srdonaldson.thepowerthatpreserves-第79章

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ity　to　pull　his　strengthless　legs　from　stride　to　stride。　Like　twins；　brothers　connected　to　each　other　despite　all　their　differences　by　a　mon　umbilical　need；　they　crouched　and　shambled　together　through　the　rock　of　Ridjeck　Thome。
　　　　As　they　descended；　Covenant　fell　several　times。　His　sense　of　urgency；　his　fear；　grew　in　the　constriction　of　the　corridor；　but　it　drained　rather　than　energized　him；　left　him　as　slack　as　if　he　had　already　been　defeated。　Livid　cold　drenched　him；　soaked　into　his　bones　like　the　fire　of　an　absolute　chill；　surrounded　him　until　he　began　to　feel　strangely　fortable　in　it…　fortable　and　drowsy；　as　if；　like　an　exhausted　sojourner；　he　were　at　last　arriving　home；　sinking　down　before　his　rightful　hearth。　Then　at　odd　moments　he　caught　glimpses　of　the　spirit　of　this　place；　the　unpromising　flawlessness　which　somehow　gave　rise　to；　affirmed；　the　most　rabid　and　insatiable　malice。　In　this　air；　contempt　and　fort　became　the　same　thing。　Foul's　Creche　was　the　domain　of　a　being　who　understood　perfectiona　being　who　loathed　life；　not　because　it　was　any　threat　to　him；　but　because　its　mortal　infestations　offended　the　defining　passion　of　his　existence。　In　those　glimpses；　Covenant's　numb；　lacerated　feet　seemed　to　miss　the　stone；　and　he　fell　headlong　at　Foamfollower's　back。
　　　　But　they　kept　moving；　and　at　last　they　reached　the　end　of　the　tunnel。　It　opened　into　a　series　of　unadorned；　unfurnished　apartments…starkly　exact　and　symmetrical…which　showed　no　sign　that　they　had　ever　been；　or　ever　would　be；　occupied　by　anyone。　Yet　the　cold；　green　light　shone　everywhere；　and　the　air　was　as　sharp　as　ice　crystals。　Foamfollower's　sweat　formed　a　cluster　of　emeralds　in　his　beard；　and　he　was　shivering；　despite　his　normal　immunity　to　temperature。
　　　　Beyond　the　apartments；　they　found　a　chain　of　stairs　which　took　them　downward　through　blank　halls；　empty　caverns　large　enough　to　house　the　most　fearsome　banes；　uninhabited　galleries　where　an　orator　could　have　stormed　at　an　audience　of　thousands。　Here　again　they　found　no　sign　of　any　occupation。　All　this　part　of　the　Creche　was　for　Lord　Foul's　private　use；　no　ur…viles　or　other　creatures　intruded；　had　ever　intruded。　Foamfollower　hastened　Covenant　through　the　eerie　perfection。　Down　they　went；　always　down；　seeking　the　depths　in　which　Lord　Foul　would　cherish　the　Illearth　Stone。　And　around　them；　the　ancient　ill　of　Ridjeck　Thome　grew　heavier　and　more　dolorous　at　each　deeper　level。　In　time；　Foamfollower　became　too　cold　to　shiver；　and　Covenant　shambled　along　at　his　side　as　if　only　an　insistent　yearning　to　find　the　Creche's　chillest　place；　the　point　of　absolute　ice；　kept　him　from　falling　asleep　where　he　was。
　　　　The　instinct　which　took　them　downward　at　every　opportunity　did　not　mislead　them。　Gradually；　Foamfollower　began　to　sense　the　location　of　the　Stone；　the　radiance　of　that　bane　became　palpable　to　his　sore　nerves。
　　　　Eventually；　they　reached　a　landing　in　the　wall　of　an　empty　pit。　There　he　found　another　hidden　door。　Foamfollower　opened　it　as　he　had　the　first　one；　and　ducked　through　it　into　a　high　round　hall。　After　Covenant　had　stumbled　across　the　sill；　Foamfollower　closed　the　door　and　moved　warily　out　into　the　center　of　the　hall。
　　　　Like　the　other　halls　the　Giant　had　seen；　this　one　was　featureless　except　for　its　entrances。　He　counted　eight　large　doorways；　each　perfectly　spaced　around　the　wall；　perfectly　identical　to　the　others；　each　sealed　shut　with　heavy　stone　doors。　He　could　sense　no　life　anywhere　near　him；　no　activity　beyond　any　of　the　doors。　But　all　his　nerves　shrilled　in　the　direction　of　the　Stone。
　　　　〃There；〃　Foamfollower　breathed　softly；　pointing　at　one　of　the　entrances。　〃There　is　the　thronehall　of　Ridjeck　Thome。　There　Soulcrusher　holds　the　Illearth　Stone。〃
