tg.stone of tears-第33部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


ise　spirit　guide　would　have　known　this；　perhaps　an　old　fool　would　not。’　Grumbling　broke　out　among　the　men。　‘If　you　persist　in　this；　if　you　disobey　the　Mother　Confessor；　I　will　use　my　magic　to　destroy　you。　I　will　use　terrible　magic　to　burn　the　Bantak’s　land　to　ashes　and　put　a　blight　upon　it　for　all　time。　Each　Bantak　will　die　a　horrible　death；　a　death　by　my　magic。　I　will　kill　every　last　Bantak。　Young；　and　old。’　His　cold　gray　eyes　returned　to　Ma　Ban　Grid。　‘But　I　will　start　with　the　old。’
　
　‘Magic？’　Ma　Ban　Grid　whispered。　‘You　would　kill　us　with　magic？’
　
　Richard　leaned　closer。　‘If　you　disobey　the　Mother　Confessor；　I　will　kill　you　all　with　magic　more　frightful　than　anything　you　can　imagine。’　As　the　men　all　listened　in　rapt　attention　to　her　translation；　Richard　recited　a　litany　of　horrors　he　would　bring　to　them。　Most　of　the　things　she　remembered　Zedd　telling　a　mob　that　had　e　to　kill　him　when　they　thought　he　was　a　witch。　Richard　was　using　the　same　things　now　to　scare　the　Bantak。　The　more　he　spoke；　the　wider　their　eyes　became。
　
　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　gaze　left　the　sword　and　returned　to　Richard’s　face。　He　looked　less　sure　of　himself；　but　wasn’t　entirely　ready　to　concede。　‘The　spirits　told　me　there　was　no　wizard　with　the　Mother　Confessor。　Why　should　I　believe　you　are　a　wizard？’
　
　All　of　the　anger　left　Richard’s　face。　She　had　never　seen　him　hold　the　sword　without　the　fury　of　the　sword’s　magic　in　his　eyes。　There　did　seem　to　be　something　in　his　eyes；　but　it　wasn’t　hate；　or　rage；　he　looked　at　peace。　Somehow；　it　was　more　frightening　than　the　anger。　It　was　the　peace　of　a　man　mitted　to　a　course。
　
　In　the　dim　dawn　light；　the　blade　of　Richard’s　sword　changed。　It　began　to　glow　white。　White　hot　with　magic。　It　brightened　until　no　one　could　miss　seeing　the　bright　white　luminescence。
　
　Richard　was　using　the　only　magic　he　knew　and　could　depend　on。　The　magic　of　the　sword。
　
　It　was　enough。　Fear　swept　the　crowd。　Men　fell　to　their　knees；　dropping　their　weapons；　muttering　for　forgiveness；　beseeching　the　spirits　to　protect　them。　Others　stood　frozen；　not　knowing　what　to　do。
　
　‘Forgive　me；　old　man；’　Richard　whispered；　‘but　I　must　kill　you　to　save　a　great　many　more　lives。　Know　that　I　forgive　you；　and　regret　what　I　must　do。’
　
　As　she　translated；　Kahlan　put　a　hand　on　Richard’s　arm　to　keep　him　from　doing　anything。　‘Richard；　wait。　Please；　give　me　a　chance？’
　
　He　nodded　slightly。　‘One　chance。　Fail；　and　I　kill　him。’
　
　She　knew　he　was　trying　to　scare　the　Bantak；　to　break　the　spell　they　seemed　to　be　under；　but　he　was　scaring　her　too。　He　was　beyond　the　rage　of　the　sword；　to　something　worse。　She　looked　back　to　the　spirit　guide。
　
　‘Ma　Ban　Grid；　Richard　will　kill　you。　He　does　not　lie　about　this。　I　have　asked　him　to　wait；　so　I　may　grant　you　my　forgiveness；　if　you　will　see　the　truth　of　what　we　say。　I　can　ask　him　not　to　kill　you；　and　he　will　do　as　I　ask。　But　only　once。　After　that；　I　will　have　no　control　over　him。　If　you　are　insincere　in　your　change　of　heart；　there　will　be　much　death　and　suffering。　Richard　is　a　man　of　his　word。　He　has　made　a　promise　to　you；　and　if　you　try　to　trick　him　with　your　answer；　he　will　keep　his　promise。
