tg.stone of tears-第53部分

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e　only　way　to　protect　her；　to　keep　them　from　trying　until　they　succeeded。’
　
　A　death　spell　。。。’　Adie　whispered　a　benediction　in　her　native　tongue。　That　be　a　dangerous　web。　I　would　not　reproach　you　for　doing　such　a　thing；　you　had　cause；　but　such　a　thing　does　not　go　unnoticed　by　the　spirits。　You　be　lucky　it　worked；　and　it　saved　her。　You　be　very　fortunate　the　good　spirits　be　with　you　on　that　day。’
　
　‘I　guess　sometimes　it’s　hard　to　tell　which　side　of　luck　you’re　looking　at。　I　raised　her　without　a　mother。　She　had　grown　into　a　fine　young　woman　when　it　happened。
　
　‘Darken　Rahl　had　been　standing　next　to　his　father　when　I　sent　the　Wizard’s　Fire　through　the　boundary。　He　was　standing　next　to　his　father　when　my　fire　found　him。　Some　of　it　burned　Darken　Rahl。　He　spent　his　growing　years　learning；　so　he　could　finish　what　his　father　had　started；　and　extract　his　vengeance。　He　learned　how　to　cross　the　boundary；　he　was　ing　into　the　Midlands；　and　I　never　knew。
　
　‘He　raped　my　daughter。
　
　‘He　didn’t　know　who　she　was　…　everyone　thought　my　daughter　was　dead　…　or　he　would　have　killed　her　sure。　But　he　hurt　her。’　He　pressed　his　palms　together。　The　cup　shattered。　He　turned　his　hands　up；　to　see　if　they　had　been　cut；　and　was　a　little　surprised　they　weren’t。　Adie　said　nothing。
　
　‘After　that；　I　took　her　to　Westland；　to　hide；　to　protect　her。　I　never　knew　if　it　was　more　of　that　bad　luck；　or　if　somehow　wickedness　found　her；　but　she　died。　Burned　to　death　in　her　house。　Though　I　always　suspected　the　irony　was　more　than　coincidence；　I　never　found　proof　it　was　so。　Perhaps；　after　all；　the　good　spirits　hadn’t　been　with　me　on　the　day　I　cast　her　death　spell。’
　
　‘I　be　sorry；　Zedd；’　Adie　said　in　a　soft　rasp。
　
　He　waved　off　her　pity　with　a　flourish　of　his　hand。　‘I　still　had　her　boy。’　With　the　side　of　his　finger；　he　pushed　the　shards　of　the　cup　into　a　little　pile　in　the　center　of　the　wooden　tabletop。　‘Darken　Rahl’s　son。　The　spawn　of　an　agent　of　the　Keeper。　But　my　daughter’s　son　too；　and　my　grandson。　Innocent　of　the　crimes　that　brought　him　to　be。　A　fine　boy。’
　
　He　looked　up　at　her　from　under　his　bushy　eyebrows。　‘I　believe　you　know　him。　His　name　is　Richard。’
　
　Adie　lurched　forward　in　her　chair。　‘Richard！　Richard　is　your　。。。’　She　leaned　back；　shaking　her　head。　‘Wizards　and　their　secrets。’　She　scowled　a　little；　but　then　softened　her　expression。　‘Perhaps　you　had　just　cause　for　a　secret　such　as　this。　Does　Richard　have　the　gift？’
　
　Zedd　lifted　his　eyebrows　as　he　nodded。　‘Indeed　he　does。　That　was　one　reason　I　hid　him　in　Westland。　I　feared　he　had　the　gift；　though　I　wasn’t　sure；　and　I　wanted　him　to　be　safe　from　danger。　As　you　said；　the　Keeper　lusts　for　those　with　the　gift　more　than　any　other。　I　knew　that　if　I　began　teaching　him；　used　magic　very　much　myself；　the　gaze　of　danger　would　settle　on　him。
　
　‘I　wanted　to　let　him　grow；　bee　strong　of　character；　before　I　tested　him；　and　if　he　had　the　gift；　taught　him。　I　had　always　suspected　he　had　the　gift。　Sometimes；　I　hoped　he　did　not。　But　I　now　know　he　does。　He　used　it　to　stop　Darken　Rahl。　Used　magic。’
