tg.stone of tears-第22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！


　
　'What's　he　talking　about？　He　wants　to　know　why　you　tried　to　kill　him。'
　
　'Kill　him！　I　saved　his　fool　life。　Don't　ask　me　why！　I　should　have　let　him　get　killed！　The　next　time　I　will！'　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair。　'My　head　is　killing　me。'
　
　Chandalen　pointed　angrily　at　the　wound　on　the　top　of　his　shoulder。　'You　did　this　deliberately！　I　saw　how　you　shoot！　It　could　not　have　been　an　accident！'
　
　Richard　threw　his　hands　in　the　air。　'Idiot！'　he　said　to　the　sky。　He　lowered　his　glare　to　Chandalen's　fierce　eyes。　'Yes；　you　saw　me　shoot！　Do　you　have　any　doubt　that　if　I　wanted　to　kill　you；　you　would　not　be　breathing　right　now！　Of　course　I　did　it　deliberately！　It　was　the　only　way　to　save　you！'　He　reached　over　her　shoulder；　putting　his　hand　close　to　Chandalen's　face；　holding　his　first　finger　and　thumb　half　an　inch　apart。　This　is　all　the　room　I　had！　At　the　most！　If　I　didn't　take　it；　you　would　be　dead！'
　
　'What　do　you　mean？'　Chandalen　demanded。
　
　Kahlan　put　a　hand　on　his　arm。　'Calm　down；　Richard。　Just　tell　us　what　happened。'
　
　'He　couldn't　understand　me。　None　of　them　could。　I　couldn't　explain　it　to　them。'　He　looked　at　her　in　frustration。　'I　killed　a　man　today。'
　
　'What！'　she　whispered。　'You　killed　one　of　Chandalen's　men？'
　
　'No！　That's　not　what　they're　angry　about。　They're　happy　I　killed　him。　I　was　saving　Chandalen's　life！　But　they　think　。。。'
　
　She　collected　herself。　'Just　calm　down。　I　will　explain　your　words　to　them。'
　
　Richard　nodded　and　rubbed　his　eyes　with　the　heels　of　his　hands。　He　looked　down　at　the　ground　as　he　bed　the　fingers　of　both　hands　through　his　hair。　He　looked　back　up。　'I'm　only　going　to　explain　this　once；　Chandalen。　If　you　can't　get　it　through　your　thick　head；　then　we　are　going　to　stand　at　opposite　ends　of　the　village　and　shoot　arrows　at　each　other　until　we　can't　argue　anymore。　And　I　will　only　need　one　arrow。'
　
　Chandalen　lifted　an　eyebrow　and　folded　his　muscular　arms。　'So　explain。'
　
　Richard　took　a　deep　breath。　'You　were　standing　a　long　way　off。　For　some　reason；　I　knew　he　was　there；　behind　you。　I　spun　around。　All　I　could　see　of　him　。。。　here；　like　this。'　He　grabbed　Kahlan　by　her　shoulders　and　turned　her　around；　facing　Chandalen。　He　held　her　shoulders　and　ducked　down　behind　her。　'Like　this。　I　couldn't　see　any　of　him　but　the　top　of　his　head。　He　had　his　spear　ready。　In　one　second　more；　he　would　have　put　it　through　your　back。　I　had　only　one　chance　to　keep　him　from　killing　you。　Only　one　chance。　I　couldn't　see　enough　of　him；　there　was　nothing　else　to　shoot　at　from　where　I　was。　Only　the　very　top　of　his　head。
　
　The　top　of　his　forehead　sloped　back。　If　I　hit　it　too　high；　the　arrow　would　have　deflected　off；　and　he　would　have　killed　you。　The　only　way　to　stop　him；　to　kill　him；　was　to　let　the　arrow　nick　the　top　of　your　shoulder。'
　
　He　held　his　finger　and　thumb　half　an　inch　apart　again。　This　is　all　I　had。　If　I　put　the　arrow　that　much　lower；　your　bone　would　have　deflected　the　arrow；　and　he　would　have　had　you。　If　I　would　have　put　it　that　much　higher；　just　enough　not　to　nick　you；　he　would　have　lived；　and　you　would　be　dead。　I　knew　Savidlin's　bladed　arrow　could　pass　through　a　little　of　your　flesh　and　allow　me　to　kill　him。　There　was　no　time　for　anything　else。　I　had　to　shoot　instantly。　I　think　a　dozen　stitches　is　a　light　price　to　pay　for　your　life。'
　
　Chandalen's　eyes　looked　a　little　less　sure。　'How　do　I　know　you　are　telling　the　truth？'
　
　Richard　shook　his　head；　muttering。　He　suddenly　thought　of　something。　He　snatched　a　cloth　sack　from　one　of　Chandalen's　men。　He　thrust　his　hand　in　the　sack　and　pulled　out　a　head；　lifting　it　by　blood…soaked；　matted　hair。
　
