tg.stone of tears-第32部分

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　‘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　be　married　the　next　day。　I’m　sorry　there　isn’t　more　time　to　prepare；　but　we　must　leave　as　soon　as　it　is　done。　We　must　go　to　Aydindril。　We　must　stop　the　threat　to　the　Mud　People　and　everyone　else。’
　
　Weselan　smiled。　‘　Your　dress　will　be　ready。　I　wish　we　could　give　you　a　big　wedding　feast；　but　we　understand。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　put　a　hand　on　her　shoulder。　‘If　Chandalen　is　wrong　。。。　Be　careful。　The　Bantak　are　peaceful；　but　maybe　things　have　changed。　Tell　them　we　wish　their　people　no　harm。　We　do　not　want　war　with　them。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded　and　flung　her　cloak　around　her　shoulders　as　she　started　off。　‘Let’s　go。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　15
　
　Richard　fell　in　beside　her　without　objection。　Without　speaking；　they　left　the　village　and　went　north　out　onto　the　flat；　open　grasslands。　As　they　walked；　the　sounds　of　the　people　and　boldas　and　drums　faded　steadily　into　the　night。　The　moon　wasn’t　near　full；　but　it　gave　them　enough　light　to　see　by　as　they　walked　through　the　waist…high；　dry　grass。　She　hoped　that　it　was　dark　enough　to　make　them　poor　targets。
　
　Richard　finally　glanced　over。　‘Kahlan；　I’m　sorry。’
　
　‘For　what？’
　
　‘For　forgetting　who　you　are。　That　you　are　the　Mother　Confessor；　and　that　this　is　your　job。　I　was　just　worried　for　you。’
　
　She　was　surprised　by　his　apology。　‘I’m　sorry　I　yelled　at　you。　I　shouldn’t　have　done　that。　I　just　don’t　want　there　to　be　any　fighting。　I’m　supposed　to　keep　the　people　of　the　Midlands　from　fighting。　It　makes　me　angry　when　they　insist　on　killing　one　another。　Richard；　I’m　so　tired　of　seeing　people　killed。　I　thought　it　was　over。　I　can’t　bear　it　anymore。　I　swear　I　can’t。’
　
　He　put　an　arm　around　her。　‘I　know。　Me；　too。’　He　gave　her　shoulder　a　squeeze　as　they　walked。　‘The　Mother　Confessor　will　put　a　stop　to　it。’　He　looked　over。　She　thought　he　was　frowning；　but　it　was　too　dark　to　be　sure。　‘With　my　help。’
　
　She　grinned。　‘With　your　help。’　She　leaned　her　head　against　him　a　moment。　‘From　now　on；　always　with　your　help。’
　
　They　walked　a　long　way　from　the　village　without　seeing　anything　but　the　black　ground　and　starlit　sky。　Richard　would　stop　once　in　a　while　to　watch　the　surrounding　grassland　and　take　out　a　few　of　Nissel’s　leaves　to　chew。　Sometime　past　the　middle　of　the　night　they　came　to　a　slight　depression　in　the　landscape。　He　looked　around　again　and　then　decided　they　should　wait　where　they　were。　It　would　be　better　for　the　Bantak　to　e　upon　them；　he　said；　than　for　the　two　of　them　to　walk　into　a　surprise。
　
　Richard　flattened　out　a　small　patch　of　grass　and　they　sat　down　to　wait。　They　each　took　turns　taking　little　naps　while　the　other　watched　to　the　north。　With　her　hand　over　his；　she　watched　him　sleep　and　scanned　the　horizon；　and　thought　about　all　the　times　they　had　done　this　before；　one　standing　watch；　the　other　sleeping。　She　longed　for　the　day　they　could　just　sleep；　and　not　have　to　watch。　Sleep　together。　It　would　happen；　she　decided；　soon　enough。　Richard　would　figure　out　how　to　close　the　veil；　and　then　it　would　be　over。　They　could　be　at　peace。
