tg.wizardfirstrule-第63部分

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eeve　of　Giller's　robes。　〃But　she　said　that　if　I　don't　say　it；　I'll　be　in　a　lot　of　trouble。〃
　
　Giller　nodded。　〃Well；　just　do　as　she　says；　I'm　sure　the　washwomen　will　know　they　aren't　really　your　words。〃　Rachel　looked　in　his　big　dark　eyes。　〃Everyone　knows　she　gets　her　own　gravy　on　her　own　dresses。〃
　
　Giller　laughed　a　quiet　laugh。　〃You're　right；　I've　seen　her　do　it　myself。　But　it　brings　no　fortune　to　pull　the　tail　of　a　sleeping　badger。〃　She　didn't　understand；　and　made　a　face。　〃That　means　you　will　get　in　trouble　if　you　point　it　out　to　her；　so　it's　best　to　keep　still。〃
　
　Rachel　nodded；　she　knew　that　that　was　true。　Giller　looked　up　and　down　the　hall　again；　but　there　was　no　one。　else　there。
　
　He　leaned　closer　and　whispered；　〃I'm　sorry　I　haven't　been　able　to　talk　to　you；　to　check。　Did　you　find　your　trouble　doll？〃
　
　She　nodded　with　a　smile。　〃Thank　you　so　much；　Giller。　She's　wonderful。　I've　been　put　out　twice　more　since　you　gave　her　to　me。　She　told　me　how　I　mustn't　talk　to　you　unless　you　say　it's　safe；　so　I　just　waited；　like　she　said。　We　talked　and　talked；　and　she　made　me　feel　so　much　better。〃
　
　〃I'm　glad；　child。〃　He　smiled。
　
　〃I　named　her　Sara。　A　doll's　got　to　have　a　name；　you　know。〃
　
　〃Is　that　so？〃　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃I　never　knew　that。　Well；　Sara　is　a　fine　name　for　her　then。〃
　
　Rachel　grinned；　she　was　happy　that　Giller　liked　her　doll's　name。　She　put　one　arm　around　his　neck　and　her　face　by　his　ear。　〃Sara's　been　telling　me　her　troubles　too；〃　she　whispered。　〃I　promised　her　I　would　help　you。　I　never　knew　you　wanted　to　run　away　too。　When　can　we　leave；　Giller？　I'm　getting　so　afraid　of　Princess　Violet。〃
　
　His　big　hand　patted　her　back　when　she　hugged　him。　〃Soon；　child。　But　there　are　things　we　must　prepare　first；　so　we　aren't　found　out。　We　wouldn't　want　anyone　to　follow　us；　to　find　us　and　bring　us　back；　now；　would　we？〃
　
　Rachel　shook　her　head　against　his　shoulder；　then　she　heard　footsteps。　Giller　stood　up；　looking　down　the　hall。
　
　〃Rachel；　it　would　be　very　bad　if　we　were　seen　talking。　Someone　might　。　。　。　find　out　about　the　doll。　About　Sara。〃
　
　〃I　better　go；〃　she　said　in　a　hurry。
　
　〃No　time。　Stand　against　the　wall；　show　me　how　brave；　and　quiet　you　can　be。〃
　
　She　did　what　he　told　her　and　he　stood　in　front　of　her；　hiding　her　behind　his　robes。　Rachel　heard　the　clinking　of　armor。　Just　some　guards；　she　thought。　Then　she　heard　the　little　barks。　The　Queen's　dog！　It　must　be　the　Queen　and　her　guards！　They　would　be　in　a　fine　mess　if　the　Queen　found　her　hiding　behind　the　wizard's　robes。　She　might　find　out　about　the　doll！　She　scrunched　up　tighter　in　the　dark　folds。　The　robes　moved　a　little　when　Giller　bowed。
　
　〃Your　Majesty；〃　Giller　said　as　he　stood　back　up。
　
　〃Giller！〃　she　said　in　her　mean　voice。　〃What　are　you　doing　lurking　about　up　here？〃
　
