tg.stone of tears-第142部分

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　CHAPTER　71
　
　Kahlan　strolled　back　into　the　inn。　She　stood　in　the　shadows　at　the　end　of　the　hall　leading　into　the　dining　room。　She　still　felt　the　glow；　the　warmth；　the　mind…numbing　joy　and　fulfillment。　Everyone　looked　up　when　they　heard　her　footsteps。
　
　Zedd　shot　to　his　feet。　‘Kahlan！　Bags；　girl；　where　have　you　been　all　night！　It’s　just　turning　to　dawn！　You’ve　been　missing　since　dusk！　We’ve　been　searching　the　town　all　night　for　you！　Where　did　you　go？’
　
　She　turned　and　held　her　hand　out。　‘To　the　little　garden；　out　back。’
　
　Zedd　stormed　across　the　room。　‘You　were　not　in　the　garden！’
　
　She　smiled　dreamily。　‘Well；　that　was　where　I　went；　but　I　left　that　place。　I　went　to　be　with　Richard。　Zedd；　he　escaped　from　the　Sisters。　He　is　in　Aydindril。’
　
　Zedd　slowed　to　a　stop。　‘Kahlan；　I　know　you　have　had　a　hard　time　of　it；　but　you　have　simply　had　a　vision　of　something　you　wished。’
　
　‘No　Zedd。　I　prayed　to　the　good　spirits。　She　came　and　took　me　to　Richard。　To　be　with　him　in　a　place　between　the　worlds。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　that　is　simply　not　。。。’
　
　Kahlan　stepped　out　of　the　shadows；　into　the　firelight。　Zedd’s　eyes　went　wide。
　
　‘What　。。。　what　happened　to　your　hair？’　the　wizard　whispered。　‘It’s　long　again。’
　
　Kahlan　grinned。　‘Richard　made　it　right。　He　has　the　gift；　you　know。’　She　held　out　the　Agiel　hanging　from　her　neck。　‘He　gave　me　this。　He　said　he　doesn’t　need　it　anymore。’
　
　‘But　。。。　there　has　to　be　some　other　explanation。　。。。’
　
　‘He　gave　me　a　message　to　give　to　you。　He　said　to　thank　you　for　not　closing　the　opened　box　of　Orden。　He　said　he　was　glad　his　grandfather　was　wise　enough　not　to　violate　the　Wizard’s　Second　Rule。’
　
　‘His　grandfather　。。。’　Tears　ran　down　his　wrinkled　face。　‘You　saw　him！　You　really　saw　him！　Richard　is　safe！’
　
　She　threw　her　arms　around　him。　‘Yes；　Zedd。　Everything　is　going　to　be　all　right；　now。　He　restored　the　Stone　of　Tears　to　where　it　belongs；　and　closed　the　box　of　Orden。　He　called　it　the　gateway。　He　said　it　takes　both　Additive　and　Subtractive　Magic　to　do　it　or　it　would　have　destroyed　all　life。’
　
　He　gripped　her　shoulders　and　held　her　out。　‘Richard　has　Subtractive　Magic？　Impossible。’
　
　‘He　had　a　beard；　and　made　it　vanish。　He　said　to　remind　you　of　the　lesson　you　gave　him；　that　only　Subtractive　could　do　that。’
　
　‘Wonder　of　wonders。’　His　sharp　features　came　closer。　‘You’re　all　in　a　lather；　girl。’　He　put　a　sticklike　hand　to　her　forehead。　‘You　don’t　have　a　fever。　Why　are　you　sweating？’
　
　‘It　was　。。。　hot；　in　that　other　world。　Quite　hot。’
　
　He　peered　at　her　hair。　‘You　hair　is　all　tangled。　What　kind　of　wizard　would　grow　hair　back　all　tangled？　I　would　have　grown　it　back　straight。　That　boy　has　a　lot　to　learn。　He　didn’t　do　it　right。’
　
　Kahlan’s　eyes　went　out　of　focus。　‘Believe　me；　he　did　it　right。’
　
　He　turned　his　head；　appraising　her　with　one　eye。　‘What　were　you　doing　all　night？　You’ve　been　gone　the　whole　night。　What　have　you　two　been　doing？’
