tg.wizardfirstrule-第84部分

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　Richard's　thoughts　swirled　desperately　through　his　head　as　he　walked　woodenly　next　to　Zedd；　following　Kahlan　through　all　the　bowing　people　and　out　of　the　city。　What　were　they　going　to　do　now？　Shota　had　warned　him　that　the　Queen　wouldn't　have　the　box　for　long。　She　had　been　right。　Where　could　it　be　now？　He　certainly　couldn't　go　back　and　ask　Shota　where　it　was。　Who　could　Giller　have　given　the　box　to？　How　were　they　going　to　find　it？　He　felt　desperately　depressed。　He　felt　like　giving　up。　He　could　tell　by　the　slump　in　Kahlan's　shoulders　that　she　felt　the　same　way。。　Neither　of　them　spoke。　The　only　one　talking　was　Siddin；　and　Richard　couldn't　understand　him
　
　〃What's　he　saying？〃　he　asked　Zedd。
　
　〃He　says　he　has　been　being　brave；　just　as　Kahlan　had　told　him；　but　he　is　glad　that　Richard　With　The　Temper　has　e　to　take　him　home。〃
　
　〃I　guess　I　know　how　he　feels。　Zedd；　what　are　we　going　to　do　now？〃
　
　Zedd　gave　him　a　puzzled　look。　〃　IOW　should　I　know？　You're　the　Seeker。〃
　
　Great。　He　had　just　done　his　best；　and　they　still　didn't　have　the　box；　but　he　was　expected；　somehow；　to　find　it。　He　felt　as　if　he　had　run　square　into　a　wall　he　hadn't　known　was　there。　They　kept　walking；　but　he　didn't　know　where　to　go　next。　；
　
　The　setting　sun　was　golden　among　golden　clouds。　Richard　thought　he　could　see　something　ahead　in　the　distance。　He　moved　up　and　walked　next　to　Kahlan。　She　was　watching　it；　too。　All　the　people　had　disappeared　from　the　road　for　the　night。
　
　It　wasn't　long　before　he　knew　what　it　was。　It　was　four　horses　galloping　toward　them。　Only　one　had　a　rider
　
　CHAPTER　40
　RICHARD　TOUCHED　THE　HILT　of　the　sword　for　reassurance　as　he　watched　the　four　horses　raising　a　cloud　of　dust　that　turned　golden　in　the　setting　sun。　Soon　the　sound　of　thundering　hooves　reached　him。　The　lone　rider　bent　over　his　mount；　urging　him　on。　Richard　lifted　the　sword　a　little　in　its　scabbard；　checking　that　it　was　clear；　then　let　it　drop　back。　As　the　darkly　clad　rider　approached；　Richard　realized　he　looked　familiar。
　
　〃Chase！〃
　
　The　boundary　warden　brought　the　horses　to　a　skidding　halt　in　front　of　them。　He　looked　down　as　the　dust　drifted　away。　〃You　all　look　to　be　well。〃
　
　〃Chase；　is　it　ever　good　to　see　you！〃　Richard　grinned。　〃How　did　you　find　us？〃
　
　He　looked　insulted。　〃I'm　a　boundary　warden。〃　He　thought　that　was　explanation　enough。　〃Find　what　you　were　after？〃
　
　〃No；〃　Richard　admitted　with　a　sigh。　He　saw　little　arms　clutching　at　Chase's　sides。　A　little　face　peeked　around　the　black　cloak。　〃Rachel？　Is　that　you？〃
　
　Her　face　came　farther　out；　a　grin　spreading　on　it。　〃Richard！　I'm　so　happy　to　see　you　again。　Isn't　Chase　wonderful？　He　fought　a　gar　and　saved　me　from　being　eaten。〃
　
　〃Didn't　fight　him；〃　Chase　grumbled。　〃Just　put　a　bolt　through　his　head；　that's　all。〃
　
　〃But　you　would　have。　You're　the　bravest　man　I　ever　saw。〃
　
　With　a　pained　frown；　Chase　rolled　his　eyes。　〃Isn't　she　just　about　the　ugliest　child　you　have　ever　seen？〃　He　leaned　around　and　looked　at　her。　〃I　can't　believe　a　gar　would　even　want　to　eat　you。〃
