tg.stone of tears-第177章

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　Richard　stared　at　the　table　while　he　thought。　‘Do　you　know　what　an　‘agent’　is？’
　
　‘Ah。　You　must　be　talking　about　the　trouble　with　the　uping　winter　solstice。　An　agent　is　one　who　trades　favors　with　the　Keeper；　favors　such　as　the　innocent　souls　of　children；　in　return　for　knowledge　of　the　use　of　Subtractive　Magic。’
　
　He　gave　Richard　a　dark　look。　‘But　that　would　not　be　a　problem；　because　you　sent　Darken　Rahl　to　the　underworld；　where　he　has　no　power　here。　Darken　Rahl　is　in　the　underworld；　is　he　not？’
　
　Richard　felt　a　gnawing　pain　in　the　pit　of　his　stomach。　He　had　not　only　torn　the　veil；　but　in　violating　the　Second　Rule　again；　by　trying　to　help　with　a　gathering；　he　had　brought　an　agent；　Darken　Rahl；　back　to　this　world　where　he　could　act　to　tear　the　veil。　It　was　all　Richard’s　fault。　He　felt　hot　and　dizzy。　He　thought　he　might　be　sick　at　any　moment。
　
　‘Nathan；　I　have　to　get　this　collar　off。’
　
　Nathan　shrugged。　‘I　can’t　help　with　that。’
　
　Richard　had　e　here　for　a　specific　reason。　He　decided　he　had　to　try　to　get　the　answer。　He　cleared　his　throat。
　
　‘Nathan；　there　is　someone　very　important　to　me。　She　is　in　danger；　and　I　must　help。　There　is　a　prophecy　about　her　that　is　written　down；　but　it　also　came　to　me　in　a　vision。’
　
　‘Which　prophecy？’
　
　‘Of　all　there　were；　but　a　single　one　born　of　the　magic　to　bring　forth　truth　will　remain　alive　when　the　shadow’s　threat　is　lifted。。。。’
　
　In　his　deep；　powerful　voice；　Nathan　finished　the　prophecy。　‘Therefore　es　the　greater　darkness　of　the　dead。　For　there　to　be　a　chance　at　life’s　bond；　this　one　in　white　must　be　offered　to　her　people；　to　bring　their　joy　and　good　cheer。’
　
　‘Then　you　know　of　it。　Nathan；　I　saw　the　meaning　of　the　prophecy。　I　was　told　not　to　speak　of　the　vision；　but　it’s　not　a　joyful　oute　as　far　as　I’m　concerned。’
　
　‘She　is　beheaded；’　Nathan　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　That　is　the　true　meaning　of　that　prophecy。’
　
　Richard　put　his　arm　across　his　churning　stomach。　That　was　what　he　had　seen　in　the　vision。　His　world　started　spinning　again。
　
　‘Nathan；　I　have　to　get　away　from　here。　I　have　to　stop　that　from　happening。’
　
　‘Richard；　look　at　me。’　Richard　looked　up；　managing　to　hold　the　tears　back。　‘Richard；　I　must　tell　you　the　truth。　If　this　prophecy　does　not　happen；　there　is　nothing　beyond。　We　all　die。　It　will　be　the　end　of　all　life。　The　Keeper　will　have　us。
　
　‘If　you　use　your　power　to　stop　it；　you　will　rip　the　veil　asunder　and　allow　the　Keeper　to　swallow　the　word　of　the　living。’
　
　Richard　shot　to　his　feet。　‘Why！　Why　would　she　have　to　die　to　save　the　living！　It　makes　no　sense！’　His　fist　tightened　around　the　hilt　of　the　sword。　‘I　have　to　stop　it！　It’s　just　a　stupid　riddle！　I　won’t　let　her　die　for　a　riddle！’
　
　‘Richard；　a　time　will　e　when　you　have　to　make　a　choice。　I　have　been　hoping　for　a　very　long　time　now　that　when　that　time　es；　you　will　be　wise　enough　to　make　the　right　choice。　You　have　the　power　to　destroy　us　all　if　you　choose　wrongly。’
　
　‘I　will　not　stand　here　while　you　tell　me　I　must　let　her　die。　The　good　spirits　have　done　nothing　to　help。　I　must。　I　will。’
　
　Richard　stormed　from　the　room。　Cracks　ran　along　the　walls　beside　him　as　he　marched　down　the　hall。　Chunks　of　plaster　rained　down　behind　as　he　went。　Richard　only　dimly　noticed；　but　it　pleased　his　temper。　When　he　went　through　the　shield；　the　paint　on　the　walls　to　the　side　charred　and　curled。
　
　Richard’s　thoughts　ran　wildly　in　all　directions　at　once。　He　knew　now　that　his　vision　had　been　of　what　was　going　to　happen　if　he　didn’t　stop　it。　It　was　going　to　e　true　if　he　couldn’t　get　away　from　the　palace。　Maybe　that　was　what　the　prophecy　meant；　that　he　would　be　held　prisoner　there；　and　he　wouldn’t　be　able　to　help；　and　Kahlan　would　die。
