tg.stone of tears-第150章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　
　There　is　a　pecking　order　among　wizards。　Wizards　with　the　strongest　power　vie　for　dominance。　It　sometimes　gets　very　dangerous。　Jedidiah　is　the　pride　of　the　palace；　and　does　not　take　well　to　the　idea　that　another　may　challenge　his　supremacy。'
　
　'I'm　hardly　a　challenge　to　the　power　of　a　wizard。'
　
　Pasha　lifted　an　eyebrow。　'Jedidiah　never　killed　a　mriswith；　and　everyone　knows　that。'
　
　Feeling　decidedly　unfortable　in　the　red　coat　Pasha　had　selected；　Richard　tried　to　enjoy　the　lentil　porridge　they　had　prepared　especially　for　him。　Pasha　wore　a　stunning　dark　green　dress　that　did　more　to　reveal　her　figure　than　cover　it。　Richard　thought　it　revealed　more　of　her　breasts　than　was　prudent。　The　young　men　there　as　guests　of　Sisters　or　their　novices　did　little　eating；　and　a　lot　of　watching。　None　missed　a　move　Pasha　made。
　
　Many　of　the　young　men　in　collars　came　by　and　introduced　themselves　to　Richard；　saying　they　wanted　to　get　to　know　him　better。　They　promised　to　show　him　the　city　and　some　of　its　more　interesting　sights。　Pasha's　face　reddened　at　the　last。
　
　Richard　asked　if　they　knew　where　the　guards　went　for　ale；　and　they　promised　to　take　him　there　whenever　he　wished。
　
　Sisters　of　every　age；　shape；　and　size　came　to　greet　him。　They　all　acted　as　if　the　events　of　the　night　before　had　never　taken　place。　When　Richard　asked　Pasha　why；　she　said　all　the　Sisters　understood　the　difficulty　a　young　man　had　in　making　the　adjustment　of　ing　to　the　palace。　She　said　they　were　accustomed　to　such　outbursts　of　emotion；　and　didn't　take　them　to　heart。　Richard　kept　to　himself　the　thought　that　this　time　they　should。
　
　Some　of　the　Sisters　smiled　and　said　they　hoped　they　would　be　given　the　opportunity　to　work　with　him；　and　a　few　scowled　and　promised　they　would　be　seeing　him；　and　promised　not　to　be　tolerant　of　anything　less　than　his　best　efforts。　Richard　smiled　and　said　he　would　give　them　nothing　less　than　his　best。　He　wondered　to　himself　what　he　was　mitting　to。
　
　Near　the　end　of　the　meal；　two　attractive　young　women；　one　in　a　satiny　pink　dress；　the　other　in　yellow；　rushed　in；　stopping　at　various　tables；　speaking　in　whispers　to　other　young　women。　They　at　last　came　to　the　corner　where　Richard　and　Pasha　sat。
　
　One　bent　close　to　Pasha。　'Have　you　heard？'　Pasha　stared　with　a　blank　look。　'Jedidiah　fell　down　a　flight　of　stairs。'　Her　eyes　sparkled　with　the　telling　of　the　gossip。　She　leaned　closer　with　the　titillation　of　what　she　had　to　tell　next。　'Broke　his　leg。'
　
　Pasha　gasped。　'No！　When？　We　just　saw　him　a　while　ago。'
　
　The　woman　giggled　and　nodded。　'Yes；　it's　true。　It　just　happened；　not　but　a　few　minutes　ago。　The　healers　are　with　him　now。　No　need　for　concern；　he'll　be　back　to　good　by　morning。'
　
　'How　did　it　happen？'
　
　The　woman　shrugged。　'Just　clumsy。　Tripped　on　the　carpet　and　tumbled　down。'　She　lowered　her　voice。　'He　was　so　furious　he　flamed　the　carpet　to　ash。'
　
　'Wizard's　fire！'　Pasha　whispered　incredulously。　'In　the　palace？　Such　a　high　crime　。。。'
　
　'No；　no；　not　wizard's　fire；　of　course　not；　silly　girl。　Even　Jedidiah　is　not　that　brazen。　Just　simple　fire。　But　it　was　one　of　the　oldest　carpets　in　the　palace。　The　Sisters　are　not　pleased　at　his　display　of　temper。　They　ordered　the　bone；　and　the　pain；　not　be　mended　until　morning；　as　punishment。'
　
　Their　gossip　finally　expended；　the　two　young　women's　eyes　and　smiles　settled　on　Richard。　Pasha　introduced　them　as　two　friends　of　hers；　Celia　and　Dulcy；　two　novices　with　charges　of　their　own。　Richard　was　polite；　plimenting　them　on　their　pretty　dresses；　and　the　way　their　hair　was　curled。　Their　smiles　widened。
　
　Taking　his　arm　when　they　finally　left；　Pasha　thanked　him。
　
　'For　what？'
　
