tg.wizardfirstrule-第81部分

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　made　his　confession。〃
　
　The　wolf　put　his　paws　over　his　head。　〃Oh；　Mistress；　please！　Must　we？〃
　
　Richard　frowned。　〃What　was　this　‘hobby'？〃
　
　Kahlan's　smile　widened。　〃Brophy　had　a　weakness。　Children。　As　he　traveled　around　in　search　of　things　to　trade；　he　would　stop　at　orphanages　and　see　to　it　they　had　what　they　needed　to　take　care　of　the　children。　All　the　gold　he　made　ended　up　in　different　orphanages；　so　the　children　could　be　cared　for；　and　not　go　hungry。　He　twisted　the　arms　of　the　people　running　the　orphanages；　to　swear　them　to　secrecy。　He　didn't　want　anyone　knowing。　Of　course；　he　didn't　have　to　twist　very　hard。〃　Brophy's　paws　were　still　over　his　head；　and　his　eyes　squeezed　tightly　shut。　〃Mistress；　please；〃　he　whined；　〃I　have　a　reputation。〃　He　opened　his　eyes　and　rose　up　on　his　front　paws。　〃And　a　well　earned　one　at　that！　I've　broken　my　share　of　arms　and　noses！　I've　done　some　pretty　despicable　deeds！〃
　
　Kahlan　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　him。　〃Yes；　you　have。　Some　were　reason　enough　to　get　you　thrown　in　prison　for　a　time。　But　none　were　reason　enough　to　chop　off　your　head。〃　She　looked　back　up　at　Richard。　〃You　see；　since　Brophy　had　been　seen　around　orphanages；　and　because　of　his　reputation；　no　one　was　too　surprised　when　he　was　accused　of　the　murder　of　a　little　boy。〃
　
　〃Demmin　Nass；〃　Brophy　growled。　〃Accused　by　Demmin　Nass。〃　His　lips　curled　back；　showing　his　long　teeth　as　he　growled。
　
　〃Why　didn't　the　people　at　the　orphanages　stand　up　for　you？〃
　
　〃Demmin　Nass；〃　Brophy　growled　again。　〃He　would　have　slit　their　throats。〃
　
　〃Who　is　this　Demmin　Nass？〃
　
　Kahlan　exchanged　a　look　with　the　wolf。　〃Remember　when　Darken　Rahl　came　to　the　Mud　People；　and　he　took　Siddin？　Remember　when　he　said　Siddin　was　a　gift　for　a　friend？　Demmin　Nass　is　that　friend。〃　She　gave　Richard　a　meaningful　look。　〃Demmin　Nass　has　a　very　sick　interest　in　little　boys。〃
　
　Richard　felt　a　stab　of　fear；　and　pain；　for　Siddin；　and　for　Savidlin　and　Weselan。　He　remembered　his　promise　to　try　to　find　their　boy。　He　had　never　felt　so　powerless。
　
　〃If　I　ever　find　him；〃　Brophy　growled　fiercely；　〃I　will　settle　a　few　scores。　He's　not　fit　to　die。　He　must　pay　first　for　the　things　he's　done。〃
　
　〃You　just　stay　away　from　him；〃　Kahlan　warned。　〃He　is　a　dangerous　man。　I　don't　want　you　hurt　any　more　than　you　have　been　already。〃
　
　The　wolf's　yellow　eyes　flared　angrily　at　Kahlan　for　a　moment　before　they　cooled。　〃Yes；　Mistress。〃　He　lay　back　down。　〃I　would　have　faced　the　executioner　with　my　head　held　high；　the　spirits　know　I　may　have　earned　it；　but　not　for　that。　I　would　not　let　them　kill　me　thinking　I　had　done　those　things　to　children。　So　I　demanded　a　Confessor。〃
　
　〃I　didn't　want　to　take　his　confession。〃　Kahlan　picked　up　a　stick　and　pushed　at　the　dirt。　〃I　knew　he　wouldn't　have　requested　a　Confessor　unless　he　was　innocent。　I　talked　to　the　judge；　he　said　that　in　view　of　the　crime；　he　would　not　mute　the　sentence。　It　was　death　or　a　confession。　Brophy　insisted　upon　the　confession。〃　Richard　could　see　the　firelight　reflecting　in　the　wetness　of　her　green　eyes。　〃Afterward；　I　asked　him　to　pick　another　creature　he　would　choose　to　be；　if　he　had　a　choice。　He　chose　a　wolf。　Why　a　wolf；　I　don't　know。〃　She　smiled　a　little。　〃I　guess　it　fits　his　nature。〃
