tg.stone of tears-第12章

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　He　drew　himself　up；　peering　at　her　with　burning　intensity。　At　last　he　spoke　softly。　‘Very　well；　Sister　Margaret。’　He　leaned　toward　her；　his　expression　so　grave　it　nearly　took　her　breath　away。
　
　‘Look　into　my　eyes；’　he　whispered。　‘Lose　yourself　in　my　eyes。’
　
　His　gaze　drew　her　in；　the　deep；　azure　color　spreading　in　her　vision　until　it　seemed　she　was　looking　up　into　the　clear　sky。　She　felt　as　if　he　were　drawing　every　breath　for　her。
　
　‘I　will　tell　you　the　prophecy　of　the　true　fork　again；　but　this　time；　I　will　show　it　to　you　as　it　is　meant　to　be。’　She　floated　as　she　listened。　‘Of　all　there　were；　but　a　single　one　born　of　the　magic　to　bring　forth　truth　will　remain　alive　。。。’
　
　The　words　melted　away；　and　instead；　she　saw　the　prophecy　as　if　seeing　a　vision。　She　was　pulled　into　it。　She　was　no　longer　in　the　palace；　but　in　the　vision　itself。
　
　She　saw　a　beautiful　woman　with　long　hair；　dressed　in　a　satiny　white　dress：　the　Mother　Confessor。　Margaret　saw　the　other　Confessors　being　killed　by　quads　sent　from　D’Hara　and　she　felt　the　blinding　horror　of　it。　She　saw　the　woman’s　best　friend　and　sister　confessor　die　in　her　arms。　She　felt　the　grief　of　the　Mother　Confessor。
　
　Then；　Margaret　saw　the　Mother　Confessor　before　the　one　from　D’Hara　who　had　sent　the　quads　to　kill　the　other　Confessors。　The　handsome　man　in　white　stood　before　three　boxes。　To　Margaret’s　surprise；　each　box　cast　a　different　number　of　shadows。　The　man　in　white　robes　performed　rituals；　cast　evil　spells；　underworld　spells；　late　into　the　night；　through　the　night；　until　the　sun　rose。　As　the　day　brightened；　somehow　Margaret　knew　that　it　was　this　day。　She　was　seeing　what　had　happened　this　very　day。
　
　The　man　in　white　had　finished　with　the　preparations。　He　stood　before　the　boxes。　Smiling；　he　reached　out　and　opened　the　one　in　the　center；　the　one　that　cast　two　shadows。　Light　from　within　the　box　bathed　him　in　its　brilliance　at　first；　but　then　in　a　flash　of　power；　the　magic　of　the　box　swirled　about　him　and　snuffed　out　his　life。　He　had　chosen　wrong；　he　forfeited　his　life　to　the　magic　he　sought　to　claim。
　
　She　saw　the　Mother　Confessor　with　a　man。　A　man　she　loved。　She　felt　her　happiness。　It　was　a　joy　the　woman　had　never　experienced　before。　Margaret’s　heart　swelled　with　the　bliss　the　Mother　Confessor　felt　at　the　side　of　this　man。　It　was　a　vision　of　what　was　happening　at　this　very　moment。
　
　And　then　Margaret’s　mind　swept　forward　in　a　swirl。　She　saw　war　and　death　sweep　across　the　land。　She　saw　death　brought　by　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld；　to　the　world　of　the　living　with　a　wicked　lust　that　choked　her　with　terror。
　
　Again　the　prophecy　swept　her　forward　to　a　great　crowd。　At　the　center　was　the　Mother　Confessor；　standing　on　a　heavy　platform。　The　people　were　excited　and　in　a　celebratory　mood。
　
　This　was　the　joyous　event　that　would　bring　the　fork　of　the　prophecy；　one　of　the　forks　that　must　be　passed　correctly　to　save　the　world　from　the　darkness　snatching　at　it。　She　was　caught　up　in　the　festive　mood　of　the　crowd。　She　felt　a　tingle　of　expectant　hope；　wondering　if　the　man　the　Mother　Confessor　loved　was　to　be　the　one　she　was　to　wed；　and　if　that　was　the　happy　event　the　Prophecy　spoke　of　that　would　bring　joy　to　the　people。　Her　heart　ached　for　it　to　be　so。
　
　But　something　wasn’t　right。　Margaret’s　warm　delight　cooled　until　her　flesh　prickled　with　icy　bumps。
　
　With　a　wave　of　worry；　Margaret　saw　that　the　Mother　Confessor’s　hands　were　bound；　and　next　to　her　stood　a　man；　not　the　man　she　loved；　but　a　man　in　a　black　hood。　He　held　a　great　axe。　Margaret’s　worry　turned　to　horror。
　
