tg.wizardfirstrule-第56部分

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　Turning　back；　she　caught　sight　of　the　hem　of　a　silver　robe　that　touched　the　floor。　Her　breath　caught　in　her　throat。　She　hadn't　heard　footsteps。　Her　head　slowly；　almost　involuntarily；　rose　up　the　line　of　the　robe；　to　the　hands　stuck　in　the　opposite　sleeves；　to　the　long；　pointed；　white　beard；　to　the　bony　face；　the　hooked　nose；　the　bald　head；　and　the　dark　eyes　looking　down　at　her　startled　face。
　
　The　wizard。
　
　〃Wizard　Giller；〃　she　whined；　fully　expecting　to　be　struck　dead　any　second；　〃I　was　only　putting　it　back。　I　swear。　Please；　please　don't　kill　me。〃　Her　face　wrinkled　up　as　she　tried　to　make　herself　back　away；　but　her　feet　wouldn't　move。　〃Please。〃　She　stuck　the　hem　of　her　dress　in　her　mouth；　biting　it　as　she　whimpered。
　
　Rachel　scrunched　her　eyes　closed　and　shook　as　the　wizard　began　sinking；　lowering　himself　to　the　floor。
　
　〃Child；〃　he　said　in　a　soft　voice。　Rachel　cautiously　opened　one　eye；　surprised　to　find　he　was　sitting　on　the　floor；　his　face　even　with　hers。　〃I　am　not　going　to　hurt　you。〃
　
　She　opened　the　other　eye；　just　as　cautiously。　〃You're　not？〃　She　didn't　believe　him。　She　saw　with　a　start　that　the　big　heavy　door　was　closed；　her　only　escape　route　blocked。
　
　〃No；〃　he　smiled；　shaking　his　bald　head。　〃Who　took　the　box　down？〃
　
　〃We　were　playing。　That's　all；　just　playing。　I　was　putting　it　back　for　the　Princess。　She's　very　good　to　me；　so　very　good；　I　wanted　to　help　her。　She's　a　wonderful　person。　I　love　her；　she's　so　kind　to　me　。　。　。'　He　put　a　long　finger　over　her　lips；　to　gently　silence　her。　〃I　get　the　point；　child。　So；　you　are　the　Princess's　playmate　then？〃
　
　She　nodded　in　earnest。　〃Rachel。〃
　
　His　grin　got　bigger。　〃That's　a　pretty　name。　Glad　to　meet　you；　Rachel。　I'm　sorry　I　frightened　you。　I。　was　only　ing　to　check　on　the　Queen's　box。〃
　
　No　one　had　ever　told　her　that　her　name　was　pretty。　But　he　had　shut　the　big　door。　〃You're　not　going　to　strike　me　dead？　Or　change　me　into　something　horrid？〃
　
　〃Oh；　dear；　no；〃　he　laughed。　He　turned　his　head；　peering　at　her　with　one　eye。　〃Why　are　there　red　marks　on　your　cheeks？〃
　
　She　didn't　answer；　too　scared　to　say。　Slowly；　carefully；　he　reached　out；　his　fingers　touching　one　cheek；　then　the　other。　Her　eyes　opened　wide。　The　sting　was　gone。
　
　〃Better？〃
　
　She　nodded。　His　eyes　seemed　so　big；　the　way　they　looked　at　her　up　close　like　this。　They　made　her　feel　like　telling　him；　so　she　did。　〃The　Princess　hits　me；〃　she　admitted；　ashamed。
　
　〃So'？　She　is　not　so　kind　to　you；　then？〃
　
　She　shook　her　head；　casting　her　eyes　downward。　Then　the　wizard　did　something　that　absolutely　stunned　her。　He　reached　around　and　gave　her　a　gentle　hug。　She　stood　stiffly　for　a　moment；　then　put　her　arms　around　his　neck；　hugging　him　back。　His　long　white　whiskers　tickled　the　side　of　her　face　and　neck；　but　she　still　liked　it。
　
　He　looked　at　her　with　sad　eyes。　〃I'm　sorry；　dear　child。　The　Princess　and　the　Queen　can　be　quite　cruel。〃
　
　His　voice　sounded　so　nice；　she　thought；　like　Brophy's。　A　big　grin　spread　beneath　his　hook　nose。
