tg.stone of tears-第10部分

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　she　had　thought　to　tie　back　her　hair。　She　clung　to　Richard　for　dear　life；　pressing　the　side　of　her　face　against　his　back　as　she　squeezed　her　eyes　tightly　shut。
　
　It　was　happening　again　…　the　thick　feeling　of　growing　heavy　that　made　the　knot　in　the　pit　of　her　stomach　sink　lower　of　its　own　accord。　She　thought　she　might　be　sick。　She　was　afraid　to　open　her　eyes；　she　knew　what　always　happened　when　she　felt　heavy　like　this。　Richard　called　back　for　her　to　look。
　
　She　opened　her　eyes　just　a　little；　peeking　through　narrow；　squinting　slits。　As　she　suspected；　the　world　was　tilted　at　a　crazy　angle。　Her　head　spun　sickeningly。　Why　did　the　dragon　have　to　tip　over　whenever　it　made　a　turn？　She　could　feel　herself　being　pressed　against　the　red　scales。　She　couldn’t　understand　why　she　wasn’t　falling　off。
　
　Richard　had　told　her　he　had　figured　out　that　it　was　just　like　when　you　swung　a　bucket　of　water　around　over　your　head　and　the　water　didn’t　fall　out。　She　had　never　swung　a　bucket　of　water　over　her　head　and　wasn’t　entirely　sure　he　was　telling　the　truth　about　the　water　not　falling　out。　She　looked　longingly　at　the　ground　and　saw　what　Richard　was　pointing　at　…　the　Mud　People’s　village。
　
　Siddin　squealed　with　glee　from　his　place　in　Richard’s　lap　as　Scarlet’s　huge；　leathery　wings　caught　the　air　and　pulled　them　into　a　tight　spiral。　As　the　red　dragon　plummeted　earthward；　the　knot　of　Kahlan’s　stomach　felt　as　if　it　were　ing　up　in　her　throat。　She　didn’t　understand　how　they　could　like　doing　this。　They　enjoyed　it。　They　actually　enjoyed　it！　Arms　stuck　up　in　the　air；　they　were　both　laughing　with　delight；　acting　like　little　boys。　Well；　one　was　a　little　boy；　and　she　guessed　he　had　a　right。
　
　She　suddenly　smiled　and　then　laughed　herself。　Not　at　flying　on　a　dragon；　but　at　seeing　how　happy　Richard　was。　She　would　fly　on　a　dragon　every　day　just　to　see　him　laughing　and　happy。　She　stretched　up　and　kissed　the　back　of　his　neck。　He　brought　his　hands　down　and　rubbed　one　on　each　of　her　legs　She　clasped　them　tighter　around　him　and　forgot　a　little　about　feeling　sick。
　
　Richard　called　forward　for　Scarlet　to　land　in　the　open　field　in　the　center　of　the　village。　The　sun　was　almost　down；　making　the　tan；　plastered；　mud…bricked　buildings　in　the　circle　of　the　village　stand　out　brightly　in　the　slanting　light。　Kahlan　could　smell　the　sweet　smoke　from　the　cooking　fires。　The　long　shadows　trailed　the　people　running　for　cover。　Women　ran　from　the　cooking　shelters　and　men　from　their　weapons　making；　all　shouting　and　calling　out。
　
　She　hoped　they　wouldn’t　be　too　frightened。　The　last　time　Scarlet　had　e　here　she　had　carried　Darken　Rahl；　and　when　he　didn’t　find　Richard　he　had　killed　people。　These　people　didn’t　know　Rahl　had　forced　Scarlet　to　fly　him　around　after　he　had　stolen　her　egg。　Of　course；　even　without　Darken　Rahl　riding　her；　no　one　ever　thought　of　a　red　dragon　as　anything　but　a　deadly　threat。　She　herself　would　have　run　for　her　life　at　seeing　a　red　dragon。　The　red　were　the　most　fearsome　of　all　the　dragons；　and　no　one　would　ever　imagine　doing　anything　with　a　red　dragon　except　trying　to　kill　it；　or　running　for　his　life。
