tg.wizardfirstrule-第61部分

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　His　mother's　hand　cupped　the　side　of　his　face。　He　ignored　it　and　turned　his　head；　looking　back　up　the　road；　to　the　top　of　the　rise。　It　was　Zedd；　or　at　least　he　thought　it　was　Zedd。　It　looked　just　like　Zedd；　but　then；　this　looked　just　like　his　mother。　Zedd　was　standing　there；　with　a　look　he　recognized；　a　look　of　cold　danger；　warning。
　
　〃Richard；〃　came　Zedd's　voice　again。　〃Do　as　I　say。　Stand　away　from　her。　Now。〃
　
　〃Please；　Richard；〃　his　mother　breathed；　〃don't　leave　me。　Don't　you　know　me？〃　Richard　turned　to　her　soft　face。　〃Yes。　You　are　Shota。〃
　
　He　took　her　wrists；　pulled　her　hands　from　his　waist；　and　stepped　back　from　her。　Near　tears；　she　watched　him　move　away。
　
　Suddenly；　she　spun　toward　the　wizard。　Her　hands　snapped　up。　With　an　earsplitting　crack；　blue　lightning　erupted　from　her　fingers；　streaking　toward　Zedd；　The　wizard's　hands　instantly　brought　up　a　shield；　like　glass；　reflecting　light　in　its　gloss。　The　lightning　from　Shota　hit　it　with　a　thunderous　peal　and　glanced　off；　striking　a　huge　oak；　snapping　its　trunk　in　a　shower　of　splinters。　The　tree　crashed　to　earth。　The　ground　shuddered。
　
　Zedd's　hands　were　already　up。　Wizard's　fire　shot　from　his　curled　fingers。　It　shrieked　as　it　came；　tumbling　through　the　air　with　howling　fury。
　
　〃No！〃　Richard　screamed。
　
　The　ball　of　liquid　flame　harshly　illuminated　the　shady　area　with　intense　blue　and　yellow　light。
　
　He　couldn't　let　this　happen！　Shota　was　the　only　way　to　find　the　box！　The　only　way　to　stop　Rahl！
　
　The　fire　wailed　as　it　expanded；　heading　right　for　Shota。　She　stood　motionless。
　
　〃No！〃　Richard　yanked　the　sword　free　and　jumped　in　front　of　her。　Gripping　the　hilt　in　one　hand；　the　point　in　the　other；　with　arms　locked；　he　held　it　up　horizontally　in　front　of　himself；　as　a　shield。
　
　The　magic　raced　through　him。　Wrath　took　him。　The　fire　was　upon　him。　The　roar　filled　his　ears。　He　turned　his　face；　closed　his　eyes；　held　his　breath　and　gritted　his　teeth；　fully　expecting　that　he　might　die。　But　there　was　no　choice。　The　witch　woman　was　their　only　chance。　He　couldn't　let　her　be　killed。
　
　The　impact　staggered　him　back　a　step。　He　felt　the　heat。　Even　with　his　eyes　tightly　closed；　he　could　see　the　light。　The　wizard's　fire　wailed　in　rage　as　it　struck　the　sword；　exploding　around　him。
　
　And　then　there　was　silence。　He　opened　his　eyes。　The　wizard's　fire　was　gone。　Zedd　wasted　no　time。　Already　he　was　throwing　a　handful　of　magic　dust。　It　sparkled　as　it　came。　Richard　saw　something　ing　from　behind　him；　magic　dust　from　the　witch　woman。　It　shimmered　like　ice　crystals；　taking　the　sparkle　from　Zedd's　dust；　and　slammed　into　him。
　
　Zedd　stood　frozen；　unmoving；　one　hand　in　the　air
　
　〃Zedd！〃
　
　There　was　no　reply。　Richard　spun　to　the　witch　woman。　She　was　no　longer　his　mother。　Shota　wore　a　wispy　dress　with　variegated　shades　of　gray　across　its　gauzy　surface；　its　folds　and　loose　points　floating　in　the　light　breeze。　Her　full；　thick　hair　was　a　wavy　auburn；　her　smooth　skin　flawless。　Almond　eyes　shone　up　at　him。　She　was　as　beautiful　as　the　palace　that　stood　behind　her；　the　valley　around　her。　She　was　so　attractive；　it　almost　took　his　breath　away；　and　would　have；　were　it　not　for　the　rage　he　was　feeling。
