tg.stone of tears-第44部分

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ought　me　The　Adventures　of　Bonnie　Day；　as　a　gift　for　learning　to　read。　It　was　the　first　book　I　ever　had。　I　read　it　many　times。　It　brought　me　pleasure；　and　made　me　think；　each　time　I　read　it。　I；　too；　thought　the　three　heroes　did　foolhardy　things；　and　I　always　vowed　not　to　repeat　the　same　mistakes　they　made。　You　may　have　seen　no　value　in　it；　but　it　taught　me　things。　Things　of　value。　It　made　me　think。　Perhaps；　Sister　Verna；　that　is　something　you　don’t　like　your　students　to　do？’
　
　He　turned　away　from　her　and　started　taking　apart　the　bridles。　‘My　real　father；　Darken　Rahl；　came　to　my　house；　just　this　autumn；　looking　for　me。　He　wanted　to　cut　my　belly　open　and　read　my　entrails　…　to　kill　me。　Just　as　he　killed　George　Cypher。’　He　stole　a　quick　glance　over　his　shoulder。　‘Anyway；
　
　I　wasn’t　at　home；　and　while　he　was　waiting　for　me；　he　tore　that　book　apart　and　threw　the　pages　all　around。　Maybe　he　didn’t　want　me　learning　any　of　its　lessons　or　thinking　for　myself　either。’
　
　Sister　Verna　didn’t　say　anything；　but　he　could　feel　her　eyes　watching　him　take　the　bridles　apart；　undo　the　headstalls　and　reins　from　the　bits。　After　he　had　them　apart；　he　packed　the　headstalls　away　and　flipped　the　reins　over　his　shoulder。
　
　He　could　hear　her　let　out　a　little；　angry　breath。　‘I’ll　not　be　calling　horses　by　names。’
　
　Richard　stacked　the　three　spade　bits　atop　one　another　on　the　dirt；　where　the　horses　had　pawed　the　ground　bare。　‘You　might　want　to　reconsider　the　wisdom　of　that；　Sister　Verna。’
　
　She　stepped　out　to　the　side　of　him；　where　he　could　see　her；　pointing　at　the　ground。　‘What　are　you　doing？　Why　did　you　take　the　bridles　apart？　What　are　you　doing　with　those　bits？’
　
　Richard　drew　the　sword。　Its　distinctive　ring　filled　the　cold；　bright　air。　The　rage　of　the　magic　instantly　flooded　through　him。　‘I’m　destroying　them；　Sister。’
　
　With　a　scream　of　fury；　and　before　she　could　make　a　move；　he　brought　the　sword　down　with　a　powerful　swing。　The　tip　whistled　through　the　air。　The　blade　shattered　the　three　bits　into　flying　shards　of　hot　metal。
　
　She　rushed　forward；　her　cloak　flapping。　‘What’s　the　matter　with　you！　Have　you　lost　your　mind！　We　need　those　bits　to　control　the　horses！’
　
　‘Spade　bits　can　be　cruel。　I　won’t　allow　you　to　use　them。’
　
　‘Cruel！　They　are　just　stupid　beasts！　Beasts　that　need　to　be　controlled！’
　
　‘Beasts；’　he　muttered；　shaking　his　head　and　sliding　his　sword　back　into　its　scabbard。　He　snugged　up　the　halter　on　Bonnie　and　began　attaching　the　reins　to　the　side　rings。　‘You　don’t　need　a　bit　to　control　a　horse。　I’ll　teach　you　how。　Besides；　without　a　bit　in　their　mouths　they　can　eat　while　we　travel。　They’ll　be　happier　that　way。’
　
　‘That’s　dangerous！　Spade　bits　give　you　control　over　a　headstrong　beast。’
　
　He　arched　an　eyebrow　to　her。　‘With　horses；　as　with　many　other　things；　Sister；　you　often　get　what　you　expect　to　get。’
　
　‘Without　bits；　you　don’t　have　any　control。’
　