　
　〃Because　wolves　are　honorable　creatures。〃　Richard　smiled。　〃You　haven't　lived　in　the　forest；　you've　lived　among　people。　Wolves　are　very　social　creatures；　have　strong　ties　and　relationships。　They　are　fiercely　protective　of　their　young。　The　whole　pack　will　fight　to　protect　them。　And　all　members　of　the　pack　care　for　the　young。〃
　
　〃You　understand；〃　Brophy　whispered。
　
　〃Really；　Brophy？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress。　I　have　a　good　life；　now。〃　His　tail　swished　back　and　forth。　〃I　have　a　mate！　She's　a　fine　wolf。　She　smells　divine；　and　her　nips　give　me　shivers；　and　she　has　the　cutest　little　。。　。　well；　never　mind。〃　He　looked　up　at　Kahlan。　〃She　is　the　leader　of　our　pack。　With　me　at　her　side；　of　course。　She　is　pleased　with　me。　She　says　I'm　the　strongest　wolf　she　has　ever　seen。　We　had　a　litter；　this　last　spring。　Six。　They're　fine　pups；　almost　grown　now。　It's　a　fine　life；　hard；　but　fine。　Thank　you；　Mistress；　for　releasing　me。〃
　
　〃I'm　so　glad；　Brophy。　But　why　are　you　here？　Why　aren't　you　back　with　your　family？〃
　
　〃Well；　when　you　were　ing　down　out　of　the　Rang'Shada；　you　passed　near　my　den。　I　sensed　your　presence。　I　found　I　could　smell　you。　The　urge　to　protect　you　was　too　strong　to　overe。　I　know　you　are　in　danger；　and　I　can't　be　at　peace　in　my　pack　until　I　know　you're　safe。　I　must　protect　you。〃
　
　〃Brophy；〃　she　protested；　〃we're　fighting　to　stop　Darken　Rahl。　It's　too　dangerous　for　you　to　be　with　us。　I　don't　want　you　to　lose　your　life。　You　have　already　sacrificed　too　much　to　Darken　Rahl；　through　Demmin　Nass。〃
　
　〃Mistress；　when　I　was　changed　to　the　wolf；　it　removed　most　of　my　need　for　you；　my　need　to　please　you。　Yet　I　would　still　die　for　you。　It　is　still　extremely　difficult　for　me　to　go　against　your　wishes。　But　in　this；　I　must。　I　will　not　leave　you　to　danger。　I　must　protect　you；　or　I　could　never　be　at　peace。　mand　me　to　leave　if　you　will；　but　I　will　not　go。　I　will　shadow　you　until　you　are　safe　from　Darken　Rahl。〃
　
　〃Brophy；〃　Richard　said。　The　wolf　looked　over　to　him。　〃I　too　want　Kahlan　protected；　so　she　can　do　her　job　and　help　stop　Rahl。　I　would　be　honored　to　have　you　along。　You　have　already　proven　your　value　and　your　heart。　If　you　can　help　protect　her；　you　just　ignore　what　she　says　and　go　right　on　protecting　her。〃
　
　Brophy　looked　up　at　her。　Kahlan　smiled　at　him。　〃He　is　the　Seeker。　I'm　sworn　on　my　life　to　protect　him；　as　is　Zedd。　If　that　is　his　word；　then　I　must　go　along。〃
　
　Brophy's　muzzle　opened　in　surprise。　〃He　mands　you？　He　mands　the　Mother　Confessor？〃
　
　〃He　does。〃
　
　The　wolf　shook　his　head。　〃Wonder　of　wonders。〃　He　licked　his　lips。　〃By　the　way；　I　would　like　to　thank　you　for　the　food　you　have　left　me。〃
　
　Kahlan　frowned。　〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃
　
　〃Whenever　he　trapped　food；　he　always　left　some　for　me。〃
　
