tg.stone of tears-第68部分

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　Prindin　reached　under　his　shirt　and　pulled　out　a　folded　cloth。　He　handed　her　the　bloodred　bundle。　There　were　poles；　with　these　on　them。　Many　of　the　men　wore　clothes　with　the　same　symbols　on　them；　but　we　did　not　want　to　take　the　clothes　from　the　dead。’
　
　Kahlan　unfolded　the　banner　and　stared　in　shock　at　the　long　red　triangle　draped　over　her　hands。　In　the　center　was　a　black　shield　with　an　ornate　silver　letter　on　it。　The　letter　R。　It　was　a　war　banner；　with　the　shield　and　symbol　of　the　House　of　Rahl。
　
　‘D’Haran　soldiers；’　she　whispered。　‘How　could　that　be？’　She　looked　up。　‘Were　there　Keltans；　too？’
　
　The　three　men　looked　at　one　another。　They　didn’t　understand。　They　didn’t　know　the　Keltans。
　
　There　were　some　with　other　clothes；’　Prindin　said。　‘But　most　had　this　symbol　on　them；　or　on　their　shields。’
　
　‘And　they　went　east？’
　
　Tossidin　nodded。　‘I　do　not　know　the　way　to　tell　you　their　numbers；　but　there　were　so　many　that　if　you　stood　in　the　same　spot　on　the　wide　road　they　took；　you　would　be　there　all　day　watching　them　pass。’
　
　‘Also；’　Prindin　said；　‘as　they　were　going；　others　joined　them；　from　the　north　where　they　had　been　waiting；　and　went　with　them。’
　
　Kahlan’s　eyes　narrowed　as　she　frowned　in　thought。　‘Did　they　have　many　wagons？　Big　wagons？’
　
　Prindin　snorted　a　laugh。　They　must　have　hundreds。　These　men　do　not　carry　anything。　They　use　wagons。　They　have　victory；　because　they　are　many；　but　they　are　lazy。　They　ride　in　wagons；　or　use　them　to　carry　their　things。’
　
　‘It　takes　a　lot　of　supplies；’　she　said；　‘to　support　an　army　that　big。　And　if　they　ride　in　wagons　it　keeps　them　fresh　for　fighting。’
　
　‘It　also　makes　them　soft；’　Chandalen　said　defiantly。　‘If　you　carry　what　you　need；　like　we　do；　then　you　grow　strong。　If　you　walk　without　carrying　what　you　need；　or　ride　in　wagons；　or　on　horses；　then　you　grow　soft。　These　men　are　not　strong；　like　us。’
　
　‘They　were　strong　enough　to　crush　this　city；’　Kahlan　said；　looking　up　from　under　her　eyebrows。　‘They　were　strong　enough　to　win　the　battle　and　destroy　their　opponent。’
　
　‘Only　because　they　are　many；’　Chandalen　argued；　‘like　the　Jocopo；　not　because　they　are　strong；　or　good　fighters。’
　
　‘Large　numbers；’　she　said；　quietly；　‘has　a　strength　all　its　own。’
　
　None　of　the　three　men　disagreed　with　that。
　
　Prindin　downed　the　last　of　his　tea　before　speaking。　‘Their　numbers　are　all　gone　now。　They　stay　together　as　they　go　east。’
　
　‘East。’　She　thought　a　moment　while　the　three　waited。　‘Did　they　go　through　a　pass　that　has　a　thin　rope　bridge　stretched　above　it？　A　bridge　that　can　only　be　crossed　by　one　person　at　a　time；　on　foot？’
　
　The　brothers　nodded。
　
　Kahlan　stood。　‘Jara　Pass；’　she　whispered　to　herself　as　she　turned　to　stare　out　the　door。　‘It’s　one　of　the　few　big　enough　for　their　wagons。’
　
　There　is　more；’　Tossidin　said　as　he　stood；　too。　‘Maybe　five　days　after　they　left；　more　men　came　here。’　He　held　up　the　spread　fingers　of　both　hands。　This　many　did　the　killing　here。’　He　closed　all　but　a　lone　little　finger　on　his　right　hand。　This　many　came　here　after　it　was　done。’
