tg.stone of tears-第9章

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　Zedd　cut　him　off。　‘Chase；　how　long　have　you　known　me？’　Chase　glared；　but　didn’t　answer。　‘In　all　the　time　you’ve　known　me；　have　you　ever　known　me　to　bring　harm　to　another；　especially　a　child？　Have　you　ever　known　me　to　put　another　at　risk　for　anything　foolish？’
　
　‘No；’　Chase　said　in　a　voice　like　grating　stone。　‘And　I　don’t　want　to　see　you　start　now。’
　
　Zedd　kept　his　own　voice　firm。　‘You　will　have　to　trust　that　I　know　what　I’m　doing。’　His　eyes　flicked　to　where　the　screeling　had　killed　the　people。　‘What　has　happened　today　doesn’t　even　begin　to　touch　what　is　about　to　happen。　If　the　veil　isn’t　closed；　the　suffering　and　death　will　be　beyond　your　prehension。　I’m　doing　what　I　must；　as　a　wizard。　As　a　wizard；　I　recognize　this　little　one；　just　as　Giller　recognized　her。　She　is　a　ripple　in　the　pond。　She　is　destined　to　do　important　things。
　
　‘When　we　were　in　the　tomb　of　Panis　Rahl；　earlier；　checking　to　see　that　they　were　walling　it　in　properly；　I　studied　some　of　the　runes　on　the　walls。　They　weren’t　all　melted　yet。　They　were　in　High　D’Haran；　and　I　don’t　understand　much　of　it；　but　I　understood　enough。　They　were　instructions　on　going　to　the　underworld。　You　know　that　stone　table　in　the　Garden　of　Life？　It’s　a　sacrificial　altar。　Darken　Rahl　used　it　to　go　to　the　underworld；　to　travel　under　the　boundaries。’
　
　‘But　he’s　dead。　What　does　。。。’
　
　‘He　killed　children；　and　offered　their　unsoiled　souls　as　a　gift　to　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld　to　gain　himself　passage。　Do　you　understand　what　I’m　saying？　He　made　pacts　with　the　Keeper。
　
　That　means　the　Keeper　has　been　using　people　in　this　world。　Where　he　has　used　one；　he　has　surely　used　more。　And　now　the　veil　is　torn。　That　a　screeling　was　here　proves　it　beyond　question。
　
　‘Many　of　the　oldest　prophecies；　I　believe；　are　about　what’s　beginning　to　happen　now；　and　about　Richard。　Whoever　wrote　them　was　intending　to　send　him　help　across　time。　I　believe　they　are　meant　to　aid　him　in　the　fight　against　the　Keeper。　But　much　has　happened　in　the　last　few　thousand　years　to　muddy　those　words。　I　fear　that　it　is　the　Keeper’s　patient　work　that　has　obfuscated　the　meaning　of　the　prophecies。
　
　‘He　has　no　more　important　skill　than　patience。　He　has　an　eternity　of　it。　He　has　probably　been　sending　careful　tendrils　into　this　world　to　influence　people；　wizards；　like　Darken　Rahl；　to　do　his　bidding。　The　fact　that　we　need　the　prophecies　so　much　right　now；　and　that　there　are　no　wizards　left　who　understand　them；　can’t　be　coincidence。　I　have　no　idea　where　the　Keeper’s　eyes　lurk；　or　what　he　intends　next。’
　
　Chase’s　eyes　still　had　fire　in　them；　but　it　was　different　from　the　kind　they　held　before。　‘Tell　me　how　to　help。　What　would　you　like　me　to　do？’
　
　Zedd　smiled　sadly　and　patted　the　big　man’s　shoulder。　‘I　would　like　you　to　teach　this　child　to　be　like　you。　I　know　she　is　smart。　Bring　it　out　in　her。　Make　her　your　student。　Teach　her　how　to　use　every　weapon　you　know。　Teach　her　to　be　strong；　and　quick。’
　
　Chase　sighed　and　gave　a　nod。　‘Such　a　little　warrior。’
　
　‘In　the　morning；　I　must　leave　to　get　Adie　and　take　her　to　Aydindril。　I　would　like　you　to　go　to　the　Mud　People。　Ride　hard；　fast　as　you　can　go。　Richard　and　Kahlan　and　Siddin　will　be　with　the　dragon　tonight；　and　tomorrow　she　will　take　them　there。　It　will　take　you　weeks　to　reach　him。　We　can’t　afford　to　waste　any　time。
　
　Tell　Richard　and　Kahlan　to　e　to　me　in　Aydindril　at　once。　Tell　them　of　the　danger　as　I　have　told　you。　Then　maybe　you　should　take　this　child　to　safety。　If　there　is　any　such　thing。’
　
　‘Isn’t　there　anything　else　I　can　do？’
　