　‘Nonsense。　If　you　ride　properly；　you　control　with　your　legs　and　body。　You　just　have　to　teach　the　horse　to　pay　attention　and　trust　you。’
　
　She　stepped　close；　manding　his　attention。　‘That’s　foolish！　And　dangerous！　There　are　dangers　out　here。　If　you　get　into　a　dangerous　situation；　and　the　horse　is　frightened；　it　could　bolt。　Without　a　spade　bit　you　won’t　be　able　to　stop　a　runaway　horse。’
　
　He　halted　what　he　was　doing　and　looked　to　her　intense　brown　eyes。　‘Sometimes；　Sister；　we　get　the　opposite　of　what　we　intend。　If　we　do　get　in　a　dangerous　situation；　and　you　get　overanxious；　and　jerk　too　hard　on　a　spade　bit；　you　could　tear　the　horse’s　mouth。　If　you　do　that；　the　pain；　terror；　and　anger　can　be　so　intense　that　he　won’t　respond　to　anything　you　do。　He　won’t　understand。　He　will　only　know　that　you　hurt　him；　and　that　you’re　hurting　him　more　with　each　pull　on　the　reins。　You’ll　be　the　threat。　He　will　throw　you　in　a　heartbeat。
　
　‘Then；　if　he　is　simply　frightened；　he　will　bolt。　Worse；　he　could　be　angry。　Angry　horses　are　dangerous。　In　trying　to　avoid　danger　with　a　spade　bit；　you　will　have　brought　it　upon　yourself。’　He　held　her　startled　eyes　in　his　gaze。　‘If　we　get　to　a　town　or　something；　and　can　find　a　jointed　snaffle　bit；　I’ll　let　you　use　that。　But　I　will　not　allow　you　to　put　a　spade　bit　in　any　horse’s　mouth　as　long　as　I’m　with　you。’
　
　She　took　a　deep　breath；　releasing　it　carefully　as　she　folded　her　arms　again。　‘Richard；　we　can’t　control　them　without　a　bit。　It’s　that　simple。’
　
　He　gave　her　a　one…sided　smile。　‘Sure　we　can。　I’ll　teach　you。　The　worst　thing　that　can　happen　without　a　bit　is　that　he　can　run　away　with　you；　and　you’ll　have　a　time　of　stopping　him；　but　sooner　or　later；　you　will　be　able　to。　Your　way；　you　and　the　horse　could　be　hurt；　or　killed。’
　
　He　turned　and　scratched　Bonnie’s　neck。　‘First　thing　you　have　to　do　is　make　friends　with　them。　They　have　to　trust　you　not　to　hurt　them；　or　let　anything　happen　to　them；　though　you　are　in　charge。　If　you’re　their　best　friend；　they　won’t　let　anything　happen　to　you。　They’ll　do　what　you　ask。
　
　‘It’s　surprisingly　easy；　all　you　have　to　do　is　show　them　a　little　respect　and　kindness　along　with　a　firm　hand。　If　they’re　going　to　be　your　friend；　they　need　names；　to　get　their　attention；　and　so　they　know　when　you’re　talking　to　them。’
　
　He　scratched　a　little　harder；　the　horse　leaning　into　it。　‘Isn’t　that　right；　Bonnie？　You’re　a　good　girl；　aren’t　you？　Sure　you　are。’　He　looked　over　his　shoulder　at　the　Sister。　‘Jessup　likes　it　when　you　scratch　under　his　chin。　Give　it　a　try；　show　him　you　want　to　be　friends。’　He　gave　her　a　humorless　grin。　‘Like　it　or　not；　Sister；　we　don’t　have　the　bits　anymore。　You　need　to　learn　a　new　way。’
　
　Sister　Verna　stared　at　him　with　a　cold　look。　At　last　she　unfolded　her　arms　and　went　over　to　the　chestnut　gelding。　She　stood　in　front　of　him　a　moment　and　then　reached　out　and　stroked　the　side　of　his　head；　finally　moving　her　hand　under　his　jaw　to　give　him　a　scratch。　There’s　a　good　boy；’　she　said　in　a　flat　tone。
　
