tg.stone of tears-第31部分

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　surrounding　flat　grassland。　Arms　a　blur；　men　pounded　on　drums；　sending　frantic；　echoing　beats　across　the　village　to　others　who　answered　or　joined　in。　Dancers　in　costumes　followed　one　another　around　in　circles；　stopping　and　turning　as　one；　jumping　and　stomping；　acting　out　stories　for　the　gleeful　children　and　adults　who　crowded　around　them。　Cooking　fires　sent　sweet…smelling　smoke　and　wonderful　aromas　drifting　to　them。
　
　As　they　walked　past；　large　fires　roared　and　crackled　in　the　center　of　the　field；　warming　one　side　of　her　with　their　heat。　Men　proudly　wore　their　finest　skins；　and　women　their　brightest　dresses。　All　had　their　hair　freshly　slicked　down　with　sticky　mud。　Woven　trays　of　tava　bread；　roasted　peppers；　onions；　long　beans；　cabbage；　cucumber　and　beets；　bowls　of　stewed　meats；　fish；　and　chicken；　as　well　as　platters　of　boar　and　venison；　were　carried　by　young　women　from　the　cook　fires　to　people　gathered　at　various　shelters。　The　whole　village　was　in　joyful　celebration　to　wele　the　ancestors’　spirits。
　
　Savidlin　stood　at　their　approach；　weling　them　onto　the　elders’　platform。　He　looked　dignified　with　his　official　coyote　hide　around　his　shoulders。　The　Bird　Man　and　the　other　elders　gave　the　two　of　them　smiles　and　nods。　As　soon　as　she　and　Richard　sat　cross…legged；　the　young　women　brought　woven　trays　and　platters　of　food。　They　both　took　pieces　of　tava　bread　and　rolled　them　around　peppers；　careful　to　put　them　to　their　mouths　with　the　right　hand　only。　A　boy　brought　pottery　mugs　and　a　jug　of　water　mildly　flavored　with　spices。
　
　When　he　was　satisfied　they　were　fortably　settled；　the　Bird　Man　nodded　to　a　group　of　women　at　a　nearby　shelter。　Kahlan　knew　what　this　meant。　The　women　were　special　cooks；　the　only　ones　allowed　to　prepare　the　banquet　specialties。　Richard’s　eyes　watched　as　one　of　them　came　with　a　woven　platter　filled　with　dried　meat；　neatly　arranged　in　a　circular　pattern。　He　gave　no　sign　of　his　feelings。
　
　There　would　be　no　gathering　if　he　didn’t　eat　this　meat。　Worse；　this　was　not　just　any　meat。　She　knew；　though；　that　he　was　determined；　and　would　eat　it。
　
　The　woman　bowed　her　head；　holding　the　platter　out　to　the　Bird　Man；　and　then　the　other　elders。　After　each　took　some；　she　offered　it　to　the　elders’　wives。　A　few　took　a　piece。　She　turned　and　held　the　platter　out　to　Richard。　He　looked　at　it　a　moment；　and　then　reached　up　and　took　one　of　the　larger　pieces。　He　held　it　in　his　fingers；　looking　at　it　as　the　woman　left　after　Kahlan　declined　the　offer。
　
　‘I　know　it　is　difficult　for　you；’　the　Bird　Man　said　to　Richard；　‘but　it　is　necessary　for　you　to　have　the　knowledge　of　our　enemies。’
　
　Richard　pulled　off　a　big　bite　with　his　teeth。　‘The　way　is　the　way。’　He　chewed　and　swallowed　without　showing　any　emotion。　He　looked　off　into　the　distance。　‘Who　is　it？’
　
　The　Bird　Man　watched　him　a　moment　after　Richard　looked　back　to　him。　‘It　is　the　man　you　killed。’
　
　‘I　see。’
　
