tg.wizardfirstrule-第52部分

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　went　on。
　
　〃'Course；　it's　up　to　you。　I'm　willing　to　give　it　a　try；　but　I　thought　you　should　know　of　the　ways　of　my　homeland。　I　didn't　think　it　would　be　fair　not　to　tell　you。〃　Now　Richard　turned　to　them；　his　eyebrows　set　in　a　menacing　frown；　his　voice　carrying　a　thread　of　threat。　〃So；　if　the　elders；　in　their　wisdom；　wish　to　ask　me　not　to　perform　this　duty；　I　will　understand；　and　with　regret；　ply　with　their　wishes。〃
　
　He　held　them　in　his　hard　gaze。　Savidlin　grinned。　The　other　five　were　of　no　mind　to　challenge　Richard；　and　turned　to　the　Bird　Man　beseeching　direction。　He　sat　still；　a　bead　of　sweat　rolling　down　the　leathery　skin　of　his　neck；　silver　hair　limp　on　the　buckskin　shoulders　of　his　tunic；　holding　Richard's　eyes　for　a　short　time。　His　mouth　turned　up　in　a　small　smile　that　showed　in　his　eyes；　too；　and　he　nodded　slightly　to　himself。
　
　〃　Richard　With　The　Temper；　〃　his　voice　was　even；　and　strong；　for　not　only　the　elders；　but　also　the　crowd　that　had　gathered　around　the　platform；　were　listening；　〃since　you　are　from　a　different　land；　and　your　seed　could　be　poisonous　to　this　young　woman　。　。　。　〃　he　lifted　one　eyebrow；　leaning　the　slightest　bit　forward；　〃　。　。　。　my　niece；〃　he　looked　to　her；　then　back　to　Richard；　〃we　beg　that　you　not　hold　us　to　this　tradition；　that　you　not　take　her　as　your　wife。　I　am　sorry　to　have　to　ask　this　of　you。　I　know　you　were　looking　forward　to　giving　us　your　child。　〃
　
　Richard　nodded　seriously。　〃Yes；　I　was。　But　I　will　just　have　to　live　with　my　failing；　and　try　to　make　the　Mud　People；　my　people；　proud　of　me　in　other　ways。〃　He　was　closing　the　deal　with　a　condition　of　his　own：　they　were　not　going　to　be　allowed　to　back　out　now；　he　was　a　Mud　Person　and　this　would　not　change　it。
　
　There　was　a　collective　sigh　of　relief　from　the　other　elders。　They　all　nodded；　only　too　happy　to　have　the　matter　settled　to　his　liking。　The　young　woman　smiled　with　relief　at　her　uncle　and　left。　Richard　turned　to　Kahlan；　his　face　showed　no　emotion。
　
　〃Are　there　any　other　conditions　that　I　don't　know　about？〃
　
　〃No。〃　Kahlan　felt　confused。　She　didn't　know　if　she　felt　happy　because　Richard　had　gotten　out　of　taking　a　wife；　or　if　she　was　heartbroken　because　he　felt　she　had　betrayed　him。
　
　He　turned　to　the　elders。　〃Is　my　presence　required　any　longer　tonight？〃
　
　The　five　were　delighted　to　grant　him　his　wish　to　leave。　Savidlin　seemed　a　little　disappointed。　The　Bird　Man　said　that　the　Seeker　had　been　a　great　savior　of　his　people；　had　performed　his　duties　with　honor；　and　that　if　he　was　tired　from　the　struggles　of　the　day；　he　could　be　excused。
　
　Richard　stood　slowly；　towering　over　her。　His　boots　were　right　in　front　of　her。　Kahlan　knew　he　was　looking　down　at　her；　but　she　fixed　her　eyes　on　the　floor。
　
　〃Piece　of　advice；〃　he　said　in　a　voice　that　surprised　her　with　its　gentleness；　〃since　you　have　never　had　a　friend　before。　Friends　don't　bargain　away　another　friend's　rights。　Or　their　hearts。〃
　
　She　couldn't　bring　herself　to　look　up　at　him。
