tg.stone of tears-第40章

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　He　stood　gripping　the　knife　in　one　hand　and　the　small　figure　in　the　other。　'Yes；　Sister。'　He　stole　a　quick　glance　over　his　shoulder　at　the　man　crouched　on　the　floor　against　the　wall。　He　lowered　his　voice。　'Sister；　could　you　。。。　could　you　still　his　tongue。　I　don't　know　if　I　could　bear　him　talking　while　I　do　it。'
　
　She　raised　an　eyebrow。　'You　have　a　knife；　Neville。　If　his　words　bother　you；　cut　out　his　tongue。'
　
　He　swallowed　and　closed　his　eyes　for　a　moment。　They　came　open。　'What　if　he　dies　before　the　magic　is　all　bled　away？'
　
　'With　the　quillion　present；　he　will　live　as　long　as　there　is　any　significant　trace　of　it　in　him。　After　it's　all　in　the　crystal；　it　will　begin　to　glow。　In　that　way　you　will　know　it　is　finished。　After　that；　I　don't　care　what　you　do　with　him。　If　you　want；　you　may　finish　him　quickly。'
　
　'What　if　he　tries　to　prevent　what　I　do？'　He　leaned　a　little　closer。　'With　his　magic。'
　
　She　smiled　indulgently。　'That　I　will　still；　with　his　collar。　He　will　not　be　able　to　stop　you。　After　he's　dead；　there　will　be　no　life　force　to　hold　the　Rada'Han　on　him。　It　will　open。　Bring　it　with　you　and　give　it　to　me　when　you　bring　the　crystal。'
　
　'And　what　about　the　body？'
　
　She　gave　him　a　hard　look。　'You　know　how　to　wield　the　Subtractive。　I　have　spent　a　good　deal　of　time　teaching　you；　as　have　others。'　She　darted　a　glance　at　Weber。　'Use　it。　Get　rid　of　the　body　with　Subtractive　Magic。　Every　last　scrap　of　it。　Every　last　drop　of　blood。'
　
　Ranson　straightened　a　little　and　nodded。　'All　right。'
　
　'After　you　have　finished　here；　and　before　you　e　to　me　at　dawn；　there　is　one　more　task　you　will　perform　this　night。'
　
　Ranson　took　a　deep　breath；　letting　it　out　slowly。　'Another　task？　Must　I　do　another　task　this　night？'
　
　She　smiled　and　patted　his　cheek。　This　second　task　you　will　enjoy。　It's　a　reward　for　doing　a　good　job　with　the　first。　Serving　the　Keeper　well　has　its　rewards；　as　you　will　find　out。　Failing　him　has　its　punishments；　as　I　hope　you　never　discover。'
　
　He　looked　suspicious。　And　what　is　this　second　task？'
　
　'You　know　a　novice　named　Pasha？'
　
　He　let　out　a　grunt。　There　isn't　a　man　in　the　palace　who　doesn't　know　who　Pasha　Maes　is。'
　
　'And　how　well　do　these　men　'know'　her？'
　
　Ranson　shrugged。　'She　likes　to　give　a　kiss　and　a　cuddle　in　a　corner。'
　
　'Any　more　than　a　'kiss　and　a　cuddle'？'
　
　'I　know　a　few　men　who　have　had　their　hand　up　her　skirt。　I've　heard　them　talk　about　what　fine　legs　she　has；　how　they　would　give　up　the　gift　just　to　have　those　legs　around　them。　But　I　don't　think　any　have。　Some　of　the　men　watch　out　for　her；　as　if　she　were　a　defenseless　kitten。　One　in　particular；　young　Warren；　keeps　a　watchful　eye　on　her。'
　
　'Warren　is　one　of　the　men　she　likes　to　kiss　and　cuddle？'
　
　'I　don't　think　she　would　know　him　if　he　was　standing　in　front　of　her。'　He　chuckled　softly。　'If　he　could　even　work　up　enough　courage　to　take　his　nose　out　of　the　archives　and　look　her　in　the　face。'　He　frowned。　'So　what　is　the　task？'
　
　'When　you　are　finished　here；　I　want　you　to　go　to　her　room。　Tell　her　how　you　are　to　be　released　tomorrow；　and　that　when　you　passed　all　your　tests；　the　Creator　came　to　you　in　a　vision。　Tell　her　that　the　Creator　told　you　in　this　vision　that　you　were　to　go　to　her　and　teach　her　how　to　use　the　glorious　gift　of　her　figure　that　He　had　given　her；　how　she　was　meant　to　use　this　gift　to　please　men；　so　that　when　the　special　task　He　has　for　her　is　revealed；　she　will　be　prepared。
　
　Tell　her　the　Creator　said　it　was　to　help　her　deal　with　her　new　one；　as　he　would　be　the　most　difficult　any　novice　has　ever　been　given。　Tell　her　the　Creator　revealed　to　you　that　He　made　this　night　hot；　so　she　would　sweat　between　her　breasts；　over　her　heart；　to　awaken　her　to　His　wishes。'　She　gave　him　a　smooth　smile。　'Then；　I　want　you　to　teach　her　how　to　please　a　man。'
