tg.wizardfirstrule-第66章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


er　grip　shut　off　his　air　for　an　instant。　She　needed　only　to　touch　him；　grabbing　him　by　the　throat　was　a　reflex　of　her　rage；　not　her　power。
　
　Though　there　were　terrified　screams　and　shouts　ing　from　people　all　around；　and　the　horrifying　wails　from　the　shadows　Richard　was　destroying　wholesale；　her　mind　went　suddenly　quiet；　calm。　There　was　no　sound　in　her　head。　Only　silence。　The　silence　of　what　she　was　going　to　do。
　
　In　the　calm　spark　of　an　instant　that　to　her　twisted　for　an　eternity；　she　saw　the　look　of　fear　in　Toffalar's　eyes；　the　realization　of　his　fate。　She　saw　in　his　eyes　his　railing　against　that　end；　felt　his　muscles　beginning　to　tense；　to　fight　her；　his　hands　starting　the　ever　so　slow；　hopeless　journey　to　her　grip　at　his　throat。
　
　But　he　had　no　chance；　not　the　slightest　glimmer。　She　was　in　control　now。　Time　was　hers。　He　was　hers。　She　felt　no　pity。　No　remorse。　Only　deadly　calm。
　
　As　she　had　done　countless　times　before；　in　her　calm；　the　Mother　Confessor　relaxed　her　restraint。　Released　at　last；　her　power　slammed　into　Toffalar's　body。
　
　There　was　a　hard　impact　to　the　air；　thunder　with　no　sound。　Water　in　the　puddles　around　her　danced　and　flung　muddy　droplets　into　the　air。
　
　Toffalar's　eyes　went　wide。　The　muscles　of　his　face　went　slack。　His　mouth　fell　open。
　
　〃Mistress！〃　he　called　out　in　a　reverent　whisper。
　
　The　calm　expression　on　her　face　contorted　with　anger。　With　all　her　strength　she　shoved　Toffalar　backward；　at　the　ring　of　shadows　around　Richard　and　Siddin。　Arms　flung　in　the　air；　he　fell　into　the　shadows　and　screamed　at　the　contact　before　falling　to　the　mud。　Somehow；　the　contact　opened　a　brief；　small　gap　in　the　ring　of　shadows。　Without　hesitation　she　dove　for　it；　flinging　herself　through　an　instant　before　it　closed　behind　her。
　
　Kahlan　threw　herself　over　Siddin。
　
　〃Hurry！〃　Richard　yelled。
　
　Siddin　didn't　look　at　her；　his　face　was　fixed　on　the　shadows；　his　mouth　open；　all　his　muscles　locked。　She　tried　to　get　the　stone　from　his　tight　little　fist；　but　his　fingers　were　fastened　around　it　with　the　strength　of　his　fright。　She　snatched　the　pouch　from　his　other　hand。　Gripping　the　pouch　and　his　wrist　with　her　left　hand；　she　started　prying　his　little　fingers　off　the　stone　with　the　right；　begging　him　the　whole　time　to　let　go。　He　didn't　hear　her。　Blood　ran　down　her　arm　to　her　shaking　hand；　mixing　with　the　rain；　making　her　fingers　slippery。
　
　A　shadowy　hand　reached　for　her　face。　She　flinched　back。　The　sword　hissed　past　her　face；　through　the　shadow。　It　added　its　wail　to　the　others。　Siddin's　eyes　were　transfixed　on　the　shadows；　all　his　muscles　rigid。　Richard　was　right　over　her；　swinging　the　sword　in　weaving　patterns　all　around。　There　was　no　more　ground　to　give。　It　was　just　the　three　of　them　now。　Siddin's　slippery　fingers　wouldn't　open。
　
　Gritting　her　teeth　with　an　effort　that　sent　searing　pain　through　the　wound　in　her　right　arm；　she　finally　raked　the　stone　out　of　Siddin's　hand。　Because　of　the　blood　and　mud；　it　shot　from　her　fingers　like　a　melon　seed；　plopping　in　the　mud　by　her　knee。　Almost　instantly　her　hand　was　over　it；　snatching　it　back　up　in　a　scoopful　of　mud。　She　jammed　it　in　the　pouch　and　yanked　the　drawstring　closed。　Gasping；　she　looked　up。
　
　The　shadows　stopped。　She　could　hear　Richard's　heavy　breathing　as　he　continued　slashing　at　them。　Slowly；　at　first；　the　shadows　began　moving　back；　as　if　confused；　lost；　searching。　Then　they　dissolved　back　into　the　air；　retreating　to　the　underworld　whence　they　had　e。　In　a　moment；　they　were　gone。　Except　for　Toffalar's　body；　the　three　of　them　were　in　an　empty　expanse　of　mud。
　
