tg.stone of tears-第51章

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　It　could　have　been　Richard；　though。　If　it　hadn't　been　for　Denna；　it　could　have　been　Richard。
　
　'Don't　be　afraid；　Kahlan。'
　
　'What？'　She　focused　her　eyes。　Weselan　was　standing　in　front　of　her；　smiling。　'I'm　sorry。　What　did　you　say？'
　
　Weselan　reached　out　and　wiped　a　tear　from　Kahlan's　cheek。　'I　said　not　to　be　afraid。　Richard　is　a　good　man。　You　will　have　a　happy　life　with　him。　It　is　natural　to　fear　being　wedded；　but　do　not　worry。　It　will　be　fine；　you　will　see。　I　cried　too；　before　I　wedded　my　Savidlin。　I　didn't　think　I　would；　because　I　wanted　him　so；　but　I　found　myself　crying；　just　like　you。'　She　winked。　'I　never　had　reason　to　cry　again。　Sometimes　I　find　reason　to　plain；　but　never　to　cry。'
　
　Kahlan　wiped　the　other　cheek。　What　was　the　matter　with　her？　She　didn't　care　what　was　happening　to　Denna；　she　didn't。　Not　one　bit。
　
　She　nodded　to　Weselan　and　forced　a　smile。　'That　would　be　my　greatest　hope　in　life。　Never　to　cry　again。'
　
　Weselan　gave　her　a　forting　hug。　'　Would　you　like　something　to　eat？'
　
　'No；　I'm　not　。。。'
　
　Savidlin　burst　through　the　door。　He　was　sweating　and　panting。　Kahlan　went　cold　with　fright　at　the　look　on　his　face。　She　started　shaking　even　before　his　words　came。
　
　'When　Nissel　finished　with　Richard；　I　went　with　him　to　the　spirit　house；　like　you　told　me　to；　so　he　could　call　the　dragon。　The　Sister　of　the　Light　came　for　him。　She　is　there；　with　him。　I　didn't　understand　his　words；　but　I　knew　their　meaning；　and　your　name。　He　wanted　me　to　e　for　you。　Hurry。'
　
　'Noooo！'　Kahlan　wailed；　as　she　shot　past　him　and　out　through　the　doorway。
　
　As　she　ran；　she　held　the　hem　of　her　dress　up　in　her　fists　so　she　wouldn't　trip　on　it。　She　had　never　run　so　fast。　Her　breath　couldn't　keep　pace　as　she　raced　down　the　narrow　passageways。　Her　hair　streamed　behind　her　as　she　ran。　The　winter　air　was　frigid　on　her　skin。　The　sound　of　Savidlin　running　behind　her　faded　away。
　
　She　couldn't　form　a　thought；　except　that　she　must　get　to　Richard。　This　couldn't　be　happening。　It　was　too　soon。　The　Sister　shouldn't　be　here。　The　two　of　them　were　leaving；　almost　gone。　It　wasn't　fair　at　all。　Richard。
　
　Big　white　snowflakes　drifted　down；　not　enough　to　turn　the　ground　white；　but　enough　to　bring　an　icy　foreboding　of　the　winter　that　was　ing　…　the　winter　that　was　here。　The　wet　flakes　melted　instantly　as　they　touched　her　hot　skin。　Some　caught　in　her　lashes　until　she　blinked　them　away。　A　light　breeze　curled　around　a　corner；　swirling　into　a　white　curtain。　Kahlan　flew　through　it　and　down　a　passageway。
　
　She　skidded　to　a　stop　and　looked　around。　It　was　the　wrong　way。　She　ran　back　and　took　the　correct　turn。　Tears　ran　down　her　face　with　the　melted　snowflakes。　It　was　too　much。　It　couldn't　be。
　
　Panting　and　desperate；　she　broke　from　the　buildings；　into　the　clearing　around　the　spirit　house。　The　Sister's　horses　were　tethered　on　the　other　side　of　the　short　wall；　the　wall　with　the　gash　through　it　from　when　Richard　had　tried　to　kill　the　screeling。
　
　People　were　standing　around；　but　she　didn't　see　them。　Everything　except　the　door　to　the　spirit　house　grayed　in　her　vision。　She　ran　desperately　for　it。
　
　It　took　forever；　as　if　she　were　running　in　a　dream　and　couldn't　make　any　headway。　Her　legs　ached　with　the　strain。　Her　hand　stretched　for　the　latch。　Her　heart　pounded　in　her　ears。
　
　'Please；　dear　spirits；'　she　begged；　'don't　let　me　be　too　late。'
　
　Grunting　through　gritted　teeth；　she　yanked　the　door　open　and　threw　herself　through。
　
