tg.stone of tears-第31章

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。'
　
　'You're　right；'　he　said；　slipping　an　arm　around　her。　'You　know；　I　was　thinking；　we're　sitting　here　like　those　targets；　just　sitting　here　waiting　for　an　arrow　to　e　and　shoot　us；　waiting　to　see　what　will　happen　to　us。'
　
　'What　do　you　think　we　should　do？'
　
　He　shrugged。　'I　don't　know。　But　if　we　keep　sitting　here；　sooner　or　later　we're　going　to　get　shot。　Sooner　or　later　the　Sisters　are　going　to　e　back。　Why　should　we　just　wait　for　them　to　e　to　us？　I　don't　have　the　answers；　but　I　can't　see　how　sitting　here　is　going　to　help。'
　
　She　crossed　her　arms　under　her　breasts；　burying　her　hands　to　get　them　warm。　'Zedd？'
　
　Richard　nodded。　'Zedd　would　know　what　to　do；　if　anyone　would。　I　think　we　need　to　see　him。'
　
　'What　about　the　headaches？　What　if　you　get　them　when　we're　traveling？　What　if　they　get　worse；　and　you　don't　have　even　Nissel　to　help？'
　
　'I　don't　know。'　He　sighed。　'But　I　think　we　have　to　try。　Otherwise；　I　don't　have　a　chance。'
　
　Then　let's　leave　right　away；　before　they　get　worse。　Let's　not　wait　for　anything　else　to　happen。'
　
　He　squeezed　her　shoulders。　'Soon。　But　we　have　to　do　something　first。　Something　important。'
　
　Kahlan　twisted　her　head　around；　looking　up　at　him。　'What？'
　
　He　smiled　down　at　her。　'We　have　to　get　married；'　he　whispered。　'I'm　not　leaving　until　I　get　to　see　this　dress　I　keep　hearing　so　much　about。'
　
　She　turned　and　hugged　him。　'Oh；　Richard；　it's　going　to　be　so　beautiful。　Weselan　smiles　the　whole　time　she　sews　on　it。　I　can't　wait　for　you　to　see　me　in　it。　I　know　you　will　love　it。'
　
　'Of　that；　my　wife…to…be；　I　have　no　doubt。'
　
　'Everyone　is　looking　forward　to　it。　A　wedding　feast　among　the　Mud　People　is　a　big　party。　Dancing；　music；　actors。　The　whole　village　joins　in。　Weselan　said　it　will　take　a　week　or　so　to　prepare　everything；　once　we　give　the　word　to　start。'
　
　He　pulled　her　closer。　'Word　is　given。'
　
　She　had　her　eyes　closed　as　she　kissed　him；　but　even　so；　she　could　tell　his　headache　was　back。
　
　'e　on；'　she　said；　catching　her　breath；　'let's　shoot　some　arrows　so　your　head　will　stop　hurting。'
　
　They　took　turns　for　a　while。　Kahlan　squealed　in　delight　when　they　went　to　retrieve　their　arrows　and　she　found　she　had　put　one　of　hers　through　one　of　his。
　
　'Wait　until　the　Home　Guard　hears　about　this！　They　will　turn　green；　having　to　give　the　Mother　Confessor　a　ribbon　for　making　a　shaft　shot。　They　may　even　turn　green　just　seeing　me　with　a　bow　in　my　hands！'
　
　Richard　laughed　as　he　pulled　arrows　from　the　targets。　'Well；　you'd　better　keep　practicing。　They　might　not　believe　you；　and　you　may　have　to　prove　it　to　them。　And　I'm　not　taking　the　blame　for　this　one　with　Savidlin。'　He　turned　to　her　suddenly。　'What　did　you　say？　What　did　you　say；　before；　last　night；　about　the　quad？　Rahl　sent　them　with　a　spell　so　Zedd　couldn't　stop　them？'
　
　Kahlan　was　a　little　surprised　at　his　sudden　change　of　subject。　'Yes；　his　magic　wouldn't　work　against　them。'
　
　That's　because　Zedd　has　only　Additive　Magic。　That's　all　any　wizard　with　the　gift　has：　just　the　Additive。　Darken　Rahl　had　the　gift　for　Additive　but　he　had　somehow　learned　to　use　Subtractive。　Zedd　had　no　defense　against　Subtractive　Magic。　Neither　did　you。　Wizards　created　the　Confessor's　magic；　and　wizards　have　only　Additive　Magic。'　She　nodded　with　a　frown　for　him　to　go　on。　'So　then　how　did　you　kill　them？'
　
　'I　went　into　the　Con　Dar。'　She　shrugged。　'It's　part　of　the　Confessor's　magic；　but　I　had　never　before　known　how　to　use　it。　It　was　something　to　do　with　rage。　It　means　'Blood　Rage。''
　
