tg.stone of tears-第16章

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　The　Bird　Man　stood　and　gave　Kahlan　a　fatherly　hug　that　felt　as　if　he　were　saying　that　he　understood　everything　she　had　been　through　and　was　happy　she　had　at　last　found　happiness。　She　shed　a　few　tears　against　his　shoulder　as　he　held　her　in　his　strong　arms。　Their　adventure；　a　long　ordeal；　had　taken　her　from　the　depths　of　pain　and　despair　to　the　heights　of　joy。　The　fight　had　ended　only　yesterday。　It　didn't　seem　possible　it　could　be　over　at　last。
　
　As　they　went　on　with　the　feast；　Kahlan　wished　more　than　ever　that　it　could　end　soon　so　she　could　be　alone　with　Richard。　He　had　been　held　prisoner　for　over　a　month；　and　had　only　rejoined　her　the　day　before。　She　hadn't　even　really　had　a　chance　to　talk　with　him。　Or　hug　him　nearly　enough。
　
　Children　danced　and　played　around　the　small　fire　while　the　adults　gathered　around　torches；　eating　and　talking　and　laughing。　Weselan　scooted　down　next　to　her；　hugged　her；　and　said　she　would　make　her　a　proper　wedding　dress。　Savidlin　kissed　her　cheek　and　slapped　Richard's　back。　She　found　it　difficult　to　look　away　from　Richard's　gray　eyes。　She　didn't　want　to。　Ever。
　
　The　hunters　who　had　been　out　on　the　plain　the　day　the　Bird　Man　had　tried　to　teach　Richard　how　to　call　specific　birds　with　the　special　whistle　he　had　given　Richard　as　a　gift；　wandered　by　the　elders'　platform。　All　Richard　could　do　that　day　was　make　a　sound　that　called　all　the　birds　at　once；　but　not　different　species　individually。　The　hunters　had　laughed　endlessly　that　day。
　
　As　they　listened　now；　Savidlin　made　Richard　show　the　whistle　and　tell　again　how　he　had　used　it　to　call　all　the　birds　that　roosted　in　the　valley　filled　with　gars。　The　thousands　of　hungry　birds　had　eaten　the　gars'　blood　flies；　creating　a　panic。　The　diversion　had　enabled　Richard　to　rescue　Scarlet's　egg。
　
　The　Bird　Man　laughed；　even　though　he　had　already　heard　the　story　three　times　by　now。　Savidlin　laughed　and　slapped　Richard's　back。　The　hunters　laughed　and　slapped　their　thighs。　Richard　laughed　as　he　watched　them　react　to　Kahlan's　translation。
　
　Kahlan　laughed　at　seeing　Richard　laugh。　'I　think　we　have　found　an　adventure　that　satisfies　them。'　She　thought　about　it　and　frowned。　'How　did　Scarlet　land　you　close　enough　to　the　egg　without　being　seen　by　the　gars？'
　
　Richard　looked　away　and　was　silent　a　moment。　'She　landed　me　on　the　valley　on　the　other　side　of　the　hills　around　Fire　Spring。　I　went　through　the　cave。'
　
　He　didn't　look　at　her。　Kahlan　hooked　some　hair　behind　an　ear。　'And　was　there　really　a　beast　in　the　cave？　A　Shadrin？'
　
　He　let　out　a　deep　breath　as　he　looked　across　the　open　area。　That　there　was。　And　more。'　As　she　put　her　hand　on　his　shoulder；　he　took　it　and　kissed　the　back　of　it；　still　staring　off。　'I　thought　I　was　going　to　die　there；　alone。　I　thought　I　would　never　see　you　again。'　He　seemed　to　shake　off　the　memory　and　leaned　back　on　an　elbow；　gazing　at　her　with　a　lop…sided　smile　on　his　face。
　
　The　Shadrin　left　some　scars　that　aren't　healed　yet。　But　I　would　have　to　take　off　my　pants　to　show　them　to　you。'
　
　'Really？'　Kahlan　gave　a　throaty　laugh。　'I　think　I　better　have　a　look　。。。　to　see　if　everything　is　all　right。'
　
　As　she　looked　deep　into　his　eyes；　she　abruptly　realized　most　of　the　elders　were　watching　them。　Suddenly　she　felt　her　face　warm。　She　snatched　up　a　rice　cake　and　took　a　quick　bite；　relieved　to　know　they　couldn't　understand　their　words。　She　hoped　others　couldn't　understand　the　look　in　their　eyes　She　chided　herself　to　pay　more　attention　to　where　she　was。　Richard　sat　up　again。　Kahlan　reached　over　to　a　small　bowl　of　roasted　ribs　that　looked　to　be　wild　boar；　and　set　it　down　in　his　lap。
　
　'Here。　Have　some　of　these。'
　