　
　〃Tell　you　what；　I　have　something　here　that　might　help。〃　A　thin　hand　reached　into　his　robes；　and　he　looked　up　into　the　air　while　his　hand　felt　around。…Then　his　hand　found　what　it　was　looking　for。　Her　eyes　went　wide　as　he　pulled　out　a　doll　with　short　hair　the　same　yellow　color　as　hers。　He　patted　the　doll's　tummy。　〃This　is　a　trouble　doll。〃
　
　〃Trouble　doll？〃　she　whispered。
　
　〃Yes。〃　He　nodded。　There　were　deep　wrinkles　at　the　ends　of　his　smile。　〃When　you　have　troubles；　you　tell　them　to　the　doll；　and　she　takes　them　away　for　you。　She　has　magic。　Here。　Try　it　out。〃　Rachel　could　hardly　take　a　breath　as　she　reached　out　with　both　hands；　her　fingers　carefully　clutching　the　doll。　She　pulled　it　to　her　chest　cautiously　and　hugged　it。　Then；　tentatively；　slowly；　she　held　it　out；　looking　at　its　face。　Her　eyes　got　all　watery。
　
　〃Princess　Violet　says　I'm　ugly；〃　she　confided　in　the　doll。
　
　The　face　on　the　doll　smiled。　Rachel's　mouth　dropped　open。
　
　〃I　love　you；　Rachel；〃　it　said　in　a　tiny　little　voice。
　
　Rachel　gasped　in　surprise；　she　giggled　in　glee；　she　hugged　the　doll　to　her　as　tight　as　she　could。　She　laughed　and　laughed；　swinging　her　body　back　and　forth　as　she　hugged　the　doll　to　her　chest。
　
　Then；　she　remembered。　She　pushed　the　doll　back　at　the　wizard；　turning　her　face　away。
　
　〃I'm　not　allowed　to　have　a　doll。　The　Princess　said　so。　She　would　throw　it　in　the　fire；　that's　what　she　said。　If　I　had　a　doll；　she　would　throw　it　in　the　fire。〃　She　could　hardly　speak；　because　of　the　lump　in　her　throat。
　
　〃Well；　let　me　think；〃　the　wizard　said；　rubbing　his　chin。　〃Where　do　you　sleep？〃
　
　〃Most　of　the　time；　I　sleep　in　the　Princess's　bedroom。　She　locks　me　in　the　box　at　night。　I　think　that's　mean。　Sometimes；　when　she　says　I've　been　bad；　she　makes　me　leave　the　castle　for　the　night；　so　I　have　to　sleep　outside。　She　thinks　that's　even　meaner；　but　I　really　like　it；　because　I　have　a　secret　place；　in　a　wayward　pine；　where　I　sleep。
　
　〃Wayward　pines　don't　have　locks　on　them；　you　know。　I　can　go　potty　whenever　I　have　to。　It's　pretty　cold　sometimes；　but　I　got　a　pile　of　straw；　and　I　climb　under　it　to　keep　warm。　I　have　to　e　back　in　the　morning；　before　she　sends　the　guards　to　look　for　me；　so　they　won't　find　my　secret　place。　I　don't　want　them　to　find　it。　They　would　tell　the　Princess　and　she　wouldn't　send　me　out　anymore。〃
　
　The　wizard　tenderly　cupped　his　hands　around　her　face。　It　made　her　feel　special。　〃Dear　child；〃　he　whispered；　〃that　I　could　have　been　a　party　to　this。〃　His　eyes　were　wet。　Rachel　didn't　know　wizards　could　get　tears。　Then　his　big　grin　came　back；　and　he　held　up　a　finger。　〃I　have　an　idea。　You　know　the　gardens；　the　formal　gardens？〃
　
　Rachel　nodded。　〃I　go　through　them　to　go　to　my　secret　place；　when　I'm　put　out　at　night。　The　Princess　makes　me　go　through　the　outer　wall　at　the　garden　gate。　She　doesn't　want　me　to　go　out　the　front；　past　the　shops　and　people。　She's　afraid　someone　might　take　me　in　for　the　night。　She　told　me　1　mustn't　go　to　the　town　or　the　farmland。　I　must　go　to　the　woods；　as　punishment。〃
　
