tg.stone of tears-第46章

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　'No　one　taught　me。　I　taught　myself。　Why　did　you　kill　Sister　Elizabeth！'
　
　'You　taught　yourself；'　she　mocked。　'I　told　you。　This　is　no　game。　It　must　go　by　the　rules。'　Her　voice　lost　its　edge。　'I　have　known　her　for　many　years。　If　you　had　ever　turned　that　sword　of　yours　white；　you　would　understand　what　it　took　for　me　to　do　as　I　did。'
　
　Richard　didn't　tell　her　he　had　turned　the　sword　white。　'You　would　expect　me　to　put　myself　in　your　hands；　after　what　you　have　done？'
　
　'Your　time　is　running　out；　Richard。　After　what　I　have　seen　today；　I　would　be　surprised　if　the　headaches　don't　soon　kill　you。　I　don't　know　why　it　is　that　the　pain　hasn't　already　put　you　down。　Whatever　is　protecting　you　won't　last　much　longer。　I　know　you　don't　like　to　see　anyone　die。　Neither　do　we；　but　please　believe　that　what　is　done　is　done　for　you；　to　save　you。'
　
　She　turned　to　Kahlan。　'Be　very　careful　with　that　power　of　yours；　Mother　Confessor。　I　doubt　you　have　the　slightest　idea　how　dangerous　it　is。'　Sister　Verna　pulled　her　hood　up　as　her　brown　eyes　turned　to　Richard。　'You　have　been　offered　the　first　and　second　of　three　chances；　and　refused。　I　will　return。'　She　leaned　a　little　closer。　'You　only　have　one　chance　left。　If　you　refuse　it；　you　will　die。　Think　on　it　carefully；　Richard。'
　
　After　the　door　closed　behind　Sister　Verna；　Richard　squatted　next　to　the　dead　Sister。　'She　was　doing　something　to　me。　Magic。　I　could　feel　it。'
　
　'What　did　it　feel　like？'
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　a　little。　'The　first　time　they　were　here；　I　thought　I　felt　something　pulling　me　to　accept　their　offer；　but　I　was　so　afraid　of　the　collar；　I　paid　it　no　attention。　This　time；　it　was　much　stronger。　It　was　magic。　The　magic　was　trying　to　force　me　to　say　yes；　to　accept　the　offer　from　the　Sisters。　I　just　thought　about　the　collar　until　the　force　left　and　I　was　able　to　say　no。'
　
　He　looked　up　at　her。　'You　have　any　idea　what's　going　on？　What　she　was　doing；　and　what　Sister　Verna　did；　with　the　fire；　and　the　rest　of　it？'
　
　Kahlan's　hand　still　tingled　from　the　blue　lightening。　'Yes。　The　Sisters　are　sorceresses。'
　
　Richard　rose　smoothly　to　his　feet。　'Sorceresses。'　He　watched　her　eyes　for　a　long　moment。　'Why　would　they　kill　themselves　when　I　said　no？'
　
　'I　think　it　is　to　pass　their　power　on　to　the　next　Sister；　to　make　her　stronger　for　when　they　try　again。'
　
　He　looked　down　at　the　body。　'Why　would　I　be　so　important；　that　they　would　kill　themselves　to　get　me？'
　
　'Maybe　it　is　as　they　say。　To　help　you。'
　
　He　glanced　at　her　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。　'They　don't　want　one　man；　a　stranger；　to　die；　yet　two　of　them　have　already　died　trying　to　get　me　to　accept　their　help　so　a　life　wouldn't　be　lost？　How　does　that　add　up？'
　
　'I　don't　know；　Richard；　but　I'm　so　scared　it　hurts。　I'm　afraid　they　could　be　telling　the　truth：　that　you　don't　have　much　time；　and　the　headaches　are　killing　you。　I'm　afraid　you　won't　be　able　to　control　them　much　longer。'　Her　voice　broke　with　emotion。　'I　don't　want　to　lose　you。'
　
　Richard　slipped　his　arms　around　her。　'It　will　be　all　right。　I　will　bury　her。　The　gathering　will　be　in　a　few　hours。　Tomorrow　we　will　be　in　Aydindril　and　then　I　will　be　safe。　Zedd　will　know　what　to　do。'
　
　She　could　only　nod　against　his　shoulder。
　
　
　CHAPTER　16
　
　Kahlan　sat　naked　in　the　circle　with　eight　naked　men。　Richard　was　to　her　left；　painted；　as　were　she　and　the　elders；　with　the　black　and　white　mud　except　in　a　small　circle　in　the　center　of　his　chest。　In　the　dim　light　ing　from　the　small　fire　behind　her；　she　could　see　the　wild　jumble　of　lines　and　swirls　sweeping　diagonally　across　his　face。　They　all　wore　the　same　mask；　so　that　the　ancestors'　spirits　might　see　them。　She　wondered　if　she　looked　as　savage　to　him　as　he　looked　to　her。　The　unfamiliar；　acrid　smell　from　the　fire　made　her　nose　itch。　None　of　the　elders　scratched　their　noses；　they　only　stared　at　nothing　and　chanted　sacred　words　to　the　spirits。
