tg.wizardfirstrule-第92章

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　the　Princess。　You'll　answer　to　the　Queen's　axeman；　not　us。〃
　
　The　new　man　looked　down　at　her；　he　seemed　a　little　mad。　He　looked　back　at　the　other　two　a　minute；　then　down　at　her　again。　〃Well；　it's　obvious　she's　no　threat。　The　orders　were　meant　to　protect　from　threat；　so　I　guess　。　。　。〃
　
　Queen's　lancer　Walcott　started　lifting　up　the　heavy　bolt　on　the　door。
　
　〃But　I　want　to　know　what　she's　got　there；〃　the　new　man　said。
　
　〃Just　my　supper　and　my　doll；〃　Rachel　said；　trying　to　make　it　sound　unimportant。
　
　〃Let's　have　a　look。〃
　
　Rachel　laid　the　bundle　down　on　the　ground　and　untied　the　knots；　laying　the　corners　back。　She　handed　Sara　up　to　him。
　
　He　took　Sara　in　his　big　hand；　turning　her　around；　looking。　He　turned　her　upside　down　and　lifted　her　dress　with　his　big　finger。　Rachel　kicked　him　in　the　leg；　hard　as　she　could。
　
　〃Don't　you　do　that！　Don't　you　have　no　respect？〃　she　yelled。
　
　The　other　two　guards　laughed。　〃You　find　anything　dangerous　under　there？〃　Queen's　lancer　Reid　asked。
　
　The　new　man　looked　over　at　the　other　two；　handing　Sara　back　down　to　her。　〃What　else　have　you　got　there？〃
　
　〃I　told　you。　My　supper。〃
　
　He　started　to　bend　over。　〃Well；　a　little　thing　like　you　has　no　need　for　a　whole　loaf　of　bread。〃
　
　〃That's　mine！〃　she　yelled。　〃Leave　it　be！〃
　
　〃Leave　it　alone；〃　Queen's　lancer　Walcott　told　the　new　man
　
　〃She　gets　little　enough。　It　look　to　you　like　the　Princess　overfeed　her？〃
　
　The　new　man　straightened　up。　〃I　guess　not。〃　He　let　out　a　deep　breath。　〃Go　on。　Get　out　of　here。〃
　
　Rachel　tied　the　cloth　back　over　the　bread　and　other　food　as　fast　as　she　could。　She　held　Sara　tight　to　her　with　one　hand；　and　held　the　bundle　just　as　tight　with　the　other　as　she　went　between　the　men's　legs　and　out　the　door。
　
　When　she　heard　it　clang　shut；　she　started　running。　She　ran　fast　as　she　could；　not　looking　back；　too　afraid　to　know　for　sure　it　anyone　was　chasing　her。　After　a　time；　she　had　to　know；　and　finally　stopped　to　check。　No　one。　Out　of　breath；　she　sat　down　to　rest　on　a　fat　root　in　the　path。
　
　She　could　see　the　outline　of　the　castle　against　the　starry　sky；　the　notched　top　edge　of　the　wall；　the　towers　with　lights　in　them。　She　was　never　going　back　there　again；　never。　Her　and　Giller　were　going　to　run　away　to　where　people　were　nice　and　they　were　never　going　to　e　back。　While　she　was　panting；；　she　heard　a　voice。
　
　〃Rachel？〃　It　was　Sara；　she　realized。
　
　She　laid　Sara　in　her　lap；　on　top　of　the　bundle。　〃We're　safe　now；　Sara。　We　got　away。〃
　
　Sara　smiled。　〃I'm　so　glad；　Rachel。〃
　
　〃We're　never　going　back　to　that　mean　place　again。〃
　
　〃Rachel；　Giller　wants　you　to　know　something。〃
　
　She　had　to　lean　close；　she　could　hardly　hear　Sara's　voice。　〃What？〃
　
　〃That　he　can't　e　with　you。　You　must　go　on　without　him。〃
　
　Rachel　started　to　get　tears。　〃But　I　want　him　to　e　with　me。〃
　
　〃He　would　like　to；　more　than　anything；　child；　but　he　must　stay　and　keep　them　from　finding　you；　so　you　can　get　away。　It's　the　only　way　to　keep　you　safe。〃
　
　〃But　I'll　be　afraid　by　myself。〃
　
　〃You　won't　be　by　yourself；　Rachel；　you　will　have　me　with　you。　Always。〃　；
　
　〃But　what　am　I　to　do？　Where　am　I　to　go？〃
　
　〃You　must　run　away。　Giller　says　not　to　go　to　your　old　wayward　pine；　they　will　find　you　there。〃　Rachel's　eyes　got　big　when　she　heard　this。　〃Go　to　a　different　wayward　pine；　then　the　next　day；　another；　just　keep　running　away　and　hiding　until　the　winter　es。　Then　find　some　nice　people　who　will　take　good　care　of　you。〃
　
　〃All　right；　if　Giller　says　so；　that's　what　I'll　do。〃
　
　〃Rachel；　Giller　wants　you　to　know　he　loves　you。〃
　
　〃I　love　Giller　too；〃　Rachel　said；　〃more　than　anything。〃
　
　The　doll　smiled。
　