　
　Kahlan　slept　nuzzled　against　him　with　her　cloak　wrapped　tight　against　the　cold。　His　warmth　made　her　all　the　more　sleepy。　She　began　to　wonder　if　he　was　right；　if　the　Bantak　would　e　from　the　north。　If　they　came　from　the　east；　there　would　be　a　lot　of　killing。　Chandalen　would　show　no　mercy。　She　didn’t　want　the　Mud　People　to　be　hurt；　but　she　didn’t　want　the　Bantak　hurt　either。　They；　too；　were　her　people。　She　drifted　into　worried　sleep；　her　last　thoughts　of　Richard。
　
　He　brought　her　awake；　pressing　his　arm　around　her　and　his　hand　over　her　mouth。　The　sky　was　just　beginning　to　lighten　to　their　right；　to　the　east。　Thin　wisps　of　dark　purple　clouds　bunched　near　the　horizon；　as　if　trying　to　mask　the　sunrise　with　their　dark　hue。　Richard　was　watching　to　the　north。　She　was　lower　than　he；　and　couldn’t　see　anything；　but　she　knew　by　the　tenseness　of　his　muscles　that　someone　was　ing。
　
　They　lay　still；　close　to　the　ground；　waiting。　Gentle　breezes　rustled　the　dry　grass　around　them。　Kahlan　quietly；　slowly；　slid　the　cloak　from　her　shoulders。　She　didn’t　want　there　to　be　any　mistake　about　who　she　was。　The　Bantak　would　recognize　her　long　hair；　but　she　wanted　them　to　see　her　Confessor’s　dress；　too。　She　didn’t　want　there　to　be　any　doubt　who　she　was　and　that　she　was　here　as　the　Mother　Confessor。　Richard　shrugged　his　cloak　off　his　shoulders。　Shadows　slid　through　the　grass　around　them。
　
　When　there　seemed　to　be　men　all　around；　the　two　of　them　stood　up。　Men　with　spears　and　bows　closest　leapt　back　and　screamed　yells　of　surprise。　The　Bantak　were　spread　out　in　a　long；　thin　line；　advancing　toward　the　Mud　People’s　village。
　
　There　were　excited　shouts。　Men　swept　in　from　the　line；　a　few　surrounding　them；　most　bunched　in　front。　Kahlan　stood　tall；　her　hands　at　her　sides。　She　wore　her　Confessor’s　face；　a　calm　that　showed　nothing；　as　her　mother　had　taught　her。　Richard　was　tight　at　her　side；　his　hand　on　the　hilt　of　his　sword。　Most　of　the　men；　in　simple　hide　clothes　trimmed　with　grass；　leveled　weapons　at　the　two　of　them。　They　were　clearly　nervous　about　doing　so。
　
　‘You　would　dare　to　threaten　the　Mother　Confessor？’　she　called　out。　‘Lower　your　weapons。　Now。’
　
　Eyes　flicked　around；　looking　to　see　if　the　two　of　them　were　alone。　The　men　seemed　to　bee　less　sure　about　pointing　spears　and　arrows　at　the　Mother　Confessor；　they　were　doing　something　unheard　of；　and　they　knew　it。　They　looked　as　if　they　couldn’t　decide　to　keep　doing　what　they　were　doing；　or　drop　their　weapons　and　fall　to　their　knees。　A　few　of　them　crouched　lower；　in　half　bows。
　
　Kahlan　took　an　aggressive　stride　toward　them。　‘Now！’
　
　The　men　flinched；　cowering　back　a　little。　The　points　of　all　the　weapons　moved　from　her　…　to　Richard。　They　appeared　to　hope　this　would　be　an　acceptable　promise。　It　was　not　what　she　had　expected。
　
　She　stepped　in　front　of　Richard。　All　the　weapons　were　once　again　pointing　at　her。
　
　‘What　do　you　think　you　are　doing；’　he　whispered　to　the　back　of　her　head。