　
　No　one　but　Richard；　that　is。　Who　else　but　Richard　would　think　to　befriend　one？　He　had　risked　his　life　to　get　her　egg　free　from　Rahl’s　control　so　she　would　help　him；　and　in　the　process　had　made　a　friend　for　life；　although　Scarlet　still　professed　her　intent　to　eat　him　someday。　Kahlan　suspected　it　was　some　private　joke　between　the　two；　as　Richard　laughed　whenever　she　said　it。　At　least　Kahlan　hoped　it　was　only　a　joke　…　she　wasn’t　entirely　sure。　Kahlan　looked　down　at　the　village　and　hoped　the　hunters　didn’t　start　shooting　poison　arrows　before　they　saw　who　was　riding　the　red　dragon。
　
　Siddin　suddenly　recognized　his　home。　He　pointed　excitedly；　and　jabbered　to　Richard　in　the　Mud　People’s　language。　Richard　couldn’t　understand　a　word　of　it　but　smiled　and　nodded　and　ruffled　Siddin’s　hair。　They　both　gripped　the　spikes　on　Scarlet’s　back　as　she　pulled　out　of　the　steep　descent。　Dust　swept　up　around　them；　lifted　by　the　fluttering　of　Scarlet’s　huge　wings　as　she　settled　on　the　ground。
　
　Richard　grabbed　hold　of　Siddin　and　sat　the　little　boy　up　on　his　broad　shoulders；　then　stood　up　on　Scarlet’s　back。　The　stiff；　cold　breeze　carried　the　dust　away　to　reveal　a　ragged　ring　of　hunters；　their　bows　drawn；　poison　arrows　pointing　up　at　the　three　of　them。　Kahlan　held　her　breath。
　
　Grinning；　Siddin　waved　both　hands　over　his　head；　as　Richard　had　told　him　to。　Scarlet　held　her　head　down　so　the　Mud　People　could　get　a　clear　view　of　who　was　riding　her。　The　hunters；　astonished；　cautiously　lowered　their　bows。　Kahlan　exhaled　when　she　saw　the　tension　e　off　the　bowstrings。
　
　A　figure　in　buckskin　pants　and　tunic　stepped　through　the　ring　of　hunters。　Long　silver　hair　hung　down；　spreading　over　his　shoulders。　It　was　the　Bird　Man；　his　sun…browned　face　a　picture　of　shock。
　
　‘It’s　me；　Richard！　I　have　returned！　With　your　help；　we　have　defeated　Darken　Rahl。　And；　we　have　brought　Savidlin　and　Weselan’s　son　back。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　looked　to　Kahlan　as　she　translated。　A　beaming　grin　spread　on　his　face。　‘We　wele　you　both　back　to　your　people　with　open　arms。’
　
　Women　and　children　were　gathering　among　the　ring　of　hunters；　their　dark；　mud…slicked　hair　framing　amazed　faces。　Scarlet　lowered　her　bulky　body　to　the　ground　and　Richard　slid　off　her　shoulder；　landing　on　his　boots　with　a　thump。　He　held　Siddin　in　one　arm　as　he　reached　up　with　the　other　and　helped　Kahlan　down。　She　was　quietly　joyful　to　have　her　feet　on　the　earth　again。
　
　Weselan　pushed　through　the　throng；　running　to　them；　Savidlin　right　at　her　heels。　She　wailed　her　son’s　name。　Siddin　held　his　arms　out　gleefully　and　practically　leapt　into　her　arms。　Weselan　alternated　between　crying　and　laughing　as　she　tried　to　hug　her　son　and　Richard　and　Kahlan　all　at　once。　Savidlin　rubbed　his　boy’s　back　and　looked　to　her　and　Richard　with　wet　eyes。
　
　‘He　was　brave　as　any　hunter；’　Kahlan　told　him。
　