　
　I　give　you　this　one　chance　to　hear　the　truth。　It　is　not　yet　too　late。　The　Mother　Confessor　does　not　want　any　of　her　people　to　die。　Every　life　in　the　Midlands　holds　dear　value　in　my　heart。　But　sometimes；　I　must　let　a　few　lose　their　lives；　so　that　many　more　may　live。　I　will　hear　your　answer。’
　
　The　men　all　stood　stooped　and　still。　They　looked　as　if　they　had　gotten　themselves　into　something　they　no　longer　wanted。　The　Bantak　were　a　peaceful　people　and　they　seemed　to　regret　their　foray；　even　seemed　confused　by　it。　Richard　had　succeeded　in　giving　them　a　bigger　fright　than　whatever　brought　them　to　this。
　
　The　breeze　fluttered　the　dry　grass　and　in　its　passing　pulled　a　stray　wisp　of　hair　across　her　face。　Kahlan　reached　up　and　pulled　it　back　as　she　waited。　With　eyes　that　seemed　to　have　gone　empty　of　passion；　Ma　Ban　Grid　searched　her　face。　The　spell　had　been　broken。
　
　His　voice　came　soft　and　sincere。　‘I　heard　the　spirits　speak。　I　thought　they　were　speaking　the　truth。　It　is　as　he　says。　I　am　an　old　fool。’　He　looked　around　at　his　silent　men。　‘The　Bantak　have　never　before　sought　to　bring　death　to　others。　We　will　not　start　now。’
　
　He　bowed　his　head　and　pulled　his　medallion　over　his　wispy　gray　hair。　He　brought　it　up　in　both　hands；　offering　it　to　her。　‘Please；　Mother　Confessor；　give　this　to　the　Mud　People。　Tell　them　it　is　given　in　peace。　We　will　start　no　war　with　them。’　He　glanced　over。　Richard　returned　the　sword　to　its　scabbard。　Ma　Ban　Grid　looked　back　to　her。　‘Thank　you　for　stopping　us；　far　stopping　me；　from　listening　to　false　spirits　and　doing　a　terrible　thing。’
　
　Kahlan　bowed　her　head　to　the　old　man。　‘I　am　thankful　I　was　able　to　serve　in　time　to　prevent　anyone　from　being　hurt。’
　
　Richard　glanced　to　her。　‘Ask　him　how　the　spirits　convinced　him　to　do　something　against　the　nature　of　his　people。’
　
　‘Ma　Ban　Grid；　how　did　the　spirits　put　the　lust　for　war　in　your　heart？　The　lust　for　killing？’
　
　He　stared　off；　unsure。　‘Their　whispers　came　to　me　in　the　night。　Made　me　feel　the　need。　I　have　felt　an　urge　to　violence　before；　but　never　acted　on　it。　This　time；　it　seemed　I　could　not　hold　it　back。　I　had　never　felt　this　need　so　strongly　before。’
　
　The　veil　to　the　underworld；　the　spirit　world；　is　torn。’　Whispers　spread　back　through　the　men　as　she　told　them　Richard’s　words。　‘False　spirits　may　seek　to　speak　to　you　again。　Be　on　guard　against　them。　I　understand　how　you　were　tricked；　and　will　hold　no　anger　against　you　for　it。　But　I　expect　you　to　be　more　cautious　now　that　you　have　learned　the　truth　and　have　been　warned。’
　
　‘Thank　you；　wizard。’　Ma　Ban　Grid　nodded。　‘I　will　make　it　so。’
　
　‘Did　the　spirits’　voices　tell　you　anything　else？’
　
