tg.stone of tears-第103章

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ad　quarry；　pouncing　as　if　it　were　about　to　escape。　Fur　flew　as　claws　ripped。　The　dark　silhouette　lowered；　its　wings　folding　against　its　back；　as　it　hunched　over　the　prey；　growling　and　pulling　its　meal　apart。
　
　Richard　turned　from　the　sight　and　watched　instead　the　streaks　of　cloud　change　color　against　the　brightening　sky。　Sister　Verna　would　be　awake　soon。　He　still　stood　his　watch　despite　her　insistence　that　it　wasn't　necessary。
　
　She　finally　relented；　but　he　knew　she　was　angry　because　he　wouldn't　back　down。　That　made　her　angry。　What　didn't？　She　was　more　angry　than　usual　since　ing　through　the　valley　the　day　before。　She　was　silently　livid。
　
　Richard　glanced　toward　the　little　gar　to　see　it　was　still　eating。　How　it　had　managed　to　follow　him　through　the　Valley　of　the　Lost；　he　couldn't　imagine。　He　had　thought　it　was　a　mistake　to　keep　feeding　it　before　they　reached　the　valley；　but　he　felt　responsible　for　it。　Every　night　when　he　had　taken　his　watch；　it　had　e　to　him；　and　he　had　hunted　food　for　it。　He　had　thought　he　had　seen　the　last　of　it　when　they　crossed　over　into　the　Old　World；　but　somehow；　it　had　followed。
　
　The　little　gar　was　passionately　devoted　to　him　when　he　was　on　watch。　It　ate　with　him；　played　with　him；　and　slept　at　his　feet；　if　not　on　them。　When　his　watch　was　over；　it　hardly　made　a　fuss　about　him　leaving。　Richard　never　once　saw　the　gar　at　any　other　time。　It　seemed　to　instinctively　know　to　stay　away　from　the　Sister；　to　avoid　letting　her　see　it。　Richard　was　reasonably　certain　she　would　try　to　kill　it。　Maybe　the　gar　knew　that。
　
　He　was　continually　surprised　by　the　intelligence　of　the　furry　little　beast。　It　learned　faster　than　any　animal　he　had　ever　seen。　Kahlan　had　told　him　that　short…tailed　gars　were　smart。　Now　he　knew　how　right　she　was。
　
　He　had　only　to　show　it　something　once　or　twice　to　make　it　understand。　It　was　learning　to　understand　his　words；　and　tried　to　imitate　them；　although　it　didn't　seem　to　have　the　capacity　for　speech。　Some　of　its　sounds　came　strangely　close。
　
　Richard　didn't　know　what　to　do　about　the　gar。　He　thought　perhaps　it　should　strike　out　on　its　own；　learn　to　hunt　and　survive；　but　it　wouldn't　leave；　it　followed；　out　of　sight；　wherever　they　went；　even　through　danger。　Perhaps　it　was　too　young　to　get　by　on　its　own。　Maybe　it　saw　Richard　as　its　only　way　to　survive。　Maybe　it　saw　him　as　a　surrogate　mother。
　
　In　truth；　Richard　didn't　really　want　it　to　leave。　It　had　bee　a　friend　as　they　had　traveled　through　the　wilds。　It　gave　him　unconditional　love；　never　criticized　him；　and　never　argued　with　him。　It　felt　good　to　have　a　friend。　How　could　he　deny　the　same　thing　to　the　gar？
　
　The　flap　of　wings　brought　him　out　of　his　thoughts。　The　gar　thumped　to　the　ground　before　him。　It　had　gained　a　lot　of　weight　since　Richard　had　first　found　it。　He　would　have　sworn　it　had　grown　nearly　half　a　foot；　too。
　
　The　sinew　under　the　pink　skin　of　its　chest　and　belly　had　bee　taut；　and　its　arms　were　no　longer　all　hide　and　bone；　as　they　had　been；　but　were　thickening　with　muscle。
　
　He　was　afraid　to　think　of　how　big　it　would　eventually　get。　He　hoped　it　would　be　on　its　own　by　then。　Hunting　enough　food　to　feed　a　full…grown　short…tailed　gar　would　be　a　full…time　occupation。
　
　After　wiping　the　shaft　on　its　fur…covered　thigh　to　clean　off　the　blood；　the　gar　flashed　Richard　its　hideous；　bloodstained　grin　and　held　out　the　arrow。　Richard　pointed　over　his　shoulder。
　
　'I　don't　want　it。　Put　it　back　where　it　belongs。'
　
　The　gar　reached　over　Richard's　shoulder　and　slid　the　arrow　back　into　the　quiver　that　leaned　against　a　stump。　It　contorted　its　features；　seemingly　to　question　if　it　had　done　it　correctly。　Richard　smiled　as　he　patted　its　full　belly。