　
　Kahlan　glanced　to　Chandalen。　The　ones　who　closed　the　doors。’
　
　He　nodded　as　the　two　brothers　frowned。
　
　They　searched　the　city；’　Tossidin　went　on。　There　were　no　people　left　here　to　kill；　so　they　followed　the　tracks；　followed　those　that　went　east；　to　join　with　them。’
　
　‘No；’　Kahlan　said。　They　were　no　allies　of　those　who　did　this。　They　didn’t　go　to　join　them。　They’re　going　after　them；　though。’
　
　Prindin　considered　this　a　moment。　Then　if　they　catch　the　ones　who　did　this；　then　they；　too；　will　die。　They　have　no　numbers　like　those　they　chase。　They　will　be　like　fleas　trying　to　eat　a　dog。’
　
　Kahlan　snatched　up　her　mantle　and　flung　it　around　her　shoulders。　‘Let’s　get　going。　Jara　Pass　is　wide　and　easy　enough　for　large　wagons；　but　it’s　also　very　long　and　meandering。　I　know　small　passes　…　like　the　one　that　takes　that　rope　bridge　over　the　Jara；　and　then　up　through　Harpies　Cleft　…　that　an　army　cannot　travel；　but　we　can；　and　it’s　much　shorter。　What　they　travel　in　three　or　four　days；　we　can　travel　in　one。’
　
　Chandalen　stood；　but　did　so　in　an　easy　manner。　‘Mother　Confessor；　following　these　men　will　not　take　us　to　Aydindril。’
　
　‘We　have　to　go　over　one　of　the　passes　to　get　us　to　Aydindril。　Harpies　is　as　good　as　any。’
　
　Chandalen　still　made　no　move　to　recover　his　mantle。　‘But　that　way　lies　an　army　of　thousands。　You　wanted　to　get　to　Aydindril　with　as　little　trouble　as　possible。　That　way　lies　trouble。’
　
　Kahlan　squatted　with　her　boot　over　a　snowshoe；　and　began　lacing　on　the　binding。　The　faces　of　the　dead　young　women　wavered　before　her　eyes。　‘I’m　the　Mother　Confessor。　I　will　not　allow　this　to　happen　in　the　Midlands。　It’s　my　responsibility。’
　
　The　men　glanced　uneasily　at　one　another。　The　brothers　moved　to　retrieve　their　snowshoes。　Chandalen　did　not。
　
　‘You　said　your　responsibility　was　to　go　to　Aydindril　as　Richard　With　The　Temper　asked。　You　said　you　must　do　as　he　asked。’
　
　Kahlan　paused　her　work　at　the　binding　of　the　second　snowshoe。　Anguish　seared　though　her。　She　considered　Chan…dalen’s　words；　but　only　briefly。　‘I’m　not　abandoning　that　responsibility。’　She　finished　the　binding　and　stood。　‘But　we’re　Mud　People。　We　have　other　responsibilities；　too。’
　
　‘Other　responsibilities？’
　
　Kahlan　tapped　the　bone　knife　that　was　tied　to　her　arm；　under　her　mantle。　‘To　the　spirits。　The　Jocopo；　the　Bantak；　and　now　these　men；　have　listened　to　spirits　that　would　have　them　do　great　evil　…　spirits　that　e　through　the　tear　in　the　veil。　We　have　responsibilities　to　the　spirits　of　our　ancestors；　and　their　living　descendants。’
　
　She　knew　that　to　close　the　veil；　she　needed　to　reach　Zedd；　to　get　help　for　Richard。　It　was　possible　that　Richard　was　the　only　one　who　could　close　the　veil。　Chandalen　was　right；　they　must　reach　Aydindril。
　
　But　the　faces　of　the　young　women　still　filled　her　mind。　The　horror　of　what　had　been　done　to　them　still　coursed　through　her。