　
　He　stared　incredulously　at　her。　'What　makes　you　think　she　will　believe　any　of　this；　or　go　along？'
　
　Her　smile　widened。　'You　tell　her　what　I　told　you　to　tell　her；　Neville；　and　you　will　have　a　great　deal　more　than　your　hand　up　her　skirt。　She　will　probably　have　her　legs　around　you　before　you　finish　talking。'
　
　He　nodded　dumbly。　All　right。'
　
　She　glanced　deliberately　down　at　him。　'I'm　glad　to　see　that　you　are　。。。　up　to　the　task。'　She　looked　back　to　his　eyes。　Teach　her　everything　you　can　think　of　to　please　a　man。　At　feast　everything　you　can　teach　her　by　dawn。　Teach　her　well。　I　want　her　to　know　how　to　make　a　man　happy；　and　keep　him　ing　back　for　more。'
　
　He　smiled。　'Yes；　Sister。'
　
　She　put　the　tip　of　the　rod　under　his　chin；　lifting　it　a　little。　'You　be　gentle　with　her；　Neville。　I　don't　want　you　to　hurt　her　in　any　way。　I　want　this　to　be　a　very　pleasant　experience　for　her。　I　want　her　to　enjoy　it。'　She　looked　down　at　him　again。　'Well；　do　the　best　you　can　with　what　you　have。'
　
　'I've　never　had　any　plaints；'　he　snapped。
　
　'Idiot。　Women　don't　plain　about　that　to　men's　faces；　they　plain　to　the　backs　of　their　heads。　Don't　you　dare　jump　on　her；　please　yourself；　then　fall　asleep。　You　have　until　dawn。　I　don't　want　you　sleeping　tonight。　You　make　sure　this　is　an　experience　she　remembers　fondly。　You　teach　her　well。　Everything　you　know。'
　
　She　pushed　up　with　the　rod　a　little　more。　'This　may　be　a　pleasant　task；　but　it　is　a　task　for　the　Keeper　just　the　same。　Fail　in　this；　as　in　any　other；　and　your　service　will　end　abruptly。　But　your　pain　will　go　on　and　on。　Keep　alert　when　you　are　with　her。　In　the　morning；　I　expect　a　detailed　report　of　everything　you　have　taught　her。　You　will　report　every　bit　of　it。　I　need　to　know　what　she　knows　so　I　may　guide　her。'
　
　'Yes；　Sister。'
　
　She　glanced　past　him　to　the　man　against　the　wall。　The　sooner　you　finish　here；　the　sooner　you　can　be　with　Pasha；　and　the　more　time　you　will　have　to　teach　her。'
　
　He　nodded　with　a　grin。　'Yes；　Sister。'
　
　She　took　the　rod　away　and　he　let　out　a　breath。　With　a　gesture；　she　made　his　robe　float　to　her　hand。　She　shoved　it　at　him。
　
　'Put　this　on。　You're　embarrassing　yourself。'　She　watched　as　he　began　gathering　the　material　and　pulling　it　over　his　head。　Tomorrow　the　real　work；　the　real　task；　begins。'
　
　His　head　poked　through　the　robe；　his　arms　following　one　at　a　time。　'What　work？　What　task？'
　
　'After　you　are　released；　you　must　be　off　at　once；　in　the　service　of　your　homeland。　You　do　remember　your　homeland；　don't　you？　You　are　going　to　go　to　Aydindril；　as　an　advisor　to　High　Prince　Fyren。　You　have　things　to　do　there。　Important　things。'
　
　'Like　what？'
　
　'We　will　talk　about　it　in　the　morning。　But　now；　before　you　can　do　the　first　task；　and　the　second；　and　the　rest　of　it；　you　have　an　oath　to　give。　Is　this　of　your　free　will；　Neville？'
　
　She　watched　his　eyes。　They　darted　briefly　to　his　friend　huddled　against　the　wall。　Then　he　turned　to　glance　at　the　knife　and　the　quillion。　She　saw　his　dark　eyes　go　out　of　focus；　and　she　knew　he　was　thinking　about　Pasha。　He　answered　her　in　a　whisper。
　
　'Yes；　Sister。'
　
　She　nodded。　'Very　good；　Neville。　Kneel。　The　time　of　the　oath　is　upon　you。'
　
　As　he　went　to　his　knees；　she　lifted　her　hand。　The　flame　of　the　torch　puffed　out；　plunging　the　room　into　total　blackness。
　
　The　oath　to　the　Keeper；'　she　whispered；　'is　given　in　the　darkness　that　is　his　homeland。'
　
　
　CHAPTER　14
　
