tg.stone of tears-第66章

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　The　man　with　the　long　silver　hair　gave　Chase　a　sad　look　as　he　let　out　a　long　breath。　He　pointed　at　the　third　woman；　the　one　without　an　X；　and　then　he　turned　and　took　a　rope　from　a　man　behind　him。　He　wrapped　the　rope　around　his　own　neck。　He　looked　to　Chase’s　frown　and　then　he　pointed　to　the　picture　of　Richard。　When　Chase　looked　up　and　their　eyes　met；　the　man　pulled　the　rope　tight　with　a　snap。　He　pointed　east。　He　touched　the　stick　to　the　picture　of　Kahlan　and　then　pulled　his　fingers　down　his　cheeks；　from　the　corners　of　his　eye；　like　tears；　then　pointed　north。
　
　Chase　stood。　It　was　almost　a　jump。　His　face　was　pale。　‘She　took　him；’　he　whispered。　‘This　woman　captured　Richard；　and　took　him　into　the　wilds。’
　
　Rachel　stood　next　to　him。　‘What　does　it　mean；　Chase？　Why　didn’t　Kahlan　go　with　him？’
　
　He　looked　down　at　her。　His　face　had　an　odd；　still　look　that　made　her　stomach　knot　up。　‘She　went　for　help。　She　went　to　Aydindril。　To　get　Zedd。’
　
　No　one　made　a　sound。　He　stared　back　out　to　the　east　as　he　hooked　a　thumb　behind　his　big　silver　belt　buckle。
　
　‘Dear　spirits；’　he　whispered　to　himself；　‘if　Richard　really　did　go　into　the　wilds；　turn　him　north。　Don’t　let　him　go　to　the　south；　or　even　Zedd　won’t　be　able　to　help　him。’
　
　Rachel　hugged　her　doll　tight。　‘What’s　the　wilds？’
　
　‘A　very　bad　place；　little　one。’　He　stared　out　unblinking　toward　the　darkening　sky。　‘A　very　bad　place。’
　
　The　way　he　said　it；　all　calm　and　quiet；　gave　her　goose　bumps。
　
　
　Zedd　could　feel　the　muscles　in　the　horse’s　back　flexing　under　him　as　he　ducked　beneath　a　branch　while　slowing　the　animal。　Zedd　favored　riding　bareback。　If　he　needed　to　ride　a　horse；　he　preferred　to　let　the　animal　feel　as　unencumbered　as　possible。　He　thought　it　only　fair。　Most　seemed　to　appreciate　his　consideration；　this　one　especially。　She　gave　him　more　than　she　ever　would　have　under　a　saddle；　and　he　had　taken　everything　she　had　given。
　
　He　had　proffered　his　saddle　and　the　rest　of　the　tack　to　a　man　named　Haff。　Haff　had　the　biggest　ears　Zedd　had　ever　seen。　How　a　man　with　ears　the　like　of　those　had　ever　found　a　wife　was　a　wonder。　But　have　a　wife　he　did；　and　four　children；　too；　and　he　looked　to　have　more　need　of　the　tack　than　Zedd。　Not　to　ride；　of　course；　but　to　sell。　His　crops　and　stores　had　been　carried　off　by　soldiers　of　the　D’Haran　army。
　
　It　was　the　least　Zedd　could　do。　After　all；　Rachel　was　soaked　to　the　bone；　and　Haff　offered　them　a　dry　place　to　sleep；　even　if　it　was　in　a　dilapidated　little　barn；　and　his　wife　offered　them　a　cabbage　soup；　thin　as　it　was；　asking　nothing　in　return。　It　was　worth　a　saddle　just　to　see　the　look　on　Chase’s　face　when　Zedd　said　he　wasn’t　hungry。
　
　The　big　man　ate　enough　for　three　men；　though；　and　he　should　have　known　better。　There　was　going　to　be　much　hunger　this　winter。　The　tack　wouldn’t　bring　its　worth；　not　with　hunger　spreading　like　a　dark　wind　before　a　thunder…head；　but　it　would　bring　something；　maybe　enough　to　take　the　hardest　edge　off　the　winter。
　
　Zedd　saw　Chase　put　a　coin　in　each　of　the　four　children’s　pockets；　when　he　thought　no　one　was　looking；　growling　at　them　in　a　tone　that　would　make　a　grown　man　blanch；　but　which　for　some　odd　reason　made　children　only　smile；　not　to　look　in　the　pocket　until　he　was　gone。　He　hoped　it　wasn’t　gold。　The　boundary　warden　could　smell　a　thief　open　a　window　in　the　next　town　and　probably　tell　you　his　name；　too；　but　he　had　no　wits　about　him　around　children。
　
