tg.stone of tears-第7章

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　‘Yes；　but　not　as　strong　and　I　didn’t　understand　them。　They　rushed　by　so　fast　I　couldn’t　grasp　their　form；　only　their　pain。　Then　he　was　gone。
　
　‘While　the　Mord…Sith　were　turned；　watching　him　go；　I　ran　back　to　my　room　and　locked　myself　in。　I　lay　on　the　bed　for　hours；　crying　uncontrollably　with　the　hurt　of　what　I　had　seen。　The　Lady　Ordith　banged　at　my　door；　wanting　me；　but　I　called　to　her　that　I　was　sick　and　she　finally　went　away　in　a　huff。　I　cried　until　my　insides　were　jelly。　I　saw　virtue　in　that　man；　and　I　wept　in　fear　of　the　evil　I　saw　snatching　for　him。
　
　‘Though　the　visions　were　all　different；　they　were　the　same。　They　all　had　the　same　feel：　danger。　Danger　presses　in　around　that　man　as　tightly　as　water　presses　around　a　fish。’　She　regained　some　of　her　posure　as　Zedd　sat　silently　watching　her。　That　is　why　I　will　not　work　for　him。　The　good　spirits　protect　me；　I　don’t　want　anything　to　do　with　the　danger　around　that　man。　With　the　underworld。’
　
　‘Maybe　you　could　help　him；　with　your　talent；　help　him　to　avoid　the　danger。　That　is　what　I　was　hoping　anyway；’　Zedd　said　in　a　quiet　voice。
　
　Jebra　dabbed　her　cheeks　dry　with　the　back　of　her　sleeve。　‘Not　for　all　the　duke’s　gold　and　power　would　I　want　to　be　in　Lord　Rahl’s　wake。　I　am　no　coward；　but　I　am　no　heroine　in　a　song；　and　no　fool　either。　I　did　not　wish　my　guts　put　back　to　have　them　ripped　out　again；　and　this　time　my　soul　with　them。’
　
　Zedd　quietly　watched　her　sniffling　herself　back　under　control；　putting　the　frightening　visions　away。　She　took　a　deep　breath　and　sighed。　Her　blue　eyes　finally　looked　to　his。
　
　‘Richard　is　my　grandson；’　he　said　simply。
　
　Her　eyes　winced　shut。　‘Oh；　good　spirits　forgive　me。’　Her　hand　covered　her　mouth　for　a　long　moment；　then　her　eyes　came　open；　her　eyebrows　wrinkled　together　in　horror。　‘Zedd　。。。　I’m　so　sorry　for　telling　you　what　I　saw。　Forgive　me。　Had　I　known；　I　never　would　have　told　you。’　Her　hands　trembled。　‘Forgive　me。　Oh　please；　forgive　me。’
　
　The　truth　is　the　truth。　I　am　not　one　who　would　shut　a　door　in　your　face　for　seeing　it。　Jebra；　I　am　a　wizard；　I　already　know　of　the　danger　he　is　in。　That　is　why　I　asked　you　to　help。　The　veil　to　the　underworld　is　torn。　That　thing　that　ripped　you　open　escaped　into　the　world　of　the　living　through　the　tear。　If　the　veil　tears　enough；　the　Keeper　will　escape。　Richard　has　done　things　that　the　prophecies　say　mark　him　as　maybe　the　only　one　able　to　close　the　tear。’
　
　He　lifted　the　purse　of　gold　and　slowly　settled　it　in　her　lap；　her　eyes　following　it　down。　He　withdrew　his　empty　hand。　Her　gaze　stayed　on　the　purse　as　if　it　were　a　beast　that　might　bite。
　
　‘Would　it　be　very　dangerous？’　she　asked　at　last　in　a　weak　voice。
　
　Zedd　smiled　when　her　eyes　came　up。　‘No　more　dangerous　than　going　for　an　afternoon　stroll　in　a　fortress　palace。’
　
　With　a　reflex　jerk；　her　hand　clutched　her　abdomen　where　the　wound　had　been。　Her　eyes　rose　to　look　off　down　the　wide；　resplendent　halls；　as　if　seeking　escape；　or　maybe　fearing　an　attack。　Without　looking　to　him　she　spoke。
　
　‘My　grandmother　was　a　Seer；　and　my　only　guide。　She　told　me　once　that　the　visions　would　bring　me　a　lifetime　of　hurt；　and　there　was　nothing　I　would　ever　be　able　to　do　to　stop　them。　She　said　that　if　ever　I　was　presented　with　the　opportunity　to　use　the　visions　for　good；　to　take　the　chance；　and　it　would　make　up　for　some　of　the　burden。　That　was　the　day　she　put　her　Stone　in　my　hand。’
　
　Jebra　lifted　the　purse　and　set　it　back　in　Zedd’s　lap。　‘I　will　not　do　it　for　all　the　gold　in　D’Hara。　But　I　will　do　it　for　you。’
　