　He　took　another　bite。　He　had　taken　a　big　piece；　and　was　eating　the　whole　thing　to　show　them　his　determination　to　have　the　gathering；　to　show　them　that　despite　the　warning　from　the　spirits；　he　was　resolved　to　go　through　with　it。　He　watched　the　dancers　as　he　chewed；　washing　each　swallow　down　with　a　drink　from　his　mug。　The　elders’　platform　was　an　isolated　island　of　quiet　in　the　sweep　of　noise　and　activity。
　
　Richard　abruptly　stopped　chewing。　His　eyes　widened。　He　sat　up　straighten　His　head　snapped　around　to　the　elders。
　
　‘Where’s　Chandalen？’
　
　They　looked　at　one　another　after　studying　his　face　a　moment。
　
　Richard　sprang　to　his　feet。　‘Where’s　Chandalen！’
　
　‘He　is　here；　somewhere；’　the　Bird　Man　said。
　
　‘Find　him！　Right　now！　Bring　him　here！’
　
　The　Bird　Man　sent　one　of　the　nearby　hunters　to　search。　Richard　hopped　down　off　the　platform　without　a　word　and　went　to　the　shelter　with　the　banquet　cooks。　He　found　the　woman　with　the　platter　of　meat　and　took　a　piece。
　
　Kahlan　turned　to　the　Bird　Man。　‘Do　you　have　any　idea　what　is　going　on？’
　
　He　nodded　solemnly。　‘He　has　had　a　vision；　a　vision　from　our　enemies’　flesh。　It　happens　sometimes。　That　is　why　we　do　this　…　to　know　what　is　in　our　enemies’　hearts。’
　
　Richard　returned　and　paced　back　and　forth　in　front　of　the　elders’　platform；　waiting。
　
　‘Richard；　what　is　it？　What　do　you　see？’
　
　He　stopped　pacing。　The　expression　on　his　face　was　agitated。　‘Trouble。’　He　resumed　his　pacing。　She　asked　what　sort　of　trouble；　but　he　didn’t　seem　to　even　notice　the　question。
　
　At　last　the　hunter　returned　with　Chandalen　and　his　men。
　
　‘What　would　make　Richard　With　The　Temper　ask　for　me？’
　
　Richard　shoved　the　piece　of　meat　at　him。　‘Eat　this。　Tell　me　what　you　see。’
　
　Chandalen　watched　Richard’s　eyes　as　he　ate　the　strip　of　dried　meat。　Richard　went　back　to　his　impatient　pacing；　pulling　off　another　bite　with　his　teeth。　He　chewed　and　paced。
　
　Finally　he　could　wait　no　longer。　‘Well？　What　do　you　see？’
　
　Chandalen　watched　warily。　‘An　enemy。’
　
　Richard　let　out　an　exasperated　breath。　‘Who　was　this　man？　From　what　people？’
　
　‘He　was　Bantak；　from　the　east。’
　
　Kahlan　jumped　up。　‘Bantak！’　She　hopped　down　off　the　platform　and　stood　next　to　Richard。　‘Bantak　are　peaceful　They　would　never　attack　anyone。　It　is　against　their　way。’
　
　‘He　was　a　Bantak；’　Chandalen　repeated。　‘He　had　black　painted　on　his　eyes。　He　attacked　us。’　He　redirected　his　gaze　to　Richard。　‘At　least；　that　is　what　Richard　With　The　Temper　claims。’
　
　Richard　went　back　to　pacing。　They’re　ing；’　he　muttered。　He　stopped　and　grabbed　Chandalen　by　the　shoulders。　‘They’re　ing！　They’re　ing　to　attack　the　Mud　People！’
　
　Chandalen　frowned。　‘The　Bantak　are　not　fighters。　It　is　as　the　Mother　Confessor　says；　they　are　peaceful。　They　plant　crops；　herd　goats　and　sheep。　We　trade　with　them。　This　one　that　attacked　us　must　have　been　sick　in　the　head。　The　Bantak　know　the　Mud　People　are　stronger　than　they。　They　would　not　attack　us。’
　
　Richard　hardly　heard　the　translation。　‘Get　your　men　together。　Get　more　men。　We　have　to　go　stop　them。’
　
　Chandalen　studied　him。　‘We　have　nothing　to　fear　from　the　Bantak。　They　would　not　attack　us。’