　
　'Good　boy。　You　did　it　right。'
　
　The　gar　flopped　happily　on　the　ground　at　his　feet；　contenting　itself　with　licking　blood　from　its　claws　and　coarse　fur。　When　it　finished；　it　laid　its　long　arms　over　Richard's　lap；　and　rested　its　head　on　them。
　
　'You　need　a　name。'　The　gar　looked　up；　cocking　its　head　to　the　side。　Its　tufted　ears　turned　toward　him。　'Name。'　He　tapped　his　chest。　'My　name　is　Richard。'　The　gar　reached　out　and　tapped　Richard's　chest　in　imitation。　'Richard。　Richard。'
　
　It　cocked　its　head　to　the　other　side。　'Raaaa；'　it　growled　through　sharp　fangs；　its　ears　twitching。
　
　Richard　nodded。　'Rich　。。。　ard。'
　
　It　tapped　Richard's　chest　again。　'Raaaa　gurrrr；'　it　said　in　its　throaty　growl；　this　time　showing　less　teeth。
　
　'Rich　。。。　ard。'
　
　'Raaaach　aaarg。'
　
　Richard　laughed。　That's　close。　Now；　what　are　we　going　to　call　you？'　Richard　thought　about　it；　trying　to　think　of　something　appropriate。　The　gar　sat；　its　brow　bunched　into　deep　furrows；　watching　him　intently。　After　a　moment；　it　took　Richard's　hand　and　tapped　it　against　his　chest。
　
　'Raaaach　aaarg；'　it　said。　It　pulled　Richard's　hand　to　its　own　chest；　tapping　it　against　the　fur。　'Grrratch。'
　
　'Gratch？'　Richard　sat　up　straighter　in　surprise。　'Your　name　is　Gratch？'　He　tapped　the　gar　again。　'Gratch？'
　
　The　gar　nodded　and　grinned　as　it　tapped　its　own　chest。　'Grrratch。　Grrratch。'
　
　Richard　was　a　little　taken　aback；　it　had　never　occurred　to　him　that　the　gar　might　have　a　name。　'Gratch　it　is；　then。'　He　tapped　his　own　chest　again。　'Richard。'　He　smiled　and　patted　the　gar's　shoulder。　'Gratch。'
　
　The　gar　spread　its　wings　and　thumped　its　chest　with　open　claws。　'Grrrratch！'
　
　Richard　laughed　and　the　gar　leapt　on　him；　letting　out　its　throaty　giggle　as　it　wrestled　him　to　the　ground。　Gratch's　love　of　wrestling　was　second　only　to　its　love　of　food。　The　two　of　them　tumbled　across　the　ground；　laughing　and　struggling　to　gently　get　the　best　of　each　other。
　
　Richard　was　gentler　about　it　than　Gratch。　The　gar　would　put　its　mouth　around　Richard's　arm；　though；　thankfully；　at　least　it　never　bit。　Its　needle…sharp　fangs　were　long　enough　to　easily　go　all　the　way　through　his　arm；　and　he　had　seen　the　gar　splinter　bone　with　those　teeth。
　
　Richard　brought　the　wrestling　match　to　an　end　by　sitting　up　on　the　stump。　Gratch　sat　straddling　him；　arms；　legs；　and　wings　wrapped　around　him。　It　nuzzled　against　Richard's　shoulder。　Gratch　knew　that　at　dawn　Richard　left。
　
　Richard　spied　a　rabbit　in　the　underbrush；　some　distance　off；　and　thought　that　perhaps　Sister　Verna　would　appreciate　some　meat　for　breakfast。　'Gratch；　I　need　a　rabbit。'
　
　Gratch　climbed　off　his　lap　as　Richard　took　up　his　bow。　After　the　arrow　was　off；　he　told　the　gar　to　bring　him　the　rabbit；　but　not　to　eat　it。　Gratch　had　learned　to　retrieve；　and　was　happy　to　do　it；　he　always　got　what　was　left　of　the　skinning　and　gutting。
　
　After　Richard　was　done　and　had　bid　Gratch　good…bye；　he　hiked　back　to　camp。　His　mind　wandered　back　to　the　vision　of　Kahlan　he　had　had　in　the　tower；　and　the　things　she　had　told　him。　The　sight　of　her　being　beheaded　haunted　him。　He　recalled　her　words：
　
　'Speak　if　you　must　these　words；　but　not　of　this　vision。　'Of　all　there　were；　but　a　single　one　born　of　the　magic　to　bring　forth　truth　will　remain　alive　when　the　shadow's　threat　is　lifted。　Therefore　es　the　greater　darkness　of　the　dead。　For　there　to　be　a　chance　at　life's　bond；　this　one　in　white　must　be　offered　to　her　people；　to　bring　their　joy　and　good　cheer。''
　
　He　knew　who　the　'this　one　in　white'　was。　He　knew　what　'bring　their　joy　and　good　cheer'　meant。
　
