tg.stone of tears-第104部分

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　Through　archways　with　white…painted　gates；　they　came　to　the　stables。　Horses　browsed　in　a　field　beyond。　Boys　dressed　in　neat　livery；　with　black　vests　over　tan　shirts；　came　to　hold　the　horses　as　he　and　the　Sister　dismounted。　Richard　gave　Bonnie’s　neck　a　scratch　and　then　started　taking　down　his　belongings。
　
　Sister　Verna　brushed　out　the　wrinkles　in　her　divided　riding　skirt　and　straightened　her　light　cloak。　She　fussed　at　her　curly　hair。　‘No　need　for　that；　Richard。　Someone　will　bring　your　things。’
　
　‘No　one　touches　my　things　but　me；’　he　said。
　
　She　sighed　and　shook　her　head；　and　then　told　the　boy　to　have　her　things　brought　in。　He　bowed　to　her；　and　then　hooked　a　lead　line　on　Jessup。　He　gave　a　sharp　snap　on　the　line。　Jessup　balked。
　
　The　boy　brought　a　whip　around　on　the　Jessup’s　rump。　‘Move；　you　dumb　beast！’
　
　Jessup　bellowed　as　he　tried　to　yank　his　head　away。
　
　The　next　thing　Richard　knew；　the　boy　was　flying　across　the　walkway。　He　slammed　up　against　a　flimsy　wooden　wall　and　landed　on　his　seat；　as　a　glowering　Sister　Verna　loomed　over　him。
　
　‘Don’t　you　dare　whip　that　horse！　What’s　the　matter　with　you？　How　would　you　like　it　if　I　did　that　to　you？’　In　shock；　the　boy　shook　his　head。　‘If　I　ever　hear　of　you　whipping　a　horse　again；　you　will　be　without　a　job；　after　I　whip　your　skinny　bottom。’
　
　The　wide…eyed　lad　gave　a　quick　nod　and　apology。　Sister　Verna　glared　a　moment　longer　and　then　turned；　whistling　for　her　horse。　When　Jessup　trotted　up；　she　scratched　him　under　his　chin；　forting　and　calming　him。　She　led　him　inside　to　a　stall　and　saw　that　he　had　water　and　hay。　Richard　made　sure　she　didn’t　see　his　smile。
　
　As　they　walked　across　the　courtyard；　she　said；　‘Just　remember；　Richard；　there　isn’t　a　Sister　here；　or　even　a　novice；　who；　while　at　the　same　time　as　she　was　yawning；　couldn’t　throw　you　across　a　room　like　that　with　her　Han。’
　
　Inside　a　wood…paneled　hall　with　long　yellow　and　blue　carpets　running　under　ornate　side　tables；　three　women　waited。　They　became　all　atwitter　at　the　sight　of　Sister　Verna。　Sister　Verna　was　a　head　shorter　than　he；　and　none　of　these　three　women　were　as　tall　as　she。　They　smoothed　their　full；　pastel　skirts；　and　tugged　at　the　white　bodices。
　
　‘Sister　Verna！’　one　cried　out　as　the　three　rushed　up。　‘Oh；　dear　Sister　Verna；　it’s　so　good　to　see　you　at　last。’
　
　A　tear　or　two　ran　down　their　rosy　faces。　Their　smiles　looked　about　to　burst　their　cheeks。　Each　looked　a　good　deal　younger　than　Sister　Verna。　She　surveyed　the　big；　wet　eyes。
　
　Sister　Verna　tenderly　stroked　the　sniffling　face　before　her。　‘Sister　Phoebe。’　She　touched　another’s　hand。　‘And　Sister　Amelia；　and　Sister　Janet。　It’s　so　good　to　see　you　again。　It　has　been　a　long　time　indeed。’
　
　The　three　giggled　with　excitement；　at　last　posing　themselves。　Sister　Phoebe’s　round　face　looked　about；　past　Richard。
　
　‘Where　is　he？　Why　haven’t　you　brought　him　in　with　you？’
　
　Sister　Verna　lifted　her　hand　toward　Richard。　This　is　he。　Richard；　these　are　friends　of　mine。　Sisters　Phoebe；　Amelia；　and　Janet。’
