tg.stone of tears-第149章

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und　his　neck。　They　all　excitedly　asked　questions　at　the　same　time；　wanting　to　know　if　it　was　true　that　Richard　had　killed　a　mriswith；　and　what　it　looked　like。　They　wanted　to　tell　Richard　their　names；　and　clamored　for　him　to　draw　his　sword　and　show　them　how　he　had　vanquished　the　legendary　monster。
　
　Pasha　spoke　to　the　most　persistent　boy　at　her　hip。　'Yes；　Kipp；　it's　true　that　Richard　killed　a　mriswith。　Sister　Maren　is　studying　it　now；　and　if　she　deems　it　appropriate；　she　will　tell　you　of　its　nature。　But　I　can　tell　you　true　that　it　is　a　fearsome…looking　beast。　Now；　off　with　you　all。　It's　nearly　dinnertime。'
　
　Despite　their　disappointment　that　no　more　information　was　forthing；　they　were　excited　by　what　they　had　heard。　They　ran　off　in　a　bunch　to　tell　others。
　
　After　leaving　Bonnie　at　the　stables；　Richard　walked　with　Pasha　down　halls　and　through　vast　chambers；　trying　to　memorize　the　layout。　She　pointed　out　the　boys'　dining　halls；　and　the　dining　hall　where　the　Sisters　and　some　of　the　older　young　men　ate。　She　also　took　him　past　the　kitchens；　where　the　aromas　of　cooking　wafted　through　the　surrounding　corridors。
　
　Pasha　pointed　through　a　lattice…covered　archway　to　a　graceful　stone　wall　running　under　the　spreading　branches　of　trees。　The　wall　was　veiled　in　places　by　vines。　Large　white　flowers　dotted　the　green。
　
　'That's　the　Prelate's　offices；　and　quarters；'　Pasha　said。
　
　'Will　she　be　at　dinner　tonight？'
　
　Pasha　giggled　softly。　'No；　of　course　not。　The　Prelate　doesn't　have　time　to　have　dinner　with　us。'
　
　Richard　turned　out　of　the　hall　and　down　a　walkway　toward　a　gate　in　the　wall。
　
　'Richard！　What　are　you　doing？　Where　are　you　going？'
　
　'I　want　to　meet　the　Prelate。'
　
　'You　can't　simply　go　visit　her！'
　
　'Why？'
　
　She　hurried　along　beside　him。　'Well；　she's　a　busy　woman。　She　can't　be　bothered。　They　won't　let　you　see　her。　The　guards　won't　even　let　us　through　the　gate。'
　
　He　shrugged。　'It　won't　hurt　to　ask；　will　it？　Then；　afterwards；　you　can　pick　an　outfit　for　me；　and　we'll　go　to　have　dinner　with　the　Sisters。　All　right？'
　
　The　offer　to　let　her　pick　his　outfit　gave　her　pause。　Pasha　stuttered　that　she　supposed　it　wouldn't　hurt　just　to　ask　and　struggled　to　keep　up　as　he　marched　toward　the　guard。　The　guard　stepped　before　the　iron　gate；　spread　his　feet；　and　hooked　his　thumbs　on　his　weapons　belt　as　Richard　strode　right　up　to　him。
　
　Richard　put　a　hand　to　the　man's　shoulder。　'I'm　so　sorry。　Forgive　me。　Please？　I　didn't　get　you　in　any　trouble；　did　I？　I　hope　not。　She　hasn't　e　out　to　yell　at　you；　yet；　I　hope。'
　
　The　man　frowned　in　confusion　as　Richard　leaned　closer。　'Look　。。。　what's　your　name？'
　
　'Swordsman　Andellmere。　Kevin　Andellmere。'
　
　'Look；　Kevin；　she　said　she　would　send　the　guard　at　the　west　gate　to　get　me　if　I　was　even　one　minute　late。　She　probably　forgot　to　send　you　out。　It　isn't　your　fault。　I　promise　I　won't　mention　your　name。　I　hope　you're　not　angry　with　me。'
　
　Richard　put　his　back　to　Pasha　and　leaned　even　closer　to　the　guard。　'You　understand。'　He　rolled　his　eyes　meaningfully　toward　Pasha　and　then　gave　the　man　a　wink。　Kevin　glanced　to　Pasha　as　she　fussed　with　her　tangled　mat　of　hair。　'Eh？　You　understand；　I'm　sure。　Look；　Kevin；　say　you'll　let　me　buy　you　an　ale。　Will　you？　I　better　get　in　there　before　I　get　you　in　trouble；　but　before　I　go；　promise　me　you'll　let　me　buy　you　an　ale；　to　make　it　up　to　you？'
　
　'Well；　I　suppose　I　could　let　you　buy　me　an　ale。　。。。'
　
　Richard　clapped　Kevin　on　the　shoulder。　'There's　a　good　man。'
　
　Pasha　was　right　on　Richard's　heels　as　he　stormed　past　the　guard　and　through　the　gate。　He　turned　and　gave　Kevin　a　wave　and　a　smile。
　
