tg.wizardfirstrule-第76部分

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　Zedd　gave　him　a　stern　look。　〃You　knew　better；　you　knew　it　wasn't　Westlanders；　yet　even　you　doubted　your　knowledge。　You　were　afraid　it　was　true。　Being　afraid　something　is　true　is　accepting　the　possibility。　Accepting　the　possibility　is　the　first　step　to　believing。　At　least　you　are　smart　enough　to　question。　Think　of　how　easy　it　is　to　believe；　for　people　who　don't　question；　who　don't　even　know　how　to　question。　For　most　people；　it's　not　the　truth　that　is　important；　it's　the　cause。　Rahl　is　intelligent；　he　has　given　them　a　cause。〃　His　eyes　glinted　with　purpose。　〃It　is　the　Wizard's　First　Rule　because　it　is　the　most　important。　Remember　it。〃　。
　
　〃But　the　ones　who　did　the　killing；　they　knew。　It　was　murder。　How　could　they　do　it？〃
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　〃Sense　of　purpose。　They　did　it　for　the　cause。〃
　
　〃But　that　goes　against　nature。　Murder　goes　against　nature。〃
　
　The　wizard　smiled。　〃Murder　is　the　way　of　nature；　of　all　living　things。〃
　
　Richard　knew　Zedd　was　sucking　him　in…it　was　his　way　to　draw　you　in　with　an　outrageous　statement…but　his　blood　was　up　and　he　couldn't　help　protesting。　〃Only　some　of　nature。　Like　predators。　And　that's　only　to　survive。　Look　about　at　these　trees；　they　can't　even　think　of　murder。〃
　
　〃Murder　is　the　way　of　all　things；　the　way　of　nature；〃　Zedd　repeated。　〃Every　living　thing　is　a　murderer。〃　Richard　looked　to　Kahlan　for　support。　〃Don't　look　at　me；〃　she　said。　〃I　learned　a　long　time　ago　not　to　debate　with　wizards。〃
　
　Richard　looked　up；　at　the　beautiful　big　pine　spreading　over　them；　illuminated　in　the　firelight。　A　spark　of　understanding　lit　in　his　mind。　He　saw　the　branches；　stretched　out　with　murderous　intent；　in　a　years　long　struggle　to　reach　the　sunlight　and　dispatch　its　neighbors　with　its　shade。　Success　would　give　space　for　its　offspring；　many　of　which　would　also　shrivel　in　the　shade　of　the　parent。　Several　close　neighbors　of　the　big　pine　were　withered　and　weak；　victims　all。　It　was　true：　the　design　of　nature　was　success　by　murder。
　
　Zedd　watched　Richard's　eyes。　This　was　a　lesson；　the　way　the　old　man　had　taught　Richard　since　he　was　young。　〃You　have　learned　something；　my　boy？〃
　
　Richard　nodded。　〃Life　for　the　strongest。　There　is　no　sympathy　for　the　slain；　only　admiration　for　the　winner's　strength。〃
　
　〃But　people　don't　think　that　way；〃　Kahlan　said；　unable　to　hold　her　tongue。
　
　Zedd　gave　a　sly　smile。　〃No？〃　He　pointed　to　a　small；　withered　tree　near　them。　〃Look　at　this　tree；　dear　one。〃　He　pointed　to　the　big　pine。　〃And　this。　Tell　me　which　you　admire　more。〃
　
　〃This　one；〃　she　said；　pointing　at　the　big　pine。　〃It's　a　beautiful　tree。〃
　
　〃This　one。　You　see？　People　do　think　this　way。　It's　beautiful；　you　said。　You　chose　the　tree　that　murders；　not　the　one　murdered。〃　Zedd　smiled　triumphantly。　〃The　way　of　nature。〃
　
　Kahlan；　folded　her　arms。　〃I　knew　I　should　have　kept　my　mouth　shut。〃
　
　〃You　may　keep　your　mouth　closed　if　you　wish；　but　don't　close　your　mind。　To　defeat　Darken　Rahl；　we　must　understand　him　to　know　how　to　destroy　him。〃
　