　
　The　door　slammed　shut　by　itself；　making　her　jump。
　
　The　Bird　Man's　distant　eyes　came　up。　'From　now；　until　we　are　finished；　near　dawn；　no　one　may　go　out；　no　one　may　e　in。　The　door　is　barred　by　the　spirits。'
　
　Kahlan　didn't　like　the　idea　that；　as　Richard　had　said；　this　could　be　a　trap。　She　squeezed　his　hand　more　tightly。　He　returned　the　squeeze。　At　least；　she　thought；　she　was　with　him。　She　hoped　she　could　protect　him。　She　hoped　she　could　call　the　lightning　if　she　had　to。
　
　The　Bird　Man　fished　out　a　frog　and　then　passed　the　woven　basket　to　the　next　elder。　Kahlan　stared　at　the　skulls　arranged　in　a　circle　in　the　center　as　each　elder　took　a　frog　and　began　rubbing　its　back　against　the　bare　circle　of　skin　on　his　chest。　As　they　did　so；　each　rolled　his　head　back　and　chanted　different　words。　Without　looking　over；　Savidlin　passed　her　the　basket。
　
　Closing　her　eyes；　she　reached　inside　and　finally　caught　a　squirming；　kicking　spirit　frog。　Its　smooth；　slimy　skin　was　revolting。　Swallowing　hard；　and　taking　a　mental　grip　on　her　Confessor's　power　to　try　to　keep　from　releasing　it　unintentionally；　she　pressed　the　frog's　back　to　the　skin　between　her　breasts　as　she　passed　the　basket　to　Richard。
　
　Tingling　tightness　spread　across　her　skin。　She　freed　the　frog　and　took　up　Richard's　hand　once　more　as　the　walls　began　to　waver；　as　if　seen　through　heat　and　smoke。　Her　mind　tried　in　vain　to　hold　on　to　the　images　of　the　spirit　house　around　her。　They　drifted　away　as　she　felt　herself　spinning　around　the　skulls。
　
　Soft　sensations　caressed　her　skin。　Light　danced　from　the　skulls　in　the　center　and　filled　her　eyes。　Sounds　of　the　boldas　and　drums　and　chanting　filled　her　ears。　The　pungent　smell　from　the　fire　filled　her　lungs。　As　once　before；　the　light　from　the　center　brightened；　taking　them　into　it；　into　the　silken　void；　spinning　them　around。
　
　And　then　there　were　shapes　around　them。　Kahlan　remembered　them；　too；　from　before：　the　ancestors'　spirits。　She　felt　a　gossamer　touch　on　her　shoulder：　a　hand；　a　spirit　hand。
　
　The　Bird　Man's　mouth　moved；　but　it　wasn't　his　voice。　It　was　the　joined　voices　of　the　ancestors'　spirits；　flat；　hollow；　dead。
　
　'Who　calls　this　gathering？'
　
　Kahlan　leaned　toward　Richard；　and　whispered；　'They　want　to　know　who　calls　this　gathering。'
　
　He　nodded。　'I　do。　I　call　this　gathering。'
　
　The　touch　left　her　shoulder　and　the　spirits　all　floated　from　behind　them　into　the　center　of　the　circle。
　
　'Speak　your　name。'　The　echo　of　their　voices　sent　ripples　of　pain　along　the　skin　of　her　arms。　'Your　full　and　true　name。　If　you　are　certain　that　you　wish　this　gathering；　despite　the　danger；　speak　the　request　after　your　name。　You　get　but　this　one　warning。'
　
　Richard　stared　at　her　translation。　'Richard；　please　。。。'
　
　'I　have　to。'　He　looked　back　to　the　spirits　in　the　center　and　took　a　deep　breath。　'I　am　Richard　。。。'　He　swallowed　and　closed　his　eyes　for　a　moment。　'I　am　Richard　Rahl；　and　I　request　this　gathering。'
　
　'So　be　it；'　came　the　empty　whispers。
　
　The　door　to　the　spirit　house　crashed　open。
　
　Kahlan　jumped　with　a　little　shriek。　She　felt　Richard's　hand　flinch；　too。　The　doorway　stood　open；　a　black　maw　in　the　soft　light　around　them。　The　elders　all　looked　up；　their　eyes　no　longer　glazed　with　the　distant　vision。　They　seemed　confused；　dazed。
　
　The　spirit　voices　came　again；　this　time　not　through　the　elders；　but　from　the　center；　from　the　spirits　themselves。　The　sound　of　it　was　even　more　painful　than　before。
　