　〃Lurking；　Your　Majesty？　It　was　my　understanding　I　was　in　your　employ　to　see　to　it　there　was　no　lurking　going　on。　I　was　merely　checking　the　magic　seal　on　the　jewel　room　to　make　sure　it　hadn't　been　tampered　with。〃　Rachel　heard　the　little　dog　sniffing　around　the　bottom　of　Giller's　robes。　〃If　it　is　your　wish；　Your　Majesty；　I　will　leave　matters　to　the　fates；　and　not　investigate　where　I　feel　a　worry。〃　The　little　dog　came　around　the　side　of　the　robes；　close　to　her；　she　could　hear　the　sniff；　sniff；　sniff。　Rachel　wished　he　would　leave；　before　she　got　found　out。　〃We　will　all　just　go　to　bed　at　night　with　a　simple　prayer　to　the　good　spirits　that　when　Father　Rahl　arrives；　all　will　be　well。　And　if　anything　is　amiss；　well；　we　can　simply　tell　him　we　didn't　want　to　have　any　lurking　about；　so　we　didn't　check。　Perhaps　he　will　be　understanding。〃
　
　The　little　dog　started　to　growl。　Rachel　was　getting　tears　in　her　eyes。
　
　〃Don't　get　your　feathers　ruffled；　Giller；　I　was　simply　asking。〃　Rachel　could　see　the　little　black　nose　sticking　under　the　robes。　〃Precious；　what　have　you　found　there？　What　is　it；　my　little　Precious？〃
　
　The　dog　growled　and　gave　out　a　little　bark。　Giller　backed　up　a　little；　pushing　her　tighter　to　the　wall。　Rachel　tried　to　think　about　Sara；　wishing　she　were　with　her　right　now。
　
　〃What　is　it；　Precious？　What　do　you　smell？〃
　
　〃I'm　afraid；　Your　Majesty；　I　have　also　been　lurking　about　in　the　stables；　I'm　quite　sure　that　is　what　your　dog　smells。〃　Giller's　hand　went　into　his　robes　right　by　her　head。
　
　〃The　stables？〃　Her　mean　voice　wasn't　quite　gone。　〃What　could　there　possibly　be　for　you　to　investigate　in　the　stables？〃　Rachel　could　hear　her　voice　getting　louder；　the　Queen　was　bending　over；　to　get　her　dog。　〃What　are　you　doing　there；　Precious？〃
　
　Rachel　sucked　the　hem　of　her　dress；　to　keep　from　making　a　noise　as　she　shook。　Giller's　hand　came　out　of　his　robe。　She　saw　a　pinch　of　something　between　his　thumb　and　finger。　The　dog　pushed　his　head　under　the　robe　and　started　harking。　Giller　opened　his　fingers；　and　sparkling　dust　dropped　down　on　the　dog's　head。　The　dog　started　sneezing。　Then　Rachel　saw　the　Queen's　hand　e　and　pull　him　away。
　
　〃There；　there；　my　little　Precious。　It's　all　right　now。　Poor　little　thing。〃　Rachel　could　hear　her　kissing　the　dog's　nose　the　way　she　liked　to　do　all　the　time；　then　she　sneezed；　too。　〃As　you　were　saying；　Giller？　What　business　does　a　wizard　have　in　the　stables？〃
　
　　〃As　I　was　saying；　Your　Majesty〃…Giller's　voice　could　get　kind　of　mean；　too；　but　Rachel　thought　it　was　funny　when　it　was　the　Queen　he　was　sounding　mean　to=　〃if　you　were　an　assassin；　and　you　wanted　to　e　into　a　Queen's　castle　and　put　a　big　fat　arrow　through　her；　do　you　think　you　would　rather　walk　right　in　the　main　gate；　bold　as　day？　Or　would　you　rather　ride　with　your　long　bow　in　a　wagon；　hiding；　maybe　under　some　hay；　or　behind　some　sacks？　Then　e　out　in　the　dark　of　the　stables。〃
　
　〃Well　。　。　。　I　。　。　。　but；　are　there；　do　you　think　。　。　。　have　you　found　something　。　。　。　。
　
　〃But；　since　you　don't　want　me　lurking　about　in　the　stables　either；　well；　I'll　just　scratch　that　off　my　list　too！　But　if　you　don't　mind；　from　now　on；　when　we　are　in　public　view　I　will　be　standing　well　clear　of　you。　I　don't　want　to　be　in　the　way　if　some　of　your　subjects　choose　to　show　their　love　for　their　Queen　from　afar。〃
