tg.stone of tears-第138章

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　the　attackers；　splintering　spears　when　he　could；　trying　to　disarm　the　Baka　Ban　Mana　without　killing　them。
　
　'Du　Chaillu！　Stop　this　before　I　have　to　hurt　them！'
　
　Yelling　at　her　was　a　mistake。　It　distracted　him。　It　allowed　a　spear　through　his　flowing　defense。　He　had　a　choice　as　the　rage　instantly　exploded　at　the　threat。　He　could　kill　the　attacker；　or　do　only　what　was　necessary　to　stop　him。
　
　His　sword　spun；　its　tip　whistling　through　the　air；　and　lopped　off　the　hand　that　thrust　the　spear。　Blood　and　fragments　of　bone　filled　the　air。　The　scream　was　a　woman's。
　
　Some　of　the　Baka　Ban　Mana　were　women；　he　realized。　It　didn't　matter。　They　would　kill　him　if　he　didn't　defend　himself。　Losing　a　hand　was　better　than　losing　your　head。　First　blood　brought　the　rage；　the　need　to　kill；　boiling　up　within　him；　hot　and　thirsty　for　more。
　
　He　fought　the　attackers　and　fought　the　things　within　himself　that　wanted　to　press　the　attack　to　those　around　him。　He　didn't　want　to　press　the　attack。　He　only　wanted　them　to　stop。　But　if　they　didn't　stop　。。。
　
　When　he　broke　their　spears；　they　picked　up　others　and　threw　themselves　at　him　again。　He　slipped　among　them　like　a　phantom；　conserving　his　energy　as　he　let　them　wear　themselves　out。
　
　The　outer　ring；　who　had　continued　to　circle　while　the　inner　one　had　attacked；　stopped；　and　then；　swords　awhirl；　began　advancing。　Those　with　the　spears　…　the　ones　who　were　still　standing　…　stepped　back　through　the　outer　ring　as　it　came　forward。
　
　Swords　spun　in　the　air。　Instead　of　waiting　for　them　to　e　to　him；　Richard　went　to　them。　They　flinched　in　surprise　as　the　Sword　of　Truth　shattered　two　of　the　flashing　blades。
　
　'Du　Chaillu！　Please！　I　don't　want　to　kill　any　of　you！'
　
　The　ones　with　the　swords　were　faster　than　the　ones　with　the　spears。　Too　fast。　Talking；　and　trying　to　disarm　them　without　killing；　was　a　dangerous　distraction。　Richard　felt　a　hot　pain　flash　through　the　flesh　over　his　ribs。　He　hadn't　even　seen　the　blade　ing；　but　he　had　moved　by　instinct　and　received　a　shallow　slash　instead　of　a　killing　cut。
　
　His　own　blood　being　drawn　summoned　the　sword's　magic　to　his　defense　…　the　rage；　the　skill　of　those　who　had　held　it　before　him。　Their　essence　seared　through　him；　and　he　couldn't　hold　it　back。　There　was　no　choice　anymore。　It　overwhelmed　his　restraint。　He　had　given　them　every　chance。　He　was　beyond　retrieval；　now。
　
　Bringer　of　death。
　
　The　swordsmen　rushed　in　a　deadly　wave。
　
　He　loosed　the　magic　with　a　vengeance。　The　sta　ling　was　over。　The　barriers　down；　he　danced　with　death；　now。
　
　The　night　erupted　in　a　warm　mist　of　blood。　He　heard　himself　screaming　and　he　felt　himself　moving；　he　saw　men　and　women　falling；　as　disembodied　heads　tumbled　across　the　ground。　The　lust　for　it　raged　through　him。
　
　No　blade　touched　him　again。　He　countered　every　strike　as　if　he　had　seen　it　a　thousand　times　before；　as　if　he　had　always　known　what　to　do。　Every　attack　brought　a　sure　and　swift　death　to　the　attacker。　Bone　fragments　and　blood　exploded　through　the　night　air。　Gore　sluiced　across　the　ground。　The　horror　of　it　all　melted　together　into　one　long　killing　image。
　
　Bringer　of　death。
　
　He　only　realized　he　had　his　knife　in　his　left　hand　and　his　sword　in　his　right　when　two　came　from　opposite　sides　at　once。　He　hooked　his　arm　around　the　neck　of　the　one　on　the　left　and　slit　his　throat　while　at　the　same　time　running　the　one　on　the　right　through　with　the　sword。　Both　collapsed　to　the　ground　as　Richard　stood　panting。
　
　Quiet　echoed　around　him。　There　was　no　movement；　except　for　one　on　her　knees；　holding　herself　up　with　one　hand。　Her　other　hand　was　missing。　She　rose　to　her　feet；　pulling　a　knife　from　her　belt。
　
