tg.stone of tears-第163章

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　I　have　an　early　session　with　the　council。　After　I　meet　with　the　council；　I　want　Lady　Jebra　brought　to　me。’
　
　The　guards　saluted　and　bent　to　Lady　Jebra。
　
　When　Kahlan　reached　her　room；　she　was　brought　out　of　her　troubled　thoughts　by　the　sight　of　two　Keltish　guards；　from　the　Kelton　Palace；　at　the　doors　to　her　room。　When　the　guards　saw　her；　one　of　them　coolly　tapped　on　the　door　with　the　butt　of　his　spear。　Someone　was　in　her　rooms。　Kahlan　glared　at　the　impassive　guards　as　she　stalked　through　the　doors。
　
　No　one　was　in　the　outer　room。　She　stormed　into　the　bedroom。　When　she　saw　him；　she　froze　to　a　halt。　Prince　Fyren　was　standing　on　her　bed；　with　his　back　to　her。
　
　He　gave　her　a　smirk　over　his　shoulder　while　he　urinated　in　the　center　of　her　bed。
　
　When　he　was　finished；　Prince　Fyren　turned　while　he　buttoned　his　trousers。
　
　‘What　in　the　name　of　the　spirits　do　you　think　you　are　doing？’　she　whispered。
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　her　as　he　strutted　past。　‘Just　letting　the　Mother　Confessor　know　how　happy　we　all　are　to　have　her　home。’　His　coat　was　open。　He　smoothed　the　ruffles　on　the　front　of　his　white　shirt　as　he　paused　at　the　door。　‘Sleep　well；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　Kahlan　yanked　six　times　on　the　bell　cord。　Six　breathless　maidservants　met　her　as　she　was　charging　down　the　hall。
　
　‘You　wanted　something；　Mother　Confessor？’
　
　Kahlan　gritted　her　teeth。　‘Take　my　mattress　and　bedcovers　outside　to　the　courtyard　and　burn　them。’
　
　The　girl　blinked。　‘Mother　Confessor？’
　
　‘Drag　the　mattress　from　my　bed；　along　with　all　the　bedcovers；　out　into　the　courtyard　below　my　balcony；　and　set　them　on　fire。’　Kahlan　clenched　her　fists。　‘What　part　don’t　you　understand！’
　
　The　six　flinched　back　a　step。　‘Yes；　Mother　Confessor。’　They　stood　trembling；　their　eyes　wide。　‘Now；　Mother　Confessor？’
　
　‘If　I　wanted　it　done　tomorrow；　I　would　have　called　you　tomorrow！’
　
　Kahlan　reached　the　stairs　over　grand　entrance　just　in　time　to　see　Prince　Fyren　joining　the　man　in　plain　robes　waiting　there　for　him。　His　dark　eyes　met　hers　for　a　long　moment。
　
　‘Guards！’　She　screamed　down　toward　the　doors。　The　men　in　uniform　looked　up　as　they　came　running。　‘Diplomatic　privilege　is　suspended！　If　I　see　that　Keltish　pig　or　any　of　his　personal　guard　in　this　palace　before　the　council　session　tomorrow　morning；　I　will　personally　skin　you　all　alive　after　I　kill　him！’
　
　They　saluted。　Kahlan　saw　Lady　Ordith　in　the　hall　leading　to　the　entrance；　watching　everything　that　had　just　happened。
　
　‘Lady　Ordith。’　Lady　Ordith　was　already　staring　up。　‘I　believe　you　said　you　were　a　guest　of　the　Kelton　Palace。　Get　out　of　mine。’
　
　She　was　stammering　her　good…byes　as　Kahlan　spun　on　her　heel　and　headed　back　to　her　room。　She　picked　up　a　handful　of　guards　on　the　way。
　
　Outside　her　rooms；　she　waited　until　they　were　lined　up　before　her　doors。　‘If　anyone　es　into　my　room　tonight；　it　had　better　be　over　your　corpses。　Do　you　understand？’
　
　They　all　saluted　to　indicate　that　they　did。　Inside；　Kahlan　threw　the　white　mantle　around　her　shoulders　and　went　out　onto　the　balcony；　into　the　bitter　cold　night。　She　stood　with　her　back　straight；　near　the　railing；　as　she　looked　down　on　the　scene　in　the　courtyard　below。
　
　She　wanted　to　run；　but　she　couldn’t。　She　was　the　Mother　Confessor。　She　had　to　do　what　all　the　Mother　Confessors　before　her　had　done　…　protect　the　Midlands。　She　was　alone；　and　had　no　one　to　help　her　in　her　duty。
　
　Tears　rolled　down　her　cheeks　as　she　watched　flames　leap　up　from　her　bed；　the　bed　she　had　promised　Richard。
　
　
　CHAPTER　58
　
