tg.stone of tears-第24章

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　'My　parents！　Are　you　sure？'
　
　'I　think　that　is　what　they　were　trying　to　say。　They　said　for　you　not　to　try　to　run　any　more。　That　they　have　e　for　you；　and　you　must　not　run。　They　told　me　I　must　not　interfere。'
　
　Richard　unconsciously　loosened　his　sword　in　its　scabbard；　his　brow　taking　on　a　hawklike　set。　'Where　are　they？'
　
　'I　had　them　wait　in　the　spirit　house。'
　
　Kahlan　hooked　some　hair　behind　her　ear。　'Did　they　say　who　they　are？'
　
　The　Bird　Man's　long　silver　hair　gleamed　in　the　light　of　the　setting　sun　ing　from　behind　him。　'They　called　themselves　the　Sisters　of　the　Light。'
　
　Kahlan's　breath　caught　in　her　throat；　goose　bumps　rippled　up　her　arms。　Her　insides　felt　as　if　they　had　been　twisted　into　an　icy　knot。
　
　She　couldn't　make　her　eyes　blink。
　
　
　CHAPTER　9
　
　Richard　frowned。　'Well？　Who　are　they？　What　did　he　say？'
　
　Still；　she　couldn't　make　her　eyes　blink。　She　could　only　manage　a　whisper。　'He　said　they　are　the　Sisters　of　the　Light。'
　
　He　stared　at　her　a　long　moment。　'Who　are　the　Sisters　of　the　Light？'
　
　Finally；　she　blinked　and　looked　over　at　him。　'I　don't　know　a　whole　lot　about　them。　No　one　does。　Richard；　I　think　we　should　leave。'　Kahlan　clamped　both　hands　on　his　arm。　'Please？　Let's　go。　Right　now。'
　
　Richard's　gaze　glided　over　the　men　with　spears；　stopping　on　the　Bird　Man。　'Thank　him　for　ing　to　us。　Tell　him　we　will　take　care　of　it。'
　
　After　the　Bird　Man　nodded　and　he　and　his　men　left；　and　they　had　told　Savidlin　they　would　go　alone；　Richard　led　her　outside　by　the　arm。　They　went　around　a　few　corners　and　he　pushed　her　gently　up　against　a　wall；　holding　her　by　her　upper　arms。
　
　'All　right；　you　may　not　know　a　lot　about　them；　but　you　know　something。　Tell　me　what　it　is。　I　don't　need　to　be　a　mind　reader　to　tell　you　know　something；　and　you're　afraid。'
　
　'They　have　something　to　do　with　wizards。　With　those　with　the　gift。'
　
　'What　do　you　mean？'
　
　Kahlan　put　her　hands　on　his　arms　the　way　he　had　his　on　hers。　'One　time　when　I　was　traveling　with　Wizard　Giller；　we　were　sitting　around　talking。　You　know；　about　life；　dreams；　things　like　that。　Giller　was　a　wizard　by　calling。　He　didn't　have　the　gift；　just　the　calling。　Being　a　wizard　had　been　his　lifelong　ambition；　his　calling。　Zedd　had　taught　him　to　be　a　wizard。　Only；　because　of　the　wizard's　web　Zedd　put　over　everyone　when　he　left　the　Midlands；　Giller　didn't　remember　Zedd。　No　one　did。　No　one　even　remembered　his　name。
　
　Anyway；　I　asked　him　if　he　ever　wished　he　had　more　than　the　calling。　If　he　wished　he　had　the　gift。　He　smiled　and　daydreamed　about　it　a　minute。　Then　his　smile　went　away。　His　face　turned　white；　and　he　said　no；　he　didn't　wish　he　had　the　gift。
　
　'I　was　puzzled　by　the　look　of　fear　on　his　face。　Wizards　don't　often　get　a　look　like　that　over　a　simple　question。　I　asked　him　why　he　wouldn't　want　to　have　the　gift。　He　said　because　if　he　had　the　gift；　he　would　have　to　face　the　Sisters　of　the　Light。
　
　'I　asked　him　who　they　were；　but　he　wouldn't　tell　me　anything　about　them。　He　said　it　was　best　not　to　even　mention　their　name　aloud。　He　begged　me　not　to　ask　him　any　more　on　the　subject。　I　still　remember　how　much　the　look　on　his　face　scared　me。'
　
　'Do　you　know　where　they're　from？'
　
　'I've　been　almost　everywhere　in　the　Midlands。　I've　never　heard　of　them　being　seen　anywhere。　And　I've　asked。'
　
　Richard　let　go　of　her　and　put　a　fist　on　his　hip。　With　his　other　hand；　he　squeezed　his　lower　lip　to　a　point　as　he　thought。　Finally　he　folded　his　arms　and　turned　around。　The　gift。　So　we're　back　to　the　gift。　I　thought　we　were　done　with　this　nonsense。　I　don't　have　the　gift！'
　