　
　He　leaned　forward。　‘I　suspect　he　has　the　gift　from　both　his　grandfather　and　his　father。　From　two　different　lines　of　wizards。’
　
　‘I　see；’　was　all　she　said。
　
　‘But　we　have　more　important　things　to　worry　about　right　now。　Darken　Rahl　used　the　boxes　of　Orden。　He　opened　one；　the　wrong　one；　for　him　anyway。　But　maybe　the　wrong　one　for　us　too。　There　are　books　back　at　the　Keep　that　speak　of　it。　They　warn　that　if　the　boxes　are　used；　if　the　Magic　of　Orden　is　used；　and　even　if　the　person　who　put　them　in　play　makes　a　mistake　and　it　kills　him；　it　can　still　tear　the　veil。
　
　‘Adie；　I　don’t　know　as　much　about　the　underworld　as　you。　You　have　been　studying　it　most　of　your　life。　I　need　your　help。　I　need　you　to　e　to　Aydindril　with　me　to　study　the　books　to　see　what　can　be　done。　I’ve　read　many　of　them　and　don’t　understand　much　of　their　meaning。　Perhaps　you　will。　Even　if　you　only　see　one　thing　I　miss；　it　could　be　important。’
　
　She　stared　at　the　table　with　a　bitter　expression。　‘I　be　an　old　woman。　I　be　an　old　woman　who　has　weled　the　Keeper　into　my　heart。’
　
　Zedd　watched　her；　but　she　didn’t　meet　his　eyes。　He　pushed　his　chair　back　and　stood。　‘An　old　woman？　No。　A　foolish　woman；　maybe。’　She　didn’t　reply。　Her　gaze　stayed　pointedly　on　the　table。
　
　Zedd　strolled　across　the　room　and　inspected　the　bones　hanging　on　the　wall。　He　clasped　his　hands　behind　his　back　as　he　studied　the　talismans　of　the　dead。
　
　‘Maybe　I　am　just　an　old　man　then。　Hmm？　A　foolish　old　man。　Maybe　I　should　let　a　young　man　do　this　work。’　He　glanced　over　his　shoulder。　She　was　watching　him。　‘But　if　a　young　man　is　good；　then　even　younger　would　be　better。　In　fact；　why　not　let　a　child　do　it？　That　would　be　better　yet。　Maybe　there　is　a　ten…year…old…boy　somewhere　who　will　be　willing　to　do　something　to　stop　the　dead　from　swallowing　the　living。’
　
　He　threw　his　hands　up　in　the　air。　‘According　to　you；　it　would　seem；　knowledge　is　of　no　use；　only　youth。’
　
　‘Now　you　are　being　foolish；　old　man。　You　know　what　I　mean。’
　
　Zedd　stepped　back　to　the　table　and　gave　a　shrug　of　his　bony　shoulders。　‘If　you　just　sit　here　in　this　house　instead　of　helping　with　what　you　know；　then　you　might　as　well　be　the　thing　you　fear　most：　an　agent　of　the　Keeper。’
　
　He　put　his　knuckles　to　the　table　and　glowered　as　he　leaned　over　her。　‘If　you　don’t　fight　him；　then　you　help　him。　That　is　what　his　plan　has　been　all　along。　Not　to　turn　you　to　him；　but　to　make　you　fear　stopping　him。’
　
　She　looked　into　his　eyes；　uneasiness　stealing　into　her　expression。　‘What　do　you　mean？’
　
　‘He　has　already　done　all　he　needed；　Adie。　He　made　you　afraid　of　yourself。　The　Keeper　has　an　eternity　of　patience。　He　doesn’t　need　you　to　work　for　him。　It　takes　effort　to　turn　one　with　the　gift。　You　weren’t　worth　the　trouble。　He　needed　only　for　you　not　to　work　against　him。　He　did　all　that　was　necessary。　He　didn’t　waste　an　effort　to　do　more。
　
