tg.stone of tears-第183章

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　enough　of　the　mythical　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　Doubters　had　only　to　take　one　look　at　the　smooth…edged　voids　that　lined　up　through　a　dozen　walls；　or　the　cleanly　sliced　trees　and　stone；　to　know　that　nothing　short　of　Subtractive　Magic　had　been　used。
　
　Richard　had　sent　the　guards　out　to　look　discreetly　for　the　six　Sisters：　Sister　Ulicia　and　his　five　teachers。　The　Sisters　were　searching；　too。　He　had　also　gone　to　talk　to　Warren；　to　tell　him　what　had　happened。
　
　Richard　stretched　his　legs　as　he　stood。　‘How　is　she？　Is　she　going　to　recover？’
　
　Nathan　looked　haggard。　‘She’s　resting　more　fortably；　but　it’s　too　soon　to　tell。　When　she　has　rested；　I　will　be　able　to　do　more。’
　
　Thank　you；　Nathan。　I　know　Ann　could　be　in　no　better　hands　than　yours。’
　
　He　added　a　grunt　to　his　sour　expression。　‘You’re　asking　me　to　heal　my　jailer。’
　
　‘Ann　will　appreciate　it。　Perhaps　she　will　rethink　your　being　held。　If　she　doesn’t；　I’ll　e　back　and　see　what　I　can　do。’
　
　‘e　back？　Going　somewhere；　my　boy？’
　
　‘Yes；　Nathan；　and　I　need　your　help。’
　
　‘If　I　help　you；　you　might　get　it　in　your　obstinate　head　to　go　off　and　destroy　the　world。’
　
　And　do　the　prophecies　say　you　were　sent　to　stop　me？’
　
　Nathan　let　out　a　tired　sigh。　‘What　is　it　you　want？’
　
　‘How　can　I　get　through　the　barrier？　My　collar　stops　me。’
　
　‘What　makes　you　think　I　would　know？’
　
　Richard　took　an　angry　stride　toward　the　towering　old　wizard。　‘Nathan；　don’t　play　games　with　me。　I’m　in　no　mood　and　this　is　too　important。　You’ve　been　through。　You　went　with　Ann　to　get　the　book　from　the　Wizard’s　Keep　in　Aydin…dril。　Remember？’
　
　He　smoothed　his　sleeves　down。　‘It’s　a　simple　matter　of　shielding　the　Rada’Han。　Ann　helped　me　through；　Sister　Verna　can　do　the　same　for　you。　I’ll　tell　her　how。’
　
　And　what　of　the　Valley　of　the　Lost？　Can　I　get　back　through　that？’
　
　Nathan；　his　eyes　suddenly　intent　with　a　dark　look；　shook　his　head。　‘You　have　called　too　much　power　to　yourself。　The　collar　has　helped　it　grow。　You’ll　also　call　the　spells。　Sister　Verna　can’t　pass　again；　she　has　been　through　twice　already。　Additionally；　she　has　too　much　power　now。　With　passing　twice；　and　taking　the　gift　of　the　other　two　Sisters；　she　is　locked　here。’
　
　Then　how　did　you　ever　get　through　three　times？　You’re　from　D’Hara；　that’s　once。　You　went　to　the　New　World　again　with　Ann；　and　came　back。　That　makes　three　times。　How　did　you　do　it；　if　it　can’t　be　done？’
　
　A　sly　smile　came　to　his　lips。　‘I　did　not　go　through　the　valley　three　times。　Only　once。’　He　held　up　a　hand　to　silence　Richard’s　arguments。　‘Ann　and　I　didn’t　go　through　the　valley。　We　went　around　the　obstacle。　We　sailed　around　the　ambit　of　the　spells；　far　out　to　sea；　landing　finally　in　the　southernmost　reaches　of　Westland。　It’s　a　long　journey；　and　not　easily　done；　but　we　made　the　crossing。　Not　many　do。’
　
　‘By　sea！’　Richard　glanced　back　to　Sister　Verna。　‘I　don’t　have　that　kind　of　time。　Winter　solstice　is　not　even　a　week　away。　I　have　to　go　through　the　valley。’
　
　‘Richard；’　Sister　Verna　said　in　a　soft　voice；　‘I　can　understand　how　you　feel；　but　it　will　take　almost　that　much　time　just　to　reach　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　Even　if　you　find　a　way　through；　there　is　no　time　to　get　where　you　want　to　go。’
　
　Richard　controlled　his　rage。　‘I　am　inexperienced　at　being　a　wizard。　I　cannot　count　on　my　gift。　For　that　matter；　I　don’t　care　if　I　ever　learn　to　use　it。
　
　‘But　I　am　also　the　Seeker。　In　that；　Sister　Verna；　I　am　not　so　inexperienced。　Nothing　is　going　to　stop　me。　Nothing。　I’ve　made　a　promise　to　Kahlan　that　if　I　must　go　to　the　underworld　and　battle　the　Keeper　himself；　in　order　to　protect　her；　I　will　do　it。’
