tg.stone of tears-第32章

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ters　of　the　Light；　the　witch　woman　was　just　about　the　last　person　Kahlan　ever　wanted　to　see　again。　'I　don't　like　it。'
　
　Richard　stole　a　quick　glance　at　her。　'If　you　have　a　better　idea；　put　words　to　it。'
　
　Kahlan　let　out　an　angry　breath。　'I　guess　we　have　no　choice。　But　you　just　keep　her　hands　off　you。'
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　startled　look；　then　turned　to　the　witch　woman's　panion。　'You　take　the　lead；　Samuel；　and　don't　forget　who's　carrying　the　sword。　And　remember　what　I　told　you　the　last　time。　I　might　still　have　some　Samuel　stew　if　you　try　doing　anything　to　harm　us。'
　
　Samuel　eyed　the　blade　a　moment。　Without　another　word　he　turned　and　started　off；　glancing　over　his　shoulder　to　make　sure　they　followed。　Richard　kept　the　sword　out；　slung　his　bow　over　his　shoulder；　and　put　himself　between　Kahlan　and　Samuel。　The　anger　of　the　sword's　magic　blazed　in　his　eyes。　Samuel　loped　through　the　grass　ahead　of　them；　turning　back　occasionally　to　hiss　at　them。
　
　Kahlan　stayed　close　on　Richard's　heels。　'She'd　better　not　put　snakes　on　me　again。　No　snakes！'　she　said　emphatically。　'And　I　mean　it。'
　
　'As　if　we　have　a　choice；'　Richard　muttered。
　
　It　was　near　dark　by　the　time　they　reached　the　village。　They　came　in　from　the　east；　and　noticed　immediately　that　the　entire　population　of　the　village　was　clustered　at　the　south　end　of　the　mon　field；　shielded　by　armed　hunters　standing　shoulder　to　shoulder。　Kahlan　knew　the　Mud　People　were　deathly　afraid　of　the　witch　woman。　They　wouldn't　even　speak　her　name　aloud。
　
　For　that　matter；　everyone　she　ever　knew　was　deathly　afraid　of　the　witch　woman　…　including　her。　Shota　would　have　killed　her　the　last　time　if　Richard　hadn't　used　a　wish　Shota　had　granted　him；　to　save　her。　She　didn't　think　Shota　would　be　granting　Richard　any　more　wishes。
　
　Samuel　led　them　through　the　narrow　passageways；　toward　the　spirit　house；　walking　as　if　he　had　lived　here　all　his　life。　He　gurgled　his　odd　laugh　as　he　bounded　along；　giving　them　an　occasional　glance。　He　grinned　with　bloodless　lips；　as　if　he　knew　something　they　didn't。　When　his　grin　showed　too　many　teeth　and　Richard　prodded　him　with　the　sword；　Samuel　growled　and　hissed；　his　yellow　eyes　glowing　in　the　fading　light。
　
　Samuel　laid　his　long…fingered　hand　on　the　latch　to　the　spirit　house。　'Pretty　lady　waits　here。　With　me。　Mistress　wants　only　Seeker。'
　
　'Richard；　I'm　going　in　too；'　Kahlan　said　firmly。
　
　He　gave　her　a　sidelong　glance　and　then　looked　at　Samuel。　'Open　the　door。'
　
　One　powerful　arm　drew　the　door　back；　as　shining　yellow　eyes　glowered　at　him。　Richard　held　his　sword　out；　indicating　that　he　wanted　her　to　go　in。　The　door　squeaked　closed　behind　them；　with　a　sour…faced　Samuel　on　the　other　side。
　
　In　the　center　of　the　room　sat　a　tall；　elegant　throne。　Torchlight　danced　and　flared　on　the　carved；　gold…leaf　vines；　snakes；　cats；　and　other　beasts　that　covered　every　inch　of　the　stately　structure。　A　canopy　draped　with　heavy　red　brocade　and　trimmed　with　gold　tassels　jutted　out　overhead。　The　throne　itself　sat　atop　three　square；　white　marble　platforms　that　served　as　steps。　The　whole　thing　was　massive　and　imposing。　Tufted　red　velvet　covered　the　seat；　the　back；　and　the　tops　of　the　arms。　Kahlan　couldn't　imagine　how　it　could　have　possibly　fit　through　the　door。　Or　how　many　men　it　must　have　taken　to　carry　it。
　
　Shota　sat　regally；　her　impassive　almond　eyes　watching　Richard。　She　reclined　slightly；　against　the　red　velvet；　one　leg　crossed　over　the　other；　her　arms　resting　on　the　chair's　high；　wide…spaced　arms；　with　hands　draped　haughtily　over　gold　gargoyles。　The　gargoyles　licked　her　wrists　while　she　clicked　one　long；　lacquered　fingernail　against　a　thumbnail。　Luxuriant　auburn　hair　cascaded　over　her　shoulders。
