tg.stone of tears-第146章

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nly　of　some　of　his　feelings　of　helpless　frustration；　but　release；　too；　of　darker　needs　deep　within　himself　that　he　didn't　understand。
　
　
　The　sun　had　been　up　for　nearly　two　hours　when　he　heard　her　ing。　She　was　blundering　through　the　brush；　huffing　indignantly　at　branches　that　snagged　her　clothes。　He　could　hear　twigs　snap　as　she　staggered　up　the　rise。　Tugging　her　skirt　free　from　a　thorn；　she　stumbled　into　the　clearing　before　him。
　
　Richard　was　sitting　cross…legged；　with　his　eyes　closed　and　the　sword　resting　across　his　knees。　She　came　to　a　panting　halt　before　him。
　
　'Richard！'
　
　'Good　morning；　Pasha。'　He　opened　his　eyes。　'Beautiful　day；　isn't　it？'
　
　She　held　her　long；　brown　skirt　up　a　little　in　her　hands。　Her　white　blouse　was　damp　with　sweat。　Her　hair　had　burrs　in　it。
　
　Pasha　blew　a　strand　of　hair　from　her　face。　'You　have　to　get　out　of　here　at　once。　Richard；　this　is　the　Hagen　Woods。'
　
　'I　know。　Sister　Verna　told　me。　Interesting　place；　I　rather　like　it。'
　
　She　blinked　at　him。　'Richard；　this　place　is　dangerous！　What　are　you　doing　here！'
　
　Richard　smiled　to　her。　'Waiting　for　you。'
　
　She　peered　around　at　trees　and　dark　shadows。　'Something　smells　awful　in　here；'　she　muttered。
　
　Pasha　squatted　down　in　front　of　him；　smiling　a　little　smile　as　a　person　might　to　a　child；　or　to　someone　she　thought　was　insane。　'Richard；　you've　had　your　fun；　your　nice　walk　in　the　country；　now；　give　me　your　hand　and　let's　get　out　of　here。'
　
　'I'm　not　leaving　until　Verna　is　restored　to　Sister　again。'
　
　Pasha　shot　to　her　feet。　'What！'
　
　Richard　took　his　sword　in　hand　and　rose　in　front　of　her。　'I'm　not　leaving　here　until　Verna　is　restored　to　the　rank　of　Sister；　the　same　as　she　was　before。　The　palace　must　choose　what's　more　important　to　them　…　my　life；　or　keeping　Sister　Verna　a　novice。'
　
　Pasha's　mouth　fell　open。　'But　the　only　one　who　can　remove　Verna's　sanction　is　Sister　Maren！'
　
　'I　know。'　He　touched　his　finger　to　her　nose。　That's　why　you're　going　to　go　and　tell　Sister　Maren　she　must　e　here；　in　person；　and　give　me　her　solemn　pledge　that　Verna　is　once　again　a　Sister；　and　agree　to　my　terms。'
　
　'You　can't　be　serious。　Sister　Maren　will　not　do　that。'
　
　'I'm　not　leaving　this　spot　unless　she　does。'
　
　'Richard；　we'll　go　back　and　see　if　Sister　Maren　will　discuss　this；　but　you　can't　stay　here。　It's　not　worth　dying　for！'
　
　He　regarded　her　with　a　cool　expression。　'It　is　to　me。'
　
　Her　tongue　wet　her　lips。　'Richard；　you　don't　know　what　you're　doing。　This　is　a　dangerous　place。　I'm　responsible　for　you。　I　cannot　allow　you　to　stay　here！
　
　'If　you　won't　e　away　with　me；　then　I　will　have　to　use　the　collar　and　make　you　e　with　me；　and　I　know　you　don't　want　that。'
　
　Richard's　grip　tightened　on　the　sword's　hilt。　'Sister　Verna　is　being　punished　in　retaliation　against　me。　I　have　made　a　vow　to　myself　to　restore　Verna　to　Sister。　I　can't　allow　the　sanction　to　stand。　I'll　do　whatever　I　must；　die　here　if　I　have　to。
　
　'If　you　use　the　collar　to　hurt　me；　or　drag　me　off；　I'll　fight　you；　with　everything　I　have。　I　don't　know　who　will　win；　but　if　that　happens；　I　am　sure　of　one　thing：　one　of　us　will　die。　If　it's　you；　then　the　war　will　have　started。　If　I　die；　then　your　test　to　bee　a　Sister　will　end　on　the　first　day。　Sister　Verna　will　still　be　a　novice；　but　that　is　where　she　stands　now。　At　least　I　will　have　done　my　best。'
　
　'You　would　be　willing　to　die？　For　this？'
　
　'Yes。　It's　that　important　to　me。　I　will　not　allow　Sister　Verna　to　be　punished　because　of　what　I　have　done。　It　was　unjust。'
　
　Her　brow　wrinkled。　'But　。。。　Sister　Maren　is　the　headmistress　of　the　novices。　I'm　a　novice。　I　can't　go　to　her　and　tell　her　she　must　reverse　the　order　…　she'll　skin　me　alive！'
