tg.stone of tears-第135章

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　She　touched　his　left　hand。　'And　I'm　glad　it　was　your　shoulder；　and　not　your　throat。'
　
　He　frowned。　'I　taught　Prindin　how　to　shoot。　He　would　never　miss　my　throat　from　that　distance。　Why　did　he　not　shoot　my　throat？'
　
　She　shrugged；　feigning　ignorance。　He　grunted　suspiciously。
　
　'Chandalen；　why　is　his　body　still　in　here？　Why　didn't　you　drag　him　out？'
　
　He　moved　his　wounded　arm　a　bit　with　his　other；　making　it　more　fortable。　'Because　Grandfather's　spirit　knife　is　still　in　him。'　He　regarded　her　with　a　serious　expression。　'You　have　used　the　aid　of　Grandfather's　bones；　his　spirit；　to　protect　yourself；　to　take　another　life。　Grandfather's　spirit　is　bonded　to　you　now。　No　other　may　touch　his　bone　knife；　now。　It　is　yours；　and　only　you　may　touch　it。　You　must　remove　it。'
　
　Kahlan　momentarily　contemplated　whether　or　not　she　could　just　leave　the　knife　where　it　was；　and　bury　it　with　the　body。　She　thought　maybe　the　bone　knife　should　be　put　to　rest；　too。　But　she　discarded　the　thought。　To　the　Mud　People　this　was　powerful　spirit　magic。　She　would　insult　Chandalen　if　she　rejected　the　knife。
　
　She　thought；　too；　that　maybe　she　would　be　insulting　the　spirit　of　Chandalen's　grandfather　if　she　didn't　take　back　the　knife。　She　wasn't　entirely　sure　that　it　wasn't　the　spirit　in　the　bone　knife　that　had　killed　Prindin　to　save　her。　She　didn't　know　how　the　knife　had　gotten　into　her　hand。
　
　Kahlan　reached　out　and　wrapped　her　fingers　around　the　round　end　protruding　from　Prindin's　chest。　It　made　a　sucking　sound　as　she　pulled　it　from　the　body。　She　wiped　it　clean　on　the　balsam　boughs　covering　the　floor。
　
　Kahlan　brought　the　round　end　to　her　lips　and　kissed　it　lightly。　Thank　you；　spirit　grandfather；　for　saving　my　life。'　Somehow；　it　seemed　the　right　thing　to　do。
　
　Chandalen　smiled　as　she　slid　the　bone　knife　into　the　band　on　her　arm。　'You　are　a　good　Mud　Person。　You　knew　what　to　do　without　me　telling　you。　Grandfather's　spirit　will　watch　over　you　always。'
　
　'Chandalen；　we　must　get　to　Aydindril。　The　veil　to　the　underworld　is　torn。　We've　done　what　we　must　to　help　these　men。　I　must　do　my　job；　now。'
　
　'When　we　first　found　these　men；　I　did　not　want　to　stay　with　them。　I　wanted　to　be　away　from　their　fight　so　that　you　would　be　safe。'　He　stared　off　at　nothing。　'Somehow；　I　forgot　that　thought；　and　all　I　wanted　to　do　was　fight　and　kill　the　enemy。'
　
　'I　know；'　she　whispered；　'that　happened　to　me；　too。　I　forgot　all　about　what　I　was　supposed　to　be　doing。　It's　almost　as　if　we；　too；　listened　to　the　great；　dark　spirit。　The　veil　is　torn。　Maybe　that's　why　we　were　distracted。'
　
　'You　think　that　this　veil　is　torn；　and　because　of　that　we　forgot　what　we　were　to　do；　and　wanted　only　to　kill？'
　
　'Chandalen；　I　don't　know　the　answers　to　these　things。　I　must　get　to　Aydindril。　The　wizard　will　know　what　to　do。　Richard　needs　help。　We　have　taken　enough　time　here。　We　must　not　waste　any　more。　We　must　talk　to　the　men；　and　then　be　on　our　way。　Are　they　out　there？'　He　nodded。　'Then　let's　get　going。'
　
　She　started　to　rise；　but　he　put　his　good　hand　to　her　arm　and　stopped　her。　They　have　been　waiting　outside　your　shelter　all　night。　I　would　not　let　them　e　inside。'
　
　He　took　his　hand　back　as　he　seemed　to　search　for　the　right　words。　'I　feared　greatly　that　you　would　die　this　night。　I　didn't　know　if　I　had　given　you　the　quassin　doe　in　time。　Prindin　had　been　giving　you　poison　without　our　knowing　it；　for　a　long　time。　You　almost　went　to　the　spirit　world。
　
