tg.stone of tears-第128部分

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　The　Prelate　was　sitting　with　her　hands　folded　on　the　heavy　walnut　table。　Her　solemn　eyes　watched　him　e。　Richard　pressed　up　against　the　table；　towering　over　her。
　
　‘I　must　admit；　Richard；’　she　said　in　a　somber　tone；　‘that　I　have　not　been　looking　forward　to　this　visit。’
　
　His　straining　voice　broke。　‘Why　didn’t　Sister　Verna　tell　me？’
　
　‘I　ordered　her　not　to。’
　
　And　why　did　you　not　tell　me？’
　
　‘Because　I　wanted　you　first　to　learn　some　significant　things　about　yourself；　so　you　would　be　better　able　to　understand　your　importance。　The　burden　of　a　wizard；　and　of　a　Prelate；　too。’
　
　Richard　sank　to　his　knees　before　her　desk。　Ann；’　he　whispered；　‘please；　help　me。　I　must　have　the　Rada’Han　off。　I　love　Kahlan。　I　need　her。　I　need　to　get　back　to　her。　I’ve　been　gone　a　long　time。　Please；　Ann；　help　me。　Take　the　collar　off。’
　
　She　closed　her　eyes　for　a　long　moment。　When　they　opened；　they　were　heavy　with　regret。
　
　‘I　spoke　the　truth；　Richard。　We　cannot　get　the　Rada’Han　off　until　you　learn　enough　to　help　us。　That　will　take　time。’
　
　‘Please；　Ann；　help　me。　Isn’t　there　any　other　way？’
　
　Slowly；　her　eyes　staying　on　his；　she　shook　her　head。　‘No；　Richard。　Over　time；　you　will　e　to　accept　it。　They　all　do。　It　is　easier　for　the　rest；　because　they　e　here　as　boys；　not　understanding；　and　grasp　it　only　over　time。　We　have　never　had　to　tell　one　grown；　like　you；　who　could　understand　the　significance。’
　
　Richard　couldn’t　make　himself　think　clearly。　It　felt　as　if　he　were　stumbling　in　a　dark　dream。　‘But；　we’ll　lose　so　much　time　together。　She　will　be　old。　Everyone　I　know　will　be　old。’
　
　Ann　smoothed　her　hair　back　as　she　averted　her　eyes。　‘Richard；　by　the　time　you　are　trained　and　leave　here；　the　great…great…great　grandchildren　of　everyone　you　know　will　have　died　of　old　age　and　been　buried　in　the　ground　for　over　a　hundred　years。’
　
　He　blinked　at　her；　trying　to　prehend　the　math　of　the　generations　involved；　but　it　all　turned　to　mush　in　his　mind。　He　suddenly　remembered　what　Shota　had　warned　him　of　…　a　trap　in　time。　This　was　that　trap。
　
　He　had　been　stripped　of　everything　by　these　people。　Everything　he　loved　was　gone。　He　would　never　see　Zedd　again；　or　Chase；　or　anyone　he　knew。　He　would　never　hold　Kahlan　again。　He　would　never　be　able　to　tell　her　that　he　loved　her；　that　he　understood　the　sacrifice　she　had　made　for　him。
　
　
　CHAPTER　63
　
　Richard　looked　up　from　where　he　sat　on　the　floor　to　see　Warren　in　the　doorway。　He　hadn’t　heard　the　knock。　When　he　said　nothing；　Warren　rushed　over　and　squatted　down　beside　him。
　
　‘Listen；　Richard；　something　you　said　made　me　think。　You　said　that　you　were　going　to　wed　the　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　Richard’s　mind　came　out　of　the　daze　and　his　eyes　suddenly　came　up。　The　prophecy　is　about　her；　isn’t　it。　The　prophecy　you　said　would　e　on　winter　solstice。’
　
　‘I　think　it　might　be。　But　I　don’t　know　enough　about　her；　about　Confessors；　to　tell。　Does　the　Mother　Confessor　wear　white？’
