tg.wizardfirstrule-第94部分

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　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　evening　devotion。　Still　Denna　was　not　back。　His　training　time　came　and　went。　Still　no　Denna。　Richard　was　fraught　with　worry。
　
　At　last；　he　heard　the　door　push　open。　Denna's　head　was　bowed；　her　posture　stiff。　The　braid　was　undone　and　her　hair　disheveled。　She　laboriously　pushed　the　door　closed。　He　saw　that　her　skin　was　ashen；　her　eyes　wet。　She　didn't　look　at　him：　〃Richard；〃　she　said　in　a　small　voice；　〃fill　my　bath　for　me。　Please？　I　need　a　bath；　I　feel　very　dirty　right　now。〃
　
　〃Of　course；　Mistress　Derma。〃
　
　He　dragged　the　tub　in　and　ran　as　fast　as　he　could　to　fill　it。　He　didn't　think　he　had　ever　done　it　more　quickly。　She　stood　and　watched　as　he　brought　in　bucket　after　bucket。　When　he　was　finished；　he　stood　panting；　waiting。
　
　Her　trembling　fingers　started　unbuttoning　the　leather。　〃Help　me　with　this？　I　don't　think　I　can　do　it　by　myself。〃
　
　He　unbuttoned　it　for　her　as　she　shivered。　Wincing；　he　had　to　peel　it　off　her　back；　some　of　her　skin　came　with　it。　His　heart　was　pounding。　Denna　was　covered　with　welts　from　the　back　of　her　neck　to　the　back　of　her　ankles。　Richard　was　frightened；　and　he　ached　with　hurt　for　her；　for　the　pain　she　was　in。　Tears　came　to　his　eyes。　The　power　roared　up　in　him。　He　ignored　it。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　who　did　this　to　you？〃　he　demanded。
　
　〃Master　Rahl。　It　is　nothing　I　did　not　deserve。〃
　
　He　held　her　hands　and　helped　her　into　the　tub。　She　let　out　a　little　sound　as　she　sank　slowly　into　the　hot　water；　sitting　stiffly。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　why　would　he　do　this　to　you？〃
　
　She　winced　when　he　put　the　soapy　cloth　to　her　back。。　〃Constance　told　him　I　was　being　too　easy　on　you。　I　deserve　what　was　done　to　me。　I　have　been　lax　in　your　training。　I　am　Mord…Sith。　I　should　have　done　better。　I　received　only　that　which　I　deserve。〃
　
　〃You　do　not　deserve　this；　Mistress　Denna；　it　is　me　who　should　have　taken　the　punishment。　Not　you。〃
　
　Her　hands　trembled　as　she　held　the　sides　of　the　tub　and　he　carefully　washed　her。　He　gently　wiped　the　sweat　off　the　white　skin　of　her　face。　She　stared　ahead　the　whole　time　he　worked；　a　few　tears　rolling　down　her　cheeks。
　
　Her　lip　quivered。　〃Tomorrow；　Master　Rahl　will　see　you。〃　His　hand　stopped　washing　for　a　second。　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard。　You　will　answer　his　questions。〃
　
　He　glanced　up　at　her　face；　but　she　didn't　look　back。　〃Yes；　Mistress　Denna。〃　He　rinsed　her　off　with　water　cupped　in　his　hands。　〃Let　me　dry　you　off。〃　He　did　it　as　gently　as　he　could。　〃Do　you　wish　to　sit；　Mistress　Denna？〃
　
　She　gave　an　embarrassed　smile。　〃I　don't　think　I　would　like　that；　just　now。〃　She　turned　her　head　stiffly。　〃Over　there。　I　will　lie　on　the　bed。〃　She　took　his　hand　when　he　put　it　out　for　her。　〃I　can't　seem　to　stop　shaking。　Why　can't　I　stop　shaking？〃
　
　〃Because　it　hurts；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　〃I've　had　much　worse　than　this　done　to　me。　This　was　only　a　small　reminder　of　who　I　am。　But　still；　I　can't　stop　shaking。〃
