tg.wizardfirstrule-第84章

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　Richard　stood　speechless　at　hearing　the　words　of　his　own　beliefs　ing　back　at　him。
　
　〃Look　around；〃　Shota　said；　sweeping　her　hand　through　the　air。　〃Is　this　a　place　of　ugliness？　Evil？〃
　
　〃It's　the　most　beautiful　place　I've　ever　seen；〃　Richard　admitted　in　a　soft　voice。　〃But　that　doesn't　prove　anything；　and　what　about　the　place　up　there？〃　He　pointed　with　his　chin；　toward　the　dark　wood　above
　
　She　took　a　brief　glance。　〃Think　of　it　as　my　moat。〃　Shota　smiled　proudly。　〃It　keeps　away　fools　who　would　harm　me。〃
　
　Richard　saved　the　hardest　question　for　last。　〃And　what　of　him？〃　He　glanced　toward　the　shadows；　where　Samuel　sat；　watching；　with　glowing　yellow　eyes。
　
　She　held　Richard's　gaze　as　she　spoke；　her　voice　heavy　with　regret。　〃Samuel；　e　here。〃
　
　The　disgusting　creature　skittered　across　the　grass；　to　his　mistress's　side；　pushing　against　her；　making　an　odd；　throaty　gurgle。　Samuel's　eyes　locked　on　the　sword；　and　stayed　there。　Her　hand　reached　down；　stroking　his　gray　head　affectionately。　Shota　gave　Richard　a　warm；　brave　smile。
　
　〃I　guess　a　formal　introduction　is　in　order。　Richard；　may　I　introduce　Samuel；　your　predecessor。　The　former　Seeker。〃
　
　Richard　looked　down；　wide…eyed；　speechless；　to　the　panion。
　
　〃My　sword！　Gimme！〃　Samuel　started　to　reach　out。　Shota　spoke　his　name　in　caution　without　taking　her　gaze　from　Richard；　and　the　little　creature　instantly　withdrew　his　arms；　nuzzling　back　against　her　hip。　〃My　sword；〃　he　plained　to　himself　in　a　low　voice。
　
　〃Why　does　he　look　like　that？〃　Richard　asked　cautiously；　afraid　of　the　answer。
　
　〃You　really　don't　know；　do　you？〃　Shota　lifted　an　eyebrow　as　she　studied　his　face。　Her　sad　smile　returned。　〃The　magic。　Did　the　wizard　not　warn　you？〃
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　slowly；　unable　to　form　words。　His　tongue　stuck　to　the　roof　of　his　mouth。
　
　〃Well；　I　suggest　you　have　a　talk　with　him。〃
　
　He　forced　himself　to　speak；　but　barely。　〃You　mean；　the　magic　will　do　this　to　me？〃
　
　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard；　I　can't　answer　that。〃　She　gave　a　heavy　sigh。　〃One　of　my　talents　is　that　I　have　vision　for　the　flow　of　time；　the　way　events　flow　into　the　future。　But　this　is　a　type　of　magic；　wizard's　magic；　that　I　cannot　see；　I　am　blind　to　it。　I　can't　see　how　it　flows　forward。
　
　〃Samuel　was　the　last　Seeker。　He　came　here　many　years　back；　desperate　for　help。　But　I　could　do　nothing　for　him；　other　than　take　pity　on　him。　Then　the　old　wizard　came；　suddenly；　one　day；　and　took　the　sword。〃　She　lifted　an　eyebrow　meaningfully。　〃It　was　a　very　unpleasant　experience…for　both　of　us。　I'm　afraid　I　must　admit　I　do　not　think　kindly　of　the　old　wizard。〃　Her　face　softened　again。　〃To　this　day；　Samuel　thinks　of　the　Sword　of　Truth　as　his。　But　I　know　better。　The　wizards；　for　all　ages；　are　the　caretakers　of　the　sword；　and　therein　its　magic；　and　only　assign　it　to　mere　Seekers　for　a　time。〃
　
　Richard　remembered　Zedd　telling　him　that　while　the　last　pretend　Seeker　was　distracted　by　a　witch　woman；　he　had　gone　and　taken　the　sword　back。　This　was　the　Seeker；　this　was　the　witch　woman。　Kahlan　was　wrong。　There　was　at　least　one　wizard　who　would　dare　to　go　into　Agaden　Reach。
　
　〃Maybe；　it's　because　he　wasn't　a　real　Seeker；〃　Richard　managed；　trying　to　reassure　himself。　His　tongue　still　felt　thick。
　
　Her　face　was　set　in　a　frown　of　true　concern。　〃Maybe。　I　just　don't　know。〃
　
　〃That　must　be　it；〃　he　whispered。　〃It　has　to　be。　Zedd　would　have　warned　me　otherwise。　He's　my　friend。〃
　
　She　gave　him　a　grave　expression。　〃Richard；　there　are　more　important　things　at　stake　than　friendship。　Zedd　knows　this；　and　so　do　you；　after　all；　you　chose　these　things　over　his　life　when　you　had　to。〃
　