　
　‘Yes。　The　Confessors　are　born　to　find　the　truth。　She　is　the　last　one。’
　
　‘Richard；　I　think　that　is　good　news。　I　think　she　is　to　find　happiness；　and　bring　it　to　her　people；　on　winter　solstice。’
　
　Richard　remembered　the　vision　he　had　had　in　the　Tower　of　Perdition。　He　remembered　the　horror　of　what　he　had　seen。　The　words　Kahlan　had　spoken　were　burned　into　his　memory。　He　quoted　it　to　Warren。
　
　‘Of　all　there　were；　but　a　single　one　born　of　the　magic　to　bring　forth　truth　will　remain　alive　when　the　shadow’s　threat　is　lifted。　Therefore　es　the　greater　darkness　of　the　dead。　For　there　to　be　a　chance　at　life’s　bond；　this　one　in　white　must　be　offered　to　her　people；　to　bring　their　joy　and　good　cheer。’
　
　‘Yes！　That’s　it！　I　believe　that　the　‘greater　darkness’　means　both　the　Keeper；　and　winter　solstice。　I　think　that　means　。。。　Richard；　where　did　you　read　that　prophecy？’
　
　‘I　didn’t　read　it。　It　was　brought　to　me　in　a　vision　of　her。’
　
　Warren’s　eyes　grew　big；　the　way　they　tended　to　do　when　he　was　astonished。　‘You　had　a　vision　of　prophecy？’
　
　‘Yes；　she　brought　me　the　words；　and　also　brought　a　vision　of　what　it　means。’
　
　‘What　does　it　mean？’
　
　Richard　brushed　at　his　pant　leg。　‘I　can’t　tell　you。　She　said　that　I　could　speak　the　words；　but　not　of　the　vision。　I’m　sorry；　Warren；　but　I　dare　not　violate　that　warning　without　knowing　the　consequences。　But　I　can　tell　you　that　the　results　of　this　prophecy　ing　true　would　not　be　joyful　for　her；　or　for　me。’
　
　Warren　considered　a　moment。　‘Yes。　You　are　right。’　He　looked　over　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。　‘Richard；　there　is　something　about　prophecy　I　think　I　should　tell　you。　Hardly　anyone　knows　this；　but　the　words　don’t　always　reflect　the　true　intent。’
　
　‘What　do　you　mean？’
　
　‘Well；　a　few　times　when　I　have　read　prophecies；　I’ve　had　a　vision。　The　vision　turns　out　to　be　true；　and　so　does　the　prophecy；　but　not　in　the　way　you　would　think　from　reading　it。　I　believe　that　the　true　way　prophecy　is　meant　to　be　understood　is　through　the　gift；　through　the　visions。’
　
　‘Do　the　Sisters　know　this？’
　
　‘No。　I　think　this　is　what　it　means　to　be　a　prophet。　Richard；　if　you　had　this　vision；　and　heard　the　words；　and　saw　the　meaning；　maybe　that　means　you　are　a　prophet。’
　
　According　to　the　Prelate；　I　have　a　different　talent。　If　she　is　right；　then　having　the　vision　might　just　be　part　of　my　ability　for　what　I　truly　am。’
　
　‘Which　is？’
　
　‘The　Prelate　said　I’m　a　war　wizard。’
　
　His　eyes　widened　again。　‘Richard；　war　wizards　have　the　gift　for　both　Magics。　None　with　the　gift　for　Subtractive；　too；　has　been　born　in　。。。　in　thousands　of　years。　Maybe　the　Prelate　is　wrong。’
　
　‘I　hope　she　is；　but　it　would　explain　some　things。　From　what　a　friend　of　mine　told　me；　Additive　Magic　is　using　what　is；　adding　to　it；　multiplying　it；　altering　it；　the　doing　of　things。　Subtractive　Magic　is　the　counter；　the　undoing　of　things。
　