　
　'I　am　the　cause　of　the　trouble；　you　are　simply　the　messenger。　If　she　punishes　you；　I　would　not　stand　for　it；　any　more　than　I　will　stand　for　what　was　done　to　Sister　Verna。　If　Sister　Maren　wishes　to　start　a　war；　then　let　it　start。　If　she　wishes　to　keep　my　truce；　then　she　will　have　to　e　to　me；　here；　and　agree　to　my　terms。'
　
　Pasha　stared　at　him。　'Richard；　if　you　are　here　when　the　sun　goes　down；　you　will　die。'
　
　'Then　I　would　suggest　you　hurry。'
　
　She　turned；　holding　her　arm　out　toward　the　city。　'But　。。。　I　must　go　all　the　way　back。　It　took　me　hours　to　get　here。　It　will　take　me　hours　to　go　back；　and　then　I　must　find　Sister　Maren；　and　then　convince　her　that　you're　serious；　and　even　if　I　could　get　her　to　agree　to　return　with　me；　we　must　still　get　back　here。'
　
　'You　should　have　ridden　a　horse。'
　
　'But　I　ran　here　as　soon　as　I　realized　where　you　were！　I　wasn't　thinking　about　a　horse；　or　anything　else！　I　knew　there　was　trouble　and　just　came　after　you！'
　
　He　gave　her　an　even　look。　'Then　you　made　a　mistake；　Pasha。　You　should　have　thought　before　you　acted。　Next　time；　maybe　you　will　think　first。'
　
　Pasha　put　a　hand　to　her　chest　as　she　gulped　air。　'Richard；　there　is　hardly　time　。。。'
　
　'Then　you　had　better　hurry；　or　your　new　charge　will　be　sitting　here；　in　Hagen　Woods；　when　the　sun　goes　down。'
　
　Her　eyes　moistened　with　frustration　and　concern。　'Richard；　please；　you　don't　understand。　This　is　no　game。　This　place　is　dangerous。'
　
　He　turned　a　little　and　pointed　with　the　sword。　'Yes；　I　know。'
　
　Pasha　peered　around　him；　to　the　shadows；　and　gasped。　Hesitantly；　she　stepped　to　the　thing　by　the　trees。　Richard　didn't　follow。　He　knew　what　was　there；　two　halves　of　a　creature　from　a　nightmare；　its　guts　spilled　across　the　ground。
　
　Its　sinuous　head；　like　a　man's　half　melted　into　a　snake；　or　lizard；　was　a　picture　of　wickedness　itself；　covered　in　a　glossy；　tight；　black　skin；　smooth　down　to　the　base　of　the　thick　neck　where　it　began　welting　up　into　pliable　scales。　The　lithe　body　was　shaped　much　like　a　man's。　The　whole　of　the　creature　seemed　made　for　fluid　speed；　deadly　quick　grace。
　
　It　wore　hides　covered　with　short；　black　hair；　and　a　full…length；　black；　hooded　cape。　What　Richard　had　taken　for　claws　were　not　claws；　but　three…bladed　knives；　one　in　each　webbed　hand；　with　crosswise　handles　held　in　the　fist。　Steel　extensions　went　up　each　side　of　the　wrist　for　support　when　a　strike　was　made。
　
　Pasha　stood　dumbstruck。　Richard　finally　went　to　stand　by　her；　looking　down　at　the　two　halves　of　the　thing。　Whatever　it　was；　it　bled；　the　same　as　any　other　creature。　And　it　smelled；　like　fish　guts　rotting　in　the　hot　sun。
　
　Pasha　stood　trembling　as　she　stared　at　the　thing。　'Dear　Creator；'　she　whispered。　'It's　a　mriswith。'　She　took　a　step　back。　'What　happened　to　it？'
　
　'What　happened　to　it？　I　killed　it；　that's　what　happened　to　it。　What　sort　of　thing　is　a　mriswith？'
　
　Her　big　brown　eyes　came　to　his。　'What　do　you　mean；　you　killed　it？　You　can't　kill　a　mriswith。　No　one　has　ever　killed　a　mriswith。'
　
　Her　face　was　a　picture　of　consternation。
　
　'Well；　someone　has　killed　one　now。'
　
　'You　killed　it　at　night；　didn't　you。'
　
　'Yes。'　Richard　frowned。　'How　do　you　know　that？'
　
　'Mriswith　are　rarely　seen　outside　Hagen　Woods；　but　there　have　been　reports　over　the　last　few　thousand　years。　Reports　given　by　people　who　somehow　managed　to　live　long　enough　to　tell　what　they　saw。　The　mriswith　always　take　on　the　color　of　what　is　around　them。　In　one　report；　one　rose　up　in　the　tidal　flats；　and　was　the　color　of　mud。　One　time　in　the　sand　dunes；　it　was　the　color　of　the　sand。　One　report　noted　that　in　the　light　of　a　golden　sunset；　the　mriswith　was　golden。　When　they　kill　at　night；　they're　never　seen；　because　they　are　black；　like　the　night。　We　think　they　have　the　ability；　maybe　the　magic；　to　assume　the　color　of　their　surroundings。　Since　this　one　is　black；　I　guessed　that　you　killed　it　at　night。'
