tg.wizardfirstrule-第116章

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　Zedd　rubbed　his　chin。　〃Bags！〃
　
　The　rest　of　them　came　to　Richard；　since　he　couldn't　e　to　them。　Zedd　led　him　forward　again。　When　he　made　contact；　he　backed　away　a　little。
　
　Zedd　took　Richard's　left　hand。　〃Touch　it；　with　your　other　hand。〃
　
　Richard　did　as　he　was　told　until　the　sick　feeling　made　him　withdraw　his　hand。　Zedd　seemed　to　feel　it；　through　Richard。　By　now；　they　were　at　the　foot　of　the　bridge。　Every　touch　of　the　thing　had　made　it　move　back　the　way　they　had　e。
　
　〃Bags！　And　double　bags！〃
　
　〃What　is　it？〃　Richard　demanded。
　
　Zedd　took　a　glance　to　Kahlan　and　Chase　before　he　spoke。　〃It's　a　keeper　spell。〃
　
　〃What's　a　keeper　spell？〃
　
　〃It's　a　spell　drawn　by　that　filthy　artist；　James。　He's　drawn　it　around　you；　and　then　when　you　touched　it　the　first　time；　it　activated　the　spell。　Once　you　touch　it；　it　pulls　tighter；　like　a　trap。　If　we　don't　get　it　off　you；　it　will　shrink　until　you　are　all　that's　in　it；　and　then　you　won't　be　able　to　move。〃
　
　〃Then　what？〃
　
　Zedd　straightened。　〃The　touch　of　it　is　poison。　When　it　finishes　closing　around　you；　like　a　cocoon；　it　will　crush　you；　or　the　poi=　son　of　it　will　kill　you。〃
　
　Kahlan　grabbed　the　sleeve　of　Zedd's　robes；　panic　in　her　eyes。　〃We　have　to　go　back！　We　have　to　get　it　off　him！〃
　
　Zedd　pulled　his　arm　free。　〃Well；　of　course　we　do。　We'll　find　the　drawing　and　erase　it。〃
　
　〃I　know　where　the　sacred　caves　are；〃　Kahlan　offered　as　she　grabbed　hold　of　her　saddle　and　put　a　foot　in　the　stirrup。
　
　The　wizard　turned　to　retrieve　his　horse。　〃We　don't　have　any　time　to　waste。　Let's　go。〃
　
　〃No；〃　Richard　said。
　
　They　all　turned　back　to　stare　at　him。
　
　〃Richard；　we　have　to；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　〃She's　right；　my　boy。　There's　no　other　way。〃
　
　〃No。〃　He　looked　at　their　startled　faces。　〃That's　what　they　want　us　to　do。　You　said　the　artist　couldn't　spell　you　or　Kahlan；　so　he　did　it　to　me；　thinking　that　would　get　us　all　back。　The　box　is　too　important。　We　can't　take　the　risk。〃　He　looked　to　Kahlan。　〃You　just　tell　me　where　these　caves　are；　and　Zedd；　you　tell　me　how　to　erase　the　spell。〃
　
　Kahlan　grabbed　the　reins　of　her　horse　and　Richard's；　pulling　them　forward。　〃Zedd　and　Chase　can　protect　the　box；　I'm　going　with　you。〃
　
　〃No；　you're　not！　I'm　going　alone。　I　have　the　sword　to　protect　me。　The　box　is　all　that　matters；　it　is　our　first　responsibility。　We　must　protect　it　above　all　else。　Just　tell　me　where　the　caves　are；　and　how　to　fix　the　spell。　When　I'm　finished；　I'll　catch　up　with　you。〃
　
　〃Richard；　I　think　。　。　。〃
　
　〃No！　This　is　about　stopping　Darken　Rahl；　not　about　any　one　of　us。　This　is　not　a　request；　it's　an　order！〃
　
　They　straightened；　Zedd　turning　to　Kahlan。。　〃Tell　him　where　the　caves　are。〃
　
　Kahlan　angrily　handed　the　reins　of　her　horse　to　Zedd　and　snatched　up　a　stick。　She　drew　a　map　in　the　dirt　of　the　road；　pulling　the　stick　along　one　of　the　lines　she　had　drawn。　〃This　is　the　Callisidrin；　and　here；　the　bridge。　This　is　the　road；　and　here；　Tamarang　and　the　castle。〃　She　drew　the　line　of　a　road　to　the　north　of　the　city。　〃Here；　in　these　hills　northeast　of　the　city；　there　is　a　stream　that　runs　between　twin　hills。　They're　about　a　mile　south　of　a　small　bridge　that　crosses　the　stream。　The　twin　hills　have　cliffs　on　the　sides　toward　the　stream。　The　sacred　caves　are　in　the　cliff　on　the　northeast　side　of　the　stream。　That　is　where　the　artist　draws　his　spells。〃
　
　Zedd　took　the　stick　from　her　and　broke　off　two　finger…length　pieces。　He　rolled　one　between　his　palms。　〃Here。　This　will　erase　the　curse。　Without　seeing　it；　I　can't　tell　you　what　part　you　must　erase；　but　you　should　be　able　to　figure　it　out。　It's　a　drawing　and　you　will　be　able　to　make　some　sense　of　it。　That　is　the　whole　purpose　of　a　drawn　spell；　you　must　be　able　to　make　sense　of　it；　or　it　won't　work。〃
