tg.stone of tears-第75章

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　The　barren　land　had　bee　progressively　rockier　and　more　desolate。　He　had　not　bothered　asking　about　their　route　because　he　didn’t　think　she　would　tell　him；　and　because　he　didn’t　care。　Wherever　they　went；　he　was　still　a　prisoner。
　
　Richard　scratched　his　new　beard　as　he　started　kicking　dirt　over　the　fire。　It　was　a　warm　night；　as　most　had　been　lately。　He　wondered　what　had　happened　to　winter。　‘We　don’t　even　know　who　they　are　yet。　You　can’t　just　go　killing　anyone　that　shows　up。’
　
　‘Richard。’　She　clasped　her　hands　together。　‘Not　all　the　Sisters　who　try　to　return　are　successful。　Many　are　killed　trying　to　cross　these　lands。　In　every　case；　there　were　three　Sisters。　I　am　but　one。　Not　good　odds。’
　
　The　horses　nickered　and　began　moving　about；　tossing　their　heads　and　pawing　their　hooves。　Richard　strapped　the　baldric　over　his　shoulder。　He　checked　that　the　sword　was　clear　in　its　scabbard。
　
　‘You　were　wrong；　Sister；　not　to　try　to　get　away　as　soon　as　you　knew。　If　you　have　to　fight；　it　should　be　because　there　is　no　other　way。　You　didn’t　even　try。’
　
　Hands　still　clasped　together；　she　watched　him。　Her　voice　was　soft　but　firm。　These　people　are　intent　upon　killing　us；　Richard。　Both　of　us。　If　we　had　tried　to　run；　this　one　would　have　alerted　the　others；　and　brought　hundreds；　thousands；　to　bring　us　down。　I　have　not　run　so　as　to　embolden　this　one　into　trying　to　take　us　himself；　so　we　can　end　the　threat。’
　
　‘I’m　not　killing　people　for　you；　Sister　Verna。’
　
　As　they　glared　at　each　other；　he　heard　a　scream：　a　woman’s　scream。　He　stared　out　into　the　night；　trying　to　see　into　the　shadows　of　the　rocky　spires；　trying　to　see　where　the　scream　came　from。　He　couldn’t　see　anyone；　but　the　screams　and　cries　were　ing　closer。
　
　Richard　kicked　dirt　over　the　last　of　the　flames　and　sprinted　to　the　horses；　calming　them　with　reassuring　words　and　gentle　strokes。　He　didn’t　care　what　she　said；　he　wasn’t　killing　people　on　her　word。　The　woman　was　crazy　not　to　want　to　try　to　escape。
　
　She　probably　wanted　a　fight；　just　to　see　what　he　would　do。　She　was　always　watching　him　as　if　he　were　a　bug　in　a　box。　She　questioned　him　every　time　he　practiced　trying　to　touch　his　Han。　Whatever　the　Han　was；　he　hadn’t　been　able　to　sense　it；　much　less　touch　it　or　call　it　forth。　Just　as　well；　as　far　as　he　was　concerned。
　
　Richard　was　starting　toward　the　saddlebags；　to　gather　the　rest　of　their　things；　when　a　woman　came　running　out　of　the　night。　Cloak　flying　behind；　and　crying　in　terror；　she　ran　headlong　into　their　camp。　She　let　out　a　wail　and　dashed　desperately　for　him。
　
　‘Please！’　she　cried　out。　‘Please　help　me！　Please　don’t　let　them　get　me！’
　
　Her　loose　hair　streamed　behind　as　she　ran。　The　naked　fear　on　her　face　ran　a　shiver　up　Richard’s　spine。　She　stumbled　as　she　reached　him。　Richard　caught　her　frail　form　in　his　arms。　Her　dirty　face　was　streaked　with　sweat　and　tears。
　
　‘Please；　sir；’　she　sobbed；　looking　up　at　him　with　dark　eyes；　‘please　don’t　let　them　get　me。　You　don’t　know　what　those　men　will　do　to　me。’
　
　Richard’s　mind　filled　with　the　fright　of　remembering　Kahlan　being　pursued　by　the　quads。　He　remembered　how　terrified　she　had　been　of　those　men；　and　how　she　had　spoken　almost　the　same　words：　You　don’t　know　what　those　men　will　do　to　me。
　
　‘No　one　is　going　to　get　you。　You　are　safe　now。’
　
　The　woman’s　arms　came　out　from　under　her　cloak；　slipping　around　him。　Her　dark　eyes　stayed　on　his　as　he　held　her　weight。
　
　She　opened　her　mouth　as　if　to　speak；　but　instead　gave　a　little　grunt　and　jerked。　Light　seemed　to　flash　from　within　her　eyes。　She　went　slack　and　heavy　in　his　arms。
　