　〃This　is　how　he's　winning　so　much　territory；〃　Richard　said；　tapping　his　finger　on　the　hilt　of　his　sword。　〃He's　letting　others　do　it　for　him；　giving　them　a　cause；　then　all　he　has　to　worry　about　is　going　after　the　boxes。　There　is　no　one　to　interfere。〃
　
　Zedd　nodded。　〃He　uses　the　Wizard's　First　Rule　to　do　most　of　the　work　for　him。　This　is　what　makes　our　job　so　hard。　He　gets　people　on　his　side　because　people　don't　care　about　the　truth；　they　do　his　bidding　because　they　believe　what　they　want　to；　and　fight　to　the　death　for　these　beliefs；　despite　how　false　they　are。〃
　
　Richard　slowly　stood；　looking　off　into　the　night。　〃All　this　time；　I　thought　we　were　fighting　evil。　Evil　on　the　loose；　run　amok。　But　that's　not　it　at　all。　What　we're　up　against　is　more　like　a　plague。　A　plague　of　fools。〃
　
　〃You　have　gotten　it　right；　my　boy。　A　plague　of　fools。〃
　
　〃Directed　by　Darken　Rahl；〃　Kahlan　noted。
　
　Zedd　peered　at　her　a　moment。　〃If　someone　digs　a　hole；　and　it　fills　with　rainwater；　where　is　the　fault？　Is　it　the　rain's　fault？　Or　is　it　the　fault　of　the　person　who　digs　the　hole？　Is　it　Darken　Rahl's　fault；　or　the　fault　of　those　who　dig　the　hole；　and　let　him　rain　in？〃
　
　〃Maybe　both；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃That　leaves　us　with　a　lot　of　Enemies。〃
　
　Zedd　lifted　a　finger。　〃And　very　dangerous　ones。　Fools　who　won't　see　the　truth　are　deadly。　As　a　Confessor；　perhaps　you　have　already　learned　this　lesson；　yes？〃　She　nodded。　〃They　don't　always　do　what　you　think　they　will；　or　should；　and　you　can　be　caught　off　guard。　People　you　don't　think　should　be　trouble　can　kill　you　quick。〃
　
　〃This　doesn't　change　anything；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃If　Rahl　gets　all　the　boxes；　and　opens　the　right　one；　he　is　the　one　who　will　kill　us　all。　He　is　still　the　head　to　the　snake；　it　is　still　this　head　we　must　remove。〃
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　〃You　are　correct。　But　we　must　stay　alive　to　have　a　chance　to　kill　this　snake；　and　there　are　plenty　of　small　snakes　that　can　kill　us　first。〃
　
　〃This　is　a　lesson　we　already　learned；〃　Richard　said。　〃But　as　Kahlan　said；　it　doesn't　change　anything。　We　must　still　get　the　box　to　kill　Rahl。〃　He　sat　down　again；　next　to　her。
　
　Zedd's　face　turned　deadly　serious。　〃Just　remember：　Darken　Rahl　can　kill　you；〃　he　pointed　a　bony　finger　at　Richard；　then　Kahlan；　〃and　you；〃　then　at　himself；　〃and　me…easy。〃
　
　Richard　sat　back　a　little。　〃Then；　why　hasn't　he？〃
　
　Zedd　lifted　an　eyebrow。　〃Do　you　go　around　a　room；　and　kill　all　the　flies　in　it？　No。　You　ignore　them。　They　don't　merit　your　attention。　Until　they　bite。　Then　you　swat　them。〃　He　leaned　closer　to　the　two　of　them。　〃We　are　about　to　bite　him。〃　Richard　and　Kahlan　gave　each　other　a　sideways　glance。
　
　〃Wizard's　First　Rule。〃　Richard　felt　a　trickle　of　sweat　run　down　his　back。　〃I'll　remember。〃
　
　〃And　don't　repeat　it　to　anyone；〃　the　wizard　admonished。　〃Wizard's　Rules　are　for　none　but　a　wizard　to　know。　The　Wizard's　Rules　may　seem　cynical　or　trivial　to　you；　but　they　are　powerful　weapons　if　you　know　how　to　use　them；　because　they　are　true。　Truth　is　power。　I　have　told　you　two　because　I'm　the　head　of　the　wizards；　and　I　think　it　important　for　you　to　understand。　You　must　know　what　Rahl　is　doing；　since　it　is　the　three　of　us　who　must　stop　him。〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　both　nodded　their　oath。