　
　She　lay　facedown　on　the　bed；　her　eyes　on　him。　Richard's　worry　made　his　mind　start　working　again。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　is　my　pack　still　here？〃
　
　〃In　the　cabinet。　Why？〃
　
　〃Just　lie　still。　Mistress　Denna；　let　me　do　something；　if　I　can　remember　how。〃
　
　He　pulled　his　pack　from　a　high　shelf　in　the　cabinet；　laid　it　on　the　table；　and…started　rummaging　through　it。　Denna　watched　him；　the　side　of　her　face　resting　on　the　backs　of　her　hands。　Beneath　a　carved　bone　whistle　on　a　leather　thong；　he　found　the　package　he　was　searching　for；　and　laid　it　open　on　the　table。　He　pulled　out　a　tin　bowl；　took　his　knife　from　his　belt；　and　laid　it；　too；　on　the　table。　He　stood　and　took　a　jar　of　cream　from　the　cabinet。　He　had　seen　her　spread　it　on　her　skin。　It　was　just　what　he　needed。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　may　I　use　this？〃
　
　〃Why？？
　
　〃Please？〃
　
　〃Go　ahead。〃
　
　Richard　took　the　entire　pile　of　neatly　stacked；　dried　aum　leaves　and　put　them　in　the　tin　bowl；　then　selected　a　few　other　herbs　he　remembered　by　smell；　but　not　by　name；　and　dumped　them　in　with　the　aum　leaves。　With　the　knife　handle；　he　ground　it　all　into　a　powder。　Picking　up　the　jar　of　cream；　he　scooped　it　all　out　and　plopped　it　into　the　bowl；　mixing　it　with　two　fingers。　He　took　the　bowl　and　sat　on　the　bed　next　to　her。
　
　〃Just　lie　still；〃　he　told　her。
　
　〃The　appellation；　Richard；　the　appellation。　Will　you　never　learn？〃
　
　〃Sorry；　Mistress　Denna；〃　he　smiled。　〃You　may　punish　me　later。　For　now；　lie　still。　When　I'm　finished　you　will　feel　well　enough　to　punish　me　all　night。　I　promise。〃
　
　'He　spread　the　paste　gently　on　the　welts；　smoothing　it　out　as　he　went。　Denna　moaned。　Her　eyes　closed　while　he　worked。　By　the　time　he　reached　the　back　of　her　ankles；　she　was　almost　asleep。　He　stroked　her　hair　while　the　aum　cream　soaked　in。
　
　〃How　does　that　feel；　Mistress　Denna？〃　he　whispered。
　
　She　rolled　onto　her　side；　her　eyes　opening　wide。　〃The　pain　is　gone！　How　did　you　do　that？　How　did　you　make　the　pain　leave？〃
　
　Richard　smiled　in　satisfaction。　〃I　learned　it　from　an　old　friend　named　。　。　。〃　He　frowned。　〃I　can't　remember　his　name。　But　he's　an　old　friend；　and　he　taught　me。　I'm　so　relieved；　Mistress　Denna。　I　don't　like　to　see　you　in　pain。〃
　
　She　gently　touched　her　fingers　to　the　side　of　his　face。　〃You　are　a　very　rare　person；　Richard　Cypher。　I　have　never　had　a　mate　like　you　before。　The　spirits　take　me；　I　have　never　even　seen　a　person　like　you　before。　I　killed　the　one　who　did　the　things　to　me　that　I　have　done　to　you；　and　you　instead　help　me。〃
　
　〃We　all　can　be　only　who　we　are；　no　more；　and　no　less；　Mistress　Denna。〃　He　looked　down　at　his　hands。　〃I　don't　like　what　Master　Rahl　has　done　to　you。〃
　
　〃You；　don't　understand　about　the　Mord…Sith；　my　love。　We　are　carefully　selected；　as　young　girls。　Those　chosen　to　be　Mord…Sith　are　the　most　gentle；　the　most　kindhearted；　that　can　be　found。　It　is　said　that　the　deepest　cruelty　es　from　the　deepest　caring。　All　of　D'Hara　is　searched；　and　each　year　only　about　a　half　dozen　are　chosen。　A　Mord…Sith　is　broken　three　times。〃