　'I've　never　been　permitted　to　eat　with　the　Sisters；　or　with　the　novices　who　have　a　young　man　to　train。　This　is　the　first　time　I've　ever　been　to　dinner　just　like　I　was　a　Sister。　You　were　pleasant　and　considerate　of　everyone；　I　was　so　proud　to　have　you　with　me。　And；　you　look　very　handsome　in　those　clothes。'
　
　'In　that　dress；　I　would　imagine　you　could　easily　get　someone　better　bred　than　me　as　a　dinner　panion。'　Richard　pulled　open　the　fancy　shirt　collar。　'I've　never　worn　a　shirt　this　ruffled；　or　white。　Nor　a　coat　this　red。　I　think　I　look　foolish。'
　
　A　self…satisfied　smile　spread　on　Pasha's　face。　'I　can　promise　you　that　Celia　and　Dulcy　do　not　think　you　look　foolish。　I'm　surprised　you　couldn't　see　them　glowing　green。　I　thought　maybe　they　might　decide　to　sit　right　down　on　your　lap。'
　
　Richard　thought　that　if　Celia　and　Dulcy　liked　the　red　coat　so　much；　they　could　have　it；　but　he　kept　the　thought　to　himself。　'Why　doesn't　an　important　wizard　like　Jedidiah　wear　fancy　clothes？'
　
　'Only　beginning　wizards　wear　clothes　like　this；　and　are　permitted　to　go　into　the　city。　At　certain　milestones　in　a　wizard's　advancement；　they　change　to　a　particular　form　of　dress。　The　further　a　wizard　progress；　the　more　modest　his　dress。　That's　why　Jedidiah　wears　simple　tan　robes；　because　he　has　nearly　reached　the　end　of　his　training。'
　
　'What's　the　purpose　of　such　an　odd　rule？'
　
　To　teach　humility。　Those　with　the　nicest　clothes；　the　most　freedom；　and　unlimited　money；　are　those　with　the　least　power。　No　one　respects　them　for　these　things。　It's　meant　to　teach　the　young　men　that　mastery　es　from　within；　not　from　external　trappings。'
　
　Then；　wearing　these　things　is　a　demotion　for　me。　I　was　already　wearing　humble　clothes。'
　
　'You　are　not　yet　entitled　to　wear　humble　robes。　You　may　wear　your　own　clothes　occasionally；　if　you　wish。　If　they　were　simple　robes；　though；　it　would　not　be　allowed。
　
　The　people　in　the　city　know　a　wizard's　abilities　and　power　by　his　dress。　No　wizard　who　wears　simple　robes　is　permitted　to　go　into　the　city。'　She　smiled。　'Someday；　when　you　have　advanced　enough；　you　will　be　permitted　to　wear　the　robes　of　a　wizard。'
　
　'I　don't　like　robes。　I　like　the　clothes　I　was　wearing。'
　
　'When　you　have　your　collar　off；　and　leave　the　palace；　you　may　wear　what　you　wish。　Of　course；　most　e　to　respect　the　robes　of　their　profession；　and　wear　them　the　rest　of　their　lives。'
　
　Richard　changed　the　subject。　'I　want　to　go　see　Warren。　Tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。'
　
　'Now？　Tonight？　Richard；　it's　been　a　long　day；　and　I　must　give　you　your　first　lesson　yet　tonight。'
　
　'Just　tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。　Will　Warren　be　down　there　this　late？'
　
　'I　don't　know　that　he　is　ever　seen　anywhere　else。　I　think　he　must　sleep　on　the　books。　I　was　surprised　to　see　him　up　in　the　palace　today。　That　in　itself　will　be　gossip　for　weeks。'
　
　'I　don't　want　him　to　think　I　forgot　him。　Just　tell　me　how　to　get　down　there。'
　
　'Well；'　she　sighed；　'if　you　insist　on　going；　we　will　go　together。　I'm　supposed　to　escort　you　wherever　you　go　in　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets。　For　now；　anyway。'
　
　
　CHAPTER　54
　
　In　the　core　of　the　Palace　of　the　Prophets；　they　began　their　descent　down　into　the　vaults。　The　stairways　on　the　upper　levels　were　elegant。　Lower　down；　the　stairs　became　utilitarian　stone；　with　their　leading　edges　worn　round　and　smooth。　The　maidservants　he　had　seen　on　the　upper　levels　were　nowhere　to　be　seen。
　
　Paneled　walls　gave　way　to　stone。　In　some　places　he　had　to　duck　under　huge　beams。　Lamps　were　no　longer　stationed　on　the　walls；　but；　instead；　widely　spaced　torches　lit　the　way。　Sounds　of　palace　life　were　left　far　behind；　to　be　replaced　by　dead　silence。　Some　of　the　hallways　were　wet　with　leaking　water。
