tg.wizardfirstrule-第78部分

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egan　taking　confessions。〃
　
　Zedd　gave　a　little　laugh。　〃Have　you　ever　been　able　to　feel　the　target？　Have　you　ever　been　able　to　ignore　all　the　noise　in　your　head　and　hear　the　silence；　and　know　where　the　arrow　is　going　to　go？〃
　
　She　nodded　with　her　chin　still　resting　on　her　fingers。　〃Only　a　couple　of　times。　But　I　know　what　you're　talking　about。〃
　
　〃Well；　Richard　can　feel　the　target　like　that　almost　at　will。　Sometimes　I　think　he　could　even　hit　it　if　he　closed　his　eyes
　
　When　I　have　asked　him　how　he　does　it；　he　shrugs　and　can't　explain。　He　simply　says　he　can　feel　where　the　arrow　is　to　go。　He　can　do　it　all　day　long。　But　if　I　start　telling　him　things；　like　how　fast　the　wind　is；　how　many　feet　away　the　target　is；　or　that　the　bow　was　outside　the　night　before　and　it　was　a　humid　night；　affecting　the　draw；　well；　then　he　can't　even　hit　the　ground。　The　thinking　interferes　with　the　feeling。
　
　〃He　does　the　same　thing　with　people。　He's　relentless　in　the　search　for　an　answer。　He　has　been　heading　for　the　box　like　an　arrow。　He　has　never　been　to　the　Midlands　before；　yet　he　found　a　way　through　the　boundary；　and　has　found　the　answers　he　needed　to　keep　going；　to　seek　out　the　target。　That　is　the　way　of　a　true　Seeker。　The　problem　is；　if　I　give　him　too　much　information；　he　starts　doing　what　he　thinks　I　want　him　to　do；　instead　of　what　he　feels。　I　have　to　point　him　in　the　right　direction；　toward　the　target；　and　then　let　him　go。　Let　him　find　it　himself。〃
　
　〃That's　pretty　cynical。　He　is　a　human　being；　not　an　arrow。　He　only　does　that　because　he　thinks　so　much　of　you；　and　he　would　do　anything　to　please　you。　You　are　an　idol　to　him。　He　loves　you　very　much。〃
　
　He　gave　her　a　somber　look。　〃There　is　no　way　I　could　be　any　more　proud　of　him；　or　love　him　any　more；　but　if　he　doesn't　stop　Darken　Rahl；　I　will　be　a　dead　idol。　Sometimes；　wizards　must　use　people　to　acplish　what　must　be　done。〃
　
　〃I　guess　I　know　how　you　feel；　not　telling　him　what　you　wish　you　could。〃
　
　Zedd　rose。　〃I'm　sorry　the　two　of　you　have　had　a　hard　time　of　it。　Maybe　with　me　here；　it　will　be　easier。　Good　night；　dear　one。〃　He　started　off　into　the　darkness。
　
　〃Zedd？〃　He　stopped　and　looked　back　toward　her；　a　dark　form　against　the　moonlit　forest。　〃You　had　a　wife。〃
　
　〃I　did。〃
　
　She　cleared　her　throat　and　swallowed。　〃What　was　it　like？　Loving　someone　more　than　life　itself；　and　being　able　to　be　with　them；　and　having　them　love　you　back？〃
　
　Zedd　stood　still　and　silent　for　a　long　time；　staring　at　her　in　the　darkness。　She　waited；　wishing　she　could　see　his　face。　She　decided　he　wasn't　going　to　answer
　
　Kahlan　held　her　chin　up。　〃Wizard　Zorander；　I　am　not　making　a　request。　This　is　an　order。　You　。will　answer　the　question。〃
　
　She　waited。　His　voice　came　softly。　〃It　was　like　finding　the　other　half　of　myself；　and　being　plete；　whole；　for　the　first　time　in　my　life。〃
　
　〃Thank　you；　Zedd。〃　She　was　glad　he　couldn't　see　her　tears　as　。　she　struggled　to　hold　her　voice　steady。　〃I　was　just　wondering。〃　
　
　CHAPTER　37