　
　His　eyes　were　wide。　〃Three　times？〃　he　whispered。
　
　Denna　nodded。　〃The　first　is　the　way　in　which　I　broke　you；　to　break　the　spirit。　The　second　is　to　break　our　empathy。　To　do　it；　we　must　watch　our　trainer　break　our　mother；　and　make　her　his　pet；　and　watch　him　hurt　her　until　she　dies。　The　third　is　to　break　us　of　our　fear　of　hurting　another；　to　make　us　enjoy　giving　pain。　To　do　it；　we　must　break　our　fathers；　under　the　guidance　of　our　trainer；　and　make　him　our　pet；　and　keep　hurting　him　until　we　kill　him。〃
　
　Tears　trickled　down　Richard's　cheeks。　〃They　did　all　this　to　you？〃
　
　〃What　I　did　to　you；　to　break　you；　is　nothing　pared　to　what　must　be　done　to　us　to　break　us　the　second　and　third　time。　The　more　kindhearted　a　girl　is；　the　better　Sikh　she　makes；　but　it　makes　it　harder　to　break　her　the　second　and　third　time。　Master　Rahl　thinks　me　special　because　they　had　a　very　difficult　time　with　the　second　breaking　of　me。　My　mother　lived　a　long　time；　to　try　to　keep　me　from　giving　up　hope；　but　that　only　made　it　harder。　On　both　of　us。　They　failed　at　the　third　breaking；　had　given　up；　and　were　going　to　kill　me；　but　Master　Rahl　said　that　if　I　could　be　broken；　I　would　be　someone　special；　and　so　took　over　my　training　himself。　He　is　the　one　who　broke　me　the　third　time。　On　the　day　I　killed　my　father；　he　took　me　to　his　bed；　as　a　reward。　His　reward　left　me　barren。〃
　
　Richard　could　hardly　speak　past　the　lump　in　his　throat。　With　shaking　fingers；　he　brushed　some　of　her　hair　back　off　her　face。　〃I　don't　want　anyone　hurting　you。　Not　ever　again；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　〃It　is　an　honor；〃　Denna　whispered　through　tears；　〃that　Master　Rahl　would　spare　the　time　to　punish　one　as　low　as　me　with　my　own　Agiel。〃
　
　Richard　sat　numb。　〃I　hope　he　kills　me　tomorrow；　so　I　don't　have　to　learn　anything　else　that　gives　me　this　much　pain；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　Her　wet　eyes　shone　in　the　lamplight。　〃I　have　done　things　to　hurt　you　that　1　have　done　to　no　other；　yet　you　are　the　first　person　since　I　was　chosen　who　has　done　anything　to　stop　my　pain。〃　She　sat　up　and　picked　up　the　tin　bowl。　〃There　is　some　left。　Let　me　put　it　on　you　where　Constance　did　what　I　told　her　not　to。〃
　
　Denna　spread　the　aum　cream　on　the　welts　on　his　shoulders；　then　on　his　stomach　and　chest；　working　up　to　his　neck。　Her　eyes　met　his。　Her　hand　stopped。　The　room　was　dead　quiet。　Denna　leaned　forward　and　gently　kissed　him。　She　put　her　hand　with　the　cream　on　the　back　of　his　neck　and　kissed　him　again。
　
　She　lay　back　on　the　bed；　holding　his　hand　against　her　belly　with　both　of　hers。　〃e　to　me；　my　love。　I　want　you　very　badly　right　now。〃
　
　He　nodded　and　started　to　reach　for　the　Agiel　on　the　side　table。　Denna　touched　his　wrist。
　
　〃Tonight；　I　want　you　without　the　Agiel。　Please？　Teach　me　what　it's　like　without　the　pain？〃
　
　She　put　a　hand　behind　his　neck　and　gently　pulled　him　on　top　of　her
　
　CHAPTER　43
　DENNA　DIDN'T　TRAIN　HIM　the　next　morning；　but　instead　took　him　for　a　walk。　Master　Rahl　had　said　he　wanted　to　see　Richard　after　the　second　devotion。　After　it　was　over　and　they　were　starting　to　leave；　Constance　stopped　them。