　All　the　shields　are　put　up　by　the　Sisters。　They　have　only　Additive。　Even　those　with　the　gift　cannot　easily　go　through　them；　or　break　them；　because　they　also　have　only　Additive。　Power　against　power。　But　somehow　I’m　able　to　walk　right　through　the　shields　around　here　without　even　trying。
　
　‘Subtractive　Magic　would　explain　that。　Subtractive　would　counter　the　Additive　of　the　shields；　undo　it。’
　
　‘But　you　said　you　tried　to　go　through　the　barrier　that　keeps　us　from　leaving。　That’s　a　shield；　too。　Why　can’t　you　go　through　that　shield；　then；　if　you　really　have　the　Subtractive？’
　
　Richard　lifted　an　eyebrow　and　leaned　in。　‘Warren；　who　put　those　shields　in　place？’
　
　‘Well；　the　ones　who　placed　the　rest　of　the　magic　of　the　palace；　the　wizards　of　old　。。。’
　
　‘Who　you　said　had　Subtractive　Magic。　That　shield　is　the　only　one　placed　by　them。　It’s　the　only　one　I　can’t　go　through。　It’s　the　only　one　my　Subtractive　Magic；　if　I　truly　have　it；　wouldn’t　counter。　See　what　I　mean？’
　
　Warren　sat　back　on　his　heels。　‘Yes　。。。’　He　rubbed　his　chin　as　he　thought。　‘Well；　that　would　make　sense。　It　might　fit　with　some　of　the　prophecies　about　you。　If　you　really　are　a　war　wizard；　and　are　the　one　born　true。’
　
　‘And　do　these　prophecies　say　I　will　prevail？’
　
　Warren　hesitated。　He　glanced　over　at　the　Sword　of　Truth　lying　on　the　floor　nearby。　‘If　I　said　‘white　blade；’　would　that　mean　anything　to　you？’
　
　Richard　let　out　a　heavy　breath　at　the　memory。　‘I　can　turn　the　blade　of　my　sword　white；　through　magic。’
　
　Warren　wiped　his　hand　over　his　face。　Then　I　think　we　might　be　in　trouble。　There　is　a　prophecy　that　says；　‘Should　the　forces　of　forfeit　be　loosed；　the　world　will　be　shadowed　yet　by　darker　lust　through　what　has　been　rent。　Salvations　hope；　then；　will　be　as　slim　as　the　white　blade　of　the　one　born　true。’’
　
　Through　what　has　been　rent。　The　open　gateway；’　Richard　said。
　
　That　would　make　‘the　darker　lust’　be　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘Warren；　I　have　to　do　something　about　the　prophecy。　The　one　about　the　one　in　white。　It’s　important。　Do　you　have　any　ideas？’
　
　Warren　watched　him；　as　if　trying　to　decide　something。　‘I　do。　I　don’t　know　if　it　will　help。’　He　put　weight　on　his　hands　as　he　rubbed　them　on　his　thighs。　They　have　a　prophet　here；　at　the　palace。　I’ve　never　seen　him。　I　want　to；　but　they　won’t　let　me。　They　say　it’s　too　dangerous　for　me　to　talk　to　him　until　I　learn　more。　They　promised　that　when　I　learn　enough；　they　will　let　me　talk　with　him。’
　
　‘Here　in　the　palace？　Where？’
　
　Warren　pulled　a　fold　of　his　robes　from　under　his　knees。　‘I　don’t　know。　It　would　have　to　be　one　of　the　restricted　areas；　but　I　don’t　know　which　one；　and　I　don’t　know　how　we　can　find　out。’
　
　Richard　stood。　‘I　do。’
　
　
　Richard　knew　he　had　gone　to　the　right　guard　when　Swordsman　Kevin　Andellmere　turned　white　as　a　spirit　at　the　mention　of　the　Prophet。　He　was　reluctant；　feigning　ignorance　at　first；　but　when　Richard　gently　reminded　him　of　all　the　favors；　Kevin　whispered　the　location。
　
