tg.wizardfirstrule-第80部分

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　〃No；　you　will　not　be　her　wizard！　Darken　Rahl　is　killing　people　as　we　speak；　looking　for　you。　If　you　remove　the　wizard's　web；　let　them　know　who　you　are；　we'll　have　trouble　down　around　our　ears　before　we　can　get　away　with　the　box。　Who　。knows　what　reward　there　is　on　your　wrinkled　hide。　You　will　be　her　protection；　but　you　will　be　anonymous　protection。　You　will　be　。　。　。　〃　Richard　tapped　the　sword　hilt；　thinking。　His　eyes　came　back　down。　〃You　will　be　a　cloud　reader。　A　trusted　advisor　to　the　Mother　Confessor　in　the　absence　of　a　wizard。〃　Richard　frowned　slightly　at　Zedd's　grumble。　〃I'm　sure　you　know　how　to　play　the　part。〃
　
　〃Then　you　will　hide　your　sword；　your　identity；　from　her　as　well？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　〃No。　The　presence　of　the　…Seeker　will　give　her　pause；　something　else　to　worry　about；　something　to　keep　her　fangs　in　her　mouth　until　we're　away。　The　whole　point　is　to　give　her　something　she's　familiar　with；　a　Confessor；　so　as　not　to　raise　an　alarm。　At　the　same　time；　give　her　something　to　keep　her　worried；　a　cloud　reader　and　the　Seeker；　so　she　would　rather　be　rid　of　us　than　find　out　what　sort　of　trouble　we　might　be　able　to　cause。　The　way　you　two　want　to　do　it　gets　us　in　a　fight；　a　fight　where　one　or　all　of　us　could　be　hurt。　My　way　puts　us　at　minimum　risk　of　a　fight；　and　if　it　es；　at　least　it　will　be　when　we're　on　our　way　out　with　the　box。〃　He　gave　each　of　them　a　stern　look。　〃You　do　remember　the　box；　don'　you？　In　case　you've　forgotten；　that　is　what　we're　after；　not　Giller's　head　in　a　basket。　Whose　side　he's　on　is　not　an　issue。　We　must　only　get　the　box；　no　more。〃
　
　Kahlan　folded　her　arms　with　a　frown；　Zedd　rubbed　his　chin　while　he　looked　into　the　fire。　Richard　let　them　mull　it　over　for　a　while。　He　knew　that　the　way　they　wanted　to　do　it　was　sure　to　cause　trouble；　and　that　soon　enough　they　would　both　realize　it。
　
　Zedd　turned　back　to　him。　〃Of　course　you　are　right。　I　agree。〃　His　thin　face　turned　to　Kahlan。　〃Mother　Confessor？〃
　
　She　studied　Zedd's　face　a　moment　before　looking　up　at　Richard。　〃Agreed。　But　Richard；　the　two　of　you　will　have　to　play　the　part　of　courtiers　to　the　Mother　Confessor。　Zedd　knows　the　protocol；　but　you　don't。〃
　
　〃I　hope　not　to　be　there　long。　Just　tell　me　what　I　need　to　know　to　get　by　for　a　short　time。〃
　
　Kahlan　drew　a　deep　breath。　〃Well；　I　guess　the　most　important　thing　is　to　look　like　you　are　part　of　my　escort；　be　。　。　。　respectful。〃　She　cleared　her　throat；　diverting　her　eyes。　〃Just　pretend　like　I　am　the　most　important　person　you　have　ever　been　around；　and　treat　me　in　that　manner；　and　no　one　will　question。　Every　Confessor　allows　her　attendants　different　liberties；　and　as　long　as　you　are　deferential；　no　one　will　think　anything　of　it　if　you　should　happen　to　do　something　not　quite　proper。　Even　if　you　think　my　behavior　。　。　。　odd；　just　play　along。　All　right？〃
　
　Richard　watched　her　a　moment　while　she　studied　the　ground。　He　rose　to　his。　feet。　〃It　would　be　my　honor；　Mother　Confessor。〃　He　gave　a　bow。
　