　The　old　man　frowned　in　thought。　‘I　don’t　really　remember　their　voices　telling　me　what　must　be　done。　It　was　more　of　a　feeling　that　filled　me　with　the　need。　My　son　…　he　looked　up　…’the　one　who　died　。。。　he　was　with　me；　and　heard　them　also。　I　felt　that　the　spirits　spoke　differently　to　him；　somehow。　His　eyes　were　wild　with　hate。　Even　more　than　mine。　He　went　as　soon　as　we　were　visited　by　the　spirits。’　His　gaze　sank　to　the　ground。
　
　Richard　regarded　the　spirit　guide　a　long　moment。　His　voice　came　softly。　‘I　am　sorry；　Ma　Ban　Grid；　that　I　had　to　kill　your　son。　It　wounds　my　heart　to　have　done　so。　Know　that　had　there　been　any　other　path；　I　would　have　taken　it。’
　
　The　old　man　nodded；　but　couldn’t　bring　forth　words。　He　looked　around　at　his　men。　He　seemed　suddenly　ashamed。　‘I　don’t　know　what　we　are　doing　here；’　he　whispered。　‘This　is　not　the　Bantak　way。’
　
　‘It　is　the　fault　of　false　spirits。　I　am　glad　we　were　here　to　help　you　see　the　truth　of　it；’　Richard　said。
　
　He　nodded　again　and　turned　to　his　men；　looking　about　at　them；　and　then　walked　off　toward　their　homeland。　Kahlan　let　out　a　heavy　sigh。　Richard　watched　warily　as　the　Bantak　plodded　off　into　the　sunrise；　dragging　spears　behind。
　
　‘What　do　you　make　of　that？’　she　asked　when　he　turned　to　her　at　last。
　
　He　rested　his　hand　on　the　hilt　of　the　sword　and　turned　to　watch　the　Bantak。　The　Keeper　is　getting　ahead　of　us。’　He　looked　back　to　her　eyes。　‘He　has　taken　the　effort　to　discredit　you。　To　discredit　the　Mother　Confessor。　He　is　laying　traps　for　us。　He　has　plans；　and　I　don’t　have　the　slightest　idea　what　they　are。’
　
　‘What　are　we　going　to　do？’
　
　‘What　we　planned　to　do。　Tonight　we　have　the　gathering；　and　tomorrow　we　are　married　and　leave　for　Aydindril。’
　
　She　studied　his　face。　‘You　really　are　a　wizard；’　she　said　softly。　‘You　used　magic　to　break　the　Keeper’s　spell。’
　
　His　expression　didn’t　change。　‘No；　I’m　not。　It　was　just　a　little　trick　Zedd　taught　me。　He　said　once　that　people　are　more　afraid　to　die　from　magic　than　anything　else；　as　if　they　would　somehow　be　more　dead。　I　used　that　fear　and　the　Wizard’s　First　Rule　to　make　them　believe　it。　It　was　a　stronger　fear　than　the　one　the　spirits　gave　them。’
　
　‘And　what　of　turning　the　Sword　of　Truth　white？’
　
　He　regarded　her　a　long　moment。　‘Do　you　remember　when　Zedd　showed　us　how　the　sword　works？　How　it　couldn’t　harm　anyone　you　think　innocent？’　She　nodded。　‘Well；　he　was　wrong。　When　it　is　white；　you　can　kill　anyone。　Anyone。　Even　one　you　know　to　be　innocent。　Even　one　you　love。’　His　eyes　hardened。　‘I　hate　magic。’
　
　‘Richard；　the　gift　has　just　helped　you　save　the　lives　of　many　people。’
　
　‘At　what　cost？’　he　whispered。　‘Whenever　I　even　think　of　turning　the　sword　white；　all　I　can　remember　is　how　I　did　it　to　you；　how　I　almost　killed　you　with　it。’
　
　‘But　you　didn’t。　Almost　doesn’t　make　bread　rise。’
　
　‘That　doesn’t　stop　the　pain　of　it。　Or　of　having　killed　with　the　sword’s　white　magic；　and　of　knowing　what　I　am　capable　of。　It　makes　me　feel　like　a　Rahl。’　He　let　out　a　heavy　breath　and　changed　the　subject。　‘I　think　we　had　better　be　very　careful　at　the　gathering　tonight。’
　