　
　In　the　courtyard　below；　Richard　saw　a　motion。　Guards　were　running　from　everywhere。　When　he　got　closer；　he　saw　one　of　the　Baka　Ban　Mana　blade　masters。　There　had　to　be　close　to　a　hundred　worried…looking　guards　surrounding　him　in　a　ring；　holding　their　distance。　The　man　in　loose…fitting　clothes；　in　the　center　of　the　ring；　looked　unconcerned。
　
　Richard　pushed　through　the　throng。　‘What’s　going　on？’
　
　The　man　bowed　to　Richard。　‘Caharin。　I　am　Jiaan。　Your　wife；　Du　Chaillu；　has　sent　me　to　give　you　a　message。’
　
　Richard　decided　not　to　contest　the　wife　part。　‘What　is　it？’
　
　‘I　am　to　tell　you　that　she　has　followed　her　husband’s　instructions。　We　have　brought　the　Majendie　to　a　peace　with　us。　We　no　longer　make　war　with　them；　or　the　people　here。’
　
　‘That’s　wonderful　news；　Jiaan。　Tell　her　I　am　proud　of　her；　and　her　people。’
　
　‘Your　people；’　Jiaan　corrected。　‘She　wants　you　to　know　she　has　decided　to　bear　the　child。　And　she　also　sends　message　that　we　are　ready　to　return　to　our　homeland。　She　wishes　to　know　when　you　will　e　to　take　us　there。’
　
　Richard　glanced　around　at　the　people。　Not　only　guards　were　gathered；　but　Sisters；　too。　He　recognized　a　few　of　his　teachers　watching：　Sisters　Tovi；　Nicci；　and　Armina。　Pasha　stood　nearby。　At　the　far　edge　of　the　crowd　he　saw　Sister　Verna。　On　a　balcony　in　the　distance；　beyond　the　walls；　he　saw　the　squat　figure　of　the　Prelate。
　
　Richard　turned　back　to　Jiaan。　Tell　her　to　be　ready；　that　it　will　be　soon。’
　
　Jiaan　bowed。　Thank　you；　Caharin。　We　will　be　ready。’
　
　Richard　spoke　to　the　guards　in　a　circle　around　them。　This　man　has　e　in　peace。　He　is　to　be　left　in　peace。’
　
　Jiaan　strode　away；　unconcerned；　as　if　he　were　alone　on　a　walk；　but　the　ring　of　guards　moved　with　him；　as　Richard　knew　they　would　until　he　was　well　clear　of　the　city。　The　crowd　started　drifting　away。
　
　Richard’s　head　was　pounding。　He　had　brought　his　father　back　from　the　underworld　by　violating　the　Wizard’s　Second　Rule　a　second　time　in　the　spirit　house；　he　had　tried　to　do　the　right　thing　and　instead　had　brought　harm。　Warren　had　told　him　that　the　Keeper　needed　an　agent　to　escape；　and　Richard　had　provided　one。
　
　His　mind　reeled。　He　had　just　found　out　that　Kahlan　loved　him　and　life　seemed　good　again；　only　to　discover　that　he　was　to　be　trapped　here　for　hundreds　of　years；　and　if　he　couldn’t　escape；　Kahlan　would　die　on　winter　solstice。　His　thoughts　went　around　and　around　in　a　desperate　tangle。
　
　He　had　to　do　something。　Time　was　running　out。　He　decided　to　find　the　one　person　who　might　be　able　to　help　him。
　
　
　CHAPTER　64
　
　She　heard　the　voices　in　the　outer　office；　and　hoped　it　was　who　she　thought　it　would　be。　She　was　not　looking　forward　to　this；　but　she　was　running　out　of　time。　Richard　would　have　surely　found　a　way　to　see　Nathan　by　now；　and　Nathan　would　have　done　his　part。　Now　it　was　time　to　do　hers。
　
　She　couldn’t　pletely　trust　Nathan；　but　in　this；　he　would　have　done　what　was　required。　He　knew　the　consequences　of　failure。　His　had　been　a　task　she　didn’t　envy　…adding　the　weight　of　that　snowflake。
　
　With　a　flick　of　her　fingers；　the　door　swung　open。　She　had　had　to　have　the　carpenters　fix　the　doorframe。　Richard　had　shattered　it　with　his　Han；　without　even　being　aware　of　what　he　had　done。　And　that　was　before　he　had　even　gone　to　Nathan。
　
　The　curt　speech　cut　off　as　the　door　opened；　and　the　three　faces　looked　in；　awaiting　instruction。
　
　‘Sister　Ulicia；　Finella；　it’s　late；　why　don’t　you　two　run　along　to　your　offices　and　tend　to　your　paperwork。　I　will　see　her。　Sister　Verna；　please　e　in。’
　