　
　The　smiles　transformed　into　astonished　looks。　They　blinked　as　they　took　in　his　size　and　age。　They　stared　in　open　amazement　before　finally　sputtering　over　each　other’s　words　about　how　glad　they　were　to　meet　him。　They　tore　their　eyes　from　him　at　last　and　returned　their　attention　to　Sister　Verna。
　
　‘Better　than　half　the　palace　is　waiting　to　greet　you　both；’　Sister　Phoebe　said。　‘Everyone　has　been　so　excited　since　we　received　word　that　you　would　arrive　today。’
　
　Sister　Amelia　smoothed　back　her　fine；　light　brown　hair；　flipping　back　the　ends　that　barely　brushed　her　shoulders。　‘No　other　has　been　brought　in　since　you　left　for　Richard。　All　those　years；　and　no　other。　Everyone　is　so　eager　to　meet　him。　I　guess　they　are　in　for　a　‘big’　surprise；’　she　said　as　she　blushed；　glancing　sideways　at　him。　‘Some　of　the　younger　Sisters；　especially。　A　pleasant　surprise；　I　would　say。　My；　but　he　is　big。’
　
　Richard　remembered　a　time；　when　he　was　little；　when　he　had　been　imprisoned　in　his　house　by　a　pouring　rain。　His　mother　had　some　women　friends　visiting　to　help　in　the　making　of　a　quilt；　and　to　pass　the　time　in　conversation。　As　they　sat　and　sewed　while　he　played　on　the　floor；　they　discussed　him　as　if　he　weren’t　there；　talking　about　how　he　was　growing；　and　his　mother　had　told　how　much　he　ate；　and　how　good　he　was　at　reading。　In　similar　disfort；　now；　Richard　shifted　his　pack　up　higher　on　his　shoulder。
　
　Sister　Phoebe　turned　to　him　and　just　beamed。　She　reached　out　and　touched　his　arm。　‘Listen　to　us　go　on！　We　shouldn’t　talk　about　you　like　you　weren’t　here。　Wele；　Richard。　Wele　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。’
　
　Richard　silently　watched　the　three　Sisters　blinking　up　at　him。　Sister　Amelia　giggled；　and　said　to　Sister　Verna；　‘He　doesn’t　talk　much；　does　he。’
　
　‘He　talks　enough；’　Sister　Verna　said。　Under　her　breath；　she　added；　Thank　the　Creator　he　is　quiet　for　now。’
　
　‘Well；’　Sister　Phoebe　said；　in　a　bright　voice。　‘Shall　we　go？’
　
　Sister　Verna　frowned　at　her。　‘Sister　Phoebe；　who　are　the　troops　I　saw；　the　ones　in　the　strange　uniforms？’
　
　Sister　Phoebe’s　brow　wrinkled　in　thought　a　moment；　then　her　eyebrows　lifted。　‘Oh；　those　troops。’　She　dismissed　it　with　a　wave。　The　government　was　overthrown；　a　few　years　back。　I　guess　it　must　have　been　while　you　were　away。　The　Old　World　has　a　new　government；　again。　We　have　an　emperor；　now；　instead　of　all　those　kings。’　She　looked　to　Sister　Janet。　‘What　is　it　they　call　themselves？’
　
　Her　brow　creased　in　thought；　Sister　Janet’s　eyes　turned　toward　the　ceiling。　‘Oh；　yes；’　she　said　in　a　demure　voice。　The　Imperial　Order。　And　you　are　quite　right；　Sister　Phoebe；　they　have　an　emperor。’　She　nodded。　‘Yes；　the　Imperial　Order；　led　by　an　emperor。’
　
　Sister　Phoebe　shook　her　head　in　wonder。　‘Such　foolishness。　Governments　e；　and　governments　go；　but　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets　always　remains。　The　Creator’s　hand　shelters　us。　Shall　we　go　greet　the　others？’
　