　Gently；　Kahlan　pulled　the　door　open。　He　was　awake　and　sitting　in　front　of　the　fire。　When　the　door　closed；　it　shut　out　some　of　the　eerie　sound　of　the　boldas　and　the　drums　ing　from　the　center　of　the　village。　She　stood　next　to　him　and　tipped　his　head　against　her　leg　and　then　bed　her　fingers　through　his　hair。
　
　'How　is　your　headache？'
　
　'It's　all　right。　The　rest　and　that　last　drink　Nissel　gave　me　helped。'　He　didn't　look　up。　They　want　me　out　there；　don't　they？'
　
　Kahlan　sank　down　to　sit　on　the　ground　next　to　him。　'Yes。　It　is　time。'　She　rubbed　his　shoulder。　'Are　you　sure　you　want　to　eat　the　meat；　knowing　this　time　what　it　is？'
　
　'I　have　to。'
　
　'But　it's　still　meat。　Will　you　be　able　to　eat　it？'
　
　'If　I　want　a　gathering；　I　have　to　eat　it。　The　way　is　the　way。　I　will　eat　it。'
　
　'Richard；　I'm　worried　about　this　gathering。　I'm　not　so　sure　you　should　go　through　with　it。　Maybe　there's　another　way。　The　Bird　Man　is　afraid　for　you　too。　Maybe　you　shouldn't　do　it。'
　
　'I　have　to。'
　
　'Why？'
　
　He　stared　into　the　fire。　'Because　this　is　all　my　fault。　I　am　responsible。　It　is　my　fault　the　veil　is　torn。　That's　what　Shota　said。　My　fault。　I　caused　it。'
　
　'Darken　Rahl　caused　it　。。。　somehow。'
　
　'And　I　am　a　Rahl；'　he　whispered。
　
　Kahlan　glanced　over；　but　he　didn't　look　back。　'The　crimes　of　the　father；　passed　on　to　the　son？'
　
　He　smiled　a　small　smile。　'I　don't　believe　that　old　line。　But　maybe　there　is　a　little　snip　of　truth　to　it。'　His　eyes　turned　to　her。　'You　remember　what　Shota　said？　That　only　I　could　restore　the　veil？　Maybe　because　Darken　Rahl　tore　it　through　the　Magic　of　Orden；　and　my　intervention；　I　have　to　restore　it。'
　
　She　watched　the　firelight　flicker　in　his　eyes。　'So　you　think　。。。　what？　That　maybe　since　a　Rahl　tore　it；　it　takes　a　Rahl　to　close　it？'
　
　He　shrugged。　'Maybe。　That　could　explain　why　only　I　can　close　it。　It　may　not　be　the　reason；　but　it's　the　only　one　I　can　think　of。'　He　smiled。　'I'm　glad　I'm　marrying　a　smart　woman。'
　
　She　grinned。　It　made　her　happy　to　see　him　smile。　'Well；　this　smart　woman　can't　see　how　that　could　be　the　reason。'
　
　'It　might　not　be；　but　it's　a　possibility　I　have　to　consider。'
　
　Then　why　do　you　have　to　go　through　with　the　gathering？'
　
　His　eyes　lit　up　with　excitement　as　he　gave　her　a　boyish　grin。　'Because　I　figured　it　out。　I　figured　out　what　we're　going　to　do。'
　
　He　rearranged　himself；　turning　toward　her　and　folding　his　legs。　'Tomorrow　night；　we'll　have　the　gathering　and　find　out　what　we　can　that　will　help　us；　then；　the　next　morning　when　：it's　over　。。。'　He　snatched　the　dragon's　tooth　up　in　his　fist　and　held　it　up　to　her　as　the　grin　grew　on　his　face。　Then　I　call　Scarlet　…　with　this。　That's　how　we　get　to　Zedd。　That's　how　we　can　get　to　Aydindril　without　the　headaches　stopping　me　on　a　long　journey　by　land。　Scarlet　flies　with　magic；　her　magic　allows　her　to　cover　vast　distances　in　little　time。
　
　'We'll　be　gone　before　the　Sisters　can　stop　us；　and　it　will　take　them　a　long　time　to　follow。　I　won't　have　to　turn　them　down；　for　now；　I　can　get　to　Zedd　first。　He　will　know　what　to　do。　About　the　headaches；　I　mean。　After　the　gathering；　I'll　call　Scarlet。　It　will　probably　take　her　the　better　part　of　the　day　to　reach　us。'　He　leaned　toward　her　and　gave　her　a　quick　kiss。　'While　we're　waiting；　we'll　be　married。'　Her　heart　leapt。　'Married？'
　
　'Yes；　married。　All　in　the　same　day。　Day　after　tomorrow。　We'll　do　it　all　and　be　away　before　the　day　is　out。'
　
　'Oh；　Richard　。。。　I　would　like　that。　But；　let's　do　it　now。　Call　Scarlet　now。　We　can　be　married　in　the　morning　when　she　gets　here。　I　know　the　Mud　People　would　do　it　quickly　for　us。　We　can　get　to　Zedd　and　he　will　know　what　to　do　and　you　won't　shave　to　risk　a　gathering。'
　
　He　shook　his　head。　'We　have　to　have　the　gathering。　Shota　said　only　I　could　close　the　veil。　Not　Zedd。　What　if　he　doesn't　have　any　idea　what　to　do？　He　has　said　he　doesn't　k