　
　Shota　redirected　her　ageless　eyes　to　Kahlan。　The　long；　rock…solid　gaze　felt　as　if　it　paralyzed　her；　penetrated　her。　A　red；　white；　and　black　banded　snake　slumped　down；　hanging　from　the　canopy。　It　flicked　its　tongue　at　Kahlan；　hissing；　and　then　dropped　into　Shota's　lap；　coiling　up　like　a　contented　cat。
　
　It　was　a　message　to　say　that　she　had　not　been　invited；　and　was　now　warned　of　what　would　happen　if　Shota　became　displeased。　Kahlan　swallowed；　trying　not　to　let　it　show。　After　what　seemed　an　eternity；　and　after　the　witch　woman　seemed　satisfied　that　the　message　was　understood；　she　turned　her　unblinking　eyes　back　to　Richard。
　
　'Put　your　sword　away；　Richard。'　Shota's　voice　was　like　smooth　velvet　rubbed　the　right　way。　Kahlan　didn't　think　it　was　fair　that　anyone　that　beautiful　should　also　be　graced　with　a　voice　that　could　melt　butter；　or　a　man's　heart。
　
　'From　the　impression　you　left　when　we　parted；　I　fear　you　might　try　to　kill　me。'　His　voice；　also；　was　annoyingly　smooth。
　
　'If　I　decide　to　kill　you；　my　dear　boy；　and　I　may；　your　sword　will　not　help　you。'　Richard　suddenly　yelped　and　dropped　the　sword　as　if　it　was　a　hot　coal。　He　stared　down　at　the　sword　as　he　forted　his　hand。　'Now；　put　it　away。'　That　time　the　quality　of　her　voice　was　more　of　velvet　rubbed　the　wrong　way。
　
　From　under　his　eyebrows；　Richard　looked　up　at　Shota　on　her　throne；　before　bending　to　retrieve　his　sword　and　slide　it　back　into　its　scabbard。
　
　A　self…satisfied　smile　spread　across　Shota's　full　lips。　She　lifted　the　snake　from　her　lap　and　set　it　aside。　Shota　watched　Richard　a　moment　longer　and　then　stood；　leaning　forward　enough　in　the　process　to　offer　her　breasts　the　opportunity　to　fall　out　of　her　wispy；　low…cut；　variegated　gray　dress。　How　they　managed　not　to；　Kahlan　didn't　know。　A　little　stoppered　bottle　tumbled　from　its　snug　place　between　her　breasts　and　swung　on　a　fine　silver　chain。
　
　Kahlan's　face　heated　as　Shota　gracefully　descended　the　three　platforms；　never　taking　her　eyes　from　Richard。　The　loose　points　of　the　dress　floated　gently；　as　if　in　a　light　breeze。　But　there　was　no　breeze　inside　the　spirit　house。
　
　That　fabric；　Kahlan　decided；　was　definitely　too　thin　for　a　dress。　She　wondered　what　she　would　look　like　in　it；　and　blushed　at　the　mental　image。
　
　Once　standing　on　the　ground；　Shota　turned　and　pulled　the　stopper　from　the　little　bottle。　The　entire　throne　wavered；　like　something　seen　through　heat　waves。　Abruptly　it　turned　to　gray　smoke　and　swirled　in　a　circle；　diminishing　all　the　time　in　size；　and　sucked　itself　into　a　fine　line　that　went　into　the　little　bottle。　Shota　replaced　the　stopper；　tucked　the　bottle　back　between　her　breasts；　and　with　a　finger；　pushed　it　so　far　down　it　could　no　longer　be　seen。　Kahlan　took　a　deep；　noisy　breath。
　
　Shota's　gaze　glided　from　Richard's　eyes　and　took　in　his　open　shirt　with　what　might　have　been　amusement。　Or　satisfaction。　Richard's　face　reddened。
　
　Shota's　smile　widened。　'How　delightfully　indecent。'　She　ran　one　of　her　long；　red　nails　all　the　way　down　his　chest　to　his　navel；　and　then　she　gently　patted　his　stomach。　'Button　your　shirt；　Richard；　or　I　may　forget　why　I'm　here。'
　
　His　face　turned　a　deeper　red。　Kahlan　moved　deliberately　closer　to　his　side　as　he　began　redoing　the　buttons。
　
　'Shota；'　he　said　as　he　tucked　the　tails　in　his　pants；　'I　have　to　thank　you。　You　may　not　know　it；　but　you　really　helped　me　before。　Helped　me　to　figure　it　out。'
　
　'It　was　my　intention　to　help　you。'
　
　'You　don't　understand。　I　mean　you　helped　me　figure　out　how　to　be　with　Kahlan。　You　helped　me　figure　out　how　we　could　be　together。　How　to　love　her。'　He　smiled。　'We're　going　to　be　married。'
　
　There　was　a　moment　of　icy　silence。
　