　
　〃It's　late。〃　Zedd　yawned。　〃I　have　been　traveling　a　long　time　to　reach　you。　We　will　talk　more　later。〃
　
　Richard　jumped　up。　〃I'll　take　first　watch。〃　He　had　something　to　do；　and　wanted　it　done　before　anything　else　happened。　〃Use　my　blankets；　Zedd。〃
　
　〃Done。　I'll　take　second　watch。〃　Second　watch　of　three　was　the　least　pleasant：　it　split　your　sleeping　in　two。　Kahlan　began　to　protest。　〃I　spoke　first；　dear　one。〃
　
　Richard　pointed　to　the　rock　outcropping　where　he　would　be；　after　he　scouted　the　area；　and　headed　off。　His　mind　churned　with　a　thousand　thoughts；　but　with　one　above　all　the　rest。　The　night　was　still；　and　cold；　yet　not　unfortably　so。　He　left　his　cloak　open　as　he　picked　his　way　through　the　trees；　intent　on　where　he　was　going。　Night　creatures　called　to　one　another；　but　he　hardly　noticed。　At　one　point；　he　scrambled　to　the　top　of　a　boulder　and　peered　back　through　the　gaps　in　the　trees；　watching　the　fire；　waiting　until　he　saw　the　other　two　roll　themselves　in　the　blankets；　then　he　slid　off　the　rock　and　continued　on　toward　the　sound　of　rushing　water。
　
　At　the　edge　of　the　river；　he　cast　about　until　he　found　a　chunk　of　driftwood　big　enough　for　his　purpose。　Richard　remembered　Zedd　telling　him　that　he　must　have　the　courage　to　do　what　was　necessary　for　their　goal；　and　he　must　be　prepared　to　kill　any　one　of　them　if　it　came　to　that。　Richard　knew　Zedd；　and　he　knew　that　Zedd　wasn't　just　making　a　point…he　meant　what　he　said。　He　。knew　that　Zedd　was　capable　of　killing　him；　or；　more　important；　Kahlan
　
　He　took　the　tooth　from　his　shirt；　pulling　the　leather　cord　over　his　head。　He　held　the　triangular　shaped　tooth　in　his　hand；　feeling　the　weight　of　it；　looking　at　it　in　the　moonlight；　and　thought　about　his　father。　The　tooth　was　the　only　way　for　Richard　to　prove　to　Zedd　that　his　father　wasn't　a　thief；　that　he　had　taken　the　book　to　keep　it　from　Darken　Rahl。　Richard　wanted　so　badly　to　tell　Zedd；　to　tell　him　that　his　father　had　been　a　hero；　had　given　his　life　to　stop　Rahl　and　died　a　hero　to　protect　them　all。　He　wanted　his　father　to　be　remembered　for　what　he　had　done。　He　wanted　to　tell　Zedd。
　
　But　he　couldn't。
　
　The　wizard　wanted　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　destroyed。　Richard　was　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　now。　Shota　had　warned　him　that　Zedd　would　use　the　wizard's；　fire　against　him；　but　that　he　had　a　chance　to　beat　him。　Perhaps　this　was　the　way。　To　destroy　the　book；　Zedd　would　have　to　kill　him。　Richard　didn't　care　about　himself；　he　had　nothing　to　live　for；　he　no　longer　cared　if　he　died。
　
　But　he　did　care　if　Kahlan　died。　If　Zedd　knew　that　Richard　had　the　book　inside　him；　he　would　make　him　tell　what　it　said；　and　then　he　would　know　that　to　make　sure　the　book　was　true；　Rahl　would　have　to　use　a　Confessor。　And　there　was　only　one　Confessor　left　alive。　Kahlan。　If　Zedd　knew；　he　would　kill　her　to　prevent　Rahl　from　getting　the　knowledge。
