tg.stone of tears-第50章

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　can　get　to　Zedd；　I　must　have　your　promise　you　will　do　what　must　be　done　to　save　him。’
　
　There　is　time。　The　Sisters　won’t　be　back　for　at　least　a　few　days。　We　can　get　to　Zedd　first。　There　is　time！’
　
　‘I　hope　you　are　right；　I　really　do。　I’m　sure　you　won’t　believe　me；　but　I　don’t　want　Richard　to　ever　have　to　wear　a　collar；　to　ever　face　that　madness　again。　But　if　you　can’t　get　to　Zedd；　then　you　must　promise　me　you　won’t　allow　him　to　miss　the　chance　at　life　the　Sisters　offer。’
　
　Tears　streamed　from　Kahlan’s　burning　eyes。　Richard　would　hate　her　if　she　made　him　put　on　the　collar；　she　knew　he　would。　He　would　think　she　had　betrayed　him。
　
　‘But　what　of　the　mark？　He　still　has　the　mark　on　him。’
　
　Denna　watched　her　a　long　time。　Her　voice　came　so　softly　Kahlan　could　scarcely　hear　it。　‘I　will　take　the　mark。　I　will　go　to　the　Keeper　in　his　place。’　A　shimmering　tear　ran　down　her　cheek。　‘But　I　will　only　do　it；　I　will　only　give　up　my　soul；　if　I　know　it　gives　him　a　chance。’
　
　Kahlan　stared　incredulously。　‘You　would　do　that　for　him？’　she　whispered。　‘Why？’
　
　‘Because　after　all　I　had　done　to　him；　he　cared　about　my　pain。　He　is　the　only　one　who　ever　did　anything　to　stop　my　pain。　When　Darken　Rahl　beat　me；　he　cried；　and　he　made　a　potion　to　take　away　my　pain；　though　I　had　never　once　stopped　torturing　him　no　matter　how　much　he　begged。　Not　once。
　
　‘And　after　all　the　things　I　have　told　you　I　did　to　him；　he　forgave　me。　He　understood　what　I　had　suffered。　He　took　my　Agiel　to　wear　around　his　neck　and　promised　to　remember　me；　to　remember　that　I　was　more　than　a　Mord…Sith；　to　remember　that　I　was　once　just　Denna。’
　
　Another　shimmering　tear　ran　down。　‘And　because　I　love　him。　Even　in　death；　I　love　him。　Though　I　know　my　love　will　never　be　requited；　I　still　love　him。’
　
　Kahlan　looked　at　Richard　as　he　lay　on　his　back；　unconscious；　helpless；　with　the　Keeper’s　mark；　black　and　bleeding；　on　his　chest。　The　black　and　white　mud　painted　everywhere　on　him　made　him　look　wild；　savage；　but　he　wasn’t；　he　was　the　gentlest　person　she　had　ever　known。　She　realized　then　that　she　would　do　anything　to　save　him。　Anything。
　
　‘I　will　do　it；’　she　whispered。　‘I　promise。　If　we　can’t　find　Zedd　before　the　Sisters　e　back　for　the　third　time；　I　will　make　him　put　on　the　collar；　no　matter　what　it　takes。　Even　if　it　makes　him　hate　me。　Even　if　it　kills　me。’
　
　Denna’s　hand　reached　out　to　her。　‘An　oath　then；　between　the　living　and　the　dead；　to　do　what　must　be　done　to　save　him。’
　
　Kahlan　stared　at　the　hand　before　her。　‘I　still　can’t　forgive　you。　I　won’t　forgive　you。’
　
　The　hand　stayed　where　it　was；　waiting。　The　only　forgiveness　I　need　has　already　been　granted。’
　
　Kahlan　stared　at　the　hand；　and　then　reached　out　and　took　it。　‘An　oath　then；　to　save　the　one　we　love。’
　
　They　clasped　hands；　and　shared　a　silent　joining。
　
　Denna　took　away　her　hand。　‘Time　is　short　for　him。　It　must　be　now。’　Kahlan　nodded。　‘When　it　is　done；　get　help　for　him。　Though　the　pull　of　the　mark　will　be　removed；　the　wound　will　still　be　there；　and　it　is　a　serious　one。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　There　is　a　healer　here。　She　will　help　him。’
　
　Denna’s　eyes　were　filled　with　passion。　Thank　you；　Kahlan；　for　loving　him　enough　to　help　him。　May　the　good　spirits　be　with　you　both。’　She　gave　a　small；　frightened　smile。　‘Where　I　am　going；　I　will　never　see　any　of　them；　or　I　would　send　them　to　help　you。’
　
　Kahlan　touched　the　back　of　the　other’s　hand；　offering　a　silent　prayer　for　strength。
　
　Denna　returned　the　touch　to　Kahlan’s　cheek；　and　then　knelt　next　to　Richard。　Her　hand　went　to　the　mark；　covering　it；　dissolving　into　it。　Richard’s　chest　heaved。