　Zedd　cleared　his　throat。　〃A　little　deeper；　my　boy。　You　are　not　traveling　with　a　mere　Confessor。　You　are　an　escort　to　the　Mother　Confessor　herself。〃　〃All　right；〃　Richard　sighed。　〃I'll　do　my　best。　Now；　get　some　sleep。　I'll　take　first　watch。〃　He　started　walking　toward　the　trees。
　
　〃Richard；〃　Zedd　called　after　him。　He　stopped；　turning　back。　〃There　are　many　in　the　Midlands　who　have　magic。　Many　different；　and　dangerous；　types　of　magic。　There。　is　no　telling　what　manner　of　sycophants　Queen　Milena　has　surrounded　herself　with。　You　pay　attention　to　what　Kahlan　and　I　tell　you；　and　do　your　best　not　to　cross　anyone。　You　may　not　know　who；　or　what；　her　attendants　are。〃
　
　Richard　drew　his　cloak　around　himself。　〃In　and　out　with　minimum　fuss。　That's　what　I　want　too。　If　all　goes　well；　tomorrow　at　this　time　we　will　have　the　box　and　our　only　worry　will　be　to　find　a　hole　to　hide　in　until　winter。〃
　
　〃Good。　You　have　it　right；　my　boy。　Good　night。〃
　
　In　a　spot　thin　of　brush；　Richard　found　a　moss…covered　log　to　sit　on　while　he　kept　an　eye　toward　the　camp　and　the　surrounding　woods。　He　checked　to　make　sure。；　the　moss　was　dry。　He　didn't　want　to　sit　in　damp　moss　and　then　have　wet　pants　to　make　him　colder。　The　moss　was　dry；　so　he　rearranged　his　sword；　sat　down；　and　wrapped　his　cloak　tight。　Clouds　hid　the　moon。　If　it　wasn't　for　the　fire　lending　the　little　illumination　it　did　to　the　surrounding　woods；　it　would　be　the　kind　of　dark　that　made　you　think　you　were　blind。
　
　Richard　sat　and　brooded。　He　didn't　like　the　idea　of　Kahlan　having　to　put　on　the　dress　and　put　herself　at　risk。　He　liked　it　less　that　it　was　his　own　idea。　He　wondered；　and　worried；　at　what　she　meant　about　her　acting　〃odd；〃　and　his　playing　along。　He　wondered；　and　worried　even　more　at　what　she　had　said　about　pretending　she　was　the　most　important　person　he　had　ever　been　around。　He　liked　that　not　at　all。　He　always　pictured　Kahlan　in　his　mind　as　his　friend；　at　the　least。　He　didn't　like　to　picture　her　as　the　Mother　Confessor。　It　was　Confessor's　magic　that　made　it　impossible　for　them　to　be　more　than　friends。　He　was　afraid　to　see　her　as　others　saw　her；　as　the　Mother　Confessor。　Any　reminder　of　what　she　was；　her　magic；　only　brought　the　hurt　deeper　into　his　heart。
　
　It　was　the　smallest　of　sounds　that　made　him　sit　bolt　upright。
　
　The　eyes　were　on　him。　They　were　close；　and　though　he　couldn't　see　them；　he　could　feel　them。　The　knowledge　that　some…　thing　was　close；　watching　him；　sent　a　chill　across　his　skin。　It　made　him　feel　naked。　Vulnerable。
　
　His　eyes　were　wide；　his　heart　pounding；　as　he　looked　straight　ahead　to　where　he　knew　the　thing　was。　The　silence；　except　for　his　heart　beating　in　his　ears；　was　oppressive。　Richard　held　his　breath；　trying　to　hear。
　
　Again　came　the　soft　sound　of　a　foot　being　lowered　stealthily　to　the　forest　floor。　It　was　ing　toward　him。　Richard's　wide　eyes　stared　frantically　into　the　blackness；　trying　to　see　a　movement。
　
　It　was　no　more　than　ten　paces　away　when　the　yellow　eyes　inched　into　view；　hunkered　low　to　the　ground。　The　eyes　were　glowering　right　at　him。　The　thing　stopped。　He　held　his　breath。
　