　
　The　two　brothers　were　sitting　on　the　bench　putting　on　their　snowshoes。　Chandalen　stepped　close　to　her　and　lowered　her　voice。
　
　‘What　good　will　e　of　us　catching　this　army？　It　is　wrong。’
　
　She　looked　into　his　brown　eyes。　They　were　not　filled　with　defiance　as　they　had　been　in　the　past；　but　with　genuine　concern。
　
　‘Chandalen；　the　men　who　did　this　killing；　and　went　east；　are　perhaps　fifty　thousand　strong。　The　ones　who　closed　the　doors　in　the　palace　and　are　chasing　that　army　are　perhaps　five　thousand。　They　are　filled　with　anger；　but　if　they　catch　the　ones　they’re　chasing；　they’ll　be　slaughtered；　too。　If　I　have　a　chance　to　prevent　five　thousand　men　from　dying；　then　I　must　try　for　that　chance。’
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘And　if　you　are　killed　in　this；　then　what　greater　evil　will　break　its　bounds？’
　
　‘That’s　what　you　three　are　supposed　to　prevent　…　my　being　killed。’
　
　She　started　for　the　door。　Chandalen　gently　gripped　her　arm　and　brought　her　to　a　halt。　He　spoke　calmly。
　
　‘It　will　be　dark　soon。　We　can　rest　here　tonight；　and　cook　food。　We　can　leave　in　the　morning　after　we　are　rested。’
　
　The　moon　will　be　up　soon　to　light　our　way。　We　have　no　time　to　waste。’　She　leaned　toward　him。　‘I’m　going　on；　now。　If　you’re　as　strong　as　you　say；　you’ll　go　with　me。　If　you’re　not；　you　may　rest　here。’
　
　Chandalen　put　his　hands　on　his　hips。　His　lips　tightened　as　he　let　out　a　deep　breath。　He　appraised　her　with　frustration。
　
　‘You　cannot　walk　more　than　Chandalen。　We　go；　too。’
　
　Kahlan　gave　him　a　quick；　tight　smile；　and　swept　through　the　door。　The　brothers　snatched　up　their　bows　and　jumped　to　fall　in　behind　her　while　Chandalen　bent　to　tie　on　his　snowshoes。
　
　
　CHAPTER　31
　
　Richard　watched　the　horses　eating　grass　that　wasn’t　there；　and　scratched　his　itchy　beard。　The　surface　of　the　valley　was　baked　and　barren；　but　the　horses　seemed　contented　in　their　grazing；　as　if　there　were　lush　green　grass　beneath　their　feet。　Illusion；　it　seemed；　deluded　and　enticed　even　the　horses。　He　wondered　what　wasn’t　there　that　he　was　going　to　see。
　
　Sister　Verna　at　last　moved；　pulling　up　on　Jessup’s　lead　line；　pulling　him　away　from　his　browsing。　‘This　way。’
　
　Ominous；　dark　clouds　hugged　the　ground　ahead；　boiling　as　if　alive　and　eagerly　awaiting　them。　Richard　pulled　the　other　two　horses　on；　following　after　the　Sister。　She　had　told　them　that　they　must　walk　because　the　horses　could　be　suddenly　spooked　by　things　unseen　and　could　carry　them；　helpless；　into　a　spell。
　
　Sister　Verna　abruptly　altered　her　course　across　the　featureless　ground；　taking　them　a　little　to　the　right。　The　dark　cloud　of　dust　and　dirt　lifted　and　tumbled；　driven　by　the　gusts　that；　as　of　yet；　didn’t　touch　them。　Sister　Verna　looked　over　her　shoulder；　her　expression　as　dark　as　the　cloud。
　
　‘Whatever　you　see；　you　ignore　it。　Whatever　it　is；　it　isn’t　real。　You　just　ignore　it。　Do　you　understand？’
　
　‘What　am　I　going　to　see？’
　
