tg.wizardfirstrule-第93部分

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o　spare　you　the　pain。　I　don't　want　you　to　hurt。　I　know　what　it　feels　like　to　hurt；　you　have　taught　me。　You　have　already　been　hurt　enough；　I　don't　want　you　to　hurt　any　more。　I　would　rather　have　Mistress　Constance　punish　me　than　have　you　be　in　pain。〃
　
　He　strove　to　balance　himself　on　his　knees。　There　was　a　long　silence。　Richard　stared　at　her　boots；　and　coughed　a　little；　struggling　to　breathe　with　the　pain　in　his　shoulders。　The　silence　seemed　as　if　it　would　never　end。　He　didn't　know　what　she　was　going　to　do　to　him　next。
　
　〃I　don't　understand　you；　Richard　Cypher；〃　she　said　softly；　at　last；　the　anger　gone　from　her　voice。　〃The　spirits　take　me；　I　don't　understand　you。〃　She　walked　behind　him；　unhooked　the　device　that　held　his　arms；　and　walked　out　of　the　room　without　another　word。　He　couldn't　straighten　out　his　arms　properly；　and　fell　on　his　face。　He　didn't　try　to　get　up；　he　only　cried　against　the　bloody　floor。
　
　After　a　time；　he　heard　the　bell；　calling　them　to　the　evening　devotion。　Denna　came　back　in；　squatted　down　next　to　him；　put　her　arm　gently　around　him；　and　helped　him　to　his　feet。
　
　〃We　are　not　allowed　to　miss　a　devotion；〃　she　explained　in　a　quiet　voice；　hooking　the　chain　to　her　belt。
　
　The　sight　of　his　blood　all　over　the　white　lather　was　shocking。　There　were　strings　of　it　across　her　face　and　in　her　hair。　As　they　walked　to　the　devotion；　people　who　usually　spoke　to　her　averted　their　eyes　and　gave　her　wide　passage。　Kneeling　with　his　head　to　the　floor　hurt　his　ribs；　making　it　hard　to　breathe；　much　less　chant。　He　didn't　know　if　he　was　getting　the　words　right；　but　Denna　didn't　correct　him；　so　he　just　went　on。　How　he　stayed　upright　the　whole　time；　without　tipping　over；　he　didn't　know。
　
　When　the　bell　rang　twice；　Denna　rose；　but　didn't　help　him。　Constance　appeared；　a　rare　grin　on　her　face。
　
　〃My；　my；　Denna；　looks　like　you've　been　having　fun。〃　Constance　backhanded　him；　but　he　managed　to　stay　on　his　feet。　〃Been　a　bad　boy；　have　you？〃
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Constance。〃
　
　〃Very　bad；　it　would　appear。　How　delightful。〃　Her　hungry　eyes　turned　to　Denna。　〃I'm　free。　Let's　go　teach　him　what　two　Mord…Sith　can　really　do。〃
　
　〃No；　not　tonight；　Constance。〃
　
　〃No？　What　do　you　mean；　no？〃
　
　Denna　exploded。　〃I　mean　no！　He　is　my　mate；　and　I'm　taking　him　back　to　train　him　as　such！　Do　you　wish　to　e　and　watch　when　I　lie　with　my　mate！　Do　you　want　to　watch；　too；　what　I　do　when　I　have　the　Agiel　between　my　teeth！〃
　
　Richard　shrank　back。　So　that　was　what　she　had　planned。　If　she　did　that　to　him　tonight；　as　badly　as　he　was　already　hurt　。　。　。
　
　People　in　white　robes…missionaries；　Denna　had　called　them…were　staring。　Constance　glared　back　and　they　hurried　off。　Both　women's　faces　were　red…Denna's　from　anger；　Constance's　from　embarrassment。
　
　〃Of　course　not；　Denna；〃　she　said　in　a　low　voice。　〃I'm　sorry
　