　
　〃You　look　surprisingly　well　today；　Sister　Derma。〃
　
　Denna　looked　at　her　without　emotion。　Richard　was　furious　at　Constance　for　talking　to　Master　Rahl　about　Denna；　for　getting　her　punished；　and　had　to　concentrate　on　Derma's　braid。
　
　Constance　turned　to　Richard。　〃Well。　I　hear　you　are　to　be　granted　an　audience　with　Master　Rahl　today。　If　you　are　still　alive　afterward；　you　will　be　seeing　more　of　me。　Alone。　I　want　a　piece　of　you；　as　it　were；　when　he's　finished　with　you。〃
　
　He　spoke　before　he　thought。　〃The　year　they　chose　you；　Mistress　Constance；　must　have　been　a　year　of　desperate　need；　otherwise；　one　of　such　limited　intelligence　would　never　have　been　selected　to　be　Mord…Sith。　Only　the　most　ignorant　would　put　their　own　petty　ambitions　above　the　value　of　a　friend。　Especially　a　friend　who　has　sacrificed　much　for　you。　You　are　not　worthy　to　kiss　Mistress　Derma's　Agiel。〃　Richard　smiled　smoothly；　confidently；　as　she　stood　startled。　〃You　had　better　hope　Master　Rahl　kills　me；　Mistress　Constance；　because　if　he　doesn't；　then　the　next　time　I　see　you；　I'm　going　to　kill　you　for　what　you've　done　to　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　Constance　stared　in　shock；　then　suddenly　drove　her　Agiel　toward　him。　Denna's　longer　arm　came　up。　She　slammed　her　own　Agiel　against　Constance's　throat；　holding　her　back。　Constance's　eyes　bulged　in　surprise。　She　coughed　blood；　and　dropped　to　her　knees；　clutching　her　hands　to　her　throat。
　
　Denna　stared　down　at　her　a　moment　before　starting　off　without　a　word。　Richard　followed；　attached　by　the　chain。　He　sped　up　to　walk　beside　her。
　
　Denna　kept　her　eyes　ahead；　showing　no　emotion。　〃Just　try　and　guess　how　many　hours　that　has　earned　you。〃
　
　Richard　smiled。　〃Mistress　Denna；　if　there　is　a　Mord…Sith　who　could　raise　a　scream　from　a　dead　man；　it　would　be　you。〃
　
　〃And　if　Master　Rahl　doesn't　kill　you；　how　many　hours？〃
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　there　are　not　enough　hours　in　a　lifetime。　to　dim　my　pleasure　at　what　I　have　done。〃
　
　She　smiled　a　little；　but　didn't　look　over。　〃I'm　glad；　then；　that　it　was　worth　it　for　you。〃　She　gave　him　a　sidelong　glance。　〃I　still　don't　understand　you。　As　you　said；　we　can　be　no　more；　no　less；　than　who　we　are。　I　regret　I　can　be　no　more　than　I　am；　and　I　fear　you　can　be　no　less。　Were　we　not　warriors　fighting　on　opposite　sides　in　this　war；　I　would　keep　you　as　a　mate　for　life；　and　work　to　see　you　die　of　old　age。〃
　
　Richard　was　warmed　by　her　gentle　tone。　〃I　would　try　my　best　to　live　a　long　life　for　you；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　They　walked　on　through　the　halls；　past　the　devotion　squares；　past　the　statues；　past　the　people。　She　took　him　upstairs；　through　vast　rooms　of　exquisite　decorations。　She　stopped　in　front　of　a　pair　of　doors　covered　in　carvings　of　rolling　hills　and　forests；　all　sheathed　in　gold。
　
　Denna　turned　to　him。　〃Are　you　prepared　to　die　this　day；　my　love？〃
　
