tg.stone of tears-第97章

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t　the　size　of　gold　coins；　and　had　the　same　faint　green　glow　as　her　arm。　She　stared　at　it　without　reaction。
　
　'Wizards　use　the　magic　of　empathy　to　cure　people。　We　take　the　pain　and　the　essence　of　the　discordance；　the　sickness　or　injury；　into　ourselves。　We　have　passed　the　test　of　pain；　so　in　this；　as　in　other　things；　we　are　able　to　endure　what　we　take　from　another。　We　use　the　gift　to　sustain　us；　and　to　give　strength　to　the　person；　allowing　the　magic　to　cure　what　is　out　of　order。　The　harmony　within　us　corrects　the　disharmony。　Sickness　and　injury　is　an　aberration；　and　the　magic　restores　the　flows　of　power　in　a　person　to　what　it　is　intended　to　be。'　He　stroked　her　hand。　'Within　limits；　of　course。　We　are　not　the　hand　of　Creation。　But　from　it；　we　have　the　gift　to　use　when　it　is　appropriate。'
　
　'But　。。。　why　be　your　arm　like　mine？'
　
　'The　actual　transfer　of　the　sickness　or　injury　is　blocked。　Only　the　pain　and　disharmony　of　it　is　taken　on；　so　we　may　pass　strength；　healing；　and　wellness　to　the　one　we　are　helping。'　He　took　hold　of　the　silver　brocade　at　the　cuff　and　drew　the　sleeve　back　down　his　arm。　'Somehow；　the　taint　of　the　skrin　passed　through　that　barrier。'
　
　Concern　creased　her　features。　'Then　we　must　both　lose　our　arms。'
　
　Zedd　worked　his　tongue　to　wet　it。　'No。　I'm　afraid　that　wouldn't　help。　When　I　try　to　cure　someone；　I　can　sense　where　the　injury　or　sickness；　the　disharmony；　lies。'　He　stood　again；　turning　his　back　to　her。　Though　the　wound　is　on　your　arm；　the　taint　of　the　skrin's　magic　is　evident　throughout　your　body。'　His　voice　dropped　to　a　whisper。　'It　is　also　throughout　me；　now。'
　
　Zedd　could　hear　the　muffled　laughter　from　down　in　the　dining　room。　Merry　music　seemed　to　ooze　up　through　the　elegant；　richly　colored　carpets。　A　bard　was　singing　a　bawdy　tale　about　a　princess　masquerading　as　a　serving　wench。　Her　father　and　king　had　pledged　her　to　a　prince　she　loathed。　After　having　exposed　the　suitor　as　a　scoundrel　and　greedy　opportunist；　she　found　that；　despite　having　to　endure　her　bottom　being　pinched；　she　preferred　the　occupation　of　serving　wench　to　that　of　princess；　and　went　on　to　live　a　life　of　singing　and　dancing。　The　crowd　roared　their　approval；　thumping　their　mugs　in　time　with　the　tune。
　
　Adie's　voice　came　softly　from　behind　him。　'We　be　in　a　great　deal　of　trouble；　old　man。'
　
　He　nodded　absently。　'Indeed。'
　
　'I　be　sorry；　Zedd。　Forgive　me　for　what　I　have　brought　upon　us。'
　
　He　dismissed　her　regrets　with　a　wave　of　his　hand。　'What's　done　is　done。　It's　not　your　fault；　dear　lady。　If　anything；　it's　mine；　for　not　thinking　before　I　used　magic　on　this；　the　price　of　using　your　heart　before　using　your　head。'　The　price；　too；　for　violating　the　Wizard's　Second　Rule；　he　thought；　but　did　not　voice　it。
　
　The　heavy　folds　of　his　robes　swirled　around　him　as　he　turned　back　to　face　her。　'Adie；　think。　There　must　be　someone　who　would　know　about　this　taint；　someone　who　knows　about　the　skrin。　Is　there　anyone　you　visited　when　searching　knowledge　of　the　underworld　who　would　know　something？　Even　if　it's　just　a　little；　it　might　give　me　the　clue　I　need　to　rid　us　of　this。'
　
　Her　weight　settled　deeper　into　the　pillows　as　she　frowned　in　thought。　Finally；　her　head　rolled　from　side　to　side。
　
　'When　I　visited　the　women　with　the　gift；　I　be　young。　They　be　old；　at　least　older　than　I。　They　would　all　be　dead　by　now。'
　
　Zedd　stepped　closer。　'Did　any　have　daughters？　Daughters　with　the　gift？'
　
