tg.wizardfirstrule-第58部分

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ck　of　the　Midlands；　and　cradled　in　its　mountains　the　remote　place　known　as　Agaden　Reach。　A　place　she　said　was　surrounded　by　jagged　peaks；　like　a　wreath　of　thorns；　meant　to　keep　all　away。
　
　〃You　don't　know？〃　She　looked　a　little　surprised。
　
　When　he　shook　his　head；　she　slumped　down　on　a　hump　of　rock　to　take　a　break。　Richard　slipped　his　pack　off　with　a　tired　groan　and　flopped　on　the　ground；　leaning　against　a　short　rock；　putting　his　arms　back　on　it　to　stretch　them　into　a　different　position。　She　looked　different　to　him；　now　that　the　black　and　white　mud　had　been　washed　off　her　face。　He　had　gotten　used　to　it　over　those　three　days。
　
　〃So　what　was　it？〃　he　asked　again。
　
　〃A　dragon。〃
　
　〃A　dragon！　There　are　dragons　in　the　Midlands？　I　didn't　think　there　really　were　such　things！〃
　
　〃Well；　there　are。〃　She　frowned　over　at　him。　〃I　thought　you　knew。〃　He　gave　a　single　shake　of　his　head。　〃I　guess。　you　wouldn't；　since　Westland　has　no　magic。　Dragons　have　magic。　I　believe　that's　how　they　fly；　with　the　aid　of　magic。〃
　
　〃I　thought　dragons　were　just　legends；　old　tales。〃　He　flicked　a　pebble　between　his　thumb　and　second　finger；　watching　it　bounce　off　a　boulder。
　
　〃Old　tales　of　things　remembered；　maybe。　Anyway；　they　are　real　enough。〃　With　her　thumbs；　she　lifted　her　hair　away　from　the　back　of　her　neck；　to　cool　it；　and　closed　her　eyes。　〃There　are　different　kinds。　Gray；　green；　red；　and　a　few　others；　less　mon。　The　gray　ones　are　the　smallest；　rather　shy。　The　green　are　a　lot　bigger。　The　smartest　and　the　biggest　are　the　red　ones。　Some　peoples　of　the　Midlands　keep　the　gray　ones　as　pets；　and　for　hunting。　No　one　keeps　green　ones；　they're　rather　dumb；　have　bad　tempers　and　can　be　quite　dangerous。〃　Her　eyelids　slid　open　and　she　tilted　her　head　to　look　up　from　under　her　arched　eyebrows。　〃The　red　ones　are　something　altogether　different；　they　will　fry　you　and　eat　you　in　a　blink。　And；　they　are　smart。〃
　
　〃They　eat　people！〃　Richard　pressed　the　heels　of　his　hands　to　his　eyes　and　gave　a　groan。
　
　〃Only　if　they　are　hungry　enough；　or　angry　enough。　We　wouldn't　make　much　of　a　meal　for　them。〃　When　he　took　his　hands　away　and　opened　his　eyes；　her　green　eyes　were　looking　at　him。　〃The　thing　I　don't　understand　is　what　Rahl　was　doing　on　one。〃
　
　Richard　remembered　the　red　thing　in　the　sky　that　flew　over　him　in　the　upper　Ven　Forest；　just　before　he　found　Kahlan。　He　tossed　another　pebble　at　the　boulder。　〃That　must　be　how　he　covers　so　much　territory。〃
　
　She　shook　her　head　slowly。　〃No；　I　mean　I　don't　understand　why　a　red　dragon　would　submit　to　it。　They　are　fiercely　independent；　take　no　sides　in　human　affairs；　in　fact；　couldn't　care　less。　They　would　rather　die　than　be　subjugated。　And　they　would　make　a　good　fight　of　it；　believe　me。　As　I　said；　they　have　magic；　and　could　deal　even　the　one　from　D'Hara　quite　a　match；　for　a　time　anyway。　Even　if　he　threatened　them　with　death　from　some　of　his　own　magic；　they　wouldn't　care；　they　would　rather　die　than　be　ruled。
　