　〃The　day　is　not　over　yet；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　She　slipped　her　arms　around　his　neck；　kissing　him　tenderly。　She　pulled　her　face　away　a　few　inches；　stroked　the　back　of　his　head。　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard；　that　I　do　these　things　to　you；　but　I　have　been　trained　to　do　them；　and　can　do　nothing　less；　I　live　only　to　hurt　you。　Know　that　it　is　not　by　choice；　but　by　training。　I　can　be　no　more　than　what　I　am：　Mord…Sith。　If　you　are　to　die　this　day；　my　love；　then　make　me　proud；　and　die　well。〃
　
　He　was　mate　to　a　madwoman；　he　thought　sadly。　And　one　not　of　her　own　making。
　
　She　pushed　the　doors　open　and　entered　a　grand　garden。　Richard　would　have　been　impressed；　had　his　mind　not　been　on　other　things。　They　went　down　a　path　between　flowers　and　shrubs；　past　short；　vine　covered　stone　walls；　and　small　trees；　to　an　expanse　of　lawn。　A　glass　roof　let　in　the　light；　keeping　the　plants　healthy　and　in　flower。
　
　In　the　distance　were　two　identically　huge　men。　Their　folded　arms　tad　metal　bands　with　sharp　projections　just　above　their　elbows‘　Guards　of　some　sort；　Richard　thought。　To　their　side　stood　another　man。　Imposing　muscles　flexed　on　his　smooth　chest。　His　short…cropped　blond　hair　stood　up　in　spikes；　with　a　single　black　streak　running　through　it。
　
　Near　the　center　of　the　lawn；　near　a　circle　of　white　sand；　in　a　warm　shaft　of　late…afternoon　sunlight；　stood　a　man　with　his　back　to　them。　The　sunlight　made　his　white　robes　and　shoulder…length　blond　hair　glow。　Sparks　of　the　sunlight　glinted　off　the　gold　belt　and　curved　dagger　at　his　waist。
　
　As　Richard　and　Denna　approached　him；　Denna　dropped　to　her　knees；　putting　her　forehead　to　the　ground。　Richard　had　been　instructed　and　did　the　same　as　he　pushed　his　sword　out　of　the　way。
　
　Together；　they　chanted。　〃Master　Rahl　guide　us。　Master　Rahl　teach　us。　Master　Rahl　protect　us。　In　your　light　we　thrive。　In　your　mercy　we　are　sheltered。　In　your　wisdom　we　are　humbled。　We　live　only　to　serve。　Our　lives　are　yours。〃
　
　They　chanted　only　once；　then　waited；　Richard　trembling　slightly。　He　remembered　that　he　was　never　to　get　near　Master　Rahl；　to　stay　away　from　him；　but　couldn't　remember　who　told　him　so；　only　that　it　was　important。　He　had　to　concentrate　on　Denna's　braid；　to　control　the　anger　at　what　Master　Rahl　had　done　to　her。
　
　〃Rise；　my　children。〃
　
　Richard　stood　with　his　shoulder　close　against　Mistress　Denna　while　intense　blue　eyes　studied　him。　That　the　Master's　face　looked　kind；　intelligent；　pleasant；　did　not　calm　Richard's　churning　fears；　and　the　thoughts　that　boiled　just　below　the　surface　of　his　mind。　The　blue　eyes　glided　to　Denna。
　
　〃You　look　surprisingly　well　this　morning；　my　pet。〃
　
　〃Mistress　Denna　is　as　good　at　taking　pain　as　giving　it；　Master　Rahl；〃　Richard　heard　himself　say。
　
　The　blue　eyes　returned　to　his。　The　calmness；　the　peace；　in　Rahl's　face　made　Richard　quiver。　〃My　pet　has　told　me　you　are　nothing　but　trouble。　I　am　pleased　to　see　she　has　not　lied　to　me。　But　not　pleased　to　find　it　true。〃　He　clasped　his　hands　in　a　relaxed　manner。　〃Well；　no　matter。　How　good　to　meet　you　at　last；　Richard　Cypher。〃
　
　Denna　drove　the　Agiel　into　his　back　with　a　sharp　jab　to　remind　him　of　what　it　was　he　was　supposed　to　say。　〃It　is　my　honor　to　be　here；　Mast