tg.wizardfirstrule-第60部分

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　the　way；　knowing　where　this　pass　was；　Richard　realized　it　would　take　days　to　make　it　over　these　peaks。　The　cold　wind　whipped　through　the　gaps　in　the　rock；　pulling　away　long　thin　clouds　of　their　breath　in　the　frigid　air。　Samuel　was　shivering。　Richard　put　on　his　cloak；　then　pulled　Kahlan's　out　of　the　pack　Samuel　was　carrying。
　
　〃This　belongs　to　the　pretty　lady。　You　may　wear　it；　for　now；　to　keep　warm。〃
　
　Samuel　snatched　the　cloak　out　of　his　hands。　〃Mine！　Gimme！〃
　
　〃If　you're　going　to　be　like　that；　then　I　won't　let　you　wear　it。〃　Richard　pulled　the　rope　taut　and　yanked　the　cloak　back。
　
　〃Please！　Samuel　cold；〃　he　whined。　〃Please？　Wear　the　pretty　lady's　cloak？〃
　
　Richard　handed　it　back。　This　time　the　panion　took　it　slowly；　and　put　it　around　his　shoulders。　The　little　creature　made　Richard's　skin　crawl。　He　took　out　a　piece　of　tava　bread　and　ate　it　as　they　walked　along。　Samuel　kept　looking　over　his　shoulder；　watching　Richard　eat。　When　he　could　stand　it　no　longer；　Richard　offered　Samuel　a　piece。
　
　The　big　hands　reached　out。　〃Mine！　Gimme！〃　Richard　pulled　the　bread　back；　out　of　reach。　Pleading　yellow　eyes　looked　up　at　him　in　the　moonlight。　〃Please？〃　Richard　carefully　put　the　bread　into　his　eager　hands。
　
　Samuel　made　small　talk　as　he　they　trudged　through　the　snow。　He　had　eaten　the　bread　in　one　bite。　Richard　knew　if　given　the　chance；　Samuel　would　slit　his　throat　without　a　second　thought。　He　seemed　to　be　a　creature　devoid　of　any　redeeming　qualities。
　
　〃Samuel；　why　does　Shota　keep　you　around？〃
　
　He　looked　back　over　his　shoulder；　his　yellow　eyes。　set　in　a　puzzled　frown。　〃Samuel　panion。〃　〃And　won't　your　mistress　be　angry　with　you　for　leading　me　to　her？〃
　
　Samuel　made　a　gurgling　sound　that　Richard　took　for　laughter。　〃Mistress　not　afraid　of　Seeker。〃
　
　…＋
　
　Near　dawn；　at　the　edge　of　a　descent　into　a　dark　wood；　Samuel's　long　arm　pointed　downward。　〃Agaden　Reach；〃　he　gurgled。　He　looked　back　over　his　shoulder　with　a　taunting　grin。　〃Mistress。〃
　
　The　heat　was　oppressive　in　the　wood。　Richard　took　off　his　cloak　and　put　it　in　his　pack；　then　stuffed　Kahlan's　back　in　hers。　Samuel　watched　without　protest。　He　seemed　happy；　confident；　to　be　back　in　the　Reach。　Richard　pretended　he　could　see　where　they　were　going；　not　wanting　to　give　the　panion　any　idea　that　he　was　almost　blind　in　the　thick　darkness。　Richard　let　himself　be　guided　along　by　the　rope；　like　a　blind　man。　Samuel　loped　along　as　if　it　were　bright　as　midday。　Whenever　he　turned　his　hairless　head　back　to　Richard；　his　yellow　eyes　shone　like　twin　lanterns。
　
　As　the　light　of　dawn　slowly　suffused　the　wood；　Richard　could　begin　to　see　large　trees　all　about；　trailers　of　moss　wafting　down；　boggy　patches　with　vapor　rising　from　the　black；　murky　water；　pairs　of　eyes　that　watched　and　blinked　from　the　shadows。　Hollow　calls　echoed　through　the　mist　and　vapor　as　he　stepped　carefully　over　the　tangle　of　roots。　The　place　reminded　him　a　little　of　the　Skow　Swamp。　It　smelled　just　as　rank。
　
　〃How　much　farther？〃
