tg.wizardfirstrule-第74部分

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her；　or　even　raised　an　objection。　She's　running　from　something。〃
　
　〃Running？　Maybe　from　whoever　put　those　bruises　on　her　arms。〃
　
　〃And　on　her　back。　Whenever　my　hand　touched　one；　she　flinched；　but　she　didn't　say　anything。　She　wanted　to　be　hugged　that　badly。〃　Kahlan's　brow　wrinkled　with　sorrow。　〃I'd　say　she　was　running　from　whoever　cut　her　hair　like　that。〃
　
　〃Her　hair？〃
　
　He　nodded　again。　〃It　was　meant　to　mark　her；　maybe　as　property。　No　one　would　cut　someone's　hair　like　that；　except　to　give　a　message。　Especially　in　the　Midlands；　where　everyone　pays　so　much　attention　to　hair。　It　was　deliberate；　a　message　of　power　over　her。　That's　why　I　cut　it　for。　her；　to　remove　the　mark。〃
　
　Kahlan　stared　at　nothing　in　particular。　〃That　was　why　she　was　so　happy　to　have　it　cut　even；〃　she　whispered。
　
　〃There　is　more　to　it；　though；　than　simply　running　away。　She　lies　easier　than　a　gambler。　She　lies　with　the　ease　of　someone　who　has　a　powerful　need。〃
　
　Her　eyes　came　to　his　again。　〃Like　what？〃
　
　〃I　don't　know。〃　He　sighed。　〃But　it　has　something　to　do　with　that　loaf　'of　bread。〃
　
　〃The　bread？　Do　you　really　think　so？〃
　
　〃She　had　no　shoes；　no　cloak；　nothing　but　her　doll。　It's　her　most　precious　possession；　she's　devoted　to　it；　yet　she　let　us　touch　it。　But　she　wouldn't　let　us　get　within　an　arm's　length　of　that　loaf　of　bread。　I　don't　know　much　about　the　magic　in　the　Midlands；　but　where　I　e　from；　a　little　girl　will　not　value　a　loaf　of　bread　more　than　her　doll；　and　I　don't　think　it's　any　different　here。　Did　you　see　the　look　in　her　eyes　when　you　reached　for　the　bread；　and　she　snatched　it　away？　If　she　had　had　a　knife；　and　you　hadn't　backed　off；　she　would　have　used　it　on　you。〃
　
　〃Richard；〃　she　admonished；　〃you　can't　really　believe　that　about　a　little　girl。　A　loaf　of　bread　couldn't　be　that　important　to　her。〃
　
　〃No？　You　said　yourself　she　ate　as　much　as　both　of　us　put　together。　I　was　beginning　to　think　she　was　related　to　Zedd。　Explain　why　if　she　was　half　starved；　she　hadn't　even　nibbled　on　that　loaf　of　bread：〃　He　shook　his　head。　〃There　is　something　going　on；　and　that　loaf　of　bread　is　at　the　center　of　it。〃
　
　Kahlan　took　a　step　toward　him。　〃So；　we're　going　after　her？〃
　
　Richard　felt　the　weight　of　the　tooth　against　his　chest。　He　took　a　deep　breath；　letting　it　out　slowly。　〃No。　As　Zedd　is　fond　of　saying；　nothing　is　ever　easy。　How　can　we　justify　going　after　one　little　girl；　to　solve　the　riddle　of　her　loaf　of　bread；　while　Rahl　goes　after　the　box？〃
　
　She　took　his　hand　in　one　of　hers；　looked　down　at　it。　〃I　hate　what　Darken　Rahl　does　to　us；　the　way　he　twists　us。〃　She　squeezed　his　hand。　〃She　got　into　our　hearts　awfully　quick。〃
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　one…armed　hug。　〃That　she　did。　She's　one　special　little　girl。　I　hope　she　finds　what　she's　after；　and　that　she　is　safe。〃　He　let　go　…of　Kahlan　and　started　for　the　wayward　pine；　to　get　their　things。　〃Let's　get　moving。〃
　