　
　Richard　took　her　arm；　gently　pulling　her　away。　She　seemed　transfixed　by　the　creature。　He　could　feel　her　trembling　under　his　hand。
　
　'Pasha；　what　are　they？'
　
　'Things　that　live　in　the　Hagen　Woods。　I　don't　know　what　they　are。　I've　heard　it　said　that　in　the　war　that　separated　the　New　World　from　the　Old；　the　wizards　created　armies　of　the　mriswith。　Some　people　believe　the　mriswith　are　sent　by　the　Nameless　One。
　
　'But　the　Hagen　Woods　are　their　home。　And　the　home　of　other　things。　They　are　why　no　one　lives　out　in　the　country　on　this　side　of　the　river。　Sometimes；　they　e　out　of　the　woods；　and　hunt　people。　They　never　devour　their　kills；　they　seem　simply　to　kill　for　the　sake　of　killing。　Mriswith　disembowel　their　victims。　Some　live　long　enough　to　tell　what　got　them；　that　is　how　we　know　as　much　as　we　know。'
　
　'How　long　have　the　Hagen　Woods；　the　creatures；　been　here？'
　
　'As　far　as　I　know；　at　least　as　long　as　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets；　nearly　three　thousand　years。'
　
　She　took　a　fistful　of　his　shirt。　'In　all　that　time；　no　one；　not　once；　has　ever　killed　a　mriswith。　Every　victim　said　that　they　never　saw　it　until　after　it　slashed　them　open。　Some　of　those　victims　have　been　Sisters；　and　wizards；　and　not　even　their　Han　warned　them。　They　said　they　were　blind　to　its　ing；　as　if　they　were　born　without　the　gift。　How　is　it　you　were　able　to　kill　a　mriswith？'
　
　Richard　remembered　seeing　it　ing　in　his　mind。　He　took　her　hand　from　his　shirt。　'Maybe　I　was　just　lucky。
　
　Someone　was　bound　to　get　one　sooner　or　later。　Maybe　this　one　was　just　a　half…wit。'
　
　'Richard；　please；　e　away　with　me。　This　is　not　the　way　to　have　a　test　of　wills　with　the　palace。　This　could　get　you　killed。'
　
　'I'm　not　testing　anyone's　will；　I'm　taking　responsibility　for　my　actions。　It's　my　fault　Sister　Verna　was　demoted；　I've　got　to　set　it　straight。　I'm　taking　a　stand　for　what's　right。　If　I　don't　do　that；　then　I　am　nothing。'
　
　'Richard；　if　the　sun　sets　on　you　in　the　Hagen　Woods　…'
　
　'You　are　wasting　precious　time；　Pasha。'
　
　
　CHAPTER　52
　
　It　was　late　afternoon　when　he　heard　them　ing。　He　heard　the　sound　of　only　one　horse；　and　Pasha's　voice　calling　out　the　direction。　At　last　they　broke　into　the　clearing。
　
　Richard　sheathed　his　sword。　'Bonnie！'　He　gave　the　horse's　neck　a　scratch。　'How　you　doing；　girl？'
　
　Bonnie　nuzzled　his　chest。　Richard　pushed　his　fingers　in　the　side　of　her　mouth　and　felt　the　bit　while　Sister　Maren　frowned　at　him。
　
　'I'm　glad　to　see　you　use　a　snaffle　bit；　Sister。'
　
　'The　stableboys　said　they　couldn't　find　the　spade　bits。'　She　glared　down　at　him　suspiciously。　'Seems　they　vanished。　Mysteriously。'
　
　'That　so？'　Richard　shrugged。　'Can't　say　I'm　sorry。'
　
　Pasha　was　panting　with　the　effort　of　having　kept　up　with　the　Sister　on　her　horse。　Her　white　blouse　was　soaked　with　sweat。　She　fussed　hopelessly　with　the　matted；　tangled　mess　of　her　hair。　The　Sister　must　have　made　Pasha　walk；　as　punishment。　Sister　Maren；　in　her　plain　brown　dress　buttoned　to　her　neck；　looked　cool　and　fortable　atop　the　horse。
　
　'So；　Richard；'　Sister　Maren　said；　as　she　dismounted；　'I　am　here；　as　you　requested。　What　is　it　you　want？'
　
　She　knew　very　well　what　he　wanted；　but　Richard　decided　to　restate　it　in　a　pleasant　tone。　'It's　quite　simple。　Sister　Verna　is　to　be　restored　to　Sister。　At　once。　And　you　are　also　to　return　her　dacra　to　her。'
　
　She　gestured　dismissively。　'And　here　I　thought　you　would　want　something　unreasonable。　This　is　simple。　It　is　done。　Verna　is　returned　to　Sister。　It　makes　no