　
　〃Wizard　Giller〃…her　voice　got　real　nice；　like　when　she　talked　to　the　dog…〃please　forgive　me。　I　have　been　on　edge　lately；　what　with　Father　Rahl　ing　soon。　I　just　want　everything　to　go　well；　then　we　will　all　have　what　we　want。　I　know　you　only　have　my　best　interest　at　heart。　Please；　do　carry　on；　and　forget　the　momentary　foolishness　of　a　lady。〃
　
　〃As　you　wish；　Your　Majesty。〃　He　bowed　again。
　
　The　Queen　started　hurrying　away；　down　the　hall；　sneezing；　then　Rachel　heard　her　thumping　footsteps　and　the　clinking　armor　stop
　
　〃By　the　way；　wizard　Giller；〃　she　called　back；　〃did　I　tell　you？　A　messenger　came。　He　said　Father　Rahl　will　be　here　sooner　than　expected。　Much　sooner。　Tomorrow　in　fact。　He　will　be　expecting　the　box；　of　course；　to　seal　the　alliance。　Please　see　to　it。〃
　
　Giller's　leg　jerked　so　hard　it　almost　knocked　Rachel　over。　〃Of　course；　Your　Majesty。〃　lie　bowed　again。
　
　Giller　waited　until　the　Queen　was　gone　and　then　pulled　Rachel　up　with　big　hands　around　her　waist　and　field　her　against　his　hip　with　an　arm。　His　cheeks　weren't　red；　as　they　usually　were；　they　were　more　white。　He　put　his　finger　against　her　lips；　and　she　knew　he　wanted　her　to　keep　quiet。　He　stretched　his　neck；　looking　up　and　down　the　hall　again。
　
　〃Tomorrow！〃　he　muttered　to　himself。　〃Curse　the　spirits；　I'm　not　ready。〃
　
　〃What's　wrong；　Giller？〃
　
　〃Rachel；〃　he　whispered；　his　big　hook　nose　close　to　hers；　〃is　the　Princess　in　her　room　right　now？〃
　
　〃No；〃　Rachel　whispered　back。　〃She　went　to　pick　out　fabric　for　a　new　dress；　for　when　Father　Rahl　es　to　visit。〃
　
　〃Do　you　know　where　the　Princess　keeps　her　key　to　the　jewel　room‘〃
　
　〃Yes。　If　she　doesn't　have　it　with　her；　she　keeps　it　in　the　desk。　In　the　drawer　on　the　side　by　the　window。〃
　
　He　started　off　down　the　hall；　toward　Princess　Violet's　room。　His　feet　were　so　quiet　on　the　carpets　that　she　couldn't　even　hear　his　footsteps　as　he　carried　her。　〃Change　of　plans；　child。　Can　you　be　brave　for　me？　And　Sara？〃
　
　She　nodded　that　she　could　and　put　her　arms　around　his　neck　to　hold　on　as　he　walked　fast。　He　went　past　all　the　dark　wooden　doors　that　were　pointed　at　the　tops；　until　he　got　to　the　biggest　one；　a　double　door　set　back　in　a　little　hall；　with　stone　carving　all　around。　That　was　the　Princess's　room。　He　squeezed　her　tight。
　
　〃All　right；〃　he　whispered；　〃you　go　in　and　get　the　key。　I'll　stay　out　here　and　stand　guard。〃
　
　He　set　her　down　on　the　floor。　〃Hurry　now。〃　He　closed　the　door　behind　her。
　
　The　curtains　were　pulled　back；　letting　in　the　sunlight；　so　she　could　see　right　away　that　the　room　was　empty。　None　of　the　servants　were　cleaning　or　anything。　The　fire　was　burned　out；　and　the　servants　hadn't　yet　e　and　made　another　for　tonight。　The　Princess's　big　canopy　bed　was　already　made　up。　Rachel　liked　the　bedcover　with　all　the　pretty　flowers。　It　matched　the　gathered　canopy　and　curtains。　She　always　wondered　why　the　Princess　needed　such　a　big　bed。　It　was　big　enough　for　ten　people。　Where　she　came　from；　six　girls　slept　together　in　a　bed　half　the　size　of　this　one；　and　the　bedcover　was　plain。　She　wondered　what　the　Princess's　bed　felt　like。　She　had　never　once　even　sat　on　it。