　
　He　dropped　the　apple　core　in　her　lap　and　walked　off；　disappearing　in　the　crowd。
　
　…＋
　
　Kahlan　sat　on　the　elders'　platform；　in　a　fog　of　loneliness；　watching　her　fingers　shake。　The　others　watched　the　dancers。　With　supreme　effort　she　counted　the　drumbeats　and　used　the　count　to　help　her　control　her　breathing　and　keep　from　crying。　The　Bird　Man　came　and　sat　next　to　her。　She　found　herself　cheered　by　the　pany。
　
　He　raised　an　eyebrow　to　her；　leaning　closer。　〃Someday；　I　would　like　to　meet　the　wizard　who　named　that　one。　1　would　like　to　know　where　he　fends　such　Seekers。　〃
　
　Kahlan　was　surprised　she　could　still　laugh。
　
　〃Someday；　〃　she　said；　smiling　at　him；　〃if　I　live；　and　we　win；　I　promise　I　will　bring　him　here；　to　meet　you。　In　many　ways；　he　is　as　remarkable　as　Richard。〃
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃1　shall　hone　my　wits　to　defend　myself　in　the　encounter。　〃
　
　She　leaned　her　head　against　him　and　laughed　until　she　started　to　cry。　He　put　his　aria　protectively　around　her　shoulders。
　
　〃I　should　have　listened　to　you；　〃　she　sobbed。　〃1　should　have　asked　him　his　wishes。　I　had　no　right　to　do　as　I　did。　〃
　
　〃Your　desire　to　stop　Darken　Rahl　made　you　do　what　you　thought　necessary。　Sometimes；　making　the　wrong　choice　is　better　than　making　no　choice。　You　have　the　courage　to　go　forward；　that　is　rare。　A　person　who　stands　at　the　fork；　unable　to　pick；　will　never　get　anywhere。　〃
　
　〃But　it　hurts　so　much　to　have　him　angry　at　me；〃　she　cried。
　
　〃I　will　tell　you　a　secret　you　might　riot　otherwise　learn　until　you　are　too　old　to　benefit　from　the　knowledge。　〃　Wet　eyes　looked　up　at　his　smile。　〃It　hurts　him　just　as　much　to　be　angry　at　you；　as　it　hurts　you　when　he　is　that　angry。　〃
　
　〃Really？　〃　He　laughed　silently　and　nodded。　〃Take　it　on　faith；　child。〃
　
　〃I　had　no　right；　I　should　have　。seen　that　before。　I　am　so　sorry　l　did　it。　〃
　
　〃Don't　tell　me。　Tell　him。　〃
　
　She　pushed　away；　looking　at　his　weathered　face。　〃l　think　I　will。　Thank　you；　honored　elder。　〃
　
　〃And　while　you　are　offering　apologies；　offer　mine　also。　〃
　
　Kahlan　frowned。　〃For　what？〃
　
　He　sighed。　〃Being　old；　being　an　elder；　does　not　exclude　you　from　holding　foolish　ideas。　Today；　I　too　made　a　mistake；　for　Richard；　and　for　my　niece。　I；　too；　had　no　right。　Thank　him　for　me；　for　keeping　me　from　imposing　deeds　I　should　have　questioned；　but　did　not。　〃　He　took　his　whistle　from　around　his　neck。　〃Give　him　this　gift；　with　my　thanks；　for　opening　my　eyes。　May　it　serve　him　well。　Tomorrow；　I　will　show　him　how　to　use　it。〃
　
　〃But；　you　need　it　to　call　the　birds。　〃
　
　He　smiled。　〃1　have　others。　Go　now。〃
　
　Kahlan　took　the　whistle；　clutching　it　tightly　in　her　hand。　She　wiped　the　tears　from　her　face。　〃In　my　whole　life；　I've　hardly　ever　cried。　Since　the　boundary　to　D'Hara　came　down；　it　seems　as　if　that's　all　I　do。　〃
　
　〃We　all　do；　child。　Go。〃
　
　She　kissed　his　cheek　quickly　and　left。　Searching　the　open　areas；　she　found　no　sign　of　Richard。　People　she　asked　hadn't　seen　him。　She　walked　around　in　circles；　looking。　Where　was　he？　Children　tried　to　draw　her　into　their　dancing；　people　offered　her　food；　others　wanted　to　talk　to　her。　She　politely　turned　them　all　down。