　Adie's　eyes　came　to　his；　her　eyebrows　lifted；　and　a　smile　grew　on　her　finely　wrinkled　face。　'Yes！　One　who　taught　me　some　of　the　most　important　things　about　the　skrin　had　daughters。'　She　propped　herself　up　on　her　good　elbow。　'Three　daughters。'　Her　grin　grew。　They　all　had　the　gift。　They　be　little　at　the　time；　but　they　had　the　gift。　They　would　not　be　nearly　as　old　as　I。　If　their　mother　lived　long　enough；　she　would　have　taught　them　what　she　knew。　That　be　the　way　of　a　sorceress。'
　
　Despite　the　dull　ache　of　a　foreign　magic　in　his　bones；　Zedd's　step　was　lively　with　excitement。　Then　we　must　go　to　them！　Where　are　they？'
　
　Adie　winced　as　she　sank　back　down　on　the　pillows。　She　drew　the　blanket　up　to　her　chest。　'Nicobarese。　They　be　in　a　remote　part　of　Nicobarese。'
　
　'Bags。'　Zedd　let　out　a　sigh。　That's　a　long　way　in　the　wrong　direction。'　He　stroked　a　thumb　and　finger　down　opposite　sides　of　his　smooth　jaw。　'Can　you　think　of　anyone　else？'
　
　Adie　whispered　to　herself　as；　one　at　a　time；　she　lifted　open　the　fingers　of　a　closed　hand。　'Sons；'　she　muttered。　'She　had　only　sons。'　She　lifted　open　another　finger。　'No；　she　didn't　know　anything　of　the　skrin。'　Finally；　she　lifted　open　the　last　finger。　'No　children。'　Her　hands　fell　limp　to　her　sides。　'I　be　sorry；　Zedd。　The　three　sisters　be　the　only　ones　who　might　know　something；　and　they　be　in　Nicobarese。'
　
　'And　this　woman；　their　mother；　where　did　she　learn　these　things？　Maybe　we　could　go　there。'
　
　Adie　smoothed　the　blanket　against　her　stomach。　Her　hand　slipped　away　to　rest　at　her　side。　The　light　only　knows。　The　only　place　I　know　we　can　go　to　seek　answers　be　Nicobarese。'
　
　Zedd　pointed　a　bony　finger　skyward。　Then　we　go　to　Nicobarese！'
　
　Adie　looked　at　him　dubiously。　'Zedd；　there　be　Blood　of　the　Fold　in　Nicobarese。　My　name　be　remembered　there。　And　not　remembered　fondly。'
　
　That　was　an　awfully　long　time　ago；　Adie。　Two　kings　ago。'
　
　Time　means　nothing　to　the　Blood。'
　
　He　rubbed　his　chin　as　he　thought。　'Well；　no　one　knows　who　we　are；　we've　been　hiding　our　identity　to　remain　out　of　the　Keeper's　sight。　We　will　simply　continue　to　be　two　wealthy　travelers。'　He　scowled　at　her。　'I'm　already　wearing　this　ridiculous　outfit。'　The　lavish　robes　they　both　wore　had　been　her　idea；　and　not　one　he　enjoyed。
　
　Adie　shrugged。　'It　would　appear　we　have　no　choice。　What　must　be　done；　must　be　done。'　She　grunted　with　the　effort　of　sitting　up　in　the　bed。　'We　must　be　on　our　way。'
　
　Zedd　waved　his　hand　dismissively。　'You　are　weak　and　need　rest。　I　will　secure　us　transportation。　It's　too　difficult　to　ride　horseback　anymore。　I'll　hire　us　a　coach；　or　something。'　He　lifted　an　eyebrow　as　he　gave　her　a　sly　smile。　'After　all；　if　we're　going　to　wear　these　garish　outfits；　and　feign　being　wealthy　travelers；　it　would　be　best　to　play　the　part　with　a　coach。'
　
　She　watched　as　he　scrutinized　himself　in　front　of　the　tall；　standing　mirror。　He　held　the　full　robes　out；　examining　their　volume。　The　robe　was　a　heavy；　maroon　fabric；　with　black　sleeves　and　cowled　shoulders。　The　cuffs　of　the　sleeves　had　three　rows　of　silver　brocade。　Around　the　neck　and　down　the　front　were　bands　of　gold　brocade　woven　in　a　coarser　design。　The　waist　was　held　with　a　flashy；　red　satin　belt　set　with　a　gold　buckle。　The　whole　effect　was　so　ostentatious　it　made　him　groan　inwardly。
　
　Well；　necessary　was　necessary。　Zedd　swept　his　arm　across　his　middle　while　bowing　dramatically。
　
　'How　do　I　look；　dear　lady？'
　
　Adie　plucked　a　slice　of　brown　bread　from　the　tray。　'Foolish。'
　
　He　straightened　in　a　rush　and　finally　shook　a　finger　at　her。　'May　I　remind　you　that　you　picked　it　out！'
　
　She　shrugged。　'Revenge。　You　picked　mine。　I　thought　it　only　fitting　to　seek　redress。'
　
　He　strode　across　the　expanse　of　carpets　in　a　huff；　muttering　that　he　thought　she　had　gotten　the　better　of　the　bargain　by　far。　'You　get　a　little　rest。　I'll　see　about　our　transportation。'
　
　Adie　tore　a　chunk　of　bread　off　with　her　teeth　and　spoke　around　the　mouthful　as　he　headed　for　the　door。　'Don't　forget　your　hat。'
