tg.stone of tears-第36章

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t　with　the　Rada'Han。　A　twig；　as　I　have　often　warned　the　other　Sisters；　no　matter　how　young　and　tender；　will　break　if　bent　too　far。
　
　Who　could　question？　Let　them　wonder　where　among　them　the　fault　lay。　It　would　keep　them　from　digging　too　deeply；　lest　the　blame　fall　on　them。　As　she　blotted　the　paper；　there　was　a　soft　rap　at　the　door。
　
　'One　moment；　please。'　She　touched　the　corner　of　the　boy's　letter　to　the　candle　flame　and；　when　it　was　nearly　consumed；　tossed　it　in　the　cold　hearth。　The　broken　seal　melted　into　a　molten　red　puddle。　He　would　be　writing　no　more　letters。　'e。'
　
　The　heavy；　round…topped　door　opened　enough　to　admit　a　head。
　
　'Sister；　it's　me；'　came　a　whisper　from　the　shadow。
　
　'Don't　stand　there　like　a　novice；　e　in　and　close　the　door。'
　
　The　woman　entered；　closing　the　door　quietly；　after　putting　her　head　back　out　to　check　the　hall。　She　didn't　look　down　at　the　carpet。　'Sister　。。。'
　
　With　a　finger　across　lips；　and　an　angry　scowl；　she　was　silenced。　'No　names　when　we　are　alone。　I've　told　you　before。'
　
　The　other　looked　about　at　the　walls；　as　if　expecting　someone　to　pop　out。　'But　surely　you've　shielded　your　room。'
　
　'Of　course　it's　shielded。　But　it　is　always　possible　the　breeze　could　carry　words　to　the　right　ears。　If　that　ever　happened；　we　wouldn't　want　our　names　carried　with　the　words；　now　would　we。'
　
　The　other's　eyes　flicked　around　at　the　walls　again。　'Of　course　not。　Of　course　you　are　right。'　She　scrubbed　her　hands　together。　'Someday　this　won't　be　necessary。　I　hate　that　we　must　remain　hidden。　Someday　we　will　be　able　to　。。。'
　
　'What　have　you　found　out？'
　
　She　watched　as　the　woman　straightened　her　dress　at　the　hips　and　then　put　her　fingers　to　the　desk；　leaning　over　a　little。　Her　eyes　had　a　fierce　intensity。　They　were　strange　eyes；　pale；　pale　blue；　with　dark　violet　flecks。　She　always　found　it　hard　not　to　stare　at　those　eyes。
　
　She　leaned　closer；　and　whispered。　They've　found　him。'
　
　'You　saw　the　book？'
　
　She　nodded　slowly。　'I　saw　it。　At　dinnertime。　I　waited　until　the　others　were　at　dinner。'　She　gave　an　even　look。　'He　refused　the　first　offer。'
　
　She　slapped　her　hand　down　on　the　desk。　'What！　Are　you　sure？'
　
　That's　what　the　book　said。　And　not　only　that；　there　was　more。　He's　grown。　Grown　into　a　man。'
　
　'Grown！'　She　took　a　heavy　breath　as　she　watched　the　Sister　standing　before　her。　'Which　Sister　was　it？'
　
　'What　difference　does　it　make？　They　are　all　ours。'
　
　'No；　they　weren't。　I　wasn't　able　to　send　three　of　our　own。　Only　two。　One　is　a　Sister　of　the　Light。'
　
　The　other's　eyes　widened。　'How　could　you　let　that　happen？　Something　as　important　as　this　。。。'
　
　She　slapped　her　hand　down　on　the　desk　again。　'Silence！'
　
　The　other　straightened；　knitting　her　fingers　together。　A　small　pout　came　to　her　face。　'It　was　Sister　Grace。'
　
　She　closed　her　eyes　and　leaned　back　in　the　chair。　'Sister　Grace　was　one　of　ours；'　she　whispered。
　
　The　other　leaned　over　the　desk　again。　Then；　only　one　of　the　two　remaining　is　ours。　Who　is　it？　Sister　Elizabeth；　or　Sister　Verna？'
　
　'That　is　not　for　you　to　know。'
　
　'Why　not？　I　hate　never　knowing。　I　hate　not　knowing　if　the　Sister　I'm　talking　to　is　a　Sister　of　the　Light；　or　one　of　us；　a　Sister　of　the　Dark。　。。。'
　
　She　slammed　her　fist　on　the　desk　and　gritted　her　teeth。　'Don't　you　ever　say　that　out　loud　again；'　she　hissed；　'or　I　will　send　you　to　the　Nameless　One　in　pieces。'
　
　This　time　the　other　stared　down　at　the　carpet　as　her　face　paled。　'Forgive　me；'　she　whispered。
　
　There　isn't　a　Sister　of　the　Light　alive　who　believes　we　are　anything　but　myth。　If　that　name　ever　reaches　their　ears；　they　could　begin　to　wonder。　That　name　is　never；　ever；　to　be　spoken　aloud　by　you！　If　the　Sisters　were　to　ever　discover　you；　or　who　you　serve；　they　would　have　a　Rada'Han　around　your　neck　before　you　had　a　chance　to　scream。'