　
　At　last　she　went　off　to　Savidlin's　home；　deciding　that　that　was　where　he　would　be。　But　the　house　was　empty。　She　sat　down　on　the　floor　skin；　thinking。　Would　he　leave　without　her？　Her　heart　panicked。　Her　eyes　searched　around　the　floor。　No。　His　pack　was　still　there；　where　she　had　left　it　when　she　had　gotten　him　the　apple。　Besides；　he　wouldn't　leave　before　the　gathering。
　
　Then　it　came　to　her。　She　knew　where　he　was。　She　smiled　to　herself；　took　an　apple　out　of　his　pack；　and　headed　through　the　dark　walkways　between　the　buildings　of　the　Mud　People's　village；　headed　for　the　spirit　house。
　
　Light　flared　suddenly　in　the　darkness；　lighting　the　walls　around　her。　At　first；　she　didn't　realized　what　it　was；　then；　looking　out　between　the　buildings；　she　saw　lightning。　Lightning　at　the　horizon；　in　every　direction；　all　around；　lacing　its　angry　fingers　into　the　sky；　into　the　dark　clouds；　lighting　them　from　inside　with　boiling　colors。　There　was　no　thunder。　And　then　it　was　gone；　leaving　darkness　once　more。
　
　Was　there　no　end　to　this　weather；　she　wondered。　Would　she　ever　again　see　stars；　or　the　sun？　Wizards　and　their　clouds；　she　thought；　shaking　her　head。　She　wondered　if　she　would　ever　see　Zedd　again。　At　least　the　clouds　protected　Richard　from　Darken　Rahl。
　
　The　spirit　house　sat　in　the　dark；　away　from　the　sound　and　activity　of　the　banquet。　Cautiously；　Kahlan　pulled　back　the　door。　Richard　sat　on　the　floor　in　front　of　the　fire；　his　sword；　in　its　scabbard；　lay　at　his　side。　He　didn't　turn　at　the　sound。
　
　〃Your　guide　wishes　to　speak　with　you；〃　she　said　meekly。
　
　The　door　squeaked　closed　behind　her　as　she　kneeled　down；　sitting　back　on'　her　heels　next　to　him；　her　heart　pounding。
　
　〃And　what　does　my　guide　wish　to　tell　me？〃　He　smiled；　she　thought　in　spite　of　himself。
　
　〃That　she　made　a　mistake；〃　she　said　softly；　picking　at　a　string　on　her　pants。　〃And　that　she　is　sorry。　Very；　very　sorry。　Not　just　for　what　she　did；　but　mostly　for　not　trusting　you。〃
　
　The　insides　of；　his　elbows　were　hooked　around　his　knees；　one　hand　holding　the　other。　He　turned　to　face　her；　the　warm；　red　glow　of　firelight　reflecting　in　his　gentle　eyes。
　
　〃I　had　a　whole　speech　rehearsed　in　my　mind。　But　now　I　can't　remember　a　word　of　it。　You　have　that　effect　on　me。〃　He　smiled　again。　〃Apology　accepted。〃
　
　Relief　swept　through　her。　She　felt　as　if　her　heart　were　mending。　From　under　her　eyebrows；　she　looked　up　at　him。　〃Was　it　a　good　speech？〃
　
　His　grin　widened。　〃It　seemed　so　at　the　time；　but　now　I　don't　think　so。〃
　
　〃You　are　pretty　good　at　speeches。　You　nearly　scared　the　wits　out　of　the　elders；　including　the　Bird　Man。〃　Reaching　out；　she　placed　the　whistle　over　his　head；　around　his　neck。
　