　She　knitted　her　fingers　together。　'Richard　please；　let's　just　get　away。　If　a　wizard　was　afraid　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　。。。　Let's　just　get　away　from　here。'
　
　'And　what　if　they　follow？　What　if　they　catch　up　with　us　when　the　headache　has　me　flat　on　my　back；　when　I'm　defenseless？'
　
　'Richard；　I　don't　know　anything　about　them。　But　if　a　wizard　is　that　afraid　of　them　。。。　What　if　we　are　defenseless　right　now？'
　
　'I　am　the　Seeker。　I　am　not　defenseless。　But　I　might　be　later。　Better　to　meet　them　on　my　terms　than　theirs。　And　I'm　tired　of　hearing　about　the　gift！　I　don't　have　it　and　I'm　going　to　put　an　end　to　this　nonsense　right　now。'
　
　She　took　a　deep　breath　and　nodded。　'All　right。　I　guess　the　Seeker　and　the　Mother　Confessor　are　not　without　defenses。'
　
　He　gave　her　a　stern　look。　'You're　not　ing。'
　
　'Do　you　have　a　rope？'
　
　Richard　frowned。　'No。　Why？'
　
　She　lifted　an　eyebrow。　'You　will　have　a　hard　time　stopping　me　if　you　don't　have　a　rope　to　tie　me　up。'
　
　'Kahlan；　I'm　not　letting　you　。。。'
　
　'And　I'm　not　giving　you　a　chance　to　have　a　look　at　a　woman　you　might　fancy　more　than　me；　without　being　there　to　give　her　a　whack。'
　
　He　watched　her　with　an　exasperated　expression；　and　then　leaned　forward　and　kissed　her。　'All　right。　But　let's　not　have　an　'adventure'？'
　
　She　smiled。　'We　will　just　tell　these　three　you　don't　have　the　gift；　send　them　on　their　way；　and　then　I'm　going　to　give　you　a　serious　kiss。'
　
　The　sky　was　darkening　into　a　deep　blue　when　they　reached　the　spirit　house。　Three　strong　horses　were　tethered　a　short　distance　away。　Their　saddles　were　different　from　any　she　had　seen　before；　with　high　pommels　and　cantles。　As　they　paused　in　front　of　the　door；　the　air　was　cold　enough　to　show　their　breath。　Richard　and　Kahlan　gave　each　other　a　smile　and　a　squeeze　of　the　hand。　Richard　checked　that　the　sword　was　clear　in　its　scabbard。　He　took　a　deep　breath　and　pulled　open　the　door。　Kahlan　wore　her　Confessor's　face；　as　her　mother　had　taught　her。
　
　The　inside　of　the　spirit　house　was　lit　by　a　small　fire　and　two　torches　in　brackets；　one　to　each　side　of　the　fireplace。　Their　packs　still　sat　to　the　side。　The　air　smelled　of　pitch　and　the　balsam…scented　sticks　that　were　always　burned　in　the　spirit　house　to　make　the　ancestors'　spirits　wele。　Torchlight　flickered　on　the　skulls　of　ancestors　sitting　on　a　single　shelf。　The　dirt　floor　was　dry；　since　Richard　had　used　the　spirit　house　to　teach　the　Mud　People　to　make　roofs　that　didn't　leak。
　
　The　three　women　stood　straight　and　tall　in　the　center　of　the　single…roomed；　windowless　building。　Their　brown；　heavy　wool　cloaks　hung　almost　to　the　ground。　The　hoods　were　up；　partly　shadowing　their　faces。　They　wore　long；　divided　riding　skirts　of　different；　dark；　muted　colors；　and　simple　white　blouses。
　
　They　pushed　back　their　hoods。　The　one　in　the　middle；　a　few　inches　taller　than　the　other　two；　but　not　as　tall　as　Kahlan；　had　brown　hair　with　some　curl　and　body　to　it。　The　one　to　her　right　had　straight；　black；　shoulder　length　hair；　and　the　other's　was　curly；　short；　and　dark；　with　streaks　of　gray。　Each　had　her　hands　clasped　at　ease　in　front　of　her。
　
　It　was　the　only　thing　at　ease　about　them。　Their　mature　faces　wore　looks　that　reminded　Kahlan　of　the　headmistress　of　the　maidservants　back　in　Aydindril。　It　was　a　countenance　of　authority　they　appeared　to　have　held　so　long　that　it　had　worn　permanent　creases。　Kahlan　took　a　second　glance　at　their　hands　to　see　if　they　were　empty；　they　looked　like　they　should　be　carrying　switches。　Their　eyes　watched；　as　if　ready　to　silence　any　impudence。
　
　The　woman　in　the　middle　spoke。　'You　two　are　Richard's　parents？'　Her　voice　wasn't　quite　as　harsh　as　Kahlan　expected；　but　still　carried　a　clear　tone　of　authority。
　
