tg.stone of tears-第61章

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than's　nonsense。　Margaret　had　been　furious　at　Nathan　when　he　had　denied　remembering　giving　any　such　message　for　the　Prelate。
　
　'I　wish　it　were　as　you　say；　but　it　is　not。　They're　real。　They　are　among　us。　They　are　in　the　palace。'　She　watched　the　dark　shadow　of　him　a　moment。　That's　why　I'm　out　here。　To　get　the　proof。'
　
　'How　are　you　going　to　do　that？'
　
　'They're　out　here。　I　followed　them。　They　e　out　into　the　Hagen　Woods　to　do　something。　I'm　going　to　find　out　what。'
　
　His　head　turned　about；　searching　the　darkness。　'Who？　Which　Sisters？　Do　you　know　which　ones？'
　
　'I　know。　Some　of　them　anyway。'
　
　'Which　ones　are　they？'
　
　'Jedidiah；　I　can't　tell　you。　If　you　knew；　and　you　made　even　the　slightest　mistake　。。。　you　would　not　be　able　to　defend　yourself。　If　I'm　right　and　they　really　are　Sisters　of　the　Dark；　they　would　kill　you　for　knowing。　I　can't　bear　the　thought　of　you　being　hurt。　I　won't　tell　you　until　I　go　to　the　Prelate's　office　with　the　proof。'
　
　'How　do　you　know　they　are　Sisters　of　the　。。。　And　what　proof　have　you？　What　proof　could　you　get？'
　
　She　searched　the　darkness　for　any　sign　of　danger。　'One　of　the　Sisters　has　something。　A　thing　of　magic。　A　thing　of　dark　magic。　I　saw　it　in　her　office。　It's　a　little　statue。　I　noticed　it　one　time　because　she　has　a　number　of　things；　old　things　everyone　thinks　are　just　ancient　curiosities。　I　had　seen　it　before；　and　like　all　the　rest　of　the　things；　it　was　covered　with　dust。
　
　'But　this　one　time；　after　one　of　the　boys　died；　I　went　to　her　office　to　talk　to　her　about　it；　about　her　report。　That　little　statue　was　tucked　back　in　a　corner；　with　a　book　leaning　against　it；　hiding　it；　and　it　wasn't　covered　with　dust。　It　was　clean。'
　
　That's　it！　This　Sister　dusted　a　statue；　and　you　think　。。。'
　
　'No。　No　one　knows　what　that　statue　is。　After　I　saw　she　had　dusted　it；　I　had　reason　to　question　what　it　was。　I　had　to　be　careful；　not　let　anyone　know　what　I　was　up　to；　but　I　finally　found　out　what　it　is。'
　
　'How？　How　did　you　find　out？'
　
　She　remembered　her　visit　to　Nathan；　and　her　vow　never　to　reveal　how　she　had　learned　what　that　statue　was。　'Never　you　mind。　That　is　not　for　you　to　know。'
　
　'Margaret；　how　could　you　。。。'
　
　She　cut　him　off。　'I　said　I'm　not　telling　you。　And　it　isn't　important　anyway。　What　is　important　is　what　the　statue　is；　not　how　I　found　out　about　it。　It's　a　man　holding　up　a　crystal。　The　crystal　is　quillion。'
　
　'What's　quillion？'
　
　'It's　an　exceedingly　rare　magic　crystal。　It　has　the　power　to　bleed　the　magic　from　a　wizard。'
　
　The　surprise　of　that　left　him　speechless　for　a　moment。　'How　do　you　know　it's　quillion；　if　it's　so　rare？　How　would　you　be　able　to　recognize　it？　Maybe　it　is　just　some　other　crystal　that　looks　similar。'
　
　That　might　be　true　if　it　hadn't　been　used。　When　quillion　is　used　to　bleed　the　magic　from　a　wizard；　it　glows　orange　with　the　power　of　his　gift；　his　Han。　For　just　a　brief　second　as　I　left　her　office；　I　saw　that　statue；　all　clean；　hiding　behind　that　book。　The　quillion　was　glowing　orange。　But　that　was　before　I　knew　what　it　was。　After　I　found　out；　I　went　back；　to　take　it　to　the　Prelate；　as　proof；　but　it　no　longer　was　glowing。'
　
　'What　could　that　mean？'　he　whispered　in　a　fearful　voice。
　
　'It　means　that　the　wizard's　power　had　passed　out　of　the　crystal；　into　somebody。　A　host。　Quillion　is　just　a　vessel　for　the　gift　until　it　can　be　placed　into　someone　else。　Jedidiah；　I　think　the　Sisters　are　killing　those　with　the　gift；　and　stealing　it　for　themselves。　I　think　they　are　absorbing　the　power　into　themselves。'
　
　His　voice　trembled。　'On　top　of　what　they　already　are？　They　now　have　the　power　of　a　wizard's　gift？'
　