　
　Richard　nearly　exploded。　‘Chandalen；　you　are　charged　with　protecting　our　people！　I　am　telling　you　there　is　a　threat　to　them！　You　must　not　ignore　me　in　this！’
　
　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair；　calming　himself。　‘Chandalen；　don’t　you　think　it　a　little　strange　that　one　man　would　have　attacked　all　of　us？　Would　you；　as　brave　as　you　are；　have　e　into　the　open　and　attacked　that　many　men；　by　yourself？　You；　with　only　a　spear；　and　they　with　bows？’
　
　Chandalen　only　glared。　The　Bird　Man　led　the　other　elders　off　the　platform　and　stood　next　to　Chandalen；　facing　Richard。　‘Tell　us　what　our　enemy　has　revealed　to　you。　Tell　us　what　you　have　seen。’
　
　‘This　man　。。。’　Richard　held　the　piece　of　meat　up　in　front　of　the　Bird　Man’s　face。　‘This　man　was　the　son　of　their　spirit　guide。’
　
　The　elders　broke　into　worried　whispers。　The　Bird　Man　didn’t　move　his　eyes　from　Richard。　‘Are　you　sure　of　this？　Killing　the　son　of　a　spirit　guide　is　a　grave　offense。　Even　in　self…defense。　It　would　be　the　same　if　someone　killed　my　offspring；　had　I　one。’　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘Grave　enough　to　start　a　war。’
　
　Richard　nodded　hurriedly。　‘I　know。　That’s　what　they　had　planned。　For　some　reason；　they　thought　the　Mud　People　were　suddenly　dangerous　to　them。　To　be　sure；　they　sent　the　son　of　their　spirit　guide；　knowing　that　if　we　killed　him；　it　would　be　a　sign　of　our　hostile　intent。　They　were　planning　on　watching　for　his　head　on　a　pole；　to　see　if　they　were　right。　If　he　didn’t　return；　and　they　found　the　head；　they　were　going　to　attack。’
　
　He　waved　the　meat　in　front　of　the　elders’　faces　again。　This　man；　for　some　reason；　had　bitterness　in　his　heart。　He　wanted　there　to　be　a　war。　He　attacked　us；　knowing　he　would　be　killed；　wanting　it；　so　it　would　start　the　war；　and　his　people　could　kill　all　the　Mud　People。　Don’t　you　see？　With　the　banquet　going　on；　they　will　hear　the　sounds　of　it　far　out　onto　the　plain。　They　will　know　we　are　not　prepared　to　defend　ourselves；　that　we　are　diverted。　They　are　ing！　Now！’
　
　The　elders　all　leaned　back　a　little。　The　Bird　Man　turned　to　Chandalen。
　
　‘Richard　With　The　Temper　has　had　a　vision　from　our　enemy。　Have　each　of　your　men　gather　ten　others。　We　must　not　allow　the　Bantak　to　harm　our　people。　You　will　stop　them　before　they　reach　the　village。’
　
　Chandalen’s　eyes　flashed　to　Richard；　and　then　back　to　the　Bird　Man。　‘We　will　see　if　his　vision　is　true。　I　will　lead　our　men　east。　If　they　are　ing；　we　will　stop　them。’
　
　‘No！’　Richard　screamed　when　Kahlan　translated。　‘They　will　e　from　the　north！’
　
　‘North！’　Chandalen　glared　at　him。　‘The　Bantak　live　to　the　east；　not　the　north。　They　will　e　from　the　east。’
　
　They　will　expect　you　to　defend　to　the　east。　They　think　the　Mud　people　want　to　kill　them。　They　expect　it。　They　will　flank　you　and　e　from　the　north！’
　
