tg.stone of tears-第35章

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　Kahlan　stood　woodenly；　trying　to　make　her　mind　work。
　
　She　couldn't　seem　to　form　a　coherent　thought。　'Because　you　are　Richard。　You　are　the　Seeker。'
　
　'I　don't　know　anything　about　the　underworld；　the　Keeper。　The　world　of　the　dead。'
　
　'Shota　says　no　one　living　does。'
　
　Richard　seemed　to　e　out　of　his　daze。　Abruptly　he　grabbed　her　shoulders。　Then　we　must　ask　the　dead。'
　
　'What？'
　
　The　ancestors'　spirits　are　dead。　We　can　talk　to　them。　I　can　ask　for　a　gathering　and　ask　them　questions。　We　can　learn　from　them。　Maybe　we　can　find　out　how　to　close　the　veil。　Maybe　I　can　find　out　how　to　stop　the　headaches；　how　to　use　the　gift。'　He　gripped　her　arm。　'e　on。'
　
　Kahlan　almost　smiled。　He　was　indeed　the　Seeker。　Richard　pulled　her　through　the　passageways；　running　when　they　could　see　well　enough。　Clouds　hid　the　moon　and　it　was　dark　between　the　buildings。　The　air　was　like　ice　on　her　face；　making　tears　run　from　the　corners　of　her　eyes。
　
　When　they　reached　the　open　field；　there　was　light。　Torches　lit　the　people　gathered　there。　They　were　all　still　bunched　together　with　hunters　shielding　everyone；　they　didn't　know　the　witch　woman　was　gone。　The　entire　village　watched　in　silence　as　the　two　of　them　crossed　the　opening；　the　hunters　parting　for　them　as　they　approached　the　Bird　Man　and　the　other　six　elders。　Chandalen　stood　to　their　side。
　
　'Everyone　is　safe；'　Kahlan　reassured　them。　'The　witch　woman　is　gone。'
　
　There　was　a　collective　sigh　of　relief。　Chandalen　thumped　the　butt　of　his　spear　on　the　ground。　'Again　you　bring　trouble！'
　
　Richard　ignored　him　and　asked　her　to　translate。　He　took　in　the　elders　and　let　his　gaze　settle　on　the　Bird　Man。　'Honored　elder。　The　witch　woman　was　not　here　to　harm　anyone。　She　was　here　to　warn　me　about　a　great　danger。'
　
　'You　claim；'　Chandalen　snapped。　'We　do　not　know　this　to　be　true。'
　
　Kahlan　knew　Richard　was　struggling　to　keep　calm。　'Do　you　doubt　that　if　she　wanted　to　send　you　to　the　spirit　world；　she　could　have　done　it？'　Chandalen　answered　only　with　a　glare。　The　Bird　Man　gave　Chandalen　a　look　that　seemed　to　shrink　him　a　few　inches。　He　looked　to　Richard。　'What　danger？'
　
　'She　says　we　are　in　danger　of　the　dead　escaping　into　the　world　of　the　living。'
　
　'They　cannot　e　into　the　world　of　the　living。　The　veil　keeps　them　back。'
　
　'You　know　of　the　veil？'
　
　'Yes。　Each　level　of　the　dead；　the　underworld　as　you　call　it；　is　sealed　with　a　veil。　When　we　hold　a　gathering；　we　invite　our　ancestors'　spirits　to　visit　us；　and　they　are　able　to　e　through　the　veil　for　a　short　time。'
　
　Richard　studied　the　Bird　Man's　face　a　moment。　'What　else　can　you　tell　me　about　the　veil？'
　
　The　other　shrugged。　'Nothing。　We　know　only　what　our　ancestors'　spirits　have　told　us　about　it：　that　they　must　pass　through　it　to　e　to　us　when　we　call　them；　and　that　it　holds　them　back　the　rest　of　the　time。　They　tell　us　that　there　are　many　levels　of　the　underworld；　the　dead；　and　that　they　are　in　the　uppermost　level；　and　so　they　can　e。　Those　who　are　not　honored　are　in　lower　levels；　and　may　not　e。　Their　spirits　are　locked　away　forever。'
　
　Richard　met　the　eyes　of　all　the　elders。　'The　veil　is　torn。　If　it　isn't　sealed　again；　the　world　of　the　dead　will　swallow　us　all。'　Gasps　spread　back　through　the　gathered　people。　Fearful　whispering　broke　out。　Richard's　gaze　went　back　to　the　Bird　Man。　'Please；　honored　elder；　I　request　a　gathering。　I　must　have　the　help　of　our　ancestors'　spirits。　I　must　find　a　way　to　seal　the　veil　before　the　Keeper　of　the　dead　escapes。　The　spirit　ancestors　may　be　able　to　help。　I　must　know　if　they　can　help。'
　
