tg.wizardfirstrule-第75部分

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　〃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　him。〃
　
　〃He　killed　a　lot　of　them；〃　Kahlan　said　in　a　quiet　voice；　still　looking　down　at　her　plate；　chewing　slowly。
　
　Zedd　stared　at　the　top　of　her　head；　then　slowly　sank　back　down。　〃I'm　…sorry；〃　he　said　softly。　〃So；　what　did　the　ancestors'　spirits　tell　you？〃
　
　Richard　gave　a　shrug。　〃That　we　had　to　go　to　see　a　witch　woman。〃
　
　〃Witch　woman！〃　Zedd's　eyes　narrowed。　〃What　witch　woman？　Where？〃
　
　〃Shota。　In　Agaden　Reach。〃
　
　Zedd　winced；　almost　dropping　his　plate；　the　air　making　a　sound　going　through　his　bared；　gritted　teeth　as　he　drew　a　sharp　breath。　〃Shota！〃　He　looked　around　as　if　someone　might　hear。　He　lowered　his　voice；　directing　a　harsh　whisper　to　Kahlan　as　he　leaned　closer　to　her。　〃Bags！　What　would　possess　you　to　guide　him　into　Agaden　Reach！　You　are　sworn　to　protect　him！〃
　
　〃Believe　me；〃　she　said；　looking　him　in　the　eye；　〃I　did　not　want　to　do　it。〃
　
　〃We　had　to；〃　Richard　said；　ing　to　her　defense。
　
　Zedd　cast　an　eye　to　him。　〃Why？〃
　
　〃To　find　out　where　the　box　is。　And　we　did；　too；　Shota　told　us。〃
　
　〃Shota　told　you；〃　Zedd　mocked；　scowling　at　him。　〃And　what　else　did　she　tell　you？　Shota　tells　you　nothing　you　want　to　know　without　telling　you　something　you　don't。〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　Richard　a　sidelong　glance。　He　didn't　return　it。　〃Nothing。　She　told　us　nothing　else。〃　He　held　Zedd's　eyes　without　backing　down。　〃She　told　us　that　Queen　Milena；　in　Tamarang；　has　the　last　box　of　Orden。　She　told　us　because　her　life　too　depends　on　this。〃　Richard　held　Zedd's　glare。　He　doubted　that　his　old　friend　believed　him；　but　he　didn't　want　to　tell　him　what　Shota　had　said。　How　could　he　tell　Zedd　that　one；　or　two；　of　them　might　end　up　being　traitors？　That　Zedd　would　use　wizard's　fire　against　him；　that　Kahlan　would　touch　him　with　her　power？　He　feared　that　maybe　it　would　be　justified；　after　all；　he　was　the　one　who　knew　about　the　book。　They　didn't。
　
　〃Zedd；〃　he　said　softly；　〃you　told　me　you　wanted　me　to　get　us　to　the　Midlands；　and　that　you　had　a　plan　once　we　were　here。　You　were　struck　down　by　that　underworld　beast；　you　were　unconscious；　we　didn't　know　when；　or　if；　you　would　wake。　I　didn't　know　what　to　do；　I　didn't　know　what　your　plan　was。　Winter　is　ing。　We　have　to　stop　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　His　voice　turned　harder　as　he　went　on。　〃I　have　been　doing　the　best　I　could　without　you。　I've　lost　track　of　the　number　of　times　we　have　nearly　been。　killed。　All　I　knew　to　do　was　try　to　find　the　box。　Kahlan　helped　me；　and　we　found　out　where　it　is。　It　has　cost　us　both　dearly。　If　you　don't　like　what　I　have　done；　then　take　your　cursed　Sword　of　Truth　back；　I　am　near　to　being　fed　up　with　it！　With　everything！〃
　
　He　threw　his　plate　on　the　ground；　walking　off　a　ways　into　the　dark；　standing　with　his　back　to　them；　a　lump　growing　in　his　throat。　The　dark　trees　in　front　of　him　became　watery。　It　surprised　him　the　way　the　anger　had　reached　up　and　taken　him。　He　had　wanted　to　see　Zedd　so　badly；　and　now　that　he　was　here；　he　was　angry　with　him。　He　let　the　ire　rage；　waiting　for　it　to　die　of　its　own　accord。