　
　Rachel　giggled　and　hugged　her　arms　to　his　sides。　〃Look；　Richard。〃　She　put　a　foot　out　toward　him；　showing　off　a　shoe。　〃Chase　brought　down　a　buck。　He　said　it　was　a　mistake；　because　it　was　too　big；　so　he　traded　it　to　a　man；　but　all　the　man　had　to　trade　were　these　shoes；　and　this　cloak。　Aren't　they　wonderful？　And　Chase　says　I　can　keep　them。〃
　
　Richard　grinned　at　her。　〃Yes；　that　is　indeed　wonderful。〃　He　noticed　Rachel's　doll　and　the　bundle　with　the　bread　nestled　between　her　and　Chase。　He　also　noticed　her　eyes　going　to　Siddin；　as　if　she　had　seen　him　before。
　
　Kahlan　put　a　hand　on　Rachel's　leg。　〃Why　did　you　run　off？　You　scared　us　with　worry　for　you。〃
　
　Rachel　flinched　at　Kahlan's　touch。　She　hugged　one　arm　to　Chase　and　thrust　a　hand　in　her　pocket。　She　didn't　answer　Kahlan's　question；　but　looked　instead　toward　Siddin。　〃Why　do　you　have　him？〃
　
　〃Kahlan　rescued　him；〃　Richard　said。　〃The　Queen　had　him　locked　up　in　the　dungeon。　That's　no　place　for　a　child；　so　she　took　him　out。〃
　
　Rachel　looked　down　at　Kahlan。　〃Wasn't　the　Queen　mad？〃
　
　〃I　don't　allow　anyone　to　hurt　children；〃　Kahlan　said。　〃Not　even　a　queen。〃
　
　〃Well；　don't　just　stand　there　staring。　I　brought　you　all　horses。　Mount　up。　I　figured　I'd　catch　you　today。　I　have　a　wild　boar　roasting　back　at　the　place　you　stayed　last　night；　just　this　side　of　the　Callisidrin。〃
　
　With　one　hand　on　the　saddle　and　the　other　arm　holding　Siddin；　Zedd　leapt　to　a　horse。　〃Wild　boar！　What　kind　of　fool　are　you？　Leaving　a　wild　boar　roasting　unprotected！　Anyone　could　just　e　along　and　take　it！〃　〃Why　do　you　think　I　want　you　to　hurry？　The　place　is　filthy　with　wolf　tracks；　though　I　doubt　they'd　e　near　a　fire。〃
　
　〃Don't　you　dare　hurt　that　wolf；〃　Zedd　warned。　〃He's　a　friend　of　the　Mother　Confessor。〃
　
　Chase　cast　an　eye　to　Kahlan；　then　to　Richard；　before　turning　his　horse　and　leading　them　into　the　setting　sun。　Richard　was　heartened　by　having　Chase　back。　It　made　him　feel；　once　again；　that　anything　was　possible。　After　she　had　mounted；　Kahlan　took　Siddin；　the　two　of　them　talking　and　laughing　as　they　rode。
　
　At　the　camp；　Zedd　wasted　no　time　before　checking　the　roasting　boar；　and　pronounced　it　fit　to　eat。　He　shifted　his　robes　and　sat　down；　waiting　with　a　grin　on　his　wrinkled　face　for　someone　with　a　knife　to　carve　dinner。　Siddin；　with　a　grin　frozen　on　his　face；　too；　leaned　against　Kahlan　after　she　sat　down。　Richard　and　Chase　started　carving　up　the　boar。　Rachel　sat　close　to　Chase's　side；　watching　him；　keeping　an　eye　to　Kahlan；　her　doll　in　her　lap；　and　the　loaf　of　bread；　wrapped　in　the　cloth；　at　her　hip。
　
　Richard　cut　a　big　piece　and　handed　it　to　Zedd。　〃So；　what　happened？　With　my　brother；　I　mean。〃
　
　Chase　grinned。　〃When　I　told　him　the　things　you　told　me　to　tell　him；　he　said　that　if　you　were　in　trouble；　he　was　going　to　help。　He　pulled　together　the　army；　and　we　sent　most　of　them　into　defensive　positions　along　the　boundary；　with　the　wardens　manding　them。　After　the　boundary　came　down　he　refused　to　wait　behind。　He　led　a　thousand　of　his　best　men　into　the　Midlands。　They're　all　bivouacked　up　in　the　Rang'Shada　right　now；　waiting　to　help　you。〃