　〃Well；　as　you　walk　down　the　central　path　of　the　garden；　there　are　short　urns；　on　both　sides；　with　yellow　flowers　in　them。〃　Rachel　nodded。　She　knew　where　they　were。　〃I　will　hide　your　doll　in　the　third　urn　on　the　right。　I　will　put　a　wizard's　web　over　it…that's　magic…so　no　one　but　you　will　find　it。〃　He　took　the　doll　and　carefully　tucked　it　away　back　in　his　robes　as　her　eyes　followed　it。　〃The　next　time　you　are　put　out　for　the　night；　you　go　there　and　you　will　find　your　doll。　Then　you　can　keep　it　at　your　place；　your　wayward　pine；　where　no　one　will　find　it；　or　take　it　from　you。
　
　〃And　I　will　also　leave　you　a　magic　fire　stick。　Just　build　a　little　stack　of　sticks；　not　too　big　now；　with　stones　around　it；　and　then　hold　the　magic　fire　stick　to　it　and　say　‘Light　for　me；'　and　it　will　burn；　so　you　can　keep　warm。〃
　
　Rachel　threw　her　arms　around　him；　hugging　and　hugging　him　as　he　patted　her　back。　〃Thank　you；　wizard　Giller。〃
　
　〃You　may　call　me　Giller　when　we　are　alone；　child；　just　Giller；　that　is　what　all　my　good　friends　call　me。〃
　
　〃Thank　you　so　much　for　my　doll；　Giller。　No　one　ever　gave　me　anything　so　nice　before。　I'll　take　the　bestest　care　of　her。　I　have　to　go　now。　I'm　to　scold　the　cooks　for　the　Princess。　Then　I　have　to　sit　and　watch　her　eat。〃　She　grinned。　〃Then　I　have　to　think　of　something　bad　to　do　so　the　Princess　will　put　me　out　tonight。〃
　
　The　wizard　laughed　a　deep　laugh　as　his　eyes　sparkled。　He　mussed　her　hair　with　his　big　hand。　Giller　helped　her　with　the　heavy　door　and　locked　it　for　her；　then　handed　the　key　back　to　her。
　
　〃I　so　hope　we　can　talk　again　sometime；〃　she　said；　looking　up　at　him。
　
　He　smiled　at　her。　〃We　will；　Rachel；　we　will。　I'm　sure　of　it。〃
　
　Waving　back　at　him；　she　ran　off　down　the　long；　empty　hall；　happier　than　she　had　been　since　she　first　came　to　live　at　the　castle。　It　was　a　long　way；　through　the　castle；　down　to　the　kitchen；　down　stone　stairs　and　halls　with　rugs　on　the　floors　and　paintings　on　the　walls；　through　big　rooms　with　tall　windows　hung　with　gold　and　red　drapery；　and　chairs　of　red　velvet　with　gold　legs；　long　carpets　with　pictures　on　them　of　men　fighting　on　horseback；　past　guards　who　stood　still　as　stone　at　some　of　the　big　fancy　doors　or　marched　in　twos；　and　by　servants　who　rushed　everywhere　carrying　linens；　trays；　or　brooms　and　rags　and　buckets　of　soapy　water。
　
　None　of　the　guards　or　servants　gave　her　a　second　look；　even　though　she　was　running。　They　knew　she　was　Princess　Violet's　playmate；　and　had　seen　her　running　through　the　castle　many　times　before　on　errands　for　the　Princess。
　
　She　was　winded　when　she　finally　reached　the　kitchens；　which　were　steamy　and　smoky　and　filled　with　noise。　Helpers　were　scurrying　around　carrying　heavy　sacks；　big　pots；　or　hot　trays；　all　trying　not　to　bump　into　one　another。　People　chopped　things　she　couldn't　see　on　the　high　tables　and　huge　chopping　blocks。　Pans　clanged；　cooks　yelled　orders；　helpers　took　pans　and　metal　bowls　off　hooks　overhead　and　put　others　back。　There　was　a　constant　rapping　of　spoons　mixing　and　whipping　food；　the　sharp　hiss　of　oil　and　garlic　and　butter　and　onions　and　spices　in　hot　pans；　and　everyone　seemed　to　be　yelling　at　the　same　time。　This　chaotic　place　smelled　so　good　it　made　her　head　spin。