　Chandalen　folded　his　arms。　‘The　Bantak　are　not　fighters。　They　do　not　know　of　such　tactics。　If　they　are　going　to　attack　us；　as　you　say；　they　will　simply　e　straight　in。　As　you　said；　they　will　hear　the　banquet；　they　will　know　we　will　be　unprepared。　They　have　no　reason　to　go　all　the　way　around　and　e　in　from　the　north。　It　would　only　slow　them　down　for　no　reason。’
　
　Richard　glared　at　him。　‘They　are　ing　from　the　north。’
　
　‘Was　this　part　of　your　vision？’　the　Bird　Man　asked。　‘Did　you　see　this　too；　from　eating　the　meat？’
　
　Richard　forced　out　a　breath　and　looked　down。　‘No。　I　didn’t　see　it　with　the　rest　of　the　vision。’　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　‘But　I　know　it’s　true。　I　don’t　know　how；　but　I　know。　They　are　ing　from　the　north。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　turned　to　Chandalen。　‘Perhaps　you　could　split　the　men。　Take　some　to　the　east；　and　some　to　the　north。’
　
　Chandalen　shook　his　head。　‘No。　If　the　vision　proves　true；　we　will　need　all　our　men　together。　One　strike；　with　surprise；　with　all　our　men；　and　with　luck；　will　end　it。　If　there　are　enough　of　them；　as　he　seems　to　think；　then　they　might　defeat　a　number　that　small；　and　then　they　would　be　upon　our　people　before　we　could　turn　them　back。　Many　women　and　children　would　be　killed。　The　whole　village　could　fall。　It　is　too　dangerous。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded。　‘Chandalen；　a　vision　has　been　presented　to　us。　It　is　your　job　to　keep　our　people　safe。　Since　the　vision　did　not　say　which　way　they　would　e；　only　that　they　would　e；　I　leave　it　to　you　to　protect　us　as　you　see　best。　You　are　the　smartest　fighter　among　us；　I　will　trust　your　fighting　judgment。’
　
　He　frowned　and　leaned　closer　to　the　man。　‘But　know　that　it　had　better　be　a　fighting　judgment；　and　not　a　personal　one。’
　
　Chandalen　showed　no　emotion。　‘It　is　my　opinion　the　Bantak　would　attack　from　the　east。’　He　glanced　at　Richard。　‘If　they　really　e。’
　
　Richard　put　a　hand　on　Chandalen’s　folded　arm。　‘Chandalen；　please　listen　to　me。’　His　voice　was　quiet　and　worried。　‘I　know　you　don’t　like　me。　Maybe　you　are　justified　in　your　feelings。　Maybe　you　are　right　that　I　have　brought　trouble　to　our　people。　But　trouble　is　ing　now；　and　it　is　ing　from　the　north。　Please；　I　beg　you；　believe　me。　The　lives　of　all　our　people　depend　on　this。　Hate　me　all　you　want；　but　don’t　let　any　of　them　die　because　of　that　hate。’
　
　Richard　drew　the　Sword　of　Truth　and　held　out　the　hilt。　‘I　will　give　you　my　sword。　Go　north。　If　they　e　from　the　east；　and　I　am　wrong；　you　may　kill　me　with　it。’
　
　Chandalen　looked　down　at　the　sword；　and　back　up　to　Richard’s　face。　A　small　smile　spread　on　his　own。　‘I　will　not　let　you　trick　me。　I　will　not　let　our　people　be　devastated；　just　for　a　chance　to　kill　you。　I　would　rather　let　you　live　among　us；　than　let　my　people　be　killed。　I　go　to　the　east。’　He　turned　and　strode　off；　shouting　instructions　to　his　men。
　
　Richard　stood　watching　him　go；　then　slid　the　sword　back　into　its　scabbard。
　
　‘That　man　is　a　fool；’　Kahlan　said。
　
　Richard　shook　his　head。　‘He　is　just　doing　what　he　thinks　best。　He　wants　to　protect　his　people　more　than　he　wants　to　kill　me。　If　I　had　to　pick　one　man　to　fight　beside　me；　as　much　as　he　hates　me；　it　would　be　him。　I　am　the　fool；　for　not　being　able　to　make　him　see　the　truth。’　He　turned　to　her。　‘I　have　to　go　north。　I　have　to　stop　them。’
