tg.wizardfirstrule-第53部分

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ly　had　a　grasp　on　the　power　as　it　was；　and　it　was　slipping　from　her　hold。　She　could　feel　it。　She　brought　her　lips　back　to　his；　another　small　sound　escaping　with　her　breath。
　
　The　hand　on　her　back　moved　up　under　her　shirt；　took　a　fistful　of　her　hair；　gently　pulling　her　head　away。
　
　〃Kahlan；　I　mean　it。　Only　if　you　tell　me　first。〃
　
　Reason　flooded　back　into　her　mind；　washing　coldly　through　her；　drowning　her　passion。　She　had　never　cared　for　anyone　like　this。　How　could　she　touch　him　with　her　power？　How　could　she　do　this　to　him？　She　pushed　back。　What　was　she　doing？　What　was　she　thinking？
　
　She　sat　back　on　her　heels；　taking　her　hand　from　his　chest；　putting　it　over　her　mouth。　The　world　crashed　in　around　her。　How　could　she　tell　him'？　He　would　hate　her；　she　would　lose　him。　Her　head　spun　sickeningly。
　
　Richard　sat　up；　put　his　hand　gently　on　her　shoulder。　〃Kahlan；〃　he　said　softly；　drawing　her　panicked　eyes　to　his；　〃you　don't　have　to　tell　me　if　you　don't　want　to。　Only　if　you　want　to　do　this。〃
　
　Her　eyebrows　wrinkled　together　as　she　tried　to　keep　from　crying。　〃Please。〃　She　could　hardly　get　the　words　out。　〃Just　hold　me？〃
　
　He　drew　her　tenderly　to　him；　held　her　head　to　his　shoulder。　Pain；　pain　of　who　she　was；　reached　its　icy　fingers　back　into　her。　His　other　arm　wrapped　protectively　around　her；　holding　her　tight　against　him　as　he　rocked　her。
　
　〃That's　what　friends　are　for；〃　he　whispered　in　her　ear。
　
　She　was　too　drained　even　to　cry。
　
　〃I　promise；　Richard；　I　will　tell　you。　But　not　tonight？　Tonight；　just　hold　me。　Please？〃
　
　He　slowly　lay　back　down；　embracing　her　tightly　against　him　with　his　strong　arms　as　she　bit　one　of　her　knuckles　and　clutched　him　with　her　other　hand。
　
　〃When　you　want　to。　Not　before；〃　he　promised。
　
　The　horror　of　what　she　was　wrapped　her　in　its　cold　embrace；　too。　She　shook　with　the　chill　of　it。　Her　eyes　refused　to　close　for　a　long　time；　until　at　last　she　went　to　sleep；　her　last　thoughts　of　him
　
　CHAPTER　28
　TRY　ONCE　MORE；　〃　THE　Bird　Man　said。　〃And　stop　thinking　of　the　bird　you　want〃…he　tapped　Richard's　head　with　his　knuckles　…　〃from　here。　〃　He　jabbed　a　finger　in　Richard's　abdomen。　〃Think　of　it　here！〃
　
　Richard　nodded　at　Kahlan's　translation　and　put　the　whistle　to　his　lips。　His　cheeks　puffed　out　as　he　blew。　As　usual；　there　was　no　sound。　The　Bird　Man；　Richard；　and　Kahlan　looked　around　the　flat　country。　The　hunters　who　had　escorted　them　out　onto　the　plain；　their　heads　swiveling　nervously；　leaned　against　spears　planted　point　up　in　the　grassy　ground。
　
　Seemingly　from　nowhere；　starlings；　sparrows；　and　small　field　birds；　thousands　of　them；　descended；　diving　and　swooping；　on　the　small　pany。　The。　hunters　ducked；　laughing；　as　they　had　all　day；　The　air　was　filled　with　small　birds　flying　wildly　about　in　a　frenzy。　The　sky　was　black　with　them。　The　hunters　fell　to　the　ground；　covering　their　heads；　laughing　hysterically。　Richard　rolled　his　eyes。　Kahlan　turned　her　face　from　him　as　she　laughed。　The　Bird　Man　frantically　put　his　own　whistle　to　his　lips　and　blew　over　and　over　again；　his　silver　hair　flying；　trying　desperately　to　send　the　birds　back。　At　last　they　heeded　his　calls　and　vanished　once　more。　Quiet　returned　to　the　grassland　except；　of　course；　for　the　hunters；　who　still　rolled　on　the　ground　in　laughter。