　
　She　tugged　on　the　sleeve　of　one　of　the　two　head　cooks；　trying　to　tell　him　she　had　a　message　from　the　Princess；　but　he　was　arguing　with　another　cook　and　told　her　to　go　sit　and　wait　until　they　were　finished。　She　sat　down　nearby；　on　a　little　stool　by　the　ovens；　her　back　pressed　against　the　hot　brick。　The　kitchen　smelled　so　good；　and　she　was　so　hungry。　But　she　knew　she　would　get　in　trouble　if　she　asked　for　food。
　
　The　head　cooks　were　standing　over　a　big　crock；　waving　their　arms　around；　yelling　at　each　other。　Suddenly；　the　crock　fell　to　the　floor　with　a　big　thunk；　splitting　in　two；　sending　light　brown　liquid　flooding　all　over。　Rachel　jumped　up　on　the　stool　so　it　wouldn't　get　on　her　bare　feet。　The　cooks　stood　still；　their　faces　almost　as　white　as　their　coats。
　
　〃What're　we　going　to　do　now？〃　the　short　one　asked。　〃We　don't　have　any　more　of　the　ingredients　Father　Rahl　sent。〃　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　the　tall　one　said；　holding　his　hand　to　his　forehead。　〃Let　me　think。〃
　
　He　put　both　hands　to　his　face；　squishing　it　together。　Then　he　put　both　arms　in　the　air。
　
　〃All　right。　All　right。　I've　got　an　idea。　Get　me　another　crock；　and　just　keep　your　mouth　shut。　Maybe　we　can　keep　our　heads。　Get　me　some　other　ingredients。〃
　
　〃What　ingredients！〃　the　short　one　yelled；　red…faced。
　
　The　tall　cook　leaned　over　him。　〃Brown　ingredients！〃
　
　Rachel　watched　while　they　ran　around　snatching　up　things；　pouring　in　bottles　of　liquid；　adding　ingredients；　stirring；　tasting。　At　last　they　both　smiled。
　
　〃All　right；　all　right；　it'll　work。　I　think。　Just　let　me　do　the　talking；〃　the　tall　one　said。
　
　Rachel　stepped　tiptoed　across　the　wet　floor　and　tugged　on　his　sleeve　again。
　
　〃You！　You　still　here？　What　do　you　want？〃　he　snapped。
　
　〃Princess　Violet　said　not　to　make　her　roast　dry　again；　or　she　would　have　the　Queen　make　those　men　beat　you。〃　She　looked　down　at　the　ground。　〃She　made　me　say　that。〃
　
　He　looked　down　at　her　a　minute；　then　turned　to　the　short　cook；　shaking　his　finger。　〃I　told　you！　I　told　you！　This　time；　slice　hers　from　the　center；　and　don't　mix　up　the　plates　or　we'll　both　end　up　losing　our　heads！〃　He　looked　back　down　at　her。　〃And　you　didn't　see　any　of　this；〃　he　said；　stirring　his　finger　in　the　air　over　the　crock。
　
　〃Cooking？　You　don't　want　me　to　tell　anyone　I　saw　you　cooking？　All　right；〃　she　said；　a　little　confused；　and　started　tiptoeing　across　the　wet　floor　again。　〃I　won't　tell　anyone；　I　promise。　I　don't　like　to　see　people　getting　hurt　by　those　men　with　the　whips。　I　won't　tell。〃
　
　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　he　called　after　her。　〃Rachel；　isn't　it？〃
　
　She　turned　and　nodded。
　
　〃e　back　here。〃
　
　She　didn't　want　to；　but　she　tiptoed　back　anyway。　He　took　out　a　big　knife　that　scared　her　at　first；　then　turned　to　a　platter　on　the　table　behind　him　and　cut　off　a　big；　juicy　piece　of　meat。　She　had　never　seen　such　a　piece　of　meat；　without　fat　and　gristle　all　over　it；　at　least　not　up　close。　It　was　a　piece　of　meat　like　the　Queen　and　the　Princess　ate。　He　handed　it　down　to　her；　put　it　right　into　her　hand。
