tg.wizardfirstrule-第59部分

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　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　of　leaves；　making　the　path　bright　and　shiny　between　the　dark　mass　of　woods　to　each　side。　Richard　could　hear　Kahlan's　boots　scuffing　across　rocks　hidden　under　the　colorful　mat。　A　light　scent　of　rot　was　in　the　air：　fallen　leaves　beginning　to　depose　in　the　low　damp　places　and　the　thick　piles　in　the　laps　of　rocks；　where　the　wind　had　collected　them。
　
　Even　though　it　was　getting　cold；　neither　Richard　nor　Kahlan　wore　their　cloaks；　being　warm　from　the　exertion。　of　the　pace　Old　John　was　setting。　Richard　kept　trying　to　think　about　Zedd；　but　his　train　of　thought　was　constantly　being　interrupted　by　having　to　lope　to　keep　up。　The　realization　that　he　was　getting　winded　finally　made　him　push　Zedd　from　his　mind。　But　one　thought　wouldn't　leave　him：　something　didn't　feel　right。
　
　At　last；　he　allowed　that　caution　to　blossom　in　his　mind。　How　could　an　old　man　be　out　walking　him　like　this；　yet　look　fresh　and　relaxed？　Richard　felt　his　forehead；　wondering　if　he　was　sick；　or　had　a　fever。　He　did　feel　hot。　Maybe　he　wasn't　well；　maybe　there　was　something　wrong　with　him。　They　had　been　pushing　hard　for　days；　but　not　this　hard。　No；　he　felt　fine；　simply　winded。
　
　For　a　while；　he　watched　Kahlan　walking　ahead　of　him。　She；　too；　was　having　difficulty　keeping　up。　She　pulled　another　spiderweb　off　her　face；　then　trotted　to　keep　up。　He　could　see　that；　like　him；　she　was　breathing　hard。　For　some　reason；　Richard's　caution　was　igniting　into　foreboding。
　
　He　caught　a　brief　glimpse　of　something　off　to　the　left；　in　the　woods；　keeping　pace。　Just　a　small　animal；　he　thought。　But　it　looked　like　something　with　long　arms；　skittering　along　the　ground；　then　it　was　gone。　His　mouth　felt　dry。　It　must　just　be　his　imagination；　he　told　himself。
　
　He　turned　his　attention　back　to　Old　John。　The　path　was　wide　in　some　places；　narrow　in　others　with　branches　that　reached　in　tight。　When　Kahlan　and　Richard　went　past；　they　both　sometimes　brushed　against　them；　or　simply　pushed　them　out　of　the　way。　Not　the　old　man。　He　stayed　to　the　center　of　the　trail；　avoiding　any　errant　limb；　his　arms　clutching　his　cloak　tightly　to　him。
　
　Richard's　eye　was　caught　by　the　strands　of　a　spiderweb；　glistening　golden　in　the　setting　sun；　stretched　across　the　path　in　front　of　Kahlan。　The　web　parted　against　her　upper　leg　when　she　walked　through　it。
　
　The　sweat　on　his　face　instantly　turned　ice　cold　against　his　skin。
　
　How　could　Old　John　not　have　broken　the　web？
　
　He　looked　up　and　saw　a　branch；　its　tip　sticking　out　in　the　path。　The　old　man　skirted　it。　But　not　the　tip。　The　tip　passed　through　his　arm　as　it　would　pass　through　smoke。
　
　Breathing　faster；　he　glanced　down　at　the　footprints　Kahlan　made　through　an　open　patch　of　soft　ground。　There　were　none　from　Old　John。
　
　Richard's　left　hand　shot　forward；　seized　a　fistful　of　Kahlan's　shirt；　and　yanked　her　behind　him；　causing　her　to　cry　out　in　surprise。　He　tossed　her　backward　as　his　right　hand　pulled　the　sword　free。
