tg.stone of tears-第102章

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ose　up　in　her　mind。　It　was　Zedd's　voice；　telling　her　that　she　must　not　give　the　Stone　to　anyone；　for　any　reason；　telling　her　how　important　it　was　for　her　to　guard　it　always。
　
　She　looked　up；　from　the　circles　of　ripples　her　feet　made　in　the　water；　to　the　gentle　faces。　'I　don't　want　to　take　it　off。　Can't　I　leave　it　on？'
　
　The　smiles　returned　and　widened。
　
　Of　course　you　can；　Rachel；　if　that　is　what　you　wish。　If　that　is　what　would　make　you　happy。
　
　'I　want　it　to　stay　on。　That　would　make　me　happy。'
　
　Then　it　will　stay　on。　Now；　and　forever；　if　you　wish。
　
　She　smiled　a　smile　of　peace　and　security　as　she　slipped　into　the　soothing　water。　It　felt　so　good。　She　floated　and　drifted。　She　felt　all　her　troubles　sloughing　away　with　the　dirt。　One　moment；　it　seemed　she　couldn't　feel　any　more　safe　or　happy；　and　then　the　next　moment　she　did；　and　the　next　yet　more。
　
　She　drew　her　arms　through　the　healing；　cleansing；　golden　water；　swimming　toward　the　other　side　of　the　pool；　where　she　remembered　leaving　Chase。　She　found　him　almost　up　to　his　neck　in　the　water；　his　head　tilted　back；　resting　on　a　soft　mat　of　grass　at　the　bank。　His　eyes　were　closed　and　he　had　a　wonderful　smile　on　his　face。
　
　'Father？'
　
　'Yes；　daughter；'　he　whispered　without　opening　his　eyes。
　
　She　swam　up　beside　him。　He　lifted　an　arm　and　she　slipped　under　it。　It　felt　so　good　to　have　his　arm　around　her　shoulders；　forting　her。
　
　'Father；　do　we　ever　have　to　leave　this　place？'
　
　'No。　They　say　we　can　stay　forever。'
　
　She　nuzzled　against　him。　'I'm　so　glad。'
　
　She　slept；　really　slept；　like　she　couldn't　remember　ever　sleeping　before；　so　safe　and　sheltered；　though　she　didn't　know　how　long。　When　she　dressed；　her　clothes　were　clean；　and　seemed　to　sparkle　like　new。　Chase's　clothes；　too；　were　bright　and　shiny。　She　held　hands　and　danced　in　circles　with　other　children；　glowing　children；　whose　voices　and　laughter　echoed。　It　made　her　laugh；　too；　laugh　with　happiness　like　none　she　had　ever　felt　before。
　
　When　she　was　hungry；　she　and　Chase　lay　in　the　grass；　the　warm　fog　and　glowing；　smiling　faces　around　them；　and　ate　things　that　were　sweet　and　delicious。　When　she　was　tired；　she　slept；　never　having　to　worry　about　where　she　slept；　because　she　was　safe；　safe　at　last。　And　when　she　wanted　to　play；　the　other　children　came　to　play　with　her。　They　loved　her。　Everyone　loved　her。　She　loved　everyone。
　
　Sometimes　she　walked　alone。　Filmy　shafts　of　sunlight　streamed　through　the　trees。　Glowing　meadows　were　filled　with　wildflowers　bowing　in　the　gentle　breeze；　winking　with　bright　specks　of　color。
　
　Sometimes　she　walked　with　Chase；　holding　his　hand。　She　was　so　happy　that　he　was　contented　now；　too。　He　never　had　to　fight　anyone　anymore。　He　was　safe；　too。　He　said　he　was　at　peace。
　
　He　sometimes　took　her　for　walks；　and　showed　her　the　woods　where；　he　said；　he　grew　up；　where；　he　said；　he　had　played　when　he　was　as　little　as　she。　She　smiled　with　delight　at　the　look　of　happiness　in　his　eyes。　She　loved　him　and　was　fulfilled　knowing　he；　like　she；　had　found　peace；　at　last。
　
　
　She　looked　up；　and　a　small　smile　touched　her　thin　lips。　She　hadn't　heard　a　sound；　and　she　needn't　turn　to　look　in　the　near　darkness。　She　knew　he　was　there；　on　the　other　side　of　the　door。　She　knew　how　long　he　had　been　there。
　
　Her　legs　still　crossed；　she　rose　smoothly　on　a　cushion　of　air；　hovering　above　the　straw…covered　floor。　The　boy's　limp　arms　swung　as　they　dangled；　like　weighted　fishing　line。　Lacking　any　life　or　rigidity；　his　back　bent　backward；　draping　over　her　arm。　In　her　other　hand　was　clutched　the　statue。
　