　
　The　Bird　Man　took　a　deep　breath　and　put　his　hands　on　his　hips。　〃I　give　up。　We　have　been　trying　all　day；　and　it　is　the　same　now　as　when　we　started。　Richard　With　The　Temper；〃　he　announced。　〃You　are　the　worst　bird　caller　I　have　ever　seen。　A　child　could　learn　it　in　three　tries；　but　there　is　not　enough　breath　in　you　for　the　rest　of　your　life　to　learn。　It　is　hopeless。　The　only　thing　your　whistle　says　is；　‘Came；　there　is　food　here。　'　〃
　
　〃But　I　was　thinking　‘hawk；'　I　really　was。　Every　kind　of　bird　you　named；　I　thought　it　hard　as　I　could；　honest。〃
　
　When　Kahlan　translated；　the　hunters　laughed　all　the　more。　Richard　scowled　over　at　them；　but　they　kept　laughing。　The　Bird　Man　folded　his　arms　with　a　sigh。
　
　〃It　is　no　use。　The　day　ends；　the　gathering　will　be　soon。　〃　He　put　his　arm　around　the　shoulders　of　a　frustrated　Seeker。　〃Keep　the　gift　of　the　whistle　anyway。　Though　it　will　never　aid　you；　let　it　serve　as　a　reminder　that　while　you　may　be　better　at　some　things　than　most　people；　in　this；　even　a　child　is　better　than　you。　〃
　
　The　hunters　roared。　Richard　sighed　and　gave　the　Bird　Man　a　nod。　Everyone　collected　their　things　and　headed　back　to　the　village。
　
　Richard　leaned　toward　her。　〃I　was　trying　my　best。　Really。　I　don't　understand　it。〃
　
　She　grinned；　taking　his　hand　in　hers。　〃I　am　sure　you　were。〃
　
　Though　the　light　was　fading；　the　cloudy　day　had　been　the　brightest　in　longer　than　she　could　remember；　and　it　had　helped　to　lift　her　spirits。　Mostly；　though；　what　helped　her　was　the　way　Richard　had　treated　her。　He　had　let　her　have　time　to　recover　from　last　night　without　asking　her　anything。　He　had　just　held　her；　let　her　be。
　
　Even　though　nothing　more　had　happened；　she　felt　closer　to　him　than　she　ever　had；　but　at　the　same　time；　she　knew　that　was　not　a　good　thing。　It　only　deepened　her　dilemma。　She　had　almost　made　a　very　big　mistake　last　night。　The　biggest　mistake　of　her　life。　She　was　relieved　that　he　had　pulled　her　back　from　the　brink。　At　the　same　time；　part　of　her　wished　he　hadn't。
　
　When　she　woke　this　morning；　she　didn't　know　how　he。　would　feel　about　her；　if　he　would　be　hurt；　angry；　or　hate　her。　Even　though　she　lay　bare…chested　against　him　all　night；　she　turned　her　back　to　him　in　embarrassment　while　she　buttoned　her　shirt。　As　her　fingers　slipped　the　buttons　back　in　place；　she　told　him　that　no　one　had　ever　had　a　friend　as　patient　as　the　one　she　had。　She　said　she　only　hoped　that　someday　she　could　prove　to　be　as　good　a　friend　as　he　was。
　
　〃You　already　have。　You　have　placed　your　trust；　your　life；　in　my　hands。　You　have　pledged　your　life　in　defense　of　me。　What　more　proof　could　I　have？〃
　
　She　turned；　and　resisting　mightily　the　urge　to　kiss　him；　thanked　him　for　putting　up　with　her。
　
