tg.stone of tears-第141章

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　As　they　rode；　he　kept　glancing　toward　the　Hagen　Woods。　He　felt　a　longing　for　that　gloomy　place；　as　if　it　plemented　his　dark　mood；　as　if　he　belonged　in　there。　He　found　it　hard　to　draw　his　eyes　away。
　
　Up　close；　the　streets　of　Tanimura　were　not　the　orderly　place　they　appeared　from　a　distance。　The　fringes　of　the　city　were　a　confusion　of　squalor。　Men　pushing　or　pulling　carts　laden　with　loads　of　rice　sacks；　or　carpets；　or　firewood；　or　hides；　or　even　garbage；　wove　around　and　past　each　other；　sometimes　clogging　the　way。　Lining　the　road　were　hawkers　of　every　sort；　selling　everything　from　fruits　and　vegetables　and　strips　of　meat　cooked　on　little　sticks　over　tiny　smoky　fires　in　impromptu　stone　hearths；　to　herbs　and　fortunes；　to　boots　and　beads。　At　least　the　cooking　gave　spotty　relief　from　the　reeking　stench　of　tanneries。
　
　Huddled　groups　of　men　in　worn；　dirty　clothes　shouted　with　excitement　or　burst　into　laughter　around　games　of　cards　and　dice。　Side　streets　and　narrow　alleyways　were　clogged　with　people　and　lined　with　ramshackle　huts　of　tarp　and　tin。　Naked　children　ran　and　played　among　the　flimsy　shelters；　splashing　in　muddy　puddles　and　chasing　each　other　in　games　of　catch…the…fox。　Women　squatted　around　buckets；　washing　clothes　and　chatting　among　themselves。
　
　Sister　Verna　muttered　to　herself　that　she　didn’t　remember　the　squalor　and　the　unhoused　multitudes。　Richard　thought　that；　despite　their　condition；　they　looked　happier　than　they　had　a　right　to。
　
　Despite　having　lived　out…of…doors；　and　being　a　little　dirty　and　rumpled；　Sister　Verna；　pared　to　these　people；　looked　like　royalty。　Anyone　ing　close　bowed　in　reverence　to　the　Sister；　and　she　prayed　for　the　Creator’s　blessing　on　them　in　return。
　
　The　timeworn　buildings；　some　faced　with　faded；　crumbling　plaster；　some　with　age…darkened　wood；　were　just　as　packed　as　the　streets。　Colorful　wash　hung　from　the　rusty　iron　railings　of　nearly　every　tiny　balcony。　A　few　held　pots　of　flowers　or　herbs。　Laughter　and　the　hum　of　conversation　came　from　taverns　and　inns。　A　butcher　shop　displayed　fly…covered　carcasses　on　the　street　out　front。　Other　shops　sold　dried　fish；　or　grain；　or　oils。
　
　The　farther　he　and　the　Sister　went；　the　cleaner　the　city　became。　The　road　widened；　even　the　side　streets　were　wider；　and　none　had　huts　leaning　against　the　buildings。　The　shops　had　bigger　windows　with　painted　shutters；　and　better…looking　wares；　many　displaying　colorful；　locally　woven　carpets。　By　the　time　the　wide　road　became　lined　with　trees；　the　buildings　were　grand。　The　inns　looked　elegant；　with　doormen　standing　in　red　uniforms　before　them。
　
　On　the　stone　bridge　over　the　Kern；　men　were　lighting　lamps　hung　on　poles　to　show　the　way　in　the　gathering　darkness。　In　the　river；　below　the　bridge；　fishermen　in　small　boats　with　lanterns　rowed　through　the　dark　water。　Soldiers　in　ornate　uniforms　with　gold…trimmed　white　shirts　and　red　tunics；　and　carrying　polearms；　patrolled　each　side　of　the　river。　As　the　horses’　hooves　clopped　along　the　cobblestone；　Sister　Verna　finally　spoke。
　
　‘It’s　a　great　day；　at　the　palace；　when　a　new　one　with　the　gift　arrives。’　She　cast　him　a　brief；　sideways　glance。　‘It’s　a　rare　and　joyous　event。　They　will　be　happy　to　see　you；　Richard；　please　remember　that。　To　them；　this　is　an　event　of　note　in　their　calling。　Though　you　feel　differently；　their　hearts　will　be　warmed　by　the　sight　of　you。　They　will　want　you　to　feel　wele。’
　
　Richard　thought　otherwise。　‘Make　your　point。’
　
　‘I　just　did。　They　will　be　delighted。’
　
　‘What　you　are　saying；　in　other　words；　is　you　would　like　me　not　to　horrify　them　right　off。’
　