　I　didn't　know。　I　will　leave　you　to　it。〃　She　gave　Richard　a　smirk。　〃You　look　to　be　in　enough　trouble　already；　my　boy。　I_　hope　you　are　up　to'　your　duties。〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　jab　in　the　stomach　with　her　Agiel；　and　walked　off。　Dizzy；　Richard　put　his　hand　across　himself　with　a　moan。　Denna's　hand　e　up　under　his　arm；　holding　him　up。　Denna　glared　after　Constance；　then　started　off；　expecting　him　to　follow。　He；　did。
　
　When　they　were　back　in　Denna's　quarters；　she　gave　him　the　bucket。　He　almost　collapsed　at　the　thought　of　filling　her　tub。
　
　Her　voice　was　quiet。　〃Go　and　get　one　bucket　of　hot　water。〃
　
　Richard　could　have　died　with　relief；　knowing　that　he　didn't　have　to　fill　a　tub。　He　retrieved　the　water；　a　little　confused。　She　seemed　to　be　angry；　but　Wasn't　directing　her　anger　at　him。　After　he　set　the　bucket　on　the　floor；　he　waited　with　his　eyes　cast　downward。　Denna　brought　the　chair　over。　He　was　surprised　she　didn't　have　him　do　it。
　
　〃Sit　down。〃　She　went　to　the　table　by　her　bed　and　came　back　with　a　pear。　She　looked　at　it　in　her　hand　a　moment；　turning　it　around　and　around；　rubbing　it　a　little　with　her　thumb；　then　held　it　out　to　him。　〃I　brought　this　back　from　dinner。　I　find　I　am　no　longer　hungry。　You　had　no　dinner；　you　eat　it。〃
　
　Richard　looked　at　the　pear　in　her　hand　as　she　held　it　toward　him。　〃No；　Mistress　Denna。　It's　yours。　Not　mine。〃
　
　〃I　know　whose　it　is；　Richard。〃　Her　voice　was　still　quiet；　〃Do　as　I　say。〃
　
　He　took　the　pear；　eating　it　all；　even　the　seeds。　Denna　knelt　down　and　started　washing　him。　He　had　no　idea　what　was　going　on；　but　the　washing　hurt；　although　it　was　nothing　to　pare　with　the　Agiel。　He　wondered　why　she　was　doing　this；　when　it　was　time　to　train　him　again。
　
　Denna　seemed　to　sense　his　apprehension。　〃I　have　a　backache。〃
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Mistress　Denna；　I've　caused　it　by　my　behavior。〃
　
　〃Be　quiet；〃　she　said　gently。　〃I　want　to　sleep　on　something　hard；　for　my　back。　I　will　sleep　on　the　floor。　Since　I　will　sleep　on　the　floor；　you　will　have　to　sleep　in　my　bed；　and　I　don't　want　your　blood　in　it。〃
　
　Richard　was　a　little　perplexed。　The　floor　was　certainly　big　enough　for　the　two　of　them；　and　she　had　certainly　gotten　his　blood　in　her　bed　before。　It　had　never　bothered　her　in　the　past。　He　decided　it　was　not　his　place　to　question；　and　so　didn't。
　
　〃All　right；〃　she　said　when　she　had　finished；　〃get　in　the　bed。〃
　
　He　lay　down　while　she　watched　him。　With　resignation；　he　picked　up　the　Agiel　from　the　side　table　and　held　it　out　to　her；　the　pain　from　it　hurting　his　arm。　He　wished　she　weren't　going　to　do　this　to　him　tonight。
　
　Denna　took　the　Agiel　from　him　and　returned　it　to　the　table。　〃Not　tonight。　I　told　you；　I　have　a　backache。〃　She　blew　out　the　lamp。　〃Go　to　sleep。'。〃
　
　He　heard　her　lie　on　the　floor；　whispering　a　curse　to　herself。　He　was　too　exhausted　to　think；　and　was　asleep　in　a　short　time。
　
　When　the　peal　of　the　bell　woke　him；　Denna　was　already　up。　She　had　cleaned　the　blood　from　her　white　outfit；　and　had　fixed　her　braid。　She　said　nothing　to　him　as　they　walked　to　the　devotion。　It　was　painful　for　him　to　kneel；　and　he　was　glad　when　it　was　finished。　He　didn't　see　Constance。　Walking　behind　Denna；　he　began　to　turn　toward　the　training　room；　but　she　didn't；　and　the　chain　pulled　taut。　The　pain　brought　him　up　short。