　With　a　howl；　it　sprang。　Richard　jumped　to　his　feet；　his　hand　going　for　the　sword。　When　it　bounded　into　the　air；　Richard　saw　that　it　was　a　wolf。　The　biggest　wolf　he　had　ever　seen。　It　was　to　him　before　his　hand　even　reached　the　hilt。　The　wolf's　front　paws　hit　his　chest　square。　The　powerful　impact　drove　him　backward　over　the　log　he　had　been　sitting　on。
　
　As　he　fell　backward；　his　breath　knocked　from　him；　he　saw　behind　him　something　more　frightening　than　the　wolf。
　
　A　heart　hound。
　
　The　huge　jaws　snapped　at　his　chest　just　as　the　wolf　reached　the　heart　hound　and　went　for　its　throat。
　
　Richard's　head　hit　something　hard。　He　heard　a　yelp　and　the　sound　of　teeth　ripping　tendon。　Everything　went　black。
　
　His　eyes　opened。　Zedd　was　looking　down　at　him；　and　had　a　middle　finger　to　each　side　of　Richard's　forehead。　Kahlan　was　holding　a　torch。　He　felt　dizzy；　but　stood　anyway　on　wobbly　legs；　until　Kahlan　made　him　sit　on　the　log。
　
　With　a　frown　of　concern；　she　stroked　her　fingers　on　his　face。　〃Are　you　all　right？〃
　
　〃I　think　so；〃　he　managed。　〃My　head　。　。　。　it　hurts。〃　He　thought　he　might　throw　up。
　
　Zedd　took　the　torch　from　Kahlan　and　held　it　behind　the　log；　casting　light　on　the　body　of　a　heart　hound；　its　throat　ripped　out。　Zedd　looked　down　at　Richard's　sword；　still　in　its　sheath。
　
　〃How　is　it　the　hound　didn't　have　you？〃
　
　Richard　felt　the　back　of　his　head；　it　hurt　like　daggers　twisting
　
　〃I　。　。　。　don't　know。　It　all　happened　so　fast。〃　Then　he　remembered；　like　a　dream　when　waking。　He　stood　up　again。　〃A　wolf！　It　was　a　wolf　that　has　been　following　us。〃
　
　Kahlan　stepped　closer　and　put　an　arm　around　his　waist　to　steady　him。　〃A　wolf？〃　The　odd　tone　of　suspicion　in　her　voice　made　him　look　to　her　narrowed　eyes。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　
　Richard　nodded。　〃I　was　sitting　here；　and　then　all　of　a　sudden　I　knew　it　was　watching　me。　It　came　closer；　and　I　saw　its　yellow　eyes。　Then　it　leapt　at　me。　I　thought　it　was　attacking。　It　knocked　me　flat；　right　over　the　log。　I　never　even　had　time　to　draw　the　sword；　it　was　so　fast。　But　it　wasn't　attacking　me。　It　was　going　for　the　heart　hound　behind　me；　protecting　me。　I　never　even　saw　the　heart　hound　until　I　was　falling　backward。　It　must　have　killed　the　hound。　That　wolf　saved　my　life。〃
　
　Kahlan　straightened　herself　and　put　her　fists　on　her　hips。　〃Brophy！〃　she　called　into　the　darkness。　〃Brophy！　I　know　you're　out　there。　e　here　this　instant！〃
　
　The　wolf　trotted　into　the　torchlight　with　its　head　down　and　its　tail　between　its　legs。　Its　thick　fur　was　a　charcoal　color　from　the　tip　of　its　nose　to　the　tip　of　its　tail。　Fierce　yellow　eyes　glowed　from　its　dark　head。　The　wolf　dropped　to　its　belly　and　crawled　to　Kahlan's　feet。　Once　there；　it　rolled　onto　its　back　with　paws　in　the　air；　and　whined。
　
　〃Brophy！〃　she　admonished。　〃Have　you　been　following　us？〃
　
　〃Only　to　protect　you；　Mistress。〃
　
　Richard's　jaw　dropped。　He　wondered　how　hard　he　had　been　hit　on　the　head。　〃He　can　talk！　I　heard　him！　That　wolf　can　talk！〃
　
　Zedd　and　Kahlan　both　looked　up　at　his　wide　eyes。　Zedd　glanced　at　her。　〃I　thought　you　said　you　told　him。〃
　