　〃I　will　have　to　admit；　though；〃　he　said；　smiling；　〃that　I　will　never　look　at　an　apple　in　quite　the　same　way。〃
　
　That　made　her　laugh；　partly　in　embarrassment；　and　they　both　laughed　together　a　long　time。　Somehow；　it　made　her　feel　better；　and　took　away　what　could　have　been　a　thorn。
　
　Suddenly　Richard　stopped　in　his　tracks。　She　stopped；　too；　as　the　others　walked　on。
　
　〃Richard；　what　is　it？〃
　
　〃The　sun。〃　He　looked　pale。　〃For　a　moment；　a　shaft　of　sunlight　was　on　my　face。〃
　
　She　turned　to　the　west。　〃All　I　see　are　clouds。〃
　
　〃1t　was　there；　a　small　opening；　but　I　don't　see　it　either；　now。〃
　
　〃Do　you　think　it　means　something？〃
　
　He　shook　his　head。　〃I　don't　know。　But　it's　the　first　time　I've　seen　even　the　slightest　break　in　the　clouds　since　Zedd　put　them　there。　Maybe　it's　nothing。〃
　
　They　started　walking　again；　the　eerie　sounds　of　the　boldas　carrying　to　them　across　the　windswept；　flat　grasslands。　By　the　time　they　reached　the　village；　it　was　dark。　The　banquet　was　still　going　on；　as　it　had　all　last　night；　as　it　would　tonight；　until　the　gathering　was　over。　Everyone　was　still　going　strong；　except　the　children；　many　of　whom　walked　around　in　a　sleepy　stupor　or　slept　contentedly　in　corners　here　and　there。
　
　The　six　elders　were　on　their　platform；　their　wives　gone。　They　were　eating　a　meal　being　served　by　special　women；　cooks　who　were　the　only　ones　allowed　to　prepare　the　gathering　feast。　Kahlan　watched　them　pour　a　drink　for　each　of　the　elders。　It　was　red；　different　from　any　other　drink　at　the　banquet。　The　eyes　of　the　six　were　glazed；　far　off；　as　if　they　were　seeing　things　others　didn't。　Kahlan　felt　a　chill。
　
　Their　ancestors'　spirits　were　with　them。
　
　The　Bird　Man　spoke　to　them。　When　he　seemed　satisfied　by　whatever　it　was　they　told　him；　he　nodded　and　the　six　rose；　walking　in　a　line　toward　the　spirit　house。　The　sound　of　the　drums　and　the　boldas　changed　in　a　way　that　ran　bumps　up　her　arms。　The　Bird　Man　strode　back　to　them；　his　eyes　as　sharp　and　intense　as　ever。
　
　〃It　is　time；　〃　he　told　her。　〃Richard　and　I　must　go　now。　〃
　
　〃What　do　you　mean；　‘Richard　and　I'？　I'm　going　too。
　
　〃You　cannot。〃
　
　。Why　？〃
　
　〃Because　a　gathering　is　only　men。　〃
　
　〃I　am　the　Seeker's　guide；　I　must　be　there　to　translate。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man's　eyes　shifted　about　in　an　unfortable　manner。　〃But　a　gathering　is　only　men；　〃　he　repeated；　seemingly　unable　to　e　up　with　a　better　reason。
　
　She　folded　her　arms。　〃Well；　this　one　will　have　a　woman。　〃
　
　Richard　looked　from　her　face　to　the　Bird　Man's　and　back　again；　knowing　by　the　tone　of　her　voice　that　something　was　going　on；　but　deciding　not　to　interfere。　The　Bird　Man　leaned　a　little　closer　to　her　and　lowered　his　voice。
　
　〃When　we　meet　the　spirits；　it　must　be　as　they　are。〃
　
　Her　eyes　narrowed。　〃Are　you　trying　to　tell　me　that　you　can't　wear　clothes？〃
　
　He　took　a　deep　breath　and　nodded。　〃And　you　must　be　painted　with　mud。〃
　
　〃Fine；　〃　she　said；　holding　her　head　up。。　〃I　have　no　objections。　〃
　
　He　leaned　back　a　little。　〃Well；　what　about　the　Seeker？　Maybe　you　would　like　to　ask　him　what　he　feels　about　you　doing　this。　〃