　
　Old　John　stopped　and　half　turned　at　the　sound　of　the　sword's　ringing。
　
　〃What　is　it；　my　boy？　See　something？〃　His　voice　came　like　the　hiss　of　a　snake。
　
　〃Indeed。〃　Richard　gripped　the　sword　in　both　hands；　his　legs　set　in　a　defensive　stance；　his　chest　heaving。　He　felt　the　anger　flooding　his　fear。　〃How　is　it　that　you　don't　break　spiderwebs　when　you　walk　through　them；　or　leave　footprints？〃
　
　Old　John　gave　a　slow；　sly　smile；　appraising　him　with　one　eye。　〃Did　you　not　expect　that　an　old　friend　of　a　wizard　would　have　special　talents？〃
　
　〃Maybe；〃　Richard　said；　his　eyes　darting　left　and　right；　checking。　〃But　tell　me；　Old　John；　what　is　your　old　friend's　name？〃
　
　〃Why；　it's　Zedd。〃　His　eyebrows　lifted。　〃How　else　would　I　know；　if　he　weren't　my　old　friend。〃　His　cloak　was　pulled　tightly　around　him。　His　head　had　sunken　into　his　shoulders。
　
　〃I'm　the　one　who　foolishly　told　you　his　name　was　Zedd。　Now；　you　tell　me　your　old　friend's　last　name。〃　Old　John　watched　him　with　a　dark　frown；　his　eyes　moving　slowly；　appraising；　measuring。　Eyes　of　an　animal。
　
　With　a　sudden　roar　that　made　Richard　flinch；　the　old　man　turned；　his　cloak　flinging　open。　In　the　time　it　took　to　plete　the　turn；　he　mushroomed　to　twice　his　previous　size。
　
　An　impossible　nightmare　came　to　life：　fur　and　claws　and　fangs；　where　an　old　man　had　been　an　instant　before。
　
　A　creature　of　snarl　and　snap。
　
　Richard　gasped　as　he　looked　up　at　the　gaping　maw　of　the　beast。　It　roared　and　abruptly　took　a　giant　step　forward。　Richard　took　three　back。　He　gripped　the　sword　so　hard　it　hurt。　The　woods　echoed　with　the　earsplitting　cry　of　the　thing；　deep；　savage；　vicious。　The　mouth　stretched　wide　with　each　roar。　It　leaned　over　him；　deep…set　red　eyes　glowing；　snapping　its　huge　teeth。　Richard　urgently　backed　up；　retreating　behind　the　sword。　He　took　a　quick　glance；　but　didn't　see　Kahlan　behind　him。
　
　All　at　once；　it　came　for　him。　Richard　didn't　have　a　chance　to　swing　the　sword。　He　tripped　on　a　root；　falling　backward；　sprawling　across　the　ground。　He　couldn't　get　his　breath。　Instinctively；　he　brought　the　sword　up　to　impale　the　thing；　expecting　it　to　fall　on　him。
　
　Sharp；　wet　teeth　reached　over　the　sword；　snapping　viciously　at　his　face。　He　drove　the　sword　up；　but　the　beast　stayed　clear。　Furious　red　eyes　glared　at　the　sword。　It　backed　away　and　looked　toward　the　woods　to　its　right。　Its　ears　lay　back　as　it　snarled　at　something。
　
　It　picked　up　a　rock　twice　the　size　of　Richard's　head；　put　its　blunt　snout　high　in　the　air；　took　a　deep　breath；　and　with　a　roar　squeezed　the　rock　in　its　claw。　Corded　muscles　tightened。　The　rock　split　with　a　loud　crack　that　reverberated　through　the　forest。　Dust　and　flakes　of　rock　tilled　the　air。　The　beast　looked　about；　turned；　and　swiftly　slipped　into　the　trees。
　
　Richard　lay　on　his　back；　panting；　watching　the　woods　with　wide　eyes；　expecting　the　beast　to　reappear。　He　called　out　Kahlan's　name。　She　didn't　answer。
　