　〃They　would　simply　fight　until　they　killed；　or　were　killed。〃　She　leaned　a　little　toward　him　and　lowered　her　voice　meaningfully。　〃The　idea　of　one　flying　Rahl　around　on　its　back　is　very　odd。　It's　impossible　for　me　to　imagine　anyone　ruling　a　red　dragon。〃
　
　She　watched　him　a　moment；　then　straightened　and　picked　at　the　lichen　on　a　rock。
　
　〃Are　these　dragons　a　threat　to　us？〃　He　felt　stupid　asking　if　a　dragon　was　dangerous。
　
　〃Not　likely。　I　have　only　seen　red　ones　up　close　a　few　times。　Once；　I　was　walking　on　a　road；　and　one　swooped　down；　close；　in　the　field　right　next　to　me；　and　grabbed　two　cows。　Carried　them　off；　one　in　each　claw。　If　we　came　upon　one；　a　red　one；　and　it　was　in　a　foul　temper；　I　suppose　it　could　be　big　trouble；　but　that　is　not　very　likely。〃
　
　〃We　have　already　e　upon　a　red　one；〃　he　reminded　her　in　a　quiet　voice；　〃and　it　was　big　trouble。〃
　
　She　didn't　answer。　By　her　expression；　the　memory　obviously　pained　her　as　much　as　it　did　him。
　
　〃Well；　there　you　two　are！〃　a　stranger's　voice　called　out。
　
　They　both　jumped。　Richard　sprang　to　his　feet　with　his　hand　on　the　sword；　Kahlan　was　in　a　half　crouch　ready　for　anything。
　
　〃Sit；　sit。〃　The　old　man　motioned　with　both　hands　as　he　walked　down　the　path　toward　them。　〃I　didn't　mean　to　give　you　a　fright！〃　His　white　beard　shook　when　he　laughed。　〃It's　just　Old　John；　e　looking　for　the　two　of　you。　Sit。　Sit。〃
　
　His　large　round　belly　jiggled　under　his　dark　brown　robes　as　he　laughed。　White　hair　was　parted　neatly　down　the　middle；　and　long　curly　eyebrows　and　drooping　lids　shaded　his　brown　eyes。　His　jolly　round　face　wrinkled　with　a　wide　smile　as　he　waited。　Kahlan　cautiously　eased　herself　back　down。　Richard　lowered　himself　partway；　to　sit　lightly　on　the　rock　he　had　been　leaning　against。　He　kept　his　hand　on　his　sword。
　
　〃What　do　you　mean　you　have　been　looking　for　us？〃　Richard　asked　in　a　not　entirely　friendly　tone。
　
　〃My　old　friend；　the　wizard；　sent　me　looking　for　you　。　。　。　。〃
　
　Richard　jumped　back　to　his　feet。　〃Zedd！　Zedd　sent　you？〃
　
　Old　John　held　his　stomach　as　he　laughed。　〃How　many　old　wizards　do　you　know；　my　boy？　Of　course　old　Zedd。〃　He　gripped　his　beard；　pulling　it　a　little　as　he　peered　at　them　with　one　eye。　〃He　had　important　business　to　attend　to；　but　he　needs　you；　needs　you　with　him；　now。　So　he　came　and　asked　me　if　I'd　go　get　you。　Had　nothing　better　to　do；　so　I　told　him　I'd　do　it。　He。　told　me　where　I'd　find　you。　Looks　like　he　was　right；　as　usual。〃
　
　Richard　smiled　at　that。　〃Well；　how　is　he？　Where　is　he；　what's　he　want　us　for？〃
　
　Old　John　pulled　a　little　harder　on　his　beard；　nodding　and　smiling。　〃He　told　me。　Told　me　you　asked　a　lot　of　questions。　He's　just　fine。　Thing　is；　I　don't　know　why　he　wants　you。　When　old　Zedd's　in　a　fret；　you　don't　ask　questions；　you　just　do　as　he　asks。　So　I　did。　And　here　I　am。〃
　
　〃Where　is　he？　How　far？〃　Richard　was　excited　about　seeing　Zedd　again。
　
　Old　John　scratched　his　chin　and　leaned　forward　a　little。　〃Depends。　How　long　you　plan　on　standing　there　wagging　your　tongue？〃
　
