tg.stone of tears-第25章

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　‘That　is　not　possible；’　the　taller　one　in　the　center　said。　‘You　are　。。。　old。’
　
　‘Not　as　old　as　you；’　Richard　snapped。
　
　Their　cheeks　colored。　The　woman’s　eyes　flashed　an　angry　scowl；　but　she　quickly　softened　it。　‘We　did　not　mean　to　say　you　are　old；　we　meant　to　say　you　are　older　than　we　expected。　I　am　Sister　Verna　Sauventreen。’
　
　The　black…haired　woman　to　her　right　spoke。　‘I　am　Sister　Grace　Rendall。’
　
　‘I　am　Sister　Elizabeth　Myric；’　the　third　said。
　
　Sister　Verna　turned　her　stern　expression　on　Kahlan。　‘And　who　would　you　be；　child。’
　
　Kahlan　didn’t　know　if　it　was　Richard’s　attitude　causing　it；　but　she　felt　her　blood　heating；　too。　She　gritted　her　teeth。　‘I　am　not　your　‘child。’　I　am　the　Mother　Confessor。’　Kahlan’s　tone　could　carry　authority；　too；　when　she　wished　it　to。
　
　It　was　almost　imperceptible；　but　the　three　flinched。　Together；　they　bowed　their　heads　slightly。
　
　‘Forgive　us；　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　The　air　of　threat　in　the　spirit　house　was　still　palpable。　Kahlan　realized　her　hands　were　fists。　It　came　to　her　that　she　felt　this　way　because　they　were　a　threat　to　Richard。　She　decided　it　was　time　to　act　like　the　Mother　Confessor。
　
　‘Where　are　you　three　from？’　she　asked　in　an　icy　voice。
　
　‘We　are　from　。。。　far　away。’
　
　Kahlan’s　glare　was　beginning　to　match　Richard’s。　‘In　the　Midlands；　a　bow　to　the　Mother　Confessor　is　done　on　at　least　one　knee。’　It　was　a　custom　she　almost　never　had　any　interest　in　enforcing；　but　she　felt　the　need　now。
　
　The　three　leaned　back　as　one；　standing　straighter。　Their　indignant　frowns　deepened。
　
　It　was　enough　to　bring　out　the　sword。
　
　The　distinctive　ringing　of　steel　hung　in　the　air。　Richard　said　nothing；　he　simply　stood　holding　the　sword　in　both　hands。　Kahlan　could　see　his　muscles　straining　to　be　released。　The　Sword　of　Truth’s　magic　danced　dangerously　in　his　eyes。　She　was　glad　his　glower　wasn’t　directed　at　her；　it　was　frightening。　The　three　didn’t　appear　to　be　as　frightened　by　it　as　she　would　have　expected；　but　they　turned　to　her；　and　together；　went　to　one　knee；　bowing　their　heads　again。
　
　‘Forgive　us；　Mother　Confessor；’　Sister　Grace　said。　‘We　are　not　familiar　with　your　customs。　We　meant　no　offense。’　They　kept　their　heads　down。
　
　Kahlan　waited　the　appropriate　period；　and　then　added　a　few　long　seconds。　‘Rise；　my　children。’
　
　When　they　came　to　their　feet　they　clasped　their　hands　in　front　again。
　
　Sister　Verna　took　a　deep；　impatient　breath。　‘We　are　not　here　to　frighten　you；　Richard。　We　are　here　to　help　you。　Put　the　sword　away。’　The　last　held　a　harsh　hint　of　mand　to　it。
　
　Richard　didn’t　move。　‘I　was　told　you　said　you　came　for　me；　whatever　that　means；　and　that　I　must　not　run。　I　haven’t　been　running。　I　am　the　Seeker。　I　will　decide　when　to　put　away　the　sword。’
　
　The　Se　。。。’　Sister　Elizabeth　almost　shouted。　‘You　are　the　Seeker？’
　
　The　three　exchanged　looks　again。
　
　‘State　your　business；’　Richard　said。　‘Now。’
　
　Sister　Grace　took　an　impatient　breath　this　time。　‘Richard；　we　are　not　here　to　harm　you。　Are　you　that　afraid　of　three　women？’
　
　‘Even　one　woman　is　cause　enough　for　fear。　I　have　learned　that　lesson　the　hard　way。　I　no　longer　harbor　foolish　inhibitions　about　killing　women。　Last　time　offered：　state　your　business；　or　this　conversation　is　ended。’
　
　She　glanced　to　the　Agiel　around　his　neck。　‘Yes；　we　can　see　you　have　learned　some　lessons。’　Her　face　softened　a　little。　‘Richard；　you　need　our　help。　We　have　e　because　you　have　the　gift。’
　
　Richard　looked　at　each　of　them　before　he　again　spoke。　‘You　have　been　seriously　misinformed。　I　don’t　have　the　gift　nor　do　I　want　anything　to　do　with　it。’