　
　The　other's　hands　went　to　her　throat　as　she　let　out　a　small　gasp。　'But　I　。。。'
　
　'You　would　claw　your　own　eyes　out；　for　fear　of　seeing　them　e　to　question　you　every　day。　That　is　why　you　are　not　to　know　the　names　of　the　others：　so　you　can't　give　them　over。　That　is　why　they　don't　know　your　name：　so　they　can't　give　you　over。　It　is　to　protect　us　all；　so　we　may　serve。　The　only　name　you　know　is　mine。'
　
　'But　Sister　。。。　I　would　bite　my　own　tongue　off　before　I　ever　gave　them　your　name。'
　
　'You　say　that　now。　But　were　there　a　Rada'Han　around　your　neck；　you　would　be　begging　to　give　me　up　just　to　have　it　off　。。。　And　it　isn't　my　forgiveness　that　matters。　If　you　fail　us；　the　Nameless　One　will　not　be　forgiving。　When　you　meet　his　eyes；　it　will　make　whatever　could　be　done　to　you　with　the　Rada'Han　while　you　were　alive　seem　a　pleasant　time　at　tea。'
　
　'But　I　serve　。。。　I　am　sworn　。。。　I　have　given　the　oath。'
　
　Those　who　serve　well　will　be　rewarded　when　the　Nameless　One　is　free　of　the　veil。　Those　who　fail　him；　or　fight　him；　will　have　an　eternity　to　regret　their　mistake。'
　
　'Of　course；　Sister。'　She　was　staring　furiously　at　the　carpet　now。　'I　live　only　to　serve。'　She　knitted　her　fingers　back　together。　'I　will　not　fail　our　Master。　On　my　oath。'
　
　'On　your　soul。'
　
　Her　defiant；　violet　flecked　eyes　came　up。　'I　have　given　my　oath。'
　
　She　nodded　as　she　sank　back　in　the　chair。　'As　have　we　all；　Sister。　As　have　we　all。'　She　stared　at　the　other's　eyes　a　moment。　'Did　the　book　say　anything　else？'
　
　'I　didn't　have　time　to　search　it　thoroughly；　but　there　were　some　other　things　I　caught。　He　is　with　the　Mother　Confessor。　He　is　promised　as　her　mate。'
　
　She　frowned。　The　Mother　Confessor。'　She　waved　her　hand。　That　is　no　problem。　What　else。'
　
　'He　is　the　Seeker。'
　
　She　slapped　her　hand　on　the　desk。　'Curse　the　Light！'　She　let　out　a　noisy　breath。　The　Seeker。　Well；　we　can　deal　with　that。　Anything　more？'
　
　The　other　nodded　slowly；　leaning　closer。　'He　is　strong；　and　grown；　yet　only　two　days　after　he　triggered　the　gift　the　headaches　made　him　unconscious。'
　
　She　rose　slowly　out　of　her　chair。　This　time　it　was　her　eyes　that　went　wide。　Two　days；'　she　whispered。　'Are　you　sure？　Two　days？'
　
　The　other　shrugged。　'I　am　only　telling　you　what　the　book　said。　I'm　sure　of　what　it　said。　I'm　not　sure　it　is　true。　I　don't　see　how　it　could　be。'
　
　She　sank　back　into　her　chair。　'Two　days。'　She　stared　at　her　desk。　The　sooner　we　get　a　Rada'Han　around　his　neck；　the　better。'
　
　'Even　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　would　agree　with　you　about　that。　There　was　a　message　sent　back。　From　the　Prelate。'
　
　She　lifted　an　eyebrow。　The　Prelate　herself　sent　orders？'
　
　The　other　nodded。　'Yes。'　Under　her　breath；　she　added；　'I　wish　I　knew　if　she　was　with　us；　or　against　us。'
　
　She　ignored　the　ment。　'What　did　she　say？'
　
　That　if　he　refuses　the　third　offer；　Sister　Verna　is　to　kill　him　herself。　Have　you　ever　heard　of　such　an　order？　If　he　is　really　this　strong；　and　he　refuses　the　third　time；　he　would　be　dead　in　a　few　weeks　anyway。　Why　would　she　give　such　an　order？'
　
　'Have　you　ever　heard　of　anyone　refusing　the　first　offer？'
　
　'Well；　no；　I　guess　I　haven't。'
　
　'It　is　one　of　the　rules。　If　one　with　the　gift　refuses　all　three　offers；　they　are　to　be　killed；　to　spare　them　the　suffering　at　the　end；　the　madness。　You　have　never　seen　such　an　order　before　because　you　have　never　heard　of　anyone　refusing　the　first　offer。
　
　'I　have　spent　time　in　the　archives；　looking　through　the　prophecies。　That　is　where　I　saw　reference　to　the　rule。　The　Prelate　knows　all　the　obscure　rules；　the　old　rules。　And　she　is　afraid；　she　has　read　the　prophecies　too。'