　
　Kahlan　could　feel　her　ears　heat。　She　was　glad　she　had　long　hair　again。　‘Well；　I　don’t　know。　What　do　you　and　Adie　do　when　you　are　alone　together　all　night？’
　
　Zedd　straightened。　‘Well　。。。’　He　cleared　his　throat。　‘Well；　we　。。。’　He　lifted　his　chin　and　pointed　a　finger　skyward。　‘We　talk。　That’s　what　we　do；　we　talk。’
　
　Kahlan　shrugged。　That’s　what　we　did；　too。　Just　like　you　and　Adie　do　all　night。　We　talked。’
　
　A　sly　grin　stole　onto　his　face。　He　hugged　her　tightly　in　his　thin　arms；　patting　her　back。　‘I’m　so　happy　for　you；　dear　one。’
　
　Zedd　took　her　hands　in　his　and　danced　around　the　room。　Ahern　smiled　and　pulled　out　a　little　flute；　playing　a　bouncy　tune。　‘My　grandson　is　a　wizard！　My　grandson　will　be　a　great　wizard！　Just　like　his　grandfather！’
　
　The　celebration　went　on　for　a　few　minutes；　with　everyone　joining　in　the　laughing。　They　all　clapped　in　time　with　the　tune　as　Zedd　danced　with　her　around　the　room。
　
　Kahlan　saw　one　person　not　joining　in。　Adie　sat　in　a　rocking　chair　in　the　corner。　She　had　a　small；　sad　smile　on　her　face　as　she　turned　her　ear　to　follow　them。
　
　She　went　to　the　old　woman　and　knelt　before　her。　Kahlan　took　up　her　frail　hands。
　
　‘I　be　happy　for　you；　child；’　Adie　said。
　
　Adie；’　Kahlan　said　in　a　soft　voice；　‘the　spirits　sent　a　message　for　you。’
　
　She　shook　her　head　regretfully。　‘I　be　sorry；　child；　but　it　would　mean　nothing　to　me。　I　not　remember　being　this　woman　Adie。’
　
　‘I　promised　to　deliver　the　message。　It’s　important　to　one　beyond　that　you　have　it。　Will　you　hear　the　message？’
　
　Tell　me　then；　though　I　be　sorry　I　won’t　know　its　meaning。’
　
　‘It’s　a　message　from　one　named　Pell。’
　
　The　room　was　silent　behind　her。　Adie’s　rocking　came　to　a　halt。　She　straightened　the　littlest　bit。　Her　eyes　filled　with　tears。
　
　Adie’s　hands　tightened　around　Kahlan’s。　‘From　Pell？　A　message　from　my　Pell？’
　
　‘Yes；　Adie。　He　wants　you　to　know　that　he　loves　you；　and　that　he　is　in　a　place　of　peace。　He　said　to　tell　you　that　he　knows　you　never　betrayed　him。　He　knows　how　much　you　love　him；　and　he　is　sorry　you　have　had　to　suffer。　He　said　to　tell　you　to　be　at　peace；　knowing　all　is　well　between　your　spirits。’
　
　Adie　turned　her　ear　away　and　looked　at　Kahlan　with　her　white　eyes。　Tears　rolled　down　her　cheeks。
　
　‘My　Pell　knows　I　did　not　betray　him？’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　‘Yes；　Adie。　He　knows；　and　loves　you　as　always。’
　
　Adie　pulled　Kahlan　into　her　arms　as　she　wept。　Thank　you　Kahlan。　You　could　never　know　how　much　this　means　to　me。　You　have　given　me　back　everything。　You　have　given　me　back　the　meaning　of　life。’
　
　‘I　know　how　much　it　means；　Adie。’
　
　Adie　stroked　the　back　of　Kahlan’s　head　as　she　held　her　close。　‘Yes；　child；　perhaps　you　do。’
　
　Jebra　and　Chandalen　cooked　breakfast　while　the　rest　of　them　talked　and　planned。　Though　it　would　be　a　grisly　job　clearing　Ebinissia　of　all　the　bodies；　at　least　it　was　still　winter；　and　not　the　task　it　would　be　in　spring。　From　Ebinissia；　they　would　pull　the　Midlands　back　together。