　〃You　did？〃　she　asked。
　
　Richard　shrugged。　〃Well；　I　knew　he　was　out　there；　and　I　didn't　know　what　he　was；　but　I　didn't　think　he　meant　us　harm。　So　I　left　him　food；　to　let　him　know　we　didn't　mean　him　any　harm　either。〃　He　smiled　at　the　wolf。　〃But　when　you　came　at　me　back　there；　I　surely　thought　I　had　made　a　mistake。　Thank　you　again。〃
　
　Brophy　seemed　unfortable　with　the　gratitude；　and　stood。　〃I　have　been　here　long　enough。　I　have　woods　to　patrol。　There　might　be　things　about。　The　three　of　you　need　not　stand　watch　with　Brophy　on　the　job。〃
　
　Richard　pushed　a　stick　at　the　fire；　watching　the　sparks　swirl　into　the　air。　〃Brophy；　what　was　it　like　when　Kahlan　touched　you？　When　she　released　her　power　into　you。〃
　
　No　one　spoke。　Richard　looked　into　the　wolf's　yellow　eyes。　Brophy's　head　turned　to　Kahlan。
　
　〃Tell　him；〃　she　whispered　in　a　broken　voice。
　
　Brophy　lay　back　down；　folding　one　paw　over　the　other；　his　head　held　high。　He　was　silent　for　a　long　time　before　he　spoke
　
　〃It's　hard　to　remember　everything　of　that　time；　but　I　will　try　to　explain　it　the　best　I　can。〃　His　head　cocked　a　little　to　one　side。　〃Pain。　I　remember　the　pain。　It　was　exquisite；　beyond　anything　you　could　imagine。　The　first　thing　I　remember　after　the　pain　is　fear。　Overpowering　fear　I　might　be　breathing　wrong；　and　it　would　somehow　displease　her。　I　almost　died　from　fear　that　I　would　displease　her。　And　then　when　she　told　me　what　she　wanted　to　know；　it　was　a　flush　of　the　greatest　joy　I　had　ever　known。　Joy；　because　then　I　knew　what　I　could　do　to　please　her。　I　was　overjoyed　that　she　had　made　a　request　of　me；　that　there　was　something　I　could　do　to　satisfy　her。　That's　What　I　remember　the　most；　the　desperate；　frantic　need　to　do　as　she　wanted；　to　satisfy　her；　and　make　her　happy。　Nothing　else　was　in　my　mind；　only　to　please　her。　To　be　in　her　presence　was　beyond　bliss。　The　pleasure　of　being　in　her　presence　made　me　cry　with　elation。
　
　〃She　told　me　to　tell　the　truth；　and　I　was　so　happy；　because　I　knew　I　could　do　that。　I　was　thrilled　to　have　a　task　within　my　power。　I　started　talking　as　fast　as　I　could；　to　tell　her　all　the　truth　I　could。　She　had　to　tell　me　to　slow　down；　because　she　couldn't　understand　me。　If　I　had　had　a　knife；　I　would　have　used　it　on　myself　for　displeasing　her。　Then　she　told　me　it　was　all　right；　and　1　cried　because　she　was　not　displeased　with　me。　I　told　her　what　happened。〃　His　ears　wilted　a　little。　〃After　I　told　her　I　hadn't　killed　the　boy；　I　remembered　she　put　her　hand　on　my　arm…the　touch　nearly　made　me　faint　with　pleasure　and　she　said　she　was　sorry。　I　misunderstood。　I　thought　she　meant　she　was　sorry　I　hadn't　killed　the　boy。　I　begged　her　to　let　me　go　kill　another　boy　for　her。〃　Tears　ran　from　the　corners　of　the　wolf's　eyes。　〃Then　she　explained　that　what　she　meant　was　that　she　was　sorry　for　me；　for　me　being　accused　wrongly　of　the　murder。　I　remember　crying　uncontrollably；　because　she　had　shown　me　a　kindness；　she　was　sorry　for　me；　she　cared　for　me。　I　remember　what　it　felt　like　to　be　near　her；　to　be　in　her　presence。　I　guess　it　was　a　feeling　of　love；　but　words　are　so　hollow；　next　to　the　power　of　the　wanting　of　her。〃