　The　most　important　thing　is　to　get　to　Richard。　I’ve　been　a　fool　for　thinking　we　would　have　time。　I　never　should　have　let　him　out　of　my　sight。’　Zedd　rubbed　his　chin　a　moment　in　thought。　‘Maybe　you　could　tell　him　I　am　his　grandfather；　and　that　Darken　Rahl　was　his　father。　Maybe　that　will　give　his　anger　time　to　cool　before　he　reaches　me。’
　
　Zedd　lifted　an　eyebrow　and　smiled。　‘Do　you　know　what　the　Mud　People　call　him？　They　call　him　‘Richard　With　The　Temper。’　Imagine　that。　Richard　of　all　people。　He　is　one　of　the　gentlest　people　I’ve　ever　known。　But　I　fear　the　Sword　of　Truth　has　brought　out　his　other　side。’
　
　Chase　flashed　a　rare；　reassuring　look。　‘He　won’t　be　angry　to　learn　you　are　his　grandfather。　He　loves　you。’
　
　Zedd　sighed。　‘Maybe　so；　but　I　don’t　think　he　will　be　pleased　to　know　who　his　father　really　is。　And　that　I　hid　that　knowledge　from　him。　George　Cypher　raised　him　and　they　loved　each　other　deeply。’
　
　That’s　the　truth；　and　this　doesn’t　change　it。’
　
　Zedd　nodded。　He　held　the　necklace　up。　‘Will　you　trust　me？’
　
　Chase　appraised　the　wizard　for　a　moment；　then　sat　Rachel　up　straight　on　his　knee。　‘Let　me　latch　the　clasp　for　you。’
　
　After　Chase　hooked　it　around　her　neck；　Rachel　picked　up　the　amber　stone　in　her　small　hands；　bending　her　face　down　to　see　it。　‘I’ll　take　good　care　of　it　for　you；　Zedd。’
　
　The　wizard　ruffled　her　hair。　‘I’m　sure　you　will。’　He　put　a　finger　to　each　side　of　her　forehead；　letting　the　magic　flow　into　her；　and　gave　her　the　thought　of　how　important　the　necklace　was；　that　she　was　not　to　talk　to　people　about　it　or　where　she　got　it；　and　that　she　must　protect　it　as　she　had　the　box　of　Orden。
　
　He　removed　his　fingers；　and　she　opened　her　eyes　and　smiled。　Chase　picked　her　up　with　a　hand　on　each　side　of　her　waist　and　set　her　down　to　stand　on　the　bench　next　to　him。　He　searched　through　the　arsenal　of　knives　at　his　waist　and　found　the　strap　for　the　smallest。　He　untied　the　leather　thong　and　pulled　the　sheathed　blade　free。　He　held　it　up　in　front　of　her　face。
　
　‘Since　you　are　my　daughter　now；　you　will　wear　a　knife；　just　like　me。　But　I　don’t　want　you　taking　it　out　until　I　teach　you　about　it。　You　could　cut　yourself　badly。　I　will　teach　you　how　to　use　it　in　a　safe　manner。　I’m　going　to　teach　you　how　to　protect　yourself　so　you　will　be　safe。　All　right？’
　
　Rachel　beamed。　‘You’ll　teach　me　to　be　like　you？　I　would　like　that　ever　so　much；　Chase。’
　
　Chase　grunted　as　he　tied　the　leather　strap　at　her　waist。　‘I　don’t　know　how　good　I’ll　be　at　teaching　you。　Seems　I　can’t　even　teach　you　to　call　me　Father。’
　
　She　smiled　shyly。　‘Chase　and　Father　mean　the　same　thing　to　me。’
　
　Chase　shook　his　head；　a　resigned　grin　on　his　face。　Zedd　came　to　his　feet　and　straightened　his　robes。　‘Chase；　If　you　need　anything；　mander　General　Trimack　will　see　to　it。　Take　as　many　men　as　you　would　like。’
　
　‘I　wouldn’t　like　any。　I’m　in　a　hurry；　I　don’t　need　the　extra　baggage　to　tend；　and　besides；　I　think　a　man　and　his　daughter　would　draw　less　attention。　Isn’t　that　the　whole　idea？’　He　glanced　pointedly　at　the　stone　around　Rachel’s　neck。
　
　Zedd　smiled；　appreciating　the　boundary　warden’s　sharp　mind。　Those　two　were　going　to　make　quite　a　pair。　‘I　will　travel　with　you；　until　I　reach　the　route　toward　Adie。　I　must　do　some　things　in　the　morning；　and　then　we　can　be　on　our　way。’
　
　‘Good。　You　look　like　you　could　use　some　rest　before　we　start　out。’
　
　‘I　think　you’re　right。’
　
　Zedd　suddenly　realized　why　he　was　so　tired。　He　had　thought　it　was　because　he　hadn’t　slept　in　days；　but　that　wasn’t　it。　It　was　because　they　had　struggled　for　months　to　stop　Darken　Rahl；　and　just　when　he　thought　it　was　over；　that　they　had　finally　won；　he　now　knew　it　had　only　begun。　And　this　wasn’t　just　a　dangerous　wizard　they　were　fighting；　it　was　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld。
