tg.stone of tears-第46部分

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　He　thought　a　moment。　‘If　this　crystal　really　is　quillion；　and　it　would　prove　what　she　is；　why　wouldn’t　she　hide　it　better？’
　
　‘Maybe　because　she　didn’t　think　there　was　a　chance　of　anyone　knowing　what　it　was。　Maybe　because　she　isn’t　afraid　and　doesn’t　take　the　time　to　be　any　more　careful　than　she　thinks　necessary。’
　
　‘Then　let’s　go　back；　break　the　shield；　get　the　cursed　thing　and　take　it　to　the　Prelate。　I　can　break　the　shield；　I　know　I　can。’
　
　‘I　was　going　to　do　that　myself。　I　went　back　to　do　it　tonight；　but　the　room　wasn’t　shielded　anymore。　I　snuck　in　to　take　the　statue；　but　it　was　gone。　That　was　when　I　saw　her　leaving　the　palace；　and　I　saw　others　leaving　too。　I　followed　them　out　here。
　
　‘If　I　can　steal　the　quillion　while　it’s　glowing；　I　can　prove　they　are　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　I　have　to　stop　them　before　they　can　suck　the　life　out　of　anyone　else。　Jedidiah；　they’re　murdering　people；　but　worse；　I　fear　the　reason　they　are　doing　it。’
　
　He　let　out　a　soft　sigh。　‘All　right。　But　I’m　going　with　you。’
　
　She　gritted　her　teeth。　‘No；　you　are　going　back。’
　
　‘Margaret；　I　love　you；　and　if　you　send　me　back　to　worry　all　alone；　I　will　never　forgive　you。　I’ll　go　to　the　Prelate　myself　and　make　the　accusation；　to　bring　you　help。　Though　I　may　be　put　to　death　for　making　the　accusation；　I　know　it　would　raise　suspicions；　and　maybe　an　alarm。　That’s　the　only　other　way　I’ll　be　able　to　protect　you。　Either　I　go　with　you；　or　I　go　to　the　Prelate；　I　promise　you　I　will。’
　
　She　knew　he　was　telling　the　truth。　Jedidiah　always　kept　his　promises。　Powerful　wizards　always　did。　Rising　to　her　knees；　she　leaned　over　and　put　her　arms　around　his　neck。　‘I　love　you　too；　Jedidiah。’
　
　She　kissed　him　deeply　as　he　rose　up　on　his　knees　to　meet　her。　His　hands　went　under　the　back　of　her　dress　and　he　gripped　her　bottom；　pulling　her　against　him。　The　feeling　of　his　hands　on　her　flesh　made　her　moan　softly。　His　hot　lips　kissed　her　neck　and　then　her　ear；　sending　shimmers　of　magic　tingling　through　her。　His　knee　forced　her　legs　apart；　giving　his　hands　access　to　her。　She　gasped　at　the　contact。
　
　‘e　away　with　me　now；’　he　whispered　in　her　ear。　‘Let’s　go　back；　and　you　can　shield　your　room　and　I’ll　give　you　more　until　you　scream。　You　can　scream　all　you　want　and　no　one　will　hear　you。’
　
　She　pushed　away　from　him　and　pulled　his　hands　out　from　under　her　dress。　He　was　breaking　down　her　resistance。　She　found　she　had　to　force　herself　to　stop　him。　He　was　using　his　magic　to　seduce　her　away　from　the　danger；　trying　to　save　her　by　drawing　her　away。　She　knew　that　if　she　let　it　go　on　for　another　second；　it　would　work。
　
　‘Jedidiah；’　she　panted　in　a　hoarse　whisper；　‘please　don’t　make　me　have　to　use　the　collar　to　stop　you。　This　is　too　important。　Lives　are　at　stake。’　He　tried　to　reach　out　to　her　once　more；　but　she　sent　a　cord　of　power　through　her　hands　on　his　wrists　to　stop　him。　She　firmly　held　his　hands　away。
　