　
　Zedd　and　Kahlan　exchanged　a　look。　〃Yes；〃　he　said　softly　to　her；　〃I　can　see　that　you　have　indeed　told　him。〃　He　set　his　plate　on　the　ground；　stood；　and　gave　her　a　pat　on　the　shoulder。　〃I'm　sorry；　dear　one。〃
　
　Richard　didn't　move　when　he　felt　Zedd's　hand　on　his　shoulder。
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　my　boy。　I　guess　you　have　been　having　a　hard　time　of　it。〃
　
　Richard　nodded　as　he　stared　into　the　darkness。　〃I　killed　a　man　with　the　sword。　With　the　magic。〃
　
　Zedd　waited　a　short　while　before　he　spoke。　〃Well；　I　know　you；　I'm　sure　you　had　to。〃　〃No；〃　Richard　said　in　a　painful　whisper。　〃I　didn't　have　to。　I　thought　I　was　protecting　Kahlan；　protecting　her　life。　I　didn't　know　she　was　a　Confessor；　that　she　needed　no　protection。　But　I　surely　wanted　to。　And　I　surely　enjoyed　it。〃
　
　〃You　only　thought　you　did。　That　was　the　magic。〃
　
　〃I'm　not　so　sure。　I'm　not　sure　what　is　being　of　me。〃
　
　〃Richard；　forgive　me　for　sounding　as　if　I　were　angry　with　you。　It　is　myself　I'm　angry　with。　You　have　done　well；　it　is　I　who　have　failed。〃
　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　
　Zedd　patted　his　shoulder。　〃e　and　sit。　I　will　tell　you　both　what　has　happened。〃
　
　They　walked　back　to　the　fire；　Kahlan　watching　them　together；　looking　lonely。　Richard　sat　next　to　her　again　and　gave　her　a　small　smile；　which　she　returned。
　
　Zedd　picked　up　his　plate；　gave　it　a　hard　look；　and　set　it　back　down。　〃I'm　afraid　we're　in　a　lot　of　trouble；〃　he　said　in　a　soft　voice。
　
　A　sarcastic　remark　immediately　sprang　to　Richard's　mind；　but　he　stifled　it　and　asked　instead；　〃Why；　what's　happened？　What　of　your　plan？〃
　
　〃My　plan。〃　Zedd　gave　a　wry　smile；　drew　his　knees　up；　and　pulled　his　robes　over　his　legs；　making　a　little　tent　over　them。　〃My　plan　was　to　stop　Rahl　without　having　to　deal　with　him；　and　without　you　two　having　to　get　in　danger's　way。　My　plan　was　for　you　two　to　stay　out　of　trouble　while　I　dealt　with　this。　It　would　seem　as　if　your　own　plans　may　be　our　only　way　now。　I　have　not　told　you　all　there　is　to　know　of　the　boxes　of　Orden；　because　it　was　not　for　you　to　know。　It　was　none　of　your　business；　it　was　only。　for　me　to　know。〃　He　looked　at　each　of　them；　anger　flashing　in　his　eyes　for　an　instant　before　it　faded。　〃But　I　guess　it　doesn't　matter　now。〃
　
　〃What　was　not　for　us　to　know？〃　Kahlan　asked　with　a　frown；　her　own　anger　flashing　a　little。　Apparently；　she　didn't　like　it　any　more　than　Richard　did　that　they　were　in　danger　without　knowing　it　all。
　
　〃Well；　you　see；〃　Zedd　said；　〃the　three　boxes　work　just　as　I　said；　each　with　their　own　purpose；　but　you　have　to　know　which　to　open。　That　is　the　part　I　know。　It's　all　in　a　book；　called　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　The　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　is　an　instruction　book　for　the　boxes。　I'm　its　keeper。〃
　
　Richard　went　rigid。　The　tooth　felt　as　if　it　would　jump　right　off　his　chest。　He　couldn't　move　a　muscle；　could　hardly　breathe。
　
　　〃You　know　which　box　is　which？〃　Kahlan　asked。　〃You　know　which　he　must　open？〃