　Neither　wanted　to　think　about　how　they　felt；　that　they　were　deserting　Rachel；　condemning　her　to　the　embrace　of　dangers　she　knew　nothing　about　and　was　defenseless　against；　and　so　both　set　their　minds　to　covering　as　much　ground　as　fast　as　they　could。　The　bright　day　wore　on　with　an　endless　expanse　of　rugged　forest；　and　with　their　exertion　they　didn't　notice　the　cold。
　
　Richard　was　always　glad　when　he　saw　a　spiderweb　stretched　across　the　trail；　he　had　begun　to　think　of　spiders　as　his　guardians。　When　he　had　been　a　guide；　he　had　always　been　annoyed　to　have　them　tickle　his　face。　Thank　you；　sister　spider；　he　said　to　himself　every　time　he　passed　one　now。
　
　Near　midday；　they　stopped　for　a　break　on　sunlit　rocks　in　an　icy　stream。　Richard　splashed　the　frigid　water　on　his　face；　trying　to　work　up　some　energy。　He　was　tired　already。　Lunch　was　cold；　too；　and　lasted　only　as　long　as　it　took　to　bolt　it　down。　They　both　stuffed　the　last　bites　in　their；　mouths；　brushed　their　hands　off　on　their　pants；　and　hopped　down　off　the　flat；　pink　rock。
　
　As　much　as　he　tried　not　to　think　about　Rachel；　he　found　himself　frowning　with　worry　before　he　realized　he　was　doing　it　again。　He　saw　Kahlan's　brow　wrinkle　sometimes　when　she　turned；　checking　to　the　sides。　One　time　he　asked　if　she　thought　he　had　made　the　right　decision。　She　didn't　have　to　ask　which　decision　he　was　talking　about。　She　asked　how　long　he　thought　it　would　have　taken　to　catch　her。　He　thought　two　days；　if　every…　thing　went　right；　at　least　one　to　catch　her　and　another　back。　Two　days；　she　had　told　him；　was　more　than　they　could　afford。　It　felt　reassuring　to　hear　her　say　it。
　
　Late　in　the　afternoon；　the　sun　slipped　behind　a　distant　peak　of　one　of　the　mountains　of　the　Rang'Shada；　muting　and　softening　the　colors　of　the　woods；　calming　the　wind；　and　settling　a　stillness　over　the　countryside。　Richard　was　able　to　set　aside　his　thought　of　Rachel　as　he　concentrated　on　what　they　would　do　when　they　reached　Tamarang。
　
　〃Kahlan；　Zedd　told　us　we　both　had　to　stay　away　from　Darken　Rahl；　that　we　have　no　power　against　him；　no　defense。〃
　
　She　gave　a　short　glance　over　her　shoulder。　〃That's　what　he　said。〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃Well；　Shota　said　the　Queen　wouldn't　have　the　box　for　long。〃
　
　〃Maybe　when　she　said　that；　she　meant　we　would　get　it　soon。〃
　
　〃No；　it　was　a　warning；　that　the　Queen　wouldn't　have　it　long；　meaning　we　must　hurry。　So　what　if　Darken　Rahl　is　already　there？〃
　
　She　looked　over　her　shoulder；　then　slowed；　and　walked　next　to　him。　〃So　what　if　he　is？　There　is　no　other　way。　I'm　going　to　Tamarang。　Do　you　wish　to　wait　behind　for　me？〃
　
　〃Of　course　not！　I'm　only　saying　we　should　keep　in　mind　what　we　are　walking　into；　that　Darken　Rahl　might　be　there。〃
　
　〃I　have　had　that　thought　in　my　mind　for　a　long　time　now。〃
　
　He　walked　next　to　her　for　a　minute　without　saying　anything。　At　last　he　asked；　〃And　what　have　you　concluded？　What　will　we　do　if　he　is　there？〃
　
　She　stared　straight　ahead　as　she　spoke。　〃If　。Darken　Rahl　is　in　Tamarang；　and　we　go　there；　then　in　all　likelihood…we　will　die。〃
　
　Richard　lost　a　stride；　she　didn't　wait　for　him；　but　walked　on。
　