　
　Richard　had　stopped　carving；　frozen　in　astonishment。　〃Really？　My　brother　said　that？　He　came　to　help？　And　with　an　army？〃
　
　Chase　nodded。　〃He　said　if　you're　in　this；　then　he　is　too。〃
　
　Richard　felt　a　pang　of　regret　that　he　had　doubted　Michael；　and　elation　that　his　brother　would　drop　everything　to　e　help。　〃He　wasn't　angry？〃
　
　〃I　thought　sure　he　would　be；　and　give　me　grief　over　this；　but　he　only　wanted　to　know　about　you；　what　risk　you　were　at；　and　where　you　were。　He　said　he　knew　you；　and　if　you　thought　it　was　this　important；　then　he　did　too。　He　offered　to　e　along；　but　I　wouldn't　let　him。　He's　with　his　men；　probably　waiting　in　his　tent　right　now；　pacing　back　and　forth。　I　have　to　tell　you；　it　surprised　me　too。〃
　
　Richard's　eyes　were　wide　in　wonder。　〃My　brother　and　a　thousand　of　his　men；　in　the　Midlands；　e　to　help　me。〃　He　looked　at　Kahlan。　〃Isn't　that　wonderful？〃　She　only　smiled　at　him。
　
　Chase　gave　him　a　stern　look　while　he　carved。　〃For　a　while；　I　thought　you　were　finished；　when　I　saw　your　trail　going　into　Agaden　Reach。〃
　
　Richard　looked　up。　〃You　went　into　the　Reach？〃
　
　〃Do　I　look　stupid？　You　don't　bee　head　of　the　boundary　wardens　by　being　stupid。　I　started　thinking　of　how　I　was　going　to　tell　Michael　you　were　dead。　Then　I　found　your　trail　ing　out　of　the　Reach。〃　His　brow　wrinkled　together。　〃How　did　you　manage　to　e　out　of　the　Reach　alive？〃
　
　Richard　gave　him　a　grin。　〃I　think　the　good　spirits　。。。〃
　
　Rachel　screamed。
　
　Richard　and　Chase　spun　with　their　knives。　Before　Chase　could　use　his　knife；　Richard　stopped　him。
　
　It　was　Brophy。　〃Rachel？　Is　that　you；　Rachel？〃
　
　She　took　her　doll's　foot　from　her　mouth。　Her　eyes　were　wide。　〃You　sound　like　Brophy。〃
　
　The　wolf's　tail　swished　back　and　forth。　〃That's　because　I　am　Brophy！〃　He　trotted　over　to　her。　。
　
　〃Brophy；　how　e　you're　a　wolf？〃
　
　He　sat　on　his　haunches　in　front　of　her。　〃Because　a　kind　wizard　changed　me　into　a　wolf。　That　was　what　I　wanted　to　be；　and　he　changed　me。〃
　
　〃Giller　changed　you　into　a　wolf？〃
　
　The　breath　caught　in　Richard's　throat。
　
　〃That's　right。　It's　a　wonderful　new　life　I　have。〃
　
　She　threw　her　arms　around　the　wolf's　neck。　Brophy　licked　her　face　as　she　giggled。
　
　〃Rachel；〃　Richard　said；　〃you　know　Giller？〃
　
　Rachel　hugged　an　arm　around　Brophy's　neck。　〃Giller's　a　nice　man。　He　gave　me　Sara。〃　She　gave　a　fearful　look　to　Kahlan。　〃You　want　to　hurt　him。　You're　the　Queen's　friend。　You're　mean。〃　She　pushed　against　Brophy　for　protection
　
　Brophy　gave　her　face　a　long　lick。　〃You're　wrong；　Rachel。　Kahlan　is　my　friend。　She　is　one　of　the　nicest　people　in　the　world。〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　and　held　her　hands　out　to　Rachel。　〃e　here。〃
　
　Rachel　looked　to　Brophy；　who　gave　her　a　nod　that　it　was　all　right。　She　went　with　a　pout　on　her　face。
　
　Kahlan　took　Rachel's　hands　in　hers。　〃You　heard　me　say　something　mean　about　Giller；　didn't　you？〃　Rachel　nodded。　〃Rachel；　the　Queen　is　a　bad　person。　I　didn't　know　how　bad　until　today。　Giller　used　to　be　my　friend。　When　he　went　to　live　with　the　Queen；　I　thought　it　was　because　he　was　bad　too；　and　was　on　her　side。　I　was　wrong。　I　would　never　hurt　Giller；　now　that　I　know　he　is　still　my　friend。〃