　
　〃No。　I'm　the　keeper　of　the　book。　That　information　is　all　in　the　book。　But　I've　never　read　it。　I　don't　know　which　box　is　which；　or　even　how　to　figure　it　out：　If　I　were　to　open　the　book；　it　would　risk　spreading　the　knowledge。　It　must　not　be　opened；　that　could　be　very　dangerous。　So　I　never　did。　I　am　the　keeper　of　many　books；　this　only　one　among　them；　but　a　very　important　one。〃　Richard　realized　that　his　eyes　were　open　wide　and　tried　to　relax　them　back　to　normal　with　a　few　blinks。　Almost　his　whole　life　he　had　been　looking　forward　to　the　day　he　would　find　the　keeper　of　the　book；　and　it　had　been　Zedd　the　whole　time。　The　shock　left　him　frozen。
　
　〃Where　was　it？〃　Kahlan　asked。　〃What　happened？〃
　
　〃It　was　in　my　Keep。　The　Wizard's　Keep。　In　Aydindril。〃
　
　〃You　went　to　Aydindril？〃　Kahlan　asked；　her　voice　anxious。
　
　〃How　is　Aydindril？　Is　it　safe？〃
　
　Zedd　averted　his　eyes。　〃Aydindril　has　fallen。〃
　
　Kahlan's　hand　went　to　her　mouth；　tears　filled　her　eyes。　〃No。〃
　
　Zedd　nodded。　〃I'm　afraid　so。〃　He　picked　at　his　robes。　〃It　is　not　going　well　for　them。　At　least　I　gave　the　occupiers　something　to　think　about；〃　he　added　under　his　breath。
　
　〃Captain　Riffkin？　Lieutenants　Delis　and　Miller？　The　Home　Guard？〃
　
　Zedd　kept　his　eyes　to　the　ground　and　shook　his　head　as　she　named　each　in　turn。　Kahlan　put　her　hands　to　her　breast　as　she　took　deep　breaths　and　bit　her　lip。　Whoever　these　men　were；　she　looked　to　be　pretty　upset　by　the　news。　Richard　thought　he　should　cover　his　own　shock　by　saying　something。　〃What's　this　Wizard's　Keep？〃
　
　〃It's　a　refuge；　a　place　where　the　wizards　preserve　important　things　of　magic；　such　as　the　books　of　prophecies；　and　books　of　even　more　importance…books　of　magic　and　instruction；　such　as　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　Some　of　the　books　are　used　to　teach　new　wizards；　some　are　used　as　reference；　and　some　are　used　as　weapons。　Other　items　of　magic　are　kept　there　also；　such　as　the　Sword　of　Truth；　between　Seekers。　The　Keep　is　sealed　by　magic；　none　can　enter　but　a　wizard。　At　least　none　but　a　wizard　was　supposed　to　be　able　to　enter。　But　someone　did。　How　they　did　without　being　killed　is　beyond　me。　It　must　have　been　Darken　Rahl。　He　must　have　the　book。〃
　
　〃Maybe　it　wasn't　Darken　Rahl；〃　Richard　managed；　his　back　straight　as　a　board。
　
　Zedd's　eyes　narrowed。　〃If　it　wasn't　Darken　Rahl；　then　it　was　a　thief。　A　very　clever　thief；　but　a　thief　nonetheless。〃
　
　Richard　swallowed　back　the　dryness　in　his　mouth。　〃Zedd　。　。　。　I　。　。　。　Do　you　think　this　book；　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows；　would　be　able　to　tell　us　how　to　stop　Rahl？　How　to　keep　him　from　using　the　boxes？〃
　
　Zedd　shrugged　his　bony　shoulders。　〃As　I　said；　I've　never　opened　the　cover。　But　from　what　I　know　from　other　books　of　instruction；　it　would　only　be　of　aid　to　the　person　with　the　boxes；　it's　designed　to　help　use　magic；　not　to　help　another　in　stopping　its　use。　In　all　likelihood；　it　wouldn't　have　helped　us。　My　plan　was　to　simply　get　the　book；　and　destroy　it；　to　keep　Rahl　from　getting　the　information。　Having　the　book　lost　to　us　leaves　us　with　no　alternative；　we　must　find　the　last　box：'