　
　‘Just　stay　quiet。　Let　me　try　to　do　this。　We　don’t　have　a　chance　if　we　can’t　get　them　to　lower　their　weapons　and　talk。’
　
　‘Why　are　they　doing　this？　I　thought　everyone　was　afraid　of　the　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　They　are　afraid；　but　they　are　used　to　seeing　a　wizard　with　me。　They　may　be　more　bold　because　they　don’t　see　one　now。　Even　so；　they　shouldn’t　be　doing　this。’　She　took　another　step　forward。　‘Who　speaks　for　the　Bantak？　Who　among　you　takes　responsibility　for　allowing　the　Bantak　to　threaten　the　Mother　Confessor？’
　
　Not　being　able　to　point　their　weapons　at　Richard　with　her　in　the　way；　the　Bantak　lost　a　bit　of　their　confidence　and　lowered　the　points　a　little。　Not　all　the　way；　but　a　little。
　
　At　last；　an　old　man　approached；　pushing　through；　stopping　in　front　of　her。　He　wore　simple　hide　clothes　like　the　other　men；　but　around　his　neck　hung　a　gold　medallion　worked　with　Bantak　symbols。　She　knew　him。　He　was　Ma　Ban　Grid；　the　Bantak’s　spirit　guide。　His　scowl　made　his　heavily　wrinkled　loose　skin　seem　even　more　deeply　creased　than　she　remembered。　She　also　didn’t　remember　him　scowling　like　this；　she　remembered　only　his　easy　smile。
　
　‘I　speak　for　the　Bantak；’　Ma　Ban　Grid　said。　He　had　only　two　bottom　teeth　in　front。　His　jaw　wobbled　easily　with　the　difficult…to…pronounce　Bantak　words。　He　glanced　at　Richard。　‘Who　is　this　one？’
　
　Kahlan　returned　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　scowl。　‘Now　Ma　Ban　Grid　would　question　the　Mother　Confessor　before　she　is　weled　before　his　eyes？’
　
　The　Bantak　men　shuffled　their　feet　uneasily。　Ma　Ban　Grid　did　not。　His　gaze　was　solid　and　unwavering。　‘These　are　not　right　times。　These　are　not　our　lands。　We　are　not　here　to　wele　visitors　before　the　eyes　of　the　Bantak。　We　have　e　to　kill　the　Mud　People。’
　
　‘Why？’
　
　Ma　Ban　Grid　peered　down　his　nose　at　her。　‘They　have　invited　war；　as　our　spirit　brethren　have　warned　us　they　would。　They　have　proven　it　by　killing　one　of　mine。　We　must　kill　them　before　they　can　kill　us　all。’
　
　‘There　will　be　no　war！　There　will　be　no　killing！　I　am　the　Mother　Confessor　and　I　will　not　allow　it！　The　Bantak　will　suffer　by　my　hand　if　they　do　this！’
　
　The　band　of　men　broke　into　worried　whispers　and　moved　back　a　pace。　The　spirit　guide　stood　his　ground。
　
　‘The　spirit　brethren　have　also　told　me　that　the　Mother　Confessor　no　longer　holds　mand　over　the　people　of　the　Midlands。　They　say　that　as　proof；　she　has　been　stripped　of　the　pany　of　a　wizard。’　He　gave　her　a　smug　look。　‘I　see　no　wizard。　As　always；　the　spirits　speak　true　to　Ma　Ban　Grid。’
　
　Kahlan　stared　speechless　at　the　old　man。
　
　Richard　leaned　toward　her。　‘What　are　they　saying？’　Kahlan　told　him　what　Ma　Ban　Grid　had　said。　He　stepped　up　next　to　her。　‘I　want　to　speak　to　them。　Translate　for　me？’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　‘They　wanted　to　know　who　you　are。　I　didn’t　tell　them。’
　
　Richard’s　eyes　turned　cold　with　menace。　‘I　will　let　them　know　who　I　am。’　His　voice　took　on　the　same　cold　quality　as　his　eyes。　‘And　they　aren’t　going　to　like　it。’
　