　Zedd　smiled　and　patted　her　cheek。　‘Thank　you；　child。’　He　put　the　gold　back　in　her　lap；　the　coins　making　a　muffled　clink。　‘You　will　be　needing　this。　You　will　have　expenses。　What　is　left　is　yours。　That　is　the　way　I　wish　it。’
　
　She　nodded　resignedly。　‘What　must　I　do？’
　
　‘Well；　first　we　must　both　get　a　good　night’s　sleep。　You　will　need　to　rest　for　a　few　days　to　regain　your　strength。　And　then　you　have　some　traveling　to　do；　Lady　Bevinvier。’　He　smiled　at　the　way　one　of　her　eyebrows　lifted。　‘We　are　both　very　tired　right　now。　Tomorrow　after　I　have　rested；　I　must　be　off　on　important　business。　Before　I　leave；　I　will　e　to　you　and　we　will　talk　more　of　this。　But　starting　right　now；　I　would　ask　you　not　to　wear　the　Stone　where　it　can　be　seen。　No　good　can　e　of　declaring　your　talent　to　eyes　in　the　shadows。’
　
　‘So　my　new　employer　shall　use　me　covertly　too？　Not　the　most　honorable　of　things。’
　
　‘The　ones　who　would　recognize　you　now　are　not　vying　for　gold。　They　serve　the　Keeper。　They　want　much　more　than　gold。　If　they　discover　you；　you　will　wish　I　had　not　saved　you　today。’
　
　She　winced　before　finally　nodding。
　
　
　CHAPTER　4
　
　Zedd　stood　with　the　aid　of　a　hand　to　his　knee。　He　helped　Jebra　up。　As　he　expected；　she　was　unable　to　stand　without　leaning　heavily　on　him。　She　apologized　for　the　burden。　He　made　her　smile　by　telling　her　he　would　use　any　excuse　to　have　his　arm　around　the　waist　of　a　pretty　maiden。
　
　People　were　starting　to　go　back　to　their　business；　engaged　in　hushed　conversation　as　their　eyes　darted　about　the　suddenly　not　so　safe　palace。　Those　hurt　had　been　helped　away；　and　the　dead　carried　off。　Maidservants　in　heavy　skirts　worked　tearfully　at　the　task　of　cleaning　up　the　blood；　sloshing　mops　in　buckets　of　reddening　water。　Soldiers　of　the　First　File　were　spread　out　everywhere。　Zedd　motioned　to　mander　Trimack　across　the　hall。
　
　‘Anyway；　I　shall　be　glad　to　be　away　from　this　place；’　Jebra　said。　‘I　have　seen　auras　here　that　make　me　sweat　in　my　sleep。’
　
　As　the　officer　started　toward　them；　Zedd　asked；　‘Do　you　see　anything　of　this　man　ing　toward　us？’
　
　She　studied　him　a　moment　as　he　strode　toward　them；　checking　the　placement　of　his　men。　‘A　faint　aura。　Duty。’　She　frowned　as　she　stared。　‘It　has　always　been　a　burden　for　him。　He　is　daring　to　hope　that　maybe　he　will　now　find　pride　in　it。　Does　that　help　you　any？’
　
　Zedd　smiled　a　little。　‘Yes　it　does。　Any　visions？’
　
　‘No。　Just　the　faint　aura。’
　
　The　wizard　nodded　in　thought；　then　brightened。　‘By　the　way；　why　has　a　woman　as　lovely　as　you　not　found　herself　a　husband？’
　
　She　gave　him　a　sidelong　glance。　‘Three　have　asked。　As　each　was　on　bended　knee　before　me；　I　saw　a　vision　of　them　lying　with　another　woman。’
　
　Zedd　grinned。　‘Did　they　ask　why　you　said　no？’
　
　‘I　didn’t　say　no。　I　only　slapped　them　so　hard　it　made　their　heads　ring　like　a　bell。’
　
　Zedd　laughed　until　she　was　caught　up　in　it。　Trimack　came　at　last　to　a　halt　before　them。　mander　General　Trimack；　may　I　introduce　the　Lady　Bevinvier。’　Trimack　gave　a　smart　bow。　As　are　you；　as　am　I；　this　lady　is　one　who　is　at　the　task　of　keeping　harm　from　getting　a　glance　at　Lord　Rahl。　I　would　like　her　to　have　a　heavy　guard　at　all　times　while　she　is　in　the　palace。　Lord　Rahl　needs　her　help；　and　I　don’t　want　her　life　risked　again　as　it　was　today。’
　
　‘While　she　is　in　the　palace　she　will　be　as　safe　as　a　babe　in　her　mother’s　arms。　By　my　honor。’　He　turned　and　gave　a　coded　tap　to　his　shoulder。　A　good　two　dozen　men　of　the　First　File　came　at　a　dead　run；　freezing　to　a　halt　at　attention；　not　even　breathing　hard。　‘This　is　the　Lady　Bevinvier。　Every　one　of　your　lives　before　hers。’
　
　With　a　sharp　snap；　every　fist　came　to　an　armored　heart　as　one。　Two　of　them　took　Jebra’s　weight　from　Zedd。　She　kept　one　hand　tightly　closed　around　the　Stone。　The　purse　of　gold　bulged　in　a　pocket　of　her　long；　green　skirt。　It　was　covered　most　of　the　way　down　with　dried　blood。