　Chandalen　thumped　his　spear。　'Lies！　You　carry　us　the　lies　of　a　witch　woman。　We　should　not　call　the　honored　spirits　of　our　ancestors　for　the　words　of　a　witch　woman！　The　spirits　of　our　ancestors　are　called　only　for　our　people；　not　a　witch　woman！　They　will　strike　all　our　people　dead　for　such　blasphemy！'
　
　Richard　glared　at　him。　They　are　not　being　called　by　a　witch　woman。　It　is　I　who　makes　the　request；　and　I　am　one　of　the　Mud　People。　I　ask　for　the　gathering　to　help　me　keep　our　people　from　being　harmed。'
　
　'You　bring　death　to　us。　You　bring　strangers。　You　bring　the　witch　woman。　You　only　wish　to　help　yourself。　How　did　this　veil　bee　torn？'
　
　Richard　unbuttoned　his　sleeve　and　pushed　it　up　his　arm。　He　slowly　pulled　the　Sword　of　Truth。　Holding　Chandalen's　glare；　he　drew　the　sword　across　his　forearm；　turning　it　to　wipe　both　sides　in　the　blood。　He　jammed　the　point　in　the　ground　and　rested　both　hands　over　the　hilt。
　
　'Kahlan；　I　want　you　to　translate　something。　Don't　leave　out　a　single　word。'　Richard　returned　his　glare　to　Chandalen。　His　voice　was　calm；　almost　gentle；　but　his　eyes　shone　with　lethal　intent。　'Chandalen；　if　I　hear　one　more　word　from　you　tonight；　even　if　it　is　to　agree　with　me　and　offer　your　help；　I　will　kill　you。　Some　of　the　things　the　witch　woman　told　me　have　put　me　in　the　mood　to　kill。　If　you　give　me　any　more　reason　…　it　will　be　you　I　kill。'
　
　The　eyes　of　all　the　elders　widened。　Chandalen　opened　his　mouth　to　say　something；　but　at　seeing　the　look　on　Richard's　face；　he　shut　his　mouth　and　folded　his　arms。　His　glower　was　fierce；　but　no　match　for　Richard's。　At　last　he　glanced　to　the　ground。
　
　Richard　spoke　again　to　the　Bird　Man。　'Honored　elder；　you　know　my　heart。　You　know　I　would　do　nothing　to　harm　our　people。　I　would　not　ask　this　if　it　were　not　important；　or　if　I　had　any　other　choice。　Please；　may　I　have　a　gathering　so　I　may　ask　our　ancestors'　spirits　how　I　can　stop　this　threat　to　our　people？'
　
　The　Bird　Man　turned　to　the　other　elders。　Each　nodded　in　turn。　Kahlan　knew　they　would；　it　was　only　a　formality。　Sav…idlin　was　their　friend；　and　the　others　had　dealt　with　Richard　before；　there　was　not　one　of　them　who　wanted　to　challenge　him。　The　real　decision　was　the　Bird　Man's。　He　watched　each　elder　nod；　and　then　turned　back　to　Richard。
　
　'This　is　bad　business。　I　do　not　like　calling　the　ancestors　to　ask　about　their　world。　It　is　our　world　they　e　to　help　us　with。　They　may　be　displeased。　They　may　be　angered。　They　may　say　no。'　He　watched　Richard　a　moment。　'But　I　know　your　heart。　I　know　you　are　a　savior　to　our　people；　and　you　would　not　ask　if　you　had　any　other　choice。'　He　laid　a　firm　hand　on　Richard's　shoulder。　Granted。'
　
　Kahlan　sighed　in　relief。　Richard　nodded　his　thanks。　Kahlan　knew　he　didn't　look　forward　to　meeting　the　ancestors'　spirits　again。　The　last　time　had　been　devastating　to　him。
　
　Suddenly；　there　was　a　flutter　of　shadow　in　the　air。　Kahlan　threw　her　hands　up　protectively。　Richard　was　knocked　back　a　step　as　something　hit　him　on　the　head。　People　shouted　in　confusion。　A　dark　shape　thumped　to　the　ground　between　Richard　and　the　Bird　Man。　Richard　straightened；　putting　his　fingers　to　his　scalp。　Blood　trickled　down　his　forehead。
　
　The　Bird　Man　squatted　down　over　a　dark　form；　and　then　straightened。　He　was　holding　a　dead　owl　cradled　in　his　hands。　The　head　lolled　to　the　side。　The　wings　fell　open。　The　elders　all　looked　at　one　another。　Chandalen's　frown　deepened；　but　he　said　nothing。
　
　Richard　inspected　the　blood　on　his　fingers。　'Why　in　the　world　would　an　owl　hit　me　like　that？　And　what　killed　it？'
　
　The　Bird　Man　gently　smoothed　the　dead　bird's　feathers。　'Birds　live　in　the　air；　a　different　level　than　us。　They　live　in　two　levels　…　land　and　air。　They　can　travel　between　their　level　and　ours。　Birds　are　closely　connected　to　the　spirit　world。　To　the　spirits。　Owls　more　than　most　birds。　They　see　in　the　night；　where　we　are　blind；　just　as　we　are　blind　to　the　spirit　world。　I　am　a　spirit　guide　for　our　people。　Only　a　Bird　Man　can　be　a　spirit　guide；　because　he　can　understand　such　things。'
