tg.stone of tears-第68章

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wrong。’
　
　He　exchanged　the　empty　bowl　for　the　full；　holding　it　to　his　nose　and　inhaling　the　aroma。　‘Maybe　when　the　boundary　finally　failed；　there　was　no　longer　any　hold　over　them；　and　they　simply　came　out　of　the　pass。’
　
　‘Maybe。　When　the　boundary　failed；　most　of　the　beasts　went　with　it；　back　into　the　underworld。　Some　were　freed　of　their　bonds　and　escaped　into　the　surrounding　country。　I　never　saw　any　grippers　until　the　winter　came；　nearly　a　month　ago。　I　fear　something　else　happened；　for　them　to　be　here。’
　
　Zedd　knew　very　well　what　had　happened；　but　didn’t　say　so。　Instead；　he　asked；　Adie；　why　don’t　you　leave？　e　away　with　me。　To　Aydindril。　It　would　be　。。。’
　
　‘No！’　Her　mouth　snapped　closed。　She　seemed　almost　surprised　by　her　own　voice。　She　smoothed　her　robe　with　her　hand；　letting　the　anger　leave　her　face　and　then　took　the　spoon　out　of　the　hand　with　the　bowl　and　returned　to　dishing　out　stew。　‘No。　This　be　my　home。’
　
　Zedd　watched　silently　as　she　worked　over　the　kettle。　When　finished；　she　carried　her　bowl　to　the　table；　set　it　down；　and　retrieved　a　loaf　of　bread　from　over　the　counter；　from　a　shelf　behind　a　blue…and…white…striped　curtain。　She　pointed　with　the　bread　to　the　other　empty　chair。　Zedd　set　his　bowl　on　the　table　and　sat；　hiking　his　robes　up　as　he　folded　his　legs　underneath　himself。　Adie　lowered　herself　into　the　chair　opposite　him　and　sliced　off　a　chunk　of　bread；　using　the　knifepoint　to　push　it　across　the　table　before　she　looked　up　to　meet　his　eyes。
　
　‘Please；　Zedd；　do　not　ask　me　to　leave　my　home。’
　
　‘I　am　only　worried　for　you；　Adie。’
　
　Adie　dunked　a　chunk　of　bread　in　her　stew。　‘That　be　a　lie。’
　
　He　looked　up　from　under　his　eyebrows　as　he　picked　up　his　bread。　‘It’s　not　a　lie。’
　
　She　ate　without　lifting　her　head。’　‘Only’　be　a　lie。’
　
　Zedd　went　back　to　his　stew　and　ate　in　earnest。　‘Umm。　Thish　ish　womerful；’　he　mumbled　around　a　hot　chunk　of　meat。　She　nodded　her　thanks。　He　ate　until　his　bowl　was　empty；　then　took　it　to　the　fireplace　and　filled　it　once　more。
　
　On　his　way　back　to　the　table；　he　swept　his　hand　around　at　the　room；　pointing　with　his　spoon。　‘You　have　a　lovely　home；　Adie。　Quite　lovely。’　He　sat　and　picked　up　the　bread　she　passed　to　him。　He　put　his　elbows　on　the　table；　his　sleeves　slipping　up　his　forearms　as　he　broke　the　bread　in　half。　‘But　I　don’t　think　you　should　be　living　here；　all　alone。　Not　with　the　grippers　and　all。’　He　gestured　with　the　bread　to　the　north。　‘Why　don’t　you　e　with　me　to　Aydindril？　It’s　a　lovely　place；　too。　You　would　like　it　there。　There’s　plenty　of　room。　Kahlan　could　see　to　it　you　have　your　choice　of　places　to　live。　Why；　you　could　even　stay　at　the　Keep；　if　you　preferred。’
　
　Her　white　eyes　stayed　on　her　meal。　‘No。’
　
　‘Why　not？　We　could　have　a　good　time　there。　A　sorceress　could　have　a　grand　time　in　the　Keep。　There　are　books　and。。。’
　
　‘I　said　no。’
　
　He　watched　her　as　she　went　back　to　eating　stew。　He　pushed　his　sleeves　up　farther　and　did　the　same。　He　couldn’t　eat　long。　He　set　the　spoon　in　the　bowl　and　looked　up　from　under　his　eyebrows。
　
　‘Adie；　there　is　more　to　the　story；　more　I　haven’t　told　you。’
　
　She　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘I　hope　you　do　not　expect　me　to　look　surprised。　I　not　be　good　at　pretending。’　She　bent　back　over　her　bowl。
　
　‘Adie；　the　veil　is　torn。’
　
　Her　hand　paused　with　the　spoon　halfway　to　her　mouth。　She　didn’t　look　up。　‘Baa。　What　do　you　know　of　the　veil。　You　do　not　know　what　you　speak　of　The　spoon　pleted　its　journey。
　
　‘I　know　it’s　torn。’
　
　She　scooped　up　the　last　piece　of　potato　from　her　bowl。　‘You　speak　of　things　that　are　not　possible；　wizard。　The　veil　not　be　torn。’　She　stood；　picking　up　her　empty　bowl。　‘Be　at　ease；　old　man；　if　the　veil　be　torn；　we　would　have　a　lot　more　than　grippers　to　be　worried　about。　But　we　don’t。’
