tg.stone of tears-第126部分

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　‘But　I　used　the　Sword　of　Truth。’　His　voice　sounded　to　him　like　a　plea　into　a　gale。　‘It　was　the　sword。’
　
　The　Sword　of　Truth　was　also　created　by　wizards　with　the　gift　for　both　sides　of　the　magic。　Only　one　born　the　same　could　bring　out　the　full　range　of　its　magic。　Only　you　can　use　the　sword　to　its　full　potential。　And　you　have　not　done　so　yet。
　
　‘It　is　an　aid　to　you；　but　even　so；　you　do　not　need　it　to　kill　the　mriswith。　Your　gift　is　enough。　If　you　do　not　believe　me；　leave　your　sword；　and　go　into　the　Hagen　Woods　with　just　your　knife。　You　will　still　kill　the　mriswith。’
　
　‘Others　have　used　this　blade。　They　didn’t　even　have　the　gift；　much　less　Subtractive　Magic。’
　
　They　were　not　truly　using　the　sword’s　magic。　The　blade　was　made　for　you。　It’s　an　aid；　much　as　prophecy　is　an　aid；　much　as　the　mriswith　are　an　aid；　sent　down　through　time。’
　
　‘I　don’t　think　I　could　be　one　of　these　war　wizards。’
　
　‘Do　you　eat　meat？’
　
　‘What　does　that　have　do　do　with　anything？’
　
　‘You　are　a　child　of　balance。　Wizards　must　balance　themselves；　the　things　they　do；　their　power。　War　wizards　rarely　eat　meat。　Their　abstinence　is　a　balance　for　the　killing　they　sometimes　must　do。’
　
　‘I’m　sorry；　Ann；　but　I　just　can’t　believe　I　have　Subtractive　Magic。’
　
　That’s　why　you　are　such　a　danger。　Every　time　you　encounter　magic；　your　Han　learns　more　about　how　to　protect　you；　to　serve　you；　but　you　are　not　aware　that　it　is　learning。　The　Rada’Han　helps　it　grow；　though　you’re　not　aware　of　the　process。
　
　‘You　do　things　without　knowing　the　importance；　or　the　reason；　like　when　you　were　drawn　to　the　black　sorcerer’s　sand　and　took　it；　or　when　you　took　the　round　skrin　bone　from　Adie。’
　
　Richard’s　brow　pulled　together。　‘You　know　Adie；　too？’
　
　‘Yes；　she　helped　your　father　and　me　get　through　the　pass；　so　we　could　retrieve　the　Book　of　Counted　Shadows。’
　
　‘What　round　bone　are　you　talking　about？’
　
　Richard　saw　the　slightest　twitch　of　alarm　in　her　eyes。
　
　‘Adie　had　a　round　bone；　carved　all　over　with　beasts。　It’s　an　object　of　great　power。　Your　Subtractive　Magic　would　have　drawn　you　to　it。’
　
　Richard　remembered　seeing　the　round　bone　on　a　high　shelf。　‘I　saw　such　a　thing　at　her　house；　but　I　didn’t　take　it。　I　wouldn’t　take　something　that　didn’t　belong　to　me。　Maybe　that　means　I　don’t　really　have　Subtractive　Magic。’
　
　She　straightened。　‘No；　you　noticed　it。　The　fact　that　you　didn’t　take　it　means　only　that　since　you　did　not　have　the　Rada’Han　on　yet；　your　power　had　not　developed　enough　to　draw　you　to　the　skrin　bone；　the　way　it　drew　you　to　the　black　sand。’
　
　Richard　hesitated。　‘Is　this　some　kind　of　problem？’
　
　She　smiled。　It　looked　forced　to　him。　‘No。　Adie　would　protect　that　bone　with　her　life。　She　knows　how　important　it　is。　You　can　recover　it　in　the　future。’
　
　‘What　does　it　do？’
　
　‘It　helps　protect　the　veil。　When　used　by　a　war　wizard；　like　you；　with　both　powers；　it　invokes　the　skrin。　The　skrin　are　a　force　that　helps　keep　the　worlds　separated。　You　might　say　they　are　guardians　of　the　boundary　between　worlds。’
