srdonaldson.theillearthwar-第5章

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so　don't　give　me　any　trouble。　You　hear　me？　Get　up。　〃
　Covenant　felt　too　weak　to　move；　and　he　could　not　see　clearly。　But　he　did　not　want　the　kind　of　help　the　sheriff　might　give　him。　He　rolled　over　and　pushed　himself　up　from　the　floor。
　He　reached　his　feet；　listing　badly　to　one　side；　but　the　sheriff　made　no　move　to　support　him。　He　braced　himself　on　the　back　of　a　chair；　and　looked　defiantly　around　the　hushed　spectators。　At　last；　the　gin　seemed　to　be　affecting　him。　He　pulled　himself　erect；　adjusted　his　tie　with　a　show　of　dignity。
　〃Get　going；〃　the　sheriff　manded　from　his　superior　height。
　But　for　one　more　moment　Covenant　did　not　move。　Though　he　could　not　be　sure　of　anything　he　saw；　he　stood　where　he　was　and　gave　himself　a　VSE。
　〃Get　going；〃　Lytton　repeated　evenly。
　〃Don't　touch　me。〃　When　his　VSE　was　done；　Covenant　turned　and　stalked　grayly　out　of　the　nightclub。
　Out　in　the　cool　April　night；　he　breathed　deeply；　steadying　himself。　The　sheriff　and　his　deputy　herded　him　toward　a　squad　car。　Its　red　warning　lights　flashed　balefully。　When　he　was　locked　into　the　back　seat　behind　the　protective　steel　grating；　the　two　officers　climbed　into　the　front。　While　the　deputy　drove　away　in　the　direction　of　Haven　Farm；　the　sheriff　spoke　through　the　grating。
　〃Took　us　too　long　to　find　you；　Covenant。　The
　Millers　reported　you　were　trying　to　hitch　a　ride；　and　we　figured　you　were　going　to　try　your　tricks　somewhere。　Just　couldn't　tell　where。　But　it's　still　my　county；　and　you're　walking　trouble。　There's　no　law　against　you…I　can't　arrest　you　for　what　you've　done。　But　it　sure　was　mean。　Listen；　you。　Taking　care　of　this　county　is　my　business；　and　don't　you　forget　it。　I　don't　want　to　hunt　around　like　this　for　you。　You　pull　this　stunt　again；　and　I'll　throw　you　in　the　can　for　disturbing　the　peace；　disorderly　conduct；　and　everything　else　I　can　think　of。　You　got　that？〃
　Shame　and　rage　struggled　in　Covenant；　but　he　could　find　no　way　to　let　them　out。　He　wanted　to　yell　through　the　grate；　It　isn't　catching！　It's　not　my　fault！　But　his　throat　was　too　constricted；　he　could　not　release　the　wail。　At　last；　he　could　only　mumble；　〃Let　me　out。　I'll　walk。〃
　Sheriff　Lytton　regarded　him　closely；　then　said　to　the　deputy；　〃All　right。　We'll　let　him　walk。　Maybe　he'll　have　an　accident。〃　Already　they　were　well　out　of　town。
　The　deputy　drove　to　a　halt　on　the　beret；　and　the　sheriff　let　Covenant　out。　For　a　moment；　they　stood　together　in　the　night。　The　sheriff　glared　at　him　as　if　trying　to　measure　his　capacity　to　do　harm。　Then　Lytton　said；　〃Go　home。　Stay　home。〃　He　got　back　into　the　car。　It　made　a　loud　squealing　turn　and　fled　back　toward　town。　An　instant　later；　Covenant　sprang　into　the　road　and　cried　after　the　taillights；　〃Leper　outcast　unclean！〃　They　looked　as　red　as　blood　in　the　darkness。
　His　shout　did　not　seem　to　dent　the　silence。　Before　long；　he　turned　back　toward　Haven　Farm；　feeling　as　small　as　if　the　few　stars　in　the　dense　black　sky　were　deriding　him。　He　had　ten　miles　to　walk。
　The　road　was　deserted。　He　moved　in　empty　stillness　like　a　hiatus　in　his　surroundings；　though　he　was　retreating　into　open　countryside；　he　could　hear　no　sounds；　no　night　talk　of　birds　or　insects。　The　silence　made　him　feel　deaf　and　alone；　vulnerable　to　the　hurrying　vultures　at　his　back。
　It　was　a　delusion！　He　raised　his　protest　like　a　defiance；　but　even　to　his　ears；　it　had　the　hollow　ring　of　despair；　posed　equally　of　defeat　and　stubbornness。　Through　it；　he　could　hear　the　girl　shouting　Berek！　like　the　siren　of　a　nightmare。