　Kahlan　jerked　to　a　halt。　She　gulped　air。　Richard　stood　before　Sister　Verna；　beneath　the　hole　ripped　through　the　roof　by　the　lightning。　The　two　of　them　stood　in　a　shaft　of　gray　light；　in　the　gently　drifting　snowflakes　floating　down。　The　rest　of　the　room　dimmed　into　darkness　around　them。　At　his　hip；　Richard's　sword　glinted　in　the　light。　He　didn't　have　the　tooth；　or　whistle；　or　Agiel　around　his　neck。　He　hadn't　had　time　to　call　Scarlet　yet。
　
　In　one　hand；　Sister　Verna　was　holding　the　collar　out　to　him。　Her　gaze　went　to　Kahlan　in　silent　warning　for　a　moment；　and　then　slid　back　to　Richard。　'You　have　heard　the　three　reasons　for　the　Rada'Han。　This　is　your　last　chance　to　be　helped；　Richard。　Will　you　accept　the　offer？'
　
　Richard　left　the　Sister's　steady　gaze；　and　turned　slowly　toward　Kahlan；　toward　where　she　stood　panting。　His　bright　gray　eyes　followed　down　her　dress　and　came　back　up　to　her　face。　His　voice　was　gentle；　reverent。　'Kahlan　。。。　that　dress　。。。　is　beautiful。　Beautiful。'
　
　Kahlan　couldn't　find　her　voice。　Her　heart　was　pounding；　breaking。　Sister　Verna　spoke　his　name　in　a　tone　of　serious　warning。
　
　For　the　first　time；　Kahlan　saw　that　Sister　Verna　held　something　in　her　other　hand。　It　was　the　silver　knife。　But　she　wasn't　pointing　it　at　herself；　it　was　held　toward　Richard。　Kahlan　knew：　if　he　didn't　accept；　she　intended　to　kill　him。　He　didn't　even　seem　to　be　aware　of　the　knife　as　it　flashed　in　the　dim　light。　Kahlan　wondered　if　she　had　used　a　spell　to　block　it　from　his　vision。
　
　Richard　turned　back　to　the　Sister。　'You　have　done　your　best。　You　have　tried　your　best。　It　is　not　enough。　I　told　you　before；　I　will　not　。。。'
　
　'Richard！'　Kahlan　took　another　step　toward　him　as　he　turned　to　the　sound　of　her　shriek。　Her　eyes　locked　on　his。　'Richard；'　she　whispered　as　she　took　another　step。　Her　voice　broke。　'Accept　the　offer。　Take　the　collar。　Please。'
　
　Sister　Verna　didn't　move。　She　watched　calmly。
　
　Richard　frowned　a　little。　'What？　Kahlan　。。。　you　don't　understand。　I　told　you；　I　won't　。。。'
　
　'Richard！'　He　fell　silent　as　he　looked　at　her　in　puzzlement。　She　glanced　at　the　Sister　standing　motionless；　the　knife　still　in　her　hand。　She　watched　as　Kahlan　stepped　closer。　Their　eyes　met。　Kahlan　knew：　the　other　would　wait　to　see　what　would　happen。　There　was　a　hardness　in　those　eyes　that　spoke　of　what　she　was　prepared　to　do　if　Kahlan　didn't　change　Richard's　mind。　'Richard；　listen　carefully　to　me。　I　want　you　to　accept　the　offer。'
　
　His　frown　deepened。　'What　。。。？'
　
　Take　the　collar。'
　
　His　eyes　flashed　anger。　'I　told　you　before。　I　will　not　。。。'
　
　'You　said　you　loved　me！'
　
　'Kahlan；　what's　the　matter　with　you？　You　know　I　love　。。。'
　
　She　cut　him　off。　Then　you　will　accept　the　offer。　If　you　really　love　me；　you　will　take　the　collar　and　put　it　on。　For　me。'
　
　He　stared　at　her　in　disbelief。　'For　you　。。。？　Kahlan；　I　can't　。。。　I　won't。。。'
　
　'You　will！'　She　was　being　too　gentle；　and　knew　it。　It　was　only　confusing　him。　She　had　to　be　stronger。　She　had　to　act　more　like　Denna　if　she　was　to　save　him。　Dear　spirits；　she　begged　in　her　mind；　please　give　me　the　strength　to　do　this；　to　save　him。
　
　'Kahlan；　I　don't　know　what's　gotten　into　you。　We　can　talk　about　it　later。　You　know　how　much　I　love　you；　but　I'm　not　going　to　。。。'
　
　She　clenched　her　hands　into　fists　and　screamed　at　him。　'If　you　love　me；　you　will！　Don't　stand　there　and　tell　me　you　love　me　if　you　aren't　willing　to　prove　it！　You　disgust　me！'
　
　He　blinked　in　surprise。　The　way　his　voice　sounded　made　her　ache。　'Kahlan　。。。'
　
　'You　aren't　worthy　of　my　love　if　you　aren't　willing　to　prove　it！　How　dare　you　say　you　love　me！'
　
　His　eyes　were　rilling　with　tears。
　
　With　madness。
　
　With　the　memory　of　what　Denna　had　done　to　him。
　
　He　sank　slowly　to　his　knees。　'Kahlan　。。。　please。'
　