　A　hand　forced　the　Mother　Confessor　to　kneel；　seized　her　hair　and　laid　her　face　to　the　block。　Her　hair　was　short　now；　not　long　as　it　had　been　before；　but　it　was　the　same　woman。　Tears　seeped　from　the　Mother　Confessor’s　closed　eyes。　Her　white　dress　shimmered　in　the　bright　sunlight。　Margaret　couldn’t　breathe。
　
　The　great　crescent　axe　rose　into　the　air。　It　flashed　through　the　sunlight；　thunking　solidly　into　the　block。　Margaret　gasped。　The　Mother　Confessor’s　head　dropped　into　the　basket。　The　crowd　cheered。
　
　Blood　gushed　and　spread　down　the　dress　as　the　headless；　lifeless　corpse　collapsed　to　the　wooden　floor。　A　pool　of　bright　blood　spread　under　the　body；　turning　the　white　dress　red。　So　much　blood。　The　crowd　roared　with　elation。
　
　A　wail　of　horror　escaped　Margaret’s　throat。　She　thought　she　might　vomit。　Nathan　caught　her　as　she　fell　forward；　crying　and　sobbing。　He　held　her　to　him　as　a　father　would　a　frightened　child。
　
　‘Ah；　Nathan；　is　that　the　event　that　will　bring　joy　to　the　people？　Is　this　what　must　happen　if　the　world　of　the　living　is　to　be　saved？’
　
　‘It　is；’　he　said　softly。　Almost　every　prophecy　down　this　true　branch　is　a　fork。　If　the　world　of　the　living　is　to　be　saved　from　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld；　then　every　event　must　take　the　correct　branch。　In　this　prophecy；　the　people　must　rejoice　at　seeing　the　Mother　Confessor　die；　for　down　the　other　fork　lies　the　eternal　darkness　of　the　underworld。　I　don’t　know　why　it　is　so。’
　
　Margaret　sobbed　into　his　robes　as　his　strong　arms　held　her　tight　against　him。　‘Oh　dear　Creator；’　she　cried；　‘take　mercy　on　your　poor　child。　Give　her　strength。’
　
　There　is　no　mercy　when　fighting　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘Ah；　Nathan；　I　have　read　prophecies　of　people　dying；　but　it　was　only　words。　To　see　it　as　real　has　wounded　my　soul。’
　
　He　patted　her　back　as　he　held　her。　‘I　know。　How　well　I　know。’
　
　Margaret　pushed　herself　up；　wiping　tears　from　her　face。　‘This　is　the　true　prophecy　that　lies　beyond　the　one　that　forked　today？’
　
　‘It　is。’
　
　And　this　is　the　way　they　are　meant　to　be　seen？’
　
　‘It　is　so。　This　is　the　way　they　e　to　me。　I　have　shown　you　the　way　I　see　them。　The　words；　too；　e　with　the　prophecy；　and　those　are　what　are　to　be　written　down；　so　those　not　meant　to　see　the　prophecies　will　not　see　them　as　they　truly　are；　but　those　who　are　meant　to　will　see　them　when　they　read　the　words。　I　have　never　before　shown　anyone　a　prophecy。’
　
　‘Then；　why　have　you　shown　me？’
　
　His　sad　eyes　regarded　her　a　moment。　‘Margaret；　we　are　in　a　battle　with　the　Keeper。　You　are　meant　to　know　the　danger　we　are　in。’
　
　‘We　are　always　in　a　battle　with　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘I　think；　perhaps；　this　is　different。’
　
　‘I　must　tell　the　others。　I　must　tell　them　what　you　can　show　them。　We　must　have　your　help　to　understand　the　prophecies。’
　
　‘No。　I　will　show　no　other　what　I　have　shown　you。　No　matter　the　pain　they　would　think　to　inflict　upon　me；　I　will　not　cooperate。　I　will　never　again　do　this　for　you；　or　another　Sister。’
　
　‘But　why　not？’
　
　‘You　are　not　meant　to　see　them。　Only　to　read　them。’
　
　‘But　that　can’t　be　。。。’
　
　‘It　is　meant　to　be；　otherwise；　your　gift　would　work　to　unlock　them。　You　are　not　meant　to　see　them；　just　as　you　often　tell　me　others　with　mon　minds　are　not　meant　to　hear　them。’
　
　‘But　they　could　help　us。’
　
　‘They　would　help　you　no　more　than　the　one　I　told　that　girl　helped　her；　or　the　thousands　who　died。　Just　as　you　keep　me　a　prisoner　here；　so　others　may　not　hear　what　they　are　not　meant　to　hear；　so　I　must　keep　all　but　another　prophet　a　prisoner　of　their　ignorance。　It　is　the　will　of　He　who　has　given　the　gift；　and　all　else。　Had　He　meant　you　to；　He　would　have　given　you　the　key　with　your　gift；　but　He　has　not。’
　