　Richard　looked　up　at　Zedd。　How　he　wanted　to　talk　to　him。　He　needed　him　so　badly　right　now。　Could　that　be　true；　could　he　have　chosen　the　box　over　Zedd's　life　that　easily；　without　a　second　thought？　〃Shota；　you　promised　to　let　him　go。〃
　
　Shota's　eyes　studied　his　face　a　moment。　〃I'm　sorry；　Richard。〃　She　waved　her　hand　through　the　air　in　the　direction　of　Zedd。　Zedd　wavered；　and　then　disappeared。　〃That　was　only　a　little　deception。　A　demonstration。　It　wasn't　really　the　old　wizard。〃
　
　Richard　thought　he　should　feel　angry；　but　he　didn't。　He　felt　just　a　little　hurt　at　the　deception；　yet　sad　that　Zedd　wasn't　here；　with　him。　Then　a　wave　of　icy　dread　washed　through　him；　raising　bumps　on　his　arms　again。
　
　〃Is　that　really　Kahlan？　Or　have　you　already　killed　her；　and　presented　me　with　her　image；　another　trick？　Another　demonstration？〃
　
　Shota's　breast　rose　and　fell　as　she　took　a　deep　breath。　〃I'm　afraid；〃　she　sighed；　〃that　she　is　real　enough。　And　therein　lies　the　problem。〃
　
　Shota　put　her　arm　through　his；　taking　him　to　stand　in　front　of　Kahlan。　Samuel　followed　and　stood　by　them。　His　arms　were　so　long　that　as　he　stood　erect；　his　yellow　eyes　moving　warily　back　and　forth　between　them；　he　casually　drew　lines　and　circles　in　the　dirt　of　the　road　with　his　fingers。
　
　Shota　regarded　Kahlan　for　a　moment；　seemingly　lost　in　thought；　as　if　pondering　a　dilemma。　Richard　just　wanted　the　snakes　off　her。　Despite　the　witch　woman's　words　of　help　and　friendship；　Kahlan　was　still　terrified；　and　it　wasn't　the　snakes。　It　was　Shota　that　her　eyes　followed；　the　way　the　eyes　of　an　animal　in　a　trap　follow　the　trapper；　not　the　trap。
　
　〃Richard；〃　Shota　asked；　while　she　held　Kahlan's　stare；　〃would　you　be　able　to　kill　her　if　you　had　to？　If　she　was　a　threat　to　your　success；　would　you　have　the　courage　to　kill　her？　If　it　meant　the　lives　of　everyone　else？　The　truth；　now。〃
　
　Despite　the　disarming　tone　of　Shota's　voice；　her　words　went　through　him　like　an　ice　dagger。　Richard　met　Kahlan's　widening　eyes；　then　looked　to　the　woman　beside　him。　〃She　is　my　guide。　I　need　her；〃　he　said　simply；　offhandedly。
　
　Big　almond　eyes　stared　back　at　him。　〃That；　Seeker；　is　not　the　question　I　asked。〃
　
　Richard　didn't　say　anything；　he　tried　to　betray　nothing　with　his　face。
　
　Shota　gave　a　smile　of　regret。　〃As　I　thought。　And　that　is　why　you　made　a　mistake　with　your　wish。〃
　
　〃I　made　no　mistake；〃　Richard　protested。　〃If　I　hadn't　used　it　as　I　did；　you　would　have　killed　her！〃
　
　〃Yes；〃　Shota　nodded　grimly；　〃I　would　have。　The　image　of　Zedd　was　a　test。　You　passed　the　test；　and　as　a　reward；　I　gave　you　a　wish；　not　that　you　might　have　something　you　want；　but　that　I　might　do　an　onerous　deed　for　you；　because　you　lack　the　required　courage。　That　was　your　second　test。　That　test；　dear　boy；　you　failed。　I　must　honor　your　wish。　That　is　your　mistake；　you　should　have　let　me　kill　her　for　you。〃
　
　〃You're　mad！　First　you　try　to　tell　me　how　you're　not　evil；　how　I　should　judge　you　by　your　actions；　and　now　you　prove　your　true　self　by　telling　me　how　I　made　a　mistake　by　not　allowing　you　to　kill　Kahlan！　And　for　what！　Some　perceived　threat？　She　has　done　nothing　to　threaten　you；　nor　would　she。　She　wishes　only　to　stop　Darken　Rahl；　same　as　me。　Same　as　you！〃
　
　Shota　listened　patiently　until　he　finished。　The　timeless　look　passed　across　her　eyes　again。　〃Were　you　not　listening　when　I　said　not　all　acts　are　as　they　seem？　That　some　are　meant　to　save　you？　Once　again　you　judge　too　quickly；　without　knowing　all　the　facts。〃
　
　〃Kahlan　is　my　friend。　That　is　the　only　fact　that　matters。〃
　
　Shota　took　a　breath；　as　if　she　were　trying　to　remain　patient；　as　if　she　were　trying　to　teach　something　to　a　child。　Her　expression　made　him　feel　somehow　stupid。
　