　
　Richard　stood。　He　could　only　make　himself　take　the　briefest　of　glances　at　Kahlan；　at　her　tears。　〃Thank　you；　Brophy。〃　He　had　to　pause　a　moment　to　make　sure　his　voice　wouldn't　fail　him。　〃It's　late。　We　better　get　some　sleep；　tomorrow　is　an　important　day。　I'm　going　to　take　my　watch。　Good　night。〃
　
　Brophy　stood。　〃You　three　sleep。　I　will　stand　watch　tonight。〃
　
　Richard　swallowed　the　lump。　〃I　appreciate　that；　but　I　will　stand　my　watch。　If　you　wish；　you　may　guard　my　back。〃
　
　He　turned　and　started　to　leave。
　
　〃Richard；〃　Zedd　called　out　to　him。　Richard　stopped　without　turning。　〃What　bone　is　it；　that　your　father　gave　you？〃
　
　Richard's　mind　raced　in　a　panic。　Please；　Zedd；　he　said　to　himself；　if　you　have　ever　believed　a　lie　I　have　told　you；　believe　this　one。　〃You　must　remember　it。　It　was　that　little　round　one。　You've　seen　it　before；　I　know　you　have。〃
　
　〃Oh。　Yes；　I　guess　I　must　have。　Good　night。〃
　
　Wizard's　First　Rule。　Thank　you；　my　old　friend；　he　thought　to　himself；　for　teaching　me　how　to　protect　Kahlan's　life。
　
　He　walked　on　into　the　night；　his　head　pounding　with　pain；　from　without；　and　from　within
　
　CHAPTER　39
　THE　city　of　TAMARANG　couldn't　hold　all　the　people　who　wanted　in；　there　were　simply　too　many。　People　ing　from　every　direction；　seeking　protection　and　safety；　had　overflowed　to　the　countryside　around　the　established　quarters。　Tents　and　shacks　had　sprung　up　on　the　bare　ground　outside　the　city　walls　and　out　onto　the　hills。　In　the　morning；　people　had　flowed　down　from　the　hills　into　the　impromptu　market　quarter　outside　the　walls。　People　who　had　e　from　other　towns；　villages；　and　cities　lined　up　in　streets　laid　out　in　haphazard　fashion　at　makeshift　stands；　selling　whatever　they　had。　Vendors　sold　everything　from　old　clothes　to　fine　jewelry。　Fruits　and　vegetables　were　stacked　at　other　stands。
　
　There　were　barbers　and　healers　and　fortune…tellers；　people　who　had　paper　…and　wanted　to　draw　your　face；　and　people　who　had　leeches　and　wanted　to　draw　your　blood。　Wine　and　spirits　were　for　sale　everywhere。　Despite　the　circumstances　of　their　presence；　the　people　seemed　in　a　festive　mood。　The　imagined　protection　and　ample　supply　of　drink；　Richard　suspected。　Talk　floated　freely　of　the　wonders　of　Father　Rahl。　Speakers　stood　at　the　center　of　small　knots　of　citizens；　telling　the　latest　news；　the　latest　atrocities。　The　tattered　folk　moaned　and　wailed　at　the　outrages　done　by　the　Westlanders。　There　were　cries　for　vengeance。
　
　Richard　didn't　see　a　single　woman　with　hair　past　her　jaw　line。
　
　The　castle　proper　sat　at　the　top　of　a　high　hill；　within　its　own　walls；　within　the　walls　of　the　city。　Red　banners　with　a　black　wolf's　head　flew　at　evenly　spaced　intervals　around　the　formidable　castle　walls。　The　huge　wooden　doors　at　the　outer　city　walls　stood　closed。　To　keep　the　riffraff　at　bay；　it　appeared。
　