　Before　he　could　scramble　fully　to　his　feet；　something　ashen；　with　long　arms；　leapt　on　him；　knocking　him　to　his　back　again。　It　screamed　with　rage。　Powerful　gnarled　hands　gripped　his；　trying　to　pry　the　sword　from　his　grip。　One　of　the　arms　backhanded　him　across　the　jaw；　nearly　slamming　him　senseless。　Bloodless　white　lips　curled　back；　exposing　sharp　teeth；　as　it　howled。　Bulging　yellow　eyes　snatched　glances　back　at　him。　It　tried　frantically　to　kick　his　face。　Richard　held　on　to　the　sword　with　all　his　strength；　trying　to　twist　away　from　the　painful　grip　of　the　long　fingers。
　
　〃My　sword；〃　it　snarled。　〃Gimme。　Gimme　my　sword。〃
　
　Locked　desperately　together；　the　two　of　them　rolled　across　the　ground；　leaves　and　sticks　flying。　One　of　the　powerful　hands　reached　back；　grabbing　Richard　by　the　hair；　whacking　his　head　on　the　ground；　aiming　for　a　rock。　With　a　grunt；　suddenly　it　reached　again　for　the　hilt；　pulling　one　of　Richard's　sweating　hands　from　the　sword；　slapping　its　own　hand　to　the　hilt　with　Richard's　other。　Its　shrill　screams　split　the　forest　quiet。　Sinewy　fingers　started　clawing　his　left　hand　off　the　hilt；　sharp　nails　dug　into　the　flesh。
　
　Richard　knew　he　was　losing。　The　wiry　little　creature；　despite　its　size；　was　stronger　than　he　was。　He　had　to　do　something　or　he　would　soon　lose　the　sword。
　
　〃Gimme；〃　it　hissed；　in　a　flash　turning　its　pallid　head　back　to　his；　snapping；　trying　to　bite　his　face。　Spaces　between　its　teeth　were　packed　with　spongy；　gray　debris。　Its　heavy　breath　reeked　of　rot。　Dark　splotches　covered　the　hairless；　waxy　head。
　
　The　next　time　they　rolled　across　the　ground；　Richard　desperately　reached　to　his　belt　and　pulled　his　knife。　In　a　rush　he　had　it　to　the　folds　of　the　thing's　neck。
　
　〃Please！〃　it　howled。　〃No　kill！　No　kill！〃
　
　〃Then　let　go　of　the　sword！　Now！〃
　
　The　thing　slowly；　reluctantly；　released　its　grip。　Richard　was　on　his　back；　the　putrid…smelling　creature　on　his　chest。　It　went　limp　against　him。
　
　〃Please；　no　kill　me；〃　it　repeated　in　a　whimper。
　
　Richard　untangled　himself　from　the　disgusting　creature；　laying　it　on　its　back。　He　put　the　point　of　the　sword　hard　against　its　chest。　Its　yellow　eyes　went　wide。
　
　The　anger　from　the　sword；　which　had　somehow　seemed　confused　and　lost；　at　last　charged　into　him。
　
　〃If　I　even　think　you're　about　to　do　something　I　don't　like〃　Richard　jabbed…〃I'll　push。　Understand？〃　It　nodded　vigorously。　Richard　leaned　closer。　〃Where　did　your　friend　go？〃　〃Friend？〃
　
　〃That　big　thing　that　almost　had　me　before　you　did！〃
　
　〃The　Calthrop。　Not　friend；〃　it　whined。　〃Lucky　man。　Calthrop　kills　at　night。　Was　waiting　till　night。　To　kill　you。　It　has　power　in　the　night。　Lucky　man。〃
　
　〃I　don't　believe　you！　You　were　with　it。〃
　
　〃No；〃　it　winced。　〃1…only　followed。　Till　it　kills　you。〃
　
　〃Why〃
　
　Bulging　eyes　went　to　the　sword。　〃My　sword。　Gimme。　Please？〃　〃No！〃
　
　Richard　looked　around　for　Kahlan。　Her　pack　lay　on　the　ground　a　short　distance　behind　him；　but　he　didn't　see　her。　Suddenly　Richard　was　cold　with　worry。　His　eyes　swept　the　area　in　quick　jerks。　He　knew　the　Calthrop　didn't　have　her；　it　had　gone　into　the　woods　alone。　He　continued　to　hold　the　point　of　the　sword　against　the　creature　on　the　ground　while　he　yelled　out　her　name；　hoping　she　would　return　his　desperate　calls。　No　answer。