　
　Kahlan　told　them　that　Richard　would　try　to　meet　up　with　them　in　the　Galean　Crown　city；　and　that　he　said　that　then　he　might　need　to　take　Zedd　back　to　Westland；　to　see　about　the　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　But　for　now；　they　were　safely　out　to　sea。
　
　After　a　good　meal；　filled　with　joy　and　happy　conversation　that　had　been　missing　for　so　long；　they　started　packing　up　their　things。　Chandalen；　with　an　uneasy　expression；　pulled　Kahlan　aside。
　
　‘Mother　Confessor；　I　wish　to　ask　you　something。　I　would　not　ask　you；　except　I　know　no　one　else　to　ask。’
　
　‘What　is　it；　Chandalen？’
　
　‘How　do　you　say　‘breasts’　in　your　tongue？’
　
　‘What？’
　
　‘What　is　the　word　for　breasts？　I　wish　to　tell　Jebra　that　she　has　fine　breasts。’
　
　Kahlan　rolled　her　shoulder　self…consciously。　‘Chandalen；　I’m　sorry；　but　I　meant　to　have　a　talk　with　you　about　that。　I　guess　with　everything　that　happened；　I　never　got　around　to　it。’
　
　‘So　talk　now。　I　wish　to　tell　Jebra　how　much　I　like　her　fine　breasts。’
　
　‘Chandalen；　with　the　Mud　People；　that　is　a　proper　thing　to　say　to　a　woman。　It’s　a　pliment。　But　in　other　places；　it　is　not　taken　as　a　pliment；　but　as　improper。　Very　improper；　until　two　people　know　each　other。’
　
　‘I　know　her　well。’
　
　‘Not　well　enough。　Will　you　trust　me　in　this？　If　you　really　like　her；　then　you　must　not　tell　her　this；　or　she　will　not　like　you。’
　
　‘But；　women　here　do　not　like　to　hear　the　truth？’
　
　‘It’s　not　that　simple。　Would　you　tell　a　woman　in　your　village　you　would　like　to　see　her　with　the　mud　washed　from　her　hair；　even　though　it　is　the　truth？’
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘I　see　what　you　mean。’
　
　‘Do　you　like　other　things　about　her？’
　
　He　nodded　enthusiastically。　‘Yes。　I　like　everything　about　her。’
　
　‘Then　tell　her　you　like　her　smile；　or　her　hair；　or　her　eyes。’
　
　‘How　do　I　know　which　is　the　proper　thing　to　pliment？’
　
　Kahlan　sighed。　‘　Well；　for　now；　just　stick　to　anything　that　isn’t　covered　by　clothes；　and　you　will　be　safe。’
　
　He　nodded　thoughtfully。　‘　You　are　wise；　Mother　Confessor。　I　am　glad　you　have　Richard　back　as　your　mate；　or　you　would　surely　have　chosen　Chandalen。’
　
　Kahlan　laughed　and　gave　him　a　hug。　He　returned　it　warmly。
　
　Outside；　she　saw　to　the　men：　Captain　Ryan；　Lieutenant　Hobson；　Brin　and　Peter；　and　others　she　knew。　They　were　infected　by　her　smile　and　good　cheer。
　
　In　the　stables　she　checked　on　Nick。　Chandalen　had　stolen　him　back　when　they　fled　Aydindril。　The　big　warhorse　neighed　softly　at　her　approach。
　
　Kahlan　rubbed　his　gray　nose　as　he　nudged　his　head　against　her。　‘How　you　doing；　Nick？’　He　nickered。　‘How　would　you　like　to　carry　the　queen　of　Galea　to　the　palace　in　Ebinissia？’
　
　Nick　tossed　his　head　enthusiastically；　anxious　to　be　out　of　the　stables　and　off　into　the　brightening　day。
　
　Water　dripped　from　melting　icicles　at　the　edge　of　the　stable　roof。　Kahlan　looked　out　over　the　hills。　It　was　going　to　be　a　rare；　warm　day　in　the　winter。　But　soon　it　would　be　spring。
　
　