　
　〃But　without　the　book；　can　Rahl　still　open　the　boxes？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　〃With　as　much　as　he　knows；　I　am　sure　he　can。　But　he　still　wouldn't　know　which　one。〃
　
　〃Then；　with　or　without　the　book；　he's　going　to　open　a　box。〃　Richard　said。　〃He　has　to。　If　he　doesn't；　he　dies。　He　has　nothing　to　lose。　Even　if　you　had　recovered　the　book；　he　would　still　open　a　box…after　all；　there　is　a　chance　he　will　pick　right。〃
　
　〃Well；　if　he　has　the　book；　then　he　will　know　which　to　open。　I　was　hoping　that　if　we　couldn't　find　the　last　box；　at　least　I　could　destroy　the　book；　and　keep　it　from　Rahl；　give　us　at　least　that　one　chance。　The　chance　he　might　pick　right…for　us。〃　Zedd's　face　soured。　〃I　would　give　anything　to　destroy　that　book。〃
　
　Kahlan　put　her　hand　on　Richard's　arm；　he　almost　jumped。　〃Then　Richard　has　done　as　the　Seeker　should；　he　has　found　where　the　box　is。　Queen　Milena　has　it。〃　She　gave　Richard　a　smile　of　reassurance。　〃The　Seeker　has　done　his　job　well。〃　His　mind　was　spinning　too　fast　to　return　the　smile　properly。
　
　Zedd　drew　a　finger　and　thumb　down　opposite　sides　of　his　chin。　〃And　how　do　you　propose　we　get　it　from　her？　Knowing　is　one　thing；　getting　is　quite　another。〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　Zedd　a　smooth　smile。　〃Queen　Milena　is　the　one　to　whom　the　snake　in　the　silver　robes　sold　his　services。　He　is　about　to　have　an　unpleasant　meeting　with　the　Mother　Confessor。〃
　
　〃Giller？　Queen　Milena　is　the　one　Giller　went　to？〃　The　wrinkles　on　Zedd's　face　deepened　with　his　scowl。　〃I　think　he　will　be　astonished　to　meet　my　eyes　again。〃
　
　She　frowned。　〃You　just　leave　this　task　to　me。　He　is　my　wizard。　I　will　deal　with　him。〃
　
　Richard's　eyes　went　back　and　forth　between　the　two　of　them　He　felt　suddenly　out　of　place。　The　great　wizard　and　the　Mother　Confessor　discussing　how　they　would　deal　with　an　upstart　wizard；　as　if　they　were　talking　of　pulling　weeds　in　a　garden。　He　thought　of　his　father；　of　how　his　father　had　told　him　he　had　taken　the　book　to　prevent　it　from　falling　into　covetous　hands。　Darken　Rahl's　hands。　He　spoke　without　thinking。
　
　〃Maybe　he　had　a　good　reason　for　doing　what　he　did。〃
　
　They　both　turned　and　looked　at　him；　as　if　they　had　forgotten　he　was　there。
　
　〃A　good　reason？〃　Kahlan　snapped。　〃Greed　was　his　good　reason。　He　deserted　me；　and　left　me　to　the　quads。〃
　
　〃Sometimes　people　do　things　for　reasons　that　aren't　what　they　seem。〃　Richard　gave　her　an　even　look。　〃Maybe　he　thought　the　box　was　more　important。〃
　
　Kahlan　looked　too　surprised　to　speak。
　
　Zedd　frowned；　his　white　hair　looking　wild　in　the　firelight。　〃Perhaps　you　are　right。　It　could　be　that　Giller　knew　about　the　Queen　having　the　box；　and　wanted　to　protect　it。　He　certainly　knew　what　the　boxes　were　about。〃　He　gave　Richard　an　ironic　smile。　〃Maybe　the　Seeker　has　given　us　a　new　perspective。　Maybe　we　have　an　ally　in　Tamarang。〃
　
　〃And　maybe　not；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　〃We　will　know　soon　enough；〃　the　wizard　sighed。
　
　〃Zedd；〃　Richard　asked；　〃yesterday；　we　went　to　a　place　called　Homers　Mill。〃　Zedd　nodded。　〃I　saw　it。　And　I　have　seen　many　more　just　like　it。〃