　〃Richard。　Listen　to　me。　Darken　Rahl　has　put　the　boxes　of　Orden　in　play。　If　he　succeeds；　there　will　be　no　one　with　the　power　to　restrain　him。　Ever。　A　great　many　people　will　die。　You。　Me。　It's　in　my　own　interest　to　help　you　because　you　are　the　only　one　who　has　a　chance　to　stop　him。　How；　or　why；　I　don't　know；　but　I　can　see　the　flow　of　power。　You　are　the　only　one　with　a　chance。
　
　〃That　does　not　mean　you　will　succeed；　only　that　you　have　the　chance。　No　matter　how　small；　it　is　within　you。　Know　also　that　there　are　forces　to　defeat　you　before　you　could　bring　your　chance　to　bear。　The　old　wizard　does　not　have　the　power　to　stop　Rahl。　That's　why　he　gave　you　the　sword。　I　do　not　have　the　power　to　stop　Rahl。　But　I　do　have　the　power　to　be　of　aid　to　you。　That's　all　I　wish　to　do。　In　so　doing　I　help　myself。　I　do　not　want　to　die。　If　Rahl　wins；　I　will。〃
　
　〃I　know　all　this。　That's　why　I　said　you　would　answer　my　question　without　my　having　to　use　the　wish。〃
　
　〃But　there　are　other　things　I　know；　Richard；　that　you　do　not。〃
　
　Her　beautiful　face　studied　him　with　a　sadness　that　hurt。　Her　eyes　had　the　same　fire　in　them　that　Kahlan's　had；　the　tire　of　intelligence。　Richard　felt　the　need　in　her；　the　need　to　help　him。　He　feared　suddenly　what　it　was　she　knew；　because　he　realized　that　it　wasn't　meant　to　hurt　him；　it　was　simply　truth。　Richard　saw　Samuel　watching　the　sword　and　became　aware　of　his　own　left　hand；　resting　around　the　hilt；　aware　of　how　tightly　he　was　gripping　it；　and　how　the　raised　letters　of　the　word　Truth　were　pressing　painfully　into　his　palm
　
　〃Shota；　what　are　these　things　you　know？〃
　
　〃The　easiest　first；〃　she　sighed。　〃You　know　the　way　you　stopped　the　wizard's　fire　with　the　sword？　Practice　the　move。　I　gave　you　that　test　for　a　reason。　Zedd　will　use　the　wizard's　fire　against　you。　Only　the　next　time；　it　will　be　for　real。　The　flow　of　time　does　not　say　who　will　prevail；　only　that　you　have　a　chance　to　beat　him。〃
　
　Richard's　eyes　widened。　〃That　can't　be　true　。　。。　。〃
　
　〃True；〃　she　said；　clipping　off　his　words；　〃as　a　tooth　given　by　a　father　to　show　the　keeper　of　the　book；　to　show　the　truth　of　how　it　was　taken。〃
　
　That　rattled　him　to　his　bones。
　
　〃And　no；　I　don't　know　who　the　keeper　is。〃　Her　eyes　burned　into　him。　〃You　will　have　to　find　him　yourself。〃
　
　Richard　could　hardly　draw　a　breath；　could　hardly　make　himself　ask　the　next　question。　〃If　that　was　the　easy　part；　then　what　is　the　hard？〃
　
　Auburn　hair　tumbled　off　her　shoulder　as　Shota　looked　away　from　his　eyes；　to　Kahlan；　who　stood　stone　still　while　the　snakes　writhed　on　her。　〃I　know　what　she　is；　and　how　it　is　she　is　a　threat　to　me　。　。　。　。〃　Her　voice　trailed　off。　She　turned　back　to　him。　〃It　is　obvious　you　do　not　know　what　she　is；　or　perhaps　you　would　not　be　with　her。　Kahlan　has　a　power。　Magic　power。〃
　
　〃That　much　I　know；〃　Richard　offered　cautiously。
　
　〃Richard；〃　Shota　said；　trying　to　find　the　words　for　something　she　found　difficult；　〃I　am　a　witch　woman。　As　I　said；　one　of　my　powers　is　that　I　can　see　things　as　they　will　e　to　pass。　It　is　one　reason　fools'　fear　me。〃　Her　face　drew　closer　to　his；　unfortably　close。　Her　breath　smelled　of　roses。　〃Please；　Richard；　don't　be　one　of　these　fools；　don't　fear　me　because　of　things　I　have　no　control　over。　I'm　able　to　see　the　truth　of　events　that　will　e　to　be；　I　do　not　dictate　or　control　them。　And　just　because　I　see　them；　that　does　not　mean　I'm　at　all　happy　about　them。　It　is　only　by　action　in　the　present　that　we　can　change　what　otherwise　will　e　to　pass。　Have　the　wisdom　to　use　the　truth　to　your　advantage；　don't　simply　rail　against　it。〃
　
　〃And　what　truth　do　you　see；　Shota？〃　he　whispered。
　
　Her　eyes　had　an　intensity　that　halted　his　breath；　her　voice　the　sharp　edge　of　a　blade
　
　〃。Kahlan　has　a　power；　and　if　she　isn't　killed；　she　will　use　that　power　against　you。〃　She　watched　his　eyes　carefully