　‘In　some　ways　he　is　as　blind　to　this　world　as　we　are　to　his。　He　has　only　so　much　influence　here；　he　must　choose　his　tasks　carefully。　He　doesn’t　spend　what　power　he　has　here　frivolously。’
　
　Realization　took　the　place　of　unease。　‘Perhaps　you　not　be　such　an　old　fool。’
　
　Zedd　smiled　as　he　pulled　the　chair　forward　and　sat。　That　has　always　been　my　opinion。’
　
　Hands　nestled　in　her　lap；　Adie　studied　the　tabletop　as　if　hoping　it　would　e　to　her　aid。　The　house　was　silent；　except　for　the　slow　crackle　of　the　fire　in　the　hearth。　‘All　these　years；　the　truth　be　hiding　right　under　my　nose。’　She　lifted　her　head；　giving　him　a　puzzled　frown。　‘How　did　you　e　to　be　so　wise？’
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　‘But　one　of　the　advantages　of　having　lived　so　long。　You　view　yourself　as　just　an　old　woman。　I　see　a　striking；　dear　lady；　who　has　learned　much　in　her　time　in　this　world；　and　has　gained　wisdom　from　what　she　has　seen。’
　
　He　pulled　the　yellow　rose　from　her　hair　and　held　it　before　her。　‘Your　loveliness　is　not　a　mask；　layered　over　a　rotten　core。　It　blossoms　from　the　beauty　inside。’
　
　She　lifted　the　flower　from　his　fingers　and　laid　it　on　the　table。　‘Your　clever　tongue　cannot　cover　the　fact　that　I　have　wasted　my　life。　。。。’
　
　Zedd　shook　his　head；　cutting　her　off。　‘No。　You　have　wasted　nothing。　You　simply　have　not　seen　the　other　side　of　things　yet。　In　magic；　in　all　things；　there　is　a　balance　if　we　look　for　it。　The　Keeper　did　as　he　did；　sending　a　baneling　to　you；　to　keep　you　from　interfering　in　his　work；　and　to　plant　a　seed　of　doubt　in　you　that　would　perhaps　turn　you　to　him　one　day。
　
　‘But　in　that　too；　there　was　something　to　balance　what　he　did。　You　came　here　to　learn　about　the　world　of　the　dead　in　order　to　contact　your　Pell。　Don’t　you　see；　Adie？　You　were　manipulated　to　prevent　you　from　interfering　with　the　Keeper’s　plans；　but　in　so　doing；　the　balance　is　that　you　have　learned　things　that　might　be　of　aid　in　stopping　him。　You　must　not　surrender　to　what　he　had　done　to　you；　you　must　strike　back　with　what　he　has　inadvertently　given　you。’
　
　Her　eyes　glistened　as　she　cast　her　gaze　about　her　house；　looking　to　the　bone　pile；　the　walls　covered　with　talismans　of　the　dead　she　had　collected　over　the　years；　and　to　the　shelves　holding　more　yet。　‘But　my　oath　。。。　my　Pell。　I　must　reach　him；　tell　him。　He　died　thinking　I　betrayed　him。　If　I　cannot　redeem　myself　in　his　eyes；　then　I　be　lost；　my　heart　be　lost。　If　I　be　lost；　then　the　Keeper　will　find　me。’
　
　‘Pell　is　dead；　Adie。　Gone。　The　boundary；　the　pass；　is　gone。　You　would　know　better　than　I　if　it　would　have　ever　been　any　use　in　what　you　wanted；　but　in　all　these　years；　you　have　not　found　a　way　to　make　it　so。　If　you　wish　to　continue　the　pursuit　of　your　oath；　you　will　find　no　help　here。　Perhaps　in　Aydindril；　you　will。
　
　‘Helping　to　stop　the　Keeper　does　not　mean　you　must　break　your　oath　to　yourself。　If　my　knowledge　and　help　can　be　of　any　aid　in　what　you　seek；　I　offer　it　gladly。　Just　as　you　know　things　I　do　not；　I　know　things　you　don’t。　I　am；　after　all；　the　First　Wizard。　Perhaps　what　I　know　will　help　you。　Pell　would　not　want　you　to　bring　him　your　message　that　you　did　not　betray　him；　if　it　meant　you　must　betray　everyone　else。’
