tg.stone of tears-第169章

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es　of　shimmering　light　knocked　them　from　the　walls　at　the　end；　but　they　missed　the　boys。　Growling　in　anger；　the　Sisters　parted；　one　dashing　after　each　boy。
　
　Richard　waited　until　they　had　turned　the　corner；　and　then　he　stepped　away　from　the　wall；　letting　his　concentration　relax；　letting　the　cape　return　to　black。　He　wondered　what　it　would　look　like　if　someone　were　to　see　it　happen；　to　see　a　person　seem　to　materialize　out　of　the　air。
　
　The　outer　room　was　empty。　Before　the　door　between　the　desks；　the　air　seemed　to　sparkle　and　hum。　Experimentally；　Richard　put　his　hand　into　it。　The　air　felt　thick；　but　it　seemed　to　have　no　harmful　effect。　He　pressed　himself　through　the　sparkles　and　went　through　the　door　beyond。
　
　The　room　inside；　not　quite　as　large　as　his　own　outer　room；　was　dimly　lit；　and　paneled　in　rich；　dark　wood。　In　the　center　sat　a　heavy　walnut　table　piled　with　papers　and　books；　and　three　candles。　Down　the　length　to　each　side　were　floor…to…ceiling　bookshelves　crammed　full　of　disheveled　books；　and　a　few　other　odd　objects。
　
　An　old　woman；　one　of　the　cleaning　staff；　in　a　heavy；　dark　gray　work　dress；　was　standing　on　a　stool；　dusting　a　top　bookshelf。　She　turned　with　surprise　as　he　came　to　a　halt。　She　glanced　to　the　door；　and　then　back　to　him。
　
　‘How　did　you　。。。’
　
　‘I’m　sorry；　ma’am。　I　didn’t　mean　to　startle　you。　I　just　came　to　see　the　Prelate。　Is　she　about？’
　
　The　woman　squatted；　her　foot　searching　for　the　floor。　Richard　gave　her　his　hand。　She　smiled　her　appreciation　as　she　brushed　a　wisp　of　graying　hair　back　from　her　face。　Most　of　it　was　drawn　into　a　loose　knot　at　the　back　of　her　head。　Once　she　was　standing　on　the　floor；　the　top　of　her　head　only　came　up　to　the　lower　tip　of　his　breastbone。　Her　body　was　on　the　wide　side；　as　if　she　had　once　been　taller；　and　a　giant　had　put　his　hand　on　the　top　of　her　head　and　squashed　her　down　a　good　foot。
　
　She　looked　up；　giving　him　a　curious　frown。　‘Did　Sisters　Ulicia　and　Finella　let　you　e　in？’
　
　‘No；’　Richard　said　as　he　looked　about　the　fortably　cluttered　room。　‘They　stepped　out。’
　
　‘But　they　would　have　left　a　shield。　。。。’
　
　‘Ma’am；　I　must　speak　to　the　Prelate。’　Across　the　room；　Richard　saw　doors　to　a　courtyard　standing　open。　‘Is　she　about？’
　
　‘Do　you　have　an　appointment？’　she　asked　in　a　quiet；　gentle　voice。
　
　‘No；’　he　admitted。　‘I’ve　been　trying　to　get　one　for　days。　Those　two　wouldn’t　cooperate；　so　I　made　my　own　appointment。’
　
　She　put　a　finger　to　her　lower　lip。　‘I　see。　But　you　must　have　an　appointment。　Those　are　the　rules。　I’m　sorry。’
　
　Richard　started　for　the　open　doors。　He　was　getting　impatient；　but　kept　his　voice　calm；　as　he　didn’t　want　to　frighten　the　old　maidservant。　‘Look；　ma’am；　I　must　see　the　Prelate；　or　we　are　all　going　to　have　an　appointment　with　the　Keeper　himself。’
　
　Her　eyebrows　lifted　in　wonder。　‘Reeeeally。’　She　clicked　her　tongue。　‘The　Keeper；　is　it。　My；　my；　my。’
　
　Richard　stopped　suddenly。　He　winced　and　let　out　a　groan。　He　turned　on　his　heel。
　
　‘You’re　the　Prelate；　aren’t　you？’
　
　An　impish　grin　came　to　her　face；　her　eyes　twinkling　with　it。　‘Yes；　Richard；　I　guess　I　am。’
　
　‘You　know　who　I　am？’
　
　She　chuckled。　‘Oh；　yes；　I　know。’
　
　Richard　sighed。　‘So　you’re　the　one　who　runs　this　place？’
　
　She　laughed　louder。　As　I　hear　it　told；　you　seem　to　be　running　it　now。　Been　here　hardly　a　month；　and　you　have　half　the　palace　wound　around　your　will。　I’ve　been　thinking　about　asking　for　an　appointment　to　see　you。’
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　friendly　scowl。　‘I　would　have　granted　it。’
　
