tg.wizardfirstrule-第98部分

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The　blade　had　returned　to　its　polished　silver　gloss；　but　he　knew　how　to　make　it　white　again。　He　hoped　he　would　die　before　that　was　ever　required。　He　didn't　know　if　he　could　ever　bring　himself　to　do　it　again。
　
　And　yet；　here　he　was；　racing　across　the　night；　on　his　way　to　find　Zedd　and　Kahlan；　to　find　which　of　them　had　betrayed　the　box　to　Darken　Rahl；　had　betrayed　everyone　to　Darken　Rahl。
　
　The　whole　thing　didn't　make　any　sense。　Why　would　Rahl　use　the　night　stone　to　trap　Zedd；　if　Zedd　was　the　traitor？　And　why　would　he　send　men　after　Kahlan；　if　she　was　the　one？　Yet　Shota　had　said　each　would　try　to　kill　him。　It　had　to　be　one　of　them。　What　was　he　to　do？　Turn　the　sword　white；　and　kill　both？　He　knew　that　was　foolish。　He　would　rather　die　himself　first　than　harm　either。　But　what　if　Zedd　was　betraying　them；　and　the　only　way　to　save　Kahlan　would　be　to　kill　his　old　friend？　Or　what　if　it　was　the　other　way　around？　Would　he　still　rather　die　first；　then？
　
　The　important　thing　was　to　stop　Rahl。　He　had　to　recover　the　last　box。　He　had　to　stop　wasting　his　energy　thinking　about　things　he　couldn't　know。　All　that　mattered　was　stopping　Rahl；　then　everything　else　would　fall　into　place。　He　had　found　the　box　once；　he　would　have　to　find　it　again。
　
　But　how？　There　was　no　time。　How　was　he　going　to　find　Zedd　and　Kahlan？　He　was　one　man　on　a　horse；　and　there　was　a　whole　country　to　search。　They　wouldn't　be　traveling　by　road；　not　if　Chase　was　with　them。　Chase　would　keep　them　off　the　roads；　well　hidden。　Richard　didn't　know　the　roads；　much　less　the　trails。
　
　This　was　a　fool's　task。　There　was　too　much　country　to　search。
　
　Darken　Rahl　had　planted　too　many　doubts　in　him。　Swirling　thoughts　twisted　on　themselves；　became　more　and　more　confusing；　hopeless。　He　felt　that　his　own　mind　was　his　worst　enemy　right　now。　Richard　cleared　his　mind　and　chanted　the　devotion　to　keep　himself　from　thinking。　He　smiled　at　the　stupidity　of　chanting　a　devotion　to　a　man　he　wanted　to　kill；　but　he　chanted　anyway　as　he　rode　on　into　the　night。　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。
　
　Twice；　he　walked　the　horse　to　rest　it；　but　pushed　on　hard　the　rest　of　the　time。。　The　Azrith　Plains　seemed　endless。　The　flat　country；　devoid　of　almost　all　vegetation；　stretched　on　forever。　The　chanting　helped　him　keep　his　mind　clear　of　all　thoughts；　except　one：　the　horror　of　killing　Denna。　That　memory　he　couldn't　shake。　Those　tears　he　couldn't　keep　back。
　
　Dawn　brought　him　his　own　shadow　to　chase。　Boulders　appeared；　looking　out　of　place　on　the　flat　ground；　casting　long　shadows　of　their　own。　They　gathered　in　numbers　as　he　rode。　The　terrain　began　undulating；　opening　up　in　gullies；　rising　in　ridges。　He　rode　through　narrow　passes　and　rifts；　down　a　canyon　with　walls　of　crumbling　rock。　The　road　took…　a　bend　to　the　left；　with　a　narrower　road　to　the　right。　Richard　took　the　horse　to　the　left；　remembering　what　the　guard　had　told　him。
　