　
　Rachel　turned　her　eyes　up　to　Richard。
　
　〃She's　telling　you　the　truth。　We're　on　the　same　side　as　Giller。〃
　
　Rachel　turned　to　Brophy。　He　nodded；　too；　that　it　was　the　truth。
　
　〃You　and　Richard　aren't　friends　of　the　Queen？〃
　
　Kahlan　laughed　a　little。　〃No。　If　I　have　my　way；　she　will　not　be　the　queen　much　longer。　And　as　for　Richard；　well；　he　drew　his　sword　and　threatened　to　kill　the　Princess。　I　don't　think　that　makes　him　friends　with　the　Queen。〃
　
　Rachel's　eyes　got　big。　〃Princess　Violet？　You　did　that　to　Princess　Violet？〃
　
　Richard　nodded　to　her。　〃She　said　some　bad　things　to　Kahlan；　and　I　told　her　that　if　she　did　it　again；　I'd　cut　off　her　tongue。〃
　
　Rachel's　mouth　dropped　open。　〃And　she　didn't　say　to　chop　off　your　head？〃
　
　〃We　are　not　going　to　let　them　chop　off　any　more　heads；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　Rachel's　eyes　filled　with　tears　as　she　looked　to　Kahlan。　〃I　thought　you　were　mean；　and　that　you　would　hurt　Giller。　I'm　so　happy　you're　not　mean。〃　She　put　her　arms　around　Kahlan's　neck；　hugging　her　tight。　Kahlan　hugged　her　back　just　as　tight。
　
　Chase　leaned　toward　Richard。　〃You　pulled　a　sword　on　a　Princess？　Do　you　know　that's　a　capital　offense？〃
　
　Richard　gave　him　a　cool　look。　〃If　I　had　had　the　time；　I　would　have　put　her　over　my　knee　and　spanked　her　too。〃　Rachel　giggled　at　that。　Richard　smiled　at　her。　〃You　know　the　Princess；　don't　you？〃
　
　The　laughter　left　her。　〃I'm　her　playmate。　I　lived　in　a　nice　place　with　other　children；　but　after　my　brother　died；　the　Queen　came　and　picked　me　out；　to　be　the　Princess's　playmate。〃
　
　Richard　turned　to　Brophy。　〃He　was　the　one？〃　The　wolf　nodded　solemnly。　〃So　you　lived　with　the　Princess。　She's　the　one　who　cut　your　hair　all　crooked；　isn't　she？　She　hits　you。〃
　
　Rachel　nodded　with　a　pout。　〃She's　mean　to。　people。　She's　starting　to　say　to　chop　off　people's　heads。　I　was　afraid　she　would　chop　off　my　head　too；　so　I　ran　away。〃
　
　Richard　eyed　the　loaf　of　bread　she　kept　at　her　hip。　He　squatted　down　next　to　her。　〃Giller　helped　you　run　away；　didn't　he？〃
　
　She　was　near　tears。　〃Giller　gave　me　Sara。　He　wanted　to　run　away　with　me。　But　then　a　mean　man　came。　Father　Rahl。　He　looked　real　mad　at　Giller。　Giller　told　me　to　run；　and　to　hide　until　winter；　then　to　find　a　new　family　to　live　with。〃　A　tear　ran　down　her　cheek。　〃Sara　told　me　he　couldn't　e　with　me　anymore。〃
　
　Richard　glanced　again　at　the　loaf　of　bread。　It　was　about　the　right　size。　He　put　his　hands　on　her　shoulders。　〃Rachel。　Zedd；　and　Kahlan；　and　Chase；　and　I；　are　fighting　against　Darken　Rahl；　so　that　he　won't　be　able　to　hurt　people　anymore：〃
　
　She　turned　her　head　back　to　Chase。
　
　Chase　nodded。　〃He's　telling　you　the　truth；　child。　You　tell　him　the　truth　too。〃
　
　He　tightened　his　grip　on　her　shoulders。　〃Rachel；　did　Giller　give　you　that　loaf　of　bread？〃　She　nodded。　〃Rachel；　we　were　going　to　Giller　to　get　a　box；　a　box　to　help　us　stop　Darken　Rahl　from　hurting　people。　Will　you　give　it　to　us？　Will　you　help　us　stop　Rahl？〃