　She　nodded。　'Yes。　That　makes　them　more　dangerous　than　we　could　even　believe；　more　powerful　than　we　can　imagine。　That's　what　scares　me　the　most；　not　being　put　to　death　for　making　the　accusation；　but　being　found　out　by　these　Sisters。　If　they　really　are　taking　the　power　into　themselves；　I　don't　know　how　we　can　stop　them。　None　of　us　can　match　them。
　
　'I　need　proof；　so　the　Prelate　will　believe　me。　Maybe　she　will　know　what　to　do。　I　certainly　don't。
　
　'What　I　can't　understand　is　how　the　Sisters　are　absorbing　the　gift　from　the　quillion。　The　gift　of　a　wizard；　his　Han；　is　male。　The　sisters　are　female。　A　female　can't　just　absorb　the　male　Han。　It's　not　that　simple；　otherwise　they　would　simply　have　bled　the　Han　into　themselves　when　they　killed　him。　If　they　are　really　taking　the　Han　from　the　males　into　themselves；　I　don't　know　how　they're　doing　it。'
　
　'So　what　are　you　doing　out　here？'
　
　She　folded　her　arms　against　an　inner　chill；　even　though　the　air　was　warm。　'Do　you　remember　the　other　day；　when　Sam　Weber　and　Neville　Ranson　had　pleted　all　the　tests　and　were　to　have　their　collars　off　and　leave　the　palace？'
　
　He　nodded　in　the　dark。　'Yes。　I　was　really　disappointed　because　Sam　had　promised　to　e　say　good…bye；　and　show　me　he　had　his　Rada'Han　off。　I　wanted　to　wish　him　well　after　he　was　a　true　wizard。　He　never　came。　They　told　me　he　left　in　the　night；　because　he　didn't　want　any　tearful　good…byes；　but　Sam　was　my　friend；　he　was　a　gentle　person；　a　healer；　and　it　just　wasn't　like　him　to　leave　in　that　fashion；　without　telling　me　good…bye。　It　just　wasn't。　I　was　hurt　he　didn't　e　by。　I　really　wanted　to　wish　him　well。'
　
　'They　killed　him。'
　
　'What？'　He　sagged　down　a　little。　'Oh；　dear　Creator；　no。'　His　voice　broke　with　tears。　'Are　you　sure？　How　do　you　know？'
　
　She　put　a　forting　hand　on　his　shoulder。　The　day　after　he　supposedly　left　in　such　a　strange　manner；　I　suspected　something　terrible　had　happened。　I　went　to　see　if　the　quillion　was　glowing　again；　but　the　door　was　shielded。'
　
　'That　doesn't　prove　anything。　Sisters　shield　their　rooms　or　offices　sometimes。　You　do　it　yourself　when　you　don't　want　to　be　disturbed；　like　when　we　are　together。'
　
　'I　know。　But　I　wanted　to　see　the　quillion；　so　I　waited　around　a　corner；　until　the　Sister　came　to　her　office。　I　came　out　from　where　I　waited；　timing　it　so　that　as　I　walked　past；　she　would　be　entering。　As　I　went　by；　and　just　before　she　closed　the　door　behind　herself；　I　saw　into　her　dark　office。　I　saw　the　statue　on　the　shelf　behind　the　book。　It　was　glowing　orange。　I'm　sorry；　Jedidiah。'
　
　His　voice　lowered　with　anger。　'Who　was　it？　Which　Sister？'
　
　'I'm　not　going　to　tell　you；　Jedidiah。　Not　until　I　can　take　proof　to　the　Prelate。　It's　too　dangerous。'
　
　He　thought　a　moment。　'If　this　crystal　really　is　quillion；　and　it　would　prove　what　she　is；　why　wouldn't　she　hide　it　better？'
　
　'Maybe　because　she　didn't　think　there　was　a　chance　of　anyone　knowing　what　it　was。　Maybe　because　she　isn't　afraid　and　doesn't　take　the　time　to　be　any　more　careful　than　she　thinks　necessary。'
　
　'Then　let's　go　back；　break　the　shield；　get　the　cursed　thing　and　take　it　to　the　Prelate。　I　can　break　the　shield；　I　know　I　can。'
　
　'I　was　going　to　do　that　myself。　I　went　back　to　do　it　tonight；　but　the　room　wasn't　shielded　anymore。　I　snuck　in　to　take　the　statue；　but　it　was　gone。　That　was　when　I　saw　her　leaving　the　palace；　and　I　saw　others　leaving　too。　I　followed　them　out　here。
　
　'If　I　can　steal　the　quillion　while　it's　glowing；　I　can　prove　they　are　Sisters　of　the　Dark。　I　have　to　stop　them　before　they　can　suck　the　life　out　of　anyone　else。　Jedidiah；　they're　murdering　people；　but　worse；　I　fear　the　reason　they　are　doing　it。'
　
　He　let　out　a　soft　sigh。　'All　right。　But　I'm　going　with　you。'
　
　She　gritted　her　teeth。　'No；　you　are　going　back。'
　