　‘You　may　think　horses　are　dumb；　Sister　Verna；　because　they　don’t　understand　most　of　your　words；　but　they　understand　tone　of　voice。　If　you　want　him　to　believe　you；　you　had　better　at　least　pretend　you’re　sincere。’
　
　She　moved　her　hand　up　and　rubbed　his　neck。　‘You　are　a　dumb　beast；’　she　said　in　a　syrupy　sweet　voice。　‘Happy？’　she　snapped　over　her　shoulder。
　
　‘As　long　as　you’re　nice　to　him。　You　need　to　gain　his　trust。　Horses　aren’t　as　dumb　as　you　think。　Look　at　the　way　he’s　standing；　he　doesn’t　trust　you。　From　now　on；　I’m　assigning　you　to　Jessup。　You’ll　tend　to　all　his　needs。　He　must　e　to　depend　on　you；　to　trust　you。　I’ll　take　care　of　Bonnie　and　Geraldine。　You’ll　be　the　only　one　to　groom　Jessup；　and　you　will　do　it　after　he　is　ridden；　and　before　he　is　ridden　the　next　morning。’
　
　‘Me！　Most　certainly　not！　I’m　in　charge。　You　are　quite　capable　of　grooming　all　three；　and　will　do　so。’
　
　‘This　has…　nothing　to　do　with　who’s　in　charge。　Among　other　things；　grooming　helps　build　a　bond　between　you　and　the　horse。　I　already　told　you：　the　bits　are　gone；　you　need　to　learn　a　new　way。　I　need　to　teach　you　how；　for　your　own　safety。’　He　handed　her　a　set　of　reins。　Tighten　up　the　halter　and　attach　these　to　this　ring；　here。’
　
　While　she　was　doing　it；　he　cut　up　the　leftover　melon　rind　into　small　pieces。　Talk　to　him。　Call　him　by　name；　and　let　him　know　you　like　him。　It　doesn’t　matter　what　you　say；　you　can　describe　what　you’re　doing　if　you　want；　but　make　it　sound　like　he’s　important　to　you。　If　you　have　to；　pretend；　treat　him　like　he’s　one　of　your　little　boys。’
　
　She　glared　over　her　shoulder　at　him；　then　turned　back　to　hooking　up　the　reins。　She　started　talking；　softly；　so　Richard　couldn’t　hear　her；　but　he　could　tell　it　was　gentle。　When　she　finished；　he　handed　her　some　of　the　pieces　of　melon　rind。
　
　‘Horses　love　this。　Give　him　a　piece；　tell　him　what　a　good　boy　he　is。　The　idea　is　to　change　his　feelings　about　having　the　reins　on。　Let　him　know　it’s　going　to　be　pleasant；　instead　of　that　bit　he　hates。’
　
　‘Pleasant；’　she　repeated　in　a　flat　tone。
　
　‘Sure。　You　don’t　need　to　show　him　how　much　you　can　hurt　him　to　make　him　do　as　you　wish。　That’s　counterproductive。　Just　be　firm　but　gentle。　The　idea　is　to　try　to　win　him　over　with　kindness　and　understanding；　even　if　it　isn’t　sincere；　and　not　by　using　force。’
　
　Richard’s　smile　vanished；　and　he　let　his　features　slide　into　a　glare。　He　leaned　closer　to　her　as　she　stood　looking　up　at　him。　‘You　should　be　able　to　do　that；　Sister　Verna；　you　seem　pretty　good　at　it。　Just　treat　him　like　you　treat　me。’
　
　Her　stunned　expression　hardened。　‘I　swore　on　my　life　to　bring　you　back　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。　When　they　see　you　at　last；　I　fear　I　may　be　hung　for　doing　my　duty。’
　
　She　turned　and　gave　the　melon　rind　to　the　eager　horse；　stroking　his　neck　and　encouraging　him　with　motherly　pats。　‘There’s　a　good　fellow。　Good　boy。　You　like　that；　Jessup？　Good　boy。’
　
　Her　voice　was　heavy　with　passion　and　tenderness。　The　horse　liked　it。　Richard　knew　it　lacked　sincerity。　He　didn’t　trust　her；　and　wanted　her　to　know　it。　He　didn’t　appreciate　people　thinking　they　were　so　easily　fooling　him。　He　wondered　if　her　attitude　toward　him　would　change；　now　that　he　had　let　her　know　he　hadn’t　swallowed　her　act。