　'Kahlan；　do　you　realize　what　you're　saying？　You　had　to　have　used　Subtractive　Magic。　Otherwise；　how　could　you　have　defeated　them？　Zedd's　magic　didn't　work；　and　your　regular　magic　didn't　work；　because　those　men　were　protected　from　Additive　Magic。　You　must　have　Subtractive　Magic。　But　if　wizards　of　long　ago　created　your　Confessor's　magic；　how　can　it　have　an　element　of　Subtractive　to　it？'
　
　She　stared　at　him。　'I　don't　know。　I　never　thought　about　it；　but　it　must　be　as　you　say。　Maybe　when　we　get　to　Aydindril；　Zedd　can　explain　it。'
　
　With　a　frown；　he　pulled　another　arrow　from　the　bundled　grass。　'Maybe。　But　why　would　Confessors　have　Subtractive　Magic？'　His　frown　deepened。　'I　wonder　if　that　was　what　you　did　with　the　lightning。'
　
　Richard　with　the　gift；　and　her　with　Subtractive　Magic。
　
　Two　frightening　thoughts。　She　shivered；　but　not　from　the　cold。
　
　They　shot　arrows　the　rest　of　the　afternoon；　until　the　daylight　began　to　dim。　Her　shoulders　and　arms　were　weary　from　pulling　the　bowstring。　She　told　him　she　couldn't　shoot　another　arrow　if　her　life　depended　on　it；　and　told　him　to　shoot　some　arrows　before　they　went　back；　so　his　headache　would　be　gone　for　a　while。　As　she　watched　him；　it　occurred　to　her　she　hadn't　tried　to　distract　him　while　he　shot；　and　he　had　promised　she　could　try。
　
　Kahlan　stepped　up　close　behind　him。　Time　to　see　if　you　are　really　as　good　as　you　think　you　are。'
　
　When　he　drew　back　the　bowstring；　she　tickled　his　ribs。　He　didn't　flinch；　he　shot　the　same　as　before。　But　he　laughed　and　squirmed　after　the　arrow　was　away。　She　kept　trying　as　he　shot；　but　wasn't　able　to　distract　him。　She　became　more　determined。　If　tickling　wouldn't　work；　she　would　just　have　to　try　something　else。
　
　Kahlan　pressed　up　against　his　back　as　he　concentrated　on　aiming；　and　smoothly　unbuttoned　the　top　three　buttons　of　his　shirt。　She　slipped　her　hand　inside　and　ran　it　over　his　chest。　His　skin　was　taut　over　his　hard　muscles。　He　felt　good。　Warm。　Strong。　Hard。
　
　She　unbuttoned　more　buttons　to　better　extend　her　reach。　She　ran　the　fingers　of　one　hand　through　the　back　of　his　hair　as　the　other　roamed　across　his　stomach。　Richard　kept　shooting。
　
　She　started　to　forget　about　distracting　him　as　she　kissed　the　back　of　his　neck。　He　giggled　and　hunched　his　shoulders　after　the　arrow　was　away。　He　nocked　another　arrow。　At　last；　she　had　all　the　buttons　undone　and　was　feeling　all　of　the　front　of　his　torso；　all　the　way　down　to　his　belt。　Kahlan　pulled　the　shirttails　out　of　his　pants　and　ran　both　hands　over　his　body；　one　high；　one　low。　It　didn't　keep　him　from　hitting　the　target。　She　couldn't　break　his　concentration。　Her　breathing　quickened。
　
　She　decided　she　was　going　to　win　this　game。　She　smiled　as　she　pressed　harder　against　him　and　reached　farther。
　
　'Kahlan！'　he　gasped。　'Kahlan　。。。　that's　not　fair！'　He　still　had　the　bowstring　drawn；　but　his　aim　was　starting　to　wander。　He　worked　to　steady　it。
　
　She　drew　his　earlobe　gently　between　her　teeth　and　kissed　his　ear。　'You　said　you　have　to　be　able　to　shoot　no　matter　what　is　happening；'　she　whispered　as　she　pushed　her　hand　farther。
　
　'Kahlan　。。。'　His　voice　was　high　and　strained。　That　isn't　fair　。。。　that's　cheating！'
　
　'No　matter　what。　Those　were　your　exact　words。　You　have　to　be　able　to　make　the　shot　under　pressure。'　She　ran　her　tongue　into　his　ear。　'Is　this　enough　pressure；　my　love？　Can　you　do　it？　Can　you　make　the　shot？'
　
　'Kahlan　。。。'　he　panted。　'You're　cheating。
　
　She　gave　a　throaty　laugh　and　squeezed。　He　gasped　and　released　the　bowstring。　By　its　flight；　she　knew　that　was　one　arrow　they　would　never　find。
　
　'I　think　you　missed；'　she　breathed　in　his　ear。
　
　He　twisted　around　in　her　arms；　dropping　his　bow。　His　face　was　red　as　he　enclosed　her　in　his　arms。
　
　He　kissed　her　ear。　'Not　fair；'　he　whispered；　his　breath　hot。　'You　cheat。'　The　touch　of　his　lips　on　her　ear　made　her　gasp。
　