　
　〃Close。〃　Samuel　grinned。
　
　Richard　took　up　the　slack　on　the　rope。　〃Just　remember；　if　anything　goes　wrong；　you　die　first。〃
　
　The　grin　faded　from　the　bloodless　lips。
　
　Here　and　there　in　the　mud　Richard　could　see　the　same　pair　of　footprints　that　he　had　seen　in　the　snow。　Kahlan　was　still　walking。　Dark　forms　followed；　keeping　to　the　shadows；　the　thick　brush；　sometimes　letting　out　whoops　and　howls。　Richard　wondered；　and　worried；　if　they　were　more　things　like　Samuel。　Or　worse。　Some　followed　in　the　treetops；　just　beyond　sight。　Despite　his　best　efforts　to　halt　it；　a　shiver　went　up　his　spine。
　
　Samuel　skirted　off　the；　path；　around　the　twisted　roots　of　a　squat；　fat…trunked　tree。
　
　〃What're　you　doing？〃　Richard　asked；　pulling　the　panion　to　a　halt。
　
　Samuel　grinned　back　at　him。　〃Watch。〃　He　picked　up　a　stout　stick；　big　as　his　wrist；　and　threw　it　with　an　underhand　swing　into　the　roots　of　the　tree。　The　roots　whipped　out；　knotting　around　the　stick；　pulling　it　under　the　tangled　mass。　Richard　heard　it　snapping　apart。　Samuel　gurgled　with　laughter。
　
　As　the　sun　climbed　higher；　the　woods　of　Agaden　Reach　seemed　to　bee　even　darker。　Dead　branches　twisted　together　overhead；　and　mist　occasionally　drifted　across　their　way。　At　times　Richard　couldn't　even　see　Samuel　on　the　other　end　of　the　wet　rope。　But　always　he　could　hear　things：　scratching；　clawing；　whistling；　things　clicking　at　them　from　just　out　of　sight。　Sometimes　the　mist　twirled　and　spun　at　the　passing　of　creatures　darting　by；　near　but　unseen。
　
　Richard　remembered　what　Kahlan　had　said：　they　were　going　to　die。　He　tried　to　put　the　thought　out　of　his　head。　She　had　told　him　she　had　never　met　the　witch　woman；　only　heard　others　speak　of　her。　But　what　she　had　heard　had　terrified　her。　Those　who　went　in　never　came　out。　Not　even　a　wizard　would　go　into　Agaden　Reach；　she　had　said。　But　still；　it　was　secondhand　knowledge；　she　hadn't　ever　met　Shota。　Maybe　the　stories　were　exaggerated。　His　eyes　scanned　the　menacing；　forbidding　woods。　And　maybe　not。
　
　From　ahead；　through　the　tangles　mass　of　trees；　came　light；　sunlight；　and　the　sound　of　rushing　water。　The　farther　they　went；　the　brighter　it　became。　Soon　they　reached　the　edge　of　the　dark　wood。　The　trail　simply　ended。　Samuel　gurgled　with　glee。
　
　Spread　out　far　below　was　a　long　valley；　green；　bright；　lit　by　the　sun。　Gigantic　rocky　peaks　soared　almost　straight　up　all　around　it。　Fields　of　golden　grasses　among　stands　of　oak；　beech；　and　maple　set　in　rich　autumn　colors　rippled　in　the　breeze。　In　the　dark　forest　where　they　stood；　it　felt　like　standing　in　night；　looking　out　on　day。　Water　tumbled　off　the　rocks　beside　them；　down　the　vertical　drop；　disappearing　soundlessly　through　the　air　until　it　reached　the　clear　pools　and　streams　below；　where　it　made　a　distant　roar　and　a　hiss。　Spray　drifted　up　past　them；　wetting　their　faces。
　
　Samuel　pointed　down　into　the　valley。　〃Mistress。〃
　