　RICHARD　WOKE　WHEN　HE　heard　Kahlan　e　back　and　toss　some　wood　in　the　fire。　Light　was　just　starting　to　creep　across　the　tips　of　distant　mountains；　casting　them　in　a　soft　pink　glow；　dark　clouds　behind　making　the　snowcapped　peaks　stand　out　all　the　more。　Zedd　lay　on　his　back；　eyes　wide　open；　snoring。　Richard　rubbed　the　sleep　from　his　eyes　and　yawned。
　
　〃How　about　some　tava…root　porridge？〃　he　whispered；　wanting　to　let　Zedd　sleep。
　
　〃Sounds　good；〃　she　whispered　back。　；
　
　Richard　pulled　the　roots　from　his　pack　and　began　peeling　them　with　his　knife　while　Kahlan　retrieved　a　pot。
　
　When　he　finished　cutting　them　up；　he　tossed　the　roots　in　with　the　water　she　had　added　from　a　skin。　〃This　is　the　last　of　them。　We'll　have　to　start　digging　some　more　roots　tonight；　but　I　doubt　we'll　find　tava。　Not　in　this　rocky　ground。〃
　
　〃I　picked　some　berries。〃
　
　Together　they　warmed　their　hands　at　the　fire。　More　than　a　queen；　he　thought。　He　tried　to　imagine　a　queen　in　fine　robes　and　a　crown；　picking　berries
　
　〃You　see　anything　while　you　were　on　watch？〃
　
　She　shook　her　head。　Then　she　seemed　to　remember　something　and　her　face　came　up。　〃But　one　time；　I　did　hear　something　strange。　It　was　down　here；　near　the　camp。　It　was　like　a　growl；　then　a　yelp。　I　almost　came　and　woke　you；　but　it　was　gone　as　soon　as　it　started；　and　I　didn't　hear　it　again。〃。
　
　〃Really。〃　He　glanced　over　each　shoulder。　〃Down　here。　Wonder　what　that　was　about。　I　guess　I　was　so　tired　it　didn't　wake　me。〃
　
　Richard　mashed　the　pot　of　roots　when　they　were　done　and　added　a　little　sugar。　Kahlan　dished　up　the　porridge　and　added　a　big　handful　of　berries　on　top　of　each。
　
　〃Why　don't　you　wake　him；〃　she　said。
　
　Richard　smiled。　〃Watch　this。〃
　
　He　tapped　his　spoon　a　few　times　against　the　side　of　the　tin　bowl。　Zedd　made　a　short　snort；　and　sat　bolt　upright。
　
　The　old　man　blinked　twice。　〃Breakfast？〃
　
　With　their　backs　to　him；　they　both　giggled。
　
　〃You're　in　a　good　mood　this　morning；〃　she　said；　looking　over。
　
　He　smiled。　〃Zedd's　back　with　us。〃
　
　Richard　walked　over　and　handed　Zedd　a　bowl　of　porridge；　then　sat　with　his　own　on　the　low　ledge。　Kahlan　made　herself　fortable　on　the　ground；　wrapping　a　blanket　around　her　legs　while　she　balanced　her　bowl　with　one　hand。　Zedd　didn't　bother　to　unwrap　himself　from　his　blanket　as　he　ate。　Richard　waited；　biding　his　time；　eating　slowly　while　Zedd　bolted　his　porridge。
　
　〃Good！〃　Zedd　proclaimed　as　he　rose　to　get　himself　another　bowlful　from　the　pot。
　
　Richard　waited　until　his　old　friend　was　spooning　from　the　pot；　then　said；　〃Kahlan　told　me　what　happened。　I　mean；　she　told　me　about　how　you　made　her　tell　you　about　Shota。〃
　
　Kahlan　froze　with　a　look　as　if　she　had　been　struck　by　lightning。
　
　Zedd　flinched　up　straight　and　spun　to　her。　〃Why　did　you　tell　him！　I　thought　you　didn't　want　him　to　know　you　。　。　。〃
　
　〃Zedd　。　。　。　I　never　。　。　。〃
　
　Zedd's　face　grimaced。　He　turned　slowly　to　Richard；　who　hunched　over　his　bowl；　methodically　spooning　porridge　into　his　mouth
　
　He　didn't　bother　to　look　up。　〃She　didn't　tell　me。　But　you　just　did。〃
　
