tg.wizardfirstrule-第73部分

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　〃You're　supposed　to　keep　that。　Then　someday　if　you　like　a　boy；　you　can　give　him　a　lock　of　your　hair；　and　he　can　keep　it　in　his　pocket；　right　next　to　his　heart。〃　He　winked　at　her。　〃To　remember　you　by。〃
　
　Rachel　giggled。　〃You're　the　silliest　man　I　ever　saw。〃　He　laughed。　Kahlan　smiled　while　she　looked　over　at　him。　Rachel　stuffed　the　lock　of　hair　in　her　pocket。　〃Are　you　a　lord？〃
　
　〃Sorry；　Rachel；　I'm　just　a　woods　guide。〃　His　face　got　a　little　sad　then。　She　was　glad　he　wasn't　a　lord。　He　turned　and　dug　a　little　mirror　out　of　his　pack　and　handed　it　to　her。　〃Have　a　look。　Tell　me　what　you　think。〃
　
　She　held　it　up；　trying　to　see　herself　in　the　mirror。　It　was　the　littlest　mirror　she　ever　saw；　and　it　took　a　minute　to　get　it　in　the　right　place　so　she　could　see　herself　in　the　firelight。　When　she　did；　her　eyes　went　wide；　and　she　got　tears。
　
　She　threw　her　arm　around　Richard。　〃Oh；　thank　you；　Richard；　thank　you。　It's　the　prettiest　my　hair　has　ever　been。〃　He　gave　her　back　a　hug　that　felt　as　good　as　any　Giller　had　ever　given　her。　One　of　his　big；　warm　hands　rubbed　her　back。　It　was　a　long　hug；　too；　the　longest　she　had　ever　got；　and　she　wished　it　would　never　end。　But　it　did。
　
　Kahlan　shook　her　head　to　herself。　〃You　are　a　very　rare　person；　Richard　Cypher；〃　she　whispered　to　him。
　
　Kahlan　stuck　a　big　piece　of　fish　on　a　stick　for　her；　and　told　her　to　blow　on　it　until　it　was　cool　enough　not　to　burn　her　mouth。　Rachel　blew　a　little；　but　she　was　too　hungry　to　blow　for　long。　It　was　the　bestest　fish　she　ever　had。　It　was　as　good　as　the　piece　of　meat　the　cooks　had　given　her　that　one　time。
　
　〃Ready　for　another　piece？〃　Kahlan　asked。　Rachel　nodded。　Then　she　pulled　a　knife　from　her　belt。　〃Should　we　all　have　a　slice　of　your　bread　with　the　fish？〃　She　started　to　reach　for　it。
　
　Rachel　dove　for　the　loaf　of　bead；　snatching　it　away　just　before　Kahlan　got　her　hand　on　it。　Rachel　hugged　it　to　her　with　both　arms。　〃No！〃　She　pushed　with　her　heels；　scooting　back；　away　from　Kahlan。
　
　Richard　stopped　eating；　Kahlan　frowned。　Rachel　reached　one　hand　into　her　pocket；　her　fingers　clutching　the　fire　stick　Giller　had　given　her。
　
　〃Rachel？　What's　the　matter？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　Giller　had　told　her；　told　her　not　to　trust　anyone。　She　had　to　think　of　something。　What　would　Giller　say？
　
　〃It's　for　my　grandmother！〃　She　could　feel　a　tear　run　down　her　cheek。
　
　〃Well　then；〃　Richard　said；　〃since　it's　for　your　grandmother；　we　won't　touch　it。　Promise。　Isn't　that　right；　Kahlan？〃
　
　〃Of　course。　I'm　song；　Rachel；　we　didn't　know。　I　promise；　too。　Forgive　me？〃
　
　Rachel　took　her　hand　back　out　of　her　pocket；　and　nodded。　The　lump　in　her　throat　was　too　big　to　talk　past。
　
　〃Rachel；〃　Richard　asked；　〃where　is　your　grandmother？〃
　
　Rachel　froze　stiff；　she　didn't　really　have　a　grandmother。　She　tried　to　think　of　the　name　of　a　place　she　had　heard　of。　She　thought　about　places　she　had　heard　the　Queen's　advisors　name。　She　said　the　first　one　that　came　into　her　head。
　
　〃Homers　Mill。〃
　