　
　'What's　in　these　vaults？'　Richard　asked。
　
　'The　books　of　prophecy。　Books　of　history；　and　records　of　the　palace　are　also　kept　there。'
　
　'Why　are　they　way　down　here？'
　
　'For　protection。　Prophecies　are　dangerous　to　the　untrained　mind。　All　novices　study　books　of　prophecy；　but　only　certain　Sisters　are　permitted　to　read　them　all；　and　work　with　them。　Young　wizards　who　show　that　their　gift　gives　them　an　aptitude　for　prophecy　are　taught　by　these　Sisters。
　
　'There　are　a　few　young　men　who　work　and　study　in　the　vaults；　but　Warren　is　to　the　vaults　what　Jedidiah　is　to　other　forms　of　magic。　Every　wizard　has　a　specialty。　We　will　work　with　you　to　discover　what　your　innate　ability　is。　Until　we　can　learn　this；　it　will　be　hard　to　take　your　training　very　far。'
　
　'Sister　Verna　told　me　something　about　that。　So；　what　do　you　think　my　talent　is？'
　
　'Usually；　we　can　tell　by　the　personality　of　the　boy。　Some　like　to　work　with　their　hands；　and　end　up　making　things　of　magic。　Some　like　to　help　the　sick　or　injured；　and　bee　healers。　Things　like　that。　We　can　usually　tell。'
　
　'So　what　about　me？'
　
　She　glanced　briefly　in　his　direction。　'None　of　us　has　ever　seen　anyone　like　you　before。　We　have　no　idea；　yet。'　Pasha's　face　brightened。　'But　we　will。'
　
　A　huge；　round　stone　door；　as　thick　as　Richard　was　tall；　stood　open　in　the　gloom。　Beyond　it　were　rooms　carved　from　the　bedrock　that　the　palace　sat　atop。　Lamps　did　little　to　brighten　the　place。　There　were　a　number　of　long；　timeworn　tables　with　books　and　papers　scattered　about　on　them；　and　shelves　in　rows　that　extended　into　the　distance　to　each　side。　Two　women　sat　at　the　tables；　taking　notes　as　they　read　by　the　light　of　candles　set　close。
　
　One　of　them　peered　up　and　addressed　Pasha。　'What　are　you　doing　down　here；　child？'
　
　Pasha　curtsied。　'We　came　to　see　Warren；　Sister。'
　
　'Warren？　Why？'
　
　Just　then；　Warren　came　scurrying　out　of　the　darkness。　'It's　all　right；　Sister　Becky。　I　asked　them　to　e。'
　
　'Well；　the　next　time；　please　let　someone　know　in　advance。'
　
　'Yes；　Sister；　I　will。'
　
　Warren　burrowed　between　the　two　of　them　and　took　their　arms；　leading　them　into　the　shelves。　When　he　realized　he　was　touching　Pasha　he　jerked　his　hand　away　and　turned　red。
　
　'You　look　。。。　dazzling；　Pasha。'
　
　'Why；　thank　you；　Mole。'　She　flushed　red　herself。　She　put　a　hand　to　his　shoulder。　'I'm　sorry；　Warren　。。。　I　didn't　mean　anything　by　that。　I　meant　to　call　you　Warren。'
　
　He　smiled。　'It's　all　right；　Pasha。　I　know　people　call　me　the　Mole。　They　think　it　a　pejorative；　but　I　take　it　as　a　pliment。　You　see；　a　mole　can　find　its　way　in　the　dark；　where　others　are　blind。　That　is　much　like　what　I　do；　I　find　the　way　where　others　see　nothing。'
　
　Pasha　sighed　in　relief。　'I'm　glad；　Warren。　Mole；　did　you　hear　that　Jedidiah　fell　down　a　flight　of　stairs　and　broke　his　leg？'
　
　'Really？'　He　searched　her　eyes。　'Maybe　the　Creator　was　trying　to　teach　him　that　when　you　hold　your　nose　so　high　in　the　air；　you　can't　see　where　you　are　going。'
　
　'I　don't　think　Jedidiah　paid　any　heed　to　the　Creator's　lessons；'　Pasha　said。　'I　heard　tell　that　he　was　so　angry　he　burned　a　prized　carpet　to　ash。'
　
　Warren　still　held　her　eyes。　'You　are　the　one　who　should　be　angry；　not　Jedidiah。　He　said　cruel　things　to　you。　No　one　should　say　cruel　things　to　you。'
　
　'He　is　usually　kind　to　me；　but　I　admit；　I　did　look　a　mess。'
　
　'Some　of　these　books　look　a　mess　to　people；　but　it　is　what's　inside　that　matters；　not　the　dust　on　their　covers。'
　
　Pasha　blushed。　'Why；　thank　you；　Mole　。。。　I　think。'
　
　Warren　looked　to　Richard。　'I　didn't　know　if　you　would　really　e。　Most　people　say　they　will；　but　they　never　do。　I'm　so　pleased　you　did。　e　this　way。　Pasha；　I'm　afraid　you　must　wait　here。'
　
　'What！'　She　leaned　forward；