　
　Adie　picked　up　the　yellow　flower；　twirling　it　between　her　finger　and　thumb　a　moment　before　setting　it　down　again。　Gripping　the　edge　of　the　table；　she　pushed　herself　to　her　feet。　She　stood　a　moment；　and　then　lifted　her　head　to　gaze　with　her　white　eyes　around　the　room　once　more。
　
　Smoothing　her　robes　at　her　hips；　as　if　to　make　herself　presentable；　she　limped　around　the　table　to　stand　behind　his　chair。　Zedd　felt　her　hands　rest　on　his　shoulders。　Unexpectedly；　she　leaned　over　and　kissed　the　top　of　his　head　and　smoothed　his　unruly　hair　with　gentle　fingers。　Zedd　was　relieved　the　fingers　hadn’t　gone　around　his　throat。　He　thought　they　might；　after　some　of　the　things　he　had　said。
　
　Thank　you；　my　friend；　for　hearing　my　tale；　and　for　helping　me　to　find　the　meaning　in　it。　My　Pell　would　have　liked　you。　You　both　be　men　of　honor。　I　accept　your　word　that　you　will　help　me　tell　my　Pell。’
　
　Zedd　twisted　around　in　his　chair　and　raised　his　face　to　her　soft　smile　and　kind　eyes。　‘I　will　do　whatever　I　can　to　help　you　keep　your　oath。　You　have　my　oath　on　that。’
　
　Her　smile　widened　as　she　smoothed　down　a　stray　lock　of　his　white　hair。　‘Now。　Tell　me　of　the　Stone　of　Tears。　We　must　decide　what　is　to　be　done　with　it。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　23
　
　‘The　Stone　of　Tears？　Well；　it　is　hidden。’
　
　She　gave　a　single；　firm　nod。　‘Good。　It　not　be　something　to　be　loose　in　this　world。’　Her　brow　wrinkled　in　a　little　frown。　‘It　be　hidden　well？　It　be　safe？’
　
　Zedd　winced　a　little。　He　didn’t　want　to　tell　her；　he　knew　what　she　would　say；　but　he　had　promised。　‘I　put　it　on　a　chain。　Put　it　on　a　chain　and　hung　it　around　the　neck　of　a　little　girl。　I　don’t　know　。。。　exactly　。。。　where　she　is　right　now。’
　
　‘You　touched　it！’　Adie’s　eyes　widened。　The　Stone　of　Tears？　You　touched　it；　and　hung　it　around　the　neck　of　a　little　girl！’
　
　She　gripped　his　chin　firmly　in　her　suddenly　powerful　fingers　and　leaned　close　to　his　face。　‘You　have　hung　the　Stone　of　Tears；　the　Stone　that　it　be　told　was　hung　by　the　Creator　Himself　around　the　Keeper’s　neck　to　lock　him　in　the　underworld　。。。　you　hung　that　around　a　little　girl’s　neck？　And　let　her　wander　off！’
　
　Zedd　scowled　defensively。　‘Well；　I　had　to　do　something　with　it。　I　couldn’t　just　leave　it　lying　about。’
　
　Adie　smacked　the　palm　of　her　hand　to　her　forehead。　‘Just　as　he　makes　me　think　him　wise；　he　shows　me　he　be　a　fool　indeed。　Dear　spirits；　save　me　from　the　hands　you　have　placed　me　in。’
　
　Zedd　shot　to　his　feet。　‘And　just　what　would　you　have　done　with　it！’
　
　‘Well；　I　would　have　certainly　given　it　more　thought　than　you　seem　to　have　done。　And　I　wouldn’t　have　touched　it！　It　be　a　thing　from　another　world！’　She　turned　her　back　to　him；　shaking　her　head　and　whispering　things　in　her　foreign　tongue。
　
　Zedd　shifted　his　robes；　straightening　them　with　a　firm　tug。　‘I　didn’t　have　the　luxury　of　time　to　give　it　any　thought。　We　were　attacked　by　a　screeling。　If　I　had　left　it　there　。。。’
　
