tg.wizardfirstrule-第25章

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't　think　we　want　people　to　recognize　you。　I　think　we　need　to　stay　away　from　people　as　much　as　possible；　keep　to　the　woods　when　we　can。〃　She　and　Zedd　both　nodded　their　agreement。　〃We　will　need　to　find　you　some　traveling　clothes；　forest　garb；　but　there　is　nothing　here　that　will　fit　you。　We'll　have　to　find　something　on　the　way。　I　have　a　hooded　cloak　here。　It　will　keep　you　warm　for　now。〃
　
　〃Good；〃　she　said　smiling；　〃I'm　tired　of　being　cold；　and　I　can　tell　you；　a　dress　is　not　right　for　the　woods。〃
　
　Kahlan　finished　before　the　men　and　put　her　half…full　bowl　on　the　floor　for　the　cat。　The　cat　seemed　to　have　the　same　appetite　as　Zedd　and　was　eating　out　of　the　bowl　before　she　could　set　it　down。
　
　They　discussed　each　item　they　would　take；　and　planned　how　they　would　do　without　others。　There　was　no　telling　how。　long　they　would　be　gone；　…but　Westland　was　a　big　place；　and　the　Midlands　bigger。　Richard　wished　they　could　go　to　his　house；　since　he　often　went　on　long　treks　and　had　the　right　kinds　of　provisions；　but　it　was　too　big　a　risk。　He　would　rather　find　the　things　they　needed　elsewhere；　or　go　without；　than　go　back　to　what　waited　there。　He　didn't　know　yet　where　they　were　going　to　cross　the　boundary；　but　he　wasn't　worried。　He　still　had　until　morning　to　think　about　it。　He　was　just　relieved　to　know　there　was　a　way。
　
　The　cat's　head　came　up。　He　crossed　half　the　distance　to　the　door　and　stopped；　back　and　fur　rising。　Everyone　noticed　and　fell　silent。　There　was　firelight　in　the　front　window；　but　it　wasn't　reflecting　from　the　hearth。　It　was　ing　from　outside。
　
　〃I　smell　burning　pitch；〃　Kahlan　said。
　
　In　an　instant　the　three　were　on　their　feet。　Richard　grabbed　the　sword　from　the　back　of　his　chair　and　had　it　on　almost　before　he　was　to　his　feet。　He　went　to　look　out　the　window；　but　Zedd　didn't　waste　the　time　and　went　through　the　door　in　a　rush　with　Kahlan　in　tow。　Richard　got　only　a　glimpse　of　torches　before　he　hurried　out　after　the　other　two。
　
　Spread　out　in　the　long　grass　in　front　of　the　house　was　a　mob　of　about　fifty　men；　some　carrying　torches；　but　most　carrying　crude　weapons；　axes；　pitchforks；　scythes；　or　axe　handles。　They　were　dressed　in　their　work　clothes。　；Richard　recognized　many　of　the　faces；　good　men；　honest；　hardworking　family　men。　They　didn't　look　like　good　men　this　night；　though。　They　looked　to　be　in　a　foul　mood；　their　faces　grim　and　angry。　Zedd　stood　in　the　center　of　the　porch；　hands　on　his　skinny　hips；　smiling　out　at　them；　the　red　light　from　the　torches　making　his　white　hair　pink。
　
　〃What's　this　then；　boys？〃　Zedd　asked。
　
　They　mumbled　among　themselves；　and　several　men　in　front　took　a　step　or　two　forward。　Richard　knew　the　one；　John；　who　spoke　for　the　rest。
　
　〃There's　trouble　about。　Trouble　caused　by　magic！　And　you're　at　the　bottom　of　it；　old　man！　You're　a　witch！〃
　
　〃A　witch？〃　Zedd　asked　in　bewilderment。　〃A　witch？〃　〃That's　what　I　said；　a　witch！〃　John's　dark　eyes　shifted　to　Richard　and　Kahlan。　〃This　doesn't　concern　you　two。　Our　business　is　with　the　old　man。　Leave　now　or　you'll　get　the　same　as　him。〃　Richard　couldn't　believe　the　men　he　knew　were　saying　this。
　
　Kahlan　came　forward；　stepping　in　front　of　Zedd；　the　folds　of　her　dress　swirling　around　her　legs　when　she　stopped。　She　held　her　fists　at　her　sides。　〃Leave　now；〃　she　warned　menacingly；　〃before　you　e　to　regret　what　you　have　chosen　to　do。〃
　
　The　mob　of　men　looked　around　at　each　other；　some　smirking；　some　making　crude　ments　under　their　breath；　some　laughing。　Kahlan　stood　her　ground　and　stared　them　down。　The　laughter　died　out。
　
　〃So；〃　John　said　with　a　sneer；　〃two　witches　to　take　care　of。〃　The　men　cheered　and　hollered；　brandishing　their　weapons。　John's　round；　heavyset　face　smiled　defiantly。