　
　Kahlan　looked　around。　There　are　some　other　men　here。　We　will　gather　all　we　can　and　…’
　
　He　shook　his　head；　cutting　her　off。　‘No。　There　wouldn’t　be　enough。　Besides；　we　need　every　man　able　to　hold　a　bow　or　spear　here；　to　defend　the　village　if　I　fail。　The　elders　must　go　on　with　the　banquet。　We　must　have　the　gathering。　That　is　what’s　most　important。　I’ll　go　alone。　I’m　the　Seeker。　Maybe　I　can　stop　them。　Maybe　they　will　listen　to　one　man；　see　that　he　isn’t　so　much　of　a　threat。’
　
　‘All　right。　Wait　here。　I’ll　be　right　back。’
　
　‘Why？’
　
　‘I　have　to　put　on　my　Confessor’s　dress。’
　
　‘You’re　not　going！’
　
　‘I　have　to。　You　can’t　speak　their　language。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　I　don’t　want　。。。’
　
　‘Richard！’　She　snatched　a　fistful　of　his　shirt。　‘I’m　the　Mother　Confessor！　There　will　be　no　war　under　my　nose　while　I　have　a　say　in　it！　You　will　wait　here！’
　
　She　released　his　shirt　and　stormed　off。　The　Mother　Confessor　didn’t　wait　for　answers　to　her　instructions；　she　expected　them　to　be　carried　out。　She　suddenly　regretted　yelling　at　Richard；　but　she　was　furious　at　Chandalen　for　not　listening。
　
　She　was　furious；　too；　at　the　Bantak。　She　had　been　to　their　village　before　and　always　found　them　to　be　a　gentle　people。　Whatever　their　reasons；　as　long　as　she　was　around　there　was　going　to　be　no　war。　The　Mother　Confessor　was　supposed　to　stop　wars；　not　sit　by　and　watch　them　start。　This　was　her　responsibility；　her　job；　not　Richard’s。
　
　At　Savidlin　and　Weselan’s　home；　in　the　dark　with　all　the　noise　going　on　outside；　she　slipped　into　her　white　Confessor’s　dress。　All　Confessors　wore　dresses　cut　the　same；　square　at　the　neck；　long；　simple；　free　of　embellishment；　and　satiny　smooth；　but　of　black　fabric。
　
　Only　the　Mother　Confessor’s　was　white。　It　was　a　mantle　of　power。　In　the　dress；　she　was　not　Kahlan　Amnell；　she　was　the　Mother　Confessor；　a　symbol　of　the　power　of　truth。　With　all　the　other　Confessors　now　dead；　the　weight　of　defending　the　Midlands；　those　without　power；　was　upon　her　shoulders。
　
　It　made　her　feel　different　now　to　wear　the　dress。　Before；　it　had　seemed　the　normal　thing　to　do。　Now；　since　she　had　met　Richard；　it　seemed　a　heavier　responsibility。　Before；　she　had　always　felt　alone　in　her　job；　but　now；　with　him；　she　felt　more　of　a　connection　to　the　people　of　the　Midlands；　more　one　of　them；　more　responsible　to　them。　She　knew　now　what　it　was　to　love　someone；　and　to　fear　for　him。　She　was　not　going　to　allow　anyone　to　start　a　war；　not　as　long　as　she　was　the　Mother　Confessor。　She　grabbed　their　heavy　cloaks　and　went　back　through　the　passageways　to　the　festivities。
　
　The　elders　were　standing　in　front　of　their　platform；　where　she　had　left　them。　Richard　was　still　waiting。　She　tossed　his　cloak　to　him　and　addressed　the　elders。
　
　‘Tomorrow　night　is　the　gathering。　It　must　go　on。　We　will　be　back　well　before　then。’　She　turned　to　the　wives。　‘　Weselan；　we　wish　to