　　　　Without　looking　at　his　friend；　he　went　over　to　the　door；　placed　his　hands　on　it　to　verify　his　perception。　〃Yes；〃　he　whispered。　〃It　is　here。〃　Dread　and　exultation　wrestled　together　in　him。　Moments　passed　before　he　realized　that　Covenant　had　not　answered　him。
　　　　He　pressed　against　the　door　to　measure　its　strength。　〃Covenant；〃　he　said　over　his　shoulder；　〃my　friend；　the　end　is　near。　Cling　to　your　courage　for　one　moment　longer。　I　will　break　open　this　door。　When　I　do；　you　must　run　at　once　into　the　thronehall。　Go　to　the　Stone…before　any　power　intervenes。〃　Still　Covenant　did　not　reply。　〃Unbeliever！　We　are　at　the　end。　Do　not　falter　now。〃
　　　　In　a　ghastly　voice；　Covenant　said；　〃You　don't　need　to　break　it　down。〃
　　　　Foamfollower　whirled；　springing　away　from　the　door。
　　　　The　Unbeliever　stood　in　the　center　of　the　hall。　He　was　not　alone。
　　　　An　ur…vile　loremaster　stood　before　him；　slavering　from　its　gaping　nostrils。　In　its　hands；　it　held　chains；　shackles。
　　　　As　Foamfollower　watched　in　horror；　it　locked　the　shackles　onto　Covenant's　wrists。　Leading　him　by　the　chain；　it　took　him　to　the　door　of　the　thronehall。
　　　　The　Giant　started　toward　his　friend。　But　Covenant's　terrible　gaze　stopped　him。　In　the　dark；　starved　bruises　of　Covenant's　eyes；　he　read　something　that　he　could　not　answer。　The　Unbeliever　was　trying　to　tell　him　something；　something　for　which　he　did　not　have　words。　Foamfollower　had　studied　the　injury　which　other　ur…viles　had　done　to　Covenant；　but　he　could　not　fathom　the　depth　of　a　misery　which　could　make　a　man　surrender　to　Demondim…spawn。
　　　　〃Covenant！〃　he　cried　in　protest。
　　　　Deliberately；　Covenant's　gaze　flicked　away　from　the　Giant…bored　intensely　into　him　and　then　jumped　away；　pulling　Foamfollower's　eyes　with　it。
　　　　The　Giant　turned　in　spite　of　himself；　and　saw　another　Giant　standing　across　the　hall　from　him。　The　newer's　fists　were　clenched　on　his　hips；　and　he　was　grinning　savagely。　Foamfollower　recognized　him　at　once；　he　was　one　of　the　three　brothers　who　had　fallen　victim　to　the　Ravers。　Like　Elena；　this　tormented　soul　had　been　resurrected　to　serve　Soulcrusher。
　　　　Before　Foamfollower　could　react；　the　door　to　the　thronehall　opened；　then　closed　behind　Covenant。
　　　　At　the　same　time；　all　the　other　doors　leaped　open；　pouring　Stone…made　monsters　into　the　hall。
　
　TWENTY
　The　Unbeliever
　
　　　　Foamfollower　wheeled　around；　saw　that　he　had　been　surrounded。　Scores　of　creatures　had　entered　the　hall；　they　were　more　than　enough　to　deluge　him；　bury　him　under　their　weight　if　they　did　not　choose　to　slay　him　with　their　weapons。　But　they　did　not　attack。　They　spread　out　along　the　wall；　bunched　in　tight　formations　before　the　doors；　so　that　he　could　not　escape。　There　they　stopped。　With　the　doors　closed　behind　them；　they　stood　leaning　eagerly　forward　as　if　they　yearned　to　hack　him　to　pieces。　But　they　left　him　to　the　dead　Giant。
　　　　Foamfollower　swung　back　to　face　the　specter。
　　　　It　advanced　slowly；　jeering　at　him　with　its　malevolent　grin。　〃Greetings；　Foamfollower；〃　it　spat。　〃Kinabandoner。　rade！　I　have　e　to　congratulate　you。　You　serve　the　master　well。　Not　content　merely　to　desert　our　people　in　their　time　of　doom；　so　that　our　entire　race　was　extirpated　from　the　Land；　you　have　now　delivered　this　groveler　and　his　effectless　white　gold　into　the　hands　of　the　Despiser；　Satansheart　and　Soulcrusher。　Oh；　well　done！　I　give　you　greeting　and　praise；　rade！〃　It　ejaculated　the　word　rade　as　if　it　were　a　supreme　affront。　〃I　am　Kinslaughterer。　It　was　I　who　slew…adult　and　child…every　Giant　in　The　Grieve。　Behold　the　fruit　of　your　life；　Kinabandoner。　Behold　and　despair！〃
　　　　Foamfollower　retreated　a　few　steps；　but　his　eyes　did　not　for　an　instant　quail　from　the　dead　Giant。