　She　unfolded　her　legs　and　stretched　her　slippered　feet　to　the　floor；　settling　her　weight　on　them。　As　the　boy　slid　from　her　arm；　the　dead　weight　of　his　head　thunked　against　the　floor。　His　arms　and　legs　flopped　askew　to　one　side。　His　clothes　were　filthy。　Disgusted；　she　wiped　her　hands　on　her　skirts。
　
　'Why　don't　you　e　in；　Jedidiah。'　Her　voice　echoed　from　the　cold　stone。　'I　know　you're　there。　Don't　try　to　pretend　you're　not。'
　
　The　heavy　door　squeaked　slowly　open　and　the　shadowed　figure　strolled　into　the　light　of　a　single　candle　burning　on　a　rickety；　nearby　table　that　was　the　lower　room's　only　accoutrement。　He　stood　relaxed；　silently　watching；　as　the　orange　glow　faded　from　her　eyes　and　they　returned　to　the　pale；　pale　blue　shot　through　with　violet　flecks。
　
　His　gaze　went　to　the　statue　in　her　hand。　The　owner　sent　me　to　find　that。　She　wants　it　back。'
　
　The　thin　smile　grew。　'Does　she　now？'　She　shrugged。　'Well；　I'm　through　with　it。'　She　held　it　out　to　him。　'For　now。'
　
　Jedidiah's　face　was　a　calm　mask　as　he　took　the　statue。　'She　doesn't　like　it　when　you　'borrow'　her　things。'
　
　She　ran　a　finger　down　his　cheek。　'She　is　not　the　one　I　serve。　I　don't　really　care　what　she　likes　and　what　she　doesn't。'
　
　'You　would　be　wise　to　care　a　little　more。'
　
　Her　smile　brightened。　'Really？　I　could　give　her　the　same　advice。'　She　twisted；　holding　an　arm　out　to　the　body　on　the　floor。　'He　had　the　gift。'　Slowly；　her　hard　eyes　came　back　to　his；　the　smile　gone；　as　if　one　had　never　touched　her　features　in　all　her　life。　Her　voice　came　in　a　venomous　hiss。　'I　have　it　now。'
　
　The　slightest　frown　of　puzzlement　touched　his　cool　expression。
　
　Think　we　must　have　the　ceremony；　Jedidiah？　The　ritual　in　the　Hagen　Woods？'　She　slowly　shook　her　head。　'Not　anymore。　That　is　only　the　first　time；　because　we　are　female；　and　female　Han　cannot　absorb　the　male。'　Her　voice　lowered　to　a　derisive　whisper。　'Not　any　longer。　Now　that　I　have　the　gift　of　a　male；　I　can　accept　others　without　the　ritual。'
　
　Her　face　glided　to　within　inches　of　his。　'So　can　you；　Jedidiah；'　she　breathed。　'With　the　quillion；　so　can　you。　I　could　teach　you。　It's　sooo　easy。　I　simply　showed　him　the　joining　rite；　to　try　to　show　him　his　Han。'　Her　cheek　brushed　his　as　she　whispered　into　his　ear。　'But　he　didn't　know　how　to　control　his　gift。　I　created　a　vacuum　in　the　quillion。'　She　drew　back　to　appraise　his　eyes。　'It　sucked　the　life　right　out　of　him。　Sucked　the　gift　right　out　of　him。　It's　mine；　now。'
　
　He　studied　her　eyes　a　time　before　glancing　down　at　the　body。　'I　don't　recall　seeing　him　before。'
　
　She　continued　to　whisper　to　him　from　only　inches　away。　'Don't　play　games　with　me；　Jedidiah。　What　you　really　mean　is；　where　did　I　find　him；　and　why　haven't　the　Sisters；　if　he　has　the　gift。'
　
　He　shrugged　nonchalantly。　'If　he　has　the　gift；　why　isn't　he　collared？'
　
　She　cocked　her　head　to　the　side。　'Because　he　is　so　young。　His　Han　is　too　weak　to　be　detected　by　the　other　Sisters。'　She　tilted　her　head　to　the　other　side。　'But　not　by　me。'　She　touched　her　nose　to　his。　'He　was　right　here　in　the　city。　Right　under　their　noses。　Probably　the　offspring　of　a　dalliance　by　one　of　you　naughty　boys。'
　
　'Very　efficient。　Saves　having　to　bother　with　reports。　Avoids　awkward　questions。'
　
　She　glanced　down　at　the　body。　'Be　a　good　boy；　and　dispose　of　him　for　me。　I　found　him　living　in　squalor；　down　near　the　river。　Dump　him　back　there。　No　one　will　think　anything　of　it。'
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　'You　wish　me　to　clean　up　after　you？'
　
　She　ran　a　finger　down　his　neck　and　across　his　throat；　across　his　Rada'Han。　'You　make　a　serious　mistake；　Jedidiah；　if　you　think　of　me　as　a　mere　Sister。　I　have　the　male　gift　now；　same　as　you。　And　I　know　how　to　use　it。　You　wouldn't　believe　how　much　that　power　increases　when　you　add　the　Han　of　another。'
　