　
　Richard　stepped　slowly　and　deliberately　in　front　of　Kahlan；　putting　a　hand　behind　as　he　did　so；　forcing　her　and　Zedd　to　step　back。　He　kept　his　voice　calm；　friendly。　〃John。　How's　Sara？　I　haven't　seen　you　two　for　a　while。〃　John　didn't　answer。　Richard　surveyed　the　other　faces。　〃I　know　many　of　you；　know　you　to　be　good　men。　This　isn't　something　you　want　to　do。〃　He　looked　back　at　John。　〃Take　your　men　and　go　home　to　your　families。　Please；　John？〃
　
　John　pointed　an　axe　handle　at　Zedd。　〃That　old　man's　a　witch！　We're　going　to　put　an　end　to　him。〃　He　pointed　at　Kahlan。　〃And　her！　Unless　you　want　the　same；　Richard；　be　on　your　way！〃　The　mob　yelled　their　agreement。　The　torches　sizzled　and　popped　as　they　burned；　and　the　air　smelled　of　burning　pitch　and　sweat。　When　they　realized　that　Richard　wasn't　leaving；　the　rabble　started　to　push　forward。
　
　The　sword　was　free　in　a　blink。　The　men　took　a　step　back　as　the　metallic　ringing　filled　the　night　air。　John　stood　in　red…faced　anger。　The　ringing　died　out；　and　the　only　sound　was　from　the　burning　torches。　Grumbling　broke　out　about　Richard　being　in　with　the　witches。
　
　John　charged；　swinging　the　axe　handle　at。　Richard　as　he　came。　The　sword　flashed　through　the　air；　splintering　John's　weapon　with　a　loud　crack。　Only　two　ragged　inches　of　the　axe　handle　were　left　above　his　fist。　The　severed　piece　of　wood　spun　off　into　the　darkness；　landing　somewhere　with　a　hollow　thud。
　
　John　stood　frozen；　one　foot　on　the　ground；　one　on　the　porch；　and　the　point　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　pressed　to　the　underside　of　his　ample　chin。　The　polished　blade　glinted　in　the　torchlight。　Richard；　his　muscles　hard　with　restrained　need；　slowly　bent　forward　and　with　the　sword　point　tilted　John's　face　up　to　his　own。　In　a　voice　barely　more　than　a　whisper；　but　so　deadly　cold　it　make　John　stop　breathing；　he　said；　〃Another　step；　John；　and　your　head　follows。〃　John　didn't　move；　didn't　breathe。　〃Back　away；〃　Richard　hissed。
　
　The　man　did　as　he　was　ordered；　but　when　back　with　his　fellows；　regained　his　nerve。　〃You　can't　stop　us；　Richard；　we're　here　to　save　our　families。〃
　
　〃From　what！〃　Richard　yelled。　He　pointed　the　sword　at　one　of　the　other　men。　〃Frank！　When　your　wife　was　sick；　wasn't　it　Zedd　who　brought　her　a　potion　that　made　her　well？〃　He　pointed　the　sword　to　another。　〃And　Bill；　didn't　you　e　and　ask　Zedd　about　the　rains；　when　they　would　e　so　you　fellows　could　harvest　your　crops？〃　He　whipped　the　sword's　point　back　to　his　attacker。　〃And　John；　when　your　little　girl　was　lost　in　the　woods；　was　it　not　Zedd　who　read　the　clouds　all　night　and　then　went　out　himself　and　found　her　and　brought　her　back；　safe；　to　you　and　Sara？〃　John　and　a　few　others　cast　their　eyes　downward。　Richard　angrily　drove　the　sword　back　into　its　scabbard。　〃Zedd　has　helped　most　of　the　men　here。　He　has　helped　heal　your　fevers；　find　lost　loved　ones；　and　freely　shared　anything　he　has　with　you。〃
　
　From　the　back　someone　yelled　out；　〃Only　a　witch　could　do　all　those　things！〃
　
　〃He　has　done　nothing　to　harm　a　single　one　of　you！〃　Richard　paced　back　and　forth　across　the　porch；　facing　the　men　down。　〃He　has　never　harmed　one　of　you！　He's　helped　most　of　you！　Why　would　you　want　to　harm　a　friend！〃
　
　There　was　some　confused　grumbling　for　a　few　minutes；　before　they　regained　their　conviction。　〃Most　of　the　things　he's　done　are　magic！〃　John　shouted。　〃A　witch's　magic！　None　of　our　families　are　safe　with　him　around！〃
　
　Before　Richard　could　answer；　Zedd　was　pulling　him　back　by　his　arm。　He　turned　to　the　old　man's　smiling　face。　Zedd　didn't　seem　to　be　bothered　in　the　least。　If　anything；　he　seemed　to　be　enjoying　himself。
　