　
　〃My　hero；〃　she　said　in　a　voice　that　was　no　longer　his　mother's；　but　silky；　clear；　easy。　A　sly　smile　carne　to　her　full　lips。　〃Totally　unnecessary；　but　it's　the　thought　that　counts。　I　am　impressed。〃
　
　〃And　who　is　this　supposed　to　be？　Another　vision　from　my　mind？　Or　is　this　the　real　Shota？〃　Richard　was　enraged。　He　recognized　all　too　well　the　anger　from　the　sword；　but　decided　to　keep　the　weapon　out。
　
　Her　smile　widened。　〃Are　those　clothes　really　you？〃　she　teased。　〃Or　are　they　something　you　wear　for　a　time；　to　serve　a　purpose？'
　
　〃What's　the　purpose　of　who　you　are　now？〃
　
　Her　eyebrow　lifted。　〃Why；　to　please　you；　Richard。　That's　all。〃
　
　〃With　some　illusion！〃
　
　〃No。〃　Her　voice　softened。　〃This　is　no　illusion；　it's　the　way　I　appear　to　myself；　most　of　the　time　anyway。　This　is　real。〃
　
　Richard　ignored　her　answer；　pointing　up　the　road　with　the　sword。　〃What　have　you　done　to　Zedd？〃
　
　She　shrugged；　looking　away　with　a　demure　smile。　〃Merely　prevented　him　from　harming　me。　He　is　all　right。　For　the　moment　anyway。〃　Almond　eyes　sparkled　up　from　under　her　eyebrows。　〃I　will　kill　him　later；　after　you　and　I　have　talked。〃
　
　His　grip　on　the　sword　tightened。　〃And　Kahlan？〃
　
　Shota　redirected　her　gaze　to　Kahlan；　who　stood　still；　pale；　her　mouth　trembling；　her　eyes　locked　on　Shota's　every　move。　Richard　knew　Kahlan　feared　this　woman　more　than　she　feared　the　snakes。　Shota　frowned；　then　it　melted　back　into　her　coy　smile　as　she　returned　her　gaze　to　him。
　
　〃She　is　a　very　dangerous　woman。〃　Her　eyes　flashed　with　knowing　that　went　well　beyond　the　years　she　appeared　to　be
　
　〃More　dangerous　than　even　she　knows。　I　have　to　protect　myself　from　her。〃　She　shrugged　again；　deftly　catching　the　corner　of　a　floating　wisp　of　her　dress。　When　she　did；　the　rest　of　the　dress　settled　down；　as　if　the　breeze　had　died。　〃So　I　did　that　to　keep　her　still。　If　she　moves；　they　will　bite　her。　If　she　doesn't；　they　won't；〃　Shota　thought　a　moment。　〃I　will　kill　her　later；　too。〃　Her　voice　seemed　too　gentle；　too　pleasant　for　the　words　she　spoke。
　
　Richard　considered　using　the　sword　to　take　off　the　witch　woman's　head。　His　rage　demanded　it。　He　visualized　it　powerfully　in　his　mind；　hoping　Shota　could　see　it；　too。　Then　he　put　the　fury　down　a　little；　but　still　at　the　ready。
　
　〃And　me？　Are　you　not　afraid　of　me？〃
　
　Shota　gave　a　little　laugh；　a　smile。　〃A　Seeker？〃　Her　fingers　went　to　her　lips　as　if　to　try　to　hide　her　amusement。　〃No；　I　don't　think　so。〃
　
　Richard　could　barely　contain　himself。　〃Perhaps　you　should　be。〃
　