　Adie　spun　around。　‘A　screeling！　You　be　full　of　good　news；　old　man。’　She　jabbed　a　finger　against　his　chest。　‘That　still　be　no　good　excuse。　You　still　should　not　have　。。。’
　
　‘Not　have　what？　Not　have　picked　it　up？　I　should　have　let　the　screeling　pick　it　up；　instead？’
　
　‘Screelings　be　assassins。　They　not　be　there　to　take　the　Stone。’
　
　Zedd　jabbed　a　finger　right　back　at　her。　‘You　know　that？　Are　you　so　sure？　Would　you　have　been　willing　to　have　risked　everything　on　it？　And　if　you　were　wrong；　let　the　Keeper　have　the　Stone　to　do　with　as　he　would？　Are　you　so　sure；　Adie？’
　
　Her　hand　dropped　to　her　side　as　she　stared　at　his　frown。　‘No。　I　guess　not。　It　could　be　as　you　say。　There　be　a　chance　the　screeling　may　have　taken　it。　Perhaps　you　did　the　only　thing　you　could　do。’　She　shook　the　finger　at　him。　‘But　to　hang　it　around　the　neck　of　a　little　girl　。。。！’
　
　‘And　where　would　you　have　had　me　keep　it？　In　my　pocket？　In　the　pocket　of　a　wizard？　In　the　pocket　of　one　with　the　gift；　where　the　Keeper　is　sure　to　look　first？　Or　perhaps　you　would　have　had　me　hide　it；　in　a　place　only　I　knew；　where；　if　a　baneling　gets　his　hands　on　me　and　somehow　makes　me　talk；　I　could　tell　him　it　would　be；　so　he　could　go　and　collect　it？’
　
　Adie　folded　her　arms　with　a　muttered　curse。　At　last　her　expression　relaxed。　‘Well。。。　perhaps　。。。’
　
　‘Perhaps　nothing。　I　had　no　choice。　It　was　an　act　of　desperation。　I　did　the　only　thing　I　could　do；　given　the　circumstances。’
　
　She　let　out　a　tired　sigh；　then　nodded。　‘You　be　right；　wizard。　You　did　the　best　you　could　have　done。’　She　patted　the　top　of　his　shoulder。　‘Foolish　as　it　be；’　she　added　under　her　breath。　Her　hand　gave　a　gentle　push。　‘Sit。　Let　me　show　you　something。’
　
　Zedd　sat　as　he　watched　her　limp　across　the　room　toward　the　shelves。　‘I　would　rather　have　done　anything　else；　Adie；’　he　said　sorrowfully；　‘than　what　I　had　to　do。’
　
　She　nodded　as　she　walked。　‘I　know。。。。’　She　stopped　and　turned。　A　screeling；　you　say？’　Zedd　nodded。　‘You　be　sure　it　be　a　screeling？’　He　arched　an　eyebrow。　‘Yes；　of　course　you　be　sure。’　Her　brow　creased　in　thought。　‘Screelings　be　the　Keeper’s　assassins。　They　be　singleminded；　and　extremely　dangerous；　but　they　not　be　very　smart。　They　must　have　something　to　show　them　the　one　they　be　after；　a　way　to　find　them。　They　not　be　good　at　searching　in　this　world。　How　could　the　Keeper　know　where　you　be？　How　could　the　screeling　know　to　find　you？　Know　it　be　you　he　be　after？’
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　‘I　don’t　know。　I　was　where　the　boxes　had　been　opened。　But　it　had　been　some　time　since　it　had　happened。　There　would　be　no　way　to　know　I　was　still　there。’
　
　‘And　did　you　destroy　the　screeling？’
　
　‘Yes。’
　
　That　be　good。　The　Keeper　will　not　waste　the　effort　to　send　another；　not　after　you　have　proven　you　be　able　to　defeat　it。’
　
　Zedd　threw　his　hands　up。　‘Oh　yes；　just　wonderful。　Screelings　are　sent　to　eliminate　a　threat　to　the　Keeper。　It　was　probably　sent　to　rid　the　Keeper　of　my　meddling；　just　as　the　Keeper　sent　a　baneling　to　rid　himself　of　your　interference。　You’re