　
　She　held　his　eyes　for　a　long　time；　then　turned　to　Richard。　〃I　need　to　explain　something　to　you。　When　a　person　calls　a　gathering；　they　are　sometimes　asked　questions　by　the　spirits；　through　the　elders；　to　be　sure　they　are　acting　of　noble　intent。　If　you　answer　a　question　in　a　way　that　a　spirit　ancestor　finds　dishonorable　or　untruthful　。　。　。　they　may　kill　you。　Not　the　elders；　the　spirits。〃
　
　〃I　have　the　sword；〃　he　reminded　her
　
　〃No；　you　won't。　If　you　want　a　gathering；　you　must　do　as　the　elders　do；　face　the　spirits　with　nothing　but　yourself。　You　can　wear　no　sword；　no　clothes；　and　you　must　have　mud　painted　on　you。〃　She　took　a　breath；　pushed　some　hair　back　over　her　shoulder。　〃If　I　am　not　there　to　translate；　you　may　get　killed　simply　because　you　cannot　answer　a　question　you　don't　understand。　Then　Rahl　wins。　I　must　be　there　to　interpret。　But　if　I'm　there；　I；　too；　can　wear　no　clothes。　The　Bird　Man　is　in　a　fret；　and　wishes　to　know　what　you　think　of　this。　He　is　hoping　you　will　forbid　me　from　doing　this。〃
　
　Richard　folded　his　arms；　looking　her　in　the　eye。　〃I　think　you　are　bound　and　determined；　one　way　or　another；　to　have　your　clothes　off　in　the　spirit　house。〃
　
　The　corners　of　his　mouth　turned　up；　and　his　eyes　sparkled。　Kahlan　had　to　bite　her　lower　lip　to　keep　from　laughing。　The　Bird　Man　looked　from　one　to　the　other；　confused。
　
　〃Richard！〃　She　spoke　his　name　in　a　rising　tone　of　caution。　〃This　is　serious。　And　don't　get　your　hopes　up。　It　will　be　dark。〃　Still；　she　could　hardly　keep　from　laughing。
　
　Richard's　face　regained　its　seriousness　as　he　turned　to　the　Bird　Man。　〃I　called　the　gathering。　I　need　Kahlan　there。〃
　
　She　could　almost　see　him　flinch　at　the　translation。　〃You　two　have　been　stretching　my　limits　from　the　moment　you　arrived。　〃　He　gave　a　loud　sigh。　〃Why　should　it　change　now？　Lets　go。　〃
　
　Kahlan　and　Richard　walked　side；　by　side；　following　the　Bird　Man's　silhouette　as　he　led　them　off　through　the　dark　passageways　of　the　village；　turning　to　the　right　several　times；　then　the　other　way。　Richard's　hand　found　hers。　Kahlan　was　a　lot　more　nervous　about　this　than　she　let　on；　about　sitting　naked　with　eight　naked　men。　But　she　was　not　about　to　let　Richard　go　into　the　gathering　without　her。　This　was　no　time　to　let　it　all　slip　away　from　them：　they　had　worked　too　hard；　time　was　too　short。
　
　She　put　on　her　Confessor's　face。
　
　Before　they　reached　the　spirit　house；　the　Bird　Man　took　them　through　a　narrow　doorway；　into　a　small　room　in　a　building　nearby。　The　other　elders　were　there；　sitting　cross…legged　on　the　floor；　staring　blankly　ahead。　She　smiled　at　Savidlin；　but　he　didn't　respond。　The　Bird　Man　picked　up　a　small　bench　and　two　clay　pots
　
　〃When　I　call　your　name；　e　out。　Wait　until　then。　〃
　
　As　the　Bird　Man　took　his　bench　and　pots　with　him；　squeezing　sideways　out　the　door；　Kahlan　told　Richard　what　he　had　said。　In　a　while　he　called　Caldus's　name；　and　after　a　time；　each　of　the　other　elders　in　turn；　Savidlin　last。　Savidlin　did　not　speak　to　them　or　even　acknowledge　that　he　knew　they　were　there。　The　spirits　were　in　his　eves。