　‘I　know；　Margaret。　Your　life　is　one　of　them。　I　don’t　want　anything　to　harm　you。　I　love　you　more　than　anything　in　the　world。’
　
　‘Jedidiah；　this　is　more　important　than　my　life。　This　is　about　the　lives　of　everyone。　I　think　this　is　about　the　Nameless　One。’
　
　He　froze　stiff。　‘You　can’t　be　serious。’
　
　‘Why　do　you　think　these　Sisters　want　this　power？　What　do　they　need　with　it？　Why　would　they　be　willing　to　kill　for　it？　To　what　end？　Who　do　you　think　Sisters　of　the　Dark　serve？’
　
　‘Dear　Creator；’　he　whispered　slowly；　‘don’t　let　her　be　right。’　His　hands　came　up　and　held　her　by　her　shoulders。　‘Margaret；　who　else　knows　these　things？　Who　have　you　told？’
　
　‘Only　you；　Jedidiah。　I　know　who　four；　maybe　five；　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Dark　are。　But　there　are　others；　and　I　don’t　know　who　they　are。　I　don’t　know　who　I　can　trust。　There　were　eleven　I　followed　out　here　tonight；　but　there　could　easily　be　more。’
　
　‘What　about　the　Prelate？　Maybe　you　shouldn’t　go　to　her；　she　could　be　with　them。’
　
　She　shook　her　head　with　a　sigh。　‘You　may　be　right；　but　it’s　the　only　chance　we　have。　There　is　no　one　else　I　can　think　of　who　can　help　me。　I　have　to　go　to　her。’　She　touched　her　fingertips　to　his　face。　‘Jedidiah；　please　go　back。　If　anything　were　to　happen　to　me；　then　you　would　be　able　to　do　something。　There　would　be　someone　who　knew。’
　
　‘No。　I　won’t　leave　you。　If　you　make　me　go　back；　I　will　tell　the　Prelate。　I　love　you。　I　would　rather　die　than　live　without　you。’
　
　‘But　there　are　others　to　think　of。　Other　lives　at　stake。’
　
　‘I　don’t　care　about　anyone　else。　Please；　Margaret；　don’t　ask　me　to　leave　you　to　this　danger。’
　
　‘Sometimes　you　can　be　infuriating；　my　love。’　She　took　his　hands　up　in　hers。　‘Jedidiah；　if　we　are　caught　。。。’
　
　‘If　we　are　together；　then　I　accept　the　risk。’
　
　She　twined　her　fingers　through　his。　‘Then　be　my　husband？　As　we　have　talked　about？　If　I　die　tonight；　I　want　it　to　be　as　your　wife。’
　
　He　put　a　hand　behind　her　head　and　drew　her　against　him。　Pulling　her　hair　away　from　her　ear　he　whispered　softly　into　it。　‘That　would　make　me　the　happiest　man　in　the　world。　I　love　you　so　much；　Margaret。　But　how　can　we　be　married　here；　now？’
　
　‘We　can　say　the　words。　Our　love　is　all　that　counts；　not　some　other　person　saying　words　for　us。　Words　ing　from　our　hearts　will　bond　us　better　than　anyone　else　could　do。’
　
　He　squeezed　her　tight。　‘This　is　the　happiest　moment　in　my　life。’　He　pulled　back；　taking　up　her　hands　again。　In　the　darkness　they　looked　at　each　other。　‘I；　Jedidiah；　pledge　to　be　your　husband；　in　life　and　in　death。　I　offer　you　my　life；　my　love；　and　my　eternal　devotion。　May　we　be　bonded　in　the　Creator’s　eyes　and　heart；　and　in　our　own。’
　
　She　whispered　the　words　back　to　him　as　tears　streamed　down　her　cheeks。　She　had　never　been　so　afraid　and　so　happy　in　all　her　life。　She　shook　with　the　need　of　him。　When　they　finished　the　words；　they　kissed。　It　was　the　most　tender；　loving　kiss　he　had　ever　given　her。　Tears　continued　to　run　down　her　face　as　she　pressed　against　him；　against　his　lips。　Her　hands　clutched　the　back　of　his　broad　shoulders；　holding　him　to　her。　His　arms　around　her　made　her　feel　safer　and　more　loved　than　she　had　ever　felt。　At　last；　they　parted。