　
　Zedd　turned；　putting　a　hand　on　the　back　of　his　chair；　watching　her　limp　toward　the　kettle　hanging　from　the　crane　in　the　fireplace。　‘The　Stone　of　Tears　is　in　this　world；’　he　said　in　a　quiet　voice。
　
　Adie　halted。　Her　bowl　fell　to　the　floor；　clattering　in　the　thick　silence；　and　rolled　away。　Her　hands　were　held　out　before　her　as　if　she　still　held　it。　Her　back　was　stiff。　‘Do　not　say　such　a　thing　aloud；’　she　whispered；　‘unless　you　be　certain　beyond　doubt。　Unless　you　be　certain　on　your　honor　as　First　Wizard。　Unless　you　be　willing　to　offer　your　soul　to　the　Keeper　if　you　be　lying。’
　
　Zedd’s　fierce；　hazel　eyes　watched　her　back。　‘I　pledge　my　soul　to　the　Keeper　if　I’m　telling　you　a　lie。　May　he　take　me　this　instant。　The　Stone　of　Tears　is　in　this　world。　I　have　seen　it。’
　
　‘Dear　spirits；　protect　us；’　she　whispered　weakly。　Still；　she　did　not　move。　‘Tell　me　what　fool　thing　you　have　done；　wizard。’
　
　‘Adie；　e　and　sit　down。　First；　I　want　you　to　tell　me　what　you　are　doing　living　here；　in　the　pass；　or　what　used　to　be　the　pass。　What　you　have　been　doing　living　at　the　edge　of　the　underworld；　and　why　you　won’t　leave。’
　
　She　spun　to　face　him；　one　hand　gripping　the　skirt　of　her　robe。　‘That　be　my　business。’
　
　With　his　hand　on　the　chair　back；　Zedd　pushed　himself　to　his　feet。　‘Adie；　I　must　know。　This　is　important。　I　must　know　what　you　have　been　doing；　so　that　I　may　know　if　it　can　be　a　help。
　
　‘I　know　very　well　the　pain　you　live　with。　I　saw　it；　remember？　I　don’t　know　what　caused　it；　but　I　know　how　deep　it　is。　I　would　ask　you　to　share　the　story　with　me。　I　ask　you　as　a　friend　to　confide　in　me。　Please　don’t　make　me　ask　as　First　Wizard。’
　
　Her　eyes　rose　to　meet　his　at　the　last　of　what　he　said。　The　flash　of　anger　faded　and　she　nodded。　‘Very　well。　Perhaps　I　have　kept　it　to　myself　too　long。　Perhaps　it　would　be　a　relief　to　tell　someone　。。。　a　friend。　Perhaps　you　will　not　want　my　help；　after　you　hear。　If　you　still　do；　I　expect　you　to　tell　me　all　that　has　happened。’　She　thrust　a　finger　in　his　direction。　‘All。’
　
　Zedd　gave　her　a　small　smile　of　encouragement。　‘Of　course。’
　
　She　limped　to　her　chair。　Just　as　she　sat　down；　the　largest　skull　on　the　shelves　suddenly　thudded　to　the　floor。　Both　stared　at　it。　Zedd　walked　over　and　picked　it　up　in　both　hands。　His　thin　fingers　stroked　tapered；　curved　fangs　as　long　as　his　hand。　The　skull　was　flat　on　the　bottom；　it　shouldn’t　have　been　able　to　roll　off　the　shelf。　He　replaced　it　solidly　as　Adie　watched。
　
　‘It　seems；’　she　said　in　her　rasp；　‘that　the　bones　want　to　be　on　the　floor　lately。　They　keep　falling　down。’
　
　Zedd　returned　to　his　chair　after　a　final　frown　to　the　skull。　‘Tell　me　about　the　bones；　why　you　have　them；　what　you　do　with　them；　everything。　Start　at　the　beginning。’
　
　‘Everything。’　She　folded　her　arms　across　her　lap；　briefly　looking　as　if　she　wanted　to　run　for　the　door。　‘It　be　a　painful　story　to　tell。’
　
　‘Not　a　word　of　it　will　ever　touch　my　lips；　Adie。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　22
　
　Adie　drew　a　long　breath。　‘I　be　born　in　the　town　of　Choora；　in　the　land　of　Nicobarese。　My　mother　did　not　have　the　gift　of　sorcery。　She　be　a　skip；　as　it　be　called。　My　grandmother　Lindel　be　the　one　before　me　to　have　it。　My　mother　be　grateful　to　the　good　spirits　she　be　a　skip；　but　bitter　at　them　that　I　be　gifted。
　
　‘In　Nicobarese；　those　with　the　gift　be　loathed　and　distrusted。　It　be　thought　the　gift　be　allied　to　the　flows　of　power　not　only　from　the　Creator；　but　also　from　the　Keeper。　Even　ones　using　the　gift　for　good　be　suspected　of　being　a　baneling。　You　know　of　the　banelings；　yes？’
　