　She　looked　over　at　a　group　of　the　wives。　She　held　up　the　rice　cake　and　smiled。　'These　are　very　good。'　They　nodded　their　satisfaction。　She　looked　back　to　Richard。　He　was　staring　down　at　the　bowl　of　meat。　His　face　was　white。
　
　'Take　it　away；'　he　whispered。
　
　Kahlan　frowned　and　lifted　the　bowl　from　his　lap；　setting　it　behind　her。　She　scooted　closer　to　him。　'Richard；　what's　wrong？'
　
　He　was　still　staring　at　his　lap；　as　if　the　bowl　were　still　there。　'I　don't　know。　I　looked　down　at　the　meat；　and　then　I　could　smell　it。　It　made　me　feel　sick。　It　just　seemed　like　a　dead　animal　to　me。　Like　I　was　about　to　eat　some　dead　animal　lying　there　in　front　of　me。　How　could　anyone　eat　some　dead　animal　that　was　just　lying　there？'
　
　Kahlan　didn't　know　what　to　say。　He　didn't　look　well。　'I　think　I　know　what　you　mean。　I　was　sick　once　and　they　fed　me　some　cheese。　I　threw　it　all　back　up。　They　thought　it　would　be　good　for　me；　and　every　day　fed　me　more；　and　I。　would　throw　it　up；　until　I　was　well　again。　That　is　why；　to　this　day；　I　don't　like　cheese。　Maybe　it's　something　like　that；　because　you　have　a　headache。'
　
　'Maybe；'　he　said　in　a　weak　voice。　'I　spent　a　long　time　at　the　People's　Palace。　They　don't　eat　meat　there。　Darken　Rahl　doesn't　…　didn't　…　eat　meat；　so　none　was　served　at　the　palace。　Maybe　I　just　got　used　to　not　eating　meat。'
　
　She　rubbed　his　back　as　he　put　his　head　in　his　hands；　running　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　First　cheese；　and　now　meat。　His　eating　habits　were　being　as　peculiar　as　。。。　a　wizard's。
　
　'Kahlan　。。。　I'm　sorry；　but　I　need　to　go　somewhere　where　it's　quiet。　My　head　really　hurts。'
　
　She　put　her　hand　on　his　forehead。　His　skin　was　cold　and　clammy。　He　looked　about　ready　to　fall　over。　Her　insides　fluttered　with　worry。
　
　Kahlan　squatted　in　front　of　the　Bird　Man。　'Richard　doesn't　feel　well。　He　needs　to　go　somewhere　quiet。　Is　that　all　right？'
　
　At　first　he　thought　he　knew　why　they　wanted　to　leave。　His　smile　faded　when　he　saw　the　anxiety　on　her　face。　'Take　him　to　the　spirit　house。　It　is　quiet　there。　No　one　will　bother　him。　Get　Nissel　if　you　think　there　be　need。'　A　little　of　his　smile　came　back。　'Maybe　he　has　spent　too　much　time　on　the　dragon。　I　thank　the　spirits　my　gift　of　flight　was　short。'
　
　She　nodded；　unable　to　manage　much　of　a　smile；　and　said　a　quick　good　night　to　the　others。　Picking　up　both　their　packs；　she　put　a　hand　under　Richard's　arm　and　helped　him　to　his　feet。　His　eyes　were　squeezed　shut；　his　eyebrows　wrinkled　together　in　pain。　The　pain　seemed　to　pass　a　little；　and　he　opened　his　eyes；　took　a　deep　breath；　and　started　off　with　her　across　the　open　area。
　
　The　shadows　were　thick　among　the　buildings；　but　the　moon　was　up；　giving　them　enough　light　to　see　their　way。　The　sounds　of　the　feast　faded　into　the　background；　leaving　only　the　slow　scrape　of　Richard's　boots…　scuffing　on　the　dry　ground。
　
　He　straightened　a　little。　'I　think　some　of　it　has　passed。'
　
　'Do　you　get　headaches　often？'
　
　He　smiled　over　to　her　in　the　moonlight。　'I'm　famous　for　my　headaches。　My　father　told　me　that　my　mother　used　to　get　headaches　like　the　ones　I　get；　where　you　feel　sick　to　your　stomach　because　your　head　hurts　so　much。　But　this　one　is　different。　I've　never　had　ones　like　this　before。　It's　like　something　inside　my　head　is　trying　to　get　out。'　He　took　his　pack　from　her　and　hoisted　it　to　his　shoulder。　'It　hurts　more　than　my　other　headaches。'
　
　They　passed　from　the　narrow　passageways　to　the　wide　space　around　the　spirit　house。　It　sat　by　itself；　moonlight　reflecting　off　the　tile　roof　Richard　had　helped　the　Mud　People　build。　Wisps　of　smoke　rose　from　the　chimney。
　
　Around　the　side；　by　the　door；　a　row　of　chickens　roosted　on　a　low　wall。　They　watched　as　she　pulled　the　door　open　for　him；　starting　a　little　at　the　squeak　of　the　hinges；　and　settled　down　as　the　two　of　them　passed　inside。