　She　leaned　over　him　as　she　held　out　clenched　fists。　'Don't　you　dare　talk　back　to　me！'　His　arms　flinched　up；　covering　his　head。　He　thought　she　was　going　to　strike　him。　He　really　thought　she　was　going　to　strike　him。　Her　heart　felt　as　if　it　ripped。　Tears　streamed　down　her　face　as　she　let　the　rage　loose。　'I　told　you　to　take　the　collar！　How　dare　you　talk　back　to　me！　If　you　love　me　you　will　take　it！'
　
　'Kahlan；　please；'　he　cried。　'Don't　do　this。　You　don't　understand。　Don't　ask　me　to　。。。'
　
　'I　understand　perfectly　well！'　she　screamed。　'I　understand　that　you　say　you　love　me！　But　I　don't　believe　you！　I　don't　believe　you！　You're　lying　to　me！　Your　love　for　me　is　a　lie　if　you　won't　take　the　collar！　A　lie！　A　filthy　lie！'
　
　He　couldn't　look　up　at　her；　look　up　at　her　as　she　stood　over　him　in　the　blue　dress　she　was　to　wed　him　in。　He　struggled　to　get　the　words　out　as　he　fixed　his　eyes　on　the　ground。　'It's　not　。。。　it's　not　a　lie。　Please；　Kahlan；　I　love　you。　You　mean　more　to　me　than　anything　in　the　world。　Please　believe　me。　I　would　do　anything　for　you。　But　please　。。。'
　
　Dying　inside；　she　grabbed　a　fistful　of　his　hair　and　jerked　his　head　up；　making　him　look　at　her。　Madness　danced　in　his　eyes。　He　was　gone。　But　only　for　now；　she　prayed。　Please　dear　spirits；　only　for　now。
　
　'Words！　That's　all　you　offer　me！　Not　love！　Not　proof！　Just　words！　Worthless　words！'
　
　As　she　held　him　by　his　hair；　she　drew　her　other　hand　back　to　slap　him。　His　eyes　winced　shut。　She　couldn't　make　herself　do　it；　she　couldn't　hit　him。　It　was　all　she　could　do　just　to　stay　on　her　feet；　not　to　fall　to　her　knees　and　throw　her　arms　around　him　and　tell　him　how　much　she　loved　him；　that　everything　was　all　right。
　
　But　it　wasn't　all　right。　If　he　didn't　do　this；　he　would　die。
　
　She　was　the　only　one　who　could　save　him。　Even　if　it　killed　her。
　
　'Don't　hit　me　anymore；'　he　whispered。　'Please；　Denna　。。。　Don't。'
　
　Kahlan　swallowed　back　the　wail　that　tried　to　escape　her　throat　and　made　herself　speak。　'Look　at　me。'　He　did　as　she　ordered。　'I'm　not　going　to　tell　you　again；　Richard。　If　you　love　me；　you　will　accept　the　offer　and　put　on　the　collar。　If　you　don't；　I　will　make　you　regret　disobeying　me　more　than　anything　you　have　ever　regretted　in　your　life。　Do　it　now；　or　it's　over。　Everything　is　over。'　His　eyes　faltered。　She　gritted　her　teeth。　'I'm　not　going　to　tell　you　again；　my　pet。　Put　on　the　collar。　Now！'
　
　Kahlan　knew；　knew　that　'my　pet'　was　what　Denna　had　called　him。　Denna　had　told　her　with　the　rest　of　it。　She　knew　what　those　two　words　meant　to　him。　She　had　hoped　she　wouldn't　have　to　use　them。　Whatever　link　he　had　to　sanity　dissolved　in　that　instant。　She　saw　it　in　his　eyes：　the　thing　she　feared　more　than　death。
　
　Betrayal。
　
　She　released　her　grip　on　his　hair　as；　on　his　knees；　he　turned　to　Sister　Verna。　She　lifted　the　collar　a　little；　holding　it　out　to　him。　It　looked　dull；　gray；　dead　in　the　cold　light。　Richard　stared　at　it。　Snowflakes　drifted　down　in　the　still；　quiet　light。　Expressionless；　Sister　Verna　watched　him。
　
　All　right；'　he　whispered。　His　shaking　hand　reached　for　the　collar。　His　fingers　touched　it；　curled　around　it。　'I　accept　the　offer。　I　accept　the　collar。'
　
　'Then　put　it　around　your　neck；'　Sister　Verna　said　in　a　soft　voice；　'and　close　it。'
　
　He　turned　to　Kahlan。　'I　would　do　anything　for　you；'　he　whispered。
　
　Kahlan　wanted　to　die。
　
　His　hands　shook　so　much　she　thought　he　might　drop　the　collar　as　he　took　it　from　Sister　Verna。　He　held　it；　staring　at　it。
　
　But　then　his　hands　stopped　shaking。　He　took　a　deep　breath　and　put　the　collar　around　his　neck。　It　closed　with　a　snap；　and　the　seam　disappeared；　leaving　a　smooth　ring　of　metal。
　
　The　shaft　of　light　dimmed　as　if　to　twilight　even　though　it　was　still　day。　Deep；　ominous　thunder　rumbled　in　every　direction　out　across　the　grasslands。　It　didn't　sound　like　any　thunder　Kahlan　had　ever　heard　before。　She　could　feel　it　in　t