　Before　the　words　were　finished　ing　out　of　her　mouth；　she　knew　it　was　a　mistake。　Richard　and　Kahlan　both　got　scared　looks　on　their　faces　and　turned　to　look　at　each　other。　It　was　real　quiet　for　a　minute；　Rachel　didn't　know　what　was　going　to　happen。　She　looked　to　the　sides　of　the　wayward　pine；　the　spaces　between　the　branches。
　
　〃Rachel；　we　won't　touch　your　grandmother's　bread；〃　Richard　said　in　a　soft　voice；　〃we　promise。〃
　
　〃e；　have　another　piece　of　fish；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃You　can　leave　the　loaf　of　bread　over　there；　we　won't　bother　it。〃
　
　Rachel　still　didn't　move。　She　thought　about　running　away；　fast　as　she　could；　but　she　knew　they　could　run　faster；　and　would　catch　her。　She　had　to　do　as　Giller　told　her；　hide　with　the　box　until　winter；　or　all　those　people　would　get　their　heads　chopped　off。
　
　Richard　picked　up　Sara；　and　put　her　on　his　lap。　He　pretended　to　give　her　a　piece　of　fish。　〃Sara's　going　to　eat　all　the　fish。　If　you　want　any；　you　better　get　over　here　and　have　your　share。　e　on；　you　can　sit　on　my　lap　and　eat。　All　right？〃
　
　Rachel　searched　their　faces；　trying　to　decide　if　they　were　telling　the　truth。　Women　with　long　hair　could　lie　easily。　She　looked　at　Richard；　he　didn't　look　like　he　was　lying：　She　got　up　and　ran　over　to　him。　He　pulled　her　into　his　lap；　then　put　Sara　on　her　lap。
　
　Rachel　snuggled　up　against　him　while　they　all　ate　fish。　She　didn't　look　at　Kahlan。　Sometimes　when　you　looked　at　a　lady　with　long　hair；　it　was　improper；　Princess　Violet　said。　She　didn't　want　to　do　anything　that　would　get　her　a　slap。　Or　anything　to。　get　taken　off　Richard's　lap。　It　was　warm　in　his　lap；　and　made　her　feel　safe。
　
　〃Rachel；〃　Richard　said；　〃I'm　sorry；　but　we　can't　let　you　go　to　Homers　Mill。　There's　no　one　left　in　Homers　Mill。　It's　not　safe
　
　〃That's　all　right。　I'll　go　somewhere　else　then。〃
　
　〃I'm　afraid　it's　not　safe　anywhere；　Rachel；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃We　will　take　you　with　us；　so　you　will　be　safe。〃
　
　〃Where？〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled。　〃We　are　going　to　Tamarang；　to　see　the　Queen。〃　Rachel　stopped　chewing。　She　couldn't　breathe。　〃We　will　take　you　with　us。　I'm　sure　the　Queen　will　be…　able　to　find　someone　to　take　care　of　you；　if　I　ask。〃
　
　〃Kahlan；　are　you　sure　about　this？〃　Richard　whispered。　〃What　about　the　wizard？〃
　
　Kahlan　nodded　and　spoke　softly　to　him。　〃We　will　see　to　her　before　I　skin　Giller。〃
　
　Rachel　forced　herself　to　swallow；　so　she　could　breathe。　She　knew　it！　She　knew　she　shouldn't　trust　a　woman　with　long　hair。　She　almost　cried；　she　was　just　starting　to　like　Kahlan。　Richard　was　so　nice。　Why　would　he　be　nice　to　Kahlan？　Why　would　he　even　be　with　a　woman　mean　enough　to　hurt　Giller。　It　must　be　like　when　she　was　nice　to　Princess　Violet；　so　she　wouldn't　get　hurt。　He　must　be　afraid　of　getting　hurt；　too。　She　felt　sorry　for　Richard。　She　wished　he　could　run　away　from　Kahlan　like　she　was　running　away　from　Princess　Violet。　Maybe　she　should　tell　Richard　about　the　box；　and　he　could　run　away　from　Kahlan　with　her。
　