　
　He　slid　the　sword　back　into　its　scabbard。　‘I’m　sorry　you　have　e　a　long　way　for　nothing。’　He　took　Kahlan’s　arm。　‘The　Mud　People　don’t　like　outsiders。　Their　weapons　are　tipped　with　poison；　and　they　are　not　shy　about　using　them。　I　will　tell　them　to　grant　you　safe　passage　out　of　their　land。　I　advise　you　not　to　test　their　restraint。’
　
　Richard　led　Kahlan　by　the　arm　toward　the　door。　She　could　feel　the　rage　radiating　from　him；　could　see　the　anger　in　his　eyes；　and　something　else；　too：　his　headache。　She　could　see　the　pain　he　suffered。
　
　The　headaches　will　kill　you；’　Sister　Grace　said　quietly。
　
　Richard　froze　in　his　tracks；　his　chest　heaving　as　he　stared　ahead　at　nothing。　‘I’ve　had　headaches　all　my　life。　I’m　used　to　them。’
　
　‘Not　like　these；’　Sister　Grace　pressed。　‘We　can　see　it　in　your　eyes。　We　recognize　the　headaches　of　the　gift。　It’s　our　job。’
　
　There　is　a　healer　here　who　is　taking　care　of　them。　She　is　very　good。　She　has　already　helped　me；　and　I　am　confident　she　will　soon　cure　me　of　them。’
　
　‘She　can’t。　No　one　can　but　us。　If　you　don’t　let　us　help　you；　the　headaches　will　kill　you。　That　is　why　we’re　here；　to　help　you；　not　to　bring　you　to　harm。’
　
　Richard’s　hand　stretched　for　the　latch。　‘You　needn’t　concern　yourselves　about　me。　I’m　not　cursed　with　the　gift。　Everything　is　under　control。　Safe　journey　to　you；　ladies。’
　
　Kahlan　gently　put　her　hand　on　his　arm；　preventing　him　from　reaching　the　latch。　‘Richard；’　she　whispered。　‘Maybe　we　should　at　least　listen　to　them。　What　harm　can　there　be　in　listening　to　them？　Perhaps　you　could　learn　something　useful　to　help　the　headaches。’
　
　‘I　don’t　have　the　gift！　I　don’t　want　anything　to　do　with　magic！　Magic　has　caused　me　nothing　but　trouble；　nothing　but　pain。　I　don’t　have　the　gift　and　I　don’t　want　it。’　He　reached　for　the　latch　again。
　
　‘And　I　suppose　you　are　going　to　tell　us　that　your　eating　habits　haven’t　changed；　all　of　a　sudden；’　Sister　Grace　said。　‘I　would　say　in　just　the　last　few　days。’
　
　Richard　froze　again。　‘Everyone　has　changes　in　mood　about　what　they　want　to　eat。’
　
　‘Has　anyone　watched　you　sleep？’
　
　‘What？’
　
　‘If　anyone　has　watched　you　sleep；　they　will　have　noticed　that　you　now　sleep　with　your　eyes　open。’
　
　Kahlan　felt　a　cold　wave　of　goose　bumps。　Everything　was　starting　to　connect。　Wizards　all　had　odd；　specific　eating　habits；　and　they　all　slept　with　their　eyes　open；　sometimes；　even　those　without　the　gift。　In　those　with　the　gift；　like　Zedd；　it　was　more　often。
　
　‘I　don’t　sleep　with　my　eyes　open。　You　are　wrong。’
　
　‘Richard；’　Kahlan　whispered；　‘maybe　we　should　listen　to　them。　Hear　what　they　have　to　say。’
　
　He　looked　to　her；　as　if　pleading　for　her　to　help　him　escape　this。　Pleading　for　her　help。　‘I　don’t　sleep　with　my　eyes　open。’
　
　‘Yes；　you　do。’　She　put　a　hand　on　his　arm。　‘I　have　seen　you　sleeping　for　months　as　we　were　trying　to　stop　Rahl。　When　I　stood　watch；　I　often　saw　you　sleep。　Only　since　we　left　D’Hara　have　I　seen　you　sleep　with　your　eyes　open；　just　like　Zedd　does。’
　
　Richard　still　had　his　back　to　the　three　women。　‘What　do　you　want？　How　can　you　help　me　with　the　headaches？’　he　called　to　them。
　
　‘If　we　are　to　discuss　this；　we　are　not　going　to　talk　to　the　back　of　your　head。’　Sister　Verna’s　tone　was　like　one　used　when　talking　to　an　obstinate　child。　‘You　will　address　us　properly。’
　
　It　was　the　wrong　tone　to　use　on　Richard　at　that　moment。　He　yanked　the　door　open　and　slammed　it　as　he　went　out。
　
　Kahlan　thought　the　door　might　e　off　its　hinges；　but　it　didn’t。　She　felt　heartsick　about　what　she　had　said　to　him。　He　had　wanted　her　to　take　his　side；　he　was　in　no　mood　to　hear　the　truth。
　