　'If　you　had　died；　I　would　never　be　able　to　return　to　my　people　again。　But　that　is　not　why　I　am　glad　you　live。　I　am　glad　because　you　are　a　good　Mud　Person。　You　are　a　protector　to　our　people；　the　same　as　Chandalen。　We　each　fight　in　our　own　way。'　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　'Lately；　you　have　been　fighting　too　much　like　Chandalen　fights。　You　are　good　at　it；　but　you　should　leave　that　to　me；　and　fight　in　the　way　you　are　meant　to　fight。'
　
　Kahlan　smiled。　'You're　right。　Thank　you　for　sitting　with　me　all　night。　It　was　good　to　have　you　near。　I'm　sorry　you　were　hurt。'
　
　He　shrugged。　'Someday；　when　I　find　a　woman　for　myself；　I　will　have　scars　to　show　her；　so　she　may　see　how　brave　Chandalen　is。'
　
　Kahlan　laughed。　'I'm　sure　she　will　be　impressed　with　your　bravery　when　you　were　shot　with　an　arrow。'
　
　Chandalen　gave　her　a　crooked　look。　'It　does　not　prove　I　was　brave　because　I　was　shot　with　an　arrow。　Anyone　can　be　shot。'　He　lifted　his　chin。　'I　am　brave　because　I　did　not　cry　out　when　the　the　arrow　was　cut　from　me。'
　
　Someday；　Kahlan　thought；　some　fortunate　woman　would　have　her　hands　full　with　this　one。　'I'm　glad　the　good　spirits　watched　over　you；　and　you　are　with　me。'
　
　He　narrowed　his　eyes　as　he　peered　at　her。　'I　do　not　know　what　happened；　but　I　think　Prindin　missed　my　throat　because　you　were　watching　over　me；　too。'
　
　She　only　grinned。　When　she　looked　to　the　body；　her　grin　withered。　She　stroked　the　fur　of　her　mantle。　'Poor　Tossidin。　He　loved　his　brother。　I'll　miss　him。'
　
　Chandalen　glanced　to　the　body。　'I　have　known　them　since　they　were　young　boys。　They　both　followed　me　around；　begging　me　to　teach　them。　Begging　to　be　one　of　my　men。'　He　hung　his　head　in　silence。　Finally；　he　returned　his　attention　to　her。　'The　men　are　worried　greatly　about　you。　They　are　waiting。'
　
　Kahlan　followed　as　he　crawled　out　on　his　knees　and　one　hand。　She　dragged　the　sword　with　her。　Outside；　in　the　light；　there　was　a　sudden　rustle　of　sound　as　men　rose　to　their　feet。
　
　Captain　Ryan　rushed　forward；　but　a　big　man；　with　one　arm　in　a　sling；　thrust　his　good　arm　across　the　captain's　chest；　stopping　him　cold。　He　held　a　monstrous　war　axe　in　his　fist。
　
　'Orsk？　You　are　alive；　too？'
　
　His　eyes　were　red　from　weeping。　Kahlan　remembered　the　way　her　father　had　wept　when　her　mother；　his　mistress；　was　ill。
　
　'Mistress！'　Tears　sprang　anew　to　his　eyes。　'You　are　well！　What　do　you　wish？'
　
　'Orsk；　these　men　are　all　my　friends。　None　of　them　will　hurt　me。　You　do　not　need　to　keep　them　away。　I'm　safe。　It　would　please　me　if　you　just　sat　quietly　for　now。'
　
　Instantly；　he　flopped　to　the　ground。　Kahlan　gave　a　questioning　frown　to　Chandalen。
　
　Chandalen　shrugged。　'I　saw　him　fight　to　protect　you；　and　Prindin　wanted　to　kill　him；　so　I　gave　him　quassin　doe。　The　men　dug　the　arrow　from　his　back。　I　am　not　sure　how　badly　he　is　hurt；　he　has　no　interest　in　his　wound；　only　in　you。　I　was　only　able　to　keep　him　out　of　the　shelter　by　telling　him　you　needed　to　be　left　alone　or　you　might　not　recover；　but　he　would　not　leave　this　spot　as　long　as　you　were　inside。'
　
　Kahlan　sighed　as　she　gazed　at　the　grisly　face　staring　silently　up　at　her。　She　could　hardly　stand　to　look　at　the　jagged　white　scar；　and　the　one　eye　that　was　sewn　shut。　She　returned　her　attention　to　an　impatient　Captain　Ryan；　and　the　hundreds　of　faces　behind　him。
　
　'How　goes　the　war？'
　
　The　war！　Dash　the　war！　Are　you　all　right？　You　had　us　scared　to　death！'　He　cast　a　hot　glance　at　Chandalen；　and　then　at　Orsk　sitting　in　the　snow。　'These　two　wouldn't　even　let　me　have　a　peek　at　you；　to　see　how　you　were。'
　
　'That's　their　job；'　Kahlan　said。　She　gave　them　a　warm　smile。　Thank　you　all　for　your　concern。　Chandalen　has　saved　me。'
　
　'Well；　what　happened？　This　place　was　a　mess。　The　dozen　men　I　left　here　were　slaughtered。　By　a　troga。　Prindin　and　Tossidin　are　dead。　And　there　were　dead　men　of　the　Order。　We　feared　they　killed　you。'
　
