tg.stone of tears-第138章

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　‘I’ve　tried　little　things　on　her；　to　test　her。　The　spells　I　send　at　her　disappear　like　pebbles　dropped　down　a　well。　And　they　do　not　go　unnoticed。　Du　Chaillu　knows　what　I　try　to　do；　and　somehow　is　able　to　annul　it。　I　told　you　before；　these　people　are　dangerous。　I　have　fought　every　step　of　the　way　to　prevent　this。　I　warned　you　not　to　swing　the　axe。　You　saw　my　efforts　as　misguided。’
　
　Richard　gritted　his　teeth。　His　left　hand　gripped　the　hilt　of　the　sword。　He　could　feel　the　bumps　of　the　word　Truth　woven　into　the　wire；　and　through　it　the　heat　of　its　rage。
　
　‘I　have　no　intention　of　killing　anyone。’
　
　‘Good。　Keep　the　anger　of　the　sword　out。　You　are　going　to　need　it　if　you’re　to　survive。　They　are　surrounding　us　as　we　speak；　that　much　my　Han　can　tell　me。’
　
　Richard　felt　as　if　things　were　suddenly　spinning　out　of　his　control。　He　didn’t　want　to　hurt　anyone。　He　hadn’t　saved　Du　Chaillu　just　to　have　to　fight　her　people。　Then　I　suggest　you　call　on　your　Han；　Sister　Verna。　I　am　the　Seeker；　not　an　assassin。　I’m　not　going　to　kill　your　enemies　for　you。’
　
　She　took　a　few　strides　toward　him。　Her　voice　was　tight　and　controlled。　‘I　told　you；　my　Han　is　not　going　to　be　able　to　help。　I　would　end　the　threat　if　I　could；　but　I　can’t。　Du　Chaillu　has　power　against　magic。　I’m　begging　you；　Richard；　defend　yourself。’
　
　His　eyes　narrowed。　‘Perhaps　you　just　don’t　want　to　help。　You’re　angry　that　I　spoiled　the　arrangement　the　Sisters　had　with　the　Majendie。　You　plan　on　watching；　like　you　always　do；　just　to　see　what　I’ll　do。’
　
　She　slowly　shook　her　head　in　frustration。　‘Do　you　really　think；　Richard；　that　I　would　spend　half　my　life　in　my　duty　to　find　you　and　carry　you　safely　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets；　only　to　watch　you　killed　when　we’re　on　the　doorstep　of　my　home？　Do　you　actually　believe　that　I　wouldn’t　stop　this　if　I　could？　Is　your　opinion　of　me　that　low？’
　
　His　impulse　was　to　argue　with　her；　but　instead　he　considered　her　words。　What　she　said　made　sense。　Richard　gave　an　apologetic　shake　of　his　head；　then　quickly　glanced　into　the　shadows。　‘How　many　are　there？’
　
　‘Perhaps　thirty。’
　
　‘Thirty。’　In　frustration；　he　folded　his　arms。　‘How　am　I　to　defend　against　thirty；　by　myself？’
　
　She　looked　out　into　the　darkness　a　moment；　then　cast　her　hands　forward。　A　wind　rose；　carrying　a　veil　of　sand　and　dirt　outward　into　the　blackness。　That　will　slow　them　for　a　short　time；　but　not　stop　them。’
　
　She　turned　her　brown　eyes　on　him　once　more。　‘Richard；　I　have　used　my　Han　to　seek　an　answer。　The　only　thing　my　Han　tells　me　is　that　you　must　use　the　prophecy　to　survive。　You’ve　named　yourself　the　bringer　of　death；　as　the　prophecy　foretells。　The　prophecy　is　about　you。
　
　‘You　must　use　the　prophecy　if　you　are　to　defeat　that　many。　The　prophecy　says　the　holder　of　the　sword　is　able　to　call　the　dead　forth；　call　the　past　into　the　present。　Somehow；　that’s　what　you　must　do　in　order　to　survive　…　call　forth　the　dead；　call　the　past　into　the　present。’
　
　Richard　unfolded　his　arms。　‘We’re　about　to　be　overrun　by　thirty　people　you　say　are　going　to　try　to　kill　me；　and　you　give　me　riddles？　Sister；　I　told　you　before　that　I　don’t　know　what　it　means。　If　you　want　to　help；　then　tell　me　something　I　can　use。’
　
　She　turned　away；　walking　back　toward　the　horses。　‘I　have。　Sometimes　prophecies　are　meant　to　give　aid　to　the　one　named　by　sending　help　across　time；　providing　a　key　that　may　open　a　door　to　enlightenment。　I　believe　this　prophecy　is　such。　This　prophecy　is　about　you；　you　must　find　its　use。　I　don’t　know　its　meaning。’
　