　〃Perhaps。　Perhaps　in　normal　times。　But　these　are　not　normal　times。　Otherwise　why　would　you　be　here？　To　kill　me'？　You　have　just　saved　me。〃　She　gave　him　a　look　that　said　he　should　be　ashamed　of　himself　for　saying　something　so　stupid；　then　walked　around　him；　one　full　turn。　He　turned　with　her；　keeping　the　sword　between　them；　although　she　seemed　unconcerned　by　it。　〃These　are　times　that　demand　strange　alliances；　Richard。　Only　the　strong　are　wise　enough　to　recognize　this。〃　She　stopped　and　folded　her　arms；　appraising　him　with　a　thoughtful　smile。　〃My　hero。　Why；　I　can't　remember　the　last　time　anyone　thought　to　save　my　life。〃　She　leaned　toward　him。　〃Very　gallant。　It　truly　was。〃　She　slipped　an　arm　around　his　waist。　Richard　wanted　to　stop　her；　but　somehow　he　didn't。
　
　〃Don't　flatter　yourself。　I　had　my　motives。〃　He　found　her　easy　manner　unnerving；　and　fiercely　attractive。　He　knew　he　had　no　reason　to　feel　attracted　to　her。　She　had　just　said　she　was　going　to　kill　his　two　best　friends；　and　by　Kahlan's　manner　he　knew　it　was　no　vain　boast。　Worse；　he　had　the　sword　out；　the　sword's　anger　out。　He　realized　that　even　its　magic　was　being　bewitched。　He　felt　as　if　he　were　drowning；　and　to　his　surprise；　was　finding　the　experience　pleasant。
　
　Her　smile　widened；　making　her　almond　eyes　sparkle。　〃As　1　said；　only　the　strong　are　wise　enough　for　the　alliances　needed。　The　wizard　wasn't　wise　enough；　he　tried　to　kill　me。　She　isn't　wise　enough；　she　would　also。　She　didn't　even　want　to　e　here。　Only　you　were　wise　enough　to　see　that　these　times　demand　an　alliance　such　as　ours。〃
　
　Richard　struggled　to　maintain　a　level　of　outrage。　〃I　make　no　alliances　with　those　who　would　kill　my　friends。〃
　
　〃Even　if　they　try　to　kill　me　first？　Have　I　no　right　to　defend　myself？　Am　I　to　lay　down　and　die；　because　it's　your　friends　who　would　do　the　killing？　Richard；〃　she　said；　shaking　her　head　with　a　frown　and　a　smile；　〃think　about　what　you　are　saying。　Look　at　it　from　my　eyes。〃
　
　He　thought　about　it；　but　said　nothing。　She　gave　his　waist　an　affectionate　squeeze。
　
　〃But　you　were　very　gallant。　You；　my　hero；　have　done　a　very　rare　thing。　You　have　put　your　life　at　risk　for　me；　a　witch　woman。　That　kind　of　thing　does　not　go　unrewarded。　You　have　earned　a　wish。　Anything　you　want；　simply　name　it；　and　it　will　be　granted。〃　With　her　free　hand　she　made　gliding　motions　in　the　air。　〃Anything；　on　my　word。〃
　
　Richard　started　to　open　his　mouth；　but　Shota　put　a　finger　gently　to　his　lips。　Her　warm　body；　firm　beneath　the　thin　dress；　pressed　against　him。　〃Don't　spoil　my　opinion　of　you　by　answering　too　quickly。　You　may　have　anything　you　want。　Don't　waste　the　wish。　Think　it　over　carefully　before　you　ask。　It's　an　important　wish；　offered　for　a　reason；　and　perhaps　the　most　important　wish　you　will　ever　have。　Haste　could　mean　death。〃
　
　Richard　was　seething；　in　spite　of　how　strangely　attracted　he　was　to　this　woman。　〃I　don't　have　to　think　it　over。　My　wish　is　for　you　not　to　kill　my　friends。　To　leave　them　unharmed；　and　let　them　go。〃
　
　Shota　sighed。　〃I'm　afraid　that　would　plicate　things。〃
　
　〃Oh？　So；　your　word　means　nothing？〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　reproachful　glare。　Her　voice　had　a　hint　of　harshness　to　it。　〃My　word　means　everything。　I　simply　want　you　to　know　it　would　plicate　matters。　You　came　here　for　the　answer　to　an　important　question。　You　have　a　wish　ing。　You　have　merely　to　ask　the　question　as　your　wish；　and　I　will　grant　it。
　