　The　pound　Kevin　had　divulged　was　one　of　the　most　heavily　guarded。　Richard　knew　where　all　the　guards　were　stationed　because　he　had　gathered　white　roses　there；　and　had　been　up　on　the　wall；　to　‘look　out　at　the　sea。’　He　also　knew　all　the　guards。　They　were　frequent　visitors　to　the　prostitutes　he　provided。
　
　He　didn’t　slow　at　the　outer　gate；　but　simply　gave　a　nod　to　the　wink　the　guards　gave　him。　The　guards　at　the　rampart　were　considerably　more　reticent；　stammering　and　holding　out　a　hand　to　halt　him。　He　shook　the　hand；　pretending　that　he　thought　that　was　what　was　meant　by　it。　They　finally　sighed　and　resumed　their　post　as　he　marched　away；　his　mris…with　cape　billowing　open。
　
　At　the　end　of　the　rampart　was　a　small　colonnade；　and　at　the　end　of　that；　winding　stairs　that　led　down　to　the　Prophet’s　quarters。　The　guards　at　the　door　he　wanted　were　the　two　he　had　had　trouble　winning　over　at　first；　and　the　first　to　receive　his　gift　of　female　pany。　They　stiffened　when　they　saw　him。
　
　Richard　casually　made　for　the　door　between　them。　‘Walsh；　Bollesdun；　how　you　doing？’
　
　They　crossed　their　pikes　over　the　door。　‘Richard；　what　are　you　doing　down　here？　The　roses　grow　up　top。’
　
　‘Look；　Walsh；　I　have　to　go　see　the　Prophet。’
　
　‘Richard；　don’t　put　us　in　this　spot。　You　know　we　can’t　let　you　in。　The　Sisters　would　skin　us　alive。’
　
　Richard　shrugged。　‘I　won’t　tell　them　you　let　me　in。　I’ll　say　I　tricked　you。　If　anyone　finds　out；　which　they　won’t；　just　tell　them　I　snuck　by；　and　you　didn’t　know　until　I　was　on　my　way　out。　I’ll　back　your　story。’
　
　‘Richard；　you’re　really　。。。’
　
　‘Have　I　ever　done　anything　to　cause　trouble？　Have　I　ever　done　anything　but　help　all　you　men？　I　buy　you　drinks；　I　loan　you　money　when　you　need　it；　I　let　you　have　free　access　to　the　girls；　and　it　never　costs　you　a　copper。　Have　I　ever　asked　for　anything　in　return？’
　
　Richard　had　his　hand　on　the　hilt　of　the　sword。　One　way；　or　another；　he　was　going　through　that　door。
　
　Walsh　pushed　a　stone　chip　with　his　boot。　With　a　heavy　sigh；　first　one；　and　then　the　other；　pulled　their　pikes　up。　‘Bollesdun；　go　make　your　rounds。　I’m　going　to　the　privy　for　a　sit。’
　
　Richard　took　his　hand　from　his　sword　and　gave　the　man　a　pat　on　the　shoulder。　‘Thanks；　Walsh。　I　appreciate　it。’
　
　Halfway　down　the　inner　hall；　Richard　felt　layers　of　resistance；　shields；　like　the　ones　that　were　outside　the　Prelate’s　door；　but　they　only　slowed　him　a　bit。　The　room　inside　was　as　spacious　as　his　own；　but　perhaps　more　elegantly　appointed。　One　wall　held　large　tapestries；　and　another　expansive　bookshelves。　Most　of　the　books；　though；　seemed　to　be　scattered　about　the　room；　on　chairs　and　couches　and　covering　the　blue…and…yellow　carpets　on　the　floor。
　
　Richard　could　see　the　back　of　a　man　in　the　chair　beside　the　cold　hearth。
　
　‘You　must　tell　me　how　you　do　that；’　the　man　said　in　a　deep；　powerful　voice。　‘I　would　be　most　interested　in　learning　the　trick。’
　
　‘Do　what？’　Richard　asked。
　
　‘Walk　through　shields　as　if　they　weren’t　there。　Burns　the　flesh　right　off　me　if　I　try。’
　
　‘If　I　ever　figure　it　out　myself；　I’ll　let　you　know。　My　name　is　Richard。　If　you’re　not　busy；　I　would　like　to　speak　with　you。’