　'It　would　appear　that　you　are　being　a　Sister　to　be　reckoned　with。　A　wise　person　would　take　care　with　you。'
　
　She　patted　his　cheek。　'Smart　boy；　Jedidiah。'
　
　She　gave　him　a　little　frown　as　she　slipped　her　hands　to　his　waist。　'You　know；　Jedidiah；　you　may　think　of　yourself　as　powerful　in　the　gift；　but　I　think　you　should　worry　about　that。　You　have　never　had　one　to　challenge　your　abilities　before；　your　rightful　place　among　the　wizards　here；　but　a　new　one　es。　He　will　be　here　soon；　and　you　have　never　seen　one　like　this　before。　I　think　you　may　no　longer　be　the　pride　of　the　palace。'
　
　His　countenance　showed　no　reaction；　but　his　face　slowly　heated　to　red。　He　lifted　the　statue。　'Well；　you　did　say　you　would　like　to　teach　me。'
　
　She　waggled　a　finger　in　front　of　his　face。　'Uh；　uh；　uh。　He　is　mine。　You　may　have　another。　Any　gift　will　swell　your　power；　but　this　one　is　mine。'
　
　He　waggled　the　statue　in　front　of　her　face。　'She　might　have　something　to　say　about　that。　She　has　plans　of　her　own。　Plans　for　him。'
　
　She　smiled　with　one　side　of　her　mouth。　'I　know。　And　you　are　going　to　keep　me　informed　of　her　plans。'
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。'　You　have　plans　for　me？'
　
　The　smile　grew　to　both　sides　of　her　mouth。　'Very　special　plans。'　Her　hands　roamed　lower　down　the　sides　of　his　hips；　feeling　the　firmness　of　his　young　muscles　under　his　robes。　'You're　good　with　your　hands；　good　at　making　things；　making　things　in　metal。　I　have　something　I　want　you　to　make　for　me。　Something　invested　with　magic。　I　hear　that's　one　of　your　talents　with　the　gift。'
　
　'You　wish　a　trinket；　an　amulet；　perhaps；　in　silver；　or　gold？'
　
　'No；　no；　dear　boy。　You're　to　make　it　from　steel。　You're　to　gather　the　steel　of　a　hundred　sword　points。　Very　special　sword　points。　Sword　points　from　the　armory：　old　ones；　ones　that　have　been　used。　Ones　that　have　pierced　flesh　in　bat。'
　
　He　arched　an　eyebrow。　And　what　is　it　you　wish　made？'
　
　She　slid　a　hand　up　the　inside　of　his　thigh。　'We'll　talk　about　it　later。'
　
　She　smiled　at　how　quickly　he　responded　to　her　touch。　'You　must　be　lonely；　since　Margaret　ran　away。　Sooo　lonely。　I　think　you　need　a　friend　who　understands　you。　Did　you　know；　Jedidiah；　that　with　the　male　Han　es　a　unique　understanding　of　the　male？　I　now　understand　in　a　new　light　what　it　is　that　men　appreciate。　I　think　we're　going　to　be　very　special　friends。　As　a　special　friend；　you　get　the　reward　before　performing　the　task。'
　
　She　trickled　a　thread　of　magic　into　him；　focusing　it　where　it　would　do　the　most　good。　Her　smile　widened　as　his　head　rolled　back。　His　eyes　closed　and　he　let　out　a　throaty　groan；　and　then　gasped。　Panting；　he　clutched　his　hands　to　her　bottom；　drawing　her　to　him；　and　crushed　his　open　mouth　to　hers。
　
　She　kicked　the　body　out　of　her　way　as　she　let　him　force　her　to　the　straw…covered　floor。
　
　
　CHAPTER　36
　
　The　wolverine　grew　larger　in　his　vision。　The　arrow　waited　for　the　flat；　dark　head　to　lift。　A　low　growl　came　from　behind　his　left　shoulder。
　
　'Quiet！'　Richard　hissed。
　
　The　gar　fell　silent。　The　wolverine's　head　rose。　With　a　zip；　the　arrow　was　away。　Wings　aquiver；　the　little　gar　bounced　on　the　balls　of　its　feet；　its　attention　riveted　to　the　flight　of　the　arrow。
　
　'Wait；'　he　whispered。　The　gar　froze。
　
　With　a　solid　thunk；　the　arrow　found　its　target。　The　gar　squealed　in　glee。　Wings　spreading　and　flapping；　it　bounced　higher　and　turned　to　him。　Richard　leaned　close　and　pointed　a　finger　at　the　gar's　wrinkly　nose。　The　gar　watched　him　attentively。
　
　'All　right；　but　you　bring　me　back　my　arrow。'
　
　Head　bobbing　in　quick　agreement；　the　gar　bounded　into　the　air。　Richard　watched　by　the　dim；　early　dawn　light　as　it　swooped　down　on　the　dead　quarry；　pouncing　as　if　it　were　about　to　escape。　Fur　flew　as　claws　ripped。　The　dark　silhouette　low