　
　‘What　if　the　wrong　person　got　their　hands　on　it？　A　person　wishing　to　help　the　Keeper？’
　
　She　pulled　on　his　shirt；　urging　him　up。　‘You　worry　too　much；　Richard。　I　have　work　to　do。　You　must　leave　me　to　it；　now。　Do　your　best；　child；　and　study。　Learn　to　touch　your　Han；　to　get　control　of　it。　You　must　learn　if　you　are　to　be　of　any　help　to　the　Creator。’
　
　Richard　turned　back　to　her。　She　was　staring　off。
　
　Ann；　why　does　the　Keeper　want　the　world　of　the　living？　What　will　it　gain　him？　What　is　the　purpose？’
　
　Her　answer　came　in　a　soft；　distant　voice。　‘Death　is　the　antithesis　of　life。　The　Keeper　exists　to　consume　the　living。　His　hatred　of　life　has　no　bounds。　His　hatred　is　as　eternal　as　his　prison　of　death。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　62
　
　Richard　was　in　a　world　of　his　own　as　he　headed　for　the　stone　bridge。　He　had　been　cloistered　in　his　room　for　days；　thinking。　When　the　Sisters　came　to　give　him　his　lessons；　he　put　in　only　a　halfhearted　effort。　He　now　feared　he　just　might　touch　his　Han。
　
　Warren　was　busy　day　and　night　in　the　vaults；　checking　what　Richard　had　told　him　and　looking　for　more　information。　There　had　to　be　at　least　some　truth　to　what　the　Prelate　had　told　him　…　why　else　would　the　Keeper　not　yet　have　used　the　gateway；　if　he　could。
　
　He　needed　to　go　for　a　walk。　He　felt　as　if　his　head　were　about　to　burst。　He　just　wanted　to　be　away　from　the　palace　for　a　while。
　
　Pasha　suddenly　appeared　at　his　side。　‘I’ve　been　looking　for　you。’
　
　He　stared　ahead　as　he　walked。　‘Why？’
　
　‘I　just　wanted　to　be　with　you。’
　
　‘Well；　I’m　going　for　a　walk　in　the　country。’
　
　She　shrugged。　‘I　wouldn’t　mind　a　walk。　May　I　e　along？’
　
　Richard　looked　over。　She　was　in　her　wispy　maroon　dress；　the　one　with　the　V…shaped　neckline。　The　day　was　chilly。　At　least　she　had　on　a　useful…looking　violet　cloak。　She　was　wearing　big　gold　loop　earrings。　Her　belt　matched　her　necklace；　with　the　same　kind　of　gold　medallions。　She　looked　alluring　in　the　outfit；　but　they　weren’t　exactly　hiking…in…the…country　clothes。
　
　‘Are　you　wearing　those　useless　slippers？’
　
　She　held　a　foot　out　to　show　him　her　tooled　leather　boots。　‘I　had　them　made　special；　just　so　I　could　go　for　walks　with　you。’
　
　Made　special；　he　grumbled　to　himself。　Richard　remembered　how　hurt　she　had　been　that　time　he　had　told　her　that　the　blue　dress　didn’t　bee　her。　He　didn’t　want　to　hurt　her　feelings　by　sending　her　away。　She　was　only　trying　to　please　him。　Maybe；　he　thought；　the　pany　of　a　smiling　face　would　do　him　good。
　
　‘Well；　all　right　then。　I　guess　you　can　e　along；　as　long　as　you　don’t　think　I’m　going　to　entertain　you　in　conversation。’
　
　She　grinned　and　took　his　arm。　‘I’d　be　happy　just　to　walk　with　you。’
　
　At　least　having　Pasha　on　his　arm　kept　most　of　the　women　away　from　him　as　they　passed　through　the　city。　The　ones　who　did　boldly　approach　earned　a　glare　from　Pasha。　The　ones　who　braved　the　glare　earned　something　else：　a　touch　of　her　Han。　They　yelped　from　the　invisible　pinch　and　made　themselves　scarce。