　Kahlan；　rain　running　off　her　face；　took　Siddin　into　her　arms；　hugging　him　tight　against　her　as　he　began　crying。　1n　exhaustion；　Richard　closed　his　eyes　and　collapsed　to　his　knees；　sitting　back　on　his　heels。　His　head　hung　down　as　he　panted。
　
　〃Kahlan；　〃　Siddin　whimpered；　〃they　were　calling　my　name。　〃
　
　〃1　know；〃　she　whispered　in　his　ear；　kissing　it；　〃it's　all　right　now。　You　were　very　brave。　Brave　as　any　hunter。　〃
　
　He　hugged　his　arms　around　her　neck　as　she　forted　him。　She　felt　weak；　shaky。　They　had　almost　lost　their　lives；　to　save　a　single　one。　Something　she　had　told　him　the　Seeker　must　not　do；　yet　they　had　done　it　without　a　second　thought。　How　could　they　not　have　tried？　Having　Siddin's　arms　around　her　made　it　all　worth　it。　Richard　was　still　holding　the　sword　in　both　hands；　its　tip　sunk　in　the　mud。　She　reached　over　and　put　a　hand　on　his　shoulder
　
　At　the　touch　of　her　hand；　his　head　instantly　snapped　up　and　the　sword　whipped　around　toward　her；　stopping　in　front　of　her　face。　Kahlan　jumped　with　surprise。　Fury　Et　Richard's　wide　eyes。
　
　〃Richard；〃　she　said；　startled；　〃it's　just　me。　It's　over。　I　didn't　mean　to　frighten　you。〃
　
　He　let　his　muscles　go　limp；　let　himself　fall　over　onto　his　side　in　the　mud。
　
　〃Sorry；〃　he　managed；　still　trying　to　catch　his　breath。　〃When　your　hand　touched　me　。　。　。　I　guess　I　thought　it　was　a　shadow。〃
　
　Legs　were　suddenly　all　about　them。　She　peered　up。　The　Bird　Man　was　there；　as　were　Savidlin　and　Weselan。　Weselan　was　sobbing　loudly。　Kahlan　stood　and　handed　her　son。　Weselan　passed　the　boy　to　her　husband　and　threw　her　arms　around　Kahlan；　kissing　her　face　all　over。
　
　〃Thank　you；　Mother　Confessor；　thank　you　for　saving　my　boy；　〃　she　bawled。　〃Thank　you；　Kahlan；　thank　you。　〃
　
　〃1　know；　I　know。　〃　Kahlan　hugged　her　back。　〃It's　all　right　now。〃
　
　Weselan　turned　tearfully　back　to　take　Siddin　in　her　arms。　Kahlan　saw　Toffalar　lying　close　by；　dead。　She　flopped　down　in　the　mud；　exhausted；　and　pulled　her　knees　up　with　her　arms　around　them。
　
　She　put　her　face　against　her　knees　and；　losing　control；　started　crying。　Not　because　she　had　killed　Toffalar；　but　because　she　had　hesitated。　It　had　almost　cost　her　her　life；　almost　cost　Richard　and　Siddin…everyone…their　lives。　She　had　almost　given　victory　to　Rahl　because　she　hadn't　wanted　Richard　to　see　what　she　was　going　to　do；　and　had　hesitated。　It　was　the　stupidest　thing　she　had　ever　done；　other　than　not　telling　Richard　she　was　a　Confessor。　Tears　of　frustration　poured　out　as　she　cried　in　choking　sobs。
　
　A　hand　reached　under　her　good　arm；　pulling　her　up。　It　was　the　Bird　Man。　She　bit　her　quivering　lip；　forcing　herself　to　stop　crying。　She　could　not　let　these　people　see　her　showing　weakness。　She　was　a　Confessor。
　
　〃Well　done；　Mother　Confessor；〃　he　said　as　he　took　a　strip　of　cloth　from　one　of　his　men　and　started　wrapping　it　around　her　wounded　arm。
　
　Kahlan　held　her　head　up。　〃Thank　you；　honored　elder。　〃　〃This　will　need　to　be　stitched　together。　I　will　have　the　gentlest　healer　among　us　do　the　work。　〃
　
　She　stood　numbly　as　he　tightened　the　bandage；　sending　flames　of　pain　through　the　deep　cut。　He　looked　down　at　Richard；　who　seemed　content　to　lie　there　on　his　back　in　the　mud；　as　if　it　were　the　most　fortable　bed　in　the　world。
　
　The　Bird　Man　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　her；　and　gave　a　nod；　indicating　Richard。　〃Your　warning　that　I　should　not　want　to　give　the　Seeker　cause　to　draw　his　sword　in　anger　was　as　true　as　an　arrow　from　my　finest　archer。　〃　There　was　a　twinkle　in　his　sharp　brown　eyes；　the　corners　of　his　mouth　curled　in　a　smile。　He　looked　down　at　the　Seeker。　〃You　made　a　good　showing　of　yourself　too；　Richard　With　The　Temper。　Fortunately　the　evil　spirits　still　have　not　learned　to　carry　swords。　〃
　
　〃What'd　he　say？〃　Richard　asked。
　