　Zedd　tore　off　a　piece　of　bread。　‘Yes。　Ones　turned　to　the　Keeper。　Sworn　to　him。　They　hide　in　the　light；　as　well　as　the　shadows；　serving　his　wishes；　working　to　his　ends。　They　can　be　anyone。　Some　work　for　good　for　years；　hiding；　waiting　to　be　called。　But　when　they　are　called；　they　do　the　Keeper’s　bidding。
　
　They　are　also　called　by　different　names；　but　they’　are　all　agents　of　the　Keeper。　Some　books　call　them　that：　agents。　Some　are　important　people；　like　Darken　Rahl；　used　for　important　tasks。　Some　are　everyday　people；　used　for　dirty　little　deeds。　Those　with　the　gift；　like　Darken　Rahl；　are　the　most　difficult　for　the　Keeper　to　turn。　Those　without　it　are　easier；　but　even　they　are　rare。’
　
　Adie’s　eyes　widened。　‘Darken　Rahl　be　a　baneling？’
　
　Zedd　lifted　an　eyebrow　as　he　nodded。　‘Admitted　it　to　me　himself。　He　said　he　was　an　agent；　but　it’s　the　same　thing；　whatever　the　word；　and　I’ve　heard　any　number。　They　all　serve　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘This　be　dangerous　news。’
　
　Zedd　sopped　up　some　stew　with　the　piece　of　bread。　‘I　bring　very　little　of　any　other　kind。　You　were　saying　about　your　grandmother　Lindel？’
　
　‘In　the　time　of　Grandmother　Lmdel’s　youth；　sorceresses　be　put　to　death　for　anything　that　fate　brought：　sickness；　accidents；　still　births。　Put　to　death；　wrongly；　for　being　banelings。　Some　of　the　gifted　fought　back　at　being　wrongly　persecuted。　They　fought　well。　It　deepened　the　hatred；　and　only　served　to　confirm　the　fears　of　many　of　the　Nicobarese　people。
　
　‘At　last；　there　was　a　truce。　Nicobarese　leaders　agreed　to　let　the　gifted　women　be；　if　they　would　give　a　soul　oath；　as　a　way　of　proving　they　not　be　banelings；　an　oath　not　to　use　their　power　unless　permission　be　granted　by　a　governing　body；　the　king’s　circle　of　their　town；　for　instance。　It　be　an　oath　to　the　people。　An　oath　not　to　use　the　gift　and　bring　the　Keeper’s　notice。’
　
　Zedd　swallowed　a　mouthful　of　stew。　‘Why　would　people　think　sorceresses　were　banelings？’
　
　‘Because　it　be　easier　to　blame　a　woman　for　their　troubles　than　to　admit　the　truth；　and　more　satisfying　to　accuse　than　to　curse　the　unknown。　Those　with　the　gift　use　power　that　can　help　people；　but　it　can　also　be　used　to　harm　them。　Because　it　can　be　used　to　harm；　it　be　believed　the　power　must　be　given；　at　least　in　part；　by　the　Keeper。’
　
　‘Superstitious　nonsense；’　he　growled。
　
　‘As　you　well　know；　superstition　needs　no　grounding　in　truth；　but　once　rooted；　it　grows　a　strong　though　twisted　tree。’
　
　He　grunted　his　assent。　‘So　no　sorceress　used　her　power？’
　
　Adie　shook　her　head。　‘No。　Unless　it　be　for　some　mon　good；　and　they　went　before　the　king’s　circle　of　their　town　first　and　asked　permission。　Every　sorceress　went　before　the　circle　of　their　town　or　district　and　swore　an　oath　to　the　people；　an　oath　on　her　soul；　to　abide　by　the　wishes　of　the　people。　Swore　a　solemn　oath　not　to　use　her　power　on　or　for　another　unless　asked　to　do　so　by　the　agreement　of　the　circle。’
　
　Zedd　put　his　spoon　down　in　disgust。　‘But　they　had　the　gift。　How　could　they　not　use　it？’
　
　‘They　used　it；　but　only　in　private。　Never　where　anyone　could　see；　and　never　on　another。’
　
　Zedd　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　shaking　his　head　in　silent　wonder　at　the　Wizard’s　First　Rule；　at　the　things　people　would　believe；　while　Adie　went　on。
　
　‘Grandmother　Lindel　be　a　stern　old　woman　who　lived　by　herself。　She　never　wanted　anything　to　do　with　teaching　me　about　using　the　gift。　She　told　me　only　to　let　it　be。　And　my　mother；　of　course；　could　teach　me　nothing。　So　I　learned　on　my　own　as　I　grew；　as　the　gift　grew；　but　I　knew　very　well　the　wickedness　of　using　it。　I　be　lectured　on　that　almost　every　day。　To　use　the　gift　in　a　manner　not　permitted　was　made　to　seem　like　touching　the　taint　of　the　Keeper　himself；　and　I　bel