tg.stone of tears-第41章

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　to　do？　He　has　said　he　doesn't　know　much　about　the　underworld。　No　one　does。　No　one　knows　about　the　world　of　the　dead。
　
　'But　the　ancestors'　spirits　do。　I　have　to　find　out　whatever　I　can　to　help。　We　can't　waste　the　time　going　to　Zedd；　only　to　find　out　he　doesn't　know　what　to　do。　I　have　to　find　out　what　I　can　first；　then　go　to　Zedd。　Shota　said　only　I　could　close　the　veil。　Maybe　it's　because　I　am　the　Seeker。　I　have　to　do　my　job　and　find　the　answers。　Even　if　they　mean　little　to　me；　they　might　be　significant　to　Zedd；　and　then　he　might　know　what　to　do；　know　what　I　can　do。'
　
　'What　if　we　beat　Zedd　to　Aydindril？　If　we　travel　on　Scarlet；　she　will　get　us　there　in　a　day；　Zedd　may　not　be　there　yet。'
　
　'If　he　isn't　there；　we　know　he's　going　there；　and　we'll　find　him。　He　will　be　able　to　see　Scarlet。'
　
　She　watched　him　a　moment。　'Your　mind　is　made　up　about　all　this；　isn't　it？'
　
　He　shrugged。　'If　anyone　could　poke　holes　in　my　idea；　it　would　be　you。　You　have　any　better　ideas？'
　
　She　shook　her　head　at　last。　'I　wish　I　did；　but　I　don't。　I　like　all　of　it　but　the　gathering。'
　
　Richard's　face　softened　with　a　gentle　smile。　'I　would　really　like　to　see　you　in　the　wedding　dress　Weselan　is　making。　Can　she　have　it　done　that　soon？　We　could　spend　our　wedding　night　in　Aydindril；　in　your　home。'
　
　Kahlan　couldn't　keep　the　smile　back。　'She　can。　And　there　doesn't　have　to　be　a　big　wedding　party。　Anyway；　there's　not　time　to　prepare；　with　the　banquet　for　the　gathering　going　on。　But　the　Bird　Man　will　be　pleased　to　marry　us　without　it。'　She　looked　at　him　coyly。　'We　would　have　a　real　bed；　in　Aydindril。　A　big　fortable　bed。'
　
　His　arm　circled　around　her　waist　and　pulled　her　against　him。　He　gave　her　lips　a　soft　kiss。　She　didn't　want　it　to　end；　but　she　gently　pushed　back　and　glanced　away。
　
　'Richard　。。。　what　about　the　other　things　Shota　said？　About　a　child？'
　
　'Shota　was　wrong　before；　about　a　lot　of　things。　Even　the　things　she　was　right　about　didn't　turn　out　how　we　expected。　I'm　not　going　to　give　you　up　on　her　word。　Remember　what　you　said　to　me　one　time？　About　never　letting　a　beautiful　woman　pick　your　path　for　you　when　there　was　a　man　in　her　line　of　sight？　And　besides；　we　will　be　able　to　talk　to　Zedd　first。　Confessors　and　the　gift　are　something　he　does　know　a　lot　about。'
　
　She　ran　her　finger　down　his　chest。　'You　seem　to　have　an　answer　for　everything。　How　did　you　get　so　smart？'
　
　He　pulled　her　to　him　and　kissed　her　again；　harder　this　time。
　
　'I　will　find　an　answer　to　anything　that　tries　to　keep　me　from　you　and　your　big　fortable　bed。　I　would　go　to　the　underworld　and　fight　the　Keeper　himself　to　be　with　you。'
　
　She　cuddled　against　his　shoulder。　It　seemed　like　forever　since　he　had　found　her　in　Westland；　being　chased　by　a　quad。　It　seemed　a　lifetime　ago；　not　a　mere　few　months。　They　had　been　through　so　much。　She　was　so　tired　of　being　afraid；　and　being　chased；　hunted。　It　wasn't　fair　that　just　when　it　was　over；　it　was　starting　again。
　
　She　gave　herself　a　mental　shake。　That　was　the　wrong　way　to　see　things。　It　was　the　problem；　not　the　solution。　She　forced　herself　to　look　at　the　new　problem　in　its　own　light；　and　not　color　it　with　what　had　happened　in　the　past。
　
　'Maybe　it　won't　be　so　hard　this　time。　Maybe　we　can　do　as　you　say；　and　find　out　what　needs　to　be　done；　and　be　finished　with　it。'　She　kissed　his　neck。　'We'd　better　get　out　there；　they　are　waiting。　And　besides；　if　I　stay　here　with　you　any　longer；　we　won't　make　it　to　my　big　fortable　bed。'
　
　
