tg.wizardfirstrule-第125章

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lley　in　the　ceiling；　and　was　tied　off　at　the　wall。　She　hoisted　him　up　until　he　had　to　stand　on　his　toes　before　she　tied　the　rope　off　at　the　wall。　The　pain　in　his　shoulders　was　excruciating；　making　it　hard　to　breathe；　and　she　hadn't　even　touched　the　Agiel　to　him　yet。　He　was　helpless；　off　balance；　and　in　agony　before　she　even　started。　His　mood　sank。
　
　Denna　sat　in　a　chair　against　the　wall；　telling　Constance　to　enjoy　herself。　When　Denna　had　trained　him；　she　often　had　a　smile　on　her　face。　Constance　never　smiled　once。　She　went　about　her　work　like　an　ox　at　a　plow；　strands　of　hair　ing　loose；　and　in　no　time　her　face　was　covered　with　a　sheen　of　sweat。　She　never　varied　the　touch　of　her　Agiel。　It　was　always　the　same；　always　hard；　harsh；　angry。　Richard　didn't　have　to　anticipate；　there　was　no　pause。　She　worked　with　rhythmic　timing；　never　giving　him　a　rest。　But　she　didn't　draw　blood。　Denna　had　a　constant　smile　on　her　face　as　she　sat　with　the　chair　leaned　against　the　wall。　At　last　Constance　stopped；　Richard　panting；　groaning。
　
　〃He　can　take　it　well。　I　haven't　had　a　workout　like　this　in　quite　a　time。　All　the　pets　I've　gotten　lately　fold　at　the　first　touch。〃
　
　The　chair　came　down　on　its　front　legs　with　a　clunk。　〃Maybe　I　can　help；　Sister　Constance。　Let　me　show　you　where　he　doesn't　like　it。〃
　
　Derma　came　up　behind　him　and　paused；　making　him　flinch　in　expectation　of　what　didn't　e。　Just　as　he　breathed　out；　the　Agiel　drove　into　a　tender　spot　on　the　right　side。　He　cried　out　as　she　held　the　pressure　against　him。　He　couldn't　hold　his　weight；　and　the　rope　pulled　his　shoulders　so　hard　he　thought　his　arms　would　e　out　of　their　sockets。　With　a　sneer；　Denna　held　the　Agiel　to　him　until　he　started　crying。
　
　〃Please；　Mistress　Denna；〃　he　sobbed。　〃Please。〃
　
　She　withdrew　the　Agiel。　〃See？〃
　
　Constance　shook　her　head。　〃I　wish　I　had　your　talent；　Denna。〃
　
　〃Here　is　another　place。〃　She　made　him　scream。　〃And　here；　and　here　too。〃　She　came　around　and　smiled　to　him。　〃You　don't　mind　if　I　show　Constance　all　your　special　little　places；　do　you？〃
　
　〃Please；　Mistress　Denna；　don't。　It　hurts　too　much。〃　。
　
　〃There；　you　see？　He　doesn't　mind　at　all。〃
　
　She　went　back　to　her　chair　as　tears　ran　down　his　face。　Constance　never　smiled；　she　simply　went　to　work；　and　also　had　him　begging　breathlessly。　But　the　way　she　never　varied　the　pressure；　never　letting　up；　was　worse　than　Denna。　She　never　gave　him　a　moment　to　rest。　Richard　learned　to　fear　her　touch　more　than　he　feared　Denna's。　Denna　had　an　odd　passion　at　times。　Constance　never　did。　When　it　was　beyond　a　certain　point；　Denna　would　tell　her　to　stop；　wait　a　moment；　and　guide　her　so　as　not　to　cripple　him。　Constance　plied　with　her　wishes　and　let　Denna　direct　the　way　she　wanted　him　hurt。
　
　〃You　don't　have　to　stay；　Denna；　if　you　have　things　to　do。　I　won't　mind。〃
　
　Fear　and　panic　raced　through　his　mind。　He　didn't　want　to　be　left　alone　with　Constance。　He　knew　that　Constance　wanted　to　do　things　to　him　that　Denna　didn't　want　done。　He　didn't　know　what　they　were；　but　he　feared　them。
　
　〃Another　time；　I　will　leave　you　alone　with　him　。。。　to　do　things　your　way；　but　today；　I　will　stay。〃
　
　Richard　made　sure　he　showed　no　sign　that　he　was　relieved。　Constance　went　back　to　work。
　
　After　a　while　longer；　when　she　was　behind　him；　Constance　grabbed　a　fistful　of　his　hair　and　yanked　his　head　back；　hard。　Richard　knew　very　well　what　it　meant　to　have　his　head　pulled　back　in　this　manner。　He　remembered　the　pain　of　what　she　was　about　to　do。　The　pain　of　having　the　Agiel　in　his　ear。　He　shook　uncontrollably；　couldn't　breathe　with　the　fear　of　it。
　
　Denna　came　out　of　her　chair。　〃Don't　do　that；　Constance。〃
　