　He　turned　his　hawklike　glare　on　the　men；　deliberately　ignoring　Ma　Ban　Grid；　and　she　saw　in　those　eyes　the　rage　of　the　sword’s　magic。　He　was　calling　the　magic　forth　even　as　the　sword　sat　in　its　scabbard。　‘You　men　are　following　an　old　fool；　an　old　fool　by　the　name　of　Ma　Ban　Grid；　who　is　not　wise　enough　to　know　true　spirits　from　false　spirits。’　The　men　gasped　at　the　insult。　Richard　turned　his　penetrating　gaze　to　Ma　Ban　Grid。　‘Is　this　not　true；　old　fool？’
　
　Ma　Ban　Grid　stammered　with　anger　a　moment　before　he　could　get　any　words　out。　‘　Who　are　you　to　dare　to　insult　me　like　this！’
　
　Richard　glared　at　him。　‘Your　false　spirits　told　you　the　Mud　People　killed　one　of　yours。　The　false　spirits　lied　to　you；　and　you；　in　your　foolishness；　believed　them。’
　
　‘Lie！　We　found　his　head！　The　Mud　People　killed　him！　They　want　war　with　us！　We　will　kill　them　all。　Every　last　one！　They　have　killed　one　of　mine！’
　
　‘I　am　growing　tired　of　talking　to　one　as　stupid　as　you；　old　man。　The　Bantak　are　a　witless　people　if　they　put　one　such　as　you　in　charge　of　talking　to　the　spirit　brethren。’
　
　‘Richard；　what　are　you　doing？’　she　whispered。
　
　Translate。’
　
　When　she　did；　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　face　reddened　more　with　each　word。　He　looked　ready　to　burst　into　flames。
　
　Richard　leaned　closer　to　him。　‘The　Mud　People　didn’t　kill　the　one　that　was　yours。　I　did。’
　
　‘Richard！　I　can’t　tell　them　that。　They　will　kill　us。’
　
　He　continued　to　glare　at　Ma　Ban　Grid　as　he　spoke　softly　to　her。　‘Something　is　frightening　these　people　into　doing　this。　They　are　going　to　kill　us　and　then　go　and　kill　a　lot　of　the　Mud　People　unless　I　can　make　them　even　more　frightened　of　us。　Translate。’
　
　She　let　out　a　noisy　breath　at　him　and　then　told　the　Bantak　what　Richard　had　said。　The　weapons　came　back　up。
　
　‘You！　You　killed　one　of　mine！’
　
　Richard　shrugged。　‘Yes。’　He　pointed　at　his　forehead。　‘I　put　an　arrow　right　here。　One　arrow。　Right　here。　Right　through　his　head；　as　he　was　about　to　put　his　spear　in　the　back　of　a　man。　A　man　who　had　no　hate　in　his　heart　for　the　Bantak。　I　killed　him　as　I　would　kill　a　coyote　sneaking　up　to　steal　one　of　my　lambs。　One　who　would　take　a　life　by　such　cowardice　deserves　to　die。　One　who　would　listen　to　false　spirits；　and　send　one　of　his　own　to　do　such　a　thing；　does　not　deserve　to　lead　a　people。’
　
　‘We　will　kill　you！’
　
　‘Really？　Maybe　you　will　try；　but　you　cannot　kill　me。’　Richard　turned　his　back　to　the　old　man　and　walked　about　twenty　paces　away；　the　men　opening　up　to　let　him　pass。　He　turned　back。　‘I　used　one　arrow　to　kill　one　of　yours。　Use　one　arrow　to　try　to　kill　me；　and　we　will　see　who　the　good　spirits　protect。　Pick　any　man　you　wish。　Have　him　do　to　me　as　I　did　to　yours。　Shoot　me　with　an　arrow。’　He　pointed　angrily　at　his　forehead　again。　‘Right　here；　where　I　shot　the　coward　who　would　kill　for　false　spirits！’
　
　‘Richard！　Have　you　lost　your　mind？　I’m　not　going　to　tell　them　to　shoot　you。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　I　can　do　this。　I　can　feel　it。’
　