　〃Isn't　that　what　you　really　want？　Ask　yourself　what's　more　important；　how　many　will　die　if　you　fail　in　your　duty。〃　She　squeezed　his　waist　again；　her　beautiful　smile　returning。　〃Richard；　the　sword　is　confusing　you。　The　magic　is　interfering　with　your　judgment。　Put　it　away；　then　think　again。　If　you　are　wise；　you　will　heed　my　warning；　it　is　not　without　reason。〃
　
　Richard　angrily　thrust　the　sword　back　into　its　scabbard　to　show　her　he　wouldn't　change　his　mind。　He　looked　back　at　Zedd；　standing　frozen　in　place。　He　looked　over　at　Kahlan；　snakes　writhing　all　over　her。　When　their　eyes　met；　his　heart　ached　for　her。　He　knew　what　Kahlan　wanted　him　to　do；　he　could　see　it　in　her　eyes；　she　wanted　him　to　use　the　wish　to　find　the　box。　Richard　turned　away　from　her；　unable　to　witness　her　torment　another　moment。　He　regarded　Shota　with　determination。
　
　〃I've　put　the　sword　away；　Shota。　It　changes　nothing。　You　are　going　to　answer　my　question　anyway。　Your　life；　too；　depends　upon　my　knowing　the　answer。　You　have　as　much　as　admitted　it。　I'm　not　wasting　my　wish。　To　use　it　to　get　an　answer　you　already　intend　to　give　me　would　be　a　waste　of　my　friends'　lives。　Now；　grant　my　wish！〃
　
　Shota　regarded　him　with　ancient　eyes。　〃Dear　Richard；〃　she　said　softly；　〃a　Seeker　needs　his　anger；　but　don't　let　it　fill　your　head　to　the　exclusion　of　wisdom。　Do　not　judge　too　quickly　actions　you　do　not　fully　understand。　Not　all　acts　are　as　they　seem。　Some　are　meant　to　save　you。〃
　
　Her　hand　came　up　slowly　to　the　side　of　his　face；　reminding　him　again　of　his　mother。　Her　gentleness　made　him　feel　calm；　and　somehow　sad。　In　that　moment；　he　felt　his　fear　of　her　wane。
　
　〃Please；　Shota；〃　he　whispered。　〃I　have　made　my　wish。　Grant　it。〃
　
　〃Your　wish；　dear　Richard；　is　granted；〃　she　said　in　a　sad　whisper。
　
　He　turned　to　Kahlan。　The　snakes　were　still　on　her。　〃Shota；　you　made　a　promise。〃
　
　〃I　promised　I　would　not　kill　her；　and　that　she　could　leave。　When　you　go；　she　may　go　with　you；　I　will　not　kill　her。　But　she　is　still　a　danger　to　me。　If　she　remains　still　the　snakes　will　not　harm　her。〃
　
　〃You　said　Kahlan　would　have　tried　to　kill　you。　That　isn't　true；　she　guided　me　here　seeking　your　help；　the　same　as　me。　Even　though　she　intended　you　no　harm；　you　would　have　killed　her。　And　now　you　do　this　to　her！〃
　
　〃Richard；〃　she　touched　a　finger　to　her　chin；　thinking；　〃you　e　here　thinking　me　evil；　didn't　you？　Even　though　you　knew　nothing　of　me；　you　were　ready　to　bring　harm　to　me；　based　on　what　you　invented　in　your　head。　You　have　mitted　to　belief　that　which　you　have　heard　from　others。〃　There　was　no　malice　in　her　voice。　〃People　who　are　jealous　or　afraid　say　these　things。　People　also　say　that　to　use　fire　is　wrong；　and　that　those　who　use　fire　are　evil。　Does　that　make　it　true？　People　say　the　old　wizard　is　evil；　and　that　people　die　because　of　him。　Does　that　make　it　true？　Some　of　the　Mud　People　say　you　brought　death　to　their　village。　Does　that　make　it　true；　because　fools　say　it　is　so？〃
　
　〃What　kind　of　person　would　try　to　make　me　think　she　was　my　dead　mother？〃　he　asked　bitterly。
　