　No。　Giller　said　not　to　trust　anyone。　He　might　be　too　afraid　of　Kahlan；　and　tell　her。　She　had　to　be　brave　for　Giller。　For　all　the　other　people。　She　had　to　get　away。
　
　〃We　can　deal　with　it　in　the　morning；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃We　better　get　some　sleep…　so　we　can　be　off　at　first　light。〃
　
　Richard　nodded　as　he　hugged　her。　〃I'll　take　the　first　watch。　You　get　some　sleep。〃
　
　He　picked　her　up　and　handed　her　to　Kahlan。　Rachel　bit　her　tongue　to　keep　from　screaming。　Kahlan　hugged　her　tight。　Rachel　looked　down　at　her　knife；　even　the　Princess　didn't　have　a　knife。　She　put　her　arms　out　to　Richard　with　a　whine。　Richard　smiled　and　put　Sara　in　her　hands。　That　wasn't　what　she　wanted；　but　she　hugged　Sara　tight；　and　bit　down　on　her　foot　to　keep　from　crying。
　
　Richard　mussed　her　hair。　〃See　you　in　the　morning；　little　one。〃
　
　And　then　he　was　gone；　and　she　was　alone　with　Kahlan；　She　squeezed　her　eyes　shut。　She　had　to　be　brave；　she　couldn't　cry。　But　then　she　did。
　
　Kahlan　held　her　tight。　Rachel　shook。　Fingers　stroked　her　hair。　Kahlan　rocked　her　while　Rachel　eyed　a　dark　gap　in　the　boughs　on　the　other　side　of　the　wayward　pine。　Kahlan's　chest　was　making　funny　little　movements；　and　Rachel　realized　with　wonder　that　she　was　crying；　too。　Kahlan　put　her　cheek　against　the　top　of　her　head。
　
　She　almost　started　to　believe　。。　。　but　then　she　remembered　what　Princess　Violet　said　sometimes；　that　it　hurt　more　to　punish　than　to　be　punished。　Her　eyes　went　wide　at　what　Kahlan　must　be　planning　that　would　make　her　cry。　Even　Princess　Violet　never　cried　when　she　dealt　out　a　punishment。　Rachel　cried　harder；　and　shook。
　
　Kahlan　took　her　hands　away　and　wiped　the　tears　from　her　cheeks。　Rachel's　legs　were　too　wobbly　to　run。
　
　〃Are　you　cold？〃　Kahlan　whispered。　Her　voice　sounded　like　there　were　still　tears　in　it。　；
　
　Rachel　was　afraid　that　no　matter　what　she　said　she　would　get　a　slap。　She　gave　a　nod；　ready　for　what　might　happen。　Instead；　Kahlan　took　a　blanket　out　of　her　pack　and　wrapped　it　around　the　both　of　them；　she　guessed　so　it　would　be　harder　to　get　away。
　
　〃e；　lie　close　and　I　will　tell　you　a　story。　We　will　keep　each　other　warm。　All　right？〃
　
　Rachel　lay　on　her　side；　her　back　against　Kahlan；　who　curled　all　around　her　and　put　her　arm　over　her。　It　felt　nice；　but　she　knew　it　was　a　trick。　Kahlan's　face　was　close　to　her　ear；　and　as　she　lay　there；　Kahlan　told　her　a　story　about　a　fisherman　who　turned　into　a　fish。　The　words　made　pictures　in　her　head；　and　for　a　while　she　forgot　about　her　troubles。　Once；　she　and　Kahlan　even　laughed　together。　When　she　was　finished　with　the　story；　Kahlan　kissed　the　top　of　her　head　and　then　stroked　the　side　of　her　forehead。
　
　She　pretended　Kahlan　wasn't　really　mean。　It　couldn't　hurt　to　pretend。　Nothing　had　ever　felt　as　good　as　those　fingers　on　her；　and　the　little　song　Kahlan　sang　in　her　ear。　Rachel　thought　this　must　be　what　it　felt　like　to　have　a　mother。
　
　Against　her　will；　she　fell　asleep；　and　had　wonderful　dreams。
　
　She　came　awake　in　the　middle　of　the　night　when　Richard　woke　Kahlan；　but　she　pretended　she　was　still　asleep。
　
　〃You　want　to　keep　sleeping　with　her？〃　he　whispered　real　soft。