　Pasha　leaned　close。　'How　did　you　do　that？　No　one　gets　through　the　Prelate's　guards。'
　
　Richard　held　the　door　into　the　building　open　for　her。　'I　just　gave　him　too　much　to　think　about；　and　a　worry　he　feared　might　be　true。'
　
　When　an　answer　came　to　her　knock；　they　stepped　into　a　dimly　lit　room　with　two　desks；　and　two　Sisters。
　
　Pasha　curtsied。　'Sisters。　I　am　novice　Pasha　Maes；　and　this　is　our　new　student；　Richard　Cypher。　He　was　wondering　if　he　might　meet　the　Prelate。'
　
　Both　Sisters　glowered　at　her。　The　one　on　the　right　spoke。　'The　Prelate　is　busy。　Dismissed；　novice。'
　
　A　little　pale；　Pasha　curtsied　again。　Thank　you　for　your　time；　Sisters。'
　
　Richard　gave　a　little　bow。　'Yes；　thank　you；　Sisters。　Please　give　the　Prelate　my　kindest　regards。'
　
　'I　told　you　she　wouldn't　see　us；'　Pasha　said　on　the　way　out。
　
　Richard　hiked　his　pack　up　higher　on　his　shoulder。　'Well；　we　gave　it　our　best　try。　Thanks　for　indulging　me。'
　
　He　had　known　that　Pasha　had　been　right；　that　the　Prelate　wouldn't　see　them；　but　he　had　seen　what　he　had　e　to　see。　He　had　only　been　interested　in　knowing　the　layout　of　the　building　and　grounds　for　future　reference。
　
　Richard　hadn't　changed　his　mind　about　his　captivity；　but　he　had　decided　to　try　a　different　approach　for　a　while。　He　would　bide　his　time；　and　see　what　they　could　teach　him。　Nothing　would　please　him　more　than　to　be　released　from　the　collar　without　having　to　hurt　anyone。
　
　In　the　building　that　housed　his　room；　Gillaume　Hall；　named　after　a　prophet；　Richard　had　learned；　a　young　man　came　hesitantly　out　of　the　shadows　on　the　lower　level；　before　the　wide　marble　stairs。　His　head　of　curly　blond　hair　was　cut　short　at　the　sides。　His　hands　were　stuck　into　the　opposite　sleeves　of　his　violet　robes。　Silver　brocade　circled　the　cuffs　and　neck。　He　looked　smaller　than　he　was　because　of　the　way　he　hunched　over。
　
　His　head　bowed　to　Pasha　while　his　blue　eyes　searched　for　a　safe　place　to　settle。　'Blessings　on　you；　Pasha；'　he　said　softly。　'You　look　lovely　tonight。　I　pray　you　are　well。'
　
　Pasha　squinted　in　thought。　'Warren；　isn't　it？'　His　head　bobbed；　surprised　that　she　knew　his　name。　'I'm　fine；　Warren。　Thank　you　for　asking。　This　is　Richard　Cypher。'
　
　Warren　smiled　shyly　at　Richard。　'Yes；　I　saw　you　before　the　Sisters；　yesterday。'
　
　'I　suppose　you；　too；　want　to　know　about　the　mriswith；'　Pasha　said　with　a　sigh。
　
　'Mriswith？'
　
　'Richard　killed　a　mriswith。　Isn't　that　what　you　wanted　to　ask　about？'
　
　'Really？　A　mriswith？　No　。。。'　He　turned　back　to　Richard。　'I　wanted　to　ask　if　you　would　care　to　e　down　to　the　vaults　sometime；　and　look　at　the　prophecies　with　me。'
　
　Richard　didn't　want　to　embarrass　the　young　man；　but　he　had　no　interest　in　prophecies。　'I'm　honored　by　the　offer；　Warren；　but　I'm　afraid　that　I'm　not　much　good　with　riddles。'
　
　Warren　diverted　his　eyes　to　the　floor。　'Of　course；　I　understand。　Not　many　of　the　others　are　much　interested　in　the　books；　either。　I　just　thought　that　maybe；　well；　I　just　thought　that　since　you　mentioned　that　particular　prophecy　yesterday；　that　maybe　you　would　want　to　talk　about　it。　It's　a　unique　piece　of　work。　But　I　understand。　I'm　sorry　to　have　bothered　you。'
　
　Richard　frowned。　'What　prophecy？'
　
　'The　one　you　mentioned　at　the　end。　About　you　being；　well'　…　Warren　swallowed　…　'the　bringer　of　death。　It's　just　that　I　don't　think　I've　ever　met　anyone　from　the　prophecies　before。'　He　blinked　in　awe。　'Since　you　are　in　the　prophecies；　I　thought；　well；　I　thought　maybe　。。。'　His　voice　trailed　off。　He　looked　down　at　the　floor　as　he　started　to　turn　away。　'But　I　understand。　I'm　sorry　to　have　。。。'
　
　Richard　gently　caught　hold　of　Warren's　arm　and　turned　him　back。　'Like　I　said；　I'm　not　very　good　with　riddles。　But　maybe　you　could　teach　me　something　about　them；　so　I　wouldn't　be　so　ignorant。　I　do　like　to　learn。'