　Richard　put　the　last　spoonful　in　his　mouth；　and　after　he　swallowed　he　licked　his　spoon　clean　and　dropped　it　in　the　tin　bowl　with　a　clank。
　
　His　face；　calm　and　triumphant；　came　up　to　the　wizard's　squinting　eyes。　〃Wizard's　First　Rule；〃　Richard　announced　with　a　wisp　of　a　smile。　〃The　first　step　to　believing　something　is　wanting　to　believe　it　is　true　。　。　。　or　being　afraid　it　is。〃
　
　〃I　told　you；〃　Kahlan　fumed　at　Zedd。　〃I　told　you　he　would　find　out。〃
　
　Zedd　paid　her　no　attention；　his　eyes　were　locked　on　Richard。
　
　〃I　thought　about　it　last　night；〃　Richard　explained　as　he　set　down　his　bowl。　〃I　decided　you　were　right；　that　you　should　know　what　Shota　said。　After　all；　you're　a　wizard；　maybe　there's　something　in　it　you　could　help　us　with　to　stop　Darken　Rahl。　I　knew　you　wouldn't　rest　until　you　knew　what　had　happened。　I　decided　I　would　tell　you　today；　but　then　I　figured　you　would　get　it　out　of　Kahlan　first；　one　way　or　another。〃
　
　Kahlan　fell　back　on　the　blanket；　laughing。
　
　Zedd　straightened　his　back　and　put　his　fists　on　his　hips。　〃Bags！　Richard；　do　you　have　any　idea　what　you　have　just　done？〃
　
　〃Magic；〃　Richard　smiled。　〃A　trick；　if　done　properly；　is　magic。〃　He　shrugged。　〃Or　so　I've　been　told。〃
　
　Zedd　nodded　slowly。　〃Indeed。〃　He　pointed　a　thin　finger　skyward；　the　sparkle　returning　to　his　intense　hazel　eyes。　〃You　have　tricked　a　wizard　with　his　own　rule。　Not　one　of　my　wizards　was　ever　able　to　do　that。〃　He　stepped　closer；　a　grin　spreading　on　his　face。　〃Bags；　Richard！　You　have　it！　You　have　the　gift；　my　boy！　You　can　be　a　wizard　of　the　First　Order；　like　me。〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃I　don't　want　to　be　a　wizard。〃
　
　Zedd　ignored　his　words。　〃You　have　passed　the　first　test。〃
　
　〃You　just　said　none　of　the　other　wizards　was　able　to　do　it；　so　how　could　they　be　wizards　if　they　couldn't　pass　the　test？〃
　
　Zedd　gave　him　a　one…sided　smile。　〃They　were　wizards　of　the　Third　Order。　One；　Giller；　is　of　the　Second　Order。　None　were　able　to　pass　the　tests　to　be　a　wizard　of　the　First　Order。　They　didn't　have　the　gift。　Only　the　calling。〃　Richard　made　a　smirk。　〃It　was　just　a　trick。　Don't　make　something　out　of　it　that　it　wasn't。〃
　
　〃A　very　special　trick。〃　Zedd's　eyes　narrowed　again。　〃I'm　impressed。　I'm　also　very　proud　of　you。〃
　
　〃And　how　many　of　these　tests　are　there；　if　this　is　the　first？〃
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　〃Oh；　I…　don't　know。　Maybe　a　few　hundred　or　so。　But　you　have　the　gift；　Richard。〃　A　shadow　of　worry　passed　across　his　eyes；　as　if　he　hadn't　expected　it。　〃You　must　learn　to　control　it；　or　。　。　。〃　His　eyes　lit　up　again。　〃I　will　teach　you。　You　really　could　be　a　wizard　of　the　First　Order。〃
　
　Richard　realized　he　was　starting　to　listen　too　closely；　and　shook　his　head　to　clear　it。　〃I　told　you；　I　don't　want　to　be　a　wizard。〃　He　added　under　his　breath；　〃I　don't　want　anything　to　do　with　magic　ever　again　when　this　is　over。〃　He　realized　that　Kahlan　was　staring　at　him。　He　looked　from　one　wide…eyed　face　to　another。　〃It　was　just　a　stupid　little　trick。　Nothing　more。〃
　