　
　Rachel　held　her　breath。
　
　〃No；〃　Kahlan　whispered　back；　〃I'll　take　my　watch。〃
　
　Rachel　could　hear　her　putting　on　her　cloak　and　going　outside。　She　listened　to　which　way　Kahlan's　feet　went。　After　he　put　some　more　wood　in　the　fire；　Richard　lay　down；　close。　She　could　see　the　inside　of　the　wayward　pine　brighten。　She　knew　Richard　was　watching　her；　she　could　feel　his　eyes　on　her　back。　She　wanted　so　much　to　tell　him　how　mean　Kahlan　really　was；　and　ask　him　to　run　away　with　her。　He　was　such　a　nice　man；　and　his　hugs　were　the　bestest　things　in　the　whole　world。　He　reached　over　and　pulled　the　blanket　up　around　her　tighter；　tucking　it　under　her　chin。　Tears　ran　down　her　cheeks。
　
　She　could　hear　him　lie　on　his　back　and　pull　his　blanket　up。　Rachel　waited　until　she　heard　his　even　breathing　and　she　knew　he　was　asleep　before　she　slipped　out　from　under　the　blanket
　
　CHAPTER　36
　KA14LAN　TURNED　EXPECTANTLY　WHEN　he　batted　a　limb　out　of　the　way　as　he　pushed　into　the　wayward　pine　and　flopped　down　in　front　of　the　fire。　He　pulled　his　pack　across　the　ground　and　started　jamming　things　in　it。
　
　〃Well？〃　。
　
　Richard　shot　her　an　angry　glare。　〃I　found　her　tracks；　going　west；　back　the　way　we　came。　They　join　the　trail　a　few　hundred　yards　out。　They're　hours　old。〃　He　pointed　to　the　ground　at　the　back　of　the　wayward　pine。　〃That's　where　she　went　out。　She　circled　around　you　through　the　woods；　well　clear　of　us。　I've　tracked　men　who　didn't　want　to　be　found；　and　their　trails　were　easier　to　follow。　She　walks　on　top　of　things；　roots；　rocks；　and　she's　too　little　to　make　a　print　where　another　would。　Did　you　see　her　arms？〃
　
　〃I　saw　long　bruises。　They　are　from　a　switch。〃
　
　〃No；　I　mean　scratches。〃
　
　〃I　saw　no　scratches。〃
　
　〃Exactly。　Her　dress　had　burrs　on　it；　she's　been　through　the　bramble；　yet　she　had　no　scratches　on　her　arms。　She's　tender；　so　she　avoids　brushing　up　against　anything。　An　adult　would　just　push　past；　leave　a　trail　of　disturbed　or　broken　branches。　She　almost　never　touches　anything。　You　should　see　the　trail　I　left；　going　through　the　bushes　trying　to　track　her；　a　blind　man　could　follow　it。　She　moves　through　the　underbrush　like　air。　Even　when　she　was　back　on　the　trail；　I　couldn't　tell　for　a　while。　Her　feet　are　bare；　she　doesn't　like　stepping　in　water　or　mud…it　makes　her　feet　colder…so　she　steps　where　it's　dry；　where　you　can't　see　her　passing。〃
　
　〃I　should　have　seen　her　leaving。〃
　
　He　realized　Kahlan　thought　he　was　blaming　her。　He　let　out　an　exasperated　breath。　〃It's　not　your　fault；　Kahlan。　If　I　had　been　standing　watch；　I　wouldn't　have　seen　her　go　either。　She　didn't　want　to　be　seen。　She's　one　smart　little　girl。〃
　
　It　didn't　seem　to　make　her　feel　any　better。　〃But　you　can　track　her；　right？〃
　
　He　gave　her　a　sidelong　glance。　〃I　can。〃　He　reached　to　his　breast。　〃I　found　this　in　my　shirt　pocket。〃　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃By　my　heart。〃　He　pulled　out　the　lock　of　Rachel's　hair；　tied　with　the　vine。　He　twisted　it　in　his　fingers。　〃To　remember　her　by。〃
　