　Kahlan　gasped。　She　put　a　hand　over　her　mouth　as　she　turned　away。　But　before　she　did；　she　saw　an　arrow　jutting　from　the　center　of　the　forehead；　the　blade　end　sticking　from　the　back　of　the　head。
　
　Richard　held　the　head　behind　Chandalen's　shoulder　and　laid　the　feathers　of　the　shaft　on　his　shoulder；　next　to　the　wound。
　
　This　is　all　I　saw。　If　it　were　not　as　I　say；　if　he　had　been　standing　straighter；　and　I　put　the　arrow　where　I　did；　it　would　not　have　touched　you。'
　
　The　hunters　all　started　nodding　and　whispering　among　themselves。　Chandalen　looked　down　at　the　shaft　of　the　arrow　lying　on　his　shoulder。　He　looked　back　at　the　head。　He　thought　about　it　a　minute　and　then　unfolded　his　arms　and　took　the　head；　stuffing　it　back　in　the　sack。
　
　'I　have　been　stitched　before。　A　few　more　will　not　hurt　me。　I　will　take　your　words　as　true。　This　time。'
　
　Richard　put　his　fists　on　his　hips　as　he　watched　Chandalen　and　his　men　walking　away。　'You're　wele；'　he　called　after　them。
　
　Kahlan　didn't　translate　that。　'Why　do　they　have　that　head？'
　
　'Don't　ask　me。　It　wasn't　my　idea。　And　you　don't　want　to　know　what　they　did　with　the　rest　of　him。'
　
　'Richard；　that　seems　a　risky　shot　to　me。　How　far　were　you　when　you　shot　that　arrow？'
　
　The　heat　left　his　voice。　'Not　risky　at　all；　believe　me。　And　I　was　at　least　a　hundred　paces。'
　
　'You　can　shoot　an　arrow　that　accurately　at　a　hundred　paces？'
　
　He　sighed。　'I'm　afraid　I　could　have　done　it　at　twice　that　distance。　Three　times　that　distance。'　He　looked　down　at　the　blood　on　his　hands。　'I　have　to　go　wash　this　off。　Kahlan；　in　about　two　minutes　my　head　is　going　to　explode。　I　have　to　sit　down。　Could　you　please　go　get　Nissel？　Yelling　at　that　idiot　was　the　only　thing　keeping　me　on　my　feet。'
　
　She　put　a　hand　on　his　arm。　'Of　course。　Go　on　inside；　I'll　go　get　her。'
　
　'I　think　Savidlin　is　angry　with　me　too。　Please　tell　him　that　I'm　sorry　I　ruined　so　many　of　his　arrows。'
　
　She　frowned　as　Richard　went　inside；　closing　the　door。　Savidlin　looked　as　if　he　was　about　to　speak　to　her。　She　took　him　by　the　arm。
　
　'Richard　needs　Nissel。　e　with　me；　and　tell　me　what　happened。'
　
　Savidlin　cast　a　glance　over　his　shoulder　at　the　door　to　his　home　as　they　hurried　away。　'Richard　With　The　Temper　seems　to　be　living　up　to　his　name。'
　
　'He　is　upset　because　he　killed　a　man。　It　is　not　an　easy　thing　to　live　with。'
　
　'He　didn't　tell　you　all　of　the　story。　There　was　more　to　it。'
　
　'So　tell　me。'
　
　He　looked　over　with　a　grave　expression。　'We　were　shooting。　Chandalen　was　angry；　because　of　the　shots　Richard　was　making。　He　said　Richard　was　a　demon　and　went　off　and　stood　in　the　tall　grass　by　himself。　The　rest　of　us　were　standing　off　to　the　other　side；　watching　Richard　shoot。　The　things　he　was　doing　did　not　seem　possible。　He　nocked　an　arrow。　Suddenly；　he　spun　around　toward　Chandalen。　Before　we　could　even　shout；　Richard　shot　an　arrow　at　Chandalen　as　he　stood　there　with　his　arms　folded。　He　had　no　weapon　in　his　hand。　None　of　us　could　believe　Richard　would　do　this。
　
　'As　the　arrow　was　still　flying　toward　Chandalen；　two　of　his　men；　who　had　arrows　nocked；　drew　their　bows。　The　first　one　shot　a　ten…step　arrow　at　Richard　before　his　own　arrow　even　reached　Chandalen。'
　
　Kahlan　was　incredulous。　'He　shot　at　Richard；　and　missed？　Chandalen's　men　don't　miss。'
　
　Savidlin's　voice　was　low；　and　trembled　slightly。　'He　would　not　have　missed。　But　Richard　spun；　pulling　his　last　arrow　from　his　quiver；　a　bladed　arrow；　and　shot。　I　have　never　seen　anyone　do　such　a　thing　so　fast。'　He　hesitated；　as　if　he　didn't　think　she　would　believe　him。　'Richard's　bladed　arrow　met　the　other　in　the　air　and　split　it　in　half。　Each　half　went　to　one　side　of　Richard。'
　
　Kahlan　halted　Savidlin　with　a　hand　on　his　arm。　'Richard　hit　the　other　arrow　while　it　was　in　the　air？'
　