　‘Richard　。。。　this　puts　a　new　light　on　things。　We　have　been　warned　twice　now　of　the　danger　of　dealing　with　the　spirits。　Won’t　you　reconsider　the　gathering？’
　
　He　looked　away。　‘What　choice　do　I　have？　The　Keeper　seems　to　be　ahead　of　us。　Events　are　moving　fast。　The　more　we　find　out；　the　more　we　realize　we　don’t　know。　We　must　learn　what　we　can。’
　
　‘But　maybe　the　ancestors’　spirits　won’t　be　able　to　help　us。’
　
　Then　we　will　have　learned　something。　We　can’t　pass　up　the　chance；　too　much　is　at　risk。　We　have　to　try。’　He　gently　took　her　hand。　‘Kahlan　。。。　I　can’t　allow　myself　to　be　responsible　for　this。　To　know　it’s　my　fault。’
　
　She　waited　until　his　eyes　came　up。　‘Why？　Because　Darken　Rahl　is　your　father？　You　think　you　are　responsible　because　you　are　a　Rahl？’
　
　‘Maybe。　But　Rahl　or　not；　I　can’t　be　responsible　for　the　Keeper　having　everyone。　For　having　you。　I　have　to　find　a　way　to　stop　it。　Darken　Rahl　haunts　me　from　the　grave。　Somehow　I　have　caused　this。　I　don’t　know　how；　but　it’s　my　fault。　I　have　to　do　whatever　it　takes　to　stop　it；　or　everyone　will　suffer。　And　the　Keeper　will　have　you；　forever。
　
　That　thought　scares　me　more　than　anything　in　my　life　has　ever　scared　me。　It　wakes　me　with　nightmares。　There　isn’t　anything　I　wouldn’t　do　to　stop　him　from　getting　you。　I　won’t　take　a　chance　of　missing　anything；　no　matter　the　risk。　I　have　to　have　the　gathering。’　His　gaze　held　hers。　‘Even　though　I　fear　it　might　be　a　trap；　I　have　to　try。’
　
　‘A　trap？　。。。　You　think　it　might　be　a　trap？’
　
　‘It　could　be。　We　have　been　warned。　At　least　we　can　be　alert　for　it。’　He　looked　down　at　her　hand　in　his。　‘I　won’t　have　the　sword　in　the　gathering。　Do　you　think　you　can　call　down　the　lightning　if　you　have　to？’
　
　Kahlan　shook　her　head。　‘I　don’t　know；　Richard。　I　don’t　know　how　I　did　it。　It　just　happened。　I　don’t　know　how　to　control　it。’
　
　He　nodded　as　he　rubbed　the　back　of　her　hand　with　his　thumbs。　‘Well；　maybe　you　won’t　have　to　try。　Maybe　the　ancestors’　spirits　will　be　able　to　help　us。　They　helped　us　before。’
　
　Richard　reached　up　and　gripped　the　Agiel。　His　gray　eyes　were　filled　with　the　pain　of　the　headache。　He　sank　down　and　put　his　head　in　his　hands　as　she　sat　next　to　him。　‘I　have　to　rest　awhile　before　we　go　back。　This　headache　is　killing　me。’
　
　She　feared　he　was　right；　that　the　headache　really　was　killing　him。　She　ached　for　the　next　day；　when　they　could　get　to　Zedd；　get　to　help。
　
　
　It　was　late　afternoon　by　the　time　they　returned　to　the　celebration；　the　banquet。　Richard’s　head　was　a　little　better；　but　still　hurt　him　enough　to　leave　the　pain　in　his　eyes。　The　elders　stood　as　the　two　of　them　approached　the　open　pole　shelter。　The　Bird　Man　stepped　forward。
　
　‘What　of　the　Bantak？　Did　you　see　them？　There　has　been　no　word　from　Chandalen。’
　
　Kahlan　held　the　gold　medallion　out　to　him　and　let　it　drop　in　his　hand　when　it　came　up。
　