　
　Richard　understood；　now；　why　the　palace　was　breeding　wizards。　They　were　trying　to　get　one　with　Additive　and　Sub…tractive　Magic。
　
　And　now　they　had　one。
　
　They　walked　silently　up　into　hills　bathed　in　the　golden　light　of　the　late…afternoon　sun。　Richard　felt　better　out　in　the　open；　rocky　hills　overlooking　the　city。　Though　it　was　an　illusion；　he　felt　free。　He　suddenly　wished　Pasha　weren’t　along。　He　hadn’t　e　out　to　see　Gratch　in　days。　Gratch　was　probably　frantic。
　
　He　was　at　a　loss　as　to　what　he　was　going　to　do　next。　He　didn’t　know　if　everything　the　Prelate　had　said　was　true；　and　he　didn’t　know　which　he　feared　more　…　that　it　was　a　lie；　or　the　truth。
　
　Pasha’s　hand　on　his　arm　tightened　in　a　way　that　brought　him　out　of　his　brooding　thoughts　and　made　him　draw　to　a　halt。　She　glanced　about　nervously。　He　could　tell　by　the　way　she　was　breathing　through　her　mouth　that　she　was　frightened。
　
　‘What’s　wrong？’　he　whispered。
　
　Her　gaze　searched　the　surrounding　rocks。　‘Richard；　there　is　something　out　here。　Please；　let’s　go　back。’
　
　Richard　drew　the　sword。　Its　unique　ring　filled　the　still　afternoon　air。　He　felt　nothing；　no　sense　of　danger；　but　Pasha’s　Han　obviously　felt　something　that　frightened　her。
　
　Pasha　let　out　a　little　shriek。　Richard　spun。　Gratch’s　head　poked　up　above　a　rock。　Pasha　backed　away。
　
　‘It’s　all　right；　he　won’t　hurt　you。’
　
　Gratch　gave　a　tentative　grin；　showing　his　fangs；　as　he　stood　to　his　full；　towering　height。
　
　‘Kill　it！’　she　screamed。　‘It’s　a　beast！　Kill　it！’
　
　‘Pasha；　calm　down。　He　won’t　hurt　you。’
　
　She　backed　farther　away。　Gratch　stood　looking　from　Richard　to　Pasha；　not　knowing　what　to　do。　Richard　realized　she　might　use　her　power　to　hurt　the　gar；　so　he　put　himself　between　the　two。
　
　‘Richard！　Move！　It　must　be　killed！　It’s　a　beast！’
　
　‘It　won’t　hurt　you。　I　know　him。　Pasha　。。。’
　
　She　turned　and　ran；　her　violet　cloak　flying　behind。　Richard　groaned　as　he　watched　her　leap　from　the　top　of　one　rock　to　another；　making　her　way　down　the　hill。　He　scowled　back　at　Gratch。
　
　‘What’s　wrong　with　you！　Did　you　have　to　scare　her！　What　are　you　doing　showing　your　face　to　people！’
　
　Gratch’s　ears　wilted。　His　shoulders　slumped；　and　he　began　to　whine。　When　his　wings　started　quivering；　Richard　went　to　him。
　
　‘Well；　it’s　too　late　now　to　be　sorry。　e　on　and　give　me　a　hug。’　Gratch　cast　his　eyes　to　the　ground。　‘It’ll　be　all　right。’
　
　He　put　his　arms　around　the　big；　furry　creature。　Gratch　finally　responded。　He　threw　his　arms　and　wings　around　Richard；　gurgling　his　happiness。　In　a　moment；　he　pulled　Richard　off　the　rock　and　wrestled　him　to　the　ground。　Richard　tickled　his　ribs　and　wrestled　until　Gratch　was　giggling　in　glee。
　
　After　they　had　settled　down；　Gratch　put　a　claw　tip　in　the　pocket　where　Richard　kept　the　lock　of　Kahlan’s　hair。　He　looked　at　Richard　from　under　hooded　eyebrows　as　big　as　axe　handles。　Richard　finally　figured　out　what　Gratch　meant。