　
　Denna’s　features　twisted　in　pain。　She　threw　her　head　back　with　a　piercing　scream　that　shot　through　Kahlan。
　
　And　then　she　was　just　gone。
　
　Richard　groaned。　Kahlan　bent　over　him；　caressing　him。　Crying。
　
　‘Kahlan？’　he　moaned。　‘Kahlan；　what　happened？　It　hurts。　It　hurts　so　。。。’
　
　‘Lie　still；　my　love。　Everything　is　all　right。　You　are　safe；　with　me。　I’ll　get　help。’
　
　He　nodded　and　she　ran　to　the　door；　throwing　it　open。　The　elders　were　sitting　in　a　small　circle　in　the　dark；　just　outside　the　door。　They　looked　up　expectantly。
　
　‘Help　me！’　she　screamed。　‘Carry　him　to　Nissel！　There’s　no　time　to　get　her！’
　
　
　CHAPTER　17
　
　When　he　stirred；　Kahlan　lifted　her　head。
　
　His　gray　eyes　blinked　and　searched　around　the　small　room　until　they　found　her　face。　‘Where　are　we？’
　
　She　gave　his　shoulder　a　little　squeeze。　‘At　Nissel’s。　She　tended　your　burn。’
　
　His　right　hand　came　up　and　touched　the　bandage…covered　poultice。　He　winced。　‘How　long　。。。　What　time　is　it？’
　
　Kahlan　looked　up　from　where　she　was　crouched　on　the　floor　next　to　him；　rubbed　her　eyes；　and　squinted　out　the　partly　opened　door　at　the　gray　light。　‘It　has　been　light　for　an　hour　or　two。　Nissel　is　in　the　back　room；　sleeping。　She　was　up　most　of　the　night；　tending　your　wound。　The　elders　are　all　outside；　watching　over　you。　They　haven’t　left　since　we　brought　you　here。’
　
　‘When？　When　did　you　bring　me　here？’
　
　‘In　the　middle　of　the　night。’
　
　Richard　looked　around　again。　‘What　happened？　Darken　Rahl　was　there。’　His　big　hand　grasped　her　arm。　‘He　touched　me。　He　。。。　marked　me。　Where　did　he　go？　What　happened　after　he　touched　me？’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘I　don’t　know。　He　just　left。’
　
　His　hand　squeezed　her　arm　painfully。　His　eyes　were　wild。　‘What　do　you　mean　he　left！　Did　he　go　back　into　the　green　light？　Back　into　the　underworld？’
　
　She　pulled　at　his　fingers。　‘Richard！　You’re　hurting　me。’
　
　He　let　go。　‘I’m　sorry。’　He　cradled　her　head　to　his　good　shoulder。　‘I’m　sorry。　I　didn’t　mean　to。　I’m　sorry。’　He　let　out　a　noisy　breath。　‘I　can’t　believe　how　stupid　I　am。’
　
　She　kissed　his　neck。　‘It　didn’t　hurt　that　much。’
　
　‘That’s　not　what　I　mean。　I　mean　I　can’t　believe　how　stupid　I　was　to　call　him　back　from　the　underworld。　I　can’t　believe　I　did　something　that　stupid。　I　was　warned。　I　should　have　thought。　I　should　have　figured　it　out。　I　let　myself　focus　on　one　thing　so　strongly　that　I　didn’t　look　around　and　see　what　was　ing　from　a　different　direction。　I　must　be　mad　to　have　done　that。’
　
　‘Don’t　say　that；’　she　whispered。　‘You’re　not　mad。’　She　pushed　herself　up　and　looked　down　at　him。　‘Don’t　you　ever　say　that　about　yourself。’
　
　He　blinked；　then　pushed　himself　up　to　sit　facing　her。　He　winced　when　he　touched　the　bandage　again。　He　reached　out　to　run　his　hand　down　her　cheek；　through　her　hair。　He　smiled　the　smile　that　made　her　heart　melt。
　
　He　sought　her　eyes。　‘You　are　the　most　beautiful　woman　in　the　world。　Did　I　ever　tell　you　that？’
　
　‘All　the　time。’
　
　‘Well；　you　are。　I　love　your　green　eyes；　your　hair。　You　have　the　most　beautiful　hair　I　ever　saw。　Kahlan；　I　love　you　more　than　anything　in　the　world。’
　
　She　forced　herself　to　hold　back　tears。　‘I　love　you　more　than　anything　else；　too。　Please；　Richard；　promise　me　you　won’t　ever　doubt　my　love。　Promise　me　that　no　matter　what　happens；　you　won’t　ever　doubt　how　much　I　love　you。’
　
　He　cupped　her　cheek。　‘I　promise。　I　promise　I　will　never　doubt　your　love。　No　matter　what。　All　right？　What’s　the　matter？’
　
　She　leaned　against　him；　laid　her　head　on　his　shoulder；　and　wrapped　her　arms　carefully　around　him　so　as　not　to　hurt　him。　‘Darken　Rahl　frightened　me；　that’s　all。　I　was　so　afraid　when　he　burned　you　with　his　hand。　I　thought　you　were　dead。’