　Richard　grinned；　then　snatched　up　his　pack；　his　weariness　forgotten。　Kahlan　gave　him　one　of　her　special　tight…lipped　smiles　as　they　followed　Old　John　up　a　rocky　trail。　Richard　let　Kahlan　walk　ahead　of　him　as　he　watched　the　surrounding　woods。　She　had　told　him　that　they　weren't　far　from　the　witch　woman。
　
　He　was　excited　about　seeing　Zedd　again。　He　hadn't　realized　how　tense　he　had　been；　deep　down　inside；　with　worry　about　his　old　friend。　He　knew　Adie　would　have　taken　good　care　of　him；　but　she　had　made　no　promise　that　he　would　be　all　right。　He　hoped　this　meant　Chase　was　well；　too。　He　felt　overwhelmed　with　cheer　about　seeing　Zedd　again。　He　had　so　much　to　tell　him；　to　ask　him。　His　mind　raced。
　
　〃So　he's　all　right　then？〃　Richard　called　ahead　to　Old　John。
　
　430
　
　〃He's　recovered？　He　didn't　lose　any　weight；　did　he？　Zedd　can't　afford　to　lose　any　weight。〃
　
　〃No；〃　Old　John　laughed　without　turning　as　he　walked；　〃he　looks　the　same　as　always。〃
　
　〃Well；　I　hope　he　didn't　eat　you　out　of　your　larder。〃
　
　〃Not　to　worry；　my　boy。　How　much　could　one　skinny　old　wizard　eat？〃
　
　Richard　smiled　to　himself。　Zedd　might　be　all　right；　but　he　couldn't　be　fully　recovered；　or　Old　John　wouldn't　have　a　scrap　of　food　left。
　
　After　a　couple　of　hours　during　which　they　hurried　to　keep　pace　with　Old　John；　the　woods　became　thicker；　darker；　the　trees　bigger　and　closer　together。　The　trail　was　rocky；　hard　to　walk　over；　especially　at　this　pace。　Calls　of　strange　birds　echoed　from　the　murk。　The　three　came　to　a　fork　in　the　trail。　Old　John　took　to　the　right　without　a　pause　and　kept　going。　Kahlan　followed　him。　Richard　stopped；　uncertain　about　something；　but　he　couldn't　quite　seem　to　squeeze　it　out　of　the　back　of　his　mind。　Every　time　he　tried；　he　found　himself　thinking　again　of　Zedd。　Kahlan　heard　him　stop；　and　turned；　then　walked　back。
　
　〃Which　way　to　the　witch　woman？〃　he　asked　her。
　
　〃Left；〃　Kahlan　answered；　a　note　of　relief　in　her　voice　because　the　old　man　had　gone　right。　She　hooked　a　thumb　under　the　front　of　her　pack's　shoulder　strap　and　pointed　with　her　chin　to　several　stark　spines　of　rock　he　could　just　see　through　the　upper　branches　of　the　trees。　〃Those　are　some　of　the　peaks　that　surround　Agaden　Reach。〃　The　snow…covered　caps　shone　brightly　in　the　high　thin　air。　He　had　never　seen　such　inhospitable…looking　mountains。　Ring　of　thorns　indeed。
　
　Richard　looked　off　down　the　left　trail。　It　looked　to　be　little　traveled；　and　disappeared　quickly　into　the　thick　forest。　Old　John　stopped　and　turned；　his　hands　on　his　hips。
　
　〃You　two　ing？〃
　
　Richard　looked　back　down　the　left　trail。　They　had　to　get　the　last　box　before　Rahl　did。　Even　if　Zedd　needed　them；　they　had　to　find　out　where　the　box　was。　That　was　his　first　duty。
　
　〃Do　you　think　Zedd　could　wait？〃
　
　Old　John　shrugged；　then　pulled　on　his　beard。　〃Don't　know
　
　But　he。　wouldn't　have　sent　me　if　it　wasn't　important。　It's　up　to　you；　my　boy。　But　Zedd　is　this　way。〃
　
　Richard　wished　he　didn't　have　to　make　this　decision。　He　wished　he　knew　if　Zedd　could　wait。　He　wished　he　knew　what　Zedd　wanted。　Stop　wishing　and　start　thinking；　he　told　himself。
　