　
　Zedd　addressed　the　men　holding　her　up。　‘She　will　need　suitable　quarters；　and　meals　brought　in。　Please　see　to　it　she　is　not　disturbed　by　anyone　but　me。’　He　looked　at　her　tired　blue　eyes　and　gently　touched　her　arm。　‘Rest　well；　child。　I　will　visit　you　in　the　morning。’
　
　She　smiled　weakly。　‘Thank　you；　Zedd。’　As　the　soldiers　helped　her　away；　the　wizard　turned　his　attention　to　Trimack。　‘There　is　a　woman　staying　in　the　palace；　a　Lady　Ordith　Condatith　de　Dackidvich。　Lord　Rahl　is　going　to　have　enough　trouble　without　her　kind　around。　I　want　her　out　of　here　before　the　day　is　finished。　If　she　refuses　to　leave；　offer　her　the　choice　of　a　carriage　or　a　noose。’
　
　Trimack　grinned　wickedly。　‘I　will　see　to　it　personally。’
　
　‘If　there　are　any　others　you　know　of　about　the　palace；　who　are　of　her　temperament；　feel　free　to　make　them　the　same　offer。　New　rule　brings　change。’　Zedd　couldn’t　see　auras；　but　he　was　sure　that　if　Jebra　had　been　standing　there；　she　would　have　seen　Trimack’s　brighten。
　
　‘Some　are　unfortable　with　change；　Wizard　Zorander。’　The　man　had　spoken　more　than　his　simple　words。　Are　there　any　above　you　in　mand　in　the　palace？　Other　than　Lord　Rahl？’
　
　Trimack　clasped　his　hands　behind　his　back　as　his　eyes　swept　the　hall。　There　is　one　named　Demmin　Nass；　mander　of　the　quads；　who　gave　orders　to　all　but　Darken　Rahl。’
　
　Zedd　let　out　a　heavy　breath　at　that　memory。　‘He　is　dead。’
　
　Trimack　nodded　with　what　might　have　been　relief。　‘Below　the　palace；　quartered　in　the　chambers　of　the　plateau；　there　are　perhaps　thirty　thousand　men　of　the　army。　Their　generals　outrank　me　in　the　field；　but　in　the　palace　the　word　of　the　mander　general　of　the　First　File　is　law。　Some　of　them　I　know　will　wele　the　change。　Some　will　not。’
　
　‘Richard　is　going　to　have　a　difficult　enough　time　being　the　magic　against　magic　…　underworld　magic　…　without　troubles　from　steel。　You　have　a　free　hand；　mander；　to　do　as　you　see　fit　to　protect　him。　Err　on　the　side　of　duty。’
　
　Trimack　grunted　acknowledgment；　then　went　on。　‘The　People’s　Palace；　one　roof　though　it　may　be；　is　a　city。　Thousands　live　here。　Merchants　and　supplies；　trains　of　wagons　to　lone　peddlers；　e　and　go　in　an　endless　stream　in　all　directions　except　to　the　east；　across　the　Azrith　Plains。　The　roads　in　are　the　arteries　that　feed　the　heart　of　D’Hara　…　the　People’s　Palace。
　
　The　inside　of　the　plateau　is　chambered　with　twice　the　number　of　rooms　of　the　palace　above　ground。　As　with　any　city　of　this　size；　the　motives　of　the　multitudes　ing　here　are　beyond　our　ability　to　judge　with　absolute　certainty。
　
　‘I　will　have　the　great　inner　doors　closed　and　seal　off　the　palace　above　ground。　It　is　something　that　has　not　been　done　in　a　few　hundred　years；　and　it　will　cause　worry　among　the　people　of　D’Hara；　but　I　would　risk　the　worried　talk。　The　only　way　to　the　palace　itself；　if　not　through　the　inside　entrances；　is　up　the　cliff　road　on　the　east　side。　I　will　keep　the　bridge　up。
　
　That　still　leaves　us　with　thousands　in　the　palace　proper。　Any　of　them　could　have　designs　not　to　our　liking。　Worse；　there　are　thousands　of　battle…tested　soldiers　in　the　belly　of　the　palace；　many　led　by　men　I　would　not　want　getting　a　glance　at　Lord　Rahl。　I　have　a　feeling　the　new　Lord　Rahl　is　not　the　kind　of　Rahl　they　are　used　to　dealing　with；　and　they　are　not　going　to　like　the　change。
　
　‘D’Hara　is　a　vast　empire；　the　supply　routes　long。　Perhaps　it　is　time　some　of　these　divisions　were　sent　out　to　see　to　the　safety　of　these　routes；　especially　the　ones　to　the　far　south；　near　the　wilds；　where　I　have　heard　rumor　there　is　unrest　and　trouble。　And　perhaps　from　the　ranks　of　the　ones　I　trust；　the　size　of　the　First　File　could　be　i