tg.stone of tears-第50章

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ubt　how　much　I　love　you。'
　
　He　cupped　her　cheek。　'I　promise。　I　promise　I　will　never　doubt　your　love。　No　matter　what。　All　right？　What's　the　matter？'
　
　She　leaned　against　him；　laid　her　head　on　his　shoulder；　and　wrapped　her　arms　carefully　around　him　so　as　not　to　hurt　him。　'Darken　Rahl　frightened　me；　that's　all。　I　was　so　afraid　when　he　burned　you　with　his　hand。　I　thought　you　were　dead。'
　
　He　stroked　her　shoulder。　'So　what　happened？　I　remember　him　telling　me　how　he　got　here；　because　I　called　him；　and　he　was　my　ancestor；　and　then　he　said　something　about　marking　me　for　the　Keeper。　Then　I　don't　remember　anything　else。　What　happened？'
　
　Kahlan's　mind　raced。　'Well　。。。　he　said　he　was　going　to　mark　you；　kill　you；　that　the　mark　would　send　you　to　the　Keeper。　He　said　he　was　here　to　tear　the　veil　the　rest　of　the　way。　He　put　his　hand　against　you。　Burned　you。　But　before　he　could　do　it　enough；　before　he　could　kill　you；　I　called　the　lightning；　the　Con　Dar。'
　
　He　missed　a　breath。　'I　don't　suppose　that　we　could　be　lucky　enough　that　it　killed　him；　or　destroyed　him；　or　whatever　it　is　that　can　be　done　to　a　spirit。'
　
　She　shook　her　head。　'No。　It　didn't　destroy　him。　He　was　able　to　block　it；　partly　anyway。　But　I　think　it　frightened　him。　He　left。　Not　back　into　the　green　light；　but　out　the　door。　Before　he　could　finish　what　he　was　going　to　do　to　you。　He　just　left；　that's　all。'
　
　He　grinned　and　hugged　her　tighter。　'My　heroine。　You　saved　me。'　He　was　quiet　a　moment。　'Here　to　tear　the　veil；'　he　whispered　to　himself。　His　brow　was　set　in　a　thoughtful　frown。　'And　then　what　happened？'
　
　Kahlan　steeled　herself　for　the　lie　of　omission。　But　she　couldn't　bear　the　scrutiny　of　his　eyes。　She　nestled　her　face　against　his　shoulder；　frantically　trying　to　think　of　a　way　to　get　him　off　the　subject。　'And　then　the　elders　and　I　carried　you　here；　so　Nissel　could　tend　to　your　burn。　She　said　that　it's　bad；　but　that　the　poultice　will　make　it　well。　You　have　to　leave　it　on　for　a　few　days；　until　it　begins　to　heal　over　enough。'
　
　She　angrily　shook　a　finger　at　him。　'I　know　you。　You　will　want　to　take　it　off　sooner。　You　always　think　you　know　best。　Well；　you　don't。　You　will　just　leave　it　on　like　I　tell　you；　Richard　Cypher。'
　
　His　smile　faded　a　little。　'Richard　Rahl。'
　
　She　stared　at　him。　'I'm　sorry；'　she　whispered。　'Richard　Rahl。'　She　forced　a　smile。　'My　Richard。　Maybe　you　could　change　it　when　we're　married。　You　could　be　Richard　Amnell。　Mates　to　Confessors　sometimes　take　their　wife's　family　name。'
　
　He　grinned。　'I　like　it。　Richard　Amnell。　Husband　to　the　Mother　Confessor。　Devoted　husband。　Loving　husband。'　The　haunted　look　returned　to　his　eyes。　'Sometimes　I　fear　I　don't　know　who；　or　what；　I　am。　Sometimes　I　think　。。。'
　
　'You　are　part　of　me；　and　I　am　part　of　you。　That's　all　that　is　important。'
　
　He　nodded　absently；　his　eyes　glistening　with　tears。　'I　wanted　to　help；　with　a　gathering。　I　wanted　to　find　a　way　to　stop　all　this。　Instead；　as　Darken　Rahl　said；　I've　only　made　it　worse。　He　was　right；　I　am　stupid。　It's　going　to　be　my　fault　。。。'
　
　'Richard；　stop　it。　You've　been　hurt。　You're　just　exhausted。　When　you've　rested；　you'll　figure　it　out。　You'll　know　what　to　do。'
　
　He　gave　himself　a　mental　shake。　He　threw　the　blanket　off　and　looked　down。　'Who　washed　the　mud　off　me　and　dressed　me？'
　
　'The　elders　washed　off　the　mud。　Nissel　and　I　were　going　to　dress　you；'　she　said；　as　his　face　turned　red；　'but　you　were　too　big　and　heavy　for　us。　The　elders　did　that　too。　They　had　quite　a　time　of　it。　It　took　all　of　them。'
　