　
　〃We're　not　going　that　way；〃　she　said。
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　She　walked　awhile；　down　halls　that　stretched　forever；　then　gave　him　an　impatient　look。　〃Walk　next　。to　me。　We're　going　for　a　walk。　It's　something　I　enjoy　doing　occasionally。　When　my　back　hurts。　It　helps　me。〃
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Mistress　Denna。　I　was　hoping　it　would　be　better　by　this　morning。〃
　
　She　glanced　at　him；　then　looked　back　to　where　she　was　going。　〃Well；　it's　not。　So　we　will　go　for　a　walk。〃
　
　Richard　had　never　been　this　far　from　Denna's　quarters　before。　His　eyes　took　little　journeys　to　the　new　sights。　At　intervals；　there　were　places　just　like　the　one　where　they　went　for　their　devotions；　opened　to　the　sky　and　the　sun；　each　with　a　rock　in　the　center；　and　a　bell。　Some　had　grass　instead　of　sand；　and　some　even　a　pool　of　water　that　the　rock　sat　in。　Fish　glided　in　groups　through　the　clear　water。　The　halls　were　sometimes　wide　as　rooms；　with　patterned　tiles　on　the　floor；　arches　and　columns　all　about　and　ceilings　soaring　high　above。　Windows　let　light　stream　into　these　places；　making　them　bright　and　airy
　
　People　were　everywhere；　most　in　robes　of　white　or　some　other　pale　color。　No　one　ever　seemed　in　a　hurry；　but　most　seemed　as　if　they　had　a　place　to　go；　although　a　few　sat　on　marble　benches。　Richard　saw　few　soldiers。　Most　people　walked　past　Denna　and　him　as　if　they　were　invisible；　but　a　few　smiled　and　exchanged　a　greeting　with　her。
　
　The　size　of　the　place　was　astounding；　the　halls　and　passages　stretched　out　of　sight。　Wide　stairs　led　up　or　down　to　unknown　parts　of　the　great　edifice。　One　hall　had　statues　of　naked　people　in　proud　poses。　The　statues　were　made　of　carved　and　polished　stone；　mostly　white；　some　with　gold　veining　through　it；　and　each　was　twice　as　tall　as　he。　Richard　never　saw　one　place　that　was　dark；　or　ugly；　or　dirty；　everything　he　saw　was　beautiful。　The　sound　of　people's　footsteps　echoed　through　the　halls　like　reverent　whispers。　Richard　wondered　how　a　place　as　large　as　this　could　even　be　conceived　of；　much　less　built。　It　must　have　taken　lifetimes。
　
　Denna　led　them　to　a　sprawling　square　that　was　open　to　the　sky。　Full…grown　trees　covered　the　mossy　ground；　and　a　path　of　brown　clay　tiles　meandered　through　the　center　of　the　indoor　forest。　They　strolled　along　the　path；　Richard　looking　up　at　the　trees。　They　were　beautiful；　even　if　they　were　bare　of　leaves。
　
　Denna　watched　him。　〃You　like　the　trees；　don't　you。〃
　
　He　nodded；　looking　about。　〃Very　much；　Mistress　Denna；〃　he　whispered。
　
　〃Why　do　you　like　them？〃
　
　Richard　thought　a　moment。　〃It　seems　they　are　part　of　my　past。　I　can　dimly　recall　that　I　was　a　guide。　A　woods　guide；　I　think。　But　I　don't　remember　much　about　it；　Mistress　Denna。　Except　I　liked　the　woods。〃
　
　〃Being　broken　makes　you　forget　things　from　before；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃The　more　I　train　you；　the　more　you　will　forget　the　past；　except　specific　questions　I　ask　you。　Soon；　you　will　remember　none　of　it。〃