　The　reflections　of　the　Mother　Confessor；　in　her　white　dress；　rotated　around　the　polished　black　columns　as　she　marched　down　the　gallery；　the　Mother　Confessor’s　private　entrance　to　the　council　chambers。　Kahlan　was　an　hour　early。　She　planned　to　be　sitting　in　the　First　Chair　as　she　watched　all　the　councilors　arrive。　She　didn’t　want　them　talking　among　themselves　before　she　was　present。
　
　She　froze　to　a　halt　as　she　threw　the　doors　open。　The　room　was　packed。　Every　council　chair　was　occupied。　The　galleries　were　all　packed　with　people　…　not　only　officials；　administrators；　staff；　and　nobility；　but　ordinary　people：　farmers；　shopkeepers；　merchants；　cooks；　tradesmen；　wagon　drivers；　and　laborers。　Men　and　women　of　every　sort。　Every　eye　was　on　her　as　she　stood　before　the　doors。
　
　Across　the　huge　room；　the　councilors　all　sat　in　their　chairs。　No　one　made　a　sound。　Someone　was　sitting　in　the　First　Chair。　From　this　distance；　she　couldn’t　see　who　it　was；　but　she　knew。
　
　Kahlan　touched　her　fingers　to　the　bone　necklace　at　her　throat　and　prayed　to　the　good　spirits　for　protection　and　strength。　Her　boots　echoed　off　the　marble　as　she　strode　through　patches　of　sunlight。　There　was　something　on　the　floor　before　the　dais；　but　she　couldn’t　tell　what　it　was。
　
　When　Kahlan　reached　the　curved　desk；　the　man　sitting　in　the　First　Chair　was　not　the　one　she　expected。　Stretched　out　on　a　litter　before　the　dais　lay　the　body　of　Prince　Fyren。　His　skin　was　pasty。　His　arms　were　folded；　his　hands　laid　over　the　blood…soaked　ruffles　of　his　shirt。　His　sword　rested　across　his　body。　Prince　Fyren’s　throat　had　been　sliced　open　nearly　to　his　spinal　column。
　
　Kahlan　looked　up　to　the　solemn；　dark　eyes　watching　her。　He　came　forward　from　the　back　of　the　First　Chair　and　folded　his　hands　together　on　the　desk。　A　quick　glance　revealed　what　she　hadn’t　noticed　before：　a　ring　of　guards　around　the　room。
　
　She　glared　up　at　the　man　with　the　dark　hair　and　beard。　‘Get　out　of　my　chair；　or　I　will　kill　you　myself。’
　
　The　room　rang　with　the　sound　of　swords　being　drawn。　Without　taking　his　dark　eyes　from　her；　the　man　gestured　with　a　flick　of　his　hand。　Every　sword　went　hesitantly　back　into　its　scabbard。
　
　‘You　are　done　killing　people；　Mother　Confessor；’　he　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　‘Prince　Fyren　was　your　last　victim。’
　
　Kahlan　frowned。　‘Who　are　you？’
　
　‘Neville　Ranson。’　Still；　his　eyes　did　not　leave　her　as　he　turned　his　hand　up。　A　ball　of　flame　ignited　above　his　palm。　‘Wizard　Neville　Ranson。’
　
　Still；　his　eyes　did　not　leave　her　as　he　cast　the　ball　of　flame　skyward。　It　rose　obediently　toward　the　peak　of　the　dome；　where　it　broke；　with　a　pop；　into　thousands　of　sparkles。　Astonished　gasps　filled　the　room。
　
　Wizard　Ranson　leaned　back　and　drew　open　a　scroll。　‘We　have　a　great　many　charges；　Mother　Confessor。　Where　would　you　like　to　begin？’
　
　Without　turning　her　head；　Kahlan’s　eyes　took　a　sweep　of　what　she　could　see　of　the　room。　There　was　no　chance　of　escape。　None。　Even　if　the　man　before　her　were　not　a　wizard。
　
　‘Since　they　will　all　be　invented；　I　guess　it　doesn’t　matter。　Why　don’t　we　just　dispense　with　the　mockery；　and　simply　proceed　to　the　execution。’
　
　The　room　remained　dead　silent。　Wizard　Ranson　did　not　smile。　His　eyebrows　lifted。
　
　‘Oh；　no　mockery；　Mother　Confessor；　but　serious　charges。　We　are　here　to　get　to　the　truth　of　them。　Unlike　the　Confessors；　I　refuse　to　put　an　innocent　person　to　death。　Before　we　are　finished　today；　everyone　here　will　know　the　truth　of　your　treason。　I　want　the　people　to　know　the　full　extent　of　your　vile　tyranny。’
　
　Kahlan　clasped　her　hands　together　as　she　stood　with　her　back　straight。　She　wore　her　Confessor’s　face。　The　people　all　leaned　forward　a　little。
　
　‘Since　it　is　a　long　list；’　Ranson　said；　‘we　might　as　well　begin　with　the　most　serious　charge。’　He　glanced　down。　‘Treason。’