　　　　〃Retribution！〃　Kinslaughterer　sneered。　〃I　see　it　in　your　face。　You　do　not　think　of　despair…you　are　too　blind　to　perceive　what　you　have　done。　By　the　master！　You　do　not　even　think　of　your　despicable　friend。　You　have　retribution　in　your　heart；　rade！　You　behold　me；　and　believe　that　if　all　else　in　your　life　fails；　you　have　now　at　least　been　made　able　to　exact　vengeance　for　your　loss。　For　your　crime！　Kinabandoner；　I　see　it　in　you。　It　is　the　dearest　desire　of　your　heart　to　rend　me　limb　from　limb　with　your　own　hands。　Fool！　Do　I　have　the　appearance　of　one　who　fears　you？〃
　　　　While　he　held　the　specter's　gaze；　Foamfollower　gauged　his　position　measured　distances　around　him。　Kinslaughterer's　words　affected　him。　In　them；　he　saw　the　sweetness　of　retribution。　He　knew　the　fury　of　killing；　the　miserable；　involuntary　delight　of　crushing　flesh　with　his　hands。　He　quivered　as　if　he　were　eager；　poised　the　gnarled　might　of　his　muscles　for　a　leap。
　　　　〃Attempt　me；　then；〃　the　dead　Giant　went　on。　〃Unleash　the　lust　which　fills　you。　Do　you　believe　you　can　vindicate　yourself　against　me？　Are　you　so　blind？　rade！　There　is　nothing　that　justifies　you。　If　you　shed　blood　enough　to　wash　the　Land　from　east　to　west；　you　cannot　wash　out　the　ill　of　yourself。　Imbecile！　Anile　fool！　If　the　master　did　not　control　you；　you　would　do　his　work　for　him　so　swiftly　that　he　would　be　unable　to　take　pleasure　in　it。　e　then；　rade！　Attempt　me。　I　am　slain　already。　How　will　you　bring　me　to　death　again？〃
　　　　''I　will　attempt　it；''　Foamfollower　grated　softly；　〃in　my　own　way。''　The　specter's　unnecessary　goading　told　him　what　he　needed　to　know。　The　creatures　could　have　slain　him　at　any　time…yet　they　waited　while　Kin…slaughterer　strove　to　provoke　him。　Therefore　Soulcrusher　still　had　something　to　gain　from　him；　therefore　Covenant　was　still　alive；　still　unbeaten。　Perhaps　Lord　Foul　hoped　to　use　Foamfollower　himself　against　the　Unbeliever。
　　　　But　Foamfollower　had　survived　the　caamora　of　Hotash　Slay。　He　poised　himself；　his　whole　body　tensed。　Yet　when　he　sprang　suddenly　into　motion；　he　did　not　attack　Kinslaughterer。　Straining　mightily；　thrusting　with　all　the　power　of　his　legs；　he　launched　himself　at　the　guards　before　the　door　of　the　thronehall。
　　　　They　ducked　under　the　suddenness　of　his　assault。　He　dove　headlong　over　them；　forearms　braced；　so　that　his　entire　force　struck　the　doors。
　　　　They　had　not　been　made　to　withstand　such　an　impact。　With　a　sharp　cry　of　splintering　stone；　they　burst　inward。
　　　　Foamfollower　fell　in　a　flurry　of　door　shards；　somersaulted；　snapped　to　his　feet　in　the　thronehall　of　Ridjeck　Thome。
　　　　The　room　was　a　wide　round　hall　like　the　one　he　had　just　left；　but　it　had　fewer　doors；　and　its　ceiling　was　far　higher；　as　if　to　acmodate　the　immense　powers　which　occupied　it。　Opposite　Foamfollower　was　the　great　throne　itself。　On　a　low　mound　against　the　far　wall；　old　grisly　rock　had　been　upreared　to　form　the　Despiser's　seat　in　the　shape　of　jaws；　raw　hooked　teeth　bared　to　grip　and　tear。　It　and　its　base　were　the　only　things　he　had　seen　in　Foul's　Creche　which　were　not　perfectly　carved；　utterly　polished。　It　appeared　to　have　been　irremediably　crippled；　grotesqued；　by　the　age…long　weight　of　Lord　Foul's　malice。　It　looked　like　a　prophecy　or　foretaste　of　ultimate　doom　for　all　Ridjeck　Thome's　immaculate　rock。
　　　　Set　into　the　floor　directly　before　it　was　the　Illearth　Stone。
　　　　The　Stone　was　not　as　large　as　Foamfollower　had　expected　it　to　be；　it　did　not　appear　so　big　or　heavy　that　he　could　not　have　lifted　it　in　his　arms。　Yet　its　radiance　staggered　him　like　the　blow　of　a　prodigious　fist。　It　was　not　extremely　bright…its　illumination　in　the　thronehall　was　only　a　little　stronger　than　the　light　elsewhere…but　it　blazed　in　its　setting　like　an　incarnation　of　absolute　cold。　It　pulsed　like　a　mad　heart；　sent　out　unfetter…able　gouts　and　flares