　Kahlan　realized　Chandalen　had　told　them　nothing。　'One　of　the　dead　men；　off　in　that　direction；　is　General　Riggs；　of　the　Imperial　Order。　Orsk　here；'　she　pointed　down　to　the　one…eyed　man；　'killed　most　of　the　men　of　the　Order。　They　came　here　to　get　me。　Prindin　killed　our　guards；　and　his　brother；　and　he　tried　to　kill　me。'　Whispers　and　gasps　spread　among　the　men。
　
　Captain　Ryan's　eyes　looked　like　they　would　pop　from　his　head。　'Prindin！　Not　Prindin。　Dear　spirits；　why？'
　
　She　waited　until　silence　settled　over　the　men。　She　spoke　in　a　quiet　tone。　'Prindin　was　a　baneling。'
　
　Stunned　silence　was　all　she　heard　for　a　moment；　and　then　the　worried　whispers　of　'baneling'　spread　back　through　the　ranks。
　
　'You　men　are　doing　a　fine　job。　But　now　you　must　fight　on　without　me。　I　must　get　to　Aydindril。'　Disappointed　murmurs　filled　the　air。　'I　would　not　leave　you　if　I　did　not　know　you　were　up　to　the　task。　You　have　all　proven　your　worth　and　your　heart　in　battle。　You　are　men　the　equal　of　any。'
　
　The　men　stood　a　little　taller。　They　listened　intently　to　her；　as　if　hearing　their　general。
　
　'I　am　proud　of　each　and　every　one　of　you。　You　are　heroes　of　the　Midlands。　This　army　of　the　Imperial　Order；　threat　though　it　is；　is　representative　of　a　larger　threat　to　the　Midlands；　to　the　world　of　the　living。　That　the　Keeper　would　send　a　baneling　to　stop　me　is　proof　of　that。
　
　'I　believe　the　Imperial　Order　is　aligned　with　the　Keeper。　I　must　now　turn　my　attention　to　this　threat。　I　know　you　will　fight　on；　as　you　have　sworn；　and　show　the　enemy　no　quarter。　I　know　the　days　of　the　Order　are　numbered。'
　
　Kahlan　realized　that　her　neck　didn't　hurt。　She　touched　her　fingers　to　the　bite。　It　was　gone。　Suddenly　she　felt　that　perhaps　she　had　escaped　the　Keeper's　grasp　in　more　ways　than　one。
　
　With　a　serious　demeanor；　she　regarded　the　young　faces　that　intently　watched　her。　Though　you　will　fight　on　without　quarter；　you　must　not　let　yourselves　bee　what　you　are　fighting。　The　enemy　fights　to　kill；　and　to　enslave。　You　fight　for　life；　and　freedom。　Keep　that　always　uppermost　in　your　hearts。
　
　'Do　not　let　yourselves　bee　what　you　hate。　I　know　how　easy　it　is　to　do。　It　almost　happened　to　me。'
　
　Kahlan　put　a　fist　into　the　air。　'I　promise　to　never　forget　a　one　of　you。　Promise　me　that　when　this　is　finished；　both　the　threat　from　the　Imperial　Order；　and　the　threat　from　the　Keeper；　that　you　will　one　day　all　e　to　Aydindril；　so　the　Midlands　may　honor　your　sacrifice。'
　
　The　men　all　lifted　a　fist　in　pledge。　A　cheer　went　up。
　
　'Captain　Ryan；　please　tell　the　men　at　the　other　camps　my　words。　I　wish　I　could　speak　to　them　all　myself；　but　I　must　leave　at　once。'
　
　He　assured　her　it　would　be　done。　Kahlan　lifted　the　sword　in　both　hands；　holding　it　out。
　
　'King　Wyborn　wielded　this　sword　in　battle　to　protect　his　land。　The　Mother　Confessor　has　wielded　it　in　defense　of　the　Midlands。　I　now　place　it　in　capable　hands。'
　
　Captain　Ryan's　fingers　carefully　lifted　the　sword　from　hers。　He　held　it　as　if　holding　the　crown　of　Galea　itself。　A　beaming　grin　lit　his　face。
　
　'I　will　carry　it　with　pride；　Mother　Confessor。　Thank　you　for　everything　you　have　taught　us。　When　you　first　found　us；　we　were　boys。　Thank　you　for　making　us　into　men。　You　have　taught　us　not　only　to　fight　better　but；　more　importantly；　what　it　means　to　be　soldiers；　and　to　be　protectors　of　the　Midlands。'
　
　He　took　the　hilt　in　his　fist　and　held　the　sword　skyward　as　he　turned　to　his　men。
　
　'Three　cheers　for　the　Mother　Confessor！'
　
　As　she　listened　to　the　three　wild　cheers；　Kahlan　realized　that　in　all　her　life　she　had　never　heard　anyone　cheer　the　Mother　Confessor　before。　She　had　to　strain　to　keep　her　surprise　from　showing。　She　lifted　a　kiss　on　her　fingers　and　thanked　them　all。
　
　'Captain　Ryan；　I　wish　to　take　Nick；　and　I　will　need　two　other　horses；　also。'
　
　Chanda