　Through　his　glower；　Richard　watched　the　determination　in　her　eyes。　She　ran　for　him　with　a　scream。　Richard　stood　deathlike　in　a　cold　cocoon　of　magic。　The　rage　pounded　as　he　watched　her　e。　She　raised　the　knife。
　
　Richard's　sword　whipped　up　and　impaled　her　through　the　heart。　The　dead　weight　of　her　pulled　the　sword　down　as　she　slid　off　it　to　the　ground；　her　last　breath　gurgling　out　as　her　fingers　grasped　the　blade；　sliding　down　its　wet　red　length　as　she　slipped　into　the　hands　of　death。
　
　Bringer　of　death。
　
　Richard　lifted　his　smoldering　glare　to　the　woman　standing　on　the　rock。　Du　Chaillu　stepped　down；　unwrapped　her　head；　letting　the　long　cloth　hang　down；　and　went　to　one　knee　in　a　bow。
　
　Richard；　his　rage　burning　hotly；　strode　to　her。　He　lifted　Du　Chaillu's　chin　with　the　sword's　point。
　
　Her　dark　eyes　stared　up　into　his。　'The　Caharin　has　e。'
　
　'Who　is　the　Caharin？'
　
　Du　Chaillu　looked　unflinchingly　into　his　eyes。　The　one　who　dances　with　the　spirits。'
　
　'Dances　with　the　spirits；'　Richard　repeated　in　a　flat　tone。　He　understood。　He　had　danced　with　the　spirits　of　those　who　held　the　sword　before　him。　He　had　called　the　dead　forth；　danced　with　their　spirits。　He　almost　laughed。
　
　'I　will　never　forgive　you；　Du　Chaillu；　for　making　me　kill　those　people。　I　saved　your　life　because　I　abhor　killing；　and　you　have　brought　the　blood　of　thirty　to　my　hands。'
　
　'I　am　sorry；　Caharin；　that　you　must　bear　this　burden。　But　only　through　the　blood　of　thirty　Baka　Ban　Mana　could　the　killing　stop。　Only　in　this　way　can　we　serve　the　spirits。'
　
　'How　is　killing　serving　the　spirits！'
　
　'When　the　magic　men　stole　our　land；　they　banished　us　to　this　place。　They　placed　upon　us　the　duty　of　teaching　the　Caharin　to　dance　with　the　spirits。　Only　the　Caharin　can　stop　the　Dark　Spirit　from　taking　the　world　of　the　living。　The　Caharin　is　given　to　the　world　as　a　new　born　babe；　who　must　be　taught。　Part　of　this　duty　is　placed　upon　us　…　to　teach　him　to　dance　with　the　spirits。　You　have　learned　something　this　night；　have　you　not？'
　
　Richard　gave　a　grim　nod。
　
　'I　am　the　keeper　of　the　laws　of　our　people。　It　was　our　calling　to　teach　you　this。　If　we　were　to　ignore　what　the　old　words　tell　us　we　must　do；　then　the　Caharin　would　not　learn　what　is　within　himself；　and　he　would　be　defenseless　against　the　forces　of　death。　In　the　end；　death　would　have　everyone。
　
　The　Majendie　sacrifice　us；　to　remind　us　always　of　our　duty　to　the　spirits；　and　to　remind　us　to　practice　with　the　blades。　The　witch　women　to　the　other　side　aid　the　Majendie；　so　that　we　will　be　surrounded；　with　no　way　of　escape；　and　nowhere　to　go；　so　that　we　will　always　be　under　threat；　and　unable　to　ever　forget　our　duty。
　
　'It　is　proclaimed　that　the　Caharin　will　announce　his　arrival　by　dancing　with　the　spirits；　and　spilling　the　blood　of　thirty　Baka　Ban　Mana；　a　feat　none　but　the　chosen　one　could　acplish　except　with　the　aid　of　the　spirits。　It　is　said　that　when　this　happens；　then　we　are　his　to　rule。　We　are　no　longer　a　free　people；　but　bound　to　his　wishes。　To　your　wishes；　Caharin。
　
　The　old　words　say　that　if　every　year　the　one　who　wears　the　prayer　dress　goes　to　our　land；　to　give　our　prayers　to　the　spirits；　then　one　year；　they　will　send　the　Caharin；　and　if　we　carry　out　our　duty；　then　he　will　return　our　land　to　us。'
　
　Richard　stood；　as　if　in　a　dream；　glaring　down　at　the　woman。　'You　have　taken　something　precious　from　me　this　night；　Du　Chaillu。'
　
　She　came　to　her　feet；　straightening　before　him。　'Do　not　speak　to　me　of　sacrifice；　Caharin。　My　five　husbands；　whom　I　loved；　whom　my　children　loved；　who　have　not　seen　me　since　I　was　captured；　were　among　the　thirty　you　have　just　killed。'
　
　Richard　sank　to　his　knees。　He　felt　like　he　might　be　sick。　'Du　Chaillu；　forgive　me　for　what　I　have　done　this　night。'