　
　Her　watery　eyes　looked　at　him；　then　with　a　brave　smile；　she　picked　up　the　bread　and　handed　it　to　him。　〃It's　in　the　loaf　of　bread。　Giller　hid　it　in　there　with　magic。〃
　
　Richard　threw　his　arms　around　her；　nearly　hugging　the　breath　out　of　her。　He　stood；　hugging　her　to　him；　and　spun　in　circles　until　she　giggled。　〃Rachel；　you　are　the　bravest；　smartest；　prettiest　girl　I　have　ever　known！〃　When　he　set　her　down；　she　ran　to　Chase　and　crawled　into　his　lap。　He　mussed　her　hair　and　put　his　big　arms　around　her　as　she　smiled　and　hugged　him
　
　Richard　picked　up　the　loaf　of　bread　in　both　hands。　He　held　it　out　to　Kahlan。　She　smiled　and　shook　her　head。　He　held　it　to　Zedd。
　
　〃The　Seeker　found　it；〃　Zedd　smiled。　〃The　Seeker　should　open　it。〃
　
　Richard　broke　the　bread　open；　and　there　inside　was　the　jeweled　box　of　Orden。　He　wiped　his　hands　on　his　pants；　pulled　the　box　out；　and　held　it　up　to　the　firelight。　He　knew　from　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows　that　the　glittering　box　they　saw　was　only　a　covering　for　the　real　box　underneath。　He　even　knew　from　the　book　how　to　remove　the　cover。
　
　He　put　the　box　in　Kahlan's　lap。　As　she　picked　it　up；　she　gave　him　the　biggest　smile　he　had　ever　seen。　Before　he　even　knew　what　he　had　done；　he　had　leaned　over　and　given　Kahlan　a　quick　kiss。　Her　eyes　went　wide；　and　she　didn't　kiss　him　back；　but　the　feel　of　her　lips　shocked　him　into　realizing　what　he　had　done。
　
　〃Oh。　Sorry；〃　he　said。
　
　She　laughed。　〃Forgiven。〃
　
　Richard　hugged　Zedd　as　they　both　laughed。　Chase　laughed　watching　him。　Richard　could　hardly　believe　that　just　a　short　time　ago；　he　had　almost　given　up；　had　no　idea　what　to　do　next；　where　to　go；　or　how　to　stop　Rahl。　And　now　they　had　the　box。
　
　He　set　it　on　a　rock　where　they　could　all　see　it　in　the　firelight　while　they　had　the　best　dinner　Richard　could　ever　remember。　Richard　and　Kahlan　told　Chase　some　of　what　they　had　been　through。　To　Richard's　delight；　Chase　was　disturbed　to　learn　that　he　owed　his　life　to　Bill；　back　at　Southaven。　Chase　told　them　some　of　his　own　stories　of　bringing　an　army　of　a　thousand　men　across　the　Rang'Shada。　He　enjoyed　telling　drawn…out　tales　of　the　foolishness　of　bureaucracy　in　the　field。
　
　Rachel　cuddled　in　Chase's　lap　while　she　ate　and　he　talked。　Richard　thought　it　was　interesting　that　she　chose　the　most　fearsome　among　them　for　fort。　When　at　last　he　finished　his　story；　she　looked　up　and　asked；　〃Chase；　where　should　I　go；　to　hide　until　winter？〃
　
　He　regarded　her　with　a　glower。　〃You're　too　ugly　to　be　left　to　wander　about。　A　gar　would　eat　you　sure。〃　That　made　her　laugh。　〃I　have　other　children；　they're　all　ugly　too。　You'll　fit　right　in。　I　guess　I'll　take　you　to　live　at　my　house。〃　〃Really；　Chase？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　〃I've　e　home　enough　times　and　had　my　wife　present　me　with　a　new　child。　I　think　it's　about　time　I　turned　affairs　about　on　her。〃　He　looked　down　at　Rachel；　who　clung　to　him　as　if　he　might　float　away。　〃But　I　ha