　Patrols　of　soldiers　prowled　the　streets　on　horseback；　their　。armor　glinting　in　the　noonday　sun；　specks　of　light　in　an　ocean　of　noisy　people。　Richard　saw　one　detachment；　red　banners　with　black　wolf's　head　flying　over　them；　as　they　swept　through　the　new　streets。　Some　people　cheered；　some　bowed；　but　all　backed　away　as　the　horses　passed。　The　soldiers　ignored　them；…as　if　they　didn't　exist。　People　who　didn't　move　out　of　the　way　quick　enough　got　a　boot　to　the　head。
　
　But　none　of　the　people　moved　out　of　the　way　of　the　soldiers　the　way　they　moved　out　of　the　way　for　Kahlan。　People　backed　away　from　the　Mother　Confessor　the　way　a　pack　of　dogs　backs　away　from　a　porcupine。
　
　Her　white　dress　shone　in　the　bright　sun。　Back　straight；　head　held　high；　she　walked　as　if　she　owned　the　whole　city。　She　kept　her　eyes　straight　ahead；　and　acknowledged　no　one。　She　had　refused　to　wear　her　cloak；　saying　it　wouldn't　be　proper；　and　that　she　wanted　there　to　be　no　doubt　as　to　who　she　was。　There　was　no　doubt。
　
　People　fell　over　each　other　getting　out　of　her　way。　Everyone　bowed　in　a　wave　in　the　wide　circle　around　her　as　she　passed。　Hushed　whispers　carried　Kahlan's　title　back　through　the　throng。　Kahlan　didn't　acknowledge　the　bows。
　
　Zedd；　wearing　Kahlan's　pack　for　her；　walked　at　Richard's　side；　two　paces　behind　her。　Both　his　and　Richard's　eyes　swept　the　crowds。　In　all　the　time　he　had　known　Zedd；　Richard　had　never　seen　him　wear　a　pack。　To　say　it　looked　odd　would　be　an　understatement。　Richard　kept　his　cloak　hooked　back　behind　the　Sword　of　Truth。　It　raised　a　few　eyebrows；　but　nothing　like　the　Mother　Confessor　did。
　
　〃Is　it　like　this　everywhere　she　goes？〃　Richard　whispered　to　Zedd
　
　〃I'm　afraid　so；　my　boy。〃
　
　Without　hesitation；　Kahlan　walked　smoothly　over　the　massive　stone　bridge　to　the　city　gates。　Guards　at　the　near　end　of　the　bridge　fell　back　out　of　her　way。　She　ignored　them。　Richard　surveyed　everything；　in　case　he　needed　to　find　a　fast　way　out。
　
　The　two　dozen　guards　at　the　city　gates　were　obviously　under　instruction　to　allow　no　one　to　enter。　The　guards；　who　had　been　standing　at　attention；　looked　nervously　at　each　other；　they　hadn't　expected　a　visit　from　the　Mother　Confessor。　With　a　clank　of　metal　against　metal；　some　of　them　moved　back；　bumping　into　each　other；　and　some　didn't；　not　knowing　what　to　do。　Kahlan　stopped；　she　stared　ahead　at　the　gates　as　if　she　expected　them　to　evaporate　out　of　her　way。　The　guards　in　front　of　her　pressed　their　backs　against　the　gates　as　they　looked　sideways　to　their　captain。
　
　Zedd　stepped　around　Kahlan；　turned　to　her；　bowed　deeply；　as　if　to　excuse　himself　for　stepping　in　front　of　her；　then　turned　to　the　captain。
　
　〃What's　the　matter　with　you？　Are　you　blind；　man？　Open　the　gates！〃
　
　The　captain's　dark　eyes　shifted　between　Kahlan　and　Zedd。　〃I'm　sorry；　but　no　one　is　to　enter。　And　your　name　is　。　。　。〃
　
　Zedd's　face　turned　bright　red；　Richard　had　to　work　at　keeping　his　own　face　straight。　The　wizard's　voice　was　a　low　hiss。　〃Are　you　telling　me；　Captain；　that　you　were　told　‘If　the　Mother　Confessor　es　by；　don't　let　her　in'？〃
　
　The　captain's　eyes　looked　less　sure。　〃Well　。。。　I　was　ordered　。　。　。　I'm　not　。　。　。〃
　
　〃Open　the　gates　right　now！〃　Zedd　bellowed；　fists　at　his　side。　〃And　get　a　proper　escort　here　this　inst