　They　left　the　quiet　of　the　spirit　house　and　walked　hand　in　hand　through　the　dark　pathways　between　the　buildings　of　the　village。　She　felt　safe　holding　his　hand。　From　the　first　day　they　met；　and　he　offered　his　hand　to　her　to　help　her　up；　she　had　liked　having　her　hand　in　his。　No　one　had　ever　done　that　before；　people　were　afraid　of　Confessors。　She　wanted　this　over；　so　they　could　be　together　and　live　in　peace。　So　they　could　hold　hands　whenever　they　wanted；　and　not　ever　have　to　run。
　
　The　sound　of　the　people；　the　dancing；　the　conversation；　and　the　children　grew　louder　until　the　two　of　them　passed　into　the　firelit　field。　Musicians　stood　on　open；　grass…roofed　platforms；　swaying　as　they　drew　paddles　up　and　down　the　carved　ripples　on　the　boldas；　sending　the　haunting　strains　out　over　the　surrounding　flat　grassland。　Arms　a　blur；　men　pounded　on　drums；　sending　frantic；　echoing　beats　across　the　village　to　others　who　answered　or　joined　in。　Dancers　in　costumes　followed　one　another　around　in　circles；　stopping　and　turning　as　one；　jumping　and　stomping；　acting　out　stories　for　the　gleeful　children　and　adults　who　crowded　around　them。　Cooking　fires　sent　sweet…smelling　smoke　and　wonderful　aromas　drifting　to　them。
　
　As　they　walked　past；　large　fires　roared　and　crackled　in　the　center　of　the　field；　warming　one　side　of　her　with　their　heat。　Men　proudly　wore　their　finest　skins；　and　women　their　brightest　dresses。　All　had　their　hair　freshly　slicked　down　with　sticky　mud。　Woven　trays　of　tava　bread；　roasted　peppers；　onions；　long　beans；　cabbage；　cucumber　and　beets；　bowls　of　stewed　meats；　fish；　and　chicken；　as　well　as　platters　of　boar　and　venison；　were　carried　by　young　women　from　the　cook　fires　to　people　gathered　at　various　shelters。　The　whole　village　was　in　joyful　celebration　to　wele　the　ancestors'　spirits。
　
　Savidlin　stood　at　their　approach；　weling　them　onto　the　elders'　platform。　He　looked　dignified　with　his　official　coyote　hide　around　his　shoulders。　The　Bird　Man　and　the　other　elders　gave　the　two　of　them　smiles　and　nods。　As　soon　as　she　and　Richard　sat　cross…legged；　the　young　women　brought　woven　trays　and　platters　of　food。　They　both　took　pieces　of　tava　bread　and　rolled　them　around　peppers；　careful　to　put　them　to　their　mouths　with　the　right　hand　only。　A　boy　brought　pottery　mugs　and　a　jug　of　water　mildly　flavored　with　spices。
　
　When　he　was　satisfied　they　were　fortably　settled；　the　Bird　Man　nodded　to　a　group　of　women　at　a　nearby　shelter。　Kahlan　knew　what　this　meant。　The　women　were　special　cooks；　the　only　ones　allowed　to　prepare　the　banquet　specialties。　Richard's　eyes　watched　as　one　of　them　came　with　a　woven　platter　filled　with　dried　meat；　neatly　arranged　in　a　circular　pattern。　He　gave　no　sign　of　his　feelings。
　
　There　would　be　no　gathering　if　he　didn't　eat　this　meat。　Worse；　this　was　not　just　any　meat。　She　knew；　though；　that　he　was　determined；　and　would　eat　it。
　
　The　woman　bowed　her　head；　holding　the　platter　out　to　the　Bird　Man；　and　then　the　other　elders。　After　each　took　some；　she　offered　it　to　the　elders'　wives。　A　few　took　a　piece。　She　turned　and　held　the　platter　out　to　Richard。　He　looked　at　it　a　moment；　and　then　reached　up　and　took　one　of　the　larger　pieces。　He　held　it　in　his　fingers；　looking　at　it　as　the　woman　left　after　Kahlan　declined　the　offer。
　
　'I　know　it　is　difficult　for　you；'　the　Bird　Man　said　to　Richard；　'but　it　is　necessary　for　you　to　have　the　knowledge　of　our　enemies。'
　
　Richard　pulled　off　a　big　bite　with　his　teeth。　'The　way　is　the　way。'　He　chewed　and　swallowed　without　showing　any　emotion。　He　looked　off　into　the　distance。　'Who　is　it？'
　
　The　Bird　Man　watched　him　a　moment　after　Richard　looked　back　to　him。　'It　is　the　man　you　killed。'
　
　'I　see。'
　
　He　took　another　bite。　He　had　taken　a　big　piece；　and　was　eating　the　whole　thing　to　show　them　his　determination　to　have　the　gathering；　to　show　them　that　despite　the　warning　from　the　spirits；　he　was　resolved　to　go　through　with　it。　He　watched　the　dancers　as　he　chewed；　washing　each　swallow　down　with　a　drink　from　his　mug。　The　elders'　platform　was　an　isolated　island　of　quiet　in　the　sweep　of　noise　and　activity。