　She　was　puzzled　by　his　attitude。　Richard　was　not　one　to　avoid　the　truth。　But　he　was　deathly　afraid　of　something。　She　turned　and　looked　at　the　three　women。
　
　Sister　Grace　separated　her　hands　and　let　them　hang　at　her　sides。　This　is　no　game；　Mother　Confessor。　If　he　isn’t　helped　by　us；　he　is　going　to　die。　He　doesn’t　have　much　time。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded；　her　anger　gone；　replaced　by　an　empty　sadness。　‘I　will　go　talk　to　him；’　she　said　in　a　small　voice　that　was　almost　lost　in　the　large　room。　‘Please　wait　here。　I　will　bring　him　back。’
　
　Richard　was　sitting　on　the　ground；　leaning　against　the　short　wall；　right　under　where　his　sword　had　cut　a　swath　the　night　before　when　the　screeling　had　e。　His　elbows　were　on　his　knees；　his　hands　over　his　head；　fingers　locked　together。　He　didn’t　look　up。　Kahlan　sat　tight　against　him。
　
　‘Your　head　hurts　pretty　bad　right　now；　doesn’t　it？’
　
　He　nodded。　She　pulled　the　dry　shaft　of　a　weed　and　held　it　between　her　hands　as　she　rested　her　forearms　on　her　knees。　As　if　what　she　had　said　reminded　him；　he　took　some　leaves　out　of　his　shirt　pocket　and　put　them　in　his　mouth。
　
　Kahlan　stripped　a　little　leaf　off　the　stem。　‘Richard；　tell　me；　what　are　you　afraid　of？’
　
　He　chewed　the　leaves　a　moment；　and　then　lifted　his　head；　leaning　back。　‘Do　you　remember　when　the　screeling　came；　and　I　said　I　sensed　it；　and　you　said　maybe　it　was　just　that　I　heard　it？’　She　nodded。　‘When　I　killed　that　man　today；　I　sensed　him　too；　just　like　the　screeling。　It　was　just　the　same。　Danger。　I　didn’t　know　what　either　was；　but　I　sensed　the　danger。　I　knew　there　was　trouble；　but　I　didn’t　know　what　kind。’
　
　‘What　does　that　have　to　do　with　the　three　in　there？’
　
　‘Before　we　went　in　the　spirit　house；　to　see　those　women；　I　had　the　same　sensation：　danger。　I　don’t　know　what　it　means；　but　it’s　the　same　feeling。　Somehow；　I　know　those　women　are　going　to　e　between　us。’
　
　‘Richard；　you　don’t　know　that。　They　said　only　that　they　want　to　help　you。’
　
　‘I　do　know。　Just　as　I　knew　the　screeling　was　there；　and　the　man　with　the　spear　was　there。　These　women　are　somehow　a　danger　to　me。’
　
　Kahlan　felt　a　lump　growing　in　her　throat。　‘You　also　said　you　know　the　headaches　might　kill　you。　Richard；　I’m　afraid　for　you。’
　
　‘And　I’m　afraid　of　magic。　I　hate　magic。　I　hate　the　magic　of　the　sword。　I　wish　I　could　be　rid　of　it。　You　can’t　imagine　the　things　I’ve　had　to　do　with　it。　You　don’t　know　what　it　took　to　turn　the　blade　white。　Darken　Rani’s　magic　killed　my　father；　and　took　my　brother。　It　hurt　a　great　many　people。’　He　let　out　a　deep　breath。　‘I　hate　magic。’
　
　‘I　have　magic；’　she　said　softly。
　
　‘And　it　almost　kept　us　apart　forever。’
　
　‘But　it　didn’t。　You　figured　out　how　to　make　it　work。　Without　my　magic；　I　would　never　have　met　you。’　She　rubbed　his　arm。　‘Magic　also　gave　Adie　back　her　foot；　and　has　helped　a　lot　of　others。　Zedd　is　a　wizard；　he　has　the　gift。　Would　you　say　that　is　bad？　Zedd　has　always　used　his　gift　to　help　people。
　
　‘Richard；　you　have　magic　too。　You　have　the　gift。　You　as　much　as　admitted　it。　You　used　it　to　sense　the　screeling。　You　saved　me。　You　used　it　to　sense　the　man　that　was　going　to　kill　Chandalen。　You　saved　him。’
　
　‘I　don’t　want　to　have　magic。’
　
　‘It　seems　to　me　you　are　thinking　of　the　problem；　and　not　the　solution。　Isn’t　that　what　you　always　say：　think　of　the　solution；　not　the　problem？’
　
　Richard　thumped　his　head　back　against　the　wall　and　closed　his　eyes。　He　let　out　an　exasperated　breath。　‘Is　this　what　being　married　to　you　is　going　to　be　like？　For　the　rest　of　my　life；　you　always　telling　me　when　I’m　being　stupid？’
　
　She　smiled。　‘Would　you　have　me　let　you　delude　yourself？’
　
　He　scrubbed　his　hands　on　his　face。　‘I　guess　not。　My　head　hurts　so