　He　nodded　slowly。　'And　then　the　other　man　shot。　Richard　had　no　more　arrows。　He　stood；　his　bow　in　one　hand；　and　waited。　It　too　was　a　ten…step　arrow。　I　could　hear　it　ripping　the　air。'
　
　Savidlin　looked　around；　as　if　not　wanting　anyone　else　to　hear。　'Richard　snatched　it　right　out　of　the　air　with　his　hand。　He　had　his　fist　around　its　middle。　He　put　the　man's　arrow　in　his　own　bow　and　drew　it　on　Chandalen's　men。　He　was　yelling　at　them。　We　couldn't　understand　his　words；　but　they　dropped　their　bows　on　the　ground　and　put　their　arms　out　to　the　sides；　to　show　him　their　empty　hands。　We　all　thought　Richard　With　The　Temper　had　bee　crazy。　We　thought　he　might　kill　us　all。　We　were　all　very　afraid。
　
　'Then　Prindin　called　out。　He　had　found　the　man　behind　Chandalen。　We　all　saw　then；　that　Richard　had　killed　a　trespasser　who　was　armed　with　a　spear。　We　realized　Richard　had　been　trying　to　kill　the　invader；　not　Chandalen。　Chandalen；　though；　was　not　so　certain。　He　thought　Richard　cut　him　with　his　arrow　on　purpose。　Chandalen　became　even　angrier　when　his　men　all　went　and　gave　Richard　slaps　of　respect。'
　
　Kahlan　stared　at　him。　She　couldn't　believe　the　things　she　was　hearing。　Most　of　it　sounded　impossible。　'Richard　wanted　me　to　tell　you　he　was　sorry　he　ruined　your　arrows。　What　was　he　talking　about？'
　
　'Do　you　know　what　a　shaft　shot　is？'
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　'It's　when　you　shoot　an　arrow　through　another　already　in　the　center　of　the　target；　and　split　the　shaft　of　the　first。　The　Home　Guard　in　Aydindril　gave　ribbons　for　doing　it。　I　have　seen　a　few　men　with　a　half　dozen　ribbons。　I　knew　one　with　ten。'
　
　Savidlin　reached　around　and　pulled　a　fat　bundle　from　his　quiver。　Every　arrow　was　split。　'It　would　be　easier　to　give　Richard　With　The　Temper　a　ribbon　if　he　ever　missed。　He　would　have　no　ribbons。　He　ruined　over　a　hundred　arrows　today。　Arrows　take　time　to　make。　They　are　not　to　be　wasted；　but　the　men　kept　wanting　him　to　do　it　again；　because　they　had　never　seen　anything　like　it　before。　One　time；　he　put　six　arrows　through　the　first；　one　right　on　top　of　the　other。
　
　'We　shot　rabbits；　and　cooked　them　over　a　fire。　Richard　sat　with　us；　and　then　when　we　started　eating；　he　wouldn't　eat　with　us。　He　looked　sick；　and　went　off　and　shot　arrows　by　himself　until　we　were　finished。　Later；　after　we　ate；　is　when　he　killed　the　man。'
　
　She　nodded。　'We　better　hurry　and　get　Nissel。'　She　glanced　over　as　they　walked　along。　'Savidlin；　why　did　those　men　have　that　head？　How　can　they　be　so　gruesome？'
　
　'Did　you　see　that　there　was　black　painted　over　the　eyes　of　the　dead　man？　That　was　to　hide　him　from　our　spirits；　so　he　could　sneak　up　on　us。　A　man　who　es　onto　our　land　with　black　over　his　eyes　es　for　only　one　reason：　to　kill。　Chandalen's　men　put　the　heads　of　men　like　that　on　poles　at　the　edge　of　our　land　to　warn　others　who　would　paint　black　on　their　eyes。
　
　'It　may　seem　gruesome　to　you；　but　in　the　end　it　makes　for　much　less　killing。　Do　not　think　less　of　Chandalen's　men　for　taking　a　head。　They　do　it　today　not　because　they　like　it；　but　so　there　will　be　less　killing　tomorrow。'
　
　Kahlan　suddenly　felt　foolish。　'I　guess　that；　just　as　Chandalen；　I　am　guilty　of　judging　too　quickly。　Forgive　me；　Elder　Savidlin；　for　thinking　things　about　your　people　that　were　wrong。'
　
　He　gave　her　a　one…arm　hug　around　her　shoulders。
　
　When　they　came　back　with　the　healer；　they　found　Richard　huddled　in　a　corner；　his　fingers　intertwined　over　his　head。　His　skin　was　white；　cold；　and　wet。　Nissel　gave　him　something　to　drink。　After　a　few　minutes；　she　gave　him　a　small　cube　of　something　to　swallow。　Richard　smiled　when　he　saw　it。　He　must　have　known　what　it　was。　Nissel　sat　on　the　floor　next　to　him　and　felt　his　pulse　for　a　long　time。　When　a　little　of　his　color　came　back；　she　made　h