　Then　the　road　went　through　a　stand　of　trees　which　cut　out　the　dim　light　of　the　stars。　He　could　not　feel　the　pavement　with　his　feet；　he　was　in　danger　of　missing　his　way；　of　falling　into　a　ditch　or　injuring　himself　against　a　tree。　He　tried　to　keep　up　his　pace；　but　the　risk　was　too　great；　and　finally　he　was　reduced　to　waving　his　arms　before　him　and　testing　his　footing　like　a　blind　man。　Until　he　reached　the　end　of　the　woods；　he　moved　as　if　he　were　wandering　lost　in　a　dream；　damp　with　sweat；　and　cold。
　After　that；　he　set　a　hard　pace　for　himself。　He　was　spurred　on　by　the　cries　that　rushed　after　him；　Berek！　Berek！　When　at　last；　long　miles　later；　he　reached　the　driveway　into　Haven　Farm；　he　was　almost　running；
　In　the　sanctuary　of　his　house；　he　turned　on　all　the　lights　and　locked　the　doors。　The　organized　chastity　of　his　living　space　surrounded　him　with　its　unconsoling　dogma。　A　glance　at　the　kitchen　clock　told　him　that　the　time　was　just　past　midnight。　A　new　day；　Sunday　…a　day　when　other　people　worshiped。　He　started　some　coffee；　threw　off　his　jacket；　tie；　and　dress　shirt；　then　carried　his　steaming　cup　into　the　living　room。　There　he　took　a　position　on　the　sofa；　adjusted　Joan's　picture　on　the　coffee　table　so　that　it　looked　straight　at　him；　and　braced　himself　to　weather　the　crisis。
　He　needed　an　answer。　His　resources　were　spent；　and　he　could　not　go　on　the　way　he　was。
　Berek！
　The　girl's　shout；　and　the　raw　applause　of　her　audience；　and　the　trucker's　outrage；　reverberated　in　him　like　muffled　earth　tremors。　Suicide　loomed　in　all　directions。　He　was　trapped　between　mad　delusion　and　the　oppressive　weight　of　his　fellow　human　beings。
　Leper　outcast　unclean！
　He　gripped　his　shoulders　and　hugged　himself　to　try　to　still　the　gasping　of　his　heart。
　I　can't　stand　it！　Somebody　help　me！
　Suddenly；　the　phone　rang…cut　through　him　as　stridently　as　a　curse。　Disjointedly；　like　a　loose　collection　of　broken　bones；　he　jumped　to　his　feet。　But　then　he　did　not　move。　He　lacked　the　courage　to　face　more　hostility；　indemnification。
　The　phone　shrilled　again。
　His　breath　shuddered　in　his　lungs。　Joan　seemed　to　reproach　him　from　behind　the　glass　of　the　picture　frame。
　Another　ring；　as　insistent　as　a　fist。
　He　lurched　toward　the　phone。　Snatching　up　the　receiver；　he　pressed　it　to　his　ear　to　hold　it　steady。
　〃Tom？〃　a　faint；　sad　voice　sighed。　〃Tom…it's　Joan。　Tom？　I　hope　I　didn't　wake　you。　I　know　it's　late；　but　I　had　to　call。　Tom？〃
　Covenant　stood　straight　and　stiff；　at　attention；　with　his　knees　locked　to　keep　him　from　falling。　His　jaw　worked；　but　he　made　no　sound。　His　throat　felt　swollen　shut；　clogged　with　emotions；　and　his　lungs　began　to　hurt　for　air。
　〃Tom？　Are　you　there？　Hello？　Tom？　Please　say　something。　I　need　to　talk　to　you。　I've　been　so　lonely。　I　…I　miss　you。〃　He　could　hear　the　effort　in　her　voice。
　His　chest　heaved　fiercely；　as　if　he　were　choking。　Abruptly　he　broke　through　the　block　in　his　throat；　and　took　a　deep　breath　that　sounded　as　if　he　were　between　sobs。　But　still　he　could　not　force　up　words。
　〃Tom！　Please！　What's　happening　to　you？〃
　His　voice　seemed　to　be　caught　in　a　death　grip。　Desperate　to　shatter　the　hold；　to　answer　Joan；　cling　to　her　voice；　keep　her　on　the　line；　he　picked　up　the　phone　and　started　back　toward　the　sofa…hoping　that　movement　would　ease　the　spasm　that　clenched　him；　help　him　regain　control　of　his　muscles。
　But　be　turned　the　wrong　way；　wrapping　the　phone　cord　around　his　ankle。　As　he　jerked　forward；　he　tripped　and　pitched　headlong　toward　the　coffee　table。　His　forehead　struck　the　edge　of　the　table　squarely。　When　he　hit　the　floor；　he　seemed　to　feel　himself　bounce。
　Instantly；　his　sight　went　blank。　But　he　still　had　the　receiver　clutched　to　his　ear。　During　a　moment　of　white　stillness；　he　heard　Joan's　voice　clearly。　She　was　being　upset；　angry。
　〃Tom；　I'm　serious。　Don't　make　this　any　harder　for　me　than　it　already　is。　Don't　you　understand？　I　want　to　talk　to　you。　I　need　you。　Say　something。　Tom。　Tom！　Damn　you；　say　something！〃