　
　With　Darken　Rahl　he　had　known　most　of　the　rules；　how　the　boxes　of　Orden　worked；　how　much　time　they’d　had。　He　knew　next　to　nothing　now。　The　Keeper　could　win　in　the　next　five　minutes。　Zedd　felt　hopelessly　ignorant。　He　sighed　inwardly。　He　guessed　he　knew　some　things；　he　would　just　have　to　build　on　that　knowledge。
　
　‘By　the　way；’　Chase　said　as　he　straightened　the　knife　at　Rachel’s　waist；　‘one　of　the　other　healers　…　Kelley；　she　said　her　name　was　…　she　gave　me　a　message　for　you。’　He　leaned　back　and　fished　around　in　his　pocket　with　two　big　fingers；　bringing　out　a　small　piece　of　paper。　He　handed　it　to　the　wizard。
　
　‘What’s　this？’　The　paper　said　West　Rim；　North　Highland　Way；　Third　Tier。
　
　Chase　pointed　at　the　paper　as　Zedd　held　it　out；　reading　it。　‘She　said　that　is　where　you　could　find　her。　She　said　to　tell　you　that　she　thought　you　needed　rest；　and　that　if　you　would　e　to　her；　she　would　make　you　a　stenadine　tea；　and　that　she　would　brew　it　weak　so　you　would　sleep　well。　Does　that　make　any　sense　to　you？’
　
　Zedd　smiled　just　a　little　to　himself　as　he　crumpled　the　note　in　his　fist。　‘A　bit。’　He　tapped　his　lower　lip　in　thought。　‘Get　yourself　some　rest。　If　you　think　the　pain　of　the　wounds　will　keep　you　from　sleeping；　I　could　have　one　of　the　healers　brew　you　up　some　。。。’
　
　Chase　held　a　hand　up。　‘No！　I’ll　sleep　fine。’
　
　‘Very　well。’　He　patted　Rachel’s　arm　and　Chase’s　shoulder　and　started　off。　A　thought　came　to　him　and　he　turned　back。　‘Have　you　ever　seen　Richard　wearing　a　red　coat？　A　red　coat　with　gold　buttons　and　brocade？’
　
　Chase　gave　a　snort　of　a　laugh。　‘Richard？　Zedd；　you　half　raised　him。　You　should　know　better　than　I　that　Richard　doesn’t　have　a　red　coat　like　that。　He　has　a　feast…day　coat　that’s　brown。　Richard　is　a　woods　guide。　He　favors　earth　colors。　I’ve　never　even　seen　him　wear　a　red　shirt。　Why？’
　
　Zedd　ignored　the　question。　‘When　you　see　him；　tell　him　I　said　not　to　wear　a　red　coat。’　He　shook　a　finger　at　Chase。　‘Ever！　It’s　very　important；　don’t　forget。　No　red　coat。’
　
　Chase　nodded。　‘Done。’　He　knew　when　not　to　press　the　old　man。
　
　Zedd　gave　Rachel　a　smile　and　a　quick　hug　before　starting　off　down　the　hall。　He　wondered　idly　if　he　could　remember　where　a　dining　hall　was。　It　had　to　be　almost　past　dinnertime。
　
　A　thought　occurred　to　him：　he　didn’t　know　where　he　was　going。　He　hadn’t　done　anything　about　finding　himself　a　place　to　sleep。　Well；　no　matter；　he　thought；　the　palace　had　guest　rooms。　He　had　told　Chase　about　them。　He　could　go　there；　too。
　
　He　unfolded　the　crumpled　piece　of　paper　in　his　hand　and　looked　at　it。　A　distinguished　man　with　a　neatly　trimmed　gray　beard　and　dressed　in　official　gold　robes　was　walking　past。　Zedd　snagged　him　gently。
　
　‘Excuse　me；　but　could　you　tell　me　where　。。。’　He　looked　at　the　paper。　‘Where　‘West　Rim；　North　Highland　Way；　Third　Tier’　is　located？’
　
　The　bearded　man　gave　a　polite　bow　of　his　head。　‘Of　course；　sir。　Those　are　the　healers’　quarters。　It　is　not　far。　Let　me　guide　you　partway　there；　and　give　you　direction　for　the　rest　of　it。’
　
　Zedd　broke　into　a　smile。　He　suddenly　didn’t　feel　quite　so　tired。　‘Thank　you。　That　is　very　kind　of　you。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　5
　
　As　Sister　Margaret　turned　the　corner　at　the　top　of　the　stone　steps；　an　old　maidservant　carrying　a　mop　and　bucket　saw　her　and　fell　to　her　knees。　The　Sister　paused　momentarily　to　touch　the　top　of　the　old　woman’s　bowed　head。
　
　‘The　Creator’s　blessing　on　His　child。’
　
　The　woman　looked　up；　her　face　wrinkling　into　a　warm；　toothless　smile。　Thanks　be　to　you；　Sister；　and　blessings　to　you　in　His　work。’
　
　Margaret　smiled　back　and　watched　as　the　old　woman　lugged　her　heavy　bucket　on　down　the　hall。　Poor　woman；　she　thought；