　
　She　knew　Giller　wanted　her　to　hurry；　so　she　crossed　the　room；　walking　over　the　fur　rug；　to　the　polished　desk　with　the　pretty　swirled　wood。　She　put　her　fingers　through　the　gold　handle　and　slid　the　drawer　open。　It　made　her　nervous　to　do　it；　even　though　she　had　done　it　before　when　the　Princess　had　sent　her　to　get　the　key；　but　she　had　never　done　it　before　without　being　told　to　by　the　Princess。　The　big　key　to　the　jewel　room　was　lying　in　the　red　velvet　pocket；　right　next　to　the　little　key　to　her　sleeping　box。　She　put　the　key　in　her　pocket　and　slid　the　drawer　closed　again；　making　sure　it　was　shut　all　the　way。
　
　As　she　started　for　the　door；　she　looked　at　the　er　where　her　sleeping　box　was。　She　knew　Giller　wanted　her　to　hurry；　but　she　ran　over　to　the　box　anyway…she　had　to　check。　She　crawled　inside；　into　the　dark；　and　went　to　the　back　corner　where　the　blanket　was　pushed　up　in　a　pile。　Carefully；　she　pulled　the　blanket　back。
　
　Sara　looked　back　at　her。　The　doll　was　right　where　she　had　left　her。
　
　〃I　have　to　go　quick；〃　she　whispered。　〃I'll　be　back　later。〃
　
　Rachel　kissed　the　doll's　head　and　covered　her　back　up　with　the　blanket；　hiding　her　in　the　corner　so　no　one　would　find　her。　She　knew　it　was　trouble　to　bring　Sara　to　the　castle；　but　she　couldn't　bear　to　leave　her　in　the　wayward　pine；　all　alone。　She　knew　how　lonely　and　scary　it　got　in　the　wayward　pine。
　
　Finished；　she　ran　to　the　door；　pulled　it　open　a　crack；　and　looked　up　at　Giller's　face。　He　nodded　to　her　and　motioned　with　his　hand　that　it　was　all　right　to　e　out。
　
　〃The　key？〃
　
　She　pulled　it　out　of　the　pocket　where　she　kept　her　magic　fire　stick；　to　show　him。　He　smiled　and　called　her　a　good　girl。　No　one　had　ever　called　her　a　good　girl　before；　at　least　not　for　a　long　time。　He　picked　her　up　again　and　walked　fast　down　the　hall　and　then　down　the　dark；　narrow　servants'　stairs。　She　could　hardly　ever　hear　his　footsteps　on　the　stone。　His　whiskers　tickled　her　face。　At　the　bottom　he　set　her　down　again。
　
　〃Rachel；〃　he　said；　squatting　down　close　to　her；　〃listen　carefully；　this　is　very　important；　this　is　no　game。　We　must　get　out　of　the　castle；　or　we　will　both　get　our　heads　chopped　off；　just　like　Sara　told　you。　But　we　must　be　smart　about　it；　or　we　will　get　caught。　If　we　run　away　too　quickly；　without　doing　the　right　things　first；　we　will　be　found　out。　And　if　we　are　too　slow；　well；　we　just　better　not　be　too　slow。〃
　
　She　started　to　get　tears　in　her　eyes。　〃Giller；　I'm　afraid　to　get　my　head　chopped　off；　people　say　it　hurts　terrible　bad。〃
　
　Giller　hugged　her　tight。　〃I　know；　child。　I'm　afraid　too。〃　He　put　his　hands　on　her　shoulders；　holding　her　up　straight　while　he　looked　in　her　eyes。　〃But　if　you　trust　me；　and　do　exactly　as　I　say；　and　are　brave　enough；　we　will　get　away　from　here；　and　go　to　where　no　one　ever　chops　off　people's　heads；　or　locks　them　in　boxes；　and　where　you　can　have　your　doll　and　people　will　let　you；　and　they　will　never　take　Sara　away　from　you　or　throw　her　in　the　fire。　All　right？〃