　
　‘Busy！’　The　man’s　shoulders　shook　with　his　hearty　laugh。　When　he　stood；　Richard　was　a　little　surprised　at　how　big　he　was。　His　long　white　hair　had　made　Richard　think　he　might　be　old　and　shriveled。　Old；　he　was；　shriveled　he　was　not。　He　looked　strong　and　full　of　vitality。　His　smile　was　weling　and　threatening　at　the　same　time。　He　wore　a　Rada’Han；　the　same　as　Richard。
　
　‘My　name　is　Nathan；　Richard。　I’ve　been　looking　forward　to　meeting　you。　I　didn’t　expect　you　would　find　your　way　in　alone。’
　
　‘I　wanted　to　e　alone　so　we　could　talk　freely。’
　
　‘And　do　you　know　that　I　am　a　prophet？’
　
　‘I　didn’t　e　here　to　learn　to　bake　bread。’
　
　Nathan’s　smile　widened；　but　he　didn’t　laugh。　His　brows　pulled　together　like　a　hawk’s。　His　voice　took　on　a　hiss。　‘Would　you　like　me　to　tell　you　of　your　death；　Richard？　How　you　are　to　die？’
　
　Richard　flopped　down　on　the　couch　and　plunked　his　feet　up　on　a　table。　He　returned　the　hawklike　glare　and　threatening　smile　in　kind。　‘Sure。　I’d　love　to　hear　all　about　it。　And　then　when　you’re　done；　I　will　tell　you　how　you　are　to　die。’
　
　Nathan　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘And　are　you　a　prophet？’
　
　‘Enough　of　one　to　tell　you　how　you　are　to　die。’
　
　The　frown　turned　curious。　‘Really。　Tell　me　then。’
　
　Richard　took　a　pear　from　a　bowl　on　the　table；　polished　it　on　his　pant　leg；　and　took　a　bite。　He　spoke　as　he　chewed。　‘You　are　going　to　die　right　here；　in　these　rooms；　of　old　age；　without　ever　seeing　the　outside　world　again。’
　
　The　creases　in　Nathan’s　face　deepened　as　his　expression　sagged。　‘Seems　you　are　a　prophet；　my　boy。’
　
　‘Unless　you　help　me。　Maybe　if　you　help　me；　I’ll　be　able　to　e　back　here　and　help　you　get　out；　too。’
　
　‘And　what　is　it　you　want？’
　
　‘I　want　this　collar　off。’
　
　A　sly　grin　spread　on　Nathan’s　face。　‘Seems　we　share　a　mon　interest；　Richard。’
　
　‘But　the　Sisters　say　I　will　die　without　it。’
　
　The　sly　grin　widened。　They　demand　truthfulness　from　others；　but　rarely　inconvenience　themselves　with　it。　The　Sisters　have　their　own　agenda；　Richard。　There　is　more　than　one　path　through　the　woods。’
　
　‘The　Sisters　say　I　must　learn　to　use　my　Han；　in　order　to　get　it　off。　They　don’t　seem　to　be　helping　much　in　that。’
　
　‘It　would　be　easier　to　teach　a　stump　to　sing　than　for　a　mere　Sister　to　teach　you　to　use　your　Han。　You　have　Subtractive　Magic。　They　can’t　help　you。’
　
　‘Can　you　help　me；　Nathan？’
　
　‘Perhaps。’　Nathan　sat　down　in　his　chair；　leaning　forward　intently。　‘Tell　me；　Richard；　have　you　ever　read　The　Adventures　of　Bonnie　Day？’
　
　‘Read　it？　It’s　my　favorite　book。　I　read　it　until　my　eyes　nearly　wore　the　words　off　the　pages。　I’d　love　to　meet　the　person　who　wrote　it；　and　tell　him　how　much　I　liked　the　book。’
　
　A　broad；　childlike　grin　stole　onto　Nathan’s　face。　‘You　just　have；　my　boy。　You　just　have。’
　
　Richard　came　forward　from　the　back　of　the　couch。　‘You！　You　wrote　The　Adventures　of　Bonnie　Day？’
　
　Nathan　quoted　a　few　passages；　to　prove　his　intimate　kn