　
　Richard　leaned　forward。　〃It　wasn't　Westlanders；　was　it？　It　couldn't　have　been　Westlanders。　I　told　Michael　to　get　the　army　together　and　protect　Westland。　I　didn't　tell　him　to　attack　anyone。　Certainly　not　helpless　people。　It　couldn't　have　been　Westlanders；　they　wouldn't　do　that。〃
　
　〃No；　it　wasn't　anyone　from　Westland。　I　haven't　seen　or　heard　from　Michael。〃
　
　〃Then　who？〃
　
　〃It　was　Rahl's　own　men　who　did　it；　by　his　mand。〃
　
　〃That　does　not　make　any　sense；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃The　town　was　loyal　to　D'Hara。　There　were　forces　of　the　People's　Peace　Army　there；　and　they　were　killed　to　a　man。〃
　
　〃That's　the　very　reason　he　did　it。〃
　
　They　both　gave　him　puzzled　looks。　〃That　doesn't　make　any　sense；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　〃Wizard's　First　Rule。〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃What？〃
　
　〃Wizard's　First　Rule：　people　are　stupid。〃　Richard　and　Kahlan　frowned　even　more。　〃People　are　stupid；　given　proper　motivation；　almost　anyone　will　believe　almost　anything。　Because　people　are　stupid；　they　will　believe　a　lie　because　they　want　to　believe　it's　true；　or　because　they　are　afraid　it　might　be　true。　People's　heads　are　full　of　knowledge；　facts；　and　beliefs；　and　most　of　it　is　false；　yet　they　think　it　all　true。　People　are　stupid；　they　can　only　rarely　tell　the　difference　between　a　lie　and　the　truth；　and　yet　they　are　confident　they　can；　and　so　are　all　the　easier　to　fool。
　
　〃Because　of　the　Wizard's　First　Rule；　the　old　wizards　created　Confessors；　and　Seekers；　as　a　means　of　helping　find　the　truth；　when　the　truth　is　important　enough。　Rahl　knows　the　Wizard's　Rules。　He　is　using　the　first　one。　People　need　an　enemy　to　feel　a　sense　of　purpose。　It's　easy　to　lead　people　when　they　have　a　sense　of　purpose。　Sense　of　purpose　is　more　important　by　far　than　the　truth。　In　fact；　truth　has　no　bearing　in　this。　Darken　Rahl　is　providing　them　with　an　enemy；　other　than　himself；　a　sense　of　purpose。　People　are　stupid；　they　want　to　believe；　so　they　do。〃
　
　〃But　they　were　his　own　people；〃　Kahlan　protested。　〃He　was　killing　his　supporters。〃　〃You　will　notice　not　all　the　people　were　killed；　some　were　raped；　tortured；　but　left　alive　to　flee；　to　spread　the　news。　You　will　also　note　how　none　of　the　soldiers　were　left　alive　to　dispute　the　story。　That　it　isn't　the　truth　doesn't　matter；　and　the　ones　hearing　the　story　will　believe　it　because　it　provides　them　with　a　sense　of　purpose；　an　enemy　to　rally　against。　The　survivors　will　spread　the　word　like　a　wildfire。　Even　though　Rahl　has　destroyed　a　few　towns　that　were　loyal　to　him；　and　a　few　of　his　soldiers；　he　has　gained　many　more　towns　to　his　side；　a　hundredfold　over。　Even　more　people　will　rally　around　him　and　support　him　because　he　has　told　them　he　wants　to　protect　them　from　this　enemy。　Truth　is　hard　to　sell；　it　gives　no　sense　of　purpose。　It　is　simply　truth。〃
　
　Richard　sat　back；　a　little　stunned。　〃But　it　isn't　true。　How　can　Rahl　get　away　with　it？　How　could　everyone　believe　it？〃
　
　Zedd　gave　him　a　stern　look。　〃You　knew　better；　you　knew　it　wasn't　Westlanders；　yet