　
　Richard　couldn't　allow　the　chance　of　Zedd　knowing；　of　killing　Kahlan。
　
　He　wrapped　the　cord　around　the　piece　of　driftwood　and　jammed　the　tooth　into　a　long　crack；　wedging　it　into　the　wood　so　it　wouldn't　e　out。　Richard　wanted　the　tooth　as　far　away　from　him　as　he　could　get　it。
　
　〃Forgive　me；　Father；〃　he　whispered。
　
　Hard　as　he　could；　he　threw　the　wood　with　the　tooth　attached。　He　watched　it　arc　through　the　air；　and　splash　into　the　dark　water　with　a　distant　sound。　In　the　moonlight；　he　could　see　it　bob　to　the　surface。　He　stood　with　a　lump　in　his　throat　as　he　watched　it　being　carried　downriver。　Richard　felt　naked　without　the　tooth。
　
　When　it　was　no　longer　in　sight；　he　circled　the　camp；　his　mind　in　a　daze。　He　felt　empty。　Richard　sat　on　the　rock　outcropping　where　he　had　told　them　he　would　be；　and　watched　their　camp　below。
　
　He　hated　this。　Hated　having　to　lie　to　Zedd；　to　feel　that　he　couldn't　trust　him。　What　was　he　ing　to；　to　no　longer　be　able　to　trust　his　oldest　friend？　The　hand　of　Rahl　was　reaching　out　to　him；　even　at　this　distance；　and　making　him　do　things　he　didn't　want　to。
　
　When　this　was　ended；　and　Kahlan　was　safe；　and　if　he　lived；　he　could　go　home。
　
　Near　the　middle　of　his　watch；　he　became　suddenly　aware　again　of　the　thing　that　followed　them。　He　couldn't　see　its　eyes；　but　he　could　feel　them。　It　was　on　the　hill　opposite　the　camp；　watching。　He　felt　a　chill　run　through　him；　at　being　watched。
　
　A　distant　sound　made　him　sit　bolt　upright。　A　snarl；　a　growl；　followed　by　a　yelp。　Then　silence　again。　Something　had　died。　Richard's　eyes　were　wide；　trying　to　see；　but　he　saw　only　blackness。　The　thing　that　followed　had　killed　something：　Or　been　killed　itself　He　felt　an　odd　worry　for　it。　As　long　as　it　had　followed；　it　had　never　tried　to　hurt　them。　Of　course；　that　didn't　really　mean　anything。　It　could　simply　be　waiting　for　the　right　time。　For　some　reason；　though；　Richard　didn't　think　it　meant　them　any　harm。
　
　He　felt　the　eyes　again。　Richard　smiled；　it　was　still　alive。　He　had　the　urge　to　go　after　it；　to　find　out　what　it　was；　but　dismissed　the　idea。　This　was　not　the　time。　This　was　a　creature　of　the　dark。　Better　to　meet　it　on　his　own　terms。
　
　Once　more　on　his　watch；　he　heard　something　die。　Closer。
　
　Without　Richard　having　to　go　wake　him；　Zedd　appeared　for　his　watch；　looking　rested　and　refreshed；　eating　a　piece　of　dried　meat。　Zedd　came　and　sat　next　to　him；　offering　a　piece　of　meat。　Richard　declined。
　
　〃Zedd；　what　about　Chase；　is　he　all　right？〃
　
　〃He　is　well。　Far　as　I　know；　he　went　off　to　follow　your　instructions。〃
　
　〃Good。　I'm　glad　he's　well。〃　。Richard　hopped　down　off　the　rock；　ready　for　some　sleep。
　
　〃Richard；　what　did　Shota　tell　you？〃
　
　Richard　studied　his　friend's　face　in　the　dim　light　of　the　moon。　〃What　Shota　said　to　me　is　private。　It　is　not　for　others　to　hear。〃　The　edge　to　his　own　voice　surprised　him。　〃And　that　is　the　way　it　will　remain。〃
　
　Zedd　took　a　bite　while　he　watched　Richard。　〃The　sword　has　a　lot　of　anger　to　it。　I　see　you　are　having　trouble　controlling　it。〃
　