　‘You　did　it　once。　What　if　it　doesn’t　work　this　time？　I’m　not　going　to　stand　here　and　let　you　be　killed。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　if　we　don’t　stop　these　people；　here；　now；　both　of　us　are　going　to　be　killed；　and　then　the　Keeper　is　going　to　escape。　Tonight　is　the　gathering；　that　is　what’s　important。　I’m　using　the　Wizard’s　First　Rule；　the　first　step　to　believing　is　wanting　to　believe　something　is　true；　or　being　afraid　it　is。　Up　until　now；　they　have　been　believing　something　because　they　wanted　to。　I　have　to　make　them　afraid　that　what　I　am　going　to　say　is　true。’
　
　‘What　are　you　going　to　say？’
　
　‘Hurry　up。　Translate　before　I　lose　their　interest　and　they　decide　to　kill　us　and　then　go　after　the　Mud　People。’
　
　She　turned　back　to　Ma　Ban　Grid　and；　reluctantly；　translated。　The　men　all　started　shouting　that　they　wanted　to　be　the　one　to　shoot　the　arrow。　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　eyes　moved　among　them　as　they　yelled　and　waved　their　arms。
　
　He　smiled。　‘All　you　men　may　shoot　this　evil　one　who　has　killed　one　of　mine。　Everyone！　Shoot　him！’
　
　The　bows　came　up。　Richard　glared。　‘Coward！　Do　you　men　see　how　foolish　this　old　man　is？　He　knows　he　listens　to　false　spirits！　He　would　have　you　listen　to　them　also！　He　knows　the　good　spirits　protect　me　in　my　challenge。　He　is　afraid　to　have　you　see　he　is　a　fool。　This　proves　it！’
　
　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　jaw　tightened。　He　held　his　arm　up　for　his　men　to　halt。　At　last　he　turned　to　a　man　with　a　bow　and　snatched　it　from　his　hands。　‘I　will　show　you　the　spirits　I　hear　are　true！　You　will　die　for　killing　one　of　mine！　For　saying　our　spirit　brethren　are　false　spirits！’
　
　He　drew　a　poison　arrow　back　and　in　a　blink　shot　it　at　Richard。　A　cheer　rose　from　the　men。　Kahlan’s　breath　caught　in　her　throat。　She　went　cold　with　fear。
　
　Richard　snatched　the　arrow　out　of　the　air　right　in　front　of　his　face。
　
　The　men　gasped　and　then　fell　silent　as　Richard　marched　back　to　the　spirit　guide；　the　arrow　in　his　hand；　and　fire　in　his　eyes。　He　stopped　before　Ma　Ban　Grid　and　snapped　the　arrow　in　front　of　his　face　to　the　sound　of　fearful　murmurs。
　
　His　voice　was　deadly。　‘The　good　spirits　protect　me；　old　fool。　You　listen　to　false　spirits。’
　
　‘Who　are　you？’　Ma　Ban　Grid　whispered；　wide…eyed。
　
　Richard　slowly　drew　the　Sword　of　Truth。　The　soft　ring　of　steel　filled　the　quiet　dawn。　He　placed　the　sword’s　point　at　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　throat。
　
　‘I　am　Richard；　the　Seeker。　Mate　to　the　Mother　Confessor。’　Worried　whispers　drifted　through　the　cold　air。　‘And；　I　am　a　wizard。　Her　wizard。’
　
　Eyes　as　far　as　she　could　see　widened。　Jaws　dropped。　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　face　slackened　a　little。　He　glanced　to　the　sword。
　
　‘Wizard？　You？’
　
　‘Wizard！’　Richard’s　angry　glare　swept　across　the　gathered　men。　‘Wizard。　I　mand　the　magic。　The　gift。　It　would　seem；　old　fool；　your　false　spirits　have　lied　to　you。　They　said　the　Mother　Confessor　had　no　wizard。　They　sent　one　of　yours　to　start　a　war　the　Mud　People　do　not　want。　They　have　used　you　for　their　own　purposes。　Perhaps　a　wise　spirit　guide　would　have　known　this；　perhaps　an　old　fool