　
　〃Mistress　has　the　pretty　lady。〃
　
　Richard's　face　snapped　back　to　the　yellow　eyes。　〃What're　you　talking　about？〃
　
　〃Mistress。　She　took　pretty　lady。〃　Richard　pushed　the　sword　harder；　indicating　that　he　wanted　to　hear　more；　and　right　now。　〃We　were　following　you。　Watching　the　Calthrop　play　with　you。　To　see　what　would　happen。〃　His　bulging　yellow　eyes　went　to　the　sword　again。
　
　〃To　steal　the　sword；〃　Richard　glared。
　
　〃Not　steal！　Mine！　Gimme！〃　Its　hands　started　to　go　for　it　again　until　Richard　pushed　the　sword　a　little；　making　the　creature　freeze。
　
　〃Who's　your　mistress！〃
　
　〃Mistress！〃　it　shook；　pleading　for　rescue。　〃Mistress　is　Shota。〃
　
　Richard's　head　twitched　back　a　little。　〃Your　mistress　is　the　witch　woman；　Shota？〃
　
　The　creature　nodded　vigorously。
　
　His　hand　tightened　on　the　hilt。　〃Why　did　she　take　the　pretty　lady'？〃
　
　〃Don't　know。　Maybe；　to　play　with　her。　Maybe；　to　kill　her。〃　The　thing　peered　up　at　him。　〃Maybe；　to　get　you。〃　〃Turn　over；〃　Richard　said。　The　creature　cringed。　〃Turn　over；　or　I'll　run　you　through！〃
　
　It　flipped　over；　trembling。　Richard　leaned　his　boot　into　the　small　of　its　back；　below　the　sharp；　raised　projections　of　its　spine。　He　reached　in　his　pack；　pulling　out　a　length　of　rope。　He　ran　a　loop　with　a　slip　knot　around　its　neck。
　
　〃Do　you　have　a　name？〃
　
　〃panion。　I　am　Mistress's　panion。　Samuel。〃
　
　Richard　pulled　him　to　his　feet；　leaves　stuck　to　the　gray　skin　of　his　chest。　〃Well；　Samuel；　we're　going　after　your　mistress。　You're　going　to　lead　the　way。　If　you　make　one　wrong　move；　I'll　snap　your　neck　with　this　rope。　Understand？〃
　
　Samuel　nodded　quickly；　then；　giving　a　sidelong　glance　at　the　rope；　nodded　slowly。　〃Agaden　Reach。　panion　take　you　there。　No　kill　me？〃
　
　〃If　you　take　me　there；　to　your　mistress；　and　if　the　pretty　lady　is　all　right；　I　won't　kill　you。〃
　
　Richard　put　tension　to　the　rope　to　let　Samuel　know　who　was　in　charge；　then　put　away　the　sword。
　
　〃Here；　you　carry　the　pretty　lady's　pack。〃
　
　Samuel　snatched　the　pack　out　of　Richard's　hands。　〃Mine！　Gimme！〃　Big　hands　started　rummaging　through　it。
　
　Richard　gave　a　sharp　tug　on　the　rope。　〃That　doesn't　belong　to　you。　Keep　your　hands　out　of　it！〃
　
　Bulging　yellow　eyes　filled　with　hate　looked　up　at　him。　〃When　Mistress　kills　you；　then　Samuel　eats　you。〃
　
　〃If　I　don't　eat　you　first；〃　Richard　sneered。　〃I'm　pretty　hungry。　Maybe　I'll　have　a　little　Samuel　stew　along　the　way？〃
　
　The　look　of　hate　changed　to　a　look　of　wide；　yellow…eyed　terror。　〃Please！　No　kill　me！　Samuel　take　you　to　Mistress；　to　pretty　lady。　Promise。〃　He　put　the　pack　to　his　shoulder　and　took　a　few　steps；　until　he　ran　out　of　slack。　〃Follow　Samuel。　Hurry；〃　he　said；　wanting　to　prove　his　worth　alive。　〃No　cook　Samuel；　please；〃　he　muttered　over　and　over　as　they　went　back　down　the　trail。
　