　Constance　gritted　her　teeth　as　she　looked　at　him；　pulling　his　head　back　harder。　〃Why　not？　Surely　you've　done　it？〃
　
　〃Yes；　I　just　don't　want　you　to；　that's　all。　Master　Rahl　hasn't　talked　to　him　yet。　I　don't　want　to　take　any　chances。〃
　
　A　grin　came　to　Constance's　face。　〃Denna；　let's　do　it　together；　at　the　same　time。　You　and　me。　Like　we　used　to。〃
　
　〃I　told　you；　Master　Rahl　wants　to　talk　to　him。〃
　
　〃After　that？〃　Denna　smiled。　〃It　has　been　a　long　time　since　I've　heard　that　scream。〃　She　looked　to　Richard's　eyes。　〃If　Master　Rahl　doesn't　kill　him；　and　he　doesn't　die　first　from　。。　。　from　other　things；　then；　yes；　we　will　do　it　to　him。　All　right？　But　not　now。　And　Constance；　please　respect　my　wishes；　about　using　the　Agiel　in　his　ear？〃
　
　Constance　nodded　and　released　his　hair。　〃Don't　you　think　you　have　gotten　off　easy。〃　She　scowled　at　him。　〃Sooner　or　later；　you　and　I　will　be　alone；　and　then　I　will　take　my　pleasure　from　you。〃
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Constance；〃　he　whispered　hoarsely。
　
　After　they　were　finished　training　him；　they　went　to　lunch。　Richard　followed　behind；　the　chain　hooked　to　Denna's　belt。　The　dining　hall　was　tasteful　in　its　simple　style　of　frame　and　panel　oak　over　a　white　marble　floor。　There　was　the　soft　murmur　of　conversation　at　the　various　tables　as　people　ate。　Denna　snapped　her　fingers　as　she　sat；　pointing　at　the　floor　behind　her　chair。　Servers　brought　food　to　the　two　Mord…Sith；　but　none　for　Richard。　Lunch　was　a　hearty…looking　soup；　cheese；　brown　bread；　and　fruit。　The　good　smells　drove　Richard　to　distraction。　There　was　no　meat　served。　Halfway　through　her　meal；　Denna　turned　and　told　him　that　he　would　get　no　lunch；　for　having　earned　two　hours　that　morning。　She　said　that　if　he　behaved　himself；　he　would　get　dinner。
　
　The　afternoon　was　spent　at　devotions；　and　after　that；　several　hours　of　training。　Denna　and　Constance　shared　the　task。　Richard　did　his　best　to　do　nothing　wrong；　and　at　dinner　was　rewarded　with　a　bowl　of　rice　with　vegetables　over　it。　After　dinner　were　more　devotions　and　more　training；　until　at　last　they　left　Constance　and　returned　to　Denna's　quarters；　Richard　dead　tired　and　stooping　because　of　pain　as　he　walked。
　
　〃I　wish　a　bath；〃　she　said。　She　showed　him　the　room　adjoining　hers。　It　was　small；　empty　of　everything　except　a　rope　holding　the　binding　device　from　the　ceiling；　and　a　bathing　tub　in　the　corner。　She　told　him　the　room　was　for　training　if　he　needed　it　on　the　spot　and　she　didn't　want　blood　in　her　room；　and　for　when　she　wanted　to　leave　him　hanging　all　night。　She　promised　him　he　would　be　spending　a　great　deal　of　time　in　the　little　room。
　
　She　had　him　drag　the　tub　to　the　foot　of　her　bed。　He　took　the　bucket　from　the　tub　and　was　instructed　where　to　go　for　hot　water。　He　was　to　speak　to　no　one；　even　if　spoken　to；　and　he　was　to　run；　there　and　back；　so　her　bathwater　wouldn't　get　cold　before　the　tub　was　filled。　She　told　him　that　if　he　didn't　follow　her　instructions　exactly　while　out　of　her　sight；　the　pain　of　the　magic　would　take　him　down；　and　if　she　had　to　e　looking　for　him；　he　would　be　very　sorry　he　had　disappointed　her。　He　swore　his　solemn　oath　to　do　as　she　manded。　The　place　where　the　hot　water　came　from；　a　hot　spring　in　a　pool　surrounded　by　white　marble　seats；　was　a　goodly　distance。　He　was　sweating　and　exhausted　by　the　time　he　had　the　tub　filled。
　
　While　she　sat　soaking　in　the　tub　Richard　scrubbed　her　back；　brushed　her　hair　out；　and　helped　her　wash　it。
　
　Denna　draped　her　arms　over　the　sides　of　the　tub；　put　her　head　back；　and　closed　her　eyes；　relaxing；　while　he　knelt　next　to　her；　in　case　she　wanted　anything。　〃You　don't　like　Constance；　do　you？〃
　
　Richard　didn't　know　how　to　answer。　He　didn't　want　to　say　anything　bad　about　her　friend；　but　lying　would　get　him　punished；　too。　〃I　am　。　。　。　afraid　of　her；　Mistress　Denna。〃