　She　redirected　her　attention　to　the　way　ahead。　Her　white　blouse　was　damp　with　sweat；　as　was　his　shirt。　‘I　can’t　tell　you。　The　spells　seek　those　things　in　your　own　mind　you　fear　or　long　for；　so　everyone　sees　different　things。　Yet　some　visions　are　the　same。　Some　fears　are　the　same　in　all　of　us。　Some　of　the　magic　we　will　see　is　not　visions；　but　real。　Like　those　clouds　of　dust。’
　
　‘And　what　did　you　see　the　last　time　that　you’re　so　afraid　of？’
　
　She　walked　in　silence　for　a　time。　‘One　I　loved。’
　
　‘If　she　was　a　loved　one；　why　would　you　be　afraid　to　see　her？’
　
　‘Because　he　tried　to　kill　me。’
　
　Richard　blinked　at　the　stinging　sweat　in　his　eyes。　‘He？　Do　you　have　a　man　you　love；　Sister？’
　
　She　watched　the　ground　as　she　walked。　‘Not　anymore。’　Her　voice　was　soft　with　sorrow。　She　glanced　up　at　him　a　moment；　before　seeking　the　ground　once　more　with　her　eyes。　‘When　I　was　young；　I　had　a　love。　Jedidiah。’
　
　She　was　silent；　so　he　asked。　‘He　is　not　your　love　anymore？’　She　shook　her　head。　‘Why　not？’
　
　Pausing　only　a　moment；　she　wiped　her　brow　with　a　finger　before　moving　on。　‘I　was　young；　perhaps　younger　than　you；　when　I　left　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。　Left　to　find　you。　We　didn’t　know　if　you　had　been　born　yet。　We　knew　that　if　you　had　not　been；　you　would　be；　but　we　didn’t　know　when；　so　three　Sisters　were　sent。
　
　‘But　that　was　many　years　ago。　I’ve　spent　better　than　half　my　life　away　from　the　palace。　From　Jedidiah。’　She　stopped　again；　peering　first　right；　then　left；　before　starting　ahead　once　more。　‘He　will　have　long　ago　forgotten　me；　and　found　another。’
　
　‘If　he　really　loved　you；　Sister；　he　won’t　have　forgotten　you　and　found　another。　You　haven’t　forgotten　him。’
　
　She　tugged　on　her　horse’s　line；　pulling　him　away　from　something　he　wanted　to　investigate。　‘Too　many　years　have　passed。　We’ve　grown　older　apart。　I　have　grown　old。　We　are　not　the　same　people　we　were。　He　is　one　with　the　gift；　and　has　his　own　life。　It　would　not　include　me。’
　
　‘You’re　not　old；　Sister。　If　you　really　love　each　other；　time　shouldn’t　matter。’　He　wondered　if　he　was　talking　about　her；　or　himself。
　
　Sister　Verna　gave　a　soft；　private　laugh。　‘Youth。　Youth　holds　much　hope；　but　not　much　wisdom。　I　know　the　ways　of　people。　Of　men。　He　has　been　too　long　from　my　skirts。　He　will　long　ago　have　sought　another。’
　
　Richard　felt　himself　blushing　in　the　heat。　‘Love　has　more　to　it　than　that。’
　
　‘Ah；　so　you　know　so　much　of　love；　yes？　You；　too；　will　soon　be　searching　the　charms　of　a　new　pair　of　pretty　legs。’
　
　Richard　was　about　to　vent　a　rush　of　sudden　anger　when　Sister　Verna　stopped。　She　looked　up。　The　dark　cloud　swirled　in；　closing　in　on　them。
　
　From　somewhere；　Richard　heard　the　faint　sound　of　someone　screaming　his　name。
　
　‘Something　is　wrong；’　Sister　Verna　whispered　to　herself。
　
　‘What　is　it？’
　
　She　ignored　him；　pulling　Jessup　to　the　left。　‘This　way。’
　
　Lightning　lit　the　air　about　them。　A　blinding　bolt　struck　the　ground　ahead；　sending　a　shower　of　the　chalky　earth　skyward。　The　ground　shook　with　the　impact。　Every　muscle　flinched　from　the　nearness　of　the　strike。