　He　gave　a　single；　firm；　pride…filled　nod。　He　appraised　her　for　a　moment　and　then　stepped　closer；　giving　her　a　gentle　slap。　‘Strength　to　Confessor　Kahlan。’
　
　Kahlan　returned　the　slap　and　greeting；　and　then　he　threw　his　arms　around　her　and　squeezed　nearly　all　the　breath　out　of　her。　When　finished　with　hugging　her；　he　straightened　his　elder’s　coyote　hide　on　his　shoulders　and　looked　up　at　Richard。　He　shook　his　head　in　wonderment。　And　then　he　gave　Richard　a　powerfully　hard　whack　across　the　jaw；　a　demonstration　of　his　heartfelt　respect　for　Richard’s　strength。
　
　‘Strength　to　Richard　With　The　Temper。’
　
　Kahlan　wished　he　hadn’t　done　that。　She　could　tell　by　Richard’s　eyes　that　he　had　a　headache。　He　had　had　it　since　yesterday；　and　she　had　hoped　it　would　be　better　after　a　good　sleep　the　night　before　in　Scarlet’s　cave。　Siddin　had　played　with　the　little　red　dragon　until　he　was　dead　tired；　and　then　had　cuddled　between　them　and　gone　to　sleep。
　
　Having　not　slept　for　days；　she　thought　she　would　have　no　trouble　sleeping；　but　she　found　she　didn’t　want　to　stop　looking　at　Richard。　She　had　finally　put　her　head　on　his　shoulder；　held　his　hand　in　both　of　hers；　and　fallen　asleep　smiling。　They　had　all　needed　the　rest。　Bad　dreams　had　caused　Richard　to　jerk　awake　several　times　in　a　cold　sweat；　and　even　though　he　had　said　nothing；　she　could　see　in　his　eyes　that　he　still　had　the　headache。　Richard　didn’t　let　it　bother　him；　though；　and　returned　Savidlin’s　slap　in　kind。
　
　‘Strength　to　Savidlin。　My　friend。’
　
　Properly　greeted；　souls　protected；　Savidlin　let　his　grins　and　backslaps　fly。　After　they　had　exchanged　greetings　with　the　Bird　Man；　Richard　addressed　the　crowd。
　
　‘This　brave　and　noble　dragon；　Scarlet；’　he　called　out　in　a　voice　for　all　to　hear；　even　though　they　couldn’t　understand　the　words；　‘has　helped　me　kill　Darken　Rahl　and　avenge　our　murdered　people。　She　has　brought　us　here　so　Siddin　could　be　returned　before　his　parents　could　fear　for　him　another　night。　She　is　my　friend；　a　friend　to　the　Mud　People。’
　
　Everyone　was　dumbfounded　as　Kahlan　translated。　The　hunters；　at　least；　puffed　up　at　hearing　that　an　enemy　of　the　Mud　People　had　been　killed　by　one　of　their　own　…　even　if　he　was　one　of　their　own　by　proclamation　and　not　by　birth。　The　Mud　People　honored　strength；　and　to　them　killing　one　who　harmed　their　people　meant　strength。
　
　Scarlet’s　head　swung　down；　her　ears　twitching。　One　yellow　eye　frowned　at　Richard。　‘Friend！　Red　dragons　are　friends　to　no　people！　We　are　feared　by　all！’
　
　‘You’re　my　friend。’　Richard　smiled。　‘I’m　a　person。’
　
　Scarlet　snorted　a　puff　of　smoke　at　him。　‘Paah。　I　will　eat　you　yet。’
　
　Richard’s　grin　widened。　He　pointed　at　the　Bird　Man。　‘You　see　this　man？　He　gave　me　the　whistle　that　I　used　to　save　your　egg。　If　not　for　that　whistle；　the　gars　might　have　eaten　your　little　one。’　He　stroked　a　hand　on　the　bright　red　snout。　‘And　a　wonderful　little　one　it　is。’
　
　Scarlet　tilted　her　head；　blinking　a　big　yellow　eye　at　the　Bird　Man。　‘I　guess　he　would　make　a　meager　snack。’　She　peered　back　at　Richard；　a　chuckle　rumbling　in　her　throat。　‘The　whole　of　the　village　wouldn’t　make　a　decent　meal。　More　trouble　than　it　would　be　worth。’　She　brought　her　head　closer　to　him。　‘If　they　are　your　friends；　Richard　Cypher；　they　are　my　friends；　too。’