　Haff　suspiciously　wanted　to　know　what　he　was　to　do　in　return　for　the　tack。　Zedd　told　him　he　was　to　swear　his　undying　loyalty　to　the　Mother　Confessor；　and　the　new　Lord　Rahl　of　D’Hara；　both　of　whom　had　put　a　stop　to　things　the　like　of　which　had　been　done　to　him。　The　man　had　stared　at　him；　his　big　ears　sticking　out　under　that　ridiculous　knit　hat　with　a　tassel　on　each　side　that　only　served　to　draw　attention　where　it　wasn’t　needed；　and　had　said；　‘Done；’　with　a　firm　nod。
　
　A　small　start：　one　loyal；　for　the　price　of　a　saddle。　That　it　would　all　be　so　easy。　But　that　was　weeks　ago。　Now；　he　was　alone。
　
　The　sweet　smell　of　a　birch　fire　drifted　to　him　through　the　thick　woods；　the　horse　lifting　her　nose　to　it　as　she　stepped　carefully　along　the　narrow　path。　In　the　still　air；　gathering　darkness　sent　deepening　shadows　across　the　way。　Even　before　the　small　house　came　into　view；　he　could　hear　the　racket：　the　sound　of　furniture　being　overturned；　the　crash　of　pots　and　pans；　and　demons　being　cursed。　The　horse’s　ears　pricked　toward　the　motion　as　they　rode　down　the　twisting　trail。　Zedd　gave　her　a　reassuring　pat　on　the　neck。
　
　The　little　house；　wood　walls　dark　with　age；　and　a　roof　thickly　layered　with　ferns　and　dry　pine　needles；　was　set　back　into　the　towering　trees；　nestled　among　rough　trunks　dark　in　the　day’s　end。　He　dismounted　to　the　side　of　the　brown；　dead　ferns　spreading　like　a　garden　in　front　of　the　house。　The　horse　rolled　her　eyes　toward　him　as　he　came　around　to　give　her　a　scratch　under　her　jaw。
　
　‘Be　a　good　girl　and　find　yourself　something　to　eat。’　He　put　a　finger　under　the　horse’s　chin；　forcing　her　head　up。　‘But　stay　close？’　The　horse　nickered。　With　a　smile；　Zedd　rubbed　her　gray　nose。　‘Good　girl。’
　
　From　inside　the　house　came　a　low　growl　interspersed　with　angry　clicks。　Something　heavy　thudded　to　the　floor；　acpanied　by　a　thick　oath　in　a　foreign　tongue。
　
　‘e　out　from　under　there；　you　vile　beast！’
　
　Zedd　grinned　at　the　sound　of　the　familiar；　raspy　voice。　He　watched　the　horse　stroll　off　a　ways　to　graze　on　tufts　of　dry　grass；　lifting　her　head；　while　she　chewed；　to　look　back　toward　the　house　at　each　sharp　thump。
　
　Zedd　sauntered　up　the　curving　walk　toward　the　house。　He　paused；　turning　full　around　twice　to　admire　the　beauty　of　the　surrounding　woods。　They　truly　were　a　wonder；　calm　and　peaceful　in　a　place　that　had　been　a　pass　through　one　of　the　most　dangerous　spots　in　the　world：　the　boundary。　But　the　boundary　was　gone　now。　Yet；　the　woods　were　a　serene　refuge；　imbued　with　an　almost　palpable　tranquillity　that　Zedd　knew　wasn’t　natural。　They　had　been　infused　with　those　qualities　at　the　skilled　hands　of　the　woman　who　at　that　very　moment　was　throwing　curses　bold　enough　to　make　a　battle…hardened　Sandarian　lancer　blush。
　
　And　he　had　seen　one　of　those　curse　his　own　queen　into　a　dead　faint。　That；　of　course；　had　only　earned　the　man　the　rope。　The　fellow　had　had　a　few　things　to　say　to　the　hangman；　too；　which　in　turn　didn’t　bring　him　a　clean　drop；　but　did　offer　him　the　opportunity　to　get　off　one　last　eloquent；　if　vulgar；　oath。　The　other　lancers　seemed　to　think　the　trade　worth　the　price。
　
　For　her　part；　the　queen　never　seemed　to　fully　recover　her　delicate　air；　and　thereafter　always　flushed　a　fabulous　red　at　the　mere　sight　of　one　of　her　lancers；　needing　to　be　fanned　furiously　by　her　attendants　in　order　to　remain　conscious。　She　would　probably　have　had　them　all　hanged　had　they　not　saved　her　throne；　to　say　nothing　of　her　dainty　neck；　on　more　than　one　occasion。　But　that　was　a　long　time　ago；　in　another　war。
　
　Clasping　his　hands　together　behind　himself；　Zedd　inhaled　deeply；　relishing　the　clean；　crisp　air。　Bending　over；　he　plucked　a　dry；　wilted　wild　rose；　and　with　a　wisp　of　magic　brought　it　to　fresh　bloom。　The　yellow　petals　spread　and　swelled　with　new　vitality。　Closing　his　eyes；　he　took　a　deep　whiff　of　the　flower　and　then　idly　stuck　it　in　his　robes；　over　his　breast。　He　was　in　no　hurry。
　
　It　was　not　wise　to　interrupt　a　sorceress　in　a　snit。