　‘Nathan；　there　are　others　who　would　hurt　you　until　you　revealed　it　to　them。’
　
　‘I　will　not　reveal　it　to　them；　no　matter　how　much　they　hurt　me。　They　will　kill　me　before　I　do　so。’　He　tilted　his　head　toward　her。　‘And　they　won’t　try；　unless　you　tell　them。’
　
　She　stared　at　him；　seeing　him　differently　than　she　had　ever　seen　him　before。　None　before　had　ever　been　as　devious　as　he。　He　was　the　only　one　they　had　never　been　able　to　trust。　All　the　others　had　told　the　truth　about　their　gift　and　its　capabilities；　but　they　knew　Nathan　lied；　knew　he　was　not　telling　them　all　he　was　able　to　do。　She　wondered　what　he　knew；　what　he　was　capable　of。
　
　‘I　will　go　to　my　grave　with　what　you　have　shown　me；　Nathan。’
　
　He　closed　his　eyes　and　nodded。　‘Thank　you；　child。’
　
　There　were　other　Sisters　who　would　have　hurt　him　for　addressing　a　Sister　so。　She　was　not　one　of　them。　She　stood　and　straightened　her　dress。
　
　‘In　the　morning；　I　will　tell　those　in　the　vaults　of　the　prophecy　that　has　forked；　and　of　the　ones　on　the　false　and　on　the　true　branches。　They　will　have　to　decipher　them　as　best　they　can；　with　what　the　Creator　has　given　them。’
　
　That　is　the　way　it　is　meant　to　be。’
　
　She　returned　the　ink；　pen；　and　sand　shaker　to　the　desk　drawer。　‘Nathan；　why　did　you　want　the　Prelate　to　e？　I　don’t　recall　you　ever　asking　for　her　before。’
　
　When　she　looked　up；　he　was　studying　her　with　cool　detachment。
　
　‘That；　too；　Sister　Margaret；　is　not　for　you　to　know。　Do　you　wish　to　bring　me　pain；　to　attempt　to　make　me　tell　you？’
　
　She　picked　up　the　book　of　prophecy　off　the　desk。　‘No；　Nathan；　I　will　not　do　that。’
　
　‘Then；　will　you　deliver　a　message　to　the　Prelate　for　me？’　She　nodded；　sniffling　back　the　tears　that　still　burned　at　her　eyes。　‘What　would　you　have　me　tell　her？’
　
　‘Will　you　take　this；　too；　to　your　grave；　and　tell　no　other　but　the　Prelate？’
　
　‘If　you　wish　it；　although　I　don’t　see　why。　You　can　trust　the　Sisters。
　
　‘No。　Margaret；　I　want　you　to　listen　to　me。　When　it　is　the　Keeper　you　battle；　you　must　not　trust　anyone。　I　am　taking　a　dangerous　chance　in　trusting　you；　and　the　Prelate。　Trust　no　one。’　His　bunched　eyebrows　gave　him　a　frightening　look。　‘Only　those　you　trust　can　betray　you。’
　
　‘All　right；　Nathan。　What　is　the　message？’
　
　He　peered　intently　at　her。　At　last　his　words　came　in　a　whisper。　Tell　her　that　the　pebble　is　in　the　pond。’
　
　Margaret　blinked　at　him。　‘What　does　that　mean？’
　
　‘You　have　been　frightened　enough；　child。　Don’t　tempt　your　endurance　again。’
　
　‘Sister　Margaret；　Nathan；’　she　said　softly。　‘I　am　not　‘child；’　but　Sister　Margaret。　Please　treat　me　with　the　respect　I　am　accorded。’
　
　He　smiled。　‘Forgive　me；　Sister　Margaret。’　Sometimes　his　eyes　ran　shivers　up　her　spine。　‘One　more　thing；　Sister　Margaret。’
　
　‘What　is　it？’
　
　He　reached　out　and　brushed　a　tear　from　her　cheek。　‘I　don’t　really　know　of　your　death。’　She　sighed　inwardly　with　relief。　‘But　I　do　know　something　else　of　importance　pertaining　to　you。　Of　importance　in　the　battle　with　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘If　it　will　help　me　to　bring　the　Creator’s　light　upon　the　world；　then　tell　me。’
　
　He　seemed　to　draw　himself　inward；　looking　out　at　her　as　if　from　a　great　distance。　‘A　time　will　e；　soon；　when　you　stumble　upon　something；　and　you　will　have　need　to　know　the　answer　to　a　question。　I　don’t　know　the　question；　but　when　you　have　the　need　to　find　the　answer；　e　to　me；　and　that；　I　will　know。　This；　too；　you　must　tell　no　other。’
　
　Thank　you；　Nathan。’　She　reached　out　and　touched　his　hand。　The　Creator’s　blessing　on　His　child。’
　
　‘No　thank　you；　Sister。　I　do　not　wish　anything　more　from　the　Creator。’
　
　She　stared　at　him　in　surprise。　‘Because　we　keep　you　locked　inhere？’
　
　His　small　smile　returned。　There　are　many　different　ki