　He　nodded　absently；　he　had　stopped　listening。　He　reached　up　to　the　spot　on　his　chest　where　the　whistle；　Scarlet's　tooth；　and　the　Agiel　usually　hung；　but　didn't　find　them。　'We　have　to　get　out　of　here。　We　have　to　get　to　Zedd。　Right　now；　before　anything　else　happens。　I　need　Zedd's　help。　Where　is　Scarlet's　tooth？　I　have　to　call　her。　Where's　my　sword？'
　
　'All　of　our　things　are　in　the　spirit　house。'
　
　He　scrubbed　his　hands　over　his　face；　thinking；　then　bed　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　'All　right。'　His　solid　gaze　came　to　her　eyes。　'I'll　go　get　the　tooth　and　call　Scarlet；　and　get　our　things　together；　get　them　ready　to　leave。'　He　gently　squeezed　her　upper　arm。　'You　go　to　Weselan；　and　put　on　your　wedding　dress。　While　we　wait　for　Scarlet　to　e；　we　can　be　married。　We'll　leave　when　Scarlet　gets　here。'　He　kissed　her　cheek。　'We　will　be　married；　and　we'll　be　in　Aydindril　with　Zedd　before　dark。　Everything　will　be　all　right；　you'll　see。　Everything　will　be　all　right。　I'll　find　out　what　I　did　wrong；　and　fix　it。　I　promise。'
　
　She　put　her　arms　around　his　neck。　'We　will　fix　it；'　she　corrected。　Together。　Always　together。'
　
　He　laughed　quietly　in　her　ear。　Together。　I　need　you。　You　light　my　way。'
　
　She　slipped　away　from　him；　and　looked　at　him　sternly。　'Well；　I　have　instructions　for　you；　and　you　are　going　to　do　as　you　are　told。　You　are　going　to　wait　here　until　Nissel　says　you　can　get　up。　She　said　that　when　you　wake；　she　has　to　change　the　poultice　and　bandage　and　give　you　medicine。　You　are　going　to　stay　here　until　she　is　finished。　Understand？　I　don't　want　you　getting　sick　and　dying　on　me　now；　not　after　I　have　gone　to　all　the　trouble　of　saving　you；　and　a　great　deal　of　trouble　it　was。
　
　'I'll　go　to　Weselan　so　she　can　finish　fitting　my　dress。　When　Nissel　is　finished　with　you；　then'　…　she　shook　a　finger　at　him　…　'and　only　then；　may　you　leave　to　go　call　Scarlet。　When　you　are　finished　here　with　Nissel；　and　when　you　have　called　Scarlet　and　gotten　our　things　together；　e　get　me；　and　I　will　marry　you。'　She　kissed　the　end　of　his　nose。　'If　you　also　promise　to　love　me　always。'
　
　'Always；'　he　said　with　a　grin。
　
　She　rested　her　wrists　on　his　shoulders；　to　each　side　of　his　strong　neck；　and　clasped　her　fingers　together　behind　his　head。　'I'll　wake　Nissel；　and　ask　her　to　hurry　with　you。　But　please；　Richard；　don't　waste　any　time　after　that。　Call　Scarlet　quickly；　quick　as　you　can。　I　want　to　get　away　from　here。　I　want　to　get　away　before　Sister　Verna　even　es　close。　I　don't　want　to　take　any　chances；　even　if　she　isn't　supposed　to　be　back　for　a　few　days。　I　want　us　away　from　here。　Away　from　the　Sisters　of　the　Light。　I　want　to　get　you　to　Zedd　so　he　can　help　you　with　the　headaches　before　they　can　get　any　worse。'
　
　He　gave　her　a　boyish；　lopsided　smile。　'What　about　your　big　bed　in　Aydindril？　Don't　you　want　to　get　to　that　in　a　hurry；　too？'
　
　With　a　finger；　she　gently　squashed　his　nose　flat。　'I've　never　had　anyone　else　in　my　big　bed　before。　I　hope　I　don't　disappoint　you。'
　
　He　gripped　her　waist　in　his　strong　hands　and　pulled　her　to　him　hard　enough　to　make　her　grunt。　He　pushed　her　hair　back　off　her　neck　and　gave　it　a　tender　kiss　…　right　where　Darken　Rahl's　lips　had　been。　'Disappoint　me？　That；　my　love；　is　the　only　thing　in　the　world　it　would　be　impossible　for　you　to　do。'　He　gave　her　neck　one　more　tickling　kiss。　'Now；　go　get　Nissel。　We　are　wasting　time。'
　
　
　Kahlan　pulled　on　the　fabric；　trying　to　bring　it　up　as　much　as　she　could。　'I've　never　worn　anything　cut　this　low。　You　don't　think　it　。。。　shows　too　much？'
　
　Weselan　looked　up　from　the　floor　where　she　was　fussing　with　the　hem　of　the　blue　dress。　She　look　the　fine　bone　needle　from　her　mouth　as　she　rose　to　appraise　her　client's　fit。　She　studied　the　expanse　of　flesh　a　moment。
　
　'You　don't　think　he　will　like　it？'
　
　Kahlan　felt　her　face　flush。　'Well；　I　think　he　will。　I　hope　so；　but　。。。'
　