　
　Kahlan　had　told　him　that　Sister　Verna　was　a　sorceress。　He　had　no　idea　what　she　was　capable　of；　but　he　had　felt　the　web　she　had　thrown　around　him　in　the　spirit　house。　He　had　seen　the　fire　she　started　with　a　thought。　She　could　have　easily　started　a　fire　the　night　before；　without　telling　him　to　do　it。　He　had　the　strong　feeling　she　could　break　him　in　half　with　her　Han；　if　she　so　chose。
　
　She　was　just　trying　to　train　him；　get　him　accustomed　to　doing　as　she　said；　without　thinking。　Just　like　training　a　horse。
　
　Or　a　‘beast；’　as　she　had　called　it。　He　doubted　she　had　any　more　respect　for　him　than　she　did　for　her　horses。
　
　But　instead　of　using　a　spade　bit　to　control　him；　she　had　the　Rada’Han　around　his　neck；　and　that　was　much　worse。　But　he　would　have　it　off；　when　the　time　came。　Even　if　Kahlan　didn’t　want　him　and　had　sent　him　away；　he　would　have　it　off。
　
　While　Sister　Verna　was　making　friends　with　Jessup；　Richard　started　saddling　the　horses。　‘How　far　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets？’
　
　‘It　is　a　long　way　to　the　southeast。　A　long　and　difficult　way。’
　
　‘Well；　then　we　will　have　plenty　of　time　to　teach　you　how　to　handle　Jessup　without　a　bit。　You　won’t　have　as　hard　a　time　as　you　think。　He　will　defer　to　and　follow　Bonnie。　Bonnie　is　the　dominant　horse。’
　
　The　male　is　dominant。’
　
　Richard　lifted　the　saddle　up　onto　Bonnie。　‘A　mare　is　always　at　the　top　of　the　hierarchy。　Dams　teach　and　protect　the　foals；　their　influence　lasts　a　lifetime。　There　isn’t　a　stallion　a　mare　can’t　intimidate　and　chase　away。　Mares　can　run　off　any　unwanted　stallion。　A　stallion　may　drive　a　predator　away　from　the　herd；　but　a　mare　will　chase　it　and　try　to　kill　it。　A　male　horse　will　always　defer　to　the　authority　of　the　lead　mare。　Bonnie　is　the　lead　mare。　Jessup　and　Geraldine　will　follow　her　and　do　as　she　does；　so　I’ll　take　the　lead。　Just　follow　me；　and　you　won’t　have　any　trouble。’
　
　She　swung　herself　up　into　the　saddle。　The　beam　in　the　central　hall。　It’s　the　highest。　Everyone　will　be　able　to　see　it。’
　
　‘What　are　you　talking　about？’
　
　She　gave　him　a　solemn　look。　The　beam　in　the　central　hall。　That　is　where　they　will　probably　hang　me　from。’
　
　Richard　swung　up　into　his　saddle。　‘It’s　your　choice；　Sister。　You　don’t　have　to　take　me　there。’
　
　She　sighed。　‘Yes；　I　do。’　She　gave　him　her　most　gentle　and　concerned　look。　He　thought　it　quite　convincing；　if　a　little　strained。　‘Richard；　I　only　wish　to　help　you。　I　want　to　be　your　friend。　I　think　you　need　a　friend　right　now。　Very　much。’
　
　Richard　bristled。　That　is　a　kind　offer；　Sister　Verna。　But　I　decline。　You　seem　a　little　too　quick　to　put　that　knife　you　keep　up　your　sleeve　in　the　back　of　your　friends。　Did　it　bother　you　at　all；　Sister　Verna；　to　steal　the　life　from　Sister　Elizabeth；　a　friend　and　panion？　It　didn’t　seem　so。　I　decline　to　offer　you　my　friendship；　Sister。　Or　my　back。
　