　Kahlan　winced　a　little。　〃Well；　I　guess　I　didn't　remember　to　tell　him　everything。〃　She　frowned　at　Zedd。　〃It's　hard　to　remember　everything　he　doesn't　know。　We　have　lived　it　our　whole　lives。　You　just　forget　he　hasn't。〃　；
　
　〃e　on；〃　Zedd　grumbled。　〃Let's　go　back　to　the　camp。　All　of　us。〃
　
　The　wizard　led　them　with　the　torch；　Kahlan　following；　the　wolf　slinking　along　at　her　side；　ears　lowered；　tail　dragging　the　ground
　
　When　they　sat　around　the　fire；　Richard　addressed　the　wolf　as　it　sat　on　its　haunches　next　to　Kahlan。　〃Wolf；　I　guess　。　。　。〃
　
　〃Brophy。　The　name's　Brophy。〃
　
　Richard　sat　back　a　little。　〃Brophy。　Sorry。　My　name　is　Richard；　and　this　is　Zedd。　Brophy；　I　would　like　to　thank　you　for　saving　my　life。〃
　
　〃Don't　mention　it；〃　he　growled。
　
　〃Brophy；〃　Kahlan　said　in　a　disapproving　voice；　〃what　are　you　doing　here？〃
　
　The　wolf's　ears　flattened。　〃There　is　danger　for　you。　I　have　been　protecting　you。〃
　
　〃You　have　been　released；〃　she　scolded。
　
　〃Was　that　you；　last　night？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　Brophy　regarded　him　with　yellow　eyes。　〃Yes。　Whenever　you　camped；　I　cleared　the　area　of　heart　hounds。　And　a　few　other　nasty　things。　Last　night；　close　to　morning；　one　came　near　to　your　camp。　I　took　care　of　it。　This　hound　tonight　was　hunting　you。　He　could　hear　your　heart　beating。　I　knew　Mistress　Kahlan　would　be　unhappy　if　he　ate　you；　so　I　kept　him　from　doing　it。〃
　
　Richard　swallowed　hard。　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said　in　a　weak　voice。
　
　〃Richard；〃　Zedd　asked；　rubbing　his　chin；　〃the　hounds　are　underworld　beasts。　They　haven't　bothered　you　up　until　now。　What's　changed？〃
　
　Richard　almost　choked。　〃Well；　Adie　gave　Kahlan　a　bone　to　carry；　to　get　us　through　the　boundary；　and　to　protect　us　from　underworld　beasts。　I　had　an　old　bone；　that　my　father　gave　me；　and　Adie　said　it　would　do　the　same　thing。　But　I　lost　it　a　day　or　two　ago。〃
　
　Zedd's　face　was　wrinkled　up　in　thought。　Richard　looked　to　the　wolf；　hoping　to　change　the　subject。　〃How　e　you　can　talk？〃
　
　Brophy　drew　his　long　tongue　around　his　lips。　〃Same　reason　you　can　talk。　I　can　talk　because　。。。〃　He　looked　up　at　Kahlan。　〃You　mean　he　doesn't　know　what　I　am？〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　look；　and　he　sank　to　the　ground；　resting　his　head　on　his　paws。
　
　Kahlan　locked　her　fingers　around　a　knee；　clicking　her　thumbnails　together。　〃Richard；　do　you　remember　when　I　told　you　that　sometimes；　when　we　took　a　confession；　the　person　turned　out　to　be　innocent？　And　once　in　a　great　while；　one　who　was　to　be　executed　would　ask　to　give　a　confession　so　as　to　prove　his　innocence？〃　Richard　nodded。　She　cast　an　eye　to　the　wolf。　〃Brophy　was　to　be　executed　for　killing　a　little　boy　。　。　。　。〃
　
　〃I　don't　kill　children；〃　the　wolf　growled；　ing　to　his　feet。
　
　〃Do　you　wish　to　tell　the　story？〃
　
　The　wolf　sank　back　down。　〃No；　Mistress。〃
　
