tg.stone of tears-第10章

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　Margaret　smiled　back　and　watched　as　the　old　woman　lugged　her　heavy　bucket　on　down　the　hall。　Poor　woman；　she　thought；　having　to　work　in　the　middle　of　the　night。　But　then；　here　she　was　herself；　up　and　about　in　the　middle　of　the　night。
　
　The　shoulder　of　her　dress　pulled　unfortably。　She　looked　down　and　saw　that　in　her　haste　she　had　misaligned　the　top　three　buttons。　She　redid　them　before　pushing　open　the　heavy　oak　door　out　into　the　darkness。
　
　A　pacing　guard　saw　her　and　came　at　a　run。　She　held　the　book　over　her　mouth　to　hide　her　yawn。　He　lurched　to　a　halt。
　
　‘Sister！　Where’s　the　Prelate？　He’s　been　yelling　for　her。　Runs　shivers　up　my　spine；　it　does。　Where　is　she？’
　
　Sister　Margaret　scowled　at　the　guard　until　he　remembered　his　manners　and　dropped　a　quick　bow。　When　he　came　back　up　she　started　off　down　the　rampart　with　the　man　at　her　heels。
　
　‘The　Prelate　does　not　e　simply　because　the　Prophet　roars。’
　
　‘But　he　called　out　for　her　specifically。’
　
　She　stopped　and　clasped　her　hand　over　the　one　holding　the　book。　‘And　would　you　like　to　be　the　one　to　bang　on　the　Prelate’s　bedchamber　door　in　the　middle　of　the　night　and　wake　her；　simply　because　the　Prophet　shouts　for　it？’
　
　His　face　paled　in　the　moonlight。　‘No；　Sister。’
　
　‘It　is　enough　that　a　Sister　must　be　dragged　out　of　bed　for　his　nonsense。’
　
　‘But　you　don’t　know　what　he’s　been　saying；　Sister。　He’s　been　yelling　that　。。。’
　
　‘Enough；’　she　cautioned　in　a　low　tone。　‘Need　I　remind　you　that　if　a　word　he　says　ever　touches　your　tongue；　you　will　lose　your　head？’
　
　His　hand　went　to　his　throat。　‘No；　Sister。　I　would　never　speak　a　word　of　it。　Except　to　a　Sister。’
　
　‘Not　even　to　a　Sister。　It　must　never　touch　your　tongue。’
　
　‘Forgive　me；　Sister。’　His　tone　turned　apologetic。　‘It’s　just　that　I’ve　never　heard　him　cry　out　so　before。　I’ve　never　heard　his　voice　except　to　call　for　a　Sister。　The　things　he　said　alarmed　me。　I　have　never　heard　him　speak　such　things。’
　
　‘He　has　contrived　to　get　his　voice　through　our　shields。　It　has　happened　before。　He　manages　it　sometimes。　That　is　why　his　guards　are　sworn　on　an　oath　never　to　repeat　anything　they　should　happen　to　hear。　Whatever　you　heard；　you　had　best　forget　it　before　this　conversation　is　over；　unless　you　want　us　to　help　you　forget。’
　
　He　shook　his　head；　too　terrified　to　speak。　She　didn’t　like　frightening　the　man；　but　they　couldn’t　have　him　wagging　his　tongue　over　a　mug　of　ale　with　his　fellows。　Prophecies　were　not　for　the　mon　mind　to　know。　She　laid　a　gentle　hand　on　his　shoulder。
　
　‘What　is　your　name？’
　
　‘I　am　Swordsman　Kevin　Andellmere；　Sister。’
　
　‘If　you　will　give　me　your　word；　Swordsman　Andellmere；　that　you　can　hold　your　tongue　about　whatever　you　heard；　to　your　grave；　I　will　see　about　having　you　reassigned。　You　are　obviously　not　cut　out　for　this　duty。’
　
　He　dropped　to　a　knee。　‘Praise　be　to　you；　Sister。　I’d　rather　face　a　hundred　heathens　from　the　wilds　than　have　to　hear　the　voice　of　the　Prophet。　You　have　my　oath；　on　my　life。’
　
　‘So　be　it；　then。　Go　back　to　your　post。　At　the　end　of　your　duty；　tell　the　captain　of　the　guards　that　Sister　Margaret　ordered　you　reassigned。’　She　touched　his　head。　The　Creator’s　blessing　on　His　child。’　Thank　you　for　your　kindness；　Sister。’　She　walked　on；　across　the　rampart；　to　the　small　colonnade　at　the　end；　down　the　winding　stairs；　and　into　the　torchlit　hall　before　the　door　to　the　Prophet’s　apartments。　Two　guards　with　spears　flanked　the　door。　They　bowed　together。
　
　‘I　hear　the　Prophet　has　been　speaking　out；　through　the　shield。’
　
　Cold；　dark　eyes　looked　back　at　her。　‘Really？　I　haven’t　heard　a　thing。’　He　spoke　to　the　other　guard　while　holding　the　Sister’s　gaze。　‘You　hear　anything？’