　Mistress　Sanderholt　was　surprised　when　Richard　took　another　bowl　of　soup　and　chunk　of　bread。
　
　‘Mistress　Sanderholt；　you　make　the　best　spice　soup　in　the　world；　after　mine。’
　
　In　the　kitchen　beyond；　the　help　was　busily　going　about　breakfast　preparations。　She　closed　the　door。
　
　‘Richard；　I　am　pleased　you　are　so　much　better。　I　was　worried　you　would　do　something　terrible　last　night；　you　were　grieving　so。　But　this　is　too　much　of　a　change。　Something　must　have　happened　to　make　you　have　such　a　turnaround　in　spirit。’
　
　He　looked　up　at　her　as　he　chewed。　He　swallowed　the　bread。　‘I　will　tell　you　if　you　promise　to　keep　it　a　secret；　for　now。　It　could　cause　serious　trouble　if　you　told　anyone。’
　
　‘I　promise；　then。’
　
　‘Kahlan　is　not　dead。’
　
　She　stared　blankly　at　him。　‘Richard；　you　are　worse　than　I　thought。　I　myself　saw　。。。’
　
　‘I　know　what　you　saw。　The　wizard　you　saw　is　my　grandfather。　He　used　a　spell　to　make　everyone　think　she　was　executed；　so　they　would　not　be　hunted　down；　so　that　they　could　escape。　She　is　safe。’
　
　She　threw　her　arms　around　his　neck。　‘Oh；　dear　spirits　be　praised！’
　
　‘Indeed；’　Richard　said　with　a　grin。
　
　Richard　took　the　bowl　of　soup　outside　to　watch　the　dawn。　He　was　too　exhilarated　to　be　cooped　up　indoors。　He　sat　on　the　vast　steps；　looking　around　at　the　magnificent　palace　soaring　up　all　around　him。　Towers　and　spires　and　sweeping　roofs　loomed　in　the　early　dawn　light。
　
　As　he　ate　his　soup；　he　watched　a　gargoyle　atop　the　edge　of　a　nearby；　enormous　frieze　supported　by　fluted　columns。　The　pink　clouds　were　just　beginning　to　glow　behind　it；　silhouetting　the　grotesque；　hunched　shape。
　
　Richard　had　just　put　a　spoonful　of　spice　soup　in　his　mouth　when　he　thought　he　saw　the　gargoyle　take　a　deep　breath。　Richard　set　the　bowl　down。　He　rose　to　his　feet；　his　eyes　never　leaving　the　dark　shape。　It　moved　again；　just　a　little　twitch。
　
　‘Gratch！　Gratch；　is　that　you！’
　
　The　shape　didn’t　move。　Maybe　it　was　just　his　imagination。　Richard　held　his　arms　open　wide。
　
　‘Gratch！　Please；　if　that’s　you；　forgive　me。　Gratch；　I’ve　missed　you！’
　
　It　was　still　a　moment；　and　then　the　wings　stretched　out。　It　leapt　from　the　corner　of　the　building　and　swooped　down　in　a　glide　toward　him。　With　a　flutter　of　wings；　the　huge　gar　landed　on　the　steps　a　short　distance　away。
　
　‘Gratch！　Oh；　Gratch；　I’ve　missed　you！’　The　gar　watched　with　glowing　green　eyes。　‘I　don’t　know　if　you　can　understand；　but　I　didn’t　mean　what　I　said。　I　was　only　trying　to　save　your　life。　Please；　forgive　me？　Richard　loves　Gratch。’
　
　His　wings　fluttered。　A　cloud　of　breath　came　from　between　long　fangs。　His　ears　perked　up。
　
　‘Grrratch　luuug　Raaaach　aaarg。’
　
　The　gar　bounded　into　Richard’s　arms；　knocking　him　to　the　steps。　Richard　hugged　the　furry　beast；　and　Gratch　enfolded　him　in　arms　and　wings。　Each　stroked　the　other’s　back；　and　each　grinned　in　his　own　way。
　
　When　they　finally　sat　up；　Gratch　hunched　down；　staring　curiously　at　Richard’s　face。　With　the　back　of　a　huge　claw；　he　stroked　Richard’s　jaw。
　