　She　told　him；　and　he　gave　a　grim　smile　at　their　private　joke　as　he　came　to　his　feet　and　put　away　the　sword。　He　reached　out　and　took　the　pouch　from　her　hand。　She　hadn't　even　realized　it　was　still　clutched　there。　Richard　put　it　in　his　pocket。　〃May　we　never　encounter　spirits　armed　with　swords。〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded　his　agreement。　〃And　now　we　have　business。　〃
　
　He　reached　down　and　grabbed　a　fistful　of　the　coyote　hide　around　Toffalar。　The　body　rolled　over　in　the　mud　as　he　tore　it　off。　He　turned　to　the　hunters。
　
　〃Bury　the　body。　〃　His　eyes　narrowed。　〃All　of　it。　〃
　
　The　men　looked　at　each　other；　unsure。　〃Elder；　you　mean　all　of　it　except　the　skull？〃
　
　〃I　said　what　1　meant。　All　of　it！　We　only　keep　the　skulls　of　honored　elders；　to　remind　us　of　their　wisdom。　We　do　not　keep　the　skulls　of　fools。　〃
　
　This　sent　a　chill　through　the　crowd。　It　was　just　about　the　worst　thing　you　could　do　to　an　elder；　a　dishonor　of　the　highest　order。　It　meant　his　life　had　mattered　for　nothing。　The　men　gave　a　nod。　No　one　spoke　up　for　the　dead　elder；　including　the　five　standing　nearby。
　
　〃We　are　short　an　elder；　〃　the　Bird　Man　announced。　He　turned；　looking　slowly　to　the　eyes　around　him；　then　made　his　back　straight　and　shoved　the　coyote　hide　against　Savidlin's　chest。　〃1　choose　you。　〃
　
　Savidlin　put　his　hands　around　the　muddy　hide　with　the　reverence　due　a　gold　crown。　He　gave　a　small；　proud　smile　and　a　nod　to　the　Bird　Man。
　
　〃Do　you　have　anything　to　say　to　our　people；　as　their　newest　elder？〃　It　was　not　a　question；　it　was　a　mand。
　
　Savidlin　walked　over　and　turned；　standing　between　Kahlan　and　Richard。　He　put　the　hide　around　his　shoulders；　beaming　with　pride　at　Weselan；　and　then　addressed　the　gathered　people。　Kahlan　looked　out　and　realized　that　the　whole　village　surrounded　them。
　
　〃Most　honored　among　us；　〃　he　addressed　the　Bird　Man；　〃these　two　people　have　acted　selflessly　in　the　defense　of　our　people。　In　my　life；　I　have　never　witnessed　anything　to　pare　with　it。　They　could　have　left　us　to　fend　for　ourselves　when　we　foolishly　turned　our　backs　on　them。　Instead；　they　have　shown　us　what　manner　of　people　they　be。　They　are　as　fine　as　the　best　of　us。〃　Almost　everyone　in　the　crowd　was　nodding　agreement。　〃I　demand　that　you　name　them　Mud　People。　〃
　
　The　Bird　Man　smiled　a　small　smile。　The　smile　evaporated　as　he　turned　to　the　other　five　elders。　Though　he　hid　it　well；　Kahlan　could　see　the　Bird　Man's　eyes　flash　with　the　ghost　of　his　anger。　〃Step　forward。　〃　They　gave　one　another　sidelong　glances；　then　did　as　ordered。　〃The　demand　made　by　Savidlin　is　extraordinary。　It　must　be　unanimous。　Do　you　make　the　same　demand？〃
　
　Savidlin　strode　to　the　archers　and　snatched　a　bow　from　the　hands　of　one。　He　smoothly　nocked　an　arrow　while　he　kept　his　squinted　eyes　on　the　elders。　He　put　tension　to　the　string；　locking　the　arrow　in　place　with　the　bow　hand；　then　stepped　in　front　of　the　five。　〃Make　the　demand。　Or　we　will　have　new　elders　who　will。　〃
　
　They　stood　grimly；　facing　Savidlin。　The　Bird　Man　made　no　movement　to　interfere。　There　was　a　long　silence　as　the　crowd　waited；　spellbound。　At　last；　Caldus　took　a　step　forward。　He　put　his　hand　on　Savidlin's　bow　and　gently　lowered　its　point　to　the　ground。
　
　〃Please；　Savidlin；　allow　us　to　speak　from　our　hearts；　not　from　the　point　of　an　arrow。　〃
　
　〃Speak　then。　〃　Caldus　walked　to　Richard；　stopping　in　front　of　him；　looking　him　in　the　eye。
　
　〃The　hardest　thing　for　a　man　to　do；　especially　an　old　man；　〃　he　said　in　a　soft　voice；　waiting　for　Kahlan　to　translate；　〃is　to　admit　he　has　acted　foolishly；　and　selfishly。　You　have　acted　neither　foolishly　nor　selfishly。　The　two　of　you　are　better　examples　of　Mud　People　for　our　children　than　L　1　demand　of　the　Bird　Man　that　you　be　named　Mud　People。　Please；　Richard　With　The　Temper；　and　Mother　Confessor；　our　people　reed　you。　〃　He　held　his　palms　out　in　an　open　gest