　
　Nathan’s　expression　darkened。　‘I　have　warned　you；　Richard。　If　that　prophecy　is　not　allowed　to　take　place；　the　Keeper　will　have　us　all。　You　must　not　try　to　stop　it。　You　have　the　power　to　hand　the　world　of　the　living　to　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘It’s　just　a　meaningless　riddle；’　Richard　growled　in　frustration；　though　he　knew　better。
　
　Nathan’s　scowl　was　the　scowl　of　a　Rahl；　the　scowl　Richard　had　inherited。　‘Richard；　death　is　intrinsic　to　life。　The　Creator　brought　it　to　be；　too。　If　you　make　the　wrong　choice；　all　the　living　will　pay　the　price　of　your　pertinaciousness。
　
　‘And　Richard；　don’t　forget　what　I　told　you　about　the　Stone　of　Tears。　If　you　misuse　it　to　banish　a　soul　to　the　depths　of　the　underworld；　you　will　destroy　the　balance　between　everything。’
　
　‘Stone　of　Tears？’　Sister　Verna　said　in　a　suspicious　tone。　‘What　would　Richard　have　to　do　with　the　Stone　of　Tears？’
　
　Richard　turned　back　to　Sister　Verna。　‘We’re　running　out　of　time。　I’m　going　to　my　room　to　get　my　things。　We　need　to　be　on　our　way。’
　
　‘Richard；’　Nathan　said；　‘Ann　has　put　her　faith　in　you。　She　let　you　have　the　love　of　your　family；　so　that　perhaps　you　will　better　understand　the　true　meaning　of　life。　Please　consider　that　when　the　time　for　choice　is　upon　you。’
　
　Richard　looked　up　at　Nathan　for　a　long　moment。　Thank　you　for　your　help；　Nathan；　but　I　won’t　let　the　one　I　love　die　for　a　riddle　in　an　old　book。　I　hope　to　see　you　again。　There　is　much　for　us　to　talk　about。’
　
　
　Richard　dumped　the　bowl　full　of　gold　coins　into　the　bottom　of　his　pack　before　stuffing　the　rest　of　his　things　in。　He　reasoned　that　if　it　helped　him　save　Kahlan；　then　it　was　the　least　the　palace　could　do；　after　all　they　had　done　to　him。
　
　The　gold　had　been　a　kindness　that　lulled　the　rest　of　the　young　men　at　the　palace　into　laziness。　It　harmed　their　humanity；　as　Nathan　had　said。　Maybe　that　was　why　Jedidiah　turned　to　promises　from　the　Keeper。
　
　Richard　doubted　that　any　of　the　young　wizards；　except　Warren；　had　done　a　day’s　work　since　they　had　e　here　and　had　ready　access　to　unlimited　gold；　but　no　knowledge　of　its　value。　Just　one　more　way　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets　destroyed　lives。　He　wondered　how　many　children　of　young　wizards　that　gold　had　spawned。
　
　Richard　went　out　onto　the　balcony　to　take　stock　before　he　left。　Guards　were　patrolling　the　grounds。　Sisters；　too；　were　diligently　searching　every　building　and　covered　corridor。　The　Sisters　would　have　to　somehow　deal　with　those　six。　He　certainly　had　no　idea　how　to　contain　their　power。
　
　When　he　heard　the　door　in　the　front　room；　he　assumed　it　would　be　Sister　Verna。　They　had　to　get　going。　When　he　turned　and　looked；　he　had　no　time　to　react。
　
　Pasha　was　storming　through　the　room　toward　him。　She　threw　her　hands　up。　The　doors　blew　off　their　hinges　and　over　the　balcony　railing；　falling　the　thirty　feet　to　the　stone…paved　courtyard　below。
　
　The　impact　of　the　solid　wall　of　air　threw　him　back。　Only　the　railing　prevented　him　from　being　thrown　over　with　the　splintered　doors。　The　wind　had　been　knocked　from　his　lungs；　and　a　sharp　pain　in　his　side　prevented　him　from　taking　another　breath。
　
　As　he　staggered　away　from　the　edge　of　the　balcony；　another　blow　threw　him　back　once　again；　this　time　hammering　his　head　against　the　stone　railing。　He　saw　a　shocking　spray　of　blood　hit　the　stone　before　the　slate　floor　collected　him。
　
　Pasha　was　screaming　in　a　rage。　At　first；　her　words　were　nothing　but　an　incoherent　buzz　in　his　mind。　He　pushed　himself　up　with　his　hands。　Blood　was　running　from　his　head。　A　pool　of　it　spread　beneath　him。　Reeling；　he　toppled　to　his　side。
　
　He　managed　to　sit　up　and　flop　back　against　the　railing。　‘Pasha；　what　。。。’