　That's　right；'　Kahlan　said；　holding　her　chin　up；　'we　love　each　other　。。。　and　can　be　together　now　。。。　Forever。'　She　hated　the　way　Shota　made　her　feel　explanations　were　necessary；　and　the　way　she　fumbled　with　them。
　
　Shota's　intense　gaze　slid　to　her　and　her　smile　slowly　evaporated；　making　Kahlan　have　to　swallow　again。　'You　ignorant　children；'　Shota　whispered　as　she　slowly　shook　her　head。　'You　foolish；　ignorant　children。'
　
　Richard's　expression　was　being　heated。　'We　may　be　ignorant；　but　we　are　not　children；　and　we　love　each　other。　And　we　are　going　to　be　married。　I　was　hoping　you　would　be　happy　for　us；　Shota；　since　you　played　a　small　part　in　it。'
　
　'What　I　told　you；　dear　boy；　was　that　you　needed　to　kill　her。'
　
　'But　that's　all　over；'　Kahlan　protested。　The　problem　has　been　solved。　It's　all　right　for　us　now。　Everything　is　all　right。'
　
　Kahlan　gasped　as　she　felt　her　feet　lift　off　the　ground。　Both　she　and　Richard　were　flung　across　the　room　and　up　against　the　wall。　The　impact　knocked　the　wind　from　her　lungs。　Little　points　of　light　floated　and　danced　before　her　eyes。　She　looked　down；　trying　to　clear　her　vision。
　
　She　and　Richard　were　flattened　against　the　mud…brick　wall；　a　good　three　feet　off　the　ground。　She　could　hardly　breathe。　The　only　thing　she　could　move　was　her　head。　Even　her　clothes　were　flattened。　Her　cloak　lay　against　the　wall　as　if　it　were　the　floor。　Richard　was　as　helpless　as　she。　They　both　struggled；　twisting　their　heads；　but　it　was　useless；　they　were　stuck　tight。
　
　Shota　glided　across　the　room　toward　them；　her　eyes　hot　and　dangerous。　She　stopped　in　front　of　Kahlan。　'He　didn't　need　to　kill　you？　And　it's　all　right　now；　is　it；　Mother　Confessor？'
　
　'Yes；'　Kahlan　managed；　trying　to　sound　confident　as　she　hung　helpless。
　
　'Did　it　ever　occur　to　you；　Mother　Confessor；　that　perhaps　there　are　reasons　behind　what　I　say？'
　
　'Yes；　but　that　has　all。。。'
　
　'Did　it　ever　occur　to　you；　Mother　Confessor；　that　there　is　a　reason　why　Confessors　are　not　supposed　to　love　their　mates？　And　perhaps　another　reason　he　should　have　killed　you？'
　
　Kahlan　couldn't　answer。　Her　mind　raced　with　frantic　thoughts。
　
　'What　are　you　talking　about？'　Richard　demanded。
　
　Shota　ignored　him。　'Did　it；　Mother　Confessor？'
　
　Kahlan's　throat　was　so　dry；　she　had　to　swallow　twice　before　she　could　speak。　'What　do　you　mean？　What　reason？'
　
　'Have　you　lain　with　this　man　you　love？　Have　you　done　that　yet；　Mother　Confessor？'
　
　It　was　Kahlan's　turn　to　blush。　'What　kind　of　question　is　that　to　ask　someone！'
　
　'Answer　the　question；　Mother　Confessor；'　Shota　hissed；　'or　I　will　skin　you　right　now　and　use　your　hide　to　make　myself　something　pretty。　I　am　of　a　mind　to　do　it　anyway。　You　had　better　not　even　think　of　lying　to　me。'
　
　'I　。。。　We　。。。　No！　And　what　business　is　it　of　yours　anyway！'
　
　Shota　stepped　closer。　Her　eyes　sent　a　silent　shriek　through　Kahlan。　'Maybe　you'd　better　think　twice　before　you　do；　Mother　Confessor。'
　
　'What　do　you　mean？'　she　breathed；　wide…eyed。
　
　Shota　folded　her　arms　across　her　breasts。　Her　voice　became　more　menacing。　'Confessors　are　not　supposed　to　love　their　mates；　because　if　they　bear　a　male　child；　she　has　to　ask　the　husband　to　kill　the　baby。　The　husband　is　supposed　to　have　been　taken　by　the　Confessor's　power；　so　that　he　will　do　whatever　she　asks。　Without　question。'
　
　'But　。。。'
　
　Shota　stepped　even　closer；　her　eyes　filled　with　fury。　'If　you　love　him；　how　could　you　ask　that　of　him！　How　could　you　ask　Richard　to　kill　his　son？　Do　you　think　he　would？　Would　you？　Would　you　kill　the　son　of　the　man　you　love？　Would　you；　Mother　Confessor？'
　
　Shota's　words　knifed　into　Kahlan's　heart　and　soul；　leaving　her　barely　able　to　whisper　the　answer。　'No。'
　
　She　felt　her　hopes　and　happiness　collapsing。　In　the　joy　of　fi