　She　stopped　and　turned　to　look　back　over　her　shoulder。　‘You　forget；　I　tried　to　keep　us　out　of　the　hands　of　these　people。　You　said　that　in　this　matter；　you　were　not　my　student；　but　the　Seeker。　As　the　Seeker；　you　must　use　this　prophecy。　You　are　the　one　who　got　us　into　this。　Only　you　can　get　us　out。’
　
　Richard　stared　after　her　as　she　gentled　the　nervous　animals。　He　had　thought　about　this　prophecy　before；　wondering；　ever　since　she　had　told　it　to　him；　what　it　could　mean。　Sometimes　he　had　felt　as　if　he　was　on　the　verge　of　insight；　but　the　feeling　always　slipped　away　from　him　before　ing　to　fruition。
　
　He　had　used　the　sword　many　times；　and　knew　its　capabilities。　He　also　knew　his　own　limitations。　Against　one；　the　sword　was　virtually　invincible；　but　he　was　flesh　and　blood。　He　was　no　expert　swordsman；　in　the　past　he　had　always　depended　on　the　sword’s　magic　to　make　the　difference。　But　he　was　only　one　man；　and　they　were　many。　The　sword　could　only　be　in　one　place　at　one　time。
　
　‘Are　they　good　fighters？’　he　asked。
　
　The　Baka　Ban　Mana　are　without　peer。　They　have　special　fighters；　blade　masters；　who　train　from　sunup　to　sundown；　every　day。　And　then　they　train　by　the　light　of　the　moon。　Fighting　is　almost　a　religion　to　them。
　
　‘When　I　was　young；　I　saw　a　Baka　Ban　Mana　blade　master　who　had　gotten　into　the　garrison　in　Tanimura　kill　nearly　fifty　well…armed　soldiers　before　he　was　taken　down。　They　fight　like　they　are　invincible　spirits。　Some　people　believe　they　are。’
　
　That’s　just　great；’　he　said　under　his　breath。
　
　‘Richard；’　she　said；　without　looking　to　him；　‘I　know　we　don’t　get　along。　We　could　look　at　the　same　thing　and　each　see　something　different。　We’re　from　different　worlds；　both　of　us　are　headstrong；　and　neither　of　us　likes　the　other　very　much。
　
　‘But　I　want　you　to　know　that　I’m　not　trying　to　be　obstinate　about　this。　You　spoke　the　truth　in　that　this　is　about　you　as　the　Seeker；　not　as　my　student。　In　a　way　I　don’t　understand；　it’s　also　bundled　up　with　prophecy。　You　are　riding　a　ripple　in　events。　I　am　but　a　bystander　in　this。　If　you　die；　however；　I　die；　too。’
　
　She　at　last　lifted　her　eyes　to　his。　‘I　don’t　know　how　to　help　you；　Richard。　There　are　people　closing　around　us；　to　watch　what　will　happen；　and　I　know　that　if　I　try　to　interfere；　I　will　be　killed　by　them。　This　is　about　prophecy；　you；　and　the　Baka　Ban　Mana。　I　play　no　part　in　it；　other　than　to　die；　if　you　do。
　
　‘I　don’t　know　what　the　prophecy　means；　and　I　realize　you　don’t　either；　but　keep　it　in　mind；　and　maybe　its　use　will　e　as　you　need　it。　Try　to　use　your　Han；　if　you　can。’
　
　Richard　stood　with　his　hands　on　his　hips。　‘All　right；　Sister；　I’ll　try。　I’m　just　sorry　I’m　no　good　at　riddles。　And　if　I’m　killed；　well；　thank　you　for　trying　to　help　me。’
　
　He　looked　up　at　the　sky；　at　the　thin　veil　of　clouds　that　dimmed　the　moon。　The　darkness　helped　hide　those　who　came。　There　was　no　reason　it　couldn’t　be　used　to　his　advantage；　too。
　
　Richard　was　a　woods　guide；　at　home　in　the　darkness　of　the　woods。　He　had　spent　countless　hours　at　games　like　this；　with　other　guides。　This　was　his　element；　too；　not　just　theirs。　He　didn’t　have　to　do　it　their　way。　Crouching；　he　moved　off；　away　from　the　Sister　and　their　horses；　and　became　one　with　the　moon　shadows。
　
　He　found　the　first　of　them　looking　the　wrong　way。　Still　and　silent；　he　watched　the　dark　form　wrapped　in　loose　clothes；　squatted　on　one　knee；　watching　the　Sister。　Clutched　tightly　in　one　fist　was　a　short　spear；　its　butt　planted　in　the　sand。　Two　more　spears　lay　on　the　ground。
　
　Richard　concentrated　on　controlling　his　breathing　to　keep　from　making　a　sound　as　he　glided　closer。　Moving；　stopping；　moving　again；　he　approached　ever　closer。　His　hand　reached　out。　Inches　from　the　spear；　he　froze　as　the　head　turned。
　