　‘We　found　them；　to　the　north；　as　Richard　said　we　would。　Ma　Ban　Grid　sent　this　as　a　gift　to　tell　the　Mud　People　that　the　Bantak　will　not　make　war　with　them。　They　made　a　mistake；　and　are　sorry。　We　made　them　see　that　the　Mud　People　mean　them　no　harm。　Chandalen　has　also　made　a　mistake。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded　solemnly；　and　turned　to　a　hunter　standing　nearby；　telling　him　to　bring　back　Chandalen　and　his　men。　Kahlan　didn’t　think　he　looked　as　pleased　as　she　thought　he　would　be。
　
　‘Honored　elder；　is　something　wrong？’
　
　His　brown　eyes　seemed　heavy。　He　glanced　to　Richard　and　back　to　her。　‘Two　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　have　returned。　They　wait　in　the　spirit　house。’
　
　Kahlan’s　heart　jumped。　She　had　hoped　they　wouldn’t　be　back　so　soon。　What　had　it　been；　only　a　few　days？　She　turned　to　Richard。
　
　The　Sisters　of　the　Light　are　waiting　in　the　spirit　house。’
　
　Richard　sighed。　‘Nothing　is　ever　easy。’　He　addressed　the　Bird　Man。　Tonight　is　the　gathering。　Will　you　be　ready？’
　
　‘Tonight　the　spirits　will　be　with　us。　We　will　be　ready。’
　
　‘Be　careful。　Take　nothing　for　granted。　All　our　lives　depend　on　it。’　He　took　her　arm。　‘Let’s　see　if　we　can　put　a　stop　to　this。’
　
　They　walked　together　across　the　field；　past　the　roar　of　the　fires。　People　were　still　everywhere；　eating；　dancing；　playing　the　boldas　and　drums。　There　were　fewer　children　about。　Some　were　off　napping；　but　some　still　managed　to　dance　and　play。
　
　Three　days；’　he　muttered。
　
　‘What？’
　
　‘It’s　been　three　days；　almost；　since　they　were　here　last。　I　will　send　them　away；　and　tomorrow；　we　will　be　gone。　When　they　e　back　in　another　three　days；　we　will　have　been　in　Aydindril　for　two。’
　
　She　stared　ahead　as　they　walked。　That　is　if　they　keep　to　the　same　schedule。　Who　says　they　won’t　show　up　for　the　third　time　after　only　one　day。　Or　one　hour。’
　
　She　could　feel　his　eyes　on　her；　but　she　didn’t　look　over　when　he　spoke。　‘Are　you　trying　to　make　a　point？’
　
　‘You　only　get　three　chances；　Richard。　I’m　afraid　for　you。　I’m　afraid　of　the　headaches。’
　
　This　time；　she　did　look　over；　but　he　didn’t。　‘I　won’t　wear　a　collar。　Not　for　any　reason。　Not　for　anyone。’
　
　‘I　know；’　she　whispered。
　
　He　yanked　the　door　open　and　strode　into　the　spirit　house。　His　jaw　was　set　with　determination。　His　eyes　fixed　on　the　two　women　standing　in　the　center　of　the　dimly　lit　room　as　he　marched　up　to　them。　Both　wore　their　cloaks　with　the　hoods　pushed　back。　Their　faces；　in　mild　frowns；　seemed　almost　calm。
　
　Richard　stopped　in　front　of　the　two。　‘I　have　questions；　and　I　want　answers。’
　
　‘We　are　glad　to　see　you　are　still　well；　Richard；’　Sister　Verna　said。　‘Still　alive。’
　
　‘Why　did　Sister　Grace　kill　herself？　Why　did　you　allow　it？’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　stepped　in　front　of　Sister　Verna。　She　held　the　open　collar　in　her　hands。　‘We　told　you　before；　discussion　is　over。　It　is　by　the　rules　now。’
　
　‘I　have　rules　too。’　With　his　fists　on　his　hips；　he　looked　to　each　woman　in　turn。　‘My　first　rule　is　that　neither　of　you　is　going　to　kill　herself　today。’
　
　They　ignored　him。　‘You　will　listen。　I；　Sister　of　the　Light；　Elizabeth　Myric；　give　the　second　reason　for　the　Rada’Han；　give　the　second　chance　to　be　helped。　The　first　of　the　three　re