　〃Just　a　stupid　little　trick　if　done　on　someone　else。　No　small　trick；　if　done　on　a　wizard。〃
　
　Richard　rolled　his　eyes。　〃The　both　of　you　are　。　。　。〃
　
　Zedd　leaned　forward　eagerly；　cutting　him　off。　〃Can　you　mand　the　wind？〃
　
　Richard　leaned　back　a　little。　〃Of　course　…I　can；〃　he　said；　playing　along。　He　held　both　hands　up　to　the　sky。　〃e　to　me；　brother　wind！　Gather　about！　Blow　a　gale　for　me！〃　He　spread　his　arms　dramatically。
　
　Kahlan　wrapped　her　cloak　around　herself　expectantly。　Zedd　looked　about。　Nothing　happened。　The　two　of　them　seemed　a　little　disappointed。
　
　〃What's　the　matter　with　the　two　of　you？〃　Richard　scowled。　〃Did　you　eat　some　bad　berries？〃
　
　Zedd　turned　to　her。　〃He　must　learn　that　later。〃
　
　Kahlan　considered　what　Zedd　said；　then　looked　up　at　Richard。　〃Richard　。　。　。　to　be　a　wizard；　it's　not　an　offer　made　to　many。〃。
　
　Zedd　scrubbed　his　hands　together。　〃Bags！　I　wish　I　had　the　books　here　with　me　now。　I'd　bet　a　dragon's　tooth　they　have　something　to　say　about　this。〃　His　face　darkened。　〃But　then　there　is　the　matter　of　the　pain　。　。　。　and　。　。　。〃
　
　Richard　squirmed　unfortably。　〃And　just　what　kind　of　wizard　are　you　anyway？　You　don't　even　have　a　beard。〃　Zedd　came　out　of　his　own　thoughts　and　frowned。　〃What？〃
　
　〃A　beard。　Where's　your　beard？　I've　been　wondering　about　it　ever　since　I　found　out　you　were　a　wizard。　Wizards　are　supposed　to　have　beards；　you　know。〃　；
　
　〃Who　told　you　this？〃
　
　〃Well　。　。　。　I　don't　know。　Everybody　knows　it。　Wizards　are　supposed　to　have　beards。　It's　mon　knowledge。　I'm　surprised　you　don't　know　it。〃
　
　Zedd　made　a　face　as　if　he　had　just　sucked　on　a　lemon。　〃But　I　hate　beards。　They　itch。〃
　
　Richard　shrugged。　〃Seems　you　don't　know　as　much　as　you　think　you　do　about　being　a　wizard；　if　you　don't；　even　know　wizards　are　supposed　to　have　beards：〃
　
　Zedd　folded　his　arms。　〃A　beard　is　it？〃　He　unfolded　his　arms；　and　began　drawing　his　fingers　and　thumb　down　opposite　sides　of　his　chin。　As　he　drew　his　fingers　repeatedly；　whiskers　began　appearing。　The　more　he　did　this；　the　longer　the　whiskers　grew。　Richard　watched；　wide…eyed；　until　a　snow　white　beard　reached　to　the　middle　of　Zedd's　chest。
　
　Zedd　cocked　his　head　and　gave　Richard　an　intent　look。　〃Will　this　do；　my　boy？〃
　
　Richard　realized　his　mouth　was　open。　He　made　it　shut；　but　could　only　nod。
　
　Zedd　scratched　his　chin　and　neck。　〃Good。　Now　give　me　your　knife；　so　I　can　shave　this　thing　off。　It　itches　like　ants。〃
　
　〃My　knife？　What　do　you　need　my　knife　for？　Why　don't　you　just　make　it　disappear　like　you　made　it　appear？〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　a　little　laugh；　then　made　her　face　straight　when　he　glanced　at　her。
　
　〃It　doesn't　work　that　way。　Everyone　knows　it　doesn't　work　that　way；〃　Zedd　mocked。　He　turned　to　Kahlan。　〃Doesn't　everyone　know？　You　tell　him。〃
　
　〃Magic　can　only　do　things　that　use　what　is　there。　It　cannot　undo　things　that　have　happened。〃
　
　〃I　don't　understand。〃
　