　He　frowned　up　at　the　old　man。　〃How　far？〃
　
　Old　John　looked　up　at　the　late…afternoon　sun　off　through　the　trees　as　he　tugged　some　more　on　his　beard。　〃If　we　don't　stop　early；　and　don't　sleep　late；　we'll　be　there　by　midday　tomorrow。〃　He　looked　back　to　Richard；　waiting。
　
　Kahlan　said　nothing；　but　he　knew　what　she　was　thinking。　She　would　rather　not　go　anywhere　near　Shota；　and　even　if　they　went　to　Zedd　first；　it　wasn't　that　far；　they　could　always　e　back　if　they　had　to。　And　maybe　Zedd　knew　where　the　box　was；　maybe　he　even　had　the　last　box；　and　they　wouldn't　have　to　go　into　Agaden　Reach。　It　made　more　sense　to　go　after　Zedd。　That　was　what　she　would　say。
　
　〃You're　right；〃　he　said　to　her。
　
　She　looked　confused。　〃I　said　nothing。〃
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　big　grin。　〃I　could　hear　you　thinking。　You're　right。　We'll　go　with　Old　John。〃
　
　〃I　didn't　know　my　thoughts　were　that　loud；〃　she　muttered。
　
　〃If　we　don't　stop　at　all；〃　he　called　up　to　Old　John；　〃we　could　be　there　before　morning。〃
　
　〃I'm　an　old　man；〃　he　plained；　then　sighed　loudly。　〃But　I　know　how　anxious　you　are。　And　I　know　how　badly　he　needs　you。〃　He　wagged　his　finger　at　Richard。　〃I　should　have　listened　when　Zedd　warned　me　about　you。〃
　
　Richard　laughed　a　little　as　he　let　Kahlan　walk　ahead　of　him。　She　strode　fast　to　catch　up　with　the　old　man；　who　was　already　on　his　way。　He　watched　her　absently　as　she　walked；　watched　as　she　pulled　a　spiderweb　off　her　face；　spit　some　of　it　out　of　her　mouth。　Something　nagged　at　him；　something　was　wrong。　He　wished　he　could　figure　out　what　it　was。　He　tried　for　a　minute；　but　all　he　could　think　about　was　Zedd；　how　much　he　wanted　to　see　him　again；　how　he　couldn't　wait　to　talk　to　him。　He　ignored　the　feeling　that　there　were　eyes　watching　him
　
　…＋
　
　〃Mostly；　I　miss　my　brother；〃　she　said　to　her　doll。　She　looked　away。　〃They　said　he　died；〃　she　confided　softly。
　
　　Rachel　had　been　telling　her　doll　her　troubles　for　most　of　the　day。　All　her　troubles　she　could　think　of。　When　she　got　tears；　the　doll　said　she　loved　her；　and　it　made　her　feel　good。　Sometimes　it　made　her　laugh。
　
　Rachel　put　another　small　stick　in　the　fire。　It　felt　so　good　to　be　able　to　get　warm；　and　have　light。　But　she　kept　the　fire　small；　just　like　Giller　had　told　her。　The　fire　kept　her　from　being　so　afraid　in　the　woods；　especially　at　night。　It　would　be　night　again　soon。　Sometimes　there　were　noises　in　the　woods　at　night　that　made　her　scared；　made　her　cry。　But　being　out　here　in　the　lonely　woods　was　still　better　than　being　locked　in　the　box。
　
　〃That　was　when　I　lived　in　that　place　I　told　you　about。　With　the　other　children；　before　the　Queen　came　and　picked　me。　I　liked　it　there　a　lot　better　than　living　with　the　Princess。　They　were　nice　to　me　there。〃　She　looked　over　at　the　doll　to　see　if　she　was　listening。　〃There　was　a　man；　Brophy；　who　came　sometimes。　People　said　mean　things　about　him；　but　he　was　nice　to　us　children。　He　was　nice；　like　Giller。　He　gave　me　a　doll；　too；　but　the　Queen　wouldn't　let　me　take　it　with　me　when　I　went　to　live　at　the　castle。　I　didn't　care；　though；　because　I　was　so　sad　my　brother　died。　I　heard　some　people　say　he　got　murdered。　I　know　that　means　he　got　killed。　Why　do　people　kill　children？〃