　
　Richard　flopped　down　in　front　of　the　fireplace。　Kahlan　pulled　out　a　blanket　and　made　him　lie　back；　bunching　the　blanket　under　his　head。　He　rested　the　back　of　his　wrist　over　his　eyes　as　she　sat；　cross…legged；　next　to　him。
　
　Kahlan　felt　helpless。　'I　think　I　should　go　get　Nissel。　Maybe　a　healer　can　do　something　for　you。'
　
　He　shook　his　head。　'I'll　be　all　right。　I　just　need　to　be　away　from　all　the　noise。'　He　smiled；　his　arm　still　over　his　eyes。　'Have　you　ever　noticed　how　badly　we　do　at　parties？　Every　time　we　are　at　a　party　something　happens。'
　
　Kahlan　thought　back　to　every　gathering　they　had　been　at　together。　'I　think　you're　right。'　She　rubbed　a　hand　on　his　chest。　'I　think　the　only　solution　is　for　us　to　be　alone。'
　
　Richard　kissed　her　hand。　'I　would　like　that。'
　
　She　enfolded　his　big　hand　in　both　of　hers；　wanting　to　feel　the　warmth　of　him　as　she　watched　him　rest。　It　was　dead　quiet　in　the　spirit　house；　except　for　the　slow　crackling　of　the　fire。　She　listened　to　his　slow；　steady　breathing。
　
　After　a　while；　he　slid　his　hand　away；　and　looked　up　at　her。　Firelight　reflected　in　his　eyes。　There　was　something　about　his　face；　his　eyes；　something　her　mind　was　trying　to　tell　her。　He　looked　like　someone　else　she　had　met；　but　who？　A　name　whispered　in　the　back　of　her　thoughts；　but　she　couldn't　quite　hear　it。　She　stroked　his　hair　back　off　his　forehead。　His　skin　didn't　feel　quite　so　cold。
　
　He　sat　up。　'I　just　thought　of　something。　I　asked　the　elders　for　permission　to　marry　you；　but　I　haven't　really　asked　you。'
　
　Kahlan　smiled。　'No；　you　haven't。'
　
　Suddenly　he　looked　embarrassed　and　unsure　of　himself。
　
　His　eyes　wandered　a　little。　That　was　really　stupid。　I'm　sorry。　That　wasn't　the　right　way　to　do　it。　I　hope　you're　not　angry。　I　guess　I'm　not　very　good　at　this。　I've　never　done　it　before。'
　
　'Me　neither。'
　
　'And　I　guess　this　isn't　the　most　romantic　place　to　do　it。　It　should　be　someplace　beautiful。'
　
　'Wherever　you　are　is　the　most　romantic　place　in　the　world　to　me。'
　
　'And　I　guess　I　must　look　pretty　silly　asking　you　something　like　this　when　I'm　lying　here　with　a　headache。'
　
　'If　you　don't　ask　me　pretty　soon；　Richard　Cypher；'　she　whispered；　'I'm　going　to　choke　it　out　of　you。'
　
　His　eyes　finally　found　hers；　found　hers　so　intently　it　nearly　took　her　breath　away。　'Kahlan　Amnell；　will　you　marry　me？'
　
　Quite　unexpectedly；　she　found　she　couldn't　speak。　She　closed　her　eyes　and　kissed　his　soft　lips　as　a　tear　rolled　down　her　cheek。　His　arms　closed　around　her；　hugging　her　tight　against　the　heat　of　him。　She　pulled　back　breathlessly。　Her　voice　at　last　returned。　'Yes。'　She　kissed　him　again。　'Please；　yes。'
　
　Kahlan　laid　her　head　against　his　shoulder。　Richard　gently　stroked　her　hair　as　she　listened　to　his　breathing　and　the　crackle　of　the　fire。　He　held　her　tenderly　and　kissed　the　top　of　her　head；　there　being　no　need　for　words。　She　felt　safe　in　his　arms。
　
　Kahlan　let　loose　her　pain：　the　pain　of　loving　him　more　than　life　itself　and　thinking　he　had　been　tortured　to　death　by　the　Mord…Sith　before　she　could　tell　him　how　much　she　loved　him；　the　pain　of　having　thought　she　could　never　have　him　because　she　was　a　Confessor　and　her　power　would　destroy　him；　the　hurt　of　how　much　she　needed　him；　how　uncontrollably　she　loved　him。
　
　As　her　anguish　expended　itself；　it　was　replaced　by　her　joy　in　what　lay　ahead：　a　lifetime；　together。　The　breathless　excitement　of　it　seeped　into　her。　She　clutched　at　him；　wanting　to　melt　into　him；　wanting　to　be　one　with　him。
　
　Kahlan　smiled。　That　was　what　being　married　to　him　would　be：　being　one　with　him；　as　Zedd　had　told　her　once　…like　finding　the　other　half　of　herself。
　
　When　she　finally　looked　up；　there　was　a　tea