　
　When　the　lightning　tore　the　dark　wall　open　for　an　instant；　Richard　saw　Kahlan。　She　was　standing；　watching　him。　And　then　she　was　gone。
　
　‘Kahlan？’
　
　Sister　Verna　reversed　course。　‘This　way。　Now！　Richard；　I　told　you；　it　is　not　real。　Whatever　you　saw；　you　must　ignore　it。’
　
　He　knew　it　was　an　illusion；　but　the　sight　ran　a　sharp　pang　of　longing　through　him。　He　groaned　inwardly。　Why　did　the　magic　have　to　attract　him　with　visions　of　her？　His　own　mind；　Sister　Verna　had　said；　would　bring　forth　the　things　he　feared；　or　those　for　which　he　longed。　Which　was　this；　he　wondered；　fear　or　longing？
　
　‘Is　the　lightning　real？’
　
　‘Real　enough　to　kill　us。　But　it’s　not　lightning　in　the　sense　of　what　you　know。　This　is　a　storm　of　spells　that　are　battling　each　other。　The　lightning　is　a　discharge　of　their　power　as　they　fight　each　other。　At　the　same　time；　it　also　seeks　to　destroy　any　intruder。　Our　way　is　among　the　gaps　in　their　battle。’
　
　Again；　he　heard　the　distant　scream　of　his　name；　but　it　wasn’t　Kahlan’s　voice。　It　was　a　man’s　voice。
　
　Another　lightning　bolt　struck　directly　in　front　of　them。　He　and　the　Sister　both　protectively　threw　an　arm　up　before　their　faces。　The　horses　didn’t　start。　It　must　be　as　the　Sister　said；　horses　would　have　panicked　had　it　been　real　lightning。
　
　As　the　dirt　thrown　up　by　the　lightning　rained　down　around　them；　Sister　Verna　turned　and　snatched　him　by　his　shirtsleeve。
　
　‘Richard；　listen　to　me。　Something　is　wrong。　The　way　is　shifting　too　fast。　I’m　not　able　to　feel　it　as　I　should　be　able　to。’
　
　‘Why　would　that　be？　You’ve　been　through　here　before。　You　were　able　to　do　it　before。’
　
　‘I　don’t　know。　We　don’t　know　a　great　deal　about　this　place。　It’s　tainted　with　magic　we　don’t　entirely　understand。　It　could　be　that　the　magic　has　learned　to　recognize　me；　from　when　I　was　here　before。　Going　through　more　than　twice　is　not　possible。　Going　through　the　second　time　is　said　to　be　more　difficult　than　the　first。　It　could　just　be　that。　But　it　might　be　something　else。’
　
　‘What　something　else？　You　mean　me？’
　
　Her　eyes　glanced　past　him　to　things　she　was　seeing；　but　he　knew　weren’t　there。　She　refocused　her　gaze　on　him。　‘No；　not　you。　If　it　were　you；　I　would　still　be　able　to　feel　the　pass　as　I　did　before；　but　I　can’t。　I　can　only　feel　it　some　of　the　time。　I　think　it’s　because　of　what　happened　with　Sisters　Elizabeth　and　Grace。’
　
　‘What　do　they　have　to　do　with　it？’
　
　The　dark　storm　was　all　about　them　now；　swirling　and　howling。　Their　clothes　flapped　in　the　gusts。　He　had　to　squint　against　the　dust。
　
　‘In　their　death；　they　passed　on　their　gift。　That　is　the　reason　they　gave　their　lives　when　you　refused　the　offer；　to　pass　their　gift　to　the　next；　to　make　her　stronger　so　she　might　succeed　at　the　next　try。’
　
　That　was　why　he　had　felt　the　pull　to　accept　the　collar　more　strongly　each　time　the　offer　had　been　made。　Kahlan　had　said　that　that　might　have　been　the　reason　they　killed　themselves　when　he　refused　…　to　add　to　their　power；　make　them　s