　All　at　once；　the　woods　lit　up　with　blue　and　yellow　light。　She　looked　up。　Then　came　a　sudden　loud　bang　that　made　her　jump。　Her　mouth　dropped　open；　her　eyes　were　wide　as　they　would　go。
　
　A　giant　ball　of　fire　came　up　from　the…castle；　from　behind　the　walls。
　
　The　ball　of　fire　lifted　into　the　air。　Sparks　dropped　from　it；　and　black　smoke　rolled　away。　The　fire　turned　to　black　smoke　as　it　went　higher；　until　it　was　all　dark　again。
　
　〃Did　you　see　that？〃　she　asked　Sara。
　
　Sara　didn't；　say　anything。
　
　〃I　hope　Giller　is　all　right。〃
　
　She　looked　down　at　the　doll；　but　she　didn't　say　anything；　or　even　smile　back。
　
　Rachel　hugged　Sara　to　her　and；　picked　up　the　bundle。
　
　〃We　better　get　going；　like　Giller　said。〃
　
　When　she　went　past　the　lake；　she　threw　the　key　to　her　sleeping　box　as　far　as　she　could；　out　into　the　water；　and　smiled　when　she　heard　it　splash。
　
　Sara　didn't　say　anything　as　they　rushed　away　from　the　castle；　down　the　path。　Rachel　remembered　what　Giller　said；　that　she　shouldn't　go　to　the　same　wayward　pine。　She　turned　and　went　down　a　deer　trail；　through　the　bramble；　in　a　new　direction。
　
　West
　
　CHAPTER　34
　THERE　WAS　A　SOUND。　Small；　soft；　spitting。
　
　In　the　fog　of　half　sleep；　half　wake；　it　made　no　sense；　no　matter　how　hard　he　tried　to　understand　it。　Slowly　at　first；　then　with　accelerating　urgency；　he　came　awake；　aware　of　the　aroma　of　cooking　meat。　Immediately；　he　regretted　the　experience　of　being　conscious；　the…　memories　of　what　had　happened；　his　longing　for　Kahlan。　His　knees　were　pulled　up　to　his　chest　with　his　head　resting　against　them。　The　bark　of　the　tree　at　his　back　dug　painfully　into　his　flesh；　and　his　muscles　were　cramped　to　near　paralysis　from　sleeping　in　the　same　position　all　night。　With　his　head　against　his　knees　he　couldn't　see　anything；　except　that　it　was　only　just　。beginning　to　lighten　with　dawn。
　
　There　was　someone；　or　something；　near　him。
　
　Continuing　to　feign　sleep；　he　took　assessment　of　where　hi；；　hands　were　in　relation　to　…his　weapons。　The　sword　was　a　goodly　reach；　and　then　a　long　pull　to　draw　it。　The　knife　wasn't。　His　fingertips　were　touching　the　hickory　handle。　Flexing　his　finger；　slowly；　carefully；　he　worked　the　handle　into　his　palm；　tightening　his　grip　around　it。　Whatever　it　was；　was　near　to　his　left　side。　A　spring　and　a　thrust　with　the　knife；　he　thought。
　
　He　took　a　careful　peek。　With　a　shock；　he　saw　that　it　was　Kahlan。　She　was　sitting；　leaning　against　the　log；　watching　him。　A　rabbit　was　cooking　on　the　fire。　He　sat　up　straight。
　
　〃What　are　you　doing　here？〃　he　asked　cautiously。
　
　〃Is　it　all　right　if　we　talk？〃
　
　Richard　slid　the　knife　back　into　its　sheath；　stretched　his　legs；　rubbing　the　cramps　from　them。　〃I　thought　we　did　all　our　talking　last　night。〃　He　immediately　winced　at　his　own　words。　She　gave　him　an　unreadable　look。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　said；　softening　his　tone。　〃Of　course　we　can　talk。　What　do　you　want　to　talk　about？〃
　
　She　shrugged　in　the　dim　light。　〃I've　been　doing　a　lot　of　thinking。〃　She　had　a　length　of　birch　branch　that　he　had　cut　the　night　before　for　the　fire；　and　was　stripping　off　pieces　of　white　bark。　〃Last　night；　after　I　left；　well；　I　knew　you　had　a　headache　。　。　。〃
　
　〃How　did　you　know　that？〃
　
　She　shrugged　again。　〃I　can　always　tell；　by　the　look　in　your　eyes；　when　you　have　a　headache。〃　Her　voice　was　soft；　gentle。　〃I　knew　you　hadn't　been　getting　much　sleep　lately；　and　that　it　was　my　fault；　so　I　decided　that　before　I　。　。　。　before　I　left；　I　would　stand　watch　for　you　while　you　slept。　So　I　went　over　there；〃　she　pointed　with　the　branch；　〃in　those　trees；　where　I　could　keep　my　eye　on　you。〃　She　looked　down　at　the　branch　as　she　peeled　off　strips　of　bark。　〃I　wanted　to　make　sure　you　got　some　sleep。〃
　