　
　The　other　guard　leaned　his　weight　on　his　spear　and　turned　his　head　as　he　spat。　He　wiped　his　chin　with　the　back　of　his　hand。　‘Not　a　thing。　Been　quiet　as　a　grave。’
　
　That　boy　upstairs　been　waggin’　his　tongue？’　the　first　asked。
　
　‘It　has　been　a　long　time　since　the　Prophet　found　a　way　to　get　anything　other　than　a　call　for　a　Sister　through　our　shields。　He　has　never　heard　the　Prophet　speak　before；　that’s　all。’
　
　‘You　want　we　should　make　it　so’s　he　don’t　hear　nothin’　again？　Or　speak　it？’
　
　‘That　won’t　be　necessary。　I　have　his　oath；　and　have　ordered　him　reassigned。’
　
　‘Oath。’　The　man　made　a　sour　face　at　the　word。　‘An　oath　is　nothin’　more　than　babbled　words。　A　blade’s　oath　is　truer。’
　
　‘Really？　Am　I　to　assume　that　your　oath　of　silence　is　nothing　more　than　‘babbled　words；’　too？　Should　we　see　to　your　silence；　then；　in　a　‘truer’　way？’　Sister　Margaret　held　his　dark　gaze　until　it　at　last　broke　with　a　downward　glance。
　
　‘No；　Sister。　My　oath　is　true　enough。’
　
　She　nodded。　‘Has　anyone　else　been　about　to　hear　him　yelling？’
　
　‘No；　Sister。　As　soon　as　he　started　in　calling　for　the　Prelate；　we　checked　the　area；　to　be　sure　there　were　none　of　the　staff；　or　anyone　else；　about。　When　we　found　everything　was　clear；　I　posted　guards　at　all　the　far　entrances　and　sent　for　a　Sister。　He’s　never　called　for　the　Prelate　before；　only　a　Sister。　I　thought　it　should　be　up　to　a　Sister；　not　me；　to　decide　if　the　Prelate　was　to　be　awakened　in　the　middle　of　the　night。’
　
　‘Good　thinking。’
　
　‘Now　that　you’re　here；　Sister；　we　should　be　off　to　check　the　others。’　His　expression　darkened　again。　To　make　sure　no　one　heard　anything。’
　
　She　nodded。　‘And　you　had　better　hope　Swordsman　An…dellmere　is　careful　and　doesn’t　fall　off　a　wall　and　break　his　neck；　or　I　will　e　looking　for　you。’　He　gave　an　annoyed　grunt。　‘But　if　you　hear　him　repeat　so　much　as　a　single　word　of　what　he　heard　tonight；　you　find　a　Sister　before　you　stop　to　take　another　breath。’
　
　Through　the　door　and　halfway　down　the　inner　hall；　she　stopped　and　felt　the　shields。　She　held　the　book　to　her　breast　in　both　arms　as　she　concentrated；　searching　for　the　breach。　She　smiled　when　she　found　it：　a　tiny　twist　in　the　weave。　He　had　probably　been　picking　at　it　for　years。　She　closed　her　eyes　and　wove　the　breach　together；　binding　it　with　a　barb　of　power　that　would　thwart　him　if　he　tried　the　same　thing　again。　She　was　ruefully　impressed　by　his　ingenuity；　and　his　persistence。　Well；　she　sighed　to　herself；　what　else　had　he　to　do？
　
　Inside　his　spacious　apartments　the　lamps　were　lit。　Tapestries　hung　on　one　of　the　walls；　and　the　floors　were　generously　covered　with　the　local　colorful；　blue　and　yellow　carpets。　The　bookshelves　were　half　empty。　Books　that　belonged　on　them　lay　open　everywhere；　some　on　the　chairs　and　couches；　some　facedown　on　pillows　on　the　floor；　and　some　stacked　in　disheveled　piles　next　to　his　favorite　chair　beside　the　cold　hearth。
　
　Sister　Margaret　went　to　the　elegant；　polished　rosewood　writing　table　to　the　side　of　the　room。　She　sat　at　the　padded　chair　and；　opening　the　book　on　the　desktop；　flipped　through　it　until　she　came　to　a　clean　page　at　the　end　of　the　writing。　She　didn’t　see　the　Prophet　anywhere。　He　was　probably　in　the　garden。　The　double　doors　to　the　small　garden　were　open；　letting　in　a　gentle　breath　of　warm　air。　From　a　drawer　in　the　desk　she　took　an　ink　bottle；　pen；　and　a　small　sprinkle　box　of　fine　sand；　setting　them　beside　the　open　book　of　prophecies。
　
　When　she　looked　up；　he　was　standing　in　the　half　light　in　the　doorway　to　the　garden；　watching　her。　He　was　in　black　robes　with　the　hood　drawn　up。　He　stood　motionless；　his　hands　in　the　sleeves　of　the　opposite　arms。　He　filled　the　doorway　not　just　with　his　size；　but　with　his　presence。