　
　‘And　Scarlet；　this　one　is　called　the　Bird　Man　because　he　loves　creatures　that　fly。’
　
　Scarlet’s　scaly　eyebrows　lifted。　‘Really？’　She　swung　her　head　close　to　the　Bird　Man；　inspecting　him　anew。　The　proximity　of　Scarlet’s　big　head　caused　a　few　close　to　him　to　back　away　a　step　or　two。　The　Bird　Man　held　his　ground。　‘Thank　you；　Bird　Man；　for　helping　Richard。　He　has　saved　my　young　one。　The　Mud　People　have　nothing　to　fear　from　me。　On　my　dragon’s　honor。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　looked　to　Kahlan　as　she　translated；　smiled　to　Scarlet；　and　then　turned　to　his　people。　‘As　Richard　With　The　Temper　says；　this　noble　dragon；　Scarlet；　is　a　friend　to　the　Mud　People。　She　may　hunt　our　land；　and　we　will　bring　no　harm　to　her；　nor　her　to　us。’
　
　Cheering　erupted　from　the　crowd。　For　a　people　to　have　a　dragon　as　a　friend　was　taken　as　an　honor　to　their　strength。　Everyone　seemed　to　be　shouting　with　excitement。　They　waved　their　arms　in　the　air　and　stamped　around　in　little　dances。　Scarlet　joined　in　the　merriment　by　throwing　her　head　back　and　sending　a　roaring　column　of　flame　skyward。　The　people　cheered　louder。
　
　Kahlan　noticed　Richard　glancing　off　to　the　side。　She　followed　the　direction　of　his　gaze　to　a　small　band　of　hunters　standing　together。　None　of　them　were　cheering。　She　recognized　their　leader。　He　was　the　one　who　had　blamed　Richard　for　bringing　trouble　to　their　village　…　blamed　Richard　for　the　deaths　of　Mud　People　at　the　hands　of　Darken　Rahl。
　
　As　the　hooting　and　hollering　went　on；　Richard　motioned　Scarlet　toward　him。　When　she　lowered　her　head；　he　put　his　face　right　in　her　ear。　She　listened　to　whatever　he　was　saying　and　then　pulled　her　head　back；　regarding　him　with　a　big　yellow　eye。　She　nodded。
　
　Richard　held　out　the　carved　bone　whistle　hanging　from　a　leather　thong　at　his　neck　as　he　turned　to　the　Bird　Man。　‘You　gave　me　this　as　a　gift；　but　told　me　it　would　never　aid　me　because　I　could　only　call　all　the　birds　at　once。　I　think　maybe　the　good　spirits　wanted　it　that　way。　This　gift　helped　me　save　everyone　from　Darken　Rahl。　It　helped　me　save　Kahlan。　Thank　you。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　smiled　at　the　translation。　Richard　whispered　in　Kahlan’s　ear　that　he　would　be　back　in　a　short　time；　and　then　climbed　up　on　Scarlet。
　
　‘Honored　elder；　Scarlet　and　I　would　like　to　give　you　a　small　gift。　We　would　like　to　take　you　up　in　the　air；　so　you　may　see　where　your　beloved　birds　fly。’　He　extended　a　hand　to　the　Bird　Man。
　
　The　elder；　upon　hearing　the　translation；　looked　apprehensively　at　Scarlet。　Her　vibrant　red　scales　were　glossy　in　the　late…afternoon　sun；　undulating　with　her　breathing。　Her　tail　reached　nearly　to　the　mud…brick　homes　across　the　field。　The　dragon　unfolded　her　wings　and　lazily　stretched　them。　He　looked　at　Richard；　who　was　still　offering　his　hand　to　him。　A　little…boy　grin　lit　the　elder’s　face。　It　made　Kahlan　laugh。　He　clasped　Richard’s　arm　and　hoisted　himself　up。