　
　He　held　the　dead　bird　a　little　higher。　'This　is　a　warning。　I　have　never　witnessed　an　owl　bringing　a　spirit　message　before。　This　bird　gave　its　life　to　warn　you。　Richard；　please　reconsider　your　request　for　a　gathering。　This　warning　means　the　gathering　will　be　dangerous；　dangerous　enough　for　the　spirits　to　send　this　message。'
　
　Richard　looked　from　the　Bird　Man's　face　to　the　owl。　He　reached　out　and　stroked　its　feathers。　No　one　made　a　sound。　'Dangerous　for　me；　or　for　the　elders？'
　
　'For　you。　You　are　the　one　calling　for　the　gathering。　The　owl　brought　the　message　to　you。　The　warning　was　for　you。'　He　glanced　up　at　Richard's　forehead。　'A　blood　warning。　One　of　the　worst　kinds。　The　only　thing　worse　than　an　owl；　would　have　been　if　a　raven　had　brought　the　message。　That　would　have　meant　sure　death。'
　
　Richard　took　his　hand　back　and　wiped　his　fingers　on　his　shirt。　He　stared　down　at　the　dead　owl。　'I　don't　have　any　choice；'　he　whispered。　'If　I　don't　do　something；　the　veil　will　be　torn；　and　the　Keeper　of　the　dead　will　escape。　Our　people；　everyone；　will　be　swallowed　into　the　world　of　the　dead。　I　must　learn　how　to　stop　it。　I　must　try。'
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded。　'As　you　wish。　It　will　take　three　days　to　prepare。'　Richard　looked　up。　'You　did　it　in　two　days　before。　We　can't　spare　any　time；'
　
　The　elder　took　a　deep　breath　and　sighed。　'Two　days。'
　
　'Thank　you；　honored　elder。'　Richard　turned　to　her；　his　eyes　were　filled　with　pain。　'Kahlan；　please；　find　Nissel；　and　bring　her？　I'm　going　to　the　spirit　house。　Ask　her　to　bring　something　stronger？'
　
　She　squeezed　his　arm。　'Of　course。　I'll　hurry。'
　
　Richard　nodded。　He　pulled　his　sword　from　the　ground　and　walked　off　into　the　darkness。
　
　
　CHAPTER　13
　
　Cause　of　death。　She　looked　up　in　thought；　pressing　the　round　end　of　the　plain；　wooden…handled　pen　to　her　lower　lip。　The　small；　modest　room　was　dimly　lit　with　candles　set　among　and　on　top　of　the　disheveled　piles　of　papers　on　her　desk。　Scrolls　were　balanced　precariously　in　stacks　between　fat　books。　The　dark　patina　of　the　desktop　was　only　visible　in　a　small　area　in　front　of　her；　framing　the　waiting　report。
　
　Odd　objects　of　magic　stood　jammed　together　collecting　dust　on　the　shelves　behind　her。　The　ever…present　and　diligent　cleaning　staff　was　not　allowed　to　touch　them；　and　so　the　task　of　dusting　them　was　left　to　her；　but　there　was　never　enough　time；　or　inclination。　Besides；　they　looked　less　important　to　curious　eyes　when　covered　in　a　mask　of　dust。
　
　Heavy　drapes　were　drawn　against　the　night。　The　only　splash　of　color　in　the　room　was　one　of　the　local　blue…and…yellow　carpets　she　had　placed　on　the　other　side　of　the　desk。　Visitors　usually　spent　their　time　in　her　office　staring　down　at　it。
　
　Cause　of　death。　Reports　were　such　a　bother。　She　sighed。　But　a　necessary　bother。　For　now；　anyway。　The　Palace　of　the　Prophets　required　reams　of　reports。　There　were　Sisters　who　spent　their　whole　lives　in　the　libraries；　cataloging　reports；　pampering　them；　keeping　records　of　every　useless　word　they　thought　might　someday　be　important。
　
　Well；　there　was　nothing　for　it　but　to　think　up　a　suitable　cause　of　death。　The　truth　would　never　do。　Her　Sisters　would　have　to　have　a　satisfactory　explanation　as　to　the　cause　of　death。　They　valued　highly　those　with　the　gift。　Fools。
　
　Training　accident？　She　smiled。　Yes；　a　training　accident。　She　hadn't　used　that　one　in　many　years。　She　pursed　her　lips　as　she　dipped　the　pen　in　the　ink　bottle　and　began　writing。　The　cause　of　death　was　a　training　accident　with　the　Rada'Han。　A　twig；　as　I　have　often　warned　the　other　Sisters；　no　matte