　
　‘And　since　when　is　defending　the　people　of　the　Midlands　treason？’
　
　Wizard　Ranson　slammed　his　fist　to　the　desk　as　he　shot　to　his　feet。　‘Defending　the　people　of　the　Midlands！　I　have　never　in　my　life　heard　such　filth　from　the　mouth　of　a　woman！’　He　smoothed　his　tan　robes　at　his　stomach　and　then　sat　back　down。　‘Your　‘defense’　of　the　people　was　to　plunge　them　into　war。　You　would　condemn　thousands　to　die；　to　assuage　your　dread　that　someone　other　than　yourself　would　rule。　And　rule　with　the　unanimous　agreement　of　the　council；　I　might　add。’
　
　‘It　is　hardly　unanimous　if　the　Mother　Confessor　dissents。’
　
　‘Dissents　for　her　own　selfish　motives。’
　
　‘And　who　is　it　that　you　would　have　rule　the　Midlands？　Kelton？　Yourself？’
　
　The　saviors　of　all　people。　The　Imperial　Order。’
　
　A　prickling　sensation　rose　up　her　legs。　Kahlan　felt　as　if　the　whole　of　the　dome　overhead　were　collapsing　down　on　her。　Her　head　spun。　She　thought　she　might　be　sick　right　there；　in　front　of　everyone。　She　forced　her　stomach　to　behave。
　
　‘The　Imperial　Order！　The　Imperial　Order　slaughtered　Ebi…nissia！　They　crush　all　opposition　to　steal　rule　for　themselves！’
　
　‘Lies。　The　Imperial　Order　is　dedicated　to　benevolent　rule。　They　simply　wish　to　put　your　murderous　intents　to　an　end。’
　
　‘Benevolent！　They　raped　and　butchered　the　people　of　Ebinissia！’
　
　Ranson　chuckled。　‘e；　e；　Mother　Confessor。　The　Imperial　Order　has　murdered　no　one。’　He　turned　to　a　man　Kahlan　didn’t　recognize。　‘Councilor　Thurstan；　has　your　crown　city　been　harmed　by　anyone？’
　
　The　jowly　man　looked　surprised。　‘I　have　just　arrived　two　days　ago　from　the　beautiful　city　of　Ebinissia；　and　they　know　nothing　of　their　slaughter。’
　
　The　crowd　chuckled　with　him。　Ranson　smiled　petulantly　at　her。
　
　‘Did　you　not　expect；　Mother　Confessor；　that　we　would　have　witnesses　to　expose　your　preposterous　stories？　This　is　simply　a　fiction　meant　to　inflame　people’s　fears；　and　stir　them　to　war。’
　
　Ranson　snapped　his　fingers。　A　woman　in　drab；　worn　clothes　came　in　and　stood　to　the　side。　Ranson　gently　told　her　not　to　be　frightened；　and　to　tell　her　story。　The　woman　told　of　how　her　children　had　to　go　to　bed　hungry；　because　she　had　no　money。　She　said　she　had　been　forced　into　prostitution　to　feed　her　children。　Kahlan　knew　it　was　a　lie。　There　was　no　scarcity　of　charitable　people　and　groups　who　would　help　anyone　truly　needing　it。
　
　For　the　next　hour；　one　witness　after　another　was　paraded　in；　and　each　told　a　story　of　hunger　and　want；　and　how　the　palace　would　not　give　them　money　to　feed　and　clothe　themselves；　not　caring　if　their　children　starved。　The　people　in　the　balconies　listened　with　rapt　attention　to　the　sad　stories；　some　weeping　with　the　witnesses。
　
　Kahlan　recognized　a　few　of　the　people　testifying。　She　remembered　Mistress　Sanderholt　offering　them　work　in　the　past。　She　had　told　Kahlan　that　when　they　had　e　in；　they　scoffed　at　the　things　they　were　asked　to　do。　Mistress　Sander…holt　ended　up　having　to　do　many　of　the　tasks　herself。
　
　Wizard　Ranson　rose　to　his　feet；　after　the　last　witness　had　told　his　tearful　story；　and　turned　to　each　side；　addressing　the　people　gathered。　The　Mother　Confessor　has　a　vast　treasury；　and　she　intended　to　use　it　to　finance　a　war　against　the　people　of　the　Midlands　who　would　wish　to　be　free　of　her　rule。　She　first　takes　the　food　from　your　mouths；　and　the　mouths　of　your　children；　and　then；　to　keep　you　from　thinking　about　the　gnawing　hunger　in　your　gut；　invents　an　enemy；　and　starts　a　war　with　your　hard…earned　money；　which　she　has　stolen　for　her　already　wealthy　friends。
　
　‘While　you　people　go　hungry；　she　eats　well！　While　you　need　clothes；　she　would　buy　weapons！　While　your　sons　would　bleed　to　death　in　battle；　she　loun