　
　‘No。　No；　that’s　not　the　same　woman。　It’s　a　different　person。’
　
　Gratch　frowned。　He　didn’t　understand。　Richard　didn’t　feel　like　trying　to　explain　that　the　lock　of　hair　he　was　always　looking　at　was　not　from　Pasha。　At　Gratch’s　urging；　Richard　instead　wrestled　with　his　woolly　friend。
　
　It　was　twilight　when　Richard　made　it　back　to　the　palace。　He　was　going　to　have　to　find　Pasha　and　explain　to　her　that　Gratch　was　his　friend；　and　not　a　dangerous　beast。　Before　he　had　gone　far；　Sister　Verna　found　him；　instead。
　
　‘Did　you　feed　that　baby　gar　back　in　the　wilds；　the　one　I　told　you　to　kill？　Did　you　let　that　beast　follow　us！’
　
　Richard　stared　at　her。　‘It　was　helpless；　Sister。　I　couldn’t　kill　something　that　was　no　harm　to　me。　We’ve　bee　friends。’
　
　Muttering；　she　wiped　a　hand　across　her　face。　‘As　absurd　as　it　sounds；　I　suppose　I　can　understand；　you　needed　panionship；　and　you　certainly　didn’t　want　it　from　me。’
　
　‘Sister　Verna　。。。’
　
　‘But　why　would　you　let　Pasha　see　it！’
　
　‘I　didn’t。　He　just　popped　his　head　up。　I　didn’t　know　he　was　there。　Pasha　saw　him　before　I　knew。’
　
　She　let　out　an　exasperated　sigh。　‘The　people　around　here　fear　beasts；　they　kill　them。　Pasha　went　screaming　to　the　Sisters　that　there　was　a　beast　in　the　hills。’
　
　‘I’ll　explain　it　to　them。　I’ll　make　them　understand。　。。。’
　
　‘Richard！　Listen　to　me！’　He　backed　away　a　step　and　stood　silently　while　he　waited　for　her　to　go　on。　‘The　palace　believes　that　‘pets’　are　a　hindrance　to　learning　to　use　your　Han。　They　believe　it　diverts　feelings　away　from　them；　to　the　creature。　I　think　they　are　being　foolish；　but　that　is　beside　the　point。’
　
　‘What　is　the　point？　You　mean　they　will　try　to　keep　me　from　seeing　him　anymore？’
　
　She　put　an　impatient　hand　on　his　arm。　‘No；　Richard。　They　think　it’s　a　vile　beast　that　could　turn　on　you。　They　think　you　are　in　danger。　The　Sisters　are　forming　a　search　party　as　we　speak。　They　intend　to　hunt　it　down　and　kill　it；　for　your　own　good。’
　
　Richard　stared　at　her　concerned　expression　for　only　a　second；　and　then　he　was　running。　He　charged　over　the　bridge　and　back　into　the　city。　People　gaped　as　he　flew　past。　He　leapt　over　carts　that　wouldn’t　move　out　of　the　way　fast　enough。　He　knocked　over　a　stand　selling　amulets。　People　hollered　at　him；　but　he　ran　on。
　
　His　heart　thumped　in　his　ears　as　he　raced　up　the　hills。　Several　times　he　stumbled　over　ditches　or　rocks；　but　he　rolled　to　his　feet；　gasping　for　air；　and　rushed　on。　In　the　darkness；　he　leapt　from　rock　to　rock　as　he　crossed　ravines。
　
　At　the　crest　of　a　round…topped　hill　near　where　he　had　been　with　Gratch　earlier；　he　yelled；　between　panting。　His　fists　at　his　sides；　he　tipped　his　head　back　and　screamed　Gratch’s　name。　His　voice　echoed　off　the　surrounding　hills。　Only　silence　answered　when　the　echoes　died　out。
　
　Exhausted；　Richard　fell　to　his　knees。　They　would　be　ing　soon。　The　Sisters　would　use　their　Han　to　find　the　gar。　Gratch　wouldn’t　know　what　they　intended。　Even　if　he　kept　his　distance；　their　magic　could　reach　out　and　kill　him。　They　could　knock　him　from　the　air；　or　set　him　afire。