　As　the　woods　grew　darker；　a　few　small　clouds　glowed　red；　the　dying　embers　of　day。　The　trail　had　begun　following　the　Callisidrin　River；　sometimes　taking　them　close　enough　for　a　view　of　it；　and　even　when　it　didn't；　they　could　still　hear　the　rush　of　its　brown　waters。　Richard　hadn't　seen　a　wayward　pine　all　afternoon。　Glancing　about　at　the　treetops；　he　saw　no　sign　of　one　now；　either。　As　it　grew　dark；　he　gave　up　hope　of　finding　one　before　nightfall；　and　so　began　looking　for　other　shelter。　Off　the　trail　a　safe　distance；　he　found　a　short；　cleft　face　of　rock　at　the　bottom　of　a　rise。　Trees　were　sheltering　all　about；　and　he　felt　it　a　well　hidden　camp；　even　if　it　was　open　to　the　sky。
　
　The　moon　was　well　up　by　the　time　Kahlan　had　a　stew　cooking　on　the　fire；　and　by　a　bit　of　luck　that　surprised　him；　Richard　had　two　rabbits　in　the　snare　before　he　expected　to；　and　was　able　to　add　them　to　the　pot。
　
　〃I　think　we　have　enough　to　feed　Zedd；〃　she　said。
　
　As　if　bidden　by　her　words；　the　old　man；　white　hair　in　disarray；　strode　into　the　circle　of　light；　stopping　on　the　other　side　of　the　fire；　hands　on　his　hips；　his　robes　looking　a　little　tattered。
　
　〃I'm　starved！〃　he　announced。　〃Let's　eat。〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　both　blinked；　wide…eyed；　and　came　to　their　feet。　The　old　man　blinked；　too；　when　Richard　drew　the　sword。　In　a　heartbeat；　Richard　was　over　the　fire；　the　sword's　point　to　his　ribs。
　
　〃What's　this？〃　the　old　man　asked。
　
　〃Back　up；〃　Richard　ordered。　They　moved；　the　sword　between　them；　to　the　trees。　Richard　eyed　the　trees　carefully。
　
　〃Mind　if　I　inquire　as　to　what　we're　doing；　my　boy？〃
　
　〃I've　been　called　by　you　once；　and　seen　you　once；　yet　neither　was　you。　Third　time　tricked；　marks　the　fool；〃　Richard　quoted。　He　saw　what　he　was　looking　for。　〃I'll　not　be　tricked　the　third　time；　I'll　not　be　the　fool。　Over　there。〃　He　pointed　with　his　chin。　〃Walk。　between　those　two　trees。〃
　
　〃I　will　not！〃　the　old　man　protested。　〃Sheath　your　sword；　my　boy！〃
　
　〃If　you　don't　walk　between　those　two　trees；〃　Richard　said　through　gritted　teeth；　〃I'll　sheath　my　sword　in　your　ribs。〃
　
　The　old　man　lifted　his　elbows　in　surprise；　then　picked　up　his　robes　as　he　stepped　through　the　low　brush；　muttering　to　himself　while　Richard　prodded　him　along　with　the　sword。　He　took　only　a　quick　glance　back　before　stepping　between　the　trees。　Richard　watched　as　the　spiderweb　parted。　A　grin　spread　on　his　face。
　
　〃Zedd！　Is　it　truly　you？〃
　
　Zedd；　hands　on　his　hips；　peered　at　him　with　one　eye。　〃True　as　toasted　toads；　my　boy。〃
　
　Richard　sheathed　the。　sword　and　threw　his　arms　around　his　old　friend；　nearly　squeezing　the　life　out　of　him。　〃Oh；　Zedd！　I'm　so　glad　to　see　you！〃
　
　Zedd's　arms　flailed　as　he　tried　to　get　a　breath。　Richard　let　up；　looked　him　in　the　eye；　beaming；　then　squeezed　again。
　
　〃I　fear　what　would　have　happened　had　you　been　any　more　glad　to　see　me。〃
　
　Richard　walked　him　back　to　the　fire；　an　arm　around　his　shoulders。　〃Sorry　about　that；　but　I　had　to　know　for　sure。　I　can't　believe　you're　here！　I'm　so　glad　to　see　you！　I'm　so　happy　you're　all　right。　We　have　so　much　to　talk　about。〃