　'All　but　the　one　who　calls　the　ancestors'　spirits　may　leave。　Leave　while　you　still　can。　Heed　our　warning。　Those　who　remain　behind　with　him　risk　forfeiting　their　souls。'　They　turned　as　one　to　Richard。　Their　voices　were　a　hiss。　'　You　may　not　leave。'
　
　The　elders'　frightened　eyes　flicked　around　to　each　other　as　she　translated　for　Richard。　Kahlan　knew：　this　had　never　happened　before。
　
　'Everyone　out；'　Richard　whispered。　'Have　everyone　get　out。　I　don't　want　them　hurt。'
　
　Kahlan　looked　to　the　Bird　Man's　worried　eyes。　'Please。　All　of　you；　leave　now。　While　you　can。　We　don't　want　harm　to　e　to　any　of　you。'
　
　The　elders　all　looked　to　the　Bird　Man。　He　stared　at　her　a　moment；　glanced　at　Richard；　and　then　back　to　her。
　
　'I　can　offer　you　no　guidance；　child。　This　has　never　happened　before。　I　don't　know　what　it　means。'
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　'I　understand。　Go　now；　before　it　is　too　late。'
　
　Savidlin　touched　her　shoulder；　and　then　the　elders　vanished　as　they　walked　through　the　black　void　of　the　doorway。　She　sat　in　the　quiet　with　Richard；　with　the　spirits。
　
　'Kahlan；　I　want　you　out　of　here；　too。　Go。　Now。'　His　voice　was　calm；　almost　cold。　Fear　danced　in　his　eyes。　And　magic。
　
　She　watched　his　face　as　he　stared　at　the　spirits。
　
　'No；'　she　whispered。　She　turned　once　more　to　the　center。　'I　will　not　leave　you。　Not　for　any　reason。　Though　no　words　have　been　spoken　over　us；　we　are　joined　in　our　hearts；　by　my　magic。　We　are　one。　What　happens　to　one；　happens　to　both。　I　am　staying。'
　
　Richard　didn't　look　over。　He　continued　to　stare　at　the　spirits　as　they　floated　in　the　center　of　the　room；　above　the　skulls。　She　thought　he　would　yell　at　her　to　leave。　He　didn't。　His　voice　came　soft　and　gentle。
　
　Thank　you。　I　love　you；　Kahlan　Amnell。　Together；　then。'
　
　The　door　banged　closed。
　
　Kahlan　jumped；　and　a　little　sound　escaped　from　her　throat　before　she　could　catch　it。　Her　heart　pounded　in　her　ears。　She　tried　to　slow　her　breathing；　but　couldn't。　She　swallowed　instead。
　
　The　image　of　the　spirits　dimmed。　'What　you　have　called　forth；　Richard　Rahl；　we　cannot　stay　to　witness。　We　are　sorry。'
　
　Their　forms　seemed　to　evaporate　as　she　watched。　As　they　vanished；　the　light　went　with　them；　until　the　two　of　them　were　left　in　total　blackness。　She　could　hear　the　slow　crackle　of　the　fire　off　beyond　that　blackness；　Richard's　quick　breathing；　her　own　breathing；　and　nothing　else。　Richard's　hand　found　hers。　In　the　darkness；　they　sat　together；　alone；　naked。
　
　As　Kahlan　began　to　think；　to　hope；　that　nothing　was　going　to　happen；　she　became　aware　of　a　slight　brightening　in　front　of　her。　There　was　light　beginning　to　glow。
　
　Green　light。
　
　A　shade　of　green　light　she　had　seen　from　only　one　place。
　
　The　underworld。
　
　Her　breaths　came　in　ragged　pulls。　The　green　light　brightened；　and　with　it；　distant　wails。
　
　From　the　air　all　about　came　an　earsplitting　crack；　like　a　clap　of　thunder；　sudden；　hard；　painful。　The　ground　shook　with　the　impact　of　it。
　
　From　the　center　of　the　green　light；　a　white　brilliance　oozed　through；　to　coalesce　into　a　form　and　stand　before　them。　Her　breath　caught　in　her　throat。　The　fine　hairs　on　the　back　of　her　neck　stood　out　stiffly。
　
　The　white　form　took　a　step　closer。　She　only　dimly　realized　Richard's　grip　on　her　hand　was　hurting　her。　Kahlan　knew　the　white　robes；　the　long　blond　hair；　the　painfully　handsome　face　that　stood　before　them；　smiling　that　small；　gruesome　smile。
　
　'Dear　spirits　protect　us；'　she　whispered。
　
　It　was　Darken　Rahl。
　
　As　one；　she　and　Richard　came　slowly　to　their　feet。　The　glowing　blue　eyes　watched　them　rise。　Relaxed；　unhurried；　Darken　Rahl　brought　a　hand　up　and　licked　his　fingertips。
　
　Thank　you；　Richard；　for　calling　me　back。'　His　cruel　smile　widened。　'How　thoughtful　of　you。'
　
　'I。。。　didn