　
　Zedd　froze　with　a　wince。　He　spun　on　the　balls　of　his　feet。　'Bags；　woman！　Must　I　wear　the　hat；　too！'
　
　She　chewed　a　moment　and　then　swallowed。　'The　man　who　sold　us　the　outfit　said　it　be　all　the　rage　among　noblemen。'
　
　Zedd　forced　out　a　noisy　breath　and　then　snatched　the　limp；　red　hat　off　the　marble　tabletop　beside　the　double　doors　to　the　outer　room。　He　plopped　it　atop　his　wavy　white　hair。　'Better？'
　
　'The　feather　be　crooked。'
　
　He　clenched　his　fists。　At　last　he　reached　up　and　rearranged　the　floppy　hat；　straightening　the　long　peacock　feather。
　
　'Happy？'
　
　She　smiled　…　at　his　expense；　he　presumed。　'Zedd；　I　said　you　look　foolish　only　because　you　be　such　a　handsome　man　that　the　fancy　clothes　look　silly　in　trying　to　improve　upon　perfection。'
　
　A　grin　stole　back　onto　his　face。　He　gave　another　quick　bow。　'Why；　thank　you；　madam。'
　
　She　pulled　the　piece　of　bread　in　half。　And　Zedd；　be　careful。'　He　cocked　his　head　with　a　questioning　frown。　'Masquerading　in　that　outfit；　like　the　princess　in　the　song；　you　may　get　your　bottom　pinched。'
　
　Zedd　gave　her　a　mischievous　wink。　'I　won't　let　any　stray　wench　trespass　on　your　territory。'
　
　He　canted　his　hat　to　a　jaunty　angle　and；　humming　a　merry　tune；　swept　through　the　doors。　A　cane；　he　thought。　Perhaps　he　should　have　a　cane。　An　ornate　one；　of　course。　It　seemed　to　him　that　a　gentleman　should　have　a　proper　cane。
　
　
　CHAPTER　34
　
　Warm　air　ascended　the　stairs　from　the　dining　room　along　with　the　buzz　of　the　packed　room。　The　aroma　of　roasting　meats　drifted　in　from　the　kitchen　to　mix　pleasantly　with　the　sweet　tang　of　pipe　smoke。　Zedd　rubbed　his　stomach　as　he　descended　the　stairs；　wondering　if　he　might　spare　the　time　to　sample　a　plate。
　
　On　the　landing　sat　a　tall　basket　holding　three　canes。　Zedd　pulled　the　most　ornate；　a　straight　black　cane　with　an　elaborate　head　worked　in　silver；　from　the　basket。　He　tapped　the　flamboyant　cane　on　the　wood　landing；　testing　its　length　and　heft。　Seemed　a　tad　heavy；　he　thought；　but　it　would　do　as　a　proper　accessory。
　
　The　proprietor；　Master　Hillman；　a　rotund　man　with　his　white　shirtsleeves　rolled　up　above　his　dimpled　elbows　and　wearing　a　sparkling　white　apron；　spied　him　as　he　reached　the　bottom　of　the　steps　and　immediately　rushed　across　the　room；　shoving　men　out　of　his　way。　The　man's　round；　pink　cheeks　plumped　out　farther　as　his　small　mouth　spread　with　a　familiar　grin。
　
　'Master　Rybnik！　So　good　to　see　you　again！'
　
　Zedd　almost　turned　to　see　to　whom　the　man　was　speaking　before　he　remembered　that　was　the　name　he　had　given。　He　had　told　the　innkeeper　that　his　name　was　Ruben　Rybnik；　and　had　given　Adie's　name　as　Elda；　saying　she　was　his　wife。　Zedd　had　always　favored　the　name　Ruben。　Ruben。　He　rolled　the　sound　pleasantly　through　his　mind。　Ruben。
　
　'Please；　Master　Hillman；　call　me　Ruben。'
　
　The　man's　head　bobbed。　'Of　course；　Master　Rybnik。　Of　course。'
　
　Zedd　held　out　the　cane。　'I　find　I　have　need　of　a　cane；　of　late。　Could　I　convince　you　to　part　with　this　one？'
　
　The　man　opened　his　arms　in　a　wide　gesture。　'For　you；　Master　Rybnik；　anything。　My　nephew　makes　them；　and　I　let　him　display　them　here　for　my　discriminating　guests。　But　this　one　is　special；　and　costly。'　He　came　forward　at　Zedd's　skeptical　expression；　lifting　the　cane。　He　leaned　close　to　speak　confidentially。　'Let　me　demonstrate；　Master　Rybnik。　I　don't　show　this　to　anyone。　Might　give　them　the　wrong　impression　of　my　establishment；　you　know。　Here。　You　see？　You　twist；　and　here　at　the　silver　band；　it　es　open。'
　
　He　separated　the　two　parts　a　few　inches　to　reveal　a　gleaming　blade。　'Nearly　two　feet　of　Keltish　steel。　Discreet　protection　for　a　gentleman。　But　I'm　not　sure　that　for　your　simple　purposes　you　would　want　such　a　costl