　
　‘Graaaatch！　Graaaatch！’
　
　A　dark　shape　blackened　a　patch　of　stars。　The　gar　thumped　to　the　ground　and　folded　his　wings。　He　cocked　his　head　and　gave　a　purling　gurgle。
　
　Richard　grabbed　Gratch’s　fur　in　his　fists。
　
　‘Gratch！　Listen　to　me。　You　have　to　go　away。　You　can’t　stay　here　any　longer。　They’re　ing　to　kill　you。　You　must　leave。’
　
　Gratch　let　out　a　questioning　whine　that　rose　in　pitch。　His　ears　perked　forward。　He　tried　to　put　his　arms　around　Richard。
　
　Richard　pushed　him　away。　‘Go！　You　understand　me；　I　know　you　do！　Go！　I　want　you　to　go　away！　They　will　try　to　kill　you！　Go　away　and　never　e　back！’
　
　Gratch’s　ears　wilted　as　he　cocked　his　head　to　the　other　side。　Richard　pounded　a　fist　to　the　gar’s　chest。　He　pointed　north。
　
　‘Go　away！’　He　threw　his　arms　out　and　pointed　again。　‘I　want　you　to　go　away　and　never　e　back！’
　
　Gratch　tried　to　put　his　arms　around　Richard　again。　Richard　pushed　them　away　again。　Gratch’s　ears　lay　down　against　his　head。
　
　‘Grrratch　luuug　Raaaach　aaarg。’
　
　Richard　wanted　more　than　anything　to　hold　his　friend　and　tell　him　that　he　loved　him；　too。　But　he　couldn’t。　He　had　to　make　him　go　in　order　to　save　his　life。
　
　‘Well　I　don’t　love　you！　Go　away　and　never　e　back！’
　
　Gratch　looked　to　the　hill　Pasha　had　run　down。　He　looked　back　at　Richard。　His　green　eyes　were　filling　with　tears。　He　reached　out　for　Richard。
　
　Richard　shoved　him　away。　Gratch　stood　with　his　arms　out。　Richard　remembered　the　first　time　he　had　held　the　furry　beast。　He　had　been　so　little　then。　He　was　so　big　now。　But　as　he　had　grown；　his　friendship；　and　his　love；　had　grown；　too。
　
　He　was　Richard’s　only　friend；　and　only　Richard　could　save　him。　If　Richard　really　loved　him；　he　had　to　do　this。
　
　‘Go　away！　I　don’t　want　you　around　anymore！　I　don’t　want　you　to　ever　e　back！　You’re　just　a　big　dumb　bag　of　fur！　Go　away！　If　you　really　love　me；　then　you’ll　do　as　I　ask；　and　go　away！’
　
　Richard　wanted　to　keep　yelling；　but　the　lump　in　his　throat　caught　the　words。　He　backed　away。　Gratch　seemed　to　wither　in　the　cool　night　air。　His　arms　came　out　again　with　a　pitiful；　forlorn　wail。　He　called　with　a　plaintive；　keening　cry。
　
　Richard　took　another　step　back。　Gratch　took　a　step　toward　him。　Richard　picked　up　a　rock　and　heaved　it　at　the　gar。　It　bounced　off　his　huge　chest。
　
　‘Go　away！’　Richard　cried。　He　threw　another　rock。　‘I　don’t　want　you　around　anymore！　Go　away！　I　don’t　ever　want　to　see　you　again！’
　
　Tears　ran　from　the　glowing　green　eyes；　over　the　wrinkles　of　his　cheeks。　‘Grrratch　luuug　Raaaach　aaarg。’
　
　‘If　you　really　love　me　then　you　will　do　this！　Go！’
　
　The　gar　looked　again　to　the　hill　Pasha　had　run　down；　turned；　and　spread　his　wings。　With　a　last　look　over　his　shoulder；　he　bounded　into　the　air　and　flew　off　into　the　night。
　
　When　he　could　no　longer　see　the　dark　shape　against　the　stars；　or　hear　the　sweep　of　wings；　Richard　crumpled　to　the　ground。　His　only　friend　was　gone。