　‘I　didn’t　say　that。’　She　glanced　with　a　small　frown　at　the　soldiers　guarding　the　bridge。　She　finally　looked　back　to　him。　‘I　am　simply　asking　you　to　realize　that　these　women　live　for　this　very　thing。’
　
　Richard　stared　ahead　as　he　rode　past　more　guards　in　dress　uniforms。　A　wise　person；　a　person　I　love；　told　me　once　that　we　all　can　only　be　who　we　are；　no　more；　and　no　less。’　His　gaze　swept　the　top　of　the　wall　ahead；　noting　the　soldiers　there；　and　what　arms　they　carried。　‘I’m　the　bringer　of　death；　and　I　have　nothing　to　live　for。’
　
　‘That’s　not　true；　Richard；’　she　said　in　a　quiet　tone。　‘You’re　a　young　man；　and　you　have　much　to　live　for。　You　have　a　long　life　ahead　of　you。　And　though　you　may　have　named　yourself　the　bringer　of　death；　I　have　seen　you　do　nothing　but　strive　to　stop　the　killing。　Sometimes　you　will　not　listen；　and　make　matters　worse；　but　it’s　through　ignorance；　not　malice。’
　
　‘Since　you　abhor　lies；　Sister；　I’m　sure　you　wouldn’t　want　me　to　pretend　to　feel　other　than　I　do。’
　
　She　sighed　as　they　went　through　a　huge　gate　in　the　thick；　outer　bailey　wall；　the　horses’　hooves　echoing　inside　the　long；　arched　opening。　Beyond；　the　road　meandered　among　low；　spreading　trees。　Windows　in　the　buildings　rising　up　all　around　were　aglow　with　soft　yellow　light。　Many　of　the　buildings　were　connected　by　covered　colonnades；　or　enclosed　halls　with　arched　openings　covered　over　with　latticework。　Benches　dotted　the　far　side　of　the　courtyard；　against　a　wall　with　a　frieze　carved　with　figures　on　horses。
　
　Through　archways　with　white…painted　gates；　they　came　to　the　stables。　Horses　browsed　in　a　field　beyond。　Boys　dressed　in　neat　livery；　with　black　vests　over　tan　shirts；　came　to　hold　the　horses　as　he　and　the　Sister　dismounted。　Richard　gave　Bonnie’s　neck　a　scratch　and　then　started　taking　down　his　belongings。
　
　Sister　Verna　brushed　out　the　wrinkles　in　her　divided　riding　skirt　and　straightened　her　light　cloak。　She　fussed　at　her　curly　hair。　‘No　need　for　that；　Richard。　Someone　will　bring　your　things。’
　
　‘No　one　touches　my　things　but　me；’　he　said。
　
　She　sighed　and　shook　her　head；　and　then　told　the　boy　to　have　her　things　brought　in。　He　bowed　to　her；　and　then　hooked　a　lead　line　on　Jessup。　He　gave　a　sharp　snap　on　the　line。　Jessup　balked。
　
　The　boy　brought　a　whip　around　on　the　Jessup’s　rump。　‘Move；　you　dumb　beast！’
　
　Jessup　bellowed　as　he　tried　to　yank　his　head　away。
　
　The　next　thing　Richard　knew；　the　boy　was　flying　across　the　walkway。　He　slammed　up　against　a　flimsy　wooden　wall　and　landed　on　his　seat；　as　a　glowering　Sister　Verna　loomed　over　him。
　
　‘Don’t　you　dare　whip　that　horse！　What’s　the　matter　with　you？　How　would　you　like　it　if　I　did　that　to　you？’　In　shock；　the　boy　shook　his　head。　‘If　I　ever　hear　of　you　whipping　a　horse　again；　you　will　be　without　a　job；　after　I　whip　your　skinny　bottom。’
　
　The　wide…eyed　lad　gave　a　quick　nod　and　apology。　Sister　Verna　glared　a　moment　longer　and　then　turned；　whistling　for　her　horse。　When　Jessup　trotted　up；　she　scratched　him　under　his　chin；　forting　and　calming　him。　She　led　him　inside　to　a　stall　and　saw　that　he　had　water　and　hay。　Richard　made　sure　she　didn’t　see　his　smile。
　
　As　they　walked　across　the　courtyard；　she　said；　‘Just　remember；　Richard；　there　isn’t　a　Sister　here；　or　even　a　novice；　who；　while　at　the　same　time　as　she　was　yawning；　couldn’t　throw　you　across　a　room　like　that　with　her　Han。’
　
　Inside　a　wood…paneled　hall　with　long　yellow　and　blue　carpets　running　under　ornate　side　tables；　three　women　waited。　They　became　all　atwitter　at　the　sight　of　Sister　Verna。　Sister　Verna　was　a　head　shorter　than　he；　and　none　of　these　three　women　were　as　tall　as　she。　They　smoothed　their　full；　pastel　skirts；　and　tugged　at　the　white　bodices。
　
　‘Sister　Verna！’　one　cried　out　as　the　three　rushed　up。　‘Oh；　dear　Sister　Verna；　it’s　so　good　to　see　you　at　last。’