　Richard　nodded　and　had　him　move　on。　Samuel　led　them　through　a　labyrinth　of　brush；　tight　trees；　and　fern…covered　boulders；　to　a　place　Richard　would　never　have　found　without　his　little　guide：　a　trail　hidden　behind　rocks　and　vines；　at　the　edge　of　the　precipice；　leading　down　the　wall　of　the　valley。　As　they　descended；　the　trail　offered　panoramic　views　of　the　beautiful　country　below：　the　trees　looking　small　in　patches　over　the　gentle　hills；　the　streams　meandering　among　the　fields　and　banks；　the　sky　a　bright　blue　overhead。
　
　In　the　center　of　it　all；　set　among　a　carpet　of　grand　trees；　was　a　beautiful　palace　of　breathtaking　grace　and　splendor。　Delicate　spires　stretched　into　the　air；　wispy　bridges　spanned　the　high　gaps　between　towers；　stairs　spiraled　around　turrets。　Colorful　flags　and　streamers　atop　every　point　snapped　lightly　and　flew　lazily　in　the　wind。　The　magnificent　palace　seemed　to　be　reaching　joyously　to　the　sky。
　
　Richard　stood　silent　for　a　moment；　mouth　agape；　staring；　hardly　able　to　believe　what　he　was　seeing。　He　loved　his　home　of　Hartland；　but　there　was　no　place　there　to　pare　to　this。　This　was；　quite　simply；　the　most　beautiful　place　he　had　ever　seen。　He　never　would　have　imagined　that　a　vision　of　such　exquisite　loveliness　even　existed。
　
　The　two　of　them　started　off　again；　down　the　valley's　edge。　In　places；　there　were　steps；　thousands　of　them；　cut　from　the　stone　of　the　wall；　twisting；　tunneling　and　turning　downward；　sometimes　spiraling　back　on　themselves；　going　underneath　the　ones　above。　Samuel　sprang　down　them　as　if　he　had　done　it　a　thousand　times　before。　He　was　obviously　thrilled　to　be　home　again；　near　the　protection　of　his　mistress。
　
　At　the　bottom；　in　the　sunlight；　a　road　led　off　through　the　tree　dotted　hills　and　warm　grass　fields。　Samuel　bounded　along　in　his　odd　gait；　gurgling　to　himself。　Richard　took　in　the　slack　once　in　a　while　to　remind　him　who　still　held　the　other　end　of　the　rope
　
　AS　they　crossed　the　valley　floor；　following　a　clear　stream　for　a　time；　moving　ever　closer　to　the　palace；　the　trees　became　a　little　thicker；　closer　together；　each　a　magnificent　specimen；　shading　road　or　field　from　the　bright　sun。　The　road　took　them　gently　uphill。　At　the　top　of　a　rise；　the　trees　seemed　as　if　they　were　gathered；　sheltering；　surrounding　a　place　before　them。　Richard　could　see　the　spires　of　the　palace　off　through　the　branches　ahead。
　
　They　entered　a　shady；　still；　enveloping　cathedral　of　trees。
　
　Richard　could　hear　the　gentle　sound　of　water　running　through　mossy　rock。　Hazy　streamers　of　sunlight　penetrated　the　quiet；　muted　area。　There　was　the　sweet　smell　of　grass　and　leaves。
　
　Samuel's　arm　stretched　out。　Richard　looked　where　he　pointed；　to　the　center　of　the　open；　sheltered　place。　There　sat　a　rock；　water　bubbling　up　from　a　spring　in　its　center　ran　down　the　sides　into　a　little　stream　dotted　with　rich；　green；　mossy　rocks。　A　woman　in　a　long　white　dress；　soft　brown　hair；　with　her　back　to　him；　sat　on　the　edge　of　the　rock；　in　the　dappled　sunlight；　running　her　fingers　through　the　clear　water。　Even　from　the　back；　she　looked　somehow　familiar。
　
　〃Mistress；〃　Samuel　said；　glassy…eyed。　He　pointed　again；　off　to　the　side　of　the　road；　closer　to　them。　〃Pretty　lady。〃
　