　‘If　you’re　sincere　in　your　wish　to　be　my　friend；　then　I　would　advise　you　to　truly　mit　to　it　before　I　call　upon　you　to　prove　it。　When　the　time　es；　you　are　only　going　to　get　one　chance。　There　are　no　shades　of　gray　in　this　matter。　Only　friends　and　enemies。　Friends　don’t　keep　a　friend　in　a　collar；　and　hold　them　prisoner。　I　intend　to　have　this　collar　off。　When　I　decide　it’s　time；　any　friend　will　help　me。　Those　who　try　to　stop　me　won’t　be　my　friends；　they　will　be　dead　enemies。’
　
　Sister　Verna　shook　her　head　and　urged　Jessup　in　behind　him　as　he　started　away。　‘The　beam　in　the　central　hall。　I’m　sure　of　it。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　20
　
　The　sound　of　her　heart　pounded　in　her　ears。　Struggling　to　control　her　panicked　breathing；　she　ducked　behind　the　fat　trunk　of　an　old　pine；　pressing　up　against　the　rough　bark。　If　the　Sisters　had　discovered　she　was　following　them　。。。
　
　The　dark；　damp　air　filled　her　lungs　in　ragged　pulls。　Her　lips　moved　soundlessly　with　prayers　to　the　Creator　beseeching　protection。　With　eyes　as　big　as　gold　pieces；　she　stared　into　the　darkness　and　swallowed；　trying　to　wet　her　throat。
　
　The　dark　form　glided　silently　closer。　She　could　just　see　it　as　she　peeked　out　past　the　edge　of　the　tree。　She　suppressed　the　urge　to　scream；　to　run；　and　prepared　herself　to　fight。　She　reached　for　the　sweet　light；　she　embraced　her　Han。
　
　The　shadow　slipped　closer；　hesitating；　searching。　One　more　step；　just　one　more；　and　she　would　spring。　She　would　have　to　do　it　right　…　make　sure　there　was　no　chance　to　raise　an　alarm。　It　had　to　be　fast；　and　it　would　take　different　kinds　of　webs；　all　thrown　at　once；　but　if　she　could　be　precise　and　quick；　there　would　be　no　chance　of　a　scream；　no　alarm；　and　she　would　know　for　sure　who　it　was。　She　held　her　breath。
　
　The　dark　shape　finally　took　another　step。　Spinning　out　from　behind　the　tree；　she　threw　the　webs。　Cords　of　air；　strong　as　dock　line；　whipped　around　the　form。　As　the　mouth　came　open；　she　jammed　a　solid　knot　of　air　into　it；　gagging　it；　before　it　had　a　chance　to　cry　out。
　
　She　slumped　a　little　with　relief　when　no　sound　came　forth；　but　her　heart　still　raced　nearly　out　of　control　as　she　gasped　for　air。　With　an　effort；　she　managed　to　bring　calm　back　to　her　mind；　although　she　maintained　a　firm　grip　on　her　Han；　fearful　to　let　her　caution　slip；　there　could　be　others　about。　She　took　a　deep　breath　and　stepped　closer　to　the　immobilized　shape。　When　she　was　close　enough　to　feel　its　breath　on　her　face；　she　extended　her　palm　up；　and　in　its　center　released　a　thread　of　fire；　to　light　a　tiny　flame；　just　enough　to　see　the　face。
　
　‘Jedidiah！’　she　whispered。　She　pressed　her　hand　to　the　back　of　his　neck；　her　fingers　feeling　the　smooth；　cool　metal　of　the　Rada’Han；　and　leaned　her　forehead　against　his　as　she　closed　her　eyes。　Tears　ran　down　her　cheeks。　‘Oh；　Jedidiah。　You　gave　me　a　such　a　fright。’
　
　She　opened　her　eyes　and　looked　up　at　his　terrified　face；　lit　by　the　tiny；　flickering　flame。　‘I　will　release　you；’　she　whispered　softly；　‘but　you　must　be　very　quiet。　Promise？’
　
　He　nodded；　as