　
　She　struggled　to　catch　her　breath。　‘I　love　you；　my　husband。’
　
　‘I　love　you；　my　wife；　always　and　forever。’
　
　She　smiled。　Even　though　she　couldn’t　see　it　in　the　dark；　she　knew　he　was　smiling；　too。　‘Let’s　go　see　if　we　can　get　some　proof。　Let’s　see　if　we　can　put　a　stop　to　the　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　Let’s　make　the　Creator　proud　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Light；　and　a　wizard…to…be。’
　
　He　squeezed　her　hand。　‘Promise　me　you　won’t　do　anything　foolish。　Promise　me　you　won’t　try　to　do　anything　that　might　get　you　killed。　I　want　to　spend　some　time　with　you　in　bed；　not　the　woods。’
　
　‘I　need　to　see　what　they　are　up　to。　See　if　I　can　find　a　way　to　prove　all　this　to　the　Prelate。　But　they　are　more　powerful　than　I　am；　to　say　nothing　of　the　fact　that　there　are　at　least　eleven　of　them。　On　top　of　that；　if　they　truly　are　Sisters　of　the　Dark；　they　have　the　use　of　Subtractive　Magic。　We　have　no　defense　against　that。
　
　‘I　don’t　know　how　we　are　to　get　the　quillion　away　from　them。　Maybe　we　will　see　something　else　that　will　help　us。　If　we　just　keep　our　eyes　open；　and　let　the　Creator　guide　us；　maybe　He　will　reveal　what　it　is　we　can　do。　But　I　don’t　want　either　of　us　taking　any　more　of　a　chance　than　we　have　to。　We　must　not　be　discovered。’
　
　He　nodded。　‘Good。　That’s　the　way　I　want　it　too。’
　
　‘But　Jedidiah；　I’m　a　Sister　of　the　Light。　That　means　I　have　responsibilities；　responsibilities　to　the　Creator；　and　all　his　children。　Though　we　are　now　husband　and　wife；　it’s　still　my　job　to　guide　you。　In　this；　we　are　not　equals。　I’m　in　charge；　and　I　will　only　allow　you　to　go　with　me　if　you　promise　to　abide　by　that。　You　are　not　yet　a　full　wizard。　If　I　tell　you　something；　you　must　obey。　I’m　still　better　with　my　Han　than　you　are　with　yours。’
　
　‘I　know；　Margaret。　One　reason　I　wanted　to　be　your　husband　is　because　I　respect　you。　I　wouldn’t　want　a　weak　wife。　You　have　always　guided　me；　and　that　will　not　change　now。　You’ve　given　me　everything　I　have。　I　will　follow　you　always。’
　
　With　a　smile；　she　shook　her　head。　‘You　are　a　marvel；　my　husband。　A　marvel　of　the　best　kind。　You　will　make　a　remarkable　wizard。　Truly　remarkable。　I’ve　never　told　you；　because　I　always　feared　you　would　let　the　knowledge　swell　your　head；　but　some　of　the　Sisters　say　that　they　think　you　may　prove　to　be　the　most　powerful　wizard　in　a　thousand　years。’
　
　He　didn’t　speak；　and　she　couldn’t　see　his　face；　but　she　was　sure　he　was　blushing。　‘Margaret；　your　eyes　are　the　only　ones　I　need　to　see　filled　with　pride。’
　
　She　kissed　his　cheek；　and　then　took　his　hand。　‘Let’s　go　see　how　we　can　put　a　stop　to　this。’
　
　‘How　do　you　know　where　they　went？　How　can　we　follow　them？　It’s　dark　as　pitch　in　these　woods。　The　trees　hide　the　moon。’
　
　She　pinched　his　cheek。　‘A　trick　my　mother　taught　me。　I’ve　never　shown　it　to　anyone。　When　I　saw　them　leaving　the　palace；　I　cast　a　pool　of　my　Han　at　their　feet。　They　stepped　through　it。　It　leaves　tracks　of　my　own　Han。　Only　I　can　see　them。　Their　footprints　are　as　bright　as　the　sun　on　a　pond　to　me；　but　to　no　other。’