　
　‘Keep　your　filthy　mouth　shut！　I　won’t　hear　any　of　it！’
　
　She　was　standing　in　the　doorway；　fists　at　her　sides。　One　fist　held　a　dacra。　Tears　streamed　down　her　cheeks。
　
　‘You’re　the　Keeper’s　spawn！　You’re　an　obscene　disciple　of　the　Keeper！　You　do　nothing　but　hurt　good　people！’
　
　Richard　put　his　hands　to　his　head。　They　came　away　covered　with　blood。　He　was　so　dizzy　he　had　to　fight　the　urge　to　be　sick。
　
　‘What　are　you　talking　about？’　he　managed　to　mumble。
　
　‘Sister　Ulicia　told　me！　She　told　me　you　serve　the　Keeper！　She　told　me　how　you　killed　Sister　Liliana！’
　
　‘Pasha；　Sister　Ulicia　is　a　Sister　of　the　Dark　。。。’
　
　‘She　told　me　you　would　say　that！　She　told　me　how　you　used　your　vile　magic　to　kill　Sister　Finella　and　the　Prelate！　That’s　why　you　were　always　wanting　to　go　to　the　Prelate’s　office！　So　you　could　kill　our　leader　in　the　Light！　You　are　filth！’
　
　The　world　swam　before　his　eyes。　He　saw　two　of　her；　moving　around　and　around　each　other。　‘Pasha　。。。　that’s　not　true。’
　
　‘Only　the　Keeper’s　tricks　saved　you　yesterday。　You　gave　someone　else　the　coat　I　loved；　to　humiliate　me！　Sister　Ulicia　told　me　how　the　Keeper　whispers　in　your　ear！
　
　‘I　should　have　killed　you　when　I　saw　you　on　the　bridge；　then　none　of　this　would　have　happened。　But　I　foolishly　thought　I　could　save　you　from　the　Keeper’s　clutches！　Those　Sisters；　and　the　Prelate；　would　be　alive　now　had　I　finished　the　job。　I　failed　the　Creator　when　you　tricked　me　into　killing　Perry；　but　that　will　not　save　you　again。　Your　vile　underworld　tricks　will　not　save　you　again！’
　
　‘Pasha；　please；　just　listen　to　me。　You’re　being　lied　to。　Please　listen。　The　Prelate　isn’t　dead。　I　can　take　you　to　her。’
　
　‘You　wish　to　kill　me；　too！　That’s　all　you　ever　talk　of　…killing！　You　profane　us　all！　And　to　think　I　could　have　ever　thought　I　loved　you！’
　
　She　raised　the　dacra　and；　with　a　scream；　ran　for　him。　Richard　somehow　managed　to　pull　the　sword；　woozily　wondering　which　image　of　her　to　try　to　stop。　The　anger；　the　magic；　of　the　sword　brought　strength　to　his　arms。　He　brought　the　sword　up　as　she　dove　for　him；　dacra　first。　The　two　images　of　her　converged。
　
　The　sword　never　touched　her。　With　a　shriek；　she　was　propelled　over　the　railing　above　him。　She　screamed　all　the　way　down。　Richard’s　eyes　winced　shut　when　he　heard　her　scream　terminate　as　she　hit　the　stone。
　
　Richard　opened　his　eyes　to　see　a　stunned　Warren　standing　in　the　doorway。　He　remembered　Jedidiah’s　fall　on　the　stairs。
　
　‘Oh；　dear　spirits；　no；’　Richard　whispered。
　
　He　levered　himself　to　his　feet　and　took　a　quick　glance　over　the　edge。　People　rushed　from　different　directions　toward　the　body。　Warren　was　shuffling　woodenly　toward　the　railing。　Richard　stopped　him　halfway　there。
　
　‘No；　Warren；　don’t　look。’
　
　Tears　welled　up　in　Warren’s　eyes。　Richard　put　his　arms　around　his　friend。　Why　did　you　do　that；　he　thought；　I　could　have　done　it。　I　was　going　to　do　it。　You　didn’t　have　to。
　
　Over　Warren’s　shoulder；　Richard　saw　Sister　Verna　standing　in　the　room。
　
　‘She　killed　Perry；’　Warren　said。　‘I　heard　her　admit　it。　She　was　going　to　kill　you。’
　
　I　could　have　done　it；　Richard　thought；　you　didn’t　need　to。　But　instead　he　said；　‘Thank　you；　Warren。　You　saved　my　life。’
　
　‘She　was　going　to　kill　you；’　he　cried　against　Richard’s　shoulder。　‘Why　would　she　do　that？’
　
　Sister　Verna　put　a　forting　hand　to　Warren’s　back。　‘She　was　lied　to　by　the　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　The　Keeper　filled　her　mind　with　lies。　She　heard　the　whispers　of　the　darkness。　The　Keeper　can　make　even　the　good　listen　to　his　whispers。　You　did　a　brave　thing；　Warren。’
　
　‘Then　why　do　I　feel　so　ashamed？　I　loved　her；　and　I　killed　her。’
　
　Richard　simply　held　him　as　he　wept。
　
　Sister　Verna　pulled　them