　Following　behind　the　three；　they　passed　through　warmly　decorated　passageways　and　halls。　As　far　as　Richard　was　concerned；　he　was　in　hostile　territory。　Threat　always　caused　the　magic　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　to　try　to　seep　into　him；　to　protect　him。　He　let　in　a　trickle；　keeping　the　anger　on　a　slow　burn。　Sister　Verna　glanced　sideways　occasionally；　as　if　measuring　the　growth　of　his　glower。
　
　At　last；　they　went　through　a　pair　of　thick　walnut　doors　that　opened　into　a　vast　chamber。　They　had　to　pass　under　a　low　ceiling　and　between　white　columns　with　gold　capitals；　before　entering　under　a　huge；　vaulted　dome　painted　with　immense　scenes　of　people　in　robes　surrounding　a　glowing　figure。　Two　levels　of　balconies　with；　ornate　stone　railings　ringed　the　circular　room。　Stained…glass　windows　lit　the　top　balcony　from　behind。　The　floor　of　the　room　was　made　up　of　small；　light　and　dark　wood　squares　laid　out　in　a　zigzag　pattern。　The　hum　of　well　over　a　hundred　voices　echoed　around　the　chamber。
　
　Women　stood　in　bunches　around　the　floor　and　more　lined　the　balconies。　Scattered　among　the　women　on　the　second　level　were　some　men　and　boys。　The　women；　all　Sisters　of　the　Light；　he　presumed；　were　dressed　in　finery。　There　seemed　to　be　no　pattern；　their　dresses　were　of　every　color；　with　designs　ranging　from　conservative　to　revealing。　The　boys　and　men　were　dressed　in　everything　from　plain　robes　to　coats　as　elaborate　as　Richard　imagined　any　lord　or　prince　would　wear。
　
　The　buzz　of　talking　died　out　as　everyone　began　turning　to　the　new　arrivals。　As　the　room　fell　to　silence；　applause　started；　swelling　into　a　roar。
　
　Sister　Phoebe　took　a　few　steps　toward　the　center　of　the　room；　raising　her　hand；　calling　for　silence。　The　applause　died　out　in　spurts。
　
　‘Sisters；’　Sister　Phoebe　said；　her　voice　trembling　with　excitement；　‘please　wele　Sister　Verna　home。’　The　applause　roared　again　and；　after　a　few　moments；　the　hand　brought　it　to　silence　once　more。　‘And　may　I　present　our　newest　student；　our　newest　child　of　the　Creator；　our　newest　charge。’　She　turned；　holding　her　hand　out；　wiggling　her　fingers；　indicating　she　wanted　Richard　to　step　forward。　He　took　three　strides　to　her；　Sister　Verna　going　with　him。
　
　Sister　Phoebe　leaned　close　and　whispered。　‘Richard　。。。？　Do　you　have　any　more　to　your　name？’
　
　Richard　hesitated　a　moment。　‘Cypher。’
　
　She　turned　back　to　the　crowd。　‘Please　wele　Richard　Cypher　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。’
　
　The　clapping　started　again。　Richard　glowered　as　every　face　watched　him。　Women　near　pressed　closer；　to　get　a　better　look　at　him。　There　were　women　of　all　ages　and　descriptions　in　the　crowd；　ranging　from　some　who　looked　old　enough　to　be　kindly　grandmothers　to　some　hardly　old　enough　to　be　called　women；　with　those　of　every　age　in　between。　They　ranged　from　plump　to　skinny；　with　hair　as　different　as　their　dress；　with　every　color　from　blonde　to　black。　Their　eyes；　too；　were　of　every　color。
　