　
　‘You　must　teach　me　this　trick。’
　
　‘Someday；　I　promise。　e　on。’
　
　She　led　him　by　the　hand　as　she　followed　the　glow　of　the　Sisters’　footprints　through　the　dense　woods。　Distant　night　birds　called　in　haunting　voices；　owls　hooted；　and　other　creatures　made　low　screams　and　clicks。　The　ground　was　uneven；　tangled　with　roots　and　brush；　but　the　glowing　footprints　helped　her　to　see　the　way。
　
　The　damp　heat　made　her　sweat；　causing　her　dress　to　cling　to　her　wet　skin。　When　she　got　home；　she　would　shield　her　room　and　she　would　have　a　bath。　A　long　bath。　With　Jedidiah。　Then　she　would　let　him　use　his　magic　on　her；　and　she　would　use　hers　on　him。
　
　They　went　deeper　into　the　Hagen　Woods；　deeper　than　she　had　ever　gone　before。　Vapor　drifting　from　boggy　areas　carried　the　pervasive　stench　of　rotting　vegetation。　They　passed　through　dark　gullies　veiled　with　hanging　roots　and　moss　that　brushed　against　her　face　and　arms；　making　her　flinch　at　the　unexpected　contact。　The　footprints　led　up　and　over　sparsely　wooded；　rocky　ridges。
　
　At　the　top　of　one；　standing　in　the　still；　damp　air；　she　looked　back；　out　across　the　somber　landscape。　In　the　far　distance；　she　could　see　the　flickering　lights　of　Tanimura；　and　set　among　the　lights；　rising　up　in　the　silvery　moonlight；　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets；　its　dark　shape　blocking　out　the　lights　of　the　city　beyond。
　
　She　longed　to　be　back　there；　to　be　home；　but　this　was　something　that　had　to　be　done。　There　was　no　one　else　to　do　it。　The　lives　of　everyone　depended　on　her。　The　Creator　was　depending　on　her。　Still；　she　longed　to　be　home；　and　safe。
　
　But　home　was　no　longer　safe。　It　was　as　dangerous　as　the　Hagen　Woods；　if　there　really　were　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　Even　with　as　much　as　she　knew；　it　was　difficult　for　her　to　accept　the　idea。　The　Prelate　had　to　believe　her；　she　just　had　to。　There　was　no　one　else　she　could　turn　to　for　help。　She　wished　there　were　even　just　one　Sister　she　could　trust；　confide　in；　but　she　didn’t　dare　trust　anyone。　Nathan　had　warned　her　not　to　trust　anyone。
　
　Even　though　she　wished　Jedidiah　were　home；　and　safe；　she　was　glad　to　have　him　with　her。　She　knew　there　was　nothing　he　could　do　to　help；　but　it　still　felt　good　to　have　him　to　confide　in。　Her　husband。　She　smiled　at　the　thought。　She　would　never　forgive　herself　if　anything　happened　to　him。　She　would　protect　him　with　her　life；　if　she　had　to。
　
　The　ground　pitched　into　a　descent。　Through　gaps　in　the　trees；　she　could　see　they　were　going　down　into　a　deep　bowl　in　the　earth。　The　edge　was　steep　and　they　had　to　move　slowly　so　as　not　to　send　any　rocks　tumbling　through　the　woods。　One　started　to　slide　as　her　foot　touched　it；　and　she　quickly　used　a　handful　of　air　to　stop　it；　and　then　push　it　firmly　into　the　ground。　She　sighed　in　relief。
　
　Jedidiah　followed　her；　a　silent；　forting　shadow。　Her　tension　relaxed　a　little　when　they　passed　from　the　loose　rock；　back　into　denser　woods　where　the　ground　was　mossy　and　silent　to　step　on。