　
　'Afraid？'　she　asked；　wide…eyed。　The　Prelate？　I　have　never　seen　her　afraid　of　anything。'
　
　She　nodded　up　at　the　woman。　'She　is　afraid　now。　Either　way　suits　our　purposes。　Either　he　is　collared；　or　he　is　dead。　If　he　is　collared；　we　will　deal　with　him；　in　our　way；　as　we　have　always　done。　If　he　is　dead；　we　won't　have　to。　Maybe　better　he　were　dead。　Maybe　better　he　were　dead　before　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　find　out　what　he　is；　if　they　don't　already　know。'
　
　The　other　leaned　over　the　desk　again；　lowering　her　voice。　'If　they　know；　or　find　out；　there　are　those　among　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　who　would　kill　him。'
　
　She　studied　the　violet　flecks　a　moment。　'Indeed　there　are。'　A　smile　spread　across　her　face。　'What　a　dangerous　dilemma　for　them。　What　a　glorious　opportunity　for　us。'　Her　smile　faded。　'What　of　the　other　matter？'
　
　The　woman　straightened。　'Ranson　and　Weber　are　waiting　where　you　wanted　them。'　She　folded　her　arms　beneath　hei　breasts。　They　were　pretty　cocky；　because　they　have　passed　all　the　tests；　and　tomorrow　are　to　be　released。'　A　sadistic　grin　came　to　her　thin　lips　and　flecked　eyes。　'I　gave　them　a　little　reminder　that　they　still　wear　the　collar。　I'm　surprised　we　can't　hear　their　knees　knocking　together　all　the　way　up　here。'
　
　She　ignored　the　other's　smile。　'I　have　lessons　to　give。　You　will　go　in　my　place。　Tell　them　I　had　reports　to　work　on。　I'll　go　see　to　our　two　friends。　They　may　have　passed　all　the　Prelate's　tests；　but　they　have　not　yet　passed　all　of　mine。　One　has　an　oath　to　give。　And　the　other　。。。'
　
　She　leaned　halfway　over　the　desk；　hunger　in　her　flecked　eyes。　'Which　one？　Which　one　are　you　going　to　。。。　Oh；　I　so　wish　I　could　watch。　Or　help。　Promise　me　you　will　tell　me　everything？'
　
　She　smiled　at　the　other's　eagerness。　'Everything。　I　promise。　From　beginning　to　end。　Every　last　scream。　Now　go　see　to　my　lessons　for　me。'
　
　The　woman　danced　through　the　doorway　like　a　giddy　schoolgirl。　She　was　too　eager。　That　kind　of　eagerness　was　dangerous。　That　kind　of　lust　made　one　forget　to　be　careful；　made　one　take　chances。　She　pulled　a　knife　from　a　drawer；　and　made　a　mental　note　to　use　her　less　in　the　future；　and　keep　an　eye　on　her。
　
　She　tested　the　edge　gingerly　with　a　thumb　and；　satisfied　it　was　razor　sharp；　tucked　the　knife　up　her　sleeve；　the　sleeve　without　the　dacra。　She　plucked　a　small；　dusty　statue　from　the　shelf；　and　slipped　it　into　a　pocket。　Before　she　was　around　the　desk　and　through　the　door；　she　remembered　one　more　item；　and　turned　back　to　pick　up　the　stout　rod　leaning　against　the　side　of　her　desk。
　
　It　was　late；　and　the　halls　were　quiet　and　mostly　empty。　Despite　the　heat；　she　pulled　her　short；　thin；　blue　cotton　cloak　tighter　across　her　shoulders。　Thoughts　of　this　new　one　with　the　gift　gave　her　a　chill。　Grown。　A　man。
　
　She　shook　her　head　as　she　walked　silently　over　the　long　carpets；　past　lamps　set　in　wall　brackets　centered　in　the　raised　cherry　paneling；　past　tables　set　with　dried　flowers；　and　past　heavily　draped　windows　looking　out　over　the　bailey　and　courtyard　below。　Lights　of　the　city　in　the　distance　twinkled　like　a　carpet　of　stars。　Slightly　rank　air　drifted　in　the　windows。　Must　be　near　low　tide；　she　thought。
　
　The　cleaning　staff；　polishing　a　chair…rail　molding　here；　or　a　banister　there；　dropped　into　deep　curtsies　as　she　swept　past。　She　hardly　noticed　them；　and　certainly　didn't　acknowledge　them。　They　were　beneath　her　attention。
　
　Grown。　Into　a　man。
　
　Her　face　heated　with　anger　at　the　thought。　How　could　this　be？　Someone　had　made　a　serious　mistake。　A　mistake。　An　oversight。　It　had　to　be　that。
　
　A　maidservant　on　her　hands　and　knees；　concentrating　on　wiping　at　a　spot　on　a　carp