　Weselan　leaned　a　little　closer。　'If　you　are　worried　about　him　seeing　that　much；　maybe　you　had　better　reconsider　this。'
　
　Kahlan　lifted　an　eyebrow。　'He　is　not　the　only　one　who　will　be　looking。　I've　never　worn　anything　like　this　before。　I'm　。。。　worried　that　I　don't　do　it　justice。'
　
　Weselan　smiled　and　patted　Kahlan's　arm。　'You　wear　the　dress　well。　It　looks　beautiful　on　you。　It's　perfect。'
　
　Kahlan　still　fretted　as　she　glanced　down　at　herself。　'Really？　Are　you　sure？　I　fill　it　out　properly？'
　
　Weselan's　smile　widened。　'Really。　You　have　fine　breasts。　Everyone　says　so。'
　
　Kahlan　felt　her　face　redden。　She　was　sure　of　the　truth　of　the　casual　statement。　Among　the　Mud　People；　menting　favorably　on　a　woman's　breasts；　in　public；　was　no　more　odd　than　a　man　elsewhere　telling　a　woman　she　had　a　pleasant　smile。　It　was　an　uninhibited　attitude　that　more　than　once　had　caught　her　off…guard。
　
　Kahlan　held　the　skirt　out　to　the　sides。　'It's　the　most　beautiful　dress　I've　ever　worn；　Weselan。　Thank　you　for　all　your　hard　work。　I　will　treasure　it　always。'
　
　'Maybe　someday；　if　you　have　a　daughter；　she　will　wear　it　when　she　weds。'
　
　Kahlan　smiled　and　nodded。　Please；　dear　spirits；　she　was　thinking；　if　a　child　es；　let　it　be　a　daughter　and　not　a　son。　She　reached　up　and　touched　the　delicate　necklace　she　wore；　her　fingers　turning　the　small；　round　bone　strung　among　a　few　red　and　yellow　beads。
　
　Adie；　the　bone　woman；　had　given　her　the　necklace　to　protect　her　from　the　beasts　that　dwelt　in　the　pass　through　the　boundary　that　at　the　time　had　separated　Westland　from　the　Midlands。　The　old　woman　had　told　her　it　would　help　protect　her　child　one　day。
　
　Kahlan　dearly　loved　the　necklace。　It　was　just　like　the　one　her　mother　had　received　from　Adie；　and　had；　in　turn；　given　to　Kahlan。　Kahlan　had　buried　it　with　her　closest　childhood　friend；　Dennee。　Since　Dennee's　death　she　had　missed　her　mother's　necklace。
　
　This　one　was　all　the　more　special　because　the　night　before　they　had　gone　through　the　pass；　Richard　had　added　his　oath　to　the　necklace；　to　protect　any　future　child　she　might　have。　Neither　she　nor　Richard　had　suspected　at　the　time　that　there　was　any　way　that　child　might　possibly　be　his。
　
　'I　hope　so。　Weselan；　will　you　stand　with　me？'
　
　'Stand　with　you？'
　
　Kahlan　pulled　some　of　her　hair　self…consciously　over　her　half…exposed　chest。　'　Where　I　e　from；　it　is　the　custom　to　have　a　friend　stand　by　you　when　you　wed。　To　stand　as　a　representative　of　the　good　spirits　watching　over　the　joining。　Richard　would　like　Savidlin　to　stand　with　him。　I　would　like　it　if　you　stood　by　me。'
　
　'That　seems　a　strange　custom。　The　good　spirits　always　watch　over　us。　But　if　it　is　your　custom；　I　would　be　honored　to　be　the　one　who　stands　by　you。'
　
　Kahlan　beamed。　'Thank　you。'
　
　'Now　stand　up　straight。　I　am　almost　finished。'
　
　Weselan　again　bent　to　her　task　at　the　hem。　Kahlan　tried　to　stand　with　her　back　straight。　It　hurt　from　sitting　on　the　floor　next　to　Richard　the　last　half　of　the　night。　She　wished　she　could　sit；　or　lie　down；　she　was　that　sleepy。　But　mostly；　her　back　hurt。
　
　Suddenly；　she　wondered　how　much　Denna　was　hurting　right　now。
　
　She　didn't　care；　she　told　herself。　Whatever　was　happening　to　her　would　never　be　enough；　after　what　she　had　done　to　Richard。　Her　stomach　lurched　at　the　memory　of　what　Denna　had　told　her。
　
　Kahlan　could　still　feel　the　place　on　her　neck　where　Darken　Rahl　had　put　his　lips。　A　shiver　ran　up　her　spine　at　the　memory。
　
　She　remembered　the　mask　of　agony　on　Denna's　face　the　instant　before　she　disappeared。　It　didn't　matter：　she　deserved　it。
　
　It　could　have　been　Richard；　though。　If　it　hadn't　been　for　Denna；　it　could　have　been　Richard。
　
　'Don't　be　afraid；　Kahlan。'
　
　'What？'　She　focused　her　eyes。　Weselan　was　standing　in　front　of