　
　The　stick　Zedd　had　rolled　in　his　palms　no　longer　felt　like　wood。　It　felt　soft　and　tacky。　Richard　put　it　in　his　pocket。　Zedd　rolled　the　other　piece　in　his　palms。　He　handed　it　to　Richard；　it　too　no　longer　a　stick。　This　time　it　was　black；　almost　like　charcoal；　but　hard。
　
　〃With　this；〃　the　wizard　said；　〃you　can　draw　on　the　spell；　and　change　it　if　you　have　to。〃
　
　〃Change　it　how？〃
　
　〃I　can't　tell　you　without　seeing　it。　You'll　have　to　use　your　own　judgment。　Now；　hurry。　But　I　still　think　we　should　。　。　。〃
　
　〃No；　Zedd。　We　all　know　what　Darken　Rahl　is　capable　of。　The　box　is　all　that　is　important；　not　any　one　of　us。〃　He　shared　a　deep　look　with　his　old　friend。　〃Take　care　of　yourself。　And　Kahlan。〃　He　looked　up　to　Chase。　〃Get　them　to　Michael。　Michael　will　be　able　to　protect　the　box　better　than　we　can　alone。　And　don't　hold　back；　waiting　for　me。　I'll　catch　up。〃　Richard　gave　him　a　hard　stare。　〃If　I　don't；　I　don't　want　any　of　you　ing　back　for　me。　You　just　get　the　box　away　from　here。　Understand？〃
　
　Chase　gave　him　a　serious　look。　〃On　my　life。〃　He　gave　Richard　brief　instructions　to　find　the　Westland　army；　up　in　the　Rang'　Shada
　
　Richard　looked　to'　Kahlan。　〃Take　care　of　Siddin。　Don't　worry；　I'll　be　back　with　you　soon　enough。　Now　get　going：〃
　
　Zedd　mounted　his　horse。　Kahlan　handed　Siddin　over　to　the　wizard。　She　gave　Chase　and　Zedd　a　nod。　〃Go　on；　get　started。　I　will　catch　up　in　a　few　minutes。〃
　
　Zedd　started　to　protest；　but　she　cut　him　off　and　told　him　again　to　start　ahead。　She　watched　the　two　horses　and　the　wolf　gallop　across　the　bridge　and　down　the　road　before　she　turned　back　to　Richard。
　
　Concern　cut　deeply　into　her　features。　〃Richard；　please；　let　me　。。：'
　
　〃No。〃
　
　She　nodded　and　handed　him　the　reins　to　his　horse。　Tears　were　filling　her　green　eyes。　〃There　are　dangers　in　the　Midlands　you　know　nothing　about。　Be　careful。〃　A　tear　ran　down　her　cheek。
　
　〃I'll　be　back　with　you　before　you　have　time　to　miss　me。〃
　
　〃I'm　afraid　for　you。〃
　
　〃I　know。　But　I'll　be　all　right。〃
　
　She　looked　up　at　him　with　eyes　he　could　lose　himself　in。　〃I　shouldn't　be　doing　this；〃　she　whispered。
　
　Kahlan　threw　her　arms　around　his　neck　and　kissed　him。　Hard；　fast；　desperate。
　
　For　a　moment　as　he　reached　his　arms　around　her　and　pulled　her　tight　against　him；　the　touch　of　her　lips　on　his；　the　little　moan　that　came　from　her；　and　the　feeling　of　her　fingers　through　the　back　of　his　hair　made　him　forget　his　own　name。
　
　He　was　in　a　daze　as　he　watched　her　put　a　boot　in　the　stirrup　and　throw　her　other　leg　over　the　saddle。　She　pulled　the　reins；　bringing　her　horse　around　close　to　him。
　
　〃Don't　you　dare　do　anything　stupid；　Richard　Cypher。　Promise　me。〃
　
　　〃I　promise。〃　He　didn't　tell　her　that　he　thought　letting　harm　r　each　her　was　what　he　considered　stupid　above　all　else。　〃Don't
　
　worry；　I'll　be　back　with　you　just　as　soon　as　I　get　n　id　of　this　spell。
　
　Protect　the　box。　Rahl　must　not　get　it。　That's　what　matters。　Now；
　
　get　going。〃
　
　He　stood　holding　the　reins　of　his　horse；　watching　her　gallop　across　the　bridge　and　disappear　into　the　distance。
　
　〃I　love　you；　Kahlan　Amnell；〃　he　whispered
　
　…＋…
　
　　With　an　encouraging　pat　to　the　splotch　of　gray　on　the　roan's　neck；　Richard　headed　the　big　horse　off　the　road　after　crossing　the　small　bridge；　and　spurred　it　along　the　bank　of　the　stream。　The　horse　ran　with　ease；　splashing　its　hooves　in　the　shallow　water　when　the　brush　blocked　the　way　along　the　bank。　Sunlit　hills；　mostly　barren　of　trees；　rose　up　around　the　stream。　As　the　banks　became　steeper；　he　led　the　horse　up　along　the　higher　ground；　where　it　could　make　easier　progress。　Richard　kept　a　watch　for　anyone　following；　or　observing；　but　saw　no　one。　The　hills　seemed　deserted。