　Then　a　wide　roaring　in　his　ears　washed　out　her　voice。　No！　he　cried。　No！　But　he　was　helpless。　The　rush　of　sound　came　over　him　like　a　dark　tide；　and　carried　him　away。
　
　
　THREE：　The　Summoning
　
　THE　wide　roar　modulated　slowly；　changing　the　void　of　his　sight。　On　the　surge　of　the　sound；　a　swath　of　gray…green　spread　upward　until　it　covered　him　like　a　winding　sheet。　The　hue　of　the　green　was　noxious　to　him；　and　he　felt　himself　smothering　in　its　close；　sweet；　fetid　reek…the　smell　of　attar。　But　the　note　which　filled　his　ears　grew　more　focused；　scaled　up　in　pitch。　Droplets　of　gold　bled　into　view　through　the　green。　Then　the　sound　turned　softer　and　more　plaintive；　higher　still　in　pitch；　so　that　it　became　a　low　human　wail。　The　gold　forced　back　the　green。　Soon　a　warm；　familiar　glow　filled　his　eyes。
　As　the　sound　turned　more　and　more　into　a　woman's　song；　the　gold　spread　and　deepened…cradled　him　as　if　it　were　carrying　him　gently　along　the　flood　of　the　voice。　The　melody　wove　the　light；　gave　it　texture　and　shape；　solidity。　Helpless　to　do　otherwise；　he　clung　to　the　sound；　concentrated　on　it　with　his　mouth　stretched　open　in　protest。
　Slowly；　the　singing　throat　opened。　Its　harmonic　pattern　became　sterner；　more　demanding。　Covenant　felt　himself　pulled　forward　now；　hurried　down　the　tide　of　the　song。　Arching　with　supplication；　it　took　on　words。
　Be　true；　Unbeliever…
　Answer　the　call。　
　Life　is　the　Giver：　
　Death　ends　all。　
　The　promise　is　truth；　
　And　banes　disperse　
　With　promise　kept：　
　But　soul's　deep　curse　
　On　broken　faith
　And　faithless　thrall；
　For　doom　of　darkness　
　Covers　all。　
　Be　true；　Unbeliever…
　Answer　the　call。　
　Be　true。
　The　song　seemed　to　reach　back　into　him；　stirring　memories；　calling　up　people　he　had　once；　in　one　fey　mood；　thought　had　the　right　to　make　demands　of　him。　But　he　resisted　it。　He　kept　silent；　held　himself　in。
　The　melody　drew　him　on　into　the　warm　gold。
　At　last；　the　light　took　on　definition。　He　could　locate　its　shape　before　him　now；　it　washed　out　his　vision　as　if　he　were　staring　into　the　sun。　But　on　the　last　words　of　the　song；　the　light　dimmed；　lost　its　brilliance。　As　the　voice　sang；　〃Be　true；〃　it　was　seconded　by　many　throats：　〃Be　true！〃　That　adjuration　stretched　him　like：　the　tightening　of　a　string　to　its　final　pitch。
　Then　the　source　of　the　light　fell　into　scale；　and　he　could　see　beyond　it。
　He　recognized　the　place。　He　was　in　the　Close；　the　council　chamber　of　the　Lords　in　the　heart　of　Revel…。：　stone。　Its　tiers　of　seats　reached　above　him　on　all　sides　toward　the　granite　ceiling　of　the　hall。
　He　was　surprised　to　find　himself　standing　erect　on　。　the　bottom　of　the　Close。　The　stance　confused　his　sense　of　balance；　and　he　stumbled　forward　toward　the　pit　of　graveling；　the　source　of　the　gold　light。　The　fire…stones　burned　there　before　him　without　consumption；　filling　the　air　with　the　smell　of　newly　broken　earth。
　Strong　hands　caught　him　by　either　arm。　As　his　fall　was　halted；　drops　of　blood　spattered　onto　the　stone　floor　at　the　edge　of　the　graveling　pit。
　Regaining　his　feet；　he　cried　hoarsely；　〃Don't　touch　me！〃
　He　was　dizzy　with　confusion　and　rage；　but　he　braced　himself　while　he　put　a　hand　to　his　forehead。　His　fingers　came　away　covered　with　blood。　He　had　cut　himself　badly　on　the　edge　of　the　table。　For　a　moment；　he　gaped　at　his　red　hand。
　Through　his　dismay；　a　quiet；　firm　voice　said；　〃Be　wele　in　the　Land；　ur…Lord　Thomas　Covenant；　Unbeliever　and　Ringthane。　I　have　called　you　to　us。　Our　need　for　your　aid　is　great。〃
　〃You　called　me？〃　he　croaked。
　〃I　am　Elena；〃　the　voice　replied；　〃High　Lord　by　the　choice　of　the　Council；　and　holder　of　the　Staff　of　Law。　I　have　called　you。〃
　〃You　called　me？〃　Slowly；　he　raised　his　eyes。　Thick　wetness　ran　from　the　sockets　as　if　he　were　weeping　blood。　〃You　call