　Richard　couldn't　begin　to　imagine　what　sort　of　creature　Samuel　was。　There　was　something　familiar；　unsettling；　about　him。　He　wasn't　very　tall；　but　he　was　powerfully　strong。　Richard's　jaw　still　throbbed　from　where　Samuel　had　hit　him；　and　his　neck　and　head　ached　from　having　his　head　pounded　on　the　ground
　
　Long　arms　nearly　reached　the　ground　as　Samuel　walked　along　in　an　odd　waddle；　muttering　over　and　over　that　he　didn't　want　to　be　cooked。　Short；　dark　pants　held　up　with　straps　were　all　he　wore。　His　feet　were　as　disproportionately　large　as　his　hands　and　arms。　His　belly　was　round　and　full；　with　what；　Richard　could　only　wonder。　There　was　no　hair　on　him　anywhere；　and　his　skin　looked　as　if　it　hadn't　been　in　the　sunlight　in　years。　From　time　to　time；　Samuel　would　snatch　up　a　stick；　or　a　rock；　and　say　〃Mine！　Gimme！〃　to　no　one　in　particular；　only　to　soon　lose　interest　and　drop　his　latest　find。
　
　Keeping　a　sharp　eye　on　both　the　woods　and　Samuel；　Richard　followed　the　panion；　prodding　him　to　move　faster。　He　was　afraid　for　Kahlan；　and　he　was　furious　at　himself。　Old　John；　or　the　Calthrop；　whatever　it　was；　had　pletely　taken　him　in。　He　couldn't　believe　how　stupid　he　had　been。　He　had　fallen　for　the　story　because　he　had　wanted　to　believe；　had　wanted　so　badly　to　see　Zedd。　The　very　thing　he　had　always　told　others　not　to　do。　And　there　he　was；　giving　the　monster　the　information　it　then　repeated　back　to　him　as　proof。　He　was　furious　at　how　stupid　he　had　been。　He　was　also　painfully　ashamed。
　
　People　believe　things　because　they　want　to；　he　had　told　Kahlan；　and　so　had　he；　and　now　the　witch　woman　had　her。　The　very　thing　she　had　been　so　afraid　of；　and　because　he　had　been　so　stupid；　had　let　his　guard　down。　It　seemed　that　every　time　he　let　his　guard　down；　she　was　the　one　who　paid　the　price。　If　the　witch　woman　harmed　Kahlan；　she　would　find　out　what　the　wrath　of　a　Seeker　was　all　about；　he　vowed　to　himself。
　
　Once　again　he　reprimanded　himself。　He　was　letting　his　imagination　get　away　from　him。　If　Shota　wanted　to　kill　her；　she　would　have　done　so　on　the　spot。　She　wouldn't　be　taking　her　back　to　Agaden　Reach。　But　why　take　her　back　to　the　Reach？　Unless；　as　Samuel　put　it；　she　wanted　to　play　with　her。　Richard　tried　to　put　that　thought　out　of　his　mind。　It　had　to　be　him　she　wanted；　not　Kahlan。　That　was　probably　why　the　Calthrop　left　so　quickly；　the　witch　woman　had　scared　it　off。
　
　When　they　reached　the　fork　they　had　passed　before；　Samuel　took　them　immediately　down　the　left　path。　It　was　getting　dark；　but　the　panion　didn't　slow。　The　trail　started　climbing　up　steep　switch…　backs；　and　soon　they　were　out　of　the　trees；　onto　an　open　trail　across　the　rock；　climbing　steadily　toward　the　jagged；　snow…covered　peaks。
　
　In　the　moonlit　snow；　Richard　could　see　two　sets　of　footprints；　one　of　them　Kahlan's。　A　good　sign；　he　thought；　she　was　still　alive。　It　didn't　look　like　Shota　intended　to　kill　her。　At　least　not　right　away。
　
　Skirting　the　bottom　of　the　snowcaps；　the　path　led　over　the　bottom　fringes　of　the　snow；　which　was　wet；　heavy；　and　hard　to　walk　through。　Without　Samuel　leading　the　way；　know