　
　Warren's　face　brightened。　His　whole　body　seemed　to　swell。　When　he　straightened；　he　was　almost　as　tall　as　Richard。
　
　'I'd　like　that。　I　would　really　like　to　talk　to　you　about　that　prophecy。　It's　a　real　conundrum。　To　this　day；　the　argument　over　it　has　never　been　settled。　Maybe　with　your　help　。。。'
　
　A　broad…shouldered　man　in　plain　robes；　and　wearing　a　Rada'Han；　slipped　up　silently；　took　a　fistful　of　Warren's　robe　at　the　shoulder；　and　moved　him　aside。　His　eyes　were　locked　on　Pasha　the　whole　time。　He　gave　her　a　smooth　smile。
　
　'Good　evening；　Pasha。　It　will　be　dinnertime　soon。　I've　decided　to　take　you。'　His　eyes　glided　down　the　length　of　her　and　then　back　up。　'If　you　can　get　yourself　cleaned　up。　And　do　something　with　your　hair。　You　look　a　mess。　You　better　get　to　it。'
　
　He　started　to　turn　away。　Pasha　put　her　arm　through　Richard's。
　
　'I'm　afraid　I　have　other　plans；　Jedidiah。'
　
　Jedidiah　gave　Richard　a　cursory　glance。　'What；　this　country　boy？　The　two　of　you　going　to　go　chop　wood；　or　maybe　skin　rabbits？'
　
　'You're　the　one；'　Richard　said。　'I　remember　your　voice。　You're　the　one　who　called　down　from　the　balcony；　yesterday；　asking；　'All　by　yourself？''
　
　Jedidiah's　condescending　smile　looked　to　e　easily　to　him。　'An　appropriate　question；　don't　you　think？'
　
　Pasha　lifted　her　chin。　'Richard　killed　a　mriswith。'
　
　Jedidiah's　eyebrows　went　up　in　mock　wonder。　'Well；　how　brave　of　the　country　boy。'
　
　'You've　never　killed　a　mriswith；'　Warren　spoke　up。
　
　Jedidiah　slowly　turned　a　withering　glare　on　Warren。　Warren　shrank　away。　'What　are　you　doing　above　ground；　Mole？'　He　turned　back　to　Pasha。　'And　did　you　see　him　kill　it？　I　would　wager　he　was　alone　when　he　claimed　to　have　killed　it。　He　probably　found　a　mriswith　that　had　died　of　old　age；　stabbed　it　with　his　sword；　and　then　bragged　to　you；　to　try　to　impress　you。'　He　redirected　a　smirk　to　Richard。　'Isn't　that　about　the　way　it　happened；　country　boy？'
　
　Richard　grinned。　'You've　caught　me　cold。　You　have　it　right。'
　
　'As　I　thought。'　He　twitched　a　small　smile　to　Pasha。　'e　to　me　later；　child；　and　I'll　show　you　some　real　magic。　A　man's　magic。'
　
　Jedidiah　strode　away　imperiously　and　disappeared　around　a　corner。　Pasha　put　her　fists　to　her　hips。
　
　'Why　did　you　say　that！　Why　did　you　let　him　think　that！'
　
　'I　did　it　for　you；'　Richard　said。　'I　thought　you　wanted　me　to　stop　causing　trouble　and　act　a　gentleman。'
　
　She　folded　her　arms　in　a　huff。　'Well；　I　do。'
　
　Richard　turned　to　Warren；　still　shrunk　back　against　the　marble　newel　post。　'If　he　does　anything　to　you；　Warren；　I　want　you　to　e　tell　me。　It's　me　that's　the　thorn　in　his　pants。　If　he　takes　it　out　on　you；　you　e　tell　me。'
　
　Warren　brightened。　'Really？　Thank　you；　Richard。　But　I　don't　think　he　would　bother　with　me。　And　I'll　be　seeing　you　down　in　the　vaults；　when　you　have　the　time。'　He　cast　a　shy　smile　at　Pasha。　'Good　night；　Pasha。　So　nice　to　see　you　again。　You　look　lovely　tonight。　Good　night。'
　
　She　smiled。　'Good　night；　Warren。'　She　watched　him　scurry　off　down　the　hall。　'What　a　strange　young　man。　I　almost　couldn't　remember　his　real　name。　Everyone　calls　him　the　Mole。　He　almost　never　es　up　from　the　vaults　under　the　palace。'
　
　She　glanced　sideways　to　Richard。　'Well；　you've　made　a　friend　tonight　who　can　be　of　no　help　to　you；　and　an　enemy　who　can　harm　you。　You　stay　away　from　Jedidiah。　He's　an　experienced　wizard；　close　to　being　released。　Until　you　learn　to　defend　yourself　with　your　Han；　he　can　hurt　you。　He　can　kill　you。'
　
　'I　thought　we　were　one　big　happy　family。'
　
　There　is　a　pecking　order　among　wizards。　Wizards　with　the　strongest　power　vie　for　dominance。　It　sometimes　gets　very　dangerous。　Jedidiah　is　the　pride　of　the　p