　Out　of　the　clearness　of　his　mind；　a　thought　came　to　him。　Richard　brought　the　horse　to　a　skidding　halt。　He　looked　off　down　the　right　road。　He　thought　about　it　a　minute；　then　pulled　the　reins　to　the　right；　urging　the　animal　on；　down　the　right…hand　road。
　
　Darken　Rahl　had　told　him　he　was　free　to　go　where　he　pleased
　
　He　had　even　let　him　have　a　horse　so　he　might　go　where　he　wished。　Maybe　Darken　Rahl　wouldn't　mind　if　Richard　borrowed　his　dragon。
　
　Letting　the　horse　pick　its　own　way；　he　watched　carefully　all　about；　resting　his　hand　on　the　hilt　of　the　sword。　Surely　a　red　dragon　wouldn't　be　hard　to　spot。　There　was　no　sound　but　the　horse's　hooves　on　the　hard　ground。　Richard　didn't　know　how　far　it　was；　and　rode　for　a　long　time　among　the　rubble　of　boulders　on　the　canyon　floor。　He　began　to　worry　that　the　dragon　was　gone；　that　maybe　Rahl　himself　was　riding　it　somewhere。　Maybe　to　get　the　box。　He　didn't　know　if　his　present　course　was　a　good　idea；　but　it　was　the　only　idea　he　could　think　of。
　
　A　blinding　burst　of　fire　erupted　with　a　deafening　roar。　The　horse　reared。　Richard　leapt　off；　landed　on　his　feet；　and　scrambled　behind　a　boulder　as　the　air　was　filled　with　flying　stones　and　fire。　Shards　of　rock　ricocheted　past　his　head。　He　heard　the　horse　thud　to　the　ground　and　smelled　burnt　hair。　It　screamed　a　terrible　neigh　until　there　was　a　snapping　of　bones。　Richard　crouched　tighter　against　the　rock；　afraid　to　look。
　
　As　he　listened　to　the　periodic　roar　of　fire；　the　breaking　of　bones；　the　ripping　of　flesh；　Richard　decided　that　this　had　been　a　very　stupid　idea。　He　could　hardly　believe　the　dragon　was　so　well　hidden　that　he　hadn't　even　seen　it。　He　wondered　if　it　had　seen　him　dive　behind　the　boulder。　At　least　for　the　moment；　it　didn't　seem　so。　He　searched　about　for　a　way　to　escape；　but　the　terrain　was　too　open　to　run　without　being　seen。　The　sound　of　the　horse　being　eaten　made　his　stomach　turn。　At　last　it　ended。　He　wondered　if　dragons　took　naps　after　they　ate。　'There　were　a　few　snorts。　The　snorts　came　closer。　Richard　tried　to　make　himself　smaller。
　
　Talons　rasped　over　the　boulder　he　was　hiding　behind　and　lifted　it　right　off　the　ground；　tossing　it　aside。　Richard　looked　up　into　piercing　yellow　eyes：　Almost　everything　else　was　an　intense　red。　The　head；　with　flexible　black…tipped　spikes　around　the　base　of　the　jaw　and　on　the　back　of　its　skull　behind　the　ears；　was　at　the　end　of　a　long；　thick　neck　rising　from　an　immense　body。　The　sinewy　tail　terminated　in　black…tipped　spikes；　like　the　ones　on　the　head；　only　stiff　and　hard。　The　tail　swished　idly；　pushing　rocks　aside。　As　it　flexed　its　wings；　powerful　muscles　rippled　beneath　the　glossy；　red　interlocking　scales　on　its　shoulders。　Razor…sharp　teeth；　stained　red　from　its　recent　meal；　sprouted　just　inside　the　snarling　lips　and　lined　the　long　muzzle。　The　beast　snorted。　Smoke　rose　from　nostrils　at　the　end　of　the　tapered　snout。
　
　〃What　have　we　here？〃　came　a　decidedly　female　voice。　〃A　tasty　treat？〃
　
　Richard　sprang　to　his　feet　and　drew　the　sword；　sending　its　ring　into　the　air。