　
　The　doll　just　smiled。　Rachel　smiled　back。
　
　She　thought　about　the　new　little　boy　she　had　seen　the　Queen　having　locked　up。　He　talked　funny；　and　looked　funny；　but　his　presence　still　had　reminded　her　of　her　brother。　That　was　because　he　seemed　so　afraid。　Her　brother　was　always　getting　afraid；　too。　Rachel　could　always　tell　when　her　brother　was　getting　afraid　because　he　would　fidget　and　squirm。　She　felt　so　sorry　for　the　new　boy；　she　wished　she　was　important　so　she　could　help　him。
　
　Rachel　put　her　hands　toward　the　fire　to　warm　them　for　a　minute；　then　stuck　one　in　her　pocket。　She　was　hungry。　A　few　berries　were　all　she　had　been　able　to　find　to　eat。　She　held　a　big　one　out；　offering　it　to　her　doll。　The　doll　didn't　seem　hungry；　so　she　ate　it　herself；　then　a　handful　more；　until　they　were　gone。　She　was　still　hungry；　but　she　didn't　want　to　look　for　more。　The　place　where　they　grew　wasn't　close；　and　it　was　getting　dark。　She　didn't　want　to　be　out　in　the　woods　when　it　was　dark。　She　wanted　to　be　in　her　wayward　pine　with　her　doll。　By　the　warm　fire；　by　the　light。
　
　〃Maybe　the　Queen　will　be　nicer　when　she　gets　her　alliance；　whatever　that　is。　That's　all　she　talks　about；　how　she　wants　her　alliance。　Maybe　she'll　be　happier　then；　and　won't　say　to　chop　off　people's　heads。　The　Princess　makes　me　go　with　her；　you　know；　but　I　don't　like　to　watch；　I　close　my　eyes。　Now　even　Princess　Violet　says　to　chop　off　people's　heads。　She　gets　meaner　every　day。　Now　I'm　afraid　that　she'll　say　to　chop　off　my　head。　I　wish　I　could　run　away。〃　She　looked　over　at　her　doll。　〃I　wish　I　could　run　away　and　never　e　back。　And　I'd　take　you　with　me。〃
　
　The　doll　smiled。　〃I　love　you；　Rachel。〃
　
　She　picked　up　the　doll　and　gave　it　a　long　hug；　then　kissed　it　on　its　head。
　
　〃But　if　we　run　away；　Princess　Violet　would　send　the　guards　to　find　me；　and　then　she　would　throw　you　in　the　fire。　I　don't　want　her　to　throw　you　in　the　fire。　I　love　you。〃
　
　〃I　love　you；　Rachel。〃
　
　Rachel　hugged　her　doll　tight；　and　crawled　into　the　hay；　with　the　doll　next　to　her。　Tomorrow　she　had　to　go　back；　and　the　Princess　would　be　mean　to　her　some　more。　She　had　to　leave　her　doll　when　she　went　back；　she　knew；　or　it　would　get　thrown　in　the　fire。
　
　〃You're　the　bestest　friend　I　ever　had。　You　and　Giller。〃
　
　〃I　love　you；　Rachel。〃
　
　She　started　to　worry；　to　worry　what　would　happen　to　her　doll；　all　alone　here　in　the　wayward　pine。　The　doll　would　be　lonely。　What　if　the　Princess　never　sent　her　out　again；　what　if　she　somehow　found　out　that　she　wanted　to　be　sent　out；　and　kept　her　in　the　castle　just　to　be　mean？
　
　〃Do　you　know　what　I　should　do？〃　she　asked　the　doll　as　she　looked　up　at　the　firelight　flickering　on　the　dark　branches　inside　the　tree。
　
　〃Help　Giller；〃　the　doll　said
　
　She　rolled　over　on　one　elbow　and　looked　at　the　doll。　〃Help　Giller？〃
　
　The　doll　nodded。　〃Help　Giller。〃
　
　…＋
　
　Rays　from　the　setting　sun　ahead　reflected　off　the　layer