　‘I’ve　been　looking　forward　to　meeting　you。’　She　patted　his　arm。　‘From　now　on；　you　may　e　to　see　me　whenever　you　wish。’
　
　‘Then　why　wouldn’t　you　let　me　in　before？’
　
　She　folded　her　hands　together　beneath　her　ample；　rounded　breasts。　‘A　test；　my　boy。　A　test。’　She　smiled　up　at　him。　‘I　am　impressed。　I　expected　it　to　take　you　another　six　or　eight　months　yet。’
　
　The　door　burst　open。　Richard　was　jerked　from　his　feet；　yanked　back　by　his　collar；　and　smacked　up　against　the　wall。　He　was　stuck　tight；　the　wind　knocked　from　his　lungs。　Two　irate　Sisters　stood　just　inside　the　doorway　with　their　fists　on　their　hips。
　
　‘Now；　now；’　the　Prelate　said；　‘stop　that；　you　two。　Let　the　boy　down。’
　
　Richard　thumped　to　the　ground；　glaring　at　the　two　Sisters。　‘I　am　the　one　who　talked　those　two　boys　into　doing　as　they　did。　What　they　did　is　my　fault。　If　there　is　any　revenge；　it　had　better　be　against　me；　and　not　them。　If　you　harm　them；　you　will　answer　to　me。’
　
　One　of　the　Sisters　took　a　step　toward　him。　Their　punishment　has　already　been　ordered。　This　time；　for　once；　they　will　learn　a　lesson。’　She　angrily　pointed　a　stout　rod　at　him。　‘You　are　going　to　have　your　own　punishment　to　worry　about。’
　
　‘Yes；　Sister　Ulicia；’　the　Prelate　said；　‘I　think　punishment　is　in　order。’　The　Sister　gave　Richard　a　self…satisfied　smile。　‘Yours；’　the　Prelate　said。
　
　Sister　Ulicia　gaped。　‘Prelate　Annalina？’
　
　‘Did　I　not　give　you　specific　instructions　that　Richard　was　not　to　be　allowed　in　here？’
　
　The　two　Sisters　straightened。　‘Yes；　Prelate　Annalina。’
　
　And　here　he　is。　Standing　in　my　office。’
　
　Sister　Ulicia　pointed　at　the　door。　‘But。。。　we　left　a　shield！　He　could　not　。。。’
　
　‘Oh？　Could　not？’　The　Sister’s　hand　dropped　at　seeing　the　Prelate’s　wrinkled　brow。　‘Seems　I　see　him　standing　here。　Do　I　not；　Sisters？’
　
　‘Yes；　Prelate　Annalina；’　the　two　said　as　one。
　
　‘And　so　now　your　idea　is　to　reward　your　own　failure　by　going　back　to　your　posts；　as　if　nothing　had　happened；　and　punish　their　success？’　The　Prelate　clicked　her　tongue。　‘You　two　will　take　the　punishment　you　have　ordered　for　the　two　boys。’
　
　The　Sisters　blanched。　‘But　Prelate　。。。’　the　second　whispered。　‘You　can’t　have　that　done　to　a　Sister。’
　
　‘Really；　Sister　Finella？　What　did　you　order　for　the　boys？’
　
　To　have　their　bottoms　strapped　。。。　publicly　。。。　tomorrow　morning；　after　breakfast。’
　
　‘That　sounds　fair。　You　two　will　take　their　place。’
　
　‘But　Prelate；’　Sister　Ulicia　whispered　in　astonishment。　‘We　are　Sisters　of　the　Light。　That　would　be　humiliating。’
　
　‘Learning　humility　never　harmed　anyone。　We　are　all　humble　before　the　Creator。　For　your　failure；　you　will　be　strapped　in　their　place。’
　
　Sister　Ulicia　stiffened。　‘And　if　we　fail　to　submit；　Prelate　Annalina？’
　
　The　Prelate　smiled。　Then　you　would　be　telling　me　that　you　no　longer　deserve　to　be　trusted；　and　further；　that　you　no　longer　wish　to　be　Sisters　of　the　Light。’
　
　They　both　bowed。　When　the　door　closed　behind　them；　Richard　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　the　Prelate。
　
　‘I　hope　never　to　get　on　your　wrong　side；　Prelate　Annalina。’
　
　She　chuckled。　‘Please；　call　me　Ann。　That　is　what　my　old　acquaintances　call　me。’
　
　‘I’d　be　honored　to　call　you　Ann；　Prelate；　but　I’m　not　an　old　acquaintance。’
　
　‘You　think　not？’　She　smiled。　‘My；　what　a　knowledgeable　boy。　Well；　no　matter。　Call　me　Ann；　anyway。　Do　you　know　why　I　punished　them？　Because　you　took　responsibility　for　your　actions。　They　did　not　recognize　the　importance　of　that。　You　are　learning　to　be　a　wizard。’
　
　‘What　do　you　mean？’
　
　‘You　knew　it　was　dangerous　to　cross　those　two；　did　you　not？’　Richard　nodded。　‘Yet　you　used　those　boys；　knowing　that　it　was　a　possibility　they　could　be　hurt。’
　