　〃Very　impressive；〃　he　whispered；　〃both　of　you；　very　impressive。　If　you　would；　though；　let　me　handle　it　from　here？〃　He　lifted　an　eyebrow；　then　turned　to　the　men。　〃Gentlemen；　good　evening。　How　nice　to　see　you　all。〃　Some　of　the　men　gave　a　greeting　in　return。　A　few　lifted　their　hats　self…consciously。　〃If　you　would　be　so　kind；　before　you　dispatch　me；　let　me　talk　a　moment　with　my　two　friends　here？〃　There　were　nods　all　around。　Zedd　pulled　Kahlan　and　Richard　back　a　little　toward　the　house；　away　from　the　crowd；　and　bent　close。
　
　〃A　lesson　in　power；　my　friends。〃　He　put　a　sticklike　finger　on　Kahlan's　nose。　〃Too　little。〃　Next　he　put　the　finger　on　Richard's　nose。　〃Too　much。〃　He　put　the　finger　to　his　own　nose；　and　with　a　twinkle　in　his　eyes　said；　〃Just　right。〃　He　cupped　Kahlan's　chin　in　his　hand。　〃If　I　were　to　let　you　do　this；　dear　one；　there　would　be　graves　to　be　dug　this　night。　Our　three　would　be　among　them。　But　very　noble　nonetheless。　Thank　you　for　your　concern　for　me。〃　He　put　his　hand　on　Richard's　shoulder。　〃If　I　were　to　let　you　do　this；　there　would　be　a　great　many　graves　to　be　dug；　and　the　three　of　us　would　be　the　only　ones　left　to　do　the　digging。　I　am　too　old　to　dig　that　many　holes　in　the　ground；　and　we　have　more　important　things　to　do。　But　you　were　very　noble　too；　you　handled　yourself　honorably。〃　He　patted　Richard's　shoulder　and　then　put　a　finger　under　each　of　their　chins。
　
　〃Now；　I　want　you　two　to　let　me　handle　this　matter。　The　problem　is　not　what　you　are　telling　these　men。　The　problem　is　they　aren't　listening。　You　have　to　get　their　attention　before　they　will　hear　you。〃　He　lifted　an　eyebrow　and　looked　to　each　in　turn。　〃Watch　and　learn　what　you　can。　Listen　to　my　words；　but　they　will　have　no　effect　on　you。〃　He　removed　his　finger　and　shuffled　past　them；　smiling　and　waving　to　the　men。
　
　〃Gentlemen。　Oh；　John；　how　is　your　little　girl？〃
　
　〃She's　fine；〃　he　grumbled；　〃but　one　of　my　cows　had　a　two　headed　calf。〃
　
　〃Really？　And　how　do　you　think　that　happened？〃
　
　〃I　think　it　happened　because　you're　a　witch！〃
　
　〃There；　you　said　it　again。〃　Zedd　shook　his　head　in　confusion。　〃I　don't　understand。　Do　you　gentlemen　want　to　do　away　with　me　because　you　think　I　have　magic；　or　is　it　simply　your　intention　to　demean　me　by　calling　me　a　woman？〃
　
　There　was　some　confusion。　〃We　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about；〃　someone　said。
　
　〃Well；　it's　simple。　Girls　are　witches。　Boys　are　called　warlocks。　Do　you　see　my　point？　If　you　call　me　a　witch；　you　seem　to　be　calling　me　a　girl。　If　what　you　mean　is　that　you　think　me　a　warlock；　well；　that　is　an　altogether　different　insult。　So；　which　is　it？　Girl　or　warlock：〃
　
　There　was　more　confused　discussion；　then　John　spoke　up；　angry。　〃We　mean　to　say　you're　a　warlock；　and　we　intend　to　have　your　hide　for　it！〃
　
　〃My；　my；　my；〃　Zedd　said；　tapping　his　lower　lip　thoughtfully　with　the　tip　of　his　finger。　〃Why；　I　had　no　idea　you　men　were　so　brave。　So　very　brave　indeed。〃
　
　〃How's　that？〃　John　asked。
　
　Zedd　shrugged。　〃Well；　what　is　it　you　think　a　warlock　capable　of？〃
　
　There　was　more　talk　among　themselves。　They　started　shouting　out　suggestions。　He　could　make　two…headed　cows；　make　the　rains　e；　find　people　who　were　lost；　make　children　be　stillborn；　make　strong　men　weak　and　make　their　women　leave　them。　Somehow　this　didn't　seem　to　be　sufficient；　so　more　ideas　were　shouted　out。　Make　water　burn；　turn　people　into　cripples；　change　a　man　into　a　toad；　kill　with　a　look；　call　upon　demons；　and　in　general；　everything　else。
　
　Zedd　waited　until　they　were　done；　and　then　held　his　arms　out　to　them。　〃There　you　have　it。　Just　as　I　said；　you　men　are　the　bravest　fellows　I　have　ever　seen！　To　think；　armed　only　with　pitchforks　and　axe　handles；　you　e　to　do　battle　with　a　warlock　who　has　these　kinds　of　powers。　My；　my；　how　brave。〃　His　voice　trailed　off。　Zedd　shook　his　head　in　wonderment。　Worry　started　to　break　out　in　the　crowd。
　
　Zedd　went　on；　in　a　draw