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Denna。　Mistress　Denna；　what　is　this　place？〃
　
　〃It's　called　the　People's　Palace。　It's　the　seat　of　power　in　D'Hara。　IC　is　the　home　of　Master　Rahl。〃
　
　They　had　lunch　in　a　different　place　than　they　usually　ate。　She　had　him　sit　in　a　chair；　he　didn't　know　why。　They　went　to　the　afternoon　devotion　at　one　of　the　places　with　water　instead　of　sand；　and　after　devotion；　they　walked　some　more　through　the　vast　halls；　to　find　themselves　back　in　familiar　territory　for　dinner。　The　walking　made　him　feel　better。　His　muscles　had　needed　to　be　stretched。
　
　After　the　evening　devotion；　in　the　little　room　in　her　quarters；　Denna　locked　his　arms　behind　his　back　in　the　binding　device；　and　hoisted　it　up；　but　not　enough　to　take　the　weight　off　his　feet。　It　still　brought　the　pain　back　to　his　sore　shoulders；　but　it　made　him　wince　only　a　little。
　
　〃Is　your　back　better；　Mistress　Denna？　Did　the　walking　help？〃
　
　〃It's　nothing　I　can't　tolerate。〃
　
　She　walked　slowly　around　him；　watching　the　floor。　She　stopped　at　last　in　front　of　him；　rolling　the　Agiel　in　her　fingers　for　a　time；　scrutinizing　it。
　
　Her　eyes　didn't　e　up。　Her　voice　was　hardly　more　than　a　whisper。　〃Tell　me　you　think　I'm　ugly。〃
　
　He　looked　at　her　until　her　eyes　finally　came　up。　〃No。　That　would　be　a　lie。〃
　
　A　sad　smile　spread　on　her　lips。　〃That　was　a　mistake；　my　love。　You　have　disobeyed　my　direct　order；　and　you　have　forgotten　the　appellation。〃
　
　〃I　know；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　Her　eyes　closed；　but　a　little　of　the　strength　came　back　to　her　voice。　〃You　are　nothing　but　trouble。　I　don't　know　why　Master　Rahl　burdened　me　with　your　training。　You　have　earned　yourself　two　hours。〃
　
　She　gave　him　his　two　hours；　not　as　hard　as　she　usually　did；　but　hard　enough　to　make　him　cry　in　pain。　After　the　training；　she　told　him　that　her　back　still　hurt；　and　slept　on　the　floor　again；　having　him　sleep　in　the　bed。
　
　The　next　few　days　went　back　to　the　regular　routine；　the　training　not　being　as　long　or　as　strenuous　as　before；　except　when　Constance　was　there。　Denna　kept　a　close　watch　on　her；　guiding　more　than　she　had　in　the　past。　Constance　didn't　like　it；　sometimes　glaring　at　Denna。　When　Constance　was　rougher　than　Denna　wished；　she　wasn't　invited　for　the　next　session。
　
　With　the　lighter　training　sessions；　his　head　started　to　clear；　and　he　began　remembering　things；　things　about　his　past。　A　few　times；　when　Denna's　back　hurt；　they　went　for　long　walks；　looking　at　the　various；　astonishingly　beautiful　places。
　
　After　an　afternoon　devotion　one　day；　Constance　asked　if　she　could　e　along。　Denna　smiled　and　said　yes。　Constance　asked　to　do　the　training；　and　was　given　permission。　She　was　rougher　than　usual；　and　had　Richard　in　prolonged　agony；　tears　of　pain　streaming　down　his　cheeks。　Richard　was　hoping　Denna　would　put　a　stop　to　it；　as　he　was　on　his　last　strings　of　tolerance。　As　Denna　came　out　of　her　chair；　a　man　came　into　the　room。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　Master　Rahl　has　requested　you。〃
　
　〃When？〃
　
　〃Right　now。〃
　
　Denna　gave　a　sigh。　〃Constance；　would　you　finish　the　session？〃