　
　Kahlan　and　Richard　sat　in　silence　in　the　empty；　dark　room；　waiting。　She　picked　at　the　heel　of　her　boot；　trying　not　to　think　about　what　it　was　she　had　mitted　herself　to；　yet　unable　to　think　of　anything　else。
　
　Richard　would　be　unarmed；　without　his　sword；　his　protection。　But　she　would　not　be　without　her　power。　She　would　be　his　protection。　Though　she　had　not　spoken　it；　that　was　the　other　reason　she　had　to　be　in　there。　If　anything　went　wrong；　it　was　going　to　be　she　who　died；　not　him；　that　much　she　knew。　She　would　see　to　it。　She　steeled　herself；　went　into　herself。　She　heard　the　Bird　Man　call　out　Richard's　name。　He　rose　to　his　feet。
　
　〃Let's　hope　this　works。　If　it　doesn't；　we're　in　a　lot　of　trouble。　I'm　glad　I'll　have　you　there。〃　It　was　a　warning；　to　stay　alert。
　
　She　nodded。　〃Just　remember；　Richard；　these　are　our　people　now；　we　belong。　They　want　to　help　us；　they　will　be　doing　their　best。〃
　
　Kahlan　sat　hugging　her　knees；　waiting；　until　her　name　was　called；　then　went　out　into　the　cool；　dark　night。　The　Bird　Man　sat　against　the　wall　of　the　spirit　house；　on　the　little　bench。　She　could　see　in　the　dark　that　he　was　naked；　symbols　painted　in　jagged　lines；　stripes　and　whorls　all　over　his　body；　his　silver　hair　down　around　his　bare　shoulders。　Chickens　roosted　on　a　short　wall　nearby；　watching。　A　hunter　stood　near　the　Bird　Man。　Coyote　hides；　clothes；　and　Richard's　sword　lay　at　his　feet。
　
　〃Remove　your　clothes；　〃　the　Bird　Man　said。
　
　〃What　is　this？〃　she　asked；　pointing　at　the　hunter。
　
　〃He　is　here　to　take　the　clothes。　They　are　taken　to　the　elders'　platform；　for　the　people　to　see　that　we　are　in　a　gathering。　Before　dawn；　he　will　return　them；　to　let　the　people　know　that　the　gathering　is　at　an　end。　〃
　
　〃Well；　tell　him　to　turn　around。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　gave　the　order。　The　hunter　turned　around。　She　gripped　the　tongue　of　her　belt；　yanked　it　free　from　the　catch。　She　paused；　looking　down　at　the　Bird　Man。
　
　〃Child；　〃　he　said　softly；　〃tonight　you　are　neither　man　nor　woman。　You　are　a　Mud　Person。　Tonight；　1　am　neither　man　nor　woman。　I　am　a　spirit　guide。　〃
　
　She　nodded；　removed　her　clothes；　and　stood　before　him；　the　cold　night　air　on　her　naked　flesh。　He　scooped　a　handful　of　white　mud　from　one　of　the　pots。　His　hands　paused　before　her。　She　waited。　He　was　clearly　skittish　about　doing　this；　despite　what　he　said。　Seeing　was　one　thing；　touching　quite　another。
　
　Kahlan　reached　out；　took　his　hand；　and　pulled　it　firmly　against　her　belly；　feeling　the　cold　mud　squish　against　her。
　
　〃Do　it；〃　she　ordered。
　
　When　finished；　they　pulled　the　door　open　and　went　inside；　he　sitting　among　the　circle　of　painted　elders；　she　opposite　him；　next　to　Richard。　Black　and　white　lines　swept　diagonally　across　Richard's　face　in　dramatic　tangles；　a　mask　they　all　wore　for　the　spirits。　The　skulls　that　had　sat　on　the　shelf　were　arranged　in　the　center　of　the　circle。　A　small　fire　burned　slowly　in　the　fireplace　behind　her；　giving　off　an　odd；　acrid　smell。　The　elders　stared　fixedly　ahead　as　they　rhythmically　chanted