　Shota　looked　genuinely　hurt。　〃Do　you　not　love　your　mother？〃
　
　〃Of　course。〃
　
　〃What　greater　gift　could　anyone　give；　than　the　return　of　a　passed　loved　one？　Did　it　not　give　you　joy　to　see　your　mother　again？　Did　I　ask　for　anything　in　return？　Did　I　demand　payment？　For　a　moment；　I　gave　you　something　beautiful；　pure；　a　living　memory　of　your　love　for　your　mother；　and　hers　for　you；　at　a　cost　to　myself　you　could　never　fathom；　and　you　see　this；　too；　as　evil？　And　in　payment；　you　would　think　to　take　my　head　off　with　your　sword？〃
　
　Richard　swallowed　hard；　but　didn't　answer。　He　looked　away　from　her　eyes；　feeling　suddenly；　unexpectedly；　ashamed。
　
　〃Is　your　mind　that　poisoned　by　the　words　of　others？　Their　fears？　All　I　ask　is　to　be　judged　by　my　deeds；　to　be　seen　for　who　I　am；　not　what　others　say　of　me。　Richard；　don't　be　a　soldier　in　this　silent　army　of　fools。〃
　
　Richard　stood　speechless　at　hearing　the　words　of　his　own　beliefs　ing　back　at　him。
　
　〃Look　around；〃　Shota　said；　sweeping　her　hand　through　the　air。　〃Is　this　a　place　of　ugliness？　Evil？〃
　
　〃It's　the　most　beautiful　place　I've　ever　seen；〃　Richard　admitted　in　a　soft　voice。　〃But　that　doesn't　prove　anything；　and　what　about　the　place　up　there？〃　He　pointed　with　his　chin；　toward　the　dark　wood　above
　
　She　took　a　brief　glance。　〃Think　of　it　as　my　moat。〃　Shota　smiled　proudly。　〃It　keeps　away　fools　who　would　harm　me。〃
　
　Richard　saved　the　hardest　question　for　last。　〃And　what　of　him？〃　He　glanced　toward　the　shadows；　where　Samuel　sat；　watching；　with　glowing　yellow　eyes。
　
　She　held　Richard's　gaze　as　she　spoke；　her　voice　heavy　with　regret。　〃Samuel；　e　here。〃
　
　The　disgusting　creature　skittered　across　the　grass；　to　his　mistress's　side；　pushing　against　her；　making　an　odd；　throaty　gurgle。　Samuel's　eyes　locked　on　the　sword；　and　stayed　there。　Her　hand　reached　down；　stroking　his　gray　head　affectionately。　Shota　gave　Richard　a　warm；　brave　smile。
　
　〃I　guess　a　formal　introduction　is　in　order。　Richard；　may　I　introduce　Samuel；　your　predecessor。　The　former　Seeker。〃
　
　Richard　looked　down；　wide…eyed；　speechless；　to　the　panion。
　
　〃My　sword！　Gimme！〃　Samuel　started　to　reach　out。　Shota　spoke　his　name　in　caution　without　taking　her　gaze　from　Richard；　and　the　little　creature　instantly　withdrew　his　arms；　nuzzling　back　against　her　hip。　〃My　sword；〃　he　plained　to　himself　in　a　low　voice。
　
　〃Why　does　he　look　like　that？〃　Richard　asked　cautiously；　afraid　of　the　answer。
　
　〃You　really　don't　know；　do　you？〃　Shota　lifted　an　eyebrow　as　she　studied　his　face。　Her　sad　smile　returned。　〃The　magic。　Did　the　wizard　not　warn　you？〃
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　slowly；　unable　to　form　words。　His　tongue　stuck　to　the　roof　of　his　mouth。
　
　〃Well；　I　suggest　you　have　a　talk　with　him。〃
　
　He　forced　himself　to　speak；　but　barely。　〃You　mean；　the　magic　will　do　this　to　me？〃
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard；　I　can't　answer　that。〃　She　gave　a　heavy　sigh。　〃One　of　my　talents　is　that　I　have　vision　for　the　flow　of　time；　the　way　events　flow　into　the　future。　But　this　is　a　type　of　magic；　wizard's　magic；　that　I