　
　〃I　need　your　help。〃
　
　〃Only　too　glad　to　help　you；　little　man。　But　not　until　after　I　eat　you。；；
　
　'I'm　warning　you；　stay　back！　This　sword　has　magic。〃
　
　〃Magic！〃　the　dragon　gasped　in　mock　fright。　It　put　a　claw　to　its　breast。　〃Oh；　please；　brave　man；　don't　slay　me　with　your　magic　sword！〃　It　made　a　smoky　rumble　that　Richard　took　for　laughter。
　
　Richard　kept　the　sword　out；　but　felt　suddenly　foolish。　〃You　intend　to　eat　me；　than？〃
　
　〃Well；　I　must　admit；　more　for　the　amusement　than　the　taste。〃
　
　〃I　had　heard　red　dragons　were　an　independent　sort；　but　that　you　are　little　more　than　a　lapdog　to　Darken　Rahl。〃　A　ball　of　flame　boiled　from　the　mouth；　rising　into　the　air。　〃I　thought　you　might　like　to　be　free　of　your　bonds；　and　be　independent　once　more。〃
　
　The　head；　bigger　than　he；　Richard　was　frightened　to　note；　came　closer；　to　within　a　few　yards。　Its　ears　swiveled　forward。　A　glossy　red　tongue；　split　at　the　end　like　a　snake's；　slithered　out　toward　him；　making　a　curious　investigation。　Richard　held　the　sword　out　of　the　way　as　the　tongue　raked　up　his　body　from　his　crotch　to　his　throat。　It　was　a　gentle　touch；　for　a　dragon；　yet　it　knocked　him　back　a　few　steps。
　
　〃And　how　would　a　little　man　like　you　be　able　to　do　that？〃
　
　〃I'm　trying　to　stop　Darken　Rahl；　kill　him。　If　you　helped　me；　then　you　would　be　free。〃
　
　The　dragon　threw　its　head　up；　smoke　puffing　from　its　nostrils　as　it　rumbled　in　laughter。　The　ground　shook。　It　looked　down　at　him；　blinked；　then　threw　its　head　back　again；　rumbling　in　laughter　once　more。
　
　The　rumbling　died　out　and　the　head　returned；　the　eyebrows　bunching　up　in　an　angry　frown。　〃I　don't　think　so。　I　don't　think　I　would　like　to　put　my　fate　in　a　little　man　like　you。　I　would　rather　put　my　future　in　continuing　to　serve　Master　Rahl。〃　It　made　a　grunt；　blowing　small　clouds　of　dust　away　to　the　sides　at　Richard's　feet。　〃The　entertainment　is　over。　Time　for　my　tasty　treat。〃
　
　〃All　right。　I'm　prepared　to　die。〃　Richard　had　to　think　of　a　stall；　to　give　himself　time　to　think。　Why　would　a　red　dragon　be　at　the　service　of　Darken　Rahl？　〃But　before　you　eat　me；　may　I　tell　you　something　first？〃
　
　〃Speak；〃　the　dragon　snorted。　〃But　make　it　short。〃
　
　〃I'm　from　Westland。　I've　never　seen　a　dragon　before。　I　always　thought　they　would　be　fearsome　creatures；　and　I　must　admit；　you　certainly　are　fearsome；　but　there　is　one　thing　I　wasn't　prepared　for。〃
　
　〃And　what　would　that　be？〃　；；
　
　〃You　are；　without　a　doubt；　the　most　stunningly　beautiful　creature　I　have　ever　seen。〃
　
　It　was　the　truth。　Despite　the　deadly　nature　of　it；　it　was　strikingly　beautiful。　The　neck　of　the　dragon　made　itself　into　an　S　shape　as　it　pulled　its　head　back；　blinking　in　surprise。　The　eyes　frowned　a　little；　doubting。
　
　〃It's　true；〃　Richard　said。　〃I'm　to　be　eaten。　I　have　no　reason　to　lie。　You　are　beautiful。　I　never　thought　I　would　see　anything　as　magnificent　as　you。　Do　you　have　a　name？〃
　
　〃Scarlet。〃
　
　〃Scarlet。　What　a　lovely　name。　Are　all　red　dragons　as　stunning　as　you；　or　are　you　special？〃
　