　‘Yes；　but　I　had　to　do　it。　It’s　that　important；　and　it　was　the　only　thing　I　could　think　of。’
　
　The　burden　of　a　wizard。　That’s　what　it　is　called。　Using　people。　A　wise　wizard　understands　that　he　cannot　do　everything　himself；　and　that　if　the　matter　is　important　enough；　he　must　use　other　people　to　acplish　what　must　be　done。　Even　if　it　is　to　cost　those　other　people　their　lives。　It’s　a　rare　ability；　and　vital　to　being　a　good　wizard。　Perhaps；　to　being　a　Prelate；　too。’
　
　‘Ann；　it’s　urgent。　I　must　speak　with　you。’
　
　‘Urgent；　is　it？　Well；　then；　why　don’t　we　go　for　a　walk　in　my　garden；　and　we　can　talk　about　this　urgent　business。’
　
　She　placed　her　arm　in　his；　and　walked　him　through　the　open　doorway。　Outside；　in　the　moonlight；　was　a　grand；　expansive　courtyard；　with　trees；　paths；　flower　beds；　wild　areas；　and　a　lovely　pond。　The　beauty　of　the　garden　didn’t　register　in　Richard’s　mind。　He　had　hardly　been　able　to　eat　or　sleep　since　he　had　had　his　talk　with　Warren。　If　the　Keeper　escaped；　he　would　have　everyone；　including　Kahlan。　Richard　had　to　do　something。
　
　‘Ann；　there　is　great　trouble　in　the　world。　I　need　your　help。　I　need　this　collar　off　so　I　may　go　help。’
　
　That’s　what　I　am　here　for；　Richard。　To　help。　What　is　the　trouble？’
　
　The　Keeper　。。。’
　
　The　Nameless　One；’　she　corrected。
　
　‘What　difference　does　it　make？’
　
　‘Calling　him　by　his　name　calls　his　attention。’
　
　‘Ann；　it’s　just　a　word。　It’s　the　meaning　of　the　word　that　matters；　not　an　arrangement　of　letters。　Do　you　think　that　when　you　call　the　Keeper　the　Nameless　One；　instead；　that　he　would　be　fooled　into　thinking　you　weren’t　speaking　of　him？　It’s　a　mistake　to　assume　your　enemies　are　ignorant；　and　you　are　clever。’
　
　A　hearty　laugh　rose　from　in　her　chest。　‘I　have　been　waiting　for　a　very　long　time　for　someone　to　figure　that　out。’
　
　She　paused　with　him　at　the　edge　of　the　pond；　and　he　asked；　‘What　is　‘the　pebble　in　the　pond’？’
　
　She　gazed　out　over　the　water。　‘You　are　one；　Richard。’
　
　‘You　mean　there　are　more　than　one？’
　
　A　small　stone　floated　through　the　air；　up　into　her　hand。
　
　‘Everyone　has　an　effect　on　others。　Some　people　inspire　others　to　do　great　things。　Some　take　people　into　crime　with　them。　Those　with　the　gift　affect　those　around　them　even　more。　The　stronger　the　Han；　the　stronger　the　effect。’
　
　‘What　does　that　have　to　do　with　me？　What　does　that　have　to　do　with　a　pebble　in　a　pond？’
　
　‘You　see　all　the　duck　weed　floating　on　the　surface？　Say　that’s　the　other　people；　the　world　of　life；　and　this　pebble　is　you。’　She　tossed　the　stone　into　the　pond。　‘See　what　happens？　The　ripples　caused　by　you　affect　everyone　else。　Without　you；　all　those　ripples　would　not　have　happened。’
　
　‘So　they　float　up　and　down；　on　the　ripples。　But　the　stone　sank。’
　
　She　gave　him　a　humorless　grin。　‘Don’t　ever　forget　that。’
　
　The　answer　gave　him　pause。　‘I　think　you　invest　too　much　faith　in　me。　You　don’t　know　anything　about　me。’
　
　‘Perhaps　more　than　you　think；　child。　And　what　is　it　that　concerns　you　about　the　Keeper？’
　
　‘Something　must　be　done。　He’s　about　to　escape。　One　of　the　boxes　of　Orden　has　been　opened；　the　gateway　is　open。　The　Stone　of　Tears　is　in　this　world。　I　need　to　do　something。’
　
　‘Ahh。’　She　smiled　as　she　drifted　to　a　stop。　‘So　you；　who　was　just　thrown　up　against　a　wall　by　the　Han　of　a　mere　Sister；　wants　to　go　off　and　battle　the　Keeper　himself？’
　
　‘But　things　have　happened。　Something　must　be　done。’
　
　‘I　see　you　have　been　talking　to　Warren。　A　very　bright　young　man；　Warren。　He　is　still　young；　though。　Sometimes　he　needs　direction。　Guidance。’　She　tipped　a　branch　closer。　‘He　studies　hard；　and　loves　those　books。　I　think　he　must　know　every　smudge　on　them。’
　
　She　was　inspecting　a　flo