　
　She　wiggled　the　stopper　from　the　ink　bottle。　‘Good　evening；　Nathan。’
　
　He　took　three　strong；　slow　strides　out　of　the　shadows　and　into　the　lamplight；　pushing　back　the　black　hood　to　uncover　his　full　head　of　long；　straight；　white　hair　that　touched　his　broad　shoulders。　The　top　of　the　metal　collar　just　barely　showed　at　the　neck　of　his　robes。　The　muscles　in　his　strong；　clean…shaven　jaw　tightened。　White　eyebrows　hooded　his　deep；　dark；　azure　eyes。　He　was　a　ruggedly　handsome　man；　despite　being　the　oldest　man　she　had　ever　known。
　
　And；　he　was　quite　mad。　Or　he　was　quite　clever；　and　wanted　everyone　to　think　he　was　mad。　She　wasn’t　sure　which　was　true。　No　one　was。
　
　Either　way；　he　was　probably　the　most　dangerous　man　alive。
　
　‘Where　is　the　Prelate？’　he　asked　in　a　deep；　menacing　voice。
　
　She　picked　up　the　pen。　‘It　is　the　middle　of　the　night；　Nathan。　We　are　not　going　to　wake　the　Prelate　simply　because　you　throw　a　fit；　demanding　she　e。　Any　Sister　can　write　down　a　prophecy。　Why　don’t　you　sit　down　and　we　can　begin。’
　
　He　came　to　the　desk；　opposite　her；　towering　over　her。　‘Don’t　test　me；　Sister　Margaret。　This　is　important。’
　
　She　glowered　up　at　him。　‘And　don’t　you　test　me；　Nathan。　Need　I　remind　you　that　you　will　lose？　Now　that　you　have　gotten　me　out　of　my　bed　in　the　middle　of　the　night；　let’s　get　this　over　so　I　may　return　to　it　and　try　to　salvage　a　part　of　a　night’s　sleep。’
　
　‘I　asked　for　the　Prelate。　This　is　important。’
　
　‘Nathan；　we　have　yet　to　decipher　prophecies　you　gave　us　years　ago。　It　could　not　possibly　make　any　difference　if　you　give　this　one　to　me　and　she　reads　it　in　the　morning；　or　next　week；　or　next　year　for　that　matter。’
　
　‘I　have　no　prophecy　to　give。’
　
　Her　anger　rose。　‘You　have　called　me　from　my　bed　for　pany？’
　
　A　broad　smile　spread　on　his　lips。　‘Would　you　object？　It’s　a　beautiful　night。　You　are　a　handsome　enough　woman；　if　a　little　tightly　wound。’　He　cocked　his　head　to　the　side。　‘No？　Well；　since　you　have　e；　and　must　have　a　prophecy；　would　you　like　me　to　tell　you　of　your　death？’
　
　The　Creator　will　take　me　when　He　chooses。　I　will　leave　it　to　Him。’
　
　He　nodded；　staring　off　over　her　head。　‘Sister　Margaret；　would　you　have　a　woman　sent　to　visit　me？　I　find　I　am　lonely　of　late。’
　
　‘It　is　not　the　task　of　the　Sisters　to　procure　harlots　for　you。’
　
　‘But　they　have　seen　to　a　courtesan　for　me　in　the　past；　when　I　have　given　prophecies。’
　
　With　deliberate　care；　she　set　the　pen　on　the　desk。　‘And　the　last　one　left　before　we　could　talk　to　her。　She　ran　back　half　naked　and　half　mad。　How　she　got　through　the　guards；　we　still　don’t　know。
　
　‘You　promised　not　to　speak　prophecies　to　her。　You　promised；　Nathan。　Before　we　could　find　her　she　had　repeated　what　you　had　told　her。　It　spread　like　a　wild　fire。　It　started　a　civil　war。　Nearly　six　thousand　people　died　because　of　what　you　told　that　young　woman。’
　
　His　worried；　white　eyebrows　went　up。　‘Really？　I　never　knew。’
　
　She　took　a　deep　breath　and　spoke　in　a　soft　voice　to　control　her　anger。　‘Nathan；　I　myself　have　told　you　this　three　times　now。’
　
　He　looked　down　with　sad　eyes。　‘I’m　sorry；　Margaret。’
　
　‘Sister　Margaret。’
　
　‘Sister？　You？　You　are　far　too　young　and　attractive　to　be　a　Sister。　Surely　you　are　but　a　novice。’
　
　She　stood。　‘Good　night；　Nathan。’　She　closed　the　cover　on　the　book　and　started　to　pick　it　up。
　
　‘Sit　down；　Sister　Margaret；’　came　his　voice；　again　full　of　power　and　menace。
　
　‘You　have　nothing　to　tell　me。　I　am　returning　to　my　bed。’
　
　‘I　did　not　say　I　had　nothing　to　tell　you。　I　said　I　had　no　prophecy　to　give。’
　
　‘If　you　have　had　no