　She　held　on　tight　as　he　pulled　her　hair　away　and　put　his　warm　mouth　to　her　neck。　It　made　her　shiver。　She　hunched　her　shoulder　against　his　face　and　half　moaned；　half　laughed　as　the　world　tilted　and　she　found　herself　on　the　ground　under　him。　She　managed　to　get　out　most　of　'I　love　you'　before　his　lips　covered　hers　and　she　wrapped　her　arms　around　his　neck。　She　couldn't　get　her　breath。　She　didn't　want　to。
　
　Just　as　she　was　starting　to　wonder　when　his　hands　were　going　to　get　even　for　what　she　had　done；　Richard　leapt　to　his　feet。
　
　He　drew　his　sword　in　a　rush。
　
　The　passion　in　his　eyes　had　been　replaced　by　rage。　Anger　from　the　Sword　of　Truth　flashed　in　his　expression。　The　ring　of　steel　was　carried　away　by　the　wind。　He　stood　with　his　shirt　open；　his　chest　exposed　and　heaving　with　fury。　She　pushed　herself　up　on　her　elbows。
　
　'Richard；　what　is　it？'
　
　'Something　is　ing。　Get　behind　me。　Now！'
　
　Kahlan　sprang　to　her　feet；　snatched　up　her　bow；　and　nocked　an　arrow。　'Some　thing！'
　
　A　ways　off；　she　saw　the　grass　moving；　and　it　wasn't　the　wind。
　
　
　CHAPTER　12
　
　A　splotchy　gray　head　bobbed　toward　them　through　the　long　grass。　Whatever　it　was；　it　wasn't　very　tall。　Kahlan　wondered　if　it　could　be　another　screeling。　At　that　thought；　she　drew　her　bowstring　back　until　the　arrow's　point　was　at　her　grip　on　the　bow　and　the　string　against　her　cheek。　She　frantically　worried　if　she　could　make　the　shot　if　it　came　at　them。　Although；　from　what　she　had　seen　of　a　screeling　before；　an　arrow；　she　realized；　would　do　no　good。　She　wondered　if　she　could　call　the　lightning　again。
　
　Richard　lifted　his　arm　in　front　of　her。　'Wait。'　A　squat；　hairless　figure　with　long　arms　and　big　feet；　dressed　only　in　pants　held　up　with　straps；　broke　through　the　grass　in　front　of　them。　Blinking　yellow　eyes　gazed　up　at　her　pointing　the　arrow　between　them。　A　sharp…toothed　grin　split　its　face。　'Pretty　lady。'　It　was　the　witch　woman　Shota's　panion。　'Samuel！'　Richard　growled。　'What　are　you　doing　here？'　The　beastly　creature　hissed　and　reached　for　the　sword。　'Mine！　Gimme！'
　
　Richard　brandished　the　blade　menacingly　and　Samuel；　pouting；　snatched　his　arm　back。　Richard　laid　the　sword's　tip　on　the　gray　folds　of　skin　at　Samuel's　neck。　'I　asked；　what　are　you　doing　here？'
　
　Hateful　eyes　peered　up。　'Mistress　wants　you。'
　
　'Well；　you　can　just　go　home　by　yourself。　We're　not　going　to　Agaden　Reach。'
　
　He　regarded　Richard　with　one　yellow　eye。　'Mistress　not　in　the　Reach。'　He　turned；　stretching　up　on　his　toes　to　look　over　the　grass；　and　pointed　a　long；　thick　finger　back　toward　the　Mud　People's　village。　'Mistress　waits　for　you　there。　Where　those　people　live　together。'　He　glared　back　at　Richard。　'She　said　if　you　don't　e；　she　will　kill　them；　and　Samuel　can　cook　them　in　a　stew。'　His　grin　returned。
　
　Richard　gritted　his　teeth。　'If　she　has　hurt　anyone　。。。'
　
　'She　said　she　will　not　hurt　them　。。。　if　you　e　to　her。'
　
　'What　does　she　want？'
　
　'You。'
　
　'What　does　she　want　with　me？'
　
　'Mistress　not　tell　Samuel。　Tells　me　only　to　get　you。'
　
　Kahlan　had　relaxed　half　the　tension　on　the　bowstring。　'Richard；　Shota　said　she　would　kill　you　if　she　ever　saw　you　again。'
　
　He　kept　his　eyes　on　Samuel　as　he　spoke。　'No。　She　said　she　would　kill　me　if　I　ever　went　back　to　Agaden　Reach。　She's　not　in　the　Reach。'
　
　'But　。。。'
　
　'If　I　don't　go；　she　said　she　will　kill　people。　Do　you　doubt　her？'
　
　'No　。。。　but　she　still　might　kill　you。'
　
　He　grunted　and　then　smiled。　'Kill　me？　I　don't　think　so。　She　likes　me。　I　saved　her　life。　Indirectly　at　least。'
　
　Kahlan　bristled。　Shota　had　once　tried　to　bewitch　him；　and　she　didn't　like　that　one　bit。　Other　than　the　Sisters　of　the　Light；　the　witch　woman　was　just　about　the　last　person　Kahlan　ever　wanted　to　see　again。　'