　He　thought；　too；　about　the　prophecy　that　Sister　Verna　had　told　him　of；　the　one　that　said；　'He　is　the　bringer　of　death；　and　he　shall　so　name　himself。'　She　claimed　the　prophecy　said　that　the　holder　of　the　sword　is　able　to　call　the　dead　forth；　call　the　past　into　the　present。　He　wondered；　and　worried；　what　that　could　mean。
　
　At　the　camp；　he　found　Sister　Verna　squatted　at　the　fire；　cooking　bannock。　The　aroma　made　his　stomach　grumble。　The　sparsely　wooded　country　was　ing　to　life　with　sounds　of　animals　and　bugs　heralding　the　dawn。　Clusters　of　small；　dark　birds　sang　from　the　tall；　thinly　foliated　trees；　and　gray　squirrels　chased　each　other　up　and　down　their　branches。　Richard　hung　the　the　skewer　with　the　rabbit　over　the　fire　as　Sister　Verna　continued　to　mind　the　bannock。
　
　'I　brought　you　some　breakfast。　I　thought　you　might　like　some　meat。'
　
　She　gave　only　a　grunt　of　acknowledgment。
　
　'You　still　angry　with　me　for　saving　your　life　yesterday？'
　
　She　carefully　laid　another　small　stick　on　the　fire。　'I　am　not　angry　with　you　for　saving　my　life；　Richard。'
　
　'I　thought　you　said　your　Creator　hated　lies。　Do　you　think　he　believes　you？　I　don't。'
　
　Her　face　turned　so　red　Richard　thought　her　curly　hair　might　catch　fire。　'You　will　not　speak　blasphemy。'
　
　'And　lying　is　not？'
　
　'You　do　not　understand；　Richard；　why　I'm　angry。'
　
　Richard　sat　on　the　ground　and；　grasping　his　ankles；　folded　his　legs　in。　'Maybe　I　do。　You're　supposed　to　be　my　protector。　Not　the　other　way　around。　Maybe　you　feel　that　you　have　failed。　But　I　don't　feel　that　you　failed。　We　both　just　did　what　we　had　to；　to　survive。'
　
　'Did　what　we　must？'　Fine　wrinkles　radiated　around　her　eyes　as　they　narrowed。　'As　I　recall　from　the　book；　when　Bonnie；　Geraldine；　and　Jessup　led　the　people　across　the　poison　river；　some　of　those　people　died。'
　
　Richard　smiled　to　himself。　'So　you　really　did　read　it。'
　
　'I　told　you　I　did！　That　was　foolhardy。　We　could　have　been　killed　taking　that　risk。'
　
　'We　didn't　have　any　choice。'
　
　'You　always　have　a　choice；　Richard。　That　is　what　I　am　trying　to　teach　you。'　She　sat　back　on　her　heels。　'The　wizards　who　created　that　place　thought　they　had　no　choice；　but　they　made　things　worse。　You　were　using　your　Han　back　there；　and　you　were　doing　it　without　understanding　the　consequences。'
　
　'What　choice　did　we　have？'
　
　Hands　on　her　knees；　she　leaned　forward。　'We　always　have　a　choice；　Richard。　You　were　lucky；　this　time；　that　your　use　of　magic　didn't　get　you　killed。'
　
　'What　are　you　talking　about？'
　
　Sister　Verna　drew　a　saddlebag　close　and　started　rummaging　through　it；　finally　pulling　out　a　green　cloth　bag。　'You　got　some　blood　from　that　beast　on　your　arm。　Did　any　of　the　bugs　bite　you？'
　
　'On　my　legs。'
　
　'Show　me。'
　
　Richard　pulled　up　his　pant　legs　and　showed　her　the　swollen；　red　bites。　She　shook　her　head　and；　whispering　to　herself；　pulled　first　one　and　then　a　second　bottle　from　the　bag。
　
　With　a　stick　found　on　the　ground　nearby；　she　dipped　a　white　paste　from　one　bottle　and　wiped　it　onto　the　flat　of　a　knife　blade。　She　threw　the　stick　in　the　fire。　Taking　up　another　stick；　she　dipped　a　dark　paste　from　the　other　bottle　and　mixed　it　with　the　light　on　the　flat　of　the　blade；　then　spread　it　along　the　edge。　She　threw　the　second　stick；　with　some　of　the　mixed　paste　on　it；　into　the　fire。　Richard　flinched　when　it　exploded　in　a　white…hot　ball　of　fire　that　lifted　skyward；　dissipating　as　it　rose；　turning　to　a　boiling　cloud　of　black　smoke。
　
　She　held　up　the　knife　to　reveal　a　gray　paste　spread　on　the　blade。　'Light　and　dark；　earth　and　sky。　Magic；　to　heal　what　would　otherwise　kill　you　by　tonight。　You　have　a　way　of　getting　yourself　out　onto　thin　limbs；　Richard。　Each　step　you　take　only　makes　your　predicament　worse。　Now；　e　over　here；　closer。'
　
　Richard　dug　his　heels　in　and　scooted　around　the　fire。　'Were　you　trying　to　decide　whether　or　not　you　were