　
　〃Yes；　yes。　Can　we　eat　now？〃
　
　Kahlan　came　and　gave　him　a　hug；　too。　〃We　were　so　worried　about　you。〃
　
　Zedd　longingly　eyed　the　cooking　pot　over　her　shoulder　as　he　hugged　her　back。　〃Yes；　yes。　But　this　would　all　go　better　on　a　full　stomach。〃
　
　〃But　it　isn't　done　yet；〃　she　smiled。
　
　Zedd　gave　a　look　of　disappointment。　〃Not　done？　Are　you　sure？　Perhaps　we　could　check。〃
　
　〃Quite　sure。　We've　only　just　started　it。〃
　
　〃Not　done；〃　he　said　to　himself；　holding　an　elbow　with。　one　hand；　rubbing　his　chin　with　the　other。　〃Well；　we'll　just　see　about　that。　Stand　back；　the　both　of　you。〃
　
　The　wizard　pushed　the　sleeves　of　his　robes　up　his　arms　while　he　eyed　the　fire　as　if　it　were　a　child　who　had　misbehaved。　His　skinny　arms　stretched　out；　fingers　extended。　Blue　light　sizzled　around　his　bony　hands；　seeming　to　gather　momentum。　With　a　hiss；　it　shot　out　in　a　jagged　blue　streak；　striking　the　cooking　pot；　making　it　jump。　The　blue　fire　cradled　the　pot；　twisting　around　it；　caressing　it；　stroking　it。　The　stew　bubbled　with　blue　light；　churned　and　sloshed。　The　wizard　pulled　his　hands　back　and　the　blue　fire　sizzled　out。
　
　Zedd　smiled　in　satisfaction。　〃There；　now　it's　done。　Let's　eat！〃
　
　Kahlan　kneeled；　tasting　the　stew　with　…a　wooden　spoon。　〃He's　right。　It　is　done。〃
　
　〃Well；　don't　just　stand　there　staring；　my　boy。　Get　some　plates！〃
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　and　did　as　he　was　told。　Kahlan　dished　up　a　plate　full；　putting　some　dried　biscuits　on　the　side；　and　Rich…　and　handed　it　to　Zedd。　The　old　man　didn't　sit；　but　stood　next　to　them；　by　the　fire；　shoveling　in　the　stew　by　the　forkful。　Kahlan　spooned　stew　on　the　other　two　plates；　and　by　the　time　she　was　done；　Zedd　was　handing　her　his　empty　plate　to　be　refilled。
　
　Having　finished　one　helping；　Zedd　was　able　to　spare　himself　the　time　to　sit。　Richard　sat　on　a　small　outcropping　of　ledge；　Kahlan　sat　next　to　him；　folding　her　legs　under　her；　Zedd　sat　on　the　ground　facing　them。
　
　Richard　waited　until　Zedd　had　swallowed　down　half　the　stew　on　his　plate；　and　finally　allowed　himself　a　pause　before　asking；　〃So；　how　did　you　get　along　with　Adie？　Did　she　take　good　care　of　you？〃
　
　Zedd　looked　up　at　him；　blinking。　Even　in　the　firelight；　Richard　could　have　sworn　Zedd's　face　reddened。　〃Adie？　Well　we。。。〃　He　looked　at　Kahlan's　puzzled　face。　〃Well；　we　。　。　。　we　got　along　。　。　。　fine。〃　He　scowled　at　Richard。　〃What　kind　of　question　is　that　to　ask？〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　glanced　at　each　other。　〃I　didn't　mean　anything　by　it；〃　he　said。　〃It's　just　that　I　couldn't　help　noticing　that　Adie　is　a　handsome　woman。　And　interesting。　I　just　meant　you　would　find　her　interesting。〃　Richard　smiled　a　small　smile　to　himself。
　
　Zedd　put　his　face　back　to　his　plate。　〃She's　a　fine　woman。〃　He　rolled　something　around　his　plate　with　the　end　of　his　fork。　〃What　is　this？　I've　paten　three；　and　I　still　don't　know　what　it　is。〃
　
　〃Tava　root；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃Don't　you　like　it？〃
　