　Scarlet　put　a　claw　to　her　breast。　〃That　would　not　be　for　me　to　say。〃　The　head　snaked　its　way　toward　him　again。　〃I　have　never　had　a　man　I　was　about　to　eat　tell　me　such　a　thing。〃
　
　An　idea　began　forming　in　Richard's　mind。　He　put　the　sword　back　in　its　scabbard。　〃Scarlet；　I　know　a　creature　as　proud　as　you　would　not　be　at　the　beck　of　anyone；　much　less　one　as　demanding　as　Darken　Rahl；　unless　there　was　terrible　need。　You　are　too　beautiful　and　noble　a　creature　for　that。〃
　
　Scarlet's　head　floated　closer。　〃Why　would　you　say　such　things　to　me？〃
　
　〃Because　I　believe　in　the　truth。　I　think　you　do　too。〃
　
　〃What　is　your　name？〃
　
　〃Richard　Cypher。　I　am　the　Seeker。〃　Scarlet　put　a　black…tipped　talon　to　her　teeth。　〃Seeker。〃　She　frowned。　〃I　don't　believe　I've　ever　eaten　a　Seeker　before。〃　A　strange；　dragon's　smile　crossed　her　lips。　〃It　will　be　a　treat。　Our　talk　is　over；　Richard　Cypher。　Thank　you　for　the　pliment。〃　The　head　floated　closer；　the　lips　pulling　back　in　a　snarl。
　
　〃Darken　Rahl　stole　your　egg；　didn't　he？〃
　
　Scarlet　pulled　back。　She　blinked　at　him；　then　threw　her　head　back；　jaws　wide。　An　earsplitting　roar　made　the　scales　on　her　throat　vibrate。　Fire　shot　skyward　in　a　booming　blast。　The　sound　echoed　off　the　cliff　walls；　causing　little　rock　slides。
　
　Scarlet's　head　whipped　back　to　him；　smoke　rising　from　the　nostrils。　〃What　do　you　know　about　that！〃
　
　〃I　know　that　a　proud　creature　such　as　you　would　not　subject　herself　to　such　demeaning　duties；　except　for　one　reason。　To　protect　something　important。　Like　her。　young。〃
　
　〃So　you　know。　That　will　not　save　you；〃　she　snarled。
　
　〃I　also　know　where　Darken　Rahl　is　keeping　your　egg。〃
　
　〃Where！〃　Richard　had　to　dive　to　the　side　to　avoid　the　flames。　〃Tell　me　where　it　is！〃
　
　〃I　thought　you　wanted　to　eat　me　now。〃
　
　One　'eye　came　close。　〃Someone　should　teach　you　not　to　be　flippant；〃　she　rumbled。
　
　〃Sorry；　Scarlet。　It's　a　bad　habit　that　has　brought　me　to　grief　in　the　past。　Look；　if　I　help　you　get　your　egg　back；　then　Rahl　would　have　no　hold　on　you。　If　I　could　do　that；　would　it　be　worth　helping　me？〃
　
　〃Helping　you　how？〃
　
　〃Well；　you　fly　Rahl　around。　That's　what　I　need。　I　need　you　to　fly　me　around　for　a　few　days；　help　me　look　for　some　friends　of　mine；　so　I　can　protect　them　from　Rahl。　I　need　to　be　able　to　cover　a　lot　of　ground；　search　a　lot　of　area。　I　think　if　I　could　do　it　from　the　sky；　like　a　bird；　I　could　find　them；　and　have　enough　time　to　stop　Rahl。〃
　
　〃I　don't　like　flying　men　about。　It's　humiliating。〃
　
　〃Six　days　from　now；　it　will　all　be　over；　one　way　or　another。　It　you　help　me；　that's　all　I　would　need。　After　that；　it　won't　matter；　one　way　or　the　other。　How　long　will　you　have　to　serve　Rahl　if　you　don't　help　me？〃　〃All　right。　Tell　me　where　my　egg　is；　and　I　will　let　you　go。　Let　you　live。〃
　
　〃How　would　you　know　I　was　telling　the　truth？　I　could　just　invent　a　place；　to　save　myself。〃
　
　〃Like　dragons；　real　Seekers　have　honor。　That　much　I　know。　So；　if　you　really　know；　tell　me　and　I　will　free　you。〃
　
　〃No。〃
　
　〃No！〃　Scarlet　roared。　〃What　do　you　mean　‘No'？〃