　〃All　right。　All　right；　I'll　tell　you　one　thing　Shota　said。　She　told　me　she　thought　I　ought　to　have　a　talk　with　you　about　Samuel！〃
　
　〃Samuel？〃
　
　Richard　gritted　his　teeth　and　leaned　closer。　〃My　predecessor！〃
　
　〃Oh。　That　Samuel。〃
　
　〃Yes；　that　Samuel。　Would　you　like　to　explain　that　to　me？　Would　you　like　to　tell　me　that's　the　way　I　too　will　end　up？　Or　had　you　planned　on　keeping　it　from　me　until　I　was　done　doing　wizard's　work　and　you　have　to　give　the　sword　to　some　other　fool！〃　Zedd　watched　calmly　as　Richard　became　more　and　more　upset。　He　grabbed　Zedd's　robes　and　pulled　his　face　close。　〃Wizard's　First　Rule！　Is　that　how　wizards　find　someone　to　take　the　sword？　Just　find　someone　stupid　enough　not　to　know　better　and　there　you　go！　A　new　Seeker！　Do　you　have　any　other　little　things　you　forgot　to　tell　me？　Any　other　little　unpleasant　things　I　ought　to　know！〃
　
　Richard　released　his　robes　with　a　shove。　He　had　to　resist　mightily　the　urge　to　draw　the　sword。　His　chest　heaved　with　his　anger。　Zedd　watched　calmly。
　
　〃I'm　truly　sorry；　my　boy；〃　he　whispered；　〃that　she　has　hurt　you　so。°〃
　
　Richard　stared　back；　everything　that　had　happened　pushing　in　on　him；　extinguishing　the　anger。　Everything　seemed　so　hopeless。　He　burst　into　tears　and　fell　against　Zedd；　throwing　his　arms　around　him。　He　cried　in　choking　sobs；　unable　to　control　himself。
　
　〃Zedd；　I　just　want　to　go　home。〃
　
　Zedd　held　him；　patted　his　back　gently；　spoke　tenderly。　〃I　know；　Richard。　I　know。〃
　
　〃I　wish　I　had　listened　to　you。　But　I　can't　help　myself。　I　can't　make　myself　stop　feeling　this　way；　no　matter　how　hard　I　try。　1　feel　like　I'm　drowning　and　can't　get　any　air。　I　want　this　nightmare　to　end。　I　hate　the　Midlands。　I　hate　the　magic。　I　just　want　to　go　home。　Zedd；　I　want　to　be　rid　of　this　sword　and　its　magic　I　never　want　to　hear　about　magic　again。〃
　
　Zedd　held　him　and　let　him　cry。　〃Nothing　is　ever　easy。〃　〃Maybe　it　wouldn't　be　so　bad　if　Kahlan　hated　me　or　something；　but　I　know　she　cares　for　me　too。　It's　the　magic。　The　magic　keeps　us　apart。〃
　
　〃Believe　me；　Richard；　I　know　how　you　feel。〃
　
　Richard　sank　to　the　ground；　leaned　against　the　rock；　crying。　Zedd　sat　next　to　him。
　
　〃What　is　to　bee　of　me？〃
　
　〃You　will　go　on。　There　is　nothing　else　you　can　do。〃
　
　〃I　don't　want　to　go　on。　And　what　of　Samuel？　Is　that　what　is　to　bee　of　me？〃
　
　Zedd　shook　his　head。　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard。　I　don't　know。　I　gave　you　the　sword　against　my　own　heart；　because　I　had　to；　for　everyone　else。　The　magic　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　does　that　to　a　Seeker；　in　the　end　The　prophecies　say　that　the　one　who　truly　masters　the　sword's　magic；　and　in　so　doing　makes　the　blade　turn　white；　will　be　protected　from　that　fate。　But　I　don't　know　how　it's　to　be　done。　I　don't　even　know　what　it　means。　I　didn't　have　the　courage　to　tell　you。　I'm　sorry。　If　you　want；　you　may　strike　me　dead　for　what　I've　done　to　you。　Only；　promise　me　first　that　you　will　go　on　and　stop　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　Richard　laughed　bitterly　through　the　tears。　〃Strike　you　dead。　That's　a　joke。　You're　all　I　have；　all　I'm　allowed　to　love。　How　could　I　kill　that