　He　noticed　one　woman　who　stood　near　him。　She　had　a　warm　smile　on　her　reed…thin　lips；　and　strange；　pale　blue　eyes　with　violet　flecks　through　them。　She　was　looking　at　him　as　if　he　were　an　old；　dear　friend；　whom　she　loved；　and　hadn’t　seen　in　years。　She　was　applauding　enthusiastically；　and　elbowing　a　haughty　woman　next　to　her　to　join　in　the　clapping；　until　the　other　finally　did。
　
　Richard　stood　with　his　arms　at　his　sides　as　he　studied　the　layout　of　the　room；　noting　exits；　passageways；　and　placement　of　guards。　As　the　applause　died　out；　a　young　woman　in　a　dress　the　same　shade　of　blue　as　Kahlan’s　wedding　dress　worked　her　way　through　the　crowd。　The　blue　dress　had　a　round　neck；　decorated　with　white　lace　that　ran　down　to　the　narrow　waist　and　matched　that　on　the　cuffs。
　
　She　approached；　ing　to　a　halt　right　in　front　of　him。　Perhaps　five　years　younger　than　he；　and　a　head　shorter；　she　had　full；　soft　brown　hair　that　reached　to　her　shoulders；　and　big；　brown　eyes。
　
　She　gaped　at　him。　With　each　slow　breath；　her　bosom　swelled　at　the　lace。　Her　hand　floated　up。　Her　delicate　fingers　brushed　his　cheek；　and　stroked　down　his　beard。　She　seemed　transfixed　as　she　stared　up　at　him；　stroking　his　beard。
　
　The　Creator　has　indeed　heard　my　prayers；’　she　whispered　to　herself。
　
　She　seemed　to　suddenly　remember　where　she　was　and　snatched　her　hand　back。　Her　face　flushed　red。
　
　‘I’m　。。。　I’m；’　she　stammered。　She　regained　her　posure；　her　face　recovering　its　smooth　plexion。　She　clasped　her　hands　before　herself　and　turned；　as　if　nothing　had　happened；　to　address　Sister　Verna。　‘I　am　Pasha　Maes；　novice；　third　rank。　I　am　next　in　line　to　be　named。　I　have　been　placed　in　charge　of　Richard。’
　
　Sister　Verna　gave　her　a　small；　tight　smile。　‘I　think　I　remember　you；　Pasha。　I’m　pleased　to　see　you　have　studied　hard　and　done　well。　Richard　is　passed　out　of　my　hands；　now；　and　into　yours。　May　the　Creator　gently　hold　you　both　in　His　hands。’
　
　Pasha　smiled　proudly　and　then　turned　to　Richard。　She　cast　a　glance　down　the　length　of　him。　She　looked　up；　batted　her　eyelashes　at　him；　and　gave　him　a　warm　smile。
　
　‘I’m　pleased　to　meet　you；　young　man。　My　name　is　Pasha。　You　are　assigned　to　me。　I’m　to　help　teach　you；　help　with　whatever　else　you　may　need　in　your　studies。　I’m　a　guide　of　sorts。　Any　problems　or　questions　you　have　are　to　be　brought　to　me；　and　I　will　do　my　best　to　help　you。　You　look　like　a　bright　boy；　I’m　sure　we　are　going　to　get　along　just　fine。’
　
　Her　smile　faltered　under　the　heat　of　his　glower。　She　smiled　again　and　continued。　‘Well；　first　of　all；　Richard；　we　don’t　allow　boys　to　carry　weapons　here　at　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。’　She　held　her　hands　out；　palms　up。　‘I’ll　take　your　sword。’
　
　The　trickle　of　rage　from　the　magic　had　turned　to　a　torrent。　‘You　are　wele　to　my　sword；　when　I　am　no　longer　breathing。’
　
　Pasha’s　gaze　flicked　to　Sister　Verna。　The　Sister　gave　a　slow；　slight　shake　of　her　head　in　stern　warning。　Pasha’s　gaze　returned　to　Richard　and　her　frown　transformed　to　a　smile。
　
　‘Well；　we’ll　talk　about　it　later。’　Her　brow　bunched　together。　‘But　you　need　to　learn　some　manners；　young　man。’
　
　Richard’s　voice　came　in　a　tone　that　took　some　of　the　color　from　Pasha’s　face。　‘Which　one　of　these　women　is　the　Prelate？’