　
　Her　tears　started　to　go　away。　〃That　would　be　wonderful；　Giller。〃
　
　〃But　you　must　be　brave；　and　do　just　as　I　tell　you。　Some　of　it　will　be　hard。〃
　
　〃I　will；　I　promise。〃
　
　〃And　I　promise；　Rachel；　that　I　will　do　whatever　I　must　to　protect　you。　We　are　in　this　together；　you　and　me；　but　a　lot　of　other　people　are　depending　on　us　too。　If　we　do　a　good　job；　we　will　be　able　to　fix　it　so　a　lot　of　other　people；　innocent　people；　won't　get　their　heads　chopped　off　anymore。〃
　
　Her　eyes　got　wide。　〃Oh；　I　would　like　that；　Giller。　I　hate　it　when　people　get　their　heads　chopped　off。　It　scares　me　fierce。〃
　
　〃All　right　then；　the　first　thing　I　need　you　to　do　is　to　go　scold　the　cooks；　just　like　you　are　supposed　to；　and　while　you　are　down　in　the　kitchen；　get　a　big　loaf　of　bread；　the　biggest　you　can　find。　I　don't　care　how　you　get　it；　steal　it　if　you　have　to。　Just　get　it。　Then　bring　it　up　to　the　jewel　room。　Use　the　key　and　wait　inside　for　me。　I　must　tend　to　some　other　things。　I'll　tell　you　more　then。　Can　you　do　that？〃　〃Sure；〃　she　nodded。　〃Easy。〃
　
　〃Off　with　you　then。〃
　
　She　went　through　the　door　into　the　big　hall　on　the　first　floor　while　Giller　disappeared　up　the　steps　without　making　a　sound。　The　stairs　to　the　kitchen　were　at　the　other　end；　on　the　other　side　of　the　grand　stairs　in　the　middle　that　the　Queen　used。　Rachel　liked　going　up　the　grand　stairs　with　the　Princess　because　they　had　carpets；　and　weren't　cold　like　the　stone　steps　she　was　supposed　to　use　when　she　was　on　errands。　The　hall　was　open　in　the　middle；　where　the　grand　stairs　came　down　to　a　big　room　with　black　and　white　marble　squares　on　the　floor。　They　were　very　cold　under　her　feet。
　
　She　was　trying　to　think　of　a　way　she　could　get　a　big　loaf　of　bread　without　stealing　it；　when　she　saw　Princess　Violet　ing　across　the　room　to　the　grand　stairs。　The　royal　seamstress　and　two　of　her　helpers　were　following　behind；　carrying　bolts　of　pretty；　pink　cloth。　Rachel　looked　quick　for　a　place　to　hide；　but　the　Princess　had　already　seen　her。
　
　〃Oh　good；　Rachel；〃　the　Princess　said。　〃e　here。〃
　
　Rachel　went　and　curtsied。　〃Yes；　Princess　Violet？〃
　
　〃What　are　you　doing？〃
　
　〃I　was　doing　my　errands。　I　was　just　going　to　the　kitchen　now。〃
　
　〃Well　。　。　。　don't　bother。〃
　
　〃But　Princess　Violet；　I　have　to！〃
　
　The　Princess　frowned。　〃Why？　I　just　said　you　didn't。〃
　
　Rachel　bit　her　lip；　the　Princess's　frown　scared　her。　She　tried　to　think　of　how　Giller　would　answer。　〃Well；　if　you　don't　want　me　to；　I　won't；〃　she　said。　〃But　your　lunch　was　simply　dreadful；　and　I　would　hate　to　see　you　eating　another　dreadful　meal。　You　must　be　starving　for　something　good。　But　if　you　don't　want　me　to　go　tell　them；　I　won't。〃
　
　The　Princess　thought　this　over　a　minute。　〃On　second　thought；　go　ahead；　it　was　dreadful。　Just　be　sure　to　tell　them　how　angry　I　am；　too！〃
　
　〃Yes；　Princess　Violet。〃　She　curtsied。　She　turned　and　started　to　leave。
　
　〃I'm　going　for　a　fitting。〃　Rachel　turned　back　to　her。　〃Then　I　want　to　go　to