　
　She　gently　put　a　hand　to　his　bowed　head。　'It　has　been　my　honor　to　be　the　spirit　woman　of　our　people　when　the　Caharin　has　e；　to　be　the　one　to　wear　the　prayer　dress　and　bring　him　to　his　people。　You　must　do　your　duty；　now；　and　return　our　land；　as　the　old　words　tell　us。'
　
　Richard　lifted　his　head。　'And　do　the　old　words　say　how　I　am　to　acplish　this　task？'
　
　She　slowly　shook　her　head。　'Only　that　we　are　to　help　you；　and　that　you　will。　We　are　yours　to　mand。'
　
　In　the　dark；　Richard　felt　a　tear　run　down　his　cheek。　Then　I　mand　that　the　killing　stop。　You　will　do　as　I　have　already　ordered。　You　will　use　the　bird　whistle　to　bring　peace　with　the　Majendie。　While　you　are　doing　that；　you　will　do　as　you　promised；　and　have　someone　guide　us　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。'
　
　Without　looking　up；　Du　Chaillu　snapped　her　fingers。　Richard　realized；　for　the　first　time；　that　people　in　the　shadows　surrounded　the　bloody　clearing。　All　were　on　their　knees；　bowed　toward　him。　At　the　snap　of　her　fingers；　several　sprang　forward。
　
　'Guide　them　to　the　big　stone　house。'
　
　Richard　stood　before　her；　looking　into　her　dark　eyes。　'Du　Chaillu；　I'm　so　sorry　I　killed　your　husbands。　I　begged　you　to　stop　it；　but　I'm　so　sorry。'
　
　Her　eyes　bore　the　timeless　look　he　had　seen　in　the　eyes　of　others；　Sister　Verna；　Shota　the　witch　woman；　and　Kahlan。　He　knew　now　that　it　was　the　gift　he　was　seeing。　A　ghost　of　a　smile　came　to　her　lips。　He　didn't　know　how　she　could　smile　at　a　time　like　this。
　
　They　fought　as　hard　as　any　Baka　Ban　Mana　have　ever　fought。　They　had　the　honor　of　teaching　the　Caharin。　They　have　given　their　lives　for　their　people。　They　brought　honor　to　themselves；　and　will　live　on　as　legends。'
　
　She　reached　out　and　placed　her　hand　on　his　bare　chest。　On　the　handprint　there。　'You　are　my　husband；　now。'
　
　Richard's　eyes　widened。　'What？'
　
　She　gave　a　curious　frown。　'I　wear　the　prayer　dress。　I　am　the　spirit　woman　of　our　people。　You　are　the　Caharin。　It　is　the　old　law。　You　are　my　husband。'
　
　Richard　shook　his　head。　'No；　I'm　not。　I　already　have　。。。'
　
　He　was　going　to　say　he　already　had　a　love。　But　the　words　caught　in　his　throat。　Kahlan　had　sent　him　away。　He　had　nothing。
　
　She　shrugged。　'It　could　be　worse　for　you。　The　last　one　who　wore　the　prayer　dress　was　old　and　wrinkled。　She　had　no　teeth。　I　hope　that　I　bring　at　least　some　pleasure　to　your　eyes；　and　maybe　someday　a　song　to　your　heart；　but　I　belong　to　the　Caharin。　It　is　not　for　you；　or　me；　to　decide。'
　
　'Yes　it　is！'　He　looked　about　and　then　snatched　up　his　shirt。　As　he　put　it　on；　he　saw　Sister　Verna　at　the　edge　of　the　clearing；　watching　him；　like　a　bug　in　a　box。　He　turned　to　Du　Chaillu。
　
　'You　have　a　job　to　do。　You　will　do　it。　The　killing　is　ended。　The　Sister　and　I　must　get　to　the　palace　so　I　can　get　this　collar　off。'
　
　Du　Chaillu　leaned　over　and　kissed　his　cheek。　'Until　I　see　you　again；　Richard；　Seeker；　Caharin；　husband。'
　
　
　CHAPTER　49
　
　Richard　and　Sister　Verna　sat　on　their　horses；　anchoring　long；　thin　shadows；　as　they　looked　down　from　the　grassy　prominence。　Trees　meandered　along　the　low　places　among　some　of　the　hills；　and　blanketed　others　in　dusky　green。　The　vast　city　below　lay　awash　in　a　straw…colored　haze　that　muted　the　colors　into　a　mellow　monotone。　The　distant　tiled　and　shingled　roofs　shimmered　in　the　rays　of　the　setting　sun　like　points　of　light　on　a　pond。
　
　Richard　had　never　seen　so　many　buildings　laid　out　in　such　an　orderly　array。　Off　to　the　edges　they　were　smaller；　but　toward　the　core　they　seemed　to　grow；　both　in　size　and　in　grandeur。　The　faraway　sounds　of　tens　of　thousands　of　people　and　horses　and　wagons　drifted　all　the　way　up　to　them　on　the　hill；　carried　on　the　light；　salty　breeze。
　
　A　river　meandere