　Unclasping　his　hands；　he　touched　it　with　his　fingers。　〃What's　this　for？〃　〃It　is　a　gift　from　the　Bird　Man；　with　his　apology　for　what　he　tried　to　make　you　do。　He　said　he；　too；　had　no　right；　and　wishes　to　thank　you；　with　this　gift；　for　opening　his　heart's　eyes。　Tomorrow　he　will　teach　you　to　use　it。〃　Kahlan　turned　to　sit　with　her　back　to　the　fire；　facing　him；　close　against　him。　It　was　a　warm　night；　and　with　the　heat　of　the　fire；　Richard　glistened　with　sweat。　The　symbols　painted　across　his　chest　and　around　his　upper　arms　gave　him　a　wild；　savage　appearance。　〃You　have　a　way　of　opening　people's　eyes；〃　she　said　in　a　coy　voice。　〃I　think　you　must　have　used　magic。〃
　
　〃Maybe　I　did。　Zedd　says　that　sometimes　a　trick　is　the　best　magic。〃
　
　The　sound　of　his　voice　resonated　with　something　deep　inside　her；　made　her　feel　weak。　〃And　Adie　said　you　have　the　magic　of　the　tongue；〃　she　whispered。
　
　The　look　in　his　gray　eyes　penetrated　her；　impaling　her　with　its　power；　making　her　breathing　quicken。　Haunting　sounds　of　the　boldas　carried　in　from　the　distance；　mingling　with　the　sound　of　the　fire；　of　his　breathing。　She　had　never　felt　this　safe；　this　relaxed；　and　this　tense；　all　at　the　same　time。　It　was　confusing。
　
　Her　gaze　wandered　from　his　eyes；　feasting　on　other　places　on　his　face：　the　shape　of　his　nose；　the　angle　of　his　cheeks；　the　line　of　his　chin。　Her　eyes　stopped　on　his　lips。　Suddenly　she　was　aware　of　how　hot　it　was　in　the　spirit　house。　She　felt　lightheaded。
　
　Probing　his　gaze　again；　she　withdrew　the　apple　from　her　pocket　and　took　a　slow；　juicy　bite；　dragging　her　teeth　across　the　meat。　The　iron　look　in　his　eyes　never　wavered。　Fluidly；　impulsively；　she　put　the　apple　to　his　mouth　and　held　it　there　as　he　took　a　big；　wet　bite。　If　only　it　were　possible　for　him　to　put　his　lips　on　her　like　that；　she　thought。
　
　And　why　not？　Was　she　to　die　in　this　quest　without　being　allowed　to　be　a　woman？　Must　she　be　only　a　warrior？　Fight　for　everyone's　happiness　but　her　own？　Seekers；　in　the　best　of　times；　died　all　too　quickly；　and　these　were　not　the　best　of　times。
　
　These　were　the　end　of　times。
　
　She　ached　at　the　thought　of　him　dying。
　
　She　pushed　the　apple　harder　against　his　teeth　as　she　watched　his　eyes。　Even　if　she　took　him；　she　reasoned；　he　could　still　fight　on；　at　her　side；　maybe　with　even　more　resolve　than　he　had　now
　
　It　would　be　for　different　reasons；　but　he　would　be　just　as　deadly；　maybe　more　so。　He　would　be　different；　though；　not　the　same　person　he　was　now。　That　person　would　be　gone　forever。
　
　But　at　least　he　would　be　hers。　She　wanted　him　so　desperately；　in　a　way　she　had　never　wanted　anything　before；　a　way　that　was　painful。　Were　they　both　to　die　without　being　allowed　to　live？　She　felt　a　tingling　weakness　with　the　need　of　him。
　
　Teasingly；　she　took　the　apple　from　his　mouth。　Juice　ran　down　his　chin。　Slowly；　deliberately；　she　leaned　over　and　licked　the　sweet　juice　from　his　chin。　He　didn't　move。　Their　faces　were　inches　apart；　she　shared　his　breath；　quick　and　warm。　So　close　was　she　that　her　eyes　could　scarcely　focus　on　his。　She　had　to　swallow　the　wetness　in　her　mouth。
　
　Reason　was　rapidly　evaporating　from　her　mind；　being　replaced　with　feelings　that　tantalized　her　with　promise；　gripped　her　with　hot　need。
　