　〃You　were　there　the　whole　night？〃　Richard　was　afraid　to　hope　at　what　this　meant。
　
　She　nodded；　but　didn't　look　up。　〃While　I　was　watching；　I　decided　to　make　a　　snare；　like　you　taught　me；　to　see　if　I　could　catch　you　some　breakfast。　While　I　was　sitting　there；　I　did　a　lot　of　thinking。　Mostly；　I　cried　for　a　long　time。　I　couldn't　stand　it　that　you　thought　those　things　about　me。　It　hurt　that　you　thought　of　me　like　that。　It　made　me　angry　too。〃　　10；
　
　Richard　decided　it　was　best　not　to　say　anything　while　she　struggled　to　find　the　words。　He　didn't　know　what　to　say；　and　was　afraid　if　he　said　anything　it　might　make　her　leave　again。　Kahlan　pulled　off　a　curl　of　birch　bark　and　tossed　it　in　the　fire；　where　it　sizzled　and　flared　to　flame。
　
　〃Then　I　thought　about　what　you　said；　and　I　decided　there　were　some　things　I　needed　to　tell　you；　about　how　to　conduct　yourself　when　you　are　with　the　Queen。　And　then　I　remembered　some　things　I　needed　to　tell　you　about　which　roads　to　avoid；　and　about　where　you　might　go。　I　just　keep　thinking　about　things　I　needed　to　tell　you；　things　you　need　to　know。　Before　I　knew　it；　I　realized　you　were　right。　About　everything。〃
　
　Richard　thought　she　looked　like　she　was　near　tears；　but　she　didn't　cry。　Instead；　she　picked　at　the　branch　with　her　fingernail；　and　avoided　his　eyes。　Still　he　kept　quiet。　Then　she　asked　him　a　question　he　wasn't　expecting。
　
　〃Do　you　think　Shota　is　pretty？〃
　
　He　smiled。　〃Yes。　But　not　as　pretty　as　you。〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　and　pushed　some　hair　back　over　her　shoulder。　〃Not　many　would　dare　to　say　that　to　a　。　。　。〃　She　caught　herself　again。　Her　secret　stood　between　them　like　a　third　person。　She　started　again。　〃There　is　an　old　women's　proverb；　maybe　you　have　heard　it　before。　‘Never　let　a　beautiful　woman　pick　your　path　for　you　when　there　is　a　man　in　her　line　of　sight。'　〃
　
　Richard　laughed　a　little　and　stood　to　stretch　his　legs。　〃No；　I've　not　heard　that　before。〃　He　half　leaned；　half　sat　against　the　log；　as　he　folded　his　arms。　He　didn't　think　Kahlan　needed　to　worry　about　Shota　stealing　his　heart；　Shota　had　said　she　would　kill　him　if　she　ever　saw　him　again。　Even　without　Shota's　vow；　Kahlan　had　no　cause　for　worry。
　
　She　tossed　the　branch　aside　and　stood　next　to　him；　leaning　her　hip　against　the　log。　She　looked　into　his　eyes　at　last；　her　eyebrows　wrinkled　together。　〃Richard〃…her　voice　was　low；　almost　a　whisper…〃last　night　I　figured　out　I　was　being　very　stupid。　I　had　been　afraid　the　witch　woman　would　kill　me；　and　all　of　a　sudden；　I　realized；　she　was　about　to　succeed。　Only　I　was　doing　it　for　her；　letting　her　pick　my　path　for　me。
　
　〃You　were　right　about　it　all。　I　should　have　known　better　than　to　disregard　the　things　a　Seeker　says。〃　She　looked　back　down　at　the　ground　before　her　green　eyes　came　back　up　to　his。　〃If　。　。　。　if　it　is　not　too　late；　I　would　like　my　job　back；　as　your　guide。〃
　
　Richard　couldn't　believe　it　was　over。　He　had　never　been　this　happy；　this　relieved；　in　his　life。　Instead　of　answering；　he　reached　out　and　pulled　her　into　his　arms；　hugged　her　tight　to　him。　Her　arms　slipped　around　him　as　she　laid　her　head　against　his　chest　for　a　moment。　Then　she　pushed　away。
　
　〃Richard；　there　is　one　other　matter。　Before　you　can　say　you　will　take　me　back；　you　must　hear　the　rest　of　it。　I　can't　go　on　anymore　without　telling　you　about　me。　About　what　I　am。　It's　cleaving　my　heart；　because　I'm　supposed　to　be　your　friend。　I　should　have　told　you　from　the　beginning。　I　have　never　had　a　friend　like　you　before。　I　didn't　want　it　to　end。〃　Her　gaze　left　his。　〃But　now　it　must；〃　she　added　faintly。
　
　〃Kahlan；　I've　told　you　before；　you're　my　friend；　and　nothing　can　change　that。〃
　
　〃This　secret　can。〃…　Her　shoulders　were　slumped。　〃This　is　about　magic。〃
　
　Richard　wasn't　sure　anym