　〃Brophy　would　have　rather　been　touched　by　a　Confessor's　power　than　be　thought　a　child　killer。　Not　to　mention　what　else　was　done　to　that　little　boy。　He　requested　a　Confessor。　It's　something　done　only　rarely…most　men　choose　the　executioner…but　it　meant　that　much　to　him。　I　told　you　we　have　a　wizard　with　us；　when　we　take　confessions。　One　reason　is　for　protection；　but　there　is　another　reason。　In　a　case　like　this；　where　the　person　is　unjustly　accused；　and　found　to　be　innocent；　he　is　still　left　touched　by　our　power；　he　cannot　be　returned　to　who　he　was。　So；　the　wizard　changes　him　to　something　else。　The　changing　takes　away　some　of　the　magic；　of　the　Confessor；　and　gives　him　enough　concern　for　himself　to　start　over　with　a　new　life。〃
　
　Richard　was　incredulous。　〃You　were　innocent？　And　yet　you　are　to　be　left　like　this？　For　life？〃
　
　〃pletely　innocent；〃　Brophy　confirmed。
　
　〃Brophy。〃　Kahlan　spoke　his　name　in　a　rising　tone　Richard　was　familiar　with。
　
　The　wolf　sank　back　down。　〃Of　killing　that　boy。〃　His　cowering　eyes　looked　up　at　Kahlan　as　she　watched　him。　〃That's　all　I　meant。　Innocent　of　killing　that　boy。〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃What　does　that　mean？〃
　
　Kahlan　looked　over　to　him。　〃It　…means　that　when　he　gave　his　confession；　he　confessed　to　other　things　he　was　not　accused　of。　You　see；　Brophy　had　been　engaged　in　occupations　of　a　dubious　nature。〃　She　glanced　down　at　the　wolf。　〃At　the　gray　edges　of　law。〃
　
　〃I　was　an　honest　businessman；〃　the　wolf　protested。
　
　Kahlan　cast　an　eye　toward　Brophy　while　she　spoke　to　Richard。　〃Brophy　was　a　trader。〃
　
　〃My　father　was　a　trader；〃　Richard　said；　his　anger　rising。
　
　〃I　don't　know　what　traders　in　Westland　trade；　but　in　the　Midlands；　some　traders　deal　in　things　of　magic。〃　Richard　thought　about　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。　〃So　what？〃
　
　Kahlan　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　him。　〃Some　of　them　happen　to　be　alive　at　the　time。〃
　
　Brophy　rose　up　on　his　front　paws。　〃How　am　I　to　tell？　You　can't　always　tell。　Sometimes；　you　think　something　is　just　an　artifact；　like　a　book；　that　a　collector　will　pay　handsomely　for。　Sometimes　it's　something　more；　a　stone；　a　statue；　or　a　staff；　or　perhaps　a　。　。　。　Well；　how　am　I　to　know　if　they　are　alive？〃　。
　
　Kahlan　still　had　her　eye　on　the　wolf。　〃You　traded　things　of　magic　other　than　books　and　statues；〃　she　scolded。　〃In　this　innocent　business　of　his；　he　would　also　get　himself　into　disagreements　with　people。　Disagreements　such　as　rights　of　ownership。　When　Brophy　was　a　man；　he　was　as　big　for　a　man　as　he　is　for　a　wolf。　He　sometimes　used　his　size　to　‘persuade'　people　to　do　as　he　wished。　Is　this　not　true；　Brophy？〃
　
　The　wolf's　ears　wilted。　〃It's　true；　Mistress。　I　have　a　temper。　A　temper　as　big　as　my；　muscles。　But　it　only　came　out　when　I　was　wronged。　A　lot　of　people　think　they　can　cheat　traders；　they　think　we　are　little　more　than　thieves　and　will　not　stand　up　for　ourselves。　When　I　settled　disagreements　with　my　temper；　they　tended　to。　stay　settled。〃
　
　Kahlan　gave　the　wolf　a　little　smile。　〃Brophy　had　a　reputation　that；　although　not　unearned；　was　larger　than　the　truth。〃　She　looked　up　at　Richard。　〃The　business　he　was　in　was　dangerous；　and　therefore　very　profitable。　Brophy　made　enough　money　at　it　to　support　his　‘hobby。'　Almost　no　one　knew　about　it　until　after　I　touched　him；　and　he　m