　Richard　glowered　at　them；　looking　as　if　just　his　look　might　push　the　three　back　a　pace。　He　waited　until　the　glare　caused　them　to　blink；　before　he　spoke。　'No。　I　am　Richard。　My　parents　are　dead。　My　mother　since　I　was　young；　and　my　father　since　the　end　of　summer。'
　
　The　three　exchanged　sidelong　glances。
　
　Kahlan　saw　the　anger　in　his　eyes。　He　was　bleeding　magic　from　the　sword　without　even　drawing　it。　She　could　tell　the　sword　was　only　a　blink　away　from　ing　out。　She　could　see　by　the　look　in　his　eyes　that　he　would　not　hesitate　if　these　women　did　anything　wrong。
　
　'That　is　not　possible；'　the　taller　one　in　the　center　said。　'You　are　。。。　old。'
　
　'Not　as　old　as　you；'　Richard　snapped。
　
　Their　cheeks　colored。　The　woman's　eyes　flashed　an　angry　scowl；　but　she　quickly　softened　it。　'We　did　not　mean　to　say　you　are　old；　we　meant　to　say　you　are　older　than　we　expected。　I　am　Sister　Verna　Sauventreen。'
　
　The　black…haired　woman　to　her　right　spoke。　'I　am　Sister　Grace　Rendall。'
　
　'I　am　Sister　Elizabeth　Myric；'　the　third　said。
　
　Sister　Verna　turned　her　stern　expression　on　Kahlan。　'And　who　would　you　be；　child。'
　
　Kahlan　didn't　know　if　it　was　Richard's　attitude　causing　it；　but　she　felt　her　blood　heating；　too。　She　gritted　her　teeth。　'I　am　not　your　'child。'　I　am　the　Mother　Confessor。'　Kahlan's　tone　could　carry　authority；　too；　when　she　wished　it　to。
　
　It　was　almost　imperceptible；　but　the　three　flinched。　Together；　they　bowed　their　heads　slightly。
　
　'Forgive　us；　Mother　Confessor。'
　
　The　air　of　threat　in　the　spirit　house　was　still　palpable。　Kahlan　realized　her　hands　were　fists。　It　came　to　her　that　she　felt　this　way　because　they　were　a　threat　to　Richard。　She　decided　it　was　time　to　act　like　the　Mother　Confessor。
　
　'Where　are　you　three　from？'　she　asked　in　an　icy　voice。
　
　'We　are　from　。。。　far　away。'
　
　Kahlan's　glare　was　beginning　to　match　Richard's。　'In　the　Midlands；　a　bow　to　the　Mother　Confessor　is　done　on　at　least　one　knee。'　It　was　a　custom　she　almost　never　had　any　interest　in　enforcing；　but　she　felt　the　need　now。
　
　The　three　leaned　back　as　one；　standing　straighter。　Their　indignant　frowns　deepened。
　
　It　was　enough　to　bring　out　the　sword。
　
　The　distinctive　ringing　of　steel　hung　in　the　air。　Richard　said　nothing；　he　simply　stood　holding　the　sword　in　both　hands。　Kahlan　could　see　his　muscles　straining　to　be　released。　The　Sword　of　Truth's　magic　danced　dangerously　in　his　eyes。　She　was　glad　his　glower　wasn't　directed　at　her；　it　was　frightening。　The　three　didn't　appear　to　be　as　frightened　by　it　as　she　would　have　expected；　but　they　turned　to　her；　and　together；　went　to　one　knee；　bowing　their　heads　again。
　
　'Forgive　us；　Mother　Confessor；'　Sister　Grace　said。　'We　are　not　familiar　with　your　customs。　We　meant　no　offense。'　They　kept　their　heads　down。
　
　Kahlan　waited　the　appropriate　period；　and　then　added　a　few　long　seconds。　'Rise；　my　children。'
　
　When　they　came　to　their　feet　they　clasped　their　hands　in　front　again。
　
　Sister　Verna　took　a　deep；　impatient　breath。　'We　are　not　here　to　frighten　you；　Richard。　We　are　here　to　help　you。　Put　the　sword　away。'　The　last　held　a　harsh　hint　of　mand　to　it。
　
　Richard　didn't　move。　'I　was　told　you　said　you　came　for　me；　whatever　that　means；　and　that　I　must　not　run。　I　haven't　been　running。　I　am　the　Seeker。　I　will　decide　when　to　put　away　the　sword。'
　
　The　Se　。。。'　Sister　Elizabeth　almost　shouted。　'You　are　the　Seeker？'
　
　The　three　exchanged　looks　again。
　
　'State　your　business；'　Richard　said。　'Now。'
　
　Sister　Grace　took　an　impatient　breath　this　time。　'Richard；　we　are　not　here　to　harm　you。　Are　you　that　afraid　of　three　women？'
　
　'Even　one　woman　is　cause　enough　for　fear。　I　have　learned　that　lesson　the　hard　way。　I　no　longer　harbor　foolish　inhibitions　about　killing　women。　Last　time　offered：　state　your　business；　or　this　conve