　
　Chalk　white　cliffs　rose　up　to　either　side　of　the　stream；　cleft　faces　on　identical　hills　straddling　the　water。　Richard　was　off　the　horse　before　it　stopped。　Looking　about；　he　tethered　it　to　a　sumac　whose　red　fruit　were　already　dried　and　shriveled。　His　boots　slid　on　the　loose　ground'　as　he　descended　the　steep　bank。　There　was　a　narrow　foot　trail　through　the　slide　of　rock　and　dirt。　Following　it　brought　him　to　the　tall　mouth　of　a　cave。
　
　With　a　hand　on　the　hilt　of　the　sword；　he　peeked　around　the　opening；　checking　for　the　artist；　or　anyone　else。　There　was　no　one。　Immediately　inside　the　cave　were　drawings　on　the　walls。　They　covered　every　surface；　and　continued　back　into　the　darkness。
　
　Richard　was　overwhelmed。　There　were　hundreds　of　drawings；　maybe　thousands。　Some　were　little；　no　bigger　than　his　hand；　some　were　larger；　tall　as　he。　Each　depicted　a　different　scene。　Most　had　only　one　person　in　them；　but　a　few　had　many　people。　It　was　obvious　that　they　had　been　drawn　by　different　hands。　Some　were　delicately　rendered；　rich　in　detail；　with　shading　and　highlights；　depicting　people　with　broken　limbs；　or　drinking　from　cups　with　skulls　and　crossed　bones　on　them；　or　standing　next　to　fields　of　withered　crops。　Others　were　done　by　someone　with　little　talent　for　the　task：　their　figures　were　drawings　of　people　made　of　simple　lines。　But　the　scenes　in　these　were　similarly　gruesome。　Richard　guessed　that　the　talent　of　the　artist　was　of　little　importance；　it　was　the　message　that　counted
　
　Richard　found　drawings　done　by　different　hands　but　of　the　same　subject。　These　people　might　have　a　map　of　some　sort　around　them；　but　around　each　was　a　line　drawn　in　a　circle；　the　circle　having　a　skull　and　crossed　bones　on　it　somewhere。
　
　Keeper　spells。
　
　But　how　was　he　to　find　his？　There　were　drawings　everywhere。　He　didn't　know　what　the　drawing　of　his　spell　looked　like。　He　searched　the　walls　with　growing　panic；　moving　deeper　into　the　darkness。　He　ran　his　hands　over　the　pictures　as　he　moved；　trying　to　look　at　each；　so　as　not　to　miss　his。　His　eyes　darted　everywhere；　overwhelmed　by　the　number　of　spells；　searching　for　something　familiar；　not　knowing　exactly　what　to　look　for；　or　where。
　
　Richard　worked　his　way　back　into　the　darkness；　reasoning　that　maybe　there　was　an　end　to　the　drawings；　and　maybe　the　latest　were　at　the　end。　It　was　too　dark　to　see。　He　went　toward　the　mouth　of　the　cave　to　retrieve　reed　cane　torches　he　had　seen　there。
　
　Before　he　had　gone　far；　he　ran　smack　into　the　invisible　wall。　With　rising　panic；　he　realized　that　he　was　trapped　in　the　cave。　He　was　running　out　of　time。　The　torches　were　out　of　reach。
　
　He　ran　back　into　the　darkness；　searching。　He　had　trouble　seeing　the　spells；　and　still　there　was　no　end　to　them。　A　thought　he　definitely　didn't　like　came　to　him。
　
　If　there　be　need　enough。　The　night　stone。
　
　With　no　time　to　lose；　he　pulled　the　leather　pouch　from　his　pack。　He　looked　at　it　in　his　hand；　trying　to　decide　if　this　would　be　a　help；　or　simply　more　trouble。　Trouble　he　couldn't　handle。　He　thought　about　the　times　he　had　seen　the　stone　out　of　the　pouch。　Each　time；　it　had　taken　a　while　for　the　shadow　things　to　e。　Maybe　if　he　just　pulled　it　out　for　a　short　time；　had　a　look　into　the　darkness；　and　then　put　the　stone　back；　he　would　have　the　time　he　needed　before　the　shadows　found　him。　He　didn't　know　if　it　was　a　good　idea。
　
　If　there　be　need　enough。
　
　He　dumped　the　stone　into　his　hand。　Light　filled　the　cave。　Richard　wasted　no　time　looking　at　individual　drawings；　but　instead　quickly　went　deeper；　looking　for　where　they　ended。　From　the　corner　of　his　eye；　he　saw　the　first　shadow　materialize。　It　was　still　a　ways　off。　He　kept　going。