　
　A　tear　or　two　ran　down　their　rosy　faces。　Their　smiles　looked　about　to　burst　their　cheeks。　Each　looked　a　good　deal　younger　than　Sister　Verna。　She　surveyed　the　big；　wet　eyes。
　
　Sister　Verna　tenderly　stroked　the　sniffling　face　before　her。　‘Sister　Phoebe。’　She　touched　another’s　hand。　‘And　Sister　Amelia；　and　Sister　Janet。　It’s　so　good　to　see　you　again。　It　has　been　a　long　time　indeed。’
　
　The　three　giggled　with　excitement；　at　last　posing　themselves。　Sister　Phoebe’s　round　face　looked　about；　past　Richard。
　
　‘Where　is　he？　Why　haven’t　you　brought　him　in　with　you？’
　
　Sister　Verna　lifted　her　hand　toward　Richard。　This　is　he。　Richard；　these　are　friends　of　mine。　Sisters　Phoebe；　Amelia；　and　Janet。’
　
　The　smiles　transformed　into　astonished　looks。　They　blinked　as　they　took　in　his　size　and　age。　They　stared　in　open　amazement　before　finally　sputtering　over　each　other’s　words　about　how　glad　they　were　to　meet　him。　They　tore　their　eyes　from　him　at　last　and　returned　their　attention　to　Sister　Verna。
　
　‘Better　than　half　the　palace　is　waiting　to　greet　you　both；’　Sister　Phoebe　said。　‘Everyone　has　been　so　excited　since　we　received　word　that　you　would　arrive　today。’
　
　Sister　Amelia　smoothed　back　her　fine；　light　brown　hair；　flipping　back　the　ends　that　barely　brushed　her　shoulders。　‘No　other　has　been　brought　in　since　you　left　for　Richard。　All　those　years；　and　no　other。　Everyone　is　so　eager　to　meet　him。　I　guess　they　are　in　for　a　‘big’　surprise；’　she　said　as　she　blushed；　glancing　sideways　at　him。　‘Some　of　the　younger　Sisters；　especially。　A　pleasant　surprise；　I　would　say。　My；　but　he　is　big。’
　
　Richard　remembered　a　time；　when　he　was　little；　when　he　had　been　imprisoned　in　his　house　by　a　pouring　rain。　His　mother　had　some　women　friends　visiting　to　help　in　the　making　of　a　quilt；　and　to　pass　the　time　in　conversation。　As　they　sat　and　sewed　while　he　played　on　the　floor；　they　discussed　him　as　if　he　weren’t　there；　talking　about　how　he　was　growing；　and　his　mother　had　told　how　much　he　ate；　and　how　good　he　was　at　reading。　In　similar　disfort；　now；　Richard　shifted　his　pack　up　higher　on　his　shoulder。
　
　Sister　Phoebe　turned　to　him　and　just　beamed。　She　reached　out　and　touched　his　arm。　‘Listen　to　us　go　on！　We　shouldn’t　talk　about　you　like　you　weren’t　here。　Wele；　Richard。　Wele　to　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。’
　
　Richard　silently　watched　the　three　Sisters　blinking　up　at　him。　Sister　Amelia　giggled；　and　said　to　Sister　Verna；　‘He　doesn’t　talk　much；　does　he。’
　
　‘He　talks　enough；’　Sister　Verna　said。　Under　her　breath；　she　added；　Thank　the　Creator　he　is　quiet　for　now。’
　
　‘Well；’　Sister　Phoebe　said；　in　a　bright　voice。　‘Shall　we　go？’
　
　Sister　Verna　frowned　at　her。　‘Sister　Phoebe；　who　are　the　troops　I　saw；　the　ones　in　the　strange　uniforms？’
　
　Sister　Phoebe’s　brow　wrinkled　in　thought　a　moment；　then　her　eyebrows　lifted。　‘Oh；　those　troops。’　She　dismissed　it　with　a　wave。　The　government　was　overthrown；　a　few　years　back。　I　guess　it　must　have　been　while　you　were　away。　The　Old　World　has　a　new　government；　again。　We　have　an　emperor；　now；　instead　of　all　those　kings。’　She　looked　to　Sister　Janet。　‘What　is　it　they　call　themselves？’
　
　Her　brow　creased　in　thought；　Sister　Janet’s　eyes　turned　toward　the　ceiling。　‘Oh；　yes；’　she　said　in　a　demure　voice。　The　Imperial　Order。　And　you　are　quite　right；　Sister　Phoebe；　they　have　an　emperor。’　She　nodded。　‘Yes；　the　Imperial　Order；　led　by　an　emperor。’
　
　Sister　Phoebe　shook　her　head　in　wonder。　‘Such　foolishness。　Governments　e；　and　governments　go；　but　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets　always　remains。　The　Creator’s　hand　shelters　us。　Shall　we　go　greet　the　others？’
　
　Following　behind　the　three；　they　passed　through　warmly　decorated　pas