　Richard　felt　his　smooth　face　as　he　smiled。　‘It’s　gone。　I’m　not　going　to　have　a　beard　anymore。’
　
　Gratch’s　nose　wrinkled　in　disgust。　He　let　out　a　gurgling　growl　of　displeasure。
　
　Richard　laughed。　‘You’ll　get　used　to　it。’　They　sat　together　in　the　quiet　of　the　dawn。　‘Do　you　know；　Gratch；　that　I’m　a　wizard？’
　
　Gratch　gurgled　a　laugh　and　frowned　dubiously。　Richard　wondered　how　a　gar　could　know　what　a　wizard　was。　Gratch　never　failed　to　astonish　him　with　what　he　knew；　with　what　he　could　grasp。
　
　‘No；　really。　I　am。　Here；　let　me　show　you；　I’ll　make　fire。’
　
　Richard　held　his　palm　out。　He　called　the　power　from　the　calm　center。　Try　as　he　might；　nothing　happened。　He　could　not　make　so　much　as　a　spark。　He　sighed　as　Gratch　howled　in　a　roar　of　laughter；　his　wings　flapping　with　the　joke。
　
　A　sudden　memory　came　to　him　…　something　Denna　had　told　him。　He　had　asked　her　how　he　had　done　all　those　things　with　magic。　She　had　looked　at　him　with　that　all…knowing　smile　of　peace；　and　said；　Be　proud　you　made　the　right　choices；　Richard；　the　choices　that　allowed　to　happen　what　came　about；　but　do　not　call　arrogance　to　your　heart　by　believing　that　all　that　happened　was　your　doing。
　
　Richard　wondered　where　the　line　was。　He　realized　he　had　a　lot　to　learn　before　he　was　a　real　wizard。　He　wasn’t　even　sure　he　wanted　to　be　a　wizard；　but　he　now　accepted　who　he　was　…one　born　with　the　gift；　born　to　be　the　pebble　in　the　pond；　son　of　Darken　Rahl；　but　lucky　enough　to　have　been　raised　by　people　who　loved　him。　He　felt　the　hilt　of　the　sword　at　his　elbow。　It　had　been　made　for　him。
　
　He　was　the　Seeker。　The　true　Seeker。
　
　Richard’s　thoughts　again　touched　the　spirit　who　had　brought　him　more　happiness　than　in　life　had　brought　him　pain。　He　was　deeply　gratified　that　Denna　had　found　peace。　He　could　want　nothing　more　for　her；　for　someone　he　loved。
　
　He　came　out　of　his　thoughts　and　patted　the　gar’s　arm。　‘You　wait　here　a　minute；　Gratch。　I’ll　get　you　something。’
　
　Richard　ran　into　the　kitchen　and　retrieved　a　leg　of　mutton。　As　he　ran　back　down　the　steps；　Gratch　danced　from　one　foot　to　the　other　in　excitement。　Together；　they　sat　on　the　steps；　Richard　eating　his　soup；　and　Gratch　tearing　into　the　meat　with　his　fangs。
　
　When　they　had　finished　…　Gratch　had　even　eaten　the　bone　…　Richard　pulled　out　a　long　lock　of　Kahlan’s　hair。
　
　This　is　from　the　woman　I　love。’　Gratch　considered；　then　looked　up　as　he　gently　reached　out。　‘I　want　you　to　have　it。　I　told　her　about　you；　and　what　you　mean　to　me。　She　will　love　you　just　as　I　love　you；　Gratch。　She　will　never　chase　you　away。　You　can　be　with　us　whenever　you　want；　for　as　long　as　you　want。　Here；　give　it　back　a　moment。’
　
　Gratch　held　out　the　length　of　hair。　Richard　took　off　the　thong　holding　Scarlet’s　tooth。　It　would　do　him　no　good　any　longer；　he　had　already　called　her　with　it。　He　tied　the　long　lock　of　hair　to　the　thong；　and　then　hung　the　whole　thing　over　Gratch’s　head。
　
　With　a　claw；　Gratch　stroked　the　long　hair。　His　grin　wrinkled　his　nose　and　showed　the　full　length　of　his　fangs。