　
　The　faint　sound　of　chanting　drifted　to　them　through　the　thick　woods；　carried　on　heavy；　fetid　air。　Low；　rhythmic；　guttural　tones　of　words　she　couldn’t　understand　resonated　in　her　chest。　Even　without　understanding　the　words；　she　felt　revulsion　at　them；　as　if　they　made　the　air　reek。
　
　Jedidiah　gripped　her　upper　arm；　dragging　her　to　a　halt。　He　put　his　mouth　close　to　her　ear。　‘Margaret；　please；’　he　whispered；　‘let’s　go　back　now；　before　it’s　too　late。　I’m　afraid。’
　
　‘Jedidiah！’　she　growled　as　she　reached　up　and　snatched　him　by　the　collar。　‘This　is　important！　I’m　a　Sister　of　the　Light。　You’re　a　wizard。　What　do　you　think　I’ve　been　training　you　for？　To　stand　on　a　street　down　in　the　market　and　perform　tricks？　To　have　people　throw　coins　at　you？　We　serve　the　Creator。　He　has　given　us　everything　we　have　so　we　may　use　it　to　help　others。　Others　are　in　danger。　We　must　help。　You’re　a　wizard。　Act　like　one！’
　
　She　could　just　see　his　wide　eyes　in　the　faint　light。　He　sagged　slightly　as　the　tension　went　out　of　his　muscles。　‘I’m　sorry。　You’re　right。　Forgive　me。　I　will　do　what　I　must；　I　promise。’
　
　Her　anger　cooled。　‘I’m　afraid；　too。　Touch　your　Han；　keep　a　firm　grip　on　it；　but　not　too　tight。　Hold　it　so　you　can　release　it　in　an　instant；　as　I’ve　taught　you。　If　anything　happens；　don’t　hold　back。　Don’t　be　afraid　of　how　much　you　might　hurt　them。　If　you　do　need　your　power；　anything　less　than　all　of　it　will　not　be　enough。　If　you　keep　your　head；　you’re　strong　enough　to　defend　yourself。　You　can　do　it；　Jedidiah。　Have　faith　in　what　I’ve　taught　you；　what　all　the　Sisters　have　taught　you。　Have　faith　in　the　Creator；　in　what　He　has　given　you。　You　have　it　for　a　reason；　we　all　do。　This　may　be　the　reason。　Tonight　may　be　what　you’ve　been　called　for。’
　
　He　nodded　again　and　she　turned　back　to　the　glowing　footprints；　following　them　into　the　thick　forest。　They　wandered　through　the　trees　toward　the　center　of　the　bowl；　toward　where　the　chanting　was　ing　from。　The　closer　they　got；　the　more　the　voices　made　her　skin　prickle。　The　voices　were　Sisters’。　She　thought　she　recognized　some　of　them。
　
　Dear　Creator；　she　prayed；　give　me　the　strength　to　do　what　I　must　to　help　you。　Give　Jedidiah　strength；　too。　Help　us　serve　you；　to　help　others。
　
　Little　flickers　of　light　came　through　the　leaves。　They　crept　closer。　The　trees　around　her　were　huge。　The　two　of　them　glided　from　one　trunk　to　another；　no　longer　following　the　footprints。　They　could　see　glimpses　now　of　something　through　openings　in　the　underbrush。　Slowly；　they　tiptoed　forward　across　the　open　forest　floor　beneath　large；　spreading　spruce　trees。　The　needles　were　soft　and　quiet　to　walk　on。　Shoulder　to　shoulder；　they　slid　behind　low；　heavy　brush　at　the　edge　of　woods。　It　was　as　close　as　they　could　go。　Beyond　lay　a　flat；　round；　open　area。
　
　At　least　a　hundred　candles　were　set　on　the　ground　in　a　ring；　like　a　fence；　or　boundary；　as　if　holding　back　the　dark　forest。　Inside　the　candles　was　a　circle　drawn　on　the　ground。　It　looked　to　be　made　of　white　sand　that　sparkl