　Kahlan's　face　was　ashen　as　she　rose。　〃This　is　my　fault。〃　She　pushed　out　of　the　wayward　pine。　He　tried　to　grab　her　arm；　but　she　tore　away　from　him。
　
　Richard　set　his　pack　aside　and　followed。　Kahlan　stood　off　a　ways；　her　arms　folded　below　her　breasts；　her　back　to　him。　She　stared　off　into　the　woods。
　
　〃Kahlan；　it　isn't　your　fault。〃
　
　She　nodded。　〃It　was　my　hair。　Didn't　you　see　the　fear　in　her　eyes　when　she　looked　at　my　hair？　I　have　seen　that　look　a　thousand　times。　Do　you　have　any　idea　what　it's　like　to　frighten　people；　even　children；　all　the　time？〃　He　didn't　answer。　〃Richard？　Cut　my　hair　for　me？〃
　
　〃What？〃
　
　She　turned　to　him；　pleading　in　her　eyes。　〃Cut　it　off　for　me？〃
　
　He　watched　the　hurt　in　her　eyes。　〃Why　haven't　you　just　cut　it　yourself？〃
　
　She　turned　away。　〃I　cannot。　The　magic　will　not　allow　a　Confessor　to　cut　her　own　hair。　If　we　try；　it　brings　pain　so　great；　it　prevents　us　from　doing　so。〃
　
　〃How　could　that　be？〃　〃Remember　the　pain　you　suffered；　from　the　magic　of　the　sword；　when　you　killed　a　man　the　first　time？　It　is　the　same　pain。　It　will　render　a　Confessor　unconscious　before　the　task　can　be　acplished。　I　tried　only　once。　Every　Confessor　tries　once。　But　only　once。　Our　hair　must　be　cut　by　another　when　it　needs　trimming。　But　none　would　dare　to　cut　it　all　of。〃　She　turned　to　him　once　more。　〃Will　you　do　it　for　me？　Will　you　cut　my　hair？〃
　
　He　looked　away　from　her　eyes；　to　the　brightening　slate　blue　sky；　trying　to　understand　what　it　was　he　was　feeling；　what　it　was　she　must　be　feeling。　There　was　so　much　he　didn't　know　about　her；　still。　Her　life；　her　world；　was　a　mystery　to　him。　There　had　been　a　time　when　he　wanted　to　know　it　all。　Now　he　knew　he　never　could；　the　gulf　between　them　was　filled　with　magic。　Magic；　designed；　it　seemed；　explicitly　to　keep　them　apart。
　
　His　eyes　returned　to　her。　〃No。〃。
　
　〃May　I　know　why？〃
　
　〃Because　I　respect　you　for　who　you　are。　The　Kahlan　I　know　wouldn't　want　to　fool　people　by　trying　to　make　them　think　she　is　less　than　she　is。　Even　if　you　did　fool　some；　it　would　change　nothing。　You　are　who　you　are：　the　Mother　Confessor。　We　all　can　be　no　more；　or　less；　than　who　we　are。〃　He　smiled。　〃A　wise　woman；　a　friend　of　mine；　told　me　that　once。〃
　
　〃Any　man　would　leap　for　the　chance　to　cut　a　Confessor's　hair。〃
　
　〃Not　this　one。　This　one　is　your　friend。〃
　
　She　gave　a　nod；　her　arms　still　folded　against　her　stomach。　〃She　must　be　cold。　She　didn't　even　take　a　blanket。〃
　
　〃She　didn't　take　any　food　either；　other　than　that　loaf　of　bread　she's　saving　for　some　reason；　and　she　was　starving。〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　at　last。　〃She　ate　more　than　you　and　me　together。　At　least　her　belly　is　full。　Richard；　when　she　gets　to　Homers　Mill　。　。　。〃
　
　〃She　isn't　going　to　Homers　Mill。〃
　
　Kahlan　came　closer。　〃But　that's　where　her　grandmother　is。〃
　
　Richard　shook　his　head。　〃She　doesn't　have　a　grandmother。　When　she　said　her　grandmother　was　in　Homers　Mill；　and　I　told　her　she　couldn't　go　there；　she　didn't　even　falter。　She　simply　said　she　would　go　somewhere　else。　She　never　gave　it　a　thought；　never　asked　about　her　grandmother；　or　even　raised　an　objection。　She's　running　from　somet