　Richard　looked　up　into　Sister　Verna’s　unwavering　gaze　as　she　yanked　the　silver　knife　from　the　woman’s　back。　Richard　felt　himself　letting　the　dead　weight　slip　to　the　ground。　The　woman　slumped　fluidly　and　rolled　onto　her　back。
　
　The　night　air　rang　with　the　sound　of　steel　as　Richard　drew　the　sword。
　
　‘What’s　the　matter　with　you？’　he　hissed。　‘You　have　just　murdered　this　woman。’
　
　Sister　Verna　returned　his　glare　in　kind。　‘I　thought　you　said　you　held　no　foolish　prohibitions　against　killing　women。’
　
　The　wrath　of　the　sword’s　magic　pounded　through　him；　raging　to　be　set　free。　‘You　are　mad。’　He　was　rushing　toward　a　lethal　precipice。　The　sword’s　point　rose　in　anger。
　
　‘Before　you　would　think　to　kill　me；’　Sister　Verna　said　in　a　measured　tone；　‘you　had　better　make　sure　you　are　not　making　a　mistake。’　Richard　didn’t　answer。　He　was　incapable　of　speaking　through　the　fury。　‘Look　in　her　hand；　Richard。’
　
　He　looked　down　at　the　lifeless　body。　Her　hands　were　covered　by　her　heavy　woolen　cloak。　Using　the　sword；　he　flicked　the　cloak　back　off　her　arm　to　reveal　a　knife　still　gripped　in　her　dead　fist。　The　point　had　a　dark　stain　on　it。
　
　‘Did　she　scratch　you　with　the　knife？’
　
　Richard’s　chest　still　heaved　with　anger。　‘No。　Why？’
　
　‘Her　knife　is　coated　with　poison。　All　it　would　take　is　a　scratch。’
　
　‘What　makes　you　think　it　was　meant　for　me！　She　was　probably　hoping　to　defend　herself　from　the　men　who　are　chasing　her！’
　
　‘There　are　no　men　chasing　her。　She　is　a　sentry。　You　are　always　telling　me　to　stop　treating　you　like　a　child；　Richard。　Stop　acting　like　one。　I　know　about　these　people；　how　they　do　things。　She　meant　to　kill　us。’
　
　He　could　feel　the　muscles　in　his　jaw　flex　as　he　gritted　his　teeth。　‘We　could　have　tried　to　get　away　when　she　first　spotted　us。’
　
　She　nodded。　‘Yes；　and　we　would　have　died。　I　am　telling　you；　Richard；　I　know　these　people。　The　wilds　are　layered　like　an　onion　with　different　peoples；　all　of　whom；　will　kill　us　if　they　find　us。　Had　we　let　her　reach　her　kind；　they　would　have　caught　us　and　killed　us。
　
　‘Don’t　let　the　anger　of　your　sword　close　your　eyes。　She　has　a　poison　knife　in　her　hand；　she　had　it　to　your　back；　and　she　fell　into　your　arms　to　be　able　to　get　close　enough　to　use　it。　You　foolishly　let　her　do　so。’　She　turned　a　little　and　swept　an　arm　behind。　‘Where　are　the　ones　chasing　her？’　She　let　the　arm　drop　to　her　side。　There　is　no　one　else。　I　could　sense　them　with　my　Han　if　there　were。　She　was　alone。　I　have　just　saved　your　life。’
　
　He　drove　the　Sword　of　Truth　back　into　its　scabbard。　‘You　have　done　me　no　great　favor；　Sister　Verna。’
　
　He　didn’t　know　what　to　believe。　He　knew　only　that　he　was　sick　of　magic；　and　weary　of　death。　‘What　is　that　knife　you　keep　up　your　sleeve？　What’s　the　light　in　their　eyes　when　you　kill　with　it？’
　
　‘It’s　called　a　dacra。　I　guess　it　could　be　pared　to　the　poison　blade　she　was　carrying。　With　the　dacra　it’s　not　the　wound　itself　that　kills；　the　dacra　extinguishes　the　spark　of　life。’　Her　eyes　lowered。　‘It’s　a　painful　thing　to　steal　a　life。　Sometimes；　it　is　the　only　way。　This；　tonight；　was　the　only　way　to　save　our　lives；　whether　you　choose　to　believe　it　or　not。’
　
　‘All　I　know；　Sister　Verna；　is　that　you　use　it　without　hesitation；　and　that　you　didn’t　even　try　anything　else。’　He　started　to　turn　away。　‘I’m　going　to　bury　her。’
　
　‘Richard。’　She　smoothed　her　skirt。　‘I　hope　you　understand；　and　that　you　don’t　misinterpret　our　actions；　but　when　we　reach　the　palace；　we　may　have　to　take　the　Sword　of　Truth　from　you。　For　your　own　good。’
　
　‘Why？　How　could　that　be　for　my　own　good？’
　