　The　figure　sprang　up；　but　Richard　was　close　enough。　He　snatched　the　spear　away。　As　the　man　whirled；　Richard　spun　the　spear　and　whacked　him　across　the　side　of　the　head。　He　went　down　before　he　had　a　chance　to　raise　an　alarm。
　
　One　down；　Richard　thought　as　he　straightened；　and　without　having　to　kill　him。　At　least；　he　hoped　he　hadn’t　killed　him。
　
　Slipping　out　of　the　darkness；　a　figure　appeared。　To　the　side；　another。　And　then　another。　Richard　turned　about　and　saw　more　appearing。　Before　he　could　move　away；　he　was　surrounded。
　
　The　forms　were　wrapped　in　bark…colored　loose　clothes　so　they　would　blend　in　with　the　surrounding　country。　Cloth　wound　around　their　heads　hid　all　but　their　dark　eyes；　which　shined　with　grim　determination。
　
　There　was　nowhere　to　run。　Richard　sidestepped　into　the　clearing　as　the　circle　of　forms　moved　with　him。　More　were　closing　in　all　about。　Richard　turned；　watching　them　as　they　formed　two　rings　around　him。
　
　Maybe　he　could　still　do　this　without　killing。　‘Who　speaks　for　you？’
　
　The　inner　ring　of　robed　figures　dropped　their　round　shields　and　cast　their　extra　spears　to　the　ground；　points　toward　Richard。　Each　clasped　their　remaining　spear　in　two　hands　like　a　staff。　Their　eyes　never　left　him。　The　outer　ring　of　warriors　cast　their　shields　and　all　their　spears　to　the　ground　and　put　their　hands　to　their　sword　hilts；　but　didn’t　draw　them。
　
　A　soft　rhythmic　chant　began；　and　the　two　circles　slowly　began　moving　in　opposite　directions。
　
　Richard　walked　backward　in　a　tight　circle；　trying　to　keep　watch　on　all　of　them。　‘Who　speaks　for　you！’
　
　The　slow　chant　continued　in　time　with　their　sideways　steps。
　
　A　figure　wrapped　from　head　to　foot　like　the　others　rose　up　on　a　rock　beyond　the　outer　circle。
　
　‘I　am　Du　Chaillu。　I　speak　for　the　Baka　Ban　Mana。’
　
　Richard　could　hardly　believe　this　was　happening。　rDu　Chaillu；　I　saved　your　life。　Why　would　you　want　to　murder　us？’
　
　The　Baka　Ban　Mana　are　not　here　to　murder　you。　We　are　here　to　execute　you　for　stealing　our　sacred　lands。’
　
　‘Du　Chaillu；　I’ve　never　even　seen　your　land　before。　I　had　nothing　to　do　with　whatever　happened。’
　
　‘Magic　men　took　our　lands　from　us。　They　laid　down　our　laws。　You　are　a　magic　man。　You　bear　the　sins　of　those　magic　men　before　you。　You　even　bear　their　mark；　to　prove　it。　You　must　do　as　all　before；　who　we　could　catch。　You　must　face　the　circle。　You　must　die。’
　
　‘Du　Chaillu；　I　told　you　the　killing　must　stop。’
　
　‘It　is　easy　to　proclaim　the　killing　must　end；　when　you　are　the　one　about　to　die。’
　
　‘How　dare　you　say　that　to　me！　I　risked　my　life　to　stop　the　killing！　I　risked　my　life　for　you！’
　
　She　spoke　softly。　‘I　know；　Richard。　For　that　I　will　always　honor　you。　I　would　have　borne　your　sons；　had　you　asked　it　of　me。　I　would　lay　my　life　down　for　you。　For　what　you　have　done；　you　will　live　on　as　a　hero　to　my　people。　I　will　tie　a　prayer　to　my　dress；　that　the　spirits　take　you　tenderly　to　their　hearts。
　
　‘But　you　are　a　magic　man。　The　old　law　says　that　we　must　practice　every　day；　and　be　better　with　a　blade　than　any　other　people　born。　We　have　been　told　that　we　must　kill　every　magic　man　we　can　catch；　or　the　Spirit　of　the　Dark　will　take　the　world　of　life　into　the　dark。’
　
　‘You　can’t　go　on　killing　magic　men；　or　anyone　else！　It　must　stop！’
　
　The　killing　cannot　end　because　of　what　you　have　done。　It　can　only　end　when　the　spirits　dance　with　us。’
　
　‘What　does　that　mean？’
　
　‘It　means　we　must　kill　you　or　what　has　been　spoken　will　be　brought　to　pass　…　the　Dark　Spirit　will　escape　his　prison。’
　
　Richard　pointed　with　the　spear。　‘Du　Chaillu；　I　don’t　want　to　kill　any　of　you；　but　I　will　defend　myself。　Please　stop　now；　before　anyone　else　is　hurt。　Don’t　make　me　kill　any　of　you。　Please。’
　
　‘Had　you　tried　to　run；　we　would　have　put　spe