　Richard　could　see　Kahlan　standing　stiffly。　There　was　something　odd　about　her。　Something　was　on　her；　moving。　Samuel　turned　his　blotchy　head　back；　pointing　a　long　gray　finger　at　the　rope。　He　looked　up　at　Richard　with　one　yellow　eye。
　
　〃Seeker　promises；〃　he　said　in　a　low　growl。
　
　Richard　untied　the　rope；　took　Kahlan's　pack　off　the　panion's　shoulder；　and　laid　it　on　the　ground。　Samuel　curled　his　bloodless　lips　up　at　Richard；　hissing；　then　abruptly　skittered　off　into　the　shadows；　sitting　in　a　squat　to　watch。
　
　Richard　swallowed　hard　as　he　walked　to　Kahlan；　a　tight　knot　in　his　stomach。　With　a　jolt；　he　saw　at　last　what　it　was　that　was　moving　on　her。
　
　Snakes。
　
　Kahlan　was　covered　by　a　writhing　mass　of　snakes。　The　ones　he　recognized　were　all　poisonous。　Big；　fat　ones　were　wrapped　around　her　legs；　one　coiled　tightly　around　her　waist；　constricting；　others　were　wrapped　around　her　arms；　which　hung　at　her　sides
　
　Small　snakes　squiggled；　tunneling　through　her　thick　hair；　flicking　their　tongues　out；　others　curled　around　her　neck；　still　more　slithered　down　the　front　of　her　shirt；　poking　their　heads　out　between　the　buttons。　He　struggled　to　control　his　breathing　as　he　approached　her。　His　heart　was　pounding。　Tears　ran　down　Kahlan's　cheeks；　and　she　shook　the　slightest　bit。
　
　〃Be　still；〃　he　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　〃I'll　get　them　off。〃
　
　〃No！〃　she　whispered　back。　Her　eyes；　wide　with　panic；　met　his。　〃If　you　touch　them；　or　if　I　move；　they　will　bite　me。〃
　
　〃It's　all　right；〃　he　tried　to　reassure　her；　〃I'll　get　you　out　of　this。〃
　
　〃Richard；〃　she　said　in　a　pleading　whisper；　〃I'm　dead。　Leave　me。　Get　out　of　here。　Run。〃
　
　He　felt　as　if　an　invisible　hand　were　constricting　his　throat。　In　her　eyes；　he　could　see　how　she　was　struggling　to　control　her　panic。　He　tried　to　look　as　calm　as　he　could；　to　hearten　her。　〃I'm　not　leaving　you；〃　he　breathed。
　
　〃Please；　Richard；〃　she　whispered　hoarsely；　〃for　me；　before　it's　too　late。　Run。〃
　
　A　thin；　poisonous　banded　viper；　its　tail　coiled　in　her　hair；　dropped　its　head　down　in　front　of　her　face。　The　red　tongue　flicked　at　her。　Kahlan　closed　her　eyes；　and　another　tear　ran　down　her　cheek。　The　snake　wriggled　around　the　side　of　her　face；　down　over　her　collarbone。　The　banded　body　disappeared　into　her　shirt。　She　gave　out　the　slightest　whimper。
　
　〃I'm　going　to　die。　You　can't　save　me　now。　Please；　Richard；　save　yourself。　Please。　Run。　Run　while　you　still　have　a　chance。〃
　
　Richard　was　afraid　she　would　move　deliberately；　to　be　bitten；　to　try　to　save　him；　thinking　he　then　would　have　no　reason　to　stay。　He　had　to　convince　her　that　that　would　do　no　good。　He　gave　her　a　sober　look。
　
　〃No。　I　came　here　to　find　out　where　the　box　is。　I'm　not　leaving　until　I　know。　Now　be　still。〃
　
　She　opened　her　eyes　wide　at　what　the　snake　was　doing　in　her　shirt。　She　bit　her　bottom　lip；　her　eyebrows　wrinkled　together。　Richard　swallowed　back　dryness　in　his　mouth。
　
　〃Kahlan；　just　hold　on。　Try　to　think　of　something　else。〃
　