　
　Denna　smiled　with　her　eyes　still　closed。　〃Clever　answer；　my　love。　You　aren't　trying　to　be　flip；　are　you？〃
　
　〃No；　Mistress　Denna。　I　told　you　the　truth。〃
　
　〃Good。　You　should　be　afraid　of　her。　She　hates　men。　Every　time　she　kills　one；　she　cries　out　the　name　of　the　man　who　first　broke　her；　Rastin。　Remember　I　told　you　about　the　man　who　broke　me；　took　me　for　his　mate；　and　that　later　I　killed　him？　Before　he　broke　me；　he　was　Constance's　trainer。　His　name　was　Rastin。　It　was　he　who　broke　her。　Constance　is　the　one　who　told　me　how　I　could　kill　him。　I　would　do　anything　for　her。　And　because　I　killed　the　man　she　hated　so；　she　would　do　anything　for　me。〃
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Denna。　But　Mistress　Denna；　please　don't　leave　me　alone　with　her？〃
　
　〃I　suggest　you　be　very　attentive　to　your　duties。　If　you　are；　and　you　do　not　earn　too　much　time；　I　will　remain　when　she　is　training…you。　You　see？　You　see　how　lucky　you　are　to　have　a　kind　mistress？〃
　
　〃Yes；　Mistress　Denna；　thank　you　for　teaching　me。　You　are　a　gifted　teacher。〃　She　opened　one　eye；　as　if　to　check　his　face　for　a　trace　of　a　smirk。　There　was　none。
　
　〃Get　me　a　towel；　and　lay　my　nightclothes　on　the　table　by　the　bed。〃
　
　Richard　helped　towel　her　hair　dry。　Denna　didn't　put　on　her　nightclothes；　but　lay　back　on　the　bed　with　her　damp　hair　spread　out　on　the　pillow。
　
　〃Go　blow　out　the　lamp　on　the　table　over　there。〃　He　went　immediately　and　blew　out　the　flame。　〃Bring　me　the　Agiel；　my　love。〃
　
　Richard　flinched。　He　hated　it　when　she　had　him　fetch　the　Agiel；　touching　it　hurt。　Fearing　the　result　of　hesitation　more；　he　gritted　his　teeth　and　snatched　it　up；　holding　it　in　the　open　palms　of　his　hands。　The　pain　of　it　vibrated　in　his　elbows　and　shoulders。　He　could　hardly　wait　for　her　to　take　it。　She　had　propped　up　the　pillows　against　the　headboard　and　was　sitting　up　a　little；　watching　him。　He　let　out　a　deep　breath　when　she　picked　it　out　of　his　hand。
　
　〃Mistress　Denna；　why　doesn't　it　hurt　you　to　touch　it？〃
　
　〃It　does；　same　as　you。　It　hurts　me　to　touch　it　because　it　is　the　one　used　to　train　me。〃
　
　His　eyes　opened　wide。　〃You　mean；　the　whole　time　you　hold　it；　it　hurts　you？　The　whole　time　you　are　training　me？〃
　
　She　nodded；　rolling　it　in　her　fingers；　looking　away　from　his　eyes　for　a　second。　She　gave　him　a　little　frown　and　smile。　〃There　is　rarely　a　time　I　am　without　pain；　of　one　kind　or　another。　That　is　one　reason　the　training　of　a　Mord…Sith　takes　years…to　learn　to　handle　the　pain。　I　guess　it's　also　why　only　women　are　Mord…Sith；　men　are　too　weak。　The　chain　around　my　wrist　allows　me　to　let　it　hang；　it　doesn't　hurt　when　it　hangs　by　the　chain。　But　while　I　use　it　on　someone；　it　causes　constant　pain。〃
　
　〃I　never　knew。〃　Richard's　insides　knotted　in　anguish。　〃I'm　sorry；　Mistress　Denna。　I'm　sorry　it　hurts　you；　that　you　must　suffer　to　teach　me。〃
　
　〃Pain　can　bring　pleasure　all　its　own；　my　love。　That's　one　of　the　things　I'm　teaching　you。　And　it's　time　for　another　lesson。〃　Her　eyes　glided　up　and　down　him。　〃Enough　talk。〃
　
　Richard　recognized　the　look　in　her　eyes；　the　quickening　of　her　breathing。　〃But；　Mistress　Denna；　you've　just　bathed；　and　I'm　all　sweaty。〃
　
　A　small　smile　came　to　one　side　of　her　mouth。　〃I　like　your　sweat。〃
　
　With　her　eyes　locked　on　his；　she　put　the　Agiel　between　her　teeth。
　
　…＋
　
　The　days　passed　with　a　numbing　sameness。　Richard　didn't　mind　the　devotions；　because　he　wasn't　being　trained；　hurt。　But　he　hated　saying　the　words；　and　had　to　concentrate　on　Denna's　braid　the　whole　of　the　time　he　chanted。　Chanting　the　same　thing；　hour　after　hour；　on　his　knees　with　his　head　against　the　floor　tiles；　was　hardly　less　onerous　than　the　training。　Richard　found　himself　waking　at　night；　or　in　the　morning；　chanting　the　words。　Master　Rahl　guide　us