　
　〃I　don't　care　about　my　life。　Just　as　you；　I　care　about　things　more　important。　If　you　want　me　to　help　you　get　your　egg　back；　then　you　will　have　to　agree　to　help　me　save　the　ones　I　care　about。　We　will　get　the　egg　first；　then　you　help　me。　I　think　it　more　than　a　fair　trade。　The　life　of　your　offspring；　in　exchange　for　flying　me　about　for　a　few　days。〃
　
　Scarlet's　piercing　yellow　eye　came　close　to　his　face；　her　ears　swiveled　forward。　〃And　how　do　you　know　that　once　I　have　my　egg；　I　will　keep　my　end　of　the　bargain？〃'
　
　〃Because；〃　Richard　whispered；　〃you　know　what　it　is　like　to　fear　for　the　safety　of　another；　and　you　have　honor。　I　have　no　choice。　I　don't　know　any　other　way　to　save　my　friends　from　living　the　rest　of　their　lives　as　you　are　living　now…under　the　heel　of。　Darken　Rahl。　I　will　be　putting　my　life　at　great　risk　to　save　your　egg。　I　believe　you　to　be　a　creature　of　honor。　I　will　trust　your　word；　with　my　life。〃
　
　Scarlet　gave　a　snort；　backing　away　a　little；　peering　at　him。　She　folded　her　huge　wings　against　herself。　Her　tail　swished　about；　knocking　stones　and　a　few　small　boulders　skidding　across　the　ground。　Richard　waited。　One　arm　cane　forward；　a　single　black　tipped　talon；　thick　as　his　leg；　sharp　as　his　sword　point；　hooked　through　the　sword's　baldric；　and　gave　a　snug　pull。　Her　head　came　close。
　
　〃Bargain　struck。　On　your　honor；　on　mine；〃　Scarlet　hissed。　〃But　I　have　not　given　my　word　I　will　not　eat　you　at　the　end　of　the　six　days。〃
　
　〃If　you　help　me　save　my　friends；　and　stop　Rahl；　I　don't　care　what　you　do　to　me　after　that。〃　Scarlet　snorted。　〃Are　short…tailed　gars　a　threat　to　dragons？〃
　
　The　dragon　unhooked　her　talon　from　him；　〃Gars。〃　She　spat　the　name。　〃I　have　eaten　enough　of　them。　They　are　no　match　for　me；　not　unless　there　were　eight　of　ten　together；　but　gars　don't　like　to　gather　together　in　numbers；　so　that's　not　a　problem。〃
　
　〃It's　a　problem　now。　When　I　saw　your　egg；　there　were　dozens　of　gars　around　it。〃
　
　Scarlet　gave　a　grunt；　and　tongues　of　flame　licked　out　between　her　teeth。　〃Dozens。　That　many　could　pull　me　from　the　sky。　Especially　if　I　were　carrying　my　egg。〃
　
　Richard　smiled。　〃That's　why　you　need　me。　I　will　think　of　a　plan。〃
　
　…＋
　
　Zedd　screamed。　Kahlan　and　Chase　both　jerked　back。　Kahlan's　brow　wrinkled。　He　had　never　done　this　before　when　he　had　sought　out　the　night　stone。　The　sun　was　already　down；　but　in　the　fading　light　she　could　see　his　skin　was　nearly　as　white　as　his　hair。
　
　She　grasped　him　by　the　shoulders。　〃Zedd！　What　is　it？〃
　
　He　didn't　answer。　His　head　fell　to　the　side　as　his　eyes　rolled　back。　He　still　wasn't　breathing；　but　that　much　was　normal；　he　hadn't　breathed　in　the　past　when　he　sought　the　night　stone。　She　exchanged　a　worried　glance　with　Chase。　Kahlan　could　feel　Zedd　shivering　under　her　hands。　She　shook　him　again。
　
　〃Zedd！　Stop　it！　e　back！〃
　
　He　gave　a　gasp；　then　whispered　something。　Kahlan　put　her　ear　by　his　mouth。　He　whispered　again。
　
　Kahlan　was　horrified。　〃Zedd；　I　can't　do　that　to　you。〃
　
　〃What　did　he　say？〃　Chase　demanded