　
　Constance　looked　into　Richard's　eyes　and　smiled。　〃Why；　of　course；　Denna。〃
　
　Richard　was　terrified；　but　didn't　dare　say　a　word。
　
　〃His　time　is　nearly　up；　just　take　him　back　to　my　quarters　and　leave　him　there。　I'm　sure　I　won't　be　long。〃
　
　〃My　pleasure；　Denna。　You　can　count　on　me。〃
　
　Denna　started　to　leave。　Constance　grinned　at　him　wickedly；　her　face　close　to　his。　She　grabbed　his　belt　and　yanked　it　open。　Richard　couldn't　breathe。
　
　〃Constance〃…Denna　had　e　back　in…〃I　don't　want　you　doing　that。〃
　
　Constance　was　caught　off　guard。　〃In　your　absence；　I'm　in　charge　of　him；　and　I'll　do　as　I　wish。〃
　
　Denna　came　and　put　her　face　close　to　the　other's。　〃He　is　my　mate；　and　I　said　I　don't　want　you　to　do　that。　And　I　don't　want　you　to　put　the　Agiel　in　his　ear　either。〃
　
　〃I'll　do　as　I　。　。　。〃
　
　〃You　will　not。〃　Denna　gritted　her　teeth　as　she　looked　down　to　the　shorter　Woman。　〃I　am　the　one　who　took　the　punishment　when　we　killed　Rastin。　Me。　Not　you　and　me；　only　me。　I　have　never　made　a　point　of　it　before；　but　I　do　now。　You　know　what　they　did　to　me；　and　I　never　told　them　you　had　a　part　in　it。　He　is　my　mate；　and　I　am　his　Mord…Sith。　Not　you。　Me。　You　will　respect　my　wishes　or　there　is　going　to　be　trouble　between　us。〃　〃All　right；　Denna；〃　she　huffed。　〃All　right。　I'll　mind　your　wishes。〃
　
　Denna　still　glared　at　her。　〃See　that　you　do；　Sister　Constance。〃
　
　Constance　finished　the　session　with　all　the　effort　she　could　bring　forth；　although　she　kept　the　Agiel　mostly　where　Denna　wanted　it。　Richard　knew　it　went　on　for　longer　than　it　should　have。　When　she　took　him　back　to　Denna's　quarters；　she　spent　a　good　hour　slapping　him　around；　then　hooked　the　chain　over　the　footboard　of　the　bed　and　told　him　he　was　to　stand　until　Denna　came　back。
　
　Constance　put　her　face　close　to　his；　as　best　she　could；　considering　her　height；　and　grabbed　him　between　the　legs。
　
　〃Take　good　care　of　this　for　me；〃　she　sneered。　〃You　aren't　going　to　have　it　much　longer。　I　have　reason　to　believe　Master　Rahl　will　shortly　be　reassigning　you　to　me；　and　when　he　does；　I'm　going　to　alter　your　anatomy。〃　A　grin　spread　on　her　face。　〃And　I　don't　think　you're　going　to　like　it。〃
　
　His　anger　flashed；　bringing　on　the　pain　of　the　magic。　It　took　him　to　his　knees。　Constance　laughed　as　she　left　the　room。　He　managed　to　get　the　anger　under　control；　but　the　pain　wouldn't　stop　until　he　stood。
　
　Warm　sunlight　was　streaming　in　the　window。　He　hoped　Denna　would　be　returning　soon。　The　sun　set。　Dinnertime　came　and　went。　Still　Denna　did　not　return。　Richard　began　to　worry。　He　had　a　feeling　that　something　was　wrong。　He　heard　the　peal　of　the　bell　for　the　evening　devotion；　but　couldn't　go　to　it；　being　chained　to　the　bed。　He　wondered　if　he　was　supposed　to　kneel　where　he　was；　but　realized　he　couldn't　do　that　either；　he　had　been　told　to　stand。　He　thought　maybe　he　should　still　chant　the　devotion；　but　decided　there　was　no　one　to　hear　him；　and　it　wouldn't　matter。
　
　It　was　long　since　dark　out　the　window；　but　thankfully　the　lamps　were　lit　and　at　least　he　didn't　have　to　stand　in　the　dark。　The　two　bells　announced　the　end　of