　Zed　grunted。　〃Didn't　say　I　didn't　like　it。　Just　wanted　to　know　what　it　was；　that's　all。〃　He　looked　up　from　his　plate。　〃Adie　told　me　she　gave　you　a　night　stone。　That's　how　I　found　you；　by　the　night　stone。〃　He　shook　his　fork　at　Richard。　〃I　hope　you　are　being　careful　with　that　thing。　Don't　take　it　out　unless　there　is　great　need。　Exceptionally　great　need。　Night　stones　are　extremely　dangerous。　Adie　should　have　warned　you。　And　I　told　her　so！〃　He　stabbed　a　tava　root　with　his　fork。　〃It　would　be　best　to　be　rid　of　it。〃
　
　Richard　pushed　at　a　piece　of　meat。　〃We　know。〃
　
　Richard's　mind；　was　awash　with　questions　he　wanted　to　ask；　he　didn't　know　where　to　start。　Zedd　beat　him　to　it；　asking　first
　
　〃Have　you　two　been　doing　as　I　said？　Have　you　been　staying　out　of　trouble？　What　have　you　been　doing？〃
　
　〃Well；〃　Richard　said；　taking　a　deep　breath；　〃we　spent　a　good　deal　of　time　with　the　Mud　People。〃
　
　〃The　Mud　People？〃　Zedd　mulled　this　over。　〃Good；〃　he　proclaimed　at　last；　holding　a　forkful　of　meat　in　the　air。　〃You　can't　get　in　much　trouble　with　the　Mud　People。〃　He　took　the　meat　off　the　fork　with　his　teeth　and　dipped　it　back　in　his　plate　for　more　stew　and　a　bite　of　dried　biscuit。　He　spoke　and　chewed　at　the　same　time。　〃So；　you　two　had　a　nice　stay　with　the　Mud　People。〃　He　noticed　that　they　weren't　saying　anything；　and　his　eyes　went　from　one　to　the　other。　〃You　can't　get　in　much　trouble　with　the　Mud　People。〃　It　sounded　like　an　order。
　
　Richard　glanced　over　at　Kahlan。　She　dipped　her　biscuit　in　the　stew。　〃I　killed　one　of　the　elders；〃　she　said；　putting　the　biscuit　in　her　mouth　without　looking　up。
　
　Zedd　dropped　his　fork；　then　caught　it　in　midair　just　before　it　hit　the　ground。　〃What！〃　　…
　
　〃It　was　self…defense；〃　Richard　protested　to　her。　〃He　was　trying　to　kill　you。〃
　
　〃What？〃　Zedd　stood　with　his　plate；　then　sat　back　down。　〃Bags！　Why　would　an　elder　dare　to　try　to　kill　a　。　。　。〃　He　snapped　his　mouth　shut；　with　a　glance　to　Richard。
　
　〃Confessor；〃　Richard　finished　for　him。　His　mood　withered。
　
　Zedd　looked　from　one　bowed　head　to　the　other。　〃So。　You　finally　told　him。〃
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　〃A　few　days　ago。〃
　
　〃Just　a　few　days　ago。〃　Zedd　grunted　an　acknowledgment；　then　ate　more　stew　in　silence；　eyeing　them　suspiciously　from　time　to　time。　〃Why　would　an　elder　dare　to　try　to　kill　a　Confessor？〃
　
　〃Well；〃　Richard　said；　〃that　was　when　we　found　out　what　a　night　stone　could　do。　Just　before　they　named　us　as　Mud　People。〃
　
　〃They　named　you　Mud　People？　Why？〃　Zedd's　eyes　widened。　〃You　took　a　wife！〃
　
　〃Well　。　。_。　no。〃　Richard　pulled　the　leather　thong　out　of　his　shirt　and　showed　Zedd　the　Bird　Man's　whistle。　〃They　settled　for　giving　me　this。〃
　
　Zedd　gave　a　cursory　glance　to　the　whistle。　〃Why　would　they　agree　to　you　not　。　。　。　And　why　would　they　name　you　Mud　People？〃
　
　〃Because　we　asked　them。　We　had　to。　It　was　the　only　way　to　get　them　to　call　a　gathering　for　us。〃
　
　〃What！　They　called　a　gathering　for　you？〃
　
　〃Yes。　That　was　just　before　Darken　Rahl　came。〃
　
　〃What！〃　Zedd　yelled　again；　jumping　to　his　feet。　〃Darken　Rahl　was　there！　I。　told　you；　stay　away　from　him！〃
　
　Richard　looked　up。　〃We　didn't　exactly　invite　hi