　
　Richard　abruptly　stopped　chewing。　His　eyes　widened。　He　sat　up　straighten　His　head　snapped　around　to　the　elders。
　
　'Where's　Chandalen？'
　
　They　looked　at　one　another　after　studying　his　face　a　moment。
　
　Richard　sprang　to　his　feet。　'Where's　Chandalen！'
　
　'He　is　here；　somewhere；'　the　Bird　Man　said。
　
　'Find　him！　Right　now！　Bring　him　here！'
　
　The　Bird　Man　sent　one　of　the　nearby　hunters　to　search。　Richard　hopped　down　off　the　platform　without　a　word　and　went　to　the　shelter　with　the　banquet　cooks。　He　found　the　woman　with　the　platter　of　meat　and　took　a　piece。
　
　Kahlan　turned　to　the　Bird　Man。　'Do　you　have　any　idea　what　is　going　on？'
　
　He　nodded　solemnly。　'He　has　had　a　vision；　a　vision　from　our　enemies'　flesh。　It　happens　sometimes。　That　is　why　we　do　this　…　to　know　what　is　in　our　enemies'　hearts。'
　
　Richard　returned　and　paced　back　and　forth　in　front　of　the　elders'　platform；　waiting。
　
　'Richard；　what　is　it？　What　do　you　see？'
　
　He　stopped　pacing。　The　expression　on　his　face　was　agitated。　'Trouble。'　He　resumed　his　pacing。　She　asked　what　sort　of　trouble；　but　he　didn't　seem　to　even　notice　the　question。
　
　At　last　the　hunter　returned　with　Chandalen　and　his　men。
　
　'What　would　make　Richard　With　The　Temper　ask　for　me？'
　
　Richard　shoved　the　piece　of　meat　at　him。　'Eat　this。　Tell　me　what　you　see。'
　
　Chandalen　watched　Richard's　eyes　as　he　ate　the　strip　of　dried　meat。　Richard　went　back　to　his　impatient　pacing；　pulling　off　another　bite　with　his　teeth。　He　chewed　and　paced。
　
　Finally　he　could　wait　no　longer。　'Well？　What　do　you　see？'
　
　Chandalen　watched　warily。　'An　enemy。'
　
　Richard　let　out　an　exasperated　breath。　'Who　was　this　man？　From　what　people？'
　
　'He　was　Bantak；　from　the　east。'
　
　Kahlan　jumped　up。　'Bantak！'　She　hopped　down　off　the　platform　and　stood　next　to　Richard。　'Bantak　are　peaceful　They　would　never　attack　anyone。　It　is　against　their　way。'
　
　'He　was　a　Bantak；'　Chandalen　repeated。　'He　had　black　painted　on　his　eyes。　He　attacked　us。'　He　redirected　his　gaze　to　Richard。　'At　least；　that　is　what　Richard　With　The　Temper　claims。'
　
　Richard　went　back　to　pacing。　They're　ing；'　he　muttered。　He　stopped　and　grabbed　Chandalen　by　the　shoulders。　'They're　ing！　They're　ing　to　attack　the　Mud　People！'
　
　Chandalen　frowned。　'The　Bantak　are　not　fighters。　It　is　as　the　Mother　Confessor　says；　they　are　peaceful。　They　plant　crops；　herd　goats　and　sheep。　We　trade　with　them。　This　one　that　attacked　us　must　have　been　sick　in　the　head。　The　Bantak　know　the　Mud　People　are　stronger　than　they。　They　would　not　attack　us。'
　
　Richard　hardly　heard　the　translation。　'Get　your　men　together。　Get　more　men。　We　have　to　go　stop　them。'
　
　Chandalen　studied　him。　'We　have　nothing　to　fear　from　the　Bantak。　They　would　not　attack　us。'
　
　Richard　nearly　exploded。　'Chandalen；　you　are　charged　with　protecting　our　people！　I　am　telling　you　there　is　a　threat　to　them！　You　must　not　ignore　me　in　this！'
　
　He　ran　his　fingers　through　his　hair；　calming　himself。　'Chandalen；　don't　you　think　it　a　little　strange　that　one　man　would　have　attacked　all　of　us？　Would　you；　as　brave　as　you　are；　have　e　into　the　open　and　attacked　that　many　men；　by　yourself？　You；　with　only　a　spear；　and　they　with　bows？'
　
　Chandalen　only　glared。　The　Bird　Man　led　the　other　elders　off　the　platform　and　stood　next　to　Chandalen；　facing　Richard。　'Tell　us　what　our　enemy　has　revealed　to　you。　Tell　us　what　you　have　seen。'
　
　'This　man　。。。'　Richard　held　the　piece　of　meat　up　in　front　of　the　Bird　Man's　face。　'This　man　was　the　son　of　their　spirit　guide。'
　
　The　elders　broke　into　worried　whispers。　The　Bi