　
　Pasha　gave　a　bubble　of　a　laugh。　‘The　Prelate　is　not　here。　She　is　much　too　busy　to　。。。’
　
　‘Take　me　to　her。’
　
　‘You　do　not　see　the　Prelate　when　you　wish。　She　sees　you　when　she　has　reason　to　see　you。　I　can　hardly　believe　Sister　Verna　has　not　taught　you　that　we　do　not　allow　our　boys　。。。’
　
　Richard　put　the　back　of　his　hand　against　her　shoulder　and　swept　her　aside　as　he　took　another　stride　into　the　room；　redirecting　his　glare　to　the　hundreds　of　eyes　watching　him。
　
　‘I　have　something　to　say。’
　
　The　vast　room　fell　to　a　hush。　From　two　different　places　in　his　mind；　the　same　thought　had　e　forward　at　the　same　time。　He　recognized　each　origin。　One　was　The　Adventures　of　Bonnie　Day；　the　book　his　father　had　given　him；　and　the　other　was　the　sword’s　magic；　the　knowledge　of　the　sword；　the　spirits　he　had　danced　with。
　
　The　memory　and　message　were　the　same：　When　you　are　outnumbered；　and　the　situation　is　hopeless；　you　have　no　option　…　you　must　attack。
　
　He　knew　what　the　collar　was　for。　His　situation　was　hopeless。　He　had　no　options。　He　let　the　quiet　ring　in　the　chamber　until　it　was　unfortable。
　
　His　fingers　tapped　his　Rada’Han。　‘As　long　as　you　keep　this　collar　on　me；　you　are　my　captors；　and　I　am　your　prisoner。’　Murmurs　hummed　in　the　air。　Richard　let　them　trail　off　before　he　went　on。　‘Since　I　have　mitted　no　aggression　against　you；　that　makes　us　enemies。　We　are　at　war。
　
　‘Sister　Verna　has　made　a　pledge　to　me　that　I　will　be　taught　to　control　the　gift；　and　when　I　have　learned　what　is　required；　I　will　be　set　free。　For　now；　as　long　as　you　keep　that　pledge；　we　have　a　truce。　But　there　are　conditions。’
　
　Richard　lifted　the　red　leather　rod　at　his　neck；　the　Agiel；　in　his　hand。　Beyond　the　rage　of　the　magic；　the　Agiel　was　only　a　dim　tingle　of　pain。　‘I　have　been　collared　before。　The　person　who　put　that　collar　on　me　brought　me　pain；　to　punish　me；　to　teach　me；　to　subdue　me。
　
　‘That　is　the　sole　purpose　of　a　collar。　You　collar　a　beast。　You　collar　your　enemies。
　
　‘I　made　her　much　the　same　offer　I　am　making　you。　I　begged　her　to　release　me。　She　would　not。　I　was　forced　to　kill　her。
　
　‘Not　one　of　you　could　ever　hope　to　be　good　enough　to　lick　her　boots。　She　did　as　she　did　because　she　was　tortured　and　broken；　made　mad　enough　to　use　a　collar　to　hurt　people。　She　did　it　against　her　nature。
　
　‘You；’　he　looked　to　all　the　eyes；　‘you　do　it　because　you　think　it　is　your　right。　You　enslave　in　the　name　of　your　Creator。　I　don’t　know　your　Creator。　The　only　one　beyond　this　world　I　know　who　would　do　as　you　do　is　the　Keeper。’　The　crowd　gasped。　‘As　far　as　I’m　concerned；　you　may　as　well　be　the　Keeper’s　disciples。
　
　‘If　you　do　as　she；　and　use　this　collar　to　bring　me　pain；　the　truce　will　be　ended。　You　may　think　you　hold　the　leash　to　this　collar；　but　I　promise　you；　if　the　truce　ends；　you　will　find　that　what　you　hold　is　a　bolt　of　lightning。’
　
　Dead…still　silence　rang　in　the　room。　Richard　rolled　up　his　left　sleeve。　He　drew　the　Sword　of　Truth。　The　distinctive　sound　of　steel　filled　the　sil