　
　Savidlin　strode　over　and　stood　by　Kahlan　as　the　dragon　rose　into　the　air。　The　people　cheered　their　approval　as　they　watched　the　dragon　lifting　their　honored　elder　into　the　air。　Kahlan　wasn’t　seeing　the　dragon。　She　saw　only　Richard。　She　could　hear　the　Bird　Man　laughing　as　Scarlet　carried　them　up　Hid　away。　She　hoped　he　was　still　laughing　after　Scarlet　made　a　turn。
　
　Savidlin　glanced　at　her。　‘He　is　a　rare　person；　Richard　With　The　Temper。’
　
　She　smiled　and　nodded。　Her　gaze　went　across　the　way；　to　the　man　who　wasn’t　cheering　or　happy。　‘Savidlin；　who　is　that　man？’
　
　‘Chandalen。　He　blames　Richard　for　Darken　Rahl　ing　here　and　killing　people。’
　
　The　Wizard’s　First　Rule　came　to　her　mind：　People　will　believe　anything。　‘If　it　wasn’t　for　Richard；　Darken　Rahl　would　rule　us　all　now；　the　same　Darken　Rahl　who　killed　those　people。’　Savidlin　shrugged。　‘Not　everyone　who　has　eyes　can　see。　Remember　the　elder　you　killed？　Toffalar？　That　was　his　uncle。’　She　nodded　absently。　‘　Wait　here。’
　
　Kahlan　walked　across　the　field；　pulling　the　tie　from　her　hair　as　she　went。　She　was　still　dazed　by　the　knowledge　that　Richard　loved　her　and　that　he　couldn’t　be　harmed　by　her　magic。　It　was　hardly　possible　to　believe　she；　a　Confessor；　could　ever　experience　love。　It　went　against　everything　she　had　ever　been　taught。　She　just　wanted　to　take　Richard　somewhere　alone　and　kiss　him　and　hug　him　until　they　were　old。
　
　There　was　no　way　she　was　going　to　allow　this　man；　Chandalen；　to　bring　any　harm　to　Richard。　Now　that　she　and　the　man　she　loved　could　somehow；　magically；　be　together；　she　wasn’t　going　to　allow　anything　to　jeopardize　that。
　
　The　mere　thought　of　anyone　harming　Richard　brought　the　Blood　Rage；　the　Con　Dar；　boiling　up　inside　her。　She　had　never　known　about　the　Con　Dar　before；　had　never　known　it　was　part　of　her　magic；　until　she　brought　it　forth　when　she　thought　Richard　had　been　killed。　Since　then；　she　felt　it　within　her；　just　as　she　always　felt　the　rest　of　the　Confessor’s　magic。
　
　With　his　arms　folded　across　his　chest；　Chandalen　watched　her　e。　His　hunters　stood　behind　him；　leaning　on　spears　planted　butt…first　in　the　ground。　Apparently；　they　had　just　returned　from　a　hunt；　their　lean　bodies　were　still　smeared　with　sticky　mud。　They　stood　easy　but　alert。　Bows　were　slung　over　their　shoulders　and　quivers　hung　at　one　side　of　their　belts；　long　knives　at　the　other。　There　were　smears　of　blood　on　some　of　the　men。　Grass　tied　in　bands　at　their　upper　arms　and　around　their　heads　helped　make　them　invisible　in　the　surrounding　grassland　when　they　chose　to　be。　Kahlan　stopped　in　front　of　Chandalen；　looking　into　his　dark　eyes。　She　slapped　him。　‘Strength　to　Chandalen。’　He　pulled　his　glare　from　her；　arms　still　folded；　turned　his　head；　and　spat。　His　fierce　eyes　came　back　to　hers。　‘What　do　you　want；　Confessor？’
　
　The　hunters’　mud…streaked　faces　all　took　on　small；　tight　smiles。　The　Mud　People’s　land　was　probably　the　only　place　where　it　was　an　insult　not　to　be　slapped。　‘Richard　With　The　Temper　has　sacrificed　more　than　you　could　ever　know　to　save　our　people