　She　released　the　apple；　brought　her　wet　fingers　to　his　lips；　and　watched；　her　own　tongue　on　her　upper　lip；　as　he　let　each　finger　slide　into　his　mouth；　slowly　sucking　the　juice　from　them　one　at　a　time　as　she　offered　them。　The　feeling　of　the　inside　of　his　mouth；　wet　and　warm；　sent　shivers　through　her。
　
　A　small　sound　escaped　her　lips。　Her　heart　pounded　in　her　ears。　Her　chest　heaved。　She　ran…　her　wet　fingers　down　his　chin；　his　neck；　to　his　chest；　lightly　gliding　them　over　the　symbols　painted　on　him；　tracing　them　with　her　fingers；　feeling　the　hills　and　valleys　of　him。
　
　ing　to　her　knees　above　him；　she　circled　a　fingertip　around　the　hardness　of　one　of　his　nipples；　firmly　caressed　his　chest　as　she　let　her　eyes　slide　closed　for　a　moment　while　gritting　her　teeth。　Gently；　but　forcefully；　she　pushed　him　down　on　his　back。　He　went　easily；　without　protest。　She　leaned　over　him　with　her　hand　still　on　his　chest　for　support。　The　feeling　of　him　surprised　her；　the　rigid　hardness　of　his　muscles；　sheathed　with　yielding；　velvety　soft　skin；　the　wetness　of　his　sweat；　the　coarseness　of　his　hairs；　the　heat。　His　chest　rose　and　fell　with　his　heavy　breathing；　with　the　life　in　him。
　
　Leaving　one　knee　next　to　his　hip；　she　put　the　other　between　his　legs　as　she　looked　down　into　his　eyes；　her　thick　hair　cascading　down　around　his　face　as　she　continued　to　support　herself　with　the　hand　on　his　chest；　not　wanting　to　move　it；　to　lose　the　connection　with　his　moist　flesh。　A　connection　that　was　igniting　her　with　its　heat。
　
　Between　her　knees；　the　muscles　of　his　thigh　flexed；　sending　her　pulse　racing　even　faster。　She　had　to　open　her　mouth　to　get　her　breath。　She　lost　herself　in　his　eyes；　eyes　that　felt　as　if　they　were　probing　her　soul；　stripping　it　bare。　They　sent　fire　raging　through　her。
　
　With　her　other　hand　she　smoothly　unbuttoned　her　shirt　and　pulled　out　the　tails。
　
　She　put　her　hand　behind　his　strong　neck；　still　holding　herself　up；　away　from　him；　with　the　other　on　his　chest。　Her　fingers　slid　into　his　damp　hair；　tightened　into　a　fist；　held　his　head　to　the　ground。
　
　A　big；　powerful　hand　slipped　under　her　shirt；　to　the　small　of　her　back；　stroking　in　little　circles；　then　slowly　slid　up　the　line　of　her　spine；　sending　shivers　through　her；　before　ing　to　a　stop　between　her　shoulder　blades。　Her　eyes　half　closed　as　she　flexed　her　back　against　his　hand；　wanting　him　to　draw　her　against　him。　Her　breathing　was　so　fast；　she　was　almost　panting。
　
　She　drew　her　knee　up　his　leg　until　it　wouldn't　go　any　father。　Little　sounds　escaped　with　some　of　her　breaths。　His　chest　heaved　against　her　hand。　As　he　lay　under　her；　she　thought　he　had　never　seemed　so　big　to　her　before。
　
　〃I　want　you；〃　she　panted　in　a　breathless　whisper。
　
　Her　head　lowered。　Her　lips　brushed　against　his。
　
　A　look　of　pain　seemed　to　cross　his　eyes。　〃Only　if　you　first　tell　me　what　you　are。〃
　
　The　words　cut　through　her；　bringing　her　eyes　open　wide。　Her　head　moved　back　a　little。　But　she　was　touching　him；　he　could　not　stop　her；　she　thought。　she　didn't　want　him　to　stop　her。　She　barely　had　a　grasp　on　the　power　as　it　was；　and　it　was　slipping　from　her　hold。　She　could　feel　it。　She　bro