　Zedd　peered　at　him　with　sharp　eyes。　〃Your　first　lesson；　should　you　ever　decide　to　bee　a　wizard。　The　three　of　us　all　have　magic。　It　is　all　Additive　Magic。　Additive　Magic　uses　what　is　there；　and　adds　to　it；　or　uses　it　somehow。　The　magic　Kahlan　has　uses　the　spark　of　love　in　a　person；　no　matter　how　small；　and　adds　to　it　until　it's　changed　into　something　else。　The　magic　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　uses　your　anger；　and　adds　to　it；　takes　power　from　it；　until　it　bees　something　else。
　
　〃I　do　the　same　thing。　I　can　use　whatever　I　need　in　nature　to　change　things。　I　can　change　a　bug　to　a　flower；　I　can　change　a　fear　to　a　monster；　I　can　make　a　broken　bone　knit；　I　can　take　heat　from　the　air　around　us　and　add　to　it；　multiply　it；　into　wizard's　fire。　I　can　make　my　beard　grow。　But；　I　can't　make　it　ungrow。〃　A　rock　big　as　his　fist　started　rising　into　the　air。　〃I　can　lift　something。　I　can　change　it。〃　The　rock　crushed　to　dust。
　
　〃Then；　you　can　do　anything；〃　Richard　whispered。
　
　〃No。　I　can　lift　or　crush　or　move　the　rock；　but　I　can't　make　it　vanish。　Where　would　it　go？　That's　called　Subtractive　Magic：　the　undoing　of　things。　My　magic；　Kahlan's　magic；　the　sword's　magic；　is　from　this　world。　All　magic　from　this　world　is　Additive　Magic。　Darken　Rahl　can　do　any　of　it　I　can。〃　Zedd's　expression　turned　dark。　〃Subtractive　Magic　is　from　the　underworld。　Darken　Rahl　knows　how　to　use　that　too。　I　don't。〃
　
　〃Is　it　as　powerful　as　Additive　Magic？〃
　
　〃Subtractive　Magic　is　the　counter　to　Additive。　As　night　is　to　day。　Yet　it　is　all　part　of　the　same　thing。　The　Magic　of　Orden　is　the　magic　of　both；　Additive　and　Subtractive。　It　can　add　to　the　world；　and　it　can　take　the　world　to　nothing。　To　open　the　boxes；　you　must　be　a　master　of　both　magics。　People　never　worried　about　it　ever　happening；　because　no　one　was　ever　able　to　tap　Subtractive　Magic。　But　Darken　Rahl　mands　it　as　easily　as　I　mand　the　Additive。〃
　
　〃And　how　do　you　suppose　that　came　to　be？〃　Richard　asked　with　a　frown。
　
　〃I　have　no　idea。　But　it　troubles　me　greatly。〃
　
　Richard　drew　a　deep　breath。　〃Well；　I　still　think　you　are　getting　worked　up　over　nothing。　All　I　did　was　a　little　trick。〃
　
　Zedd　gave　him　a　serious　glare。　〃If　done　on　a　normal　person；　it　would　have　been　as　you　say。　But　Fm　a　wizard。　I　know　how　the　Wizard's　Rules　work。　You　would　not　have　been　able　to　do　this　to　me；　except　with　magic　of　your　own。　I　have　taught　many　to　be　wizards。　I　have　had　to　teach　them　to　do　what　you　have　done。　They　could　not　do　it　without　learning　it　first。　Once　in　a　great　while；　one　is　born　with　the　gift。　I　was　one　such　as　this。　Richard；　you　have　the　gift　too。　Sooner　or　later　you　will　have　to　learn　to　control　it。〃　He　put　out　his　hand。　〃Now；　give　me　the　knife　so　I　can　rid　myself　of　this　ridiculous　beard。〃
　
　Richard　put　the　knife　handle　in　Zedd's　hand。　〃The　blade　is　dull。　I've　been　digging　roots　with　it。　It's　too　dull　to　shave　with。〃
　
　〃Really？〃　Zedd　pinched　the　edge　of　the　blade　between　his　thumb　and　forefinger；　drawing　them　along　the　length　of　the　knife。　He　turned　the　knife　around　and　held　it　delicately　between　his　thumb　and　two　fingers。　Richard　grimaced　at　him　shaving　dry　With　a　light　stroke；　a　swath　of　beard　fell　away。
　
　〃You　just　used　Subtractive　Magic！　You　made　some　o