　to　Nissel。　I　will　remember；　and　know　what　not　to　do。　Sometimes；　when　you　are　a　healer；　it　is　more　important　to　know　what　not　to　do。　Maybe　when　you　are　a　Confessor　too。　Hmm？〃　Kahlan　smiled　and　gave　a　nod。　〃Now；　child；　make　teeth　marks　in　this　leather　for　me。〃
　
　When　she　was　finished；　Nissel　wiped　the　sweat　from　Kahlan's　face　with　a　cold；　wet　cloth。　Kahlan　was　so　dizzy　and　nauseated　she　couldn't　even　sit　up。　Nissel　kept　her　lying　down　as　she　applied　the　brown　paste　and　wrapped　the　arm　with　clean　bandages。
　
　〃You　should　sleep　for　a　while。　I　will　wake　you　before　the　banquet。　〃
　
　Kahlan　put　her　hand　on　the　old　woman's　arm；　and　made　herself　smile。　〃Thank　you；　Nissel。　〃
　
　She　woke　to　the　feel　of　her　hair　being　brushed。　It　had　dried　while　she　slept。　Nissel　smiled　at　her。
　
　〃You　will　find　it　hard　to　brush　your　pretty　hair　until　your　arm　is　better。　Not　many　have　the　honor　to　have　hair　such　as　yours。　I　thought　you　would　like　it　brushed　for　the　banquet。　It　starts　soon。　A　handsome　young　man　waits　for　you　outside。　〃
　
　Kahlan　sat　up。　〃How　long　has　he　been　out　there？〃
　
　〃Almost　the　whole　time。　1　tried　to　chase　him　away　with　a　broom。　〃　Nissel　frowned。　〃But　he　would　not　go。　He　is　very　stubborn。　Yes？〃
　
　〃Yes。〃　Kahlan　grinned。
　
　Nissel　helped　her　put　on　her　clean　clothes。　Her　arm　didn't　hurt　as　much　as　before。　Richard　was　leaning　impatiently　against　the　outside　wall　and　stood　up　straight　when　she　came　out。　He　was　washed　and　clean　and　fresh…looking；　the　mud　all　gone；　and　was　dressed　in　simple　buckskin　pants　and　tunic；　and　of　course　his　sword。　Nissel　was　right：　he　did　look　handsome。
　
　〃How　are　you　doing？　How's　the　arm？　Are　you　all　right？〃
　
　〃I'm　fine。〃　She　smiled。　〃Nissel　has　made　me　well。〃
　
　Richard　kissed　the　top　of　the　old　woman's　head。　〃Thank　you；　Nissel。　I　forgive　you　the　broom。〃
　
　Nissel　smiled　at　the　translation；　leaned　closer；　and　gave　him　a　deep　look　he　found　unfortable。
　
　〃Shall　1　give　him　a　potion；　〃　Nissel　asked；　turning　to　her；　〃to　give　him　stamina？〃
　
　〃No；　〃　Kahlan　said　bristling。　〃I　am　sure　he　will　do　just　fine。〃　
　
　CHAPTER　27
　LAUGHTER　AND　THE　SOUND　of　drums　drifted　from　the　center　of　the　village　as　Richard　and　Kahlan　walked　among　the　huddled；　dark　buildings。　Black　skies　held　back　their　rain；　and　the　damp；　warm　air　brought　in　the　smell　of　the　wet　grasses　that　surrounded　the　village。　Torches　lit　the　platforms　of　the　pole　buildings。　and　large　fires　set　about　the　open　area　snapped　and　popped；　throwing　off　fluttering　shadows。　Kahlan　knew　it　was　a　lot　of　work　to　haul　in　wood　for　cooking　and　kiln　fires；　and　most　were　kept　small。　This　was　an　extravagance　the　Mud　People　rarely　witnessed。
　
　Wonderful　aromas　from　the　cooking　fires　drifted　to　her　through　the　night　air；　but　failed　to　spark　her　appetite。　Women　dressed　in　their　brightest　dresses　rushed　around；　with　young　girls　at　their　sides；　tending　to　errands；　seeing　to　it　that　all　went　well。　The　men　wore　their　finest　skins；　ceremonial　knives　hung　at　their　waists；　and　their　hair　was　slicked　down　with　sticky　mud　in　traditional　fashion。
　
　Cooking　went　on　nonstop　as　people　wandered　by；　sampling　the　fare；　talking；　sharing　stories。　Most　people；　it　seemed；　were　either　cooking　or　eating。　There　were　children　everywhere；　playing　and　running　and　laughing；　overflowing　with　excitement　at　the　unexpected　nighttime；　firelit　gathering。
　
　Under　grass　roofs；　musicians　pounded　drums　and　scraped　paddles　up　and　down　ripples　carved　on　boldas；　long　bell…shaped　hollow　tubes。　The　eerie　strains；　music　meant　to　call　ancestors　spirits　to　the　banquet；　carried　far　out　into　the　grasslands。　Other　musicians　sat　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　open　area；　the　sound：　of　the　two　groups　sometimes　joining；　sometimes　separating；　calling　to　one　another　in　haunting　and　occasionally　frantic　beats　an（　knells。　Men　in　costume；　some　dressed　as　animals；　others　painted　as　stylized　hunters；　jumped　and　danced；　acting　out　stories　o　Mud　People　legends。　Gleeful　children　surrounded　the　dancers　imitating　them　and　stamping　their　feet　in　time　with　the　drumming。　Young　couples　off　in　darker　areas　watched　the　activities　a　they　nuzzled　close　together。　Kahlan　had　never　felt　so　alone。
　
　Savidlin；　his　freshly　cleaned　coyote　hide　around　his　shoulders　found　her　and　Richard；　and　dragged　them　off；　slapping　Richard'　back　the　whole　way；　to　sit　with　the　elders　under　their　shelter。　The　Bird　Man　was　dressed　in　his　usual；　plain　buckskin　pants　and　tunic。　He　was　important　enough　not　to　have　to　wear　anything　more。　Weselan　was　there；　as　were　the　wives　of　the　other　elders　and　she　came　to　sit　next　to　Kahlan；　taking　her　hand　and　asking　with　sincere　concern　how　her　arm　was。　Kahlan　wasn't　used　to　having　people　care　about　her。　It　felt　good　to　be　one　of　the　Mud　People；　even　if　it　was　only　pretense。　Pretense；　because　she　was　a　Confess