　She　clasped　her　hands　together　again。　The　prophecy　that　you　have　invoked；　the　one　that　says　‘He　is　the　bringer　of　death；　and　he　shall　so　name　himself；’　is　a　very　dangerous　prophecy。　It　goes　on　to　say　that　the　holder　of　the　sword　is　able　to　call　the　dead　forth；　call　the　past　into　the　present。’
　
　‘What　does　that　mean？’
　
　‘We　don’t　know。’
　
　‘Prophecies；’　he　muttered。　‘Prophecies　are　just　stupid　riddles；　Sister。　You　invest　too　much　concern　in　them。　You　admit　that　you　don’t　understand　them；　yet　try　to　follow　them。　Only　a　fool　follows　blindly　what　he　doesn’t　understand。　If　it　were　true；　I　would　call　the　dead　forth　and　give　this　woman’s　life　back　to　her。’
　
　‘We　know　a　lot　more　about　them　than　you　think。　I　believe　it　would　be　for　the　best　if　we　took　the　sword；　just　for　safekeeping；　until　we　understand　the　prophecy　better。’
　
　‘Sister　Verna；　if　someone　took　the　dacra　from　you；　would　you　still　be　a　Sister？’
　
　‘Of　course。　The　dacra　is　simply　a　tool　to　help　us　in　our　job。　It　doesn’t　make　us　who　we　are。’
　
　He　smiled　a　cold　smile。　‘It’s　the　same　with　the　sword。　With　or　without　it；　I　am　still　the　Seeker。　I　would　be　no　less　a　danger　to　you。　Taking　it　away　from　me　will　not　save　you。’
　
　Her　fists　tightened。　‘It　is　not　the　same。’
　
　‘You　are　not　taking　the　sword；’　he　said　flatly。　‘You　could　never　understand　how　much　I　hate　this　sword；　hate　its　magic；　and　how　much　I　wish　to　be　rid　of　it；　but　it　was　given　to　me　when　I　was　named　Seeker。　It　was　given　to　me　to　be　mine　for　as　long　as　I　wish　to　hold　it。　I　am　the　Seeker；　and　I；　not　you；　or　anyone　else；　will　decide　when　I　am　to　give　it　up。’
　
　Her　eyes　narrowed。　‘Named　Seeker？　You　did　not　find　the　sword？　Or　purchase　it？　It　was　given　by　a　wizard？　You　were　named　Seeker？　A　real　Seeker？　By　a　wizard？’
　
　‘I　was。’
　
　‘Who　was　this　wizard？’
　
　The　one　I　told　you　of　before：　Zeddicus　Zu’l　Zorander。’
　
　‘You　met　him　just　this　once；　when　he　gave　you　the　sword？’
　
　‘No。　I　have　spent　my　whole　life　with　him。　He　practically　raised　me。　He　is　my　grandfather。’
　
　There　was　a　long　moment　of　dead　silence。　‘And　he　named　you　Seeker；　because　he　refused　to　teach　you　to　control　the　gift？　To　be　a　wizard？’
　
　‘Refused！　When　he　realized　I　had　the　gift；　he　practically　begged　to　teach　me　to　be　a　wizard。’
　
　‘He　offered？’　she　whispered。
　
　That’s　right。　I　told　him　I　didn’t　want　to　be　a　wizard。’　Something　was　wrong。　She　seemed　disturbed　by　this　news。　‘He　said　the　offer　still　stands。　Why？’
　
　She　rubbed　her　hands　absently。　‘It　is　just　。。。　unusual；　that’s　all。　Many　things　about　you　are　unusual。’
　
　Richard　didn’t　know　if　he　believed　her。　He　wondered　if　maybe　he　didn’t　need　the　collar；　if　Zedd　could　have　helped　him　without　it。
　
　But　Kahlan　had　wanted　it　on　him。　She　had　wanted　him　taken　away。　His　insides　twisted　with　that　pain。
　
　The　sword　was　the　only　thing　he　had　of　Zedd。　It　was　given　to　him　when　he　was　still　back　in　Westland；　when　he　was　home。　He　missed　his　home；　his　woods。　The　sword　was　the　only　thing　left　of　Zedd；　and　home。
　
　‘Sister；　I　was　named　Seeker；　and　given　this　sword；　for　as　long　as　I　wish　to　keep　it　and　be　Seeker。　I　will　be　the　one　to　decide　when　the　time　has　e　to　give　it　up。　If　you　wish　to　take　it　away　from　me；　then　try　to　do　it　now。
　
　‘If　you　try；　one　of　us　is　going　to　die　in　the　attempt。　At　the　moment；　I　don’t　much　care　which　one　of　us　it　is。　But　I　intend　to　fight　to　the　death。　It’s　mine　by　right；　and　you　are　not　taking　it　as　long　as　there　is　a　breath　of　life　in　me。’
　
　He　listened　to　the　distant　howl　of　an　animal　dying　a　sudden；　violent　death；　and　then　to　the　long；　empty　silence　that　followed。
　
　‘Since　you　were　given　the　sword；　and　did　not　simply　find　it；　or　purchase　it；　you　may　keep　it。　I　will　not　take　it　from　you。　I　cannot　speak　for　the　others；　but　I　will　try　to　see　to　your　wishes。　It　is　the　gift　we　must