　In　a　rage；　he　strode　over　to　the　woman　sitting　on　the　rock　with　her　back　still　to　him。　Something　inside　warned　him　not　to　pull　the　sword；　but　he　could　not；　would　not；　hold　back　his　anger　at　what　she　was　doing　to　Kahlan。　He　breathed　through　gritted　teeth。
　
　When　he　reached　her；　she　stood　and　gently　turned　to　him；　speaking　his　name　in　a　voice　he　recognized。
　
　His　heart　leapt　into　his　throat　when　he　saw　the　'face　that　matched　the　voice
　
　CHAPTER　31
　IT　WAS　HIS　MOTHER。
　
　Richard　felt　as　if　a　bolt　of　lightning　had　struck　him。　His　whole　body　went　rigid。　His　rage　flinched；　and　the　anger　dropped　its　grip　from　him；　recoiling　at　the　idea　of　lethal　intent　and　his　mother　in　the　same　mental　image。
　
　〃Richard。〃　She　smiled　sadly　at　him；　showing　in　that　smile　how　much　she　loved　and　missed　him。
　
　His　mind　raced；　trying　to　grasp　what　was　happening；　unable　to　fit　what　he　was　seeing　with　what　he　knew。　This　couldn't　be。　It　was　simply　impossible。
　
　〃Mother？〃　he　breathed　in　a　whisper。
　
　Arms。　he　knew；　remembered；　slipped　around　him；　forted　him；　brought　tears　to　his　eyes；　a　lump　to　his　throat。
　
　〃Oh；　Richard；〃　she　said　soothingly；　〃how　I've　missed　you。〃　She　ran　her　fingers　through　his　hair；　gentling　him。　〃How　I've　missed　you　so。〃
　
　Reeling；　he　fought　to　regain　control　of　his　emotions。　He　struggled　to　focus　his　mind　an　Kahlan。　He　couldn't　let　her　down　again；　let　himself　be　fooled　again。　She　was　in　this　trouble　be…　cause　he　had　allowed　himself　to　be　fooled。　This　wasn't　his　mother；　it　was　Shota；　a　witch　woman。　But　what　if　he　was　somehow　wrong？
　
　〃Richard；　why　have　you　e　to　me？〃
　
　Richard　put　his　hands　on　her　small　shoulders；　gently　pushing　her　back　a　little。　Her　hands　slipped　to　his　waist；　squeezing　with　familiar　affection。　She　was　not　his　mother；　he　forced　himself　to　say　in　his　mind；　she　was　a　witch　woman；　a　witch　woman　who　knew　where　the　last　box　of　Orden　was；　and　he　had　to　know　the　answer　to　that。　But　why　would　she　be　doing　this？　And　what　if　he　was　wrong？　Could　this　somehow　be　true？
　
　His　finger　went　to　the　little　scar　above　her　left　eyebrow；　tracing　the　familiar　bump。　A　scar　he　had　put　there。　He　had　been　at　swordplay　with　Michael；　with　their　wooden　swords；　and　had　just　jumped　off　the　bed；　taking　a　foolish　and　wild　swing　at　his　older　brother；　when　his　mother　came　through　the　door。　His　sword　had　caught　her　across　the　forehead。　Her　cry　had　terrified　him。
　
　Even　the　whipping　his　father　had　given　him　didn't　hurt　as　much　as　the　thought　of　what　he　had　done　to　his　mother。　His　father　had　sent　him　to　bed　without　supper；　and　that　night；　when　it　was　dark；　she　had　e　to　sit　on　the　side　of　his　bed；　run　her　fingers　through　his　hair　as　he　cried。　He　had　sat　up　and　asked　her　if　it　hurt　a　lot。　She　had　smiled　at　him　and　said　。　。　。
　
　〃Not　as　much　as　it　hurts　you；〃　the　woman　in　front　of　him　whispered。
　
　Richard's　eyes　went　wide；　bumps　ran　up　his　arms。　〃How　do　you　。　。　。
　
　〃Richard；〃　came　an　even；　cautioning　voice　from　behind　him；　jolting　him　again。　〃Stand　away　from　her。〃　It　was　Zedd's　voice。
　
　His　mother's　hand　cupped　the　side　of　his　face。　He　ignored　it　and　turned　his　head；　looking　back　up　the　road