　
　〃Sorry　I　yelled　at　you；　Rachel。　You　sit　on　that　stool　over　there　and　eat　this；　and　then　let　us　be　sure　you're　cleaned　up；　so　no　one　will　be　the　wiser。　All　right？〃
　
　She　nodded　and　ran　off　to　the　stool　with　her　prize；　forgetting　to　tiptoe。　It　was　the　best；　most　delicious　thing　she　had　ever　eaten。　She　tried　to　eat　it　slowly　while　she　watched　all　the　people　running　around；　clanging　pots　and　carrying　things；　but　she　couldn't。　Juice　ran　down　her　arms　and　dripped　off　her　elbows。
　
　When　she　was　finished；　the　short　cook　came　and　wiped　her　hands　and　arms　and　face　with　a　towel；　then　he　gave　her　a　slice　of　lemon　pie；　placing　it　right　in　her　hands　the　way　the　tall　cook　had　done　with　the　meat。　He　said　he　baked　it　himself　and　he　wanted　to　know　if　it　was　good。　She　told　him；　quite　truthfully；　that　it　was　just　about　the　bestest　thing　she　had　ever　had。　He　grinned。
　
　This　had　been　just　about　the　best　day　she　could　ever　remember。　Two　good　things　in　the　same　day：　the　trouble　doll；　and　now　the　food。　She　felt　like　a　queen　herself。
　
　Later；　as　she　sat　in　the　big　dining　room　on　her　little　chair　behind　the　Princess；　it　was　the　first　time；　ever；　that　she　hadn't　been　so　hungry　that　her　stomach　made　noises　while　the　important　people　ate。　The　head　table；　where　they　sat；　was　three　steps　higher　than　all　the　other　tables；　so　if　she　sat　up　straight　she　could　see　the　whole　room　even　from　her　little　chair。　Servers　were　dashing　all　about；　bringing　in　food；　taking　out　dishes　with　food　still　left　on　them；　pouring　wine；　and　exchanging　half…full　trays　on　the　tables　with　full　ones　from　the　kitchen。
　
　She　watched　all　the　fine　ladies　and　gentlemen　dressed　in　pretty　dresses　and　colorful　braided　coats；　sitting　at　the　long　tables；　eating　from　the　fancy　plates；　and　for　the　first　time　she　knew　how　the　food　tasted。　She　still　didn't　understand；　though；　why　they　heeded　so　many　forks　and　spoons　to　eat　with。　One　time　when　she　had　asked　the　Princess　why　there　were　so　many　forks　and　spoons　and　things；　the　Princess　had　said　it　was　something　a　nobody　like　her　would　never　need　to　know。
　
　Mostly　Rachel　was　ignored　at　the　banquets。　The　Princess　only　turned　to　look　at　her　once　in　a　while；　she　was　just　there　because　she　was　Princess　Violet's　playmate；　for　looks；　she　guessed。　The　Queen　had　people　standing　or　sitting　behind　her　when　she　ate；　too。　The　Queen　said　Rachel　was　for　the　Princess　to　practice　on；　to　practice　leadership。
　
　She　leaned　forward　and　whispered；　〃Is　your　roast　juicy　enough；　Princess　Violet'？　I　told　the　cooks　it　was　mean　to　give　you　bad　meat；　and　you　said　not　to　do　it　again。〃
　
　Princess　Violet　looked　back　over　her　shoulder；　gravy　dripping　from　her　chin。　〃It's　good　enough　to　keep　them　from　getting　whipped。　And　you're　right；　they　shouldn't　be　so　mean　to　me。　It's　about　time　they　learned。〃
　
　Queen　Milena　sat　at　the　table；　as　she　always　did；　with　her　tiny　little　dog　held　in　one　arm。　It　kept　pushing　its　skinny　little　stic