　'Margaret；　I　love　you；　and　if　you　send　me　back　to　worry　all　alone；　I　will　never　forgive　you。　I'll　go　to　the　Prelate　myself　and　make　the　accusation；　to　bring　you　help。　Though　I　may　be　put　to　death　for　making　the　accusation；　I　know　it　would　raise　suspicions；　and　maybe　an　alarm。　That's　the　only　other　way　I'll　be　able　to　protect　you。　Either　I　go　with　you；　or　I　go　to　the　Prelate；　I　promise　you　I　will。'
　
　She　knew　he　was　telling　the　truth。　Jedidiah　always　kept　his　promises。　Powerful　wizards　always　did。　Rising　to　her　knees；　she　leaned　over　and　put　her　arms　around　his　neck。　'I　love　you　too；　Jedidiah。'
　
　She　kissed　him　deeply　as　he　rose　up　on　his　knees　to　meet　her。　His　hands　went　under　the　back　of　her　dress　and　he　gripped　her　bottom；　pulling　her　against　him。　The　feeling　of　his　hands　on　her　flesh　made　her　moan　softly。　His　hot　lips　kissed　her　neck　and　then　her　ear；　sending　shimmers　of　magic　tingling　through　her。　His　knee　forced　her　legs　apart；　giving　his　hands　access　to　her。　She　gasped　at　the　contact。
　
　'e　away　with　me　now；'　he　whispered　in　her　ear。　'Let's　go　back；　and　you　can　shield　your　room　and　I'll　give　you　more　until　you　scream。　You　can　scream　all　you　want　and　no　one　will　hear　you。'
　
　She　pushed　away　from　him　and　pulled　his　hands　out　from　under　her　dress。　He　was　breaking　down　her　resistance。　She　found　she　had　to　force　herself　to　stop　him。　He　was　using　his　magic　to　seduce　her　away　from　the　danger；　trying　to　save　her　by　drawing　her　away。　She　knew　that　if　she　let　it　go　on　for　another　second；　it　would　work。
　
　'Jedidiah；'　she　panted　in　a　hoarse　whisper；　'please　don't　make　me　have　to　use　the　collar　to　stop　you。　This　is　too　important。　Lives　are　at　stake。'　He　tried　to　reach　out　to　her　once　more；　but　she　sent　a　cord　of　power　through　her　hands　on　his　wrists　to　stop　him。　She　firmly　held　his　hands　away。
　
　'I　know；　Margaret。　Your　life　is　one　of　them。　I　don't　want　anything　to　harm　you。　I　love　you　more　than　anything　in　the　world。'
　
　'Jedidiah；　this　is　more　important　than　my　life。　This　is　about　the　lives　of　everyone。　I　think　this　is　about　the　Nameless　One。'
　
　He　froze　stiff。　'You　can't　be　serious。'
　
　'Why　do　you　think　these　Sisters　want　this　power？　What　do　they　need　with　it？　Why　would　they　be　willing　to　kill　for　it？　To　what　end？　Who　do　you　think　Sisters　of　the　Dark　serve？'
　
　'Dear　Creator；'　he　whispered　slowly；　'don't　let　her　be　right。'　His　hands　came　up　and　held　her　by　her　shoulders。　'Margaret；　who　else　knows　these　things？　Who　have　you　told？'
　
　'Only　you；　Jedidiah。　I　know　who　four；　maybe　five；　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Dark　are。　But　there　are　others；　and　I　don't　know　who　they　are。　I　don't　know　who　I　can　trust。　There　were　eleven　I　followed　out　here　tonight；　but　there　could　easily　be　more。'
　
　'What　about　the　Prelate？　Maybe　you　shouldn't　go　to　her；　she　could　be　with　them。'
　
　She　shook　her　head　with　a　sigh。　'You　may　be　right；　but　it's　the　only　chance　we　have。　There　is　no　one　else　I　can　think　of　who　can　help　me。　I　have　to　go　to　her。'　She　touched　her　fingertips　to　his　face。　'Jedidiah；　please　go　back。　If　anything　were　to　happen　to　me；　then　you　would　be　able　to　do　something。　There　would　be　someone　who　knew。'
　
　'No。　I　won't　leave　you。　If　you　make　me　go　back；　I　will　tell　the　Prelate。　I　love　you。　I　would　rather　die　than　live　without　you。'
　
　'But　there　are　others　to　think　of。　Other　lives　at　stake。'
　
　'I　don't　care　about　anyone　else。　Please；　Margaret；　don't　ask　me　to　leave　you　to　this　danger。'
　
　'Sometimes　you　can　be　infuriating；　my　love。'　She　took　his　hands　up　in　hers。　'Jedidiah；　if　we　are　caught　。。。'
　
　'If　we　are　together；　then　I　accept　the　risk。'
　
　She　twined　her　fingers　through　his。　'Then　be　my　husband？　As　we　have　talked　about？　If　I　die　tonight；　I　want　it　to