　Ann　stood　as　Sister　Verna　strode　in。　She　liked　Verna。　She　abhorred　what　she　was　going　to　have　to　do　to　her；　but　she　was　running　out　of　time。　Hundreds　of　years　to　prepare；　and　now　time　and　events　were　slipping　through　her　fingers。
　
　The　world　was　at　the　brink。
　
　Verna　bowed。　‘Prelate　Annalina。’
　
　‘Please；　Verna；　sit　down。　It　has　been　so　long。’
　
　Verna　pulled　a　chair　close　to　the　opposite　side　of　the　table。　She　sat　with　her　back　straight　and　her　hands　folded　in　her　lap。　‘How　good　of　you　to　take　your　valuable　time　to　see　me。’
　
　Ann　almost　smiled。　Almost。　Dear　Creator；　thank　you　for　sending　her　to　me　testy；　though　it　won’t　make　my　job　any　less　onerous；　it　will　surely　make　it　easier。
　
　‘I　have　been　busy。’
　
　‘So　have　I；’　Verna　snapped。　‘For　the　last　twenty…odd　years。’
　
　‘Apparently　not　busy　enough。　We　seem　to　be　having　difficulty　with　a　boy　you　collected；　who　you　should　have　taken　to　task　before　he　even　arrived。’
　
　Verna’s　face　turned　scarlet。　‘Had　you　not　forbidden　me　from　doing　my　duty；　using　my　skills；　I　would　have　done　so。’
　
　‘Oh？　Are　you　so　barren　of　resourcefulness；　Verna；　that　you　could　not　function　with　minor　restrictions？　Pasha；　a　mere　novice；　seems　to　be　having　better　success；　and　she　functions　under　the　same　restrictions。’
　
　‘You　think　so？　You　think　he　is　under　control？’
　
　‘He　has　not　killed　anyone　since　Pasha　took　over。’
　
　Verna　stiffened。　‘I　think　I　know　something　of　Richard。　I　would　advise　the　Prelate　caution　in　her　confidence。’
　
　Ann　looked　down；　moving　papers　about；　as　if　devoting　attention　to　words　she　was　not　seeing。　‘I　will　take　your　advice　under　consideration。　Thank　you　for　ing；　Verna。’
　
　‘I’m　not　finished！　I　haven’t　yet　begun！’
　
　Her　eyes　came　slowly　up。　‘If　you　raise　your　voice　to　me　again；　you　will　be；　Verna。’
　
　‘Prelate　Annalina；　please　forgive　my　tone；　but　there　are　matters　of　grave　importance　I　simply　must　raise。’
　
　Ann　sighed；　feigning　impatience。　‘Yes；　yes；　then　please　do　get　to　it。　I　have　much　work　to　do。’　She　folded　her　hands　on　the　desk　and　gave　Verna　a　blank　look。　‘Go　on　then。’
　
　‘Richard　grew　up　with　his　grandfather。　。。。’
　
　‘How　nice　for　him。’
　
　Verna　paused　in　annoyance　at　the　interruption。　‘His　grandfather　is　a　wizard。　A　wizard　of　the　First　Order。　His　grandfather　wanted　to　teach　him。’
　
　‘Well；　we　will　see　to　his　teaching。　Is　that　all？’
　
　Verna’s　eyes　narrowed。　‘I　do　not　need　to　remind　the　Prelate　that　it　is　a　direct　violation　of　the　truce　to　take　a　boy　from　a　wizard　who　would　teach　him。　I　was　told　that　there　were　no　wizards　left　in　the　New　World　to　teach　boys。　I　was　lied　to。　I　was　used。　We　have　been　stealing　boys。　You　made　me　a　part　of　that。’
　
　Ann　smiled　indulgently。　‘Sister；　we　serve　the　Creator；　so　all　may　learn　to　live　in　his　light。　Now；　in　view　of　our　duty　to　the　Creator；　what　is　a　truce　with　heathen　wizards？’
　
　Verna　was　struck　speechless。
　
　Dear　Creator；　I　like　this　woman　so。　Please　give　me　the　strength　to　break　her。　Nathan　had　added　his　snowflake；　she　had　to　add　hers。
　
　‘I　have　been　sent　on　a　twenty…year　chase；　without　knowing　the　reason；　I　have　been　deceived；　my　two　panions　died；　one　at　my　hand；　I　have　been　forbidden　use　of　my　power　to　do　my　job　。。。’
　
　‘Do　you　think　I　forbid　your　use　of　your　power　capriciously？　Is　that　what’s　bothering　you；　Verna？　Very　well　then；　if　you　must　know　the　reason；　it　was　to　save　your　life。’
　
　Verna　stiffened　in　caution。　‘If　I　remember　my　lessons　in　the　vaults；　there　is　only　one　reason　such　restriction　would　save　my　life。’
　
　Inwardly；　Ann　smiled。　Verna　wanted　it　spoken　aloud。　‘Indeed。　Richard　has　Subtractive　Magic。’
　
　‘You　knew　that？　You　had　one　with　Subtractive　Magic　collared？　You　would　risk　that？　You　would　have　him　brought　here；　to　th