　
　Through　the　open　door　came　a　more　serious　curse　as　the　object　of　the　sorceress’s　ire　was　at　last　brought　to　account。　With　a　whack　from　the　blunt　end　of　an　axe；　the　thing　was　sent　flying　through　the　doorway。　The　small；　armored　beast　landed　on　its　back　at　Zedd’s　feet。　Wobbling；　it　clicked　and　growled　as　it　raked　the　air　with　its　claws；　trying　to　right　itself。　It　appeared　no　worse　for　the　axe；　or　for　its　brief　flight　and　rough　landing。
　
　Filthy　gripper。　It　was　a　gripper　that　had　attached　itself　to　Adie’s　ankle　before。　Once　a　gripper　had　you；　there　was　virtually　no　way　to　get　it　off。　It　held　on　with　those　claws　and　rasped　its　teeth　into　you；　down　to　bone；　sucking　your　blood　with　its　puckered；　fang…ringed　mouth。　They　never　let　go　as　long　as　there　was　blood　to　feed　on；　and　that　armor　shed　any　counterattack。
　
　Adie　had　used　an　axe　to　chop　off　her　foot　where　the　gripper　had　been　attached；　chopped　off　her　own　foot　to　save　her　life。　Thinking　about　it　turned　his　stomach。　He　watched　the　beast　at　his　feet　for　a　moment；　then　gave　it　a　casual　kick；　sending　it　a　goodly　distance。　Landing　right　side　up；　it　waddled　off　into　the　woods　in　search　of　easier　prey。
　
　Zedd　looked　up　at　the　figure　standing　in　the　doorway；　scowling　at　him　with　her　pletely　white　eyes；　her　breast　still　heaving。　She　wore　robes　the　same　light　burlap　color　as　his；　but　unlike　his；　hers　were　decorated　at　the　neck　with　yellow　and　red　beads　sewn　in　the　ancient　symbols　of　her　profession。　She　put　her　fists　on　her　hips。　The　scowl　held　a　firm　grip　on　her　features；　not　that　it　diminished　in　the　least　how　handsome　they　were。
　
　She　still　held　the　axe　in。　one　hand；　though；　a　worrisome　sign。　Best　not　to　trouble　her　too　quickly　with　what　he　wanted。
　
　Zedd　smiled。　‘You　really　shouldn’t　play　with　grippers；　Adie。　That’s　how　you　lost　your　foot　the　last　time；　you　know。’　He　plucked　the　yellow　rose　from　its　place　at　his　chest。　His　thin　lips　pushed　his　wrinkled　cheeks　back　farther　as　his　smile　widened。　‘Got　anything　to　eat？　I’m　starving。’
　
　She　watched　him　silently　for　a　moment　without　moving；　then　slipped　the　axe　head　to　the　floor　and　leaned　the　handle　against　the　wall　just　inside　the　door。　‘What　do　you　be　doing　here；　wizard？’
　
　Zedd　stepped　onto　the　tiny　porch　and　gave　a　dramatic　bow。　When　he　came　up；　he　offered　her　the　flower　as　if　it　were　a　priceless　jewel。　‘I　just　couldn’t　stay　away　from　your　tender　embrace；　dear　lady。’　He　flashed　his　most　irresistible　smile。
　
　Adie　studied　him　a　moment　with　those　white　eyes。　That　be　a　lie。’
　
　Zedd　cleared　his　throat　and　pressed　the　flower　closer。　He　thought　maybe　he　needed　to　practice　his　smile。　‘Is　that　stew　I　smell？’
　
　Without　taking　her　gaze　from　him；　she　accepted　the　flower；　sticking　it　in　her　straight；　jaw…length　black　and　gray　hair。　She　truly　was　handsome。　‘It　be　stew。’
　
　Her　soft；　thin　hands　took　his。　A　small　smile　stole　onto　her　finely　wrinkled　face；　and　she　gave　a　slight　nod。　‘It　be　good　to　see　you　again；　Zedd。　For　a　time；　I　feared　I　never　would。　I　spent　many　a　night　in　a　sweat；　knowing　what　would　happen　had　you　failed。　When　winter　came　and　the　Magic　of　Orden　didn’t　sweep　the　land；　I　knew　you　had　succeeded。’
　
　Zedd　was　encouraged　that　his　best　smile　hadn’t　been　wasted　after　all；　but　he　was　careful　with　his　answer。　‘Darken　Rahl　has　been　defeated。’
　
　‘What　of　Richard　and　Kahlan？　Do　they　be　safe？’
　
　Zedd　puffed　up　with　pride。　‘Yes。　In　fact；　Richard　was　the　one　who　defeated　Darken　Rahl。’
　
　She　nodded　again。　‘I　think　there　be　more　to　the　story。’
　
　He　shrugged；　trying　to　make　it　seem　less　important　than　it　was。　‘A　bit　of　a　tale。’
　
　Though　the　small　smile　still　rested　easily　on　her　face；　her　white　eyes　seemed　to　be　weighing　his　soul。　‘And　there　b