　
　He　stroked　her　shoulder。　‘So　what　happened？　I　remember　him　telling　me　how　he　got　here；　because　I　called　him；　and　he　was　my　ancestor；　and　then　he　said　something　about　marking　me　for　the　Keeper。　Then　I　don’t　remember　anything　else。　What　happened？’
　
　Kahlan’s　mind　raced。　‘Well　。。。　he　said　he　was　going　to　mark　you；　kill　you；　that　the　mark　would　send　you　to　the　Keeper。　He　said　he　was　here　to　tear　the　veil　the　rest　of　the　way。　He　put　his　hand　against　you。　Burned　you。　But　before　he　could　do　it　enough；　before　he　could　kill　you；　I　called　the　lightning；　the　Con　Dar。’
　
　He　missed　a　breath。　‘I　don’t　suppose　that　we　could　be　lucky　enough　that　it　killed　him；　or　destroyed　him；　or　whatever　it　is　that　can　be　done　to　a　spirit。’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘No。　It　didn’t　destroy　him。　He　was　able　to　block　it；　partly　anyway。　But　I　think　it　frightened　him。　He　left。　Not　back　into　the　green　light；　but　out　the　door。　Before　he　could　finish　what　he　was　going　to　do　to　you。　He　just　left；　that’s　all。’
　
　He　grinned　and　hugged　her　tighter。　‘My　heroine。　You　saved　me。’　He　was　quiet　a　moment。　‘Here　to　tear　the　veil；’　he　whispered　to　himself。　His　brow　was　set　in　a　thoughtful　frown。　‘And　then　what　happened？’
　
　Kahlan　steeled　herself　for　the　lie　of　omission。　But　she　couldn’t　bear　the　scrutiny　of　his　eyes。　She　nestled　her　face　against　his　shoulder；　frantically　trying　to　think　of　a　way　to　get　him　off　the　subject。　‘And　then　the　elders　and　I　carried　you　here；　so　Nissel　could　tend　to　your　burn。　She　said　that　it’s　bad；　but　that　the　poultice　will　make　it　well。　You　have　to　leave　it　on　for　a　few　days；　until　it　begins　to　heal　over　enough。’
　
　She　angrily　shook　a　finger　at　him。　‘I　know　you。　You　will　want　to　take　it　off　sooner。　You　always　think　you　know　best。　Well；　you　don’t。　You　will　just　leave　it　on　like　I　tell　you；　Richard　Cypher。’
　
　His　smile　faded　a　little。　‘Richard　Rahl。’
　
　She　stared　at　him。　‘I’m　sorry；’　she　whispered。　‘Richard　Rahl。’　She　forced　a　smile。　‘My　Richard。　Maybe　you　could　change　it　when　we’re　married。　You　could　be　Richard　Amnell。　Mates　to　Confessors　sometimes　take　their　wife’s　family　name。’
　
　He　grinned。　‘I　like　it。　Richard　Amnell。　Husband　to　the　Mother　Confessor。　Devoted　husband。　Loving　husband。’　The　haunted　look　returned　to　his　eyes。　‘Sometimes　I　fear　I　don’t　know　who；　or　what；　I　am。　Sometimes　I　think　。。。’
　
　‘You　are　part　of　me；　and　I　am　part　of　you。　That’s　all　that　is　important。’
　
　He　nodded　absently；　his　eyes　glistening　with　tears。　‘I　wanted　to　help；　with　a　gathering。　I　wanted　to　find　a　way　to　stop　all　this。　Instead；　as　Darken　Rahl　said；　I’ve　only　made　it　worse。　He　was　right；　I　am　stupid。　It’s　going　to　be　my　fault　。。。’
　
　‘Richard；　stop　it。　You’ve　been　hurt。　You’re　just　exhausted。　When　you’ve　rested；　you’ll　figure　it　out。　You’ll　know　what　to　do。’
　
　He　gave　himself　a　mental　shake。　He　threw　the　blanket　off　and　looked　down。　‘Who　washed　the　mud　off　me　and　dressed　me？’
　
　‘The　elders　washed　off　the　mud。　Nissel　and　I　were　going　to　dress　you；’　she　said；　as　his　face　turned　red；　‘but　you　were　too　big　and　heavy　for　us。　The　elders　did　that　too。　They　had　quite　a　time　of　it。　It　took　all　of　them。’
　
　He　nodded　absently；　he　had　stopped　listening。　He　reached　up　to　the　spot　on　his　chest　where　the　whistle；　Scarlet’s　tooth；　and　the　Agiel　usually　hung；　but　didn’t　find　them。　‘We　have　to　get　out　of　here。　We　have　to　get　to　Zedd。　Right　now；　before　anything　else　happens。　I　need　Zedd’s　help。　Where　is　Scarlet’s　tooth？　I　have　to　call　her。　Where’s　my　sword？’
　
　‘All　of　our　things　are　in　the　spirit　house。’
　
　He　scrubbed　his　hands　over　his　face；　thinking；　then　bed　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　‘All　right